"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 2-13-10

The "Unwatchable NBA" Update: During a 91-81 loss to Atlanta last week, the Chicago Bulls shot 0-for-10 from three-point range. I'm just wondering what the father of a young Bulls fan tells his kid after the game when the child remarks, "Gee, Daddy--couldn't they have made just ONE for me tonight?"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1995-'96 Philadelphia Flyers--who finished first in the NHL's Atlantic Division-- were led in points by Eric Lindros with a total of 115. However, Lindros did NOT lead the team in goals scored that season; can you name the player who did? Answer to follow..........ITEM: The Miami Dolphins have placed a statue of Don Shula in front of the team's new stadium in recognition of his NFL-record 347 victories. As of press time, there is absolutely NO truth to the rumor that the team also plans honor RB Ricky Williams by placing a bronzed cannabis plant not far from the Shula remembrance..........I came across a picture of lovely actress Cameron Diaz the other day practicing yoga at her Caribbean villa. Sheesh--and I used to think that watching WR Lance Alworth run a pass route was a thing of beauty..........Call me skeptical, but I'm placing an over/under # of 200 in regard to the combined games to be played by Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes of the NY Mets this coming season..........This week in sports history, February 16, 1972: In a game played in Phoenix, Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain scores the 30,000th career point of his illustrious basketball career; however, Phoenix comes away with a 110-109 victory when "Wilt the Stilt" is called for goaltending of a Connie Hawkins shot with just three seconds remaining. Ironically, Chamberlain's milestone basket came on a goaltending call, too--when Neal Walk tried to block one of Wilt's attempts during the third quarter. Chamberlain finished the game with 19 points as Los Angeles lost for only the ninth time in 60 games..........ITEM: Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren seem to have reunited after his short stay at a sex-addiction clinic. Question: Wasn't this the same woman who--just a few weeks back--had hired a top divorce lawyer and was ready to run for the hills at the time? Call me cynical, but could something green that's made out of paper have anything to do with "coloring" her sudden change of heart? Nahhhhhhhh--shame on me..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a CT boys high school basketball game played last week, Windsor annihilated South Windsor 110-48; the winning squad outscored its overmatched opponent 35-6 in the third quarter of this laugher. If I'm the coach of the losing team, I use some comforting humor when addressing my players after the game and offer this: "Good news and bad news, guys. The good news is that you played very competitively in the fourth quarter tonight--being outscored 16-15. The BAD news is that a 62-point loss usually results in accelerated alopecia for coaches--which your biology teachers know better as RAPID HAIR LOSS..........Answer to trivia question: JOHN LeCLAIR--who led the Flyers that year with a total of 51 goals..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA player Martin "Marty" Nessley--who blows out 45 candles on February 16th. An Ohio native who played at Duke, Nessley played only ONE NBA season--splitting the 1987-'88 campaign with the Clippers and the Kings. Yes, the 7'2" center scored 48 points in 44 games during his brief career--thus retiring with a 1.1 ppg average. Hey--they all can't be Kareem, right? Best wishes, Marty..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former NFL player/broadcaster Tom Brookshier--who died recently of cancer in Pennsylvania at the age of 78. A native of New Mexico who played at Colorado, Brookshier joined the Eagles as a defensive back in 1953 and played with the team for seven seasons; he intercepted 20 passes during his career and helped lead the team to the 1960 NFL championship. Brookshier is one of seven Eagles to have his number (40) retired. He later teamed with Pat Summerall as CBS's top broadcasting duo--working three Super Bowls together. Personally, I'll always remember Brookshier for his straightforward, unforced commentary as I grew to love football during the 70's. Brookshier is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughters Betsy and Linda, a son--Thomas Jr.--and a granddaughter. May Tom Brookshier rest in peace.

"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" - - - - 2-6-10

I'll say it once again (and this tidbit warrants being mentioned WEEKLY in this column for as long as it runs): Roger Federer's record of reaching 23 straight Grand Slam tennis semifinals is at the TOP of the heap when it comes to ANY major sports record/milestone. Need a little more proof--besides the recent, unfathomable #23? This: Former tennis greats Rod Laver and Ivan Lendl are in second place with a total of TEN apiece (remarkable itself). Yes, simply amazing..........TRIVIA QUESTION: In December of 1983, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184--the highest-scoring game in NBA history. Four players (two from each team) scored more than 40 points apiece during the game; can you name any of these individuals? Answer to follow..........Lazzari's "Lopsided Score of the Week": In a CT girls high school basketball game last week, Prince Tech dismantled University 62-11; the score at halftime was 38-4 and University did NOT score in the second quarter. Question: Does the University coach look at the 24-7 second half score as a moral victory--or tear up the locker room knowing that two different Prince players outscored the entire University team by THEMSELVES?..........This week in sports history, February 9, 1991: In a lopsided 12-round decision, WBC junior middleweight champion Terry Norris batters former champion Sugar Ray Leonard in a fight held at New York's Madison Square Garden. The 23-year-old Norris sent Leonard to the canvas in the second and seventh rounds while working Leonard over with a variety of punches. Leonard--who was fighting for the first time in a year--formerly held the welterweight, junior middleweight, and middleweight titles at various times throughout his storied career..........ITEM: QB Kurt Warner announces his retirement at the age of 38. A future Hall of Famer? Absolutely. Here's a guy who threw for over 32,000 yards, was the fastest player in NFL history to 10,000 yards, and has the top three passing performances in Super Bowl history. He also led two different teams to Super Bowls; he and Fran Tarkenton remain the only NFL quarterbacks to throw for 100 touchdowns and 14,000 yards for two teams. Yes, we all know about his circuitous route to the NFL--Arena League days, etc. But I'll always remember the guy as a true CLASS ACT--a man of deep faith who will walk away from $11.5 million that he's due next year. Very refreshing, Kurt--and thanks for being YOU..........The "Unwatchable NBA" Update: In a game played in Detroit last week, the Heat beat the Pistons 92-65; Detroit scored a GRAND TOTAL of just 25 points in the second and third quarters COMBINED. Rumor has it that, following the game, Piston officials wanted to distribute Compazine to the many fans in attendance in order to combat severe nausea and vomiting; they later thought better of it after finding out that it is a prescription medication..........Answer to trivia question: ISIAH THOMAS (47) and JOHN LONG (41) for Detroit; KIKI VANDEWEGHE (51) and ALEX ENGLISH (47) for Denver..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former NBA player Abdul Jeelani--who blows out 56 candles on February 10th. Born Gary Cole in Bells, Tennessee, Jeelani has the distinction of scoring the first points in Dallas Mavericks franchise history back in 1980; he also had the Mavs' best individual scoring effort that season when he tallied 31 vs. Boston. He had previously played with the Trail Blazers and later played overseas in Italy and Spain. Jeelani is a charter member of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside's Athletic Hall of Fame; best wishes, Abdul..........Finally, condolences go out to the family of former ballpark organist Jane Jarvis--who died recently in New Jersey at the age of 94. Jane was Shea Stadium's "Queen of Melody" from 1964 to 1979; she had begun her career as a jazz pianist and had formerly played for the Braves at County Stadium in Milwaukee. Those of us lucky to have been to Shea during her tenure were always treated to an unforgettable, eclectic musical style. Tony DeAngelo, my co-host on CTV-14's "Monday Night Sports Talk," summed up Ms. Jarvis' legacy this way: "She was NOT a sports fan, but simply a musician who had an extra job playing at a ballpark and a stadium club at night. But yet, she had an incredible gift of playing the right music at the right time during a game. When Seaver took the mound, it was 'Mr. Wonderful'--Tug McGraw, the 'Irish Jig.' And if the Mets won a game in extras, it was 'We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye.' Finally, there was no greater feeling than sitting in your seat when the game ended with the scoreboard blinking--with Jane playing exit music; it was mostly soft stuff--like 'Smile' or 'My Reverie.' Quite frankly, she was the music of the Mets' life back then." Amen, Tony; may the "Queen of Melody"--Jane Jarvis--rest in peace.