Monday, January 31, 2011

All Star Games

Some things work together, some things just don’t. Peanut butter and jam is a match made in gastronomic heaven; peanut butter and cheese isn’t. Some guys look good with long hair; Tom Brady doesn’t. Now what does all of this have to do with All Star games?
Well, to put it in my crazy analogies, NHL All Star weekend is PB&J, and the Pro Bowl is Tom Brady (Beiber style).
Let me elaborate. I haven’t watched any part of the Pro Bowl in five years, and I’ve probably never watched a full Pro Bowl in my life. The NFL has tried to spark some interest in the game in recent years, scheduling it for the weekend between the Championship Games and the Super Bowl. The problem is, no matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it’s still a pig. And the NFL/Pro Bowl combo is a pretty ugly pig.
The Pro Bowl is awful, and there’s one key reason why. Football can never be a theatrical, light hearted, fun game; and that is exactly what the All Star game is supposed to be.  Football is all about micromanaging, preparation, and following the game plan. Football needs physicality. All Star games are all about entertaining the fans with excitement and skill. As a sport, football just doesn’t work in an All Star Game format.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think the All Star team needs to stay. There should still be two all star teams, they just shouldn’t play. Pick the teams, give the players something to be proud of, and leave it at that.
Luckily, not all sports are so unfit for All Star games. Looking at the other side of the coin, we find the NHL’s All Star weekend. I’m not even talking about the new fantasy draft, schoolyard style pickup game thing, I’m talking about the actual events.
From the skills competition to the game itself, NHL All star weekend is full of excitement. Hockey, especially professional hockey, is the perfect sport for an All Star game. Like I said before, All Star games are all about letting the most talented players shine, and this is exactly what the NHL All star game does. Unlike football, where everything needs to be structured and well planned, some of the most beautiful and fun to watch hockey is usually played at a free-wheeling pace. Without any real hitting or defensive tactics, the game becomes a showcase of talent and creativity which even non hockey fans enjoy. When you get to watch Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos and Daniel Sedin go tic-tac-toe for a tap in, it’s safe to say no one’s complaining.
NHL All Star weekend also has a fantastic skills competition. In hockey, unlike most sports, every player has to perform in almost every aspect of the game. In basketball, not all players need to be able to shoot threes, in baseball there are pitchers and position players, and in football, every player has a completely different role. In hockey however, every player has to be able to skate, shoot and pass, to at least some degree. This is why the skills competition is so great.
We’d love to know which player shoots the hardest, skates the fastest, and is the most accurate. It’s fun to watch players compete individually, talent on talent, instead of watching them in their usual team setting. The NHL skills competition even has fun little gimmicks like the breakway challenge, adding to the creativity aspect of the event.
In the case of big sporting events, I think one of the best ways to judge them is through memories. If you can think of one fond memory from the Pro Bowl, honestly, I commend you. NHL All star weekend, on the other hand, is littered with great moments. From Owen Nolan’s called shot to Alex Ovechkin’s cowboy hat-sunglasses-double stick shootout attempt, All Star weekend has given us plenty to remember.  
It might look like I’m trying to rip apart the NFL, but really, I’m not. There is nothing the NFL can do to fix the Pro Bowl; it’s just the nature of their sport. Like Tom Brady and his hair, the NFL can pull off a lot of things, but this just isn’t one of them. Sometimes, you need to learn to know your limits, swallow your pride, and realize that not everything’s a perfect fit. After all, nobody’s perfect.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Steelers and Giants; Long Lost Brothers

Just so my millions of readers know, I'm going away for the weekend, so there will be no posts until Sunday at the earliest. Try to get through the weekend without my wisdom, I know it'll be hard.
With the Steelers Super Bowl bound, I figured they deserved their own post. This is another theory I’ve been working on for a while now, and I think this is a great time to bring it up.
Success always breeds imitation in sports. Because of this, it’s a wonder why more teams haven’t tried to copy two of the most successful franchises in NFL history, two franchises that are so similar, sometimes it seems the only difference between them may be their colours and the conferences. I’m talking about Big Blue and the Steel Curtain, the Big Apple and Steel City, the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
These two teams have been two of the most successful, classy, and well run organizations in the history of the NFL. The Steelers have had more success as of late, winning six Super Bowls in the modern era, with a possible seventh on the way, compared to three by the Giants. However, in terms of historical success, the gap is closed quite quickly, as the Giants have won four NFL Championships (pre Super Bowl era), putting the final Championship count at 7-6 Giants.  
When we look at the similarities between these two franchises, however, it’s not all about statistics. The runnings of these franchises, as well as their ideologies on and off the field, are nearly identical. Both franchises have been owned by the same family since their creation, with the Mara Family owning the Giants since 1925 and the Rooney family having control over the Steelers (who were originally known as the Pirates) since 1933. Both teams are tightly run within these two families, and the families are known as the classiest in the league. 
The similarities don’t end here. When you think of either of these teams from a football standpoint, there is one main thing that comes to mind; tenacious, smash mouth defence. Whether it’s Lawrence Taylor barrelling around left tackle or Mean Joe Greene and Jack Ham stuffing a runner in the backfield, the Giants and Steelers are known for defence. The new generation of defensive players hasn’t disappointed either, with Troy Polamalu and Michael Strahan leading the way.
Comparing these two teams is like really like splitting hairs. The Giants have a .540 all time winning percentage, the Steelers’ is .520. The Steelers have 18 Hall of Famers, the Giants have 15. Six defensive player of the year award winners for the Steelers, four for the Giants. They can’t even pick different rivals, with both teams’ main rivals, The Eagles and Ravens, being from the bird family. Like I said, splitting hairs.
When you take in all these factors, it almost seems as though Dan Rooney and Paul Mara meet at their very own NFL owners’ book club, brainstorming ideas to make their respective teams better. Based on the success these two teams have had, it makes you wonder why more teams haven’t joined the club.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Super Bowl Preview: Big Matchup to Watch

Don’t worry; this won’t be another full length preview of this year’s Super Bowl. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on one key aspect of the game that I think will be instrumental in deciding the winner. This matchup doesn’t even start on the field though; it starts in the training room.
How Maurkice Pouncey’s ankle will heal, or more specifically, how effective he can be, will have a huge effect on this game. Pouncey’s health will be the key to this matchup, which will pit the interior offensive line of the Steelers against the Packers defensive front. The winner in this battle of the trenches will have a huge edge, and I think by the end of the night, will be crowned Super Bowl Champs.
This matchup will come down to two big players (literally); Maurkice Pouncey and B.J Raji.
The importance of stopping Raji, and the subsequent importance of getting Pouncey healthy, is why the Steelers medical staff is going to be under a lot of pressure these next two weeks. If Pouncey’s ankle heals completely and he’s playing at 100 percent, the Steelers chances at slowing down Raji will increase by a ton. Take Pouncey out of the game, or have him playing at less than 80 percent, and the Steelers chances against Raji and the Packers take a bigger hit than Wes Welker running a crossing route.
The reason Pouncey is so important to the Steelers is obvious. He was named a second team All-Pro this year, and he plays the most important position on the line (yes, more important than Left Tackle in my mind). The offensive line always works best as a cohesive unit, and if any unit is missing their commander, it’s not the same. Pouncey makes all the calls on the line, and the rest of the O-line, not to mention Ben Roethlisberger, trust him immensely. The Steelers won’t be at their best without Pouncey, and they will need to be to stop Raji and the Packers.
Now why is stopping the Packers interior defence so important? Because offensively, everything the Steelers want to do starts with controlling the middle. Pittsburgh will want to run the ball, I’m sure, and if they can stop, or at least contain Raji and the Pack’s interior, they will have a much better chance at doing this. Not only will their running game help them out on the offensive side of the ball, but it’ll help their defence also. If the Steelers can run the ball effectively, it will keep Aaron Rodgers and the Packers potent offence on the sideline, and will allow the Steelers’ D some time to rest.
The Packers can also benefit from controlling the middle. As opposed to a lot of scrambling quarterbacks, Big Ben’s doesn’t usually run near the sidelines; most of his key scrambles are up the middle, while stepping up in the pocket. If Green Bay can get good pressure up the middle and not give Roethlisberger any room to step up, they’ll be able to negate Ben’s rushing ability, and take away one of the Steelers’ biggest weapons.
By getting pressure up the middle, the Packers would also give their pass defence a huge advantage. If Roethlisberger is forced to throw the ball quickly and under pressure most of the game, the big play Packers’ corners will have a field day. Guys like Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson thrive off mistakes and misreads, and if Ben doesn’t have any time to throw, they’ll be able to jump routes and play aggressively all day.
As you can see, the war in the trenches cannot be ignored in this game. From the Steelers running game to the Packers pass defence, so much of this game will hinge on the play of these two lines, and more specifically, the play of these two young +300 pounders.  
 Pouncey vs. Raji; let the games begin.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

NBA All-White Team

NBA All Star game voting has started, which means that every sportswriter and internet blogger will be picking their own All Star teams. If you’ve read any of my past blog posts however, you’d know that I don’t like doing the same stuff that everyone’s already seen. I like bringing something new to the table (see “Special NHL Midseason Awards”), and while some conservative people might not like this next post, I think it’s funny and pretty interesting, and I hope you think so too.
My NBA All-White Team
Center: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves. I know he’s not really a true center, but he was in college, and he’s leading the league in rebounding (15.6) by a ton. He’s also pasty white, undersized, can’t really jump, and has great fundamentals, which gives him major white guy points.
Power Forward: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a big, skilled, recently turned tough post player with exceptional touch around the basket. Gasol will be the main low post threat on this team, and a great compliment to Love down low. He’s also got crazy shaggy white guy hair, a definite plus.
Small Forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks. I know Dirk isn’t technically a SF, but this team’s got a lot of size and a lot of post players, so we’ll make an exception. Dirk will be a huge matchup problem, and he’ll definitely be the go-to scorer on this team.
Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobli, San Antonio Spurs. Our third straight European! Manu would be a great addition to the starting five, as both a slasher and a spot up shooter.
Point Guard: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns. Who else would you want to lead your team? I know Nash is usually better with athletic guys running the floor, but he should be fine with this group of tall, slow white guys. He’s also great friends with Dirk, has great white guy floppy hair, and is Canadian. What more could you possibly want in your All White floor general?
Bench
Forward: Joel Przybilla, Portland Trail Blazers. A very hard choice between Przybilla and Chris Anderson for the big man energy guy role. They’re extremely similar players, and because of this, it came down to a matter of body art. Anderson has way too many tattoos to fit in on this team, sorry Birdman.
Forward: Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz. Gives this team some much needed athleticism and floor running capabilities off the bench. He’s also a pretty solid defensive player and role player, and on a team loaded with stars, these qualities can’t be ignored. On top of all this, Kirilenko’s Russian, giving him some additional white guy points.
Forward: Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic. It was hard to choose between him and Andrea Bargnani for the “7 foot forward who hangs out on the perimeter and shoots threes” spot. I eventually picked Hedo because of his ability to help run the second unit, and his past success in the playoffs.
Guard: Kyle Korver, Chicago Bulls. He’ll be the spot up shooter off the bench for this team. I almost picked J.J Reddick in this spot, but Korver’s got Beiber hair, which gave him the win. I know J.J went to Duke, the ultimate white guy school, but Korver’s hair still beats him out. Sorry, it’s my team.
 Guard: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks. Great veteran to help lead the team and backup Steve Nash.
11th man: Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings. He adds some more multi cultural flair, and gives this team a very versatile, athletic 2-3 player.
12th man: Matt Bonner, San Antonio Spurs. Every team needs a ginger! Bonner also always seems to be playing on championship contending teams, so it can’t really hurt to have him on the roster. Don’t worry though, he won’t actually play.
Just Missed the Cut: Bargnani, Anderson, Reddick, Mike Dunleavy, and Jose Calderon.

Monday, January 24, 2011

A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

From the Jets miraculous near comeback to Caleb Hanie’s brief elevation to hero status in Chicago, there was no shortage of exciting storylines in yesterday’s conference championship games. There was the ascent of Aaron Rodgers into the elite class of NFL quarterbacks, and the Steelers crucial goal line stand with eight minutes to go. However, even with all these headlines and stories, I think one comparison stands out above the rest. It explains why one team won on Sunday and why one team lost, and when it comes down to it, that’s all that really matters. This comparison, of course, is between two quarterbacks; Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cutler.
In the first half of Sunday’s game against the Packers, Jay Cutler figuratively didn’t show up. He was under throwing guys, overthrowing them, and seemed confused and jittery, like he was constantly worried about getting hit. In the second half, Cutler literally didn’t show up. He failed to play the rest of the game, with a knee injury.
Now I’m not even going to blame him for the injury. Lots of people (even some NFL players) are saying he should have played, but I’m not a doctor, so I won’t judge. Cutler could’ve been very seriously injured, and could have had no say in whether or not he was allowed to come back in the game. The thing that bothered me was that even when he was playing, it didn’t look like he wanted to be in there. It didn’t look like he wanted to be a big game quarterback.
Now let’s compare Cutler to the winning quarterback in the other championship game, Big Ben Roethlisberger. If I had to pick one quarterback to go to war with, it would be Big Ben, with Peyton coming in at a distant second.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love Peyton, but he’s never had to deal with the physical adversity that Ben has. It seems like every game I watch, Big Ben has some sort of minor injury, and the way he plays, it’s really no surprise either. This guy does whatever it takes to win, and he pays the price. Whether it’s diving headfirst for the goal line, standing in the pocket a split second longer to deliver a screen, or breaking out of a sack where most quarterbacks would just lay down, Roethlisberger plays with no fear.

This sometimes gets him into trouble, but as the great Rocky Balboa once said, “No pain, no gain”. Roethlisberger takes chances, both in his play and with his health, but that is what makes him so special. Big Ben would never allow himself to be taken out of any game, let alone a playoff game, and that is why his teammates respect him so much as a player. Roethlisberger also does one thing better than almost every quarterback out there, and this is what makes him the clutch player that he is.
Ben Roethlisberger makes plays.
Whether it’s finding Santonio Holmes in the tiniest spot in the back of the end zone in the Super Bowl, or converting a ridiculous third and 19 against the Ravens last week, Big Ben makes plays. Consistently, he turns nothing into something, and at the most important times. This is what separates Ben from other quarterbacks (Jay Cutler, we’re looking at you); Roethlisberger steps up in the big moment, while others (still looking your way, Cutler) shy away from it.
Whether we want to believe it or not, come playoff time, teams will only go as far as their quarterbacks. You need a quarterback who won’t shy away from the moment, and you need a quarterback who will go out and make plays. On Sunday, Jay Cutler did neither of these things. Since his arrival in the NFL, Roethlisberger has done both of these things. It comes down to simple facts. Cutler will be sitting on his couch come February 6th, while Roethlisberger will be chasing his third Super Bowl.
Who would you rather have on your team?  

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Saku's Homecoming


I didn’t want to write another Habs article, but with Saku Koivu coming back to town, I didn’t really know how I could avoid it. Luckily, I didn’t have to write the article. Instead, local die hard Habs fan Ryan Golt did the honors, and did it quite well. The little bit of editing that was done was done by me. Enjoy.
Some will remember Saku Koivu as the Montreal Canadiens number one center. Some will remember him for being a warrior and overcoming cancer. Some will remember him as a player who couldn’t bring a Stanley Cup to Montreal. However, I will remember Saku Koivu as the greatest captain this generation has ever seen.
Unfortunately I never got to experience the innovation and heroics of Maurice Richard, the talent and skill set of Guy LaFleur, or the clutch play of Ken Dryden. However, today’s generation of Habs fans would all say the same thing; it has been too long since the city has seen a superstar and a Stanley Cup. Therefore I focus on what we have seen. We have seen a player who is willing to give it everything he has. We have seen a player who fought through cancer and came back to play 6 more great seasons with us. We have seen a player who was NEVER given surrounding talent and was forced to do it all himself. He made the likes of Michael Ryder, Chris Higgins and Richard Zednik 30 goal scorers. Look where these players are now, they have bounced around from team to team and have put up nowhere near the numbers they did while playing with Koivu.
Does Saku Koivu belong in the Hall of Fame? Probably not. Does Saku Koivu deserve to have his number hung at the Bell Centre with the greats that have played before him? I think so, but it is no guarantee. Yes, Koivu never brought us a Stanley Cup, and yes Koivu was not the superstar this team has been searching for since the late 80’s. But Koivu was also never given the opportunity to be that superstar. He was never given the supporting cast which is the fault of management, not Koivu. Koivu played his heart out every single game he played and led the Canadiens for several great seasons. Although many fans may not be happy with the end result, I am. As my grandparents told me, they got to see the likes of the Richards, Beliveau, LaFleur, Dryden and Plante. I’ve never seen these player, but I will get to tell my grandchildren that I got the see the greatest captain of his time, Saku Koivu.
So where does this leave us now? After leaving on unfortunate terms (Habs management never offered him a contract, which I strongly disagree with, but that’s a whole other story) Koivu will return to the Bell Centre for the first time since leaving in the summer of 09’. I could imagine that this will be an emotional game for Koivu and I wish him the absolute best of luck. Unfortunately there will always be those ignorant drunk fans in the nosebleeds who will be booing Koivu for no reason, other than just to hear their own voice. But there will also be 20,000 other people who will be cheering Koivu, and hopefully he will be voted 1st star. When he skates to center ice as the 1st star, Saku Koivu will get the send off he deserves. The city of Montreal and Saku Koivu will both have their chances to say goodbye, to the player we loved so much, and to the fan base that he (hopefully) loved just as much.
Editor’s Note (Post Game): Koivu played a solid game last night, and was treated very well by the Habs faithful. He was almost made scapegoat when he took a penalty that led to the Habs tying goal, but luckily for him, the Ducks took it in shootout. He also recorded an assist on the night, and was named second star. Stupid Bobby Ryan.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Andrei InKostitsyn

I was really hoping to avoid too much Montreal Canadiens talk on my blog, but sometimes I can’t resist. It’s not my fault I bleed bleu blanc et rouge.
One of the more comforting things about this year’s Habs is that for the most part, you know what you’re going to get with this team. You’ll get solid playmaking and two-way play from Tomas Plekanec, talentless hard work from Travis Moen, and beer league skating ability from Hal Gill. (Not a knock on Gill, I think he’s a great defensive player and leader, and he’s integral to the team come playoff time).
The team plays a tight system, and is for the most part a pretty consistent bunch. But there is one player who does not fit this mould. He’s a player who is so talented and so strong, that he, as friend of mine once said, could easily score 40 goals in a season if he wanted to. He was rated higher than Alexander Ovechkin as a teenager, and he’s got so much potential, sometimes he makes you want to just yell at your TV (god knows I have). If your blood is the same colour as mine, then you know exactly who I’m talking about.
Say hello to the most inconsistent, frustrating and supremely skilled player on the Montreal Canadiens; none other than Andrei Kostitsyn.
After last night’s out of nowhere, 7-1 shellacking of the Ottawa Senators, Kostitsyn has 13 goals and 27 points in 48 games this year. Pretty average numbers. Average, maybe, for a player with an average (by NHL standards) skill set; but not for a guy like Kostitsyn.
I think the best way to put Kostitsyn’s wasted talent in perspective is by showing you a player that is the complete opposite of AK46. The fearless, toothless, warrior known as Ryan Smyth.
There are no two players in the NHL more different than these two. Whereas Smyth squeezes every last drop out of the little talent he has, Kostitsyn’s got enough talent left over to feed the entire population of Belarus. Kostitsyn can skate, stickhandle, and has one of the most lethal shots in the NHL. Smyth, in the words of the great Pierre McGuire, “can’t shoot, pass or skate”.
From these last two sentences, you would think it would be no competition between these two; and you’d be right. Smyth has had a much better career than Kostitsyn. He has made a living parking himself in front of the net, and has the bumps and bruises to prove it. Smyth simply wants it more than anyone else, while sometimes, it seems like Kostitsyn doesn’t want it at all. To sum it up, no player gets as little as Kostitsyn does out of so much talent, while no player gets as much out of as little as Ryan Smyth.
As a Habs fan, it is frustrating enough watching Kostitsyn coast around the ice like he doesn’t care. But what is even worse is watching him when he decides he does want to play. When Kostitsyn goes on one of his spurts of brilliance, you see all the potential he really has. Then you start wondering why he can’t play like this all the time, and that’s when you start yelling at your TV. (okay maybe that’s just me)
When Kostitsyn is in the mood to play, he’s like a wrecking ball out there. He’s all over the ice; forechecking hard, knocking people around, and driving hard to the net. This physicality is what sets Kostitsyn apart from the very long list of soft European danglers. While yes, Kostitsyn can dangle with the best of them, he`s also possibly one of the strongest guys in the league. You may think I’m exaggerating, but when Kostitsyn puts in the effort to drive to the net and attack, no one wants to get in his way.
Only one person has consistently gotten in Kostitsyn’s way throughout his career, and that person is Andrei Kostitsyn himself. If Kostitsyn ever wakes up and recognizes the god given talent he’s been blessed with, it will be a sight to see. He will become an elite, super skilled power forward, and could easily turn into one of the top 20 players in the league.
Tons of kids dream about being an NHL superstar, but nearly none of them will ever have the chance. No matter how hard they work, they’ll never have enough talent. Andrei Kostitsyn has an opportunity to be a superstar, and unlike most kids, it is all in his hands. He’s got size, skill, and all the tools to succeed; it is up to him to use them. Throughout sports history, there have been so many sad stories about wasted talent, missed opportunities, and squandered potential.
Let this not be one of them.

Friday, January 21, 2011

The NFL's Consistency Problem

I don’t understand the judicial system sometimes, especially when it comes to athletes. In the sports world, crimes seem to be treated differently based on certain circumstances. For years, criminals in the NFL have gotten off nearly scot free; the league couldn't afford to lose its stars. From Lawrence Taylor to Pac-Man Jones, the NFL's produced more criminals than Newark, New Jersey. 
However, in recent years, the NFL is trying to change. The league has taken a different route in dealing with their star players, and it seems like the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Let’s start with Donte Stallworth. In March of 2009, Stallworth thought it would be a good idea to drive drunk, and in doing so, he struck a 59 year old man walking on the street. Stallworth killed the man. Now you’d think killing a person would be a pretty big deal, but in this case, it didn’t really seem like it. Stallworth was charged in April 2010; for a grand total of 30 days. He served 24 days of that sentence, and was back on the field for the first preseason snap of the next NFL season.
Now let’s compare Stallworth’s case to two other, more well known cases; Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress.
In the case of Vick, he was convicted of killing dogs and was sentenced to two years in prison. Dogs. Not humans, but dogs. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Vick should have been let off because he was only killing animals. I have refused to cheer for Michael Vick since then (and that’s only half because I’m a Giants fan), and I’ve made many a joke at his expense. I think the Vick sentence was just about right. But if Michael Vick had to go to jail for two years for killing dogs, shouldn’t Donte Stallworth get a similar sentence for killing a human being?
The Plaxico Burress case is even more perplexing. Burress was also sent to prison for two years; for shooting himself in the leg. Yes, I know the actual charge was gun possession and illegally carrying a weapon in public, but the point stands. Plaxico Burress carries a gun into a club, shoots himself, and gets sent to prison for two years. Donte Stallworth ends another person’s life, and goes to jail for less time than it takes to spell Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. (Yes, I did just want an excuse to use his name)
Looking back, the Vick and Burress cases almost seemed like show trials for the NFL. These crimes were a big story in the general media at the time, and that’s why the punishments were so severe. The NFL wanted to show they weren’t going to let their criminals off so easily anymore, and Vick and Burress paid the price. Again, this is not to say that these two should have gotten off easier; I just think that there should be more consistency in the way criminals are dealt with.
Roger Goodell and the NFL seemed to want to clean up the NFL’s image. They wanted to show that they won’t tolerate bad behaviour from their players anymore, and they wanted to set a precedent. But as any sports fan knows, you don’t earn respect with small spurts of discipline; you earn it with consistency. If the NFL really wants to clean up its image and show that they care about the discipline of their players, they’re not going to accomplish it with a few show trials. After all, what’s more impressive, last year’s out of the blue Bengals division championship, or the decade of consistency shown by the Colts?
I’ll take the consistency, and so should the NFL.       

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Special NHL Midseason Awards

The All Star Game is approaching, so it’s about time I went through my very own Midseason Awards. These aren’t your every day, run of the mill, regular awards though; these are my unique awards. Let’s just say you won’t be finding any Vezina’s or Calder’s in here.
So without further ado, here they are:
The “Spotlight Stealer” Award: Eric Fehr, Washington Capitals. In a game that was supposed to showcase the NHL’s two biggest stars, this scrappy winger stole the show with two big goals, including a breakaway snipe to ice the game for the Caps.
The “Thank God Someone Put Sean Avery in His Place” Award: James Wisniewski, Montreal Canadiens. Wisniewski’s “gesture”, although crude, was one of the funnier moments this NHL season. The then Islander really put Avery in his place, and I think I speak for all of hockey when I say: Thank You James.
The “Comeback Story that’s Already Forgotten” Award: Ondrej Pavelec, Atlanta Thrashers. In his first game of the season, Pavelec collapsed in the middle of the ice. Even on replay, this was one of the scariest things I’ve ever watched in sports. For him to even come back and play is amazing; leading the perennially struggling Thrashers to a winning record while posting a .923 save percentage is almost miraculous.
The “Damn it I Should Have Picked That Guy in Fantasy Hockey” Award: Dustin Byfuglien, Atlanta Thrashers. The big boy with the crazy last name has put up the highest point totals among defenseman in the NHL, owns a plus 7 rating, and has scored six game winners. And you thought he couldn’t play defence.
The “Peewee Hockey Tandem” Award: Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe, Buffalo Sabres. I’d love for you to try to find me a pair of teammates who are smaller than these two. Ennis is listed at an extremely generous 5’9, while Gerbe is 5’5. Have you ever seen Mighty Ducks 2, where the 15 year old Ducks play an Iceland team full of players that look like they could be at least 25 years old? That’s what it’s like watching Ennis and Gerbe.
The “Healthy Scratch” Award: Paul Bissonette, Phoenix Coyotes. He’s only played 24 games this year, but he’s got to be one of the NHL’s leaders in entertainment value. Funniest twitter in the NHL, by a land slide.
 The “No Style” Award: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins. He looks like he could be playing in a beer league in Saskatoon, but you know what, he stops pucks. Enough pucks, in fact, that he’s leading the league in all three major goalie categories.
The “Chris Chelios, I can’t believe he’s still playing” Award: Mark Recchi, Boston Bruins. After finally hanging them up and relinquishing his title, this award was immediately named after Grandpa Chelly. Anyways, wasn’t Mark Recchi on the verge of retiring like five years ago? I swear I thought he was already coaching some minor league team. Apparently he’s still in the NHL, and putting up points too.
Ugliest Goal: Cal Clutterbuck shoots one off a defenseman’s leg, off the end boards, and off the back of the goalie’s legs for a power play marker. It’s got to be one of the ugliest goals of all time. Seriously, have a look for yourself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q-lSc6UWGg
Best “in your face” Goal: Bobby Ryan gets his stick knocked out of his hands by Mikko Koivu. Later in the shift, Koivu loses his own stick; Ryan picks it up, and scores with it. Oh by the way, Ryan’s a righty, Koivu’s a lefty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmi8CR2sxXA
So there you have it everyone, my Midseason Awards; bet you won’t find anything like this on NHL.com

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

P.K Subban and the Next Generation

Alright everybody, it’s ranting time. They used to call the NFL the “no-fun league”, but I think the NHL is quickly taking that distinction away. P.K Subban decides to show a little emotion after scoring the game winner Monday against the Flames, and people react as if he’s spit in face of Wayne Gretzky, Scotty Bowman and every important person in the history of hockey.

Coaches (Jacques Martin, we’re looking at you) are saying he has to “learn from this kind of mistake” and old school analysts are saying he doesn’t “respect the game”. This might be their opinion, but are these the guys who are buying tickets? Are they the future of the NHL’s fan base? No and no.

You know what young people think about P.K Subban’s “antics”? We love it. You know what we think when Linus Omark scores a shootout goal after doing a spinerama? We love it. How about when Carey Price strikes a pose after a big win? We love it.
The tribe has spoken.
The old, conservative hockey people need to wake up and notice the transformation going on in the NHL right now. They need to realize that the days of quiet, stick raising, “do as they’re told” rookies are over. In their place, we’ve got young guys like Subban, Tyler Ennis and Drew Doughty; players who play with passion, flair, and just a little bit of theatrics.
As much as the over-60 crowd might protest, these kinds of players are exactly what the NHL needs. If anyone hasn’t noticed, hockey in the U.S isn’t nearly as popular as the other three major sports. Hockey needs big personalities; they need more Terrell Owenses, more Dwight Howards. Big personalities sell, and lord knows the NHL could use the ratings.
This is why I can’t understand why the NHL is trying to tame these kids. When Alex Ovechkin’s stick gets too hot for him after scoring his 50th, the rest of the sports world notices. When Mark Recchi scores and raises his stick, well, nobody really cares.
Another problem I have has to do specifically with Subban’s overtime winner on Monday. All we ever hear about in sports these days is how players need to care more. They need to stop being selfish (Hello LeBron James!) and start caring about the team more.
So why is it that, when P.K Subban scores a goal that wins his team a very important game, he gets yelled at for getting too excited? If a guy doesn’t show any emotion, it’s because he’s spoiled and doesn’t care; when he does show emotion, he’s being a hot dog and needs to tone it down. It’s a no win situation.
Not only should young players be allowed to celebrate how they want to, but the NHL should be encouraging it. The NHL needs these guys more than they think, and that’s why there’s only one thing left to say. Let the Kids Play.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

More Than Just a Dunk Machine

I really didn’t want to write another basketball post today, but after Blake Griffin’s 47 point, 14 rebound thrashing of the Pacers yesterday afternoon, he definitely deserved his own post. I’m sure being in my blog must be the highlight of his young career. 
Blake Griffin has been like a 21st century Dr. J this year. You hear all these incredible stories about him, but you’ve really got to see him to get the full effect. Blake Griffin almost hit his head on the rim on a fast break dunk? No way! The difference between Dr. J and Griffin is that now we have YouTube. So instead of eye witness accounts and crazy stories about the Dr, we get to see Griffin soaring high above the rim in real life, and boy is it something to see.
Just like everyone else who watches him in awe, what strikes me most about Blake Griffin is his physical attributes. I’m not talking about size though; it’s something else. Griffin looks like a different species out there.  Watching him run the floor like LeBron, back guys down like a young Shaq, and dunk like a taller Vince Carter, you’d swear he was one of those created players in NBA Live. He palms the ball like it’s a softball, and the rim definitely isn’t tall enough for him. I don’t know if this is just me, but when I watch Blake Griffin play, it seems like the game isn’t big enough for him.
Now I’m not saying he’s a perfect player, far from it. He doesn’t have a reliable mid range jumper, needs some go-to post moves, and isn’t a great free throw shooter. Also, from the 7-8 games of his that I’ve seen this year, he seems to still be learning the game on the defensive end and as a shot blocker.
(On a side note, before this year, I’ve watched maybe six Clippers games in my lifetime, so there’s the Blake Effect for you)
A lot of people may think I’m still overrating Griffin. He’s not good in the half court, he doesn’t shoot well, he’s all flash.
Yesterday, he tried to silence all those critics.
Against the Pacers, Griffin scored 47 points; with only one dunk. Based on the game footage I’ve seen and the multiple recaps I’ve read online, Griffin scored using a variety of moves, from post up hook shots to turnaround J’s. He shot 79% from the floor, 9/11 from the line, and scored 47 points on only 24 shots. By my calculation, he was also 5/7 on shots from more than 15 feet out. Talk about efficiency.
Yesterday’s game was like a coming out party for Griffin, and if he can continue turning in efforts that are even half as good as this one, watch out. He’s still got a lot to improve on, but let’s keep in mind that he’s still just a rookie. With a few more post moves and a consistent mid range game, Griffin’s going to evolve from a physical beast into a complete basketball beast, and this is what the rest of the NBA should really be afraid of.

Monday, January 17, 2011

On the Rebound

Here comes the first chapter in what I expect to be a long list of Daniel Approved Rule changes in sports. I’ll call it Daniel’s Rebounding Theory. It’s not so much a rule change as it is a way to properly count statistics in the game of basketball.
With the infusion of the internet into sports culture, it seems like we’ve come up with every possible measurable statistic, especially in basketball. From Player Efficiency Ratings to “Clutch” Field Goal Percentage, every tiny aspect of the game is being dissected. Yet somehow, one of the main statistical barometers remains unchanged
The Rebound.
Since the dawn of the NBA, when big, slow white guys like George Mikan and Bob Petit were pulling down boards, big men have always been judged by this statistic. Some people may say it’s a perfect stat; guy takes a shot, hits the rim, ball’s up in the air, the guy who comes down with it gets credited with the rebound. Easy, simple.
But some stats can be too simple, and here lies my main issue with the way rebounds are calculated. The way the modern game is played, a good portion of rebounds are completely uncontested. So many times, you’ll see one team (think Phoenix Suns) jack up a bunch of threes, with their center (think Channing Frye) hanging around the perimeter. If they miss the shot, there is often absolutely no one to even attempt to get the offensive board. Under Daniel’s Rebounding Theory, this type of rebound, the uncontested rebound, will count for only half of a rebound (stats are always calculated using a per game average anyways, so the decimals won’t make a difference).
All rebounds are not created equally. Under the DRT, all offensive rebounds and contested defensive rebounds will count as full rebounds, while uncontested rebounds count for half. I know, determining the difference between a contested and uncontested rebound may get a bit dicey, but it’s a small price to pay to give us proper rebounding statistics. Besides, it’s my theory; do you really think I wouldn’t already have any ideas for rebounding criteria?
The contested defensive rebound will be based on a few main factors. The player rebounding the ball must be either A) in traffic, or B) boxing his man out near the basket. Also, all missed layups, runners, and any rebound off a shot taken in the post will count as a contested rebound. Basically, a contested rebound is any rebound where, if the rebounding player wasn’t there to grab it, the opposition would.
In reality, what I’m trying to accomplish with the DRT is the elimination of the pointless, stat padding rebound. With the way stats have evolved and changed through the years, it’s about time the rebound got its own makeover. God help me if I have to watch LeBron subtly steal another uncontested board from his teammates.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Mike Smith's Mistake

So I actually had a completely different football related post planned for today, but after watching the Packers-Falcons game last night, a certain key play could not be ignored. With 10 seconds left in the first half, Packers up 21-14, and the Falcons on the Packer 35, Matt Ryan dropped back to pass.
You all know what happened next. Tramon Williams picked off an out route intended for Michael Jenkins, took it 62 yards to the house, and the air came out of the Georgia Dome. Ballgame.
Some people may say this was a bad decision by Matt Ryan (which it was) or a great play by Tramon Williams (which it was), but really this play started with Mike Smith and the Atlanta coaching staff. In my mind, this was one of the dumber decisions/play calls in recent memory, and I’ll tell you why.
(On a side note, who would’ve thought on a day where Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu were playing, Tramon Williams would be the DB with the biggest impact? You’re either a liar or a diehard Packers fan if you say you did.)
Anyways, back to Mike Smith and Co. The first reason why this was such a stupid call is because there was no need to even call another play. Without gaining another inch, the Falcons would have had a 52 yard field goal attempt in a dome. Matt Bryant was kicking 55 yarder’s in Pre-Game, so it wasn’t like this was out of his range.
The second stupid reason behind this play was the play call itself. The Falcons tried to throw the ball six yards. What the hell is six yards going to do for your kicker, when you’re already in his range? When you’re kicking from long range, whether it’s from 46 or 52, it really becomes all about accuracy; the six yards don’t make any difference. It comes down to risk/reward. Atlanta really had nothing to gain from trying to get those risky six yards, and I think it’s safe to say they had quite a bit to lose.
Why is it a risky six yards? Glad you asked. This is reason number three, and the biggest reason why this decision should haunt the Falcon coaching staff for a long time.
Atlanta had no timeouts left, and therefore no way to stop the clock, unless they got out of bounds. Because of this, the Packers go into the play with a Vince Wilfork sized advantage; they know the Falcons have to throw an out route to the sidelines. At least they don’t know which receiver Ryan was targeting though, right? Wrong. The play called for Ryan to roll left, and once Matty Ice took his first step that way, he basically put a huge spotlight on Michael Jenkins, with a sign that said “Hey, we’re throwing the ball over here”. Once Ryan started to roll left, the whole Packers defence could’ve made a beeline straight to that sideline, which is exactly what Tramon Williams did.
The rest is history.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Ilya Kovalchuk Theory of Losing

For my first blog post, I'd like to share with everyone a little theory I've been working on for some time now; the Ilya Kovalchuk Theory of Losing. This theory basically looks at one key question. Is Ilya Kovalchuk one of the biggest losers in professional sports history?
                    
I think so.

Since Kovalchuk entered the league in 2001, he has scored more than half a goal per game, and has averaged about a point per game over his entire career. Superstar stuff. He’s got one of the best shots in the NHL, some of the best hands, and is one of the fastest skaters. He’s an extremely consistent scorer who teams usually gameplan around. All of this boils down to one, 100 million dollar question: Why is he such a loser?

While yes, Kovalchuk has enjoyed considerable personal success early in his career, his teams have not. Kovalchuk played his first eight years in Atlanta, and only made the playoffs once. Kovalchuk and his teammates seemed to miss the golf course though, and were swept in four games by the Rangers. So, if you’re keeping score at home, that’s eight seasons, one playoff berth, zero playoff wins.

Some people may say, “come on, he was playing in Atlanta”. A year and a half ago, this argument may have had some merit; but not anymore. Last year, marred in another Ilya-like losing season, the Thrashers dealt Kovalchuk at the deadline to the Atlantic division leading, playoff bound Devils. “Finally, Kovalchuk gets to play for a winning team!”

Or so we thought. The third seeded Devils lost to Philly in five games in the opening round, with their Kovalchuk led offence scoring four goals in their losses. Most people thought this was the end of Kovalchuk experiment in Jersey, but sadly for Devils fans, it wasn’t. In the offseason, The Big L was signed to a ridiculous 15 year, 100 million dollar deal, and the Atlanta Thrashers couldn’t be happier.

In the first year of the Kovalchuk experiment, the Devils, possibly the most consistently successful teams of the last 15 years (behind the Red Wings), have turned into the ’09 Nets.  What about the Thrashers, you may ask? Well, the team that couldn’t win despite having Ilya Kovalchuk is now winning without him. The Thrashers are currently tied for 7th in the Eastern Conference, and are playing exciting, winning hockey.

Winning is the easiest thing in sports to quantify. Winners win, losers don’t. When the movement of one player turns a perennial bottom feeder into a winner, and a perennial winner into the Detroit Lions, there’s only one word for that player.

Loser.