Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
In my book Federer is the greatest, says Sampras
"In my book Federer is the greatest," Sampras said. "The guy is a legend. He's an icon. He's a credit to the game."
The US player whose record of 14 majors had stood from 2000 until a month ago, when Federer pulled level on 14 after finally winning the French Open, made a late decision to fly with his wife from their Los Angeles home to London to witness potential history.
They were heading back Monday after Sampras rubbed shoulders again with fellow heroes Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, among others, who watched the heroics over Andy Roddick, which lasted four and a quarter hours.
Laver gave the Swiss winner a nod as a mighty force in the game.
"I think the public should just watch his feet, just watch Roger and not the ball, and you'd see how great a player he is to pull off some of the shots. You just marvel at his ability to do that," said the Australian, who swept two calendar-year Grand Slams, the last in 1969.
"It's great that tennis has someone like Roger. We always look at Roger, he and Tiger Woods are good friends, fighting to see who can have the best number of Grand Slams in golf and tennis. Different sport, but they're good friends. That all helps the game of tennis."
Borg, winner of five straight Wimbledon crowns like Federer until the Swiss superstar lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2008 final, paid quite a tribute: "He gives 100 percent every time he plays. You will see him in many more finals."
Sampras called the task of winning 15 majors in just seven seasons "a lot of work. He serves big, he's smooth and a great athlete.
"I feel bad for Andy. This was his chance, and he came up short," Sampras said. "But Roger just had a little bit more."
Making his first visit to Wimbledon since losing in 2002, Sampras called the return "surreal, being back on this great court".
"To see Roger play live was fun. It's nice to be back, but it is a short trip."
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Jordan junior leaves basketball too
Jeff Jordan, son of the famous Michael Jordan is leaving basketball to pursue his studies.
The point-guard for the University of Illinois has surprised everyone with his announcement to leave after just two seasons.
In a statement Jordan said: "I loved playing for the Fighting Illini and appreciate the support I was given by my teammates, coaches and the great fans here.
But I have come to the point where I'm ready to focus on life after basketball."
Jordan received a scholarship before the start of the 2009 spring semester.
The defensive specialist appeared in 59 career games, totaling 58 points, 42 assists and 24 rebounds.
Illinois coach Bruce Weber mentioned that he will be missed: "He brought great work ethic to the gym and pushed himself, as well as his teammates, each and every day to improve.
"We will miss him, but we fully support the decision he has made."
Jackson may just coach at home
Jackson has also reiterated that he will come to a decision about returning to the Lakers for next season by "early July".
The winningest coach in NBA history admitted that his health would be the only barometer in deciding whether he would coach for the final season in his current contract.
The LA Lakers did experiment with the idea in April when Jackson did not coach the team for one game in Portland on the second night of a back-to-back stint on the road, after the team had just finished a taxing seven-game roundabout.
However, LA lost with Rambis in charge, falling 106-98 to the Blazers.
"Yeah, we've toyed around with that idea actually," Jackson told ESPN Radio hosts John Ireland and Mychal Thompson.
"I guess it's not that revolutionary. We talked a little bit about it, and you know I was actually kind of given the green light to actually try this out and when the time came."
Cavs nearing a Shaq attack
League sources have revealed that the Shaq-to-Cleveland trade talks are nearing conclusion, and Cavalier officials need only to find a suitable package for Phoenix.
Phoenix, however, are not making it easy for Cleveland to land the towering center.
Their request for cash and future draft picks, besides taking Cavaliers' Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, have Cleveland still negotiating.
The possible pair-up of Shaq and LeBron James would definitely create a much needed frontline for the Cavs.
With a disappointing Eastern Conference finals loss to Orlando Magic, Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry is under pressure to give James some much needed support.
Lakers to drop first-round draft pick
Lakers' general manager Mitch Kupchak has confirmed this, stating it was a "better than even likelihood" possibility.
He added: "There's a lot of interest, absolutely.
"Certain teams, they may want to preserve cap space for the next year or two and they may need to add players. A good way to add talent at a fixed price is to have a lot of draft choices and then you can still maintain cap space a year from now."
For now, the NBA champions seem to be reserving their roster space to re-sign Trevor Ariza, Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom, who are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
Kupchak said: "With our situation, you don't want to draft players that can't make your team because your roster's full.
"So we may look to move or to exchange our draft picks for future picks or whatever we choose to do."
With their point guard Derek Fisher set to retire, Kupchak admits he has an eye out for a successor;
"We have Jordan (Farmar), who's had moments when he looks like the guy who could assume that position and Shannon Brown did a great job as well, but I think that position in the future is still undetermined.
"We need to figure out who is going to take over that position when Derek retires."
Fisher, who is approaching 35, was the 24th pick by the LA Lakers in the 1996 NBA Draft, and won four NBA Championships with the team.
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