Bleacher Report - Articles by Patrick Clarke

Dempsey, The Future Of American Soccer?

Patrick Clarke — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:07:12 -0400

If you're even a casual soccer fan, or you follow the United States National Team, by now you should know the name Clint Dempsey. A talented midfielder that burst onto the scene in 2006 when he scored the Yank's only goal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

After finishing up a spectacular FIFA Confederations Cup in June with a bitter loss to Brazil, Dempsey was awarded the Bronze Ball, given to the tournament's third best player.

Dempsey scored three goals in three consecutive games, including the third and final goal against Egypt that put the U.S. through to the semi-final round against Spain.

Landon Donovan will undoubtedly be forever tied to U.S. soccer. But as United States soccer continues to fight for respect across the globe, one player is slowly emerging as the new face of American soccer.

Will the Phoenix Suns Come Out Tomorrow?

Patrick Clarke — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:19:51 -0400

After a devastating 36-loss season, the Phoenix Suns again head home early with questions to be answered.

The championship window has been shrinking since 2005—and so has the Suns' success.

A team that brought the game to life just four seasons ago is dying a slow and painful death.

The bottom line is the Phoenix Suns need an identity. If you're going to run and gun, then do it. If you're going to be a defense-first team, then do that.

But you can't do both—no one can.

On the bright side, next season, with Amare back in the lineup, Nash at point guard, and the Diesel down low, not to mention the Brazilian blur back at full strength, it's hard to not believe in the Suns.

NBA Playoffs: Is There a Favorite Out West?

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:12:03 -0500

With the Hornets current losing streak and their recent, lackluster play following the loss of Chris Paul, I ask you fellow sports fans, who's the favorite out west?

It seems the untested young guns from Portland are poised for a 2009 playoff appearance, but can they really win it all?

The Nuggets, a team that plays "D" as thin as the Rocky Mountain air, have struggled mightily in recent playoff appearances. But, now that they have a proven leader at point guard, can the combo of Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony get them out of the first round, and into the finals?

Will the Rockets equation of McGrady, Yao, and Artest equal the second round?

The Lakers are the defending champions out west; and they hold the best record in the conference. But they don't play defense, and I'm not convinced they can win in San Antonio, are you?

That takes us to the Spurs (starring the big three...but we'll let Roger Mason take the last shot). We know they will make noise in the playoffs, but how much? The Hornets couldn't cash in on a 2-0 series lead, but it is 2009. Will the every-other-year pattern continue for San Antonio?

How about Phoenix, their longest playoff run in recent memory came without Stoudemire? Will the Suns rise in the valley this spring?

Will the Mavs, still hungover from that finals loss in 2006, try to make one more run with Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and Dirk? Is "Big D" ready to make a run?

Can the Utah Jazz, a team that could beat anyone at home last season, find themselves and snag their first finals appearance since they took on MJ? Will they even make the postseason?

You be the judge.

Want To Hear Something Funny? Duke's Chances of Winning a National Championship

Patrick Clarke — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:16:36 -0500

Does Duke really scare any college basketball fans anymore?

It's a wonder why they are so prestigious these days.

They haven't won a championship since 2001 and have been ousted from the big dance relatively early the past few seasons.

Call me crazy, but I don't think Duke is adding to that dwindling resume anytime soon.

The Arizona Cardinals of the NBA

Patrick Clarke — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:43:13 -0500

With the Arizona Cardinals reaching Super Bowl XXXXIII, I feel that it is time to ask the question of "Which NBA team is most poised to pull off a Cardinal-like performance in the NBA playoffs?"

For the answer, we don't even have to leave the borders of the Grand Canyon State. The Phoenix Suns, a team with a proven leader at quarterback (Steve Nash), starring as Kurt Warner, an athletic playmaker (Amare Stoudemire), playing the role of Larry Fitzgerald, and a resurrected veteran in the backfield (Shaquille O'Neal), playing the part of Edgerrin James.

The similarities are undeniable. So far the Suns have put together a record of 23-16, their version of the 9-7 Cardinals. If the Suns can sneak into the playoffs, much like the Cardinals, with their run n' gun offensive mentality, similar to Arizona, maybe they too can shock the world.

Are the Suns Rising in the West?

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:45:44 -0500

Three weeks into the NBA season and the "old" and " depleted" Suns are playing for first place in the Pacific division.

Shaquille O'Neal looks like a college kid again, and Amare Stoudemire is an MVP candidate. The two-time MVP, Steve Nash, is still running the point and '06-'07 sixth man of the year Barbosa is back in form. Throw in Raja Bell, Matt Barne's defensive savvy, and a veteran like Grant Hill, and yeah, I'd say that's a championship contender.

Tonight we find out if the Suns are ready to answer to critics: the first place Lakers are in town. Phoenix (8-4) jumped out to a 5-1 start this season, but Los Angeles (8-1) started 7-0. A rivalry that was at its best during the 2006 playoffs will be renewed tonight.

Regardless of the outcome, Phoenix will be a playoff-team this year, and all the doubters will be watching this season, hoping that this "old" and "tired" team doesn't make them look "old" and "tired."

Come on guys, don't ever count out Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal.

Did the Minnesota Vikings Get Away with One?

Patrick Clarke — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:36:15 -0500

Last Sunday, the Vikings defeated the Packers 28-27, with the help of an Adrian Peterson touchdown with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. This week, NFL Officials are saying they don't know why Peterson wasn't penalized for taking off his helmet after the game-winning touchdown.

They also say there were at least four times during the game that Peterson removed his helmet while on the field.

Removing your helmet while still on the field, other than in a timeout scenario, is against NFL rules, officials say. The Packers' Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal with 0:26 left in the game.

Had Peterson been given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (for taking his helmet off to celebrate the score), then the Vikings would have to kick from their 15-yard line, giving the Packers excellent field position with plenty of time remaining.

NFL official Mike Pereira says it frustrates him that nothing was done about it, saying, "But when you score like that, when you remove your helmet, you should be flagged."

Look Out SEC, Percy "No Mercy" Harvin is Ready

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:24:36 -0400

According to inside sources, Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin is ahead of schedule after recovering from heel surgery. Harvin will enter his Junior season as as a National Champion and a potential Heisman candidate, not to mention he is catching passes from last years Heisman winner Tim Tebow.

In a conference that is guaranteed to give you your money's worth, Harvin looks to get right back where he left off last season, torching teams on the ground, and through the air, on his way to 764 rushing yards and 858 receiving yards, and ten total touchdowns. He's a playmaker, a champion, and oh yeah, SEC, he's a Gator.

Brett Favre: Good Fit in Baltimore?

Patrick Clarke — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:09:12 -0400

With speculation of Brett Favre coming out of retirement for another season, I got the thinking, other than Green Bay, where would he fit?

The first place that popped into my head was my home team Baltimore Ravens. I'm a Packers fan, but Favre playing a half hour away would be excellent.

The Ravens have the defense, the special teams, and the elite running back. They just need an accomplished quarterback to piece the puzzle together. With Favre they would instantly become a playoff team, and a possible Super Bowl contender.

I believe that if Favre comes back, and he isn't a Packer, the Ravens have to be on his list—Favre and Ray Lewis, that's good football.

Donald Driver: Best Packer Receiver of All Time?

Patrick Clarke — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:28:39 -0400

Donald Driver, not exactly the first name that pops into your head when you're talking about the top NFL receivers in history. We all agree that Driver is an underrated player that always seems to be there when his team needs him, but where does he rank when it comes to the greatest Packer receivers of all time?

Some old timers might argue that Max McGee was the greatest Packer receiver to ever lace em' up. Well, take a look at his career stats as a Packer. McGee had 345 career receptions, only 6,346 career receiving yards, and 50 receiving touchdowns.

Some more recent Packers' fans might even say Antonio Freeman was the best Packer wide out of all time. Well, let's have a look at his career numbers as a Packer: 431 career receptions, 6,651 receiving yards as a Packer, and exactly 60 touchdowns. He had a slightly better career than McGee statistically.

As Driver enters his 10th season as a Packer, he does so with 503 career receptions, a hair under 7,000 yards with 6,977 career receiving yards, and 38 career touchdowns as a Packer.

Not only is Driver's career not finished, he has had four consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving and finished with over 1,200 yards receiving three out of the past four seasons.

I challenge you, the reader, to show me any reason why Donald Driver shouldn't be named Best Packer Receiver of All Time. Just ask Brett Favre what he thinks.

NBA: Steve Nash or Jason Kidd?

Patrick Clarke — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:54:37 -0400

Steve Nash? Or Jason Kidd? If asked this question, who would you take?

A lot of people say they both are pass-first point guards, true, but not entirely. Nash averages more points, while Kidd averages more rebounds, they both average a similar amount of assists, around 11 this past season.

But when it comes to who has had the better career, who accomplished more in the league, who do you take?

Neither has won a title. Kidd has been to the NBA Finals twice, but Nash has two MVP awards.

They both are surefire Hall of Fame members, and they each have a legacy that will live on long after they retire.

But I ask you, the basketball fan, if you had one game to win, who would you take for that one game? Nash or Kidd?

NBA Draft: Phoenix Suns Could Be Shining a Little Longer

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:03:08 -0400

After the 2008 NBA draft Thursday night, it seems as if the Phoenix Suns have changed the mindset that has held them back for so many seasons. They kept their two pieces of trade bait—Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw, the only significant bench players last season. The Suns drafted Robin Lopez, the seven-footer from Stanford, and Malik Hairston from Oregon.

It looks as if the Suns are begining to put together a bench. The past few years in the playoffs, Phoenix played an eight-man rotation that seemed to wear out some of the starters, and really hurt them when they found themselves in foul trouble too soon.

Lopez is a smart pick for the Suns. He will be a capable role player off the bench, giving Shaq more time to rest. He also brings energy, rebounding, and defense—things the Suns have lacked for some time.

With new head coach Terry Porter, it looks like the Suns will become a more defensive-oriented team, and a much deeper team, with Barbosa, Diaw, and now Lopez off the bench. The future seems bright for the Suns and Thursday's draft should give fans a little more reason to smile.