The video/meme of the day: The Obamas on the Kiss-Cam last night at the USA Basketball game.
You've gotta love the Kiss-Cam. One time Mrs. Quickie and I were at a Florida football game at The Swamp, and during a TV time-out, the camera cut to us in our seats and I spontaneously gave her a kiss for the cam. Alas, it cut away too quickly for the fans to truly appreciate my kiss-cam homage.
Meanwhile, yes, the US team has some size issues, but (a) few teams have the size of Brazil (Spain is one of them, of course), and (b) the rest of the team is so dominant that they will be fine without it. They might not win by 30+ they need to to pay tribute to the Dream Team, but it'll be enough.
Kevin Youkilis returns to Boston: Of course he was going to get cheered; he is one of the most popular Red Sox players of the past 20 years. I'm not sure fans miss him, though.
Matt Forte gets paid: Did the Bears really have to wait this long?
(Ray Rice, too: Deserves it based on past production, but you always wonder with paying big dollars for a "franchise" running back.)
NBA: Mavs sign OJ Mayo. This is called "Plan D."
On the road today. More tomorrow a.m.
-- D.S.
Are you a Knicks fan revoking your fandom in exchange for Brooklyn Nets' fandom? I won't judge. (I'll never judge your fandom, however you want to exercise it. I'm the guy who adopted Florida because of a woman I fell in love with.) I appreciate the frustration level. I'm now thinking that the team will eat the luxury tax implications and match the Lin deal.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
07/13 (Friday) Quickie
The Paterno-Penn State-Freeh story is so sad/aggravating that I just point you to Quickish's excellent collection of the top takes and analysis.
To the extent that the "Should they take the Paterno statue down?" thing has become the only way most people can internalize the horror of the story, I'm ambivalent -- I see both sides. It seems insane to keep the statue up as tribute; if people look at it and consider the extent of the abdication of JoePa's leadership, then it is valuable. The bottom line is that if the school doesn't change the way it works -- football as king, etc. -- then it doesn't matter what sort of symbolism is out there and how it's handled.
More:
*Dwight Howard Watch: Good for the Rockets to do whatever it takes to pry Howard from Orlando. I'd rather be in a position of trying to retain him over the next year (including financial advantage) than trying to woo him over about 48 hours -- against every other competitor, including rival Dallas -- next summer. I'd like to see Daryl Morey's creativity and obsession rewarded.
*Blake Griffin knee injury: Yikes. The downside of playing any basketball outside of your club team -- but, then again, injuries can happen anytime, so why not participate?
*USA Basketball rolls: Durant with that international 3-point-line is so amazing to watch. This team is going to be on a mission to win by 40 and make those comparisons to the 1992 team a little bit more interesting.
*Baseball is back: Let's go Nats. I'm 100% on board with pitching Strasburg past his innings limit if the team is in contention -- flags fly forever. The smarter play would be for the team to acquire a 6th starter and stretch Strasburg out a little bit.
*Just asking: Why isn't every team going after Justin Upton? I'm clearly missing something.
*Do the Phillies need to pay big to keep Hamels? Have you seen their record? (Of course, paying big for Hamels won't do anything about the aging and massively expensive lineup.)
Fun weekend of baseball and USA hoops and more ahead. Maybe we'll even get a Dwight Howard trade. After yesterday's Freeh Report release, I think we all want/need the psychological break.
-- D.S.
To the extent that the "Should they take the Paterno statue down?" thing has become the only way most people can internalize the horror of the story, I'm ambivalent -- I see both sides. It seems insane to keep the statue up as tribute; if people look at it and consider the extent of the abdication of JoePa's leadership, then it is valuable. The bottom line is that if the school doesn't change the way it works -- football as king, etc. -- then it doesn't matter what sort of symbolism is out there and how it's handled.
More:
*Dwight Howard Watch: Good for the Rockets to do whatever it takes to pry Howard from Orlando. I'd rather be in a position of trying to retain him over the next year (including financial advantage) than trying to woo him over about 48 hours -- against every other competitor, including rival Dallas -- next summer. I'd like to see Daryl Morey's creativity and obsession rewarded.
*Blake Griffin knee injury: Yikes. The downside of playing any basketball outside of your club team -- but, then again, injuries can happen anytime, so why not participate?
*USA Basketball rolls: Durant with that international 3-point-line is so amazing to watch. This team is going to be on a mission to win by 40 and make those comparisons to the 1992 team a little bit more interesting.
*Baseball is back: Let's go Nats. I'm 100% on board with pitching Strasburg past his innings limit if the team is in contention -- flags fly forever. The smarter play would be for the team to acquire a 6th starter and stretch Strasburg out a little bit.
*Just asking: Why isn't every team going after Justin Upton? I'm clearly missing something.
*Do the Phillies need to pay big to keep Hamels? Have you seen their record? (Of course, paying big for Hamels won't do anything about the aging and massively expensive lineup.)
Fun weekend of baseball and USA hoops and more ahead. Maybe we'll even get a Dwight Howard trade. After yesterday's Freeh Report release, I think we all want/need the psychological break.
-- D.S.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
07/12 (Freeh) Quickie
If you are a Penn State alum or fan, it should be impossible this morning not to be (even more) horrified at the conduct of your administration -- and your football coach -- during the terrifying Sandusky era.
I think we all knew that the school's board and its AD and Paterno knew far too much about Sandusky and chose -- chose -- not to do anything about it. It is damning to see it in this report.
It is hard to say what the "proper" punishment is -- nothing feels adequate. On the other hand, that Joe Paterno will be remembered in history as a kind of monster, rather than "one of the greatest football coaches ever" -- and that, hopefully, members of the Penn State administration go to prison -- is better than nothing.
The hope is that every school takes a hard look at the power they have conceded to the football program and their football coach -- that is one of the things at the root of this scandal.
-- D.S.
I think we all knew that the school's board and its AD and Paterno knew far too much about Sandusky and chose -- chose -- not to do anything about it. It is damning to see it in this report.
It is hard to say what the "proper" punishment is -- nothing feels adequate. On the other hand, that Joe Paterno will be remembered in history as a kind of monster, rather than "one of the greatest football coaches ever" -- and that, hopefully, members of the Penn State administration go to prison -- is better than nothing.
The hope is that every school takes a hard look at the power they have conceded to the football program and their football coach -- that is one of the things at the root of this scandal.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
07/10 (All-Star) Quickie
Let's be clear: Fans have an inalienable right -- an inalienable right -- to boo. It is as fundamental of a right of fandom as anything. It is damn near close to the First Amendment of fandom.
And so to the fans of Kansas City who booed Robinson Cano last night: Good for you. Cano took it in stride (as he should have -- and good for him), even if it clearly unnerved him.
KC fans are mostly genteel, but under all that is a fair amount of discontent and desperation, mostly because their team sucks and is unlikely to ever get much better.
This felt like a primal release, not just at some superficial affront by Cano in not picking a Royals slugger for the AL HR Derby team, but just as catharsis.
In that way, they weren't booing Cano. They were booing their lot in life, right there on national TV, when everyone was finally paying attention to them: Our team sucks and we're not happy about it.
The release was productive, healthy and entirely entertaining. Frankly, I don't care what their reason was; they have the right to boo whatever (or whoever) they want. Boo away, friends.
(I also hear that there's a movement for fans to turn around and cheer Cano tonight -- I'm sure they will, and hopefully it will simmer down the hysterics who hated their booing last night. Good for KC for having a little bit of nuance about the whole thing.)
More:
*I don't blame the rest of the NBA for not wanting slop to facilitate the Nets getting Dwight Howard and creating a half-decade contender.
*I have no idea why the Magic won't take Bynum and take their chances that with a year to woo him (and the ultimate financial advantage via his Bird rights) that he will stay. Totally worth it.
*I don't watch much NBA Summer League, but I enjoy perusing the box scores for summer studs. Jared Sullinger is off to a good start, and I really like Orlando Johnson.
*Player I'm most excited to watch tonight: RA Dickey.
*Today's must-read/must-buy: "Dream Team," the new book by Jack McCallum about the fabled 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team.
*EA's NCAA Football '13 also comes out today. I'm not a huge gamer, but if I was, I would appreciate the ability to put Tim Tebow on any team in the country. I don't have to worry about that.
-- D.S.
And so to the fans of Kansas City who booed Robinson Cano last night: Good for you. Cano took it in stride (as he should have -- and good for him), even if it clearly unnerved him.
KC fans are mostly genteel, but under all that is a fair amount of discontent and desperation, mostly because their team sucks and is unlikely to ever get much better.
This felt like a primal release, not just at some superficial affront by Cano in not picking a Royals slugger for the AL HR Derby team, but just as catharsis.
In that way, they weren't booing Cano. They were booing their lot in life, right there on national TV, when everyone was finally paying attention to them: Our team sucks and we're not happy about it.
The release was productive, healthy and entirely entertaining. Frankly, I don't care what their reason was; they have the right to boo whatever (or whoever) they want. Boo away, friends.
(I also hear that there's a movement for fans to turn around and cheer Cano tonight -- I'm sure they will, and hopefully it will simmer down the hysterics who hated their booing last night. Good for KC for having a little bit of nuance about the whole thing.)
More:
*I don't blame the rest of the NBA for not wanting slop to facilitate the Nets getting Dwight Howard and creating a half-decade contender.
*I have no idea why the Magic won't take Bynum and take their chances that with a year to woo him (and the ultimate financial advantage via his Bird rights) that he will stay. Totally worth it.
*I don't watch much NBA Summer League, but I enjoy perusing the box scores for summer studs. Jared Sullinger is off to a good start, and I really like Orlando Johnson.
*Player I'm most excited to watch tonight: RA Dickey.
*Today's must-read/must-buy: "Dream Team," the new book by Jack McCallum about the fabled 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team.
*EA's NCAA Football '13 also comes out today. I'm not a huge gamer, but if I was, I would appreciate the ability to put Tim Tebow on any team in the country. I don't have to worry about that.
-- D.S.
Saturday, July 07, 2012
07/07 (Ray Allen) Quickie
Now, I'm no Heat fan, and the idea of a still-very-potent Ray Allen on that team -- destroying everyone with that beautiful 3-point-shot and helping the Heat to another title or two -- is brutal.
That said: Allen not only had every right to make the jump to the Heat, but good for him for snubbing the Celtics.
*The Celtics tried to trade him mid-season. The "Let's pry the window open for one more run!" was more of a function of Derrick Rose's injury and the temporary stand-off with the Heat -- in other words, a combination of luck and reductive hindsight -- than Grand Design. The reality is that Danny Ainge was willing to blow it up in March -- with Allen the first to be thrown overboard. Let's not listen to Boston sports fans talking about loyalty or "team." There is no moral high-ground there.
*Allen and Rondo had a terrible relationship, and it was clear to Allen (and everyone else) that the Celtics are fully committed to enabling Rondo's insanity -- however genius it may be. Why should Allen deal with that?
*Allen wants to win a championship. The Heat puts him in the best position to win one. I'm never going to begrudge a free agent for going to a team to help them win a title.
*He took less money to do it. I'm never going to begrudge a free agent for taking less money to join a winning team. (For what it's worth, LeBron and Wade did the same thing in Miami.)
I'm a huge Ray Allen fan -- somewhere in a moving box is a UConn shooting shirt I bought during Allen's magnificent junior year of college. His one-on-one with Allen Iverson in the Big East Tournament final in 1996 remains an indelible memory. I love that his skills are ageless, and I love that he has put himself in a position not just to contribute to a champ, but to be a major part -- he'll have more open looks in Miami than he ever did in the Big Three era in Boston.
Good for Ray. Bad for the rest of the league, but good for Ray.
-- D.S.
That said: Allen not only had every right to make the jump to the Heat, but good for him for snubbing the Celtics.
*The Celtics tried to trade him mid-season. The "Let's pry the window open for one more run!" was more of a function of Derrick Rose's injury and the temporary stand-off with the Heat -- in other words, a combination of luck and reductive hindsight -- than Grand Design. The reality is that Danny Ainge was willing to blow it up in March -- with Allen the first to be thrown overboard. Let's not listen to Boston sports fans talking about loyalty or "team." There is no moral high-ground there.
*Allen and Rondo had a terrible relationship, and it was clear to Allen (and everyone else) that the Celtics are fully committed to enabling Rondo's insanity -- however genius it may be. Why should Allen deal with that?
*Allen wants to win a championship. The Heat puts him in the best position to win one. I'm never going to begrudge a free agent for going to a team to help them win a title.
*He took less money to do it. I'm never going to begrudge a free agent for taking less money to join a winning team. (For what it's worth, LeBron and Wade did the same thing in Miami.)
I'm a huge Ray Allen fan -- somewhere in a moving box is a UConn shooting shirt I bought during Allen's magnificent junior year of college. His one-on-one with Allen Iverson in the Big East Tournament final in 1996 remains an indelible memory. I love that his skills are ageless, and I love that he has put himself in a position not just to contribute to a champ, but to be a major part -- he'll have more open looks in Miami than he ever did in the Big Three era in Boston.
Good for Ray. Bad for the rest of the league, but good for Ray.
-- D.S.
Friday, July 06, 2012
07/06 (Friday) Quickie
Still totally comfortable with Steve Nash on the Lakers...
Wimbledon: With a handful of exceptions (notably Tebow), I tend to underappreciate the truly awesome athletes until their careers are in twilight. That's why I am really paying attention to Serena at Wimbledon right now...
Knicks/Lin Watch: I like Jeremy Lin in New York -- although I'm not a Knicks fan and find their disregard of salary restraints to be competitively unfair. The Knicks are going to match the Rockets' offer sheet to Lin -- Lin is too good (and too marketable). I honestly wonder, though, whether Lin would rather be playing for Houston -- playing with Carmelo can't possibly be ideal for a point guard like Lin. (Also: How will Lin enjoy playing with future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd as his back-up? How does THAT work?)
Brandon Roy to the T'wolves? Sounds great. It's a good risk for Minnesota, which needs a shooting guard to go with Rubio and Love. (They aren't going to get Nicholas Batum, but it was worth a try, because they need a small forward, too.)
MLB Final Vote: I'm surprised that David Freese got more votes than Bryce Harper -- it's a testament to the vitality of Cardinals fans (versus Nats fans, who are still trying to figure this whole thing out). I think that a year from now, Harper is voted into the starting lineup anyway. (Yu winning the AL Final Vote wasn't a surprise. The entire vote-by-Twitter thing gets points for being innovative, but was really annoying for users.)
This NCAA-AAU scandal begs a simple but important question: Isn't AAU hoops, as a whole, assumed to be corrupt to the core? So four teams are nicked? How about all of them?
The solution isn't easy: Basically, AAU needs to be disrupted by a start-up grassroots league that is "clean" (or, maybe, cleaner). Then, college coaches need to say to recruits "I will not recruit you -- I don't care how good you are -- if you are playing AAU. You need to play in this league." I'm not saying the NCAA has to create a HS development pipeline, but it is absolutely in the NCAA's (and NBA's) best interest to fund a competitor to AAU that is nothing less than an existential threat.
Should be a fun weekend ahead. It's been a weird week, between the DC storms that knocked out our power from Friday through Wednesday and the mid-week holiday break. Enjoy your weekend, folks. More updates here each morning -- and on Quickish all weekend.
-- D.S.
Wimbledon: With a handful of exceptions (notably Tebow), I tend to underappreciate the truly awesome athletes until their careers are in twilight. That's why I am really paying attention to Serena at Wimbledon right now...
Knicks/Lin Watch: I like Jeremy Lin in New York -- although I'm not a Knicks fan and find their disregard of salary restraints to be competitively unfair. The Knicks are going to match the Rockets' offer sheet to Lin -- Lin is too good (and too marketable). I honestly wonder, though, whether Lin would rather be playing for Houston -- playing with Carmelo can't possibly be ideal for a point guard like Lin. (Also: How will Lin enjoy playing with future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd as his back-up? How does THAT work?)
Brandon Roy to the T'wolves? Sounds great. It's a good risk for Minnesota, which needs a shooting guard to go with Rubio and Love. (They aren't going to get Nicholas Batum, but it was worth a try, because they need a small forward, too.)
MLB Final Vote: I'm surprised that David Freese got more votes than Bryce Harper -- it's a testament to the vitality of Cardinals fans (versus Nats fans, who are still trying to figure this whole thing out). I think that a year from now, Harper is voted into the starting lineup anyway. (Yu winning the AL Final Vote wasn't a surprise. The entire vote-by-Twitter thing gets points for being innovative, but was really annoying for users.)
This NCAA-AAU scandal begs a simple but important question: Isn't AAU hoops, as a whole, assumed to be corrupt to the core? So four teams are nicked? How about all of them?
The solution isn't easy: Basically, AAU needs to be disrupted by a start-up grassroots league that is "clean" (or, maybe, cleaner). Then, college coaches need to say to recruits "I will not recruit you -- I don't care how good you are -- if you are playing AAU. You need to play in this league." I'm not saying the NCAA has to create a HS development pipeline, but it is absolutely in the NCAA's (and NBA's) best interest to fund a competitor to AAU that is nothing less than an existential threat.
Should be a fun weekend ahead. It's been a weird week, between the DC storms that knocked out our power from Friday through Wednesday and the mid-week holiday break. Enjoy your weekend, folks. More updates here each morning -- and on Quickish all weekend.
-- D.S.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
07/05 (Nash) Quickie
You can't begrudge Steve Nash. He wanted to be close to his kids. And he wanted to play for a good team -- a contender.
You can't begrudge the Suns. They were going to lose their franchise player with nothing in return.
You can't begrudge Suns fans for being a little bitter. It's not quite LeBron and "The Decision" with Cleveland fans, but they have a right to feel ticked.
You can't begrudge the Lakers. They have a small championship window -- which looked closed a few weeks ago when they were drummed out of the playoffs -- and this widens it just enough to make them much more interesting.
(OK: You can begrudge the Mavs for trading for Lamar Odom and freeing up a trade exception that the Lakers used to get Nash.)
I'm a huge Steve Nash fan, but I dislike the Lakers. I feel like I can still do both.
Where does that net out? I'm excited to see what Nash can do side-by-side with Kobe and with post players like Gasol and Bynum to work with. It's fascinating. The NBA (and NBA fans) are better off for this deal, even if it stings Suns fans -- I hope they appreciate the good run they had with Nash.
-- D.S.
You can't begrudge the Suns. They were going to lose their franchise player with nothing in return.
You can't begrudge Suns fans for being a little bitter. It's not quite LeBron and "The Decision" with Cleveland fans, but they have a right to feel ticked.
You can't begrudge the Lakers. They have a small championship window -- which looked closed a few weeks ago when they were drummed out of the playoffs -- and this widens it just enough to make them much more interesting.
(OK: You can begrudge the Mavs for trading for Lamar Odom and freeing up a trade exception that the Lakers used to get Nash.)
I'm a huge Steve Nash fan, but I dislike the Lakers. I feel like I can still do both.
Where does that net out? I'm excited to see what Nash can do side-by-side with Kobe and with post players like Gasol and Bynum to work with. It's fascinating. The NBA (and NBA fans) are better off for this deal, even if it stings Suns fans -- I hope they appreciate the good run they had with Nash.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
07/04 (July 4th) Quickie
Deron Williams re-signed with the Nets, bringing star power, legitimacy and a pretty decent chance to get to the NBA's playoff final eight (if not final four).
But the most interesting part about it for me is the Nets' original gamble -- that given a 17-month head-start and, not insubstantially, a franchise relocation to the hippest city in the NBA, they could convince a top-tier NBA player to stay with the team.
It is instructive, because it offers a new path to acquiring stars: Give up a huge package to get players while they are still under your control, then use that time to recruit them. It's a risk, but the expected value feels a hell of a lot safer than rolling the dice as part of the scrum of teams wooing free agents during the 48 hours a player actually is a free agent.
It helps understand why the Rockets are smart to try to put together a package for Dwight Howard, even if he insists he won't resign with them next summer. A year is a long time, and cap space is a fickle thing. Wouldn't you rather have a year, up close and personal, to try to close the deal than be one of 6 teams that will be wooing Dwight next summer?
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote an interesting series of posts this week talking about how acquiring players with time left on their contracts via trade is much more stable (and often more economical) than trying to do battle in the free-agent market, which is only guaranteed to deliver two things: Unpredictability and the lock that you will overpay, probably not even for the A-tier target you wanted.
It's the new Moneyball: Trade for a star with some time left on his deal, then work like crazy to recruit them with the time and opportunity you have.
Not every team has the cachet of Brooklyn to throw around. Not every team has an owner with an unlimited willingness to pay (what luxury tax?) And this all makes sense because Williams picked the Nets; if he had picked the Mavs, we'd be killing the Nets right now.
But regardless of the outcome, the process seems to be a lot safer -- and smarter -- than most pundits were giving them credit for. If your goal is to be elite -- and not merely climb onto the Treadmill of Mediocrity -- then you have to take bold, smart approaches like this.
Good day for Brooklyn. Good day for the NBA. Happy July 4th. Be safe and eat plenty.
-- D.S.
But the most interesting part about it for me is the Nets' original gamble -- that given a 17-month head-start and, not insubstantially, a franchise relocation to the hippest city in the NBA, they could convince a top-tier NBA player to stay with the team.
It is instructive, because it offers a new path to acquiring stars: Give up a huge package to get players while they are still under your control, then use that time to recruit them. It's a risk, but the expected value feels a hell of a lot safer than rolling the dice as part of the scrum of teams wooing free agents during the 48 hours a player actually is a free agent.
It helps understand why the Rockets are smart to try to put together a package for Dwight Howard, even if he insists he won't resign with them next summer. A year is a long time, and cap space is a fickle thing. Wouldn't you rather have a year, up close and personal, to try to close the deal than be one of 6 teams that will be wooing Dwight next summer?
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote an interesting series of posts this week talking about how acquiring players with time left on their contracts via trade is much more stable (and often more economical) than trying to do battle in the free-agent market, which is only guaranteed to deliver two things: Unpredictability and the lock that you will overpay, probably not even for the A-tier target you wanted.
It's the new Moneyball: Trade for a star with some time left on his deal, then work like crazy to recruit them with the time and opportunity you have.
Not every team has the cachet of Brooklyn to throw around. Not every team has an owner with an unlimited willingness to pay (what luxury tax?) And this all makes sense because Williams picked the Nets; if he had picked the Mavs, we'd be killing the Nets right now.
But regardless of the outcome, the process seems to be a lot safer -- and smarter -- than most pundits were giving them credit for. If your goal is to be elite -- and not merely climb onto the Treadmill of Mediocrity -- then you have to take bold, smart approaches like this.
Good day for Brooklyn. Good day for the NBA. Happy July 4th. Be safe and eat plenty.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
07/03 (Hawks) Quickie
Working through some Quickish CMS issues. Apologies in advance for the lack of Quickish updates today.
Meanwhile, Danny Ferry won Monday: He offloaded Joe Johnson's monster contract and Marvin Williams' bloated contract to turn the Hawks into a lean, mean, we-have-tons-of-cap-room machine. If Dwight Howard and CP3 want to come to Atlanta next summer, the Hawks can accommodate. (I think the Magic would trade Howard for Horford -- it's unclear Howard wants a homecoming enough to sign long-term with the Hawks. I think it's worth the risk for Ferry.)
And the Nets are well-positioned, too: Joe Johnson is a good 2nd piece (and a great 3rd one). Deron Williams and Joe Johnson in a backcourt (with Jason Kidd off the bench?) is the gold standard in the NBA. Add in Gerald Wallace, and you probably have three players versatile enough to give the Heat a tough series in the playoffs. (Brook Lopez would be a bonus, as would this mysterious Bosnian stretch-4 that they plan on signing, and who could take the NBA by storm.) The question is: Can they pull off a deal for Dwight Howard? Even if they don't, the Nets are a formidable playoff team.
Olympics: What a waste that they didn't have that run-off last night. And what a shame Dara Torres fell .09 seconds short of making the Olympic team in the 50 free.
More later. But a fun day of offseason intrigue in the NBA.
-- D.S.
Meanwhile, Danny Ferry won Monday: He offloaded Joe Johnson's monster contract and Marvin Williams' bloated contract to turn the Hawks into a lean, mean, we-have-tons-of-cap-room machine. If Dwight Howard and CP3 want to come to Atlanta next summer, the Hawks can accommodate. (I think the Magic would trade Howard for Horford -- it's unclear Howard wants a homecoming enough to sign long-term with the Hawks. I think it's worth the risk for Ferry.)
And the Nets are well-positioned, too: Joe Johnson is a good 2nd piece (and a great 3rd one). Deron Williams and Joe Johnson in a backcourt (with Jason Kidd off the bench?) is the gold standard in the NBA. Add in Gerald Wallace, and you probably have three players versatile enough to give the Heat a tough series in the playoffs. (Brook Lopez would be a bonus, as would this mysterious Bosnian stretch-4 that they plan on signing, and who could take the NBA by storm.) The question is: Can they pull off a deal for Dwight Howard? Even if they don't, the Nets are a formidable playoff team.
Olympics: What a waste that they didn't have that run-off last night. And what a shame Dara Torres fell .09 seconds short of making the Olympic team in the 50 free.
More later. But a fun day of offseason intrigue in the NBA.
-- D.S.
Monday, July 02, 2012
07/02 (Run-Off) Quickie
Busy weekend, busy week...
*Greatest. Side. Ever. -- Spain wins Euro 2012. And, in a way that gets "Quickie Instant History" approval, folks like SI's Grant Wahl and ESPN's Jeff Carlisle are already declaring this Spain side (which also won the Euro title in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010) as the "Greatest Side Ever."
*Olympics US Women's 100M Run-Off: It's the coolest idea ever (particularly on a quiet sports night like tonight), but neither Tarmoh nor Felix seem particularly enthusiastic about it, Tarmoh especially after she read the SI.com report that the initial ruling from the official judge of photo finishes that she won. She says she might not do the run-off. Prediction: They get to the starting line, then both back off, ostensibly due to fear of injury. (But from a fan perspective, it would be fun to see.)
*Olympics Name to Know: Gabby Douglas, who edged out Jordan Wieber to become USA gymnastics' No. 1. It's gold or failure for Team USA.
*MLB ASG: That was an impressive bit of ballot-stuffing by the Giants fans, particularly to get Pablo Sandoval into the starting lineup at 3B ahead of David Wright. It's not a reason to abolish fan voting for the spot -- it's a reason to ask your team (say, the Mets) why they didn't have a better strategy for bolstering their guy. In the Mets' case, they should have expanded their campaign beyond NY and Mets fans to all MLB fans with the argument: "Don't let Giants fans spoil your game. Vote Wright at 3B." Thinking that All-Star campaigns are limited to your own fan base -- particularly in the final week of the voting -- is a big mistake. Clearly.
*MLB Final Vote: I thought that Bryce Harper was a lock to win the popular vote for the NL's "Final" spot... right up until they put Chipper Jones on the ballot with him. Jones -- the future Hall of Famer in his final season before retirement -- represents the edge-case exception to the "Harper Rule," and should beat out the phenom for the spot. (Don't cry for Harper -- he is a near-lock to be an All-Star starter for the next decade or two.)
*Dwight Howard, cont'd: He insists he will only sign with Brooklyn next summer as a free agent, no matter who he is traded to (Lakers, Rockets, etc). If I was one of those teams, I would trade for him anyway, then spend the next year convincing him -- in person, with no restrictions -- to re-sign. Meanwhile, the Nets aren't waiting around and are apparently lining up a big trade to take the expensive Joe Johnson off the Hawks' hands, creating the potential for a Deron Williams-Joe Johnson backcourt, which would be the best in the league. (The Nets are also re-signing Gerald Wallace. If they can find a defensive stopper to at least try and guard LeBron, it's not a bad playoff team, given that the Heat has no big presence down low, aside from LeBron.)
*NBA Free Agency: Aside from the Nets' machinations, the big story is where Steve Nash will end up. The Raptors are offering the most money (by a wide margin) and the chance to finish his career in Canada, providing at least a little lift for Canada's only NBA team. It's unclear why Nash would want to play in New York if Lin is the star PG or the Nets if they have Deron Williams -- presumably, Nash is Plan B if Williams goes to Dallas -- and I love the idea of him in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Rockets are apparently going to pry Omer Asik -- great defensively, limited offensively -- from the Bulls, whose title window appears to have closed (before it even really opened) with Rose's knee injury and hamstrung finances.
More later. Check out Quickish for great takes on today's best topics!
-- D.S.
*Greatest. Side. Ever. -- Spain wins Euro 2012. And, in a way that gets "Quickie Instant History" approval, folks like SI's Grant Wahl and ESPN's Jeff Carlisle are already declaring this Spain side (which also won the Euro title in 2008 and the World Cup in 2010) as the "Greatest Side Ever."
*Olympics US Women's 100M Run-Off: It's the coolest idea ever (particularly on a quiet sports night like tonight), but neither Tarmoh nor Felix seem particularly enthusiastic about it, Tarmoh especially after she read the SI.com report that the initial ruling from the official judge of photo finishes that she won. She says she might not do the run-off. Prediction: They get to the starting line, then both back off, ostensibly due to fear of injury. (But from a fan perspective, it would be fun to see.)
*Olympics Name to Know: Gabby Douglas, who edged out Jordan Wieber to become USA gymnastics' No. 1. It's gold or failure for Team USA.
*MLB ASG: That was an impressive bit of ballot-stuffing by the Giants fans, particularly to get Pablo Sandoval into the starting lineup at 3B ahead of David Wright. It's not a reason to abolish fan voting for the spot -- it's a reason to ask your team (say, the Mets) why they didn't have a better strategy for bolstering their guy. In the Mets' case, they should have expanded their campaign beyond NY and Mets fans to all MLB fans with the argument: "Don't let Giants fans spoil your game. Vote Wright at 3B." Thinking that All-Star campaigns are limited to your own fan base -- particularly in the final week of the voting -- is a big mistake. Clearly.
*MLB Final Vote: I thought that Bryce Harper was a lock to win the popular vote for the NL's "Final" spot... right up until they put Chipper Jones on the ballot with him. Jones -- the future Hall of Famer in his final season before retirement -- represents the edge-case exception to the "Harper Rule," and should beat out the phenom for the spot. (Don't cry for Harper -- he is a near-lock to be an All-Star starter for the next decade or two.)
*Dwight Howard, cont'd: He insists he will only sign with Brooklyn next summer as a free agent, no matter who he is traded to (Lakers, Rockets, etc). If I was one of those teams, I would trade for him anyway, then spend the next year convincing him -- in person, with no restrictions -- to re-sign. Meanwhile, the Nets aren't waiting around and are apparently lining up a big trade to take the expensive Joe Johnson off the Hawks' hands, creating the potential for a Deron Williams-Joe Johnson backcourt, which would be the best in the league. (The Nets are also re-signing Gerald Wallace. If they can find a defensive stopper to at least try and guard LeBron, it's not a bad playoff team, given that the Heat has no big presence down low, aside from LeBron.)
*NBA Free Agency: Aside from the Nets' machinations, the big story is where Steve Nash will end up. The Raptors are offering the most money (by a wide margin) and the chance to finish his career in Canada, providing at least a little lift for Canada's only NBA team. It's unclear why Nash would want to play in New York if Lin is the star PG or the Nets if they have Deron Williams -- presumably, Nash is Plan B if Williams goes to Dallas -- and I love the idea of him in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Rockets are apparently going to pry Omer Asik -- great defensively, limited offensively -- from the Bulls, whose title window appears to have closed (before it even really opened) with Rose's knee injury and hamstrung finances.
More later. Check out Quickish for great takes on today's best topics!
-- D.S.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
07/01 (July) Quickie
Trying to write this while having no power in the house/neighborhood/city from the DC storms...
Penn State email revelations: The Jerry Sandusky "guilty" verdict might have made people forget that the Penn State administration was complicit in his horrifying crimes. This is a good reminder.
NBA Free Agency begins: But, first, Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando (for Brooklyn), claiming the Magic "blackmailed" him (ha) when he signed that one-year extension last spring.
Meanwhile, the Nets are trying to deal to get Joe Johnson and Luis Scola and OJ Mayo... and it feels like everyone else, in order to put some talent around Deron Williams (if not Dwight Howard).
The big winners? Eric Gordon is looking for a max deal (from the Hornets, or anyone else), and I suspect he'll get it (the Hornets are on the verge of a dramatic turnaround). And Nicholas Batum reportedly has a huge deal from the T'wolves, who are desperate for a good SF.
Kevin Garnett re-signs with Celtics for 3 years: Totally reasonable.
Steve Nash has huge 3-year deal on table from Toronto: Again, totally reasonable.
Both guys -- but Nash in particular -- are freaks who will out-perform their age (which they already have). I think Nash will be the most productive 40-year-old player in NBA history, and easily worth his contract.
Texas A&M and Missouri join the SEC: Enjoy the rough reception.
TCU and West Virginia join the Big 12: I actually think both will be very successful -- like among the Top 4 football teams in the league.
July already?
-- D.S.
Penn State email revelations: The Jerry Sandusky "guilty" verdict might have made people forget that the Penn State administration was complicit in his horrifying crimes. This is a good reminder.
NBA Free Agency begins: But, first, Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando (for Brooklyn), claiming the Magic "blackmailed" him (ha) when he signed that one-year extension last spring.
Meanwhile, the Nets are trying to deal to get Joe Johnson and Luis Scola and OJ Mayo... and it feels like everyone else, in order to put some talent around Deron Williams (if not Dwight Howard).
The big winners? Eric Gordon is looking for a max deal (from the Hornets, or anyone else), and I suspect he'll get it (the Hornets are on the verge of a dramatic turnaround). And Nicholas Batum reportedly has a huge deal from the T'wolves, who are desperate for a good SF.
Kevin Garnett re-signs with Celtics for 3 years: Totally reasonable.
Steve Nash has huge 3-year deal on table from Toronto: Again, totally reasonable.
Both guys -- but Nash in particular -- are freaks who will out-perform their age (which they already have). I think Nash will be the most productive 40-year-old player in NBA history, and easily worth his contract.
Texas A&M and Missouri join the SEC: Enjoy the rough reception.
TCU and West Virginia join the Big 12: I actually think both will be very successful -- like among the Top 4 football teams in the league.
July already?
-- D.S.
Friday, June 29, 2012
06/29 (Beal) Quickie
So my near-hysteria leading up to the draft that the/my Wizards would get out-hustled for my favorite draft pick, Bradley Beal, ended up being gloriously unnecessary. When David Stern said "Michael Kidd-Gilchrist" for the Bobcats and the Wiz picking Beal was secure, it was as giddy as I've been as a Wizards fan -- such is the life of the Wizards fan.
(Of course, it wouldn't be a Wizards draft without a huge screw-up, which in this case was taking a positionless Euro without a jumpshot at No. 32 when terrific talents like Draymond Green and Jae Crowder were available -- smarter teams snatching them up as soon as the Wizards made their bungling pick was a pretty good indication that the Wizards mis-handled that completely.)
Still: I give the Wizards a very high grade for landing the best wing prospect in the draft -- "high" and "Wizards draft grade" doesn't happen very often, so I'll take it.
More fans that should be happy with their teams' drafts:
*Hornets: Davis is a franchise-changer. Hate the Rivers pick.
*Bobcats: MKG and Jeff Taylor aren't stars, but so valuable.
*Kings: Thomas Robinson is the bizarro DeMarcus Cousins.
*Pistons: Drummond was worth the risk at No. 9.
*Suns: It's cliche to say Kendall Marshall is the new Nash, but there it is.
*Rockets: Don't get the bad grades for Lamb/White/Jones - love these.
*Magic: Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O'Quinn both on everyone's sleeper list.
*Celtics: Sullinger and Melo were more than worth the risk.
*Thunder: Perry Jones III found his ideal spot. A steal for OKC.
Less good:
Cavs: I like Waiters; most Cavs fans seem underwhelmed.
Warriors: Barnes is meh. (Love 2nd-rounder Draymond Green pick.)
Hard to nick teams picking in back half of 1st round -- it's a mixed bag.
There is always a little day-after-Christmas feel to the draft -- so much anticipation and discussion heading in, then you either get what you want... or you don't. I'm thrilled with Beal, and now it is time to move on to NBA free agency, MLB zooming into mid-season and the Olympics. NFL training camps are only a month away.
-- D.S.
(Of course, it wouldn't be a Wizards draft without a huge screw-up, which in this case was taking a positionless Euro without a jumpshot at No. 32 when terrific talents like Draymond Green and Jae Crowder were available -- smarter teams snatching them up as soon as the Wizards made their bungling pick was a pretty good indication that the Wizards mis-handled that completely.)
Still: I give the Wizards a very high grade for landing the best wing prospect in the draft -- "high" and "Wizards draft grade" doesn't happen very often, so I'll take it.
More fans that should be happy with their teams' drafts:
*Hornets: Davis is a franchise-changer. Hate the Rivers pick.
*Bobcats: MKG and Jeff Taylor aren't stars, but so valuable.
*Kings: Thomas Robinson is the bizarro DeMarcus Cousins.
*Pistons: Drummond was worth the risk at No. 9.
*Suns: It's cliche to say Kendall Marshall is the new Nash, but there it is.
*Rockets: Don't get the bad grades for Lamb/White/Jones - love these.
*Magic: Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O'Quinn both on everyone's sleeper list.
*Celtics: Sullinger and Melo were more than worth the risk.
*Thunder: Perry Jones III found his ideal spot. A steal for OKC.
Less good:
Cavs: I like Waiters; most Cavs fans seem underwhelmed.
Warriors: Barnes is meh. (Love 2nd-rounder Draymond Green pick.)
Hard to nick teams picking in back half of 1st round -- it's a mixed bag.
There is always a little day-after-Christmas feel to the draft -- so much anticipation and discussion heading in, then you either get what you want... or you don't. I'm thrilled with Beal, and now it is time to move on to NBA free agency, MLB zooming into mid-season and the Olympics. NFL training camps are only a month away.
-- D.S.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
06/28 (NBA Draft) Quickie
I'm way too invested in tonight's NBA Draft: Bradley Beal is my guy and has been for a long time. My Wiz pick 3rd, which means they will just miss him (if Charlotte trades their pick) or they will get him at 3 (unless the Wiz GM, inundated with offers for Beal, trades the pick). I'm antsy.
Otherwise, it's an awesome night for Hornets fans -- the path to title contention starts now.
My annual list:
Players I like: Beal, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Damian Lillard, Royce White, Andrew Nicholson, Draymond Green, Jeff Taylor, Quincy Miller, Bernard James, Doron Lamb, Drew Gordon, Kyle O'Quinn, Jae Crowder.
Players I don't: Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Terrence Jones, Will Barton, Tony Wroten.
Nights like this I miss my old "Draft Fashion" column -- that was a fun one to do.
-- D.S.
Otherwise, it's an awesome night for Hornets fans -- the path to title contention starts now.
My annual list:
Players I like: Beal, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Damian Lillard, Royce White, Andrew Nicholson, Draymond Green, Jeff Taylor, Quincy Miller, Bernard James, Doron Lamb, Drew Gordon, Kyle O'Quinn, Jae Crowder.
Players I don't: Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Terrence Jones, Will Barton, Tony Wroten.
Nights like this I miss my old "Draft Fashion" column -- that was a fun one to do.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
06/27 (CFB Playoff) Quickie
On the road traveling today, but a quick note that college football is better served by the new playoff format. The battle over the 3rd and 4th playoff teams will be even more fierce than the complaints about who was being left out of the 1-2 game, but college football has always fed off of that kind of controversy -- and been stronger for it, frankly. It's going to be an odd pair of lame-duck years between now and then, with plenty of "If the 4-team playoff were in place..." talk. That's not a bad thing. Quickish has a great stream of playoff reactions.
Also, pop by Quickish for some great reads on the NBA Draft (including two interesting profiles of Royce White) and the Olympic Trials for swimming, which remain riveting.
-- D.S.
Also, pop by Quickish for some great reads on the NBA Draft (including two interesting profiles of Royce White) and the Olympic Trials for swimming, which remain riveting.
-- D.S.
Monday, June 25, 2012
06/25 (Olympic Trials) Quickie
Things I'm loving: The US Olympic Trials, nice things being said about Kevin Youkilis (the only Red Sox player I like), the final few days before the NBA Draft, Anthony Rizzo being called up, Lochte vs. Phelps.
Things I'm not loving: The idea that Bradley Beal will get yoinked by the Cavs before he can go to my Wizards on Thursday night, an idea that is currently driving me batty; Venus being bounced from Wimbledon, the idea that Ray Allen and Steve Nash could join the Heat.
-- D.S.
Things I'm not loving: The idea that Bradley Beal will get yoinked by the Cavs before he can go to my Wizards on Thursday night, an idea that is currently driving me batty; Venus being bounced from Wimbledon, the idea that Ray Allen and Steve Nash could join the Heat.
-- D.S.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
06/23 (Title IX) Quickie
Exactly 20 years after Title IX was established, my wife entered college athletics -- something that would have not been possible before the groundbreaking 1972 legislation. She wore her college gear proudly today.
20 years after that, we walked along the Potomac River with our 3-month-old daughter (we have two other older kids, both boys who will never have to deal with gender issues in sports, except maybe their little sister kicking their ass.)
It is astonishing to think about where women's sports was in 1972, then 1992 and now in 2012, when a generation of women following in the footsteps of my wife's generation (which includes folks like Mia Hamm) who themselves followed in the footsteps of the original Title IX generation, along with the women who spent the first 20 years after its passage just trying to create a bit more opportunity for female athletes -- just a chance.
Over the next 20 years, it's hard to say what will happen. The infrastructure for our daughter's sports career has never been stronger -- the girls' youth soccer leagues in suburban Maryland are enough to make you think equality is here.
The number of girls participating will only increase, along with their confidence. The competition will be greater. It will become a lot more like boys' sports, where that increased competition means more girls don't get to reach higher levels.
But along the way, they get to experience the competition and teamwork and self-reliance and self-confidence and every other thing about sports that has less to do with sports itself than what it engenders in the athlete, what it gives them for the rest of their life. That is the legacy of Title IX.
It's not the US women's soccer team. It's not the WNBA. It's not -- and never has been -- about the professionalization of women's sports. It is about the aspiration for women's sports and what it might do for its participants. A college scholarship, maybe, but more importantly, a system to create a generation of even more talented women than the post-Title IX era has created.
My hope for our daughter isn't a college athletic scholarship -- in 20 years when college football has been reduced by insurance liability to a glorified version of touch football, the unintended consequence of all that money evaporating from the system is the hit to collegiate women's sports.
My hope for our daughter is that the Title IX system's trickle-down effect -- the local athletic institutions that get created and bolstered to feed the Title IX pipeline -- allows her to participate in sports as a girl and get all of the wonderful life lessons out of it that women have since 1972.
-- D.S.
20 years after that, we walked along the Potomac River with our 3-month-old daughter (we have two other older kids, both boys who will never have to deal with gender issues in sports, except maybe their little sister kicking their ass.)
It is astonishing to think about where women's sports was in 1972, then 1992 and now in 2012, when a generation of women following in the footsteps of my wife's generation (which includes folks like Mia Hamm) who themselves followed in the footsteps of the original Title IX generation, along with the women who spent the first 20 years after its passage just trying to create a bit more opportunity for female athletes -- just a chance.
Over the next 20 years, it's hard to say what will happen. The infrastructure for our daughter's sports career has never been stronger -- the girls' youth soccer leagues in suburban Maryland are enough to make you think equality is here.
The number of girls participating will only increase, along with their confidence. The competition will be greater. It will become a lot more like boys' sports, where that increased competition means more girls don't get to reach higher levels.
But along the way, they get to experience the competition and teamwork and self-reliance and self-confidence and every other thing about sports that has less to do with sports itself than what it engenders in the athlete, what it gives them for the rest of their life. That is the legacy of Title IX.
It's not the US women's soccer team. It's not the WNBA. It's not -- and never has been -- about the professionalization of women's sports. It is about the aspiration for women's sports and what it might do for its participants. A college scholarship, maybe, but more importantly, a system to create a generation of even more talented women than the post-Title IX era has created.
My hope for our daughter isn't a college athletic scholarship -- in 20 years when college football has been reduced by insurance liability to a glorified version of touch football, the unintended consequence of all that money evaporating from the system is the hit to collegiate women's sports.
My hope for our daughter is that the Title IX system's trickle-down effect -- the local athletic institutions that get created and bolstered to feed the Title IX pipeline -- allows her to participate in sports as a girl and get all of the wonderful life lessons out of it that women have since 1972.
-- D.S.
Friday, June 22, 2012
06/22 (LeBron) Quickie
I said what I needed to say just after the game last night in the post below.
But I woke up still thinking about that amazing quote from LeBron: "It's about damn time."
There are very few iconic quotes in NBA history. Plenty of iconic moments -- very few iconic quotes. I think LeBron's instantly joins the short list, because it is so pithy yet so profound. It expresses enthusiasm and frustration and joy and arrogance and relief, all in one sentiment.
I think it's how the rest of us feel, too. Maybe that's it: What he said reflects what we're all thinking, so I'm glad he said it -- it means we didn't have to. LeBron and fans and critics, we could all exhale together.
Now, LeBron is a champion. You can't ever take that away from him -- whether he wins multiple rings (still an expectation he can fall short of) or just the one (honestly? unlikely.)
It is a grand tradition of sports fandom that "champion" trumps almost everything. LeBron has a lot of career left -- and probably a ring or two left -- but I think it is fair to say that "champ" bumps "Decision" from the defining moment of his career. As it should be (says even the hater).
But LeBron has done more than become a champ. He has shown the fortitude -- no, the jaw-dropping excellence -- combined with the requisite joy that makes him impossible not to respect.
It's about damn time.
-- D.S.
But I woke up still thinking about that amazing quote from LeBron: "It's about damn time."
There are very few iconic quotes in NBA history. Plenty of iconic moments -- very few iconic quotes. I think LeBron's instantly joins the short list, because it is so pithy yet so profound. It expresses enthusiasm and frustration and joy and arrogance and relief, all in one sentiment.
I think it's how the rest of us feel, too. Maybe that's it: What he said reflects what we're all thinking, so I'm glad he said it -- it means we didn't have to. LeBron and fans and critics, we could all exhale together.
Now, LeBron is a champion. You can't ever take that away from him -- whether he wins multiple rings (still an expectation he can fall short of) or just the one (honestly? unlikely.)
It is a grand tradition of sports fandom that "champion" trumps almost everything. LeBron has a lot of career left -- and probably a ring or two left -- but I think it is fair to say that "champ" bumps "Decision" from the defining moment of his career. As it should be (says even the hater).
But LeBron has done more than become a champ. He has shown the fortitude -- no, the jaw-dropping excellence -- combined with the requisite joy that makes him impossible not to respect.
It's about damn time.
-- D.S.
LeBron, Heat Win the NBA Title
"It's about damn time."
That's LeBron with the quote of the year and a perfect coda to his first NBA title. You can root against LeBron -- I certainly do -- and still feel good for (and about) an all-time great NBA player winning his first ring. Love this instantly shown video from Nike:
Also, this essay from ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz is awesome, and quite possibly the best thing you'll read on the LeBron/Heat title, even though it just happened 10 minutes ago.
Congrats to Heat fans. You didn't quite earn it in a way the rest of us would recognize. You didn't quite suffer for it in a way the rest of us would sympathize. But a ring is a ring.
Full Quickish coverage here.
-- D.S.
That's LeBron with the quote of the year and a perfect coda to his first NBA title. You can root against LeBron -- I certainly do -- and still feel good for (and about) an all-time great NBA player winning his first ring. Love this instantly shown video from Nike:
Also, this essay from ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz is awesome, and quite possibly the best thing you'll read on the LeBron/Heat title, even though it just happened 10 minutes ago.
Congrats to Heat fans. You didn't quite earn it in a way the rest of us would recognize. You didn't quite suffer for it in a way the rest of us would sympathize. But a ring is a ring.
Full Quickish coverage here.
-- D.S.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
06/21 (Game 5) Quickie
Here's what is at stake tonight: Either LeBron wins his first championship or the Thunder takes the series back to the friendly confines of OKC with a puncher's chance to pull of a historic upset.
It will be a big deal if LeBron wins, but you get the sense that the almost-immediate reaction will be: "...And?" One ring will be a start; one ring will not be enough. Necessary, but not sufficient.
CFB Playoff nearly here: The conference commissioners agreed on a plan -- the most sensible plan of the options available (4 teams, best available, selection committee, bowl games host semis, title game site up for bid). In other words: SEC commish Mike Slive won again. It is expected to be ratified next week.
It is an improvement; it is not flawless -- the fury around picking the 3rd and 4th teams in the playoff field (potentially among a half-dozen or more reasonable contenders) is going to be intense, most likely centered around a one-loss SEC runner-up versus a one-loss conference champ (or unbeaten lower-conference team).
Euro 2012 Quarters: Portugal should get past Czech Republic today.
NBA: Trade! The Wizards (my Wizards) used their (our) Rashard Lewis albatross buy-out deal and prodigious cap space to take on two decent (but expensive) complementary players: Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, two potential starters and shoring up areas of weakness: A solid defensive SF who can occasionally shoot the 3 and a shot-blocking anchor in the middle to complement Nene. To those NBA pundits ripping the Wizards for joining the "treadmill of mediocrity," I contend that it is a huge upgrade -- as long as they aren't contending for a title, they might as well be contending for a playoff spot.
NFL: Percy Harvin wants out. I think he's worth trading for -- a Top 5 most dynamic receiver talent in the NFL.
Today's best read: ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs on Ryan Lochte.
Best thing I found yesterday: SBNation's amazing video with Bill Murray.
Media: Top sports business reporter Darren Rovell is going back to ESPN after a good run at CNBC. It's a great move for Rovell and ESPN.
Tomorrow's headline today: "Back to OKC!"
It will be a big deal if LeBron wins, but you get the sense that the almost-immediate reaction will be: "...And?" One ring will be a start; one ring will not be enough. Necessary, but not sufficient.
CFB Playoff nearly here: The conference commissioners agreed on a plan -- the most sensible plan of the options available (4 teams, best available, selection committee, bowl games host semis, title game site up for bid). In other words: SEC commish Mike Slive won again. It is expected to be ratified next week.
It is an improvement; it is not flawless -- the fury around picking the 3rd and 4th teams in the playoff field (potentially among a half-dozen or more reasonable contenders) is going to be intense, most likely centered around a one-loss SEC runner-up versus a one-loss conference champ (or unbeaten lower-conference team).
Euro 2012 Quarters: Portugal should get past Czech Republic today.
NBA: Trade! The Wizards (my Wizards) used their (our) Rashard Lewis albatross buy-out deal and prodigious cap space to take on two decent (but expensive) complementary players: Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, two potential starters and shoring up areas of weakness: A solid defensive SF who can occasionally shoot the 3 and a shot-blocking anchor in the middle to complement Nene. To those NBA pundits ripping the Wizards for joining the "treadmill of mediocrity," I contend that it is a huge upgrade -- as long as they aren't contending for a title, they might as well be contending for a playoff spot.
NFL: Percy Harvin wants out. I think he's worth trading for -- a Top 5 most dynamic receiver talent in the NFL.
Today's best read: ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs on Ryan Lochte.
Best thing I found yesterday: SBNation's amazing video with Bill Murray.
Media: Top sports business reporter Darren Rovell is going back to ESPN after a good run at CNBC. It's a great move for Rovell and ESPN.
Tomorrow's headline today: "Back to OKC!"
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
06/20 (Cramp Game) Quickie
It's going to go down as the "Cramp Game," but more on that in one sec.
First, be sure to pop by Quickish this a.m. -- a bunch of really good takes and reactions, put in a stream so fast it'll take you all of 30 seconds to inhale it (you can get more by clicking on the individual blurbs or watching the videos I posted). Plus, if you want to see new corporate synergy in action, check out the front page of USA Today Sports, which is linking to Quickish's coverage.
OK, so let's start with this: The Heat are up 3-1 and no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. My response: So what? OKC has been in both games in Miami right up until the end -- there is no reason (other than if they were broken last night) they can't win Game 5. All of a sudden, the series is 3-2 with the final two games in OKC, where the Thunder can absolutely win Game 6, take back all the momentum and then close out in Game 7.
The point is this: Anyone saying "It's over" this morning needs to go back two weeks and check out their "It's over" columns after Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, if -- IF -- the Heat go on to win the series in five games (maybe even at all), last night's dagger 3 from LeBron on that cramped-up leg is the defining moment of his career. It implodes the mythology that he's soft, that he's not a closer, that he lacks a killer instinct. (That narrative was already specious, but hopefully now it tucks it away. Pundits sure seem ready to do just that... at least until something else happens in Game 5.)
But -- and I say this as someone who roots against LeBron -- it was the single-best moment of his career (ironic, given that he spent the game's dramatic final minute on the bench with that cramp).
Two other thoughts: (1) My 6-year-old is a big Thunder fan, but where I love Durant, he loves Westbrook. When you watch Westbrook play last night, you realize why. (2) James Harden can't possibly play this badly in Game 5 (or 6 or 7), right? That's the difference in the game, not Westbrook committing that dumb foul out of the time-out when the Heat had just a few seconds to get a shot off.
Typically, a 3-1 playoff series would feel a bit lame. But this one feels as dynamic as ever. Game 5 shapes up with a pretty amazing pair of storylines: Either LeBron wins that first ring... or the Thunder send it back to OKC with every chance in the world to complete the greatest comeback in NBA history.
-- D.S.
First, be sure to pop by Quickish this a.m. -- a bunch of really good takes and reactions, put in a stream so fast it'll take you all of 30 seconds to inhale it (you can get more by clicking on the individual blurbs or watching the videos I posted). Plus, if you want to see new corporate synergy in action, check out the front page of USA Today Sports, which is linking to Quickish's coverage.
OK, so let's start with this: The Heat are up 3-1 and no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. My response: So what? OKC has been in both games in Miami right up until the end -- there is no reason (other than if they were broken last night) they can't win Game 5. All of a sudden, the series is 3-2 with the final two games in OKC, where the Thunder can absolutely win Game 6, take back all the momentum and then close out in Game 7.
The point is this: Anyone saying "It's over" this morning needs to go back two weeks and check out their "It's over" columns after Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, if -- IF -- the Heat go on to win the series in five games (maybe even at all), last night's dagger 3 from LeBron on that cramped-up leg is the defining moment of his career. It implodes the mythology that he's soft, that he's not a closer, that he lacks a killer instinct. (That narrative was already specious, but hopefully now it tucks it away. Pundits sure seem ready to do just that... at least until something else happens in Game 5.)
But -- and I say this as someone who roots against LeBron -- it was the single-best moment of his career (ironic, given that he spent the game's dramatic final minute on the bench with that cramp).
Two other thoughts: (1) My 6-year-old is a big Thunder fan, but where I love Durant, he loves Westbrook. When you watch Westbrook play last night, you realize why. (2) James Harden can't possibly play this badly in Game 5 (or 6 or 7), right? That's the difference in the game, not Westbrook committing that dumb foul out of the time-out when the Heat had just a few seconds to get a shot off.
Typically, a 3-1 playoff series would feel a bit lame. But this one feels as dynamic as ever. Game 5 shapes up with a pretty amazing pair of storylines: Either LeBron wins that first ring... or the Thunder send it back to OKC with every chance in the world to complete the greatest comeback in NBA history.
-- D.S.
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