July 3, 2009 at 7:49 pm · Filed under Manchester United, Michael Owen, Sir Alex Ferguson, Soccer ·Tagged Manchester United, Michael Owen, Sir Alex Ferguson, Soccer
At the age of 29 most consider the injury plagued career of Michael Owen to be over on the main stage but once again someone has shown faith in the striker. After completing a physical and passing Michael Owen signed an incentive laden deal with Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson is showing a ton of faith in Owen who currently ranks #4 in goals scored in his career in England. Throughout his management of Man U. SAF has shown faith in players whether it’s been through there younger years, injury riddled years or off the field issues and most of the time his faith has proved right. SAF has gone after big time names after losing players like Ronaldo and Tevez but have lost out on big time talent such as Benzema and Villa. I really don’t think SAF is counting on Owen but is hoping he can strike lightning in a bottle. Does Owen have one more great and healthy year ahead of him?
Signing Grade: Inc. – Given an incomplete due to the uncertainty of his health and the fact that I believe Owen will be nothing more then a 3rd or 4th striking option for Man U. I fully expect them to bring in a couple of more strikers.
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July 3, 2009 at 7:00 pm · Filed under Hedo Turkoglu, NBA, Portland Trail Blazers ·Tagged Hedo Turkoglu, NBA, Portland Trail Blazers
Hedo Turkoglu has reached an agreement in principle to become a Portland Trail Blazer, according to ESPN and multiple sources.
Signing Grade: B+ – Hedo will be a very good player but excelled because of guys like Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. It will be interesting to see how he fits in with the Trail Blazers. For the Blazers it’s a strong consistent offensive weapon to team up with Roy and Aldridge and gives them even more height.
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July 3, 2009 at 5:47 pm · Filed under Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Tennis, Wimbledon ·Tagged Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Tennis, Wimbledon
What a day for Andy Roddick and American tennis. On one side you have an all-american final with Venus and Serena going head to head and now on the men’s side we get to see Andy Roddick square off against Rogers Federer in what might be his best and last chance at a grand slam championship. What a day for Andy. He showed poise and plenty of power in route to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 victory. Congrats Andy and good luck on Sunday!
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July 3, 2009 at 5:30 pm · Filed under Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, MLB, San Diego Padres ·Tagged Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, MLB, San Diego Padres
Expect an interesting night in San Diego. With the return of Manny Ramirez off a 50 game suspension all eyes will be on the Los Angeles Dodgers as they take on one of their rivals the San Diego Padres. Expect hundreds of media personalities at the game as well as famous hecklers such as Harry the Heckler. Dodgers supposedly asked the Padres for free tickets for celebrities but were turned down by the organization. Ramirez already was a distraction despite the PED’s but now will be bringing on even more attention. I’m curious to see what will happen tonight. What do you think?
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July 3, 2009 at 5:23 pm · Filed under Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Trevor Ariza ·Tagged Houston Rockets, Lakers, NBA, Trevor Ariza
Smart move by Ariza and Rockets? I don’t think so! First of all Trevor Ariza is a nice player but he was helped out by having not one but two superstars on the Lakers. Now Ariza will go to a Rockets team that’s in a bit of a holding pattern. With the future of Yao Ming in doubt and the health of Tracy McGrady always in question is Ariza the type of player that make a difference on a team? The answer will be a resounding NO. In my opinion the Rockets have no difference makers and with the questionable health of McGrady and Ming this team needed a star and Ariza is not that. When I look at the Rockets I find myself seeing a team of role players. Ariza, Battier, Brooks, Scola, Barry and Landry are all great names to have on the bench but not in your starting lineup on a consistent basis. The West is already a tough conference to be in but with this type of squad it’s going to be a tough season in Houston.
Signing Grade: D - For both the Rockets and Ariza. Ariza excelled coming off the bench for the Lakers and will have a hard time finding the same success with the Rockets.
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July 3, 2009 at 5:05 pm · Filed under Bet of the Day, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gold Cup, Soccer ·Tagged Bet of the Day, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gold Cup, Soccer
Bet of the Day:
Pick: Costa Rica (-250)
Match:
Gold Cup – Group A – Costa Rica vs. El Salvador – 10:00 PM
Less then a month ago Costa Rica ran through the US cruising to a 3-1 victory. Costa Rica is boasting with confidence and featuring a full squad as they head into the opener of the Gold Cup. With players like Centeno, Saborio & Furtado many experts believe that the Gold Cup is Costa Rica’s to lose. El Salvador is coming into this match with lofty expectations as well. Many believe they can make it to the knockout stage of the Gold Cup tournament. The past few weeks saw ups and downs for El Salvador. Wins over Mexico and Ecuador were definitely impressive but a loss to Costa Rica and a draw versus Jamaica were certainly setbacks for this rapidly improving squad. For El Savador there best bet would be a draw in this match. Costa Rica should have too much speed and power and I expect a 2-1 or 3-1 victory in the opener.
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July 3, 2009 at 4:46 pm · Filed under Predictions, Serena Williams, Tennis, Venus Williams, Wimbledon ·Tagged Predictions, Serena Williams, Tennis, Venus Williams, Wimbledon
Once again we have an all Williams final at a WTA grand slam event. The final will not be gripping it will be a one sided affair as most grand slam finals have been between the two. After watching most of their matches at Wimbledon I’ve come to the conclusion that this is Venus match to lose. While most experts will admit that Serena is clearly the better player, Venus display’s more consistency then her younger sister and a lot more maturity. Venus has always put on a wonderful display at Wimbledon and this year her swift progression through the draw concluded with a matchup against her younger sister. In the match Venus will show a more consistent first serve and a much better net game which will frustrate Serena. Serena can’t overpower her sister like most of her opponents and in the end will be a downfall. I’m hoping for an intriguing final but I don’t expect it to be one.
Prediction: V. Williams def. S. Williams 7-5, 6-3
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July 3, 2009 at 3:18 pm · Filed under Roger Federer, Tennis, Wimbledon ·Tagged Roger Federer, Tennis, Wimbledon
Ending the match with an overhead smash Roger Federer took one step closer to claiming his 15th career grand slam. Federer showed his shear brilliance on center court cruising to a 7-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over German Tommy Haas. Next up for Federer in the finals is the winner between Roddick/Murray.
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July 3, 2009 at 2:15 pm · Filed under Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Tennis, Wimbledon ·Tagged Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Grass Court, Tennis, Wimbledon
Andy Murray vs. Andy Roddick
Andy Murray takes a 6-2 lead into the semi-finals against Andy Roddick. Murray has won the pair’s past three meetings, including the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final in Doha in the first week of the 2009 ATP World Tour season. Seven of their meetings have come on hard courts and their lone grass-court match was at The Championships in 2006, when Murray prevailed 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.
The 22-year-old Murray is attempting to become the first British man to advance to The Championships final since Bunny Austin lost to Don Budge during the American’s ‘Grand Slam’ year of 1938. The last British man to capture the title was Fred Perry in 1936. Since Austin reached the 1938 final (l. to Budge), four British players have fallen in the semi-finals – Austin (1938), Mike Sangster (1961), Roger Taylor (1967, 1970, 1973) and Tim Henman (1998-99, 2001-02). If Murray goes on to win the title he will move to a career-high No. 2 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings, just five points behind Rafael Nadal. Two weeks ago he snapped a 71-year British title-drought at the AEGON Championships, last won by Austin, with victory over James Blake. Murray has a 45-6 record on the season, highlighted by four ATP World Tour titles. At The Championships this year, Murray has held 83 of 89 service games, saved 15 of 21 break points. In 10 grass-court matches this year he has won 25 of 28 sets.
Roddick, 26, is through to the semi-finals for the fourth time in nine appearances at the All England Club. He has fired an average 27.8 aces per match (139 aces overall) in five matches at the grass-court Grand Slam championship. He has held 95 of 103 service games, saved 10 of 18 break points and converted 16 of 54 break point opportunities. The Texas resident finished runner-up to Federer in 2004 and 2005. He is one of three active players (Federer-180 and Lleyton Hewitt-124) to register at least 100 Grand Slam championship match wins (103-32). Roddick, who has a 38-8 record on the season, highlighted by one title at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships (d. Stepanek), will be attempting to reach his fifth major final (1-3 record).
Preview courtesy of ATP & ATP Staff
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