Curry, Durant, Golden State benefit from today’s technology

May 2, 2020

It looks like my first point-counterpoint has me as a pretty big underdog. As ESPN’s documentary “The Last Dance” continues to chronicle Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls dynasty for both fans who enjoyed watching the original run and people just being introduced to it now, the Bulls’ legacy grows. There’s no doubt what Jordan’s Chicago Bulls accomplished is impressive, and you can never take away the 6-0 record in NBA Finals. But for years now, NFL teams have been trying to match the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to make it through a season undefeated. You can ...

Running is a panacea for troubled times

April 26, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken away so much from so many of us. Livelihoods. Health. Peace of mind. And most tragically, lives. But exercise is still a treasured blessing for those who enjoy participating in it. Stay-at-home orders from the government are the rule now rather than the exception, but the wonderful option of being able to get out in the fresh spring air and take a walk or a run is still available to anybody who is healthy enough to engage. I’ve never taken my ability to walk or run for granted — especially after having suffered a leg injury in a fishing ...

Trying to find the good in a bad situation

April 19, 2020

Notes and observations while thoroughly enjoying 11 more days of trout season: A WISE AND PRUDENT DECISION: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission thoroughly hit it out of the park with its decision — in conjunction with the Office of the Governor, the Department of Health, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — to abruptly move the opening of the 2020 trout season from yesterday at 8 a.m. up to Tuesday, April 7. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging through the Commonwealth, the wise decision was made to limit the congregation of crowds, particularly in the ...

Commentary: Some ideas may be worth keeping

April 18, 2020

While sports is on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, there are surely lessons to be learned. When normality does return to our stadiums and arenas, maybe we can put them to use. Certainly, this unprecedented shutdown has changed life — and sports — in ways we never expected. But maybe, just maybe, that’s not entirely a bad thing. If nothing else, we’ll never get another chance for a reset like this one. Here are few ideas worth considering when this nightmare is over: Virtual drafts The WNBA was conducting its draft remotely Friday night — without players, fans ...

Remembering Stokes, plus not a good 2020 for minor league ball

April 12, 2020

Even though no sports are being played right now because of the coronavirus, there’s a whole bunch going on in the sports world worthy of commentary. Stokes’ legacy Monday marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis basketball legend Maurice Stokes, who died at age 36 in 1970 and is buried on the campus at Franciscan Friar Cemetery. Saint Francis had planned a week-long tribute to Stokes that was to have culminated with a ceremony this past Monday, but it had to be canceled. NBA senior vice president for basketball operations Tim Frank and members of Jack ...

PIAA decision tough for everyone

April 11, 2020

Throughout my 15 years working in the sports department at the Altoona Mirror, I have had to conduct some very emotionally tough interviews. Talking with Juniata Valley girls basketball coach Rachelle Hopsicker and her team after the Lady Hornets led Jenkintown by nine points in the 2018 PIAA Class 1A championship game with less than four minutes to play before losing in overtime stands out. Another that comes to mind is Portage girls basketball coach Lance Hudak, who turned his back during the interview to hide his tears after the Lady Mustangs were stunned by Bishop Guilfoyle and a ...