Since the beginning of the 21st century, there are two teams that most American sports fans would probably classify as "dynasties." Those two teams are the New England Patriots and the San Antonio Spurs. The Patriots have appeared in six Super Bowls, won four of them, and when they are not playing in the Super Bowl, they are still usually still in the mix. The same can be said about the San Antonio Spurs. Since 1999, the Spurs have also appeared in the Finals six times, and they have won five titles.
Both of those teams are also centered around one legendary coach and one legendary player. The Patriots have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and the Spurs have Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan. Supporting cast members have come and gone, and while there have been other mainstays on the teams, those four men have been the centerpieces. The legacies of Belichick and Brady will always be conjoined, and the same can be said for the legacies of Popovich and Duncan. They have earned their status as all-time greats, and they obviously know what they are doing and how to go about their business in their respective sports. They have elevated both the NFL and the NBA in countless ways, and they mean so much to both of those leagues. With that acclaim, they have earned the right to do things their own way. However, I feel like because they are all on such a high pedestal, they also bear a large amount of responsibility in making their leagues appealing to the fans that support it. That is why last night, I was very disappointed in Gregg Popovich.
Before I start, I will say this: Am I probably blowing this matter out of proportion? Yes, I think I am. However, I still feel like it is a point that at least needs to be brought up. The magical run that has been the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors regular season up until this point has really overshadowed just how good the Spurs have been. Despite Golden State remaining on pace to get to 70 wins, and maybe even match Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls 72 win team, the San Antonio Spurs are having a heck of a season as well. Going into last night's contest between the two, Golden State was 40-4, but the Spurs were only two games behind them at 38-6.
Under any normal circumstances, a 38-6 record would be worthy of the best in the league. Add that to the fact that San Antonio entered last night on a 13 game wining streak, and we seemed to have a game surely worthy of national attention. The NBA regular season is long, but there are always games that have big time appeal. They don't happen every night, but they do happen. Last night was one of those times. The Warriors and the Spurs had the two best records in the NBA, and this was their first matchup of the season. Barring unforeseen circumstances, this may well have been a preview of the Western Conference Finals. It was one of those games that made you want to skip over the Super Bowl buildup for a night, and watch some great basketball. However, for reasons that I find hard to characterize as anything other than arrogant or antagonistic, Gregg Popovich decided to keep Tim Duncan out of the game in the name of periodic rest.
I get it. Duncan is nearing the end of his legendary career, and the Spurs do this all the time with their aging veterans. And it has worked. They have the hardware to back it up. Other teams have seen it work, and now many of them have emulated what San Antonio does. Teams want to be at their best when the playoffs come around. If that means sacrificing a game or two here or there during the regular season, then so be it. However, teams and coaches need to have a little more respect for the fans that spend their money to come out and see their games.
Duncan had sat out a game this past Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. He then returned the next night to play against the Lakers. The Spurs won both of those games. Then, despite sitting out a game less than a week prior, Popovich sat Duncan last night in a marquee matchup between the teams with the two best records on the league. The average ticket price for last night's game was over $500. I don't care who you are, but if you spend $500 to go see a basketball game, you deserve to get your money's worth. And to get your money's worth, it means seeing the best players for both teams on the floor. However, despite that, Tim Duncan was nowhere to be found.
If you were to ask Popovich what he thought about making an assumption like this, he would say that he doesn't care what you think, and he would do the same thing again in the blink of an eye. Do I believe that he would? Yes, I do. Has he proven that doing so has helped his team and his players in the long run? Yes, he has. Still though, the fact that he sat his most recognizable player in a game that many people had circled on their calendar just rubs me the wrong way. As I said, the Spurs were coming off a game in which they beat the lowly Los Angeles Lakers. Why not sit Duncan for that game? The only thing the Lakers are competing for this season is the first overall draft pick, so why should the Spurs be worried about them? The Spurs could be meeting the Warriors in June for a chance to play in the NBA Finals, so clearly these two teams are formidable. Fans who are spending $500 to see them play should get a little more respect from Popovich.
Following the game, which by the way saw the Warriors run the Spurs off the court in winning by 30 points, Popovich said that it is a good thing that his bosses were not in the locker room after the game because he may have been fired. One would assume that means that he went into an expletive filled tirade after seeing his team lose by 30. Stephen Curry scored 37 points, and he didn't even play in the fourth quarter because the score was so lopsided. You know how you could have changed that, Coach Popovich? Maybe you should have played Tim Duncan, one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. If I paid $500 to see the Spurs and Warriors play, I would be insulted that Popovich chose this night to sit Duncan out.
The next time San Antonio plays Golden State will be on March 19th. If Popovich decides to sit Duncan (or any of his star players for that matter) in the name of "routine rest," then I hope the only difference between then and last night is that the Spurs lose by 40 instead of 30. I understand that Popovich is a great coach, but the reason he makes those millions of dollars is because us fans spend hundreds of dollars to go see his team play. What he did last night shows me that while he might understand that is the case, he really doesn't care too much about it as well. Have a little more respect for the fans, Coach, because we deserve it.
Daily NBA Update: Obviously, the Warriors won last night, and they now sit at 41-4. Next up is Dallas, and then they visit Philadelphia (my thoughts and condolences to the 76ers for what might happen that night). February 6th will be the first time the Warriors play the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that is definitely a matchup to look forward to. Aside from that, DeMarcus Cousins scored 56 points last night, and his teammate Rajon Rondo had 20 assists. I'm not sure how often teammates go for 50 points and 20 assists in the same game, but I know that it doesn't happen often.
Daily Rangers Update: The Rangers got back on track last night against the Buffalo Sabres, winning 6-3. It was the final game for the Rangers before the All Star break, so with some time off, hopefully the Rangers can come back strong for the final 33 games. The Washington Capitals are on the cusp of already running away with the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but after that, playoff positioning is wide open. As we stand right now, the Rangers are third in the conference. They have also had great success against Washington in the postseason in recent years, so if the Rangers can stay healthy for the second half, things still look positive.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month (which seems crazy given the amount of snow I see when I look outside), and Arizona still may not be done making moves. Second base seems to be the spot where change could still be coming, but I have not heard of anything imminent. No matter what happens between now and the start of Spring Training, the 2016 Diamondbacks are a team I am looking forward to watching.
Daily NFL Update: I will forgo the Giants updates until the Super Bowl is played, as there will be plenty of time to talk about the Giants during the offseason. We still have one game left to play though, and there are a whole lot of interesting storylines attached to it (although it's the Super Bowl, there are always a whole bunch of storylines attached to it). I will give you an extensive look at my thoughts and feelings on both teams before the game, but at this point the hype is only beginning. Super Sunday is less than two weeks away, and the world will be watching.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
A more and more frequently asked question
The National Football League is the most popular sport in our country. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional. We like it for an unlimited amount of reasons. The participants are larger than life figures who are role models to millions of kids all over the country. Games happen only once a week, so Sundays are wholly devoted to football, unlike other sports, where games occur far more frequently. One of the biggest reasons that football is so popular is the violence involved in the game. You may or may not want to admit it, but that is a large part of the appeal of football. Today, another former NFL player spoke out about the dangers of football and having to deal with life off of the field after his playing career ended, and you can add the name Antwaan Randle El to the list of former players who have continued to shed light on how dangerous the game actually is.
While not a superstar in the league, Antwaan Randle El is surely a name well known to most football fans. He had a spectacular collegiate career, and was a very good player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the only wide receiver to ever throw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. Randle El did some remarkable things during his football career. In my opinion, his thoughts about the game should undoubtedly be respected. So when he came out, at 36 years of age, and spoke about the daily struggles he goes through, it is very hard to dismiss them.
According to Randle El, if he could have done it all over again, he would have chosen to play baseball as opposed to football. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, so clearly he had the ability to play baseball, but he chose not to. He said that his parents wanted him to play football because he could do so while getting a college education at the same time. Had he chosen to play baseball, he would have had to forgo a college education, and he would have been playing baseball straight out of high school. So, looking through the eyes of his parents, I completely understand why they steered him toward football. The chances of any player drafted into any professional league are slim, so his parents were entirely correct in steering him toward college. If he did not make it as a baseball player, he had only a high school education to fall back on. If he did not succeed in football, he had a college education to fall back on. In today's world, the difference between a high school diploma and a college diploma is unbelievably substantial. So, at the time, did he make the right choice? In my opinion, yes, he did.
However, hindsight is always 20/20, and I understand why Randle El feels today that he made the wrong decision. Randle El retired at the age of 32. Right now, he is 36 years old. According to his statements over the past few days, he has trouble with his memory, and has a hard time even walking down the stairs at his own house. This is coming from a 36 year old man. He isn't 76. He isn't 86. At 36, the vast majority of men are nearly as healthy as they will ever be. He should be running down the stairs each day. Instead, he is telling us that he will never be able to do such a thing again. And clearly, the only reason for that, is his NFL career. And that is a fact that is undeniable.
I watch former players on television talk about the way that playing football has affected them after their careers ended. The majority of them gloss over the fact that they deal with daily struggles that most men their age do not have to worry about. Mark Schlereth has had multiple surgeries on his knees, but he acts as though it is not that big of a deal. Is it? Schlereth is 49 years old. How many 49 year old men do you know that have had even one or two surgeries to repair joints and ligaments as opposed to someone like him who has had over 15? Darren Woodson, Mike Golic, Mike Ditka. The list goes on and on. These guys act like joint surgeries and daily limps and pains are a way of life, and I am sorry to say it, but they are wrong. Former players like Jim McMahon and Jason Taylor, and now Antwaan Randle El are stirring examples of how playing football can cause damage that these men will never be able to recover from. Should I be surprised if my grandparents have trouble going up and down the stairs when they are 70-80 years old? No. But should I be alarmed when someone half that age has the same problem? Yes.
Randle El said that he would not be surprised if football was not around in 20 years. I wholeheartedly disagree with that. No matter the potential risks, football is too much of a glamorous profession right now. There are too many men willing to put their bodies on the line, and there are far more people willing to spend their money to watch it happen for it to go away any time soon. However, could I see football eventually falling out of the national spotlight? Yes, I think I can.
Decades ago, boxing was the primary fixation of sports in this country. Its violent nature was the drawing card. However, eventually people realized the long-lasting effects that the sport had on its participants and its risks outgrew its benefits. Sure, Floyd Mayweather can make a whole lot of money in the ring, but for the average fighter, do the risks outweigh the benefits? I don't think they do.
So is the game of football going away anytime soon? Absolutely not. The safeguards being instituted in the game right now do nothing but benefit the players, but it is undeniable that football is a violent game that many times is not worth it for the participants. However, these guys know what they are getting into. I think that stories like that of Antwaan Randle El will add ammunition to the anti-football fight, but the flame of the game still rages strong.
In 20 years will the NFL still be the pinnacle of the sports world? Maybe not. But is NFL stardom still one of the most appealing circumstances for young athletes? It absolutely is. Until that is no longer the case, I see a whole bunch of young men willing to deal with the aftermath of an NFL career, no matter what Antwaan Randle El might say.
Daily Rangers Update: After a very disappointing and mediocre streak of games, the Rangers won again last night, and they now find themselves third in the Eastern Conference. However, because of the nature of the NHL and its points system, a five point lead separates the Rangers from completely out of playoff contention. The Washington Capitals are running away in the East, and at this point, it seems like everyone else is playing for second in the conference. The Rangers get Carolina, Ottawa, and Buffalo before the All Star break. All three of those teams are not as good as the Rangers. At worst, the Rangers should get four points here, and hopefully they can roll into the second half of the season.
Daily NFL Update: I will refrain from a Giants update since they have not been playing now for a while, but my feelings about the team will come out soon. As far as the four teams remaining going into Conference Championship weekend, I really think the Patriots are the best team remaining. Obviously, anything can happen on any given Sunday, but New England is the best team in the league right now.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: We are in the middle of the offseason right now, and the DBacks have already made their (significant) splash. Justin Upton, a former Diamondback, signed with the Detroit Tigers yesterday, and I wish him all the best. A lineup with Upton and Miguel Cabrera in the middle will surely be a force to be reckoned with, and I am glad that such a lineup will have nearly nothing to do with the Diamondbacks, as the NL West and the AL Central have very limited exposure to one another.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors absolutely annihilated the Cleveland Cavaliers the other night, and it really made me question whether or not the Cavs would be able to compete if we saw an NBA Finals rematch of last season. In all honesty, the Warriors might have a tougher time winning the Western Conference Finals than they would in winning the NBA Finals if they play like that. I understand that we are a long way away from the Finals, but with the Warriors at 38-4, I really think the San Antonio Spurs have the best chance of knocking off the Warriors. Whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference has a long way to go before they can even think about challenging the best in the west.
While not a superstar in the league, Antwaan Randle El is surely a name well known to most football fans. He had a spectacular collegiate career, and was a very good player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the only wide receiver to ever throw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. Randle El did some remarkable things during his football career. In my opinion, his thoughts about the game should undoubtedly be respected. So when he came out, at 36 years of age, and spoke about the daily struggles he goes through, it is very hard to dismiss them.
According to Randle El, if he could have done it all over again, he would have chosen to play baseball as opposed to football. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, so clearly he had the ability to play baseball, but he chose not to. He said that his parents wanted him to play football because he could do so while getting a college education at the same time. Had he chosen to play baseball, he would have had to forgo a college education, and he would have been playing baseball straight out of high school. So, looking through the eyes of his parents, I completely understand why they steered him toward football. The chances of any player drafted into any professional league are slim, so his parents were entirely correct in steering him toward college. If he did not make it as a baseball player, he had only a high school education to fall back on. If he did not succeed in football, he had a college education to fall back on. In today's world, the difference between a high school diploma and a college diploma is unbelievably substantial. So, at the time, did he make the right choice? In my opinion, yes, he did.
However, hindsight is always 20/20, and I understand why Randle El feels today that he made the wrong decision. Randle El retired at the age of 32. Right now, he is 36 years old. According to his statements over the past few days, he has trouble with his memory, and has a hard time even walking down the stairs at his own house. This is coming from a 36 year old man. He isn't 76. He isn't 86. At 36, the vast majority of men are nearly as healthy as they will ever be. He should be running down the stairs each day. Instead, he is telling us that he will never be able to do such a thing again. And clearly, the only reason for that, is his NFL career. And that is a fact that is undeniable.
I watch former players on television talk about the way that playing football has affected them after their careers ended. The majority of them gloss over the fact that they deal with daily struggles that most men their age do not have to worry about. Mark Schlereth has had multiple surgeries on his knees, but he acts as though it is not that big of a deal. Is it? Schlereth is 49 years old. How many 49 year old men do you know that have had even one or two surgeries to repair joints and ligaments as opposed to someone like him who has had over 15? Darren Woodson, Mike Golic, Mike Ditka. The list goes on and on. These guys act like joint surgeries and daily limps and pains are a way of life, and I am sorry to say it, but they are wrong. Former players like Jim McMahon and Jason Taylor, and now Antwaan Randle El are stirring examples of how playing football can cause damage that these men will never be able to recover from. Should I be surprised if my grandparents have trouble going up and down the stairs when they are 70-80 years old? No. But should I be alarmed when someone half that age has the same problem? Yes.
Randle El said that he would not be surprised if football was not around in 20 years. I wholeheartedly disagree with that. No matter the potential risks, football is too much of a glamorous profession right now. There are too many men willing to put their bodies on the line, and there are far more people willing to spend their money to watch it happen for it to go away any time soon. However, could I see football eventually falling out of the national spotlight? Yes, I think I can.
Decades ago, boxing was the primary fixation of sports in this country. Its violent nature was the drawing card. However, eventually people realized the long-lasting effects that the sport had on its participants and its risks outgrew its benefits. Sure, Floyd Mayweather can make a whole lot of money in the ring, but for the average fighter, do the risks outweigh the benefits? I don't think they do.
So is the game of football going away anytime soon? Absolutely not. The safeguards being instituted in the game right now do nothing but benefit the players, but it is undeniable that football is a violent game that many times is not worth it for the participants. However, these guys know what they are getting into. I think that stories like that of Antwaan Randle El will add ammunition to the anti-football fight, but the flame of the game still rages strong.
In 20 years will the NFL still be the pinnacle of the sports world? Maybe not. But is NFL stardom still one of the most appealing circumstances for young athletes? It absolutely is. Until that is no longer the case, I see a whole bunch of young men willing to deal with the aftermath of an NFL career, no matter what Antwaan Randle El might say.
Daily Rangers Update: After a very disappointing and mediocre streak of games, the Rangers won again last night, and they now find themselves third in the Eastern Conference. However, because of the nature of the NHL and its points system, a five point lead separates the Rangers from completely out of playoff contention. The Washington Capitals are running away in the East, and at this point, it seems like everyone else is playing for second in the conference. The Rangers get Carolina, Ottawa, and Buffalo before the All Star break. All three of those teams are not as good as the Rangers. At worst, the Rangers should get four points here, and hopefully they can roll into the second half of the season.
Daily NFL Update: I will refrain from a Giants update since they have not been playing now for a while, but my feelings about the team will come out soon. As far as the four teams remaining going into Conference Championship weekend, I really think the Patriots are the best team remaining. Obviously, anything can happen on any given Sunday, but New England is the best team in the league right now.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: We are in the middle of the offseason right now, and the DBacks have already made their (significant) splash. Justin Upton, a former Diamondback, signed with the Detroit Tigers yesterday, and I wish him all the best. A lineup with Upton and Miguel Cabrera in the middle will surely be a force to be reckoned with, and I am glad that such a lineup will have nearly nothing to do with the Diamondbacks, as the NL West and the AL Central have very limited exposure to one another.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors absolutely annihilated the Cleveland Cavaliers the other night, and it really made me question whether or not the Cavs would be able to compete if we saw an NBA Finals rematch of last season. In all honesty, the Warriors might have a tougher time winning the Western Conference Finals than they would in winning the NBA Finals if they play like that. I understand that we are a long way away from the Finals, but with the Warriors at 38-4, I really think the San Antonio Spurs have the best chance of knocking off the Warriors. Whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference has a long way to go before they can even think about challenging the best in the west.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The end of the Tom Coughlin era in New York
What seemed to be inevitable following another disappointing 6-10 season for the New York Giants became official yesterday, as Tom Coughlin stepped down as head coach of the team. Outsiders have mixed emotions about Coughlin. Some think he is a Hall of Fame worthy coach, while others think he was only along for the ride during two magical runs to Super Bowl titles. While I am still not truly a firm believer that Coughlin will ever be inducted in Canton, I am certainly closer to that than the people who say he was just a mediocre and extremely lucky head coach. Call me biased, and I am, but Coughlin will go down as one of the best coaches in the history of the Giants franchise, and the reactions of dozens of his former players and colleagues in the past 48 hours is a testament as to why that is.
Coughlin's tenure began in New York in 2004, as he replaced Jim Fassel. Fassel was a tough-minded coach, and he finished his Giants career with a 58-53-1 record. He did lead the team on a run to the Super Bowl in 2000 after what was probably what he is most remembered for as Giants' coach, his playoff guarantee press conference. The run featured a memorable victory over the Eagles that began with Ron Dixon running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, and what is still one of the best postseason games I have ever seen, a 41-0 shellacking of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game.
However, Fassel's team followed that up in the Super Bowl by being on the other end of a shellacking, when they were dominated by Ray Lewis and the Ravens. Fassel was also at the helm for another of the worst losses in the history of the team, when the Giants blew a 24 point lead in the playoffs and lost 39-38 to the San Francisco 49ers. So, while Fassel's tenure did feature some highlights, the lowlights really outshined them, especially since they occurred in the postseason.
So after Fassel was dismissed, Tom Coughlin entered. If Giants players thought Fassel was tough-minded, they had no idea for what they were in store for next. Coughlin did experience some relative success as head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was more know for his domineering methods of coaching. Initially, Giants players were turned off. His rules and methods seemed not only outdated, but outrageous as well. The players did not like how he ran his program, and Michael Strahan was the leading member of the tempestuous pack. Coughlin's job status seemed to be in jeopardy until 2007 happened and the Giants won Super Bowl XLII. A magical run that ended with David Tyree's helmet catch and Plaxico Burress catching the game winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning seemed like it had solved everything. And at the time, it had done just that. Coughlin had somewhat loosened his grip on the leash of the players, and as is the case in any sport, winning had solved all of the problems.
After 2007, the Giants were unable to reach the Super Bowl level and again, people were clamoring for Coughlin to be fired. However, again Coughlin led the Giants back to another Super Bowl, and the Giants won again, making him one of only 12 coaches to win multiple Super Bowls. All was once again well, and Coughlin was being mentioned as a future Hall of Famer. While Fassel had preceded Coughlin by failing in the postseason, Coughlin had succeeded in the postseason. It gave him leniency that few other coaches had ever experienced, and it was truly earned. He wasn't just some guy who got lucky and won multiple Super Bowls as a head coach. If you think that, then you are out of your mind. There is no such thing as "lucking" your way to a Super Bowl title, let alone two of them.
However, the leash that he had rightfully earned eventually became too tight, and yesterday the leash ran out. Missing the postseason in six of seven seasons is undeniable, even when that one season that didn't end without the playoffs resulted in a Super Bowl title. Coughlin was at the helm in not only some of the greatest games in the history of the team, but some of the greatest games in the history of the sport, and twice, those games ended with him lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Any man who has ever coached a single game in the NFL would love to be able to lift that trophy once, let alone twice. Eventually though, all good things must come to an end, and I think as we watched the Giants during the final games of this season, it was inevitable that the end was near for Coughlin. When Odell Beckham, Jr. was making a fool out of himself, as well as the entire New York Giants organization on the field against the Carolina Panthers, and Coughlin did nothing to stop it, I felt like it was time for a change at head coach. After following that up with an embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Vikings and another loss to end the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, I had no question that Coughlin would be gone.
What I did not realize though, was just how hard his departure was going to be on most of his current and former players. Now I am sure if Twitter and Instagram and Facebook existed decades ago, guys like Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll would have been sent off into the sun with an unprecedented amount of support and love by their former players. Those outlets did not exist though, and while I know players that were coached by those men loved playing for them, with Coughlin, I have the proof to show it. Current and former Giants players took to the social media airwaves to voice their love and support for Coughlin.
I saw dozens of messages that showed support for Coughlin, but there were two that really got to me. Justin Tuck posted a picture of himself, his son and Coughlin on Instagram, accompanied by a long note that showed the respect and love for the man. It demonstrated the bond that players can form with their teammates and coaches that the everyday fan will never see. The personal conversations that are carried on behind closed doors. As fans, we watch the games each and every week, and we see how players and coaches interact with one another for those four quarters, but then we don't see much of those interactions again until the following Sunday. Sure, we can read the Daily News or Newsday and watch ESPN or MSG and see the interviews, but I feel like the things that the public cannot see is what really makes a coach. Tuck's message was profound because he was an integral part of both of Coughlin's Super Bowl wins. I actually also found out today that Tuck is the only player in the history of the NFL to record multiple sacks in multiple Super Bowls, and that is a very unique and obviously fascinating stat. That aside, I was really touched by what Tuck said about Coughlin.
What really got me to understand how significant Coughlin was in terms of the Giants organization was Eli Manning's comments yesterday just prior to the announcement that Coughlin was stepping down. Eli Manning's rookie year was also Tom Coughlin's first year as head coach of the Giants. Kurt Warner was a temporary spot holder, but you might as well say that the fate of both Coughlin and Eli will be forever linked. Once Manning was named the starting quarterback by Coughlin, he remained so. For 12 years. Throughout those 12 years, I have seen each and every snap of Manning's career, and the emotion that he showed yesterday was unlike anything I have ever seen from him, including the moments following his two Super Bowl MVP performances. Manning was on the verge of tears yesterday speaking about what would inevitably be his last meeting with Coughlin as head coach of the Giants, and he was just as emotional today at Coughlin's press conference.
Eli Manning is well known for his monotone moods and emotions. Some people hate it, and some people love it. What I saw yesterday was a mood that was anything but monotonous. You could see in the way he spoke about Coughlin that he was losing more than a head coach. Eli Manning has had only one head coach during his entire NFL career, and for a career that has lasted so long, that is an incredibly unusual thing, especially in the world of the NFL today, in which head coaches are sometimes hired and fired seemingly with zero thought at all. What Eli showed yesterday was the real bond that a player can share with a coach that we as fans will never be able to understand. There are not many things that Eli Manning has accomplished in his career that most other quarterbacks have. Two Super Bowls. 11th all-time in career passing yards, with a surefire chance to crack the top ten next season. 8th all-time in career touchdown passes, with again a surefire shot to pass Hall of Famer John Elway next season and move up to seventh on the list. One of only five players to ever win multiple Super Bowl MVP's. The list goes on and on. All of those are surely unfathomable acclaims for any NFL player. However, yesterday we saw that Eli Manning's biggest weakness is his love for what is now his former head coach. Seeing it was stunning, touching, disappointing, and satisfying all at once.
I could argue that Coughlin is a Hall of Fame worthy coach, but I could also argue that he is not. And while I do not think he is the greatest head coach in the history of the franchise, I could argue that he is maybe in the discussion for number two, and certainly in the discussion for number three. He has been at the helm and led the team I love to the greatest of heights, as well as leading some of the greatest players to ever wear a New York Giants jersey. Thanks to the outpouring of love I saw yesterday, he has also affected people far more important than me in ways that I could never imagine. All good things must come to an end, and one of the best things that the Giants have ever had came to an end yesterday. However, during Coughlin's time as leader of the Giants, I had the privilege of watching some of the best football I have ever seen, and for that I will always be grateful that he was able to walk the sidelines as head coach of my favorite team in all of sports.
Daily Giants Update: Obviously, the search for a new head coach has already begun. Coughlin leaves enormous shoes to fill, and whoever the next head coach is will probably have to transition from the Eli Manning era to the post-Eli Manning era. That will not be an easy task. The offense is still in good shape, and I hope that Ben McAdoo remains as the offensive coordinator (although he is being interviewed for the head coaching position as well). The defense is full of holes, and after a new head coach is hired, he will have to work with Jerry Reese to shore up the defense. The team has some salary cap flexibility and the tenth overall pick in the draft. Defense needs to be a priority this offseason. Whether it be through free agency or the draft (and hopefully both) with a better defense, the Giants could go into next season with a surefire chance to win a mediocre NFC East.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: With the team supposedly still willing to spend on free agents, the next name in line seems to be Howie Kendrick. Chris Owings played second base last season, and I would be fine with him moving forward. I honestly think it would be nicer if the team could find someone to take on Aaron Hill's contract, because he has become nothing more than an overpaid bench player at this point. However, Kendrick can play all over the field, and he can hit as well. So if the team were to sign him, it would just be another positive in an offseason that has been extremely exciting for Diamondbacks fans.
Daily Rangers Update: The Rangers are in the midst of a terrible slump that has seen them drop a ton in the Eastern Conference standings. They are giving up far too many goals, and it no longer seems like a bump in the road. It seems like a real problem. With the All Star break approaching, the Rangers really need to find a way to get better. I don't know if that means something as simple as line changes, or other more drastic measures, but December was a really bad month for a team that should be competing for the Stanley Cup.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors now sit at 32-2, and they will play the below average (to be kind) Lakers tonight. We are nearing the halfway point of the season, and the Warriors and Spurs seem to be the class of the Western Conference, with the Warriors still having a legitimate chance to catch the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The race in the Eastern Conference is much closer, as only five and a half games separate the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and the ninth-seeded Detroit Pistons. Superstars still rule the NBA, but if you don't know about Draymond Green and Andre Drummond, you really should look them up, because they are both in the midst of stretches of unbelievable basketball.
Coughlin's tenure began in New York in 2004, as he replaced Jim Fassel. Fassel was a tough-minded coach, and he finished his Giants career with a 58-53-1 record. He did lead the team on a run to the Super Bowl in 2000 after what was probably what he is most remembered for as Giants' coach, his playoff guarantee press conference. The run featured a memorable victory over the Eagles that began with Ron Dixon running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, and what is still one of the best postseason games I have ever seen, a 41-0 shellacking of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game.
However, Fassel's team followed that up in the Super Bowl by being on the other end of a shellacking, when they were dominated by Ray Lewis and the Ravens. Fassel was also at the helm for another of the worst losses in the history of the team, when the Giants blew a 24 point lead in the playoffs and lost 39-38 to the San Francisco 49ers. So, while Fassel's tenure did feature some highlights, the lowlights really outshined them, especially since they occurred in the postseason.
So after Fassel was dismissed, Tom Coughlin entered. If Giants players thought Fassel was tough-minded, they had no idea for what they were in store for next. Coughlin did experience some relative success as head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was more know for his domineering methods of coaching. Initially, Giants players were turned off. His rules and methods seemed not only outdated, but outrageous as well. The players did not like how he ran his program, and Michael Strahan was the leading member of the tempestuous pack. Coughlin's job status seemed to be in jeopardy until 2007 happened and the Giants won Super Bowl XLII. A magical run that ended with David Tyree's helmet catch and Plaxico Burress catching the game winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning seemed like it had solved everything. And at the time, it had done just that. Coughlin had somewhat loosened his grip on the leash of the players, and as is the case in any sport, winning had solved all of the problems.
After 2007, the Giants were unable to reach the Super Bowl level and again, people were clamoring for Coughlin to be fired. However, again Coughlin led the Giants back to another Super Bowl, and the Giants won again, making him one of only 12 coaches to win multiple Super Bowls. All was once again well, and Coughlin was being mentioned as a future Hall of Famer. While Fassel had preceded Coughlin by failing in the postseason, Coughlin had succeeded in the postseason. It gave him leniency that few other coaches had ever experienced, and it was truly earned. He wasn't just some guy who got lucky and won multiple Super Bowls as a head coach. If you think that, then you are out of your mind. There is no such thing as "lucking" your way to a Super Bowl title, let alone two of them.
However, the leash that he had rightfully earned eventually became too tight, and yesterday the leash ran out. Missing the postseason in six of seven seasons is undeniable, even when that one season that didn't end without the playoffs resulted in a Super Bowl title. Coughlin was at the helm in not only some of the greatest games in the history of the team, but some of the greatest games in the history of the sport, and twice, those games ended with him lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Any man who has ever coached a single game in the NFL would love to be able to lift that trophy once, let alone twice. Eventually though, all good things must come to an end, and I think as we watched the Giants during the final games of this season, it was inevitable that the end was near for Coughlin. When Odell Beckham, Jr. was making a fool out of himself, as well as the entire New York Giants organization on the field against the Carolina Panthers, and Coughlin did nothing to stop it, I felt like it was time for a change at head coach. After following that up with an embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Vikings and another loss to end the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, I had no question that Coughlin would be gone.
What I did not realize though, was just how hard his departure was going to be on most of his current and former players. Now I am sure if Twitter and Instagram and Facebook existed decades ago, guys like Vince Lombardi and Chuck Noll would have been sent off into the sun with an unprecedented amount of support and love by their former players. Those outlets did not exist though, and while I know players that were coached by those men loved playing for them, with Coughlin, I have the proof to show it. Current and former Giants players took to the social media airwaves to voice their love and support for Coughlin.
I saw dozens of messages that showed support for Coughlin, but there were two that really got to me. Justin Tuck posted a picture of himself, his son and Coughlin on Instagram, accompanied by a long note that showed the respect and love for the man. It demonstrated the bond that players can form with their teammates and coaches that the everyday fan will never see. The personal conversations that are carried on behind closed doors. As fans, we watch the games each and every week, and we see how players and coaches interact with one another for those four quarters, but then we don't see much of those interactions again until the following Sunday. Sure, we can read the Daily News or Newsday and watch ESPN or MSG and see the interviews, but I feel like the things that the public cannot see is what really makes a coach. Tuck's message was profound because he was an integral part of both of Coughlin's Super Bowl wins. I actually also found out today that Tuck is the only player in the history of the NFL to record multiple sacks in multiple Super Bowls, and that is a very unique and obviously fascinating stat. That aside, I was really touched by what Tuck said about Coughlin.
What really got me to understand how significant Coughlin was in terms of the Giants organization was Eli Manning's comments yesterday just prior to the announcement that Coughlin was stepping down. Eli Manning's rookie year was also Tom Coughlin's first year as head coach of the Giants. Kurt Warner was a temporary spot holder, but you might as well say that the fate of both Coughlin and Eli will be forever linked. Once Manning was named the starting quarterback by Coughlin, he remained so. For 12 years. Throughout those 12 years, I have seen each and every snap of Manning's career, and the emotion that he showed yesterday was unlike anything I have ever seen from him, including the moments following his two Super Bowl MVP performances. Manning was on the verge of tears yesterday speaking about what would inevitably be his last meeting with Coughlin as head coach of the Giants, and he was just as emotional today at Coughlin's press conference.
Eli Manning is well known for his monotone moods and emotions. Some people hate it, and some people love it. What I saw yesterday was a mood that was anything but monotonous. You could see in the way he spoke about Coughlin that he was losing more than a head coach. Eli Manning has had only one head coach during his entire NFL career, and for a career that has lasted so long, that is an incredibly unusual thing, especially in the world of the NFL today, in which head coaches are sometimes hired and fired seemingly with zero thought at all. What Eli showed yesterday was the real bond that a player can share with a coach that we as fans will never be able to understand. There are not many things that Eli Manning has accomplished in his career that most other quarterbacks have. Two Super Bowls. 11th all-time in career passing yards, with a surefire chance to crack the top ten next season. 8th all-time in career touchdown passes, with again a surefire shot to pass Hall of Famer John Elway next season and move up to seventh on the list. One of only five players to ever win multiple Super Bowl MVP's. The list goes on and on. All of those are surely unfathomable acclaims for any NFL player. However, yesterday we saw that Eli Manning's biggest weakness is his love for what is now his former head coach. Seeing it was stunning, touching, disappointing, and satisfying all at once.
I could argue that Coughlin is a Hall of Fame worthy coach, but I could also argue that he is not. And while I do not think he is the greatest head coach in the history of the franchise, I could argue that he is maybe in the discussion for number two, and certainly in the discussion for number three. He has been at the helm and led the team I love to the greatest of heights, as well as leading some of the greatest players to ever wear a New York Giants jersey. Thanks to the outpouring of love I saw yesterday, he has also affected people far more important than me in ways that I could never imagine. All good things must come to an end, and one of the best things that the Giants have ever had came to an end yesterday. However, during Coughlin's time as leader of the Giants, I had the privilege of watching some of the best football I have ever seen, and for that I will always be grateful that he was able to walk the sidelines as head coach of my favorite team in all of sports.
Daily Giants Update: Obviously, the search for a new head coach has already begun. Coughlin leaves enormous shoes to fill, and whoever the next head coach is will probably have to transition from the Eli Manning era to the post-Eli Manning era. That will not be an easy task. The offense is still in good shape, and I hope that Ben McAdoo remains as the offensive coordinator (although he is being interviewed for the head coaching position as well). The defense is full of holes, and after a new head coach is hired, he will have to work with Jerry Reese to shore up the defense. The team has some salary cap flexibility and the tenth overall pick in the draft. Defense needs to be a priority this offseason. Whether it be through free agency or the draft (and hopefully both) with a better defense, the Giants could go into next season with a surefire chance to win a mediocre NFC East.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: With the team supposedly still willing to spend on free agents, the next name in line seems to be Howie Kendrick. Chris Owings played second base last season, and I would be fine with him moving forward. I honestly think it would be nicer if the team could find someone to take on Aaron Hill's contract, because he has become nothing more than an overpaid bench player at this point. However, Kendrick can play all over the field, and he can hit as well. So if the team were to sign him, it would just be another positive in an offseason that has been extremely exciting for Diamondbacks fans.
Daily Rangers Update: The Rangers are in the midst of a terrible slump that has seen them drop a ton in the Eastern Conference standings. They are giving up far too many goals, and it no longer seems like a bump in the road. It seems like a real problem. With the All Star break approaching, the Rangers really need to find a way to get better. I don't know if that means something as simple as line changes, or other more drastic measures, but December was a really bad month for a team that should be competing for the Stanley Cup.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors now sit at 32-2, and they will play the below average (to be kind) Lakers tonight. We are nearing the halfway point of the season, and the Warriors and Spurs seem to be the class of the Western Conference, with the Warriors still having a legitimate chance to catch the 72-10 Chicago Bulls. The race in the Eastern Conference is much closer, as only five and a half games separate the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and the ninth-seeded Detroit Pistons. Superstars still rule the NBA, but if you don't know about Draymond Green and Andre Drummond, you really should look them up, because they are both in the midst of stretches of unbelievable basketball.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Mark Dantonio: I do not feel bad for you now
Yesterday was New Year's Eve, and college football had been billing it as a huge evening for the sport. The "Final Four" was set, and the two semifinal games took place last night in the path to the national championship. While the buildup was great, and the games looked good, the night did not exactly live up to expectations. Clemson and Oklahoma were locked in a tight game through halftime, but Clemson dominated the second half, and they ended up winning by 20 points. In the nightcap, Alabama absolutely dominated Michigan State, and the game was over before halftime, as Alabama ended up winning 38-0.
I don't really have a horse in the college football race. I don't have any certain team that I firmly stand behind, but I just enjoy watching the games (for the most part), and I like the bowl season because it brings about debates that really don't exist in any other sport (professional or collegiate) in this country.
College football, and in many ways, college basketball as well, have now become more focused, in general, on the coaches as opposed to the players. Big-time coaches build programs and stay at schools far longer than any of their players do. Basketball has Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, Rick Pitino, and the list goes on and on. In football, there is Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Frank Beamer, and all-time legends like Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno. Even though guys like Pitino, Saban, and Meyer have held jobs at multiple schools, they are still better known at all of their stops than any of their players. That is why, prior to the Cotton Bowl last night, I was really disappointed in the head coach of Michigan State, Mark Dantonio.
When you think of the Michigan State Spartans and sports, you instantly think of Tom Izzo and the basketball program. Without question, the best player to ever don a Spartans jersey is Magic Johnson, but Tom Izzo is the longstanding mainstay when you think of the Michigan State basketball program. He has won the national championship, and led multiple teams over multiple decades to unparalleled NCAA Tournament success. At Michigan State, basketball is the top of the mountain.
However, after Mark Dantonio was hired by the Spartans in 2006, the football program at the school was immediately elevated to one that could be respected nationwide. As the head coach, Dantonio has turned the Spartans into an elite program. He has led them to three Big Ten titles, and has been named as the coach of the year in the conference on two of those occasions. This year, after thrilling wins against rival Michigan as well as Iowa in the Big Ten title game, Michigan State had a legitimate chance at playing for its first ever football national championship. Like I said, while I do not have a horse in the college football race, I was intrigued by Michigan State. They played a good brand of football, and while an extremely tough Alabama team stood across the field from them, I thought that they did have a chance to play for college football's biggest prize.
After the long buildup to the game, and a few interviews with Dantonio that I listened to, I felt like Michigan State was a team that would be nice to support. They were not the favorite to win when it came to the four remaining teams, but if they won it all, then good for them. I would be happy for the program. Then, the pregame interview happened involving ESPN reporter Heather Cox and Coach Dantonio.
Now don't get me wrong, I think these pregame and in-game interviews with coaches are useless. The reporters ask stupid questions, and the coaches clearly are not focused on how they answer them. I get it. When Marshawn Lynch was being killed in the media for refusing to answer questions during any and all interviews, I was on his side. But then, I thought about it more, and I realized that these athletes are paid millions of dollars to do these interviews. They are worth each and every penny that they make. I will always believe that. However, along with all of those pennies comes the responsibility to do these interviews that may seem pointless, but are still part of the reason they are being paid.
Does Marshawn Lynch have some sort of social disorder or is he just unwilling to answer stupid questions? Do guys like Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichick hate in-game interviews? Yes, they do. But the matter of fact is that all of those men make millions of dollars to be professionals, and being a professional means both accepting the rewards as well as accepting the downfalls. It isn't just these guys either. Do you think any professional athlete or coach wants to have a cavalcade of reporters asking him questions about how he failed after a loss? Of course he doesn't. But it comes with the territory. Mark Dantonio is making over $3.5 million this season. The vast majority of the year was a success, and he more than earned his salary. I don't know how much Michigan State University made because of its football program, but it is certainly more than $3.5 million.
The players make nothing, and the coaches make far less than what they provide for the universities that they represent. Is it wrong? Yes. But is it also reality? Yes. So my message to Mark Dantonio is this: After weeks of preparing for Alabama, is being somewhat, slightly distracted just prior to kickoff a small inconvenience? It might be. But, does doing so really change anything about how your team goes out and plays? No, it absolutely does not. So, suck it up, take 60 seconds out of your time to answer a few pointless questions, and at least make yourself, your players, and your program seem forgivable in a blowout loss. Don't blow off the questions and disrespect the reporter like you did, because when that happened, I no longer felt any remorse for you when your team went out on national television and got run off the field by the Crimson Tide. Hopefully while you sit at home and watch them play for the national championship, you can re-think your methods and come back next season with a more appreciative attitude about the status that you have.
Daily Giants Update: The Giants play a meaningless game this Sunday in what could be Tom Coughlin's final game as head coach of the team. Odell Beckham will be back on the field after missing last week's carnage, and no matter what the outcome of the game is on Sunday, the focus is now already on the draft and the offseason. Extreme overhauls may be in store, and it may be what the organization needs at this point.
Daily Rangers Update: After a very tough stretch, the Rangers finally got a win against Tampa Bay, but the team has still been disappointing up until this point. It is still far too early in the season, and the race in the Eastern Conference is still far too jumbled to come close to any kind of resolution, but if the Rangers want to reach the top of the mountain, they will need to play far better than they have over the past few weeks.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: Even though it may seem as though the team has already surpassed its budget, I understand that Arizona is still looking to make a few more moves before the offseason ends. Does that mean a new second baseman or more pitching additions? I'm not sure. Either way, with a new slew of uniforms and a new slew of players, I am looking forward to the 2016 season more than I have been for any season in quite some time.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors won again last night, to move to 30-2 on the season, which keeps them fully on pace to equal Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls record of 72-10. Do not overlook the San Antonio Spurs though, who now sit at 28-6, and it not for the historic start of the Warriors, would be the talk of the league. Also, the Eastern Conference seems to be very much improved, as the top ten teams in the East are above .500, while only six teams in the West sit above the .500 mark. The names in the West may seem sexier than the names in the East, but at this point, as the calendar turns to 2016, the East seems like the more competitive conference, and it has been a very long time since that has happened in the NBA.
I don't really have a horse in the college football race. I don't have any certain team that I firmly stand behind, but I just enjoy watching the games (for the most part), and I like the bowl season because it brings about debates that really don't exist in any other sport (professional or collegiate) in this country.
College football, and in many ways, college basketball as well, have now become more focused, in general, on the coaches as opposed to the players. Big-time coaches build programs and stay at schools far longer than any of their players do. Basketball has Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, Rick Pitino, and the list goes on and on. In football, there is Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Frank Beamer, and all-time legends like Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno. Even though guys like Pitino, Saban, and Meyer have held jobs at multiple schools, they are still better known at all of their stops than any of their players. That is why, prior to the Cotton Bowl last night, I was really disappointed in the head coach of Michigan State, Mark Dantonio.
When you think of the Michigan State Spartans and sports, you instantly think of Tom Izzo and the basketball program. Without question, the best player to ever don a Spartans jersey is Magic Johnson, but Tom Izzo is the longstanding mainstay when you think of the Michigan State basketball program. He has won the national championship, and led multiple teams over multiple decades to unparalleled NCAA Tournament success. At Michigan State, basketball is the top of the mountain.
However, after Mark Dantonio was hired by the Spartans in 2006, the football program at the school was immediately elevated to one that could be respected nationwide. As the head coach, Dantonio has turned the Spartans into an elite program. He has led them to three Big Ten titles, and has been named as the coach of the year in the conference on two of those occasions. This year, after thrilling wins against rival Michigan as well as Iowa in the Big Ten title game, Michigan State had a legitimate chance at playing for its first ever football national championship. Like I said, while I do not have a horse in the college football race, I was intrigued by Michigan State. They played a good brand of football, and while an extremely tough Alabama team stood across the field from them, I thought that they did have a chance to play for college football's biggest prize.
After the long buildup to the game, and a few interviews with Dantonio that I listened to, I felt like Michigan State was a team that would be nice to support. They were not the favorite to win when it came to the four remaining teams, but if they won it all, then good for them. I would be happy for the program. Then, the pregame interview happened involving ESPN reporter Heather Cox and Coach Dantonio.
Now don't get me wrong, I think these pregame and in-game interviews with coaches are useless. The reporters ask stupid questions, and the coaches clearly are not focused on how they answer them. I get it. When Marshawn Lynch was being killed in the media for refusing to answer questions during any and all interviews, I was on his side. But then, I thought about it more, and I realized that these athletes are paid millions of dollars to do these interviews. They are worth each and every penny that they make. I will always believe that. However, along with all of those pennies comes the responsibility to do these interviews that may seem pointless, but are still part of the reason they are being paid.
Does Marshawn Lynch have some sort of social disorder or is he just unwilling to answer stupid questions? Do guys like Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichick hate in-game interviews? Yes, they do. But the matter of fact is that all of those men make millions of dollars to be professionals, and being a professional means both accepting the rewards as well as accepting the downfalls. It isn't just these guys either. Do you think any professional athlete or coach wants to have a cavalcade of reporters asking him questions about how he failed after a loss? Of course he doesn't. But it comes with the territory. Mark Dantonio is making over $3.5 million this season. The vast majority of the year was a success, and he more than earned his salary. I don't know how much Michigan State University made because of its football program, but it is certainly more than $3.5 million.
The players make nothing, and the coaches make far less than what they provide for the universities that they represent. Is it wrong? Yes. But is it also reality? Yes. So my message to Mark Dantonio is this: After weeks of preparing for Alabama, is being somewhat, slightly distracted just prior to kickoff a small inconvenience? It might be. But, does doing so really change anything about how your team goes out and plays? No, it absolutely does not. So, suck it up, take 60 seconds out of your time to answer a few pointless questions, and at least make yourself, your players, and your program seem forgivable in a blowout loss. Don't blow off the questions and disrespect the reporter like you did, because when that happened, I no longer felt any remorse for you when your team went out on national television and got run off the field by the Crimson Tide. Hopefully while you sit at home and watch them play for the national championship, you can re-think your methods and come back next season with a more appreciative attitude about the status that you have.
Daily Giants Update: The Giants play a meaningless game this Sunday in what could be Tom Coughlin's final game as head coach of the team. Odell Beckham will be back on the field after missing last week's carnage, and no matter what the outcome of the game is on Sunday, the focus is now already on the draft and the offseason. Extreme overhauls may be in store, and it may be what the organization needs at this point.
Daily Rangers Update: After a very tough stretch, the Rangers finally got a win against Tampa Bay, but the team has still been disappointing up until this point. It is still far too early in the season, and the race in the Eastern Conference is still far too jumbled to come close to any kind of resolution, but if the Rangers want to reach the top of the mountain, they will need to play far better than they have over the past few weeks.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: Even though it may seem as though the team has already surpassed its budget, I understand that Arizona is still looking to make a few more moves before the offseason ends. Does that mean a new second baseman or more pitching additions? I'm not sure. Either way, with a new slew of uniforms and a new slew of players, I am looking forward to the 2016 season more than I have been for any season in quite some time.
Daily NBA Update: The Warriors won again last night, to move to 30-2 on the season, which keeps them fully on pace to equal Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls record of 72-10. Do not overlook the San Antonio Spurs though, who now sit at 28-6, and it not for the historic start of the Warriors, would be the talk of the league. Also, the Eastern Conference seems to be very much improved, as the top ten teams in the East are above .500, while only six teams in the West sit above the .500 mark. The names in the West may seem sexier than the names in the East, but at this point, as the calendar turns to 2016, the East seems like the more competitive conference, and it has been a very long time since that has happened in the NBA.
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