All-Star Game needs new home

All-Star Game needs new home,  A good rule of thumb in women's basketball is to never complain about a sold-out arena.There are a few exceptions. One is if the arena is inside a casino, which is located a long plane ride, then a bus ride, from most of your star players and from much of the rest of the country. Another is if the mission of your league is to continue growing the game, to introduce your particular brand of basketball to folks who might not have seen it before, and if the aforementioned sold-out arena is located in Connecticut, a state that already embraces women's basketball. That's a little like having a film festival in Hollywood. Or, you know, like preaching to the choir.On Saturday afternoon, 9,323 people filled the 10,000 seats inside Mohegan Sun Arena to watch the WNBA All-Star Game. There was buzz and interest and extra-loud cheers during introductions, especially for the three players (Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Tina Charles) who played their college ball at the nearby University of Connecticut. Then the stars of the women's game stepped onto the floor for 40 minutes of mostly defense-free basketball (hey, it's an All-Star game) that ended with the West beating the East, 102-98. Candace Parker, playing in her first All-Star game, scored 23 points and was named game MVP.But missing from the scene was the kind of surrounding festivity that is present at the NBA's version of this event: the sense of a weekend-long block party, of a city hosting an event. Across professional sports, All-Star games are celebrations, good for entertaining existing fans and, hopefully, attracting new ones. The WNBA operates on a smaller scale than most, of course, but that doesn't mean those things should be missing entirely.And so on Saturday morning, the players had breakfast with WNBA president Laurel Richie, and over eggs and bacon those players raised the topic of getting the game to some different locations, away from Mohegan Sun. In the past six seasons, Mohegan Sun has hosted three WNBA All-Star games: in 2005, 2009 and 2013. (The game wasn't played in 2008 or 2012, because of the Olympics.) The following WNBA cities have never hosted the game: Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle and Tulsa. The players also mentioned having non-WNBA cities, such as Las Vegas and Houston, possibly in the mix to host the event, which would allow a different population base to check out the league."We would rather play somewhere else," said Tina Thompson, who is a nine-time All-Star and has played in the league since its inception in 1997. "When you go out the door of the casino, there is nowhere to go. You can't see anything for miles. I think for the players, that's confining in a sense."Thompson said that her 8-year-old son Dyllan declined to join her for this All-Star experience, which will be her last, as she announced that she will retire at season's end. "He's like, 'I've been there before, we did that last time, and there's no Jam Session,'" Thompson said. "You want the people in your life to want to come, too. He's only 8 years old, but he can't be the only one who feels that way."At the NBA All-Star weekend, in which many of the WNBA players participate, there are always events on the street -- a Jam Session -- in the days before the game, making the weekend more family-friendly. "I think Connecticut does a great job -- you get everything in one place," said Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings. "But when you look at the travel to get here, from West to East Coast, and the bus ride once you land, I think we should take it to another place that other players might want to come to. Not just the All-Stars themselves, but other players in the league, too. Then we would have an actual All-Star experience. Our biggest thing is to grow our fan base and pull people in."Catchings and Thompson said that Richie responded well to the feedback. "A lot of it is about timing," said Richie, explaining how the game landed at Mohegan Sun again. "There were many teams that expressed interest, but we identify the weekend up front and if there is a convention in town that is already booked, that's tough. What the Mohegan Sun has as an advantage is the hotel and arena in one complex. That absolutely helps."Of course, that asset of convenience and one-stop shopping is, from a different viewpoint, also a drawback. "Connecticut supports this game; the state is passionate about women's basketball," Taurasi said. "But maybe we need to put the game somewhere else, where we could draw some more fans, some more attention -- a little bit more life. The travel here isn't the easiest. You have a lot of people who would come if the travel was easier. And not everyone loves casinos. It's a big drawing point for some people, but for others, it's not their cup of tea."Having this marquee event at Mohegan Sun is a safe choice by the league. The WNBA offices, located in New York City, are only a three-hour drive away. Also, the smaller size of the arena -- capacity 10,000 -- is perfect for a professional game that is still growing. And, as mentioned above, when you hold a women's basketball event in Connecticut, you're going to put fans in the seats. Problem is: For the most part, those fans already support the league."I think it would be great if we could look at other options," said Phoenix Mercury president Amber Cox. "I think we have an opportunity here, and that's the great thing about the WNBA is we can step outside the box a little bit, try new things -- if it makes sense financially. I would hope we would be willing and open to look at all opportunities."
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All-Star Game needs new home Images

... Home Pinstriped Replica MLB Jersey with 2013 All-Star Game Patch
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MLB All-Star Game
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How to Make the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Watchable Again

Major League Baseball has tried to put luster back into the All-Star Game by adding that whichever league wins will have home-field advantage in the World Series. I have another way to try to make it just a little bit more watchable. Get rid of every team needing at least one all-star player, there are certain teams who just don't have players that should be on the all-star team, make it so every star in the game plays. If someone has star potential they should be there. For Example, Yasiel Puig, Puig has as much buzz around him as anyone in the game right now. Now I don't believe that he should be an all-star just yet, I do believe that he should be on the last vote in. Which he should win very easily. Also he should be in the Home Run Derby as of right now. My Home Run Derby Teams would be this:American League- Robinson Cano, Mike Trout, Chris Davis and Miguel CabreraNational League- David Wright, Yasiel Puig, Carlos Gonzalez, and Bryce HarperAll of those guys I have listed here bring buzz with them. MLB did a great job picking both New York stars as captains of the derby. Now you have one of the most exciting young players in the game Mike Trout, Chris Davis who is on an absolute tear (31 home runs) and Miguel Cabrera the reigning triple crown winner in the AL. Now that's something people would want to see. In the NL you have the captain of the Mets and the captain of the NL, Yasiel Puig who like I said has as much buzz around him as anyone right now. Carlos Gonzalez who leads the NL with 22 home runs, and Bryce Harper who if he can get a few more home runs before the derby, (he returns tonight) should be in because he is the National League Mike Trout. The two of them should be two of the best players in the game for years to come.Basically, the way I would get every star there, (no duh) and get rid of the every team needs one player. The Home Run Derby needs stars like I have mentioned. Guys who will draw, is what its all about. People in New York are going to want to see Puig, Chris Davis, Mike Trout. Guys who they don't get to see live much. I harken back to the 90s when guys like Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa all participated in the derby. Nowadays we have had guys like, Ricky Weeks, and Brandon Inge. Not that those guys don't have power and can't hit home runs. They don't jump off the page like Puig, Trout, Harper, Chris Davis off the year he is having.Follow me on twitter @thedonnyfinkle
Source:http://floriofacts.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-make-all-star-game-and-home-run.html

How to Make the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Watchable Again Images

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Game 1: Physical Play Favors Bruins

Boston shuts out Pittsburgh in rough Conference Final openerEvgeni Malkin dropping the gloves showed just how muchphysicality dictated Pittsburgh's play in Game 1. (Getty)The first game of the Eastern Conference Finals got ugly at 1:32 of the second period.  Perennial Pittsburgh goon Matt Cooke lit up Boston's Adam McQuaid from behind and was promptly assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct.  The penalty might have seemed extreme, but the message of physicality was a theme for the evening.Boston's Brad Marchand dished out a similar shove from behind at 19:30 of the period against James Neal and was assessed a two-minute penalty.  The discrepancy understandably drew the ire of the Pittsburgh fans and bench.  Second later as the period ended, Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby shoved Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask while he was skating off the ice, and Evgeni Malkin and Patrice Bergeron dropped the gloves in a rare fight for both.The Penguins knew that the Bruins play a tough brand of hockey and seemed prepared to match that physical play.  It showed in the stats, as the home team finished with a 34-19 advantage in hits, but vacating its own up-tempo style backfired on the evening.  Boston led on the stat sheet where it counted, outscoring Pittsburgh 3-0 for the win.The Pens stormed the Bruins early in the first period and held a 12-7 shot advantage, but it was Boston that scored first.  David Krejci got open in the high slot at 8:23 and wristed a feed from Nathan Horton at Pittsburgh goaltender Tomas Vokoun.  It was a stoppable shot, but it knocked off Vokoun's glove and through his pads to trickle into the net and give Boston the lead.It was the only goal that Rask would need on his way to 29 saves in his first career playoff shutout.  The goaltender was truly the star of the night, making more than a handful of great stops.  He also caught a big break as time expired in the first period and a Malkin shot rolled over his pad and just wide of the post."We had the lead, but we gave up a lot of chances," Horton said of the Bruins' early play.  "That's not the kind of way we want to play; we don't want to play run and gun with them."This dirty hit could lead to another Matt Cooke suspension. (Getty)Cooke sent his message early in the second and that seemed to get Boston into a better rhythm after playing on its heels much of the game.  The goon dished out a headshot in 2010 the ultimately led to the downfall and end of Boston star Marc Savard's career.  His roughing penalty on McQuaid might draw his fifth career suspension (and he inexplicably did not receive one for the hit on Savard).  In this case, he hit the Bruins defenseman square in the back, and his reputation will likely get taken into consideration in determining supplementary discipline.The second period didn't feature any goals, thanks in large part to Rask, who made another 10 saves  "He wasn't good; he was outstanding," said Head Coach Claude Julien after the game.The late period shenanigans with Marchand's rough hit on Neal and the post-period brawl between Malkin and Bergeron seemed to have sufficieintly knocked the Penguins out of their offensive attack.  They were playing a poor version of Big, Bad Bruins hockey and it wasn't working.  The Malkin incident resulted in a five-minute major for fighting, which meant he would be non-existent on the Penguins potent power play, which had 1:30 left to start the third period of a one-goal game.Pittsburgh's power play led the league with 13 goals in 11 games entering the series and was scoring at a 28.3 percent clip.  It played well against the Bruins stingy penalty kill on Saturday, but was unable to breakthrough.  The missed opportunity to start the third seemed to set the momentum, as Boston went on to outshoot Pittsburgh 13-7 in the frame.That advantage translated into goals for the visitors.  Nathan Horton made a good play by forechecking the puck on the side boards and stealing it away from Mark Eaton.  He fed David Krejci, whose initial shot popped straight up in the air off of Vokoun.  The playoff's leading scorer found it as it landed and poked it past the sprawling goaltender for the 2-0 lead at 4:04."We're going good right now," said Horton after the game.  "We seem to know where each other is on the ice, and when we get chances, we're scoring."He got a chance of his own at 7:51.  Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen turned the puck over in the neutral zone, and while the Pens shut down the initial counterattack, they became very out of position in their own end.  Gregory Campbell fired a harmless shot at goal, and Vokoun did his best to turn it away with an uncorvered Milan Lucic in his face.  The far side rebound went straight to Horton, who was completely forgotten about and potted the puck into the open net for the 3-0 lead.The score would end that way, thanks to a few great saves by Rask on Chris Kunitz.  One stop came when the sprawled goaltender just got his glove up to shut down the potent scorer after the puck had switched to the far side of the net.  The Penguins' frustration was visible in its captain, who closed out the game in the penalty box after taking an unnecessary hack at Boston's Tyler Seguin.Pittsburgh entered the series averaging 4.27 goals per game in the playoffs and could have easily matched that had Rask not metaphorically stood on his head, especially in the early going.  The blanking marked the first time all season that the league's best offense has been left off the scoresheet.  It also marked Boston's first shutout in Pittsburgh since November of 1998, and the B's will need more such play from their goaltender should they hope to win series.The next game will face off at 8 p.m. on Monday on NBC Sports Network.  Boston had played two relatively tame series to start the playoffs, but this one appears to be shaping up as a different beast."It's not surprising," said Horton of the physical play.  "It's gonna get even more physical as the series goes on."It's doubtful there will be any complaints from the Bruins about the physicality.  As Saturday night proved, Boston is the superior team when the two get into a knock 'em around style of play.
Source:http://jtstally.blogspot.com/2013/06/game-1-physical-play-favors-bruins.html

Game 1: Physical Play Favors Bruins Images

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Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live MLB Game May 10, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013, 2013 match-upAtlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live OnlineMLB - Major League Baseball Regular SeasonAT&T Park, San Francisco, California10:15 PM ETWhat we're about to witness is a grudge match between Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live Streaming Online hosted by San Francisco Giants.The Major League Baseball is upon us, and the MLB's best will again be giving fans a hell of a show and excitement. Looking back at all that’s happened across the league though, you might say that already having a season for the ages.You can do hand out grades to Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live Online on each teams and players who stood out from the first half of the regular season and do your list why Major League Baseball fans are in for a historic finish. The league is not that easy; the strongest team will push through and the weakest one shall fall off.  If you’re a fan or supporter of Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Free Online Streaming, it’s very easy to determine which team will win in this match-up especially if you watch each and every single game of the day through online live video streaming, or visit some of the sports channels like Live FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN TV and many more sites that gives us sports live video coverage, or visit ESPN.com for more live sports updates.Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live Online Streaming, they get up and down the floor. They want to score in transition. They pride themselves off of getting easy baskets. They are most proficient at running opponents down, and in times of despair, has the unprecedented tendency to come back and pull away for good. Both Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants found that out the hard way.In spite of this though there are still enough reasons to be optimistic about this season’s biggest surprise. The MLB’s next superstar is here and he’s an absolute joy to watch.
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Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Live MLB Game May 10, 2013 Images

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... baseball game, Thursday, May 9, 2013 in San Francisco. (AP Photo
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... GO SEE EXCITING CINCINNATI REDS BASEBALL AT GREAT AMERICAN BALLPARK
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PLAYOFFS 2013: LA Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies Game 4 online

LA CLIPPERS vs MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES1ª RONDA CONFERENCIA OESTE - GAME 4(22:30H, ESPAÑA)MAS LINKS EN EL FONDO DEL BLOG POR SI FALLA LA EMISIONSIGUENOS EN FACEBOOK PINCHANDO AQUI
Source:http://todosobreelbasketamericano.blogspot.com/2013/04/playoffs-2013-la-clippers-vs-memphis.html

PLAYOFFS 2013: LA Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies Game 4 online Images

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