Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
il papa's pontifications
This week's il papa's pontifications, perusing all that is objectionable in the sports world.
1. OJ Mayo - The story was broke by ESPN this past Sunday, and you can get a good recap of it here. A main topic on most talk shows this week, about half the people think OJ is at fault, while a surprisingly large % actually see him as a "victim" of the NCAA system that does not pay players, yet profits on them.
This story has sparked discussion about many topics, ranging from the NCAA / professional eligibility rules like the 1 year in college NBA rule, all the way to whether the NCAA should pay players. Since there are so many topics being discussed, here are my main points, packaged and easy to digest:
1. OJ Mayo - The story was broke by ESPN this past Sunday, and you can get a good recap of it here. A main topic on most talk shows this week, about half the people think OJ is at fault, while a surprisingly large % actually see him as a "victim" of the NCAA system that does not pay players, yet profits on them.
This story has sparked discussion about many topics, ranging from the NCAA / professional eligibility rules like the 1 year in college NBA rule, all the way to whether the NCAA should pay players. Since there are so many topics being discussed, here are my main points, packaged and easy to digest:
- OJ Mayo likely broke NCAA rules by accepting cash and gifts from an agent while in high school and college. He might not have known the rules perfectly, but ignorance is not an excuse. Nor is his age, income level, single parent upbringing, or likely "one and done" career. He must be the first person at fault for breaking rules. If we cannot agree that OJ has a large responsibility to follow basic rules of his school/employer/family/his country of residence/whatever, then stop reading and leave my blog now.
- Colleges do pay players - they get a $150,000 or more education for free. On top of just the education, many players get $100s of thousands of $$ spent on their teams travel, facilities, meals, etc. Players get unprecedented exposure while they are improving their game for the pros. Colleges offer these players a scholarship in return for their participation, and these players accept, signing a contract, or "letter of intent". The good players could go to Europe and play for a year before going to the NBA if they really wanted $$ and think the one year college rule is so unfair.
- College sports makes tons and tons of money - This is the biggest mirage in all of sports. A great article here in the Wall Street Journal discusses college sports budgets. (Interesting note from that article - only 19, yes 19, schools had athletic departments that made money in 2006). Football at major schools, as well as basketball, make plenty of money. Big money. The problem is that most schools have 20 or so other sports programs that lose money. Football and Basketball revenues fund the athletic department, which at most schools lose money. When people say that players should be paid because schools are using them to make $$, thats not a full picture of reality. The money made is for a not for profit organization that is trying to fund its athletic department. Its not going to a few wealthy individuals like business profits might.
- High school players turning Pro right out of high school is a tough call. As a fan, I want them to stay in or go to college. It helps both the NBA improve quality (no 18 year olds using gametime as development time), and the NCAA improve its star power. The NCAA tournament and the Final Four TV ratings were all better because players like Greg Oden, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, and others played for one year in college. But if I were a high school star, ready for the NBA paycheck, I can understand their dislike of the rule. Especially with Tennis, Golf, and Baseball stars all getting paid major $$ well before they are out of high school sometimes. This issue is a tough one by itself, but should not be used as an excuse as to why OJ Mayo took money early from agents.
None of these points above are excuses for OJ Mayo. He broke the rules. Arguing whether the rules are fair or not is another discussion. When will people let persons - not "the system" - take the blame for their own actions?
2. Arlen Spector - Just when it looks like the New England Patriot's "Spygate" scandal is all but finished, Arlen Spector decides to keep running his mouth. I have one question for the Senator from the Keystone state: "WHO CARES!!????" My second question would be "Why does the government need to delve into how the NFL runs things?". What's next, the government trying to regulate my fantasy football league? STAY AWAY.
Video taping other team's signs is wrong. 
The Patriots did it, were caught and punished, quite heavily I might add. But can this advantage be so great as to warrant all this time we spend talking about it? Would the Patriots have been an average team without these tapes? No way. Its as overrated as stealing signs in my 5th Graders Baseball games - you know whats coming, but still can't stop it. Arlen Spector looks like an older, not as cool version of James Caan. Go away please.
3. Lebron James's Mother - Are you kidding me?
I think I may have seen this once when I was 11, playing in some random game at Willow Road Community Center, likely involving a parent from the BBC (Bartlett-Bolton-Cordova, a triangle of prestige and strip malls). What Gloria James did was ridiculous, but not as funny as this dad:
il papa out
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Memphis Grizzlies Post Season Plan
The Memphis Grizzlies finished another year with a record of 22-60, a 1 game decline from the prior year. There are some young pieces in place on offense, but this team needs development, direction, and more talent. With the departure of Pau Gasol, a large amount of cap space to work with, and two first round picks (including a likely top 5 pick), there will be lots to do this offseason for the Grizz. Thats not even mentioning the issues of a potential change in ownership at some point, or the huge decline in attendence.
Here are the Pope's key objectives for the Grizz this offseason, ranked in order of priority:
1. Draft Pick - The Grizz will have the 4th most balls in the lottery, behind Miami (15 wins), Seattle (20 wins), and Minnesota (22 wins). The worst pick the Grizzlies could get would be the #7 pick, based on how the lottery works (click here for those details). Obviously the Grizzlies must hit a home run with this pick. They need impact players everywhere, but particularly on the interior. Here are the top 5 prospects that the Pope would recommend for the Grizzlies, regardless of draft spot obtained:
1. Michael Beasley - Tough, athletic, muscular, productive on both ends of the floor, and left handed. Look for him to improve (he is 19) and become a cross between Carmelo Anthony and Carlos Boozer.
2. Derrick Rose - As a Memphis fan, I love this kid. Strong, tall, athletic, and a potential top 5 point guard in the league. I think we lose considerable value if we take him overall at #1, because we have so many point guards already and would have to make under market value trades to fix our depth chart.
3. Anthony Randolph, LSU - The first surprise of the of the Pope's rankings. This kid plays defense. Athletic, tall, and very young, this guy can block shots and rebound. Close call with OJ Mayo, but more upside and particulary defensive upside.
4. OJ Mayo, USC - Would be a decent wing combination with Rudy Gay. Can slash and shoot a little bit, although college year was just solid not great. More upside though with size and shooting ability than all below him in my rankings.
5. Brook Lopez, Stanford - Dont think this guy can be an All Star, but can be a productive and solid center for 10 years in the league. And no, its not a 2 for 1 deal where you get his twin brother also.
If we could get one of the top 2, I would be extremely excited. If we get Rudolph, I would be happy. If we get Mayo, I would be unsure. If we get Lopez, I would mostly satisfied. No matter who the Grizz draft, they better not miss.
2. Defense - The Grizzlies avereaged 107 points given up per game. On offense, they averaged 101 points. Certainly the offensive numbers are skewed based on how many points we gave up, and the high number of blowout games in which the Grizz played. But in reality the Grizz are much closer on the offensive end to success than they are defensively. Realistically, the Grizz are going to have to hold their opponents to 10 points less per game to make any type of noise in the Western Conference. Doing that will be near impossible, but knocking down that average at least 5 points or more should be the top priority besides the draft pick this offseason. How? We need to stress defense in player development, and obtain a couple of veterans that are defensive specialists. Not easy to find, but some suggestions are below.
3. Salary Cap - Who was that player we traded Pau Gasol for? We dont know yet. Depends on how we spend the cap room we now how due to Pau's departure. Here is a good analysis of the free agents this summer. There are only two teams this summer - the Grizzlies and the 76ers - that could handle a top tier free agent under the cap. Thats good for us. However, to get a top free agent to come to Memphis, we are going to have to pay above market value. Whomever we sign will be one of the defining decisions of this team. I listed it as #3 because supposedly there is a decent 2009 free agent crop, and this priority may not be addressed until next summer. My breakdown of notable 2008 Free Agents:
Would be Awesome, but Very Unlikey (all of these guys have contracts for 1 more year, but have an Early Termination Option for this summer; yet they are likely to remain in their current contract until becoming unrestricted free agents in 2009):
Allen Iverson
Jermaine O'Neal
Ron Artest
Elton Brand
Gilbert Arenas
Instant Offense but no Defense:
Antawn Jamison
Probably Cheap Veterans that Play Interior Defense:
PJ Brown
Dikembe Mutumbo
Eduardo Najera
Kurt Thomas
Pope's Recommendation: Najera & Kurt Thomas, and wait for 2009 for a big name
If the Grizz could persuade Elton Brand out of his contact, I would be in favor of paying him max $$, but its unlikely. Will be interesting to see what the Grizz do.
4. Point Guard Situation - This situation is currently
muddled and in need of repair, as the Grizz have 3 point guards (Mike Conley, Kyle Lowery, and Javaris Crittenton). If the Grizz get the #2 pick and somehow get Derrick Rose, then things turn really muddy. The only downside to taking an amazing talent like Derrick Rose is that we will be forced to trade Mike Conley at likely below market value. That will be a tough decision. But even if the Grizz dont get Derrick Rose, something needs to happen at this position. It sounds like Conley is the man, and Lowry and Crittendon will battle it out this summer for the backup spot. The third guy will be traded, waived, or benched, depending.
5. Mike Miller - He has been a solid SG, leader, and team player for this team for some time. He plays hard and gives 100% all the time, earning him a lot of fans in Memphis. But I think its time we get some value via trade for this aging star. Watching Mike Miller this year, I saw a 28 year old that moved around like he was 35. I love Mike, but think its time to get some value out of him before his slide downward occurs and we get nothing in return but an oft-injured veteran. Mike is not an oft-injured player yet, but Im predicting that he will act like your friends American SUV - its really cool for the first 5 years, but then two transmission overhauls, new tires, and new brakes are going to be your costs in year 6. Sell before that.
The Grizz need a major overhaul to not only compete next year, but also to keep fans remotely interested. Apathy is the worst disease that your fans can have, and that is certainly becoming the case in Memphis.
The Pope's Suggested Dream Answer: Draft Michael Beasley, sign Kurt Thomas and/or Najera, trade Kyle Lowery for a veteran defender, and then wait for a 2009 free agent like Elton Brand (who has an option to terminate in 2008 also) with even more $$ available under the cap room.
Here are the Pope's key objectives for the Grizz this offseason, ranked in order of priority:
1. Draft Pick - The Grizz will have the 4th most balls in the lottery, behind Miami (15 wins), Seattle (20 wins), and Minnesota (22 wins). The worst pick the Grizzlies could get would be the #7 pick, based on how the lottery works (click here for those details). Obviously the Grizzlies must hit a home run with this pick. They need impact players everywhere, but particularly on the interior. Here are the top 5 prospects that the Pope would recommend for the Grizzlies, regardless of draft spot obtained:
1. Michael Beasley - Tough, athletic, muscular, productive on both ends of the floor, and left handed. Look for him to improve (he is 19) and become a cross between Carmelo Anthony and Carlos Boozer.
2. Derrick Rose - As a Memphis fan, I love this kid. Strong, tall, athletic, and a potential top 5 point guard in the league. I think we lose considerable value if we take him overall at #1, because we have so many point guards already and would have to make under market value trades to fix our depth chart.
3. Anthony Randolph, LSU - The first surprise of the of the Pope's rankings. This kid plays defense. Athletic, tall, and very young, this guy can block shots and rebound. Close call with OJ Mayo, but more upside and particulary defensive upside.
4. OJ Mayo, USC - Would be a decent wing combination with Rudy Gay. Can slash and shoot a little bit, although college year was just solid not great. More upside though with size and shooting ability than all below him in my rankings.
5. Brook Lopez, Stanford - Dont think this guy can be an All Star, but can be a productive and solid center for 10 years in the league. And no, its not a 2 for 1 deal where you get his twin brother also.
If we could get one of the top 2, I would be extremely excited. If we get Rudolph, I would be happy. If we get Mayo, I would be unsure. If we get Lopez, I would mostly satisfied. No matter who the Grizz draft, they better not miss.
2. Defense - The Grizzlies avereaged 107 points given up per game. On offense, they averaged 101 points. Certainly the offensive numbers are skewed based on how many points we gave up, and the high number of blowout games in which the Grizz played. But in reality the Grizz are much closer on the offensive end to success than they are defensively. Realistically, the Grizz are going to have to hold their opponents to 10 points less per game to make any type of noise in the Western Conference. Doing that will be near impossible, but knocking down that average at least 5 points or more should be the top priority besides the draft pick this offseason. How? We need to stress defense in player development, and obtain a couple of veterans that are defensive specialists. Not easy to find, but some suggestions are below.
3. Salary Cap - Who was that player we traded Pau Gasol for? We dont know yet. Depends on how we spend the cap room we now how due to Pau's departure. Here is a good analysis of the free agents this summer. There are only two teams this summer - the Grizzlies and the 76ers - that could handle a top tier free agent under the cap. Thats good for us. However, to get a top free agent to come to Memphis, we are going to have to pay above market value. Whomever we sign will be one of the defining decisions of this team. I listed it as #3 because supposedly there is a decent 2009 free agent crop, and this priority may not be addressed until next summer. My breakdown of notable 2008 Free Agents:
Would be Awesome, but Very Unlikey (all of these guys have contracts for 1 more year, but have an Early Termination Option for this summer; yet they are likely to remain in their current contract until becoming unrestricted free agents in 2009):
Allen Iverson
Jermaine O'Neal
Ron Artest
Elton Brand
Gilbert Arenas
Instant Offense but no Defense:
Antawn Jamison
Probably Cheap Veterans that Play Interior Defense:
PJ Brown
Dikembe Mutumbo
Eduardo Najera
Kurt Thomas
Pope's Recommendation: Najera & Kurt Thomas, and wait for 2009 for a big name
If the Grizz could persuade Elton Brand out of his contact, I would be in favor of paying him max $$, but its unlikely. Will be interesting to see what the Grizz do.
4. Point Guard Situation - This situation is currently
muddled and in need of repair, as the Grizz have 3 point guards (Mike Conley, Kyle Lowery, and Javaris Crittenton). If the Grizz get the #2 pick and somehow get Derrick Rose, then things turn really muddy. The only downside to taking an amazing talent like Derrick Rose is that we will be forced to trade Mike Conley at likely below market value. That will be a tough decision. But even if the Grizz dont get Derrick Rose, something needs to happen at this position. It sounds like Conley is the man, and Lowry and Crittendon will battle it out this summer for the backup spot. The third guy will be traded, waived, or benched, depending.
5. Mike Miller - He has been a solid SG, leader, and team player for this team for some time. He plays hard and gives 100% all the time, earning him a lot of fans in Memphis. But I think its time we get some value via trade for this aging star. Watching Mike Miller this year, I saw a 28 year old that moved around like he was 35. I love Mike, but think its time to get some value out of him before his slide downward occurs and we get nothing in return but an oft-injured veteran. Mike is not an oft-injured player yet, but Im predicting that he will act like your friends American SUV - its really cool for the first 5 years, but then two transmission overhauls, new tires, and new brakes are going to be your costs in year 6. Sell before that.
The Grizz need a major overhaul to not only compete next year, but also to keep fans remotely interested. Apathy is the worst disease that your fans can have, and that is certainly becoming the case in Memphis.
The Pope's Suggested Dream Answer: Draft Michael Beasley, sign Kurt Thomas and/or Najera, trade Kyle Lowery for a veteran defender, and then wait for a 2009 free agent like Elton Brand (who has an option to terminate in 2008 also) with even more $$ available under the cap room.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
American Idol - House of Pain
The second in a series of posts, VaticanSmoke meshes the world of American Idol with the sports world. Check out the Insane Clown Posse post from last week.
This week's American Idol with Sports Figures features the one hit wondermakers of the early 90's, House of Pain. Yes, the three band members went on to later success in music, with Everlast having some solo success, and another member joining Limp Bizkit. Read all you want about them here. Now on to VaticanSmoke's contestants from the world of sports, competing in an American Idol format by singing House of Pain songs.
House of Pain Song - Performer
"Jump Around" - Wisconsin Student Section
At Camp Randall, every football game features the playing of the ultimate one hit wonder, "Jump Around", at the end of the 3rd quarter. The entire student section dances, you guessed it, jumping around. Pretty neat actually. Ok, a little bit gay:
"Black Jesus" - Ray Allen
A nice "He Got Game" reference for all you Rick Fox fans out there. A great Spike Lee joint, in which Ray Allen plays the part of a high school basketball phenom named Jesus Shuttlesworth. An underrated film that is a great sports movie.
"It ain't a crime" - Mike Vick
Uh, no so fast Lee Harvey. While many parts of American "Urban" culture view dog fighting as a harmless crime (comparable to jay walking), that defense doesnt work too well in a court of law. Hopefully the real life edition of the Longest Yard is going well for Mr. Vick.
"X-Files" - Mark Mulder
The former pride of the Oakland A's, now a washed-up has-been Cardinals pitcher that is playing for the Memphis Redbirds currently (Cardinals AAA affiliate). He is so good, that he claims to be throwing well despite giving up 100 runs in 2 innings. An awful song, an awful pitcher.
"Life Goes On" -
"Come & get some of this" - Ron Artest / Stephen Jackson
This fight just doesn't get old does it? I will never forget watching Sportscenter the night this happened. Great video of these fine young gentlemen going out and "getting some" from Detroit's finest. My favorite is the Pistons fan that comes onto the court towards the end and then gets "tooled on" by Artest and then Stephen Jackson:
Next week will feature a flash back to the 80s. Seacrest out.
This week's American Idol with Sports Figures features the one hit wondermakers of the early 90's, House of Pain. Yes, the three band members went on to later success in music, with Everlast having some solo success, and another member joining Limp Bizkit. Read all you want about them here. Now on to VaticanSmoke's contestants from the world of sports, competing in an American Idol format by singing House of Pain songs.
House of Pain Song - Performer
"Jump Around" - Wisconsin Student Section
At Camp Randall, every football game features the playing of the ultimate one hit wonder, "Jump Around", at the end of the 3rd quarter. The entire student section dances, you guessed it, jumping around. Pretty neat actually. Ok, a little bit gay:
"Black Jesus" - Ray Allen
A nice "He Got Game" reference for all you Rick Fox fans out there. A great Spike Lee joint, in which Ray Allen plays the part of a high school basketball phenom named Jesus Shuttlesworth. An underrated film that is a great sports movie.
"It ain't a crime" - Mike Vick
Uh, no so fast Lee Harvey. While many parts of American "Urban" culture view dog fighting as a harmless crime (comparable to jay walking), that defense doesnt work too well in a court of law. Hopefully the real life edition of the Longest Yard is going well for Mr. Vick.
"X-Files" - Mark Mulder
The former pride of the Oakland A's, now a washed-up has-been Cardinals pitcher that is playing for the Memphis Redbirds currently (Cardinals AAA affiliate). He is so good, that he claims to be throwing well despite giving up 100 runs in 2 innings. An awful song, an awful pitcher.
"Life Goes On" -
"Come & get some of this" - Ron Artest / Stephen Jackson
This fight just doesn't get old does it? I will never forget watching Sportscenter the night this happened. Great video of these fine young gentlemen going out and "getting some" from Detroit's finest. My favorite is the Pistons fan that comes onto the court towards the end and then gets "tooled on" by Artest and then Stephen Jackson:
Next week will feature a flash back to the 80s. Seacrest out.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Caption Contest
A new bit of interactive fun on VaticanSmoke.com - Caption Contest. For those of you that don't know, its simple. You see the picture below. You respond in the comments section right below the post with a possible caption for this photo in a newspaper.
Enjoy the first picture:
Enjoy the first picture:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)