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CNN Live At Daybreak

Tracking Sports: U.S. Open, NBA Finals

Aired June 12, 2003 - 06:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: If you're a sports fan, then you know golf and basketball are hot right now, and talk of the Yankees pretty hot, too.
Mark McKay joins us now.

MARK MCKAY, CNN SPORTS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Let's talk golf first, because if Tiger Woods does not win the U.S. Open, that means he will not have won any of the major tournaments this year, and everybody's asking is he...

MCKAY: Slumped.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MCKAY: The "S" word. You know he addressed that this week, Carol, at a press conference. He actually said, in Tiger's words, he came out and said, "I haven't been in a slump or my game hasn't been in a slump since I came out of the womb." I mean really, you got to think about it, sure he hasn't won since last year's U.S. Open in New York, but you got to remember he had knee surgery back in December and so he's limited his play this year. He won three of the first four events this year and then he hasn't won lately. But I have a feeling he's going to really bring his game up to a new level. It's not going to be easy. This course in Chicago is very difficult.

COSTELLO: Yes, and you have to believe the psychological factor on his rivals, because you know he's not the hottest player in golf, he hasn't won the most money this year, maybe they're losing some of their fear of him and it'll make them play better.

MCKAY: Certainly. That's also a fear that he has perhaps as he goes out. Ernie Ells, watch that name, he could be the one that really could give the Tiger a challenge this weekend.

COSTELLO: OK, quickly now, the NBA. You know the championship games are underway and nobody's watching.

MCKAY: Kind of snoozing through them. NBA Commissioner David Stern in fact addressed that last night. The ratings are down. The ratings are the worst since the NBA went into prime time back in 1982. NBA Commissioner David Stern said hey, everything is fine.

COSTELLO: Come on!

MCKAY: We have no Kobe, no Shaq, no Lakers, so that intrigue is out. And you've got low scoring games; 77-76, that was the final last night.

COSTELLO: It's like a girl's basketball game. Just kidding.

MCKAY: You said that, not me.

COSTELLO: Kidding, ladies. High school girl's basketball game.

MCKAY: So what you basically have is an NBA finals that may be not necessarily intriguing scoring wise, but you know the series is now tied at two all. So now it's a best two out of three game series, so perhaps...

COSTELLO: So ABC and ESPN are asking you please, please, please watch.

MCKAY: Watch.

COSTELLO: Let's talk about the Yankees before you have to go, because what a horrible game for the Yankees.

MCKAY: Yes.

COSTELLO: The best hitters in baseball couldn't get a hit.

MCKAY: Couldn't get a hit off six pitchers from the Houston Astros. The starter for the Astros went out injured, five of his colleagues came in and the Yankees were a no hit. First time in almost 45 years they were a no hit. It was ugly. The Yankees struck out 13 times in the game. George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, has already said that this season he hasn't been impressed with the way the season has been going. Imagine now heads could roll after this one.

COSTELLO: Definitely so. I know Joe Torre said the game stunk. Derek Jeter said it was embarrassing. But you're right, heads may roll.

MCKAY: Yes. George is not happy when his team is not doing well, and they're struggling at the moment -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes. Mark, thanks for stopping by, we appreciate it.

MCKAY: All right, as always.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired June 12, 2003 - 06:49   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: If you're a sports fan, then you know golf and basketball are hot right now, and talk of the Yankees pretty hot, too.
Mark McKay joins us now.

MARK MCKAY, CNN SPORTS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Let's talk golf first, because if Tiger Woods does not win the U.S. Open, that means he will not have won any of the major tournaments this year, and everybody's asking is he...

MCKAY: Slumped.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MCKAY: The "S" word. You know he addressed that this week, Carol, at a press conference. He actually said, in Tiger's words, he came out and said, "I haven't been in a slump or my game hasn't been in a slump since I came out of the womb." I mean really, you got to think about it, sure he hasn't won since last year's U.S. Open in New York, but you got to remember he had knee surgery back in December and so he's limited his play this year. He won three of the first four events this year and then he hasn't won lately. But I have a feeling he's going to really bring his game up to a new level. It's not going to be easy. This course in Chicago is very difficult.

COSTELLO: Yes, and you have to believe the psychological factor on his rivals, because you know he's not the hottest player in golf, he hasn't won the most money this year, maybe they're losing some of their fear of him and it'll make them play better.

MCKAY: Certainly. That's also a fear that he has perhaps as he goes out. Ernie Ells, watch that name, he could be the one that really could give the Tiger a challenge this weekend.

COSTELLO: OK, quickly now, the NBA. You know the championship games are underway and nobody's watching.

MCKAY: Kind of snoozing through them. NBA Commissioner David Stern in fact addressed that last night. The ratings are down. The ratings are the worst since the NBA went into prime time back in 1982. NBA Commissioner David Stern said hey, everything is fine.

COSTELLO: Come on!

MCKAY: We have no Kobe, no Shaq, no Lakers, so that intrigue is out. And you've got low scoring games; 77-76, that was the final last night.

COSTELLO: It's like a girl's basketball game. Just kidding.

MCKAY: You said that, not me.

COSTELLO: Kidding, ladies. High school girl's basketball game.

MCKAY: So what you basically have is an NBA finals that may be not necessarily intriguing scoring wise, but you know the series is now tied at two all. So now it's a best two out of three game series, so perhaps...

COSTELLO: So ABC and ESPN are asking you please, please, please watch.

MCKAY: Watch.

COSTELLO: Let's talk about the Yankees before you have to go, because what a horrible game for the Yankees.

MCKAY: Yes.

COSTELLO: The best hitters in baseball couldn't get a hit.

MCKAY: Couldn't get a hit off six pitchers from the Houston Astros. The starter for the Astros went out injured, five of his colleagues came in and the Yankees were a no hit. First time in almost 45 years they were a no hit. It was ugly. The Yankees struck out 13 times in the game. George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, has already said that this season he hasn't been impressed with the way the season has been going. Imagine now heads could roll after this one.

COSTELLO: Definitely so. I know Joe Torre said the game stunk. Derek Jeter said it was embarrassing. But you're right, heads may roll.

MCKAY: Yes. George is not happy when his team is not doing well, and they're struggling at the moment -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes. Mark, thanks for stopping by, we appreciate it.

MCKAY: All right, as always.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com