Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The BlueJackets are In!!!!
· The BlueJackets are in the playoffs. Finally. The stigma as the only NHL team to not make the playoffs has been eliminated. THE CBJ ARE IN!!!!!
· Do they have a chance against the mighty Detroit Red Wings? Absolutely. Do I think they’ll win the series? Absolutely not. But I do think it will be a fun time for Ohio hockey fans to enjoy being part of it. Expect a sell-out crowd with lots of energy at the games. Expect bars to finally tune all of the screens to the BlueJackets during the game time. It’s gonna be a blast.
· Imagine the satisfaction of Rick Nash – going through the unforgiving tough times and finally realizing the dream of playing for the Cup.
· I’m bummed Kenny Perry didn’t get it done on Sunday. He’s a good dude. Family man, great to the media and fans, humble guy. Deserved better than finishing with 2 bogeys and a dreadful playoff. He had a handful of close putts in his final round. Just one of them falls, he’s the champ. Instead he’s a choke.
· The Tribe start has been disappointing. The one concern going in has been starting pitching. That concern has reared its ugly head in the 1st 7 games. Hopefully they will be able to get it going soon. I’m a firm believer in momentum. Need to get some positive momentum going in these next few games.
· Good to see Pronk hitting again. Although he left many runners on base last night, he’s improved quite a bit over last year so far.
· The Cavs have clinched the best record in the NBA. Let me say that again – The Cavs have the best record in the NBA. Wow – that sounds good. Even during the Price, Daugherty, Nance years that didn’t happen. LeBron continues to impress. He’s simply unstoppable.
· Don’t think that the NBA home court doesn’t make a difference. When it comes to any game 7, they will be at Cleveland. That’s cool. Cleveland is 39-1 at home. The Lakers (lost only 5 at home) and the Celtics (6 losses at home) are also very tough at home. I sure wouldn’t want a game 7 at their place.
· I like Joe Dumars but why would he trade Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen (Practice?) Iverson? Billups has been just what Denver needs. They have the 2nd best record in the West. Iverson can’t understand why he isn’t starting. Anybody recognize a theme with AI? He’s on a 76er team that doesn’t win, an Olympic team that doesn’t win & the Nuggets & Pistons were both better when he wasn’t with the team. Maybe he needs to practice.
· Do they have a chance against the mighty Detroit Red Wings? Absolutely. Do I think they’ll win the series? Absolutely not. But I do think it will be a fun time for Ohio hockey fans to enjoy being part of it. Expect a sell-out crowd with lots of energy at the games. Expect bars to finally tune all of the screens to the BlueJackets during the game time. It’s gonna be a blast.
· Imagine the satisfaction of Rick Nash – going through the unforgiving tough times and finally realizing the dream of playing for the Cup.
· I’m bummed Kenny Perry didn’t get it done on Sunday. He’s a good dude. Family man, great to the media and fans, humble guy. Deserved better than finishing with 2 bogeys and a dreadful playoff. He had a handful of close putts in his final round. Just one of them falls, he’s the champ. Instead he’s a choke.
· The Tribe start has been disappointing. The one concern going in has been starting pitching. That concern has reared its ugly head in the 1st 7 games. Hopefully they will be able to get it going soon. I’m a firm believer in momentum. Need to get some positive momentum going in these next few games.
· Good to see Pronk hitting again. Although he left many runners on base last night, he’s improved quite a bit over last year so far.
· The Cavs have clinched the best record in the NBA. Let me say that again – The Cavs have the best record in the NBA. Wow – that sounds good. Even during the Price, Daugherty, Nance years that didn’t happen. LeBron continues to impress. He’s simply unstoppable.
· Don’t think that the NBA home court doesn’t make a difference. When it comes to any game 7, they will be at Cleveland. That’s cool. Cleveland is 39-1 at home. The Lakers (lost only 5 at home) and the Celtics (6 losses at home) are also very tough at home. I sure wouldn’t want a game 7 at their place.
· I like Joe Dumars but why would he trade Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen (Practice?) Iverson? Billups has been just what Denver needs. They have the 2nd best record in the West. Iverson can’t understand why he isn’t starting. Anybody recognize a theme with AI? He’s on a 76er team that doesn’t win, an Olympic team that doesn’t win & the Nuggets & Pistons were both better when he wasn’t with the team. Maybe he needs to practice.
Must Read
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom is a must read for everyone.
"When you learn how to die, you learn how to live."
Simple message - life live fully, love and do something meaningful with your time.
"When you learn how to die, you learn how to live."
Simple message - life live fully, love and do something meaningful with your time.
Monday, April 6, 2009
MSU vs UNC
Go Spartans. Tired of the Big 10 not getting the respect it deserves in basketball. Always seem to have a team in the Final Four.
How does Tom Izzo do it? He's a great coach. His teams play tough. They rebound. They defend. They are disciplined. Watch how his players sprint their offensive sets. I don't know many other teams that do it like them.
How does Tom Izzo do it? He's a great coach. His teams play tough. They rebound. They defend. They are disciplined. Watch how his players sprint their offensive sets. I don't know many other teams that do it like them.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Super Bowl History
You can tell it’s a weak movie schedule when Paul Blart: Mall Cop is topping the box office. Of course it’s ahead of such stellar offerings as 2) Underworld, 3) Gran Torino, 4) Hotel for Dogs, 5) Slumdog Millionaire. Makes me want to run right out to the movies.- I have watched a few movies lately. I have come to believe the “F” word is way overused. I’ve heard it used as a noun, adjective, pronoun, adverb, verb, etc…. Why? It loses its purpose (if it has any) when it’s used so frequently.
What is the origin of saying “Jesus Christ” in anger? That’s another one I don’t quite get.
My favorite college basketball coaches are Tom Izzo of Michigan State & Roy Williams at North Carolina. I have watched a lot of basketball & those guys just stand out for me.
Izzo – no one shakes a shooter free better (witness Drew Neitzel last year) with maybe the exception of Coach K. I have stolen so many sets from Michigan State. I tape their games & then chart their plays. He’s the best. They are also tops in rebounding (both offensive & defensive) every year & they are always deep on their bench.
Williams – there is simply not a better transition coach in college. While he was at Kansas they were the best. Now that he’s at UNC, there is not a better break in basketball. He also has a deep bench & plays a very exciting style of basketball.-
Does anyone really believe UNC isn’t the best team in the country? I know – they’ve lost twice. But, in my mind there isn’t a team better in the country. I can’t wait for the Feb 11th matchup at Duke.
The Steelers are heavy favorites in my book. That’s why I think the Cardinals (did anyone see them being in the show?) will win. It’s too good of story for Kurt Warner to rise up from obscurity, win a Super Bowl, fall from grace, then rise up again. Who thought the Giants had a chance last year?
The Super Bowl history is enlightening. In the last 10 years, there have been 16 teams (Cardinals, Steelers, Giants, Patriots, Colts, Bears, Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers, Raiders, Bucs, Rams, Ravens, Titans, Broncos, Falcons - notice there is no Vikings (oh, the pain), Browns, Bengals – and even no Cowboys or 49ers) represented in the Super Bowl. This is half of the 32 teams in the league. That’s a great system when it allows such potential for all teams to be there.
Surprisingly, MLB also has had ½ of their teams in the World Series in the past 10 years. There have been 15 teams (Philly, Tampa, Boston, Colorado, St. Louis, Detroit, WSox, Houston, Florida, NYY, Anaheim, SF, AZ, NYM, ATL – nope – NO INDIANS OR REDS) out of 30 teams.
The NHL has had 13 out of 30 teams in the Stanley Cup (Detroit, Pitt, Anaheim, Ottawa, Carolina, Edmonton, Tampa, Calgary, NJ, Colorado, Dallas, Buffalo, Washington) – NO COLUMBUS.
The NBA has had 11 out of 30 teams play for the World Championship (Spurs, Cavs, Heat, Mavs, Pistons, Lakers, Nets, 76ers, Pacers, Knicks, Celtics). Yes – THE CAVS are on the list. Finally an Ohio team. Man, Ohio teams have been disappointing.
The MLS…….sorry don’t have that one – Although I do know THE COLUMBUS CREW won it last year.
How can the NBA call it the World Championship? That’s pretty arrogant. We have 2 teams outside the US & we call the championship the World Championship. At least the US reclaimed the gold medal.
Someone sent me these I liked them a lot: 25 Tips for a Better Life
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Could Do Without the Showmanship
· I recently read a quote from John Wooden, the great UCLA coach. When asked if he still likes basketball today, he replied, “I like the game now, but I don’t like the game as much. I have never cared for the showmanship, and I think there is too much showmanship in the game today.” I couldn’t agree more. It seems that every single dunk today requires a show. I like it when the player acts like they’ve done it before instead of making a single spectacle out of every play.
· Do we have Playstation Madden games to blame for all the showmanship?
· I like the playoffs – it becomes so much more about the team & less about the individual. It doesn’t matter which sport or level – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, College – it becomes about the team. That’s when I love team sports. The playoffs are at such a different level. Love the playoffs.
· If you think it’s tough being a fan in Ohio, you need to look at the state of Washington. I know the Browns & Bengals are terrible and the Buckeyes lost a BCS game – AGAIN. But check out the performance of Washington teams – Mariners had a 101 loss season, Washington University went winless. Washington State won only 2 game –1 was vs. Washington, the NBA Sonics have left the city and are now the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Seahawks had high expectation & finished 4-12. Oh yeah & it rains almost every day of the year.
· You could also live in michigan – home of the highly successful 2008 college football wolverines and the even better Detroit Lions. Oh yeah & they aren’t selling any cars either.
· Ohio has it’s tough parts, but it’s not all bad. The Cavs are finally winning, the Indians have some promise and the Buckeyes have double digit wins for many years in football, & are a couple of years removed from playing for both a basketball & football title in the same year.
· The Columbus BlueJackets deserve some props. They are winning despite having up to seven of their expected regulars being injured at a time. They have a rookie goaltender that is setting the world on fire and just celebrated a hat trick from a player that has only played 6 NHL games. There is some great young talent on this team. Stay tuned.
· I have been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated for many years. One of my favorite parts of the magazine is the photos in the 1st few pages. They are always striking. Case in point is the overhead shot from this year’s Rose Bowl in the Jan 12th issue. Takes your breath away. I once had a friend that dreamed of being an SI photographer. Still root for him to fulfill his dream. I could see how being a photographer at this level would be amazing.
· It’s been 30 years since the famous Woody Hayes punch of a Clemson player in the 1978 Gator Bowl. I still wish Woody’s legacy would have not included this incident. Too great of a man that has had too great of an impact on people.
· I don’t like Florida Gator football. Am I jealous? Yes. Tebow is returning, they have more speed than most if not all others, their recruiting continues at the highest of levels and they have a coach with a highly imaginative, fun offense to watch. All the things you want in a program. They have it going & I don’t like it.
· Coaching college basketball is a blast. Love it, love it, love it……
· Do we have Playstation Madden games to blame for all the showmanship?
· I like the playoffs – it becomes so much more about the team & less about the individual. It doesn’t matter which sport or level – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, College – it becomes about the team. That’s when I love team sports. The playoffs are at such a different level. Love the playoffs.
· If you think it’s tough being a fan in Ohio, you need to look at the state of Washington. I know the Browns & Bengals are terrible and the Buckeyes lost a BCS game – AGAIN. But check out the performance of Washington teams – Mariners had a 101 loss season, Washington University went winless. Washington State won only 2 game –1 was vs. Washington, the NBA Sonics have left the city and are now the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Seahawks had high expectation & finished 4-12. Oh yeah & it rains almost every day of the year.
· You could also live in michigan – home of the highly successful 2008 college football wolverines and the even better Detroit Lions. Oh yeah & they aren’t selling any cars either.
· Ohio has it’s tough parts, but it’s not all bad. The Cavs are finally winning, the Indians have some promise and the Buckeyes have double digit wins for many years in football, & are a couple of years removed from playing for both a basketball & football title in the same year.
· The Columbus BlueJackets deserve some props. They are winning despite having up to seven of their expected regulars being injured at a time. They have a rookie goaltender that is setting the world on fire and just celebrated a hat trick from a player that has only played 6 NHL games. There is some great young talent on this team. Stay tuned.
· I have been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated for many years. One of my favorite parts of the magazine is the photos in the 1st few pages. They are always striking. Case in point is the overhead shot from this year’s Rose Bowl in the Jan 12th issue. Takes your breath away. I once had a friend that dreamed of being an SI photographer. Still root for him to fulfill his dream. I could see how being a photographer at this level would be amazing.
· It’s been 30 years since the famous Woody Hayes punch of a Clemson player in the 1978 Gator Bowl. I still wish Woody’s legacy would have not included this incident. Too great of a man that has had too great of an impact on people.
· I don’t like Florida Gator football. Am I jealous? Yes. Tebow is returning, they have more speed than most if not all others, their recruiting continues at the highest of levels and they have a coach with a highly imaginative, fun offense to watch. All the things you want in a program. They have it going & I don’t like it.
· Coaching college basketball is a blast. Love it, love it, love it……
Monday, January 5, 2009
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