General: Ramble On

Only Game 3...

The Sacramento Kings lost embarrassingly to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 Saturday night, however, the Lakers and Timberwolves were also shot down in their Game 3s, respectively. The Kings still lead their series against the Mavs 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Monday night, but they need a quick start to erase the memories of the 104-79 loss.

Mike Bibby and Chris Webber provided the only offense for the Kings, each scoring 22 points. Bibby, who had injured his hip during practice on Friday, showed no signs of pain; however, his teammates were playing painfully bad. Peja Stojakovic had just seven points, Vlade Divac with four, and Doug Christie added only five.

For the Kings to win on Monday and not let the Mavericks gain the momentum of the series, they need to play each quarter with full energy, especially after half-time. The Kings were a horrible 4-for-16 during the third quarter and could not contain rookie Marquis Daniels, who scored 11 of his 22 points during that time.

Hopefully, the Kings will bounce back Monday night with more offense than just the combination of Bibby and Webber.

It's only April...

With the sweep by the Red Sox this weekend, the Yankees are below .500 and four and a half games behind first place Boston. But then again, it's only April. I feel like I'm in an AA meeting, but yes, I'm a Yankees fan and I admit that the team has problems.

It's been a long April with the erratic pitching by Mike Mussina, the dead offense, and the less than pinstripe acceptable performances by Jose Contreras and Jorge DePaula. I still feel that the team is adjusting to the new players and that through the next month, the Yankees will turn around. Mussina will finally get the nightmare of the Japan trip out of his head and deliver as the team's ace. Jeter will snap out of his hitless streak and Bernie will break his 2-for-26 slump.

The team doesn't have the chemistry the Yankees used to have with Paul O'Neill, Andy Pettitte, Joe Girardi, and Tino Martinez; however, leave it to Joe Torre to fix the problems of the Bronx Zoo.

Side Note: I saw a picture of Curt Schilling, wearing a Bruins jersey, in a "Yankee Hater" hat while at the Boston Bruins-Montreal Canadians Game 7. I think Curt is taking this New York-Boston rivalry a little too seriously and trying to step on the bandwagon and be a fan of all Boston sports. He hasn't even been in Boston the whole season yet, and I don't even know if I could see Pedro Martinez pulling something like that.

And about the Bruins game... I guess I could see Schilling being a Bruins fan if Alaska (where he was born) and Massachusetts were somewhat neighboring states; anyway, his Bruins choked while the Canadians are now in the second round against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Are you ready for some football...

The NFL draft was this weekend if you couldn't tell by the endless coverage by ESPN and ESPN2. Eli Manning got his wish to play in New York for the Giants with a trade in the first-round by the San Diego Chargers.

His father, Archie, was the real force behind making the deal happen by telling the Chargers earlier this week not to draft his son. If the Chargers were to draft Eli, he was going sit out the entire season. What a punk!

Maybe I'm biased because I am from San Diego, but it is a great city and the Chargers are improving. The team is looking to build a new stadium and, with Petco Park and the rising talent of the Padres, there is a new surge in San Diego sports.

However, if Eli wants to play for the Giants and not San Diego, then fine. Philip Rivers is, in many opinions, a better quarterback and will fit in nicely with the Chargers.

Eli and the whole annoying Manning clan are happy now after seeing the before and after breakdown of Eli's facial expressions throughout the draft, courtesy of ESPN. I just hope he doesn't develop his brother's ridiculous and drawn-out arm movements and shouting before the snap.

Now nothing against the Giants, since I'm also from New Jersey, but I hope Eli enjoys scrapping the snow off his car and driving on Route 17.

Skills man...

Pat Tillman was a vision of courage as he gave up his multi-million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers. However, Tillman was killed in combat Thursday in Afghanistan. His brother Kevin is also a Ranger and was in the same regiment as Pat. Pat succeeded in everything that he did, always putting in his best effort. His toughness, his love, and his passion will be greatly missed. Thank you Pat and to all the other men and women who are fighting for our country for being braver than any of us.

Any random thoughts: email, devilgirl30365@yahoo.com. No, I am not a Satan worshipper, but a New Jersey Devils fan, even after the disappointing playoff series against the Flyers. Go Brodeur!