The Detroit Pistons likely made a tactical error. In the last game of the regular season, they managed to squeak by the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime. Like other top teams with nothing much to play for in the regular season finale, the Cavs sat out a few of their top players.
But guess who the #1 seed Cavs get in the first round of the eastern conference playoffs? The #8 seed Pistons. Detroit going into Cleveland and handing Lebron and Co. a loss in a game that meant nothing probably wasn't a smart move. If anything, if will give the Cavs even more motivation to demolish the Pistons in the playoffs. Granted, the suburban Motowners were probably going to get broomed anyway, but why stir up a hornets' nest with nothing to gain? Should have let those sleeping dogs lie.
Mercifully, the Kobe love-fest is finally over. Has more pomp and adoration ever been bestowed on ANY athlete in ANY sport before? Well OK. Maybe Tiger.
The LA Lakers hosting the Utah Jazz was a nothing game. The Jazz had been eliminated from the playoffs and the Lakers were firmly entrenched in the basement of the western conference. Their worst team of all-time.
Yet it seemed like the media (see TV/talking heads) and those in attendance at Staples Center (see glitterati) were having one mass orgasm after another watching their hero.
Kobe Bean Bryant didn't let them down. He scored 60 points. OF COURSE he did. This is what can happen when a dude jacks up 50 shots in a single game, including 21 three-point attempts. Throw in a dozen free throws and 60 sounds about right.
People talk about his legacy. His final game cemented exactly that. The most ME player of all time went out with a bang. What nobody dares mention is how Bryant stunk it up for the last two years while saddling the franchise with a $24 million salary per season. And for what? Hype, pomp, and leading the Lakers into the bowels of the league?
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles north, Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors were making history. Getting their 73rd regular season win in a rout of the Memphis Grizzlies surpassed the 95-96 Chicago Bulls all-time record of 72.
But they set other records as well. GS became the first team ever to not lose two games in a row all year, nor lose twice to the same opponent over the 82 game season.
Curry himself has had a phenomenal year. He led the league in scoring, while shooting over 50% from the field, 45% from 3-point range, and over 90% from the free throw line. He's all but a lock to win his second MVP.
On top of that, Curry absolutely obliterated his own record for most made 3's. He went over 400 for the year in the Grizz game. THREE HUNDRED had never been done before. Dude can definitely shoot.
Besides the 73 wins, as a team the Warriors led the league in scoring, assists, and made 3's. They run, they pass, they defend, and they're deep. Like them or not, few would disagree they're the most "fun" team to watch. Even some guy named Jordan has conceded that.
So somebody tell me one more time -- with them going on at the same time -- which would any objective hoops fan rather have watched?
1) A career-long egotistical selfish player -- that's lately been terrible while playing for a terrible team -- limp to the finish line amid LA-LA land hoopla in a nothing game -- or
2) Possibly the best team of all time set multiple records, both individual and team, in the last game of the regular season?
This was not even a close call. See ya, Kobe. It's been real and go away smug if you if will but, please, just go away. Though they'd never admit it, the Laker front office is probably glad to finally be shed of him and his ridiculous albatross salary.
Bring on the playoffs......
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Will somebody set a record please?
Not long ago, many potential records were in play. The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs both remained undefeated at home with the regular season quickly winding down.
No NBA team in history has ever run the table on their home court for an entire regular season. Alas, neither would either of the above. GS got knocked off by a pretty good Boston Celtics team, then turned around and lost to the woeful Minnesota Timberwolves. Ouch.
San Antonio hadn't lost a game at home to Golden State in 20 years. Elder statesman Tim Duncan was still in college at Wake Forest and Gregg Popovich a rookie head coach when it last happened. The Warriors went into Alamoland and stopped both streaks with a convincing victory. Alas, when it was oh-so-close, another possible record bit the dust.
In the meantime, other dubious records have been set. This year's LA Laker team is their worst of all time. Almost mind-boggling is the fact an entire Masters' tournament went by with no Tiger Woods' highlights being force-fed to the viewing audience. No doubt, Kobe Bryant has set the all-time record for most hype on his year-long "farewell tour" -- even though he's stunk it up all year as a player. This guy has thrown up more bricks than a platoon of stone masons on steroids. But nobody wants to talk about THOSE records. It's the dreaded PC thing. One can only compliment, never be totally be objective, much less criticize.
But one record is still in play. The Warriors have equaled the 72 win mark of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team and still have one more game to go. On paper, it should be a no-brainer.
They'll host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. For the most part, GS is totally healthy and the players want the record -- bad. And they will have had two full rest days.
The Grizz will be playing the second of back-to-backs on the road and be without their two best players -- namely Marc Gasol and Mike Connelly -- who are out with injuries. Plus, they're coming off a thumping they took at the hands of the LA Clippers. They're limping into the playoffs as a #6 seed with nothing to gain in this contest.
But just when you think the impossible can't happen -- it does. See Jordan Spieth's meltdown on the final back nine of the Masters. See all the other "elite" players fall back. Relatively unknown Danny Willett would up with the coveted green jacket? Who could have seen that coming? Did anybody think Ronda Rousy would get knocked out by Holly Holm? Or Connor McGregor choked out by a journeyman fighter named Nick Diaz? Remember Buster Douglas and how he demolished Mike Tyson? What were the odds of that happening? 1000:1? A rag-tag bunch of American college kids defeating the mighty Soviet Red Army team in Olympic hockey? No way. But it happened. Those, and lots of other huge upsets have happened over the years.
There is absolutely no rhyme, reason, stats, or logic that can remotely suggest the Memphis Grizzlies have a prayer of defeating the Golden State Warriors in the last game of the regular season to prevent them from reaching the all-time record win number of 73.
But that's exactly what makes the game so compelling -- a must see. Because ya never know. Weren't the Baltimore Colts supposed to beat the upstart NY Jets 270-0 in Super Bowl III long ago? And didn't some panty-hose wearing QB named Joe Willie Namath not only guarantee a victory -- but deliver?
Can the depleted Grizz waltz into GS's Oracle Arena and pull off an upset to keep them from making history? Probably not.
But stranger things have happened.......
Kobe vs Golden State
As most pro basketball fans on planet Earth know, the Golden State Warriors have a shot at history on Wednesday night. They've already equaled the 72 win season put up by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls and have one game to go. Against Memphis. After a full two days rest. At home. Chances are good they'll win it.
As most people in the solar system and beyond know, Wednesday will also feature the final game of one Kobe Bean Bryant. Chances are good KBB and the Lakers will lose it.
This year's Warriors are the best team in the NBA, with the San Antonio Spurs not too far behind.
This year's Lakers are their worst team in history, and only the absolutely pitiful Philadelphia 76ers have kept them out of the league basement.
Yet the debate rages. Which would one rather watch on TV?
The Warriors likely doing something never accomplished before, or Kobe's final game?
This is not even remotely a close call for any objective hoops fan. OF COURSE ITS THE WARRIORS.
They may or may not repeat as champions when the playoffs are done, but no one would seriously doubt they'll see an elite team running up and down the floor is their quest for history.
On the other hand, the Lakers, and Kobe himself are limping to the finish line. After 81 games, the Lakers find themselves a mind-boggling FIFTY SIX games behind. Did I mention they're terrible? It's almost inconceivable a once proud franchise could be so bad. Showtime has become blowtime. Who in their right mind would want to watch these clowns play?
As if they needed another hindrance, Bryant himself has been an albatross around the Lakers' neck for the last two years. It became obvious several years ago that Kobe Bean was on the decline -- quickly. Not only was his productivity falling off, he couldn't even stay healthy.
Yet incredibly, the Lakers signed him to a 2- year contract worth $48 million. What have they got for all that money in return? An obviously washed up player last year -- even worse this year -- and Kobe's ultra-hyped "farewell tour". Plus, the above-mentioned thud into the bottom of the deep well of the Western Conference. Fifty six games behind? Likely fifty seven in a couple more days? Really? Is there even oxygen at such a depth?
Idle thought: This is not to say Kobe Bean is trying to milk his last go-round for all it's worth -- but what gives with all the body bandages and ice packs they slap on him when he comes out of a game? Is he an aging basketball player or the Michelin Man? One can note that the miles of ace bandages and tons of ice are gone shortly after any game when Kobe holds his usual smug post-game press conference with the fawning reporters. In that way, he's like Tiger Woods. Long washed up, but the media still hangs on his every word. As if it even matters. It doesn't, or at least shouldn't.
Like Eldrick, Kobe had his day, and now it's (almost - mercifully) over. Actually, neither have been remotely relevant in their sports in recent years, other than the hype they continue to generate. In a way, it's like politics in an election year. The media hordes will create their own heroes -- and villains -- while over-analyzing (with their merry band of "experts") every little thing. And many of the gullible masses continue to eat it up. It's like they don't have a mind of their own and need to be told who their heroes should be. The truly sad thing is -- they'll believe it and vote/root accordingly. A sorry testament indeed.
But come Wednesday, it's a no-brainer. Why would any rational person want to watch Kobe Bryant limp into retirement with the equally sad-sack Lakers when they could check out the Warriors possibly making history?
Then again, one could always tune in to Jeopardy to learn a few tidbits and dial up a decent movie afterwards.
Final idle thought: Speaking of game shows, can that be right? Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune fame is making $8 million a year? And she doesn't even turn over letters anymore? By her own admission, a computer has long controlled the "board" to light up correctly called letters. VW has even stated she's happy they keep her around for basically doing nothing. Talk about a great gig. She's got to travel the world many times over free, wear the finest designer clothes, be pampered like British royalty, and now a 60ish stick woman that was never that good looking in the first place is making 8 large a year for doing nothing except riding in limos back and forth to a non-job? Wow. Only in America. Is this a great country or what?
As most people in the solar system and beyond know, Wednesday will also feature the final game of one Kobe Bean Bryant. Chances are good KBB and the Lakers will lose it.
This year's Warriors are the best team in the NBA, with the San Antonio Spurs not too far behind.
This year's Lakers are their worst team in history, and only the absolutely pitiful Philadelphia 76ers have kept them out of the league basement.
Yet the debate rages. Which would one rather watch on TV?
The Warriors likely doing something never accomplished before, or Kobe's final game?
This is not even remotely a close call for any objective hoops fan. OF COURSE ITS THE WARRIORS.
They may or may not repeat as champions when the playoffs are done, but no one would seriously doubt they'll see an elite team running up and down the floor is their quest for history.
On the other hand, the Lakers, and Kobe himself are limping to the finish line. After 81 games, the Lakers find themselves a mind-boggling FIFTY SIX games behind. Did I mention they're terrible? It's almost inconceivable a once proud franchise could be so bad. Showtime has become blowtime. Who in their right mind would want to watch these clowns play?
As if they needed another hindrance, Bryant himself has been an albatross around the Lakers' neck for the last two years. It became obvious several years ago that Kobe Bean was on the decline -- quickly. Not only was his productivity falling off, he couldn't even stay healthy.
Yet incredibly, the Lakers signed him to a 2- year contract worth $48 million. What have they got for all that money in return? An obviously washed up player last year -- even worse this year -- and Kobe's ultra-hyped "farewell tour". Plus, the above-mentioned thud into the bottom of the deep well of the Western Conference. Fifty six games behind? Likely fifty seven in a couple more days? Really? Is there even oxygen at such a depth?
Idle thought: This is not to say Kobe Bean is trying to milk his last go-round for all it's worth -- but what gives with all the body bandages and ice packs they slap on him when he comes out of a game? Is he an aging basketball player or the Michelin Man? One can note that the miles of ace bandages and tons of ice are gone shortly after any game when Kobe holds his usual smug post-game press conference with the fawning reporters. In that way, he's like Tiger Woods. Long washed up, but the media still hangs on his every word. As if it even matters. It doesn't, or at least shouldn't.
Like Eldrick, Kobe had his day, and now it's (almost - mercifully) over. Actually, neither have been remotely relevant in their sports in recent years, other than the hype they continue to generate. In a way, it's like politics in an election year. The media hordes will create their own heroes -- and villains -- while over-analyzing (with their merry band of "experts") every little thing. And many of the gullible masses continue to eat it up. It's like they don't have a mind of their own and need to be told who their heroes should be. The truly sad thing is -- they'll believe it and vote/root accordingly. A sorry testament indeed.
But come Wednesday, it's a no-brainer. Why would any rational person want to watch Kobe Bryant limp into retirement with the equally sad-sack Lakers when they could check out the Warriors possibly making history?
Then again, one could always tune in to Jeopardy to learn a few tidbits and dial up a decent movie afterwards.
Final idle thought: Speaking of game shows, can that be right? Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune fame is making $8 million a year? And she doesn't even turn over letters anymore? By her own admission, a computer has long controlled the "board" to light up correctly called letters. VW has even stated she's happy they keep her around for basically doing nothing. Talk about a great gig. She's got to travel the world many times over free, wear the finest designer clothes, be pampered like British royalty, and now a 60ish stick woman that was never that good looking in the first place is making 8 large a year for doing nothing except riding in limos back and forth to a non-job? Wow. Only in America. Is this a great country or what?
Sunday, April 10, 2016
The Jordan Spieth meltdown
He pretty much had it in the bag. A five shot lead going into the back nine of the final round of this year's Masters. What could go wrong? Turns out -- plenty -- and it did.
Spieth bogeying the 10th and 11th holes, both very difficult, was nonetheless somewhat surprising. After all, he had birdied the last four in a row on the front nine to post a super impressive score of four under par 32 going out. Augusta National was one tough hombre this year. Any round at par or below was considered outstanding. But then the wheels fell off.
On the par 3 12th hole, a modest 170 yards, the defending champion did the unthinkable. His tee shot -- merely a wedge -- fell short and bounced back into the water in front of the green. OK, those things can happen. But then shooting 3 from under 100 yards, the Texan hit a fat duffer shot back into the water again. His fifth shot went over the green and into a sand trap. He was able to get "up and down" from there, but the scoreboard read 7 -- a quadruple bogey.
Instead of being 5 strokes ahead merely a half hour before, add it all up and Spieth then found himself 3 behind. Meanwhile, unheralded 28-year old Brit Danny Willett was quietly putting together a spectacular final round. At even par after the first three rounds, Willett would shoot the best round of the day -- a 5 under 67. This is the same guy that once turned down a PGA card so he could remain on the European tour. Few golf fans in the "new world" had ever heard of him. In fact, he might not have even BEEN at this tournament, save for the fact his wife gave birth several days earlier than expected.
Turned out, Willett knew exactly when to head west across "the pond" and tee it up in azalea land.
While Jordan Spieth was choking away another win, Danny boy was rock steady. Other notables like Jason Day, Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Ricky Fowler and Henrik Stenson had already fallen too far behind. Lee Westwood made a brief charge, but his collar always tightens up in crunch time, particularly with the putter. Phil Mickelson was in contention for a minute, but faded fast as well.
So congrats to Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, and a worthy one at that. Shooting a final round 67 in arguably the most prestigious golf tournament in the world -- on a course that was playing super-tough -- is praiseworthy indeed.
As a Masters' champ, he doesn't have to worry about qualifying for ANYTHING in the future. His parking pass has most definitely been validated forevermore.
Then came the awkward moment. It was bad enough Jordan Spieth had blown a tournament he all but had in the bag, there was the little matter of presenting the fabled "green jacket" to the new champion.
By tradition, last year's winner (Spieth) has to do the honors. One can only imagine what was going through Jordan's mind as he helped Danny into his spiffy new green coat. Ouch.
Though he handled it with class, Spieth had that Texas look about him we came to know from another notable in the past. Tight-jawed, with a bewildered look about him. Kind of like when W heard the bad news about no weapons of mass destruction having been found in Iraq after invading it.
Like George and his hubris, like Jordan on the back nine.
Heckuva job.....
Spieth bogeying the 10th and 11th holes, both very difficult, was nonetheless somewhat surprising. After all, he had birdied the last four in a row on the front nine to post a super impressive score of four under par 32 going out. Augusta National was one tough hombre this year. Any round at par or below was considered outstanding. But then the wheels fell off.
On the par 3 12th hole, a modest 170 yards, the defending champion did the unthinkable. His tee shot -- merely a wedge -- fell short and bounced back into the water in front of the green. OK, those things can happen. But then shooting 3 from under 100 yards, the Texan hit a fat duffer shot back into the water again. His fifth shot went over the green and into a sand trap. He was able to get "up and down" from there, but the scoreboard read 7 -- a quadruple bogey.
Instead of being 5 strokes ahead merely a half hour before, add it all up and Spieth then found himself 3 behind. Meanwhile, unheralded 28-year old Brit Danny Willett was quietly putting together a spectacular final round. At even par after the first three rounds, Willett would shoot the best round of the day -- a 5 under 67. This is the same guy that once turned down a PGA card so he could remain on the European tour. Few golf fans in the "new world" had ever heard of him. In fact, he might not have even BEEN at this tournament, save for the fact his wife gave birth several days earlier than expected.
Turned out, Willett knew exactly when to head west across "the pond" and tee it up in azalea land.
While Jordan Spieth was choking away another win, Danny boy was rock steady. Other notables like Jason Day, Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Ricky Fowler and Henrik Stenson had already fallen too far behind. Lee Westwood made a brief charge, but his collar always tightens up in crunch time, particularly with the putter. Phil Mickelson was in contention for a minute, but faded fast as well.
So congrats to Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, and a worthy one at that. Shooting a final round 67 in arguably the most prestigious golf tournament in the world -- on a course that was playing super-tough -- is praiseworthy indeed.
As a Masters' champ, he doesn't have to worry about qualifying for ANYTHING in the future. His parking pass has most definitely been validated forevermore.
Then came the awkward moment. It was bad enough Jordan Spieth had blown a tournament he all but had in the bag, there was the little matter of presenting the fabled "green jacket" to the new champion.
By tradition, last year's winner (Spieth) has to do the honors. One can only imagine what was going through Jordan's mind as he helped Danny into his spiffy new green coat. Ouch.
Though he handled it with class, Spieth had that Texas look about him we came to know from another notable in the past. Tight-jawed, with a bewildered look about him. Kind of like when W heard the bad news about no weapons of mass destruction having been found in Iraq after invading it.
Like George and his hubris, like Jordan on the back nine.
Heckuva job.....
Golden State update
Every basketball fan not in a coma has long known the Golden State Warriors are chasing history this year. So are the San Antonio Spurs. I'll get back to the latter.
GS is trying to best the all-time best regular season record of 72-10 set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. The Warriors are currently 71-9, with two games remaining. Win them both and they have the record. Lose them both and they fall short.
Guess what? They're going to tie it. It's the logical conclusion on several levels.
The Warriors will take on the San Antonio Spurs in the second of back to back road games after narrowly defeating Memphis on the road. Meanwhile, the Spurs had the day off at home to prepare for the defending champs. Whether such scheduling is "fair" is a moot point. Over the course of the long 82 game season, all teams will have their easy and hard stretches. In this case, it's just the way it worked out. And who could have foreseen at the beginning of the season -- when both teams were well aware of their schedules -- that it would come down to this at the end?
It's no secret that SA head coach Gregg Popovich has been resting his starters down the stretch. Good grief, in their last contest at Utah, six of his top players didn't even dress for the game. The Spurs lost -- barely.
But while GS chasing the record continues to be the lead story, another equally significant possible feat is flying under the radar. San Antonio has yet to lose at home. No team in NBA history has ever gone a full season without suffering defeat in their own arena.
On Sunday night, something's gotta give. For the Warriors to top the Bulls record of old, they need to knock off the Spurs on the road. That's assuming GS cruises at home against the Grizzlies when they officially conclude their regular season at home after getting Monday and Tuesday off. Let's bank the latter.
But in order to set their OWN record -- and possibly send a message for what's to come in the playoffs -- the Spurs will no doubt have all hands on deck in the late season showdown with the Warriors.
So far, the two teams have played three times. The two in Oakland were easily won by the Warriors, while the one in San Antonio saw the Spurs crank up the defense and put the clamps on the splashers from the Bay area in a win of their own.
This is easily the most anticipated game of the year in the NBA. Can GS find a way to win in San Antonio while continuing to march towards the record? Or will SA remain perfect at home in their own pursuit of a never-done before mark?
[It should also be noted that GS hasn't won a game at SA in a very long time. As in when now 40 year old Tim Duncan was still playing college ball at Wake Forest, and Coach Pop merely a rookie in the NBA.]
Sure, however it turns out, after the regular season is over, everything gets reset to zero once the playoffs start. It's like that in all team sports. Qualify to get to the post-season. Once there, keep winning and move on. Or lose along the way and go home. In the end, there will only be one champion.
Yet the best part of it all? The match-up everybody wants to see -- with hoop records at stake -- just happens to fall on the same day as the final round of the Masters golf tournament.
Oh my, your average sports couch tater's utopia. Make sure to put a fresh set of batteries in the remote. Phone in the double-cheese meat-eaters large pizza with all the other goodies to be delivered at about 2 PM. Check the brew supply. If a possible shortage exists, get thy butt down to the local party store to reload before the pizza shows up. By all means, turn off the phone. Significant others? Green light them to go shopping somewhere. Worry about the credit card bill next month. With any luck they'll bring back something useful -- like a remote controlled robotic house cleaner. Did I mention batteries? And aren't DVRs the best invention since ESPN?
It should be a glorious Sunday indeed.
Hold the anchovies......
GS is trying to best the all-time best regular season record of 72-10 set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. The Warriors are currently 71-9, with two games remaining. Win them both and they have the record. Lose them both and they fall short.
Guess what? They're going to tie it. It's the logical conclusion on several levels.
The Warriors will take on the San Antonio Spurs in the second of back to back road games after narrowly defeating Memphis on the road. Meanwhile, the Spurs had the day off at home to prepare for the defending champs. Whether such scheduling is "fair" is a moot point. Over the course of the long 82 game season, all teams will have their easy and hard stretches. In this case, it's just the way it worked out. And who could have foreseen at the beginning of the season -- when both teams were well aware of their schedules -- that it would come down to this at the end?
It's no secret that SA head coach Gregg Popovich has been resting his starters down the stretch. Good grief, in their last contest at Utah, six of his top players didn't even dress for the game. The Spurs lost -- barely.
But while GS chasing the record continues to be the lead story, another equally significant possible feat is flying under the radar. San Antonio has yet to lose at home. No team in NBA history has ever gone a full season without suffering defeat in their own arena.
On Sunday night, something's gotta give. For the Warriors to top the Bulls record of old, they need to knock off the Spurs on the road. That's assuming GS cruises at home against the Grizzlies when they officially conclude their regular season at home after getting Monday and Tuesday off. Let's bank the latter.
But in order to set their OWN record -- and possibly send a message for what's to come in the playoffs -- the Spurs will no doubt have all hands on deck in the late season showdown with the Warriors.
So far, the two teams have played three times. The two in Oakland were easily won by the Warriors, while the one in San Antonio saw the Spurs crank up the defense and put the clamps on the splashers from the Bay area in a win of their own.
This is easily the most anticipated game of the year in the NBA. Can GS find a way to win in San Antonio while continuing to march towards the record? Or will SA remain perfect at home in their own pursuit of a never-done before mark?
[It should also be noted that GS hasn't won a game at SA in a very long time. As in when now 40 year old Tim Duncan was still playing college ball at Wake Forest, and Coach Pop merely a rookie in the NBA.]
Sure, however it turns out, after the regular season is over, everything gets reset to zero once the playoffs start. It's like that in all team sports. Qualify to get to the post-season. Once there, keep winning and move on. Or lose along the way and go home. In the end, there will only be one champion.
Yet the best part of it all? The match-up everybody wants to see -- with hoop records at stake -- just happens to fall on the same day as the final round of the Masters golf tournament.
Oh my, your average sports couch tater's utopia. Make sure to put a fresh set of batteries in the remote. Phone in the double-cheese meat-eaters large pizza with all the other goodies to be delivered at about 2 PM. Check the brew supply. If a possible shortage exists, get thy butt down to the local party store to reload before the pizza shows up. By all means, turn off the phone. Significant others? Green light them to go shopping somewhere. Worry about the credit card bill next month. With any luck they'll bring back something useful -- like a remote controlled robotic house cleaner. Did I mention batteries? And aren't DVRs the best invention since ESPN?
It should be a glorious Sunday indeed.
Hold the anchovies......
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The Masters minus Tiger
Know what's really cool about this year's Masters Tournament? No Tiger Woods. Instead of the viewers being force-fed camera shots of Eldrick every 30 seconds -- two minutes max -- the wrap-around coverage is much more equal among the field of world class golfers -- as it should be.
To ESPN's credit, they have so far resisted dragging out old clips of past Tiger highlights while the current tournament is going on. Or perhaps the lovable folks in charge at Augusta National discouraged such nonsense. They have a way with getting their way.
I mean, c'mon, who ever wanted to watch Eldrick Tont Woods eating a banana while some other golfer was drilling an eagle putt elsewhere on the course? See Tiger curse. See Tiger pound a club. See Tiger take a drink of water. See Tiger scratch himself. What we DIDN'T see was all the other action going on at the same times. And, of course, see Tiger in the post-round interview. It didn't matter if he was already woefully out of contention. The TV folks never ceased to faun over him.
Finally, mercifully, this year there is no Tiger and his mania at Augusta. And as was once said by some regarding the term of a recent President finally expiring -- it's about damn time. This insanity has gone on long enough -- thank you very much. Let's move on.
During the first two rounds, this year's Masters has offered up some interesting story lines. It's not surprising Jordan Spieth tops the leader board. After all, he's the defending champion. But the usual sloping glass-like greens combined with windy conditions have kept the scores down, or up, depending on how one wishes to look at it. Shooting even par 72 is no small feat. After a blistering opening round 66, Spieth came back in round two with a 74.
He sits one stroke ahead of that pesky Irishman Rory McIlroy, who's game appears to be rounding into form. They will be paired together in the final group on Saturday.
Jason Day, currently the #1 player in the world, has been really good going out, but stunk it up coming back in. On the front nine, Day is seven under par. On the back nine, he's eight over. Very strange.
Some amateur named Bryce DeChambeau is in the thick of things. Will he hold up over the weekend as the pressure mounts? Ya never know.
Idle thought: How embarrassing would it be to the stodgy old farts that run the Masters -- which has long prided itself on only professional champions being allowed to play -- if an amateur were to win the tournament? Yikes. And what gives with "Butler Cabin"? Instead of smarmy TV talking heads, shouldn't Lurch from the Addams family be doing the interviews. Think about it. After the golfer has been seated, Lurch could zoom in and growl -- "You rang?" Priceless.
Despite his usual sometimes brilliance elsewhere on the course, Phil Mickelson still has a case of the yips with his putter. How is it that he can drain 15-20 footers on undulating greens, but keep pushing those pesky 3 footers wide left? Good grief, on Friday he had a putt from about 10 feet. Not only did he miss the hole, but the ball rolled completely off the green and down a slope. It's not often we see a top-notch professional golfer go from putt to chip. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
Nevertheless, it has been a breath of fresh air indeed watching this year's Masters without it being turned into the Tiger Woods show.
Many once said Woods "saved" golf. Horsefeathers. Golf has been around for centuries. The players, equipment, and training regimens have improved throughout. The courses are longer and tougher than ever before. The young studs from the world over keep on coming. Today's players are infinitely more talented than their predecessors. And the next generation will likely be even better yet.
In short, golf didn't need Tiger. He needed IT. Good grief, what else was he qualified to do in life besides chasing bimbos?
On to the weekend. Go get-em Bryce.
To ESPN's credit, they have so far resisted dragging out old clips of past Tiger highlights while the current tournament is going on. Or perhaps the lovable folks in charge at Augusta National discouraged such nonsense. They have a way with getting their way.
I mean, c'mon, who ever wanted to watch Eldrick Tont Woods eating a banana while some other golfer was drilling an eagle putt elsewhere on the course? See Tiger curse. See Tiger pound a club. See Tiger take a drink of water. See Tiger scratch himself. What we DIDN'T see was all the other action going on at the same times. And, of course, see Tiger in the post-round interview. It didn't matter if he was already woefully out of contention. The TV folks never ceased to faun over him.
Finally, mercifully, this year there is no Tiger and his mania at Augusta. And as was once said by some regarding the term of a recent President finally expiring -- it's about damn time. This insanity has gone on long enough -- thank you very much. Let's move on.
During the first two rounds, this year's Masters has offered up some interesting story lines. It's not surprising Jordan Spieth tops the leader board. After all, he's the defending champion. But the usual sloping glass-like greens combined with windy conditions have kept the scores down, or up, depending on how one wishes to look at it. Shooting even par 72 is no small feat. After a blistering opening round 66, Spieth came back in round two with a 74.
He sits one stroke ahead of that pesky Irishman Rory McIlroy, who's game appears to be rounding into form. They will be paired together in the final group on Saturday.
Jason Day, currently the #1 player in the world, has been really good going out, but stunk it up coming back in. On the front nine, Day is seven under par. On the back nine, he's eight over. Very strange.
Some amateur named Bryce DeChambeau is in the thick of things. Will he hold up over the weekend as the pressure mounts? Ya never know.
Idle thought: How embarrassing would it be to the stodgy old farts that run the Masters -- which has long prided itself on only professional champions being allowed to play -- if an amateur were to win the tournament? Yikes. And what gives with "Butler Cabin"? Instead of smarmy TV talking heads, shouldn't Lurch from the Addams family be doing the interviews. Think about it. After the golfer has been seated, Lurch could zoom in and growl -- "You rang?" Priceless.
Despite his usual sometimes brilliance elsewhere on the course, Phil Mickelson still has a case of the yips with his putter. How is it that he can drain 15-20 footers on undulating greens, but keep pushing those pesky 3 footers wide left? Good grief, on Friday he had a putt from about 10 feet. Not only did he miss the hole, but the ball rolled completely off the green and down a slope. It's not often we see a top-notch professional golfer go from putt to chip. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
Nevertheless, it has been a breath of fresh air indeed watching this year's Masters without it being turned into the Tiger Woods show.
Many once said Woods "saved" golf. Horsefeathers. Golf has been around for centuries. The players, equipment, and training regimens have improved throughout. The courses are longer and tougher than ever before. The young studs from the world over keep on coming. Today's players are infinitely more talented than their predecessors. And the next generation will likely be even better yet.
In short, golf didn't need Tiger. He needed IT. Good grief, what else was he qualified to do in life besides chasing bimbos?
On to the weekend. Go get-em Bryce.
Friday, April 8, 2016
The MVP case for Draymond Green
In my humble opinion, there are only two magazines worth reading. #1 on the "throne" list is MAD. For over four decades yours truly has marveled at the brilliant and biting satire they have, and continue to offer. They play no favorites and nobody is off-limits. Their artists are equally world-class. The next issue showing up in the mailbox remains quite the joy.
The other is Sports Illustrated. True, unlike MAD (eight issues a year), SI comes every week. Trying to cover the entire gamut of sports is a daunting job and something "newsworthy" seems to be happening year round. Hence the need to roll the presses on a weekly basis. That, plus the additional cha-chings they get from subscribers paying for more editions, and all the ads contained therein.
Perhaps a comparison of quality versus quantity.
Nevertheless, SI comes up with some good stuff once in a while. Which brings me to a little blurb in their latest issue concerning Draymond Green, a player for the Golden State Warriors.
This guy should be the MVP of the NBA this year -- hands down. Sure, his teammate Stephen Curry has already obliterated the record for the most 3-point shots made in a single year. And the media and fans have long been infatuated with hoopsters that rack up a lot of points -- even if they're deficient in other areas of the game. Lots of guys could shoot and dunk, still can, but that didn't make them terrific "overall" players. Things like passing to the open man, grabbing rebounds, and playing tenacious defense should certainly be factored in as well when considering who is the most valuable player indeed.
According to the SI blurb -- this year Draymond Green has done something no other player in NBA history has accomplished before. He's the one and only player to have scored over 1000 points, snatched 500 rebounds, has 500 assists, and 100 steals in a single regular season. Actually, at last count those numbers were 1056, 733, 567, and 114 respectively -- with a few games left to go.
Whether or not the Warriors go on to repeat as champions is irrelevant. MVP votes are supposedly cast after the regular season is over but before the playoffs begin.
So here's the question. How can a guy that has accomplished such a multi-feat -- which has never been done before -- NOT be the MVP?
Most valuable player is just that. It should encompass ALL aspects of the game, not just hot-shot shooters. And nobody has done it all better -- EVER -- than Draymond Green this year.
Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. There's another difference between MAD and SI, besides their publication frequency.
Sportswriters come and sportswriters go. Some are better than others.
But the likes of Don Martin, Al Jaffee, Antonio Prohias, Sergio Aragones, and Dave Berg from MAD will always be legends.....
What me worry?
The other is Sports Illustrated. True, unlike MAD (eight issues a year), SI comes every week. Trying to cover the entire gamut of sports is a daunting job and something "newsworthy" seems to be happening year round. Hence the need to roll the presses on a weekly basis. That, plus the additional cha-chings they get from subscribers paying for more editions, and all the ads contained therein.
Perhaps a comparison of quality versus quantity.
Nevertheless, SI comes up with some good stuff once in a while. Which brings me to a little blurb in their latest issue concerning Draymond Green, a player for the Golden State Warriors.
This guy should be the MVP of the NBA this year -- hands down. Sure, his teammate Stephen Curry has already obliterated the record for the most 3-point shots made in a single year. And the media and fans have long been infatuated with hoopsters that rack up a lot of points -- even if they're deficient in other areas of the game. Lots of guys could shoot and dunk, still can, but that didn't make them terrific "overall" players. Things like passing to the open man, grabbing rebounds, and playing tenacious defense should certainly be factored in as well when considering who is the most valuable player indeed.
According to the SI blurb -- this year Draymond Green has done something no other player in NBA history has accomplished before. He's the one and only player to have scored over 1000 points, snatched 500 rebounds, has 500 assists, and 100 steals in a single regular season. Actually, at last count those numbers were 1056, 733, 567, and 114 respectively -- with a few games left to go.
Whether or not the Warriors go on to repeat as champions is irrelevant. MVP votes are supposedly cast after the regular season is over but before the playoffs begin.
So here's the question. How can a guy that has accomplished such a multi-feat -- which has never been done before -- NOT be the MVP?
Most valuable player is just that. It should encompass ALL aspects of the game, not just hot-shot shooters. And nobody has done it all better -- EVER -- than Draymond Green this year.
Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. There's another difference between MAD and SI, besides their publication frequency.
Sportswriters come and sportswriters go. Some are better than others.
But the likes of Don Martin, Al Jaffee, Antonio Prohias, Sergio Aragones, and Dave Berg from MAD will always be legends.....
What me worry?
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