In a sudden, but not so unexpected move, the Denver Broncos have fired Head Coach, Josh McDaniels, who be replaced by Running Backs Coach, Eric Studesville. The move comes after Sunday's ugly loss to division-leading Kansas City, in which the Broncos only mustered a measly 247 yards of total offense. What surprised me more than the outcome of the game was the maturity showed by McDaniels and Chief's Coach, Todd Haley, who shook hands and hugged at midfield, just weeks after Haley refused a post-game handshake when he felt McDaniels had run up the score. It appears the Broncos were not as impressed by McDaniels' actions though, as he was let go with a month left in the season, and two years remaining on his contract.
It is common practice that when a team is struggling as mightily as the Broncos, the Head Coach and/or the Quarterback receive most of the blame, and are often the first to go. What bothers me about McDaniels' situation is he appears to simply be a victim of circumstance. He was given the reigns of a professional football team in his early thirties, which was not a dream roster. The Broncos shocked the world with a 6-0 start last season, but faded in the second half to miss the playoffs. Many expected Denver to build on their early success from last season, but the team's 3-9 record is a clear indication that won't be happening. While McDaniels should take the brunt of the mistakes he has made off the field (i.e. videotaping an opponent's walk-through practice, again), the Broncos struggles this season can be contributed to missing components, and a sub par roster. In the off-season the Broncos traded their best player, Brandon Marshall, to the Dolphins. The team then lost their new, best player, Linebacker Elvis Dumervil, to injury in training camp. With the injuries and player movement McDaniels was left with a roster of underachievers, head-cases, and a few quality players. Perhaps Denver's front office should have focused less on the coach, and more on the talent (or lack of talent) surrounding him.
I understand the knee-jerk reaction to try to start fresh with an interim coach, especially when Jason Garrett of the Cowboys, and Leslie Frazier of the Vikings have a combined 5-1 record as interim coaches this season. What separates Garrett and Frazier from interim coach, Eric Studesville, is Garrett was being groomed for the Head Coaching job before this season, and was the clear choice to take over when Wade Phillips was out of the picture. Frazier was also (in all likelihood) going to be a Head Coach next season, even if it was not in Minnesota. Garrett and Frazier were promoted to change the culture of their teams, but there seems little chance of that happening in Denver. Eric Studesville will coach the remaining four games on the Broncos schedule, but to be honest, there is virtually no chance of him keeping the job. So I don't particularly understand the need to fire a guy after twelve games (who, at 34, still has a lot of good years ahead of him), when your team's playoff hopes are gone, and you're not going to change the culture of your team until the off-season.
The one positive for Josh McDaniels is he gets off a sinking ship faster than expected, and has an extra month to explore positions with other teams. Based on the performances of almost every team in the West conferences this season (AFC and NFC), it appears there will be more than a few opportunities for a free agent coach in the near future.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
National Fightin' League
One of the bigger controversies coming out of week 12 in the NFL are the fights breaking out on the field. The chatter started last week when Oakland Raiders' Defensive Tackle, Richard Seymour, drilled Pittsburgh Steelers' Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in the face with an open-handed slap, and escalated with Sunday's brawl between Tennessee Titans' Cornerback, Cortland Finnegan, and Houston Texans' Wide Receiver, Andre Johnson. What may have surprised people more than the actual fight on Sunday, was Finnegan's opponent. Andre Johnson has been humble, level-headed, and anti-diva since entering the league, so it was a bit of a shock to see him throwing haymakers during a game. Johnson's actions -- along with the actions of Richard Seymour -- were ultimately wrong, but they weren't without reason.
We often hear about players “policing themselves” in hockey, which essentially means if a player is taking cheaps shots, talking too much trash, or generally just playing dirty, then chances are he is going to have a meeting with somebody's fist in the near future. In my opinion, Andre Johnson was simply “policing” the game, because the officials just weren't getting the job done. Cortland Finnegan has a reputation for being a nuisance on the football field, who takes cheap shots whenever possible, and already had a history of trying to get under Johnson's skin. Before the fight broke out Finnegan had popped Johnson under the facemask right at the snap of the ball, which was completely ignored by the referees. Finnegan had used the same tactics earlier on in the game, which he was also not flagged for. Now, I have never been an advocate of violence, but you can only expect a grown man to be able to handle so much in a competitive, violent, hyper-masculine setting, before he eventually snaps. That's what happened to Andre Johnson, and his whoopin' of Cortland Finnegan was the result. Johnson is the best Wide Receiver in football, who was being wronged by another player, and by the officials for missing Finnegan's transgressions, so he enacted the only solution at that point in time, by ripping Finnegan's helmet off, throwing him to the ground, and connecting with three solid punches.
Johnson and Finnegan have both been fined $25,000, but will not be suspended, which I am particularly pleased with. As aforementioned, Andre Johnson has been a model citizen since being drafted out of Miami. To give some perspective, Johnson sincerely apologized to the Texans' organization, players, and fans for loosing his cool, even though he received an abundance of praise for his actions, and was actually awarded the game ball on Sunday. But he did deserve to get fined for his actions. You can't throw punches in the NFL and expect there to be no repercussions. I felt Finnegan's suspension should have been a bit more than Johnson's -- because he is a repeat offender -- but I guess you can only fine a guy so much for getting his butt kicked on TV.
Andre Johnson's actions may not have been responsible, but they were justified. Johnson was defending himself when the referees wouldn't, while trying to end the unscrupulous behavior of one of football's biggest instigators. My unbiased opinion also knows that Richard Seymour striking Ben Roethlisberger was wrong (even though the fan in me enjoyed seeing Big Ben get jacked in the face) the point can still be made that he was validated in his indignation, as Roethlisberger was taunting Seymour after a touchdown pass. You could make the point that the incident would not have even occurred had Roethlisberger not felt the need to degrade a player on the team he was already beating doubtlessly. On a side note: You would think Ben Roethlisberger might want to just lay low this season and avoid any extra publicity.
So although fighting is wrong, and it will never be embraced like it is in hockey, the message behind the fighting is quite clear. The retaliations of Andre Johnson and Richard Seymour are proof that football players won't simply stand by and allow others to act like punks in the NFL. And perhaps by getting their bells rung a bit, individuals like Ben Roethlisberger and Cortland Finnegan will realize their actions have consequences, and there are players around the league who have no problems ensuring those consequences are enforced.
We often hear about players “policing themselves” in hockey, which essentially means if a player is taking cheaps shots, talking too much trash, or generally just playing dirty, then chances are he is going to have a meeting with somebody's fist in the near future. In my opinion, Andre Johnson was simply “policing” the game, because the officials just weren't getting the job done. Cortland Finnegan has a reputation for being a nuisance on the football field, who takes cheap shots whenever possible, and already had a history of trying to get under Johnson's skin. Before the fight broke out Finnegan had popped Johnson under the facemask right at the snap of the ball, which was completely ignored by the referees. Finnegan had used the same tactics earlier on in the game, which he was also not flagged for. Now, I have never been an advocate of violence, but you can only expect a grown man to be able to handle so much in a competitive, violent, hyper-masculine setting, before he eventually snaps. That's what happened to Andre Johnson, and his whoopin' of Cortland Finnegan was the result. Johnson is the best Wide Receiver in football, who was being wronged by another player, and by the officials for missing Finnegan's transgressions, so he enacted the only solution at that point in time, by ripping Finnegan's helmet off, throwing him to the ground, and connecting with three solid punches.
Johnson and Finnegan have both been fined $25,000, but will not be suspended, which I am particularly pleased with. As aforementioned, Andre Johnson has been a model citizen since being drafted out of Miami. To give some perspective, Johnson sincerely apologized to the Texans' organization, players, and fans for loosing his cool, even though he received an abundance of praise for his actions, and was actually awarded the game ball on Sunday. But he did deserve to get fined for his actions. You can't throw punches in the NFL and expect there to be no repercussions. I felt Finnegan's suspension should have been a bit more than Johnson's -- because he is a repeat offender -- but I guess you can only fine a guy so much for getting his butt kicked on TV.
Andre Johnson's actions may not have been responsible, but they were justified. Johnson was defending himself when the referees wouldn't, while trying to end the unscrupulous behavior of one of football's biggest instigators. My unbiased opinion also knows that Richard Seymour striking Ben Roethlisberger was wrong (even though the fan in me enjoyed seeing Big Ben get jacked in the face) the point can still be made that he was validated in his indignation, as Roethlisberger was taunting Seymour after a touchdown pass. You could make the point that the incident would not have even occurred had Roethlisberger not felt the need to degrade a player on the team he was already beating doubtlessly. On a side note: You would think Ben Roethlisberger might want to just lay low this season and avoid any extra publicity.
So although fighting is wrong, and it will never be embraced like it is in hockey, the message behind the fighting is quite clear. The retaliations of Andre Johnson and Richard Seymour are proof that football players won't simply stand by and allow others to act like punks in the NFL. And perhaps by getting their bells rung a bit, individuals like Ben Roethlisberger and Cortland Finnegan will realize their actions have consequences, and there are players around the league who have no problems ensuring those consequences are enforced.
Monday, November 1, 2010
...Injustice for All
After speculations of sanctions and suspensions it appears the Iowa Hawkeyes –- and basketball recruits Josh Oglesby and Marcus Paige -- will receive no penalties for inappropriate recruiting methods. What scandalous actions could have brought about such an investigation? Oglesby and Paige had a chance encounter with (gasp) Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at a Hawkeye's football game in September, and were even photographed with Kutcher during the day (the horror). No, I did not misconstrue that information at all. Two Iowa recruits happen to run into a celebrity couple at a football game, take a picture with one, and the NCAA needed an investigation. The last time I checked, Ashton Kutcher is not an agent (actually, what does Ashton Kutcher do nowadays?) and neither is Demi Moore. I can understand if these two high schoolers had a meeting behind closed doors with Mark Cuban, but they just had an unintentional run-in with two celebrities, who also happen to be fans of Iowa sports. And heaven forbid they take a picture with one of them; it's just inconceivable that two high school kids would want their picture taken with a guy they most likely have seen on television or at the movie theater. Did we really need an NCAA investigation to figure that out?
Even with the ridiculousness of the entire Ashton-Demi situation, the real issue is the NCAA regulations for their student athletes. The simple solution I have -- which is shared by many individuals in the field who I have great respect for –- is to pay college athletes. If the NCAA would just swallow their pride (and their greed) there would not be the bevy of investigations, sanctions, and penalties that we see every year. When looking at just this season of college football, it is easy to make the case for compensating college athletes.
One of the more glaring examples would be the North Carolina Tar Heels, who lost seemingly half their team to suspensions early on in the season for a game against LSU. Most of the suspensions stemmed from player interactions with agents and/or professional players. Now, it seems fairly obvious that losing 16 players would put any team in a bit of a disadvantage. And who could forget the highly publicized scandal involving former USC Running Back, Reggie Bush. Bush's actions while he was still a Trojan cost this year's team the chance to play in a bowl game, had they performed well enough throughout the year to even qualify. And believe me, they're USC; the powers-that-be would find some way to get them in a bowl game, no matter how bad they are. Bush still denies the allegations that he received cash and other gifts, yet he decided to give back his Heisman trophy, which leaves the award vacant for the first time in its history. But the one event that perturbs me more than the others involves Georgia Wide Receiver, A.J. Green. Green was suspended for selling one of his game-worn jerseys on line, to an individual who happened to be a football agent. Not only did Green have to sit out the Bulldog's first four games of the season, he was also forced to return the $1,000 he made from selling the jersey. Green's absence diminished any chance of Georgia having a successful year, and also killed his hopes for this year's Heisman trophy.
I'm not saying that paying college athletes would solve all the corruption, double-talk, and deceit within the ranks of college athletics, but it would at least cut down on the amount of violations and suspensions, especially when the current team had nothing to do with the violation. The USC sanctions were enforced when Reggie Bush was already playing with the Saints in the NFL, which means his wrongdoings are affecting kids who never even played with him. I can understand that there needs to be some ramifactions for Bush's actions -- and you can't punish him because he's making millions being spectacularly mediocre in the NFL -- but sanction the school, not the atletes. This issue with Bush is a clear example of how a compensatory system would most definitely be an improvement from the standards already in place, where the universities and television stations are essentially sending these athletes out to make millions of dollars that the athletes will never see a penny of. It's almost a form of legalized prostitution. While I do know that nobody is forcing these kids to play, they still have scholarships and potential professional careers to consider. And is it so wrong for A.J. Green to try to sell his own jersey so he can have money for groceries, gas, and maybe just to have a little bit to spend on himself? It is fair that he makes the University of Georgia millions of dollars through his athletic ability, but has to return $1,000 of his own money because he didn't follow the NCAA's rules? The answer to both of these questions is an emphatic “NO”. If colleges and universities would simply use some of the fat bank they're making on sporting events to pay their athletes, then UNC would not have played with half its roster against LSU, A.J. Green would be a Heisman candidate, and there would actually be a Heisman trophy winner for 2005. The potential for improvement seems to vastly outweigh the negatives in this situation.
Even with the ridiculousness of the entire Ashton-Demi situation, the real issue is the NCAA regulations for their student athletes. The simple solution I have -- which is shared by many individuals in the field who I have great respect for –- is to pay college athletes. If the NCAA would just swallow their pride (and their greed) there would not be the bevy of investigations, sanctions, and penalties that we see every year. When looking at just this season of college football, it is easy to make the case for compensating college athletes.
One of the more glaring examples would be the North Carolina Tar Heels, who lost seemingly half their team to suspensions early on in the season for a game against LSU. Most of the suspensions stemmed from player interactions with agents and/or professional players. Now, it seems fairly obvious that losing 16 players would put any team in a bit of a disadvantage. And who could forget the highly publicized scandal involving former USC Running Back, Reggie Bush. Bush's actions while he was still a Trojan cost this year's team the chance to play in a bowl game, had they performed well enough throughout the year to even qualify. And believe me, they're USC; the powers-that-be would find some way to get them in a bowl game, no matter how bad they are. Bush still denies the allegations that he received cash and other gifts, yet he decided to give back his Heisman trophy, which leaves the award vacant for the first time in its history. But the one event that perturbs me more than the others involves Georgia Wide Receiver, A.J. Green. Green was suspended for selling one of his game-worn jerseys on line, to an individual who happened to be a football agent. Not only did Green have to sit out the Bulldog's first four games of the season, he was also forced to return the $1,000 he made from selling the jersey. Green's absence diminished any chance of Georgia having a successful year, and also killed his hopes for this year's Heisman trophy.
I'm not saying that paying college athletes would solve all the corruption, double-talk, and deceit within the ranks of college athletics, but it would at least cut down on the amount of violations and suspensions, especially when the current team had nothing to do with the violation. The USC sanctions were enforced when Reggie Bush was already playing with the Saints in the NFL, which means his wrongdoings are affecting kids who never even played with him. I can understand that there needs to be some ramifactions for Bush's actions -- and you can't punish him because he's making millions being spectacularly mediocre in the NFL -- but sanction the school, not the atletes. This issue with Bush is a clear example of how a compensatory system would most definitely be an improvement from the standards already in place, where the universities and television stations are essentially sending these athletes out to make millions of dollars that the athletes will never see a penny of. It's almost a form of legalized prostitution. While I do know that nobody is forcing these kids to play, they still have scholarships and potential professional careers to consider. And is it so wrong for A.J. Green to try to sell his own jersey so he can have money for groceries, gas, and maybe just to have a little bit to spend on himself? It is fair that he makes the University of Georgia millions of dollars through his athletic ability, but has to return $1,000 of his own money because he didn't follow the NCAA's rules? The answer to both of these questions is an emphatic “NO”. If colleges and universities would simply use some of the fat bank they're making on sporting events to pay their athletes, then UNC would not have played with half its roster against LSU, A.J. Green would be a Heisman candidate, and there would actually be a Heisman trophy winner for 2005. The potential for improvement seems to vastly outweigh the negatives in this situation.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tears and Stripes
Even though the NBA season is still extremely young, I am pleased to say I have witnessed a very distinct difference between this season and campaigns of the past: player complaints. Magic Point Guard, Jason Williams, will be missing Orlando's heavily publicized encounter with the Miami Heat tonight (which is Miami's home-opener) for making contact with an official. Williams was ejected from Thursday night's matchup against the Washington Wizards, for tugging on the arm of referee Tony Brothers, while arguing a call. The act itself may seem as demonstrative as a toddler tugging on their Mother's dress, but the rules clearly state that players cannot have any physical contact with an official. None.
The fact that Williams was suspended shows the NBA may actually be taking the necessary steps to clean up the endless whining and complaining that plagues virtually every game on the schedule. Now I'm not going to name any names here (*cough* Tim Duncan *cough*) but there have been countless instances after witnessing a bevy of eye rolls, arm raises, wrist slaps, and mouth-agape stares, that I wanted to sit an NBA player down and recite the "Act your age, not your shoe size" line until their ears are bleeding. Being a moderately average basketball player, I can honestly say I have been guilty of the same offenses on more than one occasion (My favorite player is Rasheed Wallace. What do you expect?). But I can also say from experience that all of these little gestures, tactics, and verbal outbursts simply don't work. If anything, they tend to work against you. Referees are not very open to criticism, so they definitely won't give a player the benefit of a close call, when two plays earlier that same player essentially told him a trained chimp could do his job better.
As aforementioned, I do understand the need to inform an official when the strong feeling is they have wronged your team, or even yourself. But there are better ways to convey your displeasure than showering a referee with boos and calling them blind. If we push back our anger and frustration for a moment we will realize the officials are people just like us, and they aren't trying to blow calls.
No matter what I say, a referee is always going to be the most unpopular person at a basketball game (unless LeBron is playing), but how professional players respond will ultimately decide the reactions of fans and younger players. Like it or not, NBA players are role models for aspiring basketball players, and high school/college players emulating their favorite ballers does nothing but continue the cycle of complaining. Disagreeing with an official is an inevitability, but acting like a professional should always be the standard.
The fact that Williams was suspended shows the NBA may actually be taking the necessary steps to clean up the endless whining and complaining that plagues virtually every game on the schedule. Now I'm not going to name any names here (*cough* Tim Duncan *cough*) but there have been countless instances after witnessing a bevy of eye rolls, arm raises, wrist slaps, and mouth-agape stares, that I wanted to sit an NBA player down and recite the "Act your age, not your shoe size" line until their ears are bleeding. Being a moderately average basketball player, I can honestly say I have been guilty of the same offenses on more than one occasion (My favorite player is Rasheed Wallace. What do you expect?). But I can also say from experience that all of these little gestures, tactics, and verbal outbursts simply don't work. If anything, they tend to work against you. Referees are not very open to criticism, so they definitely won't give a player the benefit of a close call, when two plays earlier that same player essentially told him a trained chimp could do his job better.
As aforementioned, I do understand the need to inform an official when the strong feeling is they have wronged your team, or even yourself. But there are better ways to convey your displeasure than showering a referee with boos and calling them blind. If we push back our anger and frustration for a moment we will realize the officials are people just like us, and they aren't trying to blow calls.
No matter what I say, a referee is always going to be the most unpopular person at a basketball game (unless LeBron is playing), but how professional players respond will ultimately decide the reactions of fans and younger players. Like it or not, NBA players are role models for aspiring basketball players, and high school/college players emulating their favorite ballers does nothing but continue the cycle of complaining. Disagreeing with an official is an inevitability, but acting like a professional should always be the standard.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Save the Headshots for X-Box Live
Much to my surprise it is reported the NFL could possibly start suspending players for helmet-to-helmet hits. If these reports are true, then I applaud the NFL's decision. I have covered serious injuries in a previous discussion (see: Vain and Suffering), but helmet-to-helmet hits can be controlled – to a certain extent – by the players themselves. Not only are helmet-to-helmet hits technically inappropriate (most football players are not taught to lead with their helmets), they are also extremely dangerous to the player receiving the hit and the player applying the hit, alike. We saw an example this Sunday during the Philadelphia vs. Atlanta game, when Falcons' Cornerback, Dunta Robinson's hit on Eagles' receiver, DeSean Jackson, resulted in both players leaving the game, and a concussion for Jackson.
If the NFL were to take the steps to actually put a suspension rule into effect this season, it would be an unprecedented development. In recent years the NHL has changed rules mid-season, and even during a playoff series, but the NFL has always stood fast and refused to acknowledge on-field issues until the off-season. I, for one, sincerely hope the NFL gets out of its own way and suspends players for helmet-to-helmet hits, because it is obvious that fines aren't doing the trick.
I know there is a tendency to cringe when discussing less violence in football, because the sport is based on brutality. I am no exception. I believe all the rules to protect Quarterbacks are ridiculous, and there has been many a time when I have jumped out of my chair while screaming “you got jacked up!” when a Middle Linebacker unloads on an unsuspecting receiver running a crossing route. However, it seems to me that a line needs to be drawn when brain damage, paralysis, and even death, could possibly be an outcome. I honestly believe professional football players can avoid driving their helmets into other player's helmets on most occasions; and they should do so, for the fans, for their fellow players, and for themselves.
If the NFL were to take the steps to actually put a suspension rule into effect this season, it would be an unprecedented development. In recent years the NHL has changed rules mid-season, and even during a playoff series, but the NFL has always stood fast and refused to acknowledge on-field issues until the off-season. I, for one, sincerely hope the NFL gets out of its own way and suspends players for helmet-to-helmet hits, because it is obvious that fines aren't doing the trick.
I know there is a tendency to cringe when discussing less violence in football, because the sport is based on brutality. I am no exception. I believe all the rules to protect Quarterbacks are ridiculous, and there has been many a time when I have jumped out of my chair while screaming “you got jacked up!” when a Middle Linebacker unloads on an unsuspecting receiver running a crossing route. However, it seems to me that a line needs to be drawn when brain damage, paralysis, and even death, could possibly be an outcome. I honestly believe professional football players can avoid driving their helmets into other player's helmets on most occasions; and they should do so, for the fans, for their fellow players, and for themselves.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
NBA Pre-season: You're the Best, Around
We end our NBA rankings with the "favorites" for this upcoming season. Most of these teams in my top ten have a chance to bring home an NBA Championship, and all should, at the very least, make the playoffs.
10. San Antonio Spurs
The biggest problem for San Antonio is going to be age. Tim Duncan can't stay healthy forever, and Manu Ginobili is already showing the effects of his age and playing style. The Spurs do have some young talent with George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter (who looked impressive on Brazil's National Team), but the core of this team is a bit too long-in-the-tooth for me to consider them a genuine contender. It is also yet to be seen whether the trade rumors from the off-season will affect Tony Parker or not.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Even though Atlanta seemed to quit in the playoffs last season against Orlando, they still have one of the more talented teams in the East. Jeff Teague proved to be a reliable backup to Mike Bibby at the end of the season, and the Hawks managed to hold onto Joe Johnson in the off-season, even though they drastically overpaid for him. The issue I have with Atlanta is not their ability, but rather their mental strength. The implosion in the playoffs essentially cost Mike Woodson his job as head coach, and Jamal Crawford has very publicly been demanding a contract extension. The Hawks will make the playoffs, but they don't have the makeup of a champion.
8. Portland Trailblazers
This is it. This is the year Greg Oden stays healthy. I realize you are reading this and can't hear the lack of conviction in my voice, but you get the picture. The truth is I truly hope Oden can stay on the court this season, because he is a genuinely good guy, and has the ability to be a difference-maker for Portland. Even if Oden is still limited (or absent) the Blazers do have depth in the front-court, and the addition of Wesley Matthews will have an immediate impact on Portland's perimeter defense. The key for this team--like so many others--is going to be health. Brandon Roy was injured going into last season's playoff run, while Oden and Joel Przybilla both missed significant time at the Center position. If all their core players stay relatively healthy, Portland can contend.
7. Dallas Mavericks
The only significant move Dallas made was the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, who may not even start if Brendan Haywood continues to play well. I was very surprised at owner, Mark Cuban, who neglected to pursue any of the free agents on the market this off-season. I understand his first priority was re-signing Dirk Nowitzki, but I believe he had the opportunity to surround his All-Star with more talent. Swapping Josh Howard for Caron Butler last season was a wise decision--considering Butler's ability and Howard's off-the-court issues--but Jason Kidd is in the twilight of his career, while Shawn Marion and Jason Terry both showed signs of regression last season. The window is still open for the Mavs to win a title, but the road through the West will not be an easy one.
6. Orlando Magic
It will do Stan Van Gundy well to utilize Brandon Bass more this season. Rashard Lewis creates matchup problems at Power Forward but he has struggled since signing with Orlando, and has never been a good defender. Moving Lewis to his natural position at Small Forward would give the Magic more beef in the front-court, while still allowing the offense to work through Dwight Howard. The loss of Matt Barnes to the Lakers will significantly hurt Orlando, though, as he was the only player in the rotation to add any toughness to the team. I also still don't trust Vince Carter to perform at a high level in the playoffs, but if Howard can improve in the post (and stay out of foul trouble) all Vince will need to do is knock down open jumpshots. It will be difficult for Orlando to get past the top teams in the East, but if they do, Van Gundy's crew matches up well against most of the favorites in the West.
5. Boston Celtics
While Boston does have one of the more talented squads in the league, the front office seemed to overlook one simple fact this off-season: they are an old team that just kept getting older. I understand the need to re-sign Paul Pierce and have him retire as a Celtic, but the Big Three don't have many productive years left, and all of them--especially Kevin Garnett--are showing it. But instead of getting some fresh, new players, Boston aged itself even more by adding a pair of over-the-hill O'Neal's (Jermaine and Shaq) and brought back Delonte West, who wasn't even welcome in Cleveland. Even though I don't support the decisions the Celtics have made, I will not discount them, based on their recent success and the track records of their core players. I do not, however, see this team reaching the finals for a third time in four seasons.
4. Chicago Bulls
Chicago seems to be the "sexy" pick at the moment--and that scares me--but I believe they can live up to the hype. Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls a legitimate post-scorer, which they have not had since the days of Elton Brand. While Boozer did sustain a broken pinky finger, the injury does not appear to threaten his availability for the regular season. One off-season acquisition that will also have positive impact in the Windy City is the signing of Kyle Korver. Korver will extend defenses to the three-point arc, and allow Boozer more room to work in the paint, while also providing an outlet when Derrick Rose drives the lane. Chicago seems to have addressed their major needs in the off-season, and look primed to make a run this year.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
My legs are still sore from how quickly I jumped on this team's bandwagon last season, but I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. Not only does OKC have my pick for this year's MVP, Kevin Durant, but the emergence of Serge Ibaka should allow the Thunder to play a more traditional lineup this season, which will be an asset in the playoffs. Last season the Thunder seemed to have the opposite problem as the Celtics; they were too young. Unlike Boston, OKC actually addressed the issue by bringing in veteran swingman, Morris Peterson, to mentor James Harden (who is a fellow lefty). I also approved of trading for the rights to Cole Aldrich on draft day, because his high-energy, bruising style of play will be a nice counter to Nenad Krstic's finesse at the Center position. If Durant continues to dominate,and Russell Westbrook can follow up on his momentum from being on Team USA, then the Thunder could make a legitimate run at a title.
2. Miami Heat
I'm not one to get caught up in hype, but when you look at the talent that's been assembled in Miami, it's hard to not get excited. Wade, Bosh, and James have all been perennial All-Stars since they came into the league, and while some may say their egos are too big to coexist on the same team, I beg to differ. What appears to be a distinct difference between these three and other superstar teammates--like Shaq and Kobe--is James, Wade, and Bosh seem to genuinely like each other, which could contribute extensively to their success. There has also been the criticism that none of them will want to share the ball, but all three showed a willingness to do so on Team USA two years ago. If you consider a gold medal to be a success, then I think that worked out pretty well for them. Now, there are still some question marks on the Heat, such as the starters at Point Guard and Center, but this team has talent beyond just Miami Thrice. We know Zydrunas Ilgauskas can play with LeBron because of their time together in Cleveland, and Mike Miller's shooting ability will be an asset for when defenses attempt double-teams. I know many people will be inclined to hate on the Heat because of the circumstances surrounding their acquisition of talent. The reality, however, is that this team is going to be successful, and they have an excellent chance of winning several championships.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
When you are the two-time defending champs, that puts you at the top of my list. The Lakers re-loaded this off-season by bringing in Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and Matt Barnes (who is like a young Ron Artest, but with a better jumpshot). Barnes is the key addition to the roster. His physical defense will help lighten the burden on the defensively-challenged, Pau Gasol. Interchanging Barnes and Artest--or having the two play at the same time--will also be crucial to the Lakers control of the paint until Andrew Bynum is fully healed (so he can get injured right before the playoffs for the fourth year in a row). The Lakers have essentially all their key players returning from last year's championship team (Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Shannon Brown, to name a few), but the determining factor for this team will always be Kobe Bryant. If Kobe can maintain his level of play with all the bangs and bruises he has sustained over the past two seasons, then LA should find itself in the finals with a chance to complete Coach Phil Jackson's fourth three-peat.
So there you have it, the NBA season by the numbers. Now you don't even have to watch the games. But seriously, you should watch as much as you can, because my one prediction I'm sure will be correct, is this is going to be a memorable season.
10. San Antonio Spurs
The biggest problem for San Antonio is going to be age. Tim Duncan can't stay healthy forever, and Manu Ginobili is already showing the effects of his age and playing style. The Spurs do have some young talent with George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter (who looked impressive on Brazil's National Team), but the core of this team is a bit too long-in-the-tooth for me to consider them a genuine contender. It is also yet to be seen whether the trade rumors from the off-season will affect Tony Parker or not.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Even though Atlanta seemed to quit in the playoffs last season against Orlando, they still have one of the more talented teams in the East. Jeff Teague proved to be a reliable backup to Mike Bibby at the end of the season, and the Hawks managed to hold onto Joe Johnson in the off-season, even though they drastically overpaid for him. The issue I have with Atlanta is not their ability, but rather their mental strength. The implosion in the playoffs essentially cost Mike Woodson his job as head coach, and Jamal Crawford has very publicly been demanding a contract extension. The Hawks will make the playoffs, but they don't have the makeup of a champion.
8. Portland Trailblazers
This is it. This is the year Greg Oden stays healthy. I realize you are reading this and can't hear the lack of conviction in my voice, but you get the picture. The truth is I truly hope Oden can stay on the court this season, because he is a genuinely good guy, and has the ability to be a difference-maker for Portland. Even if Oden is still limited (or absent) the Blazers do have depth in the front-court, and the addition of Wesley Matthews will have an immediate impact on Portland's perimeter defense. The key for this team--like so many others--is going to be health. Brandon Roy was injured going into last season's playoff run, while Oden and Joel Przybilla both missed significant time at the Center position. If all their core players stay relatively healthy, Portland can contend.
7. Dallas Mavericks
The only significant move Dallas made was the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, who may not even start if Brendan Haywood continues to play well. I was very surprised at owner, Mark Cuban, who neglected to pursue any of the free agents on the market this off-season. I understand his first priority was re-signing Dirk Nowitzki, but I believe he had the opportunity to surround his All-Star with more talent. Swapping Josh Howard for Caron Butler last season was a wise decision--considering Butler's ability and Howard's off-the-court issues--but Jason Kidd is in the twilight of his career, while Shawn Marion and Jason Terry both showed signs of regression last season. The window is still open for the Mavs to win a title, but the road through the West will not be an easy one.
6. Orlando Magic
It will do Stan Van Gundy well to utilize Brandon Bass more this season. Rashard Lewis creates matchup problems at Power Forward but he has struggled since signing with Orlando, and has never been a good defender. Moving Lewis to his natural position at Small Forward would give the Magic more beef in the front-court, while still allowing the offense to work through Dwight Howard. The loss of Matt Barnes to the Lakers will significantly hurt Orlando, though, as he was the only player in the rotation to add any toughness to the team. I also still don't trust Vince Carter to perform at a high level in the playoffs, but if Howard can improve in the post (and stay out of foul trouble) all Vince will need to do is knock down open jumpshots. It will be difficult for Orlando to get past the top teams in the East, but if they do, Van Gundy's crew matches up well against most of the favorites in the West.
5. Boston Celtics
While Boston does have one of the more talented squads in the league, the front office seemed to overlook one simple fact this off-season: they are an old team that just kept getting older. I understand the need to re-sign Paul Pierce and have him retire as a Celtic, but the Big Three don't have many productive years left, and all of them--especially Kevin Garnett--are showing it. But instead of getting some fresh, new players, Boston aged itself even more by adding a pair of over-the-hill O'Neal's (Jermaine and Shaq) and brought back Delonte West, who wasn't even welcome in Cleveland. Even though I don't support the decisions the Celtics have made, I will not discount them, based on their recent success and the track records of their core players. I do not, however, see this team reaching the finals for a third time in four seasons.
4. Chicago Bulls
Chicago seems to be the "sexy" pick at the moment--and that scares me--but I believe they can live up to the hype. Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls a legitimate post-scorer, which they have not had since the days of Elton Brand. While Boozer did sustain a broken pinky finger, the injury does not appear to threaten his availability for the regular season. One off-season acquisition that will also have positive impact in the Windy City is the signing of Kyle Korver. Korver will extend defenses to the three-point arc, and allow Boozer more room to work in the paint, while also providing an outlet when Derrick Rose drives the lane. Chicago seems to have addressed their major needs in the off-season, and look primed to make a run this year.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
My legs are still sore from how quickly I jumped on this team's bandwagon last season, but I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. Not only does OKC have my pick for this year's MVP, Kevin Durant, but the emergence of Serge Ibaka should allow the Thunder to play a more traditional lineup this season, which will be an asset in the playoffs. Last season the Thunder seemed to have the opposite problem as the Celtics; they were too young. Unlike Boston, OKC actually addressed the issue by bringing in veteran swingman, Morris Peterson, to mentor James Harden (who is a fellow lefty). I also approved of trading for the rights to Cole Aldrich on draft day, because his high-energy, bruising style of play will be a nice counter to Nenad Krstic's finesse at the Center position. If Durant continues to dominate,and Russell Westbrook can follow up on his momentum from being on Team USA, then the Thunder could make a legitimate run at a title.
2. Miami Heat
I'm not one to get caught up in hype, but when you look at the talent that's been assembled in Miami, it's hard to not get excited. Wade, Bosh, and James have all been perennial All-Stars since they came into the league, and while some may say their egos are too big to coexist on the same team, I beg to differ. What appears to be a distinct difference between these three and other superstar teammates--like Shaq and Kobe--is James, Wade, and Bosh seem to genuinely like each other, which could contribute extensively to their success. There has also been the criticism that none of them will want to share the ball, but all three showed a willingness to do so on Team USA two years ago. If you consider a gold medal to be a success, then I think that worked out pretty well for them. Now, there are still some question marks on the Heat, such as the starters at Point Guard and Center, but this team has talent beyond just Miami Thrice. We know Zydrunas Ilgauskas can play with LeBron because of their time together in Cleveland, and Mike Miller's shooting ability will be an asset for when defenses attempt double-teams. I know many people will be inclined to hate on the Heat because of the circumstances surrounding their acquisition of talent. The reality, however, is that this team is going to be successful, and they have an excellent chance of winning several championships.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
When you are the two-time defending champs, that puts you at the top of my list. The Lakers re-loaded this off-season by bringing in Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and Matt Barnes (who is like a young Ron Artest, but with a better jumpshot). Barnes is the key addition to the roster. His physical defense will help lighten the burden on the defensively-challenged, Pau Gasol. Interchanging Barnes and Artest--or having the two play at the same time--will also be crucial to the Lakers control of the paint until Andrew Bynum is fully healed (so he can get injured right before the playoffs for the fourth year in a row). The Lakers have essentially all their key players returning from last year's championship team (Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Shannon Brown, to name a few), but the determining factor for this team will always be Kobe Bryant. If Kobe can maintain his level of play with all the bangs and bruises he has sustained over the past two seasons, then LA should find itself in the finals with a chance to complete Coach Phil Jackson's fourth three-peat.
So there you have it, the NBA season by the numbers. Now you don't even have to watch the games. But seriously, you should watch as much as you can, because my one prediction I'm sure will be correct, is this is going to be a memorable season.
Monday, October 4, 2010
NBA Pre-season: Middle of the Pack
Continuing on with our NBA rankings is the section for teams which could be headed for the playoffs, or the lottery. Most of these teams have the talent to win games, but can't be consider legitimate contenders for an NBA Championship.
20. New Jersey Nets
Even if they can somehow manage to steal Carmelo Anthony away from Denver (of which I still have a great deal of doubt) this is still a team that won just twelve games last season. Jay-Z's club added depth in underrated players, Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw, but are paying Troy Murphy $12 million this season, which might very well be the textbook definition of "overpaying". Devin Harris and Brook Lopez will continue to improve to the point that Jersey will add significant W's this season, but not enough to be any kind of a threat.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
While MJ's Bobcats do have a considerable amount of talent on their roster, they seem to lack motivation. Even though Stephen Jackson can still be a dynamic scorer, and Gerald Wallace has emerged as an All-Star, Charlotte still lacks quality big-men. Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop both have their best years behind them, and the newly-acquired Kwame Brown will not help out with Charlotte's biggest need: a scorer in the post. This team may make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference, but don't expect them to get out of the first round.
18. New York Knicks
Remember what I said about Troy Murphy? Well, in that textbook there should be a footnote reading "Also see: Amare Stoudemire." Stoudemire is a very good player, but he cannot carry an offense. I believe we will see the true value of Steve Nash when Amare struggles to find his way in an offense led by Raymond Felton. The Knicks, like the Bobcats, have a chance to sneak into a playoff spot in a top-heavy East, but they don't have the depth to contend.
17. Los Angeles Clippers
LA will be asking the same question as several other teams in the West: "Can our young, big-man stay healthy?" In the Clipper's case, this player is Power Forward, Blake Griffin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Many believe that Griffin can contend for Rookie of the Year (even though he is in his second season) if he can stay on the court. As a fan, I hope Griffin can last the whole season-- because he is entertaining to watch-- but he has had injury problems dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. Now that may only be two serious injuries in a span of three years, but one would have to consider if the trend will continue. The bottom line is if Griffin stays healthy the Clippers can make the playoffs; if not, they're back in the lottery.
16. Houston Rockets
The big-man trend continues in Houston with Yao Ming. The Rockets will limit their Center's playing time this season in an effort to cure him of the foot injuries that have plagued Yao's career. Even with limited playing time, Yao can still be effective, and having Kevin Martin for a whole season will be a definite boost (pun intended) for Houston's offense. The Rockets traded away Trevor Ariza, but Shane Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league, and Chase Budinger brings energy off of the bench. Look for the Rockets to quietly make an impact in the West.
15. Utah Jazz
Losing Carlos Boozer is going to be a major blow for Jerry Sloan's gang. Adding to Utah's difficulties is the fact they play in a fairly deep Northwest Division, where the only doormat team is Minnesota. That being said, the front office did an admirable job of re-tooling the roster by adding Al Jefferson (who also qualifies for that big-man question), giving Utah its first true Center in many seasons. I wasn't crazy about drafting Gordon Hayward in the first round, because I believe he will struggle while transitioning to the pros. But the Jazz still have quite possibly the best Point Guard in the league in Deron Williams, who is a perfect fit for Sloan's offense. Expect this team to drop off from last season, but still make the playoffs.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
The fate of this year's Bucks rests on the health of their young Center (is there an echo in here). If Andrew Bogut is fully recovered from the ghastly arm injury that kept him off Australia's roster for the World Championship, then Milwaukee could potentially nab the fourth or fifth spot in the East. Carlos Delfino quietly had a solid season last year, and who knows, maybe Michael Redd can contribute this year...it could happen. Even without a healthy Redd the Bucks still have great upside with John Salmons, and a more experienced Brandon Jennings. But a healthy Bogut will be the defining factor of whether other NBA teams truly need to fear the deer.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
A lot of analysts are down on the Grizz this season, which I am a bit surprised at. Memphis may be an extremely young team, but the vast majority of their young players have seen extensive playing time since entering the league. Marc Gasol has trimmed down in the off-season, while Zach Randolph is eyeing consecutive All-Star appearances. The Grizzlies were able to keep Rudy Gay from leaving via free agency, while adding Greivis Vasquez and Xavier Henry in the draft to compliment (and perhaps, one day replace) Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. With the rest of the Southwest Division on the decline, I see no reason why Memphis could not make a legitimate push for a playoff spot.
12. Denver Nuggets
Even with all the turmoil and drama of whether Carmelo Anthony will be traded or not, Denver still has other problems to contend with. Their top three front-line players are all battling injuries (come to think of it; when is Kenyon Martin not battling injuries?) and trade rumors may have alienated J.R. Smith, who is not the most stable individual to begin with. I see a great deal of stress being put on Chauncey Billups this season, because Denver possesses a great deal of talent, but the soap opera atmosphere surrounding the team could be their undoing.
11. Phoenix Suns
I don't see the Suns regressing as much as they have been predicted to, but I do believe this team's window to win a championship has been shut. I am truly amazed at how effective Steve Nash still is, though the sad truth is he will only continue to get older, and won't have Amare to finish at the rim. The Suns already had too many players at the wings before they acquired Hedo Turkoglu, which means several forwards will be playing out of position. I don't expect Turkoglu or Grant Hill to contend with the elite big-men in the West, but I did like the drafting of Earl Clark. In three to four seasons, Clark and Robin Lopez could give Phoenix a true Power Forward-Center combination. This season, however, I see the Suns still winning around 47 games because of their offense, but they will go nowhere in the playoffs.
20. New Jersey Nets
Even if they can somehow manage to steal Carmelo Anthony away from Denver (of which I still have a great deal of doubt) this is still a team that won just twelve games last season. Jay-Z's club added depth in underrated players, Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw, but are paying Troy Murphy $12 million this season, which might very well be the textbook definition of "overpaying". Devin Harris and Brook Lopez will continue to improve to the point that Jersey will add significant W's this season, but not enough to be any kind of a threat.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
While MJ's Bobcats do have a considerable amount of talent on their roster, they seem to lack motivation. Even though Stephen Jackson can still be a dynamic scorer, and Gerald Wallace has emerged as an All-Star, Charlotte still lacks quality big-men. Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop both have their best years behind them, and the newly-acquired Kwame Brown will not help out with Charlotte's biggest need: a scorer in the post. This team may make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference, but don't expect them to get out of the first round.
18. New York Knicks
Remember what I said about Troy Murphy? Well, in that textbook there should be a footnote reading "Also see: Amare Stoudemire." Stoudemire is a very good player, but he cannot carry an offense. I believe we will see the true value of Steve Nash when Amare struggles to find his way in an offense led by Raymond Felton. The Knicks, like the Bobcats, have a chance to sneak into a playoff spot in a top-heavy East, but they don't have the depth to contend.
17. Los Angeles Clippers
LA will be asking the same question as several other teams in the West: "Can our young, big-man stay healthy?" In the Clipper's case, this player is Power Forward, Blake Griffin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Many believe that Griffin can contend for Rookie of the Year (even though he is in his second season) if he can stay on the court. As a fan, I hope Griffin can last the whole season-- because he is entertaining to watch-- but he has had injury problems dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. Now that may only be two serious injuries in a span of three years, but one would have to consider if the trend will continue. The bottom line is if Griffin stays healthy the Clippers can make the playoffs; if not, they're back in the lottery.
16. Houston Rockets
The big-man trend continues in Houston with Yao Ming. The Rockets will limit their Center's playing time this season in an effort to cure him of the foot injuries that have plagued Yao's career. Even with limited playing time, Yao can still be effective, and having Kevin Martin for a whole season will be a definite boost (pun intended) for Houston's offense. The Rockets traded away Trevor Ariza, but Shane Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league, and Chase Budinger brings energy off of the bench. Look for the Rockets to quietly make an impact in the West.
15. Utah Jazz
Losing Carlos Boozer is going to be a major blow for Jerry Sloan's gang. Adding to Utah's difficulties is the fact they play in a fairly deep Northwest Division, where the only doormat team is Minnesota. That being said, the front office did an admirable job of re-tooling the roster by adding Al Jefferson (who also qualifies for that big-man question), giving Utah its first true Center in many seasons. I wasn't crazy about drafting Gordon Hayward in the first round, because I believe he will struggle while transitioning to the pros. But the Jazz still have quite possibly the best Point Guard in the league in Deron Williams, who is a perfect fit for Sloan's offense. Expect this team to drop off from last season, but still make the playoffs.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
The fate of this year's Bucks rests on the health of their young Center (is there an echo in here). If Andrew Bogut is fully recovered from the ghastly arm injury that kept him off Australia's roster for the World Championship, then Milwaukee could potentially nab the fourth or fifth spot in the East. Carlos Delfino quietly had a solid season last year, and who knows, maybe Michael Redd can contribute this year...it could happen. Even without a healthy Redd the Bucks still have great upside with John Salmons, and a more experienced Brandon Jennings. But a healthy Bogut will be the defining factor of whether other NBA teams truly need to fear the deer.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
A lot of analysts are down on the Grizz this season, which I am a bit surprised at. Memphis may be an extremely young team, but the vast majority of their young players have seen extensive playing time since entering the league. Marc Gasol has trimmed down in the off-season, while Zach Randolph is eyeing consecutive All-Star appearances. The Grizzlies were able to keep Rudy Gay from leaving via free agency, while adding Greivis Vasquez and Xavier Henry in the draft to compliment (and perhaps, one day replace) Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. With the rest of the Southwest Division on the decline, I see no reason why Memphis could not make a legitimate push for a playoff spot.
12. Denver Nuggets
Even with all the turmoil and drama of whether Carmelo Anthony will be traded or not, Denver still has other problems to contend with. Their top three front-line players are all battling injuries (come to think of it; when is Kenyon Martin not battling injuries?) and trade rumors may have alienated J.R. Smith, who is not the most stable individual to begin with. I see a great deal of stress being put on Chauncey Billups this season, because Denver possesses a great deal of talent, but the soap opera atmosphere surrounding the team could be their undoing.
11. Phoenix Suns
I don't see the Suns regressing as much as they have been predicted to, but I do believe this team's window to win a championship has been shut. I am truly amazed at how effective Steve Nash still is, though the sad truth is he will only continue to get older, and won't have Amare to finish at the rim. The Suns already had too many players at the wings before they acquired Hedo Turkoglu, which means several forwards will be playing out of position. I don't expect Turkoglu or Grant Hill to contend with the elite big-men in the West, but I did like the drafting of Earl Clark. In three to four seasons, Clark and Robin Lopez could give Phoenix a true Power Forward-Center combination. This season, however, I see the Suns still winning around 47 games because of their offense, but they will go nowhere in the playoffs.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
NBA Pre-season: The Worst of the Worst
With baseball's playoff races coming to a close and the NFL season in full swing, what better topic to discuss than...basketball? Yes, it has been several months since LeBron's “Decision,” Shaq's jump to Boston, and a myriad of other off-season moves in the NBA, so I wanted to take this time to make some not-so bold predictions on the upcoming season. My list is based on off-season acquisitions, coaching/staff changes, and the amount of sugar I have consumed on any particular day. But I know lists can be a bit daunting, and with thirty NBA teams, it can seem like an overwhelming task. So I will be breaking my list into installments, starting today with the worst of the worst: teams 30-21. Enjoy.
30. Toronto Raptors
Our neighbors to the north have the dubious distinction of being the worst team in the NBA this season. Not only did the Raptors lose Chris Bosh to Miami, but they wasted precious cap space on Detroit castaway, Amir Johnson, and then traded Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns. Now, I was all for trading away a declining player with a fat contract like Turkoglu, but the only quality player Toronto got in return was Leandro Barbaso, who will not make much of a difference in wins and losses.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
I would hate to think the loss of one player could make such a difference in a team's overall record from one season to the next, but when that one player is the caliber of a LeBron James, it does. The sad truth is when you take LeBron (and even Shaq) off of a team that has been a championship contender the past three seasons, and the roster you are left with just isn't all that good. The best player on the Cavs is Antawn Jamison, who couldn't carry the Wizards in Washington, and most certainly won't be able to lead a team that depended on LeBron to do everything for them last season.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
This team has been terrible for the better part of a decade, and losing their best player, Al Jefferson, won't be helping out the T-Wolves this season. The acquisition of Michael Beasley is experimental, at best, and Minnesota is still feeling the effects of Ricky Rubio snubbing the team to stay in Europe after he was drafted. The Wolves may have a bright future with Jonny Flynn and rookie, Wesley Johnson, but they simply do not have the talent to compete this year in a division that features the Jazz, Blazers, and Thunder; especially with Detroit cast-off, Darko Milicic, patrolling the paint for the entire season. Wait...do I see a pattern developing here?
27. Indiana Pacers
While Darren Collison will help straighten up the point guard position, the rest of the roster is a giant question mark. Roy Hibbert showed flashes last season, but is yet to show he can be a consistent threat in the post. Mike Dunleavy has been a solid pro since he was drafted out of Duke, but there is no guarantee the injuries that plagued him last season won't have any lasting affects. What also makes me cautious of picking Indiana to make any progress this season is that the recession of Detroit and Cleveland will help them in the standings, but the emergence of Milwaukee and Chicago will hurt them even more. It is also a scary proposition when their best player, Danny Granger, can win some games single-handedly, but is more likely to lose a game single-handedly, with his poor shot selection.
26. Sacramento Kings
This team should be called “The Island of Misfit Toys,” because the roster is filled with players who other teams have given up on, such as Luther Head, Samuel Dalembert, J.R. Giddens, and Antoine Wright. While young teams don't usually make an impact in the standings, I actually like the Kings to overachieve this season. They are led by defending Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans, and off-season acquisition, Carl Landry (one of the more underrated forwards in the league). And while many critics doubt his work ethic and passion for the game, I am actually expecting a solid performance out of rookie, DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins may be immature at times, but there is no denying that he can be a force in the paint, which is something the Kings have missed for the better part of this decade. But the reality of the situation is even with all my early optimism, and the emergence of Omri Casspi as an outside threat, this Kings team is still not going to even sniff the playoffs this season.
25. Golden State Warriors
Their cool new logo and uniforms are about all Warriors' fans have to look forward to this upcoming season. This team plays a brand of basketball that may jack up scores and get players big contracts when they leave, but what they do on the court does not equate to wins. This year will be no different. Stephen Curry may have impressed in his run with Team USA, but neither he nor Monta Ellis can carry a team, especially when neither plays defense, and half of the roster plays the same position. Luring David Lee away from the Knicks will improve the Warriors' play on the interior this season, but Lee is a complimentary player, who they paid superstar money to. Perhaps Lee will fit in better with new coach, Keith Smart's game plan, but Golden State still does not have the type of roster it takes to make any type of noise in the playoff race. They will score a lot, but they also will lose a lot more.
24. Detroit Pistons
It almost pains me to write this segment of the list, because I have been a die hard Pistons fan for quite some years. The fan in me wants to believe they will bounce back from their 27-55 record last season, but the unbiased, analytical writer in me knows better. I thought that drafting Greg Monroe was an excellent choice by Detroit's front office, but that's about all I like about this team. The front office can only blame themselves for the inevitable mediocrity that is this year's Pistons, because they spent essentially all of the team's cap space last off-season on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, who both come off the bench. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince may be the only silver-linings for this team, based on Richard Hamilton being slowed by injury, the front line consisting of undersized and under-talented power forwards, and the signing of the oft-inured, Tracy McGrady. Luckily they are only paying McGrady around $850,000 this season, which means he will be making approximately $170,000 for every game that he will actually be playing in (that's five games if you don't want to do the math).
23. Philadelphia 76ers
While this team does have a good, young nucleus in Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, they just don't make me believe in them. Since receiving a gigantic contract, Elton Brand has been seemingly too busy counting his money instead of going on the court and earning it. I liked the draft pick of taking Evan Turner; I just didn't like him going to the Sixers. Turner will have to fight for playing time at either wing behind Iguodala and Young, and when a player is drafted that high, he should have an immediate impact on the team. I don't see Turner having that effect if he is going to come off the bench. I can understand why Doug Collins would want to leave the broadcast table to coach a player of Turner's caliber, but if this team struggles to accumulate wins, he may not be around long enough to see Turner reach his full potential.
22. Washington Wizards
This season's opportunity for success in our nation's capital is contingent on one player: Gilbert Arenas. So in the grand scheme of things, I don't like Washington's chances. Arenas, when healthy, is one of the best pure scorers in the league. The only problems with that past statement, are he is either not healthy, or is in some type of legal trouble. The incident last season -- where he brought a gun into a locker room-- showed the type of character he possesses, which is not the kind of person I would want to lead my young team. This year's Wizards team also features Josh Howard, who was essentially run out of Dallas for numerous off-the-court antics. Washington's young, front court duo of JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche look to make solid contributions to the team, but I am not sold on John Wall as the “savior” of the franchise. Wall is a talented scorer, but he made far too many mistakes and turnovers at the college level for me to buy him as a dominant professional player.
21. New Orleans Hornets
We round out the bottom of the barrel with the team from The Big Easy. While I have often made it a point to never count out a team with Chris Paul on the roster, this year may make me change my stance. Paul is an electrifying player, but was slowed by injury last year. If the injury bug bites two years in a row, the Hornets have no other options at point guard after trading Darren Collison in the off season. Combine the departure of Collison with Peja Stojakovic being in the twilight of his career, and Emeka Okafor's inability to function in the offense, it appears the success of the Hornets will be up to Paul and David West. Adding Trevor Ariza will help on the defensive side of the ball, but with the exception of Paul, there is no one in the starting lineup that can create their own shot. The Hornets may be able to claw their way into the playoffs, but with the competition in the Western Conference, their potential to make any type of impact is bleak, at best.
30. Toronto Raptors
Our neighbors to the north have the dubious distinction of being the worst team in the NBA this season. Not only did the Raptors lose Chris Bosh to Miami, but they wasted precious cap space on Detroit castaway, Amir Johnson, and then traded Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns. Now, I was all for trading away a declining player with a fat contract like Turkoglu, but the only quality player Toronto got in return was Leandro Barbaso, who will not make much of a difference in wins and losses.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
I would hate to think the loss of one player could make such a difference in a team's overall record from one season to the next, but when that one player is the caliber of a LeBron James, it does. The sad truth is when you take LeBron (and even Shaq) off of a team that has been a championship contender the past three seasons, and the roster you are left with just isn't all that good. The best player on the Cavs is Antawn Jamison, who couldn't carry the Wizards in Washington, and most certainly won't be able to lead a team that depended on LeBron to do everything for them last season.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
This team has been terrible for the better part of a decade, and losing their best player, Al Jefferson, won't be helping out the T-Wolves this season. The acquisition of Michael Beasley is experimental, at best, and Minnesota is still feeling the effects of Ricky Rubio snubbing the team to stay in Europe after he was drafted. The Wolves may have a bright future with Jonny Flynn and rookie, Wesley Johnson, but they simply do not have the talent to compete this year in a division that features the Jazz, Blazers, and Thunder; especially with Detroit cast-off, Darko Milicic, patrolling the paint for the entire season. Wait...do I see a pattern developing here?
27. Indiana Pacers
While Darren Collison will help straighten up the point guard position, the rest of the roster is a giant question mark. Roy Hibbert showed flashes last season, but is yet to show he can be a consistent threat in the post. Mike Dunleavy has been a solid pro since he was drafted out of Duke, but there is no guarantee the injuries that plagued him last season won't have any lasting affects. What also makes me cautious of picking Indiana to make any progress this season is that the recession of Detroit and Cleveland will help them in the standings, but the emergence of Milwaukee and Chicago will hurt them even more. It is also a scary proposition when their best player, Danny Granger, can win some games single-handedly, but is more likely to lose a game single-handedly, with his poor shot selection.
26. Sacramento Kings
This team should be called “The Island of Misfit Toys,” because the roster is filled with players who other teams have given up on, such as Luther Head, Samuel Dalembert, J.R. Giddens, and Antoine Wright. While young teams don't usually make an impact in the standings, I actually like the Kings to overachieve this season. They are led by defending Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans, and off-season acquisition, Carl Landry (one of the more underrated forwards in the league). And while many critics doubt his work ethic and passion for the game, I am actually expecting a solid performance out of rookie, DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins may be immature at times, but there is no denying that he can be a force in the paint, which is something the Kings have missed for the better part of this decade. But the reality of the situation is even with all my early optimism, and the emergence of Omri Casspi as an outside threat, this Kings team is still not going to even sniff the playoffs this season.
25. Golden State Warriors
Their cool new logo and uniforms are about all Warriors' fans have to look forward to this upcoming season. This team plays a brand of basketball that may jack up scores and get players big contracts when they leave, but what they do on the court does not equate to wins. This year will be no different. Stephen Curry may have impressed in his run with Team USA, but neither he nor Monta Ellis can carry a team, especially when neither plays defense, and half of the roster plays the same position. Luring David Lee away from the Knicks will improve the Warriors' play on the interior this season, but Lee is a complimentary player, who they paid superstar money to. Perhaps Lee will fit in better with new coach, Keith Smart's game plan, but Golden State still does not have the type of roster it takes to make any type of noise in the playoff race. They will score a lot, but they also will lose a lot more.
24. Detroit Pistons
It almost pains me to write this segment of the list, because I have been a die hard Pistons fan for quite some years. The fan in me wants to believe they will bounce back from their 27-55 record last season, but the unbiased, analytical writer in me knows better. I thought that drafting Greg Monroe was an excellent choice by Detroit's front office, but that's about all I like about this team. The front office can only blame themselves for the inevitable mediocrity that is this year's Pistons, because they spent essentially all of the team's cap space last off-season on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, who both come off the bench. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince may be the only silver-linings for this team, based on Richard Hamilton being slowed by injury, the front line consisting of undersized and under-talented power forwards, and the signing of the oft-inured, Tracy McGrady. Luckily they are only paying McGrady around $850,000 this season, which means he will be making approximately $170,000 for every game that he will actually be playing in (that's five games if you don't want to do the math).
23. Philadelphia 76ers
While this team does have a good, young nucleus in Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, they just don't make me believe in them. Since receiving a gigantic contract, Elton Brand has been seemingly too busy counting his money instead of going on the court and earning it. I liked the draft pick of taking Evan Turner; I just didn't like him going to the Sixers. Turner will have to fight for playing time at either wing behind Iguodala and Young, and when a player is drafted that high, he should have an immediate impact on the team. I don't see Turner having that effect if he is going to come off the bench. I can understand why Doug Collins would want to leave the broadcast table to coach a player of Turner's caliber, but if this team struggles to accumulate wins, he may not be around long enough to see Turner reach his full potential.
22. Washington Wizards
This season's opportunity for success in our nation's capital is contingent on one player: Gilbert Arenas. So in the grand scheme of things, I don't like Washington's chances. Arenas, when healthy, is one of the best pure scorers in the league. The only problems with that past statement, are he is either not healthy, or is in some type of legal trouble. The incident last season -- where he brought a gun into a locker room-- showed the type of character he possesses, which is not the kind of person I would want to lead my young team. This year's Wizards team also features Josh Howard, who was essentially run out of Dallas for numerous off-the-court antics. Washington's young, front court duo of JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche look to make solid contributions to the team, but I am not sold on John Wall as the “savior” of the franchise. Wall is a talented scorer, but he made far too many mistakes and turnovers at the college level for me to buy him as a dominant professional player.
21. New Orleans Hornets
We round out the bottom of the barrel with the team from The Big Easy. While I have often made it a point to never count out a team with Chris Paul on the roster, this year may make me change my stance. Paul is an electrifying player, but was slowed by injury last year. If the injury bug bites two years in a row, the Hornets have no other options at point guard after trading Darren Collison in the off season. Combine the departure of Collison with Peja Stojakovic being in the twilight of his career, and Emeka Okafor's inability to function in the offense, it appears the success of the Hornets will be up to Paul and David West. Adding Trevor Ariza will help on the defensive side of the ball, but with the exception of Paul, there is no one in the starting lineup that can create their own shot. The Hornets may be able to claw their way into the playoffs, but with the competition in the Western Conference, their potential to make any type of impact is bleak, at best.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Vain and Suffering
The main stories coming out of the first Sunday in this NFL season are the one-game resurgence of Michael Vick, the ineptness of the the Cowboys' offense, and Arian Foster's monster game for the Houston Texans. But what should be the focus of players and owners are the bevy of head injuries and concussions throughout the league.
Matt Moore, Kevin Boss, and DeMarcus Ware all suffered head or neck injuries in their first game, while Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley of the Philadelphia Eagles were both concussed within a span of a few minutes. What may be even more unbelievable is that both Eagles were allowed back in the game. Even after Kolb was driven face-first into the turf by Packers' linebacker, Clay Matthews, and Bradley fell lifelessly to the ground after trying to stand up, just moments after his helmet violently collided with a teammate's hip on an attempted tackle, the Eagles' medical staff saw no reason for them to be kept on the sidelines.
Injuries are part of the aggressive and violent game that is professional football, but career-threatening (and possibly life-threatening) injuries such as the ones discussed above need to be handled with the utmost care. The very fact that Kolb and Bradley were allowed back in the game is a joke, and a giant mistake by the Eagles' coaching and medical staff. I am no doctor, but if a grown man tries to stand up, then stumbles and flops to the ground like a sack of wet towels, then I would think he should not be allowed to go back onto a field where three-hundred-pound men are going to hit him. I can understand the desire to have one of your best defensive players on the field, but not at the expense of his health. It is sad to say, but in situations such as these, players are taken advantage of. They are taught at a very young age to ignore injuries and pain, so they feel as though they can play, or simply do not understand the severity of their injury.
The recent realizations on the effects of concussions and other severe injuries should be more than enough reasons for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to be agreed upon, because players are putting their careers at risk every time they step onto a football field. It was just three years ago that Bills' tight end, Kevin Everett, suffered a spinal-cord injury while trying to make a tackle on special teams. He was given a slim chance to walk again, if he even lived at all. Due to unbelievable amounts of willpower and spirit, Everett was able to walk on the field for the Bills' home finale later that year, but his career was done after just three seasons in the league. While Everett's story was one of inspiration, it is also a chilling reminder that NFL careers are extremely short. So it is imperative that a new CBA is reached, not only so fans around the world can have the pleasure of watching NFL football, but also to ensure players are taken care of in situations such as Everett's.
I know there will be people out there who would say that professional athletes get paid too much as it is, and are too greedy; which is a viewpoint I happen to agree with. But as greedy as NFL players are, NFL owners are just as covetous, if not more so. Plus the owners are not the individuals who are spending their adult lives in wheelchairs because of multiple knee surgeries, or the ones suffering brain damage from having defensive linemen drive them head-first into the ground for ten years. So, a new monetary agreement between the NFL players and owners appears to be the only way to ensure that football players will be compensated for the risks they take, and that fans will be able to watch them play in the future.
Matt Moore, Kevin Boss, and DeMarcus Ware all suffered head or neck injuries in their first game, while Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley of the Philadelphia Eagles were both concussed within a span of a few minutes. What may be even more unbelievable is that both Eagles were allowed back in the game. Even after Kolb was driven face-first into the turf by Packers' linebacker, Clay Matthews, and Bradley fell lifelessly to the ground after trying to stand up, just moments after his helmet violently collided with a teammate's hip on an attempted tackle, the Eagles' medical staff saw no reason for them to be kept on the sidelines.
Injuries are part of the aggressive and violent game that is professional football, but career-threatening (and possibly life-threatening) injuries such as the ones discussed above need to be handled with the utmost care. The very fact that Kolb and Bradley were allowed back in the game is a joke, and a giant mistake by the Eagles' coaching and medical staff. I am no doctor, but if a grown man tries to stand up, then stumbles and flops to the ground like a sack of wet towels, then I would think he should not be allowed to go back onto a field where three-hundred-pound men are going to hit him. I can understand the desire to have one of your best defensive players on the field, but not at the expense of his health. It is sad to say, but in situations such as these, players are taken advantage of. They are taught at a very young age to ignore injuries and pain, so they feel as though they can play, or simply do not understand the severity of their injury.
The recent realizations on the effects of concussions and other severe injuries should be more than enough reasons for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to be agreed upon, because players are putting their careers at risk every time they step onto a football field. It was just three years ago that Bills' tight end, Kevin Everett, suffered a spinal-cord injury while trying to make a tackle on special teams. He was given a slim chance to walk again, if he even lived at all. Due to unbelievable amounts of willpower and spirit, Everett was able to walk on the field for the Bills' home finale later that year, but his career was done after just three seasons in the league. While Everett's story was one of inspiration, it is also a chilling reminder that NFL careers are extremely short. So it is imperative that a new CBA is reached, not only so fans around the world can have the pleasure of watching NFL football, but also to ensure players are taken care of in situations such as Everett's.
I know there will be people out there who would say that professional athletes get paid too much as it is, and are too greedy; which is a viewpoint I happen to agree with. But as greedy as NFL players are, NFL owners are just as covetous, if not more so. Plus the owners are not the individuals who are spending their adult lives in wheelchairs because of multiple knee surgeries, or the ones suffering brain damage from having defensive linemen drive them head-first into the ground for ten years. So, a new monetary agreement between the NFL players and owners appears to be the only way to ensure that football players will be compensated for the risks they take, and that fans will be able to watch them play in the future.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Ramifications and Forgiveness
This upcoming season of NFL football could not be a more perfect example of how all past transgressions are forgiven, if you have the talent and the status. It was almost five months to the day that Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, was accused of sexual assault outside a Milledgeville, GA nightclub. Fast forward to present day, and the only talk surrounding Roethlisberger is his suspension being reduced from six games to four, and the ramifications of him missing a quarter of the Steelers games.
Now, I can understand NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, reducing Roethlisberger's suspension, because Ben was never actually convicted of any crime, and fulfilled all the requirements of his rehabilitation. What is beyond comprehension is how quickly Steelers fans were willing to welcome Roethlisberger back with open arms; even cheering him at his first practice with the team. It appears they have either forgotten Roethlisberger's past behavior, or they simply do not care. Five months ago countless Steelers fans were calling in to every Pittsburgh radio station, berating Roethlisberger, and requesting that he be traded before the season. Less than half a year later, it's autographs and standing ovations at training camp.
While the facts of that fateful night in Milledgeville may be misconstrued and altered by doctors, police, and witnesses, the fact still remains that Roethlisberger acted unethically. Even if no sexual assault occurred that night, he was still having intercourse with a drunk girl in a nightclub bathroom. And let us not forget that this incident happened less than a year after Roethlisberger was accused of raping a woman at a hotel in Lake Tahoe. Call me crazy, but I do believe I see a pattern forming.
What is sad is that Ben is not the only football player receiving preferential treatment this season. Last June, then Browns wide receiver, Donte Stallworth, was driving drunk in Florida when he struck and killed Mario Reyes, who was trying to catch a bus to get home from work. Stallworth faced fifteen years in prison for DUI manslaughter, but was instead sentenced to thirty days (of which he was only required to serve twenty-four). If not for a broken foot that he suffered during a preseason game, Stallworth would be playing Week 1 for the Baltimore Ravens, after being suspended for all of the 2009 season.
I am well aware that everybody makes mistakes in their lives, and I am no different. I also believe everybody deserves a chance to make amends for their transgressions. But what separates me from the two athletes I have focused on is they receive second, third, fourth, and sometimes double-digit chances. And perhaps Roethlisberger and Stallworth will never have any future issues in their personal lives. Perhaps they will both be upstanding citizens and perfect role models from this point on. Personally, I would enjoy seeing that development, because while I don't think very highly of either man at this point in time, I believe the mistakes they have made could be examples to others, both on and off the football field. Every person deserves a chance at redemption, but just because some can throw or catch a touchdown pass, does not mean they are allowed to be redeemed any more swiftly than the rest of us.
Now, I can understand NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, reducing Roethlisberger's suspension, because Ben was never actually convicted of any crime, and fulfilled all the requirements of his rehabilitation. What is beyond comprehension is how quickly Steelers fans were willing to welcome Roethlisberger back with open arms; even cheering him at his first practice with the team. It appears they have either forgotten Roethlisberger's past behavior, or they simply do not care. Five months ago countless Steelers fans were calling in to every Pittsburgh radio station, berating Roethlisberger, and requesting that he be traded before the season. Less than half a year later, it's autographs and standing ovations at training camp.
While the facts of that fateful night in Milledgeville may be misconstrued and altered by doctors, police, and witnesses, the fact still remains that Roethlisberger acted unethically. Even if no sexual assault occurred that night, he was still having intercourse with a drunk girl in a nightclub bathroom. And let us not forget that this incident happened less than a year after Roethlisberger was accused of raping a woman at a hotel in Lake Tahoe. Call me crazy, but I do believe I see a pattern forming.
What is sad is that Ben is not the only football player receiving preferential treatment this season. Last June, then Browns wide receiver, Donte Stallworth, was driving drunk in Florida when he struck and killed Mario Reyes, who was trying to catch a bus to get home from work. Stallworth faced fifteen years in prison for DUI manslaughter, but was instead sentenced to thirty days (of which he was only required to serve twenty-four). If not for a broken foot that he suffered during a preseason game, Stallworth would be playing Week 1 for the Baltimore Ravens, after being suspended for all of the 2009 season.
I am well aware that everybody makes mistakes in their lives, and I am no different. I also believe everybody deserves a chance to make amends for their transgressions. But what separates me from the two athletes I have focused on is they receive second, third, fourth, and sometimes double-digit chances. And perhaps Roethlisberger and Stallworth will never have any future issues in their personal lives. Perhaps they will both be upstanding citizens and perfect role models from this point on. Personally, I would enjoy seeing that development, because while I don't think very highly of either man at this point in time, I believe the mistakes they have made could be examples to others, both on and off the football field. Every person deserves a chance at redemption, but just because some can throw or catch a touchdown pass, does not mean they are allowed to be redeemed any more swiftly than the rest of us.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Game Time: A Time to Work
Let me start out today by simply saying that I HATE TWITTER. I believe Twitter does nothing but feed the ego maniacal, narcissistic individuals who use it, and that it is an utterly useless way to spend one's time. That being said, I am glad to know the NFL has fined Bengals' wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco, $25,000 for Tweeting during Cincinnati's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The NFL rules on the matter very clearly state that players are allowed to post on social networking sites up to 90 minutes before kickoff, and cannot resume posting until they have fulfilled all postgame media commitments. Chad posted a Tweet at 6:50 p.m. and another at 9:53 p.m. These times would have no significance but for the fact that the game kicked off at 8:07 p.m. And if my public school math skills are correct, the first Tweet is in direct violation of the 90-minute rule, and the second Tweet occurred during the game, which is simply unethical.
Tweeting during a game is wrong in so many ways, but the pregame Tweet may be even worse. Chad's time could have been spent with the coaching staff, or his fellow receivers, but instead he was hiding in his locker, Blackberry in hand. And just think of the message he is sending to his teammates, by Tweeting when they are on the field trying to win a football game. I know it's just a preseason game, but there are guys on the field who are still fighting for roster spots, so maybe a team veteran like Chad should be paying attention. Ocho may just be able to give these young players some tips or advice if he weren't so concerned with his followers knowing that he doesn't appreciate being hit so hard in a preseason game.
Personally, I don't hate Chad Ochocinco. In fact, I happen to think he is a great football player, and an even better entertainer; but he deserved to be fined $25,000. The NFL needed to set a precedent for cases such as this, in order to ensure it will never happen again. And it may seem a bit melodramatic to make Twitter out to be some evil entity, but one can only imagine how out of hand it could get if left unchecked. Would it really make the viewing experience better if in the fourth quarter of a Vikings game, Brett Favre's followers could be privy to insight such as “Dang, missed Percy on the slant. Could have won the game. Buy some Wranglers.” So what Chad has to realize is that when he puts on that orange and black jersey, he's at work, and you don't need to be Tweeting at work; especially when a 245-pound linebacker is going to try to take your head off in an hour-and-a-half.
The NFL rules on the matter very clearly state that players are allowed to post on social networking sites up to 90 minutes before kickoff, and cannot resume posting until they have fulfilled all postgame media commitments. Chad posted a Tweet at 6:50 p.m. and another at 9:53 p.m. These times would have no significance but for the fact that the game kicked off at 8:07 p.m. And if my public school math skills are correct, the first Tweet is in direct violation of the 90-minute rule, and the second Tweet occurred during the game, which is simply unethical.
Tweeting during a game is wrong in so many ways, but the pregame Tweet may be even worse. Chad's time could have been spent with the coaching staff, or his fellow receivers, but instead he was hiding in his locker, Blackberry in hand. And just think of the message he is sending to his teammates, by Tweeting when they are on the field trying to win a football game. I know it's just a preseason game, but there are guys on the field who are still fighting for roster spots, so maybe a team veteran like Chad should be paying attention. Ocho may just be able to give these young players some tips or advice if he weren't so concerned with his followers knowing that he doesn't appreciate being hit so hard in a preseason game.
Personally, I don't hate Chad Ochocinco. In fact, I happen to think he is a great football player, and an even better entertainer; but he deserved to be fined $25,000. The NFL needed to set a precedent for cases such as this, in order to ensure it will never happen again. And it may seem a bit melodramatic to make Twitter out to be some evil entity, but one can only imagine how out of hand it could get if left unchecked. Would it really make the viewing experience better if in the fourth quarter of a Vikings game, Brett Favre's followers could be privy to insight such as “Dang, missed Percy on the slant. Could have won the game. Buy some Wranglers.” So what Chad has to realize is that when he puts on that orange and black jersey, he's at work, and you don't need to be Tweeting at work; especially when a 245-pound linebacker is going to try to take your head off in an hour-and-a-half.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Stars and Stripes.
With all the hoopla surrounding the four snaps Brett Favre took in his return to the Vikings, Lou Piniella's retirement, and baseball's division races, it appears people don't realize there is a USA basketball team playing overseas, and representing our country quite solidly. Now, I know there are those out there that will scoff at the mere mention of a USA hoops team without names like Bryant, Kidd, Wade, LeBron, and Carmelo, but I would not discount this team too quickly. I concur that without the “sexy” aforementioned names, this current assortment of ballers may not be worthy of national pandemonium, but they are more than an acceptable group.
With no members of the “Redeem Team” able to play on the World Championship roster, fans of international basketball get to see a new gathering of young, hungry, NBA players, who may not be household names at this point in their careers. This year we say “goodbye” to LeBron James, and “hello” to Kevin Durant, last season's scoring champion. Team USA loses Carmelo and D-Wade, but gains freak athletes in Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, and Derrick Rose. The void of veteran leadership left by Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant is filled by two-time champ, Lamar Odom, and 2004 NBA Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups. When the two rosters are compared, it seems the only aspect 2010 USA Basketball may be lacking is jersey sales.
The 2010 roster may even have one advantage over the 2008 “Redeem Team”: outside shooting. The trio of Danny Granger, Eric Gordon, and Stephen Curry provide consistent outside threats for the drive-and-dish play of Rose and Russel Westbrook. This current roster will also benefit from Billups' ability to knock down outside shots, which should be a benefit when opposing teams play zone.
The one issue for this team will most likely be interior play. The only true center on the Team USA roster is Tyson Chandler, who has proven to be less than reliable, in terms of health, over the past two seasons. It is ironic, however, that Chandler's job will be made a great deal easier by injuries to key bigs on other teams. Chandler should be able to sleep better at night knowing he won't have to contend with China's Yao Ming or Australia's Andrew Bogut. Add the fact that the Spanish national team will only have one Gasol brother, and it suddenly seems as though all Tyson Chandler will have to do is rebound, block a few shots, and maybe throw down an alley-oop or two for the USA to be contenders.
Even though some of these players may not even get recognized in the cities they play in, they still deserve to be appreciated for their efforts. Everybody on this roster could have said “it's not like we're playing in the Olympics,” and just stayed home this summer. But instead they dedicated themselves to continuing the momentum from the “Redeem Team,” in order to make the USA a powerhouse in international basketball again. And I know most of these players may just be auditioning so Mike Krzyzewski will consider them for the next Olympic team, but I see that as a positive. Players like Durant, Rose, Iguodala, and Westbrook are not only the future of the NBA, but are also the building blocks for years of international basketball, and if they don't want to wait for spots on the Olympic team to open up, then more power to them for trying to take a spot. Personally, I am excited to see how these "kids" will stack up against the best in the world. I don't expect it to be an easy road by any means, but I firmly believe that by the end of the World Championships, we'll be proud of them.
With no members of the “Redeem Team” able to play on the World Championship roster, fans of international basketball get to see a new gathering of young, hungry, NBA players, who may not be household names at this point in their careers. This year we say “goodbye” to LeBron James, and “hello” to Kevin Durant, last season's scoring champion. Team USA loses Carmelo and D-Wade, but gains freak athletes in Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, and Derrick Rose. The void of veteran leadership left by Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant is filled by two-time champ, Lamar Odom, and 2004 NBA Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups. When the two rosters are compared, it seems the only aspect 2010 USA Basketball may be lacking is jersey sales.
The 2010 roster may even have one advantage over the 2008 “Redeem Team”: outside shooting. The trio of Danny Granger, Eric Gordon, and Stephen Curry provide consistent outside threats for the drive-and-dish play of Rose and Russel Westbrook. This current roster will also benefit from Billups' ability to knock down outside shots, which should be a benefit when opposing teams play zone.
The one issue for this team will most likely be interior play. The only true center on the Team USA roster is Tyson Chandler, who has proven to be less than reliable, in terms of health, over the past two seasons. It is ironic, however, that Chandler's job will be made a great deal easier by injuries to key bigs on other teams. Chandler should be able to sleep better at night knowing he won't have to contend with China's Yao Ming or Australia's Andrew Bogut. Add the fact that the Spanish national team will only have one Gasol brother, and it suddenly seems as though all Tyson Chandler will have to do is rebound, block a few shots, and maybe throw down an alley-oop or two for the USA to be contenders.
Even though some of these players may not even get recognized in the cities they play in, they still deserve to be appreciated for their efforts. Everybody on this roster could have said “it's not like we're playing in the Olympics,” and just stayed home this summer. But instead they dedicated themselves to continuing the momentum from the “Redeem Team,” in order to make the USA a powerhouse in international basketball again. And I know most of these players may just be auditioning so Mike Krzyzewski will consider them for the next Olympic team, but I see that as a positive. Players like Durant, Rose, Iguodala, and Westbrook are not only the future of the NBA, but are also the building blocks for years of international basketball, and if they don't want to wait for spots on the Olympic team to open up, then more power to them for trying to take a spot. Personally, I am excited to see how these "kids" will stack up against the best in the world. I don't expect it to be an easy road by any means, but I firmly believe that by the end of the World Championships, we'll be proud of them.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Diamond Marathon
One common complaint in the sports world is the fact that baseball games just don't seem to end...ever. And when the players aren't taking an exorbitant amount of time to complete their bevy of rituals, there are certain aspects of the game that also lead to even further delays. Now, I can honestly say I do enjoy watching baseball games, but there are still times when I will watch the result of a pitch, then flip to another channel because I know it will be another two minutes before the pitcher will be ready to deliver again. And heaven forbid there be a mound visit anywhere in that sequence, because I'll turn away for so long, I may just forget I was watching a game at all. So in this particular article I will explore some common suggestions for improving baseball, and determine if they are worthy of consideration.
1. There is no need for a player to run the bases after hitting a home run.
I don't tend to agree in this instance, mostly because I don't believe this change would cut down on game time much. Batters are usually at first, and possibly rounding the base, when the ball lands, so they would already be 90 feet away from home anyway. In that case, they may as well just keep going. I also foresee an increase in boneheaded plays if this rule were enacted, as we all know that many players who think they have hit a home run, would simply stand at home plate, only to have the ball bounce off the wall and turn their would be double into the longest single in baseball history.
2. Once a batter enters the box, he must stay there.
This seems to me like a good idea, because most batters tend to take a strike, step out of the box, adjust their helmet, grab their crotch, re-strap the Velcro on their batting gloves, eat a sandwich, update their Twitter profile, then step back in for the next pitch. No more! Unless the momentum of a player swinging takes him out of the batter's box, then he needs to stay in there until the at-bat is over, or he will be assessed a strike. This rule would definitely make Nomar Garciaparra glad he is retired.
3. Allow the use of designated hitters for both leagues.
I can already hear the moans and groans of baseball purists, but I really do agree with this particular suggestion. With the exception of the Reds' Mike Leake, nobody wants to see a pitcher hit. I would liken witnessing some of these hurlers in the box to watching a thirteen- year-old take on Tyson in his prime: it's just not fair, and is quite honestly a bit sad and tragic. I understand it's not really the pitcher's fault, because they get paid to pitch. So let's leave hitting to the guys who are paid to do it. It's not like you see NFL kickers playing nose tackle.
4. Use instant replay on the base paths.
I am for this suggestion, not because I believe baseball umpires are incompetent, but more because officiating at the bases is such a difficult task. Umpires must be aware of ball, runner, base, and fielder all at the same time, and make immediate decisions on plays that occur in fractions of seconds, with less than optimal viewing angles. I'm sure umpires would feel more relaxed, and would ultimately make better calls, if they knew they didn't have to be perfect on every play. I think Jim Joyce would agree (Editor's note: Stop piling on Jim Joyce).
5. Limit the number of visits to the mound.
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. As aforementioned, I am mot the biggest fan of mound visits. They take far too long, too many players get involved, and I don't really believe they are all that necessary. I concede that there are times when defensive alignments need to be set, but isn't that what all those goofy hand signals are for? And yes, there are certain situations when a catcher may need to explain how to pitch to a certain hitter, but that's also why teams pay scouts for their advanced reports. Personally, I enjoy watching Yadier Molina play the position, not only for his defensive prowess, but also how he handles the Cardinal's pitching staff. If the pitcher makes a good pitch, point at him and nod your head. If he makes a bad pitch, rifle the ball back at him and wake his butt up. Every catcher should learn Molina's techniques so we can cut down on all these mound visits. My suggestion: one visit for every three innings, and that includes pitching coach visits, unless the skipper goes out to give a pitcher the ol' yank.
6. Use a pitch clock, similar to the shot clock in basketball.
Surprisingly, I am not very supportive of this suggestion. While some pitchers do take eons to deliver a pitch (*cough*...Dice-K...*cough*) I believe the pace of an at-bat is set by the hitter, who has the option of stepping out of the box, calling for time, and generally, just plain stalling. If the need for the pitcher to wait for the hitter is eliminated, then they will be ready to pitch sooner, thus the pace of the games will naturally quicken.
So there's my master plan for “fixing” baseball. The truth is, I honestly think most sports fans do enjoy watching baseball. We just don't like watching it for four-and-a-half hours.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Held Hostage
If there is one story I cannot stand to hear about for one more minute, it is the three years of coverage on Brett Favre's playing status. Being a lifelong Packers fan, I understand the charisma that Favre possesses, and the infatuation fans can have with him. But a line has to be drawn for what is relevant, and what is purely unnecessary. To be frank, I don't really care to watch ten minutes of shirtless high schoolers catching passes from Number 4. I also don't really need to know if three of his buddies from the Vikings flew down to Mississippi to grovel at the feet of their quarterback, and beg him to return for next season; which brings me to my next point.
I know Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson, and Jared Allen may just be taking a trip down to check on the Ol' Gunslinger's healing process, but I doubt they would take a flight from Minnesota to Mississippi for information they could have attained via text message. To me, all signs point to the Viking trio arriving in Hattiesburg and promptly showing up at Favre's house with gifts in hand, and tails tucked firmly between their legs. Now, I completely disagree with how the Vikings' front office has given Favre free reign over their franchise, but wasn't it just two weeks ago that Jared Allen was telling reporters that the Vikings would go on with or without Favre? That statement would have had a bit more impact if your stance lasted more than a month, Jared.
Jared Allen pales in comparison to head coach Brad Childress, though, because Allen, Hutchinson, and Longwell are skipping practice to visit Favre, which would most likely garner a fine from any other coach. But don't expect the trio to even receive a slap on the wrist, because Childress has been the driving force behind Favre's sychophantic behavior since Brett stepped foot in Minnesota. This is the head coach, who should be concentrating on the players who cared enough to show up for camp, instead of traveling 1,100 miles away from his team to go armadillo hunting with a forty-year-old man, who may not even be his signal-caller this upcoming season. Favre has become the NFL's version of LeBron James...or maybe the other way around. The point is that Favre retires and unretires, works out with high school players, and doesn't show up for training camp because he knows he can get away with it. If a six-year-old stays up until midnight, and his parents don't tell him/her they can't do that, then guess what? That kid is going to continue staying up until midnight.
So, wake up, Vikings. If you don't want Brett Favre to put you through all the waiting, guessing, and drama, then don't let him.
I know Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson, and Jared Allen may just be taking a trip down to check on the Ol' Gunslinger's healing process, but I doubt they would take a flight from Minnesota to Mississippi for information they could have attained via text message. To me, all signs point to the Viking trio arriving in Hattiesburg and promptly showing up at Favre's house with gifts in hand, and tails tucked firmly between their legs. Now, I completely disagree with how the Vikings' front office has given Favre free reign over their franchise, but wasn't it just two weeks ago that Jared Allen was telling reporters that the Vikings would go on with or without Favre? That statement would have had a bit more impact if your stance lasted more than a month, Jared.
Jared Allen pales in comparison to head coach Brad Childress, though, because Allen, Hutchinson, and Longwell are skipping practice to visit Favre, which would most likely garner a fine from any other coach. But don't expect the trio to even receive a slap on the wrist, because Childress has been the driving force behind Favre's sychophantic behavior since Brett stepped foot in Minnesota. This is the head coach, who should be concentrating on the players who cared enough to show up for camp, instead of traveling 1,100 miles away from his team to go armadillo hunting with a forty-year-old man, who may not even be his signal-caller this upcoming season. Favre has become the NFL's version of LeBron James...or maybe the other way around. The point is that Favre retires and unretires, works out with high school players, and doesn't show up for training camp because he knows he can get away with it. If a six-year-old stays up until midnight, and his parents don't tell him/her they can't do that, then guess what? That kid is going to continue staying up until midnight.
So, wake up, Vikings. If you don't want Brett Favre to put you through all the waiting, guessing, and drama, then don't let him.
Breaking Tradition
I would like to consider myself to be an "old school" sports fan. I love the old, historic venues, like Lambeau field and Joe Louis Arena, as much as the next guy, but there are some traditions that just need to be abolished. One of the more obvious cases for the evolution of rules and tradition is professional golf, and more specifically, the travesty that occurred with Dustin Johnson.
For those of you who missed the event, Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty on the 18th hole, which prevented him from competing in the playoff for the PGA championship. What dastardly act could have possibly been worthy of such a steep penalty on the last hole of an event? Before taking his second shot, Johnson indented the bunker his ball had landed in, with the head of his club. That's it. That move cost Johnson two strokes and a shot at a major. He may as well have cold-clocked another golfer, because maybe that would actually be an act deserving a two-stroke penalty.
What may have been even more ridiculous than the actual penalty, was the state of the "bunker" that Johnson's ball landed in. The spot in question looked more like Hulk Hogan's bald spot than a PGA-groomed bunker. Having read the rules on bunkers from the PGA rulebook, I do concede that the spot was "technically" a bunker, but in all actuality, it was a worn down spot of dirt with fifteen spectators trampling all over it. Now, if that spot were in fact a bunker, shouldn't somebody get those people out of there? It's not as if you see girls in bikinis sunbathing in the sand traps at Augusta. Not only did the PGA drop the ball on course security, but they also failed in how they dealt with Johnson. One would think that when a man is lining up for a shot that could help him win a major championship, a PGA official may just want to go over to him and say "Hey, Dustin, I know there were just twenty people doing keg-stands next to your ball, but that is technically a bunker, so watch where you tap your club." Not only would such a gesture be common courtesy, it would also be the right thing to do. While watching football I constantly hear referees yelling at offensive linemen to stop holding, before they throw a flag. The same can be said for officiating physical post play in the NBA, and questionable low blows in boxing and/or MMA. The point is that these players are given warnings, and a chance to correct their mistakes before being penalized. Dustin Johnson was never given that chance.
I understand that PGA officials were simply following the letter of the law, but I believe they should have considered intent. Floyd Landis was stripped of his Tour de France victory because the steroids he used gave him an unfair advantage over his fellow cyclists. Sammy Sosa was suspended because the corked bat he used in a game gave him the ability to hit a ball farther than players with regulation bats. Hockey players with too much curve on the blades of their sticks are assessed penalties, and could have goals disallowed, because the added angle gives them far greater puck control over their rule-abiding counterparts.
So let me just ask this question: What advantage did Dustin Johnson get from placing his clubhead on a patch of dirt?
For those of you who missed the event, Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty on the 18th hole, which prevented him from competing in the playoff for the PGA championship. What dastardly act could have possibly been worthy of such a steep penalty on the last hole of an event? Before taking his second shot, Johnson indented the bunker his ball had landed in, with the head of his club. That's it. That move cost Johnson two strokes and a shot at a major. He may as well have cold-clocked another golfer, because maybe that would actually be an act deserving a two-stroke penalty.
What may have been even more ridiculous than the actual penalty, was the state of the "bunker" that Johnson's ball landed in. The spot in question looked more like Hulk Hogan's bald spot than a PGA-groomed bunker. Having read the rules on bunkers from the PGA rulebook, I do concede that the spot was "technically" a bunker, but in all actuality, it was a worn down spot of dirt with fifteen spectators trampling all over it. Now, if that spot were in fact a bunker, shouldn't somebody get those people out of there? It's not as if you see girls in bikinis sunbathing in the sand traps at Augusta. Not only did the PGA drop the ball on course security, but they also failed in how they dealt with Johnson. One would think that when a man is lining up for a shot that could help him win a major championship, a PGA official may just want to go over to him and say "Hey, Dustin, I know there were just twenty people doing keg-stands next to your ball, but that is technically a bunker, so watch where you tap your club." Not only would such a gesture be common courtesy, it would also be the right thing to do. While watching football I constantly hear referees yelling at offensive linemen to stop holding, before they throw a flag. The same can be said for officiating physical post play in the NBA, and questionable low blows in boxing and/or MMA. The point is that these players are given warnings, and a chance to correct their mistakes before being penalized. Dustin Johnson was never given that chance.
I understand that PGA officials were simply following the letter of the law, but I believe they should have considered intent. Floyd Landis was stripped of his Tour de France victory because the steroids he used gave him an unfair advantage over his fellow cyclists. Sammy Sosa was suspended because the corked bat he used in a game gave him the ability to hit a ball farther than players with regulation bats. Hockey players with too much curve on the blades of their sticks are assessed penalties, and could have goals disallowed, because the added angle gives them far greater puck control over their rule-abiding counterparts.
So let me just ask this question: What advantage did Dustin Johnson get from placing his clubhead on a patch of dirt?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Dream Teamer
Yesterday marked one of the proudest moments I have had as a fan of professional sports. My all-time favorite basketball player - and maybe athlete in general - Scottie Pippen, was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I know for every fan of Pippen there are just as many detractors, who would say he would have been nothing without Jordan. This may very well be true, but the fact still remains that Jordan didn't have much success without Pippen either. Scottie's poster may not have been on the walls of every young boy in America, but he was the type of player a young man like myself could relate to. Scottie seemed human, when Jordan appeared to be superhuman. Scottie was complimentary, while Jordan was extraordinary. But what drew me to Pippen was his will to win and the glimpses of a “swagger” that would appear when he was posterizing opponents before the word “posterizing” even existed.
Even though Pippen was seen as the supporting player behind arguably the best in the history of the game, it was clear to me that he was perhaps the more important. He became one of the the most underrated defensive players in NBA history, was always prepared to take a game over in case MJ was double-teamed, and did all the little things that superstars of this era just don't do. Granted, the game has evolved since the Bulls' title reigns, but hustle never goes out of style. I believe the six rings currently adorning Scottie's trophy case are a testament to that statement.
So, congratulations to you, Scottie Pippen. Your playing career was an inspiration for my childhood aspirations, on and off the court. You may not ever receive the recognition you deserve, but the faded, black and red, number thirty-three jersey hanging in my closet is just a small example of how much you are appreciated.
Even though Pippen was seen as the supporting player behind arguably the best in the history of the game, it was clear to me that he was perhaps the more important. He became one of the the most underrated defensive players in NBA history, was always prepared to take a game over in case MJ was double-teamed, and did all the little things that superstars of this era just don't do. Granted, the game has evolved since the Bulls' title reigns, but hustle never goes out of style. I believe the six rings currently adorning Scottie's trophy case are a testament to that statement.
So, congratulations to you, Scottie Pippen. Your playing career was an inspiration for my childhood aspirations, on and off the court. You may not ever receive the recognition you deserve, but the faded, black and red, number thirty-three jersey hanging in my closet is just a small example of how much you are appreciated.
Friday, August 13, 2010
The fight for the NL Central...no, literally.
In the tightly contested race for the NL Central, it seems as though the crushing blow has been struck. The brawl in Cincinnati appeared to be a young, confident team standing up to the perennial favorites of the division, but I tend to see it in a different manner. To me, picking a fight with the team that had handled you mightily the night before was nothing more than an act of desperation from a team that has ultimately met a superior opponent.
Now, I do not condone the actions of the Cardinals in retaliating during the skirmish, especially Yadier Molina. I hold Molina in high regards as one of the best human beings in baseball, and to see him stoop to the level of the loud-mouthed Brandon Phillips was a bit disappointing, even though I can understand how it would be difficult to hold one's composure in the face of such a character. It was, however, refreshing to see Phillips back up all that trash talking with colossal strikeouts and ferocious ground outs to second.
One of the more surprising aspects of the entire situation (besides Johnny Cueto trying to spike anybody within a five-foot radius) was Scott Rolen's actions towards Chris Carpenter. I could not completely decipher if Rolen was attempting to harm Carpenter, but the look on his face sure did not seem like the visage of a man trying to diffuse a situation. I understand that Rolen is now a Red, and subsequently on the other side of this fierce rivalry, but he is attacking guys he won a ring with. We never saw Manny charge across the field at Fenway with the Dodgers and take a shot at Josh Beckett, so I really don't understand where Rolen's animosity is coming from. Perhaps Rolen simply got caught up in the moment, and only saw an opposing jersey instead of the man wearing it, but I don't believe there is any excuse for hostility towards a man who is a key reason for the jewelry in your trophy case.
While the actions of some Reds players may have been somewhat confusing, the motive of the instigater is quite simple. I honestly believe that Brandon Phillips was attempting to get some source of satisfaction out of the series, and because the team didn't really seem like they wanted to show up, he decided to take other actions; a type of “if you can't beat 'em, then beat 'em up” mentality. But the fight proved absolutely nothing, and really backfired on Phillips, as the Cardinals swept the series easily, and one of Cincinnati's best pitchers was the only player to get suspended in the tussle. While some believe the fight may galvanize the Reds to make a push to regain the division lead, it seems clear to me that if you can't beat them on the field, and you can't beat them up on the field, then there seems to be little you can do to knock the Cardinals off their perch, firmly atop the NL Central.
Now, I do not condone the actions of the Cardinals in retaliating during the skirmish, especially Yadier Molina. I hold Molina in high regards as one of the best human beings in baseball, and to see him stoop to the level of the loud-mouthed Brandon Phillips was a bit disappointing, even though I can understand how it would be difficult to hold one's composure in the face of such a character. It was, however, refreshing to see Phillips back up all that trash talking with colossal strikeouts and ferocious ground outs to second.
One of the more surprising aspects of the entire situation (besides Johnny Cueto trying to spike anybody within a five-foot radius) was Scott Rolen's actions towards Chris Carpenter. I could not completely decipher if Rolen was attempting to harm Carpenter, but the look on his face sure did not seem like the visage of a man trying to diffuse a situation. I understand that Rolen is now a Red, and subsequently on the other side of this fierce rivalry, but he is attacking guys he won a ring with. We never saw Manny charge across the field at Fenway with the Dodgers and take a shot at Josh Beckett, so I really don't understand where Rolen's animosity is coming from. Perhaps Rolen simply got caught up in the moment, and only saw an opposing jersey instead of the man wearing it, but I don't believe there is any excuse for hostility towards a man who is a key reason for the jewelry in your trophy case.
While the actions of some Reds players may have been somewhat confusing, the motive of the instigater is quite simple. I honestly believe that Brandon Phillips was attempting to get some source of satisfaction out of the series, and because the team didn't really seem like they wanted to show up, he decided to take other actions; a type of “if you can't beat 'em, then beat 'em up” mentality. But the fight proved absolutely nothing, and really backfired on Phillips, as the Cardinals swept the series easily, and one of Cincinnati's best pitchers was the only player to get suspended in the tussle. While some believe the fight may galvanize the Reds to make a push to regain the division lead, it seems clear to me that if you can't beat them on the field, and you can't beat them up on the field, then there seems to be little you can do to knock the Cardinals off their perch, firmly atop the NL Central.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
600*
While it may be time to celebrate another milestone in baseball, the mood is not that of a Hank Aaron, or a Cal Ripken. The very fact that Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance enhancing drugs should not diminish the fact that he has completed a grand accomplishment, but he should also take his fair share of criticism. Most "experts" and sports fans would say that hitting a baseball is quite possibly the hardest task in sports, which is why those who are the best at it get the fattest paychecks. The fact that A-Rod was a juicer does not change the fact that he has an eye for the baseball, and the natural ability to make consistent contact. That being said, I still don't believe that Rodriguez's accomplishment should be registered without some type of indication of his behavior (an asterisk perhaps?), because the simple truth is that he cheated. Anybody can say what they want about Barry Bonds, but he has never actually tested positive for PED's during his playing career. Now, his upcoming perjury trial may change his status indefinitely, but the fact still remains that critics don't have any solid proof on Bonds...yet.
Rodriguez is a completely different story altogether because everyone knows definitively that he cheated and subsequently lied about it; only coming clean when he was made aware of a positive test. While steroids do not give a person the ability to hit like Pete Rose, they do make you somewhat stronger, and more importantly, they decrease the time it takes to recover from injury. I don't know if I would feel so strongly on this issue if steroids only made you a bit stronger, because you still have to possess the natural ability to hit a ninety-eight mile-an-hour fastball in order to be successful. What bothers me so severely is that while A-Rod was using, he recovered more quickly than the players who were playing clean, which is definitely an unfair advantage. A one hundred and sixty-two game schedule is a lot more easy to endure if your muscles aren't wracked with pain every day (I would also bet it makes it a lot easier to hit home runs). So if A-Rod eventually gets to eight hundred-which is looking less and less plausible-there should be some indication in the record books to verify that what he did was wrong; not only for the fans of major league baseball, but also to all the clean, honest baseball players, who would rather condition their bodies to stand the rigors of the MLB season than stick a needle in themselves. If Rodriguez can stay healthy and hit two hundred more homers, he should be congratulated, but in no way should he be celebrated.
Rodriguez is a completely different story altogether because everyone knows definitively that he cheated and subsequently lied about it; only coming clean when he was made aware of a positive test. While steroids do not give a person the ability to hit like Pete Rose, they do make you somewhat stronger, and more importantly, they decrease the time it takes to recover from injury. I don't know if I would feel so strongly on this issue if steroids only made you a bit stronger, because you still have to possess the natural ability to hit a ninety-eight mile-an-hour fastball in order to be successful. What bothers me so severely is that while A-Rod was using, he recovered more quickly than the players who were playing clean, which is definitely an unfair advantage. A one hundred and sixty-two game schedule is a lot more easy to endure if your muscles aren't wracked with pain every day (I would also bet it makes it a lot easier to hit home runs). So if A-Rod eventually gets to eight hundred-which is looking less and less plausible-there should be some indication in the record books to verify that what he did was wrong; not only for the fans of major league baseball, but also to all the clean, honest baseball players, who would rather condition their bodies to stand the rigors of the MLB season than stick a needle in themselves. If Rodriguez can stay healthy and hit two hundred more homers, he should be congratulated, but in no way should he be celebrated.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
10 million people can't be wrong
There have been many an analyst talking about the over sized ego of one LeBron James, and his sycophantic special to announce where he would be playing next season. We all know how that ended, which is a different topic for a different post. What caught my attention almost more than LeBron's actual decision was the utter contempt that analysts, media, and society in general had with the manner in which he made the decision. Having watched the entire special, I can honestly say that it was awkward, unorganized, and painfully drawn out, but the key factor is that I did watch, and so did millions of other people around the world. Whether you hated, loved, or really had no strong opinion of LeBron James, you still watched his one hour special. That fact alone gives LeBron cause to hold the special in the first place, because he can get away with it. Now, I am in no way making an attempt to defend LeBron. I do, however, believe it is time for analysts, fans, and the general populace to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
LeBron's ego maniacal behavior is most likely the result of being showered with national praise and admiration since he was a junior in high school. From the day he began to garner any attention LeBron was reminded on a daily basis that he was the greatest basketball player on the face of the earth. I am not trying to devalue his talent, because it is substantial, but one can only be anointed as the second coming of MJ for so long before they begin to believe their own hype. Getting drafted to his home state's team did nothing to squelch the situation, either. From the second LeBron arrived in Cleveland he was handled with FIFA goalkeeper gloves, as fear spread throughout the masses of Ohio that they would not be able to keep their favorite son. The seven years in Cleveland caused LeBron's ego to grow so rapidly, that the building-sized poster downtown was actually a pretty accurate to-scale model of it (also, if somebody were to put a building-sized poster of you in one of the most visible locations in town, wouldn't you think you were kind of special?). For those seven years all LeBron heard was how much of an icon and superstar he was, which was true. There was but one problem with Cleveland fans' logic, though: the simple fact that superstars and icons don't play in Cleveland. LeBron's transformation to a full-blown egomaniac had been completed; he was too big for Cleveland, too big for Ohio, too big for the Midwest. Perhaps Cleveland could have kept LeBron if they had, oh I don't know, told him "no" on occasion. Perhaps they could have kept him if national media wasn't doing an injury update every ten minutes after that hideous left-handed free throw. And maybe, just maybe, they could have kept him if 10 million people decided they had something better to do than watch a one hour special for a ten second announcement. The fact is that LeBron is the monster, and we are Doctor Frankenstein. We created him, and now we must suffer the consequences.
LeBron's ego maniacal behavior is most likely the result of being showered with national praise and admiration since he was a junior in high school. From the day he began to garner any attention LeBron was reminded on a daily basis that he was the greatest basketball player on the face of the earth. I am not trying to devalue his talent, because it is substantial, but one can only be anointed as the second coming of MJ for so long before they begin to believe their own hype. Getting drafted to his home state's team did nothing to squelch the situation, either. From the second LeBron arrived in Cleveland he was handled with FIFA goalkeeper gloves, as fear spread throughout the masses of Ohio that they would not be able to keep their favorite son. The seven years in Cleveland caused LeBron's ego to grow so rapidly, that the building-sized poster downtown was actually a pretty accurate to-scale model of it (also, if somebody were to put a building-sized poster of you in one of the most visible locations in town, wouldn't you think you were kind of special?). For those seven years all LeBron heard was how much of an icon and superstar he was, which was true. There was but one problem with Cleveland fans' logic, though: the simple fact that superstars and icons don't play in Cleveland. LeBron's transformation to a full-blown egomaniac had been completed; he was too big for Cleveland, too big for Ohio, too big for the Midwest. Perhaps Cleveland could have kept LeBron if they had, oh I don't know, told him "no" on occasion. Perhaps they could have kept him if national media wasn't doing an injury update every ten minutes after that hideous left-handed free throw. And maybe, just maybe, they could have kept him if 10 million people decided they had something better to do than watch a one hour special for a ten second announcement. The fact is that LeBron is the monster, and we are Doctor Frankenstein. We created him, and now we must suffer the consequences.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Pulse of Professional Basketball
While the "savior" of professional basketball is playing golf somewhere with Coach Cal and trying to count all the zeros he will be making next year, there is still a good amount of appeal for what is actually still happening on the court.
The sudden resurgence of the Boston Celtics is a surprise to many, especially to myself. I watched several Celtics games throughout the season, not because I am a fan, but rather because it seemed they have a firm grip on the national television market. The team looked worse than Heidi Montag post-surgery, with key acquisitions like Rasheed Wallace degenerating into shells of their former, talented selves. However, once the playoffs began Rajon Rondo began playing like a shorter Magic Johnson, KG's gimpy knee seemed to heal overnight after two years of complications, and Sheed's touch from beyond the arc returned as suddenly and unexpectedly as Betty White's career.
The shock continued last night, as the Celtics took down an Orlando Magic team that had not lost this postseason. With LBJ gone from the playoff picture it is apparent that the superstar stigma will be transferred to Dwight Howard, who seems to thrive in the spotlight even less than his Cleveland counterpart. While both are phenominal players and freak athletes, neither appears to have the internal fortitude to lead their teams to the promise land. It will be interesting to see if "Superman" can be the first out of these two to live up to his hype, because the last baller to assume that moniker has four rings on his fingers.
To many the west appears to be another jog to the finals for LA, but I'm not completely convinced. While the Lakers are clearly the more talented team, Los Suns may be the most cohesive unit left in the playoffs. Steve Nash seems extremely motivated to remove himself from the list of most playoff games without reaching the finals (where he currently resides at the top spot). Like the Celtics, Grant Hill has shaken the cobwebs off of his career and is playing shockingly effective defense for a player with his history of injuries and lack of youth. The Lakers are still the better team (even with Andrew Bynum's seventeenth knee injury) but Phoenix looks like the hungrier team at this point. We will find out tonight when this series opens, in what should be an exciting contrast in players and style.
I do realize the casual NBA fan may not follow the playoffs after Cleveland's early exit. I also concede that the playoffs without LeBron are bad for the NBA as a business, but are good for true fans of the game. Perhaps without LeBron playing more fans will actually focus on the basketball being played, rather than spend all game pondering over New Jersey or Chicago. Let's turn our attention to the players who still have a chance to win a championship and save the offseason for...well, the offseason.
Predictions: Magic in 7
(Shocker alert) Suns in 6
The sudden resurgence of the Boston Celtics is a surprise to many, especially to myself. I watched several Celtics games throughout the season, not because I am a fan, but rather because it seemed they have a firm grip on the national television market. The team looked worse than Heidi Montag post-surgery, with key acquisitions like Rasheed Wallace degenerating into shells of their former, talented selves. However, once the playoffs began Rajon Rondo began playing like a shorter Magic Johnson, KG's gimpy knee seemed to heal overnight after two years of complications, and Sheed's touch from beyond the arc returned as suddenly and unexpectedly as Betty White's career.
The shock continued last night, as the Celtics took down an Orlando Magic team that had not lost this postseason. With LBJ gone from the playoff picture it is apparent that the superstar stigma will be transferred to Dwight Howard, who seems to thrive in the spotlight even less than his Cleveland counterpart. While both are phenominal players and freak athletes, neither appears to have the internal fortitude to lead their teams to the promise land. It will be interesting to see if "Superman" can be the first out of these two to live up to his hype, because the last baller to assume that moniker has four rings on his fingers.
To many the west appears to be another jog to the finals for LA, but I'm not completely convinced. While the Lakers are clearly the more talented team, Los Suns may be the most cohesive unit left in the playoffs. Steve Nash seems extremely motivated to remove himself from the list of most playoff games without reaching the finals (where he currently resides at the top spot). Like the Celtics, Grant Hill has shaken the cobwebs off of his career and is playing shockingly effective defense for a player with his history of injuries and lack of youth. The Lakers are still the better team (even with Andrew Bynum's seventeenth knee injury) but Phoenix looks like the hungrier team at this point. We will find out tonight when this series opens, in what should be an exciting contrast in players and style.
I do realize the casual NBA fan may not follow the playoffs after Cleveland's early exit. I also concede that the playoffs without LeBron are bad for the NBA as a business, but are good for true fans of the game. Perhaps without LeBron playing more fans will actually focus on the basketball being played, rather than spend all game pondering over New Jersey or Chicago. Let's turn our attention to the players who still have a chance to win a championship and save the offseason for...well, the offseason.
Predictions: Magic in 7
(Shocker alert) Suns in 6
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