Loaded sports weekend packed with headliners

SPORTS
www.FortHoodSentinel.com
April 30, 2015
D3
Loaded sports weekend packed with headliners
Sports Commentary
BY DANIEL CERNERO
Sentinel Sports Editor
The month of May starts with
a bang in the world of sports with
boxing, the
NBA
and
NHL playoffs,
the
NFL Draft,
and the Kentucky Derby
all crammed
into
the
first weekend. These
upcoming
events have led to a little reflection
on my part, specifically when it
comes to answering either-or questions.
I think it has a lot to do with
my psyche as a fan of teams that
have rarely won a championship – I
cling to the 2002 Angels winning
the World Series as the lone excep-
tion, because otherwise I’ve gotten simultaneously seeming unremorsenada from the Magic, the Sharks or ful; he’s too smart, both in the
Baylor’s football or men’s
ring and in
basketball teams.
how he schedBasically, I’m conules fights, to
ditioned to root for the
agree to fight
underdog while expecting
Pacquiao
if
the worst, and this tends to I’m conditioned
he saw him as
lead to conflicting answers
any threat to
when I respond with my to root for the
his undefeated
head versus my heart.
underdog while record.
There’s a reaPacquiao or Mayweather? expecting the
son this bout is
Following suit with my
happening five
previous rationale, I’m worst, and this
years past its
pulling for Manny Pac- tends to lead
prime. Sure,
quiao, but I think there’s
there have been
no way Floyd Mayweather to conflicting
contract difloses.
answers when I ferences, but
There are two big factors:
it was a strateI can’t shake the image of respond with my gic decision by
Manny getting knocked
to
head versus my Mayweather
out against Juan Marquez
wait Pacquiao
back in 2012. I’m probably heart.
out until his
putting too much weight
prime passed.
into just one punch, espeHowever
cially one three fights back
much
overfor Pacquiao, but it’s a lastdue, this fight
ing image to say the least.
has all the star
And then there’s Maypower to make
weather, the ultimate villain with his boxing nationally relevant, at least
less-than-reputable
history for a weekend.
with domestic violence, while
I by no means consider myself
a boxing aficionado, but this fight
has the most appeal and pull since
the Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson
rematch nearly two decades ago.
Winston or Mariota?
The NFL Draft, unintentionally
overshadowed by hype surrounding
a boxing fight of all things, goes live
tonight with the first round, and
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on
the clock with the first overall pick.
In need of a quarterback, with two
potential franchise-carrying arms
available, the Bucs are left to decide
between the two most recent Heisman winners.
Jameis Winston to Tampa Bay
seems like a sure thing at this point,
but if I were a fan of a team drafting near the top, I’d be pulling for
Mariota.
Winston should have a more
seamless on-the-field transition
to the pro ranks, but Mariota is
1,000 times more likeable and is
a more-than-capable passer in his
own right.
Spurs or Clippers?
With this question, the head
and the heart align, although they
would not have even five years
ago. I don’t think there’s a team
I’ve done more of a 180 on than
the San Antonio Spurs. Maybe it’s
years of living in Texas, maybe
it’s the Spurs’ recent run against
the Miami Heat, but San Antonio is like a fine wine for me
at this point, more enjoyable with
age.
Each year, what the Spurs
accomplish in the way of playoff
success becomes more and more
impressive. I have such an appreciation now for the team’s greatness,
combined with its longevity, that
pulling for them over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round series
is a no-brainer in my mind.
Also, it’s hard to think of a more
unlikable squad than the Clippers.
They’re young, they’re incredibly
athletic, but their antics after every
… single … call just wears on you,
and their whining becomes unbearable.
I leaned toward the Spurs heading in, and with San Antonio up
3-2 and the series shifting back to
Texas, I see no reason to shift my
stance. I’m locked in on the Spurs
winning the series, but it would
not shock me to see it go the sevengame distance.
PRO GOLF TIP
From Chuck McPhilomy, assistant golf professional
at the Courses of Clear Creek.
If you need help for alcohol
and drug abuse, call
the Army Substance
Abuse Program at
287-1583 or stop by
Bldgs. 36040, 36041,
36044 and 36045
which are located
near CRDAMC
hospital.
For information
about the That Guy
campaign, visit the That Guy
Web site at www.thatguy.com.
Don’t fight a slice
If you slice the ball, don’t aim farther to the left
of the target; this only causes more of a slice. Aim
square or a little to the right of the target to make a
straighter swing.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“When a player flies one into the weeds, the world
wants to see him start hacking. We want to see
beads of sweat around this corporate visor and hear
his muffled curses, about cows and corn fields.”
– E.M. Swift, writer, on the U.S. Open