Monday, August 28, 2006

Kickoff...

I was sitting here contemplating doing my English homework, but only one thing could come to my mind. Sunday afternoon. On this Sunday, September 3, the Ole Miss Rebels will be taking on Memphis State in the first game of the 2006 NCAA Football Season.

If you didn't know, I despise the University of Memphis, I have a deeply rooted disdain for that team and their fans. To me, this isn't just the first game of the season, it is the most important game of the season. Yes, I know it's not an SEC game, and it won't help our conference record, but these Tiger fans have reached a point of absurdity. They actually think they are on the same playing field as Ole Miss. They've been to three bowls, three! The fans are simply driving me insane. On their message boards they constantly belittle Ole Miss and attempt to make it seem as though Ole Miss is the little brother of Memphis. Can they really be serious? The series record is 43-10, you didn't misread that. How can you look at that record and even entertain the though of owning a team?

Now, I will give the Tigers credit where credit is due. They have had good seasons over the past few seasons. Last year they were able to overcome multiple QB injuries and win the Motor City Bowl against Akron. The year before they fell to Bowling Green State in the Mobile Bowl. The year before that they emeged victorious from the New Orleans Bowl against the mighty North Texas State Mean Green. Doesn't that name just strike fear into your heart? The North Texas State Mean Green.

All of these were good accomplishment for the Tigers, but they achieved all of this with their two best players in franchise history, Deangelo Williams and Danny Wimprine. However, these players are gone and the Tigers are left with question marks at the running and QB positions. You can argue Ole Miss is in the same predicament, but we have a highly touted QB in Brent Schaeffer, with SEC experience, and an incredibly deep corp of running backs. Check out the stats and names if you don't agree with my assesments on the running game. I guess this is a good lead into my position analysis for the game Sunday.

QBs:
Ole Miss - The Rebels are led by JUCO transfer, and former UT standout, Brent Schaeffer. BS is an incredibly gifted player with blazing speed, accurate arm, and can throw with power. He's gotten plenty of pre-season hype and is looking to redeem himself from his fallout with the SEC his freshman year. Expect to see Schaeffer turn some heads with his playmaking ability this game, both with his arm and his feet. BS is accused of not playing against quality competition, but with the type of numbers he put up in JUCO, it's hard to dismiss the fact that he will be a great college player.

Memphis - The Tigers will more than likely have Martin Hankins under center against the Rebels. Hankins is a transfer from SELA and has been hailed as a great passing QB. Last year the Tigers had QB problems against the Rebels when the starter, Patrick Byrne broke his ankle on the third play of the game. Tiger fans are hoping this does not occur again, for obvious reasons, and Rebel fans are hoping it doesn't either. (We're sick of hearing that excuse from the game last season)
Advantage: Ole Miss

RBs:
Ole Miss - Ole Miss has a completely different running game this season. Last year the Rebels struggled to muster anything on the ground, but with the additions of BJGE, Cordera Eason, Bruce Hall, and the return of Mico Mcswain the Rebels are suddenly a very dangerous ground team. The depth at RB is going to allow the Rebs to use Mcswain in a variety of different ways. Mico can play both the reciever and RB positions, so this will allow him to be on the field with the other playmakers currently in the backfield.

Memphis - Tiger High is trying to fill a huge void at the running position. Heisman hopeful, Deangelo Williams, has left the Tigers and joined the ranks of the NFL and Joseph Doss is left to fill his shoes. Albeit, Doss is a capable running back, but he is small and doesn't have the ability to consistently go up the middle. However, I am not worried about Doss playing a significant impact on this game. The Rebel LBs and Safeties are more than capable of going sideline to sideline to prevent Doss from using his speed to break free.
Advantage - Ole Miss

WRs/TE:
Ole Miss - The Rebels have two players returning with in game experience from last season, Robert Lane and Carlos Suggs. Despite the lack of experience, there is no lack of talent in this recieving corp. Freshmen Dexter Mccluster and Marshay Green have coaches salivating with their playmaking potential. Other players such as Hicks and Wallace have shown signs of potential on the practice field as well. The recieving corp will probably be the X-Factor for the Rebs this season. Despite the question at WR, the Rebs are loaded at the TE position with Lilly and Lane providing a great two TE combo.

Memphis - The Tigers have a good group of recievers this season. They are also have plenty of on field expeirience. Players such as Taz Knockum, Earnest Williams, freshman Duke Calhoun, Ryan Scott, Mario Pratcher, and Robinzine all expect to have impact plays during the season. While the Tigers have an impressive group of WRs, they are suspect at the TE position.
Advantage - Memphis

Defense:
Ole Miss - Patrick Willis, nuff' said.
Memphis - Joe Lee Dunn, nuff' said
Advantage - Ole Miss

Special Teams:
Ole Miss - The kicking game is a nightmare.
Memphis - Gibson will be an All-American
Advantage - Memphis

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Team USA

When one mentions USA basketball one word should come to mind. Domination. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case thanks to the past two outings of the USA national team on the world stage. It started in 2002 during the FIBA World Championships. A team consisting of stars such as Baron Davis, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Reggie Miller, and Raef Lafrentz? The team finished an embarrassing sixth place in the tournament losing 3 of its last 5 games. This effectively ended a 58 game winning streak the U.S. held in International competition.

However, the free fall from world domination continued two years later in Athens, Greece at the 2004 Summer Olympics. David Stern organized a group of players led by Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Lebron James, Allen Iverson, and Tim Duncan to compete in the 2004 Olympics. He also chose coaching guru, at the time, Larry Brown to guide this team through the Olympic games. Unlike the 2002 World Championships, the United States faltered from the beginning with a humiliating 19-point beatdown by lowly Puerto Rico. The team struggled through the rest of the games and finished a disappointing third place.

What many people thought as a one-time occurrence after the 2002 World Championships was turned into a fear after the Olympic games? Could it be that the rest of the world has caught up, if not passed the United States? How did this happen? How can we change this? These were all questions people began to ask following the disappointment of the 2004 Summer Olympics.

“Has the rest of the world caught up to the United States in basketball?”

The answer is simply, no. The rest of the world has closed the gap, but they are still far from challenging the United States to the right of being the best basketball nation. Looking at the NBA today you can see the impact foreign players are having on the game. Here are just a few of the International players who have made an impact in the NBA: Dirk of Germany, Pau Gasol of Spain, Manu Ginobli of Argentina, Yao Ming of China, Tony Parker of France, George Muresan of Romania, and Rik Smits of the Netherlands. Just kidding about those last two. If you notice though, no country on there can boast many more all stars in the NBA. Sure, France has Diaw, Spain has Vazquez and Rodriguez, but what other country can boast the amount of bon a fide superstars that the United States has? The answer is no one. The United States still, and probably always will remain, the basketball Mecca of the world.

“How did the rest of the world start closing the gap?”

Even though we still remain the best country overall, the gap has been and is being closed. Why is this? Because the sport of basketball is rapidly growing in popularity through out the world. Thanks to David Stern’s Basketball without Boarders campaign, the availability of NBA games in other countries, and the emergence of foreign superstars people everywhere are being exposed to the game of basketball. It used to be children in Europe and Asia did not have a local basketball player to idolize, soccer was king. However, with the emergence of players like Dirk, Parker, and Gasol kids in these countries have a player to idolize and emulate on the court and reason to follow the game of basketball.

This is not the only reason the Americans have been struggling in International play lately either. Another reason is because we aren’t sending our best players to the competitions. Where are Kobe, Shaq, and KG? We have sent second tier superstars in their place. Now, these players are still better than foreign competition on paper, but they are not the type of players you want to have on a team competing in international basketball. The international game is much different from the American game. The past two teams have lacked players who could thrive in the international system. For example, a three-point shooter makes playing the international game much easier. On our 2004 Olympic team, the best three-point shooter on the team was Richard Jefferson who is a career 32% three-point shooter. The team should have been built with a three-point specialist, a defensive stopper, and mobile center with a mid-range game. None of these criteria were met on the 2002 and 2004 national teams. This also played a contributing factor to the alleged American fall from dominance.

“How can we change this?”

David Stern, who I feel to be one of the greatest commissioners of all time (that’s another article), has taken the appropriate steps to ensuring a turnaround in the upcoming 2006 FIBA World Championships. Stern appointed Duke head coach and basketball genius Mike Krzyzewski to coach the 2006 U.S. National team. Coach K held tryouts in Las Vegas to determine who would field the 15 man, 12 active, roster who would represent the United States. These players who were chosen to tryout effectively committed their services to the U.S. national team for a certain number of years. Coach K did a tremendous job in determining who made the cut and has fielded a team that I feel will easily sweep through the World Championships.

The team roster looks like this:

PG Kirk Hinrich – One of the few true point guards left in the NBA. He is an excellent floor general who can score when called upon and can distribute the ball with the best of them; this is something Team USA has not had recently. His game adapts very well to the International style of play, and his unselfish play and ability to create will make the job of other players much easier.

PG Chris Paul – Paul is the reigning Rookie of the Year in the NBA. He is lightning quick, fearless, a great passer, and an exciting player to watch. He will bring solid point guard skills and some youth and energy to the team.

PG/SG Gilbert Arenas – Gilbert is a rising star in the NBA. He is one of the best scorers in the league and will provide the team with a much-needed outside threat.

PG/SG Dwayne Wade – Dwayne is quickly becoming the most recognizable name in the NBA next to Lebron James. Wade knows what it takes to win, and will do everything in his power to ensure that his team will win. He brings tremendous playmaking ability and more athleticism to the team.

SG/SF Joe Johnson – Joe Johnson provides more three-point capability to Team USA. Johnson surfaced as one of the leagues premiere shooters in the run and gun offense of the Phoenix Suns. Team USA has the capability to play that style of play so look out for Johnson in the fast break situations for three.

SF Carmello Anthony – Carmello Anthony is one of the premiere clutch shooters in the league. He will provide more athleticism and downtown capability to this team. Also, if the team is ever in need of a clutch three expect to see Carmello stepping up and hitting
It.

SF Lebron James – Lebron, along with Dwade could be the catalyst of Team USA. He is one of the most electrifying players in the game and still has 10 years left before people start talking about him reaching the end of his prime. Lebron brings everything to the court for Team USA and will be a key part to the success of the team.

SF Bruce Bowen – Bowen is the defensive stopper the team desperately needs. Bowen has a reputation around the NBA for being able to get it done when it comes to shutting down an opponent. Although he may not be the cleanest player in the league, he’s crafty enough to accomplish it without getting in trouble.

SF Shane Battier – Battier isn’t the most exciting, athletic, or most fun to watch player on the team, but he will do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory for Team USA. Shane does not excel in any one area, but does everything well and he will provide much needed hustle for the team.

SF Antawn Jamison – Jamison will bring much needed veteran leadership and a good mid-range game to the team.

PF Chris Bosh – Bosh will provide low post scoring, shot blocking, and rebounding on the post.

PF Elton Brand – Brand is one of the best scoring forwards in the NBA. He has a respectable mid-range game and a bevy of low post moves that can net him easy baskets during this tournament. Expect Brand to have quite a few double doubles in this tournament.

F/C Dwight Howard – Howard is probably the best rebounder on the team, and will not be afraid of anyone in these games. Howard will be put in there to get rebounds and play tough interior defense.

C Brad Miller – Miller is the ideal center for the international game. He is tall, passes well, good mid-range game, can play down low, and can rebound when called upon. Miller will cause some match up problems during the tournament and could possibly be a triple-double threat if used correctly.

C Amare Stoudamire – Amare is the best center in the league. He is athletic, strong, a great shot blocker, can rebound, and will score against anyone in the league. Even though he is coming off a season long injury, expect Amare to play with heart and energy throughout the tournament.

This lineup contains the perfect balance of athleticism and poise, slashing ability and three point capability, and youth and veteran savvy it takes to win the FIBA World Championships. Coach K has made it clear that the U.S. isn’t going to just win every game of the tournament, but demolish the competition every quarter. I fully expect this team to do just so, and bring the United States back to its rightful spot as the best basketball nation in the world.