Well with no football of note this week (MMBSD does not recognize pro bowls games that do not involve hulu girls and/or the Pacific Ocean) it's time to review NBA performances and other odds and ends
NBA at Half-Point
Well we're rocketing past the half way point so while my esteemed colleague looked at the big picture here is my list of the top individual achievement awards at the halfway point
MVP: Lebron James. His stats, his efficiency, his team's record, it's not a contest
Coach of the Year: Lionel Collins - coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. He got Zach Randolph to play defense. That really should be enough. However he has the Grizzlies in the playoffs which given that that they have no bench is equally impressive.
Rookie Tyreke Evans. Goes to show what NBA scouts know, in a year that supposably Blake Griffin and a bunch of scrubs there's fierce competition for rookie of the year. I'm giving to Tyreke Evans at this point for averaging almost 20-5-5.
Most Improved Josh Smith and Kevin Durant Is it harder to move from average to good or from good to great? I'm always divided. Josh Smith's improved play is the reason Atlanta currently is fighting for the 2 seed in the East. Meanwhile Durant has improved his efficiency and defense to turn himself into a superstar and give the Thunder a good shot at the playoffs.
Justice Department Looking for Easy Target
According the latest reports the Justice Department will "reviewing the legality of the BCS" I'm sure glad the time for cheap political tricks for the 2010 election has come. Whew. I've talked previously about the role of the federal government and sports (generally bad) or if the feds can try to do real policy with minor issues like the BCS simultaneously (it can't) but the bigger question is should anyone ever listen to Orrin Hatch? And from the department of simple answers to simple question....NO
NCAA Basketball 4+2?
With KU, Kentucky, Villanova, and 'Cuse seemingly ensconced as college elite, one question is can anyone challenge these 4? I'm not sure but I would like to promote to potential candidates. Michigan State and Georgetown. Michigan State struggled a bit this week but remain undefeated in Big 10 play. Izzo squads historically get better as the year goes on so there's good reason to think MSU can go back to the Final 4. Meanwhile Georgetown absolutely dismantled Duke over the weekend. They will have a rematch with Villanova at G-town next week (Feb 6th) and should be a good barometer for f G-Town is Final 4 material
Big Dates for Febtober
Here's a few dates to remember for February: Feb 3rd National Signing Day, Feb 6th G-town v. Villanova, Feb 10th UNC v. Duke, Feb 12th Start of the Winter Olympics, Feb 17th Pitchers and Catchers Report, Feb 18th NBA Trade Deadline, Feb 23rd National Send Mighty a Cheesecake Day
4 comments:
NBA: You forgot Executive of the Year which I'd give to NJ Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe. Any time you're the GM of a record-setting ballclub, you must be doing something right. Oh...wait...not THAT kind of record-setting ballclub.
NCAAF: The federal goverment is up to its usual tricks again. President Obama is no less transparently grandstanding than his predecessor in the Oval Office in matters of sport and the role of the seat of power. I fail to see what could possibly be illegal about an agreement to select a national championsh based on rankings over a playoff system. Prior to 2007, did anyone feel like golf was unfair because there was no FedEx Cup? Frankly, the FedEx Cup is a sham in that points are accrued before the FedEx Cup series of tournaments begins and it's mathematically possible that a player can be so far in front in the points standings that they could win the championship without winning a single FedEx Cup tournament. The only reason the goverment cares is because the names of states are associated with the teams competing for football's championship. As such, it's an excuse to get territorial and political.
NCAAB: I profess total ignorance when it comes to college hoops. I just know what teams I like and dislike based on very little. Here's hoping that 'Nova, Georgetown, 'Cuse and Michigan State do well and that Kansas and Kentucky flop royally.
2/17 - Pitchers and catchers reporting is the best day of every February.
2/23 - I wasn't aware of this new holiday. I will send Mighty a cheesecake in the hopes that he remembers that June 5th is National Send MJ a Hot Girl Avalanche Day.
Let's be clear on three things regarding the BCS and the Justice Department:
1. To the extent that the BCS in fact may violate federal law, it is a worthy subject of investigation. MJ, the antitrust laws are so complex that a "combination" like this one could in fact run afoul.
2. There are far more worthy subjects of investigation, even if the BCS violates federal law in some fashion. This ought to be in the same category as jaywalking - technically illegal, not worth getting uppity about.
3. This is entirely politically motivated. It is obviously no accident that Orrin Hatch, of Utah and the University of Utah and BYU, is pushing this.
In other news, MJ is 100% correct: February 17 is the greatest day of the month and, aside from the first Monday of April, perhaps the greatest day of the year.
BTW, any post with a reference to, or photo of, Office Space - that's just a winner right there. Mmmmmmm, yeah. Anyone seen my stapler?
1) Nice coach of the year.... the grizz's coach definitely deserves it since there is literally no bench.
2) i think Kevin Durant is more improved. Josh Smith just finally realized it was time to stop shooting 3s and long 2s.
3) I think investigating the BCS is a bunch of hogwash. I will gladly post a column or two or more to DEFEND the BCS, explain why we should enjoy it, and explain why it's not an antitrust violation.
4) I havn't started studying NCAAB yet... but I'm excited that we're almost there.
5) 2/18 - NBA trade deadline - that's what i'm looking forward to the most, followed closely by Olympic Coverage of Curling on CNBC, and G-town vs. 'Nova.
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