Case and Point

Opinions

2013-03-05T11:28:00.001-05:00

Everyone has opinions. It's what makes things interesting at bars and in debates. This site has always been my sounding board for my opinions and I haven't shared any for a while so here we go as I correct that:

*Joe Flacco is not worth anywhere near the money that was dropped on him. He had one of the luckiest post seasons I have ever seen. Had DBs remembered how to play the deep ball (looking at you Denver and San Fran) he's still a game manager. In the end that's all he will eer be.

*I am completely apathetic about not only the World Baseball Classic but Major League Baseball. It has nothing to do with how poorly my Pirates will probably play and everything to do with how stupid and long the regular season is.

*Lebron James not being in the dunk contest is not only a non-story but it's absurd that it's already being discussed. Shame on you, ESPN, for driving that narrative.

*The Heat are peaking too soon.

*The team in the sport I won't discuss are peaking too soon.

*The NFL Draft this year will be a waste of time. There may be two franchise players taken in the first round. The rest will be decent or busts.

*Alex Smith to the Chiefs is a dumb move for the Chiefs.

*College basketball is a crap shoot this year. May not even do a bracket.

*The NBA Draft this year will be as pointless and watered down as the NFL Draft.

*I hate non-Olympic years. Passionately.

*Highlight feels are overrated.

*Ray Lewis is proof that you can do horrible things in life and be rewarded handsomely.

Heir Apperant

2013-01-07T10:25:00.000-05:00

Indianapolis Colts fans are spoiled. Very spoiled. They likely know it, too. They had one buffer year of garbage between perhaps the best quarterback of all time in Peyton Manning to the next great thing in Andrew Luck. Bowing out in the first round of the playoffs after going 11-5 on the season the year after going 2-14 was a revelation lead largely by Luck.

(thefootballeducator.com)

Greatness replacing greatness is rare in sports. Few want to be "the guy to replace the guy". However recent history has a few examples of how teams have fared when they are lucky enough to fall into that position. For a peak at the potential future of the Colts, let's have a look at the outcomes for those lucky enough to have this problem:

To start this story let's hop in the way back machine, all the way back to the year 1984. A moribund hockey franchise clings to life as they finish last in the NHL with a putrid 16-58-6 record. Whether they tanked the season or not is up for debate. The outcome remained the same: Mario Lemieux was now a Pittsburgh Penguin.

Through health scares, broken bones, bad backs, and bankruptcy Mario was the face of the team. His presence lead to a boom in hockey interest in Western, PA and put the Pens on the map. Once an afterthought in destinations for trades and free agents Mario made the Igloo a prime destination for anyone wanting to have the chance to win in the NHL.

After 17 seasons, 690 goals, 1723 points, and two Stanley Cups Lemieux was nearing the end of his career. His body was failing him, his franchise was in danger of relocation to another city and the aging superstar that put Pittsburgh hockey on the map was in danger of leaving (literally) his team when it needed him most.

Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby

Then the balls bounced their way.

With the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, a draft they happened to win via a lottery due to the lockout the previous season, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected the player long believed to be The Next One: Sidney Crosby.

With Sidney Crosby game another once-in-a-generation talent. A player that had to be seen to be believed. While not as much a raw talent as Lemieux all eyes were on him and it showed at the box office, where the Penguins began to sell out, and in the standings.

With the season about to begin Sid ranks as one of the league's preeminent scorers, players, and people. Oh, and he's brought home another Stanley Cup as well as kept the Penguins in Pittsburgh. A contract signed in 2012 silently promises another 12 years of greatness in Pittsburgh. That's nearly 30 years of elite talent on the ice in a row.

Going back to that time machine and ending up in the year 1987 when the San Antonio Spurs drafted Navy Midshipmen center "The Admiral" David Robinson with the first overall pick. Though it took until 1989 for Robinson to join the Spurs while he finished his service, prompting rumors that he would become a free agent instead of signing, he took up what would become a Hall of Fame career path.

David Robinson and Tim Duncan

Named Rookie of the Year in 1989-90 as well as winning Gold with the Dream Teams of 1992 and 1996 something was missing. The Spurs always came up short in the playoffs, sometimes by Robinson's own admission at his lack of ability. An MVP in 1995 did not stop a string of five straight playoff defeats.

Then came the injuries.

A painful back and a broken foot in 1997-98 lead to a lost season for Robinson and a lost season for the Spurs. A 20-62 record was a blessing in disguise as the Spurs won the Draft Lottery and ended up with the first pick in Tim Duncan.

Known as the Twin Towers it took only two years for the Spurs to finally shake the monkey off of their back and win their first ever NBA Title. Despite a truncated, locked out 1998-99 season the Spurs, with Robinson and Duncan, lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Another championship in 2002-03 saw Robinson leave the NBA a two time champion but it didn't stop Duncan. A retooled Spurs line up with Duncan as the key saw another two championships in the next six years, with the Spurs upending the Pistons in 2005 and the Cavaliers in 2007 for two more rings, these of Duncan's very own.

Though his career is winding down the Spurs and Duncan continue to thrive, continually a force in the NBA. After 25 years the Spurs continue to feature one of the best centers in not only the league but in history and it continues to get them within distance of an elusive fifth championship.

A minor trade took place in 1992 when the Packers acquired a troubled and erratic quarterback from the Atlanta Falcons. As soon as Brett Favre got a shot to shine, after a mid-game injury to Don Majkowski, he never looked back. From there the Gunslinger was born.

All Brett Favre would go on to do is become the three time MVP of the league, lead the Packers to two Super Bowls, and become the man who brought the Lombardi Trophy back home to Green Bay. Setting multiple passing records and never missing a game made him legendary, even as his numbers began to wane and the Packers began to slowly erode.

With age catching up to Favre, and continued questions of whether he would retire or play, the Packers drafted a young quarterback from Cal U who fell to them in the first round. With the 24th pick the Packers selected the strong armed Aaron Rodgers. And then he sat. He learned. He listened. He took in as much as he could while he waited for his turn to play.

Finally in 2008 it became a little too much for the Packers. Despite a great run which saw the Pack end up in NFC Championship Game (losing to the Champion Giants) Favre announced his retirement. Rodgers was ready to take over. Even after Favre announced his comeback he was sent to the Jets and it was not Rodgers' team.

Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers

It took only one season for Rodgers to announce that he was there. In 2009 he led the Packers to the a Wild Card birth where, despite amassing 45 points on offense, throwing for four touchdowns and 422 yards, they were eliminated by the Arizona Cardinals. The next year, despite injuries, he and the Green and Yellow caught fire at the right time. Before they knew it he was lifting a Lombardi Trophy of his own.

Rodgers has gone on to his continued great play. An MVP award last year has lead to another stellar season in the shadow of Adrian Peterson... whom he escorted out of the playoffs on Saturday. At only 29 there could be many more deep playoff runs and Lombardi's in his future. For over 20 years Packers fans have had stellar arms to watch. Sounds pretty similar to Indianapolis.

It's far too soon to say whether Andrew Luck will be a Hall of Famer, or even a Hall of Greater. It's too soon to say whether Andrew Luck will ever lead the Colts to the Super Bowl. It's not too soon to say that the Colts are, historically, in a very enviable position. If the trends above are any indication there's a lot more to come from Luck.

No pressure, Andrew.
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NFL Playoffs- Sunday Wild Card Predictions

2013-01-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

Youth is served this year in the NFL with nearly half of the teams in the Wild Card battles starting rookie quarterbacks. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson lead improbable runs by their otherwise down and out teams to the post season and look to prove it's not a mistake. Yesterday we looked at the Saturday games (going 1/2), after the break your Sunday games, what I think happens and a prediction from Madden 13.

The AFC

Indianapolis Colts

vs.

Baltimore Ravens

Sunday, January 6th 2003 1:00 CBS

M&T Bank Stadium- Baltimore, Maryland

From the ashes the Phoenix will rise and from the 2-14 seasons the Luck will improve. Rightfully the worst team in the NFL last year the Indianapolis Colts completely changed their identity in the off season, parting ways with long time quarterback (and face of the franchise) Peyton Manning, firing head coach Jim Caldwell, and taking part in a major front office switch. How was the franchise rewarded? With arguably the Rookie of the Year in Andrew Luck, an 11-5 record, and a solid base to build on. Plus oh yeah they're in the playoffs after winning nine more games than they did the year before and going 9-2 down the last 11 weeks of the season. None too shabby.

The 10-6 record on the season disguises the issues behind the 2012 season for the Baltimore Ravens. The continued inconsistency of Joe Flacco (100.8 QB rating at home with 15 TDs and 5 INTs compared to a 75.9 QB rating, 14 TDs and 5 on the road) the Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and promoted QB coach Jim Caldwell to OC. The result? A team that went 1-5 down the stretch with a defense giving up over 25 points per game and an offense unable to keep up.

The confusion among the ranks has yet to be quelled. Sitting half of the starters did not help the Ravens any. Despite the war cry from long time Ravens heart and soul of this being the end of his road the Ravens are just too much of a mess. Combined with the Andrew Luck finding his stride without a single turn over in three games (which to the point was his biggest flaw) the Colts start off the Luck era with a playoff win.

Madden Says: Colts 17 Ravens 3

I say: Colts 20 Ravens 13

The NFC

Seattle Seahawks

vs.

Washington Redskins

Sunday, January 6th 2013 4:30 FOX

FedEx Field- Landover, Maryland

Russell Wilson is a more talented and smarter Vince Young. I have no idea how he wins but he wins. Despite a low yardage in the air his 64.1% completion percentage puts him 8th in the league (coincidentally RGIII is 4th). His 26 passing TDs have him in the Top 10 for QBs on the season and lead with rookies. His output along with the propensity of the Skittles fueled BEAST MODE entering Marshawn Lynch (1590 yards rushing) and an extremely stout defense have lead to a new era for the Seahawks.

I guess he was worth the draft picks, eh? Robert Griffin III has proven to be transcendent in his first season out of winning the Heisman at Baylor. Passing for 3,200 yards on the season while rushing for 815 yards he accounted for over 4000 yards of offense and 27 TDs (20 in air, 7 on the ground). The addition of rookie running back Alfred Morris (a terrific 6th round pick from Florida Atlantic) and his 1613 yards on the ground have given the 'Skins a spark they haven't had in years. A steady defense, a little weak in passing, has lead them to their first Division title since 1999.

In possibly the most evenly matched game of the early rounds this game can go either way with the big swing point being which rookie QB makes the fewest mistakes. The knee injury to RGIII may slow him but as he proved against the Cowboys he can still make plays. How he and Morris will deal with the 5th ranked rush defense employed by the Seahawks will be the difference maker. When we look back in the end this will be considered Russell Wilson's coming out party for the East Coast.

Madden Says: Seahawks 13 Redskins 10/OT

I Say: Seahawks 24 Redskins 20

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NFL Playoffs- Saturday Wild Card Predictions

2013-01-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

Youth is served this year in the NFL with nearly half of the teams in the Wild Card battles starting rookie quarterbacks. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson lead improbable runs by their otherwise down and out teams to the post season and look to prove it's not a mistake. After the break we look at your Saturday games as well as my predictions and some guesses from Madden 13.

The AFC

Cincinnati Bengals

vs.

Houston Texans

Saturday, January 5th 2013 4:30pm NBC

Reliant Stadium- Houston, Texas

They seemed to be the Bungles of old. Starting the season 0-4 they were easily written off by the quick jerk reactions of those who watch for a living. By all accounts they should have been. Instead they turned an 0-4 start to a wild 10-6 record, ending the season on a 10-2 run behind the arm of Andy Dalton, the hands of super receiver AJ Green, the legs of off season signing BenJarvus Green-Ellis and an oppressive running attack on defense by Geno Atkins. Coming just shy of winning the AFC North (losing the tie breaker to the Ravens) the Bengals are back in the playoffs for the second season in a row. The last time that happened? 1981 and 1982.

Starting off on a tear and being, according to many (myself included) the top team in the NFL for the majority of the year the Texans came in with high expectations. Widely thought that if last year's injury bug hadn't beaten them they'd hoist the Lombardi trophy they were expected to be a dominant force in this year's season. And they were. Until the last month. Losing three of four, their offense sputtering to just 16 points per game, their defense becoming porous allowing over 27 points per game the once high and mighty are suddenly very vulnerable.

The Texans come in as flat as a stabbed tire, losing three of four to close out the year. The Bengals, shedding their Bungles moniker, have won seven of eight going into their first time in back to back playoff appearances since the early 1980's. A floundering Texans defense and sputtering offense have many in Houston worried. They should be worried. From Number One to One and Done for the early Super Bowl favorites and what I long considered the best team in the NFL. The Bengals move on, getting vindication for last years first round ousting.

Madden Says: Bengals 16 Texans 6

I say: Bengals 23 Texans 17

The NFC

Minnesota Vikings

vs.

Green Bay Packers

Saturday, January 5th 2013 8:00 NBC

Lambeau Field- Green Bay, Wisconsin

Few could have seen it coming. Adrian Peterson, coming off of a blown out ACL and MCL, came just nine yards shy of the all time single season rushing record at 2,097 yards on the season. Few have had as impressive a comeback from a completely disabled knee in the NFL. Any talk of MVP, and any handing out of MVP, is a joke if he's not at least sharing the award. Without Peterson a previously 3-13 Vikings Squad is back taking in the top of the draft. With his bionic knee the Vikings, with a little help from an anemic Christian Ponder, are in the post season.

That last year's MVP Aaron Rodgers isn't getting a sniff for his work this season is stunning. 4,295 yards passing. Only eight interceptions to go with 39 TDs. The lack of recognition is the sort of thing which lends one a chip for their throwing shoulder. One that just may be enough to overcome a running game that's not dependable and a middle of the pack (no pun) defense. One that is on a mission to add another ring to his fingers. Starting now.

It's all up to Peterson to rule the day. This game comes down to All Day. If he can put up over 200 yards in the Frozen Tundra and have an all out dominating day the Vikings can manage to pull this out. The likelihood of ANOTHER game at or near 200 yards for AD (210 in the first meeting, 199 in the second) is exceedingly unlikely and as such the edge goes to the other MVP player in the fold.

Madden Says: Packers 16 Vikings 13/OT

I Say: Packers 27 Vikings 17

Tomorrow: The Sunday games
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Andy Reid to Coach Chiefs

2013-01-04T12:01:00.000-05:00

According to various places (ESPN, NFL.com, CBS Sports, Yahoo, your mom) Andy Reid has accepted a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to be come the next head coach of the club. Details to be announced.

Reid coaching Eagles (Tumblr)

Reid was let go by the Eagles on December 31st after 14 years with the team which saw him reach the playoffs all but five years, compile a 130-93-1 record, reach five NFC Championship Games and losing Super Bowl XXXIX to the Patriots.

The Chiefs, the hip pick to win the AFC West this year, never found any footing behind a carousel of quarterbacks and through some awful events involving the team. With former coach Romeo Crennel gone and former GM Scott Pioli seeing the door earlier today Reid should have creative control over the team.

Perhaps the quest for a quarterback should end at his front door?

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CaP Talks 2012 with Electric Bilodeau

2013-01-03T10:44:00.000-05:00

With the New Year come and gone our old friend Kevin Bilodeau of local CBS affiliate Live 5 News WCSC invited me back to his podcast Electric Bilodeau to discuss the year of 2012 in sports in Charleston and South Carolina. Link after the jump.

In our year in review we discuss such previously visited topics on Case and Point like the Family Circle Cup and the Charleston Classic. We also discuss the PGA Tour, Goose Creek High School, the Carrier Classic and more.

Click the link to head to iTunes then click Episode 80 to enjoy!
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Ray Lewis to Retire

2013-01-02T14:31:00.000-05:00

Earlier today Ray Lewis announced he'd retire from the NFL after the playoffs after 17 years in the league.

Ray Lewis (Evan Habeeb/US Presswire)

His accomplishments are known, his praise is sung widely, he'll be in the Hall of Fame one day so allow me to add...

No big loss.

/Sad Steelers Fan

TV Funhouse- Ray Lewis by AC310DC _________________________________________________________

Happy New Year!

2013-01-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

May 2013 be great to you and yours from Case and Point! _________________________________________________________

One Last RedZone Live Tweet

2012-12-30T12:33:00.000-05:00

It's the last day of the regular season of the NFL. While we mourn together why don't you join me in one last RedZone Live Tweet?

As always the pic is the link. Grab some wings and enjoy with me!

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Merry Christmas!

2012-12-25T11:43:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from Case and Point!

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Day Three of the Charleston Classic

2012-11-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

It's the last day down at the 2012 Charleston Classic and we're still there, live, and on the scene! Come follow along!

As always we'll be sending you updates, information, photos, and insider info from the 2012 Charleston Classic on Twitter so follow along by clicking the picture!

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Day Two of the Charleston Classic

2012-11-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

It's the second day of the 2012 Charleston Classic and we're, once again, live!

Follow the link in the pic to head to Twitter for all of the goodies!

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Live at the Charleston Classic

2012-11-15T12:19:00.000-05:00

Follow along with us on Twitter as we bring you updates, photos, and behind the scenes looks at the 2012 Charleston Classic all day!

You know what to do: click the pic for the link!

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MLB's Embarrassment

2012-11-14T12:45:00.002-05:00

When the Florida Marlins opened their new stadium last year, something owner Jeffrey Loria claimed they needed for years to be competitive, there was a feature that drew snickers and scorn: a giant home run pinwheel.

It was viewed as typically Miami: ugly, garish, show off, all style and no substance. It was an embarrassment in the ballpark that summed up the home city.

It's no longer the most embarrassing thing in the ballpark.

Hanley Ramirez (AP)

Hanley Ramirez could have seen this coming. In fact he probably did. The perennial All Star third baseball/shortstop had been the face of the franchise. Talented, albeit enigmatic, he and his remaining $46.5 million contract were shipped to the Dodgers, inexplicably, in late July. While it was a fire sale, few saw it as the start of a purge. After all Jeffrey Loria lived up to his billing at first, dropping major money on a team that bloated the Marlins payroll up to $118 million, up from $55 million the year before.

The traditionally stingy Marlins had filled their spanking new stadium with stars like shortstop Jose Reyes (six years, $106 million), starting pitcher Mark Buerhle (four years, $58 million), and closer Heath Bell (three years, $27 million). They even made well publicized overtures to Albert Pujols. They were serious. The stadium that cost the taxpayers of Miami $409 million had stars, something the Marlins had lacked in their history.

However after a 68-94 season things needed changed. It started with the firing of controversial manager Ozzie Guillen. More blood shed when the Marlins traded Heath Bell, a huge bust, to the Arizona Diamondbacks in October. Of his remaining $18 million the Marlins paid $8 to get him away because he was so bad, everyone thought.

Jose Reyes (Business Insider)

Then there was yesterday. Yesterday Jose Reyes (five years, $92 million remaining), Mark Buerhle (three years, $38 million remaining), Josh Johnson (one year, $13.75 million remaining) as well as catcher John Buck (one year, $6 million) and Emilio Bonifacio (arbitration eligible) were shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays for a collection of prospects and barely ares.

The rebranding of the Miami Marlins, ne Florida Marlins, was dead. The promise of a thriving baseball scene in Miami was gone. The only thing left, a stain on Major League Baseball. The man that killed the Montreal Expos, Jeffrey Loria, had done it again. This time he bilked the public out of $409 million. That's $409 million that will go on to cost $2.4 billion over the next 40 years.

Jeffrey Loria has once again killed a baseball franchise and once again Bud Selig stands by and watches it happen. This time more than just baseball is affected. Two generations of Miami residents and tourists will pay for the robbery of a man whose waste goes far beyond talent and potential. A trade has given the Marlins a death penalty and baseball's higher ups folded their hands while Bud Selig shrugged.

In nothing more than a modern day shell game Loria wheezed and wailed to anyone who would listen on the need of a stadium, one they could not afford, to be competitive and break out of the constant rebuilding malaise that had engulfed the franchise from the outset. As soon as his audience was captive, he showed them how easy the game was before showing his true hand. A series of high profile signings with backloaded contracts. A guaranteed one and done with the hopes of a big payoff, one that never arrived. As soon as he had the customers sucked in and the money given, the shells were gone. And baseball let him get away.

Jeffrey Loria (Getty)

A brand new stadium will stand empty. No stars will bother to sign with a franchise that has shown zero desire to keep them around. No fans will come to the games of a team who has shown no desire for a commitment to winning. So there the stadium will sit, a monument to waste and the legacy of a horrid human who bilked an entire region out of money, sport, and heart with the permission of the sport.

With no stars to support a dead franchise in a dead region that home run pinwheel will rarely work. On the small occasion it does the tacky music, spraying water, and flipping dolphins will no longer be looked at as the most embarrassing aspect of the franchise, just a microcosm of all its owner stands for.

All flash, all style. No substance. No passion. No heart.

And it's allowed to continue.

Truly embarrassing.
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NFL Power Rankings- Week 10

2012-11-13T11:21:00.000-05:00

As the NFL turns, I suppose. Some shake ups, as every week, but this time things a changing at the top. After the jump, the Week 10 Power Rankings.

Recod: 8-1
Last Game: 13-6 W at Chicago
Next Game: 11/18 vs. Jacksonville

1. Houston Texans- They're back on top and still the most complete team. Matt Schaub still needs to find his arm but once he does there is no one that can stop Schaub, Foster, and a J.J. Watt led defense.

Record: 7-2
Last Game: 13-6 L vs. Houston
Next Game: 11/19 at San Francisco

2. Chicago Bears- Oh Jay Cutler. Stay healthy. As long as you're healthy the Bears have a chance to beat anyone. Sidelined last game with a concussion it gave the Texans the upper hand. That D though...

Record: 7-2
Last Game: 55-20 W vs. Oakland
Next Game: 11/18 at Pittsburgh

3. Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens will go as far as their quarterback will take them. On Sunday we had Elite Flacco. What will he be next week as the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers?

Record: 8-1
Last Game: 31-27 L at New Orleans
Next Game: 11/18 vs. Arizona

4. Atlanta Falcons- A flawed team that was ready to be taken down finally was. Now they face their proper space in this countdown, more appropriate for their abilities and potential.

Record: 6-3
Last Game: 36-14 W at Carolina
Next Game: 11/8 vs. San Diego

5. Denver Broncos- Peyton Manning is slowly but surely finds his rhythm and the league is beginning to shake. If they can just hold on to the ball the offense will continue to be a force.

Outsides: Five on the Cusp

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)- Injury to Roethlisberger could be season altering. Placement pending news but for now...

Indianapolis Colts (6-3)- The defense is picking up and on offense they're not just Luck-y anymore (sorry).

San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1)- A tie?! A TIE?! A?! TIE?! A tie...

New England Patriots (6-3)- Finally a running game to support Brady. Now who wants to play defense?

Green Bay Packers (6-3)- A bye week gives them more time to look at film and get stronger? Watch out NFL.

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LA Lakers- Less with More

2012-11-12T12:35:00.002-05:00

With the firing of coach Mike Brown on Friday the Lakers corrected a mistake that was questioned as soon as it was made. The termination was a surprise in its swiftness but not it its happening. With a 1-4 start behind the likes of Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and (the injured) Steve Nash it looked like more of the same from Brown: Doing less with more. As such I began to wonder, "Who in sports has done less with more talent than Brown?

(Mike Brown/ESPN)

The Lakers answered my question for me.

Mike Brown took over the rising Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005 as the defensive whiz assistant from stops in San Antonio, Indiana, and Washington and took a team anchored by Lebron James (and little else) to the NBA Finals by 2007 where they were promptly swept by San Antonio.

In the following years the Cavaliers grew as did Lebron's abilities. A constant contender for the best record in the league (winning that distinction in '08-'09 and '09-'10) Brown's teams were always heavily favored to take home the Larry O'Brien trophy.

(Mike Brown and Lebron James/USA Today)

And they never did.

Players such as Lebron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Ben Wallace, and Mo Williams were the bigger parts of these teams while role players like Delonte West, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Anderson Varejao played important pieces in the machine.

All for nothing.

With the departure of James to the Miami Heat Brown was fired while the franchise rebuilt. Luckily for him Phil Jackson was retiring and it left a large void in the hearts of the Lakers. After a coaching search in stepped Brown.

(Mike Brown and Kobe Bryant/ibtimes.com)

Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron "Metta World Peace" Artest all fell flat in five games in the Western Conference Semis against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A revamped roster with Bryant, World Peace/Artest, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard floundered out of the gates.

James, O'Neal, Wallace, Williams, Bryant, Gasol, Bynum, World Peace/Artest, Nash, Howard. Eight seasons.

Zero rings.

No one had wasted more talent than Mike Brown, so I thought. As I racked my brain attempting to find someone who had more but did less that answer was put forth this morning around 3am.

D'Antoni, an offensive whiz, had five years in Phoenix with the Suns as well as three and a half with the New York Knicks. While he had the Western Conference Finals twice it was in his second and third seasons with the Suns. After that never beyond the semis. Adding in only one playoff appearance with the Knicks and... well... it's not looking good.

And the names on those teams?

(Mike D'Antoni and Steve Nash/USA Today)

Grant Hill, Amar'e Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Antonio McDyess, Tracy McGrady, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony.

Eight plus years with top, top flight talent.

Zero rings.

Somehow the Lakers found a way to go down from Mike Brown. An aging team struggling to find offense but decent on defense will now be an aging team trying to play a high tempo offense with little regard for defense.

In the end the result will likely be the same:

Zero rings.
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NFL RedZone Live Tweet Time

2012-11-11T10:36:00.000-05:00

Fire up the Twitters and turn on your cable! You know what time it is! Well, at 1pm anyway.

Link in the pic. Get on it.

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Three to Watch- Week 10

2012-11-10T12:44:00.000-05:00

Once again, we're doing out best to tell you what to do with your time. And now for the three to watch (and one to avoid) for Week 10 of the NFL season:

3. Cowboys Eagles

2. Falcons Saints

1. Texans Bears

One to Avoid:

Jets Seahawks
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NFL Power Rankings- Week 9

2012-11-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

The more they change, the more they stay the same. Little movement at the top, while some others have risen. Want to know more? It's waiting for you just after the break.

1. Falcons

2. Bears

3. Texans

4. 49ers

5. Ravens

Outliers:

Broncos

Steelers

Giants

Colts

Packers
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Another RedZone Live Tweet

2012-11-04T11:37:00.000-05:00

It's Sunday. It's football. It's RedZone. It's a live tweet at 1pm.

Pic to click.

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Three to Watch- Week 9

2012-11-03T15:38:00.000-04:00

Don't know what to watch this weekend because you're not joining our RedZone Live Tweets? Well you're a jerk but here you go: Three to watch, one to avoid, all for Week 9 of the NFL season.

3. Cardinals Packers

2. Eagles Saints

1. Steelers Giants

One to Avoid:

Panthers Redskins
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New NHL Ban

2012-11-02T15:19:00.001-04:00

As of 3:00pm EST the NHL has cancelled the 2013 Winter Classic, to have been held in Ann Arbor, MI between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The season looks more and more like it will be lost while apathy and grows amongst fans.

And the league truly doesn't care.

Since the league doesn't care, I've decided that this blog will no longer care.

With the exception of one article I've been piecing together that mentions the league, the NHL will not be represented on this blog for the next year. Whether there's a season or no, whether there's huge news or no, none of it will appear on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media feed.

While my tiny little space of the internet will not have an impact on the lock out and I may be the only one doing so, I consider it a sign of how little I care that the sport I love won't play. They don't deserve my attention.
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NFL Power Rankings- Week 8

2012-10-30T15:27:00.000-04:00

As the tectonic plates go, so go the NFL power rankings. A new week and shifts occur. Want to know who is where? Of course you do. Go ahead, check after the jump. You know you wanna.

1. Falcons

2. Giants

3. Texans

4. 49ers

5. Bears

Outliers:

Ravens

Steelers

Packers

Vikings

Broncos
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Another RedZone Live Tweet

2012-10-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

Hey! Guess what! It's another Sunday and guess what! Another RedZone live tweet!

The fun begins at 1pm EST and runs until ??? Click the pic, it's a link!

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Three to Watch- Week 8

2012-10-27T15:29:00.000-04:00

Don't you bother with that TV Guide or what ever you look at these days to find out what you're watching. I really don't keep up. Just use this guide: The three to watch (and one to avoid) for Week 8 of the NFL season.

3. 49ers Cardinals

2. Redskins Steelers

1. Giants Cowboys

Don't Bother:

Chargers Browns
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