I am tired of college coaches being allowed to skirt the rules and nothing happens to them. Why should the institution, new coaches, and players suffer when the rules were broken by coaches who are no longer associated with the universities? These coaches break the rules and then leave for greener pastures with no consequences.
In the most recent case of corrupt coaches, John Calipari and Memphis have been accused of knowing that Derrick Rose's SAT score that allowed him to be eligible for college was fishy. Rose didn't become eligible until he (or someone else) took the test for the 3rd time. The NCAA is looking into the score to determine who took the test that made Rose eligible. Also, Memphis is being accused of allowing Rose's brother to ride on the team's charter flights to road games without paying for the value of the seat.
In the end, Calipari and Rose win. Calipari moves on to get an unprecedented contract with Kentucky and Rose gets selected #1 in the NBA Draft and goes on to win the Rookie of the Year. The NCAA can't do anything to them because they are no longer at Memphis. I understand not being able to punish Rose as he is already in the NBA, but Calipari should be punished as much or more than Memphis since he is the one that broke the rules. I would love to see the NCAA decide to stop this crap once and for all by suspending any coach that violates the NCAA rules for a year without pay (yes, this is coming from a USC fan whose coaches have been accused of not exactly playing by the rules either). Let's watch these coaches try and get away with things if they know that they could potentially lose millions of dollars in suspensions. It won't happen and it is about the only thing the NCAA can do to clean up the sport.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Incredible Shrinking Mo Williams
Oh where or where has Mo Williams gone? Could he be the one that pushes LeBron out of Cleveland in 2010? I hate to pile on when a team is down (ok, not really) but unless Mo Williams decides to shut his mouth and start playing, the Cavs will be watching the NBA Finals rather than playing in them. After a Game 3 loss, Williams guaranteed that the Cavs would win the series. Now down 3-1 that guarantee doesn't look so good. LeBron might be thinking to himself if Mo Williams is the 2nd best player on my team, it might be time to look for a new team in a year when I become a Free Agent.
The media wants to pile on LeBron because he is the best player but he is more than playing up to par. Check out these stats in the first 4 games:
LeBron
169 points in 4 games (42.3 ppg)
56-110 on FG's (51%)
9-27 on 3's (33%)
Rest of Team
236 points in 4 games (59.0 ppg)
90-220 on FG's (41%)
15-65 on 3's (23%)
Mo "Guarantee" Williams
69 points in 4 games (17.4 ppg)
23-71 on FG's (32%)
6-27 on 3's (22%)
The major problem for the Cavs has been there inability to matchup with Orlando's shooters, but if Mo Williams doesn't stink up the joint the series might be over already. Cleveland has a lot of work to do to come back from a 3-1 hole in the series but with 2 games left at home it wouldn't surprise me to see them come back and win. If I was Cleveland I would be more worried that LeBron is looking around in the locker room and figuring out it will be hard to win a title in Cleveland with this supporting cast. Time for the Cavs to put up or shut up.
The media wants to pile on LeBron because he is the best player but he is more than playing up to par. Check out these stats in the first 4 games:
LeBron
169 points in 4 games (42.3 ppg)
56-110 on FG's (51%)
9-27 on 3's (33%)
Rest of Team
236 points in 4 games (59.0 ppg)
90-220 on FG's (41%)
15-65 on 3's (23%)
Mo "Guarantee" Williams
69 points in 4 games (17.4 ppg)
23-71 on FG's (32%)
6-27 on 3's (22%)
The major problem for the Cavs has been there inability to matchup with Orlando's shooters, but if Mo Williams doesn't stink up the joint the series might be over already. Cleveland has a lot of work to do to come back from a 3-1 hole in the series but with 2 games left at home it wouldn't surprise me to see them come back and win. If I was Cleveland I would be more worried that LeBron is looking around in the locker room and figuring out it will be hard to win a title in Cleveland with this supporting cast. Time for the Cavs to put up or shut up.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
NBA and WWE
For some of us that are conspiracy theorists, the latest news should come with a little humor. The NBA has long been accused of fixing games and events (see the 1985 NBA Draft) and thus has been compared to World Wrestling Entertainment. Well it would appear that the two entertainment giants are getting ready for a cage match. Denver has booked the WWE for an appearance on Monday night May 25th, the same night as Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and the Lakers. Vince McMahon intends for the event to go on as scheduled: Without a quick resolution, McMahon plans to send his trucks to Denver. "That's what we intend to do," he said. "We're going to show up. The fans in Denver had a lot more faith in making the playoffs than the owner..." Of course, the NBA will take presedence and leave the WWE out in the cold. But the bigger question is, "What were the Nuggets thinking?" The WWE event was scheduled last August but it has to be a kick in the gut to the fans that the owner didn't think there was any chance that the team would advance this deep into the postseason. Oh well, I guess the easiest way to solve the problem is for McMahon and David Stern so settle the issue with a Broiler Room Brawl.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Enough with the Umps!
If you didnt notice this weekend, John Lackey made his much anticipated debut for the Angels on Saturday vs the Rangers. His outing lasted all of 2 pitches. As an Angel fan (I may be biased) but it was an absolute joke that Home Plate Umpire Bob Davidson ejected him after he hit Ian Kinsler with his second pitch of the game. Now I understand it looked a little intentional after the Lackey's first pitch sailed behind Kinsler. Lackey claims he wasn't trying to hit Kinsler and that he was just trying to establish his inside fastball early in the bandbox in Texas. He also stated he wouldn't have put his team in a situation to have to go to the bullpen in the first inning:"We played 12 innings [Thursday], our starter went five innings [Friday], I haven't pitched in weeks . . . the last thing I want to do is come out of the game early. I feel terrible about it. This is not something we needed. I'm a lot smarter than that. If I'm going to do something, I'm not going to do it against the first batter of the game."My point is, so what! What happened to letting the players police themselves. If he did want to hit Kinsler to leadoff the game so be it. He didn't throw at Kinsler's head. There might be something there from the past that we don't know about. Pitcher's need to be able to establish the pressence on the mound and bring some intimidation to the game. MLB needs to relax and let these guys play the game. I am pretty sure guys like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, and Nolan Ryan would agree.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Back up and running
Sorry for the slacking. The Sports Diner will be back up and running Monday May 18th. Thanks to everyone for letting me know how much you missed it.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Playoff Predictions and Awards
I have predicted the standings in every division and now it is time for the fun stuff. Who will win the wild cards spots? Who will win the World Series? Who will win all of the awards. Buckle up, here we go.
American League
Playoff teams: Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, and Yankees (wild card)
ALDS
Red Sox over Angels, Yankees over White Sox
ALCS
Red Sox over Yankees
National League
Playoff teams: Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, and Phillies (wild card)
NLDS
Mets over Dodgers, Cubs over Phillies
NLCS
Mets over Cubs
World Series
Red Sox over Mets
Awards
MVP - Manny Ramirez (NL), Grady Sizemore (AL)
CY Young - Johan Santana (NL), Jon Lester (AL)
Rookie of the Year - Cameron Maybin (NL), David Price (AL)
Manager of the Year - Jerry Manuel (NL), Ron Gardenhire (AL)
American League
Playoff teams: Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, and Yankees (wild card)
ALDS
Red Sox over Angels, Yankees over White Sox
ALCS
Red Sox over Yankees
National League
Playoff teams: Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, and Phillies (wild card)
NLDS
Mets over Dodgers, Cubs over Phillies
NLCS
Mets over Cubs
World Series
Red Sox over Mets
Awards
MVP - Manny Ramirez (NL), Grady Sizemore (AL)
CY Young - Johan Santana (NL), Jon Lester (AL)
Rookie of the Year - Cameron Maybin (NL), David Price (AL)
Manager of the Year - Jerry Manuel (NL), Ron Gardenhire (AL)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
AL Predicted Standings
Today we look at the American League...
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox - After years of relying on Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, pitching will be the key to the Red Sox return to the top of the AL East. The bullpen should be the best in the business with Takashi Saito, Justin Masterson, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen getting the ball to Jonathan Papelbon. Watch out for an in-season call up from flamethrower Daniel Bard to make the bullpen even better. Jason Bay proved to be an admirable replacement for Manny and the offense should just keep on churning out runs with a healthy David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedoria.
2. New York Yankees - The starting rotation has been overhauled with the additions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Getting Chien-Ming Wang back from injury should also be a big boost. Joba Chamberlain showed flashes of being a dominant starter last year and would really provide the team with a big boost should he fulfill his promise. The only question around the pitching staff is who is going to pitch the 7th and 8th innings in order to get the ball to Mariano Rivera. Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez should provide the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - The Rays came out of nowhere last year to win the AL. They didn't have a 15 game winner or a .300 hitter, but they managed to win 97 games. Pat Burrell should provide a big boost to the offense as well as getting Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria for a full season. Can all these young guys improve or even match last year's success? It is going to be tough and they will probably come just short of the wild card.
4. Toronto Blue Jays - Surprisingly, the Blue Jays led the Majors in ERA with a 3.49 mark. It will be almost impossible to repeat that and the offense will have to improve to pass the top 3 in the division. A healthy Vernon Wells will go a long way in helping the Jays get to the playoffs.
5. Baltimore Orioles - The O's play in the best division in baseball and are going to really struggle to get out of the cellar. The appear to have some really special long term position players with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Matt Weiters. The offense should be solid once again, but the pitching is going to be the concern. The starting rotation right doesn't include anyone that will be mistaken for a #1 pitcher and probably not even a #2.
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox - Starting pitching will be the reason the White Sox win the division again. Young pitchers John Danks and Gavin Floyd broke out last year and give them good depth to go along with veterans Mark Buerhle and Jose Contreras. The lineup is getting older, but the emergence of Alexi Ramirez and Carlos Quentin give the lineup the ability to score runs at any time. Even with the loss of Javier Vasquez and Nick Swisher, the White Sox should again get to the postseason.
2. Minnesota Twins - The Twins could easily finish first depending on the health of Joe Mauer. The emergence of Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Nick Blackburn give the Twins rotation something to add to stud Francisco Liriano. Joe Nathan gives them an elite closer to pair with their rotation. The lineup should be better with the return of Michael Cuddeyer. Justin Morneau could again challenge for the MVP award, but he will need Mauer in the lineup to give him enough RBI opportunities.
3. Cleveland Indians - The Tribe are a sleeper pick to win the division by some experts, but that is only if you believe Travis Hafner will return to form. Don't count me in that category. The lineup is solid, but the pitching staff has questions at the #3, #4, and #5 starters. It will be almost impossible for Cliff Lee to go 22-3 again. Kerry Wood should help the bullpen out, but there just isn't enough pitching to get them to the top of the division.
4. Detroit Tigers - The strength of the Tigers during their World Series run a couple years ago was starting pitching. What a difference a couple years make. Jeremey Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Joel Zumaya will start the season on the DL. The only starter left from that team will be Justin Verlander who is looking to bounce back after a sub-par 2008 season. The lineup got a surprise yesterday with the release of Gary Sheffield but they should still be able to score runs with Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera.
5. Kansas City Royals - The Royals are getting better, but they still are the least talented team in the division. They do have some young talented hitters (Billy Butler, Mark Teahan, Alex Gordon) but they have yet to have a breakout season. Jose Guillen led the team with 20 HR and 97 RBI and no one else was close in either category. Zach Grienke finally is showing signs of a front line pitcher, but the rest of the staff is below average. Entering the season with Horacio Ramirez and Sidney Ponson as the #4 and #5 starters isn't a good thing.
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels - The Angels won the West by 21 games last year and don't appear to be as strong this year as last after losing Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and John Garland. Signing Bobby Abreu should help offset the pain of losing Teixeira. The starting rotation is a little dinged up right now with the real possibility that John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar start the season on the DL. It is time for the prospects (Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, and Kendry Morales) to step up and produce.
2. Oakland Athletics - The lineup got a major boost with the additions of Matt Holiday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera. The starting staff is a major concern with Justin Duchscherer injured. The A's will rely on talented yet unproven Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill to live up the hype just to stay near .500.
3. Texas Rangers - The Rangers have the best lineup in the division with Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Hank Blalock, and Chris Davis. The problem again will be pitching. The team ERA was 5.37 last year and no major upgrades were added to the staff this off-season. They have some young arms on the farm, but they don't figure to factor in this year.
4. Seattle Mariners - Ken Griffey Jr. is a Mariner again, but this version is nothing like the old version. They lost their best position player, Raul Ibanez, in free agency and will struggle to replace his numbers. They really need Erik Bedard to return to the pitcher they thought they were getting when they traded for him. Felix Hernandez is the most talented pitcher in the division, but he has yet to put together a full season of significance in his young career. They have some upside if the starters pan out, but they will most likely finish in the cellar once again.
Tomorrow I will predict the playoffs and award winners.
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox - After years of relying on Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, pitching will be the key to the Red Sox return to the top of the AL East. The bullpen should be the best in the business with Takashi Saito, Justin Masterson, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen getting the ball to Jonathan Papelbon. Watch out for an in-season call up from flamethrower Daniel Bard to make the bullpen even better. Jason Bay proved to be an admirable replacement for Manny and the offense should just keep on churning out runs with a healthy David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedoria.
2. New York Yankees - The starting rotation has been overhauled with the additions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Getting Chien-Ming Wang back from injury should also be a big boost. Joba Chamberlain showed flashes of being a dominant starter last year and would really provide the team with a big boost should he fulfill his promise. The only question around the pitching staff is who is going to pitch the 7th and 8th innings in order to get the ball to Mariano Rivera. Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez should provide the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - The Rays came out of nowhere last year to win the AL. They didn't have a 15 game winner or a .300 hitter, but they managed to win 97 games. Pat Burrell should provide a big boost to the offense as well as getting Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria for a full season. Can all these young guys improve or even match last year's success? It is going to be tough and they will probably come just short of the wild card.
4. Toronto Blue Jays - Surprisingly, the Blue Jays led the Majors in ERA with a 3.49 mark. It will be almost impossible to repeat that and the offense will have to improve to pass the top 3 in the division. A healthy Vernon Wells will go a long way in helping the Jays get to the playoffs.
5. Baltimore Orioles - The O's play in the best division in baseball and are going to really struggle to get out of the cellar. The appear to have some really special long term position players with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Matt Weiters. The offense should be solid once again, but the pitching is going to be the concern. The starting rotation right doesn't include anyone that will be mistaken for a #1 pitcher and probably not even a #2.
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox - Starting pitching will be the reason the White Sox win the division again. Young pitchers John Danks and Gavin Floyd broke out last year and give them good depth to go along with veterans Mark Buerhle and Jose Contreras. The lineup is getting older, but the emergence of Alexi Ramirez and Carlos Quentin give the lineup the ability to score runs at any time. Even with the loss of Javier Vasquez and Nick Swisher, the White Sox should again get to the postseason.
2. Minnesota Twins - The Twins could easily finish first depending on the health of Joe Mauer. The emergence of Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Nick Blackburn give the Twins rotation something to add to stud Francisco Liriano. Joe Nathan gives them an elite closer to pair with their rotation. The lineup should be better with the return of Michael Cuddeyer. Justin Morneau could again challenge for the MVP award, but he will need Mauer in the lineup to give him enough RBI opportunities.
3. Cleveland Indians - The Tribe are a sleeper pick to win the division by some experts, but that is only if you believe Travis Hafner will return to form. Don't count me in that category. The lineup is solid, but the pitching staff has questions at the #3, #4, and #5 starters. It will be almost impossible for Cliff Lee to go 22-3 again. Kerry Wood should help the bullpen out, but there just isn't enough pitching to get them to the top of the division.
4. Detroit Tigers - The strength of the Tigers during their World Series run a couple years ago was starting pitching. What a difference a couple years make. Jeremey Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Joel Zumaya will start the season on the DL. The only starter left from that team will be Justin Verlander who is looking to bounce back after a sub-par 2008 season. The lineup got a surprise yesterday with the release of Gary Sheffield but they should still be able to score runs with Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera.
5. Kansas City Royals - The Royals are getting better, but they still are the least talented team in the division. They do have some young talented hitters (Billy Butler, Mark Teahan, Alex Gordon) but they have yet to have a breakout season. Jose Guillen led the team with 20 HR and 97 RBI and no one else was close in either category. Zach Grienke finally is showing signs of a front line pitcher, but the rest of the staff is below average. Entering the season with Horacio Ramirez and Sidney Ponson as the #4 and #5 starters isn't a good thing.
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels - The Angels won the West by 21 games last year and don't appear to be as strong this year as last after losing Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and John Garland. Signing Bobby Abreu should help offset the pain of losing Teixeira. The starting rotation is a little dinged up right now with the real possibility that John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar start the season on the DL. It is time for the prospects (Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, and Kendry Morales) to step up and produce.
2. Oakland Athletics - The lineup got a major boost with the additions of Matt Holiday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera. The starting staff is a major concern with Justin Duchscherer injured. The A's will rely on talented yet unproven Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill to live up the hype just to stay near .500.
3. Texas Rangers - The Rangers have the best lineup in the division with Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Hank Blalock, and Chris Davis. The problem again will be pitching. The team ERA was 5.37 last year and no major upgrades were added to the staff this off-season. They have some young arms on the farm, but they don't figure to factor in this year.
4. Seattle Mariners - Ken Griffey Jr. is a Mariner again, but this version is nothing like the old version. They lost their best position player, Raul Ibanez, in free agency and will struggle to replace his numbers. They really need Erik Bedard to return to the pitcher they thought they were getting when they traded for him. Felix Hernandez is the most talented pitcher in the division, but he has yet to put together a full season of significance in his young career. They have some upside if the starters pan out, but they will most likely finish in the cellar once again.
Tomorrow I will predict the playoffs and award winners.
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