DO IT FOR THE KIDS

As the NFL lockout seems to pick up steam when it looked like it was headed for resolution, it becomes more and more clear that the biggest losers will be the rookies. They can already expect to lose out on money and signing bonuses whenever a new agreement is reached. They already had to keep face during a tainted draft day. Now they're being stripped of the rookie symposium, their first official chance to get acclimated to the league. A few months back I heard that for someone to make it as a professional athlete, you could assume that the individual has put in approximately 10,000 hours of work in their particular sport. That accumulates to almost a year and  a half of work, or in layman's terms a lot of f***ing time. So to finally achieve the ultimate goal and have a lot of the joy that comes with it be stripped away seems pretty disheartening. There's a reason football is the one sport where no one has been, or ever will be, allowed to make the jump early to the pros. It's because its hard -- really, really, hard. The speed, the playbooks, the styles of play, the physicality. Everything about the NFL is a much bigger jump from its collegiate counterpart in comparison to the other sports. Denying the rookies the chance to build towards being ready for this jump is a big negative, and with the exception of the truly gifted guys at the top, may make next season somewhat of a lost season for the guys unable to adapt on short notice. In addition, that's just the on-the-field aspect of it. How to handle your new found wealth, life on the road, women, relatives, all while maintaining a professional demeanor may be the biggest challenge for some. The inability to learn from league officials and veteran peers may result in a lot of the young guys learning a few things about their new job the hard way. It's a shame that the lockout has gotten to this points. It's hard enough to make it in a pro sport. Not being afforded all the help past players would expect to receive makes it all the more difficult. Before the lockout gets way out of hand, hopefully something is resolved so that the future of football is ready when their time comes.

WEEKEND IN REVIEW 5/23

I'm curious to know what the punishment for false rapture prognosis is. Regardless, glad to still be alive and here is the inaugural edition of weekend in review post earth's potential demise.

NBA
I feel like the two biggest reasons for what has been such a compelling playoffs so far, is uncertainty and star power. About %90 of the leagues biggest stars were on display when the playoffs started, and each team remaining is still showcasing at least one. As for uncertainty, I feel like it's everywhere this postseason and has benefited the league a great deal. Through all of the series thus far we've heard about the Mavs being too old, the Lakers running out of gas, the Heat trying to put it together and on a much smaller level the Knicks, were the Thunder truly ready to contend, is Memphis for real, and could the Celtics still contend with the hit they took to team togetherness. Not really having a true front runner in either conference has made for a lot of additional excitement. Out West, I expect to see more of the same throughout the rest of this series. That is the Mavs come with the first punch, the Thunder counter with a new game plan, and the Mavs go back to the drawing board. Although down 2 - 1, if I'm the Thunder I am in no way intimidated or concerned heading into game 4. In game 1 they simply lost to one of the best playoff performances ever by the other teams best player. Game three looks worse, but kudos to them for hanging tough and making it some what close at the end. If Nowitzki has an average night for the Mavs in game 1, they lose by double digits. In the East, is it possible that  Udonis Haslem gets the MVP for this series if the Heat win? His sheer presence on the court has completely changed the Bulls game plan, and has limited everything they need to do on the boards to win. The biggest benefit the Heat have, regardless of who they play, touches on that uncertainty aspect again. With the Bulls you know what they have to do to win: Control the boards, get Rose the ball and let him get to the line. These are all things you can work on to control in practice. With the Heat, you never know where the offense or play making is going to come from. Obviously you have a good idea, but the second you double Lebron, Wade starts to kill you. Then every third game, Chris Bosh rediscovers the game of basketball altogether, assuredly driving opposing coaches and players nuts. While I still think they could get rid of Bosh for two or three consistent role guys and be better, playing with this "surprise" factor seems to be working heavily in their favor.

NHL
On the ice we have two series that, before the game yesterday, were headed down the same path. Twenty four hours later they're headed in two very opposite directions. In the East, what was going to be a 3 - 1 series lead for Boston headed home evaporated in the span of about 10 minutes. While most of the team has been dismantled, people are quick to forget that the Lightning still tout some championship veterans and one of the games most dynamic young players in Steven Stamkos. I feel like game five has the potential to be a must win for Boston, otherwise Tampa Bays momentum may be too much to overcome in game six. On the flip side, the Sharks were in the same position out West. After dominating game three the sharks had five consecutive power play chances in the first period of game four -- a golden opportunity to jump all over the Canucks. The Canucks fought off all five of them, and in a 10 minute span of their own midway through the second, they had three consecutive five on three power plays. Three shots. Three goals. Series over. I thought the Sharks were simply over matched coming in to this series, but through the years their inability to capitalize on key moments has continued to hurt them. It's never over til its over, but the Sharks coming back in this series would carry more weight than a team coming back from down 0 - 3.

MLB
Since all of my teams are out of the playoffs, and the NBA has the most ridiculous playoff scheduling, it has allowed some time for me to start watching baseball. So far, I feel like the biggest story this year has been the rise of the unknowns, notably the Cleveland Indians and Jose Bautista in Montreal. Before the season, I was joking about what number would be higher: the Cavaliers 2010 - 2011 total losses, or the Indians 2011 total wins. Two months in, the Indians still hold the best record in baseball at 29 - 15, and are already almost half way to the Cavs 63 losses ... My bad. The cast of characters that the Indians are winning with is pretty entertaining, especially considering baseballs lack of a cap and the handful of loaded teams around the league. Also, Canada (a.k.a. America's attic) may be harboring the best baseball player this year. Bautista leads not just the AL but the entire MLB in home runs and batting average. Over the weekend I heard that in his last 275 games or so he has about 85 home runs. That's on the level of the greatest power hitters to ever play. Definitely will be interesting to watch the ebb and flow of his production level as the season goes.

Thus concludes are inaugural post-rapture post. Hopefully there will be many more to come.

BEFORE THE END OF TIME

Did you hear? The world is ending tomorrow. At least that's what the chosen ones from family radio would have you believe. Assuming its true, I had to get one more post in. So what better way to reflect on the end of time than talking about something that's timeless. Tonight the Chicago Cubs kick off a three game series against the Red Sox. While these teams played each other in 2005 at Wrigley Field, this is the first time since 1918 that the Cubs have visited Fenway. As someone who has a nostalgia meter every time I go out to a stadium, this match up is potentially the holy grail. Two teams, both over 100 years old, with stadiums that are nearly the same age, and some of the most storied pasts in all of sports. The last time they played each other in Boston, World War I was raging. daylight savings was invented, stamps were three cents, and one of the most revered players and power hitters of all time, Babe Ruth, was pitching. At the time, the two clubs were the premiere teams in baseball. To think it would be 86 years before the Red Sox won another title or 103 years and counting for the Cubs at the time would seem ludicrous. While the Sox have shaken off the curse with titles in 2004 and 2007, the Cubs may consider trading the outfield ivy for at least a winning record. Perhaps the most remarkable point of this series is how little has changed in some regards. Wrigley Field and Fenway Park still stand and operate in the exact same spot. With the exception of lights and added seats, they remain mostly untouched from their original construction. I have been to both stadiums in person, and the sense of history is what really stands out and separates these stadiums to the point that they are ultimately what defines their teams. As far as fans, ratings, and revenue go, baseball has slipped through the years. The one area where they have a huge advantage though is the history aspect, and they do an excellent job of holding on to it. Eventually, unless the world really does end tomorrow, the time will come when the buildings will simply be too old and obsolete to operate any more. Until then however, every person to consider themselves a sports fan should take part in events like this weekend series, be it on TV or in person, and use it as a direct window into a timeless past.

THE WEEKEND IN REVIEW 5/15

Let's recap the weekend, shall we.

NBA: I find it hard to remember a foursome still standing in the conference finals that was this intriguing. In the East, it truly is a showcase of brass versus brawn. Miami is flashy. They have two new pieces that are really, really shiny. Unfortunately the rest of the pieces have a lot of dull spots. In Chicago there's one elite but hard nosed player, surrounded by union workers. With the exception of Boozer, this Bulls team has had a few years to gel. They play strong team ball, are big enough to give Miami plenty of problems as seen last night, and have the benefit of a much better bench. The biggest piece to this puzzle though was the addition of Tom Thibedeaux patrolling the sideline. His defensive teachings and schemes are ultimately what really pushed them to the next level this year. That said though, Miami still has Lebron and Wade. While they still need help from the other ten guys on the floor, they have proven they can carry the load as seen in the Celtics series. If you think Thibedeaux wont let that happen, just remember that the Celtics still run his exact same defense and with far better talent. While last summer's "Decision" may not mean a championship in South Beach every year, it does mean that you can never count them down and out. In the West, you may have to fit your couch with seat belts for this series. As seen in the Lakers series the Mavs love shooting the three and have four guys that are better than average at it. The Thunder show up every night with one goal in mind -- to run you out of the gym. I think the big turning point in this series though is Kendrick Perkins. A perfect fit for this team that gives them size and enough athleticism to not slow down the offense. If he is able to establish himself as the proven championship center that he is, Dallas may have a lot of trouble in this series assuming they actually miss a shot this time around.

NHL: What is it about South Florida teams that they have a knack for coming from nowhere to win championships. Have you ever seen a Florida Marlins game on TV? There are a hundred people there and that includes the players and the grounds crew. They also have two titles in the last fifteen years. Similarly, everyone seems to question why there's hockey in Florida in the first place. Tampa Bay has a title within the last decade though, and blew the doors off game one against Boston. I still think Boston is the better team and would be my pick to move on, but it's still uncanny. In the West, at some point I guess you have to feel bad for the Sharks. Since 2004 they have been at or near the top of the West, but just cant seem to get over the hump, similar to the Washington Capitols. This time around though I think they are just completely over matched. The Canucks are physical and savvy enough to not let San Jose make the game a track meet and use their athleticism. They were the best team by far in the regular season, so that coupled with home ice should get them through to the finals.

Finally, proof that it is still not appropriate to be talking serious baseball. At the beginning of the season everyone was losing their mind, waiting for the Red Sox to win a game. A month later they are 20 - 20, are coming off a sweep of the Yankees in New York, and right in the thick of the race in the AL East. It's a looooooong 162 game season so writing off a team after ten games is not just foolish but stupid too.

JUST THE TWO OF US

In the 2001 World Series, no one thought the Arizona Diamondbacks had a chance. New York had a big payroll, big stars, four championships in six years, and the empathy of the millions of Americans given the recent 9/11 attacks. Yet the small market Diamondbacks rode the arms of two individuals, Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, to a championship. Similarly, what Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are doing as a dynamic duo seems unprecedented. After some quick math by our in house statistician here at the Finerside, in the Heat's ten playoff games this season, James and Wade have combined for 523 points. The rest of the team including the proposed third big piece Chris Bosh: 424. Now naturally you expect two players capable of such offensive caliber to put up points. To account for close to 60% of the entire teams total points over 10 games though is incredible. Every third game they seem to get a decent contribution from Bosh, or a big shot from one of their role players. In between these brief moments of support from players three through twelve though, James and Wade have carried the full load. It has been as impressive to watch as it is scary. I say scary because if they do ultimately win this year with only two key guys, then how scary will it be when they have time to actually build more pieces around them. I feel like when the decision to play in Miami was made, it was James, Wade, AND Bosh. Now it seems pretty clear that they may be able to get by without Bosh who has somewhat shied away from the spotlight, and could possibly turn him in to two or three really good role players that better fit Miami's vision. Early in the season it was clear that this Heat team hadn't figured it out just yet. Seven months later, it feels like a new dynasty may be upon us a few years early. 

WEEKEND IN REVIEW - 5/9

For better or worse, what a weekend it was. As always, here are my collective thoughts from Friday to Sunday.

MLB
Last week Francisco Liriano pitched a sloppy no hitter. This weekend Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers threw a dominant one, and the second of his career. Two other pitchers took one eight innings or further. From 2000 to 2009 there were 15 no hitters tossed. In 2010 and the first two months of the 2011 season: 8. Whether its the crackdown on steroids, more "Pitcher Parks," whatever, there has definitely been a major shift from power hitting to power pitching. This may be a good or bad thing depending on who you are, but the last time the league was in this position they suffered a lockout, and piggybacked on a steroid aided long ball era to better ratings. Not necessarily the ideal business plan. On a different note, hats off to Andre Ethier for his 30 game hit streak. Just to put into perspective how amazing DiMaggio's 56 streak is, in the 65 years since the record, Ethier is approx. the 30th player in history to get to 30 games. That number drops to 6 after 35+ games, and 1 at 40+. Truly remarkable stuff.

NHL
After an unbelievable first round, the second round has been some what dull. Although impressive considering their opponents, there were two sweeps, and Nashville is somehow clinging to life in Vancouver. The only series of interest is the San Jose/ Detroit series. San Jose has blown two close out games, and most recently a two goal lead at home in the third period. They are now headed back to one of the most hallowed arenas in the sport. A game seven seems to loom large.

NBA
Before I touch on the disgrace that was the Laker game last night, here are some thoughts on the other three series. While money doesn't buy championships, the Miami heat doing so in a season where every other serious contender seemingly implodes from within was a pretty fortunate bounce. While I wouldn't expect a similar collapse from the Celtics as seen with the Lakers, I think the series goes no more than six games. At some point age and athleticism catches up with you, and I think it's closing in on the C's quickly. As bad as the Hawks looked throughout the year, they may arguably have the most raw, young talent of any team left. As good as Rose is for Chicago, no one can do it by themselves. Before the playoffs started, I told my co worker that if someone gave me $100 bill to put down on what team would win the West, I would have taken the Thunder. A young, athletic team, that made moves to be able to compete with anyone. What they have run into though with Memphis, is a team that reminds you of a poor mans 2003 - 2004 Detroit Pistons. No superstars, no perennial all stars, no first ballot hall of famers. Simply a group of guys playing incredible team ball. For the sake of my sanity, I'm putting the Lakers/ Mavs series in here as opposed to some crazy, long rant. First, outstanding job by the Mavericks top to bottom. They had an excellent game plan that ran to perfection, and exploited every facet of the Lakers play, or lack there of. It's not that they lost, but the way it transpired. I honestly don't even mind that they got swept. An incredible four year run of losing to the Celtics, Kobe getting a ring without Shaq, and then an emotional seven game redemption series with the Celtics was very taxing. They simply ran out of gas. That said, no change of game plan by Phil was inexcusable. Absolutely lazy, uninspired play, especially defense, by everyone involved was inexcusable. Andrew Bynum's acts at the tail end of the game was not only inexcusable but a complete disgrace. Because he is the face of the franchise, Kobe gets a separate section. I think where Kobe should take the brunt of his personal blame here is what happened behind closed doors and off the court. You have to believe he said something, but moving forward as he leans more and more on others to carry the weight, he has to lend himself more to helping helping them and work out team issues. That said though, a lot of the shots Kobe take from critics are unfair. I'll never understand why people are always quick to say that Kobe is not Michael, and never will be, yet the second he does something negative the first thing you hear is, "MJ never would have done that." If he's not Michael, then he's not Michael. You can't just pick and choose your spots to prove a point. There are a lot of things that Kobe has had to deal with in his career that Jordan never had to deal with, so not being able to compare the two works both ways. Moving forward, the Lakers have a lot of choices to make this off season, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

What a weekend huh? This weekend we had our first outdoor 3 on 3 tournament at NC State, and it went very well. Kids that we literally find off the street to participate in our dunk contest continue to up the ante. This weeks winner jumped from about 10 ft out over one of our 3ft high barriers, and finished with a reverse. Keep in mind this is a random twenty year old kid that we pulled from nowhere. By far the absolute highlight of my weekend though was hanging out, and playing a cut-short game of horse with our NBA guest, Bo Kimble. I grew up, and still live, less than 10 minutes away from LMU, and remember his remarkable run in the 1990 season while carrying the grief of Hank Gathers death. An exceptionally gracious man, Bo was by far one of the best personalities I have met while doing this line of work. Definitely something to remember. Finerside, out! 

  MYSELF WITH BO KIMBLE. HEATED GAME OF HORSE TIED AT H-O-R TO BE CONTINUED

NEW SET OF LOCKS

The NBA is currently in the midst of one of the greatest playoffs it has showcased in the last ten to fifteen years. As they should, the league has done a good job thus far of keeping the focus on the court, but behind closed doors there is a huge elephant in the room. Like the NFL this past year in February, the day the NBA finals end in June, what's the first word you'll hear? Lockout. This is different though -- A bad different. With the NFL, it was clear from the beginning what was transpiring. In a league that generates about 9 billion dollars worth of revenue annually, the owners thought that they should be entitled to more money. How much more do you need? Complaining about money, refusing to share revenue books, locking out players from gyms, appealing court ruled decisions -- These are all things that the owners have done from day one to present to turn everyone against them except commissioner Goodell. The difference with the NBA? The owners actually have solid ground to stand on. Something that can cause enough back and forth where loss of games next season seems much more viable. Like I said, it's a bad different. In comparison to the NFL's 9 billion dollars of revenue in 2010, the 2010 - 2011 NBA regular season generated about 2 billion dollars, OR a net loss of about 300 million. Look at that again. The NBA is actually losing money. They have teams that are bankrupt, teams that are currently being loaned to or run by the league, and a third of the teams operating at a loss. So when they say that they need a major overhaul to salaries, contracts, and a hard salary cap, they have a much stronger foundation. While the NFL owners are pushing for a want, the NBA owners are fighting for a need. Their other big advantage is that there are a lot more people, including fans, in their corner. Fans of small market teams would love to have a chance at better talent. Hell, fans of small market teams would love to have a chance to keep their teams. Fresh off last summers "Decision," a lot of people too, especially the owners, don't want to see the league turn in to a free for all either where players seemingly make the choice of where they play behind closed doors. Depending on the length of the remaining series', the NBA has about a month to a month and a half before all of the focus is on the mediation table. While a couple of owner proposals have already been shot down by the players, I think it would be in the leagues bets interest to work through these initial offers, and try to weed out the bull****. That way when the season ends, and all focus is on the lockout, there may be some signs of hope with any progress that can be shown towards an agreement. The light at the end of the tunnel is still a long ways off though. If these playoffs are the last we see of the NBA for an extended period of time, then it went out swinging. Which, at least, is more than Manny Ramirez can't say about his baseball career.