Like him or not, Lady Huskies' coach Geno Auriemma probably summed it up best a while back when he said, "If we play our A game, nobody can beat us". And so it came to pass in the championship game against Notre Dame. The Huskies embarrassed the previously undefeated Lady Irish, 74-53.
Being absolutely dominant in the "paint", superior ball movement and execution, and crashing the boards coupled with a shut-down defense that forced turnover after turnover led to what basically became a blow-out.
Though the talking heads wouldn't dare say such a thing during the course of the regular season -- and even earlier in the tournament -- because they have to hype every game like it's the Super Bowl -- they finally gave up the obvious in the end. All year long there was a big gap between Notre Dame and UConn compared with everybody else. And as it turned out, there was also a big gap between ND and UConn themselves. One was clearly the cream of the crop, while the other was merely better than all the other also-rans.
Notre Dame, 37-0 going in, has to take a puddle-jumper flight from Nashville back home to South Bend while licking their wounds, after suffering a total beat-down on national TV by a vastly superior UConn team, who finished off a perfect 40-0 season in style. The plane ride home to Storrs will certainly be a lot more joyous.
And don't look now, but coach Geno Auriemma is getting into some very elite company when it comes to all-time championships. This was his 9th at UConn, surpassing Pat Summitt's 8 at UTenn.
The all-time leader in the world of sports? Phil Jackson, of NBA fame. Between the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers, the Zen Master won 11 titles. The late John Wooden of UCLA fame won 10. Scottie Bowman of the NHL won 9, as did Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics.
Thing is, for various reasons, none of the above will ever coach again. But barring the unforeseen, Auriemma could well coach at least another 10 years if he wishes. Besides being the juggernaut they've been over the last decade or so, the way the UConn program is set up -- championship caliber teams could well be in place for many years. Their roster is spread out between freshmen, sophs, jrs. and srs. For every couple seniors they graduate every year, a couple freshmen phenoms take their place and get indoctrinated into the system under the wings of the girls that have preceded them. For that matter, given their championship pedigree,would anyone seriously doubt that 5-star ultra-blue chip prep recruits are standing in line hoping to be able to play for UConn? Success breeds success and, in that regard, Geno has the luxury of reloading a couple vacant spots every year with young, but superbly talented players. And the beat goes on.
It's entirely possible Auriemma could win many more championships with his Lady Huskies in years to come. He could not only pass Phil Jackson for titles, but set the bar so high, nobody will ever get close to it again. It's sort of like Cal Ripken's consecutive game playing record will never be broken. Because even if somebody can avoid an injury for 20+ years, it's highly unlikely any athlete (or coach) will even WANT to hang out that long ever again. No need, because they make too much money. Folks like Derek Jeter, Coach K at Duke, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, and a few others, are a dying breed.
Yet Geno Auriemma appears to be different. He clearly loves coaching his beloved girls year after year, and the players seem to love him right back. Plus, that program has become the epitome of success under his guidance. Auriemma recently turned 60. Not a spring chicken by any means, but not exactly a geezer either. If the love affair and the success continues, he could be around for another 10 years, and rack up 6,7,8, who knows how many more championships?
But for right now, given UConn's men are also national champions, I suspect they're going to have one helluva parade in Storrs in the next few days -- and good for them. They are both worthy champions.
Idle thought: What if the boy and girl hoopsters at UConn start inter-breeding? How good would those kids be at hoops in 15 years or so? Scary.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
NCAA finals and Jed Clampett
Uh oh. Taylor (not so) Swift has been dancing again. How to describe it? Hmm. "Spastic" is close, but that's a politically incorrect word these days. So when in doubt, I always fall back on one of the brightest minds in the history of mankind, and what he might likely have said about it. Uncle Jed Clampett probably could have summed it up in one word -- pit-ee-ful. OK, enough of that nonsense. On to hoops.
As you know, UConn knocked off Kentucky 60-54 for the men's college championship. Congrats to coach Kevin Ollie and his Huskies on a job well done. Many considered this an upset. But was it really? Technically, as a #7 seed, UConn was supposed to narrowly prevail over #8 seed Kentucky.
Time out. Want to hear hypocrisy and/or short memories at their finest/worst? Check out the talking heads. Before UConn had even finished cutting down the net, these clowns were saying everybody knew both UConn and UK deserved much higher seedings entering the tournament. Further, it was obvious both teams were easily in the Top 10 of the country all along. Yeah? So how come none of these geniuses of the moment mentioned either team as possible contenders for the championship when the tourney started two weeks ago? Pit-ee-ful.
Nevertheless, how the game played out shouldn't have been all that surprising. Kentucky, with all their freshmen phenoms, had pretty much established themselves as a "showtime" type team over the course of the tournament. They can run, they can jump out of the building, they can crash the boards, and they certainly had the slamma-jamma thing down pat. Let them get on a roll, and it's big trouble for the other team. Plus they had a player that made a few improbable long-range bombs towards the ends of some close games that proved to be the difference.
On the other hand, UConn had other things going on. Older players with more experience, for one thing. Every time UK made a run, they had an answer. The Huskies refused to be rattled. More importantly, they had better discipline and execution. Make the slightest mistake against them, and they'll turn it into a bucket in a hurry.
Over the course of 40 minutes of game time, it could certainly be argued the superior "team" wound up getting the best of the individual superior "athletes". Plus one other stat stood out. Both teams shot about the same percentage, even including 3-point attempts. Rebounds and turnovers were close as well. The quiet difference was at the free-throw line. UConn is deadly, and they went 10-10. Kentucky had many more chances, but only went 13-24. Eleven free throws missed and they lost the game by 6 points. Perhaps the Wildcats were too busy practicing their slam-dunks and didn't put in their homework at the charity stripe. Young guys do that. Older guys know better.
So now the focus shifts to the UConn women. Their male counterparts weren't supposed to win -- but just did. The ladies have been ranked #1 in the country all year and were not only expected to get to the final game, but win it. Most years, this would be almost a given. But this year is different. They have to face the lady Irish of Notre Dame, who have gone undefeated all year as well. Other than winning yet another national title -- the lady Huskies of UConn don't have much to prove. Been there, done that -- 8 times before.
But if anybody has a chip on their shoulders -- it's Notre Dame. Even Irish coach Muffet McGraw earlier called out Huskie coach Geno Auriemma for not being able to find a way to put Notre Dame on UConn's regular season schedule. Of course, that was irrelevant back then, and certainly doesn't matter now. Because it's show time for all the marbles. Few would doubt Notre Dame has been on a mission, a jihad, a holy war if you will, to show they can finally knock off UConn when it matters.
Can they finally pull it off? We'll see, but Geno's bambinos not only have a championship pedigree, but have been blitzing their way through other teams all year long themselves. An average winning margin of a ridiculous 35 points.
Note to the UConn Lady Huskies. Nevermind Notre Dame has had you on their minds all year long and are absolutely desperate to finally beat you when it counts. Nevermind your male counterparts just improbably won the men's championship. And also nevermind you have been expected to win all along. Anything short of that will be considered a colossal failure. If you lose, the men will have a parade, but you have to tuck your collective tails between your legs and slither off somewhere?
And guess what Uncle Jed would say if you go down to those pesky leprechauns in Nashville?
No pressure.
As you know, UConn knocked off Kentucky 60-54 for the men's college championship. Congrats to coach Kevin Ollie and his Huskies on a job well done. Many considered this an upset. But was it really? Technically, as a #7 seed, UConn was supposed to narrowly prevail over #8 seed Kentucky.
Time out. Want to hear hypocrisy and/or short memories at their finest/worst? Check out the talking heads. Before UConn had even finished cutting down the net, these clowns were saying everybody knew both UConn and UK deserved much higher seedings entering the tournament. Further, it was obvious both teams were easily in the Top 10 of the country all along. Yeah? So how come none of these geniuses of the moment mentioned either team as possible contenders for the championship when the tourney started two weeks ago? Pit-ee-ful.
Nevertheless, how the game played out shouldn't have been all that surprising. Kentucky, with all their freshmen phenoms, had pretty much established themselves as a "showtime" type team over the course of the tournament. They can run, they can jump out of the building, they can crash the boards, and they certainly had the slamma-jamma thing down pat. Let them get on a roll, and it's big trouble for the other team. Plus they had a player that made a few improbable long-range bombs towards the ends of some close games that proved to be the difference.
On the other hand, UConn had other things going on. Older players with more experience, for one thing. Every time UK made a run, they had an answer. The Huskies refused to be rattled. More importantly, they had better discipline and execution. Make the slightest mistake against them, and they'll turn it into a bucket in a hurry.
Over the course of 40 minutes of game time, it could certainly be argued the superior "team" wound up getting the best of the individual superior "athletes". Plus one other stat stood out. Both teams shot about the same percentage, even including 3-point attempts. Rebounds and turnovers were close as well. The quiet difference was at the free-throw line. UConn is deadly, and they went 10-10. Kentucky had many more chances, but only went 13-24. Eleven free throws missed and they lost the game by 6 points. Perhaps the Wildcats were too busy practicing their slam-dunks and didn't put in their homework at the charity stripe. Young guys do that. Older guys know better.
So now the focus shifts to the UConn women. Their male counterparts weren't supposed to win -- but just did. The ladies have been ranked #1 in the country all year and were not only expected to get to the final game, but win it. Most years, this would be almost a given. But this year is different. They have to face the lady Irish of Notre Dame, who have gone undefeated all year as well. Other than winning yet another national title -- the lady Huskies of UConn don't have much to prove. Been there, done that -- 8 times before.
But if anybody has a chip on their shoulders -- it's Notre Dame. Even Irish coach Muffet McGraw earlier called out Huskie coach Geno Auriemma for not being able to find a way to put Notre Dame on UConn's regular season schedule. Of course, that was irrelevant back then, and certainly doesn't matter now. Because it's show time for all the marbles. Few would doubt Notre Dame has been on a mission, a jihad, a holy war if you will, to show they can finally knock off UConn when it matters.
Can they finally pull it off? We'll see, but Geno's bambinos not only have a championship pedigree, but have been blitzing their way through other teams all year long themselves. An average winning margin of a ridiculous 35 points.
Note to the UConn Lady Huskies. Nevermind Notre Dame has had you on their minds all year long and are absolutely desperate to finally beat you when it counts. Nevermind your male counterparts just improbably won the men's championship. And also nevermind you have been expected to win all along. Anything short of that will be considered a colossal failure. If you lose, the men will have a parade, but you have to tuck your collective tails between your legs and slither off somewhere?
And guess what Uncle Jed would say if you go down to those pesky leprechauns in Nashville?
No pressure.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Clash of the Titans
It's King Kong vs Godzilla again. It's the Bushes vs the Clintons on Family Feud. It's Rush Limbaugh vs Rachel Maddow in a cage match. Well, OK, maybe it's not that much fun, but UConn vs Notre Dame in the ladies' hoops finals ain't bad. It's the first time in history, be it boys or girls, two undefeated teams have squared off for the big prize.
In the red corner we have (Little Miss) Muffet McGraw and her 37-0 Fighting Irish. According to their own web site, the lady leprechauns have a very impressive resume. This is their 17th NCAA tourney in a row, they made the Sweet 16 ten out of 16 times during that period, and they're one of only seven schools to make it to the Final Four five times. In other words, six others have done it as well.
Bottom line? Blah, blah, blah. They've won exactly one championship in the 27 years the lovely Ms. McGraw has been coaching them. That was back in 2001, when a guy named W (remember him?) was first settling into the Oval Office. They've been close a lot, but only one cigar. Lots of leaners, but only one ringer. Perhaps they weren't eating enough Lucky Charms.
In the blue corner we have the Canoli Kid, who sometimes goes by the name Geno Auriemma, and his 39-0 Huskies. The lady sled-pullers have established a standard of excellence, even dynasty, that hasn't been seen since Pat Summit's Lady Vols and the late John Wooden's UCLA Bruins were perennially steamrolling the field in years of yore. Indeed, Auriemma already has 8 national titles under his belt, tied with Summit, and only trails Wooden's 10.
Bottom line? UConn likely considers Sweet 16s and Final Fours as merely a necessary step in the process to reach the top -- again. It would appear they serve the girls in Storrs a lot of Wheaties. The breakfast of champions.
Either way, just the fact two unbeatens will square off for the first time to decide the national title makes this game a must see on Tuesday night. By definition, one will run the table to complete a perfect season, hoist the trophy, and have a parade -- and the other has to go down.
Forget the wild tigers. Not even a thundering herd of rabid Anderson Coopers and Charles Barkleys storming my modest abode would keep yours truly from being tuned in -- though that's a scary thought. Then again, if those pesky Playmates happen to drop by one more time for a little fun-- well -- it IS only a basketball game -- right?
And it should be a great one. Definitely not as interesting as seeing a Rush and Rachel death match in the octagon would be -- but really good stuff.
On a personal note, hi Lynette, and thanks.
In the red corner we have (Little Miss) Muffet McGraw and her 37-0 Fighting Irish. According to their own web site, the lady leprechauns have a very impressive resume. This is their 17th NCAA tourney in a row, they made the Sweet 16 ten out of 16 times during that period, and they're one of only seven schools to make it to the Final Four five times. In other words, six others have done it as well.
Bottom line? Blah, blah, blah. They've won exactly one championship in the 27 years the lovely Ms. McGraw has been coaching them. That was back in 2001, when a guy named W (remember him?) was first settling into the Oval Office. They've been close a lot, but only one cigar. Lots of leaners, but only one ringer. Perhaps they weren't eating enough Lucky Charms.
In the blue corner we have the Canoli Kid, who sometimes goes by the name Geno Auriemma, and his 39-0 Huskies. The lady sled-pullers have established a standard of excellence, even dynasty, that hasn't been seen since Pat Summit's Lady Vols and the late John Wooden's UCLA Bruins were perennially steamrolling the field in years of yore. Indeed, Auriemma already has 8 national titles under his belt, tied with Summit, and only trails Wooden's 10.
Bottom line? UConn likely considers Sweet 16s and Final Fours as merely a necessary step in the process to reach the top -- again. It would appear they serve the girls in Storrs a lot of Wheaties. The breakfast of champions.
Either way, just the fact two unbeatens will square off for the first time to decide the national title makes this game a must see on Tuesday night. By definition, one will run the table to complete a perfect season, hoist the trophy, and have a parade -- and the other has to go down.
Forget the wild tigers. Not even a thundering herd of rabid Anderson Coopers and Charles Barkleys storming my modest abode would keep yours truly from being tuned in -- though that's a scary thought. Then again, if those pesky Playmates happen to drop by one more time for a little fun-- well -- it IS only a basketball game -- right?
And it should be a great one. Definitely not as interesting as seeing a Rush and Rachel death match in the octagon would be -- but really good stuff.
On a personal note, hi Lynette, and thanks.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
An improbable NCAA championship and ghosts of UConn
Remember a little over a week ago (or was it two?) when the tournament first started? Wichita St. was the only undefeated team in the country, overall #1 Florida had won 30 in a row, Arizona was cruising out west, and somehow Virginia, Villanova, and Iowa St. were all seeded above Michigan St.? One way or the other, they've all been sent home.
Throw in Louisville, Michigan, Duke, Syracuse, and even that pesky Creighton. What did all these teams have in common? Two things. All were at least a #4 seed or above, and all be gone. Outta here.
As improbable as it may have seemed when the tournament started, the championship game will be played between a #8 seed (Kentucky), and a #7 seed (UConn). Who would have thunk it?
Sure, Kentucky has long been known as a (men's) basketball powerhouse, dating all the way back to the Adolph Rupp era. And like it or not, somehow current coach John Calipari continues to keep his teams competitive year after year, even with the "one and done" assembly line to the NBA they've become famous for as well. Never count out the Wildcats, even if it's been a while since any of their players needed any sort of shaving products.
But UConn? Who saw these guys coming? Besides, isn't that school known for ladies' hoops -- Geno Auriemma and all that? Their men weren't supposed to get this far. No way.
Nevertheless, while Kentucky was impressively knocking off the likes of Wichita St., Louisville, Michigan, and just a while ago #2 seed Wisconsin in the semis, UConn didn't exactly have a walk in the park either. Nobody thought they would get by Michigan St. in the regional finals -- but they did -- and it was no fluke. The Huskies beat the Spartans fair and square. They were a heavy underdog in the semis against mighty Florida, but guess what? Just a few hours ago, they systematically made Gatorburgers out of them. Again, start to finish, UConn was the superior team on the court.
So now a couple interesting possibilities loom. For sure, either a #7 or a #8 is going to win the men's title. Kentucky will likely be favored, and maybe they should be. But who knows about UConn? Obviously, fairly new coach Kevin Ollie has his boys peaking at the perfect time.
More interesting yet is -- what if UConn indeed defeats Kentucky on Monday night to win the men's championship? It's entirely possible. The very next night, it's highly likely the UConn ladies will play for the national title as well.
To my knowledge, only one school has ever won both the men's and ladies' NCAA hoop championships in the same year.
It was 10 years ago, back in 2004. And it was UConn.
Could it happen again? Right now, it looks to be about a coin flip. Certainly their girls will be favored, but the boys........
We'll see, but I think it would be pretty cool if, after all the hype the other hot-shot programs have received over the year, and particularly in the past week or so -- the lowly #7 UConn boys came out of nowhere to join Geno's girls in a parade in Storrs.
Or maybe it will be the Kentucky boys and the Notre Dame girls riding floats down Main Streets in Lexington and South Bend. Who knows?
But given the two enormous programs mentioned in the line above, versus little old UConn, I know who I'm rooting for......
Throw in Louisville, Michigan, Duke, Syracuse, and even that pesky Creighton. What did all these teams have in common? Two things. All were at least a #4 seed or above, and all be gone. Outta here.
As improbable as it may have seemed when the tournament started, the championship game will be played between a #8 seed (Kentucky), and a #7 seed (UConn). Who would have thunk it?
Sure, Kentucky has long been known as a (men's) basketball powerhouse, dating all the way back to the Adolph Rupp era. And like it or not, somehow current coach John Calipari continues to keep his teams competitive year after year, even with the "one and done" assembly line to the NBA they've become famous for as well. Never count out the Wildcats, even if it's been a while since any of their players needed any sort of shaving products.
But UConn? Who saw these guys coming? Besides, isn't that school known for ladies' hoops -- Geno Auriemma and all that? Their men weren't supposed to get this far. No way.
Nevertheless, while Kentucky was impressively knocking off the likes of Wichita St., Louisville, Michigan, and just a while ago #2 seed Wisconsin in the semis, UConn didn't exactly have a walk in the park either. Nobody thought they would get by Michigan St. in the regional finals -- but they did -- and it was no fluke. The Huskies beat the Spartans fair and square. They were a heavy underdog in the semis against mighty Florida, but guess what? Just a few hours ago, they systematically made Gatorburgers out of them. Again, start to finish, UConn was the superior team on the court.
So now a couple interesting possibilities loom. For sure, either a #7 or a #8 is going to win the men's title. Kentucky will likely be favored, and maybe they should be. But who knows about UConn? Obviously, fairly new coach Kevin Ollie has his boys peaking at the perfect time.
More interesting yet is -- what if UConn indeed defeats Kentucky on Monday night to win the men's championship? It's entirely possible. The very next night, it's highly likely the UConn ladies will play for the national title as well.
To my knowledge, only one school has ever won both the men's and ladies' NCAA hoop championships in the same year.
It was 10 years ago, back in 2004. And it was UConn.
Could it happen again? Right now, it looks to be about a coin flip. Certainly their girls will be favored, but the boys........
We'll see, but I think it would be pretty cool if, after all the hype the other hot-shot programs have received over the year, and particularly in the past week or so -- the lowly #7 UConn boys came out of nowhere to join Geno's girls in a parade in Storrs.
Or maybe it will be the Kentucky boys and the Notre Dame girls riding floats down Main Streets in Lexington and South Bend. Who knows?
But given the two enormous programs mentioned in the line above, versus little old UConn, I know who I'm rooting for......
Friday, April 4, 2014
Billion dollar ideas
No, this isn't about the hula-hoop, frisbee, or slinky. Those bits of simple genius have come and gone. Likewise for cabbage patch dolls, pet rocks, and I haven't heard about the clapper for a while. Maybe all the people that bought the latter somehow managed to clap off their pacemakers and -- well -- stuff happens.
This is about the NBA and a couple of terrific ideas recently put forth by billionaire owners in an attempt to rectify what many perceive to be major flaws in the current way the league is set up. Specifically, the draft/lottery, and the alleged spectre of teams already out of contention "tanking" towards the end of the season to increase their odds of getting a very high draft pick.
Of course, it's almost impossible to prove a team is losing on purpose. Head coaches are definitely free to devise strategies and play anyone on their rosters as they see fit. Yet sometimes hoops fans watching a game are left to scratch their heads and think -- what the hell are they doing?
On that note, it's a safe bet rookie NBA Commish Adam Silver doesn't want this tanking notion to gain much traction -- perceived or otherwise. If evidence mounted that teams under his watch were throwing current games to benefit in the long run, the consequences could be severe. Considering NBA teams routinely travel all over the US, plus across an international border (Toronto), the mere idea that the competition was somehow less than honest might well attract the attention of federal authorities. It's also likely a safe bet the last thing Mr. Silver wants or needs is to be hauled in front of some sort of Congressional oversight committee to be raked over the coals by a bunch of Senators asking probing questions when he can't offer any definitive answers.
Yet real or not, the perception remains amongst many that teams that have nothing to gain by trying hard might well " mail it in" towards the end of a losing season in the hopes of improving their lot in the future. How to fix this? Enter the billionaires.
First up, Sacramento Kings lead owner Vivek Ranadive. Ranadive suggests two major changes.
1) Freeze the order of the draft at the All-Star break. Few would doubt ALL teams play hard for the first half of the season, because hope springs eternal, as they say. Also, tanking towards the end of a season would become irrelevant.
2) Instead of the current top 8 teams in each conference getting playoff berths, cut it back to the top 7, with all the other teams playing an NCAA style one-game knockout tourney for the final playoff spots in their respective conferences. Playing every other day, which is business as usual in the NBA, it could be accomplished in little more than a week. Given barely squeaking into the playoffs guarantees an owner millions in additional revenue from any such series, it goes without saying the owners would demand their teams gave it all they had to get there, or heads might roll.
Second, enter Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Cuban is thought of in different ways by different people, but dumb, he is decidedly not.
Cuban offered his own idea on solving the alleged tanking problem. He has long maintained that if a team has one of the three worst records -- they will become ineligible for one of the three top draft picks the following year. That way, they have to at least fight their way to the fourth worst record.
In my humble opinion, these are terrific ideas. Whether Adam Silver and the NBA take them under serious consideration remains to be seen.
But that's probably why Ranadive and Cuban are billionaires and most of us are not. These guys are visionaries. They think of big things in the future on a grand scale, while schmucks like yours truly are still trying to figure out how I woke up a couple mornings ago curled up with the neighbor's dog -- in my own bed. Well OK, maybe I accidentally left the slider slightly ajar the night before, but it still didn't seem right somehow.
Then again, it could have been a lot worse. If you just have to wake up next to a complete stranger -- better a schnauzer than the Commish and that damn oversight committee.
This is about the NBA and a couple of terrific ideas recently put forth by billionaire owners in an attempt to rectify what many perceive to be major flaws in the current way the league is set up. Specifically, the draft/lottery, and the alleged spectre of teams already out of contention "tanking" towards the end of the season to increase their odds of getting a very high draft pick.
Of course, it's almost impossible to prove a team is losing on purpose. Head coaches are definitely free to devise strategies and play anyone on their rosters as they see fit. Yet sometimes hoops fans watching a game are left to scratch their heads and think -- what the hell are they doing?
On that note, it's a safe bet rookie NBA Commish Adam Silver doesn't want this tanking notion to gain much traction -- perceived or otherwise. If evidence mounted that teams under his watch were throwing current games to benefit in the long run, the consequences could be severe. Considering NBA teams routinely travel all over the US, plus across an international border (Toronto), the mere idea that the competition was somehow less than honest might well attract the attention of federal authorities. It's also likely a safe bet the last thing Mr. Silver wants or needs is to be hauled in front of some sort of Congressional oversight committee to be raked over the coals by a bunch of Senators asking probing questions when he can't offer any definitive answers.
Yet real or not, the perception remains amongst many that teams that have nothing to gain by trying hard might well " mail it in" towards the end of a losing season in the hopes of improving their lot in the future. How to fix this? Enter the billionaires.
First up, Sacramento Kings lead owner Vivek Ranadive. Ranadive suggests two major changes.
1) Freeze the order of the draft at the All-Star break. Few would doubt ALL teams play hard for the first half of the season, because hope springs eternal, as they say. Also, tanking towards the end of a season would become irrelevant.
2) Instead of the current top 8 teams in each conference getting playoff berths, cut it back to the top 7, with all the other teams playing an NCAA style one-game knockout tourney for the final playoff spots in their respective conferences. Playing every other day, which is business as usual in the NBA, it could be accomplished in little more than a week. Given barely squeaking into the playoffs guarantees an owner millions in additional revenue from any such series, it goes without saying the owners would demand their teams gave it all they had to get there, or heads might roll.
Second, enter Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Cuban is thought of in different ways by different people, but dumb, he is decidedly not.
Cuban offered his own idea on solving the alleged tanking problem. He has long maintained that if a team has one of the three worst records -- they will become ineligible for one of the three top draft picks the following year. That way, they have to at least fight their way to the fourth worst record.
In my humble opinion, these are terrific ideas. Whether Adam Silver and the NBA take them under serious consideration remains to be seen.
But that's probably why Ranadive and Cuban are billionaires and most of us are not. These guys are visionaries. They think of big things in the future on a grand scale, while schmucks like yours truly are still trying to figure out how I woke up a couple mornings ago curled up with the neighbor's dog -- in my own bed. Well OK, maybe I accidentally left the slider slightly ajar the night before, but it still didn't seem right somehow.
Then again, it could have been a lot worse. If you just have to wake up next to a complete stranger -- better a schnauzer than the Commish and that damn oversight committee.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Why people go crazy
You've seen the news reports. All too often lately, people just seem to go off the deep end and do something outrageous. Theories vary on what might cause otherwise "normal" people to do such things. Years of abuse, religious fanaticism, too many hours of watching Judge Judy/ Dr. Phil, or perhaps even reading this blog on a regular basis are definitely possibilities. But I have my own theory.
It's soccer. Sometimes it's enough to turn anybody into a ticking time bomb.
Yours truly tuned into ESPN's "Sports Center" to catch the recaps of the day. But evidently, due to some sort of programming mix up, that wasn't on. Instead, they were previewing the upcoming men's soccer match between Mexico and the United States that would follow shortly. Well OK. While soccer has bored me silly in the past, maybe this time would be different. I'll hang in there and give it a shot. Besides, the game was being played in Glendale, Ariz., pretty much a neutral site. Ahem. Plus, the place was packed with people waving flags, and feverishly chanting while wearing goofy clothes. Kind of like the entire United Nations general assembly on mind altering drugs.
This was a contest called a "friendly", which in soccer-speak means it's an exhibition game and doesn't count for anything. Either that, or perhaps both teams agreed to keep the head butts and groin kicks to a minimum. What could be friendlier than that?
So let's go with the game, already. But no. The announcers have to give us a half hour of history and statistical gibberish that might well drive the Pope himself to contemplate locking and loading. Tick, tick, tick.
After yet another commercial break, surely the game is about to start -- right? Oh, hell no. First we have to get a complete rundown on the players for both teams -- for an exhibition game. Arrgh. And what is it with these soccer players going by one name only? Only superstars are worthy of such lofty status. Like Cher, Bono, Oprah, Lurch, and (uncle) Fester. These guys just run back and forth kicking a spotted ball around for a few hours. Tick, tick, tick.
At last, here they come walking onto the field. But wait a minute. All the players for both teams are holding hands with a 5-6 year old child as they enter. What's up with that? Worse yet, every single one of those kids is wearing identical red McDonald's tee shirts, complete with the golden arches. Was this a shameless promotion, or do they perhaps get them started mighty early in life cooking fries and McWhatevers down in Glendale? No idea, but I hope this ploy doesn't morph into super-sizing itself in other sports. They already take long enough as it is with all the time-outs, commercials, replays and rhubarbs.
Don't get me wrong. It's great that the kids get the thrill of being on TV in a stadium packed with nut jobs, while holding hands with somebody they've probably never heard of. And it's also great they get to do so before that pesky acne sets in that often results from working in a greasy workplace. But c'mon, get these future assistant managers off the field and let's see some soccer, for crying out loud. Tick, tick.
Of course, the Mexican and American national anthems had to be played. Cue the flag waving, chanting, delirious throngs mentioned above. Tick.
And a game wouldn't be a game without a coin toss to determine matters of utmost importance -- like which team tries to go east in the first half, and west in the second. Assemble all the "captains" and full crew of refs at midfield. This is critical stuff. Even the announcers are holding their collective breaths on the outcome. And it can't just be a penny or a peso that gets flipped. Oh no, this has to be a commemorative coin of some sort -- for an exhibition game. When that matter of national security has been decided, all 4 captains for each team have to shake hands with each other, plus all 4 members of the officiating crew. That's a lot of handshakes. At least they weren't into the European cheek-kissing thing, much less some of the ridiculous routines some American pro athletes typically feature. If every one of those combination of guys had to do a high-five, then a low-five, then a chest bump, then stick your left foot in, take your right foot out, do a 360 and shake it all about hokey-pokey style, this could have gone on for hours, days, or until the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl. Basically forever. Tick, tick.
Then finally, mercifully, the game began. Wow, that was a long wait, but I hung in there. Sure, it was still only going to be a silly exhibition game, and I'm not a big soccer fan anyway, as you may have gathered. But after putting up with all the above pre-game nonsense, it became a matter of principle. I'm going to watch this game, whether I like soccer or not.
Just a few seconds after it actually started -- WHAM -- the network switched coverage. The game is gone, and here comes another ESPN talking head to offer the same sports recaps I tried to tune into in the first place. That was the final tick. I now understand how some otherwise normal people can sometimes snap and do crazy things.
I have no idea who actually won that game, nor do I care. Right now, my main concern is any videos that may surface showing me running naked through the streets blowing my vuvuzela, and chanting death to the infidels at the 4-letter network.
Funny, or maybe not, how those things work out sometimes.
It's soccer. Sometimes it's enough to turn anybody into a ticking time bomb.
Yours truly tuned into ESPN's "Sports Center" to catch the recaps of the day. But evidently, due to some sort of programming mix up, that wasn't on. Instead, they were previewing the upcoming men's soccer match between Mexico and the United States that would follow shortly. Well OK. While soccer has bored me silly in the past, maybe this time would be different. I'll hang in there and give it a shot. Besides, the game was being played in Glendale, Ariz., pretty much a neutral site. Ahem. Plus, the place was packed with people waving flags, and feverishly chanting while wearing goofy clothes. Kind of like the entire United Nations general assembly on mind altering drugs.
This was a contest called a "friendly", which in soccer-speak means it's an exhibition game and doesn't count for anything. Either that, or perhaps both teams agreed to keep the head butts and groin kicks to a minimum. What could be friendlier than that?
So let's go with the game, already. But no. The announcers have to give us a half hour of history and statistical gibberish that might well drive the Pope himself to contemplate locking and loading. Tick, tick, tick.
After yet another commercial break, surely the game is about to start -- right? Oh, hell no. First we have to get a complete rundown on the players for both teams -- for an exhibition game. Arrgh. And what is it with these soccer players going by one name only? Only superstars are worthy of such lofty status. Like Cher, Bono, Oprah, Lurch, and (uncle) Fester. These guys just run back and forth kicking a spotted ball around for a few hours. Tick, tick, tick.
At last, here they come walking onto the field. But wait a minute. All the players for both teams are holding hands with a 5-6 year old child as they enter. What's up with that? Worse yet, every single one of those kids is wearing identical red McDonald's tee shirts, complete with the golden arches. Was this a shameless promotion, or do they perhaps get them started mighty early in life cooking fries and McWhatevers down in Glendale? No idea, but I hope this ploy doesn't morph into super-sizing itself in other sports. They already take long enough as it is with all the time-outs, commercials, replays and rhubarbs.
Don't get me wrong. It's great that the kids get the thrill of being on TV in a stadium packed with nut jobs, while holding hands with somebody they've probably never heard of. And it's also great they get to do so before that pesky acne sets in that often results from working in a greasy workplace. But c'mon, get these future assistant managers off the field and let's see some soccer, for crying out loud. Tick, tick.
Of course, the Mexican and American national anthems had to be played. Cue the flag waving, chanting, delirious throngs mentioned above. Tick.
And a game wouldn't be a game without a coin toss to determine matters of utmost importance -- like which team tries to go east in the first half, and west in the second. Assemble all the "captains" and full crew of refs at midfield. This is critical stuff. Even the announcers are holding their collective breaths on the outcome. And it can't just be a penny or a peso that gets flipped. Oh no, this has to be a commemorative coin of some sort -- for an exhibition game. When that matter of national security has been decided, all 4 captains for each team have to shake hands with each other, plus all 4 members of the officiating crew. That's a lot of handshakes. At least they weren't into the European cheek-kissing thing, much less some of the ridiculous routines some American pro athletes typically feature. If every one of those combination of guys had to do a high-five, then a low-five, then a chest bump, then stick your left foot in, take your right foot out, do a 360 and shake it all about hokey-pokey style, this could have gone on for hours, days, or until the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl. Basically forever. Tick, tick.
Then finally, mercifully, the game began. Wow, that was a long wait, but I hung in there. Sure, it was still only going to be a silly exhibition game, and I'm not a big soccer fan anyway, as you may have gathered. But after putting up with all the above pre-game nonsense, it became a matter of principle. I'm going to watch this game, whether I like soccer or not.
Just a few seconds after it actually started -- WHAM -- the network switched coverage. The game is gone, and here comes another ESPN talking head to offer the same sports recaps I tried to tune into in the first place. That was the final tick. I now understand how some otherwise normal people can sometimes snap and do crazy things.
I have no idea who actually won that game, nor do I care. Right now, my main concern is any videos that may surface showing me running naked through the streets blowing my vuvuzela, and chanting death to the infidels at the 4-letter network.
Funny, or maybe not, how those things work out sometimes.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
A game changer
If one has followed the ladies version of NCAA hoops, then one likely knows it was almost a foregone conclusion that Notre Dame and UConn would slug it out for the national championship.
This is not meant to be disrespectful to many other fine schools, their programs and athletes -- but all along it's appeared that the Lady Irish and Lady Huskies were a rather large cut above everybody else. After all, both those teams have rolled through the season, and so far in the tournament, remaining undefeated. It's rare either wins by less than 10-15 points and, many games, even against otherwise fairly good teams, have resulted in 30-40 point total blow-outs. The Big Two are just that good.
Time out. A news flash just in. In the search for that pesky Malaysian airliner that disappeared over 3 weeks ago, a British nuclear submarine has now joined the hunt. Tally ho, pip, pip, and jolly good show. Wait a minute. The Brits have nuclear subs? Who knew? Nevertheless, this particular vessel was dubbed the HMS Tireless. Well, duh. I would hope it's "tireless". Nuclear or not, if you've got a submarine rolling across the ocean floor on Goodyear radials, I would humbly suggest your naval engineering department bloody well needs a swift kick in their collective breeches. Sorry. Got carried away there for a second. Where was I? Oh. Right. Ladies hoops. Got it.
As mentioned above, teams like Louisville, Maryland, Stanford, North Carolina, Baylor, and a few others are/were very good indeed. But in the end, it appeared the best they were capable of in this year's tourney was taking home the bronze.
Then a possible game changer happened. Notre Dame forward Natalie Achonwa went down with a torn ACL in their regional final game. At 6'3", averaging 15 points a game on 60% shooting, plus 6 or 7 rebounds, Achonwa was a dominant player for the Irish. Now she's out.
Granted, Notre Dame had already secured their place in the Final Four, but their opponent in the semi-finals, Maryland, might now have a fighting chance. The chances of the Lady Terrapins, or Turtle-ettes, as it were, reaching the championship game just got a bit better.
But in the end, mighty UConn still lurks, and it's unlikely the female Stanford Cardinal will derail them in the semis either. Idle thought: What's up with Stanford calling its teams the Cardinal, as in a singular entity? It reminds yours truly of the Borg, of Star Trek fame. I know college teams want to be close-knit, but let's not get ridiculous.
Ah heck. Notre Dame will still probably knock off Maryland. Despite the loss of Achonwa, Muffet McGraw's crew is pretty deep in talent.
The big Final showdown in Nashville between both undefeated ND and UConn for all the marbles remains the game everybody wants to see. Or at least sappies like yours truly, who isn't afraid to admit he loves watching this stuff.
Yet I suspect the injury to Achonwa has tilted the court decidedly in the favor of Geno Auriemma's Lady Huskies. Between his team and Muffet's, winning such an epic showdown would require a team to be firing on all cylinders, so to speak. They appeared to be that evenly matched. Sadly, when Natalie's ACL went pow, it was like Notre Dame fouled a plug.
A lot of things can still happen in the semis, and oftentimes do, including the possibility of another freak injury, particularly to a star UConn player. You never know....
But if all things stay the same -- given ND and UConn were heads and shoulders above everybody else -- and further given the delicate balance that existed between them, Achonwa's injury is likely a game changer indeed.
Love them or hate them, the already considerably good odds of the girls from Storrs winning yet another national title just got ratcheted up a notch. Meanwhile, in South Bend, love them or hate them as well -- yon fair maiden Muffet McGraw might well be thinking about a Shakespeare play. Richard III, to be exact. How so? When considering the loss of her star player Natalie Achonwa, and how it could prove to be fatal against Maryland -- let alone UConn -- she might well have her own similar lament as those games progress.
"Another horse. Another horse. My queendom for another horse."
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. That's the lamest pun you've ever heard. And I would agree. But hey, you try writing this stuff 6-7 times a week, and see how fast your brain turns into cream of mushroom soup like mine did a while back.
This is not meant to be disrespectful to many other fine schools, their programs and athletes -- but all along it's appeared that the Lady Irish and Lady Huskies were a rather large cut above everybody else. After all, both those teams have rolled through the season, and so far in the tournament, remaining undefeated. It's rare either wins by less than 10-15 points and, many games, even against otherwise fairly good teams, have resulted in 30-40 point total blow-outs. The Big Two are just that good.
Time out. A news flash just in. In the search for that pesky Malaysian airliner that disappeared over 3 weeks ago, a British nuclear submarine has now joined the hunt. Tally ho, pip, pip, and jolly good show. Wait a minute. The Brits have nuclear subs? Who knew? Nevertheless, this particular vessel was dubbed the HMS Tireless. Well, duh. I would hope it's "tireless". Nuclear or not, if you've got a submarine rolling across the ocean floor on Goodyear radials, I would humbly suggest your naval engineering department bloody well needs a swift kick in their collective breeches. Sorry. Got carried away there for a second. Where was I? Oh. Right. Ladies hoops. Got it.
As mentioned above, teams like Louisville, Maryland, Stanford, North Carolina, Baylor, and a few others are/were very good indeed. But in the end, it appeared the best they were capable of in this year's tourney was taking home the bronze.
Then a possible game changer happened. Notre Dame forward Natalie Achonwa went down with a torn ACL in their regional final game. At 6'3", averaging 15 points a game on 60% shooting, plus 6 or 7 rebounds, Achonwa was a dominant player for the Irish. Now she's out.
Granted, Notre Dame had already secured their place in the Final Four, but their opponent in the semi-finals, Maryland, might now have a fighting chance. The chances of the Lady Terrapins, or Turtle-ettes, as it were, reaching the championship game just got a bit better.
But in the end, mighty UConn still lurks, and it's unlikely the female Stanford Cardinal will derail them in the semis either. Idle thought: What's up with Stanford calling its teams the Cardinal, as in a singular entity? It reminds yours truly of the Borg, of Star Trek fame. I know college teams want to be close-knit, but let's not get ridiculous.
Ah heck. Notre Dame will still probably knock off Maryland. Despite the loss of Achonwa, Muffet McGraw's crew is pretty deep in talent.
The big Final showdown in Nashville between both undefeated ND and UConn for all the marbles remains the game everybody wants to see. Or at least sappies like yours truly, who isn't afraid to admit he loves watching this stuff.
Yet I suspect the injury to Achonwa has tilted the court decidedly in the favor of Geno Auriemma's Lady Huskies. Between his team and Muffet's, winning such an epic showdown would require a team to be firing on all cylinders, so to speak. They appeared to be that evenly matched. Sadly, when Natalie's ACL went pow, it was like Notre Dame fouled a plug.
A lot of things can still happen in the semis, and oftentimes do, including the possibility of another freak injury, particularly to a star UConn player. You never know....
But if all things stay the same -- given ND and UConn were heads and shoulders above everybody else -- and further given the delicate balance that existed between them, Achonwa's injury is likely a game changer indeed.
Love them or hate them, the already considerably good odds of the girls from Storrs winning yet another national title just got ratcheted up a notch. Meanwhile, in South Bend, love them or hate them as well -- yon fair maiden Muffet McGraw might well be thinking about a Shakespeare play. Richard III, to be exact. How so? When considering the loss of her star player Natalie Achonwa, and how it could prove to be fatal against Maryland -- let alone UConn -- she might well have her own similar lament as those games progress.
"Another horse. Another horse. My queendom for another horse."
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. That's the lamest pun you've ever heard. And I would agree. But hey, you try writing this stuff 6-7 times a week, and see how fast your brain turns into cream of mushroom soup like mine did a while back.
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