UK Basketball Is Dangerous

I find it strange that no one seems alarmed the University of Kentucky had 5 players declare for the NBA draft this year. The UK program is in the process of taking the student out of the student athlete equation. John Calipari sees no reason to sugar coat the truth. If you're coming to Kentucky you're coming to play basketball and for no other reason. Not academics, not quality of life, and not the college experience. His recruiting pitch goes something like this, "If you can keep your eligibility for 1 semester I'll send you to the pros. Nobody's gonna ask you to stay or try to make you feel guilty for leaving. We all know the deal, 1 and done. That's what I can do for you. Here's the number for the guy that will take the exams for you. Be careful, if you get caught I don't know anything about it." We all know Kentucky will be on probation by the end of next season but is Calipari's approach really that off base? Is he the realist while we're the hypocrites? I agree he's doing what the players want and if the end result is an NBA career then everybody wins. The problem is most players won't play professional basketball very long (if at all) and will have no other skills to offer the world. The UK model leaves kids hollow, one dimensional, and under developed. Not everyone is going to be the next John Wall. Doesn't he owe those kids an apology?

The Playoffs Will Expose You

The regular season is a time for players to audition for the playoffs. We see their skills and abilities and predict how they will perform when the bright lights come on. It appears this playoff season there are a few stars who are NOT what we thought they were. Here are the 5 biggest surprises and disappointments so far:

5. Tim Duncan. The reports of Timmy D's demise were greatly exaggerated. Tim is producing in the playoffs as if he's got fresh legs from 1999. The 4 time champ is stepping up big time.

4. Dirk Nowitzki. I said a few weeks ago it was now or never for Dirk to win a chip. Looks like he will join the list with Barkley, Malone, Stockton, and Ewing.

3. Carmelo Anthony. Coming off a masterful performance in the Olympics and playing a Jazz team without Andrei Kirilinko and Mehmet Okur was supposed to be a lock and now the Nuggets won't make it out of the first round. Carmelo loses his franchise player tag and I will no longer name my first born son after him.

2. Joe Johnson. Remember what I said about Joe on this blog a few weeks ago? He is NOT a superstar. Superstars don't foul out and lose to a team without their starting center and shooting guard at home. Free agency will not be as lucrative as he thought.

1. Alexander Ovechkin. The biggest disappointment by far. the NHL's best player couldn't get out of the first round and his legacy will certainly suffer. There is no excuse for not advancing in the post season and when Sid the Kid wins his 2nd consecutive Stanley Cup Alex will be out of the conversation for best player entirely. Is Lebron next?

I Wish I Could've Been There

If you watch sports from a historical context you can't help but wonder what it would have been like to attend certain events. The atmosphere, the performance, and the outcome all blending together to create a macical moment, a once in a lifetime moment. Watching these events on television gives you the impression that "being there" must have been life altering. It's an experience no one can take away. Those spectators will always be a part of history and the event they witnessed can never be topped in their minds. Here are the 5 sporting events I wish I could've seen live:

5. USC vs. Texas 2006 Rose Bowl. The Trojans were going for back to back national championships with Sports Illustrated's sportsmen of the year Matt Leinhart and Reggie Bush. The 2 Heisman Trophy winners seemed unstoppable and destined for immortality. Vince Young had the ball last however and put a blemish on USC's dreams of perfection. Pete Carroll's 4th and 1 call will forever be a mystery.

4. Portland vs. Lakers game 7 2000. The game that started the Shaq/Kobe Lake show dynasty There was no way they should have won. The greatest 4th quarter comeback in NBA history.

3. Magic vs. Bird 1979 NCAA Championship. The beginning of a rivalry that would define an era. The 2 best college players going at it giving us a glimpse of what the future would hold.

2. USA vs. Russia gold medal game 1980. Do you believe in miracles? The USA did the unthinkable in Lake Placid in front of the world. One of the biggest shockers in Olympic competition.

1. Ali vs. Frazier. The Frank Lucas seats please. The atmosphere was electric, the anticipation unbearable. The peoples champ vs. the establishment. The greatest fight in history.

Hip-Hop Game Changer: Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

At a time when the rap game consisted of killers, gangsters, and drug dealers Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince gave us a rap alternative. For the first time clean cut kids from the suburbs got a chance to tell their story. It wasn't about poverty and crime but rather sneaking out in your parents car or enjoying a hot summer day. Will Smith parlayed his grammy winning music career into a 10 year television stint followed by a successful movie career. This segue opened the door for such rappers as LL Cool J, Icecube, and Queen Latifah. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince pushed the limits of conventional hip-hop and showed us there was a niche for everyone. This dynamic duo was instrumental in giving hip-hop a more universal mainstream audience. They found a way to be true to themselves and true to the art at the same time. The transition from hip-hop artist to actor is seamless and natural thanks to the accomplishments of Will Smith.

Pete Carroll: The Next Jimmy Johnson?

I was watching the NFL Network yesterday and they showcased the top collegiate NFL factories. #2 was the Miami Hurricanes and #1 was USC. I couldn't help but notice the parallels between Jimmy Johnson's leap to the pros and that of Pete Carroll. Jimmy stocked the Dallas roster with blue chip Hurricanes and turned the Cowboys into a power house within 5 years. I see Pete doing the same thing. He's already added Lendale White and Mike Williams and promised to get more out of Daryl Jackson. This formula can work. No one knows collegiate personnel better than Carroll right now and his perspective on talent will give the Seahawks and advantage in free agency. Watch out, the Seattle Trojans will be a force to be reckoned with in 3 years time.

If I Were A Pro Athlete Who Would I Be?

Certain positions in the world of sports fit my personality. I would excel at these positions given my mental make up and background. If I were a pro athlete here's who I'd be:

5. NBA 12th man. Great seats, summers off, and all the perks of being an NBA player without the wear and tear on my body.

4. NFL Back up QB. The real unsung leaders of a football team. A guy who knows all the plays and how to execute them. Has to be ready at a moments notice to step in and produce.

3. Professional golfer. Thursday through Sunday shift playing in the sunshine. I could potentially earn $50,000 a weekend.

2. MLB Closer. The terminator, the executioner, the undertaker, whatever you wanna call me is fine. When I enter the game it's the start of your ending. When I leave the game it's a quick interview, sign a couple autographs, and off to the limo.

1. Hockey goalie. The last line of defense. My cat quick reflexes and superior hand eye coordination would make me a hall of famer. Patrick Roy would be just another guy if I played.

Draft Day Observations

First off, I'm not a big fan of the new format. I don't see the benefit in dragging the draft out for 3 days. One 8 hour session is fine with me. The NBA can get away with a prime time draft because there's only 2 rounds and 5 minutes between picks. The NFL is an eternity. If it ain't broke don't fix it I always say. Here's the 5 most intriguing selections:

1. Seattle. The Hawks got 2 starters in offensive tackle Russell Okung and safety Earl Thomas. They avoided temptation when the Chiefs took Eric Berry with the 5th pick. All in all I can't see how they could have done any better.

2. Denver. Tim Tebow with the 25Th? There is no middle ground here. This was a feast or famine pick. The Broncos will begin experiencing hunger pains very soon. Tim Tebow is a great guy and a feel good story, but he is not a starting NFL quarterback.

3. Dallas. Way to go Jerry. After picking Dez Bryant you now have 3 prima donna receivers who all think they're the #1 go to guy. As The World Turns doesn't have this much drama.

Oakland. The surprise of the draft. Rolando McClain is a conservative solid pick which should pay dividends for years to come. Is Big Al feeling ok?

5. Detroit. They added Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best. Best first round of any team. Something tells me they won't be getting pushed around anymore. 8-8 next season. Playoffs?