Seven Years

Today my blog, The Sports Scene, turns seven years old. (Ironic that this is also the 7th post of this, the 7th month of the year) I'm amazed every year how fast time has flown by since I started this blog back in the summer of 2006.  The fact that what had been a way of relieving boredom during the summertime has lasted this long and been so successful is truly amazing to me. From the great success this blog had on AOL (350 posts, 51000 visitors, #4 ranked blog), to the amount of viewers (nearly 15000) it has had since I moved to Blogger in March of 2009, I would like to thank my readers for coming back.

Just in the past year, I've had almost 3000 page views, including 46 views for my 2013 NBA Playoffs First Round preview and 38 views for my NBA Playoffs second round preview. In addition, I have had consistent page views from Russia and Romania! In addition, I officially reached 400 posts on Blogger with my post about Phil Mickelson's comeback win at the British Open last Sunday.

Anyway, once again, thank you to everyone and continue to visit, comment, and email, and look for another great year in superb sports coverage in lucky year #7!

Phil Mickelson Wins British Open

After a heartbreaking, sixth 2nd-place finish at the US Open last month, Phil Mickelson bounced back to win his fifth major championship and first Open Championship by shooting a final round 66 at Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane Scottland, to finish at 3-under par and win by three strokes over Henrik Stenson.

Mickelson, who came into today's final round five shots back, birdied the four of the final six holes and shot an incredible round on a day most of the other contenders struggled greatly.

"This is such an accomplishment for me," Mickelson said. "I never knew if I'd be able to develop the game and the shots to play links golf effectively. To play what is arguably the best round of my career, to putt the way I putted, to shoot the round of my life, it just feels amazing to win the claret jug.

54-hole leader Lee Westwood, who started today's final round with a two-shot lead, failed to finish strongly on a major Sunday once again, and finished in a tie for third for his record-8th top 3 finish without a major championship. Adam Scott, who blew up in the final round at last year's Open Championship, also briefly had the lead today, but bogeyed four straight holes from 13-16 to finish at one-over par.

NBA Free Agency Central

UPDATE 7/27/13 1:24 PM
Clippers Resign Paul
LA resigns all-star PG Chris Paul to a max, 5 year, $104 million contract, an anti-climatic move after coach Doc Rivers was acquired from the Celtics on draft night.
Pistons Sign Josh Smith
Detroit signs PF Josh Smith to a four year, $54 million contract. Smith leaves Atlanta to join a Detroit team that is already loaded with young talent in the front court (Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe).
Bobcats Land Jefferson
Charlotte overpays for former Jazz center Al Jefferson, signing him to a three year, $41 million contract.
Pacers Resign West
Indiana resigns PF David West to a three year, $37 million contract as the Pacers look to make another run at Miami in the coming seasons.
Pelicans Sign Evans
New Orleans improves its wing position, signing former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans to a four year, $44 million deal. Evans joins a young lineup composing of PG Jrue Holliday, who was acquired on draft night, as well as SG Eric Gordon and C Anthony Davis.
Cavs Sign Bynum
The injury-prone 7-footer signs a two-year, $24 million contracts with Cavaliers, with only $6 million guaranteed.
Hawks Sign Millsap
Atlanta signs former Jazz PF Paul Millsap to a nice two year, $19 million contract to replace Josh Smith.
Mavericks Sign Ellis
Dallas continues its retooling of its backcourt, signing high-scoring SG Monta Ellis to three year, $25 million contract.
Nets Sign AK-47
Andre Kirilenko, who turned down a $10 million option in Minnesota, opts to sign with the Brooklyn Nets for two years, for approximately $6 million.
Billlups Returns to Detroit
Pistons bring former Finals MVP PG Chauncey Billups back to Detroit, as he signs a two year, $5 million deal.
Pacers Acquire Scola
Indiana bolsters its frontline, adding PF Luis Scola from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for SF Gerald Green and future draft considerations.

Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon

After 77 long years, Great Britain finally has its a Wimbledon champion it can call its own.

Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 today at the All-England Club to capture his second major championship and ease all the pressure and expectations that had bestowed on him to be the chosen one to end the British drought.

And after a heartbreaking loss last year in the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer, which made Murray 0-4 in championship finals, Murray had definitely responded to last year's disappointment, winning gold in the Olympics for his country last August and winning his first major title at the U.S. Open last September in New York.

But the one that still eluded him and his country was Wimbledon, where there had not been a British men's singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936. However, on this 80 degree afternoon in London, despite loads of adversity, in the end, Murray was not to be denied.

After winning the first set 6-4, as he did last year against Federer, Murray quickly fell behind 4-1 in the second set. However, he gathered himself to win 6 of the next 7 games to gain a two set lead. In the third set, Murray jumped up a break early, and was up 2-0 in the set before losing the next four games in a row. He fought back again, though, breaking Djokovic for the fifth and sixth times on the day to serve for the match 5-4. After jumping out in front in the penultimate game 40-0, Murray blew three championship points and fought off three break points before all of England could breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate what was a long time coming.

"I can't believe I managed to do it ... that last game very challenging," Murray said after the match. "Probably hardest points I've had to play in my life. I understand how much everyone wanted to see a British winner at Wimbledon so I hope you enjoyed it."

I think they certainly did, and will, for a long time.

Dwight Howard to Sign with Rockets

The biggest free agent of the NBA off-season has a new home. And it's Houston, Texas, as Dwight Howard has agreed to join all-star James Harden and the young core of the Rockets. The story, first reported by USA Today, ends weeks of speculation whether Howard would return to the Los Angeles Lakers or sign elsewhere, with the Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, or Golden State Warriors. Howard, who struggled mightily under the scrutiny of Los Angeles last year, ultimately opted to go for the young, rising team in the Rockets, leaving money on the table from the Lakers.

As a Rockets fan, this acquisition is both very exciting and very nerve-wracking. One of the biggest laws in finance is "more risk, more reward". This signing is definitely that. 

My concerns:  

1. His back. Rockets have been there, done that with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and their injuries, and Dwight had a mediocre season recovering from the injury to his back last year in Los Angeles.

2. Howard's offensive game has many flaws:

• He is a putrid FT percentage, and seems to only be getting worse, making him a huge liability in close games if teams choose to foul him.
• After 7 years in the league, he still lacks a true go-to post move (apparently, working out with Dream didn't help much), and is not a guy you can run your offense through.

3. He's most effective in the pick and roll, yet complained how often the Lakers and coach Mike D'Antoni ran it last year in LA).

4. In a perfect world, there's no way he's worth the kind of max contract he will sign (2nd highest paid-player in the whole league after a mediocre 17 and 12 season?!?). 

5. Off the court antics (I myself have called him a "drama queen"):

• He got Stan Van Gundy fired in Orlando. 
• He changed his mind 489484651456 different times about wanting to stay in Orlando long term, then eventually forced his way out of there, deserting his teammates and the organization.
• When times were hard last year in LA, he blamed Mike D'Antoni's offense and his role on the team, and didn't take responsibility for his play.

However, even with all those question marks and concerns, I am hopeful.

In this day in age of small ball and pick and roll centers, Howard, when healthy, definitely elevates my Rockets into becoming a championship contender in the Western Conference. When healthy (how many times have I mentioned that), Howard is the best center in the league: an amazing rebounder and shot blocker who will help a defense that was one of the worst in the NBA last season. He can finish around the rim via the pick and roll (James Harden and Jeremy Lin can't wait to get on the court with him) or dump-ins from the top of the key and will command double teams just because of his shear size and strength, which will open up three-point shots to the litany of Rockets shooters.

So, it's wait and see (and pray). In Daryl (GM of the Rockets) We Trust. After years of acquiring and trading assets, he has finally gone for the big fish in bringing in Dwight. Let's just hope he can live up to all the hype and deliver what Hakeem Olajuwon did to the city of Houston nearly two decades ago, and that's an NBA championship.

Happy Independence Day

HAPPY JULY FOURTH everyone. Today, our country is 237 years old. I hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks tonight and stay cool.

Earlier today, Joey Chestnut successful defended his title to win his seventh Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, downing 69 hotdogs in 10 minutes.

Also, at Wimbledon, on the women's side, Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli won their respective semifinal matches and will face each other in the final on Saturday.

If you're in front of a TV tonight, check out the College Home Run Derby tonight at 8 PM ET on ESPN.

MLB All-Star Voting

MLB All-Star voting ends on Thursday night. So if you haven't voted 25 times yet, be sure to vote at MLB.com. The players I voted for are below (Click images to enlarge)