This Saturday, the Boston Celtics open up a 2nd round series in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are the favorite to win the NBA title, but no one should count the Celtics out. First off, the Celtics are healthy which is very important, and the Cavaliers’ all-world forward Lebron James has been bothered by a stiff elbow.
My prediction—the series will go seven games with the Cavaliers coming out on top. Although I am a Celtics fan, I just think King James is just too tough to beat. This year the Cavalier’s supporting cast is even better with the additions of Shaquille O’Neil and Antwan Jamison. Sure, the Celtics have a solid bench, but Cleveland’s is a little deeper because guys like Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao, and even Zydrunas Ilgauskas. West and Varejao are guys who easily could start on most teams, and always bring a spark off the bench.
As for the Celtics, I worry about Rajon Rondo, who sometimes plays down to the level of the player he guards. He always gets motivated against the top point-guards the question is how motivated will he be against Mo Williams. Also, the Celtics need to step up and do a better job on the glass, which means that Rasheed Wallace will need to step up and show us that he is worth the large salary that he earns. Personally, if I were Doc Rivers, I would play Sheldon Williams more than he does. I feel as though Williams will not only work harder but will also play smarter than Wallace does.
One of Wallace’s problems is that he often takes plays off, and he shoots way too many 3-pointers. When you are 6’11 - 7 feet you should be playing down low, rather than at the top of the key shooting 3-pointers. Rasheed also cannot always keep his emotions in check. That is not what you want in a player, because it could end up costing him and the Celtics a technical foul at the wrong time. If Rasheed and Glen Davis both can play smart emotionally, than the Celtics have a better chance than if they let their emotions get in the way of their play and cost the team dumb fouls.
Ultimately, this really is Lebron’s series to lose. If he can work through the elbow issues, than the Cavaliers will end up bringing the City of Cleveland their first professional sports title in 72 years. The supporting cast that Lebron has, such as Shaq, Delonte West, Varejao, and even Ilgauskas, will have to play a pivotal role. With Shaq, the Cavs finally a have quality big-man who has won a few titles with the Lakers, and knows what it takes to win a championship. Although Shaq is not the dominant player that he once was, his leadership and experience will make up for his old age. The same goes for Ilgauskas, never the talent that Shaq was, and often injury prone throughout his career. Varejao is a player who will score in the paint and rebound and basically cause havoc for either Kevin Garnett or Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Lastly, Delonte West could be the unsung hero of this series for his ability to shoot the three, score in bunches and often is a much need spark off the bench.
Even from the perspective of a Celtics fan, regardless of the outcome, this will be one interesting ball game to watch.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Broncos Taming Tebow?
Last week the National Football League had their annual draft in New York City, and the Denver Broncos surprised people by taking Tim Tebow in the 1st round with the 25th pick overall. This was a surprising pick to say the least — sure, Tebow has won two national titles at the University of Florida and the Heisman Trophy, but it’s still unclear how he will do at the next level. Many people don’t think that Tebow has the tools and mechanics to play quarterback at the pro level, and think that he might be better off at wide receiver; however, Broncos’ Head Coach Josh McDaniels said that Tebow will only play quarterback.
Despite the fact that the Tebow pick was by a team who already has both Jay Cutler and Brady Quinn at Quarterback on their dept-chart, this may turn out to be a good pick. Brady Quinn really has not done much at all in his three seasons, and who knows how much Jay Cutler has left in the tank. Head Coach Josh McDaniels is a solid leader but was a phenomenal Quarterback’s Coach in New England, who was responsible for developing Tom Brady into one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL. In order for Tebow to be successful, he will have to have patience, and listen and learn from McDaniels, and I see willingness in Tebow to do this and prove others wrong who might have thought that he would not be a good 1st round pick.
Although Tebow was picked over Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, who might be more ready to play right away, Tebow is more of a proven winner, which to me is more important. For example, Tebow led the University of Florida Gators to a National Title as an underclassman, and also won the Heisman Trophy as a junior, whereas Clausen did not make the post-season throughout his entire college career, and never won a Heisman Trophy.
Another factor about Tebow that I love is the fact that he was never in trouble for any off-the field issues as opposed to Clausen who was charged for distributing liquor to a minor while at Notre Dame. Finally, I think Tebow will prove a lot of people wrong, once given the chance.
Despite the fact that the Tebow pick was by a team who already has both Jay Cutler and Brady Quinn at Quarterback on their dept-chart, this may turn out to be a good pick. Brady Quinn really has not done much at all in his three seasons, and who knows how much Jay Cutler has left in the tank. Head Coach Josh McDaniels is a solid leader but was a phenomenal Quarterback’s Coach in New England, who was responsible for developing Tom Brady into one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL. In order for Tebow to be successful, he will have to have patience, and listen and learn from McDaniels, and I see willingness in Tebow to do this and prove others wrong who might have thought that he would not be a good 1st round pick.
Although Tebow was picked over Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, who might be more ready to play right away, Tebow is more of a proven winner, which to me is more important. For example, Tebow led the University of Florida Gators to a National Title as an underclassman, and also won the Heisman Trophy as a junior, whereas Clausen did not make the post-season throughout his entire college career, and never won a Heisman Trophy.
Another factor about Tebow that I love is the fact that he was never in trouble for any off-the field issues as opposed to Clausen who was charged for distributing liquor to a minor while at Notre Dame. Finally, I think Tebow will prove a lot of people wrong, once given the chance.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
More Cinderella Stories for March Madness?
Last week the NCAA approved the expansion of the Men’s Basketball Tournament known to most as “March Madness,” announcing that they were expanding the field from 65 to 68. This has been a controversial topic, but I think that it is a great decision. This smaller expansion (the original proposal was for 96) solves the issue of only one region to get that extra year such, was the case the past few years.
This year’s success of the Butler Bulldogs is a good example of why this decision could make for some exciting basketball. This year Butler was the “Cinderella” team from the Horizon Conference who shocked the world and came within a 3-point shot of defeating the Duke Blue Devils in the National Championship game. Not only was that huge for Butler, but it was also huge for college basketball. I have to wonder if the success of the Bulldogs may have led to the expansion because the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee saw how Butler got so many people interested in this year’s tournament. Another clear factor was the fact that that committee wanted to give a few more mid-major’s a chance to get in to the tournament with at-large bids.
Often times, there is a team that wins the regular season title in a mid-major conference but fails to win the conference tournament. With the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, these teams would probably all earn births to the tournament as would some other mid-majors. This is great for the tournament, because not only does it increase its ratings on CBS, but it also gives these mid-majors more of a chance to compete with the Duke’s and UNC’s of the world, and showcase their talent and conferences.
Although they are only expanding it to 68 teams, the originally proposed 96 would have been a huge change. Too many teams would make March Madness seem like the bowl games in college football, where you can be one game above .500 and be bowl-eligible, which to me is a joke. You should not be rewarded for mediocrity.
With the success of Butler, some of the prestigious pre-season tournaments such as the Maui Invitational, the Pre-Season NIT Tournament, the Great Alaska Shootout, and the Old Spice Classic might start including more of these mid-major teams because they can bring more excitement to these events, and will also help boost television ratings.
This year’s success of the Butler Bulldogs is a good example of why this decision could make for some exciting basketball. This year Butler was the “Cinderella” team from the Horizon Conference who shocked the world and came within a 3-point shot of defeating the Duke Blue Devils in the National Championship game. Not only was that huge for Butler, but it was also huge for college basketball. I have to wonder if the success of the Bulldogs may have led to the expansion because the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee saw how Butler got so many people interested in this year’s tournament. Another clear factor was the fact that that committee wanted to give a few more mid-major’s a chance to get in to the tournament with at-large bids.
Often times, there is a team that wins the regular season title in a mid-major conference but fails to win the conference tournament. With the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, these teams would probably all earn births to the tournament as would some other mid-majors. This is great for the tournament, because not only does it increase its ratings on CBS, but it also gives these mid-majors more of a chance to compete with the Duke’s and UNC’s of the world, and showcase their talent and conferences.
Although they are only expanding it to 68 teams, the originally proposed 96 would have been a huge change. Too many teams would make March Madness seem like the bowl games in college football, where you can be one game above .500 and be bowl-eligible, which to me is a joke. You should not be rewarded for mediocrity.
With the success of Butler, some of the prestigious pre-season tournaments such as the Maui Invitational, the Pre-Season NIT Tournament, the Great Alaska Shootout, and the Old Spice Classic might start including more of these mid-major teams because they can bring more excitement to these events, and will also help boost television ratings.
Friday, April 23, 2010
As the 2010 college football season approaches us, I always look at BC’s schedule to see if there is a non-conference opponent that I really want to see, but sometimes there is not a good one on the schedule. I will cut BC some slack this season as Hofstra University whom although is IAA is would have been a nice opponent but they decided to drop football at the conclusion of last season, leaving BC to scramble for an opponent, and eventually ending up with Weber State University. At least Hofstra is a school that one on the east coast has heard of. Below is BC’s future non-conference schedule
2010
Weber State
Kent State
Notre Dame
@ Syracuse
2011
Northwestern University
University of Massachusetts
University of Buffalo
@ University of Central Florida
2012
Rhode Island
Army
@ University of Buffalo
@ Northwestern
2013
@ Army
@ University of Southern California
2014
University of Southern California
University of New Hampshire
@ Army
@ Syracuse
2015
Army
Syracuse
2016
@ Syracuse
2117
Syracuse
2118
Syracuse
2119
@ Syracuse
2020
@ Syracuse
2021
Syracuse
Having looked at the non-conference schedule, I think Gene DeFillippo can do better. Sure the URI’s and UNH’s are local teams, but why should we be playing them when we could help ourselves out by playing teams from the SEC, or Big 12. I think by playing a tougher non-conference schedule it would benefit by BC in the long run by both attracting better recruits to Chestnut Hill, but also get them ready for an always tough Atlantic Coast Conference season.
I know that it’s tougher to schedule non-conference games in college football though, since you only play a 12 game schedule, but I do not think playing a Division IAA program has any benefits at all. If BC thinks they should have an easy non-conference schedule than that’s totally fine, but they should play the Central Michigan’s of the world, rather than the URI’s. Finally, I would try and schedule Notre Dame as often as possible. The reason I would do this is because these two Catholic school’s are very similar in their admission’s standards and beliefs and have always kept a great rivalry going.
2010
Weber State
Kent State
Notre Dame
@ Syracuse
2011
Northwestern University
University of Massachusetts
University of Buffalo
@ University of Central Florida
2012
Rhode Island
Army
@ University of Buffalo
@ Northwestern
2013
@ Army
@ University of Southern California
2014
University of Southern California
University of New Hampshire
@ Army
@ Syracuse
2015
Army
Syracuse
2016
@ Syracuse
2117
Syracuse
2118
Syracuse
2119
@ Syracuse
2020
@ Syracuse
2021
Syracuse
Having looked at the non-conference schedule, I think Gene DeFillippo can do better. Sure the URI’s and UNH’s are local teams, but why should we be playing them when we could help ourselves out by playing teams from the SEC, or Big 12. I think by playing a tougher non-conference schedule it would benefit by BC in the long run by both attracting better recruits to Chestnut Hill, but also get them ready for an always tough Atlantic Coast Conference season.
I know that it’s tougher to schedule non-conference games in college football though, since you only play a 12 game schedule, but I do not think playing a Division IAA program has any benefits at all. If BC thinks they should have an easy non-conference schedule than that’s totally fine, but they should play the Central Michigan’s of the world, rather than the URI’s. Finally, I would try and schedule Notre Dame as often as possible. The reason I would do this is because these two Catholic school’s are very similar in their admission’s standards and beliefs and have always kept a great rivalry going.
Friday, April 16, 2010
With the World Cup only two months away, I’m feeling as though there is not enough discussion about this great event around Beantown. One would think that more people in the U.S. would be excited about this event, being grouped with England, and also Algeria and Slovenia. When the groups were announced in December, people were more excited than they are today; when England’s David Beckham was healthy and expected to play in the World Cup (a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in May has changed that).
Despite Beckham’s injury, fans still should be looking forward to the U.S. vs. England match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12th. To many, that matchup in soccer is like the Red Sox vs. the Yankees in baseball, or the Duke vs. the UNC in basketball. One would think that especially in a city like Boston, there would be a better following than there is of this impressive sporting event. But at the few local watering holes I have been at there hasn’t been much talk of the World Cup.
I know soccer will never be as big as baseball, football, basketball, and maybe even hockey, but the World Cup is such a beautiful worldwide event that lacks the recognition in this country. Even in 2002 when the U.S. Men’s team made it to the World Cup Quarterfinals, and eventually lost 1-0 to Germany (led by goalie Oliver Khan, Tournament MVP), the average American sports fan were not tuned into the World Cup.
Despite the fact that there is not much talk about the World Cup from adults around here, I think there is hope from the kids who are more excited about this event. Most people over 40 did not grow up playing youth soccer, however in the last couple of decades, the rise of youth soccer has been very popular as more kids are turning in their little league spikes for a pair of soccer cleats. What this means is, that down the road our kids who are growing up playing soccer will pass this game on to their own kids, and with the help of Major League Soccer, the popularity of the not only the World Cup, but also the sport in general, will grow. Finally, I think that if the United States has another successful tournament, than we might get the chance to host the world cup in 2018 or 2022, and by then some of these soccer kids (and maybe soccer moms too) will be talking about the World Cup a few months before it actually starts.
Despite Beckham’s injury, fans still should be looking forward to the U.S. vs. England match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12th. To many, that matchup in soccer is like the Red Sox vs. the Yankees in baseball, or the Duke vs. the UNC in basketball. One would think that especially in a city like Boston, there would be a better following than there is of this impressive sporting event. But at the few local watering holes I have been at there hasn’t been much talk of the World Cup.
I know soccer will never be as big as baseball, football, basketball, and maybe even hockey, but the World Cup is such a beautiful worldwide event that lacks the recognition in this country. Even in 2002 when the U.S. Men’s team made it to the World Cup Quarterfinals, and eventually lost 1-0 to Germany (led by goalie Oliver Khan, Tournament MVP), the average American sports fan were not tuned into the World Cup.
Despite the fact that there is not much talk about the World Cup from adults around here, I think there is hope from the kids who are more excited about this event. Most people over 40 did not grow up playing youth soccer, however in the last couple of decades, the rise of youth soccer has been very popular as more kids are turning in their little league spikes for a pair of soccer cleats. What this means is, that down the road our kids who are growing up playing soccer will pass this game on to their own kids, and with the help of Major League Soccer, the popularity of the not only the World Cup, but also the sport in general, will grow. Finally, I think that if the United States has another successful tournament, than we might get the chance to host the world cup in 2018 or 2022, and by then some of these soccer kids (and maybe soccer moms too) will be talking about the World Cup a few months before it actually starts.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
College Coach in a Pro Town
Last week Boston College named Steve Donahue their next men’s basketball coach. As great an honor for Donahue as it is, I hope he knows what he is getting himself into.
The demands of coaching and recruiting in the Atlantic Coast Conference will be immense – going up against schools like Duke, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest – schools that are in the college basketball hotbed of America. (For example, despite the fact that Charlotte had the Hornets, and now the Bobcats, Charlotte fans care much more about ACC basketball than they do about professional basketball.) A few years back when both the BC men’s basketball and the football team were ranked in the top 10 in the nation, they didn’t get the respect that they really deserved.
Let’s face it, Boston may have more than 100 colleges and universities in the area, but when it comes to sports, the city is by far more of a pro-town than a college-town. This past weekend, the Boston College Men’s Hockey team won the NCAA Championship, and yes, they got a fair amount of respect, but I still feel as though the average sports fan in Boston could care less what the hockey team did, which is too bad.
One of the few ways things will work for Donahue is if he is can get a large non-conference opponent such as a UCLA, or a Texas to come in to Boston and play BC not at Conte Forum, but at the TD Bank North Garden. By bringing in a high-caliber opponent, BC can tell recruits and fans that they are serious about Men’s basketball and will do what it takes to gain fans in the Hub.
Also, the ACC can help, by allowing BC to play some of their bigger opponents such as Duke and UNC at the TD Bank North Garden. These strategies should help BC attract more fans. Personally, I hope Coach Donahue succeeds at BC, because I think he seems like a good coach, but he may have to confront a lot of difficulties in the professionally based town.
The demands of coaching and recruiting in the Atlantic Coast Conference will be immense – going up against schools like Duke, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest – schools that are in the college basketball hotbed of America. (For example, despite the fact that Charlotte had the Hornets, and now the Bobcats, Charlotte fans care much more about ACC basketball than they do about professional basketball.) A few years back when both the BC men’s basketball and the football team were ranked in the top 10 in the nation, they didn’t get the respect that they really deserved.
Let’s face it, Boston may have more than 100 colleges and universities in the area, but when it comes to sports, the city is by far more of a pro-town than a college-town. This past weekend, the Boston College Men’s Hockey team won the NCAA Championship, and yes, they got a fair amount of respect, but I still feel as though the average sports fan in Boston could care less what the hockey team did, which is too bad.
One of the few ways things will work for Donahue is if he is can get a large non-conference opponent such as a UCLA, or a Texas to come in to Boston and play BC not at Conte Forum, but at the TD Bank North Garden. By bringing in a high-caliber opponent, BC can tell recruits and fans that they are serious about Men’s basketball and will do what it takes to gain fans in the Hub.
Also, the ACC can help, by allowing BC to play some of their bigger opponents such as Duke and UNC at the TD Bank North Garden. These strategies should help BC attract more fans. Personally, I hope Coach Donahue succeeds at BC, because I think he seems like a good coach, but he may have to confront a lot of difficulties in the professionally based town.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Don’t worry about Papelbon
Members of Red Sox Nation should not be freaking out over Jonathan Papelbon’s recent performance against the New York Yankees. Papelbon will be fine. Sure he might have lost the game the other night for the Sox against the bombers, but he is still a great closer who can still help this team. Fans in Boston tend to forget that Papelbon helped lead the Sox to a World Series in 2007. I know that Papelbon has struggled in the past leading back to the 2009 ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in which he gave up the lead in the 9th against to allow the Angels to sweep the Sox 3-0, however I would give him an opportunity in my mind he is still a very good young closer who has done more good than bad for the Red Sox.
Coach Donahue
BC’s found their man
This past Wednesday Boston College named former Cornell University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Donahue as their new Men’s Basketball Coach. Although I do not know that much about Coach Donahue other than the fact that he has an Ivy League background as both an Assistant and a Head Coach, I think he will be a good fit at BC. Donahue most recently took Cornell to the NCAA Tournament for the 3rd consecutive season.
Personally, I feel as though this is a great hire, because he was considered one of the top coaches on the rise. Also I think if you can take a team like the Big Red of Cornel that does give out athletic scholarships to the NCAA Tournament. According to Thursday’s Boston Globe, he pprobably will bring some members of his staff from Cornell, dip into Philadelphia (Penn assistant John Gallagher is expected to be added to his staff), and perhaps hire someone with New England ties (Providence assistant Pat Skerry is a possibility). Columbia coach Joe Jones also could be in the mix. I really think that it is necessary to have an assistant coach on the bench with New England ties like Skerry or Jones, because although Massachusetts might not be considered a great basketball state, people tend to forget about all of the good talent at the prep schools in New England. We all know that former Boston College Basketball Coach Al Skinner brought former Worcester Academy Head Coach Mo Cassara on his staff 4 years ago to help recruit New England, but other than Rakim Sanders, and Brady Heslip coach Cassara did not bring in anyone from the New England Prep Schools, which to me is a disgrace.
Finally, in terms of scheduling I hope that Coach Donahue changes things up a bit. I understand that we have traditional rivalries with University of Maine, University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island, Dartmouth College, Providence College, and Harvard University, but let’s spice our non-conference schedule up a little bit. Here are some suggestions that I have. Every few years we should play in a major early-season tournament such as the Maui Invitational, the Great Alaska Shootout, the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, or the Pre-Season NIT. We should also always play a big-east team, a SEC team, and either or a PAC 10 or Big 10 team. All of these non-conference games will help with recruiting, because incoming players would rather play against these types of teams than some of the New England ones or the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s of the world.
This past Wednesday Boston College named former Cornell University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Donahue as their new Men’s Basketball Coach. Although I do not know that much about Coach Donahue other than the fact that he has an Ivy League background as both an Assistant and a Head Coach, I think he will be a good fit at BC. Donahue most recently took Cornell to the NCAA Tournament for the 3rd consecutive season.
Personally, I feel as though this is a great hire, because he was considered one of the top coaches on the rise. Also I think if you can take a team like the Big Red of Cornel that does give out athletic scholarships to the NCAA Tournament. According to Thursday’s Boston Globe, he pprobably will bring some members of his staff from Cornell, dip into Philadelphia (Penn assistant John Gallagher is expected to be added to his staff), and perhaps hire someone with New England ties (Providence assistant Pat Skerry is a possibility). Columbia coach Joe Jones also could be in the mix. I really think that it is necessary to have an assistant coach on the bench with New England ties like Skerry or Jones, because although Massachusetts might not be considered a great basketball state, people tend to forget about all of the good talent at the prep schools in New England. We all know that former Boston College Basketball Coach Al Skinner brought former Worcester Academy Head Coach Mo Cassara on his staff 4 years ago to help recruit New England, but other than Rakim Sanders, and Brady Heslip coach Cassara did not bring in anyone from the New England Prep Schools, which to me is a disgrace.
Finally, in terms of scheduling I hope that Coach Donahue changes things up a bit. I understand that we have traditional rivalries with University of Maine, University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island, Dartmouth College, Providence College, and Harvard University, but let’s spice our non-conference schedule up a little bit. Here are some suggestions that I have. Every few years we should play in a major early-season tournament such as the Maui Invitational, the Great Alaska Shootout, the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, or the Pre-Season NIT. We should also always play a big-east team, a SEC team, and either or a PAC 10 or Big 10 team. All of these non-conference games will help with recruiting, because incoming players would rather play against these types of teams than some of the New England ones or the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s of the world.
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