Over the past four seasons the Washington Capitals have developed into arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference, at least for the regular season. But Alex Ovechkin has yet to reach an Eastern Conference Championship Series with the Caps to prove his greatness to hockey. His rival his whole career, Sidney Crosby from the Penguins, has not only been there twice, but he has played for a Stanley Cup and took one home. The Capitals over the past few seasons have had a high scoring potent offense with as many as 318 goals last season. This proved to be dominant all season propelling them to number one in the conference last season only to be dropped by the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadians in the first round. As the Capitals began the first round with a win last night, the game showcased the different preparations the Capitals have made to take the giant step forward in the playoffs this season.
As with any sport, defense tends to win championships. The Capitals have given up an average of 2.89 goals a game in the playoffs the past three years, including 3 or more in their first game each year. Last night the Capitals only gave up one goal in three periods and almost a full overtime. They have made more of a commitment to defense this season, along with better goal tending. They sacrificed some goals and some wins, but implementing their new philosophies over the regular season was important for their playoff success.
Ovechkin's goal to tie the game in the third period was a bit of a garbage goal but a goal indeed. The capitals have an abundance of talent to put the puck in the net, but when the goals aren't coming they have to find a way to win. In previous years they haven't been able to do that. The goal last night saved the game and gave them the opportunity to win in overtime. In the past three postseasons the capitals have only won one game in which they have scored less than three goals. If they can continue to grit it out and win the close games and combine that with their scoring upside, they will be a tough opponent for anyone to eliminate from the playoffs.
The last major thing to pull from the game would be the goal by Alexander Semin. Last postseason he was nonexistent coming up with zero goals. With Semin scoring the overtime goal, the Caps are hopeful he's off to a fast start. Two seasons ago Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin all put up big points in the playoffs and made it to game seven of the second round. All three of the Cap's stars will have to repeat that performance if they hope to go any deeper than that.
A few years ago the Washington Capitals were young talent and over the past few years they have blossomed into the best team in the Eastern Conference with Alex Ovechkin leading the way. They sky has been the limit for this team and this is the year they will finally get there. This season they have done everything right to prepare for the playoffs, and while their game last night might not have been pretty, they now know how to win even when the shots aren't hitting the back of the net. The nations capital might just see their first champions since the Redskins way back in January 1992.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Waiting on Woods
The Masters at Augusta National is in full swing today. The top of the world golf rankings is more crowded than usual with six of the top seven golfers eligible to move into the number one ranking with a Master's victory this weekend. However, Tiger Woods is not number one currently, and he isn't two, three, four, five, or six. Tiger comes in as the seventh in the world rankings and the last eligible golfer to take over the number one ranking. We're so accustomed to his number one ranking that he held hostage for so long and watching him in his red polo chase down his prey on Sundays. He would keep us glued to the television hoping and willing him on further because every sports fan wants to be apart of a great moment that defines an athlete. Tiger just had the ability to create those moments year in and year out constantly redefining his career becoming more and more of a legend. Then it all came to screeching halt.
While his game isn't what it was two years ago, he is still Tiger Woods and probably the best golfer to ever play the game. He didn't leave his prime, and he isn't too old. Golf is as much a mental game as it is anything else. Tiger simply lost his mental game a year and a half ago and has struggled to bring back the focus. The determination, competitiveness, and talent is all still there. So he changed his swing, it isn't the first time he has done that and dealt with the consequences. He doesn't deserve to be number one right now, and he probably won't win the Master's this year. However, I do believe it is inevitable that he will win a green jacket again.
This Master's tournament may not mark the beginning of a new Tiger Woods, because he may not be ready for that. It does, however, present the opportunity to get back on track along with any other major tournament. Every time a fellow golfer takes their chance in the media to give a little shot at him they add fuel to the fire inside of one of the most competitive athletes in the world. When Ian Poulter said this week that "I don't think he'll finish in the top five", don't you think that just is just rebuilding Tiger's mental competitive edge? Wouldn't that be the best coming out party for Tiger's new image if on Sunday he chased down Poulter for the lead and showed him who's the world's greatest? Yeah I know it sounds great and it won't happen, not with this Tiger Woods anyway. But one day, maybe not today or this tournament, that Tiger Woods will be back. Tiger Woods is the core of the golf world, and we will all want to watch greatness. If we're lucky, it will come on Sunday.
While his game isn't what it was two years ago, he is still Tiger Woods and probably the best golfer to ever play the game. He didn't leave his prime, and he isn't too old. Golf is as much a mental game as it is anything else. Tiger simply lost his mental game a year and a half ago and has struggled to bring back the focus. The determination, competitiveness, and talent is all still there. So he changed his swing, it isn't the first time he has done that and dealt with the consequences. He doesn't deserve to be number one right now, and he probably won't win the Master's this year. However, I do believe it is inevitable that he will win a green jacket again.
This Master's tournament may not mark the beginning of a new Tiger Woods, because he may not be ready for that. It does, however, present the opportunity to get back on track along with any other major tournament. Every time a fellow golfer takes their chance in the media to give a little shot at him they add fuel to the fire inside of one of the most competitive athletes in the world. When Ian Poulter said this week that "I don't think he'll finish in the top five", don't you think that just is just rebuilding Tiger's mental competitive edge? Wouldn't that be the best coming out party for Tiger's new image if on Sunday he chased down Poulter for the lead and showed him who's the world's greatest? Yeah I know it sounds great and it won't happen, not with this Tiger Woods anyway. But one day, maybe not today or this tournament, that Tiger Woods will be back. Tiger Woods is the core of the golf world, and we will all want to watch greatness. If we're lucky, it will come on Sunday.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
One and Done: What Could Have Been
Well that was pretty painful to watch.
For two teams that earned their right to play in the National Title Game, they sure weren't into the idea of putting on a show. Butler shot less than twenty percent from the field, and the two teams combined for only eleven assists. That's probably because they both tossed the ball up at the rim every chance they got to pad their rebounding statistics for a combined ninety-one rebounds. Rather than reliving the high school basketball game that most of us witnessed last night, lets think about what could have been.
The best players in the nation come to college with one goal in mind, making it to the NBA. For the top prospects that usually means one and done. They play one year for a top basketball program to pay their dues to make it to the NBA. They aren't in college for the glory of winning the NCAA Title. Even if they were, the payday on the end of a draft selection is more money than most of the these kids could dream of having. But what if the NBA had the same rules as the NFL requiring a player to be out of high school for three years and most stayed for the full four years? Who would we have seen this weekend in the Final Four, and would we be treated as fans to a better championship than we saw last night?
The NCAA Tournament this year would have showcased Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Evan Turner, and Blake Griffin as seniors. There is a wealth of underclassman talent with Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins, and John Wall at the top. UCLA(7) would easily be a top eight team with Love and Holiday in their senior and junior seasons respectively. Kentucky(4) would be a lock as a number one seed returning Wall, Cousins, Patterson, and Bledsoe from last year's team to pair with Brandon Knight and Josh Harrelson. Syracuse(3) would have Johnny Flynn and Wesley Johnson as seniors to create a dominating force in the Big East. Even the top seeded Buckeyes would add top talent with Evan Turner returning for a senior season. After seeing Blake Griffin's true potential in the NBA who knows what he could have done in four seasons in college with fellow guard Willie Warren by his side as a junior this season. The PAC-10 would have shown more life this season with Jerryd Bayless pairing with Derrick Williams for Arizona and O.J. Mayo teaming with DeMar DeRozan for USC. One scary thought would be if John Calipari didn't leave Memphis since Derrick Rose would still be around. If that was the case would John Wall and his other recruits have come to Memphis instead of Kentucky? Either way Calipari's team would be stacked from years of recruiting all hanging around to play for him.
So if we were so lucky to see the top NBA prospects stick around for a full education, who would be cutting down the nets? Kansas would have the best front court in the nation with Cole Aldrich returning to team with the Morris twins. Xavier Henry would provide immediate scoring help to the Jayhawk's front court. They would likely take over the top overall seed for the tournament. As the rich get richer, Ohio State would get even better with Evan Turner returning. He would provide the Buckeyes with a true scorer giving them a dominant front court between Turner and Sullinger. Kentucky, or wherever Calipari was recruiting to these past two years, would strike fear in any team they faced. Giving Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, and Patterson a second year to play together and adding Brandon Knight and Josh Harrelson's recent emergence, the Wildcats would be poised for a late tournament run. Rounding out the top four could be UCLA, but I like Syracuse with their senior leaders Johnny Flynn, Wesley Johnson, and Rick Jackson. Flynn would immediately help the back court, which is in need of a guard who made smart decisions. Returning Flynn and Johnson would put them over the top as the team to beat in the Big East. Between the four teams, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Kentucky, and Syracuse, I would put Kansas and Kentucky through as the most talented well-rounded teams.
So last night, we would have seen John Wall and Brandon Knight leading Kentucky with DeMarcus Cousins and Josh Harrelson battling the Morris twins and Cole Aldrich of Kansas in the paint. Now that would have given us some excitement to see that interior match-up. Kansas would likely have the edge there. The first half would have been a lot of pounding the ball inside to prove who is the dominant force. I see it as Kansas 36 to Kentucky 28 at halftime. The second half would have been about the guards and who was willing to put it all on the line to take the game over. John Wall, Brandon Knight, and Eric Bledsoe would take over the game because Kansas doesn't have the guard depth that Kentucky brings to the floor. Bledsoe and Knight shoot back to back three pointers to put Kansas away, while John Wall teaches us all how to "dougie" Peter Yang style on the bench. The winner is Kentucky 72 to Kansas 66. The depth Kentucky would have brought to this tournament is a direct reflection of Calipari's recruiting talent. The only thing that stops his team from being stacked to win it each and every year is the "one and done" philosophy that reins over college basketball. Lets hope the NBA joins the NFL's mindset soon, we deserve a better champion!
For two teams that earned their right to play in the National Title Game, they sure weren't into the idea of putting on a show. Butler shot less than twenty percent from the field, and the two teams combined for only eleven assists. That's probably because they both tossed the ball up at the rim every chance they got to pad their rebounding statistics for a combined ninety-one rebounds. Rather than reliving the high school basketball game that most of us witnessed last night, lets think about what could have been.
The best players in the nation come to college with one goal in mind, making it to the NBA. For the top prospects that usually means one and done. They play one year for a top basketball program to pay their dues to make it to the NBA. They aren't in college for the glory of winning the NCAA Title. Even if they were, the payday on the end of a draft selection is more money than most of the these kids could dream of having. But what if the NBA had the same rules as the NFL requiring a player to be out of high school for three years and most stayed for the full four years? Who would we have seen this weekend in the Final Four, and would we be treated as fans to a better championship than we saw last night?
The NCAA Tournament this year would have showcased Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Evan Turner, and Blake Griffin as seniors. There is a wealth of underclassman talent with Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins, and John Wall at the top. UCLA(7) would easily be a top eight team with Love and Holiday in their senior and junior seasons respectively. Kentucky(4) would be a lock as a number one seed returning Wall, Cousins, Patterson, and Bledsoe from last year's team to pair with Brandon Knight and Josh Harrelson. Syracuse(3) would have Johnny Flynn and Wesley Johnson as seniors to create a dominating force in the Big East. Even the top seeded Buckeyes would add top talent with Evan Turner returning for a senior season. After seeing Blake Griffin's true potential in the NBA who knows what he could have done in four seasons in college with fellow guard Willie Warren by his side as a junior this season. The PAC-10 would have shown more life this season with Jerryd Bayless pairing with Derrick Williams for Arizona and O.J. Mayo teaming with DeMar DeRozan for USC. One scary thought would be if John Calipari didn't leave Memphis since Derrick Rose would still be around. If that was the case would John Wall and his other recruits have come to Memphis instead of Kentucky? Either way Calipari's team would be stacked from years of recruiting all hanging around to play for him.
So if we were so lucky to see the top NBA prospects stick around for a full education, who would be cutting down the nets? Kansas would have the best front court in the nation with Cole Aldrich returning to team with the Morris twins. Xavier Henry would provide immediate scoring help to the Jayhawk's front court. They would likely take over the top overall seed for the tournament. As the rich get richer, Ohio State would get even better with Evan Turner returning. He would provide the Buckeyes with a true scorer giving them a dominant front court between Turner and Sullinger. Kentucky, or wherever Calipari was recruiting to these past two years, would strike fear in any team they faced. Giving Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, and Patterson a second year to play together and adding Brandon Knight and Josh Harrelson's recent emergence, the Wildcats would be poised for a late tournament run. Rounding out the top four could be UCLA, but I like Syracuse with their senior leaders Johnny Flynn, Wesley Johnson, and Rick Jackson. Flynn would immediately help the back court, which is in need of a guard who made smart decisions. Returning Flynn and Johnson would put them over the top as the team to beat in the Big East. Between the four teams, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Kentucky, and Syracuse, I would put Kansas and Kentucky through as the most talented well-rounded teams.
So last night, we would have seen John Wall and Brandon Knight leading Kentucky with DeMarcus Cousins and Josh Harrelson battling the Morris twins and Cole Aldrich of Kansas in the paint. Now that would have given us some excitement to see that interior match-up. Kansas would likely have the edge there. The first half would have been a lot of pounding the ball inside to prove who is the dominant force. I see it as Kansas 36 to Kentucky 28 at halftime. The second half would have been about the guards and who was willing to put it all on the line to take the game over. John Wall, Brandon Knight, and Eric Bledsoe would take over the game because Kansas doesn't have the guard depth that Kentucky brings to the floor. Bledsoe and Knight shoot back to back three pointers to put Kansas away, while John Wall teaches us all how to "dougie" Peter Yang style on the bench. The winner is Kentucky 72 to Kansas 66. The depth Kentucky would have brought to this tournament is a direct reflection of Calipari's recruiting talent. The only thing that stops his team from being stacked to win it each and every year is the "one and done" philosophy that reins over college basketball. Lets hope the NBA joins the NFL's mindset soon, we deserve a better champion!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Two Packs, One Fight
The 2011 NCAA Basketball Champions will be crowned tonight in Houston, but the talent is watching from home. Number one seed Pitt hasn't played a game of basketball in two weeks, while the other one seeds, Duke, Ohio State, and Kansas, have been at home for a week. There hasn't been a two seed that has played in the last week. The final four came down to a three, four, eight, and eleven seed equaling the highest total seeds in the final four ever. Did the best four teams make it to the final four? No, but those teams earned every bit of what they have taken away from the top contenders.
VCU(11) was doubted heavily on Selection Sunday by all the experts. They went on to knock off three great teams in Georgetown(6), Purdue(3), and Kansas(1). Their only downfall was having to face a Butler(8) team that finds ways to win every game they play in. Butler has won three of their five games by three points or less, and they haven't won a game by over eight points. With the experience of playing one championship game the team has played well enough to stay in each game till the end when Matt Howard seems to always get a game winning basket. At this point, Butler has won 10 of its last 11 NCAA tournament games. Kentucky's(4) combination of experienced leadership and youthful talent helped them with the biggest win of the tournament over top seeded Ohio State. However, UConn was able to tighten up the defense and cause Kentucky to have a poor shooting night in the final four. Kemba Walker and the Huskies began their run in the Big East Tournament by winning five games in five days as a nine seed to become the Big East Champions. Most of us thought they wouldn't have the legs or mental energy to advance through the NCAA Tournament, but they have proved all the doubters wrong by becoming the hottest team in the country over the past few weeks.
So it seems fitting that the two hottest tournament teams are getting to face off for the NCAA National Championship. Before the conference tournaments UConn and Butler were listed as a five and eleven seed respectively, and both teams seemed off the national radar for a championship. By now Butler has proven its worth as a mid-major by making it to the title game two consecutive years, and UConn has shown that if you can survive the Big East regular season, the NCAA Tournament can be yours for the taking. On Selection Sunday in March some teams spend their time pounding their chests over their seeding, but to reach the big game in April the Huskies and Bulldogs have shown us the only thing that matters is the size of the fight in the dog.
I've got Kemba Walker and the Huskies.
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