Fulfilling my obligation as a sports (alleged) blogger, here are my Final Four picks for this year's version of March Madness. As David Letterman would say, "Remember, this is an exhibition, not a competition, so please, no wagering."
South: Like the Gators of Florida. Have had a solid year and will beat Syracuse in the regional final. Upset Special in this region: New Mexico over Kansas. Also like VCU to represent. But for the most part, move along people, nothing to see here.
East: Lot of decent teams in this bracket that include Cincinnati, North Carolina and local standout Virginia. With respect to the Cavs, my pick for this year seems to be my pick every year. The Michigan State Spartans, who have made the tournament 16 years in a row, are hunting for their seventh Final Four appearance during that span. While they have had a relative bumpy road this year, they always seem to turn it on this time of the year. They will beat a surprising Iowa State team in the regionals.
West: While I would like to say that this is a another ho-hum bracket, it's really wide open. Wisconsin is good, Arizona is good and Oklahoma State is good. This is really a showcase region for a couple of possible first round NBA picks: Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart, Arizona's frosh Aaron Gordon and Creighton's Doug McDermott. Oh, I'm sorry...by the way, my pick is Oklahoma State beating Wisconsin in the regional.
Midwest: This is where the fun begins. Three of last year's final four teams are in this region, including last year's champ, Louisville. Also in this mix is tournament tough Duke and another "devil" in Arizona State. I see a rematch of last year's title game between Michigan and the Cardinals. While the rematch usually goes to the team who lost the first time, I just can not go against Louisville in the regional final.
Let the games begin.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Letter to the Owner
Dear Ted,
I have been a Washington basketball fan since the days when we were the Bullets. I have remained strong from the championship years of the 70's through the shoot 'em up days of the Gilbert Arenas era. With our team poised to make our first playoff appearance since the 2007-08 season, the time is now to open the checkbook a little wider and get that "special" player that will take us over the hump. Now don't get me wrong...J Wall and Bradley Beal are the beginning of a great guard tandem. Now it's time to work on the back line. While I'm a Nene fan and I like Gortat, we have an opportunity to get a quality veteran out of this year's free agent crop. I have one of three guys in mind.
One 7-footer that comes to mind is two-time champion center Pau Gasol of the Lakers. In part-time work in an offence that is not even suited for him, he still is averaging 15ppg and ten rebounds a game. Has a decent lane jump shot and did I mention that he has won two rings with the Lake Show? All this while playing for a team that really doesn't want him.
A dark horse pick for me is (another) 7-footer Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons. He averages almost 15 points (14.7) and ten rebounds a game (9.2) himself while shooting 50% from the field. He has great range, will sell tickets because of his DC connection (Georgetown) and will be just 24 years old when the next season starts. As Jimmy Castor would say, he has Edger Allen potential.
Now for my pick that will cause the most consternation: Carmelo Anthony. Let me be clear: I'm not looking for leadership. I'm looking for points. He is a seven time All-NBA All-Star, including first team the last four years with a career average of more than 25 points a game. Has DC roots of his own (kind of), playing his high school ball at both Towson Catholic and Oak Hill. I just want a guy who teams have to plan for. Can't you see him shooting jumpers on one side of the court and Beal on the other? He could add five to seven wins to our record. Note that the word defense never entered my dialog.
So Mr. Leonsis, as Tom Hagen told Sonny on the movie The Godfather, "Just take this into consideration."
Sincerely,
BreezyG
I have been a Washington basketball fan since the days when we were the Bullets. I have remained strong from the championship years of the 70's through the shoot 'em up days of the Gilbert Arenas era. With our team poised to make our first playoff appearance since the 2007-08 season, the time is now to open the checkbook a little wider and get that "special" player that will take us over the hump. Now don't get me wrong...J Wall and Bradley Beal are the beginning of a great guard tandem. Now it's time to work on the back line. While I'm a Nene fan and I like Gortat, we have an opportunity to get a quality veteran out of this year's free agent crop. I have one of three guys in mind.
One 7-footer that comes to mind is two-time champion center Pau Gasol of the Lakers. In part-time work in an offence that is not even suited for him, he still is averaging 15ppg and ten rebounds a game. Has a decent lane jump shot and did I mention that he has won two rings with the Lake Show? All this while playing for a team that really doesn't want him.
A dark horse pick for me is (another) 7-footer Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons. He averages almost 15 points (14.7) and ten rebounds a game (9.2) himself while shooting 50% from the field. He has great range, will sell tickets because of his DC connection (Georgetown) and will be just 24 years old when the next season starts. As Jimmy Castor would say, he has Edger Allen potential.
Now for my pick that will cause the most consternation: Carmelo Anthony. Let me be clear: I'm not looking for leadership. I'm looking for points. He is a seven time All-NBA All-Star, including first team the last four years with a career average of more than 25 points a game. Has DC roots of his own (kind of), playing his high school ball at both Towson Catholic and Oak Hill. I just want a guy who teams have to plan for. Can't you see him shooting jumpers on one side of the court and Beal on the other? He could add five to seven wins to our record. Note that the word defense never entered my dialog.
So Mr. Leonsis, as Tom Hagen told Sonny on the movie The Godfather, "Just take this into consideration."
Sincerely,
BreezyG
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