With an explosive World Cup and nearly a whole NBA free agency behind us, it's time to move forward to my favorite time of year. It involves College football and basketball (March Madness!), the NFL and NBA, and a little bit of golf and tennis (for those all-around sports enthusiasts). Without further ado, let's get to my big, bad and bold predictions for 2014-15 and beyond.
1. The A's will win the World Series
The A's have the best record, so this may not seem bold. But, I dare you to put up bookoo bucks on the A's. I'm guessing most will go with the bigger payroll teams like Detroit, the LA Dodgers or San Francisco.
The Oakland Athletics trading for two solid pitchers shows they are ready to win right now. Then, they went out and got Jon Lester! It was a bold move for a team and GM that doesn't let go of farm systems guys very often. But, it was the right move. Billy Beane knows this could be the year, and I think it will be. Detroit countered with David Price to make things interesting. Nevertheless, if Beane's boys pull it off, can we get a sequel to "Moneyball?"
2. Lance Stephenson will be a bust in Charlotte.
Lance Stephenson had a solid season in Indiana, and for his efforts, he received a three-year, $27 million deal. I still think the guy is overrated, and will be a bust in Charlotte. Stephenson did lead the league in triple doubles, but I'm here to tell you that was an aberration. He was surrounded by very good players on a solid team. In Charlotte, he will be looked upon to lead and be the man, which I believe will lead to a weak season. As good as the guy was last year, his stats weren't off the charts: 13.8 PPG, 4.6 APG and 7.2 RPG. That's a solid all-around season and he played good defense, but he's no star. He's more of a wild card than anything. His attitude is awful, and he is not a good teammate. His career stats are meager at best for a player with this contract: 9.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 4.4 APG. All this adds up to a bust!
3. The Packers will win it all.
When the Green Bay Packers won it all in 2011, I think many people envisioned a dynasty or at least more Super Bowl appearances or championships over the next three years. That was not to be, but don't give up on fantasy virtuoso Aaron Rodgers and his Packers. Health has been the main concern since they won it all. But, if Rodgers stays healthy, you know they'll make the playoffs. Moreover, you know they are always in any game with his capabilities. I don't think the NFC West will be as powerful in the playoffs, and the additions of Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix and promising wide receiver Davante Adams were steals and add quality to an already solid team. Flying a little under the radar, Rodgers, who finally has a good running game with Eddie Lacy, will take the Packers to the promised land again!
4. Doug McDermott will be an NBA star.
Many big-time college sharpshooters have come in the league and been decent or very mediocre. The most recent, JJ Reddick and Adam Morrison, come to mind. While Morrison has never amounted to much in the NBA, Reddick has had a solid career as a role player. But, I believe McDermott will truly be a star. Gordon Hayward is a guy that comes to mind, when discussing big-time college shooters of late. He has a solid all-around game, and thriving on a poor team in Utah landed him a max contract this off-season. I'm still not sure he's worthy of that sort of money, but more power to him for inking that contact and maximizing his NBA talents.
Now, back to McDermott. He had a stellar college career, but as many of us know, that doesn't mean anything at the next level. But, in Dougie McBuckets, I trust! And, it's more than just his shooting. He has a solid post game that will only get better. He has a great basketball IQ, which, as Jason Kidd can relate to, can provide you a longer career than your skill set allows. On top of everything, he has the height and build for an NBA player. He is a 6'8" small forward that can shoot from anywhere. After a few years in the gym, I believe he will be a star. With Chicago striking out on Melo, the Bulls better hope he is.
5. An SEC team won't win it all, and neither will Florida St.!
In the inaugural year of the playoff system, an SEC team won't win it all, and neither will favorite and defending champion Florida State. With what they lost, and Jameis Winston's eye for trouble and for the NFL, I believe they will falter in the end. In addition, the SEC is not as strong to me this year, with so many high-level quarterbacks departing. So, who will it all?
I believe there are three teams to truly keep an eye on. Those are Oklahoma, Oregon and Ohio St. All stand to benefit from the 4-team playoff, as their conferences aren't as strong as the SEC. Yet, they have just as much of a chance to beat the big-time SEC teams in my mind. Remember last bowl season when Trevor Knight announced his presence, scoring a resounding 45 points on the vaunted Alabama defense? He should be very scary this season, and if ex-Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham becomes eligible, they could be even scarier. They will have to get past fellow top 10 preseason ranked Baylor to get there. Baylor is a dark horse, and it seems one of the two will come out of the Big 12 and make the playoff.
Now to Oregon. This team is in the mix every year, and this year will be no different. Let's flash back to last season. They missed electric play-maker and running back De'Anthony Thomas for four games, and they were right in the mix late. Quarterback Marcus Mariotta reportedly played against Stanford with a bad knee and later, sprained his MCL. Even so, he and Thomas came back to lead Oregon to their fourth straight BCS win. Mariotta is now a senior, and is as motivated as ever. Even though Thomas graduated, don't be surprised if Mariotta wins the Heisman and leads the Ducks quacking to a national championship.
Finally to Ohio State. Like Mariotta, Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller is a senior looking to finish his storied career with a national championship. With one of the best coaches in college football and the talent around him, he is more than capable. And in the Big 10, as long as he can stay healthy, he has a good shot at winding up in the 4-team playoff.
6. Jim Furyk will win the PGA Championship
If the previous five predictions weren't bold enough, this one certainly is. Jim Furyk has had a stellar career, amassing an estimated net worth of $50 million. He has been a pro since 1992, but has won just one major. So, it's easy for many people to forget about his remarkably consistent career. Despite being ranked top-10 for over 360 weeks between 1999 and 2014, his one major win came in 2003, and ever since, he has been deemed to choke down the stretch. He was last year's runner-up at the PGA Championship, but this time will be different. Look for Furyk to take the golfing world by storm at age 44, and cement his legacy amongst the best and most consistent golfers of our time.
7. Roger Federer will win the U.S. Open
Forget the father time excuses or the past his prime declarations his fans and I give for him not winning a major lately. I cannot deny that this is biased, as Roger Federer is my favorite athlete in all of sports. It's undeniable that he hasn't had a big moment in awhile, and the sport is much stronger than when he was slaying it. But, he still has the tools and talent to win a major, and he badly needs to do so with Rafael Nadal chasing his grand slams streak.
The U.S. Open is a great venue for Federer, who has won it 5 times. This will be number 6. He had a fantastic Wimbledon, barely falling to Novak Djokovic in a compelling and resilient 5-set showing. He will carry that momentum into the U.S. Open and finally win another major.
Closing statements
Here is a handful of big, bad and bold sports predictions for this year and the near future. It's easy to always pick favorites, so why not go out on a limb? It's certainly more fun doing so. Regardless of what happens, baseball is getting old with the Rangers struggles, and it's time for some football and basketball. I can't wait, and I hope you're ready for this exciting year in sports. I know I sure am!
Monday, August 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Wimbledon and the Nadal-Federer Debate
With another Wimbledon in the books, one can't help but notice the state of the Men's game. It's incredible!
2014's Wimbledon had everything. You had your upsets, the departure of every American man before week two that you can often count on, and a chase at history and legacy at the expense of a classic final.
First, let's start with the enormous upset, when 19-year-old no-namer Nick Krygios took out Rafael Nadal in the 4th round. Sure, Nadal has had a rough go of it in England for the past three years, but few tennis fans have even heard of Kyrgios!
This feat reminded me of 2001, when 19-year-old Roger Federer emerged on the scene and beat 29-year-old tennis legend Pete Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon. Not only was the round and venue the same as Nadal-Kyrgios, but Federer was also the same age as Kyrgios when he took down one of the game's giants, while Nadal was a year younger than Sampras.
The major difference is that Nadal is still in his prime, while Sampras was fading. Can Kyrgios emerge on the scene and be a superstar like Federer? I have a hard time believing that, but nothing is impossible. Kyrgios has a big serve and good shot-making, and of course, has tons of time for improvement, coaching, sponsorships and more. But, the evolving of the game does limit his ceiling for his biggest weapon: the serve. When Federer and Sampras squared off in 2001, the serve-volley era was in its final stage, where both guys rushed the net every chance they could get. Nowadays, you can't win a Wimbledon, like Goran Ivanisevic did, on serving alone. There are just too many great returners, solid players, and evolving surfaces and technology.
The American men fiasco at majors continues. There isn't much to report on here, but I would like to congratulate Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil for defeating the Bryan brothers in the Wimbledon Final. Sock was deemed by some to be the next American to break through in singles, but with that looking bleak, it's nice to see that he and his partner could take down the best doubles team in history. Granted, the Bryan brothers are American, so that doesn't really help the American tennis scene, but it is nice to see an upset and someone else win for once in doubles.
Now, moving on to legacy and the historic final. Federer was going for his 18th major, while Novak Djokovic was going for his 7th. What a match it was! Federer played at such high quality and showed such resiliency (breaking three times in the fourth set to force a 5th set) that you have to believe he isn't washed up. For Djokovic, it was about conquering the demons of choking in past finals. He is just 7-7 in major finals, but he showed just how far he came by bouncing back after blowing the first set tiebreak, and even worse, blowing a 5-2 4th set lead. Also, it was nice to see his maturity after winning, compared to other finals he took down. Dedicating the win to his soon-to-be wife and baby on the way, Djokovic handled himself with more class than ever before, and it was a fitting stage to do so.
Nadal-Federer Debate
This is one of the best debates in sports, up there with Woods-Nicklaus and eventually James-Jordan (or LeBron-Magic). Who's the greatest tennis player of all-time? It comes down to these two guys. I will admit that Federer is my favorite athlete of all-time so I am probably inherently biased, but I will go with him. However, I have no issue with anyone choosing Nadal.
Let's first start with Nadal. Taking head-to-head into account, he blasts Federer. I will warn you though that Federer still beat Nadal twice in grand slam finals, Nadal is four years younger and Federer has been out of his prime for five years or so (although, he is still very good). I won't go into too many stats, but I will leave you with this one. Nine of Nadal's 14 majors have come at the French Open. He owns Roland Garros. He won two Wimbledons, which was a huge notch in his belt, but he has really struggled there the last three years. His knees don't hold up well, and he can't slide into his shots. However, he has the career grand slam on his resume, and it's hard to fathom that he won't surpass Federer's current majors total. He will need to win some more on the other surfaces outside of clay for me to acknowledge that he is the greatest of all-time (And, I still might choose Federer!).
Now to Federer. He has the all-time record of 17 majors. One thing worth noting is that he is also a career grand slam winner, which didn't look like it would happen for some time. Much like Nadal on grass, the French Open title eluded Federer for years. He took it in 2009, coincidentally the only time Nadal lost at the French, when he fell to Federer's finals opponent Robin Soderling. Notable players to never win a French title include Sampras, Connors, McEnroe, Edberg, Becker and Djokovic. For Federer to get one was big.
Federer does have several things going against him in the debate. Beyond the head-to-head record with Nadal, Federer won many of his majors during a weaker tennis era. Beating guys like Hewitt, Baghdatis, Roddick, Safin, Agassi out of his prime and Phillippousis just don't add up to today's players in Nadal's era.
One thing about this great debate is that, unlike Woods-Nicklaus and LeBron-MJ, both guys are still playing. While Nadal obviously has a ton of time left (barring injury), Federer proved at this Wimbledon that he will not go quietly. His game is still strong enough to contend at majors. If he can add another major or two, he could really put the pressure on Nadal to surpass him for most majors won in history.
Let's sit back and enjoy this great game and see how these two legends finish their careers!
2014's Wimbledon had everything. You had your upsets, the departure of every American man before week two that you can often count on, and a chase at history and legacy at the expense of a classic final.
First, let's start with the enormous upset, when 19-year-old no-namer Nick Krygios took out Rafael Nadal in the 4th round. Sure, Nadal has had a rough go of it in England for the past three years, but few tennis fans have even heard of Kyrgios!
This feat reminded me of 2001, when 19-year-old Roger Federer emerged on the scene and beat 29-year-old tennis legend Pete Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon. Not only was the round and venue the same as Nadal-Kyrgios, but Federer was also the same age as Kyrgios when he took down one of the game's giants, while Nadal was a year younger than Sampras.
The major difference is that Nadal is still in his prime, while Sampras was fading. Can Kyrgios emerge on the scene and be a superstar like Federer? I have a hard time believing that, but nothing is impossible. Kyrgios has a big serve and good shot-making, and of course, has tons of time for improvement, coaching, sponsorships and more. But, the evolving of the game does limit his ceiling for his biggest weapon: the serve. When Federer and Sampras squared off in 2001, the serve-volley era was in its final stage, where both guys rushed the net every chance they could get. Nowadays, you can't win a Wimbledon, like Goran Ivanisevic did, on serving alone. There are just too many great returners, solid players, and evolving surfaces and technology.
The American men fiasco at majors continues. There isn't much to report on here, but I would like to congratulate Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil for defeating the Bryan brothers in the Wimbledon Final. Sock was deemed by some to be the next American to break through in singles, but with that looking bleak, it's nice to see that he and his partner could take down the best doubles team in history. Granted, the Bryan brothers are American, so that doesn't really help the American tennis scene, but it is nice to see an upset and someone else win for once in doubles.
Now, moving on to legacy and the historic final. Federer was going for his 18th major, while Novak Djokovic was going for his 7th. What a match it was! Federer played at such high quality and showed such resiliency (breaking three times in the fourth set to force a 5th set) that you have to believe he isn't washed up. For Djokovic, it was about conquering the demons of choking in past finals. He is just 7-7 in major finals, but he showed just how far he came by bouncing back after blowing the first set tiebreak, and even worse, blowing a 5-2 4th set lead. Also, it was nice to see his maturity after winning, compared to other finals he took down. Dedicating the win to his soon-to-be wife and baby on the way, Djokovic handled himself with more class than ever before, and it was a fitting stage to do so.
Nadal-Federer Debate
This is one of the best debates in sports, up there with Woods-Nicklaus and eventually James-Jordan (or LeBron-Magic). Who's the greatest tennis player of all-time? It comes down to these two guys. I will admit that Federer is my favorite athlete of all-time so I am probably inherently biased, but I will go with him. However, I have no issue with anyone choosing Nadal.
Let's first start with Nadal. Taking head-to-head into account, he blasts Federer. I will warn you though that Federer still beat Nadal twice in grand slam finals, Nadal is four years younger and Federer has been out of his prime for five years or so (although, he is still very good). I won't go into too many stats, but I will leave you with this one. Nine of Nadal's 14 majors have come at the French Open. He owns Roland Garros. He won two Wimbledons, which was a huge notch in his belt, but he has really struggled there the last three years. His knees don't hold up well, and he can't slide into his shots. However, he has the career grand slam on his resume, and it's hard to fathom that he won't surpass Federer's current majors total. He will need to win some more on the other surfaces outside of clay for me to acknowledge that he is the greatest of all-time (And, I still might choose Federer!).
Now to Federer. He has the all-time record of 17 majors. One thing worth noting is that he is also a career grand slam winner, which didn't look like it would happen for some time. Much like Nadal on grass, the French Open title eluded Federer for years. He took it in 2009, coincidentally the only time Nadal lost at the French, when he fell to Federer's finals opponent Robin Soderling. Notable players to never win a French title include Sampras, Connors, McEnroe, Edberg, Becker and Djokovic. For Federer to get one was big.
Federer does have several things going against him in the debate. Beyond the head-to-head record with Nadal, Federer won many of his majors during a weaker tennis era. Beating guys like Hewitt, Baghdatis, Roddick, Safin, Agassi out of his prime and Phillippousis just don't add up to today's players in Nadal's era.
One thing about this great debate is that, unlike Woods-Nicklaus and LeBron-MJ, both guys are still playing. While Nadal obviously has a ton of time left (barring injury), Federer proved at this Wimbledon that he will not go quietly. His game is still strong enough to contend at majors. If he can add another major or two, he could really put the pressure on Nadal to surpass him for most majors won in history.
Let's sit back and enjoy this great game and see how these two legends finish their careers!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
World Cup Heroics and More!
In the past week, we have seen two sports culminate, a German golfer run away with the U.S. Open and the beginning of the World Cup. Let's dive into these great sports moments.
World Cup
I will admit that I'm not a big soccer fan. In fact, when I was younger, I will also admit that I was spoiled by the mass scoring of the popular American sports and equated little scoring in soccer with boredom.
But, as I've gotten older, I've started to appreciate the sport (the same goes for golf!). Even more so, I've found myself immersed in the World Cup madness.
I've been trying to figure out why I love it so much, and why many very casual American soccer fans, like myself, get so into the cup. The most obvious reason is to be patriotic, pull for our country and wave the flag proudly. But beyond that, I believe it is because it's one of those few sports where the U.S. is never expected to win. Think about that for a minute. Our country is dominant in basketball, has by far the most successful football and baseball leagues in the country, and often finishes near or at the top in medal count in the Olympics. Even in hockey, where Canada is always the favorite, America is still typically a top team. In the World Cup, our country isn't expected to advance very far, and sometimes, not even out of our own group.
So, when the USA beats Ghana in a thrilling 2-1 victory to open their cup, it's a big deal! Not just because America exacted revenge from two straight cup losses to Ghana, but also, the way we did it. It started out with a bang when American star Clint Dempsey netted a goal in the first 29 seconds, one of the rarest sights you'll ever see. Ghana seemingly dominated play for most of the match thereafter, but squandered many opportunities. Then, they struck gold in the 82nd minute, tying the game at one, and ripping out the hearts of Americans in the process. Many of us just wanted to hold on and win. Three points in the opening match for American soccer seemed like an enormous gain, and looked to be taken away. Then, the unthinkable happened. Off of a corner, USA's John Brooks became the first American substitute to score a goal (fast forward to 2:21) when he headed a game winner past the keeper in the 86th minute for a decisive 2-1 victory! It was pandemonium across American bars, and among the jubilant U.S. contingent in Brazil.
The chant, "I believe that we will win" came true. But, let's look at that chant for a second. It is really a chant of hope, not expectation. And, that's precisely why this victory and cheering for American soccer at the cup is so fun. A logical American soccer fan, at best, can hope for a win. Based on history, they can never expect to contend. And, I'm okay with that! Let's be excited for the surprises, take in the small victories and be optimistic for the future.
NBA Finals
In a rematch of the best floppers in the world, the Spurs throttled the Heat. More than that, the Spurs avenged last season's brutal choke job, that saw an NBA title, seemingly in grasp, change hands after a miserable final 28 seconds in game six.
The overwhelming line that came out of the Spurs play this finals was that, "This is how the game is supposed to be played." This stems from the fact that the game has changed to the point that one-on-one play is seen far too often and team basketball is seen far too infrequent. On top of that, the NBA has been tarnished by all these star players wanting to go play with their friends in big markets. The idea of representing your hometown or the city you play for and building your team through the draft has often been a thing of the past. That's why many people respect the Thunder and Spurs, and loathe the Heat and Nets.
This finals was about a team beating a star, the denial of a dynasty and the adding to a legacy. While the media overhyped how this is all about Lebron, they should have focused much more on how this is about Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich and the Spurs. Duncan is one of the few guys left from the 90s, and he is now the only player to win a title from three different decades. That's an remarkable feat. Whether or not you like the Spurs, you have to respect Duncan and Popovich. Duncan is the best power forward in history, while Popovich is a top five coach in history. The two have five titles, and have adapted brilliantly through the years. Duncan is a rare guy in today's league that leads from within, and is a humble superstar. Popovich has perhaps extended his career and strong play by carefully managing his minutes, while also getting his players to execute a brilliant system that is unmatched in today's game and wins titles. This duo won't last much longer, so appreciate it while you can!
One of the most interesting aspects of the finals is that a decent number of Mavericks fans cheered for San Antonio. The hatred of Lebron James and Miami, mixed with the fading of the Mavs-Spurs rivalry, seems to have resulted in Mavs fans cheering out of respect, hate and a win for the league. Well, they got their wish. We will see what ensues this off-season. It should be a great draft and a solid free agency. Will the Mavs finally land a top free agent? If they don't, it might be a very mediocre team next season, with the Thunder getting their first round pick. Time will tell.
NHL
Hockey has just not been the same since the strike, but one thing that will never change is parity. The Kings have now won recent titles as the 8 seed and 6 seed. That's unheard of in the NBA today.
While hockey is much more fun in person, the playoffs were very compelling, even on TV. The up and down roller coaster ride of the LA Kings truly proves that it's not over until the fat lady sings. Coming back from 3-0 down and winning more than a half-dozen elimination games was the ultimate showing of resiliency. And, if anyone questioned why Jonathan Quick was in goal for the USA in the Olympics, those questions were put to rest. Quick was brilliant in the finals, while his Olympics back-up Ryan Miller was traded to the St. Louis Blues mid-season and struggled in the playoffs.
The Kings proved that regular season seeding does not mean you can't contend for a Stanley Cup. Hot play and solid goalie play can make all the difference in this true team sport. And, in local action, it was great to see the Dallas Stars finally make the playoffs and win a couple games in the process. Hopefully, the team can build off their momentum, and the playoffs as a whole will be as scintillating as 2014 was.
U.S. Open
Like soccer, I used to think golf was very boring. But, as I've aged, I have appreciated it more and more.
One thing you have to appreciate is Martin Kaymer's remarkable 9-under score to take the U.S. Open. The closest score was eight strokes behind, and that was the kind of score many golf enthusiasts and analysts predicted would win the event. While many struggled to even make par, Kaymer dominated the course.
Shifting gears, golf seems to be about story lines. Fans want to get behind a golfer and go crazy. Many were fixated on cheering for American favorite Phil Mickelson to complete the career major, but that wasn't to be. Others were worried that Tiger's injury and absence from many events would hurt the sport. I would argue that the sport is just fine. There are a ton of skilled golfers, those brilliant shots that light up a crowd like Kenny Perry's, the rise of young star Jordan Spieth and great stories like Erik Compton's. If Phil and Tiger are contending, that's great for the game, but the sport has enough story lines to create excitement and keep its fans entertained. Just sit back and enjoy the golf!
Takeaway
Unless you are into tennis, golf or baseball regular season play, sports will be pretty dull after the world cup, from mid-July until September when football starts up. Nevertheless, this last month of sports was incredible, and shouldn't be taken for granted. There is no guarantee these championships will produce such quality, and the World Cup is every four years. Let's appreciate the great moments. Here's to next year!
World Cup
I will admit that I'm not a big soccer fan. In fact, when I was younger, I will also admit that I was spoiled by the mass scoring of the popular American sports and equated little scoring in soccer with boredom.
But, as I've gotten older, I've started to appreciate the sport (the same goes for golf!). Even more so, I've found myself immersed in the World Cup madness.
I've been trying to figure out why I love it so much, and why many very casual American soccer fans, like myself, get so into the cup. The most obvious reason is to be patriotic, pull for our country and wave the flag proudly. But beyond that, I believe it is because it's one of those few sports where the U.S. is never expected to win. Think about that for a minute. Our country is dominant in basketball, has by far the most successful football and baseball leagues in the country, and often finishes near or at the top in medal count in the Olympics. Even in hockey, where Canada is always the favorite, America is still typically a top team. In the World Cup, our country isn't expected to advance very far, and sometimes, not even out of our own group.
So, when the USA beats Ghana in a thrilling 2-1 victory to open their cup, it's a big deal! Not just because America exacted revenge from two straight cup losses to Ghana, but also, the way we did it. It started out with a bang when American star Clint Dempsey netted a goal in the first 29 seconds, one of the rarest sights you'll ever see. Ghana seemingly dominated play for most of the match thereafter, but squandered many opportunities. Then, they struck gold in the 82nd minute, tying the game at one, and ripping out the hearts of Americans in the process. Many of us just wanted to hold on and win. Three points in the opening match for American soccer seemed like an enormous gain, and looked to be taken away. Then, the unthinkable happened. Off of a corner, USA's John Brooks became the first American substitute to score a goal (fast forward to 2:21) when he headed a game winner past the keeper in the 86th minute for a decisive 2-1 victory! It was pandemonium across American bars, and among the jubilant U.S. contingent in Brazil.
The chant, "I believe that we will win" came true. But, let's look at that chant for a second. It is really a chant of hope, not expectation. And, that's precisely why this victory and cheering for American soccer at the cup is so fun. A logical American soccer fan, at best, can hope for a win. Based on history, they can never expect to contend. And, I'm okay with that! Let's be excited for the surprises, take in the small victories and be optimistic for the future.
NBA Finals
In a rematch of the best floppers in the world, the Spurs throttled the Heat. More than that, the Spurs avenged last season's brutal choke job, that saw an NBA title, seemingly in grasp, change hands after a miserable final 28 seconds in game six.
The overwhelming line that came out of the Spurs play this finals was that, "This is how the game is supposed to be played." This stems from the fact that the game has changed to the point that one-on-one play is seen far too often and team basketball is seen far too infrequent. On top of that, the NBA has been tarnished by all these star players wanting to go play with their friends in big markets. The idea of representing your hometown or the city you play for and building your team through the draft has often been a thing of the past. That's why many people respect the Thunder and Spurs, and loathe the Heat and Nets.
This finals was about a team beating a star, the denial of a dynasty and the adding to a legacy. While the media overhyped how this is all about Lebron, they should have focused much more on how this is about Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich and the Spurs. Duncan is one of the few guys left from the 90s, and he is now the only player to win a title from three different decades. That's an remarkable feat. Whether or not you like the Spurs, you have to respect Duncan and Popovich. Duncan is the best power forward in history, while Popovich is a top five coach in history. The two have five titles, and have adapted brilliantly through the years. Duncan is a rare guy in today's league that leads from within, and is a humble superstar. Popovich has perhaps extended his career and strong play by carefully managing his minutes, while also getting his players to execute a brilliant system that is unmatched in today's game and wins titles. This duo won't last much longer, so appreciate it while you can!
One of the most interesting aspects of the finals is that a decent number of Mavericks fans cheered for San Antonio. The hatred of Lebron James and Miami, mixed with the fading of the Mavs-Spurs rivalry, seems to have resulted in Mavs fans cheering out of respect, hate and a win for the league. Well, they got their wish. We will see what ensues this off-season. It should be a great draft and a solid free agency. Will the Mavs finally land a top free agent? If they don't, it might be a very mediocre team next season, with the Thunder getting their first round pick. Time will tell.
NHL
Hockey has just not been the same since the strike, but one thing that will never change is parity. The Kings have now won recent titles as the 8 seed and 6 seed. That's unheard of in the NBA today.
While hockey is much more fun in person, the playoffs were very compelling, even on TV. The up and down roller coaster ride of the LA Kings truly proves that it's not over until the fat lady sings. Coming back from 3-0 down and winning more than a half-dozen elimination games was the ultimate showing of resiliency. And, if anyone questioned why Jonathan Quick was in goal for the USA in the Olympics, those questions were put to rest. Quick was brilliant in the finals, while his Olympics back-up Ryan Miller was traded to the St. Louis Blues mid-season and struggled in the playoffs.
The Kings proved that regular season seeding does not mean you can't contend for a Stanley Cup. Hot play and solid goalie play can make all the difference in this true team sport. And, in local action, it was great to see the Dallas Stars finally make the playoffs and win a couple games in the process. Hopefully, the team can build off their momentum, and the playoffs as a whole will be as scintillating as 2014 was.
U.S. Open
Like soccer, I used to think golf was very boring. But, as I've aged, I have appreciated it more and more.
One thing you have to appreciate is Martin Kaymer's remarkable 9-under score to take the U.S. Open. The closest score was eight strokes behind, and that was the kind of score many golf enthusiasts and analysts predicted would win the event. While many struggled to even make par, Kaymer dominated the course.
Shifting gears, golf seems to be about story lines. Fans want to get behind a golfer and go crazy. Many were fixated on cheering for American favorite Phil Mickelson to complete the career major, but that wasn't to be. Others were worried that Tiger's injury and absence from many events would hurt the sport. I would argue that the sport is just fine. There are a ton of skilled golfers, those brilliant shots that light up a crowd like Kenny Perry's, the rise of young star Jordan Spieth and great stories like Erik Compton's. If Phil and Tiger are contending, that's great for the game, but the sport has enough story lines to create excitement and keep its fans entertained. Just sit back and enjoy the golf!
Takeaway
Unless you are into tennis, golf or baseball regular season play, sports will be pretty dull after the world cup, from mid-July until September when football starts up. Nevertheless, this last month of sports was incredible, and shouldn't be taken for granted. There is no guarantee these championships will produce such quality, and the World Cup is every four years. Let's appreciate the great moments. Here's to next year!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
5 Takeaways from the NBA Playoffs
1. They're still rigged
2. Pacers implosion unprecedented
3. Epic first round is meaningless going forward
4. CP3 is top 3
5. NBA finals rematch is coming
1. They're still rigged
After the Kings-Lakers and Mavs-Heat fiascoes, you would've thought the league would try and not make blatant game-changing calls so obvious. That theory fell by the wayside Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. The ref crew even had instant replay to right their wrong, and they still didn't make the right decision. That was followed by a questionable Chris Paul foul that sent Westbrook to the line for the three go-ahead free throws to beat the Clippers. At least the foul was debatable. With instant replay, there is absolutely no excuse for getting something wrong. If they are incapable of getting it right, I agree with Doc Rivers. Just throw out instant replay, because really, what's the point?
2. Pacers implosion unprecedented
It's hard to fathom what has happened to the Indiana Pacers. The squad started out 33-7 and looked for all the world like a title contender. They had the bigs, a rising star and a defense as good as any. Frank Vogel seemed like the perfect schematic engineer behind this ship, set to embark on a championship voyage.
After that remarkable 33-7 start, Indiana won just 20 of their next 38 (including playoffs). Roy Hibbert looked like Mr. Swackhammer from Space Jam had stolen his skills, the team looked like a bunch of bickering prima donnas and Frank Vogel looked like he had given up. A late win against Miami seemed like it may have finally put the Pacers on the right path, but they didn't finish the season strong after that. And quite frankly, the Heat looked like they handed Indiana the one seed, in hopes of an easier road to the conference finals. And, Indiana's woes carried over into the playoffs. The team barely escaped sub .500 Atlanta, and just when it looked like they'd cruise into the conference finals, the Wizards beat them by 23 in Indiana to stave off elimination. Now, the Pacers are still up 3-2 in the series, but this inexcusable beat down at home is indicative of two things. First, the Pacers are as fragile a squad as we've seen in recent memory. And secondly, the team is in no condition to challenge the heat.
All the Indiana players preached from day one was that they wanted to beat the Heat and be the top seed. They accomplished the latter, but must have forgotten that there are two rounds before they'd play Miami, and that you must play 82 games in a season and 48 minutes in each playoff game. It is very hard to envision this team getting it together in the next couple weeks. Their only chance is to first find the passion and commitment they played with for the first few months of the season, and then hope that Hibbert can build off his recent first few solid games of the postseason and become the monster that can rid Mr. Swackhammer off his back. Their one consolation is that they seem to always play the Heat tough, and if they get by Washington, they have a fresh series against their East rival. But, don't forget that the playoffs are a whole new animal, and Miami has proven that with their current 3-1 lead over the Nets, who beat them all three games during the regular season.
Time will tell, but it doesn't seem like anyone out East, including Indiana, can challenge Miami. The NBA needs to go to the top 16 teams making the playoffs, and get rid of the conferences. But, that's a topic for a different day. For now, let's see how the Pacers finish things. I could see a nasty breakup happening over the offseason.
3. Epic first round is meaningless going forward
The first round was as epic as I've ever seen. The remarkable amount of overtimes, last second drama, unpredictable games and four-point plays was a treat for NBA fans. But, just like a good candy bar, it has been devoured and not seen since. Outside of a couple strong Clippers-Thunder games, the most recent clouded by controversy, the second round has been a dud. The takeaway? Don't take anything like the first round heroics for granted. Remember the fun and chaos, but don't expect that moving forward. Hopefully, the conference finals are great, but this round certainly leaves much to be desired for NBA fanatics.
4. CP3 is top 3
This is debatable, but for my money, Chris Paul is the 3rd best player in the game today. Not only did Paul engineer the brilliant 22-point comeback in game four to defeat Oklahoma City, but he also took it upon himself to guard Kevin Durant, and make key defensive stands against the MVP to lead his team to victory. In game five, his shot to put the Clippers up seven in the final minute should have stood as the dagger, but his poor decision and turnover and the refs' awful call(s) made sure that wasn't the case. Nevertheless, I agree with Charles Barkley that he is the best leader the NBA has today.
Can you imagine what would've happened if Stern didn't disallow his trade to the Lakers? The proposed trade had Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Goran Dragic winding up in New Orleans, with Pau Gasol going to Houston, and Paul of course winding up a Laker. What has happened since? Odom disrespected Dallas, was out of the league much of this season and is divorced. Kevin Martin went to OKC in a trade involving James Harden, and is now on Minnesota. Goran Dragic had a great season for Phoenix, and turned around a team that looked destined for rebuilding for years after Steve Nash departed. The Lakers have been rumored to trade Gasol a number of times, and he's finally a free agent this offseason. Paul has put the Clippers back on the map. And don't forget, it might be the Lakers in this spot today instead of the Clippers. Can you imagine that team with Paul and some or all of the players they acquired that offseason? Kobe's legacy and ring count might've been off the charts, and the Clippers players might have been on some Island sipping Margaritas when the Donald Sterling news broke.
5. NBA finals rematch is coming
It may not happen, but I am convinced that there will be a finals rematch. I was convinced before the playoffs, too. A few months ago, I might've predicted Indiana, but right before the playoffs and up to now, the Spurs and Heat have the best shot. It is true that the Spurs are getting older and Duncan's career is nearly extinct, but his play and the play of the Spurs certainly isn't. They still have the best coach in the game and find ways to be the best. Their implosion in the last 28 seconds of game six last year has to be one of the biggest "in the moment" choke jobs in NBA playoff history. And, the team had amazing resolve to be right there until the final minute of game seven. Most other teams would've gotten killed in that circumstance.
This is what would make the rematch so compelling. The two best teams (for my money) squaring off again, and the legacy of the Spurs Big 3 and Dwayne Wade and Lebron James on the line. The story lines could make for a best seller, and you know ESPN will be all over it, probably deeming it as "The Rematch" or "Redemption vs. Legacy," or something like that.
Here's hoping the finals are epic again.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Two Months to Remember
From the Vince Carter buzzer beater, to the St. Louis Blues goal in the waning seconds, to the Stephen F Austin four-point play, these last two months have been a sports paradise.
Let's not take this for granted, either! With guys jumping early to the NBA now more than ever, the lack of future NHL Hall of Fame goaltenders still in net (Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo didn't even make it!) and the predictability of the NBA playoffs, sports fans usually aren't treated to this much excitement in the span of two months.
Let's begin with March Madness. Not only did it feature a bevy of overtime thrillers, but it also was a wild ride for the millions of brackets that fell short of Warren Buffet's billion dollar offer. And the final game featured a cast-off heavyweight against a UConn team that needed overtime to get out of their first game! Only homers could've picked either of those two squads to make it all the way.
Now to the NBA, where we are still in the first round. The action out East has been as boring as sitting through rush hour traffic. But out West, the action has been off the charts. Every series will go six or seven games, but that's not all. Some years, that is the barometer fans use to measure if the playoffs are legit. This year, it has been so good that it goes beyond the distance of a series. With seven overtimes, two guaranteed game 7's and two game 6's on the horizon (as of this article), the West playoffs have had a first round as good as any in recent memory.
On to hockey, where the second round just started. The first round featured 17 overtime periods, multiple wild 7-game series with Minnesota beating Colorado, LA coming back from 3-0 down to stun San Jose and the Rangers defeating the flyers in a war. With a game full of close battles and parity, the NHL playoffs rarely disappoint. But, this year has been something special. Also, the games are starting to actually be seen more by the American public, which can't hurt.
All this said, there is still a lot to be determined. Don't miss the rest of the sports action over the next two months! If it's anything like it has been, we are in for a wild ride!
Let's not take this for granted, either! With guys jumping early to the NBA now more than ever, the lack of future NHL Hall of Fame goaltenders still in net (Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo didn't even make it!) and the predictability of the NBA playoffs, sports fans usually aren't treated to this much excitement in the span of two months.
Let's begin with March Madness. Not only did it feature a bevy of overtime thrillers, but it also was a wild ride for the millions of brackets that fell short of Warren Buffet's billion dollar offer. And the final game featured a cast-off heavyweight against a UConn team that needed overtime to get out of their first game! Only homers could've picked either of those two squads to make it all the way.
Now to the NBA, where we are still in the first round. The action out East has been as boring as sitting through rush hour traffic. But out West, the action has been off the charts. Every series will go six or seven games, but that's not all. Some years, that is the barometer fans use to measure if the playoffs are legit. This year, it has been so good that it goes beyond the distance of a series. With seven overtimes, two guaranteed game 7's and two game 6's on the horizon (as of this article), the West playoffs have had a first round as good as any in recent memory.
On to hockey, where the second round just started. The first round featured 17 overtime periods, multiple wild 7-game series with Minnesota beating Colorado, LA coming back from 3-0 down to stun San Jose and the Rangers defeating the flyers in a war. With a game full of close battles and parity, the NHL playoffs rarely disappoint. But, this year has been something special. Also, the games are starting to actually be seen more by the American public, which can't hurt.
All this said, there is still a lot to be determined. Don't miss the rest of the sports action over the next two months! If it's anything like it has been, we are in for a wild ride!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Craziness Continues
In a tournament that has featured buzzer beaters, last second shots, overtimes and multiple double overtimes, it seemed unlikely a game in the Sweet 16 could top all the ones before it. However, that's just what the Xavier-Kansas State showdown accomplished this past Thursday. The game was ultimately decided in two overtimes, and when the madness finally subsided, Kansas State survived with an astounding 101-96 victory. This wasn't an ordinary game. Most times, college players from opposing teams who make a few clutch shots in the final minutes seconds is equivalent to a good finish, but that didn't describe this heavyweight battle. Kansas State's Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen nailed three after three, only to be equalled by clutch three-pointers by Xavier's Terrell Holloway and Jordan Crawford. Every time it looked like one team was ready to seize the game, some one hit a clutch shot. The most amazing one came when Crawford, who dunked over NBA beast Lebron James in a basketball camp, hit a 40 footer with five seconds left. Crawford, along with Holloway, hit many of their shots from way out, setting fans out of their seats in awe of an incredible moment and game. The game was scintillating and captivating, but words cannot really describe it. To be a witness to such an inspiring and amazing show was an honor. I cannot imagine if I was actually there in the arena where the craziness took place. If there was any question before as to if this tournament will be one of the best of all time, this game brought it to that level. Will we see any more amazing games? Tune in to the rest of the tournament to find out. The madness of March is still upon us!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Statement Game
Hockey is like a religion in Canada. Canada has some of the best players in the world, is playing in its home country in this year's Winter Olympics and is thought of as a favorite. When Canada faced off against the U.S.A. on Sunday Night, on paper, it seemed Canada was way better, but that's why you play the game. An energized American team came out firing, played great defense and silenced a massive Canadian crowd in a 5-3 victory for the Americans. While both squads were undefeated coming in, this was the stage for America to test how good they really are. With just three of their 23 players returning from the last Olympics, the Americans proved their Olympic inexperience wasn't a factor. Goalie Ryan Miller was incredible in net, making clutch save after clutch save. While he shined on defense, team USA's offense was impressive as well, with Brian Rafalski netting two goals. Even a frantic charge by Canada wasn't enough, as Ryan Kesler made a diving, one handed shot around a Canadian into the open net to seal the 5-3 victory.
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