Pick-Up basketball, where there is room for everyone

“I’ve got next.”  It doesn’t matter who says it, everyone at the court must respect the code and let whoever is waiting play in the next game.  While there are hundreds of implied rules in pick-up basketball, which change depending on where you are playing, this one is universal: if your team loses you get kicked off the court and whoever is waiting gets their turn.

RG3 Practices Fully, the Entire District Gives a Collective Sigh of Relief

Looks like the Redskins' main man Robert Griffin III practiced fully today, and plans on starting Sunday. While (Captain) Kirk Cousins did a great job in relief last week, it's great knowing that RG3 will be back behind center for this critical 2-game stretch. It's playoffs or bust for the Redskins...an unbelievable thing to say after starting 3-6, but nevertheless here they are, and the entire District of Columbia is ecstatic.


Check out this link from NFL.com for more information

Anecdotes from They Call Me Coach

In typical sports autobiographies anecdotes are used to shock or make the reader laugh.  John Wooden is not a typical sports figure.  Throughout his autobiography They Call Me Coach, written with Jack Tobin, Wooden emphasizes his belief that character is more important than basketball and that basketball’s best tool is the ability to develop players off the court.  For this reason, the three anecdotes that resonate the most with me from They Call Me Coach deal with the character of John Wooden’s two most famous players and Wooden himself.

Emotion in Sports

Sports fans constantly look to connect emotionally.  The most common form of emotional ties is shown in the communal way fans watch games.  But even more than the benefits of belonging to a sports community, fans appreciate when sports embody something larger and are more than ‘just a game’.  Examples of this appear consistently from the American resilience post 9/11 to the determination of a once-injured athlete. 

National Access

As Alex French and Howie Kahn write in their oral history of The National Sports Dailyfor Grantland, “The paper is emblematic of the parts of culture and media that were not yet ready to converge.  Typewriters and satellites.”  That was in the early 1990’s.  Now, a decade into the 21^st century, that is no longer true, and readers regularly consume sports through technology more advanced than typewriters and satellites.  And while sports fans have measureless access to sports journalism now, the lack of access to The National was what ultimately ruined the paper.

What to do with game stories

            Game stories, a long practiced custom in the sports world, have lost significance as generations and technologies age and grow.  There is no reason for a sports fan to read about a specific game altering play when he or she can go on their computer and watch the same play.  Highlight packages are more exciting than droning recaps and also use the same sensory system we use when we are watching the actual games.

Oh Danny Boy...

I’m baaaaaaaaaaaack (for a short post, but back is back). In my long awaited return to the blogosphere and Love Boat Sports I am here to breakdown all the crazy happenings in Big Brother 14 including why I think Dan’s move was overrated and why Shane has put himself in the best position to win the game.

Swimming Olympic Trials Preview

Starting tonight and running a week, swimming returns to the national spotlight for the Olympic Trials.  For those unfamiliar with the process, the top two swimmers from each event make the Olympic team.  Get third by a hundredth of a second and you’re waiting four years for another shot.  While the Trials are just a precursor to the games themselves, they should be action packed and full of drama nonetheless, as the Olympic team is formed.  Here are some storylines to watch throughout the week:

A match made in heaven: The U.S. Open and Father's Day

Trying to thank fathers (and mothers) for everything they do is supremely silly and impossible, especially in one day.  The only way to repay them is to try to make grandkids for them that aren’t really annoying.  But just because you can’t fully repay them with a handwritten card or a burned cd (or nicer, more legitimate presents), doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a day together.  This Father’s Day, my dad and I ate at a soon-to-be closing restaurant that we used to visit weekly.  The Armands’ pizza buffet was delicious as usual, but the fuzzy memories of eating with my dad aren’t as temporary and I will enjoy them long after Armands closes and I forget what their deep-dish pies taste like.

That's a clown question bro

When Bryce Harper was asked if he was going to celebrate the Nationals' victory and his monster dong of a home run with a Canadian beer he gave the soundbyte of the year.

Is #thatsaclownquestionbro trending on twitter now?   C'mon, that's a clown question bro.

Euro 2012 Preview

What are those things?

It's been a busy two weeks in Russia, and my time here is really beginning to fly by.  But before I talk about Russia, I figured I would do a quick prediction of Euro 2012 group winners.  There are only four groups with four teams each, and of course there is a Group of Death that will provide us with the greatest games early on.  As always, I've done exhaustive research on each squad and how they qualified.  Hopefully I can do better than my Champions League predictions, which weren't exactly spot-on.  

Isolation: LeBron James Vs. Paul Pierce

While the rivalries from the past two Isolation pieces have been somewhat forced, (by the media in the case of Kobe and LeBron and by Danny Granger in the case of Granger and LeBron) Paul Pierce and LeBron James have a legitimate rivalry as documented in this ESPN piece. 

Here is how the matchup went in Game 1.

Isolation: LeBron James Vs. Danny Granger

Mike Ehrman--Getty Images

Here is the second installment of the 'Isolation' series, which compares the play of two players matched up against each other.  You can check out the first installment here.

LeBron James Vs. Danny Granger
May 20th, 2012 -- Game 4 of Eastern Conference Semi-Finals


Some players in the Indiana Pacers -- Miami Heat series have earned themselves fame and future earnings (Roy Hibbert and George Hill) and some have earned lots and lots of grief (Dwyane Wade).  But LeBron James and Danny Granger--each team's best player-- are engaged in the most exciting matchup of the series.  Along with being the best matchup in terms of skill, James and Granger are each trying to prove something in these Eastern Conference semifinals, and these playoffs.  Granger is trying to show everyone that he is not afraid of the Heat, that he belongs among the NBA elite and can be the best player on an NBA Finals team.  LeBron on the other hand, is desperately trying to prove that he doesn't shy away from pressure and can win not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, but one measly title.

First Quarter:
To start off the game LeBron looked like one of your crappy friends driving to the basket for a contested layup and just hoping for the best.  He had two contested layups that didn't touch the rim before getting an easy dunk to get on the board a few minutes in.  From there he used his superior size over Granger to get great position on the block and settle down with a couple of easy jump hooks and layups.  Although he didn't shut him down defensively, Granger did well in the first quarter keeping LeBron from totally dominating the game on offense.  In plays where Granger guarded James, James only managed to make two of his five shots while going two for four against other Pacers.

On the offensive end Granger also went two for five, making one three pointer.  As usual, all of Granger's shots were jumpers, most of them being contested.  For many players this would be a problem, but this is Granger's game and he has proven that he is pretty good at it.  Granger also did relatively well distributing the ball; on two occasions he got the ball to Tyler Hansbrough in good position to finish with a layup.

LeBron kept the Heat relatively close in this first quarter, playing all twelve minutes while Dwyane Wade struggled to provide any offense.

Second Quarter:

For Danny Granger, the second quarter was more of the same.  He shot contested jumpers, making two and missing two.  LeBron however, turned up the Heat.  He made four of five shots, all of them good, high-percentage takes.  His only missed shot was a contested layup where a foul should have been called on Roy Hibbert.  He also did well distributing the ball, including one great backdoor bounce pass to Wade for an easy dunk.  Despite James' terrific play, the Heat were still down at halftime, due in large part to Dwyane Wade.  He continued where he left off in Game 3 and left the Heat looking like the Cleveland Lebrons.

Things got interesting after Roy Hibbert fouled Wade with what Wade viewed as excessive force.  Granger got in Wade's face earning his third technical in as many games.  All series Granger has been trying to show that he is not scared of Wade or James.  In doing so, Granger has split NBA fans; some are annoyed by what they see as a 'tough guy act' (shoutout to Cole Hamels), while others appreciate his fire and intensity.  I personally have enjoyed Granger's attitude and think that it's important for a young team trying to establish themselves.

Another note: In a halftime interview Granger made it clear that the Pacers' gameplan was not to shutdown LeBron but to win.  That's good and well, so long as you actually win, (which the Pacers were at half).  LeBron going off usually means bad things.

Third Quarter:


The third quarter was where LeBron completely separated himself from Granger and brought the Heat back.  It isn't a coincidence that this happened when Dwyane Wade finally found his legs and his shot.  The differences between James' and Granger's games are significant, and they were fully on display throughout this quarter.  Granger was pretty passive; he went one for four and only shot three-pointers.  He had one assist to Hansbrough (again), but other than that wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Meanwhile LeBron put up a truly ridiculous quarter.  He got to the line eight times, making six free throws to match his career FT% of 75.  Twice he made great passes to Wade, one backdoor and one a beautiful entry pass over the top while Wade's man fronted him.  He also had two steals, showing off his uber-athleticism in one of them.  Finally he went four for five from the field to bring his game total to 12/19.  The Heat ended the quarter with a six-point lead.

Fourth Quarter:


Granger did well again in this quarter, but it wasn't enough after the ridiculous run Wade and James went on.  He ended up making three of five shots for the Pacers, including an absurdly contested three-pointer from the corner.  He also played very good defense for a couple series, denying James the ball.  But James continued to fill up the stat sheet en route to the second Heat victory in the series.  He went two of four from the field, highlighted by an awesome putback dunk.


Game Review:

When looking at the quarters individually, it seems like Granger played at least on a similar level to James.  In reality, LeBron put up a historically good night.  He finished with 40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, while making 14 of his 27 shots.  Granger's numbers didn't even compare.  He had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists (no blocks or steals).  James doubled Granger (at least) in every major statistical category.  Granger said the Pacers would be content having LeBron drop 30 in a victory; how about 40 in a loss?

Winner: LeBron James


Tweets of the game:


@NBAGuru: "Granger HATES the "arrogance" of the Heat. He's not going to back down.


@WhitlockJason: "Does Tyler Hansbrough belong in the NBA? I'm serious. Drives me f---ing crazy."

The Tale of Kerry Wood

               Earlier this week, and about a quietly as possible, a legend hung up his spikes for good.  If you’re unsure of who I’m talking about, I urge direct your attention to this video.   In only his fifth Major League start, Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters, equaling his age, giving up only one infield hit in a complete game shutout.  He is the 2^nd pitcher in MLB history to strike out his age, after Bob Feller at the age of 17, and third pitcher to strike out 20 in a game after Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson.  According to the Bill James model of pitching performance, Wood’s gem was the greatest game ever pitched, and it’s not even close.  Keep in mind that this was against the Astros, who, at the time, were one of the best hitting teams in the league, led by Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Moises Alou.  The Astros lineup was absolutely overpowered by Wood’s mix of heat and whiffle-ball like off speed pitches. Unfortunately for Cubs nation and baseball fans everywhere, Wood’s career began to unravel not long after this dominating performance.

Back in the Game, but Bayern Chokes Hard

I apologize for the lack of posting; chalk it up to lacrosse and the aftermath of my encounter with the long arm of the law.  But I'm back with big things planned.  First, I need to point out to the LBS staff that I posted before Walter.

More importantly, I'm writing this post from a coffee shop in St. Petersburg, Russia.  I've been here a week with four more to go.  So, my idea was to post every Sunday while I'm here, writing about the interesting stuff that I do and, of course, sporting events that occur over here.  Obviously, that means I'll be posting about more European sports and not so much the NBA or NHL playoffs, or baseball.  Our readers will be so much more cultured after the next few weeks.

Unfortunately, that means covering the Champions League final from last night (Saturday afternoon for the rest of you) 

My proudest day as a fan

As a sports fan there are not many times when you can actually be proud of your fan base. The overwhelming amount of joy or anguish you experience comes from your team’s performance on the field. Today though, is a day where I couldn’t be more proud to be a Vikings fan because of what the incredible fan base has made happen. Only three weeks ago it looked like the Vikings’ stadium deal was done and it was only a matter of time until they followed the Lakers to LA. But thanks to a visit from Roger Goodell, Governor Mark Dayton’s tireless efforts, Senator Julie Rosen’s hard work, and the incredible support from Vikings fans, the Vikings are going to stay in Minnesota for at least another 45 years. At one point, anti-stadium politicians said that the majority of Minnesota was against this bill, this was until Viking fans got going and started emailing, calling, and writing state legislators to get the deal done.

Exit Sandman? Closing in on the end of a Yankee great

It was inevitable, I suppose. Either through a sudden, jarring injury or the unavoidable decline that comes with the years, Mariano Rivera was going to toss his last pro pitch. Perhaps the ACL tear that will undoubtedly end his 2012 campaign will not prove to be the end of his career, but the collective feeling in the wake of this unfortunate situation is that it has. Either way, it's got me thinking.

The first of five World Series wins
for the greatest closer of all time.
Photo courtesy of ibtimes.com

What makes Mariano Rivera so special? Of course, he holds claim to the most all-time saves in both the regular season and postseason. He's also compiled some astounding statistics: a 2.21 career ERA, including an unthinkable .70 runs against in the playoffs. He has five World Series rings. There's a World Series and ALCS MVP to boot (remember that he plays just one or two innings a game, if at all). That's just the tip of the iceberg. These reasons are enough for Rivera to land unanimously in Cooperstown, and to be widely recognized as the greatest closer to ever play the game of baseball. But to me, there's something else about Mo that sets him apart.


It's the most recognizable thing about him. Even my own mother can appreciate it. So can yours. It's something engrained in the American psyche, something that transcends sports and hearkens us back to olden days.


He's a Yankee.

Mariano Rivera: The greatest

Often times habit is a stronger feeling than love.  This is sometimes the case for married couples that fall out of love, but have grown so accustomed to a life together that they never take the steps to split up.  For me, this is also the case with Mariano Rivera.

Whine or lose

Poor Cleveland

As a Washington D.C. sports fan my guard is always up.  I didn’t think there was any possibility that the Capitals would pull out a game seven on the road against the defending champion Bruins; based on the Capitals' recent history in the playoffs and more importantly the recent history of D.C. sports as a whole, the notion that the Caps might win (in overtime no less!) wasn’t even conceivable.  For my generation of Washingtonians, we are a city of sports failures.  Strangely enough, these failures have given me a certain type of traction among friends in sports conversations.

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Preview: Round 1

Eastern Conference
-By The Gelf

#1 Chicago Bulls vs. #8 Philadelphia 76ers 

 Sources say while Derrick Rose was rehabbing his injury he actually took the SAT himself and passed. Just kidding.

Could the Lakers benefit from Metta World Peace's vicious elbow?

When Ron Artest Metta World Peace viciously elbowed James Harden in the head on Sunday, it was obvious to those watching that a suspension was imminent. It was announced today that World Peace will miss seven games as a result of his transgression.

And yet, it is entirely possible that the Los Angeles Lakers will eventually benefit from this disgusting act, a fact I have not seen mentioned in the aftermath of this altercation.

In case you live under a rock:

Conquer to achieve World Peace

“Some people believe for us to achieve world peace the only way that can be achieved is through sheer will and through force of nature so sometimes you just have to go and conquer the territory and that's when you establish world peace.” – Kobe Bryant

            Kobe Bryant said that to Metta World Peace after finishing “that Clippers battle” at the Staples Center recently.  That quote shades World Peace’s vicious elbow to the head of James Harden a little differently, doesn’t it?

Why do we care about Fenway?

Personally, I don’t care that Fenway Park is 100 years old. I’ve never been there, and I don’t feel a particular urge to.  Clearly the LBS staff (not to mention the sports community generally) will differ with me on this. Major sports outlets at the moment are filled with stories praising the glory of standing in a place which was once home to Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, where the strength of generations of baseball history brings an inescapable communion with those who have gone before which immeasurably enhances the baseball experience.  This article, published on Yahoo, is an almost too perfect example of this kind of adulatory journalism, as it extols the virtues of Fenway from the perspective of someone who has never even been there. I have also never been to Fenway, but for me that provokes not a driving urge to go there, but the feeling that I should not judge what I have never sampled.  It could be a nice place, but probably not much nicer than other ballparks. So what’s all the hype?

Wednesday Quote

This quote comes courtesy of former Vikings fullback Leroy Hoard,

"You need one yard, I'll get you three. You need five yards, I'll get you three."

The Office: Power Rankings Part 2

Here is Part 2 of The Office Power Rankings, you can check out Part 1 here.  Spoilers.  Side note, writing this post was so much fun because I watched over 100 of the best clips from the show on youtube.  Devote a day to watching clips of The Office on youtube.  Do it.


#15 -- Bob Vance -- 'Kevin Malone.' 'Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.' 'Stanley Hudson.' 'Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.' 'Ryan Howard.' 'Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.'...... 'So what line of work you in Bob?'

My picture of a Cuban sandwich was used on DC Sports Bog

Ignore the fact that I was "that guy" who was taking a picture of my food and tweeting it at DC Sports Bog, and instead just look at how my art is being appreciated.

Check out the full story here.

The timeless start of baseball

It really is amazing what the sense of smell can do to you. Thanks to the recent episode of 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan has taught me that the sense of smell is actually the most important sense for memory. For me, and millions of others across the home of the brave, the smell of spring means only one thing: It’s baseball season.

Dissecting pay-for-play in college sports

Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated

            The importance of collegiate athletics in our country is something unique to America.  In other countries collegiate sports are recreational and not used as a source of profit for universities.  However, in the United States, college sports are nearly as popular as their professional counterparts and in some areas more popular.  This popularity, particularly in men’s basketball and football, brings in millions of dollars for large universities.  However, other than scholarship money, the players don’t get to see that money.  The absence of pay for college athletes has created a schism among sports fans.  Some fans go to extremes, believing college football is a form of modern day slavery, with a large, poor population of black males making a small population of white males rich.  The question many sports fans are struggling with is whether or not athletes should be paid, but this question is more complex than a simple yes or no answer.  Which athletes should be paid; by whom should they be paid; and how much they should be paid are all questions that need to be answered if a pay-for-play system is to be instituted by the NCAA. 

Why Jay is dumber than James

This episode of Survivor was one of the most frustrating episodes to watch as I can remember. I found myself literally yelling at Jay through the TV screen to get his head out of his ass and start figuring things out. I guess the most frustrating thing was that Jay was close to getting it. His confessionals throughout the show alternated between how suspicious he was of the girls to how much he trusted Kim and Chelsea. Maybe I am just in a post-episode haze, but I honestly believe Jay's play tonight was dumber than James getting voted out in China.

A (Heat) stroke of genius?

To my innumerable readers across the globe,
I sincerely apologize for my serious lack of productivity over the last two months. I wish that I could eek out some semblance of a legitimate excuse for it, but alas, there is none to be had. The simple truth which has dawned on me over the past fortnight or two is that I haven't found myself capable of offering any material I considered worthy of a post, though not for a lack of trying. I've begun, edited, erased, pondered, sat on, rephrased, taken a break from, stared at, and finally gave up on numerous propositions. And here I sit, in the very same workspace (bed) as I did six weeks weeks ago, when I last posted an article on LBS.

Whatever has been holding me back from writing these past weeks, be it writer's block or an ephemeral lapse in ingenuity, I have determined that enough is enough. I have deprived you, my millions (billions?) of avid readers, of my contributions long enough. It's time to get back into the game. Ironically, despite all the great events that have occurred in the world of sports since last we met, my mind remains barren of insights regarding them that I deem useable. So to get me back on track, I am prepared to unleash an idea I have held within me for years, one that, if heeded, could provide several elite sports teams, but in particular the Miami Heat, with a clearer path to a championship.

In defense of Gary Gaines: The Boobie Miles injury

Odessa, Texas is associated with one thing and one thing only.  High school football.  So, when Gary Gaines was given the reigns to the Permian High School football team, there were big expectations.

 

Kentucky and the False End of College Basketball

                Monday night, the University of Kentucky won its 8^th national championship, and first since 1998.  Coach John Calipari finally won his first national championship, with a team basically consisting of three freshman, two sophomores, and a senior.  Somehow, this spells the end of college basketball as we know it, at least according to many bloggers, talking heads, and analysts.  People are quick to jump on the bandwagon of some event being the most important thing ever, and this is no different.  For a number of reasons, Kentucky’s championship will go down as history as just that, a championship won by a perennial powerhouse (or another vacated Calipari Final Four appearance), not the day college basketball changed forever.

Five players to watch at the 2012 Masters

He is ready to seize the Day

The best tournament in golf is less than 24 hours from teeing off, and while the casual golf fans might be tuning in just for Tiger Woods, there are plenty of other guys worth watching. Whether you want to watch some veterans like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood or Luke Donald battle to get their first major or if you want to watch some up and comers like Ryo Ishikawa, Patrick Cantaly or Corbin Mills there are plenty of names outside of Woods to track. While personally I still will be rooting for a Tiger Woods victory at Augusta, these are the five other guys who I will be keeping a close eye on. Hopefully none of them win the par 3 contest...

Wednesday Quote

I'm going to try and get up one of my favorite quotes every Wednesday...Here is the first one by former Bull Stacey King after Michael Jordan scored 69 points against the Cavs,

"Someday I'll be able to tell my grandkids about the night Michael Jordan and I combined to score 70 points."

The Office: Power Rankings

These are the second power rankings I've done (you can check out the Breaking Bad + Wire here and here) and many of the same rules apply.  Beware, there are spoilers left and right; the characters range from all seasons.  This list is also extremely objective; there are some characters I just don't like all that much.  Sorry if you disagree.  I would say the ranking formula is based 60% on humor, 20% on annoyingness (negative quality obviously), and 20% on importance to the show.

2012 MLB Preview: American League

So technically the MLB season has officially begun. The Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics are tied for the best record in baseball. That is the last time you will see that sentence written all year--unless Yoenis Cespedes hits 100 home runs, which is entirely possible. Henno and Matt covered the National League earlier, and you can find that post here, and now they turn their focus on to the American League. So without further adieu...let's get ready for (American League) baseball!!!!!

A major opportunity missed for US Soccer

Last night I witnessed one of the most heartbreaking defeats I have ever seen--and it wasn't technically a defeat. The US men's national team--comprised entirely of players 23 and under to oblige with Olympic rules--gave up a goal four minutes and twelve seconds into stoppage time to tie El Salvador 3-3. It was a must win game for the US team, who was trying to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament, where they could lock up a spot in the 2012 London Olympic games. The goal cost the team a spot in the semi-finals of the Olympic qualifying tournament and a whole lot more.

Why you should see the Hunger Games, even if you don't want to

I was extremely skeptical when I bought my ticket for The Hunger Games on Saturday night. I feared that the movie would just be a different version of the Twilight Series, but after seeing the film, the only comparison between the two is that they were based on a series of books. And had The Hunger Games not been based on a book series, there is no way anyone would put them in the same sentence. Before I get to why you need to see it, let me first break down what it’s about, even with all the hype the movie has been getting, I’ve still found a lot of people don’t actually know any of the plot.

The Saints Get What They Deserve

No offense to Mr. Tim Tebow, but the most significant NFL news of the day is the harsh punishment handed to the New Orleans Saints for their bounty program under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.  Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, one of the most respect coaches in the league, was given a yearlong suspension of his duties, and Williams, now with the St. Louis Rams, was indefinitely banned from the league.  The Saints were also fined 500,000 dollars, as well as losing 2^nd round picks in the next two drafts.  NFL Commissioner and friend of the blog Roger Goodell came down on the Saints with an iron fist, as was expected based on his harsh history of penalties for player and team conduct issues.

Video: The most awkward jersey retirement ever...

The Warriors were retiring Chris Mullin's jersey tonight. It did not go well. Apparently Warriors fans were unhappy with owner Joe Lacob for trading Monta Ellis. Or they were upset that their team has only made it out of the first round of the playoffs once in 20 years. Whatever their reasons were, they spoiled what should have been a flawless night for a true star, Mullin. The fans did however provide us with the gem of a video. Awkward...



Video courtesy of  nbavideosnow2

Follow Love Boat Sports on Twitter @LoveBoatSports

March Madness: Heroes of the opening weekend

After an uneventful start to March Madness the action really kicked off with UNC-Asheville vs. Syracuse and continued with a wild second day of games. Every March certain guys thrive and provide us with performances we will never forget, even if they come in losing efforts, a la Ben Woodside circa 2009. If you love sports then the opening weekend of March Madness is most likely your favorite time of the year. I myself am a much bigger NBA fan than I am of NCAA hoops but I still can't help but get overwhelmed with joy when the ides of March nears. In addition to being a big time basketball fan, I am a sucker for watching athletes put their heart and soul on the floor, and there is no better stage to watch raw emotions emanate than during the madness. No matter how many times I watch a senior put their jersey on for the very last time I will always be heartbroken as I watch them crumble to the floor when the magic runs out, and this is the single greatest thing about it all. Here are some guys that have provided us with some unforgettable performances to kick off the tournament.

I Know What You Did Last Summer, I think: Revisiting the 90s teen horror classic

I Know What You Did Last Summer was one of the first horror movies I can remember seeing. It was a big step for me after Sleeping Beauty and Pocahontas gave me nightmares. I vividly remember walking into my sister's room while the movie was playing. She wasn't really paying attention, otherwise she probably would not have let me watch it. A lot like the time I was watching American Pie in her room and she shut it off after first scene when Jim is trying to watch porn. Anyway, the two things I distinctly remember were developing a huge crush on Sarah Michelle Gellar that continued throughought the Buffy series, and being terrified of the fisherman with the giant hook. Now last night when it came on Cinemax, I had no choice but to re-watch the late 90s cult classic.

2012 fantasy baseball preview: Mid-late round pitchers

My fantasy baseball strategy has previously been all about pitchers. I would not hesitate to take five or six pitchers in the first 10 rounds with Roy Halladay in the first and just draft your Kelly Johnson's of the world in the later rounds to fill up my hitters. This year though I am coming to the realization that the maximum amount of pitchers one should take in the first 10 rounds is four, and you could really take as few as two pitchers and still have a solid staff by the end of the draft. Hitters are simply too weak this season, and there is not enough depth to pass on guys like Josh Hamilton, Jay Bruce and Mark Teixeira in rounds 3-6. Sure Dan Haren, CC Sabathia and Jon Lester are nice guys to have on any fantasy team, but I am here to show you that you can get adequate replacements in the mid to late rounds while stacking your hitters early. Here are five guys that are going in rounds 15 and beyond that are worth a risk and could produce a big reward.

March Madness at its best

"By George, the dream is alive!"

March Madness is a wonderful thing.  Every year produces some amount of madness and resulting ecstasy.  However because awesome upsets are a common occurrence, sometimes we overlook and forget about the great games.  To help you out with this problem, members of the LBS staff will be writing about some of their favorite March Madness games.  Enjoy.

Mike D'Antoni dunzo in New York

The New York Knicks have added Mike D'Antoni to their "dunzo" list. This means there will be no more hanging out and getting food together. No more video games together. No more putt-putt. Dunzo. If you don't watch Parks and Recreation then you have no idea what I am talking about. So to put it more simply, Mike D'Antoni has resigned as the head coach of the New York Knickerbockers.

2012 MLB Preview: National League

With the Major League Baseball season just a mere three weeks away Henno and Matt decided to make some bold and brash predictions that will undoubtedly be wrong. Get your peanuts and Cracker Jacks ready, because by the time you are done reading this preview your house, office or wherever you choose to read Love Boat Sports, will be filled with the sweet aroma of a Fenway Frank. Baseball!

Happy hump day everyone!

RG3 & D.C: Finally some hope for beleaguered Redskins fans everywhere

Courtesy of CBS Sports

When the news broke this past Friday night that the Redskins had traded up for the 2nd pick in this upcoming draft, presumably to select star Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, I felt a wave of relief and optimism as a Redskins fan that I hadn't felt for years. Griffin is going to be a Redskin. I could hardly believe it.

Part 1, The offseason in the NFL: What your team needs to do to win it all in 2012

The Glorious NFL as we know it.
Courtesy of HeadBlitz

The offseason in the NFL is awesome. There are so many stories and so much anticipation leading up the combine and the draft, and then when the OTA's start rolling around in the summer, excitement once again hits an all-time high. The best thing about the NFL, unlike other sports, is that each season, every team feels like it has a shot to win it all. A team's offseason could mean the difference between missing the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl.

So without further ado, here is my list of every NFL team (listed in alphabetical order and split up into two posts due to the sheer size of each post), and what they need to address this offseason to be successful in this coming 2012 season:

Survivor: One World Power Rankings

Wow. I have watched pretty much every episode of Survivor, and that was just about as crazy and good as it gets. Before I get to my power rankings, let me just say how idiotic it was of the guys to give up tribal immunity. There are way too many things that can happen to make giving up the numbers worth while. Especially in a men vs. women season where there will obviously be a tribe swap! In the preview for next week it’s clear that the swap is coming, and now the men are guaranteed to be down numbers in one of the two new tribes. Also, even though I also thought it was dumb when Zapatera threw a challenge to get rid of Russell, at least Russell had some history and they viewed him as a cancer. Bill did nothing wrong! All he did was not get along with Colton. I guess this is what happens when you’re led by a misfit alliance, you get misfit decisions.

With these rankings, keep in mind everything could change due to the result of the upcoming tribe swap.

Here are the Rankings:

1. Kim

Kim is in the best spot to win the game right now. She is quietly controlling the girls while the guys and some of the girls think Sabrina is in charge. That's the best position to be in on Survivor, controlling the game with no target on your back.

2. Jonas

Jonas is riding Colton’s coattails now, but I think he is smart enough to make a big move at some point to put himself in position to win the game. He is also laid back enough to get along with the girls on his new tribe.

The tragic end of Peyton Manning in Indianapolis

It is not a common occurrence for one of the best players in the history of the National Football League to be cut, but that is exactly what happened to Peyton Manning. The man who provided the organization with nine consecutive winning seasons from 2002 through 2010 and a Super Bowl championship in 2006 is being let go. There will be no storybook ending for Manning and the Colts. Manning won't be given a chance to lead the franchise that he built ever again. He won't be able to take the 2-14 Colts of 2011 and make them a contender once more. Instead Manning is in danger of becoming the next Joe Montana, the next Brett Favre. The next nomad quarterback who was turned away from the organization which he had done so much for and left out to graze on the barren fields of NFL teams who need a one-year quarterback fix to magically reach the "next level." The wildest part about this whole saga is that one can't really blame Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts for what they are doing.

Nationally, Training has Sprung

Harper and Strasburg pose awkwardly
Courtesy of Nationals PR

Baseball is under way once again, and all 30 teams have started playing exhibition games and imitating Tim Kurkjian.  I for one am more excited about the Kurkjian imitations, but hey, that's just me.  The Washington Nationals have been playing in the wonderful Viera, Florida where Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg are garnering most of the attention.  The Juggernats eeked out a victory against the collegiate Hoyas of Georgetown and took two losses to the woeful Astros.  Fear not Nats fans, for these are merely exhibition games and the Nationals also now have NATITUDE.

Clint Dempsey shines for U.S. team without Donovan

Clint Dempsey scores the U.S.' lone goal
Photo courtesy of AP

It was a day of firsts for the U.S. Men’s National Team Wednesday.  In descending order the USMNT defeated Italy for the first time ever, wore a spanking new away jersey, and Terrence Boyd made his first international start.  The match, held in Genoa, Italy, was a close one with the Italians pressing in a 1-0 defeat.  The man they call ‘Deuce’, Clint Dempsey, scored his 25^th goal internationally to lead the yanks to victory.  It was a difficult win for the U.S. team, with the back line threatened early and often.  Andrea Pirlo played excellent balls over the top, but the Italians couldn’t thwart Tim Howard or the linesmen.  The U.S. team is off until the end of May when they will play Scotland, Brazil, and Canada before starting World Cup qualifying in June.  Without Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onweyu, and Timmy Chandler, American fans should draw mostly positives looking ahead at those matches.

Sending me back: what baseball means to me

"'Out of the past' was the name of the store, and its products consisted of memories: what was prosaic and even vulgar to one generation have been transmuted by the mere passing of years to a status at once magical and also camp."

Our protagonist.
Photo courtesy of Harvard
Political Review

Those are the opening lines of the novel written by Gil Pender, Owen Wilson's character in Midnight in Paris. Gil is a true romantic. Deep inside him lives the notion of Golden Era Thinking, the belief that one's outlook on life and priorities better befit a period in the past than the modernized world. His perfect society is Paris in the 1920s, in the rain. One night, something miraculous and inexplicable occurs, and a man tired of the rush and technology and (from his perspective) dearth of creativity of the 21st Century is transported back in time, fulfilling his dream. Every night, he is lucky enough to return to dance and converse with the great musicians, artists, writers and intellectuals of this famed decade. He falls in love with the past.


Like Gil, I too sometimes wonder about what it would be like to have been born sometime else. For me, I don't have a particular era; it could be the '50s, the '80s, the 1750s, the 1500's, maybe in some ancient civilization. It's not as much where I'm going as getting out of where I am.

Congratulations, Tony Bennett

After watching Virginia hang tough with North Carolina today, I think enough evidence has accumulated to prove there has been a seismic shift in Virginia basketball.  Virginia is now a legitimate team, and not just a legitimate team by virtue of a good year or two from a lucky recruiting class, but a legitimate program.  Any team might get lucky and have a chance to pull off a big upset, but how UVA did it shows they will be a team to watch out for in years to come.  How they hung with UNC was not a fluke, but a continuation of how they’ve been playing all year, and all the credit has to start with Tony Bennett.

Over saturation in the world of sports

It seems that today a player’s road from underrated to overrated is a short one.  I remember the first time I consciously witnessed this transformation of a player going from underrated to overrated.  As the Pistons were making deep playoff runs I remember hearing how Ben Wallace was far and away the most underrated player in the NBA; he did all the dirty work for the Pistons team while Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Chauncey Billups took care of most of the scoring.  I heard this phrase over and over again coupled with highlights on Sportscenter of Ben Wallace’s blocks.  It didn’t take long and Ben Wallace was universally regarded as an overvalued player for his last years in Detroit and all of his time in Chicago.  Not surprisingly, the pendulum has swung back and Ben Wallace is once again regarded as underrated, although playing at a significantly lower level than in his prime.

Ryan Braun and the myth that is innocent until proven guilty

Anyone who has been a fan of baseball for the past decade or so has seen it too many times. One of your favorite players standing at a podium trying to explain himself after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and the list goes on. After having our faith betrayed so many times, we have been trained to assume the worst and leave hope out of it.

The Ryan Braun fiasco though is something completely different. Until watching his speech this morning, I was with the majority in thinking that he got off on a technicality. As I was listening though, I realized that this was something much bigger and more important than that. This was a great player who will be forever questioned because the media loves a good story more than the facts. The facts of the positive test and his subsequent appeal provide a much murkier picture than the media has been showing to the public.

The NBA: These Guys are Good

Amidst all this linsanity I have come to realize something that has always been brewing in my mind. The NBA is full of guys who can play and by full I mean every single person in the league. I think linsanity is less about Jeremy Lin, than it is about how good guys in the league actually are.