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Monday, March 28, 2022

GUESS WHOSE BACK?

 Guess whose back?  Back again,  guess whose back guess whose back!

That's right The Az Sports Guru is back!


Beginning this week I will be posting at least 2 articles a week.  I will cover all the Arizona sports, as well as all the most popular stories.  I will give commentary and opinion and hope you enjoy what you read.  Please read and follow my blog, as well as my Twitter and Facebook pages. 

Friday, November 12, 2021

CARL HAYDEN LOOKS TO FINISH SEASON STRONG


Tonight, The Falcons of Carl Hayden High School play host to the Vista Grande Spartan’s.  Not only is it the last game of the season for Carl Hayden, it is also Senior Night and Homecoming.  Senior Night and Homecoming are always special but tonight has another special meaning for the Carl Hayden Falcons.

 

When the Falcons kickoff later tonight they are not just playing another football game, they are playing to be a part of history.  If they can come away victorious the Falcons will finish the season 6-4.  The first winning season since 2012.  But the important part is they will tie for the best record in Carl Hayden history.  The school has been around since 1957 and has only been to the playoffs once, in 1996.

 

Coach Steven Arenas has quickly changed the culture at Carl Hayden.  He and his coaches have the team believing they can win any game they play.  Even though the Falcons will most like miss the playoffs they have proved that they are a team to fear next year.

 

In Carl Hayden’s five wins they score more than 45 points in each game and only gave up more than 10 once.  The Falcons have a promising future and look to compete for a playoff spot next season.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

SUNS HEATING UP!

 The 2021-2022 NBA season has begun and is trying to get back to pre- pandemic status.  For the first time in two seasons the NBA will play it's typical 82 game schedule.  Players and teams are getting ready for the long haul.  Some understand that they have a long season and have to pace themselves, some because they are going to make a deep playoff run.


The Suns are one of those teams.  Last season they surprised the NBA world by making it the NBA  Finals.  They added a backup center in Javale McGee, but the team brings back its core players from a year ago.  The season start with the Suns going 1-3 and some Phoenix faithful started to get worried.


Since then the Suns have won 6 straight and are now 7-3.  They have done so without DeAndre Ayton, who has been injured, which has made this an even better accolade.  The Suns have a lot of season left but are on the right path to repeat as Western Conference Champions.



Wednesday, November 10, 2021

ODELL WANTS TO PLAY FOR A CONTENDER

 NFL star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has officially cleared waivers and can now sign with any team he wants.  The former Cleveland Browns receiver was waived last Friday by the team.  He was waived in part due to a video his dad posted showing Browns QB Baker Mayfield repeatable not throw OBJ the ball.

 

Now that Beckham Jr. has cleared the waiver wire he is free to sign with any team he wants.  OBJ has said that he wants to sign with a contender.  As I listen to this report from ESPN, they say that two of the teams are the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

 

My first thought is why in the world would anyone sign with Seattle or New England?  Seattle is 3-5 and plays in what is most likely the toughest division in football, The NFC West.  Seattle has a good receiving corps and an excellent QB in Russell Wilson, but he is injured and even though he is expected back soon we do not know how well he play upon return.  Seattle finds itself in a deep whole to get out of if they want to make a run at the post season.  Each week it gets harder with the way the Arizona Cardinals continue to find a way to win.  Bottom line is Seattle is not a contender.

 

The Patriots are 5-4 and appear to be in a two-team race with the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title.  QB Mac Jones has not proven himself as of yet and even if they make it to the playoffs his inconsistent play will have the team relying heavily on the defense.  Even with OBJ on the Patriots they are still a wide receiver or two way from being a contender. 

 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

TIDBIT TUESDAY 11/9/2021


                                              photo courtesy of google.com


This week's edition of Tidbit Tuesday could easily be Did you know The Az Sports Guru is back?  But we'll save that for another day.  This weeks Tidt come from the NFL.


Did you know the Arizona Cardinals are 8-1?  If you live in Arizona, of course you did, but if you live outside of Arizona you may know but act like you don't.  


The Cardinals are the only 8-1 team in the NFL but you would not know that by reading the national sports headlines.  The Cardinals won a tough division game without it's starting QB Kyler Murray and top recievers AJ Green and DeAndre Hopkins.  They proved they are one of the best teams in the NFL.  Now the question is when will anyone outside of Arizona believe the same thing? 

Sunday, August 8, 2021

BOOKER WINS GOLD

 Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker lost the NBA Finals and jumped on a plane to Tokyo, Japan to play for Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics.  The games were pushed back one year due to the Covid 19 outbreak.


Team USA, like always, is loaded with talent, lost it's opening game to France but did not look back after the loss.  The US beat France on Friday 87-82 to win the gold medal and make it their rourth Olypic Gold in a row.


Devin Booker started 5 of the United States six games.  He scored 20 points in the semifinal win over Australia.  Booker was one of the US top players.  At just 24 years old Booker takes home is first Olympic Gold Medal.


  

Friday, June 4, 2021

THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR LEBRON?

The Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers last night, 113-100, winning the series 4-2.  LeBron James had his best effort of the series scoring 29 points.  James also played his most minutes of the series in the losing effort.

 

The Lakers loss not only ends the season but it also posses the question, Is this the beginning of the end for LeBron James?

 

James has played 16 seasons and has numerous accolades to show for it.  Love him or hate him, he is considered one of the best to ever play the game.  But, the Suns did something to him that has never been done before, being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. 

 

A LeBron led team had never lost in the first round of the playoffs, combine that with his age and the fact that the Lakers didn’t look good all season and you truly have to ask the question.  The other thing to consider is this, more and more teams are developing players and building teams, ie: Phoenix, Utah and Denver, taking away the free agent frenzy that has superstars deciding to create super teams.

 

Lebron may not be done and many can argue that he dealt with a severe ankle injury all season long that slowed him and his team down.  But, as I said earlier he is not getting any younger and these injuries will start to catch up with him.


Thursday, June 3, 2021

BIGGEST GAME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

The Phoenix Suns travel to Los Angeles to night to take and the Los Angeles Lakers in game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The Suns lead the series 3-2 after a dominating 115-85 win in Phoenix on Tuesday night. 

The Suns are just one win away from moving on to the second round.  Tonight, is a very important game, and in my opinion, it is the biggest game in franchise history.  This game is the biggest in franchise history for 3 reason.

 

The first reason this is a big game for the Suns is a win will prove that the Suns are the real deal and not just a one hit wonder.  Ever since the Suns went 8-0 in last season's "bubble" Suns fan new this would be a special season.  Then they traded for Chris Paul and the expectations got a little higher.  A series win against the Lakers will keep the expectations rising.

 

Reason number 2 that this is a big game is because it is against the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Suns and Lakers have always had a rivalry.  There is a huge love/hate relation between Phoenix and LA fans.  The Lakers have the edge because the Suns have never won a Championship but a win tonight would go a long way in the Suns/Lakers rivalry.

 

The final reason this is the biggest game in franchise history id Lebron James.  If the Suns can win tonight they will be the only team to knockout a Lebron James led team in the first round of the playoffs.  Believe it or not a first-round loss for James may be the beginning of the end for his storied career.

 

A win tonight will mean so much not only to the team but the city of Phoenix! 

 


Monday, May 31, 2021

SUNS EVEN SERIES

 The Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday 100-92, in LA to even the series 2-2.  The big three for Phoenix, Paul, Booker and Ayton, showed up big time combining for 49 points.  Ayton continued his consistent play adding 17 rebounds.

 

The win gives the Suns the home court advantage back.  They host a pivotal game 5 that may be the biggest game of the NBA’s postseason.  Chris Paul looked 100% yesterday and showed his value and leadership.  To make things worse for the Lakers Anthony Davis suffered a groin injury that may keep him out of game 5.

 

Game 5 is Tuesday in Phoenix and if the Suns play the way they did in game 4 they will come away with the win and one game away from moving on to the second round.  The big question is what Chris Paul will show up for game 5?

 

For the Suns sake let’s hope it’s the game 4 Chris Paul.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

SUNS BACK IN NBA PLAYOFFS

For the first time since 2010 the Phoenix Suns have reached the NBA Playoffs.  The Suns finished the season 51-21 and are the number 2 seed in the Western Conference.  The Suns are led by offseason accusation point guard Chris Paul and Devin Booker.  The two guards have also gotten help from center Deandre Ayton and veteran Jae Crowder.  The Suns have several other key players that have helped them to their success.

 

The Suns begin the playoffs today when they host game 1 of a 7 games series with the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Lakers are led by Lebron James and Anthony Davis.  Due to injury the Lakers have not been at full strength all season long and had to win a play in game to clinch the 7th seed.

 

Phoenix has had a tremendous season and many fans expect the Suns to go far in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, the Suns do not match up well with the Lakers.  Lebron is a superstar and is going to get his no matter who you gave guard him.  He should not be there main concern.  That honor goes to Anthony Davis.

 

Davis is going to be difficult for the Suns to defend, but not impossible.  Deandre Ayton will be the key to this series.  He has an opportunity to let the rest of the NBA know that he is and will continue to be a dominant force.