Sporting Smiles Blog

The Tevez Saga

sportingsmiles — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:33:23 +0000

Photo copyright to Getty Images

Carlos Tevez is back in the news this week after handing in his transfer request to Manchester City. The Argentine forward seems to be unhappy with life in Manchester and wants out immediately. Rumors have even surfaced that he may quit football all together if things don’t improve or change. Any team in the world could use a player like Tevez, I hope he ends up somewhere that he can shine because football needs a player like him.

Is the Prem Getting Weaker?

arsenal34 — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:32:17 +0000

Recent results have shown that the English Premier League is going to have one heck of a climatic finish. The season has been a roller coaster, with no team looking strong, especially from the “big teams” like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Fans of the league, like myself, see this as a positive, seeing that every team is now getting better and better (all except West Ham United). But it really begs the question: are the lower teams getting stronger, or are the big boys getting weaker?

Why would I believe the big boys are getting weaker? Look at Chelsea. Due to their lackluster buying over the past few years, Chelsea has forgotten about their youth team. The first team for Chelsea is getting older, and with age comes frequent injuries when playing sports. John Terry can’t keep playing through pain for the next couple years, and we are already seeing Frank Lampard having difficulties with his injuries. There is no real successor for those two players in their youth team, at least none that is brought to my knowledge. Manchester United will have fewer problems so long as SAF is in charge, but even he can’t seem to figure out the team’s away form. Although they have not lost yet, no team can win the league by drawing as many times (7) as they have already. Arsenal is getting stronger, but they lack maturity even after so many years of hype. They also lack a true leader, and Vermalean is that guy, but he has been out for two months with one of the most threatening injuries (Achilles).

However, let’s give credit where credit is due. Bolton is by far the best and most improved team in the league. They are creeping up without anyone noticing. They are sitting in 4th of the table due to goal differential. They are red hot, all in part to the team’s togetherness and from a group of players. Any team that deserves any praise is this team. West Brom and Blackpool are playing great football as well. And Blackburn is looking very tricky. Birmingham showed great togetherness to beat Chelsea yesterday. And Newcastle, although very up-and-down, will be staying up and challenging other teams for more years to come.

But I ask you all: what do you think? Is the league getting stronger, or is it getting weaker? Does this say anything about the talent in England, or the need to spend more on international players to make teams stronger?

Gunning for Nothing

arsenal34 — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:29:25 +0000

The match between Arsenal and Tottenham will be a game that will forever be played over and over again due to the sheer magic that was displayed in the second half.

Unfortunately for me and my Gunners, this sucks.

Within 45 minutes it went from a cakewalk to a meltdown, with a great first goal, a stupid penalty for the second, and my man of the match heading in from a great free kick. What does this all mean for Arsenal? For Tottenham? For the league? Who knows, because quite frankly, no one seems to want to win it.

If Arsenal wants to win it, then they have got to shut up and play. Too many times the media, the team, and Arsene Wenger hypes things up, only for the team to throw a game away or half-ass it throughout the match. The first half was fantastic, but not the best. The second half, well it was pathetic to say the least. The team lacks someone to drive them forward, they lack discipline, and the fans deserve better. They deserve better than for the team to say “we will learn from this” because it is getting old. The first goal for Tottenham was because someone wasn’t man enough to head the ball away, only instead to let it bounce and then Tottenham trounces us. The second was stupidity and immaturity from our “captain” Fabregas, who thought that it would be a great idea to stick out his arm and block the kick with the ref right in full view. A captain of a team no less, someone who is to set and example and lead us, and here he is blowing the game for us. Pathetic. Crap. Stupid. But lazy is probably the best way to put it. No guarantee that kick was going in, but not like he cares. Not like the team cares. They have given up 9 points at home, a place they want to make a fortress out of, and yet the fans keep coming back and watching the same bull crap. We the fans deserve better than this.

No Arsenal player or manager will ever see this, but my frustrations are not alone. It can be seen over in London, with all the Arsenal fans in the stadium leaving under 2 minutes. I know it is only November, and we are still 2 points from first in the league, but to play the way this team plays at home, we won’t win the league. Not like this.

Steve Nash x Landon Donovan (Parts 1,2,&3)

sportingsmiles — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:52:47 +0000

Here you go…all three parts from the Landon Donovan and Steve Nash EA Sports commercials. Check out Part 1 here and continue reading for parts 2 and 3. Enjoy!

Marc-André Fleury Robs Jeff Carter

sportingsmiles — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:18:03 +0000

Check out this insane pad save from the Penguins Marc-André Fleury on Philly’s Jeff Carter the other night.

TOMS Shoes Delivers One Millionth Free Pair

sportingsmiles — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:56:08 +0000

The ever-popular TOMS Shoes, and its founder/chief shoe-giver, Blake Mycoskie have delivered their one millionth pair of free shoes to a child in need. This is an incredible feat (no pun intended) for this company who took off out in California only recently. The idea is simple, buy a pair-give a pair. Myscoskie has really taken the idea of giving and philanthropy to a different level. What a terrific achievement and make sure to grab yourself a pair of TOMS! Also check out the article about this donation from Vanity Fair here.

Seavees Pantone 9/63

sportingsmiles — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:56:28 +0000

Caught wind of Seavees while searching the Internet. Picked up a pair of the All-white Pantone 9/63′s (each date represents a special date in California history). Plenty of colors to pick from in these, keep reading to see some other colors.

NHL is Back

sportingsmiles — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:07:04 +0000

It feels like the Stanley Cup just ended (with my Blackhawks taking the title), but it came upon us quick and the 2010-11 season starts tonight with Carolina taking on Minnesota from Finland. There are four other games on tap for tonight as well as plenty for your viewing pleasure over the weekend. Keep reading to see our predictions for the new season.

Eastern Conference Winners

Atlantic Division – Pittsburgh Penguins

This has to be one of the best divisions in hockey, I don’t see Syd the Kid and the Pens coming in second again. Although the Devils and Flyers will put up a tough fight, I ultimately see the Penguins winning the division

Northeast Division – Buffalo Sabres

Even though Boston should be at full strength this year I still see the Sabres winning the division again, mainly due to the high-level play of goaltender Ryan Miller.

Southeast Division – Washington Capitals

This division really should belong to the Caps as long as Ovi is applying his trade in the DC area. Although the Hurricanes always put a competitive team on the ice, I don’t seeing them being an even match for the Capitals this year. The team who could give them the most trouble would be Tampa Bay, a team with the newest superstar in Steven Stamkos.

Western Conference Winners

Central Division – Chicago Blackhawks

Even after making several offseason moves to get under the cap, the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks should have another successful season. With a new goaltender between the sticks there will be an adjustment period but it shouldn’t take long with the experience Marty Turco will bring. Look for the Hawks to make another Stanley Cup run.

Northwest Division – Vancouver Canucks

Consistently one of the best teams in the NHL over the past several years and with the Sedin twins running the show and Luongo in net they are a tough team to beat. Look for them to make a run deep in the playoffs as well, even though they face an extremely tough Western Conference.

Pacific Division – LA Kings

It may seem a little crazy to not pick the San Jose Sharks to win the Pacific Division, but I see a young and now somewhat experienced Kings team building on last seasons success. They have the backing of a major city now, all they need to do is perform on the ice.

Dwight Howard x David Villa

sportingsmiles — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:32:04 +0000

Love seeing completely different athletes, both super talented, doing stuff like this together. Enjoy

Back and Better than ever

sportingsmiles — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:30:13 +0000

After about a two month hiatus or so, we are back and blogging for Sporting Smiles. We apologize to our readers for the big break but we don’t see that happening again. We are going to make future posts more interesting and hopefully bring you the newest gear, news and everything in between before anyone else. There is a lot in store for Sporting Smiles in the coming months so be sure to stay tuned for any announcements that we make. Thanks for your understanding and enjoy!!