Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, December 10th
Last night in the first game of the Jimmy V Classic (we’ll
get to Villanova’s disappointing loss later in the day) Steph Curry ended his
“off night” with 27 points, as many assists as they next seven highest guys on the floor combined,
four steals and two blocks for good measure.
He scored 13 of his team’s last 15 points, and led Davidson to a 68-65
victory over West Virginia
in a game that will go down as yet another exclamation point on his
considerable legacy. I have no idea how
the kid’s game will translate into the pros, and that is at least in part due
to the fact that I couldn’t care less. He’s one the great college players of
our era. Not only is his story amazing -
he was passed over by every major school, including VA Tech where his father
starred – but he dominates a game in a way you rarely see at any level.
Curry might have the best jab step/shot release combo in the
business, he’s in range when he enters the building and he absolutely knows how to take a game over. He’s good enough to lead the nation in
scoring, but smart enough to accept getting
zero points if it means giving his team an advantage. He’s a team
player, and unlike so many shooters, he tries on D.
I don’t have an obvious point here – other than to suggest
that Tyler Hansbrough’s days as the POY are over and done, I suppose – but rather
just wanted to appreciate that one of the special collegiate athletes of all
time in our midst. Not that the masses
aren’t realizing. Sports Illustrated’s Luke Winn pointed out that when “Duke and UCLA
were in the 2K Sports Classic in mid-November. Half-price tickets were on sale
and the place was still only half-full. Purdue and Oklahoma were in the NIT Season Tip-Off on
Thanksgiving weekend. You could count the fans who showed up.” Well, last
night Madison Square Garden
was full – all for a game that was scheduled as the Texas/Nova undercard. I’m guessing that no one left unhappy.
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“Don’t mess with happy,” Jim Valvano to young Jay Wright. The word “mess” was originally something slightly more unprintable
Three lines on their world:
- Davidson knocked off West Virginia at the Mecca
- The Mets locked up K-Rod
- and the future World Champion Spurs knocked off the Mavs in double OT
Three lines on ours:
- Villanova fell to Texas in New York
- Ruben Amaro locked up Charlie Manuel through 2011
- and the Flyers held off the Islanders
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everyone is talking about, after the jump
EAGLES
Paul Domowitch points out that Joselio Hanson has taken Lito Sheppard’s snaps, and says the Eagles are better off because of it. READ
Ashley Fox looks at just how happy running the ball made Jim Johnson. READ
Bob Brookover says Nick Cole proved to be a damn fine third string right guard. SKIP
Peter Mucha thinks that after Brian Westbrook gets his next touchdown – his 15th – Andy Reid should wear tights. SKIP
John Gonzalez advocates benching himself in a mailbag. Ballsy move in today’s newspaper climate. SKIP
Rueben Frank points out that no matter what the Birds do they’re not assured a playoff spot. SKIP
SIXERS
Phil Jasner tries to explain Samuel Dalembert’s early season struggles. SKIP
Kate Fagan gets the Sixers thoughts on LeBron. SKIP
Tom Moore talks LeBron with the Sixers. SKIP
PHILLIES
Jim Salisbury reports that the Charlie Manuel deal is done, and that the Phils continue to have interest in Penn product Mark DeRosa. READ
Bill Conlin comes out in full-fledged old-school sportswriter mold – he thinks that offenses don’t hit for Hamels because “They are out in the field watching opposing hitters flail at their ace’s excellent stuff. And it is human nature to say, “Man, this hitting is tough. How the hell could I hit a pitch like that changeup Hamels just threw?”" (I’d argue that it’s 1. coincidence and 2. the fact that he’s generally matched up against the other teams’ ace, but I suppose that is neither here nor there) – and writes an article basically saying that Jamie Moyer has Ruben Amaro by the balls. I don’t think I agree with anything he wrote, but it was pretty entertaining regardless. READ
Paul Hagen reports that the Uncle Cholly deal is done. SKIP
Hagen’s notes report that Amaro is acting unconcerned about the Mets addition of K-Rod, gets Nolan Ryan’s take on pitchcounts, and more. SKIP
Hagen gets a non-quote from Amaro. SKIP
FLYERS
Ed Moran talks to Paul Holmgren, who admits he’s kicking the tires on Mats Sundin, but it doesn’t look promising. SKIP
Sam Cardichi’s notes focus on Lasse Kukkonen’s recent success, Bernie Parent’s whereabouts and more. READ
Wayne Fish looks at the possibility of adding Sundin. SKIP
TODAY and MORE
It’s LeBron day, but we have a few responsibilities to take
care of before Philly becomes a witness to 80% of LBJ’s optimal effort. That’s what they would have gotten last year at least. Thus far this season LeBronze and the Cavs are on the warpath – they’ve won nine in a row, all by 12 points or more (an average of 21.5), and are 17-1 over the last month plus. We’ll be in the building.
As for the day itself, look for us to scatter
quick-hits amidst a day that is going to be busier on end than it is going to look from yours.
As always, feel free to email with
any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
