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.

What's the Point???

Reggie Bush has already returned his Heisman Trophy to the committee.  His banners have all been removed from the campus.  He's not even allowed to donate to his alma mater.  But that didn't satisfy the NCAA.  They decided to strip USC of their 2004-2005 National Championship.  They took something that an entire team earned, not just Reggie.  USC proved that they earned it more than maybe any team before or after them by beating Oklahoma 55-19.  On top of that, Reggie didn't score a single point for the Trojans.  LenDale White was the number one back running back.

What's the point??? Who is the NCAA really punishing, team that worked hard all season to accomplish their goals or Bush's guilt ridden mind?  This isn't the Olympics where we can disqualify the first place winner and have a winner by default.  We all know who won that title.  This is getting out of hand and becoming the focal point of college athletics.  The NCAA should realize that they are at fault because of the business they have created.   The steroid era is all but over in the MLB.  We have now entered the era of the NCAA's crack down of "ineligible" players.  If the NCAA insists on schools and players abiding by their hypocritical rules then I fear a long long battle is in store for us.

Lebron's Shrinkage - Game 3 Recap

The Dwayne Show has been on display for three straight games now.  Wade is demolishing the Mavericks with a stat line of 29 points per game, shooting 57% from the field, and 43% from behind the arc.  Miami in all actuality should have lost this game, but Dallas could never find their grove offensively.  Wade willed his way to the hoop time after time, even splitting the seven footers Chandler and Nowitzki for a layup.  Wade has been brilliant in the absence of a dominating Lebron.

I don't want to overreact; I never like to be a part of that.  However, Lebron's back to back no shows in the fourth quarter do have to raise an eyebrow or two.  James was attacked by CBS's Gregg Doyel after last night's game for "shrinking" in the fourth quarters of the Finals thus far.  James took offense to the question, deciding to educate Doyel about the other side of basketball and frivolous stat sheets. 

In Game 1 Lebron locked down Jason Terry in the fourth quarter, not allowing him a single point.  Any player's production will struggle on the offense end when you are exerting so much energy guarding the other team's premier soccer.  However in Games 2 and 3 his primary mark has been Shawn Marion, hardly the Maverick's top scoring threat.  Lebron hit only one jumper last night, ONE. (Hardly comparable to Jordan if you ask me, but that's a different discussion.)  On top of the less than stellar offense, his man dropped 20 in Game 2 and was the key to the Mavericks sticking around in the early quarters. 

The moral to the story is that Dallas blew a chance to crush Miami's spirits and take a 2-1 lead in the series.  A finals team should be able to win on any night that James only hits one jumper.  Dallas never punished Miami for their poor shooting.  Too many turnovers and another no show from Dirk's supporting cast allowed Miami to take back home court.  Don't look for Lebron to give the Mavericks too many more chances in the remaining games. 

48 Minutes - Game 2 Recap

After Wade's corner jumper with 7:14 left on the clock my friend told me that he was ready to change the channel.  He couldn't take the beating that the Miami Heat were unleashing on Dallas in the early fourth quarter.  Dallas looked ready to roll over and get on the plane back home.  Thankfully I talked him out of it because what transpired in the final seven minutes of regulation shocked us all.


A combination of the ball bouncing the Maverick's way and the Heat completely giving up lead to one of the all time great "comebacks" in NBA history.  Miami's Achilles' heel appeared to be a distant past, but  Miami began feverishly jacking up jumpers.  The Heat shot 12 shots from 20 feet or farther in the fourth quarter.  A recipe for disaster when you're up 15.  People will question Miami's ability to finish once again however, I believe this could prove to be beneficial to the team.

Soaring into the Finals, Miami had a huge chip on their shoulder and it grew larger after Game 1.  The chip swelled to a boulder after Wade knocks down that shot.  They are almost certain to be up two games heading to Dallas and another five game series seems all too easy at this point.  Nothing is free in the Finals as the Heat quickly learned.  Basketball is a 48 minute game.  The Heat won't make the mistake thinking that it's only 41 minutes again.