Three things on my mind: NBA Playoffs and the Association's future. NFL Lockout. Baseball and the... sorry, dozed off there for a second. Baseball can have that effect on a person. Bud Selig should put out a warning that operation of vehicles or heavy machinery may be hazardous while watching or listening to baseball.
1. National Basketball Association Playoffs:
After that stunning display of basketball prowess that we all had to suffer thru at the beginning of April (the NCAA championship game for those of you that were lucky enough to forget) the NBA playoffs were a warm welcome to B-Ball fans. Boston, LA, NY, Chicago, all relevant in the playoffs? What is this, 1990? Not to mention the newly formed trio in South Beach, the streaking spurs, and the Trail-Blazers just up I-5. Yes, I was, and still am excited.
The Lake-Show have lost twice to the Hornets, which is always refreshing. All season they have looked weak at times, but everyone was so sure that they were a veteran squad, and would win games when it counts, and everything would magically be better for them once it came playoff time. To those who preached that nonsense like Jeremiah Wright all year long, I say "3-2".
Quite the opposite, both physically and figuratively speaking, are the team from Bean Town across the United States. While the Celts started hot, they were looking a different kind of green towards the end of the regular season. Most folks were pretty jazzed about the Bos-Ny series, and while a few of the four games were entertaining, Boston made quick and easy work of the Knickerbockers.
There's really almost too much to talk about, as each series has a headline in it's own. The Spurs are having a helluva time with the Grizz of Memphis, a team that had never won a playoff game in either Memphis, or their old home in Vancouver. Not too often is a #1 seed upset in the NBA playoffs, but I'd say there's a very good chance of it this year. And the Bulls have already moved passed the Pacers, so you do the math on that one.
Similarly, the Magic are having a tough time with the Hawks of ATL, but that's a 4-5 matchup, so that's not so much surprising as it is just entertaining. The Magic live and die by their ability to huck up 3's, so I don't know why people act so surprised when they lose a few games on rather cold nights. And Jamal Crawford is still finding ways to make 4-point plays.
Finally, my close to home team, the Rip City Blazers, are down 3-2 to the Mavs. J-Kidd has been a solid force, and Nowitzki is always a big sexy stud to watch on a basketball court. But the Blazer have won two at home, one of which was an exciting an inspiring game four, led by none other than Brandon Roy who was almost on the verge of tears after game 2. But Aldridge has admitted to being completely exhausted, and the L-Train is kind of a big deal to our team, so I'm probably going to hold off on placing any bets between now and game 6 and the ever so possible game 7. If we do pull it together and make it out of the first round, something we haven't managed to do in many many moons, we'll play the winner of the Laker-Hornet series, which looks like it's headed to 7 games, so those two squads will be equally gassed.
The playoffs have been exciting so far, but like I've said before, best of seven series' are just too much. I definitely enjoy watching great matchups night in and night out, but it starts to drag on a little towards the end of the second round, or beginning of the third round. By the time the finals come, you've been watching the same two teams play anywhere from 16 to 28 games already.
Moving on, the NFL lockout is making front page news, but the NBA will more than likely be in a very similar situation very shortly. This spells trouble for many teams. While the NFL is stuck in a big pissing match, which I'll get to later on down the page, at least NFL teams are still in the business of making money. Even for teams like the 1st draft pick Panthers, it's still an NFL stadium. National Football is huge in the U.S., and teams don't have trouble selling out stadiums. Fans know they're still getting to experience an NFL game. The same cannot be said for the (formerly) Sacremento Kings, the Toronto Raptors, The Atlanta Hakws, the Milwaukie Bucks and what ever other teams I'm forgetting. The profit spread isnt' so even in the Basketball world. Teams mentioned in the playoff topic above are having no problems, like the Lakers and Bulls, but other teams like the Kings and T-Wolves, struggle to sell out any games, and face big losses in a down economy.
Ok, now I'm tired of typing. So; the NFL lockout is stupid, and the owners are a bunch of greedy trolls, but the players are equally dumb for not saving any of the MILLIONS of dollars they make.
And Baseball season is upon us, which always means.... zZz zZz zZz (literally if you're a Giants fan :/ )
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Spring Cleaning in the ESPN stat archives
It's a familiar situation. Late Thursday night, the day has passed, the dog has been walked and you're about to enjoy a nice T.V. dinner and a cold one while sitting down to a night filled with sportscenter. And while watching sportscenter the thought pops into your head: "I wonder who the youngest player in NFL football to amass 875+ yds passing and 225+yds rushing in the first four games of the NFL season, since the AFL/NFL merger was?" But have no fear curious on-looker, ESPN is here to inform you.
It's safe to say that the only people who are concerned with who the youngest to get 875 and 225 in the first four games are the guys in the stat office in Bristol, NC. This topic is kind of a double edged sword because there is a wealth of stats to be shared from the all knowing folk at ESPN, and there are plenty of interesting stats to be found on any given day. The problem starts when they go digging for stuff that's not there.
It's kind of like the Guinness Book of World records. Some ass-clown from Zimbabwe holds the record for most hours consecutively hoola-hooping, or something along those lines. So technically he has a world record, but that's only because he's a) the only moron who would attempt such an amazing feat. or b) the American who's better at everything can hoola-hoop twice as long, but hasn't had the Guinness guys come out and watch the clock as he gets his Shakira game on for 69 hours.
Same basic rule goes for those useless ESPN stats. No one really cares if Kobe is the first player since 1983 to score 27+ points without shooting a foul shot, and a minimum of 15 shot attempts, and a field goal percentage of 40% or better, while on the road. And just like Mr. Hoola-hoop man, if you take a few of those qualifiers out of this little piece of statistical knowledge, it's more than likely not even a stat anymore. Seems like they're desperately searching for stats to make players, teams or whatever look better or worse than they really are. More than likely they're just bored though.
Do us all a favor, ESPN, save those generated stats for ESPN 8 "the ocho" and get to the Top Plays of the night already, so I can go to bed.
It's safe to say that the only people who are concerned with who the youngest to get 875 and 225 in the first four games are the guys in the stat office in Bristol, NC. This topic is kind of a double edged sword because there is a wealth of stats to be shared from the all knowing folk at ESPN, and there are plenty of interesting stats to be found on any given day. The problem starts when they go digging for stuff that's not there.
It's kind of like the Guinness Book of World records. Some ass-clown from Zimbabwe holds the record for most hours consecutively hoola-hooping, or something along those lines. So technically he has a world record, but that's only because he's a) the only moron who would attempt such an amazing feat. or b) the American who's better at everything can hoola-hoop twice as long, but hasn't had the Guinness guys come out and watch the clock as he gets his Shakira game on for 69 hours.
Same basic rule goes for those useless ESPN stats. No one really cares if Kobe is the first player since 1983 to score 27+ points without shooting a foul shot, and a minimum of 15 shot attempts, and a field goal percentage of 40% or better, while on the road. And just like Mr. Hoola-hoop man, if you take a few of those qualifiers out of this little piece of statistical knowledge, it's more than likely not even a stat anymore. Seems like they're desperately searching for stats to make players, teams or whatever look better or worse than they really are. More than likely they're just bored though.
Do us all a favor, ESPN, save those generated stats for ESPN 8 "the ocho" and get to the Top Plays of the night already, so I can go to bed.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Best of Sev.... zZz zZz zZz
March Madness is upon us, with the NBA finals soon to follow. It's a good time to be a hoops fan, that's for sure. March Madness is full of interesting matchups, with big upsets sure to come. That is, unless the calender reads 2008. The NBA finals are shaping up to be equally exciting also, with the top heavy east possibly bringing back some memories of '90's basketball.
One problem with that: All four rounds are best-of-seven series. Come again? If every series in every round went to 7 games, there would be 105 games played total. That's more than the entire NCAA tournament which lets in 68 teams, compared to the 16 that make the NBA playoffs. Baseball, which plays something like a gazillion regular season games, doesn't put it's fan through four rounds of 7 game series'. Not sure why the NBA feels the need to drag the playoffs on so long that the excitement has all but fizzled away like a Miami Heat 4th quarter lead by the time the Finals roll around. I know the first round used to be best-of-five, but how about making all rounds up to the finals best-of-five? NFL; you get one shot against a team, the NCAA tourney gives you only one chance to prove yourself against a team, and the entire NCAA football season is a big playoff, really. Yet the dudes playing in the big leagues have to play up to seven games per round? I guess it makes it more of a test in a sense, but it would be a helluva test playing four best-of-five series too.
As a fan of the hardwood thru and thru, I will always get jacked for the playoffs, but I'll have to fight my ADD to not get a little tired out after 2 weeks of the same matchup.
"Playoffs? You wanna talk about the Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?!"
One problem with that: All four rounds are best-of-seven series. Come again? If every series in every round went to 7 games, there would be 105 games played total. That's more than the entire NCAA tournament which lets in 68 teams, compared to the 16 that make the NBA playoffs. Baseball, which plays something like a gazillion regular season games, doesn't put it's fan through four rounds of 7 game series'. Not sure why the NBA feels the need to drag the playoffs on so long that the excitement has all but fizzled away like a Miami Heat 4th quarter lead by the time the Finals roll around. I know the first round used to be best-of-five, but how about making all rounds up to the finals best-of-five? NFL; you get one shot against a team, the NCAA tourney gives you only one chance to prove yourself against a team, and the entire NCAA football season is a big playoff, really. Yet the dudes playing in the big leagues have to play up to seven games per round? I guess it makes it more of a test in a sense, but it would be a helluva test playing four best-of-five series too.
As a fan of the hardwood thru and thru, I will always get jacked for the playoffs, but I'll have to fight my ADD to not get a little tired out after 2 weeks of the same matchup.
"Playoffs? You wanna talk about the Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?!"
Monday, March 7, 2011
NASSCAR
Can you possibly think of a better way to spend a Sunday, than to plant your butt down on a couch with some beer and pizza, and watch slow by comparison "race-cars" driven by closet Klan members turn left for three hours? I know I can. The only part of that little evening that sounds like any sort of a good time is the beer and pizza part. Otherwise, I'll chose the dentist over that sad excuse of motor racing. At least there I can maybe get some of that laughing gas and a dope sticker on my way out.
But even worse yet, how is this charade, without question, the most popular form of motor sport in the U.S.? As far as four wheels goes, Formula 1 and WRC rally have the fastest cars, the most skilled drivers, and the toughest race tracks to deal with. They're not quite as spectator friendly as NASCAR, I guess, but that's only because a NASCAR oval is, well, an oval. So there's not much to miss, or see, for that matter. This isn't some debate as to what type of racing is better though, and until there's a market for either of the above mentioned racing disciplines stateside, it's a moot point anyway.
Just hard for any self respecting fan of motors, sports, or motor-sports to call America the greatest country on earth when the illiterate half of the population is tuned into 300 laps of moderately tuned, heavy, V-8's going in circles. At least it's the illiterate half, and not the rest of us who are either playing sports, or watching something that takes skill. Some say you have to see it to understand how exciting it is, but that's true for just about anything. The beaches of New Zealand are going to look a lot better in person than on a flat-screen, regardless of what the guy at Best Buy told you. So that's no excuse as to why anyone would watch NASCAR. I'd rather watch D-Rose cross up the leagues best in person, but that doesn't mean basketball is only exciting in person. NASCAR would be cool to see in person for the first 15 laps.
Moral of the story: Don't watch NASCAR, and don't buy the stuff from the companies that endorses teams like the rest of the idiots that watch it.
But even worse yet, how is this charade, without question, the most popular form of motor sport in the U.S.? As far as four wheels goes, Formula 1 and WRC rally have the fastest cars, the most skilled drivers, and the toughest race tracks to deal with. They're not quite as spectator friendly as NASCAR, I guess, but that's only because a NASCAR oval is, well, an oval. So there's not much to miss, or see, for that matter. This isn't some debate as to what type of racing is better though, and until there's a market for either of the above mentioned racing disciplines stateside, it's a moot point anyway.
Just hard for any self respecting fan of motors, sports, or motor-sports to call America the greatest country on earth when the illiterate half of the population is tuned into 300 laps of moderately tuned, heavy, V-8's going in circles. At least it's the illiterate half, and not the rest of us who are either playing sports, or watching something that takes skill. Some say you have to see it to understand how exciting it is, but that's true for just about anything. The beaches of New Zealand are going to look a lot better in person than on a flat-screen, regardless of what the guy at Best Buy told you. So that's no excuse as to why anyone would watch NASCAR. I'd rather watch D-Rose cross up the leagues best in person, but that doesn't mean basketball is only exciting in person. NASCAR would be cool to see in person for the first 15 laps.
Moral of the story: Don't watch NASCAR, and don't buy the stuff from the companies that endorses teams like the rest of the idiots that watch it.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Up in arms?
I'm up in arms over the topic of every pro athlete being up in arms every time they "think" a call shoulda went their way, or when they just plain screw up and try to use the official as a scapegoat. If I had a dollar for every time I've seen an NBA player jaw at the ref after tossing up some errant shot, then try to blame the ref for not calling a foul, rather than hustling back on D, I'd be able to afford one of those shiny new iPhones. Or an NFL wide out raising his hands in the air as if he were at a rap concert, looking for a PI call, before the ball even touches the ground. I've played enough sports to realize that the ref aint gonna change the call just because you throw a fit. And by played enough sports, I mean after my first game. It doesn't take long to catch on. Just play the damn game already. My favorite "play" of the year so far in 2011 wasn't some miraculous dunk by B-Griff, or any super Bowl play. It was NBA ref Eli Roe telling Kobe to "make the shot" on a trip down the floor when the Black Mamba was in his ear. Well said, Eli, well said.
On a somewhat unrelated note, what's the deal with the mexican jersey gig in the NBA? It would be one thing if instead of "Bulls" it said "Los Torros" or "Los Sols" instead of "Suns." But putting El or Los in front of the English version of the word, like "El Heat", seems to be more offensive than a legitimate attempt to pay homage to NBA fans who come from south of the border? And I guess the Lakers and Clippers have been honoring our taco loving friends from the south for a few decades now? When I'm trying to translate anything from English to Spanglish, I do like the NBA and put an El or Los in front of a word, and add an -o to the end. For example: Donde esta el remote controll-o? Offensive, right? I'm gonna give the league el F minus-o on that whole thing.
On a somewhat unrelated note, what's the deal with the mexican jersey gig in the NBA? It would be one thing if instead of "Bulls" it said "Los Torros" or "Los Sols" instead of "Suns." But putting El or Los in front of the English version of the word, like "El Heat", seems to be more offensive than a legitimate attempt to pay homage to NBA fans who come from south of the border? And I guess the Lakers and Clippers have been honoring our taco loving friends from the south for a few decades now? When I'm trying to translate anything from English to Spanglish, I do like the NBA and put an El or Los in front of a word, and add an -o to the end. For example: Donde esta el remote controll-o? Offensive, right? I'm gonna give the league el F minus-o on that whole thing.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Heat Check
Someone keeps messing with the thermostat once the 4th quarter rolls around. I don't get how a team with so much talent and athletic ability in their starting lineup can perform so terribly against any team with a halfway decent record. Their first loss against Bean-Town was somewhat understandable, since they were still getting passed that awkward new girlfriend stage. But now the numbers speak for themselves, and it gets chilly for Miami late down the stretch.
What's most puzzling about the whole thing is it's not something I can even put my finger on. It's not one thing that everyone can agree on that the Heat need to fix to win big games.
Quick checklist:
-3 All-Stars
-Three point specialists
-Guys who are used to taking the final shot
-Some slightly above average defense
So what's the problem MIA? Why do your leads go M.I.A. after 36 minutes? It's not like you guys are any less deep than any of the other big teams with one or two superstar caliber players. I'd say both Chi-Town and NYK don't have as deep a bench as Miami, yet the Heat have lost to both of them a few times. Maybe 'Bron and Wade and Bosh should stop patting each other on the back and circle jerking at halftime, and focus on finishing a game.
They do have the second best record in the East, so I guess it really doesn't matter a whole helluva lot until the playoffs start. They'll at least get out of the first round. They just gotta stop finding ways to lose, and their talent should be enough to take them on a deep playoff run.
Ducks in the doghouse
The NCAA is going all FBI on the Duck football squad, for allegedly shelling out cash to a guy in the Lone Star state to send some of their stars to Eugreen. (Whether it's true or not, thank gawd they ended up here) The amount is rumored to be $25,000, which is a helluva lot less than the contract sCam Newton signed with the Tigres, but it's still against the rules. Kind of ironic that the two teams that met in the natty chip game had the highest payrolls! As a duck fan (obviously) this definitely puts me on edge a little considering the fate of the former, formerly known as pac-10, pac-12 powerhouse USC Trojan's, and their fall from the top. The Chip Kelly era is just beginning, so this would certainly put a damper on that train if the U of O got called to the principles office. There's no doubt in my mind that this kind of stuff goes on all the time in collegiant sports. There's way too much money involved for the influence of cold hard cash to not reach the players and their families.
On a side note, maybe the UO could slip a few 20's in that same guys pocket to send a few decent basketball players this way? I mean, a near .500 record in the "illustrious" Pac-10 basketball conference isn't the worst thing in the world, but there's no reason Duck basketball can't be on par with the football program, what with the new stadium and all.
On a side note, maybe the UO could slip a few 20's in that same guys pocket to send a few decent basketball players this way? I mean, a near .500 record in the "illustrious" Pac-10 basketball conference isn't the worst thing in the world, but there's no reason Duck basketball can't be on par with the football program, what with the new stadium and all.
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