The Madness approaches

With March Madness approaching, teams continue to jockey for position for a place in the 64 team tournament. College basketball embodies the spirit of sports as throughout most college sports underdogs rarely prevail, let alone merit anything more than a token mention in championship conversation. Professional sports can not even begin to fathom the true underdog status of the Oral Robertses or Cleveland States of the world.

Princeton taking defending champions UCLA in '96. George Mason becoming the lowest seed to ever advance to the Final Four. Single elimination. Winner take all. Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final 4. The only sport where Northwestern St. beating Iowa can induce a near riot in a high school hallway. The brightest stage for many, the stakes seem so high while the rewards can be a trip home or basketball immortality. The intensity of the phenomenon of March Madness surpasses that of any sporting event in the world, save perhaps the World Cup. While professional sports remain a business, the ranks of college basketball continue to be a bastion of tough competition, shocking upsets, and unabashed passion.

This year, the traditional powerhouses (UConn, UNC, Duke, Pitt) seem to have the top seeds locked up, but in reality, any team has a chance at the title. If the stars align at the perfect time, all the gaps in recruiting, school size, budget, and even talent matter not. Any team, from UConn with its All Big East center Hasheem Thabeet to tiny Cleveland State has a chance at the ultimate prize. Each year, a different squad seems to go from Cinderella to legit contender, showcasing the fairness and parity of college basketball. Once no names Drake, Davidson, and Gonzaga are now regular contenders, even appearing in Top #25 polls on a weekly basis.

And while college football apologists may point to Boise State over Oklahoma or Utah over Alabama in trumpeting the BCS bowl system, basketball remains unique in that a I-can't-believe-they-have-a-team Oral Roberts or Winthrop can put a legitmate scare into the powerhouses. While these Cinderella teams may not succeed most of the time, when they do the pure joy and adulation showered on the court remains the most emotionally charged moment in all of sports.

The true madness does not attribute itself to the simplicity and fairness of the method by which the NCAA crowns its Division I Basketball champion. It begins when a small school, with nowhere near the facilities, alumni, or talent of the top tier universities, gets one shot, one chance to take down Goliath. The Madness is when total strangers jump up and down in euphoria while watching a TV in a public place because a school they never heard of just beat a school they never really cared for. Its Gus Johnson, Verne Lindquist, and CBS sports. Its George Mason coming out of the Patriot League at the #11 seed and running all the way to the Final Four, and 2 games away from the greatest upset in sports history. Its names like Pittsnoogle, McNamara, and Curry becoming household names for a few weeks in the spring. Its the way a simple sporting event can bring together an entire nation for a month out of the year, where complete strangers rub elbows and pray that their brackets stay intact. Its the girl who had never watched basketball before enter a March Madness pool and win by picking based on "which mascot is awesomer". The OH-MY-GOD, F$#%-MY-BRACKET, and the YOU-GOT-TO-BE -KIDDING-ME looks. Most of all it gives a chance to any and all squads who rise to the occasion; whether they hail from the history rich ACC or the Big South or Atlantic 10, it never seems to matter once a bunch of 18, 19, and 20 year olds step on the court for their one chance at glory
and immortality.

Here's to picking by mascots and colors this year. Cheers.
(Mark my words, Illinois will go far this year. You heard it here first.)

Give Mike a Chance

Michael Vick is expected to be a free man by summer, and with his release from Leavenworth he faces an even stricter judge in NFL commish Roger Goodell. Vick has been linked to the Vikings and the 49ers, however any team that gives the former Pro Bowl QB a chance at resurrecting a once promising career will face public backlash from the vocal animal rights contingency.

Even after 2 years out of the NFL, Vick is still the elite NFL QB who was once the face of the Atlanta Falcons. Once armed with a 9 figure contract and with the distinction of gracing the 2004 Madden cover, Vick is now facing bankruptcy and a ruined reputation. While no one will dispute that the former Falcons QB clearly deserved to serve prison time for funding an illegal dog fighting operation, the gross hypocrisy of the NFL in handling Vick's case is laughable.

Assault. Manslaughter. Illegal weapons possession. Domestic abuse. These are but a few of the offenses littering the rosters of teams around the NFL, yet Vick has been labeled a "threat to society" and will likely be suspended again by Commissioner Goodell once he is released from his 23 month sentence. A 23 month sentence which comes out to about 2 years, almost 2/3rds the prison time former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson served for a RAPE conviction. Vick has never failed a single drug test, let alone multiple tests (see Ricky Williams), yet will likely stand on the sidelines while admitted drug users continue to play football and rake in millions. Vick has never been accused of assault, manslaughter, or anything related to physically harming another human being. Which brings to mind Pro Bowl DE Leonard Little of the St. Louis Rams. For all of you who do not know the story of Little, the then Rams rookie ran a stop light coming home after a birthday celebration. He caused a collision which killed 47 year old Susan Gutweiler. A field breath test measured Little's BAC at .19, nearly TWICE the legal limit.

Little pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, served 90 days in jail and was suspended 8 games by then commissioner Paul Tagliabue. He later returned to the Rams and developed into one of league's premier pass rushers. Simply put, when weighed against manslaughter, dog fighting charges start to seem a bit trivial.

So here's to Michael Vick, a former #1 overall pick, 3 time Pro Bowl QB, and 2005 Madden cover athlete, and his right to a fair decision from the Commish and the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDEAx9Z3Q4&feature=related
VICK highlight reel

NBA Trade Deadline Deals

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and after the dust settled most stars stayed put as deals fell through or even reversed in one case. The contenders loaded up for the stretch run and playoffs, non playoff teams unloaded, and every team was concerned about cap room.

The biggest deal at the deadline was the 3 team, 7 player trade which saw Chicago end up with former All Star C Brad Miller and G John Salmons and Sacramento with gritty forward Andre Nocioni and F Drew Gooden along with Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons. In turn the Kings sent Ruffin to Portland for F Ike Diogu and cash, which may turn out to be the most impactful component of this trade in the long run. While Ike Diogu has languished on the bench for the Trail Blazers, he is a promising young forward who was once the 9th overall pick out of the 2005 NBA draft. Diogu has been derailed by a lack of playing time and injuries for the past few seasons, but he is still only 25 years old with a 7'4 wingspan and was once drafted ahead of players like Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, Nate Robinson, and David Lee. The Bulls do obtain a two time All Star center who can pass and shoot very well along with a perimeter player who is averaging a career high 18.3 ppg. The Kings get a little more cap room, along with a few good bench players as well as Diogu, who may determine the ultimate verdict on the deal.

The Magic signed a short term replacement for the injured Jameer Nelson, trading for PG Rafer Alston while sending F Brian Cook to the Rockets. Also in the deal, Orlando sent a first round pick to Memphis while the Grizzlies then turned around and sent PG Kyle Lowry to Houston. Once again, Rafer Alston is merely a short term stop gap solution for the Magic, and the true impact of the deal may come with first round pick the Grizzlies now possess. The Rockets do not experience a large drop off between Alston and their new tandem of Aaron Brooks and Lowry at the point, and Memphis gains a little cap room as well as that potentially valuable first round pick.

The Knicks get their coveted point guard, trading for G Larry Hughes while sending F Tim Thomas and seldom used reserves C Jerome James and G Anthony Roberson to Chicago. Hughes' deal expires just in time for the 2010 off season, and the Knicks receive the veteran guard they needed, as well as unloading the salaries of Thomas and James. Meanwhile, the Bulls add another skilled big man who can shoot in Tim Thomas and ship out the large contract and disgruntled attitude of Larry Hughes.

OTHER DEALS
The Knicks also unloaded F/C Malik Allen to the OKC Thunder for F/C Chris Wilcox. Call this the dealing one overpaid, undersized big man for another, except that Wilcox can play. An Amare Stoudamire lite, don't laugh, Wilcox is only 26 years old and can score around the basket. Malik Allen on the other hand gets murdered on D, and hasn't shot over 40% since 2004-2005. Both contracts expire after this season, so its safe to agree the Thunder got HOSED on this deal.

The Bulls were the busiest team this off season, and traded young, athletic F Thabo Sefelosha to the Thunder for a first round pick in this year's draft. The pick will likely be either Denver's first round pick or the Suns' pick, both of which the Thunder own. The Thunder get another cheap, athletic wing player with great potential, while the Bulls make room for their new acquisitions while also getting a potentially trade vindicating draft pick in this year's deep draft.

The Wolves sent G Rashard McCants and C Calvin Booth to Sacramento for F Shelden Williams and G Bobby Brown. In a trade of former lottery picks, McCants and Williams, both teams benefit as Minnesota ships out the disgruntled McCants and the Kings continue to unload salary. Both teams acquire salary cap relief from the deal, and the lottery "busts" get fresh starts with increased opportunities to play and develop their potential into results on the court. McCants has proven he can score off the bench, averaging 14.9 ppg off the bench last season, while Williams, the 5th overall pick in the 2006 draft, receives a chance to make good on the vast potential he showed at Duke. With the injuries to Kevin Love and Al Jefferson, Williams will get playing time and a chance to develop into the low post scorer the Hawks envisioned when they drafted him above such illuminaries such as Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, and Randy Foye.

Vince Carter did not get moved. Nor did Shaq or Antawn Jamison or any of the other big names kicked around up to the trade deadline. With the Suns newly energized by a return to the SSOL mentality which made them the most entertaining team in the NBA the past few seasons, they refused to part with their All Star center, and while former All Stars Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Amare Stoudamire all were mentioned in potential deals, they all remained with their current squads. In these recession times, NBA teams have cut back on spending and salary relief reigned in this season's deadline deals.

Quiet Contenders

13-69. That was the Hawks' record in 2004-2005, Josh Smith's rookie season. Now? The Atlanta Hawks sit at 31-22, and are currently the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. Who would have thought this young team could be sitting amongst the Eastern Conference elite more than halfway into the season? Certainly not the "experts" who said Mike Woodson couldn't take the Hawks over the hump into perennial contenders. Mike Bibby was supposed to be "washed up" point guard who turns 31 this May, they lost their sixth man, Josh Childress, to Europe, and Joe Johnson would never be able to carry a team by himself.

Yet here we are, even with the Hawks' relative inexperience and barrage of injuries, 53 games into the season and the Atlanta Hawks are poised to enter the playoffs as a #4 seed. With 29 games left in the season, these young Hawks are poised to win the most games by an Atlanta squad since the 1997-1998 season. Not only have the Hawks surprised everyone this season, but the success figures to continue. Four of the five Atlanta starters are under 30, with the explosive Acie Law waiting in the wings behind veteran PG Mike Bibby.

Perhaps this success started when the suprising last seeded Hawks pushed the heavily favored #1 seed Boston Celtics to 7 games in the opening round of the playoffs. The fight and passion the young Atlanta players showed made an impression on many people who saw them play, and the potential of those young players has blossomed into talent. Second year center Al Horford is a skilled post player and a gaurunteed double double nightly, the athletic Marvin Williams has developed into a very skilled wing man averaging 14.7 ppg along with 5.7 boards per game, and the former high school project out of Oak Hill, Josh Smith, has blossomed into a legitamite NBA All Star when healthy.

For the first time in years, the Hawks field a talented starting 5 that can go toe to toe with nearly any team in the league, and more importantly possess a deep bench with the likes of Ronald Murray, Mario West, and Maurice Evans able to come off the bench and score. Not to mention a superstar in the making in Joe Johnson, a former Sixth Man of the Year, who represented Atlanta in this past weekend's All Star Game in Phoenix. Hawks fans have begun to respond to the basketball renaissance in Atlanta, with fans beginning to reminisce of the Dominique Wilkins days.

Suprisingly, this comeback story has remained largely under the radar outside of Atlanta, even though the Hawks have reached the playoffs just once since 1999. Many pundits continue to say that these Hawks are still too young, too injury prone, and not talented enough to truly contend with the Clevelands and Bostons let alone the giants of the Western Conference. People have insisted that the inexperience and lack of elite firepower of these Atlanta Hawks will prevent any deep playoff run, but game after game the Hawks have proved doubters wrong with gritty wins and inspiring performances. They said that the Hawks didn't have the depth to compete with the elite of the East, but these Hawks have 6 players averaging double digit points and go 10 deep most games, with 10 players cracking double digit minutes played per game. Coach Mike Woodson was ridiculed after losing 177 games his first 3 seasons on the job, but has done nothing less than a masterful job in leading these Hawks past numerous injuries and a touch schedule to a #4 seed in the competitive East.

That being said, the Hawks are still a far cry from Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston, all of whom possess All Stars(plural), experienced veterans, and numerous playoff appearances in the past decade. None of which the Hawks are in deep supply of, and come playoff time the these intangibles are often the difference between a win and a trip home. A long term injury to Joe Johnson or Mike Bibby would be devastating, as Atlanta would dearly miss their veteran leadership and All Star pedigree. And perhaps the young Hawks are not ready to battle against a championship team in a hostile venue, as evidenced by the 96-83 beatdown to the Lakers at Staples Center which was no way near as close as the score indicates.

But if last season's showing against the Celtics showed, pushing the eventual NBA champs to the brink of elimination, the Atlanta Hawks are no longer a doormat in the Eastern Conference. Far from the perennial loser of the 2000s everyone had grown to seeing, these new look, young Hawks sport a new jersey, new players, and most of all a new passion. Maybe they won't win a title this season, or next season even, but if this season has shown us anything its that this Hawks team is a force to be reckoned with. Phillips Arena has become a hostile arena opposing players hate to travel to, and GM Mike Sund is in the enviable position of looking to acquire another piece to complement his rising playoff team, rather than selling off his valuable pieces as Hawks fans have become accustomed to.

Regardless of what is said, this team is legit. A legit coach with a legit game plan. A legit point guard in Atlanta for the first time since Mookie Blalock graced a Hawks jersey. And a hell of a long way from 13 wins.

Recession Sports

Even the multi-billion dollar enterprises of professional sports have been hit hard by the recession. The NBA in particular has been hit especially hard, with many smaller market teams struggling with huge contracts and half empty arenas. While the New York Knicks and LA Lakers along with the rest of the major market teams will always continue to shell out huge contracts and pack stadiums, teams in small markets (e.g. New Orleans) must cut back and dump salary in order to stay afloat during these trying times.

The millions of fans who pack stadiums and buy jerseys and pay $30 to park and $10 a beer inside the arena are the lifeblood of the business of professional sports. Us fans who watch the games, buy the merchandise, and buy tickets to the games are the ones who keep the NBA afloat, and pay for the multi million dollar contracts of the players. For the fans who have been hit hard by the recession, a failing mortgage, devestated portfolio, or job layoffs take precedent over everything else. This has been increasingly evident with the increasingly empty stadiums around the NBA this season, with screen shots of Memphis Grizzlies games looking very much like glorified high school contests.

While the competition remains strong, and the athletes more talented than ever, the NBA's product is not the issue. It is the arrogance of the owners in continuing to escalate the contracts of their star players all the while raising ticket prices and slowly squeezing out the average fan. Teams are continuously building luury boxes, which the vast majority of ordinary fans can not begin to afford, whilst raising concession prices as well as charging for parking and making it virtually impossible for a family of 4 to attend an NBA basketball game.

Yet fan devotion remains stronger than ever. In harsh times such as these, sports remain an escape from the real world where jobs are disappearing and mortgages are failing. Even as owners raise ticket prices and fans are forced to shell out major bucks to simply go to games and enjoy a few concession items, fans love their teams and continue to support their favorite players and teams. You see, the love by fans for their teams surpasses a simple relationship between a consumer and a business. Fans love their teams with all their beings, cheering and devoting their nights to watching "their teams".

Through thick and thin us fans root and cheer even as the very teams and players we worship continue to ignore the very people who make the existence of professional possible. One cannot help but feel exploited by hometown franchises who capitalize on fans' dedication and passion in order to fuel the multi million dollar player contracts and owner's profits. How many times do you see the million dollar athletes, whose contracts are essentially paid for by the fans, thank the people who pay his salary? An owner CUT ticket prices to accomodate his customers? Any other business with the same arrogant mentality as the NBA would be long gone and buried under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and yet we as fans continue to pay the exorbitant prices and fuel the business of professional sports.

So it's time for us fans to stand up for ourselves. Forget that you yourself might not be greatly affected by the recession. When even one human is hurting in the world we are all hurting, and as fans we must make a statement to "our teams". We will always love our teams and buy our favorite player's jersey, but maybe if the arenas remain half empty and merchandise stores remain idle perhaps the interests of fans will be heard. We love our teams, why can't they love us back?

TRADE DEADLINE DEALS SO FAR
OKC Thunder send F Joe Smith and F/C Chris Wilcox to NO Hornets for Tyson Chandler

Chicago Bulls send F Andre Nocioni and F Drew Gooden to Sacramento Kings for F/C Brad Miller and G John Salmons

The Kid comes to Atlanta

Ken Griffey Jr. has opted to sign with the Atlanta Braves, spurning the Seattle Mariners. The 13 time All Star has 600 HRs and 10 Gold Gloves to his credit, and is surely a first ballot Hall of Famer when he chooses to retire. However, Griffey is coming off an off year during which he was injured for much of the year, limiting the center fielder to 18 HRs and 71 RBIs while batting only .249.

He hasn't had double digit stolen bases since 1999, his last season with Seattle, and has missed 472 games since jumping from the Mariners to Cinncinnati after the 1999 season. Nonetheless, at his best Griffey Jr. was the best player of his era, an excellent defensive center fielder and a sweet stroke which produced over 600 home runs despite the injuries which caused many to dub the superstar Captain Fragile. Although at 39 years old Griffey is no longer the defensive and offensive force he once was, he provides a credibility to a very young Braves team as well as a still very servicable left handed bat off the bench.

As demonstrated last season, Griffey still has some pop left in his bat as he hit 15 HRs with 53 RBIs in his first 100 games only to tail off sharply after being traded to the White Sox at the trade deadline. Griffey is still an above average outfielder who relies mostly on guile and baseball smarts rather than the blazing speed and athleticism he displayed in winning 10 Gold Gloves in center field. Manager Bobby Cox once described Griffey Jr. as "the best high school player I ever saw", even venturing out in 1987 as the Braves GM to simply watch the young son of a former player play even with Atlanta having no chance at grabbing the touted prospect who was the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft.

To Seattle Mariners fans, Griffey was the face of the Mariners throughout the 90s, from the eye popping catches in centerfield and long home runs, until his defection to the Reds in favor of the monster contract. To some bitter fans Griffey deserved his plague of injuries and decreased production as a result, as well as the zero postseason appearances in his tenure with the Reds. However, to many he remained a hero, simply known as "The Kid" who wore his hat backwards and flashed his trademark smile as he captivated baseball fans with his love for the game and his once in a generation skill set.

Atlanta gets a cheap left handed veteran outfielder to platoon in the outfield, but they also acquire a first ballot HOFer who plays the game with a passion and child like love for the game. Through all of the injuries and jeers from frustrated fans, Griffey Jr. continued to wear his cap backwards and flash his trademark smile. An exception to the many stars who cheated and used steroids Griffey played the game right, and inspired an entire generation to wear their caps backwards and play with a smile.

For baseball fans during the 90s, Griffey was the best player of the decade bar none and was on track to shatter Hank Aaron's home run record until the barrage of injuries hit. But looking past the many injuries and what ifs, Griffey will one day enter Cooperstown as a player who was respected for his skills and longevity and beloved for his love for the game. Many kudos to Braves GM Frank Wren for bringing in the 13 time All Star at a bargain rate, bringing in a great culbhouse leader and able left handed bat. Perhaps Griffey will recapture a bit of the magic which made him a first ballot Hall of Famer, but even if he doesn't his legacy has already been established in the hearts and minds of those who still see him as "The Kid".

Already approaching the second decade of the 2000s, the awe inspiring play of Ken Griffey Jr. must not be lost on the many generations to be jaded by the steroid era. Here's to you Ken Griffey Jr., you played the game right and loved the game just as much as we did.

R.I.P. SSOL

The Phoenix Suns under Mike D'Antoni saw a golden era in Suns franchise history. From 2004 to the Marion-O'Neal trade with Miami, these Suns lit up scoreboards, won games, and above all entertained. Shooting 3s, running fast breaks constantly, and rarely stopping to play D.

SSOL. Seven Seconds Or Less. Before 7 seconds would tick off the shot clock a shot would go up. Headlined by All Stars Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, and Shawn Marion, these run and gun Suns featured such illuminaries such as Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Leandro Barbosa. Defying conventional basketball wisdom, the Suns ran all over their opponents, repeatedly finishing near the bottom of the league in defense. While they never won a title, SSOL led the Suns within striking distance of the Finals several times.

That being said, with the Phoenix Suns looking to deal their best player under 30, Amare Stoudamire, the SSOL era has officially been fully eradicated in the Arizona desert. MVP point guard Steve Nash is well into his 30s, athletic forward Shawn Marion is long gone, and two relics from the early 90s, Shaquille O'Neal and Grant Hill, see major playing time. No more run and gun, with the offense now flowing through Shaq in the post, and an added emphasis on defense. No more fast break 3s, outlet passes for the slam dunk, or high scoring shootouts night in and night out. The Suns have been defined by this frantic pace of play, and when they trade their most talented player away it will mark the end of an era.

It was an era of entertainment and more importantly, wins. They didn't play defense, infuriating fundamentalists, but in spite of very little in the way of rebounding and D they were often amongst the Western Conference elite. But those Suns are but a distant memory, with Steve Nash soon to be the last remnant from the Seven Seconds Or Less era. The 2 time MVP never led Phoenix to a title, but to most fans it never mattered. The Suns ran their way past opponents and into the concious of NBA fans from Portland to New York. Tough defensive teams were made to look slow and foolish against the SSOL mentality, and coaches hated game planning against them. Their was only one way to beat the Suns when they were true. Slow the high octane offense down, because if a team got caught up in a shootout they would surely lose.

So farewell SSOL. You transformed a mediocre team in the desert into a national sensation, and almost beat the conventional wisdom that "defense wins championships". It didn't matter whether you loved the Suns or hated them; you tuned in when they played, no matter who they played against or where they played. It wasn't the fact they dropped triple digits night in and night out, or that they won more often than not. It was the Steve Nash no look pass into a cutting Shawn Marion. It was an alley oop from Barbosa to Stoudamire. A 3 pointer by Diaw from the parking lot on a fast break. A pointless game in January could turn into a heated contest, complete with long 3s, fast breaks, and alley oops. Everyone in the building knew the Suns game plan, yet no one could stop it on most nights, and that was the beauty of the system.

R.I.P. SSOL, you will be missed.



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