Sports Notes

Now's a good time to pause and reflect, after the pleasures of recent days, and before the next round of tense action commences.

Football

No comments on the meat market of the NFL draft; I'm talking futbol, or soccer.

Mostly, it's got to be about Chelsea, but first a note about Mexico: The combination of escalating war against and among gangs on the US border, swine flu in the heartland, and the woes of the national team have to constitute what Comintern would describe as "objectively revolutionary conditions". I'm exaggerating, but this looks pretty serious. Though there is a long way to go, right now Mexico would not qualify for the World Cup from the CONCACAF group (all the Western Hemisphere except S. America)--they'd have a make-or-break playoff game with a South American also-ran. Mexico trails Honduras, Costa Rica and the US in a six-nation round-robin.

Following their pattern set so far of road losses and home wins all the way to the end might get Mexico in, but woe to them, and especially the new coach Javier Aguirre, if they just get a draw or two at home (such will be the objective of the US team when they come to town). Woe already sent Sven Goran Eriksson packing, for a 3-1 drubbing in Honduras.

And now for something completely different:
Topline report for the Blues is that I have ended my search for a new leader for Chelsea; Guus Hiddink is my man. The key success was in the first leg of the quarterfinal matchup with Liverpool, when Chelsea won 3-1 at Anfield. The incredible 4-4 draw with them at home in the rematch only confirmed Chelsea's definitive win over its nemesis in the club's greatest challenge and opportunity (Premier League not-with-standings).

Hiddink's great strategic move has been the offensive combination of early-season comeback fave Nicolas Anelka with Didier Drogba, now fully recovered from his injuries. Together with Frank Lampard's cannonades from just beyond the box, Chelsea now has the guns to score on anyone. And, as they demonstrated in the incredible 0-0 tie in this round's first match at Barcelona, they retain the ability to shut down any team. What we're looking for in this week's match--which we have to expect will be a more open game--is a good balance between the clampdown and the beautiful game: a 2-1 win will probably include some nervous moments, but would suffice to bring on a rip-roaring finale in Roma, probably against the colossus of Manchester U.

Our other expectation is now for the F.A. Cup. Everton did the dirty work for us in the semifinal, outlasting Manchester United in penalty kicks (US starting goalie Tim Howard the hero for Everton). So we just have to beat the Toffees (yes!) at Wembley to get at least that trophy.

Sir Alex Ferguson's plan--to squeak through past Everton with a cheap goal, say, on a penalty, despite playing his second team--was denied. What he didn't consider was neutral-field refereeing--he'd have gotten his call at home. The F.A., in its wisdom, decided to go with Wembley for the semifinals rather than the usual F.A. format. Still, probably not a bad move by Fergie, who (because of winning also the World Club Championship last fall) could still accomplish an unprecedented quadruple trophy result if they can get by Arsenal and then Barca/Chelsea in the Champions League.

Seeing Manchester lose, even if it wasn't "in the run of play", is the only thing better than seeing Chelsea defeat a mighty foe. And, I'm not particular about the style--the desultory Everton match was so much better than the recent, thrilling game I watched between MU and THS (the fabulously-named Tottenham Hotspurs, or just, "Spurs!"--always delivered with gusto!) Tottenham had a miraculous 2-0 lead at halftime; then the miracle vanished and Manchester scored four goals in half an hour, coasting home 4-2. That's the norm, watching ManU as an opponent--they build up your hopes, then mercilessly dash them.

Anelka and Drogba, for all their merits, are not "Rooney and Ronaldo". So, how do we beat them in Rome? For us, it's got to be a combination of sterling team effort and outstanding defense. Besides the Anelka-Drogba combo, Hiddink's Blues have shown improved contributions from Malouda and Ballack, and the central defense partnership of John Terry and Alex looks to be the best yet (of many others). Ultimately, I think it comes down to Lampard, though--he is our man of destiny and the time for his reward for staying in West London is coming soon.

NBA

We're writing this as the second round begins--there was about five minutes or so between the end of the first and the beginning of the second. No matter--I like Denver over Dallas (in six), and I'll stand by that even if they somehow lose this first game at home.

The big question I had going in was "Who Can Stop L.A.?" Houston will pose a challenge, in the form of two marquee matchups, Yao Ming vs. Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest vs. Kobe Bryant. Though I like our guys in both positions (Artest is one of the few with the strength and defensive chops to slow down Kobe), I won't claim they will be decisive. Basically, Yao is worth two points every time you get the ball into him on the post, regardless of who is guarding him. The challenge will be to control the boards, and I'm afraid the Lakers may still have the edge. If Bynum is not up to the challenge, this will show a weakness that could yet be exploited later in the playoffs.

Like in the next round. The Nuggets are the team that nobody saw coming that could pull it off. They combine great offensive punch with some serious beef (Nene, Kenyon Martin), as well as my personal favorite, Chauncey Billups, one of a handful of players with the ability and confidence to take and make the big shots in the close ones, like Kobe. The others of that class are Dewayne Wade (his team isn't strong enough and he's not in good enough condition to carry them), the Celtics' Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, LeBron, and, apparently, Ben Gordon.

The Celtics-Bulls series was entertainment of the highest order, but it has made it clear that the Cavaliers--with the emergence of Mo Williams as a top-class second banana--stand alone at the top of the East. We can still hope to stop the Lakers in the Finals if Denver can't do it sooner.

Mind The Bird

Yesterday's Kentucky Derby, coming very soon to a cinema near you.

I have to mention how our New Mexican trainer (Bernie Woolley) brought his 50-1 longshot horse personally to Louisville, driving the vehicle pulling the horse's trailer despite a leg shattered in a motorcycle accident. Also, the deepwoods redneck jockey (Calvin Borel), who seems to know only one way to win: the shortest route (and why not?) along the rail.

And how about the poor announcer calling the race? I won't say he didn't even name the winner before he crossed the finish line, but he was definitely caught up watching a tight three-horse battle--which turned out to be for second place.

The trainer, who'll be played by fellow New Mexican Val Kilmer once his gubernatorial bid dies out, had gotten sick of himself-as-storyline. Whereas before the race he was all humble and "Just happy to be here," now he told them off: "Now you guys can talk about something else besides how we got here. "

And there was Michael Jordan, wearing a zoot suit and glorying in his new vice, the ponies. I'm afraid he demonstrated that he was, if anything, more clueless about betting on horses than he was on golf. Fortunately, he has an infinite amount of money, and probably the ability to generate more income should he need it. Which is what makes the whole Derby thing so exciting: what conspicuous consumption!

The subhead is my preferred nickname for "Mine That Bird"--it's also better advice. Eliot Spitzer, please note.