Olympic Curling -- This may be the single greatest thing that ever happened to folks out of work due to the economy. Instead of another day filled with episodes of Maury and Judge Judy, Olympic Curling has been starting at noon and practically lasting all day. It is hypnotic. I have watched so many hours this week, that not only do I now understand the rules and strategy, I get upset when one of the American curlers makes a terrible shot! Heck, I bet I'd recognize half of the curlers in this Olympics if I saw them on the street. That isn't even addressing the added bonus of some of these women's teams having some attractive ladies and MILFs...
Anyway, I know it looks like anyone could curl. I supposed folks can, the same way anyone can bowl. But just like bowling, not everyone can step in and do it at the elite level. All that said, I still think it may be the most obtainable Olympic sport for the common person. Half the other Winter Games events are daring and youth-based. The snowboarding and the downhill can not just be picked up by the regular fan. I thank NBC for their scheduling of curling to fill out their broadcasting lineup. It has made the last two weeks a much richer experience!
Cheryl Bernard and Team Canada will be in my head for months
Spring Training -- This being the first Spring Training in 10 years I am missing, I am finding the stories coming from the camps wildly entertaining. I love the optimism everyone has right now and how every team has a plan and it is falling into place. Of course, once the season starts that's all crazy talk but for now life is good. No one has a hitting slump and no pitcher has allowed a five-run inning. There's all these stories about guys with new physiques and new attitudes and feature stories on just about everyone on the team because the writers need a new angle to cover so many days.
This is the best time of the spring. The last week before games start. Everyone is in a good mood and looking forward to the exhibition games to see what everyone has and to do something other than practice. Also, they aren't sick and tired of being at Spring Training just yet. Wait until they get to the last 10 days or so. Everyone can't wait to go and the teams are just praying no one gets hurt at that point. That time is only used to figure out the last roster spot or two anyway.
Even at runown Winter Haven, the Indians would have Spring Training optimism
Cavs' Jamison/Ilgauskas trade -- I am a big fan of this deal for the long-term goals of this season, but not the short-term. The Cavs were playing so well and many questioned whether to mess with the chemistry to make a deal like this one. A valid concern. However, I think that Antawn Jamison's ability to stretch the defense at the PF position will be a key for the Cavs in the playoffs. I do think it will take several games to get everyone up to speed again, so don't be surprised if the Cavs are up and down for now. Flow on the offensive end and picking up defensive assignments will be the sign they have overcome the new period.
I hope the Cavs can resign Big Zydrunas Ilgauskas now that the Washington Wizards have bought out his contract. I know he may have better financial opportunities elsewhere (and he did have to pay $1.5 million out of his own pocket, since the Cavs paid him up front, to get the buyout), but the chance to win a title may not be better anywhere else and he has the huge fan support in Cleveland. His home and family are there too and where else after all those years of struggles would he want to win more?
This is just awful and a little sad that it wasn't made in 1996
OSU's Evan Turner -- Many players have come through Ohio State's hoops program have won Big 10 and other awards. Jim Jackson, Michael Redd, Greg Oden, etc. Evan Turner will continue the legacy this season, but he may be the best player at Ohio State since Jackson and maybe since John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas. Turner can do it all. Handle, shoot (he needs a little work on his three-pointers), pass, rebound and defend and do it all at 6'7". His number have him in the top two in the Big 10 in scoring, rebounds and assists. That's never been done before. John Wall, the amazing point guard at Kentucky, is Turner's main competition for national player of the year. Wall's career may be better and he may have a better top end, but Turner is probably the better college basketball player.
I had decent expectations for this Buckeye team. I knew Turner would be there and David Lighty would be healthy after missing most of last season. William Buford was last season's Big 10 freshman of the year and Jon Diebler, who is Ohio's high school all-time leading scorer, can shoot the lights out. I have been pleasantly surprised by Dallas Lauderdale. He is letting the game come to him and leads the conference in blocked shots. He knows his role and does it well. The problem with guys in his position is foul trouble, and he does struggle with that at times.
If Purdue falls to Michigan State on today, OSU will tie those teams for the regular-season Big 10 title and will claim the top seed in the conference tournament. It is a solid, but not a deep, team. The can do some serious damage in the NCAA tournament with a player like Turner and three other players who defend with length and can score. It should be interesting, but they have a realistic chance at a Final Four appearance with a favorable draw.
Evan Turner is a Buckeye great and may be the national player of the year
NCAA Tournament Expansion -- Speaking of the tournament, there is a push from some coaches and other people to expand the teams from 65 to 96. The real reason, of course, is money. The NCAA wants to opt out of the remaining three years and $2.131 billion left on its contract with CBS because it thinks it can make MORE money than that by adding 31 teams and 31 games. The bidding would open for the tournament an the expanded round reportedly between ESPN, FOX, CBS and Turner too may be involved.
The supporters claim the more teams that get a shot, the better. More teams would be rewarded and have the NCAA tournament experience and more mid-majors would get their shot. They also site there would be more upsets and unexpectedness with more teams.
Now, I am totally against this whole plan, but I understand how money talks and that this probably will be a reality soon. This idea will kill the regular season. I know some worthy teams get left out of the tournament each year, but that's part of the fun and challenge of the season. To add another 31 teams would basically be like adding the entire NIT field. That means 2009 NIT teams like Washington State (17-15) and Northwestern (17-13) would make the Big Dance. Should seasons like that be so richly rewarded? I know some of the smaller teams would get a chance, but even if they pull one upset they are a long way away from the Sweet 16 or really making a run at the Final Four like George Mason.
Also, in this plan some top seeds would get byes. The tournament brackets, which honestly where 99% of the people get their fun out of this, would be a mess. It won't be so easy for the common non-follower or casual follower to just pick up the brackets on the Monday and make it out. That woman in accounting who is participating for the fun of it may be a bit overwhelmed. Plus, I think the current setup is almost perfect. I haven't heard complaints about it over the years other than a team or two missing out on a birth, but those teams don't really have a true shot anyway.
It looks like this is going to happen, but I also think down the road I'll sound like an old fogey talking about the "good ol' days."
Less Cinderella teams would go deep in the tournament if it expands
No comments:
Post a Comment