Bowlapalooza! We halfheartedly pick every bowl game and wholeheartedly mock them. Also, the Lions continue to ruin our lives.
Sports Desk 60
Friday, December 20, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
How Week 15 Comforted A Lions Fan
This weekend, the Bears took care of the Browns, thus ending the hope of celebrating the Lions first divisional title in 20 years next Sunday at Ford Field. To make matters worse, the Packers completed an impossible comeback on the road with a fourth string quarterback at the helm, thus increasing the odds that Aaron Rodgers will return and mess everything up. These two results should, and do, make me quite nervous about the Motor City Kitties and their postseason chances.
However, several other teams managed to comfort me today.
Over the course of this season, the Lions have managed to snatch defeat from the clutching jaws of victory far too many times this season. First, it was week two against Arizona, then it was an awful fourth quarter against Pittsburgh, followed by a loss to a one win Tampa Bay team at home. Finally, last week Philly ran up the score in the final quarter during a blizzard. This is nothing new for Lions fans, they have been doing this for many years and we should be used to it.
Thankfully for us, this week proves that the Lions 2013 season is far from unique. Week 15 saw many good, even great, teams lose to far inferior opposition. It started right from the beginning on Thursday night. Not only did Denver lose to a sub .500 team, but they did it at home. It wasn't like they lost a heart breaker either. At no point did Denver ever look like winning that game. San Diego outplayed them in every aspect of the game, much like the Lions failure against Tampa Bay.
Next came the slate of games on Sunday afternoon, where we witnessed the New Orleans Saints, considered one of the best offenses in football, lay an egg against a last place St. Louis Rams team. The Philadelphia Eagles, the team that beat the Lions in last week's snowstorm, got planted by the putrid Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys, who the Lions beat in miraculous fashion in week eight, gave up 34 points in the second half and fell to Green Bay, who was operating with a quarterback who barely deserves to be in the NFL. Finally, on Sunday Night Football, we saw the Cincinnati Bengals fall with the chance to clinch the division against the Steelers, who are having a less than sub par season.
All of these results comfort me. Other teams have done exactly what the Lions are doing this year. This is the NFL, the separation between the best team in the league and the worst team in the league is not very much at all. On any given Sunday, or Monday, or Thursday, or Saturday, a team perceived as inferior can and will defeat a better team. Games like the Lions have had against Philly, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and countless other times over the past 56 years happen. I just wish they would stop happening to my team.
However, several other teams managed to comfort me today.
Over the course of this season, the Lions have managed to snatch defeat from the clutching jaws of victory far too many times this season. First, it was week two against Arizona, then it was an awful fourth quarter against Pittsburgh, followed by a loss to a one win Tampa Bay team at home. Finally, last week Philly ran up the score in the final quarter during a blizzard. This is nothing new for Lions fans, they have been doing this for many years and we should be used to it.
Thankfully for us, this week proves that the Lions 2013 season is far from unique. Week 15 saw many good, even great, teams lose to far inferior opposition. It started right from the beginning on Thursday night. Not only did Denver lose to a sub .500 team, but they did it at home. It wasn't like they lost a heart breaker either. At no point did Denver ever look like winning that game. San Diego outplayed them in every aspect of the game, much like the Lions failure against Tampa Bay.
Next came the slate of games on Sunday afternoon, where we witnessed the New Orleans Saints, considered one of the best offenses in football, lay an egg against a last place St. Louis Rams team. The Philadelphia Eagles, the team that beat the Lions in last week's snowstorm, got planted by the putrid Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys, who the Lions beat in miraculous fashion in week eight, gave up 34 points in the second half and fell to Green Bay, who was operating with a quarterback who barely deserves to be in the NFL. Finally, on Sunday Night Football, we saw the Cincinnati Bengals fall with the chance to clinch the division against the Steelers, who are having a less than sub par season.
All of these results comfort me. Other teams have done exactly what the Lions are doing this year. This is the NFL, the separation between the best team in the league and the worst team in the league is not very much at all. On any given Sunday, or Monday, or Thursday, or Saturday, a team perceived as inferior can and will defeat a better team. Games like the Lions have had against Philly, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and countless other times over the past 56 years happen. I just wish they would stop happening to my team.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 59
Greg gets rather upset when I talk about how outlawing home plate collisions is a good thing. That should be fun. Also, remember when Dave D said no more free agents after Joe Nathan, well he didn't exactly live up to that. Finally, Sparty is in the Rose Bowl, and do you can The Schwartz at the end of the year?
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Going Group By Group Through The World Cup
Let's face it folks, Greg doesn't know squat about soccer (football, as I call it). So I feel really bad about making him talk about it during the podcast. So, to do him a favor, I won't make him until he actual beginning o the World Cup Finals in Brazil. In order to me to get my fix, I'll have to take things into my own hands and walk you guys through the draw for the upcoming global football championship.
For any soccer newbies out there, each team plays three games in the group stage, one against each other team. A win is worth three points, a tie worth one, and a loss zero. After the round robin, the top two teams in each of the eight groups advance to the knockout stages.
By now, everyone knows that the United States has been royally boned out of a chance at World Cup success. They were thrown into a group with two of the best nations in the world and the one that knocked them out in 2010. Things look quite grim for the Americans, but we will elaborate on that later. For now, we begin at the top with...
Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
The hosts have quite an easy track into the knockout rounds, as if they needed one. This is no vintage Brazil side, but they don't really have to be to make a run at the title here. Home field advantage throughout the tournament will go a long, long way towards winning matches. Throw them in a group with Croatia, a second tier European team, Mexico, who has all sorts of issues right now, and Cameroon, a fairly formidable African nation and they will cruise to the top of the table.
Second place is where things get interesting. Croatia looked pretty solid in their playoff tie with Iceland. They figure to be the odd man out here, however. Mexico can consider themselves lucky to be heading to Brazil after their woeful qualifying campaign. Cameroon were once an upstart African nation that could possible make a George Mason like run through the knockout rounds, but that no longer is the case. I will put my money on Mexico advancing, assuming they will have recovered from their nightmares over the last year.
Advancing: Brazil and Mexico
Group B
Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia
This is the tertiary group of death. The 2010 finalists Spain and The Netherlands will meet up in the first match for this group. Regardless of the result, I expect both of them will move along. Chile could stand a chance with an easier draw, but put them up against two of Europe's best and I don't give them a fighting chance. Australia might lose out and find themselves heading home early.
The minor question make here will be the Dutch and their ability to recover from an awful European championship two summers ago where they failed to win a game. If they stumble the same way they did in 2012, then Chile can sneak into the second place spot, but don't count on it.
Advancing: Spain and Netherlands
Group C
Columbia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan
If there was a group of death for non-superpowers, this would be it. Each of the four teams has a shot to make it into the top two, with Columbia leading the charge. They are an attacking first side that struggles defensively, but they certainly can outscore anyone. Ivory Coast have been one of those upstart African teams that Cameroon used to be. They don't have the scoring power that they used to have, but they are still probably the best Africa has to offer. Greece is one of the weakest sides of Europe, their strong defense gives them a chance, though. Japan are Asia's best country and can certainly sneak by with this draw.
I would put my money on Columbia and Ivory Coast, but a Japanese or Greek coup wouldn't shock me.
Advancing: Columbia and Ivory Coast
Group D
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy
England's draw is almost as bad as their colonial brethren. They get one of the best in Europe with Italy, the always overachieving Uruguay, and Costa Rica, who is really screwed here. Uruguay will have a strong home field advantage as they will not be playing far from home. Italy is an always skilled team that would challenge to win any group. England has all the talent in the world but has a knack for shooting themselves in the foot. Costa Rica, well, good luck and have a safe trip home. No way you are winning a game here.
It will probably end up being a dark World Cup for the English. They are just too outmatched in this group for me to pick them to move on.
Advancing: Italy and Uruguay
Group E
Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras
The French were a miraculous second leg comeback away from failing to qualify for the tournament altogether, and now here they are with the second easiest draw of any of the traditional powers. The French have been notorious for failing in the World's biggest stage, but I doubt they will have that problem this time around. They got the weakest of the seeded teams in Switzerland, a second tier South American team in Ecuador, and the lowest ranked team fro North America in Honduras.
Another example of where second place could be interesting, Switzerland stand the best chance, but they will have no easy battles with Ecuador and Honduras, both sides had strong showings in qualifying.
Advancing: France and Switzerland
Group F
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria
Argentina has things easier than France does, if for no other reason that they are a far superior team. Any team with the consensus best player in the world, Lionel Messi, should have no problem moving along. The battle for second place will be a struggle between African power Nigeria and Bosnia. Nigeria is a team with many players playing throughout Europe. Bosnia are a team with some serious firepower as well.
I like Bosnia here, but Nigeria coming into the fold would be no shock. Iran, thanks for playing, because you probably won't last long here.
Advancing: Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina
Group G
Germany
Portugal
United States
Ghana
Here it is folks, the United States and their painful outlook for Brazil 2014. They have to overcome the likes of tournament favorites Germany and perennial power Portugal. To make things worse, they get to play Ghana, the ones who ended them in 2010. With all the success the Americans have had since Jurgenn Klinsman took over, this is a true disappointment.
Sad to say, there is just too much in the USA's way to see them through to the group stages. My first reaction when seeing the draw was "I don't think they can beat any of those teams." And further review supports this. They might take down Ghana, but don't expect an upset against Germany or Portugal.
Advancing: Germany and Portugal
Group H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea
This could be quite the competitive group. Belgium are clearly the best, but the other three all have strong merits. Russia hasn't enjoyed much success internationally, but won't let many goals in. South Korea has qualified for two of the last three knockout rounds, and Algeria is an up and coming team.
I like Russia to join Belgium in the next stage. Mostly because I can't say I trust Algeria or South Korea to come through.
Advancing: Belgium and Russia
So, there you have it, my take on each of the eight World Cup groups. I'll give more detailed looks at each nation's teams and tactics as the tournament approaches. Meaning some time in May and June. That is also when I force Greg to join most of the world and talk some football. Should be a hootin' time.
For any soccer newbies out there, each team plays three games in the group stage, one against each other team. A win is worth three points, a tie worth one, and a loss zero. After the round robin, the top two teams in each of the eight groups advance to the knockout stages.
By now, everyone knows that the United States has been royally boned out of a chance at World Cup success. They were thrown into a group with two of the best nations in the world and the one that knocked them out in 2010. Things look quite grim for the Americans, but we will elaborate on that later. For now, we begin at the top with...
Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
The hosts have quite an easy track into the knockout rounds, as if they needed one. This is no vintage Brazil side, but they don't really have to be to make a run at the title here. Home field advantage throughout the tournament will go a long, long way towards winning matches. Throw them in a group with Croatia, a second tier European team, Mexico, who has all sorts of issues right now, and Cameroon, a fairly formidable African nation and they will cruise to the top of the table.
Second place is where things get interesting. Croatia looked pretty solid in their playoff tie with Iceland. They figure to be the odd man out here, however. Mexico can consider themselves lucky to be heading to Brazil after their woeful qualifying campaign. Cameroon were once an upstart African nation that could possible make a George Mason like run through the knockout rounds, but that no longer is the case. I will put my money on Mexico advancing, assuming they will have recovered from their nightmares over the last year.
Advancing: Brazil and Mexico
Group B
Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia
This is the tertiary group of death. The 2010 finalists Spain and The Netherlands will meet up in the first match for this group. Regardless of the result, I expect both of them will move along. Chile could stand a chance with an easier draw, but put them up against two of Europe's best and I don't give them a fighting chance. Australia might lose out and find themselves heading home early.
The minor question make here will be the Dutch and their ability to recover from an awful European championship two summers ago where they failed to win a game. If they stumble the same way they did in 2012, then Chile can sneak into the second place spot, but don't count on it.
Advancing: Spain and Netherlands
Group C
Columbia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan
If there was a group of death for non-superpowers, this would be it. Each of the four teams has a shot to make it into the top two, with Columbia leading the charge. They are an attacking first side that struggles defensively, but they certainly can outscore anyone. Ivory Coast have been one of those upstart African teams that Cameroon used to be. They don't have the scoring power that they used to have, but they are still probably the best Africa has to offer. Greece is one of the weakest sides of Europe, their strong defense gives them a chance, though. Japan are Asia's best country and can certainly sneak by with this draw.
I would put my money on Columbia and Ivory Coast, but a Japanese or Greek coup wouldn't shock me.
Advancing: Columbia and Ivory Coast
Group D
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy
England's draw is almost as bad as their colonial brethren. They get one of the best in Europe with Italy, the always overachieving Uruguay, and Costa Rica, who is really screwed here. Uruguay will have a strong home field advantage as they will not be playing far from home. Italy is an always skilled team that would challenge to win any group. England has all the talent in the world but has a knack for shooting themselves in the foot. Costa Rica, well, good luck and have a safe trip home. No way you are winning a game here.
It will probably end up being a dark World Cup for the English. They are just too outmatched in this group for me to pick them to move on.
Advancing: Italy and Uruguay
Group E
Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras
The French were a miraculous second leg comeback away from failing to qualify for the tournament altogether, and now here they are with the second easiest draw of any of the traditional powers. The French have been notorious for failing in the World's biggest stage, but I doubt they will have that problem this time around. They got the weakest of the seeded teams in Switzerland, a second tier South American team in Ecuador, and the lowest ranked team fro North America in Honduras.
Another example of where second place could be interesting, Switzerland stand the best chance, but they will have no easy battles with Ecuador and Honduras, both sides had strong showings in qualifying.
Advancing: France and Switzerland
Group F
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria
Argentina has things easier than France does, if for no other reason that they are a far superior team. Any team with the consensus best player in the world, Lionel Messi, should have no problem moving along. The battle for second place will be a struggle between African power Nigeria and Bosnia. Nigeria is a team with many players playing throughout Europe. Bosnia are a team with some serious firepower as well.
I like Bosnia here, but Nigeria coming into the fold would be no shock. Iran, thanks for playing, because you probably won't last long here.
Advancing: Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina
Group G
Germany
Portugal
United States
Ghana
Here it is folks, the United States and their painful outlook for Brazil 2014. They have to overcome the likes of tournament favorites Germany and perennial power Portugal. To make things worse, they get to play Ghana, the ones who ended them in 2010. With all the success the Americans have had since Jurgenn Klinsman took over, this is a true disappointment.
Sad to say, there is just too much in the USA's way to see them through to the group stages. My first reaction when seeing the draw was "I don't think they can beat any of those teams." And further review supports this. They might take down Ghana, but don't expect an upset against Germany or Portugal.
Advancing: Germany and Portugal
Group H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea
This could be quite the competitive group. Belgium are clearly the best, but the other three all have strong merits. Russia hasn't enjoyed much success internationally, but won't let many goals in. South Korea has qualified for two of the last three knockout rounds, and Algeria is an up and coming team.
I like Russia to join Belgium in the next stage. Mostly because I can't say I trust Algeria or South Korea to come through.
Advancing: Belgium and Russia
So, there you have it, my take on each of the eight World Cup groups. I'll give more detailed looks at each nation's teams and tactics as the tournament approaches. Meaning some time in May and June. That is also when I force Greg to join most of the world and talk some football. Should be a hootin' time.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 58
The Hall of Fame ballot is out and Greg and I are voting for Deadspin's bought vote. We also discuss the long and expensive contracts being handed out it baseball before wishing the Lions and MSU luck this weekend.
Sports Desk 58
Sports Desk 58
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 56
Greg and I predict where the top 10 MLB free agents will land before getting side tracked by a conversation about our favorite video games. Sounds like a natural transition to me. We then insult Michigan and talk about who plays for the national title. Finally, we daydream about the Lions and make our picks for the week.
Sports Desk 56
Sports Desk 56
Friday, November 8, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 55
What are the Lions chances of not only making the playoffs, but winning the NFC North? Who are the Tigers looking at in free agency? What does Greg think of Brad Ausmus? All that and more this week on the Sports Desk Podcast.
Sports Desk 55
Sports Desk 55
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 54
The Red Sox are going to (EDIT: did) win the World Series, so talk of the Tigers' manager search quick;y gets derailed by World Series talk. We also talk about our favorite World Series moments before some U of M vs. MSU talk. We close with the Lions and their amazing comeback win against Dallas.
Sports Desk 54
Sports Desk 54
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 53
The Tigers lose and are in search of a new manager. Greg and I discuss potential candidates. On the plus side, the Red Sox are in the World Series! Also the Lions lose, but how does it affect the rest of our 2013 outlook?
Sports Desk 53
Sports Desk 53
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 52
The Tigers bats need to wake up, so we wake up for a morning podcast. We talk Tigers-Red Sox from every angle, even my debacle of who I'm cheering for. We also talk sports you would wake up early for, some Lions, and the picks.
Sports Desk 52
Sports Desk 52
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 51
Greg and I prep you for game five against the A's and talk about how much we hate the Cardinals and want them to lose. We also talk about insane sports ideas on the heels of announcement that North Carolina and Tennessee will play at Bristol Motor Speedway. As always, we yell about the Lions and our picks too.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 50
The Sports Desk hits the big 50 with a bang! We begin with a look ahead to the MLB Postseason complete with World Series predictions. Then, I apologize ahead of time for cursing the Lions season when I justify them finishing 12-4... then the picks.
Sports Desk 50
Sports Desk 50
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 49
The Tigers win the division, the Lions win in Washington for the first time ever, and, of course, the picks.
Sports Desk 49
Sports Desk 49
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 48
Matt Harvey being super awkward. Jhonny Peralta in left? Michigan technically won, but did they really? The Lions actually lost though, and nobody is arguing that. All this, and more on the Sports Desk Podcast's 48th rendition.
Sports Desk 48
Sports Desk 48
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 47
Are the Tigers falling apart a la 2009? That leads into why Miguel Cabrera got ejected last night and a replay discussion that ends in terminators taking over baseball. Also, the Lions won their opener for the third year in a row, Notre Dame letting me down, and the picks.
Sports Desk 47
Sports Desk 47
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 46
All football this week as we get ready for Notre Dame squashing Michigan and the Lions opener against the Vikings.
Sports Desk 46
Sports Desk 46
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 45
After a brief Tigers discussion, we go hard core into the NFC, some fantasy football, and our first edition of the picks for 2013. Come for Greg being evil to Notre Dame, stay for me knocking some sense into him.
Sports Desk 45
Sports Desk 45
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 44
Our first big football themed podcast of the year features a look at the Lions preseason thumping of the Patriots, what we want to see from the fourth and final game, and a look at the AFC for 2013. We also throw a quick baseball talk at the end. Of course, none of this happens before I make fun of Greg for his love of NASCAR.
Sports Desk 44
Sports Desk 44
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 43
A look at the Lions first preseason effort, a look back at the Tigers winning streak, and a look at what some St. Louis radio guys got canned for.
Sports Desk 43
Sports Desk 43
Friday, August 2, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 42
In which we answer The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. It probably has to do with Biogenesis and the MLB Trade Deadline.
Sports Desk 42
Sports Desk 42
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 41
The Biogenesis suspensions have begun, and Greg and I go crazy about it. Also, the Lions are opening training camp and the MLB trade deadline is approaching.
Sports Desk 41
Sports Desk 41
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 40
We begin with some British Open commentary, followed by whether the Tigers should trade for Tim Lincecum or not, and the only thing I would trade away Nick Castellanos for. Stay until the end for our second half World Series predictions.
Sports Desk 40
Sports Desk 40
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 38
First, we tackle the serious issues of protesting at the Confederations Cup and the Aaron Hernandez murder convictions. Then Greg gets serious in complaining about the Tigers, we hand out our midseason MLB awards, and close with the baseball pow-wow.
Sports Desk 38
Sports Desk 38
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 37
The Red Sox are in town next weekend and I'm going to a soccer game. Out of character, but fun nonetheless. Also Greg and I talk about what we would each do with the Stanley Cup for a day in the midst of an amazing Stanley Cup Final, we try (and fail) to talk about the NBA for more than five minutes, and go over the Tigers closer situation... again.
Sports Desk 37
Sports Desk 37
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 36
Bud is at it his steroid witch hunt again, and this time he is bribing people for testimony! Also Mike is in to talk NBA finals and we look at the series that was for the Wings.
Sports Desk 36
Sports Desk 36
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 35
Tonight is game seven against Chicago and we are getting ready for it. Also we recap the Indy 500 quickly and talk some baseball.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 34
Greg wore this to the podcast today. Classicly awful. We also talked some Red Wings, Justin Verlander, and made fun of Michigan football a bit. AJ also stopped by for his thoughts in Motor City Comic Con and the Indy 500.
Sports Desk 34
Sports Desk 34
Friday, May 17, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 33
The Wings are about to get bombed by Chicago, Greg is going to win the lotto tonight, and the Tigers have a few concerns.
Sports Desk 33
Sports Desk 33
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 32
After a week off, it's the better late than never Lions draft review, a look at how the Red Wings are doing against the Ducks, high hard hits in hockey, and the usual baseball pow-wow.
Sports Desk 32
Sports Desk 32
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 31
Eeew, Greg wants to talk NASCAR... but we also debate the Lions and their draft plans, welcome back Jose Valverde, and talk about cold weather baseball. Also, should Greg go to the Tigers game tonight, or the Red Wings?
Sports Desk 31
Sports Desk 31
Friday, April 19, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 30
The NBA playoffs are about to start up so NBA expert Mike Thomas is in the house. Also, the NHL is watering down outdoor hockey. The Lions schedule has been released and I am not too optimistic. Oh, and some baseball.
Sports Desk 30
Sports Desk 30
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 29
Greg was wearing his Rocky shirt, so you know he had his A-game going today when we talked about awful officiating, Jason Hanson retiring, my impending beer league hockey career, and some baseball.
Sports Desk 29
Sports Desk 29
Monday, April 8, 2013
Five Reasons Basketball is an Unwatchable Sport
I would like to start off by saying that yes, I will be watching Michigan go for a National Championship tonight against Louisville. It is a big moment for a local school that I happen to have family and friends graduate from. I can't help but be interested in tonight as an event. However, this is one of the rare moments that I will sit down and watch any basketball game from start to finish.
I love playing basketball. It's a great thing to do when you head to the rec center with friends, family, or total strangers. It is a great physical activity and really satisfies my competitive itches. I simply cannot will myself to sit through even two hours of the game. The repetitive back and forth nature of the game, the timeouts, the intentional fouling, the total confusion about what constitutes a foul to begin with, and, if we happen to be talking about an NBA game, the extreme sense of entitlement of and the complaints by the games biggest stars. I just can't watch unless it is a big game featuring a local team.
"Okay, you troll," Mr. Basketball Fan is surely saying right now, "explain yourself!"
And explain myself I will. Here are the top five reasons I find it extremely difficult to watch basketball on television.
First, and foremost, there is too much scoring. People love to complain about low scoring hockey, soccer, or baseball games. They say these sports are boring because nobody scores any points. None of them ever mention that when teams do nothing but score it gets even more boring. Basketball has so much scoring that it almost feels as if a great majority of the points don't matter because they are canceled out by the other team scoring just as much.
Which often means that the first three quarters or more of any game is pointless. With all that scoring going on, what's the point of tuning in for quarters one through three (or the first half and ten minutes of a college game)? The two teams are pretty much going to run up and down the court trading blows with each other, nothing deciding the game until the final few minutes. I am firmly convinced that you can tune in to the last five minutes of any given game and see all you need to see. If it is a blowout, shut it off and click to a hockey game or something. If it is close, stay tuned and see how it ends. The problem is...
The last few minutes take forever. I was watching the Michigan-Syracuse game with my dad and brother and, in the dying seconds of the game, my dad stated "At 11:10 there were three minutes left." It was, at that point, 11:41 and there were still 30 seconds or so remaining in the game. That's right, in about a half hour, less than three minutes of game had been played. Talk about annoying as hell. Just get on with it already, jeez. There are reasons this happens late in a close game, each one more annoying than the last.
For one, why the hell do teams get so many timeouts?! Why do teams need to hit the pause button as many as five times a game? And what is with players being able to just stop play whenever they have the ball? What other sport does that? Hockey seems to be able to provide plenty of excitement with only one timeout per game. Football at least won't let you stop mid-play. Basketball has so many timeouts that it breaks up the flow of play and, again, makes me want to scream "Just get on with it!"
Finally, there is something fundamentally wrong with a sport when breaking the rules is a valid strategy for victory. That's what intentional fouling is after all. It's breaking the rules of the game in order to increase chances of winning.Whether it is to increase the chances of a comeback or even to stop a comeback from happening, it's annoying. Your supposed to play by the rules of the game you play. Maybe exploit them a little, but not flat out break them. Not only does fouling break the rules, it turns the game into a free throw fest and eliminates almost every other aspect of the game. People complain about hockey games ending in shootouts because it means a game isn't decided by the game of hockey any more. Well, to me, basketball's free throw bonanzas are much worse.
"Alright, thanks for bashing my sport asshole," says Mr. Basketball Fan. "What would you rather see?"
I'm glad you asked! I have a solution for every single one of my gripes that will absolutely never ever happen. It is a complete overhaul of the structure of a basketball game. Remember when I mentioned heading to the rec center for some pick up ball? Remember how you typically play up to a certain score (say 11) and you have to win by two? That is what I would rather see from high level basketball. You play by ones and twos, shooting fouls result in one free throw, and you have to win by two. You get one timeout for each one of these first to 11 contests. Each game can be a best three out of five of these things to decide an overall winner.
This eliminates pointless scoring because ever point you score brings your team closer to victory instead of just adding to a total. Because of this the entire game is interesting. Games won't take forever because you don't have a million timeouts. There won't be any intentional fouling because there is no clock working against you. In order for a team to make a comeback, they would have to do it the old fashioned way. Play good defense and make buckets.
I know this will never happen. Basketball will always be played more or less the same way. But if they want my eyes, they need a massive overhaul like this on how the game is played.
I love playing basketball. It's a great thing to do when you head to the rec center with friends, family, or total strangers. It is a great physical activity and really satisfies my competitive itches. I simply cannot will myself to sit through even two hours of the game. The repetitive back and forth nature of the game, the timeouts, the intentional fouling, the total confusion about what constitutes a foul to begin with, and, if we happen to be talking about an NBA game, the extreme sense of entitlement of and the complaints by the games biggest stars. I just can't watch unless it is a big game featuring a local team.
"Okay, you troll," Mr. Basketball Fan is surely saying right now, "explain yourself!"
And explain myself I will. Here are the top five reasons I find it extremely difficult to watch basketball on television.
First, and foremost, there is too much scoring. People love to complain about low scoring hockey, soccer, or baseball games. They say these sports are boring because nobody scores any points. None of them ever mention that when teams do nothing but score it gets even more boring. Basketball has so much scoring that it almost feels as if a great majority of the points don't matter because they are canceled out by the other team scoring just as much.
Which often means that the first three quarters or more of any game is pointless. With all that scoring going on, what's the point of tuning in for quarters one through three (or the first half and ten minutes of a college game)? The two teams are pretty much going to run up and down the court trading blows with each other, nothing deciding the game until the final few minutes. I am firmly convinced that you can tune in to the last five minutes of any given game and see all you need to see. If it is a blowout, shut it off and click to a hockey game or something. If it is close, stay tuned and see how it ends. The problem is...
The last few minutes take forever. I was watching the Michigan-Syracuse game with my dad and brother and, in the dying seconds of the game, my dad stated "At 11:10 there were three minutes left." It was, at that point, 11:41 and there were still 30 seconds or so remaining in the game. That's right, in about a half hour, less than three minutes of game had been played. Talk about annoying as hell. Just get on with it already, jeez. There are reasons this happens late in a close game, each one more annoying than the last.
For one, why the hell do teams get so many timeouts?! Why do teams need to hit the pause button as many as five times a game? And what is with players being able to just stop play whenever they have the ball? What other sport does that? Hockey seems to be able to provide plenty of excitement with only one timeout per game. Football at least won't let you stop mid-play. Basketball has so many timeouts that it breaks up the flow of play and, again, makes me want to scream "Just get on with it!"
Finally, there is something fundamentally wrong with a sport when breaking the rules is a valid strategy for victory. That's what intentional fouling is after all. It's breaking the rules of the game in order to increase chances of winning.Whether it is to increase the chances of a comeback or even to stop a comeback from happening, it's annoying. Your supposed to play by the rules of the game you play. Maybe exploit them a little, but not flat out break them. Not only does fouling break the rules, it turns the game into a free throw fest and eliminates almost every other aspect of the game. People complain about hockey games ending in shootouts because it means a game isn't decided by the game of hockey any more. Well, to me, basketball's free throw bonanzas are much worse.
"Alright, thanks for bashing my sport asshole," says Mr. Basketball Fan. "What would you rather see?"
I'm glad you asked! I have a solution for every single one of my gripes that will absolutely never ever happen. It is a complete overhaul of the structure of a basketball game. Remember when I mentioned heading to the rec center for some pick up ball? Remember how you typically play up to a certain score (say 11) and you have to win by two? That is what I would rather see from high level basketball. You play by ones and twos, shooting fouls result in one free throw, and you have to win by two. You get one timeout for each one of these first to 11 contests. Each game can be a best three out of five of these things to decide an overall winner.
This eliminates pointless scoring because ever point you score brings your team closer to victory instead of just adding to a total. Because of this the entire game is interesting. Games won't take forever because you don't have a million timeouts. There won't be any intentional fouling because there is no clock working against you. In order for a team to make a comeback, they would have to do it the old fashioned way. Play good defense and make buckets.
I know this will never happen. Basketball will always be played more or less the same way. But if they want my eyes, they need a massive overhaul like this on how the game is played.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 28
Greg and I talk about gross injuries and some of the more impressive times we have been maimed in athletic competition... or childhood shenanigans. We also talk some secondary market ticket prices and Michigan's chances in the final four.
Sports Desk 28
Sports Desk 28
Friday, March 29, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 27
Greg and I go deeper in to the Tigers 2013 campaign and redo our final four predictions. We also make some bold predictions for the impending baseball season and debut our new Baseball Pow-Wow segment.
Sports Desk 27
Sports Desk 27
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 26
Two days in and I've already lost one Final Four team. just another standard year in the brackets for me. We also throw some talk out there about the NL West and the NFL no longer letting runners charge head first into an oncoming defender.
EDIT: This was recorded and posted before I saw that Georgetown score. Two Final Four teams down!
Sports Desk 26
EDIT: This was recorded and posted before I saw that Georgetown score. Two Final Four teams down!
Sports Desk 26
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 25
Greg and I lead off with some Lions offseason talk followed by whether the Red Wings should rebuild or not and how they should do it. Finally, part five of the MLB preview series features the new look AL West.
Sports Desk 25
Sports Desk 25
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 24
Michigan and Michigan State are up for a four way chop of the Big Ten regular season title, but it really doesn't matter. The Lions are aiming for Reggie Bush and the NL Central gets previewed.
Sports Desk 24
Sports Desk 24
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 23
This week we preview the AL Central, but not before everything we said about NHL Realignment goes out the window and the World Baseball Classic begins.
Sports Desk 23
Sports Desk 23
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Sports Desk Podcast Episode 22
It's the first day of Spring Training games and Greg wants to talk about NASCAR... okay I guess I can let him. As long as he lets me talk some hockey then it's a fair trade. We also preview the NL East.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Sports Desk Podcast Episode 20
The power stayed on over here so we could talk about the exciting finish to the Super Bowl, the Lions and their early offseason roster cuts, and some more PED issues.
Sports Desk 20
Sports Desk 20
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Sports Desk Podcast Episode 19
It's Super Bowl Week! Greg and I talk some prop bets as well as make our cases for why each team can win. But before that, I have to take a defiant, yet unpredictable, stand on performance enhancing drugs.
Sports Desk 19
Sports Desk 19
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Sports Desk Podcast Episode 18
I can speak again! So, Greg and I will actually talk about Lance Armstrong and Manti Te'o this time.
Sports Desk 18
Sports Desk 18
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lance Armstrong is Still Cool and Manti Te'o is Still a Great Football Player
The Sports Desk podcast has been on a temporary break as I battle the most debilitating injury a talk show host can succumb to: laryngitis. While my inability to speak has kept me from recording mine and Greg's banter, my brain refuses to shut off on the topic of a couple of sports' more famous liars: Lane Armstrong and Manti Te'o.
It is time for me to spew out my thoughts in written form to quell my desire to express my opinion. Plus, I know all you Notre Dame haters out there want to hear my thoughts on imaginary girlfriends.
But before we get to what you all will certainly call a homer's tainted view, let's begin with my thoughts on Lance Armstrong and his admittance to cheating.
What?! Lance Armstrong was doping? No freakin' way! #sarcasm. Unless you were in extreme denial, everyone already knew that the greatest cyclist in history, along with the vast majority of his competition, were using some form of performance enhancing drug. This should not have come as a surprise. He may have spent countless resources fighting for the contrary, but it was pretty clear that he was cheating when he chose to give up his battle over the summer.
Lance is still a hero in my book, as I wrote back then. And that hasn't changed with his very long interview with Oprah. He still fought and defeated cancer, he still raised millions for cancer research, and he still won seven Tours de France.
I, frankly, do not give a damn that he was on drugs the whole time. Mostly because everyone else was too. If you take Lance, and every other doped up cyclist, off the stuff he probably still wins each one of those races.
Cycling's doping cartel makes Major League Baseball look like a small time high school drug ring. Everyone is doping. So Armstrong was simply leveling the playing field.
And anyone who says Livestrong wasn't worth it because of this scandal should just shut up now. He was saving lives damn it. His cycling cheating had nothing to do with his desire to see others win the fight against cancer like he did.
Now, on to the juicier Manti Te'o stuff.
No need to recap the story you all know that Te'o either fell for an internet lady who didn't exist or conjured up a fake person to fall in love with to drum up Heisman support.
I know that you will all be shocked to read that I believe Te'o was the victim of a cruel joke that got out of hand. I believe that Te'o met this "woman" online and started some kind of strange new age internet relationship with her. Turns out this person never existed. This sort of thing happens more often then most people know.
I, however, do also believe that Te'o exaggerated this love affair for publicity's sake. I think he may have stretched the details out to make this look a little more like a conventional romance on the eyes of the media. He may have learned about the hoax earlier than he claims to have, and simply played it out for one reason or another.
I could also be completely wrong and he made her up from the start.
And even if I am, I will tell you that I really don't care. Manti Te'o was still a key part in my team making it into the BCS National Championship game. He was still a Heisman caliber linebacker. And he is still going to be a first round pick in the NFL draft.
All of this is because whether or not he made up, and subsequently killed off, an internet girlfriend, he is still a damn good linebacker. And that is all NFL teams should care about.
It is time for me to spew out my thoughts in written form to quell my desire to express my opinion. Plus, I know all you Notre Dame haters out there want to hear my thoughts on imaginary girlfriends.
But before we get to what you all will certainly call a homer's tainted view, let's begin with my thoughts on Lance Armstrong and his admittance to cheating.
What?! Lance Armstrong was doping? No freakin' way! #sarcasm. Unless you were in extreme denial, everyone already knew that the greatest cyclist in history, along with the vast majority of his competition, were using some form of performance enhancing drug. This should not have come as a surprise. He may have spent countless resources fighting for the contrary, but it was pretty clear that he was cheating when he chose to give up his battle over the summer.
Lance is still a hero in my book, as I wrote back then. And that hasn't changed with his very long interview with Oprah. He still fought and defeated cancer, he still raised millions for cancer research, and he still won seven Tours de France.
I, frankly, do not give a damn that he was on drugs the whole time. Mostly because everyone else was too. If you take Lance, and every other doped up cyclist, off the stuff he probably still wins each one of those races.
Cycling's doping cartel makes Major League Baseball look like a small time high school drug ring. Everyone is doping. So Armstrong was simply leveling the playing field.
And anyone who says Livestrong wasn't worth it because of this scandal should just shut up now. He was saving lives damn it. His cycling cheating had nothing to do with his desire to see others win the fight against cancer like he did.
Now, on to the juicier Manti Te'o stuff.
No need to recap the story you all know that Te'o either fell for an internet lady who didn't exist or conjured up a fake person to fall in love with to drum up Heisman support.
I know that you will all be shocked to read that I believe Te'o was the victim of a cruel joke that got out of hand. I believe that Te'o met this "woman" online and started some kind of strange new age internet relationship with her. Turns out this person never existed. This sort of thing happens more often then most people know.
I, however, do also believe that Te'o exaggerated this love affair for publicity's sake. I think he may have stretched the details out to make this look a little more like a conventional romance on the eyes of the media. He may have learned about the hoax earlier than he claims to have, and simply played it out for one reason or another.
I could also be completely wrong and he made her up from the start.
And even if I am, I will tell you that I really don't care. Manti Te'o was still a key part in my team making it into the BCS National Championship game. He was still a Heisman caliber linebacker. And he is still going to be a first round pick in the NFL draft.
All of this is because whether or not he made up, and subsequently killed off, an internet girlfriend, he is still a damn good linebacker. And that is all NFL teams should care about.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Sports Desk Podcast Episode 16
Greg and I get the new year started by discussing what we learned about the Lions in their disappointing 4-12 season and how we think they can recover from it. We also discuss Notre Dame's impending National Championship and the NFL Playoffs.
Sports Desk 16
Sports Desk 16
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sports Desk Solo: Black Monday
I decide to yak about the NFL's Black Monday firings for five minutes as the Bears can Lovie Smith and the Jets hang on to the buffoon known as Rex Ryan.
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