Food for Thought 5-31-11

By Josh Kramer

Courtesy of Livetennisguide.com. It is crazy to think that I am picking Novak Djokovic (pictured left) to beat Roger Federer in what should be a great semi-final match at the French Open. Expect a Djokovic/Nadal finals showdown.

It has been a hectic past couple of days in the wide world of sports to say the least.  We got big time car races, the French Open, playoff action, and of course a major resignation.  It has been a jammed pack past 48 hours, but here are some of the main things that have been on my mind.

Tressel=2011 Nixon

I think the world has turned upside down since the infamous “Jim Tressel Resignation.”  May 30th could forever be a reminder of the resignation of the Godlike Columbus figure, or at least for the next 5 years. I was not around during the Nixon Resignation, but I cannot imagine that it received much more media attention than this most recent resignation is receiving.  I realize that media is much more prevalent these days and entirely different from how it was back in the 70s.  Still even proportionally, I would be willing to bet that this story is getting nearly as much attention.  Now I will admit, in a way, I have avoided the ungodly amount of attention given to this situation.  I have had my own opinion on this ongoing  saga for some time now, and now I am going to share it.

Jim Tressel resigns as head coach at Ohio State

Staff

Photo courtesy oversigning.com

In the wake of investigations involving his players accepting benefits, Ohio State’s Jim Tressel has stepped down as the head coach of Ohio State. This is likely a Pete Caroll-esque indicator that we have only seen the surface of the turbulance to come to the Big Ten powerhouse. Check out our very own Grant Freking’s article on the situation and Tressel’s likely successor from Bleacherreport.com.

“Weekly Nickel”

Courtesy of ABC News.

By Josh Kramer

Another great week of sports is in the books.  And now we look ahead to the next big thing.  What are the things you should be keeping an eye out for this week?  Lets get to it.

Here is this week’s top 5.

5.  So what if the entire CBA situation is a big joke.  I am right there with the rest of you.  I really am not too fascinated by the labor talks.  Until there is an agreement, please hold the applause.  Without games on Sunday’s come September, bad things could happen.  Just ask Ray Lewis.  But in reality, many entertaining things are still occurring.  Players have entirely too much time on their hands.  They are trying out for soccer teams, riding bulls, waiting tables, and debating  on wrangling snakes.  Publicity stunts can be entertaining 

Stanley Cup finals preview: Canucks have inside track to lift first Cup in franchise history

By Nick Craddock

Photo courtesy http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com

TheSportsKraze is officially an international enterprise now that I, fair-haired Canadian Nick Craddock, have signed on to be a contributing writer for this blog. Naturally, there’s no better to way commence my blogging than with a post on the NHL. And lo and behold, the Stanley Cup finals begin Wednesday!

Without further adieu, here’s a preview of what to look for in this series between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks:

Maria Sharapova eyes career Grand Slam

(Photo courtesy dailynews.com)

By Josh Kramer

We have hit the 4th round of this year’s French Open.  And the talk of the tournament at this point, other than Nadal’s relentless pursuit of Bjorn Borg and Djokovic’s chase of  the #1 ranking/historical win streak, has to be the absolute “madness” on the women’s side of the draw.

Anybody who claims they saw both Wozniacki and Clijsters going down by the end of Round 3 is full of it.  These two women were the top ranked players on tour for a reason. Admittedly, the depth of the Women’s tour at this time is scarily weak.  With the recent health issues for the Williams sisters and the 2nd retirement of Justine Henin (no she is not Brett Favre), nobody has really stepped up to the plate.

It is hard for me to say, but there is not really a whole lot of fan appeal to the Women’s game at this time.  People say they love parity in sports, and they do.  But do you really love a Tour where there is really no big names?  Nobody that really stands out?

“Finals Rematch”

Miami and their star studded trifecta should actually be able to throw a legitimate championship party in the near future.

By Josh Kramer

It is finally time for the conclusion of what has been a wild NBA season. The NBA Finals are set.  And it is a rematch.  Though I will state, these are two very different teams from the matchup of 5 years ago.  In what has been a very memorable extra season thus far with many unexpected turns and twists, we have narrowed the field 2.  And not to be pessimistic, but make sure to tune in and savor it.  With the looming CBA disputes and possibility of a lockout next season, this may be the last professional basketball any of us gets to “Witness” for a long time.

The smarts of Knight or the pure talent of Walker?

By Matt Murray

Photo courtesy nbablogs.net

Your team needs a distributer, the central component to a successful NBA team.This upcoming draft class is about as questionable as the NBA actually having a 2011-12 season, but there is plenty of potential for some diamonds in the rough. Among them lies the big question: who is going to be the top point guard- Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight?

ESPN’s Chad Ford weighed in, saying that he would take Kemba for the short term, but an NBA team that wanted a PG for the long haul should take Brandon Knight. In a follow-up question, Ford said the same when comparing Knight to Jimmer. It seems that prospects are seeing quite a bit of potential in the freshman guard out of Kentucky, but is taking him over the UConn veteran a bit bold? No. And here’s why.

“Sorry Brian”

Brian Shaw (Center) appeared to be the man who would get the opportunity to succeed Phil Jackson as the 22nd Head Coach in Laker's history. Sadly for Shaw, he was overlooked for the job.

Have you ever been stood up by a date?  Canceled on at the last-minute? Led on by a girl that you liked? Mistreated by your family or significant other?  If so, which I am assuming most of you have, you know that none of these instances lead to a good feeling.  Well ask Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw about getting led on.  The man just got ditched by the biggest game in town.  One of the NBA’s proudest and most storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers.