It must be an early birthday present for BAP. My internet explorer "stumbled" onto the The Onion's website this morning and found four...count 'em, four...hockey related items. I do not know if you have ever heard of or read The Onion, so I will give you a heads up: this is a satiric newspaper. I love reading The Onion and four out of five dentists recommend The Onion for a happy, healthy smile.
Because I strive to make things easier for my fans, below are links to the hockey related features (Who loves you baby? That's right, BAP loves you.):
(1) Déjà vu, not just a crappy movie starring Denzel Washington;
(2) "I'm Ron Burgundy?";
(3) Casey Conway is so 80's hot; and
(4) Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island, discuss.
Enjoy!
[Update: Oops...it appears I missed a fifth NHL-related feature; one that my Brother-in-Law would enjoy.]
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Man, The Myth, The Legend...The Return
I know what you are probably saying to yourself right now: "Wow, two blogs in two days? How did I get so lucky?" Well my friends, fortunately for you, yesterday was a good day to be the former head coach of a Los Angeles area sports team. So, as an avid reader of GameTime, TBD©, I recommend that you send a heart felt thank you to the Green Wave of Tulane University and the NHL's St. Louis Blues.
While I was driving home from work yesterday (listening 710 ESPN as I always do), I was informed of this glorious announcement out of New Orleans, Louisiana. I could not decide if it was fact or fiction; I could not help but laugh a little. Now, I am not trying to downplay any of the great accomplishments Bob Toledo had at UCLA. He led the Bruins to twenty straight victories from 1997 to 1998, two Pac-10 titles (1997 and 1998), and one Rose Bowl (1998, Washington St. was co-champion in 1997 and played in the Rose Bowl as a result of having beaten the Bruins in the season opener). You have to admire a coach who's goal is to win the NCAA championship every year. I know there are a lot of coaches who are content with just getting a bowl invite.
But here is the thing with Bobby T (I don't think anyone has probably ever called him Bobby T...but it does just kinda roll of the tongue), because he coaches to win titles, the season ends with one loss. I am sure anyone who lived in Westwood from 1996 to 2002 will tell you, once the Bruins lost their first game of the season, it was a crap shoot the rest of the way. One loss, and the season was bound to end with several uninspired losses to lesser opponents; teams that the Bruins should have demolished. Take the 2000 team as an example: the Bruins won their first three games, including wins over 3rd-ranked Alabama in week 1 and 3rd-ranked Michigan in week 3. After a week 4 loss to Oregon (when the Bruins, ironically enough, were the 3rd-ranked team in the nation), the team ended 6-6 with a loss to Wisconsin in the Sun Bowl...the SUN BOWL. So here is my point: Tulane, like the rest of New Orleans, is rebuilding; and though I have a lot of respect for Bob Toledo as a coach, I am not sure he is the best coach to rebuild an organization. He is more of a coach that can help take the team to the next level.
But enough talk about Bob Toledo. He, my dear readers, is but an appetizer to the main course of this post. I have told you from the beginning it would happen. I warned you this day would come. And thanks to one of my least favorite (yet surprisingly bright) organizations in the NHL, that day is today.
Late last night, while getting my daily dose of SportsCenter, my attention was drawn to a notice that scrolled by on the sports ticker. A quick Google search confirmed the joyous news. Andy Murray has returned to NHL!
True to my word, I am now a fan of the St. Louis Blues; except, of course, when they play the Kings (like, say, on January 18, 2007 when AM makes his triumphant return to the Staples Center...right Dad?). I must admit, it is an unexpected jump by St. Louis all the way up to my second favorite hockey team. A quick perusal of the St. Louis Blues website reveals that it might be a few years before the Blues and the Kings square off in the Western Conference finals. The Blues are currently dead last in the NHL at 7-17-4, good for 18 points. They have scored the fewest goals (65), rank dead last in powerplay efficiency (10.9%), and have the second worst home record in the entire league (4-9-2).
Take a closer look at the their roster, however, and you will see that AM has some talent to work with. The Blues have a decent mixture of good veterans and talented young guns. Unfortunately though, AM is also taking over a team with a bad run of injuries as of late. Many of the Blues' key offseason acquisitions have missed much of the season (which, I'm sad to say, is nothing new to AM...the Kings only had there star players for about 20 games a season while he was coach). However, if there is one thing AM knows how to do, it is to get the most out of the hand he is dealt. When the Kings had a healthy Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, and Ziggy Palffy, they had one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL (during the 2001-2002 season, the "LAPD" line was the highest scoring line in the league from November 15th until the end of the season). The next season, with Allison and Deadmarsh playing in a combined twenty-six games, AM and the Kings barely missed the playoffs. In his final two full seasons with the Kings, AM never had a full roster (the Kings lost a combined 1165 man games to injury over those two seasons...no, that's not a typo...over eleven hundred man games in two seasons); yet the Kings were never eliminated from playoff contention until very late in the season.
It should come as no surprise that the reason the Kings were so close every year, even when things got bad, was because of AM. He does not accept excuses. He demands accountability, in both the offensive and defensive zones, out of every player on the team. He is not afraid to bench the best player on the team for a game if he is not playing to his potential. He is not afraid to make his players write essays either. Long story short, AM does not bow down to the multi-million dollar babies that many professional athletes have become. Work hard or do not play; it is that simple when it comes to AM.
Do not believe me? Prior to their first practice with their new head coach this morning, each St. Louis Blues player received a mission statement detailing AM's belief system. The following categories were listed on the cover: setting an example, listening, paying attention to detail, being demanding, caring and finding the positive. Instead of the usual light morning skate that most players are used to on game day, AM had the Blues sweating for forty-five minutes.
Welcome back Andy! Here's hoping our next plane flight together is under different circumstances.
While I was driving home from work yesterday (listening 710 ESPN as I always do), I was informed of this glorious announcement out of New Orleans, Louisiana. I could not decide if it was fact or fiction; I could not help but laugh a little. Now, I am not trying to downplay any of the great accomplishments Bob Toledo had at UCLA. He led the Bruins to twenty straight victories from 1997 to 1998, two Pac-10 titles (1997 and 1998), and one Rose Bowl (1998, Washington St. was co-champion in 1997 and played in the Rose Bowl as a result of having beaten the Bruins in the season opener). You have to admire a coach who's goal is to win the NCAA championship every year. I know there are a lot of coaches who are content with just getting a bowl invite.
But here is the thing with Bobby T (I don't think anyone has probably ever called him Bobby T...but it does just kinda roll of the tongue), because he coaches to win titles, the season ends with one loss. I am sure anyone who lived in Westwood from 1996 to 2002 will tell you, once the Bruins lost their first game of the season, it was a crap shoot the rest of the way. One loss, and the season was bound to end with several uninspired losses to lesser opponents; teams that the Bruins should have demolished. Take the 2000 team as an example: the Bruins won their first three games, including wins over 3rd-ranked Alabama in week 1 and 3rd-ranked Michigan in week 3. After a week 4 loss to Oregon (when the Bruins, ironically enough, were the 3rd-ranked team in the nation), the team ended 6-6 with a loss to Wisconsin in the Sun Bowl...the SUN BOWL. So here is my point: Tulane, like the rest of New Orleans, is rebuilding; and though I have a lot of respect for Bob Toledo as a coach, I am not sure he is the best coach to rebuild an organization. He is more of a coach that can help take the team to the next level.
But enough talk about Bob Toledo. He, my dear readers, is but an appetizer to the main course of this post. I have told you from the beginning it would happen. I warned you this day would come. And thanks to one of my least favorite (yet surprisingly bright) organizations in the NHL, that day is today.
Late last night, while getting my daily dose of SportsCenter, my attention was drawn to a notice that scrolled by on the sports ticker. A quick Google search confirmed the joyous news. Andy Murray has returned to NHL!
True to my word, I am now a fan of the St. Louis Blues; except, of course, when they play the Kings (like, say, on January 18, 2007 when AM makes his triumphant return to the Staples Center...right Dad?). I must admit, it is an unexpected jump by St. Louis all the way up to my second favorite hockey team. A quick perusal of the St. Louis Blues website reveals that it might be a few years before the Blues and the Kings square off in the Western Conference finals. The Blues are currently dead last in the NHL at 7-17-4, good for 18 points. They have scored the fewest goals (65), rank dead last in powerplay efficiency (10.9%), and have the second worst home record in the entire league (4-9-2).
Take a closer look at the their roster, however, and you will see that AM has some talent to work with. The Blues have a decent mixture of good veterans and talented young guns. Unfortunately though, AM is also taking over a team with a bad run of injuries as of late. Many of the Blues' key offseason acquisitions have missed much of the season (which, I'm sad to say, is nothing new to AM...the Kings only had there star players for about 20 games a season while he was coach). However, if there is one thing AM knows how to do, it is to get the most out of the hand he is dealt. When the Kings had a healthy Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, and Ziggy Palffy, they had one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL (during the 2001-2002 season, the "LAPD" line was the highest scoring line in the league from November 15th until the end of the season). The next season, with Allison and Deadmarsh playing in a combined twenty-six games, AM and the Kings barely missed the playoffs. In his final two full seasons with the Kings, AM never had a full roster (the Kings lost a combined 1165 man games to injury over those two seasons...no, that's not a typo...over eleven hundred man games in two seasons); yet the Kings were never eliminated from playoff contention until very late in the season.
It should come as no surprise that the reason the Kings were so close every year, even when things got bad, was because of AM. He does not accept excuses. He demands accountability, in both the offensive and defensive zones, out of every player on the team. He is not afraid to bench the best player on the team for a game if he is not playing to his potential. He is not afraid to make his players write essays either. Long story short, AM does not bow down to the multi-million dollar babies that many professional athletes have become. Work hard or do not play; it is that simple when it comes to AM.
Do not believe me? Prior to their first practice with their new head coach this morning, each St. Louis Blues player received a mission statement detailing AM's belief system. The following categories were listed on the cover: setting an example, listening, paying attention to detail, being demanding, caring and finding the positive. Instead of the usual light morning skate that most players are used to on game day, AM had the Blues sweating for forty-five minutes.
Welcome back Andy! Here's hoping our next plane flight together is under different circumstances.
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Real World: BAP
Where does the time go? I apologize to my loyal readers whom, again, have been forced to wait nearly three weeks for a new post. There are so many topics that I have been dying to tackle, but my time has grown rather scarce as of late. I hope to produce several new posts over the next couple of weeks, especially with my whole family coming to town for the holidays. Wish me luck!
I have entered a new phase in my life, and it only took me about twenty-six years to get here. It is something I lovingly refer to as the real world. I was chastised by several of my biggest fans for not letting everyone know in my Turkey Day Traditions post that I passed the July 2006 California Bar exam (along with 51.8% of the other takers). The great state of California decided to throw caution to the wind and grant BAP a license to practice law. Having been duly sworn in on December 1st, I am a practicing attorney...good times.
All this excitement (and student loans) brings with it a new challenge: a job...we are talking salary, benefits, the whole nine yards. It is the first real job I have had. I used to think the summer internships at my Dad's work counted as real jobs; not anymore. I am starting to realize I may have been treated a little differently back then because I was related to guy in the corner office with a view (to his credit, my Dad never wanted that office...he always tried to downplay just how important he was to the company). Even worse, my life is now broken down into six minute increments; oh the joys of billable hours. Trying to balance work and life is proving to be a little more demanding than I thought it would (take Christmas for example, it's only two weeks away...TWO WEEKS...I've never felt so unprepared for Christmas before. I have a new found respect for my Sister who has always coordinated gifts for the family. How does she do it?). I have so much to learn, for my sake...and that of my readers.
Speaking of the real world, on the recommendation of one of my friends at work, I caught the first two episodes of The Real World: Denver, MTv's newest season of the show largely credited with the reality television boom (and now I hear that NBC,the lone station that has, for the most part, avoided the reality craze is going to focus its 2007-2008 line-up around reality based programming...oh, the humanity!). I am sure you know how the show works: seven strangers, picked to live in a totally pimped-out house ('cause that really happens), lives taped, blah, blah blah. I remember the third season of the show, The Real World: San Francisco. That season tackled some major issues, most notably HIV/AIDS and homosexuality. That season brought those two issues to forefront of our current cultural revolution. That season made it seem like the show actually contributed something.
Fast-forward fifteen years; what is the current season contributing you ask? Well, the first two episodes encompassed the first thirty-six hours of the housemates living together. The episodes mainly focused on only three of the seven people, a guy and two girls. In the span of thirty-six hours, the guy made out with one of the girls and slept with the other. This of course resulted in the two girls sharing a "heartfelt" and tearful conversation in which the girl who made out with guy told the other girl she felt so betrayed, and the girl who slept with the guy apologized to the other girl, felt so bad that she would do something to such a great friend, it was clearly the alcohol, would never want a guy to come between them, and then she (the one who doesn't know how to keep her pants on) told the confessional room that she felt so bad because she knew the other girl was going to be in her wedding party...HER WEDDING PARTY! And this is the "real world?" Unbelievable. (You know, when I was younger, I had to sneak around to watch MTV and my Mom would get mad at me when she caught me watching it. She used to say it was bad for my mind...and now, 10 years later, I'm a lawyer...maybe she was on to something.)
And, finally, since you are still here (hopefully), I would like to take the opportunity to welcome USC fans to the real world. No, no, I am not talking about the Gamecocks of the University of South Carolina. I am talking about the Trojans of...of...Southern Cali...ah, I cannot even finish saying it. Two, soon to be three, losses, better put the suicide hotline on red alert. The bandwagon loaded full of Raider fans ran into a little speed bump I like to the call the UCLA Bruins.
It was, by far, one of the best games I have ever seen; either live or on television. For starters, my Brother-in-Law (whom, over the past two years, has steadily climbed my list of favorite people in the world) provided me with some seats in the fifth row at about the thirty yard line (if you watched the game, and I'd be shocked if you didn't, I was about five rows up from were UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan got leveled in the fourth quarter). I have never heard the Rose Bowl rocking like it was. I was so amped that I did not even care when, with four minutes left in the game, I was stung by a bee. If you do not think this is the greatest conference/cross-town rivalry, find someone who has the game recorded and go to six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. I have never seen anything like it.
As a result of this game, I am pretty sure my Sister is going to lose the company of my Brother-in-Law for a guaranteed one night every year from here on out (remember Sis, "until death do us part"...I was there, I heard you say it...oral contracts are valid in the state of California...I should know, I'm a lawyer). In an effort to bring some good juju, my Brother-in-Law camped out the night before to get a prime tailgating spot. The last time he did so, it should come as no surprise, was the last time the Bruins beat the kiddies of Troy. I will definitely be there with him next time. When we finally met up with him at about 8 a.m., our group was entrenched in a music war with a group of SC band alumni who, every half-an-hour, played and danced...oh yes danced...to Trojan songs.
I also have to give props to the tailgate diagonally across from us who brought their own porta-potty to their tailgate...and I thought I had seen it all. Have to go to bathroom? No worries! Just hop in the porta-potty in the bed of my pick-up truck.
Hey, the real world might not be so bad after all.
I have entered a new phase in my life, and it only took me about twenty-six years to get here. It is something I lovingly refer to as the real world. I was chastised by several of my biggest fans for not letting everyone know in my Turkey Day Traditions post that I passed the July 2006 California Bar exam (along with 51.8% of the other takers). The great state of California decided to throw caution to the wind and grant BAP a license to practice law. Having been duly sworn in on December 1st, I am a practicing attorney...good times.
All this excitement (and student loans) brings with it a new challenge: a job...we are talking salary, benefits, the whole nine yards. It is the first real job I have had. I used to think the summer internships at my Dad's work counted as real jobs; not anymore. I am starting to realize I may have been treated a little differently back then because I was related to guy in the corner office with a view (to his credit, my Dad never wanted that office...he always tried to downplay just how important he was to the company). Even worse, my life is now broken down into six minute increments; oh the joys of billable hours. Trying to balance work and life is proving to be a little more demanding than I thought it would (take Christmas for example, it's only two weeks away...TWO WEEKS...I've never felt so unprepared for Christmas before. I have a new found respect for my Sister who has always coordinated gifts for the family. How does she do it?). I have so much to learn, for my sake...and that of my readers.
Speaking of the real world, on the recommendation of one of my friends at work, I caught the first two episodes of The Real World: Denver, MTv's newest season of the show largely credited with the reality television boom (and now I hear that NBC,the lone station that has, for the most part, avoided the reality craze is going to focus its 2007-2008 line-up around reality based programming...oh, the humanity!). I am sure you know how the show works: seven strangers, picked to live in a totally pimped-out house ('cause that really happens), lives taped, blah, blah blah. I remember the third season of the show, The Real World: San Francisco. That season tackled some major issues, most notably HIV/AIDS and homosexuality. That season brought those two issues to forefront of our current cultural revolution. That season made it seem like the show actually contributed something.
Fast-forward fifteen years; what is the current season contributing you ask? Well, the first two episodes encompassed the first thirty-six hours of the housemates living together. The episodes mainly focused on only three of the seven people, a guy and two girls. In the span of thirty-six hours, the guy made out with one of the girls and slept with the other. This of course resulted in the two girls sharing a "heartfelt" and tearful conversation in which the girl who made out with guy told the other girl she felt so betrayed, and the girl who slept with the guy apologized to the other girl, felt so bad that she would do something to such a great friend, it was clearly the alcohol, would never want a guy to come between them, and then she (the one who doesn't know how to keep her pants on) told the confessional room that she felt so bad because she knew the other girl was going to be in her wedding party...HER WEDDING PARTY! And this is the "real world?" Unbelievable. (You know, when I was younger, I had to sneak around to watch MTV and my Mom would get mad at me when she caught me watching it. She used to say it was bad for my mind...and now, 10 years later, I'm a lawyer...maybe she was on to something.)
And, finally, since you are still here (hopefully), I would like to take the opportunity to welcome USC fans to the real world. No, no, I am not talking about the Gamecocks of the University of South Carolina. I am talking about the Trojans of...of...Southern Cali...ah, I cannot even finish saying it. Two, soon to be three, losses, better put the suicide hotline on red alert. The bandwagon loaded full of Raider fans ran into a little speed bump I like to the call the UCLA Bruins.
It was, by far, one of the best games I have ever seen; either live or on television. For starters, my Brother-in-Law (whom, over the past two years, has steadily climbed my list of favorite people in the world) provided me with some seats in the fifth row at about the thirty yard line (if you watched the game, and I'd be shocked if you didn't, I was about five rows up from were UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan got leveled in the fourth quarter). I have never heard the Rose Bowl rocking like it was. I was so amped that I did not even care when, with four minutes left in the game, I was stung by a bee. If you do not think this is the greatest conference/cross-town rivalry, find someone who has the game recorded and go to six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. I have never seen anything like it.
As a result of this game, I am pretty sure my Sister is going to lose the company of my Brother-in-Law for a guaranteed one night every year from here on out (remember Sis, "until death do us part"...I was there, I heard you say it...oral contracts are valid in the state of California...I should know, I'm a lawyer). In an effort to bring some good juju, my Brother-in-Law camped out the night before to get a prime tailgating spot. The last time he did so, it should come as no surprise, was the last time the Bruins beat the kiddies of Troy. I will definitely be there with him next time. When we finally met up with him at about 8 a.m., our group was entrenched in a music war with a group of SC band alumni who, every half-an-hour, played and danced...oh yes danced...to Trojan songs.
I also have to give props to the tailgate diagonally across from us who brought their own porta-potty to their tailgate...and I thought I had seen it all. Have to go to bathroom? No worries! Just hop in the porta-potty in the bed of my pick-up truck.
Hey, the real world might not be so bad after all.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Turkey Day Traditions
I love Thanksgiving. I l-o, l-o, l-o-v-e it. No "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it (except that I have grown to accept the fact that my "butt" is likely to grow a little over the course of the next month...damn you mom's cooking). For starters, Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season (well, in normal person world anyway...if we lived in shopping mall world, the holiday season would be kicked off somewhere in mid-October, which, to me, makes absolutely no sense). More importantly, however, Thanksgiving and the holiday season carry with them many traditions that have been, and always will be, some of my favorite times, year-in and year-out.
Several of my friends, whom have been avid readers of mine since my amateur days on Myspace (and for which I am greatly appreciative), indicated that they appreciated BAP's various "Top __" lists that I used to post on my page. So, I figured I would take this opportunity to post the first "Top __" list on GameTime, TBD©. Without further ado, I present BAP's "Top 5 Thanksgiving/Holiday Traditions."
5. Wednesday Night at BJ's: This tradition started about 4 years ago, and, though it likely won't happen this year, quickly became one of my favorites. The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving Day, all of my high school friends who were in town would meet up at BJ's Brewhouse (the sad part is that BJ's is the best watering hole in "The Bubble"). It is a chance for all of us to catch up on the past year and reminisce about the good times we have shared (I should also note that the first year we started this tradition was during the courting process of My Better Half. After we had consumed about 15 pitchers of Jeremiah Red, I must have called My Better Half about 20 times...surprisingly enough, she still fell for me...and you still wonder why I call her My Better Half?). I do not know many people who get to spend this much time with their old high school friends. It is time I will always cherish.
4. Decorating the House: The day after Thanksgiving (more below), my Mom begins redecorating the house for Christmas (well, she doesn't start decorating so much as my Dad and I carry in all of the decorations). It will be the third complete redecoration of my parent's house in roughly 40 days (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). My Mom treats my parent's home like a cast from Law & Order (the original series, obviously...Law & Order: SVU is making a valiant push to be the best Law & Order series, but, right now, the original remains the best). Seriously though, around this time of year I recognize my parent's home about as well as I recognize the current cast of Law & Order. It changes so quickly and so dramatically. How am I to keep up?
3. Guy's Day Out: The day after Thanksgiving my Mom and Sister partake in what can only be described as a marathon of shopping (it's uncanny...gone before sunrise and lucky to be back before midnight...their dedication is something to be desired...for example, my Sister will be spending this Thanksgiving with her in-laws in San Jose; Friday morning she's catching the first flight out of San Jose to John Wayne in Orange County...my Mom will be meeting her there around 8:00 a.m. so they can still enjoy their rich and full day of shopping...bravo ladies). This, of course, means that my Dad and I get to spend an entire day together on our own. I value few things in this world more than the opportunity to spend a day with my Dad. It starts with me hanging up Christmas lights on the house while my Dad does yard work (about 8 years ago my Dad made me switch from multi-colored Christmas lights to all-white Christmas lights...thankfully, he did not make me hang icicles...I still miss the multi-colored lights...they were pretty...my therapist says just a few more sessions). Afterwards, we go to a movie (when possible, ALWAYS the new 007 movie...in years where there isn't a new 007 movie it's a crapshoot...getting my Dad to sit still for 2 hours is about as easy as getting Zach Morris to not hit on the new girl in school). We end the day with a nice steak dinner from Outback (Bloomin' Onion sold separately). I value the time I get to spend with my Dad, especially because he worked so hard when I was younger to provide for his family. This is, by far, one of my favorite days of the year. (BAP Guilty Pleasure Confession: The day after Thanksgiving is also the first day I feel comfortable listening to Christmas music...and I love Christmas music.)
2. Thanksgiving Day Meal: A few years ago (three to be exact) my Dad floated the idea of having ham for our Thanksgiving Day dinner...HAM...oh the humanity! Apparently, the fact that we would not be having the usual large group for Thanksgiving meant it was okay to throw out all tradition without a second thought. I was on the edge...and, he was actually serious (I take my Dad seriously about as often as I take a movie written by, directed by, and starring Emilio Estevez [read: Bobby] seriously...Emilio, I've been waiting for Mighty Ducks 4 for ten years now; I'm pretty sure those kids are ready to win the Stanley Cup by now). Everyone knows that turkey is the only meat that may be served on Thanksgiving Day. Mix that with some stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie (plus an extra pie baked just for me...it pays to be Mom's favorite) and you are introducing yourself to 5 new pounds, minimum.
1. The Detriot Lions: A-ha, you did not actually think I would get through an entire post without discussing sports with you...did you? Silly you.
Being a Detroit Lions fan in Southern California is tough. Unless you have a brother-in-law who works for DirecTV, the only Lions game you will get to see in Southern California on television is their annual Thanksgiving Day game...err, more like their annual Thanksgiving Day loss. What is it about the sports teams I love?
With the media's love for unlucky/long suffering franchises, it's hard to believe that the Lions do not have more street cred. Since 2001 (including this season), the Lions have won exactly 23 games; between last season and this present season, the Indianapolis Colts have already won 23 games. From 2003 to 2005, the Lions had three top ten picks and selected wide receivers with each of them; only one started this season on the active roster. Here's a brain-teaser for you: there have been 40 Super Bowls in NFL history; can you name a team that has been in the league for 40 or more years and has not even appeared in a Super Bowl?
Well, let's see, there are the Browns, the Cardinals, the Saints, and...drum roll please...that's right, the Lions. This is a team that plays in the NFC North, a division known as the "Black and Blue" division. This is the team of Night Train Lane, Billy Sims, Lem Barney, and Barry Sanders...BARRY SANDERS, arguably the greatest running back in NFL history. And of those players, only Sanders has a playoff victory, the single playoff victory in franchise history (which, ironically enough, means Fred Flinstone...err...I mean Wayne Fontes coached the Liones to their lone playoff victory). Forty-eight years of football and one playoff victory (for those interested, and still reading this post, it was a 38-6 drubbing of the Dallas Comboys in 1991).
How bad is it you ask? Take the 1995 Lions for example. They started the season 3-6 before rattling off 7 straight wins to secure a playoff spot. That season the Lions had a 4,000 yard passer (Scott Mitchell), a 1,500 yard rusher (Barry Sanders), and three...yes THREE...1,000 yard receivers (Herman Moore, Brett Perriman, and Johnny Morton). The Lions were so impressive, they were favored on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. The result? A 58-37 loss at the hands of Rodney Peete...a Lions' cast-off. Ugh!
If this isn't sports purgatory, I don't know what is. But this Thanksgiving Day, I'll be in front of my television at 9:30 a.m. Maybe, just maybe, I'll actually have something to be thankful for this year...where's that extra pumpkin pie?
Several of my friends, whom have been avid readers of mine since my amateur days on Myspace (and for which I am greatly appreciative), indicated that they appreciated BAP's various "Top __" lists that I used to post on my page. So, I figured I would take this opportunity to post the first "Top __" list on GameTime, TBD©. Without further ado, I present BAP's "Top 5 Thanksgiving/Holiday Traditions."
5. Wednesday Night at BJ's: This tradition started about 4 years ago, and, though it likely won't happen this year, quickly became one of my favorites. The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving Day, all of my high school friends who were in town would meet up at BJ's Brewhouse (the sad part is that BJ's is the best watering hole in "The Bubble"). It is a chance for all of us to catch up on the past year and reminisce about the good times we have shared (I should also note that the first year we started this tradition was during the courting process of My Better Half. After we had consumed about 15 pitchers of Jeremiah Red, I must have called My Better Half about 20 times...surprisingly enough, she still fell for me...and you still wonder why I call her My Better Half?). I do not know many people who get to spend this much time with their old high school friends. It is time I will always cherish.
4. Decorating the House: The day after Thanksgiving (more below), my Mom begins redecorating the house for Christmas (well, she doesn't start decorating so much as my Dad and I carry in all of the decorations). It will be the third complete redecoration of my parent's house in roughly 40 days (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). My Mom treats my parent's home like a cast from Law & Order (the original series, obviously...Law & Order: SVU is making a valiant push to be the best Law & Order series, but, right now, the original remains the best). Seriously though, around this time of year I recognize my parent's home about as well as I recognize the current cast of Law & Order. It changes so quickly and so dramatically. How am I to keep up?
3. Guy's Day Out: The day after Thanksgiving my Mom and Sister partake in what can only be described as a marathon of shopping (it's uncanny...gone before sunrise and lucky to be back before midnight...their dedication is something to be desired...for example, my Sister will be spending this Thanksgiving with her in-laws in San Jose; Friday morning she's catching the first flight out of San Jose to John Wayne in Orange County...my Mom will be meeting her there around 8:00 a.m. so they can still enjoy their rich and full day of shopping...bravo ladies). This, of course, means that my Dad and I get to spend an entire day together on our own. I value few things in this world more than the opportunity to spend a day with my Dad. It starts with me hanging up Christmas lights on the house while my Dad does yard work (about 8 years ago my Dad made me switch from multi-colored Christmas lights to all-white Christmas lights...thankfully, he did not make me hang icicles...I still miss the multi-colored lights...they were pretty...my therapist says just a few more sessions). Afterwards, we go to a movie (when possible, ALWAYS the new 007 movie...in years where there isn't a new 007 movie it's a crapshoot...getting my Dad to sit still for 2 hours is about as easy as getting Zach Morris to not hit on the new girl in school). We end the day with a nice steak dinner from Outback (Bloomin' Onion sold separately). I value the time I get to spend with my Dad, especially because he worked so hard when I was younger to provide for his family. This is, by far, one of my favorite days of the year. (BAP Guilty Pleasure Confession: The day after Thanksgiving is also the first day I feel comfortable listening to Christmas music...and I love Christmas music.)
2. Thanksgiving Day Meal: A few years ago (three to be exact) my Dad floated the idea of having ham for our Thanksgiving Day dinner...HAM...oh the humanity! Apparently, the fact that we would not be having the usual large group for Thanksgiving meant it was okay to throw out all tradition without a second thought. I was on the edge...and, he was actually serious (I take my Dad seriously about as often as I take a movie written by, directed by, and starring Emilio Estevez [read: Bobby] seriously...Emilio, I've been waiting for Mighty Ducks 4 for ten years now; I'm pretty sure those kids are ready to win the Stanley Cup by now). Everyone knows that turkey is the only meat that may be served on Thanksgiving Day. Mix that with some stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie (plus an extra pie baked just for me...it pays to be Mom's favorite) and you are introducing yourself to 5 new pounds, minimum.
1. The Detriot Lions: A-ha, you did not actually think I would get through an entire post without discussing sports with you...did you? Silly you.
Being a Detroit Lions fan in Southern California is tough. Unless you have a brother-in-law who works for DirecTV, the only Lions game you will get to see in Southern California on television is their annual Thanksgiving Day game...err, more like their annual Thanksgiving Day loss. What is it about the sports teams I love?
With the media's love for unlucky/long suffering franchises, it's hard to believe that the Lions do not have more street cred. Since 2001 (including this season), the Lions have won exactly 23 games; between last season and this present season, the Indianapolis Colts have already won 23 games. From 2003 to 2005, the Lions had three top ten picks and selected wide receivers with each of them; only one started this season on the active roster. Here's a brain-teaser for you: there have been 40 Super Bowls in NFL history; can you name a team that has been in the league for 40 or more years and has not even appeared in a Super Bowl?
Well, let's see, there are the Browns, the Cardinals, the Saints, and...drum roll please...that's right, the Lions. This is a team that plays in the NFC North, a division known as the "Black and Blue" division. This is the team of Night Train Lane, Billy Sims, Lem Barney, and Barry Sanders...BARRY SANDERS, arguably the greatest running back in NFL history. And of those players, only Sanders has a playoff victory, the single playoff victory in franchise history (which, ironically enough, means Fred Flinstone...err...I mean Wayne Fontes coached the Liones to their lone playoff victory). Forty-eight years of football and one playoff victory (for those interested, and still reading this post, it was a 38-6 drubbing of the Dallas Comboys in 1991).
How bad is it you ask? Take the 1995 Lions for example. They started the season 3-6 before rattling off 7 straight wins to secure a playoff spot. That season the Lions had a 4,000 yard passer (Scott Mitchell), a 1,500 yard rusher (Barry Sanders), and three...yes THREE...1,000 yard receivers (Herman Moore, Brett Perriman, and Johnny Morton). The Lions were so impressive, they were favored on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. The result? A 58-37 loss at the hands of Rodney Peete...a Lions' cast-off. Ugh!
If this isn't sports purgatory, I don't know what is. But this Thanksgiving Day, I'll be in front of my television at 9:30 a.m. Maybe, just maybe, I'll actually have something to be thankful for this year...where's that extra pumpkin pie?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone
I apologize to all my dedicated readers/fans (read: my family and loved ones) who have been holding their breath in anticipation of my next post. You can finally come up for air; it has arrived. I have been preoccupied lately with work, planning a trip for a friend's wedding, and the pending release of results for the July 2006 California Bar Exam (which, as I'm sure you're all dying to know, will be released in exactly 73 hours and 26 minutes...er...25 minutes...er...I could really spend an entire post just counting down the remaining time, and, as entertaining as that might be, I won't). Well, all this actually has nothing to do with this post...so let's move on.
I had the oppurtunity to hang out with my good friend Agman this past weekend at the UCLA/OSU game. He was out from Chicago for a brief weekend visit with his family and the game. There was quite a group of us for the tailgate: Agman, his parents, his sister, my friend Stavy, my friend Reina, my friend Bal-Sac's parents, his sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law, friends of Agman's parents, and several of Agman's UCLA friends. As with all events Agman plans, it was a great time (see, e.g., Bal-Sac's bachelor party in Austin...Austin, Massachusetts?). We ended up seeing roughly 30 minutes of the UCLA game live because (1) we did not expect it to be that good of a game and, well, (2) because we were holding an epic flip-cup tournament that could not be interrupted (you haven't lived until you've played flip-cup with the Bal-Sac family...living proof that flip-cup skills are genetic...I kid you not).
My group of high school friends is, to this day, amazing. Most of us are still in touch on a regular basis. I attribute this to Agman. He was the one who was always making the plans. What are we doing on Friday night after the football game (besides watching Friday Football Focus)? I do not know, call Agman. BAP's parents are out of town again, are we having a small soiree? I do not know, call Agman. He made sure everyone was in the know and everyone was having a good time.
When I went away to college, I realized just how important it was to have a friend like Agman. Not that I had trouble finding fun things to do or ways to get myself into "trouble," but I became the "Agman" of my group of college friends because someone had to coordinate everything. I never realized how much work it took to make sure everyone was having a good time. I did not know what kind of friend I had in Agman until he was not around everyday. The same thing happened when Dylan McKay left the 90210 zip code early in the 6th season (and millions of teenage girls were left heartbroken...with BAP there to pick up the pieces). For the next three years the show ambled on meaninglessly forcing the writers to have two to three episodes each season playing the "will he, won't he return" card. Inevitably, Dylon had to return in the 9th season, but it was too late, the damage had been done. I'm convinved the show would still be going today had he not left. The producers just never realized what they had. (My favorite sports writer, Bill Simmons, who's articles can be found here, recently noted that the first pick in last June's NBA draft has the same name as the girl who had the crush on Brandon while they were working on the Beverly Blaze together...crazy...how did I not see this first?...but I digress.)
This also goes for the defending NFL Champion Seattle Sea...er...my bad...Pittsburgh Steelers (way to go ref). At 3-6, the Steelers are starting to realize just how important Jerome Bettis was; so much so, that the commentators even mentioned it while the Steelers were struggling to put away the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday. The Steelers could always climb on board "the Bus" when it mattered most and enjoy the smooth ride to victory. As much as I hate the Steelers, it's hard to deny the ability of Bettis to put a game away late in the 4th.
Where am I going with this train of thought you ask? Simple: I think the Los Angeles Kings are now starting realize what they lost when they let one of their coaches go. No, I am not talking about my main man Andy Murray; that post will come when he is hired by another team. I am talking about former assistant coach, now head coach of the Dallas Stars, Dave Tippett. Tippett served as a Kings' assistant coach from 1999-2002. The Kings made the playoffs in each of his three seasons, after making it only once in the previous six. Since arriving in Dallas, the Stars have gone 140-71-33 (going 0-1-1 while he recovered from surgery), have won two division titles, and have made the playoffs each season. The Kings, on the other hand, have failed to make the playoffs, going 103-101-42 during that stretch.
The Kings power play never ranked outside the top ten while Tippett led the special teams as an assistant; they finished 10th during his first season, 7th during his second, and led the league in 2001-2002 at 20.7%. Since his departure, the Kings power play has not opperated at higher than 14.6% (2002-2003 season), never ranking higher than 20th (2002-2003 season), and finishing tied for 28th out of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League last season. This season appears to be much the same as the Kings power play is opperating at 14.6%, good for 21st in the league (though, it has gotten better as of late, including a 2-3 performance last night against the Sharks...and the Stars are only opperating at 14.4%...told you Marc Crawford was going to turn this ship around).
It is hard to admit it, but I don't think the Kings realized what they had until it went and turned a division rival into Stanley Cup contenders (and they'll feel the same way when Murray does the same).
Oh yeah...fyi...71 hours and 9...er...I mean 8 minutes.
I had the oppurtunity to hang out with my good friend Agman this past weekend at the UCLA/OSU game. He was out from Chicago for a brief weekend visit with his family and the game. There was quite a group of us for the tailgate: Agman, his parents, his sister, my friend Stavy, my friend Reina, my friend Bal-Sac's parents, his sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law, friends of Agman's parents, and several of Agman's UCLA friends. As with all events Agman plans, it was a great time (see, e.g., Bal-Sac's bachelor party in Austin...Austin, Massachusetts?). We ended up seeing roughly 30 minutes of the UCLA game live because (1) we did not expect it to be that good of a game and, well, (2) because we were holding an epic flip-cup tournament that could not be interrupted (you haven't lived until you've played flip-cup with the Bal-Sac family...living proof that flip-cup skills are genetic...I kid you not).
My group of high school friends is, to this day, amazing. Most of us are still in touch on a regular basis. I attribute this to Agman. He was the one who was always making the plans. What are we doing on Friday night after the football game (besides watching Friday Football Focus)? I do not know, call Agman. BAP's parents are out of town again, are we having a small soiree? I do not know, call Agman. He made sure everyone was in the know and everyone was having a good time.
When I went away to college, I realized just how important it was to have a friend like Agman. Not that I had trouble finding fun things to do or ways to get myself into "trouble," but I became the "Agman" of my group of college friends because someone had to coordinate everything. I never realized how much work it took to make sure everyone was having a good time. I did not know what kind of friend I had in Agman until he was not around everyday. The same thing happened when Dylan McKay left the 90210 zip code early in the 6th season (and millions of teenage girls were left heartbroken...with BAP there to pick up the pieces). For the next three years the show ambled on meaninglessly forcing the writers to have two to three episodes each season playing the "will he, won't he return" card. Inevitably, Dylon had to return in the 9th season, but it was too late, the damage had been done. I'm convinved the show would still be going today had he not left. The producers just never realized what they had. (My favorite sports writer, Bill Simmons, who's articles can be found here, recently noted that the first pick in last June's NBA draft has the same name as the girl who had the crush on Brandon while they were working on the Beverly Blaze together...crazy...how did I not see this first?...but I digress.)
This also goes for the defending NFL Champion Seattle Sea...er...my bad...Pittsburgh Steelers (way to go ref). At 3-6, the Steelers are starting to realize just how important Jerome Bettis was; so much so, that the commentators even mentioned it while the Steelers were struggling to put away the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday. The Steelers could always climb on board "the Bus" when it mattered most and enjoy the smooth ride to victory. As much as I hate the Steelers, it's hard to deny the ability of Bettis to put a game away late in the 4th.
Where am I going with this train of thought you ask? Simple: I think the Los Angeles Kings are now starting realize what they lost when they let one of their coaches go. No, I am not talking about my main man Andy Murray; that post will come when he is hired by another team. I am talking about former assistant coach, now head coach of the Dallas Stars, Dave Tippett. Tippett served as a Kings' assistant coach from 1999-2002. The Kings made the playoffs in each of his three seasons, after making it only once in the previous six. Since arriving in Dallas, the Stars have gone 140-71-33 (going 0-1-1 while he recovered from surgery), have won two division titles, and have made the playoffs each season. The Kings, on the other hand, have failed to make the playoffs, going 103-101-42 during that stretch.
The Kings power play never ranked outside the top ten while Tippett led the special teams as an assistant; they finished 10th during his first season, 7th during his second, and led the league in 2001-2002 at 20.7%. Since his departure, the Kings power play has not opperated at higher than 14.6% (2002-2003 season), never ranking higher than 20th (2002-2003 season), and finishing tied for 28th out of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League last season. This season appears to be much the same as the Kings power play is opperating at 14.6%, good for 21st in the league (though, it has gotten better as of late, including a 2-3 performance last night against the Sharks...and the Stars are only opperating at 14.4%...told you Marc Crawford was going to turn this ship around).
It is hard to admit it, but I don't think the Kings realized what they had until it went and turned a division rival into Stanley Cup contenders (and they'll feel the same way when Murray does the same).
Oh yeah...fyi...71 hours and 9...er...I mean 8 minutes.
Monday, October 23, 2006
It's All About Personality
I do not think of myself as someone who suffers from multiple personality disorder, but I currently have two personalities: the BAP that everyone has grown to love and admire (and who's head does not always fit through doorways), and Sam. Sam's a nice guy: he says hello, please, and thank you; he smiles; he holds the door open for others; and he's a very generous tipper. However, Sam does not have very many friends...after all, he only exists for about 10 minutes every weekday.
Sam is my coffee house personality. I did not create Sam myself, but rather, it was the nice lady behind the counter. You see, I swing by my local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (better known as CBTL to you hip youngsters) every morning on the way to work and pick up a large vanilla latte. Every morning; the same drink (I fear change, change is bad). Well, the nice lady behind the counter began to recognize me about a month ago and now I do not have to order. I get up to the cash register and she already has me rung up. Yet for some reason she thinks I am this Sam guy (it's ironic that this nice lady would choose Sam because when I was five years old, I really wanted a dog, but my parents wouldn't get me one. So I began to act like a dog, a dog named Sam. I figured if my parents wanted BAP back they would have to get us a dog. Worked to a "T"...but I digress). So, I became Sam. Sam does not talk much, just collects his drink and goes along his merry way.
There are other classic examples of multiple personalities: Edward Norton's character in Primal Fear (should have won an Oscar if you ask me); Anthony Reddick, who went from an All-American safety, to suspended indefinately helmet-slinging luntatic, to a self-proclaimed "role-model for the kids who look up to him" in a span of 48 hours; UCLA Offensive Coordinator Jim Svoboda, who was a completely different person during the Notre Dame game...well, at least for the first half (can't even imagine how many years of my Brother-in-Law's life were lost thanks to the last 4 minutes of that game); Jeffrey Hunter, who split time between sensative manager of "The Max" and sleazy college guy (I mean, who chooses a blond-bimbo over Kelly Kapowski, seriously?); and the Los Angeles Kings from 2001 to 2006.
It was always fun showing up to a Kings game during that era because you never knew what team you were going to see. It was a crap-shoot. It was probably one of the main reasons why my main man Andy Murray got let go during the 2005-2006 season. You never knew whether the Kings would come out playing hard, aggressive hockey or tentative, let-the-game-come-to-you hockey. I'm sure it was frustrating to management; I know it was frustrating for the fans.
Although we are only 10 games into the 2006-2007, I can honestly say that this new Kings team has but one personality. Although their 3-5-2 record may not be proof, the Kings thus far have been playing hard-nosed, aggressive hockey. I had the privilege of attending the Minnesota-Los Angeles tilt (hockey lingo for game) last week with my Dad and My Better Half; it was a great game. The Kings played the hardest 60 minutes and 43 seconds I have seen them play since their epic playoff push at the end of the 2000-2001 season (true story: after one game during the 2000-2001, Andy Murray was so upset with the Kings performance that he made each player write an essay about what it meant to be a professional hockey player...I'm already a fan of whatever team hires him next). Although the Kings ended up losing 2-1 in overtime, it was an impressive game, one that I believe shows this youthful Kings team is moving in the right direction.
The scores of the games may not indicate it, but this team has a personality of playing hard. They are not going to rollover for anyone. They are not beating the elite teams right now, but they are making the games interesting. The Kings are still young, and when a young team plays hard and aggressive, mistakes are going to happen. However, if you listen to Marc Crawford (fyi: no relation to Michael Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame...I knew that was eating you alive), you know he's proud of this team. I am too.
It is still too early to tell what the 2006-2007 season has in store for the Kings; give me 10 or so more games to figure that out. One thing is clear though, this season is all about personality.
Sam is my coffee house personality. I did not create Sam myself, but rather, it was the nice lady behind the counter. You see, I swing by my local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (better known as CBTL to you hip youngsters) every morning on the way to work and pick up a large vanilla latte. Every morning; the same drink (I fear change, change is bad). Well, the nice lady behind the counter began to recognize me about a month ago and now I do not have to order. I get up to the cash register and she already has me rung up. Yet for some reason she thinks I am this Sam guy (it's ironic that this nice lady would choose Sam because when I was five years old, I really wanted a dog, but my parents wouldn't get me one. So I began to act like a dog, a dog named Sam. I figured if my parents wanted BAP back they would have to get us a dog. Worked to a "T"...but I digress). So, I became Sam. Sam does not talk much, just collects his drink and goes along his merry way.
There are other classic examples of multiple personalities: Edward Norton's character in Primal Fear (should have won an Oscar if you ask me); Anthony Reddick, who went from an All-American safety, to suspended indefinately helmet-slinging luntatic, to a self-proclaimed "role-model for the kids who look up to him" in a span of 48 hours; UCLA Offensive Coordinator Jim Svoboda, who was a completely different person during the Notre Dame game...well, at least for the first half (can't even imagine how many years of my Brother-in-Law's life were lost thanks to the last 4 minutes of that game); Jeffrey Hunter, who split time between sensative manager of "The Max" and sleazy college guy (I mean, who chooses a blond-bimbo over Kelly Kapowski, seriously?); and the Los Angeles Kings from 2001 to 2006.
It was always fun showing up to a Kings game during that era because you never knew what team you were going to see. It was a crap-shoot. It was probably one of the main reasons why my main man Andy Murray got let go during the 2005-2006 season. You never knew whether the Kings would come out playing hard, aggressive hockey or tentative, let-the-game-come-to-you hockey. I'm sure it was frustrating to management; I know it was frustrating for the fans.
Although we are only 10 games into the 2006-2007, I can honestly say that this new Kings team has but one personality. Although their 3-5-2 record may not be proof, the Kings thus far have been playing hard-nosed, aggressive hockey. I had the privilege of attending the Minnesota-Los Angeles tilt (hockey lingo for game) last week with my Dad and My Better Half; it was a great game. The Kings played the hardest 60 minutes and 43 seconds I have seen them play since their epic playoff push at the end of the 2000-2001 season (true story: after one game during the 2000-2001, Andy Murray was so upset with the Kings performance that he made each player write an essay about what it meant to be a professional hockey player...I'm already a fan of whatever team hires him next). Although the Kings ended up losing 2-1 in overtime, it was an impressive game, one that I believe shows this youthful Kings team is moving in the right direction.
The scores of the games may not indicate it, but this team has a personality of playing hard. They are not going to rollover for anyone. They are not beating the elite teams right now, but they are making the games interesting. The Kings are still young, and when a young team plays hard and aggressive, mistakes are going to happen. However, if you listen to Marc Crawford (fyi: no relation to Michael Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame...I knew that was eating you alive), you know he's proud of this team. I am too.
It is still too early to tell what the 2006-2007 season has in store for the Kings; give me 10 or so more games to figure that out. One thing is clear though, this season is all about personality.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Take The Points
I am a risk averse person. When I mention this around my parents, they normally get a good chuckle. You see, perhaps my main vice in life is my love for gambling; but I do not see it the same way my parents do. Although I enjoy a good game of no limit hold-em', my true gambling love is betting on sports. I know you are probably expecting me to say I love betting on hockey, but you would be mistaken. Professional sports are next to impossible to consistently bet and win. For me, I enjoy the art (oh, it is an art) of betting on college football.
Betting on college football is not so much gambling as it is a science. Sure there is an element of chance; but isn't there in everything? Let me give an example. This week Wisconsin is playing Minnesota at home. The spread is -8.5. Would you take the points or lay the points? (As an aside, I should make something clear in case someone actually likes what they are about to read. Last season I was on a good run during college football's second season. One of my friends decided he was going to make the same plays I made. For the Texas/USC game I told him to take the points and the over, assuming he knew what I meant. In every bet, there is a favorite and an underdog. The favorite is always minus (-) something and the underdog is always plus (+) something; the favorite is expected to win by at least that many points. If someone tells you to take the points, it means bet on the dog, they should be able to beat the spread; lay the points means take the favorite, they should be able to cover the spread. Can you see where my friend would go wrong? I was telling him to take the underdog, Texas ,and he took USC. If only he had listened.)
So, if you know college football, you are probably thinking "I don't know BAP, Big Ten games are usually close." This is where betting becomes more of a science. Wisconsin, at 5-1 this season, is currently ranked #25 in the nation. Their only loss was to National Championship contender Michigan (Go Big Blue!). Minnesota, on the other hand, is merely 2-4 and 0-3 in Big Ten games; their wins came against Kent St. and Temple (which hasn't won a game since 2004). Wisconsin has the number 1 rated defense in the Big Ten; they are first against the pass and second against the run. Wisconsin also has one of the top offenses, including their running game. Minnesota, on the other, has the second worst defense in the Big Ten and are terrible against the run (Wisconsin's strength; P.J. Hill, Jr., you are needed at the main stage). Although Minnesota has a decent offense, they rely on the passing game, which plays into Wisconsin's defensive strength. So, to me the choice is clear, you lay the points. Wisconsin should win by more then 8.5 points. I do not feel as though I am gambling so much as hoping Wisconsin just plays its normal game. (Update: Wisconsin 48, Minnesota 12...the greatest mind of this century, I kid you not)
Why am I telling you all this? Well, it is because one time I truly did take a risk; I was truly gambling. Thankfully, it paid off. You see, the reason I call My Better Half my better half is because she is truly amazing. Had Vegas put odds on me actually winning her over, I probably would have been a heavy underdog; the spread would probably have been somewhere in the 44.5 range (aka BAP +44.5). The pre-game stats looked like this: she was a freshman in college while I was a senior, 3.5 years her elder; my previous girlfriend had done a number on my psyche and desire to be in a relationship; she had been burned by several dirtbags in the recent past; and neither of us were actually looking for love at the time. Clearly, the odds were against us.
So, I threw my risk adverse ways aside and took a chance. It is not everyday that an incredibly smart, smoking hot (if you're wondering whether your better half is smoking hot, perform the following test: have her wear a long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of flannel pajama-pants, no make-up and her hair up in a ponytail. If she still looks amazing and you are still uncontrollably attracted to her, congratulations, you have yourself a smoking hot better half...but I digress), extremely dedicated, and ovlerly passionate young woman enters your life.
We met at a Glee Club retreat in Big Bear, California. This was in late-September. It started out with just a few "deep" conversations, but I knew this girl was something special. She will tell you it was the booze talking, but I know otherwise. From there, it was occasional phone calls, she would hang out with me and my friends (mind you, my friends and I treated Senior Year less as school and more as a constant drinking game), and we would watch some movies (which, in dorms, can serve as great decoys). She introduced me to her parents during the last weekend of October, a move that caught me by surprise considering we were not even really seeing eachother at that point in time.
Betting on college football is not so much gambling as it is a science. Sure there is an element of chance; but isn't there in everything? Let me give an example. This week Wisconsin is playing Minnesota at home. The spread is -8.5. Would you take the points or lay the points? (As an aside, I should make something clear in case someone actually likes what they are about to read. Last season I was on a good run during college football's second season. One of my friends decided he was going to make the same plays I made. For the Texas/USC game I told him to take the points and the over, assuming he knew what I meant. In every bet, there is a favorite and an underdog. The favorite is always minus (-) something and the underdog is always plus (+) something; the favorite is expected to win by at least that many points. If someone tells you to take the points, it means bet on the dog, they should be able to beat the spread; lay the points means take the favorite, they should be able to cover the spread. Can you see where my friend would go wrong? I was telling him to take the underdog, Texas ,and he took USC. If only he had listened.)
So, if you know college football, you are probably thinking "I don't know BAP, Big Ten games are usually close." This is where betting becomes more of a science. Wisconsin, at 5-1 this season, is currently ranked #25 in the nation. Their only loss was to National Championship contender Michigan (Go Big Blue!). Minnesota, on the other hand, is merely 2-4 and 0-3 in Big Ten games; their wins came against Kent St. and Temple (which hasn't won a game since 2004). Wisconsin has the number 1 rated defense in the Big Ten; they are first against the pass and second against the run. Wisconsin also has one of the top offenses, including their running game. Minnesota, on the other, has the second worst defense in the Big Ten and are terrible against the run (Wisconsin's strength; P.J. Hill, Jr., you are needed at the main stage). Although Minnesota has a decent offense, they rely on the passing game, which plays into Wisconsin's defensive strength. So, to me the choice is clear, you lay the points. Wisconsin should win by more then 8.5 points. I do not feel as though I am gambling so much as hoping Wisconsin just plays its normal game. (Update: Wisconsin 48, Minnesota 12...the greatest mind of this century, I kid you not)
Why am I telling you all this? Well, it is because one time I truly did take a risk; I was truly gambling. Thankfully, it paid off. You see, the reason I call My Better Half my better half is because she is truly amazing. Had Vegas put odds on me actually winning her over, I probably would have been a heavy underdog; the spread would probably have been somewhere in the 44.5 range (aka BAP +44.5). The pre-game stats looked like this: she was a freshman in college while I was a senior, 3.5 years her elder; my previous girlfriend had done a number on my psyche and desire to be in a relationship; she had been burned by several dirtbags in the recent past; and neither of us were actually looking for love at the time. Clearly, the odds were against us.
So, I threw my risk adverse ways aside and took a chance. It is not everyday that an incredibly smart, smoking hot (if you're wondering whether your better half is smoking hot, perform the following test: have her wear a long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of flannel pajama-pants, no make-up and her hair up in a ponytail. If she still looks amazing and you are still uncontrollably attracted to her, congratulations, you have yourself a smoking hot better half...but I digress), extremely dedicated, and ovlerly passionate young woman enters your life.
We met at a Glee Club retreat in Big Bear, California. This was in late-September. It started out with just a few "deep" conversations, but I knew this girl was something special. She will tell you it was the booze talking, but I know otherwise. From there, it was occasional phone calls, she would hang out with me and my friends (mind you, my friends and I treated Senior Year less as school and more as a constant drinking game), and we would watch some movies (which, in dorms, can serve as great decoys). She introduced me to her parents during the last weekend of October, a move that caught me by surprise considering we were not even really seeing eachother at that point in time.
But I knew I had found something special. It is funny how you always find what you want when you are not even looking. I mean, this is a woman who was willing to sit outside her room on a relatively cool evening and listen to me ramble on about nothing because I was drunk. Finally, though, I got her to go on a date with me. On November 4th, I took her to a Kings game...shocking. Had the Kings won, I am pretty sure I would have been able to make it official that night. Instead, it was November 15th. And the rest, they say, is history.
Well, that was nearly four years ago; and now, I am almost sure you are wondering why I even told you all of this. But, if you are in love, and I mean truly in love, you do not have to ask; you already know. My Better Half has been in South Africa for last 20 days and today could not get here fast enough. I felt it best to relive those first two months because I want the whole world to know just how I feel. I want My Better Half to know that when I tell her I miss her like crazy, I am not saying it because I feel obligated too, but because I actually do.
Sometimes you take the points.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Rebuilding is the New Black
We all have events in our life that are branded permanently into our mind. We remember exactly where we were when when it occurred. I remember exactly where I was on March 21, 2006 when the Los Angeles Kings fired then head coach Andy Murray (corner of Moorpark Rd and Los Robles Dr., just having filled up my car with gas if you must know...jeez you're nosy). I immeadiately called my dad. You see, although many fans were fed up with Murray's inability to get his players to produce, I still thought he was getting the job done. I always thought the Kings were underperforming because their impact players were constantly out of lineup from one injury or another. But, in the end, it was Murray who got sent packing back to Minnesota (ironically enough, some of you may recall that I got to fly with Murray the next week when I was on my way to Minneapolis for the NCAA tournament. I was a little gun shy, and if it wasn't for my amazing better half, I wouldn't have had the nerve to talk to him. Turns out, he owns season tickets right by my family's tickets...god I love my better half).
Back to the night of the 21st, I called my dad and told him what happened. He told me something that stuck with me (and the Kings, apparently): sometimes change is good. The Kings apparently think change is great, taking it to a whole new level. In the sports world, change like this is known as rebuilding. The Kings, however, are making rebuilding the new black. They've been rebuilding for about three seasons now and progess...well...it's been kind of slow. Each season, the Kings have done just enough to keep the fans thinking they're moving in the right direction. They would bring in one upper tier player and claim it was sufficient to fill the holes they had. Management was good at making the sales pitch. But by mid-season, it always became clear that the change was about as good as the second senior year of Saved By the Bell. I mean, who told the producers it would be okay to replace perennial favorite Kelly Kapowski with a biker chick named Tori Scott? How could this possibly be a good thing? I mean, Kapowski, she was the real deal...wait...
So, the Kings haven't exactly been the epitome of rebuilding over the past few season. But there's reason to believe that this offseason will be different. Why's that you ask? Because this rebuilding has been like nothing we've seen before. First, and foremost, this has been a complete rebuild. The Kings' ownership did away with most of the upper management, including General Manager Dave Taylor who, in his early years, was known for making some big time deals that actually made an impact. Over the last few years, however, his big time deals had become big time duds. So we start with a new GM, Dean Lombardi. Then we got a completely new coaching staff, including a coach who has a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, the first Kings coach to have one of those. This rebuilding thing is starting to look pretty sexy. But what about the players?
This is where Dean Lombardi has proven that he is the right man to turn this rebuilding trend into a passing fad. DL hasn't tried to hide anything. He's not trying to convince anyone to drink the Kool Aid. He's been honest from the beginning and has said this is going to take a few years. He's collected a slew of young prospects for whom the sky is the limit. He's surrounded them with few marque players, if any at all. DL has brought in several character players, who will play hard every night and be a great influence on these young and influential kids. There are going to be mistakes and there are going to be moments that leave you breathless. It's just going to be one of those seasons.
So, if I know this seasons is going to be hit and miss throughout, why am I so excited? I think it's because I know what to expect. No one is trying to hide the eight ball. I know this is the first season of the development of several potential superstars. If the Kings are able to make the playoffs, it's just icing on the cake. It means the youth movement is further along than anyone imagined. That would mean the best years are closer than we think. The best part, however, is that because I know what to expect, I just get to sit back and enjoy the show.
Yes dad, as always, you're right...
Back to the night of the 21st, I called my dad and told him what happened. He told me something that stuck with me (and the Kings, apparently): sometimes change is good. The Kings apparently think change is great, taking it to a whole new level. In the sports world, change like this is known as rebuilding. The Kings, however, are making rebuilding the new black. They've been rebuilding for about three seasons now and progess...well...it's been kind of slow. Each season, the Kings have done just enough to keep the fans thinking they're moving in the right direction. They would bring in one upper tier player and claim it was sufficient to fill the holes they had. Management was good at making the sales pitch. But by mid-season, it always became clear that the change was about as good as the second senior year of Saved By the Bell. I mean, who told the producers it would be okay to replace perennial favorite Kelly Kapowski with a biker chick named Tori Scott? How could this possibly be a good thing? I mean, Kapowski, she was the real deal...wait...
So, the Kings haven't exactly been the epitome of rebuilding over the past few season. But there's reason to believe that this offseason will be different. Why's that you ask? Because this rebuilding has been like nothing we've seen before. First, and foremost, this has been a complete rebuild. The Kings' ownership did away with most of the upper management, including General Manager Dave Taylor who, in his early years, was known for making some big time deals that actually made an impact. Over the last few years, however, his big time deals had become big time duds. So we start with a new GM, Dean Lombardi. Then we got a completely new coaching staff, including a coach who has a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, the first Kings coach to have one of those. This rebuilding thing is starting to look pretty sexy. But what about the players?
This is where Dean Lombardi has proven that he is the right man to turn this rebuilding trend into a passing fad. DL hasn't tried to hide anything. He's not trying to convince anyone to drink the Kool Aid. He's been honest from the beginning and has said this is going to take a few years. He's collected a slew of young prospects for whom the sky is the limit. He's surrounded them with few marque players, if any at all. DL has brought in several character players, who will play hard every night and be a great influence on these young and influential kids. There are going to be mistakes and there are going to be moments that leave you breathless. It's just going to be one of those seasons.
So, if I know this seasons is going to be hit and miss throughout, why am I so excited? I think it's because I know what to expect. No one is trying to hide the eight ball. I know this is the first season of the development of several potential superstars. If the Kings are able to make the playoffs, it's just icing on the cake. It means the youth movement is further along than anyone imagined. That would mean the best years are closer than we think. The best part, however, is that because I know what to expect, I just get to sit back and enjoy the show.
Yes dad, as always, you're right...
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Don't Reign on My Parade
Well, it's September 29, which means one thing: opening day of the hockey season is only 7 days away. Everytime it gets to this time of year, I'm inundated with information and can't stop talking about how great the season is going to be. It's a nasty habit that, thankfully, my better half has grown to love...errr....tolerate over the last four years.
When it comes to the National Hockey League, there's only one team for me. I've been a Los Angeles Kings fan for about 16 years now, which, considering that equates to about 60% of my life, is pretty impressive. I have alot of respect for those who have been fans since hockey came to L.A. in 1967. It's been a long run of things. Sit in the section where my tickets are and you can see just how wearing it is. I've never seen a group of people, who spend a decent chunk of money to sit where they sit, so bitter and disinfranchised before the season has even begun. Not even Red Sox fans get that way until about 130 games into their season.
In their history, the Kings have been to as many Stanley Cup finals (1) as the Anaheim Ducks (then "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim"), Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightening. They have fewer Stanley Cup Championships (0) than the Lightening and Carolina Hurricanes. The Kings are entering their 40th season of play. Those other teams have been around for less than 14 seasons (now, I know Carolina used to be the Hartford Whalers, but when they moved to Carolina in 1998 they were just terrible; they might as well have been a new franchise).
The last few years have been rather trying, very reminiscent of my all time favorite 90210 episode. I'll sum it up with three short words: "Donna Martin graduates." (Have you ever noticed how in TV land, adults and other authority figures always cave to a group of kids? When does this ever happen in real life? Also, I think 90210 missed a prime opportunity for a Donna Martin spin-off. Donna doesn't graduate and is kicked out of the house by her parents. Lacking a brain and a place to live, Donna is forced to sell the only thing of value she has left, her virginity. After years of elicit drug use, stripping, and whoring around, Donna falls in love with her pimp, Arch Bishop Don Magic Juan; Spelling missed a goldmine....but I digress)
For the fans, that's what the last few seasons have been like. We get drunk on the early successes of the team and start dreaming of a bigger things. Then, bam, we get caught by the injury bug and the wheels start to come off. With the possibility of not making the postseason looming over our head we rally around our "Donna Martin." Only, our rally doesn't work. The administrators don't cave to our collective preasure. And, in the end, while Donna get's to go be a Condor of California University (which, I might add, looked suspiciously like Occidental College), we get an early summer break and a chance to try senior year all over again next year.
So, here I am, senior year looming 7 days away. Will we make it through this year? Will we finally graduate? I just don't know. The team has gotten younger and older at the same time. Some major concerns were addressed during the off-season, while other concerns, maybe not so much. With all the information I have crammed in my head, I think I'm going to try a different approach. Maybe the postseason shouldn't be required to graduate. After all, last time I checked, "C"s get degrees.
It's time to take a step back, time to take a new approach (I'm too young to be suffering like this). I'm rooting for some improvement. I'm rooting a for team that plays consistently hard, night-in and night-out; a team that has most of its talent around for more than 25 games a season. Show me that and, win or lose, I'll go home happy every night. Show me that and I'll call this season a success. Show me that and maybe we surprise some people. Show me that and maybe we can be this years valedictorian....
Damn it, there I go again.
When it comes to the National Hockey League, there's only one team for me. I've been a Los Angeles Kings fan for about 16 years now, which, considering that equates to about 60% of my life, is pretty impressive. I have alot of respect for those who have been fans since hockey came to L.A. in 1967. It's been a long run of things. Sit in the section where my tickets are and you can see just how wearing it is. I've never seen a group of people, who spend a decent chunk of money to sit where they sit, so bitter and disinfranchised before the season has even begun. Not even Red Sox fans get that way until about 130 games into their season.
In their history, the Kings have been to as many Stanley Cup finals (1) as the Anaheim Ducks (then "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim"), Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightening. They have fewer Stanley Cup Championships (0) than the Lightening and Carolina Hurricanes. The Kings are entering their 40th season of play. Those other teams have been around for less than 14 seasons (now, I know Carolina used to be the Hartford Whalers, but when they moved to Carolina in 1998 they were just terrible; they might as well have been a new franchise).
The last few years have been rather trying, very reminiscent of my all time favorite 90210 episode. I'll sum it up with three short words: "Donna Martin graduates." (Have you ever noticed how in TV land, adults and other authority figures always cave to a group of kids? When does this ever happen in real life? Also, I think 90210 missed a prime opportunity for a Donna Martin spin-off. Donna doesn't graduate and is kicked out of the house by her parents. Lacking a brain and a place to live, Donna is forced to sell the only thing of value she has left, her virginity. After years of elicit drug use, stripping, and whoring around, Donna falls in love with her pimp, Arch Bishop Don Magic Juan; Spelling missed a goldmine....but I digress)
For the fans, that's what the last few seasons have been like. We get drunk on the early successes of the team and start dreaming of a bigger things. Then, bam, we get caught by the injury bug and the wheels start to come off. With the possibility of not making the postseason looming over our head we rally around our "Donna Martin." Only, our rally doesn't work. The administrators don't cave to our collective preasure. And, in the end, while Donna get's to go be a Condor of California University (which, I might add, looked suspiciously like Occidental College), we get an early summer break and a chance to try senior year all over again next year.
So, here I am, senior year looming 7 days away. Will we make it through this year? Will we finally graduate? I just don't know. The team has gotten younger and older at the same time. Some major concerns were addressed during the off-season, while other concerns, maybe not so much. With all the information I have crammed in my head, I think I'm going to try a different approach. Maybe the postseason shouldn't be required to graduate. After all, last time I checked, "C"s get degrees.
It's time to take a step back, time to take a new approach (I'm too young to be suffering like this). I'm rooting for some improvement. I'm rooting a for team that plays consistently hard, night-in and night-out; a team that has most of its talent around for more than 25 games a season. Show me that and, win or lose, I'll go home happy every night. Show me that and I'll call this season a success. Show me that and maybe we surprise some people. Show me that and maybe we can be this years valedictorian....
Damn it, there I go again.
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