"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.