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Friday, December 10, 2010

O boy, what am I gonna do?

I am a man who roots for history when it comes to sports. Perhaps posterity is the more appropriate word. Despite his now well documented off-course (pun intended) behavior, I root for Tiger every weekend out. Why? Because I want him to shatter Jack's record. No disrespect to Mr. Nicklaus, I don't know him, though I've heard nice things, but I want to say that I watched the greatest golfer to ever play the game. When Rory McIlroy or Bobo Klongerbo are winning majors left and right with my sons (I will only have sons) in the front of the TV, I'll be able to tell them, "Boys, these guys can play a little bit. But no one will ever approach Tiger." I want the bragging rights for my generation. I remember when the greatest running back of all time debate came up a few years ago when LT was putting up incredible numbers. Some said Barry, others said Sweetness, still others suggested that through his longevity Emmitt Smith earned the Greastest Runner label. My dad laughed when he heard this. "No one was even close to Jim Brown. He's the best running back in history," he said. My dad saw them all, and because his generation watched Jim Brown he has bragging rights.
 So now I sit down to watch every sporting event with posterity on my mind. I cheer for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady every chance I get (though I'm on team Peyton, I've always felt that he was a more incendiary player than Brady regardless of rings); I wanted the Heat to win all 82 games this year, I want Tiger to win twenty majors, I want Jimmie Johnson to win every NASCAR championship for the next decade (Okay that's a joke, I don't care about NASCAR, nor do I consider it a sport), and I want Pujols to make 763 the memorable number that 762 isn't. All for bragging rights. So one day I can sit down with my kids and tell them that I saw history, I saw the greatest athletes at work. I can tell my dad, "Yeah Nicklaus was good, as were Hogan and Palmer, but Tiger did things to the golf ball that no other play has ever done. He put it in the hole more often than anyone in history."
This consideration for posterity brings me to my current conundrum: Sidney Crosby is currently playing hockey at a Gretzkyian level. That's not even hyperbole. He has 50 points in 30 games so far this season, an astounding 1.67 points per game. He is ten points ahead of Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who  is having an incredible season in his own right, and fifteen ahead of his vaunted rival Alex Ovechkin. He holds an incredible fourteen goal lead on Ovechkin as well. Crosby's 26 goals in 30 games has him on track for a post dead puck era 71 goals. Only Ovechkin has crossed the 60 goal plateau since 2000, and no one has scored 70 since Teemu Sleanne and Alexander Mogily both went for 76 in 1992-1993. Teams scored a combined 7.25 goals per game in 92-93. Now? 5.61. Now matter how you spin it, Crosby is having a truly historic season. He has a chance to reach 150 points, 50 goals in 50 games, and win the Art Ross (highest scorer), Hart (MVP), and Maurice Richard (most goals) in a single season. The last and only person to accomplish that feet? Hockey default answer: Wayne Gretzky. However, I am a conflicted fan. As a diehard supporter of the Flyguys aka the Philadelphia Flyers I hate Sidney Crosby, always have and probably always will. If I do end up having a daughter and she falls in love with Crosby, I would not allow her to marry him. Partly because of the age disparity but still, I have tremendous contempt for the man. He torments my team like no player in the league. He is the bane of my sports fan existence, I despise him more than any other figure in sports. All because he plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well mostly because he plays for the Penguins; He's also cocky, he complains, and he grows prepubescent facial hair. How can I root for Crosby to have this historical season in good conscience? How can I cringe and cheer every time he puts the puck in the net? Truth be told I can't. This year I'll be using the Derek Anderson denial defense when it comes to Crosby:
Subject A: Hey Dil, Crosby's really havin' a great year isn't he?
Me: I don't see it...
Subject A: His highlights are everywhere...
Me: That's fine
Subject A: Bu...
Me: That's fine
Subject A: But...
Me: That's fine.

But in the future I'll have no choice. My sons (diehard Flyers fans by the way. I teach them to hate Crosby)  will ask me how good Sid was in his prime. I'll point to his 2010-2011 season and say that's the best I've ever seen. That's the best anyone's ever seen.
At least I'll have bragging rights.
-Dil

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Déjà Vu

Your 2010 Heisman winner will be Cameron Newton of Auburn University.

Newton had a fantastic season in this, his junior year. He has been a rare, journeyman of college football playing for schools all across the Southeast region of our nation. He began his career as a Gator, a rival of Auburn's in the SEC. While there at Florida, Newton backed up college football legend Tim Tebow, but found legal trouble and later transferred to Blinn Junior College in Texas. In his sophomore year, he led his new team to the National Junior College Championship title. With his stock at an all-time high and in search of his third school in three years, Newton's father Cecil shopped his son around like a trophy racehorse. Cecil Newton accepted offers from Auburn and Mississippi State for his son's services and Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik won out in the bidding. This is all, of course, pure speculation and under investigation by the FBI and NCAA.

Despite these charges, Newton didn't lose any time on the field and worked his way in to the BCS National Championship game. He piled up a season reminiscent of Vince Young’s final season in Texas, were Young led the Longhorns to a National Championships. Newton’s final statistics for 2010 were 1,409 yards rushing with 20 TD’s and 2,589 yards passing with 28 TD’s coupled with only 6 interceptions. Statistically one of the most impressive seasons in history, Newton’s exceptional play also led his Tigers to the SEC Championship trophy. Newton’s consistent play in the toughest conference in football is enough to win a Heisman alone. Look at Jason White for Oklahoma in 2003. He won the Heisman with numbers less impressive than Newton and with an ability viewed to be less than that of Newton. Newton piled up 8 more TD’s and threw 8 fewer interceptions than White, while lighting up the highlight reels on a weekly basis. To me, this resume is conclusive of a unanimous vote in favor of Cam Newton as the Heisman winner of 2010.

But. One lousy three letter word. But. Cameron Newton will win the 2010 Heisman, but it will only be temporary. Newton’s Heisman will face the same doomed fate that Reggie Bush’s trophy saw in 2005. Bush’s trophy was recently taken after a highly publicized story regarding his eligibility and accepting of booster money for his parents. Newton and Bush losing their trophies under the same tragic circumstances brings into question the state of college football.

I understand the issues here dealing with integrity and honesty within the realm of eligibility in collegiate athletics, but I feel that it needs to be looked at again. I have a creeping suspicion that Newton and Bush are not the only two athletes in the country to receive illegal benefits. Also, I feel that this issue is much bigger than just a few Heisman Trophy winners. Over time, I hope the NCAA reconsiders and looks at the big picture. Newton and Bush are more innocent, in my opinion, than the record shows. By reconsidering, maybe the NCAA can allow history to look kindly upon these great NCAA heroes, instead of looking at them as the cheaters that they appear to be.   

BoBo KlongerBo

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

James Harrison is...



            A man non-the less, but also a very dumb man. So far he has racked up a total of 125,000 dollars in fines this year alone for one thing…his illegal hits. He has gotten to the point that he believes he is a target. A target? Yeah you would think so, repeat offending child rapists are targets too aren’t they? So why not him?
            After Harrison’s latest hit, he still says, "I'm not playing dirty," he said. "I'm not doing anything that's outside the lines. ... There's nothing malicious or illegal about the way I'm playing or I'm tackling guys, so I'm going to continue to play the way I'm playing.". If this is his stance on this, then he should expect to continue getting penalties and fines. Instead of arguing the fact that he isn’t a dirty player, which I don’t believe the NFL has even said. Maybe he should think about how he's tackling or even contemplate retiring again. If anyone tackled as hard as he does and in the same way that he does, they too will get fined. Every one of his illegal hits this year has had a glaring problem, he leads with his head. If he doesn’t realize the problem in this he SHOULD retire. Sooner or later he’s not only going to hurt someone else but also himself.
            Like my previous article “Illegal or Lazy” this is the same problem. Harrison doesn’t have to stop playing the way he does, he has to stop tackling they way no one is ever taught to. His technique of head down right into the defender, or “spearing” some would say has been illegal for a long time. So the NFL has the responsibility to flag and fine him. James Harrison, if your coach says you have children to feed, then stop being lazy and man up and tackle like everyone else in the league does.
            Obviously Harrison didn’t catch the Jim Rome is Burning episode featuring Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. In this interview Tuck stated his support for the new fines and flags on hits. Not only was he a supporter, but his message should be thought by all NFL players, “We got to have it in the back of our head that a big killshot on a QB or offensive player isn’t more important than the fact than him being able to walk away from the game and go home, and play with his kids at night”. So James should think before his next opportunity at a killshot, “this guy may have kids to feed too” and not only that, but he himself has kids to feed. He may not have got injured yet, but has a good chance if he keeps leading with his head. Some times people have to realize when the battle is won or lost, and Harrison isn’t ever going to win this battle against the NFL.
-CP

Monday, November 8, 2010


Troy Klongerbo
Everyone who has been watching Minnesota Vikings football during this season knows what is inevitable. At this point it is becoming unavoidable. Brad Childress needs to be fired from this team. When the team hired him in 2006, I felt like he was almost a temporary replacement to the end of a horrid Mike Tice experiment. This turned out to not be the case. Personally, I have never been impressed by him; the way he conducts himself as a coach, the way he calls plays, the way he relates to players, and the decisions made under his supervision. Many Vikings fans feel this way. It is time to move on Minnesota. Here is my To Do list:
                Fire Brad Childress. He is sometimes acts so childish. Not an ironic thought. He has already lost the locker room. He claims to not know what ‘losing the locker room; even means, which is bluntly stating that he indeed did ‘lose the locker room’. The players have little to no respect for him (e.g. Brett Favre, Randy Moss and Percy Harvin). I sometimes feel like this entire situation, on a rank of stupidity, his just higher than the ‘Randy Ratio’ and just a fractionally lower than Dennis Green taking the knee in ’98. Childress has no authority of this team; who cares if it might jumble the locker room a little, as the locker room is already jumbled. If anything, it would give me a clean conscious watching the Vikings. It’s almost a relief when the Vikings lose, just to get closer to firing Brad. To sum it all up, It’s over Brad.
                Hire Leslie Frazier.  Leslie Frazier is a coveted name by many NFL teams. He is an African American man, former Tony Dungy apprentice and current defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, who is popular among NFL ranks. It sounds like a familiar story, one very similar to Mike Tomlin. Tomlin slipped through the clumsy hands of Vikings management 3 years ago when he assumed the Head Coaching position for the Pittsburgh Steelers, only their 3rd coach in 40 years.  Leslie has great potential to lead this team and the players in the locker room have a great amount of respect for him. If he assumes the role of Head Coach, the Vikings will not miss a beat.
                Ride Brett Favre. It’s no secret that the Vikings are one of the most talented teams in the league. It is also no secret that this season is about Brett Favre and has been about Brett Favre. We are going to go as far this season as the right arm of Brett Favre takes us. Brett has saved his head coaches job on multiple occasions, but he can’t save Brad anymore. Brett will lead this team on one last heroic run to glory. If he comes up short, he will recede to Mississippi and work on his fade routes with high school students. Also, his grandchildren may need a baby sitter. Vikings fans will thank him for everything he has done and he will go out, revered by the NFL and a legend in history. Hopefully it’s done with a ring on his middle finger as well.
                Off-Season QB move.  My gut is telling me that when Brett hangs up the cleats, the Vikings will chase soon to be free agent quarterback Donovan McNabb, upon his release from Washington. I don’t think that is the correct approach. The best way to move on is to make a move similar to that of the 2009 New York Jets. Trade up in the draft and go young. They took Mark Sanchez, and the Vikings should take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has the poise to be an elite NFL quarterback and he has surpassed the projected 2010 #1 overall pick Jake Locker as the cream of the 2011 crop. Luck seems to have all of the intangibles. He is fearless and a competitor. Did anyone see that hit he laid a few weeks ago? This kid has the goods. The Vikings will still have among the deepest talent pools in the NFL – a talent pool that I do not want to see go to waste. Luck can do what Sanchez has done. Maybe then, Brett Favre can return as the quarterbacks coach for proper tutelage.
                Win a Championship. I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but this is my feeling of their best route of action to move forward. I’ve had enough of being the laughing stock of the NFL. We can still have the last laugh.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Award Predictions


Western Conference Champ:         Lakers
Eastern Conference Champ:          Celtics

NBA Champions:                 Los Angeles Lakers

MVP:                                     Kevin Durant, Thunder

Rookie of the Year:                        DeMarcus Cousins, Kings

Coach of the Year:             Scott Brooks, Thunder
           
Defensive Player of the Year:     Dwight Howard, Magic

Sixth Man of the Year:               James Harden, Thunder

Most Improved Player:                   J.J. Hickson, Cavs
NBA Predictions 2010-2011
By Troy Klongerbo
Western Conference Regular Season Standings

1.      Los Angeles Lakers (62-20)
Starting Lineup -PG: Derek Fisher
                        SG: Kobe Bryant
                        SF: Lamar Odom
                        PF: Pau Gasol
                        C: Andrew Bynum
            Key Bench Players: F Luke Walton, G Shannon Brown, G Sasha Vujacic

This pick is quite obvious; the Lakers are loaded once again. They won the NBA Championship last season and lost practically nothing from last year’s team. They have the second best player in the NBA, perhaps the best leader in the game in Kobe. They are versatile and talented and they know how to win. Win they will.


2.    Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
Starting Lineup -PG: Russell Westbrook
                        SG: Thabo Sefolosha
                        SF: Kevin Durant
                        PF: Jeff Green
                        C: Nenad Krstic
            Key Bench Players: C Cole Aldrich, G James Harden

The Oklahoma City Thunder are an extremely impressive team. They have the best young talent in the entire NBA and they are a year removed from their first playoff experience. They have the best player in the NBA (Note: Kobe above) in Kevin Durant and a team loaded with lottery talent. They are deep and they have talent from top to bottom. They have role players, they’re defensively strong and the sky is the limit.

We may be looking at an NBA dynasty in the making and in all places, located in Oklahoma City.

3.    Dallas Mavericks (57-25)
Starting Lineup -PG: Jason Kidd
                        SG: Jason Terry
                        SF: Caron Butler
                        PF: Dirk Nowitzki
                        C: Tyson Chandler
            Key Bench Players: C Brendan Haywood, F Shawn Marion

The Dallas Mavericks, under the Mark Cuban regime, have molded themselves into a perennial Western Conference threat. Again in 2010-2011, the Mavericks will be relevant. They survived a scare when their cornerstone and former MVP hit free agency in July. Mr. Cuban convinced him to stay in the big D and try to make it happen in Dallas. Their roster is improved, they have depth at every position and they have a strong head coach in Rick Carlisle. Maybe they’ll make up for the inept Cowboys. 

4.    Portland Trail Blazers (55-27)
Starting Lineup –PG: Andre Miller
                        SG: Brandon Roy
                        SF: Rudy Fernandez
                        PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
                        C: Marcus Camby
            Key Bench Players: C Greg Oden (cross fingers), F Nicolas Batum

The Portland Trail Blazers, despite some trouble in drafting the right superstars (Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant) have assembled a very good team that has risen to the top of the Western Conference. Andre Miller is a smart veteran of the game and understands his role on this team. Roy is one of the better scorers in the league and has developed into an elite shooting guard. They have the size to compete down low with almost anyone in the league. Let’s hope that Greg Oden’s old and battered body can still withstand the rigors of an NBA season. Wait, he’s only 23? I resorted to an age joke with Greg Oden, I apologize to our thousands of readers.

5.    San Antonio Spurs (52-30)
Starting Lineup -PG: Tony Parker
                        SG: Manu Ginobili
                        SF: Richard Jefferson
                        PF: Tim Duncan
                        C: Antonio McDyess
            Key Bench Players: F Thiago Splitter, F DeJuan Blair, G George Hill

The Spurs are the Spurs. Please the Spurs, they have no chance this year. The Spurs have a certain mojo about themselves, where they never eliminate themselves from competing year in and year out. I liken them to the New England Patriots, coaching and a superstar who leads the troops. They play a notorious ‘boring’ brand of basketball, the same as the Patriots. Both teams won 3 championships in the 2000s (the Spurs 4 including ’99) and the Spurs will be there again this year. I think they have a strong team, but aging. They will be a playoff team, a team that no one wants to face, but that someone will eliminate. 

6.    Utah Jazz (52-30)
Starting Lineup -PG: Deron Williams
                        SG: Raja Bell
                        SF: Andrei Kirilenko
                        PF: Al Jefferson
                        C: Mehmet Okur
            Key Bench Players: F Gordon Hayward, C Fransisco Elson, F Paul Millsap

The Utah Jazz are another contender in the West, as they have been for the past few seasons. Deron Williams is developing into one of the league’s best point guards and is the leader of the Jazz. The loss of Carlos Boozer will hurt this team, but Boozer has spent time injured leaving him off the court anyways. Big Al will be productive as he was in Minnesota and the Jazz will be happy with their addition. I’m excited to see Gordon Hayward. He is an interesting rookie from Butler and I’m unsure as to the type of career we’ll see from him. I am optimistic because he possesses unique skills and a great demeanor for the game of basketball. He may have a very bright career ahead of him.

7.    Phoenix Suns (50-32)
Starting Lineup -PG: Steve Nash
                        SG: Jason Richardson
                        SF: Grant Hill
                        PF:  Channing Frye
                        C: Robin Lopez
            Key Bench Players: F Hedo Turkoglu, F Hakim Warrick, G Goran Dragic

The Suns are a playoff team once again, but not one built for deep season success. I love Steve Nash, all of his tangible assets along with the intangibles he brings to a team. He truly deserves an NBA Title. The Suns lost one of the best PF in the league when Amar’e flew East, but that loss won’t hurt as bad as it might appear. The Suns signed Hedo Turkoglu, hoping he can find the gear he found in the playoffs for the Magic in their run through the Eastern Conference. This roster is still solid and my optimistic voice is telling me that the absence of the defensive liability in Stoudemire might lead to better team defense. I don’t necessarily see it and the Suns will exit in the first round of the playoffs. Sorry Steve.

8.    Houston Rockets (49-33)
Starting Lineup -PG: Aaron Brooks
                        SG: Kevin Martin
                        SF: Shane Battier
                        PF: Luis Scola
                        C: Yao Ming
            Key Bench Players: C Brad Miller, F Chase Budinger, F Chuck Hayes

I like the Rockets. Aaron Brooks has the upside to be a very good player in this league. As a point guard he has the toughness needed for playoff success. They signed the high scoring guard from Sacramento in Kevin Martin and will add their franchise player from injury. Yao is a major question mark, each and every season. I almost feel as though I watch two different teams when the Rockets have Yao on the floor as opposed to no Yao. This team will eek its way to the postseason, but I can’t imagine them getting past LA.

(Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be cheering for a re-match of the intense series they had two years ago)

9.    Denver Nuggets (47-35)
Starting Lineup -PG: Chauncey Billups
                        SG: Arron Affalo
                        SF: Carmelo Anthony
                        PF: Kenyon Martin
                        C: Nene
            Key Bench Players: F-C Chris Andersen, G J.R. Smith, G Ty Lawson

The Nuggets are an attractive team. They have superstars, tattoos and high powered action. They wear metallic blue jerseys that glisten under the lights. They have interesting personnel and a coach who has sadly struggled with cancer bouts. This team has the makeup, but I don’t think they have the substance to make a run this year. I feel that if this teams gels and becomes a cohesive unit, they can be very good and an absolute playoff team. I project things going differently including Carmelo demanding a ‘trade me or I ain’t playing’ mentality. They team will fall apart and they will miss the playoffs.

10. L.A. Clippers (46-36)
Starting Lineup -PG: Baron Davis
                        SG: Eric Gordon
                        SF: Ryan Gomes
                        PF: Blake Griffin
                        C: Chris Kaman
            Key Bench Players: C DeAndre Jordan, G Eric Bledsoe, G Randy Foye

This Clippers team is getting better. They are making improvements slowly, but surely and they are adding all of the right pieces. Its hard to go against the curse of Donald Sterling, the Clippers’ historically unsuccessful owner, which is why I am not going to. The Clippers will not make the playoffs, but they are heading in the right direction. Blake Griffin is an absolutely fantastic athlete and he will be their cornerstone PF for years ahead. Gordon is a gifted scorer and they are adding young pieces with players like Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Willie Warren. It will be interesting to watch this team grow and improve. They are a few years away though.

11. New Orleans Hornets (44-38)
Starting Lineup -PG: Chris Paul
                        SG: Trevor Ariza
                        SF: Peja Stojacovic
                        PF: David Lee
                        C: Emeka Okafor
            Key Bench Players: F Joe Alexander, G Jerryd Bayless

I like Chris Paul almost as much as I like Steve Nash. He is a great player. It is just a sorry sight to see this roster around him. Chris Paul makes players around him look great. Trevor Ariza is a multitalented player and they have some other strong additions. They will miss Darren Collison’s spark that he presented off the bench. There isn’t much here to be excited about. Next year’s lottery maybe?

12. Memphis Grizzlies (38-44)
Starting Lineup -PG: Mike Conley Jr.
                        SG: O.J. Mayo
                        SF: Rudy Gay
                        PF: Zach Randolph
                        C: Marc Gasol
            Key Bench Players: C Hasheem Thabeet, G Greveis Vasquez, G Xavier Henry, G Acie Law

The team in Memphis is in the process of being a threat in the West, the same way that the Thunder are. They are young, with talent. Thabeet has not produced thus far in his career and he will never fulfill the expectations laid on him for being the number 2 overall pick. It would best serve him to become a defensive force and rebounder, only then do I believe he can be effective at this level. He will never be a scorer. Mayo and Gay are evolving into great players in the league. They are now put into leadership roles with the young players on the team, which I feel will lead them again to the lottery. But they are not far away.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves (30-52)
Starting Lineup -PG: Jonny Flynn
                        SG: Wayne Ellington
                        SF: Wesley Johnson
                        PF: Kevin Love
                        C: Darko Milicic
            Key Bench Players: F Michael Beasley, F Corey Brewer

The Wolves will not be good this season. They are another very young team that seem to have a lot of potential. As a fan, I speak with a hopeful tone, but this is not a simple task. The Wolves are years away from playoff berths, but they are establishing talent. Kevin Love is the base of the team, a centerpiece I look forward to watching lead this team. It will be interesting to see how Michael Beasley blends into his second team. He doesn’t know what position he wants to play or what type of player he wants to be, but his athleticism is undeniable. I think the Wolves will increase last year’s win total when Flynn plays smarter and more under control. I think he will. But it will be worth 30 wins – tops. I’m a fan so I’ll give them 30.


14. Sacramento Kings (25-57)
Starting Lineup -PG: Luther Head
                        SG: Tyreke Evans
                        SF: Carl Landry
                        PF: Jason Thompson
                        C: DeMarcus Cousins
            Key Bench Players: C Samuel Dalembert, F Omri Casspi, G Beno Udruh

The Sacramento Kings are building a respectable team. Evans and Cousins could be a dangerous duo for years to come. The Calipari products are young, talented and ready to take over the Western Conference. Casspi surprised many players and experts around the league with his scoring early last season. Jason Thompson still has the talent to be a leading rebounder in the league annually. The Kings are slowly, but surely, building a reputable franchise. Note: Slowly, but surely.


15. Golden State Warriors (25-57)
Starting Lineup -PG: Monta Ellis
                        SG: Stephen Curry
                        SF: Lou Amundson
                        PF: David Lee
                        C: Andris Biedrins
            Key Bench Players: F Vladimir Radmonivic, F Brenden Wright, G Charlie Bell

The Golden State Warriors will have a very difficult season. They have a multitude of issues across their team, many of them start with their play on the defensive side of the court. The Warriors have never made an attempt to play a defensive brand of basketball. They have a team of players who don’t share the ball, centered around G Monta Ellis. Monta is a fantastic scorer, but a horrible defender and even more so, a horrid sharer of the ball. Stephen Curry has the chance to be a great scorer on this team, but he will need to develop an all around game to improve the future of this team. David Lee is heading out west to join this Warriors team, something many fantasy owners love to see. But fans of the Golden State won’t love to see the win totals here.