Dandy Rautins

Andy Rautins had a fantastic NBA Draft Combine. He put up great numbers, shooting 80% from NCAA, 76% from NBA 3 and 83% from mid-range (15-18 feet) off the dribble. I would love to have those numbers on my team. Add in the fact that he is an above average defender and ball handler, and a great passer, he would easily find a niche in any franchise. He is a solid backup combo guard that can hit clutch long-range shots when you need them.

UCONN Violations

It seems that UCONN men's basketball has been charged with 8 violations of NCAA rules. Not sure how serious this will be or how it will play out, but it should serve as a warning to every program: A Hall of Fame coach like Jim Calhoun isn't immune to violations. If anything, he is lucky that these allegations deal with a kid that never saw the court for the Huskies. If he had played it would have been worse. So Jimmy B, Coach K, keep your noses clean.

Artest Takes the Lead

Of all the people on the Lakers you would think to make a game winning shot, Ron Artest might be the 5th or 6th choice. Kobe, Fischer, Pau, Odem, even Farmar or Bynum. Artest hasn't been shooting well all year, but there he was, pulling down a Kobe airball with 1 second left and banking in the rebound, leading to a 3-2 lead for LA. The shot ended a furious comeback by the Suns, who really looked like they would steal this and head back the Phoenix with the lead. But maybe Artest's shot was just the universe telling the Suns that, once again, it won't be their year. I still look for Nash and his crew to take game 6, and they have a great chance to win, but LA is too good and too lucky at home.

New Jersey Super Bowl

So the new Jets/Giants stadium has been given the 2014 Super Bowl, as voted on by the NFL owners today. This means alot to those two franchises, but might mean more the the Eagles, the Patriots, the Redskins and the Ravens. These cities will no be able to lobby for hosting their own Super Bowls. Redskins owner Dan Snyder is so adamant about getting the game in DC that there is a rumor that he is willing to build a new retractable roof stadium in the District, which might go on the sight of RFK. It would be great to have the game here, though I of course could not afford tickets.

24 FINALE

So much TV is coming to an end. The last two hours of 24 are on tonight. I am quite sure Jack Bauer gets through alive, but you never know. My hopes are that it sets up the 24 movie well, and that Jack and Chloe are both alive at the end. Also, will there be a silent count? There are silent counts at the end of pretty much every season, if I remember correctly. Just enjoy it tonight. And don't forget to DVR How I Met Your Mother!

RIP Jose Lima

Sad day for sports fans. Jose Lima passed away today after suffering a heart attack. Was he the best pitcher, no. But he always looked like he was having fun, and I never heard anything bad said about him. I am going to miss Lima-time. RIP

No Playoff Drama

I have no idea what the figures have been like, but it seems that in the conference championships of both the NHL and NBA, there is no drama. The Celtics and Lakers have dominated their opponents pretty easily. The Flyers only had a minor hiccup in game 3, and now lead the series 3-1. The Blackhawks are looking to sweep the #1 seed Sharks. What happened to competition? Where is the drama or compelling story lines? It just seems somewhat boring, which is not how you want the playoffs to be. Hopefully the Finals in both sports will be worth watching.

Non-Sports Issue... The Insanity of Texas

Ok, I realize that my blog has been almost entirely about sports, but there is an issue that, as a grad student studying American History, I have to comment on. That issue is the rewriting of American history textbooks by the Texas School Board. Let me start by saying this- it is historical blasphemy. Their appeals and desires for rewriting history are COMPLETELY WRONG! My view has nothing to do with politics, left vs rights. No, this has to do with historical accuracy. It is an absolute abomination what Texas has passed.

First and foremost, they want the history books to show that the founding fathers supported an entirely Christian nation, with the government being guided by Jesus himself. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Thomas Jefferson clearly stated the necessity for the separation of Church and State in numerous documents, including his letter to the Danbury Baptists, as well as the Treaty of Tripoli and the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. Do some fucking research.

Second, referring to the slave trade as the "Atlantic Triangle Trade" is, in fact, an obvious attempt to cover up the disgraceful history of these United States in regards to slavery and race relations. By referring to the trade without mentioning slavery, you are ignoring the millions of men and women who were not only brought to this nation against their will, but also those who died in inhuman conditions crossing the Atlantic waters to America. More people died due to the slave trade than did in the Holocaust under Adolf Hitler. Shame on Texas for blatantly attempting to erase that period from the American conscience.

Third, and the final reference I will have to this unjust reform, is that Texas wants the views and opinions of Confederate president Jefferson Davis should be held on equal standing as those of President Abraham Lincoln. This is the ultimate in insulting revisionist history. Jefferson Davis was in charge of the greatest act of treason ever committed in the history of this Republic. His own personal views aside, Davis approved the bombardment of Fr. Sumter, thus beginning the Civil War. He is directly responsible for the death of the most Americans citizens in any war in the 400 year history of this country. To put his words, views and opinions in the same category as Abraham Lincoln, a man who not only opposed slavery in his own personal views but also made it the main focus of the Civil War and the early Republican party at the expense of his own life, is so far beyond the pale of reason that I am disgusted to dignify it with a response.

The reason why I bring this up, other than the obvious and rampant historical inaccuracies, is that the influence and polarization of modern politics has reached an insane level. Whether it be to paranoia over Obama's intentions or downright racism towards the fact that our President is African-American, the "Christian Right" has reached the level of delusional cult status the likes of which have not been seen since, quite possibly, the 1800s. When anyone in America polarizes themselves either to the right or the left so far that they are unwilling to listen to an opposing argument, then they have forfeited the right to rational and reasonable discussion and any inherent rights to democracy that lie therein. As it currently stands, the Christian right and the Tea Party refuse to even acknowledge the views of anyone else, thus reducing themselves to a group full of ignoramuses and know-nothings who hold no more rational view than that of untrained apes. In order to engage in a relevant debate, one must be educated and reasonable enough to listen and understand opposing points of view. Until those that subscribe to this utterly moronic views do that, then there will never be a common ground on which the two sides can meet, ergo discussion is an empty and irrelevant act. When you decide to accept reason over anger, logic over ignorance and education over partisan revisionism, than you will be welcome back at the grown-up table. Until then, kindly stay out of the way, cause the rest of us have work to do.

No Bosh for the Wizards

Apparently Chris Bosh has already dismissed 25 NBA teams from his free agency list. Bosh commented today that he is only willing to sign with the Knicks, Lakers, Heat and Bulls if he decides to leave Toronto. I think this is a bit premature. I mean, what if Lebron goes to the Bulls and they don't want to sign/trade Deng and Heinrich (though they would be foolish not to if it gets them Bosh). I think he should keep his options open. Washington might have space for him. The Clippers could too. Just wait for July, Chris.

Nats Attendance

No blog yesterday because I was at an actual sporting event. I watched my Nats drop one to the Mets, but it's ok because the park was packed, and not just with Mets fans. I was quite surprised. Sure, the crowd got there late and left early. But who cares? It is more money for the Nats to sign Bryce Harper with. Oh, and on a somewhat related note, Roy Oswalt has requested a trade from the Astros. Hmm... I think he would be a great mentor for Stephen Strasburg...

No Trade

Thankfully, Washington Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld said that the team has no intention of trading the #1 pick away. Thank God. Now we just have to make sure that we actually end up taking Wall. I think he would fit better than Evan Turner, and we need that dynamic point guard more than a great combo guard. I can't wait to draft Wall, and am actually considering getting a Wizards jersey for the first time since... well, ever. WOO!

JOHN WALL TO DC!

The Wizards have won the NBA Draft Lottery for the 2nd time in team history! John Wall, barring some idiotic event, will be coming to DC to be our starting point guard and our future. Very happy right now.

Draft Lottery

NBA Draft Lottery is tonight. The Nets have the best chance to win the chance to draft either John Wall or Evan Turner. My Wizards have the 5th best chance, but will hopefully end up with Wes Johnson if they can't land Wall. Turner doesn't fit into the team at all because he plays the same position as Gilbert Arenas. I should have a post tonight or tomorrow after the lottery giving a preliminary mini-mock.

Storen's Debut

A pretty good debut last night for Nats' pitcher Drew Storen, the #10 overall pick in this past draft and closer of the future. He came in and got 2 outs, including a strikeout of slugger Matt Holliday. Sure, the Nats lost, but that was the offense's fault. I liked what I saw from Storen.

Triple Frown...

This is getting old. Where have all of the Super Horses gone? There hasn't been a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed, and there won't be one this year after Lookin at Lucky won the Preakness yesterday. Sure, there have been some close ones. Real Quiet, Smarty Jones, Charismatic, Funny Cide. But why isn't there a horse that can just dominate at any distance? Why couldn't they space out the races another week or two? Why, if you are a jockey neck and neck with a Triple Crown contender down the stretch at the Belmont, would you not pull up a bit for the good of the sport? Horse racing needs a Super Horse to survive, and it needs one pretty soon. They jockeys, minus Calvin Borel, don't have much personality. A horse needs to dominate in the near future.

An All Time Choke!

Oh boy. That was bad. The Boston Bruins became just the 4th team all time in all of the 4 major sports to blow a 3-0 series lead, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 last night in Beantown. Unbelievable. I mean, You can't win one game after going up 3-0? I don't understand it. The Bruins weren't even competitive for 2 of those games. Then last night, they built up a 3-0 lead in goals, only to blow it again.

Now the Flyers move on to play those giant-killing Habs. The 7th and 8th seeds playing for a chance to make it to the finals. Out west, it is the 1st and 2nd seeds in the Sharks and Blackhawks. Who do you think is going to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in June?

Still Classy towards a Classless City

Here is a question- is it possible for Donovan McNabb to ever say the wrong thing? Furthermore, is it possible for him to say anything bad for a city that did nothing but berate and hate him for 10 years? Today the best player in the team's history apologized to the ungrateful city for not winning them a Super Bowl. Unbelievable. McNabb never needs to be sorry for anything. It isn't his fault that they only had a #1 receiver one of his years (they went to the Super Bowl and lost to a dynasty who might have been cheating). It isn't his fault that the partially racist fanbase of the Eagles can't accept a black quarterback even when he shatters every team record at that position. It isn't his fault that coach/GM Andy Reid doesn't believe in running the ball at all ever in any situation no matter what even if the receivers lose their arms. Donovan, stay classy. Enjoy DC, cause we appreciate honest, kind and upstanding individuals like you. We like black QBs, and have won a Super Bowl with one. We are everything the Eagles aren't, and I think you will love it.

Kelly's Pipedream?

New Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly insists that he loves Notre Dame being an independent. More power to him if they can stay that way, but they have to win. If they don't, then they will need to join a conference sooner rather than later.

Twitter

JFLANland is now on Twitter. Follow me @JFLANland. Should be fun. Will have to figure out how it all works.

Cheaters Can Prosper, Apparently

What does this teach our youth? That cheaters still win awards and don't have them taken away. Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans failed a drug test last September, then played the entire season. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year. When it became public that he failed the test, the AP had a revote. Cushing won again. Wha? Someone explain that to me. Both Jerrious Byrd and Brian Orakpo had fantastic rookie seasons without cheating. Why didn't one of them get more votes? Unbelievable.

A Month of Blogging

Ok, so grad school finals are finished, and I don't have class again until June. Therefore, I promise here and now to post at least once a day for the rest of this month. We will start with my thoughts from the past 11 days in sports:

- JaMarcus Russell, barring an unforeseen comeback, is the biggest bust in NFL Draft history. Ryan Leaf is off the hook

- Loving the start the Nats are off too. Hopefully they can keep it up.

- No comment on the NHL... grrr...

- Ok, one comment. I love overtime in the NHL playoffs, especially in the Western Conference. They just seem to skate faster.

- Rajon Rondo.... Where the hell did you come from? A triple-double with 18 rebounds by a point guard? Insane!

- Am I the only one that wants to see the Suns/Magic in the NBA Finals more than any other matchup?

- Steve Nash is the toughest man in the NBA.

- Tiger, miss the rest of the year. Just go and get healthy. Announce you will miss the rest of the season, go heal your body and marriage, and then come back next season and be yourself.