Basketball Newsletter - March 21 2000
*********************
Roll up the rim to win™
He did it again. An exciting rim-ripping slam dunk with 1.6 seconds left to beat Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets 100-98. And do you know what?
We don't care if you're sick of the Vince Carter love-fest in the media and the odd newsletter. We don't care if you think he's a ball hog, a show boater, a hot dog, a selfish narcissistic limelight lover. The guy is fun to watch. These days even people who don't give a flying hoot about basketball pause to watch the highlight reels on the television. What we're watching here, kids, is an explosive talent, a pure superstar. And even if you don't love him, can't bear his antics, We bet you can't take your eyes off him when he's driving for the net.
Who's hot
** Minnesota Timberwolves rookie forward Wally Szczerbiak. Playing in the shadow of Kevin Garnett and Terrell Brandon must be a challenge day in day out, but it also must be a hoot! Without the pressure to get points -- that pressure truly rests on KG's shoulders -- young Wally is able to play a confident, loosey-goosey game. In Sunday's game against the depreciating Bucks, he scored 28 points, had 13 assists and was 11 for 15 from the field. His consistent defensive play and his recent offensive prowess in only his first year in the NBA are big reasons why the Wolves are playing .600 ball. Does the future look good for the Wolves? Hell yes!
*** San Antonio's Sean Elliott. Who'd'a thunk it? Just getting through a kidney transplant is a colossal victory, but this week Elliott suited up and started 3 games for the Spurs. He'd always said he'd come back, that he loved the game too much to let this beat him. And though his minutes-played isn't up to par yet, there is nothing average about his comeback. Elliot's story is refreshing in a month of Rodman capers and Iverson hissy fits. The big shots in the NBA offices should be proud that he wears their logo on his shirt. Even when he's sitting on the bench he's more of a hero than a lot of the game's big names.
Who's not
** Vancouver Grizzlies. There are only 3 teams with stinkier records than those west coast teddy bears: the Clippers, the Warriors and the Bulls. So why put Vancouver in the CTVSportsnet.com doghouse? Because they've lost 12 games in a row, that's why! No, we're not being Toronto-centric, we're not hopping on the VC bandwagon, we're not picking on the Grizz. They just plain suck!
Is this thing on? part 2
The sound of silence. NBC decided this week that the coaches don't have to wear microphones during the broadcasts after all. Well, duh! A little live action pep talk for all to hear is not going to save the game. And really, does NBC and the NBA even believe there IS a problem on the floor? CTVSportsnet.com's Paul Jay says:
"The point is that ratings in the U.S. are down because of inherent problems in the game. To paraphrase Rick Pitino, Larry Bird is not walking through that door, folks, and neither is Michael Jordan. This media negativity sucks! What this league is is young and hard working; give it a chance on its own merits. Don't CREATE a star like Vince Carter. Let him learn to be a winner on his own timetable, in the post-season, and just watch it unfold."
Read more at:
[retired link]
Oh, so THAT'S why it's called Madness!
So what's the point of seeding again? So the teams that do well all season long get rewarded in March by playing the also-rans in the bottom of the bracket? Hmmm. We think if you asked anyone from Stanford, Temple, Cincinnati, Arizona or St. John's, they'd say "please let us be in the middle of the pack, oh pretty please?" The NCAA tournament may be the wackiest of all time. Or it may just end in another damn Duke win because there's no one left to fight for the crown. CTVSportsnet.com has all the coverage at:
[retired link]
And of course you can watch the craziness on CTVSportsnet. Check listings at:
[retired link]
How are you doing in the INTEL HOOPS MADNESS contest? Upset by the upsets? Log in and check the standings at:
[retired link]
What the fans are saying
Had enough of Vince Carter? Of course not. But there are other players on the Raps who deserve some attention, according to those smart folks in the fan forum.
Albert Einstein says:
"Vince Carter is of course the whole show of the NBA's Toronto Raptors. But, Muggsy Bogues has been playing wickedly coming off the bench, as the point guard. He has done a great job this season, and along with Dell Curry, Antonio Davis, Charles Oakley, Tracy McGrady, and Doug Christie are a big reason why the Raptors are clicking this season."
King George has other thoughts:
"Tracy McGrady is the best player on the team, the other players didn't contribute at all. The only thing Vince Carter Contributed was a billion shots and he made about 23 of them...he also contributed the fewest assists by the biggest hog in the league. The only reason the Raptors are where they are now is because of T-Mac and with help from Sean Marks, John Thomas and Haywoode Workman."
And rap had this to say:
"Anyone knows the key to Raptor success lies in Sean Marks, Yogi and John Thomas with help from Haywoode Workman and Alvin Williams. Vince Carter doesn't run the Raptor Show, he runs the freak show."