Tulsa Ready to “Shock” in DFW Area

Photo: NY Times

Photo: Tulsa Shock

After starting 8-­1, the Tulsa Shock seemed unsure how the rest of their season would go after losing Skylar Diggins (ACL).

However, they were able to secure a playoff spot for the first time since moving to Oklahoma.

And the playoffs aren’t the only thing they are moving on to.

The WNBA officially approved to move the team to the Dallas/­Fort Worth area for next season, where they will play at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Shock majority owner said,

“The move makes sense because the Dallas area is the largest underserved market for women’s sports and has the nation’s fifth ­biggest media market.”

With all the news on moving, the Shock need to stay focused on the playoffs and hopefully leave the city of Tulsa with a parting gift!

Until Next Time!

Why We Wish UCLA Was Going to Omaha

Take me out to Omaha, take me out to the field. Let’s go watch some college baseball; their tight pants draw in my appeal! Sorry, was that too forward? Whatever, half the fun of baseball games is seeing hot guys in tight pants (#amiright?!) But the other half is catching a walk-off homer or a perfectly pitched game.

As usual, this year’s NCAA College World series will be held at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 13th-23rd/24th. Get your tickets here. Be prepared for 10 days of baseball, baseball and more baseball!

Being a West Coast (best coast) girl, I was stoked that UCLA had a top billing going into the College World Series. If you live on the West Coast and know anything about baseball, you know that UCLA’s coach, John Savage was named Coach of the Year and is a well-respected coach that recruits very well (as he should, considering he has been coaching at UCLA for 11 years this season.) So it was a real bummer when UCLA lost to Maryland by strike out. Questionable call. Not still bitter or anything.

If you take a peek online at the boys’ stats and faces (we have to see if there are any up and coming cuties, DUH), you will see that this season the boys put up some pretty great numbers. For example, pitcher David Berg was named Pitcher of the Year, and they also have multiple guys on All-Conference teams.

Then there’s Darrell Miller Jr. Boy does this guy have some family background in sports. The UCLA  catcher is son to former big leaguer Darrell Miller who played for the Angels in the ’80s, and his uncle Reggie Miller and aunt Cheryl Miller are both in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. If you’re old enough, you might remember Reggie Miller as the player who destroyed the Knicks in the 1995 East Semis by scoring eight points in nine seconds for the Pacers to win the game. Bad. Ass. Regardless, Darrell Miller Jr. looks like he’s on the same streak to glory. He has even been described by on air announcers as the best batter west of the Mississippi. And don’t worry Darrell, we still think that ump was blind in that Maryland call to end the game.

Like I said, not still bitter or anything.

Ultimately, UCLA has a talented team to work with and should continue to be successful next year. So you better watch out Maryland! No freebies next time.

We also cannot go without mentioning James Kaprielian, who is ranked number 28 in the 2015 Draft, according to MLBpipeline.com. Plus, Kaprielian has a story to tell. When he was just four years old, his mother, Barbara Kaprielian was diagnosed with breast cancer. In June 2014, she lost her 14-year battle to cancer. Now Kaprielian pitches in his mother’s memory, with a stadium seat even engraved in honor of her.

So if you’re wondering if we thought UCLA was going to make it to Omaha. Well, yeah. But hey, there’s always next season! In the mean time, be sure to check out the Omaha schedule.

For those of you who are going to be there, have a BLAST! And have a beer for us girls on the West Coast!

 

Who knows, maybe if there’s some serious babes, cold booze and good ball games, we might just have to pop on a flight!

– Alexa

LeBron Makes His Fifth Consecutive Finals Appearance

Don’t act like you are surprised. How could you be?!

LeBron James is a two-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and one of the game’s best players averaging 27.6 points and 10.4 rebounds this year in the playoffs.

James post-season play has been phenomenal, but what has been the most impressive characteristic of James is his maturity, leadership and will to win. James returns to the Finals for a fifth consecutive year and is using that experience to fuel him.

Growing up in Cleveland, this championship run the Cavaliers are making takes a special place in my heart. Hell, to even hear the words “championship” and “Cleveland” in the same sentence is strange for me. What I keep going back to for constant positive thoughts during the series is LeBron’s letter (the opposite of “The Decision”) that he released to Sports Illustrated below:

“I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.”

LeBron’s back is a bit sore (literally and figuratively) from carrying the Cavs, but his supporting cast has definitely stepped up. With no Kevin Love and an injured Kyrie Irving the most unlikely players are making a name for themselves.

Matthew Dellavedova, the backup point guard single handedly won Game 3 against the Hawks, scoring 17 points off the bench. He has been the defensive and energetic spark plug for the Cavaliers always ending up in scrappy hustle plays on the floor leaving 110% on the court. In Game 6 of Cleveland’s series clincher against the Bulls, Dellavedova posted 19 points as well.

Forward Tristan Thompson is a big, gritty man who can guard multiple positions defensively and kill it on the offensive glass to get second chance points.

JR Smith scored a playoff career high 28 points and set a Cavaliers playoff franchise record nailing eight 3-pointers and is acting as a 3-point specialist.  Smith brings the cockiness and swagger that every locker room needs.

But make no mistake…this is LeBron’s town, this is LeBron’s team and it’s starting to look like it might be his time too.

– Morgan