Jonathon Papelbon: Philly Fans > Boston Fans

He's been in a Phillies uniform for less than year, in Spring Training a mere few weeks, and he's never taken the mound in regular season game for the Phightin's, and yet he already has a grasp on the city's phans. Thursday on a Philly radio station Jonathon Papelbon had an interesting comparison to make between his former fans and his current ones. The enigmatic closer caused a stir when he claimed "Philly fans tend to know the game a little better" than Red Sox fans.

This little quip could work on a variety of levels:
1. A jab to the ribs of a city that cast out one of its once beloved characters.
2. A preemptive strike to prevent some boos come May and June.
3. A sincere statement of Jonathon's intellectual analysis of both fan bases.

Whichever of the three seems most plausible, two things are certain. One, Red Sox fans will continue to hurl epithets at their ex-closer and dream of an October match up. And two, Phillies fans will nod in unison, saying someone finally gets us; any victory against Boston, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.


Is Papelbon right?

Having grown up as a Phillies fan, an intelligent Phillies fan mind you, and going to school with what seems like hundreds of students from "just outside Boston" or other places in New England, I like to think I have some insight into Papelbon's comparison.

Red Sox fans tend towards habitual hypocrisy. Their success over the last decade has been well documented; two world series, eight playoff appearances, and the end of the "Curse of the Bambino." Yet hundreds of millions of dollars in salary later, Sox fans still see themselves as good guys to the Yankees' evil empire. In New England, "Woe is perpetually me."

Red Sox "nation" is not unlike the Holy Roman Empire, which was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire (Professor Ambrose). They misnomer contents them as they try to convince the rest of the world that we're missing out. Still, Red Sox fans challenge you to empathize with them. "Try being a Sox fan," I hear far too often in the Spring and Summer. With all of their success, including the fourth most championships of all time, how hard could it be?

Papelbon dismisses the fan base as "hysterical." They are hysterical in that their emotions blind them from their own success. For eighty-six years they bequeathed a curse, but failed to remind their sons and daughters that they dominated Major League Baseball for its first twenty years of existence. Now they've created a farce: a fan base that's loyal only because it's the cool thing to do, hysterical because they need to prove how passionate they are, massive because Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez drove a band wagon through the country in the peak of the Yankee hating era. The results have watered down the quality of the fan base. Certainly "intelligent" fans still exist in Boston. The problem is they are grossly outnumbered by these baseball neophytes.

 Interestingly, Philadelphia faces the same problem. Philly fans may appear more intelligent to Papelbon because the fan base isn't quite at "nation" status just yet. They've long suffered through losing season after losing season, through Curt Schilling and Scott Rolen wanting to get the hell out, through JD Drew refusing to sign there. After ten thousand losses, the Phillies finely whet their palate with repeated success winning back to back pennants in 2008-9, and five straight East Division titles dating back to 2007. B.W.S. (Before World Series) Philly fans cheered their baseball club only because it represented their city. Not because they were good, or because they found baseball entertaining (they don't), but because when Philly is on the national stage they want the city to be behind it. In many ways they still cheer for the same reasons, only now they want to be a part of the fun when they get to shove the championship into other cities' faces, most notably New York and Boston. The second cousins have come to the family reunion in droves. That is to say, these fans want to say they have a tie to the team, regardless of whether or not they've been there for the past twenty years.

I guess what I'm getting at, is it's difficult to judge either fan base at this point because both have been so diluted by success. What is intelligence to Jonathon Papelbon? He explains the Philly fans might know the game better because of "being in the National League;" they really appreciate a good sacrifice bunt in other words.

My advice to Papelbon: wait until you blow your first save before you judge intelligence. In Boston, the Red Sox clubhouse was famous for "booze"- while in Philly, he'll need some of that to deal with the "boo's."

Dillon Friday

Oh Peyton, Where Art Thou?

Peyton Manning is no longer an Indianapolis Colt. As Indy fans across the state are crying like Nancy Kerrigan, screaming “Whyyy!!!”, Peyton is cleaning his locker and heading out (assuming he even had anything in his locker after not playing all year). The news hit us this morning, with the feeling being hit on the head by an apple when standing under an apple tree – it was evident (not that I ever done that). Peyton wasn’t staying in Indy and even if you wanted to deny it, it was almost impossible ignore. It was the Joe Montana-Steve Young and Brett Favre-Aaron Rodgers scenario. Despite a Hall of Fame career in Indianapolis, speculation now begins as to where he will finish off his career. A decision must be made. As we are all excited, let’s keep in mind that Peyton Manning’s choice in the coming days, weeks and months will be just another decision. Not the decision. Just a decision. Take notes LeBron, this is how great athletes make free agent decisions.

Destinations:

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were pulling people off the street to fill their injury plagued quarterback position last year. Why should it be any different this year? Pull another guy off the street, only this time it will be a legend. Matt Schaub is still considered to be a solid starter in the league – showing the ability to win games and put up gaudy statistics – but he is not the QB that Peyton is, zero questions asked. Schaub himself is already 30 years old and a 36 year-old Peyton for 3 years is much better than a good Schaub for 7. The Texans are a team on the rise, making the playoffs for the first time in history last season, and they won a game! Granted it was the Bengals, but a playoff win is a playoff win.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see healthy Peyton slinging it to healthy Andre.

San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh would be the only man that could be comparably close to as lucky as the Indianapolis Colts. He gets Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. The new age Ray Lewis, i.e. Patrick Willis, led this defense to the tops of the league. They have a fantastic offensive line that could protect Peyton’s fragile elderly frame and his golden mind/arm. They run the ball enough to be balanced and we’ve seen Peyton’s success with a talented TE in Dallas Clark. He has another one similar in the Bay Area.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see if Vernon Davis would break all of Rob Gronkowski’s TE receiving records.

Arizona Cardinals

An intriguing notion is seeing Peyton in a situation like Arizona. Arizona was an irrelevant franchise before the arrival of their last former Super Bowl MVP quarterback, but upon signing Kurt Warner, they booked a trip to the Super Bowl. They could do it again with Manning. I know they just traded for Kolb, but I frankly don’t care. Kolb can still be the future, after Manning. The Cardinals gave a lot to bring in Kevin Kolb, but he didn’t stay on the field. Its no guarantee Peyton is staying healthy, so Kolb may get action anyways.

This was completely biased, because to be honest, I want Larry Fitzgerald to flourish. He has flourished with Triple A quarterbacks – if football had a Triple A – and with Manning he would hit mythical status. (Come to think of it, the quarterbacks he’s had have been closer to Double A quarterbacks.)

WHERE HE SHOULD GO…..

Baltimore Ravens

Move over Joey-boy, Peyton is coming to town. I don’t much care for the whole Flacco hate talk, but he’s not Peyton. Flacco over the course of his career hasn’t proven the ability to be elite in this league. He is a sufficient quarterback. Is sufficient enough? Super Bowls as of late have not been won with sufficient. Ray Lewis’ days are limited. Ed Reed’s days are limited. With the touches Ray Rice gets, he will not be able to perform at this level forever. The defense is aging. They only have a few more chances to again raise the Lombardi Trophy. Ray Lewis deserves the chance to have an elite player at the helm of the offense. Think, this team was 31 yards from making a trip to the Super Bowl.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see Ray and Peyton lead the Ravens into a Super Bowl.

Taking a twist from the Field of Dreams, If you sign him, a ring will come.

Troy ‘Bobo Manning” Klongerbo the III

One Term to remove from March Madness

Appropriately enough, I just saw ESPN's most recent poll question: Who will be this year's Cinderella?
The question is: Why do we continue to call underdog teams Cinderella teams? How has no one complained about this yet? Rags to riches aside, let's break down the analogy:

Notice the ... dress

What defines Cinderella (Disney version): 
1. She's a young woman tormented by vicious step sisters and evil step mother
2. She cleans her kitchen with the help of mice
3. She rides in a pumpkin coach to a ball
4. She loses a slipper after meeting a dreamy young man
5. The slipper fits, happily ever after, yada, yada, yada

Notice the tats

What defines College Basketball teams:
1. They are made up of twelve young men from a variety of backgrounds
2. They play basketball with and against other human beings
3. They do not attend balls, they play with them
4. They wear sneakers that fit quite snugly and meet many dreamy women after games
5. See four.

I admit that both lists are far from comprehensive, but I feel my point has been made: Cinderella has nothing in common with College basketball teams let alone players, and yet announcers, analysts, pundits, talking heads, what have you still throw out the term liberally. I'm sure that's what high school players, many from the so called 'hood' mind you, strive for when they sign for the likes of Gonzaga, Butler, VCU, or other mid-Majors (another cringe worthy term): to be a part of Cinderella teams.

At first it was kind of cute: "O these teams go the 'Big Dance.' No one expects them to do well, and surprisingly they do. It's a real Cinderella story!" Don't these announcers know that "Caddyshack" is a comedy?

Are unlikely pairs between rough, rugged players and their more graceful teammates, think Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell or Derek Rose and Joakim Noah, Beauty and the Beast?

Should we call Girard Pique Snow White just because seven of his Barcelona teammates stand 5'8" or shorter?

Is Dan Bylsma waiting for his Sleeping Beauty to wake up? (On second thought, this one works quite well. Go Flyers!).

In a word, no. Yet every March we have to sort through this year's Cinderellas, waiting to see if, as Gus Johnson once said about the "original" Cinderella Gonzaga, "The slipper still fits!!!!!!!!!!"

Perhaps, as with many other problems in our country, we can blame the Great Depression. The Depression era boxer James J. Braddock rose from the shipping docks of New York to prominence as the Heavyweight Champion of the World. He held the title until a young Joe Louis defeated Braddock in 1937. His biography and the accompanying movie starring Russel Crowe are titled "Cinderella Man." The term should've died with the man (I'm afraid to say anything too harsh about this nickname given that although he's been dead for nearly forty years, Braddock could still kick my ass).

I challenge sports fans to boycott "Cinderella" not only this March, but for all Marches (fingers crossed 2012) to come. Don't say it, don't allow your friends to say it, and curse at every announcer who mutters the now hackneyed term.

Let me offer an alternative: Biggie Smalls. He has a similar rags to riches story as many of the best D-I players. His song "Juicy" contains such lyrics as  "this [game] is dedicated to all the [coaches, analysts, haters] who told me I'd never amount to nothing," "it was all a dream," and "Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke I couldn't picture this." I feel that Biggie Smalls better encapsulates the hip-hop culture that defines many a basketball team. Who wouldn't love Gus Johnson screaming "V-C-U! If you don't know, now you know!" at the end of an upset? 

-Dillon "Do they call going from riches to rags a T.O.?" Friday

Top 5 Point Guards in the NBA

(Someone other than Skip and Stephen A...)

March 5, 2012

Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s opinions sometimes grow tireless on the topic of NBA superstars, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, etc…The hot topic over the course of the past few months is that of point guards. The league is a ball handling league. Sick of another opinion on the NBA...? Well, here’s another one.

Criteria

The criteria for this list bear no weight on age or team (although I may emphasize it). It is right now, one season, to win an NBA Championship. Ability to pass, improve teammates, score the basketball, rebound on both ends of the court, leadership, ‘clutch’ gene and defensive abilities all factor themselves into discussion. Let’s get started.

6. Steve Nash

I know I said I would only rank the top 5, but I want to give Steve Nash his due credit. At 38 years of age, Nash is still a tremendous passer and play maker on the offensive end of the court. He is a dangerous shooter, great teammate and good leader. It’s too bad he’s never had the opportunity to win an NBA Championship (and won’t again in Phoenix), but I feel the only thing holding him back from the top 5 is the fact that he is a liability on the defensive end of the court. It would be fun to see him go to the Lakers at the deadline to make something happen, but anyways moving on….

5. Tony Parker

I feel as though Tony Parker gets consistently disrespected on these lists of point guards. Parker right now, has an aging Spurs team in contention once again in the Western Conference behind his 20 points and 8 assists per game. Amazingly, not yet 30 years old, he has already been in the league for 10 NBA seasons and is a noted champion, winning 3 rings in 2003, 2005 and 2007. We shall also not forget the fact that he was a Finals MVP in 2007. This year, he is playing at an extremely high level, having arguably one of the best seasons of his career. Known as one of the quickest players in the league, Parker plays pestering defense and is a potent scorer. He is proven as a leader. Watch out for him and the Spurs come May and June. Yes, June.

4. Derrick Rose

The former MVP sits at number 4. Although it may seem idiotic to place an MVP this low at his own position, a ranking this low is meant only because of the players I see above him. Rose is a talented scorer, an amazing athlete and very skilled finishing around the basket, but he still doesn’t remain quite the shooter that some of his contemporaries on this list. A ranking this low may end up causing me to eat my words, but I will take the 3 above Rose on this list to win a championship. Once thing I do love about Rose is that he is fearless at the end of basketball games. Clutch gene.

3. Deron Williams

He has become almost irrelevant since moving to the Nets last season. In fact, without Stephen A. Smith’s loyal preaching for him every morning, we may have forgot he was even in the league - even though he goes for 20 a night. Now check last night (Sunday, March 4^th), Williams posts 57 points and proves the type of impact player he can still be in this league. He has always been a threat as a scorer. In Utah, he was a playmaker with the ball and the ability to pass and make decisions - also being a great leader. He was a perennial playoff contender in Utah, before being shipped off. Soon enough, he’ll be in either Brooklyn, or another basketball mecca and we will again remember his relevance as a top guard in the league. Imagine him in Chicago with that cast of role players.

2. Rajon Rondo

His performance on Sunday was historic. We are used to seeing Rondo fly around the court, snagging loose ball rebounds and finding open shooters, but Sunday afternoon against the Knicks, he once again secured his place as one of the most complete point guards in the NBA. He posted a career-high 17 rebounds along with 18 points and 20 assists. He was only the 3^rd player in NBA history to post a line like that (15-15-20). Rondo is quick, elusive and has proved himself as a swift decision maker. He won a title in Boston already in 2008 and has now become the heir-apparent leader of an aging Celtics team. He is the second best quarterback in New England (my apologies to the Patriots backup – Ryan Mallet?) With his improved jump shot and ever expanding repertoire, Rondo will be an anchor at the position for years to come. He is only 26….

1. Chris Paul

As much as I wanted to go elsewhere with my top guy at the one slot, Paul is indeed the best point guard in the league. He can score the ball at will (19.2 per game), is a strong defender (2x All-Defensive Team) and a tenacious leader. He wants the ball. He wants to win. Ever since his trade to LA, Paul has been the undisputed leader of a youthful Clippers organization. We saw what he was able to do in New Orleans with that supporting cast and it is exciting to think what he will accomplish in the next 5 years around other All-Star caliber players. Although he seems so much older (…to me at least…), he is the same age as Rajon Rondo. His accomplishments thus far are extensive, but the thoughts of what his future can bring are endless.

Troy Klongerbo aka TKCPIII

Philadelphia Eagle Robert Griffin III: Why the Eagles should trade up for RG3

A year ago, the Eagles had the most advantageous quarterback scenario in the NFL. They had an MVP caliber player in the resurgence of Michael Vick alongside a player viewed by many as a future annual Pro Bowler in the embryonic Kevin Kolb. Andy Reid has been credited many times with his ability to mold quarterbacks. I mean, some critics of Donovan McNabb claim that he was no more than a worn out napkin without the presence of Andy Reid and his ‘run and gun’ offense. Other critics (me included) view McNabb as an undervalued asset for the majority of his career. But that’s beside the point. The NFL’s Miami Heat, err, Dream Team, ehh…definition of mediocrity, 8-8 Philadelphia Eagles need to take a long, hard and serious look at Robert Griffin III – a phenom that could change their city’s terrible (insert word of playoff blunders and mishaps here).

Having produced an electrifying career, filled with scrambling, deep bombs, big wins and NFL superstardom, Michael Vick is not the long term solution in Philadelphia, despite what his contract may state. Vick, who will turn 32 this summer, battled through a 2011-2012 season where he had extreme difficulties staying on the field for the Eagles. His reckless style leads him to be a target for defenses, more or less a tackling dummy with a $100 bill stapled to his forehead. The argument stands – Michael Vick’s two years in prison makes him only 30 in NFL years. I see it a bit differently. I see a 32 year old quarterback, especially one who takes as many hits as him, as a 32 year old quarterback. Vick has strong years ahead, no doubt about that, but the Eagles need a 10 year future, not a 3 year future. In the same precarious position, the Colts are going to take Andrew Luck, which is why the Eagles should take a leap and go with Robert Griffin III.

Let’s commence the argument with a discussion of pure dimensions. Robert Griffin is taller (6’2”), bigger (223 lbs) and almost as fast as Vick. His 40 yard dash time of 4.41 made him the second faster quarterback in history. The fastest (?) – Yeah, Mike Vick. But Griffin remains ultra-uber-mega talented. There is a chance that no one in the NFL has ever quite seen a talent like Robert enter the league at the quarterback position. He is mature and has his senses about him. He handles the media well and is always well-spoken. He was a scholar athlete at Baylor and is going back for a Master’s degree in Communication (in an era where many NFL players don’t finish undergrad degrees). Griffin played for a Baylor program that has been the pooper scooper of the Big 12 for some time. He was recruited throughout the country my major programs, but was only given the chance to play quarterback by coach Art Briles, whom he followed in his commitment from Houston to Baylor. At Baylor, he transformed the program, whereas by his final season he led the Bears to a 10 win season and a bowl victory over Washington –in the process put up gaudy statistics. In comparison, Griffin saw 4 years of action to Vick’s 2 at Virginia Tech. Griffin posted a completion percentage north of 70% in 2011, where Michael Vick never eclipsed 60% at Virginia Tech (and has only done it once in the NFL – during 2010 where he made only 12 starts). Vick entered the NFL as a 21 year old (20 when drafted), while Griffin enters the league as a 22 year old veteran. The second best quarterback in Vick’s class was Drew Brees –taken with the first overall pick (of the 2^nd round). The second best quarterback in Griffin’s class, is… well, Griffin. He is behind a fellow quarterback from Stanford named Andrew Luck, who is the slam dunk first overall pick (and slam dunk hall of famer in the minds of some). The pressure isn’t on Griffin. He has the chance to be the exception. He has the chance to be the one who was snubbed.

This has been a lot of Vick vs. Griffin, with a lot of points made against Mr. Vick himself. It wasn’t my intent. Michael Vick has had to overcome a lot to get where he is in his professional career and what he accomplished in a year and a half in Philly was fun to watch, but when thinking Super Bowls and longevity of a franchise, the answer lies in Griffin. Under Andy Reid (which dear god, Philly must keep him at the helm), Griffin can flourish. He could be the best in the league. He seems almost like a perfect puzzle put together of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. If anything, he is an Aaron Rodgers type who is more elusive, faster overall and with more experience coming out of college.

Griffin will be a star. The only thing holding him back from greatness is his bountiful list of gifts outside of football. Griffin has the intelligence of a Manning (bit of a stretch), the accuracy of a Brees (again, a tad of a stretch) and the speed and agility of a Vick (close, but same story). The fun part lies in the fact that he is one player. One quarterback. Anyone in the league would be lucky to have him on their roster. He should be like Ricky Williams (from a draft position, not a NFL career), where as any team should sell the ship for him. Trade everything.

Eagles, I know you have assembled a “dream team” of talent – but instead of using it to try and finish above .500, use it to acquire Griffin. We already know you met with Griffin. He was a nice guy right? Send Asomugha, Jackson, draft picks, whatever. The Rams are sitting by the phone. So do it. The worst case scenario for  picking in the number 2 slot, is that you might be stuck with Andrew Luck…

Troy Klongerbo Griffin III

Super Bowl XLVI – What will you remember?

After a festival of commercials and snacks leave, our memories retain legacies. Super Bowls produce legacies. For the NFL, more than any professional sport, a Super Bowl victory defines its players. It places them in the lexicon of all-time greats – of legends.

Visualize a legend. In our minds, legends are black and white. Legends appear as ghosts. They do not speak, they are noble and revered. We do not envision the living legends we watch today. We are, indeed, watching legends before our eyes, even though we don’t realize it. Tom Brady is amongst them. The Patriots quarterback is the stuff of legend. A 6^th round draft pick – over looked at every level of his career – couldn’t even garner the respect of his college coach. He is the quintessential blue collar quarterback, despite at times looking like a pretty boy with his Cali swag. He has dug his career out of the dirt, appearing about as physically talented as a mechanic at a local Jiffy Lube. He wins with his mind. He wins with his desire. He wins with his 'it'.

If anything, this Super Bowl feels anticlimactic. Rewind time and we’ve seen this before. A boring rematch. It is the first time in history two quarterbacks meet again in a Super Bowl. It is also, the first time that two Super Bowl champion coaches meet in the Super Bowl. Revert to 2007, a struggling Giants team, turned scorching hot, ran through a NFC – seemingly stuck in the mud – to a Super Bowl. The 2007 Giants, anchored by a strong pass rush and clutch quarterback play from an underrated leader, reached the Super Bowl as an underdog to...the Patriots. The 2007 ‘Rat Pack’ Pats, as they were called by my memory, were the Super Bowl favorites for months on end. The epitome of continuity in an NFL that preaches parity, the Patriots had been the standard of excellence. And the two teams meet again.

Now we’ve looked at Tom Brady, but let’s not forget this is a match-up of elite quarterbacks. Elite quarterbacks. Eli-te quarterbacks. I have understood reservations to place Eli in this select category, because despite his ring, he doesn’t match his statistics with the gaudy statistics we see in New Orleans, Green Bay, New England and the 1999-2010 Indianapolis Colts. With the most road playoff victories in history and his second visit to a Super Bowl in 4 years, Eli can be considered elite. Better than the top four? Probably not, but elite none the less. If he beats the Patriots again, he will have more Super Bowl wins than his Hall of Famer brother. Both of his Super Bowls would be won over the same team that has held Peyton back from arguably winning 3 or 4 rings. Eli would join and surpass many of the NFL’s greats.

But he won’t. The Giants cannot and will not win this game.

It was hard enough to beat the Patriots in 2007. The ’07 Pats were under the burden of perfection bearing down on their bodies. It took a record breaking Brady returning to normalcy to have an opportunity to win. It took adhesive help from David Tyree’s helmet and a Houdini act by Manning just to summon a winning drive, to win by a mere 3 points.  

It is near impossible to beat the Patriots twice in the same season. The Giants got the best of Brady and Co. in October. The Patriots haven’t lost since, winning ten straight contests. Belichick will not allow himself to be outsmarted, not again, not this Super Bowl. The ultra-competitor Tom Brady will pick through the Giants defense, Gronk or no-Gronk. The mesh-like Patriots defense will make enough stops to allow Brady to finish his unfinished business.

When the clock hits zeros, Tom Brady will not be an elite quarterback in this league. He will be a legend. 

Troy 'bobo' Klongerbo

Friday (Unassisted)

Can someone please find video of Pavel Datsyuk catching the flying puck on his stick during the All-star game? By now our readers know that we are big fans of #13 #dats here at Friday (Unassisted), and that play reaffirmed our faith that he is the most talented healthy hockey player on the planet and therefore universe. I'll ask Bryz for confirmation on the latter just to make sure. I couldn't quite believe the play when I saw it: the puck dropping from some fifteen feet above the ice (I don't know, and it probably doesn't either, what it was doing up there) when Datsyuk brought his stick up to meet it and calmly eased the disc back to its rightful place on the ice. Now, know that the play separated from its context is not all that difficult. But to do it in a game setting, albeit an all-star game, is downright preposterous. Above all, Datsyuk's smoothness in executing the difficult plays separates him from a litany of other very talented players. Alex Ovechkin flails at flying pucks like a child might swipe at a fly: swinging tirelessly, hoping to smack the fly just so he can show it off to his friends. Datsyuk on the other hand, reaches up and plucks the wings off the same fly in mid-flight and leaves his admirers in awe.
Enough about him, let's take a look at some other things.

All-Star Player Draft
I was only needling my Sharks fan friend when I told him that Logan Couture would be the last pick in the All-Star player draft, but I was still right. Not my first correct prediction, nor my boldest (I correctly predicted that Santonio Holmes would win MVP of the Super Bowl three years back. I will always brag about that), but it was an educated prediction. Couture plays for the very good, but consistently anonymous San Jose Sharks. I say anonymous in the sense that if you asked a general sports who's not necessarily a hockey fan to try and name every team in the NHL, he would undoubtedly struggle to name the Sharks. In other words, the Sharks don't receive the kind of national exposure that they probably deserve. A humble Couture took his status as last pick quite well explaining, "He's a young guy," and as a young guy he must acquiesce to the veterans. I like the player draft, I do. But I think there's something to the notion that the school yard style draft embarrasses those who get picked in later rounds. Although Couture, and Phil Kessel last year, handled the selection admirably, they day will surely come when someone won't. The NHL couldn't handle such an occurrence whilst they're on the national sports radar for the weekend. My solution is similar to Don Cherry's, who believes that the captains should resort to the old sticks in the middle way of picking teams: goalies' sticks first, followed by defensemen's, and then concluding with the forwards'. I agree that goalies should be selected separately, but why not let the forward and d-men sticks stay intermingled? So what if one team has nine d-men and the other has three. I'd like to see how some of the games most talented forwards would fare on the blue line. The dangle-fest that is the All-Star game would only become more danglier as Marian Gaborik gets walked routinely for Team Nash while playing the point. Plus d-men, I know from experience, love going forward. In regular games coaches might chastise them, calling out "You're not f-ing Bobby Orr!" (I've heard that one before). Here though, they can go forward all they want, and get this, not back check just to get back at all those lazy forwards. I'm emailing a link to Gary Bettman right now.

Pay to Watch Players
Recently Sports Illustrated's Michael Farber asserted that the league lacks "pay to watch" players. Farber called the dearth of these stars "a looming crisis." Certainly with Sidney Crosby injured and Alex Ovechkin tamed, there is a vacuum of star power growing the league. Evgeni Malkin has been playing on another level recently (see last week's post), but he lacks his countryman Ovechkin's flair. Jonathon Toews is the consummate team captain: he scores, kills penalties, wins faceoffs, and works to milk every drop of talent out of his Chicago teammates. But Toews lacks the obvious talent. He produces consistently but his goals are rarely of the highlight variety. And then there's Pavel Datsyuk. Farber sums up Pavel's plight as a "pay to watch" player superbly: "No hockey connoisseur can get enough of the Red Wings center, who, like Lucy's ballet music or sweetbreads, requires a more refined pallet." In other words, the average fan, let alone the casual sports fan, cannot appreciate the smooth Russian.
I think the problem lies not in a dearth of uber-talented players, but rather in the league's inability to market those players. For five years now the NHL has seemed to put all of its eggs in the Crosby-Ovechkin basket while also relying on the success of national teams such as the Red Wings, Flyers, Blackhawks, and the Stanley Cup champion Bruins. Now, with Crosby out and Ovechkin struggling through a comparatively mediocre season, the NHL has lost some of its star power on the national sports level. Penguins and Capitals highlights are no longer featured on Sportscenter, and their road games don't produce the kind of attendance they have in recent years. I'd like to see the NHL work to market some of the other young players who are taking their games to new heights such as Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay, Claude Giroux in Philadelphia, John Tavares in New York, and the aforementioned Couture in San Jose. These players have the talent to carry the NHL while appeasing Mr. Farber's concern.
The question still remains though: Who would you pay to see live? For me, I'm traveling to the Le Centre Bell this Saturday to watch the Capitals take on the Habs (The rare environment that you'd pay to see). I'm hoping Ovechkin does something crazy.

I'll leave you with this cheese from our boy.

 

We'll talk again when I return from the Mecca of hockey.

That's Friday (Unassisted)