LeBron James CAN handle the heat (pun honestly not intended)

You have all heard the Lebron james jokes after Miami Heats loss in the finals to the Dallas Mavericks last season, but let me indulge you with the most common one:
                   Why shouldn't you ask LeBron for change for a dollar?
                   Because he'll only give you 3 quarters!

Lebron James is a huge figure in America, he is one of the best athletes in any sport, unbelievably powerful, quick and can play anywhere (and in anything) but is probably the subject of more ridicule and scorn than any other player when he stuffs up, certainly in the NBA. Though probably not as hated as it would seem, he has brought some of this on himself.  Seriously a show to announce where he was drafting to without letting the teams now beforehand? He's made himself a prime-time commodity, whoever thought that was a good move must've been having an off day or been on way to being fired anyway. He also has an arrogance.  But is that uncommon in high-profile sportspeople? Thought not.

But after passing off a crucial shot in the east-west conference game it is again being discussed that he doesn't have heat when the pressure is on.  Miami to make the finals again, although the Miami team could use better backup to its main stars, write them and Lebron off at your peril.

Lebron zinger-"All the people that were rooting me on to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life they had before. They have the same personal problems they had to today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want with me and my family and be happy with that. They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy that not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal, but they’ll have to get back to the real world at some point"- Ouch! Ultimately he has achieved alot even with athletic luck he has worked hard to get there, he's a winner and he's not concerned about other people trying to hate on him, props to him his mistakes were over-hyped anyway.

Can Tiger come back?

Hard to believe how quickly Tiger Woods has fallen.  The currently second best golfer ever (Nicklaus holds that title probably still, for now) but easily the most marketable has had a remarkable fall from grace since his public persona was exposed as not being as was it was said.

There's been injuries and he also habitually goes through refining his technique (making him a better player every time, he's also one of the smartest players on the circuit).  But that ice hold mental fatigue and confidence no matter what he says is gone.  The intimidation of playing Tiger has gone.  The putting is gone.Hopefully we'll see him come back to his best at the Honda classic, because sadly the longer he stays in his current state the harder it will be for him to get back to the top.

Sick of hearing about Tevez

Now finally that Carlos Tevez(sic) has returned to Manchester City to resume training has apologised and has committed to the team-at least in the short term, hopefully this will put an end to the countless media articles, though it's very doubt able.

The Carlos Tevez story has been a saga from day one, he cannot seem to leave a team on good terms (West Ham excluded, he did save them from relegation and all).  When he refused to warm up when his manager Roberto Mancini asked him to during the Champions league all hell broke loose.  The Internet, newspapers and water cooler conversation could not get over the disobedience of the "brat" Tevez.  Then the saga kept dragging.  He went to Argentina.  He got fined.  He appealed fine.  He won. Got fined again.  Didn't appeal. Is now back in England and apologised to Manchester City (not Roberto Mancini, mind).

Is that the end of it?  I highly doubt it. The saga was entertaining at the beginning but now fatigue has set in like typing heaps of words on a keyboard. Why not focus on Mario Balotelli instead?  He seems to have an endless supply of stories for newspapers, even on a slow day.

Writer's note:  I love watching Carlos Tevez play. On the field he gives 100%, is physical, fearless, exciting to watch, miraculous and unselfish.  He's a players player on the field.  In fact he's one of the main reasons my interest in Premier League increased exponentially.  But I too have felt upset at his behaviour and it's a shame he's not as unselfish or well-guided off field as he is on it. I would love to see him back playing and mend his ways however I'm not sure if it's a good idea for Man City to take him back.  I'm just not sure.

Michael Clarke- Future (or current) Australian Test Great

For the third time Australian Cricket Test captain Michael Clarke has won the Allan Border medal, Australia's most prestigious cricket individual prize.  The first time he won it he was a youngster who blasted onto the scene with a quick footed century in India to help win Australia's first test series in India since the captaincy of Bill Lawry and then scoring another equally blistering century against New Zealand at the Gabba.  Quick footed and a slashing player he played he shots reminiscent of Michael Slater, his cricketing hero.  The next time he won it he was a humbled player having been dropped from the team and eschewing some of his shots for building an innings, perhaps not as spectacular but much more solid as shown by him being Australia's best bat during a losing Ashes series.  The third time he won it was as a captain of the two longer forms of the day, in charge of rebuilding the least successful Australian team since the one captained funnily enough by Allan Border.

Clarke was also tasked with rebuilding the side after the retirement of greats such as border but after that the comparisons end.  Whereas Border was not the best communicator or tactician and just forced through on sheer mass of will, was even reluctant to take the captaincy; Clarke is one of the best tacticians in the game, seems to communicate well with his young side and has coveted the captaincy and indeed been groomed for the job before he played his first match for Australia.

The result of his captaincy? A series win in Sri Lanka, drawn series in South Africa, drawn series against New Zealand, a 4-0 test romp of an extremely disappointing Indian side and not having lost a one-day series to date.  His batting?  Stacks of hundreds including his monumental and unselfish 329* in Sydney. There has been hiccups along the way but you cannot argue with those figures. Australia should therefore be completely behind him, but there are many Clarke doubters out there?

The reason? Nothing during his captaincy but things done before. The argument with Simon Katich after a test win at the SCG, (Clarke is on the whole judged to be in the wrong but as shown by Katich's behaviour after rightly being dropped Katich is no bleeding-heart Australian Angel, the way he's carried on since being dropped especially towards Clarke has been poor), the tats, the Lara Bingle thing (not going there) and also a couple of times during tests where he's complained about pitches being too green or not publicly endorsing some of Pontings tactics when vice-captain.  Somehow Clarke does small things they get picked on but with Warne they slip off, truly the Mr Sheen of Australian sport.

The truth is however Clarke has handled himself flawlessly of late, there's been no off-field controversies(really none at all during his whole career), no complaining about bad decisions or umpiring, handles media conferences well, complete support of his team and complete dedication to his country.  He will retire as one of Australian's great batsmen and captains.  Australia still has a huge problem with tall poppy syndrome, but I guess in a country so good with good, well-off (overall) people etc somethings got to not be going well.  Herald Sun for starters should not show a negative comment from a "fan" after every day of cricket and Australia should get fully behind Michael.  It's only what he deserves.

Virat Kohli-India's steam train

Ok, pardon the horrible name, if Kohli is named after any train it'd be those top of the line train's that zip through Japan or Europe at amazing rates.  Or perhaps a Jet. Seriously what an innings.  Would have to rate as one of the best one-day international innings seen in Australia, up there with two titanic Bevan chasedowns and a record score by Mark Waugh at the time and some masterclass Symonds and Dean Jones innings.

India all tour have looked disinterested this series, like they can't wait to be home.  They've been snappy at umpires, disgruntled behind the scenes, just a rabble.  When Sri Lanka smashed 320 through a dashing Dilshan century and a sublime one to Sangakarra to back it up you could just see the Indians coming of the field asking for departure times to come back to the expensive comforts of the IPL.  The fact that India not only had to chase down that imposing score but within 40 overs to claim a bonus point to see them through to the final looked mission impossible.

Sehwag and Tendulkar started well and with purpose but Kohli looked in another sphere.  He chanced his arm and played his shots and got rewarded, not to mention the fact that he plays lovely cricket shots appreciatable in any form of the game not just the twenty20 slog is all the more power to him.  He averages over 47 in one-dayers with already nine centuries to his name and has looked India's best batsman on tour.  The simple thing to do?  Get him in the test side.  NOW.  Quality such as his the class of his shots needs to be in there, might just be the regeneration India needs (Not to mention the fact that he's a much better fielder than some of those old stagers)

And what of Sri Lanka?  A fine batting performance not backed up by any of the bowlers except Herath who was underbowled and Matthews.  Malinga was perhaps a tad unlucky that 2 of his overs were hit that blew out his figures but where were those on target, low impossible to hit yorkers?  Seemed to be serving up half volleys outside off or on leg stump.  After an encouraging series ably led by Jaywardene this was a sad way to go out.

Barcalona the best team in the world, but Real Madrid La Liga champions

Barcelona is currently the omniscent team in World Football, perhaps the biggest team in the world right now.  World Club champions, Champions League Holders, Currently La Liga holders, Having one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi who has just won his third consecutive Ballon D'Or not to mention the other unbelievable players that make up the Barca unit (Hernandez, Alonso, Fabregas the list goes on) and one of the coaches who's taken to the Barca style luck a duck to water in Pep Guardiola and you have an intimidating team.  Favourites for the Champions League.  But they WILL NOT win La Liga this season.

Real Madrid currently lead by 10 points from Barcelona, how can this happen?  Real Madrid though they have improved greatly notwithstanding Mourihno's showboating and disgraceful antics at times he has improved them.  But why?  Because Real Madrid DON'T LOSE to lesser sides.

It is actually just as intriguing as watching Barcelona play their lovely passing game as the amazing machine of a team that Real Madrid has become.  The most expensive team ever assembled from arguably the biggest team in the world is what you would expect, but the way Real Madrid extinguishes lesser teams can be breathtaking. Mourihino the "Special One" has crafted an intimidating unit.  Barcelona has lost games away to lesser sides this season, and Real Madrid gets disappointed with draws. Barcelona can't play Real Madrid every week.

In this way Ronaldo sums up his team, ruthlessly efficient.  With the minimum time and movement he shoots at the goal when open and very often scores.  Whereas Barcelona work around a team, frustrate them, look for gaps almost artistically, Real Madrid go more directly furiously counter-attacking and scoring.  Often.

Barcelona are still rightful favourites for Champions League, though this tournament has a habit of showing up surprises.  But Real Madrid will win La Liga, giving Mourihno Season titles at the 3 biggest leagues in the game and a well deserved win too.  Ruthlesness and getting the job done sometimes overrides beauty and artistry.

Tendulkar, please be wise

Sachin Tendulkar is probably the finest one-day batsman ever.  Certainly the most profilic.  He's truly done it all, the most centuries, matches, Man of the Matches, there is not a team EVER at any stage which would not gladly take the little master to open for them.  But still stranded on 99 centuries, he's still got it as a test player but in one-dayers should he step aside?  He didn't need to play on after the World Cup victory, since he had then achieved it all and reached records in the one day game that will never be passed (Well he did get 200...). A player like Tendulkar should be able to call time on his career, but will he be able to do it at the right time?

Personally this writer thinks Sachin should become a Test Match only batsman and extend his glorious career there as long as he can

East West Conference Game

I am real excited, should be great fun, check out ESPN's great preview here: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=320226031

Missing Grand Prix

Anyone else cannot wait for the Grand Prix return?  Are they going to go to Bahrain this year?  How much longer will Melbourne host the event?  Personally can't wait, Vettel absolutely dominated in a canter but don't expect that again this season round.  Contenders are also the two McLaren drivers in Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber also from Red Bull and fernando Alonso.  And who's to say their won't be someone out of left field?  Team India-ok I joke.  My tip is Lewis Hamilton, easily the most talented driver on the grid can do anything, if he can rein in his recklessness and get a good car consider the title his

English Football again serves up the intrigue

What a great last couple of hours we have had in English Football!!!

Firstly the Carling Cup final between Cardiff and Liverpool, Cardiff were amazingly brave and never gave one of the historically most successful teams ever much room but ultimately Liverpool were too strong and won the Wembley final, a well deserved result for Steve Gerrard and Kenny Daglish who haven't always had it easy.  And won't we hear about it?

Manchester United given a scare until 900 gamer Giggs smashed in the late winner against Norwich.

Arsenal though, what an amazing comeback with an amazing scoreline against their North London rivals Tottenham!!! Wenger must be happy to get some of the media attention of his back and Harry the England job is still his, maybe that 3 year offered deal...?  Just kidding Harry's done exceptionally well, as has Adebayor, but you can still expect him to cop it from the Arsenal fans

$260 million!!!!???-NBA Derrick Rose for 14 years

Chicago Point Guard and also reigning MVP winner Derrick Rose has just signed a $260 million 14 year contract with Adidas.  WOW.  That's not including game fees.  Or his other sponsprships.  Or his investment homes  and his gold and petrol deposits and the small country he owns off Florida.  What a lot of money, he better plan on getting better.  I think I see Lebron crying, Jordan saying "Well you could've signed me earlier"  and me saying, "Look, Derrick, I know it must be hard with all that money, but please c'mon I know it's just loose change that you'd probably waste in one night at a casino on a wine from the 8th century so how about giving me 1/520th.  Just to get me a small house.  Or I could stay at one of yours?  You only own half the chicago precinct.  Okay I'll just stay at the Hilton.  That ok? Thanks"

Stars praise scarpping of McIntyre system in NRL:Foxsports Article

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/fox-sportss-gary-belcher-brett-kimmorley-praise-decision-to-scrap-mcintyre-system-for-nrl-finals/story-fn2mcuj6-1226278722159

You're damn right again!!!

Socceroos Robbed in 2006 Italy star: Foxsports article

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/fiormer-italy-international-daniele-massaro-says-socceroos-were-robbed-in-2006-world-cup-in-germany/story-e6frf4l3-1226279037218

You're damn right 1

Jeremy Lin-who is this guy?

If you're half a fan of basketball you might have heard about Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks pint who started a "Linsation" of saturated news coverage.  Not being picked in the draft, being not tall by basketball standards and breaking records in his first 5 games, (also it must be said being a christian and of Asian heritage) has helped him garner huge headlines.  But it is a bit too early to mark him the next champion of the game, he has a while to go yet, but you can't deny that he's exciting, good for basketball, and has a great head on his shoulders as evidenced by this ice-cold display:

Greater Western Sydney-Not that bad...

Last weekend in the AFL NAB cup (Australian football's pre-season competition) saw the second appearance of GWS in the competition however this year they are going to enter the real season this time.  And in two short appearances the extremely young-side an absolute odds-on choice to finish last...didn't play that badly.  They ran both the Grand-finalists from last year Collingwood and preliminary finalists from 2 years ago Western Bulldogs quite closely.  They never looked like winning but the scoreline wasn't that big a difference which is not a negative for a young side.  Could Sheedy with a trusted lieutenant in Mark Williams be working some magic.  Israel Folau the former Rugby League superstar didn't do much but he is still a work in progress.  Without the natural feel for the game as someone would playing it since they had grown up he is taking a while but he will get better and cause some surprises.  The question is can GWS?

Dhoni bringing it for the limited overs

Unbelievable that the same disinterested captain of one of the most supported sporting teams in the world during the test series is the same one who has nearly brought his country home twice in the limited over internationals.  Dhoni, the captain of the Twenty20 and World Cup triumphs, has never been doubted for his capacity and leadership in those forms, the question must be asked, where was this passion in the last 2 test series abroad which were both clean sweeps to the opposition?

Suarez the fool, Daglish the Joker

Can anyone please tell me what Evra really did?  did he mastermind Surez's suspension by making up the charges which Luis did not deny?  Then why does he be painted as the culprit here, while Suarez keeps digging a deeper hole for himself? Evra is not what you would call an always clean, fair player but to be hounded like he has by the Liverpool club by Daglish with his crazy defence of Suarez and the public-relations disaster of the Liverpool players in the warm-up wearing support shirts is not just unfair, but disgraceful. Suarez said a racist thing, he's not apologetic, or repentic but he did his time (8 game suspension).  Move on.  Shake his hand then it's all over.  Instead Surez decided to do a deliberately inflammatory non-handshake of Suarez.  Poor form by a talented player but a poor person.

Quick Premier League title preview

With Manchester City's loss to Everton, the title race has grown ever closer with both Manchester clubs on equal points at the top and the Spurs 5 points behind.  Here is a preview of the top 7 teams, their chances, what they can hope for, where they'll likely end up and who they need to fire:

1.Manchester City (54 points)

Losing to Everton and Sunderland in the premier league since the christmas break and getting eliminated from both the FA cup and the Carling Cup, Manchester City have begun to look vulnerable for the only time this season (Napoli Champions League matches aside).  Though still playing great football, the finishing has not been there and the manager Mancini is beginning to look rattled.  Losing their captain and an up and coming star to suspensions as well as Africa's cup has not helped.  With Balotelli, Kompany and Yaya Toure the squad has a different look.  Yaya's strong presence through the midfield has especially been missed. With the firepower and strong squad at Manchester City's disposal however they're still in prime position for the championship.
What they can hope for: 1st, anything less would be a disappointment
Where they'll end up: 1st
Who they need to fire: Edin Dzeko-at times the goal machine has looked like taking the premier league by storm, but still needs to be more consistent and look to set up players more than finish it himself.

2.Manchester United (54 points)

Although at times the team from the Theatre of Dreams has looked a bit sketchy with their play, the ruthlesness displayed against the lower teams in the Premier League has at times been breathtaking.  Now sitting level on points with their noisy neighbours, the bringing of Scholes out of retirement looks less like an act of desperation for a troubled midfield than another stroke of genius from the master manager Sir Alex.  Will keep at City's heels, derby looks to be the decider for the championship more than likely.  Keeper troubles also slight concern, De Gea although sketchy has shown that he is a star of the future, but perhaps too soon?

What they can hope for: 1st, they've been here before many times

Where they'll end up: 2nd

Who they need to fire: Nani-the Portuguese midfielder's best is brilliant, worst is unwatchable. Bringing the two extremes closer together would help United's title bid no end

3. Tottenham Hotspurs (49 points)

Tottenham Hotspurs have been a slight surprise packet this season, but when you examine it it's not that surprising really.  Expert Leadership, decisions and recruitment by Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy and a squad full of some of the most exciting players in Europe (Bale, Modric, van der Vaart) with a entertaining game style means Tottenham have impressed many.  With the best midfield in the league, the squad has also been further strengthened with the opportunistic Adebayor and the decision to hold onto Modric has looked like a masterstroke.  Bale has also continued to improve, but Tottenham will not give him away cheaply.

What they can hope for: 1st, extremely unlikely and will rely on the Manchester clubs having a huge choke
Where they'll end up: 3rd
Who they need to fire: Defoe-Although aging the England international has still got it, the missed opportunity against Manchester City will haunt him though.

4.Chelsea (42 points)

The 2nd best team of the last premier league season has seen its stocks drop a little, with the arrival of the most expensive 33 year old manager in football Villas-Boas.  At times they have flattered to deceive, with the transition of the squad which netted 3 premier league titles slowly progressing however it not being easy with the senior players having a very strong hold over the dressing room (as shown by Lampards taking a penalty kick from Mata).  A side in transition Champions League football for next season and success in the current one would be a satisfactory result.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 4th
Who they need to fire: Fernando Torres-50 million reasons why this is pretty obvious?

5.Newcastle United (39 points)

The Magpies have continued their steady rise since returning the the premiership in 2009.  Under the expert guidance of Alan Pardew (which makes criticism of him earlier in the season all the more remarkable) the solid squad of Newcastle has continued to improve and will be looking towards Europe next season.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 7th
Who they need to fire: Demba Ba-has been unbelievable this season, though Newcastle have done alright without him, is missed.

6. Liverpool (38 points)

Once again under the steady hand of Kenny Daglish's leadership, Liverpool have begun to resurrect themselves as a contender and as a club not on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to the Fenway sports groups takeover.  However Champions League qualification seems beyond them, but being alive in the title hunt for the Carling Cup and FA Cup, means silverware is not beyond them this season.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 6th
Who they need to fire: Demba Ba-has been unbelievable this season, though Newcastle have done alright without him, is missed.

7. Arsenal (37 points)

A team not spending money, a manager "past-it" and a side that can lose game's it's expected to win just as much as it can win game's expected to lose, under Wenger's tenure this Arsenal side has never looked so under-pressure or rattled.  However calls for Wenger's resignation are extremely premature and his ability to unearth gems such as Gervinho show that he's still got it.  A disappointing season will perhaps be accepted with qualification for Europa making up for the first time in 14 years Arsenal won't reach the championship league.  Well at least finishing above Liverpool.

What they can hope for: 4th
Where they'll end up: 5th
Who they need to fire: Andrey Arshavin-the russian midfielder has been booed by his own fans, and needs to validate Wenger's faith.

Wading in on the Australian Wicketkeeper debate

There has been much conjecture recently about the wicketkeeping post which since the retirement of Adam Gilchrist after the 2008 Australian Home Test and One-Day series has been Brad Haddin's to keep(pun not intended).  But after poor series with the bat and gloves against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India and the up-and-coming Matthew Wade public opinion has swayed towards time for Haddin to hang up the gloves.  But is it that simple?

Brad Haddin without a doubt has been a great servant of the Australian side across all 3 facets after patiently waiting for his opportunity.  He has been an energetic keeper behind the stumps, a leader and most of all extremely unselfish with the bat.  Just like the keepers before him (Gilchrist, Healy) he sacrificed at least 5 runs off his average to get quick runs for Australia from dominating positions instead of digging his heels in for easy runs.  This is what people sometimes forget.  However despite what he might be saying to the contrary he has been rattled this summer; sledging has been much more aggressive (although with the "Indian's are fragile"  he was proven to be right) and in the test series against India he looked confused as a batsman, not knowing whether to attack or defend on occasions.

Perhaps a bit harsh-in Sydney after waiting over a day to bat after the 3 batsmen in front of him scored centuries he scored and enterprising 42 not out, but overall Haddin lately has been un-Haddin like nonetheless.  Haddin is still bogged down by the shot he played against South Africa when Australia were bowled out for 47.  At 5-18 Haddin charged down the wicket to an on-fire Philander.  Even for taking up the attack to the bowler it was a horrible shot, one you couldn't even see a Shahid Afridi playing. People bring that up as a sign Haddin is past it.  However everyone is allowed a rush of blood to the head sometimes.

Ultimately Brad Haddin is down as a Keeper, not a batsman.  Keeping-wise he has receded, though improvement was shown in the last 2 tests against India it was not odd to see Haddin spill a good-length delivery.  This is where he will be ultimately judged. Brad Haddin has served the Australian team with aplomb over his career and his effort can't be faulted and indeed he does deserve to be sticked with especially considering how many chances Johnson, Hussey, Hughes and Ponting got.  But is he the best keeper-batsman in Australia now?  Is he gonna be there for the Ashes series in England?  On those 2 accounts Matthew Wade should be in the side, so for Haddin sadly the selectors might say his time is up.

Thankyou for reading this blog

Sport scores, news reports and preview etc are very common nowadays.  There's a heap of sites which do a better job than I could ever do reporting the various events.  However there can never be enough commentary or analysis, which is what this website brings, another viewpoint.  The most popular sports and teams discussed, previewed and analysed.  This will be dedicated to sport, this will be entertaining.  This is 2012 my friend let's follow this baby into 2013, I've also got a twitter Dmsport1 so follow me, there's a bit of random trolling there was kindof hacked.  Hope you enjoy!!!