Macca

Daniel Vettori (NZ)

Much will depend on the Lakers run from Feb 5 to Feb 24. Over a stretch of 9 games you've got Boston twice (H & A) and have other games against Miami(A), Brooklyn(A), the Clippers, Portland(H) and Dallas(A). 7 tough games. 3 or 4 wins in that lot and you never know. Anything less than 5 wins (overall) in that stretch and it's all over. (definitely!) Still reckon if Kobe maintains his new role then the Lakers may well be a team that some other team's would rather avoid. And now for something completely different ... gotta love those accents from across the ditch ... A snowmobile with a mind of it's own

Phoenix Suns fire coach Alvin Gentry Maybe the Lakers have turned things around with 'Mr Assist' (Kobe) being the chief reason. I wonder how long Bryant can maintain this role? If he's able to, then the Lakers could become more than just nuisance value in the lead up to the playoffs. They'd probably have to get to at least 45 wins to make it. Currently sitting at 19/25, they'd have to come home at about 26/12. (give or take a few wins) That's a rather tall order, though they are quite capable of playing winning basketball against many of the teams. I hope they get on a run and Kobe maintains his new found role. Good to see Bogut back. Golden State are doing alright (27-17) and you'd reckon they could only be improved with Andrew's return.

Hasn't he just skyrocketed in all areas? Talent, personality, media savvy, clean living and he's a winner. I see he's filed to 'trademark' Kaepernicking (the bicep smooch) Only in America !

Bit like the long bombs in footy. Just wanna see a few hangers ... They allowed to use their knees and feet 'Aussie Rules style?' If not, bring in a new rule I say. Jeremy Howe could have a 2nd career after playing in multiple flag sides for the Dees. Can just see Joe Buck or Collinsworth introducing Howe for the 'Hail Mary'. I'm on the phone to McCarthy as I type this. The Packers need a 'Howe' type for those Rodgers bombs. Use him on defence as well. A defensive screamer. No padding required. The Pro Bowl was a bit of fun. Kept watching it for some ungodly reason. Go figure ...

I reckon the AFL are starting to get it right (to a large extent) by having the fixture based on the previous year's performance by each team. (Blockbusters and derby's aside) For instance, this season, our team gets to play 4 teams (twice) who finished in the bottom 6. It's a similar type of story for many other teams.(depending on their ladder position's) For instance, North Melbourne (14-8 last season) play the Pies, Hawks, Crows, Cats and the Lions twice - much much tougher than our 'double-ups'. Whatever our opinions on the fixture might be, those opinions need to be based somewhat on what the AFL are going to do. We can have all the best ideas and intentions in the world but it will most probably mean diddly squat to those at HQ's. The AFL have always been focused on maximising crowds and revenue. And that includes maximising the interest in the 'free to air' TV games.(with the obvious input from the AFL's broadcast partners) By the AFL organising a fixture where a major focus has the best teams playing each other twice, (as a general rule) that focus has the flow on effect of the mid range to poor teams getting 'kinder' fixtures. (with the odd exception, of course) The top teams could point at our 'softer' fixture and call it unfair. They aren't doing that, mainly because we're not seen as a threat. The AFL won't be cutting back from a 22 game season in a hurry either. (though an extra bye might be brought in)

Murray couldn't get around the court with that heal blister . His foot looked a right mess and obviously hampered him. Shame really, but those are the breaks. Djokovic got the extra day's break by virtue of his no.1 seeding. And fair enough too. Full marks to Novak - worthy champion. Friday's Federer/Murray match and Djokovic's 5 set match against Wawrinka were the pick of the matches. Didn't get to see Azarenka's win over Li Na but heard that the crowd played up a bit.

Another track from Jeff Lorber Fusion ... 'City'... includes Kenny G in his early days ... Macca's jazz 5.8

Good 1st set win to Murray. Vital. Novak needs to step it up.

I agree with you totally on the balance, though all the nations will probably chase the cash so we will all have to be ready. Just on chasing the cash ... I read somewhere that Cricket Australia received 6 million dollars from the BCCI for each ODI that India were involved in last February (2012) . It was one of the reasons we had a round robin series involving Sri Lanka as well. CA received similar amounts for the India/Sri Lanka ODI's. Obviously driven by the huge TV audience back in India. It's any wonder we play India on an annual basis now (Tests and/or ODI's) . I stand corrected on the 6mil figure but I'm almost sure that's right. (couldn't find a link)

Ah yes TD, and every team needs a top class captain . Love him or loathe him he leads the no.1 nation ... Round 4, pick 28 Graeme Smith (South Africa) That's my 2nd Protea gone and I still haven't picked a fast bowler (who says that bowler's win games?) Is DK Lillee available ? All yours Biff....

Good post TD and you make some excellent points. I think it's more about a mindset here rather than who is right and who is wrong. I suppose I'm just one of those people who (on occasions) will embrace something new straight away, without hesitation. I've been a critic of modern footy for a number of years (as opposed to the 'glorious' days of the 70's, 80's and 90's) but have only recently decided to change. Mainly because those days aren't coming back and it's time I got on with things. So I've finally changed my mind and I already feel better for it. There is nothing wrong with hanging on to the past but if you know the future is going to be vastly different you have to adapt. I'll address your points individually TD ... 1 :- Australia day weekend :- I think on this particular weekend we may well go back to ODI's and the t20's will come later. Maybe it's because they've got to fit 5 ODI's in against the Windies in early February and then immediately go to India is the reason. Not sure on that but it seems they've chucked these 2 t20 games in before the Sri Lankans go home. Could be just an expediency thing this time around. 2 :- t20 World Cup :- Yep, every 2 years seems a bit over the top but the tournament only goes for 3 weeks and once again, it probably comes down to demand and money. Tomorrow's crowd could a huge one for instance and the counter argument for those who love t20 internationals might be - "Why aren't there more matches" . As an aside, a few years ago, ESPN paid 1 Billion dollars for the rights to broadcast the Champions League finals (another annual 3 week tournament) Money talks. 3 :- City based Big Bash teams :- I reckon in time the City based teams will be almost totally accepted. Remembering that this sport has a huge appeal to women and young people (who may or may not have any connection to the Bushrangers or such like) . Stars and Renegades pulled nearly 50,000 to their 2nd clash . That's good numbers. Perth, Hobart and Adelaide regularly played to packed houses. There's talk of Geelong and Canberra having teams in the future. The Big Bash could get very big. 4 :- Test status for minnow nations :- Maybe we could have a 2nd tier Test cricket system or for clashes between non Test nations, it just continues to come under the banner of 1st class cricket . Zimbabwe's and Bangladesh's infrastructure isn't strong and is largely the reason these 2 nations struggle. (though both nations have produced some fine cricketers) Don't know enough about Ireland's cricket infrastructure so it's hard to have a definitive view. You made some interesting points though TD. Think the Boxing day Test is fairly safe. Though we did get a Big Bash game in the evening! I view both sports separately so switching from one to the other is like switching from AFL to NFL Just a final point. Shield cricket has been heavily subsidised for many many years. It doesn't even go close to paying for itself. Of course, many of us would like it to stay in it's current set up. It's the lifeblood of our Test side and is still a strong and vibrant competition. But it plays to sparse crowds and has done for years. It would cost millions to run it. As a business model it doesn't really work but there is no talk of scaling it down. T20 pays it's way and in time it may end up helping to subsidise shield cricket. That's part of the reason why I believe t20 is good/great for cricket on an overall basis.

Most team sport is played over a 2 - 3.5 hour time period. Cricket, and in particular Test cricket, is played over a long period of time and on the World scale is not a massive sport. I love it but I also recognise that the sport itself needs to grow. But this is not about any particular individual's opinion. It has to be viewed as the masses view it. We've now got a version of cricket that goes for ...... 3 hours . 'Hey presto', it's really popular. IMO t20 can only get bigger as the years go on. Many people regarded ODI's in the early days with extreme skepticism and branded it 'rigged' or part of the 'Packer Circus'. I maintain that t20 can bring more people to the sport as a whole and it can help and enhance Test cricket (mostly of an indirect nature) Interesting that all 3 versions of the game were invented in England. I don't know how people can resist not sneaking a peek when Warner is at the crease in a t20 match.

In terms of paying customers and TV viewers, t20 is going to be a huge part of cricket's future . Some people may not like it, 'TD', but they will have to accept it. We're seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amount of International t20 and to a lesser extent, domestic t20 games being scheduled. The opposition to t20 reminds me of the opposition to One day cricket / coloured clothing and lights etc in the late 70's. Test cricket scoring rates have most probably improved because of the influence of One-day cricket. Test scoring rates may get even better still because of t20. Dave Warner came through the t20 system to Test cricket and he's definitely a drawcard in the longest form of the game. Taking all personal feelings and all emotion out of things and then looking at t20 in a totally practical way, it's hard to see it failing in the future. Many see it as a threat but I believe it will bring about more popularity to the sport as a whole. There is a new kid on the block and the kid packs a punch. Many women and young people love the sport (already) and that alone possibly points to a 'sure fire winner'. My view isn't a popular one and will upset the purists but ... It should be remembered that my first love is Test cricket and probably always will be. I've never really compared One day cricket to Tests and doubt whether I would ever compare Test cricket to t20's. It's like comparing the marathon to the 100 metre sprint - view them separately and you may find you like them both. There is room for all 3 forms of the game going forward. Michael Clarke has decided to play in the IPL this year. The view is that he will command somewhere in the vicinity of 750k to 1 million for this season alone. Not too shabby for 6 weeks worth of 'super short' cricket. Edit : I agree with you somewhat re the Adelaide Test over the Australia Day weekend but I can't see it coming back in a hurry. Next year's Ashes series (here) has the 5th test being played in Sydney from Jan 3 to Jan 7.

Yep, there are conflicting rules on the field depending on what position you play. Suppose if the same rules applied to the way the QB is protected, we'd have quite a soft sport. Over there, many complain about the sport being less violent (so to speak) yet recognise that the sport has a major issue with concussions. Anyway, we've got the 'Pro Bowl' on Monday (our time). Another high scoring game will no doubt ensue. I'm not sure that many care who wins these games. Usually sells out and gets a large TV audience but often falls flat. I'll probably still have a look though Some sport is just pure 'entertainment' I suppose. Little bit like how some ODI's and t20's are viewed by many fans (in the 'other' forms of cricket).

Watched a fair bit of that game at White Hart Lane. Great late equaliser. The place was rockin' Anyway, the EPL takes a break this weekend but there is a full fixture being played next Wednesday and Thursday morning (our time) ESPN are covering the F.A Cup this season and are broadcasting quite a few games this weekend. Leeds vs Spurs tomorrow night (just after midnight) could produce a few goals and tonight's clash (11.45pm) between Stoke and Manchester City is another match-up that is worth a look. Here is the full weekends fixture ... F.A Cup fourth round

I'm more sold on the Tigers than I am the Blues, though I can see both teams missing the 8. Richmond might sneak in but if they get major injuries to Cotchin, Deledio or Reiwoldt they're in trouble. Martin - who knows? The interesting team to watch are the Cats. They've still got some great players on their list. The Blues forward line is a bit dysfunctional and their backline isn't great either. They rely too much on Murphy and Judd. Look what happened to them last year when both of them were out (Murphy, primarily) ? There's the Malthouse factor but ... Plus, Carlton should be hated by all and sundry

Yep, money talks P_Man. Esp 2 mil in your 1st year. Not bad coin for an unproven player. Who knows where he'll end up? Frankly, who cares? We, in many ways, were probably always going to get and keep our man - Trengove. However, stress fractures in a foot is a debilitating injury and it's doubtful we'll see his best footy this year. Pre-season largely missed and all. 2014 and onwards is where the expectations should be re JT. The injury can't be played down. He may still get quite a lot of game time once he starts playing.

Every Tiger fan I know had their eye on Scully (who was a 'mad' Tiger fan) They did not necessarily want to win that game in '09 and it could be argued that Richmond were playing 'ducks and drakes'. Richmond lost their last 4 games that year - 3 of them to teams outside the 8. We win that game and they possibly would have landed Scully. Martin was an afterthought in many ways. Reckon they are still a bit dirty on us and partly explains why their fans are the strongest in pointing the finger at us (re the tanking). I know a few that are convinced that Scully will end up in Richmond colours.

It's funny, I saw it as Roger making a lot of unforced errors (albeit in his attempt to hit the far corners or near the sidelines) Wouldn't be ruling a line through him yet, though if Murray wins on Sunday night we might start seeing a small gap between the top 2 and the next 2 (but probably mainly on hard surfaces) A big '4' would be fantastic for the sport. Not sure about Tsonga - maybe someone else will emerge in the next year or so. Nadal seems to get a few injuries but he's still only 26. The next slam is the French which is Rafa's favourite. After that it's Wimbledon (and we know how good Roger is on grass) . Still a fair bit to play out 'dl' and the final on Sunday will tell us a lot (especially if Murray wins)

Top 5 MVP . Putting aside the injury 'comebacks' I still reckon AP has been a standout. 1 - Adrian Peterson 2 - Tom Brady 3 - Peyton Manning 4 - Aaron Rodgers 5 - Calvin Johnson Top 5 coaches . San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh has been the best in the last 2 years in my opinion. 1 - Jim Harbaugh 2 - John Harbaugh 3 - Bill Belichick 4 - Pete Carroll 5 - Mike Smith

We go to a 5th 'dl' . It's a toss up. The match deserved a 5th set.

We could be here for quite some time. Really good match so far. Could go either way. I'll be happy for either Murray or Federer to get through. Maybe a slight leaning to the 'Fed' though Andy is a much more rounded player after his US Open triumph over Djokovic

Ozzy Osbourne with 'I Don't Wanna Stop' Macca 12.2

Matt Prior (England)