The Redeem Team

No More Lebronze Chants!

Well, they've done it. After eight long years, the USA is officially back on top of the basketball world.

Eight years is a long time to not hold Olympic gold, but that just means that the Summer Olympics take a really long time to take place. It's every four years people! It's not like they hand out gold medals every year!

I mean they won in 2000, barely defeating Lithuania 85-83, but we all remember Vince Carter's dunk...



The chinks in the armor were present at that time, as it became more and more obvious that the international game was getting better. Let's face it, Europeans grew up watching Magic and Jordan dominate the game, and when these kid-Euros finally hit their athletic prime, they were ready to go!

The proof is in the pudding my friends. Just look at all the great NBA international players. Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Yao Ming (China), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Paul Gasol (Spain), and Darko Milicic (Yugoslavia). Um, maybe not the last one I mentioned...but my point exactly!

By the time 2004 rolled around, Americans were dropping out of the Olympic team left and right, and as a result, the U.S. reached to a man they didn't totally understand. "The ultimate team player" Allen Iverson, whose isolation game flopped in international play.

Even the great Tim Duncan was rendered useless in the Olympics, as he was double-teamed and harassed by swarming zone defenders. He couldn't stay out of foul trouble and theics as he was constantly double lack of three point shooting destroyed the U.S. chances. It didn't hurt that hard-ass Larry Brown didn't have a hold on his team, with a young Carmelo and Lebron looking like they didn't know what hit them.

As a result, one of the greatest American failures occurred. The U.S. finished in 3rd place with NBA PLAYERS. They took the bronze medal and LeBron became LeBronze James.
By the way, I just heard of that nickname recently, and it's freakin' hilarious! Too bad I can't use it any more...lousy USA winning the gold shedding that nickname...What?! I mean USA! USA! USA!

The "Redeem Team," did just that. They accomplished redemption by defeating every single foe that stood in their way.

Team Redeem took down a supposed tough opponent in the Chinese, who disgraced themselves in their own country. Yao Ming must've not been at 100% because he was quoted as saying it was one of the biggest opportunities of his career. He floundered like those poor swimmers who were in the same pool with Michael Phelps.

They also took down the 2004 Olympic champions in Argentina. The Argentines had a great team with Manu GI-NO-BI-LI (as Charles Barkley would say), "Fabulous" Fabricio Oberto (NBA champion with Spurs), and Luis Scola (very good player for Rockets). The U.S. beat them handedly, even before Manu got hurt.

Team USA was only fiercely tested in one game, and how fitting that it was in their final game, where the best player in the NBA did what he does best. Kobe Bryant closed the game and brought the gold medal back to the USA.

It came down to the 2006 FIBA World Champions in Spain and the brothers Gasol. The U.S. had previously humbled the Spaniards by 37 points in a previous round, but this game was much different. It was fiercely contested even if the Americans were up by 12 or more points at times. The Spanish continued to nail three after three and were not flustered by the Americans.

Future Portland Trailblazers Rudy Fernandez scored 22 (as if the Blazers didn't need any more young talent right?), Pau Gasol had 21 points and was actually effective, unlike their first encounter, and Spain was playing without the injured and current NBA raptor Jose Calderon. Their young point guard also displayed grit in Ricky Rubio, but he unraveled down the stretch, earning himself a technical foul.

If Olympics awarded an MVP, it would have went to Dwayne Wade who is officially back, after a rash of injuries. Wade scored 27, while Kobe hit two key 3-pointers to ice the game. Every play that Kobe was involved in down the stretch led to a positive from his team, whether it was defensively or an assist. Kobe now is a three-time champion with a gold medal to match.

So, what do we take from all of this? Well, the USA had it's best players and won a tight game vs. a good team. The days of the Dream Team are over, but this core group can win another one if they stay intact. Even if they don't, their leadership, unselfishness, and class they showed off the court should be a model for future USA basketball teams.

I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free!

Maddux Part Deux

Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux is a Dodger once more. Wow, I need somebody to sit me down, slap me, and take me back to 2006, because I think I'm having a case of deja vu here. It's okay, it's a good feeling though, and I think the Dodgers and I are going to be alright.

Word came out late Monday that the Dodgers have re-acquired Greg Maddux, and while I was excited about him being back in Dodger blue, I was hesitant at the same time. You see, I have absolutely no faith in "Dead Head" Ned Colletti as general manager. I thought for sure that he had to have traded one of our outstanding young players to acquire him. I mean he got away with the Manny deal, and the Casey Blake one, but three in a row...wow I think I might have to give the guy some props!

Ned Colletti has done everything in his power to keep this team in the race. He has solidified 3rd base with Casey Blake. He has turned the whole lineup around by bringing in Manny Ramirez, and we have all seen how his hitting has inspired his teammates to play better. Finally, he pulls the trigger on the old gunslinger Greg Maddux and brings him back to anchor a young rotation that is eager and willing to heed his advice.

He will join Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley, World Champion Derek Lowe, Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda, and the young flame-throwing lefty Clayton Kershaw. This makes the Dodgers five-deep and with a very reliable bullpen, with the prospect of Saito making a comeback soon, things are looking up at the Ravine.

Maddux is having a good year with the Padres. Do not take his record as an indication of his success (6-9) because the San Diego Padres offense has been microscopic this season. He has a good ERA of 3.99, and will not only help the Dodgers with his arm, but with his mind as well.

The term "crafty lefty" has been tossed around baseball circles since Babe Ruth was knocking 'em out of the park on hot dogs and beer, but "crafty" is a term that can be very well applied to Greg Maddux. He has always been a pitcher that has not relied on his speed, but rather his smarts to succeed. Maddux has sniper accuracy in the strike zone, and Clayton Kershaw is excited to learn from the best.

From Dodgers.com:

"If he does get to come, I definitely would ask him as many questions as I can," Kershaw said. "Hopefully he likes answering questions, because I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of that.

"He obviously has a lot to teach. He's been out there so long. He knows a lot more about the game than I do right now, so I'm definitely going to just try to listen to him, pick his brain."

The last time Maddux was with the Dodgers, he took them into the playoffs in 2006. In my opinion, the team as situated now, is a better team that won the Wild Card two years ago. With Brad Penny on the DL, this move couldn't have came at a better time. Especially, since future Dodger James McDonald struggled when Colletti paid a visit to watch in person in Vegas.

The Dodgers will share some of the remaining salary on Maddux's contract with the Padres (about 2.3 million) and pitch in two players to be named later or cash considerations.

Hey Ned Colletti...not bad, not bad at all.

Thanks For Finally Spending My Money Wisely Ya Jackass!

Are Dodgers Dunn For?

Another big missile was fired yesterday, and I'm not talking about the ones flying over Georgia right now. Adam Dunn is now an Arizona Diamondback. This was a retaliation strike from the earth-shattering Manny trade that has captivated Los Angeles.

No, Dunn won't make the big cultural splash that Manny did. He won't come with all the bells and whistles of a two-time World Champion and future Hall of Famer. Rather, the D-backs will get a player who can straight up hit the ball 400 feet about every 10 at-bats or so. Dunn has ridiculous power, but he is susceptible to striking out.

The Big Donkey has struck out 120 times already this season but he also has 80 walks. He's only hitting .233, but his OBP is a good .373. He hasn't driven in a run in August however, but now that he's with a playoff caliber team, expect that to change. His former teammate in Ken Griffey Jr. was traded last week on the same day that Manny-Mania swept L.A.

All in all, this is a great move by the D-backs. Management showed their players and fans that they are IN IT TO WIN IT. Dunn will provide Arizona with added pop and a legitimate threat. With Orlando Hudson likely out for the season, this trade needed to be made.

The Dodgers are already having a tough time winning with Manny (going 5-5). They should be 7-3, but they had those heart breaking losses in San Francisco. Plus they have a one-run loss in that 10-game stretch, with a loss in extra innings as well. The point is that with Manny playing so well, the Bums might look back on this stretch run and figure that was what decided their season.

The Dodgers should have no excuses now. They are relatively healthy. Nomar Garciaparra is back, Casey Blake has solidified third base, and Manny is the best bat in baseball. The pitching staff is healthy with Brad Penny back, but they are hurting at the same time.

Saito is on the DL and you better believe he would've closed those games down in SF. Rafael Furcal was the MVP of the season, and his return is doubtful.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot that they have Joe freakin' Torre as their manager now. He kinda has four rings, and is a future Hall of Famer manager as well. It's time for him to start making his money and lead this team into the playoffs.

Every team has to go through injuries, and the Dodgers addressed those issues with the great trades that Ned Colletti made. Now that Andruw Jones might be headed to the DL...

NOW IS THE TIME! HAKU MACHENTE!!!

Manny-MANIA!

Manny Ramirez is a Dodger. I will now repeat what I just wrote for the Dodgers fans who are still in shock. Manny Ramirez is a freakin' Dodger!

In what had to be one of the most unlikely scenarios in Dodger history. The bums actually came through looking like the hustler in a trade! There was no Delino, Wilton, or Jeff Shaw. No, it didn't take Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp to get him ether. This was simply a very desperate team in the Boston Red Sox giving up their superstar future hall of fame player to a team that desperately needed a power hitter.

"It's unbelievable," catcher Russell Martin said. "We feel like we just won the lottery."

Manny has already gone 8-13 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. That almost equals Andruw Jones' total of HR and RBI for the SEASON, but let us not speak of the bench warmer ever again.

Yuck Don't Let Your Great Hitting Rub Off On Me!

Besides the Dodgers going 2-1 with Manny on the first place D-Bags over the weekend, Ramirez' biggest impact might be on the box office. Friday's game immediately sold out, and let me tell you, I hopped onto that price-gouging rip-off known as Ticketmaster and got my tickets quick! I knew that Manny's first appearance as a Dodger was something to behold...and the free Dodger cooler bag didn't hurt! Too bad the parking hurts more than watching A. Jones strike out...

$125,000 worth of number 99 shirts and jerseys were sold over the weekend, and can you imagine how much the Dodgers will make if they sign this guy long-term? I hope that this guy isn't a two-month rental, since the Dodgers do like to sign the worst free agents possible. They will probably let him go, but if they do keep him, you'll see me sporting the new Manny blue dreadlocks that will be on sale after the road trip!


The Stadium went berserk when Manny came up to the plate on Friday. I have never witnessed a batter receive that kind of ovation at Dodger Stadium. The deafening chant of Man-ny, Man-ny, echoed throughout the Ravine. All weekend he could do no wrong. Even as he grounded out, the fans would stand and cheer for their savior has arrived. With help from the young guns and the grizzled vets, the Dodgers will win the West.

Los Angeles, welcome to the brand-new season premiere of "Manny-MANIA in LA LA Land!"