The IronDog Chronicles

The IronDog Chronicles Has Moved to www.bretdougherty.com

2007-10-01T00:51:00.000-04:00

You've been wondering where the posts have been here...?

Well, I've redesigned the front page of http://www.bretdougherty.com, and the "IronDog Chronicles" may now be reached along with my information site in full swoop at www.bretdougherty.com.

I've been posting a few writings on hoops, UNC Basketball, marketing, advertising, branding, fantasy sports, wi-fi, and the whole nine yards of what you're used to here. The new site will allow comments and better navigation.

I think you'll enjoy the design, and I want to give a major thanks to Blogger for the ease of use over the past four years.

So now, grab the new feed at www.bretdougherty.com in the right-hand corner of the page, and cue up your feedreaders.

In the meantime, feel free to send me your thoughts at bret.dougherty@gmail.com.

Do the switch now, and use the feed...It's easy.

Cotton,
BD

Got Him - UNC Lands Kendall Marshall

2007-09-19T00:12:00.000-04:00

Not blaring, breaking news, but I just heard from a very close contact, who is a very solid source, that the Coach Roy Williams and UNC Tar Heel Basketball landed Kendall Marshall, who is a 6'3"...sophomore point guard.

Yes, a sophomore point guard for the Heels...Who would have thought that the Heels would reach down to underclassmen ranks of a sophomore class in order to secure a point guard. Yet, this move proves that this point guard must be pretty special.

Is he stronger than Tywon Lawson, who committed before his junior year at Oak Hill. We shall see...

However, the view from this keyboard says for Tar Heel fans to be fairly amped after hearing...and reading all of the gushing reports that have stemmed from summer camp and AAU circuit.

The initial reaction is to be nervous on a sophomore committal. However, you can sure bet that the "Master Recruiter", Coach Roy Williams, wouldn't take a risk on a point guard who could not only have the potential to be the best point guard in the class, but also can at least reach the class of a 25-35 ranked guard, which the Tar Heels have landed in the past with Marcus Ginyard or early 2008 signee, Larry Drew Jr.

In order to soothe your Tar Heel tummies, if Marshall doesn't pan out to be the top point guard in the class, you could sure bet that the Heels would go for another guy. Yet, that relief may lost only so long...With early committals emerging in this class, will any elite level point guards be left?

From the looks of the past there should be...Yet, looking at the case of Brandon Jennings, who is the best point guard of the class of 2008, you can't be so sure. Jennings committed to USC last season. Yet, he bolted for the greener pastures of Arizona later in the year. So, from the looks of things, the trend of locking-up the top point guard in the class may be emerging.

Following most reports, Marhsall is the real deal. He may not be at a Kenny Anderson level, which would be considered the top, ethereal, Zeus, level of high school talent that few people other than Allen Iverson or LeBron James should be considered. However, if Marshall finishes at the high-school talent level of Chauncey Billups, Randy Livingston, or Raymond Felton, Tar Heel fans should be thrilled.

Yet, why does the early signee case of JamesOn Curry dance among the Tar Heel visions...According to my sources, believe me, this kid is far different in terms of a socially adaptable recruit to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Supposedly, Marshall has been a Carolina fan all along the route of his development, and his decision to go to UNC was expected.

On the Tar Heel front, be glad that you have the PG slot secured for the next four seasons. Take a peek into the future...

'07-'08 - Tywon Lawson/Quentin Thomas/Bobby Frasor
'08-'09 - Tywon Lawson/Bobby Frasor/Larry Drew Jr.
'09-'10 - Tywon Lawson/Larry Drew Jr.
'10-'11 - Larry Drew/Kendall Marshall

Wow, talk about long-term talent...And all locked-in...Very impressive.

I-95 South,
BD

Nike Football: Mann-Up

2007-09-11T13:24:00.000-04:00

A while back, I posted on my Top 20 Nike commercials of all-time, and I had to post on the new Nike Football commercial today...

This post resulted after I caught this post on AdRants, which by the way, is one helluva blog for ad insights and job leads. AdRants bagged on the new Nike commercial, which is directed by famed director, Michael Mann, who creates work that is nothing short than masterful.

The suggestion from AdRants was to turn down the sound, and then evaluate the work.

Well, I turned down the sound, and I'm still moved by Shawne Merriman running into the backfield and creaming the QB. When the ball switches over to Stephen Jackson, watch him run through the Falcons and into Lambeau Field...That blizzard sequence is incredible.

I like the reality commercials better with cool downtempo beats. Again, Nike creates the myth and breathes life into the myth. I give the Michael Mann/Nike team mad credit for building authenticity and maintaining the feel of the game.My two cents is that this commercial is as strong as the MJ/Nike "Frozen Moment" commercial when he worked out on Corey Blount and the Lakers...Still is and always will be a classic for me. Check it out below...Always exhilarating.

My dime ruling on the Nike commercial. Great video...Great shots...Great commercial.

Yet, I still wish the Bears could have received their payback from the print ads with LaDainian Tomilnson running over them...C'mon now, LT only grabbed 25 yards...You know you can't stop the bum rush of the Monsters of the Midway. Don't try to trick the people.

On the 1-2,
BD

Rise of the McCauley St. Mongols

2007-09-10T08:50:00.000-04:00

Here's the first week update from this year's McCauley Street Mongols in my fantasy football league this season...

RB - Larry Johnson RB - I landed the third pick with my first-rounder...I'm not thrilled with this pick. LJ's holdout, the Chiefs offensive line upheaval, and how LJ is already being conserved for second halves makes me very leery of his performances this season. Over the past five years, I have never seen a first round that has as much questionable talent within the top tier rankings. God, Stephen Jackson was so close.
WR - Reggie Wayne - Destroyed the Saints on Thursday night...'Nuff said.
WR - Torry Holt - I'm leery of the knee problems. Yet, he's still 31 and he's the number one option for Bulger. I stretched on him in the second round because of the dome, turf, and the fact that he's stable and they have no one else...Greensboro/Eastern Guilford love. Give it to me...
QB Matt Leinart - Going tonight against the 49ers...In this league, we're allowed two keepers who are drafted after the sixth round.
TE - Jeremy Shockey - Solid performer...The guy brings it every game. I was hoping Vernon Davis would be around with my 7th Round pick, but Shockey brings the stability. Other than injury, I don't have to worry about this position.
K - Matt Stover - Second to last pick...I grabbed him because of their low scoring offense warrants bail-out field goal attempts. Let's see...

Flex Positions
WR/RB - Adrian Peterson RB - After 103 yards rushing and a 60 yard receiving TD, my fourth round pick made me look like Bill Polian. What a pick-up...His shoulder is recovered, and he is harkening back to the days of his freshman and sophomore years at Oklahoma that yielded so much potential.
WR/RB - Ladell Betts - Sat on the side and watched Portis run 17 attempts for 98 yards...When will Portis crack? If so, Betts is my boy...Go Hawkeyes.
WR/TE - Andre Johnson - Great pick-up in the 5th Round...There's something about "U" guys in the NFL who played under Butch Davis and the early days of Larry Coker. You just can't go wrong. He brought me 22 points on the first week. My main man.

Defense: (Based on IVP Rankings)
DL - Lofa Tatupu
DL - Derrick Burgess - Tough game against the Lions. He'll be dumped on Tuesday. I already have my pick-up choice.
DL - London Fletcher - 'Beast'
DL - Karlos Dansby - 'Freak of nature'...Let's see how he handles his switch to ILB. I dumped TE 'sleeper' pick Greg Olsen for him.
DB - Troy Polamalu - The Samoan beast brings a solid mojo. Tough week on tackles. Let's see how he develops after his big-time contract.
DB (Bench) - Sean Jones - I'm looking for a bust-out year. Should be able to pick-up some INTs. Go Dawgs.

By the way, here are my selections after the 6th round. (Remember, I get to keep 2 players at the end of the year):

6th Round - Matt Leinart QB
7th Round - Jeremy Shockey TE - How he fell to me in the 7th, I do not know.
8th Round - Ladell Betts - If Clinton Portis goes down, this could be my pick-up of the year after drafting Erik Bedard in the 9th round of my fantasy baseball draft.
9th Round - Devery Henderson WR - Great end to the year last year...Dismal week against the Cowboys. What to do?
10th Round - Ben Roethlisberger QB - I think 'Big Ben' is going to have a great year not only because the Steelers will throw the ball more, but also because the guy has rebounded from a devastating motorcycle crash and an appendectomy. Great back-up option and could become my starter very quickly. Maybe a keeper?
11th Round - Brian Leonard RB - I learned from watching this guy at Rutgers that he's a major 'sleeper' player. Swiss Army-knife capabilities in terms of receiving and rushing could make him a great player.

"Sleeper" Pick - Matt Jones WR - Gone...I thought that he would be a great pick, but I dropped him after he pulled a complete bagel with yesterday's performance.

My new pick-up is Antawn Raandle-El...I love his upside. He had a tough adjustment time last season, and he is making the money that demands throws. Great pick-up. He could be my Rueben Droughns of '04.

Let's see how I do this season. If you're not in a Fantasy League, follow my squad. I'll post adjustments and week previews throughout the season.

Dealin',
IronDog

Go-Go Wi-Fi

2007-09-05T17:38:00.000-04:00

Are city wi-fi plans on or off these days?...

Over the past couple of years, the advant-garde discussion for econ developers and tech futurists is to develop city-wide wi-fi programs and areas consisting of public networks, clouds, and hotspots. Yet, the plans for cities seem to be crumbling while here in Chapel Hill public wireless access nodes are emerging.

Well, what happened? Smart Mobs has a great collection of articles on the whys and hows of the drop-off rate with municipal wi-fi programs. With Earthlink's mass layoffs, San Francisco alliance with Google has cooled off considerably. Chicago is out with their plan that was planned to revolve around an ad-driven network. The good news is that the plan could be revisited in '09 when more bandwidth becomes available.

To establish a solid wi-fi plan, you not only need the right people pushing the effort, but also you need the right culture to demand free wi-fi services. People living in Chapel Hill and Carrboro have been craving hotspots for quite some time.

For example, Brian Russell has been promoting Chapel Hill wireless hotspots through his site, yesh.com since the beginning of 2006.

Russell has done a much-needed service for people who are local to the area and in search of wireless hot-spots. (Especially, when you consider the numb-headed moves of certain institutions who lock access points to the general public.) Be sure to check out his mash-up of wireless hotspots and accessible locations.

With the amount of new construction and fast hopes pinned upon Chapel Hill development projects in the downtown area, the good news for certain areas of Franklin Street and Chapel Hill is that the knowledge-based workers in the area will have public places to work through the town's Internet pilot project....Especially, when you consider the amount of cities who have backed out of their deals because public officials are viewing public wireless as a business opportunity instead of public service.

With that said, here is the list of hotspots that have been activated by the Town of Chapel Hill on Franklin Street....I hope you enjoy by pre-season scouting report.

If you try the service and have a great luck, by all means, send a note to wifi@townofchapelhill.org.

New Wireless Hot Spot List

U.S. Post Office on East Franklin Street - Great spot! Especially, when you consider the long wait for traffic tickets. The overflow from the court at Hillsborough is absolutely ridiculous, and this is a perfect spot for allowing people to get work done in this line. As an added bonus, the service will hopefully mesh with the hotspot at Four Corners and there will be constant activity for sporting event madness on weekends. Major Thumbs-up!

Inter-Faith Council, 100 West Rosemary Street - Great spot...And badly needed. Now, who will use the spots...? By the way, is there a recycled laptop program going there?

Hargraves Center - Badly needed...And very valuable for the Northside community. Thank you. On my end, I now have a spot to check my mail while I'm shooting buckets. Now, can we change the rims on the playground? The rims are like cement blocks.

Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau - Nice, nice...Let's see where this stretches.

411 West Italian Cafe- I would have liked to have seen the West End Wine Bar get the nod. Yet, my boys were way ahead of the game with their node. And that is why the West End remains the number one place to congregate for any activity.

With that said, 411 is a great move...Still remains one of the top places to be seen in the state of North Carolina. Why...Hit that place up on a Saturday night after gameday.

I was always impressed with the wireless cloud network installed in Athens, Georgia. I'm glad to see that Chapel Hill has stepped up to the plate to promote more activity for creative and knowledge workers in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area.

Reactivated,
IronDog

Under Construction

2007-09-05T10:52:00.000-04:00

My bust on the lack of posts over the past month...

I'm constructing a new blog page, and I'll give you the details when the finishing touches are in place on the site. Until then, I'm not going to leave you hanging. I'll feed you insights on the switch, and I'll guarantee some golden nuggets before the jump-off.

Hard-Hat Area Only,
IronDog

Expanding the Vision

2007-08-13T14:37:00.000-04:00

I'm always up for alternative training methods...Any way that gets you to be a 'raw dog', push it.

However, after reading this article from Nathaniel Vinton of the NYTimes on Steve Nash and how he's working out on the soccer fields in Central Park, I'm saying that Steve Nash is the coolest and one of the more intelligent athletes on the planet right now.

Now that his famed soccer workouts have been documented, I'm placing his off-season workouts up there with Wilt Chamberlain and his famed beach volleyball workouts, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his extensive martial arts and yoga workouts, Bill Walton and his bicycle rides, and "Pearl" Monroe's use of the tennis court throughout the '70s to improve his footwork...Too dope.

The cool thing is that the quote from Nash's boy, Claudio Reyna, shows he recognizes how passing his correlates in soccer and basketball through vision. “When you have vision in soccer, you can connect the pass. It’s the same idea. You can see that from playing basketball, and also from growing up playing soccer, he understands the game.”

With that said, check out the article. I'm placing Nash as one of my all-time favorite athletes. He's a beast.

P.S. I'm with the Conservancy on their booting...Fellas, you'll tear the turf up. That's a primo eye candy spot as well. What's the problem with not using the cleats?...Go to the indoor shoes that Nash uses, meatheads.

Visionaries,
IronDog

Go Slide Go..

2007-08-13T14:31:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of Slide...

So, when I saw this BusinessWeek article from Jessi Hempel about how Slide, a site that lets users post snapshots of friends, say, or vacations in slide-show format, is developing strategies for generating revenue, I'm up for it.

Slide has fast become the most trafficked widget maker on the web. I'm a big user and proponent of what they do. Plenty of people who are connected through social networks are utilizing the widget. Yet, the question that I have is how the hell are they going to generate cash?

Do you use subscription service? Do you create pay-for-service models through a Flickr model? I don't know about this one...

Slidin',
IronDog

Bud is Back

2007-08-08T17:04:00.000-04:00

Solid move by ESPN to bring back Bud Collins...

I was brokenhearted at the news that NBC was letting the longtime tennis analyst go. How would Sunday at Roland Garros and 'Breakfast at Wimbledon' be the same?!

What's even more solid news for tennis fans is that Bud will be paired with Dick Enberg again.

Collins worked with Enberg for 20 years at NBC, including the "Breakfast at Wimbledon" broadcasts starting in 1979. Enberg has been calling matches on ESPN's Grand Slam coverage since 2004.

From this Boston Globe report by Susan Bickelhaup, Collins will also be paired with Cliff Drysdale. I'm up for it...Bring back the insider, descriptions, pants, and that shiny dome.

From the Queen's Box,
IronDog

No More Select

2007-08-08T16:55:00.000-04:00

Thank you NYTimes...

Thanks for freeing up the op-ed pieces and the archived articles of your great writers.

Although the announcement has not been issued, Holly Sanders of the NYPost has reported that the Times will be removing the restrictions established from their TimesSelect service.

On the media sales front, yes, you may not the same segments of highly targetable users. Yet, this move should be solid for more targeted page views and larger ad inventory. On the subscription front, I thought this statistic was interesting.

"The number of Web-only subscribers who pay $7.95 a month or $49.95 a year fell to just over 221,000 in June, down from more than 224,000 in April."

That stat may prove that there are still solid sources of online journalism available, and the decreases in readership from offering subscriptions may not be worth it in the long run.

The next question is when the WSJ will open up?

On my end, you'll see more links to the Times again.

Feed that Head,
IronDog

WUNC "Respect Yourself"

2007-08-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

How did I miss this one...?!

Yes, how did I miss the PBS documentary, "Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story"?

I should be banned from a DVR for two weeks on this one. I pulled an airball with my selector, and I missed the show. I'm praying that WUNC will pull me a huge favor and air the show in the near future.

In the meantime, check out this Ginia Belafonte's review from the NYTimes. She's right on with not only how important the Stax sound was to music, but also how tumultuous the times were for R&B and Soul musicians performing and publishing their music in the '60s.

If you really are looking for a way to amp yourself up for this weekend, catch this snippet of Booker T. & The MGs performing "Time is Tight."

Steve Cropper strumming on electric guitar, Booker T. Jones banging on the organ, Donald 'Duck' Dunn thumping on bass, and Al Jackson keeping the tone. God damn this is hot! So, damn hot that Al Jackson even has to cool himself down.

Keep your game tight! WUNC play this one again!

Memphis '65,
IronDog

Farewell to General Walsh

2007-08-03T15:02:00.000-04:00

Innovative leaders come in very small doses these days...

Which is why I became intrigued with the innovations and life of Bill Walsh, who passed this past week at the age of 75 from leukemia.

Growing up a Chicago Bears fan, I have to admit that I had a major bias against his legacy until after his retirement in 1989 when I discovered how much of an impact he had made upon the game of football. After reading Michael Lewis's 'Blind Side' this past winter, my memories were rekindled about how intricate Walsh's innovations were upon the offensive game of football and the development of the passing game.

SFGate has provided an excellent chronicle of his life over the past few days. Check out the articles here. This one from Scott Ostler from the San Francisco Chronicle is a great one describing Walsh's quirky ways.

I'm more impressed at his work with Stanford University. As a sports fan, I've always been amazed at his move to become Stanford's head football coach in '92 in order to work with the student athlete and how he regarded education and the development of the game. (Here's another great SFGate article on his Stanford days.)

In terms of memorials, I'm glad to see that a movement is occurring to remember Coach Walsh and his work through a public place. Although there is a buzz to name a portion of El Camino Real as Bill Walsh Way in Palo Alto, the best legacy may be for naming a campus practice facility, or better yet...Bill Walsh Field at the newly renovated Stanford Stadium.

Al Davis has another great idea from his state of the address yesterday. Name the award for the best college quarterback each and every year for him as well.

Since Ken Anderson is my original idol from the Cincinnati Bengals, I was familiar with Walsh's work when he left Paul Brown for the Chargers. Oh what could have been in Cincinnati...Check out Dr. Z's (Paul Zimmerman) take from SI. As usual, the good 'Doctor' provided some solid insights and memories, and I love these two quotes that he unveiled.

"My offense is the Cincinnati Offense," he said. "I wouldn't even mind if they called it the Walsh Offense. But the West Coast offense is that Sid Gillman, Don Coryell, Ernie Zampese thing. Why do they keep making that mistake?"

"Genius ... wouldn't you say that's term usually associated with some figment of crackpot?"

Walsh always seemed to be comfortable as someone in the background while his players were pushed into the spotlight. I've always respected that about him.

In terms of style, I enjoyed this description from former Walsh aide, Fred VonAppen, in Tom Fitzgerald's SFGate article listed in the link above.

"He's a complex man, somewhat of an enigma. I gave up trying to understand him a long time ago. In a way he has the kind of personality that creates a love-hate relationship. He's not always the distinguished, patriarchal guy television viewers are used to seeing on the sidelines. He's a very competitive guy, and he can be scathing, especially in the heat of battle. There have been times when I would have gladly split his skull with an ax. Then again, he's the greatest."

I enjoyed that description...

Like Al McGuire's death, I wish that we could have received more memories and thoughts from a great leader at the end of his life. Although he wrote an autobiography with Glenn Dickey called "Building of a Champion", I felt that he could have provided more insights upon the sport of football is evolving around education, university life, and front office management with his work at Stanford and his latter days with the 49ers.

To a class individual who led his life in the pursuit of education and innovation. Thank you for instilling new methods for bringing individuals together to perform as a collective.

Fare Thee Well,
IronDog

Back on the Air

2007-07-31T17:26:00.000-04:00

If you were listening in on Sunday night, you heard right...

Yes, I returned to WXYC's SportsRap, and I'll be back for the next couple of months on Sunday nights.

Feel free to tune-in at WXYC.org or via the 'Eclectic' section on iTunes. 'Sports Rap' is back.

This year we'll try to get as many interviews and in-station appearances as possible for your Chapel Hill and North Carolina fix.

Special kudos to my brother, Ryan Dougherty, for a bang-up show...If you didn't tune in, you missed it. We unveiled some historical Chapel Hill nuggets.

Stay tuned.

Happy Listening,
IronDog

KG to the Celts

2007-07-31T17:03:00.000-04:00

Kudos to Danny Ainge...Cut that...Major kudos...

I have to give the guy credit. Every critic in the world including me was wondering where the hell the Celtics were heading before the draft. Well, the Celts are now strong contenders for the NBA Eastern Conference title after landing Kevin Garnett today.

What a great trade for the Celts...Not only have they landed arguably one of the greatest power forwards of all-time with plenty of treadwear left on the tires, but also they have landed an inside presence that will combine with sharpshooting seasoned veterans, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, without giving up a lot in return.

Yes, people are enthralled with Al Jefferson, but was he going to take a team to a title? Especially with Sebastian Telfair? They also have rearranged their role players with Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes gone, and freed up room for much needed veteran help who may want to play for an immediate winner.

What is needed now...A point guard and an enforcer for inside protection.

Tip: Yes, they're in trouble with their luxury tax, but hit free agency hard and work the deals. Get Brevin Knight to support Rajon Rondo at the point and pick-up Austin Croshere and Dale Davis on the cheap. Mix them in with Glen Davis and Leon Powe for veteran experience. Not a bad mix...

Great moves. They're a couple of steps away.

Bring back the black shoes...They deserve them.

ChessMakin',
IronDog

The Saucony Comeback

2007-07-27T10:50:00.000-04:00

I've been wondering about whatever happened to these guys...

Saucony used to be an off-shoot brand of Spot-Bilt back in the day. In terms of running shoe quality, they dropped off the scene. Yet, from the words in this Brandweek article from Eric Newman, the brand is making a comeback.

They're re-positioning their brand. According to their company president, Richie Woodsworth, Saucony is working upon bringing back their focus. “Saucony was inconsistent in its story and approach to marketing, with multiple identities, brand images and logos that ran across our product categories and didn’t make a whole lot of sense to the consumers,”

In the '80s, Saucony made a comfortable shoe. I'm glad to see that they're making a comeback.

What will be interesting to see are the in-store experiences that Saucony is planning for running specialty shops. From the Brandweek article, the compnay is planning on a stadium-inspired display program that features aluminum bleachers, branded shelving units, tower displays, fitting stools and welcome mats. The brand seems to be stepping toward similar in-store programs at larger retailers, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority.

Let's see how the product fares...

Now, if Etonic can get back on track...Hmmm?

Runnin',
IronDog

H-O-R-S-E

2007-07-26T13:39:00.000-04:00

I have been in a few H-O-R-S-E games in my time...

I've schooled, been schooled, and shot through it all. With that said, "Pistol" Pete Maravich is the greatest horse player that has ever taken the court. Check out this vid...It's a classic.

What makes this one even better is that there are some serious players competing against him. Bob McAdoo, Kevin Grevey, George "Iceman" Gervin are major heavyweights for that year.

Grevey was a helluva shooter, McAdoo was the MVP the year before and arguably one of the greatest frontcourt shooters of all time, Gervin...Fingeroll...'Nuff said. What makes it more wild is watching Gervin's face when he has to complete the "Pistol's" shot underneath the basket.

Hearing the voices of Don Criqui and Brent Musberger tops it all off...Damn, those Adidas suedes on Big Mac look tight.

Off-The-Glass,
IronDog

Uni Watch - Liebe Athletic Lettering

2007-07-23T14:02:00.000-04:00

I'm a fan of Paul Lukas's Uni Watch on ESPN2...

Check out this great piece that has Lukas traveling to Chesterfield, Missouri to visit Liebe Athletic Lettering.

Lettering and logos are the most underrated facet of any uniform. My interest was piqued last night after watching "The Natural" last night on IFC. The patchwork on the letter jackets and the flannel "Knights" jerseys are incredible.

If you're a uni fan, be sure to check out Lukas's articles. He digs in...

Patchwork,
IronDog

Back Off - UNC Recruiting

2007-07-23T12:31:00.000-04:00

Now that's a landing...

The Heels landed 6'9" power forward, Ed Davis. last week. He's the son of former Dallas Maverick and Washington Wizard power forward, Terry Davis.

With this signing, Coach Williams continues to mark his undoubtable legacy...The guy can recruit. He's a master.

With that said, I was stunned earlier this summer when I saw the amount of people taking shots and putting pressure on Coach Williams to land recruits this year. The boo-birds were coming out after Delvon Roe landed at Michigan State and shooting guard, Jrue Holiday to UCLA. My call...What 'evs...I really wonder about their basketball I.Q.

My question is...How can anyone question Coach Williams on his recruiting?

Look at his tough pulls:

1.) Marvin Williams - We weren't even in the picture for the big fella and arguably the top player in the class. We landed him in a couple of weeks time.
2.) Marcus Ginyard - Had a ton of hype going into his Junior year. Landed him immediately with his hire. Snatched from Duke.
3.) Tyler Hansbrough - Masterful job at a time when every high-school senior with any value was going pro. Defeated an all-out assault from KU and Mizzou.
4.) Frasor, Green - Two solid pieces and McDonald's AAs.
5.) Ellington, Lawson, Thompson, Stepheson - Top-level elite program lands.
6.) Greaves - Great local add...Especially when you consider how people were building the hype on him during his sophomore year. I know William pretty well. In his sophomore year, the kid was set on going to Duke. That was a nice swipe.
7.) Brandan Wright - How we snatched that kid from the Krzyzewski's jaws was amazing. Masterful performance...'Nuff said.
8.) Ed Davis Jr. - Yo Rob! Where you at? I think this kid is an incredible land. A couple of people had said that this kid was guaranteed to land at UVA because the UVA staff was all over him. 'Nuff said.
9.) Class of '09 & '10 - Point blank...Arguably the greatest back-to-back recruiting job ever in college basketball. Analyze this point if you will in 2011.

Feel free to add in your thoughts, I'm sure that I have missed more positives.

A lot of UNC followers believe that signing only Drew Jr. would have made for a good strategy as well. Let's go back to our classes of '91 and '92.

'91 - Donald Williams
'92 - Dante Calabria, Ed Geth, Larry Davis, Serge Zwikker
'93 Result: National Champs

In '92, a lot of so-called expert UNC followers were stating that Coach Smith was losing his touch with that class of minor pieces.

These statements were after the Class of '90 when he landed the "Original Fab 5." My thoughts are that Calabria and Drew Jr. were similar lands in the fact they are Top 50 guys who can provide solid contributions throughout their career. People also have to realize that elite-level kids are not apt for sitting behind someone for a year or two.

Similar strategy:

'07 - None
'08 - Larry Drew Jr....(Well, now add Ed Davis Jr.)
'09 Result: We'll see...

Personally, I stay away from that board, but I'm tempted to spit fire on those clowns. I'm sure that there has to be a lot of defenders of Coach Williams's recruiting on that thing. For the detractors, do they realize how loaded this team really is and how the landscape of top ten talent are behaving these days?

Even if UNC landed only Drew Jr., as a UNC fan, I would have been elated. I think Coach Williams's strategy of holding on recruits was excellent. I gave him an 'A' for holding last year.

Disregarding Davis Jr., if you're a elite-level recruit, where are you going to get tick behind a line-up filled with tons of in-game experience that consists of a potential line-up of juniors, Tywon Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Alex Stepheson, and Deon Thompson and seniors Danny Green, Marcus Ginyard, and Bobby Frasor, and quite possibly...1st Team AA, Tyler Hansbrough?

Does anyone realize how hard that sell is?

IC boards...What 'evs. Consider the sources.

I also have to trust that Coach Williams was pondering where the talent level of '09 was going to land. Personally, I think the next class is going to have a lot of impact when he has to replace the '09 class and a possible early NBA entry. I was anticipating this season to be filling in pieces and next season to have major big-gamers coming in.

With Davis Jr., he doesn't have to put all of his chips on that class.

Great, great moves, and here's another point...All are great, solid, and personable kids...Do those clowns realize how tough that is?

I can't doubt the guy. In terms of recruiting, Coach Williams is a beast.

Joe Holliday,
IronDog

Back In the Mix

2007-06-28T13:41:00.000-04:00

Alright, I spent two days and nights of heavy listening, and I'm ready to make my call...

The new Beastie Boys brings that spirit in a '64 funky style..Very classy.

I've always felt that the Beastie Boys instrumental tunes were highly underrated, and I've often wondered when a instrumental album was going to emerge. The collection of instrumentals and B-Sides from "Check Your Head" and "Ill Communication" displayed on "In Sounds from Way Out" were nothing less than stellar, and it was time. Their musical influences, tastes, and integrity operate at a Wes Unseld level...With this album, they made a Hall-of-Fame Outlet.

"Money" Mark Nishita is back on the keys. From the start of the album, he showed that he's back in the mix with "B for My Name." "14 St. Break" brings the beat. The "Gala Event" is great for zoning out and nodding that head. "The Electric Worm" spaces it at the 2:52 mark. Get ready to do pull-ups on "Off the Grid." Watch out for the organ chirp on "The Melee." Don't sleep on the sitar guitar on "Dramastically Different", and be thankful for the closing bells on "The Kangaroo Rat."

They've intertwined styles throughout the album, and you'll notice beats stemming from 'Deep Cover', Incredible Bongo Band, 80's hip-hop, and...Aw Hell, whatever you want them to be...All are great calls.

They're rocking suits and shirts in colors that would could appear on an Impulse cover from the early '60s...Very classy. Since the Dead has faded, I can't think of another band other than U2, who is carrying the torch for integrity and newfound ground in listening experiences. Seriously, name five bands, who have consistently broken new ground throughout a twenty year career that in today's music world. Tough...isn't it?

My only hope is that they're still working on their jumpers...I have to catch these guys on tour.

Bring back the green tea, parano cheese, and protein shakes. That Jim Rockford feeling is back...Baccdafuccup.

Back In the Mix,
IronDog

Back in the Grill

2007-06-12T23:26:00.000-04:00

Back in the grill again...To the grill again...

Yeah I'm back on the point with the verbals again. Here are some thoughts that have come across my inbox.

First off, special kudos to the cat at Yardbarker, who posted the 1998 McDonald's Slam Dunk Competition. Damn...Who says Ronald Curry couldn't ball? Yeah, Curry was overrated in High School...Yeah, right.

A football red-shirt year, a break here and a break there...Wow.

** Ray Young on that vid...Whatever happened to him at Kansas? He was nice...Dyed his hair blonde, and he kind of faded off the radar after a tryout with the Warriors. I need to get a full story on him.

** Meanwhile in the Hill...Sean May back in summer school fufilling his requirements...Good dude.

** Someone touched on whether or not athletes should be considered role models on my heelhoops list serv.

Here's my two cents.

I'll agree that athletes shouldn't be used as examples to raise your kids. Yet, how can we fully embrace that statement without using them as examples in youth sports. When athletes want to downplay their importance, I think they're shirking their responsibility. Especially, when the NBA, NFL, and MLB continues to push their presence for cereals, sporting goods, shoes, TV packages, barbecue fluids, etc.

We can cut the responsibility for athletes down to the bare bones that they should not be 'role models.' Yet, whatever way they want to cut it, a lot of kids look up to them.

With that thought in mind, professional athletes should be able to embrace that responsibility the same way that they preach to kids when they run their own camps, clinics, and events for the communities who pay for their performances...Just my two cents.

** Tough watching Rasheed Wallace going down last week with the Pistons. And when I see Drew Gooden working against Tim Duncan tonight, I feel cheated that I couldn't see a Championship match-up between two major rivals with Wallace and Duncan.

As for Rasheed...I still think he's one of the top 4 power forwards in the NBA. Yet, his on-the-court head is bordering on Rodman/Isaiah Rider proportions. The guy is over 32 now. He needs to drop the gripes, move on, and embrace the leader role.

If I were Philly right now, I would move for him. They could get him for cheap, and he would be back in his hometown. Not a bad move for Charlotte as well.

I still say that he's one of the best guys off-the-court that I've ever encountered in Chapel Hill. A complete classic...Would ball anywhere at any time, and a he was a helluva NBA Jams player at the old Barrell o' Fun.

** Another high impression for the baseball Heels...Josh Horton and Andrew Carnigan for the A's. You know what I think of Billy Beane. His chief scout, Chris Pittaro, is a Carolina guy.

Good to see that one of the top baseball management teams think so well of the players that are developing in Chapel Hill.

Beat Mississippi State,
IronDog

Great Night

2007-06-11T00:12:00.000-04:00

What a night...

So long to Chapel Hill's old Boshamer Stadium. The Heels are headed to the College World Series.

The Sopranos ends on the perfect note.

Life continues with endless possibilities.

Enjoy,
IronDog

Boshamer Update

2007-06-10T17:12:00.000-04:00

Want a ticket for tonight's UNC vs. USC game in Chapel Hill?...

Be expected to shell around $100-150.

As of end of Game 2, which was finished off this afternoon after last night's rain-postponement, tickets were being sold from Rams' Club members to the street leeches for $10-$20/ticket, and then being turned to waiting fans for $100.

I never knew big-money hitters leaving Boshamer Stadium could be so fooled...Geezus

Regardless, I'm going. I have people in high places keeping me high...

Go Heels,
IronDog

Best of Beaverton

2007-05-14T12:48:00.000-04:00

Good topic from online video archives....

I caught this post off of Yardbarker today. Parlayer compiled their list of the Top 20 Nike commercials of all-time. Great list!

I have to agree with most of the 20. My personal faves on the list include:

#17 - MJ's "Failure" Commercial - Should be watched over again and again.
#15 - Michael Vick's Amusement Park Ride - Creative and fun. Straight dope.
#14 - A Day in the Life of Carmelo Anthony - Kind of cracks me up more when I view it up close. They make 'Melo look like an ad exec. Classic.
#12 - MJ's "Moment" - Great color, the diva's voice is incredible. The fact that the viewer is supposed to believe that Corie Blount provides an obstacle to MJ's drive is what holds me back from placing this one in the Top 5.
#11 - "Instant Karma" - Great look on the Huraches
#10 - Agassi/Sampras City Game - Did anyone ever realize that the commercial was set in SF not in NYC. The Muni bus gives it away.
#8 - Lance's European Ride - Could have been rated higher. Incredible.

My personal faves that could have been included:

1. Revolution - C'mon, the intro of the Air Trainer. McEnroe switched from Tacchini to Nike and the national intro of the Nike's stable of athletes in the mid '80s. Plus, the Beatles went bonzo on it.
2. Bo Knows Diddley - Classic commercial that includes Gretzky, McEnroe, MJ, and the legendary Bo Diddley. This one needs more respect.
3. Nike Freestyle - Hell, the commercial had a huge impact on youth basketball. I'm not saying And1 didn't create a lot of the influence in kids working on playground moves. Yet, if you looked to the side of a court watching kids warm up, they were working on every move from that commercial. Plus, how can you not love a video that has Arnold Bernard working out in it.
4. Roswell Rayguns - Nuff Said.

Thanks to Parlayer for compiling this list...

"We All Shine On",
IronDog

Wrong Turn

2007-05-08T16:26:00.000-04:00

I figured that I had to respond to my Saturday post...

Yeah, the one when I predicted that Oscar De La Hoya would beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a decision.

Perhaps, I put too much faith in Teddy Atlas. Perhaps, I went with my heart. However, I should know by now to never sway from your original predictions on gameday or fight night.

I'm with most boxing analysts on this fight. Mayweather won the fight. I had the rounds scored 7-5.

Why?...I didn't see a lot of aggressive moves by Mayweather. He sat back and dodged the whole fight. Incredible defensive performance, but is defense setting the tempo or pushing the action?

In my opinion, De La Hoya gave Mayweather way too much respect in the early rounds. I think he over-estimated Mayweather's strength, and he was fighting to not get knocked out or jabbed to death. Perhaps, that respect forced him to stay away from Mayweather Jr because throughout the early portion of the fight, I was wondering where the pressure was in rounds 1-3.

Mayweather Jr. is a phenomeonal defensive fighter. His Saturday night performance was a masterful defensive performance.

Now, where do I rank Mayweather among the greats over the past fifteen years. Comparing him to a Roy Jones Jr. as an entertainer...I'll say that he's an equal. Yet, Jones Jr. had some incredible knock-out performances.

Comparing him to fighters in his weight class, I do believe that Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker was a better defensive fighter than Mayweather, and he was a stronger tactical fighter. However, I believe that Mayweather may pack a little more sting than "Sweet Pea" with his left hook. I'll take "Sweet Pea" in a split decision.

My only hope is for a rematch...And, I do think that you would see De La Hoya far more aggressive with his tempo and jab. Now, how the hell did I sway my call on a fight night?

Grand Rapids,
IronDog

Fight Night - Floyd Maywether Jr. vs. Oscar De La Hoya

2007-05-05T19:28:00.000-04:00

Where are you going to be tonight...huh?

You better be watching this fight. This one is special. And special enough, that I'm dropping the cover charge at Champs at Southpoint tonight.

Yeah, I'll be there early before all of the chuckleheads start lining up before the main event. You'll catch me with a few mags at a seat. I'm thinking that I can at least knock out this week's SI cover story that asks the question of "Is Boxing Dead?."

So, is boxing dead?...I don't think so.

This fight will probably generate $100M worth of PayPer View receipts, and I think that you'll see the skills craft, focus, dedication, and inner strength, that are needed to become an elite championship boxer. Along with Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker and Roy Jones, these are two of the best skilled fighters in the past twenty years. You better not miss this one.

So, who's my pick for tonight?

Up until the end of the week, I thought that Merriweather Jr.'s speed and youth would win over all. I also tended to agree with the points set forth by Dan Rafael of ESPN as well. He's right on a lot of things. Yet...

I'm going with the veteran experience of De La Hoya tonight. Why?

De La Hoya is a 'Big-Fight' fighter - Whitaker, Quartey, Vargas, Trinidad, Moseley, Hopkins, Mayorga...Those are huge fights. By the way, look at those names that De La Hoya has fought over the past decade. Who says boxing has been dead since the rise of Tyson? What 'evs!
Freddie Roach - De La Hoya's new trainer, Freddie Roach learned was mentored by the late great Eddie Futch. He's not a joke. I think that Roach is gave him a fresh outlook for De La Hoya, which is great for motivating a fighter at the middle-end portion of his career. I think Roach is going to provide fresh insights for De La Hoya in terms of setting up strategy.
Corner Help? - Then again, if you're De La Hoya, is that corner going to mean that much at this point in his career other than for point checks and motivation? De La Hoya is perhaps the most skilled fighter in boxing. He's a master of his craft. I'm expecting De La Hoya to execute a very well strategy to create problems for Mayweather.
Bulk - As much as I love speed, I think De La Hoya's strength could be a factor after six rounds.
Experience Again - Ask yourself this question. Other than Carlos Baldomir and Jose Castillo, has Mayweather Jr. been in this strong of a fight. And no...I will never count Zab Judah as a great fighter. Early in his career, I thought De La Hoya was a little too sweet. After the Vargas fight, he became a beast. He has heart that has been tested. This is the final reason why I swayed toward De La Hoya.

He knows what he needs to do in order to get the job done....

De La Hoya on points in a split decision.

East L.A.,
IronDog

Live @ WXYC with Raymond Felton

2007-05-04T19:26:00.000-04:00

Look who heated up the phone lines yesterday...

I jumped back into the booth of WXYC to interview, "The Pride" of Latta, South Carolina, former UNC point guard of the 2005 UNC National Championship team, and current Charlotte Bobcat, Raymond Felton yesterday.

(I had to go with a snapshot from his sophomore year...I always liked this shot)

Call the interview a "Special Edition" of SportsRap. Check out the interview here.

Special kudos goes out to Neil, the 6-9AM DJ, on Thursday. He put together a very impressive hip-hop set that precluded the interview...The freshman phenom kept it "local" with cuts by Little Brother, Edgar Allen Floe, and the classic 'Criminal Minded' of Boogie Down Productions. That youngin' knew is stuff...

I asked Felton if he would guarantee a playoff appearance for next year. (I thought his playoff prediction was pretty bold...Personally, I give much respect.) His answer...Same guarantee rests for Felton next season, he's guaranteeing a playoff appearance. Bold call from the young gunna'!

I'll be bouncing on and off the air this summer. Be sure to check back here for updates. By all means, check back in to SportsRap on Sundays between 9-10PM.

Special thanks to Raymond for joining us on the show. Hopefully, his workouts with Steve Nash this summer will bring his court presence to a new level. Now, if we can get Raymond to rock a WXYC 'T' with the number 2 emblazoned on the back. That would be Chapel Hill love.

P.S. Felton swears he's not wolfing Chick-Fill-A Chicken sandwiches on gamedays anymore. What a shame...His pre-game meals placed him as a Honorable Mention Selection on the "All-Lenoir" team.

I-95 South,
IronDog

Live @ WXYC with Raymond Felton 5/3/07

2007-05-03T06:29:00.000-04:00

Look who's back on the WXYC airwaves this morning...

Yes, I'm back for a special edition of WXYC "SportsRap."

At 7:50AM, I'll be interviewing former UNC floor general and legendary point guard of UNC's 2005 National Championship team, Raymond Felton.

Be sure to tune in via iTunes, wxyc.org, or through FM 89.3. We'll be talking NBA, Charlotte Bobcat basketball, UNC hoops, and what's upcoming for the famed "pick-up" runs this summer in the Hill.

Sit down and pour yourself an extra glass of orange juice, add a little more soy to that chai, and be sure to tune-in.

#2,
IronDog

Which Way to Go for the Raider Nation?

2007-04-25T17:22:00.000-04:00

When did you think that the Raiders would ever hold the number one pick...?

I'm just as stunned as anyone about last year's performance.

However, I'm not giving up on "Brother" Al Davis quite yet...(Personally, I think he should go down as one of the top-ten executives in sports history. Look at his overall career and successes.) Despite every other Raider fan's and critic's contentions to install an overhaul process for the organization, I'm still sticking to my faith. Remember, it was only four years ago, that this team was in the Super Bowl.

With that said, my request is that the Raiders don't choose a quarterback with this year's pick. You may ask...Why?

Here we go:

JaMarcus Russell - Yes, he bombed Notre Dame in LSU's Sugar Bowl victory, but hell, your sister could have put in a half-decent effort against ND and you would have eeked out a 'W.'

He has only 11 collegiate starts. Off the mark, that's not a lot of experience to support a number one choice.

I'm tending to agree with veteran experience. As Tim Brown states to Sam Farmer in today's LATimes, Russell is not only filled with hype because of his Sugar Bowl performance, but also Russell may not fit new Raider coach, Lane Kiffin's, West Coast system.

"Yeah, I think [Russell] is a big guy, and he may be able to scramble once in a while, but that's not his forte. He's not a rhythm passer. He's a guy who likes to go back, pat the ball a couple of times and then get rid of the ball. In the NFL, and especially in the West Coast offense, you have to be a rhythm passer. You have to go back, and on your fifth step that ball has to be coming out."

I'll agree with Brown...I'm out on Russell. I'm sorry, but I have too many visions of Akili Smith dancing in my head.

Brady Quinn - My hope for the Raiders is to let him slip to the Browns at #3.

You may ask, why? Well, when you consider that the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart last season and Leinart's grade surpassed Quinn, why should you drop a number one pick on someone who is still not the caliber to step-in right away with your offensive system and who may have been masked by Charlie Weis's system.

That call hurts, but it's just my call...

The Raiders have always banked on quarterbacks, who have underperformed in other systems and have been castaways.

The Good: Plunkett, Gannon, Lamonica,
The Bad: Pastorini, Collins, Evans

What makes you think that a move would be any different this season?

They have already signed Josh Booty, who spurned LSU for baseball. (By the way, I like that gamble for a third-string QB. Kiffin already knows Booty's brother well. I'm sure that they'll work well together.) That's a sign to me that they're looking for an experienced QB in either a trade or a free-agent signing.

Hello...Tim Rattay, Josh McNown. Hey, that's not so bad when you consider how bad Aaron Brooks was. Wait another year to fill the QB slot. There are other more drastic holes to fill, which leads us to...

Calvin Johnson - I was hyped on Calvin Johnson until today when I heard John Clayton of ESPN mention that there have only been two wide receivers, (Al Toon of the New York Jets and Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions), who have been over 6'5", to have made the Pro Bowl.

That's a interesting stat. Plus, a wide receiver only touches the ball at best...8-12 times a game? The Raiders already have Randy Moss. They could also use Jerry Porter again in a pinch...I know he's a major head case, but they have a more deeper problem on the line side, which is why I state.

Trade down or pass on Russell, Quinn, and Johnson to...

Joe Thomas - Yes, go with the Left Tackle from Wisconsin. He's a sure-fire bet. The Raiders were woeful on the offensive line. Woeful! Why not shore the Left Tackle position up for the next five years with Thomas.

Already, scouts have claimed that in terms of an all-around performer, he is close to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who is a beast of mammoth proportions. Thomas came back from a serious knee injury, and he performed solidly this year to earn an Outland Trophy. He has great foot speed, athleticism, and he's not a meathead. He has learned under ex-NFL offensive line coach, Bob Palcic, who coached in the NFL for 12 years.

With Robert Gallery supposedly working on his footwork back with his coaches at Iowa, the Raiders could switch Gallery to the right side, and have great bookends to a formidable offensive line. Any QB would have plenty of time and confidence to open up a 'rhythm game' for Lane Kiffin's offensive system. Also, any running back could go use the right side with Gallery pulling the right side clear.

I'm on record...Go with the O-Line.

Although everyone is chalking up Gallery as a bust. I'm holding faith in Gallery. He's had three coaching staffs in three seasons. Also, they have a solid center developing with Jake Grove. With Thomas, Gallery, and Grove, the Raiders could have a great offensive line developing.

Unless, a number of picks can be picked up with exchanging the number one pick. Go with the sure-fire pick. Forget the glam. Pick Joe Thomas, Left Tackle, Wisconsin. Then, get yourself a QB through the free-agent market or a trade. In the NFL, you can pick-up a starter at a cheaper value next season.

Too bad Matt Leinart isn't out this year...The Raiders had the chance, and blew it. Don't try to make up for it now! Solidify the line with the first pick and go running back in the second.

Raider Nation,
BD

Great Article - John Wooden

2007-03-25T10:34:00.000-04:00

Finally catching up on the pile of reading...

And just finished off the John Wooden article written by Alexander Wolff in the 3/19/07 issue. (The one with the photo collage.)

Great article...Check it out.

I was intrigued by these points on Wooden's first title run.

- I didn't realize that Wooden didn't win his first title until the age of 53.
- Wooden took a psychology class during his first title year.
- Wooden asked other coaches to scout his team and share critiques.
- He re-molded his staff, and he surrounded himself with 'non-yes' men.
- Stated later that he had blundered early in his career by associating too much with 'yes' men. Confided that "Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you."
- He believed that his new press would create such chaos that 'disharmony and disunity' would infiltrate the opposing team.
- Wooden courted conflict because he believed a worthwhile lesson might emerge from the clash.
- How I will never not list Goodrich/Hazzard as one of the best college backcourts of all-time.
- How speed beats size...(Even better that they ran Duke's Hack Tison and Jay Buckley out of the gym.)

Wooden said that all points came from a sign that he hung in his office that said. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

I have all the respect in the world for Wooden, and I still need to read more about this guy. Does anyone have their suggestion for the best 'real' Wooden read? I would like to get a non-propaganda book...;)

Wizard of Westwood,
IronDog

Gameday: UNC vs. Georgetown

2007-03-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Gameday, baby!...UNC vs. Georgetown. Let's roll...

Here are my thoughts:

** Press Conference - Kudos to News14 yesterday afternoon.

They televised the UNC press conference in entirety, which was very cool. The press devoured the subject of the UNC/Georgetown 25th anniversary. Every daily newspaper should have some article on that game today. They asked enough questions about it...Hell, do a Nexus-Lexis search, and you'll find the same stuff ten and twenty-five years ago...Christ.

Roy gave some solid stories, and to his credit, he stated his wish to focus on today's game. After all, all of the kids involved in today's game weren't even born. When you think back to '82, it's similar to asking questions to a young James Worthy, Jimmy Black, and a MJ about what their thoughts are on the '57 team....I agree...Huh?

** "Why not us?" - Damn, while watching the press conference, I counted Tywon Lawson, Marcus Ginyard, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, and Brandan Wright. Then, I thought to myself. 'We have four top five overall recruits in our main line-up."

To put more perspective on that one, we have the best point guard over the past two years running the show. We have the top two big men of the last two classes, one of which is a first-team All-American, and the top two guard and #3 player in the country last year.

When you think about it...Gawd damn, they're loaded! Why not the Heels today?

** More Packer - I forgot to post this Bill Simmons article on Billy Packer.

Good points, but I disagree.

Yes, I was upset at his stubbornness and arrogance at the UNC/Gerald Henderson call. And, the guy can hard-wall on a subject. Yet, that's what makes him good.

He knows the nuances of the game. He played and coached the game in the foundation years of college basketball when basketball was an emerging and tough-@$$ sport. Bottom line: He knows and respects the game.

With that said, I still believe that he is the best color commentator not only in college basketball...maybe in sports.

The guy is not 'yes' guy or a 'hooray' guy. If you want that type of feeling with watching your sports, switch over to FoxSports. (Has anyone realized how bad coverage has become with the World Series?)

My thoughts are when the guy is gone, you'll be unimpressed with how little depth calls, games, and viewpoints are investigated.

Just my call...

** Great call - One of my boys brought up the mention of the out-of-bounds play called by Roy Williams at the end of the first half of the UNC/USC game. Did anyone watching the UNC/USC game watch the out-of-bounds lob thrown by Marcus Ginyard at the end of the first half. The lob play out of the time out VS the 2-3 zone was astounding.

Great call.

** UNC/Georgetown Prediction - After the USC game, I actually like our chances a lot more than when the tournament started. I think the last two games have showed a major shift in maturity for the young Heels, and I'm surprised at how they're working after falling behind in games.

Vanderbilt coaches, Kevin Stallings and King Rice, had to be in touch with Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heel staff this weekend. Undoubtedly, their strategies and lessons could be an advantage.

I believe that the speed could break down Georgetown's size. However, I love the cerebral Georgetown's cerebral play.

Let's do this. My call: UNC 65 Georgetown 59

ATL, ATL, C'mon now...Get Dirty,
IronDog

Impressive 'W'...One More for the ATL

2007-03-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

Great 'W' for the Heels against USC in the Sweet 16 last night...

On my end, that ending took me a long time to wind down. Hell, I ended up dancing at Taloulla's on West Franklin until close. What'evs, we're on for Sunday. Here are my thoughts:

* Impressive and solid 'W' - What a comeback! The Carolina 'D' was on in the end. North Carolina's depth is just a killer for teams that neither have the energy nor the depth at the end of games. For the Heels, the 'W' from this type of game that would have been dropped earlier in the year. UNC was dead in the water.

The game was tense, close, and the Heels came back. Very impressive.

* Nice Switch - Great switch by Coach Williams when he took Brandan Wright off Nick Young. He switched Marcus Ginyard and Danny Green over to him, and the game flipped. There are times that I'm wondering how stubborness can play a role in many coaching decisions. And, man...great switch for match-up purposes.

Then again, Young was smoking them. What the hell are you going to do? Let him keep running?

I was wondering when that move was going to happen. If anyone is replaying the game this AM, let me know the exact time in the second half that he made the switch. I would be interested to see Young's stats from that moment on.

* Danny Green - Green's pass aside, that block was incredible. I love that guy's defensive potential. He has been making some incredible blocks all season, and very few people give the guy credit for his athleticism. Hell, he may be our best shot-blocker. Undoubtedly, if he was a beach kid from the West Coast, he would be a great volleyball player.

Wait until this kid gets more seasoning. My belief is that North Carolina's Danny Green will be a helluva player by the end of next February.

** Calls - I'm not one to bang on refs. Yet, that game was a badly called game both ways.

Some of the calls were bewildering. Danny Green's foul after his block and bad pass was a terrible call. There was a terrible call on Bobby Frasor on a breakaway. Nick Young was whistled for a charge that was bewildering. Tyler's second call was puzzling. Four fouls on Taj Gibson changed the outcome of the game. The fifth foul call for Taj Gibson, who has four fouls, on a pick at the end of the game...Game over.

C'mon the game is not centered upon you. Brutal.

** Gone Bonzo - What was Tim Floyd thinking? He must have had a flashback to his days of coaching Dragan Tarlac in Chicago. His stunt of throwing his play cards on the floor after Gibson's fifth foul was a move that you do when you're ten games out of the playoffs in the NBA...Not in the closing moments of a game in the Sweet 16.

Tough foul on Gibson, but...damn. C'mon.

** Tyler's Game - He's a great hustler, workhorse, has a lionheart, and plays with pain. Yet, his strength is that he's a banger. For some reason, when he plays someone his size as he shown throughout the season with Heyvelt, Morris, and a guy like Taj Gibson, he's in trouble.

Why? You may ask. He needs an aresnal of McHale moves.

Says here that if he works on his inside post moves as hard as he does with his body, he could develop his game to a incredible level. His work ethic is unparalleled. If he develops skills in terms of low-post moves, watch the hell out.

Here's a wish...Call ex-Carolina player, ex-former head coach and current asssistant coach, Doug Moe, of the Denver Nuggets for skill development.

He developed Kiki Vandeweghe, Calvin Natt, and Alex English into scoring machines. Hell, he even developed Bill Hanzlik into a solid NBA front-court player.

Bring him into Chapel Hill for two weeks after the Nuggets are done in the playoffs. Put him up at the Hampton Inn, and all it an alumni visit. Believe me, Tyler Hansbrough will be a changed player, and better known to '07-'08 ACC opponents as..."Dr. Doom."

** Reyshawn...huh? - For a guy who was sick all week, Reyshawn Terry was a like a six-year old on the bench last night. Every time that I looked at the bench, the guy was bouncing up and down and yelling. Are we sure that the kid was sick?

What'evs...Go with Ginyard and Green. Man, those guys stepped up the 'D.' Run, youngins' run!

** Coming up...Georgetown - I hate this game and match-up.

They have a quality big man in Roy Hibbert that Hansbrough won't be able to push around. They have wings and stellar ball movement...Yeech.

Yet, the Heels can run, and they have a lot of experience with teams that have tried to slow the tempo down through a controlled half-court offense. The problem is that may not have played a team with a more cerebral half-court offense like John Thompson Jr.'s 'O' this season.

The Heels need to run the Hoyas out of the Meadowlands early. Put them down, keep them down, and not let any room to wiggle. Tywon Lawson is the key to the game, and he needs to penetrate and score.

On the wing front, the Heels should be good.

(I'm telling you...Give Ginyard and Green the chances to lockdown Georgetown's, Jeff Green. Ginyard and Green deserve the chance.)

More importantly, I'm glad to see that Vanderbilt did a good job on Georgetown. Vanderbilt's head coach, Kevin Stallings, has sped up his offense, and the 'O' did extremely well against the Hoyas. In fact, if that travel call on Green is called at the end of the game, the Hoyas are back in D.C. right now...

By the way, travel anyone, on that last shot...anyone? Email me with your thoughts, please.

I'm sure that Coach Stallings and Coach Williams will share good phone. After watching the final seven minutes or so between Vandy and Georgetown, the Heels should be OK.

To the ATL...Cadillacs and grills.

Get Dirty
IronDog

UNC/USC Pre-Game Thoughts

2007-03-23T18:35:00.000-04:00

UNC vs. USC (a.k.a. "Duke West"...How's that for public university fans?) Here are my pre-game thoughts.

** I've said all year that a team that even has a guy that's over 6'8", solid wings, and a decent point guard could snatch UNC by the throat.

Now, I've watched SC a few times this season, and I just can't imagine an outcome where Tyler Hansbrough does not have a huge game tonight. The Heels have to ride him all the way home.

** Reyshawn Terry with strep throat....Of all the times. Damn, bruddah.

Well, Reyshawn...You have Nick Young, then, a possible match-up with Georgetown's Jeff Green. You can either play yourself into a mid-late first-round slot to the Seattle Supersonics, or you can grab a nice spot in Beijing for the next couple of years.

It's yours, big man. Water down...This is it!

(I wonder if Nick Young will rock the mohawk...Man, that guy is loose.)

** 'Whatever happened to the Stewart twins?' - One of my best stories upon how kids can be blown up by message boards and hype has to revolve around the recruitment of the Stewart twins. The amount of hype that was thrown around high school sophomores, Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart of Seattle, Washington, has to be the biggest underground internet bust rumors in the state of North Carolina of all-time.

Everyone thought they were the next Michael and Vince...And, if we didn't land them, all was lost.

Does anyone remember this? Quick hands...How many people went bonzo over those guys?

Where Rodrick is? I do not know.

Yet, Lodrick careered on us last year. The kid is built and he can shoot. With Reyshawn sick and one of our wings chasing Nick Young. Marcus Ginyard and Wayne Ellington have a big assignments covering these wings. My call is that Marcus Ginyard continues to step into his own as one of the best defensive players in the country. He's destined for that accolade. This game could prove my call.

To continue my call, if we stop the wings tonight, North Carolina is playing Sunday.

** Tim Floyd Factor - Coach Tim "Pink" Floyd handed the Heels their @$$ in a bag last season in the Los Angeles Coliseum. That was a weird game. And as a UNC alum, who almost broke a tea cup by crushing it at the West End in frustration, I would love to get some payback tonight. More payback is warranted when you consider their crowd took the floor like they beat Alcindor in '68.

My call, and I don't think the statement is a bold one...is that pound-for-pound, Tim Floyd, is one of the best in-game coaches in college basketball. I've watched his development his teams at Iowa State and the Bulls over the past decade. Getting worked over night-in and night-out with the Bulls helped his coaching style a lot, and he has an offense that can put points up either with speed or in half-court.

His teams bust ass, and he can also motivate teams to do great things...Especially, for one game.

I hate for Carolina to be playing him in this type of game. I would also hate to play Lon Krueger right now. Those guys have nice end-of-the game plans.

Watch out...

** My final call is that if Tyler Hansbrough goes to work, the Heels win. I just hope that if they do collapse down on him, Brandan Wright can have a big game. We need those guys to really put the wood down on SC tonight.

I've seen SC play UCLA straight-up, tank woefully against Stanford, play wild, yet solid at Oregon (Then again, everyone plays wild vs. Oregon), and embarass themselves again versus Oregon in the Pac-10 final.

Who will show tonight?...I don't know.

How's this for a prediction?

UNC 81
USC 73

Beat USC a.k.a. "Duke West",
IronDog

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2007-03-17T17:09:00.000-04:00

To everyone in Chicago, San Francisco, Charleston, South Carolina, New York City, Chapel Hill, NC, Hong Kong, County Donegal and County Mayo...Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Erin Go Bragh,
IronDog

Pre-Dance Thoughts

2007-03-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

A whole four weekends shot on hoops, and great stuff on the list. Here are my thoughts before the start...

** There were four teams that I didn't want UNC to play in the tournament:

1.) Wisconsin
2.) Georgetown
3.) Marquette - (Actually, any heavy guard experienced team with only an average big man)
4.) Texas

We get three of the four...Damn.

** Tywon Lawson - If there is a guy on the floor, who has improved game-by-game over the last two months, Tywon is the guy. He's penetrating well, and he's has put a somewhat lid on the asanine pull-up jumpers that he was launching in January.

I agree with the points that he would be delusional to leave early. Then again, would he learn just as much about the game resting on an NBA bench earning 400-600K? Yes, and probably more...I've been burned by the hope before. I'm going to appreciate him as much as I can during the tournament.

** Tyler's Mask - Good report on TV14 on Hansbrough's new mask. If you can, catch it.

I'm waiting for the ultimate "Larry Bird" hustle moment that will have throwing the mask to the bench and proceeding to gather 15 boards and drop 25 on someone, which would preferably be Texas.

He has entered my all-time Top 5 North Carolina players. Simply said...What a beast.

** Brandan Wright - Regardless of his size or how much he'll get thrown around in the league. He's still a Top 4 pick. And, I don't know if I would pick Spencer Hawes over his potential in the long-term.

I think a year of school would help him. Yet, be honest with yourself.

Would you rather go to class, have only a limited number of hours that you can work with coaches, and be broke? Or would you want $4M by the end of next season, be able to work all day and night on your game with the best coaches, former NBA veterans, in the best of training facilities, and watch your game soar...Tough call.

To my main man, Deon Thompson...Get a MySpace page. Your fan club is ready.

** Half-Court Slow Down - I've said for the past four years that our achilles heel is when we have to get a half-court bucket. Unfortunately, we don't have Sean May to bail us out with his frontcourt passing this season. I'm hoping that the slow down play from Michigan State or Marquette will not have us breathing the ether.

** Jerel McNeal - I loved Marquette early in the season, and I loved them through January until Jarel McNeal went down with his thumb. Even if he comes back, I like our chances because of a lack of chemistry that happens when a major player returns. I think we'll be OK, but damn...Tom Crean and Tom Izzo are great coaches.

** Texas - I didn't want to play these two teams because of their offensive firepower...

I still will take Tywon Lawson, but D.J. Augustin is a major player. I'm nervous with him matching up on Tywon. Tywon needs to man his @$$ up. Also, who on our team can stop Kevin Durant?

Yes, I believe that Reyshawn Terry could stop him...Yet, would Reyshawn look at the shiny lights on the scoreboard, or would he look at the middle of Durant's chest?

** Georgetown - I'm not heading to that match-up yet. I love Thompson Jr.'s playing style...Breaking Princeton ball movement with speed. Wait until he starts adding consistent elite level talent to the mix...Wow. As for now, we'll have our hands full with them.

** Announcers - I'm waiting for someone to step up to be a 'top shelf' announcer. Yet, who is the top guy? I know everyone wants to lynch Billy Packer right now. And, yes, his call during the Duke game showed his arrogance and stubborness. However, I still can't list anyone who is better than him right now in terms of color commentating.

As I've stated numerous times before, I love the Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery, Dan Schulman trio. However, ESPN has that trio on the lock-down...At least for now.

Please name a better tandem than Packer/Nantz, and I'll go with them. By the way, I'll agree that proclaiming that duo as the best combo should show how much of a dire need there is for an announcing tandem in college basketball right now.

By the way, has anyone noticed that Jim Nantz is so focused on the NFL Today show that he is way behind in calling a late-season NCAA game.

CBS needs to step up on the trio from ESPN.

With that said, I'm prepping for Verne Lundquist this weekend...Yeech.

My Final Four: Wisconsin, UCLA, North Carolina (Yes, Homer, Alumni and Student Pick), Ohio State.

Sleepers: Louisville, Creighton, Maryland, Xavier (Great guard play...If I'm the Michigan AD, Sean Miller is my guy. Yet, I have them out to Ohio State.)

** If you're in the Hill, I'll be at the West End Wine Bar watching the game. Drop a line. I'm going with a silver needle tea concoction that will purify you for three days...;)

Go Heels, Beat Eastern Kentucky...Let's get to the Meadowlands!

Off the Glass,
IronDog

Sunday SXSW, Austin, TX

2007-03-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

What a night in Austin...I like this town.

With an ACC crown to add, what a weekend.

Here are the panels that I hit up today:

Using RSS for Marketing - The adoption rate for RSS marketing is gaining ground. If you're marketing your own blog, keep in mind that the appearance of your RSS feed should be easy to find and prominent. Also, how many people of the mainstream even know what RSS is? People, people, get up on that tool.

Living in a Spatial Reality - The accomplishments of Keyhole/Google is astounding. I'm doubly impressed by John Hanke, who is the Director of Google Earth. The concerns that I see for accessing GPS models globally is access. How we develop broadband access for people to utilize this 3D modeling in developing countries. Here's another thought...Who is going to push Google Earth on this project? If you're going to compete with them on Google Earth or develop another model around satellite imaging, you better have manpower and bandwith.

Building an Online Fan Base - The resources that filmakers and independent publishers are utilizing for low costs are astouding. If you're an filmaker or video producer, the time is now for you to utilize screenings and online promotion in secondary markets.

People Powered Products - Community users provide better support than others. The question is how do you get users to buy into your concept? Use easy navigation and listen to the feedback from your users and community. Great discussion from Jeremy Hogan of Lulu and Flickr founder, Heather Champ.

Looking for Earl Campbell,
IronDog

Saturday SXSW, Austin, Texas

2007-03-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

In Austin, Texas this weekend for South by Southwest Interactive...

This event is a stellar performer. Surprisingly, this is my first visit to Austin, Texas and I have to admit that this is one helluva town. I'm also impressed with the fervor around Kevin Durant...Then again, how can you not be?

Here are the events that I attended yesterday.

Emerging Social and Technology Trends - Great discussion on where we're heading in terms of online communication, business models, and education.
Under 18: Blogs and Wikis - What are the issues surrounding youth and social networking. I would like to see the discussion expand to explore the similarities between public space and the online world.
Games & Entertainment Brands, Top 5 Trends - Great insights on how deep marketing partnerships will be developed within casual online gaming and hard-core gaming products.
Wiki Commercialization - How businesses can utilize wikis as a competitive advantage. And, how to keep communication open.
Arts Entreprneurship - How to intertwine your passions and work.
High Class and Low Class Web Design - Great insights on how sites are developing in terms of the user experience and should designers be focused upon simplicity for users and customers.

Solid stuff...Hit the town afterwards. I like this town.

I'll keep you posted on how the Austin sites through pics and an interview or two.

Peace,
IronDog

Where's the Class?

2007-03-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

Here's one of my last takes on the 'chop'...

A classy move would have been to get one the Duke assistants preferably Steve Wojciechowski, Chris Collins, or Johnny Dawkins, (all of whom recruited and are familiar with most of our players), grab 2 yellow shirted Security Pros, and walk over to the locker room in an effort to calm down emotions that are bound to last for a long, long time.

Would that act have been too much to ask for a coach to do?

Now, everywhere Duke freshman, Gerald Henderson Jr. goes outside of Durham, North Carolina, he's bound to be harassed over the next three to four years.

Personally, I'm envisioning some chucklehead throwing ice at him either uptown in Chapel Hill or at the Beach and a melee breaking out.

I'm still amazed by the dumb choice of how to handle the incident by the Duke staff. Way to teach...

I'm telling you. I lost a lot of respect for Duke Basketball with how that incident was handled.

Peace,
IronDog

Man-Up

2007-03-05T23:41:00.000-05:00

I've always thought hard fouls were part of the game...

Perhaps, I'm a little too old-school on that one...And, I've always thought that there is a very fine line for trying to tone kids from playing hard. Unfortunately, do believe that hard play has always been a part of the game, and you can't whine.

Yet, why shouldn't Coach "K" not be held to the mat for this one?

John Chaney was crucified for his "goon" type of culture and play. Unfortunately, he had the guts to say what type of hard-@$$ culture he had founded within his program. When he admitted to doing so and to ordering a "hit", he was burned.

Two weeks before that incident, Coach Krzyzewski started his "goon", Patrick Johnson, to establish the tempo in a hard played game against Georgia Tech. All was let to pass...(By the way, I'm still a firm believer that move and game influenced John Chaney's decision at Temple.)

Not that he ordered a pre-meditated hit, but I do believe that Krzyzewski should have to answer for that type of play. Over the past five or six years, his players have been taking on 'thug' roles that are slipping into the old Georgetown of the '80s days. If that was one of John Thompson's or John Chaney's kids, people would be screaming for heads.

I lost a lot of respect around Coach "K"'s response. You're right...Mike Copeland was at the scorer's table. Dewey Burke was in. So were Danny Green and Bobby Frasor. For Coach "K" to blame both sides for having their starters in was absolutely ridiculous. Now, with these two cases, if there was no blood or a broken bone in Chaney's case, would anyone have gone 'bonkers'? Probably not.

Also, do I think that Gerald Henderson Jr. meant to hit him with an elbow?...No. I do believe that he missed with an open hand and hit him with his elbow on the follow-through. However, you want to look at the play. The move was a hard-@$$ foul with a open-handed swing.

Krzyzewski should have to answer for that one in the same way that Chaney did. Someone should ask him if he's ever ordered a 'hit.' Whatever his response is he should be held to the same standards placed upon Thompson and Chaney had during their tenures.

I've always let him slip because of his belief in the 'Chicago' way. He could have even said. "Let me review the tapes, and I'll talk to you on ACC media day"...I would have let him slide.

However, with his answers for the Henderson foul and the Georgia Tech game, I just can't buy them.

3 In a Row,
BD

Competing on Skill

2007-03-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

One of the main reasons that I love public television is due to the Charlie Rose Show...

Last night, he not only provided an aveune for more access to insights of Governors, but he also introduced the nation to Governor Mike Easley and how the state of North Carolina is creating a the university system as a laboratory for the future.

Check out the full interview at Charlie Rose's site, or through GoogleVideo.

My belief is that the Charlie Rose Show is the best show on television. Rose is a stellar interviewer, and I dare anyone to name a journalist who is better interviewer than Rose.

With that said, Rose pulled no punches last night. He asked Easley to touch upon topics ranging from higher education, RTP, the death penalty, his appointment of Duke Lacrosse prosecutor, Mike Nifong, and the issues that are under current neglect at the federal level.

Easley responded with a call for higher education in order to compete with foreign influences on skill development, and he stressed the importance of a state's university system as a tool to combat the flight of manufacturing and outsourcing within the state's economy.

Retaining talent within the state of North Carolina is of extreme importance for the state of North Carolina. With towns such as Robersonville, Mebane, Kinston, and Thomasville taking major hits from the loss of textile and agricultural production, the call is for finding new ways of attracting new industries to support the population boom of the state. Easley did a solid job of explaining how North Carolina is addressing re-training our workforce and supplying our economy with an high-skilled employment in order to compete with overseas talent and production.

Easley referred to Thomas Friedman's philosophies in order to stress the importance of promoting innovation and creating competitive skills through education. That's a line-drive double to left-field in my book...

Easley also touched upon the lack of federal government funding to support North Carolinians, who are serving in the Gulf. We need to find ways for families to sustain themselves while the main income earners of their homes are overseas. With men and women serving over a year's time in the Persian Gulf, their lives have been put on hold back in the states, especially in North Carolina. There has to be more funding in order to sustain their lives back home. Easley is on point addressing this issue.

Easley also hung tough when Rose addressed the issue of his appointment of Nifong as the District Attorney of Durham. I gained a lot of respect for Easley when he met the issue head-on. He mentioned that he initially thought Nifong wouldn't run for office, and he emphasized that he wouldn't have appointed Nifong if he had known that Nifong was going to run for office...Way to man-up.

What I respect most about Easley is that he is paying attention to the people and the education of the state. This state has been heavily affected by outsourcing for textiles, agriculture, and furniture, and the slow-down in tobacco growth. I feel comfortable about Easley taking steps to meet these issues.

Rose ended the conversation with an invite to all governors to talk on his show. The invitations are to from governors with views not only shared by Easley, but also Governors Mitt Romney to Jeb Bush. Why are they not showing up on Charlie Rose? Hell, the show is on public television...How much of a public forum do you want?

Here's to hoping that governors will share their views upon how their states can be laboratories for the future.

Also, kudos to CRose for promoting the North Carolina Ballet.

HomeTown,
Irondog

Let it Ride

2007-03-01T17:48:00.000-05:00

I've always been a sucker for a solid 'MJ' story...

Major kudos to blogs, 'True Hoop' and 'Foul Balls' for passing along this story about the bets between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Check it out here at 'Foul Balls.'

After spending a lot of time in Chicago throughout the '90s, I always knew that Scottie was one of the most 'country' guys in the NBA. That story only takes my belief to another level...Classic.

By the way, here's a pic of MJ's candy-apple red Rolls-Royce Bentley that he pulled up in during his return to the Smith Center. What a beast...

Winnin',
Irondog

Launching D-Wade

2007-02-09T20:20:00.000-05:00

Seems like a new athlete is launched as a brand every three years...

Well, the brand called of Dwayne Wade seems to be sticking upon the minds of consumers. Check out this article from BusinessWeek.

A lot of marketers don't believe that a superstar from a team sport can become a great brand marketer. However, basketball players are different cases. They're faces are seen throughout a game, and their highlights and performaces are shown more frequently than NFL, golfers, tennis, or MLB players.

Despite what Steve Zucker believes in the article, I believe Wade is aligning himself with emerging brands.

Converse has been rattling the cages in terms of re-marketing the Converse brand. Check out the site, here. Informative, simple and tasteful...yet solid. And, if Zucker hasn't noticed, T-Mobile Sidekicks are steamin' in the minds of teens and youth. (Personally, I love the Sidekick, and it's a damn shame that Verizon doesn't offer it. Right now, I'm stuck on the 'Q')

With that said, my original thoughts about Wade pulled me toward a Donovan McNabb comparsion. Great guy and team player from Chicago, who with a quiet demeanor, enters into the hearts of the mainstream crowd. Yet, as he grows older, he fades away from the edge.

However, with D-Wade's emergence in Miami and with his flashy game, I believe he's here to stay. He's a great guy with class, plus he has a game that could adapt to playing over 15 years. Bottom line - his game is nice!

Right now, I'm dying to see how Google aligns themselves with Wade by creating a site that will be easily targeted for "dialogue marketing." According to the article, fans will get a customized mix of e-mail, sports news feeds, flash games, and promotional messages.

My first thoughts are - why wouldn't it work?

If Google has the concepts and plans available for big-game advertisers, why not for an athlete who partners himself with major brands such as Converse, T-Mobile, Nike, or Apple. Is a hot athlete different than marketing a hot product like a MP3 player or a hot fashion brand.

A tool like UberChannel could easily aggregate all of the photos, videos, and info for a player, team, or entity, and believe me, for someone with my fantasy fix...I need the info...immediately.

Here's to hoping that the launch for Dwayne Wade is high, high...high. Not bad for a kid from the South Side of Chicago.

P.S. D-Wade knows how to 'mack, and he rocks the black chucks...That spread in GQ is tight-tight. I have mad respect for the Black Chucks with the grey sweatpants and sweater...Much respect.

South Side - Do or Die...,
IronDog

Fix the Celtics

2007-02-09T18:03:00.000-05:00

After reading Harvey Araton's article on the demise of the Celtics over the past two decades, I have to admit...

The Celtics deserve it...Their troubles stemming from the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis and the lotto miss on Tim Duncan may not be their fault, but the organization's performance over the past decade has been pitiful.

I have to admit that I thought hiring Rick Pitino was a soild move. Yet, whoever is going to rule a storied and stellar historic franchise has to know that his super-ego will neither surpass the legacy of the franchise nor legends. I don't think Pitino could ever stomach that one.

As for now, they haven't done anything with their new line-up.

Paul Pierce may be a good face on the court, but he's a overpaid shooting guard, who is dead weight and unappealing as their star. They have Sebastian Telfair...'Bassy'!...running their offense. Not one player knows his role on that team. Not one...

Al Jefferson!...Al Jefferson is their most valuable asset out of all the moves that were made to push them into the future. Lastly, Doc Rivers is a moron as a coach, who doesn't have a clue about running a team-oriented offense.

What they have left are a bunch of slash-and-dash players, who really don't have a position. Not one player has a role. Right now, they probably couldn't win the Rucker League...I'm serious.

Their only hope is to re-build the team like the Kings did in the late '90s, or like how GM Bryan Colangelo has built the Raptors in the present.

The Raptors have mixed European passing big men who know the game and move the ball. Euro pick-ups from Jose Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa to first pick Andrea Barganani have blended beautifully with Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford.

The Celtics should take the same formula.

First, ship Paul Pierce or a package deal for Pau Gasol. Gasol would be a perfect fit for them. He's still young, and he could be a fresher Vlade Divac for the club. They could run a lot of their offense through him like the Kings did with Divac.

Second, pick up either Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, or Brandan Wright through the draft. Either one of them would be fine there.

Durant could be a lot like Luol Deng. A slasher, who could be a superstar by his third year. Then again, with his weight, he could be thrown into the third row every night. (By the way, I'm torn on Durant. Is he Reggie Williams, or is he Luol Deng?...Discuss.)

Third, they need an under-30 designated team-oriented shooter. And yes, Wally Szczerbiak is not it. Find someway or somehow to pry away Andres Nocioni, Mike Dunleavy, Mike Miller, or just keep Delonte West. Give the guy a ton of confidence, and maybe you could develop a stalwart gun like Peja Stojakovic. Then, start piecing together veterans who can play team ball.

They currently have the 20th ranked payroll right now, and they could pick-up a veteran or two on the cheap to mentor a few of their young guys like Delonte West or even if they were to keep an Al Jefferson. One move may be to pick-up an aging Grant Hill for a year. Let him run the point to just to re-set the tempo and tutor a couple of guys on how to run a team-oriented offense.

A lot of people love Jefferson. Yet, I think the only reason why he has emerged is because they have no one else to go to. Kind of like how Gerald Wallace appeared to be the Bobcats superstar. They have no one else. So, of course Jefferson is going to look good.

If he is good, hell think about shipping him to the Warriors or to the Grizzlies. Although they would take a major hit on a contract of over 9M, maybe, they can pry Jason Richardson away from the Warriors, or for Miller and Hakim Warrick of the Grizzlies.

Fourth, hire a veteran coach, who knows how to rebuild. A great hire would be to Rick Adleman and Pete Carrill to construct the NBA-oriented Princeton offense that Eddie Jordan runs. He did a great job of re-building the Kings. Let him do it again.

If they can't make that move. Then, hire away Geoff Petrie from the Kings to run the show. Hell, the Kings are booty right now. He has to be hungry to build a new team from scratch. Just find someway to re-hire Carrill to tinker with that offense. Look at what the Kings and Wizards did.

Most importantly, dump and trade all of that mediocre youth that they have through a garbage sale. Keep only Delonte West. And, maybe...they can salvage some semblance of a pick-up through a mid first-rounder this season to pick up Aaron Brooks of Oregon, who is a lot more than Telfair or Rajon Rondo.

The move to replace the black shoes with white ones may have been right on...Their guys don't deserve to wear the storied blacks....

The franchise right now is not just ridiculous...But shameful.

Re-Structure,
IronDog

Better Than That...

2007-02-05T13:06:00.000-05:00

The only thing that I can say about last night's Super Bowl Sunday game is...

The Bears are better than that.

And no...That's not a bitter reply to the great play of the Indianapolis Colts and their ability to maintain long drives. I firmly believe if not for a couple of bad choices by Rex Grossman in the second half, the Lombardi Trophy is heading for a trip down a parade route in the South Loop.

Here are a few of my thoughts during the game.

* The Colts intro to the 'Who's' Baba O'Reilly...Nice choice.
* Peyton Manning has incredible presence.
* Brian Urlacher is a beast.
* The Bears are ready
* Devin Hester...The magic bullet...Goddamn, the guy can run. I firmly believe that no one has electrified the NFL like Hester has this season with his kick and punt returns. Yes, that includes Deion. He didn't do it like Devin has...Especially, with the pressure on each return. He has won games with them.
* A 'TO'...Now, we're moving.
* Man, is it starting to pour or what?

* Thomas Jones is my main man...Always will be. Please run TJ.
* TJ breaks loose. That's what I'm talking about. The fact that he and his brother roll around Miami in a orange blue Ferrari makes him even more of a bad-ass.
* Here comes Cedric Benson...As much as I've never trusted him and I've been down on him since his holdout, he is a banger...when healthy.

* I'm still not a Cedric Benson fan...After this fumble, will I ever be?
* Ruben Brown is a beast. Let's run.
* Cedric...Cedric...Your knee? I'm telling you about this guy...I'm not going to bang on him now. As much as I don't like Cedric, we need him. Without him, we could be in trouble. The Colts have the worst run 'D' in the league, we need him when TJ is tired.

* Is it me...? Or after watching numerous commercials this past weekend and the Snickers and Doritos ads, does every commercial these days make every white male appear either to be a complete duphus, push-over, moron, or guy who are afraid of their sexuality? Not that those traits are bad or funny for a guy...But it's getting a little tired.

Then again, the ads are for Super Bowl Sunday. Please discuss.

* A dropped snap...Reeexxxx...Not now.
* Will Phil Simms shut-up about the Bears being tired. These guys have rolled hard all year long, and they've had two weeks to rest. They're in shape. The ground is soaked, which slows everyone down. Yet, they're holding in the red zone.

Just because Phil is pissy over the Bears whooping that @$$ in January of '86 and on the Monday night in '88, he should stop the hate. Phil, you're a journ--...I mean commen...I mean a talking overr-...Whatever...He's out of his head.

By the way, you think someone from CBS wanted to clench his throat when he tried to deadpan David Spade's show. Nice try at being Madden or a tough guy. Snapper-head!

* Another drop...Again?
* Unbelievably, we're still in this one.
* Yet, of all the ways to go down...Joseph Addai and Rhodes are killing us.

* Prince is simply...'The Mack.' Man, that guy still looks like he's 30, but who the hell cares? Purple Rain too...Wow. My request: Sign o' The Times.

* Why for the love of God are we not running Thomas Jones? If I hear it's because of the O-line again, I'll send you four day old guac...
* 13 Carries...88 yards....Please run Thomas Jones.

* Nice call to 'Moosh' up the middle.
* What the hell was that throw for?...Wow. That was devastating.

* Run...Run...Throw?
* Where was Rex throwing that one? Talk about an underthrown ball.
* Now, you run Thomas Jones.
* With their first round selection, the Chicago Bears select...Offensive lineman...

* This is killing me...I'm out. Back to the papers.

Bears 2008,
Irondog

Bear Down

2007-02-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

How ready am I for today's Super Bowl, you ask?...

Ready enough that I'm banging shopping carts at Weaver Street Market today during my weekly supply run.

Go Bears! And without further adieu, here's a tribute from Al Hoffman's lyrics from 1941...Bear Down!

Bear Down, Chicago Bears.
Make every play clear the way to victory!
Bear Down, Chicago Bears.
Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly!

We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation,
With your T formation.

Bear Down, Chicago Bears.
And let them know why you're wearing the crown.

You're the pride and joy,
of all Illinois.

Chicago Bears, Bear Down!

Halas, Bill George, 'The Flying Dutchman', Johnny Lujack, 'Sweetness', Butkus, O'Bradovich, Covert, Urlacher, 'The Kansas Comet', Singletary, Ditka, 'The Galloping Ghost', Gallimore, Hampton, Marshall, 46 D,
IronDog

"Way Out West " - UNC vs. Arizona

2007-01-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

Phenomenal play! Way to show with two men down. I have to give Roy a ton of credit for prepping these guys for play...Here are my thoughts.

** Tywon Lawson - Tywon, Tywon...Ty-won. Wow! In the first half, I thought he was getting himself into trouble with shots. He settled down, and he was simply awesome. Wow!

Even better...At 3:13 and up more than 20, Tywon takes a charge...Love it.

** Why I love Verne Lundquist...? - "Now, we're really going to see Carolina's depth. Here comes Dewey Burke!"

** Deon Thompson - Way to show...I'm still amazed at how advanced his big man moves are. He fronts the basket well. Great footwork. This should be a huge confidence game for him.

Out of all of the freshman, I like Thompson's long-term potential. I'm telling you...The kid has talent that will allow him to play deep into his 30s.

If he can develop a little bit of a mean streak and force on the court, his potential could be incredible. Very steady frontcourt skills...Kudos to whomever has worked with this kid by teaching post moves.

** Tyler Hansbrough - The true "Vanilla Gorilla!" Thank you so much for that thunder dunk at the end...Thank you! Can anyone find that one on YouTube and put that on the list's UberChannel?...Oh snap!

That dunk alone typifies who we can be. Strong, mean, nasty...Bring it down the lane!

** Mustafa Shakur - Most overrated point guard that I've seen out of Philadelphia and...arguably, college basketball, since Jerome "Pooh" Richardson.

** Reyshawn Love - Give major kudos to Reyshawn Terry. He shut down Chase Budinger in the first half. When Budinger started to get hot, he maintained his cool and pushed up to him. A lot of people may think that Reyshawn is like "Radio." Yet, the kid plays hard, and his athleticism is amazing. He followed that tap-dunk with a beautiful 3.

When the kid is rolling, I'll argue with anyone who could match another 3 man in the country against him.

** With the fur that was raised with Coach Krzyzewski's AmEx commercial, what are the thoughts of the Coach Williams Coke commercial? As a side note, I did notice that the ad contains the logo of the ad that appears before the Charlie Rose show. I'm assuming that the ad stems from the Coca-Cola Foundation and public philanthropic purposes...

It better be, or a lot of critics are going to shell out the ammo at UNC now.

** Huge "W" for us. Kudos to Roy for scheduling this series two years ago. I have always believed we should be play the best team in the Pac-10 each and every year. Before Ben Howland showed at UCLA, 'Zona was at the top, and the last two years have been off-years for them.

Yet, they are an elite program that UNC should be playing every year. I hope that this series can continue.

On the court, I do believe that the style of the UNC program suits the Pac-10 style very well. Coach Williams likes to run, run..run.

With that said, the Heels should do very well in any game that finds a Pac-10 team. Personally, I would love for us to add another Pac-10 team to the schedule...UCLA...UCLA.

Alright...A re-run of "Little House on the Prarie" is on...Switch to Wisconsin Green Bay/Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Waxed that @$$, and a full weekend of hoops...

Off the Glass,
Irondog

The Long-Term Effects of Sudden Impact

2007-01-25T08:54:00.000-05:00

I caught a great feature on HBO's Real Sports last night...

The feature was on the lack of disability and pension benefits to help NFL Alumni, who are seriously struggling with debilitating injuries after their careers.

I quickly remembered the great three-part series of articles that appeared last week in the San Francisco Chronicle from Ron Kroichick. Check out Part I here. Part II here, and Part III here.

What's wild is to see how little voice that former players have in the process for fighting for benefits. In the Real Sports feature, former Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints coach and NFL Hall of Fame Tight End, Mike Ditka, uses Johnny Unitas, who was the face of the NFL in the '60s, as a great example for how these former players live the rest of their lives in long-term hospital stays and agony.

A lot of people believe that former players are loaded with cash to take care of their problems. However, look at the differences in today's salary structures. The NFLPA did not keep official records of player salaries 25 years ago, but two former 49ers players from the SFGate articles estimated the typical salary in 1981 at about $60,000.

In 2005, the average salary reached nearly $1.4 million. The average salary for a starter was $2.26 million.

What does that leave former players to take care of themselves...Very little.

I finally picked up the book "You're OK...It's Just a Bruise" by Rob Huzienga, this past summer. I haven't pushed through it yet. However, I'm looking forward to hearing how the doctors and organizations treated injuries in the '80s. The organizations' actions most certainly are leading to the problems that NFL Alumni are experiencing today.

Here are some interesting stats from the articles listed above. Keep in mind, these guys are mostly between their late forties and early fifties.
------------------------
30 Number of players from the 1981 team reached by The Chronicle for this story

20 Number of those 30 who said they live with persistent pain

9 Number of those 30 who have been told they eventually will need a joint replacement

3 Number of those 30 who have already had joint replacement surgery (two knees, one shoulder)

2 Number of those 30, including Joe Montana, who have had spinal fusion surgery

-----------------

People didn't get to see Johnny Unitas at the end of his life. And people now wonder why former players like Joe Montana do not want to make a lot of public appearances.

Shame on the NFL Players Union.

Support NFL Alumni,

IronDog

The Rise of the Aerotropolis

2007-01-25T00:13:00.000-05:00

The airport of a decade ago is a far, far different place today...

Which is why you should catch the 'aerotropolis' theories of UNC business professor, John Kasarda.

Kasarda was featured in today's Wall Street Journal, and he's collecting a lot of attention from other articles around the globe from evangelizing theories centered upon airports as the "the new central business districts fo the postindustrial economy."

His definition of the aerotropolis is a vast complex that centers on the airport and features warehouses, distribution centers, shopping malls, offices, convention centers, and even residences.

The developing areas surrounding RDU, SFO, and Denver's new airport area have made a believer out of me. Perhaps, newly planned developments could bring rebirth to ecaying outer rings of cities that were developed to tie together inner cities and their outer suburbs.

Kasarda's visions are based upon the megaplex airports that have sprouted in China, Hong Kong, Malyasia, and Thailand.

Be on the lookout for more aerotropolis theories and articles here. My thoughts are that Kasarda is on to something more than just a development hub for a region. I'm on board...The birth of the 'Aerotropolis' could be the start of 'new cities.'

Better Civic Living,
IronDog

The Return of the Humara

2007-01-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

Look what kicks came back...

Could have been the lime green laces. But you know it's all about the quality with me.

That's why I stopped by Nort in SF a couple of weeks ago, and just had to pick the Humaras back up.

This is my third pair. I picked up my first pair at the Seattle Niketown on the first day of their release in '98.

I proceeded to rip through every trail, park, puddle, in the Bay Area and the West Coast in them. They were the 'Real Deal'. I broke them out in Seattle, tore them up at the Heuco Tanks in El Paso, and I wore them out until the stench from a drenched run on the Marina Green blew out my closet...Tough loss.

After the toss, I went through a couple of trail shoes, but they weren't the same quality of shoe. The Sons of Humara also didn't have a great look.

Yet, I was able to pick up another pair in a re-issue in '02. Great shoe again...

With this release, the shoe seems to be made with different materials. The tread is great. However, I do miss the reflective material on the back and the tongue. You can also tell that the material around the sides are not made with the same tough carbon-like material.

Funny about the releases not utilizing the same material. Check out the laces. The green laces look great, but the original yellow laces were a little bit stronger.

Regardless, after a run last week at Duke Forest, I'm still impressed at the stability and how these shoes perform...Grade A shoe. Grade A performance.

More importantly, thanks for the re-release.

Rippin',
IronDog

Torn on Knight

2007-01-07T12:59:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I was torn on which way to feel with Bobby Knight snaring the all-time win mark this past week...

In my opinion, Dean Smith was the stronger of the two coaches, but I have to admit that I'm a little biased. Right?

John Feinstein had a great article in the Washington Post that evaluated the right and wrong on Coach Knight. Check it out here. With that said, here's where I stand when measuring the effectiveness of Bobby Knight.

"Wacky" Strikes

** Neil Reed video - Way Overboard.
**The head bump - Way too emotional, c'mon why embarass a kid in public like that. He's a grown man.
** The chair throw - Way out-of-control.

** His early tirades on players in that horrible plaid jacket throughout the '70s - Way too demeaning. Way over-the-top. Influenced and gave license to hundreds of wackos in rec-centers across the country to be like Knight.

** The 'never explained' with recruiting...Every one talks how pristine his recruiting methods were at Indiana. Yet, how he stole Isiah Thomas from DePaul through a middle of the night signing has never been explained.

The rumor was that Isiah went to Indiana because of gang-related threat on his life from his brother. And that Isiah was forced to get out of Chicago. Still a bizarre story to me, and I'm crushed for Coach Ray Meyer. That DePaul team could have been the best ever...Knight has never explained himself. The City of Chicago was ripped off.

** For the best of recruits and All-Americans, the NBA drought is
bewildering. Kent Benson, Mike Woodson, Alan Henderson, '0' @ Texas
Tech. Pffftt...

"Respected" Moves

** The '84 Olympic Team - Greatest Olympic job ever...Probably ever
will be. Wish we could have played the Russians. MJ loved the guy,
and arguably, he got a helluva lot more out of Mike than anyone else
until Phil Jackson. I always struggled with the Jeff Turner seletion
though.

** "Knight School" - I enjoyed the reality show last year. Made me
look at him a different way. He is an incredible teacher.

** "Old School" - The tap on the cheek on his Texas Tech player a month ago...In some ways, I
respected that move. He is a Army guy in a John Chaney way.
** Role Models - The guy really champions Henry Iba and Don Haskins. How can you not respect his mentors?
Yet, sometimes, I think he tries to be Haskins too much...in a 'freaky' type way.

** 'The Speech' - His 'Kiss my @$$ speech is a classic.
** Point blank...3 National Championships with two different styles of play in the '70s and '80s. 'Nuff said.
** The guy can coach, respects ball, respects education. You have to give him credit for his beliefs and how he holds to them in a age where a lot of coaches and universities only give lip service in order to sell tickets and keep the NCAA off their backs.
** Went off on that kid at the end at "IU" for calling him "Knight", which led to his dismissal. I will always love his emphatic response...'It's Coach Knight!"

Every one went bonkers and overlooked that Coach Knight was demanding respect from a kid, who obviously should have bestowed some respect for someone of Knight's stature around campus.

Think about it...If he had dropped that greeting on a professor, what would have been the reaction? A step further...What would have been the reaction from Myles Brand? 'Yo, what's up Brand?' Knight was teaching the kid that some respect that should be bestowed on what the guy was and is around Indiana. What a joke.

Bobby Knight should have been able to retire in Bloomington.

So, like Feinstein, I'm torn on the middle...

Here's a good story to sway your choice on how to regard Coach Knight. During the '80s, I had a buddy who bumped into Coach Smith while lounging outside a pool in Hilton Head.

The guy knows ball, and they opened up a long convo over a drink or two. He asked Coach Smith. 'What do you think of Coach Knight?'

Coach Smith's reply was..."The only difference between me and Bobby Knight
is that he chooses to yell at his players in public. I yell at them in practice."

People love the Bobby Knight. He has 3 NCAA Rings, a Gold Medal, and now the most Wins...He's not my type of style, but he's efinitely, one of the best coaches of all-time.

He's also one of the biggest 'hams' of all-time.

P.S. Personally, my mind would always head for the hills or I would roll my eyes knowing that 'we're in for a long-run' when a coach or a boss said that he was a Bobby Knight guy. As soon as a guy would say that he was an Indiana or Bobby Knight fan, I would cringe.

Here comes the yelling. Here comes the grandstanding.

Remember, superiors who say they are Bobby Knight devotees. Those are always the guys who looked at the wrong things that Knight does...And they are the worse than Bobby Knight could hope to be. Just my thoughts on that one. Do with them with you choose.

U-S-A,
IronDog

'Brother Al'...Call Mike Leach.

2007-01-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

The Oakland Raiders finally made the move...Art Shell was finally put out of his misery tonight.

The move had to be done. The offense was woefully inept, and the losses piled up. Yet, at least Shell made it back to the organization where he belongs, and the 'D' was strong this season.

Now...What should the Raiders do? Hire Mike Leach.

After watching the last season's interview turnstile and the shock of even Pat Hill turning down the Raiders, I finally accepted the fact that there are a select few people who can man the Raiders.

A coach under 'Brother Al' has to realize that neither a coach nor player is bigger than the organization...And espically not 'Brother Al' Davis. Al Davis loves the guy who is not only an unpolished gem, but also who would be appreciative of the position of manning the Raiders.

And that's not all that bad...

So, with those thoughts in mind, why am I emphatic on Mike Leach as my choice to man the Raiders?

Now, I have to admit that after reading Michael Lewis's NYTimes article on Mike Leach last year my view of the Texas Tech program and his coaching style dramatically shifted my allegiances to him.

Yet, how can you deny Leach's impact? The article was dead-on with how his offense terrifies opponents and look at the results. Through his offensive sets and speedy receivers and lineman, Leach is innovating the game.

Leach's rep and persona are also 'under-the-radar' enough to fit right underneath Al's shadow. If Leach were to land the Raider job, there would be a high possiblity that Leach would not only be appreciative enough of the opportunity to man the Raiders, but also be humble enough to grasp that there is a something more to the Raiders than just a team for a season or an individual.

After all, the Raiders are about the organization!..And the organization is still Al's. Mike Leach is in Lubbock. Think he wouldn't get it?

With the gritty path from NFL Europe to Texas Tech, I think he would accept that fact.

After watching several schools pass on him this season in the coaching carousel, I'm led to believe that Leach's rebel game and attitude has turned off a lot of 'pristine' big-time public schools. Leach has to be absorbing the fact that a lot of NCAA programs must be scared of him and how he runs a program.

After all...When 'Bama and Miami turned the other way, you have to think. What schools are going to be a 'next level' move for him?

For those reasons, the Raiders should take a shot on him and get him early in the process.

Leach's high-octane 'O' would transfer well into the professional ranks, and he adores the 'against the world' attitude. He loves speed, the air, and renegades, which are right up Al's alley.

Keep the Raider 'D' intact. Go with Mike Leach to re-build the 'O'.

And please...Don't count out Brother Al...We Shall Return!

Raider Nation Lives,
IronDog

MikeLeach
ArtShell
OaklandRaiders
MichaelLewis
AlDavis

The Play of 'SneakerPlay'

2006-11-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

I'm all about 'SneakerPlay' these days...

What's up with 'SneakerPlay', you ask?

Well, it's a social networking site for sneaker enthusiasts. There are over 10,000 members, and they're all very active. The cool thing is that you have to be invited to the site, which the members are very protective with their invites.

Goes to show you that social networking is shifting into niches much like the same way everything else is going these days. When you think about it, who the hell wants to hang out in the mainstream of MySpace, Friendster, and YouTube any way with all of the other options that are emerging by the week.

I added my Air Rifts from '95 as my first profile 'battle' pic. I'll let you know how the Rifts are rated and how they'll perform in the network...This site is very cool.

As for the Air Rift, here's the scoop on why I think they were a bad-ass shoe that is mad underrated.

First off, they're great for summer runs. Second, they're named after the Rift Valley in Kenya. At the time, the Kenyas were developing dominating runners who would run in packs that mystified the running world. Everyone was trying to dream up any concept that they could conceive of in order to stay competitive with the Kenyans, and this shoe is to resemble barefoot running.

Yes, the Nike Free is the sequel to this concept.

When the Rifts came out, people were terrified of them. My feeling is that the split toe design was too innovative for cats. Yet, that design is what made them dope.

The shoes also came with socks. I still have a couple of pairs laying around. The problem is that they were way too thin.

By '96, Madonna, porn stars, and other cornballs got a hold of them, and they lost the swagger in a almost aqua-sock way.

These are the originals. I picked them up from NikeTown Chicago on their release date back in '95. Rocked them after the Chicago Marathon. I knew they were dope when I ran into a couple of Kenyan runners and serious marathon runners in them during their post-race runs.

Any thing to gain an advantage or a new secret...I like that about footwear. Those are the guys that shoes are made for.

Bangin' shoe...Bangin' site.

Innovation...Catch 'em if you can,
IronDog

AirRift
Nike
Rift
NikeRunning
SneakerPlay

Early Thoughts

2006-11-16T02:14:00.000-05:00

I've watched a lot of Tar Heel Basketball over the past week or two. My first thoughts after the Heels 73-66 win in the preseason NIT...

Gregg Marshall is a helluva coach, and Winthrop is a solid team.

So...Where does that leave my opinion?

I'm neither upset with the performance nor the effort in this game. A lack of practice time, rookie moves, and a great shooting first half by a solid opponent. I'm not hating on that game at all.

The Tar Heels are a great, great, great team.

Quick Thoughts:

Brandan Wright - Each and every time that I see the guy whether he's in a pick-up game, practice, or game, he gets better. The guy's a freak...He's what everyone is talking about as the 21st century big-man, long arms, can run the floor, plays both ends. I can't wait until he begins to unveil an outside game with confidence.

Danny Green - 9 Minutes of time...hmmm...Am I the only one who likes this kid's game? Believe me, this kid gets some time and confidence, I really think you could see a very solid and consistent piece to the puzzle. Unfortunately, I think we won't see him bloom until Reyshawn Terry graduates. I still think he hasn't even come close to tapping his potential. Way underrated.

Wayne Ellington - Man, he's a quiet double figure scorer, isn't he? He made some tough turnovers, and Roy stuck with him. Great move. Hopefully, he develops a lot of confidence with that stroke because that's why he's here. He seems to be an untouchable in terms of getting 'yanked', which shows great coaching by Coach Williams.

His long-term development is crucial. This team is going to need his outside shooting.

Reyshawn Terry - He still reminds me of a young Byron Russell. Then again, he disappeared again...And I'm hoping that he develops consistency.

With his stroke and talent, it's tough watching the guy disappear and then wow everyone in the building with a move or with that stroke of his. He's a wonderful 3 man, but I'm hoping that he's not up-and-down this season because I think Green, Ellington, or Ginyard could make up for that slot quickly in other ways. I also don't think a beat would be missed as much as you think...That thought is not shared by many. Nibble if you wish...I still love that guy's stroke.

Deon Thompson - Does anyone realize how valuable this guy could become? I never had a great shot watching him up close until the last two exhibition games. After tonight's game, I am sold on the guy. Buy, buy, buy...early.

That kid is not only a throwback with his moves, but he has a nice touch...(Yess...I know that he did draw all glass with one shot during the Winthrop game.) Yet, this kid is nice-nice. He has great moves, great feet, solid fundamentals, and wonderful timing. 7 minutes isn't going to play...I am expecting this guy to steal some serious tick by mid-year. If not, I'd be very puzzled.

I know it's early for him, but this kid has serious stuff...Stuff that could allow you to play into your mid-30s at a high, high level.

One and One: I couldn't get to the list over the past few...So, here are a few things.

**Just watched the 'Zags play...They're very nice. I'm still crushed watching a couple of those guys on that team from the UCLA loss last season. They have a lot of experience, and I'm very thankful that Micah Downs isn't with that team yet. That would make this next game very interesting for the Heels.

Every year the 'Zags are closer and closer. That program is getting deeper and deeper with their talent. They're building consistency. I'm just saying...They could be a lot like the DePaul teams from the '70s and '80s. Small Catholic basketball program that recruits and nurtures local talent...Those consistent boom seasons are not that far off.

**Late to the game on this one: Yet, great call with William Graves on that redshirt year...I love that kid. G'boro in the House!

Nice J, and more importantly wide eyes and smiles whenever the guy is seen around campus so far. My bet is that he steps into Danny Green's role next year while Green is promoted to Reyshawn Terry's role. Here's to hoping that the pride of Dudley High stays away from the Chick Fill-A at Lenoir Hall.

Tap-Dunk: If Bobby Frasor is not on the floor in either tight situations or at the end of the game, this team is going down, down, down...His floor presence is vastly underrated.

P.S. Don't mess with the Southside Irish.

Garden Party,
IronDog

Nice laugh, but 'Cue' it at the Right Time

2006-11-04T00:39:00.000-05:00

Here's an article that has been passed around the Tar Heel nation today...

Check out Gregg Doyel's CBS Sportsline article here.

My opinion is that Gregg Doyel is a "quack"...His basketball articles are below average, and I often wonder if he's ever worn a pair of game shorts.

With this article, Dick Baddour is an easy target to pelt right now. And if you do go after him right now, it's not like you're throwing a beanball at Albert Pujols. It's a softball move...

In this article, Doyel's supporting points are that Baddour bungled the opportunity to interview NFL coordinators, Marvin Lewis or Herm Edwards, at the time of the 2000 hiring of John Bunting.

Yet, people need to realize that the reason why Marvin Lewis was neither hired by the NFL nor an major D-1 program as a head coach stemmed from his behavior off-the-filed. That was the reason he was never hired by anyone to be a head.

I chuckle a lot when I hear the minority card implicated by writers and announcers as to why Lewis wasn't hired. Those critics forget that the undertow in the NFL was that Lewis wasn't hired not because of ability or race, but due to the fact that NFL execs were scared stiff by his potential to live up the high life in Green Bay. I wouldn't be surprised if Baddour knew Lewis's hidden escapades in Green Bay as well.

Now after thinking about someone coming from an NFL staff down to the college ranks, I don't think that people realize how big of a difference between the two levels exists. There are a lot of adjustments to make. Especially, with dealing with recruits and the pressure of boosters who have no idea about how tough establishing a culture is at a program. For every Dave Wannstedt, Bill Callahan, and Chan Gailey, there's Ron Zook, John Bunting, or Al Groh.

For the same amount of reasons that I can see why an NFL coordinator or former head coach can work as a hire, I can also see why an NFL hire doesn't work. I'm on the NFL tip big-time when it comes to a hire, but when people point to cases such as Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis, you have to peer at the few easy reasons of why those hires worked.

For Pete Carroll's case:

A.) From NorCal and understands the USC culture in the state of California. He also sells USC Football, which is very similar to selling UNC or Duke Basketball.
B.) He has a tremendous knack and financial support for recruiting coaches to join his staff. Examples; Norm Chow, Ken Norton Jr.
C.) 'Open' support and "looser" admission requirements to reconstruct the program.
C.) Loves to recruit

For Charlie Weis:

A.) ND Alum, passion for the school, selling Notre Dame, knows his 'O.'
B.) He built a tremendous staff.
C.) "Open" is not even a word to describe the amount of support through facilities and staff funding that ND has given him to resurrect the program.
D.) He loves to recruit.

Does a marriage between UNC and an NFL coordinator like Marvin Lewis or Herman Edwards fit that mold?...Nah. And do NFL or NBA assistants realize how challenging recruiting is without a passion for it? NO.

So, Doyel needs to get off supposed slip-ups of not hiring Lewis or Edwards.

Also, you have to remember the board and the donors have to like the guy as well. With John Bunting as a UNC alum, everyone thought Bunting would be a better hire over Mark Richt because of Bunting's NFL experience and his passion for the alma mater. I'll give Baddour the benefit of the doubt on that one.

As for the call backs, that's a different story...I find it embarrassing that someone in Baddour's position would not reach out to the NFL coaches that were applying for the job, regardless if they're a viable candidate or not.

Especially, when you consider the amount of kids, who by the end of careers are fighting like hell for free-agent slots in NFL camps...You never know when that failed call back hits a kid when he's trying out in the Chiefs camp as a special teams guy...Catch my drift...Now I know it's a small chance, but I can't tell you how many times that I've heard or read stories that players have stuck on a roster because they were a 'Carolina guy.'

Valid points with Doyel's roundhouses...Yet, I'm keeping my faith in Neinas and Baddour.

As for my opinion of the man in the hot seat. I'm right in the middle of the road. The match is tied. This coaching hire is game, set, and match for his legacy. Personally, I don't think he'll mess this one up with Neinas around.

Waiting Patiently,
IronDog

(Note 1: Another example to add to those NFL examples in the future may be that dream of Steve Mariucci and MSU. After watching how well of a fit that he was at Cal years ago, hmmm....Very tasty. Then again, you only have to turn to Al Groh.)

(Note 2: I drafted Rasheed in the fifth round of my 10 team NBA fantasy draft because I think he'll get double eligibility this season and he'll shoot more threes in a more uptempo system...He gets tossed in the first game. Comes back for 18 pts, 2 threes, and 9 boards tonight. I still love the guy.)

Fare Thee Well, "Red"

2006-10-30T08:57:00.000-05:00

Red Auerbach, 1917-2006

If there was ever anyone who typified basketball, that person would be Arnold 'Red' Auerbach.

He was the true essence of the city game and 'winning.' There are few characters in sports who speak with truth and authority in their professional game.

The Boston Globe did an incredible job honoring 'Red' on Sunday. The tributes to 'Red' from Bob Ryan, Dan O'Shaunessey, and Jackie McMullen from the Boston Globe are phenomeonal.

As Coach/GM, the deals and quirky details are endless: Coached the Celtics to 8 straight NBA titles, Schemed St. Louis and Rochester for Russell, fleeced Chicago for Cousy, drafted Bird in the supplmental draft, robbed GMs through deals such as the Warriors of Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish for Joe Barry Carroll (Check out the details of this one here from the SLC Tribune) and the Suns of Dennis Johnson for Rick Robey, obtained the perfect role players at the perfect times. Legends such as Sam Jones, John Havilcek, Don Nelson, Bill Walton and JoJo White were slotted perfectly.

All of this while he ate Chinese food on every road trip and the fact that during the Bird Era he was not to be disturbed between 4 and 5 in his office because that's when he watched "Hawaii 5-0."

I took these tidbits from Bob Ryan's column on 'Red.' The following 10 items are from Red's 'Basketball for the Player, Coach and the Fan.'

1) You must think of getting along with your teammates, because if you are not well liked, it is easy for them to "freeze you out."

2) Show a desire to block or screen for your teammates so that they will do the same for you.

3) Show your teammates that you will take the good shots. Don't appear too "hungry."

4) Don't hold the ball. Look for men cutting.

5) Dribble with a purpose. Don't just stand there hugging the ball or dribbling aimlessly while your teammates continually cut.

6) Help your teammates on defense. Switch whenever necessary.

7) Don't chide a teammate whose man happens to score. Often, it's the fault of your whole team.

8) Don't be too chummy with one or two players. Avoid obvious cliques.

9) Don't discuss the faults of any teammate with the other members of the team.

10) Don't give the impression that you are always hanging around the coach and discussing your teammates with him, unless, of course, you are the captain and the coach asks your opinion.

11) When scrimmaging, don't loaf or take it easy. This will keep the high respect of your teammates. Remember, "There are no friends on the other team, even in practice."

Red Auerbach used the simplicities of psychology, and team chemistry to master the art of winning. Let's hope that people will never lose the lessons that he offered.

IronDog

Cooler Talk

2006-10-27T11:04:00.000-04:00

What do you think of these?...

Good article in the Greensboro News & Record about football coaching searching consultant, Chuck Neinas. Damn, this guy is 'deep cover', right?

Great hire with the Giants hiring Bruce Bochy as their manager. Wow...Talk about 'deep cover.' Damn, Brian Sabean is one helluva GM. Stable, solid, moves in the Bay.

Back to the Bay, watch for Baron Davis for a strong year with the Warriors. Good article by Ian Thomsen from SI.com.

Starbucks is going to be everywhere...Here's another solid article in Fast Company on how the path for journalism blending online and offline is being carved in...Topeka?

Roll,
IronDog

Organizing the World's Information

2006-10-26T00:04:00.000-04:00

Major daps to Health Sciences Library and the School of Information and Science at UNC-Chapel Hill for pulling this lecture tomorrow...

If you're around, maybe you can grab a standing room only slot for Google CTO, Craig Silverstein. The lecture is entitled "Organizing the World's Information, Google's Vision for the 21st Century."

If you miss out, check into the Health Sciences Library's home page and I'm sure ibiblio will be archiving the lecture as well.

Let's see what's next.

Visionaries,
IronDog

Ridiculous Timing

2006-10-24T18:14:00.000-04:00

I understand certain moves need to be made...But when is the right time?

Well, when it comes to timing and handling, the UNC athletic department didn't do so well with the timing of firing of John Bunting on Sunday night.

Undoubtedly, John Bunting had to go...We all knew that it was coming after the Clemson and Miami games, right?

However, the question that I have to ask is what can you can get done by making a firing at this point of the season?

No school is going to let UNC talk to a coach until a season is over anyway. No coach will make an announcement until after their season is done anyway. And to say this move is to prevent the awkward and 'unethical' move of talking 'behind-the-scenes' doesn't hold much water either. Whatever "board/committee/administration" that is handling this move is going to talk to agents anyway.

This is a such a joke in terms of the public eye...What's the advantage of starting a search a month and a half before the season ends? Buy a ESPN GamePlan and start watching games?

Perhaps, the time will allow us to freely pursue candidates who are currently not coaching a la Butch Davis. (Yet, from the looks of this article by Robbi Pickeral in today's News & Observer, I don't know if the athletic department is ready to step up to the high dollar stakes game to get Butch Davis....Also, 'Special Thanks' to Stewart Mandel from SI.com to put this bug in national media...This has to be a top option.) On the other hand, maybe the move was made because it'll take us a month and a half to convince Jim Donnan to come out of retirement...;)

With that little diatribe, I guess you could say that this time frame is an advantage. However, is it worth the embarassment of leaving a head coach, the team, and your recruits out to dry?

If you're a UNC supporter, you should be feeling timid about what's coming down your way in terms of a football hire. The dramatic episodes that followed the departures of Mack Brown, Carl Torbush, the basketball program succession, and the last but not the least debacle, the national embarrassment of pursuing Roy Williams during his NCAA tournament run should be easily remembered.

At North Carolina, our public moves have been embarrassing of late. This one is no different. By announcing the decision at this point of the season is ridiculous.

(I can't wait for NBC to pick apart this issue for five minutes when we're down by fifty with each telecasts. Great national exposure.)

Make the move on the Monday after Thanksgiving. If you don't have your coaching targets during the month of December and the pre-bowl weeks, you're in major trouble anyway. If you haven't talked to agents by that time, you're in even bigger trouble.

A shift had to happen for us to move back into the Top Ten like we should be. However, a mid-season pull on a coach is embarrassing. A mid-season pull on a coach, who is an alum, is not only embarrassing but plain wrong.

Maybe I'm off-base, but I believe that North Carolina stands for class. I don't think we've showed it through this move.

IronDog

The 'Ninja Turtle' Moves On

2006-10-18T08:44:00.000-04:00

One wonderful NBA world may be coming to an end...

Yes, the wonderful world of former UNC point guard, Jeff McInnis, may be over...No, this time he didn't go after a coach or do a pump and run at McFarling's.

His feud with New Jersey Nets head coach, Lawerence Frank, and the upper management of the Nets may have pushed his career to the end. It also hasn't hurt that despite a wrist injury, the preseason play of Nets first-round draft pick, Marcus Williams, may have forced McInnis out during this season's training camp. Check the info here.

The feud started last year over his rehabbing of a knee injury.

The Nets said he wasn't working on it. He said it was still hurt...You know the deal. Here's more info from the New York Daily News.

=============

Also according to the New York Daily News - Steve Kauffman, McInnis' agent, ripped the Nets in general and Lawrence Frank in particular yesterday for the impasse his client faces. Frustrated by the stalemate - McInnis is on the Nets' roster but not with the team after a tumultuous 2005-06 season - Kauffman even said litigation is possible. "His stubborn nature is going to haunt him," Kauffman said of Frank. "He's one of the most stubborn coaches I've ever heard of." Kauffman accused Frank of bad-mouthing McInnis around the league, saying he had "damaged Jeff's reputation beyond repair" and torpedoed his trade value. A trade may be the only way McInnis gets to play this season, since the two sides haven't agreed on a buyout and the Nets don't intend to release McInnis or bring him back to East Rutherford. McInnis remains under contract with the Nets; he's in the second year of a two-year, $7 million deal. Advised of Kauffman's comments, Frank took the high road. "We've never said anything negative about Jeff to any coach in the NBA," he said. "If he wants to blame me for Jeff's tenure here, I'll take full responsibility for it. More than likely, he'll be an effective player in another system."

==================

Don't feel so bad...Paul Allen gave McInnis a gift of a contract in Portland. (I still wish the Warriors had signed his ass.) With his contracts in tow, he should be able to drive customized rides all over the state for the rest of his life.

I hate to ring the final bell from one of the classic characters of all time in UNC basketball lore, but this feud may be the last time you hear of him for a long while.

One thing has to be said...That dude was a helluva point guard.

Charlotte/Oak Hill Represent,
IronDog

Social Software Symposium @ UNC Chapel Hill

2006-10-18T00:27:00.000-04:00

Pencil this one on your calendar...

If you want to know what innovative people and projects are emerging out of Chapel Hill, you need to check out what's going on with Fred Stutzman.

He's shining bright with his thoughts on social networking. Now, he's announced the 'Social Software Symposium' at UNC Chapel Hill on December 8-9. Check out the details here.

According to Fred's blog, 'The Explainer', the purpose of this event is to bring together young researchers in the field, to explore research methods and strategies for studying social software.

So, if you are a researcher in the field (faculty or currently enrolled student, Masters-level or above) and would like to be involved with such an event, join up in this "meeting of the minds" in order to discuss methods and strategies for studying social software.

Bring your online social networking game...Share, create, converse, research.

IronDog

NBA Tips

2006-10-17T00:29:00.000-04:00

With the Bobcats and the Wizards coming into the Hill tomorrow night...

I thought that I would feed you some notes from Sam Smith. Here's a chock full-o-info from his column today in the Chicago Tribune.

I like this one...

"Pistons players close to (Ben) Wallace say he has bemoaned the Bulls' rule that precludes him from wearing a headband. "

I know that a banning headbands may be considered as 'No Fun' and tightwadish. However, I'm down with it. These guys have to remember that they're in the NBA. Time to look tight...Bring your game up. Leave the headbands to And1, the legacy of 'Slick' Watts, and the clowns who think they're still keeping it 'real.'. By the way, if you neither have a blown out 'dew nor resemble Ben Wallace and you're still rockin' a headband bro...You're a 'herb'.

Also liked this note...

"Knicks say they'll at times use guards Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford together."

I'm telling you....The New York Knicks have the best team to compete in the Rucker League. They have a legitimate shot at winning the whole thing this summer.

AAight...enough.

I'll try to have a few shots for you from tomorrow night. I still have some pics from the Del 'The Funkee Homosapien' show last week that I need to show you. Tune in tomorrow.

Go Bulls,
IronDog

A's Part Ways

2006-10-17T00:10:00.000-04:00

I didn't see this one coming...

I really didn't expect the A's to fire their manager, Ken Macha, this afternoon. Especially, when you consider the A's pulled off one of the better second-half performances in baseball over the past decade.

Yet, you never know what's going on behind closed doors in organizations. Check out the article here from SFGate.

What's more wild is that when the A's hired Macha four years ago, he was not only considered a player favorite, but also the favorite of Billy Beane. Hmmm...Makes you wonder how much does the manager really matter to a team's success. Is a manager in the days of percentages and number analyses that big of a factor?

Well, when you ask that question, you better be prepared to answer the question of why the A's haven't been able to get over the hump.

After watching how Art Howe fared away from the A's organization, I'll side with the management on this one.

Ron Washington...Are you ready?

Step Up,
IronDog

Rakim @ Cat's Cradle 9/27/06

2006-09-28T13:47:00.000-04:00

"Follow The Leader"...

Rakim flowed through town last night. He put on an incredible show at Cat's Cradle, and his on-stage presence on the stage is as ultra-smooth as his voice sounds on vinyl.

I finally caught him live. He brought back a lot of memories. I've been rolling around cities to his voice since I was 16 and rewinding VCR tapes to copy Rod Strickland moves.

The show was one of those performances where you keep shaking your head and find yourself saying..."That one was dope..Oohhh that one...How did I forget that one. Damn, keep bringing 'em!"

He's the "MJ" of hip-hop. Yes, debate if you must on that one. Your ego will be flattened like you took on Marvin Hagler.

I placed some pics from the show on my Flickr. Here's a taste...I'll also place some vids on YouTube.

Peace,
IronDog

Rakim
Cat's Cradle

CourseCasting

2006-09-27T21:15:00.001-04:00

I see it coming...Yes, I do...

What is it?...Well, after completing UNC Chapel Hill's Certificate of Media and Technology last year, I kept thinking about the impact that it would have upon learning in today's world. It looks like my thoughts of how lectures and material could be opened to the masses are coming more and more into fruition.

Take a look at the content that Cal Berkeley and GoogleVideo have provided.

Major kudos to GoogleVideo and Cal for sharing.

Yes, I'm diggin' up in that Sergey Brin lecture for the "Search Engines: Technology, Society and Business" class.

Your new ad-supported business model?..The wonderful world of 'CourseCasting.' I'm up for it.

Spongin',
IronDog

Grade A's

2006-09-27T20:14:00.000-04:00

If you're a baseball fan, you have to give a serious look at what's going on with the Oakland A's out West again...

With their 12-3 win yesterday, the A's popped bubbly in the locker room yesterday. Why should this year's team be regarded as special?...Because Billy Beane and the A's management team have done an incredible job with rebuilding their club over the past two seasons.

Yeah, yeah...yeah...Since the release of Michael Lewis's 'Moneyball', every baseball fanatic has been glaring at the feats of the book's now legendary characters in order to wreak havoc on Lewis' theories and the depiction of Beane as an innovator.

A lot of baseball snobs sneer at the productivity of depicted draftees, Jeremy Brown and Nick Swisher, and they claim that Beane's management philosophy is overrated.

A lot of statheads now claim 'stats, percentages, and models' win...But even they're off. Look at the dull moves of the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and other squads.

They all sneered at drafting college players because they're more seasoned.

Meanwhile, every team bit on the guy's style and overspent on players with high on-base percentages and overdrafted college players.

So what does Beane do?...He switches up the game. He begins to draft guys like Hutson Street and junior college pitchers out of high school, spends dollars on chemistry guys who get walks and can throw strikes, and gambles on guys who have something to prove.

Yet again, he proves that you blend percentages and the knowledge of people's personalities to generate wins.

For the stat fanatics, what makes Beane different is that he believes success in baseball is about controlling the strike zone. Look at this one from Allen St. John's solid Wall Street Journal article last week that showed Beane's types of hitters, know how to work the strike zone. On the hitting side, the A's are currently only one of seven teams to draw 100 more walks than they've allowed.

What amazes me are the major gambles of Beane's trades. With the dumps that Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson took this past season, Beane is a master of the art of "letting go." Even though the trades of Mulder to St. Louis and Hudson to Atlanta freed up a lot of cash for signing centered around Thomas, Zito, and Chavez, they were incredibly gutsy moves that even Beane said were the hardest moves of his career. You have to give credit to his display of 'letting go', which in deal making is an art.

Don't think so...Well, it's one thing to trade numbers or sheets of paper. It's whole other ballgame when you're shuffling talent that you've been nurturing a guy since he was 18 or 21 for a period of seven to eight years. Players aren't just stock prices in a portfolio.

Now, look at his chemistry moves. He picked up a soid Dan Haren from the Mulder trade. He gambled on Frank Thomas, and look at the wonders of his play of late. Jason Kendall has been an incredible pick-up. He kept Mark Kotsay and allowed Nick Swisher to develop. Hell, this guy even calmed an injured Milton Bradley down enough to contribute.

And this year's team has accomplished all of this their second half climb with key injuries to Bobby Crosby, Huston Street, and Rich Harden...Incredible.

Beane bought and traded for talent on the cheap. He emphasized defense and picking up guys who have something to prove. More importantly, he built a team that has not only wins, but also has cohesion in the locker room.

Major kudos to the A's this year. I'm pulling for this crew in Oakland...

I only wish that I could be there sitting in the Uecker seats in Oakland throughout the month of October. Damn that Oakland fall sunset is sweet...

Wonderball in Alameda,
IronDog

Toy Loungin' with Danah Boyd

2006-09-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

I've been a big fan of apohenia for some time...

For those who don't know what or who "apohenia" is... "Apohenia" is the tech and culture blog authored by online social networking extrodinnaire, Danah Boyd, who is a P.H.D. student at Cal Berkeley.

As a guest of SILS, she stopped through Chapel Hill yesterday and spoke at Dey's Hall's Toy Lounge on campus.

Boyd is a major gamer due to her blogging prowess. Yet, after seeing her speak in person, you realize that her game is not ruled by blogging but nurtured by a passion for what people, in particular, teens are creating through online social networking. She understands how people and teens are relating to each other online...It's no wonder why she is part of Yahoo University's Social Research team at Cal...She's gets it.

In her talk, she explained how people are transferring their online representations of the self to the people they know through online social networks. With an online profile, people are simply transferring physicality to the oline world. Just as people have adopted fashion, music, or political beliefs as their own to express themselves in physical and real life, people have created virtual extensions of themselves in the online world.

Boyd explored the issues of what people are doing online. She explained that people or 'teens' are presenting themselves to the communities that they inhabit. As she stated...with Fred Stutzman's head nodding up and down in the front row..."People are into building 'cred' with friend and contact lists, and they're only trying to fit in with the peers and social environments where they exist"

She then touched on the questions of why it's a problem for people to be freaked out about how people are presenting themselves and interacting with communities online. With the media's blaring about individual cases of online predators and content issues, Boyd used her research on teens to depict what's happening.

Boyd finds that teens are creating a check and balance process among themselves in their communities. "When people break norms, the issues are discussed." That's good if you're fearing your teen is left alone in cyberspace.

With the amount of time teens are interacting with each other's online profiles and their online communities, they're actually creating safeguards for themselves and their communities.

She's right. Look at how teens will create safeguards for themselves in public. If they're hanging as a team at a IHOP or at a mall...They always look out for each other.

After her harrowing descriptions of how teens are addressing online predators and the dangers that are happening 'offline', she presented a solid argument to present local authorities a limited presence to investigate online behavior. However, I am glad that her research is discovering that despite what the mainstream media reports, teens can find more potential for harm in the 'offline' world through alcohol, drugs, and unsafe sex 'offline' than they can relating to each other and surfing through links 'online.'

**(Note: For marketers, heeding that statement could be good news...Just remember though when you're targeting online communities, how corny you could make your brand appear to them. Just because you market a product online, doesn't establish your product as cool...You better have an identity.

Boyd also made another solid point that could be heeded to behavioral targeting for marketers.

People are misleading in their information provided in online profiles. She believes information could be more than lightly skewed because people are putting in random numbers and places for categories such as 'Age' and 'Location.' After all, how many MySpace profiles have you seen with 'Age: 71', 'Location: Zimbabwe'...I only have to look at my own job description on MySpace. My 'Occupation' currently states 'Trainer/Cut-Man for Ken Norton' right now....She touches on a very good point.

Check back in for more. I'm on with this stuff...**

All said, a great conversation created at Toy Lounge...Leave it up to SILS and the people of ibiblio to pull online gurus into Chapel Hill...Another great guest and by the way, a good spot to have a lecture in the Hill. Nice choice.

As for 'Apophenia', you can tell that she doesn't just read her stuff in the NYTimes and spouts off about teens and online behavior...She's lives the culture, and she relates to how people are interacting online. More importantly, her research is important because a major portion of the future in online behavioral patterns lie in the work created by the youth and teens of the world.

Be sure to check in at her blog.

By the way, check out her posts of what's happening at Facebook. She made a great post on the Facebook's move of feeds. She uses a great anology by comparing the uncomfortability that people are encountering in their new Facebook profiles to the embarassment people find when the music is turned down at a party and they're left shouting out a statement that shouldn't be heard by everyone...Good comparsion.

Big-Ups to Berkeley.

Telegraph Ave.,
IronDog

UNC Chapel Hill SILS
Danah Boyd

Public vs. Private University Stadiums Processes...You Get It?

2006-09-13T20:32:00.000-04:00

I've always loved the new stadium debate...

It has hit every town big and small over the past decade. And no one..no one is unscathed with forming an opinion on whether or not to support a new stadium in their local area.

Well, if you're into the stadium arguments, add to this case to your discussion arsensal. Stanford University's stadium expansion is all completed and they're ready to go with a home opener on Saturday...Check out "Time to Take off The Bubble" by Michelle Smith of SFGate.

What should you find interesting?

Look at the speed of the development process...Nine months!

Stanford's AD, Bob Bowlsby, who arrived from Iowa last year, says it all when comparing public and private funding for new stadiums expansion projects.

"It's nothing short of a miracle, what's happened here in the last nine months...I can tell you without any hesitation whatsoever that if this project was undertaken at a public university, that it wouldn't have gotten done in 10 months and it would have been $300 million, if it was a penny."

According to Smith's article, Stanford spent a third of that. The university financed the project largely through the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) Investment Fund with donations from alumni and "friends" of the university with real estate development tycoon, John Arillaga spending $30 million.

Now, look at public school development projects...Check out the whereabouts on Cal's stadium redevelopment project.

3 years, 3 Phases, $125 Million.

Of course, you shouldn't be surprised that the process would be different. Yet, when you look at fundraising projects that are sped through the development process, there's always that private benefactor with the funds driving the process...Look at who helped out Cal's senior athletic director for development, Jim Bartko, during his time at University of Oregon and the Autzen Stadium $91 million redevelopment project. Damn, I have to give Phil Knight credit for that one...Saavy and classy.

Now, public universities, please take the above case as a lesson. Stop the blending of public funds and campaign drives for stadium expansions. If you don't have a major benefactor in your arsenal, stop dipping into these multi-million dollar projects without one. You're gumming the process and you have to remember for the long run...The arms race will never stop. Wait until the addition the following decade.

It's time to say enough with the public financing and mixed funding on for state university stadium expansions...Not only do they deplete fundraising efforts and funds for activities that generate social welfare, but the projects take too long.

Got to give it up for Stanford...Now, will the benefactors please step forth and continue for the public schools?

(By the way, those columns at the North end zone are tight-tight.)

Soap Boxin'
IronDog

Rights and Wrongs

2006-09-13T20:08:00.000-04:00

Diggin' through the reads, and these stories caught my eye...Check out my Del.icio.us account as well...There are some good stories out there today...

**Super idea on the iTV movement...Now, how are they going to get people understand why they need to add a Mac to the home theatre systems that they've already dumped half of their retirement funds on? And how quick is Apple going to turn consumers' HDTVs into montiors?

After all, am I going to watch "The Departed" on a 15" Mac or PC screen?...Unless, I'm on a plane, nahhh.

**Nice info digging by ESPN's Ivan Maisel...It's always good to see when the NCAA bends in the wake of reality. Check out the story on Clemson football player, Ray Ray McElrathbey and his brother Fahmarr...We'll probably hear a ton about this story over the next few months. I'm pulling like hell for Ray Ray.

What's good is that the NCAA listened to McElrathbey's appeal. (His mother is battling drug addiction and Ray Ray has been forced to tend to his younger brother Fahmarr)...Kudos.

Also, kudos to Maryland coach, Ralph Friedgren, admitting that he made a serious recruiting snafu by not signing Steve Slaton. In today's coaching whirlpool, a move like that is gutsy...Kudos to Friedgren.

**Check out "What's your sign" by Reyman Harmaci...Man, you either have game or you don't have it...But I do have to say "Practice" does help your game, kid...

Spit Game,
IronDog

'Laggards' in the "New World of Advertising"

2006-09-04T18:54:00.000-04:00

Online marketing is going Lennox Lewis...Mowing down the challengers of old on the ladder of competitive media dollars...

Check out this strategy article about the "New World of Advertising"...It's a long one, but bare with the length...When you see a strategy article like this one, it's good to hear that marketers are finally coming to reality.

According to Christopher Vollmer, John Frelinghuysen, and Randall Rothenberg, the winners in the marketing world are reconfiguring their strategies in these key ways.

Shift spending and management attention to digital media, and use those media to more effectively influence consumer purchase behavior.
Develop formats to promote interaction with audiences, especially their most likely consumers.
Create new research approaches and metrics that measure outcomes, not inputs.
Combine “above-the-line” advertising (TV, radio, and print) and “below-the-line” marketing (promotions, sponsorships, events, public relations) in new two-way, integrated campaigns.
Create their own branded entertainment assets and appeal to customers directly through them.
“In-source” new skills and capabilities to achieve greater sales impact and other measurable results.

The article also touches on a good point with regards to why some industries are moving slow with media plan changes.

They used the auto industry as a solid example. Don't forget that reallocating media dollars requires restructured alliances between dealers and manufacturers. A lot of online and offline marketing departments are not used to working with each other. With regards to strategic partnerships, you have to allow the container ships to change direction.

Good to hear the plates are shifting again...

On Top, Won't Stop,
IronDog

Makeshift Laptop Case

2006-09-04T17:22:00.000-04:00

I've seen it all in Chapel Hill when it comes to transporting a computer...

Yet, this one takes the cake. It's right up there with the duct-tape wallet.

My buddy from the UNC-CH JOMC Program sent me this special post from isoglossia. (Great pics, and easy manual steps). If you're into Clutch Cargo style transportation, then this makeshift laptop case is for you...With a strap, this could do wonders going from room to room.

Here are the benefits for anyone asking what the hell you're doing:

Tailor-made for your machine, with a fit as snug or loose as you design
Provides excellent shock protection and is largely liquid-proof [*]
Made from materials that are practically free
Looks only slightly hobo-esque, and is meant to be tucked inside other bag anyway
Gives you the profound satisfaction of making something with your own two hands

Now grab yourself an hour, follow the steps, and cut and roll your own...

Cuttin'
IronDog

Response toThe 'Nike Dunk' in '06

2006-08-30T00:49:00.000-04:00

The Dunks must be getting hot again...

Every time the heat starts coming off the road with new designs, I get a few emails about my article 'Preservation of the NIKE Dunk' that was featured in the summer issue of Sneaker Freaker Magazine in 2004.

My view is this on the new Dunk designs. Rock 'em..I'm not hatin' on your style.

However, I just want the sneakerheads to realize what really made the shoe special and how the customization centered around teams and college basketball not...Pharrell, Nelly, or other cornballs over the past few years.

I have to admit that I can be as attached to the old school like John Chaney. With that said, I certainly, don't ever want to be the guy who continues to caught in a time warp oohhhing for the days of past. However, before I wrote the piece, I never thought the shoe was given respect for what it was...An incredible basketball shoe solely designed and customized for incredible college basketball teams of the mid-80s. And I didn't want the legends who made that shoe special to fade away.

The Dunk was neither a skateboarder's shoe nor was it a glam shoe. The Dunk was and is a baller's shoe. The Dunk had respect than the Jordan or even a year later with the Revloution or the Assault because the shoe centered around the close-knit community of Nike's NCAA, AAU high-school, and camp sponsored teams. The Dunk was a team shoe.

If you were wearing that shoe, you either had major game or a major 'jones' for the school that the colors represented. If you were rocking the Dunk, you better have an elite level game, know someone who does, or have at least have a roundabout knowledge of those colors, because you were the dork who burns mad loot trying to be a baller.

Keep in mind that guys such as Antoine Joubert, Matt Roe, Walter Berry, or Matt Brust are the original artists of that shoe because they rocked them on the floor when it counted. I also don't believe that with eBay, sneaker boutiques, and hundreds of media channels that it will always be a challenge for Nike to create that secret cocktail of buzz, focus, magic, and exclusivity around a shoe in college basketball again.

That concoction of marketing and mythology is what made those shoes so dope, not the colors.

So, change it up...

What I would love to see is a new shoe model other than the AF1 or the Dunk be adopted by artists and sneakerheads as a design template. The FC Brasils are incredible...I love the Nike URLs and I love the new Free designs. Push the customized designs into the newer models. The technology is better and you can express your creativity with a shoe for....Today.

Now don't get me wrong. I can see the flip side...Just look at the case of customizing classic cars. Muscle car designs from the '70s are incredibly unique and fun. I can easily see how the argument can be swayed the other way of tricking out the designs of the past.

However, when it comes to my tastes for shoe models such as the Dunk or the AF1, I sway toward the belief that the shoes are built for the game and the myths centered around the teams of the time. That's why my preference would be to innovate around the new models and the modern issues...Leave the old ones alone. Show me the style on a shoe built for gamers of today.

Just remember...The shoe is built for 'Team'. As long as the Dunk is built around a 'team' essence, then I'm down with any design.

Let's Go Redmen,
IronDog

Nike Dunk
Sneaker Freaker

Whoa Nellie...

2006-08-29T23:59:00.000-04:00

Look who's back in Oakland...

Yes, the Warriors re-hired Don Nelson as head coach today. And I don't what to think.

My head says that the game was passing him by in the past two seasons, and it was more of Mark Cuban's dollars and the talent surrounding Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki that gave him success at the end of Maverick reign. Yet, my heart still believes that he's still one of the most innovative and creative coaches in the NBA over the past two decades...If you're the Warriors, why not go with him?!

Here are the details from Janny Hu of SFGate.

Nellie knows the organization. He has a great relationship with GM Chris Mullin. More importantly, he seems to have the ears of absentee owner, Chris Cohan. He's a master at developing talent. Look at Mario Elie, Steve Nash, Rod Higgins, and Tim Hardaway...Hell, look at even Paul Mokeski and Sidney Moncrief.

Not a bad call by the Warrior organization. Roll the dice with the veteran and see how it develops. To see a case that worked, check out the Grizzlies and Hubie Brown. Meanwhile, nice payout for Mike Montgomery. He gets to chill out in the Bay Area and wait for Santa Clara, USF, or Cal to open up, and he'll be right in line. Not a bad gig for the next two to three years.

Big ups to Chris Mullin for making a move before training camp starts. Now, there's not a delay or big media circus erupting during training camp or before the start to the season. Let's hope that the Warriors can develop as a unit under Nellie. They need to break into the Playoffs. C'mon...they're due.

Check back in mid-Janurary. Let's see how many positions Troy Murphy will end up playing, and let's see if Jason Richardson can become the next Latrell Sprewell...I'm telling you...Nellie is a master for developing talent.

Run-TMC,
IronDog

Alright...It's Tight

2006-08-10T22:37:00.000-04:00

Every time that I want to give the guy a chance...

Honestly, I was going to give Kobe a strong shot this summer for the World Championships, but he pulled up lame. So, who the hell knows if America will ever be able to adopt Kobe in the future.

With his shoes, the guy is always an Adidas guy to me. Yet, no one remembers the past, right?...Regardless of my thoughts, the guy puts up mad shots and mad numbers, and I have to admit this shoe release by Nike is pretty damn tight for the World Championships.

This is one of the better designs for a USA special edition for an Olympic or World Championshiop year that I can remember...Kudos.

Fix that knee. We need him for a run at the gold.

USA 2006,
IronDog

Footloose Needs to Hit Carrboro

2006-08-02T08:36:00.000-04:00

Say whaaaa??....

This is a damn shame. One of the best public commons areas in the Southeast have duped the people of Carrboro. The management at Carr Mill have banned dancing and other public performances in front of Weaver Street Market.

I've been bragging about how Weaver Street Market is an incredible example for small towns to create a public place through creating an experience with commercial properties. Well, send this example down the drain because the experience is drying up.

The area's performance area that holds a cast of characters, which include Bruce Thomas otherwise known as the 'Dancing Man', is now closed for performers...Geezus. You have to be kidding me.

Check out the full story here from the Durham Herald-Sun. Some stiff guy had to make this call. If this continues, the commons area is going on one of my public places extinction list.

This is what happens when you have public places that are privatized. The property owners preach a huge game about how they want to create a public space for people to commune in order to ease the community's concerns when they develop the property. Yet, when it's all said and done, they control the uses and who's allowed to use a public place that is in the center of a highly trafficked area...Ridiculous.

By the way, I'm sending this to Project for Public Places...They should know about this. Put it on their awards list or something.

These clowns have even knocked out my Weaver Street hula hoop girl. Her crime is that she looks fly and gets everyone to work out with the hoops.

What the hell is going on here? God Save the Planet...I loved that place.

Dance, dance, dance...
IronDog

Cuban Mix

2006-08-02T08:04:00.000-04:00

People don't realize how big of a complex animal that basketball, college basketball, and youth is today...

Maybe there is a solution that could straighten the mess out. Over the past few years, I've been stunned at some of the idiotic rules that are in place for student athletes to develop their games.

I guess that some day administrators will realize that the only reasons why most student athletes are in school these days is because of their sports skills not academic prowess...So, let them develop them, right?

Well, Mark Cuban touched on those points in his blog. Check them out here through BlogMaverick...I actually enjoy his thoughts on developing the NBDL team...Does anyone want to jump in and buy one with me?...I'm partially serious on that one.

Fix the Mix,
IronDog

Live @ The Cradle

2006-07-21T00:51:00.000-04:00

Snapped some pics for you at the Cradle the other night...

Talib Kweli put on an incredible show at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill on Friday night. I caught it with a few of my boys from the NYC.

Kweli gave Chapel Hill extra love by bringing on local heroes Phonte and Pooh from Little Brother midway through the show. They brought the house down...Now that's a team!

Special thanks to Okay Player and the promoters who put this show together. Frank Heath is doing an phenomeonal job at the Cradle with keeping the peace and providing an excellent venue for hip-hop events in the Triangle.

More to come, but in the meantime, catch these pics from the show...I've been working on my Photoshop skills of late...So step off.

Yeah...Yeah.

Kweli Rock Your Body,
IronDog

Get Out of the Cheap Seats

2006-07-18T07:47:00.000-04:00

My all-time favorite programming concept is ESPN Classic...

But that doesn't mean I'm thrilled with half of the things thrown up there...A case in point is 'Cheap Seats.'

In yesterday's DeadSpin, the writers touched upon the question of whether or not the Sklar brothers, who host the show, are funny, or not. I threw my two cents in. Even though I feel it may be sacreligious to tear any thing down on Classic, I had to reach out to smack these guys in the back of the head with a post about the Sklar brothers and the bore called 'Cheap Seats'.

Here's my post:

"(The Sklar Brothers are) Authentic and complete clowns who should be relegated into the the black of hole of dorkdom. They're straight-up 'Herbs'.

Why?...CliffX touched on it above..."when talking all the way throughout a showing of Dr. J in the Slam Dunk Contest. That there is hallowed sports footage."

He's right.

The Sklars have no knowledge of the borders between what was hip and colorful and what was wack. When they try to crack on events like the ABA Dunk Contest, they lose all credibility and respectability. I mean...How can you crack on Larry Kenon, Artis Gilmore and the "Ice Man", and Doc?

It's one thing to rip into the wackiness in sports, but it's another thing when your knowledge of sports history doesn't allow you to decipher what characters, events, and shows had flavor and what figures and events should be cannonballed.

Their humor is canned, and it's comparable to the goof-offs in Cameron Indoor who pass out chant sheets during pre-game warmups...They need major help.

The shame of it is that they're on the air while the humor on DeadSpin is ten times funnier. If they dressed a couple of DeadSpin commenters in Indie garb and listened to them rip into the programming on the worldwide leader, they would get ten times the humor...Hell, they do it here for free every day.

The show is played out..."

My reasoning is this...And believe me, I know it's easy to pick apart this show in the same way that it's easy to pick apart the vintage material from the '70s.

Anybody can crack on George Gervin's dunks, Dave Casper's running in the Superstars, or karate in the '70s on Wide World of Sports. They're all part of fringe programming that was meant for filler entertainment any way. The skills in the evens such as the ABA Dunk Contest or karate championships weren't that complicated by today's standards. But back then, it was those skills were pretty innovative...Show some respect.

Anyone can pick on Dwight Stones back in the day during the Superstars competition. But back in the '70s...That dude with the Mickey Mouse shirts was pretty colorful for sports that needed characters.

I can understand cracking on the Superstars competitions. They're easy fodder. Who can't nail Joe Frazier's swimming skills or crush Deacon Jones for failing to get up a climbing wall. But step off the styles...You can't knock people for at least trying to bring the funk.

If you're going to crack on it, you better be able to step into the game. These chuckleheads are the types of classroom clowns who run their mouths all day with smart-ass comments. Yet, when it comes to getting into the game, they make a mockery of the game and crack on everyone else's skills because they neither have game nor the skills that can bring anything to a competitive environment.

I'm glad that DeadSpin cracked these guys open....It's time to give 'em the cane.

Pull 'Em
IronDog

Long Tailin'

2006-07-17T16:13:00.000-04:00

Funny when I read about my boys around the blogosphere...

Running through 'The Real Paul Jones' today, I saw this post on fellow "ibiblian", John Bachir, who used Paul's ticket to attend Chris Anderson's 'Long Tail' book release party in NYC.

JJB...Your statement to CNET is nothing less than classic. You've provided Fred and I at least three minutes of laughs in every conversation for the rest of our lives.

Keep pushing it in NYC, bruddah...Keep pushing it.

P.S. Paul! Where the hell were my NYC invites when I needed them...Damn!..;)

"I'm not a Marxist..O.K.",
IronDog

Still Miles Ahead

2006-07-16T13:19:00.000-04:00

Happy 80th to the legacy of Miles Davis...

Jesse Hamlin touched on the Davis's legacy this past week in the San Francisco Chronicle. Despite the fact that Miles would have been 80 and he's been dead for over a decade, his albums are still hot sellers. However, with the way that classical music has pushed into the back shelves of the decaying record store business, I have this recurring nightmare that people will push his albums and legacy into the back shelves along with classical music.

If you don't think it's possible, do this for fun sometime. Go to your local university and ask how many people know George Gershwin...I think you'll find the responses to be quite mesmerizing.

You probably think this post could fall into a 'oh for the past' cry...I'm trying to fight my disdain for people that don't respect the past and tradition. Yet, I've learned that change is a damn good thing. Especially, when I read the following quote from Miles's autobiography "Miles", which by the way is an absolutely a whoop-ass look into his life. The following quote definitely reminds me why I have to innovate, create, and keep moving. Tastes, people, and styles change...That's a damn good thing.

Here's how Miles put it.

"I love challenges and new things...When I hear jazz musicians today playing all those same licks we used to play so long ago, I feel sad for them. I mean, it's like going to bed with a real old person who even smells real old. Now, I'm not putting down old people because I'm getting older myself. But to be honest, that's what it reminds me of...I have to always be on the cutting edge of things because that's just the way I am and I have always been."

Keep pushing for change in your life....

Milestones,
IronDog

The Consolation Game

2006-07-10T19:25:00.000-04:00

A lot of people are looking back upon the World Cup swirl this week...

It's only natural when you consider the event has pulled every country together through the sport of soccer. I noticed Frank Deford on public television with Ray Suarez and the editor of Soccer America this afternoon. You could tell that Deford was in a dialogue that was pretty one-sided in favor of the popularity of soccer.

Deford's argument started with his point that despite the three decades of hype and millions of dollars invested in the sport, soccer is still a niche sport that has not pushed itself over the hump as one of the big six sports in America.

Deford believes the sport is still a niche sport and that soccer is a game that fails to entice the mainstream American sports fan. He also stated that middle America can't understand the emphasis on defense, low-scoring, and the on-field politics of the game...Much less the drama acts on the field...Although I feel soccer is vibrant in America, with this argument, I tend to find myself siding more with Deford on the views of soccer in America.

With that all said, I do find it interesting that after major world events like the Olympics or the World Cup that people would like to transfer the experience over to the mainstream sports of America such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, or the NCAA major revenue sports. An example was found on the Freakonomics blog that I read often. Check out the post from the wudnerkinds here...Damn, I love this blog.

Dubner suggested that the NFL or other major sports events such as the Final Four or the Super Bowl should have a consolation game. My reply is this...

"There is nothing like the sap feeling of watching a third place game while wondering ‘What the hell happened?’ in the semifinal.

Believe me, a consolation game is not a good thing…for the players, coaches, and more importantly the fans. It’s the ultimate fete of the famous ‘kissing your sister’ cliche."

So please...Do not start up the demand for a consolation game. I don't think we realize how much impact that economists, financiers, and MBA students are having upon sports right now. "Geek chic" is in with GMs, sportsmarketers, and owners. They'll create any experience or event for the loot. Jump on my view with this one...

We don't need to start a groundswell clamor for consolation games in sports. They're miserable for everyone in the long-run.

"All or Nothing",
IronDog

Enrolled and More to Come...

2006-07-04T12:37:00.000-04:00

Just to let you know...

I have accepted, enrolled, and committed to the Executive MBA Program at UNC Chapel Hill. I am expected to earn my MBA from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business in 2008.

For the next two years, you'll be hearing news and tidbits from my experiences. Perhaps, you'll notice a couple of twists to the 'IronDog Chronicles', which I hope you'll enjoy. I've been wanting to achieve a MBA for a long, long time, and this is a big step in my life. Where the path leads?...Well, you'll be able to find out soon...;)

In the meantime, let's keep sharing information. I'm here in "Chapel Thrill."

It's On,
IronDog

Bulls are Back

2006-07-04T12:19:00.000-04:00

I'm overjoyed...Yes, overjoyed...We're going back to work...

Yes, the Chicago Bulls are going to be back working at a Championship level now that power forward, Ben Wallace, is on board.

Why?...Because now the Bulls have a legitimate leader in the trenches and in the paint. A player who knows what it takes to win a championship, has a work ethic that rivals Hestapheus, can rebound and more importantly bang with anyone...This is a huge move.

Throughout the playoffs this year, I said that the Bulls are missing a piece to push them over the top of the heap, which this season is the Miami Heat. My thoughts would be an extra gunner in terms of a guy who could drain a couple of buckets at the end of games. But landing Wallace is a better move by Bulls GM, John Paxson, and Bulls Head Coach, Scott Skiles.

The Bulls have some great pieces with Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, Kirk Hinrich, and Ben Gordon. With Wallace, they can now allow frontcourt athletic players such as Tyson Chandler (although the rumors are that they're going to be shipping Chandler) and rookie, Tyrus Thomas to bring speed to the game without relying on lumbering Mike Sweeney to pick up the slack.

What's even more wild is that the Bulls may be releasing an identity that stems from the storied past of the Jordan years. The Jordan years have always lingered around the team for the past decade. It's time to let the past go...

Why?...With Wallace's veteran leadership combined with the smashmouth, hard- nosed philosophy of Skiles's offense and defense, the Bulls may now truly represent Chicago for what they are...A hard, titanium strength, bust-ass, team that foretells to anyone who feels that if they're going to make a run at something, they're going to have to come through Chicago.

Major Kudos with this signing...

Madhouse on Madison Returns,
IronDog

Wanna Trade?...

2006-06-29T00:22:00.000-04:00

Ok, I DVRd the NBA Draft tonight...

Now, I'm speeding through it. As of right now, I'm blown away by the amount of trades tonight...And you know what?...I think it's great. Finally, we have teams and GMs shuffling players, picks, and salaries. Work the deal. Keep it going.

Kudos:

Bobcats - I still hate that nickname for Charlotte. Can't we dump the 'Bobcats', please?...Damn, you mean every Thursday night and Saturday night I have to think 'Go Bobcats' and that booty ass Orange...Yeech.

With that said, MJ made a great pick with Adam Morrison. I think he'll be a great 3 man, and he'll play off well with Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, and Sean May. Especially with Felton...Both of those guys are gamers. This team is going could be quite nasty...No softies here.

More importantly, in Mike's vision! No Wes Unseld or "Dishonest" Abe Pollin around.

Grizzlies - What a fleece! They pick up Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift for Shane Battier. Watch out for the Rockets because they've also exchanged a pick for cash considerations. They're going to make a move on someone either this summer or next. There has to be more to this.

Now, back to the Grizzlies...It wasn't a couple of years ago that everyone was drooling over signing Swift, and now they want to dump him...hmmm....How about this comparsion...Tyrus Thomas & Stromile Swift. I think Gay will be a good player with some solid guys to develop him...Hello Eddie Jones.

They also picked up the career sleeper, James White. Not a bad pick-up at all...The kid will always have 'tremendous talent' right next to his name...Too bad it never has the disclaimer, 'ten cent head' or 'tremendous attitude'.

I also think that Swift knows that organization well enough that he could develop into a valuable veteran...Wow, did I just say that?

With that said, the Grizz also picked up Kyle Lowery, who has a game that I've adored since he was Cardinal Dougherty in Philadelphia. I love the kid's game, and I think he'll be a Bonzi Wells type scorer and slasher in the NBA. Great swipes by the All-Time Best GM...Jerry West...Yes, I said that.

Blazers - I'm still trying to track all of their moves, but I like some of these. They dumped Sebastian Telfair, who has been expendable with the development of Steve Blake and Jarret Jack...I knew that was going to happen. Besides, right now anyone could play point for more than 30 minutes in a game and get 12 points per game. I neither think that's a heavy loss for the Blazers, nor a nice gain for the Celts...I'll keep my bets on Telfair to France within five years.

Also, special kudos for grabbing Brandon Roy from the T-Wolves. The kid is from the Northwest, and he'll be a hometown favorite. I'm a little dicey on LaMarcus Aldridge...Reminds me of an athletic Acie Earl...Just my thoughts.

Nets - Jersey in the House...I like the 'sleeper' picks with Marcus Williams and Josh Boone with their firsts and Hassan Adams with their second round pick. Very athletic and there's a lot of game experience coming onto the bench. Good picks by the old-school dealer, Rod Thorn.

Hawks - I actually like the Shelden Williams pick. The guy with his size and mobility will play a long time in the league...I'm not saying dominating, but he will get ticks.

Brutalities:

Knicks - Right off the bat...Renaldo Balkman...My man, 'Gach-Man', hit me up with an immediate text simply stating "Renaldo Balkman?"...Hilarious.

Suns - Rajon Rando...Thank god for trading Rajon to the Celts. Now, what the hell is Danny Ainge throwing Rondo into his point guard pile? Maybe he'll convince Rondo to eat something...The kid should have stayed at Kentucky. Please feed him.

Lakers - You know the Draft is rough when a point guard like Jordan Farmer is drafted at the end of the first round. I know Greg Anthony loves this kid. Yet, I think he may be a little too overmatched in the league. The Lakers go the safe route and pick the local kid...Real gutsy move...Uh yeah.

Love Milwaukee's pick of David Noel...Something happened when the Warriors landed Patrick O'Bryant. Mully had to be pissy when Rudy Gay didn't fall to #9...Sean Carney, hmmm...shhhh...

Let's see what deals shake free because this Draft year gets a C. But I like the dealin'...Keep it up and bring more!

Back to my DVR,
IronDog

Still Stunned

2006-06-27T07:58:00.000-04:00

I'm still stunned this morning over the Heels' 3-2 loss last night...

I'm speechless.

To the Bone,
IronDog

Dear Mr. Fantasy

2006-06-23T21:27:00.000-04:00

New moves...And here are my mid-season opinions of the 2006 McCauley Street Diablos.

Right now, I'm in a fourteen team league that consists of about ten players who are very active and have nice game. I met these cats in NYC, and I shouldn't be stunned that the two team market and the knowledge for baseball has made it a helluva learning experience and a lot more fun for me.

Assessment:

I've been plagued by the DL this season. Yet, I'm in the middle of the pack. I also believe that I have a top five team. Right now, I'm in 8th place.

I started off with five week losses and then went on a five week tear that was due to patchwork waiver wire action.

I lost last week, and I'm currently in a dogfight this week with the 'Dock Ellis Flashback' who currently is in first place in one division and is one of the top three teams in the league.

Mid-Week Moves:

Players are getting scarce now...

Dropped Casey Jannsen of the Toronto Blue Jays for Mike O'Connor of the Nats...I'm keeping my fingers crossed on O'Connor. He had two great outings out of three, but he's prone to getting bombed.

I slept on a couple this week. I didn't jump on Anthony Reyes, Jon Lester, and Zach Miner, nor did I didn't think a cut was worth it from the staff. That was also until Jannsen blew apart.

Here's another reason...I'm saving a guy on the 'chop block' for Derrek Lee, who is coming back next week.

That broken wrist killed me...Where the hell is Rafael Furcal? MutherF*&<#@!...

Delights:

Nick Swisher - Have him at 1B for most of the season because of DLee's injury. Moving him to the OF when Lee returns. Very surprised with this pick. Especially, when I picked him up in the ninth round. I thought that I jumped a little high on him. I also thought he was a year or two away.

Michael Cuddyer - Picked him up on waivers...Pleasant surprise. He now is my starting second baseman with four available positions.

Carlos Zambrano - After a slow start, he's starting to turn it on...Big-time.

Ryan Zimmerman - Very pleasant surprise and very steady. Probably will become my perm utility man.

Jose Cantu - Fourth round pick, who is very steady when healthy.

Rocco Baldelli - Back a week and I'm in love with the guy...Great mid-season pick-up. Here's to following minor league ball in Durham. Please keep it up...

Corey Patterson - Became my starting CF during a mid-season pick-up...Was on a tear. Now, he's slowing down. The guy needs to start back up. I need to have a heart-to-heart meditation session with him. I may have to sub Eric Byrnes for him this week. Yet, I'm also thinking of subbing him for a slumping Aaron Rowand, who I think may be still adjusting to an injury.

Jason Schmidt - Stellar...Almost shipped him with Garret Anderson for Ichiro and Mark Mulder. Thinking about it now...Not a bad trade, but Mulder is horrible right now. I would have been screwed.

Hung Jury:

CoCo Crisp - Big part of a trade that I'll describe below....Busted his finger and then passed kidney stones. Killed me and was the start of a rash of injuries that forced me to make some serious Neosporin moves. He's starting to reach his first complete month back, and he should be on his roll now. Let's see how his breakout year with the BoSox goes.

Marcus Thames - Picked him three weeks ago when I saw him on Baseball Tonight...I like the kid's game. He's doing well now. What's up with him in four weeks? If he's a one-month wonder, I'm going to be pissy that I passed on Gary Matthews Jr.

Aaron Rowand - Before that catch...He was mad hot...Now, he has to come back. Let's just hope that he doesn't give me another April, which is highly likely. I still like the guy...On TV...Who knows on the Diablos?

Disappointments:

Khalil Greene - I shouldn't be so hard considering he saved my ass when I had Bobby Crosby out with a broken finger and Cantu with his broken foot. I obtained him with CoCo Crisp in a trade for Ken Griffey Jr. He's just not producing for me...Dude, he needs to rock the braids or chill out on PB or something. Just please give me a breakout month...Will ya!

Chad Cordero - He's starting to get hot, but he killed me through April and May. I don't know if I can forgive that. Watch...I'll ship his ass, and watch him deep fry hitters with his splitter to close out the year with a helluva tear....Bitch.

Bobby Crosby - I really like the way this guy plays, but he can't catch a break. The guy dislocates fingers, breaks thumbs...I don't get it. He plays so hard...Gets hurt and disturbs his roll. Watch him destroy the league...Next May.

Garret Anderson - Cut his ass...The dude is soft. He had some great years. Then in '04, he had the arthiritis thing going. Now, he has hamstring probs. I cut him for Baldelli and Anderson racks a few points...Screw it. He's gone. I expected more.

Current Staff: Necessary 5 Starting Pitchers, 3 Relief Pitchers, 1 Pitcher

Jason Schmidt - Scared me silly, now staff ace.
Carlos Zambrano - Beast, but who's coming to dinner.
Justin Verlander - Damn, he's nice...in '08.
Erwin Santana - Surprise
Eric Milton - 2 Great games then...Yeech
Francisco Rodriguez - Where the hell are you?!
Chad Cordero - Please get hot.
Ryan Dempster - Great...Then June came.
Sean Marshall - Great prospect...Typical youth..1 great game, 1 bad.
Franciso Rodney - Wild as his fro.
Mike O'Connor - Plug-IN

That's it...That may be even too much info for you.

By the way, Joe Crede is getting hot. I stretched on him in the draft, and after his back injury with a couple of shots he's getting hot. Joe Crede...He my boy.

Also, special kudos to YahooSports, they have a helluva lot of free information and solid statwork. Now, will they please include rankings on the gameday page like they used to do?!!

Work the numbers,
IronDog - GM/President, McCauley St. Diablos
Chapel Hill, NC

McCauley Street
Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Yahoo Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy Baseball 2006 Mid-Season
North Carolina Fantasy Baseball

GameNight

2006-06-23T19:46:00.000-04:00

Yes, I thought about it...

A Saturday airline ticket to Omaha from RDU would have been $437 with tax, and it would sent me through Detroit...But I just couldn't do it. I like my chances in the Hill this weekend...;)

To make up for it. We have the Radiators in town tonight at the Cradle. If you want to catch the game with good convo, head to the West End Wine Bar on Saturday night, I'll be perched at the bar with a easy silver needle tea. Let's discuss the happs in the Hill, baseball, and life.

Baseball Fever...Catch it,
IronDog

Weekend in the Hill

2006-06-23T19:41:00.000-04:00

Oh what to do...What to do...

Well, this summer in the Hill has been moving very well. Especially, with the College World Series activity taking place here. Can you believe that the North Carolina Baseball program has a serious shot at landing a national championship...Wow.

A funny note to add to all of this. I ran into Roy Williams outside of Carmichael a short while after Wednesday night's game. He was checking in on his campers, and he must have listened to the game on the radio. Because when I yelled at him "Huge W,
tonight," he responded with 'Tight one and 6-5" right away...He's a big fan and always on top of everything. I still think his showing up for the CWS last weekend was a very 'cool' and 'class' thing to do.

Let's see how Andrew Miller, Robert Woodard, and Daniel Bard pitch this weekend...Should be a special treat. This is like watching the Arizona Diamondbacks of 2001.

Mow 'em down,
IronDog

Franklin Street Doings...

2006-06-17T12:20:00.000-04:00

Watched Game 1 of the College World Series last night at the West End...

Sloppy play, a helluva lot of excitement with a 13 inning game, Andrew Miller is a beast, and the Detroit Tigers who drafted him number 1 in last week's MLB draft last week are sweating bullets after 124 pitches. Despite giving up some long balls and 5 runs, I'm still very impressed with the kid, and I will always be stunned by the power of the aluminum bat.

Next game is against Clemson. Daniel Bard, who was drafted number one by the Boston Red Sox, goes up against a beast of a program that has emerged among the giants in ACC baseball. That'll be good one for early Sunday evening.

Aaight, here's some Hill news...They always make the changes that create conversation in the summer.

A new traffic light stop on Franklin is going to change up foot traffic...After Hector moved from it's original building to the old Henderson St. Bar & Grill address, a club/bar megaplex is taking over the whole property on the corner of Henderson and Franklin...Place is going to be wild.

Word now drops that the famed "Rat" is going to close. Town Councilman, Cam Hill blurts out the threat at last week's council meeting...Ouch...No more "Gambler"?

Golden Arms ,
IronDog

Join BarCamp RDU 2006

2006-06-13T20:50:00.000-04:00

The new way of assembling a million thoughts...BarCamp. Yeah...Yeah...Ya' know it!

I'm signed up for BarCampRDU for July 22, 2006 on the campus of Red Hat Software in Raleigh, North Carolina. Special kudos to my peoples Fred Stutzman, Paul Jones, John Bachir, and the people of ibiblio.org for letting me know.

If you're either an online fanatic, a 'newbie', or want to make a difference in voicing your thoughts in the community, please sign up at BarCampRDU. Just click on the link to this wiki...Very cool stuff, and join in on the next wave of conversation with people who are utilzing the powers of online communication to make a difference in the world.

I hope to see you there, and it's good to be back in North Carolina with the people who are pushing in life...Keep it Running!

Campin',
IronDog

New Scoreboard at Wrigley...Say whaaa?

2006-06-13T06:47:00.000-04:00

This sports conversation is a doozy...

Eric Benderoff of the Chicago Tribune has touched off a major conversation with "It's Time for a New Vision". By suggesting the replacement of the scoreboard at Wrigley Field, he's accomplished what he set off to do by ticking off a time bomb of a conversation in the circles of stadium design, baseball traditionalists, and stadium planners.

Don't slough this one off...This is the way the Millenials think...Damn tradition and the past and follow the corporation if it makes you're life easier.

I'll have more on this topic in the next day or two. My knee-jerk response is...If you ever replace the classic old-school scoreboard, why don't you just replace the whole damn field. Seriously, rip the whole damn thing down. Who wants mash-up design any way?

I'll have a response to this joke of a conversation when I get around to it.

You have to be kidding me...

Changin',
IronDog

Spreading like Snakes On A Plane

2006-06-13T06:13:00.000-04:00

When will this movie ever drop?...

"Snakes on A Plane"...It seems as if I've heard about this movie over and over for the last year. I thought the movie had already dropped. Yet, what I didn't realize is that the same phenomeonon that surrounded "Blair Witch Project" is happening with "SoAP." The creation of the Meme.

What are memes? -- cultural ideas that replicate and spread like viruses.

That's what the marketers behind "Snakes on A Plane" have used to market this movie. They've used blogs, YouTube, and other online communities to generate a huge buzz.

Check out this article from Nava Chonin of SFGate...It's a great article upon better ways to promote your work.

Yet, don't forget...It's all about the message.

Swirlin',
IronDog

Why Not Both?...

2006-06-12T23:16:00.000-04:00

I've always been intrigued by Track and Field...

Especially the speed events of the 100s through the 400s. Why you might ask?...Because it's the ultimate test of physical endurance and mental ability within a set time frame. The athletes are like powerful gazelles and wild lions running across savannahs. But enough of the flowery stuff.

Xavier Carter of LSU became the first person to win the 100 and 400 meters at the NCAA track and field championships Saturday. The sophomore added to his legendary Sacramento performance by running down the competition in races just 31 minutes apart. He's the that first athlete since Jesse Owens in 1936 to win four titles at a single NCAA Outdoor Championship and the first athlete ever to win both the 100m and 400m at an NCAA Championships.

Check out more of the feat here from USA Track and Field.

Carter plays football for LSU as well...Here's a shocker. At Wide Receiver, which leads to this question...

After the Track experiments of Renaldo Nememiah, Johnny Lam Jones, and countless others, why aren't more college football teams allowing sprinters run track these days?

Yes, I understand workouts and lifting may be different for football and the skilled positions that today's game demands. Yet, if the player continues to build strength for sprinting capabilities and explosiveness from a set position, then why wouldn't you allow a player at wide receiver, flanker, or a halfback to build his speed and strength through sprinting on the track? Aren't they the same types of movements?

Hell with as many shuttle runs and plyometric exercises players go through in the months leading up to fall football practice, why wouldn't you let him run on the oval? Let's watch how this kid develops on the gridiron this fall. This is a subject that I need to do a little more exploration with...

Stay tuned,
IronDog

Coming Soon to a View Near You

2006-06-12T23:08:00.000-04:00

Knew this was coming since my first viewing of the Back to Future series...

My buddy sent this over to me. You know this will hit like a crack epidemic. Check out MyVu.

Is this the next stage of device coming our way...When will the device boom end?...Will we ever tire of dumping a couple of hundred bucks for a device that will change our life every two years? Stay tuned...

SuperView,
IronDog

Why Are We Afraid of Big Bad Durham?

2006-05-30T00:44:00.000-04:00

After spending a considerable amount of time in Durham over the past few years, I'm amazed at how people are treating Bull City, Durham, North Carolina these days....

For chrissakes, from the way that the fear factors have been spread by mainstream media these days, you would think that Durham is the next Flint, Newark, Compton or East St. Louis.

Now, I'm not saying that Durham doesn't have a few rough spots and some buck-ass wild characters running around the city, but what is wild is the amount of fear that many people have about even coming into a great city that is entering a renaissance phase.

Jeff Stern addresses the image of Durham in a great feature article in this past week's Triangle Independent. Check it out here. It's a good article and it addresses a ton of great questions surrounding the image and development of Durham. In particular, I enjoy how he uses the development stories of RTP and RDU as examples to display how Durham has been given unfairly the backseat in the marketing game that has pushed Raleigh off as the big brother city of innovation in the Triangle...By the way, has anyone realized that most of RTP is in Morrisville?

What people haven't realized is that Durham is providing a breeding ground for an incredible creative class rise in the Triangle. The American Tobbacco Historic District development project is nothing less than phenomeonal. The potential of Ninth Street and the new urban pioneers who are moving into Dutrham are ushering a new revitalization era centered around community and more importantly...They're creating safe and stable neighborhoods.

So, here are a few questions:

Why does a city that actually has a 4.4% unemployment rate and one of the few cities and counties in the country that has a AAA bond rating get such a bad rap?

The knee jerk reaction would use the Duke Lacrosse case or a murder case in Few Gardens to use as excuses to say there are racial divisions and gang problems, but that's not true when you look at the reductions in crime and analyze the fiasco surrounding the mainstream case that was blown out across the country through ESPN, Newsweek, and Fox.

What we need to do for Durham now is to ask ourselves. What do we have to do in the Triangle to create a image of Durham that is not based upon fear? Why are we removing the strength of marketing the Triangle region as one in favor of just the 'Raleigh' area or better yet, 'Raleigh'? How can we retain new employees and commuters who are arriving into RTP and the outer core economic development areas?

And one more for you...Why are we marketing Cary, Knightdale, Garner, and Morrisville as up and coming areas while forgetting some incredible re-emerging neighborhoods surrounding the Hillandale and Trinity Park sections of Durham?

We're creating a travesty by not pushing up the image of Durham and not embracing it's beauty. Yet, what this article has made me think about is...What is the future brand image for Durham? Is it the City of Medicine, the Triangle's Center for Creativity, or is it the city that people want to neglect?

It's time for a new brand for Durham...What's it going to be?

From 'The Green Room',
IronDog

Car Wash Buzz

2006-05-29T23:57:00.000-04:00

I can always count on my boys working at delis, bars, pump and munches, and car washes to come on through for keeping people in check...

It says here in Matier and Ross's stellar local column in the SF Chronicle that Carmen Policy has been rumored to be involving himself with moving the Raiders to Los Angeles. Although he states...And I agree...that as long as Al Davis is breathing on this planet, the Raiders will never be controlled by another soul, Policy's name has been bandied about as a potential suitor to move the Raiders.

Yet, my boys at my favorite car wash on the West Coast at Divisidero Car Wash on Divisidero and Oak streets busted Policy's chops that he better not move the Raiders to LA. I love these guys. I used to talk ball with him during early Saturday and Sunday AM washes, and they know their stuff.

The place was even more tight when the Church of John Coltrane was down the block, and you could hear a tune or two while they scrubbed.

Here's to keeping people in check...Carmen may also want to check his change tray.

Workin' at the Car Wash,
Irondog

Royce Gracie Dethroned

2006-05-29T23:23:00.000-04:00

Wow...The King has been dethroned....

Royce Gracie loses a shocker to Matt Hughes. The next stage for innovation in ultimate fighting has been launched. Check it out here through YouTube...God, I love that service.

Grapplin',
Irondog

Roy Williams, Charleston Post & Courier Interview

2006-05-29T23:12:00.000-04:00

Quick interview in the Charleston Post & Courier the other day with Roy Williams...

I thought this was an interesting response.

P& C: This is a difficult one, but who's the best all-around player you ever coached?

RW: "That is a hard question. It's like asking a parent which child they like the best. As an assistant coach, that's pretty easy since I coached and helped recruit Michael Jordan. I think he's the greatest player that ever played the game. In Kansas I had some great, great players ? Jacque Vaughn, Raef LaFrentz, Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich, Drew Gooden, Paul Pierce. I could name a lot of good players. I've also been very fortunate at North Carolina. Sean May may have had as impressive a run of games as anybody I've ever been around. From about 15 games out from the end of the season to tournament play, it's about as good as I've ever had anybody play."

--------

I would have to agree on his view of May's run. You'll be hard-pressed to get a streak like that going in today's game or in the past. Mitch Kupchak's run is close, but May broke his double-double streak...Give credit where credit is due.

Back to the Gibbons,
Irondog

Floyd Patterson JAN. 4, 1935-MAY 11, 2006

2006-05-12T21:51:00.000-04:00

I have a photo that rests on the wall above my desk...

It's of Floyd Patterson, the former Heavyweight Champ who reigned the heavyweight division for the better part of two decades. The signature on the black and white photo subtly states.

"Kindest Regards, Floyd Patterson"

The signed statement is simple, dignified, and in a subtle way...humane. When I have jazz playing from my computer, his pose in the picture is timeless and most importantly, workmanlike. For me, the photo represents a time when hard work is all you knew how to give. Just pound the bag, and get the job done in the ring and with your training...most importantly, with respect and class.

Patterson won the gold medal in Helsinki when winning a gold medal meant everything to our country. With Cus D'Amato's alliance, they eliminated mob control by choosing their management teams and matches with integrity. His level of humanity was unparalleled. As legendary boxing historian, Bert Sugar depicts in this Chicago Tribune article by Michael Hirsley, when he knocked out Ingemar Johanson, he helped carry an unconscious Johanson to his corner.

Despite the fears of civil rights proponents and leaders such as JFK and heads of the NAACP who thought that fighting Sonny Liston, who at the time was associated with gambling circles, would diminish the progression of racial relations, Patterson gave Liston a fight because he felt that true champions should face challenges. Critics always misunderstood that...Perhaps, they'll understand better and forgive why Patterson's regard for Muhammad Ali changing his name from Cassius Clay before their infamous showdown.

When told that he was knocked down the most times as a heavyweight champion, Patterson replied. "I got up the most times as a heavyweight champion." That statement along with my dignified autographed photo typifies heart, which in today's sportsworld the true element of heart is as faded as a black and white photo on my wall.

A true champion with heart...May the bell ring solid ten times for Floyd Patterson.

Floyd Patterson 1935-2006,
IronDog

Breakin' Bread in Greensboro

2006-05-08T23:11:00.000-04:00

Look who I caught in at the Piedmont Blues Festival in Greensboro on Friday night...

None other than the Best Sideman in Show Biz...Fred Wesley.

What more can you say for Fred Wesley? The trombonist and a mainstay in the James Brown led J.B.'s made up one of the best rhythm sections of all time. He put on a great show in Greensboro last weekend, and what made Friday night more special is that most of his current band are now living in North Carolina.

Just goes to show you how NC can bring the funk...;)

Here's an excerpt from the back cover of his solo album from 1974. All of the album's selections were written and arranged by Fred and James.

"So many times we refuse to go back and break bread with our parents, relatives and old friends, even our high school classmates. Times are tough, the economy is rough, everybody's tryin' to make a dollar. Sometimes you get away from yourself. Won't you go back and break bread while we still have some to break. - James Brown - Bob Both - Fred Wesley.

"Pass the Peas",
IronDog

Football Paulus

2006-05-01T06:19:00.000-04:00

Now, that UNC Football coach, John Bunting, has signed prep phenom QB, Mike Paulus, will people give him his full credit due...Geez.

What a land. Here's a little for you to you know how big of a coup Paulus's signing is for Bunting...

The highest rated and most hyped QB of the past twenty years is Jimmy Clausen, who has two older brothers that played at Tennessee and had great college careers. Analysts and coaches consider the younger Clausen to be the next John Elway. He signed with Charlie Weis and Notre Dame claiming that Weis will develop him to be the best he possibly can be on NFL Sundays.

Weis has already stated that he won't recruit over QBs because their development is that important to him. His safeguard in case Clausen chose USC or South Carolina to take over Brady Quinn's starting position...Mike Paulus.

How high did USC head coach Pete Carroll regard him?

Carroll was penciling him in as the starter in two years. They already have two of the best QBs that have come out of high-school in the past several years with Mark Sanchez and John Booty. Carroll had plans to groom behind Sanchez and Booty's graduation times.

My fear was that he was gone to USC, but perfect timing is everything...

Sanchez entered into some serious legal problems last week with a sexual assault case. The Reggie Bush scenario is looking uglier by the day. Now, Dwayne Jarrett is in trouble for allowing his roommate, Matt Leinart, to pay half his rent, which is ridiculous. It seems the NCAA is swirling into every corner of the program by investigating every little move with the SC program, and it looks like the NCAA will be damned to let USC return to their free-wheeling days of the '70s with their boosters.

The threat of trouble brewing had to factor into Paulus's choice.

**The great thing is that UNC now has a very strong shot at five-star recruit, Greg Little, who is out of Durham or "Bull City" if you will. Little supposedly likes Carolina and is waiting to see where Paulus is heading. Don't feel too good too soon Tar Heel fans. ND is at it again...Charlie Weis loves Little, which could be tough to overcome.

Little is supposedly the best offensive football prospect out of the Triangle in quite some time...That says something.

Don't forget UNC five-star signees are a rarity...This kid is a lot more than a Scott Stankavage. The jumps for joy are highly warranted. Big ups!

Keep On Movin'...Don't Stop,
IronDog

Phil to State?

2006-04-28T06:08:00.000-04:00

Everyone in Raleighwood and across the mill towns and farms of North Carolina are up in arms over the possibility of Phil Ford as coach of the Wolfpack today...

Well, Phil to NC State?...When you think about it, that's not a bad move on either part.

State has to save face by getting a 'name' guy. They also have to get a guy who can recruit against Wake, Duke, and UNC. That's a tough task to answer for a middleweight coach or a coach who doesn't have ACC or East Coast roots.

What State fans have to realize that NC State is experiencing what the University of South Carolina has experienced in college football. They have the squeeze from so many other players in the market that it's hard to compete for recruits and wins.

From the start, Wolfpack fans should realize that State is the fourth option right now behind the Big Three of Wake, Duke and UNC. How can they push that envelope? Pull big-name recruits...That's where Phil Ford could help...Big-Time.

Now, what would be really wild is to see how many 'Carolina' brethren join him on his staff. I think that would be the most intriguing part of the move.

**A lot of UNC people have their fond memories of Phil, and Tar Heel fans talk a big game about Carolina family...Yet, if he starts winning games and in-state recruiting battles, you have to wonder if that move could be the zygote of college basketball's rivalry of the 21st century.

If Coach Ford were to also win and recruit at a more than adequate level, you also have to wonder how much love would bestowed upon Coach Ford from Raleigh and hither towns.

For Tar Heel fans, who state their undying love, let's see how after a couple of recruiting losses, a tight loss, and listening to Wolfpack fans, how much love there really is for #12 and a "Carolina" staff...

**People are always on the UNC/Duke rivalry tip. Yet, I've always thought about how white collar and mediafied the "Duke/UNC" love/hate truly is. Go deep into the mill towns, the public schools, and the pickle and tobacco farms in NC, nothing is as big as UNC/State hate...Nothing.

Remember...They gutted Ramses...That's raw dog, son.

With all of that aside, I'm glad to see Steve Lavin out of the mix. He is undoubtedly the biggest farce that I ever saw as a coach at the elite level. The guy used all of his nine coaching lives while at UCLA, and I still can't believe he lasted as long as he did. In terms of class and skill, he set UCLA back to Walt Hazzard level. Lavin would get destroyed in the ACC.

First off, there is NO way NO how can he out coach any of the guys in this league. Second, I really wonder how he would recruit at the level they need to be at without East Coast ties. That would be a major stretch.

They may end up with Derek Whittenburg, who would be great for quotes at least. One thing is that he'll recruit NYC and the inner city to State...That's what they need and love. Yet, I see them with an ugly mercy break-up in the end.

I know that pro transitions don't prove well, but why haven't they gone after Sidney Lowe? (Note: I guess the fact that he doesn't have a diploma is what ends that question.)

My two cents is to go after Sean Miller at Xavier. But my two cents should roll into the drain because he probably too 'green' to handle State right now.

The Brickyard is getting chillier...

**Also, kudos to Matt Doherty for landing the job at SMU. He's back on the climb. If he's there for more than two seasons, I'll be shocked. That's my two cents.

Raleighwood up to No Good,
IronDog