Andrew Bynum’s Philadelphia Story: MF Doom – Let Me Watch
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Why Did Allen Iverson Turn Down the D-League?
Yesterday news broke that the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League were ramping up their season-long pursuit of Allen Iverson. The Legends had signed Delonte West and Rashad McCants, and had just had one of their players, Mike James, promoted to the NBA. The Legends had hoped that the prospect of playing in the D-League with guys with NBA experience combined with proof that they can put guys in the NBA would convince Iverson to join them as a stepping stone to an NBA return.
This would have been awesome on several levels. One, having Iverson on the same team as Delonte West has the potential to be top-notch entertainment, especially off the court, considering the personalities and histories of the two guys. Second, and more importantly, it would be awesome to see The Answer back on a court again, on American soil, and to see what he has left.
The rumor was tantalizing. See, I love Allen Iverson. He is my favorite athlete of all time. And I want nothing more than to see him finish his career in the NBA, to finish it the way a player of his caliber and accomplishments should finish it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that it is going to happen. Today, via Twitter, Iverson turned down the offer. "I thank Donnie and Dallas for the consideration and while I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me." To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
And now you will see me be as critical of Iverson as I ever will be. The Rev can attest to my love of Iverson and to the fact that I will argue for hours against those who dislike Iverson or fail to recognize his accomplishments and greatness. But I have a small beef with the man over the current situation.
Iverson has stated again and again that his dream is to finish his career in the NBA. He has said he still has what it takes to be a productive player, that he understands his past mistakes and is willing to play whatever role is asked of him, that he just wants to end his illustrious career in the NBA and help a team however he can. He continued his tweet turning down the offer with this ... "I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA, should God provide me another opportunity I will give it my all ... My dream has always been to complete my legacy in the NBA."
This is where, perhaps for the first time since the little 6-foot guard from Georgetown exploded onto the scene in Philadelphia and captured the attention and imagination of a young Sixers fan, I have a problem with Allen Iverson. To me it seems that if all this finishing in the NBA stuff were true, then this would be the perfect way to get there. He mentions "should God provide me another opportunity." Well it could be argued that this is that opportunity.
I understand that this is solely Allen Iverson's decision, and he has every right to do what he wants. And I understand that we are talking about a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-Star, a former MVP, and that maybe he feels above the D-League, or maybe he feels embarrassed to have to go there. I will never know the true reason why he turned down the offer, but it appears pretty evident that an NBA team isn't gonna just knock on his door and offer him a contract.
I just wish he could put his pride aside, or put aside whatever it is that led him to this decision, because I honestly think that this would be his best chance at making a return to the NBA. And I want nothing more than to see this warrior, this incredible little lightning bolt, this man who amazed and entertained and inspired me for over a decade, to finish his career in the proper way, in the NBA.
This would have been awesome on several levels. One, having Iverson on the same team as Delonte West has the potential to be top-notch entertainment, especially off the court, considering the personalities and histories of the two guys. Second, and more importantly, it would be awesome to see The Answer back on a court again, on American soil, and to see what he has left.
The rumor was tantalizing. See, I love Allen Iverson. He is my favorite athlete of all time. And I want nothing more than to see him finish his career in the NBA, to finish it the way a player of his caliber and accomplishments should finish it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that it is going to happen. Today, via Twitter, Iverson turned down the offer. "I thank Donnie and Dallas for the consideration and while I think the D-League is a great opportunity, it is not the route for me." To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
And now you will see me be as critical of Iverson as I ever will be. The Rev can attest to my love of Iverson and to the fact that I will argue for hours against those who dislike Iverson or fail to recognize his accomplishments and greatness. But I have a small beef with the man over the current situation.
Iverson has stated again and again that his dream is to finish his career in the NBA. He has said he still has what it takes to be a productive player, that he understands his past mistakes and is willing to play whatever role is asked of him, that he just wants to end his illustrious career in the NBA and help a team however he can. He continued his tweet turning down the offer with this ... "I realize my actions contributed to my early departure from the NBA, should God provide me another opportunity I will give it my all ... My dream has always been to complete my legacy in the NBA."
This is where, perhaps for the first time since the little 6-foot guard from Georgetown exploded onto the scene in Philadelphia and captured the attention and imagination of a young Sixers fan, I have a problem with Allen Iverson. To me it seems that if all this finishing in the NBA stuff were true, then this would be the perfect way to get there. He mentions "should God provide me another opportunity." Well it could be argued that this is that opportunity.
I understand that this is solely Allen Iverson's decision, and he has every right to do what he wants. And I understand that we are talking about a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-Star, a former MVP, and that maybe he feels above the D-League, or maybe he feels embarrassed to have to go there. I will never know the true reason why he turned down the offer, but it appears pretty evident that an NBA team isn't gonna just knock on his door and offer him a contract.
I just wish he could put his pride aside, or put aside whatever it is that led him to this decision, because I honestly think that this would be his best chance at making a return to the NBA. And I want nothing more than to see this warrior, this incredible little lightning bolt, this man who amazed and entertained and inspired me for over a decade, to finish his career in the proper way, in the NBA.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Nova Caps Incredible Week
Last week was a pretty remarkable week for Philadelphia college hoops. Just the week before, there were murmurs that this season could be the first since 1977 that not one of Philly's six college basketball teams would get an invite to the NCAA Tournament. That would be the first time in my life that Philly wouldn't be represented in the Big Dance. In a city with a college basketball tradition as rich as Philadelphia's, that would be a damn shame.
But after an incredible week of basketball, there is a glimmer of hope. In the past seven days, Philly has seen three court-stormings thanks to three wins against top 10 opponents. And Philly schools compiled a 4-1 record against top 25 competition. Villanova and La Salle were the ones providing the victories (Temple lost to #9 Butler for the only loss), and after their impressive weeks both are at least in the discussion to join the party in March.
I'll start with Villanova. The Wildcats came into the week in a tailspin, having lost three straight games. They lost a hard-fought contest at Syracuse in which the 'Cuse was just too much for them in the end. Then they played a horrendous five minutes of basketball to close the game at home against Pitt, turning what at one point was a back and forth game into a 15-point blowout loss. In the next game, they again faltered down the stretch, falling by 3 at Providence.
After those three games, which left the Wildcats with an 11-7 record, Nova Nation had pretty much accepted the fact that there would be no postseason play this year, and certainly no NCAA berth. Especially with games against #5 Louisville and #3 Syracuse coming up.
That's when the unexpected happened. On Tuesday, the 'Cats gutted out a tough win against Louisville. 'Nova students stormed the court, and it was fun and exciting, but chances were that it would just be a bright spot in a rough season.
The 'Cats weren't done giant-slaying though. They followed up the Louisville win with a thrilling win against #3 Syracuse. 'Nova was able to score the final six points of the game, including a 3 from freshman Ryan Arcidiacono with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime. In overtime, junior James Bell took over, scoring 8 points. Despite his first few shots in the OT going halfway down and then somehow rattling out, he stayed confident and hit several huge shots to get the victory. Sophomore Darrun Hilliard (25 pts, 7 rebs, 6 ast) and Mouphtaou Yarou, (14 points, 16 rebs), one of only two seniors on the team, also deserve mention.
Defeating two top-five teams back-to-back is an incredible feat for any team, let alone one who was struggling and who wasn't expected to make much noise anyway. It's still a long shot that the 'Cats get in the tournament, but after two huge wins they at least have a pulse. They are 13-7 and here is their remaining schedule: @ #24 Notre Dame, Providence, @ DePaul, South Florida, @ #21 Cincinnati, @ UConn, Rutgers, Marquette, @ Seton Hall, @ Pitt, and Georgetown. If they can manage 6 or 7 wins from those games, they will certainly be in the discussion.
Villanova wasn't the only city school making noise last week. The night after 'Nova's win against Louisville, La Salle incited another court-storm after beating #9 Butler. It was the first win for the Explorers against a top-10 opponent since 1980. And then hours after Villanova beat Syracuse, La Salle capped of their impressive week with a win on the road against #19 VCU.
La Salle stands at 14-5 with 10 games remaining. Butler and VCU currently stand as the only ranked opponents on La Salle's schedule, so it was key for them to get those signature wins. They also have a win against Villanova, which is looking more impressive than it was just a few weeks ago.
La Salle still has work to do, but the Atlantic 10 is much improved, especially with the additions of Butler and VCU, and the conference may receive a few more at-large bids than they are used to. And the Explorers have their signature wins.
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way and what ultimately becomes the fate of the postseason hopes of Philly's college hoops teams, it was a historic week for the Big Five, and that says a lot. As Philadelphia sports fans have been getting bombarded with mediocrity and disappointment from every angle recently, 'Nova and La Salle provided some excitement and a reason to smile for the weary Philly sports fan.
But after an incredible week of basketball, there is a glimmer of hope. In the past seven days, Philly has seen three court-stormings thanks to three wins against top 10 opponents. And Philly schools compiled a 4-1 record against top 25 competition. Villanova and La Salle were the ones providing the victories (Temple lost to #9 Butler for the only loss), and after their impressive weeks both are at least in the discussion to join the party in March.
I'll start with Villanova. The Wildcats came into the week in a tailspin, having lost three straight games. They lost a hard-fought contest at Syracuse in which the 'Cuse was just too much for them in the end. Then they played a horrendous five minutes of basketball to close the game at home against Pitt, turning what at one point was a back and forth game into a 15-point blowout loss. In the next game, they again faltered down the stretch, falling by 3 at Providence.
After those three games, which left the Wildcats with an 11-7 record, Nova Nation had pretty much accepted the fact that there would be no postseason play this year, and certainly no NCAA berth. Especially with games against #5 Louisville and #3 Syracuse coming up.
That's when the unexpected happened. On Tuesday, the 'Cats gutted out a tough win against Louisville. 'Nova students stormed the court, and it was fun and exciting, but chances were that it would just be a bright spot in a rough season.
The 'Cats weren't done giant-slaying though. They followed up the Louisville win with a thrilling win against #3 Syracuse. 'Nova was able to score the final six points of the game, including a 3 from freshman Ryan Arcidiacono with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime. In overtime, junior James Bell took over, scoring 8 points. Despite his first few shots in the OT going halfway down and then somehow rattling out, he stayed confident and hit several huge shots to get the victory. Sophomore Darrun Hilliard (25 pts, 7 rebs, 6 ast) and Mouphtaou Yarou, (14 points, 16 rebs), one of only two seniors on the team, also deserve mention.
Defeating two top-five teams back-to-back is an incredible feat for any team, let alone one who was struggling and who wasn't expected to make much noise anyway. It's still a long shot that the 'Cats get in the tournament, but after two huge wins they at least have a pulse. They are 13-7 and here is their remaining schedule: @ #24 Notre Dame, Providence, @ DePaul, South Florida, @ #21 Cincinnati, @ UConn, Rutgers, Marquette, @ Seton Hall, @ Pitt, and Georgetown. If they can manage 6 or 7 wins from those games, they will certainly be in the discussion.
Villanova wasn't the only city school making noise last week. The night after 'Nova's win against Louisville, La Salle incited another court-storm after beating #9 Butler. It was the first win for the Explorers against a top-10 opponent since 1980. And then hours after Villanova beat Syracuse, La Salle capped of their impressive week with a win on the road against #19 VCU.
La Salle stands at 14-5 with 10 games remaining. Butler and VCU currently stand as the only ranked opponents on La Salle's schedule, so it was key for them to get those signature wins. They also have a win against Villanova, which is looking more impressive than it was just a few weeks ago.
La Salle still has work to do, but the Atlantic 10 is much improved, especially with the additions of Butler and VCU, and the conference may receive a few more at-large bids than they are used to. And the Explorers have their signature wins.
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way and what ultimately becomes the fate of the postseason hopes of Philly's college hoops teams, it was a historic week for the Big Five, and that says a lot. As Philadelphia sports fans have been getting bombarded with mediocrity and disappointment from every angle recently, 'Nova and La Salle provided some excitement and a reason to smile for the weary Philly sports fan.
Friday, January 25, 2013
(Penalty) Killing in the Name of Victory
Last night, the Philadelphia Flyers played their best first period of this young, shortened season thus far, outworking and outplaying the weary New York Rangers — who had come off a hard-fought overtime victory the night before against Boston — and while they did not score in said period, they rode the hot start to their first victory of the season.
However, it wasn't the hot start or even the strong second period in which Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek scored to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead that really propelled the Flyers over the Rangers. No, it was the much-maligned penalty kill that turned out to be the difference, led mostly by the trio of Sean Couturier, Max Talbot and Ilya Bryzgalov.
As we know, the Flyers special teams have been atrocious here to start the season. Their power play entered the night with just 1 goal and the penalty kill had seemingly given up more power play goals than they've actually killed. And while they did score a power-play goal last night (Voracek's), they also surrendered yet another goal down a man on the first power play they tried to kill off in the game. It came at an absolutely horrible time, with the Flyers up 2-0 in the third and having outplayed the Rangers in every conceivable way.
That's when Braydon Coburn, for literally the third or fourth time this year already, took an absolutely atrocious, stupid penalty at a horrible time. He checked Rick Nash up high for no apparent reason, and was sent off. Shortly thereafter, the Rangers made it a one-goal game on some remarkable patience by Marian Gaborik that led to a Taylor Pyatt goal.
It was an inexcusable penalty by Coburn, something he's made a habit of here in the early going. A veteran stalwart like himself shouldn't be making boneheaded mistakes like that.
And just like that, it was a game again. And it looked like the Flyers were going to not only surrender their lead, but surrender the game after getting tagged with an incredibly unfortunate four-minute high stick on Tye McGinn, whose stick flew up as he fell to ice and cut Michael Del Zotto, followed by a hooking penalty by Nick Grossmann just 15 seconds later to give the Rangers a two-minute, two-man advantage.
At that point, I thought the Flyers were destined to lose, negating all the great work they had done through two periods.
But then a funny thing happened. That penalty kill that had been so porous to kick off the season went out and did yeoman's work and killed off the whole damn thing.
Max Talbot and Sean Couturier were all over the damn place, blocking shots, pressuring the puck and clearing the zone every chance they got. When the Rangers did create something of substance, Ilya Bryzgalov was there to deny them, playing remarkable and coming up with the huge saves he needed in a huge spot.
With Talbot and Couturier leading the charge, others followed suit. Ruslan Fedotenko had an incredible PK shift himself, and then Matt Read and Claude Giroux finished it off. By the time it was over, the Rangers were somewhat flummoxed and the Wells Fargo Center crowd erupted.
But there was still more work to be done. With just over a minute left, the Flyers iced the puck. Sean Couturier won the defensive-zone draw, and after a quick change, the Flyers iced it again. That's when Claude Giroux took the circle, won a draw which led to another ice, won another draw, then won another defensive-zone draw after yet another ice, and that was all she wrote. A team that has been horrendous in the face-off circle and suspect at it for years won four huge defensive-zone draws in the final minute-plus to seal the victory.
And it was the little things all night that made the difference. Yes, the Flyers were playing a dog tired Rangers team that had just played an overtime game less than 24 hours earlier, but New York is a star-studded team solid all the way through. And it's led by one of the single most talented offensive lines in hockey, with perennial all-stars Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Rick Nash on the top line.
Well all night, that trio was muted by Couturier, Talbot and Jake Voracek. It was the type of game from Couturier and Talbot we saw a lot last year, particularly when Couturier basically took Evgeni Malkin out of the series last year in the playoffs. Last night, it was more of the same. Talbot and Couturier were the best players on the ice period in that game. Better than Giroux. Better than Grossmann, who managed to be named first star because he laid out Gaborik, I guess. Better than Lundqvist or anyone else on the Rangers. And even better than Bryzgalov, who was outstanding last night as well.
Couturier and Talbot not only led the charge on that vital PK, but they literally took the Rangers' talented top line completely out of the game. Their defense was beyond tremendous, and I can't say enough about those two.
It was a much-needed win, one in which the Flyers got great contributions from everyone. Bryz was great. Kimmo Timonen did all the things Kimmo Timonen always does. Claude, Simmonds and Read looked good as a top line. The youngsters provided energy. Hell, even the fourth line I mocked before the game of Jody Shelley, Tom Sestito and Eric Wellwood played extremely well. And of course there was that line of Couturier, Talbot and Voracek.
Finally, the Flyers won a game, and surprisingly given the first three contests, it was the penalty killing that led the way.
However, it wasn't the hot start or even the strong second period in which Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek scored to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead that really propelled the Flyers over the Rangers. No, it was the much-maligned penalty kill that turned out to be the difference, led mostly by the trio of Sean Couturier, Max Talbot and Ilya Bryzgalov.
As we know, the Flyers special teams have been atrocious here to start the season. Their power play entered the night with just 1 goal and the penalty kill had seemingly given up more power play goals than they've actually killed. And while they did score a power-play goal last night (Voracek's), they also surrendered yet another goal down a man on the first power play they tried to kill off in the game. It came at an absolutely horrible time, with the Flyers up 2-0 in the third and having outplayed the Rangers in every conceivable way.
That's when Braydon Coburn, for literally the third or fourth time this year already, took an absolutely atrocious, stupid penalty at a horrible time. He checked Rick Nash up high for no apparent reason, and was sent off. Shortly thereafter, the Rangers made it a one-goal game on some remarkable patience by Marian Gaborik that led to a Taylor Pyatt goal.
It was an inexcusable penalty by Coburn, something he's made a habit of here in the early going. A veteran stalwart like himself shouldn't be making boneheaded mistakes like that.
And just like that, it was a game again. And it looked like the Flyers were going to not only surrender their lead, but surrender the game after getting tagged with an incredibly unfortunate four-minute high stick on Tye McGinn, whose stick flew up as he fell to ice and cut Michael Del Zotto, followed by a hooking penalty by Nick Grossmann just 15 seconds later to give the Rangers a two-minute, two-man advantage.
At that point, I thought the Flyers were destined to lose, negating all the great work they had done through two periods.
But then a funny thing happened. That penalty kill that had been so porous to kick off the season went out and did yeoman's work and killed off the whole damn thing.
Max Talbot and Sean Couturier were all over the damn place, blocking shots, pressuring the puck and clearing the zone every chance they got. When the Rangers did create something of substance, Ilya Bryzgalov was there to deny them, playing remarkable and coming up with the huge saves he needed in a huge spot.
With Talbot and Couturier leading the charge, others followed suit. Ruslan Fedotenko had an incredible PK shift himself, and then Matt Read and Claude Giroux finished it off. By the time it was over, the Rangers were somewhat flummoxed and the Wells Fargo Center crowd erupted.
But there was still more work to be done. With just over a minute left, the Flyers iced the puck. Sean Couturier won the defensive-zone draw, and after a quick change, the Flyers iced it again. That's when Claude Giroux took the circle, won a draw which led to another ice, won another draw, then won another defensive-zone draw after yet another ice, and that was all she wrote. A team that has been horrendous in the face-off circle and suspect at it for years won four huge defensive-zone draws in the final minute-plus to seal the victory.
And it was the little things all night that made the difference. Yes, the Flyers were playing a dog tired Rangers team that had just played an overtime game less than 24 hours earlier, but New York is a star-studded team solid all the way through. And it's led by one of the single most talented offensive lines in hockey, with perennial all-stars Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Rick Nash on the top line.
Well all night, that trio was muted by Couturier, Talbot and Jake Voracek. It was the type of game from Couturier and Talbot we saw a lot last year, particularly when Couturier basically took Evgeni Malkin out of the series last year in the playoffs. Last night, it was more of the same. Talbot and Couturier were the best players on the ice period in that game. Better than Giroux. Better than Grossmann, who managed to be named first star because he laid out Gaborik, I guess. Better than Lundqvist or anyone else on the Rangers. And even better than Bryzgalov, who was outstanding last night as well.
Couturier and Talbot not only led the charge on that vital PK, but they literally took the Rangers' talented top line completely out of the game. Their defense was beyond tremendous, and I can't say enough about those two.
It was a much-needed win, one in which the Flyers got great contributions from everyone. Bryz was great. Kimmo Timonen did all the things Kimmo Timonen always does. Claude, Simmonds and Read looked good as a top line. The youngsters provided energy. Hell, even the fourth line I mocked before the game of Jody Shelley, Tom Sestito and Eric Wellwood played extremely well. And of course there was that line of Couturier, Talbot and Voracek.
Finally, the Flyers won a game, and surprisingly given the first three contests, it was the penalty killing that led the way.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Flyers Are Still Worst in the First
The biggest issue for the Philadelphia Flyers last season was not their defense. It was not young players thrown into big roles. It wasn't injuries, not even the big ones on the blue line. And believe it or not, it wasn't even the maddeningly uneven play of high-priced free agent goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.
No, the biggest issue for the Flyers in the 2011-12 season, an issue that carried over into the playoffs, was the absolutely horrible starts the team got off to in the first period. It was a season-long problem, where the Flyers simply came out flat on a regular basis and dug themselves a hole on an almost nightly basis. The numbers back this up.
The Flyers surrendered 78 goals in the first period last season, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for second most in the league behind only the Tampa Bay Lightning. And while they did net 72 first-period goals — good for fourth in the NHL — it was the only period in which they were outscored by opponents. In fact, the Flyers blew away the competition in the second period, scoring 98 goals — far and away the most in hockey — while only surrendering 78. And in the third, they outscored opponents 84-74. It was in that first period where they repeatedly had trouble, continuously digging themselves holes that they had to fight the rest of the way to get out of.
It was a disturbing trend, one that drove me nuts, and I put the blame on coach Peter Laviolette more than anyone else. While I know he can't go out there and force his players to have jump right out of the gate, it's a coach's job to correct recurring mistakes. This was a recurring mistake that Laviolette and the Flyers never were able to correct.
As it turns out, Laviolette and the Flyers have still not figured it out. While it's entirely too early to make any definitive statements about the Flyers just two games in to this 48-game season, it's troubling to see that the Flyers could not put together a competent, energetic first period in either of the two losses this past weekend. Not only were the Flyers outscored 3-0 in the first period this weekend (2-0 against the Penguins and 1-0 against the Sabres), but they played lethargic and looked unprepared for the drop of the puck.
It's something that jumps out immediately even after just two games for the sole purpose that it was the biggest hindrance for the Flyers last season. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle another season of terrible first periods. And honestly, if it continues to be an issue, there is no one else to blame but Laviolette. At the end of the day, it's on the head coach to have his players ready to play and the coach's job to fix persistent problems. No matter how you feel about Laviolette — and most Flyers fans love him — he's failed in this regard. Now it's time for him to get things straight.
Certainly, there is time, but in a 48-game season, there's not as much as teams are accustomed to. And with all the energy it takes to come from behind, it's something the Flyers can't make a habit of in a season where they will be playing upwards of four times a week. There just isn't the recovery time and rest available to be playing from behind all season long.
Somehow, the Flyers need to find a way to actually come out ready to go from the drop of the puck because if the first period continues to be their worst period, this team simply won't be able to put up the points it would like to prepare for the postseason.
Oh, and this team's special teams was abysmal in the first two games, surrendering two power play goals against the Penguins (though one was an empty-netter) while going 0-for-5 on the man advantage themselves and looking horrible doing it, followed by giving up three more power play goals to the Sabres and converting just once on four power play chances themselves.
And one more thing … this team still desperately needs an elite face-off man, something they've lacked since Keith Primeau was forced to retire. Both of the first two goals against the Penguins came off lost defensive-zone draws. The centers need to get better at it, and it wouldn't hurt to go out and get a guy who specializes in face-offs. Just saying.
But hey, at least Claude Giroux is still awesome and Wayne Simmonds looked really good.
Just trying to be positive about something after a less than stellar start.
Fix those first-period woes, please.
No, the biggest issue for the Flyers in the 2011-12 season, an issue that carried over into the playoffs, was the absolutely horrible starts the team got off to in the first period. It was a season-long problem, where the Flyers simply came out flat on a regular basis and dug themselves a hole on an almost nightly basis. The numbers back this up.
The Flyers surrendered 78 goals in the first period last season, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for second most in the league behind only the Tampa Bay Lightning. And while they did net 72 first-period goals — good for fourth in the NHL — it was the only period in which they were outscored by opponents. In fact, the Flyers blew away the competition in the second period, scoring 98 goals — far and away the most in hockey — while only surrendering 78. And in the third, they outscored opponents 84-74. It was in that first period where they repeatedly had trouble, continuously digging themselves holes that they had to fight the rest of the way to get out of.
It was a disturbing trend, one that drove me nuts, and I put the blame on coach Peter Laviolette more than anyone else. While I know he can't go out there and force his players to have jump right out of the gate, it's a coach's job to correct recurring mistakes. This was a recurring mistake that Laviolette and the Flyers never were able to correct.
As it turns out, Laviolette and the Flyers have still not figured it out. While it's entirely too early to make any definitive statements about the Flyers just two games in to this 48-game season, it's troubling to see that the Flyers could not put together a competent, energetic first period in either of the two losses this past weekend. Not only were the Flyers outscored 3-0 in the first period this weekend (2-0 against the Penguins and 1-0 against the Sabres), but they played lethargic and looked unprepared for the drop of the puck.
It's something that jumps out immediately even after just two games for the sole purpose that it was the biggest hindrance for the Flyers last season. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle another season of terrible first periods. And honestly, if it continues to be an issue, there is no one else to blame but Laviolette. At the end of the day, it's on the head coach to have his players ready to play and the coach's job to fix persistent problems. No matter how you feel about Laviolette — and most Flyers fans love him — he's failed in this regard. Now it's time for him to get things straight.
Certainly, there is time, but in a 48-game season, there's not as much as teams are accustomed to. And with all the energy it takes to come from behind, it's something the Flyers can't make a habit of in a season where they will be playing upwards of four times a week. There just isn't the recovery time and rest available to be playing from behind all season long.
Somehow, the Flyers need to find a way to actually come out ready to go from the drop of the puck because if the first period continues to be their worst period, this team simply won't be able to put up the points it would like to prepare for the postseason.
Oh, and this team's special teams was abysmal in the first two games, surrendering two power play goals against the Penguins (though one was an empty-netter) while going 0-for-5 on the man advantage themselves and looking horrible doing it, followed by giving up three more power play goals to the Sabres and converting just once on four power play chances themselves.
And one more thing … this team still desperately needs an elite face-off man, something they've lacked since Keith Primeau was forced to retire. Both of the first two goals against the Penguins came off lost defensive-zone draws. The centers need to get better at it, and it wouldn't hurt to go out and get a guy who specializes in face-offs. Just saying.
But hey, at least Claude Giroux is still awesome and Wayne Simmonds looked really good.
Just trying to be positive about something after a less than stellar start.
Fix those first-period woes, please.
Friday, January 18, 2013
It's Friday, Time to Dance
As you are all well aware of, the Philadelphia Eagles finally ended their head coaching search vacated by the pink-slipped Andy Reid by hiring Chip Kelly away from Oregon. Of course, Reid will forever have a hold on Philadelphia for both his successes and failures, and how much a lightning rod he was among fans.
Now in Kansas City, Reid will be coaching a new franchise that has more a lot of Pro Bowl talent even though the team as a whole has been pretty terrible lately. One of those Pro Bowl players is none other than Tamba Hali, who actually graduated from Penn State in 2006, the same year I just so happened to graduate from Penn State.
Anyway, Tamba released a freestyle rap earlier this week. Take a listen below. Or don't. It's not very good. But at least Tamba is very good at his day job, namely sacking quarterbacks.
Oh, and because somebody is lying in this whole Manti Te'o dead girlfriend hoax nonsense, I had to add this one in there.
Enjoy the weekend. Shouldn't be hard, seeing as hockey starts tomorrow with the Flyers and Penguins going at it here in Philadelphia.
Now in Kansas City, Reid will be coaching a new franchise that has more a lot of Pro Bowl talent even though the team as a whole has been pretty terrible lately. One of those Pro Bowl players is none other than Tamba Hali, who actually graduated from Penn State in 2006, the same year I just so happened to graduate from Penn State.
Anyway, Tamba released a freestyle rap earlier this week. Take a listen below. Or don't. It's not very good. But at least Tamba is very good at his day job, namely sacking quarterbacks.
Oh, and because somebody is lying in this whole Manti Te'o dead girlfriend hoax nonsense, I had to add this one in there.
Enjoy the weekend. Shouldn't be hard, seeing as hockey starts tomorrow with the Flyers and Penguins going at it here in Philadelphia.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Doug Collins Needs to Stop Making Excuses for His Team
Prior to Saturday's 107-100 home victory over the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers had lost five straight and seven of eight games overall. The only win in the bunch, ironically, came against the Los Angeles on New Year's Day.
Now, that stretch came on a long road trip, one in which the Sixers played eight straight road games — going 2-6 — and then lost on back-to-back nights — in Philadelphia against the Nets and at Toronto — to put an ugly exclamation point on a string of games that saw the Sixers plummet toward the bottom of the standings. The entire way, even before the long road trip started, Collins complained about the schedule. Nonstop. Time and time again, he'd reiterate how much he hated the setup and how unfair it was, and time and time again, he'd bring it up.
All this did was serve to give his own players a built-in excuse, one they clearly took as they lost game after game and played, quite honestly, unwatchable basketball. Hell, even after Saturday's very good victory, Collins couldn't shut up about the schedule:
"No excuses, you've got to play all 82," coach Doug Collins told reporters after the game. "But when they're bunched like that, it's tough. Over the holidays. We spent Christmas on the road. We spent New Year's on the road. That's not easy. People forget they do have families and they have to give that up."
What Doug should have said was, "No excuses, but I'm going to keep giving my team excuses," because that's essentially what he's been doing for the past month.
Instead of talking about what his team needs to do better, instead of finding himself a reliable rebounder and some interior toughness, instead of designing a system that offsets his team's lack of size and aggressiveness, Collins has been harping on the schedule.
If he wants the Sixers to grow, especially the younger players on the roster, he needs to stop coddling them and start coaching it up. Because the way it's been going, at least prior to Saturday, it sure looks like the Sixers have become complacent, letting the coach make excuses while they get their brains beat in by guys like Reggie Evans and Ed Davis.
This team has no toughness, no real identity and no sense of urgency. The whole philosophy seems to be "let Jrue Holiday do everything he can and everyone else try to do something," which is patently absurd for a team coached by a guy who's been in the game forever.
Collins has never lasted more than three years in any of his NBA coaching stops. He is on year three in Philadelphia, and the way his team is going, it's no stretch to think a fourth year may be at least one too many.
I hope I'm wrong because I like Doug Collins. I really do. But it's become pretty apparent as to why he never has stuck around one place too long.
Now, that stretch came on a long road trip, one in which the Sixers played eight straight road games — going 2-6 — and then lost on back-to-back nights — in Philadelphia against the Nets and at Toronto — to put an ugly exclamation point on a string of games that saw the Sixers plummet toward the bottom of the standings. The entire way, even before the long road trip started, Collins complained about the schedule. Nonstop. Time and time again, he'd reiterate how much he hated the setup and how unfair it was, and time and time again, he'd bring it up.
All this did was serve to give his own players a built-in excuse, one they clearly took as they lost game after game and played, quite honestly, unwatchable basketball. Hell, even after Saturday's very good victory, Collins couldn't shut up about the schedule:
"No excuses, you've got to play all 82," coach Doug Collins told reporters after the game. "But when they're bunched like that, it's tough. Over the holidays. We spent Christmas on the road. We spent New Year's on the road. That's not easy. People forget they do have families and they have to give that up."
What Doug should have said was, "No excuses, but I'm going to keep giving my team excuses," because that's essentially what he's been doing for the past month.
Instead of talking about what his team needs to do better, instead of finding himself a reliable rebounder and some interior toughness, instead of designing a system that offsets his team's lack of size and aggressiveness, Collins has been harping on the schedule.
If he wants the Sixers to grow, especially the younger players on the roster, he needs to stop coddling them and start coaching it up. Because the way it's been going, at least prior to Saturday, it sure looks like the Sixers have become complacent, letting the coach make excuses while they get their brains beat in by guys like Reggie Evans and Ed Davis.
This team has no toughness, no real identity and no sense of urgency. The whole philosophy seems to be "let Jrue Holiday do everything he can and everyone else try to do something," which is patently absurd for a team coached by a guy who's been in the game forever.
Collins has never lasted more than three years in any of his NBA coaching stops. He is on year three in Philadelphia, and the way his team is going, it's no stretch to think a fourth year may be at least one too many.
I hope I'm wrong because I like Doug Collins. I really do. But it's become pretty apparent as to why he never has stuck around one place too long.
Friday, January 11, 2013
It's Friday, Time to Dance
The Lakers are terrible, which is absolutely fantastic because screw the Lakers. Of course, it's hard to take too much solace in that since the Sixers are absurdly horrible again, losing and losing badly to teams that aren't even that good. But hey, if they're going to suck, at least the Lakers are sucking right along with them.
Speaking of which, the most entertaining thing about the Lakers this year has been the bench antics for 7-footer Robert Sacre, who just loves to dance. Enjoy.
Speaking of which, the most entertaining thing about the Lakers this year has been the bench antics for 7-footer Robert Sacre, who just loves to dance. Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Reminder: Claude Giroux Is Awesome
Now that the NHL lockout is officially over, we get to see Claude Giroux do stuff like this again:
I cannot wait.
I cannot wait.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Stop the Hypocrisy
All day today, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has been getting crucified for leaving an obviously not 100% Robert Griffin III in yesterday's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. If you didn't see the game, RG3 looked a little tender from the outset, despite leading the Redskins to touchdowns on their opening two possessions. In the second quarter, Griffin had to briefly leave the game, but ultimately returned. And as we all know now, Griffin eventually re-injured his knee and was forced to leave the game for good.
Hindsight is 20/20. Now that the game is over and we know that Griffin got injured and the Redskins lost the game, it is easy to sit back and criticize and say that Shanahan should have pulled Griffin after the incident in the second quarter. It's easy to sit on your couch or behind your computer screen talking about how you would have done it differently.
It bothers me to no end how the internet has created a forum for all these geniuses, all these Monday morning quarterbacks, to sit behind their computer screens and hide behind screen names, and not only talk about how they knew better than an NFL head coach, but to do so in many cases with such hatred and vitriol.
It's these same people who watch all the "talking head" talk shows that have permeated every sports broadcasting network. Shows where "experts" do the same thing our internet friends do, albeit not so anonymously and with less foul language and over-the-top insults.
Regardless, these so-called "experts" sit there all day and bash Shanahan and talk about how they never would have done it that way and blah, blah, blah. The reality of the situation is if that Robert Griffin hadn't gotten injured and if the Redskins would have won the game, these very same people would be praising Griffin for his toughness, his grit and his leadership. And Shanahan would be an afterthought.
It sucks that RGIII got hurt, and I'm saying that as an Eagles fan. He has the potential to be a very special player, and it would suck if he didn't get the chance to fulfill that potential because of injury. It would be a shame for him, and it would be a shame for the fans of football.
But sports are about toughness and overcoming obstacles and all that. And we constantly praise warriors who play through pain, who put it all on the line to win, who put the good of the team ahead of their own personal interests. Whether it's T.O. making an incredible recovery from ankle surgery and defying doctors' orders to play in the Super Bowl, Donovan McNabb throwing four touchdowns and leading the team to victory on a broken ankle, Allen Iverson playing through injury after injury and swallowing blood so he can stay in a playoff game and shoot his free throws, Michael Jordan's flu game, or Byron Leftwich being carried down the field by his linemen as he tries to lead a game-winning drive, we eat it up. These performances create lasting memories for us, and they inspire us.
Robert Griffin III wanted to play. He wanted to be out there with his teammates. He wanted to do everything he could to help the team in a win-or-go-home situation. He knew it would hurt, and he knew it was risky, but he wanted to be out there and I respect that. Shanahan thought RG3 gave the team the best chance to win and RG3 said he could go, so he allowed it. Even after the second-quarter incident, he wanted to go back in, and so the coach allowed it.
Be honest with yourself. If this was your favorite team, you would have wanted RG3 to play this game. If your best players are able to play, you want them to be out there. Especially in the playoffs.
I have no problem with looking back at a game. I have no problem with going over the game and critiquing and discussing and debating. That's part of what is fun about being a fan. I do have a problem with hypocrites acting like they wouldn't have wanted RG3 to play if it was their favorite team in that situation, and with people dishing out all this criticism when they know for a fact that if the Redskins won and RG3 didn't get injured they would be on the complete other end of the spectrum praising RG3 and Shanahan for their guts.
Hindsight is 20/20. Now that the game is over and we know that Griffin got injured and the Redskins lost the game, it is easy to sit back and criticize and say that Shanahan should have pulled Griffin after the incident in the second quarter. It's easy to sit on your couch or behind your computer screen talking about how you would have done it differently.
It bothers me to no end how the internet has created a forum for all these geniuses, all these Monday morning quarterbacks, to sit behind their computer screens and hide behind screen names, and not only talk about how they knew better than an NFL head coach, but to do so in many cases with such hatred and vitriol.
It's these same people who watch all the "talking head" talk shows that have permeated every sports broadcasting network. Shows where "experts" do the same thing our internet friends do, albeit not so anonymously and with less foul language and over-the-top insults.
Regardless, these so-called "experts" sit there all day and bash Shanahan and talk about how they never would have done it that way and blah, blah, blah. The reality of the situation is if that Robert Griffin hadn't gotten injured and if the Redskins would have won the game, these very same people would be praising Griffin for his toughness, his grit and his leadership. And Shanahan would be an afterthought.
It sucks that RGIII got hurt, and I'm saying that as an Eagles fan. He has the potential to be a very special player, and it would suck if he didn't get the chance to fulfill that potential because of injury. It would be a shame for him, and it would be a shame for the fans of football.
But sports are about toughness and overcoming obstacles and all that. And we constantly praise warriors who play through pain, who put it all on the line to win, who put the good of the team ahead of their own personal interests. Whether it's T.O. making an incredible recovery from ankle surgery and defying doctors' orders to play in the Super Bowl, Donovan McNabb throwing four touchdowns and leading the team to victory on a broken ankle, Allen Iverson playing through injury after injury and swallowing blood so he can stay in a playoff game and shoot his free throws, Michael Jordan's flu game, or Byron Leftwich being carried down the field by his linemen as he tries to lead a game-winning drive, we eat it up. These performances create lasting memories for us, and they inspire us.
Robert Griffin III wanted to play. He wanted to be out there with his teammates. He wanted to do everything he could to help the team in a win-or-go-home situation. He knew it would hurt, and he knew it was risky, but he wanted to be out there and I respect that. Shanahan thought RG3 gave the team the best chance to win and RG3 said he could go, so he allowed it. Even after the second-quarter incident, he wanted to go back in, and so the coach allowed it.
Be honest with yourself. If this was your favorite team, you would have wanted RG3 to play this game. If your best players are able to play, you want them to be out there. Especially in the playoffs.
I have no problem with looking back at a game. I have no problem with going over the game and critiquing and discussing and debating. That's part of what is fun about being a fan. I do have a problem with hypocrites acting like they wouldn't have wanted RG3 to play if it was their favorite team in that situation, and with people dishing out all this criticism when they know for a fact that if the Redskins won and RG3 didn't get injured they would be on the complete other end of the spectrum praising RG3 and Shanahan for their guts.
Friday, January 4, 2013
It's Friday, Time to Dance: BOB Edition
After an impressive first year as a head coach, surpassing pretty much all expectations anyone had for Penn State in 2012, Bill O'Brien became one of the hottest coaches out there and a target for NFL franchises looking for a new lead man. Seeing as he has pro experience coaching the potent New England offense prior to taking over at Penn State, then flourishing as a head coach in year one, the reasons are obvious.
However, before the new year O'Brien said he intended to stay at Penn State despite the murmurs that he may bolt for the NFL. Still, as Black Monday unleashed its wrath, O'Brien's name came up for seemingly every head coach opening, understandably. And while there was lots of speculation that he may leave after all, Bill O'Brien put that all to rest last night, reconfirming that he will indeed be the head coach of the Nittany Lions in 2013, and that he will not take any more interviews for NFL jobs — he apparently met with the Eagles and Browns.
So in honor of Bill O'Brien remaining in Happy Valley — with a nice little raise to boot — it only makes sense to enjoy Bombs Over Baghdad (BOB) for Bill O'Brien (BOB).
And the version with Rage Against the Machine, just because.
However, before the new year O'Brien said he intended to stay at Penn State despite the murmurs that he may bolt for the NFL. Still, as Black Monday unleashed its wrath, O'Brien's name came up for seemingly every head coach opening, understandably. And while there was lots of speculation that he may leave after all, Bill O'Brien put that all to rest last night, reconfirming that he will indeed be the head coach of the Nittany Lions in 2013, and that he will not take any more interviews for NFL jobs — he apparently met with the Eagles and Browns.
So in honor of Bill O'Brien remaining in Happy Valley — with a nice little raise to boot — it only makes sense to enjoy Bombs Over Baghdad (BOB) for Bill O'Brien (BOB).
And the version with Rage Against the Machine, just because.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tom Corbett Needs to Go Away
Tom Corbett is a fucking asshole. There is no two ways about it. This is a man who, as attorney general of Pennsylvania, turned as big of a blind eye to the initial Jerry Sandusky allegations as just about anyone. Now, he's trying to preemptively cover his own tracks by suing the NCAA for overreaching its bounds.
To which I have to say, fuck off, Tom Corbett. Seriously, fuck off forever and never return.
Did the NCAA overstep its bounds? More than likely yes. Did the horrid scandal that occurred at Penn State break any NCAA rules? Not definitively, no. But that's not the point. The point is horrible actions by a monster preying on innocent children occurred on the Penn State campus, and those horrible actions were covered up by a remarkably unethical handful of Penn State administrators, including the athletic director and legendary head coach.
For not immediately and persistently reporting the allegations and ensuring they were not repeated, the entire football program was levied unprecedented sanctions from the NCAA despite the NCAA not even conducting an investigation of its own. That was probably bad form, but in the grand scheme of things, it pales into comparison to the bad form the administrators at my university displayed.
In the end, the university itself agreed and accepted all the sanctions, promising no appeal. Corbett himself lauded the actions of Mark Emmert and the NCAA initially. But now, as more and more people realize what a phony Corbett is, particularly with him refusing to take any responsibility for his own inaction as AG, he's going against his own initial reaction and forcing a lawsuit that the university itself seems to have no interest in pursuing.
Tom Corbett is doing no one any favors. This isn't helping Penn State. It's not helping the local businesses, who are doing just fine with the continued packed home crowds and 42,000-plus students on campus. It's not helping the students, who are finally starting to regain some pride in their school after the countless charity drives and new narrative following a surprisingly successful football season.
And most importantly, it's not helping the victims of these heinous crimes move on. Once again, their stories are being dug up in the media, reminding them once again of all that trauma they carry with them every day right there on their television screens or computers.
While Corbett insists this is about keeping that $60 million in-state and protecting the integrity of the law, let's get this straight: It's simply a ploy for Corbett to cover his own insanely stupid ass.
As a Penn State graduate, I'm offended by his selfish stupidity, no matter if his case has legitimate legal standing or not.
More importantly, as a human being, I'm offended that Corbett has the audacity to put his own self-interests ahead the good of the victims and the communities he is supposed to serve.
I want nothing more than for Tom Corbett to just go away forever. What an asshole.
To which I have to say, fuck off, Tom Corbett. Seriously, fuck off forever and never return.
Did the NCAA overstep its bounds? More than likely yes. Did the horrid scandal that occurred at Penn State break any NCAA rules? Not definitively, no. But that's not the point. The point is horrible actions by a monster preying on innocent children occurred on the Penn State campus, and those horrible actions were covered up by a remarkably unethical handful of Penn State administrators, including the athletic director and legendary head coach.
For not immediately and persistently reporting the allegations and ensuring they were not repeated, the entire football program was levied unprecedented sanctions from the NCAA despite the NCAA not even conducting an investigation of its own. That was probably bad form, but in the grand scheme of things, it pales into comparison to the bad form the administrators at my university displayed.
In the end, the university itself agreed and accepted all the sanctions, promising no appeal. Corbett himself lauded the actions of Mark Emmert and the NCAA initially. But now, as more and more people realize what a phony Corbett is, particularly with him refusing to take any responsibility for his own inaction as AG, he's going against his own initial reaction and forcing a lawsuit that the university itself seems to have no interest in pursuing.
Tom Corbett is doing no one any favors. This isn't helping Penn State. It's not helping the local businesses, who are doing just fine with the continued packed home crowds and 42,000-plus students on campus. It's not helping the students, who are finally starting to regain some pride in their school after the countless charity drives and new narrative following a surprisingly successful football season.
And most importantly, it's not helping the victims of these heinous crimes move on. Once again, their stories are being dug up in the media, reminding them once again of all that trauma they carry with them every day right there on their television screens or computers.
While Corbett insists this is about keeping that $60 million in-state and protecting the integrity of the law, let's get this straight: It's simply a ploy for Corbett to cover his own insanely stupid ass.
As a Penn State graduate, I'm offended by his selfish stupidity, no matter if his case has legitimate legal standing or not.
More importantly, as a human being, I'm offended that Corbett has the audacity to put his own self-interests ahead the good of the victims and the communities he is supposed to serve.
I want nothing more than for Tom Corbett to just go away forever. What an asshole.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
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