SPORTS NOTES EXTRA - IT'S NO HAPPY TIME IN SPORTS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

In the world of NO HAPPY it seems that it all has come to fruition for Robinho, and Allen Iverson - New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott was fired yesterday after only nine games into an 82 game season - FIFA TOP 10

Saturday November 14, 2009

THE DISGRUNTLED DISEASE IS SPREADING - ROBINHO IVERSON NO HAPPY

In the world of NO HAPPY it seems that it all has come to fruition for Robinho, and Allen Iverson who we felt going into their current deal with Manchester City and the Memphis Grizzlies would ask their way our of Dodge (their commitment to their clubs) and seek greener pasture elsewhere to give themselves the top dog position that they seem to prefer. Neither can carry a team to a championship and when their clubs shore up the side with top talent acquisition their I, ME, MY attitude surfaces. As they say there is no I in TEAM.

Robinho is said to be heading to Barcelona in January in a loan deal for $6 million. The Brazilian has been a controversial player since he grumbled that he wanted top leave Real Madrid. He got his wish but continues to be a malcontent. The irony is that he had an opportunity to be a member of the Chelsea club but chose to go for the buck and take the larger salary offered by Manchester City. In the world of GO FUIGURE this is it.

Robinho 25, was personally picked by Pelé as his heir apparent at only 15 years of age and went on to lead Santos to its first Campeonato Brasileiro title since Pelé himself played for the same legendary Brazilian club. Since then he won another title with Santos, two more with Real Madrid, one Copa América title with Brazil and two Confederations Cup, as well with Brazil.

Iverson has been permitted to leave the club to take care of personal business. He is unhappy with his role as a reserve player and noted that he has never been a player to come off the bench. This is the same complaint he had last season with the Detroit Pistons that in part sent him packing.

Iverson was selected with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996–97 season. The now 34-year-old guard is a ten-time NBA All-Star which includes winning the All-Star MVP award in 2001 and 2005. Winning the NBA scoring title during the 1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2004-05 seasons, Iverson has become one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, despite his small (6'0") stature, with a career scoring average of 27.1 points per game, being fifth all-time. Iverson was also the NBA Most Valuable Player of the 2000–01 season and led his team to the NBA Finals that post-season.

The New York Yankees World Series sensation and SERIES MVP Hideki Matsui is in a different position. The 35 year-old Japanese outfielder has endured problems with his knees that reduced him to a designated hitter status. That worked well in the World Series but going forward the Yankee management has permitted the MVP of the World Series to become a free agent. The reality is with Matsui's age and health problems plus a healthy salary it may be a sign of the times for him to move on to another American League club to continue his designated hitter role. Should the Yankees sign him they will show their appreciation for the player which is well deserved but from a business standpoint a risky decision. Matsui has expressed his desire to remain with the club.

NBA'S BYRON SCOTT FIRED FROM NEW ORLEANS

It's another case of what have you done for me lately as the New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott was fired yesterday after only none games into the season with a 3-6 record. Former NBA player and now NBA telecast commentator Doug Collins was shocked to hear the news while noting that Scott was a good coach.

Former NBA player now NBA analyst Jalen Rose commented on the Hornets star player Chris Paul being upset that he wasn't consulted of the situation prior to Scott being let go. Rose pointed out the no respect issue was in part why LeBron James and Dwyane Wade only signed three year contracts so they could leave the club when things don't go to their liking.

Scott took over the Hornets in the 2004-05 season. From an 18-64 start in an regulation 82 game NBA season Scott improved in successive seasons of 38-44 (2005-06), 39-43 (2006-07) to 56-26 (2007-08) when he earned the NBA Coach of the Year honor. The team slipped to 49-33 last season and disharmony among the players started to surface. The complaint being they didn't like the style of play that Scott coached. Scott was a member of three Lakers title teams in the 80's (85, 87 & 88).

FIFA TOP 10 - Brazil and Spain pull away

It comes as little surprise then, that there has been noticeable movement this month. Nevertheless, the very top is unchanged, with Brazil retaining a narrow lead over Spain

No fewer than 192 matches have been played since the last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, 147 of which were qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. It comes as little surprise then, that there has been noticeable movement this month. Nevertheless, the very top is unchanged, with Brazil retaining a narrow lead over Spain , the Netherlands and Italy . England remain in seventh place, whereas Germany (5th, down 1) and Russia (12th, down 6) have both lost ground. Besides Argentina (6th, up 2), Croatia (8th, up 1) and France (9th, up 1), this month’s big winners are Portugal (10th, up 7), who are back in the top 10 after a successful run of World Cup qualifying games.

In the top 50, five teams have climbed more than ten places. Particularly worthy of mention are the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon , who have risen 15 places to 14th and are now the highest-ranked African team.

Currently, 23 teams have booked a place in the World Cup finals, 13 of which are ranked in the top 20. Five of the other teams in the top 20 face a play-off for a place in South Africa, while Croatia and the Czech Republic are the only teams in the top 20 who have failed to qualify for the World Cup. Hosts South Africa (85th, down 12) and Korea DPR (91st, down 1) are the only teams from outside the top 50 who will be present at next year’s event.

· Leader Brazil (1st, unchanged)

· Moves into top ten Portugal (10th, up 7)

· Moves out of top ten Russia (12th, down 6)

· Matches played in total 192

· Most matches played Argentina, Colombia , Japan , Mexico , South Africa (five each)

· Biggest move by points Portugal (up 162 points)

· Biggest move by ranks Faroe Islands (122nd, up 41)

· Biggest drop by points Libya (down 182 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks Libya (120th, down 38)

· Newly-ranked teams none

· Teams that are no longer ranked none

· Inactive teams (not ranked) São Tomé e Príncipe

FIFA TOP 10 for October, 2009

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Brazil - 1632

2. Spain - 1629

3. Netherlands - 1340

4. Italy - 1215

5. Germany - 1161

6. Argentina - 1103

7. England - 1101

8. Croatia 1087

9. France - 1049

10. Portugal - 1042

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on November 20, 2009

FIFA

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved.