What A Difference A Year Makes

Brad Lidge was one strike away from further silencing his demons.  Brad Lidge was one strike away from evening the World Series.  Brad Lidge was one strike away from regaining Philadelphia’s momentum.  Brad Lidge was one strike away from giving the ball to Cliff Lee.  Brad Lidge was one strike away from possibly winning back to back World Championships.  But we knew this had to happen.  We knew that Lidge’s struggles couldn’t instantly evaporate, especially under the pressure of the Fall Classic.  His demons resurged.  Brad Lidge all but gave the Yankees the 2009 World Series.

The Sultan hates using the word “choke” in the sports arena.  It is an incredibly harsh word, and complete taboo to athletes of all levels.  Tom Watson once said that, “those who criticize you for choking have never been in the situation to do so.”  That’s a fabulous quote.  A quote that The Sultan keeps close at hand and in the back of his mind whenever critiquing the sports world.  Therefore, he won’t say Brad Lidge choked.  Brad Lidge collapsed.  He collapsed at the most critical of times.

The first problem came with two outs in the top of the 9th in last night’s contest.  The Phillies had tied the game at 4 in the bottom of the eighth, along with regaining momentum and hope that seemed lost.  The bases were empty.  Brad Lidge had already retired Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter to start the inning.  Next to the plate was a red-hot Johnny Damon.  Lidge worked ahead in the count but allowed Damon to battle the count full.  After a nine pitch at-bat, Damon singled to left.  OK.  Nothing lost, but Mark Teixeira was up to bat.  He was only 1 for 14 in the series but still a massive threat.  This is when the Series unraveled.

In order to be a great baseball player, you must know your role on the diamond.  Not just your position or the scouting reports, but you must know what to do in every possible situation imaginable.  This is where Brad Lidge lost the game for Philadelphia.  His infield executed a big shift to the right to guard against the pull-oriented Teixeira.  This left third base open and unmanned.  On the first pitch from the rubber, Johnny Damon bolted for second base in an attempt to enter scoring position.  After a poor throw and a pop up slide from Damon, Lidge kicked the dirt of the mound only to watch as Damon sprinted to a wide open third base.

At first glance, this did not seem like much of a problem.  There were two outs in the inning which negated any chance of a sacrifice.  But after looking deeper, it was clear to see that this was a monumental problem for Philadelphia.  You see, Brad Lidge is a two-pitch pitcher.  His holster features a so-so fastball but a wicked slider; a slider that almost always dives into the dirt.  With a runner on third, Lidge was forced to only throw fastballs.  These fastballs don’t pack enough heat to get by the quick bats of the Yankees lineup.  Rattled, Lidge tried to pitch inside to Teixeira but ended up beaning him in the spine.  Enter Alex Rodriguez.

Knowing he was probably only going to see straight fastballs, A-Roid dug into the right-handed batters box.  His at-bat ended with a deep double to left center, scoring Damon and moving Teixeira to third.  The lead was gone.  Maybe now Lidge would try to apply damage control and resort back to the slider.  Forget it.  Several fastballs later Jorge Posada drove in Tex and A-Roid before being tagged out at second to end the inning.  The crowd was stunned and silent.  So was The Sultan.

The bottom of the ninth went by swiftly as Mariano Rivera recorded the 39th post season save of his career.  The Sultan was flabbergasted and perturbed.  He still believes the Phillies are the better team in this series and he knows that the series should be tied at two.  The team did all they could.  Joe Blanton kept his team in the game with a strong outing against C.C. Sabathia, and Chase Utley continued to be the backbone for the City of Brotherly Love.  Brad Lidge gave it away.  His boneheaded play on the Damon steal sealed the fate for Philadelphia.  It is almost basic common sense for the pitcher to cover an open base on a live play.  Lidge payed no attention to the gap in defense.  The Sultan thinks it’s because Lidge is still battling himself and his own struggles instead of the New York Yankees.  If Damon stays at second, Lidge can still utilize his deadly slider and more than likely get out of the inning with no damage.  His head was not in the game.  He will more than likely have 4 months to think about blowing another title shot for Philadelphia.  What a difference a year makes.  Last year’s Brad Lidge dominates the 9th inning.  This year’s version watches as it trickles down the drain.

Here’s the thing: the series is not over.  Cliff Lee will take the hill tonight for the Phils, which gives them an outstanding opportunity to take the series back to Queens.  If Lidge had his head on a swivel instead of his backside, the Fall Classic would head back to New York with the Phillies up 3-2.  Instead it appears as if baseball’s disgrace, Alex Rodriguez, will receive his first championship.  At the ring ceremony in the spring of 2010, the Evil Empire should bring in Brad Lidge to slip the hardware on the pinstripe’s fingers.  It would only be fitting.

Because The Sultan thoroughly dislikes the Yankees, he would love to say that the Phils will come back to win in seven games.  But he’ll speak with his head and not his heart.  The Sultan sees this game going to 7 games, but with the Empire squeaking it out.  Cliff Lee will beat A.J. Burnett tonight and Pedro Martinez will rekindle his dominance and fire to beat New York in Game 6.  Cole Hamels will continue his struggles on the road in Game 7, however.  And who knows, Brad Lidge might get another opportunity to help raise New York’s 2009 Championship banner.  The least you can do is pay attention to your role and duty, Brad.  You have upset The Sultan.

 

Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

 

 

Haunted House

If you’re familiar with The Sultan and this site, you’re already well aware that he is no fan of Mr. Lane Kiffin.  He never thought that Kiffin deserved the Tennessee job and The Sultan still believes that the “Mouth of the South” will eventually be the “Rocky Top Flop”.

It was reported during last night’s Tennessee/South Carolina game that Lane Kiffin continuously flaps his gums in order to model himself after Steve Spurrier.  What a load of horse you-know-what.  Steve Spurrier is one of a very small handful of coaches who have the persona and the gusto to say what they want, when they want, and not give a hoot what anyone says.  Duplicating the ol’ ball coach’s personality and style is like finding a needle in a haystack.  A very large haystack.  Note to Lane Kiffin: be your own man and your own coach.  Model your tactics after the greats, not your mouth.

The Sultan could publish an extremely long post explaining his distaste for Lane Kiffin, but that’s not the point of this column.  Yesterday was full of intriguing match-ups on the college football gridiron.  First of all, major props need to be given to the Oregon Ducks.  After their self-implosion in Week 1, the waterfowl have moved themselves into serious BCS and possible National Title considerations.  And as much as The Sultan hates to say it, as long as Oregon keeps winning, the strength of Boise State’s resume will continue to rise.

The Sultan was personally interested in the Tennessee/South Carolina contest.  He has known that Tennessee has great talent and potential, but poor guidance and leadership.  The Sultan has also been enjoying the South Carolina Kool-Aid.  In his opinion, the Gamecocks deserved a much higher BCS and AP ranking heading into last night’s game.  They owned a 6-2 record, which featured two painful losses.  If you rewind the tape, Spurrier’s squad was about three plays away from being undefeated (a game-ending, goal line stand at Georgia, and a pick-six and poor redzone performance at Alabama).  This is the time of year that Carolina has notoriously started to struggle.  Remember, it was two years ago that the Gamecocks were #6 in the country before losing at home to a lowly Vanderbilt team.  What ensued was a free-fall back to mediocrity.

The Sultan believed this year would be different.  USC had been able to pull out close, but respectable wins against Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and a Thursday night win against then #4 Ole Miss.  Along with learning experiences in Athens and Tuscaloosa, this squad was young but tough.  If they could rack up wins against Tennessee and Arkansas, the Spurrier led Cocks would be holding an 8-2 record and home field against the mighty Florida Gators.  All of these propositions and possibilities are now out of the window, and South Carolina will be fighting against their patented tailspin for the next month.

Here’s why the Gamecocks couldn’t build on a possible successful season: Halloween and visors.

The game was played in Knoxville.  A place where USC has won only once in the past 29 attempts.  To top it all off, Little Lane unveiled the Jack-O-Lantern uniforms in Neyland Stadium, much to the excitement of fans and players.  For some reason black jerseys transform teams into machines, unless you’re the University of Georgia.  This momentum caused early turnovers which put the game away before halftime.  It’s virtually impossible to come from behind on the road, especially in the SEC.

But the main reason South Carolina lost this game was not because of the players on the field, but because of their coach’s attire on the sideline.  Steve Spurrier was wearing a hat.  That’s right, a hat.  The man known for slinging golf styled visors around the bench was covering his graying locks with a plain, white hat.  The picture, either physical or mental, baffles the avid fan.  Look back to two weeks ago.  The Gamecocks entered Bryant-Denny Stadium to the gorgeous sounds of The Million Dollar Band.  As they came through the tunnel to boo’s and a sea of crimson, they were led by the “head ball coach”.  What was on top of his head? A hat. USC was embarrassed last year in The Swamp.  A game that Spurrier circles on his garnet and black calender every season.  For this huge game you would think he would go back to his roots.  Show his true style and intimidation.  Nope.  He wore a hat.  Yes, The Sultan knows that Carolina lost this game by not protecting the football and failing to stop the bleeding, but karma is a powerful thing.  So are superstitions.  From now on The Sultan will never be comfortable with USC’s chances if the man known as “The Visor” is wearing a hat.

Hey Steve.  Please, for the love, replace these laughable hats and dust off that old visor.  Your team needs it.

 

Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

And We’re (Finally) Off

It’s that time again for the pinnacle of the spring/summer/fall marathon we call Major League Baseball.  If you love the cowhide and the sweet green grass, this is the best time of the year.  The Sultan loves America’s pastime; whole-heartedly.  As a young Sultan he pulled up the stirrups, pounded the leather, spit the seeds, painted the eye-black and chattered with the best of the other little leaguers.  He would mimic the great swings and rituals of the day.  He cut out magazine pictures of his heroes (who were all clean, but that topic has already been discussed) and tack them up to his bedroom wall.  The young Sultan would stay glued to the television during the MLB postseason and watch in complete excitement.  The Sultan’s roots are deep in this game, being a lifelong disciple of the baseball gospel.  But the media’s involvement of the past decade has almost ruined what the Fall Classic is all about.

First of all, The Sultan believes there is absolutely NO reason to have 6 hour pre-game shows before the contest, followed by all sorts of news and analysis afterward.  This doesn’t only apply to baseball, but for every major professional sport.  Don’t bother in obtaining any news from other sports during playoff time.  All 38 ESPN channels will cover every single aspect of every player, every play or possession, every manager, every team, and every possible scenario from the dawn of the playoffs until its midnight hour.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines overkill as, “an excess of something beyond what is required or suitable for a particular purpose.”  The playoffs in professional sports are no longer dramatic because we run them into the ground until we’re blue in the face.  Let The Sultan clarify that he is aware there are thousands and thousands of people who enjoy the overload of information.  That’s what keeps ESPN and their measly competitors in business.  The Sultan, however, likes to use his own mind, thoughts, imagination and speculation when it comes to most things, especially sports.  In other words, he likes to use his BRAIN instead of the mush created by the loads of former ballplayers now serving as analysts.

Try this food for thought: the first round of the NBA playoffs this year lasted 2 and 1/2 weeks.  That’s longer than the Olympic games.  The Super Bowl is now played in February, after an off-week.  What happened to the New Year, College bowl games, and then the Super Bowl shortly after?  Reggie Jackson was known as Mr. October because of his epic performances in the MLB postseason, especially the World Series, when it finished in October.

Baseball is an everyday game.  That’s why they play 162 games during the regular season with off-days sprinkled in few and far between.  How come the whole persona of the game changes once there are only 8 teams remaining?  They should be rewarded for making the postseason, but not to this extent.  Gone are the true roots of the game.  The roots that cause managers to sweat bullets over their playoff rosters and pitching rotations.  Pull their hair out about injuries and fatigue.  What happened to 5-man rotations?  Or crucial middle relief pitchers?  They are a thing of a past thanks to the snail’s pace at which the postseason race concludes.  Take this year’s Evil Empire for example.  They will use only a 3-man rotation throughout the entire playoff stretch.  These guys are so well rested they could practically throw 200 pitches per game.

True fans of the game don’t want to see this.  The teeter-totter, bug-eyed, celebrity obsessed fans love it.  That’s what irks The Sultan.  He wants to see the shaky bullpen of the Yankees.  He wants to see if Brad Lidge can be as strong as last season, or if he will explode like the rough outings of 2009.  The Sultan wants to see the role players make a break the series from their impact off of the bench.  Instead, the starting pitchers of both teams are throwing deep into pressure-packed ballgames thanks to their mini offseason.  After the tremendous wear and tear of the regular season, starting pitchers are given an early Christmas present with the copious amounts of rest.  Of course they’re going to be strong after 5-7 days off.  It doesn’t make sense that they are in their best physical condition at season’s end after over 170 games.  Because the “need” for extensive analysis and coverage, we will never see the true endurance test that use to be the MLB season.  These strong performances aren’t based on sheer will, determination, and heart.  They are based off of an unfair amount of rest; rest that benefits pitchers 100 times more than the batters they face.

Play more double headers during the summer.  It will help to shorten an already extensive season, and give a throwback type of joy to the fans.  Limit the breaks between series, including days off during the series (not travel days, but the days during home stretches), and we will be able to enjoy the postseason the way it’s written in the history books.  Who cares what Steve Phillips, Buster Olney, or Tim Kurkjian have to say.  Who wants to hear a manager’s full coverage press conference dripping with worn out cliche’s?  The Sultan doesn’t, and neither should you.  True champions don’t win with 3-man rotations, a closer, a designated hitter, and 8 position players.  They win with the entire roster.  You must work to be a champion.  There are no days off on the road to glory.  Hey Bud, bring baseball back to the way it should be.

Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

Bring ‘Em Up and Sit ‘Em Down… 45 times

Congrats to Mark Buehrle.  Thanks to continuing, but concluding, drama from Brett Favre, predictions and suggestions for former prisoner Mike Vick, and pro wrestling cameos from the Big Aristotle, most of the casual sportsfans have overlooked a great achievement.

For those curious or out of the loop, White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle set a MLB record last night by retiring 45 straight batters.  Let The Sultan repeat that.  Buehrle sat down 45 straight.  That means 45 consecutive outs without a hit, walk or error.  45 men that came and went.  15 lonely innings without a single person reaching base.  Buehrle didn’t squeak past the old record.  He blew by it with 4 batters to spare.

What an amazing achievement.  The Sultan sends out all of his praise to the rediscovered and recently dominant Buehrle.  After his second no-hitter and 1st perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays, he went 5 2/3 innings of perfect pitching against the Minnesota Twins.  Google the lineups of those two opponents.  Not shabby in the least bit.  This would be an amazing accomplishment even against the Nationals and Mets.  Buehrle calmly dominated strong lineups.  It’s a shame that The Sultan didn’t take him in the 12th round of his fantasy baseball draft.  He knew that would come back to bite him.  Props to those who did.

Anyways, if you’re curious, The Sultan is back and ready to rant.  Follow him on Twitter for insight and input on what you’d like to see.

Keep it in the shortgrass,

The Sultan

Ahhh… Opening Day

It’s here boys and girls.  Opening day of the 2009 baseball season.  This is always a great time of year for the true sports fan, and the diehard cowhide junkie.  Not only will the bats crack and the gloves pop this afternoon, but the Men’s Basketball National Title will tip off at 9:21 PM Eastern time.  The Sultan has maintained an impressive bracket thus far.  Hopefully you can say the same.   He picked the Tar Heels to take down the nets by night’s end.  The Sultan correctly picked the Rock, Chalk, Kansas Jayhawks in last years tournament, so hopefully he can continue the winning streak for another year.   

As you know, The Sultan has been on vacation from the daily saga of rants, but will resume posting his thoughts very soon.  For the loyal Sultanite, thanks for your patronage and patience.

In closing, The Sultan has created a fantasy baseball league on espn.com, and desperately needs participation.  If you think you have what it takes to topple The Sultan, email him at sultanblog@gmail.com for more information.  Until next time, keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

Kryptonite

Faster than a speeding bullet.  More powerful than a locomotive.  And able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.  Tim Tebow, uh, I mean Dwight Howard.  No…  What’s that guy’s name?  Oh yeah!  Superman can do it all.  The iconic superhero doesn’t need any gimmicks or gizmo’s; he saves the world on pure strength and morale.  If it wasn’t for that thing called Kryptonite.  It’s Superman’s only weakness in our entire universe and beyond.  Just look at Krypto-Nate Robinson and this weekend’s Slam Dunk contest.  

Baseball is America’s game.  It’s a sport that has long been beloved deep within the hearts of fans across the world.  Whether they are 3-year olds being told the “Yankees Suck” or your rocking chair residing grandfather telling the tales of past greats, we all love baseball.  Nothing is better than the warm sunshine of springtime.  You can’t beat the crack of the bat, the roar of the fans.  The boos and hisses.  The amazing plays and astonishing performances.  The 7th inning stretch or “Sweet Caroline”.  The playoff push and the chill in the air by season’s end.  The list is infinite and fitting for a timeless game.  But for every great thing, there is a fault.  An Achilles’ heel.  A Kryptonite.  

The processed supplements found in syringes, pills or powders are baseball’s Kryptonite.  Unfortunately this steroid era has managed to make everyone skeptical about players once heralded as “heroes” and “role models”.  It’s become harder and harder to love the game that ripped the trust right out of our cowhide covered hearts.  Records are now being questioned.  The endless hours of blood, sweat and tears shed to become great are no longer being praised, but investigated.  Because of this growing number of juiced scumbags, the players who have respected and honored America’s Game are being cheated.  They are deprived of success and proper recognition just because they were clean in a soiled generation.  Everything these players do will forever be marked by an asterisk; an asterisk to note the steroid era.  This little symbol can easily go unnoticed.  The Sultan sometimes has a hard time remembering its place on his keyboard.  For the rest of time this small punctuation will mark a question, “Steroid Generation: Were they really clean?”  This era of baseball will forever be tarnished because many of our “heroes” and “greats” have shown to have a completely skewed moral compass.  

The Sultan feels terrible for the Albert Pujols’ of the world.  These type of players have busted their back ends for years and years, only to be questioned instead of recognized.  The more productive they are, the more caution arises.  With more home runs, RBI’s and higher batting averages comes, “Is he juiced?”  So thank you Alex Rodriguez.  Thanks Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi.  Hats off to you, Rafael Palmero and Miguel Tejada.  You all, along with many others, have ruined the game of baseball.  You spit in the face of the Joe DiMaggio’s, Mickey Mantle’s, Stan Musials, Ted Williams’ and Hank Aaron’s of previous generations.  You stomped the trust and admiration that fans of the game once had.  You have ruined baseball for the millions of kids playing tee-ball.  Because of your actions, the kid that’s playing tee-ball will grow up to be the next superstar, only to be forever questioned.  That future superstar will be forced to pee in a cup his entire career.  He will always be under an incredible microscope because of your selfish and gutless actions.

The penalties that come with positive tests are what bug The Sultan.  They are merely a slap on the wrist because Bud Selig and his cronies don’t want to lose the revenue that comes with steroids.  Home runs and 100 mph fastballs generate interest.  That interest results in TV viewership and ticket and merchandise purchases.  Those purchases mean big bucks for Major League Baseball.  Selig is the highest paid commissioner in all sports leagues.  He may proclaim how horrible steroids are for the game, but deep down he isn’t willing to take a pay cut.  It’s time to come down hard on the game.  No more warnings and second-chances.  The first time you test positive, you’re gone for a year, starting from the date of the positive test.  With a positive test should come salary cuts.  If you aren’t clean, you can’t make over a certain amount of money; you shouldn’t be rewarded for cheating.  After a player’s suspension, they must be tested every week for the rest of their career.  A second time offense?  Gone forever.  There should be no ifs, ands or buts about it.  If baseball would take the punishments to the extreme, the juice would dwindle significantly.  Also, let’s expose every single cheater that’s been involved with these drugs.  Every confidential name should be brought to the light.  The public deserves to know who stabbed them in the back.  A-Roid had something to hide, who else is there?     

What really ticks The Sultan off, is the Hall of Fame debate.  Many of these steroid users are becoming eligible for the Hall, and some will definitely get in.  Lots of voters have said that stats overrule off-the-field allegations.  That’s complete baloney.  The needles filled with performance-enhancers have generated the stats that nominate these players for baseball’s highest honor.  It’s definitely not the other way around.  What’s completely erroneous is the fact that juicers are eligible for the Hall, but the game’s greatest hitter, Pete Rose, is not.  Charlie Hustle is arguably the best player and competitor to ever grace the diamond, and there never has or will be a better hitter.  Yes, he gambled on baseball while as a manager.  He’s done his time and paid the price.  Rose did not cheat baseball during his playing career.  He didn’t cheat himself, his teammates, peers or fans while becoming one of the all-time greats.  Meanwhile, players have injected themselves with performance-enhancers just so they can maybe come within earshot of Pete Rose’s milestones.  It’s time for Rose to be inducted into baseball’s elite fraternity.  Time has shown that his crime to the game is dwarfed when compared to the greed that lies within baseball’s steroid users.  In The Sultan’s opinion, anyone who has been injected with a needle filled with “the juice” should never, ever grace Cooperstown.  Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan  

Pass The Ball!

The NBA is worthless.  Unless you are watching the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets or Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA regular season shouldn’t be on basic television.  Send it to those fancy premium cable channels where extra cash can buy you horrible basketball.  

Why is the NBA worthless?  Let The Sultan explain.  Besides from a handful of teams in the league, watching the NBA is like watching the And 1 Mix Tape Tour.  The National Basketball Association is all about “me, me, me”.  The league is a collection of ball-hogging, highlight seeking, bad-boy wannabes that have no clue what team basketball is all about.  The root of this evil comes from the slew of guards who think they are the next Jordan.  There are very few offensive possessions that are designed around ball movement and exploiting defensive weaknesses.  Four men stand stagnant as one “professional” attempts numerous ball tricks and juke moves before either firing the ball towards the iron or dumping it down low.  

Let The Sultan clarify his rant.  He has lots of love for the “bigs” in the NBA.  They are not the ones to blame for this type of sport we’re calling professional basketball.  If you are a #4 or 5 player in the NBA, you are, if The Sultan may use his best slang, nasty.  The roles of these big men are to dominate the paint which usually results in their team’s domination.  When the giants down low receive the ball, their job is to work for high percentage points, rebounds, and drawing attention away from the perimeter.  The Sultan could use an entire post talking about the premier big men of the NBA, but that’s not what today’s argument is about.  

The Sultan is concerned for the style of basketball that is showcased at our highest level.  Because of this, The Sultan would watch any college basketball game over a marquee matchup in the NBA.  Collegiate players have a burning edge and desire that is lost in many professional players.  This fire is subdued by the dollar signs and TV time that comes with being a star at the next level.  Too many players are concerned with stats, exposure and highlights, which in turn leads to bigger contracts and more money.  Many athletes will hold onto the ball for the majority of the 24 second shot clock if it results in points.  Thankfully, there are a slew of fabulous coaches and mentors within the college ranks that help keep this street ball style off of the campuses.  

If you want a great example of this type of egotistical NBA player, just watch for #24 in a gold and purple uniform.  He usually flaunts his abilities, flashes his grin and pounds his chest in front of the star-studded crowd at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.  That’s right.  His name is Kobe Bryant.  He is heralded as the greatest player in the NBA because of the stats he has recorded throughout his career.  Don’t get me wrong, Bryant is a great basketball player, but he isn’t all he is cracked up to be.  When was the last time Kobe dished the rock in the final minutes of a close game?  (Great example here.)  Or when was the last time Kobe mustered up a triple-double?  The fact is, Kobe Bryant is a ball hog.  It sounds like the playground banter from elementary school, but it’s the truth.  All you have to do is research deeper into #24’s stats.  Look at the field goal percentage from outside of the paint, along with the number of shot attempts.  Any time you heave 25-30 shots towards the net, you’re bound to make a few buckets and rack up points.  

If you want the definition of a true dominant basketball player in this day and age, look at LeBron James.  After Kobe’s “magnificent” 61 point performance at Madison Square Garden, King James showed the New York crowd how to really play dominant basketball.  LeBron tallied 52 points of his own, but they came in a triple-double.  The largest point total in a triple double since the merger.  Yes, LeBron can sometimes be selfish with the basketball, but he puts team first.  He has pushed for a more dynamic supporting cast in Cleveland since his arrival, all in hopes of winning a championship.  The Cavaliers are finally seeing the results of hard work and unselfish play as they have become one of the best teams in the league.  

If you’re looking for the definition of the best player in the NBA; a player that personifies the way basketball should be played, watch a New Orleans Hornets game and the jaw-dropping ability of Chris Paul.  CP3 can do it all.  He can score inside or outside.  He can pick your pocket on defense, and he has the type of vision that mortal humans experience while playing their XBox.  Paul looks to win basketball games.  He doesn’t try to light up the scoreboard or Top 10 plays with jumpshots.  CP3 wants to win at all costs.  He scores when needed, makes the crucial and perfectly precise pass, and makes the marvelous defensive play that swings the game’s momentum.  Because of his well-rounded play, he has become one of the best in the league.  Not because he wanted a new shoe endorsement or monumental contract.  Chris Paul wants to win.

The teams mentioned at the beginning of this post are more concerned with all 5 men on the court rather than their superstar.  That reason alone is why those teams are championship threats.  The Boston Celtics are a perfect example of team basketball.  It could be very easy for the Big Three to try and outplay one another, instead of the other team.  Because of their passion for the game, Doc Rivers, and the many Celtic greats before them, the Big Three play some of the best basketball that you can find at any level.  Remember that there is no “I” in TEAM.  

So who do we blame for the selfish basketball that is being played by the majority of NBA teams?  Why has the game taken a turn towards greed and individuality?  You could blame several people.  You can blame Michael Jordan.  You could accuse Larry Bird and Magic Johnson as well.  The greatest players of previous generations are at fault for the current NBA.  These players were phenomenal, and in The Sultan’s mind, will never be surpassed in their greatness.  Michael Jordan didn’t just want to win, he wanted to dominate.  If that required him taking the buzzer beater, he would do it.  If it meant he would play decoy and allow his teammates to shine, he would do it.  Number 23 is the best to ever play the game.  He would have played just as hard and as phenomenal for free.  Jordan dominated the game of basketball while part of the best modern NBA dynasty.  Because of his greatness, Michael Jordan has caused the league to become a playground pick-up game.  Every player that steps onto the hardwood wants to be MJ.  They want to show why they think they’re “great”.  Jordan didn’t become great because he sought to do so, he became the best because of the size of the heart in his chest and his passion for basketball.  

The Sultan does not have many answers as to how we can turn the entire NBA back to what it used to be, but he does know this: there will never be another Michael Jordan.  Much like there will never be another Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Bill Russell.  The current NBA players should focus on their role within their team and what’s required to win titles.  You aren’t dubbed as being great after several weeks of action.  You become the best after years and years of service to your team and the game.

The Sultan is just thankful that there is a thing called College Basketball.  Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

Blue Devils and Blue Chips Aren’t Worth the Hype

If any Sultanite has fallen slightly behind on their readership of this site, The Sultan would like to refer you to a recent post about the current joke known as Duke basketball.  (Simply scroll down the page)  As The Sultan said before, this team is overrated.  They have been for the past few years.  Duke basketball is not the same old Duke basketball that gained them this massive media affection.  For evidence supporting this claim, The Sultan gives you Exhibit A: 74-47.  

The only good thing that came out of Duke’s absolute beatdown from Oliver Purnell’s Posse was that the Blue Devils didn’t take the floor in their horrendous black jerseys.  The Clemson Tigers exposed every possible weakness in Duke’s current scheme.  Coach K even tried to put the water and towel boys on the hardwood in Littlejohn last night, just looking for some sort of spark.  What resulted was one of Duke’s worst losses in recent memory.  Basketball fans witnessed the fact that Duke is not as good as they are proclaimed to be, and this Clemson squad is not your father’s Clemson.  

This is awful news for Duke.  Not only will they be on the negative end of basketball conversation for several weeks, but Clemson showed the rest of the ACC and country how to embarrass the Dukies.  The Blue Devils can’t handle a well coached and executed press for 40 minutes.  Their array of outside shots are highly contested and they wear down physically.  The rest of the ACC will take note of last night’s blowout, and execute a similar type of approach towards defeating Duke.  Have fun running those wind sprints today Scheyer.  If you and your fellow Dukies continue this gaudy display of basketball, you’ll find yourself in excellent shape to compete in the track and field portion of the 2012 Olympics.  

With everything being said, last night’s game also showed how good the ACC really is.  The Big East garners much attention due to the amount of teams in the top 25, but the ACC has shown why they are the best conference in basketball with their excellent coaching, execution, and physicality.  The Sultan sees the ACC Champion with at least 4 conferences losses this year.

Finally, what kind of sportswriter would The Sultan be without giving his thoughts on National Signing Day?  Here’s his opinion in a nutshell: The Sultan does not like to pay attention to the top 10 recruiting classes and the loads of 5-star recruits they bring in.  Time shows that only a handful of “blue-chippers” actually fulfill the hype that surrounds them in high school.  Because of the blinding spotlight and media hoopla that surrounds these players, their heads are completely swollen before they even step foot on campus.  The Sultan likes to look at the “average” classes, according to the millions of recruiting databases and websites.  These classes usually feature role players.  Players who care about team first, publicity and the NFL second.  The teams that assemble these “mediocre” classes are the ones that receive the most success and production.  The Top 10 classes, according to ESPN, looks like this:

1.  LSU 
2. Alabama
3. Texas 
4. USC 
5. Florida 
6. Georgia 
7. Miami
8. Florida State 
9. Ohio State 
10. Michigan 

 

The familiar names grace this list, like we’ve come to expect.  There are many high school athletes that continue to flock towards the big names.  They end up being a “small fish in a big pond”, instead of being a “big fish in a small pond”.  That is all fine and dandy with The Sultan.  These decisions made by incredible young athletes are very difficult and are based on infinite amounts of preferences and judgements.  With all of the pressure and anticipation, they choose the school that they believe is right for them.  Unfortunately, a lot of these kids make the wrong decision.  

The Sultan is disappointed at how the coverage of collegiate recruiting has become extremely “important” in the eyes of many fans and media.  Football games are won by heart, will, determination and execution on the gridiron, not by numbers on a sheet of paper.  Because of these numbers, rankings and “stars”, many coaches have begun to recruit on paper.  They no longer immerse themselves within a prospect’s family and lifestyle, but drool over “40 times” and yards accumulated.  The most productive recruits are the ones that feel wanted, needed and loved at a certain school.  We tend to forget that these athletes are people and not numbers.  You quickly go from 5-stars to 0-stars once you enroll at the big time program.  The Sultan hates to see a talented recruit sign with the big time school solely on recent success and not because it was the right fit.  My advice to prospects is to sign where you will gain the most from your experience on and off the field at the collegiate level, regardless of the name.  A prospect will gain more from these 3-5 years by having a bond with other players and coaches and contributing to the school’s success in the classroom, within the student body, and on Saturdays.  Riding the bench and fighting the depth chart for three or four years isn’t worth it, if you ask The Sultan.  Remember that college, both academically and athletically, is a privilege and not a right.

The Sultan’s message is to look at these “average” classes as quality classes.  These groups of incoming freshman range from standouts to also-rans.  These middle-of-the-pack classes are the best because they still believe in the true value of collegiate athletics that has sadly taken a backseat to numbers and flashbulbs.  Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan

Sweet Like Candy

 

It’s very easy to let your emotions get in the way of making rational decisions.  It’s easy to smoke a 300-yard drive with a tight draw past your buddy and say, “that’s the best drive I’ve ever hit.”  It’s common to see a perfectly executed, reverse, double-pass, trick play for a touchdown and exclaim, “that’s the best play ever!”  The Sultan knows that his emotions are still running full throttle after Sunday’s Super Bowl, but can confidently say that Super Bowl XLIII was the best Super Bowl ever.  

It’s easy to do.  The game is fresh in everyone’s mind and it can be difficult to recall details from Super Bowls of decades past.  Take a closer look at the ingredients within the Tampa Tussle and try and find something that doesn’t make Sunday’s game magical.  You can’t do it.  Super Bowl XLIII had everything: the suspense, the great plays, the horrendous plays, the mistakes, and historical performances.  The list can go on and on.  

Many will argue that Super Bowl XLII was the best game played since the championship’s creation almost half a century ago.  The Sultan will concede that is was a fabulous game, but it is second to the battle between Arizona and Pittsburgh.  Sunday’s game will have at least a dozen highlights that will be still be replayed for our children’s children’s children.  The 43rd Super Bowl had the longest play in the game’s history with James Harrison’s unbelievable interception return.  It featured Larry Fitzgerald breaking remarkable records set by the great Jerry Rice.  (Rice is the current King of Receivers, but will soon give up his crown to Fitzgerald.)  We had the first safety in the Super Bowl in ages.  Everyone witnessed a thrilling comeback, only to be outdone by an impeccable 2-minute drill.  We saw a touchdown catch that will live in Steeler and NFL lore for all eternity.  This win gave Pittsburgh their 6th Super Bowl title; the most of any other franchise in the league and a benchmark that should stand for a long time to come.  It was the greatest Super Bowl of all time.  

The Hollywood guru’s could not have come up with a better script.  Bruce Springsteen, one of the symbols of Americana, performed at halftime.  What more could you ask for, for goodness’ sake?!  When the 100th Super Bowl is played, they will more than likely look back at 99 games before it.  Sure, this game could be trumped within 47 years, but it’s been the best of the first 43.  What a way to put a gigantic exclamation point on the NFL season.  

Keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan 

The Time Has Come

It’s here boys and girls. The big game has finally arrived.  The waiting and anticipation from the first day of training camp has culminated to the NFL’s grandest stage.  It’s where legends are born.  It’s where even the strongest of statues can crumble.  It’s where memories are made.  It’s where team’s “Shock the World” or “Complete the 6-pack”.  It’s the Super Bowl.  

The Sultan knows that everyone is just about tired of hearing the relentless analysis and insight that everyone has delivered over the past two weeks.  Even though we may grow annoyed with these talking heads, it is all worth it.  This is the biggest game in the sport of football.  Everyone plans their entire weekend around two teams.  Major companies plan their entire marketing scheme around you, the fan, as you stay glued to your televisions during this monumental game.  

Since everyone, including The Sultan, is anxiously awaiting kickoff, he’ll keep his analysis and prediction short and sweet.  By know, you’ve heard everything you need to know about the game.  You’ve probably picked the winner, thought about it, and changed your mind at least 6 times during these 2 weeks.  Here’s another wrench for your own analysis, compliments of The Sultan.  

The Arizona Cardinals will win Super Bowl XLIII.  Yes, they are underdogs.  Yes, they have never been to a Super Bowl in franchise history.  And yes, they have the second longest title drought in all of sports behind the Chicago Cubs.  These are the very reasons The Sultan has picked these desert dwelling birds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy by night’s end.  

Once you widdle the entire NFL down to 2 teams, it’s really tough to pick a winner.  Both teams have proven their place amongst the elite.  Last season was an exception, as the New York Football Giants were HUGE underdogs.  They did the unthinkable, which will only give this edition’s underdogs more motivation and hope.  There are loads of reasons as to why you could pick either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Arizona Cardinals to win this game.  The Sultan is a big fan of defense, so it’s hard for him to pick against the Steel City.  The deciding factor will be the offenses, for a change, in Super Bowl XLIII.  

Arizona’s offense is running on all cylinders right now and has proved to be explosive throughout the playoffs.  Pittsburgh’s offense has been efficient, but has never shown an ability to light up the scoreboard.  The game will hinge on the Cardinals’ offensive possessions.  All eyes have been focused on Larry Fitzgerald over the past 2 weeks, and rightfully so.  He is, in The Sultan’s mind, the best receiver in the league.  Because of all this attention, other playmakers for Arizona will be left unnoticed and in a position to shine.  Fitzgerald will have another great game, but don’t be surprised if it’s a lesser known player that makes the crucial play.  The Sultan believes Kurt Warner and his posse is talented enough to crack Steel Curtain II. That leaves the Steelers in a shootout situation; a situation that they have had limited exposure towards.  The Sultan believes that Arizona will build a two possession lead heading into the 4th quarter.  This will be too much for Pittsburgh to overcome, as their offense is designed for clock management, rather than quick scores.  

Nevertheless, this will be a fantastic game, just like all 42 other Super Bowls.  It’s a celebration of the year that was, ending with a new King of the Hill.  Whichever team is victorious will gain immediate praise from The Sultan, as they finished their year on the highest of notes.  Enjoy the fellowship and fun that comes with the Super Bowl and keep it in the shortgrass…

-The Sultan