The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. There appears to be another massive trade set to go down before the NBA trade deadline passes this Thursday. The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of reacquiring the best point guard in the NBA, Jason Kidd, in what will be the fourth blockbuster trade of the last few weeks. The Nets-Mavs trade was set to go down last Thursday but was blocked by Dallas bit-player Devean George, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to stop the deal. If the deal gets done, the Mavs will have to be elevated to the number one team in the West. Kidd is a selfless and amazing player and he will fit perfectly into the Mavericks team.

7. NBA chief David Stern made it clear over the All-Star weekend that he intends to expand the NBA into Europe. In his “State of the Game” address, Stern laid out that the NBA was looking to add a number of European franchises and explained what was required. The move to Europe would be a major boon for the NBA and Stern should be applauded for his vision.

6. The Newcastle Jets overcame some tough mental obstacles to book a place in the A-League Grand Final. After a stunning overtime loss in the return leg of their first playoff game, the Jets bounced out to a 1-0 lead and appeared headed to the final before a dubious penalty in stoppage time allowed the Roar to tie it back up. Fighting off the prospects of another crushing loss, the Jets rallied and won 3-2 in extra-time with both sides receiving a penalty shot. The Jets will be buoyed by such a massive win and are more than capable of knocking off the Mariners.

5. The New South Wales Waratahs were clearly the most impressive of the Australian teams in the first weekend of the Super 14. Led by rugby league convert Timana Tahu, who was simply brilliant on his Super 14 debut, the Waratahs completely outclassed the Wellington Hurricanes in a dominant performance. Tahu may be what the Waratahs need to boost them to the next level. Queensland was the only other team to win but was far from impressive in sneaking home against the lowly rated Highlanders. Of the two losing Australian teams, the Brumbies were abhorrent against a classy Canterbury team while the Western Force kept it close against the Sharks in South Africa. Based on first round efforts, the Waratahs will be the only Australian team to play in the Super 14 playoffs.

4. The position of Malcolm Noad as Bulldogs Chief Executive is looking even more shaky after the rebel ticket that had noted Noad was not part of any future plans was swept to power at the Bulldogs board election yesterday. Bulldogs members provided a clear mandate for change when electing all bar rebel leader Graeme Hughes to the board. It is expected Noad will be removed from his position before the beginning of the season, bringing a close to one of the most bloody internal wars in recent history.

3. Times have changed and the days of NRL teams’ traveling to rural and regional centre’s to play local teams as part of their pre-season preparations is clearly over. The Roosters attempted that on Saturday evening when they traveled to Port Macquarie to play three local teams and what they encountered was nothing short of shameful. By all reports, local players were more interested in making a name for themselves with cheap acts of thuggery. Those involved did nothing but shame themselves and the country game. NRL teams will now be extremely wary about undertaking such games in the future.

2. Cricket Australia continues to play a dangerous game in constantly throwing out roadblocks in an attempt to seemingly prevent Australian players from joining the Indian Premier League. Last week, Cricket Australia cited global sponsorship protection. This week, Australia is seeking to restrict the number of Australian players in each IPL team to two. If Australian cricketers do not receive their payday under official sanction, they will receive it unofficially. The cost will be the loss of many of our finest cricketers. Cricket Australia would be well advised to stop with the nitpicking or the game in Australia will suffer a great schism.

1. The Australian cricket team has not seen a collective batting slump like the one they are currently enduring for many years. With the exception of Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist’s fine Perth dig, Australia’s top seven have offered very little. Ricky Ponting has been out of form all summer, Michael Hussey looks a shadow of the player he was last season, Andrew Symonds is performing like he was before his historic Melbourne century and Matthew Hayden has looked very unconvincing. If Australia is to win the Commonwealth Bank series, they will need to start scoring runs.

Upper of the Week: Adam Gilchrist’s magnificent century in his farewell Perth ODI. The greatest Australian One Day cricketer was magnificent in his last home game, overcoming some indifferent form and a tidal wave of emotion to leave Perth fans with a memory they will never forget. It was an amazing innings and a fitting home finale for a champion cricketer.

Downer of the Week: The resignation of Bulldogs media manager Chris O’Brien for sending defaming emails from fake email addresses. O’Brien acted without regard for the club when attacking board member Ray Dib. His immediate resignation will not be the end of the affair. Dib is believed to be pursuing his legal options.