-
Champions League – 8 Qualified Teams, 8 Spots Still Open
After each team has played 5 matches in the Champions League group stage, the knockout stage is 50% full, as eight teams have already completed the job of qualifying to the round of 16, while another eight have to go though the drama of the final midweek round in the competition to see if they’ve made it, dropped to the Europa League or seeing an end to their European season altogether.
-
Real Madrid – Gareth Bale Makes the Most of a Missing Cristiano Ronaldo
The evening was about Cristiano Ronaldo and making a push to help him win the Ballon d’Or, although it looks like FIFA are doing their most to make that happen anyhow. Instead, it was about Gareth Bale showing just how good he can be even without the other Real Madrid superstar, while Alvaro Arbeloa provided a rare inspiration from the back, especially after Sergio Ramos extended his impressive record of red cards.
-
Manchester United – Shinji Kagawa Finally Plays Where He Should Be
To say that playing Shinji Kagawa in the position he’s supposed to was the reason Manchester United walked away from Leverkusen with such a dominating win wouldn’t do justice to the rest of the team, which included another fantastic performance from Wayne Rooney and a rare effective one from the aging Ryan Giggs, but there’s no doubt David Moyes finally saw what his Japanese playmaker can do when he’s used the correct way.
-
Champions League – Week 5 Results & Tables (Groups A – D)
There is no doubt that the result of the evening belongs to Manchester United, beating Leverkusen 5-0 to secure the top spot in their group and a place in the knockout stage, while Juventus leaped over Galatasaray, getting their first win over the group stage, beating FC Copenhagen.
-
Best Games to Look Forward to in Rivalry Week
Not all College Football rivalries are equal. Not in historical context and importance, and not in the quality of product they put on the field, with the latter varying yearly. Ohio State and Michigan might usually be voted as the number one rivalry in all of sports, but this year, there doesn’t seem to be a single game more important than the Iron Bowl, with Auburn and Alabama playing for state pride, division, conference and national titles.
-
Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Should Be the Example For James Harden
If the Houston Rockets were a team that’s run and coached the right way, Jeremy Lin wouldn’t have to wonder about his role and position on the floor. James Harden would be a star shooting guard that isn’t too busy trying to handle the ball too much, and Kevin McHale wouldn’t be using Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup or for so many minutes in general. But the last season and a bit are showing us that things are very different in South East Texas.
-
Kobe Bryant & The Lakers – NBA Loyalty Costs Money
No one has really been able to rationalize completely the reasoning behind the Los Angeles Lakers giving Kobe Bryant a two year extension that keeps him as the highest paid player in the NBA. But is this really such a bad thing to happen? It might mean the Lakers aren’t going to be able to give Bryant that sixth title ring he thinks he’s going to get, but it does make a case for franchises compensating players for some years of underpaying them.
-
NBA Rumors – Chicago Bulls Trading, Not Tanking
The key word this season for many NBA teams is tanking. No one is admitting they’re doing it, but at some point this season, we’re going to see a whole lot of it. Are the Chicago Bulls part of that bunch? Definitely not, despite the Derrick Rose injury, the disappointing start, the loss to the Utah Jazz and all the talk about trading Luol Deng and possibly others to start something of a rebuilding process.
-
Lakers vs Wizards – John Wall Gets to Back Up His Own Words From Time to Time
If you ask John Wall about the best point guard in the NBA, the answer you’ll get will be… John Wall. According to his last three games, including his performance, along with teammate Nene, against the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the Washington Wizards to a 116-111 victory, he’s not that far off from the truth.
-
Nets vs Raptors – Momentary Relief, Not Salvation
The Brooklyn Nets are still an expensive, yet pretty bad basketball team, with Jason Kidd not really doing a great job in his attempt to lead them. But there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for them, as their 102-100 win over the Toronto Raptors showed, suggesting that even without their two best players, there’s still hope to create a foundation that will eventually get them into the playoffs.