Musings on an Instant Classic

Reflections on an awesome hockey Sunday:

---It's only February 28, but today's U.S.-Canada Gold Medal Classic was far and away the most exciting sports moment of 2010, even surpassing the Saints' Super Bowl victory in terms of excitement.

---I was rooting hard for the United States to win, and in the immediate aftermath of the overtime defeat, I was devastated. In hindsight, though, Team USA should be enormously proud of their spectacular performance in these Olympics. Up until the final horn sounded, Team USA played with incredible grit, heart, tenacity, and poise.

---After his performance in these Games, Ryan Miller earned himself a place alongside Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt, and Jefferson on Mt. Rushmore.

---Congratulations to our neighbors to the North. Team Canada lifted the spirits of a nation today, and Sid "The Kid" Crosby will go down as a national hero.

---Today's game was so awesome, I'm going to make a conscious effort to watch more NHL from now on. So look for more hockey discussion on this blog in the future.

---Okay Commissioner Bettman, I hope you learned your lesson today. After watching today's un-freaking-believable game, you better not scrap hockey from the Olympics in 2014. If you do decide to pull hockey from the Olympics, your reputation will stoop to Bernie Madoff-type lows.

Team USA Beats Canada: A Great Olympic Moment

Musings from Sunday's scintillating hockey battle between the United States and Canada, won by the U.S.:

---I am not a loyal follower of the NHL, but I absolutely love Olympic hockey. For my money, it is the most exciting Olympic sport. The United States' thrilling upset of host Canada on Sunday served as a reminder of why I adore Olympic hockey so much.

---While yesterday's game came nowhere close to approaching the historic magnitude of the Miracle on Ice thirty years ago, it was still a shining moment for our country, the most memorable moment of the Olympics thus far. And most importantly, the victory for the U.S. showed that Team USA should be taken seriously as a gold medal contender in hockey at these Games.

---Both Team USA and Team Canada are flush with NHL stars, but make no mistake: This was a big upset. Hockey is Canada's national past time. Nothing means more to Canadiens during these Vancouver Olympics than winning the gold in hockey. And up until yesterday, Team Canada was considered the clear-cut favorite to win the gold. After all, Team Canada has a loaded roster that includes Sid "The Kid" Crosby and Joe Thornton, and they have a rabid fan base rooting for them every night. According to popular belief, Team USA had no business walking away with a win.

---The unquestionable MVP yesterday for Team USA was Ryan Miller. Miller's goalie work was beyond extraordinary. Much of the third period was played in front of our net, as Canada continually threatened to score. But Miller smothered practically every cup that came his way. It was a truly spectacular performance by Miller, a performance that conjured memories of the great Jim Craig.

---On the flipside, Canada's goalie, the legendary Martin Brodeur, is under fire for his underwhelming performance. There is talk that Team Canada is considering replacing Brodeur, but that would be an epically stupid decision. Brodeur is one of the greatest to ever skate the ice. Who are you going to find that's better?

---Rumor has it that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is complaining that his league gets no benefits from the Olympics, and that there may be no more Olympic hockey after these games. If this comes to fruition, it would be a tragic shame. Let's hope Bettman comes to his senses and realizes that the Winter Olympics brings the sport of hockey international attention, something that can only be good for the NHL.

---Anyone who watched yesterday's hockey game and still insists that the Olympics are no big deal is clinically insane. As yesterday shows, the Olympics are a symbol of exhilarating athleticism and national pride. It's hard to find anything better than that.

NBA Trade Deadline Winners and Losers, and the Awesomeness of the Olympics

The NBA Trade Deadline was today, and while some teams immediately bolstered their chances at winning it all, other teams squandered a major opportunity. Here are my trade deadline winners and losers:

WINNERS

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs were already the best team in the NBA, with the best player in the league. But a lack of sufficient support surrounding LeBron James would have been a worrisome weakness come playoff time. Add Antawn Jamison to the mix, and that problem is solved. Jamison is a terrific player, especially on the offensive end, and he will take some of the load off of King James' shoulders. Coach Mike Brown struggles at times with his offensive gameplan, but all he has to do now is sit back and let LeBron and Antawn work their magic. G.M. Danny Ferry had been in pursuit of Amare Stoudamire, but Jamison makes for a better fit in Cleveland than Amare anyways. The fact that the Cavs were able to acquire a big-name player without parting ways with supremely talented rookie J.J. Hickson makes this trade all the more sweet for Cleveland.

Boston Celtics: The Celtics still remain well back of the Cavs in terms of championship potential this season, but credit Danny Ainge for making a move to keep the Celtics in the title hunt. Boston has looked like a bunch of aging veterans this season, but the addition of Nate Robinson gives the C's some much-needed youth and athleticism. Robinson clashed with Mike D'Antoni in New York, but his reputation as an immature player is unfair. Here is a guy who just loves to play the game of basketball, and he was justifiably upset in New York over Coach D'Antoni's stubborn refusal to grant him playing time. Robinson is a much better player than most people realize; he can do much more than just dunk. Now that he is in a winning environment, Robinson will be a rejuvenated force off the bench for Doc Rivers. The loss of the reliable Eddie House was a small price to pay for Boston in their acquisition of Nate Robinson. Well done, Mr. Ainge.

Houston Rockets: Today was a win on two counts for the Rockets. First, they were able to snag Kevin Martin away from Sacramento. Martin struggled to coexist with Tyreke Evans in Sac-town, but he will thrive alongside Aaron Brooks in Houston. Secondly, the Rockets were able to rid themselves of the overrated distraction that is Tracy McGrady. So for G.M. Daryl Morey, today was a fantastic day.

Dallas Mavericks: This trade happened well before Thursday's deadline, but it is still worth noting: Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood have arrived in Big D at the expense of Josh Howard, a talented player who also had a knack for being complacent on the court. What a spectacular trade for Rick Carlisle's Mavs. Butler never got the recognition he deserved in Washington for being an efficient scoring threat night in and night out. And Haywood gives the Mavs a much-needed inside presence. This trade doesn't quite bring the Mavs to the level of the Lakers and Nuggets out West, but it makes them the dark horse pick to upset those two teams and reach the Finals.

Portland Trail Blazers: Now this blogger still believes that the Blazers are the fourth best team in the loaded Northwest division, behind Denver, Utah, and Oklahoma City. But the Marcus Camby trade practically ensures Portland of a playoff spot in the West. And as crazy as it may sound, any playoff team in the West can make a deep run. Camby may be on the downside of his career, but he is still stellar defensively, and he will help the Blazers this season. However, while the Blazers will never regret saying goodbye to Steve Blake, they could regret parting ways with Travis Outlaw, a player with a promising future. But this is a trade for the present, and by those standards, it is a success.



LOSERS

New York Knicks: Granted, today was a financial win for Donnie Walsh and the Knicks, as the organization looks to clear cap space in hopes of luring big free agents this summer. But does anyone honestly believe that the likes of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh will be more inclined to join the Knicks simply because they acquired Tracy McGrady, a past-his-prime, self-centered, injury-prone burden? I don't think so.

Miami Heat: So your superstar (Dwayne Wade) has continually threatened to leave if you don't do anything to improve your team, yet you sit back and do nothing at the trade deadline. You went after Carlos Boozer and failed. You went after Amare Stoudamire and failed. Unless Pat Riley can grab Chris Bosh in the offseason, it looks like D-Wade may be purchasing a plane ticket out of South Beach.

Orlando Magic: The Cavs improved, the Celtics improved, the Magic stayed the same. They may pay the price of their inactivity come playoff time.

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The 2010 Winter Olympic Games have been widely criticized on many levels. You will find no such complaints here at TJB Sports Universe. Sure, the weather conditions in Vancouver have been less than ideal, but the city still serves as a stunningly beautiful host. I love everything about the Olympics. So while cranky curmudgeons will continue to complain, I will be rooting on Team U.S.A each night, ready to witness the incredible skills of Shaun White, Apolo Ono, Lindsey Vonn, Johnny Weir, Shani Davis, and Bode Miller. I will continue to be glued to the television every night. Yes, I will even watch every minute of figure skating and curling. I love it all. The Olympics are one of the most consistently exhilarating events in the world. Case closed.

The Passion is Back for Bode Miller

Four years ago at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Bode Miller was a lost soul. He spoke with careless arrogance and an evident lack of passion, even casually admitting that he occasionally went skiing while drunk. Bode Miller was clearly the most purely talented American male skiier in the field, but there wasn't a single ounce of fire and motivation in his body. His performance in Italy was a disastrous disappointment. Miller was rightfully derided by many in the Olympic circle for his poor attitude, and his reputation as an elite Olympic athlete took a major hit. Thus, it was satisfyingly striking to witness the arrival of an entirely different Bode Miller at these 2010 Winter Olympic Games in picturesque Vancouver. The incessant narcissism that pervaded Miller's time in Torino has been thoroughly replaced with a proper sense of focus and maturity. Miller has shown himself to be a man of surprising humility in interview after interview, and his performance on the slopes on Monday night confirmed Miller's refreshing metamorphosis.

Sure, Miller may have only won bronze in Monday night's downhill skiing event, but he displayed the type of stirring effort and concentration that was amiss four years ago. Miller delivered a very clean, efficient run, evidence that he has come to Vancouver prepared to make headlines with his skiing rather than with his off-the-mountain behavior. After the race, Miller spoke with a keen sense of perspective, not exactly thrilled with a bronze medal finish, but ultimately happy with his effort. With more events on the horizon for Miller during these Games, it would not be the slightest bit surprising if he manages to somehow snag a gold medal.

Bode Miller has been continuously portrayed as a villain over the course of the last few years, and justifiably so. But it is now time for Miller to win back the hearts of those that he so badly let down four years ago. After these Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Bode Miller will no longer be the villain. His passion is back; this time for good.

NBA Midseason Report

As the All-Star festivities are underway in Dallas, it's time to hand out some midseason awards:

TOP FIVE TEAMS

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

What LeBron James continues to do night in and night out is simply staggering. King James is far and away the best player on the planet, a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court. Judging by championship-level standards, James' supporting cast is less than stellar. But one player that stands out is J.J. Hickson, a superb rookie out of N.C. State who plays with the swagger and intelligence of a wily veteran. Hickson's name is associated in practically every trade rumor, but G.M. Danny Ferry would be foolish to let go of such a promising young talent.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

I will begrudgingly admit that Kobe Bryant is a truly great player, but for those of you who deem him more valuable than LeBron, consider this: When Kobe went down to injury, the Lakers actually played better. With Kobe sidelined with an ankle injury, Los Angeles garnered two dominating road wins at Portland and at Utah. Now it goes without saying that in order to repeat, the Lakers will need a healthy and productive Kobe, but their road success without Bryant is a testament to this team's overwhelming depth. Pau Gasol continues to assert himself as one of the league's most outstanding big men, Andrew Bynum continues to improve, and Shannon Brown continues to show why he is one of the league's most underrated players. Thus, the Lakers remain the team to beat out West. Now if they could just get rid of that Sasha Vujacic, the worst player in NBA history. I may be exaggerating, but only a little.

3. Denver Nuggets

With an impressive road win at the Lakers without their best player (Carmelo Anthony) a little over a week ago, the Nuggets proved that they are a legitimate threat to dethrone the Lakers in the Western conference. No team plays with more fearless energy than this bunch. For the first time in his career, Carmelo Anthony needs to be taken seriously as an MVP candidate. He's always been an unstoppable scorer, but this year 'Melo has matured on the defensive end as well, making him a fantastic all-around player. Chauncey Billups' name often gets lost in the shuffle when discussing the game's best point guards, but make no mistake: Billups is indeed an elite point guard, one of the game's most clutch leaders and a surefire Hall-of-Famer. And then there's J.R. Smith and Chris "Birdman" Andersen, two players that are exhilarating to watch. Smith is a fearless shooter, capable of outscoring the likes of LeBron, Kobe, and Durant. And The Birdman is an astonishingly exciting player, an awesome competitor who instantly raises Denver's energy level whenever he enters the game. Look out L.A., here come the Nuggets.

4. Orlando Magic

Up until about a week ago, the Magic had actually been having an underwhelming season. Dwight Howard hadn't been taking advantage of his limitless potential, Vince Carter hadn't been as explosive as Stan Van Gundy had hoped, and Jameer Nelson seemed to still be feeling the ill effects of injury. Then in the second-half of last week's road thrashing of the Boston Celtics, something seemed to click. Dwight Howard, while still not fully realizing his unbelievable potential, is starting to make strides of improvement on the offensive end. And fresh off the heels of a 48-point performance against the Hornets, perhaps Vince Carter is now ready to take a starring role. Still, if the Magic wish to outlast the Cavs and return to the Finals, they are going to need more productivity from Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Few teams rank higher on the pure entertainment and excitement meter than Mike Woodson's Hawks. Joe Johnson often goes unnoticed, but he is an elite player. Josh Smith is an electrifying player who almost always dazzles with his otherworldly athleticism. Al Horford is a very reliable inside presence. And Zaza Pechulia and Jamal Crawford are two supremely talented breaths of fresh air off the bench. With all of this talent, the Hawks should be taken seriously as a threat to win the East, having already surpassed the aging Boston Celtics. But one question remains: When the bright lights and the enormous pressure of the playoffs commences, will the Hawks be ready to compete with the Cavs and Magic? That remains to be seen.

THE NEXT FIVE: Jazz, Mavs, Celtics, Spurs, Thunder


And now, a quick rundown of my midseaon awards:

MVP: LeBron James, Cavs
Honorable Mentions: Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant

Coach of the Year: Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies
Honorable Mentions: Nate McMillan, Rick Adelman, Scott Brooks, Mike Woodson

Rookie of the Year: Stephen Curry, Warriors
Honorable Mentions: DeJuan Blair, Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson

Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford, Hawks
Honorable Mentions: J.J. Hickson, DeJuan Blair, Anderson Varajao

Brees, Payton, Ellis, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Congratulations to your 2010 Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints! With their thrilling 31-17 dismantling of the Colts, the Saints lifted the spirits of an entire city. That sounds like a big cliche, but in this case it is most definitely true.

---After their Super Bowl victory, Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton deserve their proper recognition in the football pantheon. Whenever one is discussing who is the best QB in the NFL, Brees should be at the top of the list alongside Manning, Brady, and Roethlisberger. And Sean Payton deserves to be considered one of the very best coaches in the game. Payton delivered a brilliant, stunningly gutsy coaching performance. That onside kick decision to commence the second half will go down as one of the most courageous calls in Super Bowl history.

---Special recognition should also be granted to Tracy Porter, who came up with one of the most clutch pick-6's in S.B. history.

---As for Peyton Manning, well, he's still the best of the best. But after that costly interception in crunch time, don't expect Manning to appear in any jovial commercials any time soon. That one will sting for a while.

---In addition to the football, of course, people watch the Super Bowl for the cavalcade of supposedly entertaining commercials. While there were a handful of amusing ads on Super Bowl Sunday (the Betty White-Abe Vigoda ad comes to mind), the hands-down winner for best ad goes to the Letterman-Oprah-Leno commercial. Truly brilliant on the part of all three participants.

---On to the NBA now, where Monta Ellis continues to get zero respect. As a Warriors fan, I am biased, but c'mon! Monta is one of the most electrifying players in the game, and he belongs in the All-Star game. When Chris Paul was bitten by the injury bug, it was acceptable that Chauncey Billups was selected as Paul's injury replacement. But when Brandon Roy went down, Ellis was the obvious choice. Yet Ellis was passed over in favor of Chris Kaman. Granted, Kaman is having a very nice year for the Clippers, but in terms of excitement value, who would be of more worth to the All-Star game, Kaman or Monta Ellis? I rest my case.

---Each day brings forth a new Amare Stoudamire trade rumor. The one rumor that has me shaking my head in disbelief is New Jersey. The Nets do have some significant young talent to build around for the future, namely Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. And new owner Mikhail Prokhorov is not shy about his lofty ambitions. With a move to Brooklyn on the horizon, perhaps the Nets are truly in the market for Amare. But the Nets are so deadly right now, I don't think any hope for the future would be enough to motivate Amare should he be shipped to New Jersey. Sorry, I just don't see that trade happening.

---The Celtics and Spurs are supposed to be serious championship contenders, but right now it's hard to take either team seriously as a title threat. After losing a heartbreaker to Kobe and the Lakers last Sunday, Boston has looked awful, barely surviving the lowly Nets and choking miserably in the second-half in a home loss to the Magic. Adding to the Celtics' woes, Rajon Rondo recently alluded to friction in the Celtics locker room. Memo to Doc Rivers and company: If you want any shot at beating Cleveland, Orlando, or even Atlanta, you better start playing better basketball, A.S.A.P.

---As worrisome as Boston has been, the plight of the Spurs has been more glaring. While San Antonio has never been known to amaze people in the regular season, there is something more noticeable about their struggles this season. While the trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker is still potent, it is showing signs of age. And the Spurs' execution in crunch time has been terrible, as evidenced by their stunning collapse in Portland last Thursday night. Like the Celtics, Gregg Popovich's team better get it together soon if they want to be in the championship mix. A win tonight in Los Angeles would be a great start.

---I am currently reading "When the Game Was Ours", a tremendous first-hand account of the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry, told by Magic and Larry themselves, with the help of superb sportswriter Jackie MacMullan. It is a fantastic read, a must for all hoops fans.

---And finally, with baseball season fast approaching, I am giddy with excitement about the return of my beloved San Francisco Giants. But I am worried about this Tim Lincecum arbitration mess. Memo to Larry Baer, Bill Neukom, Brian Sabean, and the entire Giants front office: Lincecum is the best pitcher in the game. Just give him what he wants! This situation better be resolved soon, or I am going to have a panic attack.

Super Bowl XLIV: The Saints Come Marching In

Loyal readers know that I am no Nostradamus when it comes to predictions. Generally speaking, my sports prognostications are about as reliable as Brett Favre in crunch time. However, my failings in this area are bound to be short-lived. I say this because I am unusually confident about my prediction for Super Bowl XLIV. While most of the country seems to be forecasting a victory for Peyton Manning and the Colts, I am sensing a different vibe. I expect the New Orleans Saints to be hoisting that Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday night in Miami.

Why am I so certain that there will be an eventual parade down Bourbon street? Well, for starters, the media hype surrounding this Super Bowl has been eerily reminiscent of the hype that surrounded the New England Patriots and New York Giants two years ago. Remember when everybody dismissed the G-Men as just a nice fairly tale story with no real shot at defeating the Goliath that was the Pats? Remember when everybody was drooling with praise all over Tom Brady, leaving poor little Eli Manning to cower in Brady's shadow? Well, 60 minutes and one incredible David Tyree catch later, the Giants were Super Bowl champions, pulling off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history. Flash forward two years. This time the New Orleans Saints are the nice fairy tale story, lifting the spirits of an entire city en route to an NFC title. This time the New Orleans Saints are expected to get thoroughly thumped by the Goliath known as the Colts. This time Drew Brees is the quarterback getting criminally overlooked, as Peyton Manning basks in the spotlight. Well, my friends, all this has convinced me that the Saints will win.

It will by no means be easy. Peyton Manning will deliver his usual excellence, and the Colts defense, with or without Dwight Freeney, will be more effective than people anticipate. Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and company are going to need to bring their A-game if they want to be king of the football world. Ultimately, however, I think the Saints are up to the challenge. When all is said and done, the Saints will lift the city of New Orleans to a state of true euphoria. And just as it occurred two years ago, David will beat Goliath.

PREDICTION: New Orleans-28, Indianapolis-24

The Questions I Want to Hear on Media Day

Media Day at the Super Bowl is always a ridiculously silly guilty pleasure, with a multitude of irrelevant questions with little to do about football. Today in Miami, players from the Colts and Saints will gamely step to the podium to answer queries like, "What's your favorite food?". Sometimes, as Tom Brady can attest, players often field wedding proposals. Keeping with the theme of media day inanity, here are some questions and comments that I hope to hear today in South Beach:

"Hey Peyton, will you be able to play in the Super Bowl, or will you be too busy filming another commercial for Sprint?"

"Hey Reggie Bush, what's it like dating a Kardashian?"

"Hey Dallas Clark, I think you might be a little confused. Don't you belong on the Cowboys?"

"Hey Dwight Freeney, will your ankle injury prevent you from pursuing a guest spot on 'Dancing with the Stars'?"

"Hey Jeremy Shockey, do you and Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith ever get together and chat about your tattoos?"

"Coach Payton, Coach Caldwell, what is more important to you: A Super Bowl championship, or appearing in one of those hilarious Bud Light commercials?"

"Hey Drew Brees, do you ever get mistaken for Drew Wind?"

"Hey Pierre Garcon, with such a lovely French name, have you ever considered showing up on game day smoking a cigarette while wearing a beret?"

"This next question is for all the players. Do you plan on hitting the Miami party scene this week, or are you afraid that Plaxico Burress may be roaming the clubs?"

You get the drift. And by Media Day standards, these are considered hard-hitting sports questions of great journalistic integrity.

Random Observations: Super Bowl Edition

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Now that the mindless inanity of the Pro Bowl is behind us, we can now focus on Super Bowl XLIV. Super Bowl week is here, and the party scene in Miami is out of control. Seriously, the excitement level in South Beach is so high that even Rex Ryan plans on hitting the nude beaches.

---The hype surrounding this Super Bowl is justifiably enormous, as this matchup has the opportunity to make for one of the most scintillating games in Super Bowl history. The Colts and Saints could potentially deliver the highest-scoring game in S.B. history also. On one side, you have Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Joseph Addai. On the other, you have Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush. These two teams have the ability to put up scores that will make the New Jersey Nets envious.

---Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the National Football League (Sorry Mr. Brady!), but Drew Brees should not get overlooked. No player is more overlooked than Brees, a surefire Hall-of-Fame QB who has been the biggest reason for New Orleans' success.

---For the Saints to win this game, though, Brees is going to need some help from Reggie Bush. After a mesmerizing college career at USC, Bush's pro career had been largely underwhelming up until these playoffs, where he has performed at an exceptionally high level. If the Saints are to pull off the upset, they are going to need more of that Reggie Bush magic.

---Super Bowl week has already started off on a rough note for Indianapolis, as it was announced yesterday that star defensive end Dwight Freeney is questionable for Sunday's big game due to an ankle injury. Many commentators have asserted that this is not a big deal, but I think Freeny's injury is a huge blow to the Colts. The prolific Saints offense is brutally hard to stop as it is. If Freeney is unavailable, the task becomes seemingly impossible. Here's hoping Freeney will be healthy come game time.

---When people discuss the excellence of the Colts, one name you hardly ever hear is Jim Caldwell. Perhaps that is because Caldwell is still living in the shadow of the great Tony Dungy, but the Indy coach deserves heaps of praise for having one of the greatest rookie coaching seasons in NFL history. Taking over for a legend is never easy, but Caldwell has made the transition from the Dungy era as seamlessly as one possibly can.

---There will be much more Super Bowl coverage on this blog in the weeks to come. Tomorrow, I take my part in Super Bowl media day, as I ask the questions that I wish the reporters were gutsy enough to ask. Stay tuned!