*The story of the night, of course, is Johnny Manziel dropping to Cleveland. The story within the story is that the owner was apparently swayed by the recommendation of a homeless guy.
*The Browns had the best 1st round -- Johnny Football, a lockdown corner to play opposite the sublime Joe Haden and an extra 1st-round pick from Buffalo in 2015 (top 10?)
*Five not-Clowney/Manziel picks I particularly liked: Mike Evans to Bucs, CJ Mosley to Ravens, Brandin Cooks to Saints, Dominique Easley to Pats, Teddy Bridgewater to Vikings.
*As exciting as the first round of the NBA playoffs were, the Spurs and Heat series are duds. On the other hand! It's a must-win for my Wiz tonight in Game 3 at home in DC.
-- D.S.
Friday, May 09, 2014
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
5/7 Durant MVP Quickie
*One of the best award speeches you'll see, from Kevin Durant -- great for the week of Mother's Day, too:
*Meanwhile, back in the playoffs, the Heat and Spurs rolled to Game 1 wins, and their series both seem over already.
*Not so in Indiana -- as a Wizards fan, it is incumbent on me to think of tonight's game as a must-win, just as I thought Game 1 was must-win.
*Mark Jackson's ouster in Golden State: Did anyone not see this coming the day they hired him?
*One day until the NFL Draft, and "Who's going to take Johnny Manziel?" remains -- by far -- the No. 1 storyline.
-- D.S.
*Meanwhile, back in the playoffs, the Heat and Spurs rolled to Game 1 wins, and their series both seem over already.
*Not so in Indiana -- as a Wizards fan, it is incumbent on me to think of tonight's game as a must-win, just as I thought Game 1 was must-win.
*Mark Jackson's ouster in Golden State: Did anyone not see this coming the day they hired him?
*One day until the NFL Draft, and "Who's going to take Johnny Manziel?" remains -- by far -- the No. 1 storyline.
-- D.S.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
5/3 Lillard Quickie
*Shot of the Year in the NBA? Shot of the Year in the NBA.
*Kentucky Derby: My pal Joe Drape picks Wicked Strong. California Chrome is the popular pick. I'm going to go with Commanding Curve, as usual without much good reason.
*Weekend reads: This behind-the-scenes reporting of how things went down inside the Clippers last weekend and Spencer Hall on the Istanbul Derby - the world's fiercest soccer rivalry.
*It's May 3 and my Wizards are still playing basketball -- waiting around, even! So many Game 7s today and the rest of the weekend.
-- D.S.
*Kentucky Derby: My pal Joe Drape picks Wicked Strong. California Chrome is the popular pick. I'm going to go with Commanding Curve, as usual without much good reason.
*Weekend reads: This behind-the-scenes reporting of how things went down inside the Clippers last weekend and Spencer Hall on the Istanbul Derby - the world's fiercest soccer rivalry.
*It's May 3 and my Wizards are still playing basketball -- waiting around, even! So many Game 7s today and the rest of the weekend.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
4/30 Silver Reigns Supreme Quickie
*As I said yesterday, that was the most impressive display of leadership by a sports commissioner -- NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, FIFA, Olympics, whatever -- in modern sports history.
*There is a parallel universe where Silver possibly stumbles and the players go through with that reported boycott of last night's games, which would have been seismic.
*But, of course, Silver avoided that, while establishing his leadership bonafides -- his statement and press conference were an instant-classic example of how to communicate in a crisis.
*It helps that this issue is one that virtually everyone agrees on -- there was zero contention (beyond the inevitable Sterling lawsuit against the NBA, which vastly fewer people will care about).
*Even if he hasn't sold the team yet, the NBA is in its "post-Sterling era" -- we can return to a fascinating, thrilling playoffs season.
*Speaking of which: My Wiz! First of all, no fan in the NBA appreciates a trip to the 2nd round of the playoffs like a Wizards fan. I'm giddy.
*I can now finally allow myself to think about the options between having home-court advantage against the 8-seed Hawks or playing an exhausted Pacers team that needed 7 games to beat them.
*I actually think that Hawks are the tougher match-up for the Wizards -- that seems unfathomable, but it's true. That said: I have never seen the Wiz play this well, certainly not at this level of pressure.
*Speaking of which (again): I cannot imagine an NBA Playoffs season where a full-strength Thunder doesn't make it out of the first round. But that's where we are. It's stunning.
*I still think OKC wins the next two games, but I feel no certainty about that -- doubting the Grizzlies is exactly where they want you.
*Last point, reiterated: As quickly as the Sterling story emerged (was it really only 5 days ago?), Adam Silver has basically put it behind the league. Sterling is purged. Everyone is agreed it was the right thing.
Unlike most two-sided sports debates, there's really nothing left to talk about -- that alone makes it one of the most unique stories we have seen in sports in a long time.
-- D.S.
*There is a parallel universe where Silver possibly stumbles and the players go through with that reported boycott of last night's games, which would have been seismic.
*But, of course, Silver avoided that, while establishing his leadership bonafides -- his statement and press conference were an instant-classic example of how to communicate in a crisis.
*It helps that this issue is one that virtually everyone agrees on -- there was zero contention (beyond the inevitable Sterling lawsuit against the NBA, which vastly fewer people will care about).
*Even if he hasn't sold the team yet, the NBA is in its "post-Sterling era" -- we can return to a fascinating, thrilling playoffs season.
*Speaking of which: My Wiz! First of all, no fan in the NBA appreciates a trip to the 2nd round of the playoffs like a Wizards fan. I'm giddy.
*I can now finally allow myself to think about the options between having home-court advantage against the 8-seed Hawks or playing an exhausted Pacers team that needed 7 games to beat them.
*I actually think that Hawks are the tougher match-up for the Wizards -- that seems unfathomable, but it's true. That said: I have never seen the Wiz play this well, certainly not at this level of pressure.
*Speaking of which (again): I cannot imagine an NBA Playoffs season where a full-strength Thunder doesn't make it out of the first round. But that's where we are. It's stunning.
*I still think OKC wins the next two games, but I feel no certainty about that -- doubting the Grizzlies is exactly where they want you.
*Last point, reiterated: As quickly as the Sterling story emerged (was it really only 5 days ago?), Adam Silver has basically put it behind the league. Sterling is purged. Everyone is agreed it was the right thing.
Unlike most two-sided sports debates, there's really nothing left to talk about -- that alone makes it one of the most unique stories we have seen in sports in a long time.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
4/29 Sterling Versus Silver Quickie
*What will Adam Silver do today? More to the point, what CAN he do?
Will it be enough -- today? For the long-term?
What does "enough" even mean, in a world where there is a consensus that the result has to include Donald Sterling no longer owning an NBA team -- and an equal consensus that they'll have to pry it from his cold, extraordinarily litigious hands.
What happens tonight when the Clippers play at home? What happens when their season is over and Doc Rivers decides if he wants to be a part of the team -- let alone stars like CP3 or Blake Griffin.
The certainty is that the story doesn't end today at 2.
*The Sterling story has eclipsed basically everything else. That doesn't mean I don't still have my eye nervously on the Wizards-Bulls Game 5 in Chicago. Those of us Wiz fans who know better (or are scarred by the past 30 years) recognize that a loss tonight puts us in the most precarious "up 3-2" situation ever. But a win -- oh, a win -- would be beyond jubilation.
*What the heck happened to the Pacers?
*My fantasy baseball season is ruined more by my regret passing on Jose Abreu than the actuality of losing Bryce Harper for the next two months.
-- D.S.
Will it be enough -- today? For the long-term?
What does "enough" even mean, in a world where there is a consensus that the result has to include Donald Sterling no longer owning an NBA team -- and an equal consensus that they'll have to pry it from his cold, extraordinarily litigious hands.
What happens tonight when the Clippers play at home? What happens when their season is over and Doc Rivers decides if he wants to be a part of the team -- let alone stars like CP3 or Blake Griffin.
The certainty is that the story doesn't end today at 2.
*The Sterling story has eclipsed basically everything else. That doesn't mean I don't still have my eye nervously on the Wizards-Bulls Game 5 in Chicago. Those of us Wiz fans who know better (or are scarred by the past 30 years) recognize that a loss tonight puts us in the most precarious "up 3-2" situation ever. But a win -- oh, a win -- would be beyond jubilation.
*What the heck happened to the Pacers?
*My fantasy baseball season is ruined more by my regret passing on Jose Abreu than the actuality of losing Bryce Harper for the next two months.
-- D.S.
Monday, April 28, 2014
04/28 Sterling Revolt Quickie
*That the Donald Sterling Era in the NBA has reached a tipping point is obvious; that it is an end-game is not as clear. A few thoughts:
- I thought the players did as much as they could, given the timing -- I wouldn't discount the symbolic power of the shooting shirts left in a pile at midcourt, nor the inside-out tops. The name is shamed.
- It will be very interesting to see what happens back in L.A. for Game 5. Given that the players hold virtually all of the power on game night, there are a breadth of options available to them.
- I also think that as early as tonight, you will see every player in the league wearing black socks in solidarity.
- The power of the voices speaking out here is immensely important: LeBron. Magic. Jordan. That last one is very important: A fellow owner. Other owners will need to condemn Sterling, too.
- It's unclear what the league can do -- can they force Sterling to sell? The best new commissioner Adam Silver might be able to do (in what immediately became the only referendum on his leadership) is to suspend Sterling indefinitely, then work behind the scenes to pressure him to sell.
- In the absence of that, the outcome here for the Clippers is entirely unclear: Did Doc Rivers really imply that he could walk away from coaching the team over this?
- Would Chris Paul or Blake Griffin (or both... or every player on the roster) demand a trade? How on earth would any free agent choose the Clippers, given the existing ownership?
- Last point: Agree with many smart folks out there reminding us all that it's not on the players to force a change -- it's on the NBA owners.
*That was a hell of a win by my Wiz yesterday, in the absence of Nene and in a de facto "must-win" position. Not discounting chances of them losing 3 straight, but the Bulls also have to win 3 straight.
-- D.S.
- I thought the players did as much as they could, given the timing -- I wouldn't discount the symbolic power of the shooting shirts left in a pile at midcourt, nor the inside-out tops. The name is shamed.
- It will be very interesting to see what happens back in L.A. for Game 5. Given that the players hold virtually all of the power on game night, there are a breadth of options available to them.
- I also think that as early as tonight, you will see every player in the league wearing black socks in solidarity.
- The power of the voices speaking out here is immensely important: LeBron. Magic. Jordan. That last one is very important: A fellow owner. Other owners will need to condemn Sterling, too.
- It's unclear what the league can do -- can they force Sterling to sell? The best new commissioner Adam Silver might be able to do (in what immediately became the only referendum on his leadership) is to suspend Sterling indefinitely, then work behind the scenes to pressure him to sell.
- In the absence of that, the outcome here for the Clippers is entirely unclear: Did Doc Rivers really imply that he could walk away from coaching the team over this?
- Would Chris Paul or Blake Griffin (or both... or every player on the roster) demand a trade? How on earth would any free agent choose the Clippers, given the existing ownership?
- Last point: Agree with many smart folks out there reminding us all that it's not on the players to force a change -- it's on the NBA owners.
*That was a hell of a win by my Wiz yesterday, in the absence of Nene and in a de facto "must-win" position. Not discounting chances of them losing 3 straight, but the Bulls also have to win 3 straight.
-- D.S.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
4/27 Sunday Quickie
*"There is no room for Donald Sterling in the NBA." -- LeBron James, with not the first nor the last word on the Clippers' owner, but by far the galvanizing statement of the entire story.
*No Nene for my Wiz in Game 4 today. Ugh.
*If Memphis can't beat OKC the night Kevin Durant has arguably his worst shooting game ever (or ever will), this series gets "o-v-e-r" designation, even if it's "only" 2-2
*Last word: Vinsanity!
*No Nene for my Wiz in Game 4 today. Ugh.
*If Memphis can't beat OKC the night Kevin Durant has arguably his worst shooting game ever (or ever will), this series gets "o-v-e-r" designation, even if it's "only" 2-2
*Last word: Vinsanity!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday 4/25 Wizards! Quickie
*Let's! Go! Wiz! Only the most-anticipated Wizards game I can remember in 30 years of fan consciousness. (And, by the way, I see it as must-win. Do NOT want to be in a position of playing Sunday with the series in the balance.)
*Wrote two things today -- kind of unexpectedly.
(1) Why Mitch McGary was screwed financially by not going pro last year, when his NBA draft stock was in the middle of the Top 10, rather than now, when it is back of the 1st round.
(2) Why Kentucky's Harrison twins didn't "return" to UK -- they were rejected by the NBA. And why John Calipari sold them a bill of goods. (Keep an eye on the formatting.)
Big night tonight. Have a great weekend.
-- D.S.
*Wrote two things today -- kind of unexpectedly.
(1) Why Mitch McGary was screwed financially by not going pro last year, when his NBA draft stock was in the middle of the Top 10, rather than now, when it is back of the 1st round.
(2) Why Kentucky's Harrison twins didn't "return" to UK -- they were rejected by the NBA. And why John Calipari sold them a bill of goods. (Keep an eye on the formatting.)
Big night tonight. Have a great weekend.
-- D.S.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Thursday 4/24 NFL Schedule Release Mania Quickie
*I do not get the cynical griping about the event-ification of the release of the NFL schedule. It is massively popular. It is a near-perfect mid-week offseason thing. It embodies everything about that most precious of fan ideas -- possibility. That, and the "cross-flex."
*The most interesting thing I read about it was this deep-dive from Peter King, who went behind the scenes with the crew that creates the schedule -- it's fascinating.
*LaMarcus Aldridge is the king of the first five days of the NBA Playoffs. I liked this from SB Nation's Paul Flannery -- it's a great thing for the NBA when the non-superduperstars emerge with the kinds of performances that resonate with fans across the country (see Bradley Beal).
*As it relates to the NFL this season, I didn't think there was anything I'd want to see more than Tim Tebow making a roster, but the idea of a team bringing 50-year-old Herschel Walker into training camp and watching him play (which he says he still can) is pretty close to toppling it.
*At least Pineda owned it.
-- D.S.
*The most interesting thing I read about it was this deep-dive from Peter King, who went behind the scenes with the crew that creates the schedule -- it's fascinating.
*LaMarcus Aldridge is the king of the first five days of the NBA Playoffs. I liked this from SB Nation's Paul Flannery -- it's a great thing for the NBA when the non-superduperstars emerge with the kinds of performances that resonate with fans across the country (see Bradley Beal).
*As it relates to the NFL this season, I didn't think there was anything I'd want to see more than Tim Tebow making a roster, but the idea of a team bringing 50-year-old Herschel Walker into training camp and watching him play (which he says he still can) is pretty close to toppling it.
*At least Pineda owned it.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
4/23 Wizards! Wrigley! Pujols! Quickie
*Is this what other NBA fans have gotten to experience? The ridiculous thrill ride of a close playoff win on the road, taking the most improbable 2-0 series lead in NBA Playoffs history?
It's surreal for me to process -- my Wiz winning that game last night, my Wiz going up 2-0 after 2 games in Chicago, my Wiz earning national cred -- but wow, do I appreciate it.
Funny: I'm so conditioned for #SoWizards that I still think this is some kind of cruel cosmic joke -- that Chicago will win 4 of the next 5 games and stomp on my soul.
It doesn't matter -- I'll still have the feeling this morning.
*Speaking of feelings, today's 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field has me feeling so nostalgic. When I graduated college, I moved into a classic Wrigleyville apartment with two buddies -- just two blocks from the stadium -- and had one of the great years of my life.
Imagine this: Living so close that when one roommate would come home with freebie game tickets from the office, we would just wander over whenever, take in a few innings, then head home. Or we would sit out on our front porch, offering friendly strangers a beer from a cooler -- sometimes they would give us their extra tickets in return.
In reality, that time for me was a million years ago, but it remains more vivid than anything 20 years ago should be.
*500 HR for Albert Pujols is an awesome milestone, when milestones seem to have lost a little oomph. 26 members of the club, and by the end of the season, he should be passing Ted Williams and be well into the Top 20 all-time.
I always like looking down the list and seeing who -- if anyone -- can join him. Among active players, Adam Dunn is next at 444 (no chance), then Giambi (438) and Ortiz (435) and Konerko (434) and Soriano (410)... no chance for those guys, either, although let's not sniff at the "400 Club." How about Adrian Beltre at 376? Let's keep in mind: That's 25 HR a year for the next 5 years.
The most likely candidates are Ryan Braun, sitting at a distant 217, and Robinson Cano, at 205. They aren't even halfway there, with plenty to get in their way; both are over 30. Maybe Evan Longoria at 164 before he hits age 29?
I'm going to predict that we won't see another addition to the 500 HR Club, full stop -- it will go the way of the "300 Club" in pitching wins, which has a weirdly similar 24 players making the cut.
The one guy with a chance to crack 500 seems to be Giancarlo Stanton (123 HR at age 24).
But if the choice is "anyone" vs. "no one," I'll bet on "no one."
-- D.S.
It's surreal for me to process -- my Wiz winning that game last night, my Wiz going up 2-0 after 2 games in Chicago, my Wiz earning national cred -- but wow, do I appreciate it.
Funny: I'm so conditioned for #SoWizards that I still think this is some kind of cruel cosmic joke -- that Chicago will win 4 of the next 5 games and stomp on my soul.
It doesn't matter -- I'll still have the feeling this morning.
*Speaking of feelings, today's 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field has me feeling so nostalgic. When I graduated college, I moved into a classic Wrigleyville apartment with two buddies -- just two blocks from the stadium -- and had one of the great years of my life.
Imagine this: Living so close that when one roommate would come home with freebie game tickets from the office, we would just wander over whenever, take in a few innings, then head home. Or we would sit out on our front porch, offering friendly strangers a beer from a cooler -- sometimes they would give us their extra tickets in return.
In reality, that time for me was a million years ago, but it remains more vivid than anything 20 years ago should be.
*500 HR for Albert Pujols is an awesome milestone, when milestones seem to have lost a little oomph. 26 members of the club, and by the end of the season, he should be passing Ted Williams and be well into the Top 20 all-time.
I always like looking down the list and seeing who -- if anyone -- can join him. Among active players, Adam Dunn is next at 444 (no chance), then Giambi (438) and Ortiz (435) and Konerko (434) and Soriano (410)... no chance for those guys, either, although let's not sniff at the "400 Club." How about Adrian Beltre at 376? Let's keep in mind: That's 25 HR a year for the next 5 years.
The most likely candidates are Ryan Braun, sitting at a distant 217, and Robinson Cano, at 205. They aren't even halfway there, with plenty to get in their way; both are over 30. Maybe Evan Longoria at 164 before he hits age 29?
I'm going to predict that we won't see another addition to the 500 HR Club, full stop -- it will go the way of the "300 Club" in pitching wins, which has a weirdly similar 24 players making the cut.
The one guy with a chance to crack 500 seems to be Giancarlo Stanton (123 HR at age 24).
But if the choice is "anyone" vs. "no one," I'll bet on "no one."
-- D.S.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
4/22 Aereo Durant Moyes Quickie
*Is the most important sports story today the Aereo case in front of the Supreme Court? (Good context of the stakes from Re/code's Peter Kafka and from the NYT's David Carr.)
*I don't care that the Thunder ultimately lost, this Kevin Durant shot is ridiculous -- shot of the year in the NBA:
*It was inevitable: Manchester United fired overmatched first-year manager/replacement-for-legend David Moyes. I know it's a tough gig and probably the hardest seat in sports to fill over the past few years, but still.
-- D.S.
*I don't care that the Thunder ultimately lost, this Kevin Durant shot is ridiculous -- shot of the year in the NBA:
*It was inevitable: Manchester United fired overmatched first-year manager/replacement-for-legend David Moyes. I know it's a tough gig and probably the hardest seat in sports to fill over the past few years, but still.
-- D.S.
Monday, April 21, 2014
4/21 Back from Vacation Quickie
*Meb Keflezighi. What a result at the Marathon.
*Got back last night just in time to listen to/watch the second half of the first Wizards playoff win in a Game 1 since 1986 -- ponder that for a second. A remarkable win on so many levels.
*The NBA Playoffs are off to a fantastic start, aren't they?
*I don't quite mind the extra few weeks between the old NFL Draft date and the new one -- I can wait. Sure seems like it's Clowney at the top, with the QBs sliding.
*Joakim Noah: NBA Defensive Player of the Year. And should be 1st-team all-NBA this season, too. One of my very favorite NBA players.
*This was fun: While we were in Gainesville, the kids and I huddled over an iPhone watching Florida's women's gymastics team tie for a national title.
*Filed under "It's Early Yet, But So What?" My fantasy baseball team just went over .500 -- it's rare enough that individual weeks where I am over .500 can be counted on two hands. That's over 10 years of playing, by the way, not in a single season.
-- D.S.
*Got back last night just in time to listen to/watch the second half of the first Wizards playoff win in a Game 1 since 1986 -- ponder that for a second. A remarkable win on so many levels.
*The NBA Playoffs are off to a fantastic start, aren't they?
*I don't quite mind the extra few weeks between the old NFL Draft date and the new one -- I can wait. Sure seems like it's Clowney at the top, with the QBs sliding.
*Joakim Noah: NBA Defensive Player of the Year. And should be 1st-team all-NBA this season, too. One of my very favorite NBA players.
*This was fun: While we were in Gainesville, the kids and I huddled over an iPhone watching Florida's women's gymastics team tie for a national title.
*Filed under "It's Early Yet, But So What?" My fantasy baseball team just went over .500 -- it's rare enough that individual weeks where I am over .500 can be counted on two hands. That's over 10 years of playing, by the way, not in a single season.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
4/8 UConn Dynasty Quickie
*Decent argument to be made that UConn's 4 titles in the past 15 years makes them a quasi-dynasty.
*Even better argument to be made that Shabazz Napier belongs in the top tier of all-time college hoops players, because of three very important qualifiers:
(1) He played a meaningful role on TWO national-title teams (putting him in the rare air of Hurley-Laettner-Hill and Noah-Horford-Brewer).
(2) In the second one, he wore the "carry-the-load superstar champ" role of Carmelo, Kemba, Danny Manning, Glen Rice and Anthony Davis.
(3) This one was most interesting to me: He joined an extremely exclusive fraternity of players who played meaningful roles on two NON-CONSECUTIVE national-title teams.
The sport is defined by its championship tournament, individual brilliance within that tournament and the exclusivity of winning multiple titles.
Because of that, I'd argue that Napier ends his career in the top tier of all-time ("all-time" meaning: 64-team era since 1985) talents:
The 10 I'd pick: Manning, Larry Johnson, Laettner, Hurley, Hill, Carmelo, Noah, Davis, Napier, with one spot open for your particular favorite snubbee.
*Looking ahead to next year: By far the most intriguing team is SMU, snubbed by the Tournament committee, but whose two wins over UConn sure do look good this morning.
-- D.S.
*Even better argument to be made that Shabazz Napier belongs in the top tier of all-time college hoops players, because of three very important qualifiers:
(1) He played a meaningful role on TWO national-title teams (putting him in the rare air of Hurley-Laettner-Hill and Noah-Horford-Brewer).
(2) In the second one, he wore the "carry-the-load superstar champ" role of Carmelo, Kemba, Danny Manning, Glen Rice and Anthony Davis.
(3) This one was most interesting to me: He joined an extremely exclusive fraternity of players who played meaningful roles on two NON-CONSECUTIVE national-title teams.
The sport is defined by its championship tournament, individual brilliance within that tournament and the exclusivity of winning multiple titles.
Because of that, I'd argue that Napier ends his career in the top tier of all-time ("all-time" meaning: 64-team era since 1985) talents:
The 10 I'd pick: Manning, Larry Johnson, Laettner, Hurley, Hill, Carmelo, Noah, Davis, Napier, with one spot open for your particular favorite snubbee.
*Looking ahead to next year: By far the most intriguing team is SMU, snubbed by the Tournament committee, but whose two wins over UConn sure do look good this morning.
-- D.S.
Monday, April 07, 2014
4/7 One Shining Moment Quickie
*John Calipari wins, regardless of whether or not Kentucky wins the national title tonight. The mere fact his squad has made it this far (even with preseason No. 1 expectations) is affirmation enough.
*I remain bludgeoned by Florida's loss to UConn: I was "title or bust" for this squad; wow, I will miss these seniors; the game wasn't even close.
*It's an open question whether you'd rather have "thoroughly beaten" or, like Wisconsin, "you coulda/shoulda/woulda won." I guess the latter would be harder to take.
*It's one thing for UK's frosh to come in and go "one-and-title" -- that's amazing. It's another for UConn's seniors to get the rare TWO titles over four years. Napier & Co. join an exclusive group.
In the past 20 years: '92 Duke players on '91 team (Hurley, Laettner, G Hill, T Hill, B Davis, Antonio Lang), two players on '98 Kentucky's team who were also on '96 team (Jeff Sheppard and Allen Edwards), '07 Florida on '06 team (Noah, Horford, Brewer, Humphrey, Green, Richard, Hodge, various bench-warmers).
Kentucky has three bench-warmers who were on the 2012 title-team roster: Long, Malone, Polson.
*I am genuinely baffled over who to pick to win. Both teams are on such a roll. UConn gets the edge defensively; UK gets the edge inside. It's honestly hard to fathom one of these teams will be "national champ."
-- D.S.
*I remain bludgeoned by Florida's loss to UConn: I was "title or bust" for this squad; wow, I will miss these seniors; the game wasn't even close.
*It's an open question whether you'd rather have "thoroughly beaten" or, like Wisconsin, "you coulda/shoulda/woulda won." I guess the latter would be harder to take.
*It's one thing for UK's frosh to come in and go "one-and-title" -- that's amazing. It's another for UConn's seniors to get the rare TWO titles over four years. Napier & Co. join an exclusive group.
In the past 20 years: '92 Duke players on '91 team (Hurley, Laettner, G Hill, T Hill, B Davis, Antonio Lang), two players on '98 Kentucky's team who were also on '96 team (Jeff Sheppard and Allen Edwards), '07 Florida on '06 team (Noah, Horford, Brewer, Humphrey, Green, Richard, Hodge, various bench-warmers).
Kentucky has three bench-warmers who were on the 2012 title-team roster: Long, Malone, Polson.
*I am genuinely baffled over who to pick to win. Both teams are on such a roll. UConn gets the edge defensively; UK gets the edge inside. It's honestly hard to fathom one of these teams will be "national champ."
-- D.S.
Friday, April 04, 2014
4/4 Final Four Quickie
*Let's go back two weeks: My expectations for Florida are nothing short of "championship or bust." That makes Saturday's semi against UConn a must-win.
*Count me among the folks who think that Florida has an advantage having already played UConn -- and lost, short-handed, at the buzzer, in Storrs. This team doesn't quite resemble that one.
*Wisconsin-Kentucky is fascinating: Wisconsin is playing at as high of a level as that program has EVER played; Kentucky is on a remarkable roll. My head says Wisco; my gut says UK.
*Thunder snap Spurs' winning streak: The NBA Playoffs are going to be phenomenal.
*Who wants Chris Johnson? (A much easier analysis: Pete Carroll has more than earned his contract extension -- hard to displace Belichick and I guess you can make a case for Harbaugh, but it's arguable he has ascended to Best Coach in the NFL status. Which is remarkable.)
Enjoy your weekend!
-- D.S.
*Count me among the folks who think that Florida has an advantage having already played UConn -- and lost, short-handed, at the buzzer, in Storrs. This team doesn't quite resemble that one.
*Wisconsin-Kentucky is fascinating: Wisconsin is playing at as high of a level as that program has EVER played; Kentucky is on a remarkable roll. My head says Wisco; my gut says UK.
*Thunder snap Spurs' winning streak: The NBA Playoffs are going to be phenomenal.
*Who wants Chris Johnson? (A much easier analysis: Pete Carroll has more than earned his contract extension -- hard to displace Belichick and I guess you can make a case for Harbaugh, but it's arguable he has ascended to Best Coach in the NFL status. Which is remarkable.)
Enjoy your weekend!
-- D.S.
Thursday, April 03, 2014
4/3 Playoffs? Playoffs! Quickie
*My Wizards are back in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2008. I'm beyond excited.
This is not to be understated: In the past 25 years, they have been to the playoffs a grand total of 5 times, including 4 first-round exits (including the amazing '97 Bullets team featuring Webber and Howard that was cursedly broken up). No one appreciates the mere notion of "playoff eligibility" than a Wizards fan.
*MLB: Mark Buehrle had the best game of the day yesterday, but give me the suddenly ageless Tim Hudson, who pitched into the 8th, allowed only 3 hits and K'ed 7. He turns 39 in July.
*Big day in DC: Kain Colter is meeting the media.
*If I had the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft, Jadeveon Clowney is the most can't-miss defensive prospect. (Sammy Watkins is the most can't-miss on offense, but hard to take a WR with No. 1 pick.)
This is not to be understated: In the past 25 years, they have been to the playoffs a grand total of 5 times, including 4 first-round exits (including the amazing '97 Bullets team featuring Webber and Howard that was cursedly broken up). No one appreciates the mere notion of "playoff eligibility" than a Wizards fan.
*MLB: Mark Buehrle had the best game of the day yesterday, but give me the suddenly ageless Tim Hudson, who pitched into the 8th, allowed only 3 hits and K'ed 7. He turns 39 in July.
*Big day in DC: Kain Colter is meeting the media.
*If I had the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft, Jadeveon Clowney is the most can't-miss defensive prospect. (Sammy Watkins is the most can't-miss on offense, but hard to take a WR with No. 1 pick.)
Saturday, March 29, 2014
3/29 Elite Eight Quickie
*This Kentucky team reminds me of the 1992 Michigan team where the "Fab Five" earned a 6-seed and zipped all the way to the title game. UK now claims the top TWO best games of the tournament.
*I clearly should have picked my Elite Eight by including the two teams that beat Florida this season (Wisconsin, UConn) and the one that came closest (Kentucky in SEC tourney title game).
*So Mike Trout will be entering free agency at age 29? His deal will make Miguel Cabrera's look modest. Unlike Cabrera, he'll still be worth it.
-- D.S.
*I clearly should have picked my Elite Eight by including the two teams that beat Florida this season (Wisconsin, UConn) and the one that came closest (Kentucky in SEC tourney title game).
*So Mike Trout will be entering free agency at age 29? His deal will make Miguel Cabrera's look modest. Unlike Cabrera, he'll still be worth it.
-- D.S.
Monday, March 24, 2014
3/24 Sweet 16 Quickie
*"The Best Round of 32 Game Ever" -- college basketball immortality, frankly -- was worth the (presumably) premature dispatch of Wichita State, against (a clearly underseeded) Kentucky.
*I celebrate the outcome: I am mostly a "process over outcome" person, but in this exceptional case: If Wichita State was going to get bounced in the Round of 32, isn't it amazing that they did it in an insanely hard-fought game against an insanely talented team that finally put it all together?
*Compare that to the brutal ending for Creighton, which was never in their game and got annihilated by 30. For all of Doug McDermott's brilliance, it makes the ending all the more ignominious.
*Stanford's upset was remarkable: They made zero 3s and played with no true point guard. In that case, YOUR team (in the Tournament or not) has no excuse not to make it to the Sweet 16.
*Let's reset for the Sweet 16:
- Louisville vs. Kentucky is great but UL will throttle UK.
- The best match-up is Dayton-Stanford. One of these teams will be one win from the Final Four.
- The most dangerous team is Tennessee; it's an open question whether four days off is going to cool them off.
- Things are lining up for a Final Four of Florida, Michigan State, Arizona and Louisville -- just like... well, most of the country predicted.
-- D.S.
*I celebrate the outcome: I am mostly a "process over outcome" person, but in this exceptional case: If Wichita State was going to get bounced in the Round of 32, isn't it amazing that they did it in an insanely hard-fought game against an insanely talented team that finally put it all together?
*Compare that to the brutal ending for Creighton, which was never in their game and got annihilated by 30. For all of Doug McDermott's brilliance, it makes the ending all the more ignominious.
*Stanford's upset was remarkable: They made zero 3s and played with no true point guard. In that case, YOUR team (in the Tournament or not) has no excuse not to make it to the Sweet 16.
*Let's reset for the Sweet 16:
- Louisville vs. Kentucky is great but UL will throttle UK.
- The best match-up is Dayton-Stanford. One of these teams will be one win from the Final Four.
- The most dangerous team is Tennessee; it's an open question whether four days off is going to cool them off.
- Things are lining up for a Final Four of Florida, Michigan State, Arizona and Louisville -- just like... well, most of the country predicted.
-- D.S.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
3/22 Mercer Mania Quickie
*Mercer over Duke is a quintessential NCAA Tournament result.
*I tweeted this right after the game: There is nothing quite like the "Duke first-round NCAA Tournament loss." It's a national celebration of schadenfreude, transcending basically everything.
*If I had to rank my most desired outcomes every year in the NCAA Tournament, they rank "My team wins the national title," then -- a close second -- "Whenever Duke loses (ideally right away)."
*My 5-year-old son Jonah, who was watching the game with me, appreciated my enthusiasm over the upset-in-progress and the ending, but really didn't like when I said that I "hate" Duke.
And he's right. "Hate" is not just a bad word to flaunt in front of a kid (who can't grasp the nuances of the word) but inelegant. The reality is that I love seeing them lose.
(Post-script: Astutely, he asked what I would do if HE played for Duke. Would I "hate" them/him? I sheepishly said I would be rooting like crazy for him to win.)
*The glorious Mercer win eclipsed everything else that happened over the First Thursday and Friday. Let's give SF Austin a shout-out for knocking off a VCU team that -- if we're being honest -- choked.
*Looking ahead to today:
(1) Florida BETTER win (FWIW: Pitt has had a LOT of trouble with elite defenses this season)...
(2) Your Everyone-Should-Be-Rooting-For-Them team is North Dakota State, in a very winnable game vs. San Diego State...
(3) My Upset Special (it's on my bracket, so it MUST be right) is UConn over Villanova.
I went 27-5 in the first two days, which is OK (I'm in the 92nd percentile nationally) but certainly not spectacular. More importantly, I lost two Sweet 16 teams: Duke (like almost everyone else) and VCU.
-- D.S.
*I tweeted this right after the game: There is nothing quite like the "Duke first-round NCAA Tournament loss." It's a national celebration of schadenfreude, transcending basically everything.
*If I had to rank my most desired outcomes every year in the NCAA Tournament, they rank "My team wins the national title," then -- a close second -- "Whenever Duke loses (ideally right away)."
*My 5-year-old son Jonah, who was watching the game with me, appreciated my enthusiasm over the upset-in-progress and the ending, but really didn't like when I said that I "hate" Duke.
And he's right. "Hate" is not just a bad word to flaunt in front of a kid (who can't grasp the nuances of the word) but inelegant. The reality is that I love seeing them lose.
(Post-script: Astutely, he asked what I would do if HE played for Duke. Would I "hate" them/him? I sheepishly said I would be rooting like crazy for him to win.)
*The glorious Mercer win eclipsed everything else that happened over the First Thursday and Friday. Let's give SF Austin a shout-out for knocking off a VCU team that -- if we're being honest -- choked.
*Looking ahead to today:
(1) Florida BETTER win (FWIW: Pitt has had a LOT of trouble with elite defenses this season)...
(2) Your Everyone-Should-Be-Rooting-For-Them team is North Dakota State, in a very winnable game vs. San Diego State...
(3) My Upset Special (it's on my bracket, so it MUST be right) is UConn over Villanova.
I went 27-5 in the first two days, which is OK (I'm in the 92nd percentile nationally) but certainly not spectacular. More importantly, I lost two Sweet 16 teams: Duke (like almost everyone else) and VCU.
-- D.S.
Friday, March 21, 2014
3/21 Tournament Friday Quickie
*What an entertaining First Thursday -- from Dayton at the very start to Harvard's upset (or "upset") to the slew of terrific endings/chokes last night, a great day.
*Luke Winn nailed it: It's not just enough to have an elite defense -- you have got to be able to score efficiently, too.
So here are the teams that are Top 10 in adjusted D and Top 20 in adjusted O: Florida, Louisville, Wichita State. (UVA is on the cusp, and Arizona, Kansas and Michigan State are Top 40 at least.)
*I was 12 out of 16 yesterday -- same as my 5-year-old, for what it's worth. I missed Harvard, Texas, Saint Louis and Dayton. My 7-year-old was 14/16.
*My favorite stat: 80% of billion-dollar brackets were busted after the very first game of the tournament. (I kind of love that people are focused on the billion-dollar bracket, despite its absurdity.)
*Today's best games: Duke-Mercer right at the top of the day, Oklahoma State-Gonzaga at 4:40, SF Austin vs. VCU in the early-evening and Kansas State-Kentucky in the late-evening set.
Enjoy it.
-- D.S.
*Luke Winn nailed it: It's not just enough to have an elite defense -- you have got to be able to score efficiently, too.
So here are the teams that are Top 10 in adjusted D and Top 20 in adjusted O: Florida, Louisville, Wichita State. (UVA is on the cusp, and Arizona, Kansas and Michigan State are Top 40 at least.)
*I was 12 out of 16 yesterday -- same as my 5-year-old, for what it's worth. I missed Harvard, Texas, Saint Louis and Dayton. My 7-year-old was 14/16.
*My favorite stat: 80% of billion-dollar brackets were busted after the very first game of the tournament. (I kind of love that people are focused on the billion-dollar bracket, despite its absurdity.)
*Today's best games: Duke-Mercer right at the top of the day, Oklahoma State-Gonzaga at 4:40, SF Austin vs. VCU in the early-evening and Kansas State-Kentucky in the late-evening set.
Enjoy it.
-- D.S.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
