The Sports Review

With everyone and their Mother expecting a Kobe vs Lebron final, the Lakers’ assumed Western Conference Title might have to go through Salt Lake City. The Utah Jazz since January 9th are 17-2. They have maybe the best all-around power forward in the NBA in Carlos Boozer and one of the best point guards night-in and night-out in Deron Williams. The Jazz’s bench might be what sets them apart from a lot of the teams’ in the league with guys like Kyle Kover, Paul Milsap, and Wes Matthews flourishing in substitute roles. On Wednesday night Boozer scored 20 points in the second half to lead the Jazz over a scrappy Charlotte Bobcats team 102-93. The Jazz should be able to continue their success into the month of March where their schedule is very favorable with Boston, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City being the only tough teams they play. Look for hall of fame coach Jerry Sloan’s men to be in the thick of it once playoff time rolls around.

Male figure skating has surprised many pundits as the highlight thus far of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada thanks in part to the intriguing skaters Evan Lysacek, Evengi Plushenko, and Johnny Weir. Lysacek needed a flawless performance on Day 7 of the Olympics to take the Gold for the United States over Russia’s Plushenko in Men’s Figure Skating. Brian Botano last won gold for the United States at the 1988 Calgary Games. There was a controversy over the fact that Plushenko completed a quad jump in his routine and Lysacek didn’t even attempt one in his routine. Judges sided with giving Lysacek the Gold for his combination of execution and artistry. Plushenko said he may return to the ice at the age of 31 to recoup win back the Gold for Russia in 2014. Lysacek, a native of Naperville, IL, won the World Championships in 2009 and could also retun in 2014 considering he’s only 24-years-old.

“The Freak” has landed. After only making $650,000 in 2009 and winning the Cy Young Award for the second year in a row, the San Francisco Giants have agreed to pay Tim Lincecum $8 million this season and $13 million the following year. The 25-year-old has become one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the big leagues with a unique pitching motion batters can’t seem to figure out completely. In his three years playing professional ball, Lincecum has gone 40-17 with a 2.90 career ERA. The right hander from Bellevue, Washington was busted in October of 2009 for a marijuana possession while being pulled over for speeding. The deal is full of sweeteners should Lincecum continue his success with numerous bonus possibilities. Should the two-time All Star win the Cy Young Award again he’ll earn a hefty half million dollar bonus check. The Giants look to build on a strong 2009 season where the team went 88-74, but just missed out on the playoffs. Lincecum and the Giants will now head into spring training next week on the same page as they prepare for the 2010 season.

The question on everyone’s lips down in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV last week has been “Will Dwight Freeney play?”. The Indianapolis Colts pass rusher tore a ligament in his right ankle against the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game and is unsure if he will be to play in the Super Bowl. Freeney laid out the possibility of playing simply during Super Bowl media day, “If I can run, I can play”. Head coach Jim Caldwell told the press on Friday that Freeney is making progress stating that Freeney was “trending in the right direction”. Many ex-pros have been saying all week that if Freeney can physically add anything to team then he’ll be out on the field on Sunday. The five-time Pro Bowler had 13.5 sacks this season and is key aspect of the Colts’ defense. If Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees is allowed time in the pocket it could be a long night for the Colts.