written by TADOne
John Calipari is not a basketball coach, John Calipari is a salesperson. John is currently on a sales trip in San Antonio, Texas, trying to sell you on his team’s chances in this Final Four. The thing is, he is selling you a “buyer beware” label with his team. He is trying to convince you that his team is not the high dollar, expensive label Gucci suit, but the cheap, not properly sized, Men’s Wearhouse wool blend that doesn’t belong in the same closet. But are you buying that? I happen to like a great bargain.
"Basically, we've just forced our way into that talk," says John Calipari.
Yes, they have. But if you have been paying attention, they have been here all along. They didn’t get to 37-1 by accident. Despite the poor competition of their conference, the Tigers still beat good non-conference teams such as Oklahoma, Uconn, USC, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Arizona, Siena, and Gonzaga. Their only loss was against a then #2 ranked Tennessee, when the Tigers were ranked #1. It was a classic game that Memphis only lost by 4, despite being turnover prone all game. And just in the tournament alone, they have beaten Mississipi State, Michigan State, and Texas.
"Sometimes I wonder if that's their opinion or their hope," Cal inquires. "I just tell the players, 'Don't let anyone pierce your armor.' "
Experts and office bracketologists alike have designated the Tigers the most likely No. 1 seed to stumble. If it is a hope, it is a false hope. Next up for Memphis is a UCLA squad that a number of people feel will win it all. UCLA is favored, but Memphis is rolling after dismantling a very good Texas squad. This team is looking forward to silencing the UCLA faithful.
"I'm really proud of this team," he says. "Not just the starters, but the entire team. They've been friends first and teammates second all year. They have covered for each other.”
This team is a brotherhood. All the players are close and defend each other. It’s the same on the court. You can see in the way they play that they spend a lot of time together off the court. Memphis was eliminated the last two years in the tournament in the Elite Eight, finally breaking thru this year. They have the momentum and the desire to win it all. The team will be ready. And Coach Cal will probably want to win it at the line.
I'll buy that.
Welcome
"We, the elite Linkstigators, have formed like Voltron, We could have used our powers for evil. It was quite tempting, actually. But instead, we have decided to bless the internets with the most slammin' blog (no pun intended). A blog which is dedicated mainly to the game of basketball, but also to diverse topics such as Mountain Dew Code Red, Democratic primaries, Guitar Hero 3 and post-structuralism. We are sponsored by Nabisco."
The Players
Cheryl
Cheryl will offer “A Sistah’s Point of View” (ASPOV) to this madness, because as you will read over the next few months, it will be needed. I see connections, like Haley Joel Osment sees dead people. Connections between modern sports, culture, politics, race and racialization, art and dance, religion and myth. I will try to point these out without being too esoteric or dogmatic (but if I am, sue me). But what you can always expect is that I will be open, honest, and often catty. (That was an awfully un-feminist thing to say, huh?)”
Eboy
White Hot Eboy, or just plain E, is a polarizing figure. On the SLAM site, the place of his e-origin, Eboy seems to move between love for his regular foils to sheer unbridled hate for his detractors. Here in this blogventure, look for Eboy to speak on basketball in all forms, movies, tv, politics, sports in general and anything else that he can throw his opinion at. Besides, he's legally obligated to be truthful and forthright, so stay ready, an E-storm is brewing.
TADOne
TADOne, or just plain TAD, is quite possibly the most sane member of this blog group, although, that is not saying much. My sarcasm, or just plain lack of empathy, has been known to reach epic levels of true disdain. Because of this, I have a love of binge drinking and mindless humor. Therapy is good.
Tariq
I am a sensitive, delicate soul. I use sarcasm and cynicism as self-defense mechanisms, douchebag. I do this to protect my faberge-egg-like psyche. If only I could increase my self-confidence, maybe then I could achieve a moment of sincerity. But I can't. So instead I have to be content with writing sublime pieces which delve into the realms of basketball, football (American), football (real), literature, religion, The Legend of Zelda and Reese's Pieces. I may even occassionally shed some insight into the complexities of the human condition. No promises, though.
My turn-ons are non-smokers and world peace. My turn-offs include crystal meth and springtime.
AR
You may (though most likely don't) know me as commenter H to the izzo from SLAMonline.I will no longer answer to that moniker-ever.I'm retiring only to return again,but this won't be no Linkin Park collaboration.My list of lifetime achievements include being the second most foreign member.The youngest member,the least educated member.I roughly rank as the 3rd most white member and am three time Vodka chugging champion in my district.I intend to prove that basketball opinion and having little else better to do are a dangerous mix.I am usually wrong and am possessed by the ghost of Charles Oakley's right fist.
1 comments:
TAD, your boy the snake oil salesman is pretty close to validating himself. Should be an interesting last two games, for sure.
Post a Comment