Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

Just a quick post to videos of the best dunks, clutch plays and more from the 2007-2008 NBA regular season and playoffs. Some of those dunks are amazing!

View Top 10s of the Regular Season and Playoffs at NBA.com

Dates have been announced for the 2008 Prospects Tourney and Detroit Red Wings Training Camp at Centre ICE in Traverse City. The Propects Tourney runs from September 13-17 and Red Wings Training Camp from September 20-23.

Read Prospect tourney & Red Wings Camp schedule in the Record Eagle
Visit the official site at Detroit Red Wings Training Camp 2008 for more info

Visitors will also see many new additions to the exterior of Center ICE including a familiar face…

Read Image at Centre ICE honors Drake in the Record Eagle

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

1. Tigers are done - It’s all over but the cryin’ in 2008. Another blown lead last night puts the Tigers 8.5 games back in the divsion race. Sheffield was put on waivers and the moves looking to slash payroll and ready the team for a run in 2009 will start now!

2. Kwame Brown? - The signing of Brown has brought opinions saying it’s a waste of money and that it’s a good deal for the Pistons. It’s hard to argue either side, but I think Joe D may have found another diamond in the rough and if the solid veteran leadership of Chauncey, Rip and McDyess can bring Kwame along, he could be a pleasant surpise and really help shore up the depth on the frontline.

3. Lions over .500 - That’s my official prediction, I have this weird feeling that the Lions are going to finish 9-7 and contend for a wild card berth. While this isn’t a new prediction around these parts, I think this is really, finally, positively, the year they get over that hump. I know on paper they seem less talented, but I think that head coach Rod Marinelli has finally gotten the roster where he wants it and has gotten rid of the players he’s needed to. I still think they will struggle to run the ball, but they won’t be so quick to abandon it either. A healthy Calvin Johnson is going to be huge for quarterback Jon Kitna. Johnson and Roy Williams should provide some offensive sparks this season. I’m looking forward to it!

4. College Football - It’s finally almost here! I can’t wait. I like Michigan and Michigan State to both have solid years and for the first time in a while MSU will have the better record. I just love Mark Dantonio and think he’s got the Spartans heading up, up, up and will be a mainstay in the Big Ten title race for years to come. Rich Rodriguez is still looking for quarterbacks but will have his team competitive and tough to play against defensively.

5. Shock visit TC - A neat experience on Monday for some Traverse City area youth girls basketball players as the Detroit Shock (minus Katie Smith who is playing in the Olympics) visited during the Olympic break for a camp and clinic at Traverse City West. I love to see stories like this and I am sure it’s something those girls won’t forget anytime soon.

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Detroit Red Wings forward Dallas Drake will be bringing the Stanley Cup to the Open Space in Traverse City on Labor Day, September 1, 2008. The event is being called “Stanley by the Bay” and will help support the Grand Traverse Hockey Association.

Here’s a sampling of what to expect…

It will include an opportunity to have photos taken with the Cup, autographed pictures and T-shirt of Drake and raffle prizes that include autographed Red Wings jerseys and sticks and regular-season tickets.

Food will be provided by the U&I Lounge, and hockey-related activities for children will be available.

Read Stanley Cup visit slated in the Record Eagle
Learn more about the Grand Traverse Hockey Association at TCHockey.com

It’s pretty much unanimous that Ohio State is going to win the Big Ten. I haven’t found anyone saying otherwise as we get closer to the start of the 2008 College Football season. As far as my predictions, I like both Michigan and Michigan State to be in the upper half of the Big Ten and make it to warm-weather bowl games. The Wolverines will struggle at times, but I think Rich Rodriguez’s style on both sides of the bowl will be plenty good enough with the athletes they have to have a successful season. Michigan State is on the rise and should be plenty fun to watch themselves. If Javon Ringer can stay healthy then they’ll contend for the crown. They do have one of the tougher schedules in the country and the toughest Big Ten schedule by far.

My 2008 Big Ten Predictions
1. Ohio State - The most talented team in the Big Ten with 20 starters back, sorry Big Ten.
2. Illinois - Can the Juice lead the Illini to another magical season?
3. Wisconsin - Always good, but need to find a new quarterback.
4. Michigan State - We’ll see how they handle the pressure of being on the cusp of the Top 25.
5. Michigan - 4 losses wouldn’t shock me, but then neither would 1 or 2.
6. Penn State - I’m not as high on Penn State as others.
7. Northwestern - Fun to watch and will be in many games.
8. Purdue - Bowl game? Not this year.
9. Indiana - When’s basketball start?
10. Iowa - Ferentz will be done after this season.
11. Minnesota - Not a lot of talent and a horrible defense.

Read Ohio State stands out in Big Ten race at Rivals.com

Saw this on Deadspin and thought I’d share it with you. It’s some classic dunk attempts caught on video! I’m just glad some of my attempts climbing the wall or jumping from a folding chair weren’t recorded back in the day, otherwise I would have had a chance to make this list.

Check out 20 Ways to Die Trying to Dunk a Basketball at Athlists