1-on-1 with Thabo Sefolosha

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of talking with Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha at his annual youth basketball camp in Blonay, Switzerland. The defensive specialist is the first Swiss player in the NBA and had a lot to say about this past season and the upcoming season. Let's go!

Chris: What are some positives and negatives from this past season for the Thunder?

Thabo: There is a lot of positive. We had a great season, finished first in the conference and I think the team keeps getting better. There is a lot of positive to this. Obviously the negative you know it’s the playoffs and getting out of the playoffs early. But it’s unfortunate there are a lot of things we cannot control and injury is one of them.

Chris: On the subject of injury, how does Westbrook’s injury/return affect the team?

Thabo: I mean it affected missing not only an all-star player but a point guard which is maybe the most important position on the court. So losing that player at that time was really tough.

How far do you think the Thunder would have made it if Russell had not gotten hurt?

You know I like to believe that we could be champions right now but at the same time there is nothing that we can do about it. We will never know so we got to keep working and keep getting better.

Did you follow the rest of the playoffs and if so what are your thoughts on it?

Yeah I wasn't happy but at the same time I don’t care. We didn't win so somebody else had to win so it’s Miami. But I didn't follow that too closely but yeah, it is what it is. Hopefully we get there again and be able to win it.

How do you feel about Kevin Martin leaving after a year?

You know I really enjoyed playing with Kevin, not only as a player on the court but off the court he is a great guy. You know it’s sad to see him leave but I’m happy for him you know I think he got a great contract and it’s a great team that he is going to so I wish him luck.

How do you plan to expand your offensive game to help make up for the loss of Kevin?

In a big way. Obviously I am working really hard this summer. It’s not always only on me but what I can do on my part I will definitely do throughout the summer and try to be aggressive early in the season.

Points and shooting percentage went up for you this year. Why?

Work. I understand what coaches want me to do, what my role to be. I work really hard in the summer you know to fulfill that role and help the team get better.

As a defender how does it feel to guard the other team’s best player on a nightly basis?

It’s an honor. It’s an honor you know. It’s tiring and it’s a lot of work but it’s an honor to be in that position coming from where I’m coming from, playing against those great players. It’s a great feeling.

How do you prepare for LeBron James or Kobe Bryant?

You prepare pretty much the same for every player. You watch some tape; try to think the game, see what they like to do and what they don’t like to do. And then it’s just instinct during the game.

Now, you have one year left on your contract. Have you started thinking about what you are going to do when that time comes?

Yes and no. Obviously you know I am thinking about what the future holds for me but at the same time I am not worried about it. You know my main focus is it to work and do the things that I have been doing. I am sure everything is going to turn out okay, but I’m definitely not nervous but it’s something that is in the back of my mind. But I don’t let it affect me at all.

Would you like to stay with the Thunder?

Of course of course I mean we have a team that keeps getting better. I got with the Thunder when we were winning 25 games and to now going to a final and semi-final it’s an incredible situation.

Are you happy with the Thunder organization since you are such an important part of the chemistry that works so well for the team?

Yeah, yeah I definitely KNOW that they are going in the right direction. There is no question in my mind that Sam, coach and everybody is doing the best they can. It is not always exactly what we want. And I understand as a fan you might not understand all the ins and outs of it, but it gives us leeway in the years to come.

What do you like most about living in Oklahoma?

There are a lot of things actually. Not comparing it to Switzerland but the people are really nice, the fans are incredible, the organization is top in the NBA and I got a young family. It’s a great place to raise a family.

If you were not playing in OKC where would you like to be?

In Vevey (Switzerland). My good friend is coaching here and I would be close to home so yeah.

Are you going to be a part of the 2014 NBA Finals championship team?

Yes.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for Thabo. Follow him on Twitter @ThaboSefolosha 

Athletes and Sports Organizations Donating to Tornado Victims

The tornado that struck Moore on Monday is one that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Billions of dollars in damage and loss of life are the unfortunate consequences of this catastrophic event. Here is a list of players, organizations, and others involved in sports donating money to the relief efforts in Oklahoma.

Big XII Conference: $200,000

Chelsea and Manchester City: will donate $1 for every ticket sold at tonight's game in St. Louis

James Head, UFC fighter: will donate the money earned from his next fight

Houston Texans: $100,000

Rickie Fowler, professional golfer: will match the first $100,00 raised at this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational

Torii Hunter, Detroit Tigers right fielder: $250,000 and $1,000 for every home run he hits from now until the all-star break

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: $1,000,000

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers and Midwest City native: $250,000 and $1,000 for every home run he hits from now until the all-star break

Chris Singleton, former MLB player and ESPN baseball analyst: $250 for every home run Matt Kemp hits from now until the all-star break

NBA and NBPA: $1,000,000 joint donation

Oklahoma City Thunder: $1,000,000

John Calipari: His foundation will donate $10,000

Houston Astros: Will raise funds during the current homestand for victims

Orlando Magic: $25,000

John Peterson, professional golfer and has family that lives in Moore: $500 for every eagle and $100 for every birdie he makes during this week's PGA Tour Crowne Plaza Invitational

Tulsa Drillers: $10,000 and will have a memorabilia auction

Connecticut Sun: all proceeds from tickets sold from May 21st until May25th

Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts: $25,000

This will update daily. May you keep Moore and the people affected by the tragic tornado in your prayers for the days, weeks and months to come.

Fun Fact Friday #1

Today we begin a new segment called Fun Fact Friday. When I watch sports I question random things that are taking place. Why does this happen? Why do the refs do that? What is the origin of that? So, each week I will compile some questions and do some research to find out all the good and random facts that we all are bothered by. Let us begin.

#1 Why does Steph Curry have an extremely pure shot?
Steph has an absolutely smooth and buttery jump shot. He will dribble, dribble some more and then just throw up shot in your face getting nothing but net on almost every occasion. Some of the shots are ridiculous, and I forgot to mention he broke the record for the most 3's in a season. Sports science had the same question in mind and broke down his stroke.


#2 What is the origin of the word 'soccer'?
Contrary to popular belief, the word 'soccer' is not American, but in fact British. Yeah I did not see that coming either. As it turns out, the Brits used the word soccer years before football became the prominent word of identifying this sport. On October 26th, 1863, a group of teams in England decided to get together and create a standard set of rules which would be used at all their matches.  They formed the rules for “Association Football”, with the “Association” distinguishing it from the many other types of football sports in existence in England, such as “Rugby Football”. British school boys of the day liked to nickname everything, which is still somewhat common.  They also liked to add the ending “er” to these nicknames.  Thus Rugby was, at that time, popularly called “Rugger”.  Association Football was then much better known as “Assoccer”, which quickly just became “Soccer” and sometimes “Soccer Football”. For more info click here.

#3 Why are Golden State Warriors called Golden State?
Traditionally a team is named after the city or the state that it is in. The Warriors are named after California's nickname, "The Golden State". The Warriors began in Philadelphia in 1946 but then moved to San Francisco     in 1962. In the late 1960s the Warriors began scheduling an increasing amount of games in the new Oakland Coliseum and moved there in 1971. This is when they also renamed themselves the Golden State Warriors; as to why they chose 'golden state' is up for debate. For me, California Warriors does not flow and Oakland Warriors lets everyone know that this franchise is in a bad city. For more information about old logos, jerseys etc. click here.

If you have any questions for Fun Fact Friday just get in contact with me

Amazing Finishes From the Weekend

If you were away from your television this weekend than you missed some amazing, insane one of a kind finishes. This past weekend was just a reminder of why we love sports as well as the heartbreak that can come with it in a matter of minutes. Let's take a look back at the weekend that was.

1. Watford defeats Leicester 3-1 (agg. 3-2)
Normally this would be a game without any significance whatsoever. But these small two English clubs are playing for the right to move up into the English Premiere League with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester, etc. Here we are in additional time and the next team that scores, advances to the final. Just when you thought it was going to end one way, it ends in another. Fans, coaches and players go insane and invade the pitch.



2. Boston Bruins defeat Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7
With ten minutes left in the game, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in perfect position to steal a game seven on the road and move on to the Eastern conference semi-finals. However, in one of the most epic comebacks in NHL playoff history, the Boston Bruins would score three goals, including two in the last two minutes to force OT. A rebound goal by Patrice Bergeron at 6:05 in OT would send the arena and the city of Boston into madness.



3. Tiger Woods wins The Players
Tiger Woods is back which is great for golf and great for everyone after shooting a -2 under 70 to win The Players Championship. The moment that people will remember the most is Sergio Garcia getting a quadruple bogey on the famous #17 par 3 island hole. That's bad. That hole also cost him more than 1 million dollars in earnings. OUCH. 

The Five Types of Sports Moms

Mother's Day, the day where you get to enjoy a nice cold one with your wonderful loving mother. Having played sports all my life, and now seeing my siblings doing the same, I started thinking of everything my mom has done for me during my athletic career. If my mother got a nickel for every time she drove me to practice, then she would no doubt be a very rich woman. Actually, a lot of mothers would be rich. Therefore, today through this list we'll look at all the types of sports moms. Let's begin.

1. The biggest fan
Though they may not know what is going on, they cheer for you like crazy. They are the loudest and most notable person in the place. When you score a point or even just step on the field, they make sure everyone knows. They do not care if you suck, they will cheer like it's Game 7 of the World Series. This type of mom is also ready to tell every other parent in the stadium who there child is, no matter what place they finish or if they win or lose.


2. The know-nothing
Below we have a classic example of the mom who knows nothing about sports or the sport you are participating in. This mom is perfectly content with screaming randomly because something happened whether it be good or bad. They think they have a gig lined up with ESPN when in reality, everybody is looking at them with a confused look. To make matters worse, this type of mom often either doesn't care about the rules or whenever you try to teach her, or it goes in one ear and out the other. Now, don't think that she does this by lack of interest or because she dislike her child. No, this mother does this simply because she doesn't care about the sport but rather about her child. Expect random words during a game (i.e. pass the ball whenever the running back has the ball) to be repeated over and over.


3. The intimidator
DO NOT MESS with her child.She is the fiercest one out on the court or the field at every single game. This woman is not afraid to give the refs, coaches, and sometimes the other players a piece of her mind. Extremely defensive of her own athlete, this woman will not let a bad call (or what she assumes is a bad call) slip by without the entire crowd knowing what she thinks.This is the mom that is furious the kid that should be struck out in t-ball gets to hit again because he's only six years old. In my own experience, I've even seen fights started because a mother went up to the opposing players and gave the high schoolers her opinon about them. Not the smartest thing to do, especially after a game, to high schoolers.


4. The coach
These ladies think they are the best coach in the place, even though they never have, or probably never will coach. They tell you to "drive the lane" when the other team has the most dominant center or "get the ball" when you are on the other side of the field. These mothers are usually the ones who either played the sport whenever they were younger or sucked to bad to play but know the rules. These moms will be the ones that give their kid the hardest time afterwards because they feel like it's their duty to help their son improve. Sometimes, it even seems as if she is trying to relive her missed opportunities for success through her child. To make things worse, for this mother, winning is everything. If you aren't a winner, then you just don't care or aren't taking the sport seriously enough.


5. The nervous wreck
The nervous wreck is the mom who cannot stand to look at her son whenever he has to shoot free throws or at her daughter as she does the uneven bars. This mother probably worries more then her child. They are unable to watch and my personal favorite do a self commentary of what is going on and what their kid should be doing to help them get through the moment. These mom's tend to make their child even more nervous because they just flip the f*ck out whenever it's your turn.


We love our moms, sports would not be the same without them. So on this day we take a moment to look back or look forward to having our moms in the stands or on the sidelines to cheer us on for whatever sport.
Based on the five types of mothers listed above, I'd have to say that my mom is the biggest fan with a hint of the know‐nothing when she tries to coach us or give us tips. She's always jumping up and down and screaming at the top of her lungs encouraging me and my siblings in any way possible. So to all the "soccer moms" out there, Happy Mother's Day.

Bryan Corbaz is a contributor to Chris Corbaz Sports. Follow him on Twitter @corbazXC

Five reasons why we love Kendrick Perkins

                       

1. He's the enforcer
He doesn't give a f*ck, I would be terrified to step on the court with him. Looking at Perkins stats this season, you would have never guessed that he is the enforcer (4.2 ppg and 6.0 rpg). He is the tough guy of the team and sets the tone for each game, down low in the paint.You don't mess with anyone on the Thunder and you especially don't mess with Kendrick. He is not a afraid to foul you, set a hard pick on the next possession or get in your face. Not only that, he does all the little things and gets all the stats that are not on the stat sheet.




2. He has the best nickname in sports
Forget "The Black Mamba" or "The Chosen One". Ladies and gentlemen I give you the best nickname in basketball, "Yung Hawg." Yes, that is the correct spelling by the way. Being a fan according to some, makes me part of "The Yung Hawg Nation" which is a title I happily embrace.

3. He is a great spokesperson
The Yung Hawg has been branching out into advertising recently, and I must admit he makes really funny commercials.What is more intimidating than Perkins telling people to buy your product? Exactly. Nothing.



4. He has a strong Twitter game @KendrickPerkins
If you do not follow Perkins on twitter than stop reading this and go follow him. The Yung Hawg wins MVP for great material and quality selfies (see below). With almost 50,000 followers, being active on twitter is crucial. But he also gives away free tickets to almost every home game.He calls it movie trivia and the first person to tell what movie a quote is from, wins two tickets to the next home game. It's as simple as that. If you really enjoy his selfies I encourage you to follow him on instagram as well @kperk5

       


5. He is a really good person
Though he may look and act intimidating on the court, Perkins is a really a nice guy. He grew up in poor conditions but with hard work and dedication he made it out. He has a son and has been married to his wife since 2009. In Texas he is known as the world's tallest alter boy, as he served in his church until he graduated from high school. Over the years he has been involved with a number of charities, loves to serve the community and it loyal to his fans. I highly encourage you to read the Kendrick Perkins story (click here). It is really inspiring and if you didn't like him before, I'm sure this will do it.

(PHOTO: www.celebritybrideguide.com)

Westboro Baptist Church to protest Game 5 in OKC tonight

I am not sure why but the ignorant and blatantly disrespectful people of Westboro will unfortunately be in OKC tonight for the Thunder-Rockets game. It is a shame that a group like this is going to interrupt one of the best events in the state because of Jason Collins coming out yesterday. It will be interesting to see what will happen but I hope that the game is makes a bigger headline tomorrow then the church. Click here for more information.

NBA top 10 dunks of the 2012-13 season

In continuing honor of the NBA playoffs, today we take a look back at the top 10 dunks of this past season. There were some very good ones from KD, Blake Griffin and more so check it out!

Tulsa hosting the 2024 Olympics?

Growing up in Tulsa I never thought I would hear the name of my city in the same sentence as the Olympics. Economically, this would be a marvelous thing for Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma. According to the Huffington post, the United States Olympic Committee wrote to about a dozen mayors including several small cities, one of them being Tulsa. Let's be clear, at this stage the city has only been acquiring information and has not made an official run to the USOC. Though this is an ambitious idea, there is no way that this will happen. First, Tulsa does not have the sports infrastructure to host an event of this magnitude. We would have to rely on bigger, surrounding cities including Dallas and Kansas City to host events and house international spectators. Keep in mind Tulsa would also have to build a billion dollar Olympic stadium. Secondly, the city itself is not ready to host the world's biggest sporting event. Yes, Tulsa had a very successful Bassmaster Classic, but it's no Olympics. As the Huffington article states, predominantly small cities have hosted the Winter Games, but the smallest city to host a Summer game was St. Louis in 1904. If the great city of Chicago cannot get the 2016 bid then what would make the IOC give Tulsa an offer. And lastly a friend of mine made a very valid point while I was discussing this story with him. Here is an exert, "I can only imagine the Olympics coming to Tulsa, one of the most segregated cities in the US. Imagine the wonderful welcome the Chinese Olympic team would receive in one of the most homogeneous cities in the world. Or what about the hospitality that the Middle Eastern nations would receive? Could they pray for victory before they competed?" As I previously stated, this is a very far fetched idea and after analyzing many factors unfortunately the 2024 Olympics will not be in Tulsa.

Tyler Lockett makes amazing catch and gets #1 play on Sportscenter

After a spectacular sophomore season last year, (44 receptions for 687 yards and four touchdowns) Tyler Lockett can add a another play to his highlight reel. An amazing acrobatic, juggling catch for a touchdown in Kansas State's spring game this past weekend. The new team captain was the #1 play on Sportscenter which is not an easy task to the least. So let's give it up for this Booker T. Washington alum and Tulsa native, for his huge accomplishments on and off the field.

Top 10 plays of the 2012-13 NBA season

In honor of the NBA season winding down there is no better way to reflect back on a season then watching crossovers, buzzer beaters and people getting dunked on. Looking at this video got me thinking that Kevin Durant will probably have his own top 10 just of him against the Rockets but that remains to be seen. Until then, happy NBA playoffs everybody, enjoy!

NBA Center Jason Collins comes out

                                     

In an in-depth interview with Sports Illustrated, NBA Center Jason Collins announced that he is gay. He is the first active male player in a major sports team to make this announcement. Click here for the full story on sportsillustrated.com.

M-E-S-S MESS MESS MESS!

This morning it was announced that the Jets released quarterback Tim Tebow. So now the Jets go from six QB's to five. Why they still even have five still amazes me and proves how big of a train wreck this organization is right now. Let's take a look at the five left on the roster. Also please enjoy the highlight reel at the top of the page.

David Garrard: At 35 years old he is the oldest QB on the roster. He had several somewhat successful years at Jacksonville including a big playoff win at Pittsburgh. He did not play a snap last year so as to why he has not been cut yet still confuses me. Maybe they want him to mentor the younger players I have no idea.

Greg McElroy: He had a very good college career at Alabama and now in his third season had a chance in week 16 last season to prove himself but lost to San Diego. He is a smart guy and I think a good backup to have but definitely not capable of being a starter yet. And unless injuries happen he will not get that chance in New York.

Mark Sanchez: When I think of Sanchez I think of the infamous butt fumble. But I also think about how he lead the Jets to two straight AFC championship games. He STRUGGLED mightily last season but keep in mind that he had no one to throw to and he was psyched by the arrival of Tebow. He can win you some ball games especially in the playoffs. This is going to be his make or break year for him so we should all stay tuned.

Matt Simms: He should probably get cut.

Geno Smith: We are several days after the draft and I am still flabbergasted as to why the Jets drafted him. I feel really sorry for him because he is a really good quarterback and this organization is in a little mess at the moment. I imagine he will become the second string quarterback thus we will have some potential to see him in action this year which is exciting because he is an electrifying player.

Sports Illustrated reviews NFL draft coverage

Courtesy: ESPN

Check out this great column written by Richard Deitsch about the draft coverage done by ESPN and NFL Network. This is a can't miss read.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130429/nfl-draft-coverage-in-review-media-circus/

Durant posterizes Houston Rockets (twice)

Man, I have never seen Kevin Durant play with so much fire and passion last night as he scored 41 against the Rockets in Game 3. Clearly upset about the Westbrook injury, he decided to take out his anger on seven footer Omar Ashik and 6'9 Terrence Jones. Looking at the dunk over Ashik, we notice the incredible elevation by KD. After looking at back board dimensions  the ball was 12 feet in the air. WOW. Also for those of you who missed it click here to see the subliminal message KD sent to the Rockets when Jeremy Lin was calling a timeout.

Frank Caliendo mocks Mel Kiper Jr.

In honor of the draft wrapping up today here is a great video of comedian Frank Caliendo impersonating ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. Funny video that is actually is rather spot on and unveils another side to the expert that I am sure we were all unaware of, so check it out.

Is this the play Russell Westbrook got injured on?

Today Thunder fans received one of the worst possible news to date. Russell Westbrook is going to have surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee and will be out indefinitely according to ESPN.com. Above is the play that most believe is when he got injured even though he finished playing the game at a very high level. This play is so unfortunate because all Russ was doing was going to call a timeout and Patrick Beverley runs into him completely unnecessary and could cost OKC a title shot. It is so unfortunate that such a small play can have a big impact. Call it how you see it: intentional, flagrant, dirty, or even an accident. The diagnosis for this is typically 6-8 weeks but Metta World Peace did comeback within 13 days. So until we hear a timetable let's all keep our fingers crossed.

Adrian Peterson shows of new Vikings uniforms

       

If Adrian Peterson couldn't look anymore beast, the Minnesota Vikings unveiled their new Nike uniforms on Thursday and yeah he is now beast(lier). Clearly and surprisingly  the most notable change is the font of the numbers on the front. They are more pointy and seem to interlock with each other which is really neat. Again this design is more simple then what they have been wearing previous years eliminating some of the trim on the sides and collar area. Also, the helmet now has a matte finish and a black face mask compared the shiny purple they worn in previous years. The whole goal of Nike was to incorporate Viking ship "features" within the uniforms and I think they have a done a great job with this. For a full analysis and pictures of Peterson being a beast click here.

Miami Dolphins unveil new uniforms

As expected, on Thursday the Miami Dolphins showcased their new Nike uniforms for the upcoming season. I can say that I a big of these. After updating their logo earlier this month, the Dolphins decided to take care of the unis. They look quite similar to the old ones but have a much more simple design to it. Believe it or not, simpler is often the best. Two notable differences is that the orange trim has toned down quite a bit on the helmets, jerseys and pants. My favorite feature however is the teal face mask is now white. This was much needed and makes the whole uniform 10 times better. Overall, the folks in South Beach should be thrilled and should go well their revamped roster. For more details about the uniforms click here.

Rick Pitino gets some fresh ink

As much as I wish that this was not true, it is. Pitino who led the Louisville Cardinals to a national championship promised his players that he would get a tattoo if they won. Well he was not lying and now sports a red "L" on his back. As to whether he did this to inspire his players or because he didn't think they would actually win is beyond me. Jason Terry did something similar except he got a tattoo before the season and then went on to win the championship with the Mavericks that season. Tattoos and championships seem to go hand in hand these days, we will see if Coach K is next.

UNC quarterback pranked by whole team

Spring football can only mean one thing: pranks. This is one of the better ones I have seen from UNC. The whole team falls to the ground after the ball is snapped. Classic. This actually happened in the fall according to yahoo.com but it is clear that the poor QB Bryn Renner was not at all happy about this refusing to high five teammates after running off the field. Props to new coach Larry Fedora for this one though.

Unicorn spotted at Anaheim Angels game last night

No I am not lying, there was actually a unicorn in the front row of the Angels game last night. As to why the unicorn was there I have no idea, but what I do know is that the commentators do a great job with this making the most out of this unusual sighting.

What ever happened to JaMarcus Russell?

                   

Do you guys remember that stud quarterback from LSU that was hailed as the savior of the Oakland Raiders? Do you remember the guy who was so strong he could throw a football 70 yards from his knees? I do, and his name is JaMarcus Russell, probably THE biggest bust in NFL history along with Ryan Leaf. It was this week in 2007 that he was drafted #1 overall by Al Davis and company. After a tumultuous three seasons in the league filled with interceptions, sacks, fumbles, sacks, fumbles, interceptions more interceptions and poor decisions, he was cut and has yet to play a down in any league. In honor of the draft tonight, (and seeing some memes about him, and watching Stephen A. Smith rants) I went searching for an update on this fascinating character. Well I found a very compelling piece done ESPN this week about the downfall and his attempt to make a comeback to football which is posted above. Check it out and do not forget to tune into the draft tonight live on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. from New York City. Also do not forget to do this week's poll!

Has the era of German dominance begun?

     

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000350/match=2009608/postmatch/report/index.html?autoplay=true

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000350/match=2009609/postmatch/report/index.html#bayern+overrun+barcelona

^Highlights and reaction from the two Champions League Games

Let's be honest, did anyone even think these Champions League semi-final scores were even possible? I mean we had the giants of Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) against two very good but underrated German teams (Munich and Dortmund).
Honestly, let's think about it for a second. Barcelona, lead by the three time player of the year Lionel Messi and a cast of superstars could not even score one goal against Bayern Munich?? That is crazy 4-0 which is the worst Champions League defeat in Barcelona history. The Bayern roster is also stacked from top to bottom including the likes of Robben, Muller, and Gomez. I think they have been overshadowed/flying under the radar due to Barcelona thus it was good to see them make a statement and say that they CAN defeat "Goliath". Bayern Munich don't forget has been the runner up twice in the last three years, in 2010 and 2012 losing to Inter and Chelsea.Do not forget it was Bayern last year that eliminated Real from Champions League last year.  Just another fun fact of why this team should be taken seriously is that they are currently 20 points ahead of Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Now I didn't forget about you Real Madrid. After seeing what happened to your La Liga counterpart yesterday you get absolutely blasted by Robert Lewandowski and company 4-1. Real is even lucky they scored a goal as it was due to an error by the usually flawless Mats Hummels. Lewandowski had four goals against a very sloppy and inefficient Real defense I mean it was unbelievable. Though Madrid was in possession of the ball 56% of the time they failed to capitalize on anything whatsoever. They were clearly overwhelmed and under prepared from the first minute of the match.

So what does this all mean? Spanish football has delivered consistently in club and international competitions therefore it was no surprise that Barcelona and Mardid were the heavy favorites to meet in the final (combined 13 UCL titles). I think the Spanish clubs underestimated how good Bayern and Dortmund really are. If any of you watched the game it was clear who was in control of the game. Yes, there is one more game to play for each but I think it is clear that the Germans have caught up to the Spanish. Dortmund is a young team with a lot of potential and can continue to grow and learn making them even more dangerous in years to come depending on if they can keep all of their talent. Bayern on the hand is a skillful team that can beat you in many different ways. When was the last time we saw Barcelona get dominated like that? Age possibly has something to do with this but I also believe that the talent level of the German clubs of predominantly German players has caught up.This is potentially the first step in German dominance over European football on both the club and international level. Here is one more scary thought. Pep Guardiola will become the Bayern coach next year after guiding Barcelona to dozens of trophies and the average age of the Dortmund team is 24. If Dortmund can somehow keep their stars being lured by other major clubs then they will be competing for the next several years. That being said mark your calendars folks here are the times for the away matches.

Tuesday April 30th: Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday May 1st: Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich 1:45 p.m.

KD on the cover of Sports Illustrated

Man, when I first saw this cover, it gave me goose bumps. Kevin Durant shooting a jump shot with a quote of him in the background about how he is tired of being second. How perfect. This cover is a very accurate representation of how Durant feels and his aspirations of becoming an NBA champion. Not only is the front of this issue (which should be an instant classic) and going to be one of the memorable ones especially for Thunder fans great, but it is what we find out about KD on the inside that shows you his devotion to winning. Did you know he hired an analytic expert to help him improve his shot selection and increase his shooting percentage? Go ahead read for yourself because if there is one thing to take away, is that no one is hungrier to become #1 then number 35.

http://nba.si.com/2013/04/23/kevin-durant-oklahoma-city-thunder-sports-illustrated-cover/

Jacksonville unveils new jerseys

Today the Jaguars and Nike unveiled new jerseys for the upcoming 2013-14 football season. After a logo change was announced earlier this year, the team has now also changed the uniform. There are some very interested features to this new design, including the helmet being two colors half and half. Do not fear it is not as bad as the dreaded Maryland helmets. Paul Lukas, the ESPN residential sports fashion expert breaks down the jerseys into further detail. The Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings are also expected to reveal new jerseys this week. As for the Jags, lets just hope the their record this year will be better then their new unis.

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21215/uni-watch-analysis-new-jaguars-uniforms