I Can't Feel My Face... And Neither Can Ned Yost

So the playoffs have started, and they make me happy. But let's talk about a few things.

For those of you who don't pay too much attention to the NBA, and particularly the Cavs, Wizards series, it may be the most interesting of the first round. Why might you ask? Shit talking, that's why. Here's the deal. Before the series even started, Gilbert Arenas essentially said: Everyone wants to play the Cavs because they limped into the playoffs, and we know we can easily beat them. On top of that, DeShawn Stevenson called LeBron James one of the most overrated players in the NBA.

For those of you playing at home, the Cavs are up 2-0 in the series, beating the Wizards by 30 in game two. LBJ has scored 30 + points in each game.

I'm all for shit talking, and whether the Wizards did it as a motivational tool, or as Arenas said, to distract LeBron, I don't really care. But the fact is they did shit talk and LeBron has so far completely embarrassed them with his play and his celebrations.

In case you didn't know, sometime last year, Stevenson decided to make "I Can't Feel My Face," his catchphrase. So usually when he hits a three, he runs down the court waving his open hand in front of his face. He even made t-shirts this year with the slogan on it and had them handed out to the crowd. Pretty badass if you asked me.

I love players like DeShawn. He is the Clinton Portis type, dressing up crazy for practice, shaking things up and always trying to get the crowd involved.

With that being said, I think "I Can't Feel My Face" is dead. DeShawn has been guarding LeBron the entire series and sometimes vice versa, and Lebron has 62 points already - not to mention the best part.

Remember the unbelievable slam LBJ had in game one? The one where he caught the ball behind his bed with his back arched, his head above the rim and threw it down with a thunderous scream. Remeber that one? The one that brought all of Cleveland to its feet and made every Washington player die just a little inside. Try and find it again, because guess what LeBron did when he ran down the court?

HE WAVED HIS HAND IN FRONT OF HIS FACE BECAUSE HE COULDN'T FEEL IT.

He has since somewhat overused it, but it may never get old to me. If you're going to talk shit, back it up, and if not get out of the way when the thunder comes down.

To make matters worse for DeShawn, when the Cavs were up 25 in the fourth quarter of game two, Damon Jones, who hadn't played a minute yet, drilled a three from the left side. Guess what he did while running down the court. Yea, he waved his hand in front of his face, and the camera panned to LeBron who was doing it on the bench and laughing.

Sorry DeShawn, I think it's time for a new gimmick.

. . .

And now to the second part of the title of this post.

I want Guillermo Mota to be the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sure Gagne has sixe saves, but he also has four blown saves. He's the Borowski of the National League.

But the real problem and I'm sure people will disagree with me, is that Ned Yost cannot manage pitching at the end of the game. We saw it last year, and it cost us a trip to the playoffs, and we're starting to see it again this year.

Ned Yost can't feel his face...in a bad way. No offense Ned, but that burning feeling you get in your cheeks every time you make a pitching change past the 7th inning - it's embarrassment.

I understand sticking by a closer for a little and giving him time to adjust, but it seems somewhat clear that Gagne still needs roids to be effective. If anything, Yost should be quick to change closers, considering the past trouble we've had with TurnBlow.

I like Ned Yost, I really do, I just honestly don't think he can manage pitching past the seventh inning. At least try something new. The Brewers should be tied, if not leading the division right now, were it not for those blown saves. How long is it going to take until someone understands that.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but well I like seeing the Brewers win.

I just downloaded the new Flight of the Conchords CD and the new Atmosphere CD. Both are pretty good. Have a listen, see what you think.

-Lates