ESPN - the Reason Sports Journalism is Dying

Look at this. Look long and hard. See something wrong with this picture? Yeah, you do. The Boston Celtics led last night's game by 12 points at in the first quarter, and ESPN, in all of their infinite wisdom, credits LeBron with the early hot hand.

I don't care if LeBron had all 19 of the Heat's points and was AT the free throw line when this was written - the person who wrote it needs to find a new profession, and get off of LeBron's jock strap. 

There are dozens of other things you could have said - "Short-handed Celtics lead Heat by 12 in 1st". "Paul Pierce leads undermanned Celtics in impressive early effort against the Heat". "LeBron is NOT currently winning". ANYTHING ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE!

ESPN has slowly transformed before our eyes into E!SPN. As they continue to marinate in the sweat of Darrelle Revis, Tim Tebow and LeBron James day in and day out, the only hope we can have as sports fans is that a legitimate sports news network will soon overtake ESPN's Superstar Slobberfest. 

This is, quite frankly disgusting.

Images via espn.com

Read More

Look, it's Steve Nash Holding the Torah at a Barmitzvah!

It may have been the day his balls dropped for the first time, but one 13-year-old boychik was counting his blessings for different, more baller reason on Saturday. While D12 and Kobe were working on their zone D (a.k.a. marinating in their team's own filth), Steve Nash was tickling his Jewish side.

That's right, the all-world point guard, known colloquially as "Captain Canada," played the Moses role on Saturday when he uncomfortably hoisted the Torah for all the paparazzi to see.

As you can see, they certainly saw...and filmed...and tweeted...

Read More

Gerald Wallace Provided a Fantastic Quote When Asked About His Recent Slump

A horrific stretch of games for Gerald Wallace was capped off last night when the gangly forward went 1-for-7 on layup attempts during the Nets' blowout loss to the Hawks. When asked what he needs to do to turn it around, Wallace verbally rocked our world...

"Make a shot. A layup, something. Any fucking thing. Fuck. Throw trash in a trash can. Anything. See anything go in."


Just so we're clear, Dikembe Mutombo would probably be there to block all trashcan attempts. "Not today!"


Image via soraspy.com

Read More

This 3-Year-Old is Better at Swinging a Bat Than You Are at Anything

For now it's peanut-butter-jelly sandwiches and sharp grounders for this prodigious three-year-old. Though one day he may just be raking in an eight-figure salary, slugging long bombs away, and running through models named either Desire or Candy.

Read More

Can No. 15 UAlbany Upset No. 2 Duke?

As alumni of the State University of New York at Albany, we'd sure like to think so. 

As sports bloggers without brain damage, we're keeping our hopes in check.

Our beloved alma mater gave us an actual reason to raise a glass this past weekend (except for that holiday), when they won the America East Conference by defeating University of Vermont 53-49.

Though UA's frentic final stand on defense filled an entire room of screaming alumni with pride, the real test will be against a team that people actually watch. 

This Friday's round 1 opponent will be Duke - the number 2 team in the nation. It is no insult to the boys in purple to say that the Great Danes are major underdogs for this game. Can they win? Sure! Crazier things have happened in sports after all.

We aren't insane enough to bet our actual money on UA, but you better believe we'll be pulling for them this Friday. 

Let's go Danes! 

Read More

Air Jordan's Effect on Art

Props to SCAD designer Nico Mojica for the fresh masterpiece. Follow his work here.

Read More

LeBron James Murdered Jason Terry Tonight

This dunk caused previously extinct animals so mysteriously become no longer extinct. Absolute mayhem from the god damn king.

Read More

Worst Golf Outing Ever

When you think about going for a golf outing, your first thoughts should stray towards being drunk in a field while wearing your ugliest pants and swinging a metal stick - not falling down an 18 foot hole. 

This is exactly what happened to Mark Mihal, a mortgage broker from the St Louis area. You've got to feel bad for the guy - enjoying the day with his buddies, when all of a sudden mother nature decides "hey, fuck you!" Boom. Nature: 1 Mark: 0

If this guy goes golfing again anytime soon, we'll be impressed. 

Read More

Jason Pierre-Paul's Long Lost Twin?

LSU's star forward Johnny O'Bryant looks eerily similar to that athletic freak over in New Jersey. Compare more pics here.

Read More

"I'm Better At Life Than You": Richard Sherman Burns Skip Bayless

"Painfully awkward" is an approach that has garnered ESPN personality Skip Bayless plenty of attention during his intriguing media career. That was until shutdown-cornerback-confrontational-twitterer Richard Sherman flipped the script, completely.



But can he cover the mega-man located below...?

Read More

NC State Brett Williams' Unholy Catch

If you're not excited about baseball yet, this catch by center fielder Brett Williams during N.C. State's game against New Mexico State last Wednesday should help. The Pack won 9-2.

Read More

The Most Intensely Heartbreaking Moment in Basketball History

Exaggeration? Maybe.

Read More

Kobe Bryant's Still Flying High

Damn. A magical slam over none other than 2009-10 NBA Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Josh Smith, a.k.a. J. Smoove. Enjoy...

Read More

High School Hoopster Hits Miracle Shot

Thanks to my girlfriend's father's incurable addiction to Westchester high school basketball, I was lucky enough to be at arguably the most epic finish in Westchester high school basketball history.

On Friday, Ray Rice's inspirational halftime speech to his former high school squad sparked them to a win. On Sunday, they sprung a miracle in the Section 1 Class AA championship thanks to Khalil Edney's heroics. After New Rochelle missed a potential game-tying free throw with seconds left, a Mt. Vernon victory seemed all but in the books. And then it happened...

Read More

NFL Ready for its First Female Player?

Move over Danica Patrick, it looks like NYC soccer stud Lauren Silberman is moments away from a spot in the sports record books. But can the determined kicker take on the NFL's gargantuan expectations and pressures? Can the NFL even consider such a change? If 9-year-old pinball Sam Gordon is any consolation, it looks like change is on the horizon.

Read More

A Taylor Swift Song Worth Listening To...Seriously

This probably why all of Taylor Swift's boyfriends have dumped her, although it's the first Swift song we believe was worth listening to. Seems she's found a new set of partners. Introducing, goats...the other white meat.

Read More

The Humble Beginnings of JZSports

Back before we at JZSports were broke, hardworking adults, we were just a couple of broke, not-so-hardworking journalism students at SUNY Albany, trying to find our way in the sports world.

The timeless show, UA Overtime on Albany Student Television was a way for us to showcase ourselves to the student body, which we did by promptly fudging our segments during one of the very first episodes.

Enjoy a first hand look at the banter you enjoy today on JZSports via BlogTalkRadio.

Read More

Ricky Rubio Steals NBA Hearts

The exuberant Spanish sensation gives 'Wolves teammate Alexey Shved the most endearing, uplifting, quasi-hilarious piece of advice heard around NBA parts...an industry once hoisted by trash talk and fluffy flat-tops.

Read More

LeBron James Slams Down Another Pregame Masterpiece

Just to be clear, this is the second iconic LeBron dunk we've seen flooding the web since this year's dunk contest two weeks ago. Hate the star Heat if you wish, but do the basketball world a favor and admire his craft.

Read More

5 MLB Prospects Ready to Blossom in 2013

This is a guest post submitted by Ally Silva. Ally played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports now, particularly Chicago sports. She works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wooden bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Ally loves writing on different sports topics and is very grateful to be able to contribute here.

Major League Baseball saw a new crop of rookies make a sparkling debut during the 2012 season. Led by former MLB prospects Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, these promising youngsters showed that baseball still shines as a sport that gives fans ongoing thrills with new faces replacing older veterans whose time has passed.  There are quite a few young prospects that promise to deliver in the 2013 season as well. Here are five MLB prospects to watch this spring and summer.

1. Travis d’Arnaud: New York Mets

The New York Mets took a big chance this offseason, trading reigning Cy Young Award-winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays for catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud. The risk could pay off in a big way for the Mets.  D’Arnaud hit .333 with 16 HR and 52 RBI before a knee injury cut short his season in Triple-A last year. D’Arnaud has also been praised for his abilities behind the plate and a strong throwing arm as well. The Mets may well have landed a player who could be a leader for years to come.

2. Jarred Cosart: Houston Astros  

At just 22 years of age, Houston Astros pitching prospect Jarred Cosart had a breakthrough season in 2012, posting a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A level. Cosart features a solid four- pitch repertoire with developing plate command. Cosart is in a battle for the final spot in the Astros’ starting rotation this spring. He got off to a solid start, delivering two scoreless innings in his spring debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. A few more efforts like that could have Cosart heading north with the Astros in April.

3. Zack Wheeler: New York Mets  

The New York Mets have a great stable of young pitchers in their organization. Zack Wheeler heads that list. Wheeler posted a 3.26 ERA in 25 starts at the Double-A and Triple-A level last year. Much like Jarred Cosart, Wheeler also impressed in his first spring outing, pitching two scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals in Grapefruit League play.  Wheeler could join fellow prospect Matt Harvey in the Mets’ rotation if he continues to impress this spring.

4. Mike Zunino: Seattle Mariners  

The Seattle Mariners selected University of Florida catcher Mike Zunino with the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. Zunino hit the ground running in his professional debut, hitting .360 with 13 HR and 43 RBI in just 44 games last season. The Mariners traded away catcher John Jaso and failed to bring back Miguel Olivo, giving Zunino a unique opportunity to vie for a roster spot during spring training. If Zunino continues to shine offensively, he’ll do more than just take up a roster spot.

5. Jedd Gyorko: San Diego Padres  

When Jedd Gyorko was drafted by the San Diego Padres, they envisioned a player who could be their third baseman of the future. However, with incumbent Chase Headley having a breakout year in 2012, Gyorko is trying to find his way as their future second baseman.  Gyorko hit .324 with 24 HR and 83 RBI in 92 games at the Triple-A level last season, so the Padres would love to add his bat into a lineup in need of power. An impressive spring training could see Gyorko make a successful transition at the major league level. 

Read More

Revolutionize Your Business with RevLocal!

In today's era of Internet marketing, expanding and advertising one's small business is perhaps more crucial than ever before. The influx of new strategies and refreshing technological possibilities that arrived following the metaphorical shredding of printed yellow pages has given once-intimidated businesses a boost of energy and a spark of optimism. For younger, possibly more limited businesses looking to match up against the big names, RevLocal is the golden ticket.

With an elite ability for helping small businesses establish new tactics for getting themselves in front of potential customers, a service they've provided for 18 prosperous years, RevLocal continues to revolutionize local listings and develop strong marketing relationships with countless satisfied establishments. RevLocal features a large team of Marketing Agents who encompass a wide range of specialties, together looking to constantly adapt strategies to benefit from the changes that happen on a daily basis.

RevLocal's methods of local search marketing start with direct claiming and optimizing business profiles on Google Plus Local, Bing Local, Yelp, and countless other directories. Their services also include a local approach to PPC campaigns, featuring full data analytics, landing pages and conversion rate optimization, essential components of a successful web presence. Although, let's be real, there are many business owner unwilling to admit the value of marketing. Even for bloggers, RevLocal specifically offers full WordPress website development with local SEO and mobile goals in mind. Dare we forget, they also syndicate the listing data to reach hundreds of directories with updated and consistent listing data with constant push and immediate updates to changes in your data, essentially unleashing your business on the Internet world like a shaken bottle of cola.

As a business owner, keeping up with these necessary growth strategies can be time consuming and simply unrealistic. Thankfully, RevLocal takes care of all your marketing wants and desires while you make your dreams a reality. 

Read More

Dallas Cowboys Define the term "Excessive"

The Dallas Cowboys have made one major acquisition this offseason, one that should help them cope with years of empty promises and pure mediocrity...

According to USA Today, owner Jerry Jones and his high-spending posse spent between $1.5 and $2.5 million on a brand new luxury Prevost Marathon Coach, which will be used to drive owner Jerry Jones and his staff around Indianapolis at this week's NFL scouting combine. And what did Jones, a man with his own personal glasses wiper, name his 45-foot long, 102-inch wide luxury bus? The "Elegant Lady" of course.



But is the interior made from bald eagle...?

Read More

Wireless at a Bargain with copper.net

Wireless Internet has taken the world by storm. However, there are many of us who aren't bathing in riches. Some of us spend our hard-earned dollars on nosebleed football tickets or burnt steak at Outback, leaving us little room for additional spending sprees. For those of you looking to save that extra cash, it's time to check out copper.net for the planet's most reliable dial-up Internet since 1997.

We've all tried MSN, PeoplePC and even NetZero. With those services, getting booted off the Internet was no longer a frustration, but rather an expectation...Not copper.net.

This all-American owned and operated company has been specializing in dial-up & DSL Internet service in the United States and Canada since 1997, with roots back to 1994, at the most affordable prices we've seen since 99 cent stores were first flooding the rumor mill. Internet service start at $9.95/mo. for unlimited dial-up Internet access, statistically equivalent to buying a small cup of coffee every week; a routine we can certainly all relate to.

No longer are you required to empty your wallets for wireless. Dial-up is back with a vengeance; ready to reclaim the eager web surfers currently occupying computers worldwide. They naturally offer FREE customer service, e-mail, virus protection, pop-up blocker and spamblocker, while not requiring proprietary software and not tracking your online habits or selling your e-mail or personal information.

The best privacy protection in the business, compatibility with all major Internet browsers and email programs and elite spam and virus protection; what's not to love? Besides being able to quickly and cheaply log on just to read another LeBron vs. Jordan debate of course.

Read More

Iman Shumpert the next Will Smith?

If his hairstyle is any indication, high-flying Knicks guard Iman Shumpert may be looking for a more serious role, at least to a point where his agent had to deny such reports. However, this wasn't the first rumor gone wild. The question remains, why have fans lost their love for the young Knickerbocker?

All we can do is compare...

Read More

This Otter Can Ball with the Best

If Michael Jordan could actually evaluate talent, he might want to pick up this little guy for the Bobcats - at the very least he's definitely got better ups than Brendan Haywood.



Clearly a ferocious competitor, this otter would easily be the best and most entertaining mascot in the NBA. Why does a charge disrupt the varying mystic?

Read More

Protect Your Tailgate with MyTarp.com

Sculpting the perfect tailgate is no easy task. Though for every diehard sports fan, it's a warm and fuzzy tradition that requires care, dedication and the right tools. For the folks here at JZ Sports, the only way to truly protect scalding bowls of chili and steaming heaters during the bitter cold or rainy months is with the always reliable tarps and covers found at MyTarp.com.

They offer rock-solid tarps, tarpaulins, outdoor screens and covers at astonishingly low prices. Like an apple doused in peanut butter, they even offer cheerful and engaging customer service on top of their life-changing products. As if that wasn't juicy enough, MyTarp.com will also personally customize canvas tarps, vinyl tarps, mesh tarps and poly tarps for their amazed customers. 

Weather and environmental conditions that once muddied festive gatherings can now be met with the sturdy coverings found at MyTarp.com. Rain, snow, airborne pigskins and even flying pigs are no match for these reliable products... 

But wait?! Not a sports fan? Don't fret. MyTarp.com also offers a world-class stretched canvas, perfect for artists and students. Their stretched canvases are even pre-primed with acid-free acrylic gesso for use with oil or acrylic paints, considered a delicacy in the art world.

Tickle your athletic and creative sides as you explore all that MyTarp.com has to offer.

Read More

Changing the Way We Watch Hockey

A new infographic from Ron Schwartz and silveroakcasino.com detailing the imminent changes set to take place in the way we watch hockey on television/devices.

 

Read More

Optimize Your Website with HubShout...Now!

HubShout is the leading SEO reseller in the United States; offering an industry-leading white label SEM portal for resellers to offer SEO, PPC, social media and email marketing.

Even better, all HubShout services are delivered by US-based resources - each reseller is assigned a dedicated US-based Account Manager to help them grow their business. HubShout was founded in 2008 and the founders have extensive Fortune 100 experience with companies like General Electric, AT&T, Verizon, Ford, Nissan, Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and ChevronTexaco.

HubShout also offers great free SEO tools and an awesome website grader for bloggers and small business owners who are trying to do SEO themselves. Owners can really improve their website position with SEO and local optimization. You can boost your traffic to unprecedented levels with the social media packages offered by Hubshout, so now is as good a time as any to take advantage of the opportunities they offer.

Hubshout's reporting will give you up-to-date, accurate information; so you're never outsourcing your control, just your SEO work. Hubshout also offers great services to small businesses; they will transform your website into a hub of information for whatever your business category may be, using their proprietary technology and search engine optimization. Their SEO services spread your message across the Internet, improving your website's rankings with search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing and more!

Why wouldn't you use Hubshout to improve your business or SEO reselling? Their services are top of the line, their technology is easy to work with, and their referrals are second to none. Start optimizing your web presence today!

Read More

Pedro Martinez admits ’90 percent' of batters he hit were on purpose

Pedro said it...and he meant it. And here's a video to detail his untouchable aura...

Read More

Crafting the Perfect Tailgate with Peachsuite.com

Do you own, or happen to be in the market to establish or purchase a hotel, motel, resort, or restaurant? If you are, you'll be looking for hospitality supplies or equipment; so you will definitely want to check out PeachSuite. PeachSuite's Hotel Supply offers a variety of products in different categories including furniture, kitchen equipment, bar supplies and everything in between!


Need to build a fully equipped bar? Look no further than PeachSuite's hotel bar supply offerings. You can equip yourself with everything you need. Barstools, bar backs, beer dispensers, keg racks, frozen drink machines; anything you could possibly need to operate a bar can be acquired for an affordable price from PeachSuite. 




JZSports is always in pursuit of the perfect tailgate; and we have found PeachSuite to be the perfect one-stop shop to get everything we need for our tailgate bus! We found ourselves with top-end tailgate party equipment, and it came at a price we could easily afford. Thanks to PeachSuite, JZSports will finally have the perfect tailgate when we kick off NFL 2013. We'd invite you, but we'd prefer to keep this stuff for ourselves.

We highly recommend that you check Peach Suite if you're planning on making some big purchases for your retail business as they have quality products at reasonable prices they are are a great place to get your hotel supplies online. The website loads fast and they have made it easy to find what you are looking for because of the organized categories. 

Read More

Wes Welker's Wife Rips Ray Lewis

Anna Burns Welker just Anna burned Ray Lewis with her provocative comments regarding the iconic linebacker. Ouch.

(Image via http://i.imgur.com/DY3zabS.jpg)

Read More

Some Fans Just Don't Know How To Let Go

(Image via http://i.imgur.com/R8czG.jpg)

Read More

Last Goodbye Between Two Legends

Less is more in regard to sports photography.

(Image via http://i.imgur.com/R8czG.jpg)

Read More

Uriah Hall's 1-shot K.O, How is this Sport Legal?

If one values one's face, jaw, or brain cells, one should never step into the ring with Uriah Hall. Adam Cella was immersed in darkness for four minutes following this unusually brutal reverse kick to the jaw.

Though he claims to be unimpressed, the fact that Cella even got up four minutes later is nothing short of a miracle.

Sorry Adam, but when you say "I got to the hospital and I felt fine actually", you don't sound tough, you just sound like a moron.

Read More

1865 Baseball Card Sells for $92K in Auction

This 148-year-old baseball card found at a Maine yard sale has been auctioned for $92,000, a paltry amount if buffet makes you think of Warren over food. The sepia-ingratiated card holds the Brooklyn Atlantics amateur baseball club firmly spotlighted.  

(Image via http://msn.foxsports.com)

Read More

The Paintball Generation

A dubstep remake of The Shooter...with paint.

Read More

Soccer Announcer Loses his Mind

This announcer's words instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. He is, like many football commentators before him, a legend.

Read More

Craziest Thing You'll See All Week

At :07, a referee swoops in out of nowhere. Literally dumbfounding.

Read More

The Struggle of a Jersey Sports Fan

Touche.

Read More

This Kid Has Moves Like Jagger

Young Celtics fan Daylon Trotman is one smooth operator.

Read More

Mark Cuban Burns Skip Bayless

For the first time in a long time, Mark Cuban is a media hero. 

Read More

This Announcer Can Predict The Future

We can only hope announcer R.J. Lewis is currently on his way to Vegas following this crystal-ball masterpiece. He has a rare gift.

Read More

The Creepiest Fan Ever

This needs little explanation. The eerie stare and motionless demeanor of this creepy fan will forever haunt our dreams. What was going through his mind? Attempting to contact extra terrestrials via mustache morse code? Legend has it, he's still trying.

We may never know, but we hope he didn't kill anyone.

Read More

More Kyle!

As it turns out, this was Awkward Kyle's very first crack at being a sports reporter. Depending on how you look at it...it could have gone worse.

We can't wait to see him go to the San Francisco Giants' victory parade. Hopefully he'll get another chance to speak about "Colby Bryant" down the road.

Enjoy!

Read More