The Future: Wiggins, Parker, and Randle oh my!!

In sports there are certain athletes who have the ability to standout without breaking a sweat. We have witnessed it with Yusiel Puig in the MLB; Calvin Johnson Megatron in the NFL; and Johnny Football Manziel in college football. Last night in their national debut Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Julius Randle joined this elite company.

Although we have witnessed phenoms before, we have never be fortunate to see three of them on the same night on the same court. Their teams clearly have room to grow, but what is really scary is that with these stars the best is still yet to come.

Despite being a freshman Julius Bulldog Randle is clearly the leader of the Kentucky Wildcats squad. The Michigan State Spartans may have beat the Wildcats last night, if they meet again in March the outcome will likely be completely different. The Wildcats teased everyone with their talent while also reminding us of their youth. However, as is the case with all John Calipari coached teams, their team will only go as far as the point guard takes them. Will Aaron Harrison conquer his turnover demons and run what Calipari calls? Time will tell.

Jabari Parker aka Lil Melo endless scoring arsenal will be relied upon heavily for the Duke Blue Devils. Although Coach K has a collection of former McDonald All Americans the NCAA tournament fate will be determined largely by Parker, whose team cannot afford for him to foul out. Sophomore guard Rasheed Sulaimon was able to carry the Devils for stretches but Parker is the only one who can get his on shot.

Andrew Wiggins silenced doubters in his debut showcasing his jaw dropping athleticism and versatility. Despite appearing bored at times, but when the game comes so easy to do you blame him. Although Wiggins has garnered most of the attention and hype, Wayne Shelden is a best in his own right that is destined to sit in the green room with Wiggins and shake the hand of the NBA Commissioner.

Last night was truly exceptional, its not often that a 33 point scoring night by Lebron James gets buried in the back pages but the national debut of Parker, Wiggins, and Randle was certainly an exception. One game down, the nation is watching to see what they will do for an encore? Let the tanking begin! Stay tuned… I know I will.

College Basketball: A year of uncertainty – Title contenders missing and unaccounted for

Once upon a time in a land far away the landscape of college basketball was not as it is now. In those days teams that were ranked in the top five were actually elite programs due to their talent and not simply due to the names on the front of their jersey. Not long ago NBA-talent was the ultimate game changer that made the gap between traditional programs like Kentucky, UNC, Arizona and Duke were significant.

However, due to players leaving early for the NBA Draft these traditionally dominant teams now find themselves among the land of the average fighting for relevance in 2013. A new emphasis on coaching and player development has led to the ascension of programs like Butler, Oregon, Michigan, and Florida. Unable to land the premiere high school recruits these teams have found diamonds in the rough and built a team that has the viable pieces in place to make a legitimate title run.

Although the teams mentioned are not unknowns they have often taken second fiddle to their more well-known bitter in-state or conference rivals (Kentucky, Michigan State, Arizona, and Indiana). The gap between these so-called premiere programs has closed and each week we have been given indicators of that fact: Duke losing by 30 to Miami; Butler upset Indiana; Kentucky losing by 12 to Texas A&M.

The lack of elite programs in 2013 brings both a level of uncertainty and excitement to this season. The top 25 rankings goes through a drastic makeover from week to week due to the endless number of upsets. With March Madness little more than a month away 11 teams from the pre-season top 25 are not even ranked anymore, 5 teams have been ranked number 1, and the Kentucky Wildcats may make history by winning a NCAA title one year and missing the tournament all together the following year.

Despite the disappointing start of the traditional powers the start of conference play gives hopes that talk of the demise of their college basketball season was premature. As March Madness grows near the pressure will continue to mount for Florida, Butler, Oregon, and Michigan to sustain their current standard of excellence.

Next week Michigan will debut as the number one team in the country how they respond will determine if they are truly ready for the limelight. Stay tuned…I know I will – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Brent Musburger strikes again – Add Holly Rowe to Musburgers on air list of hotties

Brent Musburger makes headlines again  for adding another woman to his ever-growing list of hot women during his coverage of last night’s college basketball snoozer between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Baylor Bears.

After so many years of great commentary one begins to wonder if Musburgers sharpness has begun to fade and he has now assumed the role of the uncensored horny uncle that every family has. Due to his lack of censorship it would not be a surprise if ESPN begins to reduce his own air duties because when the games are blowouts Musburger runs out of things to say and just turns to the one thing he knows better than commentary, women. Too the surprise of many the old guy continues to get the same pass that every uncle across America gets, the same pass that gives them the freedom to look and say just about anything without fear of being smacked or cursed out.

However, after single-handed launching the career of Miss Alabama Katherine Webb with his comments in the BCS National Championship game the old buzzard strikes again calling ESPN side line reporter Holly Rowe ‘smoking hot’ during last night’s telecast. It’s unlikely that his comments will get Holly Rowe a spread in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition or boost her twitter followers by 100,000 like it did Miss Alabama. How ESPN responds to Musburgers latest on air flirtation is unknown? But his latest comments makes one wonder if he says this on the air no telling what he does in public. At this point Musburger is teetering on being accused of sexual harassment with celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred standing next to a hot pretty blonde client.

Regardless of what ESPN does Musburger will continue to remind us of the old uncle that every family has – unedited and uncensored. Despite the college basketball season being a snoozer with Musburger covering the game there will not be a boring moment. Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark

Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Road2Final4: Louisville Cardinals, second in the state but favorite to win NCAA title #louisvillecardinals

The state of Kentucky is home to one of the most heated rivalries in the country, longtime friends and family members often do not speak when the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals battle for state supremacy. Since Coach Calipari’s arrival to the Bluegrass State the Wildcats have dominated the rivalry, attracted the nation’s top recruits, and won conference and national championships.

However, only a few miles away another Hall-of-Fame coach was slowly building an elite program by developing talent with diamond in the roughs who did not appear destined to shake the hands of Commissioner Stern after playing one year of college basketball. The talent that Rick Pitino has assembled in Louisville finally looks ready to not only to regain state supremacy but also bring another national championship back to the state of Kentucky.

The Cardinals are led by senior point guard Peyton Silva and slasher Russ Smith who each spent the summer improving their games and ignored the lure of the NBA Draft. Silva was once known just for his scoring but each year he has continued to refine his skills by getting his teammates the ball.  Not known to see a shot he did not like Russ nicknamed ‘Russ-diculous’ by Coach Pitino has finally begun to play within the offense and seldom goes rogue unless a scoring punch is needed (scoring a career-high 31 points against UMKC.)

The frontcourt is led by Gorgui Dieng an import from Sudan who brings a defensive presence to the Cardinal frontcourt that makes opponents think twice before coming into the lane. His partner in crime Chane Behannan who despite being an undersized forward is a monster on the boards who has finally shook the injury bug that plagued him last year.

Pitino appears to have the pieces in place to make some noise in March, there is very little drop off from the second unit who are led by sophomore guard Wayne Blackshear and two former Parade All-Americans, sophomore guard Kevin Ware and former Virginia Tech commit forward Montrezl Harrell.

Expectations in Louisville could not be higher and although the Cards have lost their defensive intimidator in Gorgui Dieng to a broken wrist until December 19th their play in his absence has truly been impressive. Coach Pitino has used the absence of his defensive stopper as an opportunity to build depth and get minutes for his talented but inexperienced big men who he will need come tournament time.

Although it has taken Pitino longer than expected to build another title contender armed with the experience from last year’s final four run the time to crown a new king of Kentucky may be fast approaching. The Cardinals have the senior leadership and the talent to contend, but will they finally win when it counts? The battle for Kentucky on December 29th will determine more than just a ‘W,’ but bragging rights, recruits, and maaybe even a number seed in the tournament. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

Road2Final Four:Kentucky Wildcats, unranked today, title tomorrow?? #bbn

For the first time during his tenure at Kentucky, Coach Calipari and his band of diaper dandies find themselves in unknown territory. unranked and exposed. For the first time his band of freshman are not playing future lottery picks in next year’s draft. Despite their exceptional size in the front court with supposed defensive ace Nerlens Noel and the 7-footer Willie-Cauley Stein. Although each of these ballyhooed freshman have yet to live up to the hype of their predecessors the poor play of the guards has been hard to stomach.

Entering into the season point guard Ryan Harrow was expected to take the reins left by first round pick Marquis Teague. In addition to making questionable decisions on the court his current undisclosed illness has forced Calipari to lean heavily on freshman scorer Archie Goodwin to play out of position and run the point and former walk-on Jarrod Polson also being a surprise contributor off the bench.

Although titles were never won or lost in December the inconsistent play of Calipari’s future one-and-doners may pose a huge problem if his diaper dandies fail to live up to expectations. The draft stock of Nerlens Noel and his freshman counterparts continue to plummet and if things do not change Coach Calipari will be facing a significant number crunch next season. Next year the Wildcats already have another number one recruiting class waiting in the wings, the Harrison twins and two premiere forwards. Since coming to Lexington a minimum of three underclassmen have left each year which left room for his next collection of 5 stars.

At this rate Nerlens Noel and Archie Goodwin are the only two wildcats projected to go in the first round, and the more Nerlens gets exposed the further his stock continues to plummet. For the past four years big blue nation has grown accustomed to elite guard play and trips to the Final Four. The point guards who led those Wildcats were truly exceptional and all of them have made major contributions at the NBA level (Brandon Knight, John Wall, Marquis Teague, and Eric Bledsoe). Despite have another number one recruiting class the lack of elite pg in this current class is the true source of the Wildcats problems.

As the season progresses the Wildcats will improve because getting worst is far from possible. However, a few realities must be accepted: Nerlens Noel will not ever be Anthony Davis and the Wildcats will only go as far as Archie Goodwin takes them. Talent alone has never won a title, how Coach Calipari and his Wildcats respond to adversity will determine how far they go in the NCAA tournament. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

As the ACC turns – Louisville and Charlie Strong, the key to BCS football relevance #accrealignment

Although the ACC’s relevance in football continues to decline the addition of Louisville may make the conference’s football pallbearers Florida State and Clemson reconsider packing their bags and delay their dreams of greener pastures in the Big XII or Pac XII.

The addition of Louisville means that another talented coach with a proven record of success joins the fold improving the level of coaching in the ACC significantly. The momentum of the Louisville football program continues to head in a positive direction and the dismal performances of past all but seem like distant memories.

A consequence of Charlie Strong’s success in Louisville has made him a candidate for a number of prominent SEC head coaching vacancies (Auburn, Arkansas, and Tennessee). The athletic director has publicly stated his desire to retain Strong and make Strong the highest paid coach in college football. Efforts to fulfill such a promise made by Louisville will not only impact their program but also ultimately determine the fate of the ACC conference.

If the Cardinals fail to retain Charlie Strong it will be a forgone conclusion that Florida State and Clemson will jump ship and head to the Big XII.  The frustration of coaches in the conference has already reached its boiling point and the addition of Louisville is a last-ditch effort to prevent current ACC coaches from taking other jobs and deter other teams exploring alternative conference options.

The head coaching vacancies in the SEC will ultimately determine the fate of the ACC conference. Rumors are rampant that three current ACC head coaches may be roaming the sidelines in greener pastures next year – Miami Head Coach Al Golden (BC, UT);FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher (Auburn, UT, and Arkansas); and Louisville Head Coach Charlie Strong (Arkansas, Auburn, and UT).

While awaiting its dismal football fate the ACC will attempt to excite their fan bases with their elite basketball programs.The quality of head coaching that will roam hardwood in 2014 will be unrivaled by any conference in the nation. Just for a moment imagine the new rivalries that will form with the addition of Syracuse and Louisville to the ACC. Basketball fans will be treated to match ups between hall of fame coaches like Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Roy Williams of UNC, and Rick Pitino of Louisville.

The excitement of these potential match-ups on the hoops hardwood promises to be ‘awesome with a capital A’ Although the conference may fail to produce a BCS National Championship in football the banners and nets the conference may collect by reaching the Final Four and winning National Championships in basketball may be a consolation prize fans may have to live with. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark

Colorado and Washington legalize marijuana – How will the NCAA, NFL, NBA, and MLB respond? #election2012

On Tuesday approximately 114 million Americans exercised their fundamental right to vote but in addition to selecting our next Commander-in-Chief in several states Americans were left to decide on an issue that may be of great interest to the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB and other professional sports franchises played in the United States. The issue that I am speaking of is the use of marijuana which was legalized for recreational use in Colorado and Washington. Both of these states are home to the BIG 3 in pro sports as well as college programs with ties to the BCS.

Each of the three major sports industries have stiff penalties for their players if they test positive for using banned and or illegal substances.The NCAA also has issued stiff penalties to its players for testing positive and being found with a banned substance in their possession. A number of players with promising professional careers have found themselves dismissed from their schools and out of the league due to their addiction to marijuana. However the legalization of marijuana poses an interesting dilemma for the universities and sports franchises in these two states.

In light of this new law will these billion dollar sports franchises make the necessary changes and align with these new laws? Although it is unlikely that these professional sports leagues would ever make a state by state exception the thought of a player being suspended or dismissed from a college for smoking marijuana in a state where its legal would open a petrie dish of problems that no commissioner would want to deal with. I can already envision the NFL or MLB players associations challenging such suspensions causing a media frenzy of momentous proportion.

The struggles of students with promising professional futures has been well documented and frequently made headline news: Tyrann Mathieu of LSU, Da’Rick Rogers of UT, Greg Reid of Florida State, Michael Dyer of Auburn, Isiah Crowell of UGA. These talented players seemed destined to shake the hand of the commissioner after being drafted in the NFL but due to their addiction to marijuana a pro career for some of them already appears highly unlikely.

In the world of recruiting where coaches are always trying to get an edge I wonder in the states where the use of marijuana is legal will recruiters use this to their advantage to get 5 star players to sign with their schools? Although many would consider such a ploy to be unethical some may consider it no worst than giving the prospect money or buying their family a house. The world of recruiting is a ruthless business where nice guys always finish last so any advantage is always maximized. However, such a recruiting ploy would require these institutions of higher learning and the NCAA to revise drug testing policies.

At the moment the legalization of marijuana for recreational use is a problem that the sports industries and the NCAA can ignore but if more states begin to change their policies the time may come where the world of sports would be forced to follow suit. Two dominoes fell on election night and I am sure that the NCAA, NFL, NBA, and MLB took notice. Will the other 48 eventually follow suit? In the realm of sports there will never be a boring moment. Stay tuned… I know I will – A. Denmark (like my fan page on facebook @Eat Drink Sleep Sportz)

College Basketball: Although the nets are cut down in April the road to the Final 4 in Atlanta begins now

We are halfway through the college football season and several fans have turned their attention to their basketball programs accepting the harsh reality that a bowl game is not in their school’s future. Traditional basketball powers like Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina opened Midnight Madness and the start of their first official practices with a big bang. The fan bases from these four programs and many others from across the nation believe that this will be their year to cut down the nets and win a National Championship.

Last season we were treated to memorable buzzer beaters at Duke and Indiana; NCAA investigations and scandals at Syracuse and Louisville; the ending of an era in Connecticut with the retirement of Coach Jim Calhoun; and Anthony ‘uni-brow’ Davis leading Kentucky and a band of future pros to the school’s eighth national title.

Although last year’s season ended with a bang this upcoming season promises to be one that will be nothing short of exciting. Out west once proud programs UNLV and UCLA have assembled their fair share of diaper dandies and college transfers in an attempt to reclaim their dominant ways out west. Despite the potential of both of these programs they both enter the off-season with a ton of question marks.  At UNLV chemistry and the pressure of heightened expectations will be two factors to watch as Coach Rice attempts to build a solid rotation and find minutes for a deep frontcourt.

At UCLA Ben Howland seat has truly begin to warm so the pressure to produce on the court could not be higher. However,the three freshmen one and doners Shabazz Muhammad, Tony Parker, and Kyle Anderson who were expected to return the Bruins to glory are all currently under investigation by the NCAA for improper benefits. To make matters talented but overweight Josh Smith continues to lose his fight with hamburgers leading to an ever-expanding waistline. Too make matters even worse in Westwood, Muhammad who is the same freshman under investigation also injured his shoulder and he may not be expected to return until mid-season.

In the Midwest Kansas promises to be a tough out despite the loses in the back court of Tyshawn Taylor. Ben McLemore has made raves during the summer camp circuits and is expected to team with center Jeff Withey to help Coach Bill Self contend for yet another Big XII Championship.

Although football may still be king in Big X country this year their best chance to capture a national title may lay in Bloomington, Indiana who have been voted preseason number one. Led by presumed number pick in next year’s draft Cody Zeller. Coach Tom Crean has finally assembled a team that can bring a national championship banner back to Hoosier nation, the land of Larry Bird and the infamous movie Hoosiers.  However winning the Big X certainly will not be a cakewalk with a resurgent Michigan team in Ann Arbor & the Hall-of-famer himself in East Lansing.

Reigning NCAA champ, Kentucky Wildcats lose six draft picks from last year’s team but expectations for another title has not be reduced. Coach Calipari has done a masterful job of recruiting replacing lottery picks with future lottery picks and the same is true this year: Nerlean Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, and NC State transfer Ryan Harrow promise to make their debut season a treat for both NBA scouts and Big Blue Nation.

In the ACC the most unlikeliest teams on Tobacco Road has been deemed the preseason favorite, and it’s not Duke or UNC. Led by Coach Mark Gottfried the NC State Wolf pack have had a quick turn around and with the addition of McDonald’s All-American Purvis who was just cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse they promise to be a tough out during tournament time.

As the Maui Tournament and the Coaches v. Cancer Tournament quickly approaches and gives fans the non conference games fans dream of during the Thanksgiving Holiday know the March Madness and all the excitement that ensues is not too far behind. However, whose being fitted for their MARCH glass slipper? Which senior will arise from the smoke of oblivion? Which freshman will get ensnared in the NCAA’s grasp? This college basketball season promises to be a good one. Stay tuned… I know I will – A.Denmark

Operation Stop the Flop: Will the new Anti-Flop Rule Stop Bad Acting in the NBA? #nbaflopping

During 66 NBA seasons several players have attempted to try to see if their immense talents on the basketball court would translate to the big screen. Poor showings by prominent stars and future Hall of Famers have discouraged many athletes from taking the leap to the big screen out of fear of embarrassment or risking being the next ongoing punchline i.e.. ‘Shazam with Shaquille O’Neal or the recently released Thunderstruck starring Kevin Durant.

Unable to get reputable acting gigs on television or the big screen several players have garnered premiere acting roles in the NBA, Oscar worthy. Past winners for NBA’s most prestigious award, Actor of the Year aka ‘flopper of the year’ has gone to Manu Ginobili, Derek Fisher, and Jame Harden has recently garnered acclaim for this prestigious award along with several other prominent NBA veterans.

However, the NBA has recently passed a new rule that will completely do away with NBA’s Actor of the Year award all together. Yesterday the NBA’s Board of Governors and the Competition Committee  have agreed to enforce an anti-flopping rule. Fed up with player’s exaggerated falls to the floor in efforts to trick fans and referees into calling fouls the NBA will now issue fines and enforce suspensions for players found guilty of this act.

Players will get a warning the first time, then be fined $5,000 for a second violation. The fines increase to $10,000 for a third offense, $15,000 for a fourth and $30,000 for the fifth. Six or more could lead to a suspension.

The amount of flopping has become so excessive the NBA Commissioner voiced his disgust stating that flopping was ruining the NBA brand and it had no place in the game of basketball. Flopping has not only decided the outcomes of games but also has impacted the NBA playoff picture and also determined which team hoisted NBA Finals Trophy at season’s end.

Just in last year’s playoffs we witnessed 6 ft 9 280 lb two-time MVP, Lebron James make a plumb fool of himself in the playoffs with his flops against player he outweighed by nearly a 100 lbs and who can forget his fake eye poking incident which led to the Heat ending a Bulls run and ultimately winning their first round playoff series.

The NBA certainly deserve kudos for trying to improve the quality of basketball that NBA fans around the world pay to see. The NBA Players Association has already filed an appeal to the new anti-flopping penalty calling the rule an unfair labor practice.

I will be deeply intrigued to see how this new penalty be enforced, will there be a board of referees who will use instant replay to determine the validity of the foul? What will the appeals process look like? Who will be the first player to be fined for flopping? Flopping has been a reoccurring problem since the days of Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman of the Detroit ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons, and who can forget the Emperor of Flop ‘ Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings. How will this anti-flopping rule affect the game? Stay tuned… I know I will. – A Denmark (@eatdrnkslpsprtz)

Eatdrnkslpsprtz All-Time Flop Team

PG. Derek Fisher  SG. Reggie Miller  SF. Manu Ginobili  PF. Dennis Rodman  C. Bill Laimbeer

Do I Stay or Do I Go?: Lessons Learned from NBA Draft Night 2012 #highrisklowreward

In gyms and basketball courts all over the world young boys envision themselves as their favorite NBA player nailing a buzzer beater and winning a NBA Championship. Last night there were 30 young men whose dreams finally became a reality when they heard their names called in the first round and had the opportunity to shake the hand of NBA Commissioner, David Stern. For many of these young men the opportunity of playing in the NBA was their ticket out of low-income housing and into a life of luxury fulfilling the promise of early retirement for their mothers. And also providing their families with cars and homes as a show of their appreciation for the many sacrifices that was made for them.

After the Kentucky Wildcats were crowned as the 2012 National Champion, 49 underclassmen forfeited their college eligibility to declare for the NBA Draft.This list of underclassmen consisted of those destined for stardom, upperclassmen who may have waited one year too many, as well as a few head scratchers who had little chance of being drafted at all.

Although these 49 underclassmen will probably never attend a college class again, each of them was taught a few hard life lessons on Thursday night:

• Lesson 1: The more you play the further you drop

Each year the top players in college basketball are faced with the tough decision to either play another year or go pro, those who decide to stay another year are praised by their coaches for their unselfishness and team first mentality. However, last night several of these rising sophomores lost millions of dollars after being selected later in the NBA Draft than they were projected the previous year. For example Harrison Barnes was projected to be a top two pick in last years draft but was not selected until the seventh pick by the Golden State Warriors. Although general onlooker would not consider this to be much of a drop off, financially it was a difference of nearly seven million dollars. Harrison Barnes was still fortunate to be selected in the first round because there were a few players projected to be top fifteen picks last year who fell out of the first round entirely.

• Lesson 2: Get a physical before you declare, avoid red flags like you avoid fouls

Last night several young men dropped in the draft due to their failure to address injury issues before the NBA Draft Combine. Unfortunately, the agents for these young men failed them miserably, the flags discovered by team physicians could have been avoided completely. Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones III were both top ten talents that could have opted for surgery to address their ailments which may have prevented their free fall from the lottery to the back-end of the first round.

Royce White and his agent handled this situation remarkably, by using the 4 months before the draft combine to address his anxiety disorder and his fear of flying. They were rewarded for being proactive, this talented forward from Iowa State was selected in lottery by the Houston Rocket, way to go Royce White!

In closing, to all the young men aspiring of playing in the NBA I encourage you to trust no one: not your coaches, not your friends, and definitely not your agent. Each one is driven by their own ambitions of either getting another coaching extension or maximizing their profit margins.

Too the thousands of young boys striving to relief their family of the hardships of working double and triple shifts I remind you that shaking David Stern’s hand and being selected in the NBA Draft does not determine quality of life, you do. Less than 2% percent of the boys with this dream will achieve it, for the other 98% they will be tortured by the unknown, never forgetting the many opportunities lost in their quest to fulfill their dream of guarding Kobe Bryant or taking a charge from Dwight Howard. Stay tuned… I know I will. – A. Denmark (@eatdrnkslpsprtz)