May 5, Week in Sports
:: BOSTON CELTICS WIN GAME SEVEN OVER ATLANTA HAWKS (Pro. Basketball)
:: BIG BROWN WINS KENTUCKY DERBY (Horse Racing)
:: KOBE BRYANT WINS MVP (Pro. Basketball)
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LUCKY SEVEN: CELTICS ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND
The Boston Celtics, who entered the playoffs with the best record in the Eastern Conference, narrowly escaped from the first round after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the series. The Celtics are the darlings of the sports media and they were heavy favorites to win the series, so their final two games with the Hawks drew a good deal of national attention.
The Celtics lost a close, emotional Game 6 in Atlanta, which forced the deciding Game 7 in Boston on Sunday afternoon. Because of the series’ recent intensity, many were expecting a close game. But in the end, the Celtics completely blew out the Hawks by a score of 99-65. Celtics forward Paul Pierce led the team in scoring with 22 points, and center Kevin Garnett added 18 in the blowout victory.
The Celtics’ journey continues on Tuesday, when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Quote of the Week: “We want Cleveland!” — Celtics fans, chanting at the end of the game
Further Reading: “Garnett’s double-double propels Celts to second round” — Associated Press, via ESPN
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BIG BROWN REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH DERBY WIN
Big Brown, a 3-year old colt with an undefeated record, won the Kentucky Derby by 4 3/4 lengths on Saturday. Big Brown was the favorite to win the Derby–the most prestigious horse racing event of the year.
Now, horse racing fans will debate whether or not Big Brown has a chance to win the Triple Crown. To win that title, a feat which no horse has accomplished since Affirmed did it in 1978, Big Brown would have to win the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes later this year. There are certainly those out there who wish Big Brown no further success, since the horse’s trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr., is a controversial figure in horse racing, having been busted for drugging his horses and himself. While Big Brown may have been the Derby favorite, Dutrow is hardly one of the sport’s favorite trainers.
The Kentucky Derby, and any joy of Big Brown’s victory, were completely overshadowed by the tragic death of a horse on the track. Eight Belles, the only filly to run in the race, finished in second place, only to collapse moments later. She was euthanized immediately by the track veterinarian.
Quote of the Week: “There was no way to save her. She couldn’t stand. She ran an incredible race. She ran the race of her life.” — Larry Jones, Eight Belles’ owner
Further Reading: “Favorite Big Brown dusts field; runner-up Eight Belles euthanized” — Associated Press, via ESPN
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KING KOBE: BRYANT EXPECTED TO TAKE HOME MVP HONORS
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Kobe Bryant has won the Most Valuable Player award this year. The announcement, which will not be official until later this week, is significant because this year’s MVP race was so close, and because Bryant has never been named MVP.
The MVP race boiled down to four players: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James. Following the regular season, sportswriters and broadcasters across the country get to vote to determine who gets the MVP award. While Garnett and James certainly drew some votes, everyone expected the vote to come down to Paul and Bryant. When Bryant is officially named the MVP this week, there are sure to be debates across the country over whether or not he deserved it over Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, who had the best year of his young career.
Both players are currently in the second round of the playoffs. If the Hornets and Lakers both win, they would play each other in the next round.
Quote of the Week: “Bryant, second in the NBA in scoring behind Cleveland’s LeBron James, will be the first Lakers player to win the MVP award since Shaquille O’Neal was a near-unanimous choice in 2000.” — Associated Press
Further Reading: “Is MVP Wait Finally Over for Kobe Bryant?” — Mark Heisler, L.A. Times
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: BASKETBALL –The second round of the playoffs continue this week. While the matches look to be exciting across the board, keep a close eye on the Spurs-Hornets series. The Hornets have a fun, explosive offense led by Chris Paul, and the Spurs have perhaps the most impressive, veteran defense in the league. The Hornets won the first game, but nobody should ever count out the Spurs.
:: HOCKEY – The Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs begin this week. The Detroit Red Wings, after struggling early in the post-season, have looked red-hot lately, pummeling the Colorado Avalanche in the second round, winning four games to none.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): Baseball season is in full swing, but it is a long season, so teams tend to measure their success month by month. The All-Star break takes place the second week of July. By then, teams’ records will be a good indicator of how well they are performing this season. [Official MLB Website]
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:: BASKETBALL
NBA (Pro. Basketball): The second round of the playoffs continues this week. Eight teams have been eliminated from this year’s post-season play. [Official NBA Website]
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:: GOLF
MEN’S GOLF: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Major Championships: The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open (The British Open), and the PGA Championship. Now that the Masters is over, the next event will be the U.S. Open, which is played in the month of June. [Official PGA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els
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:: HOCKEY
NHL (Pro. Hockey): The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue this week. After the best-of-seven Conference Finals begin this week, the only thing left is the Stanley Cup Finals–the climax of the NHL season. [Official NHL Website]
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:: TENNIS
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments of the year are the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. The Australian Open took place in January. The French Open, which is held in May, is the next Grand Slam event. [USTA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Justine Henin
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OFFSEASON
:: BASKETBALL
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): Now that the tournament is over, college basketball news will focus on which players leave their schools for the NBA, and which college teams land the premier high-school players for next season. [CBS Sports]
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:: FOOTBALL
NFL (Pro. Football): The pre-season begins in August, and the regular season begins in September. [Official NFL Website]
NCAA FOOTBALL (College): Practice sessions for college football begin in summer, and the regular season begins in August. [NCAA Football, ESPN]