Since their expansion 2003-04 season, the Charlotte Bobcats have been nothing short of a laughingstock. In their first five full years of existence, the Bobcats did more than 35 games and never reached the playoffs. After purchasing the team in 2004, owner Bob Johnson has had tremendous difficulty recruiting quality talent and selling tickets. In fact, the Bobcats ranked 22nd or worse in every year in attendance and had not had an all-star player through the 2008-09 season. However, one simple move has quickly turned around the franchise.
In the middle of the 2009-10 season, Bob Johnson decided to sell the team amid financial struggles. The Bobcats got off to another slow start this year, as they started the season 12-18 and headed toward another lottery pick. Then, minority owner Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time, purchased majority ownership of the franchise in the beginning of March. The Bobcats have absolutely taken off since this change.
They have made some prudent moves throughout the course of this season and as a result, have won seven of their last eight games. They have now elevated from 11th to 6th in the Eastern Conference standings, with a current record of 35-32. Two primary things have contributed to the resurgent play: exceptional defense and outstanding perimeter play.
First, over the past eight games, the Bobcats have held opponents to under 100 points. They held arguably the most talented offensive team in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers, to 83 points, 2009 NBA Finals runner-up Orlando Magic to 89 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder to 92 points. During this eight game span, they have forced an average of 16 turnovers, six steals, and have recorded an average of eight blocks. In fact, during their last game against the Thunder, they recorded an astounding 12 blocks and five steals.
Part of their reason for the defensive turnaround has been the play of shooting guard Stephen Jackson, who was acquired in a midseason trade from the Golden State Warriors. After he expressed his frustrations about playing for the Warriors, Jordan decided to take a chance on Jackson, with the hope he could provide a spark on offense. He has does much more than that, as he has been an absolute all-around force for the Bobcats.
Jackson has led the team in scoring in six out of these past eight games, including a 28 point outburst in Charlotte’s victory at Orlando. He has also been the go-to-scorer for this team, as he even scored 18 second-half points in Wednesday’s victory over Oklahoma City. In addition to his offensive prowess, he has shown tremendous leadership and defensive capabilities as well. He has been a vocal leader on the court, especially on defense, which has contributed to the improved team defensive play.
Stephen Jackson’s play has eased the pressure off of all-star small forward Gerald Wallace and point guard Raymond Felton, who have both had their best seasons as professionals. Wallace has averaged a double-double of 18.5 points and 10.4 rebounds, while additionally guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer. Felton has done an outstanding job of orchestrating the Charlotte offense, as he has averaged 7.8 assists during the past eight games and a career-best 11.8 points this season overall.
In all, the Bobcats are poised to make their first postseason appearance in franchise history, as they have shown the ability to beat the elite teams in the NBA. They will definitely be a tough out in the playoffs, especially with their tough defense and excellent perimeter play.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Conference Tournaments Are Too Gruesome for Players
The NCAA needs to monitor the 31 Division I conference tournaments across the nation. Players on these teams are getting absolutely worn out by playing multiple grueling, intense, and physical games in a row. Despite the drama and intrigue associated with Championship Week, teams often cannot physically recover in time for the NCAA Tournament, which comes a mere four or five days after the major conference championship games.
For instance, the Big East Tournament is one of the most prestigious conference tournaments in college basketball, since it is held in Madison Square Garden, the world’s most famous arena. Over the past decade, since the conference expanded to an unprecedented 16 teams, the Big East has clearly been the most competitive division in college basketball. In fact, this year alone, the Big East can potentially send eight or nine teams into the NCAA Tournament, which would equal or surpass the amount of teams the Big East sent to the tournament earlier this decade, with eight in 2006.
However, for teams who do not receive the double bye in the Big East Tournament (those not in the top 4 in the conference), they must play four, or sometimes five, consecutive days to win the championship. One team in particular, the 2009 Syracuse Orangemen, played four consecutive days, including a six overtime thriller against Connecticut, during the tournament. That’s 195 minutes of live basketball action in four straight days, which is WAY too much for a team.
Due to the over-exertion of their bodies, Syracuse could not maintain the same level of play in the following week’s NCAA Tournament. After two less than stellar performances in the first two rounds against Stephen F. Austin and Arizona State, the Orangemen were absolutely demolished by the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet 16, 84-71 (the score did not indicate how much of a blowout the game actually was), even though they had the personnel to defeat the Sooners. To make matters worse, Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn injured himself in the Oklahoma game, after logging nearly 180 minutes of game action in the Big East Tournament.
While playing high-intense action for multiple days in a row, players face a greater risk of battling an injury. Teams only play a maximum of two games per week during conference play, while never playing two consecutive days. Then, the most successful teams in the conference tournaments suddenly need to endure four straight days of grueling action in Championship Week. Because of the modest amount of games during conference play, players cannot handle the rapid increase in action.
Their bodies have only undergone two days a week of game action, and then they are forced to play four games in a row? That logic does not make any sense at all. The primary reason for these conference tournaments is money, as the NCAA and the respective conferences generate tremendous revenue from these tournaments. However, the timing of these conference tournaments could not come at a worse time, as the NCAA Tournament is played the following week of the tournament.
Last year, the national champion North Carolina Tar Hells steamrolled the competition in the NCAA Tournament, winning all six games by double figures. Their NCAA Tournament success can largely be attributed to their health, as they did not have to expend too much energy in the ACC Tournament, as they lost to Florida State in the semifinals. UNC only played two games in the ACC Tournament and looked mentally and physically sharp during the main tournament.
The NCAA should not eliminate the conference tournaments as a whole but should make drastic changes to avoid the potential risks of player injuries and worn out teams. First, they should give days off between each tournament games, to keep teams fresh for the tournament run. If that means cutting short the regular season by two games, that would make sense, as teams can play these postseason games with the highest caliber of play.
Second, they should conclude these postseason conference tournaments at least one week prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament. That way, teams will be mentally and physically sharp once tournament time begins.
Postseason tournaments are a necessity, since teams on the bubble can drastically improve their stock and have a chance at reaching the NCAA Tournament. However, the current format of these postseason tournaments cripples teams and creates a larger potential risks for injuries.
For instance, the Big East Tournament is one of the most prestigious conference tournaments in college basketball, since it is held in Madison Square Garden, the world’s most famous arena. Over the past decade, since the conference expanded to an unprecedented 16 teams, the Big East has clearly been the most competitive division in college basketball. In fact, this year alone, the Big East can potentially send eight or nine teams into the NCAA Tournament, which would equal or surpass the amount of teams the Big East sent to the tournament earlier this decade, with eight in 2006.
However, for teams who do not receive the double bye in the Big East Tournament (those not in the top 4 in the conference), they must play four, or sometimes five, consecutive days to win the championship. One team in particular, the 2009 Syracuse Orangemen, played four consecutive days, including a six overtime thriller against Connecticut, during the tournament. That’s 195 minutes of live basketball action in four straight days, which is WAY too much for a team.
Due to the over-exertion of their bodies, Syracuse could not maintain the same level of play in the following week’s NCAA Tournament. After two less than stellar performances in the first two rounds against Stephen F. Austin and Arizona State, the Orangemen were absolutely demolished by the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet 16, 84-71 (the score did not indicate how much of a blowout the game actually was), even though they had the personnel to defeat the Sooners. To make matters worse, Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn injured himself in the Oklahoma game, after logging nearly 180 minutes of game action in the Big East Tournament.
While playing high-intense action for multiple days in a row, players face a greater risk of battling an injury. Teams only play a maximum of two games per week during conference play, while never playing two consecutive days. Then, the most successful teams in the conference tournaments suddenly need to endure four straight days of grueling action in Championship Week. Because of the modest amount of games during conference play, players cannot handle the rapid increase in action.
Their bodies have only undergone two days a week of game action, and then they are forced to play four games in a row? That logic does not make any sense at all. The primary reason for these conference tournaments is money, as the NCAA and the respective conferences generate tremendous revenue from these tournaments. However, the timing of these conference tournaments could not come at a worse time, as the NCAA Tournament is played the following week of the tournament.
Last year, the national champion North Carolina Tar Hells steamrolled the competition in the NCAA Tournament, winning all six games by double figures. Their NCAA Tournament success can largely be attributed to their health, as they did not have to expend too much energy in the ACC Tournament, as they lost to Florida State in the semifinals. UNC only played two games in the ACC Tournament and looked mentally and physically sharp during the main tournament.
The NCAA should not eliminate the conference tournaments as a whole but should make drastic changes to avoid the potential risks of player injuries and worn out teams. First, they should give days off between each tournament games, to keep teams fresh for the tournament run. If that means cutting short the regular season by two games, that would make sense, as teams can play these postseason games with the highest caliber of play.
Second, they should conclude these postseason conference tournaments at least one week prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament. That way, teams will be mentally and physically sharp once tournament time begins.
Postseason tournaments are a necessity, since teams on the bubble can drastically improve their stock and have a chance at reaching the NCAA Tournament. However, the current format of these postseason tournaments cripples teams and creates a larger potential risks for injuries.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Nabokov is Ultimate Big-Game Choke Artist
San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov is one of the most talented players in the NHL. He has all the necessary tools of an elite goaltender; great footwork, quick instincts, exceptional stick control, and a great feel for the game. His skills have propelled the San Jose Sharks to outstanding regular season success. In fact, last year in the 2008-09 season, the Sharks won the President’s Cup Trophy, and they are currently leading the Western Conference this season with 93 points.
However, the word regular season should be emphasized, as the Sharks have been an absolute embarrassment in the playoffs year in and year out. For instance, they lost in the first round to the eighth-seeded Anaheim Ducks in the first round last year. In addition, they have never reached the Stanley Cup Finals this decade, even with supreme talent on the roster with the Canadian front line of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau anchoring the unit.
The primary reason behind the postseason failures pertain to Nabokov’s inability to step up in the big games, especially since the 2005-06 season. In fact, during the past four seasons, Nabokov’s goals against average went up from 2.28 GAA in the regular season to 3.08 in the postseason. Furthermore, his save percentage dipped from .915 to .867 from the regular season to the postseason during that span.
Nabokov clearly loses mental focus during the playoffs. Some of the goals he allowed last year in Anaheim during the six game embarrassment were saves that he would easily make in the regular season. For example, Anaheim right wing Bobby ryan scored on two ordinary slapshots from each faceoff circle during game 4 of the 2008 Western Conference Quarterfinals, both of which Nabokov had an opportunity to save. In that series, Nabokov allowed at least two goals in every game of the series, including four goals in Anaheim’s series-clinching Game 6.
Moreover, during the 2010 Winter Olympics, he absolutely choked during the quarterfinal round against Canada. While doing a great job at net during the preliminary round by only allowing four goals in the first three games, Nabokov allowed an inexplicable six goals in the first 25 minutes against Canada. Furthermore, his inability to overcome adversity was evident in the second period, as he allowed two cheap goals in the first two shots he faced in the second period.
First, Nabokov skated too far forward on a slapshot from just inside the blue line from Canadian forward Corey Perry. Although he saved Perry’s initial shot, he was unable to secure the puck and allowed an open net for Perry to score on the rebound. Then, Nabokov failed to stop a routine slapshot from Canadian defenseman Shea Weber to allow his sixth goal of the game. Nabokov was pulled after allowing his sixth goal in the game. He only saved 17 out of a possible 23 shots.
Overall, Nabokov has not elevated himself into an elite goaltender, due to his consistent failures in big game situations. He embarrassed his Russian team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in the elimination round, and his Sharks have not been able to maintain a level of consistent success in the playoffs. Time is running out for Nabokov, as he will turn 35 in August. His playoff experience has come to no use, as evidenced in last month’s choke in the Winter Olympics. Ultimately, his legacy will be defined by his inability to win the big game.
However, the word regular season should be emphasized, as the Sharks have been an absolute embarrassment in the playoffs year in and year out. For instance, they lost in the first round to the eighth-seeded Anaheim Ducks in the first round last year. In addition, they have never reached the Stanley Cup Finals this decade, even with supreme talent on the roster with the Canadian front line of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau anchoring the unit.
The primary reason behind the postseason failures pertain to Nabokov’s inability to step up in the big games, especially since the 2005-06 season. In fact, during the past four seasons, Nabokov’s goals against average went up from 2.28 GAA in the regular season to 3.08 in the postseason. Furthermore, his save percentage dipped from .915 to .867 from the regular season to the postseason during that span.
Nabokov clearly loses mental focus during the playoffs. Some of the goals he allowed last year in Anaheim during the six game embarrassment were saves that he would easily make in the regular season. For example, Anaheim right wing Bobby ryan scored on two ordinary slapshots from each faceoff circle during game 4 of the 2008 Western Conference Quarterfinals, both of which Nabokov had an opportunity to save. In that series, Nabokov allowed at least two goals in every game of the series, including four goals in Anaheim’s series-clinching Game 6.
Moreover, during the 2010 Winter Olympics, he absolutely choked during the quarterfinal round against Canada. While doing a great job at net during the preliminary round by only allowing four goals in the first three games, Nabokov allowed an inexplicable six goals in the first 25 minutes against Canada. Furthermore, his inability to overcome adversity was evident in the second period, as he allowed two cheap goals in the first two shots he faced in the second period.
First, Nabokov skated too far forward on a slapshot from just inside the blue line from Canadian forward Corey Perry. Although he saved Perry’s initial shot, he was unable to secure the puck and allowed an open net for Perry to score on the rebound. Then, Nabokov failed to stop a routine slapshot from Canadian defenseman Shea Weber to allow his sixth goal of the game. Nabokov was pulled after allowing his sixth goal in the game. He only saved 17 out of a possible 23 shots.
Overall, Nabokov has not elevated himself into an elite goaltender, due to his consistent failures in big game situations. He embarrassed his Russian team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in the elimination round, and his Sharks have not been able to maintain a level of consistent success in the playoffs. Time is running out for Nabokov, as he will turn 35 in August. His playoff experience has come to no use, as evidenced in last month’s choke in the Winter Olympics. Ultimately, his legacy will be defined by his inability to win the big game.
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