The Tickr

With four weeks to go before March Madness this rendition of the...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:04:25 -0500

With four weeks to go before March Madness this rendition of the CBS NCAA Basketball Theme seems appropriate. Shout out to Sack46 for his supreme tickling of the ivories.

What’s going to sell more? The Kate Upton SI Swimsuit...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:57:44 -0500

What’s going to sell more? The Kate Upton SI Swimsuit cover or the Jeremy Lin swimming in a sea of Lakers SI cover?

A love letter of sorts, that an 18-year-old Michael Jordan wrote...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:49:10 -0500

A love letter of sorts, that an 18-year-old Michael Jordan wrote to his college girlfriend Laquette.

My Dearest Laquette

How are you and your family doing, fine I hope. I am in my Adv. Chemistry class writing you a letter, so that tell you how much I care for you. I decide to write you because I felt that I made you look pretty rotten after the last night. I want to tell you that I am sorry, and hope that you except my apologie. I know that you feelings was hurt whenever I loss my necklace or had it stolen.

I was really happy when you gave me my honest earn money that I won off the bet. I want to thank you for letting me hold your annual. I show it to everyone at school. Everyone think you are a very pretty young lady and I had to agree because it is very true. Please don’t let this go to your head. (smile) I sorry to say that I can’t go to the game on my birthday because my father is taking the whole basketball team out to eat on my birthday. Please don’t be mad because I am trying get down there a week from Feb. 14. If I do get the chance to come please have some activity for us to do together.

I want you to know that my feeling for you has not change yet. ← (joke) I am finally getting use to going with a girl much smaller than I. I hope you my hint. Well I have spent my time very wisely by write to you. I hope you write back soon. Well I must go, the period is almost over. See you next time around, which I hope comes soon.

With my Best Love

Michael J. Jordan

Kate Upton gracing the cover of the Sports Illustrated 2012...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:41:11 -0500

Kate Upton gracing the cover of the Sports Illustrated 2012 Swimsuit Issue. Happy Valentine’s Day y’all!

The Rise of Jeremy Lin: “From Last man on the bench, to...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:41:43 -0500

The Rise of Jeremy Lin: “From Last man on the bench, to the most talked about basketball player in the world.”

This YouTube comment pretty much sums it up, “It’s like a movie trailer. except it’s happening. RIGHT. NOW.”

(via Slam) (A Maxamillion production)

Somewhere Tim Tebow is saying thank you to Jeremy Lin.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:19:51 -0500

Somewhere Tim Tebow is saying thank you to Jeremy Lin.

Loose Impediments: Canada’s “Grand Old Man of...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:59:00 -0500

Loose Impediments: Canada’s “Grand Old Man of Golf”

With golf being reintroduced at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for the first time in over century, it’s only natural that we take a look back at the reigning gold medalist, Canadian, George S. Lyon.

Before the likes of multi-sport athletes like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders there was Lyon who played in a variety of sports that included baseball, track and field, curling, soccer, swimming, cricket, and tennis. But, it wasn’t until the ripe old age of 37 that Lyon would discover his true destiny in the game of golf.

The year was 1904. Sir Wilfred Laurier was Prime Minister, Henry Ford opened Canada’s first auto manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ontario and George S. Lyon headed to St. Louis, Missouri to compete in the games of the III Olympiad. Not only did Lyon compete, he ended up disrupting the golf world by wining gold.

So bothered by Lyon wining gold, the Americans and British refused to compete in future Olympic games and with their heavy influence and participation—1904 would be the last year that golf was in the Olympics. Until 2016, of course.

Lyon’s amateur golfing resume was as decorated as they come, in addition to his Olympic gold medal, Lyon won an astonishing eight Canadian Amateur Championships. In 1955, Lyon was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and in 1971, he was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Recently, the The Tickr crew paid homage to the “Grand Old Man of Golf’ by visiting his grave site at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario. The photos (except for the vintage shot) in the photoset above were taken with our high-tech photography equipment aka an iPhone.

Rest in peace, George.

To quote MC Hammer, the Canadiens got to pray just to make it...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:51:00 -0500

To quote MC Hammer, the Canadiens got to pray just to make it today.

nationalpostsports:

Church has message for Canadiens’ fans: Let us pray
What is it that the clergy tell the downtrodden, the ones with no hope? When all else fails, trust in the Lord, right?

Montreal’s Catholic archdiocese believes the Lord will heed the desperate pleas of Montreal Canadiens fans. The faithful of the the blue, blanc et rouge just have to ask.

On Tuesday, the archdiocese ran a simple, full-page advertisement in the city’s French language papers.

Stop the jersey making presses! Ochocinco has decided to change...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:11:00 -0500

Stop the jersey making presses! Ochocinco has decided to change his name back to Chad Johnson.

On Wednesday, Ochocinco responded to a fan via twitter who claimed to have five of Ochocino’s jerseys on his wall:

“Take them down. I’ll be Johnson on July 4th.”

You had to have known this would happen someday. Hopefully this helps to get ~~Ochocinco~~, I mean Chad, kissin’ the baby real soon.

Everybody be Bradying. newsweek: Tebowing = over. All the cool...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:11:08 -0500

Everybody be Bradying.

newsweek:

Tebowing = over. All the cool kids are Bradying.

There’s nothing better than a classic rivalry in sports,...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:41:27 -0500

There’s nothing better than a classic rivalry in sports, Mike Rutherford of SB Nation gives his thoughts on the Duke-UNC rivalry:

People will watch a Yankees-Red Sox game even if New York has won seven straight over Boston, and they’ll watch Ohio State and Michigan play on the gridiron even if neither team is ranked. Would the public care about Duke vs. North Carolina if the teams were bad or the games became consistently one-sided? There’s no way to know right now because the series won’t stop delivering.

You’re not going want to miss our Team Gisele Super Bowl...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:06:49 -0500

You’re not going want to miss our Team Gisele Super Bowl rant! Plus we go H·A·M over Jeremy Lin and break down every Asian basketball stereotype!

Episode 4 Show Notes

Our Super Bowl Recap
The Amazing Jeremy Lin
Who Tweeted It?

The Jeremy Lin tribute video has finally dropped courtesy of...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:12:57 -0500

The Jeremy Lin tribute video has finally dropped courtesy of soon to be household named rapper, Mega Ran. Warning: Jeremy Lin’s moves are as tight as this mix.

(H/T Grantland)

3 In The Key 1. A mirror reflection I’ve spent a lot of...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:39:00 -0500

3 In The Key

1. A mirror reflection

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on this Chicago Bulls team since their loss to the Miami Heat last Sunday. It’s time worth spending because this Bulls team feels different from all the convoluted plans in the league for super stars to come together on a single team. They’re a cohesive unit built around an all world point guard that brings to life the cliche of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

In the post-Jordan era, the Bulls have always been either terrible, or on the cusp of mediocrity. But when you have the reigning Most Valuable Player and a trip to the Conference Finals under your belt, you elevate yourself into the championship discussion.

In a league that’s only rewarded the title to a handful of teams over the last few decades, its an esteemed honor to be in this circle of few.

But is this Bulls team as currently constructed good enough to win it all? Or are they facing an uphill climb that seems like it will inevitably end in disappointment come playoff time?

It was not long ago that Lebron James ambushed the league with his talents, ending all doubts many had before his rookie season on whether he was just another manufactured phenom with little substance. He carried an inferior cast to the NBA Finals, creating championship expectations for his final years in Cleveland, his out of this world talent helping to mask all their flaws, which came to the forefront in repeated postseason shortcomings.

Mo Williams never proved worthy of being a second option, not when it mattered in the Conference Finals against the Magic. Antawn Jamison was the stretch four who was the final piece to the puzzle, but he disappeared in Lebron’s final games in a Cleveland uniform against the Celtics in the playoffs.

The similarities are hard to ignore.

The Bulls were hoping that the signing of Rip Hamilton would fill the void of a second scorer. So far, he’s been injured more than he’s played. And on nights when Rose struggles with his shooting, players like Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer are expected to be primary scoring options. Luol Deng is one of most underrated players in the league, but injuries has slowed him down as well. It doesn’t help that Carlos Boozer is earning a max-level contract but never relevant when the games matter most.

Look closely and you come to the realization that the Bulls are a team of limitations, driven by their defense that keeps them in games even on nights when the offense sputters.

If Chicago wants to compete in the post-season, they’re going to need help. Whether it’s O.J. Mayo or J.R. Smith, there are still pieces that are missing to complete the team.

For a championship to return to Chicago, Rose is going to need the same help that Lebron never received during his time in Cleveland.

2. Believing in the Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are 25-1 to win the championship at the moment.

That’s got to be the best value on the board right now.

Since the Carmelo Anthony trade in mid-season last year, the team’s been on a joy ride. First to the playoffs last season, where a quiet first round exit couldn’t even damper excitement for this year’s squad.

With the emergence of Ty Lawson, paired with Andre Miller, the Nuggets have the best point guard combo in the league. Al Harrington has emerged as a surprise contender for sixth man of the year, and retaining Nene from free agency and the acquisition of Rudy Fernandez via trade gives the Nuggets a ten-deep rotation that’s matched by few.

In a condensed schedule, that gives him an advantage for the regular season that could result in a top four seed.

Look around the landscape of the West, where first place and tenth place are separately by a few games, the conference winner will be the one that gets the right matchups in the playoffs.

I look at the Nuggets and see a team that can matchup with all the contenders in the West.

The problem of a go-to scorer in crunchtime lingers, and is something that the Nuggets need to resolve before the post-season.

They’re as entertaining as the Nash-Nowitzki-Finley Mavericks, with as much potential as the Chris Webber era Sacramento Kings.

It seems that everything the Nuggets have been doing post-Carmelo Anthony has surprised. They’re overachievers by nature of our expectations, but if there’s a team that can come out of nowhere and make a run to the Finals in this year’s sprint, I like the Nuggets’ chances better than any other team you can name.

3. Linsanity

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin scored 25 points with 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as he did against the Nets on Saturday, a proud moment for all Asian basketball fans like myself.

The online community reacted accordingly. First with resident Knicks diehard Spike Lee going off with a series of nicknames for Lin on Twitter, including Enter The Dragon, 10 Fingers of Death and Grasshopper.

And yes, I’ve watched this Jeremy Lin Show compilation six times since Sunday morning.

Of course, when asked after the game whether Lin is now the starter, coach Mike D’Antoni replied, “Let me watch the Super Bowl and then we’ll figure it out”.

You’d think he’d be a little more appreciative, considering Lin’s performance probably saved his job.

On Monday, Jeremy Lin made his first career start against the Utah Jazz. And performed beyond anyone’s expectations. His final line: 28 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 8 turnovers. 10 for 17 from the field. 7 for 9 at the free throw line. And several MVP chants in the second half.

This might be real. This might last.

The fact that the possibility even exists makes Jeremy Lin my favorite story of the season so far.

This won’t be the last I write about him.

Here’s a pic of that guy who looked like Will Ferrell from...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:19:00 -0500

Here’s a pic of that guy who looked like Will Ferrell from Madonna’s halftime show. “That guy” is Andy Lewis aka Sketchy Andy and he’s a professional slackliner.

Here’s a clip of Andy and Madonna’s halftime show performance, in case you missed it the first time. Definitely worth a watch because Andy’s got slacklining game!

Side note: Andy must have been wearing a cup.

photo: getty

This can’t be good for business. shortformblog: Don’t...

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:02:11 -0500

This can’t be good for business.

shortformblog:

Don’t feel bad about errors, guys: No matter how big an error you make, it’s not as bad as the one The New York Giants made today.

Loose Impediments: Y.E. Yang Shocks the World The 2009 PGA...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:52:04 -0500

Loose Impediments: Y.E. Yang Shocks the World

The 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club will be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in golfing history.

The final round paring of Tiger Woods and Y.E. Yang was an unlikely one. Woods held a two-shot lead entering the final round, a lead that almost seemed insurmountable in the midst of Tiger’s domination of the majors. In addition to his two-shot lead, Tiger also sported an incredible 14-for-14 record when leading after three rounds in a major. In other words, nobody gave Yang a chance.

The two went toe-to-toe in the final round with Yang refusing to become just another spectator to Tiger’s greatness. Yang seemed unfazed by the aura that made other golfers before him crumble in the presence of Woods.

The two reached the 18th hole. With Yang 210 yards away in the left side of the fairway and his view of the green blocked by a cluster of trees, Yang summoned the shot of his life, a towering hybrid shot that rocketed and flew up and over the trees landing six feet away from the hole. Yang went on to birdie the hole capturing the PGA Championship and ending Woods’ perfect record when leading after 54 holes in a major.

“It’s not like you’re in an octagon where you’re fighting against Tiger and he’s going to bite you, or swing at you with his 9-iron. The worst that I could do was just lose to Tiger. So I really had nothing much at stake.”

Yang’s victory made him the first Asian born man to win a major championship.

We hit a new time length record! 29 wonderful minutes of sports...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:33:05 -0500

We hit a new time length record! 29 wonderful minutes of sports shenanigans! We think we’re getting better at this but we’re new and open to comments and feedback etc. Let us know!

Episode 3 Show Notes

The Blake Griffin Dunk
NBA Quarter Season Review
Has Men’s Tennis Ever Been Better?
Ray Lewis and his Pep Talks
Super Bowl Predictions
Who Tweeted It?!

This quote by Randy Cross of the 49ers brings back memories of...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:10:00 -0500

This quote by Randy Cross of the 49ers brings back memories of the 49ers complete waxing of the Broncos in Super Bowl XIV. What a dud of a game.

“The only thing Denver won was the coin toss.”

(photo: SI)

funnyordie: 6 Amazing NBA D-League Team Names The NBA’s...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:03:08 -0500

funnyordie:

6 Amazing NBA D-League Team Names

The NBA’s Developmental League is pro basketball’s farm system. But away from its big brother’s spotlight, its franchises are able to have legitimately awesome names.