"Pick, Pop, Penetrate, Draw and Kick"

OK, like most American sports fans I was watching the Giants and the Packers head into overtime. But on the Picture-in-Picture there was a great college basketball game between the University of Oregon Ducks and the 8th-ranked Washington State University Cougars, which I just couldn't keep my eyes off of. The Ducks had won the last dozen meetings, and it was a back-and-forth battle right from the opening tip -- the Ducks got out to about a 10 point lead, the Cougs went on a strong run to catch them just before the half; Oregon went into the locker room with a 4 point lead, Cougs caught them in the opening minutes of the second half, and then it was back-and-forth again all the way down to the last minute or so, where the Cougars finally broke the curse, got out to a bit of a lead, and won it shooting free throws. Ducks had two good looks at the basket in the closing seconds -- a wide-open three at the top of the circle and a contested lay-up off a drive down the right side of the lane, but missed them both. And I'll tell you, it was a lot more fun to watch than two missed field goals, a bunch of dropped passes, and an interception in overtime which led (at last) to a game-ending made kick. What can I say? Third Time's a Charm. Or maybe it's Three Strikes and You're Out.

The Pats game was much more fun to watch, especially since I went out to see it in a local sports bar where I am now considered a "regular." The Chargers defense really won my respect; three picks of Brady, and the Pats had to work hard for everything they got. But at the end, after New England jumped out to the 9 point lead, I knew San Diego was finished. (Actually, I knew they were finished when they had to settle for their fourth field goal there in the third quarter -- since I knew the Patriots still had another touchdown in them, and didn't think the Chargers could match them). Once New England was ahead by two scores, it was jailbreak time for the Patriot Defense -- Dog at will, hang back in coverage, jump routes...the Chargers didn't have a chance. And when the Pats had the ball, it was old-fashioned smash-mouth football with a twist. The just ground the Chargers into the turf in that last possession, and ended up winning it with a kneel-down.

So, Super-Bowl Sunday in a couple of weeks. Wouldn't it be fun to have the College Football Championship to look forward to next weekend?

No real Blaze, just cold Heat...

I'd really been looking forward to the Trailblazers annual visit to Beantown this year, just to see what it would be like for the young, hot team on an extended road trip to meet up with the local squad of seasoned All-Star veterans on the legendary parquet floor. And the game was...well, OK -- fun to watch and always closely contested, but frankly a little disappointing in the 4th quarter, when the two teams basically just played straight-up man-to-man defense and traded baskets down the stretch. Maybe it's too much to ask for a young team in the middle of a long, mid-season road trip to play play-off intensity defense in a game that is ultimately just one of eight-two, but that's what I would have LIKED to have seen.

Last night's game in Miami was better in this regard. The Heat are in a tailspin right now -- a dozen-game losing streak, after the Blazers put another "W" in the books last night -- but both teams seemed to play with a lot more intensity, and as a result the game was a lot more fun to watch. Shaq and Dwayne are still two of the greatest players in the game, but to my mind the Heat are really missing the chemistry of their championship level teams, and especially the intangibles brought by veterans like Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning. But you know, those legendary All-Stars can't keep it up forever. And Shaq ain't gettin' any younger either.

Once the Blazers learn how to win on the road, they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in this league for a long, long time. As for the Celtics, if you want to catch a glimpse of THEIR future...look at the Heat. Let's just hope for the sake of Danny and Doc that they are able to squeeze in a championship of their own first.

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together

Allstate BCS Championship Game. Yawn. Ho Hum. Who cares? Go Tigers. Sorry Buckeyes. The field goal kicking contest at halftime was the most entertaining part of the broadcast. And the truth is, I don't really care much about college football after New Years Day...but if the fans/gamblers really feel there has to be a National Champion, I say lets go back to the old system of issuing Bowl invitations, and then go ahead and have a eight-team January playoff based on the outcomes of the top eight-ranked traditional bowl games. You know, just a little something extra to extend the season and compete with the NFL. You win, John Feinstein. And God knows we need SOMETHING to watch on TV during the dead week before the Super Bowl.

Haven't blogged much about basketball here, simply because I haven't had much time to watch (and even less to play). But I did have a chance to see the Trailblazers beat the Bulls, and the Celtics beat the Pistons...both times with the winners playing on the road. Everyone wants to talk about how great the Celtics are playing, and about their big three stars of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen; but Saturday night it was #11 Glenn "Big Baby" Davis who was getting it done in crunch time. What I really liked was his strong left hand around the basket. And the way he hit the boards.

But it was my old hometown Trailblazers who really showed me something. Gotta love that Brandon Roy -- who'd a thunk that a WASHINGTON Huskey could have so much game? Nate MacMillian has the kids playing like veterans, just like Doc Rivers has his veterans playing like kids. Now I can hardly wait for a week from tomorrow, when these two teams meet in the Garden. Hope it turns out to be a barnburner....