The first two weeks of the NFL season have been quite interesting. While it is too early to find any meaning in the trends found in the first weeks of the season, there are some teams clearly in trouble. San Diego must win this week to remain part of the AFC equation. Daunte Culpepper misses Randy Moss more than he imagined. Green Bay is just a mess and Brett Favre is stuck in the middle of it. Let's see if the Colts defense hangs around all season. Given these events, I will boldly make my Super Bowl pick with the benefit of 2 games being played already.
I've got the Colts and Patriots in the AFC Title game and the Eagles and the Falcons in the NFC Title game. I think Peyton Manning can break through the Pats and Michael Vick will dance his way to the game's biggest stage. Much like Steve Young conquered the Cowboys and ran over the Chargers in the Super Bowl, I think Peyton will set record(s) while beating Atlanta.
There's me going on a limb.
Indulge me. I want to take a moment to revisit my prior posts and follow up on my rants. The Jermaine O'Neal flap mostly blew over and the new labor deal includes a de facto minor league for the NBA. I think the NDBL is going to improve the skill level in the league and give draft picks time to develop in a situation that they can succeed in.
The Lakers are still a mess, Shaq lost his last best shot at a title, (I do not like the overhaul of the Heat and the addition of Gary Payton will not help) Tiger won a couple more majors, Urban passed his first SEC test against Tennessee, the Yankees hung around all season and is making sure the last two weeks of the season are interesting and TCU joining the Mountain West is basically good for football, bad for basketball. Then again, where else would they have gone...
Enjoy the Sports Itch everybody, more to come
laters
cvz
Rebels by10
Friday, September 23
The Return of CVZ
Relax, sports fans, the blog of cvz has returned.
Much like the renaming of the Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, this log has been renamed for primarily advertising purposes. Welcome (back) to the Sports Itch. I will post my musings here about primarily sports but I reserve the right to rant about other things, such as pop culture, news events and also entertainment (movies, tv, that sort of thing).
I promise this will primarily be a sports blog where you can respond to my posts and the posts of others. I encourage your comments, whether you like what you read or not.
I hope you enjoy the Sports Itch!
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Much like the renaming of the Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, this log has been renamed for primarily advertising purposes. Welcome (back) to the Sports Itch. I will post my musings here about primarily sports but I reserve the right to rant about other things, such as pop culture, news events and also entertainment (movies, tv, that sort of thing).
I promise this will primarily be a sports blog where you can respond to my posts and the posts of others. I encourage your comments, whether you like what you read or not.
I hope you enjoy the Sports Itch!
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Tuesday, April 12
Another O'Neal
Hello, world wide webians. I don't have much for you today. I just watched Jermaine O'Neal on ESPN and at the risk of repeating the NBA topic today I will tell why this guy is acting idiotic.
He claims instituting an age limit in the NBA is racist. Give me a break! If you are going to come out and say this is wrong at least call it what it is. The policy is ageist, not racist. He claims that it is not an issue in other sports so why is the NBA talking up an age limit. He says that if you are old enough to fight in the war, why can't you play basketball.
First, the NFL has an age limit. For him to say it's not a issue in other sports, he should talk to Mike Williams and Maurice Clarett and ask them what they did the last year. These guys went to court and couldn't get in. Maybe that's why Jermaine is making a stink. It took him the better part of four years to mature enough to be a star in the league and if he had played college ball or even in the D-league, he would have been the top pick in the draft and had a chance to be a rookie of the year and make some sort of meaningful contribution to his team's success. Instead, he spent three years riding the pine in Portland learning God know what from all of the fine citizens they employed there during his tenure there.
Why is he comparing entering the military to earning a living playing basketball? That is an extreme and utterly powerless argument to use against having an age limit in the NBA. His comments smack of pure ignorance. The guy on ESPN interviewing asked him what was racist about a age limit and he completely dodged the question. If you open your mouth, at least be able to make a coherent argument in support of the stupid thing you said.
My two cents: The age limit is a good idea. It will improve the fundamental skill level in the league. It will not let roster spots be sucked up by players like Darko Milicic that the coach has no interest in playing. The only reason he's there is because the GM couldn't pass up the potential talent that odds are, he won't even be around to see. Instead those spots will be used on important role players that can make a contribution in the locker room and on the floor. Unfortunately, the rule will not keep players from skipping college. These 17 and 18 year olds who have agents and relatives with dollar signs in their eyes will advise them to get drafted, sent to the D-League and earn the rookie scale until being able to make the big time and of course the max contract. We'll see how easily Billy Hunter agrees to this age limit thing.
That's all for today. Perhaps a riff on American Idol tomorrow. I love Hall and Oates and they are on the show tonight. I don't know why however.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
He claims instituting an age limit in the NBA is racist. Give me a break! If you are going to come out and say this is wrong at least call it what it is. The policy is ageist, not racist. He claims that it is not an issue in other sports so why is the NBA talking up an age limit. He says that if you are old enough to fight in the war, why can't you play basketball.
First, the NFL has an age limit. For him to say it's not a issue in other sports, he should talk to Mike Williams and Maurice Clarett and ask them what they did the last year. These guys went to court and couldn't get in. Maybe that's why Jermaine is making a stink. It took him the better part of four years to mature enough to be a star in the league and if he had played college ball or even in the D-league, he would have been the top pick in the draft and had a chance to be a rookie of the year and make some sort of meaningful contribution to his team's success. Instead, he spent three years riding the pine in Portland learning God know what from all of the fine citizens they employed there during his tenure there.
Why is he comparing entering the military to earning a living playing basketball? That is an extreme and utterly powerless argument to use against having an age limit in the NBA. His comments smack of pure ignorance. The guy on ESPN interviewing asked him what was racist about a age limit and he completely dodged the question. If you open your mouth, at least be able to make a coherent argument in support of the stupid thing you said.
My two cents: The age limit is a good idea. It will improve the fundamental skill level in the league. It will not let roster spots be sucked up by players like Darko Milicic that the coach has no interest in playing. The only reason he's there is because the GM couldn't pass up the potential talent that odds are, he won't even be around to see. Instead those spots will be used on important role players that can make a contribution in the locker room and on the floor. Unfortunately, the rule will not keep players from skipping college. These 17 and 18 year olds who have agents and relatives with dollar signs in their eyes will advise them to get drafted, sent to the D-League and earn the rookie scale until being able to make the big time and of course the max contract. We'll see how easily Billy Hunter agrees to this age limit thing.
That's all for today. Perhaps a riff on American Idol tomorrow. I love Hall and Oates and they are on the show tonight. I don't know why however.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Monday, April 11
Father Time
Shaquille O'Neal's success in Miami is hard for any Laker fan to see. It's weird seeing the Lakers without the big fella taking up space underneath. While I am impressed with Chris Mihm's performance, he is obviously no Shaq.
After the trade last summer, O'Neal's play this year is probably expected. The split of the Lakers dynasty and the way it happened left a huge chip on Shaq's shoulder. He arrived in training camp in the best shape since his MVP season of 2000. He doesn't lead his team in scoring but he didn't want to. He wanted Dwayne Wade to get the easy buckets and the headlines. Wade has hit some huge shots for his team this season and his relationship with Shaq has brought the Heat into the conversation about winning the NBA Finals.
Since arriving in South Beach, Shaq has shown a side the Lakers didn't have the courage to ask him to play. He has deferred all the attention to his teammate, Wade. He is still the biggest force on the court he has concentrated on doing what Kobe hasn't done yet: He has made his teammates better.
Since Phil Jackson's arrival in LA, Shaq was a different player. He won the league MVP in 2000 along with his first NBA title and coasted to two more titles after that. He cost his team a chance at a fourth title in the fall of 2002 when he delayed the toe surgery and missed a large chunk of the season, creating a hole the Lakers could never recover from. In last year's playoffs he looked old and tired by the time they faced the Pistons in the finals and didn't have any gas in the tank to carry the Lakers to one more title.
Now in Miami, he seems reenergized and his enthusiasm is up as well. He has missed Miami's last three games and I wonder if this isn't a plan to get him rested for the playoffs. I think the Heat could have an easy road to the conference finals. Their first round would be against the Cavs or Sixers, which barring amazing performances from AI or King James they should beat in five or six games. In the next round, right now it would be either the Pacers or Bulls and given the fact that Chicago hasn't made the playoffs since MJ left town the Pacers will probably win that series in six or seven games. Indiana presents an interesting challenge with Jermaine O'Neal, but Indiana lacks the horses and inside presence to keep up with the Heat over a seven game series. Assuming Detroit locks up the second seed in the East, this could be the series that takes the most out of the Diesel. It is essentially the same team that ran Shaq off the floor in the Finals and it will be the test that will tell whether the Heat have the championship moxie or not.
For you Heat fans, enjoy Shaq this season. Hopefully, Shaq has one more amazing, dominating run through the table in the playoffs this year. It could his last best chance at a title before he succumbs to Father Time. He will never have the motivation to show the Lakers they picked the wrong star to keep in town past this season and while his work ethic has been questioned in past offseasons, he will have signed his last contract in the NBA this summer, probably meaning that his summer, NBA title or no, will be filled with Krispy Kremes.
For you Lakers fans, watch Shaq at his best for one last romp through to the Finals. Remember what was good about the years when he and Kobe were the best two players in the NBA and we were fortunate enough to see them play together on the same team and win titles and win them easily.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
After the trade last summer, O'Neal's play this year is probably expected. The split of the Lakers dynasty and the way it happened left a huge chip on Shaq's shoulder. He arrived in training camp in the best shape since his MVP season of 2000. He doesn't lead his team in scoring but he didn't want to. He wanted Dwayne Wade to get the easy buckets and the headlines. Wade has hit some huge shots for his team this season and his relationship with Shaq has brought the Heat into the conversation about winning the NBA Finals.
Since arriving in South Beach, Shaq has shown a side the Lakers didn't have the courage to ask him to play. He has deferred all the attention to his teammate, Wade. He is still the biggest force on the court he has concentrated on doing what Kobe hasn't done yet: He has made his teammates better.
Since Phil Jackson's arrival in LA, Shaq was a different player. He won the league MVP in 2000 along with his first NBA title and coasted to two more titles after that. He cost his team a chance at a fourth title in the fall of 2002 when he delayed the toe surgery and missed a large chunk of the season, creating a hole the Lakers could never recover from. In last year's playoffs he looked old and tired by the time they faced the Pistons in the finals and didn't have any gas in the tank to carry the Lakers to one more title.
Now in Miami, he seems reenergized and his enthusiasm is up as well. He has missed Miami's last three games and I wonder if this isn't a plan to get him rested for the playoffs. I think the Heat could have an easy road to the conference finals. Their first round would be against the Cavs or Sixers, which barring amazing performances from AI or King James they should beat in five or six games. In the next round, right now it would be either the Pacers or Bulls and given the fact that Chicago hasn't made the playoffs since MJ left town the Pacers will probably win that series in six or seven games. Indiana presents an interesting challenge with Jermaine O'Neal, but Indiana lacks the horses and inside presence to keep up with the Heat over a seven game series. Assuming Detroit locks up the second seed in the East, this could be the series that takes the most out of the Diesel. It is essentially the same team that ran Shaq off the floor in the Finals and it will be the test that will tell whether the Heat have the championship moxie or not.
For you Heat fans, enjoy Shaq this season. Hopefully, Shaq has one more amazing, dominating run through the table in the playoffs this year. It could his last best chance at a title before he succumbs to Father Time. He will never have the motivation to show the Lakers they picked the wrong star to keep in town past this season and while his work ethic has been questioned in past offseasons, he will have signed his last contract in the NBA this summer, probably meaning that his summer, NBA title or no, will be filled with Krispy Kremes.
For you Lakers fans, watch Shaq at his best for one last romp through to the Finals. Remember what was good about the years when he and Kobe were the best two players in the NBA and we were fortunate enough to see them play together on the same team and win titles and win them easily.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Sunday, April 10
Sunday's Random Musings
I don't have a particular focus today so I suppose I will offer my rather humble opinions on whatever enters my mind...
There are two athletes that are legends playing right now. Just like I will tell my children that I remember Michael Jordan doing Jordan-esque things, I will tell them I saw Barry Bonds hit titanic home runs (with or without steriods) and Tiger Woods play golf like no one else. Golfers used to be guys in ugly pants walking. Tiger has changed the way golfers golf. Now golfers are athletes. Golfers work out now because Tiger works out. Will Tiger win more tournaments than Nicklaus? I think the guy is already the best to ever play the game...
The Lakers are not in the playoffs. I wonder what they'll do in the offseason. If Mitch Kupchak, the GM, can't figure something out to get this team back among the top in the Western Conference, he should be run out of town and Dr. Buss should be begging Jerry West to come back and fix his broken toy. Kobe is the centerpiece but he's got to realize even he can't do it alone. Shaq made his job a lot easier and now he doesn't have the space to do his thing anymore, not to mention there is nobody worth paying attention to on this team to keep from double and triple teaming him on EVERY possession. Kobe is second in the league in scoring, his shooting percentage is the lowest since he was missing airballs against Utah in the playoffs and the fact that he has had the year he had is a testament to his amazing talent. More on the Lakers later as the offseason unfolds...
Here's one prediction I feel comfortable about--the NY Yankees will beat the Red Sox in the ALCS and probably trounce whatever team emerges from the wild card in the NL. Pitching wins championships in baseball and the Yankees have more than anyone else in the league...
The upcoming college football season should be interesting. Urban Meyer at Florida will be fun to watch but I'm not convinced he can run his magic in a real football league. The SEC is no Mountain West or Mid American Conference. The MWC was down last year and even the second best team in the league, New Mexico, would fail to score two touchdowns in a single game if they were in the SEC. Florida is also a different animal when it comes to expectations. I'm a fan of Urban's and I hope he proves me wrong...
Speaking of the Mountain West, they add TCU to the conference next season. This is one of two decisions they've made that will keep them from being a BCS league. The other is the TV contract the league signed with College Sports TV. One of the reasons the WAC split was because they were too spread out. TCU is not anywhere near any of the other teams in the league and have no natural regional rival in the league. How attractive it is for the travel secretary for San Diego State to plan a trip to central Texas for a football game. More about the TV contract later...
That's all for now from CVZ Land. Get back to watching Desperate Housewives on your TiVo.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
There are two athletes that are legends playing right now. Just like I will tell my children that I remember Michael Jordan doing Jordan-esque things, I will tell them I saw Barry Bonds hit titanic home runs (with or without steriods) and Tiger Woods play golf like no one else. Golfers used to be guys in ugly pants walking. Tiger has changed the way golfers golf. Now golfers are athletes. Golfers work out now because Tiger works out. Will Tiger win more tournaments than Nicklaus? I think the guy is already the best to ever play the game...
The Lakers are not in the playoffs. I wonder what they'll do in the offseason. If Mitch Kupchak, the GM, can't figure something out to get this team back among the top in the Western Conference, he should be run out of town and Dr. Buss should be begging Jerry West to come back and fix his broken toy. Kobe is the centerpiece but he's got to realize even he can't do it alone. Shaq made his job a lot easier and now he doesn't have the space to do his thing anymore, not to mention there is nobody worth paying attention to on this team to keep from double and triple teaming him on EVERY possession. Kobe is second in the league in scoring, his shooting percentage is the lowest since he was missing airballs against Utah in the playoffs and the fact that he has had the year he had is a testament to his amazing talent. More on the Lakers later as the offseason unfolds...
Here's one prediction I feel comfortable about--the NY Yankees will beat the Red Sox in the ALCS and probably trounce whatever team emerges from the wild card in the NL. Pitching wins championships in baseball and the Yankees have more than anyone else in the league...
The upcoming college football season should be interesting. Urban Meyer at Florida will be fun to watch but I'm not convinced he can run his magic in a real football league. The SEC is no Mountain West or Mid American Conference. The MWC was down last year and even the second best team in the league, New Mexico, would fail to score two touchdowns in a single game if they were in the SEC. Florida is also a different animal when it comes to expectations. I'm a fan of Urban's and I hope he proves me wrong...
Speaking of the Mountain West, they add TCU to the conference next season. This is one of two decisions they've made that will keep them from being a BCS league. The other is the TV contract the league signed with College Sports TV. One of the reasons the WAC split was because they were too spread out. TCU is not anywhere near any of the other teams in the league and have no natural regional rival in the league. How attractive it is for the travel secretary for San Diego State to plan a trip to central Texas for a football game. More about the TV contract later...
That's all for now from CVZ Land. Get back to watching Desperate Housewives on your TiVo.
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
Saturday, April 9
What is a blog?
Welcome to CVZism! This is the only official blog of CVZism. Turn here for my takes on sports, pop culture and all things CVZ. Sate your appetites here almost daily!
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