Dear Jim Tressel: That sucked

I was at the game today, and I was rudely treated to one of the worst games I've ever seen. So, from this point forward, I am going to stop going to games and buying tickets for said games until there is a product on the field worth paying for.

Offensively, that was putrid. And maybe Jim Tressel can follow in the lines of Tommy Tuberville, and fire his offensive coordinator - namely himself. I'm not going after Jim Tressel's head, but it's about time he gave up play calling duties, because the results this year have been worse than anything. It's sad though, I'd say that this year has been as bad an Ohio State coached year as 2002 has been good. It's like they are polar opposities.

Why am I so mad? Because contrary to the results both today and at Southern Cal, athletically, Ohio State is on par with just about anyone in college football. And it's extremely frustrating to see guys with such talents be held back by their coach. I don't understand, because whenever Pryor, and the recievers have been asked to perform - that is, the plays have been called well - they've responded by executing successfully. This game, the playcalling seemed to be completely independent of down and distance. I didn't feel as if the offense was in any kind of rhythm all day long. And it took until the fourth quarter until there was a play-action play. Inexcusable.

It's insulting to both the fans, and the players to be coached like this. To be coached like a bunch of babies in diapers unwilling to take the smallest chance.

1. Why not go for it on 4th and 2 rom the plus side of the field?
2. Why not go for it on 4th and goal from the 5.

3 points is actually inaccurate enough to how well the OSU defense played. I even saw a defensive lineman win a one-on-one battle. It looks like there's a lot more man, it looks like it's a lot more aggressive, and it looks like they're finally letting the players play. With that said, let your offense make a play. Let your athletes make a play. That's what they want. Stop holding back this hungry young talent.

Until the day when we actually look like a real team, any amount I would pay for tickets would be too much. I don't think it's too much to ask that a guy that gets paid 3 million dollars a year do his job well. Or, he can start paying for peoples' tickets to go to games.

Curious rankings in college football

Most notably, it is the buoyancy of USC despite suffering an inexcusable loss. Spencer Hall hit the nail right on the head, the fact that Southern Cal didn't fall out of the Top-10 in either the poll, while everyone else had an anchor attached them when they lose.

Let's take a look at USC. Five games into the season, they have as many wins as bye's. So far their wins have consisted of winning at Virginia and home vs. Ohio State. Virginia is far worse than we all thought they'd be - and no one thought they'd be any good to begin with. So that win is worth slightly more than nothing. Ohio State is clearly not as good as they were originally ranked, so that win loses its notoriety as well. So, useless win, okay win, and then a horrific loss against Oregon State make up the season so far for USC. Nothing notable except a bad loss. Oregon State played hard, and no one will make the conclusion that USC sucks, but they did lose, you can't just sweep that under the table. Losing to Stanford the way they did and to Penn State is an indictment on how bad they truly are.

Florida probably fell as much as it should have fallen, anywhere between 10-15. Losing at home to a team that hasn't sniffed a conference win in something like 2 years is just atrocious. The fact that Tennessee is now turning out to be a worse version of overrating than Ohio State isn't helping their resume. By most calculations, their MNC aspirations are likely over, even though they have enough time and quality opponents to make up a lot of that room.

Georgia had the most excusable loss, and yet fell further than USC to Florida territory. They got smacked around at home, but it was against an obviously good team. Although Moreno being hurt may crush the remainder of their season.

As an Ohio State fan, rankings are completely worthless to me now. I can't imagine, and don't want a scenario where Ohio State has a meteoric rise in the polls to be in contention for the championship - they just aren't good enough. I'd rather see worthwhile teams get that chance.

It's just kind of insulting to college football fans to see Southern California create a Teflon barrier to the rankings. This year might be their down fall, because they can no longer rely on big wins to hold them up

About those Ohio State quarterbacks

Free hugs. Who's next?

At the risk of becoming almost solely an Ohio State blog, I'm going to write about the Buckeyes an unprecedented 3rd time in a row. But that's only because I can toss in an Arrested Development quote. Doug Lesmerises is an Ohio State beat writer for the Plain Dealer, and his updates are probably the most interesting, and in depth with respect to those of the Columbus Dispatch. And, the guy looks Jack Bower - what's not to like! Anyway, he wrote a nice piece about five [not-so-easy] ways to fix the Buckeyes. I like it, and he's right on all these facts, so it's not like I'm going to take a Dave Lozo, or FJM approach to dissecting an article. But I did want to allude to his first point: 1. Handle the quarterbacks with care.

He's right. Todd Boeckman isn't entirely useless, but he's treading pretty close to that line in big games. He's accounted for numerous momentum shifts that lead directly to humiliating losses. Anyways, a quarterback rotation is something I'm not a huge fan of in general. It never works, because it eventually takes practice and rhythm away from the better player, or a player with more potential. A full quarterback rotation has never worked with desirable results anywhere, but people keep trying it. Why? Because:

Some say if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback at all. But this rotation could work, given the right massaging and the right messages. Define your rotation plan, explain it to the offense, but crack the window to stick with a hot hand. Reassure Boeckman about his past and Pryor about his future and guide them with a strong hand in a quarterback room that has sometimes been uncertain

You know what this reminds me of? This.

Tobias: You know, Lindsay, as a therapist, I have advised...
[falls off the bed]
Tobias ...a number of couples to explore an open relationship where the couple remains emotionally committed, but free to explore extra-marital encounters.
Lindsay: Well, did it work for those people?
Tobias: No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but.... but it might work for us.

Now, my love for Arrested Development is unabashed, but this kind of quote perfectly describes the delusion that people go through in both an open marriage, and a two quarterback system. It doesn't work for anyone else, but... it might work for us! No, it won't.

Five steps to fix the Buckeyes [Plain Dealer OSU Blog]

No Quarterback controversy in Columbus

A controversy implies that you do not know who to starts, whether they are both playing extremely well, or I guess extremely horrible. This is clearly not the case, because unless the coaches want to show me some secret video tape of Boeckman winning games, I know one thing: he should not be starting. It's an incredible indictment when a true freshman can come in and blatantly beat you out of a job and do everything better than you except for being your age. I don't know if it's an indictment on the coaching staff (although they are not free of blame), but it's certainly on Todd. He seems like a nice guy, but he can't win a football game.

Sure, I'll admit, Pryor has been coddled from an offensive standpoint. It's likely that it's completely simplified for him, where if he's throwing he only has one read before he takes off. But you know what? It works. Lines from last night:

Boeckman: 14/21 for 84 yards, 2 INT; 8 carries for -27 yards.
Pryor: 7/9 for 52 yards, 11 carries for 40 yards.

Less than half the attempts. Half the compeltions, 75% of the yards and no turnovers. One game you say. Alright, let's take a look at Boeckman's last 5 games: 4 touchdowns (2 against YSU, 2 against LSU), 8 interceptions, 3-3, no wins against ranked teams. And the only reason he won at Michigan was because he handed it off to Beanie about 100 times. I can do that.

There is no downside to having Pryor take a majority of the snaps, and hell, I wouldn't mind seeing Bauserman back there. What's the worst that could happen, we fall ass-backwards into a touchdown?

There is good news for OSU.

At least we won't be embarrassed in a national championship game this year. After that kind of a performance (3 points, really?!) it's hard to imagine the amount of things that would have to go wrong in the college football universe to put this team into a position for a championship. But hey, Big 10 championship here we come. A la Clemson.

Begin Rant
I never want to see Boeckman again, and for all those people who were wondering what the "most efficient passer in the Big 10 last year" did to earn the ire of Ohio State fans, well, you just saw it. He is Justin Zwick, except without the hype of being agreat high school quaterback. I have no desire to ever see him in a big game ever again, because I can't imagine the result would be any different. If there's a quarterback rotation, it should be Bauserman and Pryor, this humiliation was the last straw. Paying only mild attention to the game after the first half - come on, it was over - whenever I see Boeckman in, he's always doing something stupid. Whether it's an interception, or intentional grounding, or running right into the face of the blitz. Bench foreva'.

On to the program though, it's time to fire Heacock and Bollman, and Jim Tressel deserves some serious heat for this loss, and even bringing up the echoes of the last 2 championship losses. The offense is beyond unimaginative, it's painful, and all this honor toward the upper classmen is just getting us creamed. Ohio State, as a program has shown that they are unable to win a big game, and now that's cemented. And after a magical 2002, Jim Tressel has not notched an impressive win without maybe Michigan 2006 - and maybe they weren't even that good.

The talent is undeniable. And we have arguably the best talent we've ever had at Ohio State. And yet results are at an all time low. Alright, not an all time low, seeing as how we're likely going to win our third Big Ten Championship in a row, but now those are ringing as hollow victories. One team on the field tonight was a different stratosphere, both in execution and discipline, and sadly, it wasn't mine.
/Endrant

It's just that much worse when they tell you they're going to kick your ass, and then go out and do it.

Those things about Boeckman? All true

This game is very likely over, but to my chagrin I'll keep watching it. However, there is one truth in this game, and that is that Todd Boeckman is clearly not a good quarterback. How, how as a senior quarterback do you loft that pass across the middle and not see their best defensive player?

Pryor is moving the offense much more effectively, and looks increasingly more settled as the game moves on. I realize that he has roughly half a progression to go through, but it's producing results. There's no reason that Boeckman and [Mo] Wells shouldn't sit on the bench. Several bad plays that are just inexcusable for a senior quarterback. And as I'm saying this, he gets rocked.

Another quick aside, the refs have already been atrocious, it's just being overshadowed by the fact that it has no bearing on the game.

Boeckman: Epic Fail.
Refs: Almost nearly Epic Fail.

The hard life of Vince Young

Before I get into ripping Vince Young for his part in a real life Young and the Restless soap opera, I want to put forth a caveat. All this is null and void if he's having some problems that aren't related to football, like family issues, or if he's been diagnosed with some chemical imbalance. As far as it's been reported, that's not the case, he's just fragile.

He's 25, I think it's about time he grew up and spoke for himself, instead of being a mama's boy and having his mom come to his rescue. Speaking of his mom, let's take a look at her comments.

“Vince has gone through a whole lot as a young person,’’ Felicia Young said, according to the Tennessean. “And I think he has done pretty well up to this point. But it is hard, all he is going through right now. He’s hurting inside and out.”

And.

“What would you think, if you were tired of being ridiculed and persecuted and talked about and not being treated very well, what would you do?” Felicia Young said. “What kind of decision would you make? He may not want to deal with it [all], but you have to get to that point before you make that decision first.”

You know what, I'm sure he has gone through a lot as a young person. Inner city Houston, and inner city anywhere is not the greatest place to grow up. I can't imagine the things he saw or was involved in; they may be things I can't even imagine. But guess what? For the last 7 years he's been a pampered kid. He had a full scholarship to a good school, where he was taken care of nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the last FOUR years, he's been getting paid some fraction of the $58 million contract he signed when he was drafted.

He's being ridiculed because he sucks at quarterback, and now he's all pouty about it? Guess what, most people go through that, and they aren't going to see the broad side of 58 million in roughly 6 years. Most of those people are probably struggling to survive - people he's likely familiar with, and a life he grew up in. Now the worst thing that happens to him is getting boo'd and he's running around moping, and eating chicken wings in the middle of the night? Give me a break.

A great majority of people deal with mental hardships like this on a daily basis with more pressure than just winning a football game, and for far less reward. Can we baby a guy anymore than him? Boo hoo, people are booing me because I suck. Maybe I should go get my mom to call their moms.

Pathetic, if that is indeed the case.

Odd story of Vince Young [PFT]

Baby 'Canes causing trouble for Florida

Urban Meyer doesn't look happy, even though his team is up. I understand his consternation, seeing as how the score is 9-3 when it should be 17-3 after the first drive.

That first drive showcased the talent, coaching, and experience difference between the two teams, as Tebow nearly effortlessly drove his team down the field for an opening touchdown score. I say nearly, because he got beat up some, and it was a short field off a shank punt.

Since then, it's been nearly an even game, if not favorable to the U. Save for a blocked-punt-turned-safety, the repetitive name calling of the playmaking true freshmen has been surprising and impressive, specifically at the defensive line. They look fast, strong, and have continually put pressure with only 4 people - very impressive.

Could this be a chink in the armor of the spread offense? The WVU offensive line has shown to be soft when punched in the mouth, is Florida going the same way? This is only half time, these young 'Canes could run out of gas by the 4th, andyone thinking Florida won't win this one is still going out on a limb.

I'm not impressed

Ohio State pulled out the win, and in the end that's all that matters, but it wasn't until late in the 4th quarter that the game was in hand.

Anyone that was watching this game can't be too impressed by either the Buckeye effort, scheme, or talent. Of all the talk about depth and extreme talent of that depth at just about every position, I'm questioning where it was when OU was up 14-6. There's so many things to talk, and specifically get mad about this game, that it's difficult to do in a rational breakdown of the game.

Todd Boeckman, Maurice Wells were Epic Fail. It's hard to have any confidence in 2 seniors that were lucky to make plays against a far inferior defense.

Nearly Epic Fail has to come on the coaching ,that kept the nearly useless Maurice Wells in the game far too long when Herron was on fire and making plays. The incessant rotation of inexperienced players had broken all rhythm for both offense and defense, and it took nearly a 2 quarters to get it back.

Fail comes upon the defense, that let the middle of the field open up like a cheap hooker. A guy named Boo looked like Vince Young or Juice Williams running through uncontested.

26-14 is not a suitable score at home for the theoretical caliber of this team. Furthermore, there have been unimpressive starts to the season versus YSU last week, and last year, as well as Akron and OU this year.

Attribute this one to looking ahead, but nonetheless, overall grade: Fail.

Big 10 will be much improved this year

SEC Speed. It's becoming an annoying footnote to any college football argument from the West coast to the East coast, completely trampling over the Midwest. The Big 10 has become a laughing stock (why does everyone ignore the ACC?!) to the SEC in football. The slow hoofed lumbering beasts can't keep up with the purebreds running in the warm, and hurricane devastated South. But, the Big 10 is catching up.

The lone secret of SEC domination has been their almost completely monopoly of criminal activity on their football team. But, with recent developments in the Penn State program, I feel like Midwest football is in for a revival this year. When an ESPN does a special on the number of arrest on your team, you know something is going on. And even though the recent transgression is just pot in a room (come on, it's college PIGS) it has let to at least 3 players being suspended for at least one game. Pending voluntary drug tests, it could lead to more. It wasn't my pot, I'm just holding it for a friend.

This year, the SEC has only moderately dominated the Fulmer Cup, named famously for everyone's most hated coach (even the SEC fans hate him!), where four teams have found themselves in the top 10, but also the winner. The Big 10 has seen a revival on the recruiting trail as Missouri climbed up to #2, and Penn State and Illinois brought up the final third. This gives me hope for some really good football in the fall.

It seems though that we've always had our share of arrests, and yet we couldn't break through on the football field. This year, criminal activity has gone up, and theoretically, so should the level of play. Watch out, BCS, the Big 10 is back.

Paterno Suspends 3 in drug case [Philly.com]
Fulmer Cup [EDSBS]

Ocho Cinco thinks team first

In a hilarious development that has finally come to fruition, Chad Johnson has completed his growth from selfish prima dona receiver to a team player. As customary upon a big win, players often flash and pull out the front of their jerseys, signifying that their team has won. Team on the front, individual on the back, there's a reason this is the way jerseys are created.

So, what could be a more team-centric action that emphasizing the back of your jersey? Nothing. Enter Chad Ocho Cinco. It's been rumored that he was changing his last name so that he can finally and legally according to NFL regulations put "eight five" as the moniker on jersey-name-area. He was already fined once by the No Fun League and Herr Goodell for having it on there instead of "Johnson" even though it was merely a ripoff.

Am I chastising him for this action? Not at all, I think it's entertaining, and since Chad Javon Ocho Cinco has been in the league, he has been at the forefront of entertainment. But the lengths that he went through to single out himself in such a team based sport should make Bengals fans cringe for the upcoming year. I can't imagine how the Bengal Spanish-speaking population feels, as this is really the incorrect way of saying "eighty five" which he calls himself in English - this is merely two single numers "eight five." A dose of double hate from Bengalio-Espaniolio. Spanish of course.

Can't wait for opening day.

Chad Javon Ocho Cinco [AP]

ESPN College Gameday curses Clemson

Obligatory: I've got your Howard's Rock right here.

Am I the only one that noticed the hidden jinx that ESPN put on Clemson this season? The new College Gameday commercials featured the gang running out of their bus and touching Howard's Rock. Fowler does it, Herbstreit does it, and then Corso touches it - knocking it over with his baby arm, and shattering it into 2 pieces.

Could a simple TV spot have metaphorically explained - and doomed - Clemson's season before it began? Shattered psyches in Death Valley want to know.

Great start for Slick Rick

Nice start.

Not to overstate the the season through the result of one game, but I think I'm going to do it anyway. What an impactful and resounding start to the season and UCLA coaching career of Rick Neuheisel. Beating a team from the unbeatable conference, and a favorite from the East coast is impressive. From here they could lose the next 11 games and this great start will be a long forgotten memory in Los Angeles.

All in all, it's still just one win. However, anyone that has watched USC trample across the Pacific hopes it's more than one. Rick is nearly a mirror image of Pete Carrol in his electricity and enthusiasm. Oh yeah, and don't forget the incredible coaching staff that includes ace defensive guru DeWayne Walker and Heisman Tutor Norm Chow. The skill was displayed in the 2nd half of this game as both the defensive and offensive units clicked completely for a terrific overtime game.

Ruh roh, there's another team in Los Angeles. And this year might be too early for the resurgence of the fear-inducing "true blue" of UCLA, but it may spell a lot more competition for the Pac 10 crown.

Photo: GuttyLittleBruins

Clemson's ACC title hopes remain unscathed

I didn't watch the game last night, but I wish I could have. Driving to my previously scheduled engagement I listened to nearly a quarter of it on the radio to lead up to half time, and two words were constantly creeping up, "complete domination." I'm not sure if the pain in Dennis Franchione's voice was that of a jaded colleague, a bad analyst, or just somber from the butt-whopping he was trying to analyze.

Was a 23-3 half-time deficit too much to overcome for the offensively stacked Clemson Tiger team? Yeah, I'd say so. Is it an embarrassment that they lived up to their mantra of falling flat so early in the season? A resound yes will do. But for all the negative aura surrounding this program right now, that's come about 6 weeks earlier than expected, their chances of a BCS bowl probably look better than they have before?

Why? The ACC is no good. Virginia got manhandled by USC, albeit a really good USC team. NC State got manhandled, but by a not so great USC team. Virginia Tech, off their curious decision to redshirt Tyrod Taylor (who, if I was in his shoes, is probably looking for transfers) got upset by ECU.

So, while Clemson doesn't stand in high opinion this morning in the college football world, they still look pretty good in the ACC.

Clemson vs. Alabama Recap [Yahoo!]
Are you serious, Clemson [Fannation]
Photo: Dave Martin/AP

USA BBall: Analysis 3 games in

Well, it's been a while for me but it'd be a shame for me to skip out on all the Olympics fun. Without further ado, here's my analysis of Team USA Basketball after 3 games of group play.


Overall strengths:
This team is by far the most talented and has the most depth, and it shows. The team defense, when they turn it on, has been incredible. The overall athleticism is on display when they make spectacular steals, blocks, dunks, and overall hustle plays. Ball pressure, steals, and amazing blocks have been the true highlights of this team's defense. In addition, the team can penetrate the lane at will and has no problem setting up opportunities.

Overall weaknesses:
Oh boy, where do I begin? Even with these blowout victories, there are a lot of things the team is weak on. First off, where does the defense go half the time? After making a spectacular play, Team USA is prone to allowing the opponent to just WALK into the lane and make an easy layup/pass. This has just got to stop, it is absolutely atrocious. For all the amazing pressure defense they put on the opponent, they love to just let someone have the ball within 2 feet of the basket and score at will. What is going on here?
In addition, the team is still ridiculously weak at shooting free throws (NO ONE IS GUARDING YOU) and shooting open three pointers (NO ONE IS GUARDING YOU). Yes the guard penetration is happening at will but people are missing easy layups, easy wide open jumpers, and countless free throws.
Finally, the team is still not used to playing international ball. And by international ball, I mean wussy, flopping, oh my god you hit my hand I can't believe it, basketball. The refereeing is extremely confusing. When guards play outside the paint, you can't touch them without getting whistled. Of course, once a guard penetrates the lane, anything goes and they can be murdered on their way to a basket. Apparently all the other international teams understand this because they flop outside the paint (to get the foul call) and if they penetrate into the lane they kick it out because they know they can't get a call inside.


Now here come the grades for the players in alphabetical order:
Carmelo Anthony - C
The man who was supposedly our best international player has not shown up at all. There is no doubt that his style of basketball fits perfectly with international play. He can shoot the three, he can slash, he can shoot the midrange shot, he can take a pass in the lane and finish, and he's an overall fluid, finesse player. He even acts tough but is a wimp at heart (see: sucker punch in brawl at MSG). However, he hasn't shown any of his abilities well so far. He cannot seem to connect on any of his open looks (midrange or three) and is even missing simple layups.

Carlos Boozer - F
Skullhead traitor dude.

Chris Bosh - A+
Most people questioned his selection on the team, or at least how much he would contribute. However, Bosh has been the most pleasant surprise of Team USA and has shown how much a superstar like him can still be underrated. Mainly the critics of his selection noted that he did not help Team USA's lack of size, but this has not really been a problem. He hasn't been pushed around that much even though he is stick thin. He has been excellent on defense, swarming the opposition's big men and blocking shots well. He is extremely athletic, CAN finish, and just knows how to play ball. Unlike our other big men who seemingly have zero basketball IQ (see: Skullhead Traitor Dude above, Big Dumb Animal 2 below), Bosh actually knows where to be on the floor, how to finish plays, when to pass, how to defend, etc. I've become a big fan of him due to this tourney.

Kobe Bryant - B
Even though he had a great game vs. Greece, he has just not been his usual self. He shot an atrocious 10/27 FGs in the first two games, missing both typical Kobe shots and wide open jumpers. He could not hit a three-pointer to save his life for the longest time until he FINALLY turned it on during the Greece game. Now that he's got his confidence back, I think he'll start torching opponents again. Even with his poor offensive performance for 2 1/2 games, I will give him a B for his great defense and overall leadership to the team. He definitely could boost his grade by the end of the Olympics.

Dwight Howard - D-
OK, so he's no Kendrick Perkins (Big Dumb Animal 1), but this tournament has shown me that Dwight Howard has been succeeding in the NBA on pure physical talent alone. I guess I haven't been watching his games that closely but he must get all his points on simply overpowering defenders or easy dunks. He has no skills down low and is completely lost all the time. Whereas Bosh actually puts himself in good positions both offensively and defensively, Howard is way out of position all the time and often lets lesser opponents score easily on him. In the commentary for the Greece game, they mentioned that Tayshaun Prince had to teach him how to run screen and rolls. SCREEN AND ROLLS! He is an NBA big man, that's what he's supposed to specialize in!!! His rebounding and his blocking defense (not to be confused with ACTUAL defense) will always be there but that's cause he's a ridiculously jacked 6'11" athletic specimen. Huge disappointment. Imagine the player he could be if he actually had some basketball IQ.

Lebron James - B+
Well, Lebron has been absolutely incredible on defense. He's come up with some incredible blocks, just absolutely stuffing the defense. He's also come up with some great steals and overall great plays. However, he's been struggling offensively. He can't seem to make a lot of his driving layups, nor can he hit those open jumpers. He's also forced the issue on a lot of passes and caused some very dumb turnovers. His offense hasn't been atrocious but he's made as many dumb mistakes as he has great plays. If he eliminates his mistakes and fine tunes his shooting a little bit, I could bump him up to an A.

Jason Kidd - F
Kidd has been atrocious. I don't understand how he even finds playing time. I guess Coach K wants him on board for his "leadership", if leadership refers to playing slow and flat. He is just a step slow on defense, offense, and he can't seem to really spark the other players' offense. He is still an atrocious shooter and just makes USA play some bland basketball.

Chris Paul - A-
Paul hasn't been scoring a lot or even making the amazing passes that we're used to seeing in the NBA, but he has been running the team perfectly. He still has the ball on a yo-yo and sets up good (not flashy) opportunities for his teammates. He gives great pressure defense to the opponent and makes his teammates run and play true USA basketball. He needs to take over for Kidd.

Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd - Incomplete

Dwyane Wade - A
Like the commentator said during the Greece game, Wade has screwed himself over by actually playing defense in the Olympics. Now Pat Riley is going to push him to do that for 82 games in the NBA. It's unfortunate that Wade is a competitor when he wants to be, and not all the time. He is obviously over his injury and is as fast and strong as ever. He wants to prove a point so he has been playing great defense and has been scoring and penetrating at will. He's been absolutely superb and defenses can do nothing about him. He might wonder why the fans turned on him so quickly last year, but that's because he basically takes games off if he feels he has nothing to prove or nothing to win. And that's not what NBA fans like to see. They like to see players who play hard all the time, no matter what. That's why people feel sorry for KG when he was with the Wolves, not for Wade when the Heat fell to the worst record.

Deron Williams - C
Nothing too bad, but nothing particularly good about his performance. He's no Paul so far, but at least he's not Kidd.

The Referees - F-----------
These refs are so bad, even Hubie Brown would complain about them. My God, they have just been screwing the US so badly. Jason Kidd got 3 fouls in 2 minutes in the Greece game. No one will touch a jump shooter and a foul will be called. No one will touch a man on the way to a layup and somehow a foul is called. A player will push the hell out of a US player and either no foul is called or the foul is somehow on the US player. In general it is poor to assume that refs are unfairly influencing a game (99% of the time it's a fan being biased), but this has been so atrocious that even the commentators who are supposed to be neutral have been making sly suggestions like, "Refs are calling this game unusually tight" or "Interesting calls there".



Well, the US hasn't lost yet but there have been some major disappointments considering the depth and talent of this team. Hopefully they'll start to put it together. Spain should be a tough match but in reality no team should come within 20 points of the USA. They are focused, have continuity, have superior talent, and are playing hard to win. Let's hope they bring home the gold.