Charlie Manuel Phillies Struggle On Offense And Need To Find Answers

Currently the Philadelphia Phillies are in first place in the NL East. Thanks to Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswalt, Philadelphia's version of the dream team of starting pitching. Where would the team be without those players. Because the offense led by Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino is struggling. Which is probably and understatement. Philadelphia home and away are struggling to score 4 runs a game. There have been several games of scoring 1, 2 and 3 runs in games during the early season, also a few shutouts as well. Chase Utley the Phillies second base all star, hasn't played a game this season. However when he returns how good will he be, coming off a knee injury. Ryan Howard isn't seeing hitable pitchers from other teams. Rollins and Victorino aren't getting on base consistently and when they do, the support cast aren't moving runners along. With all the pitching Philadelphia has, they'll need offense to support their staff. Especially when your a World Series favorite like Philadelphia is.

Pacquiao Easily Defeats Mosley Where Do Both Fighters Go From Here

Manny Pacquiao dominated Shane Mosley during their bout. Fans weren't happy with the way Mosley choose to play it safe and not trade punches. Pac Man won the bout on all three judges score card. Manny probably didn't lose a round versus Shane, winning each round one through twelve. Certainly fans didn't get their money worth. After not letting his hands go against Mayweather Jr and now Pacquiao where does the veteran fighter Sugar Shane go from here ? He's close to 40 years of age and obviously his reflects aren't the same. Will the public demand another big name fight for Mosley or not ? Pac Man has been rumored to be in talks with Juan Marquez for a third bout, later in the calender year.

Bernard Hopkins Continues To Set Records At Age 46

Bernard Hopkins added another record to his resume. Hopkins fought Jean Pascal for the second time. During the boxers last meeting Hopkins was floored twice, however won the late rounds in the fight. The judges eventually scored the first fight a draw. Many believed the young light heavyweight champion was given the benefit of the doubt, because he was finding in his adoptive country Canada. Hopkins seemed to win rounds 3 through 12 Saturday night and eventually became the oldest champion in boxing history. Surpassing George Foreman's record in 1994 when he knocked out Michael Moore to take the heavyweight title. Chad Dawson fought on the Hopkins vs. Pascal under card and could be the next opponent in November for Hopkins. Bernard is known as a boxing legend especially in the middleweight division, at one point and time he made over 20 straight title defenses. Hopkins took the main event on all three judges score card versus Pascal.

MVP Rose Against MVP James Looking To Send Bulls To First Finals Since 1998

Lebron James won the last two MVP awards during the regular season while playing in Cleveland. Last summer James took his talents to South Beach with Chris Bosh and former NBA Finals MVP Wade. Derrick Rose in his 3rd season has led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals after winning his 1st MVP award this season. 1998 was the last year the Bulls went this deep in the playoffs, the last year they made the Finals and also the final year Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson led the Chicago Bulls to their 6Th title. Sunday at the United Center Rose and his Bulls will take on the Big 3 and the Miami Heat for the right to play in the NBA Finals after this best of seven series ends. Clearly man experts don't give the 62-20 Bulls a chance vs. Miami. This is why the games are played on the court, everyone will see the outcome within the next two weeks.

Where Do Celtics Go From Here After Heat Eliminates Boston

Miami 4, Boston 1 during the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Rondo the Celtics point guard wasn't himself after still playing once injuring his elbow in Game 3. Doc Rivers said he'll be returning to Boston next season. However for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, was this their final run at a second championship or do the future Hall of Fame players have one more run next season ? GM Danny Ainge will be making those decisions during the summer. Boston will need to get some athletes, since this is an older team. I'm sure the team would like to compete with the likes of Miami Chicago and Orlando going into next season, even New York for Eastern Conference bragging rights. Will the Big 3 be asked to play less minutes, who knows. Shaq probably won't be returning, Ainge will decide who stays and who goes.

Grizzles Thunder Game 7 More Than Just A Game For City Of Memphis

Memphis, whether or not your Grizzlies win Game 7 vs. the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday, you win regardless. Residents of Memphis, the Grizzlies have allowed you to focus on their excellent playoff run as an eight seed in the Western Conference. Local Memphis residents have dealt with the over flooding of the Mississippi River, which has caused several families to evacuate the city, some even loss all their possessions. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley Jr. put it best prior to Friday's Game 6 vs. Oklahoma City, the teams success has come a the right time for a city that's dealing with so many unforunate things from a weather standpoint. All the pressure coming into Sunday's Game 7 will fall on the Thunder, mainly Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The winner of the game will head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks, in the Western Conference Finals. The key for Memphis will be to reinsert O.J Mayo into the starting lineup, as coach Hollins did on Friday. Grizzlies stormed back from 13 points down to win the game by double digits. Sunday while playing on the road Memphis doesn't want to dig that type of hole for themselves. They want to hit open shots, in order to give space to the likes of Zack Randolph and Marc Gasol in the post, where the Grizzlies offense is most affective. Memphis has already made playoff history, becoming 3rd 8th seed to defeat a #1 seed, they can enter a conference final as an 8th seed, for 1st time since 1999 when the Knicks were able to do so. Fans of Memphis enjoy Game 7 regardless of the outcome.

Where Do The Lakers Go From Here After Mavericks Sweep

Dallas completed a humbling four game sweep over the two time defending NBA Champions. The Lakers where looking to get to their 4Th straight NBA Finals. The Mavericks made sure that wouldn't happen. Excellent defense, excellent bench play and excellent 3 point shooting carried Dallas to the sweep. Los Angeles will lose coach legend Phil Jackson to retirement. The whispers have been about Dwight Howard, the potential free agent of the Orlando Magic after next season. Could Howard become a Laker and if so, for who ? Lamar Odom ? Pau Gasol ? Andrew Bynum ? Ron Artest ? At this point no one knows what the Los Angeles brain trust will do, however it'll be something after this conference seminfinal loss. Los Angeles will have an interesting summer in front of them.

Phil Jackson Completes Coaching Career

Dallas sweeping Los Angeles in round two of the NBA playoffs, was more than just a loss of a game. Game 4 in all likely hood means coaching legend Phil Jackson has coached his final game. The Lakers fell short on a three peat after playing in three straight NBA Finals. Jackson has coached the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Shaq and Kobe Bryant. This season marked the 20Th anniversary where Chicago defeated Los Angeles to win their first NBA title. Jackson coached Chicago to six titles and two three peats. Jackson coached Los Angeles to five titles, one three peat and 7 Finals appearances. As a player with the New York Knicks, Jackson won another championship as well. Many speculate former player and current assistant coach Brian Shaw will become the next Lakers coach.

Jason Terry Playoff Record 9 3's Carry Mavs To Sweep Over Lakers

Jason Terry, shot lights out in Game 4 vs. Los Angeles. Terry and his bench mates Peja Stojakovic and JJ Barea carried Dallas offensively. Jason tied a playoff record with nine three point field goals. Dallas won Games 1, 2, and 3 by close margins versus Los Angeles. During game 4 the Mavericks defeated the Lakers by 36 points. Kobe Bryant and his teammates, haven't loss a postseason game by that large of a margin since Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals, Celtics won that night by 39 points to win the championship. Dallas will face the winner of the Memphis / Oklahoma City series, in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas has defeated Portland and the Lakers to reach this round. Phil Jackson has probably coached in his final NBA game. Dallas will look to get to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2006. Dallas were minutes away from taking a 3-0 series lead versus Miami only to see the Heat win four straight to take the series 4-2.

Nowitzki Mavs On The Verge Of Knocking Out Kobe Lakers

3-0 the Dallas Mavericks lead the Los Angeles Lakers in their Western Conference best of seven playoff series, in the semifinal round. Kobe Bryant believes the series isn't over while being in a 3 game hole. Notwitzki and his teammates took the first two games on the road and won Game 3 in front of the home crowd. LA looks loss defensively, they are struggling to hold 4Th quarter leads. Gasol Odom and Artest throughout the series thus far refuse to chase Dirk off the three point line defensively. Dallas led by Tyson Chandler is playing great defense. Jason Terry is leading the charge off the bench scoring wise. Dallas will look to knockout the two time NBA Champions on Mother's Day in Dallas. It'll be interesting to see if the Lakers can force game five in LA or will Dallas move on to the Western Conference Finals.

Bruins Sweep Flyers Into Offseason While Moving On To Conference Finals

Boston 20, Philadelphia 7, those are the amount of goals scored by each team during their 2011 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinal Playoff series. Philadelphia would make no history in 2011, like the history they made in 2010 versus the Boston Bruins. Boston capped a second round four games to none sweep. Philadelphia continued to change goaltenders, while Boston stuck with Tim Thomas. Thomas closed out Philadelphia 5-1 in Game 4, in front of the home crowd. Bruins fans cheered after Boston took the lead for good in the 3rd period, then they begin to pour in on. Boston simply outplayed, out hit and wanted it more than Philadelphia. Many experts will point to the Flyers not having Pronger. However even without your leader and top defensive player, Philadelphia needed more effort throughout the series. Philadelphia won their division and led the Eastern Conference in points most of the season, before finishing number two and winning a seven game first round series versus Buffalo. Boston seems to be clicking at the correct time, they appear in the conference finals for the first time since 1992. Waiting for Boston will be the Tampa Bay Lightning. Someone will have to lose eventually as both teams swept their way to the next round.

Liriano Puts 2011 First No Hitter In The Books

Francisco Liriano etched his name in Major League Baseball history by pitching a no hitter. The no hitter was far from perfect as Liriano walked 6 batters, while striking out only 2. Minnesota defeated the Chicago Whitesox 1-0. Both teams came in struggling and near the bottom of the AL Central trailing the likes of Cleveland and Kansas City. A few other pitchers have come close early on this season in terms of no hit bits, then eventually lost them in late inning. This type of performance could cause a potential turnaround, in the defending AL Central champions season.

Tim Thomas Playing Great Bruins Lead Flyers Here We Go Again

Eastern Conference Semifinals Boston leads Philadelphia 2-0. Haven't we witnessed this before. However Tim Thomas wasn't in goal a season ago for the Bruins, Boston also lead the series 3-0. Thomas played lights out in Philadelphia, especially Game 2 as Boston won in overtime taking a 2-0 series lead back home. Last season Boston won the first two games at home, before winning the third on the road. We'll see if they can hold the series lead and eventually close out Philadelphia or will the Flyers make another series comeback. A comeback similar to the 3-0 deficit Philadelphia faced last spring and won 4 straight to take the series in 7.

Alex Ovechkin And Captials On The Verge Of Being Swept By Tampa Bay

The frustration is probably starting to grown within our nation capital. Fans, players and administration have all seen the Washington Capitals year after year regular season success. The Washington Capitals may have the NHL's best player arguably in Russian Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin and the Capitals, have fallen short each postseason. Now the Tampa Bay Lighting are on the verge of sweeping them right out of the 2011 playoffs. Currently Tampa leads Washington 3-0 during their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Keep in mind during this same round a season ago, Philadelphia came back vs. Boston from a 3-0 deficit.

Carolina Pathers Select Cam Newton 1st Overall

With the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton Auburn University. The Heisman Trophy winner came on stage at Radio City Music Hall, to shake NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hand. Many experts believe Carolina, took a risk with the selection of Newton, from an entourage and reading a defense standpoint. Hopefully Newton doesn't end up like former number one pick of the draft, JaMarcus Russell. Oakland took Russell out of LSU in 2007. Russell is currently out the league. Cam has a great personality, many people believe. He'll have to prove his greatness at the next level with his hard work, behind the scenes. It'll be interesting to see if Newton starts right away or will he learn from 2nd year quarterback from Notre Dame Jimmy Clausen. Either way Cam Newton is the official face of the Carolina Panthers franchise.

Hawks Take Out Magic What Does Future Hold For Howard

What a difference 365 days make. Last season Orlando swept away Atlanta in blowout fashion, during their 2nd round playoff series. Fast forward to 2011, the teams met again, this time in round one. Atlanta advanced to round two after defeated Orlando 4-2. Dwight Howard has one year remaining on his contract. Howard is the 3 time NBA Defensive Player Of The Year. Many rumors are swirling in the Magic Kingdom. So many people want to know will Howard stay or will he go. Orlando had this same situation in 1996, when franchise center Shaquille O'Neal left town as a free agent for the Lakers. Currently Los Angeles is a rumored team for Superman as well. Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, Al Horford, Josh Smith and the Hawks supporting cast clearly outplayed Howard's suppporting cast. Orlando won the East and made the NBA Finals in 2009, over the past two seasons, the Magic have lost in the East Finals and East 1st round. Only Dwight Howard knows the decision he will eventually make to stay or go.

#8 Grizzles KO #1 Spurs As They Make History Then Defeat Thunder

Mike Conley Jr. and his Memphis Grizzly teammates have made plenty of history during the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Memphis won it's first playoff game in franchise history with a Game 1 victory at San Antonio. Memphis then won Game 3 at FedEx Forum, as the Grizzlies won their first ever home playoff game. Keep in mind the franchise were 0-12 in their previous playoff appearances. Memphis then eliminates the Spurs in 6 games, while becoming only the 4th number eight seed to advance versus a 1st seed. San Antonio finished tied with Chicago, for the NBA's best record. Now they go home as Memphis moves on to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semifinals. Two days after ending San Antonio's season, Memphis picks up a Game 1 victory at Oklahoma City. Led by Zack Randolph as he recorded another postseason double double. It's been a great week for Randolph as he signed a contract extension. Fans of Memphis are enjoying the right, along with the player and organization. Everyone is excited to see how far this team can go.