Just Say No to Pre-Rankings

This isn’t intended to make a case for or against the current system, rather to highlight the flaws of both.

The conference and non-conference schedules are not level playing fields. Many argue the East coast bias against West coast teams. While it’s relevant, it’s also overplayed. The SEC will continue to whine that its conference is and always will be the ‘bride’s maid, never a bride.” OK, I admit the reference to the SEC as a dress wearing conference may have gone a bit too far, but it was fun.
The point is that under the current regular season system, non-conference schedules should be made by the NCAA so that teams are not falsely inflating their records by electing to play D-2AA schools if they want to be considered championship contenders. If you want to play on New Year’s Day, your non-conference schedule should include wins against teams that show you would put on a good show on New Year’s Day against another contender.

Additionally, even if a playoff system were put in place today, the teams put into the playoff would still be based on the current BCS ranking system which already gets enough heat for being imperfect as it is. Right now, the #3 & #4 team are the squeaky wheels, if you implement a playoff, the #9 & #10 teams become the squeaky wheel (in an 8 team playoff). And before someone jumps the gun to say; well, those are just the bottom of the barrel team… you might even say ‘wildcard’ teams… the Cardinals would not have been in the playoffs had they been in any other division (rename that conference when referring back to NCAA football).

The Cardinals being crowned the best team but not actually BEING the best team should carry more weight than it has. Just the marathon of being in a place to contend for a title should remove even the possibility of any discussions/comments that the winner “doesn’t deserve the trophy.” Rarely is the subject more apparent than now that most playoff systems are NOT setup to crown someone as The Champion: (NCAA Basketball single elimination, NBA first round seven game series, NFL regular season only serves to identify those teams that should be college teams)

The real tragedy is the 2006 MLB Championship puts to rest the sports catch phrase, “In a seven game series, the best team always wins.”

I just have to respond

Yes it’s a tired subject, but some still dont’ get it. This is in response to the Sports Law Blog at Why is Steroid Use Considered Cheating?.

This being the “Sports Law Blog” I find it interesting that especially in this article, you neglected (willingly) to mention any references to “precedence”.

First and foremost, beyond any sport rule book, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW! IT IS NOT LEGAL! (Doctors notes excluded)

The ‘fallback arguement’ is less about those from the past (as they too could have used them) as much as it’s about those who choose to obey the law and play as the spirit of the sport intends, which is, bring all the you (and only yourself has to bring) – I’ll bring mine, and the best man will win. When steroids are introduced, the man cheating brings a bench player while the other meets the challenge head on. The terms coward/Peter Pan syndrome come to mind.

As far as eye-surgery’s go… it’s not any other improvement that the guy already had wearing glasses in the first place. And Greg DID wear glasses but mostly wore contacts. Get the facts straight.

HGH, Andro, etc are in the same bucket.. the “meaningful difference” isn’t justified, rather the (knowingly) strong Baseball Players Union was able to keep that off the negotiating table. You should be asking, “why hasn’t the union OFFERED these things to the banned substance list?” — Simple, the union knows that there are too many guys using this right now which would put them out of the game, not by violation, but because those things keep them from the minors.

Back to precedence, the spirit of sport and competition is about fair play (hence rules). Rules are there for those who don’t have the integrity within themselves to play for the competition, the betterment, etc. To those who excuse onfield behavior by coining the phrase “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying”… you know who you are, you should be ashamed to think you belong being mentioned in the same breath as Montana, Mayes, West, Robinson…

Open Season

Since when did hunting season begin with the start of NBA mini camps. http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9709161

I mean REALLY!

Steven Jackson of the Indianapolis Pacers (yes, the same who was suspended two years ago for the brawl in Detroit) fired 5 shots into the air after being punched in the mouth and hit by a car “early” Friday morning after exiting a gentlemen’s club. (Flash back to my mom lecturing “nothing good happens after midnight” when asking if I can stay out late)

Not only that, but the remainder (five others) of his entourage were also possessing (while licensed) guns in their cars during this incident. I’m not bashing against someone’s right to bear arms… but questioning, what percent of athletes today carry guns in their car (‘scuuuze me, SUV)?

Now I admit I have a bias against Commissioner David Stern, it’s not a personal one, it’s purely based on his performance as Commissioner of the NBA. Yes, he has done an excellent job of making the NBA and its owners an INSANE amount of money. But he has done a poor job of curbing the thuggery that has infested the sport.

I wonder what Coach Auerbach, “Pistol” Pete Maravich, Jerry West and other Hall of Famer’s think of the way the current generation of players has established the NBA as the Nuthin’ But Attitude league. Today’s ball’er is awarded $30 million dollar contracts without having proved themselves through a single NBA game.

Joe Dumars had it right when he said…“Coming from my background, you had to prove it, You don’t get any free passes. You have the mind set where you have to prove it every day.” Not so much anymore huh Joe?

The NBA Hall of Fame website: http://www.hoophall.com is supposedly marketing themselves by showcasing “MVP’s of Character”. How many of the current list of active players will be able to participate in this program in 10/20 years?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an NBA hatter. I love the NBA. I think I’m their target demographic. But I refuse to put money in their pockets if it is going to condone the type of players that are in the league. And I’m not singling out the NBA either, I think the NFL has the same problem. Spoiled brats who were pampered through high school and college in order to get high dollar salaries so they can play “guns”.

So Stern, and the new NFL Commish – you’re going to have to do better to get my money.

Go Suns!

Life is but a dream

Tragedies such as the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado have become moments of national (disgrace, heartache, unbelief), in large part because of satellite and TV technology, but those same media conglomerates could be capturing how the Amish have emerged as a shining lighthouse to the world in their response to their tragedy this week.

Unfortunately, media (of all types) continue the shameful moniker that “if it bleeds, it leads.” It’s shameful that more haven’t used their [the medias] influential power to improve the world by exemplifying how the Amish have reacted to this invasion of their [the Amish], if not respectful then at least peaceful, lifestyle.

This isn’t a rant/rave against the media per se, rather a request for all to take this opportunity to recognize how their [the Amish’s] response has been received [by us]. And just as important that it IS POSSIBLE to remain an ambassador of peace even in the face death itself. I have yet to see anyone question the response of the Amish. While everyone would empathize with a feelings of revenge or hatred… but the Amish have risen above to show us/me that there are other ways to react.

I’m not calling on everyone to adopt the Amish way to shun the modern world and both its ills and conveniences, I myself won’t give up my dune trips and off-road adventures… rather I’m asking that we all recognize the life lesson on their behalf and learn to respond appropriately to those trespasses in our lives.

To those of Nickel Mines, in Lancaster County, I won’t forget your bravery and example and I wish you and your families well.

Peace be with you.

Simple Dichotomy or Time Bomb

9/11 brought either awoke the sleeping giant, or the world finally saw the elephant standing in the middle in the room. Depends on your perspective.

Islamists/Muslims (pardon the naivety at being un-uninformed) around the world have been being characterized into two group of either Islamic fascist or self characterized as “misunderstood lovers of piece”.

The previous generalization whether true or proclaimed as truth persists, THE truth will not be validated while the question continues to be asked, “How can anyone claim an organization as peaceful when so much violence is spoken, delivered, preached and condoned?”

I wonder how much of the killing could be stopped if those delivering those actions could realize that it doesn’t take violence to make a point. While violence is usually the first thought considered when exploring ways to make a statement, violence only resolves to draw a hard line between those who you would want to hear your message. The message is then ignored rather to respond to the action and the words are lost in translation.

Peaceful means to draw attention to yourself and your message are exponentially effective when a perception of concern for humanity is center stage.

– Robert Redeker is only the latest in a lengthening list of Europeans who have been subjected to death threats from Muslims outraged by criticism of their faith and prophet. British writer Salman Rushdie survived the Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1989 fatwa only by adopting a quasi-clandestine existence. Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was gunned down on the street two years ago in Amsterdam for insulting Islam. His co-filmmaker, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, frustrated at living under constant police protection, resigned earlier this year from the Dutch parliament and moved to the United States – TIME Online (James Graff)

My $.02 is that Muslims are new to the idea of freedom of speech and don’t know how to handle it. From my admittedly small understanding of their history and culture, violence is part of the law/culture in Middle Eastern Regions. Do they still chop off hands for stealing, do they still execute by beheading with a sword, do they stone for immoral acts? Is it a fundamental issue with the men there to release/relinquish their stronghold over women that violence continues to remain the ONLY perceived solution?

I see it in similar light as the struggle (understated) in the U.S. to recognize the rights of African Americans in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and still today. As some didn’t know how to handle (accept) the rights/freedoms of African Americans, some Muslims don’t know how to handle the rights of others (freedom of speech/press/religion and freedoms in general).

What I will suggest (for free) is, just for shock value… try something new. Try NOT sawing off someones head on live TV. Try NOT remotely detonating roadside bomb and killing civilian journalists. Try NOT targeting people you perceive to be against you because of a different religion.

Show me the peace. Help me to not be confused (resistant, guarded, etc) about your religious believes. If you are “misunderstood” the best way to have me on your side is to show me it’s going to be worth that chance. I can’t give you a chance when the only fruits of your labors are violence and hatred.

Show me the peace. Regardless of who started the fight first… be the first to end it.