Nothing Controversial About It

There is no reason, to hit the Panic Button. There is no Goalie Controversy. There is only a tired guy, who needed a couple days off. Consider how many consecutive games, Brian Elliott has started, and how many minutes he has played, this post season. The Blues have played 17 games, in their current playoff run. Brian Elliott, has started every game, before tonight.

I'm not sure what the season record was, for consecutive starts, but when you're looking at 17 consecutive starts for Elliott, over a 3 week period, it stands to reason, maybe let the other guy get a start, after a fairly lack luster performance in Game 3. I don't think this creates a Goalie controversy. I think it simply makes good sense, to let your number 1 guy, get some air.

So as we prepare for Game 4, of these Western Conference Finals, I think the biggest problem facing the Blues, is the lack of offense. It doesn't matter which guy starts, if we can't score any goals. The Blues best players, need to be their best players, and they need to play with a little more urgency tonight.

Could someone please put some quality shots on net? Could someone force the action, and maybe draw a penalty. Can we please give our Power Play, an opportunity? There is no controversy about one thing. This team needs a goal, and they need it NOW!

Time for Game 4. The Blues just need to play some inspired hockey tonight.

#SPzY

"The Turnaround"

The Cleveland Cavaliers began the 2014-15 season, with extremely high hopes, because they finally had the greatest player on the planet, back in the fold. The entire city, in fact, the entire region, was rejoicing in the triumphant return of one LeBron Raymone James, to his roots. Cleveland was not only willing to forgive, "The Decision," but they were also primed and ready, to finish what was left undone five seasons ago. Cleveland was ready to "Witness" an NBA Championship!

Then, the season began. Even with their vaunted superstar back in maroon and gold, the team that went 33 - 49 a year ago, and saw the ouster of Coach Mike Brown, was once again, looking like yesterday's garbage. Under new coach David Blatt, they were barely playing .500 basketball, and acting like a bunch of individuals, who could not grasp the team concept. They just couldn't get it together. Night after night, the Cavs sputtered, and all the sports "Talk," was of "Mass team dissension." "Kevin Love wants out." "King James only signed a 2 year deal, so if this continues, where would he "Take his talents," next?" "David Blatt has already lost control of the team." "Who is really in charge around here, Blatt, or James?" The confusion and disarray, just went on and on and on...

They were going down in flames, and there seemed to be no end in sight. Had LeBron made a huge mistake, by "Coming Home?" Even yours truly, The SPortz Yak​, thought they were a bit of a joke back in December. Many believed that the addition of James, instantly made the Cavs an Eastern Conference juggernaut, but the way they were playing, I gave them little to no chance, to even make the playoffs.

Then of course, on Jan. 13th, there was, "The Shove," which I jokingly called, "The LeShove." Across the land, people were clamoring for Blatt's head on a platter. "He's not a leader." "He can't handle the egos." "He doesn't have the respect of his players." The consensus about a month ago, was that his days were numbered in Cleveland. I didn't believe it was a huge deal, as I have seen players step between Coaches, and Officials, plenty of times in the NBA, as well as in other sports. Still, things had sunk about as low as they could go, in Cleveland.

At that point, the Cavs were 19 - 20, and seemed destined to struggle all season. They could not gel as a unit, and it became more and more difficult, for them to even compete. There was frustration around every corner. If Cleveland's favorite son, wasn't their savior, and if David Blatt wasn't the right fit, in that first chair on the bench, then what would become of Cleveland's beloved Cavs? If I may steal a line from the great Packer's QB, Aaron Rodgers, "R-E-L-A-X" Cleveland.

Since that Jan. 13 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Cavs have gone on a 13 - 1 run. They currently stand at 32 - 21, good enough for 5th overall in the Eastern Conference. With 29 games remaining, they now appear to be firing on all cylinders, and preparing for the post season. No disrespect to the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Chicago Bulls, but some believe they're once again, the favorites to win the East. I think favorites might be a bit overzealous, but if they can stay healthy, this team currently looks like it can definitely make a deep playoff run.

So here's the million dollar question. If the Cavs don't win the Eastern Conference, and go on to the NBA Finals, is the season a bust? Or do we chalk up the first 40 games, and/or, an early playoff exit, to "growing pains?" Have the Cavs saved David Blatt's job, even if they don't win the East, or the Championship? Was his job ever really in jeopardy?

Obviously, there is still a lot of season to play, but suffice it to say, reports of the Cavs demise, have been greatly exaggerated. They're starting to figure it out, and the supporting cast is learning how to play together. Kevin Love is averaging 17 points, and 10 rebounds, per game. J.R. Smith, is putting up 12 points, and 3 assists, and Kyrie Irving is absolutely lighting it up, dropping in 22, with 51/2 dimes. These Cavs are Rolling.

Their next run is tomorrow night, Feb. 11th. They will play host to the 22 - 29 Miami Heat. A team struggling in it's own right, but still eyeing the playoffs. Chris Bosh(21 pts/7rbs), and Dwayne Wade(21pts/5asst), would like nothing better, than to walk into LeBron's new, old house, and shut him, and the Cavs down. They already knocked them off 101 - 91, back on Christmas Day, in Miami, and they're confident that they are every bit as strong as anyone else in the Conference. The Cavs fully intend to hold serve tomorrow night, in front of the hometown faithful. It should be one for the ages, tomorrow night in Cleveland Ohio.

Tomorrow

Heat

@

Cavaliers

7:00 PM

#SPzY

#LetsGetBetter
#NBA

Just Keep Writing... Just Keep Writing.

I'm officially fascinated by Author, Dean Koontz, who was featured today, on CBS This Morning. Listening to him talk about his writing, reminded me of how critical I always am, of my own writing. He used the term, "self doubt," when talking about his "perfectionist" ways. He said, "I can't move on to the next page, until the last one is perfect." He also talks about his ability to write, as a "gift that he was given."  I've always felt that way too. Not everyone has the ability to tell a story, and/or use words, in great ways. The man has written over 100 books. I've written 0. Clearly, his gift is greater than mine. Or else, he's simply taken greater advantage of his gift, than I have. Perhaps the latter, is more accurate.

Truthfully, I'm feeling a bit ashamed of myself, after watching his story this morning. It's not  the starting part I struggle with... it's the FINISHING part, that keeps me from ever putting a whole book together. I never feel the story is good enough for human consumption, and I shoot it down myself, before anyone else ever sees it. I wish I could ask him, how he gets past that.

I think that may be my biggest problem of all. I write for a while, then I decide I don't like it, so I stop writing....... I tend to forget, I'm not writing for just me, but for other people. I am so critical of myself, I talk myself right out of publishing some things I have written. Again, I need to learn how to get past that.

I have found one recurring theme, among all successful writers. They ALL say, "You MUST keep writing." It's like what the great Philosopher, "Dory," said in Finding Nemo. "Just keep swimiming. Just keep Swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming... What do we do we swim, swim."


Sooo...  BACK TO WORK!! I must keep writing. Be on the lookout for new articles on the #NFLPlayoffs, and the #stlblues, from The SPortz Yak, and Thank You for your continued support!

#SPzY
#LetsGetBetter

BEAT IT KROENKE!

I'm not angry. I'm not even sad. I expected nothing less from Stan Kroenke. Today, I am more hacked off, for the simple fact that St. Louis could have had the Jags, or the Panthers, or the Texans, when expansion last happened. We could have had our own team, with roots planted firmly in our red, Missouri clay. We could have built a unique bond with our own franchise, to live and die with, similar to the fan bases in Green Bay, and Kansas City. Instead, we rented the sorry ass Rams for 20 years. I believe the intentions were good, in the beginning. I think the move was GREAT for St. Louis. It was a town longing for the #NFL. We were willing to put up with a really bad team, as long as we had football on Sundays again. It's amusing how people forget... The Rams were terrible when they came to St. Louis. That is why LA ran them out of town, in the first place. Nobody in LA was going to watch them play, because they were simply awful, and they couldn't even fill the Coliseum. I remember how empty that place was back in the early 90s. See current 2014 Miami Dolphins home games, for a mental reference.

Then, the unthinkable happened. The Rams got good! Really good! It was AWESOME! We got to watch the best team in football, right here in St. Louis, and we got to have an amazing parade down Market Street, which I was smack in the middle of, after winning Super Bowl 34. For the first time ever, St. Louis was truly relevant in the NFL.

If they were going to stay here, it was right then, that they should have built a new stadium. Or done some major renovations to the Dome. It could have been done back then, because you still had "Old Busch," which could have been used for home games, while they made improvements, or rebuilt the stadium, or built a new stadium. They could have extended the lease, and had one of the top tier stadiums in the NFL, which was always in the terms of the original lease. Again, its funny how people forget these things. Obviously, that never happened, and here we are today. It's difficult not to deduce, that this plan was in the works for years, and it became crystal clear with Kroenke's big announcement yesterday. This ownership, never intended to stay in St. Louis.

Some might say, the writing has been on the wall since Georgia died, because this owner does not care about St. Louis, or even the NFL. He cares about Money. He's a business man. Owning a football team, in his world, is like stacking up hotels on Boardwalk, for the rest of us. It's all about money.

So let Stan move his team back to LA. They're almost impossible to watch anyway, so I'm actually okay with them leaving town. I'm just that tired, of watching their pathetic brand of football every Sunday. At least the Big Red, The "Cardiac Cardinals," competed a little bit. This team can't even get to .500. I wonder how long LA will put up with losing? Even with a fancy new stadium, the shine will eventually wear off. There is WAY too much to do out there, for people to pack the house for 10 straight years of losing football. Sure, there will be excitement for a while, but unless the product improves drastically, people in LA will once again, become disinterested in Stan's product. Then what happens? Another relocation?

Honestly, I feel almost indifferent about the big announcement yesterday. I didn't want to believe it, because sometimes you just hope that business people, also care about the communities. You hope they care about sports, if they're going to get involved in team ownership. Stan Kroenke cares about dollars. He played his Monopoly game very well, and St. Louis, was just another piece of property, to be bought, and sold. Excuse me, sold out. It's hard to blame the Rams Organization as a whole, but when they leave, I will no longer be a Rams fan. In fact, I won't even be a fan in "Lame Duck" 2015. I wasn't a Rams fan before they moved to St. Louis, so it won't be them that I will miss. I will miss the NFL, and I hope they will take another shot on this city in the future.

As for the Rams, I will simply say, Thanks for the memories. Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate the Greatest Show On Turf years tremendously. Looks like you've worn out your welcome. Time for you to go home now. Good riddance Mr. Kroenke. You don't deserve to walk around this town sharing a name with "The Man" anyway.

#SPzY

The Developing NFL Playoff Picture

As the #NFL regular season winds down, there is still plenty to be decided, in Week 16. The developing playoff picture will become a little more clear, with the conclusion of each game today. As we prepare for the early games, here's what we know.

We know the #Patriots #Broncos & #Colts, are all divison winners, in the #AFC. Only the jumbled AFC North, remains in doubt. The #Bengals, #Steelers, and #Ravens, all believe they can win the division!

AFC

Division Leaders	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
[y] Patriots	11	3	0	3-1	8-2
[y] Broncos	11	3	0	5-0	9-1
[y] Colts	10	4	0	5-0	8-3
Bengals	9	4	1	3-2	6-4

Wild Card	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Steelers	9	5	0	3-2	7-3
Ravens	9	5	0	2-3	5-5

In The Hunt	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Chargers	9	6	0	2-3	6-5
Chiefs	8	6	0	2-3	6-4
Bills	8	6	0	3-2	4-6
Texans	7	7	0	3-2	6-4
Dolphins	7	7	0	3-2	6-5
Browns	7	7	0	2-3	4-7

• [x] Clinched Playoff Berth

• [y] Clinched Division Title
• [z] Clinched First-Round Bye
• [*] Clinched Homefield Advantage in Playoffs

We also know the Buccaneers, and #Bears, can play spoiler, in the #NFC, making things rough on the #Packers,and #Lions, if they can manage to hold serve at home. We know the #Redskins have already pushed the #Eagles to the brink of elimination, with a 27 - 24 Saturday afternoon victory at home. We know the #Chargers are still alive, with a stunning, come back win over the 49ers last night, 38-35, in Overtime.

NFC

Division Leaders	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
[x] Cardinals	11	3	0	3-1	8-2
[x] Lions	10	4	0	4-0	8-2
Cowboys	10	4	0	3-2	7-4
Saints	6	8	0	2-2	5-5

Wild Card	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Seahawks	10	4	0	3-1	8-2
Packers	10	4	0	4-1	7-3

In The Hunt	W	L	T	DIV	CONF
Eagles	9	6	0	3-2	5-6
Panthers	5	8	1	3-2	5-6
Falcons	5	9	0	4-0	5-5

• [x] Clinched Playoff Berth

• [y] Clinched Division Title
• [z] Clinched First-Round Bye
• [*] Clinched Homefield Advantage in Playoffs

We know that for the #Seahawks, #Cardinals, #Packers, and #Cowboys, the playoffs have already started. Everyone is playing for division supremacy, and for those coveted, home playoff games. Destiny will be discussed heavily today, and in the final week of the regular season. In the words of the late Al Davis, "Just Win Baby!" Win and you're in.

Finally, we know that Week 16 in the NFL, will lead to speculations of change, in many organizations. Who will be looking for new coaches? Who will be looking to add players? Who will draft first, in 2015? Will it be the #Raiders? #Buccaneers? Perhaps the #Titans?

Stay Tuned, and watch the playoff picture, and a lot of other NFL questions, come into focus!


#SPzY

The Yak Is Back!

 

 

Hello SPortz Fans!!!

The SPortz Yak is BACK, and writing for you again!

I want to take a moment, just to say Thanks! Thank You, to anyone out there, who has followed The SPortz Yak in the past. I was always, and still remain, truly Grateful for your support.

For lack of a better explanation, I think I've been trying to find myself. Trying to perfect my craft, if you will. I have ultimately decided, I can only improve if I keep writing, and keep putting it out there every day for you. As a hitting instructor, http://www.stlouisbandits.org, I tell my kids, "The best way to have success, the best way to become better hitters, is to hit, hit, and keep hitting. Then, hit some more." Logic has finally convinced me, the same must be true for writing.



It is not an exact science, and I'm no expert. I do, very much enjoy writing, especially about sports. Sports in this town, are a huge part of who I am, and who I have always been, long before I had the honor to wear the birds on the bat across my chest, for 3 seasons. Like all of you, I live and die with our St. Louis teams, and I love sharing thoughts and ideas on the #Cards, #Blues, #Rams, #Mizzou Tigers, #SLU, even #MMA, with my family, friends, and all of my fellow St. Louis SPortz Fans out there.

I am definitely a "Homer," when it comes to St. Louis sports, but I try to always be fair, and honest. If it's good, I love to say it's good. If it's not so good, I don't mind saying that either. Then share my perspective, about why it's not so good. I know some of you will disagree, and I encourage you to disagree. That leads to healthy debates. The truth is, I simply appreciate you taking the time to read my work, and hope you enjoy what you're reading, even if you disagree.

In addition to re-kindling my affair with sports writing, I have also been very fortunate recently, to have a new opportunity in Radio. Thanks to my friend, +Steve Runge, I've been doing some game analysis with him, on AM1280 KYRO, www.westplexnewstalk.com, while he calls Troy Trojans football games. Last week, in his absence, I was blessed with the chance to finally call my first game. There isn't even time to explain how much fun that was, and I look forward to the next shot, when it presents itself. I don't know how I sounded, and I don't even care. I was more concerned with just getting through it. Mission Accomplished!

It has been a long and bumpy road. A lot of it is still under construction, so we simply proceed with caution, try to avoid the potholes, and continue to move things forward. I'm so happy for every new opportunity, and I believe there will be more on the horizon, if I keep working.

With that, I am very proud to re-launch, The SPortz Yak. With your support and feedback, I plan to keep this ship afloat, and there is plenty of room for new passengers.

Welcome Aboard.

SPzY

Please Protest Peacefully.

This isn't a typical SPortz Yak blog today. Right now, St. Louis Mo is in a state of emergency. Michael Brown was shot, and killed on Saturday Aug. 9, 2014, by a Ferguson Mo. police officer. Since that incident occurred, there has been very high tension between law enforcement and citizens.

I have really tried to remain objective, as the unrest has continued to mount in my city. But I can no longer hold back my disappointment. From the police, to the media, the situation has gone beyond unruly, and all sides are responsible. I will not even comment on the Ferguson police dept., or their Chief, other than to say this. When this is all over, I hope the citizens of Ferguson demand, and get, his resignation. Moving on.

Let's get one thing straight. The people who continue to loot & pillage businesses, in and around Ferguson, and confront police, ARE NOT PROTESTERS!!! PLEASE Stop reporting that Police are deploying tear gas on "Protesters." Those people are criminals, & the vast majority of those criminals, aren't even residents of Ferguson.

The REAL Protesters, have been peaceful and compliant, from the beginning. They want answers. They want justice for Michael Brown. They do not want the violence and destruction, taking place in the streets every night.

The looters and agitators, throwing flaming cocktails, destroying businesses, and shooting at police, are NOT protesting the Mike Brown situation. They are out for PERSONAL gain only. Again, I say the media should stop calling them protesters, and start calling them what they are. Criminals.
I think its an insult to the Brown family, and the citizens of Ferguson, who have been seen side by side with police, trying to prevent the violence. They have pleaded with everyone to protest PEACEFULLY.

They, (the criminals), don't understand how much their actions are giving the police justification to use gas, and rubber bullets. Perhaps they just don't care. They want to see themselves on TV, out there robbing places, before they blend in with those who are out for Justice. Then it appears to the world, on camera, that police are drawing down on the innocent citizens of Ferguson. They are NOT! Police are trying to protect those citizens and businesses.

These criminals turn peaceful, positive protest vigils by day, into an unruly situation, by night. Even with a curfew imposed, they continue to taunt, threaten, and even attack the police. Then they wonder why canisters are deployed?

"Why are we being treated this way by the people sworn to protect us? If we can't trust police, who can we trust?"

Sorry criminals! You cannot have it both ways. I have YET to see police lines move against the PEACEFUL Protesters. In fact, I have seen officers walking hand in hand, with the citizens of Ferguson. Unfortunately, the criminals are blending in with the majority of peaceful demonstrators, and making the situation much worse. It all needs to stop.

Everyone is issuing challenges these days. Here's a challenge for the criminals and looters out there, making the whole city look bad around the World.

Stop It!

I challenge everyone to protest this murder, yes I believe Michael Brown was executed, peacefully. I know the outrage reaches beyond the Ferguson, and beyond the St. Louis City limits. This is a national epidemic. Still criminals, you are NOT being part of the solution. You may be fanning the flames, and drawing attention, but you are not solving any of your issues, with your actions. BE SMART!!

I challenge everyone to protest peacefully, and channel the anger into something positive. Stop destroying the businesses that choose to operate in the community. Stop giving the police a reason to become aggressive, because they have shown all week, that they will move on you. They are simply doing an unpleasant job. A job they are sworn to do, and they WILL do, when provoked.

I challenge all of St. Louis, and all of the Nation, to do better than what we have seen for the last 10 days. I also challenge the police to stop killling unarmed young blacks. We have GOT to do better than this America. We have GOT to do better than this St. Louis.

Praying for Peace in Ferguson Tonight.

SPzY

‪#‎ChallengeforPeace‬ ‪#‎Ferguson‬ ‪#‎JusticeforMichaelBrown‬