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.

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.

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. 

 

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? 

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.

  

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.

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! 

 

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.

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 7^th 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. 

Superbowl LV prediction

 Super bowl LV is finally here.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Kansas City Chiefs.  Tampa Bay QB Tom Brady is seeking his seventh championship, while Lansas City QB Patrick Mahomes is trying repeat and win his second title.

The teams are both evenly matched and this promises to be a very competitive game.  So who are you picking?  Here is my pick.

The game is going to be high scoring and very fun to watch, but the defense will be the difference in this game.  The defense that makes the most big plays will win the Superbowl.  The Chiefs will try and put pressure on Tom Brady and if they can do so they will be victorious.  Tampa Bay needs to stop the passing attack of the Chiefs and they will come out on top.  This is a hard game to pick but in the end experience will prevail. 

Final score: Tampa Bay 38, Kansas City 35.

 

DID TOM BRADY ALREADY WIN?

 Superbowl LV is today between the Kansas Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Bucs.  The game will be played in Tampa, making the Bucs the first team to host a Superbowl.  The big question is who will win?  The big GOAT or the little GOAT?

 

Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes?  One of, if not the greatest, QB matchups in Super Bowl history.  Before we debate who will win let me ask you this, hasn’t Tom Brady already won?

 

Tom Brady is arguably the greatest of all time.  When he left the Patriots last season people question if he was really as good as his resume or if it was because of his coach, Bill Bellichick.  The Bucs finished the season 11-5 and won the NFC, proving that he can succeed without his old coach.

 

Even with a loss Brady has proven two things, at his age he is still one of the best QB’s in the NFL, and that can lead a team from being mediocre to appearing in a Superbowl.

SHOULD CARDINALS TRADE FOR DESHUAN WATSON?

 Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson has requested a trade.  Watson wants out so bad that, according to Chris Simms, that he is willing to sit out next season if he is not traded.  Watson is now the most sought after player of the offseason.

Watson would instantly make any team a Super Boiwl contender, a lot like Tom Brady.  There are only two or three teams that would not need Watson to be there start.  two are in the Super Bowl.  Rumors are swirling all over the NFL as to where the 25-year old QB will end up.  Unfortunately, we may not find out until the 2021 NFL Draft.

The price tag for Watson will be steep, but he is worth it.  So let's play what if.  What if the Arizona Cardinals were offered Deshaun Watson for Kyler Murray straight up? 

Most people would make the deal or at least give it some serious thought.  Me... I would not take the deal unless I was going to do complete overhaul of the team.  By that I mean new coach, new General Manager and of course a new QB.

But seriously, if you were going to do that you would have to start all over again, which could mean waiting another year or two to make the playoffs.  The Cardinals started a rebiulding process when they hired Kingsbury and drafted Murray.

The Cardinals will make the playoffs next year and compete for a Super Bowl the year after.  If you bring Watson in now, you start that process all over.

Watson has history with DeAndre Hopkins but will have to work on timing with his new receivers.  In my opinion the Cardinals are better off with Kyler Murray than Deshaun Watson.

TIDBIT TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 2, 2021

 In honor of Super Bowl LV Tidbit Tuesday is all about football.  Did you know in this day 21 years ago Terrell Suggs sign his national letter of intent to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils?

That's right, arguable the states best ever high school football player chose to continue his football career in state.  The Chandler Hamilton superstar picked ASU over several other schools and his glorious career began.  Suggs went on to dominate at defensive end and later was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.  Suggs became a superstar in the NFL and even won a  two Super Bowls including last year as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

SUPERBOWL WEEK BEGINS

 Super Bowl VL is one week away.  For the first time ever the Super Bowl will be hosted by one of the participants.  On Sunday The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

The game is one of the most popular events in the world and this year promises to be just as exciting as ever.  But before the game begins we have a lot of events and activities leading up to the big game.  

Even if you are not a football fan there will be plenty to watch.  From the coin toss to the commercials to the halftime show and finally to the Trophy presentation, there is something for everyone.

Stay tuned to The Az Sports Guru's website for plenty of Super Bowl coverage.

TIDBIT TUESDAY: JANUARY 12. 2021

Welcome to 2021 and the first edition of "Tidbit Tuesday".  We start the new year with football and the running game particular.

Did you know that there is only one person on earth that has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in high school, college and the NFL?

That player is Tennessee Titan's running back Derrick Henry.  Henry accomplished the feat at Yulee High School, Alabama and this season with the Titans. 

CARDINALS MISS PLAYOFFS, BUT ON PATH TO SUCCESS

The Arizona Cardinals finished their season with a loss to the Los Angelos Rams.  The loss ended all hopes of a playoff berth.  The team finished the season 8-8, not the way they wanted the season to end.  There was plenty to be proud of this season, as well as many adjustrments to make.

 

 Many fans are upset and say this was a wasted season.  Some are even calling for head coach Kliff Kingsbury to be fired and for the team to move on from Kyler Murray.

 

Cardinal fans have always had high expectations for the team, those expectations rised even more when Kyler Murray was drafted number 1 overall in 2019.  As far as a failed season, fire your coach and get a new QB I say…….No way! 

 

Be patient Cardinal fans!  You have all the pieces you need.  Just give it time for the pieces to mold together and you will soon have that ever elusive Lonbardi Trophy.  Rebuilding is a process that takes a few years and the Cardinals are on the brink of that rebuild.

 

The Cardinals have the weapons they need to compete.  They have a franchise QB, an above average line, a superstar wide receiver, not to mention a future Hall of Fame recierver to boot.  They also have a good enough running game to keep them competitive.  The defense is young and getting better.  The have a superstar in Budda Baker and a promising your cornerback corps that may not be affected if Patrick Peterson does not return to the team.

 

The Cardinals overachieved this year.  We have to remind ourselves that they won 3 games last, the first year of the rebuild.  That is a 5 game improvement, a huge improvement.  I said all along that the Cardinals will make the playoffs in year three, maybe win a game or two and then in year four content for a Super Bowl.

 

The Cardinals nearly made the playoffs this year and should have no problem doing it next year.  This will have them right on pace with the rebuild plan. 

2020 GURU AWARDS

Let’s all collectively breathe a sigh of relief as we have made it past the infamous 2020.  Now let’s look back on the sports year.  While it was dominated by Covid-19 and the Pandemic, there was still plenty of entertaining sports this year.  Here are the Third Annual Guru Awards.  

Best Newcomer:
This year’s best newcomer award goes to Arizona cardinal’s wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.  He was involved in the offseason trade that sent David Johnson to Houston in exchange for Hopkins.  Although Hopkins does not practice as much as fans would like he has done nothing but produce since coming to the Cardinal’s.  This was most evident when he snagged the game winning “Hail Mary” pass over multiple defenders in a game against the Buffalo Bills.

Best Player:
For the first time The Gur Awards has a multiple winner.  DeAndre Hopkins is your 2020 Best Player.  He is one of the best wideouts in the NFL.  When Kyler Murray throws the ball in his direction you know he is going to catch it.  Hopkins is a key piece to the Cardinals run at the playoffs.

Best Coach:
The Guru Award for best coach goes to Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns.  He led the team to an 8-0 bubble season to finish last year and the team nearly made the playoffs.  That team was without Kelly Oubre and looked to improve this season.  Then during the offseason Oubre was traded and Chris Paul came to Phoenix in the deal.  The team is currently 5-1 and in first place in the Western Conference to start the new season.  

 

Best Team:
Best team goes to the Phoenix Suns.  They get this award simple for going 8-0 in the bubble and giving fans hope of seeing a playoff team in the very near future.

Biggest Disappointment:
This was by far the easiest award to pick this year.  This award goes to Kevin Sumlin, head football coach for the Arizona Wildcats.  He was hired four years ago with high hopes and showed no sort of improvement during his short tenure.  Arizona lost to ASU 70-7 in this year’s Territorial Cup and he was fired the same weekend.

Biggest Surprise:
The biggest surprise of the year came in March, when for the first time in history all sports were halted due to Covid-19.  The problem would not be a short as expected.  Covid-19 became a global pandemic and affected nearly every person on earth.  Even yours truly got the virus.  Sports have since resumed but things are very different and may never be the same again.

 Best High School Moment:
The Guru Award for best High School moment goes to St. Mary’s football coach Jose Lucero. A year ago, he led Desert Edge to a deep playoff run and had a lot of talent returning this year. Many were surprised when he decided to leave the school for his alma mater, St Mary’s. Well he did not disappoint. Helped the Knights to a 6-3 record and a playoff berth in his first season. The Knights were able to breakout the traditional gold pants for the playoffs, Lucero and the St. Mary’s faithful hope will be the first of many.