extra Point March 6, 2012
Greatest Sports Cities in the
Northeast
One More Ollie. One More and We’re Going All The Way
EP
Hey EP Sports Staff-What’s the worst sports city?
In the movie Hoosiers, one moment stands above the rest. With the season on the line, the team’s smallest and worst player, Ollie, needs to make two free throws to win the game. The fate of his team, his coach, and the small town of Hickory hangs in the balance as the pint-sized guard sizes up what could be the final shots of his career. Naturally, Ollie hits both free throws, and his team wins the game. Eventually, Hickory becomes the state champion in basketball for the state of Indiana. For one brief moment, their small town makes the map as the best destination for basketball in a state defined by basketball greatness. It’s always important to recognize the greatness in sports. In this issue, we decided to ask our writers which city has the best sports scene. They happily obliged, ensuring that five major U.S. sports cities had a voice as to why their town is the best. Yes, there is a East Coast bias(sorry Los Angeles), but we feel that it’s a fitting representation of the best locations in the American sporting scene. We didn’t crown a winner either, so you can choose that on your own. (Also, because the best city is obviously Hartford. Go Whalers!). Plus, in true informercial fashion, “There’s so much more!” Alex Kline, the teenage recruiting wunderkind and future Orange, gives his thoughts on following the tomorrow’s stars. We decide which NBA teams should be contracted, and added a fantasy draft to show where their players would go. We also give the obligatory Jeremy Lin v. Tim Tebow comparison, due to our contractual obligation by ESPN. (Just kidding)
Pete Gegick
Editor-In-Chief/Co-Founder
It has to be Atlanta. Two hockey teams needed to relocate? It would never happen to a Canadian city.
Alex Onushco
Creative Director
Dallas. At this point, America’s Team is just a synonym for overpaid, overrated, and underachieving
Sam Knehans
Senior Editor
Milwaukee. Then again, if they left the NL Central, the Cardinals could only dominate five teams.
Danielle Berman
Assistant Editor
Cleveland. Isn’t that the Murphy’s Law of sports cities? Why does it still exist?
Charyse Watson
Web Editor
Detroit. How does that city have four sports teams and St. Louis has three? It’s mind-boggling.
Come along for the ride. It’s one more issue of Extra Point. Bryan Rubin
Social Media Director
Any city where Tim Tebow isn’t. He is what every human being should strive to become and the perfect athlete. Pete Gegick
Advisor
Robert Lloyd
Follow us @EPSportsMag Like us on Facebook
Special Thanks to Ann Hettinger, Harriett Brown, Melissa Chessher, the Magazine Department of Newhouse, David Baer, Merideth Popolo, Jeff Laboon, Scott Simone , and Whitney Houston
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epsportsmag.com
My Town The Major Sports Hubs in the Northeast United States Boston
New York City
By Mike Leydon
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
By Alex Onushco
By Anna Klein
Washington D.C.
By Joe Diglio
11 (AP Photo/Matt York)
DunkaPalooza How much Do you know about the NBA’s High Flyers? By Harrison Highland
13 8
By Jason Krakower
15 (AP/Chuck Burton)
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Addition By Subtraction The teams that Drag the NBA Down By Matthew Rose
17 (Socialsquak.com)
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(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Alex Kline
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Good Guys Finish First
The Recruting Guru talks About the Good in Sports Finally his Favorite Prospect, a memorable Comes to the Forefront Follower, and becoming an Orange By Danielle Berman By Melissa Bronson-Trammel
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The
KickoFF
Sports are a natural unifying force. Whether at the high school, collegiate, or professional level, they bond the local community together. Fans revel in their team’s victories and mourn in their defeats. Despite the fact that the average fan cannot be on the field, they still act as if their cheering, yelling and heckling, either in person or in front of the television, will have an impact on the final result. But that’s not even the most exciting thing about being a sports fan. Arguably, gloating when you defeat a rival team or when your rival team loses is even more enjoyable than celebrating a victory for your team. There may be a few fans that have chosen a favorite team outside of their immediate locality, but for the most part, routing for a sports team comes down to where you were born or raised. Consequently, your local teams bond you to your hometown and come to define your hometown in the minds of other sports fans. So, who do you root for? Where are you from? Tune in to see if your town, big or small, has been recognized as one of the best sports cities in the United States.
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epsportsmag.com
The
K
Kickoff
Zone
Our strike-zone of the biggest hits and misses in the world of sports
Syracuse Basketball
Clinched the Big East regular season title, but this fact may be overshadowed by its second scandal of the season. The NCAA has opened an investigation of the program over failed drug tests.
Golf
World No. 1 golfer, Rory McIlroy, won the Honda Classic while Tiger Woods posted a 62 in the final round, his best tournament score in two years.
Michigan State
Fell into a three way tie for the Big Ten regular season basketball title after William Buford hit a last second jumper to lift Ohio State over the Spartans 72-70 on Sunday.
Jason Varitek
Retired from MLB. He played his entire Major League career with the Boston Red Sox, spending the last seven years as the team captain.
Gregg Williams
Cited as the leader of a “bounty� system which issued payouts for inflicting game-ending injuries on targeted players.
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Kickoff
Where
Fab Melo Spends His Time
The Dome Melo Center Chucks Chipotle Class
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epsportsmag.com
The Recruit Scoop
Alex Kline has established himself as a top-notch basketball scout through his blog and Twitter account Interview by Melissa Bronson-Trammel
EP: What is The Recruit Scoop about? AK: The Recruit Scoop is a website that helps give high school basketball players exposure and recognition, as well as recruiting updates for coaches and fans to check out. It is a platform where college coaches can learn about players they should be recruiting and it helps generate interest, as the site is like a bridge that connects the two together, along with my Twitter account. EP: Why did you choose Syracuse? Did it have anything to do with the basketball team? AK: From the get-go I always wanted a school where basketball was a priority to the administrations and student body, but it did not play a major role. I love Syracuse because of the academic opportunities and my comfort level with the faculty, campus, and students. EP: How has your popularity changed your everyday life? AK: Life is the same for me; I get recognized every so often. Primarily, it has helped my credibility and reputation within the basketball community. I’m no longer just the kid with a backpack and notepad. I’m someone who can make a difference. EP: How will you manage to keep the site up with the demands of college? Would you ever consider making it an organization on campus for other students to participate in? AK: If one loves something, they will do anything possible to make it work. Until I stop enjoying what I do, my plan is to simply work hard and balance my time. It would be great to bring this component to the student body at Syracuse. EP: Why did you chose to cover basketball recruiting? AK: Basketball is a great sport because anyone can succeed in it, whether they are an all-around athlete or not. Underprivileged youth can make something of their lives. EP: Which basketball player that you covered have you seen gain the most success? AK: Davon Reed was my first big success story, although much of the credit is due to his hard work. He made it possible for someone at a small basketball school [Princeton Day in New Jersey] to have a future in college basketball. He now has 19 Division I scholarship offers ranging from the Big East and ACC to A10 ad CAA. I remember advertising his name and game to college coaches early on and some were smart to get on him early, while others unfortunately waited too late. EP: Which coach or scout were you most thrilled about following you on Twitter? AK: Seth Davis of CBS Sports. He is on TV all of the time and is extremely well respected in the business. He is also a great person who cares about society and has strong beliefs. Seth Davis is a good guy! EP: How did you first start The Recruit Scoop? Who encouraged you to do so? AK: I co-founded a website in the 9th grade. The success of the site came off of high school basketball interviews, even though it was primarily a pop culture site. I decided to break off and start my own site. I didn’t have much encouragement as people thought it was a stupid idea at first. Little did they know, it would become a success within a two-year span. EP: Where do you see yourself and the website in the future? AK: I would either like to be a big time basketball writer at CBS, Sports Illustrated, or ESPN; or a businessman in the basketball world such as an agent or general manager. The website could always be bought or merge with a major media outlet. The possibilities seem endless.
Follow EP on Twitter @EPSportsMag and Alex Kline on Twitter @TheRecruitScoop
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Kickoff
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Small Towns that are just as insane as the Big Cities
Sure, this issue examines which cities have the most passionate fan bases. But some small towns can compete with the big boys when it comes to intensity. Here are five towns across America with big-time sports Valdosta, GA All Valdosta does is win. Valdosta High School has 23 state titles in football and 861 total wins, the most in the country. Not to be outdone, rival Lowndes High School has five state titles of its own. Even the local college, Valdosta State, has the winningest coach in NCAA Division II baseball history. Parkersburg, WV If you want to win a state title in West Virginia, the road goes through Parkersburg. The city recently wrapped up state title No. 200 among its three high schools. The feat gains more significance when you realize that almost all of them have come in the last 65 years. Massilon, OH Forget Friday Night Lights, this town contains the most-hyped high school football program in the country. A famous quote from Ron Maly of the Des Moines Sunday Register states, “He(God) created only one Massilon. He knew that would be enough.” With a 20,000-seat stadium, a live tiger cub as a mascot, and their own documentary, it’s an experience that even an FBS player would envy. Artesia, NM Landry Jones’ hometown also has an incredibly successful football program. The Artesia High Bulldogs have won an incredible 26 state titles since 1957, including two stretches as three-time champions. Plus, the school hasn’t seen a losing season since 1989. Odessa, TX There was no way that this town wouldn’t make the list. Known as the mecca for high school football, the program has seen better days since Buzz Bissinger’s trip into town. However, the intensity surrounding the program, and the 19,302 seat monstrosity known as Ratliff Stadium, still hover around Permian High School.
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epsportsmag.com
the QUIZ
By: Harrison Highland
The 2012 Slam Dunk Contest was wack. Without any superstar participation, the event was lackluster at best. Unfortunately, mediocrity is nothing new for the dunk contest. In this issue’s quiz, we remember some of the scrubs who have tried to make a name for themselves at NBA All-Star Weekend.
1.
In 1996, this player recorded the lowest ever score for a single dunk when he was given a 2.0. a) Jerry Stackhouse b) Michael Finley c) Brent Barry d) Greg Minor
2.
This 2000 participant would later infamously throw the ball off of his own basket during a game in an attempt to record a triple double. a) Jerry Stackhouse b) Larry Hughes c) Ricky Davis d) Vince Carter
3.
This player, who competed in the 2005 Dunk Contest, was suspended from the league the following year for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. a) Chris Andersen b) J.R. Smith c) Josh Smith d) Amar’e Stoudamire
4.
This participant in the 2001 contest has a tattoo of Abraham Lincoln’s face on his neck. a) Desmond Mason b) DeShawn Stevenson c) Stromile Swift d) Baron Davis
5.
This player competed in the 1994 Dunk Contest, and has seven children by six different women. a) Isaiah Rider b) Robert Pack c) Shawn Kemp d) Antonio Davis
Answer Key: 1. D, 2. C, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C
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eWe Built This Built This City City
Extra Point takes a look at five towns along the eastern seaboard where sports aren’t just a game, they’re a lifestyle.
Boston Boston
Photo taken from http://cannundrum.blogspot.com
Cities (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
“We buried him With a World Series Chlampions hat.” By: Michael Leydon
B
ittersweet. One word describes the past decade in Boston sports. I grew up in the most spoiled generation of sports fans… ever. The sweet: There is no question that Boston has been the center of the sports world since 2000. When the Patriots stormed the field of the Superdome in 2002 for Super Bowl XXXVI, a flood of red, white, and blue from the tunnel symbolized all that was Boston. We won America’s Game twice more, and we couldn’t have been happier. That was until 2004, when the Red Sox broke their eight-decade drought and brought home the World Series to a city already swelling with pride. I will never forget some of the last words my great uncle, born in 1916, said to my father, “I saw them win again, it’s time to go.” We buried him with a World Series Champions hat three weeks later. In 2007, the Red Sox won it all again, and our city was mad with joy. There was talk of the “sports city of the decade” with three years left to go. The next summer we watched as the Big Three made their way to championship number seventeen. Then began what counts
for a drought in the City of Champions: three years without a trophy. For me, that bitter drought began on February 3, 2008, after the undefeated season gone so horribly wrong. There we were, on the brink of history, and the only thing standing in our way was the lesser Manning, the afterthought. Then came “the catch.” To this day, it haunts my dreams. We lost that Super Bowl by three points, and we haven’t won the trophy since. After the 2007 victory, the Red Sox decided that two championships were enough for them, thank you very much. The Celtics proved that old age catches up, falling to those damned Lakers the next year after a second half crisis and amazing playoff run. Tom Brady’s injury at the start of the 2008 season did not have as much of an impact as predicted on the team, but they did not even make the playoffs the next year. Where were the Bruins during all of this madness? I would say lurking, but that has too positive of a connotation. The Bruins sat quietly in the shadows, like the kid who got invited to the party at the last moment; the unvite. Alas, they emerged in 2011. The Bruins finally
Defenseman Zdeno Chara hoists the Stanley Cup after the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks in last year’s finals. pulled their stuff together and became the rag-tag, loveable bunch they are now. With young players like Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic appealing to the tough-guy, 20-somethings around Boston and the young girls who so adoringly fawn over them on social media, they became a team my generation could relate to. They found their niche and exploited it, and it paid off on their playoff run in 2011. I remember being at Toby Keith’s bar in Foxboro for an Eastern Conference Finals game. The room was so full of people, I couldn’t get within twenty feet of the bar, and so loud the live band had given up. Yes, the live band in a bar
designed as a testament to a country megastar could not be heard over the cheers of the crowd. My dad, a former hockey player and lifelong Bruins fan, was speechless while Zdeno Chara hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head for the first time. That team may go down as one of the most loved teams from this decade. The sweet: three Super Bowls, two World Series, one NBA Championship and one Stanley Cup. The bitter: the three-year “drought.” A fair trade-off, I’d say. Oh, and one more thing: NY sucks. Viva Boston.
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New York New York City City
Photo taken from http://www.thesedayscontinue.org
Cities
“You want a display of sheer determination? How ‘bout Willis Reed playing despite a torn thigh muscle.” By: Joe Diglio
titles of their own, and even the Jets have a Super Bowl ount all of the under their belts. championships It’s not just that these the teams from teams win, it’s how they your city have win. You want a display of won. Go ahead, sheer determination? How I’ll wait…. Are you done? If ‘bout Willis Reed playing you are, then it probably despite a torn thigh muscle means you aren’t from New in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA York City. That’s because no Finals, inspiring the Knicks one wins like the teams that to win their first title. You have “New York” written want an underdog story? on their jerseys, caps, and Try the Giants toppling the helmets. 18-0 New England Patriots In terms of championship to win Super Bowl XLII. bling, no city shines as bright How about a gutsy call? as New York. Its teams have Well, there is always Joe 48 titles. The city is led by the Willie Namath guaranteeing Yankees, arguably the most victory in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts; and delivering on it. Still, there’s more to it than winning. The Giants didn’t win the 1958 NFL Championship, but they played host to what is to this day called “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” losing in overtime to the Colts. The Yankees lost the 2001 World Series, but they energized a city that was still picking itself up after the events of 9/11. The physical and verbal abuse Jackie Robinson received both on and off the field made his career far from glamorous, but by breaking the color barrier in baseball he changed the sports landscape forever. Really, when you think New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is cheered on by about it, who wouldn’t his team as he performs a touchdown celebration. want to be a part of New
C
successful franchise in all of sports. They have 27 World Series titles, 16 more than their nearest competitor, the St. Louis Cardinals. But despite the Pinstripes’ apparent domination of New York, the city’s other teams still pull their weight. The New York Football Giants are third in the NFL in total championships with eight. The Rangers and Islanders both drank from Lord Stanley’s Cup four times. The Mets and Knicks have two
(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
York sports? It’s home to some of the best places to play in the world. The old Yankee Stadium isn’t around anymore, and neither is Ebbets Field, but their spirits live on in the new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, both of which were designed with their legendary predecessors in mind. New York also hosts the last tennis major every year, the aptly named U.S. Open (what city represents the United States better than New York?). And of course, there’s The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. In addition to being the home of the Knicks and Rangers, it also hosts the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Every year it hosts the men’s Big East Tournament, as well as the pre and postseason NIT, the latter of which used to crown the champion of college basketball. After the NCAA Tournament took over as the premier postseason event, the Garden held the Final Four a record six consecutive times in the 1940’s, and seven times overall. It’s the Mecca of basketball, and rightly so. Today, New York sports are looking good. The Giants are Super Bowl champs. The Yankees have a legitimate chance to compete for a 28th World Series. The Rangers sit atop the Eastern Conference standings. And with Linsanity driving the Knicks, the sky is the limit. Yep, the sports scene in New York is alive and well.
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Philadelphia Philadelphia
Photo taken from http://blog.owu.edu
Cities (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
“The rest of the country calls us rude and even a little crazy. We call it passionate.” By: Alex Onushco
L
et us get this out of the way first: yes, it was Philadelphia Eagles fans who threw snowballs at Santa Claus. Now let us move on. For years, Philadelphia and her fans have been given a bad rap by the rest of the nation. Sure, there may at one time have been jail cells in The Vet and The Linc, but those days are long gone. The rest of the country calls us rude and even a little crazy. We call it passionate. In fact, Philadelphia fans are probably some of the most passionate people out there. There is a reason we are called the City of Brotherly Love, ya know. Go to any game sporting the team’s colors, and you instantly become the best friend of thousands of people. Heck, even using the urinal at halftime isn’t so bad when the guy standing next to you is more than willing to strike up a
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay throws against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a baseball game in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 7-5.
conversation. We treat each other like family, and only come off as crazy and rude to outsiders because, well, we just don’t like them. Of course, maybe you do have to be a little crazy to be a Philadelphia fan. After all, not just anyone can watch the team they know and love continue to fall just short of greatness. Since Andy Reid took over as head coach of the Eagles 13 years ago, the team has won 126 games, tallied six division titles and been to five NFC championships. The only thing missing is perhaps the most important: a Super Bowl title. Then there are the Phillies, who did in fact win a championship back in 2008. But that now seems so long ago, as the team has taken a
step back every year since then. I mean, they have the best pitching rotation in all of baseball. How do they not have another World Series title under their belts? The Flyers and Sixers are both teams that fall under the same category. They are composed of allaround solid athletes, but are missing a key ingredient. Ilya Bryzgalov is not the savior we thought he would be at goalie, and the Sixers have lacked a bona-fide stud since Allen Iverson. And yet, despite all these shortcomings, Philly fans continue to maintain hope. The years of monotony and disappointment have taken their toll, but we keep coming back for more. We pretty much wrote the textbook on staying loyal to
a sports franchise. Perhaps that loyalty will soon payoff, as all four Philly teams seem poised to do great things in the near future. The Eagles, despite a nightmarish 2011 season, are really only a stud linebacker away from a Super Bowl, and the Phillies look set to make yet another run at a World Series title with their talented roster. The Sixers are young, but they are progressing rapidly, and if they can land a talented offensive player to couple with their stifling defense, they will be one of the more dangerous teams in the NBA. It is this hope that forces Philly fans to continue marching on. So yeah, maybe we are crazy. But in the best way possible.
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Pittsburgh Pittsburgh
Photo taken from http://pittsburgh.about.com
Cities (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans cheer on their team as they proudly wave the trademark Terrible Towel.
P
icture this. It’s 10:00 AM in the middle of December and it seems as though all of Steeler Nation is gathered in one place. Snow is slowly falling as “Steelers Polka,” the classic fight song, is creeping out of one of the run-down storefronts that house every variety of Steelers and Penguins apparel imaginable. The sidewalks are crowded with vendors selling t-shirts for a dollar, winter jackets, umbrellas, shoes, shot glasses, and license plate decals. And yes, everything is black and gold. Pittsburghers from near and far have gathered on this cold Saturday morning, when the end to another successful season is nearing, to prepare for the tailgating festivities ahead. Bags of cheese, sausages, biscotti, bread, beer, popcorn, and of course, a few more t-shirts to add to the collection, are in tow. Families are clothed in black and gold. Every ten minutes or so,
the crowd breaks into a verse of “Here we go Steelers.” Football season in Pittsburgh is unlike any other time of year. It’s as if the entire city has forgotten that a world outside of football exists, and on Saturdays (the day solely designated to the preparation of tailgating parties) everything is dropped in order to make the weekly trip to the Strip District, the gathering place for the biggest fans. It isn’t just the Steelers, though. Partly because of the arrival of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, the Penguins are back on the sporting scene. The same scenario plays out throughout hockey season. And, believe it or not, we’ve still got a Pirates gathering, as well. Every year, on October 13, some of the biggest Pirates fans gather to celebrate the Bill Mazeroski hit that led to the Pirates’ win over the legendary New York Yankees. Although the Pirates’ winning percentage has certainly gone downhill over the years, we remember to celebrate the golden era
“Any sports follower in the U.S. recognizes the dedication and, to be quite honest, the insanity of Pittsburgh fans.” By: Anna Klein
when the Pirates not only had more wins than losses, but also couldn’t seem to stay away from World Series titles. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, it is hard to understand what truly differentiates it from every other city with a half decent sports scene. Any sports follower in the U.S., however, recognizes the dedication and, to be quite honest, the insanity of Pittsburgh fans. At away games throughout the season, it can seem as if there are more Penguins or Steelers followers than those of the home team. We’ve got a large collection of true fans across the country, and we have been recognized for our nationwide base. Prior to a visit to Pittsburgh, this may be all someone knows
about our sporting scene or the city, for that matter. However, upon arrival, the city’s energy and passion for our teams is palpable. Pittsburgh isn’t a big city. It isn’t known for producing world-class actors or musicians. We aren’t regarded as one of the most cultured places on earth. But that doesn’t hurt the pride we have for not only our sports teams, but for our hometown. We house some of the best athletes in the country. We are home to the greatest fans. Pittsburgh bleeds sports. It’s what we take pride in. Our sports and our world-class fans make our city exactly what it is today.
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ashington, Washington, D.C. D.C.
Photo taken from eastcoastadventures.com
Cities “If you withhold the prize for long enough, it makes everybody want it all the more.”
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
By: Jason Krakower
I
f you want to immerse yourself in overwhelming culture and history, experience a place that possesses immeasurable power, and be a part of the heart of the greatest country in the world, then come to Washington, D.C. If you want a great sports town, you might have better luck in Cleveland. That’s obviously a joke. Cleveland sucks. Seriously, though, D.C. has a really bad rap when it comes to sports. On the surface, it seems as if the nation’s capital deserves the criticism it receives concerning its four major teams. The last championship that the city took home was 20 years ago, when the Redskins beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. The Bullets/Wizards franchise has one title in its history, which came way back in 1978. Both the Expos/Nationals and Capitals have never won a championship. In fact, the last championship series that any D.C. team has played in was in 1998, when the Red Wings easily swept the Caps. This year, the Skins finished 5-11 (despite beating the
Super Bowl champion Giants twice). The Nationals had another sub-.500 season. The Wizards have found a comfortable spot in the Eastern Conference cellar again. The Caps are fighting just to make the playoffs. It’s been a rough life for D.C.’s younger generation. But all of that futility is exactly the reason why D.C.’s fans are some of the greatest in the entire country. They keep coming back, no matter how terrible the entertainment. It all comes down to hope, really. And to quote everybody’s favorite Shawshank Prison inmate, “hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.” It’s pretty incredible to witness when talking to D.C. sports fans. They complain and complain about how awful everything is, but once the season is over and the damage is done, the offseason talk immediately begins and there’s a sense of optimism about the future. Fans in more prestigious sports cities are passionate, devoted, and even crazy about their teams. But sometimes they expect to win because it’s what they’re accustomed to, and that takes a little something away
Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of a NBA game. from the experience. They get a little complacent and jaded in their fandom. D.C. fans haven’t been given that opportunity. If you withhold the prize for long enough, it makes everybody want it all the more. In other words, it gets the people going. It shows in attendance too – the Skins and Caps both sell out every game they play. So despite what seems like a lifetime without something to celebrate, we don’t throw in the towel in the nation’s capital. We hope for the future. And there
might be reason to hope. The Nationals are young and packed with talented prospects, and team MVP Ryan Zimmerman will be around until 2019. The Skins are looking for a franchise quarterback to complement a solid defense. The Caps should soon find the right chemistry for their talented players. The Wizards might be bad for a while. So now, D.C. teams, it’s up to you. Don’t make us wait too much longer. Get busy living or get busy dying.
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Punt and Grunt
Inside: CBB: Big East Tournament Preview NHL: Toughest PLayoff Spots NBA: Losing the Losers OP-ED: Good Boys Take Over
CBB: Big east tourny preview
by Lauren Dellipoali
Watching this keeps you glued to the edge of your seat. You can never predict who is going to win. Look at last year. Who would have picked UConn to win? In a tournament like the ACC, Duke is a lock to win virtually every year. The Blue Devils have won nine of the last 12. The Big East Tournament is different. There has not been a repeat winner since Syracuse in 2005-06. With the top teams garnering a double-bye, the Big East tournament has become even more intriguing. How will teams react to the doublebyes? How will teams handle the possibility of playing five games in five days? Those questions have been slightly answered, but are still up for debate.
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With Syracuse going in as the No. 1 seed, it will be interesting to watch how they play. They have not been successful in the tournament in recent years, getting bounced fairly early, and they have not made the finals since 2009, despite having a high seed in the following years. This shows the beauty of the Big East Tournament; seeding doesn’t matter. It is not unprecedented for a lower seeded team to upset a higher seeded team, and it is almost guaranteed to happen every year. That is the beauty of the Big East. Another reason why this tournament is special is the venue. They don’t rotate it to various cities and stadiums. It stays at MSG. The world’s most famous arena is then filled with fans from all participating teams, even though it is St. John’s home court, and as some claim it, Syracuse’s second home. People in New York City know and love their basketball and they never allow the Garden to be empty. Every game there boasts a solid amount of fans cheering on their team, creating an unbelievable atmosphere. So, who will win this year’s tournament? Two intriguing picks are Marquette and Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have been very impressive this year, and they are they only team who has been able to beat Syracuse. Marquette has also flown under the radar and will pose a problem to their opponents. There can also be a team who pulls a “UConn” and somehow wins five straight, like St. Johns. Either way, this tournament never disappoints and is a must watch for all college basketball fans. Buckle your seatbelts . www.edwud.com
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sbnation.com
Excitement. Unpredictable. Upsets. Six overtimes. A team winning five games in five days. These are all things that happen at the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden and that list is just the beginning. The Big East Tournament is unlike any other conference tournament. Not only does it take place in the world’s most famous arena, MSG, it is also the most unpredictable tournament of them all. What other conference tournament can boast a six overtime game, numerous upsets, and a team making a miraculous run by winning five games in five days? None.
www.collegesportsmadness.com
prosportsblogging.com
What to watch for this weekend
nhl: Toughest playoff spots Spring time is right around the corner. Do you know what that means? The greatest playoffs in professional sports begin. Of course we are talking about the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One of the reasons that make the Stanley Cup Playoffs the most exciting in all of sports is the homecrowd advantage that each team gets when they play at home. This is a rundown of the five greatest home-ice advantages in this year’s playoffs.
5. Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia fans have the reputation of being some of the most obnoxious and obscene fans. While some of those claims might be true, Philly fans are passionate and care about their team as much as anyone. When those fans come decked out in orange, it is certainly a sight to see. The rendition of the God Bless America by Lauren Hart and the late Kate Smith ignites the crowd into frenzy. When this is sung, the Flyers rarely lose.
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Rinks that teams want to avoid come postseason
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4. TD Garden – Boston Bruins
Boston is a hockey town, even though some don’t believe it. As one of the original six teams in the NHL, the Bruins have one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. They are also not afraid to get on the radio or in the newspapers to say how they really feel about their team’s performance. When the TD Garden is loud and rockin’, good luck. You’re going to need it.
2. Madison Square Garden – New York Rangers
Madison Square Garden is the world’s most famous arena, and when the Rangers are good, there is no place you would rather be. Constant overreactions are a part of everyday life if you are a Rangers fan, but in the end, the fans are always there. The pressure of playing in New York will always be there, but when the team is successful, the NHL is better off because of that electricity in the Garden.
1. Joe Louis Arena – Detroit Red Wings Was there really any doubt where we were going with this? Detroit is Hockeytown, U.S.A. They simply don’t lose at home. They recently broke the record for most home wins in a row with 23. The fans’ passion is clearly evident, and anytime an octopus is thrown on the ice before the game, you know the fans are crazy. This is why Joe Louis Arena is the toughest place to play in this year’s playoffs.
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The Canucks are the major sports team in Vancouver. They also have one of the most moving renditions of the Canadian National Anthem. Before important home games, the entire crowd, in unison, sings along with the national anthem. It really sends chills down your spine. They are also known for the green men. These men dress in morph suits and mock the opposing team as one of their players sits in the penalty box. The Vancouver fans live and die with this team.
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3. Rogers Arena – Vancouver Canucks
NBA: Losing the losers by Matt Rose
Teams that just don’t make the cut
MOCK MIDSEASON DRAFT
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The NBA consists of 30 teams with access to the most talented players (based on current standings) 1. New Jersey Nets: Eric Gordon G (Hornets) in the world. Ideally, all teams should be fairly equal to create the most competitive league possible, as David Stern proved when he rejected a Chris 2. Detroit Pistons: John Wall G (Wizards) Paul trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, some organizations are not in a big enough market or are not operated well enough to compete 3. Sacramento Kings: Kemba Walker G (Bobcats) with the Lakers and Miami Heat of the league. So why not eliminate some of those teams? Say the league is trimmed to 26 teams instead of 30. The 4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrea Bargnani C bottom feeders no longer pad teams’ win columns, and the rest of the league (Raptors) 5. Milwaulkie Bucks: DeMar DeRozan F balances the top players from those teams. (Raptors) First Cut: Charlotte Bobcats The Charlotte Bobcats have no place in the NBA. In 6. Phoenix Suns: JaVale McGee C (Wizards) fact, we tuned in to the D-League All-Star game half 7. Golden State Warriors: Chris Kaman C expecting to see some Bobcats out there. Outside of (Hornets) DJ Augustin, Kemba Walker, and Gerald Henderson, 8. Utah Jazz: DJ Augustin G (Bobcats) the Bobcats have a roster of twelfth-men. Brian Scalabrine has more skill than half of them. One team 9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nick Young G down, three to go. (Wizards) Second Cut: Washington Wizards 10. New York Knicks: Carl Landry F (Hornets) The Wizards have been far too bad for far too long. Yes, they have a talented nucleus of young players, but they have had young 11. Boston Celtics: Andray Blatche F players waiting to develop as long as we have followed the (Wizards) NBA. John Wall, JaVale McGee, Nick Young, and Andray 12. Portland Trailblazers: Ed Davis F (Raptors) Blatche all have the potential to be solid starters, or possible 13. Denver Nuggets: Trevor Ariza F (Hornets) stars in the future. Unfortunately, the Wizards are worse at developing players than Shaq is at acting. If the Wizards 14. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarrett Jack G (Hornets) had different management, they would be a promising organization. Sadly, the Wizards are the Wizards, and their 15. Atlanta Hawks: Jose Calderon G (Raptors) infuriating management is reason enough to eliminate them 16. Dallas Mavericks: Gerald Henderson G from the league. Two down, two to go. (Bobcats) third cut: new orleans Hornets The Hornets don’t even have an owner right now, so it 17. Houston Rockets: Jordan Crawford G (Wizards) is hard to say they are headed in the right direction. Eric Gordon has star potential, but has only played in two 18. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrus Thomas F games this season and is set to become a free agent (Bobcats) at season’s end. Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, and Carl 19. Los Angeles Lakers: Jerryd Bayless G Landry are all solid post players, but none can dominate (Raptors) and lead a team to victory. With few assets and no ownership, the Hornets could dissolve and few people would even notice. One more team to purge. 20. Los Angeles Clippers: Jan Vesely F (Wizards) Final Cut: toronto raptors The Sacramento Kings are a tempting choice 21. Orlando Magic: Corey Maggette F with constant underperformance, but their young (Bobcats) talent keeps them in the league and the Toronto 22. Indiana Pacers: Amir Johnson F (Raptors) Raptors get the axe. Beside DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani, and Ed Davis, the Raptors have 24. San Antonio Spurs: Bismack Biyombo F absolutely nothing. If they added a player or two, (Bobcats) they would have a chance to be successful, but 25. Miami Heat: Rashard Lewis F (Wizards) Toronto is not an alluring location for NBA players. Tracy McGrady did not want to stay, Vince Carter found a way out, and Chris Bosh packed his bags 26. Chicago Bulls: Al-Farouq Aminu F (Hornets) for Miami the day his contract expired. The trend would only continue if the 27. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chris Singleton Raptors stayed in the NBA. F (Wizards)
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OP-ED: Good Boys Take Over by Danielle Berman
This past fall, all we heard about was Tim Tebow. The Florida Gators product dominated TV, radio, and especially social media. The Denver Broncos’ Tim Tebow is an average level quarterback who (with luck and help from his teammates) brought his team back from behind towards the end of the season. “Tebow Time” helped the Broncos defeat Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Wild Card round of the playoffs this January. But in all honesty, he is remembered more for his constant prayer and devout faith on and off the field than he is for his quarterback skills. Fast forward to February, then go east and Ivy to Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks point guard who exploded onto the scene merely four weeks ago. Lin is a Harvard grad, a product of the NBA Development League, and, to keep with the trend, a devout religious nut as well. Lin isn’t as associated with his religious beliefs, probably because he is more associated with his talent as a basketball player. Tebow and Lin have shown that they can play against the best, but both still have a lot of work to do. Sure, Tebow beat the Steelers this January, but the Steelers boasted an injured Ben Roethlisberger, an older and injured secondary, and a lack of confidence that usually permeates the team throughout the season. Tebow didn’t beat the Pittsburgh Steelers–the team that always gives you butterflies in your stomach because you know it’s going to be a battle. The Steelers were weak and Tebow took advantage. Lin has won against NBA superstars like the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. But he’s lost a few games to stars like the Miami Heat’s LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and the New Jersey Nets’ Deron Williams just as Tebow lost to Tom Brady. That’s what makes these players interesting: they have dominated the sports media and they aren’t the best players in their respective leagues. Is anyone going to argue that Jeremy Lin is better than LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? We can already tell you nobody is picking Tim Tebow over Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. The two biggest stars of the past six months are devout Christians who spend free time with family. Is this good boy trend a coincidence? Before you jump to conclusions about how bad it is that sport could be losing its secularism, pause for a second. Who’s the alternative to these guys? Think about who was in the spotlight before Tebow and Lin. Would we rather have violent and lawbreaking athletes represent the best of the best in sports? The media is focusing on players with positive extracurricular activities and isn’t creating phenomenons over players who spend their free time at clubs and behind bars. It will be interesting to watch these two crusaders throughout their respective careers and see if this trend really sticks. Will it continue to be the good boys in the spotlight or will the bad boys push them back out of the way? For now, it seems the media is sick of the negativity and ready to focus on the positive. If Tebow and Lin continue to make marks in the win column, they will continue to dominate the spotlight.
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“Tebow Time” & “Lin-Sanity” take over America
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