For the lack of posts....my computer is completely dead and there's not much I can do about it. Enjoy the Brett Favre rumors and I'll be back soon.
-Pat
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Oooo....How Fitting
Oh no, what? Wait. It happened again? Yes. It did. Call it a reoccurring nightmare, call it déjà vu, call it the collapse 5.0, call it brutal. Syracuse’s disaster third round NIT loss to UMass - in which the Orange led by 19 at half, 22 points with 15 mins left, 14 points with just under eight minutes left, 10 points with five minutes left, five points with a minute and a half left left, and then lost - well you might just call it this.
How fitting is the fact that he’s wearing an orange wig? Is he the Orange Santa from the Dome?
Yes, sorry for the graphic nature, but that’s what Syracuse basketball has given us. If it’s something you don’t want to hear about, don’t continue. And don’t become a Syracuse fan.
Instead of being a welcome relief from the relentlessly painful football program, the Syracuse basketball team has given us fans several kicks to the nether region. Torn ACLs, then last second losses to Georgetown, UConn, Pittsburgh. The home losses to URI and UMass. The no-show at South Florida. Relentless ball bashing. Sorry again, but I just can’t think of anything more fitting. As a man myself, the pain is just eerily parallel to the sting of this Syracuse basketball season. Just as the fellas start descending from one’s stomach, just as you get comfortable, bam! Right to the babymakers.
But you know what? As my fearsome twosome begin their descent from the Minutemen’s unforgiving booting, I really am not that upset. I’m not sure why, but I think it’s because of a tolerance that this season has helped to build up. If you think of this season as a complete failure, think of it this way. We got to see three more home games, one that was extremely entertaining (Maryland), experienced some great crowds and didn’t have to hear Dunk N’ Bright furniture commercials. I know, that’s not enough. But what might be the most valuable asset from such a horrific season is the ability to take a kick to the balls (for the fans that is, it’s not a good trait for the players to accept). Things just can’t get worse than this. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty desensitized. Or at least, the losses don’t leave me absolutely distraught. And after being so low I think that this team can only go up. Hopefully they got the, “holy shit we can’t close out a game” syndrome out of their systems this season. Because next year, the team will likely have enough talent to be a force. Paul Harris throwing the ball away again, a completely distraught half court offense and a zone in disarray - that’s really going to need to be fixed in the offseason.
So enjoy your time off from the ball bashing, it’s now baseball season! There are 100baseball games played before they even start to get nerve-racking. So sit back, relax, and let ‘em hang. I think they’ll be safe for a while. At least until Daryl Gross hexes the lacrosse team.
-Pat
How fitting is the fact that he’s wearing an orange wig? Is he the Orange Santa from the Dome?
Yes, sorry for the graphic nature, but that’s what Syracuse basketball has given us. If it’s something you don’t want to hear about, don’t continue. And don’t become a Syracuse fan.
Instead of being a welcome relief from the relentlessly painful football program, the Syracuse basketball team has given us fans several kicks to the nether region. Torn ACLs, then last second losses to Georgetown, UConn, Pittsburgh. The home losses to URI and UMass. The no-show at South Florida. Relentless ball bashing. Sorry again, but I just can’t think of anything more fitting. As a man myself, the pain is just eerily parallel to the sting of this Syracuse basketball season. Just as the fellas start descending from one’s stomach, just as you get comfortable, bam! Right to the babymakers.
But you know what? As my fearsome twosome begin their descent from the Minutemen’s unforgiving booting, I really am not that upset. I’m not sure why, but I think it’s because of a tolerance that this season has helped to build up. If you think of this season as a complete failure, think of it this way. We got to see three more home games, one that was extremely entertaining (Maryland), experienced some great crowds and didn’t have to hear Dunk N’ Bright furniture commercials. I know, that’s not enough. But what might be the most valuable asset from such a horrific season is the ability to take a kick to the balls (for the fans that is, it’s not a good trait for the players to accept). Things just can’t get worse than this. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty desensitized. Or at least, the losses don’t leave me absolutely distraught. And after being so low I think that this team can only go up. Hopefully they got the, “holy shit we can’t close out a game” syndrome out of their systems this season. Because next year, the team will likely have enough talent to be a force. Paul Harris throwing the ball away again, a completely distraught half court offense and a zone in disarray - that’s really going to need to be fixed in the offseason.
So enjoy your time off from the ball bashing, it’s now baseball season! There are 100baseball games played before they even start to get nerve-racking. So sit back, relax, and let ‘em hang. I think they’ll be safe for a while. At least until Daryl Gross hexes the lacrosse team.
-Pat
Monday, March 24, 2008
March Sadness?
I know there are a lot of sports fans out there who, like me, have the end of March blues. You're favorite College Hoops team just lost in the Tournament (National Invitation, that is), you're brackets have more red ink than MC Hammer's bank statement and you're favorite NBA team can't win a court case, let alone a basketball game. The week until MLB season begins feels like year.
For fans like me, I give you this list of things to look forward to:
Lottery Watch: For fans of the Pistons, Celtics, Lakers and anyone in Texas, this time of the year is about watching your favorite NBA team fight for the top seed in their conference or claw for a playoff spot. For fans like me, it’s about watching the Knicks fight just as hard for ping pong balls in the NBA Draft Lottery. Right now, the ‘Bockers have the fifth worst record in the league with 19 wins. However, they stand only one game ahead of Minnesota and Memphis in the win column, and are getting cold at the right time with a 1-9 record in their last ten games. With every Crawford miss, every key injury, and every poor Isiah coaching decision the Knicks are moving one step closer to having a shot at landing the next superstar.
Unfortunately, the NBA Draft is only for players. The Knicks cannot draft an owner, coach, or GM.
Barry Watch: If you’re dumb enough to think that Barry will quietly ride off into the sunset, then you’re probably also naïve enough to think the moon landing was real and Oswald acted alone. While it is certainly possible that an AL team will snag him in the next week, I think it is pretty likely that he will start the season without a contract and have to follow in the footsteps of Ricky Henderson and play in the Independent League. When by the end of April he already has thirty home runs, an underachieving AL team will finally say “ah, what the heck” and the Barry Bonds chronicles will be resumed.
Mitchell Report Fever: It’s a no win for a baseball announcer early in the season. Whenever a player comes to the plate or the mound who was mentioned in the MR, the announcer will be faced with the question of “do I talk about the report, or awkwardly avoid the 300 ton elephant?” For the fans, I say, have fun with it. You can even make a drinking game out of it. You drink whenever they say the word “Mitchell,” drink twice when they awkwardly hint at it (eg “On the mound for the Yankees is Andy Pettitte, who had a tumultuous off season”) and chug the rest of your beer when the announcer says, “PLAYER A made a mistake, but now he has straightened himself out and is eager to earn back the trust of the fans.”
Hank Wisdom: Hank Steinbrenner showed a lot of promise last season with some great trash talking, and it seems like he has elevated his game during the off season. He is primed for a breakout year, and may be the next budding superstar in the world of trash talk. What separates Hank from trash talkers like Ozzie Guillen or Curt Schilling is that he mixes some cleverness and even occasionally tact into his rants. Most people are either so angry and off the wall or try so hard to be clever and tactful that it’s hard to take them seriously. Hank has a good balance of both. He is like a less offensive version of John Rocker, who also was a great trash talker but for some reason inexcusably took out his wrath on New Yorkers, homosexuals, minorities and people with a terminal illness instead of opposing baseball players.
The next ‘George Mason’: In the Sweet 16, there are two 12 seeds and a 10 seed. At least one will probably make the Elite Eight, and I’d say there is a decent chance one of them (probably Davidson, who I almost took to beat Georgetown) makes the Final Four. My biggest curiosity is how George Mason feels about potentially having a double digit seed equal their feat. If UCLA tops Western Kentucky, will they pop champagne like the ’72 Dolphins? Will we hear Jai Lewis declare after a Davidson loss: “This just shows that no low seed can make the Final Four. Except in 2006”? I anxiously await.
-By Andrew Vitelli
Picture credits:
http://360oz.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/barry-bonds-indicted/
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/hanks
For fans like me, I give you this list of things to look forward to:
Lottery Watch: For fans of the Pistons, Celtics, Lakers and anyone in Texas, this time of the year is about watching your favorite NBA team fight for the top seed in their conference or claw for a playoff spot. For fans like me, it’s about watching the Knicks fight just as hard for ping pong balls in the NBA Draft Lottery. Right now, the ‘Bockers have the fifth worst record in the league with 19 wins. However, they stand only one game ahead of Minnesota and Memphis in the win column, and are getting cold at the right time with a 1-9 record in their last ten games. With every Crawford miss, every key injury, and every poor Isiah coaching decision the Knicks are moving one step closer to having a shot at landing the next superstar.
Unfortunately, the NBA Draft is only for players. The Knicks cannot draft an owner, coach, or GM.
Barry Watch: If you’re dumb enough to think that Barry will quietly ride off into the sunset, then you’re probably also naïve enough to think the moon landing was real and Oswald acted alone. While it is certainly possible that an AL team will snag him in the next week, I think it is pretty likely that he will start the season without a contract and have to follow in the footsteps of Ricky Henderson and play in the Independent League. When by the end of April he already has thirty home runs, an underachieving AL team will finally say “ah, what the heck” and the Barry Bonds chronicles will be resumed.
Mitchell Report Fever: It’s a no win for a baseball announcer early in the season. Whenever a player comes to the plate or the mound who was mentioned in the MR, the announcer will be faced with the question of “do I talk about the report, or awkwardly avoid the 300 ton elephant?” For the fans, I say, have fun with it. You can even make a drinking game out of it. You drink whenever they say the word “Mitchell,” drink twice when they awkwardly hint at it (eg “On the mound for the Yankees is Andy Pettitte, who had a tumultuous off season”) and chug the rest of your beer when the announcer says, “PLAYER A made a mistake, but now he has straightened himself out and is eager to earn back the trust of the fans.”
Hank Wisdom: Hank Steinbrenner showed a lot of promise last season with some great trash talking, and it seems like he has elevated his game during the off season. He is primed for a breakout year, and may be the next budding superstar in the world of trash talk. What separates Hank from trash talkers like Ozzie Guillen or Curt Schilling is that he mixes some cleverness and even occasionally tact into his rants. Most people are either so angry and off the wall or try so hard to be clever and tactful that it’s hard to take them seriously. Hank has a good balance of both. He is like a less offensive version of John Rocker, who also was a great trash talker but for some reason inexcusably took out his wrath on New Yorkers, homosexuals, minorities and people with a terminal illness instead of opposing baseball players.The next ‘George Mason’: In the Sweet 16, there are two 12 seeds and a 10 seed. At least one will probably make the Elite Eight, and I’d say there is a decent chance one of them (probably Davidson, who I almost took to beat Georgetown) makes the Final Four. My biggest curiosity is how George Mason feels about potentially having a double digit seed equal their feat. If UCLA tops Western Kentucky, will they pop champagne like the ’72 Dolphins? Will we hear Jai Lewis declare after a Davidson loss: “This just shows that no low seed can make the Final Four. Except in 2006”? I anxiously await.
-By Andrew Vitelli
Picture credits:
http://360oz.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/barry-bonds-indicted/
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/hanks
Monday, March 17, 2008
Forget March Madness, I've Got NIT Fever
Well here we are. I figured I'd throw together a quick post before I go out to celebrate my namesake. Sorry if you've missed me, I know you have, but I just got back from Spring Break. Anyways, after a gut-wrenching, nail biting and downright professional NIT selection show, the news we all were expecting fell upon us. Syracuse, and its mirror program from BMore, the Maryland Terrapins, will be in the NIT. We’ve discussed how similar these teams are (well before deadspin did the same), and how alike the programs have been in the past few years since their respective championships. I’m not surprised to see both teams in the tournament. But as an added surprise, the NIT committee (does that really exist?) has sprinkled the Orange and Terrapins in the same bracket. Somehow, they stuck Maryland with a five seed. SU, sitting at seed No. 1, are aligned to meet the Terrapins in the second round if both teams win. There are two possibilities here.
One is that both teams lose both first round games - Syracuse to Robert Morris and Maryland to Minnesota (the second being no gimme for the Terps). Or they both win and play an epic 5 OT game before the Dome management dismantles the court for the lacrosse team to practice because, well, that squad still has a shot at a legit national tournament. In all seriousness though, it would be pretty fitting for Cuse and Maryland to meet in the second round, and it would be an interesting game considering all of the parallels.
As Andrew pointed out this morning, Seth Greenberg of Virginia Tech made some interesting comments. He really went out on a limb after his team’s loss on Saturday to UNC. It was a great game and the coach clearly was stating his case for the Hokies to receive an NCAA bid. Here’s the video (it seems to be bugging out a little bit, watch it at this link if the video below is giving you trouble)
The problem is, he pissed off some people...and was a bit irrational as Andrew stated. I have to agree with my fellow blogger. One close loss doesn’t make a season. A measly one win against a top-50 RPI team does. Losing to Penn State and Old Dominion does too. I mean, sure, they were on the bubble. But is leaving them out certifiably insane? I don’t think so. It’s just kind of tough to say after a loss, with a thin resume. But hey, come join the NIT party. It’s pretty awesome.
I’m not sure if any readers have seen this new Subway Jared commercial. I’m sure most of you are quite sick of the guy. And now, as if he wasn’t in your face enough, we are assaulted with an advertisement filled with athletes telling you all about Jared and his achievements. By no means am I slandering his weight loss. Good job Jared. It’s impressive. But I just love the commercial. This one seems a bit different from the TV version I’ve seen, where they relentlessly repeat that he ate subway, and throw in a quick reference to exercise also being helpful in losing nearly 250 pounds. But still, what a collection of athletes. Brady Quinn, wrestling’s John Cena? I mean Brady, you’re a backup, maybe you should try learning the playbook instead of doing ads for Jared and Myoplex. Clearly, you’re not half the actor Peyton Manning is.
- Pat
One is that both teams lose both first round games - Syracuse to Robert Morris and Maryland to Minnesota (the second being no gimme for the Terps). Or they both win and play an epic 5 OT game before the Dome management dismantles the court for the lacrosse team to practice because, well, that squad still has a shot at a legit national tournament. In all seriousness though, it would be pretty fitting for Cuse and Maryland to meet in the second round, and it would be an interesting game considering all of the parallels.
As Andrew pointed out this morning, Seth Greenberg of Virginia Tech made some interesting comments. He really went out on a limb after his team’s loss on Saturday to UNC. It was a great game and the coach clearly was stating his case for the Hokies to receive an NCAA bid. Here’s the video (it seems to be bugging out a little bit, watch it at this link if the video below is giving you trouble)
The problem is, he pissed off some people...and was a bit irrational as Andrew stated. I have to agree with my fellow blogger. One close loss doesn’t make a season. A measly one win against a top-50 RPI team does. Losing to Penn State and Old Dominion does too. I mean, sure, they were on the bubble. But is leaving them out certifiably insane? I don’t think so. It’s just kind of tough to say after a loss, with a thin resume. But hey, come join the NIT party. It’s pretty awesome.
I’m not sure if any readers have seen this new Subway Jared commercial. I’m sure most of you are quite sick of the guy. And now, as if he wasn’t in your face enough, we are assaulted with an advertisement filled with athletes telling you all about Jared and his achievements. By no means am I slandering his weight loss. Good job Jared. It’s impressive. But I just love the commercial. This one seems a bit different from the TV version I’ve seen, where they relentlessly repeat that he ate subway, and throw in a quick reference to exercise also being helpful in losing nearly 250 pounds. But still, what a collection of athletes. Brady Quinn, wrestling’s John Cena? I mean Brady, you’re a backup, maybe you should try learning the playbook instead of doing ads for Jared and Myoplex. Clearly, you’re not half the actor Peyton Manning is.
- Pat
Selection Sunday
The nice thing about Maryland losing in the first round of the ACC Tournament instead of winning a game before losing is that I was able to watch the NCAA Selection show without sitting in the fetal position and rocking, cringing every time a 12 seed was announced and it wasn’t Maryland. Having no vested interest, I think the committee did a pretty good job. I don’t think anyone was snubbed. My biggest issue is with George Mason being a 12 seed. Any other CAA team with a similar resume would be a 14, Mason is basically the Duke of mid-majors now in that its name wows voters.
My greatest joy came out of Virginia Tech being in the NIT instead of the dance. Coach Seth Greenberg’s ridiculous statement and letter to the selection committee asking them to put his team in thankfully fell on deaf ears. In case you missed it, here it is:
Anyone who watched that game that knows anything about basketball, if you don't think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country, you're certifiably insane. Because I don't know who else could come into this environment, basically play a road game, and play those guys the way we just played them. The only thing we didn't do is win the game.
Let’s focus on the last sentence. “The only thing we didn’t do is win the game.”
Well Seth, isn’t that kind of a big thing? He throws it in their like he’s saying “the only thing we didn’t do is box out the shooter on free throws in the second quarter.” But winning? Isn’t that a focus of the gameplan? Should that not be something the selection committee looks at?
Greenberg is making the argument that a close loss is almost as good as a win. Well, I guess the committee should go back this season and look at every team within two points of a win. Instead of quality wins, it should be called “quality wins/2 points losses.” And if the National Championship game is close, then we’ll have two National Champions.
I know not every loss is the game. If VT (19-13, 9-7 ACC) was really on the edge of the Bubble, a strong showing agianst UNC might have put them in. But really, VT wasn’t close. They had a good conference record because they beat up on bad teams. They were 1-7 against the RPI’s top 50, with the one being a win against Miami, not a Duke or UNC or anything like that. Really, they arguably had less of a resume than Maryland, who got a five seed in the NIT. VT had one more win, but Maryland’s best win (at UNC rather than Miami) was much better.
Another issue I have is with him saying “if you don't think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country, you're certifiably insane.” The best 65 teams in the country don’t get at-large bids. Throwing that number out there is misleading since it clearly doesn’t really have any meaning in this context. To get an at large bid, a team has to be one of the best 30 or 40 teams in the nation. Yes Seth, you guys were better than Coppin State. You want to be in the play in game?
I think Greenberg should write a letter to the NIT thanking them for giving his team a one seed.
My greatest joy came out of Virginia Tech being in the NIT instead of the dance. Coach Seth Greenberg’s ridiculous statement and letter to the selection committee asking them to put his team in thankfully fell on deaf ears. In case you missed it, here it is:
Anyone who watched that game that knows anything about basketball, if you don't think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country, you're certifiably insane. Because I don't know who else could come into this environment, basically play a road game, and play those guys the way we just played them. The only thing we didn't do is win the game.
Let’s focus on the last sentence. “The only thing we didn’t do is win the game.”
Well Seth, isn’t that kind of a big thing? He throws it in their like he’s saying “the only thing we didn’t do is box out the shooter on free throws in the second quarter.” But winning? Isn’t that a focus of the gameplan? Should that not be something the selection committee looks at?
Greenberg is making the argument that a close loss is almost as good as a win. Well, I guess the committee should go back this season and look at every team within two points of a win. Instead of quality wins, it should be called “quality wins/2 points losses.” And if the National Championship game is close, then we’ll have two National Champions.
I know not every loss is the game. If VT (19-13, 9-7 ACC) was really on the edge of the Bubble, a strong showing agianst UNC might have put them in. But really, VT wasn’t close. They had a good conference record because they beat up on bad teams. They were 1-7 against the RPI’s top 50, with the one being a win against Miami, not a Duke or UNC or anything like that. Really, they arguably had less of a resume than Maryland, who got a five seed in the NIT. VT had one more win, but Maryland’s best win (at UNC rather than Miami) was much better.
Another issue I have is with him saying “if you don't think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country, you're certifiably insane.” The best 65 teams in the country don’t get at-large bids. Throwing that number out there is misleading since it clearly doesn’t really have any meaning in this context. To get an at large bid, a team has to be one of the best 30 or 40 teams in the nation. Yes Seth, you guys were better than Coppin State. You want to be in the play in game?
I think Greenberg should write a letter to the NIT thanking them for giving his team a one seed.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Top headlines that may have gone under your radar
Yanks, D-Rays bad blood boils over in pre-season brawl
Zimmer wisely stays in dugout this time
Tony Parker to Yanks’ Heath Phillips: I will fight you!
Later retracts statement after learning Phillips plunked EVAN Longoria
Rockets win seventh straight game without Yao
Isaiah immediately places Knicks’ center Eddy Curry on DL
Billy Crystal bats leadoff for Yankees, strikes out in only at-bat against Pirates
Yanks in talks with Stallone for next meeting with Rays
Patriots cut ties with veteran wide receiver Troy Brown
Ask Brown to return team-issued camcorder
Tony Stewart blames poor performance on Goodyear Tires
Isaiah then blames Nike for Knicks’ poor season
Boston’s Schilling placed on 60-day DL
Curt’s Warcraft ranking expected to skyrocket
Giants sign QB Carr to 1 year, $1M deal
GM Reese addresses need to find new oft-criticized QB drafted with top pick
Zimmer wisely stays in dugout this time
Tony Parker to Yanks’ Heath Phillips: I will fight you!
Later retracts statement after learning Phillips plunked EVAN Longoria
Rockets win seventh straight game without Yao
Isaiah immediately places Knicks’ center Eddy Curry on DL
Billy Crystal bats leadoff for Yankees, strikes out in only at-bat against Pirates
Yanks in talks with Stallone for next meeting with Rays
Patriots cut ties with veteran wide receiver Troy Brown
Ask Brown to return team-issued camcorder
Tony Stewart blames poor performance on Goodyear Tires
Isaiah then blames Nike for Knicks’ poor season
Boston’s Schilling placed on 60-day DL
Curt’s Warcraft ranking expected to skyrocket
Giants sign QB Carr to 1 year, $1M deal
GM Reese addresses need to find new oft-criticized QB drafted with top pick
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Sterning the ship in the right direction
Anyone who has been tuning into the NBA this season knows it. Everyone who has been ignoring the league for the past few years needs to reevaluate their stance. The NBA is back. And this is coming from a Knicks fan.
Last night I watched Lebron James single-handedly dismantle the Knickerbockers, and although it wasn't the outcome I was looking for as the Cavs pulled away late, it was pretty damn entertaining. Lebron lit up the Garden, dropping 50 points on an array of deep three pointers (including one at the halftime buzzer that he shot like a normal pull up from about 40 feet out), dunks and layups. At one point, David Lee took both hands and shoved James in the stomach as he rose for a dunk. LBJ didn't fall back, but simply lowered his hand from dunk position and as his feet were about to touch the floor, hoisted in a shot off the backboard. Also last night the Celtics and Pistons (the two top teams in the East) battled in Boston in a very entertaining contest that could be a playoff preview. The funny thing is, this is the Eastern Conference. It's by far the inferior conference depth wise, but holds some serious weapons at the top of the standings.
While watching Lebron has been truly marvelous, what has really drawn me back into the NBA has been the teams of the Western Conference. The past few years I sort of agreed with some of the NBA cynics who harped on the negative aspects of professional play such as the lack of defense, the isolation one-on-one plays, lack of teammwork, etc. I'd usually tune in for just Knicks games and the occassional primetime matchup. But this season, the league has returned to "must-see TV" status. The top 8 teams in the West are separated by 5 1/2 games (the 8th place team's record is 37-23). The pace of the games out West is frenetic. Teams, even those weighed down by Shaq, run up and down the court. There are tons of superstars, from the loud (Kobe Bryant) to the quiet (Brandon Roy). There are great, highly watchable point gaurds: from Derron Williams to Chris Paul to Steve Nash to Baron Davis. Thanks to the solid play from the court leaders, the squads in the West play a great brand of team ball...and score...a lot. And seemingly each team has at least two real stars, immediately making each game full of flair and storylines. The teams play hard night in and night out. While I'm not sure I can say that for my Knicks, I'll still say the NBA is definitely back. Now, just fire Isiah.
-Pat
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