(Very Short) NBA Preview

If you'd like more detail, check ESPN, SI, Papa Cass, Brian Windhorst or one of several other blogs/newspapers/websites for detailed analysis. As a lifelong Cleveland fan, I know this may be reaching. I know Miami is still the team to beat in the East, Detroit is the veteran stalwart in the Central and Chicago is the returning prodigal son. The Cavs still have several holes to fill and questions to answer, but what the hell. It is my honest belief that the Cleveland Cavaliers will represent the Eastern Conference in June's NBA Finals. Crazy, I know (but I'm not yet crazy enough to predict an NBA title; unlike the POJODojo, who is either crazy or brilliant). Chicago is not as good as Detroit, Miami, Cleveland or New Jersey. Detroit may win the Central, but they will miss Ben Wallace and that hole in the middle should make the difference in a potential playoff series. Miami has their title and may struggle with motivation (as well as age). As for Jersey, can you really count on Vince Carter to win games for you? Besides, I have a feeling LeBron's improvement, the additions of Shannon Brown, Daniel Gibson and Scot Pollard, returns to health for Anderson Varejao and Larry Hughes, the conditioning of Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall and Coach Mike Brown's growth should improve on last season's 50 victories, (hopefully) ensuring better playoff position. And the growth and maturity of this team last spring should (could) lead to bigger and better things this season. Or, God could make up pull our hair out, yet again...

The weekend

The Browns actually looked like a professional offense this weekend. It's amazing what a new perspective can bring , and it's also amazing how much impact a healthy Leigh Bodden had on the rest of the defense. Frye had one of his better games, Droughns looked the best he has since last November, and the O-Line played its best game of the season. Maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses; good start for the Jeff Davidson era. The bad news: with the schedule the next few weeks, even with a seemingly improving team, another win may be weeks away.

The Cavs...more coming tomorrow or Wednesday; should be a fun season.

The Buckeyes...what else can I say? We're all anticipating Ohio State-Michigan now; all of college football seems to be in a holding pattern. These teams are a clear 1 and 2. No one except Michigan can beat the Buckeyes, and no one except tOSU can beat the Wolverines. Oh, and the best moment from the weekend...

Winning the Masters may be more emotional, but Jack Nicklaus still got a lump in his throat while dotting the "i" during the Ohio State marching band's halftime rendition of Script Ohio.
"I'm always a pretty emotional guy, and to have something like this ... Ohio State has meant so much to my life, and Columbus," said Nicklaus, who left college early to turn professional in 1961. He has since received an honorary degree from OSU.
Nicklaus walked arm-in-arm with the drum major to the designated spot and waved to the crowd.
"I guess it went well," he said. "I got my part right ... A fraternity brother of mine sent me a baton the other day that was probably 40 years old and said, 'I want you to practice with this. I don't want you to embarrass any of us.' "

I'm not embarrassed at all to say it was very dusty in my house when ABC showed Nicklaus completing Script Ohio....

Patterns

Legend holds that celebrity deaths come in threes...this morning we had Joe Niekro and Trevor Berbick, and now this evening comes word that Boston Celtic patriarch Red Auerbach has passed....RIP

Congrats

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals, 2006 World Series Champions...

Jack Nicklaus

I have yet to comment about golf on this blog, but as a central Ohio native from an avid golfing family, this is really cool...from Bob Hunter.

When Jack Nicklaus dots the "I" during Script Ohio at the Ohio State-Minnesota game Saturday, rabid fans can take some solace that he isn’t another famous alum being given an honor that is meaningless to him. Nicklaus was a huge fan of the football Buckeyes while growing up in Columbus and said he was in attendance at this season’s Penn State game.
"From the time I was 6 years old, I missed only one Ohio State home football game, until I was 20," Nicklaus said. "Then it was because I played in the World Amateur Team Championship and for the Eisenhower Trophy at Merion Golf Club. Even then, I … walked around the golf course, carrying the radio and listening to the Ohio State-Southern Cal game while I was playing in the tournament. I shot 66-67-68-68 and won the individual title, so I shot 68 that day. If I hadn’t been carrying around the radio, maybe I would have shot another 66."

Also, on Thursday, Marla Ridenour had an article concerning the same event. Very cool; one of the classiest men in recent pro sports being honored for his legacy in a unique way. As for the game, not too much to say, as the Buckeyes should defeat Minnesota fairly easily.

Bill Simmons

Three interesting points in his new column today:
* 24 Trailer (yes, I'm very excited as well)
* Kenny Rogers, roids? (very interesting theory, and yes it makes sense)
* Eating crow over the Cardinals (hope they hold on, couldn't stomach Rogers or Pudge celebrating a title...)

I'm very glad....

...that this guy was not my HS football coach.

Read this post

Read this post from The POJO Dojo. Maybe football, and sports in general, mean way too much too all of us (especially us sports bloggers), but I can't help but feel very proud to read Tressel's words. Hell, I even choked up a little bit...

Roundup

Good...
* Maurice Carthon (whether fired or resigned, he's gone)....
* LeBron and the Cavs....
* Buckeye football...
* Thad Matta's extension...

Bad...
* What the hell was on Kenny Rogers' hand in game 2?
* MotSaG has the story on issues at Michigan...did Lloyd Carr ignore a crime for a WR to play against Penn State?
* What does Crennel's stalling on firing Carthon say about control and leadership of this franchise...btw, I'm still behind Crennel and Savage...don't know if they'll get the job done, but it's too soon to start over.

Ugly...
* The Browns and Indians...

Maybe I should read the PD again

This has been covered everywhere else, but it is good to see the Dealer get smart and get rid of Roger Brown. Now, at one point I did read his columns, but since he is a major reason (along with several others) that I don't read the PD, I won't give any platitudes about how I enjoyed his controversial opinions, and that he was the first writer to read in the PD every day. I think the paper may have improved itself by getting rid of a writer who has unsubstianted opinions, tries to gin up useless controversies, interviews the wrong people for "expert" opinions, and adding nothing to my enjoyment of Cleveland pro sports (which are hard enough to enjoy some days, anyway).

Courage

Peter King had a small blurb in his MMQB today about Kevin Tillman's recent criticism of the war in Iraq. I will stay away from politics here, but I had to address one thing. King called Tillman's comments gutsy. The way I see it right now, everyone is criticizing the war (right or wrong). True courage would be to swim against the stream and defend the war in Iraq...it takes almost no courage to ride the tide of public opinion.

Gary Baxter

Poor guy...out for the season (or more) with 2 torn patellar tendons. He just cannot stay healthy. With the injuries to Baxter, Daylon McCutcheon and Leigh Bodden, the defense will have trouble defending any half competent receiver in the NFL. Another lost season in Cleveland, and yet I'll still watch the last ten games.

Ohio State

The one good thing about being an Ohio sports fan...the Buckeyes continue to dominate. Luckily, a friend of mine subscribes to DirecTV's sports pack, so I was able to see the game....it was OSU's most complete effort all season. All facets worked very well (of course, it was Indiana)....Troy Smith, barring a Cooper (or Greg Norman) like collapse, will win the Heisman. I do not think, in 26+ years on this planet, I've ever been able to say OSU has the best QB in the nation....well, enjoy this Buckeye fans, because our QB is the best player in all of college football. The running game continues to be solid (led by the seemingly unnoticed Antonio Pittman), two TE's caught touchdowns, many recievers (8, I believe) caught a pass, and the defense may be showing that Tressel knows how to produce an elite defense, year after year (with major credit to Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell). And yes, it pains me to say this, I hope scUM is unbeaten on November 18...nothing is sweeter than ruining a Wolverine season...of course, nothing is sadder than a season ruined by UM (ex. 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1969, etc.).

The weekend in Cleveland

Why even bother to comment on the Browns....the offense lacks direction, intelligence, and competence....we need to draft offensive linemen. The D looks OK; our receivers are decent, except for the drops; Frye needs a lot of help, as he can't stay upright behind the worst O-line in the NFL. Oh, and a new running back (Adrian Peterson?) would help, as well. I will still watch every game, but I doubt it's worth staying sober to focus on the game....

The Cavs...wake me when the season starts, but it's good to see management hold the line on LBJ's playing time...even if they piss off all of Western NY....

The Indians...still have my doubts that the Dolans will open the wallet, but this team is close and the out of the ashes rise of the White Sox and Tigers in the AL Central the past two seasons show me that the Tribe could contend in '07 (if we get a closer)...

The past weekend

Not much to say on the NFL (no Browns game) or baseball (no Tribe, but Pudge Rodriguez is as much of a cheater as Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Clemens, Sheffield, yet no mention anywhere in the media...). But Ohio State may have played their most complete game of 2006 against Michigan State. The defense was able to prevent MSU from capitalizing on Beanie Wells' fumble, and the Bucks excelled in all facets of the game. Troy is the definite Heisman favorite after the injury to Adrian Peterson and the sub-par outing by Wolfe. From this vantage point, we are headed for a HUGE showdown November 18 in Columbus. OSU and UM are the two best teams in the country right now, and I think number 3 is either Florida, Tennessee or Auburn (no, it is not USC). Thank goodness we have the Buckeyes to lift our spirits as the Browns continue to suffer, and the Indians stunk up another summer.

New Column on ESPN

If you are a Cavs fan (or just a self-loathing Cleveland fan....) read this column by Brian Windhorst. It details the evolution of the Cleveland Cavaliers (from a true insiders perspective) and the teams' (believe it or not) realistic chance to compate for an NBA championship. Would the name of this blog have to change if the Cavs are successful this June?

This weekend

No Browns game...which means we won't lose!

The Buckeyes are #1 (as you all know) and head to East Lansing to take on Michigan State. The last two times we were #1 facing MSU, we lost (1974 and 1998). This time, however, should be different. I am a little nervous, but remember this...in 1974, controversial calls and 30 minutes of deliberation by the officials and Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke conspired to cost tOSU a winning TD (Woody tried to argue, but to no avail); and in 1998, I could feel the weels coming off and the necks tightening in Columbus...I will never forget that day; not feeling comfortable with a 17 point lead, despite having one of the more talented teams in recent college football history, knowing Cooper would find a way to blow a game before the end of the season. And, MSU and Nick Saban that year. Now, we have Jim Tressel, while they have slap-happy John L. Smith...big advantage OSU. I'm thinking 34-21, Buckeyes.

Cleveland Fan?

I happen to be a fan of all three Cleveland pro teams, as well as the Buckeyes and Columbus Blue Jackets. This is due to growing up about an hour north of Columbus, and having a dad who was a long suffering Cleveland fan (and no, there is no other type). I am a fan of The Cavaliers, Browns, and Indians, but would I be any less of a Cleveland fan if I was a Cubs fan instead? Or a Vikings fan, or Lakers (assuming I cheered for Cleveland in the other two sports). I don't think of myself as a Cleveland fan, but as a fan of three franchises, all located in the same city. So yes, POJODojo, I do not doubt your Cleveland passion...and I cannot hate you too much. After all, my own brother, who lives in Columbus, is a Michigan fan...

Brent Musburger

It seems that in order to be a true Buckeye fan, one must hate Brent Musburger. I admit, there was a time I despised listening to this man call a sporting event (I think it was when he was paired with Bob Griese, but that's another story). I've even seem him referred to as the worst sports commentator on television. I have to disagree, and yes, I have several reasons for doing so. One, Brent seems to enjoy calling Buckeye games. I do not believe he is biased against tOSU, in fact, based on calls he has made ("Kaiser" Wilhelm, "Holy Buckeye", etc.) I could make the case Brent likes our Buckeyes. Two, when compared to pieces of shit like Dan Fouts (remember the OSU-Miami Fiesta Bowl, quit slurping the Winslows Dan) and Bob Griese (calling his own son's games and clearly rooting for UM against tOSU in 1996 and '97), is Brent really so bad (and don't get me started on Pam Ward, Tim Brant, Ed Cummingham, Mark May, Lou Holtz, Le Corso, Mark Jones, etc. etc.) compared to most college football broadcatsers, analysts and "experts" for ESPN/ABC? Third, Brent seems to enjoy the game...as every broadcaster should...they have a great job, traveling the country to watch and talk about college football! Fourth, and this one is just fun, he pisses off USC. Seriuosly people, get your heads out of your surfer asses. Remember when, during the Texas game, Brent and Kirk talked about Troy tapping his head to indicate single coverage to Ginn? Same deal, and there was not a giant outcry in C-bus. With all the love SC gets from Disney (cough, cough...Mark May!) should they not take all the good with one little bit of bad...for all of us, just shut the hell up! Anyway, Brent is not so bad, besides, he's better than Keith jackson forgetting the down and distance and what state he's in.

Past thoughts...

In some previous posts, I had mentioned that I'd give more thoughts on the Browns and Travis Hafner....the Browns are too depressing to comment about; as for Travis Hafner, just go to any stat site (ESPN, SI, Baseball Prospectus, etc.) and look up numers, and you'll see my point.

FOX baseball

Too many shots of useless celebs, insufferable and arrogant Joe Buck, annoying graphics, and Tim McCarver...sounds like a description of a week in Ann Arbor, Paris or hell...

Only Lou Holtz...

..can make Mark May sound competent. Funny, how when his lover boys at USC win close games, their surviving, but when The Ohio State University survived week after week in 2002, they sucked, were "the dark side", etc. Did Lou Holtz really say OSU was not number 1? The ESPN studio crew is so pathetic....just give us more Herbstreit, the one college football commentator on the family of networks that is reasonably competent. BTW, posts in the next two days following up on POJO Dojo's comments, and defending Brent Musburger.

Good news....

For all Buckeyes....

Tyson Gentry can keep a secret, but he doesn’t have much of a poker face.
The former Ohio State player has been in a wheelchair since suffering a broken vertebra in his neck during a scrimmage April 14. He has had limited arm movement and no lower-body movement.
Until Monday. That’s when he discovered he could wiggle his toes on his left foot.
"He thought he felt something, but he didn’t say anything to anyone right away," Gentry’s mother, Gloria, said. "He was laughing all day Monday, and (his sister and roommate) Ashley was like, ‘What are you laughing at?’
"Finally, he shared it with her on Tuesday. He wanted to make sure it continued and it wasn’t just happening there one time and not the next."
Gloria said the development has the family "very, very excited," and she and her husband, Bob, have seen Tyson since then. She said doctors have not told the family anything about what this might mean for Tyson’s future recovery.
But it certainly lifted the spirits of Tyson’s former teammates. Assistant coach Darrell Hazell told the receivers yesterday afternoon. Gentry was working as a receiver at the time of his injury.
"It was just an emotional rush over the guys," Hazell said. "That was huge for the guys."
Coach Jim Tressel broke the news to the full team later yesterday.
Gloria Gentry said the family was prepared to be patient and keep trusting that more improvements would come.
"Even if it’s minor, it’s been very well received," she said. "It’s pretty special."

Still a dickhead

Alec Baldwin, typical arrogant Hollywood douchebag...

RIP

Cory Lidle, 1972-2006.

Why I no longer read the Plain Dealer.....

Roger Brown. What a tool. This article is over one year old, but I just found it yesterday (thanks, Deadspin). I hated this guy from the first time I read his columns, but I did not know why....this article will give you more insight. Yes, he can be critical in a sometimes soft media town...but criticism should ahve some basis in fact and logic, not based on the whims of a former entertainment writer who considers men like Joe Theismann, Le Corso and John Kruk experts in their respective sports. He is Cleveland's version of Jay Mariotti. There are still some good writers at the PD, but I get the same info from the Columbus Dispatch and Akron Beacon Journal. Just compare the ABJ with the PD: Pluto vs. Livingston/Shaw/Brown; Windhorst v. Wright are both clearly in favor of little brother, while Ocker v. Hoynes and Ridneour v. Lesmeris are a wash. Now, I'm not a huge fan of McManahon, but the Plain Dealer does not identify the author of an article in its link, so I have neglected to read Grossi (who at the very least deserves our loyalty as the man who refused to endorse Art Modell for the hall of Fame despite being the writer charged with said task). Just my two cents....

Friday Night Lights

8 PM on NBC....have episode #2 on TiVo, will be watched soon...The pilot was excellent. If you don't already watch too much TV, give this show a chance....you will not be disappointed.

Random college football notes

Why does God subject all of us to the torture that is the Cleveland Browns? 1-4, once again? I have nothing to say, except bring on a good top 5 pick! Any ideas yet? Oh, and it is good to see the Yankees out, even though they had to lose to that steroid cheater Pudge Rodriguez and a team from Michigan. Three good things for now....good start by CBJ (but can they maintain it...and good to see Zherdev back)...Cavs open the preseason tonight, and there are very high expectations (but ask the Indians how those usually turn out...but maybe LeBron can overcome the weight of high expectations)...and the continued success of the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes. Not much to say that others have not already stated, but a win is a win. Down here, many are starting to anticipate a matchup in January involving Florida facing either Ohio State or Michigan in Glendale....I don't think the Gators can finish without a loss, however. One other thought...why all the hatred toward Brent Musburger? Soon, a post defending Columbus's most hated broadcaster...