NBC 5 sports anchor Derek Castillo blogs on sports and other subjects.
Have you seen the big banners on the side of the American Airlines Center? One big one says, “It’s Playoff Time.” Then on each side of that one are playoff banners. One for the Mavericks and one for the Stars. Kind of weird that the day after the Mavericks bow out of the playoffs, their banner is still up, but the Stars banner comes down? Hope that isn’t some kind of foreshadowing. Maybe a new Stars banner is coming up soon?
I’m wondering if Avery has another job lined up. Today, Mavs President of Basketball Operations and G.M. Donnie Nelson, said we wanted to give Avery his freedom to look for other opportunities. Hmmm? Does that mean Avery went to the Mavs and asked to be let go? Or has he been in contact with another team? Or was there some kind of agreement between Johnson and the Mavs?
I didn’t get a chance to ask Donnie that. He would not take any questions yesterday. I don’t know why. I asked him when he would be taking questions, he said, “not now. Maybe tomorrow, manana.” Hmm… we’ll see.
We will hear more from Avery tomorrow. He has an 11 a.m. press conference set.
The Cowboys flopped in the playoffs. The Rangers stink. The Mavericks are falling apart. North Texas sports fans are hungry for a winner. They are hungry for a champion. That’s why the Stars bandwagon is starting to get full. You better get your seat now.
Leave it to the last champion in town to look like the team that will bring a title to town sooner than any other local franchise. The Cowboys have to win a playoff game before they can convince me they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
That leaves the Stars. So far, they have the mojo behind them. Their playoff run, so far, has been impressive with five road wins in Anaheim and San Jose. It’s never easy winning at the Duck Pond and in the Shark Tank, but the Stars have done that when it matters the most. Don’t want to jinx things, but this team is looking good. Wouldn’t it be fun to see Lord Stanley’s Cup back in Dallas? It could happen!
Josh Howard reveals he smokes marijuana in the off-season. Big deal. The real story is J-Ho’s revelation comes in the playoffs when the Mavericks are down 0-2 in their playoff series with the Hornets. Could Josh’s timing be any worse?
I tried to talk with Josh in the locker room before tonight’s game, but he said he didn’t have time. Jerry Stackhouse had time. He told me sometimes Josh is too honest. He was keeping it too real!
Avery says he’ll talk with Howard about his off-season habits. Mark Cuban says he’ll deal with it internally. We’ll see if the David Stern and the NBA says anything about this. I think they must address it in some way. After all what Howard is doing is illegal.
I’ve interviewed hundreds of stars and athletes throughout my career, but nothing compared to the first time I met Byron Nelson. I was playing a media tournament at TPC Las Colinas a few years ago. While I was playing with my foursome, Byron drives up in his golf cart. I came up to him and said, “Mr. Nelson, I’m Derek Castillo with Channel 5.” He immediately stopped me and said, “I know who you are. Peggy (his wife) and I watch you all the time.” I was blown away!
In the years following, he always stopped and said hello whenever we saw each other. His wife, Peggy, did the same. Very few pro athletes ever take the time to say hello. Byron was truly a gentleman.
In 2009, Byron Nelson High School will open it’s doors in Trophy Club. It will be the latest honor for Lord Byron.
Here’s hoping today’s golfers can honor a legend by competing in the golf tournament that bears his name. This year’s field features just one top ten player, Adam Scott. Guys, Byron Nelson deserves better. He has been an ambassador for the sport. He won 11-straight tournaments. He was Tiger, before Tiger. Honor him with your presence.
I just knew they couldn’t hang on. Saturday night with a lead in the 8th, I just knew the Rangers would blow it. They did. But what happened on Sunday at Fenway takes the cake. The Rangers were up 5-nothing, but blew it again!!! They couldn’t hold a five run lead! The BoSox get two in the seventh and four in the eighth to win it.
Actually, starting pitcher, Kevin Millwood, pitched good enough to win. He gave up just two earned runs. Once again, it was the bullpen that blew this one. C.J. Wilson and Wes Littleton were horrible… particulary Wilson who surrendered three walks including the game-winner! Poor Millwood. Check out this stat… he is 0-for-12 in his last 12 starts on the road. He’s lost nine of them!
It seems like this team looks for ways to blow games to good teams. Never fails!
Why do I care? I care because I like guys like Millwood and Michael Young. Gerald Laird is a great guy. These guys play hard, but can’t catch a break. They deserve better.
Doesn’t look good. Stars trail, 4-2. 1:00 left. At least, they showed up in the third.
Stars on the job again and once again they find the back of the net. Again, it’s El Capitan… Brendan Morrow. Now, this place is fired up!!! Fans yelling in unison, “Let’s Go Stars!”
This is Morrow’s first multi-goal game in the playoffs. 12 minutes left.
Brendan Morrow finally gives the home crowd something to cheer about, but it will take a monumental effort to come back. Morrow scores a power play goal, assisted by Mike Modano and Mike Ribeiro. 14 minutes left. Stars trail, 4-1.
Make it 4-0 now. It will be very hard for the Stars to come back from this. Chris Pronger with a rifle past Marty Turco on a 5 on 3. I guess he’s back.
What’s sad, the Stars have outshot the Ducks, 15-8.
