- Obligatory bracket recap: I have 11 of the Sweet 16 remaining with all of my elite 8s. I admittedly got cute this year due to my "important for reasons that have nothing to do with money RICO enforcing internet robots" brackets having bonuses for upset picks. These of course led me to picking several upsets I shouldn't have.
- Blake Griffin is really good. You know you are good when people start trying to murder you in the middle of a game.
Good effort Morgan St, sadly he still dropped 28 and 13 on you. This then was followed up with a 33 and 17 game against Michigan. While I understand some people questioning his ability to be a great NBA player, I'd certainly prefer him to say an Andrea Bargniani at the top of the draft board. - Pittsburgh, as my championship pick, is scaring the absolute Bejeezus out of me. While they ended up beating 16 seed E. Tennessee St 72-62, the game was MUCH closer than the score lets on. Their 2nd round 84-76 win over Okie St wasn't much more impressive. Sam Young has been in beast mode, but PG Levance Fields has been sloppy and scared to shoot. Dejuan Blair (co-POTY in the Big East mind you) needs to step it up (only 10pts 12 boards against OSU) if Pitt wants to stay alive.
- Probably the most fun I had watching a game during the 1st round, not saying it was the best mind you, had to be the #2Memphis vs #15 Cal St Northridge game. Again, the final score of 81-70 doesn't do this game justice. This was a four point game with 2:30 left. It also led to one of my favorite "sports as a social aspect" moments possible. I watched the 1st day's games at a sports bar here in Dallas called Frankie's. First off, I have to give them props for having one of, if not the best sports bar set up I've ever seen. But with about 10 minutes left, even with several other games on, everyone in the bar started to take notice of the Memphis CSN game. Because it was the 1st round and we haven't seen a 15 over a 2 since 2001, you could feel a buzz going thru the joint as everyone started to get behind the Matadors. I turned to my buddy when they were down 4 w/ 2:30 left and was concerned because we've all seen this before. The low seed team is still in the game but psyches themselves out and starts chucking ill-advised shots thinking it's their only chance. Sadly that's exactly what happened. While the outcome failed, CSN gave us a hell of a ride. It also brought back the random fun groupthink of everyone in the bar, all with their own allegiances, randomly getting behind a team that most probably didn't know a thing about.
- While Pitt and Memphis got a run from their 1st round no shot seeds, UConn and UNC decided to just blow them out of the water with no remorse. UConn beat the Mighty Mocs of Chattanooga 103-47 in what became a violent dunk show. The thing is, you can't really fault UConn. They had their walk ons in early and found themselves wide open under the basket with no D to be found. They really had no choice but to dunk. These kids barely got a chance to play in the regular season, can't really fault them for wanting to get a lil production out of some rare burn on the biggest stage they'll ever see. UNC, w/o Ty Lawson mind you, handed a 101-58 whooping to Radford. That is how you take care of a 1st round game kids.
- Probably the best 1st round game in my opinion was the UCLA VCU tilt. Eric Maynor, God bless him, is a hell of a player. Sadly his final effort was abraisive. He had 21 pts, 6 boards and 7 dimes, but the shot at the buzzer was ugly. Sadly UCLA had it drawn up perfectly. Here's a short highlight that really doesn't do the end justice.
Great game, sadly VCU couldn't give me one of the upsets I needed. - Speaking of upsets I needed, I'm never trusting the state of Utah for anything ever again. 0 for 3 Utah?? Seriously?? Including to a team that most say shouldn't have gotten in(Arizona) and the one upset I truly wanted more than any (Marquette sans Dominic James). I hate you Utah, you are a terrible useless state with nothing going for you.
- A lot of people complained about not liking the 1st round because there were not enough upsets, etc. While sure, everybody loves upsets, the 2nd round provided some fantastic games. I have a hard time believing this is the OMG WORST TOURNEY EVAHHHH!!!!11!!
- Oh Western Kentucky, my hope for this years random low seed sailing through. You have a lovable red mascot and a penchant for upsets. You had #4 Gonzaga on the ropes in what was one of the best finishes so far. While you broke my heart and hurt my pride, it was a hell of an effort and I give you my respect. Here's the last few ticks if you haven't seen it (If you haven't you should be able to check out at least more indepth highlights on cbssports.com, do it now).
- Also in great finishes was Marquette-Missouri. This game made me much much much happier for many reasons. I hate Marquette. Most of my hatred is due to 2 men, ex-coach Tom Crean (now busy ruining IU basketball) and Dominic James. I've never seen a more classless player in person. When he played against ND he would talk trash, whine for things that even a homer couldn't give him, got into it with fans and tried to hit a player. Well Mr. James has been out since Feb and decided to try and make his triumphant return. His line: 0 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist, 3 fouls...good effort. However, my favorite has to be the way they lost. Let's look shall we:
Even Chris Webber thinks you blew it Lazar. While your name is awesome you should be thanking the fates that this game was a 2nd rounder and not further up in the tourney. Otherwise your decision to turn the ball over in one of the stupidest ways possible would be an "agony of defeat" type clip for all time. - Going forward, since it still exists for now, I've got MSU over UL in the Midwest, UConn over Missou in the West, Pitt over Nova in the East, and OU over UNC in the South. For the Final Four I've got UConn and Pitt moving on with Pitt taking it all. Yes I'm terrified
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Bulletpoint madness: Random Tourney Thoughts
Well the 1st 2 rounds of the NCAA are in the books kids, the immortal question of "How's your bracket holding up?" is floating around everywhere, bubbles have burst, chalk has well...chalked, and moments are starting to shine. After watching as much ball as I could over the weekend there is really only one way to get it all out there. That's right kids, Bulletpoint me:
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tony Parker is a destroyer of worlds
So my last post was admittedly written with fear of what this week and next would hold for the Spurs. Anytime you lose the best PF of all time things are going to be a lil scary, especially when Manu is already on the shelf. Playing back to back games against the Mavericks and Blazers I'd be lying if I said I 100% expected us to win both. Dropping one wouldn't have surprised me, or even worried me. Little did I know that Tony Parker was going to go supernova the last two days, propelling the Spurs to back to back double digit beatdowns. Just for posterity, here are his lines:
Tues vs Dal: 37 minutes, 37 pts, 12 ast, 5 reb
Wed vs Por: 35 minutes, 39 pts, 9 ast, 5 reb, 1 Whoa Boy
Tony was the leading scorer for both games on either team. Both Matt Bonner and Michael Finley stepped up their games, each getting double digits in the two contests. Kurt Thomas came up big against the Mavs with 10 pts and 15 boards.
Tony isn't just putting up sick #s. His efficiency has been one of the most impressive things. Even without the other big 2, the Spurs got double digit wins against playoff teams. The best part is, Tony didn't have to break 40 minutes in either contest. The fact that Pop isn't being forced to lean unduly on his last healthy star is a huge boost. Not only for this year, but for the future as well. We all know that Tim is near the twilight of his career. Like I said, he is arguably the greatest PF of all time, he was instrumental in making the Spurs franchise what it is today, but he cant go forever. Manu meanwhile has been playing year round for a long time and while he technically may only be 31, his odometer reads more like a 36 year olds. Between international competition and the reckless abandon that makes him the player that he is, Manu has taken a beating and will likely see a decline in his play soon.
Tony however is only 26 years old. He will be the building block for the future of the team. With tools like George Hill, and RMJ already on the squad, and the Austin kids like Malik Harriston, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (clearly Pop reads the blog as he was signed mere hours after I floated the idea) and the immortal fountain of hope for Spurs fans Ian Mahinmi, the team does not have to go the way of the Dodo when Tim decides to hang 'em up. Tony has shown his ability to lead and play without his triomates (just roll with it). Maybe his moving out of his rookie house into a huge complex with his wife is a glowing metaphor for his growing into his own star. At 26 he already has 3 NBA titles and an NBA MVP on his wikipedia page. He could retire today with a career many players only dream of. But at 26, Tony is just now hitting his stride and showing that he is ready to lead. Sure everybody says look at the Lakers future with Kobe and Bynum, or the Blazers wealth of potential, and who could blame them. I'm just saying the day Tim steps up to the press conference to announce his retirement, don't everyone pick up the chisel to put that day on the tombstone for the Spurs just yet.
Tues vs Dal: 37 minutes, 37 pts, 12 ast, 5 reb
Wed vs Por: 35 minutes, 39 pts, 9 ast, 5 reb, 1 Whoa Boy
Tony was the leading scorer for both games on either team. Both Matt Bonner and Michael Finley stepped up their games, each getting double digits in the two contests. Kurt Thomas came up big against the Mavs with 10 pts and 15 boards.
Tony isn't just putting up sick #s. His efficiency has been one of the most impressive things. Even without the other big 2, the Spurs got double digit wins against playoff teams. The best part is, Tony didn't have to break 40 minutes in either contest. The fact that Pop isn't being forced to lean unduly on his last healthy star is a huge boost. Not only for this year, but for the future as well. We all know that Tim is near the twilight of his career. Like I said, he is arguably the greatest PF of all time, he was instrumental in making the Spurs franchise what it is today, but he cant go forever. Manu meanwhile has been playing year round for a long time and while he technically may only be 31, his odometer reads more like a 36 year olds. Between international competition and the reckless abandon that makes him the player that he is, Manu has taken a beating and will likely see a decline in his play soon.
Tony however is only 26 years old. He will be the building block for the future of the team. With tools like George Hill, and RMJ already on the squad, and the Austin kids like Malik Harriston, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (clearly Pop reads the blog as he was signed mere hours after I floated the idea) and the immortal fountain of hope for Spurs fans Ian Mahinmi, the team does not have to go the way of the Dodo when Tim decides to hang 'em up. Tony has shown his ability to lead and play without his triomates (just roll with it). Maybe his moving out of his rookie house into a huge complex with his wife is a glowing metaphor for his growing into his own star. At 26 he already has 3 NBA titles and an NBA MVP on his wikipedia page. He could retire today with a career many players only dream of. But at 26, Tony is just now hitting his stride and showing that he is ready to lead. Sure everybody says look at the Lakers future with Kobe and Bynum, or the Blazers wealth of potential, and who could blame them. I'm just saying the day Tim steps up to the press conference to announce his retirement, don't everyone pick up the chisel to put that day on the tombstone for the Spurs just yet.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Gut Check for the Spurs
In a cruel twist of fate the Spurs come off the infamous Rodeo Road Trip into a very violent next two weeks. This includes two brutal back to backs, Finals contenders, and a horribly timed lack of Manu Ginobili. Don't get me wrong, Manu's health come playoff time is paramount, and Pop's insistence on the regular season as being something which must be survived, not conquered, has obviously proved well in the past. Still, looking at these next two weeks you can see why I wish #20 was suiting up.
This week: Tues: vs DAL, Wed: vs POR, Fri, vs CLE.
That's a pretty rowdy set for the week, including a nasty back to back with a resurgent Mavs team and the ever dangerous young Trailblazers (who of course just beat the Spurs in the BDL 2 on 2 Tourney) only to end with King James who would probably like a little revenge for the finals sweep. The Cavs have often had the Spurs # in the regular season as well. All things considered, I'd be hoping to go 2-1 here. I'm thinking Dallas is a very winnable game, and hopefully the Spurs can take one of the others. Granted I'd feel much better about the Blazers game if it wasnt the day after the Mavs game. The Cavs game is a toss up in my mind. Mo Williams and Z are both back and playing well, but can be neutralized. The question is whether or not LeBron goes into "alien cyborg from the future" mode and takes over the game, or if he feels like being "nonchalant, settle for jumper, not really caring" mode. While I'm hoping for the latter, and expect the Spurs D to try and force him into jumpers as they always seem to prefer, when LBJ feels like taking over very little can be done to stop him.
So there's this week. Surely next week will be a little easier right? Nope, it only get's worse:
Next week: Sun: @POR, Mon:@LAL, Wed: @DAL, Fri: vs WAS. Lordy Lordy Lordy, who did Pop and RC piss off to get these two weeks. If I'm going to put on my "objective" prediction cap, it looks like this. I think the Spurs can beat Portland again. At least they have a day off after the Cavs game, likely travelling up to POR on friday night post game leaving Saturday for a calm shootaround but mainly some rest. I dont see the Spurs beating the Lakers the next day with this schedule. This is not to say I don't think the Spurs can beat the Lakers. There is no doubt that the Lakers are having a better year, but the Spurs have already beaten them this year. However, this reeks of a game where the Spurs get down 11 or 12 early in the 4th and Pop packs it up, throws the young kids out for good minutes and takes the L. Nothing is more infuriating as a fan than when Pop does this, but with an older team and loftier goals, it really does make sense. Next, normally I'd say beating the Mavs twice in 2 weeks, now on their floor, would be tough. HOWEVAHHHHH, I will be in attendance in the AAC, meaning clearly the Spurs are winning as they wouldn't want me to have to cry myself to sleep. Finally the Spurs have a very winnable game against the Wizards to end the week. While they should beat them by oh, 25, I would not be surprised for a second if the Spurs dropped this one. What can I say? The Spurs have a habit of dropping games like this one that should be easy to get.
These next two weeks will be very important for the Spurs. While it is easy enough to say "Hey, 2nd place in the West, what's the worst that can happen?" the West is a strange beast this year. Yah, the Spurs sit in 2nd place, a rowdy 8 games back of the Lakers. But right now, just for kicks, the 6,7, and 8th place teams (a murderer's row of the Hornets, Mavs, and Jazz mind you) are all tied....at 12.5 games out, meaning 4.5 games back of San Antonio. Their record you ask, surely it's a game or 2 over .500 right? Try 11 games over .500. Even the Suns who sit in 9th have a record of 31-24. A bad two weeks doesn't just risk you dropping from 2nd to 3rd, ostensibly the Spurs could drop all the way to 8th!! Like I said earlier, Pop has shown he doesn't really care about being the #1 seed, the regular season is an 82 game grind that just needs to be slogged through en route to the month and a half to 2 months of the playoffs.
However, these next few weeks are important for several reasons. 1) There is the obvious threat of dropping deep down the Western Conference standings, 2) With Manu out, someone has to step up. Last week Matt Bonner decided to embrace his destiny and become the Gingery ball of 3 point doom that he is. Be it Bonner, RMJ (Dagger), or even one of the young guns, George Hill or Malik Harriston (who has been great in his limited time as a call up from the Toros), somebody needs to help Tim and Tony. 3) Finally find an answer to whether a move needs to be made to add some front court help. Bonner is nice offensively, but isnt exactly a banger down low. Fabricio Oberto has dealt w/ injuries all year and Kurt Thomas has mostly been a no show. My hope was that the Spurs would make a move before the trade deadline. My favorite rumor involved Marcus Camby. The thought of Camby and Duncan in the same lane on the same team is a dream come true. Sadly it never came to pass. Mikki Moore is still a free agent, but reports on a few sites and Twitter folk who have been reliable are saying he's off to Boston. This leaves two main options I can think of. First is that the Spurs sign Robert Horry again. Horry's name has popped up several times this year, altho not much lately for the Spurs. The most recent news I've heard regarding Big Shot is that the Cavs were actually thinking of signing Will Smith's doppleganger after their trade deadline moves failed to materialize. You will be hard pressed to find someone who loves Horry more than me, but I dont think it would be a good signing. The best thing Horry does is forces at least one defender out on him during late game inbounds. Horry is probably the most notable dagger-bringer of the last 20 years, having ripped the hearts out of team after team after team. But, at almost 39 years old, one has to wonder if he has been training since he last played and if he could still really contribute, or if he would just be taking up minutes. Don't think for a second I wouldn't love the signing if it happened, Horry has 7 rings, a wealth of experience, and tell me if you were opposing him if he got the ball w/ under 5 seconds you would even bother watching the shot. But at that age it's questionable, and plus, my favorite basketball streak eventually broke. That streak of course being that the NBA Champs had either Horry or another personal favorite, Steve Kerr, on the roster.
So if Big Shot is not the big answer, who is? Well, Malik Harriston has played well in his stint from the NBDL, so I think looking to the Toros is a good plan. 48 Minutes of Hell, a great only Spurs blog, had a great post about my main goal for the Spurs to sign: Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Their workup gives you all the details you need so I will leave it at this. Pops has been absolutely dominating the D-League. We are talking straight up man amongst boys style. The Spurs NEED to call this kid up. First off, he's a great fit in an area the Spurs need help. More importanly, if we don't somebody else will get him, and the Spurs can't afford to let this kid get away.
The next two weeks will be very interesting for the Spurs. While admittedly nervous, if the Spurs can go 4-3 or better over the next two weeks it will be a great victory. All I can say at this point is Go Spurs Go!
One last note, at the bottom you will see I added a new toy. While I've used it for over a year, I finally decided to sign up for Ballhype. It's a good site for sports blog perusing purposes, and I'm hoping to get a lil more exposure by adding my posts onto it. After several tries and help from a nice lady named Emily I finally got that shiny button aded on at the bottom. If you like what you read, do me a favor, click the button, and then I think click the up arrow on the new page. If not, that's fair...but you've hurt my feelings. As always I love hearing your thoughts so let me hear em. Gooooodnight now
This week: Tues: vs DAL, Wed: vs POR, Fri, vs CLE.
That's a pretty rowdy set for the week, including a nasty back to back with a resurgent Mavs team and the ever dangerous young Trailblazers (who of course just beat the Spurs in the BDL 2 on 2 Tourney) only to end with King James who would probably like a little revenge for the finals sweep. The Cavs have often had the Spurs # in the regular season as well. All things considered, I'd be hoping to go 2-1 here. I'm thinking Dallas is a very winnable game, and hopefully the Spurs can take one of the others. Granted I'd feel much better about the Blazers game if it wasnt the day after the Mavs game. The Cavs game is a toss up in my mind. Mo Williams and Z are both back and playing well, but can be neutralized. The question is whether or not LeBron goes into "alien cyborg from the future" mode and takes over the game, or if he feels like being "nonchalant, settle for jumper, not really caring" mode. While I'm hoping for the latter, and expect the Spurs D to try and force him into jumpers as they always seem to prefer, when LBJ feels like taking over very little can be done to stop him.
So there's this week. Surely next week will be a little easier right? Nope, it only get's worse:
Next week: Sun: @POR, Mon:@LAL, Wed: @DAL, Fri: vs WAS. Lordy Lordy Lordy, who did Pop and RC piss off to get these two weeks. If I'm going to put on my "objective" prediction cap, it looks like this. I think the Spurs can beat Portland again. At least they have a day off after the Cavs game, likely travelling up to POR on friday night post game leaving Saturday for a calm shootaround but mainly some rest. I dont see the Spurs beating the Lakers the next day with this schedule. This is not to say I don't think the Spurs can beat the Lakers. There is no doubt that the Lakers are having a better year, but the Spurs have already beaten them this year. However, this reeks of a game where the Spurs get down 11 or 12 early in the 4th and Pop packs it up, throws the young kids out for good minutes and takes the L. Nothing is more infuriating as a fan than when Pop does this, but with an older team and loftier goals, it really does make sense. Next, normally I'd say beating the Mavs twice in 2 weeks, now on their floor, would be tough. HOWEVAHHHHH, I will be in attendance in the AAC, meaning clearly the Spurs are winning as they wouldn't want me to have to cry myself to sleep. Finally the Spurs have a very winnable game against the Wizards to end the week. While they should beat them by oh, 25, I would not be surprised for a second if the Spurs dropped this one. What can I say? The Spurs have a habit of dropping games like this one that should be easy to get.
These next two weeks will be very important for the Spurs. While it is easy enough to say "Hey, 2nd place in the West, what's the worst that can happen?" the West is a strange beast this year. Yah, the Spurs sit in 2nd place, a rowdy 8 games back of the Lakers. But right now, just for kicks, the 6,7, and 8th place teams (a murderer's row of the Hornets, Mavs, and Jazz mind you) are all tied....at 12.5 games out, meaning 4.5 games back of San Antonio. Their record you ask, surely it's a game or 2 over .500 right? Try 11 games over .500. Even the Suns who sit in 9th have a record of 31-24. A bad two weeks doesn't just risk you dropping from 2nd to 3rd, ostensibly the Spurs could drop all the way to 8th!! Like I said earlier, Pop has shown he doesn't really care about being the #1 seed, the regular season is an 82 game grind that just needs to be slogged through en route to the month and a half to 2 months of the playoffs.
However, these next few weeks are important for several reasons. 1) There is the obvious threat of dropping deep down the Western Conference standings, 2) With Manu out, someone has to step up. Last week Matt Bonner decided to embrace his destiny and become the Gingery ball of 3 point doom that he is. Be it Bonner, RMJ (Dagger), or even one of the young guns, George Hill or Malik Harriston (who has been great in his limited time as a call up from the Toros), somebody needs to help Tim and Tony. 3) Finally find an answer to whether a move needs to be made to add some front court help. Bonner is nice offensively, but isnt exactly a banger down low. Fabricio Oberto has dealt w/ injuries all year and Kurt Thomas has mostly been a no show. My hope was that the Spurs would make a move before the trade deadline. My favorite rumor involved Marcus Camby. The thought of Camby and Duncan in the same lane on the same team is a dream come true. Sadly it never came to pass. Mikki Moore is still a free agent, but reports on a few sites and Twitter folk who have been reliable are saying he's off to Boston. This leaves two main options I can think of. First is that the Spurs sign Robert Horry again. Horry's name has popped up several times this year, altho not much lately for the Spurs. The most recent news I've heard regarding Big Shot is that the Cavs were actually thinking of signing Will Smith's doppleganger after their trade deadline moves failed to materialize. You will be hard pressed to find someone who loves Horry more than me, but I dont think it would be a good signing. The best thing Horry does is forces at least one defender out on him during late game inbounds. Horry is probably the most notable dagger-bringer of the last 20 years, having ripped the hearts out of team after team after team. But, at almost 39 years old, one has to wonder if he has been training since he last played and if he could still really contribute, or if he would just be taking up minutes. Don't think for a second I wouldn't love the signing if it happened, Horry has 7 rings, a wealth of experience, and tell me if you were opposing him if he got the ball w/ under 5 seconds you would even bother watching the shot. But at that age it's questionable, and plus, my favorite basketball streak eventually broke. That streak of course being that the NBA Champs had either Horry or another personal favorite, Steve Kerr, on the roster.
So if Big Shot is not the big answer, who is? Well, Malik Harriston has played well in his stint from the NBDL, so I think looking to the Toros is a good plan. 48 Minutes of Hell, a great only Spurs blog, had a great post about my main goal for the Spurs to sign: Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Their workup gives you all the details you need so I will leave it at this. Pops has been absolutely dominating the D-League. We are talking straight up man amongst boys style. The Spurs NEED to call this kid up. First off, he's a great fit in an area the Spurs need help. More importanly, if we don't somebody else will get him, and the Spurs can't afford to let this kid get away.
The next two weeks will be very interesting for the Spurs. While admittedly nervous, if the Spurs can go 4-3 or better over the next two weeks it will be a great victory. All I can say at this point is Go Spurs Go!
One last note, at the bottom you will see I added a new toy. While I've used it for over a year, I finally decided to sign up for Ballhype. It's a good site for sports blog perusing purposes, and I'm hoping to get a lil more exposure by adding my posts onto it. After several tries and help from a nice lady named Emily I finally got that shiny button aded on at the bottom. If you like what you read, do me a favor, click the button, and then I think click the up arrow on the new page. If not, that's fair...but you've hurt my feelings. As always I love hearing your thoughts so let me hear em. Gooooodnight now
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Random Sports thoughts 2/19 version
With as little sports actually in play that I really care about it is amazing the clusterf- the last few weeks have had. I had a few specific posts on 1 thing because I usually try to make posts somewhat organized. Well today kids, were just gonna say f that noise and go for the gusto. Cliche but beloved bullet point form...engage:
- This was one of the most disappointing all star saturday nights in quite awhile. For starters, the Spurs went 0 for 3 in the events they competed in, even if the only one I really cared about of them was Roger Mason in the 3 point contest. Even the defending trio of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and random WNBA girl I've never heard of couldn't repeat in the lame 3 ball game.
- The 3 point contest itself was downright pathetic. I've never seen so many people miss that many shots from the 1st 2 racks. Were the balls slippy or something? Even Kopono who had absolutely killed it the last 2 years was off. Just a poor showing all around, especially you Rog. 8...really 8? I know you like to wait to hit 3s when there are under 4 seconds left and the game on the line but come on, you let team dime beat you. Congrats Daequan Cook, you were the tallest midget.
- Then there was the slam dunk contest...Why why why so disappointing slam dunk contest. I will say this, the showmanship was fantastic I thought. Dwight had the Superman thing going, including the phone booth which was funny. Bringing in and subsequently dunking on the 12 footer was also awesome...the only problem is he made it look too easy. When he did that dunk, I dont think people realized how ridiculous what he did was, and it looked so easy for him it lost something.
- Nate Rob also gets mad props for his chicanery. Everything about the whole "Krypto-Nate was pretty cool. The St Patty's jersey along w/ the kicks and even the green ball...well played lil buddy. Jumping over Dwight was pretty cool, yah he may have pushed off over his shoulder, but its still a dude my height jumping over a what...6'11 Dwight? Very nice
- After giving him props tho, using your teammate as a stepstool? How is that a cool dunk??? That's how people like me would try to dunk. You definitely dont pull that out in a the NBA dunk contest.
- Probably the 2 most important things that happened were on the sideline. 1st off I present this with no comment:
- 2nd, Probably the biggest news of the night was the announcement by LeBron James that next year he would finally be entering the Dunk Contest. Is it fitting that next year's spectacle will take place in the gargantuan new Dallas football stadium...and right before LBJ hits the free agent market? I'm sure neither of those had anything to do with James' decision to finally give the fans what we wanted.
- Switching gears: The Braves got clowned again. After a week of reports that Atlanta was finally gonna make a deal, and then had a deal in place w/ Ken Griffey Jr, the Kid ended up going back to Seattle. Had it not been the 2nd time this offseason the Braves lost a player they allegedly had locked up (Furcal), it wouldn't be as frustrating. Granted Griffey was at best going to platoon in LF w/ Matt Diaz, but it just shows Frank Wren missing an opportunity one more time.
- The A-Rod fall out has been pretty predictable. His last presser had some interesting info, the fact that he got Primobolan(or Boli, Bole, whatever you wanna call it) at a drug store in the DR which his cousin then injected him with (cue easy predictable A-Rod injection joke here) it was new. This is obviously not your flak seed oil rubbed on the body or something in a dietary supplement from GNC. Sure he may have been a "stupid, naive kid" but odds are you cant really expect anyone to believe he didnt know that if you are getting an injection of something like that, it probably wont be legal.
- The jump from 36.something to 52.something in HRs over the years he was in Seattle to Texas is big, and definitely bad for steroid purposes. BUT, it is also very important to look at the fact that he was going to one of the best hitters ballparks in the game, I'd argue best in the AL. Not really playing devils advocate, just a fact that needs to be noted i feel like.
- The NFL combine is this weekend. While sadly I dont have the NFL Network, it's always amusing to see who shoots up draft boards Vernon Davis style for just being workout freaks of nature (Brian Orakpo will be no lower than 7 after what he does this weekend, book it) and to see who has been just chillin this offseason and shows up out of shape and sloooow ala Lendale, Troy Smith, or of course Mo Clarett.
- Also, tons of players recently got cut to avoid cap trouble. The most notable are the oft-injured, fantasty murdering but sometimes good duo of Deuce McAllister and Fred Taylor. The one I'm most concerned w/ is the Broncos releasing Dre Bly. WHY?!?!??! Champ isn't getting any younger and coming off a year of injuries, why cut a great corner like Bly?
- The NBA trade deadline just passed about an hour ago. There were a few deals, nothing really all that big. With all the bruhaha about Shaq and Amare and Vince and T-Mac, the biggest name to move was either Brad Miller or Larry Hughes. How anti-climactic you are trade deadline.
- The worst, and most bizarre part of all of the NBA deals was the Tyson Chandler to the Thunder deal. The Hornets inexplicably decided to trade away there only inside threat for Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith. I think the only notable thing Joe Smith ever did was get illegally traded and costing the T-Wolves 1st rounds picks for what...5 years? The Thunder then inexplicably fail him on the physical for the toe injury that kept him out of the olympics...even tho he's been playing all year. So sadly Chandler goes right back to NO...so much for that idea.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Why I care about steroids in baseball
There are a ton of posts that I want to write this week: Lauding the Spurs for their huge win over the Celtics, thoughts on the all-star game and my favorite niche competition the Slam Dunk Contest, sadly writing an obituary for the inevitable NIT berth of ND basketball, NBA trade rumor chicanery...just tons of options. Hopefully I will get to some of them. But right now the major story in sports is the realization that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and I can't get it out of my mind.
A little background is required here. While my mind is now far more concerned with NCAA Football and the NBA, I grew up loving baseball. I played the game from the age of 5 all through high school. Baseball was my first sports love. Maybe it's because the only game I was ever somewhat decent at, maybe it's because I looked forward to summer every year when I would be able to check off a few more ballparks on the quest my Mom and I had to visit all of them some day, it could just be because there are few things I enjoy more than just sitting in the stands on a nice day and taking in everything a baseball game has to offer. For some reason, growing up, I always saw baseball as pure. Maybe it was the history of the game. Maybe it was the meticulousness that everything from the field to pre game BP to everyone on the team, coaches included, being in the same uniform, was treated with. Many people rip baseball for being boring. Honestly I can understand why some people would think that. The game has a slower pace than the other major sports. I mean, ostensibly a single game could last for eternity. Much like James Caan at the end of Rollerball, 2 teams have to play until somebody wins, there are no ties in baseball (F you Bud Selig). At the same time, I can see the beauty in a 1-0 pitchers duel, a perfectly turned 6-4-3 double play, or the fact that for my money a well hit home run is still the prettiest thing in sports. Baseball, when I was growing up was beautiful because it was pure...
This is why I get angry everytime another player is outed as a steroid user. None of the players who have been outed were people I particularly cared about. As an Atlanta Braves fan, none of my favorites, so far, have fallen victim to this ever growing trend. I take that back, David Justice did, but it happened when he was a Yankee, and after he beat Halle Berry he lost most of my love cause come on....Halle Berry. One of the main names that has gone under, Barry Bonds, is in my top 10 of most hated individuals in sports (A list I plan on writing at some point, ranking them in a 1-10 order would be impossible tho). The fact that these players are risking their health doesn't really matter at all to me. It's their bodies, if they want to deal with backne and losing their manhood, that's their call. My issue goes to the purity.
I realize at this point there are a few arguments that could be used against me. 1) Shut up you whiny purist, it's just a game, why do you care? 2) It doesn't teach you how to hit a 12-6 curve that drops off the table. 3) Why not just let everybody do it? 4) Doesn't mean Congress should get involved.
These are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head that I've heard. So, let's look at a few of em. As for the 1st one...Some people who are baseball fans don't care. That's fine, if they can look past it, that's great. For me, I just cant. When I say I enjoy the purity of the game, I dont mean to say I'm a "purist" in the way the term has been defined. While I love and respect the history of the game and hate things like the DH rule and interleague ball, I also realize that things can evolve and made better. The Wild Card was a fantastic addition. While I'm not a huge sabremetric stat head, I can see the value in VORP, etc and if people get more enjoyment out of the game that way, more power to them. I'd love to see replay instituted in some fashion, at least for fair/foul because if you have the tech, why not use it? That isn't the debate I'm trying to enter. My issue is, while there will always be differences in skill between the players, I believe that the players should all be on an even playing field. Someone like ARod, who didn't start using until he went to Texas, was already one of the best players in the game. With that skill already, you dont need this unfair advantage.
2)This brings me to the next argument. Many writers and fans bring up the fact that an injection can't help you hit a curveball. In some ways that true. However, one of the main reasons players take these steroids is so they can recover quicker from a workout. These workouts arent just bench presses, this includes things like BP. Have you ever gone out and taken 150 swings? It wears on the body, now add a ton more, plus conditioning, over a period lasting from at the very least, spring training in early March to as late as early November these days for the World Series. More reps, just in BP, will make you better. Steroids can help you take more reps, so in a way, taking steroids CAN in fact help you hit a curveball. Now, aside from that argument...steroids easily help you get stronger. Those drugs could mean the difference in a 315 foot homerun and a leaping catch at the wall by an outfielder. They could make your line drive fast enough to just be out of the reach of an infielder. There is no doubt that this leads to an unfair advantage.
3) There are also some out there who throw up their hands and say f it, we all love homeruns, we want players who are bigger, faster, and stronger, let em all juice. I've got a few issues with this logic. 1st off, steroids are illegal. I dont just mean against the rules of the game, cause for a long time they werent. I mean they are literally a controlled substance and you could be arrested for them. So there is easy answer #1. 2nd, while some players may be willing to take the physical risks for the benefits, that doesn't mean that all of them are. By allowing it, in order to compete you almost require it. This has a trickle down effect that I think is the most dangerous part of all. Baseball teams are built through their farm systems, tons of these players being drafted out of high school. If we know that all MLBers are juicing, why wouldn't high school players do it too. In order to have a chance theyd damn near have to. I know that seems paranoid, and I'm not going to be one of those taking it all the way down to middle schoolers, but it is a genuine worry. A shot at the bigs could be the difference between 14 and 16 HRs, as an up and comer who had built his life around the game, I can see why steroids would be an enticing route.
4) I absolutely agreee. Congress tendency to get into sports issues the last few years is absolutely ridiculous to me. Do your freaking jobs, let the sports do what they need to do.
I'm not going to lie, 23/24 (that's weird to type) year old me doesn't care as much. MLB is 4th in my mind these days in terms of amount I care about sports. Part of the reason why is all of this steroid nonsense. The Home Run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire was one of the greatest spectacles in sport I had ever witnessed. Back then I tuned in for every single at bat for WEEKS between both of them. Sadly looking back I can't just accept it for what it was. It quit being about who was the better home run hitter and now just feels like who had the better supplier/stuff.
Like I said, I hate Bonds with a passion, and always have (Sid Bream owns you) yet he broke one of the most prolific records in sports that used to be held by one of my all time favs in Hank Aaron. A-Rod was the one hope that fans had of "taking the record back" from Bonds. Asterisk or not, Bonds still sits at #1 on the All time HR list. Alex is the only guy right now that statistically has a good shot at breaking it...but now he is just the same. I appreciated that he owned up to it. One reason I hate Barry as much as I do is because he has lied for so long, so many times about it. Look at guys like Giambi or Pettite who admitted to what they did, showed some remorse...people practically gave them a free pass. On the other hand a story came out today saying that Miguel Tejada was going to be charged for lying to Congress about his Steroid usage. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3896877) Rodriguez will be fine, he is still young enough to have plenty of time left to keep playing at a high level. If we are to take him at his word, he has been clean since 03 and still been one of the top 2 players in the game. This post really doesn't have anything to do with Alex Rodriguez. This post is me trying to come to grips with the fact that the game of my youth, when I used to stay up as late as I could watching Braves games only to have my parents write the final score and put it on my door when I had to go to bed, has become nothing more than a guessing game of who's clean. The problem is the media can't get past it, the players can't get past it, so how can I?
Maybe I'm grossly overblowing the steroid thing, I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on the matter.
A little background is required here. While my mind is now far more concerned with NCAA Football and the NBA, I grew up loving baseball. I played the game from the age of 5 all through high school. Baseball was my first sports love. Maybe it's because the only game I was ever somewhat decent at, maybe it's because I looked forward to summer every year when I would be able to check off a few more ballparks on the quest my Mom and I had to visit all of them some day, it could just be because there are few things I enjoy more than just sitting in the stands on a nice day and taking in everything a baseball game has to offer. For some reason, growing up, I always saw baseball as pure. Maybe it was the history of the game. Maybe it was the meticulousness that everything from the field to pre game BP to everyone on the team, coaches included, being in the same uniform, was treated with. Many people rip baseball for being boring. Honestly I can understand why some people would think that. The game has a slower pace than the other major sports. I mean, ostensibly a single game could last for eternity. Much like James Caan at the end of Rollerball, 2 teams have to play until somebody wins, there are no ties in baseball (F you Bud Selig). At the same time, I can see the beauty in a 1-0 pitchers duel, a perfectly turned 6-4-3 double play, or the fact that for my money a well hit home run is still the prettiest thing in sports. Baseball, when I was growing up was beautiful because it was pure...
This is why I get angry everytime another player is outed as a steroid user. None of the players who have been outed were people I particularly cared about. As an Atlanta Braves fan, none of my favorites, so far, have fallen victim to this ever growing trend. I take that back, David Justice did, but it happened when he was a Yankee, and after he beat Halle Berry he lost most of my love cause come on....Halle Berry. One of the main names that has gone under, Barry Bonds, is in my top 10 of most hated individuals in sports (A list I plan on writing at some point, ranking them in a 1-10 order would be impossible tho). The fact that these players are risking their health doesn't really matter at all to me. It's their bodies, if they want to deal with backne and losing their manhood, that's their call. My issue goes to the purity.
I realize at this point there are a few arguments that could be used against me. 1) Shut up you whiny purist, it's just a game, why do you care? 2) It doesn't teach you how to hit a 12-6 curve that drops off the table. 3) Why not just let everybody do it? 4) Doesn't mean Congress should get involved.
These are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head that I've heard. So, let's look at a few of em. As for the 1st one...Some people who are baseball fans don't care. That's fine, if they can look past it, that's great. For me, I just cant. When I say I enjoy the purity of the game, I dont mean to say I'm a "purist" in the way the term has been defined. While I love and respect the history of the game and hate things like the DH rule and interleague ball, I also realize that things can evolve and made better. The Wild Card was a fantastic addition. While I'm not a huge sabremetric stat head, I can see the value in VORP, etc and if people get more enjoyment out of the game that way, more power to them. I'd love to see replay instituted in some fashion, at least for fair/foul because if you have the tech, why not use it? That isn't the debate I'm trying to enter. My issue is, while there will always be differences in skill between the players, I believe that the players should all be on an even playing field. Someone like ARod, who didn't start using until he went to Texas, was already one of the best players in the game. With that skill already, you dont need this unfair advantage.
2)This brings me to the next argument. Many writers and fans bring up the fact that an injection can't help you hit a curveball. In some ways that true. However, one of the main reasons players take these steroids is so they can recover quicker from a workout. These workouts arent just bench presses, this includes things like BP. Have you ever gone out and taken 150 swings? It wears on the body, now add a ton more, plus conditioning, over a period lasting from at the very least, spring training in early March to as late as early November these days for the World Series. More reps, just in BP, will make you better. Steroids can help you take more reps, so in a way, taking steroids CAN in fact help you hit a curveball. Now, aside from that argument...steroids easily help you get stronger. Those drugs could mean the difference in a 315 foot homerun and a leaping catch at the wall by an outfielder. They could make your line drive fast enough to just be out of the reach of an infielder. There is no doubt that this leads to an unfair advantage.
3) There are also some out there who throw up their hands and say f it, we all love homeruns, we want players who are bigger, faster, and stronger, let em all juice. I've got a few issues with this logic. 1st off, steroids are illegal. I dont just mean against the rules of the game, cause for a long time they werent. I mean they are literally a controlled substance and you could be arrested for them. So there is easy answer #1. 2nd, while some players may be willing to take the physical risks for the benefits, that doesn't mean that all of them are. By allowing it, in order to compete you almost require it. This has a trickle down effect that I think is the most dangerous part of all. Baseball teams are built through their farm systems, tons of these players being drafted out of high school. If we know that all MLBers are juicing, why wouldn't high school players do it too. In order to have a chance theyd damn near have to. I know that seems paranoid, and I'm not going to be one of those taking it all the way down to middle schoolers, but it is a genuine worry. A shot at the bigs could be the difference between 14 and 16 HRs, as an up and comer who had built his life around the game, I can see why steroids would be an enticing route.
4) I absolutely agreee. Congress tendency to get into sports issues the last few years is absolutely ridiculous to me. Do your freaking jobs, let the sports do what they need to do.
I'm not going to lie, 23/24 (that's weird to type) year old me doesn't care as much. MLB is 4th in my mind these days in terms of amount I care about sports. Part of the reason why is all of this steroid nonsense. The Home Run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire was one of the greatest spectacles in sport I had ever witnessed. Back then I tuned in for every single at bat for WEEKS between both of them. Sadly looking back I can't just accept it for what it was. It quit being about who was the better home run hitter and now just feels like who had the better supplier/stuff.
Like I said, I hate Bonds with a passion, and always have (Sid Bream owns you) yet he broke one of the most prolific records in sports that used to be held by one of my all time favs in Hank Aaron. A-Rod was the one hope that fans had of "taking the record back" from Bonds. Asterisk or not, Bonds still sits at #1 on the All time HR list. Alex is the only guy right now that statistically has a good shot at breaking it...but now he is just the same. I appreciated that he owned up to it. One reason I hate Barry as much as I do is because he has lied for so long, so many times about it. Look at guys like Giambi or Pettite who admitted to what they did, showed some remorse...people practically gave them a free pass. On the other hand a story came out today saying that Miguel Tejada was going to be charged for lying to Congress about his Steroid usage. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3896877) Rodriguez will be fine, he is still young enough to have plenty of time left to keep playing at a high level. If we are to take him at his word, he has been clean since 03 and still been one of the top 2 players in the game. This post really doesn't have anything to do with Alex Rodriguez. This post is me trying to come to grips with the fact that the game of my youth, when I used to stay up as late as I could watching Braves games only to have my parents write the final score and put it on my door when I had to go to bed, has become nothing more than a guessing game of who's clean. The problem is the media can't get past it, the players can't get past it, so how can I?
Maybe I'm grossly overblowing the steroid thing, I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on the matter.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
National Signing Day and the cult of Potential
Hey kids,
So the Super Bowl happened, it was enjoyable, but since I've barely talked about the NFL and every possible angle has been covered to death by this point I'll leave it with this: 1) Larry Fitzgerald is a freak of nature, 2) I'm glad Kurt Warner is no longer married to a battle axe, 3) 100 yard pick 6's as time runs out in the 1st half are hilariously awesome, and 4) It was a heck of a game which should've had the last play reviewed, but shouldn't be tarnished because it wasn't.
My main focus this week has been on the college football front. Yesterday was National Signing Day. For the unitiated, NSD is the first day that recruits can sign their letters of intent to play for the school of their choosing next year. While many players have already made verbal commits this doesn't matter until yesterday. I take one of many life lesson's from Alec Baldwin's GlenGarry speech that you must get them to sign on the line which is dotted. Schools have lose players on NSD every year that have said they were going to be joining their hallowed halls, just how the game works. While it is strange that people would care about where a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds decide to go to school, part of the fun of sports is the idea of potential. Now surely you have some people that don't care about scouting, recruiting, drafts, or anything except for what happens on the field(or court or diamond). Then there are others, a camp I'm in, who can take as much enjoyment from the possibility of the future as the actual events of the present.
For some reason I've always loved drafts. I think the event prompted me to reset this whole thing was the NBA draft last year. For some reason looking at young players and imaging what they could become can be as much fun as watching the process itself. Before you call me crazy, it is the offseason after all. and ND is coming off of a few bad years, so the future is the main solace I need to draw from. Plus, everyone likes to have a prediction come true, things like new recruits signing is the perfect opportunity to make bold claims about the future and then see what happens as they progress. If you've been reading since the beginning of this football season my love of Freshman WR Michael Floyd was clear throughout the year. Potential can be as much fun as actual talent. It's what makes LeBron James such an amazing figure today. To think he dropped a triple double last night with 52 points makes you think he is in the prime of his career. Then you realize he just turned 24 a few months back. As good as he is now, he has the potential to challenge to be GOAT. It's what makes Ken Griffey Jr's post Seattle years so sad to long time baseball fans who saw what the player called "The Kid" did so early and what he could have done had he stayed healthy.
Potential permeates every facet of sports and can provide a whole new way of looking at the game. The Free Darko book (which if you like basketball at all is a must, I know it's been said everywhere here on the interwebs but wow, fantastic stuff) talked about the cult of the Next. How players are predicted at a young age for what player they can be like, or better than. It just provides a new way to think about the games we love...
Anyway, after all of that talk about why I love potential, I gotta say I'm pretty pumped about the guys who committed to ND. While it hurt a lil to only get 1 DB, and the overall class ranking doesn't match last years #1 class, Weis and company were able to fill several needs and get players who could help right away, even amidst contraversy as to whether they would even be around.
The biggest moment of yesterday in my mind, and even in the minds of many who carry a torch for ND was the decision of #1 OLB Manti Te'o to come to South Bend. Manti was the #1 defensive player in the country and had narrowed his choices to ND, USC, and UCLA. Many thought (read: feared) that Manti was SC bound for a number of reasons, most importantly that his last official was to USC last weekend. However, when ESPN put him on the screen it was an ND on his hat to be replaced with a gold helmet in the near future. While you can never really guarantee a guy will be great in college, Manti is as close to a lock as you can get. He will likely get plenty of burn in his freshman year in ND's 3-4 scheme. I'm sure Jon Tenuta was unable to sleep last night just thinking of new ways to blitz him.
Manti isn't the only guy who will be able to help out his freshman year. Chris Watt is a 5 star OG who was ranked #1 in the country at his position and should compete for playing time on an OL that still had a lot of issues last year. One of the most important recruits in the class in my mind is 4 star WR Shaq Evans. Shaq was the #12 WR in the country who is 6'2 with good speed and great hands, but that isn't what makes him important. The big thing about him is that Shaq is from Inglewood CA and USC had been going after him hard. Combine that with Cierre Wood, one of the top RB's out of Oxnard CA who will have a chance to get on the field early, there are great things to picture for the future. Even coming off of a 7-6 campaign, ND was able to walk into the mouth of the beast and pull top talent out of Pete Carroll's back yard. Obviously SC isn't hurting, but ND's ability to beat them head to head for guys, along with UCLA's resurgence under Neuheisel, as well as Stanford coming out of nowhere for a top 20 class, shows that they do not get to just walk in and point at a guy and have them as their own without a fight.
Theo Riddick is another RB that has good ability and joins one of the best RB cores in the land. Besides starting a Cali stronghold, Charlie went back to his roots and got several good NJ players. One of the best is another great LB, 4 star Carlo Calabrese. Carlo is a tough guy that likes to hit people, two of the main things you look for in a LB. While there are several other great players in the class, I'm not gonna get to all of them. The last group I want to mention are the specialists. Kickers and punters rarely light a fire under anybody, but special teams has been a big issue for ND over the last few years. Why not get guys who can help you with those problems. Finally is the scholarship to long snapper Jordan Cowart. Rarely does anyone make offers to long snappers, but here are a few reasons I like the play here. 1st, Cowart and new punter Ben Turk were teammates on the defending Florida state champs. These 2 have worked together for years and Cowart hasn't botched a snap in his last 300+ attempts. ND had filled most of its needs and had scholarships available. Finally, walk ons filling the role usually get rewarded with a scholarship (think JJ Jansen), so its not like this is something unheard of. Why not fix one of the major problems your team had.
All in all I think this was a very good signing day for the Irish. Yes a few targets went the other way in the end with Jawanza Starling (awesome name) and Byron Moore, but it is better to look at the good things you have instead of what you missed out on. Looking around the country, LSU and Bama both had a fantastic close, USC lost several verbals to schools like S Carolina and Arizona State, and Alabama also featured my two favorite live commits of the day. The best one was Trent Richardson's:
That suit with the houndstooth is style I only wish I could attain some day.
So NSD2k9 is behind us now, time to start checking out the 2010 recruits. By the way, have I mentioned ND has 2 5 stars committed already. Let me know your thoughts or how your school did in the comments.
So the Super Bowl happened, it was enjoyable, but since I've barely talked about the NFL and every possible angle has been covered to death by this point I'll leave it with this: 1) Larry Fitzgerald is a freak of nature, 2) I'm glad Kurt Warner is no longer married to a battle axe, 3) 100 yard pick 6's as time runs out in the 1st half are hilariously awesome, and 4) It was a heck of a game which should've had the last play reviewed, but shouldn't be tarnished because it wasn't.
My main focus this week has been on the college football front. Yesterday was National Signing Day. For the unitiated, NSD is the first day that recruits can sign their letters of intent to play for the school of their choosing next year. While many players have already made verbal commits this doesn't matter until yesterday. I take one of many life lesson's from Alec Baldwin's GlenGarry speech that you must get them to sign on the line which is dotted. Schools have lose players on NSD every year that have said they were going to be joining their hallowed halls, just how the game works. While it is strange that people would care about where a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds decide to go to school, part of the fun of sports is the idea of potential. Now surely you have some people that don't care about scouting, recruiting, drafts, or anything except for what happens on the field(or court or diamond). Then there are others, a camp I'm in, who can take as much enjoyment from the possibility of the future as the actual events of the present.
For some reason I've always loved drafts. I think the event prompted me to reset this whole thing was the NBA draft last year. For some reason looking at young players and imaging what they could become can be as much fun as watching the process itself. Before you call me crazy, it is the offseason after all. and ND is coming off of a few bad years, so the future is the main solace I need to draw from. Plus, everyone likes to have a prediction come true, things like new recruits signing is the perfect opportunity to make bold claims about the future and then see what happens as they progress. If you've been reading since the beginning of this football season my love of Freshman WR Michael Floyd was clear throughout the year. Potential can be as much fun as actual talent. It's what makes LeBron James such an amazing figure today. To think he dropped a triple double last night with 52 points makes you think he is in the prime of his career. Then you realize he just turned 24 a few months back. As good as he is now, he has the potential to challenge to be GOAT. It's what makes Ken Griffey Jr's post Seattle years so sad to long time baseball fans who saw what the player called "The Kid" did so early and what he could have done had he stayed healthy.
Potential permeates every facet of sports and can provide a whole new way of looking at the game. The Free Darko book (which if you like basketball at all is a must, I know it's been said everywhere here on the interwebs but wow, fantastic stuff) talked about the cult of the Next. How players are predicted at a young age for what player they can be like, or better than. It just provides a new way to think about the games we love...
Anyway, after all of that talk about why I love potential, I gotta say I'm pretty pumped about the guys who committed to ND. While it hurt a lil to only get 1 DB, and the overall class ranking doesn't match last years #1 class, Weis and company were able to fill several needs and get players who could help right away, even amidst contraversy as to whether they would even be around.
The biggest moment of yesterday in my mind, and even in the minds of many who carry a torch for ND was the decision of #1 OLB Manti Te'o to come to South Bend. Manti was the #1 defensive player in the country and had narrowed his choices to ND, USC, and UCLA. Many thought (read: feared) that Manti was SC bound for a number of reasons, most importantly that his last official was to USC last weekend. However, when ESPN put him on the screen it was an ND on his hat to be replaced with a gold helmet in the near future. While you can never really guarantee a guy will be great in college, Manti is as close to a lock as you can get. He will likely get plenty of burn in his freshman year in ND's 3-4 scheme. I'm sure Jon Tenuta was unable to sleep last night just thinking of new ways to blitz him.
Manti isn't the only guy who will be able to help out his freshman year. Chris Watt is a 5 star OG who was ranked #1 in the country at his position and should compete for playing time on an OL that still had a lot of issues last year. One of the most important recruits in the class in my mind is 4 star WR Shaq Evans. Shaq was the #12 WR in the country who is 6'2 with good speed and great hands, but that isn't what makes him important. The big thing about him is that Shaq is from Inglewood CA and USC had been going after him hard. Combine that with Cierre Wood, one of the top RB's out of Oxnard CA who will have a chance to get on the field early, there are great things to picture for the future. Even coming off of a 7-6 campaign, ND was able to walk into the mouth of the beast and pull top talent out of Pete Carroll's back yard. Obviously SC isn't hurting, but ND's ability to beat them head to head for guys, along with UCLA's resurgence under Neuheisel, as well as Stanford coming out of nowhere for a top 20 class, shows that they do not get to just walk in and point at a guy and have them as their own without a fight.
Theo Riddick is another RB that has good ability and joins one of the best RB cores in the land. Besides starting a Cali stronghold, Charlie went back to his roots and got several good NJ players. One of the best is another great LB, 4 star Carlo Calabrese. Carlo is a tough guy that likes to hit people, two of the main things you look for in a LB. While there are several other great players in the class, I'm not gonna get to all of them. The last group I want to mention are the specialists. Kickers and punters rarely light a fire under anybody, but special teams has been a big issue for ND over the last few years. Why not get guys who can help you with those problems. Finally is the scholarship to long snapper Jordan Cowart. Rarely does anyone make offers to long snappers, but here are a few reasons I like the play here. 1st, Cowart and new punter Ben Turk were teammates on the defending Florida state champs. These 2 have worked together for years and Cowart hasn't botched a snap in his last 300+ attempts. ND had filled most of its needs and had scholarships available. Finally, walk ons filling the role usually get rewarded with a scholarship (think JJ Jansen), so its not like this is something unheard of. Why not fix one of the major problems your team had.
All in all I think this was a very good signing day for the Irish. Yes a few targets went the other way in the end with Jawanza Starling (awesome name) and Byron Moore, but it is better to look at the good things you have instead of what you missed out on. Looking around the country, LSU and Bama both had a fantastic close, USC lost several verbals to schools like S Carolina and Arizona State, and Alabama also featured my two favorite live commits of the day. The best one was Trent Richardson's:
That suit with the houndstooth is style I only wish I could attain some day.
So NSD2k9 is behind us now, time to start checking out the 2010 recruits. By the way, have I mentioned ND has 2 5 stars committed already. Let me know your thoughts or how your school did in the comments.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
This blog shall live...barely
Hey kids,
It's been quite awhile. What can I say, school got real, then...well...umm yah, just kind of got out of the habit. Let's see if we can't wake this baby up a lil bit with all kinds of fun shall we:
Topic 1: Hawaii Bowl
Well, ND beat the hell out of Hawaii. Honestly it was fun to finally see the Notre Dame team I had expected all year to finally show up. HOWEVAH, for people who are saying that CW has shown a clear turnaround and solved all the problems, slow your roll. Yes, it was a big win, the streak of bowl futility is over, you get a defacto recruiting trip with the whole team for your top remaining prospect, you shellacked an opponent 49-21 on National TV when there were no other options on (well, except that whole Christmas thing I guess, but how many people haven't seen Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer by now). At the same time, this win came over a WAC team, not only was it a WAC team, but they were a (7-6) WAC team...not exactly a high caliber opponent there. Another storyline that needs to wait is that Jimmy Clausen finally figured it out. Dude had an absolutely sick game 22/26, 401 Yds, 5 TDs, 0 picks. You would be hard pressed to do better. In fact, because I loved it, let's see some video:
Buckets
Once again, you can see the theme developing of 7 to 23 for 6. It's one I hope to see many more times next year. Not to be outdone, Armando Allen decided to bust out this beauty:
The frustrating thing about this game is the fact that it took 13 games for the offense to finally click the way it should have. Do I feel great about the future? No doubt. ND returns most of its playmakers on both sides of the ball against a weak schedule. Further, the recruiting class is full of talent and hopefully will add a couple more before National Signing Day (please Manti Te'o please Manti Te'o please Manti Te'o).
There are still plenty of questions surrounding this team however. As many ND fans have called for in the past (including me here) coaching changes were finally made. Latina (OL) and Oliver (DL) have both "left" while Mike Haywood (RB/OC) has taken the head job at Miami(OH). A few replacements have already been made. The OL will now be headed by John Verducci (BGS take) while Tony Alford will take over the RB spot (UND story). These were a few changes that HAD to happen if Charlie was going to keep his job. Both new coaches are solid replacements who hopefully will get the job done. This is really all that there is to say at this point. So I will put ND to bed at least until NSD.
Topic #2: San Antonio Spurs
I feel bad for not having written anything about the Spurs really to this point. That doesn't mean that I haven't been watching. Not at all. This is the first year I've had NBA League Pass so I have actually watched more ball this year than I ever have before. It's a fantastic investment btw if you are an NBA fan. With the injuries the Spurs had at the beginning of the year, missing 2 of the Big 3, I feared the worst. Tim Duncan put up an amazing effort to keep the team afloat until reinforcements arrived and is well deservingly at the top of the Western conference Forward All Star voting (as of last check). However, two players have really stepped up that I want to mention...and eat some crow.
I have blasted the George Hill pick since draft day. I was angry that once again the Spurs didn't go with a guy from a big name school (such as Mario Chalmers or Darrell Arthur who I begged for). While his numbers right now may not blow your mind, watching his play has been fantastic. He has improved significantly already since the beginning of the year and gave solid minutes to a team that desperately needed him to step up while Tony Parker was out with an injury. Part of me still wishes that one of the Jayhawks names were called on draft night, but Hill has been great this year and I humbly apologize for doubting the Spurs staff and juding Hill before giving him a real chance (since I know both are reading).
The biggest addition for the Spurs this year in my opinion however is the dagger bringer, the heart breaker, the sun darkening, no fear, clutch shooting machine that is Roger Mason Jr. Why talk when I can just embed Youtube. First, one of my best Christmas presents:
Second, a huge shot against arguably (I say easily, too many big series over the last decade) our biggest rivals answering a sick shot by one of the games best
Roger Mason doesn't need Jobu or dancing Kobe(if you click no other hyperlink click this one for the vid, hilarity) he just needs a portion of a second. Mason's play has been huge, especially filling in for an ailing Manu who is just now regaining his stride (that Lakers game being the real sign of his comeback). Mase has been a huge boost to the Spurs O that has been surprisingly high scoring this year.
While the Spurs are up at the top of the standings right now, that doesn't mean that things are all bright and cheery. The defense of the Spurs has been...well, in the words of Pop himself: “We suck on ‘D,'” Popovich said, with the “D” standing for defense. (full article here) Knowing the Spurs though, this problem should be fixed come playoff time so I'm not too concerned.
I will try and come back later this week with some general NBA thoughts and NFL as well. Consider this last hiatus a winter break, I'll try to be back to at least 2 posts a week, at least until finals time again. As always please leave thoughts, questions, concerns, praise, or insults in the comments. Gooooooodnight now
It's been quite awhile. What can I say, school got real, then...well...umm yah, just kind of got out of the habit. Let's see if we can't wake this baby up a lil bit with all kinds of fun shall we:
Topic 1: Hawaii Bowl
Well, ND beat the hell out of Hawaii. Honestly it was fun to finally see the Notre Dame team I had expected all year to finally show up. HOWEVAH, for people who are saying that CW has shown a clear turnaround and solved all the problems, slow your roll. Yes, it was a big win, the streak of bowl futility is over, you get a defacto recruiting trip with the whole team for your top remaining prospect, you shellacked an opponent 49-21 on National TV when there were no other options on (well, except that whole Christmas thing I guess, but how many people haven't seen Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer by now). At the same time, this win came over a WAC team, not only was it a WAC team, but they were a (7-6) WAC team...not exactly a high caliber opponent there. Another storyline that needs to wait is that Jimmy Clausen finally figured it out. Dude had an absolutely sick game 22/26, 401 Yds, 5 TDs, 0 picks. You would be hard pressed to do better. In fact, because I loved it, let's see some video:
Buckets
Once again, you can see the theme developing of 7 to 23 for 6. It's one I hope to see many more times next year. Not to be outdone, Armando Allen decided to bust out this beauty:
The frustrating thing about this game is the fact that it took 13 games for the offense to finally click the way it should have. Do I feel great about the future? No doubt. ND returns most of its playmakers on both sides of the ball against a weak schedule. Further, the recruiting class is full of talent and hopefully will add a couple more before National Signing Day (please Manti Te'o please Manti Te'o please Manti Te'o).
There are still plenty of questions surrounding this team however. As many ND fans have called for in the past (including me here) coaching changes were finally made. Latina (OL) and Oliver (DL) have both "left" while Mike Haywood (RB/OC) has taken the head job at Miami(OH). A few replacements have already been made. The OL will now be headed by John Verducci (BGS take) while Tony Alford will take over the RB spot (UND story). These were a few changes that HAD to happen if Charlie was going to keep his job. Both new coaches are solid replacements who hopefully will get the job done. This is really all that there is to say at this point. So I will put ND to bed at least until NSD.
Topic #2: San Antonio Spurs
I feel bad for not having written anything about the Spurs really to this point. That doesn't mean that I haven't been watching. Not at all. This is the first year I've had NBA League Pass so I have actually watched more ball this year than I ever have before. It's a fantastic investment btw if you are an NBA fan. With the injuries the Spurs had at the beginning of the year, missing 2 of the Big 3, I feared the worst. Tim Duncan put up an amazing effort to keep the team afloat until reinforcements arrived and is well deservingly at the top of the Western conference Forward All Star voting (as of last check). However, two players have really stepped up that I want to mention...and eat some crow.
I have blasted the George Hill pick since draft day. I was angry that once again the Spurs didn't go with a guy from a big name school (such as Mario Chalmers or Darrell Arthur who I begged for). While his numbers right now may not blow your mind, watching his play has been fantastic. He has improved significantly already since the beginning of the year and gave solid minutes to a team that desperately needed him to step up while Tony Parker was out with an injury. Part of me still wishes that one of the Jayhawks names were called on draft night, but Hill has been great this year and I humbly apologize for doubting the Spurs staff and juding Hill before giving him a real chance (since I know both are reading).
The biggest addition for the Spurs this year in my opinion however is the dagger bringer, the heart breaker, the sun darkening, no fear, clutch shooting machine that is Roger Mason Jr. Why talk when I can just embed Youtube. First, one of my best Christmas presents:
Second, a huge shot against arguably (I say easily, too many big series over the last decade) our biggest rivals answering a sick shot by one of the games best
Roger Mason doesn't need Jobu or dancing Kobe(if you click no other hyperlink click this one for the vid, hilarity) he just needs a portion of a second. Mason's play has been huge, especially filling in for an ailing Manu who is just now regaining his stride (that Lakers game being the real sign of his comeback). Mase has been a huge boost to the Spurs O that has been surprisingly high scoring this year.
While the Spurs are up at the top of the standings right now, that doesn't mean that things are all bright and cheery. The defense of the Spurs has been...well, in the words of Pop himself: “We suck on ‘D,'” Popovich said, with the “D” standing for defense. (full article here) Knowing the Spurs though, this problem should be fixed come playoff time so I'm not too concerned.
I will try and come back later this week with some general NBA thoughts and NFL as well. Consider this last hiatus a winter break, I'll try to be back to at least 2 posts a week, at least until finals time again. As always please leave thoughts, questions, concerns, praise, or insults in the comments. Gooooooodnight now
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
