I spent Tuesday, Oct. 7 trying to figure out something meaningful to do for my birthday. Turning 22 isn’t exactly a huge milestone, but I wanted to find something significant that made this birthday stand out, something to make it more than just another day.
With no presents, lots of homework, and no time for a party, it seemed like this birthday would pass by with nothing to show for it.
Then the Portland Trail Blazers came back.
You see, they’d been gone for quite some time now. After those ill-fated attempts at a championship in 1999 and 2000, the team seemed to disappear for a while. There were reports that a gang of hooligans calling themselves the Jail Blazers had been masquerading in their place, but I dismissed these claims. They weren’t the Blazers. The Blazers had been missing since 2000.
Suddenly, in the last year and a half, there were sightings. Draft party madness. Brandon Roy carving up defense. A mastermind named Pritchard behind the helm. A 13 game winning streak. They were all glimpses, signs that the Blazers could be returning after all these years.
And then, to top it all off, the Blazers’ first 2008 preseason game was Oct. 7. My Birthday.
I didn’t want to succumb to these feelings of euphoria too quickly. I had been fooled by the Blazers before during the past eight years, so I didn’t want to put too much stock in a preseason game.
I was afraid that if I let myself believe they were back, that they would vanish like a mirage.
But it looked like fate was working on my side. This game had the long-awaited debut of Greg Oden. It had a burgeoning young Blazer team that had shocked the league with 41 wins last year. Rudy Fernandez was playing his first game in the United States. Draft day steal Jarryd Bayless was bringing his tenacity to the Rose Garden.
And to it all off, I could watch it on my birthday.
After all these years of waiting for my Blazers to come back, could this game finally convince me that they had finally returned? Could it ever live up to my expectations? Was fate destined to bring joy to this Blazer fan on his birthday?
You bet your ass.
For 3 hours, I was as estatic, as pumped up, as giddy as I have ever been as a Blazer fan. For 3 hours I was a kid again, leaping out of my seat, screaming, fist-pumping, and dancing around my apartment. Judging from my shouts, other people in my building must have thought that someone was dying.
Well someone did die: the cynical, jaded Blazer fan I once was. In his place was the full-fledged Blazermaniac that had been missing since 2000, since middle-school Blazer rallies, since English teachers ending classes with “go blazers,” since headbands and mighty mice and Lithuanian centers.
“ODEN!!!”
“OOOOHHH RUUUUUUUUUUDY!!!”
“DID YOU SEE THAT?!?!?”
“OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! HAHAHAHA!!!!”
“I LOVE THE BLAZERS!!!”
He was back. So were my Trail Blazers.
Yes, it was a preseason game. Yes, it was against the Kings.
No, I don’t care. The Blazers gave me one of the best presents I could have received on my birthday.
People may say that these preseason games don’t count for anything. Well, this preseason game brought back all those feelings of happiness I used to feel for the Blazers; it brought back my team. After all this time, the gift of the Blazers was finally returned to me, on my birthday, no less. And as a result, I could let myself believe again.
Don’t tell me that this doesn’t count for something.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
5.3% - revisited
In honor of today's NBA Draft Lottery, I'm reprinting the column I wrote after the Portland Trail Blazers won the lottery last year, after overcoming an improbable 5.3% chance of getting the number 1 pick. Today, the odds are a bit more daunting, as the Blazers, with their 41-41 overall record, have a .6% chance of landing the number 1 pick.But go back to that day a year ago, and remember that feeling when the Blazers got the top selection. Remember the optimism, the excitement, and the hope that was felt that day - the day the fortunes of a franchise changed. Hold on to that feeling today, and continue to hold on to it during the summer, and into next season. Those feelings are still here, the product of fate continuing to smile on the Blazers.
You never know, with a little luck, we may get to experience those same feelings again today. Just like last year, I'll have my Buck Williams jersey on.
__________
5.3%
I woke up this morning and I was still smiling. Could this actually be true?
Immediately I ran to the front porch, grabbed the newspaper, and had my wish confirmed: “Blazers get number 1 pick.”
What were the odds of that? By now, every Blazer fan has memorized that fateful, wonderful number: 5.3%.
Let me take you back: Before Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery, “5.3%” was nothing more that an insignificant percentage. The equivalent of finding a straw of hay in a stack of needles, and equally as painful to think about.
Before Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers were given a 5.3% chance of winning the first pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Yet, what seemed like an insignificant number would eventually bind the fates of five individuals, who had all grown up around the basketball team.
The cast of characters read as follows: there was me, the eternal Blazer optimist. So desperate for a little luck at the lottery that I wore my Buck Williams jersey while watching it on TV (my reasoning: Buck was the catalyst for Blazer success in the 1990s, so the jersey will be the catalyst for success at the lottery). There was my girlfriend, Amanda, the Portland transplant who contracted Blazer fever from me. There was my brother Justin, for so many years my foil as a basketball fan. His Lakers won, my Blazers lost. Even when the LA dynasty was blown up, he still did not care for the Blazers, yet I could see some chinks in the armor this season. There was my long-time friend Alex, who had always thought of the Blazers as a joke. He wanted them to win just as much as I did, but years of futility had jaded him towards the red-and-black. And finally there was my friend Anthony, the last of my fellow Blazer die-hards, who would always talk Blazers with me no matter how far apart life had taken us.
Our fates were sealed with the bounce of those ping-ping balls.
As the drawing started, I found myself glued to my seat and crossing my fingers. When the sixth selection came up, I started shaking my head and saying “we don’t want sixth, we don’t want sixth,” over and over, until mercifully the card was revealed and the Blazer logo was not on it.
My heart leapt for joy. Sensing that something good was happening, I remained fixated on the screen, repeating my mantra incessantly. Soon, Amanda was sitting next to me, crossing her fingers and doing the same thing.
Fifth…fourth… The Blazers still hadn’t been chosen! Third pick…Atlanta!!! We were guaranteed one of the top-two picks.
Amanda was grabbing my arm and shaking with anticipation. I was sweating bullets; never in my life had I wanted to see Seattle’s logo more than that moment.
I made a quick prayer and then waited to see what my fate would be.
“The second pick goes to…the Seatt—”
That was all I needed to hear.
Now, let me tell you what five-point-three percent really means.
5.3% is me leaping into the air, screaming at the top of my lungs, my brain
going a mile a minute thinking about success, championships, and Rip City; the smile on my face beaming to the world about the Blazers finally about to be on top again.
5.3% is Amanda doing the same thing; her love for the Blazers truly genuine at that moment. There are certain moments where you finally realize just how much a team means to someone, and to see Amanda laughing, smiling, leaping into the air with her Travis Outlaw jersey, you knew she loved the Blazers.
5.3% is me sending an immediate text message to all my friends that read “RIP CITY!!!”
5.3% is Alex calling me on the phone a few seconds later, just as crazy and hysterical as I was. Suddenly, the Blazers mattered to him again. “I was jumping up and down; I was just freaking out,” he said to me through gasps of air. “Everyone else thought I was crazy, but I knew you would be doing the exact same thing as me right now.”
5.3% is Justin calling me moments later, his first words being “Can you say Greg Oden?” We found ourselves giddy as a couple of little kids again, talking about how great Oden will be, how we can trade Zach Randolph, and best of all, how big of a dynasty we will have in the future with Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Brandon Roy leading the Blazers. But the words Justin said that will forever stick with me was “The Blazers just gained another fan.”
5.3% is Anthony and the vindication he can finally feel. For years he supported the Blazers no matter what, the only other die-hard fan I know. We used to always say that the two of us would be the announcers when the Blazers won it all, but the prospect of a championship always seemed like a far-off dream. Now, he and I have already started making plans to get NBA finals tickets for 2008.
To the five of us, 5.3% will forever tie us together, as we will head towards the future of the Blazers with excitement, optimism, and, for the first time in a long time, hope.
——————————
Lately I’ve found myself totally engrossed in the subject of the Trail Blazer championship team from 1977. Not just the team, mind you, the aura about it. The way that they brought the city together like no other team has before or since. Portland lived and breathed its team during that magical championship run. Blazermania was red hot ‘n’ rollin, and Rip City was in full effect.
As I stared for long hours at the pictures of the fans storming the court after game 6 on June 5, 1977, I kept wishing that I could have been there. As I read tales of how the entire, and I mean, THE ENTIRE CITY went absolutely bonkers after the Blazers won it all, dancing in the streets, block parties at Geneva’s, pandemonium in Portland, and as I gazed at the photos of the 250,000 Blazermaniacs who engulfed downtown Portland for the championship parade, hanging from street signs, out of windows, turning Broadway street into a literal sea of people,; after hearing about all of this, it only made me wish even more that I could be a part of that. Just once. I want that pride for the team to strike Portlanders again, and bring us together in a way we haven’t felt since 1977.
At the draft lottery on Tuesday, the Blazers took yet another large step towards making that happen.
I know that Rip City is back, because as that card was revealed and the Blazers won the top pick, five of us were suddenly united by a feeling deep inside that can only be described as Blazermania.
You tell me what the odds of that were.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
SportsCamp - April 30
- If you've ever doubted the wonderful nature of sports or the beauty of sportsmanship, you need to read this. It doesn't matter that it's small college softball. To me, this is what makes sports so special - the way it affects people on an entirely different level. Just read it, it's got my vote for sports story of the year so far, and it'll be a hard one to top.
- For Zag fans looking forward to next season, Gonzaga Bulletin reporter Zach Stratton has exclusive stuff on next year's recruits.
- As well, Tony Schick has an inside-look at next year's women's team.
- Travis Lucian wrote an excellent piece on Bulldogs second baseman Evan Wells.
- For Zag fans looking forward to next season, Gonzaga Bulletin reporter Zach Stratton has exclusive stuff on next year's recruits.
- As well, Tony Schick has an inside-look at next year's women's team.
- Travis Lucian wrote an excellent piece on Bulldogs second baseman Evan Wells.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Few's plan hits nine-year snag
What does the future hold for the Bulldogs?
The question is asked every year, after seasons good or bad, successful or tumultuous, memorable or forgettable. After a college basketball season, the question ultimately arises: What's next?
For too many years the Bulldogs have been forced to ask that question. Well, now it's time to stop asking and start finding some answers.
Mark Few, specifically, needs to find out whether he can answer that question and deliver results for a program that has grown stagnant. Actually, scratch that - stagnant implies that it's been in the same place, and the fact is, this team has actually taken a step back from where it was nine years ago.
In 1999, head coach Dan Monson guided the Zags to the Elite Eight. In the nine years since then under Few, they haven't been back.
Talk all you want about the Bulldogs' recruiting classes, national exposure or winning percentage - the reality is that while Few has built the program to prominence, it has since reached a plateau.
Every off-season the talk is about the future, and yet every year these Bulldog teams succumb to the same failures that have plagued them since 1999. There was the tearful choke job against UCLA in 2006, the blowout by Indiana in 2007, the lack of heart shown in losing the WCC crown this past March, and the blowing of an 11-point lead against Davidson in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Nevada, Texas Tech, the list goes on.
How long can we accept these kinds of disappointments?
In these past nine years, Few still hasn't shown that he can right the ship, as each new method he employs falls on its face. Few loosened the reins for Adam Morrison, which resulted in a lack of options when he was ineffective. He slowed down the pace for Derek Raivio, which resulted in over-dribbling on every possession. Just this past year, he used every trick in the book. He essentially cut players (Pierre-Marie Altidor Cespedes), benched others (Larry Gurganious, Micah Downs), and employed several different lineups with mixed results. The end result: another loss in a big game, another first-round exit, and another offseason of waiting and hoping.
At some point, you'd want to start seeing some improvement.
For too long we've allowed Monson's success in 1999 to carry over into the Mark Few regime, masking Few's inadequacies as head coach. In the nine years since taking over the Bulldogs, Few's teams have not only failed to return to the Elite Eight, they've failed to keep their spot as the best team in the conference.
If people are content with run-of-the-mill scheduling, high regular season winning percentages and zero progress, then the current incarnation of Mark Few is for you. But in truth, improvement and achievement probably hold more importance, and after nine years, it's time to deliver these things.
A month ago, while on Jim Rome's television show, Few stated that he didn't need a national title to feel complete as a coach. While this sentiment is noble as a human being, it ultimately makes him fail as a head coach. To achieve success, a coach needs to seek and demand the best from both his team and himself. You don't need to win a championship to be a success, but you'll never be a success if you don't work for it every day.
Nine years after getting the job, Few needs to decide if he is ready to turn the corner with this program. The future depends on his ability to step up and make changes for the better.
What does the future hold for the Bulldogs? For Mark Few, the answer is clear: Shape up, or ship out.
The question is asked every year, after seasons good or bad, successful or tumultuous, memorable or forgettable. After a college basketball season, the question ultimately arises: What's next?
For too many years the Bulldogs have been forced to ask that question. Well, now it's time to stop asking and start finding some answers.
Mark Few, specifically, needs to find out whether he can answer that question and deliver results for a program that has grown stagnant. Actually, scratch that - stagnant implies that it's been in the same place, and the fact is, this team has actually taken a step back from where it was nine years ago.
In 1999, head coach Dan Monson guided the Zags to the Elite Eight. In the nine years since then under Few, they haven't been back.
Talk all you want about the Bulldogs' recruiting classes, national exposure or winning percentage - the reality is that while Few has built the program to prominence, it has since reached a plateau.
Every off-season the talk is about the future, and yet every year these Bulldog teams succumb to the same failures that have plagued them since 1999. There was the tearful choke job against UCLA in 2006, the blowout by Indiana in 2007, the lack of heart shown in losing the WCC crown this past March, and the blowing of an 11-point lead against Davidson in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Nevada, Texas Tech, the list goes on.
How long can we accept these kinds of disappointments?
In these past nine years, Few still hasn't shown that he can right the ship, as each new method he employs falls on its face. Few loosened the reins for Adam Morrison, which resulted in a lack of options when he was ineffective. He slowed down the pace for Derek Raivio, which resulted in over-dribbling on every possession. Just this past year, he used every trick in the book. He essentially cut players (Pierre-Marie Altidor Cespedes), benched others (Larry Gurganious, Micah Downs), and employed several different lineups with mixed results. The end result: another loss in a big game, another first-round exit, and another offseason of waiting and hoping.
At some point, you'd want to start seeing some improvement.
For too long we've allowed Monson's success in 1999 to carry over into the Mark Few regime, masking Few's inadequacies as head coach. In the nine years since taking over the Bulldogs, Few's teams have not only failed to return to the Elite Eight, they've failed to keep their spot as the best team in the conference.
If people are content with run-of-the-mill scheduling, high regular season winning percentages and zero progress, then the current incarnation of Mark Few is for you. But in truth, improvement and achievement probably hold more importance, and after nine years, it's time to deliver these things.
A month ago, while on Jim Rome's television show, Few stated that he didn't need a national title to feel complete as a coach. While this sentiment is noble as a human being, it ultimately makes him fail as a head coach. To achieve success, a coach needs to seek and demand the best from both his team and himself. You don't need to win a championship to be a success, but you'll never be a success if you don't work for it every day.
Nine years after getting the job, Few needs to decide if he is ready to turn the corner with this program. The future depends on his ability to step up and make changes for the better.
What does the future hold for the Bulldogs? For Mark Few, the answer is clear: Shape up, or ship out.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
With his decision, Pargo grows up
No amount of begging, pleading or reasoning can ever sway the decisions of a man who has made up his mind. That's been exactly the case with Jeremy Pargo during these past few days.
Through his actions, decisions and attitudes surrounding his decision to enter the NBA Draft, Pargo suddenly grew up before our eyes, from a talkative, headstrong kid to a full-grown man.
Gonzaga should be proud of him, and proud of who he has turned into during his three years here.
Pargo made no hoopla surrounding his decision to test the NBA Draft waters. He didn't stage an elaborate press conference or attempt to hype up this monumental decision. Instead, we saw the matured Jeremy Pargo, who quietly made his decision to friends, politely answered the media's inquiries about the rumor and quickly went to work to handle his business.
In his decision to professionally play a kid's game, he acted like a man.
A kid is rarely equipped with the maturity to handle a decision like this. A kid would believe every yes-man and every hanger-on who baited him with false promises and delusions of success. A kid would buy into his own hype, overestimate his skills and ultimately fail in his quest to go pro.
But a grown man, one who has developed a level head and maturity, wouldn't. Pargo is showcasing those qualities right now, during one of the most important periods of his life. He didn't have to think this over, he didn't have to weigh his options while many others were voicing their own opinions, but it is the fact that he did that is important.
After a season in which he won WCC Player of the Year, Pargo could have easily decided to turn pro and never look back. But a mature person knows his abilities better than anyone else, and Pargo is using his knowledge to help himself even more. By not hiring an agent, he can still opt to withdraw his name from the draft if he senses that his draft position would be lower than he thought. He's not putting all his chips on the table unless he's dealt a good hand. Now, if he realizes that he may need another year to develop, he can return to Gonzaga for his senior season.
Sure, he could come back, but I suspect Gonzaga would be even more proud for him to go pro and succeed. A return by Pargo to the Bulldogs would no doubt help the basketball team, but with the level-headedness that Pargo has demonstrated, it is evident that this is also a man who is ready to succeed in the real world. Gonzaga would be proud to cheer him on as he carries himself to the next level.
His ability to make it in the NBA game remains to be seen, but it looks like he has the attitude it takes to thrive, and sometimes that's just as important as basketball ability. He's not buying into his own hype, he knows his limitations, he knows what's at stake, and through it all he is showing a level of maturity far beyond that of a normal 21-year-old.
You have to root for a guy like that.
The Jeremy Pargo we've seen on the court is one of youthful enthusiasm. He was the kid who was always talking, playing, having fun. But when the time came for him to make decisions regarding his life as an adult, something happened in him:
Jeremy Pargo manned up.
Through his actions, decisions and attitudes surrounding his decision to enter the NBA Draft, Pargo suddenly grew up before our eyes, from a talkative, headstrong kid to a full-grown man.
Gonzaga should be proud of him, and proud of who he has turned into during his three years here.
Pargo made no hoopla surrounding his decision to test the NBA Draft waters. He didn't stage an elaborate press conference or attempt to hype up this monumental decision. Instead, we saw the matured Jeremy Pargo, who quietly made his decision to friends, politely answered the media's inquiries about the rumor and quickly went to work to handle his business.
In his decision to professionally play a kid's game, he acted like a man.
A kid is rarely equipped with the maturity to handle a decision like this. A kid would believe every yes-man and every hanger-on who baited him with false promises and delusions of success. A kid would buy into his own hype, overestimate his skills and ultimately fail in his quest to go pro.
But a grown man, one who has developed a level head and maturity, wouldn't. Pargo is showcasing those qualities right now, during one of the most important periods of his life. He didn't have to think this over, he didn't have to weigh his options while many others were voicing their own opinions, but it is the fact that he did that is important.
After a season in which he won WCC Player of the Year, Pargo could have easily decided to turn pro and never look back. But a mature person knows his abilities better than anyone else, and Pargo is using his knowledge to help himself even more. By not hiring an agent, he can still opt to withdraw his name from the draft if he senses that his draft position would be lower than he thought. He's not putting all his chips on the table unless he's dealt a good hand. Now, if he realizes that he may need another year to develop, he can return to Gonzaga for his senior season.
Sure, he could come back, but I suspect Gonzaga would be even more proud for him to go pro and succeed. A return by Pargo to the Bulldogs would no doubt help the basketball team, but with the level-headedness that Pargo has demonstrated, it is evident that this is also a man who is ready to succeed in the real world. Gonzaga would be proud to cheer him on as he carries himself to the next level.
His ability to make it in the NBA game remains to be seen, but it looks like he has the attitude it takes to thrive, and sometimes that's just as important as basketball ability. He's not buying into his own hype, he knows his limitations, he knows what's at stake, and through it all he is showing a level of maturity far beyond that of a normal 21-year-old.
You have to root for a guy like that.
The Jeremy Pargo we've seen on the court is one of youthful enthusiasm. He was the kid who was always talking, playing, having fun. But when the time came for him to make decisions regarding his life as an adult, something happened in him:
Jeremy Pargo manned up.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
BREAKING NEWS --- Gonzaga's Pargo declares for NBA Draft
As first reported at GonzagaBulletin.com, Gonzaga junior point guard Jeremy Pargo has declared for the NBA Draft. Pargo will not hire an agent, however, in case he decided to return for his senior season.
For the full story as first reported by Bulletin Sports Editor Tony Schick, click here.
For the full story as first reported by Bulletin Sports Editor Tony Schick, click here.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The NBA's sleight of hand
Welcoming viewers to his Sunday NBA broadcast, ABC announcer Mike Breen proclaimed "this is one of the best seasons in NBA history."
Who wouldn't agree with that statement? The NBA and each of its 15 teams are having an amazing year, thanks to the groundbreaking decision to finally ditch the flawed concept that was the Eastern Conference.
Oh, it had a good run. Those Celtic teams in the 60s sure were powerful, and that Jordan kid made the Bulls exciting to watch, but other than that, the conference had run its course. After the decade of struggles to open the new millennium, it was finally time to take it off life support.
For the past several years, the now-defunct Eastern Conference served as nothing more than practice fodder for the vastly superior teams in the West. In the decade after Jordan retired (the second time) the West won eight championships as the Eastern Conference spiraled out of control, with franchises being managed into the ground and conference standings looking uglier than Sam Cassell. Things got so bad, the Hornets even switched conferences.
Michael Ray Richardson was right. "The ship be sinking."
Thankfully, though, the Eastern Conference is no more, and as a result we've been treated to "one of the best seasons in NBA history."
What's that? The East is still around? Ooh ... this is awkward.
OK, fine. So the Eastern Conference is still here, and the NBA has been doing everything in its power to hide this fact. For as good as the West has been this year (nine teams with more than 45 wins), the East has been equally as dismal, with the Indiana Pacers still in the playoff hunt despite being 33-44.
This is not something to be proud of, and the NBA marketing scheme has reflected that, treating the West like it's their golden child and the East like the disowned son. The East is the Ishmael to the West's Isaac.
"Have you met my son, The Western Conference? He has 10 teams .500 or better! In fact, he's so good, a team with more than 45 wins actually won't make the playoffs! Oh, and this is the Eastern Conference, my other son."
Of course, the Celtics are having a phenomenal year, but that success is backfiring by showing just how piss-poor the rest of the conference is. Therefore, ashamed, the NBA shifts the focus away from the East.
There are plenty of reasons to be ashamed, too, not the least of which is the fact that franchises like New York, Chicago and Miami have a combined 166 losses this season. Forget East Coast bias, this is some East Coast B.S.
With this continual conference mediocrity, it's a wonder that the NBA doesn't actually take steps to remove the thing altogether (actually, maybe they're trying: They did let Isaiah Thomas run the Knicks). Instead, the league is doing the next best thing: Closing its eyes and pretending it isn't there. The NBA thinks that by pushing all the focus on the unprecedented dominance of the Western Conference, we won't be able to witness the ongoing degradation of the other half of the league. Sure, East teams' attendance is in the tank, the quality of the Eastern Conference teams is rocketing toward rock-bottom and teams with pathetic records are being allowed into the playoffs every year, but just don't look at it and maybe it will go away. Hey! Have you seen the West? It's fan-tastic!
The wool is being pulled over the eyes of NBA fans, and until something can be done to fix it, every year we will continue to be treated to "one of the best seasons in NBA history."
Pay no attention to the little conference behind the curtain.
Who wouldn't agree with that statement? The NBA and each of its 15 teams are having an amazing year, thanks to the groundbreaking decision to finally ditch the flawed concept that was the Eastern Conference.
Oh, it had a good run. Those Celtic teams in the 60s sure were powerful, and that Jordan kid made the Bulls exciting to watch, but other than that, the conference had run its course. After the decade of struggles to open the new millennium, it was finally time to take it off life support.
For the past several years, the now-defunct Eastern Conference served as nothing more than practice fodder for the vastly superior teams in the West. In the decade after Jordan retired (the second time) the West won eight championships as the Eastern Conference spiraled out of control, with franchises being managed into the ground and conference standings looking uglier than Sam Cassell. Things got so bad, the Hornets even switched conferences.
Michael Ray Richardson was right. "The ship be sinking."
Thankfully, though, the Eastern Conference is no more, and as a result we've been treated to "one of the best seasons in NBA history."
What's that? The East is still around? Ooh ... this is awkward.
OK, fine. So the Eastern Conference is still here, and the NBA has been doing everything in its power to hide this fact. For as good as the West has been this year (nine teams with more than 45 wins), the East has been equally as dismal, with the Indiana Pacers still in the playoff hunt despite being 33-44.
This is not something to be proud of, and the NBA marketing scheme has reflected that, treating the West like it's their golden child and the East like the disowned son. The East is the Ishmael to the West's Isaac.
"Have you met my son, The Western Conference? He has 10 teams .500 or better! In fact, he's so good, a team with more than 45 wins actually won't make the playoffs! Oh, and this is the Eastern Conference, my other son."
Of course, the Celtics are having a phenomenal year, but that success is backfiring by showing just how piss-poor the rest of the conference is. Therefore, ashamed, the NBA shifts the focus away from the East.
There are plenty of reasons to be ashamed, too, not the least of which is the fact that franchises like New York, Chicago and Miami have a combined 166 losses this season. Forget East Coast bias, this is some East Coast B.S.
With this continual conference mediocrity, it's a wonder that the NBA doesn't actually take steps to remove the thing altogether (actually, maybe they're trying: They did let Isaiah Thomas run the Knicks). Instead, the league is doing the next best thing: Closing its eyes and pretending it isn't there. The NBA thinks that by pushing all the focus on the unprecedented dominance of the Western Conference, we won't be able to witness the ongoing degradation of the other half of the league. Sure, East teams' attendance is in the tank, the quality of the Eastern Conference teams is rocketing toward rock-bottom and teams with pathetic records are being allowed into the playoffs every year, but just don't look at it and maybe it will go away. Hey! Have you seen the West? It's fan-tastic!
The wool is being pulled over the eyes of NBA fans, and until something can be done to fix it, every year we will continue to be treated to "one of the best seasons in NBA history."
Pay no attention to the little conference behind the curtain.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
In search of a GURU
It seemed like a simple assignment. I would go out, find a sport that I've never played before, and attempt to survive through an organized game.
After deciding that I didn't want to take a beating from lacrosse or experience the early morning hours of rowing, I finally settled on Ultimate Frisbee. What little experience I had with the sport came from my days in middle-school P.E., but the game seemed simple enough that I figured I could fake my way though it. What could possibly go wrong?
Gonzaga Ultimate (or simply GURU) team captain Ryan Van Hook was more than willing to let me participate in one of their practices, and so despite freezing temperatures I went out to Mulligan Field one night to join the team.
At first, all I got were encouraging signs. Even after I told Van Hook that I had barely played before, he told me that most of the players on the team had never played competitively before college.
Well that makes me feel better, I thought. Maybe I won't do so bad after all.
And then I got hold of a disc.
Keep in mind, I go months at a time without touching one, let alone perfecting my tosses. My first few attempts at a pass during warm-ups ended up being wobbly tosses that barely skidded above the ground. Van Hook tried to show me the technique of a forehand toss, but that ended up being even worse, as my throws went out of my hand at awkward angles and never came close to reaching my partner. I soon went back to my fifth-grade, wobbly form.
I tried to play it off and finally fired off some decent looking tosses, just in time for warm-ups to end. I caught up with my friend and third-year team member Spencer Magnussen, attempting to get a realistic gauge on my skills.
"Honestly, I don't think you'll do that well," he said. "You don't know any of the plays, and I really don't know how in shape you are."
In shape? How intense is this going to be?
Before I knew it, I was in the middle of a box drill, running and cutting from corner to corner while attempting to catch passes. Players and discs were flying at me from all sides, and I went from trying to do well to trying to stay alive. After several missed cuts and near-collisions, I was out of breath.
"That was rough," I said to Magnussen.
"Well that was the easy drill," he replied.
Normally, I would have been completely embarrassed by my performance at that point, had it not been for the welcoming group of guys on this team. Every time I seemed to screw up, someone offered to explain the drills to me, and I was met with shouts of encouragement whenever it was my turn. Most of the team thought I was a new guy looking to join, and it seemed like they all wanted me to do well.
After about an hour, I finally decided to not let them waste their entire practice teaching me the basics, and opted to sit out for the first few plays of the scrimmage. Not only did it allow my dizziness to subside, but I was able to see just how intricately and intensely this team played. They were a machine: Cutting, passing and catching as if to a rhythm. They had the game down to a science, and nothing was overlooked.
Whereas my original perception of Ultimate was just a lot of running around and throwing a disc, the team showed how strategic and calculated the game can be.
Still, I thought that I could hold my own for a few plays, and finally went into the game. I thought that I would just guard a few people, maybe catch a pass or two. It would be fine.
Moments later, I was back on the sideline, as a tornado of a game left me disoriented and my ego a bit bruised. Not only did I not comprehend the offense - I often found my teammates telling me to get back in formation - but physically I couldn't keep up with the pace of the game. With no discernible Ultimate skills and no traction thanks to my basketball shoes, I couldn't get open, I couldn't stay with opponents in a breakaway, and I couldn't defend against cuts that would make a running back jealous.
I had finally had enough, and decided to officially retire from my brief Ultimate career. To play at this level was not for the inexperienced.
Surprisingly, I was invited back, which was a miracle in and of itself, but that just shows the character of a team that simply wants to have fun playing their game at a high level.
It was painfully obvious - I was wrong about Ultimate, and I would never have known about just how overwhelming the game really is, had a GURU not shown me the way.
After deciding that I didn't want to take a beating from lacrosse or experience the early morning hours of rowing, I finally settled on Ultimate Frisbee. What little experience I had with the sport came from my days in middle-school P.E., but the game seemed simple enough that I figured I could fake my way though it. What could possibly go wrong?
Gonzaga Ultimate (or simply GURU) team captain Ryan Van Hook was more than willing to let me participate in one of their practices, and so despite freezing temperatures I went out to Mulligan Field one night to join the team.
At first, all I got were encouraging signs. Even after I told Van Hook that I had barely played before, he told me that most of the players on the team had never played competitively before college.
Well that makes me feel better, I thought. Maybe I won't do so bad after all.
And then I got hold of a disc.
Keep in mind, I go months at a time without touching one, let alone perfecting my tosses. My first few attempts at a pass during warm-ups ended up being wobbly tosses that barely skidded above the ground. Van Hook tried to show me the technique of a forehand toss, but that ended up being even worse, as my throws went out of my hand at awkward angles and never came close to reaching my partner. I soon went back to my fifth-grade, wobbly form.
I tried to play it off and finally fired off some decent looking tosses, just in time for warm-ups to end. I caught up with my friend and third-year team member Spencer Magnussen, attempting to get a realistic gauge on my skills.
"Honestly, I don't think you'll do that well," he said. "You don't know any of the plays, and I really don't know how in shape you are."
In shape? How intense is this going to be?
Before I knew it, I was in the middle of a box drill, running and cutting from corner to corner while attempting to catch passes. Players and discs were flying at me from all sides, and I went from trying to do well to trying to stay alive. After several missed cuts and near-collisions, I was out of breath.
"That was rough," I said to Magnussen.
"Well that was the easy drill," he replied.
Normally, I would have been completely embarrassed by my performance at that point, had it not been for the welcoming group of guys on this team. Every time I seemed to screw up, someone offered to explain the drills to me, and I was met with shouts of encouragement whenever it was my turn. Most of the team thought I was a new guy looking to join, and it seemed like they all wanted me to do well.
After about an hour, I finally decided to not let them waste their entire practice teaching me the basics, and opted to sit out for the first few plays of the scrimmage. Not only did it allow my dizziness to subside, but I was able to see just how intricately and intensely this team played. They were a machine: Cutting, passing and catching as if to a rhythm. They had the game down to a science, and nothing was overlooked.
Whereas my original perception of Ultimate was just a lot of running around and throwing a disc, the team showed how strategic and calculated the game can be.
Still, I thought that I could hold my own for a few plays, and finally went into the game. I thought that I would just guard a few people, maybe catch a pass or two. It would be fine.
Moments later, I was back on the sideline, as a tornado of a game left me disoriented and my ego a bit bruised. Not only did I not comprehend the offense - I often found my teammates telling me to get back in formation - but physically I couldn't keep up with the pace of the game. With no discernible Ultimate skills and no traction thanks to my basketball shoes, I couldn't get open, I couldn't stay with opponents in a breakaway, and I couldn't defend against cuts that would make a running back jealous.
I had finally had enough, and decided to officially retire from my brief Ultimate career. To play at this level was not for the inexperienced.
Surprisingly, I was invited back, which was a miracle in and of itself, but that just shows the character of a team that simply wants to have fun playing their game at a high level.
It was painfully obvious - I was wrong about Ultimate, and I would never have known about just how overwhelming the game really is, had a GURU not shown me the way.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Zags, Toreros control their own destinies
As the final buzzer sounded on the WCC Tournament Championship nearly two weeks ago, the fortunes of two teams were dramatically altered.
Now, both teams will be fighting to change or secure their reputations as they step onto the biggest stage possible - the NCAA Tournament.
One team finds itself in a familiar place but unfamiliar territory as the tournament opens, with their high hopes marred season-long by inconsistencies, and now must prove to themselves that they have not fallen down the Division-I ladder. The other team is in the midst of a storybook season - no one expected them to be so good so soon.
Over the next few weeks, or possibly only days, we will witness the beginning of the next chapter for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the San Diego Toreros.
For the first time in recent memory, the entire scope of the WCC is changing, a fact made more evident thanks to that championship game.
With the Toreros' sudden arrival and the Bulldogs' sudden unpredictability, for the first time in years things are looking interesting, as the last meeting between the two has changed the outlook and ambitions for both teams.
For San Diego, everything from here on out this season is just icing on the cake. First-year head coach Bill Grier came into this season simply looking to lay the groundwork for a young team. By the end of the year, they were conference champions, upsetting the Zags after the former Bulldogs assistant molded this Toreros team like he helped to mold Gonzaga, from doormats to darlings.
For Gonzaga, everything from here on out this season is about restoring their standing. Mark Few came into this season with one of his deepest and most talented squads ever, and fans had high expectations about what this group could accomplish. By the end of the year, it was impossible to know which Bulldog team would show up to the game: the one that had looked so impressive in road wins against Connecticut and St. Joeseph's, or the unsure, tentative group that gave away wins against Oklahoma and Washington State. The Bulldogs still went 7-6 against 10 eventual NCAA Tournament teams, but never showed consistency, and were outplayed and outmatched in the WCC final by San Diego.
For San Diego, their tournament matchup is a can't-lose. If they pull off the more and more possible upset of Connecticut, it's gravy. If they lose, they can build on their experience for the future.
For Gonzaga, their tournament matchup is a must-win. They have the ability to decide which way their season will be defined - by inconsistencies and lapses, or by proving that the talent they have on paper can translate to the court. While Davidson is no pushover, a Zags loss will be the ultimate blow to a team that has struggled to establish itself.
For San Diego, the future has arrived early.
For Gonzaga, all eyes are on the here and now.
Two teams with several different possible destinies, and both now on the brink of determining their fates thanks to the outcome of one game.
The next few games could determine whether that game meant nothing, or everything, whether the WCC will stay as it has been for 10 years, or if a new era has arrived.
As the new chapters for these two teams begin, what will appear on those pages will be what the Zags and the Toreros each allow to be written during this NCAA Tournament. Only one thing is certain: no matter the outcome, it will sure be an interesting read.
Now, both teams will be fighting to change or secure their reputations as they step onto the biggest stage possible - the NCAA Tournament.
One team finds itself in a familiar place but unfamiliar territory as the tournament opens, with their high hopes marred season-long by inconsistencies, and now must prove to themselves that they have not fallen down the Division-I ladder. The other team is in the midst of a storybook season - no one expected them to be so good so soon.
Over the next few weeks, or possibly only days, we will witness the beginning of the next chapter for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the San Diego Toreros.
For the first time in recent memory, the entire scope of the WCC is changing, a fact made more evident thanks to that championship game.
With the Toreros' sudden arrival and the Bulldogs' sudden unpredictability, for the first time in years things are looking interesting, as the last meeting between the two has changed the outlook and ambitions for both teams.
For San Diego, everything from here on out this season is just icing on the cake. First-year head coach Bill Grier came into this season simply looking to lay the groundwork for a young team. By the end of the year, they were conference champions, upsetting the Zags after the former Bulldogs assistant molded this Toreros team like he helped to mold Gonzaga, from doormats to darlings.
For Gonzaga, everything from here on out this season is about restoring their standing. Mark Few came into this season with one of his deepest and most talented squads ever, and fans had high expectations about what this group could accomplish. By the end of the year, it was impossible to know which Bulldog team would show up to the game: the one that had looked so impressive in road wins against Connecticut and St. Joeseph's, or the unsure, tentative group that gave away wins against Oklahoma and Washington State. The Bulldogs still went 7-6 against 10 eventual NCAA Tournament teams, but never showed consistency, and were outplayed and outmatched in the WCC final by San Diego.
For San Diego, their tournament matchup is a can't-lose. If they pull off the more and more possible upset of Connecticut, it's gravy. If they lose, they can build on their experience for the future.
For Gonzaga, their tournament matchup is a must-win. They have the ability to decide which way their season will be defined - by inconsistencies and lapses, or by proving that the talent they have on paper can translate to the court. While Davidson is no pushover, a Zags loss will be the ultimate blow to a team that has struggled to establish itself.
For San Diego, the future has arrived early.
For Gonzaga, all eyes are on the here and now.
Two teams with several different possible destinies, and both now on the brink of determining their fates thanks to the outcome of one game.
The next few games could determine whether that game meant nothing, or everything, whether the WCC will stay as it has been for 10 years, or if a new era has arrived.
As the new chapters for these two teams begin, what will appear on those pages will be what the Zags and the Toreros each allow to be written during this NCAA Tournament. Only one thing is certain: no matter the outcome, it will sure be an interesting read.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Bulldogs' season needs more than hope
As the real show begins, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are banking on hope.
They're hoping that their sudden resurgence is the real thing, a sign of how good this team can be.
They're hoping that Saint Mary's isn't as good as advertised, and that the Zags' loss to the Gaels was simply a fluke.
They're hoping that Bill Grier's San Diego Toreros can't keep up their inspired play as of late, including their near-win against the Bulldogs on Feb. 18.
They're hoping that finally, after a long, perplexing season, they have figured out how to put all the pieces together and become the team they have the potential to be.
In short, they're hoping for the best.
But now, as the Bulldogs enter the WCC Tournament, the Bulldogs need to find a way to continue to utilize the fire they've shown for the past month. This is no longer a time for hope. It's a time for action, a time for playmaking, a time for good, smart basketball.
In other words, it's time to put up or shut up.
It certainly wouldn't be surprising to see the Bulldogs dominate the tournament, as the past several weeks have shown that the Bulldogs have the talent to turn it on and overpower their WCC rivals, but the question is whether this rejuvenation has started to emerge soon enough. A few months ago, this Bulldogs team was getting plenty of wins against weak competition (Northern Colorado? UC Riverside? What, was Texas Pan-American not available?) but seemingly falter against top-tier teams. Even the win against UConn came at a time when the Huskies were struggling to establish themselves.
For a time, the frustrations started to add up, as did the excuses. Josh Heytvelt and Steven Gray have been out with injuries. The losses came against teams that were obviously better. We've played hard in all the games. As if those were supposed to justify being held to 47 points on 25 percent shooting against Washington State, or being upset by Oklahoma after leading most of the game, or losing to a Texas Tech team that currently sits in the cellar of the Big 12.
And then suddenly, this new, revitalized Bulldogs team emerged in conference play. Aside from a lone loss to St. Mary's, the Zags have been nearly untouchable, dominating games they were supposed to win and grinding out the close ones when things looked bad. They have had the look of a veteran team, the type that knows how to win games and the type that wreaks havoc in the NCAA Tournament.
Suddenly every shot got bigger, every pass got crisper and every win built this team up more and more.
But it's not over yet, as this team has positioned itself to do more than just have a good conference record. WCC glory isn't going to happen by accident, it's going to take a lot of work for this team, especially with issues that have perplexed fans all season. Why has Josh Heytvelt continued to struggle until lately? When will the rotation be set? Who will emerge as our main guy? Now is the time to be accountable for rectifying these issues. Something needs to happen if the Bulldogs hope to continue their impressive stretch run.
We've seen what this Bulldog team can do. Pepperdine and LMU are still nursing their wounds from the beating the Zags gave them, and Memphis was nearly caught off guard by the Bulldogs' intensity. But they need to continue to play at that level.
Regardless of this tournament's outcome, there's no doubt that the Zags will make the NCAA Tournament, as their RPI and strength of schedule have made sure of that. But the team's success once there hinges on its ability to consistently show how good it can be. With enough focus, the Bulldogs can prolong this re-emergence and show they still deserve to be at the top of an improved WCC.
They hope.
They're hoping that their sudden resurgence is the real thing, a sign of how good this team can be.
They're hoping that Saint Mary's isn't as good as advertised, and that the Zags' loss to the Gaels was simply a fluke.
They're hoping that Bill Grier's San Diego Toreros can't keep up their inspired play as of late, including their near-win against the Bulldogs on Feb. 18.
They're hoping that finally, after a long, perplexing season, they have figured out how to put all the pieces together and become the team they have the potential to be.
In short, they're hoping for the best.
But now, as the Bulldogs enter the WCC Tournament, the Bulldogs need to find a way to continue to utilize the fire they've shown for the past month. This is no longer a time for hope. It's a time for action, a time for playmaking, a time for good, smart basketball.
In other words, it's time to put up or shut up.
It certainly wouldn't be surprising to see the Bulldogs dominate the tournament, as the past several weeks have shown that the Bulldogs have the talent to turn it on and overpower their WCC rivals, but the question is whether this rejuvenation has started to emerge soon enough. A few months ago, this Bulldogs team was getting plenty of wins against weak competition (Northern Colorado? UC Riverside? What, was Texas Pan-American not available?) but seemingly falter against top-tier teams. Even the win against UConn came at a time when the Huskies were struggling to establish themselves.
For a time, the frustrations started to add up, as did the excuses. Josh Heytvelt and Steven Gray have been out with injuries. The losses came against teams that were obviously better. We've played hard in all the games. As if those were supposed to justify being held to 47 points on 25 percent shooting against Washington State, or being upset by Oklahoma after leading most of the game, or losing to a Texas Tech team that currently sits in the cellar of the Big 12.
And then suddenly, this new, revitalized Bulldogs team emerged in conference play. Aside from a lone loss to St. Mary's, the Zags have been nearly untouchable, dominating games they were supposed to win and grinding out the close ones when things looked bad. They have had the look of a veteran team, the type that knows how to win games and the type that wreaks havoc in the NCAA Tournament.
Suddenly every shot got bigger, every pass got crisper and every win built this team up more and more.
But it's not over yet, as this team has positioned itself to do more than just have a good conference record. WCC glory isn't going to happen by accident, it's going to take a lot of work for this team, especially with issues that have perplexed fans all season. Why has Josh Heytvelt continued to struggle until lately? When will the rotation be set? Who will emerge as our main guy? Now is the time to be accountable for rectifying these issues. Something needs to happen if the Bulldogs hope to continue their impressive stretch run.
We've seen what this Bulldog team can do. Pepperdine and LMU are still nursing their wounds from the beating the Zags gave them, and Memphis was nearly caught off guard by the Bulldogs' intensity. But they need to continue to play at that level.
Regardless of this tournament's outcome, there's no doubt that the Zags will make the NCAA Tournament, as their RPI and strength of schedule have made sure of that. But the team's success once there hinges on its ability to consistently show how good it can be. With enough focus, the Bulldogs can prolong this re-emergence and show they still deserve to be at the top of an improved WCC.
They hope.
Friday, February 29, 2008
A time to stand together
Portlanders and fans of the Trail Blazers:I want you to close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine your team, the Trail Blazers. Think of everything you’ve ever experienced with them, the highs, the lows, everything. Think about the Blazers’ history with the city, think about the Blazers’ history with yourself. Think about how you have stuck by the team, through thick and thin, simply because they are your team – your hometown Portland Trail Blazers.
I can see those smiles starting to emerge. Good, let that love for your team show.
But don’t open your eyes just yet. Now imagine this: Imagine that all of the sudden, Paul Allen decides that the Rose Garden, being built in 1995, is too out-of-date and has too many deficiencies to house the Blazers. Imagine that he wants to build a new stadium, but instead of shelling out some of his Microsoft money, he wants the taxpayers of Portland to pick up the bill for him. Imagine cash-strapped Portland’s rejection of that absurd idea, prompting Allen to proclaim that Portland no longer supports an NBA basketball team. Imagine Allen decided to move the Blazers away from Portland to his hometown. Imagine the cries of Blazer fans, shouting the history and impact of the franchise, falling on the deaf ears of NBA Comissioner David Stern, who not only is complicit in the move, but who also says that no other team will ever return to the city of roses.
Harry Glickman … Bill Schonely … Bill Walton … Clyde Drexler … Brandon Roy …it would all be gone in the blink of an eye.
There! Let that anger and sadness flow through you. Imagine the heartache, the sorrow, the pain that you would feel as your favorite team was heartlessly ripped away from you, all thanks to rich people wanting to get richer.
Now, open your eyes. What do you see?
The Seattle SuperSonics.
All that pain you might have felt just imagining such a scenario is a terrible reality for Sonics fans, a reality where a greedy, carpetbagging owner and a corrupt NBA Commissioner are selfishly tearing the Sonics away from the city that they have supported for 41 years. Because of these two, the Sonics are on the verge of being shipped off to Oklahoma City.
But right now, it is time for all of us to do something about it. Right now it is time for Portland to stand up for Seattle and help prevent the Sonics from being taken away.
What Clay Bennett is doing is wrong. David Stern, in his failure to act, is just as responsible. But for the rest of the NBA community, from teams to owners to fans in other cities, their unwillingness to speak out against this travesty is only helping Seattle lose their team.
It’s time to make up for our past silence.
There is an unspoken connection between the Trail Blazers and the Sonics. They were both founded within three years of each other. They both won their only championships within two years of the other. They both had near misses in the 90s, followed by trying years of rebuilding. And to cap it all off, they’re the only two NBA teams in the Northwest, forever connecting them through their location, one that, to the rest of the country, must seem like the edge of the world.
Sure, there is rivalry between the two cities, but it is more of a rivalry between siblings. We grew up together, fought with each other, and saw each others’ successes. Be honest, how many of you in Portland were secretly smiling when the Sonics squared off against the Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals? How many of you pull for Seattle when they face off against other NBA powerhouses? Face it, these two franchises are more connected than anyone knows, and deep down, we know it and cherish that fact.
Therefore, as the brothers to Seattle, we cannot sit back and allow this to happen. We can’t let Clay Bennett and his greed rip this team away from a fanbase so similar to ours. Standing as one, Portland needs to fight it.
Geographical differences be damned, it’s the right thing to do.
This is a fight that Seattle cannot make alone. By themselves, they cannot stand up to the voracity and evil that Bennett and his accomplice Stern have levied upon them. But with Seattle and Portland working together, we can make a difference. Together, we can show that this is about more than just an arena, or a franchise, or a petty business. Together, we can show that the Sonics mean something, not just to the city of Seattle, but to the Northwest. The Northwest needs the Sonics, Seattle needs the Sonics, and quite frankly, Portland needs the Sonics. No amount of small sibling rivalry is worth standing by and letting our brother be torn away.
If the Sonics were stolen away, the Northwest would certainly be a lonely place without them.
The time to act, the time to come together, is now. The longer that we remain silent, we condemn the Sonics more and more.
Portland must show its support for a team that must remain as the Seattle SuperSonics. Speak out against this proposed theft. Write letters to Bennett, to Stern, to the media, to anyone that will listen. If it comes down to it, we will have people in Shawn Kemp and Clyde Drexler jerseys link arms and stand in front of those moving trucks.
This isn’t just Seattle’s problem anymore.
Portland, imagine if this happened to us, wouldn’t you want to fight for it? If it all seemed lost, and it seemed like you were helpless to stop it, wouldn’t you want someone, anyone, to speak up and stand beside you? If the commissioner of the NBA won’t to anything to stop this tragedy from occurring, then let’s have two cities stand together. There, in one voice, we can stand strong and say:
“Save our Sonics.”
Seattle, Portland stands with you.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wrigley name worth more than money
I had a dream the other night, a nightmare actually. I was in Chicago, about to see a Cubs game for the first time. After years of following them from afar, I was finally about to see them in person, and where better to experience your first baseball game than in the bleachers of historic Wrigley Field?
But upon approaching the entrance at 1060 West Addison, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Gone was the familiar red sign welcoming fans to the ballpark. Gone was the mystique of entering these hallowed grounds. Gone was Wrigley.
In its place hung a plain white banner, with the words "FedEx Field."
Terrified out of my wits, I immediately woke up. Once I gathered my thoughts and realized it was only a dream, I quickly settled back to sleep. What a crazy dream, I thought. Thank God they would never rename something so historic.
You could imagine, then, my reaction the next morning when I learned that Cubs' management is planning to sell the naming rights of the stadium that has housed the Cubs since 1914.
Regardless how I felt about my sudden gift of clairvoyance, that would have to wait. My main focus was now on the unfathomable idea that this celebrated ballpark is about to have its soul mortgaged in the name of a few bucks.
Because that is exactly what Sam Zell is doing right now. The boss of the Tribune Co., which owns the Cubs, is currently planning to sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field. Zell is doing it knowing full well that baseball purists are against it, saying that when he bought the Tribune Co., he didn't get a discount on the naming rights of Wrigley Field.
When it comes down to it, Zell is throwing a financial hissy fit, taking the game ball home and ruining it for the rest of the kids. If he - God forbid - had to pay full price for the name of Wrigley Field, then he's going to make sure that no one else can use it again. Ever.
Admit it, Zell, you were the kid that was always picked last at baseball, weren't you?
This is exactly what happened when people who never liked sports end up owning sports teams. To them, it is strictly a business venture. These teams are simply a way to make more money. What makes sports so special to those who follow it means nothing to these owners whose eyes are blinded by the prospect of more money. While fans may be spending their Sundays praying to Touchdown Jesus, these types of owners are attending service at the Church of Divine Profit.
For these owners, our sports teams are simply a means to grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
But to the fans, sports means so much more than that. Teams and their histories represent something larger to the fans. To many, they represent the soul of a franchise, a city and a fanbase. As a result, the home of that team becomes a sacred place. This is where it happened, fans tell their children. This is the home of our team. The stadium is special to them, because no other one is like it.
But a soulless arena leaves nothing for those fans to remember or to take pride in. A kid will always treasure the memory of his first visit to Fenway Park, but no one looks back fondly on a visit to EnergySolutions Arena. There are seven different American Airlines Centers, but there is only one Yankee Stadium.
And there is only one Wrigley Field.
It is a cliché to say that there are some things that transcend sports, but one that proves to be true in this case. Wrigley Field is more than just a name on the side of a building. It is an idea. It is an institution. It is the heart of a town, and a sport. By selling the name of Wrigley Field, Zell would be doing more than just changing a red sign on the front of the stadium, he would be forever condemning those who love baseball to a lifetime of bad dreams.
But upon approaching the entrance at 1060 West Addison, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Gone was the familiar red sign welcoming fans to the ballpark. Gone was the mystique of entering these hallowed grounds. Gone was Wrigley.
In its place hung a plain white banner, with the words "FedEx Field."
Terrified out of my wits, I immediately woke up. Once I gathered my thoughts and realized it was only a dream, I quickly settled back to sleep. What a crazy dream, I thought. Thank God they would never rename something so historic.
You could imagine, then, my reaction the next morning when I learned that Cubs' management is planning to sell the naming rights of the stadium that has housed the Cubs since 1914.
Regardless how I felt about my sudden gift of clairvoyance, that would have to wait. My main focus was now on the unfathomable idea that this celebrated ballpark is about to have its soul mortgaged in the name of a few bucks.
Because that is exactly what Sam Zell is doing right now. The boss of the Tribune Co., which owns the Cubs, is currently planning to sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field. Zell is doing it knowing full well that baseball purists are against it, saying that when he bought the Tribune Co., he didn't get a discount on the naming rights of Wrigley Field.
When it comes down to it, Zell is throwing a financial hissy fit, taking the game ball home and ruining it for the rest of the kids. If he - God forbid - had to pay full price for the name of Wrigley Field, then he's going to make sure that no one else can use it again. Ever.
Admit it, Zell, you were the kid that was always picked last at baseball, weren't you?
This is exactly what happened when people who never liked sports end up owning sports teams. To them, it is strictly a business venture. These teams are simply a way to make more money. What makes sports so special to those who follow it means nothing to these owners whose eyes are blinded by the prospect of more money. While fans may be spending their Sundays praying to Touchdown Jesus, these types of owners are attending service at the Church of Divine Profit.
For these owners, our sports teams are simply a means to grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
But to the fans, sports means so much more than that. Teams and their histories represent something larger to the fans. To many, they represent the soul of a franchise, a city and a fanbase. As a result, the home of that team becomes a sacred place. This is where it happened, fans tell their children. This is the home of our team. The stadium is special to them, because no other one is like it.
But a soulless arena leaves nothing for those fans to remember or to take pride in. A kid will always treasure the memory of his first visit to Fenway Park, but no one looks back fondly on a visit to EnergySolutions Arena. There are seven different American Airlines Centers, but there is only one Yankee Stadium.
And there is only one Wrigley Field.
It is a cliché to say that there are some things that transcend sports, but one that proves to be true in this case. Wrigley Field is more than just a name on the side of a building. It is an idea. It is an institution. It is the heart of a town, and a sport. By selling the name of Wrigley Field, Zell would be doing more than just changing a red sign on the front of the stadium, he would be forever condemning those who love baseball to a lifetime of bad dreams.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
If they don't win it's a shame
It certainly was a season to remember last year. The Bulldogs finally came home to Gonzaga, thanks to a beautiful new ballpark, and enjoyed a nice season in front of their fans after a long stay at Avista Stadium.
There were ups and downs, but the overall record paled in comparison to what being home meant to the program. In the end, they just missed out on an NCAA tournament bid, but that was no matter, as their small measure of success was just icing on the cake with all the emotion of their homecoming.
But now the honeymoon is over. It's time to get down to business.
All eyes are on this Bulldogs team and its ability to build on last year's surprise success. Honestly, it would have helped to have a worse record last year, because then all the focus would have been on their new stadium without a second thought to what the team can do on the field. But the Zags' talent was too big to ignore, and as a result of their achievements, the question for this season isn't whether the Bulldogs will be successful, but just how successful they will be.
Based on their performance last season, we know this team has what it takes. This was a Bulldogs team that beat Oregon State in a year in which the Beavers would go on to win their second of back-to-back national championships. This was a Bulldogs team that went on a 12-3 stretch to break open their season in March. This was a Bulldogs team that finished a surprising second in the WCC. In short flashes of brilliance, we saw a team that could compete with the big boys.
With those key wins, they exposed themselves as the winners they are, and now the fans want even more.
The road will be a little harder this season. With Clayton Mortensen on the verge of joining the St. Louis Cardinals roster, and with Darin Holcomb taking his power-hitting to the Colorado Rockies farm system, the Bulldogs look weaker than last year on paper, and have been picked by WCC coaches to finish fifth in the conference. But again, the events of last season only fuel the optimism for this season - the Zags were picked to finish fifth last year, too.
However, the team needs to want to thrive, and success needs to be demanded and expected by those involved in the program. Sure, it was nice playing on campus again rather than the remote, isolated locale of Avista Stadium, but it's time to let go of that frame of mind and focus on what this team can accomplish now.
The temptation for many would be to stick with low expectations - then there would be no risk of disappointment. Effortlessly we could sit there and not let the record of the team affect us; then regardless of whether the team wins or loses or whether they can overcome the loss of a few key players, we could just, as they say, take in a nice game of baseball.
But wouldn't it be more fun to expect this team to win?
Wouldn't that experience of being at a Gonzaga baseball game be so much better if we were emotionally invested in this talented team? Living and dying in every at-bat, hoping and expecting their success to continue - this team has the talent and ability to make these things happen.
This is an exciting year for Bulldogs baseball. With what this team is capable of doing on the field, success seems within its grasp, and now there will be plenty of real reasons for fans to "root, root, root for the home team."
There were ups and downs, but the overall record paled in comparison to what being home meant to the program. In the end, they just missed out on an NCAA tournament bid, but that was no matter, as their small measure of success was just icing on the cake with all the emotion of their homecoming.
But now the honeymoon is over. It's time to get down to business.
All eyes are on this Bulldogs team and its ability to build on last year's surprise success. Honestly, it would have helped to have a worse record last year, because then all the focus would have been on their new stadium without a second thought to what the team can do on the field. But the Zags' talent was too big to ignore, and as a result of their achievements, the question for this season isn't whether the Bulldogs will be successful, but just how successful they will be.
Based on their performance last season, we know this team has what it takes. This was a Bulldogs team that beat Oregon State in a year in which the Beavers would go on to win their second of back-to-back national championships. This was a Bulldogs team that went on a 12-3 stretch to break open their season in March. This was a Bulldogs team that finished a surprising second in the WCC. In short flashes of brilliance, we saw a team that could compete with the big boys.
With those key wins, they exposed themselves as the winners they are, and now the fans want even more.
The road will be a little harder this season. With Clayton Mortensen on the verge of joining the St. Louis Cardinals roster, and with Darin Holcomb taking his power-hitting to the Colorado Rockies farm system, the Bulldogs look weaker than last year on paper, and have been picked by WCC coaches to finish fifth in the conference. But again, the events of last season only fuel the optimism for this season - the Zags were picked to finish fifth last year, too.
However, the team needs to want to thrive, and success needs to be demanded and expected by those involved in the program. Sure, it was nice playing on campus again rather than the remote, isolated locale of Avista Stadium, but it's time to let go of that frame of mind and focus on what this team can accomplish now.
The temptation for many would be to stick with low expectations - then there would be no risk of disappointment. Effortlessly we could sit there and not let the record of the team affect us; then regardless of whether the team wins or loses or whether they can overcome the loss of a few key players, we could just, as they say, take in a nice game of baseball.
But wouldn't it be more fun to expect this team to win?
Wouldn't that experience of being at a Gonzaga baseball game be so much better if we were emotionally invested in this talented team? Living and dying in every at-bat, hoping and expecting their success to continue - this team has the talent and ability to make these things happen.
This is an exciting year for Bulldogs baseball. With what this team is capable of doing on the field, success seems within its grasp, and now there will be plenty of real reasons for fans to "root, root, root for the home team."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Nothing junior about Sasquatch basketball
Excitement. Talent. Top-notch entertainment. Community college basketball.
Doesn't really add up, does it?
felt the same way. When I was first assigned to cover the Community Colleges of Spokane basketball team, I reacted with as much enthusiasm as someone forced to watch a children's junior-league team: Yeah, it's basketball, but what's the point?
Nevertheless, I headed out to the campus at Spokane Community College, undoubtedly doing a job my boss promised as a favor to someone at the school. Upon finding myself at a gym whose exterior can only be described as looking like a giant air conditioner, I longed for the comforts and amenities of the McCarthey Athletic Center.
What am I doing here? Couldn't there possibly be something more important to cover? I can't believe I was roped into doing something as menial as ... as ...
Whoa.
These guys can ball.
For the next 40 minutes, I was glued to the action on the court as the Sasquatch put on a dominating performance for their home crowd. There was sharpshooting from the perimeter, crisp passing, lock-down defense and alley-oops. There was smart play, team basketball and enthusiastic fans. In all, there was a 100-57 win, and some of the best basketball I've seen in a long time.
Of course, it's not like this performance came out of nowhere. The Sasquatch (not "Sasquatches," I made that mistake in my first five seconds there) are currently at the top of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges at 23-1, and are a perfect 10-0 in their division. The last time these guys lost was Dec. 7, and in all, only one of their wins came by fewer than 10 points.
They are a junior college team, yet they are playing to packed houses. This isn't just a passing fad; there is genuine love for this team.
And man, do the fans love it. Keep in mind, the team actually represents two schools: SCC and Spokane Falls Community College, which means that they have double the fan base. The fans show up in droves for Sasquatch games, getting free "We Will Stomp You" T-shirts and even heckling the opposing team. If success breeds support, these fans are living proof.
It helps to have a good coach at the helm. Mike Burns, in his first season with the Sasquatch, learned the ropes under coaches Ray Giacoletti and Dick Bennett while an assistant at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. After a stint as head coach of EWU for three years, he brought his Division I mentality to the junior college level. No difference there, though, as his players bought into his system and continue to excel no matter how hard he pushes.
It's too easy to look at this community college basketball team and think of all the reasons why it shouldn't matter. You could see Burns' job as a huge demotion from D-I. You could see a league relatively unknown in its own region. You could see teams composed of 18-year-olds and not care. You could see that tiny, cramped gym and dismiss this team altogether.
Or you could choose to see a coach who is relishing his new role as a leader. You could see the intensity and passion with which the Sasquatch play. You could see young men wanting to be worked like Divison-I players in order to dominate their opponents. You could see players and fans truly taking pride in their team. A team doesn't have to be D-I to matter to themselves and their fans, they just need to have a true love for the game of basketball. The Sasquatch matter.
They may just be a junior college, but their devotion to the game can equal even the biggest schools. The talent may be smaller, but their heart is unmatched.
Doesn't really add up, does it?
felt the same way. When I was first assigned to cover the Community Colleges of Spokane basketball team, I reacted with as much enthusiasm as someone forced to watch a children's junior-league team: Yeah, it's basketball, but what's the point?
Nevertheless, I headed out to the campus at Spokane Community College, undoubtedly doing a job my boss promised as a favor to someone at the school. Upon finding myself at a gym whose exterior can only be described as looking like a giant air conditioner, I longed for the comforts and amenities of the McCarthey Athletic Center.
What am I doing here? Couldn't there possibly be something more important to cover? I can't believe I was roped into doing something as menial as ... as ...
Whoa.
These guys can ball.
For the next 40 minutes, I was glued to the action on the court as the Sasquatch put on a dominating performance for their home crowd. There was sharpshooting from the perimeter, crisp passing, lock-down defense and alley-oops. There was smart play, team basketball and enthusiastic fans. In all, there was a 100-57 win, and some of the best basketball I've seen in a long time.
Of course, it's not like this performance came out of nowhere. The Sasquatch (not "Sasquatches," I made that mistake in my first five seconds there) are currently at the top of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges at 23-1, and are a perfect 10-0 in their division. The last time these guys lost was Dec. 7, and in all, only one of their wins came by fewer than 10 points.
They are a junior college team, yet they are playing to packed houses. This isn't just a passing fad; there is genuine love for this team.
And man, do the fans love it. Keep in mind, the team actually represents two schools: SCC and Spokane Falls Community College, which means that they have double the fan base. The fans show up in droves for Sasquatch games, getting free "We Will Stomp You" T-shirts and even heckling the opposing team. If success breeds support, these fans are living proof.
It helps to have a good coach at the helm. Mike Burns, in his first season with the Sasquatch, learned the ropes under coaches Ray Giacoletti and Dick Bennett while an assistant at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. After a stint as head coach of EWU for three years, he brought his Division I mentality to the junior college level. No difference there, though, as his players bought into his system and continue to excel no matter how hard he pushes.
It's too easy to look at this community college basketball team and think of all the reasons why it shouldn't matter. You could see Burns' job as a huge demotion from D-I. You could see a league relatively unknown in its own region. You could see teams composed of 18-year-olds and not care. You could see that tiny, cramped gym and dismiss this team altogether.
Or you could choose to see a coach who is relishing his new role as a leader. You could see the intensity and passion with which the Sasquatch play. You could see young men wanting to be worked like Divison-I players in order to dominate their opponents. You could see players and fans truly taking pride in their team. A team doesn't have to be D-I to matter to themselves and their fans, they just need to have a true love for the game of basketball. The Sasquatch matter.
They may just be a junior college, but their devotion to the game can equal even the biggest schools. The talent may be smaller, but their heart is unmatched.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Keeping his eyes fixed on the NFL
Big Brother is watching.
Shrouded in secrecy in the Capitol, The Party watches via television surveillance, waiting for any misstep, any false move, any reason that would compel them to become involved in the affairs of others. Everything is controlled through strict rules they implement, and activities once thought to be under the jurisdiction of individuals now are controlled by this overreaching regime.
An Orwellian vision straight out of "1984," yet all too real for Roger Goodell and the NFL.
Just when you thought that the scandal surrounding the New England Patriots' illegal use of video surveillance was over, a crankier, less terrifying version of Big Brother brought it back to life. It was a cold day in February, and the clocks were striking 00:00 on the Super Bowl, but Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and his Senate Judiciary Committee decided that we weren't done with the Patriots just yet.
Specter awoke from his hibernation, found the story of Spygate that had flown under his radar since it was resolved in September and promptly had The Party interfere. He commanded to speak with NFL Commissioner Goodell regarding the destruction of the illegal tapes seized from the Patriots and threatening the league's antitrust exemption. In so many words, he implied that it was all part of a conspiracy to help New England.
"I became interested in this when I read about the tapes being taken," Specter told ESPN. "And I wondered if they applied to the Eagles' Super Bowl game in 2005. I'm concerned for the integrity of the game."
Pure Doublespeak. He talks of trying to clean up Spygate's mess and maintaining the game's integrity, while also creating more controversy with false implications and unwarranted investigations.
The Pats are on the fix! The NFL is helping them! My hometown Eagles (umm ... possibly) were cheated!
And here's the funny part about it all. Senator, how did Spygate come to your attention in the first place? ... what's that? You said the NFL already brought these infractions to light and punished the Patriots for it? Then there really isn't any need to rehash this mess. Unless Goodell is an evil mastermind of the highest order - or at least of James Bond proportions - it doesn't make sense for him to rat out the partner in a conspiracy while still trying to hide the rest.
In a football season chock-full of stories being blown out of proportion, from Jessica Simpson's relationship with Tony Romo, to Tom Brady's ankle, to Archie Manning's vicariously living through his sons, this clearly tops them all as the most overblown. It's one thing when TMZ runs out of normal Jessica Simpson stories and starts reporting on Tony Romo, or vice versa with ESPN, but when the U.S. Senate, the country's highest legislative body and a pillar of government, decides that one of our nation's top priorities is wiping the smirk off Bill Belichick, then it appears Specter and his Thought Police have gone a step too far.
I agree that when corruption and cheating become exceedingly rampant, sometimes the government needs to step in and clean house. Major League Baseball has already seen that throughout the investigations of the steroid era. When the MLB and the players' union refused to act, the Senate intervened and is forcing, albeit slowly, the league to implement changes to the system. The Senate saw a flawed system and widespread steroid use - something that had been affecting the game of baseball for God knows how many years - and decided to help the game before it was beyond saving.
This situation with the NFL, however, stinks of selfish motives and unnecessary involvement. The NFL already handled it. Don't attempt to be false knights in shining armor coming to save the NFL from the corruption that doesn't exist, simply to look heroic to an impressionable public.
In "1984," the masses loved Big Brother, too.
Shrouded in secrecy in the Capitol, The Party watches via television surveillance, waiting for any misstep, any false move, any reason that would compel them to become involved in the affairs of others. Everything is controlled through strict rules they implement, and activities once thought to be under the jurisdiction of individuals now are controlled by this overreaching regime.
An Orwellian vision straight out of "1984," yet all too real for Roger Goodell and the NFL.
Just when you thought that the scandal surrounding the New England Patriots' illegal use of video surveillance was over, a crankier, less terrifying version of Big Brother brought it back to life. It was a cold day in February, and the clocks were striking 00:00 on the Super Bowl, but Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and his Senate Judiciary Committee decided that we weren't done with the Patriots just yet.
Specter awoke from his hibernation, found the story of Spygate that had flown under his radar since it was resolved in September and promptly had The Party interfere. He commanded to speak with NFL Commissioner Goodell regarding the destruction of the illegal tapes seized from the Patriots and threatening the league's antitrust exemption. In so many words, he implied that it was all part of a conspiracy to help New England.
"I became interested in this when I read about the tapes being taken," Specter told ESPN. "And I wondered if they applied to the Eagles' Super Bowl game in 2005. I'm concerned for the integrity of the game."
Pure Doublespeak. He talks of trying to clean up Spygate's mess and maintaining the game's integrity, while also creating more controversy with false implications and unwarranted investigations.
The Pats are on the fix! The NFL is helping them! My hometown Eagles (umm ... possibly) were cheated!
And here's the funny part about it all. Senator, how did Spygate come to your attention in the first place? ... what's that? You said the NFL already brought these infractions to light and punished the Patriots for it? Then there really isn't any need to rehash this mess. Unless Goodell is an evil mastermind of the highest order - or at least of James Bond proportions - it doesn't make sense for him to rat out the partner in a conspiracy while still trying to hide the rest.
In a football season chock-full of stories being blown out of proportion, from Jessica Simpson's relationship with Tony Romo, to Tom Brady's ankle, to Archie Manning's vicariously living through his sons, this clearly tops them all as the most overblown. It's one thing when TMZ runs out of normal Jessica Simpson stories and starts reporting on Tony Romo, or vice versa with ESPN, but when the U.S. Senate, the country's highest legislative body and a pillar of government, decides that one of our nation's top priorities is wiping the smirk off Bill Belichick, then it appears Specter and his Thought Police have gone a step too far.
I agree that when corruption and cheating become exceedingly rampant, sometimes the government needs to step in and clean house. Major League Baseball has already seen that throughout the investigations of the steroid era. When the MLB and the players' union refused to act, the Senate intervened and is forcing, albeit slowly, the league to implement changes to the system. The Senate saw a flawed system and widespread steroid use - something that had been affecting the game of baseball for God knows how many years - and decided to help the game before it was beyond saving.
This situation with the NFL, however, stinks of selfish motives and unnecessary involvement. The NFL already handled it. Don't attempt to be false knights in shining armor coming to save the NFL from the corruption that doesn't exist, simply to look heroic to an impressionable public.
In "1984," the masses loved Big Brother, too.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
SportsCamp - February 5
- As lucky the Blazers were during their monumental last month-and-a-half, it seems as if they have been getting unlucky breaks in their last 12 games or so. The team is still playing hard, as evidenced by their forcing of multiple overtimes and - for stretches - playing at top tier level, but then someone makes a stupid mistake (see: missed free throws, turnovers), or they suffer a defensive lapse (see: Linus Kleiza layups), or a star opponent gets hot and takes the wind out of the Blazers' sails (see: LeBron James).It would be tempting for many, including Blazer fans, to write off the team as finally hitting their wall. But I say unto thee: don't feel any dissappointment yet. This is a Blazer team that was predicted to be just as bad, or possibly worse, than they were last season. With Zach Randolph traded away, Greg Oden being injured, and an extremely young roster, no one thought much of the Blazers' chances this season.
Then, Travis Outlaw started hitting game-winners.
Then, Martell Webster scored 24 points in a quarter.
Then, James Jones became the second coming of Steve Kerr.
And of course, Brandon Roy became a superstar before our very eyes.
Don't dismiss a season of success based on a short stretch of less-than-perfect play. Winning may have spoiled Blazer fans, but rather than seeing a dropoff as a dissappointment, see the fact that there was something to drop off from as a reason to smile.
- Kevin O'Brien has all your NBA links.
- The Gonzaga Bulldogs lost to Saint Mary's last night. Kudos to the Gaels for absolutely shooting the lights out and outplaying the Zags for the entire 40 minutes.
In my mind, this begs the question: if the Gaels end up winning the WCC tournament (don't doubt it, there's a storong possibility), will the Zags still make it to the NCAA tournament?
If the Zags run the table for the rest of conference play (and assuming they beat Saint Mary's again) that will give them one win against ranked opponents. Their notable wins would be against UConn, Georgia, and Utah. Is this enough to make the tournament?
Probably. Although I'd like to hear from you, my readers. Email me your thoughts and the bets ones will be put in next week's SportsCamp.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Kane's injury shows Bulldogs' heart
As Rachel Kane lay in pain on the McCarthey Center floor, her coach made a long walk from the bench to Kane at midcourt.
Kelly Graves knelt beside Kane, holding her hand tightly and whispering reassuring words to her, while his senior point guard clutched her knee, grimacing in pain.
Finally, as Kane was carried off the floor of the silent arena, Graves headed back to the bench. The reality of the moment finally catching up with him, he took a deep breath and hung his head in sadness, collecting himself. Trying to turn his attention back to the game, he yelled out a "Let's go white!" but the look in his eyes and the sound of his voice was evidence that his heart still wasn't back into it. Graves had seen this kind of injury happen to Kane before.
Later, it was confirmed: For the third time in her tenure at Gonzaga, Kane tore her ACL. The same injury that cost Kane her freshman and junior seasons had reared its head once more.
Her senior season, and her career at Gonzaga, was over.
The first reaction would undoubtedly be anger. After all, how in the world is it fair for this to happen to Kane, a team leader, hard worker and proven veteran? After working so hard to come back from this injury twice, how is it fair that fate decided to pull a Tonya Harding on her one good knee and end her senior season in the midst of the Bulldogs dominating the WCC? Quite frankly, it isn't fair, and it isn't right.
But, in another show of what makes this women's basketball program so special, the team is finding opportunity from the ashes of disappointment.
Graves has always praised Kane's basketball knowledge, and while she no longer can take advantage of that knowledge on the court, now she will be using it on Gonzaga's bench, helping Graves as a de facto assistant coach.
"With Rachel being out, I actually think she can help us even more, because she can sit here and watch," Graves said. "Rachel's a very smart player. I think she can sit on the sidelines and really help coach, unlike we can, because Rachel's been so close to the game herself."
Kane's influence has been felt by everyone on the team, no one more so than freshman point guard Courtney Vandersloot, with whom Kane embraced the role of mentor. Upon Kane's taking the freshman under her wing, Vandersloot has emerged as a top-notch point guard and her pairing with the reliable Kane on the court only utilized her talents more. Now, Kane will be able to guide the young guard even more as Vandersloot's own personal coach, and who better to pick for the job than someone whom Vandersloot credits all her improvement to.
Kane may not be directing the offense, but she is still a member of the team.
That shows how important Graves' program considers everyone involved. Rather than move on after the injury and push Kane to the background, they are embracing her, allowing her to still be an important part of a team that owes a lot of their success to Kane's efforts.
This is more than just a basketball team. Sure, it is still a business, and the pressure to win is ever-present, but this doesn't fully steer the mindsets of those involved in the program. To see how truly this team and its coaches care about one another is something you don't see as often or as openly elsewhere.
Rachel Kane may have blown out her knee and collapsed to the floor during that fateful play, but from the way her teammates and coaches have banded together for her, it looks like Kane - and her knee - will have all the support they will ever need.
Kelly Graves knelt beside Kane, holding her hand tightly and whispering reassuring words to her, while his senior point guard clutched her knee, grimacing in pain.
Finally, as Kane was carried off the floor of the silent arena, Graves headed back to the bench. The reality of the moment finally catching up with him, he took a deep breath and hung his head in sadness, collecting himself. Trying to turn his attention back to the game, he yelled out a "Let's go white!" but the look in his eyes and the sound of his voice was evidence that his heart still wasn't back into it. Graves had seen this kind of injury happen to Kane before.
Later, it was confirmed: For the third time in her tenure at Gonzaga, Kane tore her ACL. The same injury that cost Kane her freshman and junior seasons had reared its head once more.
Her senior season, and her career at Gonzaga, was over.
The first reaction would undoubtedly be anger. After all, how in the world is it fair for this to happen to Kane, a team leader, hard worker and proven veteran? After working so hard to come back from this injury twice, how is it fair that fate decided to pull a Tonya Harding on her one good knee and end her senior season in the midst of the Bulldogs dominating the WCC? Quite frankly, it isn't fair, and it isn't right.
But, in another show of what makes this women's basketball program so special, the team is finding opportunity from the ashes of disappointment.
Graves has always praised Kane's basketball knowledge, and while she no longer can take advantage of that knowledge on the court, now she will be using it on Gonzaga's bench, helping Graves as a de facto assistant coach.
"With Rachel being out, I actually think she can help us even more, because she can sit here and watch," Graves said. "Rachel's a very smart player. I think she can sit on the sidelines and really help coach, unlike we can, because Rachel's been so close to the game herself."
Kane's influence has been felt by everyone on the team, no one more so than freshman point guard Courtney Vandersloot, with whom Kane embraced the role of mentor. Upon Kane's taking the freshman under her wing, Vandersloot has emerged as a top-notch point guard and her pairing with the reliable Kane on the court only utilized her talents more. Now, Kane will be able to guide the young guard even more as Vandersloot's own personal coach, and who better to pick for the job than someone whom Vandersloot credits all her improvement to.
Kane may not be directing the offense, but she is still a member of the team.
That shows how important Graves' program considers everyone involved. Rather than move on after the injury and push Kane to the background, they are embracing her, allowing her to still be an important part of a team that owes a lot of their success to Kane's efforts.
This is more than just a basketball team. Sure, it is still a business, and the pressure to win is ever-present, but this doesn't fully steer the mindsets of those involved in the program. To see how truly this team and its coaches care about one another is something you don't see as often or as openly elsewhere.
Rachel Kane may have blown out her knee and collapsed to the floor during that fateful play, but from the way her teammates and coaches have banded together for her, it looks like Kane - and her knee - will have all the support they will ever need.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
As history shows, Zags excel when doubted
I have to be honest. For the past several weeks, part of me has wanted to write off this season's Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Following the stunning defeat by Texas Tech, the gut-punching loss to Washington State and the upset by Oklahoma worthy of a double-take on that evening's SportsCenter, I was convinced that this team wasn't going anywhere. Their wins came against sub-par competition, they lost all their biggest games this season, and overall didn't have the look of a team ready to go anywhere this year.
Yet, every time I sat down and attempted to finally do it - to finally write off this season and thereby exorcise these negative perceptions and emotions - my fingers clenched together, my hands froze up and I found myself staring stone-faced at a blinking cursor on a blank screen.
I couldn't do it.
It baffled me. Why couldn't I write off this team? Then the reason became clear. More than just an epiphany or divine inspiration, the reason was so blatantly obvious I almost had to smack myself.
These are the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
You never write off the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
This is a program built on out-of-nowhere success. No one thought much of a group of partiers named Jeff Brown, Geoff Goss and Scott Spink, and then that group played their hearts out and led the Zags to their first WCC regular season title and a trip to the NIT.
Nobody thought a 5-foot-8-inch guard named Quentin Hall could make an impact, and then "Q" locked down University of Minnesota All-American Quincy Lewis to give the Zags a 1999 NCAA tourney first round win.
Nobody had the 1995 Zags on their radar, and then a bald-headed Australian named Jon Rillie brought the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament.
Nobody batted an eye when the Bulldogs hired a young graduate assistant coach from Oregon in 1990, and now Mark Few has a .802 career winning percentage.
And sure, as of a few weeks ago this year's team may not have looked like contenders on the outside, but then again, neither did the 1999 Zags and they were minutes away from going to the Final Four. It doesn't matter what the Bulldogs may look like on the surface; as history shows, inside they have the hearts of winners.
Fueled by my ignorance and my disregard for the history of Gonzaga basketball, I was wrong about this year's team and its chances.
The fire that the Bulldogs have shown in the past three weeks is already conjuring up memories of those past teams. Few has coached this team back to an elite level, with his current lineups and offensive schemes totally dismantling the Bulldogs' WCC opponents. David Pendergaft has already broken his record for dives and floor burns fighting to help his team. Jeremy Pargo has let his resolve as a leader shine through, willing himself to lead his team despite an ailing back.
In short, these Bulldogs knew their backs were against the wall and they have stepped up and shown their ability to overcome.
The last time the Bulldogs lost was Dec. 29, and now, as they make their annual tear through conference play, I'm hoping - and expecting - that this team proves my original thoughts wrong. You can see it coming together: their swagger, their confidence, their efficiency. It won't be long now to see yet another Bulldog team prove its strength and snatch success amid the clouds of false doubt.
After all, that's what the Bulldogs do.
Following the stunning defeat by Texas Tech, the gut-punching loss to Washington State and the upset by Oklahoma worthy of a double-take on that evening's SportsCenter, I was convinced that this team wasn't going anywhere. Their wins came against sub-par competition, they lost all their biggest games this season, and overall didn't have the look of a team ready to go anywhere this year.
Yet, every time I sat down and attempted to finally do it - to finally write off this season and thereby exorcise these negative perceptions and emotions - my fingers clenched together, my hands froze up and I found myself staring stone-faced at a blinking cursor on a blank screen.
I couldn't do it.
It baffled me. Why couldn't I write off this team? Then the reason became clear. More than just an epiphany or divine inspiration, the reason was so blatantly obvious I almost had to smack myself.
These are the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
You never write off the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
This is a program built on out-of-nowhere success. No one thought much of a group of partiers named Jeff Brown, Geoff Goss and Scott Spink, and then that group played their hearts out and led the Zags to their first WCC regular season title and a trip to the NIT.
Nobody thought a 5-foot-8-inch guard named Quentin Hall could make an impact, and then "Q" locked down University of Minnesota All-American Quincy Lewis to give the Zags a 1999 NCAA tourney first round win.
Nobody had the 1995 Zags on their radar, and then a bald-headed Australian named Jon Rillie brought the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament.
Nobody batted an eye when the Bulldogs hired a young graduate assistant coach from Oregon in 1990, and now Mark Few has a .802 career winning percentage.
And sure, as of a few weeks ago this year's team may not have looked like contenders on the outside, but then again, neither did the 1999 Zags and they were minutes away from going to the Final Four. It doesn't matter what the Bulldogs may look like on the surface; as history shows, inside they have the hearts of winners.
Fueled by my ignorance and my disregard for the history of Gonzaga basketball, I was wrong about this year's team and its chances.
The fire that the Bulldogs have shown in the past three weeks is already conjuring up memories of those past teams. Few has coached this team back to an elite level, with his current lineups and offensive schemes totally dismantling the Bulldogs' WCC opponents. David Pendergaft has already broken his record for dives and floor burns fighting to help his team. Jeremy Pargo has let his resolve as a leader shine through, willing himself to lead his team despite an ailing back.
In short, these Bulldogs knew their backs were against the wall and they have stepped up and shown their ability to overcome.
The last time the Bulldogs lost was Dec. 29, and now, as they make their annual tear through conference play, I'm hoping - and expecting - that this team proves my original thoughts wrong. You can see it coming together: their swagger, their confidence, their efficiency. It won't be long now to see yet another Bulldog team prove its strength and snatch success amid the clouds of false doubt.
After all, that's what the Bulldogs do.
Friday, January 25, 2008
SportsCamp - January 26
The first Gonzaga Bulletin of 2008 hit newsstands yesterday, and if they had bothered to put it online when they could have, this blog would have been updated much sooner. If you happen to be in the Spokane area, be sure to pick one up; there's plenty of good stuff in the sports section this week.For those who like to follow sports from afar, I've got all your Bulletin links right here:
- Kevin O'Brien wrote a great article on former Bulldogs assistant Bill Grier coming back to Gonzaga for the first time as San Diego head coach. It's worth the read for Grier's characterization of the experience.
- Tony Schick has all your GU women's basketball updates. Thank God Heather Bowman is healthy again!
- Everything you ever wanted to know about Ray Giacoletti.
- Gonzaga Soccer is finally getting a new stadium. About damn time.
On a personal note, I just want to say I'm astounded at the number of Gonzaga writers interested in writing for the Sports section this year. Last semester we had trouble just finding people, now we have more than we ever wanted. I'm looking forward to reading all of your articles in the coming months.
Moving on...
The Bulldogs and No. 1-ranked Memphis tip off in just over 7 hours as of this posting, and I need to go to bed so I can wake up and watch it. As a fun little poll, what do you think Gonzaga student fans are going to be doing on an earlt Saturday morning: do they go easy on the drinking tonight in order to get up and watch the game? Do they brave an awful hangover to support the Zags? Or do they think Gonzaga has no shot and elects to sleep in tomorrow? In all honesty, my money's on the hangovers.
- The Spokesman's Jim Meehan has a preview for the big game tomorrow.
- Ever the diligent worker, Meehan also has a nice Q & A with Josh Heytvelt.
- One of my favorite sportswriters in the world, Bud Withers, examines the"Zag Effect" on the WCC.
- Withers also has a game preview.
That's all the news that's fit to print. I'll see you in front of the TV screen in 7 hours.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A view of a coach ... thanks to ESPN
Wow, it seems you cant’ go anywhere on the web today without running into a Gonzaga journalist’s account of being at last night’s Gonzaga-San Francisco matchup. The Old Boss Tim Bross (holy crap, a nickname!) covered the game last night for the Gonzaga Bulletin, and wrote an excellent behind-the-scenes look at a student-journalist’s experience.
However, last night I swallowed my pride for the prospect of a substantial paycheck by working for The Worldwide Leaders themselves during their telecast of ESPN Big Monday.
(Yeah, yeah, let the letters pour in. The truth, however, is this: groceries aint cheap.)
My official title was “production assistant,” but in actuality I was nothing more than a manservant for every beck and call of the producer (do I smell urine? Because I must have been a peon).
Nevertheless it was great to see the inner workings of an actual, nationwide remote broadcast, something that I hope to get into professionally myself some day. These guys were on top of the ball right from the get-go; even as I ran to get copies or bottled water for people, I was able to see how The Show works.
Every camera op knew the exact location of where their equipment needed to be. Every microphone was tested to absolute, crisp perfection. Even Terry Gannon (a very underrated play-by-play man, in my opinion) pre-recorded promos for ESPN Super Tuesday and NBA Wednesday in pitch-perfect “announcer voice.”
And this was 6 hours before tipoff!
These productions owe a lot to the level of technology they are outfitted with. They had three different channels for CG elements, meaning that they never screwed up on what was put on screen. And multiple non-linear editing systems inside the production truck allowed them to create eight packages before the game. (I’ll admit that probably sounded like gibberish to those uninitiated to broadcasting. Translation: All those promos for other shows with the Gonzaga court in the background, all the Eddie Sutton interviews, even close-up tracking shots of screaming fans, were all recorded and edited before tipoff.)
Everything was timed out so that there were no surprises. Hats off to a crew that overprepared and taught me a thing or two about the bid’ness.
But because everything gets set up hours before tipoff, there are plenty of times where you are forced to sit around and do nothing. It was during one of those times when I found myself sitting alone in the McCarthey Athletic Centre stands watching Eddie Sutton coach his team.
Several of my esteemed colleagues have already weighed in on the subject of Sutton’s arrival at USF, undoubtedly there simply to get win number-800. Old Boss Tim Bross calls the move selfish, and Kevin O’Brien thinks it’s hurting the team.
But there’s more than meets the eye regarding this Eddie Sutton story.
Prior to the game ESPN ran an interview with Sutton in which he stated the reason he came back was because he loved teaching the game to young players. At Monday’s practice, here was a man, 72 years old, going onto the court to run drills with his team. He pulled his guards aside and instructed them that getting open wasn’t a footrace, it’s a stop-and-go, opportunistic ability. He was telling his big men that the proper way to set a screen was to actually make contact, not the matador crap scene too often by big men these days. He even set a few picks himself and demonstrated how to react to the defender’s switch. He wasn’t just trying to coach them on their set plays, he was teaching them what makes those plays work.
I saw Eddie Sutton genuinely attempting to teach the Dons how to play basketball.
I also saw how little his team respected him.
The body language spoke volumes about the team’s attitude toward the coach. As they halfheartedly ran through sets, missing assignments or altogether stopping during plays, Sutton would bark at them about what they were doing wrong. The yelling yielding little results, as the mistakes piled up.
Center Hyman Taylor summed up the team’s feelings by his own practice behavior. As Sutton would yell out plays like “Hoosier,” Taylor would look around confused as the play commenced, prompting Sutton to angrily ask what the problem was.
“What’s the matter? You don’t know where you’re supposed to be?” Sutton would yell.
“I don’t know this play!” A frustrated Taylor would respond.
It seems that no matter whether Sutton’s motives for coaching the Dons are selfish or not, it certainly looked like he was leading a crew that had already abandoned ship. In their opinion, this will be a wasted year for the program, as they are forced to learn the plays and tendencies of a coach who never recruited them, and doesn’t plan to stay beyond one year.
In their view, he is using them.
Sutton said that he just wanted to teach players the game of basketball, whether that is true or not, only he knows. But no matter how badly he may want to teach, it won’t make any difference on a team that thinks it has no reason to learn.
However, last night I swallowed my pride for the prospect of a substantial paycheck by working for The Worldwide Leaders themselves during their telecast of ESPN Big Monday.
(Yeah, yeah, let the letters pour in. The truth, however, is this: groceries aint cheap.)
My official title was “production assistant,” but in actuality I was nothing more than a manservant for every beck and call of the producer (do I smell urine? Because I must have been a peon).
Nevertheless it was great to see the inner workings of an actual, nationwide remote broadcast, something that I hope to get into professionally myself some day. These guys were on top of the ball right from the get-go; even as I ran to get copies or bottled water for people, I was able to see how The Show works.
Every camera op knew the exact location of where their equipment needed to be. Every microphone was tested to absolute, crisp perfection. Even Terry Gannon (a very underrated play-by-play man, in my opinion) pre-recorded promos for ESPN Super Tuesday and NBA Wednesday in pitch-perfect “announcer voice.”
And this was 6 hours before tipoff!
These productions owe a lot to the level of technology they are outfitted with. They had three different channels for CG elements, meaning that they never screwed up on what was put on screen. And multiple non-linear editing systems inside the production truck allowed them to create eight packages before the game. (I’ll admit that probably sounded like gibberish to those uninitiated to broadcasting. Translation: All those promos for other shows with the Gonzaga court in the background, all the Eddie Sutton interviews, even close-up tracking shots of screaming fans, were all recorded and edited before tipoff.)
Everything was timed out so that there were no surprises. Hats off to a crew that overprepared and taught me a thing or two about the bid’ness.
But because everything gets set up hours before tipoff, there are plenty of times where you are forced to sit around and do nothing. It was during one of those times when I found myself sitting alone in the McCarthey Athletic Centre stands watching Eddie Sutton coach his team.
Several of my esteemed colleagues have already weighed in on the subject of Sutton’s arrival at USF, undoubtedly there simply to get win number-800. Old Boss Tim Bross calls the move selfish, and Kevin O’Brien thinks it’s hurting the team.
But there’s more than meets the eye regarding this Eddie Sutton story.
Prior to the game ESPN ran an interview with Sutton in which he stated the reason he came back was because he loved teaching the game to young players. At Monday’s practice, here was a man, 72 years old, going onto the court to run drills with his team. He pulled his guards aside and instructed them that getting open wasn’t a footrace, it’s a stop-and-go, opportunistic ability. He was telling his big men that the proper way to set a screen was to actually make contact, not the matador crap scene too often by big men these days. He even set a few picks himself and demonstrated how to react to the defender’s switch. He wasn’t just trying to coach them on their set plays, he was teaching them what makes those plays work.
I saw Eddie Sutton genuinely attempting to teach the Dons how to play basketball.
I also saw how little his team respected him.
The body language spoke volumes about the team’s attitude toward the coach. As they halfheartedly ran through sets, missing assignments or altogether stopping during plays, Sutton would bark at them about what they were doing wrong. The yelling yielding little results, as the mistakes piled up.
Center Hyman Taylor summed up the team’s feelings by his own practice behavior. As Sutton would yell out plays like “Hoosier,” Taylor would look around confused as the play commenced, prompting Sutton to angrily ask what the problem was.
“What’s the matter? You don’t know where you’re supposed to be?” Sutton would yell.
“I don’t know this play!” A frustrated Taylor would respond.
It seems that no matter whether Sutton’s motives for coaching the Dons are selfish or not, it certainly looked like he was leading a crew that had already abandoned ship. In their opinion, this will be a wasted year for the program, as they are forced to learn the plays and tendencies of a coach who never recruited them, and doesn’t plan to stay beyond one year.
In their view, he is using them.
Sutton said that he just wanted to teach players the game of basketball, whether that is true or not, only he knows. But no matter how badly he may want to teach, it won’t make any difference on a team that thinks it has no reason to learn.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rip City c/o Spokane
After feeling the bliss of Portland and its newfound love for the Blazers over winter break, coming back to Gonzaga and having to deal with being away from my team can be hard, even frustrating at times. That's why every year, I make this on my door. Feel free to click and enlarge.
Just a little something to help me keep the faith.
Rip City!
Just a little something to help me keep the faith.
Rip City!
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