Sports & Entertainment
By Pete Thompson
Full disclosure, I’ve used that headline before, but as I write this column with the Sixers leading Toronto two games to none in their opening round NBA playoff series, it seems appropriate to use it again.
Since I last wrote, the Sixers have drawn the Raptors as their first round opponent and are having success so far. The Phillies began the season with two straight wins, but it’s been mostly trouble since then. The Eagles are looking ahead to the NFL draft. The Flyers honor their arena “voice”, but can’t get to the end of their season fast enough. Tiger Woods began with a bang at the Masters, but did not win. On the local front, I recently came across a neat picture of two hometown guys who both made it to the big leagues. Plus, I was incredibly honored to be given an award for my high school basketball coverage over the years. Finally, there’s a local golf event coming up that I hope you’ll consider joining me at.
From entertainment, I wrote about “Mrs. Costanza” from the TV show “Seinfeld” last time. This time, sadly, I have to write about “Mrs. Seinfeld”. Also, I made it out to the movie theater to see a new release, and despite negative reviews, I enjoyed it very much. As always though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts:
Let’s start with the Sixers as they lead the Toronto Raptors two games to none in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs as I write this. Who saw THAT coming? I have to admit, certainly not me!
I’m going to begin with Game 1 of the series where the Sixers dominated the Raptors and ran them right out of the arena winning 131-111. Everyone wondered about James Harden going into the series, but it was actually rookie guard Tyrese Maxey who stole the show.
Maxey scored 21 of his playoff career-high 38 points in the third quarter and he hit five 3-pointers to lead Philadelphia to the 20 point win. The 21-year-old Maxey is the youngest Sixer ever to score at least 30 points in a playoff game. Only Allen Iverson had more points in a single quarter of a playoff game than what Maxey did. And, my favorite Maxey stat after game one was a graphic that ran on the postgame show titled “Among NBA Royalty – youngest players with 38+ points in a playoff game”. There were five names on the list, led by Magic Johnson who was still 20 in 1980 when he scored 42 in a playoff game. The next three names on the list are Lebron James, Lebron James & Lebron James, and then there’s 21-year and 163 day old Maxey with 38 points. What a select list to be on!
Meanwhile, playoff James Harden was excellent in Game 1 as well. 22 points and 14 assists for the “Beard” in his first Eastern Conference playoff game as a Sixer. For once, Joel Embiid didn’t have to be “Mr. Everything” as he finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds, but most importantly, ZERO turnovers. I will quietly add Tobias Harris to this list too, as he finished with 26 points and seems to be settling into his role as a “catch & shoot” forward. Everything went right for the Sixers in Game 1, for sure.
Which leads to Game 2, where the Raptors game plan seemed to be to foul Joel Embiid early & often. Embiid responded with a 31 point, 11 rebound performance as the Sixers won the game 112-97. The MVP finalist made 12 of 14 free throws. He sank 9 of 16 shots from the floor. In general, he was a dominant force for which Toronto had no answer. Again, I thought this series might go six or seven coming in, and now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s over in as early as five.
It took Game 1 star Tyrese Maxey a long time to score in Game 2, but when he did, he was electric again finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Tobias Harris was very good again with 20 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden had a quiet 14 points and six assists, but the Sixers were up by as much as 27 at one point, so they didn’t need much more from Harden.
Late in Game 2, the ESPN cameras caught an amusing exchange between Embiid and Toronto coach Nick Nurse. Embiid told Nurse that he was going to keep making all the free throws if Toronto continued to foul him. Nurse’s retort? “You might have to.” Embiid laughed and said he told Nurse, “respectfully, to stop b——ing about calls.” Um, I LOVE this kind of talk!
Here’s one good series stat for you. The Sixers are 13-1 all-time when leading a playoff series 2-0. The only loss came in the 1977 NBA Finals, but let’s not talk about that!
The series now switches North of the Border to Canada, where they will have to play the next two games without defensive ace Matisse Thybulle. Thybulle, who received one third-place vote in the NBA defensive player of the year award voting, is barred from entering Canada because he is not fully vaccinated. Let’s see if that makes a big difference in the series. Stay tuned.
Unfortunately, I have to write about the Phillies next as they seem to be teetering on the edge of real trouble, even though the season is only 11 games old. As I write this, the Phillies are coming off a 4-1 loss in Denver to the Rockies and their record is just 4-7 so far.
Simply put, a lack of offense has hurt the Fightin’s as they’ve lost six out of their last seven, and have only managed to put up 3 or more runs in two of those seven games. Kyle Schwarber is hitting .125 as I write this. Nick Castellanos went 0-4 with 2 K’s against the Rockies in the first game there. Bryce Harper is hitting .220, but doesn’t look comfortable at the plate. Remember those “big bats” that I wrote about in my last column? They aren’t hot just yet!
My other concern is the starting rotation. Staff ace Zack Wheeler is off to an 0-2 start with a 9.39 E.R.A. He left last Sunday’s game against the Marlins after just three innings, giving up 8 hits, 7 runs, all of them earned. The Phillies radio broadcasters spoke about Wheeler “abandoning his fastball”, and wondering if Wheeler is hurt. As I write this, no official news about that yet, but wouldn’t that be a huge downer?
Former #1 pitcher Aaron Nola looked better against the Rockies, striking out four through the first four innings, but Nola tired in the 6th and Charlie Blackmon took him DEEP to jump-start the Colorado offense. This is not a stat Phillies fans want to see. Nola has allowed 27 home runs since May 8, 2021, that’s tied for the most in the National League. Ugh.
One final piece of Phillies news is about Bryce Harper as manager Joe Girardi says that Harper will be the DH for the entire Colorado series. Apparently he is dealing with an elbow issue that bothers him when he throws, but not when he’s at bat.
Moving on to football where the Eagles can’t go three consecutive drafts taking a wideout in the first round, can they? Well, when the team goes on the clock on April 28th, they just might as it sure seems like they are trying to find another difference maker to pair with DaVonta Smith. The Eagles hold two first-round picks at #15 and #18, and ten total going into the draft. I can’t wait!
One more football note, and that’s about the revamped USFL that made its debut last weekend. The Philadelphia Stars are back! But they won’t actually play in Philadelphia for their first season, and they lost 23-17 to the New Orleans Breakers in Birmingham, Alabama. I have to tell you, on paper this seems like a great idea. And, I’m all for more players getting a chance to get PAID to play football. However, there was no way that I was turning off the Phillies, or PGA Tour golf, or the NBA playoffs, or really whatever I was watching to watch USFL football. Sorry.
In hockey, the Flyers have lost five straight as I write this, including back-to-back losses to the lowly Buffalo Sabres. It’s probably not even fair for me to call Buffalo lowly, because the Flyers are arguably WORSE. Buffalo just set a dubious NHL record by missing the playoffs in 11 straight seasons, and beat the Flyers in all three contests, winning by 6-3, 4-3, and 5-3. The last time the Sabres won three regular-season games in one season against the Flyers was in 2006.
Just when you think it couldn’t get much worse for the organization, comes a report from “Crossing Broad” that Flyers trainers are suing the team claiming that Zamboni chemicals at the practice facility in Voorhees caused cancer and rare medical conditions.
Flyers director of medical services Jim McCrossin and assistant athletic trainer Sal Raffa allege that the Zambonis at the rink used “gasoline and/or fuel containing and/or producing carcinogens.” According to their research, there are other comparable machines available that do not require gasoline or fuel with carcinogens. The Zambonis idle in the Zamboni room, which they state lacks appropriate ventilation, and the training room is in close proximity to it, exposing McCrossin and Raffa to the carcinogens, according to the complaint. McCrossin, who has worked at the facility since 2000, developed “rare medical conditions of essential thrombocythemia, myeloproliferative neoplasm, and most recently, myelofibrosis (blood cancer), which is incurable.” Raffa, who has worked there since 2004, developed a “rare medical condition of essential thrombocythemia, which is incurable.” My thoughts and prayers to both gentlemen as I think this is just awful news!
So, let’s end our hockey talk with some positive news as the Flyers honored longtime P.A. announcer Lou Nolan for 50 years as the team’s voice. The 2021-22 season marks Nolan’s 50th year in the role and his 55th with the Flyers, dating to the team’s inception in 1967-68. Jim Jackson, the Flyers’ TV play-by-play announcer, and Steve Coates, the Flyers’ radio color commentator hosted a pregame ceremony before the game with Anaheim on April 9th. The Flyers all wore the No. 50 during pregame warmups and had on a No. 50 patch on their game jerseys. And here’s one tidbit you might not know. Nolan returned to his “normal” spot between the penalty boxes for that game. The NHL moved all P.A. announcers upstairs when the pandemic hit and Nolan has been doing his signature “PECO Power Play”call from the press box instead of ice level. Well, Flyers CEO Dave Scott “paid the fine” according to reports, allowing Nolan to do his job from ice level for his night. Hey, that’s maybe the first thing I’ve agreed with Flyers ownership about in a LONG time! Congrats Lou…you are loved.
My last national item is from golf, as Tiger Woods thrilled the patrons (and me) with a first round score of 71 at the 86th Masters. It was remarkable to see Woods even walking, no less playing golf at Augusta. He did make the cut, but faded big-time over the weekend thanks to a pair of 78’s. Woods says he will play the Open Championship this year because it’s at St. Andrews. I’m not sure if we’ll see him at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills, but it was a thrill to see him at Augusta for sure. Oh, and Scottie Scheffler is amazing. He won the Masters with a ten under par score of 278. It was fun to watch!
Now to some local items, as I came across a picture I had saved of Millville’s Mike Trout greeting Cape May native Matt Szczur a few seasons ago. Trout just got hit on the hand for the Angels as hopefully he’s not injured seriously. Szczur recently returned to Chicago to throw out a ceremonial first-pitch at Wrigley Field before a Cubs game. Hard to believe they are both LOCAL.
People forget that Mike Trout played basketball at Millville High School too when he was in high school. I was very honored to receive the John Pierantozzi Lifetime Achievement Award for my high school basketball coverage over the years at the CO Summit at Avalon Golf Club. The main purpose of the CO group (Coaches & Officials) is to raise money for scholarships for deserving scholar-athletes, and since the organization began in 2014, they’ve raised more than $100,000 for worthy high school seniors. The girls winners get the Dave Troiano Scholarship and the boys winners get the Paul Rodio Scholarship.
Speaking of which, the longtime St. Augustine head coach was also at the banquet and gave an emotional speech as he won the Fran Egan Memorial Courage Award. Again, my thanks to John Rodio, Steve Wescott and all involved with the annual CO Summit. I’m honored to receive an award for the late John Pierantozzi, who was an outstanding guy.
My last local item involves golf for a cause. After a few years off because of the pandemic, the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation is bringing back their fundraiser “Golf For a Cause”. It’s set for Thursday May 5th at Harbor Pines Golf Club and for $200 you get lunch, golf and dinner while raising money to fight cancer. Dean Randazzo is a surfing legend from right here in our area, so I urge you to come out and play, if you can. There are also opportunities to donate even if you don’t play golf. For more information, go to thedrcf.org/golf-for-a-cause
As always, I’ll close with a few items from entertainment, starting with the sad news that actress Liz Sheridan has passed away at age 93. She was best known for playing Jerry’s mother Helen Seinfeld on the show “Seinfeld”. Sheridan was the last surviving “parent” from Seinfeld. Estelle Harris, who played George Costanza’s mother Estelle, just passed away recently as well. Jerry Stiller, who played Frank Costanza, died in 2020. Barney Martin, who played Sheridan’s onscreen husband Morty Seinfeld, died in 2005.
My final item is about the new movie “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore”. I went to see it in IMAX at the Tilton Square Theater, and despite negative reviews, I found it highly satisfying. People are making a big deal out of the movie not performing well so far, and it being the “worst” of the franchise so far. Hey, I’m happy for anything that has wizards & muggles in it, so I thought it was GREAT. Oh, and go check out the awesome Tilton Square Theater too. As I write this, I’m hoping to go see a new Nicholas Cage movie there soon. Don’t forget the Ventnor Square Theater as well.
The City of Philadelphia has renewed an indoor mask mandate. So, it only seems appropriate that I close the column here again by asking all of you to keep leading with KINDNESS. I also want to continue to send my sincere thoughts & prayers to the good people of Ukraine.
Pete has been the local “sports guy” at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on “The SportsBash” from 2-6 p.m.
Pete is proud to be a “voice” for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County. You can hear Pete each Tuesday and Friday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30pm, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say “Hi”. Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com
