Jim Calhoun A Great One

A basketball national powerhouse where? Storrs, Connecticut. Yes, Jim Calhoun for the past 26 years has taken a small school, University of Connecticut, to heights higher than any Hollywood film maker could imagine.  In a part of the country where not much excitement is happening, Coach Calhoun stepped on campus with his brass in your face approach.  Storrs, Connecticut soon became the talk of college basketball world for how fast the program became elite.

With his announcement of his retirement over a week ago Calhoun, the Hall of Famer, will join an exclusive group of  other college great basketball coaches like John Wooden, Mike Krzyewski, Adolph Rupp, and for my true college basketball junkies Jim Phelan (google him).  Calhoun has 873 victories, which place him 6^th-most victories overall, 3 National Championships and a conference best 7 Big East Tournament Titles.  Without question he has made his mark on College basketball.

Calhoun’s legacy will go down simply as a winner.  Coaching a host of future NBA players, like my favorite Ray Allen, Donyell Marshall, and Richard Hamilton, to local Wisconsin native Caron Butler.  Not only did Calhoun win basketball games, he battled and defeated Cancer twice all while returning to coach his Huskies.  

Although in his final years he battled the NCAA on recruiting violations and poor academic performance. Legendary coaches like Calhoun, who truly built a program from nothing, and turned it into a powerhouse program, only come around once in a life time was great for the college basketball.  Let’s not forget that before Jim Calhoun you never heard of University of Connecticut for anything.  So although he’s stepping down his footprints will remain on UConn campus as the guy who took a cold part of the country and made it a hot bed for great college players.

Here's a tribute to Jim Calhoun.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.

NFL recaps of week 2

Video courtesy of ESPN Sunday Blitz  

Two down and fifteen more to go this week brought many surprises. We recap the second week of NFL regular season. Some had Wonderful Dreams, while others and Horrible Nightmares.

• Guess the Packers didn’t need much luck against the Bears. Packers defense had 7 sacks, 4 INTs so Rodgers, the offense finished the Bears off 23-10.

• Offense outburst from the Bills made fast work of the Chiefs. Fitzpatrick and Spiller two TD’s a piece aided in the victory 35-17.

• Late heroic FG by Colts Vinatieri gives Andrew Luck his first NFL victory over the Vikings 23-20.

• Bengals QB Dalton 3 TD’s was more than enough to help Bengals beat the Browns 34-27.

• Bush controls the offense for the Dolphins with his 26 carries, 172 yards and 2 TD’s. Dolphins 35-Raiders 13. Raiders fall to 0-2.

• Cardinals win the shock award this week, as they are 2-0 with a huge victory over Brady, Patriots 20-18. Patriots also lost TE Hernandez.

• Vick passing for 371 yard, the Eagles edge the Ravens, despite 4 turnovers 24-23.

• A giant performance by Giants QB Eli Manning 510 yards and 3 TD’s in a come from behind victory over the Buccaneers 41-34.

• Who dat without a victory? Saints drop to 0-2 after a road lost to Newton, Panthers 27-35.

• Texans defense held Jaguars offense below 120 yards and Foster rush for more than 100 yards. Texans 27-7 over Jaguars.

• Rams QB Bradford put up a 300 yard performance as the Rams out last Griffin III, Redskins 31-28.

• Seahawks use a strong defense performance to roll over the Cowboys 27-7.

• Rivers, and Chargers bolt pass the Titans 38-10. Rivers 3 TD’s were the highlight of the game as the Charger are now 2-0.

• 49ers move to 2-0 with a strong performance behind QB Smith’s two TD’s. 49ers 27-Lions 19.

• Big second half for Big Ben and Steelers as they ease pass Jets 27-10.

• Broncos couldn't escape Manning’s slow start and his 3INT’s. Falcons used that as their starting block to hold on to the 27-21 victory.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.

NFL Game Recap of Week 1

With the first week of the National Football League over here are my game recaps. Some teams had Wonderful Dreams, while others had Horrible Nightmares.

49ers defense bullies the Packers, win by 12. 30-22.

Cowboys surprise everyone including the Giants with a victory by 7. Romo starts the season off hot with 3 TD’s

Bears welcomes Colts rookie QB Andrew Luck to the league with a 20 point beat down. Bears 41 Colts 21.

Even with 4 interceptions, Browns find away to lose against the Eagles 16-17. Vick stop trying so hard let the game come to you.

Lions will be exciting to watch all season. Stafford’s only TD was the game winner against the Rams 27-23.

Same ol same ol with the Patriots. Titans didn’t show up…preseason is over right? 34-13 Patriots.

Falcons soar by the Chiefs thanks to Ryan’s 4 TD’s 40-24.

Is Adrian Peterson back? sure hope so for the Vikings which stole a victory in OT against the Jaguars 26-23.

   

It must be the last name; yep my last name is Griffin too. Robert Griffin III produce ‘un-rookie’ like numbers 320 yds and 2 TD’s to push the Redskins past Brees, Saints 40-32.

Jets didn’t show much in the preseason. They saved it all for the beat down of the Bills 48-28. Sanchez 3 TD’s great start J-E-T-S.

AFC Super Bowl favorites Texans had the Dolphins out to dry by half-time, and finished them off 30-10 Lead by Foster 2 TD’s.

Cardinals Kolb has been on this block before stepping in for an injured QB, Skelton, to pull out a 4 point victory over the upstart Seahawks, Russell Wilson 20-16.

     

Turnovers will not result in victories. Panthers Cam Newton must learn that. 2 INT’s cost them the victory against the Buccaneers 10-16.

What a Broncos debut! Elway who? Ok moving too fast maybe, but Payton Manning throws his 400^th career TD and Broncos win 31-19 over the Steelers.

Ravens have Defense but, Offense WHAT!? Yes totaling 44 points. Bengals was no match only mustering up 13 points.

Raiders cut back on their mistakes and this could have been a different outcome. Nevertheless, Chargers win 22-14.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.

“Mr. Baseball” in Milwaukee

In the world of sports one of the highest honors one can get is a statue. In baseball Milwaukee, believe it or not, has one of the richest histories.  Until the most recent years my home team, Milwaukee Brewers, might not have been in conversations with playoffs or World Series year after year.  But one thing for sure, that has been a consistent is the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers. BobUecker! Mr. Baseball himself.

Other Brewers icons like Henry Aaron, Bud Selig, and Robin Yount all have been immortalized with a statue of their very own outside Miller Park.  Mr. Uecker has brought a unique style and a witty sense of humor for 41-years while delivering the game of baseball to the ears of Brewers fans around the world.  Some might think its long overdue for him to land a statue, but it’s here now, alone side those others Brewers icons. 

Mr. Uecker took his act to late night television.  He had countless appearances on Johnny Carson “The Tonight Show” talking baseball, mostly joking about his career. By the way his career batting average of .200 is nothing to preach about. This statue is for what he did for the culture of baseball in Milwaukee, not for his playing days.

I know most would ask can someone who sits and brings America’s favorite past-time to life get such an honor.  I look to my 90 year old grandmother who has followed the Brewers as long as I can recall.  She once said “I’m a Baseball fan, I’m a Brewer fan first, and that Uecker is something special we’re lucky to have him”.

It’s Uecker who has me saying “Get up! Get up! Get Outta here! Gone!” every time I see a homerun in any ball park. This has me thinking how awesome would it be to hear Mr. Baseball call MLB All-Star home run derby.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.

    

Brownsville, Brooklyn to Broadway Staring Tyson

Spike Lee. Mike Tyson.  Yes, Mr.’ Do the Right Thing’ and Mr. Eccentric join forces to displace the life and times of the former champ. The legendary Packer’s Coach Vince Lombardi, NBA Hall of Famers Bird and Magic careers have also hit the bright lights of Broadway.  Now for the main event, for pure entertainment if nothing else, Broadway will host ‘The Undisputed Truth’ one-man show staring Mike Tyson playing his self.  I can’t think of any one better for such a complex role.

The play will take Tyson fans down memory lane of his boxing success and his life struggles.  It will introduce newer fans to how he ran havoc in and out the boxing ring. No one did it better (50-6 44KO’s).  With Spike Lee managing all production, I’m sure it will have a dark yet colorful feeling of Tyson’s world.

I once thought he didn’t fight anyone in their prime, silly me, while he climbed the boxing ranks.  Well I was wrong.   Tyson not only climbed the boxing ranks, he changed the boxing world forever.  I call him Mr. Pay-Per-View. When his fights came on you didn’t move an inch.  Those fights could be over within seconds, 21 seconds to be exact just ask Marvis Frazier the son of Joe ‘Smokin’ Frazier.   Those fights only left me craving for more, not fights just longer fights.

Tyson still has that I’ll kick your ass persona and anyone with a tattoo on their face should right? However, Tyson has a sense of humor that is unmatchable.  See the movie Hangover I & II.  When ask by Rolling Stone how he would like to improve the ‘The Undisputed Truth’, Tyson said “it may seem weird or wimpy, but I want to have some quick dance acts in there. I’d love to sing, but I can’t. Maybe I’ll get the guts one day”.  I’m not sure what Tyson will wear during the play but the black shorts, black shoes, and no socks would be a KO of a job to catch his in the ring boxing image.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.  

Olympics Stars

Gold.

Gabby Douglas. Michael Phelps. Missy Franklin has brought me more reason to cheer for the USA in these 2012 Olympics games then years prior.  The anticipation of seeing their greatness was my carrot.  Not even the USA Men’s Basketball team with Kobe, Lebron, and Melo was enough to get my attention to follow the Olympics, more on them later.  I love when the Olympics Games roll around every four years.  It reintroduces the world to sports that most wouldn’t regularly watch.  The games bring the best storylines and dreams for a life time.

Sliver.

Another part of the Olympics excitement is the track and field events.  They are filled with stunning athletes, but my eyes and yours too will be on one runner Usain Bolt. Bolt repeating as the 100m gold medal winner was a daunting task, which he did, in doing so he broke his own World Record.  Breaking the World Record with a time of 9.63seconds Bolt has truly become the face, fastest, and flamboyant personality of the Olympics games. 

Bronze.

Now back to the USA Men’s Basketball team and their quest for gold.  I love watching the best of what the NBA has to offer on one team.  My desire is that the NBA All-Star game would take on an Olympic feel.  Where the fans vote for 10 USA born players and have them go up against 10 Foreign NBA players. Sorry, I digress.  Much was made of this Olympic team, and how they would fair against the Original Dream Team with Bird, Magic, and Jordan.  My thoughts on who would win this Dream game which has been the talk of these Olympic Games, rightly so, because clearly I know Kobe, Lebron, and Melo will win the gold.

My take on this Dream game…

Athleticism- goes to Kobe, Lebron and Melo

Skill- goes to Bird, Magic and Jordan 

Intangible- goes Kobe, Lebron and Melo. 

Coaching- I must go with Chuck Daly and his coaching staff. So who would be my winner in a single game with Olympics format is…to be continue let the great debate live on.

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.

Owners, spending money on the right players

NBA players like Nicolas Batum of Portland Trailblazers, Brook Lopez of the Brooklyn Nets, and Omer Asik of the Chicago Bulls all received contract extensions stretching from 3-years and $25.1 million up to 4-years and $61 millions.  No wonder why NBA fans are asking why this past summer NBA lockout had to happen.

NBA owners are first to yell they aren’t making money.  Well with deals like that I can clearly see why they are not. However, after a second glance at the new CBA contacts like the one Brook Lopez received aren’t the problem. It was those maximum contracts; players received and not live up to.

The new CBA is working for at least one big spenders like the New York Knicks, who opt not to match the offer sheet (3-years $25million…$15million in the last year) from the Houston Rockets for raising star Jeremy Lin. Before this new CBA I’m sure the Knicks would have match it without question. Now only if teams like the Milwaukee Bucks can find a way to sign a ‘big name’ free agent to make them more competitive, I’ll love this new CBA even more.

At the end of the day, fans want to see improvement in competition and owners want to see profit. Can both things happen? I know only a small percent of teams should think championship or failure, but am I asking too much for teams to think of a winning season or playoffs year in and year out?

Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Mean you will have Success.