Who Needs Football???
We've got trade deadlines, drafts, combines, conference tournaments coming up and even some good American Idol going - forget football!!! Yea, I know, I still miss it too.
It's been a while, I apologize for not getting something up sooner - long weekend and sick wife have kept me preoccupied - I'll try and make this one a doozy (whatever that means). So here we go...
Big 12 Hoops:
So as we head into the final stretch (roughly 3 games remaining for everyone) there are some good matchups with the top teams - Texas still gets Kansas and Texas A&M and I think the aggies crushed the Cowboys last night. Honestly I see Kansas running away with the conference (again) as well as coasting through the tourney. With that said, it's not uncommon at all to have team go half ass and fold in the conference tourney - especially those teams aren't affected by the outcome. The good news for Horns fans is that they control their own destiny. Win out and you win the conference. I can see Texas exacting some revenge on the aggies next week, but I just don't see them going into Kansas and winning that one. Texas has been less than stellar on the road this year - did you watch them attempt to give the Baylor game away? That was an utterly pathetic final 90 seconds of basketball there at the end. As much as I love Augustin and am excited about his future here, he REALLY needs to cut down on turnovers and make his free throws. I know he's a freshman, but you can't play like that in the big dance and have any chance at all to win. This is a team where they can really improve their seeding by making a nice run in the conference tournament.
What the hell happened to Texas Tech? If they aren't beating the top teams in the country, they're going on 5 game losing streaks to the bottom feeders of the Big 12. This is one of those teams that will either make the final four or lose in the opening round to Valparaiso by 30. I'm betting on the latter.
I know I've talked up Greg Oden this year, but there's really no question as to who the best player in the country is - Kevin Durant. Seriously, I don't think you can make a strong enough argument for anyone else getting POY. Can you imagine if he really does stay? My Lord, you'd almost have to put the Horns as a favorite for the final four - I honestly don't see it happening. I'm one of the biggest proponents to players staying in college, but this guy is at another level and could probably make a significant impact immediately at the next level.
NBA Vegas Vacation:
Unfortunately for NBA players, what happens in Vegas follows them around where ever they go. Amidst all of the brew ha-ha, I forgot that there was even an actual basketball game being played - and I use the term "played" very loosely. What a piss-poor event the all star game has become. My wife, who watches zero NBA basketball, watched a few minutes and asked me, "are they not allowed to play defense?" - beautiful.
Is it me or does anyone out there see the entertainment value of the 3-point competition? I mean, we spend 30 minutes watching guys shoot jump shots. There's nothing remotely exciting about this. At least the dunk off, which has lost a lot of its appeal since the Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant days, is halfway entertaining. And how Dwight Howard didn't get more love for slapping the sticker at the top of the backboard was beyond me. As Charles Barkley said, "Michael [Jordan] done lost his mind."
At the end of the day it was another boring all-star weekend that most people forgot was even on television. Heading into the second half of the season, here are some thoughts and predictions:
- My Lakers need desperately to snap out of their free fall (lost 11 of last 15). I know they are waiting on Walton to get back who does bring another element, but they've got to learn how to win these games. Most of their recent losses have been close games that could have gone either way. And shit man, they were swept by the Knicks this year. Damn, that's rough. If they can somehow pick up Jason Kidd, I think it will do wonders for them, especially in the playoffs. BUT, if they give up Bynum for him Kupcheck has lost his mind. This kid is like 19 and a future all star. They need that third team to jump in.
- It's too bad we can't put either the Mavs or the Suns in the Eastern Conference - it's these guys and everyone else in the league right now.
- Any bets on how far/fast the Rockets fade towards the end of the year. They're playing well right now, but they rarely finish the year well.
- Will Cleveland ever get better? Those guys had better be ready to spend $$ like there's no tomorrow because it sounds like Charlotte is about to do that very thing.
- David Stern is still an idiot.
NFL Draft:
Don't you just love the NFL Combine workouts (going on this week)? It's the venue where teams decide (or try and decide) to invest millions of dollars into a player based on how many reps he can bench press of 225 pounds, how fast he can run the 40-yard dash with shorts and t-shirt on, and how high he can jump. I've always thought that this thing was beyond insane, but what do I know. Here's my take on the draft:
- I've NEVER come close to being as impressed with Brady Quinn as the experts are. Not saying they're wrong (they're not, I probably am), but he looks like a bunch of other QBs that we've seen come and go. And he constantly comes up lame in big games - I just think Charlie Weiss knew how to get the most out of him.
- Physically, Jamarcus Russell is a phenom. Unfortunately for him game management, 20 yard outs and decision making are the keys to success as an NFL quarterback - not 80 yard bombs. You guys remember Akili Smith out of Oregon? Huge guy with cannon arm - yea, he didn't work out too well in the big leagues. Russell reminds me a little bit of him (and even Ryan Leaf minus the psycho-ness). I hope I'm wrong, I like Russell and would love to see him at the next level, but I'm not solidifying him as the top QB at this point.
- Most of the Longhorns coming out this year REALLY need good workouts at the combine - including Aaron Ross. No doubt he's a playmaker (pass defense a bit suspect), but he's got to show dominance in the basics I think.
- If Matt Millen (Lions GM) takes Calvin Johnson or any other receiver with the second pick I think you'll see utter anarchy in Detroit - they will literally murder this guy. He is, without question, the worst GM of any professional sports organization. If these guys aren't looking to trade this pick for a slew of veterans and lower picks, I might actually suggest that they are attempting to intentionally sabotage the future of this team. If these guys keep this pick they really have to take Joe Thomas, O-lineman out of Wisconsin.
- And speaking of trading down, the Raiders AND the Lions both (picks 1 and 2) should trade down. Lane Kiffin of the Raiders can use all of the veteran help/leadership he can get in that train wreck of an organization.
- So Norv Turner lands in San Diego, huh? I find it interesting that the one organization who needed strong leadership at the top coaching spot goes out and gets a guy who's notorious for NOT providing that. OK. I do think Turner will help Rivers and that offense - he's a terrific offensive mind - but he certainly won't be able to bring discipline and leadership to the locker room and that should be a concern.
- I'm very anxious to see what the Titans do this offseason with the draft and free agent pickups. They need some serious help on defense, but one top-notch receiver would also help VY out quite a bit I think.
- Anyone else out there scratching their head at the Bears letting Rivera go? I guess they figured he's be a constant distraction every time a head coaching job opened up.
American Idol Update:
That's right, I watch American Idol...got sucked in a couple of seasons ago and have been hooked ever since. Don't tune it in, if you do you'll get hooked.
So if you watched it last night you probably saw what I saw - Lakisha Jones (I think I'm getting that right) dominated. All in all, the girls were much better than the guys, but they were also more "all over the place". There were a couple of performances last night that were astonishingly bad - they sounded like me trying to sing (and I don't sing). I predict the final 3-4 will be all girls based on what I saw the last two nights.
24 Update:
I don't know about you guys, but every week this show teaches me that if you want to frame someone in the government or kill someone in the government, it's really not that hard to do.
I'm trying to contact the folks at Fox to recommend a cameo by Chuck Norris - I mean who wouldn't want to see a season of Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris going on an ass kicking spree? I thought so.
It's been a while, I apologize for not getting something up sooner - long weekend and sick wife have kept me preoccupied - I'll try and make this one a doozy (whatever that means). So here we go...
Big 12 Hoops:
So as we head into the final stretch (roughly 3 games remaining for everyone) there are some good matchups with the top teams - Texas still gets Kansas and Texas A&M and I think the aggies crushed the Cowboys last night. Honestly I see Kansas running away with the conference (again) as well as coasting through the tourney. With that said, it's not uncommon at all to have team go half ass and fold in the conference tourney - especially those teams aren't affected by the outcome. The good news for Horns fans is that they control their own destiny. Win out and you win the conference. I can see Texas exacting some revenge on the aggies next week, but I just don't see them going into Kansas and winning that one. Texas has been less than stellar on the road this year - did you watch them attempt to give the Baylor game away? That was an utterly pathetic final 90 seconds of basketball there at the end. As much as I love Augustin and am excited about his future here, he REALLY needs to cut down on turnovers and make his free throws. I know he's a freshman, but you can't play like that in the big dance and have any chance at all to win. This is a team where they can really improve their seeding by making a nice run in the conference tournament.
What the hell happened to Texas Tech? If they aren't beating the top teams in the country, they're going on 5 game losing streaks to the bottom feeders of the Big 12. This is one of those teams that will either make the final four or lose in the opening round to Valparaiso by 30. I'm betting on the latter.
I know I've talked up Greg Oden this year, but there's really no question as to who the best player in the country is - Kevin Durant. Seriously, I don't think you can make a strong enough argument for anyone else getting POY. Can you imagine if he really does stay? My Lord, you'd almost have to put the Horns as a favorite for the final four - I honestly don't see it happening. I'm one of the biggest proponents to players staying in college, but this guy is at another level and could probably make a significant impact immediately at the next level.
NBA Vegas Vacation:
Unfortunately for NBA players, what happens in Vegas follows them around where ever they go. Amidst all of the brew ha-ha, I forgot that there was even an actual basketball game being played - and I use the term "played" very loosely. What a piss-poor event the all star game has become. My wife, who watches zero NBA basketball, watched a few minutes and asked me, "are they not allowed to play defense?" - beautiful.
Is it me or does anyone out there see the entertainment value of the 3-point competition? I mean, we spend 30 minutes watching guys shoot jump shots. There's nothing remotely exciting about this. At least the dunk off, which has lost a lot of its appeal since the Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant days, is halfway entertaining. And how Dwight Howard didn't get more love for slapping the sticker at the top of the backboard was beyond me. As Charles Barkley said, "Michael [Jordan] done lost his mind."
At the end of the day it was another boring all-star weekend that most people forgot was even on television. Heading into the second half of the season, here are some thoughts and predictions:
- My Lakers need desperately to snap out of their free fall (lost 11 of last 15). I know they are waiting on Walton to get back who does bring another element, but they've got to learn how to win these games. Most of their recent losses have been close games that could have gone either way. And shit man, they were swept by the Knicks this year. Damn, that's rough. If they can somehow pick up Jason Kidd, I think it will do wonders for them, especially in the playoffs. BUT, if they give up Bynum for him Kupcheck has lost his mind. This kid is like 19 and a future all star. They need that third team to jump in.
- It's too bad we can't put either the Mavs or the Suns in the Eastern Conference - it's these guys and everyone else in the league right now.
- Any bets on how far/fast the Rockets fade towards the end of the year. They're playing well right now, but they rarely finish the year well.
- Will Cleveland ever get better? Those guys had better be ready to spend $$ like there's no tomorrow because it sounds like Charlotte is about to do that very thing.
- David Stern is still an idiot.
NFL Draft:
Don't you just love the NFL Combine workouts (going on this week)? It's the venue where teams decide (or try and decide) to invest millions of dollars into a player based on how many reps he can bench press of 225 pounds, how fast he can run the 40-yard dash with shorts and t-shirt on, and how high he can jump. I've always thought that this thing was beyond insane, but what do I know. Here's my take on the draft:
- I've NEVER come close to being as impressed with Brady Quinn as the experts are. Not saying they're wrong (they're not, I probably am), but he looks like a bunch of other QBs that we've seen come and go. And he constantly comes up lame in big games - I just think Charlie Weiss knew how to get the most out of him.
- Physically, Jamarcus Russell is a phenom. Unfortunately for him game management, 20 yard outs and decision making are the keys to success as an NFL quarterback - not 80 yard bombs. You guys remember Akili Smith out of Oregon? Huge guy with cannon arm - yea, he didn't work out too well in the big leagues. Russell reminds me a little bit of him (and even Ryan Leaf minus the psycho-ness). I hope I'm wrong, I like Russell and would love to see him at the next level, but I'm not solidifying him as the top QB at this point.
- Most of the Longhorns coming out this year REALLY need good workouts at the combine - including Aaron Ross. No doubt he's a playmaker (pass defense a bit suspect), but he's got to show dominance in the basics I think.
- If Matt Millen (Lions GM) takes Calvin Johnson or any other receiver with the second pick I think you'll see utter anarchy in Detroit - they will literally murder this guy. He is, without question, the worst GM of any professional sports organization. If these guys aren't looking to trade this pick for a slew of veterans and lower picks, I might actually suggest that they are attempting to intentionally sabotage the future of this team. If these guys keep this pick they really have to take Joe Thomas, O-lineman out of Wisconsin.
- And speaking of trading down, the Raiders AND the Lions both (picks 1 and 2) should trade down. Lane Kiffin of the Raiders can use all of the veteran help/leadership he can get in that train wreck of an organization.
- So Norv Turner lands in San Diego, huh? I find it interesting that the one organization who needed strong leadership at the top coaching spot goes out and gets a guy who's notorious for NOT providing that. OK. I do think Turner will help Rivers and that offense - he's a terrific offensive mind - but he certainly won't be able to bring discipline and leadership to the locker room and that should be a concern.
- I'm very anxious to see what the Titans do this offseason with the draft and free agent pickups. They need some serious help on defense, but one top-notch receiver would also help VY out quite a bit I think.
- Anyone else out there scratching their head at the Bears letting Rivera go? I guess they figured he's be a constant distraction every time a head coaching job opened up.
American Idol Update:
That's right, I watch American Idol...got sucked in a couple of seasons ago and have been hooked ever since. Don't tune it in, if you do you'll get hooked.
So if you watched it last night you probably saw what I saw - Lakisha Jones (I think I'm getting that right) dominated. All in all, the girls were much better than the guys, but they were also more "all over the place". There were a couple of performances last night that were astonishingly bad - they sounded like me trying to sing (and I don't sing). I predict the final 3-4 will be all girls based on what I saw the last two nights.
24 Update:
I don't know about you guys, but every week this show teaches me that if you want to frame someone in the government or kill someone in the government, it's really not that hard to do.
I'm trying to contact the folks at Fox to recommend a cameo by Chuck Norris - I mean who wouldn't want to see a season of Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris going on an ass kicking spree? I thought so.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 8:29 AM
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