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Blogs:
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Sick Pets Get High-tech Health Care
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The proposed new LeBron mural doesn't do it for me
Akron Zips:
Two blowouts, one night
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the Browns
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
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Attention Haters, Palin And Hannity Together
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Muslim McCarthyism & Death Prayers
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
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Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Norma asks if Barkitecture is still at Stan Hywet.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal columnist
Published on Friday, Apr 18, 2008
Although NBA broadcasters don't agree on who will win the Cleveland Cavaliers-Washington Wizards playoff series, they do know the Cavs are a beast you don't want to be poking with a stick right now.
Even Sir Charles Barkley, who takes pride in ridiculing the team regularly, took umbrage at the Wizards for their recent trash talking. DeShawn Stevenson called LeBron James overrated in March and Gilbert Arenas wrote in a blog that the Wizards would love to see the Cavs in the opening round of the playoffs, according to reports.
''I think the Washington Wizards have got to be the dumbest team in the history of civilization. I think for them to rile up LeBron (James), who is the second best player in the NBA, I think that's just stupid,'' the former round mound of rebound said in a teleconference.
ESPN-ABC play-by-play man Mike Breen said the Cavaliers shouldn't be underestimated.
''I think they're the wild card because they haven't been healthy almost the entire season. (Sasha) Pavlovic is out now. I think the trade, overall, made them better, but you can't tell because of all the injuries. They're not a complete team,'' he said. ''And then when you have a guy like LeBron James who can take over a series, I don't think anyone wants to play them, and that includes Boston and Detroit.''
The Cavs split the season series with the Celtics — all close games. As for the Pistons, after last year in the playoffs, do regular season records matter?
Tell us, crystal ball
So who do those broadcasters think will prevail in the Cavs-Wizards series? With the teams meeting in the playoffs for the third year in a row, not many believe the Cavs can win a third time.
''It's a dangerous series for the Cavs. When you talk about the Wizards, they put a lot of pressure on defenses,'' ESPN-ABC commentator Mark Jackson said.
''When they score, they score in bunches and from multiple positions. My problem with the Cavs is on the defensive end. They have a problem defending the three scorers for the Wizards.
''So much pressure is put on LBJ to basically make plays for everybody else on the floor. So it's going to be an interesting series, but I pick the Wizards to advance.''
If you're a Cavaliers fan, sit down before reading what Barkley said about this series. You might have a heart attack or stroke. After all, this is a guy who has made a sport out of picking on the Cavaliers every chance he has gotten on TNT's assorted NBA programs.
''I thought (the Wizards) had a chance to win that series. . . . I don't think so anymore. I think Cleveland was just going through the motions once they knew they were going to be the No. 4 seed, and now I think they're ready.''
Barkley? Choosing the Cavs? Be afraid, Cavs fans. Be very afraid.
ESPN tackles legend
Several months back, ESPN said it would be getting into the movie business.
ESPN Films (what else would it be called?) said Monday it has struck a deal with film legend Robert Redford to produce a movie about baseball great Jackie Robinson. Given the wretched The Jackie Robinson Story, another big-screen treatment is long overdue.
Here's hoping Redford has the smarts to do the right thing and let Spike Lee direct.
Gladiators on TV
FSN Ohio will broadcast its first Cleveland Gladiators game at 10:30 p.m. Saturday but will take the Los Angeles Avengers' video and audio feeds. That means no local announcers.
When the regional sports network finally assumes those duties, it will be with Michael Reghi, as reported here previously, and Hanford Dixon switching from the radio to television. Dixon's duties for Gladiators broadcasts on WKNR (850-AM) will be filled on a rotating basis, a team official said.
Spring football
If you can get it, the Big Ten Network will take college football fans around the league Saturday with its Spring Football Showcase. The show airs at 1 p.m.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/
Get the full article here.
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