Phil Jackson Greatest Coach in NBA History

The NBA Finals are over and yet again we see a different cast on top, but the same coach.  The Ten Master, Phil Jackson, a native of Williston, ND, got his degree from UND.  He might as well have a degree in championships, because all he does is win.  Whether it’s Michael and Scotty, or Pal Gasol and Kobe Bryant, Jackson has climbed the NBA mountain 10 times.  I don’t care if you don’t like Kobe or the Los Angeles Lakers.  The last series reminded me of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.  It brought back good times in the NBA, with Kobe reminding me of a 6′ 7″ guard out of UCLA.  Of course there will never be another Reggie Miller, but Kobe comes close to his style of play.  Like Miller, Bryant has the killer instinct.  If you don’t shut down Kobe, he looks like Reggie.  He carries a team on his shoulders and gives the Lakers that killer attitude.

NASCAR Legend Back On Top

Sonoma, CA - Kasey Kahne, who drives for Richard Petty MotorSports, put “The King” back in victory lane.  This was Petty’s first win since ‘99.

Here is your running order from yesterday’s SaveMart 350: 1. Kasey Kahne 2. Tony Stewart 3. Marcos Ambrose 4. Jimmie Johnson 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Juan Montoya 7. AJ Allmendinger 8. Clint Bowyer 9. Jeff Gordon 10. Elliott Sadler

Here are you points leaders after the race: 1. Tony Stewart 2. Jeff Gordom - 84 3. Jimmie Johnson -157 4. Kurt Busch -280 5. Carl Edwards
-313 6. Ryan Edwards -318 7. Denny Hamlin -355 8. Greg Biffle -372 9. 
Kyle Busch -402 10. Matt Kenseth -407 11. Mark Martin -438 12. Juan Montoya -447

NASCAR: California Preview

Last year, over the summer months, it was all the Kyle Busch show, but as the weather cooled off it became clear, entering the Chase, that Jimmie Johnson would tie Cale Yarborough.  Can Busch repeat over the summer months a long stretch of racing that saw him become a legitimate threat to Johnson?  It seemed like when the weather got hotter, the M&Ms team, led by Steve Addington, seemed to be performing at a championship level.  Or, might this be the year of the 50 year-old, Mark Martin?  The answers begin at Sonoma, then Loudon.

Patrick Frenzy Coming Soon

With Danica Patrick’s contractual obligations running out with Andretti-Green Racing, the media darling is going to get a lot of attention.  So, should she become the first woman in NASCAR?  Yes.  I think it would boost NASCAR’s ratings, which are on a downward spiral.  Patrick currently sits 5th in the IRL, Indy Racing League, driver points.  She is the most notable name in the racing market.  

The switch would prove that ladies could vie for Nationwide Titles.  

The thing that I like the most about Patrick is you never know which Patrick will show up.  Is it the one that can tangle with you?  She may weigh only 100 pounds., but she definitely would be a dose of medicine that NASCAR needs.  She could easily take Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s spot.  So, while we wait for the Indy Car season to draw to a conclusion, one wonders where this free-agent will wind up.

Will it be another case of the Jr. mistake?  Will the IRL’s brightest star shine brightly in a NASCAR world that is filled with doom and gloom over the Jr. puzzle?

Wild Nation Welcomes Todd Richards

On Tuesday afternoon, Todd Richards, who joined the Wild from last years Presidents winning San Jose Sharks, met with the media at the Xcel Energy Center.  Among the topics that were addressed was #10 Marian Gaborik.  Gaborik is currently not signed by the Wild.  In the past, he has been prone to injuries.  The Wild are hopeful with the hiring of Richards that he will entice Gaborik to be back in a Wild uniform.  Another common theme at the press conference was trust.  

Richards stated that the Wild players would have to earn his trust and he would have to earn theirs.  When asked about what brand of hockey the fans would see, Richards said that you would see an up- tempo style similar to  San Jose, Detroit, or Pittsburgh.  Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher stated that there were several candidates to replace former Head Coach Jacques Lemaire.  Fletcher and Richards had several opportunities to speak to each other before the hiring.  Fletcher also stated that the Wild’s assistant coaching position has several candidates within and outside the organization, but he hasn’t tapped anyone yet.

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