D Backs are Finished...On to Summer Movies!

If the Fredstrom wanted to watch low scoring games he would just go watch soccer!  Score some runs! The Fredstrom thought that they were going to steal bases, bunt people over and try to manufacture runs!  

Even though it's early the Fredstrom is concerned.  So far the D-Backs are:

27th in Batting avg. (.225)

27th in walks drawn

27th in runs scored (24) 

19th in strikeouts (46)

19th in ERA (5.43)

18th in fielding percentage (4 errors so far)

So let's set the expectations for the year really low, that way we won't be disappointed. 

Let's face it... already they are 2-5 and all these have been home games! That projects to be a 62 win season!

The Suns have been depressing, the D-Backs are promising to be the same, what does the Fredstrom look forward to? 

Oh yeah...summer movies! Let's take a look at the upcoming May movies that excited the Fredstrom. Here's the countdown.

4. Angels & Demons- May 15th- Author Dan Brown has written this prequel of the Da Vinci Code.  Although highly controversial, (and fictional) it was an entertaining story.  This one should be interesting. Robert Langdon (Hanks) helps stop a secret society from trying to destroy the Vatican.

3. Terminator Salvation- May 21st- Loved T2, thought T3 had some pretty crazy special effects.  The Fredstrom is only seeing this based on the coat tails of T2 and that Christian Bale is an incredible actor. It's set in post-Apocalyptic 2018, where John Connor (Bale) has to figure out if a stranger he meets has been sent from the future of rescued from the past.

2. Night at the Museum 2- May 22- The first one was awesome and The Fredstrom has missed Ben Stiller. The Fredstrom appreciates the historical components to these movies.  This one is set in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian, should be interesting.

1.Up by Pixar- May 29- If Pixar touches it, The Fredstrom is highly interested. It's about an old man (voice by Christopher Plummer) that tries to live out his deceased wife's dream of mountain exploring, befriending an adventurous boy along the way.  Like Wall-E not your stereotypical animated plot...increasing the Fredstrom's anticipation!

Schooling? We Talkin' About Schooling?

First, to the Suns, great game last night and it doesn't matter...on to more important things.

The Fredstrom became aware of some recent statistics regarding education in Arizona and thought that the people should be informed so here goes it.

Arizona has the 2nd highest student-teacher ratio in the country. 21.4 students per teacher.

Arizona is ranked 35th in the nation in average teacher salaries. $7,000 below the nat'l avg.

In 2008, the U.S. average per student expenditure is $9,963. 

Arizona ranks dead last in student expenditure at $5,346. The chart below shows 2005, Arizona was passed by Utah in 2008.

Over the past decade inflation has risen 31.4% Teacher salaries on average have declined 1%.

Now the Fredstrom isn't going to go off about all these sad statistics...He just wonders how a state like Arizona can be so far behind? Where has all the money gone?  Look at the states that spend more than Arizona? How can you be dead last?  Pathetic!

According to Tom Horne the State Super of Education, we are ranked above the national average in almost every category and are dead last in spending.  Imagine Arizona's potential if they could manage a budget and increase educational spending?  He poses that we are not the "Dumbest State" but are the "Dumbest Business".  

Then there you have it... The Fredstrom is employed by the Dumbest Business! Sweet!

Planet Orange: Too Little Too Late?

Before the Fredstrom gets going, he has to tell you his favorite moment from last night's game.  So you know how the players all greet each other with high fives and thug hugs? Well Shaq greets Jazz Center Mehmet Okur with the customary European double-cheek kiss.  The Fredstrom doesn't know if Shaq was trying to be culturally sensitive or just a clown, but Okur immediately wipes both sides of his face to get those Shaqtus germs off himself.

In and of itself that is funny, but here's the kicker! Okur misses his first 4 free throws which at the time were crucial.  He shot 2-6 from the line (33%) well under his season avg. of 83%.  On the other hand Shaq goes 4-6 with 2 HUGE free throws in the last 2 minutes!

It's too bad the Suns didn't ditch Porter 10 games earlier.  Gentry has the bench playing well, giving the starters some much needed rest.  This bench was vital in the Lakers upset, the Denver game Monday night, and of course last night. Viva La Gentry!

Is it too little too late?  Will the Suns catch the Mavs?  If they beat Portland tonight they will only be 3 games behind the Blazers.  Should be interesting!

One of the Most Incredible Dunks Ever!

Check out this video...amazing the guy didn't kill himself!

Remember!  If you are reading this in your email, you have to go to the blog to watch the video.

Momma Always Said There'd Be Days Like This...

After last night's loss to the Lebron's, The Fredstrom has some thoughts...

- Sometimes it's just the other team's night. Cavs shoot 17-33 3pt FG's.

- Sometimes the other team has a star player that gets star treatment. Lebron 43 mins. 0 fouls

-Also see the non-call on J. Richardson's 360 dunk.

-Sometimes that star is just a big freak of nature. See three triple doubles in a row.

- Sometimes you have idiots on your team. Trying to do a flashy and unnecessary 360 dunk in a close game when you know that Lebron is on the other team.  It doesn't matter that he was in the backcourt when you took off...just ask Leandro how it felt in the first quarter. SWAT!

-Also see Matt Barnes 4 turnovers in the first 4 mins.

-Sometimes your team gets deflated after losing 5 in a row and know deep down that they don't have a chance to make the playoffs. Just see the Suns starting lineup introductions.

-Talk about unenthused!

- They looked like they were walking the Green Mile, not getting ready to play a very important nationally televised game.

-Sometimes you force a coach out and bring in a GM that is clueless.

- See hiring Terry Poorter, letting go the winningest coach in the last 5 years, bringing Shaq here, bringing J. Rich in a guy that doesn't think so good, trading away draft picks like Andre Igoudala, Luol Deng, and Rajon Rondo. Nice job Sarver...but you sure do wave that foam finger well. You were so close the last few years, it was bad luck that caused some of the misfortune not lack of talent.  Say all you want about defense winning championships..I don't see the Celtics or Lakers, or Cavs for that reason keeping the Suns to 85 points...combined they have held the Suns to 103 points per game.

-Sometimes you just have bad luck.

-See the entire Suns history.

Whether the Suns have given up, gassed out, or just don't have it anymore, it's disappointing to say the least.  The Suns fans are not ready to watch Planet Busted Orange rebuild.  They aren't ready to watch a team win 20 games.  Sarver needs to get it together and so does Steve Kerr. Are you going to make some big moves for the 2010 summer, i.e. Lebron, D. Wade, Dirk, Bosh, Amare? Or just be mediocre and try to hit the draft?  With Nash done, Shaq done, and possible Amare, Sarver should have some serious jack to land some real talent on Planet Orange.

The formula for winning championships: Get two perennial all-stars, a rebounder, and surround them with 3point shooters. - See Houston Rockets, see Chicago Bulls, see San Antonio Spurs, see last year's Celtics.

Go get D. Wade, Kopono, J.J. Reddick and Kevin Durant. Keep guys like Lou Amundson Dudley, and Barbosa. The Suns don't have a guy that can hit the big shot.  See Roger Mason and his four game winners this year, see James Posey in last year's playoffs.

Not Sure if You Saw This...

With the SUNS setting and Planet Orange imploding the Fredstrom has to find a way to keep himself entertained. Where else does one turn but to youtube?! This is a riot!

This prank was amazing...it takes about 6 minutes and is well worth it.



Should the Suns make a push for the playoffs just to be ousted by the Lakers in the first round and miss a lottery pick. Or just coast the rest of the way to get a lottery pick to help rebuild next year?

Planet Orange Gets a Black Eye!

Should have been wearing these glasses player!

Okay so now Amare is out for 8 weeks because of an eye surgery...not good timing at all! Good news is that the Suns can still sneak into the playoffs and have him ready a week or so before they start.

Garnett is out for this Sunday's game and again other teams in the West are falling apart.  Sweet Lou and the rest of the bench will need to step it up, like really step on it- like J. Rich and his gas pedal with a 3 year-old in the back seat! Eat your carrots Amare! Get back quick!

If for some reason the Suns don't get far because of this eye-poke..that would be yet another spell of bad luck for our beloved Planet. From the Kareem coin flip, to the John Paxson dagger, to the Joe Johnson face break, to the Amare microfracture, the suspensions, and that darn Tim Duncan 3pt. prayer last year in the playoffs....man that was tough to bring up. The Fredstrom remains optimistic and wonders if you feel the same?