The college basketball national championship is tonight, and for all of it's upsets, the tournament produced an excellent title game match up between the #4 seed Michigan Wolverines and the #1 overall seed Louisville Cardinals. Both teams have great coaches, great point guards, and athletes up and down the roster. If both teams play to their capabilities, we should be in for a real treat tonight...regardless of who wins.
Unless, of course, you are a fan of one of these teams.
Michigan has not won a national title in 24 years, Louisville even longer than that. For Michigan fans...years of frustration, probation, and playing second fiddle to in state rival Michigan State comes to an end with a Wolverine win. For Louisville fans...years of frustration, probation, and playing second fiddle to in state rival Kentucky comes to an end with a win tonight.\
For the losing fan base...you're natural reaction will more than likely not be..."We'll get'em next year".
Rick Petino was fortunate to return basically the same team from last year's Final Four. Odds are against a three-peat. National Player of the Year Trey Burke literally fell into the Wolverines lap. Trey is going pro after tonight's game, and Tim Hardaway Jr, Michigan's second best player, is rumored to follow Burke. Michigan is no lock to be this good again.
Good luck to both teams tonight....and both fan bases. follow @plcolter
Monday, April 8, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
NBA had it's own March Madness
Every sports fan knows that college basketball rules March. From the conference tournaments, to the selection show, to the bracket pools, to the buzzer beater upsets, to the Final Four. This year was no different for the NCAA, the tournament has once again delivered...evidenced by an increase in ratings this year. Lost in all of the college banter was the wild and wacky month of March in the NBA. As we approach the last few games of the regular season and look forward to the playoffs, lets recap the NBA's version of March Madness.
We can't talk NBA in March and not start with the Miami Heat and their near historic 27 game winning streak. Miami did it in a variety of ways, but was ultimately stopped by a physical Chicago team in late March.
The west has storyline on top of storyline, but we'll focus on two playoff races for now. The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies are in a dog fight for the coveted number 3 seed in the west....and all are within a game of each other, and all three teams desperately want that third slot.
And for more than one reason.
For starters, the number 3 seed will ensure a match up with either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. Two young teams with virtually no recent playoff success. The fourth and fifth place teams will face each other in round one, ensuring that one of the teams will not advance.
Why is that important?
Both head coaches, Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies and Vinnie Del Negro of the Clippers, are rumored to have their future employment tied to their respective playoff success this year. A first round exit for either coach could spell doom for the 2013 season. The Clippers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies all had winning streaks of ten games or more, and all three teams are tough to beat at home. The number 5 seed could be in serious trouble....and so could their coach.
The race for the eighth spot in the west has been just as wild...with the Lakers, Jazz, and Mavs all fighting for a playoff birth. All three of these teams are within a game and a half of each other, and none of the three teams want to take a strangle hold on that spot. It's literally anybody's guess who will face San Antonio in round one of this year's playoffs.
The NBA in March saw several teams go on significant winning streaks. We saw DeAndre Jordan and LeBron James deliver two of the best poster dunks that we've seen in several years. March saw the return of Dirk, and March saw Kobe surpass Wilt on the all time scoring list. What will April bring? Several upcoming games should determine that.
Mon: Memphis vs San Antonio
Mon: Indiana vs Los Angeles Clippers
Tue: Dallas vs Los Angeles Lakers
Wed: Denver vs Utah
Thur: Dallas vs Denver
Fri: Memphis vs Los Angeles Lakers
Take a picture of the current standings. It may bear no resemblance this time next week. follow @plcolter
We can't talk NBA in March and not start with the Miami Heat and their near historic 27 game winning streak. Miami did it in a variety of ways, but was ultimately stopped by a physical Chicago team in late March.
The west has storyline on top of storyline, but we'll focus on two playoff races for now. The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies are in a dog fight for the coveted number 3 seed in the west....and all are within a game of each other, and all three teams desperately want that third slot.
And for more than one reason.
For starters, the number 3 seed will ensure a match up with either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. Two young teams with virtually no recent playoff success. The fourth and fifth place teams will face each other in round one, ensuring that one of the teams will not advance.
Why is that important?
Both head coaches, Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies and Vinnie Del Negro of the Clippers, are rumored to have their future employment tied to their respective playoff success this year. A first round exit for either coach could spell doom for the 2013 season. The Clippers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies all had winning streaks of ten games or more, and all three teams are tough to beat at home. The number 5 seed could be in serious trouble....and so could their coach.
The race for the eighth spot in the west has been just as wild...with the Lakers, Jazz, and Mavs all fighting for a playoff birth. All three of these teams are within a game and a half of each other, and none of the three teams want to take a strangle hold on that spot. It's literally anybody's guess who will face San Antonio in round one of this year's playoffs.
The NBA in March saw several teams go on significant winning streaks. We saw DeAndre Jordan and LeBron James deliver two of the best poster dunks that we've seen in several years. March saw the return of Dirk, and March saw Kobe surpass Wilt on the all time scoring list. What will April bring? Several upcoming games should determine that.
Mon: Memphis vs San Antonio
Mon: Indiana vs Los Angeles Clippers
Tue: Dallas vs Los Angeles Lakers
Wed: Denver vs Utah
Thur: Dallas vs Denver
Fri: Memphis vs Los Angeles Lakers
Take a picture of the current standings. It may bear no resemblance this time next week. follow @plcolter
Sunday, March 17, 2013
This year's tourney, an office pool nightmare
Ah yes...Selection Sunday is only a few hours away. Some college basketball fans are eager to see where their favorite team will be playing. Some fans (from smaller schools) want to know what mega school they will face in the first round. Some fans are sitting on pins and needles wondering if their team will get in at all. And some fans are ready to gamble.
You gotta love March Madness!
Unless you literally live under a rock, you should have no problem finding a bracket pool to get in. If you are not a fan of sports, or not very knowledgeable about college basketball...have no fear. This is your year to not only enter, but become your own Cinderella team and win it all.
Why?
This year, unlike any that I can remember in a long time, has not one dominate team. Not one. Every team in the top ten has spent some time at number one, two, or three. It's been a revolving door of top ten teams in the nation, and the conference tournaments have been no different.
#2 Duke, #3Indiana, #5Georgetown, #6Michigan, and #8Michigan State all failed to reach their own conference championship games. This year every single team in the top 15 can beat the best team, or lose to the worst team on any given day.
What this means for you casual and non fans? Go ahead and fill out a bracket. Take a guess...because every one else will be guessing too. You catch a couple of lucky breaks and who knows...you could be cutting down the nets in your break room. follow @plcolter
And join our TakeOver Madness Challenge. FREE to join. $100.00 to the WINNER! Good luck.
League Name: TakeOver Madness Challenge
Password: takeover
link: http://takeoverboys.mayhem.cbssports.com
You gotta love March Madness!
Unless you literally live under a rock, you should have no problem finding a bracket pool to get in. If you are not a fan of sports, or not very knowledgeable about college basketball...have no fear. This is your year to not only enter, but become your own Cinderella team and win it all.
Why?
This year, unlike any that I can remember in a long time, has not one dominate team. Not one. Every team in the top ten has spent some time at number one, two, or three. It's been a revolving door of top ten teams in the nation, and the conference tournaments have been no different.
#2 Duke, #3Indiana, #5Georgetown, #6Michigan, and #8Michigan State all failed to reach their own conference championship games. This year every single team in the top 15 can beat the best team, or lose to the worst team on any given day.
What this means for you casual and non fans? Go ahead and fill out a bracket. Take a guess...because every one else will be guessing too. You catch a couple of lucky breaks and who knows...you could be cutting down the nets in your break room. follow @plcolter
And join our TakeOver Madness Challenge. FREE to join. $100.00 to the WINNER! Good luck.
League Name: TakeOver Madness Challenge
Password: takeover
link: http://takeoverboys.mayhem.cbssports.com
Monday, March 11, 2013
Seawhawks, 49ers the new Steelers, Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are like Ali and Frasier. Both great, both champions, and both scoring victory over the other. It's what a rivalry should be, and the NFL is better for it. But lets face it, the rivalry is done. With the departures of Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin (hold that thought), James Harrison, and soon to be Mike Wallace, the rivalry doesn't peak our interest anymore...at least not the casual fan. Thanks to a couple of good moves today, we may get the opportunity to enjoy a new rendition of that rivalry. Only it's the Seattle Seahawks and San Fransisco 49'ers.
Seattle and San Fransisco pulled off huge trades today, adding to what were already playoff ready teams. Seattle (or the Fluke Carol's as I like to describe them...but I digress) added multidimensional offensive threat Percy Harvin today. Russell Wilson is a multidimensional threat in his own right at qb. Harvin brings about 2,500 total yards of offense when healthy. He can line up in the back field, catch passes, and return kicks...and he's proficient in all three areas.
Not to be outdone, San Fransisco brought in veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Anyone that watched the AFC playoffs will tell you that Boldin...not Ray Lewis...not Joe Flacco...played the best of anyone on that Ravens team. Boldin brings veteran leadership, a championship pedigree, and a tough as nails attitude to a team full of tough as nails attitudes.
The Ravens and Steelers rivalry had several key ingredients that both the Seahawks and 49ers have today. They're in the same division. Their both physical, especially on defense. They both have tough running games. They both have dual threat quarterbacks. They both have weapons at just about every position (now). They both have head coaches that excelled at the collegiate and professional level. They're both good at the same time. And most importantly...they both have to knock the other off to win a title.
Now that's a rivalry!
With Kaepernick and Wilson being so young and talented at qb, we may see the beginnings of a great new rivalry. A new "we don't like each other...and oh by the way...the winner goes to the Super Bowl" type of annual match up between these two teams. In sports...so many bad teams are content with being bad. You see it. You know the teams. It's good to see that some teams want to win too. And something tells me both teams will...for the foreseeable future. follow @plcolter
Seattle and San Fransisco pulled off huge trades today, adding to what were already playoff ready teams. Seattle (or the Fluke Carol's as I like to describe them...but I digress) added multidimensional offensive threat Percy Harvin today. Russell Wilson is a multidimensional threat in his own right at qb. Harvin brings about 2,500 total yards of offense when healthy. He can line up in the back field, catch passes, and return kicks...and he's proficient in all three areas.
Not to be outdone, San Fransisco brought in veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Anyone that watched the AFC playoffs will tell you that Boldin...not Ray Lewis...not Joe Flacco...played the best of anyone on that Ravens team. Boldin brings veteran leadership, a championship pedigree, and a tough as nails attitude to a team full of tough as nails attitudes.
The Ravens and Steelers rivalry had several key ingredients that both the Seahawks and 49ers have today. They're in the same division. Their both physical, especially on defense. They both have tough running games. They both have dual threat quarterbacks. They both have weapons at just about every position (now). They both have head coaches that excelled at the collegiate and professional level. They're both good at the same time. And most importantly...they both have to knock the other off to win a title.
Now that's a rivalry!
With Kaepernick and Wilson being so young and talented at qb, we may see the beginnings of a great new rivalry. A new "we don't like each other...and oh by the way...the winner goes to the Super Bowl" type of annual match up between these two teams. In sports...so many bad teams are content with being bad. You see it. You know the teams. It's good to see that some teams want to win too. And something tells me both teams will...for the foreseeable future. follow @plcolter
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Slow your roll Laker Haters
Laker haters world wide were splitting their sides with laughter when Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant guaranteed a playoff birth for his struggling Los Angeles Lakers. The same Lakers team that won two games in January. Two games...the entire month. How do you do that?
What Laker haters enjoyed more than the losing...was watching their obnoxious super die hard Laker fan friends quietly go about their business. Everyone knows at least one Carlos Coronado....and lord help us all if Kobe is right.
Laker fans have taken a beating this year. Everything that could go wrong in L.A.did, and Laker haters were quick to post daily reminders of their struggles. Today...a win pulls the Lakers into an improbable playoff spot. And that can only mean one thing....here come the Laker fans!!!
Yes Laker hater...you are about to get an ear full...and you're going to be rooting like hell for Chicago to keep Kobe's guarantee at bay. But do not cut off your nose to spite your face. We need the Lakers in the playoffs.
Don't root against the Lakers now just for the sake of hating, you're messing with the big picture. Nobody wants to see San Antonio vs Utah in the first round. Quick..name me two players for the Jazz....??? Yeah. And quck...name me three players for the Houston Rockets? And I'll give you Jeremy Lin and James Harden....???
Time's up.
The Lakers are box office gold. They would immediately join the Heat in the Sunday afternoon playoff slot. We get Kobe, Dwight, Nash, drama, Los Angeles, late games worth watching, non stop news feeds for us sports geeks, the list goes on and on.
I don't mind Laker haters hating the Lakers. The Carlos Coronado's of the world can push you to the brink of drinking the hater ade. (somewhere...an Ambit choir is singing amen). But save your hate for the playoffs.
Looks like Kobe may be right...Lord help us all Laker hater nation. follow @plcolter
What Laker haters enjoyed more than the losing...was watching their obnoxious super die hard Laker fan friends quietly go about their business. Everyone knows at least one Carlos Coronado....and lord help us all if Kobe is right.
Laker fans have taken a beating this year. Everything that could go wrong in L.A.did, and Laker haters were quick to post daily reminders of their struggles. Today...a win pulls the Lakers into an improbable playoff spot. And that can only mean one thing....here come the Laker fans!!!
Yes Laker hater...you are about to get an ear full...and you're going to be rooting like hell for Chicago to keep Kobe's guarantee at bay. But do not cut off your nose to spite your face. We need the Lakers in the playoffs.
Don't root against the Lakers now just for the sake of hating, you're messing with the big picture. Nobody wants to see San Antonio vs Utah in the first round. Quick..name me two players for the Jazz....??? Yeah. And quck...name me three players for the Houston Rockets? And I'll give you Jeremy Lin and James Harden....???
Time's up.
The Lakers are box office gold. They would immediately join the Heat in the Sunday afternoon playoff slot. We get Kobe, Dwight, Nash, drama, Los Angeles, late games worth watching, non stop news feeds for us sports geeks, the list goes on and on.
I don't mind Laker haters hating the Lakers. The Carlos Coronado's of the world can push you to the brink of drinking the hater ade. (somewhere...an Ambit choir is singing amen). But save your hate for the playoffs.
Looks like Kobe may be right...Lord help us all Laker hater nation. follow @plcolter
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Forget about it. LeBron ain't doin it
Last night in Miami's pregame warmup, LeBron James pulled off a couple of spectacular dunks. One in particular...he threw it around his back...off the top of the backboard....timed it up nice...and threw it down with Dominique like force. What made it so special was the complete lack of effort from the king. He didn't miss it or need a thousand attempts. It was video game'esque.
This had hall of fame legend Magic Johnson reaching for his (and Cookie's) check book. Magic is now offering LeBron one meeelion dollars to compete in next year's Slam Dunk contest. Wow...you got a millie to burn just like that huh Magic? Nice! (but I digress).
As much as we would all love to see it...it ain't gonna happen.
Nor Should it.
It's not even about the money, LeBron has absolutely nothing to gain...and everything to lose by entering a dunk contest in this era of basketball. Slam Dunk contests were necessary in Magic and Jordan's era. The NBA was not a global force at the time, it was evolving into one. Not only were the contestants on full display for the world to see, but fans got to see the stars of the NBA being regular folks, laughing and joking around while giving their own mock scores. Technology at the time didn't allow us to pry into their every move. It was something to look forward to.
LeBron already has a zillion followers on twitter.
He doesn't need the Slam Dunk contest to build his brand. Nor does the league anymore. Quite simply, today's fans just don't care that much anymore.
LeBron is already the best player on the planet. A dunk contest is a no win situation. Let's face it, LeBron's real opponents in this are already done...Mike, Vince Carter, Kobe, Blake. How will he outdo their performances? And heaven forbid he lays an egg and loses. Just no incentive whatsoever.
LeBron would be competing against history, which is impossible. Sorry Magic, gotta find another way to spend that millie. follow @plcolter
This had hall of fame legend Magic Johnson reaching for his (and Cookie's) check book. Magic is now offering LeBron one meeelion dollars to compete in next year's Slam Dunk contest. Wow...you got a millie to burn just like that huh Magic? Nice! (but I digress).
As much as we would all love to see it...it ain't gonna happen.
Nor Should it.
It's not even about the money, LeBron has absolutely nothing to gain...and everything to lose by entering a dunk contest in this era of basketball. Slam Dunk contests were necessary in Magic and Jordan's era. The NBA was not a global force at the time, it was evolving into one. Not only were the contestants on full display for the world to see, but fans got to see the stars of the NBA being regular folks, laughing and joking around while giving their own mock scores. Technology at the time didn't allow us to pry into their every move. It was something to look forward to.
LeBron already has a zillion followers on twitter.
He doesn't need the Slam Dunk contest to build his brand. Nor does the league anymore. Quite simply, today's fans just don't care that much anymore.
LeBron is already the best player on the planet. A dunk contest is a no win situation. Let's face it, LeBron's real opponents in this are already done...Mike, Vince Carter, Kobe, Blake. How will he outdo their performances? And heaven forbid he lays an egg and loses. Just no incentive whatsoever.
LeBron would be competing against history, which is impossible. Sorry Magic, gotta find another way to spend that millie. follow @plcolter
Friday, March 1, 2013
Coach K, Duke, in the eye of the storm
Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was hot under the collar last night. Not so much becasuse of his team being upset by lowly Virginia. Coach K is becoming increasingly annoyed with opposing home fans storming the court every time Duke comes to town and takes an L. Krzyzewski's frustrations boiled over in his post game semi rant last night.
Quote from coach K.
"When we've lost in the last 20 years, everybody rushes the court."
Well...that's true. Go on...
"I'm always concerned about stuff like that, especially at this time of the year. What if that happened and we get a kid suspended? That becomes the national story. It's not all fun and games when people are rushing the court, especially for the team that lost."
Ok...I see your point coach K. All four Duke road losses this season resulted in the home fans bum rushing the basketball court. But you are worried about the wrong thing Mr.Krzyzewski.
Your team took a devastating conference loss while sitting at number 3 in the nation. Number 1 Indiana lost a few days earlier, number 4 Michigan lost the day before, and reasonable minds could conclude that Duke would get enough votes to leapfrog lesser known Gonzaga, who currently sits at number 2. This was a blown chance to enter the home stretch of the regular season with a solid lock on a number 1 seed in the national tournament.
There's still time left for Duke to turn it around. But coach K, focus more on winning games and less on being a sore loser. Stop worrying about the cable bill while the house is on fire. follow @plcolter
Quote from coach K.
"When we've lost in the last 20 years, everybody rushes the court."
Well...that's true. Go on...
"I'm always concerned about stuff like that, especially at this time of the year. What if that happened and we get a kid suspended? That becomes the national story. It's not all fun and games when people are rushing the court, especially for the team that lost."
Ok...I see your point coach K. All four Duke road losses this season resulted in the home fans bum rushing the basketball court. But you are worried about the wrong thing Mr.Krzyzewski.
Your team took a devastating conference loss while sitting at number 3 in the nation. Number 1 Indiana lost a few days earlier, number 4 Michigan lost the day before, and reasonable minds could conclude that Duke would get enough votes to leapfrog lesser known Gonzaga, who currently sits at number 2. This was a blown chance to enter the home stretch of the regular season with a solid lock on a number 1 seed in the national tournament.
There's still time left for Duke to turn it around. But coach K, focus more on winning games and less on being a sore loser. Stop worrying about the cable bill while the house is on fire. follow @plcolter
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