TIDBIT TUESDAY: THE WORLD CUP

 This week's Tidbit Tuesday takes us to The World Cup.  We are a week into soccer's biggest worldwide tournament and fans from around the world already love what they see. Each country is battling for the prestige FIFA World Cup trophy.  But did you know the trophy has been stolen twice,

The Original trophy was called the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in England in 1966 and was held for ransom and later found wrapped in newspaper next to a dog named Pickles.  Pickles became so popular that he was awarded a silver medal.  The trophy was stolen again in 1980 in Rio De Janeiro and was never found.  FIFA then had to make the trophy we have today.  

 

KNICKS TAKE CONTROL OF FINALS WITH MIRACLE COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY

 Last night's Game 4 of the NBA Finals lived up to the hype and did not disappoint.  The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 107-106 come from behind victory over the San Antonio Spurs.  The Knicks are one game away from winning their first title since 1973.

The Spurs jumped out to a 29-point first half lead and seemed destined to tie the series up at 2.  Then the second half started and the Knicks had other plans.  They chi[[ed away at the lead and finally took their first lead late in the fourth quarter.  San Antonio was up by one when Jalen Bronson got the inbounds pass and shot a quick three and missed. OG Anunoby followed with a tip in with 1.2 seconds remaining and what proved to be the winning shot.

The series now shifts to San Antonio for game 5.  The Spurs now must win the next 3 games if they want to become NBA Champions.  The knicks have now put themselves in the driven seat meedong just one win ion the next three games.

TIDBIT TUESDAY: PLAYING TIL THE END

 This week's Tidbit Tuesday takes us to Philadelphia and the NBA.  It's the 1961-62 season and the Philadelphia Warriors have a guy by the name of Wilt Chamberlain who set countless records that season.  The most notable record was his 100-point game against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.  Wilt Chamberlain accomplished something else that season that will most likely never be done again.  Did you know in the 1961-62 season Chamberlain played nearly every minute of every game averaging 48.5 minutes per game.

This is an interesting feat for several reasons.  First there are only 48 minutes in a game, so not only did he play every minute of regulation but also in the overtime games his teams were in.  In fact Chamberlain played in all but 8 minutes of action that season.  The 8 minutes he did not play was because he was ejected from a game.

The other reason this is a tremendous feat is because this is something that won't even be attempted in today's NBA.  In today's NBA there is just a handful of players that play all 82 regular season games, much less everyone minute of those games.  The super stars take games off and try to preserve themselves for the playoffs.  That is something Wilt Chamberlain would never do, He played until the end. 

NBA FINALS PREDICTION

 For all you basketball fans tonight is Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks.  Games 1and 2 will be in San Antonio, whiles games 3 and 4 will be in New York.  The remainder of the series alternates home courts with the Spurs hosting game 5 and game 7.  

There are p;enty of storylines to hype up this year's Finals such as New York being in the Finals for the first time in 27 years and San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama leading the Spurs to the Finals in just his third season in the NBA.  The Knicks are coming off of a sweep of the Clevland Cavaliers, and the Spurs just dethroned the defending champs.

Both teams match up well against each other, which makes for close hard-fought series. Each game is going to be close and cam go either way.  As close as this series will be I don't see it going all seven games.  Wemby and the Spurs have been playing consistent and agressive throughout the playoffs.  I have San Antonio winning in 6 games, 4-2.

TIDBIT TUESDAY: BEAR DOWN

Tidbit Tuesday is back.  Every Tuesday I will provide a sports story about an interesting fact that you ,may or may not know about.  When i was a child the thing that kept me watching sports was hearing the commentator's stories and facts about what I was watching.  That sparked my interest in sports and so I bring you Tidbit Tuesday.

This edition of Tidbit Tuesday takes us to Tucson Arizona, home of the University of Arizona.  The school's Montra or battle is "Bear Down".  The schools mascot is a Wildcat.  So why is the slogan "Bear Down"?  The story behind it is heartfelt.

In early October 1926 some of the members of the football team, including QB John "Button" Salmon, were headed back to Tucson from a game in Phoenix and were involved in a car accident.  The accident happened in Florence and Salmon was severely injured and eventually died from his injuries. 

The coach at the time was J.F. "Pop" McKale and he visited Salmon several times in the hospital before his passing.  Salmon's last message to the team was, " Tell them....tell the team to bear down".  Coach McKale told the team and they won their next two games and the slogan was born.

Another interesting fact about this story is John Salmon died October 18, 1926, 53 years later I was born.

NICKS REACH NBA FINALS

 The New York Knicks are the Eastern Conference Champs and are headed to the 2026 NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.  They advanced to the finals by sweeping the Clevland Cavs 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.  They will now face the winner of the Western Conference Finals, The San Antonio Spurs or the defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The New York fans are going crazy over the news of their team reaching the finals after 27 years.  The New York Knicks haven't won an NBA title since 1973.  Next Wednesday is game 1 of the NBA Finals and they will be seeking their third title in franchise history.  

Most people in Arizona don't have much of an opinion on the Knicks, maybe envy or even jealousy.  But the true Suns fan does have an opinion, and that opinion is Mikal Bridges.  Bridges played for the Suns ans quickly became a fan favorite until he was traded away for Kevin Durant.  an experiment that failed miserably.  True fans would love to see Bridges win a championship, especially if it's against the San Antonio Spurs.

 

WHAT'S GOING ON IN PHOENIX?

 The Phoenix Suns have 2 All-Stars on their roster.  One of them is one of this era of basketballs top 5 players.  They also have a championship winning head coach and on owner that is willing to do whatever it takes to win.  This was proven when just a few days after purchasing the team he pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix.

Yet the Phoenix Suns have a record of 26-27 as we head towards the All- Star break.  They are in 11th place in the Western Conference.  So what's going on in Phoenix?  On paper the Suns should be a top seed yet they seem to struggle to get to .500 basketball.

There are two problems with the Phoenix Suns that are keeping them from contending for a NBA tittle again.  The first problem is Bradley Beal and the second problem the Suns are missing that intimidating player.

Bradley Beal came to Phoenix to be part of the Big 3 along with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.  Beal's inability to stay healthy and contribute when he is healthy made this plan a failure from day one.  To make matter's worse Beals performance and the price tag his contract carries makes it impossible to move trade him.  Because no other team wanted him the Suns were unable to trade for Jimmy Butler, who ultimately ended up in Golden State, creating another problem for the Suns.

Most people say the Suns need a center and that this has always been a weakness of the Phoenix Suns.  This idea makes sense but the man there missing doesn't have to be a center.  The person just needs to be an intimidating player that won't back down from anyone.  The Suns recently had a Jae Crowder who fits this description well.  The fact that the Suns don't have anyone like this allows other teams to bully them.  The Suns aren't tough emough to hang with the top teams in the Western Conference.

  

TIDBIT TUESDAY: OCTOBER 1,2024

 This week’s edition of Tidbit Tuesday comes to us from the baseball world.  With the MLB playoffs set begin lets give you a piece of knowledge about America’s past time that you may not know.

 

Former Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose passed away yesterday of natural causes.  Did you know he was actually banned from baseball and not allowed into Baseball’s Hall of Fame?

 

Pete Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on games while he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

CAN DBACKS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?

 The Arizona Diamondbacks finished the regular season today with a strong performance beating the San Diego Padres 11-2.  They finished the season 89-73 just one spot out of a playoff berth.  But there is still hope.

The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets are just ahead of the Dbacks, both having a record of 88-72.  Due to the hurricane Helene The Braves and the Mets had to cancel two games last week.  They will make up those two games tomorrow when they play a double header.

Although the Dbacks chances to get in the postseason seem complicated they are not.  Its simple, if either team wins both games that team and the Dbacks are in.  If both teams split the double header those two twams are in and the Dbacks season is over.

Both teams have pelnty to play for, but here is the reaity of the situation.  whichever teams wins the first game is automatically in the playoffs and doesn't have anything to play for and will most likely rest their starters.  Keeping this in mind and the fact that last season the Dbacks were a wildcard team and got hot and went on to the World Series I would win the first game and rest my starters in the second game essentially eliminating a dangerous Dbacks team.

If the Dbacks fail to make the playoffs because of lasts seasons unexpected success this season would be considered a failure to many fans and the players.  Regardless of the outcome the Dbacks were a fun team to watch and have a bright future ahead of them.

LEGENDARY PHOENIX SUNS VOICE PASSES AWAY

 

Al McCoy, the voice of the Phoenix Suns for 51 years passed away on September 21, 2024, he was 91 years old.  McCoy retired after the 2023 and was and still is the longest tenured voice of any NBA franchise. 

McCoy was a fan favorite due to his unique play by play calling.  He coined several phrases such as, zing go the strings and heartbreak hotel.  McCoy was best known for the phrase Shazam.  So much so that Arizona Cardinals voice Dave Pasch used the phrase the day after McCoy died when Kyler Murray hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for the teams for score.

Growing up a Suns fan I experienced the legend in action many times.  When you ask Suns fan who their favorite Suns and many of them would say Al McCoy.  When I was a teenager the Phoenix Suns would show the games on TV and air them on the radio.  I was such a fan of McCoy that I would turn down the TV and listen to Mccoy call the game from the radio.

Al McCoy is one of the most famous names when it comes to Arizona sports and belongs on the states Mount Rushmore.  McCoy will definitely be missed and is a legend.  May he rest in peace.

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. 

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.