the700level

[the700level]

Sir Charles on MCW: 'He's Michael Jackson playing with a bunch of Titos'

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Charles Barkley was a guest on Philly Sports Talk on Monday evening and, not surprisingly, the conversation was all over the place. Chuck didn’t disappoint.

Perhaps my favorite line from the hour-long segment was when Chuck thought the Sixers would be foolish to deal Michael…

[the700level]

Today's Scott Hartnell trade is an intersesting one, to say the least

June 23, 2011: The Philadelphia Flyers traded Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

June 23, 2011: The Flyers traded Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings.

June 23, 2012: The Flyers traded James vanRiemsdyk to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Today is June 23, 2014 and the Flyers kept the new, somewhat-annual tradition of making a big trade on this date going.

Was it a move for a defenseman to sure…

[the700level]

With the 17th Pick: Flyers 2014 Draft Cheatsheet Trying to predict the NHL draft is a pointless endeavor. Other than the top-10, one trade or off-the-board pick and your mock draft is completely ruined.

[the700level]

The Flyers just traded Scott Harnell

The Flyers just traded Scott Harnell

This one probably had you on the floor.

The Flyers just broke the news that they’ve traded Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a face you are probably familiar with in winger R.J. Umberger. From the team’s release:

Umberger, 32, recorded 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points to go along with 26 penalty minutes in 74 regular season games this past season, his sixth with the Blue…

[the700level]

USA gets gut-punched by Portugal in a draw that feels like a loss

#USMNT gets gut-punched by Portugal in draw that feels like a loss

Portugal’s Silvestre Varela heads the ball past United States’ goalkeeper Tim Howard to score his side’s second goal and tie the game 2-2 during the group G World Cup soccer match between the USA and Portugal at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Sunday. (AP Photo)

First: Let’s get the anger out. Look at this photo below.

With a 2-1 lead and less than 60 seconds to go, Michael Bradley — who…

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Your USA-Portugal preview: There's a lot more to hate than just Cristiano Ronaldo

Your #USMNT-Portugal preview: There's a lot more to hate than just Cristiano Ronaldo

I mean just look at this guy. (AP Photo)

Look at this guy.

Seriously, just look at him.

It’s almost too easy to hate on Cristiano Ronaldo. If you don’t hate him, then just read The Evster’s guide to hating him. You will.

That doesn’t make it not-fun, mind you, but Ronaldo-hate is for amateurs. And since you’ve been staying up to date with The Level’s World Cup coverage, you are FAR from an…

[the700level]

Watch A.J. Burnett discuss “extra special” complete-game gem

Watch A.J. Burnett discuss “extra special” complete-game gem

The Philadelphia Phillies’ winning streak reached a season-best five games on Friday thanks in big part to A.J. Burnett. Not only did Burnett go the distance in the 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, but he helped himself at the dish as well, crushing an RBI double off the centerfield wall.

Burnett was nothing less than gracious after the game. He credited Carlos Ruiz for the idea to use…

[the700level]

WWE legend Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat once lost his pet iguana in the Spectrum

WWE legend Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat once lost his pet iguana in the Spectrum

Did any of you happen to see a 6-foot long iguana around the Spectrum or roaming the streets of South Philadelphia sometime back in the ’80s?

If you did, WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat would probably like to speak with you.

Fellow WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (HOOOOOOOOOOO!) was interviewed by Brian Haddad on WIP last nightand shared yet another tale of Spectrum lore,…

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Deep breath: Let's talk Michael Carter-Williams trades for a minute

Deep breath: Let’s talk Michael Carter-Williams trades for a minute

Michael Carter-Williams averaged over 16 points, six rebounds and six assists a game in his debut season, numbers only Hall-of-Famers Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson had previously put up as rookies. He led the league among first-year players in all three categories and was a landslide Rookie of the Year winner. He was also the best (and many times only) reason to watch the Sixers last year, an…

[the700level]

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One full week has gone by and I can honestly say this is the GREATEST WORLD CUP EVER.

There have been upsets (like Costa Rica representing CONCACAC in style) and comebacks (like Japan getting Drogba’d). There have been stunning early exits from past champs (thanks for playing, Spain!) and upstart teams making the most of rare World Cup appearances (nice work, Colombia). There have been world-renowned stars doing world-class things (Messi!), word-renowned stars breaking World Cup droughts (Rooney!) and world-renowned stars returning from injury just in the nick of time (Suarez!). There have been breakout stars (Colombia’s James Rodriguez) and unlikely heroes (our favorite German-American John Brooks). There has been the closest thing you’ll see to a buzzer beater in soccer (thanks, Switzerland and Ecuador) and even damn exciting scoreless draws (thanks, Mexico and Brazil).

But, above all else, there have been goals. People that don’t like soccer like to point to the sport’s lack of scoring as a reason why – but this tournament is shaping up to be the highest-scoring World Cup ever. And many of the goals have been dramatic and beautiful. Here now is a list of our five favorite goals to this point:

5. USA’s Clint Dempsey vs. Ghana

American bias? Perhaps. But the three touches the U.S. captain makes are brilliant and his finish is a perfect one. And don’t act like you didn’t jump off your couch screaming when this goal happened in the first minute of the game.

4. Costa Rica’s Oscar Duarte vs. Uruguay

There have been a lot of great headers for goals in this tournament but this one is certainly one of the best – not only because it was the game-winner in Costa Rica’s massive upset over Uruguay but because a defender’s foot was practically in his face when he dove for the ball.

3. Ivory Coast’s Gervinho vs. Colombia

Who doesn’t like a bit of individual dribbling brilliance? That’s exactly what Gervinho did against Colombia, splitting a couple of defenders and dancing around another one before scoring a beauty to the near post.

2. Netherlands’ Robin Van Persie vs. Spain

Most people would have tried to settle this long ball. Most people are not Robin Van Persie, who opted to fly instead.

1. Australia’s Tim Cahill vs. Netherlands

The force and precision behind this one-time volley is hard to fathom. One of the greatest goals you’ll ever see. And I hear this guy plays in MLS.

—

And since this is purportedly a local blog, we should also highlight the goal from Colombia’s James Rodriguez against Ivory Coast because it led to an epic dance party on the Colombia sideline – led by none other than ageless former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. (Look for the guy right next to James, who then tries to go for a piggy-back ride on him). Also, great call from former Union forward and color man Alejandro Moreno, who’s been calling the Colombia forward James “Don’t call me James” Rodriguez. (You have to listen to it to get it.)

One last sorta local story: former NBA star Rip Hamilton – our favorite native son from Coatesville – is on his way to Brazil to give one his signature masks to Dempsey, who broke his nose in the last game.  Gotta love that American solidarity.

World Cup 2014 after one week: high drama, beautiful goals, a former Union goalie dancing and Rip to the rescue One full week has gone by and I can honestly say this is the GREATEST WORLD CUP EVER.

[the700level]

Charlie Manuel can't be this good at Twitter

Charlie Manuel can’t be this good at Twitter

Weather heats up, bats heat up, and the balls start carrying. Fight at the bat rack – It’s hittin season. Don’t get left out!

— Charlie Manuel (@CMBaseball41) June 19, 2014

He’s a damn poet. I didn’t think it was possible to love Charlie Manuel any more but then he joined Twitter. And he’s been killing it.

The Phillies are four games out in the NL Eastand Charlie Manuel — the guy people used to…

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The Phillies, man: Four in a row! Four games back!

The Phillies, man: Four in a row! Four games back!

omg he got airborne!

The world is just a little bit better place when you wake up on a Friday morning and the Philadelphia Phillies are atop the New York Mets in the standings. Because it’s Friday, obviously, but also because even in our darkest hours, being worse than the Mets is still really, really depressing.

But the Phillies haven’t been depressing at all as of late! In fact, they won their…

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The Evster finds even more things to hate about Cristiano Ronaldo

I’ve never.

If there’s one thing Philadelphians are good at, it’s parking our cars wherever we damn well please. If there’s two things Philadelphians are good at, it’s parking our cars wherever we damn well please and yelling at people for parking like idiots in a Wawa parking lot. If there’s three things Philadelphians are good at, it’s omg you get the point, parking, we get excited about…

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You probably don't want to watch Eagles TE Brent Celek sing karaoke

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Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I did karaoke once and the next day learned that cameras of any kind should not be allowed, let alone a news crew.

What were you thinking, Brent? Oh, you were raising money for a good cause. Good on ya then.

Still, John Boruk looks like he’s enjoying that…

[the700level]

Everything and Also Nothing: What the Joel Embiid news changes about the Sixers' draft plans

Everything and Also Nothing: What the Joel Embiid news changes about the Sixers’ draft plans

It’s amazing the swings a team like the Sixers can go through during the draft process while not actualy doing anything themselves. A couple days ago, Sam Hinkie’s crew seemed like they were sitting pretty with the #3 pick, in position to potentially get the guy they wanted (Andrew Wiggins) with their own pick and the potential to move around as they saw fit with the knowledge that no matter…

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Giants’ Antrel Rolle picks Eagles to finish 3rd in NFC East

Antrel Rolle has never been one to shy away from a soundbite. This time around, the New York Giants safety is boasts the Philadelphia Eagles will not repeat as division champions—that will be Big Blue, of course—the Birds won’t even come in second for that matter.

While making an appearance on ESPN’s First Take (via DC Sports Bog), Rolle claimed the G-men and Washington will finish one and two in…

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Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will melt your face off

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Take some monkeys, dress them up in miniature cowboy outfits, then saddle them up on border collies. What do you get?

Only the greatest show in sports entertainment. A Cowboy Monkey Rodeo, if you will.

The Philadelphia Phillies double-A affiliate in Reading booked the hottest act around on Wednesday night, as “Team Ghost…