Tied at 2-2 each in the Western Conference semifinals, the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Hornets are seeing gold despite their different paths taken towards reaching a tie at four games with the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers and defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
Fool’s gold, that is.
As great as Deron Williams (23.5 points, 13 assists average in games three and four) and the Jazz have been in the last two games at Salt Lake City against L.A., the mismatch is still there after game two. Yes, Utah has pulled itself out of a 2-0 hole by winning the home games it’s supposed to win, but as a 41-5 team at Energy Solutions Arena, Utah’s normally expected to dominate, not fend off a Laker team with an injured Most Valuable Player.
The Jazz proved that they are a competitive playoff team after games three and four, putting down any notions of a lack of intensity shown in the first two contests — both double-digit Laker victories — at the Staples Center. But Jerry Sloan’s physical Jazz didn’t prove that they could win this series.
Most of us basketball fans knew the Lakers weren’t going to sweep the Jazz; Utah’s too good to be swept. But for the Jazz to have to fight for a win in the last two games at home doesn’t look too good when L.A. returns home for game five Wednesday night. Utah had to scratch and claw away from Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and others in game three by five points.
Game four looked to be a double-digit rout of the Lakers, until the West’s top team powered back behind a tremendous performance by Odom (26 points on 10-for-18 shooting, 13 rebounds), who made a clutch 3-pointer and tip-in off a Bryant miss to force overtime. The Jazz did win in overtime, but by only eight points.
Bryant, bad back and all, still gave Andrei Kirilenko fits and scored 33 points, but needed 33 shots to get there. L.A. outplayed Utah in spurts more than vice versa and that’s the issue Utah will need to nail down in order to win the series. Kobe remains injured, and his health will determine how the Lakers will fare for the rest of the series.
But Utah didn’t convince me past this second round. The Jazz, despite having one of the best point guards in the league, squeaked back into this series. Compare the Lakers’ wins to the Jazz’s wins in the series and anyone can tell that the purple and gold didn’t lose too much ground.
Neither did the San Antonio Spurs, who have the young, brash New Orleans Hornets right where they want them. The Spurs, who were embarrassed in games one and two at New Orleans (101-82, 102-84) returned the misery back to Chris Paul and company with a 110-98 game three triumph and ensured a game six with a dominant 100-80 game four win. It’s a new series now, and it may go Spur-style this time around.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili form the most dynamic trio in the NBA. They can’t be shut down all at once. The experience and defense of this team has turned my eyes once again. Gregg Popovich doesn’t get enough credit for his efforts; he is a playoff coach who knows how to win. Phil Jackson could be looking over his shoulder for another revered head coach in NBA history.
I picked the Spurs to lose for the third consecutive series, but they’ve played good defense against that as well. Although Phoenix was screwed out of the playoffs last year, San Antonio is evidently the better team and is proving why New Orleans’s brilliance in the postseason will be put to the ultimate test.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Men's volleyball has gone from the hunter to the hunted
A few weeks ago, the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team looked like the runaway train that couldn’t be slowed down. LBSU beat a CS Northridge team that had what it wanted — the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season title.
The 49ers took that away from the Matadors.
The Beach, last weekend’s MPSF Tournament No. 1 seed and host, had it all — the fanfare, momentum and possibly the best lineup on paper. Any past memory of a letdown was swept under the rug, until one of those memories made its way out from under the rug.
Pepperdine wanted what the 49ers had, and the Waves took it from them.
LBSU, fortunately, didn’t lose an NCAA Tournament bid, but it lost its presence as a favorite. It belongs to Pepperdine, the MPSF Tournament champion and LBSU’s opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Before the semifinal round, an LBSU student couldn’t walk far before being informed about the 49ers’ big match against the Waves. The glory of the 49ers was strong, one year removed from a losing season in 2007. Pandemonium filled the Walter Pyramid Thursday night and rose like a hot-air balloon.
An hour and a half later, confusion and shock filled the arena and deflated the 49er faithful. 32 service errors by LBSU and the eye-widening performance of Pepperdine outside hitter Paul Carroll (match-high 21 kills) swept away the 49ers and the “advantage” they seemed to have from the MPSF Tournament.
What differentiates the regular season and the postseason is the attention paid towards strengths and weaknesses. LBSU, according to Alan Knipe, is at its best when serving well. Serving and service aces have been a strong point for LBSU, especially early on in the season, but has also proved to be an Achilles’ heel, especially in the semifinal loss.
“During the season, we flat out won matches with our serve and had a number of matches where we finished with double-digit aces,” Knipe said. “This is the strength of our team, but it seemed to be contagious [Thursday night].”
LBSU, while having a 203-97 advantage over opponents in service aces this season, had a disadvantage in service errors, recording 124 more than its opponents (551-427). The 49ers have made 53 service errors in the last two losses.
LBSU, nonetheless, will have a chance to avenge its loss to the Waves in the four-team NCAA Tournament Thursday night at UC Irvine, but it won’t be the same. There’s no optimism. There’s no home-court advantage. LBSU faced the Waves three other times this season and were deemed the favorites to win in all of them. The 49ers are the underdogs this time but, as this season’s history as shown, that could be the better route for them.
LBSU has made any slump as temporary as possible this season and has bounced back with big victories. The 49ers are 4-1 in matches after a loss this season and put themselves into a tough position to win the regular season title after losing consecutive matches to fall into second place in the MPSF standings.
From there, The Beach had to play away from their home court just to get to this point. In fact, the last four victories got the 49ers into the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the toughest league in the nation is a challenge and a gift.
“When we have adversity,” said sophomore middle blocker Dan Alexander, “we come together and fight back the deficits.”
Well, Dan, this appears to be the biggest deficit your team faces this season. Much like Pepperdine’s run to the MPSF Tournament title, LBSU faces a similar road. The Waves have the advantage heading into Thursday and it’s up to the 49ers this time to upend them.
The 49ers took that away from the Matadors.
The Beach, last weekend’s MPSF Tournament No. 1 seed and host, had it all — the fanfare, momentum and possibly the best lineup on paper. Any past memory of a letdown was swept under the rug, until one of those memories made its way out from under the rug.
Pepperdine wanted what the 49ers had, and the Waves took it from them.
LBSU, fortunately, didn’t lose an NCAA Tournament bid, but it lost its presence as a favorite. It belongs to Pepperdine, the MPSF Tournament champion and LBSU’s opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Before the semifinal round, an LBSU student couldn’t walk far before being informed about the 49ers’ big match against the Waves. The glory of the 49ers was strong, one year removed from a losing season in 2007. Pandemonium filled the Walter Pyramid Thursday night and rose like a hot-air balloon.
An hour and a half later, confusion and shock filled the arena and deflated the 49er faithful. 32 service errors by LBSU and the eye-widening performance of Pepperdine outside hitter Paul Carroll (match-high 21 kills) swept away the 49ers and the “advantage” they seemed to have from the MPSF Tournament.
What differentiates the regular season and the postseason is the attention paid towards strengths and weaknesses. LBSU, according to Alan Knipe, is at its best when serving well. Serving and service aces have been a strong point for LBSU, especially early on in the season, but has also proved to be an Achilles’ heel, especially in the semifinal loss.
“During the season, we flat out won matches with our serve and had a number of matches where we finished with double-digit aces,” Knipe said. “This is the strength of our team, but it seemed to be contagious [Thursday night].”
LBSU, while having a 203-97 advantage over opponents in service aces this season, had a disadvantage in service errors, recording 124 more than its opponents (551-427). The 49ers have made 53 service errors in the last two losses.
LBSU, nonetheless, will have a chance to avenge its loss to the Waves in the four-team NCAA Tournament Thursday night at UC Irvine, but it won’t be the same. There’s no optimism. There’s no home-court advantage. LBSU faced the Waves three other times this season and were deemed the favorites to win in all of them. The 49ers are the underdogs this time but, as this season’s history as shown, that could be the better route for them.
LBSU has made any slump as temporary as possible this season and has bounced back with big victories. The 49ers are 4-1 in matches after a loss this season and put themselves into a tough position to win the regular season title after losing consecutive matches to fall into second place in the MPSF standings.
From there, The Beach had to play away from their home court just to get to this point. In fact, the last four victories got the 49ers into the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the toughest league in the nation is a challenge and a gift.
“When we have adversity,” said sophomore middle blocker Dan Alexander, “we come together and fight back the deficits.”
Well, Dan, this appears to be the biggest deficit your team faces this season. Much like Pepperdine’s run to the MPSF Tournament title, LBSU faces a similar road. The Waves have the advantage heading into Thursday and it’s up to the 49ers this time to upend them.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Eastern Conference shakes up playoffs
Thank the 76ers, Magic and Pistons for twisting up Eastern Conference playoffs. Philadelphia, the “city of brotherly love,” just brought a new love for the Eastern Conference bracket of the NBA playoffs. Orlando is truly magical. The Southeast Division champions put on a show with a 43-point first quarter on the struggling Toronto Raptors in a 14-point rout Saturday night.
It’s just the first game, but the Detroit Pistons’ all-too-familiar lack of playoff intensity resulted in a young, inexperienced 76er team rallying back from being counted out by its opponent and the critics to score what I believe to be a not-so-stunning upset victory.
Detroit is known for playing itself out of a game, but the Sixers weren’t just another team taking advantage. Philly mounted a great comeback from a 15-point deficit in a hostile environment to win the unexpected. For any road team to turn back a large deficit to win a game they had no business winning shows just how good that road team is, and just how suspect the “better team” can be.
Detroit is in enough trouble now that it has realized that Philadelphia has become the only team this year to win at the Palace twice. Meanwhile, the Magic could make quick work of their series with Toronto if Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis continue to have their way. Orlando has the lineup to oust Detroit; it has beaten the Pistons twice this season, including a 103-85 blowout in Detroit during February.
Everyone, including myself, is content on dismissing seeds 3-8 from the conference finals. These first-round series (with the exception of Washington vs. Cleveland, which could go seven games) don’t look too appealing, but congratulate Philadelphia for challenging that assumption. The 37-45 Atlanta Hawks need a whole season to win one game against Boston and the Raptors came in losers of six of their last nine games.
Philadelphia, behind the efficient passing and scoring of Andre Miller, rebounding of Samuel Dalembert and Reggie Evans and playoff savvy of head coach Maurice Cheeks helps to revive an Eastern Conference that has centered only on two teams and I don’t need to tell you who. The Pistons can’t fall asleep during this series like they did with Chicago and Milwaukee in previous years. While Cleveland and Miami stood as legitimate threats, Philly is an unknown that also plays 48 minutes of basketball. The Sixers may not be as talented as the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but they certainly can play with them for four quarters. Detroit will need to bring it to win it, but that may not be enough against Orlando if they meet in the conference semifinals.
Meanwhile, it’s good to see Boston (especially Kevin Garnett) back in the playoffs. I couldn’t blame them for having to dismantle the Hawks because that was the best the Eastern Conference cellar could send to the playoffs. I would surely not want to watch Indiana, New Jersey or Chicago try to take a quarter from the Celtics. The Hawks may not be a competitive match to Boston, but the Hawks certainly look better in a losing effort than the other teams.
Cleveland and Washington (Part III) could be the series that the Wizards finally exorcise the demons. The last two years didn’t go in the favor (4-2 loss in 2006, 4-0 sweep by Cleveland in 2007), especially when Gilbert Arenas (knee injury) having to sit on the sidelines and watch LeBron James and company dismantle a vulnerable Washington team within a week last year. Despite struggling with the Cavs in the first two games, don’t count out the Wizards and Mr. Money Shot (Arenas) for one second. Washington is a different team at home and it may be time for head coach Eddie Jordan to start his star
point guard in what has to be desperation time for this team.
It’s just the first game, but the Detroit Pistons’ all-too-familiar lack of playoff intensity resulted in a young, inexperienced 76er team rallying back from being counted out by its opponent and the critics to score what I believe to be a not-so-stunning upset victory.
Detroit is known for playing itself out of a game, but the Sixers weren’t just another team taking advantage. Philly mounted a great comeback from a 15-point deficit in a hostile environment to win the unexpected. For any road team to turn back a large deficit to win a game they had no business winning shows just how good that road team is, and just how suspect the “better team” can be.
Detroit is in enough trouble now that it has realized that Philadelphia has become the only team this year to win at the Palace twice. Meanwhile, the Magic could make quick work of their series with Toronto if Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis continue to have their way. Orlando has the lineup to oust Detroit; it has beaten the Pistons twice this season, including a 103-85 blowout in Detroit during February.
Everyone, including myself, is content on dismissing seeds 3-8 from the conference finals. These first-round series (with the exception of Washington vs. Cleveland, which could go seven games) don’t look too appealing, but congratulate Philadelphia for challenging that assumption. The 37-45 Atlanta Hawks need a whole season to win one game against Boston and the Raptors came in losers of six of their last nine games.
Philadelphia, behind the efficient passing and scoring of Andre Miller, rebounding of Samuel Dalembert and Reggie Evans and playoff savvy of head coach Maurice Cheeks helps to revive an Eastern Conference that has centered only on two teams and I don’t need to tell you who. The Pistons can’t fall asleep during this series like they did with Chicago and Milwaukee in previous years. While Cleveland and Miami stood as legitimate threats, Philly is an unknown that also plays 48 minutes of basketball. The Sixers may not be as talented as the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but they certainly can play with them for four quarters. Detroit will need to bring it to win it, but that may not be enough against Orlando if they meet in the conference semifinals.
Meanwhile, it’s good to see Boston (especially Kevin Garnett) back in the playoffs. I couldn’t blame them for having to dismantle the Hawks because that was the best the Eastern Conference cellar could send to the playoffs. I would surely not want to watch Indiana, New Jersey or Chicago try to take a quarter from the Celtics. The Hawks may not be a competitive match to Boston, but the Hawks certainly look better in a losing effort than the other teams.
Cleveland and Washington (Part III) could be the series that the Wizards finally exorcise the demons. The last two years didn’t go in the favor (4-2 loss in 2006, 4-0 sweep by Cleveland in 2007), especially when Gilbert Arenas (knee injury) having to sit on the sidelines and watch LeBron James and company dismantle a vulnerable Washington team within a week last year. Despite struggling with the Cavs in the first two games, don’t count out the Wizards and Mr. Money Shot (Arenas) for one second. Washington is a different team at home and it may be time for head coach Eddie Jordan to start his star
point guard in what has to be desperation time for this team.
Monday, April 7, 2008
The ball's been in their court
First of all, congratulations to the Long Beach State women's tennis team on a tremendous fourth consecutive Big West Conference title, but praise you ladies for finally bringing a conference crown to LBSU this season.
Campus media haven't recognized that because of our constant concerns about the women's volleyball and soccer teams last season, the impact of new men's basketball head coach Dan Monson, just how many points can junior guard Donovan Morris score, just how many more frustrating losses the women's basketball team was going to endure, Dirtbags, senior outside hitter Paul Lotman and the list goes on.
All this, and the women's tennis team quietly but effectively reigns once more.
Truth is, tennis is overlooked, period. We (well, sports fans) all know Roger Federer. Everybody knows Venus and Serena Williams because the shortage of black athletes on the tennis court gives rise to such popularity. I don't discount their success, but that is another factor.
As college students, we all mostly care about football, basketball and baseball. Every other sport is a choosy one amongst us. But no LBSU fan can't be proud enough of the success and fortune this team has had this season. Not only does head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello and the 49ers earn a conference title, but they earned it without the traditional confines of their campus tennis court, only to find a new court as a gift in return for traveling to El Dorado Park for matches.
This program has been the most overlooked and I will be looking forward to the Big West Championships at Indian Wells. Maybe it's time to tone down all that racket about other programs and watch these 49ers swing theirs.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Chad Johnson is least of Cincinnati's problems, and vice versa
The 1-15 Miami Dolphins were a terrible football team, but at least they played together and seemed to enjoy each other's company.
Isn't it a phenomenon that the Cincinnati Prison Cats (or Bengals, whatever you want to call them) managed to finish 7-9 last season, despite being on the regular news as often as ESPN?
I do believe so, but I also consider it to be an aberration for this underachieving, disappointing franchise. Head coach Marvin Lewis's job security is the real phenomenon here because of his apparent lack of discipline his staff enforces on the players off the field. Chris Henry, Johnathan Joseph, Odell Thurman, Deltha O'Neal (and the list goes on) and others are being scrutinized for not leading their lives safely in the offseason. As the world turns, All-Pro receiver Chad Johnson goes on a tirade about wishing not to be with the Bengals next season (gee, defense, I wonder why?) and is criticized for being "selfish." Anyone who labels a star player selfish is obviously not with the program. All star players have a need to get their messages across, especially when a 90-catch, 1,100-yard scoring threat is putting up numbers for nothing. Johnson, of all people in this Titanic-like franchise, is taking all the flack for the team being so much in a mess. Well, Ocho Cinco is not problem numero uno and he should realize that some things are best kept within the professional offices and could get what we wants by going at it the right way.
Johnson, true, was a bit over the line with his rants and raves about sitting out, but his displeasure is understandable. Cincinnati is laden with talent on offense -- a standout quarterback, one of the better running backs in the league and two amazing receivers capable of taking over any game. But the defense has been totally offensive to the Bengals' chances of winning games, as it has made most offenses Indianapolis-like for the last couple of seasons. Run and pass defenses are big-play potential -- for the opposing teams. Now there's something Rex Grossman can smile about.
If people want to criticize anything, it's that horrific defense. Chad Johnson has the right to speak out -- he talks and walks as a football player. But Chad's approach to the business side is not going to get him anywhere but in the media's deathtrap. Chad should consult owner Mike Brown and Lewis and talk out what can be done to improve a team that is (gasp) now playing second fiddle to the Cleveland Browns, its divisional and state rival
If you ask me (that's only if you ask), Chad Johnson should get himself traded. The Bengals will not crumble in their departure and could get some good defensive players in the process. Chad could be the second-coming of Terrell Owens (not completely) and resurrect Donovan McNabb's presence as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league. What could be lying in wait for Cincinnati as a return is DB Lito Sheppard (two interceptions last season) and Juqua Brown (five sacks, 29 tackles) and Mike Patterson (four sacks, 50 tackles). Cincinnati -- learn to sell the fancy automoblie if you can't fix it.
There aren't many teams around this league that would say no to getting Chad Johnson. The Tennessee Titans (who showcase Roydell Williams and Justin Gage as their top receivers) would pull out the red carpet for one of the game's best receivers. Truth is, once a star player becomes uncomfortable with his team (paging Owens, paging Kobe Bryant), everyone begins to feel it as well. The Bengals only have two choices at this point right now: trade him or win. It's as simple as that. But trying to win a war of words with a receiver who backs his up will only mean another loss for this franchise, something that they don't want to get anymore used to.
Isn't it a phenomenon that the Cincinnati Prison Cats (or Bengals, whatever you want to call them) managed to finish 7-9 last season, despite being on the regular news as often as ESPN?
I do believe so, but I also consider it to be an aberration for this underachieving, disappointing franchise. Head coach Marvin Lewis's job security is the real phenomenon here because of his apparent lack of discipline his staff enforces on the players off the field. Chris Henry, Johnathan Joseph, Odell Thurman, Deltha O'Neal (and the list goes on) and others are being scrutinized for not leading their lives safely in the offseason. As the world turns, All-Pro receiver Chad Johnson goes on a tirade about wishing not to be with the Bengals next season (gee, defense, I wonder why?) and is criticized for being "selfish." Anyone who labels a star player selfish is obviously not with the program. All star players have a need to get their messages across, especially when a 90-catch, 1,100-yard scoring threat is putting up numbers for nothing. Johnson, of all people in this Titanic-like franchise, is taking all the flack for the team being so much in a mess. Well, Ocho Cinco is not problem numero uno and he should realize that some things are best kept within the professional offices and could get what we wants by going at it the right way.
Johnson, true, was a bit over the line with his rants and raves about sitting out, but his displeasure is understandable. Cincinnati is laden with talent on offense -- a standout quarterback, one of the better running backs in the league and two amazing receivers capable of taking over any game. But the defense has been totally offensive to the Bengals' chances of winning games, as it has made most offenses Indianapolis-like for the last couple of seasons. Run and pass defenses are big-play potential -- for the opposing teams. Now there's something Rex Grossman can smile about.
If people want to criticize anything, it's that horrific defense. Chad Johnson has the right to speak out -- he talks and walks as a football player. But Chad's approach to the business side is not going to get him anywhere but in the media's deathtrap. Chad should consult owner Mike Brown and Lewis and talk out what can be done to improve a team that is (gasp) now playing second fiddle to the Cleveland Browns, its divisional and state rival
If you ask me (that's only if you ask), Chad Johnson should get himself traded. The Bengals will not crumble in their departure and could get some good defensive players in the process. Chad could be the second-coming of Terrell Owens (not completely) and resurrect Donovan McNabb's presence as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league. What could be lying in wait for Cincinnati as a return is DB Lito Sheppard (two interceptions last season) and Juqua Brown (five sacks, 29 tackles) and Mike Patterson (four sacks, 50 tackles). Cincinnati -- learn to sell the fancy automoblie if you can't fix it.
There aren't many teams around this league that would say no to getting Chad Johnson. The Tennessee Titans (who showcase Roydell Williams and Justin Gage as their top receivers) would pull out the red carpet for one of the game's best receivers. Truth is, once a star player becomes uncomfortable with his team (paging Owens, paging Kobe Bryant), everyone begins to feel it as well. The Bengals only have two choices at this point right now: trade him or win. It's as simple as that. But trying to win a war of words with a receiver who backs his up will only mean another loss for this franchise, something that they don't want to get anymore used to.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Softball team is sending a message to the rest of the nation
Revenge is bittersweet, and although the No. 25-ranked Long Beach State softball team has no intentions of exacting that, its kill count this season would indicate it.
A team that was seemingly shafted out of postseason play last season by the NCAA selection committee is out to make amends this year by beating some of the best that college softball has to offer (six ranked teams, to be exact). No. 4-ranked Florida, No. 5-ranked Texas A&M, No. 12-ranked Northwestern, No. 16-ranked Hawaii and No. 23-ranked San Diego State have all becomes legitimate victims to the 49ers’ path towards becoming what it believes the NCAA should consider them as — national championship contenders.
It starts with the players — 20 runs scored by senior leftfielder Lacy Tyler, senior shortstop Jessica Beaver’s team-high 22 RBI and two home runs, senior catcher Brooke LeSage’s .351 batting average and junior third base Jennifer Griffin’s team-leading 65 assists. The hitting of this team has been consistent, with five players recording 20-plus hits. What’s been better is the outfield of this team, which averages a .975 fielding percentage and has held opponents to a .216 batting average throughout the season.
As much as freshman pitcher Brooke Turner (13-3 record, 126 strikeouts) has dominated some of the nation’s best, it would be wrong not to mention sophomore pitcher Bridgette Pagano, whose 7-5 record this season has shown the pitcher’s circle has belonged to the 49ers. Pagano has won her last four starts and has struck out 17 hitters during the streak.
When talking with head coach Kim Sowder about the team before the season, she was more than elated to say, “Getting a team back is a coach’s dream.”
Experience is a major edge in college sports, but the confidence and motive to win are just as critical. When watching this team trail late against previously undefeated Florida at the 49er Softball Complex, it looked as if the Gators were going to be another ranked team that gets by against our university.
But the 49ers were not going to let them or the NCAA committee take a victory from them, and I served witness to one of the best games I had ever seen in LBSU athletics.
They had the motive to prove they are capable of beating any team and, after the 49ers’ 2-1 victory over the Gators (Florida’s only loss of the season so far), began a campaign to be the best on any field they compete on.
As impressive as its home victory over Florida was, LBSU has simply been ruthless away from the Softball Complex. Just ask Hawaii, UNLV and SDSU, teams that hosted tournaments against LBSU this season, only to watch The Beach ruin their fun and fanfare by beating them and winning those tournaments. Unranked and picked to finish third in the Big West before the season started, the 20-8 49ers are dismantling the national rankings by themselves. Teams are being blindsided by this dark horse-turned-powerhouse, and Big West Conference play hasn’t even begun yet.
UC Santa Barbara (15-12 this season), CS Northridge (9-15), CS Fullerton (14-13-1) and Pacific (15-16) were selected ahead of LBSU for the 2007 NCAA Regionals. The 49ers haven’t only become the favorite to win the conference, but they could also be the most dangerous team in the west region as well. I don’t believe any team wants the Big West more than LBSU; it’s been three years since the team has been conference champions. Conference champions automatically earn a postseason berth, and why not kill two birds with one stone?
28-25 last season seems long forgotten. The 49ers have ensured that, and will make sure the NCAA remembers them all season long.
A team that was seemingly shafted out of postseason play last season by the NCAA selection committee is out to make amends this year by beating some of the best that college softball has to offer (six ranked teams, to be exact). No. 4-ranked Florida, No. 5-ranked Texas A&M, No. 12-ranked Northwestern, No. 16-ranked Hawaii and No. 23-ranked San Diego State have all becomes legitimate victims to the 49ers’ path towards becoming what it believes the NCAA should consider them as — national championship contenders.
It starts with the players — 20 runs scored by senior leftfielder Lacy Tyler, senior shortstop Jessica Beaver’s team-high 22 RBI and two home runs, senior catcher Brooke LeSage’s .351 batting average and junior third base Jennifer Griffin’s team-leading 65 assists. The hitting of this team has been consistent, with five players recording 20-plus hits. What’s been better is the outfield of this team, which averages a .975 fielding percentage and has held opponents to a .216 batting average throughout the season.
As much as freshman pitcher Brooke Turner (13-3 record, 126 strikeouts) has dominated some of the nation’s best, it would be wrong not to mention sophomore pitcher Bridgette Pagano, whose 7-5 record this season has shown the pitcher’s circle has belonged to the 49ers. Pagano has won her last four starts and has struck out 17 hitters during the streak.
When talking with head coach Kim Sowder about the team before the season, she was more than elated to say, “Getting a team back is a coach’s dream.”
Experience is a major edge in college sports, but the confidence and motive to win are just as critical. When watching this team trail late against previously undefeated Florida at the 49er Softball Complex, it looked as if the Gators were going to be another ranked team that gets by against our university.
But the 49ers were not going to let them or the NCAA committee take a victory from them, and I served witness to one of the best games I had ever seen in LBSU athletics.
They had the motive to prove they are capable of beating any team and, after the 49ers’ 2-1 victory over the Gators (Florida’s only loss of the season so far), began a campaign to be the best on any field they compete on.
As impressive as its home victory over Florida was, LBSU has simply been ruthless away from the Softball Complex. Just ask Hawaii, UNLV and SDSU, teams that hosted tournaments against LBSU this season, only to watch The Beach ruin their fun and fanfare by beating them and winning those tournaments. Unranked and picked to finish third in the Big West before the season started, the 20-8 49ers are dismantling the national rankings by themselves. Teams are being blindsided by this dark horse-turned-powerhouse, and Big West Conference play hasn’t even begun yet.
UC Santa Barbara (15-12 this season), CS Northridge (9-15), CS Fullerton (14-13-1) and Pacific (15-16) were selected ahead of LBSU for the 2007 NCAA Regionals. The 49ers haven’t only become the favorite to win the conference, but they could also be the most dangerous team in the west region as well. I don’t believe any team wants the Big West more than LBSU; it’s been three years since the team has been conference champions. Conference champions automatically earn a postseason berth, and why not kill two birds with one stone?
28-25 last season seems long forgotten. The 49ers have ensured that, and will make sure the NCAA remembers them all season long.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Just imagine Golden State and defense coming together
To whoever reads this:
Take time to close your eyes for a minute and dream of the Golden State Warriors. Dream of their prolific, athletically gifted offense. Dream of Stephen Jackson's countless 3-point shots being chucked into the air at random. Dream of one of the game's best closers, Baron Davis, dropping yet another dagger in the hearts of the defense with a last second swisher. Dream of... well, don't dream too much of head coach Don Nelson, but know that he certainly coaches one side of the court very well.
The Warriors were the poor man's Phoenix Suns until the Suns traded for Shaquille O'Neal in an attempt to become the poor man's San Antonio Spurs. That left Golden State truly feeling golden as the league's fastest and most athletic squad, but unfortunately the least defensive.
The Bay's Area's best ballers are currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference standings and would love to get out of that predicament, considering they would play their Kryptonite, the Spurs, in the first round of the playoffs if they were to begin today. The reason behind such worries is that Golden State is like a right-handed man. Its offense is its right hand, and its defense is its left. In turn, they can do everything good with their right, but not so well with their left, and that feeling has them at the bottom of scoring defense, allowing a whopping 107.8 points per game.
And we all know what the Spurs do with teams like that. San Antonio, which allows 90.4 points per game, second lowest in the NBA, chews offense-only teams up and spits them out of the playoffs. It's no coincidence that three of the top-four teams in the league are in the top-three in scoring defense.
But back to the Warriors. They can rebound, but the problem is that their opponents rebound more often than they do, and that ties into their size issues. As quick as the Warriors have been this season with Davis, Jackson and Monta Ellis, they only have one player that is capable of producing in the paint. Andres Biedrins is a center, but not a super-center, and 6-9 Al Harrington likes to play as a small forward. Oft-injured, 35-year-old Chris Webber? Well, we must all let that speak for itself. Golden State allows the most rebounds per game in the NBA with 47.5.
But what they make up for is sheer athleticism and a catch-me-if-you-can approach to the game. Nelson coaches his team to use offense as defense. One would very often see an opposing team scoring an easy basket — which comes too often against Golden State — but have little to no time to settle into a defense because Jackson is already on the other side of the court, ready to score a layup and make them think twice about blinking on the Warriors.
Golden State, by far, is the most reckless team in the league, but also the most fun to watch. I'm a Lakers fan, and even I am more entertained by how Arena Football-like the Warriors are in their games. The Warriors play with no conscience, shooting first and asking questions later. They expect themselves to hit 100 points. They expect to attempt nearly 30 3-pointers with the intent of making most of them. They expect to have a good time doing it, and they have 37 times this season.
Baron Davis is one of the best players in basketball, when healthy. He makes his teammates better and eventually reaps the benefits of making himself better in the process. Stephen Jackson is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. With a troublesome past, Jackson leaves it all on the floor with accurate shooting and a never-say-die attitude. And Monta Ellis is Tony Parker-like with his quickness and constant attacks to the basket. Biedrins and Harrington both fit well into Nelson's system with their size and speed, while the bench (headlined by Matt Barnes) can be just as versatile, especially with the insertion of Brandan Wright into the starting rotation.
So all is well in Oaktown with the exception of that championship-winning word: defense. Teams can run and gun all they want, but will have to face that word when it matters most, and that's the postseason. This is why the Spurs are the definition of a dynasty, and the reason behind the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons (both ranked top-10 in defense) running away with the Eastern Conference. Golden State obviously has the personnel to make it to the NBA Finals because the Dallas Mavericks helped them make that point last year. But if they can just play a morsel of defense against these powerful Western Conference teams, then the Western Conference Finals is not out of the question.
I can imagine the Warriors as a defensive threat, and that is scary in the West. But it likely will not happen because their style of play is not equipped to handle all of that. If they were to get Pau Gasol, we could have been seeing a rapid ascension up the ranks, despite possibly losing Monta Ellis and Al Harrington to the Grizzlies. But that idea's gone and the Warriors' playoff hopes are still around because their fast-paced style has them playing well at home (21-10) and on the road (currently 16-12 away from Oracle Arena).
Scoring 100-plus points every game is scary for other teams facing the Golden State Warriors but, if possible, allowing less than that per game would be scary for the entire league.
Take time to close your eyes for a minute and dream of the Golden State Warriors. Dream of their prolific, athletically gifted offense. Dream of Stephen Jackson's countless 3-point shots being chucked into the air at random. Dream of one of the game's best closers, Baron Davis, dropping yet another dagger in the hearts of the defense with a last second swisher. Dream of... well, don't dream too much of head coach Don Nelson, but know that he certainly coaches one side of the court very well.
The Warriors were the poor man's Phoenix Suns until the Suns traded for Shaquille O'Neal in an attempt to become the poor man's San Antonio Spurs. That left Golden State truly feeling golden as the league's fastest and most athletic squad, but unfortunately the least defensive.
The Bay's Area's best ballers are currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference standings and would love to get out of that predicament, considering they would play their Kryptonite, the Spurs, in the first round of the playoffs if they were to begin today. The reason behind such worries is that Golden State is like a right-handed man. Its offense is its right hand, and its defense is its left. In turn, they can do everything good with their right, but not so well with their left, and that feeling has them at the bottom of scoring defense, allowing a whopping 107.8 points per game.
And we all know what the Spurs do with teams like that. San Antonio, which allows 90.4 points per game, second lowest in the NBA, chews offense-only teams up and spits them out of the playoffs. It's no coincidence that three of the top-four teams in the league are in the top-three in scoring defense.
But back to the Warriors. They can rebound, but the problem is that their opponents rebound more often than they do, and that ties into their size issues. As quick as the Warriors have been this season with Davis, Jackson and Monta Ellis, they only have one player that is capable of producing in the paint. Andres Biedrins is a center, but not a super-center, and 6-9 Al Harrington likes to play as a small forward. Oft-injured, 35-year-old Chris Webber? Well, we must all let that speak for itself. Golden State allows the most rebounds per game in the NBA with 47.5.
But what they make up for is sheer athleticism and a catch-me-if-you-can approach to the game. Nelson coaches his team to use offense as defense. One would very often see an opposing team scoring an easy basket — which comes too often against Golden State — but have little to no time to settle into a defense because Jackson is already on the other side of the court, ready to score a layup and make them think twice about blinking on the Warriors.
Golden State, by far, is the most reckless team in the league, but also the most fun to watch. I'm a Lakers fan, and even I am more entertained by how Arena Football-like the Warriors are in their games. The Warriors play with no conscience, shooting first and asking questions later. They expect themselves to hit 100 points. They expect to attempt nearly 30 3-pointers with the intent of making most of them. They expect to have a good time doing it, and they have 37 times this season.
Baron Davis is one of the best players in basketball, when healthy. He makes his teammates better and eventually reaps the benefits of making himself better in the process. Stephen Jackson is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. With a troublesome past, Jackson leaves it all on the floor with accurate shooting and a never-say-die attitude. And Monta Ellis is Tony Parker-like with his quickness and constant attacks to the basket. Biedrins and Harrington both fit well into Nelson's system with their size and speed, while the bench (headlined by Matt Barnes) can be just as versatile, especially with the insertion of Brandan Wright into the starting rotation.
So all is well in Oaktown with the exception of that championship-winning word: defense. Teams can run and gun all they want, but will have to face that word when it matters most, and that's the postseason. This is why the Spurs are the definition of a dynasty, and the reason behind the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons (both ranked top-10 in defense) running away with the Eastern Conference. Golden State obviously has the personnel to make it to the NBA Finals because the Dallas Mavericks helped them make that point last year. But if they can just play a morsel of defense against these powerful Western Conference teams, then the Western Conference Finals is not out of the question.
I can imagine the Warriors as a defensive threat, and that is scary in the West. But it likely will not happen because their style of play is not equipped to handle all of that. If they were to get Pau Gasol, we could have been seeing a rapid ascension up the ranks, despite possibly losing Monta Ellis and Al Harrington to the Grizzlies. But that idea's gone and the Warriors' playoff hopes are still around because their fast-paced style has them playing well at home (21-10) and on the road (currently 16-12 away from Oracle Arena).
Scoring 100-plus points every game is scary for other teams facing the Golden State Warriors but, if possible, allowing less than that per game would be scary for the entire league.
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