I don’t want you guys to think I’m one dimensional here. Hopefully, I have proven to you that I have encyclopedic knowledge and prodigious skill when it comes to covering sports in this column. But I do, believe it or not, know about other things... Well, at least one other thing: Media.
I mean, I am going to get a degree in Media Studies, maybe it’s time I put that wisdom to good use. Maybe it’s time to broaden my horizons and reach into the untapped resources I have at my disposal (It works for Bill Simmons, right?) So, today we break from the status quo. Mark today on your calendars, dear readers, as the day that I led you, fearlessly, into uncharted territory.
That flawlessly worded and overwhelmingly inspirational introduction basically just means that I’m going to start telling you about TV shows/movies/video games that I like, and you have no choice but to sit there and listen. Aren’t you lucky?
Today, we delve into the world of television, more specifically into the greatest television show you never considered to watch: Chuck.
It takes a lot for me to want to follow a show religiously. Never you mind that I currently follow some 15 television series. When you consider the pure astronomical mass of shoddy programming out there, the veritable smorgasbord of shows to choose from, you realize that it takes a certain je ne sais quoi to peak my, yours, or anyone’s interest these days.
For me, it’s usually comedy. You make me laugh, and I am loyal to you. This is the reason I watch The Office, 30 Rock, Modern Family, and How I Met Your Mother. And this is the reason that I started watching Chuck when it debuted in 2007. Just so we are clear, I watched the pilot WHEN IT AIRED. And up until leaving for college in January 2010, I watched it weekly, more often than not, on the night of original airing. It was just one of those shows for me. I built my schedule around being able to watch it on Monday nights, which means I would have my homework done by then... or I wouldn’t do it at all. It was much harder to keep up once I got to Berkeley, there were just so many other things to do than sit around and watch TV. But I completed the series just a few months removed from “real time” if you will.
Let me pause here momentarily. If you are one of the blessed souls who has watched the entirety of the show, I applaud you. You may continue reading at your leisure. If you are in the process of watching it or have future plans of watching it, that’s alright. But you may want to stop at this paragraph. I do not intend to reveal spoilers, but I make no promises. And for those of you who have no intention whatsoever of indulging yourself in a brilliant program... go away. No one likes you.
Working under the assumption that many of you will eschew my directions and keep reading even though you have never watched the show, I suppose I should start from the beginning. Chuck's titular character is a down-on-his luck “nerd” who works at the Buy More in Burbank, California (clarification: Buy More is a fictional version of Best Buy, for all intents and purposes). An old college friend of Chuck’s, who turns out to be a spy, sends him an email full of images encoded with government secrets. When Chuck opens the email, the images flash before his eyes and are transmitted into his brain. From that point forward, if Chuck sees or hears about something contained in these images (as a whole referred to as the “Intersect”) he recalls, involuntarily, any information the government has on it. That is the foundation upon which the entire show is built upon. Got it? Awesome.
It would take me hours and hours to give you a solid plot summary, so I’m just going to jump ahead and give you a list of things I love about Chuck:
The Actors/Characters:
First things first, Zachary Levi is a wonderful actor. He looks the part, he sounds the part, he acts the part. He switches effortlessly back and forth between comedic lovable loser and suave, debonair man about town. We watch as he progresses throughout the series, from nondescript Nerd Herder to sophisticated secret agent. He fits the role perfectly. And speaking of fitting a role perfectly, has there even been a better fit than Adam Baldwin as NSA agent John Casey? He really holds that group, and the shop together. And Yvonne Strahovski (whom at a time I considered to be just a pretty face) really picked it up in the closing episodes.
And it’s not just the stars that sparkle, it’s the littany of guest stars as well. Just off the top of my head: Rachel Bilson, John Larroquette, Chevy Chase, Nicole Ritchie, Jordana Brewster, Gary Cole, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and my personal favorite Timothy Dalton.
The Story:
Remember in my HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL Jeremy Lin article, I said that our culture loves a story we can connect with. Chuck certainly falls within that category. It is easy for the viewer to put themselves in Chuck’s shoes. To imagine what it would be like to live his life and face his challenges. We sympathize with him (watch out for actual scholarly insight here) because we have exclusive access to his thoughts and actions. He is forced to keep a significant secret from his family and friends, but not from us viewers.
On top of that, the show keeps you guessing. And I don’t mean in a “Oh my gosh, Ted still has feelings for Robin? Who knew???” kind of way. I mean that there are real twists, Lost style, that you don’t see coming until they smack you in the face. For a critically unacclaimed NBC TV show, Chuck was particularly witty and well-thought out, despite the fact that it faced threats of cancellation for the better part of its last two seasons.
The Ending:
I was fully anticipating one of those storybook endings. I was expecting true love’s kiss and all that other nonsense they feed children these days (by the way, has anything ever created higher romantic standards than Disney movies? Think about it). I was expecting Harry Potter all over again (THAT is a conversation for another blog post). But Chuck did not sell out, Chuck didn’t give you the stereotypical happy ending. And in a way, it symbolized the entire run of the show. There was a reliance on the scientific, not the magical. Nothing happened that was without reason (in the universe of the show) or that went unexplained. And there was never an easy solution to any problem (They had to kill Shaw like 7 times). But in the end, there was faith and hope, even in the face of discouragement. And isn’t that really what life is about?
Yes, it is.
Do yourself a favor, and watch the pilot. Chuck is not just the story of a normal guy who stumbles into an abnormal situation. It is, above all else, a story of devotion. To one’s family. To one’s partner. To one’s nation. To oneself.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Parameters of a Miracle: The Tale of Jeremy Lin
Usually this space is reserved for technical analysis of statistics and standings. Most of the time, I rely heavily on numbers and try to remain somewhat objective. I tell you how games will play out and how the standings will be augmented throughout the season. You have come to expect this... and now I pull the rug out from under your feet.
This is not a story of statistics. This is not a story of rationality and analysis. This is not a story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls. This is the story of Jeremy Lin. If you don’t know who he is, then you don’t have internet access, and you won’t be reading this anyways... Wrap your brain around that... If a tree falls in the woods....
Lin, who received no scholarships to play college ball, and no bids to be drafted to an NBA team, is one of those inspiring cases that we sports fans love. You know why? It’s rather simple. It’s the same reason people read Us Magazine, because we love to know that stars are just like us. You see, I, personally, received no scholarships to play basketball in college, and although I have not yet decided if I am going to enter the NBA draft, chances are I won’t be drafted (Side note: are there any real requirements for entering a professional sports draft? Could I just throw my name in there, for poops and giggles? I will be looking into this).
So in terms of those requirements, Lin and I stand on equal footing. Now I haven’t been practicing daily since I was 4 years old, but Allen Iverson told me that’s not a big deal. So what really separates Jeremy Lin from the rest of us? Some may say natural talent. Some may say work ethic. Some may say undying determination. They are right, of course. Jeremy Lin possesses superior talent, work ethic, and determination than the average man. But these are not the things I would say. If prompted with the question “What makes Jeremy Lin so great?” I respond with one word: Hype.
And just like that we find ourselves on the road less traveled.
Controversial Opinion Alert. If you and your delicate ears can’t handle hearing criticism of beloved cultural and social figures, you may choose to stop reading here. Now, for the rest of you, allow me to note a few things before I begin. First, these are my own subjective opinions about a specific phenomenon and I do not expect, nor want, everyone to agree with them. Secondly, I do not hate Jeremy Lin. This one is important. It has nothing to do with him on a personal level, it has more to do with the atmosphere that surounds him. Got it? Good. Buckle up.
The hype surrounding Jeremy Lin has far exceeded any we have seen for this kind of scenario in a long time, possibly ever. I can understand why Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III receive massive hype for anything and everything, they are top tier draft prospects with the ability to immensely alter the future of the NFL. Jeremy Lin is not.
I can also understand that Lin represents a previously untapped culture in the NBA, being the first Taiwanese player in history. And that is where the vast majority of the hype originates. That being said, it should not matter. It does, of course, because the world, and everyone in it, is divided by race and always will be. But when I calculate his basic value as a player for a basketball team, I absolutely 100% don’t care that he’s Asian. And wouldn’t that be a wonderful world to live in? If we didn’t care that he is racially different from the other 99% of the league. If we could only base our judgment on the factors that truly matter. Yet if you ask people what they know about Jeremy Lin, I bet at least 90% will say first, before anything else, that he’s an Asian basketball player. Call me a cynic, call me a non-believer, but if you take race out of the equation, I don’t particularly see why he’s so highly touted.
As for his actual performance, I acknowledge that he scored the most points ever for a player in his first 6 starts, or whatever the number was. Great. Way to go. I would like to point out that in those games he played exactly one good team, and that was the Lakers. I don’t want to trivialize what he’s done on the court, but I’m not shocked that the Nets, Jazz, Wizards, Timberwolves, and Raptors would be the teams to give up that record. Also, the NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint (even when it’s not a full 82 game slate). Six great performances doesn’t make him a star, not in my mind. You play six great games in the NBA finals, that’s a star.
Let’s also factor in that since the 7-0 stretch Lin sparked, the Knicks are 2-3 (and still under .500 for the season). They lost home games to the Hornets and Nets, which is not something good teams do. He looked completely sluggish against Miami, shot 1-11 from the field and contributed just 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 14 point loss (not to mention 8 turnovers). Clearly, he is tired.
And I don’t see it getting better. I watched that Knicks-Hornets game. I was rooting for New York, I promise you I was. Don’t be fooled by his 26 points, he shot 18 times (plus 10 free throw attempts). The Hornets figured him out, figured the Knicks out. They made him shoot tough shots, and made him give up the ball so his teammates could take tough shots. They didn’t let him run the game. They dared New York to beat them with ANYONE else. And New York couldn’t do it. Now, this is not Lin’s fault. But defenses will continue to change the game and discount his dynamic. They will make him a non-factor. He is, in essence, the Wildcat formation.
Remember if you will when the Miami Dolphins unveiled the Wildcat in a game against New England, and absolutely massacred an unprepared Patriots defense. Jeremy Lin is not so much of a paradigm shift, but the same idea applies. He is to Carmelo Anthony what the Wildcat was to conventional offensive formations. A slight curveball, if you will. But sometimes, curveballs get left hanging.
Which brings me to my penultimate point, he is not Carmelo Anthony. Say what you want, but we all know Carmelo Anthony is the better player. Don’t be foolish. Don’t say Lin is better just to rile us up. You know it. I know it. Let’s be real. And while I wouldn’t imagine that Lin would ever return to his former position on the bench (playing 5 minutes every other week), he will not be the starter. He will get time when Melo needs a break, but that’s about it. In the end, he will be a flash-in-the-pan. He will be the benchmark with which we grade future rookies. He will be remembered for 6 games. No more.
Lastly, the most ridiculous part of all this hype is the comparison to Tim Tebow. I would say that it’s like comparing apples and oranges, but it’s more like comparing apples and Marxist thinkers. The NFL is horribly quarterback centric and we allot praise or blame almost exclusively to the QB. However, in basketball, although still slightly point guard centric, the credit is much more fairly distributed throughout the members of the team. I would say that at least 75% of credit for each Denver Broncos win should be given to the defensive unit and Matt Prater (and Tebow only gets 25% because I award him credit for his motivated influence). Remember, the Broncos won a game in which Tebow completed 2 passes. Just saying. Jeremy Lin should get at least 50% for what he did in 12 games for the Knicks. He ran those games. There was never a time when I felt that Tim Tebow carried the outcome of the game squarely on his shoulders. But because we value QBs and (to a lesser degree) PGs, Tebow and Lin are compared for their success as if they were equivalent in skill and stature, which honestly is a massive insult to Lin’s athletic ability.
I will concede many things about Jeremy Lin. He is quick. He is a good passer. He can make his way to the rim. He isn’t afraid to take a big shot. But you know what? Carmelo Anthony can do all those things and excels in many areas that Lin has yet to touch. And I do not wish to underestimate the power of motivation he brings, but that simply doesn’t last. Motivation can’t win you a championship. No one thinks the Knicks will win the NBA Championship, just like no one thought the Broncos would win the Superbowl. Stories like this only go so far. And I don’t know if Lin’s even gets to the playoffs.
As a culture, we get bored with the status quo. We want to be surprised. We want stories like Lin and Tebow. We love underdogs and misfits, because they are so much more like us than superhuman athletes like LeBron James (who possesses a torso unparalleled by anything humankind has ever seen). But when all is said and done, more often than not, the status quo returns, unchanged. The more things change the more they stay the same.
This is not a story of statistics. This is not a story of rationality and analysis. This is not a story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls. This is the story of Jeremy Lin. If you don’t know who he is, then you don’t have internet access, and you won’t be reading this anyways... Wrap your brain around that... If a tree falls in the woods....
Lin, who received no scholarships to play college ball, and no bids to be drafted to an NBA team, is one of those inspiring cases that we sports fans love. You know why? It’s rather simple. It’s the same reason people read Us Magazine, because we love to know that stars are just like us. You see, I, personally, received no scholarships to play basketball in college, and although I have not yet decided if I am going to enter the NBA draft, chances are I won’t be drafted (Side note: are there any real requirements for entering a professional sports draft? Could I just throw my name in there, for poops and giggles? I will be looking into this).
So in terms of those requirements, Lin and I stand on equal footing. Now I haven’t been practicing daily since I was 4 years old, but Allen Iverson told me that’s not a big deal. So what really separates Jeremy Lin from the rest of us? Some may say natural talent. Some may say work ethic. Some may say undying determination. They are right, of course. Jeremy Lin possesses superior talent, work ethic, and determination than the average man. But these are not the things I would say. If prompted with the question “What makes Jeremy Lin so great?” I respond with one word: Hype.
And just like that we find ourselves on the road less traveled.
Controversial Opinion Alert. If you and your delicate ears can’t handle hearing criticism of beloved cultural and social figures, you may choose to stop reading here. Now, for the rest of you, allow me to note a few things before I begin. First, these are my own subjective opinions about a specific phenomenon and I do not expect, nor want, everyone to agree with them. Secondly, I do not hate Jeremy Lin. This one is important. It has nothing to do with him on a personal level, it has more to do with the atmosphere that surounds him. Got it? Good. Buckle up.
The hype surrounding Jeremy Lin has far exceeded any we have seen for this kind of scenario in a long time, possibly ever. I can understand why Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III receive massive hype for anything and everything, they are top tier draft prospects with the ability to immensely alter the future of the NFL. Jeremy Lin is not.
I can also understand that Lin represents a previously untapped culture in the NBA, being the first Taiwanese player in history. And that is where the vast majority of the hype originates. That being said, it should not matter. It does, of course, because the world, and everyone in it, is divided by race and always will be. But when I calculate his basic value as a player for a basketball team, I absolutely 100% don’t care that he’s Asian. And wouldn’t that be a wonderful world to live in? If we didn’t care that he is racially different from the other 99% of the league. If we could only base our judgment on the factors that truly matter. Yet if you ask people what they know about Jeremy Lin, I bet at least 90% will say first, before anything else, that he’s an Asian basketball player. Call me a cynic, call me a non-believer, but if you take race out of the equation, I don’t particularly see why he’s so highly touted.
As for his actual performance, I acknowledge that he scored the most points ever for a player in his first 6 starts, or whatever the number was. Great. Way to go. I would like to point out that in those games he played exactly one good team, and that was the Lakers. I don’t want to trivialize what he’s done on the court, but I’m not shocked that the Nets, Jazz, Wizards, Timberwolves, and Raptors would be the teams to give up that record. Also, the NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint (even when it’s not a full 82 game slate). Six great performances doesn’t make him a star, not in my mind. You play six great games in the NBA finals, that’s a star.
Let’s also factor in that since the 7-0 stretch Lin sparked, the Knicks are 2-3 (and still under .500 for the season). They lost home games to the Hornets and Nets, which is not something good teams do. He looked completely sluggish against Miami, shot 1-11 from the field and contributed just 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 14 point loss (not to mention 8 turnovers). Clearly, he is tired.
And I don’t see it getting better. I watched that Knicks-Hornets game. I was rooting for New York, I promise you I was. Don’t be fooled by his 26 points, he shot 18 times (plus 10 free throw attempts). The Hornets figured him out, figured the Knicks out. They made him shoot tough shots, and made him give up the ball so his teammates could take tough shots. They didn’t let him run the game. They dared New York to beat them with ANYONE else. And New York couldn’t do it. Now, this is not Lin’s fault. But defenses will continue to change the game and discount his dynamic. They will make him a non-factor. He is, in essence, the Wildcat formation.
Remember if you will when the Miami Dolphins unveiled the Wildcat in a game against New England, and absolutely massacred an unprepared Patriots defense. Jeremy Lin is not so much of a paradigm shift, but the same idea applies. He is to Carmelo Anthony what the Wildcat was to conventional offensive formations. A slight curveball, if you will. But sometimes, curveballs get left hanging.
Which brings me to my penultimate point, he is not Carmelo Anthony. Say what you want, but we all know Carmelo Anthony is the better player. Don’t be foolish. Don’t say Lin is better just to rile us up. You know it. I know it. Let’s be real. And while I wouldn’t imagine that Lin would ever return to his former position on the bench (playing 5 minutes every other week), he will not be the starter. He will get time when Melo needs a break, but that’s about it. In the end, he will be a flash-in-the-pan. He will be the benchmark with which we grade future rookies. He will be remembered for 6 games. No more.
Lastly, the most ridiculous part of all this hype is the comparison to Tim Tebow. I would say that it’s like comparing apples and oranges, but it’s more like comparing apples and Marxist thinkers. The NFL is horribly quarterback centric and we allot praise or blame almost exclusively to the QB. However, in basketball, although still slightly point guard centric, the credit is much more fairly distributed throughout the members of the team. I would say that at least 75% of credit for each Denver Broncos win should be given to the defensive unit and Matt Prater (and Tebow only gets 25% because I award him credit for his motivated influence). Remember, the Broncos won a game in which Tebow completed 2 passes. Just saying. Jeremy Lin should get at least 50% for what he did in 12 games for the Knicks. He ran those games. There was never a time when I felt that Tim Tebow carried the outcome of the game squarely on his shoulders. But because we value QBs and (to a lesser degree) PGs, Tebow and Lin are compared for their success as if they were equivalent in skill and stature, which honestly is a massive insult to Lin’s athletic ability.
I will concede many things about Jeremy Lin. He is quick. He is a good passer. He can make his way to the rim. He isn’t afraid to take a big shot. But you know what? Carmelo Anthony can do all those things and excels in many areas that Lin has yet to touch. And I do not wish to underestimate the power of motivation he brings, but that simply doesn’t last. Motivation can’t win you a championship. No one thinks the Knicks will win the NBA Championship, just like no one thought the Broncos would win the Superbowl. Stories like this only go so far. And I don’t know if Lin’s even gets to the playoffs.
As a culture, we get bored with the status quo. We want to be surprised. We want stories like Lin and Tebow. We love underdogs and misfits, because they are so much more like us than superhuman athletes like LeBron James (who possesses a torso unparalleled by anything humankind has ever seen). But when all is said and done, more often than not, the status quo returns, unchanged. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
NBA All-Star Break Update
For this comprehensive mid-season glimpse into the National Basketball Association, I have called upon Senior NBA Analyst Tejasvi Srivangipuram, the Stephen A. Smith of the East Bay. This piece is a collaborative effort between the two of us, aiming to bring you an entertaining and encompassing review of all 6 divisions and both conferences.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Philadelphia (20-14) 2. New York (17-18) 3. Boston (15-17) 4. Toronto (10-23) 5. New Jersey (10-25)
This division belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers. They have the most solid starting 5 in the division, with Jrue Holliday leading the way, and the always game Andre Iguodala. Assuming we see Spencer Hawes return with as much success he enjoyed earlier this season (57% FG), the 76ers should have no trouble taking this relatively weak division and positioning themselves for a first round home series and a potential upset in round two. As far as the rest of the division is concerned, the Knicks and Celtics both hold records under .500, but would make the playoffs if the season was 35 games long (don’t put that past David Stern if we see another lockout), because the Eastern Conference is top heavy and lacks depth in terms of good teams. The Knicks had a nice run with Jeremy Lin, but we all know Carmelo is the better player, and if they should make the playoffs, it will be by Melo’s hand. Boston has an average player age of 53.2 years, and that’s not including grandpa Paul Pierce, who is inexplicably allowed to bring a walker onto the court during games. Toronto and New Jersey just don’t get it; don’t be surprised to see Deron Williams take off for greener pastures soon.
Central Division
1. Chicago (27-8) 2. Indiana (21-12) 3. Cleveland (13-18) 4. Milwaukee (13-20) 5. Detroit (11-24)
Chicago’s pretty much got this one locked up, seeing as they’re winning games with Derrick Rose pretending to be hurt/resting (interestingly enough, this team is better defensively with CJ Watson running the point). They can waltz to the 2 seed (unless they really want to fight Miami for the top spot). Indiana might have the most dynamic NBA roster from top to bottom, and if David West can get back to form, they’ll be a tough team to beat in the playoffs. With Danny Granger leading the scoring attack, and Paul George and Roy Hibbert developing nicely, this team is one playmaking shooting guard away from being a real force. They have to find a way to compete with the East’s elite though, losing to Miami by 20+ each time isn’t going to cut it. Cleveland might somehow make the playoffs if Kyrie Irving continues playing the way he does (and if they get enough help from New York and Boston). It’s sad that Milwaukee’s out of it, but this team just doesn’t understand that they can’t compete by bringing in the ancient Mike Dunleavy and Stephen Jackson to solve their scoring woes (also doesn’t help that Brandon Jennings wants to leave). Even if Bogut comes back healthy, I don’t expect this team to leave the lottery this year. And Detroit is a shame, just a crying shame (and a waste of Greg Monroe). The Pistons (and players who have moved on from Detroit - I’m looking at you Chauncey) continue to deny that it is not 2004 anymore.
Southeast Division
1. Miami (27-7) 2. Orlando (22-13) 3. Atlanta (20-14) 4. Washington (7-26) 5. Charlotte (4-28)
As we mentioned, it’s Heat and Bulls, 1 and 2 in some order, and the smart bet would be on these teams playing each other in the conference finals. Wade and LeBron are unstoppable when they are on the same page, and let’s just hope (for the city of Miami’s sake) that they overcome their past playoff performances (here’s looking at you, Lebron). Orlando and Atlanta seem pretty content with the 5 and 6 seeds - both these teams know they aren’t going to win, yet don’t know what to do about it. Plus, the Magic realize that Dwight Howard is probably having wet dreams about playing in LA with Kobe in the future and have little left to attract him into a resigning with. As far as Joe Johnson is concerned, we may come to understand that his 6 year, $119 million contract may be the worst deal since the Louisiana Purchase. Atlanta is just good enough to grab one of the lower playoff spots, but not good enough to do anything with it. Washington, unfortunately for John Wall, is considered by many to be the dumbest team to ever play basketball. And Charlotte, well, let’s just be glad Michael Jordan's legacy doesn’t include his stint as a GM.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTION
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. Indiana
4. Philadelphia
5. Orlando
6. Atlanta
7. Boston
8. Cleveland
Not much change from where we are now. We like Cleveland more than New York, but it could be a highly-contested race for the eight seed, with the reward being a date with Miami.
Western Conference
Northwest Division
1. Oklahoma City (27-7) 2. Portland (18-16) 3. Denver (18-17) 4. Minnesota (17-17) 5. Utah (15-17)
Oklahoma City is the cream of the Western Conference crop, and should have little issue wrapping up this division (in which they already have a 9 game lead) and a top seed, probably the highest. Durant and Westbrook make up an incredibly potent duo to rival any other in the league. Portland and Denver have both had some bad luck, but should come back strong down the stretch and find spots in the postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge is having the best year for a power forward in the West. He has put the Trailblazers on his back and kept them afloat when they could easily be under .500. The Nuggets are feisty and will be able to stick around in the long stretch. And any team who starts Timofey Mozgov deserves a postseason series. In Soviet Russia, playoffs make you. Utah and Minnesota, both in the building process, simply don’t have the depth and experience to keep up with the stronger teams, but could be contenders in the next few years given the right pieces.
Pacific Divisions
1. LA Clippers (20-11) 2. LA Lakers (20-14) 3. Golden State (13-17) 4. Phoenix (14-20) 5. Sacramento (11-22)
As bipolar as the Lakers have been thus far, their schedule treats them quite fairly over the next couple months and this is about the time when they started ramping it up last year. They could certainly do with a few small roster moves (read: either Rasheed Wallace, Michael Beasley, or Gilbert Arenas) and maybe they could have someone who isn't just completing 2nd grade draw up plays to get Pau the ball. Also, we are still waiting for Andrew Bynum's knee ligaments to explode spontaneously after an ordinary rebound, so there's always that. As exciting as the Lob City Clippers have been, they lack the experience (and leadership?) that the Lakers have enjoyed for so long. Don’t get it twisted, the Clippers have completed an about-face in 2012 and are almost certainly headed for the playoffs as a top 5 seed, but the only bit of leadership and experience they may have had, vanished when Chauncey Billups tore his Achilles. Even though they hold a 1.5 lead over the Lakers at this juncture, we find it hard to imagine this group of highflying youngsters staving off their always present older brother. The Warriors just can’t win a close game, which is a shame, but Mark Jackson’s been keeping his hand up (and man up) for a lot longer than expected. The rest of the division is just sad. It’s a shame that Phoenix can’t get Steve Nash a team, because the man can still play. The fact that they haven’t rewarded his loyalty is downright deplorable. Sacramento has lacked discipline since Adelman left, and the Maloofs just aren’t in it to win it anymore. Best case scenario is that some Bay Area Baron (and we don’t mean Davis) buys the team and gets them a new arena in either Sacramento or San Jose.
Southest Division
1. San Antonio (24-10) 2. Dallas (21-13) 3. Houston (20-14) 4. Memphis (19-15) 5. New Orleans (8-25)
Thanks to the best scouting and talent development in the history of the NBA (and it’s not even close), the Spurs have managed to not only stay competitive, but also dominate most the West. They have the second best record, and it doesn't appear that they will even need Duncan and Parker that much down the stretch, what with the bench of capable backups they have assembled. Dallas is another team that shouldn’t be overlooked, so expect them to stay in the top 4 throughout the season (as they always seem to be hanging around right on the edge of everyone's expectations). We don’t like Houston and Memphis, and think that their impressive performances (given Houston’s lack of star talent and Z-Bo’s injury woes) will not be enough. There is not room for both these teams in the postseason. And the New Orleans David Sterns? Well, this is what you get for trading CP3 for a bunch of untrained (and injury prone) babies in diapers, and a bag of Funions (easily the MVP of that trade). Good luck selling that team now.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTION
1. Oklahoma City
2. San Antonio
3. LA Lakers
4. Dallas
5. LA Clippers
6. Portland
7. Denver
8. Houston
There's a little bit of movement here. As we discussed, we expect the Lakers to overtake the Clippers in the Pacific. And we think of the 4 teams contending for the last 3 spots, Portland is the most talented and Memphis will fall just short of Denver and Houston.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Philadelphia (20-14) 2. New York (17-18) 3. Boston (15-17) 4. Toronto (10-23) 5. New Jersey (10-25)
This division belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers. They have the most solid starting 5 in the division, with Jrue Holliday leading the way, and the always game Andre Iguodala. Assuming we see Spencer Hawes return with as much success he enjoyed earlier this season (57% FG), the 76ers should have no trouble taking this relatively weak division and positioning themselves for a first round home series and a potential upset in round two. As far as the rest of the division is concerned, the Knicks and Celtics both hold records under .500, but would make the playoffs if the season was 35 games long (don’t put that past David Stern if we see another lockout), because the Eastern Conference is top heavy and lacks depth in terms of good teams. The Knicks had a nice run with Jeremy Lin, but we all know Carmelo is the better player, and if they should make the playoffs, it will be by Melo’s hand. Boston has an average player age of 53.2 years, and that’s not including grandpa Paul Pierce, who is inexplicably allowed to bring a walker onto the court during games. Toronto and New Jersey just don’t get it; don’t be surprised to see Deron Williams take off for greener pastures soon.
Central Division
1. Chicago (27-8) 2. Indiana (21-12) 3. Cleveland (13-18) 4. Milwaukee (13-20) 5. Detroit (11-24)
Chicago’s pretty much got this one locked up, seeing as they’re winning games with Derrick Rose pretending to be hurt/resting (interestingly enough, this team is better defensively with CJ Watson running the point). They can waltz to the 2 seed (unless they really want to fight Miami for the top spot). Indiana might have the most dynamic NBA roster from top to bottom, and if David West can get back to form, they’ll be a tough team to beat in the playoffs. With Danny Granger leading the scoring attack, and Paul George and Roy Hibbert developing nicely, this team is one playmaking shooting guard away from being a real force. They have to find a way to compete with the East’s elite though, losing to Miami by 20+ each time isn’t going to cut it. Cleveland might somehow make the playoffs if Kyrie Irving continues playing the way he does (and if they get enough help from New York and Boston). It’s sad that Milwaukee’s out of it, but this team just doesn’t understand that they can’t compete by bringing in the ancient Mike Dunleavy and Stephen Jackson to solve their scoring woes (also doesn’t help that Brandon Jennings wants to leave). Even if Bogut comes back healthy, I don’t expect this team to leave the lottery this year. And Detroit is a shame, just a crying shame (and a waste of Greg Monroe). The Pistons (and players who have moved on from Detroit - I’m looking at you Chauncey) continue to deny that it is not 2004 anymore.
Southeast Division
1. Miami (27-7) 2. Orlando (22-13) 3. Atlanta (20-14) 4. Washington (7-26) 5. Charlotte (4-28)
As we mentioned, it’s Heat and Bulls, 1 and 2 in some order, and the smart bet would be on these teams playing each other in the conference finals. Wade and LeBron are unstoppable when they are on the same page, and let’s just hope (for the city of Miami’s sake) that they overcome their past playoff performances (here’s looking at you, Lebron). Orlando and Atlanta seem pretty content with the 5 and 6 seeds - both these teams know they aren’t going to win, yet don’t know what to do about it. Plus, the Magic realize that Dwight Howard is probably having wet dreams about playing in LA with Kobe in the future and have little left to attract him into a resigning with. As far as Joe Johnson is concerned, we may come to understand that his 6 year, $119 million contract may be the worst deal since the Louisiana Purchase. Atlanta is just good enough to grab one of the lower playoff spots, but not good enough to do anything with it. Washington, unfortunately for John Wall, is considered by many to be the dumbest team to ever play basketball. And Charlotte, well, let’s just be glad Michael Jordan's legacy doesn’t include his stint as a GM.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTION
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. Indiana
4. Philadelphia
5. Orlando
6. Atlanta
7. Boston
8. Cleveland
Not much change from where we are now. We like Cleveland more than New York, but it could be a highly-contested race for the eight seed, with the reward being a date with Miami.
Western Conference
Northwest Division
1. Oklahoma City (27-7) 2. Portland (18-16) 3. Denver (18-17) 4. Minnesota (17-17) 5. Utah (15-17)
Oklahoma City is the cream of the Western Conference crop, and should have little issue wrapping up this division (in which they already have a 9 game lead) and a top seed, probably the highest. Durant and Westbrook make up an incredibly potent duo to rival any other in the league. Portland and Denver have both had some bad luck, but should come back strong down the stretch and find spots in the postseason. LaMarcus Aldridge is having the best year for a power forward in the West. He has put the Trailblazers on his back and kept them afloat when they could easily be under .500. The Nuggets are feisty and will be able to stick around in the long stretch. And any team who starts Timofey Mozgov deserves a postseason series. In Soviet Russia, playoffs make you. Utah and Minnesota, both in the building process, simply don’t have the depth and experience to keep up with the stronger teams, but could be contenders in the next few years given the right pieces.
Pacific Divisions
1. LA Clippers (20-11) 2. LA Lakers (20-14) 3. Golden State (13-17) 4. Phoenix (14-20) 5. Sacramento (11-22)
As bipolar as the Lakers have been thus far, their schedule treats them quite fairly over the next couple months and this is about the time when they started ramping it up last year. They could certainly do with a few small roster moves (read: either Rasheed Wallace, Michael Beasley, or Gilbert Arenas) and maybe they could have someone who isn't just completing 2nd grade draw up plays to get Pau the ball. Also, we are still waiting for Andrew Bynum's knee ligaments to explode spontaneously after an ordinary rebound, so there's always that. As exciting as the Lob City Clippers have been, they lack the experience (and leadership?) that the Lakers have enjoyed for so long. Don’t get it twisted, the Clippers have completed an about-face in 2012 and are almost certainly headed for the playoffs as a top 5 seed, but the only bit of leadership and experience they may have had, vanished when Chauncey Billups tore his Achilles. Even though they hold a 1.5 lead over the Lakers at this juncture, we find it hard to imagine this group of highflying youngsters staving off their always present older brother. The Warriors just can’t win a close game, which is a shame, but Mark Jackson’s been keeping his hand up (and man up) for a lot longer than expected. The rest of the division is just sad. It’s a shame that Phoenix can’t get Steve Nash a team, because the man can still play. The fact that they haven’t rewarded his loyalty is downright deplorable. Sacramento has lacked discipline since Adelman left, and the Maloofs just aren’t in it to win it anymore. Best case scenario is that some Bay Area Baron (and we don’t mean Davis) buys the team and gets them a new arena in either Sacramento or San Jose.
Southest Division
1. San Antonio (24-10) 2. Dallas (21-13) 3. Houston (20-14) 4. Memphis (19-15) 5. New Orleans (8-25)
Thanks to the best scouting and talent development in the history of the NBA (and it’s not even close), the Spurs have managed to not only stay competitive, but also dominate most the West. They have the second best record, and it doesn't appear that they will even need Duncan and Parker that much down the stretch, what with the bench of capable backups they have assembled. Dallas is another team that shouldn’t be overlooked, so expect them to stay in the top 4 throughout the season (as they always seem to be hanging around right on the edge of everyone's expectations). We don’t like Houston and Memphis, and think that their impressive performances (given Houston’s lack of star talent and Z-Bo’s injury woes) will not be enough. There is not room for both these teams in the postseason. And the New Orleans David Sterns? Well, this is what you get for trading CP3 for a bunch of untrained (and injury prone) babies in diapers, and a bag of Funions (easily the MVP of that trade). Good luck selling that team now.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTION
1. Oklahoma City
2. San Antonio
3. LA Lakers
4. Dallas
5. LA Clippers
6. Portland
7. Denver
8. Houston
There's a little bit of movement here. As we discussed, we expect the Lakers to overtake the Clippers in the Pacific. And we think of the 4 teams contending for the last 3 spots, Portland is the most talented and Memphis will fall just short of Denver and Houston.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
A Chicago Cubs Kind of Weekend
I can't remember another Superbowl, or any sporting championship for that matter, when I felt like both participants backed into the game. Looking at the box scores, the stat lines, and the overall gameplay of the conference championship weekend, we SHOULD be gearing up for the Harbaugh Bowl. And yet, Superbowl XLVI will be utterly Harbaugh-less, by no fault of their own, might I add.
The Ravens and 49ers undoubtedly had the weaker 2 of the 4 remaining offenses, but they did enough, more than enough, to get the W. John and Jim both fell victim to multiple mistakes by their players, mistakes that had eluded them for most of the game.
In the dying minutes, the Ravens saw a game-winning TD dropped and a game-tying 32 yard field goal missed. The play-by-play simply reads "J. Flacco pass incomplete short right to L. Evans," but that cannot justly describe the heart-wrenching play. Lee Evans had the ball secured in his hands. It was as close to a catch as a drop can be. Now on one hand, it definitely was NOT a catch, he certainly did NOT get 2 feet down before the ball was knocked loose, so don't even bother arguing. But on the other hand, the rules for endzone receptions direly need to be reviewed, because it is simply ridiculous that this is not a catch. As for Billy Cundiff... I don't know what to say buddy, that was just a choke job. You can say that he had to come onto the field in a hurry, and that John Harbaugh uncharacteristically blew the clock management, but you HAVE to make that kick. It's 32 yards. You HAVE to. Quick shoutout: Joe Flacco played really, really well and deserved to win, perhaps more than anyone else that played last weekend. He just needs better receivers around him. I admit he deserves more credit and respect than I have been giving him. Kudos on an impressive performance, Joe.
Jimmy Harbaugh could probably be blamed more than his brother, as he put his faith in an unknown, unproven kick returner named Kyle Williams. Clearly the big game was simply too much for him to handle. Now one fumble is forgivable. Fumbles happen, sometimes they are all but unavoidable. Sometimes the defender hits the ball just right. But 2 fumbles? In the NFC Championship game? The first coming in the 4th quarter with your team leading, and the second coming in overtime in a tie game? That is unforgivable. Let's take a look at those two boneheaded plays:
Fumble #1 - The Knee of God
Apparently, young Kyle forgot that his name wasn't DeSean Jackson, who, incidentally, is the only player who has the right to hang around a punt like that. Especially in the 4th quarter. Especially when your team is leading by 4 with 11 minutes left. Especially when your defense has been playing lights out. What is the best case scenario here for Williams? He decides late to field the ball, jukes 14 defenders, and takes it for a touchdown? Decidedly unlikely. He decided late to field the ball, jukes 4 defenders, and gains legitimate yardage? Also rather unlikely. I think the best possible thing Williams could ask for was for the ball not to touch him. So why stick around? Why stand so close? Maybe coaches need to start playing "Don't Stand So Close to Me" in the locker room. That's what The Police were talking about right? Punt returns?
Bonehead level: 9.5
Fumble #2 - Breadbasket Botch
Following the Giants second unsuccessful overtime possession, Kyle Williams struck again! A more decisive Williams caught the ball out of the air (didn't even let it hit the ground once!) and took off up the field. The problem here is that he was holding the ball in his outstretched arm as if it was a radioactive device. You gotta keeo that ball in the breadbasket, tucked up between your arm and your chest. To give you an idea, here is a list of things that are closer together than that ball was to his body: Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, the upper and lower classes, the moon and the Earth, Peyton Manning's neck muscles, and Michael Strahan's front teeth. It was almost inevitable that Jacquian Williams (no relation) would stick his hand in there, like a bear in a pot of honey, and dislodge the football.
Bonehead level: 7
As far as I'm concerned, Kyle Williams is responsible for half of the Giants scoring. His two fumbles resulted in fantastic field position and 10 points for New York.
Quite unlike the Ravens and Joe Flacco, however, Alex Smith was crap. No way around it, niners fans, you're gonna have to admit eventually that Smith was a massive let down after the performance he put on in the Saints game. I saw far too many balls bouncing at receivers' feet. I saw an Alex Smith who never seemed to calm his nerves. I saw an Alex Smith who was not ready for this game. It is truly unfortunate that the 49ers defense, the most dominating unit we've seen all year, got no help. They were in Eli's face ALL DAY. They sacked him 6 times, and stymied the Giants on drive after drive. They outplayed the Giants defense, completely and undoubtedly.
And yet we have the Giants and Patriots... again. Because that is how the world works. We don't live in a movie. We don't get outcomes like Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh. We don't get teams like San Francisco who turn it all around in one year and win the Superbowl. We don't see the rewards of Flacco's great play. We only see Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, the New York Giants D-line, and David Tyree's helmet catch. The underdogs don't succeed as much as we would like to think. Sometimes we get exactly what we expect.
With that being said, let me give you 10 reasons as to why the Giants will win Superbowl XLVI:
1. Because it makes too much sense that Eli Manning (an above-average QB) would end up with more rings than his brother (possibly the best QB of all time)
2. Because the game is in Peyton's stadium, and he will be there watching.... angrily.
3. Because Michael Strahan and his gap tooth haven't been wrong about them yet.
4. Because no one fully recovers from a high ankle sprain in 2 weeks.
5. Because the only player the Patriots feel they can throw deep to has one career reception
6. Because David Tyree and Victor Cruz are cousins.
7. Because people are no longer necessarily joking when they say that Eli Manning is the best QB in the league.
8. Because Jason Pierre-Paul exists.
9. Because you actually considered for a moment that #6 might be true.
10. Because this storyline is horribly reminiscent of 2007, and I won't make that mistake again
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