Thank God for Sid the Kid

This is what God and Jezus look like to me

Let me preface this blog by saying that I know my most beloved three teams (The Terps being next on the list) probably seem very random to someone who doesn’t know me, but that is for another day. The bottom line is I have been stuck with these three teams since about 1986 (the Pens in 88). Keep in mind, ‘86 was the last great Celtics season, and I was all of six years old. Don’t get me wrong. I consider myself a lucky sports fan. I have been an active fan for five championships (Skins in ‘87 and ‘91, Pens in ‘90 and ‘91, and the Terps in 2002—the fifth year truly is the best). Anyways—moving right along..

Things were beginning to look bleek. The Redskins were pathetic this season. With the exception of getting to see Jason Campbell finally get some PT and the surprise (not to me) performance of back-up running back, Ladell Betts, the season was a complete waste. And after the bonus that was the 2005 season and playoff run, this year really hurt.
Then my Celtics? Oh the Cs. As if this season wasn’t bad enough, now greats from the 80s are dropping dead for no good reason (a DJ blog will be up later today). We are quite possibly, and I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, THE worst team in the NBA.

I have to say, I had some hopes for the Penguins. Crosby is godly. He’s Lemieux-like. Of the absolute phenoms currently active in pro sports (Ovechkin, Lebron, and Crosby), Sid could quietly be the best. I live in DC. Ovechikin is definitely a problem. He may be the second most popular athlete in town (after the becoming slightly overrated Gilbert Arenas–yeah I said it). So I know Ovechkin is quite possibly the best player in the league. That said, Crosby is pretty damn good. He quietly leads the league in points and assists.

Then there’s Evgeni Malkin (he’s a year older than Crosby, making him a few months shy of 21). This kid really made me nervous when he first came to the states last summer. He ditched his Russian team by breaking contract and then disappeared when he touched down on US soil. Then he injured his “upper body” by coliding into a teammate during his first preseason game. But he’s really good too. Then you mix in a group of solid vets and some other young guys that the Pens have been developing in Wilkes Barre, and you have a team that is 15 games above .500 and now sitting currently as the 4th playoff seed.

I’m definitely excited for the Terps (and the Hoyas too), who look great at just the right time. I cannot wait to watch the Western Conference playoffs in the NBA. I’m pretty amped about The Sopranos and Entourage too. But seriously, I am so siked for a playoff series with a team that I really love. I mean did you see the f*cking Sabres fight tonight?! Thank you, Sid.