Okay, I'm a hoop head so for your benefit I will be as objective as possible. In viewing a ton of games early in the season I am noticing many empty seats at arenas around the league...this includes some of the premier arenas and teams in many cases.
Since I get force fed the Houston Rockets, let me make a few points. I think if Yao Ming sat for thirty days and did rehab before his latest injury he would be ahead of the game. Because coming off stress fracture surgery and summer Olympics and now starting a demanding NBA season will be too much for his body to endure. It's a long season and he has proven not to last, and without rest, history is likely to repeat. I'm not a Doctor, but the same is probably true of T-Mac. He is way off early and hurting. There are players like this on every team. One that comes to mind is Tim Duncan. Name a team and there is a player in this situation. For them the season is too long, whether it's age or injuries.
The season is a long season. From experience, I know how tired one can be from a thirty game college season. Imagine 50 more games at eight minutes longer. I have been through the college season and I cannot imagine how NBA players are not totally broken down after the long season...even before playoffs!
Do the players put out? I think they do although there would probably be a tendency to pace yourself during such a demanding schedule. Still, the season stretches out till June and that is too long. Last year we had the Celtics- Lakers final, so people were interested. Imagine an Oklahoma City- Charlotte final...any interest there?
The bottom line is that the owners have to keep the 82 game schedule because of the high salary level for players and coaches. So is the season too long...yes, but the circus must go on so the players and owners can keep the league propped up. So thank the powers that be for Lebron, and the funny announcers like Charles Barkley to keep the season fresh.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Who Is the Best Football Coach In College?
Let me give a disclaimer on this post. I am not a native Texan, although I have lived here quite a while. I did not go to the University of Texas. In fact during my early years here, I had great delight when my school that I sat on the bench for, the University of Miami, beat Texas quite soundly in the Cotton Bowl. I am thankful that I have mostly realized that it is always just a game, and ususally I can answer none to the question "how many points did you score?"
But now I'll say it. For all the right reasons, Mack Brown is the best coach in major college football. At least in my mind he was yesterday. You see, after yesterday's game with Kansas, Brown pondered to reporters something along the lines of "where has the sportsmanship gone?"
Upon further review, Brown did not have his team score any points in the last quarter of the game. In fact, he probably did something that is revolutionary....he let some of his young men play in a game, who would otherwise see very little time. These same young men have to take all the punishment during practice, in some cases they are human tackling dummies. They have to do all the sprints, all the sweating in Texas humidity, all the weight work and conditioning to be a football player, and in alot of instances they never get to play.
I remember when I was a young man, in my area the big game was Arizona-Arizona State. I was told that if a Sun Devil got in one play, yes one play, he would get a varsity letter, even if that was the only play he was in all year. Something a starter takes for granted is a big deal for a player that doesn't see the light of day very often.
What I see going down with Coach Brown is a two edged sword. He is sacrificing his possible BCS ranking by doing something far more important...Team Building. I think this coach sees the big picture. You see, some of these kids will be future coaches. They will remember this day. It will be to his favor for future recruits when they visit Austin and pet on Bevo, or whatever they do there. He is letting the little guy who sacrifices so much get in a game against a pretty good team, Kansas. But for alot of people, it will be "wow, Texas only beat Kansas 35-7, how can they really be that good." When I see the next coach run up the score against someone who is down, I would say to them, is it really all that. I know you cannot tell players to back off in any sport, especially football, but you can ALWAYS respect your opponent....and this is a lesson that is frequently lost.
But now I'll say it. For all the right reasons, Mack Brown is the best coach in major college football. At least in my mind he was yesterday. You see, after yesterday's game with Kansas, Brown pondered to reporters something along the lines of "where has the sportsmanship gone?"
Upon further review, Brown did not have his team score any points in the last quarter of the game. In fact, he probably did something that is revolutionary....he let some of his young men play in a game, who would otherwise see very little time. These same young men have to take all the punishment during practice, in some cases they are human tackling dummies. They have to do all the sprints, all the sweating in Texas humidity, all the weight work and conditioning to be a football player, and in alot of instances they never get to play.
I remember when I was a young man, in my area the big game was Arizona-Arizona State. I was told that if a Sun Devil got in one play, yes one play, he would get a varsity letter, even if that was the only play he was in all year. Something a starter takes for granted is a big deal for a player that doesn't see the light of day very often.
What I see going down with Coach Brown is a two edged sword. He is sacrificing his possible BCS ranking by doing something far more important...Team Building. I think this coach sees the big picture. You see, some of these kids will be future coaches. They will remember this day. It will be to his favor for future recruits when they visit Austin and pet on Bevo, or whatever they do there. He is letting the little guy who sacrifices so much get in a game against a pretty good team, Kansas. But for alot of people, it will be "wow, Texas only beat Kansas 35-7, how can they really be that good." When I see the next coach run up the score against someone who is down, I would say to them, is it really all that. I know you cannot tell players to back off in any sport, especially football, but you can ALWAYS respect your opponent....and this is a lesson that is frequently lost.
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