Come One, Come All

The Atlantic Coast Conference managed to keep a colossal story under wraps until Friday – a revelation that sent an earthquake through college athletics.  The University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University will make the leap from the Big East to the ACC, but the Big East will require both schools to satisfy their contractions until the summer of 2014.  Many feared that the ACC may be one of the lost conferences during the "Super Conference" expansion process, but this move solidifies the ACC place going forward.

The ACC has confirmed that other schools have contacted the conference about joining but would not give any details during the teleconference on Sunday.  Among the rumored schools are University of Connecticut, the University of Texas at Austin, and Rutgers University.  Texas has been the most desirable school to add since day one because of their consistent relevance in both basketball and football.  However, Texas may end up trying to keep the Big-12 alive or join Notre Dame as an independent because of their newly founded Longhorn Network.

Not every conference is as eager to join the ranks of the ACC and Big-Ten (which really needs to change their name since they now have twelve members and the Big-12 is already taken – by a school that now has only ten).  The Pac-12 declined the additions of Texas and Oklahoma on Tuesday and plans to stick with their twelve program memberships for the time being.  The "Super Conference" movement is an entirely football related decision for these universities and it places a new burden on their non-revenue generating sports; golfers and volleyball players from Florida State University will now have to make trips to one school in particular, making a more than 1,200 mile excursion to Syracuse, New York as a necessary appearance in conference play. Colleges are hoping that the new conferences will create new sources of revenue, due primarily to lucrative television contracts, as their central effort make up for the losses of their other athletic programs.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that this may be a step toward correcting the BCS.  Everyone knows that post season college football is flawed and turns many fans off.  Nevertheless, football resolving their dilemma at the expense of the other athletic programs exhibits a lack of creativity by the system. College athletics are no longer about the athletes, regardless of how much we want them to be; financial gain is at top of the food chain.

NC State Week 1 Recap

The smell of charcoal burning.  The thud of bean bags smacking cornhole boards.  Footballs crowding the air space like an international airport.  College football was finally back Saturday.  However, the NC State offense did not get the memo.  The WolfPack were out gained by the FBS Liberty Flames 406 yards to 318.  It took seven Liberty turnovers and two big returns from the defense and special teams for the Pack to extinguish the Flames 43-21. (Sorry, super cheesy I know)

Rumbles of Russell Wilson could be heard throughout the stadium after the WolfPack's slow start.  I even heard someone calling for Tom O'Brien's job/head.  (He was rather belligerent)  Mike Glennon's debut was indeed quite vanilla, completing 58% of his passes for 156 yards and one late touchdown.  Glennon was hounded with pressure throughout the game by a Liberty defensive line that should have been out classed.  The NC State offensive line has been problematic for some time but Wilson was able to mask their inadequacies during his tenure.  His ability to turn a broken play into a 20 yard scramble is what made him such an asset to coach O'Brien.  The WolfPack can no longer hide this glaring weakness.  


Despite the pressure, Glennon was able to at least share the wealth, completing passes to ten different receivers.  One problem, All ACC tight end George Bryan was not among the ten.  What better of an asset for an inexperienced quarterback than a tight end of Bryan's caliber?  He has to be more involved for the WolfPack going forward.

One positive for the offense this past weekend was, even without starting running back Mustafa Greene, the Wolfpack's running game was able to average over 4.5 yards per carry.  Take away Glennon's negative 26 yards and the average settles around 6.5.  The running game's success will keep defenses honest and allow Glennon more time in a quarterback's favorite place, standing in the pocket.

In his debut, Glennon, neither impressed nor lost my trust.  He effectively managed the game and never seemed to lose his composure.  The offense was even able to find their stride in the fourth quarter, scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions.  The overreaction to the WolfPack's performance is to be expected given the circumstances, but first game butterflies aren't worth calling for a coach to be sent to the guillotine.  Look for Glennon and the WolfPack to build off their fourth quarter success against overtime defeated Wake Forest next Saturday.

-Pictures credited to: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ncsu/

the Detroit Lions Preview

The Detriot Lions have not had a winning season in over a decade.  They have averaged under 5 wins a season since that 2000 campaign where they were a dominating 9-7.  To be kind, they have been a clear cut example of how not to run an profesional football franchise.  Former General Manager Matt Millen drafted four wide recievers in five years with their first round pick, all of which were top ten selections.  While I still hate the Armanti Edwards trade and the JaMarcus Russell selection,  Millen's draft selections from 2003-2005 are the worse in NFL history.  Not necessarily the players themselves but the impact those three players had on the Lion's franchise.

Since Millen's firing in 2008, the Lion's record hasn't imporved but their drafts have.  Ndamukong Suh is a freak talent and a cornerstone that every team dreams to build around.  Due to surgery on his left foot, Nick Fairley is yet to make his NFL debut.  But when the time comes for Suh and Fairley to line up side by side NFL centers and guards will freeze harder than a deer in headlights.  Matt Stafford, in the rare instances that he's been healthy, has earned enough respect around the NFL for my boss to draft him over super bowl champion Eli Manning and coming off a ten win season Josh Freeman.


See the Picture above.... Stafford has only played in 13 games since being drafted first overall in 2009.  While their success this season may live and die on Stafford's health, the Lions still have a few other obstacles preventing them from becoming a playoff contender.  The Lions have lacked a consistent rushing game for the past four seasons, averaging around 90 yards a game.  Not to mention the play in one of the toughest divisions in football.  The Lions will be playing both contestants of the 2011 NFC Championship game twice this season. TWICE!  Also on tap for the Lions is the NFC South which hosted three 10 win teams.  (Lions are away in 2 of the 3)  Their schedule is too tough for me to jump on board that this will be their "break out" season.  I see the Lions only winning 5-7 games 2011 but their future looks bright.

The Jurgen Klinsmann Era Begins

The Klinsmann Era must have missed the starting gun.  The US looked like 11 zombies going through the moitions during the first half of play.   The Mexicans fluid game dominated the pace of the match early and often, rarely making a costly turnover.  Any flow the US created was quickly thwarted by a Mexican defender or a careless pass.  A rather bleak beginning to the match.

The substitutions made by Klinsmann seemed to immediately spark the US and in the second half things began to turn around.  The ball remained in the US's attacking third for the overwhelming majority of the last thirty minutes.  Juan Agudelo's vision of play continually lead him to dangerous points of a attack for the US and eventually helped create Robbie Rodger's goal in the 72nd minute.  Agudelo finding never ending holes in back lines allows Landon Donovan to roam freely.  At times Donovan struggles to find his home on the pitch but with Agudelo's passing prowess, he's able to play off the ball and be that dangerous goal scoring threat.


Don't want to overreact to only thirty minutes of play but Brek Shea was a nice addition to the midfield.  His shear height and physicality are rare to see in soccer and gave the smaller Mexican side fits.  Just not sure where he fits with Dempsey in the lineup.  Overall, we were very unfortunate not to awarded a PK or be playing up a man for the final seven minutes when we continued to pour the pressure on the Mexican defense.  A draw isn't what the US wanted but it is something to build on going forward.

Klinsmann has several matches this fall leading up to 2014 Qualifying and will be able to tinker with his lineup until he finds the right team to have fun with each other.  And that's what soccer is all about.  Having fun.  Finding a team that builds off one another.  Football is a game of strength.  Basketball a game of rhythm.  Soccer is a game of creativity.  That's what Klinsmann was brought her to do, instill creativity in our players.

We Supported Butch!

The Butch Davis era at UNC is no more, leaving the majority of the UNC fan base scratching their heads.   Not so much the decision to relieve coach Davis of his duties (Nine NCAA violations in four seasons, 14 players suspended last season on Opening Day, an associate head coach on payroll with an agent, and so on) but the timing of the decision, coming only six weeks before kick off against James Madison.  Chancellor Holden Thorp did not point to a specific transgression for the abrupt firing but stated that, “What started as a purely athletic issue has begun to chip away at this University’s reputation.”

UNC will also lose athletic Director Dick Baddour, who went to bat several times for former defensive end Michael McAdoo during the hearing for McAdoo’s ineligibly appeals.  McAdoo was suspended at the beginning of the 2010 season for receiving impermissible help from a tutor and blatant plagiarism.  McAdoo's term paper appears to be a collage of sources pieced together rather than a student's work.   

Now the question has to be asked; was this worth having a relevant football program?  To befoul a prestigious public university?  To be black balled like a baseball player’s career after steroids?  UNC knew full well the risks associated with hiring a coach like Davis, like Kentucky’s hiring of John Calipari. (Just wait Kentucky, you’re time will come… just wait)  To be surprised that during Davis’s tenure these violations were possible is simply naive.

UNC had only one winning season in the past six prior to Davis’s hiring.  Did no one wonder how Chapel Hill was suddenly was overflowing with five star recruits and NFL first round draft picks?  College football programs are not built over night but Butch did just that.  He made UNC relevant on a national level with talks of BCS championship potential before the 2010 season, and the 14 players being suspended. 

Butch’s name alone made UNC an attractable option for top tier talent over night.  So UNC fans can’t be that upset.   Those were the best four years your program has seen in the past decade.  And just like that girl you dated that was way out of your league, you knew that she would break your heart someday.  

NFL Free Agents Part 2

Wide Receivers

·        Randy Moss

• How much does the 34 year old Moss have left in the tank?  Is he fully focused on football or "straight cash homie?"  Signing Moss this season is a gamble that you only take if you're on a "heater."  By that I mean, only if you are a playoff team seeking that last piece that will lead you to Indianapolis in February. 
• If you doubt that he has anything left in the tank then allow me to beg to differ.  A wide receiver’s talents don’t jump off a cliff once he hits a certain age like running back.  They slowly climb down the mountain.  The speed goes.  The athleticism leaves.  Eventually they’ll have nothing left but their hands.  However, less than a year ago, Moss burned one of the league’s premier corners (Revis) and finished the play off with a one handed touchdown snag without breaking stride or securing it to his body. (http://bit.ly/hjqnCS)   Does that sound like a guy who has fallen down that cliff?
• Yes, he does have character issues.  But as I mentioned earlier, you only sign him if you’re on a “heater” and have a legitimate chance of making a Super Bowl run.  (Pat, Jets Steelers, Colts, Saints, Falcons, Ravens, so on...)
  
  
• Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, and Legedu Naanee 
• The Chargers have been one of the NFL’s top passing teams over the past three seasons, finishing in the top 10 for passing yards each season.  Their wide receivers aren’t necessarily the fastest or the most skilled in the league either.  What they are?  TALL.  Their top four targets, Floyd, Gates, Naanee, and Jackson, average 6’4’’ in height.  Most defensive backs stand at 5’11’’, making Rivers’s life behind center much easier. 
• The Chargers can’t afford to lose all three or to sign all three.  Jackson has made it very clear that he won’t be happy in San Diego without a top dollar, lengthy contract.  However, the offense last season didn’t skip a beat last season during Jackson’s absence proving that he is replaceable.  Floyd has to stay healthy though for this to work though. (only playing in 16 game once during his 6 years in San Diego) 
• Braylon Edwards

• With Santonio Holmes off the board (Holmes will ink a 5 year, $50 million contract on Friday) the Jets will more than likely let Edwards walk. 
• Edwards will command a decent amount of attention during this next week and some team will eventually break down and sign him to a lengthy and lucrative contract.
• And eventually that team will experience the same headaches that the Jets and Browns were put through during their time with Edwards.  A large bodied receiver with poor decision making and even worse hands.
• Sidney Rice
• Donovan McNabb’s trade to the Vikings clearly shows that they aren’t interested in waiting for Ponder to develop and want to win NOW.  Which they should.  Peterson is their star and the focal point of their offense.  Running backs are only so productive for so long.
• Resigning Rice has to be a priority for the Vikings this week.  If Rice isn’t an option then look for another wide receiver that can stretch the field deep to sign there to compliment Harvin and Berrian. 
• Plaxico Burress

• I don’t know why people think he is going to be out of shape?  What else is there to do in prison other than read, work out, and curb stomp people?  We saw how prison humbled and transformed Vick last season.  What’s stopping Plax?  His position is even easier than Vick’s to jump into after a long break.
• A short and mid level did would make Plax a huge steal this offseason.   
• Other Notable Free Agent Wide Receivers
• Steve Smith – NY Giants – Stays in New York unless they bring in Plax
• Santana Moss – 3 year contract is the most I would give him
• Lance Moore – Probably stays in New Orleans
• Mike Sims-Walker – tons of talent wasting away in Jacksonville
• Steve Breaston
• Early Doucet –Both Breaston and Doucet are very skilled and have been over shadowed by Boldin and Fitzgerald.  Low value but high talent.  They get the “Best Buy” award.

Football is in the Air

It is almost here.  The NFL lockout is almost over and training camp is scheduled to open up this Saturday, July 23rd. (Doubt it'll take place that early but it is that close.  Can't you feel it!?)  The next month will resemble fast-forwarding through a VHS of Hard Knocks more than a typical NFL preseason.  The league as a whole has too much to accomplish in less than a month before the Hall of Fame game. (August 7th, which I guess will be rescheduled and the number of preseason games cut down to three)  Typically by mid-July the majority of free agents are signed and contract hold outs heat up as training camp nears.  Due to the lockout, all of this is about to happen in a matter of weeks instead of months.  Imagine if tailgating was only allowed for one hour before games versus the standard five.  Students would be bonging and shot gunning every beer in sight, complete chaos.  To exasperate the situation, last season was an uncapped year so the number of free agents is higher than the majority of seasons.  Anyways here are some of top players at their positions that could potentially be wearing a different helment in a few weeks .

Quarterbacks

• Carson Palmer

• He clearly wants out of Cincy and if he had a sane owner he'd be getting his wish shortly.  Mike Brown (Not the new Laker) has made it clear that he won't be told what to do and would go as far as to sit Palmer for the final year of his deal or force Palmer to retire.
• UFL is always an option if Palmer is indeed forced to retire but hopefully Brown will recognize that he just screwed over Palmer enough in the new CBA and trade him for some draft picks. 
• Kevin Kolb
• Michael Vick is the Eagles free agent quarterback, not Kolb, but it's obvious that they will be resigning Vick. 
• Reid and company plan on using Kolb as a pawn in a chess match.  He's still useful on the roster but they have no problem dropping him if it means taking out a rook or a bishop. (improving another piece of their team)
• I say keep him.  Vick's style of play puts him at risk of potential injury more than any other quarterback in the league. What is the harm in keeping Kolb until the trade deadline and then moving him?
• Donavan McNabb
• No way the Redskins bring McNabb back for a repeat of the most embarrassing season of his career.
• There are several teams that with the addition of a veteran QB could make a leap to the next level. (49er's, Vikings, Seahawks, Cardinals, Raiders) All of which are a possibility for McNabb to finish off his career on a high note.

Running Backs

• Deangelo Williams

• This one is personal and I believe it is going to end badly for me.  The Panthers were depleted with injuries on top of their horrid play last season and were able to see several options at running back throughout the year; Williams, Stewart, Goodson.
• The majority of the buzz I've heard is that Williams is out and Stewart and Goodson will share the snaps this season.  I totally understand not wanting to over pay a running back in today's NFL game, especially when you have other productive options on the roster. 
• I believe the Panthers are over looking how productive Williams can be (5.1 ypc) and how important it is to have depth at the running back position.  One other tidbit; Williams has only fumbled the ball 5 times in as many years.  Stewart has fumbled the ball 9 times in only 3 years.  Goodson fumbled it 4 times alone last season on 103 carries.
• Nothing is more important than ball control in the NFL.  You win the turnover game and 95% of the time you win the game.  How do you justify rebuilding a franchise with two guys proven to drop the rock?  Fork over the money Jerry for the All-Pro caliber of player that Williams has been and can be again.
• Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
• The first of the back field mates that are on the market simultaneously.  Doubt the Dolphins bring both back, making their decision cloudy at best.  Williams is 34 and anything other than a two year deal would be out of the question.  Brown has made it clear that he struggles to make it through an entire season (only one 16 game season under his belt) and a top dollar contract for him wouldn't be plausible either. 
• The Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas out of Kansas State in the 2nd round of this year's past draft making it evident that at least one of the two key members to their "Wildcat" offense will be on the market.  I fully expect it to be Williams simply because of age but wouldn't surprised if neither returned to Miami next season. 
• Both will be able to find a team that they can "take their talents" to next season.
• Ahmad Bradshaw
• Previously a member of the trio "Earth, Wind, and Fire," Bradshaw has became a focal point of the Giants offense.  Do the Giants allow him to hit the open market?  NO WAY.  Brandon Jacobs is a beast but is exclusively a downhill runner.  Having two running backs that have opposite playing styles keeps a defensive on their toes and provides the necessary versatility for a successful offense.
• Doubt he could go to a team and be the featured back.  Bradshaw loves to put the ball on the floor (had 7 fumbles last season alone) and is a little undersized to carry the entire load.  Put him with a big bruising back (like Jacobs or LeGarrette Blount) and he makes a very nice addition in the back field.
• Cedric Benson
• The lockout could not have come at a worse time for Benson.  He was just arrested for the second assault charge in as many years.  Without the lockout, Benson would have already been signed to a team instead of clearing his name and pleading his case to them.  
• On the bright side, Benson has rushed for over 2,300 yards during the past two seasons with the Bengals. (a team that is constantly behind in games)  Benson also doesn't have a ton of mileage on him at the age of 28.  Probably has another 3 or 4 years left in the tank as a serviceable anchor in a back field.
• Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush's yardage (rushing + receiving) has decreased every season he has been in the NFL, eclipsing 1,000+ total yards only once. (his rookie season)  Bush has also missed 20 games during his first five seasons.  He demanded top dollar out of college because of his draft selection but no way does a team fork over that cash for him now.  That being said, Bush is one hell of an athlete and there are few things more impressive in the NFL than him healthy and in the open field.
• If Bush is willing to accept his role in the NFL and the contract that comes along with that role then he isn't completely out of the picture with the Saints.  Coach Sean Payton is in love with his play making abilities and Ingram serves a different purpose than Bush in the backfield. 

In O'Brien We Trust

North Carolina State fans faced the end of an era for the second time in 2011. (This April NC State hired Mark Gottfried to revamp what has turned into a less than stellar basketball program.) The announcement of Russell Wilson's release from Wolfpack football blindsided the majority of fans. Now the 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year is heading to the Wisconsin Badgers to fulfill his final year of football eligibility. Are WolfPack fans ready to see highlights of Wilson in Badgers' red? They should be.

Releasing Wilson had to be one of most difficult decisions of coach Tom O'Brien's career. But as difficult as it was, it was the right one. To have allowed Wilson to come back as the starter this season would have not only driven away star recruit, Mike Glennon, but also sends a message to future recruits. Yes the WolfPack may not win nine games again this season but O'Brien is looking at the future success of the program.

On the bright side, the WolfPack replace Wilson with the highly recruited Glennon (higher ranked than Andrew Luck coming out of high school). O'Brien prefers a pro style of quarterback over Wilson's dual threat style. With Matt Ryan at Boston College, O'Brien's record was a solid 25-7. By no means am I assuming Glennon's career will pan out like Ryan's but the two share several similarities. Same build at 6'5'' 230lbs, neither are particularly known for their mobility, and both became the full time starter in their junior season of college.

Glennon has a ton of upside but it's all speculation and assumption at this point. However, O'Brien's leap of faith will be used as an example for future recruits. He can now tell an 18 year old recruit, "You are my guy. Just look at the faith I put in Glennon. That could be you." That's a powerful tool. But until then the fate of the WolfPack nation lay in the hands of an untested quarterback and all a NC State fan can say is "In O'Brien we Trust."

Well at least It's Still Red

It's finally official. Russell Wilson will spend his last year of eligibility with another school. Wilson's decision to play for the Wisconsin Badgers went public on Monday, ending the two month recruiting battle with the Auburn Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks. The Badgers, who are 22-5 in their past two seasons, welcome Wilson's abilities with open arms. Their starter for those past two seasons, Scott Tolzien, has only averaged 151 yards of passing. Russell has averaged 263 yards a game during that span.

Needless to say, coach Bret Bielema and the Badgers are thrilled Tom O'Brien released his dynamic play caller in April. Adding Wilson to their already potent running attack should easily make them contenders in the "Big Ten" once again and for another BSC Bowl bid. (Not really sure why they keep calling themselves that? Same with the Big 12. The Big 10 is actually the Big 12 now and the Big 12 is actually the Big 10 but hasn't changed their name yet to the Big 10 because the Big 10 doesn't want to switch to the Big 12.) They'll be returning their two headed rushing monster, 1,000 yards a piece, of Clay and White in addition to their always stingy defense.

Wilson is no NFL standout. The NFL scouts at Wisconsin football games will have at least five other guys they are more interested in, but that isn't why Wilson came back for his last year of eligibility. He loves the game. By playing football this season he'll have to return a significant portion of this $250K signing bonus and possibly risk his entire MLB career. His development has struggled during his time with the Single A Asheville Tourists and cutting his season short won't fix his shortcomings. Maybe he'll take a tryout as a wideout in the NFL or even "take his talents to Canada." Either way, I'm just glad he's still in red.

Let's Not Repeat History

Stretches and Steals - NBA Draft Recap

My favorite part of the NBA Draft is not the New York fans booing anything and everything.  No, not the awkward hang shakes and bro hugs.  Not even the ugly hats the draftees rock.  By far my favorite part of the whole experience is hearing the Commissioner pronounce the foreign player's names.  Try this one on for size: Chukwudiebere Maduabum.  How about Donatas Motiejunas or Davis Bertans?  I even learned that Beno (Ben-no) Udrih is not pronounced the same way as the gas relief drug.  Although it was rather boring draft to watch there were still a few picks that surprised me.

Stretches

• Tristan Thompson @ 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
• I get it.  The Cavs didn't want to wait on Valancinuans to resolve his contract buyout.  They want to win now.  But even with Irving and Thompson, the Cavs are still a long way from producing a plus 500 record.
• They already have Anderson Varejão to be that high activity role player.  I don't see the point in drafting the high motor power forward that weighs in at 227 and shots 49% from the charity stripe. 
• Cory Joseph @ 29 San Antonio Spurs
• After trading George Hill to the Pacers, the Spurs needed to fill the void and Joseph is a decent scoring guard.  Joseph, however, did not crack a single first round of any Mock Draft. (Ranked 51st overall on ESPN's Big Board)
• Weren't a ton of other options here other than Shelvin Mack but the Spurs could have traded down and added picks for this year or future years.  Just feel like this was a high pick for Joseph.    
• Kyle Singler @ 33 Detroit Pistons
• Smart player that has some range to stretch the floor.  Learned from the best in Coach Krzyzewski but lacks a true position.  Is far too slow to guard a 2 or 3 and lacks the size to bang bodies with a 4 in the post. 
• His jumper lacked consistency during his time with Duke where he was spoiled with open looks constantly.  I believe his basketball IQ and work ethic will be the only attributes that can keep him in the league. 
• Steals
• Chris Singleton @ 18 Washington Wizards
• The best on ball defender in this draft.
• If they are able to resign Nick Young, (not likely though) they could run with Wall, Young, Singleton, Vesely, and McGee.  High tempo offense with three solid defenders on the floor.  At the very least this would be a fun unit to watch.
• Kawhi Leonard @ 15 San Antonio Spurs
• Traded George Hill for his rights.  Great trade for both teams.  Pacers add depth to their back court.
• Rated about 7 positions higher on draft boards.  Leonard adds youth and a defensive presence to a very old and slow 3 spot for the Spurs.
• Josh Selby @ 49 Memphis Grizzlies
• Selby, a first round talent that fell hard because of a drama filled season at Kansas and injury concerns.  Never really got a chance to prove himself during the season.
• Has potential to be a versatile scorer in the NBA and gives the Grizzlies a solid option at the 1 or 2.  Not having a first round pick can stunt a young team's growth but Selby should see minutes next year.  Really like the value of Selby in the second round.

Wait... the NBA Finals are Over?

It feels like only yesterday that Dirk closed out Game 6 and thwarted Miami's hopes to fulfill their "destinies" of a second championship celebration in 11 months.  Well it wasn't yesterday but it wasn't last month either.  And now, less than two weeks later the Prudential Center will hold the 2011 NBA Draft.  The NFL Draft is the Draft that all other Drafts aspire to be.  It gets prime time coverage and viewership for three days.  It's a bigger spectacle than virtually every NBA regular season game. 

So why isn't the NBA Draft as popular?  (Other than the obvious fact that no other sport's popularity can match the NFL's)  The NBA doesn't leave the media enough time to build up any hype for it.  Any major sporting championship hogs the coverage for at least one week after the final game.  That leaves the NBA less than one week to hype the biggest nights of their off-season, you can hardly plan a fantasy draft in one week.  In addition to the short turn around, a quarter of the talent are from overseas.  No casual fan has ever seen Jonas Valanciunas play in a real game.  It's nearly impossible to promote players no one has ever "witnessed." 

That being said, with a lock-out looming this will be our last taste of NBA basketball for who knows how long.  I don't predict it'll be very long despite rumors that their CBA is by far more befuddled than the NFL's. The NBA has everything to lose, their popularity may never be higher.  The league as a whole would be absolute fools to allow this to have any effect on the 2011-2012 season.  So common NBA, let cooler heads prevail. 

Apples and Oranges

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for technological advancement. I can't go back to Standard Def TV for sporting events, just doesn't cut it. I love having sports on every night of the week and the unlimited video footage available. However, the 24/7 influx of sports coverage leaves sports writers constantly searching for topics to meet deadlines. They constantly dig for the next story to write about. For many, comparing current athletes to their historical predecessors has become a convenient topic. Lebron's the next MJ, Rory is the next Tiger, and Crosby is the next Gretzky and so on.

Are they trying to relive childhood memories? Are they trying to find some way to gauge what we are witnessing? (That ad campaign makes me laugh every time) I chalk it up to our tendency to overreact in 2011. Boston's 2-10 start, Lebron finally knocking off the Celtics, and now Rory closing out a major are all prime examples of this. While Jason Day didn't win the Masters or the US Open, he equaled Rory's combined score from the past two majors. He's only one year older than McIlroy. Can't he be the next great? Crosby’s own teammate, Evgeni Malkin, has outscored him multiple times. I won’t get into Lebron’s shortcomings. They’ve already been ran over enough in the past few weeks.

Sure the talents and playing styles of current athletes can resemble former players. But to assume that anyone will accomplish the same in their own careers, as a Gretzky, Tiger or Jordan, is insulting. Gretzky's career should be immortalized, not compared to an 18 year old rookie. Golf’s popularity reached unseen heights because of "Tiger Mania." Do we really think McIlroy will ever have the same effect on the game? Instead, we should allow the Rory's of the world to leave their mark in history. Allow them to become the iconic figure, not the clone of a former great. When the dust settles, then we can play the comparison game.  Until then, we might as well be comparing apples to oranges.

Where did Hockey Go?

My freshmen year in college the NHL was one my favorite sports.  I loved every moment of the bone jarring hits.  Two grown men with full lumberjack beards duking it out.  The Hurricanes had just won the Stanley Cup during my first year in Raleigh.  The NHL's popularity had never been higher (exactly like the NBA's current situation).The league was filled with tons of Hall of Famers like Yzerman, Lemieux, Roy, and Hašek.  However, one year after a lock out that destroyed an entire season the NHL had lost their luster.  After the lockout the NHL lost their TV contract with ESPN which in returned turned the casual fan (me) off.

Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals this year drew a 4.6 rating on Monday night.  Sunday night's Game 6 of the NBA finals nearly tripled that earning a 15.0.  Why is there a drastic discrepancy in viewers?  Easy answer, star power.  The NHL is a two star league, Crosby and Ovechkin, while the NBA is littered with future Hall of Famers including the most iconic athlete in sports today, Lebron James.  Constantly competing for ratings against the Miami Heat's star power doomed this year's NHL Finals.  The casual fan only has so much time they can devote to sports.  We are just too busy in today's world, so obviously they will side with the sport with a Mega-star in the Finals.

NBA has blown me away with their advertising over the past four seasons.  They promote a blend of star power and team work that can appeal to all sports fans.  Names like Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, and Derrick Rose have become household names in credit to the NBA's marketing scheme.  At one time I could spit out 10-20 of the biggest hockey stars, now I would struggle to get 5.  Why?  Lack of major network coverage.  The NHL's prime time event is at high noon on Sunday afternoons.  Who doesn't have something to do at 12 on Sunday?  The NHL airs the remainder of their national coverage on the newly reformed Versus Network (former OLN).  I can't tell you 2 shows that air on Versus other than NHL hockey or even what night he NHL primetime events run.  Okay, enough complaining I have some suggestions that can help put hockey back on the map. 

• Bring back the "Puck Tracker."  I know the hockey purist may flip their lids but that isn't who the owners need to attract, they are going to watch regardless.  The majority of the game I spend my time straining to find the puck.  My eyes will be going back in forth and all of a sudden, BOOM!  Someone scores and I have no idea who or how.  That's a problem, I know exactly who scores a touchdown or hits a three pointer. 

• Bring back NHL "Hitz."  Just ask the Fifa franchise what the video game can do for a sport’s popularity.  In case you were living under a rock, the game play is 3 on 3 with keepers.  Playing with only the stars and only the stars engraves their names in your head.  Stars sell the tickets, not the 3rd shift winger.
• Promote your American stars.  The Olympics proved we have legit talent in the States and less than one year later I couldn't tell you who our starters were.  Positive I could tell you the US starters from the Beijing Olympics though.  Get their faces on ESPN. Get in them cameos in movies and television.  Get them Twitter accounts.  Just get them out there.
• Start the season one month earlier so that the Stanley Cup isn't competing with the NBA Finals.  ESPN and ABC have the rights to the NBA's Finals so obviously they promote and discuss only the NBA during the post season.  Hockey is hardly mentioned on their talk shows prior to the Stanley Cup.  If the NHL's postseason started earlier they would have the fan’s solo attention and wouldn't be competing for ESPN's.
• Push fantasy hockey!  The more popular the league's fantasy sport, the deeper the knowledge of the players.  There aren't a ton of stats in hockey but with stat geeks anything is possible.

Or if all else fails just sabotage the lock outs in the NBA and NFL and so you'll have the winter and spring all to yourselves. 

USA vs Guadeloupe

The USA responded under the pressure Tuesday night, knocking off Guadeloupe 1-0.  Jozy Altidore put in an absolute rocket in the ninth minute to put us up early.  We looked rather shaky prior to Altidore's magic though.  In the fourth minute Guadeloupe's Stephane Zubar failed to convert on Donavan's poor attempt to clear a corner, sending a screamer off the top bar.

From then on we pummeled Grandel, outshooting Guadeloupe 19-4.  While Guadeloupe had their chances, they failed to put any on frame.  We, on the other hand, spent the entire match knocking at the door.  Guadeloupe opened it wide open for us on several occasions but we never seemed to find the way through the frame.  In the 76th minute of play, Julien Ictoi thwarted Dempsey's lackadaisical attempt on goal, topping off our deplorable efforts on goal for the match. 

Finishing has remained one of America's Achilles’ heels, along with creative play and patience with the ball.  Instead of calmly finishing chances; we play it directly at the keeper or sky it over the box.  Jozy's goal is something I have never seen from an American player. Too often we pass up an attempt from 25+ out for a closer look in traffic and end up turning it over.  I believe it starts at the youth levels.  Players are scolded for attempting ambitious shots instead of finding a player.  While I believe we lack patience and the consistent control of possession, we have to start taking open looks from distance. 

Try and think of a significant goal in US history that wasn’t a header or some sort of put back.  You can’t.  Jozy’s goal was a brilliant strike not only because it was the game winner but the goal can hopefully instill confidence in our other players to attempt shots from distance (aka Dempsey later in the match).  Hopefully we can build upon this game and move farther along in the tournament. 

The End - Game 6 Recap

Mark Cuban keeping quiet for an entire playoff season was just as extraordinary as Dallas's run to the championship. The extrovert was unheard from and hardly seen other than his court side appearances. No over the top celebrating after Dallas's epic come back in Game 2. No post game interviews blasting the refs or Lebron's "shrinkage." He even requested David Stern to present the Larry O'Brien trophy to the first owner of the franchise, Don Carter. I swear Cuban had to have had some sort of sit down or therapy session with the Zen Master himself, he's new and improved.

Cuban isn't the only one who evolved during these playoffs. JJ Barea earned himself a starting position and possibly J Kidd's job when he retires. The Puerto Rican point guard's 0-60 speed provided an aging team with a transition option. His speed allowed Dallas to open the floor and allowed their knock down shooters those high percentage looks from behind the arc.  While Lebron stuggled in 4th quarter action, his game (or lack there of) wasn't the reason the series turned out the way it did.  Barea's insertion into the starting line cured Dallas's slow starts.  Its much easier to win a game when you don't go down 10 in the first quarter. 

The consistent play allowed Dallas to survive Dirk's 1-12 shooting in the first half.  If it had been Games 1-3 then the Mavericks would have been doomed, donezo.  We'd be talking about Game 7 and Lebron's hot start to the game. Jim Carey, I mean Rick Carlisle, has not received enough credit for his gutsy decision.  The saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is something all coaches live by.  Just ask Spoelstra, he played worthless Mike Bibby throughout the entire playoffs until it was too late.  When Carlisle benched Stevenson for Barea he risked messing up the flow of a team that had got to Game  4 only down 2-1.  Stevenson is a volitate character, how would he react to being benched?  How would Barea handle being a focal point of the offense instead of just a change of pace player? 

Carlisle took a gamble that lead his team to the "Promise Land."  His team won Game 4 and never looked back until they hoisted the Larry O'Brien last night.  And because of they happened to be playing a team with Lebron James on their roster it is nothing more than a side not, an after thought.  While stars take all the credit (Dirk wining the MVP), Carlisle's call was the winning momment of the Finals

From Downtown - Game 5 Recap

The Mavericks finally won a game in the Finals in which they out played the Heat for four quarters.  The Mavericks have made a living in the playoffs by outscoring their opponents from behind the arc.   The Mavericks out shot Miami for the third time from three land and guess what?  They have won all three games of those games.  Three pointers are the only common trend in the series, the only stat that has equaled victory.  Win the three point battle and you win the game. 

Jason Terry hit a three with 3:23 left to tie the game at 100.  From that point on Miami turned the ball over twice and missed all three of their shots until Bosh drew a foul and hit one of two from the line.  Miami's stagnant isolation offense allows Dallas to focus completely on the man with the ball and crowd the paint forcing Miami into contested jumpers.  There has to be more movement, more screens, and more pick n rolls for Miami's offense to succeed in the fourth quarter, especially in a slugfest shootout kind of game. 

Miami's back is up against the wall heading home for Game 6.  Their stars are beaten physically (Wade) and mentally (Lebron).  Their critics are riding higher than ever.  What can they do differently?  How do they get Lebron more engaged offensively?  How hurt is Wade?  Can Chris Bosh carry them for two games if Wade really is hurt?   Will Spoelstra still have a job if they lose Game 6?  All questions that the Heat will have to answer for us on Sunday, I can hardly wait.

Stats - Game 4 NBA Finals

Stats have taken over the sports world.  I blame fantasy sports.  Some fans would rather see Drew Brees torch the Panthers than to root for a midseason upset.  Don't know who that fan is but I'm just saying.  When you look at the stats from Game 4 on paper you'd assume Miami won a close game.  Dallas was out rebounded, out assisted, out blocked, out shot, and out played for the fourth time in row in the finals.

 
Somehow Dallas has found a way to scratch their way back into this series.  I could spend all day ripping Lebron and his lackluster performance, in fact I would loved to.  But instead I'll credit Rick Carlisle's defensive strategy and shake up of the lineup.  Playing Stevenson in the fourth allowed Dallas to stretch the floor and give Dirk more room in the paint to work.  Running the 2-3 zone forced Miami into shooting contest jumpers, hardly their forte. 

I fully believe Miami takes the lead tonight and comes out with haymakers early.  I picked Miami in six and I'm sticking with it.  I know what this Miami team is capable of, even with their confidence issues.  From the start the Lebron and Wade duo has struggled to coexist on the court.  Both need to "hog" possession of the ball to truly influence the game.  In spite of that they are two wins away from an NBA title, imagine the show they will put on when it finally clicks for them.