Twistity Sports Exclusive WEEKEND IN REVIEW: World Cup, Golf, NBA

 
Maybe there’s not enough scoring in soccer, but the excitement that comes with those few goals – especially the ones so well-timed and dramatic – cannot be understated. If runs that produce nothing elicit cheers, imagine the adrenaline burst when the ball actually gets into the net. Too often there is a shot and there is a net, but never the twine shall meet.

Look at Sunday’s match between the Netherlands and Mexico. For 88 minutes, this duel is Mexico’s. And then, in the 88^th minute and again in the 90^th, the Netherlands scores goals. Mexico never recovers. Truly. Because this is the knockout round and the loser leaves Brazil (which is either a blessing or a curse, depending on where the team is from).

It probably wasn’t necessary for Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) to send this little dig out on Twitter: Adios Amigos! It got retweeted 8,000 times before KLM took it down.

Costa Rica was also a big winner (on penalty kicks) over Greece. And of course, on Tuesday, the USA-Belgium match will grab Americans by their red, white and blue blazers, force them to leave work early and drink copious amounts of beer while (you guessed it) cheering fruitless runs and missed opportunities. Bars should have a two-goal minimum.

GOLF SPELLED BACKWARDS IS FLOG: Tiger Woods is back and Tiger’s bad back is OK, but Tiger’s game is still in the lost and found. He returned to play in the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Maryland, and failed to make the cut in his first event since back surgery on March 31. He shot rounds of 75 and 74 and that 7-over-par total gave him the rest of the weekend off. He was pleased he did not reinjure himself and has his eyeballs on the British Open. … Michelle Wie, fresh from her U.S. Women’s Open victory, was the second-round leader at the NW Arkansas Championship but finished eighth after a 73 on the final day. Stacy Lewis shot a 6-under 65 and birdied the last hole for a one-stroke victory.

CAN’T STAND THE HEAT: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all voided their contracts to become free agents. Does this mean they are leaving the Miami Heat? No, it means they want to stay. Yes, of course you’re confused. By opting out, they can sign new deals with the club that have lower front-end costs (the buzzword for salaries), allowing the team to fit more and better players under the salary cap. Quite a labor agreement the NBA jammed down the cylinder on the players, where top stars willingly negotiate down to help their team. Free agency technically begins Tuesday but new contracts can’t be signed until July 10. The immediate noise will surround Carmelo Anthony as the Knicks try to retain him.

Honorable mention to the Brooklyn Nets, who likely will need a new coach after letting Jason Kidd negotiate with others after his failed grab for more power in the organization after a whole year as a first-time coach. Dishonorable mention to the Philadelphia 76ers. Last year they drafted the injured Nerlens Noel and he never played a minute. Having learned nothing, they drafted injured center Joel Embiid and now have announced he will likely miss the season. Which would be good advice for Sixers’ fans – miss the season.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .