TV Weekend 7.8 - 7.9

By Raven Williams, @nevaRWilliams

New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 8pm)
Masters Of Illusion (FRI, The CW, 8pm & 8:30pm)

As I AM: The Life and Times of DJ AM (FRI, Showtime, 9pm)
What Would You Do? (FRI, ABC, 9pm)
New Japan Pro Wrestling (FRI, AXS TV, 9pm)
Killjoys (FRI, Syfy, 9pm)

Dark Matter (FRI, Syfy, 10pm)
Real Time With Bill Maher (FRI, HBO, 10pm)
Outcast (FRI, Cinemax, 10pm)
ELeague (FRI, TBS, 10pm)

Uncommon Sense (FRI, MTV 2, 11pm)

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Outlander SEASON FINALE (SAT, STARZ, 9pm)
Hell On Wheels (SAT, AMC, 9pm)
The American West (SAT, AMC, 10pm)

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MLB
Yankees @ Indians (FRI, STO, 7pm)
Cubs @ Pirates OR Nationals @ Mets (FRI, MLB, 7pm)

Tigers @ Blue Jays (SAT, MLB, 1pm)
Yankees @ Indians (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 4pm)
Cubs @ Pirates (SAT, FOX, 7pm)
Twins @ Rangers OR Phillies @ Rockies (SAT, MLB, 10pm)

NBA
Summer League: Timberwolves vs Nuggets (FRI, ESPN, 8:30pm)
Summer League: Lakers vs Pelicans (FRI, ESPN, 10:30pm)

Summer League: 76ers vs Lakers (SAT, ESPN 2, 8:30pm)
Summer League: Spurs vs Warriors (SAT, ESPN 2, 10:30pm)

TENNIS
2016 Wimbledon Championships, Women's Final (SAT, ESPN, 9am)
2016 Wimbledon Championships, Women's Final (SAT, ABC, 3pm)

MMA & BOXING
The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale- Prelims (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 8pm)
The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale: Jedrzejczyk vs. Gadelha 2 (FRI, FOX Sports 1, 10pm)

UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 - Prelims (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 8pm)
Premier Boxing: Mario Barrios vs. Devis Boschiero (SAT, ESPN, 9pm)

NASCAR & RACING
XFINITY Series: ALSCO 300 (FRI, NBC Sports, 8:30pm)

Sprint Cup Series: Quaker State 400 (SAT, NBC Sports, 7:30pm)

SOCCER
Women's International Friendly: USA vs South Africa (SAT, FOX Sports 1, 1:30pm)
MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy @ Seattle Sounders (SAT, ESPN, 3pm)

GOLF
European PGA: Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, Third Round (SAT, NBC, 12pm)
2016 U.S. Women's Open (SAT, FOX, 3pm)
Greenbrier Classic (SAT, CBS, 3pm)

FOOTBALL
CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Edmonton Eskimos (FRI, ESPN 2, 10pm)
Arena Football: Jacksonville Sharks @ Arizona Rattlers (SAT, CBS SportsNet, 9:30pm)

OTHER SPORTS
U.S. Olympic Trials, Track and Field (FRI, NBC, 8pm)
U.S. Olympic Trials, Women's Gymnastics (FRI, NBC, 9pm)

2016 Tour de France; Stage 8 (SAT, NBC, 8am)
Horse Racing: Belmont Oaks & Suburban Handicap (SAT, NBC, 4:30pm)
MLL Lacrosse All Star Game (SAT, CBS SportsNet, 7pm)
U.S. Olympic Trials, Track and Field (SAT, NBC, 8pm)

Patrick's Perspective 8.11.14: 2014 PGA Championship

WOW! and, I told you so.

What a golf tournament. This was by far and away the best one this year. I am glad the golfers saved the best for last. The PGA Championship in Valhalla did not disappoint.

The tournament over the course of the 4 days had numerous weather delays that caused higher than normal scores and sloppier than normal conditions.

Going into the final Round yesterday, Rory McIlroy had a two shot lead over Rickie Fowler and a three shot lead over Phil Mickelson. What would take place yesterday afternoon was awesome. All three golfers were scheduled originally to tee off around 2:45pm ET, but the weather did not cooperate and delayed them until 4:20pm ET or so. The conditions were very wet. Standing water all over the course which allowed players to take relief from it since it was not a hazard. There were several times where relief was taken which caused the pace of play to move at a snails pace.

During the final round, especially during the first nine holes, it looked as if Rickie was going to taste his first major victory. However, as I mentioned earlier, with the conditions playing slower & sloppier it caught up to Rickie. And, Rory was well, amazing. Going into the 10th hole Rickie was atop of the leader board after he birdied the par 5 10th hole making a long Birdie putt. You could see the momentum going for him. On that same hole Rory, was in the group behind him, saw Rickie make his 4. At that time Rory was three shots back. He smoked his drive and elects to hit a 3 wood to try and get on the green on two. When he hit it, the ball appeared it would be short. It was not. Rory played a brilliant runner that would end up seven feet from the hole where he would eagle it. From that point on the tournament changed.

The remaining holes were just great golf. Many clutch par saving putts for the leaders. And, I must give Phil his props. He is still awesome. He is still a wizard with his short game. He is still one of the best in the world. After hole 14, he sat atop of the leader board with Rory after Rickie made a bogey on that hole.

The last few holes of this tournament will be forever remembered as trying to finish in daylight. A part of me wishes they would of stopped the tournament after the 16th hole and finished on Monday. It was getting dark. You could tell the players were rushing their shots. Now grant it they are pros, but still. I think with the added pressure of trying to win, with a single shot separating 3 players, and this being a major it should of been delayed until Monday morning. I guess the good thing though is that all three guys had to go through the same conditions which made it fair.

Rory, the new killer in golf, made a birdie on 17 to take a two shot lead. This is where everything got interesting. On hole 18 Rickie & Phil were getting ready to tee off. You could clearly see it getting very dark. And, to boot, the storms were picking up again. With the interest of finishing the tournament on Sunday, Rory was allowed to play into the Rickie & Phil group. Essentially it was almost like a foursome. When Rory teed off on 18 he got lucky. He was about 6 feet from putting his drive into the water. Sometimes, luck is required to win. At that point Rickie & Phil had hit their second shots . The 18th hole is a par 5. If either of them made a 3 for eagle it would force Rory to make birdie. Rickie & Phil both had chances at eagle. Phil went first. He hit a wedge shot that was on the brink of going in. Just missed. Rickie had a putt for an eagle, about a 30-40 footer. Not a gimme. He did miss. You could tell both he and Phil were frustrated as Rory's group was playing on top of them . It bothered them. Phil went on to make a birdie and Rickie made a par. Rory went on to make a par and seal his 4th major title.

Again, this was by far and away the best major of the year. Lots of drama, excellent golf, and controversy! Very fun. I did predict a Rory victory. He has reached the Tiger zone. Yes I said that. The guy is only 25 years old. He is well on his way to more major championships. Yesterday when it looked like he was out of it, he persevered, and won. That is what champions do. It was a legendary performance in my opinion. With everything that was going on yesterday especially early on it appeared he was going to lose. Not so. Well done Rory.

As for Rickie Fowler, his time will come. He was so close. He had the look in his eyes on every hole. He made birdies and clutch putts. However still came up short. Rickie is also 25 like Rory. This is the second time in consecutive majors where these two have battled it out. Rickie is on a come up. He was top 5 in all four major tournaments this year. As disappointing as this loss was, it will have to be something for him to build off of. He has many more years of great golf to go. I look forward to this rivalry for many years to come. It will be great.

Until the Ryder Cup,

Cheers ~ Patrick

Patrick's Perspective 8.7.14: PGA Championship Preview

The fourth and final major championship of the PGA Tour season is upon us this weekend. The PGA Championship Tournament will be played at the Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, KY. The course plays long but is slightly links style.

Going into this weekend the overwhelming favorite, with a ton of momentum, is Rory McIlroy. This guy is on FIYAHHH! He has won his last two starts that include a win at the British Open, and a win at WGC Bridgestone Classic last week at Firestone GC in Akron. Rory is playing on cheat mode golden tee style. That is the best I can describe his game right now. Crushing his driver, solid approach shots, and his putting has been well above above average. The game is much easier when all of of those things are in your favor.

Outside of Rory, my predictions are as follows. Rickie Fowler, has finished in top 5 in three previous major tournaments. He finished top 10 last week . He definitely has a shot at this.

Marc Leishman of Australia ranks around the top 20 in driving distance this season. That will help him at this course. He has also played well the last few weeks with a top 10 at the British and top 5 last week.

I would love for Sergio Garcia to finally get the major championship that he has been chasing for a very long time. He has been playing AWESOME this year. But, the one thing that always holds him back is the mental part of the game. If he can overcome those demons he may taste his first major title!

Other notable mentions are as follows, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley, and Victor Dubuisson.

Long shot favorites are Chris Kirk, Russel Henley, and Brooks Koepka.

All in all I am a huge fan of Rickie Fowler and would love for him to win. But, I can't bet against Rory. Not now, no way. He is playing way too good and until someone proves that otherwise he has to be the pick.

First and second round coverage will be on TNT, starting at 1 PM. CBS will carry the third and final rounds Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Here is to lots of drama on the final round on Sunday!

Cheers ~
Patrick

Leadoff with Lee 8.2.14

-During last night's USA Basketball intrasquad scrimmage game at UNLV, Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George suffered a VERY gruesome broken right leg. While getting back on defense, George went up in the air to defend a James Harden lay up and landed at the base of the basket stanchion. George's leg buckled and snapped, breaking the skin. Teammates reacted immediately, sickened and doubled over with great concern for their fallen friend, teammate and basketball brother. Medics rushed to the fallen George, stabilizing his leg in an air cast before taking him to a Las Vegas hospital where he was accompanied by his family. Needless to say, U.S. coach and Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that out of respect for Paul and his family, the game was over.

Almost two hours after the incident, Paul George tweeted this out:

Thanks everybody for the love and support.. I'll be ok and be back better than ever!!! Love y'all!! #YoungTrece

— Paul George (@Paul_George24) August 2, 2014

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo would not speculate on the severity of the injury and asked the media to be patient and not to ask when Team USA roster cuts would be made. Along with all members of both scrimmage teams, players around the league reacted, sending out their well wishes and prayers to Paul and his family.

George, only 24, has emerged as the leader of the Pacers and one of the best players in the NBA and a two-time All-Star. George signed a 5 year $90M extension with the Pacers last season that was ready to kick in this season.

USA Basketball it announced that he had successful emergency surgery of a right leg open tibia-fibula with no ancillary damage and is expected to remain in a Las Vegas hospital for about 3 days. Recovery time could range anywhere from 6 to 12 months, at minimum. A very sad time for USA Basketball, the NBA, the Indiana Pacers and Paul George and his family.
-Chris Williams, The Raven Report

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-Even though we all know Andrew Wiggins has been involved in the trade talks for Timberwolves big man Kevin Love, I have "may" have further proof of the trade details that were made in principal. After looking at Cavs.com jerseys, Andrew Wiggins' jersey has been labeled discontinued. Could this be a internet error? I for one, don't think so. Remember when LeBron was drafted? His jersey was labeled sold out and wasn't labeled discontinued until he signed with the Heat.

-Josh Gordon's appeal hearing appearantly went longer than I first reported. From the same source I talked to yesterday morning around 10:22 to be exact, called me at 5:45 and told me "That was just a recess at 10:30am. Gordon's appeal hearing will resume Monday afternoon. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will review all the details and I will still say we will hear something Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. In my opinion, sample A was positive and samble B was negative. 1 positive + 1 negative = 0. I was horrible at math but I'm sure that is correct. But according to the NFL CBA, Sample A is the main test and sample B is to confirm the drug was in the system. But I have heard and seen false positive tests.

-Who knew golfers get tested for drugs? Dustin Johnson tested positive for cocaine. He also failed tests for marijuana in 2009, and two more tests for coke in 2012. Johnson has been suspended for 6 months by the PGA. Friday he stated, he will seek treatment for his "personal challenges" I.E his drinking, drug and sex indiscretions.

-The Cleveland Indians romped the Texas Rangers 12-2 on Jim Thome statue day. Danny Salazar pitched 6 innings, giving up one run, 4 hits and 4 strike outs. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley went 3-4 with 2 RBI. Right fielder David Murphy went 4-4, scoring 2 runs and 2 RBI. It was just an all out hit fest as the Indians scored 12 runs on 16 hits. Danny Salazar goes to 4-4 on the season. They will take the field again tonight at 7 PM, with TJ House on the bump.

-Support Triple Threat Podcast by liking and following us on Facebook and Twitter, @triple3xthreat. Also, tweet and follow Chris Williams here @nevaRWilliams and myself, Chris Lee here @cleeverizon.