Michael Phelps Remains Unbelievable

At some point during the Phelps Odyssey, you knew while you were watching that this guy was the greatest swimmer who ever lived, the greatest one living, and the greatest who ever will.

It isn't too often you live to see the best at something. But we lived it, followed it, heard its every word and watched its every move.

Instead of being referred to as the "Michael Jordan of swimming," Michael Phelps has solidified his legend enough to flip the script. After winning eight gold medals in eight events and breaking seven world records, he's earned it. Michael Jordan is now the Michael Phelps of basketball.

Phelps did it perfectly. Some races he won by a silly amount of lengths, some by the slimmest of margins (100 fly, anyone?), but he won them all. Like Ace said, hollywood couldn't have scripted this shit. Part of the reason for this was because of how real it was, and how real he was. Out of the pool, he was just a guy about our age who loved Young Jeezy, walked the streets of Ann Arbor, and wasn't very photogenic. In the pool was another story. There was speculation about which galaxy his home planet was located, what time he had come from, and perhaps the most ridiculous of all, what kind of steroids he was taking. The truth remains that Michael Phelps is just an average dude who rises distinctly above average when he jumps in a pool. And that is what made this whole ride so special. We were hanging on every race to see this guy do what all thought impossible and when he finally did it, he reacted the way we would have: he couldn't find the words to say.

Think for one second about the expectations placed on Phelps' shoulders before the Olympics even began. Eight gold medals? Really? Nobody in the history of sport has been under more pressure to accomplish a mission more impossible.

He stared down these lofty goals because they were his own. We weren't the only ones who thought he could do this. In fact, he didn't think-he knew. Phelps is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, one who had near unlimited potential, and reached it. Maybe even exceeded it.

In the end, it was the greatest performance of any Olympian ever, and it was the ride that made it so. Thanks Michael, for every second of it. You represented the United States beautifully, and you will always be known as one of the greatest athletes who ever lived.

Tayshaun Watch: Game Four

Not Tayshaun, obviously, but the only picture from the game I can find right now.

Tayshaun had his best game of the tournament this morning. So did Team USA. Coincidence? Yeah, probably. But Tayshaun had an excellent game, entering in the second quarter and quickly hitting a three and throwing a beautiful oop to LeBron. He is one of the players really positively affected by the shorter three-point-line and shot three for four from three today (his only miss came on a long three as the shot clock expired). Coach K used him a zone buster, placing him in the middle of Spain’s 2-3 and letting him use his long arms to quickly distribute from there, which he did very well. And, as always, he played excellent defense.

As for the game, not too much to say: Team USA forced 28 turnovers, they finally started making their three-pointers and Jason Kidd even took a shot. It was their second very impressive victory in a row. LeBron and Wade were amazing again and the team is looking like it will coast through the medal round, something of which I was very skeptical of before the tournament started. The only possibility for a Team USA loss is if it faces an opponent who takes very good care of the ball and cuts way down on turnovers. I thought with Calderón and other NBA quality guards, Spain might be that team. I was very wrong, at least today. Spain had 16 turnovers in the first half and the game was over by then.

A few other points:

Rudy Fernandez is supposed to join Brandon Roy and Jarred Bayless next season as the Portland Trailblazer’s trio of dynamic combo-guards. Like most NBA fans, I think Fernandez is an excellent prospect who will contribute immediately, but he certainly didn’t play like it tonight. Terrible game.

Jose Calderón was invisible. The guy made the all-star game last year and his game seems suited to international play. What happened today?

Nobody held Team USA’s poorly played second half against Angola because everyone conceded that the game was over and USA had essentially shut itself down. Spain did the same thing today, starting the second half with its third string point guard and spending the final quarter screwing around with weird substitution patterns trying to get a better read on Team USA for a potential rematch in the medal round. That doesn’t excuse their terrible first half in the slightest, but its worth nothing that Spain did not play to win in the second half and the final score would’ve been a little closer if it had.

I thought 17-year-old point guard Ricky Rubio played pretty well. He had a few embarrassing moments (a couple of sloppy turnovers and one very ugly finish against Chris Bosh) but he made a few beautiful plays as well. I maintain my view on him: average player, excellent prospect. My fellow blogger Joe referenced the ‘Second Great Wall’ he built, shooting bricks with his quirky looking jump shot: he took four shots and scored eight points. Cut him a break. He also finished with three steals, three assists and three rebounds in 18 minutes. Anyone expecting more from the 17-year-old was kidding himself.

Next up is Germany. Doesn’t take a crystal ball for this one: Team USA wins in a blowout. In fact, while you’re letting me make completely obvious predictions, I’ll make a few more: Jason Kidd plays very poorly, Dwyane Wade has an outrageous dunk (despite just starting to lift weights and never eating vegetables) and Dirk Nowitzki makes a bunch of very sad faces. Enjoy the rout.

Michigan Not in AP Top 25

Michigan may be preseason #24 in the Coaches Poll, but the media was not nearly as kind to the rebuilding Wolverines. For the first time since 1985, Michigan does not appear in the preseason AP Top 25. The Wolverines finished with 32 total votes, 49 behind 25th-ranked Pittsburgh and good for #32 overall. Michigan's first opponent, Utah, actually finished three spots ahead of them in the voting.

Spain Live Blog

Alright I am up for the start of the game and ready to go.  Basketball is probably the hardest sport to live blog about because there is no break in the action, but I make the sacrifice for you, the loyal readers.  A few notes:

-Sam was right: if the U.S. plays the way it did against Greece, we will steamroll all comers.

-That is not a guarantee. 

9:34-First spanish possession of the game: Howard steals the ball from Pau and it leads to  fast-break dunk by LeBron.  Hopefully we see more of this.

7:14-A 3!  By Melo!  Good thing, too.  The first 3 minutes the U.S. has played like the Knicks on acid thus far.

6:06: Really lame foul call on Kobe on the baseline.  Consider me the Bill Laimbeer of international commentary; any foul against us is a terrible call.  By the way, nice observation by Jon: on Pau's Jersey, it says "Gasol."  On Marc's jersey, it just says Marc.  I guess it's official: Marc Gasol has reached Cher status.

4:04: Chris Bosh called for a foul on the high pick-and-roll.  If him and Dwight Howard get too many fouls, we are officially in trouble.

3:41- Pete Mararvich-oops, sorry-Ricky Rubio comes in the game, floppy hair a-flying

3:04-Since Rubio has entered the game, both Spanish possessions have resulted in turnovers.  But it's ok, only one was his fault.

2:24-Pussy foul call beyond the 3 called on Deron Williams that sends Rubio to the line.  First of all, what do you want him to do?  Contrary to these ref's opinion, you do have to use your hands a little on D.  This game has been called vastly differently than any other games so far.  

2:24-Rubio misses the first.  Somewhere, Rasheed Wallace is screaming, "Ball don't lie!  Ball don't lie!"

1:38-Timeout by Spain after the U.S. goes up by 13.  

0:51-The Gasol brothers are both sporting long beards.  You know, they say people with beards have something to hide.  With these poor guys, it's so obvious: they have no chins.  They are craftily hiding it.  Nice.

End of first quarter-we're up 9.  Better start than Greece, but I'm not happy.

9:10-Reyes for Spain has been very good so far.  I have to say I'm impressed.

8:22-Whoever number 14 is on Spain, he has a permanent imprint of LeBron's nuts on the back of his head (oop from Tay).

7:11-Technical foul on Rudy Fernandez.  I'm sorry, but these refs are terrible.  They're trying to ban trash talk.  What?  It's ridiculous.

6:19-A replay shows Chris Bosh sneakin' a squeeze on Fernandez.  Good call, Chris.  If they aren't intimidated already, grab their ass and weird them out.

4:38-Number 12 for Spain is officially my least favorite basketball player ever.  Flopping all the time.  Not just him, his lips, too.  What do you have to say?  You're down, you have a severe overbite, and you're in way over your head.  So now you're talking to mask your fear.  Good plan.  

4:01-Rubio looks like he belongs in a Disney Channel Original Movie.  And he's playing like it, too.  Turnover count: 2.

2:44-Quick stat: Spain has been shooting well over 50 percent...and we're still up 17. 

1:44-Rubio watch: at the free throw line, looks for his teammates for fist-bumps, but there are none to be found.  It's ok, Ricky, sometimes imaginary friends are better than real ones.

1:30-Ooooh, touche, Ricky.  Very very nice pass from Rubio for an oop.  Gotta give credit where credit's due.      

Halftime-We are up by 16.  Spain has played true to form: they shoot well, flop like there's no tomorrow, and they're unselfish.  They are doing exactly what they want to do.  The only problem for them is that they are playing the best basketball they can and they're still down 16.  The U.S., however, is playing far from the best it can.  We'll see of they get better or worse in the second half.

Later in halftime-Ok, the Comcast commercial featuring the Wii is officially weird.  Am I the only one who thinks the old guy playing video games with the little girl is creepy?  By the way, Jon thinks the girl's a dude, but I tell him, no dude wears those color socks.  He won't listen!   

Later in halftime-From best to worst: if the above commercial is bad, the commercial for Nike featuring Marvin Gaye singing the star-spangled banner to Team USA practicing.  It's just moving, I love it.

Second half is starting now.  Let's get it.

9:10-Jason Kidd: Career-Ending Block!  What?!  On Rudy Fernandez!  What?!

7:36-Carmelo Anthony is officially dialed in.  He just hit a three, and I don't know how many that is, but it's a lot.

7:14-Dwight gets a near-career-ender on Marc "The Hobo" Gasol.  Seriously, there are about three guys on this team who looks remotely presentable.  You're repping you country.  Shave? 

  

3:54-Quick scene at my house after a reverse jam by DWade:

Me: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!! OOOOOOH!  Oh my God!"

My brother: "That was horrible, to do that to someone."

2:37-Throwback call on Dwayne Wade.  Carry?  Really?

2:09- Oooh.  CEB by Dwayne Wade from behind on some Spanish guy who looks like he was plucked out of some dumpster in an alley-wait...that doesn't narrow it down very much.  Oh, and then Wade looked at him.  Lying on the ground.  Where most of these guys are ending up.

End of the third quarter-Doug Collins just referred to Wade as "the Little Flying Warrior."  Doug!  Now we need to give you a nickname!  How about, the Knight of Bald-Headed Lip-flapping?  By the way, we're up by 23.

By the way, that picture of the Spanish basketball team doing the Asian eyes thing?  Got to be top 5 most offensive things ever done at the Olympics.  The best part was their excuse: It was a joke!  We didn't mean for it to be a racial slur!  Oh ok, then it's cool.  Of course you meant it as a racial slur!  Even if you didn't, it doesn't matter.  It's surprising.  And disappointing. 

7:47-Rubio watch: 3 turnovers, about 8 billion bricks.  He has petitioned to build a second Great Wall of China.

5:47-Boy, Spain really isn't putting up much of a fight.  Like, at least make it look like your still trying.  We're up by 29 and showing no signs of relenting.  Tay's in.  That says it all.    As of now, Angola played us closer than this.

4:10-We've crossed the 30-point threshold on a Deron Williams-to-Dwight oop.  This has been the easiest game we've played so far.  

3:41-Pitty Foul called on Deron Williams.  

2:34-This seriously reminds me of the original Dream team.  The way Spain is moving (slowly and devoid of motivation), and the ease with which we are scoring, it's reminiscent.  Next thing you know, they'll be telling their teammates to take pictures and asking for autographs after the game.

1:06-This has to be a little demoralizing for the players from Spain going to the NBA, including Marc (last name not mentioned on purpose).  Welcome to the big leagues, fellas.

Rubio: 8 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds.  Not bad, Ricky.  Not bad at all.  I've been ripping on him, and he didn't really jump out at all, but he played pretty well.  Especially considering he was a boy among men.

End of the Game-119-82.  37 points.  It was never a contest.  I can't believe I was ever thinking this would be a close game.  It is now apparent that China was actually the better team than Spain, and Spain got lucky.  This was a good message to send.  As Chris Paul so eloquently put it in his post-game interview, "We mean business."  Couldn't have said it better myself.  

Michael Phelps is Unbelievable

It's cliche to say, but Hollywood couldn't have scripted that one better. Michael Phelps secured his record-tying seventh gold medal in the Beijing Olympics by beating Serbia's Milorad Cavic by .01 seconds. I'm sure the race will replay hundreds of times over the rest of the Olympics, the next four years, until the next Phelps comes along (if that ever happens).

Like Phelps, I am at a loss for words. If you missed this race, you missed something truly special. I'm certainly proud Phelps trained at the school I attend, in the town I grew up in. Go Blue, and Go Phelps.

The finish...just .01 seconds apart.

(Photos from Getty Images)

Spain Live Blog Tomorrow

One of us (probably Joe) will be live blogging the USA-Spain Olympic basketball game tomorrow morning (10:15 ET tipoff). Maybe this time we'll even wake up for the first quarter.

There's a couple special surprises in store for next week, so make sure to keep checking back with The Ace of Sports. Have a good weekend everybody, and Go USA (and Tayshaun)!

Nick Sheridan: Michigan's Probable Starter?

Former walk-on Nick Sheridan throws a pass in fall practice (Rivals.com photo)

Jim Carty's Ann Arbor News article from Tuesday brought forth a surprising revelation about Michigan's quarterback situation: there's a clear leader. However, it's not who everyone thought it would be:

Former walk-on Nick Sheridan and Georgia Tech transfer Steven Threet remained very close, he said, adding that both would play if the season started today (then semi-grumbling that he didn't really like the hypothetical).

Come practice time, though, it didn't look all that close.

Sheridan played with efficiency and a swagger, smoothly running through his drills, delivering almost all his short- and medium-range passes with accuracy and zip.

Threet wasn't bad, he just wasn't good, and certainly didn't seem as steady as Sheridan. In one red zone passing drill, his pass drilled into the ground just in front of a receiver cutting back to the middle of the field.

"I pray to God you never throw the ball like that in a game," offensive line coach Greg Frey snapped.

"If you're in the game," offensive coordinator Calvin McGee added.

Um, wow. Michigan had great success with its last walk-on starter at quarterback (some kid named Greise, if I remember correctly), but is Sheridan really the man for the job?

Actually, I'm not as frightened as I thought I would be at the possibility of Sheridan (who just picked up a scholarship last week) taking the field with the starters for the Utah game. Steven Threet is certainly the more talented quarterback, but he limits what Michigan can do on the field significantly because of his complete lack of mobility. While Sheridan is no Pat White, he is enough of a threat running that defenses will have to respect his ability to tuck the ball and run for a first down.

Sheridan is the ultimate sleeper at quarterback. He barely played at Saline High School, stuck behind another quarterback before getting hurt and missing all but two games his senior season. With no Division I offers, Sheridan walked on to Michigan, where his father Bill coached linebackers and defensive line from 2002-2004.

Believe it or not, Sheridan's complete lack of experience and recruiting hype is exactly what gives me confidence that he is the right fit for Michigan's offense. Who knows how talented Sheridan really is, except the coaches who have worked closely with him, since there has been so little actual game experience (in high school and college) to go on? Sheridan has had to earn his spot on the team every season he's been here, and for an unrecruited walk-on to be pushing a former four-star prospect for playing time means he's clearly been the better quarterback in practice.

A year ago, nobody would have thought that a walk-on would ever have a shot at Michigan's quarterback spot. Ryan Mallett was supposed to have the position locked down for the next three years, on his way to becoming a Heisman candidate and top-10 draft pick. Even when Rich Rodriguez was hired, and Mallett transferred, few saw this as a possibility.

As the Notorious B.I.G. once said, things done changed. Let's hope this change works better for Michigan than things did for Biggie.

Tayshaun Watch, Game 3

The only photographic evidence I could find that Tayshaun was involved in the Greece game. I'm pretty sure he's the guy second from the left. (Getty Images)

Tayshaun first entered the game when it was well in hand, with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. He immediately had to hoist up a shot, which he missed, because of an expiring shot clock and spent the rest of the game putting up straight zeros on the scoreboard. He didn’t take another shot, commit a foul, or get a steal, block or rebound. The most invisible game in a string of them for Tay, though through no fault of his own or of Coach K, who did an excellent job managing substitutions.

Tay’s one moment of attention came from the broadcast, when Craig Sager explained that in practice, Coach K asked Tay to explain defending the pick and roll to Dwight Howard, using the anecdote as an example of Tay’s value to the team. As a Piston fan, it’s reassuring that Tayshaun knows how to defend the pick and roll and it’s reassuring that Dwight Howard doesn’t. A nice story, although it was probably the producers throwing Tayshaun’s game a bone, knowing he wouldn’t play much.

As for the team: this is the best Team USA has played this year, and maybe the best it has ever played. LeBron was exceptional, as he has been all tournament, but Dwyane Wade was the best player on the floor, displaying far more inspired defense than he has ever shown in Miami. Chris Bosh was terrific as well, particularly on defending the pick-and-roll. The team defense and rebounding was exceptional and, except for Kobe Bryant, no one was settling for mediocre shots. I’ve been skeptical about the ‘FUCK YEAH, USA, THOSE EUROPEAN PUSSIES CAN’T FUCK WITH US’ attitude most basketball fans have adopted towards these games, but if Team USA plays this way four more times, they will coast to the gold. Next up is Spain, probably the best team in the tournament outside of Team USA, but one that has not been playing particularly well recently. Also, in anticipation of playing the Americans again in the finals of the medal round, I wouldn’t expect to see too many bells and whistles from the Spaniards, as this game technically doesn’t matter for either team. The game will probably be a solid American victory, if a slightly closer one, but don’t be stunned by a very tight game or an American blowout.

Quick note on the Spaniards: my fellow blogger Joe had this to say about Ricky Rubio:

“Remind me what's so special about this kid? He's young and...what else? They compare him to the Pistol (which is ridiculous in the first place), and then say he can't shoot. Makes no sense. I can't wait to see this kid NOT live up to the hype. early prediction: 2 points, 9 turnovers against the U.S. And I'm being pretty generous with the 2 points”

As this blog’s designated Ricky Rubio supporter, I have a few quick rebukes:

1. Predicting that Deron Williams and Chris Paul are going to destroy a 17-year-old point guard is not particularly brave. We'll see how he does three years from now, when he's OJ Mayo's age.

2. What’s so special: He’s taller than Derrick Rose, a better shooter, a better defender and a much better passer, all while being two years younger. So there’s that. Alternatively, Rose is much stronger and a little quicker. There’s no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect (well, except for LeBron), and I’m not promising that Rubio will be better than Rose, or anyone else for that matter (I’ll leave the crystal ball nonsense to the assholes on Around the Horn and Mel Kiper). But the kid is the best 17-year-old basketball player on the planet, by a lot, which Euro busts like Darko, drafted only on promise, were never close to. People aren’t raving about his potential; they’re raving about how good he is now. Although all-world guards Paul and Williams will probably push him around on Saturday, if he gets substantial minutes I will be surprised if he doesn’t show you a couple of flashes of his ability. We’ll see. And lastly, it’s probably worth noting that most critics of Rubio have never once seen him play.

--Sam Weiss

Bullet Points Are Handy: Zumaya's Exploding Arm

Today's links discuss Joel Zumaya's arm injury, another Lions training camp fight, RichRod doing pushups, and more.

• After Joel Zumaya was lifted from Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays with an apparent injury, he was placed on the DL for a "sore arm". His MRI came out fine, but the Free Press reports that Zumaya was worried his career was over.
• ESPN's Kevin Seifert gives us the full story of Jon Kitna's confrontation with linebacker Buster Davis at Lions training camp yesterday.
• Two more articles on Michigan football: The Ann Arbor News' John Heuser details Rich Rodriguez's plan to revamp the walk-on system, while the Free Press' Mark Snyder reports on yesterday's practices, including RichRod losing a bet and having to do pushups.
• Dave at Gorilla Crouch looks at how the top two scoring lines could shake out for the Red Wings next season.
• Detroit Bad Boys takes SI's Marty Burns to task for losing all semblance of logic and sense in his preseason NBA rankings.
  

USA Basketball Live Blog vs. Greece

Dwyane Wade, simultaneously saving the ball and providing the alley to Kobe's oop (Getty Images)

Sorry guys, I had a little trouble waking up this morning again, and Jon had to do the job again. Thank God for assistants, right? we are starting the second quarter right now, and we're up by only four, 20-16. This might be a long morning.

By the way, Jon and I just spent ten minutes searching for the game on TV, because USAHD has volleyball and USA has basketball. What?

Start of second quarter-Smothering defense by the U.S. leads to a Wade-to-Kobe alley-oop. Looks like we need a little more of that.

8:34-LeBron steals the ball and does one of his signature dunks at the other end. Am I the only one who thinks LeBron is going to parlay that dunk into his own version of the Jordan logo? He's been planning it for a while, too. Like, since high school.

7:05-2 fouls on Bosh, 2 0n Dwight Howard. This is the one of the main fears of the Americans, with us being so short. Carlos Boozer better be ready.

6:15-Another great pass from Wade to Bryant for an and 1 for Kobe. Great play.

5:50-Wade just made this poor Greek guy freeze like...uh...ice. Gimme a break, it's early.

3:45-LeBron just dunked on...Melo? Melo throws up some wild bullshit and Bron just says, "it's ok, buddy I'll take care of it." By the way, 38-28, U.S.

3:13-Deron Williams is playing crappy defense-it's official. Guys just--WAIT! Kobe made a 3! Kobe made a 3! Do you believe in miracles? Yesss!! (apologies to Al Michaels)

2:12-Timeout by Greece after the U.S. goes up by 16 on a reverse fast-break dunk by LeBron. Sam may be right: we might not even have to conform to FIBA rules to win gold.

1:32-Cris Bosh: And 1. He is coming up so big. He couldn't be playing better. Maybe all that praise from Coach K was justified. Right now, Bosh is teeing off on dudes.

0:16-Another fast-break basket for the Americans and a soul-crushing block by Bosh on some Greek dude trying to shoot a fadeaway. We are up by 19 at the half.

Halftime-I am eating this up, in case you all can't tell. 19 points is an excellent margin at half, especially against the third-seeded team in the tournament. I think Greece is regretting beating us in the World Championships, because now we're angry. And you won't like us when we're angry.

Later in Halftime-For all who wanted to know, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" is now playing. Thank God they made that, right? Total cliffhanger at the end of the first one.

Ok, second half is starting now. Let's do this.

9:13-Good observation by Breeny--"LeBron has been getting every loose ball from early forst quarter on." It's true. Bron is taking hustle to a new level right now. It should come as no surprise. If all the white, crappy players in the NBA are considered "hustle players," think of how good LeBron would be at hustling if he focused only on that. Right now, that's what he's doing and -surprise!-he's dominating. For all of the White players in the NBA's sake, let's hope he lets up when the season starts.

7:48-Another drive-and-dish for a 3 by Greece. I can't stand it.

7:04-Look! Melo can hit 3's too! The deficit: still 20.

6:10-Oooooh, Greek big man tries to post up the Booze. Not a good idea. It's like their in a different country when their back is to the basket. He ha no idea what to do. He settled for a half-turnaround jumpshot, half-hook shot. Try to picture his shot...there it is...now throw up in your mouth.

4:34- Oh My God. I am looking at perhaps the largest black man outside of Tractor Traylor I have ever seen on the court for Greece right now. He has to be 6'8", 450 pounds. As my brother Drew observed: "It's like Greece said, 'you know who will be killing us against the U.S.? Big black guys. Let's go out and find the biggest black guy we can find, and we should be ok.'" Brilliant.

3:48-Block off the backboard by LeBron, successive block off the backboard by Bosh. My God. This may be unfair. Can I combine two blocks to create one Career-Ending Block? I'll say yes.

1:20-Still can't shoot free throws, as Dwayne misses his first of two.

0:37-Greece's answer to Wade: foul the shit out of him every time he gets within 15 feet of the basket. By the way, 11-18 from the free throw line. Good answer.

0:01-Great pass from Paul to Wade for the and 1. On Tractor II, no less! Good way to end the quarter. Wade is so freaking good.

Staring the fourth quarter. Homestretch time.

9:16-A Greek guard tries to go up for a layup on Bosh. He was lucky to hit the front of the rim.

7:46-Joe: "What are we up by, only 13?"
Jon: "Joe."
Joe: "Is it 23?"
Jon: (stunned silence).
I suck at math.

7:06-It is ridiculous how scared Greece is to come inside. I mean, for good reason, but it's getting weird. They will be literally 2 feet away from the basket and throw out for a 3. Come on, it's the Olympics! At least challenge us!

5:56-Deron Williams gets decked on his way to a loose ball, no foul called. The game's over, the refs are sympathetic. Another way to tell the game may be out of reach for Greece is that Tay has just entered the game. Garbage Tiiiime!

4:17-Greece just committed their 24th turnover. That stat illustrates how advanced we are on defense. The rest of the world may be catching up to us on offense, but on D, they're not even close. One of the reasons: defense is all athleticism and positioning. If you know where you're supposed to be, and you can get there quicker than your man, you'll get the ball. That's what we're doing.

3:00-Doug and Breen talk about the Ricky Rubio of Spain for about an hour. Remind me what's so special about this kid? He's young and...what else? They compare him to the Pistol (which is ridiculous in the first place), and then say he can't shoot. Makes no sense. I can't wait to see this kid NOT live up to the hype. early prediction: 2 points, 9 turnovers against the U.S. And I'm being pretty generous with the 2 points.

0:27-25-point margin reached, largest of the game.

End of the game-Truly a dominant performance by the U.S., the final score being 92-69. They passed their first international "test" with flying colors. Something I noticed: we completely dominated the pace of the game. It was uptempo, fast-break the whole time, and that's why we won. If we can do that against Spain, it won't be a contest. Wait! Not if Ricky Rubio has anything to say about it (obviously kidding). Spain better bring it, because they needed overtime to beat a team we rolled over by 30. I can't wait to beat them.

Michigan Football Roundtable: Lil' Wayne Edition

What does Lil' Wayne have to do with Michigan football? Nothing. However, the four proprietors of this blog all share a common love for Weezy, and therefore decided to describe our thoughts about the upcoming season using his lyrics. So throw on Tha Carter III (or II, or I), sit back, and see if any of this makes any sense at all.

Joe:

"Yes, I know the process has so much stress

But its the progress that feels the best
Cause i came from the projects straight to success
And your next, so try... they cant steal your pride its inside
Then find it and keep on grinding
Cause in every dark cloud there’s a silver lining"
-Tie My Hands (ft. Robin Thicke)

It seems right to break this down by individual verse, since it matches up so aptly with what Michigan is going through right now. Also, the “you” refers to RichRod.

“Yes, I know the process has so much stress”—The process of rebuilding a team from the ground up is indeed stressful, especially with the expectations placed upon you at U of M. All the uncertainty can cause a lot of stress.

“But it’s the progress that feels the best”—However, which each practice, and each win, your pride grows because you know that you made this team what it is and the progress they make is progress you inspired with hard work and passion and dedication. It feels good to see something you build make even the tiniest baby step in the right direction.

“Because I came from the projects straight to success”—This one doesn’t really mean anything. I think I’ll, uh…just skip…this one. Moving on.

“And your next—so try, they can’t steal your pride it’s inside”—This is perfect. I’m no longer talking to Rich but to Michigan fans all over: they can’t take your pride in your school when somebody predicts a 5th-place Big Ten finish. That pride is inside of you, and it will always be there. Even if we suck, we have to still have pride. It’s hard sometimes, but it can be done. Think Lions. Actually, don’t. Just, disregard that, that was terrible. That will never happen.

“Then find it and keep on grinding”—To the players: what we the fans need from you is for you to find that Michigan pride in you and grind away at the opposition. There’s a reason you chose this school, and many of you had the world as your oyster coming out of high school. I would think one of those reasons was being proud of who you played for, and proud when you say “I play for the University of Michigan.”

“Cause in every dark cloud there’s a silver lining”—The dark cloud, of course, is the departure of Lloyd Carr. To those who never liked Lloyd: eat it. He did so much for Michigan, including something the Bo couldn’t, and that’s win a national title. So shut up. Anyway, the silver lining is the influx of Rich Rodriguez’s new offense, Mike Barwis’ new intensity, and the many wins that are to follow.

I am optimistic for the season, despite the many obstacles facing the team. And that is what this song is all about: hope in the face of uncertainty and bad odds. Fuck the odds. Let’s get it.

Noah:

"My shoulders are strong,
I'll prove 'em wrong,
I ain't doin' nothin' but movin' on.
Let the truth be known..."
- Lil' Wayne, "Tie My Hands"

Ok, to explain why I think this quote is perfect for Michigan's upcoming football season, allow me to break it into parts.

First, "My shoulders are strong."This is great to describe Michigan for two reasons. The obvious one being that Mike Barwis has ensured that everybody's shoulders, as well as all of their other muscles, are strong. The number one reason I feel optimistic about this upcoming season is that our guys are going to be stronger and more explosive than they've ever been. Combine that with talent, which we always have, and people are going to be surprised.The other reason I like the idea of strong shoulders is because it speaks to Michigan's incredible tradition. Each time that comes along bears the weight of all of the teams before it. Expectations are always so high for us, especially within our own ranks, that sometimes I feel that must weigh on players and coaches. Lloyd left us with dignity, but not without people calling for his job. Now we have a team with nothing to lose, who SI puts among the worst in the Big Ten, and yet we're still fucking Michigan. That's strong shoulders right there.

"I'll prove 'em wrong."I don't think this needs much explaining. The haters are out in force this year, and for once they have some justification. Nevertheless, Michigan has an incredible tendency to do the complete opposite of what our preseason ranking suggests we should. In 1997, we came in something like 13th or 14th before going on to win the title. In 2005, also known as the year of infinte misery, we came in top 3 before going 7-5. The point is, this year we have a great opportunity to come in under the radar, and without the weight of unreasonable expectations. After what SI said about us this last week, it's clear we have a lot to prove, and the ingredients are there for us to bake SI a nice foot cake to shove in their mouths.

"I ain't doin' nothin' but movin' on."Meanwhile, amidst all the hoopla surrounding this major transition within the program, our players and coaches have been hard at work. While skeptics argue about how Rich Rod can make his spread offense work with Steven Threet or a freshman Justin Feagin at quarterback, Rich Rod has been sorting through his bounty of talented players to concoct an effective offense. While people wonder who our starting offensive lineman are going to be, Mike Barwis is busy making sure that whoever they might be they are going to be ridiculously strong. The point is that while we speculate on the new era, the new era is already under way. At the end of the season, it will have been just that: a season. Lloyd is out, Rich is in, and life goes on. Everytime I see or hear Rich Rod talk about the program, I can tell he understands that. Regardless of what happens this year, the program is moving on and, hopefully, moving forward.

"Let the truth be known..."

Sam Weiss:

"Cash money, Machiavelli, y'all ain't ready
Quick fast like Tom Petty, y'all just petty"
-Lil’ Wayne, “Bring it Back”

“Cash Money”

Four Million, paid to West Fucking Virginia for the right to steal their coach, strength coach, success, soul, and apparently a bunch of files, which Rod shredded along with all hope by taking Barwis and Magee and leaving Larry Coker Bill Stewart. 2.5 million of the four came from Michigan's coffers. Put differently, a Michigan alum who likes luxury boxes just lost 0.5% of his net worth. No one's crying over that—except maybe Justin Boren...but it doesn't take much.

“Machiavelli”

I love Lloyd Carr. I would want Lloyd Carr to baby-sit my child. Unless, of course, my child was on his way to 6’4”, having a cannon for an arm and running a 4.5. Rod would have the kid running wind sprints, tiny dumbbells in the crib, putting chocolate in the milk formula and having him recite lines from The Prince like kids in Saudi Arabia learn the Koran. If Barwis told Rod that the best kind of protein comes from cannibalism, I have no doubts that Rod would have my kid in the microwave before you could say ‘Human Rights Violation’

(Of course, if Barwis said baby fat made you buff, I’d become the Pied Piper of Ann Arbor; I’m already going through two gallons of chocolate milk a week, and I weigh less than what Terrance Taylor lost this off-season)

No one’s saying the guy isn’t ruthless. He’ll do anything to win. About damn time.

"Y'all ain't ready"

LSU 38-Ohio State 24
Illinois 28-Ohio State 21
Florida 41-14 Ohio State 14

While Ohio State's inability to win big games has been completely overblown, it's worth noting that they have only lost three games in the last two years and all three were to spread offenses. They can make all the 'Dick-Rod' jokes they want—Michigan fans made similar snarky jokes about Tressel. If they’re not afraid, they should be.

"Quick Fast like Tom Petty"

This should need no explanation. Speed is now the emphasis of conditioning, practice and recruiting. The team has already seen remarkable improvements on all fronts and Michigan should be racing around the field on both sides of the ball. For years, Michigan has underemphasized speed relative to other elite programs, like USC, LSU, and even Ohio State (who was no slower than LSU last year, just worse).

If I was feeling particularly audacious, I might even say that Michigan is nearing SEC Speed, with overall team quickness and conditioning approaching Mississippi State's, or dare I say, even Vanderbilt's.

(In fact, apparently Michigan's safeties were so impressed with the neck-speed Florida's safeties displayed while turning to watch Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham run by them, that Barwis has them doing new specialized plyometric neck exercises which simulate getting into a car crash.)

"Y'all just Petty":

But more than the individual phrases, this line is relevant because it is simultaneously amazing and completely nonsensical. Is Tom Petty quick or fast? How does Weezy, who never left New Orleans until he was 16 and has spend the decade after in a promethazine-induced stupor, even know who Tom Petty is? I love the line, the sound of it, the rhythm of it, but if anyone wanted to start an argument on its merits, I’d be completely unable to defend it. I don’t know how it works, but it does.

As for Michigan: we have a egotistical and innovative head coach, a creative offensive coordinator, an emphasis on speed over size, a new stadium, three running quarterbacks on the roster by this time next year, new recruits from Florida but not from California and wearing Adidas jerseys. Needless to say, I’m confused. The program has changed more in the last eight months than it had in the previous forty years. I don’t understand it but I believe that it will work. I can’t defend it in an argument, and my hopes aren’t too high for this year (8-4), but I thoroughly believe.

“Don’t be surprised how da crown fit ‘em”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Ace:

I've been through it all,
the fails, the falls.
I'm like Niagara
but I got right back up like Viagra.
I am agriculture.
Swagger so mean, it might insult you.
Ha, I'm like an ultra vulture.
I fuck around and catapult ya.
Torch ya, thought ya parents taught ya.
You guys is chocha, I'm gone. Buenos Noches.
Flow, scorch ya. And I don't even write.
No, author. So, harder. So, smarter.
All about a dollar, like 4, quarters.
Oh, father. Will tonight be my last?
And if so, make sure my kids see my cash,
and I know, I'm solid like an elbow cast.
And my future will be better than my past.
-Lil' Wayne, "Love Me or Hate Me"

"I've been through it all,
the fails, the falls"

This works on two levels. First, as Michigan fans, we've been through it all (I know, we could have it way worse, but still). 2005...losing Bo and the Ohio State game back-to-back days in 2006...The Horror and Oregon...Les Miles to Michigan...the list goes on. Also, Rich Rodriguez has been through it all. He started coaching a terrible Glenville State team in 1990, when they finished 1-7-1, but he turned them into a NAIA powerhouse. His exit from West Virginia could only be described as tumultuous, as he received death threats from his own home state and had to go through a huge buyout fiasco while settling in at Michigan. At Michigan, we are familiar with fails and falls.

"I'm like Niagara,
but I got right back up like Viagra"

Last season, Michigan suffered horrific defeats against Appalachian State and Oregon (we'll politely call that a "Niagara" fall), but bounced right back and won 9 of their last 11 games, capped off by an upset victory against Florida. This season, Michigan looks to bounce back from the loss of their head coach (although this could be seen as a net gain) as well as eight offensive starters.

"I am agriculture"

Um, what? Let's move on.

"Swagger so mean, it might insult you.
Ha, I'm like an ultra vulture."

Despite the lack of media love, as well as the lowered expectations of their fan base, this team comes into the season with a swagger that was absent from recent Michigan teams. This team believes they're faster and stronger than anyone else, and have a chip on their shoulder that comes from being a Michigan team that SI believes will finish with a losing record.

"I fuck around and catapult ya.
Torch ya, thought ya parents taught ya.
You guys is chocha, I'm gone. Buenos Noches."

This team will be faaaaaaaast. Maybe not at the quarterback position (sorry Steven Threet), but everywhere else, speed is at a premium. Our defensive backfield features a guy who ran down Percy Harvin from behind (Morgan Trent), and our offense will showcase the speed of guys like Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, Darryl Stonum, Sam McGuffie, Terrence Robinson, Michael Shaw, and others. While the offense may not be as prolific as it will be with an experienced quarterback and offensive line, there will be plays this season where defenses are left a little crispy.

"Flow, scorch ya. And I don't even write.
No, author. So, harder. So, smarter.
All about a dollar, like 4, quarters."

I find Lil' Wayne recording his songs without written lyrics quite comparable to Michigan running its offense often without the use of a huddle. It's a lot more impromptu, there's a decent chance you just screw yourself up, but it can also create tremendous results (remember, Biggie didn't write anything down either). When the offense clicks, consider us smarter and harder than our opponents. As for the dollar line, reference the picture of the great state of West Virginia somewhere above this post.

"Oh, father. Will tonight be my last?
And if so, make sure my kids see my cash,
and I know, I'm solid like an elbow cast.
And my future will be better than my past."

Lloyd's last night was essentially December 31st, 2007. After beating Florida the next day, and announcing his retirement, he opened up a new era in Michigan football history. He was a solid coach, no doubt about it, but I expect the future to be better than the past. RichRod will bring that cash to Lloyd's kids, with Big Ten titles, BCS bids, and an offense more exciting than anything Ann Arbor has ever seen. This season may be a rough one, but Michigan will be back where it should be, atop the Big Ten, when the dust settles.

Red Wings NHL 09 Ratings

While many of you out there are still celebrating the recent Maddenoliday (myself included), new information is coming out on EA Sports' latest in their NHL series, which is arguably the best sports video game on the market. Unfortunately, most of my friends and co-writers completely ignore the remarkable beauty and skill of hockey, and therefore will miss out on this year's iteration of the 2007 Sports Game of the Year.

IGN just got their hands on the player ratings for this year. Here's the full list of teams, as well as a glossary so you know what the hell the ratings mean. This link will take you to the ratings for the Red Wings players. Although EA is still tweaking their system, and therefore doesn't provide overall rankings, we can take a look at the specific ratings that make up each player. Some jump out:

• Nick Lidstrom, deservedly, is an absolute animal. He's got a 96 rating for offensive awareness, passing, puck control, and defensive awareness. Norris, indeed.
• Pavel Datsyuk has a 98 deke rating and 95 puck control. Enjoy making the defense look silly.
• Datsyuk is better across the board (albeit barely) in almost every category than Henrik Zetterberg. While I don't necessarily disagree, I'm somewhat surprised.
• Tomas Holmstrom has a 97 deflection rating. That sounds about right, and I'm sure Western Conference goalies would agree (begrudgingly, if I had to guess). He also has 96 balance, which is useful for not toppling over when defensemen and goalies tomahawk chop you in the calves all game.
  
• Darren McCarty has a miserable 53 offensive awareness rating, a full 17 points below anyone else on the roster. What the hell?
• Chris Osgood has around 80-84 abilities almost completely across the board. His best rating? Poise, at 90. Those of you who remember him giving up three center-ice goals in the 1998 playoffs would never have seen that coming ten years ago.

If you're a video game fan, I highly recommend you check out the details of NHL 09. They've got some groundbreaking stuff going (including 6-0n-6 online games, where everyone is locked on to one player on the ice), and since EA doesn't have the exclusive rights to the NHL (2K Sports has also put out quality NHL games in recent years) they usually step up and put out a great game every year.

The game drops September 9th, and no, EA did not pay me to write this.

The Wolverine Needs a Better Marketing Team

I got an email from The Wolverine (Michigan's Rivals site) asking if I wanted to upgrade my subscription from monthly to yearly. Since I'm a college student who rarely has an extra $100 laying around, I almost immediately went for the delete button. Then I noticed their promotion:

Notice anything strange? Remember, this is going out almost exclusively to die hard Michigan fans. What genius decided that the Sports Illustrated promo picture should show the cover featuring the Appalachian State game? I still feel sick to my stomach every time I hear anyone mention that game, let alone see a picture from it.

Well done, Rivals. Enjoy my continued monthly subscription.

Tigers Sign Freddy Garcia

From the Detroit Tiger Weblog, via SI's Jon Heyman, comes the news that the Tigers have signed pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor-league contract. This is a great move for the Tigers, since it carries almost no risk, while opening up the possibility of Garcia moving into the back of the rotation.

As recently as 2006, Garcia was a solid starter, going 17-9 with a 4.53 ERA with the Chicago White Sox. Last season, he suffered a torn labrum while pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, and hasn't pitched in a major league game since. Garcia is only 33, and if he can regain his White Sox form, the Tigers will have gone a long way towards filling the holes in its rotation.

Where You At?: Chris Howard Edition

The Where You At? series returns with a new, cat-free logo. Today's edition takes a look at the post-Michigan career of running back Chris Howard.

It seems somewhat ironic that in an era of superstar Michigan running backs (Wheatley, Biakabutuka, Thomas, Perry, Hart) the running back who started for the 1997 National Champs was relatively unspectacular. Since 1990, there have been only five seasons in which Michigan did not produce a 1000-yard rusher. Two of those seasons came when Chris Howard was in his junior and senior campaigns, and in 1997 (his senior year) he was the feature back in Michigan's offense.

I am not claiming that Howard was a poor back. Far from it, in fact. However, almost every feature back before and after him was a first-day NFL Draft Pick (and the one that wasn't, Mike Hart, is Michigan's all-time leading rusher). Because of this, Howard is the forgotten back of the Lloyd Carr era, despite anchoring the ground game for the 1997 champs.

Howard came to Michigan from the Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis Christian High School, which has produced 13 NFL players. Buried on the depth chart behind Tyrone Wheatley and Tim Biakabutuka, Howard saw little action in his first two seasons. After Biakabutuka left early for the NFL in 1995, Howard and sophomore Clarence Williams split the running back duties in 1996. Although he only started two games, Howard amassed 725 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground, and ran for over 100 yards in five of his ten games.

The forgotten Wolverine running back goes off tackle against Ohio State in 1997.

Howard beat out Williams for the starting running back spot in 1997, although he was still pushed for carries by Williams and true freshman Anthony Thomas. Howard rose to the challenge, tallying four more 100-yard games en route to rushing for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. Against Penn State, in the biggest game of his career to that point, Howard 120 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against the then-#3 team in the country. Michigan crushed the Nittany Lions, 34-8, in a game that would vault them to #1 spot in the polls. The rest, as they say, is history.

After winning North team MVP honors in the 1998 Hula Bowl (116 yards on 14 carries), Howard was taken in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. His career in the Mile-High City didn't last long, however, as Howard was released after fumbling five times in two preseason games. The Jaguars picked up Howard two weeks into the 1998 season after James Stewart went down with a torn ACL, and Coach Tom Coughlin looked to fix Howard's fumbling issues:

''It was carelessness,'' Coughlin said of Howard's fumbles. ''Basically, we'll start from scratch with him fundamentally here.''

Unfortunately, Howard was stuck deep in the Jaguars depth chart. In three seasons, he only carried the ball 41 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. He never got a start until his third season in Jacksonville. That year, Howard appeared in the first two games, fumbled twice, and never saw NFL action again.

Tuck it, Chris, TUCK IT!

Although his NFL career was brief, Howard took full advantage of his time in the league. At a 1999 party in Jacksonville, he met actress Gabrielle Union, who you may know from being in such movies as "10 Things I Hate About You", "Love and Basketball", "The Others", and, um, others. You may also know her from being very, very attractive. Howard and Union married in 2001, a major coup for a guy who only spent three years in the NFL.

Chris Howard, clearly still stunned at how damn lucky he is.

Unfortunately, Howard and Union divorced in 2005, which led to this quote from a People Magazine article:

Last June, while promoting her role in The Honeymooners, Union lightheartedly expressed some complaints about her husband, saying: "He never hangs his clothes up. I'm the kind of person whose clothes are all hung up and color-coordinated, to the point where my whites don't touch my creams. And he thinks that he can just stick things in the dishwasher – apparently the dishwasher is magic. Oh, and he leaves the toilet seat up. I guess all the things you have to get used to about living with a guy."

Wait, you can't just stick things in the dishwasher? Sometimes I cram my head in there and put it on the "Pots and Pans" setting before hitting the town. Works like a charm.

Since the divorce, Howard has gone underground (at least by Google search standards). Still, from what I've read, the guy is living a pretty charmed life. Four years at Michigan, a National Title, three seasons in the NFL, and four years of Gabrielle Union. Not a bad decade by anyone's standards.

Chris Howard (Wikipedia)
Statistics Archive (MGoBlue)
Jaguars: Stewart goes on IR; Howard takes his spot (Jacksonville.com)
Chris Howard Statistics (Pro-Football-Reference.com)
Gabrielle Union, Husband Split (People)
Gabrielle Union (imdb.com)

Tayshaun Watch, Game 2

Tayshaun played quite a bit more against the weaker Angola squad, registering seven points, one rebound and one steal. True to form, he played a mistake-free, if unremarkable game.

As for the game itself: it's hard to take too much from the outcome, although a bigger win would have been more assuring against the undersized Angolans. This is the one game in the tournament Team USA had no chance of losing and they played accordingly. No blame there. A few points:

-Perhaps this is too long of a topic to address in bullet points, but this tournament is giving the first glimpse of the player LeBron James could have been if he had gone to, and developed under, a good team with a strong supporting cast. He's been a wrecking ball on offense, defense and transition. He plays off the ball beautifully, is a force in the passing lanes and does a hundred other little things that he can't do for Cleveland, because in Cleveland he has to play 42 minutes and score 30 points for the team to win. In this tournament he looks like he could have been a 22 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 2.5 blocks, 2.5 steals kind of stat-stuffer, a Magic Johnson meets Lawrence Taylor that the NBA has never seen. Instead, it'll probably never happen. Sad. He's still a once-in-a-generation type player, but Olympic LeBron is more fun to watch than the one we see in the Eastern Conference. So far, he's been the best player in the tournament by a lot.

-The team shot 5/21 from three. It wouldn't be surprising to see the numbers bounce back up, regression to the mean and all that, but this is pretty disappointing.

-Kobe was 0/8 from three. The best player in the world was a wreck on offense for the second straight game. Obviously, one has to expect his numbers to bounce back, but between his poor shooting and the occasional unadvised charge into a crowded lane, he's been a real weak spot for Team USA (how unlikely would that sentence have seemed last week?)

Next up is Greece. They haven't played very well recently, but they are the first legit international team that USA will play in official Olympic competition. Expect a solid American victory but don't be stunned by a tight game. If Greece can keep it close, it will be because they outrebound and outshoot the Americans, and keep the gap in transition points somewhat reasonable.

--Sam Weiss

Team USA Live Blog

Okay guys so sorry I had a little trouble getting up this morning and wouldn't have if I was not watching this with my buddy Jon who woke me up.  

Yes, I am ashamed.  The problem could be partly due to falling asleep at 5am.  Don't ask.

Anyway, let's get started.  There is now 4:30 left in the second quarter.

4:30-LeBron just blocked some Angola big man so savagely I am thinking of creating another new stat: Career-Ending Blocks.

 

3:24-Ok, it's 42-32 and I'm a little embarrassed.  It's Angola, guys.

1:23-In successive possessions LeBron just dunked, ran someone over for an and 1, made a great over-the head pass to Chris Bosh for a dunk, and then dunked off a great pass from Chris Paul.  I think I'm in love.  

Halftime-the lead has ballooned to 18 and we're doing the job, finally.  Granted, I only started watching about 7 minutes ago because I'm a lazy fuck, and it took me a little while to find my groove.  LeBron James is 5-5.  Will he miss?  Who knows?

Later in halftime- Spain just won their game against China in overtime.  These guys are supposed to be serious challengers?  Come on.

Later in halftime-Now for some reason we're talking about architecture during the halftime show.  This is kind of lame.  I'm watching a basketball game, not uh...an architecture...show.  So there.

Later in halftime-Debra Messing has a new show on USA.  My opinion: not attractive at all.  I can't be the only one here. 

Okay second half has started.  Let's get it.

8:44-Kobe has just missed two 3's in a row and is now 1-13 from 3 in international play.  What's the deal?  The international 3 can't be that distracting.  If he doesn't pick up his game, we're in trouble.  And, LeBron sucks at free throws.  We're 9-17 from the line, by the way.  Ugh.

7:03-Career-Ending Dunk number 1 for Dwight off an inbound pass from Jason Kidd.  The man really is Superman.  Love it.

6:00-360 jam by Kobe after a crappy bank shot the last time down.  Hopefully this gets him going finally--oh, never mind, he just missed again.

5:01-By the way, we aren't playing any defense.  Especially not Dwayne Wade.  Coach K cannot be happy. 

4:35-The commentator just called Deron Williams Deron Wilkins.  Kill me now.

3:25-We hit an open 3!  Yes!  Yessss!

3:07- During a timeout, Craig Sager desperately tried to dress as flashy as possible in his NBC-mandated polo.  Orange?  Really?

1:48-Good ball movement by Angola to get an open 3.  I kind of feel bad for them, they're really trying, but their center is 6'5".  It's just the talent level.  That, and our defense is absolutely smothering.  We play the best defense out of anyone in the tournament, hands-down.  

0:16-Doug Collins is desperately trying to rationalize why Tay is on the team.  Now he's talking about his character.  I'll let Sam handle this. 

End of the third quarter-we're still up by almost 20.  I have a feeling the deficit won't get any more or less than where it is right now. 

8:26-Chris Bosh just pulled the chair on this dude who tried to post him up.  My opinion: one of the most underrated defensive tactics in basketball.  If a guy is bodying you up hard, just pull the chair on their ass.  Incidentally, one of the premier chair-pulling artists: our own Rick Mahorn.

6:25-Number 6 on Angola just blew by Deron Williams for a slam.  This dude can officially fly.  He's actually been pretty fun to watch.  

5:21-Official Candace Parker sighting.  She's doing an interview with Craig Sager, the official King of All Questions Lame.  I hope she busts out a dunk on some lady.  I feel like women's ball is in the same spot men's was 10 years ago.  By the way: Candace parker?  I think she's pretty attractive.  Call me crazy. 

2:51-We're officially coasting.  Carlos Boozer just fumbled a pass from Deron Williams on a pick-and-roll.  Isn't that kind of his thing?  Oh, well.

1:53-Is Mike Breen the commentator?  I know Doug Collins is the analyst, but I think Breeny is the other guy.  Summation of his performance: sub-par.  Maybe next game.

0:35-Doug makes a good point about how point differential should not be considered for the tiebreaker.  It encourages running up the score.  It's ridiculous, and he was saying after 20 points, the point differential shouldn't matter, and he's completely right.  Find another tiebreaker.  Yet another rule that makes me think FIBA is made up of retarded 5-year-olds.

End of the Game-Overall, a decent performance from Angola, and a kind of embarrassing one from the U.S.  We really did not try at all.  We knew we were going to win, but come on.  I'll let Sam handle the analysis.  Craig Sager is interviewing Dwayne Wade.  I'm going back to bed.  thanks for tuning in, if there were any of you. 

Early RichRod: 1996 Glenville State Highlights

Ever wondered what Rich Rodriguez's offense looked like when it wasn't run by Pat White? If you're a Michigan fan, you probably have, since probable starter Steven Threet resembles Pat White about as much as he does a steaming plate of pan-fried noodles (sorry, I haven't had lunch yet). Here's one in a series of videos from RichRod's Glenville State teams, which he led to three straight West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (1994-1996). Note the lack of Pat White, and the prevalence of long downfield passes. I'm not (at all) saying this is what Michigan will look like this year, but I'm hoping to shut up all the people that say Rodriguez can't win without a running quarterback.

If you actually stuck it out through all of that, I'm impressed. If you didn't, you missed Rodriguez revealing their championship "banner" (all it says is "96") in their locker room. Cue Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up".

Questions for a Red Wings Legend

Thanks to a family connection, I will be interviewing Red Wings Hall-of-Famer Alex Delvecchio next Monday. I have come up with a list of questions to ask him, but I also wanted to see if any of my readers (all 15 of you) had anything they wanted me to ask. Please leave any suggestions in the comments, and I will do my best to include your questions in my interview. I'll post up the audio of the interview Monday, and hopefully by the middle of the week I'll have the good stuff (if not the whole thing) transcribed.

If you want a little background on Alex Delvecchio, check out:
Detroit Red Wings Bio
Legends of Hockey Bio
Wikipedia Entry
Career Stats

Bullet Points Are Handy: Tom Brady is Surprisingly Grounded

Photo from Esquire, via The Sports Point

Today's links include Tom Brady talking about God and football (not in the way you think), Jason Maxiell still burning up the Floor Burn Tournament, and more.

• The Sports Point has the highlights from Tom Brady's article in Esquire. They are surprisingly awesome:
• "Look at the attention I get: It's because I throw a football. But that's what society values. That's not what God values. God could give a shit, as far as I'm concerned. He didn't invent the game. We did. I have some eye-hand coordination, and I can throw the ball. I don't think that matters to God."
• "What the hell you gonna do about it? Sit there and bitch and complain and ruin the next two months of your life because something didn't go right for you? Or do you say, you know, Fuck it, let's learn from it, let's accept it, understand that it didn't happen and move on?"
• (Ed. Yes, Tom Brady just cemented his place in the pantheon of my favorite athletes. It's a personal pet peeve of mine when players always thank God for their performance in a game. Brady clearly feels the same way, and isn't afraid to take some heat for saying some inflammatory shit. Fuck. Bitch. TOM BRADY!)
• Jason Maxiell continues to dominate Hoops Addict's Floor Burn Tournament. Mad Max is currently leading his second round matchup with Indiana's Jeff Foster by a count of 151-10. Get out there and vote!
• DBB's Matt Watson wrote a piece on former Pistons' first-round pick Rodney White for AOL's Fanhouse. Not surprisingly, the article was part of their countdown of the biggest draft busts of the 2000's. White clocks in at #3, after being drafted ninth overall in 2001 ahead of Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Gilbert Arenas, Tony Parker, and several other players who panned out much, much better. Yikes.
• Dave at Gorilla Crouch has put together a breakdown of the Red Wings minor league prospects, and which players have the best shot of contributing in the near future.
• Gary Sheffield said some things to the Boston Globe. Gary Sheffield does this kind of stuff all the time.
  
• Not Detroit-related, but I saw this headline on SI, and couldn't help but think of this. My mind remains firmly in the gutter.
• Varsity Blue gives us the Barwis for President campaign commercial. Its beauty brought a single, solitary tear to drop from my eye. The movement grows...