It's late October and the cities of Dallas and San Francisco are captivated by Major League Baseball. A decade ago the 49ers and Cowboys were the teams being talked about for winning games while their baseball counterparts struggled, but now their roles have been reversed.
As I mentioned earlier in the year (Rangers post from June), anything was possible with the Rangers once they were in the playoffs. It doesn't hurt that they added that Cliff Lee guy to solidify their pitching rotation. The addition of Lee combined with the emergence of C.J. Wilson has made the Rangers a legitimate threat to win it all. They are currently trailing the Giants 8-4 in the 6th inning of Game 1 as I type this, but I don't think these Rangers will go quietly.
People may be tired of hearing the "Josh Hamilton Story" but I think it is incredibly refreshing. The man isn't perfect but he sure does have a mature perspective of the role baseball plays in his life. If you didn't catch his post-game interview after the ALCS, check it out below (this was the best quality video I could find):
It is amazing how much publicity some stories get that are, to put it bluntly, a pure waste of time. Anytime an athlete shows this kind of grace in winning (or losing for that matter), I will be proud to use my small venue to help make sure their words are heard. It is a great feeling to know that you have already won a prize that is eternal and bigger than anything a sport or scoreboard can provide. Congratulations to Josh Hamilton!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Last Few Weeks in College Football
It is a busy time of year in the world of sports. Unfortunately, the busiest time of the sports year happens at the exact same time as the busiest time of my work year. Such is life. Here are some quick thoughts on the last few weeks:
- I was able to take my sister to her fist ever college football game on September 25th as we made the trip to Fayetville, Arkansas to see the Crimson Tide take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. What a game! At the time, both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 10. Arkansas came out fired up and took the lead early. I've got to give credit to their crowd as well; we weren't able to sit down for one play the entire game. The crowd was loud and the Arkansas offense really seemed to feed off of the energy (especially at the beginning).
- On a personal note, it was great to spend the day with my sister and be with her as she attended her first college football game. I told her that she was extremely lucky to be able to see such a big time game in such a great atmosphere! The bar has been set high, so her next game will have a tough act to follow.
- The following week Alabama crushed Florida in Tuscaloosa and the hype hit a fever pitch. Unfortunately, it seemed as if the team had drank the dreaded Kool-Aid (a mix of media hype and fans telling you that you are the best team ever) and came out flat against a South Carolina team that played the best game that they possibly could. Credit is due to the Gamecocks, they came out more prepared than Alabama and seemed to want it more than Bama did.
- South Carolina was the first of the SEC teams that Alabama will play this year coming off of a bye week. SC seemed to really make the most of the extra time they had to prepare.
- The Alabama offense looked a little bit out of sync this week as they took care of Ole Miss in a methodical win. The defense played great and benefitted from the fact that Ole Miss is just a weak team this year.
- Tennessee is up this week and you can bet that they will be fired up when Bama comes to Knoxville. The Vols are obviously down this year and likely won't even qualify for a bowl game. I think that this makes them a little dangerous in this game. Let me be clear, Alabama is a vastly superior team and should win this game. However, you have to expect Tennessee to come out swinging. I'm confident that they will have used their bye week better than Ole Miss did and will come out with some suprises. The problem for Tennessee this year is just their utter lack of depth.
- Following the Tennessee game, Alabama has a much needed bye week as they prepare for the home stretch. Hopefully this will allow the Tide to regroup and get healthy before they face LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn. There are quite a few guys in the playing rotation who are currently banged up.
- Around college football, other powerful programs have fallen on tough times. Florida and Texas have both struggled compared to their recent dominance. Texas did manage to knock Nebraska from the unbeaten ranks this past week as the Cornhuskers and Ohio State Buckeyes both took a major step back from their pursuit of a National Championship.
- Auburn and LSU haven't been flashy this year in their wins, but both teams deserve the recognition they are receiving for both being undefeated to this point. Cam Newton has been better than anyone could have possibly expected. He has absolutely carried Auburn to this point in the season and is currently the clear leader for the Heisman Trophy.
- LSU has had their issues on offense (particularly at QB) but they have been led by their defense. Particularly, Patrick Peterson has made his mark as the best defensive player in college football. Peterson has even contributed on special teams this year in a major way. It should be a great matchup this weekend when LSU and Auburn collide.
- Earlier this week I was traveling in the Pacific Northwest and my job took me to Boise, Idaho. Since I was there, I figured that I needed to drive by Boise State University and see if I could get a peek at the "smurf turf." It was tough to get close, so these pictures from the outside will have to do.
- I did have a chance to visit with some Boise State fans and Oregon fans during my trip. Both groups are convinced that their teams are the best in the nation. If Oregon goes through their schedule undefeated, I think their argument will be as valid as anyone else in the nation. However, the same can't be said for Boise State. They simply do not play against the same level of competition.
- I was able to take my sister to her fist ever college football game on September 25th as we made the trip to Fayetville, Arkansas to see the Crimson Tide take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. What a game! At the time, both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 10. Arkansas came out fired up and took the lead early. I've got to give credit to their crowd as well; we weren't able to sit down for one play the entire game. The crowd was loud and the Arkansas offense really seemed to feed off of the energy (especially at the beginning).
- As an Alabama fan, I couldn't have been more proud of the way the Bama players collected themselves at half time and came back in the second half. They faced adversity and never gave up. I think that this team showed a lot of character in their win and like I said, it was a proud moment to be a Bama fan. (The picture below was of the scoreboard about 30 seconds after the game. As the picture was being taken, the scoreboard was being turned off in an attempt to erase all evidence of the Razorbacks loss instantaneously).
- On a personal note, it was great to spend the day with my sister and be with her as she attended her first college football game. I told her that she was extremely lucky to be able to see such a big time game in such a great atmosphere! The bar has been set high, so her next game will have a tough act to follow.
- The following week Alabama crushed Florida in Tuscaloosa and the hype hit a fever pitch. Unfortunately, it seemed as if the team had drank the dreaded Kool-Aid (a mix of media hype and fans telling you that you are the best team ever) and came out flat against a South Carolina team that played the best game that they possibly could. Credit is due to the Gamecocks, they came out more prepared than Alabama and seemed to want it more than Bama did.
- South Carolina was the first of the SEC teams that Alabama will play this year coming off of a bye week. SC seemed to really make the most of the extra time they had to prepare.
- The Alabama offense looked a little bit out of sync this week as they took care of Ole Miss in a methodical win. The defense played great and benefitted from the fact that Ole Miss is just a weak team this year.
- Tennessee is up this week and you can bet that they will be fired up when Bama comes to Knoxville. The Vols are obviously down this year and likely won't even qualify for a bowl game. I think that this makes them a little dangerous in this game. Let me be clear, Alabama is a vastly superior team and should win this game. However, you have to expect Tennessee to come out swinging. I'm confident that they will have used their bye week better than Ole Miss did and will come out with some suprises. The problem for Tennessee this year is just their utter lack of depth.
- Following the Tennessee game, Alabama has a much needed bye week as they prepare for the home stretch. Hopefully this will allow the Tide to regroup and get healthy before they face LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn. There are quite a few guys in the playing rotation who are currently banged up.
- Around college football, other powerful programs have fallen on tough times. Florida and Texas have both struggled compared to their recent dominance. Texas did manage to knock Nebraska from the unbeaten ranks this past week as the Cornhuskers and Ohio State Buckeyes both took a major step back from their pursuit of a National Championship.
- Auburn and LSU haven't been flashy this year in their wins, but both teams deserve the recognition they are receiving for both being undefeated to this point. Cam Newton has been better than anyone could have possibly expected. He has absolutely carried Auburn to this point in the season and is currently the clear leader for the Heisman Trophy.
- LSU has had their issues on offense (particularly at QB) but they have been led by their defense. Particularly, Patrick Peterson has made his mark as the best defensive player in college football. Peterson has even contributed on special teams this year in a major way. It should be a great matchup this weekend when LSU and Auburn collide.
- Earlier this week I was traveling in the Pacific Northwest and my job took me to Boise, Idaho. Since I was there, I figured that I needed to drive by Boise State University and see if I could get a peek at the "smurf turf." It was tough to get close, so these pictures from the outside will have to do.
- I did have a chance to visit with some Boise State fans and Oregon fans during my trip. Both groups are convinced that their teams are the best in the nation. If Oregon goes through their schedule undefeated, I think their argument will be as valid as anyone else in the nation. However, the same can't be said for Boise State. They simply do not play against the same level of competition.
-Anyway, I don't care to get too deep in that discussion. This year the college football scene is wide open in comparison to the last few years. I'm excited to see how everything plays out over the next few months.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Watching Some Football Next to a Basketball Cathedral
Last weekend my wife and I were able to go to North Carolina to visit my sister and brother-in-law. We had a great trip and spent some quality time together. Family is an area of my life that I have been immensely blessed in and I am extremely thankful for them!
On Saturday we headed over to Duke University to attend the Alabama-Duke football game. We parked on the outskirts of campus and made our way towards the stadium. First things first, Duke has a beautiful campus! The natural beauty combined with the Gothic architecture on campus makes Duke a unique setting and it is easy to see how the University attracts the caliber of students that they do.
As we got closer to the center of campus I noticed a large group of students in some type of fenced in area. There was a stage with live music set up and students within the area going crazy. They seemed to be "enjoying themselves" but no one seemed to realize that there was a football game starting in a few hours. As we continued past the tennis courts, we came upon a familiar site. There were tents set up serving BBQ and burgers- and they were full of Alabama fans! On the very end of the row (5 or 6 tents total) was a small tent with a few Duke fans scattered in the area. Speakers were blaring "Sweet Home Alabama" and I almost forgot where I was.
Once we made it past the row of tents I asked a man in a Duke shirt where Cameron Indoor was. He just smiled and pointed to the building directly behind me. From the outside, Cameron Indoor looks like an academic building blended with some type of cathedral. I knew that it was pretty small as far as gyms go, but I wasn't fully prepared. We noticed a few people coming in and out of the building so we decided to pretend like we belonged and go on in!
Everything happened quickly from that point on. We walked in at floor-level and were able to stay there for a few minutes until the Duke security started to feel a little overpowered and began directing us to the stands above the court. There were a lot of photo opportunities and we had some time to just sit in the stands and soak in the history around us. I was overwhelmed by the entire atmosphere. The gym was smaller than I imagined, there were so many banners honoring former players, the National Championship banners; it was a lot to take in.
I've grown up cheering for Alabama first in any college sporting event, but Duke has always been an easy team for my Dad and I to cheer for when basketball comes around. (The "Cubs rule" applies most years since Alabama is rarely a national contender in basketball). The way that Coach K runs the basketball program at Duke has been a model of consistency, integrity, and hard work. In my opinion, the man coaches basketball the way it should be coached. Duke consistently puts together teams that give their best effort and play the game the way it should be played. I say all of that to say; the combination of seeing Alabama play football after spending time in Cameron Indoor was almost too much to process.
If you watched the game on Saturday or saw highlights then you know it wasn't much of a competition, so I won't spend as much time on the actual game as I usually do. Duke was over matched at every position and they didn't have a realistic chance of winning at any point in the game. I paid close attention to Mark Ingram (as most Alabama fans did) throughout warm ups and once the game got started. His knee looked great on a couple of cuts that he made in the first quarter. I also watched Marcel Dareus on quite a few plays. While Dareus didn't have a huge game statistically, it is easy to see why he is regarded as one of the top NFL prospects in all of college football. The speed and power that he generates off the line is astounding. He blew up quite a few plays by simply erupting into the offensive linemen in front of him and driving them into the backfield. Alabama is a much better team with both of these guys healthy and eligible to play.
I've been to quite a few SEC football games (I can think of 5 different SEC stadiums that I've been to) but this one was very different than any of the other games I have attended. Wallace Wade Stadium was overflowing with Duke blue and the crimson of Alabama. The announced attendance at the game was just over 39,000! This small crowd created a cozy atmosphere. I've always known that the ACC is a basketball conference and not a football conference, but I had never experienced such a relaxed football environment.
At halftime, Coach K and two other Duke assistants were honored for their roles in leading Team USA in winning the gold medal during the recent FIBA World Championships in Turkey. I haven't had as much time as I would like to update the blog lately, but I need to say a few words regarding the FIBA Championships. The championship game was played at 1 PM on the first Sunday of the NFL regular season, so I am guessing that I was one of the few people to choose to watch the game vs. Turkey over the plethora of NFL games. Kevin Durant is currently the best basketball player in the world. Period. I watched every USA game of the FIBA tournament and Durant never failed to impress. He plays hard on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. His teammates all seemed to legitimately enjoy playing with him and being around him. While other stars may have spent their time this summers "improving their brand," Durant was improving his game. I'm expecting big things this upcoming NBA season from Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will have to prove it through 82 games and into the playoffs for people to believe, but I will go ahead and say that I am drinking the kool-aid.
Overall, I was impressed by the atmosphere at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Duke fans for the most part were very respectful and seemed appreciative of the fact that Alabama was there to play and draw some national attention to their program. It was a classy move by their University to open up Cameron Indoor with the realization that so many visitors would be on campus and would be interested in stopping by. When I watched the game on my DVR after returning home, I was able to hear Coach K interviewed in the second quarter. He was extremely gracious about his friendship with Coach Saban and the success of the Alabama football program. He stated at one point, "It's an honor to have Alabama here."
I can say that it was an honor to be there as a fan. I will be heading to Fayetville this weekend for the Alabama-Arkansas match up and I've got a hunch that the locals may not be as welcoming this Saturday.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Best Time of the Year in the Sports World
The best time of the sports year is upon us. It still feels like summer outside, but we are only a few weeks away from fall temperatures and conference rivalries. We have the U.S. Open going (of course Andy Roddick can't say the same), the NFL finishing up their preseason games, a legitimate Triple Crown race in the National League, High School Football starting, the FIBA World Basketball Championship tournament, EPL and Champions League Soccer, and most importantly; College Football!
So here is your link to the games on TV this week:
Football on TV this week
So here is your link to the games on TV this week:
Football on TV this week
Friday, August 6, 2010
Follow Up from the Carlos Gonzalez Cycle
One of my friends shared this link with me and I thought it was worth the post. This video shows each hit from Cargo's cycle at the Cubs-Rockies game last week. Of course it is capped off with his walk off home run in the 9th inning. Notice the reaction of the fan (a Cubs fan!) who catches the home run. I feel like I would have had the same reaction of disbelief and shock since it is hard to be too excited about even a spectacular moment when it is at the expense of your team. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Cubs vs. Rockies - July 31, 2010
Things have been busy lately so I apologize for neglecting the Greens Acres a bit. I was in California for about a week and then back in the office for a few days before flying to Colorado. Also, this time of year is a little slow in the sports world (you won't see any Favre or A-Rod articles here) so I am really looking forward to the start of football season! I hope to provide some "team previews" over the next few weeks.
Before we rush into football season, I do want to re-visit the Cubs-Rockies game from last Saturday night. If you didn't see the game or catch the highlights, you missed some good stuff. I was at the game, so I will do my best to provide some insight.
The Rockies had thumped the Cubs 17-2 on Friday night and the Cubs had just traded Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers, so I was interested to see how the mood was at the ballpark. I arrived early for batting practice and headed down to the field.
There were Cubs fans everywhere. It really seemed like the ratio was about 1:1 between Cubs fans and Rockies fans. The attendance for the night was 48,000+, so the game was packed. This was Carlos Zambrano's second day back with the team, so I tried to keep an eye on him during batting practice. I remember going to a Cubs-Cardinals game a few years ago and seeing him run all over the place in B.P. I was interested in seeing if that had changed since his "anger management." Nope. Big Z and Sean Marshall warmed up and then went out to the warning track to try and rob some home runs during batting practice. At one point, Zambrano made a nice catch where he ran a few steps to his right, jumped, and caught the ball above the wall.
A few thoughts from the game:
-Marlon Byrd made a great diving catch on a ball in center field during the 7th inning. The Cubs were trailing 5-2 at the time and Byrd seemed to be a little dinged up as he got up from making the play. The Cubs need more players like Byrd who are going to play hard and give it their all even when things aren't looking good. Right now there are too many guys who are willing to jog after balls in the outfield and take their time when trying to beat out a double play ball.
-I loved that Derek Lee hit a 3-run homer in the 8th inning to tie the game. My dad instantly sent me a text that read: "Boom!!! Glad he decided not to go to the Angels." Absolutely. My response was that Lee needs to retire as a Cub. I realize that his power is dwindling and he isn't the player he used to be, but he plays the game the right way. He seems to be a leader in the clubhouse and the type of veteran that you want on your team.
-Zambrano made his first appearance on the mound in over a month when he came in during the 7th inning. He quickly walked a batter and gave up a single to load the bases.
Apparently he thought that he was going to come in for Marlon Byrd and play CF with the way he was "warming up" in batting practice. However, he managed to settle down and get out of the jam with an infield fly and a strikeout. The stadium radar showed that he hit 94 MPH a few times, so his arm looked pretty good considering the layoff.
-Carlos Gonzalez is having a monster year. The fact that he didn't make the All-Star team is a joke. He hits for power, average, and has good speed. He hit for the cycle (more on that in a minute), stole a base, and had a sacrifice fly on Saturday night. If he can cut down on his strikeouts, he has potential to be a MVP caliber player in the future.
-Cargo's walk off was as much of a "no doubter" as I have ever seen. The Rockies fans went crazy (rightfully so) when he launched the ball into the third deck at Coors Field.
Even though my team lost, it was an incredible night at the ballpark. I witnessed something that has never been done in my lifetime (a walk off home run to complete the cycle). For that matter, it was only the fourth time in MLB history that a player has done was Gonzalez did on Saturday night.
Before their win today, the Cubs had lost 7 in a row and it is now officially time to look to next year. Trading Lilly was a good star. It hurt to lose Theriot (a fan favorite), but DeWitt is probably as good of an option or better than Theriot at second base. I really like the young talents of Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin leading off the batting order. I'm sure that by Spring Training next year, I will have the same feelings of belief and hope that I did at the beginning of this year when I was in Mesa. Until then....
Before we rush into football season, I do want to re-visit the Cubs-Rockies game from last Saturday night. If you didn't see the game or catch the highlights, you missed some good stuff. I was at the game, so I will do my best to provide some insight.
The Rockies had thumped the Cubs 17-2 on Friday night and the Cubs had just traded Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers, so I was interested to see how the mood was at the ballpark. I arrived early for batting practice and headed down to the field.
There were Cubs fans everywhere. It really seemed like the ratio was about 1:1 between Cubs fans and Rockies fans. The attendance for the night was 48,000+, so the game was packed. This was Carlos Zambrano's second day back with the team, so I tried to keep an eye on him during batting practice. I remember going to a Cubs-Cardinals game a few years ago and seeing him run all over the place in B.P. I was interested in seeing if that had changed since his "anger management." Nope. Big Z and Sean Marshall warmed up and then went out to the warning track to try and rob some home runs during batting practice. At one point, Zambrano made a nice catch where he ran a few steps to his right, jumped, and caught the ball above the wall.
A few thoughts from the game:
-Marlon Byrd made a great diving catch on a ball in center field during the 7th inning. The Cubs were trailing 5-2 at the time and Byrd seemed to be a little dinged up as he got up from making the play. The Cubs need more players like Byrd who are going to play hard and give it their all even when things aren't looking good. Right now there are too many guys who are willing to jog after balls in the outfield and take their time when trying to beat out a double play ball.
-I loved that Derek Lee hit a 3-run homer in the 8th inning to tie the game. My dad instantly sent me a text that read: "Boom!!! Glad he decided not to go to the Angels." Absolutely. My response was that Lee needs to retire as a Cub. I realize that his power is dwindling and he isn't the player he used to be, but he plays the game the right way. He seems to be a leader in the clubhouse and the type of veteran that you want on your team.
-Zambrano made his first appearance on the mound in over a month when he came in during the 7th inning. He quickly walked a batter and gave up a single to load the bases.
Apparently he thought that he was going to come in for Marlon Byrd and play CF with the way he was "warming up" in batting practice. However, he managed to settle down and get out of the jam with an infield fly and a strikeout. The stadium radar showed that he hit 94 MPH a few times, so his arm looked pretty good considering the layoff.
-Carlos Gonzalez is having a monster year. The fact that he didn't make the All-Star team is a joke. He hits for power, average, and has good speed. He hit for the cycle (more on that in a minute), stole a base, and had a sacrifice fly on Saturday night. If he can cut down on his strikeouts, he has potential to be a MVP caliber player in the future.
-Cargo's walk off was as much of a "no doubter" as I have ever seen. The Rockies fans went crazy (rightfully so) when he launched the ball into the third deck at Coors Field.
Even though my team lost, it was an incredible night at the ballpark. I witnessed something that has never been done in my lifetime (a walk off home run to complete the cycle). For that matter, it was only the fourth time in MLB history that a player has done was Gonzalez did on Saturday night.
Before their win today, the Cubs had lost 7 in a row and it is now officially time to look to next year. Trading Lilly was a good star. It hurt to lose Theriot (a fan favorite), but DeWitt is probably as good of an option or better than Theriot at second base. I really like the young talents of Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin leading off the batting order. I'm sure that by Spring Training next year, I will have the same feelings of belief and hope that I did at the beginning of this year when I was in Mesa. Until then....
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Combination Platter- Cubs and Braves
My entry from Sunday got me thinking and here is my "Cubs/Braves Team of the 1990's." Keep in mind that this isn't necessarily the best team I could make, but more of my list of favorite players from either team at each position. Here it is:
Catcher: Javy Lopez
Lopez was a power hitting catcher who played for some great Braves teams. He beat out Joe Girardi as soon as Girardi sold out and became the coach for the Evil Empire a few years ago.
First Base: Fred McGriff*
"The Crime Dog." See Sunday's post for more details on McGriff.
Second Base: Ryne Sandberg
As soon as I knew that my Dad's favorite player was Ryne Sandberg, I made a concentrated effort to attain every Ryno baseball card that I could possibly find. Here is the crown jewel of my collection:
Shortstop: Jeff Blauser*
There were not a lot of quality choices for shortstop. Blauser was never spectacular and didn't have the hype of Shawon Dunston. However, he was a solid ball player who always seemed to play hard.
Third Base: Chipper Jones
The 90's version of Chipper was durable, dependent, and powerful. He even had decent speed! He had 25 stolen bases in 1999 when he won the National League MVP award.
Left Field: Ryan Klesko
Klesko hit the ball as hard as anyone that I had ever seen play. When he came up in 1994 with the Braves, I loved how he was swinging for the fences every time he stepped to the plate. He hit some home runs that looked like bottle rockets that shot out of the ballpark in less than 3 seconds. He helped his case in the 1995 World Series when he hit a home run in three consecutive games against the Cleveland Indians.
Center Field: Otis Nixon
This was a close battle between Nixon and Marquis Grissom. I gave the edge to Nixon due to his ability to bunt for hits and his ability to look like he was 70 years old by the time he was 30.
Right Field: Andre Dawson
"The Hawk" peaked before the 1990's, but I still had to include him on my list. Dawson did everything you could ask for from a ballplayer. He had 438 career home runs, he stole over 300 bases, was an 8 time gold glove winner, had a cannon for an arm, and always played the game hard. Ryne Sandberg had this to say about Dawson as he (Sandberg) was being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005:
"No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987 [with the Cubs], and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday."
This Sunday Andre Dawson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Technically he will be wearing a Montreal Expos hat, but The Hawk will always be a Cub to me. I'm pretty sure that Ryne Sandberg thinks so too.
Starting Pitcher: Greg Maddux*
Maddux is my favorite baseball player of all time. I could easily devote a whole post to his ability to play the game of baseball. Actually, I'm pretty sure that I will at some point in the future, so I will just post a picture for the time being.
Relief Pitcher: John Rocker
Before you criticize this pick, take a look at John Rocker the baseball player. He sprinted to the mound from the bullpen every time his number was called. He never gave up an earned run in the postseason (20.2 IP). In 1999 he struck out 104 batters in 72 innings. The guy could flat out bring it. It really is unfortunate for everyone that Rocker lost it and really only produced for a couple of seasons.
*These players received bonus points for playing for both the Cubs and the Braves at some point in their career.
In 1998 we took a family vacation to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play the Braves. Kerry Wood had struck out 20 Astros in a game at Wrigley earlier in the month and Sammy Sosa was about to hit 20 home runs in the month of June, so it was a great time to see a game in Chicago.
It was my first trip to Wrigley and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful day, I caught a ball in batting practice, and Kerry Wood struck out 13 over 7 innings. Tom Glavine had a solid outing for the Braves, but the Cubs won the game on a walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Here is the box score from the game:
Braves vs. Cubs- May 29, 1998
My sports memory isn't as sharp as I wish it was for this game. I blame it on the fact that I was 13 years old and seeing my two favorite teams play against each other was just too much for me to handle. I guess that I will just have to go see the Cubs and Braves play again sometime.
Catcher: Javy Lopez
Lopez was a power hitting catcher who played for some great Braves teams. He beat out Joe Girardi as soon as Girardi sold out and became the coach for the Evil Empire a few years ago.
First Base: Fred McGriff*
"The Crime Dog." See Sunday's post for more details on McGriff.
Second Base: Ryne Sandberg
As soon as I knew that my Dad's favorite player was Ryne Sandberg, I made a concentrated effort to attain every Ryno baseball card that I could possibly find. Here is the crown jewel of my collection:
Shortstop: Jeff Blauser*
There were not a lot of quality choices for shortstop. Blauser was never spectacular and didn't have the hype of Shawon Dunston. However, he was a solid ball player who always seemed to play hard.
Third Base: Chipper Jones
The 90's version of Chipper was durable, dependent, and powerful. He even had decent speed! He had 25 stolen bases in 1999 when he won the National League MVP award.
Left Field: Ryan Klesko
Klesko hit the ball as hard as anyone that I had ever seen play. When he came up in 1994 with the Braves, I loved how he was swinging for the fences every time he stepped to the plate. He hit some home runs that looked like bottle rockets that shot out of the ballpark in less than 3 seconds. He helped his case in the 1995 World Series when he hit a home run in three consecutive games against the Cleveland Indians.
Center Field: Otis Nixon
This was a close battle between Nixon and Marquis Grissom. I gave the edge to Nixon due to his ability to bunt for hits and his ability to look like he was 70 years old by the time he was 30.
Right Field: Andre Dawson
"The Hawk" peaked before the 1990's, but I still had to include him on my list. Dawson did everything you could ask for from a ballplayer. He had 438 career home runs, he stole over 300 bases, was an 8 time gold glove winner, had a cannon for an arm, and always played the game hard. Ryne Sandberg had this to say about Dawson as he (Sandberg) was being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005:
"No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987 [with the Cubs], and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday."
This Sunday Andre Dawson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Technically he will be wearing a Montreal Expos hat, but The Hawk will always be a Cub to me. I'm pretty sure that Ryne Sandberg thinks so too.
Starting Pitcher: Greg Maddux*
Maddux is my favorite baseball player of all time. I could easily devote a whole post to his ability to play the game of baseball. Actually, I'm pretty sure that I will at some point in the future, so I will just post a picture for the time being.
Relief Pitcher: John Rocker
Before you criticize this pick, take a look at John Rocker the baseball player. He sprinted to the mound from the bullpen every time his number was called. He never gave up an earned run in the postseason (20.2 IP). In 1999 he struck out 104 batters in 72 innings. The guy could flat out bring it. It really is unfortunate for everyone that Rocker lost it and really only produced for a couple of seasons.
*These players received bonus points for playing for both the Cubs and the Braves at some point in their career.
In 1998 we took a family vacation to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play the Braves. Kerry Wood had struck out 20 Astros in a game at Wrigley earlier in the month and Sammy Sosa was about to hit 20 home runs in the month of June, so it was a great time to see a game in Chicago.
It was my first trip to Wrigley and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful day, I caught a ball in batting practice, and Kerry Wood struck out 13 over 7 innings. Tom Glavine had a solid outing for the Braves, but the Cubs won the game on a walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Here is the box score from the game:
Braves vs. Cubs- May 29, 1998
My sports memory isn't as sharp as I wish it was for this game. I blame it on the fact that I was 13 years old and seeing my two favorite teams play against each other was just too much for me to handle. I guess that I will just have to go see the Cubs and Braves play again sometime.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Midsummer Classic
The Midsummer Classic has always been my favorite "All-Star" showcase to look forward to in any sport. There is something about baseball in the middle of summer that is just right. I don't know how to describe it, but it just feels right. I've always pulled for the National League since my two favorite teams reside there. A little background information:
My Dad is a Cubs fan and I have therefore inherited the same team and the same "curse" that some people consider being a Cubs fan to be. However, I also grew up in the Southeastern United States. In the Southeast there was only one baseball team; the Atlanta Braves. Therefore, the Braves quickly became my #1B team to the Cubs #1A. It seemed like each year the Cubs would be eliminated from playoff contention and I would become a 100% Braves fan. Some people may call this unfair, but I call it a necessary coping mechanism to being a Cubs fan. It allowed me to continue watching baseball with a vested interest even after the Cubs were eliminated. To this day, I still follow the Braves and cheer for them anytime they aren't playing the Cubs.
Back to the Midsummer Classic. The first All-Star game memory that sticks out in my mind is the 1994 game that took place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The National League trailed 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth inning and things were looking pretty bleak. Someone got on base and that brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Fred McGriff. I loved "The Crime Dog" from the moment he set the press box on fire at Fulton County Stadium in the Summer of 1993 and then carried the Braves through one of the great hot streaks in baseball history. I even loved his swing and often tried (unsuccessfully) to emulate his helicopter like finish in the back yard.
Check out this clip from the game to see the Crime Dog in action:
McGriff's home run tied the game at 7-7 and the NL went on to win the game 8-7 in 10 innings. McGriff was named MVP.
Now, lets skip forward 16 years to this years All Star game. As you may have already guessed, this one was particularly sweet for me. It was pointed out about 102 times during the broadcast that the National League had not won an All Star Game since 1996. Each loss seemed to feed the misconception that the AL is the "superior league."
I loved seeing an Atlanta Brave, Brian McCann, deliver the clutch hit in the 7th inning that scored all three NL runs and earned himself the MVP. It was icing on the cake that a Chicago Cub scored one of the runs on the play (Marlon Byrd) and then sprinkles on the icing of the cake when Byrd made a great defensive play to force out David Ortiz from RF in the 9th inning. I was thrilled.
When you are a Cubs fan, you learn to count even these small feats as victories. But hey, those Braves sure are looking good this year aren't they?
My Dad is a Cubs fan and I have therefore inherited the same team and the same "curse" that some people consider being a Cubs fan to be. However, I also grew up in the Southeastern United States. In the Southeast there was only one baseball team; the Atlanta Braves. Therefore, the Braves quickly became my #1B team to the Cubs #1A. It seemed like each year the Cubs would be eliminated from playoff contention and I would become a 100% Braves fan. Some people may call this unfair, but I call it a necessary coping mechanism to being a Cubs fan. It allowed me to continue watching baseball with a vested interest even after the Cubs were eliminated. To this day, I still follow the Braves and cheer for them anytime they aren't playing the Cubs.
Back to the Midsummer Classic. The first All-Star game memory that sticks out in my mind is the 1994 game that took place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The National League trailed 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth inning and things were looking pretty bleak. Someone got on base and that brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Fred McGriff. I loved "The Crime Dog" from the moment he set the press box on fire at Fulton County Stadium in the Summer of 1993 and then carried the Braves through one of the great hot streaks in baseball history. I even loved his swing and often tried (unsuccessfully) to emulate his helicopter like finish in the back yard.
Check out this clip from the game to see the Crime Dog in action:
McGriff's home run tied the game at 7-7 and the NL went on to win the game 8-7 in 10 innings. McGriff was named MVP.
Now, lets skip forward 16 years to this years All Star game. As you may have already guessed, this one was particularly sweet for me. It was pointed out about 102 times during the broadcast that the National League had not won an All Star Game since 1996. Each loss seemed to feed the misconception that the AL is the "superior league."
I loved seeing an Atlanta Brave, Brian McCann, deliver the clutch hit in the 7th inning that scored all three NL runs and earned himself the MVP. It was icing on the cake that a Chicago Cub scored one of the runs on the play (Marlon Byrd) and then sprinkles on the icing of the cake when Byrd made a great defensive play to force out David Ortiz from RF in the 9th inning. I was thrilled.
When you are a Cubs fan, you learn to count even these small feats as victories. But hey, those Braves sure are looking good this year aren't they?
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Cool Soccer Terms
The 2010 World Cup came to an end on Sunday with Spain taking home the ultimate prize. The game wasn't particularly fun to watch so I decided to bypass a game summary and go in a different direction.
I was telling my wife the other day that one of the reasons I was loving the World Cup was because of all the cool soccer terms. She responded with a skeptical, "like what?" Of course I could only come up with 1 or 2 under pressure. So here is my list after having some time to think about it.
Diving Header- A good combination of excitement. Scoring with a goal with your head is enough to amaze me, but diving at the same time is extraordinary.
Crackling shot- You here this one occasionally when a ball is well struck.
Counter Attack- An exciting play when the advantage suddenly shifts from the attacking team to the team that was defending but now has an opportunity to score.
First Touch- The critical ability of a player to control the ball in a variety of different ways the moment it reaches their foot.
Golden Boot- Awarded to the top scorer in the World Cup.
The Pitch- I like when words have completely different meanings when used in different sports.
A smashing drive- Similar to a "crackling shot."
Offside (not offsides)- This is the first critical rule to understand when beginning to watch soccer.
What a lovely ball- Usually reserved for a cross in front of the goal or a pass that otherwise sets up an opportunity to get a good shot on goal.
Bicycle Kick- It is rarely successful or practical, but cool none the less.
Put it in the upper 90- When a striker puts the ball in one of the top corners of the goal.
The Wall- Fun to look at and fun to say. The Wall.
Onion Bag- You gotta love when someone puts the ball in the back of the onion bag.
Stoppage Time- "The one thing in soccer that makes sense" according to my wife.
Cards- This is more of a cool concept than a cool term. I recently suggested to my co-workers that we start bringing red and yellow cards to our weekly meetings. They could be used when someone says something ridiculous or out of line (since that happens somewhat frequently). Two yellow cards and you have to sit out the next meeting. One red card and you are immediately required to leave the meeting.
Here are a few other things that I have loved about the World Cup:
-I love the start of the game. When both teams come out together and stand side by side as each team sings along with their National Anthem. I love that moment.
-I like that players go crazy when they score a goal. If the celebration is among team mates and they aren't showing up the other team, I think it is great.
-I also love the end of the game. The exchange of jerseys as a sign of respect is a tradition that I would love to see carried over to other sports.
-Speaking of cool traditions; I've been following Everton FC, so I'm not a Liverpool fan, but I have to admit that they have a pretty awesome tradition. The singing of "You'll Never Walk Alone" gives me chills. Enjoy.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
College World Series Champs- South Carolina!
The South Carolina Gamecocks won their first ever men's sport National Championship on Tuesday night with a walk-off win over UCLA. It was well publicized that it was the last College World Series to be played at Rosenblatt Stadium and it was only fitting that the game was won in dramatic fashion. With 61 consecutive years of hosting the championship of college baseball, it was an emotional scene to see Rosenblatt host its final CWS. The new stadium in downtown Omaha will be state of the art and will bring in more revenue, but it won't be the same.
College Baseball seems to be one of the most difficult sports to predict when it comes to the postseason. Every year it seems like there are about 20 teams who have a realistic chance to win. For example, the Gamecocks didn't win the regular season SEC crown (Florida) or the SEC Tournament (LSU), but they got it done when it counted to win the World Series. They reeled off 6 consecutive wins to win the CWS and you've got to give them credit for the way they won. Their team ERA of 2.15 at the CWS was spectacular.
Here is the final poll for the 2010 season: Coaches Poll
A few things to notice. First of all, the SEC finished with 8 teams in the Top 25. There has been a lot of talk in the last few years about the SEC's dominance in College Football, but I can't remember a year when a conference finished with 8 teams in the final Top 25 poll in any of the major sports.
The attendance records for the season were similar. The SEC had the top 4 teams in average home attendance as well as 6 of the top 10.
I don't think that anyone can argue that the SEC was the best conference for college baseball by a large margin this season. The South Carolina Gamecocks came from the best conference and were the best team at the time when it mattered most. Congratulations to the University of South Carolina! Time to make room next to that Women's Track & Field Trophy and the Women's Equestrian Trophies, you finally won one that people will pay attention to!
College Baseball seems to be one of the most difficult sports to predict when it comes to the postseason. Every year it seems like there are about 20 teams who have a realistic chance to win. For example, the Gamecocks didn't win the regular season SEC crown (Florida) or the SEC Tournament (LSU), but they got it done when it counted to win the World Series. They reeled off 6 consecutive wins to win the CWS and you've got to give them credit for the way they won. Their team ERA of 2.15 at the CWS was spectacular.
Here is the final poll for the 2010 season: Coaches Poll
A few things to notice. First of all, the SEC finished with 8 teams in the Top 25. There has been a lot of talk in the last few years about the SEC's dominance in College Football, but I can't remember a year when a conference finished with 8 teams in the final Top 25 poll in any of the major sports.
The attendance records for the season were similar. The SEC had the top 4 teams in average home attendance as well as 6 of the top 10.
I don't think that anyone can argue that the SEC was the best conference for college baseball by a large margin this season. The South Carolina Gamecocks came from the best conference and were the best team at the time when it mattered most. Congratulations to the University of South Carolina! Time to make room next to that Women's Track & Field Trophy and the Women's Equestrian Trophies, you finally won one that people will pay attention to!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Checking in with the St. Louis Cardinals
I was in St. Louis on Monday night to watch the Cardinals rally in the 9th to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5. Dan Haren pitched well into the 9th inning, but the Diamondbacks blew the game with 2 errors that led to 3 runs for the Cardinals.
Haren continued his hot hitting against his former team with a home run off of Chris Carpenter in the 7th. The game also featured a home run by Mark Reynolds that only made it to the front of the warning track until Randy Winn helped it over the fence. Needless to say, the fans in St. Louis weren't too thrilled with that play.
The Diamondbacks melted as soon as Aaron Heilman came in for Haren in the 9th. The Cards pulled out the win to stay even with the surprising Cincinnati Reds.
Pictures from the night:
Friday, June 25, 2010
USA! USA! USA!
The United States have advanced to the Round of 16 at the World Cup by defeating Algeria 1-0 on Wednesday. The United States went from elimination to winners of Group C in a matter of seconds.
Lets take a look at the events that took place to set up this moment:
In their first game of the World Cup, the United States battled England to a 1-1 tie in the most hyped game of the tournament. It took quite a bit of luck to come out of that game with a tie, but it was crucial in the build up for the match with Algeria.
In their second game, the USA gave up two early goals to fall behind Slovenia 2-0. However, they managed to make an exciting comeback in the second half. Then of course there was the controversial disallowed goal that would have given them the win. Again though, ending in a tie with Slovenia is what made the Algeria match up what it was.
The United States third match featured another controversial disallowed goal by the USA early in the game. When England went up on Slovenia 1-0 in the game being played simultaneously, the USA-Algeria game immediately ramped up in intensity. The US had to win in order to advance. They had so many chances that were missed that it eventually felt like it just wasn't meant to be. Don't forget that Tim Howard was incredible in goal for the United States and kept them in position to win by thwarting every attempt the Algerian's made to score.
It is hard to describe the emotions that were felt when Landon Donovan put the ball in the back of the net during stoppage time.
I think that this video sums it up best. My personal reaction caused me to run down the hall of my office to celebrate with a few of my co-workers. We were all nearly in tears as our country held on for the victory. We had to take a "cool down" walk after the game in order to ensure that there would be some level of productivity later in the day. So here it is, reactions from others who rejoiced in Donovan's game winning goal. I'm guessing that a few of these people needed "cool down walks" as well.
The World's Reaction to Landon Donovan's Game Winning Goal
To close, this win was historical on many different fronts:
-This was the fist World Cup win for the USA in 8 years.
-It was the first time that the USA has won their group in 80 years.
-It was the greatest victory in the history of USA soccer.
-Plus....a whole bunch of people were watching.
Many people will argue that this World Cup has already been a tremendous success for the United States; and they are correct. However, we still have a real chance to beat Ghana tomorrow (1 PM CT on ABC) and advance to the Quarterfinals. Regardless of what happens, I can guarantee you that our nation will be watching. USA..USA..USA...
Lets take a look at the events that took place to set up this moment:
In their first game of the World Cup, the United States battled England to a 1-1 tie in the most hyped game of the tournament. It took quite a bit of luck to come out of that game with a tie, but it was crucial in the build up for the match with Algeria.
In their second game, the USA gave up two early goals to fall behind Slovenia 2-0. However, they managed to make an exciting comeback in the second half. Then of course there was the controversial disallowed goal that would have given them the win. Again though, ending in a tie with Slovenia is what made the Algeria match up what it was.
The United States third match featured another controversial disallowed goal by the USA early in the game. When England went up on Slovenia 1-0 in the game being played simultaneously, the USA-Algeria game immediately ramped up in intensity. The US had to win in order to advance. They had so many chances that were missed that it eventually felt like it just wasn't meant to be. Don't forget that Tim Howard was incredible in goal for the United States and kept them in position to win by thwarting every attempt the Algerian's made to score.
It is hard to describe the emotions that were felt when Landon Donovan put the ball in the back of the net during stoppage time.
I think that this video sums it up best. My personal reaction caused me to run down the hall of my office to celebrate with a few of my co-workers. We were all nearly in tears as our country held on for the victory. We had to take a "cool down" walk after the game in order to ensure that there would be some level of productivity later in the day. So here it is, reactions from others who rejoiced in Donovan's game winning goal. I'm guessing that a few of these people needed "cool down walks" as well.
The World's Reaction to Landon Donovan's Game Winning Goal
To close, this win was historical on many different fronts:
-This was the fist World Cup win for the USA in 8 years.
-It was the first time that the USA has won their group in 80 years.
-It was the greatest victory in the history of USA soccer.
-Plus....a whole bunch of people were watching.
Many people will argue that this World Cup has already been a tremendous success for the United States; and they are correct. However, we still have a real chance to beat Ghana tomorrow (1 PM CT on ABC) and advance to the Quarterfinals. Regardless of what happens, I can guarantee you that our nation will be watching. USA..USA..USA...
Thursday, June 24, 2010
NBA Draft 2010 Prospects- SEC Edition
The NBA Draft is tonight! There is a lot of information out there about the top prospects and it seems like everyone has a first round "mock draft." I decided to focus in on one conference and try to give some insight on these prospects and their professional future instead.
I have included Seniors who are projected as possible draft picks and all underclassmen who declared early and have signed with an agent. Let me know if I left off anyone who you think may be drafted!
Alabama
Mikhail Torrance
Best Case Scenario: He gets drafted by a team who can develop him as a backup point guard. He eventually becomes a reliable sub and contributor to a winning team. Think of George Hill's role with the Spurs.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and ends up having a decent overseas career.
Draft Projection: #54 overall pick to the Clippers. I like Torrance. He has good size for a point guard and is a tough cover. He shoots his jump shots right handed, but his left hand is his strong hand when he is driving to the basket. He wasn't spectacular at Bama, but he improved every year. Great FT shooter as well.
Arkansas
Courtney Fortson
Best Case Scenario: Follows in the footsteps of former Razorback Kareem Reid and has a successful career playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, NBDL teams, etc.
Worst Case Scenario: He is required to go back and play for the Razorbacks for two more years.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Fortson has had "character issues," he is a horrible shooter, he averaged over 5 turnovers a game last season, and he is undersized. He is on this list because he declared early.
Michael Washington
Best Case Scenario: He earns his way onto the end of a NBA bench and plays a year or two in the league.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and plays overseas or in the NBDL for a few years.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Washington is one of the rare players who really saw his stock drop after returning for his Sr. year. He took a step back on the offensive end of the court and his rebound numbers also decreased. In the end, I think that being a below average defender will ultimately be what keeps him from being drafted.
Kentucky
John Wall
Best Case Scenario: He quickly becomes an all-star caliber player (think Derek Rose) and leads his team to the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: He turns into Jay Williams (#2 Pick in 2002 out of Duke) and never lives up to his potential. Not a really fair comparison to either player since Jay's career was ended by an injury, but that is the floor for Wall.
Draft Projection: #1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards. There has been plenty of talk about Wall, so I will move on.
DeMarcus Cousins
Best Case Scenario: Lands on a team that keeps him motivated and in shape. Develops into an offensive force down low.
Worst Case Scenario: Struggles to maintain his conditioning on the NBA level. Starts hearing Eddy Curry comparisons.
Draft Projection: #5 overall pick to the Sacramento Kings. Cousins is one of the guys who is referred to as having the most "upside" in the draft. I'm not as convinced. He has an incredible skill set, but he was often in foul trouble at Kentucky. He only averaged 23 minutes a game and seemed to lack motivation at times. I'm not sure how he will react to an 82 game season.
Daniel Orton
Best Case Scenario: He becomes a reliable big man for a solid team. Think Kendrick Perkins.
Worst Case Scenario: He never develops his game and only spends a few years in the NBA. Think Jason Smith.
Draft Projection: First Round, #21 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Orton "played" one year at Kentucky. He averaged a little over 3 points and 3 rebounds a game. There are concerns about his left knee that he had surgery on in High School. Most mock drafts that I have seen have Orton going in the lottery, but I just don't see how they justify that. I think that taking Orton at #21 is still too early, but the Thunder could use a big man and he may be the best available at this point.
Eric Bledsoe
Best Case Scenario: Bledsoe is a guy that could be a starter in the NBA this season. Has all-star potential down the road.
Worst Case Scenario: He is forced into early playing time and doesn't respond well.
Draft Projection: First round, #18 overall to the OKC Thunder. Bledsoe would be a great value pick for the Thunder if he falls to them. Great team for him to be on and he would get to play behind Russell Westbrook.
Patrick Patterson
Best Case Scenario: He gets drafted by a playoff team and immediately earns playing time.
Worst Case Scenario: He ends up on a bad team and is forced into carrying more of the offensive load than he is capable of.
Draft Projection: First round, #20 overall to the San Antonio Spurs. Patterson is one of the "NBA ready" players in this years draft. I was very impressed with Patterson's development from his Sophmore to Junior year. He was willing to sacrifice some shots when Kentucky brought in John Wall & Co. He even worked on developing an outside shot. I think that the he has potential to be an Antonio McDyess type player (during McDyess's role player years).
LSU
Tasmin Mitchell
Best Case Scenario: There is a small chance that he could get drafted in the second round. Making a NBA roster looks like the best case scenario for Mitchell.
Worst Case Scenario: Doesn't make it into the NBA and ends up playing ball overseas.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Mitchell never really lived up to what I thought he would become after his freshmen year at LSU. He still has quite a few holes in his game for a guy who is turning 24 this week. I think that he will have to earn his way onto a team as a free agent.
Ole Miss
Terrico White
Best Case Scenario: A team drafts White based on his athleticism and he sneaks into the first round.
Worst Case Scenario: He falls to the second round and then fails to make a NBA roster.
Draft Projection: Second Round, #32 overall to the Miami Heat. Miami traded their first round pick, but they still have need for a guard. White is a risk in the first round, but he has a lot of potential here. With no guaranteed contracts in the second round, he would have to earn his place on the roster.
Mississippi State
Jarvis Varnado
Best Case Scenario: Develops into a Marcus Camby type player. Long NBA career with possibility of leading the league in rebounds or blocks at some point in time.
Worst Case Scenario: Is more of an Amir Johnson (current NBA player, 5+ years in the League) type player. Solid defender who earns starts occasionally and a reliable bench player.
Draft Projection: Second Round, #35 overall to the Washington Wizards. Varnado is my favorite player on this list. He is likely to be drafted in the second round and I think he will be a steal. He will never be a go to scorer on the offensive end of the court, but neither will 3/4 of the guys drafted in front of him. He could really anchor a team defensively.
Vanderbilt
A.J. Ogilvy
Best Case Scenario: He gets scooped up late in the second round by a team who is in desperate need of help in the low post.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and plays overseas. Not too bad of a scenario considering that Ogilvy could go home to Australia and be the star of a professional team there.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Ogilvy's stock really declined during his years at Vanderbilt. He is a solid player, but I think he lacks the athleticism and defensive ability to make it in the NBA.
I have included Seniors who are projected as possible draft picks and all underclassmen who declared early and have signed with an agent. Let me know if I left off anyone who you think may be drafted!
Alabama
Mikhail Torrance
Best Case Scenario: He gets drafted by a team who can develop him as a backup point guard. He eventually becomes a reliable sub and contributor to a winning team. Think of George Hill's role with the Spurs.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and ends up having a decent overseas career.
Draft Projection: #54 overall pick to the Clippers. I like Torrance. He has good size for a point guard and is a tough cover. He shoots his jump shots right handed, but his left hand is his strong hand when he is driving to the basket. He wasn't spectacular at Bama, but he improved every year. Great FT shooter as well.
Arkansas
Courtney Fortson
Best Case Scenario: Follows in the footsteps of former Razorback Kareem Reid and has a successful career playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, NBDL teams, etc.
Worst Case Scenario: He is required to go back and play for the Razorbacks for two more years.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Fortson has had "character issues," he is a horrible shooter, he averaged over 5 turnovers a game last season, and he is undersized. He is on this list because he declared early.
Michael Washington
Best Case Scenario: He earns his way onto the end of a NBA bench and plays a year or two in the league.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and plays overseas or in the NBDL for a few years.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Washington is one of the rare players who really saw his stock drop after returning for his Sr. year. He took a step back on the offensive end of the court and his rebound numbers also decreased. In the end, I think that being a below average defender will ultimately be what keeps him from being drafted.
Kentucky
John Wall
Best Case Scenario: He quickly becomes an all-star caliber player (think Derek Rose) and leads his team to the playoffs.
Worst Case Scenario: He turns into Jay Williams (#2 Pick in 2002 out of Duke) and never lives up to his potential. Not a really fair comparison to either player since Jay's career was ended by an injury, but that is the floor for Wall.
Draft Projection: #1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards. There has been plenty of talk about Wall, so I will move on.
DeMarcus Cousins
Best Case Scenario: Lands on a team that keeps him motivated and in shape. Develops into an offensive force down low.
Worst Case Scenario: Struggles to maintain his conditioning on the NBA level. Starts hearing Eddy Curry comparisons.
Draft Projection: #5 overall pick to the Sacramento Kings. Cousins is one of the guys who is referred to as having the most "upside" in the draft. I'm not as convinced. He has an incredible skill set, but he was often in foul trouble at Kentucky. He only averaged 23 minutes a game and seemed to lack motivation at times. I'm not sure how he will react to an 82 game season.
Daniel Orton
Best Case Scenario: He becomes a reliable big man for a solid team. Think Kendrick Perkins.
Worst Case Scenario: He never develops his game and only spends a few years in the NBA. Think Jason Smith.
Draft Projection: First Round, #21 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Orton "played" one year at Kentucky. He averaged a little over 3 points and 3 rebounds a game. There are concerns about his left knee that he had surgery on in High School. Most mock drafts that I have seen have Orton going in the lottery, but I just don't see how they justify that. I think that taking Orton at #21 is still too early, but the Thunder could use a big man and he may be the best available at this point.
Eric Bledsoe
Best Case Scenario: Bledsoe is a guy that could be a starter in the NBA this season. Has all-star potential down the road.
Worst Case Scenario: He is forced into early playing time and doesn't respond well.
Draft Projection: First round, #18 overall to the OKC Thunder. Bledsoe would be a great value pick for the Thunder if he falls to them. Great team for him to be on and he would get to play behind Russell Westbrook.
Patrick Patterson
Best Case Scenario: He gets drafted by a playoff team and immediately earns playing time.
Worst Case Scenario: He ends up on a bad team and is forced into carrying more of the offensive load than he is capable of.
Draft Projection: First round, #20 overall to the San Antonio Spurs. Patterson is one of the "NBA ready" players in this years draft. I was very impressed with Patterson's development from his Sophmore to Junior year. He was willing to sacrifice some shots when Kentucky brought in John Wall & Co. He even worked on developing an outside shot. I think that the he has potential to be an Antonio McDyess type player (during McDyess's role player years).
LSU
Tasmin Mitchell
Best Case Scenario: There is a small chance that he could get drafted in the second round. Making a NBA roster looks like the best case scenario for Mitchell.
Worst Case Scenario: Doesn't make it into the NBA and ends up playing ball overseas.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Mitchell never really lived up to what I thought he would become after his freshmen year at LSU. He still has quite a few holes in his game for a guy who is turning 24 this week. I think that he will have to earn his way onto a team as a free agent.
Ole Miss
Terrico White
Best Case Scenario: A team drafts White based on his athleticism and he sneaks into the first round.
Worst Case Scenario: He falls to the second round and then fails to make a NBA roster.
Draft Projection: Second Round, #32 overall to the Miami Heat. Miami traded their first round pick, but they still have need for a guard. White is a risk in the first round, but he has a lot of potential here. With no guaranteed contracts in the second round, he would have to earn his place on the roster.
Mississippi State
Jarvis Varnado
Best Case Scenario: Develops into a Marcus Camby type player. Long NBA career with possibility of leading the league in rebounds or blocks at some point in time.
Worst Case Scenario: Is more of an Amir Johnson (current NBA player, 5+ years in the League) type player. Solid defender who earns starts occasionally and a reliable bench player.
Draft Projection: Second Round, #35 overall to the Washington Wizards. Varnado is my favorite player on this list. He is likely to be drafted in the second round and I think he will be a steal. He will never be a go to scorer on the offensive end of the court, but neither will 3/4 of the guys drafted in front of him. He could really anchor a team defensively.
Vanderbilt
A.J. Ogilvy
Best Case Scenario: He gets scooped up late in the second round by a team who is in desperate need of help in the low post.
Worst Case Scenario: He goes undrafted and plays overseas. Not too bad of a scenario considering that Ogilvy could go home to Australia and be the star of a professional team there.
Draft Projection: Undrafted. Ogilvy's stock really declined during his years at Vanderbilt. He is a solid player, but I think he lacks the athleticism and defensive ability to make it in the NBA.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
From the ballpark in Arlington- Texas Rangers
It was a great night in Arlington last night as the Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3.
The Rangers have been playing great baseball so far this year. The win moved their record to 42-28 as they sit atop the American League West standings. They are currently on a 9 game win streak.
Josh Hamilton continued his MVP caliber play as he collected 2 hits on the night; including a home run. He also extended his hitting streak to a career best 17 games.
A few things that I noticed at the ballpark that won't show up in the box score:
-The Pirates had 7 seven hits and 2 runs before the Rangers had their first hit in the fourth inning. However, the Rangers seemed unfazed, knowing that their offense has the ability to create runs in a hurry.
-Julio Borbon really covers a lot of ground in center field. He caught one ball that all the way in right field about 5 steps from where Josh Hamilton was positioned when the ball was hit.
-Elvis Andrus reached on an infield single in the 5th inning and advanced from first to third after a failed pick off attempt. Great hustle play. And the Pirates are really bad.
-In the 6th, Hamilton made a nice play in right field on a double down the line that he got in quickly to Andrus. Andrus delivered a perfect throw to the plate to nail Ryan Doumit who was trying to score from first on the play.
-Dippin' Dots can make any situation more enjoyable.
The Rangers are a good baseball team. When healthy, they have one of the most potent offenses in all of baseball. Their ability to hit home runs is well known, but they were doing the little things right last night as well. If they can continue to get above average pitching, then I think they will be able to beat out the Angels to win the division. If they can make it to the playoffs and get on a streak like they are on now, anything will be possible.
The Rangers have been playing great baseball so far this year. The win moved their record to 42-28 as they sit atop the American League West standings. They are currently on a 9 game win streak.
Josh Hamilton continued his MVP caliber play as he collected 2 hits on the night; including a home run. He also extended his hitting streak to a career best 17 games.
A few things that I noticed at the ballpark that won't show up in the box score:
-The Pirates had 7 seven hits and 2 runs before the Rangers had their first hit in the fourth inning. However, the Rangers seemed unfazed, knowing that their offense has the ability to create runs in a hurry.
-Julio Borbon really covers a lot of ground in center field. He caught one ball that all the way in right field about 5 steps from where Josh Hamilton was positioned when the ball was hit.
-Elvis Andrus reached on an infield single in the 5th inning and advanced from first to third after a failed pick off attempt. Great hustle play. And the Pirates are really bad.
-In the 6th, Hamilton made a nice play in right field on a double down the line that he got in quickly to Andrus. Andrus delivered a perfect throw to the plate to nail Ryan Doumit who was trying to score from first on the play.
-Dippin' Dots can make any situation more enjoyable.
The Rangers are a good baseball team. When healthy, they have one of the most potent offenses in all of baseball. Their ability to hit home runs is well known, but they were doing the little things right last night as well. If they can continue to get above average pitching, then I think they will be able to beat out the Angels to win the division. If they can make it to the playoffs and get on a streak like they are on now, anything will be possible.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The US Open
A Northern Irishman named Graeme McDowell won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday night. The University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate used a final round of 74 to secure the victory over a host of well known players.
McDowell wasn't flashy in the win, but he did what he had to when it counted. As other players faded away, McDowell stayed strong and held on for the win. One of the great things about watching this US Open was seeing how much the best golfers in the world struggled. I think that it makes it easier for average and below average golfers (like myself) to relate to what is happening. It is hard to comprehend what is going on when players are putting up scores like 63 and 64. When a guy leading the tournament puts up a final round 82, it makes me feel more connected to the game.
Now let me make it clear that I do understand the difference between my local course and the course that was played this weekend at Pebble Beach. I wouldn't ever be allowed on the course at Pebble Beach, but I am confident that I would be unbelievably horrible if I made it out there. See if you can tell the difference between these two Par 3's.
In the top picture I think that I would lose about 15 balls with how bad my slice is before I would get one on the green. Now in the other picture I think that I would have a chance at par.
From someone living in the Central Time Zone, I really enjoyed watching the final two rounds in prime time. While the PGA tour is still trying to figure out what to do post-Tiger scandal, I think that golf in prime time is a great start when possible.
McDowell wasn't flashy in the win, but he did what he had to when it counted. As other players faded away, McDowell stayed strong and held on for the win. One of the great things about watching this US Open was seeing how much the best golfers in the world struggled. I think that it makes it easier for average and below average golfers (like myself) to relate to what is happening. It is hard to comprehend what is going on when players are putting up scores like 63 and 64. When a guy leading the tournament puts up a final round 82, it makes me feel more connected to the game.
Now let me make it clear that I do understand the difference between my local course and the course that was played this weekend at Pebble Beach. I wouldn't ever be allowed on the course at Pebble Beach, but I am confident that I would be unbelievably horrible if I made it out there. See if you can tell the difference between these two Par 3's.
In the top picture I think that I would lose about 15 balls with how bad my slice is before I would get one on the green. Now in the other picture I think that I would have a chance at par.
From someone living in the Central Time Zone, I really enjoyed watching the final two rounds in prime time. While the PGA tour is still trying to figure out what to do post-Tiger scandal, I think that golf in prime time is a great start when possible.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
NBA Finals- Game 7 Recap
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 to win the NBA Championship on Thursday night. It was a grueling defensive battle for both teams as the Lakers overcame shooting 32.5% from the field to win the game.
Thoughts from Game 7
In a defensive battle like the one that occurred in Game 7, it seemed like Kendrick Perkins absence was a major factor. The Lakers absolutely controlled the boards. Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis played well on the offensive end of the floor, but neither of them were nearly as physical as Perkins in boxing out Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers. LA took advantage and dominated the glass.
In fairness to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum was also extremely limited in Game 7. They simply did a better job of taking advantage of the match ups that were available than the Celtics did.
Pau Gasol should have been the Finals MVP. Kobe Bryant won it based on his reputation, not his actual performance. Kobe had one "great" game (which was really just a great 3rd quarter) and the Lakers actually lost that game (Game 5). Check out their stat lines from Game 7 when the series was decided:
Gasol: 6/16 FG, 19 PTS, 18 RBS (9 offensive), 4 AST, 2 BLK, 1 TO.
Bryant: 6/24 FG, 23 PTS, 15 RBS, 2 AST, 0 BLK, 4 TO.
Anyone who watched Game 7 realizes that Kobe came indescribably close to shooting his team out of the game. If not for a couple of timely three pointers from Ron Artest and Derek Fisher, this article would have an entire different direction.
Once the Lakers took the lead with 6 minutes left in the game, the game was essentially over. The Celtics didn't have enough fire power to come back and the Lakers are a much, much better team with the lead.
I think that it is necessary to acknowledge the discrepancy in free throw attempts for both teams. The Lakers attempted 37 free throws to 17 by the Celtics. Were the Lakers THAT much more aggressive in Game 7? Take a look at the three point attempts for the game: 20 for LA and 16 for Boston. How about points in the paint? 36 for Boston and 38 for LA. It was really disappointing to watch the Lakers win the game at the line. Even if they earned their trips to the line, there is nothing as dull as watching a team win a game in a dead-ball situation.
Regardless of how the game was officiated, the Lakers earned home court advantage by their play in the regular season. Someone should tell that to Rasheed Wallace. The regular season actually does matter. Write that down somewhere.
In the end, only one team can be declared champion. Like it or not, that team for 2010 is the Los Angeles Lakers. They made the clutch shots that had to be made, seemed to get every loose ball, and played great defense the entire game.
Thoughts from Game 7
In a defensive battle like the one that occurred in Game 7, it seemed like Kendrick Perkins absence was a major factor. The Lakers absolutely controlled the boards. Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis played well on the offensive end of the floor, but neither of them were nearly as physical as Perkins in boxing out Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers. LA took advantage and dominated the glass.
In fairness to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum was also extremely limited in Game 7. They simply did a better job of taking advantage of the match ups that were available than the Celtics did.
Pau Gasol should have been the Finals MVP. Kobe Bryant won it based on his reputation, not his actual performance. Kobe had one "great" game (which was really just a great 3rd quarter) and the Lakers actually lost that game (Game 5). Check out their stat lines from Game 7 when the series was decided:
Gasol: 6/16 FG, 19 PTS, 18 RBS (9 offensive), 4 AST, 2 BLK, 1 TO.
Bryant: 6/24 FG, 23 PTS, 15 RBS, 2 AST, 0 BLK, 4 TO.
Anyone who watched Game 7 realizes that Kobe came indescribably close to shooting his team out of the game. If not for a couple of timely three pointers from Ron Artest and Derek Fisher, this article would have an entire different direction.
Once the Lakers took the lead with 6 minutes left in the game, the game was essentially over. The Celtics didn't have enough fire power to come back and the Lakers are a much, much better team with the lead.
I think that it is necessary to acknowledge the discrepancy in free throw attempts for both teams. The Lakers attempted 37 free throws to 17 by the Celtics. Were the Lakers THAT much more aggressive in Game 7? Take a look at the three point attempts for the game: 20 for LA and 16 for Boston. How about points in the paint? 36 for Boston and 38 for LA. It was really disappointing to watch the Lakers win the game at the line. Even if they earned their trips to the line, there is nothing as dull as watching a team win a game in a dead-ball situation.
Regardless of how the game was officiated, the Lakers earned home court advantage by their play in the regular season. Someone should tell that to Rasheed Wallace. The regular season actually does matter. Write that down somewhere.
In the end, only one team can be declared champion. Like it or not, that team for 2010 is the Los Angeles Lakers. They made the clutch shots that had to be made, seemed to get every loose ball, and played great defense the entire game.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Game 5 Recap and Preview to Game 6
Sorry for the delay in posting thoughts about Game 5, it's been a busy week at work and at home. I watched Game 5 from my home that is currently without A/C. The only way to stay "cool" is by sitting perfectly still underneath the ceiling fan in the living room, but that wasn't going to happen during a Celtics-Lakers Game 5 with the series tied 2-2. Thoughts from the game:
-The benefit of the temperature at my house being 85+ degrees during the game was that I actually felt like I was at the Garden. Seriously, I really did feel like I was more into the game than normal. I think that there is something about sweating while watching a game that makes you feel like you are really a key participant in the event.
-The downside of the inside temperature being what it was: I drank a 32 ounce Powerade, two 20 ounce bottles of water, ate an ice cream bar, and still almost had to hook myself up to an IV after the game.
-Ok...time for thoughts on the actual game. Paul Pierce came out ready to play. He scored 27 points while only taking two free throws! Most of Pierce's big playoff games are a result of him getting to the line a lot. This performance is a good set up for him to be more aggressive in getting to the rim in Game 6.
-Kevin Garnett played a quietly brilliant game. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. KG's performance in the last few games has been critical to the Celtics winning. There has been so much talk about Andrew Bynum and his knee that I think people have forgotten how much KG has stepped up his game since the beginning of the series when he was moving like Vlade Divac in the post.
-Kobe Bryant was as unstoppable as anyone can be in the 3rd quarter of Game 5. He was taking tough shots and he was hitting every one of them. Doc Rivers said it best when he summed up Kobe's performance by saying, "There isn't a better shot maker in the game than Kobe Bryant."
-Kobe still finished the game shooting less than 50% from the field.
-The Lakers failed to cut into Boston's lead during Kobe's hot streak.
-Kobe never found a way to get his team mates involved. No one on the Lakers team seemed to be playing inspired defense. There were times when the Lakers would go for minutes at a time with no one other than Kobe touching the ball on the offensive end of the court.
-Stan Van Gundy said it best when he summed up Derek Fishers flopping, "The guy acts like he just got shot by a sniper every time he shoots a jump shot." That is my issue with Fisher. I am well aware that there are plenty of other guys in the NBA (and in this series) who flop on a regular basis, but his manner in doing so is too much to handle.
A few of the big moments from Game 5 that aren't mentioned in the slide show at the bottom of this post:
-Tony Allen's block on Pau Gasol. For as terrible as Tony is on offense, he really is a great defender (on the ball, off the ball, helpside, etc).
-Rajon Rondo's tip in over Lamar Odom and Kobe was incredible. That moment was the loudest moment of the night in the Green House.
-Ron Artest bricking two critical free throws, Kobe coming down the lane for the rebound, and then Paul Pierce wrestling the ball away from Kobe.
What to look for in Game 6
-How will Andrew Bynum respond to playing 31 minutes in Game 5, flying across the country, and just having one day of rest between games? You've got to love his desire to play and contribute to his team, but at some point he is harming himself and his team more than he is helping them.
-What has happened to Shannon Brown this series?? Will he make any contributions in Game 6?
-Which Rondo will show up? If he is aggressive, the Celtics will win. In Game 5 he had seven turnovers and the Celtics were still in control of the game. He must continue to attack the basket when Kobe is giving him that much room.
-At some point the Lakers will make a run. My guess is that it will be very early. Can the Celtics answer the call and match the early intensity that they had in Games 4 and 5?
Game 5 Slideshow
-The benefit of the temperature at my house being 85+ degrees during the game was that I actually felt like I was at the Garden. Seriously, I really did feel like I was more into the game than normal. I think that there is something about sweating while watching a game that makes you feel like you are really a key participant in the event.
-The downside of the inside temperature being what it was: I drank a 32 ounce Powerade, two 20 ounce bottles of water, ate an ice cream bar, and still almost had to hook myself up to an IV after the game.
-Ok...time for thoughts on the actual game. Paul Pierce came out ready to play. He scored 27 points while only taking two free throws! Most of Pierce's big playoff games are a result of him getting to the line a lot. This performance is a good set up for him to be more aggressive in getting to the rim in Game 6.
-Kevin Garnett played a quietly brilliant game. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. KG's performance in the last few games has been critical to the Celtics winning. There has been so much talk about Andrew Bynum and his knee that I think people have forgotten how much KG has stepped up his game since the beginning of the series when he was moving like Vlade Divac in the post.
-Kobe Bryant was as unstoppable as anyone can be in the 3rd quarter of Game 5. He was taking tough shots and he was hitting every one of them. Doc Rivers said it best when he summed up Kobe's performance by saying, "There isn't a better shot maker in the game than Kobe Bryant."
-Kobe still finished the game shooting less than 50% from the field.
-The Lakers failed to cut into Boston's lead during Kobe's hot streak.
-Kobe never found a way to get his team mates involved. No one on the Lakers team seemed to be playing inspired defense. There were times when the Lakers would go for minutes at a time with no one other than Kobe touching the ball on the offensive end of the court.
-Stan Van Gundy said it best when he summed up Derek Fishers flopping, "The guy acts like he just got shot by a sniper every time he shoots a jump shot." That is my issue with Fisher. I am well aware that there are plenty of other guys in the NBA (and in this series) who flop on a regular basis, but his manner in doing so is too much to handle.
A few of the big moments from Game 5 that aren't mentioned in the slide show at the bottom of this post:
-Tony Allen's block on Pau Gasol. For as terrible as Tony is on offense, he really is a great defender (on the ball, off the ball, helpside, etc).
-Rajon Rondo's tip in over Lamar Odom and Kobe was incredible. That moment was the loudest moment of the night in the Green House.
-Ron Artest bricking two critical free throws, Kobe coming down the lane for the rebound, and then Paul Pierce wrestling the ball away from Kobe.
What to look for in Game 6
-How will Andrew Bynum respond to playing 31 minutes in Game 5, flying across the country, and just having one day of rest between games? You've got to love his desire to play and contribute to his team, but at some point he is harming himself and his team more than he is helping them.
-What has happened to Shannon Brown this series?? Will he make any contributions in Game 6?
-Which Rondo will show up? If he is aggressive, the Celtics will win. In Game 5 he had seven turnovers and the Celtics were still in control of the game. He must continue to attack the basket when Kobe is giving him that much room.
-At some point the Lakers will make a run. My guess is that it will be very early. Can the Celtics answer the call and match the early intensity that they had in Games 4 and 5?
Game 5 Slideshow
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Beautiful Game
About to take off for South Africa
Flying over Africa
Ok....so I'm not in Africa right now or even on my way. But I thought that this would be the appropriate time to reminisce on some sports memories from my trip last year since the World Cup began yesterday in South Africa.
The Sport
I'm not sure that I will have too many posts following games with analysis since I don't feel like I have that level of knowledge when it comes to soccer. However, I can tell you that I am genuinely excited about the World Cup. The anticipation has been gaining momentum over the last few weeks leading up to the United States match with England later today.
I had a discussion with my wife recently as I was watching women's softball in which she basically said, "are you really watching this?!" I tried to explain that I really feel like I can watch and enjoy just about any sport as long as it is being played at a high level. Since I was watching the women's softball College World Series, I felt like it was justified. I couldn't watch softball on just any level, but for that caliber of play I find it enjoyable.
Now with football, baseball, and basketball, I feel like I can watch any game on any level. With hockey, I watched the United States play Canada in the Olympics and thoroughly enjoyed the game. However, I never got around to watching a game in the Stanley Cup Finals. Soccer is somewhere in between in my sports world. I like watching the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League on ESPN when they show an occasional match. However, I try to find something else on TV when a MLS game is on.
The Connection
I'm hesitant to affirm soccer as "the beautiful game" because I think that statement is too exclusive. I do believe that it can be a beautiful game. That's the thing about sports. Any sport can be a beautiful thing when it brings people together.
Sports are one of the few things that can transcend the barriers of language, culture, time, and geography. Sports are a true global language and soccer is the most global sport that there is. I have had the privilege of playing basketball on trips to Africa and Nicaragua, but soccer seems to be the international king. The fact that it can be played or practiced with any open space and any round "ball" makes it popular in even the poorest of countries. I've seen children collect trash and roll it into a ball that is bound by plastic bags. I've seen school boys kicking around a mass of tightly packed rags, paper, and plastic held together by string.
It really is a special feeling to be able to kick a ball around with a child and see them smile even when you can't understand a word that they say. That feeling is what drives a guy who has never played soccer on a competitive level to play for hours in a pair of worn out basketball shoes even though he knows he won't be scoring any goals.
Closing Thought
This morning I was watching Argentina and Nigeria play in Group B. When my wife asked me who I was cheering for, I responded that I wouldn't mind seeing Nigeria do well since they were such a heavy underdog. She understood and made a comment about how she figured that most of the African teams would be underdogs in their matches. She asked, "What about South Africa?" I told her that they played Mexico to a 0-0 draw yesterday." Her response, "Ughh. That's what I don't understand about this game." She got up and left the room.
That has always been one of my biggest issues with soccer. I have never doubted the athletic capability and physical fitness that it takes to play the game, but I have often times been frustrated with the lack of closure at the end of games that end in a draw. That's one of the reasons that I look forward to the World Cup. Once the teams advance to the Round of 16, every game will be decided by extra time or penalty kicks if necessary.
Maybe it shouldn't always be about scoring goals. Maybe it should be more about the feeling of competition and the communion of participating in an activity that can bring people from all across the world together. Maybe. But I know that this casual fan can't help the fact that he sure does like to see a winner declared at the end of a beautiful game.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Day After- Reaction and Links from Game 4
Box Score from Game 4
Worth the walk?
Bill Simmons Live Blog from Game 4
I thought that Simmons was dead on in his thoughts about Phil Jackson "going for the kill" by staying with his starters against Boston's bench. He also makes a great point in acknowledging how well Tony Allen played on the defensive end denying Kobe the ball in the fourth quarter.
Here is some video from the Big Baby and Nate post-game show that includes some great one liners. Well worth the watch.
Worth the walk?
Bill Simmons Live Blog from Game 4
I thought that Simmons was dead on in his thoughts about Phil Jackson "going for the kill" by staying with his starters against Boston's bench. He also makes a great point in acknowledging how well Tony Allen played on the defensive end denying Kobe the ball in the fourth quarter.
Here is some video from the Big Baby and Nate post-game show that includes some great one liners. Well worth the watch.
The Boston Bench Party
The Boston Celtics used a complete team effort to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-89 in Game 4 on Thursday night. The series is now tied up at 2-2 for Game 5 in Boston on Sunday night.
The Celtics had significant offensive and defensive contributions from 9 players in Game 4. Rajon Rondo had only 3 assists and the Celtics still found a way to win. The Celtics made 3 three pointers in the entire game and still found a way to win. The Celtics picked up two technical fouls in the fourth quarter and still found a way to win. Kobe Bryant hit some incredible shots (including 6 three pointers) and the Celtics still found a way to win. The Celtics had to look at Pau Gasol's pathetic neck beard for 48 minutes and they still found a way to win.
Eight different players had at least one offensive rebound for the Celtics. The lineup of Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis absolutely carried the Celtics in the fourth quarter. Read that sentence again, it wasn't a typo. Glen Davis played with desire and took the ball into the body of taller defenders time after time. Watching Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo cheer those guys on from the bench was a thing of beauty. When you have future Hall of Famers cheering you on from the bench, its got to inspire you to play hard. Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo came back into the game with an eight point lead and less than three minutes left to play. Pierce scored seven points in the final minutes to close out the game.
Doc Rivers deserves a lot of credit for his substitutions in Game 4. He made sure that Rondo and KG got a lot of rest in the first half. He trusted his bench players and wasn't afraid to stick with them even when the game was on the line.
Down six with 40 seconds to go, Kobe threw the ball away and Rondo hit a layup to seal the game. You've gotta practice passing to make those clutch passes Kobe.
Once again, I think that the way that the bench played tonight absolutely reflects the leadership of the Celtics. Kevin Garnett demands every player to play the game with intensity on both ends of the court. Ray Allen demands every player keep his composure and is quick to correct them if they don't. Paul Pierce demands every player to play above and beyond their athletic capability.
My dad summed it up well, "This was the kind of game you have to win if you want to be a champion."
The Celtics had significant offensive and defensive contributions from 9 players in Game 4. Rajon Rondo had only 3 assists and the Celtics still found a way to win. The Celtics made 3 three pointers in the entire game and still found a way to win. The Celtics picked up two technical fouls in the fourth quarter and still found a way to win. Kobe Bryant hit some incredible shots (including 6 three pointers) and the Celtics still found a way to win. The Celtics had to look at Pau Gasol's pathetic neck beard for 48 minutes and they still found a way to win.
Eight different players had at least one offensive rebound for the Celtics. The lineup of Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis absolutely carried the Celtics in the fourth quarter. Read that sentence again, it wasn't a typo. Glen Davis played with desire and took the ball into the body of taller defenders time after time. Watching Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo cheer those guys on from the bench was a thing of beauty. When you have future Hall of Famers cheering you on from the bench, its got to inspire you to play hard. Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo came back into the game with an eight point lead and less than three minutes left to play. Pierce scored seven points in the final minutes to close out the game.
Doc Rivers deserves a lot of credit for his substitutions in Game 4. He made sure that Rondo and KG got a lot of rest in the first half. He trusted his bench players and wasn't afraid to stick with them even when the game was on the line.
Down six with 40 seconds to go, Kobe threw the ball away and Rondo hit a layup to seal the game. You've gotta practice passing to make those clutch passes Kobe.
Once again, I think that the way that the bench played tonight absolutely reflects the leadership of the Celtics. Kevin Garnett demands every player to play the game with intensity on both ends of the court. Ray Allen demands every player keep his composure and is quick to correct them if they don't. Paul Pierce demands every player to play above and beyond their athletic capability.
My dad summed it up well, "This was the kind of game you have to win if you want to be a champion."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)