New Name…Same Old Thing
Ron Artest may have legally changed his name to Metta World Peace, yet his actions seem to remain the same.
During a Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers matchup in Los Angeles this past Tuesday, World Peace seemed oddly reminiscent of his Artest ways. Many remember the infamous brawl he was involved in while playing for the Pacers organization in 2004. During a game against the Detroit Pistons, a skirmish erupted on the court between Artest and Detroit center/forward Ben Wallace. In usual fashion, these fights are quickly broken up by players, coaches, and/or referees. However this particular situation took a turn for the worse.
Once the players and coaches had appeared to separate and slightly calm the players, Artest now located on the sideline near the scorer’s table, a nearby fan threw a soda at Artest, spilling all over his chest. The rest became Sportscenter and YouTube history.
The most interesting aspect, to me, is that there was less than one minute remaining in the game before this all unraveled. A game that was by no means close, I may add.
Eight years, countless interviews, excuses, apologies, and even a name change later, not much else seems to differ.
After an explosive play at the hoop, World Peace began to run back to the other end of the court, harmlessly grazing past James Harden along the way. Seconds later, Artest’s fully arched elbow slams into the side of Harden’s head, knocking him motionless to the floor.
Metta World Peace, indeed.
After immediate responses from Oklahoma City players, including an irate Serge Ibaka, Artest was ejected from the game (despite his unsuccessful attempt to claim his elbow thrust was unintentional and celebratory of his dunk).
What does this mean for Mr. World Peace?
He is now suspended for seven games, which may not seem too detrimental, but it is not ideal during playoff season. With this penalty he could possibly miss six playoff games.
As to which player will return, World Peace or Artest, has yet to be seen.
Eight Years Later
It seems hard to believe, but today - April 22, 2012 - marks eight years since Pat Tillman was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
On the early morning of Saturday, April 21, a record crowd of 29,000 gathered to participate in the annual Pat’s Run to honor the fallen hero. For the first time since its origin, the race was forced to restrict its numbers, cutting off registration a few weeks prior to race day. That was quite a different story compared to the fewer than 5,000 present during the first year of Pat’s Run. In just eight years, the race has gained popularity throughout the state, linking the entire state (both U of A and ASU fans) for one united cause.
Meanwhile, Marie Tillman, Pat’s widow, has made her own unique journey these past eight years.
May 4 will mark her and Pat’s 10-year wedding anniversary. Since then she has endeavored in an uphill battle managing grief, public attention, and the attempt to move on.
Presently, she serves as the President of the Pat Tillman Foundation, working earnestly each day to honor her fallen husband and positively contribute to the lives of veterans’ families across the nation. Her work, along with her friends and family who helped form the foundation, has aided veterans and their families in any financial barriers to earning an education. Tillman Military Scholars are nationwide, growing by year in each awarded class. The Pat Tillman Foundation, along with its military scholars program, is heading the nation as a non-profit organization emphasizing veteran support.
In her personal life, Marie is also turning a new page. She has recently remarried and welcome her first child, Mac Patrick, in January.
She now embarks on an entirely new journey as wife and mother, yet is ever cognizant of her past. Even with the new challenges in her life, Marie remains entirely dedicated to Pat and the foundation she worked so hard to build.
She is even releasing her memoir, which will be available in the coming months.
Although her life has taken its unexpected turns, pulling her in multiple directions for an ultimate purpose, Marie Tillman herself embodies what the Pat Tillman Foundation stands for:
“Honor. Integrity. Courage.”
Extreme Makeover: Stadium Edition
Even during this slumping economy, football seems to be the only constant. Soaring gas prices will not keep us fans cooped up, missing the experience of cheering along next to our choice gridiron favorites. Even if worse comes to worst, television offers limitless options to keep up with fan favorites.
And the industry is noticing.
Just a few weeks ago, on April 3rd via press conference, Nike released its new NFL uniform designs after taking over ownership at the beginning of 2012. In addition to the NFL, college football teams are also taking the initiative to give their branding a bit of a facelift as well.
This time last year, Arizona State University unveiled its new rebranding with the “It’s Time” campaign. The school revamped its look with a newly designed pitchfork logo and cutting-edge Nike uniforms, complete with the popular matte-black helmets.
With initial hesitation about such drastic changes to the sports program and traditional “Sparky” Sun Devil logo, the Sun Devils have reaped great fiscal benefits from increased ticket and apparel sales.
Now, renovations are taking a different turn to a new focus: stadiums.
Most recently, the San Francisco 49ers have announced plans and groundbreaking dates for their new state of the art facility location in Santa Clara.
This is nothing new. Just recently NFL teams such as the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys have undergone efforts to construct entirely new stadiums, bringing immense success financially. With a stadium renovation, or entire re-location, teams are able to bring in drastically increase revenue from ticket sales, memorabilia, tours, concerts and special events, as well as Superbowl hosting.
This new stadium has an estimate price tag of $1.2 billion, beginning production on April 19, 2012. It will stretch to about 1.85 million square feet and seat 68,500 roaring fans. With a successful past season, Niner fans are more ecstatic than ever to begin this new project and call a new location home.
In keeping with their efforts to renovate the entire athletics program, and hoping to boost fan excitement, Arizona State is once again announcing another project. There is no entirely set date for construction yet. However, Arizona State released designs for the new concept on April 4, 2012.
Of course there are neccessary fixer-upper needs such as score and video board renovations, sound system fixes, and even new seating, yet this whole concept of changing entire locations and appearances of stadiums is a bit sad. It feels like any hope of long-held traditions are running out.
The classic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California has announced plans to fix up the favility, but only with subtle and necessary changes. Nothing will be too aesthetically different, maintaining its reputation in the world of football.
Coming from a tradition and historical standpoint, seeing the Yankees leave their original stadium, home to great baseball legends for so many years, was a bit heartbreaking. It feels like a part of the magic in sports is fading.
New designs and concepts are interesting and certainly boost fan interest, but I will always have a soft spot for the tradition of The Rose Bowl, Lambeau Field, and the simplicity of uniforms like Alabama.
“Khlomar” Leaving Dallas
After a highly publicized, extremely messy, and poorly handled fall out with a Los Angeles Lakers, resulting with a trade to the Dallas Mavericks in December 2011 , Lamar Odom is moving once again. On April 9, 2012, news broke of Odom and the Mavericks parting ways. However, instead of being released completely, Dallas had reportedly listed Odom as inactive for the remainder of the 2012 season.
In a statement released to ESPN on Monday, Lamar stated that this decision was reached on a mutual terms acceptable by both himself and the Mavericks organization.
One can only speculate as to the exact reasons for Odom’s departure…whether it be a lasting emotional conflict from his difficult move from LA, or a simple bump in the road. Odom is an undeniably talented player, but his recent move to Dallas and its effect on his skills has been evident. The question remains where he and reality star icon wife, Khloe Kardashian Odom, will set up their papparazzi-filled residency. In an end of the season trade with Dallas, it may be smart for a less popular team to fight for Odom on their roster. He and his wife, along with their famous family and E! Network reality show, have a cult following — similar to the Tebow effect, which has brought tremendous publicity to the New York Jets.
Could the Phoenix Suns be a viable solution for Khlomar’s new home? After some devastatingly close runs at a championships in the early 2000s, the Suns are in need of a shake-up from any means possible. Phoenix would be a optimal location, geographically closer to both of their homes, and still close enough to LA to keep the Lakers as number one on the enemy list. If Lamar can return to his Laker level of skill, he would be a tremendous asset to the Phoenix organization.
A Look Back At History
This week, Arizona State University Arizona State Sun Devils Facebook page has been posting historical dates and photographs of the school’s most noteworthy milestones, with the help of Facebook’s new timeline feature. So, I thought I would take that opportunity to reflect on my beloved alma mater and share some historical moments in its history.
On May 5th of 1885, after a Senate bill passed in order to establish a normal school in Tempe, George and Martha Wilson donated their 20 acres of land in order to establish what would grow to be the Arizona State University campus. This created the first school for higher education in the Arizona Territory (not yet a state until 1912).
By 1909, rivalry was in full swing as the Territorial Cup battle ensued in a three game sweep over Arizona in baseball.
Here is a 1910 picture of the women’s basketball team, finishing 6-1 with two victories over Arizona and a close defeat of Northern Arizona University (then known as Flagstaff Normal School).
Not exactly sports-related, yet still very significant was President Roosevelt’s visit and speech on the steps of Old Main in March of 1911. Hundreds of people gathered to hear the President speak at the university that would one day provide education to 72,000 students by the year 2011.
By 1912, when Arizona officially became a state, the Tempe Normals celebrated a 10-1 season for its men’s baseball team.
Spring Practice
Spring has sprung and preparations for the 2012 season of ASU football are in full swing. Upon my first observation of a practice (aside from past scrimmages at Camp Tontazona), progress seemed obvious. Of course there are some great new talents in both the athletes and coaching staff, yet the team as a whole appeared entirely new. Of course demeanors undoubtedly change when in the midst of last years beyond disappointing season, but players seemed upbeat — working with diligence and focus. Every single second of practice time was used. Players ran…or sprinted from play to play, obeying coaches prods and orders. Hustle. Diligence. Two things that automatically triggered something in my mind to tell me this year will be different. Of course new things come with a new coaching staff, but I have never seen results as positive as these…and so soon. Coach Graham was on the field with the rest of his staff and assistants, immersed in drills and plays. Newly (officially) appointed athletic director Steve Patterson stood by observing and interacting with others, perhaps press. Perhaps this is speaking too soon but so much positive progress combined with this continued hard work will lead to success in the fall. Everything is appearing to click and fall into place for the Sundevil squad— and I sincerely hope to witness the fruits of everyone’s labor this season on the gridiron.
March Madness Update
As the week progresses, two of the NCAA tournament teams have advanced to claim their position in the Final Four: Ohio State and Louisville.
The other two spots are left open to two deciding games, which will take place Sunday.
First, the number one seeded Kentucky takes on Baylor. Later, the one and two seeds, Kansas and North Carolina compete for the final open position in the 2012 Final Four.
Ohio State ousted Syracuse, whose team had suffered some last minute alterations due to an ineligibility from starter, Fab Melo, who was unable to play in the tournament. However, the Orange pushed on to make it further in the tournament than hastily changed brackets expected. They rallied to retrieve a victory against UNC-Asheville, and later a close fight to the finish victory over Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen in order to march on the the Elite Eight. They then fell to Ohio State, 77-70, ending their NCAA tournament hopes. Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger acquired 19 points and seven rebounds, pushing the Buckeyes past Syracuse to their Final Four goal.
The Change Up
This past week has churned up some major changes in the NFL world. Quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow, the pursued veteran and the popular newcomer, have relocated to new teams and franchises.
After a long (not as circus-like yet still highly publicized like “The Decision”) media frenzy in preparation for his next career move, Peyton Manning has now joined forces with John Elway and the Denver Broncos organization. Several teams courted Manning heavily, such as Arizona, Miami, Tennessee, San Francisco, in addition to Denver.
The media hoopla seemed to calm once Manning’s final decision was announced….that was until another pressing question arose: what will become of the current Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow? There was virtually no possibility of Tebow contending for a starting role up against Manning and his debatable talents and overall popularity would be a true asset to another team.
An obvious candidate for Tebow was Jacksonville, Florida — home to his highly successful collegiate career. Jacksonville would have been a seemingly perfect option, in desperate need of the “Tebow Mania” in order to bring attention to their faltering football market.
However, Tebow’s ultimate destination is the New York Jets. It may have seemed to be a somewhat random team choice, yet Tebow needs playing experience. He undoubtedly possesses the heart and passion for the game, but he is simply in need of experience. Do I think that the Jets is the only team suitable for Tebow? No, not necessarily, but it is rare to see a quarterback stay with an organization for nearly 14 years, as with Peyton Manning and the Colts.
Do I think that Denver was the best choice for Manning? Yes and no. He has obvious talent, supported by championships and MVP awards, yet his choice for Mile High Stadium and not a dome surprised me. Another concern is with one swift sack he could be out of commission for good. However, with the Saints on watch for their bounty system, that could be something to relax about a bit more.
Either way, with one quarterback approaching the end of a awe-inspiring career and another just at the brink of one, I hope to watch both succeed greatly.
Day of Upsets
Last night, March Madness, in its true form, fed the nation’s desire for anxiety-filled games and underdog upsets. The Lehigh University Mountain Hawks stunned the Duke Blue Devils in a race to the end 75-70 victory. Defeating Duke, the 2nd seeded team, meant big things for Lehigh, who was ranked 15th, not only in the tournament but for the school’s program as well.
Not only was this particular matchup a near home court advantage for the Blue Devils, (since the game was played in Greensboro, North Carolina — about an hour’s drive away from the university’s location in Durham, North Carolina) but their reputation and experience in the NCAA tournament and championship games seemed to be a legitimate threat for the Mountain Hawks.
Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum played a huge role with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 very key steals.
Lehigh resilience continued, in a back and forth fight for the lead, ultimately holding off the Duke Blue Devils….bringing a whole new meaning to the term “Blue” Devils.
Personally, I think that Lehigh capitalized on a team living off their high NCAA reputation, not necessarily the skill that accompanied this particular team this year. Am I saying that Duke is not a talented team? No, they most definitely are and they have an incredible coach who is arguably the Coach Wooden of this generation. However, this year just seemed to be anoff one, and they have some growing to do. Yet, if my team is having an “off year” and are not playing at their best…and they STILL make the NCAA tournament as a #2 seed, I would willingly accept that. Duke is stocked with talent, from a player and coaching staff standpoint, and they will be threatening contenders for years to come, no questions asked.
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This year, it’s good to be the 15th seed.
Madness.
It’s that time of year again! College basketball in full force and now accessible in every form of technology you can get your hands on. Classes, work, and meetings will be receiving the cold shoulder as the NCAA tournament takes over your television screen, computer, iPhone, and iPad — all 67 games as they stream live, as stated here.
With almost as much intensity as fantasy leagues and drafts, March Madness devotees take to their bracketology to create an unparalleled bracket.
ESPN coverage and blog sites around the globe dedicate countless hours to statistics, rankings, records, and possibilities — yet perhaps the unknown is what makes March such a highly anticipated month for college basketball.
The Bleacher Report release this photo (below) capturing the percentages of matchup upsets:
In my opinion, these Cinderella Story upsets are what makes March Madness games so intriguing. In just one game, one day… a team’s entire season and career depends on that moment. For example, George Mason’s unbelievable triumph over the #1 ranked UCONN Huskies in 2006 or Texas Western’s victory over Kentucky in 1966, depicted in Glory Road (2006). While we all strive to have the best bracket for our office pool or to compete with out friends, there is always some aspect of the Underdog Story that catches our attention.
(above: George Mason’s victory over UCONN in 2006)
(above: Texas Western over Kentucky, 1966)
Let’s the games begin.
Fill out your own bracket here.
