On Tap

December 20, 2009

The Sportmeisters Top 10 Games Of The Decade: #10, Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 2008 NBA Finals Game 4

Filed under: Aaron McKie, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Derek Fisher, Detroit Pistons, Eddie House, Javaris Crittenton, Jordan Farmar, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sports, Trevor Ariza, Utah Jazz — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 3:12 am

Game # 10 – Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers – Game 4 2008 NBA Finals

With the end of the decade nearing, Sportmeisters Derek and Ryan have decided to present their top ten games of the past decade. Today’s discussion is on the tenth best game from 2000-2009. What follows is a transcript of their discussion.

Sportmeister Derek: Ryan, today we are here to discuss something that will be debated for the next few weeks. With 2010 on the horizon, we are naming our top ten games of the decade.

Sportmeister Ryan: Absolutely Derek, these games will bring an enormous amount of discussion, as it did in just us figuring out our list. Nevertherless, we’ll start with Game #10, Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals.

SD: Let’s go back to the 2007-2008 NBA Preseason. The Celtics had traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to join with Paul Pierce to make the Big Three and Kobe Bryant was trying as hard as he could to get out of LA.

SR: Kobe was trying to get out of Los Angeles, but his mindset changed when the Lakers brought in Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and Aaron McKie. Critics called that trade a huge favor for the Lakers, but it brought newfound aggressiveness for the Lakers.

SD: Los Angeles went 22-5 following the Gasol trade, giving them a 57-25 record and the number one seed in the West. Boston, who already was on the fast track to success, destroyed the East, finishing with the number one seed at 66-16.

SR: Derek, it reminded me of the Chicago Bulls from the second half of the 90s, with the dominance and flair Boston played with. The passion Garnett possessed from being on a perennial playoff team rubbed off on Allen and Pierce. The team also had solid contributors from guard Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins.

SD: Both teams had solid players, Boston with the players you mentioned, Los Angeles with Kobe, Gasol, forward Lamar Odom, guard Derek Fisher, and bench contributors in guard Jordan Famar and forward Trevor Ariza.

SR: In the playoffs, the Celtics were expected to breeze through the Playoffs to the finals, but barely squeezed by the Atlanta Hawks in round one, going a full seven games, and again going seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinals, before beating the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Conference Finals. That’s 20 out of a maximum 21 games, which is a lot for a team that isn’t young to begin with.

SD: The Lakers had a much easier time. They breezed through round one, sweeping the Denver Nuggets and then beat the Utah Jazz in six games and the San Antonio Spurs in five. Clearly, heading into the NBA Finals, you could argue the Lakers were the more rested, and possibly, better team.

SR: That setup the all-time great matchup of the Lakers and Celtics for the 11th time in the NBA Finals. Coming in, Boston had an 8-2 advantage over their western counterparts, but had lost the last two times they faced, in 1985 and 1987.

SD: The Celtics were up 2 games to 1 going into Game 4 and the Lakers appeared determined to tie it up, and keep them in the series, as a 3-1 deficit would have been near insurmountable.

SR: LA came out on fire, taking an NBA Finals record 35-14 lead in the fourth quarter and an NBA finals record 58-40 lead at halftime. Los Angeles was playing like a team possessed.

SD: With 5:50 left in the third quarter, Los Angeles had a 20 point lead (70-50), but, as it has been said, good teams find a way to win. The Celtics proceeded to go on an amazing run to catch the Lakers. They had a 21-3 run in the final five minutes of the third quarter and that decimated the Lakers hopes and pretty much spelled the end of that game.

SR: It wasn’t just the run, but they did the run on the road, which is amazing in itself. Los Angeles kept trying to fight, not relinquishing the lead until 4:07 left, but once they lost the lead, they had nothing left. Boston took the game and all but the series, winning 97-81.

SD: Ryan, let’s take a closer look at that run, which is the big reason why this game is #10 on our countdown. Within that 5:50 period, guard Eddie House contributed six of his 11 points on two key three pointers. Forward Paul Pierce had five of his team leading 20 points, and Ray Allen had six of his 19 points.

SR: Los Angeles went one of ten in that period, and actually, didn’t score a basket until there was 9:32 left in the fourth, meaning the team went scoreless for a five minute period. You can’t do that in the NBA Finals and expect to win.

SD: Through adversity, Boston didn’t run and hide and say, wait until we get home. They continued to fight and claw back and effectively ended the series, even though they still had to win their fourth game. Los Angeles had nothing left.

SR: Derek, this game had it all and that is why we have named it our number 10 game of the decade. Stay tuned for the rest of our Top 10 coming up in the next few weeks. Any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at Derek@Sportmeisters.com or Ryan@Sportmeisters.com.

November 13, 2009

Talking Sports In The War Zone: Madden Mania

Filed under: Basketball, College, Football, Madden, NBA, NCAA, NFL, Sports — Tags: , , , , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 11:52 pm

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

Ryan of The Sportmeisters is currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While there, he is continuing to write about sports and it’s effect on the troops. This is his latest update.

Sports are a release, whether it be in the states or overseas. To take three hours on a football game, even if it is at midnight or one in the morning, it allows a soldier to take his mind away from the work, and remember a simpler time. The same can be said for video games. For most of us, sports at a professional level were a pipe dream, but in the virtual world, anything is possible. Following that, it’s another way for a troop to release for thirty minutes to an hour.

We call those times to release an MWR event, standing for morale, welfare, and recreation. Of course, for a base with over three thousand people, there are a number of events. TVs playing sports, basketball and volleyball tournaments, karate classes, and even sanctioned running events (I did the Army 10 Miler!). But a new event, hosted by yours truly, was a Madden 2010 tournament.

Eight teams of two signed up for what promised to me some bone-crushing, smack-talking action, in front of the entire base in the dining facility. True to their word, they didn’t disappoint in the first round. One team required some fourth quarter magic to seal a win, and another lost on a questionable fumble. Needless to say, for the three hours we played, setting up next week’s semi-finals and finals, not one participant was concerned with their job.

Sure, the mission does come first, and we all are aware of whats going on here, but to let it slide to the side of the mind for a few hours, it helps us refocus. We’ve all worked the 12 hour days, seven days a week here, and people get burned out. They need these events to allow the energy to flow out, and come back the next day refresh and recharged.

Madden is the most popular football video game on the market, and so, a big turnout was nice, but what has spun from it is even greater. Talks of more Madden, NCAA Football, NBA, and other games have been given interest for more tournaments in the future.

Take 3,000 plus personnel and you get 3,000 plus different likes and dislikes. It seems like, with Madden and the effect on its morale, we get quite a few personnel with similar feelings.

As the days get shorter to coming home, keeping the morale up is pivotal for a young solider, and helping them keep their eye on the prize. A little Madden Sports picks up the morale every time.

October 23, 2009

10 Questions As The 2009 NBA Season Tips Off

Filed under: Anderson Varejo, Boston Celtics, Bruce Bowen, Chris Bosh, DeJuan Blair, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Rodman, Derek Fisher, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Eastern Conference, Flip Saunders, Free Agency, Gilbert Arenas, Glen Davis, Hedo Turkoglu, Jordan Farmar, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Luke Walton, Marco Belinelli, Miami Heat, Mike Miller, NBA, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, Phil Jackson, Phoenix Suns, Rajon Rondo, Randy Foye, Rasheed Wallace, Rasho Nesterovic, Ray Allen, Ron Artest, San Antonio Spurs, Shannon Brown, Shaquille O’ Neal, Shelden Williams, Tim Duncan, Toronto Raptors, Trevor Ariza, Washington Wizards, Western Conference, Zydrunas Ilgauskas — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 9:51 pm

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

With the NBA season right around the corner, let’s take a look at ten of the biggest storylines for this season.

Will The Los Angeles Lakers Repeat As Champs?

Kobe Bryant got his ring without Shaq, and Phil Jackson got his tenth overall ring. Now that they are satisfied, are they hungry enough to do it again? The Lakers were the last team to ever repeat, when they defended their title in 2002, so history is not on their side.

Unlike most teams following a championship, the Lakers were able to keep their core intact, re-signing key cogs in Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown. They arguably made a solid upgrade in signing Ron Artest and severing ties with Trevor Ariza. Artest is a career 39.9 percent three-point shooter, and is one of the NBAs most feared defensive players. His off-court antics however, speak another story. Phil Jackson was able to make a winner out of Dennis Rodman, so what says he can’t do the same here?

Age will be a concern (Bryant is 31 and starting PG Derek Fisher is 35), but they have valuable bench players in Odom, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton. Simply put, the Lakers are the team to beat in 2009-2010.

Is Shaq The Answer In Cleveland?

The Cavs roller coaster 2008-2009 that was supposed to end with an NBA Finals appearance, and possibly a championship, was derailed thanks to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. It clearly showed Cleveland’s need for a big man down low, but instead of going young in the draft, the Cavs are going for the win now approach. It’s no surprise this is being done in an effort to keep LeBron beyond this season, but at 37, what does Shaq have left?

Cleveland’s offense is a lot slower than Shaq dealt with in Phoenix, and when the Cavs have to go small (Lebron at the 4 and either Anderson Varejo or Zydrunas Ilgauskas at the 5), this will allow Shaq some breathing room. Having “Z” coming off the bench for 15 minutes a game will also keep Shaq’s legs fresh, because no matter what the Cavs do in the regular season, it’s NBA Finals or bust for this squad.

Look for Shaq to contribute heavily to the team, as he is willing to be second banana to LeBron, and if he can stay fresh and healthy, the Cavaliers should have no issues this season.

Which Rookie Is Making The Biggest Impact This Season?

This isn’t about who is going to be the Rookie Of The Year, rather, who is going to make an immediate impact this season to his team. Let’s face it, they’ll probably be ROY as well.

Former Pittsburgh F DeJuan Blair was one of the top fifteen prospects in the 2009 draft, but due to some knee issues, fell all the way to the San Antonio Spurs at 37. For a team that is realizing its need to get younger (Tim Duncan is 33 and 12 years in, Bruce Bowen retired at 37), this was a humongous opportunity to grab someone who will come in and make an impact down low.

Best Free Agent Pickup

Free Agency is always a crap shoot, and with the way the NBA can spend money, it is a big risk. This year, teams took some smarter plays, but a few teams took the risk of getting a big name, especially at the risk of the 2010 Free Agency (discussed later).

Boston is old, with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce all 32 and over. So they go out and bring in 35 year old Rasheed Wallace with a three year deal. Not exactly the younger move most teams make, but the Celtics are not like most teams. Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, and Kendrick Perkins are all under 25, and contribute to the team.

Bringing in Wallace was designed to help Garnett, who battled injury issues last season. He is a fiery, passionate player, much like Garnett, and will pick up where Davis struggled down low. A rotation of the three, combined with Perkins and Shelden Williams at Center, will allow the Celtics to be healthy and perform efficiently throughout the season.

Which Team Will Make The Biggest Turnaround In 2009-2010?

The Washington Wizards spent a bunch of money in 2008-2009, only to see it blow up in their face. Gilbert Arenas, serial smack talker and leader of Washington, played barely any of last season. He’s back this year with high expectations.

The team also brought in Mike Miller and Randy Foye through trades, and hired Flip Saunders as the new head coach. Most of the players who missed time with injuries last season should return and contribute.

Washington is still a ways off from an NBA Championship, no matter what Arenas says, but there is no doubt this team should make a huge leap from their 19 win campaign last season.

Is The West Still The Dominant Conference?

46-36. That was the record of the Phoenix Suns, who missed the playoffs last season being in the Western Conference. Had they played in the East, that 46-36 would have netted them the fifth spot, behind all the divisional champions. While the East may have the winningest team in Cleveland, it is skewed, due to the number of bad teams. Are we still that way?

Sadly, yes. Outside of top teams such as Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando, nine times out of ten, the West will crush the East when they match up. The East will be better this season against each other, and could have all eight playoff teams at .500 or better, but outside of the three teams, the East is still the inferior conference.

Who’s Winning The Eastern Conference?

Orlando, Boston, and Cleveland all made moves this summer, in an attempt to one up each other and get back to the NBA Finals. All three teams made significant upgrades, but in the end, it’s Cleveland’s year once again. While they don’t possess the number of weapons Boston had, the signing of Shaq will neutralize Dwight Howard in Orlando, and their youth and speed would knock out Boston.

Cleveland wins the Eastern Conference in 2009-2010.

Who’s Winning The Western Conference?

Like it was stated at the top of the article, the Lakers are the team to beat. There biggest enemy is themselves, and as long as they keep from imploding, they should find little reason not to get back to the NBA Finals.

Denver will pose a challenge, as will the rejuvenated San Antonio, but the Lakers bring back all the weapons from their title run, and Ron-Ron as well.

Los Angeles takes the Western Conference in 2009-2010.

Who’s NBA Champion

Cleveland vs. Los Angeles, the matchup we expected to see last season. Both teams bring a number of weapons to the table, but the experience of Los Angeles should win out. Cleveland made it to the NBA Finals a few years ago, but were mercifully destroyed by San Antonio. While they made some moves to make another run, Phil Jackson knows whats needed to win another title, and the city of Los Angeles celebrates another title.

Los Angeles Lakers, 2009-2010 NBA Champions.

Who Is Most Likely To Jump Ship After This Season

It’s no lie that the 2010 Free Agency is arguably one of the biggest events the NBA has ahead of them. Big names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and others headline what is going to be an elite spending spree among teams. But who amongst the list of many is most likely destined for a new locale?

Chris Bosh is currently with the Toronto Raptors, but it is well known of his desire to return stateside. Despite Toronto’s best efforts to upgrade this offseason (adding Hedo Turkoglu, DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli, and Rasho Nesterovic), they are still a one-man show, and won’t turn many heads in the East. This will upset Bosh, who at 25, still has plenty of years left in him. Teams like the Miami Heat (looking to add a front-court dimension and re-sign Wade) or the Knicks (as a combination with possibly LeBron, they have the money), and others will look to bring this down low dominator to their squad.

Ten questions, but a whole lot more as the season plays out.

October 19, 2009

Fantasy Basketball Player Rankings

Filed under: Amare Stoudemire, Basketball, Carmelo Anthony, Charlie Villanueva, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Fantasy, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, NBA, Rajon Rondo, Ron Artest, Shaquille O’ Neal, Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — SportmeisterDerek @ 6:05 pm

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Basketball Season is here and I thought I would give you my rankings for each position so you can draft a winning team.

PG

  1. Chris Paul – NO
  2. Deron Williams – UTA
  3. Steve Nash – PHX
  4. Gilbert Arenas – WAS
  5. Chauncey Billups – DEN
  6. Jason Kidd – DAL
  7. Devin Harris – NJ
  8. Rajon Rondo – BOS
  9. Jose Calderon – TOR
  10. Derrick Rose – CHI
  11. Tony Parker – SA
  12. Monta Ellis – GS
  13. Baron Davis – LAC
  14. Russell Westbrook – OKC
  15. Mo Williams – CLE
  16. Jameer Nelson – ORL
  17. Andre Miller – POR
  18. Mike Conley – MEM
  19. T.J. Ford – IND
  20. Mike Bibby – ATL
  21. Mario Chalmers – MIA
  22. Ramon Sessions – MIN
  23. Raymond Felton – CHA
  24. D.J. Augustin – CHA
  25. Rodney Stuckey – DET

SG

  1. Kobe Bryant – LAL
  2. Dwayne Wade – MIA
  3. Andre Iguodala – PHI
  4. Brandon Roy – POR
  5. Joe Johnson – ATL
  6. Vince Carter – ORL
  7. Kevin Martin – SAC
  8. Ben Gordon – DET
  9. O.J. Mayo – MEM
  10. Eric Gordon – LAC
  11. Michael Redd – MIL
  12. Ray Allen – BOS
  13. Manu Ginobili – SA
  14. Jason Terry – DAL
  15. Allen Iverson – MEM
  16. John Salmons – CHI
  17. Josh Howard – DAL
  18. Richard Hamilton – DET
  19. Jason Richardson – PHX
  20. Jamal Crawford – ATL
  21. Tracy McGrady – HOU
  22. J.R. Smith – DEN
  23. Mike Miller – WAS
  24. Leandro Barbosa – PHX
  25. Delonte West – CLE

SF

  1. LeBron James – CLE
  2. Kevin Durant – OKC
  3. Carmelo Anthony – DEN
  4. Danny Granger – IND
  5. Paul Pierce – BOS
  6. Caron Butler – WAS
  7. Hedo Turkoglu – TOR
  8. Stephen Jackson – GS
  9. Gerald Wallace – CHA
  10. Rashard Lewis – ORL
  11. Rudy Gay – MEM
  12. Ron Artest – LAL
  13. Tayshaun Prince – DET
  14. Shawn Marion – DAL
  15. Richard Jefferson – SA
  16. Trevor Ariza – HOU
  17. Mike Dunleavy – IND
  18. Andrei Kirilenko – UTA
  19. Wilson Chandler – NY
  20. Luol Deng – CHI
  21. Grant Hill – PHX
  22. Michael Beasley – MIA
  23. Marvin Williams – ATL
  24. Thaddeus Young – PHI
  25. Corey Maggette – GS

PF

  1. Dirk Nowitzki – DAL
  2. Chris Bosh – TOR
  3. Pau Gasol – LAL
  4. Amare Stoudemire – PHX
  5. Kevin Garnett – BOS
  6. David West – NO
  7. Elton Brand – PHI
  8. Carlos Boozer – UTA
  9. Troy Murphy – IND
  10. Josh Smith – ATL
  11. Antawn Jamison – WAS
  12. Al Harrington – NY
  13. Jeff Green – OKC
  14. LaMarcus Aldridge – POR
  15. Boris Diaw – CHA
  16. Charlie Villanueva – DET
  17. Zach Randolph – MEM
  18. Tyrus Thomas – CHI
  19. Blake Griffin – LAC
  20. Lamar Odom – LAL
  21. Kevin Lowe – MIN
  22. Luis Scola – HOU
  23. Joakim Noah – CHI
  24. Kenyon Martin – DEN
  25. Paul Millsap – UTA

C

  1. Dwight Howard – ORL
  2. Tim Duncan – SA
  3. Al Jefferson – MIN
  4. David Lee – NY
  5. Nene – DEN
  6. Mehmet Okur – UTA
  7. Emeka Okafor – NO
  8. Brook Lopez – NJ
  9. Andrew Bynum – LAL
  10. Andrea Bargnani – TOR
  11. Andris Biedrins – GS
  12. Al Horford – ATL
  13. Andrew Bogut – MIL
  14. Marcus Camby – LAC
  15. Spencer Hawes – SAC
  16. Chris Kaman – LAC
  17. Shaquille O’ Neal – CLE
  18. Greg Oden – POR
  19. Rasheed Wallace – BOS
  20. Brad Miller – CHI
  21. Tyson Chandler – CHA
  22. Jermaine O’Neal – MIA
  23. Marc Gasol – MEM
  24. Kendrick Perkins – BOS
  25. Samuel Dalembert – PHI

There are my Rankings for the upcoming Basketball season. Any Questions or concerns, email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

October 3, 2009

Professional Sports Ban Twitter: Is It Affecting First Amendment Rights?

Filed under: Chad Johnson, Chad Ocho Cinco, Chad Ochocinco, Charlie Villanueva, Fans, MLB, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Sports, Texas Tech, Twitter — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 2:26 pm

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

Ok, so first of all, I support free speech, obviously, but I know there are lines in what can and should be said in public. This discussion isn’t about crossing that line. Instead, three of the major leagues (NBA, NFL, and NHL) have publicly declared certain time bans for when any member within those leagues can use Twitter. This includes all players, coaches and personnel.

For those un-initiated to the social media world, Twitter is a 140-character section where people can update anything and everything they choose, as long as its within the limit. In the NBA alone, over 1.4 million personnel are users, including players and other team personnel. It’s a positive way for athletes to give the fans a real inside look at the true life of a professional athlete.

However, recent events have forced some leagues, including the NBA, NFL, and NHL, to step in and make limits for Twittering. Some teams have gone above and beyond that.

The NBA does not allow Twittering 45 minutes before and after each game, including in game. Former Milwaukee Bucks F Charlie Villanueva was the first known one to cross the Twitter line last season, most likely being the reason for the in game ban. Some NBA teams have gone further than the league policy. Miami Heat members are not allowed to Tweet at any time while in the Heat complex.

The NFL recently adopted a league-wide Twitter policy, after many teams started their own policy. The NFL is a little more stricter, putting the window at 90 minutes, and also including “represented” coaches. Chad Ocho Cinco, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, once said he would tweet after scoring a touchdown. Since these rules have been enacted though, he has kept quiet.

The NHL’s policy is a little more lenient, giving access to up to 30 minutes. MLB has no formal Twitter policy, but generally all communication devices are prohibited 30 minutes prior to a game beginning.

While the leagues have these general policies, and some teams have stricter policies, the question remains; by blocking Twitter, are the athletes First Amendment Rights at risk?

The First Amendment allows members of the United States free speech, including freedom of the press, which, with Twitter being a media vehicle, falls under both sections. Restrictions can be placed, as long as other alternative methods are available. The only alternative method is the television and radio, neither which give the full access a Twitter account can give.

All of the professional sports ban Twitter, but not during their personal time, however, all the leagues allow teams to get stricter in their rules if they so choose too. One NCAA team has already approached that. Texas Tech has banned all team members from using Twitter at any time. This is a blatant prevention of free speech. The ban came after a team member criticized the coach. Granted, it’s not proper or approved behavior, but it is the players right to speak his mind as such. Nothing he said was harmful, hurtful, released secrets, or was discriminatory in any matter.

Now, I will agree that Twitter users should not discuss in-game adjustments, and that it can be a distraction, so keeping it out in-game is understandable. However, there is no reason an athlete can’t Tweet in the one or two minutes prior to the coach addressing the team, or even right after the game, prior to media obligations. It’s an opportunity for the athlete to truly connect with the fan.

One team of the many took the first step already, and how long until other teams follow suit? By turning off Twitter, we turn off a voice, and that is unconstitutional in nature. In America, people have a right to give their opinion, and just because an athlete is a highly regarded media figure means, if they choose to have the account, they need to be aware and accountable for what they say. It does not mean they should lose the right to say it.

September 21, 2009

Talking About My Generation

Filed under: Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Orr, Hank Aaron, Jerry West, Jim Brown, MLB, MVP, NBA, NFL, Oscar Robertson, Reggie Jackson, Sports, Super Bowl, Terry Bradshaw, Tim Duncan, Tom Brady — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 7:11 pm

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

While over here in Afghanistan, a few of us got to discussing about the athletes that shape our generation, and considering most of my co-workers are older than me, the names they brought up were people that I could only read about or watch in old highlight films.  Start like Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron, Jim Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Bobby Orr, to name  a few, defined  their respective sports with their play and achievements.  So I got to wondering, when I have a kid, and he/she becomes old enough to who wonder who the stars in different sports, who will I tell him about, and how do I tell him?

My focus will be mainly on athletic achievement. I’m looking at mainly current athletes, especially those in their current prime or getting close to their, who have years left, but by the time I have kids, and they start grasping and understanding sports, these players will either have retired, or are on the way out. Finally, I don’t feel hockey has had that one player which defined my generation, and all the current players are way too young to make that choice about.

As a disclaimer, I’m 25, born in 1983, and I’m basing these on the fact that I didn’t start truly grasping and understanding sports until at least my pre-teen years.

Without further ado, my picks for the athletes that shape my generation:

MLB

Alex Rodriguez:  He still has plenty years to go (currently in his 16th season, and only 33), and at 578 home runs, he could clearly end his career with the career home run title.  A lifetime .305 hitter, A-Rod is also a 11-time All-Star through 2008 as well as a 9-time Silver Slugger and a three time MVP.  He is one of the most popular players in sports, and despite his admitted performance enhancer drug use and post-season struggles, he still has plenty of time to grab his first World Series ring (possibly this season?), and earn a handful of more awards.  With the DH option available as well, and in the first year of a new contract, I would imagine a good 6-7 more years out of A-Rod before hanging up the cleats.

NFL

Tom Brady:  No player screams excellence and perfection quite like Tom Brady.  A mere 32 years old, he already has garnered achievements some players never reach in their career. He is a four-time Pro-Bowler, a first team All-Pro in 2007, and the 2007 Offensive Player of the Year and MVP.  He currently holds three Super Bowl rings to go along with two Super Bowl MVP awards.  The current holder for most touchdowns in a single season (50), he also holds numerous post-season records as well.    Despite coming back from season-ending surgery in 2008, Tom Brady has started off 2009 with a bang, and will be a fixture in the NFL’s post-season for at least the next four or five years, before I believe time will begin to catch up on him.

NBA

Tim Duncan: A man who was chosen with the first pick in the draft, and lived up to the hype.  When the San Antonio Spurs grabbed Duncan, to them it was a perfect complement, and eventual transition from David Robinson.  Duncan started hot, taking home Rookie of the Year honors in his first season, and hasn’t looked back. He’s a two-time MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a 11 time All-Star (to include ten straight appearances), and has been named on the All-NBA and All-Defensive team every year since 1997-98 (his rookie season).  To top it all off, Duncan already has four rings, and he’s hungry for four more, easy.  He’s going to be 33 years old heading into 2009, and has a double-double career average (21.4 ppg and 11.7 rpg). Duncan could easily play another four or five years, make the playoffs each year, and field a competitive Spurs team that could potentially win one or two more titles before he makes his exit.

Got a gripe or a complaint? Let me hear it at ryan@sportmeisters.com.  These are my picks, but I’d like to hear yours.

July 14, 2009

The Sportmeisters Cheap Shot – Has Fantasy Sports Gone Too Far?

Filed under: Baseball, Basketball, Cheap Shot, Fantasy, Golf, MLB, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL — Tags: , , , , , , , — SportmeisterDerek @ 3:20 pm

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

As the fantasy guru of the Sportmeisters it’s my job to do research on fantasy sports and the players that participate in them. However, Ryan and I came across something while watching the Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer Wimbledon final. We got in the discussion of how far fantasy sports have come and Ryan told me something that I couldn’t believe. He told me he saw a television promotion for Fantasy Cycling, highlighting the Tour de France.

Now, I couldn’t believe it, but he assured me it was true so I went and researched and, lo and behold, I found some fantasy sports that I couldn’t believe. I understand mainstream sports having a fantasy alter ego, like Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey.

But Fantasy Cycling, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Fishing, and Auto Racing? Have we fantasy experts taken the art of fantasy sports too far? I mean, Fantasy Fishing? Come On!

I don’t even understand how you would score something like that. Having to pick players or competitors in sports where the top ones are most widely known in makes no sense to have in fantasy. I mean, if everyone chooses Tiger Woods for their Fantasy Golf team, where’s the competition? Or, if everyone takes Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Venus or Serena Williams, how do you tell who wins? Besides, who else in fantasy Golf or Tennis would be worth drafting and/or using? Those players win just about every time. Picking out sleepers and creating teams based on randomly placed brackets and foursomes is impossible!

I’ve heard rumors of Fantasy Movies and Fantasy Television shows, led by the famous TMR, Matthew Berry. ESPN’s Bill Simmons once created an US Weekly fantasy league. Outside of sports, fantasy is becoming way too mainstream. In what was once a sport designed to give the armchair GM’s around the world their “shot”, has quickly multiplied into a multi-million dollar industry that takes away from the game, and now, sullies strong international competition for the top individual prizes in cycling, golf and tennis. Seriously, how long until the Fantasy Olympics start?

I understand that with sports like Football and Baseball there are enough players that no two teams have the same players and, thanks to ESPN and Yahoo, we all know who they are, as well as have actual competition where the same people don’t win every time. There is a percentage of luck drawn in. Look, as much as I love fantasy sports, and as important it has made my Sportmeisters career, there are just some sports that aren’t designed for fantasy.

I mean, even the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) had a fantasy game at one point. If that’s not taking things too far, I don’t know what is. Well…I guess fantasy cycling and fishing would be taking things too far also, but isn’t that my point? So please, ESPN, Yahoo, and all other fantasy sites out there, rethink your fantasy game ideas before you launch them and answer me this…have we taken fantasy sports too far?

July 10, 2009

NBA Off Season Free Agent/Trade Fantasy Impact

Filed under: Basketball, Fantasy, Free Agency, NBA, Ron Artest, Shawn Marion — Tags: , , , , — SportmeisterDerek @ 10:25 pm

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

NBA Free Agency officially begun this week and there was plenty of action. Today, I am going to discuss the fantasy impact of those players involved in the signings or trades. Let’s get started, shall we?

Detroit Pistons sign G Ben Gordon and F Charlie Villanueva

Detroit wasted no time in trying to improve upon their disastrous 2008-2009 season. Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace are out and Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are in. Gordon’s fantasy value doesn’t change much from when he was in Chicago. He will probably play the sixth man role, coming off the bench and playing significant minutes. He will average around 25 to 30 minutes per game and should still put up 20 points per game and will definitely still shoot the three ball. Villanueva becomes a starter and should average more than his 26 minutes per game average that he had last year in Milwaukee. He should also top his 16 points and seven rebounds per game with the increase of playing time. The other two guys who are affected by these signings are Guards Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. Hamilton looks to see his numbers decline with Gordon taking some of his minutes and touches, but Stuckey should see an increase of assists playing with the two new guys in town.

Boston Celtics sign F/C Rasheed Wallace

The Big Three just became a Big Four. While Wallace is 34 going on 35, he can still play the game hard and is still a viable fantasy option. He will see his points per game decrease, but should see more rebounds, blocks, and better field goal percentage playing along with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Not to mention he can still shoot the three ball pretty well. I don’t see much difference in the fantasy value of the Big Three, nor do I see the value of Rajon Rondo being any different. That is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA and all five should be great fantasy options for next season.

Los Angeles Lakers sign F Ron Artest

The champs just got better. Artest brings a ferociousness to the defensive side of the ball and is a pretty good offensive weapon as well. He should maintain, if not improve his 1.5 steals per game and should see his three point shooting percentage increase as well. The big thing to watch for is his point totals. If Lamar Odom stays, it will be hard to determine how often he gets the ball, especially with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum in the lineup. However, he should still put up about 12 points per game and will still be a good fantasy option.

Houston Rockets sign F Trevor Ariza

Ariza moves from a championship team to a team riddled with injuries. Yao Ming may miss the entire season and who knows with Tracy McGrady. With those two guys uncertain, Ariza may become a go to guy and could see his numbers increase across the board.

4 Team Trade sends F Shawn Marion to Dallas Mavericks and F Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto Raptors

Marion gets put into a great situation in Dallas, playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Josh Howard. This doesn’t help his fantasy prospects though. Playing with Howard and Nowitzki will limit his scoring, but Kidd is a pass first Point Guard and likes to spread the ball around. Plus you may see Marion’s assists go up playing with Dirk. As for Turkoglu, he moves into a key role in Toronto. He is going to be playing with a pass first Point Guard in Jose Calderon and the only stat I expect to decrease will be his assists.

That’s all for now, any questions or concerns email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

July 1, 2009

NBA Off Season Trade Fantasy Impact/NBA Draft Fantasy Impact

Filed under: Basketball, Draft, Fantasy, LeBron James, NBA — Tags: , , , , , , — SportmeisterDerek @ 1:13 pm

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been NBA Champs for that long, as teams are trying to make a play for next year already, with what were some major deals that will affect how some teams project to finish next year. What I am going to discuss today is the fantasy impact of those trades and who is impacted. Let’s get started, shall we?

Cleveland Cavaliers trade C/F Ben Wallace and G Sasha Pavlovic to Phoenix Suns for C Shaquille O’Neal

So Shaq appears to be back and the Cavs seem to think that he will be the answer to LeBron’s inability to win a championship. However, that’s not what I am here to discuss. (I leave that to Ryan and Justin) Instead, let’s look at the fantasy impact. With Shaq coming in, that is going to move Big Z (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) to the bench. Ilgauskas averaged 27 minutes, 13 points, and 7.5 rebounds per game last year and those numbers will all drop, making him nearly undraftable. If Shaq can stay healthy, he could put up similar numbers as last year in Phoenix (17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks), but 14 and seven are more likely. In Phoenix there won’t be much change, except that Steve Nash won’t have Shaq to slow down the Run and Gun Offense anymore. Nash should bounce back from a disappointing 2008-2009 season.

San Antonio Spurs trade F Bruce Bowen, C Fabricio Oberto, and F Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee Bucks for F Richard Jefferson

This trade will have huge implications on both the real side and the fantasy side of things. On the fantasy side, Jefferson comes to a team that already has a big three in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. With him no longer being the only player on the roster that is a real threat, his stats will be quite different. He will no longer be an elite scorer, but he should shoot many more three pointers. As for the big three, expect the numbers to be about the same, except Ginobili’s points per game may drop some.

Orlando Magic trade G Rafer Alston, G Courtney Lee, and F/C Tony Battie to New Jersey Nets for G/F Vince Carter and F Ryan Anderson

Carter comes back home and Alston goes back to the bench. After Jameer Nelson was injured, Alston took over as the starting point guard after being acquired from Houston. He started 76 games last year, but will be back to a role as the sixth man, a role he hasn’t played since the 2003-2004 season in Miami. His numbers will obviously dip and the move to the bench makes him almost undraftable. However, Courtney Lee may end up benefiting from the trade. He will likely move into the starting shooting guard role and could definitely up his 8.4 points per game average from his rookie season. As for Orlando, Nelson moves back into the starting role and gets to now play with two dynamic players. His scoring numbers may drop a bit, but his assist numbers should rise and that’s what you want from a fantasy point guard. As for Carter, he has always been a great fantasy player and this won’t change that. His scoring numbers might drop, but assists, three pointers, and field goal percentage should increase.

Now, we’re going to talk about the NBA Draft and the top two rookies who may help your fantasy team this year.

F – Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers – You don’t draft a guy number one and not use him. This guy just keeps impressing everyone and now the Clippers are in a tough spot as they already have Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, and Zach Randolph at that position. However, they are reportedly trying to trade one or two of them so they can free up some minutes for Griffin. Expect 15-25 minutes as a rookie with 12+ points and 7+ rebounds per game.

G – Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors – This kid was amazing in college and should have no problem finding time in the NBA. The Warriors play a fast paced style game, much like he played in college. However, there are rumors that he is on the trading block in the attempted Amare Stoudamire deal in Phoenix. Either way, Curry should have plenty of fantasy value next year.

That’s all for now, any questions or concerns email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

May 9, 2009

Remembering Chuck Daly

Filed under: NBA — Tags: , , , , — SportmeisterRyan @ 9:06 am

by Ryan of The Sportmeisters

I remember first starting to enjoy the game of basketball when I was around seven, right about the time the Bad Boys of Basketball in Detroit had settled down and Michael Jordan and the high-flying Chicago Bulls began to take over. Between that though, were the first Olympic Games in 1992 that allowed professional players, led by a man named Chuck Daly.

Daly won two NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons, bringing in an era of physical, combative play, all while maintaining a persona as a “players coach”. He first came into the NBA as an assistant in 1977 to Billy Cunningham and the 76ers, before earning his first coaching gig as the third coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1981-1982. A 9-32 record later, and he was looking for a new job.

Daly was hired by Detroit for the 1983-1984 season, and it would be nine more before he left, along with the title of Pistons’s coaching leader in regular season and playoff victories. While there, he found a way to take the scrappy, defensive attitude teams brought to the playoffs and spread it over the 82 game season.

Once Daly put together his core of players, including Joe Dumars, John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Rick Mahorn, and of course, Isiah Thomas and Bill Lambieer, the “Bad Boys of Basketball” took to the court and never looked back. The 1986-87 season begun a streak of five straight seasons of 50+ victories, including a franchise record 63 in 1988-89, the year they finished second in defense, and walked away with their first of two straight NBA titles.

Teams ended up figuring out the Pistons style of play, and how to avoid it, but Daly had already implemented a style of defensive play that teams still use today. It was that ability to change the landscape of NBA basketball, and his “players coach” reputation, that earned him the opportunity to coach the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics.

The Dream Team was the first Olympic Basketball team to feature professional players, and armed with them, Daly torched the competition, winning all eight games by an average margin of 44 points en route to the gold medal, and the setting the bar for the future Olympic teams. Considering not one team scored 90 points, it was easy to see Daly’s defensive strategy, though not the “bad boy” type, had emerged in international play as well.

Daly never was able to find the spark again, and after two seasons with the New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic, hung up his coaching sneakers in 1999. He earned a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 1996 was named one of the ten best coaches in the NBA in 1996.

Chuck Daly revolutionized the game of basketball, from his “players coach” methods, to his ability to make defense an integral part during the NBA regular season. The city of Detroit will never forget the effort Daly put in to turn them into a championship team. Fans of the NBA will never forget the way he changed the game.

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