Greatest Sports Movies Ever

I was looking at Netflix the other day and came across an old sports movie that I haven't seen in a long time.  That got me thinking about the greatest sports movies of all time (in my opinion).  Here are the movies that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

10. Miracle - Based on the true story of the 1980 USA hockey team that defeated the mighty Russian squad and won the gold medal.  "Do you believe in Miracles? YES!"  I know I do.

9. Jerry Maguire - A sports agent has an epiphany and goes out on his own trying to make it in the cutthroat world of player representation.  Along the way he finds love and realizes what is important to him.  "Show me the Money!"

8. Brian's Song - Based on the budding friendship of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers.  Be prepared to hold back tears.

7. Days of Thunder - A young stock car driver gets his shot at the big time with the help of an aging pitman.  An all-star cast makes this an easy choice.

6. Tin Cup - An aging golf pro decides to give it another shot and qualifies for the US Open.  Anyone who wants to be known for hitting the greatest shot in US Open history, rather than actually winning the tournament, belongs on this list.  "Ball Romeo."

5. Rocky (all of them) - "Yo, Adrien."  Enough said.

4. Rudy - An undersized, small town kid has dreams of playing for his beloved Notre Dame.  This one will surely have you chanting his name.

3. Caddyshack - Many story lines surround this comedic genius of a movie.  From a destructive gopher to a caddy playing in the club championship, this movie will have you cracking up all night.

2. Major League - A dysfunctional organization hires a new coach and puts together a team of castoffs in attempt to try and win the pennant.  "Give 'em the heater!"

1. Hoosiers - A small town Indiana High School hires a coach with a checkered past who trains them to become a state championship contender.  It's the ultimate David vs. Goliath.  This movie makes you feel that you can accomplish anything. "Hickory!"

Special Mention
Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Over the Top, Victory, Coach Carter, Varsity Blues, Kingpin, and White Men Can't Jump

Next up for the Wings

With 3 of the 4 Western Conference Playoff series complete, the waiting game is nearly over for the Red Wings.  If Vancouver finally dispatches of the pesky Chicago Blackhawks tonight, the Wings will head to San Jose to start Round 2.  If Chicago pulls off the miracle comeback, in Vancouver, Detroit will host Nashville in the 2nd round.  Nashville took the season series from Detroit 4-2 and San Jose took the series 3-1.  However, it's the playoffs and anything can, and routinely does, happen.

San Jose is big and physical and is 6th in the league in scoring while holding opponents to 2.5 goals per game (10th in league).  Nashville is 3rd in the league in goals against (2.3) while ranking 23rd in goals scored.  It will take another superb effort from Jimmie Howard and a healthy Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen to get it done and advance further.  I know none of the Wings would ever say they have a preference, but as a fan, I do. I would rather see them play Nashville so they don't have to travel across the country again and so they don't get too beat up if, and when, they advance.  The Wings aren't as young as they used to be and the less travel time, the better.

Of the 4 remaining teams (3 after tonight) in the Western Conference, the one that is the scariest is Chicago.  They have had some epic playoff battles recently and they are mirror images of each other statistically.  They both play fast and score often which would make a very entertaining Conference Finals.  However, I am getting ahead of myself with so much hockey yet to be played.  The questions will begin to be answered, starting tonight.  Stay tuned.

I am growing my playoff beard, are you?

The Newest Spartan

Tom Izzo lost Dane Fife once but wasn't about to let it happen again.  Michigan State University announced the hiring of Fife as the new assistant basketball coach Wednesday replacing Mark Montgomery who will take over the reigns at Northern Illinois.  Fife left his head coach position at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne to fill the vacant spot on Tom Izzo's staff.  This is a fantastic hire for the Spartans and a bit of a recruiting win as Fife was highly sought after by the likes of Michigan, Indiana and Purdue.

Izzo was able to get a young, very enthusiastic guy, with head coaching experience that really understands the game.  Fife is a Michigan native who has recruited in the state before, a very good attribute to bring to the table.  A former player under Bob Knight and Mike Davis at Indiana, Fife won the Defensive Player of the Year award and helped the Hoosiers advance all the way to the title game, losing to Maryland.  His toughness, competitiveness and drive to succeed, are all things that fit perfectly at MSU.  He knows what it takes to compete, and WIN, at the Big Ten level and his presence will greatly benefit the young players coming in.

I LOVE the hire and am excited to see MSU bounce back after last seasons disappointing finish.

Red Wings and Eminem

A great commercial made even better!  Check it out.  If this doesn't get you excited, check your pulse!

http://www.freep.com/article/20110420/SPORTS05/110420062

Pay for Play?

A lot of debate surrounds the topic of paying college athletes for playing their respective sports.  I have heard the argument stating that the University is using them to make money so why shouldn't they get some of the action.  It's true, many colleges do use their big time athletes to fill stadiums and sell jerseys.  They also use them to increase revenue to fund all of the other sports like field hockey and water polo.  Their compensation, in return, is receiving the opportunity to get a FREE education.  Let me repeat that, a FREE education.  A luxury most don't have.  They get the chance to better themselves and grow as an individual, thus making something of their lives after their athletic career is over.  Many have aspirations to make it to the professional ranks, but in reality, few ever do.  The education is something you can never take away from them.

Think about this for a moment.  If you pay the star quarterback and the star point guard money to play in college, you have to pay the best golfer and the best tennis player as well.  You can't discriminate based on how much revenue a particular sport brings in.

I have heard a couple other interesting ideas surrounding this topic as well.  The first is that each athlete receives a lump sum of money upon graduation.  The other is that each athlete could be paid a set amount for a particular grade they receive ($500 for an A, $300 for a B, $100 for a C).  Are either of these options fair to the other students who work hard and pay for school?  Of course not, however they don't help to bring in a ridiculous amount of money for the University.

I say leave things the way they are and not pay them money but let their compensation be that FREE education that is worth so much over the course of a lifetime.  They are called student-athletes for a reason.

Greatest Wrestler of all time?

I recently watched a show called The 50 Greatest Wrestlers of all time.  I watched as it counted down all the way to number 23.  Then as the name was announced and the music was played, I realized that they put Hulk Hogan at 23.  WHAT!  The man with the 24" pythons.  The man who captivated crowds (Brother!). The man who redefined the industry.  He was the Micheal Jordan of Wrestling.  Events would sell out because Hulk-a-mania was in town.  Everyone knew his colors, knew his music and knew his face.  Hogan would seem out of a match and then the fans would start to get louder, chanting his name, and his arm would begin to shake.  2 punches to the head and a body slam later, everyone knew what was coming next.  He would whip his opponent off the ropes, give him a big boot to the head, and then deliver the leg drop, ending the match.  Men wanted to be him, women wanted to be near him, and children dreamed of growing up like him.  He is the greatest wrestling icon of my generation.  He may not be number 1 of all time but 23rd is an injustice.

Who is your favorite?  My vote goes to the Great One.  The Brahma Bull.  The most electrifying man in sports entertainment.  The Rock.

Playoffs

Today I wanted to preview the NBA Playoffs but as I sat down to do it, I realized that the NBA just doesn't matter to me anymore.  I used to get excited this time of year as the Playoffs began but as the game has evolved, it no longer interests me (and I love the game).  No one plays hard, plays defense, or stays loyal anymore (looking at you Lebron and Carmelo).  I am not the only one that doesn't watch either.  As I speak with my friends, basketball lovers as well, we talk about how little we pay attention to it and how laughable it is.

For my money, the NHL playoffs are where it's at.  These guys throw themselves in front of frozen pucks, shot 80 to 100 mph, with nothing protecting their face.  Talk about tough!  They can take a puck to the face (or a stick) that cuts them wide open or knocks out teeth and not miss a single shift.  They get stitched up and get back out there.  NBA players can learn a lot from them in the form of toughness.  Baseball players can too.  Hockey players don't miss time because of a sore bicep muscle or a blister.  Quite simply, they are paid to play so they play.  Of the 4 major professional sports, the average pay for hockey players is less than that of basketball, baseball, and football.  Maybe it's time they ask for a raise.

The Putting Green

I dusted off the golf clubs today so I could go to a local golf course and practice putting.  The practice green is massive and right next to it stands a driving range with about 50 mats for hitting balls.  Every single one of them was filled when I arrived.  I quickly noticed an elderly gentleman working on his putting as well as his social skills.  He appeared to know everyone there (or at least acted like they were all old friends).  He would hit a few balls and then wander over and talk to some young kids working on their game.  I was too far away to hear what they were talking about but every so often I could hear them laughing.  Then the elderly man would shuffle on back to the hole he was practicing at.  I observed this for the next 15 minutes before he finally made his way over to me.

"How you doing young fella?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm good sir how are you doing?  Enjoying the weather?" I responded.

"Of course.  The sun is shining and it's always fun to come to this green.  I have been coming here for the last 14 years since my wife died.  Gives me something to do," the man replied.

He had a raspy voice that was difficult to understand at first.  He then asked me if I was playing today.  My attire was not that of someone about to tee off.  Plus I only had my putter and 2 balls with me.

"I haven't played since 2002.  Just can't swing the club anymore.  Putting is more fun anyway," he said with a big grin.

With that he bid me a farewell and shuffled back across the green to the hole he was putting at.  I continued to watch him in between practicing my own shots as he bounced around from person to person.  The only time he wasn't smiling was when he stuck his tongue out in preparation for his next putt.  His putter was old school with a face twice as long as a normal one and he used 3 balls, all a different color.  Putt after putt fell in the hole and it didn't matter where he hit them.

He loved golf, loved to talk, but most of all, loved life.

Hey Hey Hockeytown!

It's that time of year again.  The NHL playoffs are upon us and everyone gives it their all to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.  For 20, yes that's right, 20 years in a row, the mighty winged wheel will enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs in search of Championship number 12.  Fans have been spoiled when it comes to the Red Wings making the playoffs.  It is almost an after thought and fans only start to get excited after the first round of the playoffs.  Watching the playoffs can be a tough task for fans as the Red Wings routinely fly across the country to take on the likes of Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver.  The west coast games typically start at 10 or 10:30 p.m. (EST).  Most fans have to read about the game the next day due to the late start time and having to work in the morning.  It's not ideal to have the Wings in the Western Conference but geographically, that is the way it has to be.

If Lord Stanley's Cup is won with defense and experience, Detroit has as good a chance as anyone.  They have struggled at times this season with let downs inside their own blue line.  However, they have something that other teams don't possess.  Nik Lidstrom.  He continues to play at a high level at age 40 and is in contention for his 7th James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman).  He can shut down the other teams best players while scoring goals and avoiding punishment.  The Wings also have Pavel Datsyuk.  Outside of Alexander Ovechkin, he is the most electrifying player on the ice.  He is a magician with the puck and routinely makes plays out of nothing.

The fate of the Red Wing's chances hinges on a few things.  First is the health of Henrik Zetterberg.  He hasn't played since absorbing a check in a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.  The official injury report states he has a lower body injury and will be out for Game 1 and is uncertain for Game 2.  He leads the team in points this season and is a key contributor on defense as well.  Getting Niklas Kronwall back healthy will help too.  He is another great defender that will be needed to slow down opposing forwards.  Perhaps the most important factor will be the performance of Jimmy Howard.  He has been up and down this season but if he plays the way he did the last game of the regular season at Chicago, in a hostile environment, I like their chances of getting to the Finals.

So let the best of 7 series commence and let the playoff beards grow.  Root for over-time game winners and one timers from the slot.  Cheer for fantastic saves and pulled goalies.  Keep watching as the series come to a close with the best tradition in all of professional sports, the team handshakes.  But most of all root for the octopi to fly on the ice wherever the Red Wings play.

Let's go Red Wings!

2011 Masters

The 2011 Masters was decided by some phenomenal golf in the last 9 holes.  Charl Schwartzel shot a final round 66 to win the green jacket doing something that no one else has ever done.  He birdied the final 4 holes to take the championship by 2 shots over a very game Adam Scott and Jason Day.  He executed shot after shot with great precision and concentration and deserved to win.

Tiger Woods began to look like the Tiger of old by shooting 5 under on the front 9 sending the crowd into a frenzy.  It is good for the game when he plays well and is in contention.  He couldn't capitalize on some opportunities down the stretch and eventually finished tied for 3rd.

Rory McIlroy began the day with a 4 shot lead and actually held the lead after the front 9.  Then it all unraveled with a bad tee shot on 10 leading to a triple bogey and he went on the finish Amen Corner (10, 11, 12) 6 over par.  Several short missed putts had everyone in the gallery wanting to console him.  It was difficult to watch and everyone was trying to will him to birdie on 18 just to see him smile.  Alas, he missed again and finished with a final round 80 leaving him 4 under par.  The good news for him is that he finished tied for 10th and he handled himself with class and dignity.  He gave a great interview and smiled all the way through it.  Others (who will remain nameless) would have stormed off the green, signed their scorecard and hopped in a car headed directly to the airport, speaking with no one.  He is an excellent golfer with a bright future but is an even better person.  The next few days will be tough for him but will build character and he will be back on that stage again.

If all the major tournaments shape up like this one, it will be a very good year for golf.

A tradition unlike any other

THE MASTERS!!!!!

The Masters is the golf tournament that I look forward to the most.  It signifies so many things.  The first major of the year.  The true beginning of the excitement of golf (for me).  The changing of the weather.  Being from Michigan, the weather is uncooperative until this time of year.  I grew up dreaming of playing at Augusta National and taking the drive down Magnolia Lane.  I imagined standing on the 18th tee after just birdieing 17, needing one more birdie to win.  I pictured myself on the 18th green standing over a 15-foot birdie putt, with the crowd silent anticipating what was about to happen.  I could see the Green Jacket ceremony in Butler Cabin.  Unfortunately my golf game is only above average and that just doesn't cut it.

The course is long and the greens are fast which can lead to a very frustrating day for any golfer.  Of the four major golf tournaments, this is the only one that doesn't change venues from year to year.  The players love the course and look forward to playing.  They change the layout a little each year trying to make it more challenging as the game progresses but the beautiful scenery is something that never, ever changes.

For many, if you ask them what event is on their bucket list, they would say the Super Bowl or the World Series or even The Final Four.  For me, it would be to play a round of golf at Augusta.  For the amateur golfer it could be one of those life-altering events that you don't realize until many, many years later. It brings sons closer to fathers, brothers and friends closer together, if only for those wonderful 18 holes.

Was that hoop regulation?

I wonder if Brad Stevens took his team over and measured the court in true Hoosiers fashion.  Maybe he should have had Shelvin Mack get on Matt Howard's shoulders with a tape measure.  It appeared that it may have been a little off since both teams shot so poorly.  Maybe the court was 95.5 feet or the rim height was 10' 1".  More than likely they were just tired after playing nearly 40 games this season.  We may never know.

Dawgs with no bite

Wow!! What a let down the National Championship game was.  At a time when you need to be at your absolute best, on the biggest stage there is, both teams struggled.  Uconn and Butler both play outstanding defense but at times it was comical how the ball just wouldn't go in the hole.  Butler shot 18.8% for the game and launched more 3 pointers than 2 pointers.  Still they only lost by 12.  Anyone else would have lost by 30.  Butler actually took the lead right before halftime and led by 6 after their first possession of the second half.  That is where the fun ended for them.  Kemba walker and Jeremy Lamb got it going and Butler never threatened again.  Uconn's size was the difference.  They challenged shots, actually blocking 10 of them (tying the championship game record), dominated the backboard and just wore Butler out.

The look on Brad Stevens face down the stretch was of utter bewilderment.  He had tried everything he could do.  He called plays (that worked), changed defenses and tried to speed up and slow down the game.  There isn't a whole lot you can do if your guys just aren't making shots.  He is a classy guy and that translates to his players who handled the loss with dignity and pride.  They have the distinction of having lost consecutive title games to 2 legends of the game in Calhoun and Coach K.  They also share that with The Fab Five and Vi Slamma Jamma who probably didn't handle it the same way.

Good luck to Butler in the future.  It is refreshing to see a coach who doesn't wreak of arrogance.  He is someone I would want my kids playing for and learning from.  Butler is in good hands.  Hopefully he will stay in Indianapolis.

2 Dawg Night

There is much anticipation for the Men's Championship tonight between Uconn and the Butler Bulldogs.  Uconn has arguably the best player in america not named Jimmer.  Kemba Walker has been unbelievable.  I had the chance to watch all of their Big East Tournament games and he was far and away the best player on the court, every game.  The beauty of his game is that he doesn't force anything.  The game comes to him and his teammates realize he is the go to guy.  Everyone in the building knows he is going to take the last shot and still no one can deny him the ball (ask Texas and Pitt).  Maybe his best attribute, however, is that he genuinely is having fun playing the game.

The X-factor is Jeremy Lamb.  He is tall, athletic, quick and shoots it well.  He has a match-up advantage no matter who is defending him.

Butler, simply put, locks you up defensively.  They are a reflection of their coach.  Intense, detail oriented and composed in pressure situations.  Their guards are quick, active and can really shoot it on the offensive end.  Shelvin Mack is a star and Matt Howard, well, what can you say about him?  He scores, rebounds, defends, communicates, assists when necessary.  He is a coaches dream.  He doesn't take bad shots. He is always in the right place at the right time.  If he and center Andrew Smith can stay out of foul trouble in the title game, I don't see how Uconn beats them.  Uconn is taller and stronger but none of the their bigs have the motor and the heart that Howard possesses.

PREDICTION
I think Kemba has a superstar game (per usual) and points will be hard to come by.  However I believe that Mack and company will slow down Lamb enough to pull off the upset.  Make it Butler 62 Uconn 59 finishing what they started last season.

Sony Ericsson Open

I was watching the Sony Ericcson Open woman's final today and was struck by something.  The final was being played by Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka and the tennis match was the most annoying one I have ever seen.  So much that I actually had to mute the television  because of the reoccurring grunting.  Now I understand that you may grunt when you hit the ball because you are trying to hit it hard or put extra spin on the ball but this match was hilarious.  Azarenka's grunts lasted until the ball was actually returned to her.  How is that even possible?  At least Sharapova's grunts were short.  Does she make the noises to annoy the opponent?  Does she feel it gives her an advantage?  I am not sure of her reasoning but it was virtually unwatchable.  These are two outstanding players and without the grunting it was entertaining (although Sharapova was not at the top of her game).  Should the WTA do something or say something to the players so they tone it down?  Maybe. It may help the popularity.  It is tough to tune it out as a spectator, I can only imagine being on the court with them.