As I had no reasons to watch the Yankees last night, I threw Casino Royale in the DVD player. When it was done, Sportscenter came on when the breaking news was that Brett Favre had been traded to the New York Jets. What's interesting is, I didn't really feel anything. I wasn't upset that Favre was no longer a Packer. I wasn't happy about it either. I guess it was just something that was expected now, and best for both sides that the Packer/Favre saga was over.
Now, the first time I see him in a different green, things might be different.
No Owens previously put out their stance, backing the team and their decisions. But the differences that the Packers and Favre apparently had, even after the Packers went to make sure Favre was ok with retiring shortly after he announced as they wanted him back, were apparently too much for Favre who was allegedly going to get a chance to fight for a starting job. Would he have won it? Probably. But at the end it was Favre that wanted out. And the Packers were able to keep him out of the division.
So today, the Aaron Rodgers era officially begins. And I don't think the Packers are going to drop off too far. They have too good of a defense and too good of players on the offensive side of the ball. The Jets on the other hand, well, good luck, Brett.
Moving on.
The Florida Gators are hurting a little bit. Three of their key offensive players haven't been going full speed, if at all early in camp: receiver Percy Harvin, track star Chris Rainey, and tight end Cornelius Ingram. So many are high on the Gators going into the year but pre-season injuries aren't what the Gators need. They open with Hawaii at home and then host the Miami Hurricanes. You can bet that will be one physical game and then the Gators head to Knoxville for a 3:30 CBS showdown with the Vols. As many are high on the Gators, unlike No Owens as much, note they still aren't sold on a running back. We haven't really seen this super fast Chris Rainey, but we'll see how a track star really fares against football players. And also, they have a lot of faith riding on USC transfer Emmanuel Moody.
Is USC really that much more competitive than Florida? I mean, if he couldn't play at USC, do you think he's going to make it in the SEC? Don't get your hopes up in the backfield, Gator fan.
And in Baseball. ManRam is hitting somewhere around .600 since he's been a Dodger. Watch out. The Cubs will most likely draw the Dodgers in the first round. Interesting match up that we'll get into another time.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Ongoing Saga That is...The ManRam
The Boston Red Sox are supposedly trying to work a deal that will send the best right-handed hitter of this generation, Manny Ramirez, somewhere that isn't playing in front of the green monster.
Reports and quotes from Manny himself have indicated that he isn't happy, they aren't happy with him, and he just flat out doesn't want to be there. Is this really anything new?
Did Manny every really run hard on ground balls in the infield? Just the other day, I saw him hit a ball down the line, put his head down and bust it down the line and got to second.
Manny's 36. He picks his spots. He hits, he hits a lot. Sure, he doesn't put the numbers up that he used to. That's what happens when you're 36 and aren't on the juice. But, he can still consistently drive runs in. The other night, I saw him drive a ball on the outside corner into the right-center field gap. Few hitters, with runners on second and third, stay on that pitch with less than two strikes and just drive it for a base-hit. Manny just gets hitting. He gets the science that is driving in runs.
So why do you trade him? How can he possibly be so unhappy? I mean, sure, he should have been suspended for getting after the traveling secretary. At the same point, I'm sure the Red Sox handled everything behind closed doors, which given the chance, was the right thing to do. But I want to know exactly what it is that Manny feels so poorly treated by. I really want to know what that is. Because if they've been treating him and other, allegedly great players, any differently now than when he was putting rings on their executives fingers, Theo and the boys are nuts.
But I don't think they are. I think Manny is needing attention, as always. Let's face it, he's a baby and he's probably mad that Favre is now the biggest baby in professional sports.
What's interesting is the cash involved. The Red Sox have something along the lines of a $20 million option for Manny they can pick up. Which they aren't going to give to a 36 year old who isn't going .330/40/140 every year. Instead he goes .300/30/120, but whatever and is the most clutch player in the game. Regardless, I don't know if even I, a huge ManRam fan would find $20 million in that. I suppose, the only way you can justify that cash is with a ring. And if ManRam goes to the Marlins, watch out.
You don't want anything to do with a team that has Hanley and Manny Ramirez on it. Nothing to do with it whatsoever. You think the Cubs want to face the Marlins, again, in the NLCS? I don't think so. I don't want that.
I just can't get the Red Sox. Just deal with him for another two months and get done with it. Don't pick up his option move on, sign Teixera, and be done. It's not hard. But if you want to win, win, and you do it with Manny Ramirez in the middle of your lineup.
Reports and quotes from Manny himself have indicated that he isn't happy, they aren't happy with him, and he just flat out doesn't want to be there. Is this really anything new?
Did Manny every really run hard on ground balls in the infield? Just the other day, I saw him hit a ball down the line, put his head down and bust it down the line and got to second.
Manny's 36. He picks his spots. He hits, he hits a lot. Sure, he doesn't put the numbers up that he used to. That's what happens when you're 36 and aren't on the juice. But, he can still consistently drive runs in. The other night, I saw him drive a ball on the outside corner into the right-center field gap. Few hitters, with runners on second and third, stay on that pitch with less than two strikes and just drive it for a base-hit. Manny just gets hitting. He gets the science that is driving in runs.
So why do you trade him? How can he possibly be so unhappy? I mean, sure, he should have been suspended for getting after the traveling secretary. At the same point, I'm sure the Red Sox handled everything behind closed doors, which given the chance, was the right thing to do. But I want to know exactly what it is that Manny feels so poorly treated by. I really want to know what that is. Because if they've been treating him and other, allegedly great players, any differently now than when he was putting rings on their executives fingers, Theo and the boys are nuts.
But I don't think they are. I think Manny is needing attention, as always. Let's face it, he's a baby and he's probably mad that Favre is now the biggest baby in professional sports.
What's interesting is the cash involved. The Red Sox have something along the lines of a $20 million option for Manny they can pick up. Which they aren't going to give to a 36 year old who isn't going .330/40/140 every year. Instead he goes .300/30/120, but whatever and is the most clutch player in the game. Regardless, I don't know if even I, a huge ManRam fan would find $20 million in that. I suppose, the only way you can justify that cash is with a ring. And if ManRam goes to the Marlins, watch out.
You don't want anything to do with a team that has Hanley and Manny Ramirez on it. Nothing to do with it whatsoever. You think the Cubs want to face the Marlins, again, in the NLCS? I don't think so. I don't want that.
I just can't get the Red Sox. Just deal with him for another two months and get done with it. Don't pick up his option move on, sign Teixera, and be done. It's not hard. But if you want to win, win, and you do it with Manny Ramirez in the middle of your lineup.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I'm Actually Going to Say It
College football can't get here fast enough. I have found myself just talking to myself in the car about college football. This is ridiculous. It needs to show up in a hurry.
But this is going to be a very interesting year in college football. The schedules align in an odd manner and there are some certain rock stars in the league who are captivating audiences.
The most prolific is obviously Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. This happens when you're a junior returning with a Heisman. Of course, No Owens isn't a big endorser of Tebow. But let's get this out there: Tebow is the perfect fit for his system and flourishes in it. He's a solid, solid football player. Deserving of the Heisman last year? You know I don't think he was the best player on his team. That team goes as Tebow goes. So what does that mean?
I posed this question to a buddy of mine at the bar last night: Since 1991, how many teams have won national titles with their quarterback being "the man?" Now, by "the man" I'm referring to...the guy that has to win games for his team. In that time frame, I counted three: Charlie Ward, Vince Young, and Tommie Frazier. That's not a very high percentage...
The point is this. Teams that have success have role playing quarterbacks, not quarterbacks that are supposed to put their team on their back. Look at the great Miami and USC teams from earlier this millennium. Ken Dorsey and Matt Leinart were great players because they knew their role; get the ball to Andre Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, Willis McGahee, D'Wayne Jarrett, Steve Smith and Reggie Bush...not do it themselves. By the way, Danny Wuerffel, that wasn't his team that was, let me throw the ball up to Reidel Anthony, Ike Hilliard and Jacquez Green's team.
So where do you put the burden of your team? Look at last year. Who was Matt Flynn. A fifth year guy who knew the system, didn't make many mistakes and didn't try to do too much. Wins a national title. Look at Chris Leak. Once he harnessed his system, he facilitated for his playmakers. In the national picture this year, I don't like Florida as much as others. I don't like teams who's play is so dependant on their quarterback. Sure Tebow was even hurt last year, but what was his record against ranked teams? Remember they had four losses last year. When was the last time a four loss team had a Heisman winner? You'd probably have to look in the pre-ESPN decides who win the award, era.
Again, when measuring quarterbacks, success is the most important. Wins, big wins and championships. Tebow is a phenomenal talent and a great player. But while his teammates are in Gainesville busting it all summer, Tebow is on mission trips. Now, I'm not going to there's anything wrong with bringing assistance to the needy, but what I will say is that Tebow, who's measured as such a leader by the press because he does jumping jacks after two hard gains, isn't a guy who relates to his players. He's a rock star...who has absolutely nothing in common with anyone on his team. Maybe I'm wrong about his "leadership" abilities, but I know that the other SEC quarterbacks spent their entire summer busting it with their teammates on the field, in the weight room, and at the bars. The latter two are the ones that really count.
Tebow is a great talent. He puts up great stats. But that doesn't necessarily mean wins. And Tebow has so much talent on the field, but his style doesn't traditionally lead to titles. Now, Florida has a great team and a lot of talent, but I see them finishing as the #3 team in the SEC East.
But this is going to be a very interesting year in college football. The schedules align in an odd manner and there are some certain rock stars in the league who are captivating audiences.
The most prolific is obviously Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. This happens when you're a junior returning with a Heisman. Of course, No Owens isn't a big endorser of Tebow. But let's get this out there: Tebow is the perfect fit for his system and flourishes in it. He's a solid, solid football player. Deserving of the Heisman last year? You know I don't think he was the best player on his team. That team goes as Tebow goes. So what does that mean?
I posed this question to a buddy of mine at the bar last night: Since 1991, how many teams have won national titles with their quarterback being "the man?" Now, by "the man" I'm referring to...the guy that has to win games for his team. In that time frame, I counted three: Charlie Ward, Vince Young, and Tommie Frazier. That's not a very high percentage...
The point is this. Teams that have success have role playing quarterbacks, not quarterbacks that are supposed to put their team on their back. Look at the great Miami and USC teams from earlier this millennium. Ken Dorsey and Matt Leinart were great players because they knew their role; get the ball to Andre Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, Willis McGahee, D'Wayne Jarrett, Steve Smith and Reggie Bush...not do it themselves. By the way, Danny Wuerffel, that wasn't his team that was, let me throw the ball up to Reidel Anthony, Ike Hilliard and Jacquez Green's team.
So where do you put the burden of your team? Look at last year. Who was Matt Flynn. A fifth year guy who knew the system, didn't make many mistakes and didn't try to do too much. Wins a national title. Look at Chris Leak. Once he harnessed his system, he facilitated for his playmakers. In the national picture this year, I don't like Florida as much as others. I don't like teams who's play is so dependant on their quarterback. Sure Tebow was even hurt last year, but what was his record against ranked teams? Remember they had four losses last year. When was the last time a four loss team had a Heisman winner? You'd probably have to look in the pre-ESPN decides who win the award, era.
Again, when measuring quarterbacks, success is the most important. Wins, big wins and championships. Tebow is a phenomenal talent and a great player. But while his teammates are in Gainesville busting it all summer, Tebow is on mission trips. Now, I'm not going to there's anything wrong with bringing assistance to the needy, but what I will say is that Tebow, who's measured as such a leader by the press because he does jumping jacks after two hard gains, isn't a guy who relates to his players. He's a rock star...who has absolutely nothing in common with anyone on his team. Maybe I'm wrong about his "leadership" abilities, but I know that the other SEC quarterbacks spent their entire summer busting it with their teammates on the field, in the weight room, and at the bars. The latter two are the ones that really count.
Tebow is a great talent. He puts up great stats. But that doesn't necessarily mean wins. And Tebow has so much talent on the field, but his style doesn't traditionally lead to titles. Now, Florida has a great team and a lot of talent, but I see them finishing as the #3 team in the SEC East.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wie Don't You Understand?
Michelle Wie has been invited to play again. With men.
Wie was supposed to be done with playing with the boys. Years of missing the cut at men's events (she has made only one) and a poor start to her career on the LPGA Tour conspired to bring some sense into the teen phenom's scheduling. With the wise, and cautious, David Ledbetter offering advice in the background, Wie had decided to stick to women's events.
At least Dave had thought it through a little.
What is this girl's problem? Aside from the fact she apparently was about to turn in her best, professional performance before she got DQ'd for not signing her scorecard...you'd think someone would take a hint. What's Ty Tryon doing these days?
Maybe Wie is going to be something, some day. But again, win on your own tour, follow the rules of your tour before jumping around. Any tournament director that's giving this girl exemptions is just a joke.
Wie was supposed to be done with playing with the boys. Years of missing the cut at men's events (she has made only one) and a poor start to her career on the LPGA Tour conspired to bring some sense into the teen phenom's scheduling. With the wise, and cautious, David Ledbetter offering advice in the background, Wie had decided to stick to women's events.
At least Dave had thought it through a little.
What is this girl's problem? Aside from the fact she apparently was about to turn in her best, professional performance before she got DQ'd for not signing her scorecard...you'd think someone would take a hint. What's Ty Tryon doing these days?
Maybe Wie is going to be something, some day. But again, win on your own tour, follow the rules of your tour before jumping around. Any tournament director that's giving this girl exemptions is just a joke.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
How Can We Forget?
Amidst all of the hoop-la of this past week, you know the pointless Dan Uggla-lost All-Star Game and the Favre saga, we have conveniently forgotten that The Open Championship is officially underway.
The big question is obviously, what's going to happen without Tiger? Well, for the first part, I can tell you there will probably be less "Get In The Hole" guys. I can also tell you that David Duval, once the #1 player in the world, threw up a 41 on the front this morning. Greg Norman and Jean Van de Velde are also tied for second.
But this is a different game. It's like, even if Tiger was there, there is still a good shot that he wouldn't win. It's not automatic. Especially in The Open with the amount of players who play more frequently on the links style courses. So in my opinion, this is a different animal than say Tiger being out of The Masters, US Open, or the PGA. I always like the crazy B list Euros to win The Open. The Paddy's and Monty's and Karlsson's and the Bjorno's (I'm assume T. Bjorn is no where to be found but he's still the man).
We don't talk much about my boy Phil. Nor should we these days. Frankly, he's been playing average golf, especially with the likes of Kenny Perry running around (who doesn't appear to be in the field). Phil's game is just not suited to win in The Open. Wild drives kill you more than anywhere up there. And flop shots, for no reason, don't hold on their greens. Phil is built to play in America, he should just stay home. It's not like he plays many tournaments anyways.
As you know, I love watching golf. And The Open might be the most fun tournament of the year. There are more players hitting balls from the spots of amateurs in The Open than in any other tourney. I know I've never played a links course, but in all reality, why do they just not hit the ball in the fairway? To me it always seems like players out think themselves at The Open. Maybe it's because my game is always going for the pin, no matter what. That's probably how a guy can shoot 88 with a 50 on the front. Either way, I'd like to see some guys play the American game on that course. Not including Mickelson as he can't find a fairway anyhow.
Enjoy The Open, and watch it without Tiger. It was probably give the tournament more excitement anyways. Especially with Van de Velde in the hunt.
The big question is obviously, what's going to happen without Tiger? Well, for the first part, I can tell you there will probably be less "Get In The Hole" guys. I can also tell you that David Duval, once the #1 player in the world, threw up a 41 on the front this morning. Greg Norman and Jean Van de Velde are also tied for second.
But this is a different game. It's like, even if Tiger was there, there is still a good shot that he wouldn't win. It's not automatic. Especially in The Open with the amount of players who play more frequently on the links style courses. So in my opinion, this is a different animal than say Tiger being out of The Masters, US Open, or the PGA. I always like the crazy B list Euros to win The Open. The Paddy's and Monty's and Karlsson's and the Bjorno's (I'm assume T. Bjorn is no where to be found but he's still the man).
We don't talk much about my boy Phil. Nor should we these days. Frankly, he's been playing average golf, especially with the likes of Kenny Perry running around (who doesn't appear to be in the field). Phil's game is just not suited to win in The Open. Wild drives kill you more than anywhere up there. And flop shots, for no reason, don't hold on their greens. Phil is built to play in America, he should just stay home. It's not like he plays many tournaments anyways.
As you know, I love watching golf. And The Open might be the most fun tournament of the year. There are more players hitting balls from the spots of amateurs in The Open than in any other tourney. I know I've never played a links course, but in all reality, why do they just not hit the ball in the fairway? To me it always seems like players out think themselves at The Open. Maybe it's because my game is always going for the pin, no matter what. That's probably how a guy can shoot 88 with a 50 on the front. Either way, I'd like to see some guys play the American game on that course. Not including Mickelson as he can't find a fairway anyhow.
Enjoy The Open, and watch it without Tiger. It was probably give the tournament more excitement anyways. Especially with Van de Velde in the hunt.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Many Takes, Here's Mine
This whole Brett Favre saga is starting to even get to me. Get to me that I think I was sick over it on Friday night.
The speculations of Favre coming back that had been reported in the past few weeks were just kind of like, whatever. You knew these things were going to happen. I mean, didn't you? I didn't actually think this was going to happen though.
So let's lay the facts out there quickly, alright? January 2008, Favre throws worst pass ever resulting in a playoff loss. February 2008, Mike McCarthy meets with Brett Favre to let him know that the Packers want him back for the next season. March 2008, Brett Favre retires from the Green Bay Packers. Somewhere between then and now, Brett Favre apparently is in great shape because he's been throwing with a high school team. Two weeks ago, rumors fly that Favre wants to come back. Last Friday, Favre claims the Packers don't want him to play for them and asks for his unconditional release.
First, before I absolutely start to rail my second favorite athlete ever, let me tell you that this has been a really, really hard thing for me to deal with. Because somewhere, we have to draw the line of what's right and what's wrong, not what we feel inside about a guy.
Now. Brett Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers in March. More or less, he quit, under contract. So, as much as I may not have noticed, but the world didn't stop spinning when Favre retired. From that second, the Packers have been making every arrangement that follows them having a new starting quarterback for the first time since Don Majkowski. Aaron Rodgers, who's had to deal with this saga for how many years, was finally the guy, the day that Favre retired, left, quit.
The Packers had an alright draft, bringing in two quarterbacks to their roster, Louisville's (should have been Tennessee's) Brian Brohm and LSU's Matt Flynn. Both guys have apparently been solid during mini-camp. Rodgers has been taking the necessary steps as a leader in the locker room and in the community as this is now his spot. The Packers have moved on since Favre formally announced his intentions not to play.
Before we get any further, what were those reasons? Weren't they not because he didn't want to play, but because he couldn't handle the daily grind, the film study, and the...off season workouts? So do we find it surprising that Favre is trying to find a Roger Clemensesque deal, where basically he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because, he deserves it? I mean, I am surprised, but the pieces really fall into place.
No man, other than Michael Jordan, is bigger than the team. Favre is trying to state his case for being bigger than the franchise in this scenario. He doesn't run the team, the GM and Head Coach do. The second that they let Favre start to dictate their policy, where does it end? How much of an impression does this set for the young team as to what this franchise is all about? Favre retired, he was supposed to have moved on and the Packers had no choice but to. To me, this almost seems like a ploy because of what Favre didn't want to deal with he's not having to. It almost seems like this was Favre's plan all along. Retire, not deal with the other stuff and come back. They'll want me.
Maybe we do. Maybe the Packers are a better team tomorrow with #4 under center. Maybe they aren't? But what are they supposed to do? The Favre Saga has become more drama-filled in the past 3 years than MTV knows what to do with. If I was the Packers, this is what I'd do. Contractually, he is still theirs. So I'd make a move, put him on the roster at the last QB spot and tell him, if he wants to play, he better work at it because they've seen nothing from him. Aaron Rodgers is their guy and if Favre wants the spot, he better take it because that's all he's going to get.
If they take Favre back, what does that mean? Well the circus comes back to town and the focus is not on the team but on Favre's status. Is he going to play, will he be traded, what color is his hair? It's what to expect. Favre is making a mockery of the Packers right now, and there are some Packer fans out there who apparently think it's alright. I don't.
The speculations of Favre coming back that had been reported in the past few weeks were just kind of like, whatever. You knew these things were going to happen. I mean, didn't you? I didn't actually think this was going to happen though.
So let's lay the facts out there quickly, alright? January 2008, Favre throws worst pass ever resulting in a playoff loss. February 2008, Mike McCarthy meets with Brett Favre to let him know that the Packers want him back for the next season. March 2008, Brett Favre retires from the Green Bay Packers. Somewhere between then and now, Brett Favre apparently is in great shape because he's been throwing with a high school team. Two weeks ago, rumors fly that Favre wants to come back. Last Friday, Favre claims the Packers don't want him to play for them and asks for his unconditional release.
First, before I absolutely start to rail my second favorite athlete ever, let me tell you that this has been a really, really hard thing for me to deal with. Because somewhere, we have to draw the line of what's right and what's wrong, not what we feel inside about a guy.
Now. Brett Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers in March. More or less, he quit, under contract. So, as much as I may not have noticed, but the world didn't stop spinning when Favre retired. From that second, the Packers have been making every arrangement that follows them having a new starting quarterback for the first time since Don Majkowski. Aaron Rodgers, who's had to deal with this saga for how many years, was finally the guy, the day that Favre retired, left, quit.
The Packers had an alright draft, bringing in two quarterbacks to their roster, Louisville's (should have been Tennessee's) Brian Brohm and LSU's Matt Flynn. Both guys have apparently been solid during mini-camp. Rodgers has been taking the necessary steps as a leader in the locker room and in the community as this is now his spot. The Packers have moved on since Favre formally announced his intentions not to play.
Before we get any further, what were those reasons? Weren't they not because he didn't want to play, but because he couldn't handle the daily grind, the film study, and the...off season workouts? So do we find it surprising that Favre is trying to find a Roger Clemensesque deal, where basically he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because, he deserves it? I mean, I am surprised, but the pieces really fall into place.
No man, other than Michael Jordan, is bigger than the team. Favre is trying to state his case for being bigger than the franchise in this scenario. He doesn't run the team, the GM and Head Coach do. The second that they let Favre start to dictate their policy, where does it end? How much of an impression does this set for the young team as to what this franchise is all about? Favre retired, he was supposed to have moved on and the Packers had no choice but to. To me, this almost seems like a ploy because of what Favre didn't want to deal with he's not having to. It almost seems like this was Favre's plan all along. Retire, not deal with the other stuff and come back. They'll want me.
Maybe we do. Maybe the Packers are a better team tomorrow with #4 under center. Maybe they aren't? But what are they supposed to do? The Favre Saga has become more drama-filled in the past 3 years than MTV knows what to do with. If I was the Packers, this is what I'd do. Contractually, he is still theirs. So I'd make a move, put him on the roster at the last QB spot and tell him, if he wants to play, he better work at it because they've seen nothing from him. Aaron Rodgers is their guy and if Favre wants the spot, he better take it because that's all he's going to get.
If they take Favre back, what does that mean? Well the circus comes back to town and the focus is not on the team but on Favre's status. Is he going to play, will he be traded, what color is his hair? It's what to expect. Favre is making a mockery of the Packers right now, and there are some Packer fans out there who apparently think it's alright. I don't.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
On Site
Tonight, No Owens will be on location at the Sommet Center in Nashville. The event taking place is Poison with Special Guests Dokken and Sebastian Bach. I'm sure good tickets are still available.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Breakfast, Lunch and a Mid-Day Snack at Wimbledon
I woke up early to watch tennis yesterday. I pretty much didn't move most of the day. Thankfully, it was arguably the greatest match in the history of tennis.
In case you missed it, Rafael Nadal beat NO favorite Roger Federer in a five set marathon finally breaking Federer at 7-7 in the fifth set. Nadal became the first player to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in back to back years since Borg in 1980 and denied Federer the chance at becoming the first ever six-in-a-row champion at the All England Club.
The match was like nothing I'd really ever seen. When Nadal came out and broke in the first, I thought it was over. I thought that the Federer reign was done. Then the rain came down two sets and Federer seemed to kick it in winning the third and fourth before neither player dropped a set on serve until overtime in the fifth.
The interesting thing is, Federer should have won in four. Federer was up 4-2 in the second before losing 4 straight games. It was almost embarrassing. Federer served well all match, except for one game. And that's the one that will undoubtedly haunt him. He let Wimbledon go in the second, not in the fifth.
But though we can analyze Federer's losing the tournament, it's hard to take away the match from Nadal. He was unreal. Absolutely unreal. He was broken, what, once? In that second set and broke right back. He hit's unreal passing shots off balanced, with a two-handed backhand as if he knows exactly where Federer is going to be when Roger comes to net.
I think Nadal is just a smarter tennis player than Federer. He makes better decisions, adjusts, and doesn't try to beat himself. Federer will play his game and do it over and over. Granted, it's worked well, but he's now lost on his turf. Will Federer rock some ridiculous outfits next year?
The thing about Nadal's preparation that astounds me the most is his use of his serve. His ace total is obviously not what Federer's is. But he structures the points to his favor with his serve. So though he's not getting the glam numbers with the aces, he's getting the awkward returns he wants from his carefully positioned serves. The higher percentage play and if you didn't notice, the play that wins you titles.
Yesterday was an amazing day for tennis. Even Johnny Mac was emotional. But you probably witnessed the greatest match of all time if you watched yesterday. And as much of a Federer fan that I am, it really didn't bother me to see him lose that way. Seeing such a great sporting event like that is enough for me. But a changing of the guard is in the air as Nadal is moving closer to being the #1 player in the world. But can Nadal win on the hard court? We will see very soon.
In case you missed it, Rafael Nadal beat NO favorite Roger Federer in a five set marathon finally breaking Federer at 7-7 in the fifth set. Nadal became the first player to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in back to back years since Borg in 1980 and denied Federer the chance at becoming the first ever six-in-a-row champion at the All England Club.
The match was like nothing I'd really ever seen. When Nadal came out and broke in the first, I thought it was over. I thought that the Federer reign was done. Then the rain came down two sets and Federer seemed to kick it in winning the third and fourth before neither player dropped a set on serve until overtime in the fifth.
The interesting thing is, Federer should have won in four. Federer was up 4-2 in the second before losing 4 straight games. It was almost embarrassing. Federer served well all match, except for one game. And that's the one that will undoubtedly haunt him. He let Wimbledon go in the second, not in the fifth.
But though we can analyze Federer's losing the tournament, it's hard to take away the match from Nadal. He was unreal. Absolutely unreal. He was broken, what, once? In that second set and broke right back. He hit's unreal passing shots off balanced, with a two-handed backhand as if he knows exactly where Federer is going to be when Roger comes to net.
I think Nadal is just a smarter tennis player than Federer. He makes better decisions, adjusts, and doesn't try to beat himself. Federer will play his game and do it over and over. Granted, it's worked well, but he's now lost on his turf. Will Federer rock some ridiculous outfits next year?
The thing about Nadal's preparation that astounds me the most is his use of his serve. His ace total is obviously not what Federer's is. But he structures the points to his favor with his serve. So though he's not getting the glam numbers with the aces, he's getting the awkward returns he wants from his carefully positioned serves. The higher percentage play and if you didn't notice, the play that wins you titles.
Yesterday was an amazing day for tennis. Even Johnny Mac was emotional. But you probably witnessed the greatest match of all time if you watched yesterday. And as much of a Federer fan that I am, it really didn't bother me to see him lose that way. Seeing such a great sporting event like that is enough for me. But a changing of the guard is in the air as Nadal is moving closer to being the #1 player in the world. But can Nadal win on the hard court? We will see very soon.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Chase For Baseball's Most Impressive Number
Home Runs. RBI. Even today you hear about these crazy things that Bill James invented like 15 years ago and they are now becoming in vogue like an OPS, adjusted or not.
All of these things are nice and great. But if you want to ask me what the most important stat in baseball is, it's the old fashion, no frills attached batting average.
If you hit for a strong average, you get on base. You get on base, you have the ability to score runs. If you hit, you have the ability to knock runs in. The higher the average, to me, the higher the value. A guy with a high career average tells me that I know exactly what I'm going to get day in and day out, year in and year out. Home runs can come and go and RBI can fluctuate if you're on a team that doesn't have people around you or if you're hitting in a certain spot in a batting order (pending it's in the top 5 spots, Edgar Renteria is a .280 hitter, but .330 hitting in the 7 hole, imagine if Al Pujols hit 7).
So to me, average is the ultimate in consistency. Home runs can come and go, but a guy who's going to hit .320 is going to give you a strong presence at the park everyday, and in a season that is 162+ games, I prefer consistency over the flash.
So to me, the quest for .400 is always very interesting. There's a reason that the last guy's name to do it is Ted Williams and names like Mantle, Yount, and Gwynn never accomplished it. It's singly the hardest feat to accomplish in baseball, possibly in all of sports, in my opinion.
So we have Chipper Jones who has been red hot pretty much all year and has been up over .400 and in the .390's for most of the season. Chipper's having a great year and has the other numbers to back up his average to come towards the mid-back end of a really nice career. So the question comes to, can Chipper do this?
Well, here's the plan for hitting .400. I hit .403 or .407 or something like that the summer after my freshman year of high school. Granted, the competition wasn't the best and I was hitting three with Ryan Trembath behind me so I clearly saw good pitches, but I was hitting really well that summer. Bob Conner printed off our stats at the end of the year and I remember studying the game by game log and wondering how I got to the final average that I had. What the sheet looked like was a bunch of 1-3 and 1-4 games with a few multi-hit games sprinkled in.
For a guy chasing the big number, it's every hit that counts. Get them however you can get them. So what's interesting is that Chipper is a power hitter. Can he beat out infield hits? I don't think so. Neither could Ted. But as long he can keep one hit, in any fashion, in the boxscore he has a shot.
I just don't see a guy like that doing it. Someone who can create the intangibles. Someone like Ichiro or Carl Crawford. A guy who hits 1-2 in the lineup who's job it is to create offense for the rest of the lineup. Chipper has one nice luxury and that's he has Mark Texiera hitting behind him. Tex is the key for Chipper's run because you can't pitch around Chipper and if you do, you get to one of the best hitters in the league. I hope Chipper does it, but don't get your hopes up. If he does, he owes Tex a new Porsche.
All of these things are nice and great. But if you want to ask me what the most important stat in baseball is, it's the old fashion, no frills attached batting average.
If you hit for a strong average, you get on base. You get on base, you have the ability to score runs. If you hit, you have the ability to knock runs in. The higher the average, to me, the higher the value. A guy with a high career average tells me that I know exactly what I'm going to get day in and day out, year in and year out. Home runs can come and go and RBI can fluctuate if you're on a team that doesn't have people around you or if you're hitting in a certain spot in a batting order (pending it's in the top 5 spots, Edgar Renteria is a .280 hitter, but .330 hitting in the 7 hole, imagine if Al Pujols hit 7).
So to me, average is the ultimate in consistency. Home runs can come and go, but a guy who's going to hit .320 is going to give you a strong presence at the park everyday, and in a season that is 162+ games, I prefer consistency over the flash.
So to me, the quest for .400 is always very interesting. There's a reason that the last guy's name to do it is Ted Williams and names like Mantle, Yount, and Gwynn never accomplished it. It's singly the hardest feat to accomplish in baseball, possibly in all of sports, in my opinion.
So we have Chipper Jones who has been red hot pretty much all year and has been up over .400 and in the .390's for most of the season. Chipper's having a great year and has the other numbers to back up his average to come towards the mid-back end of a really nice career. So the question comes to, can Chipper do this?
Well, here's the plan for hitting .400. I hit .403 or .407 or something like that the summer after my freshman year of high school. Granted, the competition wasn't the best and I was hitting three with Ryan Trembath behind me so I clearly saw good pitches, but I was hitting really well that summer. Bob Conner printed off our stats at the end of the year and I remember studying the game by game log and wondering how I got to the final average that I had. What the sheet looked like was a bunch of 1-3 and 1-4 games with a few multi-hit games sprinkled in.
For a guy chasing the big number, it's every hit that counts. Get them however you can get them. So what's interesting is that Chipper is a power hitter. Can he beat out infield hits? I don't think so. Neither could Ted. But as long he can keep one hit, in any fashion, in the boxscore he has a shot.
I just don't see a guy like that doing it. Someone who can create the intangibles. Someone like Ichiro or Carl Crawford. A guy who hits 1-2 in the lineup who's job it is to create offense for the rest of the lineup. Chipper has one nice luxury and that's he has Mark Texiera hitting behind him. Tex is the key for Chipper's run because you can't pitch around Chipper and if you do, you get to one of the best hitters in the league. I hope Chipper does it, but don't get your hopes up. If he does, he owes Tex a new Porsche.
Monday, June 30, 2008
I Don't Have Time For Your Vacation
Horrible weekend for the Cubs. I mean, they played poorly, the White Sox played well and the result was the complete 180' of last weekend. The White Sox played well, took advantage of average pitching and hit the ball out of the park. That will help you win. Having the Cubs run themselves out of two innings last night doesn't hurt either.
But last night almost seemed pre-determined. That was the most poorly umpired game I've ever seen. I mean, how many calls did those kids miss?
Lou should have been thrown out for arguing balls and strikes. I suppose. According to the rules. But when two umps absolutely BLOW a call that was CLEARLY a swing, Lou has every right to push the envelope. I mean, that wasn't close. You and I both know it.
Then, this low and outside strike to right-handed Cubs hitters was absurd. Unfortunately, K-Zone was not happening due to how fast Mark Buehrle works a game, but I can think of between 5-10 instances when in a one strike count, that pitch was called a strike, which totally changes the at-bat. The Cubs got the benefit of the doubt a couple of times, but nothing like the Cubs did. The one time K-Zone was utilized on the Sean Gallagher curve ball that wasn't even borderline but a clear strike, was completely missed. And Ronny Cedeno was safe. Noticeably.
Joe Morgan reported that two of the crew-members were on vacation and replaced by minor league umpires. Is this serious?
I mean, Umps work six months a year. They more or less get paid to pay close attention to watching baseball games. They get to travel to the best cities in the country for three hours of work a night. Then, they take vacation and allow amateur umps to decide games?
This is ridiculous. Almost as bad as Phil Mickelson needing a vacation from golfing. But this is pretty bad. I mean, I would love to take my vacation to ump a game. Wouldn't you?
There's no excuse for this. I'm sorry but I don't see the need for umps to need vacation. They have six months of it after the season. I mean, granted, Lou Pinella took a small leave of absence yesterday, but what if managers needed a vacation mid-season? If umps are apparently entitled to time away, why aren't managers and players? What if Jose Reyes just took a week off to hit Vegas? Seriously.
If it's too hard, don't be an ump. Find another job. Just like having a AAA player is a downgrade from a major leaguer, an AAA ump is just the same. They aren't big leaguers and shouldn't be expected to call games like a big leaguer. MLB needs to find a way to keep the game professional at all times. Last night was embarrassing.
But last night almost seemed pre-determined. That was the most poorly umpired game I've ever seen. I mean, how many calls did those kids miss?
Lou should have been thrown out for arguing balls and strikes. I suppose. According to the rules. But when two umps absolutely BLOW a call that was CLEARLY a swing, Lou has every right to push the envelope. I mean, that wasn't close. You and I both know it.
Then, this low and outside strike to right-handed Cubs hitters was absurd. Unfortunately, K-Zone was not happening due to how fast Mark Buehrle works a game, but I can think of between 5-10 instances when in a one strike count, that pitch was called a strike, which totally changes the at-bat. The Cubs got the benefit of the doubt a couple of times, but nothing like the Cubs did. The one time K-Zone was utilized on the Sean Gallagher curve ball that wasn't even borderline but a clear strike, was completely missed. And Ronny Cedeno was safe. Noticeably.
Joe Morgan reported that two of the crew-members were on vacation and replaced by minor league umpires. Is this serious?
I mean, Umps work six months a year. They more or less get paid to pay close attention to watching baseball games. They get to travel to the best cities in the country for three hours of work a night. Then, they take vacation and allow amateur umps to decide games?
This is ridiculous. Almost as bad as Phil Mickelson needing a vacation from golfing. But this is pretty bad. I mean, I would love to take my vacation to ump a game. Wouldn't you?
There's no excuse for this. I'm sorry but I don't see the need for umps to need vacation. They have six months of it after the season. I mean, granted, Lou Pinella took a small leave of absence yesterday, but what if managers needed a vacation mid-season? If umps are apparently entitled to time away, why aren't managers and players? What if Jose Reyes just took a week off to hit Vegas? Seriously.
If it's too hard, don't be an ump. Find another job. Just like having a AAA player is a downgrade from a major leaguer, an AAA ump is just the same. They aren't big leaguers and shouldn't be expected to call games like a big leaguer. MLB needs to find a way to keep the game professional at all times. Last night was embarrassing.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thank You!
All I have to say is this:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140879/index.htm
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140879/index.htm
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Women and "Dancing" Fans Beware
As we all know, Green Bay is going to be a different place this fall. Life in Titletown is going to be without #4, something that most of us aren't ready for.
Maybe we aren't ready, but some of us are moving on. I personally like the direction the Packers are going. I think that Aaron Rodgers really is a good fit for the offense and though they are losing the greatest ever, I think they are getting a very nice and serviceable replacement who's really going to be a game manager.
Allegedly, Jason Taylor doesn't see it that way.
Taylor, once of NFL Defensive Player of the Year fame, now of "Dancing With The Stars" fame, has reportedly said that he doesn't want to be traded to Green Bay. Taylor, a premier pass rusher, isn't into the concept of leaving the worst team in the NFL to go to a contender. Interesting?
Well, first of all let's get this out there. Taylor has spent his entire career in Miami, but recently could care less about the Tuna led front office. So I don't see this as being a loyalty thing. What we do know is that Taylor is looking towards the future and hit commentating, acting, show-tuning career that apparently is waiting for him post football.
Taylor has pretty much said he wants to be in a big market so that he can keep his face in the news. So people see him around and his image is strong for his post football career paths. So Green Bay, without Brett Favre according to the Taylor camp is not really what he's looking for.
There are two sides of this. Both the irony and the fact that Taylor needs to get out of the league now. Where should we start.
Taylor is going to get himself critically injured if he keeps talking like this. Probably by a teammate. I mean, Chad Johnson is bad for a team, other receivers are bad for teams, but this guy not only doesn't care about winning and rings, he cares nothing more than about his image. Sure, he's a good looking cat according to my finance and mom, but football is the ultimate man sport. Whatever you do afterwards is irrelevant on that field. He's giving other players a reason to make a run at him. He's making a mockery out of the NFL and his current team is going to be the first to let him know.
But since apparently he doesn't want to play in Green Bay, who knows what will happen. Sure, Green Bay is the smallest market of any professional sports town, right? If not it's close. Either way, Green Bay, though the smallest, gets more media attention per capita than any other team in probably the world. In the NFL, the only teams that will get more attention that the Packers are the Giants and Cowboys and with Favre gone, Taylor would become the only "superstar" on the most historic team in NFL history. And they're going to be a playoff team. And he's only a private jet away from Chicago. What, is it too cold in Wisconsin for dancing Jason? Can he not keep the same tan?
Taylor has done great things for the community with his fame and fortune, things that can't be overlooked. He, just like most NFL players, gives time, money and foundations which help the needy and these acts of charity get overlooked by the likes of Pacman, Chad, and Jevon Kearse's DUI. Mind you, we hear more about Taylor than anyone else because he probably has more PR people on staff than Terrell Buckley ever did. But when it comes down to it, Taylor has to walk into a locker room and go to battle with ten other guys on his side of the ball in a few months. You think they want to go to battle with a guy who's not all there? And doesn't care about winning? You tell me how long this guy's going to last. Maybe he doesn't care about playing football. Maybe his post-football career is more important. If that's the case he needs to become an actor and stop faking to be a football player because right now, he's wearing a costume on the field, and on the dance floor.
Maybe we aren't ready, but some of us are moving on. I personally like the direction the Packers are going. I think that Aaron Rodgers really is a good fit for the offense and though they are losing the greatest ever, I think they are getting a very nice and serviceable replacement who's really going to be a game manager.
Allegedly, Jason Taylor doesn't see it that way.
Taylor, once of NFL Defensive Player of the Year fame, now of "Dancing With The Stars" fame, has reportedly said that he doesn't want to be traded to Green Bay. Taylor, a premier pass rusher, isn't into the concept of leaving the worst team in the NFL to go to a contender. Interesting?
Well, first of all let's get this out there. Taylor has spent his entire career in Miami, but recently could care less about the Tuna led front office. So I don't see this as being a loyalty thing. What we do know is that Taylor is looking towards the future and hit commentating, acting, show-tuning career that apparently is waiting for him post football.
Taylor has pretty much said he wants to be in a big market so that he can keep his face in the news. So people see him around and his image is strong for his post football career paths. So Green Bay, without Brett Favre according to the Taylor camp is not really what he's looking for.
There are two sides of this. Both the irony and the fact that Taylor needs to get out of the league now. Where should we start.
Taylor is going to get himself critically injured if he keeps talking like this. Probably by a teammate. I mean, Chad Johnson is bad for a team, other receivers are bad for teams, but this guy not only doesn't care about winning and rings, he cares nothing more than about his image. Sure, he's a good looking cat according to my finance and mom, but football is the ultimate man sport. Whatever you do afterwards is irrelevant on that field. He's giving other players a reason to make a run at him. He's making a mockery out of the NFL and his current team is going to be the first to let him know.
But since apparently he doesn't want to play in Green Bay, who knows what will happen. Sure, Green Bay is the smallest market of any professional sports town, right? If not it's close. Either way, Green Bay, though the smallest, gets more media attention per capita than any other team in probably the world. In the NFL, the only teams that will get more attention that the Packers are the Giants and Cowboys and with Favre gone, Taylor would become the only "superstar" on the most historic team in NFL history. And they're going to be a playoff team. And he's only a private jet away from Chicago. What, is it too cold in Wisconsin for dancing Jason? Can he not keep the same tan?
Taylor has done great things for the community with his fame and fortune, things that can't be overlooked. He, just like most NFL players, gives time, money and foundations which help the needy and these acts of charity get overlooked by the likes of Pacman, Chad, and Jevon Kearse's DUI. Mind you, we hear more about Taylor than anyone else because he probably has more PR people on staff than Terrell Buckley ever did. But when it comes down to it, Taylor has to walk into a locker room and go to battle with ten other guys on his side of the ball in a few months. You think they want to go to battle with a guy who's not all there? And doesn't care about winning? You tell me how long this guy's going to last. Maybe he doesn't care about playing football. Maybe his post-football career is more important. If that's the case he needs to become an actor and stop faking to be a football player because right now, he's wearing a costume on the field, and on the dance floor.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Program Alert #2
The other day I got an e-mail. It was from arguably the most loyal reader of No Owens. She was irritated at the new format. One would think that as a loyal fan, she would take the extra minute of time to read the longer post and attempt to spare my professional career. This wasn't the case. So here is the new format: I'll try to get something together everyday even if it's only a couple of paragraphs. Friday will continue to be more of a feature. Alright? Get back in here.
Few things are bigger than a Cubs/White Sox series. There is so much pride on the line it's almost unsafe. I would imagine that more Chicagoans are arrested during these two weekends for battery than any other time of the year. I also bet more get off due to the color of their day's garb.
But aside from the fact that the Cubs pretty much smacked the Sox in the mouth, which is great, what really happened this weekend?
The Cubs were swept by the Rays in a three game series entering the crosstown match up. In the backs of Cubs fans minds, thoughts of "Is this the time where we fall apart..." thoughts were probably starting to stir. Especially since the White Sox came in just crushing the ball, putting up big numbers and leading the league in pitching.
But the Cubs showed up back on their home field held off the Sox in game one before just abusing them in the second two. Every part of their game was professional and close to flawless. They had quality starting pitching, decent bullpen work and prototype offense, most noted in Saturday's nine run fourth which include single after single. Yesterday they were stealing bases, hitting and running and getting a double play every time they needed one. They looked amazing.
With their backs against the wall, down in the seventh of game one coming off of getting swept, and swept bad, the Cubs dug deep and persevered. Who saw it coming? I don't know. I know that going into any late game situation this year, I've never for a second thought the Cubs were going to lose. They have something extra this year. I don't know if it's the balance in the lineup or the strong bullpen, but there is something else about this team and their ability to overcome.
Let's just see how long that this can last.
Few things are bigger than a Cubs/White Sox series. There is so much pride on the line it's almost unsafe. I would imagine that more Chicagoans are arrested during these two weekends for battery than any other time of the year. I also bet more get off due to the color of their day's garb.
But aside from the fact that the Cubs pretty much smacked the Sox in the mouth, which is great, what really happened this weekend?
The Cubs were swept by the Rays in a three game series entering the crosstown match up. In the backs of Cubs fans minds, thoughts of "Is this the time where we fall apart..." thoughts were probably starting to stir. Especially since the White Sox came in just crushing the ball, putting up big numbers and leading the league in pitching.
But the Cubs showed up back on their home field held off the Sox in game one before just abusing them in the second two. Every part of their game was professional and close to flawless. They had quality starting pitching, decent bullpen work and prototype offense, most noted in Saturday's nine run fourth which include single after single. Yesterday they were stealing bases, hitting and running and getting a double play every time they needed one. They looked amazing.
With their backs against the wall, down in the seventh of game one coming off of getting swept, and swept bad, the Cubs dug deep and persevered. Who saw it coming? I don't know. I know that going into any late game situation this year, I've never for a second thought the Cubs were going to lose. They have something extra this year. I don't know if it's the balance in the lineup or the strong bullpen, but there is something else about this team and their ability to overcome.
Let's just see how long that this can last.
Friday, June 20, 2008
If No One Else Will Say It...
I started playing golf when I was in middle school. I'd play a lot actually and got to be halfway decent. The thing about it was that golf was not my number one sport, in fact far from it, but everyone I played with went on to play golf in high school if I'm not mistaken.
There are distinct differences in my golf game today. Today, I don't play as much but enjoy going out on a nice day, throwing back some beers, having a good time with friends, and if I play well that's a bonus. I mean, sure if everything is going really bad, I'll get a little irritated, but the chances of that happening aren't really that high. I can pull something out of the woodworks every once in a while.
When I was younger, I have no idea why I played golf. I mean, I guess I liked it, but I was so competitive with myself that I got pretty mad at everything I did that wasn't exactly what Fred Couples would do. Fred Couples. There's a name for you. See, he was my favorite player, but even when I did something bad, I'd get angry, hit my club on the ground, maybe say something I shouldn't and maybe throw a club if I wasn't with my parents. You never saw someone like Freddy do that.
And then I saw the same immature and really classless actions on TV this past weekend.
Golf is supposed to be a "Gentlemen's" game and I think until you get older you don't really appreciate that.
So why when I turn on the TV to watch the US Open do I see the greatest player in the world throwing clubs, hitting the turf with his clubs and dropping inappropriate language like no one is watching?
Tiger Woods plays golf with a drive that is unmatched by anyone in the game. That's a fact whether you like it or not. I mean, even Johnny Miller was wondering when he was going to get "one of those uppercuts" from Tiger in celebration. He sure got some and rightfully so in what I suppose is a gutsy performance by Tiger, hitting the track on one good leg and winning.
But honestly, what I take away from the tournament is Tiger hitting that shot out of the fairway bunker on 16 or 17, throwing his club and dropping a "GD" bomb on the gallery and the millions watching world wide, and then dropping an "F Yeah" into the camera after making his put on 18 to force the playoff. Not to mention yesterday on Sportscenter he had to get "beeped" out during a conversation with Kenny Mayne.
You know, the thing is, you know Tiger has to know better than this. Or is supposed to. But I just don't think he cares. He doesn't care what you and I think about him. All he cares about is winning majors, making money, and then his wife and kid. Maybe not in that order, but the first one is solidified at the top. But he's Tiger Woods, he can do whatever he wants and he knows it. So who's going to hold him accountable for his classless actions? The PGA? They need him a lot more than he needs the PGA.
Tiger is in an interesting position. We talked about Jordan and Kobe the other week, but Tiger is really the only guy in the world at Jordan's level. And he is as businessman as well as a dominant "athlete." But Jordan was always a class act on the court, unless Reggie Miller was coming after him. Sure Jordan was the biggest trash talker ever, but he did in way that didn't require bad words and you never really noticed anyway.
It's Tiger Woods' world, and we live in it. And I'll have to accept that. But this guy doesn't respect the game of golf. He doesn't play it like a gentleman. Tiger may be the most successful player in the world who does more for his sport than anyone has probably ever done for their's in history. But he doesn't do it respecting the game or doing it the way it was meant to be played.
If Tiger Woods was just a business man worth the hundreds of millions that he is, the best clubs in America wouldn't allow a guy who acts the way he does on a golf course to be their member. They require class and respect, something that Tiger surely didn't show at Torrey Pines last week. I mean, I know it was a public course Tiger, but seriously.
There are distinct differences in my golf game today. Today, I don't play as much but enjoy going out on a nice day, throwing back some beers, having a good time with friends, and if I play well that's a bonus. I mean, sure if everything is going really bad, I'll get a little irritated, but the chances of that happening aren't really that high. I can pull something out of the woodworks every once in a while.
When I was younger, I have no idea why I played golf. I mean, I guess I liked it, but I was so competitive with myself that I got pretty mad at everything I did that wasn't exactly what Fred Couples would do. Fred Couples. There's a name for you. See, he was my favorite player, but even when I did something bad, I'd get angry, hit my club on the ground, maybe say something I shouldn't and maybe throw a club if I wasn't with my parents. You never saw someone like Freddy do that.
And then I saw the same immature and really classless actions on TV this past weekend.
Golf is supposed to be a "Gentlemen's" game and I think until you get older you don't really appreciate that.
So why when I turn on the TV to watch the US Open do I see the greatest player in the world throwing clubs, hitting the turf with his clubs and dropping inappropriate language like no one is watching?
Tiger Woods plays golf with a drive that is unmatched by anyone in the game. That's a fact whether you like it or not. I mean, even Johnny Miller was wondering when he was going to get "one of those uppercuts" from Tiger in celebration. He sure got some and rightfully so in what I suppose is a gutsy performance by Tiger, hitting the track on one good leg and winning.
But honestly, what I take away from the tournament is Tiger hitting that shot out of the fairway bunker on 16 or 17, throwing his club and dropping a "GD" bomb on the gallery and the millions watching world wide, and then dropping an "F Yeah" into the camera after making his put on 18 to force the playoff. Not to mention yesterday on Sportscenter he had to get "beeped" out during a conversation with Kenny Mayne.
You know, the thing is, you know Tiger has to know better than this. Or is supposed to. But I just don't think he cares. He doesn't care what you and I think about him. All he cares about is winning majors, making money, and then his wife and kid. Maybe not in that order, but the first one is solidified at the top. But he's Tiger Woods, he can do whatever he wants and he knows it. So who's going to hold him accountable for his classless actions? The PGA? They need him a lot more than he needs the PGA.
Tiger is in an interesting position. We talked about Jordan and Kobe the other week, but Tiger is really the only guy in the world at Jordan's level. And he is as businessman as well as a dominant "athlete." But Jordan was always a class act on the court, unless Reggie Miller was coming after him. Sure Jordan was the biggest trash talker ever, but he did in way that didn't require bad words and you never really noticed anyway.
It's Tiger Woods' world, and we live in it. And I'll have to accept that. But this guy doesn't respect the game of golf. He doesn't play it like a gentleman. Tiger may be the most successful player in the world who does more for his sport than anyone has probably ever done for their's in history. But he doesn't do it respecting the game or doing it the way it was meant to be played.
If Tiger Woods was just a business man worth the hundreds of millions that he is, the best clubs in America wouldn't allow a guy who acts the way he does on a golf course to be their member. They require class and respect, something that Tiger surely didn't show at Torrey Pines last week. I mean, I know it was a public course Tiger, but seriously.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Split Screen
Today, there are two great things to talk about, so for the first time in history, No Owens is going to be an equal opportunity slammer of folks.
As you know, we love Major Championships in golf here at No Owens. For all the "boring" comments golf gets from folks watching on TV, if you really enjoy golf, there are few better sports to watch, and root for on TV.
It's not secret that I root for the course. It's also no secret that I root against Phil Mickelson and his "you know what eating" grin. This year, Torry Pines is the obstacle in front of the players and it's Phil's "Home Course." Must be nice to grow up in La Jolla, eh?
What most people don't understand is that Torrey Pines is a different track than it was when Phil was killing Laguna Nigel High in high school. Earlier this century, Torrey Pines got a face lift so that it could compete with the other big guns to get a US Open. Since then, Phil hasn't played well on the new track, while Tiger seems to win it every time he touches it. So when you sit there and listen to the commentators talk about "Phil's home course" and the expectations around it, just know that it would be like Robin Ventura and "Old Comiskey" and "New Comiskey," two different things.
Also, I'm really not into the Tiger/Phil?Adam Scott lineup thing. It really effects the tournament in my opinion. I think the guys playing around that group are going to have to deal with serious issues with ridiculous fans running around them trying to post in preparation for seeing the big group come through. In my opinion, Tiger and Phil should only play together when the score calls for it. Spread it out, cause for a nice time, but no need for a sideshow.
Finally about the US Open, not to be confused with "The Open" because that's in Great Britain, I'm taking the field. So outside of Tiger, everyone is so good now. Technology is so good now that really on any given day, any of these professionals can shoot 67. That's' how after the first day a rookie and a Nationwide guy can be at the top of the leaderboard. Is golf a mental game? Yeah, but as equipment continues to get better, shot-making is going to get easier and easier no matter what Johnny Miller has to say. I'd like to see an event once a year when players are forced to use wooden drivers and old school Sam Snead Wilson irons. See what happens then.
Sitting there last night, I turned on the basketball game and the Lakers were up 20-7 or something like that. Lamar Odom was just killing everything. The Celtics were getting good looks and shots weren't falling. I just say there and knew that this was going to even itself out.
Baskeball is a game of percentages. You always go with the percentages. And Finals games don't end in blowouts unless it involves Jordan, or the Jazz shooting 65% when Jeff Hornacek is taking 15 shots and making 19 of them. It was only a matter of time before things cooled off and started to come back to the middle.
And they did, in a hurry. So we are going to hear for a few days about the comeback and how it's one of the greatest in NBA Finals history. Yeah, I guess it is, but what happened at the end of the night is the better team won, and both teams came back to Earth, from both sides of the spectrum. Sure there was great drama outside of the combined Oscars of those in the floor seats. Wasn't it funny that ESPN could have cared less about Jada? That was amazing.
So sure it was exciting, but in a game like basketball where percentages are so crucial, are you at all surprised? If you buy into the Kobe thing, maybe. Again, in a game the Lakers should have put away, the NBA's MVP was what, 6-19 for 17 points? The best closer in the game sure got the door slammed on him by the Celtic defense.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will get the majority of credit for last night's win. Garnett because he's Garnett and made big shots down the stretch like Pierce, while Pierce led the Celtics in points. The bench play was crucial from Posey and House. But my God, Ray Allen played the game of his life last night. Allen was going up strong for rebounds, coming down with them late in the game after not sitting for the entire 48 minutes. We all know Allen is probably the knockdown shooter in the NBA, but his ability to get to the basket last night gave House and Posey the shots they needed to change the game. And with the game on the line, Allen going to the hole for two of the games biggest shots told everyone watching that no matter who the biggest of the big three is, that night, Allen was putting the Celtics on his back, stepping up and playing the leader. The funny thing, he's been quietly doing it all series.
The Celtics are simply the better team. Better players, better coaches. That's how you win. That's what the Celtics are doing, and it's by no surprise.
As you know, we love Major Championships in golf here at No Owens. For all the "boring" comments golf gets from folks watching on TV, if you really enjoy golf, there are few better sports to watch, and root for on TV.
It's not secret that I root for the course. It's also no secret that I root against Phil Mickelson and his "you know what eating" grin. This year, Torry Pines is the obstacle in front of the players and it's Phil's "Home Course." Must be nice to grow up in La Jolla, eh?
What most people don't understand is that Torrey Pines is a different track than it was when Phil was killing Laguna Nigel High in high school. Earlier this century, Torrey Pines got a face lift so that it could compete with the other big guns to get a US Open. Since then, Phil hasn't played well on the new track, while Tiger seems to win it every time he touches it. So when you sit there and listen to the commentators talk about "Phil's home course" and the expectations around it, just know that it would be like Robin Ventura and "Old Comiskey" and "New Comiskey," two different things.
Also, I'm really not into the Tiger/Phil?Adam Scott lineup thing. It really effects the tournament in my opinion. I think the guys playing around that group are going to have to deal with serious issues with ridiculous fans running around them trying to post in preparation for seeing the big group come through. In my opinion, Tiger and Phil should only play together when the score calls for it. Spread it out, cause for a nice time, but no need for a sideshow.
Finally about the US Open, not to be confused with "The Open" because that's in Great Britain, I'm taking the field. So outside of Tiger, everyone is so good now. Technology is so good now that really on any given day, any of these professionals can shoot 67. That's' how after the first day a rookie and a Nationwide guy can be at the top of the leaderboard. Is golf a mental game? Yeah, but as equipment continues to get better, shot-making is going to get easier and easier no matter what Johnny Miller has to say. I'd like to see an event once a year when players are forced to use wooden drivers and old school Sam Snead Wilson irons. See what happens then.
Sitting there last night, I turned on the basketball game and the Lakers were up 20-7 or something like that. Lamar Odom was just killing everything. The Celtics were getting good looks and shots weren't falling. I just say there and knew that this was going to even itself out.
Baskeball is a game of percentages. You always go with the percentages. And Finals games don't end in blowouts unless it involves Jordan, or the Jazz shooting 65% when Jeff Hornacek is taking 15 shots and making 19 of them. It was only a matter of time before things cooled off and started to come back to the middle.
And they did, in a hurry. So we are going to hear for a few days about the comeback and how it's one of the greatest in NBA Finals history. Yeah, I guess it is, but what happened at the end of the night is the better team won, and both teams came back to Earth, from both sides of the spectrum. Sure there was great drama outside of the combined Oscars of those in the floor seats. Wasn't it funny that ESPN could have cared less about Jada? That was amazing.
So sure it was exciting, but in a game like basketball where percentages are so crucial, are you at all surprised? If you buy into the Kobe thing, maybe. Again, in a game the Lakers should have put away, the NBA's MVP was what, 6-19 for 17 points? The best closer in the game sure got the door slammed on him by the Celtic defense.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will get the majority of credit for last night's win. Garnett because he's Garnett and made big shots down the stretch like Pierce, while Pierce led the Celtics in points. The bench play was crucial from Posey and House. But my God, Ray Allen played the game of his life last night. Allen was going up strong for rebounds, coming down with them late in the game after not sitting for the entire 48 minutes. We all know Allen is probably the knockdown shooter in the NBA, but his ability to get to the basket last night gave House and Posey the shots they needed to change the game. And with the game on the line, Allen going to the hole for two of the games biggest shots told everyone watching that no matter who the biggest of the big three is, that night, Allen was putting the Celtics on his back, stepping up and playing the leader. The funny thing, he's been quietly doing it all series.
The Celtics are simply the better team. Better players, better coaches. That's how you win. That's what the Celtics are doing, and it's by no surprise.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Trying To Be Fair
Yesterday was a pretty sad day in the No Owens world. It officially marked the first time in history, barring lockout, that I had officially watched 100% of the NBA Finals and 0% of the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, last night was a pretty strong basketball game and I'm not embarrassed whatsoever to say I watched it and in fact enjoyed it. The game was fairly intense between two strong teams. Paul Pierce played the hero role but really, the best part was Kevin Garnett trash talking with Kobe. In a couple of sequences, Garnett put back that rebound for the slam, said something straight to Kobe, Kobe got fouled, Garnett was talking to Kobe the whole time he was on the line and even gave a slight facial expression acknowledging he heard Garnett, and then after Garnett put down the jumper that pretty much ended the game, Garnett running back down the court saying something about "Him not being able to guard me." I would write what he really said, but that wouldn't be appropriate.
What I didn't enjoy was when Mark Jackson said that "Kobe Bryant is at the same level as Michael Jordan." This debate has been going on in a few circles now, and it's time to get in on it.
As you know, I grew up a Bulls fan, a Jordan fan, and saw him play many times in person. So though it may something from you to get passed my emotions, I'll stick to the facts.
First of all, Scottie Pippen is not in the same league as Shaq. Shaq was a dominant player, still can be, and is one of the greatest centers ever to play this game. Pippen was a great defender, a perfect slasher and could hit a 20 footer when he needed to. He was a great fit for the triangle offense. Pippen was not dominant. This is why Pippen could not carry the Bulls, or any other team, like Shaq did in Orlando and Miami without Kobe. So, when comparing the greatness of Kobe and Michael, remember that Kobe was the second best player on his team for much of his career and failed to make the playoffs his first season without Shaq.
Along those lines, I will give Kobe a lot of credit for emerging this year as a leader. He really has...because he's had to. Why? The Lakers wanted Kevin Garnett but couldn't get a deal done. If Garnett was a Laker, would this be Kobe's team? I would say no. Is this a moot point? Maybe, but was there ever a question as to who's team the Bulls was? Ask Phil Jackson who ran that team...the Bulls I mean.
The NBA was a different league when Jordan played. It was hard. It was tough. Watch these videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlolzcidq0o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_z_68NdbqM&feature=related
There's a reason that Jordan got away with some of the things he did. Not only because he earned the right to get calls, but because he was getting hand checked and pressed all the time. The game was different. When it struggled (because Jordan left) it had to become an offensive minded where fouls could be called for really anything, and are. Points are driven up and players don't play defense like the used to.
But if you watch that second clip, you really see what set Jordan apart from pretty much anyone, on the court. His threat to shoot and score got people open. And he had the vision to find them. There are a few unreal passes he gets in both of these clips, but the second is really what it was all about. On the road, playing a tough, physical team, and doing all of the little things, while scoring 29. Just watching that, he could have gone for 40. But didn't. Facilitated, felt the flow of the game, and took what they gave him.
People really get enamored with Kobe's athleticism. As they should. But remember this, Kobe is listed at 6'6. So was Jordan...and at that time Rodman was 6'8 and Barkley was 6'6. Jordan was maybe 6'5, which still isn't short, but in a game of inches and length, that's a lot. Kobe's bigger, he plays in an open game unlike Michael did which allows for more aerobic type moves. Not like Michael wasn't the most athletic player, ever, or anything.
Kobe came straight from high school. Jordan, won a national championship and effected the game the second he stepped on the court. Kobe, didn't. It took Kobe a while to get into a starting lineup. Aside from the mere fact that Kobe hasn't effected the NBA like Jordan effected...the world...this is the all telling factor.
Watch Kobe play. Watch him shoot. Watch him backpedal. Watch him run. Watch him handle the ball. Watch him talk (yes I said watch). Watch him place wear towels when he's on the bench. Listen to the way he talks. Everything Kobe does is an attempt to replicate Jordan. From all of those things I just listed. He does them EXACTLY like Jordan did. Jordan was the first. He was the revolutionary and until someone can change the game like Jordan did, players, like Kobe, are going to try to be him. It'd be different if Kobe was being himself, transforming the game and how it's played and showing us something new. What he's doing is being un-original.
Look, I'm not saying that copying MJ is necessarily a bad thing. He had a pretty good thing going. But Kobe Bryant could play Michael Jordan in a movie because he does everything EXACTLY like MJ did. Be yourself. Change the game. Open people's eyes. At TheBron plays a different game. TheBron is closer to Magic than he is to Michael, in my opinion. But TheBron, though wearing 23 and doing some ridiculous thing with the powder pre-game, mad famous by Jordan, is at least trying to play it in a new way. Kobe, is a very expensive knock-off of Jordan.
Jordan was a revolutionary. He made basketball a global sport. And all of the hoop-la that went with Jordan came because of one thing: he was the best and greatest ever to play. And everyone knew it and everyone watched it. Until Kobe forges his own path, he'll still be a second/third tier player in the history of the game. And even then will he be Jordan? Time will tell, but right now, he's doing everything he can to be Jordan, not to be greater than Jordan. Best of luck with that buddy.
Also, if you actually listen to these people who talk about how Kobe is on Jordan's level on TV, I don't know what to tell you. You would think Mark Jackson would understand after never beating Jordan in a playoff series during a season in which Jordan played the whole year. Thanks for being bitter, Mark, and Reggie for that matter. Glad to know all of us have the same winning percentage against Michael in the playoffs.
However, last night was a pretty strong basketball game and I'm not embarrassed whatsoever to say I watched it and in fact enjoyed it. The game was fairly intense between two strong teams. Paul Pierce played the hero role but really, the best part was Kevin Garnett trash talking with Kobe. In a couple of sequences, Garnett put back that rebound for the slam, said something straight to Kobe, Kobe got fouled, Garnett was talking to Kobe the whole time he was on the line and even gave a slight facial expression acknowledging he heard Garnett, and then after Garnett put down the jumper that pretty much ended the game, Garnett running back down the court saying something about "Him not being able to guard me." I would write what he really said, but that wouldn't be appropriate.
What I didn't enjoy was when Mark Jackson said that "Kobe Bryant is at the same level as Michael Jordan." This debate has been going on in a few circles now, and it's time to get in on it.
As you know, I grew up a Bulls fan, a Jordan fan, and saw him play many times in person. So though it may something from you to get passed my emotions, I'll stick to the facts.
First of all, Scottie Pippen is not in the same league as Shaq. Shaq was a dominant player, still can be, and is one of the greatest centers ever to play this game. Pippen was a great defender, a perfect slasher and could hit a 20 footer when he needed to. He was a great fit for the triangle offense. Pippen was not dominant. This is why Pippen could not carry the Bulls, or any other team, like Shaq did in Orlando and Miami without Kobe. So, when comparing the greatness of Kobe and Michael, remember that Kobe was the second best player on his team for much of his career and failed to make the playoffs his first season without Shaq.
Along those lines, I will give Kobe a lot of credit for emerging this year as a leader. He really has...because he's had to. Why? The Lakers wanted Kevin Garnett but couldn't get a deal done. If Garnett was a Laker, would this be Kobe's team? I would say no. Is this a moot point? Maybe, but was there ever a question as to who's team the Bulls was? Ask Phil Jackson who ran that team...the Bulls I mean.
The NBA was a different league when Jordan played. It was hard. It was tough. Watch these videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlolzcidq0o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_z_68NdbqM&feature=related
There's a reason that Jordan got away with some of the things he did. Not only because he earned the right to get calls, but because he was getting hand checked and pressed all the time. The game was different. When it struggled (because Jordan left) it had to become an offensive minded where fouls could be called for really anything, and are. Points are driven up and players don't play defense like the used to.
But if you watch that second clip, you really see what set Jordan apart from pretty much anyone, on the court. His threat to shoot and score got people open. And he had the vision to find them. There are a few unreal passes he gets in both of these clips, but the second is really what it was all about. On the road, playing a tough, physical team, and doing all of the little things, while scoring 29. Just watching that, he could have gone for 40. But didn't. Facilitated, felt the flow of the game, and took what they gave him.
People really get enamored with Kobe's athleticism. As they should. But remember this, Kobe is listed at 6'6. So was Jordan...and at that time Rodman was 6'8 and Barkley was 6'6. Jordan was maybe 6'5, which still isn't short, but in a game of inches and length, that's a lot. Kobe's bigger, he plays in an open game unlike Michael did which allows for more aerobic type moves. Not like Michael wasn't the most athletic player, ever, or anything.
Kobe came straight from high school. Jordan, won a national championship and effected the game the second he stepped on the court. Kobe, didn't. It took Kobe a while to get into a starting lineup. Aside from the mere fact that Kobe hasn't effected the NBA like Jordan effected...the world...this is the all telling factor.
Watch Kobe play. Watch him shoot. Watch him backpedal. Watch him run. Watch him handle the ball. Watch him talk (yes I said watch). Watch him place wear towels when he's on the bench. Listen to the way he talks. Everything Kobe does is an attempt to replicate Jordan. From all of those things I just listed. He does them EXACTLY like Jordan did. Jordan was the first. He was the revolutionary and until someone can change the game like Jordan did, players, like Kobe, are going to try to be him. It'd be different if Kobe was being himself, transforming the game and how it's played and showing us something new. What he's doing is being un-original.
Look, I'm not saying that copying MJ is necessarily a bad thing. He had a pretty good thing going. But Kobe Bryant could play Michael Jordan in a movie because he does everything EXACTLY like MJ did. Be yourself. Change the game. Open people's eyes. At TheBron plays a different game. TheBron is closer to Magic than he is to Michael, in my opinion. But TheBron, though wearing 23 and doing some ridiculous thing with the powder pre-game, mad famous by Jordan, is at least trying to play it in a new way. Kobe, is a very expensive knock-off of Jordan.
Jordan was a revolutionary. He made basketball a global sport. And all of the hoop-la that went with Jordan came because of one thing: he was the best and greatest ever to play. And everyone knew it and everyone watched it. Until Kobe forges his own path, he'll still be a second/third tier player in the history of the game. And even then will he be Jordan? Time will tell, but right now, he's doing everything he can to be Jordan, not to be greater than Jordan. Best of luck with that buddy.
Also, if you actually listen to these people who talk about how Kobe is on Jordan's level on TV, I don't know what to tell you. You would think Mark Jackson would understand after never beating Jordan in a playoff series during a season in which Jordan played the whole year. Thanks for being bitter, Mark, and Reggie for that matter. Glad to know all of us have the same winning percentage against Michael in the playoffs.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Accountability
Tuesday night I had a doubleheader in flag football. Yeah, that's a scary thought.
Coming home from the absolute scariest place in Nashville I think, I was listening to Rome legend JT the Brick on the radio when they started giving a sort of play by play of the Lakers/Spurs game.
Granted, as you know, I don't really care about the NBA other than the Bulls. But as I was coming home, it was getting more and more interesting. So when I pulled in I ran upstairs to catch the last shot by the Spurs. Or whatever that was.
In case you missed it, Brent Barry had the game of his life and had the shot to win it. Unfortunately for him, and the Spurs, and anyone who likes legit sports, Derek Fisher clearly fouled Barry, but no foul was called. Barry threw up a prayer which Kobe said made him nervous...not sure why...and that was that. No big protest by Barry, or coach Popovich. The Spurs took in like the professionals they are, didn't complain and basically said they had a lot more chances to win that game than on one shot at the end.
Again, unfortunately, the one shot at the end is the only one that counts. Ask MJ. Or the Pacers, Jazz, Cavs, Pistons, Knicks, Lakers, Sonics...you get the point.
Joey Crawford is without question, a wild card. And probably shouldn't be officiating in the NBA. Why you ask? In 1998, Crawford was one of 8 NBA referees charged with filing false income tax returns. An Internal Revenue Service investigation was the result of cash being pocketed by referees when airline tickets provided by the league were downgraded. At the conclusion of a four year investigation, Crawford pleaded guilty on July 1, 1998 for falsely stating income of $82,500 from 1991 to 1993 and resigned from the NBA effective immediately. He would be reinstated by NBA commissioner David Stern in 1999 and did not miss a game due to a players' lockout to start the 1998-99 NBA season. In some circles, we call that stealing from your employer.
So Crawford, made the no call. I mean, it clearly was a foul. Again, I'm no basketball expert but this wasn't rocket science.
Here's what irritates me. After the game, TNT goes to their panel of experts, AKA, guys who couldn't beat Jordan, and the likes of Reggie Miller start discussing how it was a foul, but a good no call because Barry didn't "Sell the Foul." So because, it was a foul, but Barry didn't sell it well enough, he didn't get the call.
Ok. So basically, a pre-requisite now for the NBA needs to be an MBA in Marketing from a reputable school. Because apparently, you have to sell the referees to get calls that are obvious to the commoner. Sure, great players get calls here and there because they've earned them. But just listen to the reasoning to that foul not being called. It's absolutely ridiculous. The NBA also issued a statement that it was a foul and should have been in fact been called, yesterday. That's doing the Spurs a lot of good.
I hate it when the NBA does that. Or any league for that matter. What does that prove? I mean, I didn't need the NBA to admit they were wrong, did you? I mean, I have eyes. It just makes it even that much worse that they admit to having officials who blow calls. "Hey, we're sorry, this guy who stole cash from us just stole the game from you. We didn't see this coming."
This thing has been going on a lot recently. That blown home run call that cost me much needed fantasy points and now this.
Who is holding these people accountable? Often times you hear the argument along the lines of, "Refs/Umps/Back Judges don't want to determine the outcome of the game." Um, if I'm not mistaken, it's the players job to determine the outcome of the game, within the rules set forth. And if a player breaks them, they are to be called for breaking them. Should Jordan have been called for the shove on Bryon Russell? I mean, maybe, but I think more of Russell's falling down had to do with Jordan's crossover than anything. The defense of these officials is just ridiculous. You know what happens in the real world when you screw up that bad? You get fired.
So again, who's going to take the heat? Because someone has to. Is it Stern? Probably not. He doesn't care. He's done great things. He's done some terrible things. His handling, and every commissioner's handling of poor officiating is awful.
Sure they probably make most of the right calls. But just like athletes, officials are going to be judged by what they do at crunch time. Joey Crawford didn't get it done and has quite the record anyway. Oh wait, I forgot, the NBA's rigged anyway so...
Coming home from the absolute scariest place in Nashville I think, I was listening to Rome legend JT the Brick on the radio when they started giving a sort of play by play of the Lakers/Spurs game.
Granted, as you know, I don't really care about the NBA other than the Bulls. But as I was coming home, it was getting more and more interesting. So when I pulled in I ran upstairs to catch the last shot by the Spurs. Or whatever that was.
In case you missed it, Brent Barry had the game of his life and had the shot to win it. Unfortunately for him, and the Spurs, and anyone who likes legit sports, Derek Fisher clearly fouled Barry, but no foul was called. Barry threw up a prayer which Kobe said made him nervous...not sure why...and that was that. No big protest by Barry, or coach Popovich. The Spurs took in like the professionals they are, didn't complain and basically said they had a lot more chances to win that game than on one shot at the end.
Again, unfortunately, the one shot at the end is the only one that counts. Ask MJ. Or the Pacers, Jazz, Cavs, Pistons, Knicks, Lakers, Sonics...you get the point.
Joey Crawford is without question, a wild card. And probably shouldn't be officiating in the NBA. Why you ask? In 1998, Crawford was one of 8 NBA referees charged with filing false income tax returns. An Internal Revenue Service investigation was the result of cash being pocketed by referees when airline tickets provided by the league were downgraded. At the conclusion of a four year investigation, Crawford pleaded guilty on July 1, 1998 for falsely stating income of $82,500 from 1991 to 1993 and resigned from the NBA effective immediately. He would be reinstated by NBA commissioner David Stern in 1999 and did not miss a game due to a players' lockout to start the 1998-99 NBA season. In some circles, we call that stealing from your employer.
So Crawford, made the no call. I mean, it clearly was a foul. Again, I'm no basketball expert but this wasn't rocket science.
Here's what irritates me. After the game, TNT goes to their panel of experts, AKA, guys who couldn't beat Jordan, and the likes of Reggie Miller start discussing how it was a foul, but a good no call because Barry didn't "Sell the Foul." So because, it was a foul, but Barry didn't sell it well enough, he didn't get the call.
Ok. So basically, a pre-requisite now for the NBA needs to be an MBA in Marketing from a reputable school. Because apparently, you have to sell the referees to get calls that are obvious to the commoner. Sure, great players get calls here and there because they've earned them. But just listen to the reasoning to that foul not being called. It's absolutely ridiculous. The NBA also issued a statement that it was a foul and should have been in fact been called, yesterday. That's doing the Spurs a lot of good.
I hate it when the NBA does that. Or any league for that matter. What does that prove? I mean, I didn't need the NBA to admit they were wrong, did you? I mean, I have eyes. It just makes it even that much worse that they admit to having officials who blow calls. "Hey, we're sorry, this guy who stole cash from us just stole the game from you. We didn't see this coming."
This thing has been going on a lot recently. That blown home run call that cost me much needed fantasy points and now this.
Who is holding these people accountable? Often times you hear the argument along the lines of, "Refs/Umps/Back Judges don't want to determine the outcome of the game." Um, if I'm not mistaken, it's the players job to determine the outcome of the game, within the rules set forth. And if a player breaks them, they are to be called for breaking them. Should Jordan have been called for the shove on Bryon Russell? I mean, maybe, but I think more of Russell's falling down had to do with Jordan's crossover than anything. The defense of these officials is just ridiculous. You know what happens in the real world when you screw up that bad? You get fired.
So again, who's going to take the heat? Because someone has to. Is it Stern? Probably not. He doesn't care. He's done great things. He's done some terrible things. His handling, and every commissioner's handling of poor officiating is awful.
Sure they probably make most of the right calls. But just like athletes, officials are going to be judged by what they do at crunch time. Joey Crawford didn't get it done and has quite the record anyway. Oh wait, I forgot, the NBA's rigged anyway so...
Friday, May 23, 2008
New York State Of...
Disaster. That's what's going on in New York. At least in the baseball world.
The Yankees won last night, which is nice. Especially with someone coming up with a big hit. That moved them up to a game out of 4th in the AL East.
The Mets just got swept by the Braves. The Mets are actually in 4th in their division
The Yankees are in a world of hurt. You know what I think about their lineup so I won't go there. But their pitching experiment failed. Miserably. They aren't going to beat people without good pitching. I know they can get hot, and I know they are the Yankees. But this has been going on for too long, for even a team with that payroll. I just don't see them getting out of this hole.
Here's the thing about the Mets though. I think the Mets can turn it around. They just simply aren't performing offensively. They have the pitching that has been alright and probably will get better. They have a better lineup, in my opinion, than the Yankees top to bottom. Well, they should.
The problem with the Mets, in my opinion, is that their manager isn't doing what he needs to in order to get it done. Yeah, he's saying stuff in the media, whatever that means. But he's not doing anything with his lineup. Willie Randolph needs to take care of business on the field first.
Here's my issue. Carlos Beltan is not a cleanup hitter. He just isn't. Beltran's best years came in the 2-3 spots in the lineup. Why in the world would you move this guy around? I don't get it. Beltran is a guy who is one in a million. You don't mess with guys like that. Bobby Abreu is the same way. The guy hits third. It's what he does. So when the Yankees get him, he hits third. Maybe I'm wrong, but my point is that Randolph isn't doing anything to test the waters with the middle of his order, other than moving Carlos Delgado down as he continues to not produce.
But...the Mets have hope. They still have the tools, they just need to get their manager to figure things out as they go. Look at the Tigers. They are killing it right now. But a lot of it is because Jim Leyland is looking to find what works by testing it on the field. That's part of being a good manager. But the Mets are capable, and they are in a division with teams that aren't quite there.
The Yankees, are in trouble. There is nothing they can do from here. Are they going to go out and get pitching? From where? There are teams out there right now that need pitching a lot more than the Yankees do. Why? Because they are in it! The Red Sox are the class of the league. So The Yankees only real shot is at the Wild Card. But to do that, they have to get second in their division, and the Rays (!) are playing too well right now. Sure, they could die off, but say the Yankees go on some ridiculous run and get second in the East. Second in that division isn't going to get the Wild Card, if it's the Yankees being that there will be two 90+ win teams from the Central when it's all said and done.
The question is, when are the Yankees going to accept that this year is not their year? Are they going to trade some of their top prospects for what they need for this year? This year is going to really mean nothing very soon. So when does ego set in for the First Family of the Bronx?
They are in trouble, real trouble. The Mets, well, they aren't looking good, but at least they have a shot at turning it around. Either way, New York is not a great place to be a baseball fan right now.
The Yankees won last night, which is nice. Especially with someone coming up with a big hit. That moved them up to a game out of 4th in the AL East.
The Mets just got swept by the Braves. The Mets are actually in 4th in their division
The Yankees are in a world of hurt. You know what I think about their lineup so I won't go there. But their pitching experiment failed. Miserably. They aren't going to beat people without good pitching. I know they can get hot, and I know they are the Yankees. But this has been going on for too long, for even a team with that payroll. I just don't see them getting out of this hole.
Here's the thing about the Mets though. I think the Mets can turn it around. They just simply aren't performing offensively. They have the pitching that has been alright and probably will get better. They have a better lineup, in my opinion, than the Yankees top to bottom. Well, they should.
The problem with the Mets, in my opinion, is that their manager isn't doing what he needs to in order to get it done. Yeah, he's saying stuff in the media, whatever that means. But he's not doing anything with his lineup. Willie Randolph needs to take care of business on the field first.
Here's my issue. Carlos Beltan is not a cleanup hitter. He just isn't. Beltran's best years came in the 2-3 spots in the lineup. Why in the world would you move this guy around? I don't get it. Beltran is a guy who is one in a million. You don't mess with guys like that. Bobby Abreu is the same way. The guy hits third. It's what he does. So when the Yankees get him, he hits third. Maybe I'm wrong, but my point is that Randolph isn't doing anything to test the waters with the middle of his order, other than moving Carlos Delgado down as he continues to not produce.
But...the Mets have hope. They still have the tools, they just need to get their manager to figure things out as they go. Look at the Tigers. They are killing it right now. But a lot of it is because Jim Leyland is looking to find what works by testing it on the field. That's part of being a good manager. But the Mets are capable, and they are in a division with teams that aren't quite there.
The Yankees, are in trouble. There is nothing they can do from here. Are they going to go out and get pitching? From where? There are teams out there right now that need pitching a lot more than the Yankees do. Why? Because they are in it! The Red Sox are the class of the league. So The Yankees only real shot is at the Wild Card. But to do that, they have to get second in their division, and the Rays (!) are playing too well right now. Sure, they could die off, but say the Yankees go on some ridiculous run and get second in the East. Second in that division isn't going to get the Wild Card, if it's the Yankees being that there will be two 90+ win teams from the Central when it's all said and done.
The question is, when are the Yankees going to accept that this year is not their year? Are they going to trade some of their top prospects for what they need for this year? This year is going to really mean nothing very soon. So when does ego set in for the First Family of the Bronx?
They are in trouble, real trouble. The Mets, well, they aren't looking good, but at least they have a shot at turning it around. Either way, New York is not a great place to be a baseball fan right now.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Weighing In On The New Juice
How come no one until now has gotten in on OJ Mayo being the basketball version of the juice? I guess because no one wants to be associated with murderers? I mean, I don't blame them.
For those of you who haven't heard, OJ Mayo, freshman swingman for USC and formerly (pending on your source) the top high school basketball player in the country is under some serious heat. Allegedly, Mayo had been taking money from a middle man, Rodney Guillory, to the tune of about $200,000 and then a "luxury automobile." Guillory is shadily involved with Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management, which is said to be the backbone behind the money gifts headed Mayo's way. Basically, Guillory is an independent contractor, probably submits a 1099, and leaves no sure evidence that BDA was really behind it. Basically, he's set up to get burned if it goes down. If not, he gets a nice chunk out of Mayo's shoe deal.
You know what's interesting? Look at the top players the past couple of years. I'm thinking about three in particular, Mayo, Michael Beasley and the one armed man from "The Fugitive." All three were considered in some circles the best players in their classes, right? Then what business do these guys have going to USC, K-State, and Ohio State, respectively. If I'm the #1 player in the country, I'm going to UNC or UCLA (I'll get to the Bruins in a moment), no questions asked.
I heard an interesting argument the other day, and I might be changing my view. If you've been reading, you know that I've gone on time and time again about my lack of favor for the senior in high school declaring for the NBA Draft. Personally, there are things I'm learning about myself everyday at 23 and I don't have near the pressure on me that those kids do before they even set foot on a court. I've been to college and learned a lot. I just have a hard time putting those kids in the situation to make a lot of mistakes without the proper guidance.
A guy on the radio the other day made this point. These kids who go to school know they are only going to be there for a year, and that they are only there because David Stern says so. They don't care about college. They don't go to class. And they don't care about the NCAA. So why force these kids to go to school if they don't have to? I mean, you can drop out of high school at 16, right?
OJ Mayo, Reggie Bush, and probably Joe McKnight don't care what happens to USC. They know they're going to the bigs and they're only counting the time until they get paid. So, why not take the cash when they can? If they get caught, who cares? What is really going to happen to them? USC has to do what it can to save the face of the program, and Disney will help that out as best as possible (see the article at the end of this post; think it's a coincidence it came from SI?) and worst case, say Mayo has to give his stuff back. The way our legal system works, he'll have plenty by then.
Where's the problem here? It's USC. They have to know what's going on but they turn their backs. Like everywhere else. I mean, do you think it's just a coincidence that Georgia has been a national power ever since the offensive coordinator from Florida State showed up? Do you think the only thing he taught them was how to run an effective offense?
But now we're dealing with USC. And what is really interesting about USC is the following question: why would you go to USC? Why would you go to USC over UCLA? There is one drawback about the Bruins and that is that they play football off campus. So let's talk football for a second and talk about Reggie Bush, the last big name, from any program, to have this kind of heat.
UCLA had a strong program in the mid-90's with Cade McNown. They lost that game to USC which allowed there to be a FSU/UT Title game. Since then, it's been pretty average there. Why? I think that's about the time that USC kicked it into high gear. Eventually they got their hands on Pete Carrol and in '03 they had their first big recruiting splash with nine top 100 players, including #'s 2,3 (#2 being Bush).
Have you ever been to USC? I've been outside the gates driving passed...during the day thank God. NWA, Dr. Dre, and Snoop have supremely described the area known as Compton should you want to listen to their songs. And USC is smack in the middle of Compton. UCLA, is across the street from Belle Air (give or take). You kidding me? Seriously. UCLA is like three miles from the Beverly Hills Hotel. Maybe more. But it's a straight shot. If I'm Kevin Love, I'm hitting the Polo Lounge post-game like it's my job. I bet Tobey Bailey was.
I know I'm picking on USC. I enjoy it. But frankly, if you think this kind of stuff doesn't happen everywhere, well, I don't know what to tell you. Especially in basketball where guys are one and done. I really just want to believe that Scotty Hopson is coming to the Vols next year to be part of a great team. But...
Sure, this stuff is against the NCAA rules, but as long as there are millions to be made, the millionaires will find a way around the rules. And when they can't beat them, they'll find a new way. It's the way it works take it or leave it. But in order for there to be a real change, the NCAA has to hold the universities accountable, regardless of what they say they know or don't know. Because it's happening on their campus' and, whether the athletes at hand what to believe it or not, to their students. As long as they're on that campus, technically, their first job is to go to school, in the eyes of the institution. And that's where accountability needs to be held, especially since university Presidents have so much say in athletics these days. They need to be accountable, because they have to know. Because apparently SI did, so read the article below from '06.
I can understand that Mayo would want be known more as Mayonnaise than the juice. The Mayo and the other really have a lot in common. They break the rules, and in the end, they'll get away with it.
http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9735022
For those of you who haven't heard, OJ Mayo, freshman swingman for USC and formerly (pending on your source) the top high school basketball player in the country is under some serious heat. Allegedly, Mayo had been taking money from a middle man, Rodney Guillory, to the tune of about $200,000 and then a "luxury automobile." Guillory is shadily involved with Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management, which is said to be the backbone behind the money gifts headed Mayo's way. Basically, Guillory is an independent contractor, probably submits a 1099, and leaves no sure evidence that BDA was really behind it. Basically, he's set up to get burned if it goes down. If not, he gets a nice chunk out of Mayo's shoe deal.
You know what's interesting? Look at the top players the past couple of years. I'm thinking about three in particular, Mayo, Michael Beasley and the one armed man from "The Fugitive." All three were considered in some circles the best players in their classes, right? Then what business do these guys have going to USC, K-State, and Ohio State, respectively. If I'm the #1 player in the country, I'm going to UNC or UCLA (I'll get to the Bruins in a moment), no questions asked.
I heard an interesting argument the other day, and I might be changing my view. If you've been reading, you know that I've gone on time and time again about my lack of favor for the senior in high school declaring for the NBA Draft. Personally, there are things I'm learning about myself everyday at 23 and I don't have near the pressure on me that those kids do before they even set foot on a court. I've been to college and learned a lot. I just have a hard time putting those kids in the situation to make a lot of mistakes without the proper guidance.
A guy on the radio the other day made this point. These kids who go to school know they are only going to be there for a year, and that they are only there because David Stern says so. They don't care about college. They don't go to class. And they don't care about the NCAA. So why force these kids to go to school if they don't have to? I mean, you can drop out of high school at 16, right?
OJ Mayo, Reggie Bush, and probably Joe McKnight don't care what happens to USC. They know they're going to the bigs and they're only counting the time until they get paid. So, why not take the cash when they can? If they get caught, who cares? What is really going to happen to them? USC has to do what it can to save the face of the program, and Disney will help that out as best as possible (see the article at the end of this post; think it's a coincidence it came from SI?) and worst case, say Mayo has to give his stuff back. The way our legal system works, he'll have plenty by then.
Where's the problem here? It's USC. They have to know what's going on but they turn their backs. Like everywhere else. I mean, do you think it's just a coincidence that Georgia has been a national power ever since the offensive coordinator from Florida State showed up? Do you think the only thing he taught them was how to run an effective offense?
But now we're dealing with USC. And what is really interesting about USC is the following question: why would you go to USC? Why would you go to USC over UCLA? There is one drawback about the Bruins and that is that they play football off campus. So let's talk football for a second and talk about Reggie Bush, the last big name, from any program, to have this kind of heat.
UCLA had a strong program in the mid-90's with Cade McNown. They lost that game to USC which allowed there to be a FSU/UT Title game. Since then, it's been pretty average there. Why? I think that's about the time that USC kicked it into high gear. Eventually they got their hands on Pete Carrol and in '03 they had their first big recruiting splash with nine top 100 players, including #'s 2,3 (#2 being Bush).
Have you ever been to USC? I've been outside the gates driving passed...during the day thank God. NWA, Dr. Dre, and Snoop have supremely described the area known as Compton should you want to listen to their songs. And USC is smack in the middle of Compton. UCLA, is across the street from Belle Air (give or take). You kidding me? Seriously. UCLA is like three miles from the Beverly Hills Hotel. Maybe more. But it's a straight shot. If I'm Kevin Love, I'm hitting the Polo Lounge post-game like it's my job. I bet Tobey Bailey was.
I know I'm picking on USC. I enjoy it. But frankly, if you think this kind of stuff doesn't happen everywhere, well, I don't know what to tell you. Especially in basketball where guys are one and done. I really just want to believe that Scotty Hopson is coming to the Vols next year to be part of a great team. But...
Sure, this stuff is against the NCAA rules, but as long as there are millions to be made, the millionaires will find a way around the rules. And when they can't beat them, they'll find a new way. It's the way it works take it or leave it. But in order for there to be a real change, the NCAA has to hold the universities accountable, regardless of what they say they know or don't know. Because it's happening on their campus' and, whether the athletes at hand what to believe it or not, to their students. As long as they're on that campus, technically, their first job is to go to school, in the eyes of the institution. And that's where accountability needs to be held, especially since university Presidents have so much say in athletics these days. They need to be accountable, because they have to know. Because apparently SI did, so read the article below from '06.
I can understand that Mayo would want be known more as Mayonnaise than the juice. The Mayo and the other really have a lot in common. They break the rules, and in the end, they'll get away with it.
http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9735022
Friday, May 9, 2008
My Mom Was Right...The NBA Is Fixed
Remember the 90's in the NBA? Remember how great it was?
Granted, you know I grew up in Chicago and Bulls games were a way of life. But most everyone will remember the great series that went on between the Bulls and other great teams. The Pacers-Bulls match ups were always tough. The Knicks-Bulls as well and we all know what happened with the Jazz.
Let's face it...the Bulls were better than everyone, by a lot. True, the teams at question were great teams, but is there a coincidence that the Bulls, in most cases, blew everyone out at home and lost close games on the road?
The officiating in those games were pretty terrible. Yeah, Jordan got his calls here and there, but being the best and most important athlete ever will do that.
My mom always said, "These games are fixed." I now believe it. Especially now, the NBA is a flat out joke. There are great players in the league don't get me wrong. But seriously, how many people out there actually sit down and say, "God, I can't wait to watch the NBA Playoffs tonight!"
The NBA needs to have it's games on for publicity, because the average TV watcher is flipping to the game on the commercial of whatever else they are watching. This is probably why they have those crazy schedules this year to get as many games in the spotlight as possible. The NBA needs to have it's games on, so they need more games. What happens? They make it happen.
Back to the 90's. How did that Sonics team going like 6 games or whatever it was with the 72 win Bulls? Sure, critics are going to say, "How many times did the Bulls go to a seven game series?" Frankly, Michael Jordan is better than bad officiating.
Where is this going? The Boston Celtics of this year were the most dominant team in the NBA. Experts don't give credit to anyone in the East, but the Celtics went to the West and had some ridiculous record against the superior conference. The Celtics were the best team. Period.
So what were they doing going seven games with the Atlanta Hawks? The Hawks had no business whatsoever winning a single game in that series. The first couple of games the Celtics blow it out and then it becomes a series? I mean, did the Hawks have a sort of renaissance in the locker room? There is no way, without NBA regulation, that they series should go seven. No way whatsoever. Oh, and in game seven? Didn't the Celtics win by almost 30?
So where does this get to? The Hornets came out and just killed the defending champion Spurs in the first two games of their series. By kill I mean mentally and physically beat down. The Hornets were too fast, too quick, and frankly, too young for the aging Spurs. So what happens last night? Yeah, the Spurs shave about 40 years off their collective ages, come out and rip it up. What do you want to bet that the Lakers lose their next game?
Watch, well, no ones going to watch these games. But I guess check the scores in the paper or online or however you check scores. See if the Lakers win their first road game in their series. See how many series' go 4-5. They won't. The NBA can't have it happen. I mean, the NHL struggles, but at least their games come to legit endings from guys playing hard.
Granted, you know I grew up in Chicago and Bulls games were a way of life. But most everyone will remember the great series that went on between the Bulls and other great teams. The Pacers-Bulls match ups were always tough. The Knicks-Bulls as well and we all know what happened with the Jazz.
Let's face it...the Bulls were better than everyone, by a lot. True, the teams at question were great teams, but is there a coincidence that the Bulls, in most cases, blew everyone out at home and lost close games on the road?
The officiating in those games were pretty terrible. Yeah, Jordan got his calls here and there, but being the best and most important athlete ever will do that.
My mom always said, "These games are fixed." I now believe it. Especially now, the NBA is a flat out joke. There are great players in the league don't get me wrong. But seriously, how many people out there actually sit down and say, "God, I can't wait to watch the NBA Playoffs tonight!"
The NBA needs to have it's games on for publicity, because the average TV watcher is flipping to the game on the commercial of whatever else they are watching. This is probably why they have those crazy schedules this year to get as many games in the spotlight as possible. The NBA needs to have it's games on, so they need more games. What happens? They make it happen.
Back to the 90's. How did that Sonics team going like 6 games or whatever it was with the 72 win Bulls? Sure, critics are going to say, "How many times did the Bulls go to a seven game series?" Frankly, Michael Jordan is better than bad officiating.
Where is this going? The Boston Celtics of this year were the most dominant team in the NBA. Experts don't give credit to anyone in the East, but the Celtics went to the West and had some ridiculous record against the superior conference. The Celtics were the best team. Period.
So what were they doing going seven games with the Atlanta Hawks? The Hawks had no business whatsoever winning a single game in that series. The first couple of games the Celtics blow it out and then it becomes a series? I mean, did the Hawks have a sort of renaissance in the locker room? There is no way, without NBA regulation, that they series should go seven. No way whatsoever. Oh, and in game seven? Didn't the Celtics win by almost 30?
So where does this get to? The Hornets came out and just killed the defending champion Spurs in the first two games of their series. By kill I mean mentally and physically beat down. The Hornets were too fast, too quick, and frankly, too young for the aging Spurs. So what happens last night? Yeah, the Spurs shave about 40 years off their collective ages, come out and rip it up. What do you want to bet that the Lakers lose their next game?
Watch, well, no ones going to watch these games. But I guess check the scores in the paper or online or however you check scores. See if the Lakers win their first road game in their series. See how many series' go 4-5. They won't. The NBA can't have it happen. I mean, the NHL struggles, but at least their games come to legit endings from guys playing hard.
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