What a great result today from the U.S. with Landon Donovan’s goal on the rebound, after so many misses (Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey) earlier on. To score a goal like that two minutes before the end of the game to beat Algeria and advance is remarkable and highly unlikely. It was all started by a good save by goalie Tim Howard, and then he didn’t hesitate and threw the ball quickly upfield. If the U.S. plays Serbia in the second round instead of Germany, they will have an excellent chance to move on to the quarterfinals.
World Cup soccer: Put it in the net, or at least close
June 23, 2010Today in the 37th minute of the World Cup soccer match between the U.S. and Algeria, Jozy Altidore had a point blank shot that went way, way, above the goal. I realize the stakes are very high and there was some traffic in front of the net. I said in an earlier blog entry that even though I’m not a good dribbler, have poor endurance, and no speed or quickness, if I had a point blank shot at the goal, I would either make the goalie make a play, or if I missed, at least the shot would be respectable. I wouldn’t shoot it 60 feet above, to the right, or to the left of the goal. 20 feet, maybe. I know it sounds ridiculous, naive, arrogant to think that I could shoot better than some of these world class players, but I would not miss by a ton on easy shots. I also wouldn’t do what Landon Donovan, one of the greatest soccer players in U.S. history, did in the MLS final last year, when he shot the ball above the goal during the shootout.
World Cup soccer: bad kicks and worse calls
June 20, 2010Let me preface this by saying I am by no means a great soccer player. I do think it’s just about the most fun sport I’ve ever played, but I haven’t played in a league since I was 12, played a bit of intramurals in college, and played some pickup games a few years ago.
I don’t have any speed, quickness, dribbling ability or endurance. However, unlike some of the players in the World Cup, I can get a shot on goal. I know it sounds ridiculous, maybe incredibly naive or arrogant to say that – they’re under great pressure and have people chasing them.
But if I had a clear shot on goal that was within the penalty box, I’m pretty sure that I would get a shot on goal, making the goalie make a save, or at least not miss the goal by a whole lot. Some of these guys are missing the goal by a mile. They kick it so far above the goal or so far to the right or the left of it, it’s hard to believe. So, yes, if I had a clear shot with no one covering me, I’d kick it on goal or at least make it respectable.
Second, the call against the U.S. in the last game against Slovenia disallowing Maurice Edu’s apparent winning goal was a terrible call – everybody agrees with that. Let’s hope that that call was just a mistake and not part of some scandal. The ref wouldn’t even tell the players after the game what the call was. If anything, it should have been a penalty kick for the U.S. because two players were being held. Before you say no, there was a scandal in Italian soccer four years ago. The goal could mean the difference between the U.S. advancing and not advancing. And how about one of Brazil’s goals today against Cote D’Ivoire? It looked like a possible hand ball, and after the goal, the ref was joking about it with the Brazilian player.
Books and other materials for young children with autism should motivate, make learning meaningful
June 20, 2010
From "My First Words Touch and Feel Pictures Cards," dk.com
Studies show that enjoyment and success in reading early on are major factors in predicting how well young children will readin the future, which is especially true for children with autism and other special needs.
In addition to motivation, children with autism usually need to have new concepts broken down into simple steps for them to be successful.
To learn pre-reading and early reading skills, books with few ideas per page, large text, colorful pictures, and tactile textures can help keep the interest of children with autism. Lyrical language and rhymes can help kids memorize word families, hold their attention and keep them motivated.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Former Washington Bullet Mitch Kupchak: 8 NBA championship rings
June 19, 2010
Former Washington Bullet and current L.A. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, circa 1981. Photo by Mike Frandsen
Congratulations to former Washington Bullet Mitch Kupchak, L.A. Lakers general manager, for putting together back-to-back NBA champions.
Is anybody ever going to pronounce Kupchak’s name correctly? It’s Kup-CHAK, not Kup-CHEK. First, it was Jim Rome, who has done his show from L.A. for many years, who mispronounced his name over and over. Then it was Ernie Johnson of TNT. Then after Game 7 of the NBA finals it was NBA Commissioner David Stern saying “Kup-check.” There have probably been many others.
How bout some respect for Kupchak, who has 8 NBA championship rings? Kupchak won three championships as a player (one with the Washington Bullets in 1978 when he averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds as a reserve, one with the Lakers in ’82, and one with the Lakers in ’85), and five as a general manager. Ok, Jerry West built the Kobe-Shaq threepeat Lakers, but Kupchak built the team that has made the finals now three years in a row, winning each of the last two seasons.
Kupchak averaged double figures in points for five of his first six seasons in the NBA, and overall, averaged 19 points a game for his nine NBA seasons when his minutes are projected over 36 minutes.
Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe, one of the most respected sportswriters in the country, wrote two years ago, “Neither the 1978 Bullets nor the 1985 Lakers could have won championships” without Kupchak.
By the way, Kupchak also won a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics and was an All-American at North Carolina.
Remembering Len Bias: Former Terrapin basketball superstar died of a cocaine overdose 24 years ago
June 19, 2010
The photo from this Washington Post article on Bias during his junior year is faded, but memories of Bias remain for Maryland fans.
Twenty-four years ago today something happened that was so shocking that it was hard to fathom that it really took place.
On June 19, 1986, University of Maryland basketball player Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose.
The scene that morning, as documented in news reports, was surreal and tragic as family members and teammates learned the news after gathering at Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale.
Kirk Fraser recounted the story of Bias’ death in an ESPN documentary, 30 for 30: Without Bias.
See the rest of my article at Examiner.com here.
See highlights of Bias here.
Strasmas II: Stephen Strasburg strikes out 10 in 2nd home start but Nats lose 2-1 to White Sox in 11
June 18, 2010Stephen Strasburg pitched another spectacular game for the Washington Nationals Friday night in his second home start but the Nats fell to the Chicago White Sox, 2-1 in 11 innings.
President Obama was in attendance to watch the White Sox take on the Nats and Strasburg in front of a sellout crowd of 40,325 at Nationals Park. Strasburg struck out 10 batters in seven innings and surrendered just one run in his third start.
Strasburg now has 32 strikeouts, which is a major league record for most strikeouts in the first three games of a career. Incredibly, the 21-year old rookie phenom had no walks for the second straight game at Nationals Park. In two starts at home Strasburg has an otherworldly 24 strikeouts and no walks. Strasburg left with a no-decision after pitching the seventh inning with the Nats (31-37) down 1-0.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Lakers-Celtics
June 13, 2010Lock of the year — the Lakers win Game 6 Tuesday night. The league wants it to go 7 games.
Oral arguments made in Cedillo Omnibus Autism Proceeding mercury and MMR vaccine test case appeal
June 13, 2010Oral arguments were made in the autism vaccine appeal case of Michelle Cedillo vs. Health and Human Services Thursday at theU.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C.
The case of Cedillo, a 15-year old girl with autism, was the first test case of more than 5,000 cases in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding. This proceeding was created by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) because of the large number of cases in which parents claim vaccines caused autism in their children. The federal government established the VICP to prevent the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture vaccines from being sued.
The vaccine court ruled against the Cedillos in February 2009 and affirmed the ruling six months later.
Sylvia Chin-Caplan, an attorney for the Cedillos, told Examiner.com after Thursday’s court session the case should go back to court: “I’m hopeful that because the substantive due process so tainted the entire procedure and so tainted the outcome of the case entire case that the appellate court will recognize that and will give us an opportunity by remanding the case.”
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Leonsis won’t change name of Wizards to Bullets but may change colors back to red, white and blue
June 11, 2010
Check out this awesome Bullets jersey.
New Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said Thursday he will not change the name of the Wizards, but said a change in colors back to the traditional red, white, and blue is likely at some point. Leonsis also asked the fans to welcome back former all-star guard Gilbert Arenas.
Leonsis formally took over ownership of the Wizards Wednesday. Recent speculation has centered on whether the Wizards will change their team colors and even their name after the upcoming season, with many fans clamoring to a return to the Bullets, the team’s name from 1963 to 1997.
Interest in the Wizards is high again after they won the rights to the number one pick in the NBA Draft Lottery last month. What was the good luck charm? Irene Pollin wore her late husband Abe’s 1978 Washington Bullets NBA championship ring.
For the rest of my article on examiner.com, click here.
Excerpt:
The Washington Monuments?
Could the Wizards change their name to the “Washington Monuments” in the future? Though Leonsis denied the possibility of any name change, the name of the new company could be a clue to a future franchise name. “Monumental Sports” is an awkward name, but “Washington Monuments” does have a ring to it. If Leonsis had mentioned a name change as a possibility, speculation by the media and fans could have taken away from the product on the court, so it was smart for Leonsis to deny the possibility of a potential future name change. Leonsis has said he doesn’t want to disrespect the wishes of Pollin, who stated that he changed the name from Bullets to Wizards because of the city’s gun violence, so a name change back to the Bullets would be a long shot
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