One of the common feelings among the average sports fan about the NBA is how they dislike it comparative to college basketball or other major sports. The reasoning: because NBA players are lazy and dont try as hard. I bought this argument pretty much from the days after Michael Jordan up until the last couple years. My reason for the switch: I actually started watching it.
These guys really do give a ton of effort night in and night out for their teams. You dont put up the numbers of a Lebron James or a Kobe Bryant unless you do bust your ass all of the time. Now I know I singled out the two best guys post-Jordan, but even the "scrubs" give it everything they've got. They HAVE to. They are playing for their future, and have worked too hard to get where they are to just give it up.
The turnaround in the league for players is almost as much as the carousel of the coaches. What other league only has *two* draft rounds? More often than not only about 15 of these guys really pan out, so youve got 15-20 guys in the entire world who make an NBA squad every year. This is not the same for the other major sports out there that sport 25 or 60 team rosters.
Lets face it. They are the best athletes on the planet. 82 games of pure, all-out sprinting and hustle, jumping through the roof and pinpoint accuracy from 25 feet away. To be seven feet tall and to be able to lumber up and down the court night in and night out is astounding.
If anything, it's we, the fans, who make the game seem less exciting than college basketball. Now I guess much of the reasoning for this is because each game in college is more important due to a shorter schedule, and rivalries tend to run deeper in college sports. That has alot to do with the stagnant fans you often see at NBA games. Theres always another night to bounce back when you have 80 games to work with.
Image is an important thing to consider too. I was hugely turned off from the NBA due to the "thuggish ruggish" antics of most players in this league. But you actually have to hand it to Commissioner David Stern. He has done a remarkable job of pointing them in the right direction.
To be continued.....but watch the playoffs. Youll be pleasantly suprised. Its Amazing (ouch)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Milwaukee Brewers- Playoffs or not?
So I am as diehard of a Milwaukee Brewers fan as you can possibly find. I have a 9 pack of tickets, with plans to attend probably twenty or so games this year. I buy Brewers apparel at a lightning pace. I was one of probably fifty people who attended the first playoff game in Philadelphia last year, which is as memorable of an experience as Ive ever had. My friend Vinny Rottino has had stints on and off with the Brewers. A good fraction of the team orders food from my restaurants (Toppers Pizza). Alert: Corey Hart just made a webgem. Moral of the story, I know our team and what I think they are capable of.
For all of you optimists, I hate to break it to you, but we aren't going anywhere unless we trade for some pitching. Theres no doubt that we have some bright spots already this season, the biggest possibly being the development of Ricky Weeks. He is hitting a robust .270, but it feels like .340 the way he is scorching the ball all over the place. Yovani Gallardo is living up to the hype as well, and the other big sticks in the lineup are starting to come around too. But we all know it comes down to pitching, barring some sort of miracle.
Its not completely hopeless for us. If we make a good run like we did last year, who's to say Attanasio doesnt go out and pickup an expensive arm like he did last year (I would personally sleep with him if he went out and got the likes of Peavy or Halladay, probably not a good incentive for him or myself but im sticking to it)There is also the possibility that we *could* swing our way into the playoffs, similar to the '82 days of Harveys Wallbangers. Its just not really probably however.
Cutting to the chase: I believe the Brewers will hover above the .500 range most of the season, and will fall short to the (choke) Cubs and Cardinals. Look for another exciting, interesting season that may go down to the wire, but we just dont have it in us this year. I hope I'm wrong.
Check out these sites for better, more up to date Brewers analysis....these guys know their shit.
For all of you optimists, I hate to break it to you, but we aren't going anywhere unless we trade for some pitching. Theres no doubt that we have some bright spots already this season, the biggest possibly being the development of Ricky Weeks. He is hitting a robust .270, but it feels like .340 the way he is scorching the ball all over the place. Yovani Gallardo is living up to the hype as well, and the other big sticks in the lineup are starting to come around too. But we all know it comes down to pitching, barring some sort of miracle.
Its not completely hopeless for us. If we make a good run like we did last year, who's to say Attanasio doesnt go out and pickup an expensive arm like he did last year (I would personally sleep with him if he went out and got the likes of Peavy or Halladay, probably not a good incentive for him or myself but im sticking to it)There is also the possibility that we *could* swing our way into the playoffs, similar to the '82 days of Harveys Wallbangers. Its just not really probably however.
Cutting to the chase: I believe the Brewers will hover above the .500 range most of the season, and will fall short to the (choke) Cubs and Cardinals. Look for another exciting, interesting season that may go down to the wire, but we just dont have it in us this year. I hope I'm wrong.
Check out these sites for better, more up to date Brewers analysis....these guys know their shit.
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