Friday, June 15, 2007
If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does absolute powerlessness make you pure?
-Harry Shearer
One week we’re talking about the beginning of the NBA finals, the following week we’re talking about a “dynasty.” What’s the deal?
The Cavaliers strolled into the NBA Finals and unfortunately did as many expected; they fell flat on their face in submission to the far superior San Antonio Spurs. It’s a shame, really, that the Cavs couldn’t even make the series interesting. This year marks the beginning, in my opinion, of a long string of consecutive NBA titles heading to the Western Conference.
San Antonio is a solid organization with an excellent head coach and a solid core of players that don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Phoenix, arguably, is right there with the Spurs in terms of skill and some would say would have been representing the West in the finals were it not for a few questionable decisions. Dallas is a team that threatens year in and year out, and is the acquisition of a rugged attitude away from being considered elite. Then, of course, there is Golden State. Some may claim it was a fluke that they eliminated Dallas this season but logic is what it is, and logic denotes that the better team generally wins a seven game season. Now, was this past season as a whole a fluke, or will the Warriors continue to improve next season?
It’s no secret that the balance of power has been tilted in favor of the Western Conference ever since Jordan laced up his sneakers for the final time (in Chicago, that is), yet the East has been able to steal a few titles here and there. After viewing things this past season, are there any legitimate threats coming out of the East in the foreseeable future?
The Pistons lost a major piece of their puzzle when Ben Wallace signed with Chicago. The Heat aren’t getting any younger. The Cavs made it to the finals this past season, with a star player who promises to get even better, but making it to the finals in the East this season is undeniably winning “The Best of the Worst Award.” Without any help for Lebron James, the Cavaliers have already gone as far as they possibly can.
The only light at the end of the tunnel, in my opinion, is the Chicago Bulls. This is a young, talented team that could improve like fine wine. Of course, since a basketball game can be taken over by an individual, an excellent draft or a huge trade could swing that balance of power right back in the opposite direction. Until that happens, however, we can all look forward to some more Final series such as the one we just witnessed.
On the football scene, as an Eagles fan I’m pleased to see Donovan McNabb back in practice. It has been some time since McNabb played a full 16 games, but if this is the year, I fully expect all of the critics to crawl back in the sewer they’ve come out of and close the manhole behind them. You can make an argument for this guy being a top three quarterback in the league when healthy, yet since he’s been plagued by injuries recently that seems to have been forgotten. So the Eagles drafted a quarterback in the second round of the draft. If McNabb stays healthy, he’ll play like the pro bowl quarterback that he is, and this entire controversy will be done with.
Until he gets hurt again.
The Obscure Movie Reference for this week is “Half Nelson.” This movie’s only claim to fame is the nomination that the movie’s star, Ryan Gosling, received for “Best Leading Actor” at the Oscars this year, but how many people have actually seen the film?
I get a lot of gruff from my friends and family alike for watching movies such as this one. If it’s not funny, horrific, action-packed, or capped off with some nonsensical twist ending, it’s not worth watching. I understand that to a degree, as that is a common sentiment as to what entertainment should be. After all, why bother watching something that could be somewhat unnerving, if not depressing? How is that entertaining?
The entertainment, to me, is watching a touching story unfold. This movie is about your stereotypical “cool” history teacher who uses unconventional methods to appeal to otherwise uninterested students, his achievements in the classroom, his struggles outside the classroom, and his attempts to steer one particular student in the right direction outside of the classroom.
Watching this movie is like reading a good book; it’s over before you know it, but manages to leave an impact.
This past week, the series finale of the hit HBO series The Sopranos aired to mixed reviews. From what I’m hearing, it was a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but I can’t comment too much on the issue as I myself am unfamiliar with the series. Now that it has run its cycle, however, I may pick season one up on DVD and go from there. Some of my favorite movies of all time are of the ‘mobster’ genre (Godfather, Godfather Part 2, and Scarface to name a few), so I have a feeling this series may provide some entertainment for yours truly. Anyone here watch it?
Lastly, World Wrestling Entertainment. I used to be a huge “wrestling” junkie back in the days of Mankind and of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Monday night, I was flipping through channels on the television and on the USA Network I saw that Stone Cold was going to be on after the commercial break. Nostalgic appeal set in, so I stayed tuned in. The result was disappointing, as Stone Cold’s appearance was little more than his traditional “I hate authority” rant, which wasn’t even live. The events that followed were unexpected and amusing.
The night had been deemed “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night.” McMahon walked down to the ring, looked around at the crowd for what seemed to be hours, dropped the microphone and began a slow, ominous walk backstage. He walked the halls and eventually exited the building and got into his limousine which, shockingly enough, promptly exploded.
I must admit, sick as it may be, I laughed. “Sports entertainment” certainly has taken things to a whole new level. I’m curious to know how many young teenagers watching actually believe the ballsy millionaire met his end.
At the midway point of this season, I believe that the main point of interest is the number of teams that sit at 5-0. With the Vikings, Seahawks, Giants, Rams and Falcons all remaining undefeated with only five games remaining, the battle lines are being drawn for top dog honors.
It is important to remember, however, that regular season records mean little to nothing. Each of these teams could finish the season undefeated and still end up losing in the playoffs. That said, which undefeated team has the best shot at winning it all? Surprisingly enough, I’ve only ever played one of the owners, but I will assess the situation as best as I can.
The Vikings have been involved in some close games, but have come up victorious with a very lackluster Vikings squad. Without having ever played Mackdaddy, this can be interpreted two ways. First, he’s been in close games with some opponents that, perhaps, he should have beaten handily. Or, if you’re a traditionalist and follow the “one-game-at-a-time” mantra, the close games could benefit him in the long run. He’s not going to be blowing anyone out in the playoffs, so he’ll be ready for battle.
The Seahawks have been a very impressive squad so far this season with a heavy dose of the run leading their cause, and who can blame them? This team is built for it, with a fine offensive line and of course, Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks claim to fame so far this season is the only team to have knocked off the champ, Sully, and his 49ers. Certainly, that is no small task. Word has it, however, that the Seahawks have played a game early and dropped their week six game against ShootingBull’s Redskins. Is this the beginning of a late season skid, or is it simply a blip on the radar?
The Giants have been taking teams apart left and right this season, and there’s not much more to it than that. Some may argue that Big Blue’s schedule has been timid thus far, but the performances are no less impressive. The offensive puts up points week after week which, with Shockey, Burress, Toomer, Barber et al is to be expected, but that defense is playing uncharacteristically lights out. Credit to coach Randy for that one. However, it is no secret that Randy struggles to run the ball, so will his intimidating aerial attack be enough come playoff time? Will he be able to handle the close games come playoff time that he hasn’t seen this season?
The Rams are right where they should be. Coach Wade has established himself as one of the top coaches in the league, pushing for a berth in the MPL Bowl each season since he’s been in the league. He did it last season with the Browns and the Rams serve as an upgrade in every conceivable area outside of tight end. Wade and his Rams have, in my opinion, been the most low-profile of the remaining undefeated teams. He’s not putting up huge numbers, he’s not being credited with any unstoppable aspect of his game, he’s just going out and doing what he’s supposed to do; win games.
Lastly there are the Atlanta Falcons, coached by yours truly. I’m not afraid to admit that this team has been as fluky as any this season. Sitting at 5-0, the Falcons still haven’t even established an identity for themselves. Are they a running team, or a passing team? Are they an offensive powerhouse, or a shut down defense? Are they all of the above? Most importantly, who’s the quarterback? Much like the Rams, this team just keeps winning games, but at what point do all of the question marks come back to haunt this team?
Things should be interesting down the stretch run, folks.
I saw some interesting roadkill on the I-81 the other day…something I’ve never seen before. Yes, I’m sure all of you are thinking, “What the h e double hockey sticks is this? What do we care what kind of dead animals you’ve seen?” I would tend to think the same if someone were to approach me with a story that begins in such a manner, but get this. The roadkill that I saw was not a squirrel, not a deer, not a dog, not a cat, not anything like that. It was a sheep.
A sheep. I don’t do a great deal of interstate traveling, but I would be shocked to learn that this is not a rare occurrence.
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