Hello and Happy Monday everybody!
You talk about a weekend chick full of sports the last 48 hours I had my fair share. Prior to last night's heart-stopping dramatics with the battle of I-35, I have to think back to a game played on 11-21-03. A day when Tony Parker was new to the scene and the Mavericks let a 25 point lead get away in the third period before finally pulling away.
More amazing was seeing all the bench players make the plays for San Antonio while Tim Duncan and Tony Parker sat in period 4. Did I really see 8 3 pointers hit net and a 27 point turnaround before going to overtime? 34 points by Jason Terry was an equally pleasant surprise...
You've heard me talk about going to Frisco to watch the Roughriders play in the spring and summer. 'Tomorrow's Rangers Playing Today'. Allow me to also use that same form of thought with the developmental league of the Texas Legends. Think of it as a mini-me AAC environment with all the perks of experienced coaches and players on the rise. Even players trying to re-establish themselves back to the pros.
Saw the second of two great matchups with the Rio Grande Vipers. Affiliate to the Houston Rockets with a best in Kelvin Lewis. Legends have some fine starters with Dominique Johnson, Booker Woodfox, Chris Roberts, and Ramon Dyer. Talk about sensory overload. Plenty of hardwood related events the kids can play outside the court. The competition is actually very good. With Sean Williams out Chris Roberts got some playing time. Lots of familiar faces in the crowd and you'll always see Donnie Nelson, Spud Webb, and Marques Haynes walking the Dr. Pepper Arena.
Both the Legends and Mavericks were victorious in dramatic fashion on a sunny Sunday in Dallas. I now have three reasons to visit Frisco in the years to come. Four if I include Stonebriar Mall.
After getting my sports fix locally got home in time to watch the final 20 minutes of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. A fixture there since 1980 with one location switch in 2010, it's essentially a scorefest while the linemen play patty-cake wth the blocking. 100 points scored in total with the AFC winnning handily 59-41. 4 TD grabs for Brandon Marshall. Cam Newton looked utterly lost and not into it. I loved hearing Ray Lewis talk about 'He's housing it! He's Housing it!' on a punt return. Curious as to how well all that tweeting went in-game? I like the fact that now this game is played one week before the Super Bowl.
Not to be outdone (and five years removed from Dallas as guest host) Ottawa Canada was a great place this weekend to enjoy the NHL All-Star Game and all the festivities involved. The Skills Challenge alone is reason to watch. Quite the weekend for the West and for Mr. Gaborik. Lots of scoring and lots of fun as the NHL showcases it's best and brightest.
This day shall be be one where I am content to lay still, chill, and think back to one year ago when a cold front pummeled North Texas as we prepared for a Super Bowl in my back yard. Over 100 hellacious days of temperatures no higher that 21. That won't be the case in Indiana his week as we continue to enjoy weather more suited for 'JUNEuary'. Weird...
Make it a great day!
Over and out in Big D.
Mr. Will