I went to the Circus tonight and I must admit, I was very impressed. Its always nice to escape reality for an hour or two and go back to my youth. I think that is why we hold onto sports so much, its one of the few things that start when we are like 6 and we keep with us until we are old and wrinkled. Anyways ...
1. I don't think Dice K is gonna be that spectacular, but I do think he will be good.
I do think that it was blood on Schillings sock ... BASTARD!
2. I don't think the Magic or Warriors have a shot to get out of the first round.
I do think the Nuggets and the Jazz can get out of round 1.
3. I don't think the De La Hoya vs. Maywhether fight is gonna be that "great"
I do think I am gonna go to Rent-A-Center to see how much a 50 inch plasma is for it though.
4. I don't think the Celtics are gonna land one of the top two picks.
I do think Memphis gets #1 and lands Oden and then signs Larry Brown as coach.
5. I don't think the Yankees are in that much trouble yet
I do think we need another elite pitcher to get over the hump.
6. I don't think the Lions are gonna land Brady Quinn in the NFL Draft
I do think they draft Calvin Johnson if he is there and I am actually happy about that.
7. I don't think JaMarcus Russell is that good.
I do think Adrien Peterson is gonna run all over everyone.
8. I don't think Tiger is gonna win a Major this year.
I do think I am gonna break 100 for the first time ever in golf ... HOLLA
9. I don't think I am gonna get a chance to move down to D.C for work after all
I do think if I move it will be to Boston so your ass better come visit.
10. I don't think Bill Simmons is always right about the stuff he says.
I do think Bill Simmons is one of the 5 people I would want to be in a fantasy league with.
Dr. Richard Kimble is really really cool but how cool can you be to get your ass kicked by a one armed guy, kinda embarrassing.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
NBA Playoffs Round 1
East
Chicago Over Miami (6 games)
I dont think DWade is 100% and I think Chicago has what it takes this year to pull out of round one. The Ben Wallace signing will be ok this year but haunt them the rest of the contract.
Detroit over Orlando (4 games)
Too much in Motown this year. Orlando could squeak out one with Howard having a monster game. They just arent there yet.
Cleveland over Washington (5 games)
The Cavs just arent that good to sweep them and they are lucky Washington is injured. Cleveland would have been out in round one this year if they were healthy.
Toronto over NJ (6 games)
The Nets are not that good. They have experience on thier side but there is something about this Raptors team that I like. I dont think Bosh has a huge series but I think they pull it out.
WEST
Dallas over Golden State (5 games)
Dallas has too much firepower and they are rested. The Warriors will get one due to a huge game out of B Diddy and Monta Ellis.
Phoenix over Los Angeles (6 games)
Suns are too good but Kobe is gonna win some games on his own, he is becoming that good. He is the perimeter version of Wilt right now... YIKES
San Antonio over Denver (7 games)
This is going to be a closer series than people think. San Antonio has too much but this is gonna be very very interesting.
Utah over Houston (7 games)
Sorry to disagree on this one but I just dont feel it for them this year. TMac and Yao may be the two best players in the series but Utah has the next 4 and I would not be shocked if they have to play some of these games with only one of the super rockets. Utah is very physical. If Houston doesnt have both guys then I think Utah wins. Plus it would make me really happy.
Chicago Over Miami (6 games)
I dont think DWade is 100% and I think Chicago has what it takes this year to pull out of round one. The Ben Wallace signing will be ok this year but haunt them the rest of the contract.
Detroit over Orlando (4 games)
Too much in Motown this year. Orlando could squeak out one with Howard having a monster game. They just arent there yet.
Cleveland over Washington (5 games)
The Cavs just arent that good to sweep them and they are lucky Washington is injured. Cleveland would have been out in round one this year if they were healthy.
Toronto over NJ (6 games)
The Nets are not that good. They have experience on thier side but there is something about this Raptors team that I like. I dont think Bosh has a huge series but I think they pull it out.
WEST
Dallas over Golden State (5 games)
Dallas has too much firepower and they are rested. The Warriors will get one due to a huge game out of B Diddy and Monta Ellis.
Phoenix over Los Angeles (6 games)
Suns are too good but Kobe is gonna win some games on his own, he is becoming that good. He is the perimeter version of Wilt right now... YIKES
San Antonio over Denver (7 games)
This is going to be a closer series than people think. San Antonio has too much but this is gonna be very very interesting.
Utah over Houston (7 games)
Sorry to disagree on this one but I just dont feel it for them this year. TMac and Yao may be the two best players in the series but Utah has the next 4 and I would not be shocked if they have to play some of these games with only one of the super rockets. Utah is very physical. If Houston doesnt have both guys then I think Utah wins. Plus it would make me really happy.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Playoffs... Round 1
I'm going to make this as simple as possible... below are my first round picks:
EAST
1. Detroit vs. 8. Orlando - let's put it like this... if Orlando wins even one game, I'll consider it a success. Detroit in 4.
2. Cleveland vs. 7. Washington - I have tried to talk myself into Antawn Jamison carrying the Wiz for a couple of games, but the cast of characters he'll have to roll with doesn't give me much hope. Can you imagine how dangerous Washington would be if Arenas and Butler were healthy? My goodness. Cleveland in 5.
3. Toronto vs. 6. New Jersey - I would love to pick T-Dot, but they're young and quite frankly New Jersey is playing much better now than they have been all season. I'm going to go with the hotter team: I like New Jersey in 6.
4. Miami vs. 5. Chicago - Purely a respect pick for the Champs. Chicago matches up really well with Miami, but for some reason I see Shaq carrying the Heat in this series. Miami in 6.
WEST
1. Dallas vs. 8. Golden State - Dallas is better this year than they were last season. That is what we call scary. Dallas in 4.
2. Phoenix vs. 7. LA Lakers - Kobe is good for one game in this series, but with Amare and Kurt Thomas healthy this time around, this isn't going to be much of a series. Phoenix in 5.
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Denver - This won't be the wipeout that everyone predicts, but how can you pick AGAINST San Antonio? Spurs in 6.
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston - This is an extremely even series, so when in doubt I take the team with the best player. In this case, I am taking the team with the two best players: T-Mac and Yao. Sorry, dude. Houston in 7.
EAST
1. Detroit vs. 8. Orlando - let's put it like this... if Orlando wins even one game, I'll consider it a success. Detroit in 4.
2. Cleveland vs. 7. Washington - I have tried to talk myself into Antawn Jamison carrying the Wiz for a couple of games, but the cast of characters he'll have to roll with doesn't give me much hope. Can you imagine how dangerous Washington would be if Arenas and Butler were healthy? My goodness. Cleveland in 5.
3. Toronto vs. 6. New Jersey - I would love to pick T-Dot, but they're young and quite frankly New Jersey is playing much better now than they have been all season. I'm going to go with the hotter team: I like New Jersey in 6.
4. Miami vs. 5. Chicago - Purely a respect pick for the Champs. Chicago matches up really well with Miami, but for some reason I see Shaq carrying the Heat in this series. Miami in 6.
WEST
1. Dallas vs. 8. Golden State - Dallas is better this year than they were last season. That is what we call scary. Dallas in 4.
2. Phoenix vs. 7. LA Lakers - Kobe is good for one game in this series, but with Amare and Kurt Thomas healthy this time around, this isn't going to be much of a series. Phoenix in 5.
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Denver - This won't be the wipeout that everyone predicts, but how can you pick AGAINST San Antonio? Spurs in 6.
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston - This is an extremely even series, so when in doubt I take the team with the best player. In this case, I am taking the team with the two best players: T-Mac and Yao. Sorry, dude. Houston in 7.
Friday, April 13, 2007
I Gotcha ... But ...
To get it out of the way, yes, I had a good birthday. 28 aint so bad. Now onto your reply.
I completely understand where you are coming from. When you are looking at an upgrade you always want to take it. Now in my opinion there are 12 elite basketball programs in basketball. They are Duke, UNC, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Syracuse, Georgetown, UConn, Michigan State, Maryland and Indiana. I may have missed one or two as well but lets stick with the dirty dozen for right now. These are the absolute top tier. They have tradition, they have the funding, they have everything you want if you are the head coach. If you have the opportunity to have one of these schools you have to really look into it.
The point I was trying to make was this. Tom Izzo and Billy Donovan looking to leave Michigan State or Florida to go to Kentucky is what really ticked me off. You are already the Head Coach at a top school. Stay there and do what you can at your school. You have the resources to create that type of history. Dont ride someone elses coattails, create your own legacy.
I do not disagree with guys at B and C level programs wanting to move up. They worked hard and they earned it. I actually put them in my first grouping. Guys that are making a name for themselves and are taking the "upgrade". Mark Few, Paul Hewitt or even Billy Gilespie to an extent, those are guys that I dont mind if they leave for Kentucky. They have been building a resume and would be reaping the benefits. Now me personally, I crave the challenge and if I am in a position to be at a B school that has been very successful as of late, why not stay and try to turn my school into an Elite program.
Now in your analogy to retail. I will put it like this. I would not leave Guess at Crossgates to be the store manager at Express at Crossgates. To me that seems like a lateral move. For me to have the opportunity to be the GM at Best Buy or Macy's ... I'm Out!! But someone who is the store manager at Clairs gets the shot at Express you better beleive they are out.
It all comes down to one thing. Your opinon of what is bigger and better. To me, a school that is a 20 win program and goes to the NCAA's every year. You have a chance to be something great, do it yourself and be a legend (Kudos to Billy Donovan). Roy Williams going from Kansas to UNC, i dont see the point. I know it was his alma matter and im sure that plays a big part in it and on a personal level I understand that. Bascially I will sum up my past two blogs in one sentence... Im all about the upgrade, kinda annoyed with the latteral move.
Im not sure how happy I am that I can sum up two full blogs in one sentence. Makes me think I am really not that good at this after all, LOL.
I completely understand where you are coming from. When you are looking at an upgrade you always want to take it. Now in my opinion there are 12 elite basketball programs in basketball. They are Duke, UNC, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Syracuse, Georgetown, UConn, Michigan State, Maryland and Indiana. I may have missed one or two as well but lets stick with the dirty dozen for right now. These are the absolute top tier. They have tradition, they have the funding, they have everything you want if you are the head coach. If you have the opportunity to have one of these schools you have to really look into it.
The point I was trying to make was this. Tom Izzo and Billy Donovan looking to leave Michigan State or Florida to go to Kentucky is what really ticked me off. You are already the Head Coach at a top school. Stay there and do what you can at your school. You have the resources to create that type of history. Dont ride someone elses coattails, create your own legacy.
I do not disagree with guys at B and C level programs wanting to move up. They worked hard and they earned it. I actually put them in my first grouping. Guys that are making a name for themselves and are taking the "upgrade". Mark Few, Paul Hewitt or even Billy Gilespie to an extent, those are guys that I dont mind if they leave for Kentucky. They have been building a resume and would be reaping the benefits. Now me personally, I crave the challenge and if I am in a position to be at a B school that has been very successful as of late, why not stay and try to turn my school into an Elite program.
Now in your analogy to retail. I will put it like this. I would not leave Guess at Crossgates to be the store manager at Express at Crossgates. To me that seems like a lateral move. For me to have the opportunity to be the GM at Best Buy or Macy's ... I'm Out!! But someone who is the store manager at Clairs gets the shot at Express you better beleive they are out.
It all comes down to one thing. Your opinon of what is bigger and better. To me, a school that is a 20 win program and goes to the NCAA's every year. You have a chance to be something great, do it yourself and be a legend (Kudos to Billy Donovan). Roy Williams going from Kansas to UNC, i dont see the point. I know it was his alma matter and im sure that plays a big part in it and on a personal level I understand that. Bascially I will sum up my past two blogs in one sentence... Im all about the upgrade, kinda annoyed with the latteral move.
Im not sure how happy I am that I can sum up two full blogs in one sentence. Makes me think I am really not that good at this after all, LOL.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Re: Coaches = Seasonal Hires
First off - did you have a good birfday?
Now, on to the topic at hand: yes, I am starting to think that there is no loyalty at all in college basketball either. But, let me throw out a couple of questions for you:
How many big-time college programs are out there? This is subject for debate, but off the top of my head, I am only seeing 3 state schools where college basketball is truly king: North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas. As far as the private institutions? Well, this gets clouded a bit, but Duke and Georgetown not only have name power, but they have been very successful (at least since we've been alive). I wouldn't even throw in the alma mater, my friend. You also have a ton of bigtime sports schools (Ohio State, Texas, Maryland, Michigan, Florida and UCLA come to mind), but four of those are clearly football schools that just happen to have a really good hoops team right now. Lastly, just for poops and giggles I will throw in UCONN and Michigan State - they've won titles in the last 10 years or so and have been to more than one Final Four, so clearly they're doing something right. In total? I'm probably missing a school or two (so don't rip me to shreds lol), but I have 13 elite total.
That said, I can understand why some of these guys would bolt for greener pastures. Out of 200+ Division 1 men's college basketball programs, there may be 30 or 40 which are damn good and can be damn good for years, but if there's only 13 of them that are THE creme de la creme, wouldn't you want to coach there as well?
Let's say you had a chance to get a top job at another store. It was more visible. It had better facilities. And if you took over this job and started righting the ship, you'd forever be etched in the history of that company. Oh, and it paid you double your current salary.
You'd be a fool NOT to take the job. We'd probably encourage our friends and family to do the same thing as well. I'm not saying these decisions are simple - and certainly you should have a commitment to the job you started and the people you brought into the fold along the way, but at some point these coaches also think about their own future. I don't have much of a problem with that. Unless your name is Bob Huggins.
Thoughts?
Now, on to the topic at hand: yes, I am starting to think that there is no loyalty at all in college basketball either. But, let me throw out a couple of questions for you:
How many big-time college programs are out there? This is subject for debate, but off the top of my head, I am only seeing 3 state schools where college basketball is truly king: North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas. As far as the private institutions? Well, this gets clouded a bit, but Duke and Georgetown not only have name power, but they have been very successful (at least since we've been alive). I wouldn't even throw in the alma mater, my friend. You also have a ton of bigtime sports schools (Ohio State, Texas, Maryland, Michigan, Florida and UCLA come to mind), but four of those are clearly football schools that just happen to have a really good hoops team right now. Lastly, just for poops and giggles I will throw in UCONN and Michigan State - they've won titles in the last 10 years or so and have been to more than one Final Four, so clearly they're doing something right. In total? I'm probably missing a school or two (so don't rip me to shreds lol), but I have 13 elite total.
That said, I can understand why some of these guys would bolt for greener pastures. Out of 200+ Division 1 men's college basketball programs, there may be 30 or 40 which are damn good and can be damn good for years, but if there's only 13 of them that are THE creme de la creme, wouldn't you want to coach there as well?
Let's say you had a chance to get a top job at another store. It was more visible. It had better facilities. And if you took over this job and started righting the ship, you'd forever be etched in the history of that company. Oh, and it paid you double your current salary.
You'd be a fool NOT to take the job. We'd probably encourage our friends and family to do the same thing as well. I'm not saying these decisions are simple - and certainly you should have a commitment to the job you started and the people you brought into the fold along the way, but at some point these coaches also think about their own future. I don't have much of a problem with that. Unless your name is Bob Huggins.
Thoughts?
Friday, April 6, 2007
Coaches = Seasonal Hires
This is really starting to piss me off a little bit.
There are three groups of coaches in Men's College Basketball right now. The first group is the young guys at lower level DI schools that just caught a break and are trying to make a name for themselves. There is the second group that are the cream of the crop. The guys like Behiem, Coach K, Dean Smith and all of the other top coaches that go to a school, create a winning program and stay there to continue the success. These are the guys that you know they aren't going anywhere so they are not mixed up in all the talk every year when guys start getting fired and canned after the NCAA tournament.
The third group is the guys that will jump from school to school because nothing is never good enough for them. They only want a fat paycheck and don't pay attention to the school they are leaving and the kids they are abandoning. The kids they recruited and made promises to. Kids they vowed to help them grow as basketball players and as men. After two straight titles in the early 90's would Coach K have left Duke to go to UCLA while he was on top. Um ... no. After winning the title a few years ago with Melo did Behiem try to leave the Big East for a more traditional Hoops program. And did Billy Donovan jump ship and leave after putting together one of the best college basketball teams in history. No he didn't. He helped build Florida into a top tier basketball program. Now it will always be a football school but no recruit is going to think twice about signing on to play there. He has a chance to make something special down there and he didn't leave and sell high like so many do. Like Roy Williams after getting to the Final at Kansas bolting for North Carolina. Like Patino after doing so many special things at Kentucky taking off for the NBA. And now like Billy Gilespie leaving Texas A&M for Kentucky because he probably wouldn't have that chance next year.
These coaches all seem like seasonal hires to me. That's the retail guy in me talking but that's how I look at them. If I was an athletic director at one of these schools would I want a guy that just dicked over their previous school for mine. Its the same as dating a girl that just left her boyfriend and cheated on him with you. Do you really think she wont do it to you? I wouldn't want a guy like that. I would want a guy that is committed to his school and his players. If Tom Izzo bolted Michigan State after all he did there to go somewhere else, I just don't see the point. Some schools may have more tradition than others, but personally I would want to create my own rather than ride someone elses coat tails.
This is all coming from the same guy that always said that he wouldn't jump straight to the NBA from High School if he had the chance and tends to take the moral high ground on so many issues. Most of my opinions may sound a little goodie too shue but I am just glad that there are still some guys out there that feel like it is better to build a dynasty at one school than to build a bigger bank account at another. I am just glad that Billy Donovan would rather be a legend at Florida than the head coach at Kentucky.
There are three groups of coaches in Men's College Basketball right now. The first group is the young guys at lower level DI schools that just caught a break and are trying to make a name for themselves. There is the second group that are the cream of the crop. The guys like Behiem, Coach K, Dean Smith and all of the other top coaches that go to a school, create a winning program and stay there to continue the success. These are the guys that you know they aren't going anywhere so they are not mixed up in all the talk every year when guys start getting fired and canned after the NCAA tournament.
The third group is the guys that will jump from school to school because nothing is never good enough for them. They only want a fat paycheck and don't pay attention to the school they are leaving and the kids they are abandoning. The kids they recruited and made promises to. Kids they vowed to help them grow as basketball players and as men. After two straight titles in the early 90's would Coach K have left Duke to go to UCLA while he was on top. Um ... no. After winning the title a few years ago with Melo did Behiem try to leave the Big East for a more traditional Hoops program. And did Billy Donovan jump ship and leave after putting together one of the best college basketball teams in history. No he didn't. He helped build Florida into a top tier basketball program. Now it will always be a football school but no recruit is going to think twice about signing on to play there. He has a chance to make something special down there and he didn't leave and sell high like so many do. Like Roy Williams after getting to the Final at Kansas bolting for North Carolina. Like Patino after doing so many special things at Kentucky taking off for the NBA. And now like Billy Gilespie leaving Texas A&M for Kentucky because he probably wouldn't have that chance next year.
These coaches all seem like seasonal hires to me. That's the retail guy in me talking but that's how I look at them. If I was an athletic director at one of these schools would I want a guy that just dicked over their previous school for mine. Its the same as dating a girl that just left her boyfriend and cheated on him with you. Do you really think she wont do it to you? I wouldn't want a guy like that. I would want a guy that is committed to his school and his players. If Tom Izzo bolted Michigan State after all he did there to go somewhere else, I just don't see the point. Some schools may have more tradition than others, but personally I would want to create my own rather than ride someone elses coat tails.
This is all coming from the same guy that always said that he wouldn't jump straight to the NBA from High School if he had the chance and tends to take the moral high ground on so many issues. Most of my opinions may sound a little goodie too shue but I am just glad that there are still some guys out there that feel like it is better to build a dynasty at one school than to build a bigger bank account at another. I am just glad that Billy Donovan would rather be a legend at Florida than the head coach at Kentucky.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
One of Your Best Ideas Yet...
Son,
This is fantastic ... And the name ... PRICELESS
Right now I am watching "NBA Finals TV" and its the one about the Spurs vs. Knicks series. Damn did the Knicks get rocked that series. They were tough though, cant say they didnt have heart. And one more thing I will say, If it wasnt for injuries Alan Houston would have been a middle class mans Ray Allen ... and that aint so bad. Just too much Duncan.
Uno
This is fantastic ... And the name ... PRICELESS
Right now I am watching "NBA Finals TV" and its the one about the Spurs vs. Knicks series. Damn did the Knicks get rocked that series. They were tough though, cant say they didnt have heart. And one more thing I will say, If it wasnt for injuries Alan Houston would have been a middle class mans Ray Allen ... and that aint so bad. Just too much Duncan.
Uno
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)