Marc Zumoff – A Class Act

I had the pleasure of attending the Sixers Celtics game on Tuesday night to take in my first live action of the 2009 NBA season. I was brought by Chris actually, the other writer of this site.

We sat in a pretty decent club box roughly at center court and had a great view for this battle of Atlantic division rivals. Although I really didnt expect much of a battle, as the Celtics are sporting one of the most ridiculous starting 5s in NBA history. Its like a late 90s – early 2000s All-Star lineup.

So I grab a beer for my girlfriend and myself and we take out seats and say hello, yada yada yada. Finally get settled and Chris points out that we are directly behind the local press row and the 76ers television announcer himself, Mr. Marc Zumoff.

Zumoff is a local hero of sorts, as he is the only voice I have ever heard call 76er games, since I can ever remember. Ok so it was only since 1994, but in my life, more then half of it has been listening to this man call basketball games. His patented sayings, better known as Zumoffisms, bring life and excitement to what others would describe brutal or lackluster seasons, to which many of us Sixer fans can attest to.

So back to the Celtics game… Halftime came and I was able to catch Mr. Zumoff exiting press row to catch a stretch. I spoke up and cracked a quick joke mentioning how he’s getting screwed as management has recently moved him up from courtside and he’s sitting back with all of us.

He smiled and kept the joke going.

As he was returning to his seat to get ready for the second half I was heading back the aisle to grab a fresh beverage and was able to make eye contact with Mr. Zumoff. I told him I was a long time listener and a huge fan of his work.

I wanted to write this becauase this man was nice enough to take the time out of his short halftime break (20 mins) to chat with me and that he appreciated the kind words.

A great man, a great announcer, a class act in my book.

Keep the Zumoffisms coming Marc. If you see this and get a minute, check out the comments on the link above on Zumoffisms. Your fans have spoken.

My New Store

I need to plug my new Ashtray ecommerce store real quick.  I started a new site that sells some very nice and high end Ashtrays.  We cater to all types of smokers with a nice variety of ashtrays made in all different shapes, sizes, and materials.

For the cigar smoker in your family, we offer a decent amount of high quality Cigar Ashtrays.  We plan on expanding our inventory of cigar ash trays, so stay tuned for new arrivals.

Perhaps cigarettes are your fix, then check our our inventory of Cigarette Ashtrays.  From your basic Plastic Ashtrays to some very nice Metal Ashtrays, our line of cigarette ashtrays is constantly growing.

At first we planned on stocking a decent amount of outdoor products, but we just cannot seem to find a quality supplier.  Hopefully in the near future, and with this early success, we can find build some new relationships and offer a wider selection of ashtrays.

Carlos Ruiz – Sprained Wrist

Rotoworld is reporting that:

Carlos Ruiz was pulled from Friday’s game with a sprained left wrist.

Paul Bako stepped in behind the plate. Ruiz was 0-for-1 with a walk before exiting and is likely to need a few days off.

What’s up Y’all

Been a long time coming since I’ve posted up on this here Philadelphia Sports blog.  But I’m back.  I’m working on moving the site to a new domain and hosting a philadelphia sports forum as well.  Here’s hoping ehh.  Hope I can find the time.

Anyway, Eagles… They got the Saints this weekend and god I hope we can shut down Drew Brees.  I hope the Eagle Defense doesnt get too flustered in going from one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, Jake Delhomme, to arguably the best, Drew Brees.   I think we can slow down their running attack which means more passing, and hopefully Sheldon, Asante, Quintin and the Macho Man can handle that shit.

That then brings me to the next not-so-fun point.  Kevin Kolb is most likely getting the start…. Kevin Kolb fuckin’ sucks.  Ok maybe he doesnt suck that bad, but damn he needs to show me something this week.  Hey, no pressure Kevin, this may be the only chance you get for a long time with Michael Vick in town.  So play your heart out bud.

Speaking of Michael Vick, I cannot wait to see what he brings to this Eagles offense.  Really trying to get some tickets to that this upcoming week.

Prediction:    Saints 24   Eagles 17.  I don’t see McNabb playing, Kolb blows.  Brees goes deep for 3.  Westbrook scores.

Long time No Post people

It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to sit down and write on here.  Since my last transmission there has been a lot of happenings on the 215 sports scene.  A new Sixers coach in Eddie Jordan – awful.  The Eagles draft, which went great with teh additions of Maclin, McCoy and Ingram.  Oh and Cornelius Ingram inked a 4 year deal today as well.  So only Maclin and McCoy left to sign.  And the Phils are currently battling the Mets.  That was some shit last night, shoulda won.  Anyway, sit back and relax, cuz the 215 is back in biz and ready to bring you the hype again.  Stay tuned.

Doug Collins, the next Sixer Coach?

According to a source: Doug Collins has offered his name up for the vacant Philadelphia 76ers Head Coaching position.  He specifically said that ‘Yes’ he would coach the Sixers if the job was indeed available (we all think it is) and they offered him the position.

Well heck Doug, let me toss my name out there too to be in the running.  Hey Ed Stefanski, Ed Snyder, I will also take the job if it is available and you offer it to me, and for way cheaper then what Doug Collins wants.

Anywaaaaayyy, I think Jimmy Lynam gets the gig.  He was basically calling all the plays anyway.

But really, Ed and Ed, this is for you.  Hire me.  I’ll gladly accept and work these boys to the bone.  Bring this great city a real championship, a BASKETBALL championship.  Put Philly Ball back on the map BAY BAY.

Dwight Howard Out for Game 6

After what was a blatant elbow and a bullshit game 5 thanks to the referee’s and their love for the home team Magic, the NBA has finally handed down the correct punishment in the form of a Game 6 suspension for Magic center Dwight Howard.  Early in the game while tangled with Slammin’ Sammy Dalembert, Dwight became a little unruly and swung a vicious right elbow connecting with the back of Sammy’s noggin.

The refs at the time called a technical, meaning that they did indeed see the play, but decided not to call the required flagrant foul and ejection from the game for any contact above the shoulders.   This is what the rulebook says (bolded):

k. A technical foul, unsportsmanlike act or flagrant foul must be called for a participant to be ejected. A player, coach or trainer may be ejected for:
(1) An elbow foul which makes contact shoulder level or below
(2) Any unsportsmanlike conduct where a technical foul is assessed
(3) A flagrant foul where unnecessary and/or excessive contact occurs
EXCEPTION: Rule 12A–Section V–l(5)
l. A player, coach or trainer must be ejected for:
(1) A punching foul
(2) A fighting foul
(3) An elbow foul which makes contact above shoulder level

Pretty happy the league stepped in here and made the correct call. I’m almost certain the Sixers would have won Game 5 had Dwight Howard been ejected early on. Magic swingman Courtney Lee will also be out for Game 6 after receiving another bow from his own teammate Dwight Howard later in the game.

Damn Dwight, keep dem bows to yourself homie.

Eagles Draft Recap

Not only did the Eagles make a first round pick for the first time in three years, according to all sources, and my opinion, made the steal of the draft, getting a top 10 talent, Jeremy Maclin.  Not only was Maclin a top 10 talent, he was the number one rated WR on over half of the NFL teams draft boards.  Getting him at 19 was the steal of the draft weekend.  Now we are always leery of first round WR choices, but Maclin’s run after catch ability should fit perfectly into the Eagles west coast offense immediately.  If Maclin develops into what he is projected, the Eagles could potentially have the best, WR duo paired together for the next ten years.

In the second round, the Eagles pounced on former Pitt standout RB, LeSean McCoy.  Again, hats off the Eagles for another solid selection. McCoy has been compared to Brian Westbrook, will be great compliment to BWest.  McCoy was regarded as the best pass catching RB in the draft. So he should step in instantly as well, granted that he works on his glaring weakness, pass blocking.

After the Eagles traded out of the 3rd round, the 5th they made even more noise, with a few more solid solid moves.  They drafted Cornelius Ingram, a solid TE out of University of Florida who was out all of ‘08 with an ACL injury.  Granted the knee is healthy, this is ANOTHER steal in the 5th round.   The Eagles then drafted Va. Tech DB, Victor “Macho” Harris, who will come right out of Beamer Ball at Virginia Tech and should have an immediate impact on the Eagles special teams unit.

THEN, to cap it off, the Eagles traded a pair of 5th round picks, for a solid starting Defensive Back, Ellis Hobbs.  Hobbs has started all 16 games the past two seasons and is re-united with former Super Bowl starting duo Asante Samuels, and just adds even stronger depth, and potentially opening the door for Sheldon Brown’s move to either safety OR to another team.

Counting the acquisition of Jason Peters, for their other first round pick, the Eagles had an amazing week.  It’s amazing too me, how much they’ve rebuilt the offense this off-season. Not just adding bodies, but adding former Pro Bowlers (Peters, Weaver) and highly rated rookies (Macklin, McCoy, Ingram) to go with young and should-be-improved talent (Jackson and Celek).  Not to mention should-be-healthy veterans (McNabb, Curtis and Westbrook). If everything goes according to plan, and the team stays healthy, 2009 should be a very, very good year.

Sixers vs Magic – Game 2 Preview

Tonight YOUUUUUUR Philadelphia 76ers look to come back to the Wachovia Center on Friday with a 2-0 series lead.

Can they do it?

Absolutely.

Will they do it?

Absolutely not.

Dwight Howard will be in the line up tonight even with his blurry eye suffered in game 1, and don’t expect him to miss 10-12 minutes like game 1 when the Sixers went on their run to cut the 18 point deficit into a 2 point deficit.

Look for the Magic to play Howard 40 plus minutes, play determined basketball and unfortunately for our Sixers coast to an easy game two victory and tying the series 1-1.

Sal Pal Reports …

ESPN radio always seems to do me right on the morning commute.  This morning it did me dirty one more time.  ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reported that your Philadelphia Eagles are said to be highly interested in Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno.  The Eags currently hold the 21st pick but with 9 total picks still in the upcoming draft, might package some and try and move up to guarantee the acquisition of Knowshon.

Sal went on to say that if the Birds could not move up and Knowshon happened to be off the board at number 21, they would then look to trade out of the first round and acquire a running back later on.

To be honest I wouldn’t mind Door #2 please.  And with that #21 pick and others, let’s go acquire Anquan Boldin.