Our last full day on the island was a rather interesting one, as I'll try to illustrate below...
6:45--One of our players leaves for home, having had a grandparent pass away earlier in the week. Her travel debacle will be detailed in the next blog.
9:15--Supposed to leave for a practice at a different gym than the one we played our games at. However, we had 6 different players late for the taxi.
9:50--Arrive at the BCB Middle School on St. Thomas, where we were to practice from 10:00-noon. Walk into a rubber-floor 80-foot floor gym with 4 hoops and approximately 392 kids running around.
Luckily, the PE "teacher", Avery, ended up being one of the best people I met on the island. Avery says that the tournament director never called him to confirm the practice time. And, needless to say, the Island Times people failed to tell us that the gym would be the worst gym that we would ever walk into. However, Avery is gracious enough to clear the gym of most of the kids and let us practice, which, due to the poor floor, consisted essentially of running and more running.
The "best" kids were allowed to stay and watch us practice. It was a rather eye-opening talk with some of them afterward. The kids were absolutely mesmerized by pre-wrap. Many of them had never seen anyone get their ankle taped. The boys' favorite player on our team was our only left-handed player....apparently being left-handed is considered to be lucky in the Virgin Islands.
Our practice was cut short by roughly 45 minutes for a reason that every US team has to deal with--a steel-drum band began setting up for a school assembly.
12:15--Get back to resort to eat lunch, which was KFC. It was honestly one of the 2 best meals I ate all week long on the island. For some reason, the St Thomas KFC has french fries for a side item, and the gravy comes in styrofoam shot glasses.
1:50--Leave for a shopping excursion to St John, another one of the Virgin Islands. We had to take a ferry across the gulf to get to the island.
4:15--Leave island early. Very bored. St John was a very small, extremely expensive island.
5:00--Find out that some of the other kids not very bored, as five of them got temporarily lost in the woods of the National Park on the island en route to the beach.
7:00--Kristen and I had a nice, relaxing dinner in the upscale restaurant on the resort. This was the best meal I had all week.
8:45--For dessert, one of our players comes to our room complaining of foot pain. Turns out she stepped on what we believed was a sea urchin. She went directly to an Urgent Care facility when we got back from our trip from Hell the next day and found out that she had a rock and some glass in the cut.
Our head coach rooted around inside of her heel with various objects to try to get the rock out, including a nail file, a small metal implement designed to do Lord knows what, and a fingernail clipper.
We sent her away in tremendous pain after an hour of digging away inside her heel.
10:40--Ended the night by going to the pool and watching a lot of white people dance awkwardly.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sawing a travel log
In reverse fashion, I'll attempt to somehow bring to life through the magic of words our trip we took to teh Virgin Islands with our team...specifically, we played two games on the island of St Thomas while staying in the Wyndham Resort and Spa on the island. I'm going to start with the last day because it seemed like it lasted about 3 days.
7:30--Awoke to head to the downtown shopping market.
8:00--Took the island "taxi", which is basically the Silver Lake sand dune open-air 15-passenger truck, to a shopping market. My personal highlight was haggling with the local merchants over pricing, including nearly getting a purse thrown at me. Didn't purchase anything, but enjoyed being asked roughly 3,000 times if I wanted my hair braided.
10:00--Returned to hotel room to finish packing for the trip, only to find one of our players still suffering from a heel injury after stepping on a sea urchin. I'm not making that sentence up.
11:00--Soaked in some last-minute rays at the pool.
11:12--Put my shirt back on, much to the relief of the people at the pool.
1:00--Left for the airport. This should have been a 20-minute drive.
1:15--Roughly 5 minutes away from the airport, saw a major accident on the only main road on the island from our hotel to the airport. At this point, we actually went back toward the hotel and began a circle tour of the island.
We had a great driver who knew we couldn't be late for our flight, so he began a drive that I can only describe as harrowing, treacherous, and panic-inducing. I was (un)lucky enough to sit in the front seat at a window. This means that I basically always had a body part hanging outside the vehicle as we took one hairpin turn after another while traversing some seriously steep hills.
2:18--Arrived in one piece at the airport to find our bags, which were taken by a separate van, laying on the curb awaiting our arrival, which was one of about four thousand issues we would have with the people responsible with running this tournament.
2:25--Began the incredibly ardous process of going through security for our flight, which was to leave the island at 3:50.
2:26--Found out that our flight was going to leave early (3:35). Began shoving toddlers in order to get further ahead in line.
3:20--After purchasing the single worst hot dog I have ever eaten in my life, was shouted down by a flight attendant who claimed that we needed to hurry up and get on the plane even though one of our players was still in TSA custody. Turns out that person was a 55-year old woman.
3:36--Got on plane to find out that we were leaving early because we had to fly to Puerto Rico. Was not told by ANYONE involved with United Airlines (Comic Book Guy voice--WORST AIRLINE EVER) that we were going to Puerto Rico.
3:55--Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, one of our players asked if Puerto Rico was a part of Mexico. Immediately consider a career change.
3:59--Ask a different player what they know about Puerto Rico. They think it's another part of the Virgin Islands.
4:01--Place a call to the education department at MSJ.
4:43--Leave PR for Dulles Intl Airport in DC.
8:05--Arrive ahead of schedule in DC to see that our flight to Indy is scheduled to leave on time at 9:45
8:20--Find out flight is delayed 35 minutes. The gate attendant, who didn't exactly use the English language as much as he abused it, stated, "The flight is delayed because fog is around the air at the Indy airport."
8:23--Eat as many Auntie Anne's pretzel bites as it takes to forget about it. Final total--34 bites, 4 packets of sweet mustard sauce.
9:58--Board plane. Our tickets won't scan. Gate attendant asks, "Where place did you go from with these tickets?"
10:09--In what I can only describe as the single scariest moment of my life, the plane's power completely goes out as stewardess (excuse me, PERSON, begins safety talk). That's right---the plane's power completely went out. Person's response? "This happens all the time."
10:10--Try to figure out another profession which can re-name itself whenever it wants to. Cannot come up with one, but resolve to call garbagemen "individuals" from now on.
10:19--Find out that the smaller planes at Dulles work off of "secondary power" while boarding and if engines aren't fully fired before exiting the power grid, the plane fully blacks out.
10:20--Attempt to black myself out by hanging myself with my earphones.
10:32--Plane loses power twice more. Small angina attack suffered by multiple people on board.
10:47--Still awaiting takeoff, the pilot states that the onboard steering computer hasn't fully come back to "operational status"; thus, we are returning to the hangar.
10:59--Stumble back into the United terminal with a surly lot of travelers.
11:30--Re-assess meaning of life.
11:50--Reboard plane.
12:17--Pilot comes on and states "once we get up in the air, I will fly it like I stole it."
12:19--Absolutely no joke; someone asks the PERSON if the pilot has flown before.
2:20--Arrive in Indy and pick up luggage; get on charter bus with a driver who steadfastly refuses to A) drive without swerving for no reason, and B) will not drive faster than 66 MPH at any time.
4:45--Get to MSJ. Hold the shortest and quietest team meeting in program history.
5:35--Go to sleep.
7:30--Awoke to head to the downtown shopping market.
8:00--Took the island "taxi", which is basically the Silver Lake sand dune open-air 15-passenger truck, to a shopping market. My personal highlight was haggling with the local merchants over pricing, including nearly getting a purse thrown at me. Didn't purchase anything, but enjoyed being asked roughly 3,000 times if I wanted my hair braided.
10:00--Returned to hotel room to finish packing for the trip, only to find one of our players still suffering from a heel injury after stepping on a sea urchin. I'm not making that sentence up.
11:00--Soaked in some last-minute rays at the pool.
11:12--Put my shirt back on, much to the relief of the people at the pool.
1:00--Left for the airport. This should have been a 20-minute drive.
1:15--Roughly 5 minutes away from the airport, saw a major accident on the only main road on the island from our hotel to the airport. At this point, we actually went back toward the hotel and began a circle tour of the island.
We had a great driver who knew we couldn't be late for our flight, so he began a drive that I can only describe as harrowing, treacherous, and panic-inducing. I was (un)lucky enough to sit in the front seat at a window. This means that I basically always had a body part hanging outside the vehicle as we took one hairpin turn after another while traversing some seriously steep hills.
2:18--Arrived in one piece at the airport to find our bags, which were taken by a separate van, laying on the curb awaiting our arrival, which was one of about four thousand issues we would have with the people responsible with running this tournament.
2:25--Began the incredibly ardous process of going through security for our flight, which was to leave the island at 3:50.
2:26--Found out that our flight was going to leave early (3:35). Began shoving toddlers in order to get further ahead in line.
3:20--After purchasing the single worst hot dog I have ever eaten in my life, was shouted down by a flight attendant who claimed that we needed to hurry up and get on the plane even though one of our players was still in TSA custody. Turns out that person was a 55-year old woman.
3:36--Got on plane to find out that we were leaving early because we had to fly to Puerto Rico. Was not told by ANYONE involved with United Airlines (Comic Book Guy voice--WORST AIRLINE EVER) that we were going to Puerto Rico.
3:55--Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, one of our players asked if Puerto Rico was a part of Mexico. Immediately consider a career change.
3:59--Ask a different player what they know about Puerto Rico. They think it's another part of the Virgin Islands.
4:01--Place a call to the education department at MSJ.
4:43--Leave PR for Dulles Intl Airport in DC.
8:05--Arrive ahead of schedule in DC to see that our flight to Indy is scheduled to leave on time at 9:45
8:20--Find out flight is delayed 35 minutes. The gate attendant, who didn't exactly use the English language as much as he abused it, stated, "The flight is delayed because fog is around the air at the Indy airport."
8:23--Eat as many Auntie Anne's pretzel bites as it takes to forget about it. Final total--34 bites, 4 packets of sweet mustard sauce.
9:58--Board plane. Our tickets won't scan. Gate attendant asks, "Where place did you go from with these tickets?"
10:09--In what I can only describe as the single scariest moment of my life, the plane's power completely goes out as stewardess (excuse me, PERSON, begins safety talk). That's right---the plane's power completely went out. Person's response? "This happens all the time."
10:10--Try to figure out another profession which can re-name itself whenever it wants to. Cannot come up with one, but resolve to call garbagemen "individuals" from now on.
10:19--Find out that the smaller planes at Dulles work off of "secondary power" while boarding and if engines aren't fully fired before exiting the power grid, the plane fully blacks out.
10:20--Attempt to black myself out by hanging myself with my earphones.
10:32--Plane loses power twice more. Small angina attack suffered by multiple people on board.
10:47--Still awaiting takeoff, the pilot states that the onboard steering computer hasn't fully come back to "operational status"; thus, we are returning to the hangar.
10:59--Stumble back into the United terminal with a surly lot of travelers.
11:30--Re-assess meaning of life.
11:50--Reboard plane.
12:17--Pilot comes on and states "once we get up in the air, I will fly it like I stole it."
12:19--Absolutely no joke; someone asks the PERSON if the pilot has flown before.
2:20--Arrive in Indy and pick up luggage; get on charter bus with a driver who steadfastly refuses to A) drive without swerving for no reason, and B) will not drive faster than 66 MPH at any time.
4:45--Get to MSJ. Hold the shortest and quietest team meeting in program history.
5:35--Go to sleep.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanx thoughts
#1--The FOX robotic turkey is going to give me nightmares
#2--After Calvin Johnson landed following his catch in the fourth quarter, cameras showed him wincing. I've had that same pained look some mornings following Pub Punch.
#3--Man am I glad I traded for Maurice Morris this week. Thanks Helly! I got a good 2 TD feeling about him this week against the Rams
#4--I love making sandwiches with Thanksgiving leftovers
#5--Huge said today the Sparties are going 30-5 this year. As much as I love screaming PARK PRIDE...I just cannot see that happening at all. Sparties struggled to get clutch hoops against UCLA two nights ago....lacking a consistent inside scorer at this point.
#6--Huge is a complete mo-ron
#7--RynoDave may have sewn up Helly's wild card spot with the Willie Parker disaster.
#8--Cannot get enough of the Bill Parcells Coors LIght commercials. That's a good thing...that's not a bad thing.
#2--After Calvin Johnson landed following his catch in the fourth quarter, cameras showed him wincing. I've had that same pained look some mornings following Pub Punch.
#3--Man am I glad I traded for Maurice Morris this week. Thanks Helly! I got a good 2 TD feeling about him this week against the Rams
#4--I love making sandwiches with Thanksgiving leftovers
#5--Huge said today the Sparties are going 30-5 this year. As much as I love screaming PARK PRIDE...I just cannot see that happening at all. Sparties struggled to get clutch hoops against UCLA two nights ago....lacking a consistent inside scorer at this point.
#6--Huge is a complete mo-ron
#7--RynoDave may have sewn up Helly's wild card spot with the Willie Parker disaster.
#8--Cannot get enough of the Bill Parcells Coors LIght commercials. That's a good thing...that's not a bad thing.
Monday, November 19, 2007
10-game report
While many people are venting about la-la-lloyd, I'm seething over the Pistons' west coast disaster, going 2-3 against many of the bottom teams in the West.
Here's my first brief 10-game report.
Pistons are 6-4. They have lost as many games as Charlotte & Milwaukee. Not a great beginning. They have lost Billups and Dice already with injuries, although Chauncey is back already. But the recent road games have certainly illuminated how prone this crew is to sever mental lapses at the end of games, which makes ZERO sense when you factor in how many vets this team has.
Now, Hamilton. He is shooting an abysmal 44% from the floor and a career-worst 76% from the free-throw line (career 85%). His assists are way up (likely due to his poor shooting) and turnovers currently sit at a career-best 2.0 per game. But he is also averaging a career-high 3.6 fouls per game, and is also averaging the 2nd most FG attempts during his time in a Piston jersey.
Pistons are 4-4 this year with him. In their wins, he shot 35-66. In losses, he is 22-63 from the floor. Not good. In their loss to the Lakers, Rip managed to get 5 fouls while attempting to guard Kobe. Last night found the Pistons getting outscored by 16 points in the second half by the sucky Kings to end the road trip.
Here's hoping they turn it around QUICKLY coming back home this week.
Here's my first brief 10-game report.
Pistons are 6-4. They have lost as many games as Charlotte & Milwaukee. Not a great beginning. They have lost Billups and Dice already with injuries, although Chauncey is back already. But the recent road games have certainly illuminated how prone this crew is to sever mental lapses at the end of games, which makes ZERO sense when you factor in how many vets this team has.
Now, Hamilton. He is shooting an abysmal 44% from the floor and a career-worst 76% from the free-throw line (career 85%). His assists are way up (likely due to his poor shooting) and turnovers currently sit at a career-best 2.0 per game. But he is also averaging a career-high 3.6 fouls per game, and is also averaging the 2nd most FG attempts during his time in a Piston jersey.
Pistons are 4-4 this year with him. In their wins, he shot 35-66. In losses, he is 22-63 from the floor. Not good. In their loss to the Lakers, Rip managed to get 5 fouls while attempting to guard Kobe. Last night found the Pistons getting outscored by 16 points in the second half by the sucky Kings to end the road trip.
Here's hoping they turn it around QUICKLY coming back home this week.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Cuse is loose!
Many promising freshmen up and down the Cuse's roster this year....they are definitely going to struggle inside early, as they really only have one post scorer. But they are LONG, deep and athletic. Plus, everyone's favorite Michigan export, Eric Devendorf, is able to move off teh point, as super-frosh Johnny Flynn is going to be able to take over point guard duties as less of a gunner at the point than Devendorf was.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
I'm a happy boy
This will be quick.....OSU GOES DOWN!!!!!
Couldn't be happier. Seriously could not be more pleased about the outcome of a college football game.
Bring on the NBA tonight!
Couldn't be happier. Seriously could not be more pleased about the outcome of a college football game.
Bring on the NBA tonight!
Friday, November 9, 2007
rip Rip
Alrighty....my thoughts on Mr. Hamilton are well-known to those of you who listen to me run my suck about the NBA. Consistently throughout his 5 years with the Pistons, he has given them a consistent midrange jumper to go with the 3-point shooting abilities of Rasheed and Chauncey. There were many nights during the LB years that they relied on him repeatedly to get their offense going. He plays hard every night and with a mask concealing a near-career ending facial injury.
HOWEVER....last night's Bulls game, in my mind, pointed out why the Pistons have likely reached their ceiling with this current crew. Rip put together a 6-17 shooting effort, including at least 3 heavily contested jump shots following offensive rebounds, rather than trying to get to the rim or cycling the ball around. He also picked up a key technical foul in the fourth quarter.
Without Ben to constantly provide a defensive presence to make up for Rip's consistently poor defensive effort, he gets exposed on that end of the floor. I realize no one is ever confusing Rip for Artest on defense, but the Pistons have to specifically target certain players for him to guard...and Rip should constantly be sending Tey-Tey thank you cards for the matchups that Teyshaun has to deal with on the defensive end of the floor so Rip doesn't have to guard certain players. Let's not forget that Tey-Tey's coming out party was in 2003 largely because the Pistons simply couldn't defend Iverson with Hamilton or Michael Curry.
Hamilton is in his 8th season and is part of one of the most well-put together starting lineups in the NBA. His skill set meshes with the other starters. And TRUST ME when I say I certainly enjoy watching Rip move to get open on offense, rather than the Stackhouse offensive sets of throwing it in to him and having everyone stand and stare. But even Blaha, during tonight's Pistons-Clips game, has talked about how Tey needs to open it up offensively more like he did in their first 2 games when Rip was away. And during tonight's first quarter, the FG chart looks much more balanced (McDyess 6, Sheed 4, Rip/Chauncey/Tey 3) to get everyone into the offensive flow earlier in the game.
Here's hoping Stuckey comes back quickly and teams with Hayes to give the Pistons more backcourt options on the nights that Rip can't get it done defensively.
HOWEVER....last night's Bulls game, in my mind, pointed out why the Pistons have likely reached their ceiling with this current crew. Rip put together a 6-17 shooting effort, including at least 3 heavily contested jump shots following offensive rebounds, rather than trying to get to the rim or cycling the ball around. He also picked up a key technical foul in the fourth quarter.
Without Ben to constantly provide a defensive presence to make up for Rip's consistently poor defensive effort, he gets exposed on that end of the floor. I realize no one is ever confusing Rip for Artest on defense, but the Pistons have to specifically target certain players for him to guard...and Rip should constantly be sending Tey-Tey thank you cards for the matchups that Teyshaun has to deal with on the defensive end of the floor so Rip doesn't have to guard certain players. Let's not forget that Tey-Tey's coming out party was in 2003 largely because the Pistons simply couldn't defend Iverson with Hamilton or Michael Curry.
Hamilton is in his 8th season and is part of one of the most well-put together starting lineups in the NBA. His skill set meshes with the other starters. And TRUST ME when I say I certainly enjoy watching Rip move to get open on offense, rather than the Stackhouse offensive sets of throwing it in to him and having everyone stand and stare. But even Blaha, during tonight's Pistons-Clips game, has talked about how Tey needs to open it up offensively more like he did in their first 2 games when Rip was away. And during tonight's first quarter, the FG chart looks much more balanced (McDyess 6, Sheed 4, Rip/Chauncey/Tey 3) to get everyone into the offensive flow earlier in the game.
Here's hoping Stuckey comes back quickly and teams with Hayes to give the Pistons more backcourt options on the nights that Rip can't get it done defensively.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Put the Blame on Me
2 words--We're Sorry. Our Bad.
That's my apology for not keeping this current. But it's back, and I assure you, will stay updated.
Especially now that my good friend, the NBA, is back in town. I really really enjoy watching the NBA. I can't help myself.
Here's today NBA talk---I watched the Jazz-Rockets game last night. Lots of it. Can't get enough of Yao Ming looked simultaneously angry/hungry/sweaty at the same time. Anywho, here's what struck me as I kept watching it...the Jazz and the D are essentially the same team.
Follow me through the rosters.
PG--Billups and Deron Williams. Both rocked-up, inked-up, 6-3 points who can post up.
SG--Rip and Ronnie Brewer. Both 6-7, 159 pound guards who are below-average defenders.
SF--Tey-Tey and AK47. Both incredibly long, very good defenders who sacrifice some points and stats for the betterment of the team. Also both look like they could be alien life forms.
PF--Memo and Sheed. Both finesse forwards, very good 3-point shooters. Memo obviously a former Piston as well.
C--Dice and Boozer. The only spot where this comparison falls a little flat, but not much. Boozer is a much better rebounder at this point, and can get to the rim better, where Dice is more of a jump shooter and on the back end of his career.
Bench--Both have shoot-first backup guards (Flip and Matt Harpring), both have wing guys out of high school with high hopes that are still developing (Amir Johnson and CJ Miles), both have 2nd year slightly undersized power forwards who enjoy mixing it up (Mad Max and Paul Millsap).
So I really wasn't surprised to see TMac lighting up the Jazz for 41 last night. He might as well have been in his Orlando uni, doing the same junk to Rip 4 years ago in the playoffs.
Please keep coming back for more good stuff on my blog about random junk, and I'm beating the crap out of the Stallions this week in the RAFFLE.
That's my apology for not keeping this current. But it's back, and I assure you, will stay updated.
Especially now that my good friend, the NBA, is back in town. I really really enjoy watching the NBA. I can't help myself.
Here's today NBA talk---I watched the Jazz-Rockets game last night. Lots of it. Can't get enough of Yao Ming looked simultaneously angry/hungry/sweaty at the same time. Anywho, here's what struck me as I kept watching it...the Jazz and the D are essentially the same team.
Follow me through the rosters.
PG--Billups and Deron Williams. Both rocked-up, inked-up, 6-3 points who can post up.
SG--Rip and Ronnie Brewer. Both 6-7, 159 pound guards who are below-average defenders.
SF--Tey-Tey and AK47. Both incredibly long, very good defenders who sacrifice some points and stats for the betterment of the team. Also both look like they could be alien life forms.
PF--Memo and Sheed. Both finesse forwards, very good 3-point shooters. Memo obviously a former Piston as well.
C--Dice and Boozer. The only spot where this comparison falls a little flat, but not much. Boozer is a much better rebounder at this point, and can get to the rim better, where Dice is more of a jump shooter and on the back end of his career.
Bench--Both have shoot-first backup guards (Flip and Matt Harpring), both have wing guys out of high school with high hopes that are still developing (Amir Johnson and CJ Miles), both have 2nd year slightly undersized power forwards who enjoy mixing it up (Mad Max and Paul Millsap).
So I really wasn't surprised to see TMac lighting up the Jazz for 41 last night. He might as well have been in his Orlando uni, doing the same junk to Rip 4 years ago in the playoffs.
Please keep coming back for more good stuff on my blog about random junk, and I'm beating the crap out of the Stallions this week in the RAFFLE.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
33...Rolling Rock and me
Sorry there hasn't been a post in awhile, and I hope people are still reading this...when I actually post something.
I turn 33 tomorrow. I'm not looking for presents, e-cards or even cake. I just sat back tonight and thought about some things that I've always taken for granted, and are beginning to slowly go away at this point in my life....
like always having reruns of the Simpsons and Seinfeld available from 5-7 o'clock...here in Cincy, they've been replaced by Raymond, Friends, and other equally mediocre and forgettable shows.
like being able to get out of a chair without 3 different body parts snapping and popping.
like always having a neighbor there for you.
like having people in a small town know who you are and wave out their window toward you as you drive by.
like looking forward to the next 9 at the Creeks, the next G&L dog, or the next Pubfish game.
like knowing that tomorrow you'll get to do what you want to after a long day.
like knowing that you feel younger than you are.
I have tried a lot in my adult life to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate them and a whole lot of people have done great things for me...there's a near-100% chance that if you are reading this, you've done me a favor and helped me in some way get to the point that I am at in my career and my life.
So, my birthday wish for everyone else is to know how lucky I am to have great friends and family and a wonderful fiancee who has been through a TON of crap during our relationship together.
Oh, and the Ocho Cincos are 1-1 to begin the season, thanks to a regrettable decision to sit Ben Roetehosliberger during Week 1.
I turn 33 tomorrow. I'm not looking for presents, e-cards or even cake. I just sat back tonight and thought about some things that I've always taken for granted, and are beginning to slowly go away at this point in my life....
like always having reruns of the Simpsons and Seinfeld available from 5-7 o'clock...here in Cincy, they've been replaced by Raymond, Friends, and other equally mediocre and forgettable shows.
like being able to get out of a chair without 3 different body parts snapping and popping.
like always having a neighbor there for you.
like having people in a small town know who you are and wave out their window toward you as you drive by.
like looking forward to the next 9 at the Creeks, the next G&L dog, or the next Pubfish game.
like knowing that tomorrow you'll get to do what you want to after a long day.
like knowing that you feel younger than you are.
I have tried a lot in my adult life to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate them and a whole lot of people have done great things for me...there's a near-100% chance that if you are reading this, you've done me a favor and helped me in some way get to the point that I am at in my career and my life.
So, my birthday wish for everyone else is to know how lucky I am to have great friends and family and a wonderful fiancee who has been through a TON of crap during our relationship together.
Oh, and the Ocho Cincos are 1-1 to begin the season, thanks to a regrettable decision to sit Ben Roetehosliberger during Week 1.
Monday, September 3, 2007
RAFFLE draft wrap-up, part II
Here come the other 6, plus my season predictions...why wouldn't you read this?
7--Conklin Chucks (Josh)
Best pick--Marques Colston in 5th round, Isaac Bruce in 10th
What the 6? pick--LJ Smith in 7th Round..got caught up in a TE frenzy
Pivotal player--Tatum Bell...taken in 6th round, but with recent Kevin Jones early comeback news could put a real McGillicuddy into this pick.
Overall--Josh made the Peyton Manning move, taking him with the 7th overall pick. I like that, and I also like the fact that during golfing earlier in the day, he said he wouldn't take him. Well played, my friend! Josh's RB's are Cedric Bensen, Jerious Norwood, Ron Dayne, and Tatum Bell. He may need roughly 2,432 Manning TD's for a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance.
8--Moorland Mounties (dave)
Best pick--Daunte Culpepper in 12th round
What the 6? pick--Where to start...Romo in the 5th, Adam Vinateri in the 10th would be the top 2.
Pivotal player--See Romo, Tony.
Overall--WR's--Javon Walker, Chris Chambers, Terry Glenn, Joe Horn. Yikes.
9--Gooding Avenue Prospectors (Al-imony)
Best pick--Ladell Betts in 6th after getting Portis
What the 6? Pick--Another toughie...I would say Mark Clayton in the 9th
Pivotal player--Travis Henry
Overall--Al is aboard the Denver Broncos RB roller-coaster with Henry, but with Westbrook, Betts/Portis, and D'Angelo Williams, it might not matter. Will need big years out of his WR's (Lee Evans and Hines Ward) to ensure a playoff spot.
10--Bad Newz Kennels (BP)
Best Pick--Matt Leinart in 7th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Reggie Brown in 6th round, DeDe Dorsey (whoops) in 12th round
Pivotal player--Will first-round pick Laurence Maroney stay healthy all year?
Overall--A solid draft from BP, but counting on a lot of young players up and down his lineup. Will need rookies (Brandon Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez) to put together good years, along with 2nd year RB's Maroney and MoJo Drew to make it out of the WMC Brown division.
11 El Ocho Cincos (this guy)
Best Pick--I believe others would say Andre Johnson in the 5th round or LaMont Jordan in the 8th...I'm going to stick my giant head out on the limb as say Roethlischeeseburger in the 13th round.
What the 6? pick--Tony Gonzalez in the 6th round. Should have taken Calvin Johnson.
Pivotal player--Ronnie Brown...Trent Green better stay un-concussed and keep the other team off the line of scrimmage.
Overall--This was the first year that I actually like my team. I'll need Reggie Bush and Brown to be good & Brandon Jacobs to score some TD's....but obviously my season comes down to whether or not it was smart to wait until the 12th/13th rounds to take my QB's.
12--Southern Michigan Stallions (Tim and Wes)
Best Pick--Calvin Johnson in 6th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Plastico Burress in 5th round
Pivotal player--His WR spot (Plastico, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson) seems a bit thin and Michigan-related.
Overall--Like the first 2 picks (McGahee and Rudi) a whole lot. Looks like Tim wanted to avoid the QB carousel that he was on last year, as he took McNabb and Losman in the first 7 rounds...possibly at the expense of his WRs.
Predictions....let's see how I do.
WMC Brown
I've got the Commish winning the WMC Brown, with Al and......BP coming out of the division. Josh has 2 straight playoff appearances. I can't imagine anyone else in Fantasy Sports possesses the ability to draft while inebriated better than he does... but BP has better RB's on paper. I think Al has the most balanced team in the division, and the Cog will get himself into the playoffs somehow via a favorable ruling from the Ambass. I have a bad feeling that my RB drafting decisions (Bush over McGahee, Brandon Jacobs over Marshawn Lynch, Ronnie Brown over MoJo Drew) will kill my squad this year.
WeWAC Magenta
I like Andy's team. He has the best WR's in the league...but Gore and McAllister at RB may be an injury issue. I see the last playoff spot in the Magenta coming down to the Neil Road neighbors...with Skot edging him out. I think the Ranch Hands are making it to the second season after winning the division, along with....the Stallions!!! I say Tim pressures someone with roughly 52,506 calls to make a key trade to keep the defending champion Snitches out of the playoffs, ensuring that the helmet trophy finds its way into someone else's basement next year.
Good luck to all, stay active, and someone introduce Dave to a computer so that his division doesn't have an unfair advantage of playing against his suck-A team twice.
7--Conklin Chucks (Josh)
Best pick--Marques Colston in 5th round, Isaac Bruce in 10th
What the 6? pick--LJ Smith in 7th Round..got caught up in a TE frenzy
Pivotal player--Tatum Bell...taken in 6th round, but with recent Kevin Jones early comeback news could put a real McGillicuddy into this pick.
Overall--Josh made the Peyton Manning move, taking him with the 7th overall pick. I like that, and I also like the fact that during golfing earlier in the day, he said he wouldn't take him. Well played, my friend! Josh's RB's are Cedric Bensen, Jerious Norwood, Ron Dayne, and Tatum Bell. He may need roughly 2,432 Manning TD's for a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance.
8--Moorland Mounties (dave)
Best pick--Daunte Culpepper in 12th round
What the 6? pick--Where to start...Romo in the 5th, Adam Vinateri in the 10th would be the top 2.
Pivotal player--See Romo, Tony.
Overall--WR's--Javon Walker, Chris Chambers, Terry Glenn, Joe Horn. Yikes.
9--Gooding Avenue Prospectors (Al-imony)
Best pick--Ladell Betts in 6th after getting Portis
What the 6? Pick--Another toughie...I would say Mark Clayton in the 9th
Pivotal player--Travis Henry
Overall--Al is aboard the Denver Broncos RB roller-coaster with Henry, but with Westbrook, Betts/Portis, and D'Angelo Williams, it might not matter. Will need big years out of his WR's (Lee Evans and Hines Ward) to ensure a playoff spot.
10--Bad Newz Kennels (BP)
Best Pick--Matt Leinart in 7th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Reggie Brown in 6th round, DeDe Dorsey (whoops) in 12th round
Pivotal player--Will first-round pick Laurence Maroney stay healthy all year?
Overall--A solid draft from BP, but counting on a lot of young players up and down his lineup. Will need rookies (Brandon Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez) to put together good years, along with 2nd year RB's Maroney and MoJo Drew to make it out of the WMC Brown division.
11 El Ocho Cincos (this guy)
Best Pick--I believe others would say Andre Johnson in the 5th round or LaMont Jordan in the 8th...I'm going to stick my giant head out on the limb as say Roethlischeeseburger in the 13th round.
What the 6? pick--Tony Gonzalez in the 6th round. Should have taken Calvin Johnson.
Pivotal player--Ronnie Brown...Trent Green better stay un-concussed and keep the other team off the line of scrimmage.
Overall--This was the first year that I actually like my team. I'll need Reggie Bush and Brown to be good & Brandon Jacobs to score some TD's....but obviously my season comes down to whether or not it was smart to wait until the 12th/13th rounds to take my QB's.
12--Southern Michigan Stallions (Tim and Wes)
Best Pick--Calvin Johnson in 6th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Plastico Burress in 5th round
Pivotal player--His WR spot (Plastico, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson) seems a bit thin and Michigan-related.
Overall--Like the first 2 picks (McGahee and Rudi) a whole lot. Looks like Tim wanted to avoid the QB carousel that he was on last year, as he took McNabb and Losman in the first 7 rounds...possibly at the expense of his WRs.
Predictions....let's see how I do.
WMC Brown
I've got the Commish winning the WMC Brown, with Al and......BP coming out of the division. Josh has 2 straight playoff appearances. I can't imagine anyone else in Fantasy Sports possesses the ability to draft while inebriated better than he does... but BP has better RB's on paper. I think Al has the most balanced team in the division, and the Cog will get himself into the playoffs somehow via a favorable ruling from the Ambass. I have a bad feeling that my RB drafting decisions (Bush over McGahee, Brandon Jacobs over Marshawn Lynch, Ronnie Brown over MoJo Drew) will kill my squad this year.
WeWAC Magenta
I like Andy's team. He has the best WR's in the league...but Gore and McAllister at RB may be an injury issue. I see the last playoff spot in the Magenta coming down to the Neil Road neighbors...with Skot edging him out. I think the Ranch Hands are making it to the second season after winning the division, along with....the Stallions!!! I say Tim pressures someone with roughly 52,506 calls to make a key trade to keep the defending champion Snitches out of the playoffs, ensuring that the helmet trophy finds its way into someone else's basement next year.
Good luck to all, stay active, and someone introduce Dave to a computer so that his division doesn't have an unfair advantage of playing against his suck-A team twice.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
RAFFLE wrap-up, part I
Where else can you get objective fantasy draft coverage on a blog but right here?
A team-by team rundown of best pick, the what the 6 pick, and the "Guy who holds the key to your team's soul"
In drafting order...
1--DePorres Dirty Band-Aids (trevor & tommy)
Best pick--LT @ #1.
What the 6? pick--The hip pointer known as Shayne Graham to begin the 8th round. The next kicker was taken 2 1/2 rounds later (by Dave, so that barely even counts)
Pivotal player--Vince Young as their #1 QB, taken in the 5th round.
Overall--1 of 3 expansion teams, the boys began the draft with LT, and then followed up with some picks that were certainly not what many would have done. Will need another record-setting year out of LT in order to find themselves in the postseason
2--Nunica Eisenhower Seagulls (the commish)
Best pick--TJ Houshmanzadahdah in the 4th round, Wes Welker in the 11th
What the 6? pick--Actually a tough call for Helly...I would say Julius Jones in the 2nd, but he has TUP
Pivotal player--Unsure who Helly's flex dude is...let's say DeShaun Foster, who is his 3rd RB, just ahead of Najeh Davenport, who puts the #2 into his #4 RB slot, if you know what I mean, dude.
Overall--The Commish got high marks from many RAFFLE-ians for his draft. Solid picks, but will he regret not getting a 3rd RB earlier in the draft?
3--South Broton Snitches (justin)
Best Pick--I like the Darrell Jackson pick in the 8th round, a solid WR sleeper, along with getting Mike Furrey in the 11th.
What the 6? pick--Bears Defense in the 6th round. Yes, the best defense. Yes, it was too early.
Pivotal player--Carson Palmer. The 2nd QB taken in the draft, could be interesting to see his numbers compared to Brady/Brees/Bulger.
Overall--Defending Champ with a solid draft...will need one of the aforementioned WR's to come through because relying on Randy Moss as his 2nd WR could be dicey.
4--The Amazin Blazin Unicorns (Skot)
Best pick--I like the Marion Barber pick in the fourth round.
What the 6? pick--Jamal Lewis in the 3rd round..with poor QB play in Cleveland, he'll need to have a monster year.
Pivotal player--10-win man Jon Kitna, his 5th round pick.
Overall--I like Skot's draft strategy--took 4 consecutive RB's and then a QB. Will need another good year from Kitna along with another great season from LJ. Will likely scour the waiver wire for another WR...but has plenty of RB's for trading purposes.
5--Finnean's Freedom Fighters (Andy)
Best pick--Andy had a great top-5 of the draft..getting Ocho Cinco in round 3 was a steal.
What the 6? pick--Had a hard time with this one..I'd say Leon Washington in the 6th round.
Pivotal player(s)--slightly injury-prone RB's in first 2 rounds (Gore and McAllister) must stay healthy.
Overall--Our evening's host got some serious quality in the first 5 rounds. Will need to come up with a solid #3 RB option at some point, especially if his 1 or2 get injured...I'm sure he's hoping either Washington or Reuben Droughns steps up. I believe he had the best draft of the 3 newbies, and should challenge for a playoff spot.
6--Neverland Ranch Hands (nate)
Best pick--Cadillac in the 4th round & Vincent Jackson in the 9th round
What the 6? pick--Torry Holt in the 2nd round...our draft's FIRST WR.
Pivotal player--His RB spot
Natron reached a bit for Holt, but got some very good WR's late (Jackson, Greg Jennings) that could make up for the injured Holt. Will rely heavily on a big year from Addai, a comeback year from Cadillac, and a great rookie season from Marshawn Lynch. If 2 of those 3 things happen, he could be a division winner and challenge for the top regular season spot. If not....he may regret taking Holt that high.
2nd half of the draft and my perfect predictions to come...
A team-by team rundown of best pick, the what the 6 pick, and the "Guy who holds the key to your team's soul"
In drafting order...
1--DePorres Dirty Band-Aids (trevor & tommy)
Best pick--LT @ #1.
What the 6? pick--The hip pointer known as Shayne Graham to begin the 8th round. The next kicker was taken 2 1/2 rounds later (by Dave, so that barely even counts)
Pivotal player--Vince Young as their #1 QB, taken in the 5th round.
Overall--1 of 3 expansion teams, the boys began the draft with LT, and then followed up with some picks that were certainly not what many would have done. Will need another record-setting year out of LT in order to find themselves in the postseason
2--Nunica Eisenhower Seagulls (the commish)
Best pick--TJ Houshmanzadahdah in the 4th round, Wes Welker in the 11th
What the 6? pick--Actually a tough call for Helly...I would say Julius Jones in the 2nd, but he has TUP
Pivotal player--Unsure who Helly's flex dude is...let's say DeShaun Foster, who is his 3rd RB, just ahead of Najeh Davenport, who puts the #2 into his #4 RB slot, if you know what I mean, dude.
Overall--The Commish got high marks from many RAFFLE-ians for his draft. Solid picks, but will he regret not getting a 3rd RB earlier in the draft?
3--South Broton Snitches (justin)
Best Pick--I like the Darrell Jackson pick in the 8th round, a solid WR sleeper, along with getting Mike Furrey in the 11th.
What the 6? pick--Bears Defense in the 6th round. Yes, the best defense. Yes, it was too early.
Pivotal player--Carson Palmer. The 2nd QB taken in the draft, could be interesting to see his numbers compared to Brady/Brees/Bulger.
Overall--Defending Champ with a solid draft...will need one of the aforementioned WR's to come through because relying on Randy Moss as his 2nd WR could be dicey.
4--The Amazin Blazin Unicorns (Skot)
Best pick--I like the Marion Barber pick in the fourth round.
What the 6? pick--Jamal Lewis in the 3rd round..with poor QB play in Cleveland, he'll need to have a monster year.
Pivotal player--10-win man Jon Kitna, his 5th round pick.
Overall--I like Skot's draft strategy--took 4 consecutive RB's and then a QB. Will need another good year from Kitna along with another great season from LJ. Will likely scour the waiver wire for another WR...but has plenty of RB's for trading purposes.
5--Finnean's Freedom Fighters (Andy)
Best pick--Andy had a great top-5 of the draft..getting Ocho Cinco in round 3 was a steal.
What the 6? pick--Had a hard time with this one..I'd say Leon Washington in the 6th round.
Pivotal player(s)--slightly injury-prone RB's in first 2 rounds (Gore and McAllister) must stay healthy.
Overall--Our evening's host got some serious quality in the first 5 rounds. Will need to come up with a solid #3 RB option at some point, especially if his 1 or2 get injured...I'm sure he's hoping either Washington or Reuben Droughns steps up. I believe he had the best draft of the 3 newbies, and should challenge for a playoff spot.
6--Neverland Ranch Hands (nate)
Best pick--Cadillac in the 4th round & Vincent Jackson in the 9th round
What the 6? pick--Torry Holt in the 2nd round...our draft's FIRST WR.
Pivotal player--His RB spot
Natron reached a bit for Holt, but got some very good WR's late (Jackson, Greg Jennings) that could make up for the injured Holt. Will rely heavily on a big year from Addai, a comeback year from Cadillac, and a great rookie season from Marshawn Lynch. If 2 of those 3 things happen, he could be a division winner and challenge for the top regular season spot. If not....he may regret taking Holt that high.
2nd half of the draft and my perfect predictions to come...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
One-(AA) and done
503. 439. 388.
Those aren't the last 3 area codes that I have lived in. Rather, those are the total net yards that the Wolvies have allowed in their last 3 soul-crushing, heart-breaking, Lloyd Carr-threatening games dating back to last year's OSU debacle. What an incredible game it was to watch. According to ESPN, it is the first time EVER that a 1-AA team has defeated a ranked 1-A team.
It's too bad that most of the nation doesn't have the Big 10 network, because sophomore (yes, soph) QB Armantie Edwards gave the nation a perfect game plan to beat the Wolvies...don't make mistakes and get the ball to the fast dudes on the outside. He was Vince Young-like, passing for 224 and 3 scores and running for 64 yards and another TD. Michigan seemingly had figured out how to repair the hole by blitzing a ton of guys in the 3rd quarter...but failed to make any adjustments in the fourth quarter, as the Mountaineers threw numerous slants and outs to WR's who were seemingly much quicker than their defensive counterparts.
Lloyd decided to go for 2 in the third quarter....under much confusion, Henne fumbled the snap. Later, on another 2-point conversion, the handoff was fumbled. His decision to kick the first FG that was blocked in the fourth quarter led to great field position for App State. Toss in a pair of blocked FG's a key Henne INT deep in ASU territory, and a number of false start penalties, and it should be an interesting week leading to a game against a fiesty Oregon squad.
As a coach, I feel for Carr. They have a seemingly loaded roster, especially on offense, and just played like crap in the first half. The defense looked poorly prepared and slow against the quick spread offense, and after taking the lead following an incredible run by Hart, they couldn't make adjustments late and App State quickly advanced the ball against their porous pass defense. This would never be said, but the play on the field seemed to indicated that the Wolvie players felt as though they would have no problems in Michigan's FIRST-EVER game against a 1-AA team. Throw in last seasons' 2 losses to end the year, and he has a potentially long road ahead of him in the weeks to come.
Lastly--the new nomenclature for 1-AA is the Football Championship Series, or FCS. That is completely stupid. 1-A is to be called the Bowl Championship Series, or BCS.
Those aren't the last 3 area codes that I have lived in. Rather, those are the total net yards that the Wolvies have allowed in their last 3 soul-crushing, heart-breaking, Lloyd Carr-threatening games dating back to last year's OSU debacle. What an incredible game it was to watch. According to ESPN, it is the first time EVER that a 1-AA team has defeated a ranked 1-A team.
It's too bad that most of the nation doesn't have the Big 10 network, because sophomore (yes, soph) QB Armantie Edwards gave the nation a perfect game plan to beat the Wolvies...don't make mistakes and get the ball to the fast dudes on the outside. He was Vince Young-like, passing for 224 and 3 scores and running for 64 yards and another TD. Michigan seemingly had figured out how to repair the hole by blitzing a ton of guys in the 3rd quarter...but failed to make any adjustments in the fourth quarter, as the Mountaineers threw numerous slants and outs to WR's who were seemingly much quicker than their defensive counterparts.
Lloyd decided to go for 2 in the third quarter....under much confusion, Henne fumbled the snap. Later, on another 2-point conversion, the handoff was fumbled. His decision to kick the first FG that was blocked in the fourth quarter led to great field position for App State. Toss in a pair of blocked FG's a key Henne INT deep in ASU territory, and a number of false start penalties, and it should be an interesting week leading to a game against a fiesty Oregon squad.
As a coach, I feel for Carr. They have a seemingly loaded roster, especially on offense, and just played like crap in the first half. The defense looked poorly prepared and slow against the quick spread offense, and after taking the lead following an incredible run by Hart, they couldn't make adjustments late and App State quickly advanced the ball against their porous pass defense. This would never be said, but the play on the field seemed to indicated that the Wolvie players felt as though they would have no problems in Michigan's FIRST-EVER game against a 1-AA team. Throw in last seasons' 2 losses to end the year, and he has a potentially long road ahead of him in the weeks to come.
Lastly--the new nomenclature for 1-AA is the Football Championship Series, or FCS. That is completely stupid. 1-A is to be called the Bowl Championship Series, or BCS.
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Block S stands for "stinks"
Syracuse on national TV tonite for I believe their only appearance...against Washington. Both teams rolling out new QB's, Syracuse rolling out some ugly new unis. Took the number off the helmets, and replaced it with a GIANT block S. And the numbers are still navy with no outline on the orange jerseys, which are putrid.
Here's hoping the Cuse gets it right this year...they made some small steps forward in the solid Big East last year.
Here's also what I am NOT looking forward to one bit---Colin Cowherd AND Chris Spielman in the booth. That is an impending train wreck, it's too bad Sean McDonough is going to get stuck with those 2 no-talent 1-clowns. I can't say enough how much I detest Cowherd. He's Jim Rome minus good guests with a terrible voice.
Here's hoping the Cuse gets it right this year...they made some small steps forward in the solid Big East last year.
Here's also what I am NOT looking forward to one bit---Colin Cowherd AND Chris Spielman in the booth. That is an impending train wreck, it's too bad Sean McDonough is going to get stuck with those 2 no-talent 1-clowns. I can't say enough how much I detest Cowherd. He's Jim Rome minus good guests with a terrible voice.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
We are at Threat Level Midnight for the participants in the upcoming RAFFLE (Ravenna Area Fantasy Football League) draft, held annually at someone's house in Ravenna.
This year's lineup has a bit of some shuffling, with newcomers Dave Smith, Tommy DeCamp, Trevor Torres, and host Andy Emery entering the fray. In previous years, the day has been long and fueled by adult beverages. This year? Toss in a golf outing for St. Catherine's in the morning, and you are looking at the beginning of a looong Saturday afternoon and some potential misdemeanors on Saturday night.
With no further ado, might as well break out what I see going down. With multiple new people coupled with the day's activities, there should be a lot of questionable decisions made and I'll be there to laugh at all of them.
2-round Mock draft to follow, actual draft may end up on this site next week.
1 Tommy/Trevor ---- LT
2 Helly ---- Jax
3 Justin ---- S Alexander
4 Skot ---- B Westbrook
5 A Emery ---- LJ
6 N Wyant ---- Addai
7 J Emery---- Manning
8 D Smith ---- Bush
9 Al-abama ---- Gore
10 BP ----Wee Willie
11 BB ----Maroney
12 Tim/Wes ---- Rudi
13 Tim/Wes ---- T Henry
14 BB ---- McGahee
15 BP ---- Steve Smith
16 Al-lendale ---- Ronnie Brown
17 D Smith--Marvelous Marvin
18 J Emery----Mo Jones-Drew
19 N Wyant--Ocho Cinco
20 A Emery---Edge James
21 Skot ----McNabb
22 Justin---Portis
23 Helly---Cadillac
24 Trevor/Tom ---- T Brady
This year's lineup has a bit of some shuffling, with newcomers Dave Smith, Tommy DeCamp, Trevor Torres, and host Andy Emery entering the fray. In previous years, the day has been long and fueled by adult beverages. This year? Toss in a golf outing for St. Catherine's in the morning, and you are looking at the beginning of a looong Saturday afternoon and some potential misdemeanors on Saturday night.
With no further ado, might as well break out what I see going down. With multiple new people coupled with the day's activities, there should be a lot of questionable decisions made and I'll be there to laugh at all of them.
2-round Mock draft to follow, actual draft may end up on this site next week.
1 Tommy/Trevor ---- LT
2 Helly ---- Jax
3 Justin ---- S Alexander
4 Skot ---- B Westbrook
5 A Emery ---- LJ
6 N Wyant ---- Addai
7 J Emery---- Manning
8 D Smith ---- Bush
9 Al-abama ---- Gore
10 BP ----Wee Willie
11 BB ----Maroney
12 Tim/Wes ---- Rudi
13 Tim/Wes ---- T Henry
14 BB ---- McGahee
15 BP ---- Steve Smith
16 Al-lendale ---- Ronnie Brown
17 D Smith--Marvelous Marvin
18 J Emery----Mo Jones-Drew
19 N Wyant--Ocho Cinco
20 A Emery---Edge James
21 Skot ----McNabb
22 Justin---Portis
23 Helly---Cadillac
24 Trevor/Tom ---- T Brady
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Me and TV
I'm going to start writing posts about TV shows that I've seen or enjoy. I don't watch a whole lot of TV that isn't sports-related, but the girl and I have a few shows that are must-views during the week.
The first that I'll talk about (being engaged and all) is Bridezillas. Shown on the WE network. BZ is now in its 4th season of recording the goings-on of insane women.
BZ gives a brief background on the relationship, and then during an episode, goes back and forth between 2 relationships prior to the wedding day. The less interesting couples/uninteresting women get 1 episode, while the more entertaining couples get up to 3 episodes.
Somehow they continually manage to compile a Murderers' Row of women who are completely self-obsessed with how they can make everyone around them succumb to their demands in the week leading up to their wedding day. Most of the humor usually comes from the brides' preparation for the wedding and what they view as "essential", as well as the obvious embarrassing moments during the bachelorette party and other stressful moments leading up to the wedding.
I think that Kristen enjoys watching it for the train wreck factor. She enjoys doing what many girls do--pick apart the decisions surrounding the wedding as well as the lack of good judgment displayed by the brides. She also will let me know that if she acts like many of the women, that I can kick her in the butt and/or smash her over the head with a blunt object to snap her back to the real world.
Personally, I actually enjoy viewing many episodes because the women involved are off the deep end. The grooms are usually nothing more than a necessary accessory, an incredibly small sliver of their dream rather than the person that they want to share the special day with. Mostly, parents are a checkbook, friends are dress-fillers, and in-laws are portrayed as evil incarnate.
There are women on the show that I simply cannot stand because their reality is completely unwatchable. It angers me to see some of these people and what they think they "need" to make the day happen.
The show has been a Sunday evening staple for us over the past few years and at times makes me laugh out loud. On a 1-10 scale, I give the show a solid 6.5. It's smartly narrated and edited, and the grooms mostly come off as the logical one in the relationship, which I obviously enjoy.
The first that I'll talk about (being engaged and all) is Bridezillas. Shown on the WE network. BZ is now in its 4th season of recording the goings-on of insane women.
BZ gives a brief background on the relationship, and then during an episode, goes back and forth between 2 relationships prior to the wedding day. The less interesting couples/uninteresting women get 1 episode, while the more entertaining couples get up to 3 episodes.
Somehow they continually manage to compile a Murderers' Row of women who are completely self-obsessed with how they can make everyone around them succumb to their demands in the week leading up to their wedding day. Most of the humor usually comes from the brides' preparation for the wedding and what they view as "essential", as well as the obvious embarrassing moments during the bachelorette party and other stressful moments leading up to the wedding.
I think that Kristen enjoys watching it for the train wreck factor. She enjoys doing what many girls do--pick apart the decisions surrounding the wedding as well as the lack of good judgment displayed by the brides. She also will let me know that if she acts like many of the women, that I can kick her in the butt and/or smash her over the head with a blunt object to snap her back to the real world.
Personally, I actually enjoy viewing many episodes because the women involved are off the deep end. The grooms are usually nothing more than a necessary accessory, an incredibly small sliver of their dream rather than the person that they want to share the special day with. Mostly, parents are a checkbook, friends are dress-fillers, and in-laws are portrayed as evil incarnate.
There are women on the show that I simply cannot stand because their reality is completely unwatchable. It angers me to see some of these people and what they think they "need" to make the day happen.
The show has been a Sunday evening staple for us over the past few years and at times makes me laugh out loud. On a 1-10 scale, I give the show a solid 6.5. It's smartly narrated and edited, and the grooms mostly come off as the logical one in the relationship, which I obviously enjoy.
Pistons in August
The D signed Jarvis Hayes, a 4-year backup forward from the Wizards, to a deal this week. Hayes averaged about 8 points a game off the bench for the Wiz last season. The move bolsters the bench and gives them another perimeter player...but is a bit odd, considering the drafting of Arron Afflallo, who was supposedly "that guy" to do what Hayes does. That now gives them a lot of perimeter options...but unfortunately, puts Nazr squarely in the middle of their starting lineup next season, alongside disgruntled Rasheed.
That gives them 14 guaranteed contracts at this point, and since an NBA team only carries 15 players on their everyday roster...it looks as though 2nd-round pick Sammy Mejia, a point guard who played great in the Vegas Summer League, may not be in the Pistons' plans this year, especially since suck-a Will Blalock, first round pick 2 years ago, is one of the guaranteed contracts as well.
Those 14 contracts also don't include C-Webb, who claims to still be wide open as to his plans for next season. There aren't many options remaining for free-agent moves at this time...I was kind of hoping they would have signed someone like Scot Pollard, who signed with the Celtics earlier this week, to give them another veteran post player. Hopefully the signing of Hayes means that Tey-Tey will continue to be played at the 4, which made the Pistons fun to watch last season. Hayes can also defend bigger players, and Amir Johnson is another 6-9 athletic forward who can do the same thign.
I'm hoping Dice is able to give them some big (24+) minutes a game consistently next season...which may be hoping for a lot, since he hasn't averaged more than 23 minutes a game since the 2000-01 season.
Also, Rodney Stuckey has taken Stinky Ben's uniform number 3...which will inevitably lead to many people taping over the Wallace on the back of their jerseys and replacing it with Stuckey's name....I'm just looking forward to the first Stuckey Bowl/Ed reference getting worked into a Pistons telecast.
That gives them 14 guaranteed contracts at this point, and since an NBA team only carries 15 players on their everyday roster...it looks as though 2nd-round pick Sammy Mejia, a point guard who played great in the Vegas Summer League, may not be in the Pistons' plans this year, especially since suck-a Will Blalock, first round pick 2 years ago, is one of the guaranteed contracts as well.
Those 14 contracts also don't include C-Webb, who claims to still be wide open as to his plans for next season. There aren't many options remaining for free-agent moves at this time...I was kind of hoping they would have signed someone like Scot Pollard, who signed with the Celtics earlier this week, to give them another veteran post player. Hopefully the signing of Hayes means that Tey-Tey will continue to be played at the 4, which made the Pistons fun to watch last season. Hayes can also defend bigger players, and Amir Johnson is another 6-9 athletic forward who can do the same thign.
I'm hoping Dice is able to give them some big (24+) minutes a game consistently next season...which may be hoping for a lot, since he hasn't averaged more than 23 minutes a game since the 2000-01 season.
Also, Rodney Stuckey has taken Stinky Ben's uniform number 3...which will inevitably lead to many people taping over the Wallace on the back of their jerseys and replacing it with Stuckey's name....I'm just looking forward to the first Stuckey Bowl/Ed reference getting worked into a Pistons telecast.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Boys of Summer
"Summers Fly, Winters Walk"
That was a title of one of the many Peanuts books that I used to read as a kid, and a line that has stuck with me throughout the years. I believe that Linus told that to Charlie Brown after lamenting the inevitable back to school drudgery.
That quote seems to be in the front of my brain right now after thinking about where this summer has sprinted away to. Sure, we are currently enjoying/enduring record heat here in Cincy, where we are threatening the all-time record of 17 consecutive days of high temps over the 90-degree mark.
After spending virtually the entire month of June in West Michigan and many of the following days in July in gyms reffing, it's hard to think about the onrushing school year starting without getting back home for 9 at the Creeks or a G&L special.
Days like today make me think about all those Pubfish Thursday nites over the past few summers. At the time, they seemed as if every summer would be spent golfing, playing softball, drinking, and being with friends. Now, those nights seem to be long, long gone, especially living away from home.
Here's hoping that the RAFFLE draft will be a great one and everyone appreciates what they have while thinking about the times I've had with the people reading this during many of the summers which have flown by our eyes.
That was a title of one of the many Peanuts books that I used to read as a kid, and a line that has stuck with me throughout the years. I believe that Linus told that to Charlie Brown after lamenting the inevitable back to school drudgery.
That quote seems to be in the front of my brain right now after thinking about where this summer has sprinted away to. Sure, we are currently enjoying/enduring record heat here in Cincy, where we are threatening the all-time record of 17 consecutive days of high temps over the 90-degree mark.
After spending virtually the entire month of June in West Michigan and many of the following days in July in gyms reffing, it's hard to think about the onrushing school year starting without getting back home for 9 at the Creeks or a G&L special.
Days like today make me think about all those Pubfish Thursday nites over the past few summers. At the time, they seemed as if every summer would be spent golfing, playing softball, drinking, and being with friends. Now, those nights seem to be long, long gone, especially living away from home.
Here's hoping that the RAFFLE draft will be a great one and everyone appreciates what they have while thinking about the times I've had with the people reading this during many of the summers which have flown by our eyes.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
beisbol
For the first time this decade, the Astros are not in a playoff race. Their best rookie, Hunter Pence, is on the DL, Brad Lidge has been a complete roller-coaster, Jason Jennings, acquired in an off-season trade from Colorado has been extra-mediocre, and Lance Berkman is having one of his worst statistical seasons of his career despite the giant insurance policy in the lineup known as Carlos Lee.
There is definitely the potential for light at the end of the 2007 tunnel, however. Biggio and Bagwell have giant contract numbers which end this year, so hopefully the Astros can go out and get a legit, mid-level starter to complement Roy O and Wandy.
Tigers and Cubs seem to be headed directly toward post-season berths, which make everyone reading this happy baseball fans, including giant Cub fan Kristen.
There is definitely the potential for light at the end of the 2007 tunnel, however. Biggio and Bagwell have giant contract numbers which end this year, so hopefully the Astros can go out and get a legit, mid-level starter to complement Roy O and Wandy.
Tigers and Cubs seem to be headed directly toward post-season berths, which make everyone reading this happy baseball fans, including giant Cub fan Kristen.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Rock & Roll!!
Ahhh...there's nothing like a good ol' fundraiser. Whether it's a bake sale, car wash, or working a concession stand at a national rock-music tour filled with bands I've never heard of, fundraisers can be a great way for teammates to bond over some good old-fashioned work.
This was certainly the case yesterday, as Kristen and I (along with members of our women's basketball team) got to see the Vans Warped Tour up close and personal. Over 30 bands played on numerous stages, each (of course) plastered with corporate names at a concert which originally was rather sponsor-free in its early stages. Of course, that was 13 years ago, and now there's money to be made and myspace.com tents to be visited by the scores of Gen Y-ers who descended upon Riverbend yesterday.
At our stand, we sold 20-ounce drinks for $3.50 apiece. While that certainly isn't a bargain, anyone who has attended any pro sport events or concerts are usually prepared for that kind of sticker shock. My shock came in the form of THOUSANDS of kids dressed in different forms of all-black outfits on a steamy 93-degree day. I kind of enjoyed some of the more creative outfits, as many concertgoers chose some resplendent knee-high socks, ultra-short shorts, and mohawks with spikes of hair big enough to play ring toss with. Needless to say, the piercing count was also high, including a guy who had the ubiquitous "spacer" earrings complete with mini-padlocks in each ear. That gave me nightmares.
And it goes without saying that the ink count was also rather high as well. I was surprised to not see a tattooist on-site; what I was NOT surprised to hear was the amount of angry music. I guess I don't understand at all how people can get so angry on such a nice day.
This was certainly the case yesterday, as Kristen and I (along with members of our women's basketball team) got to see the Vans Warped Tour up close and personal. Over 30 bands played on numerous stages, each (of course) plastered with corporate names at a concert which originally was rather sponsor-free in its early stages. Of course, that was 13 years ago, and now there's money to be made and myspace.com tents to be visited by the scores of Gen Y-ers who descended upon Riverbend yesterday.
At our stand, we sold 20-ounce drinks for $3.50 apiece. While that certainly isn't a bargain, anyone who has attended any pro sport events or concerts are usually prepared for that kind of sticker shock. My shock came in the form of THOUSANDS of kids dressed in different forms of all-black outfits on a steamy 93-degree day. I kind of enjoyed some of the more creative outfits, as many concertgoers chose some resplendent knee-high socks, ultra-short shorts, and mohawks with spikes of hair big enough to play ring toss with. Needless to say, the piercing count was also high, including a guy who had the ubiquitous "spacer" earrings complete with mini-padlocks in each ear. That gave me nightmares.
And it goes without saying that the ink count was also rather high as well. I was surprised to not see a tattooist on-site; what I was NOT surprised to hear was the amount of angry music. I guess I don't understand at all how people can get so angry on such a nice day.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Big News!
Never thought I'd say this again....I'm engaged!
Kristen has said yes (for some completely unknown reason) and we are planning to get married next summer in Vegas, baby, Vegas!!!
Tentative plans are to get married in early July, followed by a reception in the greater Ravenna metro area in mid-July. Some potential reception spots include...
Al's tree-lined 32 acres
A 2-site affair between the greatest 2 garages in Northeast Ravenna...Skot's and Andy Emery's.
Lower Court (obviously)
Reception spots would NOT include...
DOG DAZE (said with deepest voice possible)
Wastewater Treatment area
Upper Court (obviously)
We are both happy and appreciate all of the well-wishes that have been given to us already. I look forward to planning what should be a fun Vegas trip, and we hope that many of the people reading this blog head to Sin City with us.
Kristen has said yes (for some completely unknown reason) and we are planning to get married next summer in Vegas, baby, Vegas!!!
Tentative plans are to get married in early July, followed by a reception in the greater Ravenna metro area in mid-July. Some potential reception spots include...
Al's tree-lined 32 acres
A 2-site affair between the greatest 2 garages in Northeast Ravenna...Skot's and Andy Emery's.
Lower Court (obviously)
Reception spots would NOT include...
DOG DAZE (said with deepest voice possible)
Wastewater Treatment area
Upper Court (obviously)
We are both happy and appreciate all of the well-wishes that have been given to us already. I look forward to planning what should be a fun Vegas trip, and we hope that many of the people reading this blog head to Sin City with us.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Back at it like a crack addict
NBA Draft wrap-up...
Anthony Stuckey-Bowl....I hope he develops a jumper as quickly as the man that everyone is comparing him to, Dwayne Wade, did in the NBA. Otherwise, the Pistons have Flip Murray, V. 2.0.
Afflalo, I really am not sold on him. He is a very good mid-range shooter with questionable lateral quickness....wait a minute, we now also have Rip, V. 2.0!
I did like the 2nd round pick of Sammy Mejia, a big point guard from DePaul. He is athletic and I believe will be a solid backup guard eventually.
All of the post-draft talk seems to center around guys that they didn't actually draft...will Billups re-sign? What about C-Webb or Dale Davis coming back? Will Amir Johnson be a legit backup wing next year? Too many questions surrounding this team, and I wonder how close they ever got to dealing Rasheed prior to the draft.
I really didn't like the Bulls taking Noah, don't understand why they needed another non-scoring post player. I did actually like the Sonics trading Uncle Ray-Ray a ton, I think Jeff Green and Durant will be very good playing next to each other.
Had a great time during the last 4 weeks with everyone, as always, it went by way too quickly. Just like Charlie Brown always said, "Summers fly, winters walk." Enjoy the fireworks the next few days, just don't roll any snap-and-pop aluminum foil tamales unless you want to be known as Captain Hook for the rest of your life.
Anthony Stuckey-Bowl....I hope he develops a jumper as quickly as the man that everyone is comparing him to, Dwayne Wade, did in the NBA. Otherwise, the Pistons have Flip Murray, V. 2.0.
Afflalo, I really am not sold on him. He is a very good mid-range shooter with questionable lateral quickness....wait a minute, we now also have Rip, V. 2.0!
I did like the 2nd round pick of Sammy Mejia, a big point guard from DePaul. He is athletic and I believe will be a solid backup guard eventually.
All of the post-draft talk seems to center around guys that they didn't actually draft...will Billups re-sign? What about C-Webb or Dale Davis coming back? Will Amir Johnson be a legit backup wing next year? Too many questions surrounding this team, and I wonder how close they ever got to dealing Rasheed prior to the draft.
I really didn't like the Bulls taking Noah, don't understand why they needed another non-scoring post player. I did actually like the Sonics trading Uncle Ray-Ray a ton, I think Jeff Green and Durant will be very good playing next to each other.
Had a great time during the last 4 weeks with everyone, as always, it went by way too quickly. Just like Charlie Brown always said, "Summers fly, winters walk." Enjoy the fireworks the next few days, just don't roll any snap-and-pop aluminum foil tamales unless you want to be known as Captain Hook for the rest of your life.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
NBA Draft/Trade talk
Alrighty, it's upon us...one of the biggest nights of Pistons' fans sports season, the NBA Draft, or as I like to call it, "Remember the Darko"
The Pistons own 2 first-round picks...the 14th overall pick, which is the first choice outside of the lottery, as well as their own selection later in the first round.
If the Pistons do keep the 14th pick, which at this point it looks like they will, I have every digit crossed that either Texas A&M guard Acie Law or Eastern Washington guard Anthony Stuckey are available. Both players are scoring guards that have the ability to take over games on the offensive end who were great in college. I believe that Law would be a great pick for the D, and he may or may not be there depending on which mock draft you believe.
I, for one, am still hoping that Rasheed gets traded. It appears as though the Suns are intent on moving Shawn Marion this off-season, as he is headed into the last year of his deal and would be tough for them to re-sign for salary cap purposes. The dumbest man in W. Michigan radio apparently said yesterday that Sheed for Marion would be a bad move for the Pistons. That is (as usual) a completely misinformed and incorrect thought. Marion is over 3 years younger, much more athletic, and if paired with Tey Tey, gives the Pistons a pair of incredibly athletic forwards that can match up with virtually anyone on opposing teams.
While the Pistons have had scoring issues and Marion, an erratic shooter with no true go-to move, may not answer that problem, that trade would seemingly show free agents Dice and Chauncey that the Pistons are actively looking to get better.
I really believe that Durant will be a great NBA player...once the Sonics get a good nucleus around him. Right now, Seattle has no consistent post scoring and needs to figure out what to do with Uncle Ray-Ray and Rashard Lewis, a free agent that would also fit rather nicely with the Pistons in a sign-and-trade situation.
I'm intrigued to see what Yi looks like in the NBA. He has apparently told NBA teams that he is only interested in going to 4 of the lottery teams, which really should make him a well-liked guy early on if he sucks.
I would love it if the Pistons took a flier on Glen Davis, the oversized LSU forward with their 2nd first-round pick, I think, much like Maxiell, he could be a good undersized skilled post player in a year or two.
Lastly, I do not want to hear one syllable tonight from Jay Bilas or Stephen Smith. My TV gets automatic mute when they both open their traps.
Blogs will once again get a bit more regular at this point.
The Pistons own 2 first-round picks...the 14th overall pick, which is the first choice outside of the lottery, as well as their own selection later in the first round.
If the Pistons do keep the 14th pick, which at this point it looks like they will, I have every digit crossed that either Texas A&M guard Acie Law or Eastern Washington guard Anthony Stuckey are available. Both players are scoring guards that have the ability to take over games on the offensive end who were great in college. I believe that Law would be a great pick for the D, and he may or may not be there depending on which mock draft you believe.
I, for one, am still hoping that Rasheed gets traded. It appears as though the Suns are intent on moving Shawn Marion this off-season, as he is headed into the last year of his deal and would be tough for them to re-sign for salary cap purposes. The dumbest man in W. Michigan radio apparently said yesterday that Sheed for Marion would be a bad move for the Pistons. That is (as usual) a completely misinformed and incorrect thought. Marion is over 3 years younger, much more athletic, and if paired with Tey Tey, gives the Pistons a pair of incredibly athletic forwards that can match up with virtually anyone on opposing teams.
While the Pistons have had scoring issues and Marion, an erratic shooter with no true go-to move, may not answer that problem, that trade would seemingly show free agents Dice and Chauncey that the Pistons are actively looking to get better.
I really believe that Durant will be a great NBA player...once the Sonics get a good nucleus around him. Right now, Seattle has no consistent post scoring and needs to figure out what to do with Uncle Ray-Ray and Rashard Lewis, a free agent that would also fit rather nicely with the Pistons in a sign-and-trade situation.
I'm intrigued to see what Yi looks like in the NBA. He has apparently told NBA teams that he is only interested in going to 4 of the lottery teams, which really should make him a well-liked guy early on if he sucks.
I would love it if the Pistons took a flier on Glen Davis, the oversized LSU forward with their 2nd first-round pick, I think, much like Maxiell, he could be a good undersized skilled post player in a year or two.
Lastly, I do not want to hear one syllable tonight from Jay Bilas or Stephen Smith. My TV gets automatic mute when they both open their traps.
Blogs will once again get a bit more regular at this point.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
An Ode to Ryno
I am going to take a couple of moments to say something nice about Mr. Ryan Wright, my longtime John Street hetero companion/neighbor who is about to tie the knot in roughly 3 hours.
His future wife, Jennifer Diamond, seems to be a rather intelligent person...which leads me to wonder why she's marrying him in the first place. OK, so I had to get one shot in.
I remember MANY days in my childhood when Ryan and my brother Phil would tag along for many baseball games at DeJonge's house. He always seemed to be a happy kid growing up on the mean streets of south John Street. He's always been a solid member of the Outlying Ravenna Area League and here's hoping that some school district gives him a job soon.
I wish Ryan and Jennifer nothing but the best of luck and I hope this day provides them with a lifetime of memories!
With that out of the way, let me now say that the postings will still be a bit sporadic. I must say, however, that my least favorite ESPN trio has hosted a few Sportscenters this week--Scott Van Pelt and Larry Beil in studio, and Stu Scott at the NBA finals. I can't take that lineup any more. I also don't get why SC went to the lineup at the side of the screen...it works for PTI, a halftime rundown talking show. I really don't like it for SC at all.
Lastly, I have already managed to get to G & L once this week, and I plan on getting there a few more times this month. Love me some chili dogs!
His future wife, Jennifer Diamond, seems to be a rather intelligent person...which leads me to wonder why she's marrying him in the first place. OK, so I had to get one shot in.
I remember MANY days in my childhood when Ryan and my brother Phil would tag along for many baseball games at DeJonge's house. He always seemed to be a happy kid growing up on the mean streets of south John Street. He's always been a solid member of the Outlying Ravenna Area League and here's hoping that some school district gives him a job soon.
I wish Ryan and Jennifer nothing but the best of luck and I hope this day provides them with a lifetime of memories!
With that out of the way, let me now say that the postings will still be a bit sporadic. I must say, however, that my least favorite ESPN trio has hosted a few Sportscenters this week--Scott Van Pelt and Larry Beil in studio, and Stu Scott at the NBA finals. I can't take that lineup any more. I also don't get why SC went to the lineup at the side of the screen...it works for PTI, a halftime rundown talking show. I really don't like it for SC at all.
Lastly, I have already managed to get to G & L once this week, and I plan on getting there a few more times this month. Love me some chili dogs!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Lower Court Coaching Experience
Prior to a lengthy Piston talk, I want to wish Ryno and everyone involved safe travels and lots of fun this weekend.
Okay, so you're playing on the Lower Court against ______ (Fill in with your favorite Ravenna basketball legend). No matter who it is, from a DeJonge to Todd Place to Pierson to even Al Braspenninx, there is a way to defend them 1 on 1 (I'd like to think that I know all of these ways, and I won't be releasing them to the general public until after next year's 20th Anniversary edition of the Ravenna Proud Day 3-on-3 Tourney).
If you can't guard that person, you have the following options:
#1--Switch with someone else.
#2--Foul them hard.
#3--Make them work on defense.
#4--Double team them.
#5--Throw a pine cone at their eyes.
Seems simple enough, right? Well, apparently not to Flip Saunders in defending Bron Bron last nite. Let's analyze previously stated options:
#1--They attempted this. Since no one would rotate over quickly enough to help Tey-Tey when he would be beaten off the dribble by LeBron (and just for the record, that isn't anything to feel badly about, and ANYONE who says it's Tey's fault that LBJ went off is an idiot), Flip attempted to put Rip, Chauncey, Lindsay, and even tried Joe D and Fennis Dembo for a possession.
While this strategy is good, without a legit shot-blocker in the middle (Dice, perhaps) if no one does it quickly enough, then you end up with a 1-man layup line, which is what the 2 OT's looked like at times.
#2--They failed to attempt this, aside from one Rasheed takedown in OT. It's OK to foul someone, and hard, especially in the playoffs, rather than have them continually get the 2-handed hammer. If Dice can hit Sideshow Bob that hard (Which, IMO, did NOT warrant an ejection. It wasn't premeditated, wasn't retaliatory in any way, and was early in the game), then surely 95 year old Dale Davis can take a shot at Lebron.
PS--If Dice is suspended for G6, it's complete BS.
#3--The first half of last nite's game was genuinely enteraining to watch. Kristen even watched the entire half without getting a magazine or painting a nail, which was a first for this series.
For some reason, however, that ball movement, scrambling, trapping zone defense and fast breaking went COMPLETELY out the window during 2nd half and OT's. I very much advocate going after Eric Snow and Damon Jones(Top Ten Hate Lister, to be abbrev. as T10HL from here forth) whenever possible on offense, but at least make it a screen-roll or SOMETHING ELSE besides a simple back-down, everyone stare and watch. The Pistons AREN'T GOOD AT THIS ON OFFENSE!!!!!
Nearly every 2nd OT possession was a post-up or a perimeter clear-out. That's why a mediocre defender like Sideshow Bob can make that block on the last possession of the game--everyone in the building knew 6-3 Billups was going to take the last shot, especially when he dribbled to the point where no offensive rebound was going to occur, so he could rotate over quickly with no fear of a big man behind him getting to the rim.
#4--Here's where I simply must lack the knowledge to grasp the Pistons' intricate defensive schema in the OT's. HOW ABOUT, oh I don't know, TAKE THE BALL OUT OF HIS HANDS??? This was done quite well for short stretches in the 4th Q and 1st OT, when Pavlovic (forced to score on the baseline off the dribble) and Gooden (forced to score back to basket) were given the ball in places that they weren't comfortable in.
There was a possession in the first OT where LBJ passed it to Snow at about 17 feet, and he didn't even LOOK at the rim. Can't you somehow manage to keep LBJ out of the paint when you know that one dude isn't going to shoot the ball EVER? (And if you wanted to ever imagine yourself in an NBA game, put yourself in Eric Snow's shoes--a slow, old, non-shooter who gets PT because he isn't afraid to hack, slap, and do whatever it takes to win).
The Pistons even did this on the next to last possession of the game, when Sideshow Bob got his 19 pushed in at the rim after the Pistons tripled LBJ near the FT line.
I simply don't understand how a veteran team can't do this more. It's not rocket science. The zone trap worked to begin the game because the ball stayed outside the paint--the Cavs had exactly zippo paint points in the first quarter. As the game went along, Pistons got lazier on defense, LBJ got to the lane more without help defense sliding over, and as a result, Cavs win.
As for #5, that might be what the D needs on Saturday night. I'm reasonably confident for no logical reason that they win G6, other than they've done this NUMEROUS times before. But I'm seriously tired of watching people complaining about calls. No one else on the team has the right to talk to a ref other than Tey-Tey, who busts his butt on nearly every play and occassionally is lucky enough to shoot.
I'll shut it down at this time with this--If they lose G6, they are officially the NBA version of the Atlanta Braves. At least the Buffalo Bills got to the Super Bowl every year. The Braves, with a raft of talent, seemed to find a way to lose in every postseason and got just 1 ring. The Pistons are on the precipice of that right now, thanks largely to (at times) unfocused play at both ends of the floor and the Darko pick.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take that pine cone and jam it into my own eye.
Okay, so you're playing on the Lower Court against ______ (Fill in with your favorite Ravenna basketball legend). No matter who it is, from a DeJonge to Todd Place to Pierson to even Al Braspenninx, there is a way to defend them 1 on 1 (I'd like to think that I know all of these ways, and I won't be releasing them to the general public until after next year's 20th Anniversary edition of the Ravenna Proud Day 3-on-3 Tourney).
If you can't guard that person, you have the following options:
#1--Switch with someone else.
#2--Foul them hard.
#3--Make them work on defense.
#4--Double team them.
#5--Throw a pine cone at their eyes.
Seems simple enough, right? Well, apparently not to Flip Saunders in defending Bron Bron last nite. Let's analyze previously stated options:
#1--They attempted this. Since no one would rotate over quickly enough to help Tey-Tey when he would be beaten off the dribble by LeBron (and just for the record, that isn't anything to feel badly about, and ANYONE who says it's Tey's fault that LBJ went off is an idiot), Flip attempted to put Rip, Chauncey, Lindsay, and even tried Joe D and Fennis Dembo for a possession.
While this strategy is good, without a legit shot-blocker in the middle (Dice, perhaps) if no one does it quickly enough, then you end up with a 1-man layup line, which is what the 2 OT's looked like at times.
#2--They failed to attempt this, aside from one Rasheed takedown in OT. It's OK to foul someone, and hard, especially in the playoffs, rather than have them continually get the 2-handed hammer. If Dice can hit Sideshow Bob that hard (Which, IMO, did NOT warrant an ejection. It wasn't premeditated, wasn't retaliatory in any way, and was early in the game), then surely 95 year old Dale Davis can take a shot at Lebron.
PS--If Dice is suspended for G6, it's complete BS.
#3--The first half of last nite's game was genuinely enteraining to watch. Kristen even watched the entire half without getting a magazine or painting a nail, which was a first for this series.
For some reason, however, that ball movement, scrambling, trapping zone defense and fast breaking went COMPLETELY out the window during 2nd half and OT's. I very much advocate going after Eric Snow and Damon Jones(Top Ten Hate Lister, to be abbrev. as T10HL from here forth) whenever possible on offense, but at least make it a screen-roll or SOMETHING ELSE besides a simple back-down, everyone stare and watch. The Pistons AREN'T GOOD AT THIS ON OFFENSE!!!!!
Nearly every 2nd OT possession was a post-up or a perimeter clear-out. That's why a mediocre defender like Sideshow Bob can make that block on the last possession of the game--everyone in the building knew 6-3 Billups was going to take the last shot, especially when he dribbled to the point where no offensive rebound was going to occur, so he could rotate over quickly with no fear of a big man behind him getting to the rim.
#4--Here's where I simply must lack the knowledge to grasp the Pistons' intricate defensive schema in the OT's. HOW ABOUT, oh I don't know, TAKE THE BALL OUT OF HIS HANDS??? This was done quite well for short stretches in the 4th Q and 1st OT, when Pavlovic (forced to score on the baseline off the dribble) and Gooden (forced to score back to basket) were given the ball in places that they weren't comfortable in.
There was a possession in the first OT where LBJ passed it to Snow at about 17 feet, and he didn't even LOOK at the rim. Can't you somehow manage to keep LBJ out of the paint when you know that one dude isn't going to shoot the ball EVER? (And if you wanted to ever imagine yourself in an NBA game, put yourself in Eric Snow's shoes--a slow, old, non-shooter who gets PT because he isn't afraid to hack, slap, and do whatever it takes to win).
The Pistons even did this on the next to last possession of the game, when Sideshow Bob got his 19 pushed in at the rim after the Pistons tripled LBJ near the FT line.
I simply don't understand how a veteran team can't do this more. It's not rocket science. The zone trap worked to begin the game because the ball stayed outside the paint--the Cavs had exactly zippo paint points in the first quarter. As the game went along, Pistons got lazier on defense, LBJ got to the lane more without help defense sliding over, and as a result, Cavs win.
As for #5, that might be what the D needs on Saturday night. I'm reasonably confident for no logical reason that they win G6, other than they've done this NUMEROUS times before. But I'm seriously tired of watching people complaining about calls. No one else on the team has the right to talk to a ref other than Tey-Tey, who busts his butt on nearly every play and occassionally is lucky enough to shoot.
I'll shut it down at this time with this--If they lose G6, they are officially the NBA version of the Atlanta Braves. At least the Buffalo Bills got to the Super Bowl every year. The Braves, with a raft of talent, seemed to find a way to lose in every postseason and got just 1 ring. The Pistons are on the precipice of that right now, thanks largely to (at times) unfocused play at both ends of the floor and the Darko pick.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take that pine cone and jam it into my own eye.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Clark Kellogg is THE MAN!
I know I don't talk about this a whole lot, but I've reffed WAYYYY too many games over the past 10 summers or so. I'm sure that I'll have multiple reffing posts over the next few months, but I gotta post my first one based on a game that I didthis past weekend.
I was in Fort Wayne reffing a Run N Slam tournament, which are sponsored by the Spiece Fieldhouse. The Spiece is an 8-court mega gym in Fort Wayne which also has a great AAU program for boys and girls in Fort Wayne as well as in Indianapolis.
Generally speaking, the teams in the Spiece-related tourneys are approximately 4,123 times better than in any AYBT tourney, largely because the Spiece tourneys get AAU teams from across the country--in fact, I did 25 games this weekend in age groups from 6th to 11th graders and reffed teams from Wisconsin, Florida, Utah, and Iowa. Now, I'm not going to say whether or not a bunch of Utah 8th grade kids need to play in a tournament in Indiana, or why their parents think that's a good idea--not my kid, so I guess they can do what they want with their money.
The game I'll talk about was a game involving 9th graders between C-BIZ. a group of kids from the Columbus, OH area, and Indiana Elite, a NW Indiana AAU club's offshoot branch in the Fort Wayne area. The Elite team had a 6-7 lefty named DeShawn Thomas, who is rated as a top-3 freshman IN THE COUNTRY and has already been offered from a number of D-I's, including Ohio State. He is a flat-out stud with an advanced offensive game, but didn't defend very well in this game.
Elite's coach ended up being one of the classic overcoaching AAU screamers, and Thomas complained about EVERY call. My partner T'd the Elite's coach up (we were playing by HS rules), which meant he had to sit down the rest of the game. Of course he had never heard of the rule and thought we were making it up, because we have nothing better to do with our weekends than torture mediocre AAU coaches.
And needless to say, the Elite's parents were screaming fools. In fact, they actually have a reputation ALREADY as 9th grade parents as a group that has to be dealt with, so our site supervisor was lucky enough to sit in the stands and deal with their tired act all game long as well. I'll deal with this at length in a later post, but I simply don't understand why parents like that don't get the fact that the more they yell about EVERY SINGLE PLAY, the more their coach gets worked up, and the more their kids get worked up. To illustrate that fact, after the Elite's coach got T'd, he was quiet for roughly 10 minutes, just long enough for his kids to go on about a 20-4 run during which they just pounded the C-BIZ.
Well, Elite won the game by 5 or 6 points. Directly before the next game started, I see a large gentleman walking out of the stands toward me. At this point in the day, usually its a parent ready to direct their misplaced anger and ignorance toward the ref who made his kids' team miss all their free throws and layups.
But in a COMPLETE surprise, it ends up being CBS college basketball expert Clark Kellogg! His son played on the C-BIZ team, and completely unprompted, he came out of the stands to tell Ryan (my partner) and I how great a job we did in handling the game. His direct quote, "If I say something to anyone in the stands or at the event about the other team's parents, it's just like pouring gasoline on the fire."
It was my own personal One Shining Moment during a weekend of forgettable ones. Clark Kellogg is now my new favorite college basketball studio analyst.
I was in Fort Wayne reffing a Run N Slam tournament, which are sponsored by the Spiece Fieldhouse. The Spiece is an 8-court mega gym in Fort Wayne which also has a great AAU program for boys and girls in Fort Wayne as well as in Indianapolis.
Generally speaking, the teams in the Spiece-related tourneys are approximately 4,123 times better than in any AYBT tourney, largely because the Spiece tourneys get AAU teams from across the country--in fact, I did 25 games this weekend in age groups from 6th to 11th graders and reffed teams from Wisconsin, Florida, Utah, and Iowa. Now, I'm not going to say whether or not a bunch of Utah 8th grade kids need to play in a tournament in Indiana, or why their parents think that's a good idea--not my kid, so I guess they can do what they want with their money.
The game I'll talk about was a game involving 9th graders between C-BIZ. a group of kids from the Columbus, OH area, and Indiana Elite, a NW Indiana AAU club's offshoot branch in the Fort Wayne area. The Elite team had a 6-7 lefty named DeShawn Thomas, who is rated as a top-3 freshman IN THE COUNTRY and has already been offered from a number of D-I's, including Ohio State. He is a flat-out stud with an advanced offensive game, but didn't defend very well in this game.
Elite's coach ended up being one of the classic overcoaching AAU screamers, and Thomas complained about EVERY call. My partner T'd the Elite's coach up (we were playing by HS rules), which meant he had to sit down the rest of the game. Of course he had never heard of the rule and thought we were making it up, because we have nothing better to do with our weekends than torture mediocre AAU coaches.
And needless to say, the Elite's parents were screaming fools. In fact, they actually have a reputation ALREADY as 9th grade parents as a group that has to be dealt with, so our site supervisor was lucky enough to sit in the stands and deal with their tired act all game long as well. I'll deal with this at length in a later post, but I simply don't understand why parents like that don't get the fact that the more they yell about EVERY SINGLE PLAY, the more their coach gets worked up, and the more their kids get worked up. To illustrate that fact, after the Elite's coach got T'd, he was quiet for roughly 10 minutes, just long enough for his kids to go on about a 20-4 run during which they just pounded the C-BIZ.
Well, Elite won the game by 5 or 6 points. Directly before the next game started, I see a large gentleman walking out of the stands toward me. At this point in the day, usually its a parent ready to direct their misplaced anger and ignorance toward the ref who made his kids' team miss all their free throws and layups.
But in a COMPLETE surprise, it ends up being CBS college basketball expert Clark Kellogg! His son played on the C-BIZ team, and completely unprompted, he came out of the stands to tell Ryan (my partner) and I how great a job we did in handling the game. His direct quote, "If I say something to anyone in the stands or at the event about the other team's parents, it's just like pouring gasoline on the fire."
It was my own personal One Shining Moment during a weekend of forgettable ones. Clark Kellogg is now my new favorite college basketball studio analyst.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Play the Lottery
I was absolutely transfixed by the lottery last night. My favorite part was watching nutjob Tommy Heinsohn's facial reaction when the Celtics' envelope was chosen at the #5 slot. At that spot, they are likely going to have to take a chance on a foreign dude, or an athlete with "tremendous upside" like Brandan Wright from UNC or Rush from Kansas.
I was also happy that the Pacers, Bucks, or Grizzle didn't get the top 2 spots for a variety of reasons, especially the fact that the Bucks, Celtics and Grizzle went into full-on tank mode late in the year.
Spurs may sweep the series. The Jazz simply aren't good enough perimeter defenders to slow Parker and Ginobili. No surprise that the Jazz (Giricek and Harpring) and Cavs (Pavlovic and Snow) have perimeter players that the other team can take advantage of, which will be both team's downfalls. Utah needs to address that position somehow if they will ever get the best out of Boozer-AK-Millsap-Deron Williams.
That's where the Pistons are so good--Tey Tey and Billups are great defenders at their positions, they can go to the zone, and Lindsay can come in and defend perimeter guys as well. Rip is, well, Rip, but at least he is someone that the other team has to account for on offense and he can make up for his below average defense by knocking down jumpers.
Busily packing for my trip home this June...lots of reffing, a pair of weddings and other very enjoyable things to do and see. Postings will become rather random, and the podcasting will happen when I get back to Cincy. Looking forward to coming home for awhile!
Today's Insane Person Award...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880144
Elijah Dukes, Devil Ray OF, reportedly broke into his girlfriend's middle school classroom last month and threatened to kill her.
My favorite quote..."I'm just going to play ball, that's it," Dukes told the newspaper. "I've got to go. I've got a video game to finish."
I've used this quote before on the phone, just never with a national sportswriter in answering whether or not I threated to kill a middle school teacher.
I was also happy that the Pacers, Bucks, or Grizzle didn't get the top 2 spots for a variety of reasons, especially the fact that the Bucks, Celtics and Grizzle went into full-on tank mode late in the year.
Spurs may sweep the series. The Jazz simply aren't good enough perimeter defenders to slow Parker and Ginobili. No surprise that the Jazz (Giricek and Harpring) and Cavs (Pavlovic and Snow) have perimeter players that the other team can take advantage of, which will be both team's downfalls. Utah needs to address that position somehow if they will ever get the best out of Boozer-AK-Millsap-Deron Williams.
That's where the Pistons are so good--Tey Tey and Billups are great defenders at their positions, they can go to the zone, and Lindsay can come in and defend perimeter guys as well. Rip is, well, Rip, but at least he is someone that the other team has to account for on offense and he can make up for his below average defense by knocking down jumpers.
Busily packing for my trip home this June...lots of reffing, a pair of weddings and other very enjoyable things to do and see. Postings will become rather random, and the podcasting will happen when I get back to Cincy. Looking forward to coming home for awhile!
Today's Insane Person Award...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880144
Elijah Dukes, Devil Ray OF, reportedly broke into his girlfriend's middle school classroom last month and threatened to kill her.
My favorite quote..."I'm just going to play ball, that's it," Dukes told the newspaper. "I've got to go. I've got a video game to finish."
I've used this quote before on the phone, just never with a national sportswriter in answering whether or not I threated to kill a middle school teacher.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
David Kircus representing GVFU well
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2878625
Apparently the former Laker blasted a dude in the face at a party after having 3 too many. Good for him...something tells me he won't be the last Brian Kelly product on the police blotter anytime soon.
My favorite sentence in the article...Kircus, who resumed his NFL career last season after spending a year away from football working in a fast-food shop, is free on $6,000 bail.
I hope that Helly somehow gets into shape and gets a spot on the Muskegon Indoor Arena Professional League (or whatever it's called) so I can read the following sentence in the Chronicle next year, "Helsen, who resumed his football career last season after spending 4 years away from the field balancing budgets and doing his friends' taxes,..."
LOTTERY TALK
My love for the NBA is well-known. I honestly am very much looking forward to the lottery, broadcast tonite at 8:30 on ESPN.
Simmons already brought up the best potential moment of the draft--when the #10 envelope is opened. If it says Bulls, then they've fleeced Isiah and the Knicks for a mid-lottery pick. If it says anything else...then the Bulls are in the top-3 of the lottery, which means Oden, Durant, or someone else who should immediately be a stud for them.
I'm not sure which one I'm rooting for. I think I want to see a non-Bulls logo, just so Isiah's face can be broadcast on every sports outlet for the next 24 hours.
Pistons have 2 first-round picks in the draft--theirs and Orlando's, which is the first pick outside of the lottery.
Apparently the former Laker blasted a dude in the face at a party after having 3 too many. Good for him...something tells me he won't be the last Brian Kelly product on the police blotter anytime soon.
My favorite sentence in the article...Kircus, who resumed his NFL career last season after spending a year away from football working in a fast-food shop, is free on $6,000 bail.
I hope that Helly somehow gets into shape and gets a spot on the Muskegon Indoor Arena Professional League (or whatever it's called) so I can read the following sentence in the Chronicle next year, "Helsen, who resumed his football career last season after spending 4 years away from the field balancing budgets and doing his friends' taxes,..."
LOTTERY TALK
My love for the NBA is well-known. I honestly am very much looking forward to the lottery, broadcast tonite at 8:30 on ESPN.
Simmons already brought up the best potential moment of the draft--when the #10 envelope is opened. If it says Bulls, then they've fleeced Isiah and the Knicks for a mid-lottery pick. If it says anything else...then the Bulls are in the top-3 of the lottery, which means Oden, Durant, or someone else who should immediately be a stud for them.
I'm not sure which one I'm rooting for. I think I want to see a non-Bulls logo, just so Isiah's face can be broadcast on every sports outlet for the next 24 hours.
Pistons have 2 first-round picks in the draft--theirs and Orlando's, which is the first pick outside of the lottery.
I'm glad I never gave Clinton Portis a puppy
I don't have a lot to say at this point about Pistons-Cavs, other than I nearly called the score at halftime (said 78-74 on the phone, you can look that 19 up)
It was an incredibly hard game to watch. Billups has problems against the Cavs because they can put Hughes (a taller, quicker defender) on him, and the Pistons' post players (except Cram Max) never actually roll to the rim on screen rolls. When this happens, Pavlovic guards Rip (which is why Hamilton actually looked aggressive offensively in the first half). And Eric Snow doesn't count as a good defender--there was a play in the 3rd quarter where Snow was aboot 7 feet away from the rim and Rasheed was BACKPEDALING away from him because he knew Snow was absolutely no threat to score.
Pavlovic was also at fault for the Pistons' last FG of the game--looking at replays, you can see him barely moving toward Billups as he teed up a wide-open wing 3 in front of a screaming Mike Brown.
I can't imagine the Pistons playing worse offensively and winning a game. Not sure why they didn't give Flip Murray a chance in the first half, especially when they were so stagnant on offense. Also completely unclear why Bron Bron wouldn't at least look at the rim on that last play before kicking it out to Luda--I mean Donyell Marshall.
"I know a lot of back roads that have the dog fighting if you want to go see it,"
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2878099
Wow. With those words, Clinton Portis has blabbed his way into Hall of Fame enemy status for animal lovers everywhere.
Now, I'm all for letting a man do what a man wants to do inside his four walls. But seriously, dog fighting may not be the best hobby for an NFL QB to be a part of. Come on Mr. Mexico, how about playing the XBox? Landscaping? There have to be many other things to do with your time rather than (reportedly) letting your live-in cousin breed dogs for fighting.
It was an incredibly hard game to watch. Billups has problems against the Cavs because they can put Hughes (a taller, quicker defender) on him, and the Pistons' post players (except Cram Max) never actually roll to the rim on screen rolls. When this happens, Pavlovic guards Rip (which is why Hamilton actually looked aggressive offensively in the first half). And Eric Snow doesn't count as a good defender--there was a play in the 3rd quarter where Snow was aboot 7 feet away from the rim and Rasheed was BACKPEDALING away from him because he knew Snow was absolutely no threat to score.
Pavlovic was also at fault for the Pistons' last FG of the game--looking at replays, you can see him barely moving toward Billups as he teed up a wide-open wing 3 in front of a screaming Mike Brown.
I can't imagine the Pistons playing worse offensively and winning a game. Not sure why they didn't give Flip Murray a chance in the first half, especially when they were so stagnant on offense. Also completely unclear why Bron Bron wouldn't at least look at the rim on that last play before kicking it out to Luda--I mean Donyell Marshall.
"I know a lot of back roads that have the dog fighting if you want to go see it,"
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2878099
Wow. With those words, Clinton Portis has blabbed his way into Hall of Fame enemy status for animal lovers everywhere.
Now, I'm all for letting a man do what a man wants to do inside his four walls. But seriously, dog fighting may not be the best hobby for an NFL QB to be a part of. Come on Mr. Mexico, how about playing the XBox? Landscaping? There have to be many other things to do with your time rather than (reportedly) letting your live-in cousin breed dogs for fighting.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Dump Day Pride!
Ahhh, there's nothing like small-town traditions. Ravenna in May brings post-season high school tournaments. Prom & graduation day. Getting the clubs out and playing the Creeks. Yardwork and the fresh smell of manure wafting through the air.
For about the last 10 or so years, another tradition unlike any other (TM) has taken hold of Ravenna---DUMP DAY. To the untrained eye, Dump Day would simply be a chance for the village residents to throw out anything that they don't want that they garbage man won't take--washers, furniture, roofing tiles, you name it.
That, however, would be selling the night short. What Dump Day provides, besides the ability for people to throw out anything and not feel bad about overloading the Muskegon County landfill, is the chance for "normal" people to file thought people's junk and add to their own personal junk piles.
And don't for a second get a picture in your mind that the Dump Day shoppers are the unwashed types. There are many college graduates living in the greater Ravenna metro area who enjoy trolling the mean streets looking for anything that they might use. My sister was on the lookout for a "3-legged chair, a mattress without springs, or a table with no legs" for my next birthday present.
My mother, on Sunday, was a bit depressed after this year's Dump Day, as her junk was actually rejected by the garbage men. It wasn't that it was junk that wasn't good enough to be called junk, but rather she found out that they wouldn't take her half-used cans of old paint.
Helly and Al went out on the town on Friday night and came back emptyhanded, but Jason had a great theory regarding DD07, "It was a down year. I think everyone's pile was the stuff that they had taken from everyone else's piles over the past few years, so we need a year to recycle that stuff out and get some fresh stuff out there for next year."
That incredibly warped logic (which I understand completely) is what DD is all about--you gotta get out there and put in the leg work to fully experience what the tradition is all about.
Pistons-Cavs open tonight. Time for 2 solid weeks of me talking about how much I detest Varajeo and Damon Jones. Bring on the worst offensive sets in the NBA dressed in the ugliest road jerseys!
For about the last 10 or so years, another tradition unlike any other (TM) has taken hold of Ravenna---DUMP DAY. To the untrained eye, Dump Day would simply be a chance for the village residents to throw out anything that they don't want that they garbage man won't take--washers, furniture, roofing tiles, you name it.
That, however, would be selling the night short. What Dump Day provides, besides the ability for people to throw out anything and not feel bad about overloading the Muskegon County landfill, is the chance for "normal" people to file thought people's junk and add to their own personal junk piles.
And don't for a second get a picture in your mind that the Dump Day shoppers are the unwashed types. There are many college graduates living in the greater Ravenna metro area who enjoy trolling the mean streets looking for anything that they might use. My sister was on the lookout for a "3-legged chair, a mattress without springs, or a table with no legs" for my next birthday present.
My mother, on Sunday, was a bit depressed after this year's Dump Day, as her junk was actually rejected by the garbage men. It wasn't that it was junk that wasn't good enough to be called junk, but rather she found out that they wouldn't take her half-used cans of old paint.
Helly and Al went out on the town on Friday night and came back emptyhanded, but Jason had a great theory regarding DD07, "It was a down year. I think everyone's pile was the stuff that they had taken from everyone else's piles over the past few years, so we need a year to recycle that stuff out and get some fresh stuff out there for next year."
That incredibly warped logic (which I understand completely) is what DD is all about--you gotta get out there and put in the leg work to fully experience what the tradition is all about.
Pistons-Cavs open tonight. Time for 2 solid weeks of me talking about how much I detest Varajeo and Damon Jones. Bring on the worst offensive sets in the NBA dressed in the ugliest road jerseys!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Random thoughts on a Friday...
Tigers enter an interesting 9-game homestand today...struggling Cardinals come back to a chorus of boos, followed by the Angels, then the Central-leading Indians, who suddenly have the best starting staff in the division. The D managed to score a whopping 2 runs in a game yesterday in which they had seven doubles. That's tough to do.
Astros peed down their leg in the 12th last night, giving Lidge yet another loss. They have suddenly (kind of) righted the ship, thanks largely to a solid bullpen and the play of rookie CF Hunter Pence, and hopefuly Jason Jennings and Brandon Backe can get healthy soon. They host the Rangers in "Rivalry Weekend", then leave for 2 four-game road series with the Giants and Diamondbacks.
Let me again restate something--if Chauncey doesn't re-sign, the Pistons should blow it up. Period. They have built it nicely with some long-term deals for Rip, Tey-Tey and Sheed, but if Chauncey doesn't come back, they might as well get Cram Max in the lineup right away and draft VERY smartly with their 2 first-round picks this year. If the Cavs win tonight, then the East Finals begin on Monday, if it goes to a seventh game, then the East Finals begin on Wednesday.
Bulls, with Durant or Oden thanks to Isiah, are going to be tough...maybe. They still have MULTIPLE choices to make with their free agents. PJ Brown and Nocioni are both unrestricted free agents after this year, and after next season, Thomas, Deng, Gordon, Thabo Sefalsha, and Duhon will ALL be free agents. While Brown and Nocioni are likely both gone, especially if the Bulls luck their way into a top-2 pick, they will have some decisions to make next year, and if they don't trade Gordon, they'll still have a smallish backcourt which big guards like Billups can take advantage of. And the fun part of the Bulls' cap--Ben's contract is nearly ONE THIRD of their total salary!
Looking forward, as always, to new episodes of Charm School and Fit Club on Sunday. Not going to lie--I LOVE both shows, can't get enough of the Charm Schoolers, they continue to amaze me with their ability to say and do ignorant things. Fit Club will be fun this week because Screech is on the verge of a beatdown from Harvey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-bKq1vQQo&mode=related&search
Relax, watch, enjoy.
Tigers enter an interesting 9-game homestand today...struggling Cardinals come back to a chorus of boos, followed by the Angels, then the Central-leading Indians, who suddenly have the best starting staff in the division. The D managed to score a whopping 2 runs in a game yesterday in which they had seven doubles. That's tough to do.
Astros peed down their leg in the 12th last night, giving Lidge yet another loss. They have suddenly (kind of) righted the ship, thanks largely to a solid bullpen and the play of rookie CF Hunter Pence, and hopefuly Jason Jennings and Brandon Backe can get healthy soon. They host the Rangers in "Rivalry Weekend", then leave for 2 four-game road series with the Giants and Diamondbacks.
Let me again restate something--if Chauncey doesn't re-sign, the Pistons should blow it up. Period. They have built it nicely with some long-term deals for Rip, Tey-Tey and Sheed, but if Chauncey doesn't come back, they might as well get Cram Max in the lineup right away and draft VERY smartly with their 2 first-round picks this year. If the Cavs win tonight, then the East Finals begin on Monday, if it goes to a seventh game, then the East Finals begin on Wednesday.
Bulls, with Durant or Oden thanks to Isiah, are going to be tough...maybe. They still have MULTIPLE choices to make with their free agents. PJ Brown and Nocioni are both unrestricted free agents after this year, and after next season, Thomas, Deng, Gordon, Thabo Sefalsha, and Duhon will ALL be free agents. While Brown and Nocioni are likely both gone, especially if the Bulls luck their way into a top-2 pick, they will have some decisions to make next year, and if they don't trade Gordon, they'll still have a smallish backcourt which big guards like Billups can take advantage of. And the fun part of the Bulls' cap--Ben's contract is nearly ONE THIRD of their total salary!
Looking forward, as always, to new episodes of Charm School and Fit Club on Sunday. Not going to lie--I LOVE both shows, can't get enough of the Charm Schoolers, they continue to amaze me with their ability to say and do ignorant things. Fit Club will be fun this week because Screech is on the verge of a beatdown from Harvey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-bKq1vQQo&mode=related&search
Relax, watch, enjoy.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Mean Mr. Mohammed
On the eve of what will hopefully be the Pistons finally taking the smaller and younger Bulls out, I thought I'd share some Nazr thoughts.
Outside of Darko (don't even get me started there) this is the worst move that Joe D has made during his time in the front office. Looking back, having lost Ben and unsure what Dale Davis/Dice/Maxiell could give them up front, he felt as though he had to make a move for a steady post player. Fair enough...but this is a guy who has NEVER averaged more than 26 minutes a game during his career.
Also, to be fair, the Pistons aren't the first team that Nazr has fooled into taking a chance on him. After his career-best 2003-04 season in which he averaged a whopping 9 points, 8 rebounds, and less than a block a game while shooting a sizzling 52% from the free throw line for the Knicks, he was traded to the Spurs for Malik Rose and 2 (two) first-round picks.
So Nazr, who puts up 6 points and 5 boards a game for the Spurs last year, manages to spin those gaudy numbers into a 5-year deal with the Pistons. His contract isn't a terrible one for a player of his nature, but look around the league--there are many extra-mediocre centers parked squarely on the bench with large price tags. Maybe the best example of a bad signing was prominently displayed during the past few weeks, when the Warriors were making noise with their "athleticism" on the floor, Adonal Foyle was right next to the towel boy for virtually every second. However, Foyle has the 3rd BIGGEST contract on the team (8.125 million this year). Again, Nazr's contract doesn't hamstring the Pistons' future moves a tremendous amount, especially with Rip, Sheed and Tey-Tey each signed for at least the next 3 seasons.
It wasn't that Nazr didn't fit in with what the Pistons wanted to do--it's that he doesn't fit in with the rest of the league. There were a number of games that he started that the Pistons were simply too slow to keep up with other teams. He only scored in double figures in just 2 wins against playoff teams--the Cavs and Nets. Detroit struggled MIGHTILY with him in games aginast the best of the West early in the season. He averaged 7 points and 6 boards during November, and 9 and 6 in December. He had only 2 double-doubles all season, against league powers Atlanta and the Knicks. I also won't take this time to tell you that the Pistons could have Memo for the combined contracts of Nazr and Darko's rookie deal.
What is the future of Nazr? The Pistons have SEVEN players in the last year of their contracts (Webber, Dice, Will Blalock, Amir Johnson, Ronald Dupree, Dale Davis, Flip-Mode) along with Chauncey having a player opt-out option in his. Nazr is still on the hook for another 4 years. With all those free agents, it's extremely likely that he'll be virtually untradeable this off-season as the Pistons make a number of decisions on other players. Nazr turns 30 in September. Here's hoping he can find a productive role on the team. Dice and Dale Davis are getting no younger, while Sheed and Cram Max need help up front. The Pistons will be under the cap with Davis and Dice's combined 9 million coming off, but they have a decision as to re-signing Dice and Flip Murray, and the Pistons have 2 first-round picks this year to occupy some of the cap as well.
As for tonight...hoping the Pistons wake up, start getting the ball to Webber and Tey-Tey on post ups early in the game, get easy baskets in transition, and STOP TALKING TO THE REFS!!!!
Outside of Darko (don't even get me started there) this is the worst move that Joe D has made during his time in the front office. Looking back, having lost Ben and unsure what Dale Davis/Dice/Maxiell could give them up front, he felt as though he had to make a move for a steady post player. Fair enough...but this is a guy who has NEVER averaged more than 26 minutes a game during his career.
Also, to be fair, the Pistons aren't the first team that Nazr has fooled into taking a chance on him. After his career-best 2003-04 season in which he averaged a whopping 9 points, 8 rebounds, and less than a block a game while shooting a sizzling 52% from the free throw line for the Knicks, he was traded to the Spurs for Malik Rose and 2 (two) first-round picks.
So Nazr, who puts up 6 points and 5 boards a game for the Spurs last year, manages to spin those gaudy numbers into a 5-year deal with the Pistons. His contract isn't a terrible one for a player of his nature, but look around the league--there are many extra-mediocre centers parked squarely on the bench with large price tags. Maybe the best example of a bad signing was prominently displayed during the past few weeks, when the Warriors were making noise with their "athleticism" on the floor, Adonal Foyle was right next to the towel boy for virtually every second. However, Foyle has the 3rd BIGGEST contract on the team (8.125 million this year). Again, Nazr's contract doesn't hamstring the Pistons' future moves a tremendous amount, especially with Rip, Sheed and Tey-Tey each signed for at least the next 3 seasons.
It wasn't that Nazr didn't fit in with what the Pistons wanted to do--it's that he doesn't fit in with the rest of the league. There were a number of games that he started that the Pistons were simply too slow to keep up with other teams. He only scored in double figures in just 2 wins against playoff teams--the Cavs and Nets. Detroit struggled MIGHTILY with him in games aginast the best of the West early in the season. He averaged 7 points and 6 boards during November, and 9 and 6 in December. He had only 2 double-doubles all season, against league powers Atlanta and the Knicks. I also won't take this time to tell you that the Pistons could have Memo for the combined contracts of Nazr and Darko's rookie deal.
What is the future of Nazr? The Pistons have SEVEN players in the last year of their contracts (Webber, Dice, Will Blalock, Amir Johnson, Ronald Dupree, Dale Davis, Flip-Mode) along with Chauncey having a player opt-out option in his. Nazr is still on the hook for another 4 years. With all those free agents, it's extremely likely that he'll be virtually untradeable this off-season as the Pistons make a number of decisions on other players. Nazr turns 30 in September. Here's hoping he can find a productive role on the team. Dice and Dale Davis are getting no younger, while Sheed and Cram Max need help up front. The Pistons will be under the cap with Davis and Dice's combined 9 million coming off, but they have a decision as to re-signing Dice and Flip Murray, and the Pistons have 2 first-round picks this year to occupy some of the cap as well.
As for tonight...hoping the Pistons wake up, start getting the ball to Webber and Tey-Tey on post ups early in the game, get easy baskets in transition, and STOP TALKING TO THE REFS!!!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Preview
For anyone who may be directed to this site...welcome, and this likely means that I've either coached you, or you know someone who has spent time listening to me spout off at the mouth. I hope to be able to embody in words what many of you hear in your minds when you think of me.
I'm not going to bore everyone with my resume--I will say that I did recently earn my Master's Degree in Education from Heidelberg College and, along with my B.A. in English, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with either one of them at this point in my life, other than think back on all of the papers that I wrote and Tim tried to copy.
I'm not exactly sure what this blog will have in it every day. I plan to mix up what gets typed down on it, from Kevin Smith-inspired thoughts to NBA talk to thoughts of Muskegon County days, while keeping it PG-13.
Good luck and good scores, gentlemen.
I'm not going to bore everyone with my resume--I will say that I did recently earn my Master's Degree in Education from Heidelberg College and, along with my B.A. in English, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with either one of them at this point in my life, other than think back on all of the papers that I wrote and Tim tried to copy.
I'm not exactly sure what this blog will have in it every day. I plan to mix up what gets typed down on it, from Kevin Smith-inspired thoughts to NBA talk to thoughts of Muskegon County days, while keeping it PG-13.
Good luck and good scores, gentlemen.
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