spots: September 2011

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players in history to come out of Brazil, has announced his retirement. This can only come as bad news to most football fanatics, because he is such a tremendous athlete. Not only that, but he plays the sport in a joy that is almost as legendary as his game. Indeed, he belongs to the hall of fame of all the greatest players to ever kick the football. His name is on the debate on the ranked list, and it is still to be determined where he will place.

He has played the game for over 18 years, and he has all the enthusiasm to make football what it is right now; perhaps the most popular sport around the world. Ronaldo was honored in Brazil, in Sao Paulo in particular this week. For this man, the game is over, but not after scoring 400 goals to his name. His career can only be described as a roller coaster. His was a career that featured some ultimate highlights and peak achievements, but also characterized by some instances of failure.

What football fans will truly miss most from Ronaldo, is not all his achievements in football, but perhaps simple things, such as his gap toothed smile. This smile symbolizes everything that he is inside and outside of the field; a fun loving person who will give everything to make his life as enjoyable as possible.

Friday, 9 September 2011

Yao Ming Basketball

Yao Ming’s season is over. The superstar center for the Houston Rockets has a broken left foot that will keep him out for the rest of the 2009 NBA playoffs. Without Yao, the Rockets will face a huge challenge in their second round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. After three games, the Rockets trail 1-2 in the series.

During the 2009 playoffs, Yao has averaged 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists per game in 35.8 minutes. Earlier in the season, the Rockets lost Tracy McGrady due to microfracture knee surgery. Earlier in these playoffs, center Dikembe Mutombo was lost for the rest of the playoffs due to a knee injury.

If you have Yao on your fantasy basketball team, this is obviously devastating news. He was playing well and was undoubtedly helping your team.

For those looking for a sleeper to emerge due to this Yao injury news, the most likely player is Carl Landry. In the last two games against the Lakers, Landry has scored in double figures — including a 21-point and 10-rebound performance in Game 2. Pick up Landry off the waiver wire if he’s available and hope he can put up Yao-like numbers the rest of the way.