Bleacher Report - Articles by Jeff Prince

Dallas Mavericks Win Third Straight Game

Jeff Prince — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:23:56 -0500

The Dallas Mavericks won their fifth road game of the season, beating the Houston Rockets 96-86 tonight. This is their third straight win, with all three victories coming on the road.

Just call them the road warriors, or at least keep them away from the AAC. The Mavericks haven't won a game on their own home court yet; they're 0-4 at the AAC. Yet, on the road, the Mavs own a 5-3 record with the last three wins coming at New York, Charlotte, and Houston.

Jason Terry led all Mav's scorers tonight with 31 points, while Dirk Nowitzki chipped in 24 points and 12 rebounds.

In a losing effort, the Rockets managed to have five players in double figures with an injured Tracy McGrady and Rafer Alston leading the group with 16 points each.

The Mavs will try to win their first home game Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, with tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Mike Maddux Headed to Texas Rangers

Jeff Prince — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:32:13 -0500

Confirming previous reports, Milwaukee Brewers GM Doug Melvin is confirming that former pitching coach Mike Maddux is headed to the Texas Rangers.

It is believed the Rangers "overwhelmed" Maddux with a multi-year deal making him one of the highest paid pitching coaches in the game.

Although contract terms are not available, it is believed the deal is for a minimum of three years.

Maddux, 47, has been the Brewers pitching coach the last six seasons. This season he led the Brewers pitching staff to post a 3.85 ERA, ranking second in all of Major League Baseball.

Norman Still On The Attack at British Open

Jeff Prince — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:40:05 -0400

I understand Tiger Woods isn't in the 2008 British Open. I also understand that due to the absence of Tiger, and the early morning coverage on television, you probably aren't in your recliner watching.

Yet, for those of us who are die-hard golf lovers, you have got to be ecstatic that Greg Norman has done so well after three rounds of golf this weekend.

Who would have thought 53 year old Greg Norman, whose last PGA Tour win was in 1997 at the FedEx St. Just Classic, would be sitting alone at the top of the leader-board come Saturday?

I know I wasn't one of them. I'll bet you weren't one either.

Norman closed the third round out with a 72, two over for the day. Yet, it was his first two rounds of consecutive even par 70's that have him the sole leader at +2.

Although Norman has only hit 38% of fairways, he is demolishing the field with his 59% of greens hit and 1.59 average of putts per hole.

If Norman can have another solid round on Sunday, and not have a collapse as he did in the 1996 Masters, we will witness Norman become golf's oldest Major champion.

But can Norman overcome the jitters of that 96' Masters? Can "The Shark" attack on Sunday and rid himself of the critics who say he can't win a big one anymore since his last major win in 93' at Royal St. George?

We'll just have to wait and see tomorrow morning.

But I can tell you this, no Tiger, no problem. At least for this British Open. A big name golfing legend, coming out of the woodwork to put himself in position to take the championship? The PGA could not have asked for any better scenario.

Men's Golf: Bubba Watson Apologizes for Outburst

Jeff Prince — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:55:20 -0400

If anyone was watching the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the Golf Channel Friday, you might have overheard golfer Bubba Watson tearing into veteran Steve Elkington.

Elkington and Watson were in a heated argument at the 10th tee in the second round of play. It evidently didn't stop there.

Elkington hit his second shot then proceed to walk to the green with his caddy. The Golf Channel microphones picked up on Watson yelling at Elkington, "You gonna stop walking man? Damn. You did it all day yesterday. I tell you what: veterans can kiss my ass."

Yet, at the end of the round Watson apologized to Elkington and his other playing partner Shigeki Maruyama.

Watson says he heard some movement while he was playing his second shot and proceeded to yell at Elkington.

Watson also doesn't even recall what exactly the noise came from.

"Who knows what (the movement) was,'' he said. "I was already mad for the day and I just took it out on them and I shouldn't have. I want to apologize to everyone in the tournament, whoever heard it, whoever saw it and especially to Steve and Shigeki and their caddies."

Tourney director Arvin Ginn says after speaking with all three golfers after the round that all three were, "very gentlemanly about the whole thing. They shook hands and there's no incident here.''

Tony Romo in Contention at Azalea Invitational

Jeff Prince — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:46:08 -0400

In case you've forgotten, Romo not only quarterbacks America's team and dates one of America's hottest blonde bombshells, but he can also tear it up on the golf course as well.

This weekend, Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo is playing in the Azalea Invitational. The Azalea is an amateur golf tournament played in Charleston, S.C.

Romo's first round score was a 73, placing him close to the top of the leader-board, and getting national exposure.

His second round didn't go so swift, walking off the the final hole with a score of 80.

Yet, very Romo-esk, he came back firing to bring himself back into contention by scoring a staggering 69 in the third round of play.

Romo is now tied for 14th with five other players, 11 shots behind the leader but only 6 shots from second place.

It's pretty safe to say Romo won't win this tournament, as it seems Zach Sucher has this tourney in the bag, but for Romo to come in the top 10, or even top 5 would be extremely impressive.

Let's see if Romo can bring his golf game from behind to excel like he's done for the Dallas Cowboys so many times before.

Pacman Jones to Dallas Appears Imminent

Jeff Prince — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:39:29 -0400

According to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, the Cowboys and Titans are working on a trade that would send currently suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones to Dallas.

Schefter is reporting the Titans are asking for a third round pick in return, while the Cowboys are offering a sixth round pick. It's looking as if both teams will agree somewhere in the middle, likely a conditional pick.

There have also been rumors that the Titans want the Cowboys to include a player in the trade. The Titans are trying to get as much compensation as possible for Pacman, who is a former 1st round pick (No. 6 overall in the 2005 draft).

If this is the case, look for the Cowboys to throw in a player from their crowded linebacker corps, such as former first round pick Bobby Carpenter or Akin Ayodele.

I wouldn't be surprised if a deal is completed this weekend, before officials for both teams leave for league meetings in Florida.

If I had to predict the outcome, I say the trade will be completed Monday. Going to Dallas, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and the Titans receiving a fourth round conditional pick and Akin Ayodele.

Pacman Jones Has Arrived

Jeff Prince — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:08:09 -0400

If you haven't heard already, Adam "Pacman" Jones was in Dallas earlier today answering questions from new ESPN 103.3 personality, Michael Irvin.

Irvin was drilling Pacman with questions about every single incident he's been involved in and where he thinks he ranks among other high dollar CB's in the NFL today.

One of the best quotes I came across was Pacman responding to whether or not he'll go back to the strip clubs again.

"I cannot say ever, ever," Pacman said. "But I can say they won't see me [in strip clubs] for the next three or four years."