Apologies

Admittedly, we (mostly I) have been slacking here at the Bolt, and as a result have missed commenting on some pretty major sporting events along the way. Here are some quick thoughts on some major issues that are worth more than a quick thought:

- Hell of a run by Butler, but they ran into a team that was created to beat them. As much as Butler is a great mid-major team, they still play a mid-major style of basketball. They play tight pressure defense, maybe not the full-court press of some of the low majors, but a tight half court, quick hands, turnover defense. They also rely heavily on outside shooting. Howard is an inside player, but not of the caliber of that Duke had been facing all season. I have repeatedly both complemented and criticized Duke for their style of play, which makes them a hard team to get upset by the low and mid major schools, but leaves them susceptible to domination by superior athletic play. They can counter outside shooting with outside shooting of their own, they are very responsible with the basketball, they have enough inside presence to rebound the basketball, but don't need to rely on tight entry passes for scoring, and they are also able to tighten defense around the perimeter. Duke also is consistently one of the best free throw shooting teams in the nation. The inside presence of Duke was at the forefront of what allowed them to win this National Championship game, and what had carried them there all tournament. Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas were very strong on the offensive boards, and they had the presence of mind to find outside shooters, for big points. Nevertheless, Butler played hard, and despite Matt Howard's inability to find his scoring touch inside, they stayed right with Duke. Gordon Hayward was great and within inches twice of the shot of a lifetime. This game speaks mostly for itself.

- Phil Mickelson was Masterful this past weekend. His iron shot from between the trees on the 13th Sunday was the shot of champion. By late Saturday afternoon, it seemed clear that the Jacket was Phil's to lose. For me, it was seeing the frustration from Mickelson for failing, by inches, to convert a third consecutive eagle on Saturday, that he felt the tournament in his hands. I admittedly was pulling for Fred Couples to come in and take it at 50 years old, but Phil is a great story and a very admirable player. Congratulations are surely in order.

- The Portland Trail Blazers were smacked with the bad luck stick and Brandon Roy tore the Meniscus in his knee. He is out indefinitely and so, likely, are the chances of the Blazers seeing the second round of the NBA playoffs. Speaking of playoffs, stay tuned for an NBA playoff preview from The BOMB.

- Speaking of playoffs, the NHL wrapped up their season this weekend. The Canadiens and Bruins snatched the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, and now we are set to go. Stay tuned for an NHL playoff preview from THE-A-TRAIN.

- Joe Girardi, pretty much unsolicited, put for the the informaton that he would have pulled C.C. Sabathia after 8 innings as he was in the middle of a no-hitter on Saturday. He did not get the chance to prove this, as Kelly Shoppach scored a base hit of Sabathia in that 8th inning. I don't really know what to say on this issue, as I would have had to see it to believe it. His pitch count was relatively high, but we are talking about C.C. Sabathia, an innings machine through his entire MLB career. Surely, C.C. had a few pitches left in him, to try to give the 9th inning a go. In order for me to believe this is actually an argument, I'd have to see Girardi do this on another occasion, and see C.C. actually turn over the ball.

- Speaking of balls, we promise to be on the ball and get you these top stories in a more timely fashion.

Apologetically,

APT