Put up or shut up Irish

Ok fellas, Sparty has owned you at home. Like, beat you in six straight games at home. They even put a flag at midfield a few years back like a moon landing. The last Irish coach to beat Michigan State at home was Lou Holtz in 1993.

The Irish offense is sure to light it up, but it’s the Irish defense that will need to show up. They’ve been getting gashed against the running game. It’s time to sit and the head of the table and blow some people up.

Time to get the momentum going Charlie Weis.

2 quick minutes on why the Cavs need Jemario Moon

This guy can jump out of the gym. His athleticism and “length” would be really nice in the Cavs line up.

NBA Game 1

Sorry folks, I’m taking the Lakers.  Dwight Howard is gonna get his points, I certainly don’t think that Andrew Bynum can stop him.  Phil Jackson is gonna run A LOT of bodies at him, and use up fouls.  Even if Jameer Nelson plays, he probably won’t be as effective as he’s been in the past against the Lakers.

I think this series comes down to defense and rebounding.  Bynum must put a body on Howard constantly and do his best to hold on.  I wouldn’t be asking Andrew to look for points very much in this series.  Just rebound and play defense buddy.  Let Gasol, Odom and Kobe do the work on offense. 

The Lamar Odom and Rashard Lewis matchup should really be a nice one. Both players are similar, but Odom plays with his back to the basket more.  Will that increased physicality hurt Lewis’ enegery on the offensive end?

Then there is Kobe.  The NBA’s best closer.  The guy is on a mission to cap off his season and solidify his legacy as an NBA champion.  Its been a long time coming for Bryant, who hasn’t won a championship since the Diesel left.  If that continues to happen, people will always talk about the missing link.

My prediction:  Lakers in 6

Cavs in 2010

2010, not to be confused with the RUSH album 2112, has become a year of interest for NBA fans everywhere.  Its the year that just about every good young player not named Kobe Bryant become free agents(For the record Kobe becomes a free agent this summer).  Most importantly, its the year that LeBronJames becomes a free agent.  Two years ago, James, and Dwayne Wade negotiated smaller 3 year deals in order to line up the ability to make more money quicker as well as be able to get the “max dollars” from teams.  From there other players like Carmelo Anthony followed.  Now what we have is a dream team list of players on the open market in the same year that teams are clearing their payroll and playing with Y-league caliber players in order to reap the benefits in 2010.

So who’ll be going shopping for a new team you ask?  Try these names on for size, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson,  Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd all be come unrestricted free agents in 2010.

Alas the crown jewel is King James.  Every radio jockey, beat writer, talking head and blogger for that matter think that LBJ already has his bags packed, and Jay-Z’s  plane all warmed up for New York.  Heck, the Knicks have cut, traded and fired anyone that might cause them not to make an offer to James.  The New York media builds a frenzy around everytime he comes because they know he loves it, and seems to be not a matter of if, but of when and how much it will take LeBron to come.  I’m hear to tell you a different story.  I’m hear to tell you that the Cavs are poised to keep LeBron and even sign another big name this year or in 2010 to complete the King’s court.

First, LeBron James is probably the second most marketable face on the planet next to Tiger Woods.  Aggressive endorsement deals will follow him where ever he goes.  They’ve come to him in Cleveland, they’d come to him in Oklahoma City, they would come, no matter what.  Yes, his exposure to different opportunities would be greater, but companies are already seeking him out to hauck their stuff, he’s in Cleveland, not in hiding.  LeBron has shown that he is very selective when it comes to the items and image he wants when he’s looking at endorsements, so its probably not as huge as we think.  Oh by the way, he would be a big fish in an even bigger pond.  He’d be competing with the Giants, Jets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Nets, Knicks and even Rutgers football for attention. Think those teams have a few marketable stars that New Yorkers love?

Second, most of the teams that would have the space to sign him would be worse then his current situation. The Knicks, Nets, and Bulls, all teams that have been mentioned as possible suitors in the LeBron sweepstakes have a combined record of 70-92.  The Cavs are 41-11 and have reached the play offs or been the the finals in the past 5 years. Knicks, Nets and Bulls=0 finals appearances in the last 5 years.  So what does that mean, they don’t have enough talent to make the push at the end.  There is no doubt that LeBron’s skill could take any team into the playoffs, but he’ll need help to win.  Right now the Cavs situation is better the all three of those teams combined.  The other three teams are in the rebuilding stage and don’t really line up with LeBron’s goals of winning multiple championships.  The Cavs have made every move LeBron has asked for in order to find a winning chemistry, and they are closer then ever.  The Knicks, Nets and Bulls have been fighting off scandals, disgruntled players, stadium movement plans and roster re-working every year.

So what can the Cavs do?  They can be just like LeBron and get aggressive.  They’ll get the final swing at the fences when it comes time to sign James, and there is no doubt they’ll match or exceed any offer.  Dan Gilbert is no chump.  Next, they’ll find a big name and sign them.  My vote(despite my cousins opinion) is D-Wade.  You could argue that since the Cavs are in the East that they should get abig like Chandler or Amare Stoudemire.  I want Wade.  Wade and James grew extremely close this past summer at the Beijing Olympics. Can you imagine what Cleveland would be like with D-Wade and Bron Bron lighting up the scoreboard and tossing dimes everywhere at the Q.  Clevelanders would be naming their first borns and quitting their jobs to get tickets.  That combo would be like Pippen and Jordan all over again. Teams have shown it can work to have huge names on the same team.  Insert Boston Celtics here.  Yes the Cavs have a very capable and deep set of Guards, but what that spells to me is leverage.  By packaging picks, Wally, Eric Snow, Anderson Varejou, Boobie Gibson,cash or a few other names together in any combination of deals they could get it done.  They have plenty of depth to make something like this happen and still have a bevy of talent to go and win a title. So two dominate guards isn’t your cup of tea, how about Amare Stoudemire.  You could probably start engraving the letters on the championship trophy now if that happened as well.  Stoudemire would be athletic enough to move some of the Eastern bigs around to open things up for LeBron and his shooters. He could also run the floor and get other PF and Centers out of the game.

So don’t just think the Cavs and the city is going to just sit back and let our King move to another place to rule, we plan on putting up a fight. We plan on getting a ring, and this time everyone else can be a witness.

I’m back baby…

Finally, the Rock has come back to the blogosphere…Err, ok, at least Jon has.  My apologies for not posting lately, many thanks to Fletch for carrying the site for a while.  There is TONS to talk about, so I’ll be getting busier as the holidays grow closer.

So what’s first, I gotta talk about Cleveland State University.  Who this week knocked off #11 Syracuse.  Yikes.  This is what kids dream about, and I’m sure that CSU’s Cedrick Jackson did to in his back yard or playground when he was a kid, draining the last second shot to win it.  No one every stands in the yard as a kid and goes,”Jon gets under the center for the Browns and its first and ten with 11:58 to go in the first quarter.” Jackson got to realize his dream, on a big stage.

The upset isn’t something that CSU has never been a part of, the got a piece of the Butler Bulldogs last January.

Jackson, who was 0-4 from behind the arc for the evening, was able to get one up against loose defense at the end of the game.  The senior guard certainly made the best of his opportunity.

Hats off to CSU.  A quick message to Syracuse, beware of those supposed “cupcakes,” its only a matter of time until you get frosting all over your face.

Maybe Cinderella has a new name already?

Picking an NBA MVP

This one isn’t going to be easy.  My heart is telling me to go one way, my mind is telling me to go another.  So, I guess first we need a list.  Here goes, in no specific order.

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Garnett

Chris Paul

Next I think we need some stats, so let’s start with the king himself, LeBron James. James has been amazing.  His numbers are 30 pts, 8.1 rpg, and 7.3 assists.  Since the trade at the deadline(see February archives), James seems to finding shooters everywhere on the court.  Much to his delight, has allowed him to find lanes everywhere to dish or dunk at his leisure.  Currently he has the Cavaliars in the play-offs but hunting for more as they are about 11 games out of first place.

Ok, that one was kind of easy, who’s next, oh yes our favorite Colorado tourist, Kobe Bryant.  Kobe has the luxury of being on arguably the best team in the NBA.  The acqusition of Pau Gasol has allowed Phil Jackson’s triangle offense to gel again, with Kobe as the trigger man.  When everyone gets healthy, Bynum, Gasol, Kobe and Lamar Odom will cause some serious problems in the postseason.  Bryant is averaging 28 pts and 5 boards a game.  The Lakers are struggling a little right now with less then 10 games to go, but you can bet that KB will be willing the Lake show to some wins.  He’s go the intangibles that you want in an MVP.

Who’s next, ah yes, we must have a guy that someone paid more money then humanly attainable to spend.  That’s right, Kevin Garnett.  Let’s be honest here, the Celtics have been making a mockery of their tradition and history for about a decade now, and I’m pleased to hear that they are winning.  On a side note, I’m pretty sick of teams from Boston winning everything.  KG has been a big reason for their success. Yes, so have Allen, Pierce and Rondo, before you jump all over me.  “Big Ticket” is posting 19,9 and 2 blocks for Boston.  Most importantly, he’s given them a dominant inside presence that has allowed Rondo, Allen and Pierce to drop jumpers all night long.  Not to mention that they own the best record in the NBA at 58-15.  He’s a solid pick for MVP, with all the previous candidates.

Finally there is Chris Paul.  Who slowly but surely is winning me over in this race.  This kid can straight up ball peoples faces off.  He’s lead New Orleans to the best record in the Western Conference, third best in the league at 50-22. Paul, who is averaging almost 40 minutes is running a double-double line of 21 pts and 11 dimes a game.  He is almost 40 percent from behind the arc, and just about 50 from everywhere else.

So who’s it gonna be.

1. Chris Paul

2. LeBron James(it pains me to do this)

3. Kobe Bryant

4. Kevin Garnett

Paul wins it in a close vote, but the Cavs go further in the play-offs.  I’m sure LeBron won’t mind that if he gets a ring.

Madness, madness everywhere…

My bracket is shot already…Thanks to USC.  If you are watching right now, Frank-ly sports really needs Duke to win.

Here’s the Frank-ly sports final four:

North Carolina-Psycho T is pretty good, but Ty Lawson is the best player on that team

Pittsburgh-Panthers are playing out of their minds right now.  I look forward to them playing Memphis.  Levance Fields vs. Derrick Rose…nuf’ said

UCLA-Only team athletic enough to beat the Tarheels.  If you haven’t seen Kevin Love yet, tune in because he is a treat.  Collison is the quickest player in America

Kansas-Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk…

Midwest Region-The possible Kansas and Georgetown match up is exciting.  The sexy pick for a mid-major is Davidson.  Stephen Curry could be the best pure shooter in tournament.

East Region-North Carolina’s presence in this bracket really looms large for all the other teams.  If Pitino can get Louisville running, they have a shot and going deep.  Chris Lofton and Tennessee are playing some good basketball as well. 

West-UCLA is a shoe in for the final four. UConn was the first victim of the Madness, falling to San Diego.  Xavier is no longer a sleeper, and can really get up and down.  Having a veteran point guard in Lavendar is a commodity to have.  West Virginia could surprise everyone.  Western Kentucky is the mid-major to watch in this group.

South-We’ll finally see what Memphis is made of.  This region could have the best group of guards in the entire tournament.

Buckle up folks, this is going to be good.

Smartest team in the room…

When the two most prolific corporate bankruptcies in history happened, they were inside jobs.  Jobs done by men who found loop holes, and maniuplated them to an advantage, only to be doomed by them.  This might be the same for the folks at Harvard University. Uh, wait a minute, don’t they have like a top 10 law school?

Allegations have come out that some of the fine coaches on Tommy Amaker’s staff were making contact with potential players during the “no contact” period.  The catch is that the coaches hadn’t officially signed any papers yet making them officially on Amaker’s staff.  The coach in question is assistant Kenny Blackeney.  He’s since claimed that he was “unemployed” at the time contact was made. Sounds like a technicality to me…(Wait, I’m calling my lawyer)……Hold on, he’s looking it up….Man these law books are thick…..Yup its a technicality!

The players that are involved are not on the Harvard roster yet, but they are 2-guard Max Kenyi from Washington D.C. and Keith Wright a forward from Virginia.  Kenyi said that Blackeney played pick up games with both players, exchanged phone numbers and talked a lot.  Blackeney mentioned that he hadn’t “signed anything yet.”

Hey even the smart kids want to win right?  Amaker even said that “Harvard adheres to austere standards in every area of the university and I am honored to labor within that framework.”  Translation: The laurels of my employer as a strict academic school is going to get me out of this because, “Hey we are to intelligent to cheat.”

I can see the line from the Harvard Law school, to Amaker’s office starting now…

Congrats Coach K…

Congrats Coach K, you have really earned it. You are now in the top 6 overall in career wins.  You are now held in the same light with names like Knight, Rupp, Smith, and Sutton. Krzyzewski is 800-264 in his 33 seasons. His career has encountered so many great players and so many great games.

Rock-A-Fella center?

“The industry is shady, it needs to be taken over…”

Unfortunately, rap mogul Jay-Z didn’t specify which industry he was talking about.  Its safe to assume he meant the rap industry, but what about the NBA?  Frankly Sports recently covered the trade that the Cleveland Cavaliars did before the trading deadline to move half their active roster so that LeBron James could have a cast to make a run at a title.  The real question is, can it be enough for LBJ to stay in Cleveland in a couple of years if there still isn’t any title ? Or will the “Roc” come calling?

       

Feeding into this story is the relationship with Nets partial owner, Jay-Z.  Hov has been a good friend of Flight #23 since before he was in the league.  James has surrounded himself with people that will help him to become a world-wide icon.  James has aspirations of becoming the first billionare athlete. Currently, LeBron is sponsored by Nike, Sprite, Bubblicious and Cub Cadet. From there he has reached out to Bershire Hathoway CEO Warren Buffet to discuss his business endeavors and give him advice for long term success.  At the end of the day though its the American Gangster that he relies on most. Jay hasn’t been shy when it comes to saying how he feels about James coming to the Nets.  Who are in the midst of trying to work a deal for a new arena in Brooklyn.  Currently that has been met head on by the league and the people of New York and the Nets are still working on approvals.

Then there is the supposed “market clause” in LeBron’s Nike contract.  Stating that he’ll make even more money if he’s in any of the three major markest of New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.  Not to mention the constant flirtation there by wearing a Yankees cap and playing in the Rucker Park tournament a few times on Jay’s team.

What pains Clevelander’s the most is that it digs deep into their psyche.  More often then not, Cleveland teams have landed potential huge stars in any of their sports.  From that point on, the clock ticks until they deal them away due to being a smaller market.  Then almost always, said player grows into super stardom.  This goes all the way back to Rocky Colovito. We also know that LeBron fell into the trend of signing a slightly more team friendly 3 year deal.  Only to still hold the trump card because after that the Cavs will basically have to pay him the max dollars and rename the city LeBronland.  If not, off he’ll go in the deal of the century.  Sad we know.  Especially because he’s a hometown boy that everyone loves.  It hurts us everyday we see our King James walk the streets, be on TRL, show up on the red carpet, Indians game, or in his front yard with a Yankees cap.  Why can’t you just love us for who we are, and stay forever. 

Unfortunately, that probably isn’t realistic.  Clevelanders need to hope that the new Cavs team can have success and quickly.  That LeBron can see that we’ve done everything to keep him.  Have Danny Ferry and Dan Gilbert give him enough money to not handcuff the team, and then pray.

If not, 2010 could really make Cleveland “Fade To Black…”