Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul are set to star in a new show called ‘Point Guard Swap’.
Serena Williams is really good at tennis.
Melvin Gordon said, “F*** you, pay me!”
And Jake Marisnick is getting an undeserved, unpaid ‘vacation’.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports
Follow me on Twitter: @DaveEttinger2
Like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/DaveTalksSports
You say these are the ‘dog days’ of Summer.
I say….you’re an idiot.
There’s A LOT going on in the world of sports:
Wimbledon, The World Cup, MLB’s All-Star Game/Home Run Derby, and The Open Championship.
Wimbledon
The Novak is back!!
After coming up empty-handed in his last eight Grand Slams, Novak Djokovic has reclaimed his spot amongst the games elite. His Wimbledon victory Sunday over Kevin Anderson marked Novak’s 13th Grand Slam Title, ranking 4th all-time. Maybe, he can finally put his personal issues in the rearview mirror and get back to not sucking at tennis….
While Serena Williams’ Wimbledon Finals appearance was impressive, she fell short of her 8th ‘All England Title’. Angelique Kerber dominated Serena in straight sets (6-3, 6-3), winning her 2nd Grand Slam Title.
World Cup
Vive La France!!
France is the 2018 World Cup Champion, winning their 2nd World Cup Title in 20 years. This leaves Spain, England, and Uruguay as the only World Cup champions without multiple titles. France capped off an exciting World Cup with an entertaining, dramatic 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Imagine being at the Eiffel Tower yesterday:
That must have been AWESOME!!!!
MLB All-Star Game/Home Run Derby
I have to be honest….I know I said there’s a lot going on in sports this week, but I’m not sure I could be LESS interested in MLB’s All-Star Festivities.
The All-Star Game is awful. Nobody tries. Pitchers make one inning appearances. The game has been known to end in a tie. And it’s not how I’d choose to spend three hours of my life.
But hey, somebody will be watching. Last year, while the All-Star Game grabbed 8.6 million viewers, it was not the most watched TV event that evening. America’s Got Talent was. Sad. Oh so sad.
The Home Run Derby is cool. I’ll put it on as background noise tonight, however, this year’s Derby is lacking the most important thing of all; Star Power.
The Open Championship
Allow me to preface this statement — with a statement:
My subconscious has NOTHING to do, in any way, with my rational, conscious thought process.
Sunday night, I dreamt that Tiger Woods won the 2018 Open Championship. For those who skim articles, I’m going to repeat myself. I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that happens, but I dreamt it. Tiger Woods is a shell of himself. While he still moves the needle (inexplicably), he has literally NO CHANCE to win a Major. Not now. Not ever.
Have a nice day!
Accomplishments walk hand-in-hand with expectations.
As crazy as this is about to sound, NO ONE expected Serena Williams to win Wimbledon. Don’t lie to me. I don’t appreciate it. Yet she’s just one match away from doing the improbable (nothing is impossible for Serena Williams).
See 316 days ago, Serena Williams was giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. And while Serena always planned to return to the game she loves, even she didn’t expect to compete for her record 24th Grand Slam Title this soon, “It’s crazy. I don’t even know how to feel, you know, because literally, I didn’t expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back.”
Ranked 25th for this year’s All England Championship, some felt she was ranked too high after a lengthy hiatus. Wimbledon, however, doesn’t play by your rules. They don’t concern themselves with world rankings. And with 9-out-of-the-top-10 players ousted before the 4th round, Serena’s path became that much easier. Not to diminish Serena’s accomplishment, but this is the worst performance by top-10 seeds in the Open Era. After steamrolling Julia Georges in just 1 hour and 9 minutes in the semifinals (6-2, 6-4), Serena should be well rested for Saturday’s finals.
Now, only Angelique Kerber stands in Serena’s way of completing one of the most impressive feats in professional tennis history.
See 274 days ago, Serena Williams was climbing out of bed for the 1st time after complications from child birth. Immediately following her daughter’s birth, Serena suffered a pulmonary embolism and blood clots in her lungs. While her doctors quickly had her on the road to recovery, she was confined to bed rest for six weeks.
Ahhhhh, yes, the realization is setting in for you, my reader, of the magnitude of Serena’s accomplishments at Wimbledon. To come from a near-death experience, to her 10th Wimbledon Final’s appearance in less than year, is not something human beings often (or ever) do.
See in 1 day, Serena Williams WILL win her 8th Wimbledon Title. She WILL continue to make history. And she WILL defy the odds.
And all we’ll be able to do, is appreciate the accomplishment, and throw expectations out the window.
Prediction: 7-6, 6-4 (The Best Who Ever Did It — Serena Williams)
Tune-in to ESPN Saturday, July 14th @ 9:00 A.M. EST to catch all the action.
In case you hadn’t noticed….
The Stanley Cup Finals is in full swing — and it’s awesome.
There’s a lot of awesome flying around, below the radar, waiting to be consumed. The question is: Can you find it??
Stanley Cup Finals
The NHL will have itself a first-time Stanley Cup Champion; the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights or the Washington Capitals. But first, an epic battle to the death!! Or we’ll just play hockey….Either way. If game one is any indication of how this series is going to go, we’re in for a treat.
135 shot attempts. 52 saves. 10 goals (6-4). 1-0 Vegas.
A raucous crowd filled T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Monday. The towels started waving nearly 30-minutes prior to the drop of the puck, and they never stopped. Game one was fast-paced, competitive, and down right fun. For the first time in Stanley Cup Finals’ history, there were four lead changes in a single game. And after the Golden Knights took the lead on a Tomas Nosek goal with 10:16 to play, they never looked back.
But of course, this game didn’t pass by without controversy. With just over 14:00 to play, Tom Wilson lined up Jonathan Marchessault, in open-ice, with what many have deemed a dirty hit. You tell me….
Watch game two Wednesday @ 8:00 P.M. EST on NBCSN. You won’t be disappointed.
Yankees Win In Extras
Last time I checked, a win is a win. Although we put more import on games in August and September, games in May mean just as much. And when you’re the New York Yankees, they mean even more against your American League competition. That’s why today, is a good day for Yankee fans. After getting mowed down by Justin Verlander Monday, they bounced back Tuesday with a dramatic 6-5 victory (in 10 innings) over the Houston Astros.
The Astros carried a 5-3 lead to the bottom of the ninth inning. Miguel Andujar led off the inning with a walk. And after Gleyber Torres stuck out, Brett Gardner launched a 2-run, game-tying, home run (his 2nd of the game) to right centerfield. Yankee Stadium, erupted!!
And with 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Andujar set the table again. This time, for a Gleyber Torres walk-off single. Check it out:
The French Open Is Happening
In case you hadn’t noticed….
The French Open is happening. It’s well under way, and it’s awesome.
Serena Williams won her 1st match, at a major, in 16 months, taking down Kristyna Pliskova 7-6, 6-4 Tuesday. She played a grand total of ZERO warm-up matches on clay, because, ya know, she’s Serena Williams. Her next opponent will be 17th seed, Ashleigh Barty.
While Serena’s comeback is impressive, this tournament is, and always has been, about Rafael Nadal. The 10-time French Open Champion improved to 80-2 in his favorite tournament, beating lucky loser, Simone Bolelli in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 7-6). Nadal will take on Guido Pella in the 2nd round.
Don’t be surprised if Nadal’s new title, come June 10th, is 11-time French Open Champion.
Did you notice all of this awesomeness?? Don’t lie to me in my comment section!!
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NOW GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
It’s the worst list ever made — EVER!!
And it’s not even that close.
In celebration of ESPN the Magazine turning 20, Peter Keating put out a list of the 20 Most Dominant Athletes of the Past 20 Years. The concept; great. The execution; not so much.
Keep in mind, this list is the most DOMINANT athletes, not the BEST athletes:
Peter’s “List” DaveTalksSports’ List
20.) Tom Brady 20.) Marta
19.) Manny Pacquiao 19.) Barry Bonds
18.) Mike Trout 18.) Kobe Bryant
17.) Barry Bonds 17.) Allyson Felix
16.) Allyson Felix 16.) Diana Taurasi
15.) Novak Djokovic 15.) Rafael Nadal
14.) Cristiano Ronaldo 14.) Cristiano Ronaldo
13.) Lauren Jackson 13.) Michael Schumacher
12.) Serena Williams 12.) Lionel Messi
11.) Lionel Messi 11.) Jimmie Johnson
10.) Usain Bolt 10.) Annika Sorenstam
9.) Marta 9.) LeBron James
8.) Floyd Mayweather Jr. 8.) Tom Brady
7.) Michael Schumacher 7.) Floyd Mayweather Jr.
6.) Annika Sorenstam 6.) Usain Bolt
5.) Roger Federer 5.) Lance Armstrong
4.) Jimmie Johnson 4.) Roger Federer
3.) Peyton Manning 3.) Serena Williams
2.) LeBron James 2.) Tiger Woods
1.) Tiger Woods 1.) Michael Phelps
Honestly, I don’t know where to start. This is literally the worst list ever constructed by man, or woman. My head nearly exploded when I first saw Peter Keating’s list. I highlighted Peter’s most egregious errors.
I’m convinced Peter made this list strictly to garner attention (it’s working) because no one with a wealth of sports’ knowledge could possibly, rationally, reasonably, sanely, proudly publish this list.
I hope this article lands in front of Peter Keating’s eyeballs: PETER, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!!
Did I leave anyone out?? Do I have someone who doesn’t belong?? Post your list in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
It’s Summer!!
Okay, maybe not here in New York, where we’re currently experiencing a blistering 19°. But it’s like that expression, “It’s five o’ clock somewhere.” It’s currently Summer in Earth’s southern hemisphere.
This isn’t your ordinary Summer, as Australia is taking the brunt of an extreme heatwave. This has made playing conditions at the Australian Open difficult. There’s the understatement of the century. Temperatures on Wednesday in Melbourne reached 104°. Walking, talking, and breathing is difficult in temperatures over 100°. Imagine having to play a 3-hour tennis match….
Novak Djokovic Vs. Gael Monfils
Gael Monfils, pictured above, had the daunting task of facing Novak Djokovic in the 2nd round. After taking the 1st set, 6-4, off Djokovic, Monfils wilted in the sun. He dropped the next 3 sets, 3-6, 1-6, 3-6. Monfils, who was visibly effected by the heat had this to say after the match, “It was tough to breathe. Yeah, I think it was the hardest match I’ve played. I got super dizzy. I think I had a heat stroke on the court for about 40 minutes.”
Stan Wawrinka Vs. Tennys Sandgren
Tennys just capped off the biggest win of his career. Yes, his real name is Tennys. Moments ago, he took down 9th ranked, Stan Wawrinka, in straight sets (6-2, 6-1, 6-4). Tennys, from Tennessee (you can’t make this stuff up), is ranked 97th in the world. Wawrinka, playing in his 1st tournament since his knee surgery in August, didn’t stand a chance against Tennys. The match lasted just 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Upsets Running Wild
The 2nd round hasn’t been kind to the Women’s Draw. Wednesday saw 5 of the top-25 women get upset. Wednesday’s most notable ousting was 3rd ranked, Garbine Muguruza, falling to Su-Wei Hsieh (7-6, 6-4), the 88th ranked player in the world. With Venus Williams losing early on, and Serena Williams not playing due to health concerns, the Women’s Draw is as open as I can remember. Or, maybe Simona Halep, the #1 ranked woman in the world, will have her way with the Australian Open.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is currently in action. His match, against 53rd ranked, Jan-Lennard Struff, has moved to the 3rd set. Federer took the first 2 sets, 6-4, and currently trails 4-5 in the 3rd set. Federer, at 36, continues to defy logic, father time, and medicine. The question is, does he have enough left in the tank to win another Grand Slam?? I don’t know. But I will never doubt Roger Federer.
15-Year Old Phenom
There is a 15-year old taking the Australian Open by storm. Marta Kostyuk, of the Ukraine is ranked 521st in the world. In her 1st Grand Slam appearance, she has advanced to the 3rd round, becoming the youngest player to reach the 3rd round of the Australian Open since Martina Hingis in 1996. She’ll take on 4th ranked, Elina Svitolina, on Friday at 12:00 A.M. EST.
Oh yeah, it’s going to get even hotter on Friday, with temperatures expected to top out at 108°. Stay tuned to see if play is halted by officials due to unsafe court conditions.
Would you play tennis in 108° weather?? Post your feelings in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
This was the most impressive thing you’ve ever seen at Wimbledon. That’s saying a lot, considering the all-time greats who have graced the All England Club. Roger Federer set the bar even higher Sunday, accomplishing something that hasn’t been done in 41 years. Not only did Roger Federer capture his record-breaking, 8th Wimbledon title, but he did it without losing a single set. This hasn’t been done since Bjorn Borg in 1976. Hold on, hold on..you mean he didn’t lose a set throughout the entire tournament?! Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. That is RIDICULOUS!!
Roger Federer now holds 19 Grand Slam Singles Titles, having won 2 this year (Australian Open and Wimbledon). This is 2017, not 2007 right???? Roger Federer is playing arguably the best tennis of his career. Sunday’s final saw Federer breeze through Marin Cilic, the 7th ranked player in the world, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in just 1 hour and 41 minutes.
Why is this so impressive?? Because he’s 35 years old!! As far as tennis goes, he qualifies for the senior citizen discount. Ya know, the early-bird, dinner at 4:30 pm special. Federer’s Wimbledon victory on Sunday, in which he didn’t have his serve broken, made him the oldest Wimbledon champion of all-time. The guy defines effortless. He seemingly never ages, sweats, or exerts himself. He’s essentially a robot. Which begs the question, how many more Grand Slams can Roger Federer win?? It is an extremely difficult question to answer, for every victory, every trophy hoisted, is accompanied by history.
Excuse me while I bust-out my art “skills”….
I’m going to draw a big circle over here to my left. Then I’m going to draw stick-figure representations of athletes I will NEVER doubt (no matter their age).
Lebron James is not that old, but he has played the minutes of a 40 year old, plus he’s bald, so he just looks old. Everyone on this list continues to excel at their sport at an advanced age. And Venus Williams put forth an incredibly impressive performance in this year’s Wimbledon, making it to her 9th Wimbledon Final, before falling to Garbine Muguruza.
While it may feel like we’ve jumped in our DeLorean and gunned it to ’88, this really is 2017. And Roger Federer is still playing like Roger Federer. Federer will soon have a chance to capture 3 Grand Slam Titles in the same year. A feat he hasn’t accomplished since 2007. The U.S. Open, a.k.a. the most fun you’ll ever have at a tennis venue, starts on August 28th, 2017. It’s in New York, so you know it’s fun. And with Roger Federer playing at a high level, tennis fans will have yet another chance to witness history.
How many more Grand Slam Titles do you think Roger Federer will win?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M EST.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
72. Combined age of Roger Federer (35) and Venus Williams (37). 22. Combined semifinals appearances at Wimbledon for Federer (12) and Williams (10). 4. Number of hours I slept last night. I know that’s irrelevant, but let’s just say 4:15 A.M. came quicker than I had hoped. Anywayyyyyy…….
Venus Williams will square off with Johanna Konta today at 10 A.M. EST. Federer will take on Tomas Berdych on Friday morning (time is TBD). If Venus is able to get past Konta, she’ll be pleased not to see her sister on the other side of the net (Serena is 4-1 vs. Venus in Grand Slam Finals). As for Federer, he is the odds on favorite to win the tournament. With Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic both losing Wednesday, Federer went to bed with a smile on his face.
It is incredible both Williams and Federer are still competing at such a high level. Williams made her professional debut 23 years ago. Insane!! She now holds 7 Grand Slam titles, and is looking for lucky number 8. Federer has already won 18 Grand Slam titles (most of all-time). This would give him 19 total Grand Slams and would be his 8th Wimbledon!! Again..Insane!!
I will be watching every second of every match because no one knows how much longer these living legends will be able to compete at this level. Federer will treat Berdych like a stroll in the park. I’d be surprised if Federer doesn’t win in straight sets. As for Venus, Konta is a tough match-up. At age 26, she is a tough player with a good all-around game. I see this being a highly competitive, 3-set match. Don’t be surprised with a 28-26 finish in the 3rd set.
Dave’s Predictions: Venus wins 6-4, 4-6, 10-8. Federer wins 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
Whether I’m right or wrong (obviously I’ll be right), my tired eyeballs will be glued to the television. It’s like spending time with your children, you need to cherish these moments, because they won’t last forever.
Will Roger Federer and Venus Williams both advance to the Finals at Wimbledon?? Post your prediction in the comment section below??
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
By clicking below, you will be entering my YouTube Channel; DaveTalksSports. This audio is from my 1st ever Sports Talk Radio Show. This audition was recorded and submitted to the radio station at SUNY Old Westbury on Monday, June 26th, 2017. Assuming my professor approves my audition, I will be on OWWR, Old Westbury Web Radio, via the TuneIn Radio App. The date and time of my show is TBD (to be determined), so check back to find out when I will be on the air. Click below to listen and enjoy!! Feel free to comment or leave constructive criticism in the comment section. Thank you!!
Serena Williams is the best female tennis player of all-time. I know that. You know that. And John McEnroe knows that. McEnroe, however, does not believe she is the best tennis player of all-time. On Sunday, while promoting his memoir, “But Seriously”, McEnroe explained himself in an interview for NPR. McEnroe said, “If she played the men’s circuit, she’d be like 700 in the world.” He continued by saying, “That doesn’t mean I don’t think Serena is an incredible player. I do, but the reality of what would happen on a given day is Serena could beat some players, I believe, because she is so incredibly strong mentally.” “But if she just had to play the circuit — the men’s circuit — that would be an entirely different story.”
McEnroe’s comments have received harsh criticism, and Monday evening, Serena responded. These are her actual tweets:
✔ @serenawilliams
Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.
Hey Serena,
He was asked his opinion in an interview. What was he supposed to do..plead the 5th??
✔ @serenawilliams
I’ve never played anyone ranked “there” nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir
Hi again Serena,
Everyone respects the fact that you are having a baby. It is a beautiful thing. But what does that have to do with this interview?? You are Serena Williams. People talk about you. That’s like posting a pregnant picture of yourself on social media, and then asking for privacy…………..
I can understand why Serena and women in general would be bothered by this, but in order to analyze something, we must take a step back and see the whole picture. During McEnroe’s interview, NPR correspondent Lulu Garcia-Navarro brought up Serena Williams. In his book, McEnroe labeled Serena as the best female tennis player of all-time. Here is the exchange that led to McEnroe’s comments:
Garcia-Novarro: Some wouldn’t qualify it. Some would say she’s the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
McEnroe: Oh! Uh, she’s not, you mean, the best player in the world, period?
Garcia-Novarro: Yeah, the best tennis player in the world. You know, why say female player?
As you can see, Garcia-Novarro brought up the subject, and then pressed McEnroe for a clear-cut answer. McEnroe, a tennis commentator and former tennis player gave his honest opinion (as always). What was he supposed to do, decline to answer questions on Serena Williams??
Garcia-Novarro didn’t ask if Serena is the best athlete or the most accomplished tennis player of all-time, she asked if she is the best. Asking who is ‘the best’ poses the question, who would win?? That’s where McEnroe’s answer came from. And as much as I would root for Serena to beat the 700th ranked men’s tennis player, she would lose. And I don’t think it would be close.
The advantages a men’s player of this caliber would have over Serena in terms of power, speed, and quickness would be too much for her to handle. But, that is not the issue. The issue is why ask McEnroe such a question in the first place?? While I understand Serena wants to be left out of the conversation, maybe Serena’s frustrations should be directed at the interviewer, Lulu Garcia-Novarro, rather than John McEnroe.
What do you think?? Were John McEnroe’s comments out of line, or was Lulu Garcia-Novarro simply fishing for controversy??
Post your strong opinions in the comment section below. Don’t hold back now!!
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends about me!!
Dave Talks Sports 