Breaking News: Thierry Henry has a deal with FC Barcelona

The Arsenal forward has reportedly signed a three year deal with La Liga powerhouse FC Barcelona, who already has Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Edmilson. So it looks like Thierry Henry will be going to Spain only on the fact that he has to persuade Arsenal to transfer the 3rd all time goal scorer in the English Premier League. Barcelona is pretty much like the Spanish version of Chelsea. They’ve got a lot of well known stars like Eidur Gudjohnsen (who happens to be a former Chelsea player), Samuel Eto’o, and Javier Saviola. However, with one week left in the season, it looks like the title will go to Real Madrid, who has Mr. Overrated himself, David Beckham.

As for Arsenal, the past 6 months for them have been dreadful. They were the runners up from the UEFA Champions League to the coincidental champions FC Barcelona last year, and didn’t even get to the quarterfinals. Blackburn Rovers beat Arsenal in the FA Cup quarterfinals, destroying another trophy chance. Rivals Chelsea beat the Gunners 2-1 in the Carling Cup final. So that’s 0-3 in the trophy case of 2007. Maybe the EPL is what they need right? They beat Manchester United twice, drew with Chelsea twice, and beat Liverpool once. But they lost Thierry Henry to a foot injury, and they lost to clubs like Sheffield United, West Ham United, Manchester City, and Fulham. All of those clubs mentioned were either on the brink of relegation, or were relegated (Sheffield United). So beating the hard teams, but stinking it up against the easy teams resulted in a 4th place finish. Arsenal went 0 for 2007 in the trophy case. After an unbeaten stretch of 49 games, and a 2005 FA Cup trophy, Arsenal have fallen on hard times, and I don’t think it would be wise to let go of Thierry Henry.

(Story from the CBC.)

So what happened last night? Spurs Edition, Game 2

Great effort by the Snores Spurs, but they have to stop blowing big leads.

Spurs Defense:

• Believe it or not, they’ll have to contain Ira Newble LeBron James. There’s no explanation required, just remember that King James scored 48 points on the Pistons. Lebron shoots 9-21 for 25 points. Most of them garbage points. Grade A. FYI, Ira Newble did play, they contained him too, he shot 0-1 for 0 points. Grade A+ for containing Newble.

• Prevent easy baskets. The Cavs are not a great perimeter shooting team, and Bruce Bowen and Co. should stop Cleveland from driving right through them. Not bad. Grade B.

• Force King James to pass the ball. When he takes over a game, your team is doomed. If you take the ball away from James, and force his teammates to make an impact, the Cavs usually falter. Same result for Cleveland as game 1. Grade B.

Spurs Defense:

• Drain the threes. You’ve got Ginobili, Bowen, Barry, and now Tony Parker is making long range shots. Take advantage beyond the arc, something the Pistons almost never did, and that’s why Detroit never had a double digit lead in the entire series. 8 of 24 from downtown. Michael Finley goes 0-3. Grade C.
  

• Dominate the boards. The key to Cleveland’s success is the rebound. They have been successful at both ends of the floor when it comes to that category. If the Spurs take that away, the shots will go down for the Cavs, and the 2nd chance points are more likely for San Antonio. Spurs out-rebound Cleveland 46-42. Grade C.

• Make your free throws. I can’t stress this enough. Both teams have been garbage from the stripe (save for Daniel Gibson and Manu Ginobili), and I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of these games are decided via the free throw. 21-26, 80.8%. Grade A-.

Overall Grade: A-.

The 25th try is the charm

Before I get to the Spurs review, I’d just like to say thanks to AA for choosing me as the winner in the Create the Caption contest. It took a lot, but on the 25th try, I finally get the victory. Here’s the link to this historic moment.

So what happened last night?: Cavs Edition, Game 2

What the heck was that? I might as well put F’s across the board here.

Cavs Defense:

• Stop Tim Duncan. Now that is way too obvious, but Timmy has been outstanding in the playoffs, but Duncan has yet to face a 7′0 center throughout the playoffs, with the only exception being the Denver Nuggets’ Nene. Cleveland should be in good shape if they double up on Duncan using Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Duncan gets 23 Points, 9-16 shooting, and 9 rebounds. Grade C-.

• Let the Spurs make their shots form the foul line. Realistically, the Spurs have no consistent free throw shooter, and Bruce Bowen does not spell success at the line. Spurs shoot 21-26 from the line. 80% on average. Grade D.

• Prevent easy baskets. In the last series against Detroit, the Cavs allowed way too many easy layups and dunks to any liking of the coaching staff. That was even worse than game 1. Grade is F.

• Out-hustle the Spurs. They key to the Cavs trip to the finals has been their aggressiveness at both ends of the court, and constant fighting for the offensive board. 46-42, Spurs have the edge. It’s about even. Grade B.

Cavs Offense:

• Attack the basket. It doesn’t necessarily mean that Cleveland has to score everytime, but putting one of the key Spurs players (especially Duncan) in foul trouble could be damaging to San Antonio. Same as game 1. Grade C.

• They must start out strong in the 3rd quarter. It’s no coincidence that Cleveland won both game 5 and game 6 against Detroit, and outscored them in the 3rd. I believe San Antonio is a better team by a mile when matched up against Detroit, and it could be curtains for Cleveland if they go on a cold spell with them. Spurs outscore the Cavs 31-29 in the 3rd. Grade D for the defense of Cleveland in the 3rd.

• Larry Hughes must be told not to shoot the ball. Seriously, the dude only plays well every now and then, and is really only good for defensive purposes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is benched at some point for Daniel Gibson. Morons! You let Hughes shoot an 0-5 for a total of 0 points! Daniel Gibson? A decent night with 6-12 shooting and 15 points. Grade F.

• The time is now for Cleveland to start making some free throws down the stretch in tight games. I know San Antonio absolutely stinks it up at the foul line too, but the Cavs have lost games because of inexperience at the charity stripe. 19-29 for 65%. Garbage shooting from the stripe. Grade D-.

Overall Grade: D+.

You’ll see the Spurs edition later on.