Frustration with the Media (ESPN) - Part 2

Continued from Part 1.

ESPN has a blog called the "Heat Index," which shows they are not even trying to hide the fact that they play favorites to the larger markets that have a bandwagon fan base across the country. When the Indiana Pacers beat the Heat in one of their first round matchups, the headlines were not "Pacers win" but rather "Heat fall." The Pacers were still ignored, and all of the featured articles were how the Heat could improve for the next game, etc., as opposed to anything to do with the Pacers' success. This is just a general example; the network uses this technique when it comes to any of their large market lovers.

MLB closer Heath Bell picked up on ESPN's team favoritism as well, as I'm sure many others have, saying, "I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets--and nobody else. That's why I like the MLB Network, because they promote everybody. I'm really turned off by ESPN and Baseball Tonight. When Jake Peavy threw 8⅓ innings on Saturday, they showed one pitch in the third inning and that was it. It's all about the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets."

Ratings, ratings, ratings. That what drives ESPN. The rather frustrating part to many sports fans is the fact that they succeed with their act. Whether people love or hate LeBron James, ESPN knows "reporting" every single one of his brainless comments will generate traffic, because people will see James' name and automatically be drawn to the article.

Of course, some athletes are shoved down our throats anyway, even if they aren't a top player like James. At first people thought the Danica Patrick story was something worthy of excitement, until they realized she is a terrible driver with a huge ego who will probably never win a NASCAR race. But articles on her still get comments, mainly criticizing her like I just did. But to ESPN, what does it matter? She ups their ratings.

More on this topic soon.

Frustration with the Media (ESPN) - Part 1

When I was little, I used to adore ESPN. I'd stay up late on weekend nights watching essentially the same SportsCenter over and over. Scott Van Pelt, Neil Everett and others cracked me up (in fact, they still do, but now they never seem to be on for some reason). The network could do no wrong in my eyes; only reporting sports in a fun, casual way.

Sad to say, that's far from true.

Here's the bottom line: they care only about ratings, and not the quality of their content. They only focus on big markets and express a love affair toward the "superstar" athletes.

Here's their list:

Athletes - Tim Tebow, Brett Favre, LeBron James, Tom Brady,  Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tiger Woods, Dwyane Wade, Blake Griffin, Michael Vick

Teams - Miami Heat, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Jets, Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels, and the entire SEC football conference.

Much more on this topic coming soon.

Just Like Old Times

Let me start off by saying I couldn't be happier for Andre Iguodala. For those of you outside of the Philadelphia area, Andre has been one of the most underappreciated athletes I have ever seen. I've written a post in the past explaining the situation. For Dre to sink two clutch free throws after struggling all season from the line to cap off a productive series, one in which he led his team past the Bulls (and completely neutralized down Luol Deng), just makes me so proud of him as one of his biggest fans.

Enough with the gushing for Andre, though. The Sixers have moved on to Boston, and split a pair at the Boston Garden. The series is now headed to Philly, and the Celtics are considerably weaker on the road.

I am a diehard Sixers fan, but that does not factor into my picking them to win in six (I am willing to face the music if they run into a full strength Miami). Here's why:

Iguodala has been able to take Paul Pierce completely out of his rhythm, and Boston needs him if they want to win the series. Having the Paul Pierce of five years ago might have made the difference in the series, because right now, he simply can't get by the more athletic Iguodala.

Spencer Hawes is not enough of an athlete to handle a rejuvenated Kevin Garnett down low. That's what makes Lavoy Allen's emergence so crucial. He's given KG all he can handle down the paint, and is averaging 11 points and 7 boards through the first two games. In last night's one point Philadelphia win, he posted a +21 +/- rating in 30 minutes (meaning when he was in the game, the Sixers outscored the Celtics by 21 points). A rookie who was ranked the worst player in the NBA by ESPN before the season, Allen is showing signs he can have a productive career. His coach believes it too, comparing him to Indiana's David West...

This has been repeated time and time again, but Philly's ability to run against Boston's age has really worked to their advantage. A lousy half court-team, the 76ers must hit the jets off of steals and defensive boards, because Boston's defense can stifle them in the slower-paced game.

Evan Turner is doing more than making the occasional spectacular play. During these playoffs, he's shown he can be a 16-8-5 type guy for a long time. Much improvement from the bust status he had begun to acquire during his rookie season.

Even if my Sixers fail to win this series, though, it's still reassuring to see these two feisty old rivals get back at it like they've done throughout their storied histories. Knowing my team is on the upswing will suffice for now, but this 76er team certainly has aspirations of ousting their northern foe, and whoever comes next.

How to Improve the Mavs

It has been a tumultuous fallout in Dallas: NBA champions to being swept in the first round at the hands of the Thunder. With an aging roster and this current roster's championship window essentially closed, an overhaul will need to take place if Dirk Nowitzki's crew will make it back to last season's stage. Here's three suggestions.

1) Let Jason Terry and Jason Kidd walk (and consider O.J. Mayo and Deron Williams).

Terry is the engine that makes this team go, and Kidd remains on of the best passers in the league. But both aging players require more money than they are worth at this point. Terry's role as a spurt scorer off the bench is replaceable, and Kidd has become a liability on defense and shooting the ball (36%). O.J. Mayo is a guy who needs a change of scenery, and Dallas could be a place where he could play Robin to Dirk as a Terry replacement. And I know it is far-fetched, but all signs are saying that Deron Williams wants out of Brooklyn.

2) Take a flyer on Greg Oden.

Many of you will stop reading here. But hey, why not? Centers are at a premium and Dallas doesn't have a capable starter at the position. While Brendan Haywood is a stellar defender, 5.2 ppg won't cut it for an NBA starter. Oden will be a no-risk option: they can pay him under a million at this point, and if he ever gets healthy, he could be a double-double machine. Odds are he won't, but why not try?

3) Sign Landry Fields.

This is a guy who in New York will never have a chance to break out as long as Carmelo is there. Sure, he's friends with Jeremy Lin and all, but Fields will use his head that got him into Stanford and realize there would be an opportunity in Dallas for him far greater than the one in NYC. He's a young gun who could average 15 a game.