The Key to Texas Basketball

Watching the UT vs Texas Tech basketball game brings a thought to my simple mind. The key to the success of the Longhorns this year lies in the hands of a Turkish point guard, my new favorite player Dogus Balbay. Since being inserted into the starting lineup 4 games ago, Dogus has led Texas in assists while leading the Horns to a 3-1 record. In the Horns likely Tournament sealing win over Oklahoma last Saturday, Balbay came close to recording just the 2nd triple double in UT history. His ability to drive the lane and finish at the rim or dish out to the Texas shooters helps mask a glaring weakness opponents had exposed against Texas all season - Texas's lack of a ball handling play maker.

Rick Barnes' career in Austin has been highlighted by good to stellar point guard play (TJ Ford, Daniel Gibson, DJ Augustin), but this season has exposed Barnes' inability to actually coach a workable offense. Ever since his arrival in Austin, Barnes has allowed his PGs to run a pick and roll offense, designed to allow uniquely talented players to get to the rim, dish off to cutting wing players, or kick out to spot up shooters. Motion offense describes Colt McCoy's Longhorns football team more than than UT's hoops squad.

Ignoring the one year Kevin Durant spent at the 40 acres, Barnes has been unable or unwilling to alter his offensive philosophy. For the most part of this year, this hurt Texas, as neither AJ Abrams nor Justin Mason seemed to be willing or able to get into the paint off the dribble. Dogus Balbay has brought this part of the Texas offense to life: in addition to Balbay's improved play, Abrams (the Big 12's career leader in 3 pointers made) has seen his points per game increase, as has winger Damion James (a player who has become a wing oriented player this season). If Texas is to succeed and advance in either the Big 12 or NCAA tournament, their hopes fall upon the shoulders of Turkish bred Dogus Balbay. So far, so good.

Harrison

Thank you to the Indianapolis Colts - the Cowboys now have the right to cut T.O. Bring in Marvin Harrison to compliment Roy Williams, and you've got a great combo for Dallas QB Tony Romo. Harrison, while not the stud he was a few years ago, can still get open over the middle. Remember, this is a guy who caught 60 balls last year coming off a major surgery in 2007. You could see he wasn't up his same old breakaway self, but what Romo needs is a reliable 2nd option as a check down or over the middle receiver. Tight end Jason Witten cannot be the only player willing to go over the middle for Romo's outlet. Harrison can fill that void better than any of the Cowboys current receivers, and certainly better than anything Jerry Jones and CO. could get in the 2009 draft. With Williams the homerun hitter and Harrison the reliable possession receiver, the Cowboys might regain some of their offensive firepower that failed them down the stretch. And at little cost to the future of the team (in essence, Harrison will become a free agent as early as tomorrow, and thus those with money are in the running), the Cowboys could shoulder the various risks involved in signing a 36 year old wide receiver. Certainly, Harrison would allow Jones to feel more comfortable in dumping T.O.

Grow a sack Jerry. Get this done.

Where ya been?

5 months? Has it been that long? I wish I had a great excuse for failing to log on and post some ideas about the world of sports over the last few months, but truth be told, there exists no such thing. Of course, if you count laziness as an acceptable excuse, then sign me up for being excused!

So let’s look at the plethora of relevant things that have occurred since October 17, 2008.

Florida wins the BCS Championship

Despite vigorous and legitimate complaints from Texas fans, the OU Sooners leapfrogged the Longhorns to earn a shot at the Big 12 title and subsequently the National Champs. Big game Bob proceeded to lose his 4^th straight BCS bowl game (5^th overall) while Florida cemented its place as the premier football team in the country. The BCS received massive media backlash for its failure to crown an undisputed National Champ, as undefeated Utah (who upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl), USC, and Texas all claimed legitimate gripes. 2009 can’t get here fast enough.

Arizona validates the college BCS system and Steelers win the Super Bowl

Less than a month after the controversy of this season’s BCS mess, the Arizona Cardinals helped provide reason to keep the messed up college system in place. The Cardinals finished the regular season at 9-7 and by winning a weak division slipped into the NFL’s postseason (by contrast, the New England Patriots missed the playoffs after finishing the year 11-5 in the toughest division). Following 3 upsets, the Cardinals made it to Super Bowl 42, where they lost a narrow decision to Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Had this happened in college football with proposed 8 team playoffs, the ACC champion Virginia Tech Hokies could have played for the national championship with a 9-4 record. While my Longhorns got screwed this year, and Georgia last year, and Auburn in 2004, the system we have currently in place in college football at least presents a championship game between top teams from the regular season. This system contributes to the excitement and debate of the 15 weeks of regular season college football. Arizona proved the futility of the NFL’s watered down regular season.

A Rod takes Roids

How was this for the “Well, DUH!” story of the year. I hoped A-Roid was going to break Barry Bonds record for all time homeruns as a clean hitter to give some credibility to the sport, but no luck. I can’t say this surprised me though. Personally, at this point, it seems clear that just about everyone in the late 90s and early 2000s was taking some kind of performance enhancer. As such, the records should stand. Who’s the say Roger Clemens’s steroids for pithching didn’t make his matchup with juiced up Bonds and A-Fraud on par with the spirit of a level playing field?

The Cowboys miss the playoffs

The NFL’s biggest disappointment? Dallas. The Cowboys entered 2008 as the team to beat in most people’s mind, but limped to the end of the regular season amidst player disputes, coaching ineptitudes, and owner mismanagement. Based on the offseason so far, it looks like America’s Team will enter 2009 under the same conditions. My advice? Sign Ray Lewis, cut Terrell Owens, sign Chris Simms as Romo’s backup, utilize Roy Williams as your number 1 receiver, fire Wade Phillips, and bring in Bill “The Chin” Cowher, and trade one of your 3 stud RB’s for a high round draft pick to use on some help in the secondary.

Brad Lidge breaks Astros fans hearts in World Series

Was it me or did the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies look like an intrasquad scrimmage from the 2005 Houston Astros spring training? How many of those random scrub utility white guys did Houston lose to these pennant champions. Eric Bruntlett. Dan Wheeler. Trever Miller. Brad Lidge. Even former pitching coach Jim Hickey worked for Tampa under the same title. Don’t forget who put the entire Rays roster together – former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker. Good call on those moves Drayton McLane. And by the way, how in the HELL did Lidge go 47 for 47 in save opportunities in Philly? When he left Houston, I could’ve blasted a homer off his stuff.

Nate Robinson dunks on Superman

Normally I’m no fan of the dunk contest. Dwight Howard rekindled my flame for the showcase at last year’s event, and this season’s showdown between Howard (Superman) and the midget they call Nate Robinson (he of the Kryptonite at this years event) lived up to all the hype. While I think letting the fans vote determined the outcome (Robinson is a Knick – no doubt New Yorkers, of which there are millions, outnumbered any number of votes coming in for the Howard from his Orlando fan base) is silly, the contest and dunks were outstanding. When Robinson leaped over the 6’10” Howard to flush it home, I was reminded about how the dunk contest could capture the imagination and be fun. Here’s hoping Lebron keeps his name in the 2010 contest in Dallas.

Lerbon vs. Kobe

Is the debate about the best player in the NBA? Nope – according to my wife, it’s about the strangest name in sports. Fair enough. But don’t forget Dwyane Wade. Seems to me the “y” is misplaced in Mr. Wade’s official name…