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......
Saturday, April 5, 2014
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.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Detroit Lions. Sold and moving
Well, that didn't take long. After the recent death of long time Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford, it appears their sale is imminent, and they'll be moving to Los Angeles.
William Clay never would have allowed this to happen, of course. But sometimes when the patriarch of a family passes on, his heirs no longer want to be troubled with continuing to run the business he spent decades building. Much easier to "cash out" and live the life of luxury without all the hassle. From mom and pop stores, to farmers, to multi-million dollar enterprises, it happens all the time.
Even though the Lions had a fairly pitiful track record for the last half century under the late elder Ford's watch -- no doubt this will still come as quite a shock to their fans. Yes, the team itself had become somewhat infamous for perennially disappointing them but -- dammit -- it was still their team. To their credit, the Honolulu Blue and Silver faithful hung in there year after year, always with the hope that next year just might be the one. For those folks, yours truly feels a profound sense of sadness.
Yet it appears that after the 2014 season, the Honolulu Blue and Silver will cease to exist. What their new name and uniform colors in LA will be has yet to be determined.
But I suppose time marches on and, like they say, the NFL is definitely a business. On that note, while Detroit will lose an historic franchise, few would doubt the folks in LA have long desired another NFL team, since the Rams left for St. Louis and the Raiders briefly passed through years ago. And there can be no question LA will offer much greater marketing opportunities for the team itself than Detroit ever could. So like most anything else, when somebody gains -- somebody else has to lose.
Still, one is left to wonder -- what will become of Ford Field? It's a jewel of a venue and not even 12 years old -- quite modern as stadiums go. And in less than a year from now it will sit basically unused? Spare me the tractor pulls and geriatric rock band concerts. Please.
Then again, perhaps something good will wind up coming of all the above in the end.
Remember what day today is.
April Fools.
William Clay never would have allowed this to happen, of course. But sometimes when the patriarch of a family passes on, his heirs no longer want to be troubled with continuing to run the business he spent decades building. Much easier to "cash out" and live the life of luxury without all the hassle. From mom and pop stores, to farmers, to multi-million dollar enterprises, it happens all the time.
Even though the Lions had a fairly pitiful track record for the last half century under the late elder Ford's watch -- no doubt this will still come as quite a shock to their fans. Yes, the team itself had become somewhat infamous for perennially disappointing them but -- dammit -- it was still their team. To their credit, the Honolulu Blue and Silver faithful hung in there year after year, always with the hope that next year just might be the one. For those folks, yours truly feels a profound sense of sadness.
Yet it appears that after the 2014 season, the Honolulu Blue and Silver will cease to exist. What their new name and uniform colors in LA will be has yet to be determined.
But I suppose time marches on and, like they say, the NFL is definitely a business. On that note, while Detroit will lose an historic franchise, few would doubt the folks in LA have long desired another NFL team, since the Rams left for St. Louis and the Raiders briefly passed through years ago. And there can be no question LA will offer much greater marketing opportunities for the team itself than Detroit ever could. So like most anything else, when somebody gains -- somebody else has to lose.
Still, one is left to wonder -- what will become of Ford Field? It's a jewel of a venue and not even 12 years old -- quite modern as stadiums go. And in less than a year from now it will sit basically unused? Spare me the tractor pulls and geriatric rock band concerts. Please.
Then again, perhaps something good will wind up coming of all the above in the end.
Remember what day today is.
April Fools.
The (mens) NCAA Final Four
Or as they call it in all other sports -- the semi-finals. How it came to be in college basketball that merely reaching the semis is celebrated in much the same fashion as having been truly delivered to the Promised Land, finding that pesky but ever-elusive Holy Grail or, OMG, unearthing a Rosetta Stone that is finally capable of deciphering politicians would seem to be a very good question. The definitive answer? Not a clue, but I'll offer three things as possibilities.
1) Slick marketing, which preys upon....
2) Blind hope, which is only possible if there are millions of...
3) Lemmings, who will always be suckers for -- go back two lines.
Oh, and there's the scads of money to be made by the smart people when the above quite unholy trinity comes together and starts interacting about this time every year. March Madness indeed.
Nevertheless, it is what it is, and the Final Four (though it will officially be April madness by then) looks to feature a couple interesting match-ups.
Florida vs. UConn. The Gators being there is no surprise. After all, they went into the tourney as not only a #1 seed, but also the #1 ranked team in the country. Besides cruising through the first four rounds of the tournament, they've won 30 in a row. Very impressive stuff.
On the other hand, most thought UConn would never get to this point. As a #7 seed, it was understandable they survived their first two games. But knocking off #3 Iowa St. in the Sweet Sixteen was a bit of an eye-opener. And who would have thought they could defeat the likely heavily favored and trendy pick Mich St. Spartans in the Elite 8? Yet they found a way.
Most would think Florida will have it's way as well with UConn, and they might be right. But guess who was the last team to beat the Gators before they started their 30 game winning streak mentioned above? Yep, the very same Huskies, way back on December 2. So UConn already knows they can not only play with Florida, but are capable of beating them. This game might not be the blow-out I dare say so many are expecting, and could well turn out to be very interesting. We'll see.
On the flip side, Wisconsin squares off with Kentucky. Another tough one to figure. Though UK entered the tourney as a #8 seed, they certainly had a tough road to get to the Final Four. Along the way, they knocked off previously undefeated and #1 seed Wichita St., turned around and dispatched #4 seed and defending national champ Louisville, then followed up by defeating #2 seed Michigan. That means they beat three of the four teams in last year's Final Four while, incredibly, starting 5 freshmen. (Yep, the first team to advance this far since the very same Michigan started their own vaunted Fab Five in 1992, way back when a guy named Clinton was first running for President and yours truly had a pony tail instead of a bald spot).
Given how head coach John Calipari's program has become synonymous with the "one and done" thing as his potential sophomores bolt to the NBA year after year, it remains amazing how that program can stay so highly competitive year after year as well, while featuring kids fresh out of high school. But here they are -- again -- and like them or not, you have to give them credit.
Most would likely think the Wildcats will slam dunk Wisconsin, but I wouldn't be so sure about that. The brutes from Cheeserland shouldn't be taken lightly. Sure, they didn't have nearly as tough a path as Kentucky, but let's not forget they weren't supposed to beat the other Wildcats, #1 seed Arizona either. But they did, in convincing fashion, in front of a mostly hostile crowd. To boot, the players that get the majority of the minutes for Wisconsin are predominantly upper-classmen. A couple years older, stronger, and with more experience than the young phenoms from Lexington. This game could get interesting as well. Will the peach-fuzzers run wild putting on a highlight reel? Or will the "old dudes" systematically grind them down and wear them out over the course of the game? Beats me.
Like the immortal Yogi Berra once wisely said -- that's why the fat ladies play the games, and it ain't over until Dick Vitale sings. Or something like that. Close enough.
1) Slick marketing, which preys upon....
2) Blind hope, which is only possible if there are millions of...
3) Lemmings, who will always be suckers for -- go back two lines.
Oh, and there's the scads of money to be made by the smart people when the above quite unholy trinity comes together and starts interacting about this time every year. March Madness indeed.
Nevertheless, it is what it is, and the Final Four (though it will officially be April madness by then) looks to feature a couple interesting match-ups.
Florida vs. UConn. The Gators being there is no surprise. After all, they went into the tourney as not only a #1 seed, but also the #1 ranked team in the country. Besides cruising through the first four rounds of the tournament, they've won 30 in a row. Very impressive stuff.
On the other hand, most thought UConn would never get to this point. As a #7 seed, it was understandable they survived their first two games. But knocking off #3 Iowa St. in the Sweet Sixteen was a bit of an eye-opener. And who would have thought they could defeat the likely heavily favored and trendy pick Mich St. Spartans in the Elite 8? Yet they found a way.
Most would think Florida will have it's way as well with UConn, and they might be right. But guess who was the last team to beat the Gators before they started their 30 game winning streak mentioned above? Yep, the very same Huskies, way back on December 2. So UConn already knows they can not only play with Florida, but are capable of beating them. This game might not be the blow-out I dare say so many are expecting, and could well turn out to be very interesting. We'll see.
On the flip side, Wisconsin squares off with Kentucky. Another tough one to figure. Though UK entered the tourney as a #8 seed, they certainly had a tough road to get to the Final Four. Along the way, they knocked off previously undefeated and #1 seed Wichita St., turned around and dispatched #4 seed and defending national champ Louisville, then followed up by defeating #2 seed Michigan. That means they beat three of the four teams in last year's Final Four while, incredibly, starting 5 freshmen. (Yep, the first team to advance this far since the very same Michigan started their own vaunted Fab Five in 1992, way back when a guy named Clinton was first running for President and yours truly had a pony tail instead of a bald spot).
Given how head coach John Calipari's program has become synonymous with the "one and done" thing as his potential sophomores bolt to the NBA year after year, it remains amazing how that program can stay so highly competitive year after year as well, while featuring kids fresh out of high school. But here they are -- again -- and like them or not, you have to give them credit.
Most would likely think the Wildcats will slam dunk Wisconsin, but I wouldn't be so sure about that. The brutes from Cheeserland shouldn't be taken lightly. Sure, they didn't have nearly as tough a path as Kentucky, but let's not forget they weren't supposed to beat the other Wildcats, #1 seed Arizona either. But they did, in convincing fashion, in front of a mostly hostile crowd. To boot, the players that get the majority of the minutes for Wisconsin are predominantly upper-classmen. A couple years older, stronger, and with more experience than the young phenoms from Lexington. This game could get interesting as well. Will the peach-fuzzers run wild putting on a highlight reel? Or will the "old dudes" systematically grind them down and wear them out over the course of the game? Beats me.
Like the immortal Yogi Berra once wisely said -- that's why the fat ladies play the games, and it ain't over until Dick Vitale sings. Or something like that. Close enough.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
UM/MSU. Outta here
Well OK. Ya win some, ya lose some. Between Michigan and Michigan State in the NCAA hoops tourney -- yours truly went one for two. I picked MSU to win against UConn (they didn't), and UM to go down to Kentucky (they did). Regardless, no matter how you want to slice it and dice it -- the representatives of the Mitten State got kicked to the curb within a few hours of each other in the Elite 8. There will be no joy in Sniderville.
Across the stat sheet, State seemed to enjoy a slight advantage in most categories over UConn, including shooting %, rebounds, and assists. Plus, they didn't turn the ball over that much. However, one glaring stat jumped out. UConn went 21-22 from the free throw line, while MSU only had 8 attempts, making 7 of them. A 14 point swing at the charity stripe. And that, as they say, pretty much summed up game, set, and match. Despite their supposed superior talent, the Sparties committed too many fouls against a lights-out free throw shooting team, and it wound up coming back to bite them in their collective green and white butts.
Most Michigan fans no doubt think their team lost a heart-breaker on an improbable long-range last-second shot by a Kentucky player. True, it was a low percentage shot, but it went in and that's just the way it goes sometimes. Yet I would submit something else finally came home to roost on the Wolverines in a bad way. The absence of big man Mitch McGary, lost for the season due to back surgery. Time after time, a Kentucky shooter would miss a shot, only to have their own big men crash the boards, and dunk/slam a short offensive rebound back into the basket. If McGary was there -- that probably doesn't happen. UM was well-known for prospering or struggling depending on how well their bevy of 3-point sharp-shooters fared on any given night. But what got overlooked in the whole process was their lack of size and physicality close to the basket. Kentucky exposed that in a big way, no pun intended. So yeah, that last second shot could easily have been off the mark resulting in overtime, and then who knows? Yet the Maize and Blue faithful can zip it when it comes to the whining I suspect we'll be hearing out of Ann Arbor in the next few days. Though it was indeed a close game, their team ultimately got beat fair and square by another team that found a way to exploit a weakness that has been there all along.
All of which contributed to creating a couple very interesting match-ups in the Final Four. That will take place down in Jerry Jones' Big D North palace next week -- sometimes referred to as YEE-HAH land with the giant yippee-ki-ay boob tube overhead. And c'mon. A Final Four just wouldn't be a Final Four without a platoon of bimbo cheerleaders shaking their -- um -- pom-poms, right?
Taking a look at those games -- next time.
Working......
Across the stat sheet, State seemed to enjoy a slight advantage in most categories over UConn, including shooting %, rebounds, and assists. Plus, they didn't turn the ball over that much. However, one glaring stat jumped out. UConn went 21-22 from the free throw line, while MSU only had 8 attempts, making 7 of them. A 14 point swing at the charity stripe. And that, as they say, pretty much summed up game, set, and match. Despite their supposed superior talent, the Sparties committed too many fouls against a lights-out free throw shooting team, and it wound up coming back to bite them in their collective green and white butts.
Most Michigan fans no doubt think their team lost a heart-breaker on an improbable long-range last-second shot by a Kentucky player. True, it was a low percentage shot, but it went in and that's just the way it goes sometimes. Yet I would submit something else finally came home to roost on the Wolverines in a bad way. The absence of big man Mitch McGary, lost for the season due to back surgery. Time after time, a Kentucky shooter would miss a shot, only to have their own big men crash the boards, and dunk/slam a short offensive rebound back into the basket. If McGary was there -- that probably doesn't happen. UM was well-known for prospering or struggling depending on how well their bevy of 3-point sharp-shooters fared on any given night. But what got overlooked in the whole process was their lack of size and physicality close to the basket. Kentucky exposed that in a big way, no pun intended. So yeah, that last second shot could easily have been off the mark resulting in overtime, and then who knows? Yet the Maize and Blue faithful can zip it when it comes to the whining I suspect we'll be hearing out of Ann Arbor in the next few days. Though it was indeed a close game, their team ultimately got beat fair and square by another team that found a way to exploit a weakness that has been there all along.
All of which contributed to creating a couple very interesting match-ups in the Final Four. That will take place down in Jerry Jones' Big D North palace next week -- sometimes referred to as YEE-HAH land with the giant yippee-ki-ay boob tube overhead. And c'mon. A Final Four just wouldn't be a Final Four without a platoon of bimbo cheerleaders shaking their -- um -- pom-poms, right?
Taking a look at those games -- next time.
Working......
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