The IronDog Chronicles

Expanding the Vision

2007-08-13T14:37:00.000-04:00

I'm always up for alternative training methods...Any way that gets you to be a 'raw dog', push it.

However, after reading this article from Nathaniel Vinton of the NYTimes on Steve Nash and how he's working out on the soccer fields in Central Park, I'm saying that Steve Nash is the coolest and one of the more intelligent athletes on the planet right now.

Now that his famed soccer workouts have been documented, I'm placing his off-season workouts up there with Wilt Chamberlain and his famed beach volleyball workouts, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his extensive martial arts and yoga workouts, Bill Walton and his bicycle rides, and "Pearl" Monroe's use of the tennis court throughout the '70s to improve his footwork...Too dope.

The cool thing is that the quote from Nash's boy, Claudio Reyna, shows he recognizes how passing his correlates in soccer and basketball through vision. “When you have vision in soccer, you can connect the pass. It’s the same idea. You can see that from playing basketball, and also from growing up playing soccer, he understands the game.”

With that said, check out the article. I'm placing Nash as one of my all-time favorite athletes. He's a beast.

P.S. I'm with the Conservancy on their booting...Fellas, you'll tear the turf up. That's a primo eye candy spot as well. What's the problem with not using the cleats?...Go to the indoor shoes that Nash uses, meatheads.

Visionaries,
IronDog

Go Slide Go..

2007-08-13T14:31:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of Slide...

So, when I saw this BusinessWeek article from Jessi Hempel about how Slide, a site that lets users post snapshots of friends, say, or vacations in slide-show format, is developing strategies for generating revenue, I'm up for it.

Slide has fast become the most trafficked widget maker on the web. I'm a big user and proponent of what they do. Plenty of people who are connected through social networks are utilizing the widget. Yet, the question that I have is how the hell are they going to generate cash?

Do you use subscription service? Do you create pay-for-service models through a Flickr model? I don't know about this one...

Slidin',
IronDog

Bud is Back

2007-08-08T17:04:00.000-04:00

Solid move by ESPN to bring back Bud Collins...

I was brokenhearted at the news that NBC was letting the longtime tennis analyst go. How would Sunday at Roland Garros and 'Breakfast at Wimbledon' be the same?!

What's even more solid news for tennis fans is that Bud will be paired with Dick Enberg again.

Collins worked with Enberg for 20 years at NBC, including the "Breakfast at Wimbledon" broadcasts starting in 1979. Enberg has been calling matches on ESPN's Grand Slam coverage since 2004.

From this Boston Globe report by Susan Bickelhaup, Collins will also be paired with Cliff Drysdale. I'm up for it...Bring back the insider, descriptions, pants, and that shiny dome.

From the Queen's Box,
IronDog

No More Select

2007-08-08T16:55:00.000-04:00

Thank you NYTimes...

Thanks for freeing up the op-ed pieces and the archived articles of your great writers.

Although the announcement has not been issued, Holly Sanders of the NYPost has reported that the Times will be removing the restrictions established from their TimesSelect service.

On the media sales front, yes, you may not the same segments of highly targetable users. Yet, this move should be solid for more targeted page views and larger ad inventory. On the subscription front, I thought this statistic was interesting.

"The number of Web-only subscribers who pay $7.95 a month or $49.95 a year fell to just over 221,000 in June, down from more than 224,000 in April."

That stat may prove that there are still solid sources of online journalism available, and the decreases in readership from offering subscriptions may not be worth it in the long run.

The next question is when the WSJ will open up?

On my end, you'll see more links to the Times again.

Feed that Head,
IronDog

WUNC "Respect Yourself"

2007-08-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

How did I miss this one...?!

Yes, how did I miss the PBS documentary, "Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story"?

I should be banned from a DVR for two weeks on this one. I pulled an airball with my selector, and I missed the show. I'm praying that WUNC will pull me a huge favor and air the show in the near future.

In the meantime, check out this Ginia Belafonte's review from the NYTimes. She's right on with not only how important the Stax sound was to music, but also how tumultuous the times were for R&B and Soul musicians performing and publishing their music in the '60s.

If you really are looking for a way to amp yourself up for this weekend, catch this snippet of Booker T. & The MGs performing "Time is Tight."

Steve Cropper strumming on electric guitar, Booker T. Jones banging on the organ, Donald 'Duck' Dunn thumping on bass, and Al Jackson keeping the tone. God damn this is hot! So, damn hot that Al Jackson even has to cool himself down.

Keep your game tight! WUNC play this one again!

Memphis '65,
IronDog

Farewell to General Walsh

2007-08-03T15:02:00.000-04:00

Innovative leaders come in very small doses these days...

Which is why I became intrigued with the innovations and life of Bill Walsh, who passed this past week at the age of 75 from leukemia.

Growing up a Chicago Bears fan, I have to admit that I had a major bias against his legacy until after his retirement in 1989 when I discovered how much of an impact he had made upon the game of football. After reading Michael Lewis's 'Blind Side' this past winter, my memories were rekindled about how intricate Walsh's innovations were upon the offensive game of football and the development of the passing game.

SFGate has provided an excellent chronicle of his life over the past few days. Check out the articles here. This one from Scott Ostler from the San Francisco Chronicle is a great one describing Walsh's quirky ways.

I'm more impressed at his work with Stanford University. As a sports fan, I've always been amazed at his move to become Stanford's head football coach in '92 in order to work with the student athlete and how he regarded education and the development of the game. (Here's another great SFGate article on his Stanford days.)

In terms of memorials, I'm glad to see that a movement is occurring to remember Coach Walsh and his work through a public place. Although there is a buzz to name a portion of El Camino Real as Bill Walsh Way in Palo Alto, the best legacy may be for naming a campus practice facility, or better yet...Bill Walsh Field at the newly renovated Stanford Stadium.

Al Davis has another great idea from his state of the address yesterday. Name the award for the best college quarterback each and every year for him as well.

Since Ken Anderson is my original idol from the Cincinnati Bengals, I was familiar with Walsh's work when he left Paul Brown for the Chargers. Oh what could have been in Cincinnati...Check out Dr. Z's (Paul Zimmerman) take from SI. As usual, the good 'Doctor' provided some solid insights and memories, and I love these two quotes that he unveiled.

"My offense is the Cincinnati Offense," he said. "I wouldn't even mind if they called it the Walsh Offense. But the West Coast offense is that Sid Gillman, Don Coryell, Ernie Zampese thing. Why do they keep making that mistake?"

"Genius ... wouldn't you say that's term usually associated with some figment of crackpot?"

Walsh always seemed to be comfortable as someone in the background while his players were pushed into the spotlight. I've always respected that about him.

In terms of style, I enjoyed this description from former Walsh aide, Fred VonAppen, in Tom Fitzgerald's SFGate article listed in the link above.

"He's a complex man, somewhat of an enigma. I gave up trying to understand him a long time ago. In a way he has the kind of personality that creates a love-hate relationship. He's not always the distinguished, patriarchal guy television viewers are used to seeing on the sidelines. He's a very competitive guy, and he can be scathing, especially in the heat of battle. There have been times when I would have gladly split his skull with an ax. Then again, he's the greatest."

I enjoyed that description...

Like Al McGuire's death, I wish that we could have received more memories and thoughts from a great leader at the end of his life. Although he wrote an autobiography with Glenn Dickey called "Building of a Champion", I felt that he could have provided more insights upon the sport of football is evolving around education, university life, and front office management with his work at Stanford and his latter days with the 49ers.

To a class individual who led his life in the pursuit of education and innovation. Thank you for instilling new methods for bringing individuals together to perform as a collective.

Fare Thee Well,
IronDog

Back on the Air

2007-07-31T17:26:00.000-04:00

If you were listening in on Sunday night, you heard right...

Yes, I returned to WXYC's SportsRap, and I'll be back for the next couple of months on Sunday nights.

Feel free to tune-in at WXYC.org or via the 'Eclectic' section on iTunes. 'Sports Rap' is back.

This year we'll try to get as many interviews and in-station appearances as possible for your Chapel Hill and North Carolina fix.

Special kudos to my brother, Ryan Dougherty, for a bang-up show...If you didn't tune in, you missed it. We unveiled some historical Chapel Hill nuggets.

Stay tuned.

Happy Listening,
IronDog

KG to the Celts

2007-07-31T17:03:00.000-04:00

Kudos to Danny Ainge...Cut that...Major kudos...

I have to give the guy credit. Every critic in the world including me was wondering where the hell the Celtics were heading before the draft. Well, the Celts are now strong contenders for the NBA Eastern Conference title after landing Kevin Garnett today.

What a great trade for the Celts...Not only have they landed arguably one of the greatest power forwards of all-time with plenty of treadwear left on the tires, but also they have landed an inside presence that will combine with sharpshooting seasoned veterans, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, without giving up a lot in return.

Yes, people are enthralled with Al Jefferson, but was he going to take a team to a title? Especially with Sebastian Telfair? They also have rearranged their role players with Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes gone, and freed up room for much needed veteran help who may want to play for an immediate winner.

What is needed now...A point guard and an enforcer for inside protection.

Tip: Yes, they're in trouble with their luxury tax, but hit free agency hard and work the deals. Get Brevin Knight to support Rajon Rondo at the point and pick-up Austin Croshere and Dale Davis on the cheap. Mix them in with Glen Davis and Leon Powe for veteran experience. Not a bad mix...

Great moves. They're a couple of steps away.

Bring back the black shoes...They deserve them.

ChessMakin',
IronDog

The Saucony Comeback

2007-07-27T10:50:00.000-04:00

I've been wondering about whatever happened to these guys...

Saucony used to be an off-shoot brand of Spot-Bilt back in the day. In terms of running shoe quality, they dropped off the scene. Yet, from the words in this Brandweek article from Eric Newman, the brand is making a comeback.

They're re-positioning their brand. According to their company president, Richie Woodsworth, Saucony is working upon bringing back their focus. “Saucony was inconsistent in its story and approach to marketing, with multiple identities, brand images and logos that ran across our product categories and didn’t make a whole lot of sense to the consumers,”

In the '80s, Saucony made a comfortable shoe. I'm glad to see that they're making a comeback.

What will be interesting to see are the in-store experiences that Saucony is planning for running specialty shops. From the Brandweek article, the compnay is planning on a stadium-inspired display program that features aluminum bleachers, branded shelving units, tower displays, fitting stools and welcome mats. The brand seems to be stepping toward similar in-store programs at larger retailers, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority.

Let's see how the product fares...

Now, if Etonic can get back on track...Hmmm?

Runnin',
IronDog

H-O-R-S-E

2007-07-26T13:39:00.000-04:00

I have been in a few H-O-R-S-E games in my time...

I've schooled, been schooled, and shot through it all. With that said, "Pistol" Pete Maravich is the greatest horse player that has ever taken the court. Check out this vid...It's a classic.

What makes this one even better is that there are some serious players competing against him. Bob McAdoo, Kevin Grevey, George "Iceman" Gervin are major heavyweights for that year.

Grevey was a helluva shooter, McAdoo was the MVP the year before and arguably one of the greatest frontcourt shooters of all time, Gervin...Fingeroll...'Nuff said. What makes it more wild is watching Gervin's face when he has to complete the "Pistol's" shot underneath the basket.

Hearing the voices of Don Criqui and Brent Musberger tops it all off...Damn, those Adidas suedes on Big Mac look tight.

Off-The-Glass,
IronDog

Uni Watch - Liebe Athletic Lettering

2007-07-23T14:02:00.000-04:00

I'm a fan of Paul Lukas's Uni Watch on ESPN2...

Check out this great piece that has Lukas traveling to Chesterfield, Missouri to visit Liebe Athletic Lettering.

Lettering and logos are the most underrated facet of any uniform. My interest was piqued last night after watching "The Natural" last night on IFC. The patchwork on the letter jackets and the flannel "Knights" jerseys are incredible.

If you're a uni fan, be sure to check out Lukas's articles. He digs in...

Patchwork,
IronDog

Back Off - UNC Recruiting

2007-07-23T12:31:00.000-04:00

Now that's a landing...

The Heels landed 6'9" power forward, Ed Davis. last week. He's the son of former Dallas Maverick and Washington Wizard power forward, Terry Davis.

With this signing, Coach Williams continues to mark his undoubtable legacy...The guy can recruit. He's a master.

With that said, I was stunned earlier this summer when I saw the amount of people taking shots and putting pressure on Coach Williams to land recruits this year. The boo-birds were coming out after Delvon Roe landed at Michigan State and shooting guard, Jrue Holiday to UCLA. My call...What 'evs...I really wonder about their basketball I.Q.

My question is...How can anyone question Coach Williams on his recruiting?

Look at his tough pulls:

1.) Marvin Williams - We weren't even in the picture for the big fella and arguably the top player in the class. We landed him in a couple of weeks time.
2.) Marcus Ginyard - Had a ton of hype going into his Junior year. Landed him immediately with his hire. Snatched from Duke.
3.) Tyler Hansbrough - Masterful job at a time when every high-school senior with any value was going pro. Defeated an all-out assault from KU and Mizzou.
4.) Frasor, Green - Two solid pieces and McDonald's AAs.
5.) Ellington, Lawson, Thompson, Stepheson - Top-level elite program lands.
6.) Greaves - Great local add...Especially when you consider how people were building the hype on him during his sophomore year. I know William pretty well. In his sophomore year, the kid was set on going to Duke. That was a nice swipe.
7.) Brandan Wright - How we snatched that kid from the Krzyzewski's jaws was amazing. Masterful performance...'Nuff said.
8.) Ed Davis Jr. - Yo Rob! Where you at? I think this kid is an incredible land. A couple of people had said that this kid was guaranteed to land at UVA because the UVA staff was all over him. 'Nuff said.
9.) Class of '09 & '10 - Point blank...Arguably the greatest back-to-back recruiting job ever in college basketball. Analyze this point if you will in 2011.

Feel free to add in your thoughts, I'm sure that I have missed more positives.

A lot of UNC followers believe that signing only Drew Jr. would have made for a good strategy as well. Let's go back to our classes of '91 and '92.

'91 - Donald Williams
'92 - Dante Calabria, Ed Geth, Larry Davis, Serge Zwikker
'93 Result: National Champs

In '92, a lot of so-called expert UNC followers were stating that Coach Smith was losing his touch with that class of minor pieces.

These statements were after the Class of '90 when he landed the "Original Fab 5." My thoughts are that Calabria and Drew Jr. were similar lands in the fact they are Top 50 guys who can provide solid contributions throughout their career. People also have to realize that elite-level kids are not apt for sitting behind someone for a year or two.

Similar strategy:

'07 - None
'08 - Larry Drew Jr....(Well, now add Ed Davis Jr.)
'09 Result: We'll see...

Personally, I stay away from that board, but I'm tempted to spit fire on those clowns. I'm sure that there has to be a lot of defenders of Coach Williams's recruiting on that thing. For the detractors, do they realize how loaded this team really is and how the landscape of top ten talent are behaving these days?

Even if UNC landed only Drew Jr., as a UNC fan, I would have been elated. I think Coach Williams's strategy of holding on recruits was excellent. I gave him an 'A' for holding last year.

Disregarding Davis Jr., if you're a elite-level recruit, where are you going to get tick behind a line-up filled with tons of in-game experience that consists of a potential line-up of juniors, Tywon Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Alex Stepheson, and Deon Thompson and seniors Danny Green, Marcus Ginyard, and Bobby Frasor, and quite possibly...1st Team AA, Tyler Hansbrough?

Does anyone realize how hard that sell is?

IC boards...What 'evs. Consider the sources.

I also have to trust that Coach Williams was pondering where the talent level of '09 was going to land. Personally, I think the next class is going to have a lot of impact when he has to replace the '09 class and a possible early NBA entry. I was anticipating this season to be filling in pieces and next season to have major big-gamers coming in.

With Davis Jr., he doesn't have to put all of his chips on that class.

Great, great moves, and here's another point...All are great, solid, and personable kids...Do those clowns realize how tough that is?

I can't doubt the guy. In terms of recruiting, Coach Williams is a beast.

Joe Holliday,
IronDog

Back In the Mix

2007-06-28T13:41:00.000-04:00

Alright, I spent two days and nights of heavy listening, and I'm ready to make my call...

The new Beastie Boys brings that spirit in a '64 funky style..Very classy.

I've always felt that the Beastie Boys instrumental tunes were highly underrated, and I've often wondered when a instrumental album was going to emerge. The collection of instrumentals and B-Sides from "Check Your Head" and "Ill Communication" displayed on "In Sounds from Way Out" were nothing less than stellar, and it was time. Their musical influences, tastes, and integrity operate at a Wes Unseld level...With this album, they made a Hall-of-Fame Outlet.

"Money" Mark Nishita is back on the keys. From the start of the album, he showed that he's back in the mix with "B for My Name." "14 St. Break" brings the beat. The "Gala Event" is great for zoning out and nodding that head. "The Electric Worm" spaces it at the 2:52 mark. Get ready to do pull-ups on "Off the Grid." Watch out for the organ chirp on "The Melee." Don't sleep on the sitar guitar on "Dramastically Different", and be thankful for the closing bells on "The Kangaroo Rat."

They've intertwined styles throughout the album, and you'll notice beats stemming from 'Deep Cover', Incredible Bongo Band, 80's hip-hop, and...Aw Hell, whatever you want them to be...All are great calls.

They're rocking suits and shirts in colors that would could appear on an Impulse cover from the early '60s...Very classy. Since the Dead has faded, I can't think of another band other than U2, who is carrying the torch for integrity and newfound ground in listening experiences. Seriously, name five bands, who have consistently broken new ground throughout a twenty year career that in today's music world. Tough...isn't it?

My only hope is that they're still working on their jumpers...I have to catch these guys on tour.

Bring back the green tea, parano cheese, and protein shakes. That Jim Rockford feeling is back...Baccdafuccup.

Back In the Mix,
IronDog

Back in the Grill

2007-06-12T23:26:00.000-04:00

Back in the grill again...To the grill again...

Yeah I'm back on the point with the verbals again. Here are some thoughts that have come across my inbox.

First off, special kudos to the cat at Yardbarker, who posted the 1998 McDonald's Slam Dunk Competition. Damn...Who says Ronald Curry couldn't ball? Yeah, Curry was overrated in High School...Yeah, right.

A football red-shirt year, a break here and a break there...Wow.

** Ray Young on that vid...Whatever happened to him at Kansas? He was nice...Dyed his hair blonde, and he kind of faded off the radar after a tryout with the Warriors. I need to get a full story on him.

** Meanwhile in the Hill...Sean May back in summer school fufilling his requirements...Good dude.

** Someone touched on whether or not athletes should be considered role models on my heelhoops list serv.

Here's my two cents.

I'll agree that athletes shouldn't be used as examples to raise your kids. Yet, how can we fully embrace that statement without using them as examples in youth sports. When athletes want to downplay their importance, I think they're shirking their responsibility. Especially, when the NBA, NFL, and MLB continues to push their presence for cereals, sporting goods, shoes, TV packages, barbecue fluids, etc.

We can cut the responsibility for athletes down to the bare bones that they should not be 'role models.' Yet, whatever way they want to cut it, a lot of kids look up to them.

With that thought in mind, professional athletes should be able to embrace that responsibility the same way that they preach to kids when they run their own camps, clinics, and events for the communities who pay for their performances...Just my two cents.

** Tough watching Rasheed Wallace going down last week with the Pistons. And when I see Drew Gooden working against Tim Duncan tonight, I feel cheated that I couldn't see a Championship match-up between two major rivals with Wallace and Duncan.

As for Rasheed...I still think he's one of the top 4 power forwards in the NBA. Yet, his on-the-court head is bordering on Rodman/Isaiah Rider proportions. The guy is over 32 now. He needs to drop the gripes, move on, and embrace the leader role.

If I were Philly right now, I would move for him. They could get him for cheap, and he would be back in his hometown. Not a bad move for Charlotte as well.

I still say that he's one of the best guys off-the-court that I've ever encountered in Chapel Hill. A complete classic...Would ball anywhere at any time, and a he was a helluva NBA Jams player at the old Barrell o' Fun.

** Another high impression for the baseball Heels...Josh Horton and Andrew Carnigan for the A's. You know what I think of Billy Beane. His chief scout, Chris Pittaro, is a Carolina guy.

Good to see that one of the top baseball management teams think so well of the players that are developing in Chapel Hill.

Beat Mississippi State,
IronDog

Great Night

2007-06-11T00:12:00.000-04:00

What a night...

So long to Chapel Hill's old Boshamer Stadium. The Heels are headed to the College World Series.

The Sopranos ends on the perfect note.

Life continues with endless possibilities.

Enjoy,
IronDog

Boshamer Update

2007-06-10T17:12:00.000-04:00

Want a ticket for tonight's UNC vs. USC game in Chapel Hill?...

Be expected to shell around $100-150.

As of end of Game 2, which was finished off this afternoon after last night's rain-postponement, tickets were being sold from Rams' Club members to the street leeches for $10-$20/ticket, and then being turned to waiting fans for $100.

I never knew big-money hitters leaving Boshamer Stadium could be so fooled...Geezus

Regardless, I'm going. I have people in high places keeping me high...

Go Heels,
IronDog

Best of Beaverton

2007-05-14T12:48:00.000-04:00

Good topic from online video archives....

I caught this post off of Yardbarker today. Parlayer compiled their list of the Top 20 Nike commercials of all-time. Great list!

I have to agree with most of the 20. My personal faves on the list include:

#17 - MJ's "Failure" Commercial - Should be watched over again and again.
#15 - Michael Vick's Amusement Park Ride - Creative and fun. Straight dope.
#14 - A Day in the Life of Carmelo Anthony - Kind of cracks me up more when I view it up close. They make 'Melo look like an ad exec. Classic.
#12 - MJ's "Moment" - Great color, the diva's voice is incredible. The fact that the viewer is supposed to believe that Corie Blount provides an obstacle to MJ's drive is what holds me back from placing this one in the Top 5.
#11 - "Instant Karma" - Great look on the Huraches
#10 - Agassi/Sampras City Game - Did anyone ever realize that the commercial was set in SF not in NYC. The Muni bus gives it away.
#8 - Lance's European Ride - Could have been rated higher. Incredible.

My personal faves that could have been included:

1. Revolution - C'mon, the intro of the Air Trainer. McEnroe switched from Tacchini to Nike and the national intro of the Nike's stable of athletes in the mid '80s. Plus, the Beatles went bonzo on it.
2. Bo Knows Diddley - Classic commercial that includes Gretzky, McEnroe, MJ, and the legendary Bo Diddley. This one needs more respect.
3. Nike Freestyle - Hell, the commercial had a huge impact on youth basketball. I'm not saying And1 didn't create a lot of the influence in kids working on playground moves. Yet, if you looked to the side of a court watching kids warm up, they were working on every move from that commercial. Plus, how can you not love a video that has Arnold Bernard working out in it.
4. Roswell Rayguns - Nuff Said.

Thanks to Parlayer for compiling this list...

"We All Shine On",
IronDog

Wrong Turn

2007-05-08T16:26:00.000-04:00

I figured that I had to respond to my Saturday post...

Yeah, the one when I predicted that Oscar De La Hoya would beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a decision.

Perhaps, I put too much faith in Teddy Atlas. Perhaps, I went with my heart. However, I should know by now to never sway from your original predictions on gameday or fight night.

I'm with most boxing analysts on this fight. Mayweather won the fight. I had the rounds scored 7-5.

Why?...I didn't see a lot of aggressive moves by Mayweather. He sat back and dodged the whole fight. Incredible defensive performance, but is defense setting the tempo or pushing the action?

In my opinion, De La Hoya gave Mayweather way too much respect in the early rounds. I think he over-estimated Mayweather's strength, and he was fighting to not get knocked out or jabbed to death. Perhaps, that respect forced him to stay away from Mayweather Jr because throughout the early portion of the fight, I was wondering where the pressure was in rounds 1-3.

Mayweather Jr. is a phenomeonal defensive fighter. His Saturday night performance was a masterful defensive performance.

Now, where do I rank Mayweather among the greats over the past fifteen years. Comparing him to a Roy Jones Jr. as an entertainer...I'll say that he's an equal. Yet, Jones Jr. had some incredible knock-out performances.

Comparing him to fighters in his weight class, I do believe that Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was a better defensive fighter than Mayweather, and he was a stronger tactical fighter. However, I believe that Mayweather may pack a little more sting than "Sweet Pea" with his left hook. I'll take "Sweet Pea" in a split decision.

My only hope is for a rematch...And, I do think that you would see De La Hoya far more aggressive with his tempo and jab. Now, how the hell did I sway my call on a fight night?

Grand Rapids,
IronDog

Fight Night - Floyd Maywether Jr. vs. Oscar De La Hoya

2007-05-05T19:28:00.000-04:00

Where are you going to be tonight...huh?

You better be watching this fight. This one is special. And special enough, that I'm dropping the cover charge at Champs at Southpoint tonight.

Yeah, I'll be there early before all of the chuckleheads start lining up before the main event. You'll catch me with a few mags at a seat. I'm thinking that I can at least knock out this week's SI cover story that asks the question of "Is Boxing Dead?."

So, is boxing dead?...I don't think so.

This fight will probably generate $100M worth of PayPer View receipts, and I think that you'll see the skills craft, focus, dedication, and inner strength, that are needed to become an elite championship boxer. Along with Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker and Roy Jones, these are two of the best skilled fighters in the past twenty years. You better not miss this one.

So, who's my pick for tonight?

Up until the end of the week, I thought that Merriweather Jr.'s speed and youth would win over all. I also tended to agree with the points set forth by Dan Rafael of ESPN as well. He's right on a lot of things. Yet...

I'm going with the veteran experience of De La Hoya tonight. Why?

De La Hoya is a 'Big-Fight' fighter - Whitaker, Quartey, Vargas, Trinidad, Moseley, Hopkins, Mayorga...Those are huge fights. By the way, look at those names that De La Hoya has fought over the past decade. Who says boxing has been dead since the rise of Tyson? What 'evs!
Freddie Roach - De La Hoya's new trainer, Freddie Roach learned was mentored by the late great Eddie Futch. He's not a joke. I think that Roach is gave him a fresh outlook for De La Hoya, which is great for motivating a fighter at the middle-end portion of his career. I think Roach is going to provide fresh insights for De La Hoya in terms of setting up strategy.
Corner Help? - Then again, if you're De La Hoya, is that corner going to mean that much at this point in his career other than for point checks and motivation? De La Hoya is perhaps the most skilled fighter in boxing. He's a master of his craft. I'm expecting De La Hoya to execute a very well strategy to create problems for Mayweather.
Bulk - As much as I love speed, I think De La Hoya's strength could be a factor after six rounds.
Experience Again - Ask yourself this question. Other than Carlos Baldomir and Jose Castillo, has Mayweather Jr. been in this strong of a fight. And no...I will never count Zab Judah as a great fighter. Early in his career, I thought De La Hoya was a little too sweet. After the Vargas fight, he became a beast. He has heart that has been tested. This is the final reason why I swayed toward De La Hoya.

He knows what he needs to do in order to get the job done....

De La Hoya on points in a split decision.

East L.A.,
IronDog

Live @ WXYC with Raymond Felton

2007-05-04T19:26:00.000-04:00

Look who heated up the phone lines yesterday...

I jumped back into the booth of WXYC to interview, "The Pride" of Latta, South Carolina, former UNC point guard of the 2005 UNC National Championship team, and current Charlotte Bobcat, Raymond Felton yesterday.

(I had to go with a snapshot from his sophomore year...I always liked this shot)

Call the interview a "Special Edition" of SportsRap. Check out the interview here.

Special kudos goes out to Neil, the 6-9AM DJ, on Thursday. He put together a very impressive hip-hop set that precluded the interview...The freshman phenom kept it "local" with cuts by Little Brother, Edgar Allen Floe, and the classic 'Criminal Minded' of Boogie Down Productions. That youngin' knew is stuff...

I asked Felton if he would guarantee a playoff appearance for next year. (I thought his playoff prediction was pretty bold...Personally, I give much respect.) His answer...Same guarantee rests for Felton next season, he's guaranteeing a playoff appearance. Bold call from the young gunna'!

I'll be bouncing on and off the air this summer. Be sure to check back here for updates. By all means, check back in to SportsRap on Sundays between 9-10PM.

Special thanks to Raymond for joining us on the show. Hopefully, his workouts with Steve Nash this summer will bring his court presence to a new level. Now, if we can get Raymond to rock a WXYC 'T' with the number 2 emblazoned on the back. That would be Chapel Hill love.

P.S. Felton swears he's not wolfing Chick-Fill-A Chicken sandwiches on gamedays anymore. What a shame...His pre-game meals placed him as a Honorable Mention Selection on the "All-Lenoir" team.

I-95 South,
IronDog

Live @ WXYC with Raymond Felton 5/3/07

2007-05-03T06:29:00.000-04:00

Look who's back on the WXYC airwaves this morning...

Yes, I'm back for a special edition of WXYC "SportsRap."

At 7:50AM, I'll be interviewing former UNC floor general and legendary point guard of UNC's 2005 National Championship team, Raymond Felton.

Be sure to tune in via iTunes, wxyc.org, or through FM 89.3. We'll be talking NBA, Charlotte Bobcat basketball, UNC hoops, and what's upcoming for the famed "pick-up" runs this summer in the Hill.

Sit down and pour yourself an extra glass of orange juice, add a little more soy to that chai, and be sure to tune-in.

#2,
IronDog

Which Way to Go for the Raider Nation?

2007-04-25T17:22:00.000-04:00

When did you think that the Raiders would ever hold the number one pick...?

I'm just as stunned as anyone about last year's performance.

However, I'm not giving up on "Brother" Al Davis quite yet...(Personally, I think he should go down as one of the top-ten executives in sports history. Look at his overall career and successes.) Despite every other Raider fan's and critic's contentions to install an overhaul process for the organization, I'm still sticking to my faith. Remember, it was only four years ago, that this team was in the Super Bowl.

With that said, my request is that the Raiders don't choose a quarterback with this year's pick. You may ask...Why?

Here we go:

JaMarcus Russell - Yes, he bombed Notre Dame in LSU's Sugar Bowl victory, but hell, your sister could have put in a half-decent effort against ND and you would have eeked out a 'W.'

He has only 11 collegiate starts. Off the mark, that's not a lot of experience to support a number one choice.

I'm tending to agree with veteran experience. As Tim Brown states to Sam Farmer in today's LATimes, Russell is not only filled with hype because of his Sugar Bowl performance, but also Russell may not fit new Raider coach, Lane Kiffin's, West Coast system.

"Yeah, I think [Russell] is a big guy, and he may be able to scramble once in a while, but that's not his forte. He's not a rhythm passer. He's a guy who likes to go back, pat the ball a couple of times and then get rid of the ball. In the NFL, and especially in the West Coast offense, you have to be a rhythm passer. You have to go back, and on your fifth step that ball has to be coming out."

I'll agree with Brown...I'm out on Russell. I'm sorry, but I have too many visions of Akili Smith dancing in my head.

Brady Quinn - My hope for the Raiders is to let him slip to the Browns at #3.

You may ask, why? Well, when you consider that the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart last season and Leinart's grade surpassed Quinn, why should you drop a number one pick on someone who is still not the caliber to step-in right away with your offensive system and who may have been masked by Charlie Weis's system.

That call hurts, but it's just my call...

The Raiders have always banked on quarterbacks, who have underperformed in other systems and have been castaways.

The Good: Plunkett, Gannon, Lamonica,
The Bad: Pastorini, Collins, Evans

What makes you think that a move would be any different this season?

They have already signed Josh Booty, who spurned LSU for baseball. (By the way, I like that gamble for a third-string QB. Kiffin already knows Booty's brother well. I'm sure that they'll work well together.) That's a sign to me that they're looking for an experienced QB in either a trade or a free-agent signing.

Hello...Tim Rattay, Josh McNown. Hey, that's not so bad when you consider how bad Aaron Brooks was. Wait another year to fill the QB slot. There are other more drastic holes to fill, which leads us to...

Calvin Johnson - I was hyped on Calvin Johnson until today when I heard John Clayton of ESPN mention that there have only been two wide receivers, (Al Toon of the New York Jets and Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions), who have been over 6'5", to have made the Pro Bowl.

That's a interesting stat. Plus, a wide receiver only touches the ball at best...8-12 times a game? The Raiders already have Randy Moss. They could also use Jerry Porter again in a pinch...I know he's a major head case, but they have a more deeper problem on the line side, which is why I state.

Trade down or pass on Russell, Quinn, and Johnson to...

Joe Thomas - Yes, go with the Left Tackle from Wisconsin. He's a sure-fire bet. The Raiders were woeful on the offensive line. Woeful! Why not shore the Left Tackle position up for the next five years with Thomas.

Already, scouts have claimed that in terms of an all-around performer, he is close to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who is a beast of mammoth proportions. Thomas came back from a serious knee injury, and he performed solidly this year to earn an Outland Trophy. He has great foot speed, athleticism, and he's not a meathead. He has learned under ex-NFL offensive line coach, Bob Palcic, who coached in the NFL for 12 years.

With Robert Gallery supposedly working on his footwork back with his coaches at Iowa, the Raiders could switch Gallery to the right side, and have great bookends to a formidable offensive line. Any QB would have plenty of time and confidence to open up a 'rhythm game' for Lane Kiffin's offensive system. Also, any running back could go use the right side with Gallery pulling the right side clear.

I'm on record...Go with the O-Line.

Although everyone is chalking up Gallery as a bust. I'm holding faith in Gallery. He's had three coaching staffs in three seasons. Also, they have a solid center developing with Jake Grove. With Thomas, Gallery, and Grove, the Raiders could have a great offensive line developing.

Unless, a number of picks can be picked up with exchanging the number one pick. Go with the sure-fire pick. Forget the glam. Pick Joe Thomas, Left Tackle, Wisconsin. Then, get yourself a QB through the free-agent market or a trade. In the NFL, you can pick-up a starter at a cheaper value next season.

Too bad Matt Leinart isn't out this year...The Raiders had the chance, and blew it. Don't try to make up for it now! Solidify the line with the first pick and go running back in the second.

Raider Nation,
BD

Great Article - John Wooden

2007-03-25T10:34:00.000-04:00

Finally catching up on the pile of reading...

And just finished off the John Wooden article written by Alexander Wolff in the 3/19/07 issue. (The one with the photo collage.)

Great article...Check it out.

I was intrigued by these points on Wooden's first title run.

- I didn't realize that Wooden didn't win his first title until the age of 53.
- Wooden took a psychology class during his first title year.
- Wooden asked other coaches to scout his team and share critiques.
- He re-molded his staff, and he surrounded himself with 'non-yes' men.
- Stated later that he had blundered early in his career by associating too much with 'yes' men. Confided that "Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you."
- He believed that his new press would create such chaos that 'disharmony and disunity' would infiltrate the opposing team.
- Wooden courted conflict because he believed a worthwhile lesson might emerge from the clash.
- How I will never not list Goodrich/Hazzard as one of the best college backcourts of all-time.
- How speed beats size...(Even better that they ran Duke's Hack Tison and Jay Buckley out of the gym.)

Wooden said that all points came from a sign that he hung in his office that said. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

I have all the respect in the world for Wooden, and I still need to read more about this guy. Does anyone have their suggestion for the best 'real' Wooden read? I would like to get a non-propaganda book...;)

Wizard of Westwood,
IronDog

Gameday: UNC vs. Georgetown

2007-03-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Gameday, baby!...UNC vs. Georgetown. Let's roll...

Here are my thoughts:

** Press Conference - Kudos to News14 yesterday afternoon.

They televised the UNC press conference in entirety, which was very cool. The press devoured the subject of the UNC/Georgetown 25th anniversary. Every daily newspaper should have some article on that game today. They asked enough questions about it...Hell, do a Nexus-Lexis search, and you'll find the same stuff ten and twenty-five years ago...Christ.

Roy gave some solid stories, and to his credit, he stated his wish to focus on today's game. After all, all of the kids involved in today's game weren't even born. When you think back to '82, it's similar to asking questions to a young James Worthy, Jimmy Black, and a MJ about what their thoughts are on the '57 team....I agree...Huh?

** "Why not us?" - Damn, while watching the press conference, I counted Tywon Lawson, Marcus Ginyard, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, and Brandan Wright. Then, I thought to myself. 'We have four top five overall recruits in our main line-up."

To put more perspective on that one, we have the best point guard over the past two years running the show. We have the top two big men of the last two classes, one of which is a first-team All-American, and the top two guard and #3 player in the country last year.

When you think about it...Gawd damn, they're loaded! Why not the Heels today?

** More Packer - I forgot to post this Bill Simmons article on Billy Packer.

Good points, but I disagree.

Yes, I was upset at his stubbornness and arrogance at the UNC/Gerald Henderson call. And, the guy can hard-wall on a subject. Yet, that's what makes him good.

He knows the nuances of the game. He played and coached the game in the foundation years of college basketball when basketball was an emerging and tough-@$$ sport. Bottom line: He knows and respects the game.

With that said, I still believe that he is the best color commentator not only in college basketball...maybe in sports.

The guy is not 'yes' guy or a 'hooray' guy. If you want that type of feeling with watching your sports, switch over to FoxSports. (Has anyone realized how bad coverage has become with the World Series?)

My thoughts are when the guy is gone, you'll be unimpressed with how little depth calls, games, and viewpoints are investigated.

Just my call...

** Great call - One of my boys brought up the mention of the out-of-bounds play called by Roy Williams at the end of the first half of the UNC/USC game. Did anyone watching the UNC/USC game watch the out-of-bounds lob thrown by Marcus Ginyard at the end of the first half. The lob play out of the time out VS the 2-3 zone was astounding.

Great call.

** UNC/Georgetown Prediction - After the USC game, I actually like our chances a lot more than when the tournament started. I think the last two games have showed a major shift in maturity for the young Heels, and I'm surprised at how they're working after falling behind in games.

Vanderbilt coaches, Kevin Stallings and King Rice, had to be in touch with Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heel staff this weekend. Undoubtedly, their strategies and lessons could be an advantage.

I believe that the speed could break down Georgetown's size. However, I love the cerebral Georgetown's cerebral play.

Let's do this. My call: UNC 65 Georgetown 59

ATL, ATL, C'mon now...Get Dirty,
IronDog

Impressive 'W'...One More for the ATL

2007-03-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

Great 'W' for the Heels against USC in the Sweet 16 last night...

On my end, that ending took me a long time to wind down. Hell, I ended up dancing at Taloulla's on West Franklin until close. What'evs, we're on for Sunday. Here are my thoughts:

* Impressive and solid 'W' - What a comeback! The Carolina 'D' was on in the end. North Carolina's depth is just a killer for teams that neither have the energy nor the depth at the end of games. For the Heels, the 'W' from this type of game that would have been dropped earlier in the year. UNC was dead in the water.

The game was tense, close, and the Heels came back. Very impressive.

* Nice Switch - Great switch by Coach Williams when he took Brandan Wright off Nick Young. He switched Marcus Ginyard and Danny Green over to him, and the game flipped. There are times that I'm wondering how stubborness can play a role in many coaching decisions. And, man...great switch for match-up purposes.

Then again, Young was smoking them. What the hell are you going to do? Let him keep running?

I was wondering when that move was going to happen. If anyone is replaying the game this AM, let me know the exact time in the second half that he made the switch. I would be interested to see Young's stats from that moment on.

* Danny Green - Green's pass aside, that block was incredible. I love that guy's defensive potential. He has been making some incredible blocks all season, and very few people give the guy credit for his athleticism. Hell, he may be our best shot-blocker. Undoubtedly, if he was a beach kid from the West Coast, he would be a great volleyball player.

Wait until this kid gets more seasoning. My belief is that North Carolina's Danny Green will be a helluva player by the end of next February.

** Calls - I'm not one to bang on refs. Yet, that game was a badly called game both ways.

Some of the calls were bewildering. Danny Green's foul after his block and bad pass was a terrible call. There was a terrible call on Bobby Frasor on a breakaway. Nick Young was whistled for a charge that was bewildering. Tyler's second call was puzzling. Four fouls on Taj Gibson changed the outcome of the game. The fifth foul call for Taj Gibson, who has four fouls, on a pick at the end of the game...Game over.

C'mon the game is not centered upon you. Brutal.

** Gone Bonzo - What was Tim Floyd thinking? He must have had a flashback to his days of coaching Dragan Tarlac in Chicago. His stunt of throwing his play cards on the floor after Gibson's fifth foul was a move that you do when you're ten games out of the playoffs in the NBA...Not in the closing moments of a game in the Sweet 16.

Tough foul on Gibson, but...damn. C'mon.

** Tyler's Game - He's a great hustler, workhorse, has a lionheart, and plays with pain. Yet, his strength is that he's a banger. For some reason, when he plays someone his size as he shown throughout the season with Heyvelt, Morris, and a guy like Taj Gibson, he's in trouble.

Why? You may ask. He needs an aresnal of McHale moves.

Says here that if he works on his inside post moves as hard as he does with his body, he could develop his game to a incredible level. His work ethic is unparalleled. If he develops skills in terms of low-post moves, watch the hell out.

Here's a wish...Call ex-Carolina player, ex-former head coach and current asssistant coach, Doug Moe, of the Denver Nuggets for skill development.

He developed Kiki Vandeweghe, Calvin Natt, and Alex English into scoring machines. Hell, he even developed Bill Hanzlik into a solid NBA front-court player.

Bring him into Chapel Hill for two weeks after the Nuggets are done in the playoffs. Put him up at the Hampton Inn, and all it an alumni visit. Believe me, Tyler Hansbrough will be a changed player, and better known to '07-'08 ACC opponents as..."Dr. Doom."

** Reyshawn...huh? - For a guy who was sick all week, Reyshawn Terry was a like a six-year old on the bench last night. Every time that I looked at the bench, the guy was bouncing up and down and yelling. Are we sure that the kid was sick?

What'evs...Go with Ginyard and Green. Man, those guys stepped up the 'D.' Run, youngins' run!

** Coming up...Georgetown - I hate this game and match-up.

They have a quality big man in Roy Hibbert that Hansbrough won't be able to push around. They have wings and stellar ball movement...Yeech.

Yet, the Heels can run, and they have a lot of experience with teams that have tried to slow the tempo down through a controlled half-court offense. The problem is that may not have played a team with a more cerebral half-court offense like John Thompson Jr.'s 'O' this season.

The Heels need to run the Hoyas out of the Meadowlands early. Put them down, keep them down, and not let any room to wiggle. Tywon Lawson is the key to the game, and he needs to penetrate and score.

On the wing front, the Heels should be good.

(I'm telling you...Give Ginyard and Green the chances to lockdown Georgetown's, Jeff Green. Ginyard and Green deserve the chance.)

More importantly, I'm glad to see that Vanderbilt did a good job on Georgetown. Vanderbilt's head coach, Kevin Stallings, has sped up his offense, and the 'O' did extremely well against the Hoyas. In fact, if that travel call on Green is called at the end of the game, the Hoyas are back in D.C. right now...

By the way, travel anyone, on that last shot...anyone? Email me with your thoughts, please.

I'm sure that Coach Stallings and Coach Williams will share good phone. After watching the final seven minutes or so between Vandy and Georgetown, the Heels should be OK.

To the ATL...Cadillacs and grills.

Get Dirty
IronDog