The difference between good and great.
In order to win the NBA Finals you have to have all the pistons firing together as one unit. Chemistry is key, coaching is ever so important and you have to have that one player you know will score in crunch time when you HAVE to have a basket.
It’s funny – every year there is always one team in any kind of playoffs that just jumps out and surprises everyone. They just get on a roll and the train they’ve been conducting brings them all the way to the championship. Examples - 2008 New York Giants, 2007 Colorado Rockies and 2009 Michigan State Spartans.
But in the NBA you have to know who the contenders and pretenders are. You don’t just have one game to prove yourself, but a complete 7-game series, which allows for the average television viewer to analyze good coaching, changing defensive schemes and offenses that play together.
P.S. How much better did the Nuggets get after trading away I Shoot the Ball before I Pass Allen Iverson for I Pass the Ball before I Shoot Chauncey Billups?
Going into the Playoffs I had the Cavs and Lakers meeting in the Finals. One week later I thought for sure we would see the Bulls as that one team to surprise the nation and carry that firepower farther along. (Turns out they had Vinny Del Negro on their bench and the Celtics had something called experience on theirs).
What I am getting to is there are only certain teams that are truly good enough to win it all. Some are getting too old (Spurs and Pistons), others too young (Hawks and Bulls), while some are one player or coach away from taking the next big step (Blazers and Hornets).
Here are Five Key Points for a Championship Winning Team
1. You can’t win on jumpshots alone, you either need penetrators or at least someone who can play inside (goodbye Mavs, Bulls and Hawks)
2. On the other side of the ball you have to have a banger inside who can handle his own and get big rebounds in crunch time (like a Dennis Rodman in his prime).
3. You must have a coach on the sidelines who can teach DEFENSE and understands when not to call a time out (Phil Jackson) over those who take too many too early (Del Negro)
4. Bench Players have to step up and understand their roles (look at how big last year’s Celtics trio of Powe, Posey and House were for Boston’s championship)
5. When the game is tied and there is 30 seconds left then you have to have a player that has IT - when you get the ball there isn’t anybody out there that is going to stop you. Former champs Jordan, Wade and Duncan had it, and now Lebron and Kobe have IT. And IT is something that doesn’t come around but every once in a great while.
So which teams remaining in the playoffs have these five facets to WIN IT ALL do you ask?
The Lakers – Size (Pau Gasol), Defense and a player that can make all the shots in Kobe (I sexually assaulted a 19-yr old girl but got away with it) Bryant. Plus they have one of the best coaches in Phil I Don’t Take Timeouts Jackson and a plethora of role players such as Ariza, Walton, Bynum, Vujacic and Farmar.
The Rockets have a chance – with Yao I could have picked them over LA, but now after his injury they have as much of a chance to win as Jason Kidd does to dunk a basketball.
P.S. How much better are the Rockets without Tracy McGrady? Remember in Hoosiers when Coach Dale tells the team to pass the ball four times before they shoot? Well THIS Rockets team can do that. If T-Mac were to play he would be Ray from Hoosiers and maybe, just maybe Coach Rick Adelman would sit T-Mac to prove a point that he can play with four players on the floor, instead of five. What am I kidding, its the NBA…
The Denver Nuggets have one great player and all those others who understand their roles. Billups is the Butter to the Nuggets Bread, Nene and K-Mart handle down low and Melo is turning into a premier player in the league. Plus they have a smart coach in George Karl and many role players (Birdman, Anthony Carter, Kleiza, and Dahntay Jones)
Cavaliers – They have that one player with IT – Lebron James. And their team is not taking anything for granted right now. They know what it takes to win with defense and how to PLAY TOGETHER. They have role players in Varejao, Pavlovic, Gibson, Wallace, Wally World and Delonte (I Don’t Have Enough Tattoos) West.
The only problem is that they have yet to be tested strategically from a coaching standpoint and don’t have enough key veterans with playoff experience. They haven’t played a close game yet (won all by double digits) – so who is going to will them to the next level when it turns into crunch time and no one out there has been in a similar situation before.
Celtics – This is the one team that I truly can’t put a stamp on. They lost KG and Powe inside, yet Big Baby Davis is stepping up. My question is can Paul Pierce and Ray Allen carry their raggedy old bones to the next series after winning by the skin of their teeth against the Bulls? All I know is that Rajon Rondo has turned into a dominant point guard, Doc Rivers has been here before and they have more than anyone else has to play for – Defending as World Champs.
So from the words of Birdman who is going to be “popping champagne like we won the championship game,” come the end of June?
It comes down to these 4 teams (well 5 if Yao wasn’t hurt) and who has it to win it all.
A. The Lakers Have Everything
B. I would be scared of the Nuggets right now (if there was ever a team you wouldn’t want to face in a dark alley – it would be the Nuggets wouldn’t it?)
C. Everybody is jumping on the Cavaliers bandwagon just like last year’s exciting New Orleans Hornets. But do they have enough leadership to help them in the closing seconds of a tight game?
D. Celtics – They have the veterans, but boy wouldn’t it be better to see KG in a uniform on the floor than in a suit on the bench.
The Lakers supplant the Nuggets in 7 and Cavs take advantage of fresh legs against the Celtics in 6.
It’s a Kobe-Lebron laden Finals and for the first time since 2003 the Larry O’Brien Trophy will be coming back to Los Angeles. Why – because they have a better coach, the Bryant-James matchup is deadlock, and the Lakers have an inside game.
Now the real question is – will Phil Jackson pull a Pat Riley and guarantee everyone that they will win another one the next year?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
2009 NFL Draft Journal
14:50 -- The suspense is over, Matt Stafford has officially been taken by Detroit. The GM mentioned he liked such things as his field presence, his arm strength, and how he conducts himself in social atmospheres (?). Stafford's a wild card -- I can't determine if he's the real deal or his value was inflated by a weak draft. (Elsewhere in Norman, OK, Sam Bradford takes a HUGE sigh of relief. He just draft-dodged the Lions for next year since they've plugged the QB gap.)
15:00 -- Start of the 2009 NFL Draft. Just cracked the first beer. Sorry Boomer, as you announce the official sponsor of the draft as Coors Light, I glance at the MGD in my hand.
15:05 -- The Stafford announcement is made to a plethora of boos. Erin Andrews pulls him aside and mentions his desire for a challenge. I'd call resurrecting a team from 0-16 is more than just a challenge. Until Detroit bulks up the offensive line, they are setting Stafford up for failure.
15:15 -- St. Louis takes OT Jason Smith second and I like this pick. Some experts thought they should take Mark Sanchez, but they've already committed buckets of money to Bulger and decided to give him more room to work with. Ask Robert Griffin about Smith's talents, as he played a major role in keeping Baylor's offense productive.
15:24 -- Kansas City takes Tyson Jackson, a defensive end out of LSU. I didn't watch LSU much last year so I don't know much about him. Instead I'll compliment ESPN for assigning Erin Andrews to the draft. The woman is a goddess: beautiful, intelligent, and can talk sports with the best of them. She's the best thing about Thursday night college football.
15:32 -- Aaron Curry falls to Seattle to fill the void at outside linebacker. He's not very big, but he's quick to rush passes.
15:42 -- The hometown Jets take Sanchez at the five spot, resulting in mixed emotions in the crowd. Some love it, some hate it, and I'm somewhere in the middle. The Jets needed a quarterback and Sanchez comes from a big market area, but he's untested, took advantage of a superb USC line, and, like Stafford, looks better than he would in other drafts. Only time will tell...
15:50 -- Andre Smith to Cinci is a great pick. I'm still waiting on Carson Palmer's breakout season so bulking up the O-line can't hurt.
15:58 -- The first shocker of the draft comes courtesy of Oakland. They take WR Darrius Heywood-Bey over Michael Crabtree. They needed a wideout and must have been scared off by Crabtree's leg/speed/height. His stock fell fast at the NFL Combine after it was revealed Texas Tech listed him two inches too tall and he ran a slower 40m than most. I think he'll be a steal if he falls out of the top ten.
16:13 -- Andrews comments that Crabtree's table was relieved he didn't go to Oakland. Can't blame him, but he's hoping to go to Green Bay...
16:14 -- And he didn't. The Packers evidently didn't feel the need for an upgrade on offense. B.J. Raji is only the second defensive player selected thus far.
16:18 -- Bottom of the fourth, St. Louis strikes first off a Khalil Greene RBI double. I could write an entire post about how the internet and live gamecasts have made this world a better place.
16:21 -- The 49ers wisen up and draft Crabtree. Eighty-six percent of the online nation think it's the right move, the most supported pick all day. He'll significantly help their anemic offense, commanding double teams as a potential long threat. Even if he's a shade slower than the defense, he's a playmaker who reads passes well. Keep an eye on this guy.
16:32 -- Denver takes Knowshon Moreno and Washington takes Brian Orakpo with the 12th and 13th picks. I like the latter more, but Moreno might surprise; after trading Cutler, most thought the Broncos would take a QB. Dallas is going to be down this year and who knows what Eagles team will show up, so Washington takes an NFL-ready defensive end who can help their push for the playoffs.
16:39 -- Cubs are on the board, but still trail 3-1. Cubs-Cards have played four games, all down to the wire. Taking center stage in the best division in the NL, this 2009 rivalry may be one of the most pertinent in sports.
16:46 -- Now that we've reached the second-tier players of this draft, I take a moment to imagine how good next year's draft will be. It's no coincidence that the day after Bradford announced his intent to return to Oklahoma, Sanchez declared for the draft.
17:08 -- Just got back from making a beer run down the street to the trusty neighborhood gas station. Twelve packs of Miller High Life on sale? Allow me to revert back to my college sophmore year...
17:12 -- Somebody finally gambled on Josh Freeman. I've heard more than once he might be the sleeper in this draft.
17:23 -- Not sure why Jeremy Maclin fell this far. He was favored as a potential top ten talent, with Woody Paige strongly endorsing him on Around the Horn yesterday as the must-have offensive player in the draft. He'll fit in well at Phillie.
17:27 -- Albert Pujols just hit a grand slam. I challenge you to convince me he's not the best player in the majors.
17:28 -- Still undecided on Percy Harvin, I just saw him go to a division rival in Minnesota. Not entirely impressed, still he has yet to hit his ceiling. I'd be interested in the opinion of a particular Vikings fan (cough *Cale* cough).
17:52 -- ESPN aired another trailer for the new Star Trek movie. I've never seen an entire Star Trek movie and couldn't really get into any of the 17 tv shows, but it looks good. However, J.J. Abrams is hit or miss. Lost = Awesome, Cloverfield = Motion Sickness. If nothing else, I'll go see if Spock cuts anybody's head off using telekinesis.
18:00 -- Cardinals win, move four games ahead of the Cubs and claim the best record in baseball.
18:27 -- The first round ends 3.5 hours later. Notable late round picks include #26 OLB Clay Matthews (Green Bay needs improvement to the line if Aaron Rodgers is going to flourish), #29 WR Hakeem Nicks (provides another speedy target for Eli Manning), and #31 RB Beanie Wells (may become one of the biggest flops of this first round).
18:33 -- Feeling better about the Bears forfeiting their early round picks for Jay Cutler. We're set at QB for the next 10 years and there wasn't anybody in this draft they simply had to have. I'll let you know where I plan to have the post Super Bowl party.
15:00 -- Start of the 2009 NFL Draft. Just cracked the first beer. Sorry Boomer, as you announce the official sponsor of the draft as Coors Light, I glance at the MGD in my hand.
15:05 -- The Stafford announcement is made to a plethora of boos. Erin Andrews pulls him aside and mentions his desire for a challenge. I'd call resurrecting a team from 0-16 is more than just a challenge. Until Detroit bulks up the offensive line, they are setting Stafford up for failure.
15:15 -- St. Louis takes OT Jason Smith second and I like this pick. Some experts thought they should take Mark Sanchez, but they've already committed buckets of money to Bulger and decided to give him more room to work with. Ask Robert Griffin about Smith's talents, as he played a major role in keeping Baylor's offense productive.
15:24 -- Kansas City takes Tyson Jackson, a defensive end out of LSU. I didn't watch LSU much last year so I don't know much about him. Instead I'll compliment ESPN for assigning Erin Andrews to the draft. The woman is a goddess: beautiful, intelligent, and can talk sports with the best of them. She's the best thing about Thursday night college football.
15:32 -- Aaron Curry falls to Seattle to fill the void at outside linebacker. He's not very big, but he's quick to rush passes.
15:42 -- The hometown Jets take Sanchez at the five spot, resulting in mixed emotions in the crowd. Some love it, some hate it, and I'm somewhere in the middle. The Jets needed a quarterback and Sanchez comes from a big market area, but he's untested, took advantage of a superb USC line, and, like Stafford, looks better than he would in other drafts. Only time will tell...
15:50 -- Andre Smith to Cinci is a great pick. I'm still waiting on Carson Palmer's breakout season so bulking up the O-line can't hurt.
15:58 -- The first shocker of the draft comes courtesy of Oakland. They take WR Darrius Heywood-Bey over Michael Crabtree. They needed a wideout and must have been scared off by Crabtree's leg/speed/height. His stock fell fast at the NFL Combine after it was revealed Texas Tech listed him two inches too tall and he ran a slower 40m than most. I think he'll be a steal if he falls out of the top ten.
16:13 -- Andrews comments that Crabtree's table was relieved he didn't go to Oakland. Can't blame him, but he's hoping to go to Green Bay...
16:14 -- And he didn't. The Packers evidently didn't feel the need for an upgrade on offense. B.J. Raji is only the second defensive player selected thus far.
16:18 -- Bottom of the fourth, St. Louis strikes first off a Khalil Greene RBI double. I could write an entire post about how the internet and live gamecasts have made this world a better place.
16:21 -- The 49ers wisen up and draft Crabtree. Eighty-six percent of the online nation think it's the right move, the most supported pick all day. He'll significantly help their anemic offense, commanding double teams as a potential long threat. Even if he's a shade slower than the defense, he's a playmaker who reads passes well. Keep an eye on this guy.
16:32 -- Denver takes Knowshon Moreno and Washington takes Brian Orakpo with the 12th and 13th picks. I like the latter more, but Moreno might surprise; after trading Cutler, most thought the Broncos would take a QB. Dallas is going to be down this year and who knows what Eagles team will show up, so Washington takes an NFL-ready defensive end who can help their push for the playoffs.
16:39 -- Cubs are on the board, but still trail 3-1. Cubs-Cards have played four games, all down to the wire. Taking center stage in the best division in the NL, this 2009 rivalry may be one of the most pertinent in sports.
16:46 -- Now that we've reached the second-tier players of this draft, I take a moment to imagine how good next year's draft will be. It's no coincidence that the day after Bradford announced his intent to return to Oklahoma, Sanchez declared for the draft.
17:08 -- Just got back from making a beer run down the street to the trusty neighborhood gas station. Twelve packs of Miller High Life on sale? Allow me to revert back to my college sophmore year...
17:12 -- Somebody finally gambled on Josh Freeman. I've heard more than once he might be the sleeper in this draft.
17:23 -- Not sure why Jeremy Maclin fell this far. He was favored as a potential top ten talent, with Woody Paige strongly endorsing him on Around the Horn yesterday as the must-have offensive player in the draft. He'll fit in well at Phillie.
17:27 -- Albert Pujols just hit a grand slam. I challenge you to convince me he's not the best player in the majors.
17:28 -- Still undecided on Percy Harvin, I just saw him go to a division rival in Minnesota. Not entirely impressed, still he has yet to hit his ceiling. I'd be interested in the opinion of a particular Vikings fan (cough *Cale* cough).
17:52 -- ESPN aired another trailer for the new Star Trek movie. I've never seen an entire Star Trek movie and couldn't really get into any of the 17 tv shows, but it looks good. However, J.J. Abrams is hit or miss. Lost = Awesome, Cloverfield = Motion Sickness. If nothing else, I'll go see if Spock cuts anybody's head off using telekinesis.
18:00 -- Cardinals win, move four games ahead of the Cubs and claim the best record in baseball.
18:27 -- The first round ends 3.5 hours later. Notable late round picks include #26 OLB Clay Matthews (Green Bay needs improvement to the line if Aaron Rodgers is going to flourish), #29 WR Hakeem Nicks (provides another speedy target for Eli Manning), and #31 RB Beanie Wells (may become one of the biggest flops of this first round).
18:33 -- Feeling better about the Bears forfeiting their early round picks for Jay Cutler. We're set at QB for the next 10 years and there wasn't anybody in this draft they simply had to have. I'll let you know where I plan to have the post Super Bowl party.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
March Madness Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight Recap
The Final Four is set. No Big XII teams, one Big Eleven team. Obama could still potentially beat all of us except Rickers. The chalkboard bracket is winning. Well, son of a bitch...
For the record:
The updated standings:
For the record:-The winners of the Sweet Sixteen were Armbrecht and Kassel with 6/8 correct.
-The winners of the Elite Eight were Beyer, Kelly, and Alberty with 2/4 correct.
-Slik Rick and Armbrecht both have the most points possible remaining as the only brackets with their champions still alive.
-The only bracket to get a region completely correct was Beyer (the South).
-The only brackets to predict the lowest seeded Final Four participant, #3 Villanova, were Kelly and JWill.
-The top four finishes are all up for grabs, while everyone lower has no more PPR.
-Of the eight possible championship game scenarios: three outcomes result in Armbrecht winning (UConn def. UNC, UConn def. Vill, Vill def. UConn), three outcomes result in Beyer winning (MSU def. UNC, MSU def. Vill, Vill def. MSU), and two outcomes result in Rickers winning (UNC def. UConn, UNC def. MSU).
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March Madness Second Round Recap
After a first round with plenty of upsets, the second round didn't provide as much drama. For the first time ever, all twelve of the 1, 2, and 3 seeds made it to the Sweet 16. Goddam chalkboard bracket. The best finish to a game thus far was Western Kentucky vs Gonzaga, as WKU just missed out on putting two of the mighty 12 seeds into the mix. From here on out is when things get interesting...
Some notes:
The updated standings:
Some notes:-The winner of the second round was Armbrecht with 14/16 correct.
-The brackets with unique Final Four picks are: Alberty (Michigan State), Hertel (Texas), and Theo (AZ State).
-The brackets that already have a Final Four pick eliminated are: Hertel (Texas), Theo (AZ State), JWill (Marquette), and Alberty (Marquette).
-The brackets that picked the lone cinderella (#12 Arizona) are: Hertel, Kelly, and Theo.
-8/13 brackets have all four #1 seeds survive to the Elite Eight.
-8/13 brackets have at least one Big XII team in the Final Four.
-12/13 brackets have at least one Big East team in the Final Four. (Theo is the exception.)
Friday, March 20, 2009
March Madness First Round Recap
You'd think this would be my year. Three 12th seeds won, there is a region in which the 9/10/11/12/13 seeds all won, and it seems everyone is beating the chalkboard bracket. Well, everyone except for me. Those who know me well know I prefer that upsets and chaos rule the tourney, but after last year's all #1 Final Four I guess it made me a bit conservative. (It doesn't help when five of my picks had chances at the buzzer to win and missed.) At least I'm beating the president of The United States of America...
Anyways, it's early and there are lots of games to be played, but here are the current standings after the round of 64:
1) Beyer: 280
2) Kody: 260
T-3) Armbrecht: 250
T-3) Kassel: 250
T-3) Deni: 250
6) Alberty: 240
T-7) Fischer: 230
T-7) Krull: 230
T-7) Slik Rick: 230
T-7) JWill: 230
T-7) Theo: 230
12) Hertel: 220
13) Kelly: 200
A few facts from the first round:
-Some home team bias was evident as 10 picked USC and 7 picked Northern Iowa.
-Other biases served beneficial as the Big XII went 6-0.
-Beyer correctly picked the first 25 games.
-The only one to predict the biggest upset (Cleveland St. over Wake Forest) was Krull.
-Krull and Kelly are the only brackets to have two of their Elite Eight eliminated.
-Seth dodged the biggest bullet when Marquette (which he has in the final) squeaked by Utah St. 58-57.
Anyways, it's early and there are lots of games to be played, but here are the current standings after the round of 64:
1) Beyer: 280
2) Kody: 260
T-3) Armbrecht: 250
T-3) Kassel: 250
T-3) Deni: 250
6) Alberty: 240
T-7) Fischer: 230
T-7) Krull: 230
T-7) Slik Rick: 230
T-7) JWill: 230
T-7) Theo: 230
12) Hertel: 220
13) Kelly: 200
A few facts from the first round:
-Some home team bias was evident as 10 picked USC and 7 picked Northern Iowa.
-Other biases served beneficial as the Big XII went 6-0.
-Beyer correctly picked the first 25 games.
-The only one to predict the biggest upset (Cleveland St. over Wake Forest) was Krull.
-Krull and Kelly are the only brackets to have two of their Elite Eight eliminated.
-Seth dodged the biggest bullet when Marquette (which he has in the final) squeaked by Utah St. 58-57.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A-Rod's Bluff
Alex Rodriguez is bluffing.
I may be right. I may be wrong.
All I know is A-Rod took steroids, and now is going to escape a terrifying storm that is the New York media for two months with an “opt to have surgery for a cyst on his hip.” That is more than convenient for the 3-time MVP, who has played in 141 games or more in 11 of the last 13 years. Now Rodriguez can just sit in Cancun with Jessica Simpson for two months and collect the largest paycheck from the scroogest of all scrooges – George Steinbrenner.
The following conversation is with Steinbrenner and his unpaid intern who has unequivocally called in sick to work more days than Charles Barkley has come to work sober.
“Bah Humbug,” says Steinbrenner. “Who is the next one on our list to heed from the basements of the majors? I know - call up Jason Giambi’s agent - I think he might be interested in becoming a Yankee”
“But sir,” exclaims the sea monster’s helpless intern. “Giambi already went back to the A’s with a no-trade clause on his contract.”
“Bah Humbug,” yells Steinbrenner. “Screw contracts. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. And get Billy Martin down here. We need a new manager too. Now where is my one-a-day pill!”
The most talked about scandal since O.J. Simpson gives me the impression that A-Rod is settling in court (to MLB), so that instead of serving jail time (facing the New York media) he is taking a reduced sentence (crying in front of Peter Gammons) for a few dollars out of his own pocket (the man makes $25 million a year, and that’s without incentives or endorsements).
Seriously it can’t be that hard to make up a story about an “injury” when you get paid more bucks than Dickie V says “baby.” A-Rod could give some of his pocket change to his media assistant, and all of a sudden he has a hip injury. He knows that he needs to escape from the media’s limelight – even if it is for a short while. So why not just say you have an injury, sit out spring training and the first month of the season, and come back somewhat unscathed in the process.
The guy is taking a leave of absence at the perfect time. By the time A-Rod comes back to play in May the dust would probably be close to settling in the new Yankee Stadium. The cloud over his head would almost be gone, and there won’t be a “Sportscenter Breaking News” moment every time the Yankees are having a press conference.
Rodriguez will get back just in time to finish out the final five months of the season. The Yankees won’t miss him at all. I mean seriously, how important are the first 25 games when your 12-time All-Star will be back for the final 137?
I will bring back from the grave two other athletes who had lied and cheated at different points in their lives, and how all of a sudden their deceit and treachery left their sides as if they were innocent all along.
Kobe Bryant’s lawsuit was the talk of the town in 2004. Everyday there was something on ESPN pertaining to the trial, negotiations and Kobe’s personal life. Then all of a sudden it was over, no more. Apparently the witness refused to testify. Nobody knows what came out of the trial, but just like Warden Norton in Shawshank Redemption said after Andy escapes, “vanished like a fart in the wind,” it sure did die quickly.
In 2003 Barry Bonds won his fourth straight MVP award. In 2004 he was brought up for steroid use. Following the allegations Bonds found something wrong with his knee and decided to have three surgeries. He ended up playing in only 14 of the 165 possible games in 2005. After the steroid talk Barry took off five months, only to come back in September and hit four homeruns in four consecutive games. This steroidphile, whose head has expanded as fast as his testicles have dropped, had played in 130 games 16 of the previous 18 seasons. He had never played less than 102 games in his career, but all of a sudden – in demise with the media – Bonds had a knee problem.
Here is a short timeline on our new counterpart - A-Rod
Feb. 10, 2009 – Alex Rodriguez admits to Peter Gammons that he took steroids from 2001-03
Feb. 25 – Speaks at Press Conference at Yankee’s Spring Training in Tampa addressing media for first time since his interview
Feb. 28 – Examined by team physician about possible hip injury
Mar. 1 – Meets with MLB officials about steroid use
Mar. 3 - Rodriguez goes to specialist in Colorado about injury
Mar. 4 – Cyst revealed and word comes that hip was bothering Rodriguez the previous season
Mar. 5 – Torn labrum in hip is announced with possible surgery (could be out up to 10 weeks)
Mar. 6 – Hip surgery is worst-case scenario for Rodriguez, but specialist indicates there is a very good chance that Rodriguez could play the whole year with the labrum tear.
Mar. 8 – A-Rod opts for surgery and will miss 6-9 weeks
It turns out that in less than a week A-Rod goes from all of a sudden having hip problems to saying he can play to opting for surgery. Why wouldn’t he?
Rodriguez is one hell of a player. But he cheated, and I will forever remember him with an asterisk next to his future records, just like Barry Bonds. The same can be said about my respect for Kobe Bryant for committing adultery on his wife and Pete Rose for gambling on baseball. Corruption is evident in the game of sports, but its too sad that some people can get away with it.
I may not be a World Series of Poker player, but A-Rod I can see right through your bluff.
I may be right. I may be wrong.
All I know is A-Rod took steroids, and now is going to escape a terrifying storm that is the New York media for two months with an “opt to have surgery for a cyst on his hip.” That is more than convenient for the 3-time MVP, who has played in 141 games or more in 11 of the last 13 years. Now Rodriguez can just sit in Cancun with Jessica Simpson for two months and collect the largest paycheck from the scroogest of all scrooges – George Steinbrenner.
The following conversation is with Steinbrenner and his unpaid intern who has unequivocally called in sick to work more days than Charles Barkley has come to work sober.
“Bah Humbug,” says Steinbrenner. “Who is the next one on our list to heed from the basements of the majors? I know - call up Jason Giambi’s agent - I think he might be interested in becoming a Yankee”
“But sir,” exclaims the sea monster’s helpless intern. “Giambi already went back to the A’s with a no-trade clause on his contract.”
“Bah Humbug,” yells Steinbrenner. “Screw contracts. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. And get Billy Martin down here. We need a new manager too. Now where is my one-a-day pill!”
The most talked about scandal since O.J. Simpson gives me the impression that A-Rod is settling in court (to MLB), so that instead of serving jail time (facing the New York media) he is taking a reduced sentence (crying in front of Peter Gammons) for a few dollars out of his own pocket (the man makes $25 million a year, and that’s without incentives or endorsements).
Seriously it can’t be that hard to make up a story about an “injury” when you get paid more bucks than Dickie V says “baby.” A-Rod could give some of his pocket change to his media assistant, and all of a sudden he has a hip injury. He knows that he needs to escape from the media’s limelight – even if it is for a short while. So why not just say you have an injury, sit out spring training and the first month of the season, and come back somewhat unscathed in the process.
The guy is taking a leave of absence at the perfect time. By the time A-Rod comes back to play in May the dust would probably be close to settling in the new Yankee Stadium. The cloud over his head would almost be gone, and there won’t be a “Sportscenter Breaking News” moment every time the Yankees are having a press conference.
Rodriguez will get back just in time to finish out the final five months of the season. The Yankees won’t miss him at all. I mean seriously, how important are the first 25 games when your 12-time All-Star will be back for the final 137?
I will bring back from the grave two other athletes who had lied and cheated at different points in their lives, and how all of a sudden their deceit and treachery left their sides as if they were innocent all along.
Kobe Bryant’s lawsuit was the talk of the town in 2004. Everyday there was something on ESPN pertaining to the trial, negotiations and Kobe’s personal life. Then all of a sudden it was over, no more. Apparently the witness refused to testify. Nobody knows what came out of the trial, but just like Warden Norton in Shawshank Redemption said after Andy escapes, “vanished like a fart in the wind,” it sure did die quickly.
In 2003 Barry Bonds won his fourth straight MVP award. In 2004 he was brought up for steroid use. Following the allegations Bonds found something wrong with his knee and decided to have three surgeries. He ended up playing in only 14 of the 165 possible games in 2005. After the steroid talk Barry took off five months, only to come back in September and hit four homeruns in four consecutive games. This steroidphile, whose head has expanded as fast as his testicles have dropped, had played in 130 games 16 of the previous 18 seasons. He had never played less than 102 games in his career, but all of a sudden – in demise with the media – Bonds had a knee problem.
Here is a short timeline on our new counterpart - A-Rod
Feb. 10, 2009 – Alex Rodriguez admits to Peter Gammons that he took steroids from 2001-03
Feb. 25 – Speaks at Press Conference at Yankee’s Spring Training in Tampa addressing media for first time since his interview
Feb. 28 – Examined by team physician about possible hip injury
Mar. 1 – Meets with MLB officials about steroid use
Mar. 3 - Rodriguez goes to specialist in Colorado about injury
Mar. 4 – Cyst revealed and word comes that hip was bothering Rodriguez the previous season
Mar. 5 – Torn labrum in hip is announced with possible surgery (could be out up to 10 weeks)
Mar. 6 – Hip surgery is worst-case scenario for Rodriguez, but specialist indicates there is a very good chance that Rodriguez could play the whole year with the labrum tear.
Mar. 8 – A-Rod opts for surgery and will miss 6-9 weeks
It turns out that in less than a week A-Rod goes from all of a sudden having hip problems to saying he can play to opting for surgery. Why wouldn’t he?
Rodriguez is one hell of a player. But he cheated, and I will forever remember him with an asterisk next to his future records, just like Barry Bonds. The same can be said about my respect for Kobe Bryant for committing adultery on his wife and Pete Rose for gambling on baseball. Corruption is evident in the game of sports, but its too sad that some people can get away with it.
I may not be a World Series of Poker player, but A-Rod I can see right through your bluff.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Stat of the Day: 2/20/09
St. Louis Cardinal great Stan "The Man" Musial finished his Hall of Fame career with 3630 hits. Musial, an incredibly balanced and unnerved batter, totaled 1815 hits at home and 1815 hit on the road.
Re: The BCS is a Mess...
Now, I'm normally a bit of an idealist when it comes to sports. I prefer stances of principle, steadfast rules, and even a hint of could-have/should-have attitude, albeit not necessarily by choice. However, I've taken the realistic route in regard to the BCS. (Pardon the alliteration.) I don't find it overly terrible in the current format, but I have voiced my fandom of the playoff initiative, particularly a four-team tourney that spans two weeks. It's no March Madness, but it's a start. Eight teams may be the goal, but four is a step in the right direction, and one that's more possible at this point. The method in which those teams is chosen is up for debate...
Before it gets forgotten completely, I'd like to revisit last year's results. For starters, I don't understand how an Oklahoma win would have thrown the BCS into more disarray. OU was #1 and UF was #2: no matter who won, they weren't going to get leaped. Either way we'd end up with the same situation, the "three teams with one loss (and one with none!)" scenario was going to be the outcome irregardless of the victor.
What's overlooked is the fact that the humans got it wrong! This fiasco exists as a byproduct of voter arrogance and major-conference machoism. Finally we get handed a college football season in which the BCS had a chance to prove itself -- to be vindicated for past seasons of uncertainty and unfairness -- and the very persons who lobby for the need of a playoff and condemn the system blew it. Utah could have and should have been national champions! (Ok, there's a dash of idealism.) The reality is this: we have a team that played in a conference that statistically measured up to some of the majors, went undefeated, was doubted and denied a chance to prove themselves, was picked by all the experts to get throttled by Alabama, won convincingly, and wasn't named national champion because the writers and coaches refused to admit their mistake.
I'm not claiming the Utes beat Oklahoma or Florida, but you better believe the possibility was there for this mess to unravel an undisputed champ. Shall we take an over/under on how many times this needs to happen before the voters realize the error in their ways? Or maybe Utah just needs to join the Big Ten.
Before it gets forgotten completely, I'd like to revisit last year's results. For starters, I don't understand how an Oklahoma win would have thrown the BCS into more disarray. OU was #1 and UF was #2: no matter who won, they weren't going to get leaped. Either way we'd end up with the same situation, the "three teams with one loss (and one with none!)" scenario was going to be the outcome irregardless of the victor.
What's overlooked is the fact that the humans got it wrong! This fiasco exists as a byproduct of voter arrogance and major-conference machoism. Finally we get handed a college football season in which the BCS had a chance to prove itself -- to be vindicated for past seasons of uncertainty and unfairness -- and the very persons who lobby for the need of a playoff and condemn the system blew it. Utah could have and should have been national champions! (Ok, there's a dash of idealism.) The reality is this: we have a team that played in a conference that statistically measured up to some of the majors, went undefeated, was doubted and denied a chance to prove themselves, was picked by all the experts to get throttled by Alabama, won convincingly, and wasn't named national champion because the writers and coaches refused to admit their mistake.
I'm not claiming the Utes beat Oklahoma or Florida, but you better believe the possibility was there for this mess to unravel an undisputed champ. Shall we take an over/under on how many times this needs to happen before the voters realize the error in their ways? Or maybe Utah just needs to join the Big Ten.
Friday, January 09, 2009
The BCS is a Mess...
...and so is NCAA football. The only thing Florida, Tim Tebow, and the Gators won outright are people's apparent confusion as to what "John 3:16" is.
Is Florida the national champion? Yes. No. And no. (By the way, ESPN - the "Chompions"? How terrible is that headline?)
Last night I cheered hard for the Sooners. I must admit - I am no lover of Oklahoma football, and I usually only cheer for Big 12 teams when they play Big 10 teams (by the way Big 10: 1 for 6 in bowls? Only Iowa can beat a team from another conference? Ouch...). The reason I cheered for Oklahoma was that a Sooner win last night would throw the BCS into an even bigger disaster than it is now. Three teams with one loss (and one with none!) and only one gets to be that National Champions without even ever playing the others? Do you see why I wanted Oklahoma to win?
I know that some of you won't agree with me on this one, but I think that this year above all others the BCS has utterly failed at delivering an uncontested national champion. It's time for some playoffs.
Is Florida the national champion? Yes. No. And no. (By the way, ESPN - the "Chompions"? How terrible is that headline?)
Last night I cheered hard for the Sooners. I must admit - I am no lover of Oklahoma football, and I usually only cheer for Big 12 teams when they play Big 10 teams (by the way Big 10: 1 for 6 in bowls? Only Iowa can beat a team from another conference? Ouch...). The reason I cheered for Oklahoma was that a Sooner win last night would throw the BCS into an even bigger disaster than it is now. Three teams with one loss (and one with none!) and only one gets to be that National Champions without even ever playing the others? Do you see why I wanted Oklahoma to win?
I know that some of you won't agree with me on this one, but I think that this year above all others the BCS has utterly failed at delivering an uncontested national champion. It's time for some playoffs.
Friday, December 19, 2008
ISU Coaching Search
It depends who you talk and what they fear most in hiring a new coach. Some same avoid another hot assistant who will jump ship after a few successful seasons (or none). Others say we need a young coach to keep the young players. Others yet say we need a proven head coach with experience. Well what about a black head coach? Midwest ties? Florida or Texas ties? O negative or AB positive?
Goodness gracious people, we need a coach who will win games. End of story. And AD Jamie Pollard knows this. And more important he could give a rip about the color, or age of the coach, he wants wins.
So who will it be you may ask?
My Short list:
Turner Gill - Buffalo HC
It's too bad he's holding out for a very top tier school to offer him a job (Auburn?) He's day will come (think Nebraska in a few years, you know after a 9-3 season) And I firmly believe he's holding out for a big name school.
Brent Venables - Oklahoma DC and Assistant HC
The Oklahoma D-coordinator has midwest ties, is young, and ready for a HC job. So what if he wants to jump ship in a few year for a bigger school. He won't do it without some success here first. And that's what Iowa State needs right now. Success, not more excitment without results. Don't think he can coach? Look at the OU-Tech final score. Or better, see how many yards TTU didn't throw for in that game. He can coach. And our defense needs it.
Charlie Strong - Florida DC and Assistant HC
Has strong ties to FL and TX, a top assistant at Florida with Coach Mac. If you don't think Strong is asking Dan about this job, you're crazy. And I would trust Dan would say something like this - "Great program, fans love you even at 7-5, just get out if they hire a new AD" All kidding aside, if Strong is looking to make a name for himself, this would be the place.
Todd Graham - Tulsa HC
The guy knows how to score points. About the only team to score more points than Oklahoma and TTU is Tulsa. He knows the South (TX and OK) to recruit. Has HC experience. Not a bad pick overall.
Others mentioned - Mike Stoops (Arizona HC), Chris Peterson (Boise State HC), Gary Patterson (TCU HC), Gary Barnett (Colorado HC, former), Phil Fulmer (Tennessee HC, former)
My pick was Turner Gill, but his contract extension at Buffalo makes this a no go.
With that, either Venables or Strong should get the nod based their experience on the Defensive side of the ball, their connections to recruiting, and experience.
Right now, I lean towards Venables because of his Midwest ties.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
ISU Blues
What an exciting, wait, shitty weekend, to be a Cyclone. Not only do we lose a FB coach but we also get owned in Iowa City in Men's Basketball.
Rumor is the new coach could be announced as early as tomorrow. Hopefully not, so I can write about the possible replacements.
Until then, I'm studying over 1000 drugs for my last final tomorrow.
Go State.
Beat Iowa.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Chizik Departs
Disclaimer: I've been 1000+ miles removed from Ames for the past four years, so my impressions have been gathered only sporadically. I was at the Iowa State-Army game in '05 when Jamie Pollard was announced as the new AD and I was certainly excited, impressed, and hopeful that he would ensure the 'clones could put together a Big XII North title. When McCarney was shown the door, my impression was that the "Cyclone nation" would be eternally grateful for Coach Dan's leading the program out of the wilderness and, especially in the absence of the previously-smothering Nebraska and Colorado programs, this new rising star would take us to the next level.
Chizik's lackluster first year was more than understandable. Unlike any other team in the Big XII North, we play Texas and Oklahoma (and TX Tech) on the same rotation. 2007's opponents were the hardest we would ever have, but the upside is the 2-year hiatus where we can strike the soft underbelly (?) of the south (with no disrespect to OKie State, who would have played in the conference championship or won any other conf. outright this year).
But we got worse.
Deep in the heart of SEC territory, the only game I was able to watch was the Iowa matchup. We held up well enough in the first half, but we didn't make a single clean tackle the whole game. I would have loved to see the 'yards gained after contact' stat, it probably accounted for 75% of Iowa's total offense.
I only heard about the close UNLV OT loss, gripping defeat from the jaws of a victory over Kansas, and the embarrassing meltdown against whipping-boy-no-more Baylor. I'm assuming this is the first time ever (I hope) that we've gone winless in the conference, and the "rising star but needs time" coach narrative isn't fitting very well.
When I heard Chizik was interviewing at Auburn, I told my roommate there's no way they'd hire him and all this will do is leave a bad taste in Cyclones' mouths, much worse than Tim Floyd. But the worst part is he'd still be our coach.
Now the news that he's gone (I bet Auburn's getting a helluva deal, Chizik might get paid in Applebees gift certificates), I'm not reading any Cyclone fans distraught about losing some great talent and waving goodbye to future success, I'm reading elation at a chance for a do-over. After this especially damning account, we should be thanking Auburn for giving us a fresh start *and* a $750K infusion into our athletic budget.
Chizik's lackluster first year was more than understandable. Unlike any other team in the Big XII North, we play Texas and Oklahoma (and TX Tech) on the same rotation. 2007's opponents were the hardest we would ever have, but the upside is the 2-year hiatus where we can strike the soft underbelly (?) of the south (with no disrespect to OKie State, who would have played in the conference championship or won any other conf. outright this year).
But we got worse.
Deep in the heart of SEC territory, the only game I was able to watch was the Iowa matchup. We held up well enough in the first half, but we didn't make a single clean tackle the whole game. I would have loved to see the 'yards gained after contact' stat, it probably accounted for 75% of Iowa's total offense.
I only heard about the close UNLV OT loss, gripping defeat from the jaws of a victory over Kansas, and the embarrassing meltdown against whipping-boy-no-more Baylor. I'm assuming this is the first time ever (I hope) that we've gone winless in the conference, and the "rising star but needs time" coach narrative isn't fitting very well.
When I heard Chizik was interviewing at Auburn, I told my roommate there's no way they'd hire him and all this will do is leave a bad taste in Cyclones' mouths, much worse than Tim Floyd. But the worst part is he'd still be our coach.
Now the news that he's gone (I bet Auburn's getting a helluva deal, Chizik might get paid in Applebees gift certificates), I'm not reading any Cyclone fans distraught about losing some great talent and waving goodbye to future success, I'm reading elation at a chance for a do-over. After this especially damning account, we should be thanking Auburn for giving us a fresh start *and* a $750K infusion into our athletic budget.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
G. Harrell Gets Hosed...
Not only did his team get the a bad rap after a bad loss to Oklahoma (they did come back and beat a very good Texas team...short memory I guess), but now G. Harrell is not even invited to the Heisman Ceremony.
Like I mentioned, I do not think he deserved to win, but regardless, he deserved to be recognized.
Tim Griffin sums it up nicely here.
Also - check out this x-ray for his hand against Baylor.
Iowa State Sports
At this current juncture, there is a lot concern over the state of Iowa State Athletics. The basketball team lost a game they had won last night and the football team appeared to take a step backwards from a promising 1st season under Coach Chizik.
My opinion, get over it.
The state of college athletics is very competitive right now. Money can equal victories. Pay Nick Saban enough and he'll get you a 11-1 season. But the danger of such success is people expect that at every school. But that would be a grave mistake to assume such a thing.
Iowa State is building a two great programs. The football team took a step back because they lost a strong senior class (See A. Bowen, A. Rubin) that keep the defense competitive. The offense has the playmakers to be great as does the defense. But success in the trenches takes time to build with a poor program like Iowa State. We're not nationally known and nor do we command national respect like Alabama. You'd be dumb not to play there if you were an incoming freshman. But Iowa State is building the framework for long term success. It takes time (see Mizzou, Kansas) and they'll get there.
As far as the basketball team, I'd like to find a team with more turnover in the first few years as McD has had the past 3. Again though, the program is building the right way. Young talent that plays hard and disciplined. Young teams make mistakes though. The reason W. Morgan was let go was that his veteran teams made silly mistakes. So I expect the basketball team to be 1-2 years away from a great season, but we'll have many more successful years (and continued success).
So Cyclone Fans, be patient. Our time is coming...
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Heisman Thoughts
To put off Pharmacology studying a bit longer, I thought I would way in on the Heisman race.
As I see it, it comes down to 4 QB's. And unless you're a delusional Hawkeye fan (which is most Hawk fans), Shonn Greene.
Unlike the BCS, the Heisman should be awarded for your body of work through the whole season. To be the best player in college football (which is kind of joke anymore with the Heisman), you've got to bring it week in and week out. So Colt McCoy, relax, you won't get snubbed on this one.
So now how do you pick? Is it based on huge numbers, because Bradford and Harrell can give you those, but McCoy also had great stats while leading his team in rushing. Tebow took a team on his back and willed them to BCS title game after they lost to Ole Miss. Tebow played well when it counted down the stretch, but McCoy didn't get an opportunity to prove himself on a big stage the last few weeks. (Minus the A&M game)
If I were picking right now, I'm going to ignore Tebow because we saw how great he can be last year and he fell off a bit from then. Harrell produced astronomical numbers, but part of that is the system (though mostly his gun and play making ability).
So to me, it comes down to McCoy and Bradford. And because of the BCS, we saw Bradford showcase his talent in bigger games down the stretch. So I got to go with Sam Bradford. His numbers were great, and he played best when the games mattered most. I don't always buy the head-to-head arguments because the season is an ebb and flow process. You can judge a team by the first few weeks because the games changes. But Bradford knew against Tech he needed to produce and boy did he.
So the Heisman goes to Bradford. The media should eat this up if he wins. Native American, Heisman vs. Heisman in the Title game? Sounds pretty great.
Plus McCoy will be back next year, so I give him the edge next year.
I hope this sparks a lively debate because I think any of these 4 players deserve the award and I will probably change my mind by tomorrow.
You bet!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The BCS: It Ain't So Bad
Since everyone and their president-elect is weighing in on this subject, it can't hurt the blogosphere to pack in one more post about the BCS system. I used to think it was a crock of shite, being highly in favor of a playoff. Now I'm not so sure, and here are some reasons why...
1) The BCS gives us something to talk/debate/argue/stick a fork in each other's throat about.
I know you've heard this before, most likely from your least favorite televised sports analyst. (Without the BCS I'm convinced some of those guys wouldn't have a job.) But you've got to hand it to them, it's true. A guilty pleasure of any sports fan is debating the quality of one team over another and who is over/under ranked. The reason this point of the NCAA football season is so interesting is because we can't wait to see who can keep themselves in pristine position for the biggest of bowl games. All season long every team shares this one goal and attempts to persuade the masses they are indeed the best football has to offer. People won't be anxiously tuning into the OU-TX Tech game tomorrow night to find out who will snag the #3 seed and who will drop to the #7 seed. Saturday will have major championship implications. It adds more drama, it opens things up for discussion, it makes conference debates more intriguing knowing only two can represent, it brings me to my next point...
2) Hearing about who got snubbed at #3 is far more interesting than who was unfairly left out at #9 (or #17 or #33).
Look at NCAA basketball: is there anything more annoying come March Madness than having to hear all the whining from those half dozen 19-11 teams about having to unjustly sit out of The Dance? There will ALWAYS be a handful of "deserving" teams that will be the odd men out once the dust settles. I'd rather participate in a debate about the top two teams in the country than compare a one-loss WAC team, a two-loss Big Ten team, and the loser of the ACC championship that's "still darn good." Widening the net may actually increase controversial subjectivity, shifting the scope from number of losses to the less quantifiable dispute of comparing losses. This makes losses suddenly seem less important, resulting in...
3) A playoff would diminish the importance of the regular season.
The college football regular season is the most interesting in all of sports. In professional sports, teams make a push to barely make the playoffs knowing anything can happen post-season. Who has the ambition to monitor the volatile NCAA basketball polls when it doesn't mean diddly-squat as to who is going to win The Tourney? Every Saturday the football games have *real* impact to the title race. Every Sunday we check ESPN.com for the new standings knowing they can make or break the season. Think about how many great games this season wouldn't have been near as spectacular knowing both teams were going to the playoffs regardless of the outcome. A playoff would steal a bit of pride from the underdogs, the magnitude of the Standfords beating the USC's would take a hit. There is a bit of truth to whoever said the NCAA has a 15-week playoff. Not to mention, expanding the season would cause a dilemma...
4) The schedule doesn't allow for a lengthy playoff format.
I recently heard a football coach voice support for a 32-team playoff. I wonder if he realized he was proposing a 31% increase in yearly games played for the finalists, in addition to extending the season three weeks. For those who often forget, these are students playing football. I know, it may not always seem like it, but the football schedule indeed fits around the class schedule. The regular season ends the week before finals begin and the two-week bowl season falls between the week after finals end and the week before the next semester begins. A more sensible 8-team playoff still extends the season two weeks because I imagine all the non-BCS bowls would still be played. The only solution would be to kick the bowl season off with the first round and fill in the smaller bowls between first-second rounds and second-NC, making the BCS bowls anticlimactic.
Now I'm not completely sold on the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" methodology -- there are solutions that meet in the middle. Here is my proposal:
Format: Four-team playoff
Stipulation 1: Undefeated teams receive an automatic berth.
Placement 1: Current BCS rankings still exist and strictly determine seeding.
Contingency 1: If less than four undefeated teams, remaining berths are open.
Stipulation 2: Eligible teams for open berths must be conference champions.
Placement 2: Highest ranked eligible team in current BCS fills open berth(s).
Seth, I've come around. Three years ago I would have argued Boise State didn't belong in the national title picture. With four teams given the chance, I say unblemished records voice the loudest claim. If the season ended today, allow Ball St, Boise St, or Utah have a shot at TT and Alabama. (I realize we currently have 5 undefeated teams, but it is extremely rare to have more than four undefeateds by year end.) A two-round playoff -- one that utilizes the current BCS formulas -- avoids the problems created by all of the above bullets. My format would also eliminate some of the biggest complaints about the current system: a mid-major undefeated team never gets a shot, teams that haven't even won their own conference get into the NC game, et cetera.
I'd like to know what others think about this proposal...or the BCS in general. (Overall, I really don't think think it's a terrible system.) I'd like to hear how an advanced, objective playoff format would work, but don't just show up with statements like "let them settle in on the field", "a playoff is more fair", or "computers shouldn't be involved when deciding national champions". Those arguments have been beat to death.
So it goes.
1) The BCS gives us something to talk/debate/argue/stick a fork in each other's throat about.
I know you've heard this before, most likely from your least favorite televised sports analyst. (Without the BCS I'm convinced some of those guys wouldn't have a job.) But you've got to hand it to them, it's true. A guilty pleasure of any sports fan is debating the quality of one team over another and who is over/under ranked. The reason this point of the NCAA football season is so interesting is because we can't wait to see who can keep themselves in pristine position for the biggest of bowl games. All season long every team shares this one goal and attempts to persuade the masses they are indeed the best football has to offer. People won't be anxiously tuning into the OU-TX Tech game tomorrow night to find out who will snag the #3 seed and who will drop to the #7 seed. Saturday will have major championship implications. It adds more drama, it opens things up for discussion, it makes conference debates more intriguing knowing only two can represent, it brings me to my next point...
2) Hearing about who got snubbed at #3 is far more interesting than who was unfairly left out at #9 (or #17 or #33).
Look at NCAA basketball: is there anything more annoying come March Madness than having to hear all the whining from those half dozen 19-11 teams about having to unjustly sit out of The Dance? There will ALWAYS be a handful of "deserving" teams that will be the odd men out once the dust settles. I'd rather participate in a debate about the top two teams in the country than compare a one-loss WAC team, a two-loss Big Ten team, and the loser of the ACC championship that's "still darn good." Widening the net may actually increase controversial subjectivity, shifting the scope from number of losses to the less quantifiable dispute of comparing losses. This makes losses suddenly seem less important, resulting in...
3) A playoff would diminish the importance of the regular season.
The college football regular season is the most interesting in all of sports. In professional sports, teams make a push to barely make the playoffs knowing anything can happen post-season. Who has the ambition to monitor the volatile NCAA basketball polls when it doesn't mean diddly-squat as to who is going to win The Tourney? Every Saturday the football games have *real* impact to the title race. Every Sunday we check ESPN.com for the new standings knowing they can make or break the season. Think about how many great games this season wouldn't have been near as spectacular knowing both teams were going to the playoffs regardless of the outcome. A playoff would steal a bit of pride from the underdogs, the magnitude of the Standfords beating the USC's would take a hit. There is a bit of truth to whoever said the NCAA has a 15-week playoff. Not to mention, expanding the season would cause a dilemma...
4) The schedule doesn't allow for a lengthy playoff format.
I recently heard a football coach voice support for a 32-team playoff. I wonder if he realized he was proposing a 31% increase in yearly games played for the finalists, in addition to extending the season three weeks. For those who often forget, these are students playing football. I know, it may not always seem like it, but the football schedule indeed fits around the class schedule. The regular season ends the week before finals begin and the two-week bowl season falls between the week after finals end and the week before the next semester begins. A more sensible 8-team playoff still extends the season two weeks because I imagine all the non-BCS bowls would still be played. The only solution would be to kick the bowl season off with the first round and fill in the smaller bowls between first-second rounds and second-NC, making the BCS bowls anticlimactic.
Now I'm not completely sold on the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" methodology -- there are solutions that meet in the middle. Here is my proposal:
Format: Four-team playoff
Stipulation 1: Undefeated teams receive an automatic berth.
Placement 1: Current BCS rankings still exist and strictly determine seeding.
Contingency 1: If less than four undefeated teams, remaining berths are open.
Stipulation 2: Eligible teams for open berths must be conference champions.
Placement 2: Highest ranked eligible team in current BCS fills open berth(s).
Seth, I've come around. Three years ago I would have argued Boise State didn't belong in the national title picture. With four teams given the chance, I say unblemished records voice the loudest claim. If the season ended today, allow Ball St, Boise St, or Utah have a shot at TT and Alabama. (I realize we currently have 5 undefeated teams, but it is extremely rare to have more than four undefeateds by year end.) A two-round playoff -- one that utilizes the current BCS formulas -- avoids the problems created by all of the above bullets. My format would also eliminate some of the biggest complaints about the current system: a mid-major undefeated team never gets a shot, teams that haven't even won their own conference get into the NC game, et cetera.
I'd like to know what others think about this proposal...or the BCS in general. (Overall, I really don't think think it's a terrible system.) I'd like to hear how an advanced, objective playoff format would work, but don't just show up with statements like "let them settle in on the field", "a playoff is more fair", or "computers shouldn't be involved when deciding national champions". Those arguments have been beat to death.
So it goes.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Great Year for the Big XII
What an amazing start for the Big XII. Going into week 7, an unprecedented 5 teams were unbeaten. Two of the five had to lose, but each contest was played literally until the final minute of the game, or OT for Texas Tech. The top ranked Sooners fell three places after a hard-fought match against the now-#1 Longhorns; Mizzou dropped out of the top 10 but their OK State opponent rose from #17 to #8. Tech remains at #7.
The teams account for four of the top five (six of top ten) scoring offenses. The Heisman watch is simply a cut and paste from the list of Big XII QB's (that list shouldn't change: Bradford threw 5 TD's, although Daniel dished out 3 picks...) Coaches Mark Mangino, Gary Pinkel, Mike Leach have been at their schools for 7, 8, and 9 years, respectively, with barely average records before breaking out into national prominence.
The B12 is the reason this college season is interesting to watch.
There are some negatives:
It's hard to win *every* week. The Longhorns' next three games are Mizzou, OK State, and Texas Tech. Holy shit. Oklahoma is going to make damn sure they don't lose again. The Cowboys and Red Raiders have to face the whole south half yet and I can't see one of these two fresh faces having the poise win out in such a bruising environment. Mizzou has the easiest path, but still a long road.
Clearly at this point in the season it looks like the BCS championship should be the B12 vs. SEC champs, but the caliber of the two conferences can easily become a curse. Unlike the reigning champs, a two-loss team won't make it all the way this year and a one-loss team better have a great showing in Kansas City on December 6. Will only one loss and a final convincing win be enough? USC blew off their own foot and have no chance at redemption with their pillow-fight remainder of a schedule, but weak-scheduled Penn State and BYU/Utah could win out with more of a claim to meet Alabama or Georgia than last year's Hawaii Warriors.
The BCS standings will begin next week and give a better idea of what one loss might do to a team with off-the-charts strength of schedule. On the other hand, maybe an 8-team playoff isn't such a bad proposition...
I have been vocal about the unquestioned dominance of the SEC, but I'm very happily having to reconsider. The biggest reason why the SEC still reigns is that even their weakest teams are formidable. The two 2-4 SEC teams got their scars from playing Florida, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Georgia Tech, UCLA, and LA Tech, not a set including Iowa, UNLV, Arkansas State, Miami OH and Baylor.
Here's hoping the 'clones start to pull their own weight. On one hand, it's getting tougher to win as the conference becomes Heisman Central but hopefully playing in such a marquee conference helps Gene Chizik field some great recruits.
The teams account for four of the top five (six of top ten) scoring offenses. The Heisman watch is simply a cut and paste from the list of Big XII QB's (that list shouldn't change: Bradford threw 5 TD's, although Daniel dished out 3 picks...) Coaches Mark Mangino, Gary Pinkel, Mike Leach have been at their schools for 7, 8, and 9 years, respectively, with barely average records before breaking out into national prominence.
The B12 is the reason this college season is interesting to watch.
There are some negatives:
It's hard to win *every* week. The Longhorns' next three games are Mizzou, OK State, and Texas Tech. Holy shit. Oklahoma is going to make damn sure they don't lose again. The Cowboys and Red Raiders have to face the whole south half yet and I can't see one of these two fresh faces having the poise win out in such a bruising environment. Mizzou has the easiest path, but still a long road.
Clearly at this point in the season it looks like the BCS championship should be the B12 vs. SEC champs, but the caliber of the two conferences can easily become a curse. Unlike the reigning champs, a two-loss team won't make it all the way this year and a one-loss team better have a great showing in Kansas City on December 6. Will only one loss and a final convincing win be enough? USC blew off their own foot and have no chance at redemption with their pillow-fight remainder of a schedule, but weak-scheduled Penn State and BYU/Utah could win out with more of a claim to meet Alabama or Georgia than last year's Hawaii Warriors.
The BCS standings will begin next week and give a better idea of what one loss might do to a team with off-the-charts strength of schedule. On the other hand, maybe an 8-team playoff isn't such a bad proposition...
I have been vocal about the unquestioned dominance of the SEC, but I'm very happily having to reconsider. The biggest reason why the SEC still reigns is that even their weakest teams are formidable. The two 2-4 SEC teams got their scars from playing Florida, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Georgia Tech, UCLA, and LA Tech, not a set including Iowa, UNLV, Arkansas State, Miami OH and Baylor.
Here's hoping the 'clones start to pull their own weight. On one hand, it's getting tougher to win as the conference becomes Heisman Central but hopefully playing in such a marquee conference helps Gene Chizik field some great recruits.
Friday, October 03, 2008
MLB Playoffs Log 10/2
ALDS Game 1: Rays 6, White Sox 4
Looks like there is a new team of destiny this year. In their first playoff game ever, the Rays looked experienced in their win over the Sox. Timely hitting and solid defense will make them tough to beat. And just hand over the Rookie of the Year trophy to Evan Longoria already. Home runs in his first two playoff at-bats? Crazy good.
Chicago had its chance, though. Down 6-3 in the seventh, they loaded the bases with one out only to watch Uribe and Cabrera strike out. Trotting out Mark Buehrle for Game 2 should bode better than Vasquez for Chicago. Buehrle has the playoff experience to get a win. It's also good to see Konerko having good at-bats. I expect this series to head to the South Side tied at 1-1.
NLDS Game 2: Phillies 5, Brewers 2
The Brew Crew has been leaning on Sabathia the past month and it looks like their last leg just gave out. Probably due to exhaustion (4 starts in a row on short rest), CC didn't have his usual stuff, pulling a Dempster by walking two to load the bases and giving Victorino a grand trot around the bases. The second that slider was torched over Braun's head, everyone knew this series may be over. When I predicted the Phillies winning in four, I was counting on the Milwaukee ace taking this hand. Now they're in big trouble and they had better find their big bats to start outslugging the Phils or they are headed to Milwaukee for a longer stay than anticipated.
I do think Dave Bush can outpitch Jamie Moyer, but he's gonna need some support. (Yes, I'm talking to you Prince "Hitless" Fielder.) Again, I think it's a different series if they could have marched Ben Sheets out there tonight and given CC two more days of rest. But that's the way it goes...
NLDS Game 2: Dodgers 10, Cubs 3
The Cubs just enjoy proving me wrong -- when I claim they will lose, they win and when I (rarely) argue they're in line for a win, they lose. Another NL Central team in a 0-2 hole. Noone saw Zambrano giving up seven runs or the Cubs defense playing that terrible. Watching guys like DeRosa and Lee scrambling around after the ball in the dirt reminded me of a Little League game. All four infielders committed an error! I'd be interested to see how many times that has happened in playoff history. It's almost comical that Piniella is playing Fukudome to have the "best defensive lineup", meanwhile in the batter's box he's 0 for 8 with four K's and five men left on base.
But don't get me wrong, the Dodgers look great. Billingley pitched strong and the front third of that linup was red-hot. With Manny on fire, LA will be tough for anyone to beat. We'll see how they fare against Harden on Saturday.
Looks like there is a new team of destiny this year. In their first playoff game ever, the Rays looked experienced in their win over the Sox. Timely hitting and solid defense will make them tough to beat. And just hand over the Rookie of the Year trophy to Evan Longoria already. Home runs in his first two playoff at-bats? Crazy good.
Chicago had its chance, though. Down 6-3 in the seventh, they loaded the bases with one out only to watch Uribe and Cabrera strike out. Trotting out Mark Buehrle for Game 2 should bode better than Vasquez for Chicago. Buehrle has the playoff experience to get a win. It's also good to see Konerko having good at-bats. I expect this series to head to the South Side tied at 1-1.
NLDS Game 2: Phillies 5, Brewers 2
The Brew Crew has been leaning on Sabathia the past month and it looks like their last leg just gave out. Probably due to exhaustion (4 starts in a row on short rest), CC didn't have his usual stuff, pulling a Dempster by walking two to load the bases and giving Victorino a grand trot around the bases. The second that slider was torched over Braun's head, everyone knew this series may be over. When I predicted the Phillies winning in four, I was counting on the Milwaukee ace taking this hand. Now they're in big trouble and they had better find their big bats to start outslugging the Phils or they are headed to Milwaukee for a longer stay than anticipated.
I do think Dave Bush can outpitch Jamie Moyer, but he's gonna need some support. (Yes, I'm talking to you Prince "Hitless" Fielder.) Again, I think it's a different series if they could have marched Ben Sheets out there tonight and given CC two more days of rest. But that's the way it goes...
NLDS Game 2: Dodgers 10, Cubs 3
The Cubs just enjoy proving me wrong -- when I claim they will lose, they win and when I (rarely) argue they're in line for a win, they lose. Another NL Central team in a 0-2 hole. Noone saw Zambrano giving up seven runs or the Cubs defense playing that terrible. Watching guys like DeRosa and Lee scrambling around after the ball in the dirt reminded me of a Little League game. All four infielders committed an error! I'd be interested to see how many times that has happened in playoff history. It's almost comical that Piniella is playing Fukudome to have the "best defensive lineup", meanwhile in the batter's box he's 0 for 8 with four K's and five men left on base.
But don't get me wrong, the Dodgers look great. Billingley pitched strong and the front third of that linup was red-hot. With Manny on fire, LA will be tough for anyone to beat. We'll see how they fare against Harden on Saturday.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
MLB Playoffs Log 10/1
The MLB Playoffs *officially* started today and, even though my Cardinals were left out of the fray, I intend on watching as much baseball as I can the next few weeks. To get back into the blogging practice, I've decided to keep a playoff journal full of updates, predictions, and a humble opinion of what I see throughout October.
NLDS Game 1: Phillies 3, Brew Crew 1
Two words: Cole. Hamels. Eight innings pitched, two hits, nine K's, no runs. Hamels had a great season, surely good enough to sit on the fringe of Cy Young talk, but there was one stat that blew him out of contention: his win-loss record. However, it was a direct result of receiving terrible run support, and it looked like that may be the case again today...until the error. Maybe the play was harder than it looked, maybe it was jitters, maybe it was playing for a club that hadn't tasted October since four days after my birth. Irregardless, Mike Cameron misplayed a flyball that lead to all three of the Phillies unearned runs. Game over.
Alright Milwaukee fans, which do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?
The good news: Brad Lidge looked human. After not blowing a save all season long, it took Lidge 35 pitches to get through the ninth. Ryan Bruan struck for one run, then while waiting on second base he watched Prince Fielder take a wild swing at ball four to strike out; a Fielder walk in that situation changes the game. You'd have Hardy and Hart coming up with two on and one out and if Hardy still would have walked, it would have been bases loaded and the real pressure would have been on Lidge. Again, most likely playoff-rookie jitters, but if Fielder lays off that one pitch, we may have had a different outcome. Then again, maybe it's that one pitch that makes Brad Lidge that good.
The bad news: in my opinion, the story overshadowing Hamels' dominance is the news that Ben Sheets is out for the playoffs. That alone is what made Milwaukee so dangerous in a short series, they had the best 1-2 punch of anyone. Now you don't have Sheets, you lost the opener, and CC may only get one start. You heard it here first: the Brew Crew won't live to see a Game 5.
NLDS Game 1: Dodgers 7, Cubs 2
Don't worry, Cubs fans, it's just one game. Unlike the Brewers, I'm not ready to announce Chicago's demise. I have a feeling this series will go the distance and the Cubs will represent the NL Central in the NLCS. But that doesn't mean the North Side faithful shouldn't have any concerns. (Of which they do, considering how on edge the Wrigley crown appeared last night. The color men in the booth kept referring to the palpable uneasiness they sensed from the crowd, as if they are waiting for something bad/disappointing to happen. But how can you blame them?)
First of all, that James Loney grand slam wasn't a fluke, or at least not entirely. During the first four innings Ryan Dempster looked pretty good, but at times he struggled with his command. After the second walk he handed out in the fifth, I thought for sure they were going to pull him -- at that point he had already walked six batters and thrown 98 pitches. Yet he was left in to walk the next batter and then give up the home run. Dempster will rebound in his next start. It's Piniella's best impersonation of Dusty Baker that would have me concerned. In the playoffs, you have to know when to make pitching changes.
Secondly, this may be a glimpse of what's to come for Manny Ramirez. No doubt he's been hot since joining LA, but that power golf stroke to the bleachers in left field may be the beginning of a big post-season for Manny.
All in all, the Cubs aren't in a hole of which they can't dig out. Big Z will have a big game tonight against Chad Billingsley and get the win. Chicago has too good an offense to keep down. And this is coming from a Cardinals fan.
ALDS Game 1: Red Sox 4, Angels 1
I only watched two innings of this game, so I don't know much more than what I read in the box score. Looks like Jon Lester turned out a gem. Jacoby Ellsbury was a spark in the lead-off spot. Jason Bay is still doing his best Manny impression by providing the offense. Sportscenter highlights showed plenty of Boston defensive plays, which is surprising because they aren't usually known for their defense.
Looking at the hearts of the lineups, it looks like the Angels should have had the advantage: their 2-5 hitters went 8 for 15 (.533) while the BoSox 2-5 went 2 for 16 (.125). If this trend keeps up, the Angels will find success in this series.
NLDS Game 1: Phillies 3, Brew Crew 1
Two words: Cole. Hamels. Eight innings pitched, two hits, nine K's, no runs. Hamels had a great season, surely good enough to sit on the fringe of Cy Young talk, but there was one stat that blew him out of contention: his win-loss record. However, it was a direct result of receiving terrible run support, and it looked like that may be the case again today...until the error. Maybe the play was harder than it looked, maybe it was jitters, maybe it was playing for a club that hadn't tasted October since four days after my birth. Irregardless, Mike Cameron misplayed a flyball that lead to all three of the Phillies unearned runs. Game over.
Alright Milwaukee fans, which do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?
The good news: Brad Lidge looked human. After not blowing a save all season long, it took Lidge 35 pitches to get through the ninth. Ryan Bruan struck for one run, then while waiting on second base he watched Prince Fielder take a wild swing at ball four to strike out; a Fielder walk in that situation changes the game. You'd have Hardy and Hart coming up with two on and one out and if Hardy still would have walked, it would have been bases loaded and the real pressure would have been on Lidge. Again, most likely playoff-rookie jitters, but if Fielder lays off that one pitch, we may have had a different outcome. Then again, maybe it's that one pitch that makes Brad Lidge that good.
The bad news: in my opinion, the story overshadowing Hamels' dominance is the news that Ben Sheets is out for the playoffs. That alone is what made Milwaukee so dangerous in a short series, they had the best 1-2 punch of anyone. Now you don't have Sheets, you lost the opener, and CC may only get one start. You heard it here first: the Brew Crew won't live to see a Game 5.
NLDS Game 1: Dodgers 7, Cubs 2
Don't worry, Cubs fans, it's just one game. Unlike the Brewers, I'm not ready to announce Chicago's demise. I have a feeling this series will go the distance and the Cubs will represent the NL Central in the NLCS. But that doesn't mean the North Side faithful shouldn't have any concerns. (Of which they do, considering how on edge the Wrigley crown appeared last night. The color men in the booth kept referring to the palpable uneasiness they sensed from the crowd, as if they are waiting for something bad/disappointing to happen. But how can you blame them?)
First of all, that James Loney grand slam wasn't a fluke, or at least not entirely. During the first four innings Ryan Dempster looked pretty good, but at times he struggled with his command. After the second walk he handed out in the fifth, I thought for sure they were going to pull him -- at that point he had already walked six batters and thrown 98 pitches. Yet he was left in to walk the next batter and then give up the home run. Dempster will rebound in his next start. It's Piniella's best impersonation of Dusty Baker that would have me concerned. In the playoffs, you have to know when to make pitching changes.
Secondly, this may be a glimpse of what's to come for Manny Ramirez. No doubt he's been hot since joining LA, but that power golf stroke to the bleachers in left field may be the beginning of a big post-season for Manny.
All in all, the Cubs aren't in a hole of which they can't dig out. Big Z will have a big game tonight against Chad Billingsley and get the win. Chicago has too good an offense to keep down. And this is coming from a Cardinals fan.
ALDS Game 1: Red Sox 4, Angels 1
I only watched two innings of this game, so I don't know much more than what I read in the box score. Looks like Jon Lester turned out a gem. Jacoby Ellsbury was a spark in the lead-off spot. Jason Bay is still doing his best Manny impression by providing the offense. Sportscenter highlights showed plenty of Boston defensive plays, which is surprising because they aren't usually known for their defense.
Looking at the hearts of the lineups, it looks like the Angels should have had the advantage: their 2-5 hitters went 8 for 15 (.533) while the BoSox 2-5 went 2 for 16 (.125). If this trend keeps up, the Angels will find success in this series.
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