Some thoughts on game three of the Eastern Conference championship between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons….
What is Tom Brady doing rooting for the Heat?
My friend and Lions insider Ramsey were appalled tonight when we saw Tom Brady rooting for the Miami Heat. I thought this guy was a Michigan Man? And all this time we’ve been rooting for him as a Patriot under the pretense that he was one of us? Tom Brady has bandwagon fan written all over him.
So let’s break it down. Brady’s from California, but he played ball in Michigan, and now he plays ball in New England. Abiding by the normal rules of sports allegiances Brady is allowed to root for the following basketball teams: The Celtics, the Pistons, the Clippers the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings, or the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s a pretty nifty bunch of teams in there including some good historical teams and current teams that in no way involve the Heat. Sorry Tom, you are a bandwagon fan. I better not see you rooting for the Tigers come October.
And what’s the deal with Usher?
Why is Usher attending Miami Heat games when he owns the Cleveland Cavaliers? It obviously didn’t work when he cheered against the Pistons in the last round so why try it this round while you’re wearing a pink shirt? Come on Usher, you’ve almost reached Lil’ John intolerable “I carry around a crunk cup” status. Simmer down.
I don’t know what is worse in the series the constant hack-a-Shaq, or bump-a-Ben campaigns or the announcers.
Late in the fourth quarter after Pat Riley instructed his players to foul Ben Wallace away from the ball twice in a row, Hubie Brown starts talking about how it is a great sign of strategy and gamesmanship.
How in the world is fouling a known poor free throw shooter good gamesmanship Hubie? It’s the exact opposite. I don’t agree with hacks on poor shooter when he has the ball or doesn’t. The Pistons are notorious for hacking, and although I am a huge fan, I don’t agree with their actions.
Oil slick Riley took it a step further today fouling "Big Ben"when the Heat was up ten points. I mean where do you draw the line? This type of action may be part of the game but it is unethical and it falls into the gray area of sports.
I tried to think of a comparison of a similar ethical dilemma in another sport but all I could think of is walks in baseball, but that can’t compare, because a walk actually gets you somewhere, but a free throw isn’t guaranteed.
Shaq and "Big Ben" shouldn’t be missing all this free throws, but they shouldn’t be sent to the foul line too often either. I think overall the foul on purpose gig may be a good strategy but it is wrong and it paints the wrong picture. As a national announcer for ABC, Hubie Brown should realize this not as gamesmanship, but as poor sportsmanship.
The Pistons do not impress me.
Too many turnovers and too many minutes for people like Tony Delk. If any guards are coming off the bench it should be Hunter and Delfino in that order. Delk isn’t a consistent shooter, he has a terrible turnover to assist ratio and he drives worse than a Adobe.
“That Guy”- There is always one member of crazy cast of characters that can be classified as “that guy.” In NBA broadcasting Bill Walton is “that guy,” in baseball managing Ozzie Guillen is that guy, and in the world of drunken sports whatever-you-want-to-call-it there is this guy, who thought it would be a good idea to use the Wrigley Field wall urinals as a slip and slide.
Shock ‘em – Earlier this month, I wrote a post about the Wichita St. Shockers unique little hand signal that stands for much more than “shocking” the competition. (You can access that blog here). My blog question of whether or not adults knew what the hand signal stood for has now been answered after six high school baseball players were suspended after using that same gesture in a yearbook picture. One player said he was disguted after finding out what the hand signal really mean. Sure buddy, now you’re disgusted -now that your parents know.
Initiation Roundup- A big thanks once again to the folks at badjocks.com who are offering an end of the year initiation roundup showcasing all of this years hazing experiments and wild sports parties gone wrong. From Duke University lacrosse party pictures to Northwestern University soccer pictures you can’t go wrong.
Roid Patrol- I found a pretty cool link showcasing baseball cards of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire side by side for every year they played baseball. Go here to decide who you think roided up better.
Go Jesus!- It’s official throwback jerseys are not overplayed now that a company has bible themed throwback jerseys. Ironically, David Dejesus still doesn’t have one jersey sold yet.
Now that you've seen my hot links for the week, I will leave you with this week's line of the week:
"Flip Murray couldn't guard him with a tire iron," George Blaha on Cavaliers guard Flip Murray who apparently couldn't guard Chuancey or Rip with, well, a tire iron.
I’m sorry to say this but I am not a witness, because what I saw the last five games were not the Cavaliers playing championship caliber basketball, it was the Pistons playing college caliber basketball.
Call it cockiness, call it confidence, call it what you will, but I like to call it the swagger of a champion. It’s the same swagger the Yankees and Red Wings have ever year when they go down in flames, and it’s the same championship swagger the Lakers had in 2004 when they nearly got swept by the Pistons in the NBA Finals.
Even with that championship swagger on the faces and in the minds of the Pistons, don't expect history to repeat itself.
In the first seven quarters of the Cavs-Stones series the Pistons put to sleep any notion that LeBron James would do what Michael Jordan couldn't in his first try-beat the Bad Boys. Since then however, the Pistons offense looked like it needed an oil change. Scoring under 85 points each of the last three games, the usually supercharged Pistons are now idling, and relying solely on their defense to win games.
Granted the Cavaliers are playing above themselves and King James is at the epicenter of their battles, but still, the Pistons are hardly playing like the heart-of-"stea"l champions we've come to known over the last three years.
The talking heads of sports talk shows and newspapers are already speaking of the King reigning the Eastern Conference playoff castle but, the anguish in the Pistons eyes tells me that it's a little early to call this thing.
The Players Have Heart:
The problem many of the perennial powerhouses in other sports face is that many of their players have already won championships. This is the case with the Red Wings and the Yankees. There isn't much difference with the Pistons except for the role player Antonio McDyess. TNT captured a great outro to their game five telecast zooming in on the anguished face of Antonio McDyess. The shot which seemed to last for about 10 minutes showed that the "Dice Man" is not ready to call it quits, and while other teammates have won their titles, it doesn't mean they are ready to mail it in either.
Each and every Pistons player still has something to prove. Rasheed Wallace has to prove that his loud mouth guarantee didn't jinx his team. He also owes his team a big game performance after his defensive lapse against Robert Horry in last years finals basically led to another Spurs championship.
Although he'll never be chosen as the league MVP, Billups needs to prove that he deserves to be mentioned as a candidate. Billups is known as Mr. Big Shot but they don't call him that for heaving up ill-advised three pointers with three minutes remaining in a close playoff game. Billups is better than that. I know it, you know it, and LeBron James knows it. It's just about proving it.
Ben Wallace needs to prove that he has the work ethic and determination to help his team win another close playoff battle after he basically cost them the game with two missed free throws late in game five. And let’s not forget the coach who has worked so hard, but never won a title. Wouldn’t it be nice if his team could flip the switch and put themselves into playoff overdrive?
Playoff struggles:
During their three year Eastern Conference dominance the Pistons have had their share of slip-ups in the playoffs. In 2005, it took the Pistons six games to defeat the Pacers before winning a seven game series in the Eastern Conference finals. In the conference semi-finals in 2003, the Pistons took a 2-0 series lead over the Nets before losing three straight. Facing elimination the Pistons defense took over, and won the series, and later, the NBA Championship. And how can we forget 2002, when it took the Pistons seven games to defeat the downtrodden Orlando Magic.
Sure the Cavaliers are better than the Magic, but are they better than the 2003 Nets team that gave the Pistons fits? Or the 2005 Heat and Pacers teams which also held leads over the heavily favored Pistons? The answer is an emphatic no. The Pistons have trailed or been tied in just about every playoff series since 2003. Each and every time they have battled back in the clutch and won key games.
Don’t get me wrong, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are a good basketball team, but they aren’t a championship caliber team, which means if they beat the Pistons it will be because the Pistons didn’t play well, not because the Cavaliers played well. But maybe that’s just the championship swagger of a fan talking.
In any case, after game five Wednesday Billups repeatedly told reporters he isn't concerned that the Pistons are down 3-2 in the series and facing elimination. I've watched enough Pistons basketball the past few seasons to know, if Billups isn't concerned, that's good enough for me.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who is not a Witness. He can be reached at gunnell@msu.edu
You wouldn't know it but sports current events news is all over the radar this week not just around the gravitational pull of Barry Bonds' head. Here are just a few of the stories that you may have missed this week, with some interesting analysis that would even make a Duke lacrosse or Northwester soccer player laugh.
No No Hitters- Not only has there been no perfect games since Randy Johnson's perfect game two years ago, there as also been no- no hitters. Part of this can be contributed to better fields which have helped reduce errors and part of it can be contributed to Delmon Young, who either hits the ball or hits the umpire with a bat.
All in the Family- Speaking of the Young family, Delmon's older brother Dmitri announced Monday that he will turn himself into Birmingham police on charges of aggravated assault stemming from an April incident with his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend. Apparently Dmitri had mistaken his significant other for a bag of pork rinds.
We're Going Streaking- A 5-3 win over Minnesota Thursday gave the Detroit Tigers a seven game winning streak- their longest since 1993. In an unrelated story, the Detroit Lions haven't won seven games since 1993.
Gauransheed? - There has been much talk lately about Rasheed Wallace guaranteeing a win in game four over the Cavaliers. Since his bold statements the Pistons have lost both games, and are trailing the Cavaliers in the best of seven series 3-2. Some say it was a case of 'Sheed being a loud mouth, I just think it was a feable attempt to take attention off of his ever-growing bald spot.
For Whom the Bell Tolls- Baltimore Orioles slugger Albert Belle was arrested again this week on stalking charges. The judge has issued a restraining order and required Belle to sit through the entire first season of Bonds on Bonds.
Tressel Time- Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has come to terms with the Ohio State athletic department. Tressel will be paid $ 2.4 million more dollars this year, or 240,000 red sweater vests.
Get Cup Crazy- The 2006 World Cup rosters have been finalized and they will involve 736 players ages 17-40 that you've never heard of.
Fault- Marco Ancic of Croatia defeated James Blake in three sets to reach the Hamburg Masters quaterfinals earlier this week. Ten bucks says he would have beaten Blake in two sets if he would have advanced to the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburg Masters quaterfinals.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who wonders how Ohio State can pay Jim Tressel and still stay under the salary cap and pay the rest of its players. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
Its times like these that make me wish my apartment had a third television in the living room. Lost, the greatest television show on earth is on, and so is the big game. So while I will be watching Sawyer, Kate, John and Jack fight off the bearded island hermit, I will also be glancing to the other television where the best team in the league will be representing Detroit. On top of that, the Pistons are also playing the Cavaliers in a pivotal game five. So if you didn’t catch it the first time, that means I need a third television so I can watch the Pistons in addition to the Tigers and Lost.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the “Stones” and I’m glad they can represent the state well so I can give out of town bloggers a hard time, but come on the Tigers haven’t been this good since 1989. At this time in 1989 I wasn’t even four.
There has to be a small minority of fans like myself, who care more about the Tigers than the Pistons, and to the majority we may seem insane, but at least we know what’s going to happen with the Pistons. Sure they struggled in Cleveland, but does anyone really think the best defensive team in the league won’t be able to stop LeBron for a third straight game? Me neither. The Pistons will finish off the Cavs in six games making my decision to watch another deep version of Lost much easier. Speaking of Lost, where does it rank among the best television shows on right now?
Here is my list of current favorites:
1. Lost
2. The Sopranos
3. The Simpsons
4. Family Guy
5. Teachers (a great new show on NBC)
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm
The thing about Lost is, it reads like a good book. Every episode ends like a chapter you just have to read again. But lost has taken television writing to a whole different level with interactive websites and all that jazz, so really, for me to skip that to watch the Pistons would be insane. Lets be honest, we know what’s going to happen in games five and six, but nobody knows where Walt is, or if they are going to fight the others. We also don’t know why Hurley hasn’t lost any weight, or why Michael shot Libby and Anna Lucia.
The answers to these questions are what keep me up every night. Anyway, I think it is almost time to get myself in my body groove on the couch. Go Tigers, Go Pistons!
Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who is addicted to Lost. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
As promised here is an update of the Gunn Show’s first ever All in the Family NBA Prognostication challenge:
After the Suns came back to defeat the Lakers, things got ugly for my mom. Her only chance of beating me was wiped out with the Suns victory. With that I will give you, my loyal readers, an update of how things look so far.
The Gunn Show 7, The Gunn Show’s mom 5
As you can see, although it is a very tight race, I still hold a two point advantage. But because my Mom has the Lakers making the Western Conference semis, two points are all I need to ensure my victory.
What ended up hurting my mom the most were the close series between the Pacers-Nets, the Suns-Lakers and Wizards-Cavaliers. She got all three wrong, but in her defense, so did a lot of great basketball minds. Those match-ups could have gone the other way and she could have gone 8-0.
My only slip up was my prediction that the Pacers would beat the Nets. I miscalculated and thought the Pacers would be a better playoff team this year not the Nets. Oh well, nobody is perfect.
I will say, although the pick was ridiculous, it could have led her to the promised land in the form of a big victory over her son.
Anyway, valiant effort mom, you still know more about sports than most of my friends.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who is pretty sure his mom knows more about baseball and college football than your mom, and probably your dad too. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
If you did not catch a first glimpse of my list you can access it here. And while were on the subject of accessing archives check out my last blog containing my picks for the NGS II.
Now, on with the show…..
49. Blades of Steel is my favorite hockey video game.
48. Tecmo Super Bowl is my favorite video game of all time.
47. I think Penn State has some pretty cool football uniforms, but not Indiana.
46. I just ordered some kung pow chicken but the Asian restaurant gave me moo shu pork.
45. I really liked the Simpson’s episode where Homer meets Gerald Ford.
44. I’ve never seen the Red Wings win a hockey game in person, but I did see the Pistons beat the Bulls during the Jordan era.
43. I am perturbed by the fact that Tom Green now has a show on Disney.
42. I repeat Tom Green has a show on Disney.
41. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one heckuva movie.
40. Rookie of the Year is a much better movie.
39. I’ve never caught a tee shirt from a tee shirt gun at a sporting event.
38. I’m not an efficient three point shooter.
37. I can probably run, bike or swim faster than you, but I won’t beat you in ice hockey, golf, or tennis.
36. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.
35. Jerry Rice used to be my favorite football player, but now it’s Shaun Rogers.
34. I once hit a home run after a ground ball went under the first baseman’s legs. No it shouldn’t be scored as a single with three errors.
33. I haven’t scored a baseball game that I have attended but I scored a high school softball game for work.
32. I’m watching Soul Train right now. I definitely didn’t know it was still 1990.
31. I find the Dallas Mavericks offensive strategy to be exhausting.
30. I used to own a Brett Favre poster, not really sure why.
29. I used to be a huge hockey fan; I’m not really sure why that is.
28. I get the Canadian Broadcast Channel in my apartment, it has poor sports programming.
27. I’m getting really good at darts.
26. I don’t doubt NASCAR is a sport, but that also means go carting is a sport too.
25. I can’t bring myself to watch figure skating, fishing, bowling or boxing.
24. I can’t bring myself to watch the WNBA, if I wanted to see bounce passing, I’d watch a middle school basketball game.
23. Flag football is not a sport for real men.
22. I think rugby, lacrosse, and track and field are underrated.
21. I used to love WWF wrestling before I found out wrestling was fake.
20. I did not like the WCW at all, nor did I like Ric Flair. Woooo!
19. I can’t root for any teams in the AL that aren’t the Tigers.
18. The Patriots are my fall back plan when the Lions lose.
17. I’m not a bandwagon fan, I swear.
16. I don’t really like the Washington Redskins helmets, or Bobby Bowden in general.
15. I think Brewster’s Millions is a great sports movie.
14. I have a drawer full of dodgeball jerseys.
13. I am about an inch shy of being able to dunk a basketball.
12. My friends call me the hammer when we play volleyball.
11. I think the Tigers are going to win the pennant every year.
10. Sometimes I am delusional.
9. Pro-Stars with Wayne Gretzky, Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan was an underrated television show.
8. I don’t like Deion Sanders’ taste in suits.
7. Chris Berman is slowly starting to annoy me, but not as much as Stuart Scott.
6. I met Al Kaline, Craig Monroe, John Clayton and Chris Berman all in the same year. It was a good year.
5. I’m sad that Malcolm in the Middle is off the air. It was fox’s fault. They put it in a bad time slot.
4. Rocky Movies need to stop being made.
3. I believe there is no crying in baseball.
2. I wish the World Baseball Classic would have been more popular.
1. I can be really random when it comes to blogging about sports.
Jon Gunnells is journalism senior at Michigan State University. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
Long live the days of unique sports team nicknames. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Texas State Fightin’ Armadillos. Even if that last one is from a fictional sports movie, it's still more creative than most of the garbage we consider name-worthy nowadays. Mascots and team names nowadays are pretty much one in the same. If a team isn't named after a specific sock color or boring bird, it's named after a furry animal or a type of pirate.
I understand some team names are historical, and others have lost their meaning over the years but some things are ridiculous. In the big four we have two teams sporting the nickname kings, and at one point we had two named the jets. I'm even willing to bet that roughly one in six college teams are named the wildcats or cougars.
If it were up to me, I would be implementing some sports nickname rules of my own, and making some serious changes.
Rule No. 1- The team nickname must have something to do with the current state of team or the history of the geography of the team. For example: The Detroit Pistons, are from the motor city, hence the automobile themed name.
Rule No. 2- If at all possible the team nickname should involve some alliteration by using the same beginning letter as the city or state it stands next to. This is commonly found in famous athletes names. Examples include: Hulk Hogan, Bubby Brister, and The Texas Tornado.
Rule No. 3 - If the team does not have a rich history (we aren't talking about the Cowboys or Lakers) the name can be changed on a rotating basis, to fit the current mold of the franchise.
Rule No. 4 - No more teams shall be named after animals with claws or sharp teeth.
Rule No. 5 – Naming a team after celebrities to represent pitfalls is not only acceptable, but it is strongly encouraged. For example: The Miami Hurricanes, a team known for producing murderers, drug addicts and thugs could be the Darryl Strawberry All-Stars.
Now onto some team name changes that have already begun to take shape in my scattered brain.
In the NFL....
The Houston Texans become the Texas Train Wrecks:
Houston we have a pone call over here, it's from a guy named Creativity. Yeah, he says something about you not being allowed to name your team after your state. This would be like having a football team named the Florida Floridians. The Texas Train Wrecks however, is a much more fitting name that includes alliteration while also describing the current situation of the Houston franchise. I can almost picture a logo now. There's a train driving recklessly into a an opponents stadium. And the conductor you ask? David Carr.
The Detroit Lions become the Detroit Dodos:
Detroit gets a new nickname in the form of a flightless bird because as a franchise they have not gotten off the ground. The Dodo bird can also represent a cast of characters present in the Lions locker room over the years including Jeff Garcia, Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers, Matt Millen, and Mike Williams.
In the MLB...
The Atlanta Braves become the Atlanta Albatross:
The team ditches the potentially offensive Indian themed mascot for the Albatross who is known for many dominating bird feats. Like the Albatross, the team from Atlanta is found in the South, relatively close to the ocean. Still not convinced? Atlanta also has an impressive winning streak in the NL East and the Albatross has an impressive wingspan. The two are destined to be together. If you believe that I have some property in California to sell you.
The San Diego Padres become the San Diego Stirrups:
In this politically correct world we live in today naming a team after a Spanish priest is not a good omen. A better way to go would be naming the team after a variety of leggings- and not that of the usual #### tube sock variety. Just think about the upcoming home game giveaways. I can see the first 10,000 kids lining up already for their chance at getting a pair of Dewon Brazleton replica stirrups.
In the NHL….
The Boston Bruins become the Boston Bottomfeeders:
In the Bruins defense, Boston was the original Hockeytown. In everyone else’s defense, Boston still stinks.
The Detroit Red Wings become the Detroit Dominators:
What the heck is a Red Wing anyway? Has anyone ever seen an actual Red Wing growing off the side of a chrome spoked rim with surrounding tire? Neither have I. Besides, thirteen years of Western Conference (wait, no. Yeah. Western Conference) dominance couldn’t be wrong.
In the NBA…
To be honest, when it comes to the NBA, or NCAA sports I haven’t thought of many useful changes other than eliminating the nickname wildcats all-together. My only other suggestion is moving the Atlanta Hawks to the West Coast so they could be renamed the Pacific Pac-Men to go along with their logo from the '80s.
I’m sure if I have enough time though, I’ll be able to figure out some more good ones to add to this list. Then again that’s what I said about the anagram names a few months ago. And now, I’m honestly beginning to believe Eli Manning’s anagram name “Nailing Men,” will never be topped.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism senior at Michigan State University who wishes Necessary Roughness was on TBS right now. But all they play is Down Periscope and reruns of the Drew Carey Show. Jon Gunnells can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
It’s been a busy time for me this week which is the main reason for my lack of blogging. A steady mix of helping out at high school track meets, taking finals, and getting hit in he head by Delmon Young’s thrown bat has kept me out of action for a while, but it can’t keep me down forever.
Sports commercials have it rock bottom: I saw this Gatorade commercial the other day showing soccer clips while to the tune of Take me out to the Ball Game, now if that is not blasphemy I do not know what is. I’ll leave it to you guys, the readers, to decide if soccer even has a legitimate place in sports because the argument has been exhausted on me thus far. I argue with my roommates on a daily basis about how much better baseball is than soccer, but most the time it ends up with me trying to hit someone. It’s bad enough that I have had to deal with soccer being hyped up as “the next great sport” for the last 15 years, but now that it’s being involved with a historic part of the baseball, I’m enraged. At this point, I despise soccer more than the WNBA, which should be saying a lot, because if I wanted to see bounce passing, I’d go watch a middle school intramural game.
The kid is not cringing because he got sweat in his eyes, he's cringing because his parents make him choose between playing soccer or watching the WNBA.
The Red Wings falter once more: For the third time in four seasons the Wings have been taken down in the first round of the NHL playoffs. This, after having the best record in the NHL. Some may say the Wings can now hit the links, but considering their age, I bet they all go down to their condo’s in Florida.
JohnDaly and Charles Barkley are morons: But it isn’t like you didn’t know that already. When I first saw Daly’s name in the newspaper I figured it had something to do with his reality show. You know the one where he drinks beer and swears for 30 minute segments on the golf channel. Daly claims to have lost 50-60 million dollars in gambling over the years which is absurd considering Daly never wins any money in major tournaments. I believe Daly lost that much money about as much as I believe Charles Barkley is still in good shape.
"I weigh how much now"
In the land of commercials Whopper is king: Leave it to me to bring up commercials in my first four rants but has anyone seen their new spot. Thousands of men cheering on manly acts while eating outrageous sized burgers is truly a brilliant brain child. It’s lack of commercials like this that keeps me away from McDonald’s wacky advertisements featuring nocturnal D.J.’s and rollerblading basketball players. Seriously rollerblading basketball players? Are you kidding me? You would have to get the Cha-Ching from Rally’s circa 1990 to sell me anything that comes from McDonald’s.
The NBA Playoffs are outrageous: By comparison, the regular season was a terrible intro to round one, which is why I didn’t watch much of it. I did the same thing concerning hockey. I mean what’s the difference you know what’s going to happen. Larry Brown is going to be the center of attention, Kevin Garnett will be ostracized for doing something or another wrong. Kobe will be loved, then hated, then loved some more, then snubbed, all while a shaggy haired point guard wins another MVP award. And not to get off the subject or anything but the Wendy’s commercials aren’t too good either. They really need to bring Dave Thomas back.I mean I know he is dead, but if Tupac can release three albums after his death, Dave Thomas could do a cameo for the square burgers again. Really though why the square burger? You know if I wanted to poke my eye out, I'd just fall on a rusty nail. Thanks.
Jon Gunnells is journalism senior at Michigan State University, who is appalled at the poor level of fast food advertising on television. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu.
Over the past week, the talking heads of sports journalism have debated over who deserved the 2006 NBA MVP award in the newspapers, on the radio and all over the internet. The MVP controversy even appeared at the NFL Draft this past Saturday when former USC running back LenDale White donned a Chauncey Billups tee-shirt with the phrase "got robbed" scripted on the chest.
While some defend thedecision to give Phoenix guard Steve Nash his second straight award, fans and analysts continue to lobby for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James and White's cousin, Billups.
Why Nash deserved the MVP: Behind 18.8 points, and 10.5 assists per game, Nash’s numbers topped even that of Chauncey Billups. With injuries to superstar teammates, Nash helped dictate the tempo of the Sun’s games in a teammate- friendly, pass-first based offense. He improved his stats from last season, when he also won the MVP award.
Why Nash didn’t deserve the MVP: Based on pure stats, Nash may not be the quintessential league MVP- he’s probably closer to third banana. While he edged out Billups by the narrowest of margins in points and assists, he couldn’t touch Billups or his three point swagger. In April Billups destroyed Nash for 35 points and five assists, and four rebounds. That same day, Nash only mustered 13 points. Nash also averaged 17 points less per game than Kobe while only tallying six more assists per game. His six more assists per game would all have been needed to be converted in the form of three pointers for his offensive output to surpass that of Kobe’s.
Why Billups deserved the MVP: Unlike his hair, his points per game (18.5) and assists (8.6) stacked up pretty well against Nash. His on court leadership and three point prowess helped the Pistons become invincible at certain points of the season. In a game earlier this spring, Billups scored 11 points in a little over a minute to secure a come from behind win against the Grizzlies. It wasn’t always pretty jumpers and fancy passes, but it was always consistent through the lane, from the line and behind the arc. His 4.1 assists to turnover ratio is probably the most telling stat of all.
Why Billups didn’t deserve the MVP:His offensive numbers were even further away from Kobe’s than Nash’s and even though his division was deeply talented, the rest of the Eastern Conference was not. Much of Billups’s success can be attributed to his four starting teammates who are arguably better than any supporting cast on any other team. Reliable back up guards also made it possible for Billups to get the rest he needed, so he could shine in crunch time. Kobe, Dirk, Nash and LeBron did not share that luxury.
Why Kobe deserved the MVP: He took an irregular cast of underachieving characters and turned them into a 45 win team. In case you missed it he averaged 35 points a game and earned his second straight scoring title. He also dropped 81 points on the Toronto Raptors. Some people label him as a ball hog but he also averaged 4.5 assists per game, the second most on the Lakers. Besides, what is he supposed to do, roll over and let his team lose to the bottom feeding Raptors?
Why Kobe didn’t deserve to win the MVP: He had no viable options around him which raised his scoring output and made his offensive accomplishments look much better. He got suspended for a few games mid-season which translated into two losses for the Lakers. MVP’s don’t do that.
Why Dirk deserved to win the MVP: Although there really aren’t stats to show it, his defense drastically improved while his offensive stats stayed in place. Even with a long, awkward last name, Dirk averaged over 26 points and nine rebounds per game – the most rebounds of the bunch. His offensive output topped that of Nash and Billups even among a starting five that all averaged over 10 points per game.
Why Dirk didn’t deserve to win the MVP: His offensive counterparts were arguably as productive as the Pistons starters at some points. In terms of points per player, Dirk’s next five options were better scorers than that of Billups. His 2.8 assists per game, were nothing to write home about.
Why LeBron deserved to win the MVP: In terms of individual impact, nobody has had a greater affect on his teammates than King James. His overall athletic ability cannot be rivaled by Dirk, Nash or Billups. His 31.4 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game gives him the second best complete stat line of the bunch. More importantly, his team probably wouldn’t be in the playoffs without him. The same cannot be said about Dirk, Nash and Billups.
Why LeBron didn’t deserve to win the MVP: His assist to turnover ratio is only half that of Billups, and his teammates lent a strong helping hand when it comes to scoring. The clutch factor was also not in the King’s favor this season. According to 82games.com, LeBron was 3 for 17 on game winning shots this season, well below some of the league leaders like Carmello Anthony.
As you can see, a case can be made, or not made, for any one of the five best NBA players of the 2005-2006 season. No certain player excelled in every category and no certain player wasn’t the best in a unique way. Since they each brought a different style of play into a different team environment the only way to truly judge the league MVP, would be to pull a switch-a-roo, but obviously that will never happen. The talking heads of sports journalism can argue until they are blue in the face, but as far as far as Dirk, LeBron, Nash, Billups and, Kobe go, there was no clear cut winner or loser.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University who thinks Kobe should have gotten the nod for the MVP award just because his nickname is Mamba. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu
Although she once referred to a hockey face off as a “jump puck” my mom is a pretty knowledgeable sports fan. Well, for a mom at least. She knows college football and Detroit Tigers baseball, and she’s been known to dabble when it comes to NBA basketball.
Two weeks ago, I asked my for her basketball picks for part of the first ever “Gunn” Show All in the Family Prognostication Challenge, where mother and son will square off in a battle of NBA playoff wits.After reading the selections, you may be surprised to see how a 20 year-old sports fanatic fares against his not so informed casual sports fan of a mother.
The "Gunn" Show's basketball resume:
-Casual NBA fan, fairly large Detroit Pistons fan.
-Attended Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson’s farewell game.
-Knows somebody who knows somebody who works for Joe Dumars.
-Owned a Bad Boys shirt in 1990.
The “Gunn” Show’s Picks:
Eastern Conference:
Pistons over Bucks, Cavaliers over Wizards, Heat over Bulls and Pacers over Nets.
Western Conference:
Clippers over Nuggets, Spurs over Kings, Suns over Lakers andMavericks over Grizzlies.
Conference Finals:
Pistons over Heat and Spurs over Suns.
NBA Finals:
Pistons over Spurs
Pre-playoff MVP selection:
Kobe Bryant: Led the league in scoring for the second straight year, and helped the hapless Lakers to a 45 win season.
The “Gunn” Show’s Mom’s basketball resume:
-Has an Isiah Thomas autograph.
-Has seen White Men Can’t Jump numerous times
-Parks mini van in a garage sporting a basketball hoop
-Bought son a Bad Boys shirt in 1990
The “Gunn” Show’s Mom’s picks:
Eastern Conference:
Pistons over Bucks, Wizards over Cavaliers, Pacers over Nets and Heat over Bulls.
Western Conference:
Spurs over Kings, Nuggets over Clippers, Lakers over Suns and Mavericks over Grizzlies.
Pre playoff NBA MVP selection:
Chauncey Billups: “He has better hair than Steve Nash.”
Conference Finals:
Pistons over Heat and Spurs over Lakers.
NBA finals:
Pistons over Spurs (Larry Who?).
With most of the playoff series winding down it looks like I currently hold a slight lead over my mom after the Clippers won their series last night. We also each picked up a win after the Mavericks swept the Grizzlies. So with two of eight first round playoff series completed the score is:
The “Gunn” Show 2, The “Gunn” Show’s mom 1
While we still share many common picks including the Pacers over the Nets (I don’t know how that came about) and a Pistons Spurs final, there are some match-ups that are bound to shake things up. It looks as if the Suns don’t come back against the Lakers I could be in some serious trouble; especially if Kobe can help the Lakers win another series. If the Lakers do somehow, make it to the third round, I am more or less toast, and only able to pull out a tie, if the Cavaliers defeat the Wizards.
I’m going to take a good guess that my mom is so removed from the Lakers recent controversies that she completely missed them being terrible, and made it back just in time for the wins again. But that doesn’t mean I can’t give her props for a great pick. At this point I’m going to go out on a limb here and say her Lakers upset may have been the best pick of the whole bunch excluding where she wrote “Larry Who?” next to her Pistons championship selection. With a quarter of the first round matches completed things are getting exciting in the first ever "Gunn" Show All in the Family Prognostication Challenge.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University who could not fathom losing to his mom in a battle of sports wits. He can be reached at gunnell2@msu.edu. The Lakers though? Really?
For most sports enthusiasts, this past Saturday was a time to reflect on the NFL Draft, and maybe catch a glimpse of the NHL or NBA playoffs, but for Detroit sports fans it was sports lineup that may never be topped.
12:00 p.m. NFL Draft -- ESPN
1:05 p.m.Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins -- Fox Sports Net
1:05 p.m. NCAA Baseball double header: Michigan State vs. Michigan- Comcast Local
3:00 p.m.NHLPlayoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers-- NBC
8:00 p.m.NBA Playoffs: Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks – ESPN
11:55 a.m. – Here we go, thirteen hours of pure sports brilliance broadcast on four different networks on two different televisions, if only every American were lucky enough to have as much free time as me.
12:00 p.m. – Nothing like getting the sports television marathon started with Chris Berman and Mel Kiper who will spend the next seven hours acting like football robots.
12:11 p.m. - I hate to be the fashion police but it looks like Vince Young and Reggie Bush are dressed for the pimp daddy convention not the NFL Draft.
12:39 p.m. - And the Aaron Rogers award for biggest draft day flop goes to Matt Leinart of the USC Trojans.
1:07 p.m. – Vernon Davis is crying. I would be too if I was just drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and Alex Smith was going to be my quarterback.
1:14 p.m.- The Raiders just drafted Michael Huff. I’m going to cut myself.
1:17 p.m.- I’ve just gotten three phone calls since the Raiders stole the Lions only good defensive option. All my friends are calling for Leinart = Lion Hart draft pick. This could be a blessing in disguise.
1:22 p.m.- Carlos Guillen hits harder than the bass at Snoop Dogg concert. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s a 2-run home run giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead, and giving Guillen 7 RBI in the last four at bats.
1:26 p.m. - Donte Whitner to the Bills at No.8 are you kidding me? It's decisions like this that lost Marv Levy four straight Super Bowls.
1:34 p.m.- Nothing like passing up a two time national championship quarterback for a injury prone linebacker from Florida State. Congratulations Ernie Sims your football career is officially over.
1:37 p.m. – Phone call from my buddy Erik: “We suck again; Ernie Sims is a walking concussion.” Could be a good ploy by the Lions though, getting a guy who is so roughed up in the noggin, he won’t realize he’s player for the dumbest general manager in all of sports.
1:42 p.m.- The Arizona Cardinals are officially for real. Leinart, Boldin, Fitzgerald, Edgerin James. Look out NFC East.
1:43 p.m. – Tigers rookie centerfielder Curtis Granderson just smashed a 2-run shot to left field. Tigers 5, Twinkies 0.
1:47 p.m. – Guillen now has a pair of twin killings that’s another Tigers 2-run home run, and 9 RBI in 5 at bats.
1:49 p.m. – This is me pre-ordering my Detroit Tigers World Series tickets. You know if the playoffs started today they would have the Wild Card.
1:54 p.m. – Next Monday is Pudge Rodriguez growth poster giveaway night at Comerica Park. I wonder if the SBC Park has a Barry Bonds Human Growth Hormone poster giveaway night.
2:28 p.m. - Looks like I dozed off there for a short while. No matter. I could take a seven hour nap and the Tigers would still be cranking home runs, the score is 11-0 now.
2:32 p.m. - With the 15th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft the St. Louis Rams select Ty Hildenbrandt, Cornerback from Clemson. Great first the competition, and now he gets drafted before me.
2:34 p.m. - Whoops my bad. That was Tye Hill, not Hildenbrandt. See I knew I’d be drafted first.
2:45 p.m. – Phone is ringing. Must be the Kansas City Cheifs calling to say they’re drafting me.
2:48 p.m. – Nope, just my mom.
2:58 p.m.- Guillen and the Tigers are up 13-1 now and I think I figured out why. Their batting coach is named Don Slaught. What better way to lead an offensive onslaught than with a coach named Don Slaught. This would be like having a race car driver named Acceleration McGhee.
3:01 p.m. – The game five match up between the Red Wings and the Oilers is about to get underway and the Tigers are only in the sixth inning. We need a third television.
3:10 p.m.- Ohio State players are flying off the board quicker than a hoagie fly’s out of John Kruk’s fridge. All the Buckeye player highlights are against Michigan State. I’m waiting for the John L. Smith sound byte to come on.
“THE KIDS ARE PLAYING THEIR TAILS OFF AND THE COACHES ARE SCREWIN’ IT UP.”
3:17 p.m. – The last sound you hear before muting the television showing the NFL draft is “click- clack.” These Under Armour commercials are more annoying than those tools from the Applebee’s spots.
3:25 p.m. – Bases loaded for the Tigers. Craig Monroe is going to lead us to the promised land, and Justin Verlander is the greatest pitcher ever.
3:29 p.m. – Does Merril Hodge realize how bad his pink shirt looks with a tan suit and tie. Someone get Jeff Garcia over there to give some fashion tips.
3:35 p.m.- Tamba Hali’s highlight reel is also full of clips versus MSU, great representation team. Go Green.
3:37 p.m.- Bases loaded again. I’m like a kid in a candy store.
4:18 p.m. – The Oilers just scored a goal at the same time the Giants traded the 25th overall pick. I think this is a big government conspiracy. Grassy knoll.
4:20 p.m. – Through about four and a half hours of non-stop sports indulgence the highlight is not the 18 runs put up by the Tigers but the Visa commercial with the break dancing worm.
4:25 p.m.-There’s another goal. Oil Embargo 2, Red Wings 0
4:30 p.m. - Oil spot in my driveway 3, Wings 0. I need a drink.
4:49 p.m.- Brendan Shannahan just scored what is probably his first playoff goal in about 13 years, I hope he feels less dead inside now.
5:25 p.m.- The kooky Applebee’s singers just got the Gilligan’s Island theme song stuck in my head.
5:33 p.m. – “The professor and Mary Anne, here on Gilligan’s Island!”
5:35 p.m. – New England just drafted Chad Jackson. These guys never seem to make a bad pick.
5:40 p.m. – You know what I haven’t had in a while? Big League Chew.
5:55 p.m. – The 7-11 down the street does not sell big league chew, but they do have beef jerky that sits in a tin like the adult form of big league chew. Classy.
5:58 p.m. – After pulling their goalie and getting another skater on the ice Henrik Zetterberg drilled a shot from the point to make the score 3-2 in Edmonton’s favor. Too little too late.
6:00 p.m.- The only thing worse than the Wings game five loss is Jimmy Williams’s mutton chops. What did shaving go out of style?
6:05 p.m.- White Men Can’t Jump is on TNT, today’s television lineup just gained a bunch of cool points.
6:19 p.m.- There’s an MLS game on EPSN 2, today’s television lineup just lost all of it’s cool points.
6:24 p.m -The Lions just drafted Daniel Bullocks from Nebraska. But before he could step up to the podium the Michigan Football team rushed the field. Just kidding, Michigan doesn’t cheat like that.
6:27 p.m.- Speaking of Michigan, that baseball doubleheader is going strong. Michigan leads MSU 4-2 in the 5th inning right now which is too bad because one of my former roommates is pitching now for the Spartans.
6:37 p.m.- I really thought he could have gotten the Spartans the win, I mean he is on the juice. No really, he’s on Vitamin C pills called the juice.
6:41 p.m.- LenDale White just got drafted to the tune of a shirt that says Chauncey Billups got robbed. That’s right. Hatin’ MVP voters be actin’ a fool.
8:28 p.m.- That’s definitely a post dinner induced coma. I just missed the Lions third round pick and the beginning of the Pistons game.
8:39 p.m. - How come whenever I wake up from a day time nap I feel messed up like I just ate too much sugar, or ate a whole block of cheese for dinner again? Now I know how Ernie Sims feels after a concussion.
8:36 p.m.- An ultra delayed text message informs me that Brian Calhoun is the newest Lion. Yay! Now we have three backup running backs not capable of taking the burden off of injury prone Kevin Jones or mediocre quarterback Jon Kitna.
9:00 p.m.- Sorry, no real updates to be had here. The Pistons are not making a good sports day of this at all.
10:56 p.m. – Chalk one up in the loss column for the Pistons who just got dropped by the Bucks by 20 points. It’s a different era in Detroit when the Lions and the Tigers had a better day than the Pistons.
If you count the few hours I slept for, it’s a total of 11 hours of pure Detroit sports coverage. Sure Matt Millen screwed up the draft as always and the Pistons and Red Wings got beat by teams they were better than, the point is the Tigers won, and my phone is once again ringing, meaning the Patriots are probably trying to call about my impending multi-million dollar contract.
Jon Gunnells is a journalism junior at Michigan State University who seriously declared for the NFL draft like two years ago. If you're an NFL team, you can reach him at gunnell2@msu.edu
Welcome to the Gunn Show version 2.0 where CCW'S are always free
Overwhelming amounts of NBA playoff talk makes me hungry. So it should be understandable that I’m thinking about fast food at this critical first round juncture. The more I think about fast food and NBA teams, the more similarities I uncover.
Take the Chicago Bulls and McDonald’s for Example:
The year is 1991; if you don’t like the Bulls and you don
The "Gunn" Show's basketball resume:
