The breathless hyperbole that preceded the Nuggets' victory the other night included this gem ...
The lead announcer reminded his audience that only eight teams have rallied from 3-1 deficits to win a best-of-seven series in NBA history – and that all eight had won the fifth game of the series.
Really?
Friday, April 30, 2010
68 is better than 96
In the case of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, less is better.
The NCAA added three more teams to the tourney field yesterday. That brings the size to 68, which makes it a more elite invitation than inviting 96.
Postseason should be a reward, not a right. The NHL invites most everyone to the playoffs – same with the NBA. The NCAA kept it under control, which is good. And I'm sure they will get a lot of exposure – and more money – from the new TV package they signed with CBS (good choice) and Turner Broadcasting.
The NCAA added three more teams to the tourney field yesterday. That brings the size to 68, which makes it a more elite invitation than inviting 96.
Postseason should be a reward, not a right. The NHL invites most everyone to the playoffs – same with the NBA. The NCAA kept it under control, which is good. And I'm sure they will get a lot of exposure – and more money – from the new TV package they signed with CBS (good choice) and Turner Broadcasting.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tebow in Denver
What are your thoughts about Tim Tebow becoming a member of the Denver Broncos?
I heard one comment from someone who's not connected with the team or with the local media. He thought coach Josh McDaniels had some sort of plan in mind when he made the choice to bring Tebow to town.
Not particularly meaty, I know. But it is the month of April. And besides, that's a perfect segué for you to jump in ...
I heard one comment from someone who's not connected with the team or with the local media. He thought coach Josh McDaniels had some sort of plan in mind when he made the choice to bring Tebow to town.
Not particularly meaty, I know. But it is the month of April. And besides, that's a perfect segué for you to jump in ...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Make it Jazz in six
Denver should win the playoff game tonight. But the way that team is going, there is a snowball's chance in Ecuador that the Nuggets can win three straight.
Before the head coach, George Karl, took ill, I would have put the Nuggets and the Lakers in the second round. Now, Denver will be lucky to look respectable and wrap up the season sometime this weekend.
Thoughts?
Before the head coach, George Karl, took ill, I would have put the Nuggets and the Lakers in the second round. Now, Denver will be lucky to look respectable and wrap up the season sometime this weekend.
Thoughts?
Monday, April 26, 2010
The refs didn't play
It's one thing for the fans to blame officials when the home team loses.
It's another when the local media take up the cry. It's worse than annoying. It's old and tiring – and hasn't had any traction for 30-something years.
In case the local press forgot, the game officials don't play in any of Denver's professional sports efforts. Thus, they don't miss a shot, a free throw, turn the ball over incessantly and basically louse up the floor because of their inept/selfish play.
In last night's playoff game, the Nuggets stunk. Period. In three of the four games in their series with Utah, Denver has stunk. Period.
There are plenty of other scapegoats – bad chemistry, tuning out the substitute coach, playing street ball instead of team basketball. But none of those will ever get as much blame as the folks with the whistles.
Note to Denver media – if you're so knowledgeable about the rules of the sports you purport to cover, take the tests and become an official.
That would be too easy.
It's another when the local media take up the cry. It's worse than annoying. It's old and tiring – and hasn't had any traction for 30-something years.
In case the local press forgot, the game officials don't play in any of Denver's professional sports efforts. Thus, they don't miss a shot, a free throw, turn the ball over incessantly and basically louse up the floor because of their inept/selfish play.
In last night's playoff game, the Nuggets stunk. Period. In three of the four games in their series with Utah, Denver has stunk. Period.
There are plenty of other scapegoats – bad chemistry, tuning out the substitute coach, playing street ball instead of team basketball. But none of those will ever get as much blame as the folks with the whistles.
Note to Denver media – if you're so knowledgeable about the rules of the sports you purport to cover, take the tests and become an official.
That would be too easy.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Worth a laugh
At least one umpire – Joe West – doesn't appreciate the length of time necessary for Boston and the New York Yankees to play their games.
To his crew's credit, the four umps did what they could to speed up last week's resumption of marathon baseball (each game lasted well beyond three hours. Two came close to the four-hour mark).
However, it would seem that West and other umpires' hands are tied on at least three counts:
• Games telecast nationally (as was the case with one) have more commercial time between innings. That slows things down;
• They can't cut the number of visits between pitcher and catcher, though ardent fans would have to agree that eight in a half-inning is a little excessive; and
• The umpires could enforce the 20-second rule between the time the pitcher receives the ball and the time he's supposed to throw it.
There are some other ideas, none of which are very plausible.
• Someone could limit the number of throws to first base. Or third base – or both.
• We could find some halfway decent pitchers.
• We could get away from specialized pitchers and go back to the day when starting pitchers actually pitched into the eighth and ninth innings on a regular basis.
Baseball doesn't have a clock of any sort, which makes it unique in the world of sport and which makes limiting visits (and thus strategy sessions) almost pointless.
Yes, four-hour games are rather tiring on various parts of your torso. But if it's a four-hour game that goes down to the last out, it's worth it.
If it's four hours of Joe Morgan repeating himself, then it's beyond painful.
West makes a valid point. But the solutions don't stack up in his favor.
To his crew's credit, the four umps did what they could to speed up last week's resumption of marathon baseball (each game lasted well beyond three hours. Two came close to the four-hour mark).
However, it would seem that West and other umpires' hands are tied on at least three counts:
• Games telecast nationally (as was the case with one) have more commercial time between innings. That slows things down;
• They can't cut the number of visits between pitcher and catcher, though ardent fans would have to agree that eight in a half-inning is a little excessive; and
• The umpires could enforce the 20-second rule between the time the pitcher receives the ball and the time he's supposed to throw it.
There are some other ideas, none of which are very plausible.
• Someone could limit the number of throws to first base. Or third base – or both.
• We could find some halfway decent pitchers.
• We could get away from specialized pitchers and go back to the day when starting pitchers actually pitched into the eighth and ninth innings on a regular basis.
Baseball doesn't have a clock of any sort, which makes it unique in the world of sport and which makes limiting visits (and thus strategy sessions) almost pointless.
Yes, four-hour games are rather tiring on various parts of your torso. But if it's a four-hour game that goes down to the last out, it's worth it.
If it's four hours of Joe Morgan repeating himself, then it's beyond painful.
West makes a valid point. But the solutions don't stack up in his favor.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
CU-CSU disappear in 2010
The annual – and alleged – rivalry between CU and CSU gets a new TV home next year.
The Mountain West Network.
The league says because it's a CSU home game, it has the right to televise it.
To absolutely no one in the Denver area unless you're willing to pay for the privilege.
Enjoy.
The Mountain West Network.
The league says because it's a CSU home game, it has the right to televise it.
To absolutely no one in the Denver area unless you're willing to pay for the privilege.
Enjoy.
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