Stock Up/Stock Down for the week 6/25/06
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by user DRE-LO
Stock Up:
Jose Reyes- Somebody get the fire extinguisher because no one can seem to get this guy out. He has hit safely in thirteen straight. Another 4-hit game today in a 7-4 Mets win over the Blue Jays. Not to mention hitting for the cycle against the Phillies this week. Over the last seven games- He's batting .548 {17-31} and raised his overall batting average to .302. First in the NL in runs and stolen bases and All Star Votes in his position.
Jose Contreras- Another dude named Jose who is lighting up the league. 8-0 with a 3.15 ERA. And to think, the Yankees traded him for Esteban Loaiza who would go on to pitch so poorly for the Yankees afterward that he didn't even make the postseason roster. Contreras is clearly happier in Chi-town and thriving as well. Opponents are batting .221 against him.
Miami Heat- Congratulations to the Miami Heat on their championship run and in beating the Mavericks in 6. Not to mention that they beat the Mavs four straight times. With this title, Pat Riley has wiped away all of the criticism over the offseason moves as well as his controversial takeover 1/4 quarter of the way into the year. Shaq fulfilled his promise of a championship. But it started and ended with the stellar performance of Dwyane Wade. Allow me to think outside of the box and give some overdue credit to Stan Van Gundy. As much credit as Riley gets, Stan was Dwayne Wade's first coach and if it hadn't been for that overachieving first season in which they made it to the 2nd round, Shaq may not have come to Miami. The best part about the parade is that we offically know that Pat Riley dances better than Mark Madsen. So does Elaine Benes{Seinfeld}
Joey Cheek- On World Refugee Day earlier this week, Joey Cheek reminded all of us about a cause bigger than himself, the current genocide taken place in Darfur. It's refreshing to see an athlete that obtains success and uses it to make a difference in society and the world. Joey Cheek is a true winner in life as well in sports.
Ronaldo{Brazil}- Two goals against the Japanese has the Brazilian faithful singing his praises once again. He sets the record for most goals scored by anyone in their World Cup career. Should be a boost for Brazil as they get ready to take on Ghana.
Stock Down:
Dirk Nowitzki- Great players make great plays and decisions in big games. Leading up to the NBA finals, Dirk had been absolutely awesome and clutch in every situation. In the finals however, he let Jason Terry run the show and take all the big shots. The worst was when he passed up an open shot and made the decision to give the ball to Erick Dampier!!!! If you noticed in Dallas's Game 3 loss to Miami as well as Game 6 before halftime when they blew the lead, it was because Dirk Nowitzki did not assert himself as he did against the Spurs and Suns.
The New York Knicks- Like their stock could go any lower. The offical end of the Larry Brown era in New York could now lead to a messier divorce. I would hate to see the Knicks lose more money in the upcoming arbitration case. But Larry Brown should go after it. The Knicks knew that this was going to be a big time project and yet they still gave him a loaded contract. But as we know in the franchise of the Knuckleheads, logic is defied daily.
Ozzie Guillen- For someone who has just come off a World Series and who is currently having another stellar year, Ozzie seems quite willing to fire bombs at each and every body. Now I like the fact that he is outspoken and flamboyant in his approach. But a manager's beef against any journalist should not even make it out of the manager's office. No reason to use such a derogratory term. The White Sox have played well throughout this situation. However, if Ozzie keeps pushing the envelope, it could very well become a distraction.
The United States Soccer team- You can say whatever you want about the penalty kick call in the game against Ghana or the game against Italy in which the refs were clearly on something. However, Landon Donovan did next to nothing in this World Cup. Demarcus Beasley played with little will at times. In each of their matches, the opposing team scored first which put them in a early hole and had them playing catchup. They failed to establish themselves early and often. A grand total of 2 goals including one that Italy put in for the US by mistake. All this for a team that was supposedly ranked 4th in the standings before the World Cup began. Back to the drawing board for US Soccer. How about Freddy Adu?
Date
Sun 06/25/06, 8:40 pm EST
