Ben's NBA Basketball fan blog

The upcoming game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers is a huge one for both teams. For the Falcons, they are playing in an extremely tough NFC south division, and need every win they can get. For the Chargers, a loss could mean the end of a playoff run, as they would fall to 4-8.

2004,Last meeting: Atlanta:21 San Diego:20

Let's start with the field. The Chargers have three of their four wins at home, while 3 of the Falcons' 4 losses have come on the road. The Falcons had no trouble on their last trip out west, shuting out a terrible Oakland team. The last time an NFC south team traveled to So-Cal, Carolina defeated the Chargers 26-24. However, those are two very different scenarios for both teams, and let's remember, San Diego lost that one in the final second. Advantage: Chargers

Continue reading "Game Preview; Falcons vs. Chargers"

Here are 5 very bizarre, very real sports. The first two you've probably heard of, as they are Olympic sports. And some of these, you've probably actually played. Like this one:

5. Table Tennis: Also known as ping-pong, this sport is a Chinese tradition, and was introduced to the Olympics in summer of 2008. As you can probably guess, the Chinese won the gold in the event.

4. Field Hockey: Also an Olympic sport, field hockey is played on a soccer field. Like ice hockey, the players hold a stick, but attempt to hit a small, hard ball, into the net. The game is played with little, if any, face protection. Thus, many teeth are lost, just like in ice hockey.

3. Gaming: You know, like video games. Major League Gaming(MLG) holds championships to see who is/are the best player(s) in the video games of Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Gears of War 2, and Rainbow 6 Vegas 2. Looks like you don't need to have a life to make a decent living after all.

Continue reading "5 Sports You Never Knew Existed"

I'd like to take a few moments to discuss the five most intriguing professional sports. These sports give us something to live for at times. The top 5 will be based off of the skill it takes to play these sports, how much guts are involved in these sports, and the excitement they bring to the table.

5. Boxing: How many of you would like to be placed in a ring with a giant who's ultimate goal is to beat the living snot out of you? That's what I thought. This sport made the top 5 because of the guts it takes to play. However, it is not ranked higher because of the lack of excitement it brings to the table. I'm sorry, but two guys beating the snot out of each other isn't exactly my cup of tea.

4. Baseball: It takes a bit of skill (and guts) to hit a ball traveling towards you at 100 miles per hour. It takes even more skill to catch a ball flying at you at roughly the same speed. But to do both in one night, and to do the latter nine times in a game, that requires guts/skill/a wee bit of insanity. This sport also didn't rank higher because of the excitement factor, seeing as there's only action in about 10% of the 3 hours it takes to watch a game. It's rewarding if you have the patience for it. Some people have it, some people don't.

Continue reading "Top 5 Most Intriguing Professional Sports"

Last week's blowout win against the Carolina Panthers got me thinking, can the Atlanta Falcons win it all?

It starts with their remaining 5 regular-season games, which are against teams with a combined 26-29 record. Their toughest game, against Tampa Bay(8-3), will come at home in Week 15. Their final game of the season against St Louis(2-9) will also be a home game. The other three games are on the road against San Diego(4-7), New Orleans(6-5), and Minnesota(6-5). All of these games can be won, but 4 out of 5 should get the Falcons into the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

If the Falcons do not win the division, they would face either Arizona, the NFC south winner, or the NFC north winner in the first round on the road. All of these opponents would be tough, but the Falcons are an improving team and they might be able to pull off a win, even in Tampa or Charlotte. If they win the division, their first game would be in Atlanta. Assuming they don't have a performance like they did against Denver, they should move on to the divisional round.

Continue reading "Can the Falcons Win it All?"

Remember when we all use to look forward to Monday night? How we all looked forward to that big game that capped off the weekend? Remember when we used to hope that our favorite team would play on Monday night, simply because of the prestige of winning on Monday night?

Well, that was a very different time. Back when Monday Night Football was not only available to those who have cable. Back when the great voices of Howard Cosell, and later Al Michaels and John Madden, were calling the games. Back when some of the greatest games of the year were played on Monday Night. Why, oh why, did MNF switch over to ESPN?

Now, we're stuck with lousy announcers. Mike Tirico? Bless his heart, he tries so hard. But he's just not cut out to commentate what used to be the sports worlds' most prestigious regular-season event. Ron Jaworski offers some great football insight on Sportscenter, but I can't take 3 straight hours of him.

Continue reading "The Lost Prestige of Monday Night Football"