NBA All-Star Weekend An Epic Fail?

The peculiar snowy weather in Dallas didn't prevent fans from flocking to this year's All-Star game. Instead, it encouraged them to seek shelter and catch the game live and direct, as Cowboy stadium hosted what has become the largest All-Star game in recent memory. Sure NBA All-Star weekend in my home town of Las Vegas was a weekend to remember, but it failed to set a record for attendance as 108,713 fans packed Cowboys stadium. Despite the record setting attendance mark and the game that came down to the final seconds with the Eastern Conference coming out on top by a field goal, the rest of the All-Star weekend would be better off if it was forgotten. The second year installment of the H-O-R-S-E competition failed to excite fans and instead was cut short due to the countless number of missed shot attempts. It concluded with Kevin Durant winning the event for the second straight year.However, the game of H-O-R-S-E wasn't the only fail. The Sprite Slam Dunk Contest which usually takes the cake, ended up being a major flop.

With all the hype about Laker guard Shannon Brown heading into the contest, one would think he would pull a rabbit out of a hat while in the air and somehow still manage to dunk the ball in the basket. Nevertheless, that wasn't the case. New York Knicks' Nate Robinson left the arena with the hardware for the third time, making him the only slam dunk contestant to win the event on three separate occasions. In my opinion, the only thing that helps make Kryptonate's dunks appealing, is his size. It's not everyday that you see someone at his stature (5 ft 6 in) dunk a ball. But it didn't stop this year's dunk contest from being by far the worse they've had (correct me if I'm wrong). It's clear that creativity has become a problem. Both the Three-Point Shootout and Skills Challenge entertained us as usual with Boston's Paul Peirce and Phoenix's Steve Nash winning respectively, but the game itself was undoubtedly the highlight of the entire weekend. With Kobe out and missing the opportunity to defend his All-Star MVP award, the East defeated the West by a high score of 141-139. Miami Heat star guard Dwayne Wade took home MVP honors.

One highlight that I'm sad to admit I missed, was the half-time performance that both Alicia Keys and Shakira put on. But unless the two performed a make-out scene, I don't think the weekend as a whole lived up to the words of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Prior to the 2010 All-Star weekend and after Superbowl XLIV, Cuban went as far as saying, "This year's All-Star game is going to make the Superbowl look like a bar mitzvah." For those of you who don't know what that is, look it up! That alone rose the bar and put the event on top of a pedestal in an all or nothing situation. & If you ask me, I don't think anyone would disagree that the Superbowl came out as the winner. Do you think this year's NBA ASG lived up to expectations? & If not, what could be done to help improve All-Star weekend? A friend of mine suggested that they might as well add '21' and 'knockout' to the list of events, however, he forgot to mention one of my favorites, 'around the world!'

Manning's Legacy Takes A Blow

As Drew Brees & company are busy celebrating in Disney World and on rafters in what's said to be the biggest celebration in New Orleans parade history, Colts QB Peyton Manning is taking some heavy fire for not shaking hands after Sunday's big game. Instead of congratulating the better team and showing his sportsmanship, Manning was seen walking off the field with his head down. We seen the same thing last year in the NBA, when Cleveland Cavaliers star guard LeBron James decided to hit the showers instead of shaking hands with the eventual Eastern Conference Champion - Orlando Magic, at the result of his team being knocked out the playoffs. James was later fined for not addressing the media. Although James' actions were a bit unsportsmanlike, you would expect that from a young player. But as for Peyton, you would think the league's "best player" and the so called "greatest QB's of all-time" would lead by example.

What shocks me most, is that with all the pregame bonding with one another, a post game handshake would have been the least to expect. Especially given the great show of respect the two have for each other and relationship between both Brees & Manning. One of Manning's favorite targets - WR Reggie Wayne was also seen heading to the locker room without congratulating those who won. Although they may have let everyone who bet on them down, Las Vegas casinos already have them labeled as the favorites to win it all next season. Something else the Colts probably feel they let down is their fan base. A mere 11 fans showed up to show their support and greet the AFC Champion Colts once they landed at an Indianapolis air-port. Someone else who has to feel pretty dumb, is former head coach Tony Dungy who predicted the Colts to win it in a landslide and said, "I'd be surprised if it was a close game."

But the biggest blow regarding the Colts' defeat, is that of Peyton Manning's legacy. The aforementioned "greatest QB of all-time" finds himself 1-1 in Superbowl play. The record 4-time league MVP also finds himself two rings behind rival Tom Brady and one behind Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. Although he still owns a respected record of .500 on Superbowl Sunday, the loss puts Joe Montana's perfect Superbowl record of 4-4 out of reach. & A mediocre playoff record of 9-9 doesn't seem to help much either. The usual clutch Peyton Manning was anything but that last Sunday and in my eyes unless he wins back-to-back tittles here pretty soon, the talk of him being the "G.O.A.T." should remain in front of Mr. Montana's name. With Manning on the losing end and a Lombardi Trophy now under Drew Brees' belt, many are beginning to ask, "who will be the first to win their second Superbowl ring, Manning or Brees?" Let the discussion begin!

Superbowl XLIV, Saints 31 - Colts 17

Mardi Gras comes early - After 43 years in the making, the New Orleans Saints win their first Superbowl in franchise history by not only defeating, but by upsetting the highly favored Indianapolis Colts by a final score of 31 to 17. Looking at the final score, one would think the Saints dominated the entire game, but that couldn't have been any further from the truth. As the Saints looked a bit sluggish on both offense and defense to start the game, it was the Colts who drew first blood. After a field-goal on their first drive of the game, Peyton Manning would then lead his offense on a 96-yard touchdown drive, tying the 1985 Chicago Bears for the longest in Superbowl history. With an early ten point deficit heading into the second quarter, the Saints would finish the half by scoring 6 of their own, inching closer to a 10-6 score.

The second half would tell a different story as a huge momentum changer would shift the tone of the game in New Orleans' favor. On the opening kick-off of the second half, the Saints showed a bit of trickery by risking an on-side kick. Fortunately after the minute-long dog pile of players fighting for the ball, it was a success as the Saints would recover and score on a Pierre Thomas catch-and-run touchdown 16-yards out, just six plays later, giving them their first lead of the game. The risky kick was also the first ever on-side kick in a Superbowl, prior to the fourth quarter. It also proved to be one of the biggest plays of the game. The only show of life the Colts would have in the second half, would come in Indianapolis' next drive. With a 4-yard touchdown run by RB Joseph Addai, the Colts would regain the lead, but not for long.

The Saints would bounce back with a 47-yard field-goal on their next drive to trail within one. With the field-goal, the Saints' Garrett Hartley became the first kicker in Superbowl history to make three FG's from 40+ yards(46, 44 and 47). Colts kicker Matt Stover who set a feat of his own by becoming the oldest player in a Superbowl at 42 years of age, would try to one-up Hartley in the fourth quarter by kicking a 51-yarder that swung wide left, keeping it a one-point game. The rest of the game would be all Brees who overcame a slow start and tied a Superbowl record of 32 completions, also held by New England's Tom Brady. Brees' last completion would be a 2-yard touchdown pass to WR Jeremy Shockey, giving them a lead they would maintain for the remainder of the game. After the touchdown, the Saints would convert on a reviewed 2-point conversion that was first called no good before being overturned. With the extra two-points, their lead would improve to seven.

With all the pressure in the world now on Peyton Manning, the future Hall of Famer would have just a little over five minutes to march his team down the field to tie the game and possibly win his second Superbowl ring in four years. However, the Saints defense never got that memo. With 3:12 remaining in the game, Saints CB Tracy Porter read Manning perfectly and stepped in front of WR Reggie Wayne, intercepting the ball and returning it 74-yards for a touchdown. The pick-six put New Orleans up by 14 and in route to the city's first ever Superbowl title. Manning would then get one last chance to cut the deficit, but a very catch-able short pass that was dropped in the end-zone by Reggie Wayne sealed the deal as the Colts turned the ball over on downs, resulting in Drew Brees kneeling for the final play of the game with the final seconds ticking away.

After confetti and photographers covered the field, Saints head coach Sean Payton received a Gatorade bath before being lifted on the team's shoulders like a true hero. & For the city of New Orleans, he is a hero with Drew Brees as his sidekick. Combined the two have helped resurrect a city that was once upon a time underwater and in dire need of salvation. & Just four years later, the Saints help reunite those that decided to leave the city with those who stayed by bringing back something the city had missed and lost, their pride. Saints free safety Darren Sharper said it best, "This thing belongs to the people, we're just bringing it back to them." & With the team's parade scheduled to be held tomorrow afternoon and Mardi Gras right around the corner, you better believe the city of New Orleans will be restless and Bourbon street will be bumping for what looks to be a month-long celebration.

One of the more touching moments in recent Superbowl history happened to be after the game, when Saints QB & Superbowl MVP Drew Brees was seen holding and kissing his son during the team's celebration, creating a priceless father-son moment for the ages. Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on becoming Superbowl Champions. With that being said, Let the party begin!

Noteworthy: The Saints overcame a 10-point deficit to tie the largest comeback win in Superbowl history. The Colts running game was held to under 100 yards, finishing with 99 total rushing yards. With the win, the Saints became the 8th team in NFL history to win it all in their first ever Superbowl appearance. With 106.5 million viewers tuned in around the country to watch the Saints win their first Superbowl in franchise history, Superbowl XLIV became the most watched event in tv history, surpassing the final episode of M*A*S*H back in 1983.

Seize the Day

Superbowl XLIV, Party of 2 - The table is set for the 45th Superbowl in NFL history, with the two teams that dominated the league throughout the regular season. The game between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts will be the first in which both number one seeded teams will meet in the big game since 1993 when the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills met in Superbowl XXVII. Although the match-up between two future Hall of Famers -- Brett Favre & Peyton Manning was the one everyone wanted to see, with Drew Brees in substitution of Favre, the of him and Manning could be just as entertaining if not more. Both QB's are a perfect ingredient for what could be a very high scoring affair.

As much as I'd like to see the Saints come out on top, I think it'll be the Colts who come out victorious. But there's no doubt the Saints are more deserving of the Lombardi trophy. Not only because it'll be their first ever Superbowl victory, but because the citizens of New Orleans have relied heavily on the team to help rebuild their city and ease the pain on those in devastation since hurricane Katrina hit the city in 2005. How big is the game for the city of N.O. you say? The city is set to close both schools and courts for the big game. That alone tells you how important this game is and how loyal their fans truly are.

As an underdog, the Saints won't have as much pressure on them and their main key of the game is to get to Manning. The Colts key is not much different, as they'll try to hurry one of the more accurate QB's the game has ever seen in Drew Brees. But without a completely healthy Dwight Freeney for the Colts defensive end, the team will have to pick up some pieces and the window of opportunity will have to open for someone else to step up. Freeney, who injured his ankle in practice earlier this week could be a huge relief for the Saints offensive line. But although his current status is a game-time decision, but I don't think he'll miss playing in the Superbowl for anything! Go Saints!