This was a very good game for the Huskies. My big knock on the Huskies is that they lose interest occasionally. They lost interest in UConn 'Nova I and let Villanova back in to win it. Not this time. Despite a couple of lapses, the Huskies looked very strong. The game was closer then the 14 point margin, but it was a game were digging out of a 6 point hole looked nearly impossible.
So, it is back to Devils #1 and Huskies #2. As I have maintained, you could make an argument for that or UConn #1 and Duke #2, but what has impressed me is that you can easily see Villanova in the title game as well.
All the arguments are moot until the Tournament. I still suggest that UConn and Villanova will be best prepared coming out of conference play and the tournaments because of the strength of the Big East. The "weakness" of the ACC, Big 12 and CUSA hurts Duke, Texas and Memphis, but all have a legitimate shot. I am not a big fan of Gonzaga, though Morrison is a player, and GW really has not shown me anything exciting, so I am looking at Pitt, Georgetown, and the Big Ten pair of OSU and Illinois. (But WHAT is up with the Big Ten???)
It would be a crying shame if Notre Dame did not get into the Tournament, though I do not think they will at this point. That team comes to play every night and has had enough heart breakers to last a lifetime, the latest against UConn. But the Selection does not reward "close, but."
One final UConn note, in the 'Nova loss and ND game, it was the rapid three's that got 'Nova and ND back into the game. I wonder how this plays out in a Duke game.
2.27.2006
2.26.2006
The Things We Do for Love
My wife, who is a beautiful statuesque 5'9" irish redhead, once told me "you don't ever have to purchase me flowers on any day, they just last for a week then die". So, being the man that I am, I took her words to heart. Bad move. So this past Valentine's Day, I purchased her a dozen overpriced red roses, dinner at a swank local bistro, and tickets to see Bon Jovi in concert. But what takes the cake in our marriage is the exact thing I'm doing while writing this blog...sitting with her watching reality tv - and not just reality, the cheesiest, made for tv spectacle, "Dancing with the Stars". Somewhere a tattooed biker with pieces of food in his beard and a beer belly you can fit a basketball in is wretching. I will be sure to check my manhood after this, but such is the thing we men do for love...and booty points. But 30 mins of Stacy Kiebler is a small consolation that I will live with.
Ok, on to more salient points:
Lindsay Jacobellis - you are the BEST IN THE WORLD and the other people who raced with you know it - they weren't within a long distance phone call near the end. One little mistake should not define you, regardless if it was in the Olympics. Stick it to 'em in 2010.
Bode Miller - goodbye. Have a fun free fall into obscurity. If we're lucky we'll never hear any of your bullshit again. Say goodbye to your endorsements. I hope you had fun "partying like the Olympics", because you are done.
USA Hockey - you are passionless, apathetic, old, and slow. I'd rather lose with young, hungry players than with old and tired relics like Mike Modano, who used to be a classy player until his petulant little hissy fit of an exit. Chris Chelios, you are the only bright spot in a sea or darkness.
Zach Lund - sorry you got busted for Propecia. It was legal for a while, but it's illegal now. And YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! You should have been up on the latest laws and rules, missing that was unforgiveable, and the result is a disqualification and suspension. Come back bald but better.
Michelle Kwan - with grace and dignity, you left us. American figure skating is better for having you be a part of it.
Shani Davis - maybe I am not completely up on this, but cut it with the ghetto attitude. You're an Olympian, not a black Olympian. Enough, the shtick is getting old.
Joey Cheek - I bow down to your integrity and generosity. Donating $45k then challenging corporate america to match it is mind boggling in this day of selfish and whiny athletes.
I don't understand the flood of "X Games" sports in the Olympics, but they are certainly exciting (snowboard xcross - wow). Frankly, since the other sports are for the most part pretty boring (except for hockey), the Olympics are only interesting for the first few days.
Curling - OH MY GOSH I've become interested in this sport. I like it. That makes me a boring person, I guess. But Pete Fensen and the USA Curling program made a MAJOR statement in beating the Brits for the bronze medal. Congrats to Pete!
The one beef I read and had myself was the simple fact that the Olympics lose their attractiveness for the TV audience when the results are posted on the Internet 8 hours before we get to watch them. Suspense gone. Desire to view the games...gone.
UCONN - 'Nova today; sure, revenge is sweet, and 'Nova made the Huskies look lost in the last meeting. But the most important thing to take away from this game was the simple fact that a QUALITY front court of big men will make 'Nova suffer. Tilam will have more insight into who has a deep and tall frontcourt, but I believe that today's game shows that 'Nova's quickness is great and is a force, but that they are vulnerable to a deep and quality set of towers, and Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong (with backups Nelson and Adrian) proved that today.
Florida - these guys were #2 at one point? I didn't see much passion, much verve, much go-get-'em today, as a result they lose to Alabama (unranked Alabama). Look for them to NOT make the Sweet Sixteen in the big dance.
Ok, on to more salient points:
Lindsay Jacobellis - you are the BEST IN THE WORLD and the other people who raced with you know it - they weren't within a long distance phone call near the end. One little mistake should not define you, regardless if it was in the Olympics. Stick it to 'em in 2010.
Bode Miller - goodbye. Have a fun free fall into obscurity. If we're lucky we'll never hear any of your bullshit again. Say goodbye to your endorsements. I hope you had fun "partying like the Olympics", because you are done.
USA Hockey - you are passionless, apathetic, old, and slow. I'd rather lose with young, hungry players than with old and tired relics like Mike Modano, who used to be a classy player until his petulant little hissy fit of an exit. Chris Chelios, you are the only bright spot in a sea or darkness.
Zach Lund - sorry you got busted for Propecia. It was legal for a while, but it's illegal now. And YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! You should have been up on the latest laws and rules, missing that was unforgiveable, and the result is a disqualification and suspension. Come back bald but better.
Michelle Kwan - with grace and dignity, you left us. American figure skating is better for having you be a part of it.
Shani Davis - maybe I am not completely up on this, but cut it with the ghetto attitude. You're an Olympian, not a black Olympian. Enough, the shtick is getting old.
Joey Cheek - I bow down to your integrity and generosity. Donating $45k then challenging corporate america to match it is mind boggling in this day of selfish and whiny athletes.
I don't understand the flood of "X Games" sports in the Olympics, but they are certainly exciting (snowboard xcross - wow). Frankly, since the other sports are for the most part pretty boring (except for hockey), the Olympics are only interesting for the first few days.
Curling - OH MY GOSH I've become interested in this sport. I like it. That makes me a boring person, I guess. But Pete Fensen and the USA Curling program made a MAJOR statement in beating the Brits for the bronze medal. Congrats to Pete!
The one beef I read and had myself was the simple fact that the Olympics lose their attractiveness for the TV audience when the results are posted on the Internet 8 hours before we get to watch them. Suspense gone. Desire to view the games...gone.
UCONN - 'Nova today; sure, revenge is sweet, and 'Nova made the Huskies look lost in the last meeting. But the most important thing to take away from this game was the simple fact that a QUALITY front court of big men will make 'Nova suffer. Tilam will have more insight into who has a deep and tall frontcourt, but I believe that today's game shows that 'Nova's quickness is great and is a force, but that they are vulnerable to a deep and quality set of towers, and Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong (with backups Nelson and Adrian) proved that today.
Florida - these guys were #2 at one point? I didn't see much passion, much verve, much go-get-'em today, as a result they lose to Alabama (unranked Alabama). Look for them to NOT make the Sweet Sixteen in the big dance.
2.17.2006
More Blowhards
Mrs. Tilam accuses me of being too hard on Michelle Wie. In the interest of fairness, allow me to point out two other annoying blowhards.
First off, I have a love/hate relationship with the Winter Olympics. I truly enjoy watching sports that I never see at any other time (womens' curling anyone???). But I also think the Winter Olympics are REALLY high in the blowhard factor.
Bode Miller has been all over the place: TV, magazines, the web. I am not sure why. The guy has not performed during the season and has looked lame in the Olympics. Why is the media obsessed with this drunk slacker?
Johnny Weir, just shut up already. Missed the bus and that threw you off? You did not feel good? You choked, you had the silver and you choked. Now you can go home and be just another male figure skater of questionable sexuality. Your ten minutes are up.
On the flip side, Joey Cheek gives his $25,000 medal bonus to famine relief. Now, that is a true Olympian.
First off, I have a love/hate relationship with the Winter Olympics. I truly enjoy watching sports that I never see at any other time (womens' curling anyone???). But I also think the Winter Olympics are REALLY high in the blowhard factor.
Bode Miller has been all over the place: TV, magazines, the web. I am not sure why. The guy has not performed during the season and has looked lame in the Olympics. Why is the media obsessed with this drunk slacker?
Johnny Weir, just shut up already. Missed the bus and that threw you off? You did not feel good? You choked, you had the silver and you choked. Now you can go home and be just another male figure skater of questionable sexuality. Your ten minutes are up.
On the flip side, Joey Cheek gives his $25,000 medal bonus to famine relief. Now, that is a true Olympian.
2.15.2006
Thew is So Reserved
Really, Thew. Don't sugar coat it, tell me how you really feel.
There is no doubt Williams had an awful game. He had been playing really well until that point, so I am not sure what got into him. With a double digit lead, there is no time to be show boating. I do think credit is due to Villanova, though. They hung in there and played a great game.
As an aside, I wonder how much the media controversy has affected the team...
I did not think UConn would make it through the next few games unscathed. In fact, this is the game I expected them to lose. Now they are playing UWV, fresh off of a "bad loss" to Seton Hall. But the game that will most show the character of the team is the next Villanova game. If you are a UConn fan, that game will tell you more than anything.
Barring a complete disaster, I think three of the teams you will see in the Final Four have not changed in my mind: Duke, UConn and Villanova. If any of those teams lose, I just do not see it affecting anything major. I think UConn and Villanova are in the toughest spot because there is a fair chance they will play twice more. Assuming UConn wins next week and they meet in the Big East Tournament, will the loser deserve a #2 seed??? Assuming those are the only losses, I would say not.
But no one has asked me...
There is no doubt Williams had an awful game. He had been playing really well until that point, so I am not sure what got into him. With a double digit lead, there is no time to be show boating. I do think credit is due to Villanova, though. They hung in there and played a great game.
As an aside, I wonder how much the media controversy has affected the team...
I did not think UConn would make it through the next few games unscathed. In fact, this is the game I expected them to lose. Now they are playing UWV, fresh off of a "bad loss" to Seton Hall. But the game that will most show the character of the team is the next Villanova game. If you are a UConn fan, that game will tell you more than anything.
Barring a complete disaster, I think three of the teams you will see in the Final Four have not changed in my mind: Duke, UConn and Villanova. If any of those teams lose, I just do not see it affecting anything major. I think UConn and Villanova are in the toughest spot because there is a fair chance they will play twice more. Assuming UConn wins next week and they meet in the Big East Tournament, will the loser deserve a #2 seed??? Assuming those are the only losses, I would say not.
But no one has asked me...
2.14.2006
Knowing your job!
I don't know what is up with Marcus Williams, but someone needs to tell him that THE POINT GUARD IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE LEADING SCORER! His performance last night was horrible, and truly the cause of the UCONN loss. Hey Marcus, you moron, this is NOT your playground streetball, those bullshit moves you try to do don't work! 5 assists and 6 turnovers (or is it 6 & 5?) SUCKS! You are supposed to find the open man first, not take the shot first. You are NOT Stephon Marbury, who by the way, hasn't done anything but get coaches fired and himself traded...
This guy is a black hole. Ball goes in, ball doesn't come out. He takes to cool little floaters in the lane that look so great if you actually make 'em, which he doesn't. Why the point guard is jacking up a 3 pointer with Rudy Gay wide open on the wing is frikkin beyond me! WTF is his problem - and why isn't Calhoun pulling him behind the treeline and pummelling him with the CLUE hammer?!
But now I know why Rudy Gay doesn't light it up - THE POINT GUARD DOESN'T PASS IT TO HIM! Lack of touches means lack of shots - lack of shots means less points. This holds true of Josh Boone as well as Rashad Anderson - GET THEM THE FUGGIN BALL you idiot!
UCONN will NEVER win a national championship (and this from a UCONN graduate) with this guy at the point unless he figures this out. I am worried sick come March...
This guy is a black hole. Ball goes in, ball doesn't come out. He takes to cool little floaters in the lane that look so great if you actually make 'em, which he doesn't. Why the point guard is jacking up a 3 pointer with Rudy Gay wide open on the wing is frikkin beyond me! WTF is his problem - and why isn't Calhoun pulling him behind the treeline and pummelling him with the CLUE hammer?!
But now I know why Rudy Gay doesn't light it up - THE POINT GUARD DOESN'T PASS IT TO HIM! Lack of touches means lack of shots - lack of shots means less points. This holds true of Josh Boone as well as Rashad Anderson - GET THEM THE FUGGIN BALL you idiot!
UCONN will NEVER win a national championship (and this from a UCONN graduate) with this guy at the point unless he figures this out. I am worried sick come March...
2.08.2006
Lunardi's Blind Spot
Continuing down this Duke - UConn thread, Joe Lunardi weighs in in Bracketology about UConn's non-conference SOS. In particular, he rips UConn (among others) for their light non-conference schedule. In UConn's case, it is the December "Tour of New England" I have written about before.
I am not sure if Lunardi's point is that the Selection Committee does things this way and he agrees with them or that the Selection Committee does things this way and he does not agree. I suspect it is the former because a) his schtick (Bracketology) requires him to anticipate the Committee and it helps if your biases are consistent with the Committee's and b) he just writes with such conviction on the subject.
So....
Duke sneaks past another conference opponent as UConn get set to play Syracuse tonight. Lunardi still gives the overall #1 seed to Duke and states "How close are UConn and Duke at this point? Both won at Indiana by exactly eight points." He clearly did not watch the two games. With Duke/Indiana, IU was actually up one with 6:40 left in the game and Duke's largest lead was around 10 points. With UConn/Indiana, Indiana got no closer then 6 and IU struggled to get back to the 8 point difference. But other then that, I guess the games were equal.
UConn has a tough schedule ahead: after Syracuse, they have a resurgent Seton Hall, two games against #4 'Nova, #10 West Virginia and Notre Dame. The chances of UConn winning all of these are small. Does that make them less worthy of a #1 seed?
I will again add that I think Duke (regardless of the strength of the ACC) and UConn are number 1 seeds at this point and am not sure EITHER Duke or UConn will cut down the nets in April, but come on Joe Lunardi you get paid to analyze not just read the box score and say "those teams are equal."
I am not sure if Lunardi's point is that the Selection Committee does things this way and he agrees with them or that the Selection Committee does things this way and he does not agree. I suspect it is the former because a) his schtick (Bracketology) requires him to anticipate the Committee and it helps if your biases are consistent with the Committee's and b) he just writes with such conviction on the subject.
So....
Duke sneaks past another conference opponent as UConn get set to play Syracuse tonight. Lunardi still gives the overall #1 seed to Duke and states "How close are UConn and Duke at this point? Both won at Indiana by exactly eight points." He clearly did not watch the two games. With Duke/Indiana, IU was actually up one with 6:40 left in the game and Duke's largest lead was around 10 points. With UConn/Indiana, Indiana got no closer then 6 and IU struggled to get back to the 8 point difference. But other then that, I guess the games were equal.
UConn has a tough schedule ahead: after Syracuse, they have a resurgent Seton Hall, two games against #4 'Nova, #10 West Virginia and Notre Dame. The chances of UConn winning all of these are small. Does that make them less worthy of a #1 seed?
I will again add that I think Duke (regardless of the strength of the ACC) and UConn are number 1 seeds at this point and am not sure EITHER Duke or UConn will cut down the nets in April, but come on Joe Lunardi you get paid to analyze not just read the box score and say "those teams are equal."
2.06.2006
Duke v. UConn 2
Nice to know the cognoscenti are catching up. Gregg Doyle jumps on the Tilam and Thew bandwagon.
In Boston, Duke blew a big lead. At home, Duke could not get 5 points of separation against Florida State. Andy Katz at ESPN says the close games will help Duke in the NCAAs. While I agree with the sentiment regarding BC, a Florida State-Duke match-up is like a second rounder. If the Blue Devils are having trouble getting to the Sweet 16, we are in a parallel world. I still think Duke is a Final Four team, but the "fear factor" of playing them this year is going away. I would also note that the Duke-BC crew are being reviewed for the non-call on Williams and the Duke-Florida State crew received a suspension for give FS a technical foul, Alexander Johnson's fifth (Williams picked up the T for bumping Johnson).
UConn's win at Indiana was not as close as the final score. UConn was giving up uncontested baskets at the end to run down the clock. Indiana made two great runs in the early first half and mid-way through the second half, but the outcome was never really in doubt. As Doyle says above, it was a 15 point game. But what was up with the refs??? In the very beginning of the IU comeback they must have blown (and I mean blown) about four or five calls in a row. I would not say that they were one way (though the offensive foul call against Rudy Gay on a defensive rebound was just nuts and hitting Killingsworth with his third foul at the time hurt IU). Not quite raising to the "suspicions of bribery" level of the pro-Duke calls, but WTF?
In Boston, Duke blew a big lead. At home, Duke could not get 5 points of separation against Florida State. Andy Katz at ESPN says the close games will help Duke in the NCAAs. While I agree with the sentiment regarding BC, a Florida State-Duke match-up is like a second rounder. If the Blue Devils are having trouble getting to the Sweet 16, we are in a parallel world. I still think Duke is a Final Four team, but the "fear factor" of playing them this year is going away. I would also note that the Duke-BC crew are being reviewed for the non-call on Williams and the Duke-Florida State crew received a suspension for give FS a technical foul, Alexander Johnson's fifth (Williams picked up the T for bumping Johnson).
UConn's win at Indiana was not as close as the final score. UConn was giving up uncontested baskets at the end to run down the clock. Indiana made two great runs in the early first half and mid-way through the second half, but the outcome was never really in doubt. As Doyle says above, it was a 15 point game. But what was up with the refs??? In the very beginning of the IU comeback they must have blown (and I mean blown) about four or five calls in a row. I would not say that they were one way (though the offensive foul call against Rudy Gay on a defensive rebound was just nuts and hitting Killingsworth with his third foul at the time hurt IU). Not quite raising to the "suspicions of bribery" level of the pro-Duke calls, but WTF?
Super Thoughts
Some post-Super Bowl thoughts:
1. Being a Northeasterner, the thought of Steelers-Seahawks Super Bowl was a bit - oh - boring. (Okay, Pittsburgh did strike my interest and gave a team to cheer on.) But I found myself watching until the last seconds. It was a fun Super Bowl. I did not really have a dog in this fight, notwithstanding my promise to root for Mrs. Thew's Steelers, so it was fun to watch. I was always hoping the losing team would come back.
2. The "better" team lost. The general sense of the two dozen sports fans at the party where I was, was that Seattle outplayed Pittsburgh. I think Hasselback outplayed Roethlisberger (67.8 rating v. 22.6!!) though I thought both quarterbacks showed real touchness. But there was also a general sense that Seattle did not go in for the kill. (Imagine if Jerramy Stevens could actually catch a pass.) Pittsburgh had Seattle's lunch on one play and one play only. But...who cares? What matters is the score at the end.
3. The Zebras determined the game...again. I do not think the Roethlisberger touchdown was the determining factor, but the holding call bring back the pass to Stevens and the personal foul on Hasselback really swung the momentum the other way.
4. Al Michaels and John Madden were good. Madden, especially, showed a glimpse of his former self and is made for the Super Bowl. Simply put, the Super Bowl is often a coaches duel and insight into coaching is what Madden does best. Most importantly, they did not distract from the game.
5. Finally, what the heck happened at the end of the game? Madden's advice was dead on. Get the points, onside kick and then shoot for the endzone. It was the only time I felt Hasselback was losing his composure and it was a bad time to do so.
1. Being a Northeasterner, the thought of Steelers-Seahawks Super Bowl was a bit - oh - boring. (Okay, Pittsburgh did strike my interest and gave a team to cheer on.) But I found myself watching until the last seconds. It was a fun Super Bowl. I did not really have a dog in this fight, notwithstanding my promise to root for Mrs. Thew's Steelers, so it was fun to watch. I was always hoping the losing team would come back.
2. The "better" team lost. The general sense of the two dozen sports fans at the party where I was, was that Seattle outplayed Pittsburgh. I think Hasselback outplayed Roethlisberger (67.8 rating v. 22.6!!) though I thought both quarterbacks showed real touchness. But there was also a general sense that Seattle did not go in for the kill. (Imagine if Jerramy Stevens could actually catch a pass.) Pittsburgh had Seattle's lunch on one play and one play only. But...who cares? What matters is the score at the end.
3. The Zebras determined the game...again. I do not think the Roethlisberger touchdown was the determining factor, but the holding call bring back the pass to Stevens and the personal foul on Hasselback really swung the momentum the other way.
4. Al Michaels and John Madden were good. Madden, especially, showed a glimpse of his former self and is made for the Super Bowl. Simply put, the Super Bowl is often a coaches duel and insight into coaching is what Madden does best. Most importantly, they did not distract from the game.
5. Finally, what the heck happened at the end of the game? Madden's advice was dead on. Get the points, onside kick and then shoot for the endzone. It was the only time I felt Hasselback was losing his composure and it was a bad time to do so.
2.03.2006
NCAA (cont)
I think Tilam is correct in this discussion as well. We've seen pretty much the best that Duke has to offer college hoops. UCONN is the enigma - we've seen pretty much the gamut of that talent EXCEPT for Mr UCONN, Rudy Gay. This guy is on cruise mode 90% of the time - if Calhoun can light a fire under his ass then look out world, he's gonna light it up. Take his all-college talent and put a mental outlook, approach, and edge in his head like the one in JJ Redick, and you have the concensus Player of the Year and a much better than average chance for UCONN to win it all. However, until Rudy Gay "gets it" and "the light goes on", UCONN will always be no more than a threat rather than a probably. Time will tell, but someone needs to say "Hey Rudy, bro, you aren't impressing the pro scouts with your easy going game, you need to ramp it up." But ultimately, no one can make Rudy Gay play except for Rudy Gay.
Welp, I might as well jump on the Super Bowl bandwagon. I'm routing for a good game, truth be told. I like Holmgren and Hasselbeck, and wouldn't mind seeing them bring a championship to Seattle because they are just a bunch of good guys. But I'm also a BIG fan of Troy Palamalauallslgau and Ben Rothleigshermsefersuger, and since Mrs Thew was born and raised in Pittsburgh, well, I really to keep my eyes on the faction markers.
OMG, so someone broker of celebrity porn (and a known broker, btw) is selling off a bunch of Paris Hilton's personal diaries and effects; some detailing Paris in various stages of undress and such. Like who hasn't see her like this before? My FAVORITE part of this is the fact that when these items were stored in a facility, a "bureaucratic snafu" resulted in payments for the storage unit not being credited to Paris. Like who the hell is going to believe that? Someone got paid a crap load of money so someone ELSE can get paid a crapload of money. Paris feels victimized. Get over yourself you useless waste of female bodyparts. You want fame, fortune, public visibility, etc, DEAL WITH IT and stop whining. Although frankly, you weren't impressive in that video, so I can't imagine what excitement anyone would get from this crap except for receiving the $20 million asking price.
On the "STUPID CONSUMER" front, A Louisiana man claims in a lawsuit that Apple's iPod music player can cause hearing loss in people who use it. The iPod players are "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss," according to the complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, on behalf of John Kiel Patterson, of Louisiana. HOW ABOUT TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME YOU STUPID MORON?! I cannot believe this will ever get to trial - if it does, then it just shows the assinine state of stupid consumers controlling products that are not used correctly - if you turn it up loud, you'll go deaf. Duh...
Here is a great story for Tilam. Hey dude, how would you like to have Ebola in your backyard?!
The boss calls, Thew out - see you on the flip side of the Steelers' victory.
Welp, I might as well jump on the Super Bowl bandwagon. I'm routing for a good game, truth be told. I like Holmgren and Hasselbeck, and wouldn't mind seeing them bring a championship to Seattle because they are just a bunch of good guys. But I'm also a BIG fan of Troy Palamalauallslgau and Ben Rothleigshermsefersuger, and since Mrs Thew was born and raised in Pittsburgh, well, I really to keep my eyes on the faction markers.
OMG, so someone broker of celebrity porn (and a known broker, btw) is selling off a bunch of Paris Hilton's personal diaries and effects; some detailing Paris in various stages of undress and such. Like who hasn't see her like this before? My FAVORITE part of this is the fact that when these items were stored in a facility, a "bureaucratic snafu" resulted in payments for the storage unit not being credited to Paris. Like who the hell is going to believe that? Someone got paid a crap load of money so someone ELSE can get paid a crapload of money. Paris feels victimized. Get over yourself you useless waste of female bodyparts. You want fame, fortune, public visibility, etc, DEAL WITH IT and stop whining. Although frankly, you weren't impressive in that video, so I can't imagine what excitement anyone would get from this crap except for receiving the $20 million asking price.
On the "STUPID CONSUMER" front, A Louisiana man claims in a lawsuit that Apple's iPod music player can cause hearing loss in people who use it. The iPod players are "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss," according to the complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, on behalf of John Kiel Patterson, of Louisiana. HOW ABOUT TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME YOU STUPID MORON?! I cannot believe this will ever get to trial - if it does, then it just shows the assinine state of stupid consumers controlling products that are not used correctly - if you turn it up loud, you'll go deaf. Duh...
Here is a great story for Tilam. Hey dude, how would you like to have Ebola in your backyard?!
The boss calls, Thew out - see you on the flip side of the Steelers' victory.
Duke vs. UConn
It is amusing to read the "Power Rankings" and "Power 16" analysis on SI and ESPN respectively. Duke or UConn, UConn or Duke as number 1. I humbly submit that this is an interesting question, but there is still a better then even chance that NEITHER one will cut down the nets in April.
Duke or UConn? In Duke's favor are simply two things: J.J. Reddick and Sheldon Williams. Andy Katz says that Duke's resume is stronger, but I do see that as the case. Duke should should have lost the BC game. The no-call saved them. The only thing on Duke's resume that is impressive is the win over Texas (more impressive at the time though then now). They beat Indiana at IU by 8 when the Hoosiers were getting their act together and beat Memphis by 3 at Cameron. And they lost to Georgetown at GTown. Duke is mopping up the ACC, but the ACC is less impressive this year. But Reddick and Williams are money.
UConn has beat Gonzaga on a neutral court and Pitt by 4 in Hartford. UConn also beat Arizona at a neutral court, though time has deminished the significance of that win. UConn's loss came at Marquette on Marcus Williams' first game back. UConn is the far deeper team, but there is no clear go-to guy. Rudy Gay clearly has the potential but has been inconsistent. UConn is also playing a much tougher conference schedule then Duke.
As an aside, don't throw UConn's December schedule in its face. In the Calhoun era, December is about touring New England and giving teams that would NEVER have the chance to play a top ranked team the opportunity. Calhoun does not do it to play a soft schedule, but does it to "spread the wealth." This same pundits will be lamenting the fact that the mid-majors and smaller conferences "never get the chance" to play the big boys, so never get any respect come March. You can't have it both ways.
So who is the best team?
Two weeks ago, I felt it was Duke by a nose. Now I feel that in 10 games, the teams would split 5-5. In two weeks, I think UConn will be better by a nose. In summary, I think Duke is as good as they will get, UConn has more room to get better.
That said, I think there are several team that have the opportunity to cut down the nets: 'Nova, Illinois, Texas, Pitt, West Virginia, Michigan State. I do not think Memphis will do it because CUSA is just the wrong training ground for the NCAAs. (That said, Memphis is far more likely to be there then Gonzaga.)
Of course, there is still a lot of basketball to play.
Duke or UConn? In Duke's favor are simply two things: J.J. Reddick and Sheldon Williams. Andy Katz says that Duke's resume is stronger, but I do see that as the case. Duke should should have lost the BC game. The no-call saved them. The only thing on Duke's resume that is impressive is the win over Texas (more impressive at the time though then now). They beat Indiana at IU by 8 when the Hoosiers were getting their act together and beat Memphis by 3 at Cameron. And they lost to Georgetown at GTown. Duke is mopping up the ACC, but the ACC is less impressive this year. But Reddick and Williams are money.
UConn has beat Gonzaga on a neutral court and Pitt by 4 in Hartford. UConn also beat Arizona at a neutral court, though time has deminished the significance of that win. UConn's loss came at Marquette on Marcus Williams' first game back. UConn is the far deeper team, but there is no clear go-to guy. Rudy Gay clearly has the potential but has been inconsistent. UConn is also playing a much tougher conference schedule then Duke.
As an aside, don't throw UConn's December schedule in its face. In the Calhoun era, December is about touring New England and giving teams that would NEVER have the chance to play a top ranked team the opportunity. Calhoun does not do it to play a soft schedule, but does it to "spread the wealth." This same pundits will be lamenting the fact that the mid-majors and smaller conferences "never get the chance" to play the big boys, so never get any respect come March. You can't have it both ways.
So who is the best team?
Two weeks ago, I felt it was Duke by a nose. Now I feel that in 10 games, the teams would split 5-5. In two weeks, I think UConn will be better by a nose. In summary, I think Duke is as good as they will get, UConn has more room to get better.
That said, I think there are several team that have the opportunity to cut down the nets: 'Nova, Illinois, Texas, Pitt, West Virginia, Michigan State. I do not think Memphis will do it because CUSA is just the wrong training ground for the NCAAs. (That said, Memphis is far more likely to be there then Gonzaga.)
Of course, there is still a lot of basketball to play.
2.01.2006
No Mas Hamas Redux
In looking over the last post, I am pretty sure that I did not explain my first sentence. How it is the best possible outcome?
Basically, reality wins and now Hamas and the West will have to face the reality of the choice of Hamas as the governing party. It also exposes the power of democracy: the "peaceful" ascendance of a non-peaceful party. How much the tyrannies of the Middle East will learn is debatable, but it certainly has made an (continued) impression on the masses. Now what happens if Hamas reverts to dictatorship? Simply put, Hamas cannot hide.
I am less concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli relations. Hamas is no match for the IDF and if they continue to misbehave, the Israelis will smack them down. Sharon (late, but to his credit) correctly decided to implement his version of peace based on the reality of the eventual (two-state) outcome. Certainly 2005 was the right time to do this under Israel's terms. It is unclear that the near future would offer that opportunity.
This is definitely the "dog catches the car" moment for Hamas. Oh shit, now what do I do?
UPDATE: One interesting dynamic here is that the Palestinians will hopefully see the consequences of their actions. The apologists in the West have been doing everything they can to avoid this, but now there should be no option. They have been behaving like petulant children in desperate need of adult supervision (the Palestinians, not the Western apologists...wait, nevermind) and now it is time to grow up. You want a nation and respect? Earn it.
Basically, reality wins and now Hamas and the West will have to face the reality of the choice of Hamas as the governing party. It also exposes the power of democracy: the "peaceful" ascendance of a non-peaceful party. How much the tyrannies of the Middle East will learn is debatable, but it certainly has made an (continued) impression on the masses. Now what happens if Hamas reverts to dictatorship? Simply put, Hamas cannot hide.
I am less concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli relations. Hamas is no match for the IDF and if they continue to misbehave, the Israelis will smack them down. Sharon (late, but to his credit) correctly decided to implement his version of peace based on the reality of the eventual (two-state) outcome. Certainly 2005 was the right time to do this under Israel's terms. It is unclear that the near future would offer that opportunity.
This is definitely the "dog catches the car" moment for Hamas. Oh shit, now what do I do?
UPDATE: One interesting dynamic here is that the Palestinians will hopefully see the consequences of their actions. The apologists in the West have been doing everything they can to avoid this, but now there should be no option. They have been behaving like petulant children in desperate need of adult supervision (the Palestinians, not the Western apologists...wait, nevermind) and now it is time to grow up. You want a nation and respect? Earn it.
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