of Monday night the most important number is two. That is the number of weeks in the regular season that Commissioner David Stern has canceled after the league and players union left the negotiating table with no deal.

locked out as of Tuesday. The two sides have yet to come to an agreement on issues regarding the salary split, luxury taxes, and contract lengths. Stern told reporters he believed what was being proposed was fair and he is sad to see that both sides cannot agree. Union head Billy Hunter doesn’t see it that way at all.

players are starting to put their eggs in other baskets. Several European born players like Rudy Fernandez (Spain) and Danilo Gallinari (Italy) have already signed up to play for their home countries. All-star point guard from the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, made headlines signing with a French team for less than $2000 a month. Deron Williams, a point-guard for the New Jersey Nets, made his stunning announcement earlier this year by deciding to play in Turkey.

James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony were just a few of the big names to play in the latest charity basketball game in Miami. But everyone involved, including the fans, knows that these are only temporary distractions. If the “significant gap” that’s keeping players and owners from making a deal doesn’t close soon, the next number we will see is 2012 as in the next time we will see NBA basketball.

Imported by Detroit

Shaun Francis

October 7, 2011

In 1999 Believe by Cher was the number one song, the Y2K bug swept the nation, and the United States opened the impeachment trial of President Clinton. That was also the last time the Detroit Lions made it to the postseason. No matter how you look at it, the Lions are 4-0, and relevant for the first time in 31 years. The Lions are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL, largely because of Mathew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh and of course, Jim Schwartz. The Lions fans haven’t had much to cheer about in the past; however, in the first 4 games of the season they are jumping for joy. After beating 4 playoff teams, Jim Schwartz has the entire league commenting on the Lions’ never say never attitude.
How does he take a team with a 0-16 season and turn it into one of the NFL’s elite? Coach Schwartz has brought aggressiveness, power, and unpredictable blitzes to a defense that has opposing quarterbacks, running backs and receivers wanting to stay at home. His ability to create mismatches on offense with 2 tight ends, talented receivers, and a speedy backfield has Calvin Johnson (Megatron) leading the league in touchdowns. Schwartz has Mathew Stafford throwing Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers’ numbers. Schwartz believes in utilizing players’ talents and skills, and he’s done that with this young Lions team.
The Lions week five matchup with the Chicago Bears is sure to be another win. The Bears are ranked 31st in total defense, 29th against the pass, and their quarterback, Jay Cutler, has been sacked 15 times this season. With a dominating defensive line, a superstar receiver, and a coach like Jim Schwartz, it is highly unlikely the Lions will go 4-1 this weekend.

The Big Apple’s Big Three in need of a big win

Shaun Francis

TheSportsLovers.com

April 22, 2011

New York is known as the Mecca of Basketball.

New York also has the most recognized arena in the world, and it has been the place of great basketball. Kobe Bryant’s 61 points, John Starks extraordinary dunk on the Bulls in 93, Patrick Ewing’s put back, and Michael Jordan’s 55 all happened in the world renowned Madison Square Garden.

With Game 3 being played in MSG for the first time in seven years you can only expect the place to be like no other. What will be in store for MSG tonight?

Tonight fans will file pile into the most famous arena in the world; the city of New York will be
supporting their team who hasn’t visited the post season since 2004. This is a city of winners, Yankees’ 27 championships, the Giants’ two Super Bowls, the Rangers and Islanders eight total Stanley Cups. And the Knicks two which came in the early 70’s.

The City of New York is long overdue for the Kicks to be on top of the basketball world once again.

Moral victories have no place in the NBA playoffs. And you can say that the Knicks have two of
those in their back pocket going into tonight’s game down 0-2. Game 1 was a full court press of non-stop action that ended with Carmelo missing an ill-advised long range three and the Knicks losing by two.

In Game 2, the Knicks were without Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups, and Amare Stoudemire, Tuesday’s game was 48 minutes of the Carmelo show; he had 42 points 17 rebounds and another loss. After gametwo Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said, “it’s disappointing that it’s not there, but at the same time, the way we played the second half in the second game without the two, we’re confident we can still get the job done.”

Coach D’Antoni is tired of watching the Doc Rivers led Celtics torture them in late game situations. Each game the Knicks have been very close to taking down the original big three, howevertheir late game execution has left them with two lousy moral victories.

Tonight’s game looks like another thriller. Spike Lee and the rest of the stars will
be out. ESPN is televising the game so grab some friends, grab some food and turn on the game.

But be ready for 48 minutes of non-stop playoff basketball.

Game 4 is played on Sunday and the Knicks will either look to tie the series or save their season.