Must See Sports - Fourth Weekend of February 2014

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record, excluding series: 5-5
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record, excluding series: 11-12
2014 Advantage/Disadvantage Record (series only): 0-0

Slim pickings at the end of this month. Next month, Spring is in the air. So are the basketballs! And the baseballs! Hopefully...my advantage/disadvantage record.

Saturday, February 22

NCAA Men's Basketball

#1 Syracuse Orange at #5 Duke Blue Devils

Syracuse let one slip against Boston College this week. I suspect they were looking ahead to Duke on the schedule. The Orange suffered a few near misses before the BC game.

Duke was on fire before dropping one to arch-rival North Carolina last night. They are also likely still reeling after a close overtime loss to the Orange at the Carrier Dome earlier this month. The game could tip either way, but I am going to go with home court, super freshman Jabari Parker (19 PPG, 9 RPG) and Coach Krzyzewski.


Advantage: Duke



#11 Louisville Cardinals at #7 Cincinnati Bearcats

Louisville's only loss in the last month-and-a-half was a tight game at the hands of the Bearcats on their own court. Both teams make their livings with strong defense: Cincinnati by smothering their opponents and Louisville with aggressive rebounding.

Still, the Cardinals, in big games (like their first game against Cincy) miss the big-body post presence of dismissed forward Chane Behanan (8 PPG, 6 RPG)  on both ends of the floor. This feeds right into the strength of Cincinnati everyman senior forward Justin Jackson (11 PPG, 7 RPG). Ultimately this game will be decided by the winner of the matchup of the standout senior guards Russ Smith (18 PPG, 3 RPG, 5 APG) of Louisville and Sean Kilpatrick (20 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG) of Cincinnati. Both are hot, playing great basketball right now.

I give the slightest nod to the home team.

Advantage: Cincinnati


#16 Wisconsin Badgers at #15 Iowa Hawkeyes

The Big Ten suffers from bipolar disorder. I'm convinced. Every team in the conference appears to have more ups and downs than a roller coaster. If lengthy forward Frank Kaminsky (13 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 BlkPG) can create havoc in the paint defensively and Sam Dekker (14 PPG, 6 RPG) plays up instead of down (which is unpredictable of late), Wisconsin can probably get the points they need to win.

If Roy Devyn Marble (16 PPG, 4 RPG) of Iowa finds his zone and gets his points, I think the Hawkeyes win. Being at home feeds into Marble's favor. With two teams playing inconsistently, that could be the difference.

Advantage: Iowa

The red hot Blue Devils will be all smiles if they can serve a cold dish of revenge to Syracuse. 1

Sunday, February 23

NBA

Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder

In spite of Blake Griffin's (25 PPG, 10 RPG) evolving skill set and the recent return of Chris Paul (19 PPG, 11 APG, 5 RPG) to the Clippers' lineup, the Thunder have been as hot as lightning of late. Kevin Durant (31 PPG, 6 APG, 8 RPG) and the Thunder are also likely to be just a bit more focused after suffering a 103-81 beatdown in front of their fans at the hands of two-time MVP LeBron James and the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat.

Advantage: Thunder


Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau should be Coach of the Year in my opinion. He just rolls with the punches in spite of injuries to key players and a near-two-year absence of former MVP Derrick Rose. The Bulls have won five of last six and are in second place in the Central Division.

Still, if you can't score, you can't win. LeBron James (27 PPG, 7 RPG, 7 APG, 2 StlPG) appears to have flipped a switch that may not only vault the Heat past the Pacers for first place in the Eastern Conference, but snatch the 2014 MVP award away from front-runner Kevin Durant. The King is riding a string of six consecutive games scoring 30 or more points. The Heat have won 10 of their last 12 and are on national television.

Advantage: Heat


Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey was criticized for paying (then backup) guard James Harden (24 PPG, 5 APG, 5 RPG) a king's ransom to come to Houston and start. He was warned that bringing Dwight Howard (19 PPG, 13 RPG, 2 BlkPG) to the Space City may not be worth the price.

The Rockets are in second place in the Southwest Division and within striking distance on first place in the Western Conference. Last season, they sneaked into the playoffs for the first time in four years. Where are those critics now?

The Suns had, what on paper, looked like the worst roster in the West. BOOM! Guard Goran Dragic (20 PPG, 6 APG) is having a breakout year. BOOM! Newly acquired guard Eric Bledson gets off to a blazing hot start (18 PPG, 6 APG, 4 RPG, 2 StlPG). BOOM! The Suns are in second place in the Pacific Division.

Without Eric Bledsoe (out with a knee injury) in the lineup, Phoenix doesn't have the firepower to take down the upper tier teams in the West on a consistent basis. The Rockets have won eight of their last nine and have not lost a game in regulation in nearly a month.

Advantage: Rockets

Morey (left): having the last laugh. 2

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To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.  

1) Image from http://collegecheerheaven.blogspot.com
2) Image from www.zimbio.com

The Big 401K

This past Wednesday, 19 year NBA veteran and 15 time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal retired from the NBA after a year with the Boston Celtics. Father time, nagging injuries, and possibly an extra 20 pounds finally caught up to The Diesel. It is ironic that, last week, the Hat Trick reflected upon Shaq's best years, comparing the Dallas Mavericks furious fourth quarter comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to a similar comeback led by Shaq, then with the Los Angeles Lakers, against the Portland Trailblazers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Shaq was dominant. Shaq was unstoppable. Shaq was a lot of fun to watch. Now, his career is over.

Shaq, then a rookie with the Orlando Magic, taking Dikembe Mutumbo to the hole. Where did the time go? 1

THE BIG LEGACY

A slam dunk for the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, Shaq retires after winning 4 NBA championship rings and being a part of two other teams to win the conference championship and reach the Finals. He played for the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers (where he had his best years), the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Celtics. Shaq was well traveled in his longevity in the NBA.


Shaq was no ordinary player. He was no ordinary superstar. When he spoke, people listened, usually to see what he would say next. O’Neal brought a very rare combination of being literally and figuratively larger than life in his stature and personality. Past all of the size and showmanship, he was an absolutely unstoppable force in his prime, enabling O’Neal’s teams to win 4 championships in 5 Finals appearances during a seven year span.

Shaq and Dwayne Wade after Shaq's final championship in 2006. 2

THE BIG HEART

In addition to being one of the most well known and significant faces in the history of basketball, Shaq was also a low profile philanthropist with a big heart. Shaq is a fellow alum of my alma-mater, Louisiana State University. O’Neal, over the years, has been a very generous benefactor of the school, usually requesting as little fanfare as possible. Living in Baton Rouge, I have heard countless anecdotes from former LSU Head Basketball Coach Dale Brown, media personalities, and ordinary Joes in the community about Shaq’s community service, philanthropy, and charity to others, often benefiting everyday people, not high profile causes.

It is often said that the measure of a man’s character is what he does when nobody is looking. At 7’1” and being one of the most famous people on the planet, Shaq had few moments to himself in which nobody was looking. Apparently, in spite of his dominance on the basketball court and his infectious personality that scored him countless endorsements and several movie appearances, Shaq went out of his way to be his best while as few people as possible were looking.


The NBA has lost a true asset. Shaq was a transcendent player with a transcendent personality. As the center position has transitioned into a more defensively oriented role, in which a 20 point performance by any center not named “Howard” is attention grabbing, Shaq may possibly be the last of the great, truly dominant big men in the NBA. On top of losing a great player and character, the league is also losing a good person, an good ambassador, and a good role model. He was certainly one of my favorite players to watch and he will be missed.

The Big Santa 3

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!


To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.
 
1) Image from bleacherreport.com
2) Image from travelogue101.com
3) Image from bgcmp.org 
* The title, "The Big 401K" was inspired by Sahquille O'Neal's Twitter page and is Shaq's brainchild, not mine. 

Word on the Tweet – March 23, 2011

The Daily Hat Trick stops at nothing to get the down & dirty scoop for its readers. Today is no exception. The sports world has been filled with scandal, secrecy, and controversy. Here are the top secret player and coach Tweets, unseen by the public until today.


Steve Nash, after the Suns game with the Lakers was still tied after double overtime:

@BlackMamba See! That late start-overtime crap won’t work with us! #NoDaylightSavingsTime


Dez Bryant, who was kicked out of a Dallas area mall for allegedly having sagging pants:

@ChrisBrown I hope this helps you out; maybe people will stop talking about you, now.

Brown: @DEZ_88: Thx bro. U shoulda told there security to “kiss ur ass”! RT: @ChrisBrown I hope this helps you out…

Charlie Sheen: @ChrisBrown You know what I call that? “WINNING!” #IkeTurner RT: @DEZ_88: Thx bro. U shoulda told there security to “kiss ur ass”

Take THAT, Paul Blart! 1

Josh Cribbs, about the proposed NFL rule changes, which would result in more touchbacks, fewer kickoff returns, and few injuries on kickoffs.

@JayCutler They might as well give YOU my spot. This game’s getting soft.

Critics are HARSH! 7

Lawrence Taylor, who was sentenced to 6 years of probation for sex with a 16 year old prostitute.

@PimpDaddy WTF? You don’t card ‘em first? What am I paying you for? #CouldaGoneToAPlayground

"Math: 17+17 = 34 That's legal." 2

Barry Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson, who did a year in prison because he refused to testify against the former slugger before in regards to Bonds alleged steroid use.... He is being held for ignoring a subpoena to testify in Bonds’ federal perjury trial.

@HRKing I’d appreciate a cherry on top of the next bag of cash you have delivered to my house. #MyAssTookAPounding

Bonds: @SnitchesGetStitches Sure thing. Whatever you do, DON’T drop the soap in the shower! If you need protection, I hear you can make a shank out of a toothbrush. #BetterYouThan Me RT: @HRKing I’d appreciate a cherry on top…

Greg Anderson must be a dedicated friend. 3

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling to Sacramento Mayor (and former NBA guard) Kevin Johnson, on the Sacramento Kings probable move to Anaheim, in the Los Angeles metro area:

@MayorKJ7 I’m still learning this Tweeter thing my assistant set up for me. I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m relieved. People around town will stop cracking jokes about us. #TheySuckMoreThanWeDo

@SterlingSilverDouchebag I love the Twitter handle! Fitting! Call me if L.A. can’t handle three teams. #RunningYouOutOfTown

Someone told Sterling this was a POSITIVE public relations move??? 4

Former University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who was fired for lying about NCAA recruiting violations:

@LaneKiffin Got your mssg. No, they haven’t spray painted my lawn. No, they haven’t tried to burn my house down yet. #IdGladlyTradePlaces #UrEmployed

I doubt Pearl is going to get run out of Knoxville in the fast "Lane". 5

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith, after vigorously defending Jay Cutler when Cutler’s toughness was questioned again:

@VealCutler Look, Jay. Are you SURE you want an ultra-visible PINK practice jersey this year? #GettingHarderToCoverForYou

This may become his game day jersey. 6

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Matt Cooke, who was suspended for the rest of the season and the first round of the playoffs for elbowing Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers in the head:

@SternDiscipline No, offense, Commissioner, but I’m not switching to basketball. NBA guys are a bunch of thugs.

Matt Cooke is concerned about his public image. 8

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.


1) Image from publicenemy.com
2) Image from velocity.t-nation.com
3) Image from memegenerator.net
4) Image from sbnaition.com
5) Image from connect.in.com
6) Image from sales.buysmrt.com
7) Image from deezdialog.blogspot.com
8) Image from thepuckdoctors.com