Over the last few months, I have been doing spot work for the University of Manitoba and reporting on their sports games and writing game stories for their website. It's been a real neat experience for me and last night, I was able to do a men's hockey game. It was the first university hockey game I have watched since the Bobcats shut down their hockey program in my hometown of Brandon.
The game was extremely enjoyable and a hard fought game between both teams. The Bisons upset the Golden Bears, who are ranked #1 in the country.
Here is the game story I produced last night after the game:
http://www.gobisons.ca/index.php?page=news&id=2645
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
What A Week (And Gibber's Back!)
If your a Toronto Blue Jays fan, things have exploded for you since last Tuesday night. First came word of a mega-blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins, which brought to Toronto three all-star players in 2010 NL batting champion Jose Reyes, stud pitcher Josh Johnson, and workhorse left-hander Mark Buehrle. Then, over the weekend, the Jays announced they had come to terms with outfielder Melky Cabrera, plugging the team's gaping hole in left field.
There has been sheer excitement over these moves and why shouldn't there be. Not since 1996 when the Jays signed Roger Clemens has their been a move of this magnitude. Reyes and Cabrera will immediately be slotted in the 1-2 spots in the batting lineup and add tons of speed, contact, and flexibility (both switch-hitters!) to the top of the order.
Johnson now becomes the #1 pitcher on the staff. Along with Buehrle, they will take a ton of pressure off returning starters Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow. Buehrle's lifetime numbers aren't dominating, but are really reliable, having thrown 200+ innings in each of his full 12 big league seasons.
Then early this morning, the next (and probably last major) shoe dropped. Without a manager since John Farrell shipped out to Boston, the Jays reached into their own history and brought back John Gibbons. Gibby managed the team from 2004 until he was let go by the team midway through the 2008 season. The team he managed in 2006 won 87 games, the highest number a Jays team has won since the 1998 season.
I was excited when I heard this news as Gibby is definitely my favorite Blue Jays manager of my lifetime. Tactically, I remember Gibbons being very sound. He used the bullpen as well as any manager before or after him and also seemed to understand how lineup platoons worked and used them properly (again, better then the managers who he followed and the managers that followed him).
For the first time in a long time, Jays fans can say they have a playoff contender on their hands and actually mean it.
There has been sheer excitement over these moves and why shouldn't there be. Not since 1996 when the Jays signed Roger Clemens has their been a move of this magnitude. Reyes and Cabrera will immediately be slotted in the 1-2 spots in the batting lineup and add tons of speed, contact, and flexibility (both switch-hitters!) to the top of the order.
Johnson now becomes the #1 pitcher on the staff. Along with Buehrle, they will take a ton of pressure off returning starters Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow. Buehrle's lifetime numbers aren't dominating, but are really reliable, having thrown 200+ innings in each of his full 12 big league seasons.
Then early this morning, the next (and probably last major) shoe dropped. Without a manager since John Farrell shipped out to Boston, the Jays reached into their own history and brought back John Gibbons. Gibby managed the team from 2004 until he was let go by the team midway through the 2008 season. The team he managed in 2006 won 87 games, the highest number a Jays team has won since the 1998 season.
I was excited when I heard this news as Gibby is definitely my favorite Blue Jays manager of my lifetime. Tactically, I remember Gibbons being very sound. He used the bullpen as well as any manager before or after him and also seemed to understand how lineup platoons worked and used them properly (again, better then the managers who he followed and the managers that followed him).
For the first time in a long time, Jays fans can say they have a playoff contender on their hands and actually mean it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
D'Antoni A Good Fit For The Lakers
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers made a move at the coaching position that has gotten press, but not nearly enough. After panicking 5 games into the season and firing head coach Mike Brown, the Lakers had a decision to make on who to hire. The two favorites: Phil Jackson, formerly of the Lakers and Bulls and holder of 11 NBA Titles (including 5 with the Lakers) or Mike D'Antoni, an innovative offensive mind in Phoenix but never had any success in reaching a championship game and flamed out in New York last season.
The Lakers hired D'Antoni.
The full story hasn't really come out yet. Jackson's reps have said that the Lakers gave him until Monday morning to accept the job but that the Lakers called him Sunday night and informed him that the job was going to D'Antoni. Reports have said that it's possible the Lakers balked at Jackson's demands (extremely high salary, big role in player personnel decisions, ability to miss certain road games).
Jackson's reps have now came out and said that those reports were false and their were no such demands, even blaming D'Antoni or the Lakers on putting out the false reports. Today, Barry Petchesky over at Deadspin brought up a good point on refuting Jackson's stance:
The fact that the Lakers chose D'Antoni over Jackson is a huge story. Phil Jackson is one of the most successful NBA coaches in the history of the game; no doubt the best in the modern era. The Lakers brass had nothing to lose bringing in Jackson.
But D'Antoni is just a better fit in Los Angeles. Jackson's signature 'triangle' offense fits a portion of the Lakers roster. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol won an NBA title under Jackson using this style of offense. But new point guard Steve Nash doesn't operate in a fashion that is conductive to Jackson's style.
Enter D'Antoni. His fabled 'Seven Seconds or Less' offense has been the leading style of fast-break offense in the league since he implemented it in Phoenix. The style was successful for the Suns somewhat, especially for Nash who won 2 league MVP's under D'Antoni. Not to mention the Lakers other addition, Dwight Howard, is probably the best suited center in the league to run in this fast paced offense (The Nash-Howard pick and roll is a scary prospect for any team running into the Lakers). All of this should benefit Bryant in terms of getting more open looks in this fast-paced offense and D'Antoni is a coach Kobe has already gone on record saying he likes.
Whether this works or not, who knows. Jackson's resume is volumes above D'Antoni's, that isn't in dispute. But D'Antoni's offense, on paper, certainly appears to be a better fit for Los Angeles.
The Lakers hired D'Antoni.
The full story hasn't really come out yet. Jackson's reps have said that the Lakers gave him until Monday morning to accept the job but that the Lakers called him Sunday night and informed him that the job was going to D'Antoni. Reports have said that it's possible the Lakers balked at Jackson's demands (extremely high salary, big role in player personnel decisions, ability to miss certain road games).
Jackson's reps have now came out and said that those reports were false and their were no such demands, even blaming D'Antoni or the Lakers on putting out the false reports. Today, Barry Petchesky over at Deadspin brought up a good point on refuting Jackson's stance:
"If it was the Lakers planting false info, it was surely done to drive down his contract demands—reports had Jackson wanting as much as $15 million a year, though again, those reports may have been leaked by the Lakers. But if it was the D'Antoni braintrust dropping the rumors, what was the point? The Lakers would have realized it wasn't true when they negotiated with Jackson. What does D'Antoni have to gain by winning over a sliver of the public opinion?Solid point.
"Unless of course Jackson's reported demands were accurate, and he's now trying to cover his ass."
The fact that the Lakers chose D'Antoni over Jackson is a huge story. Phil Jackson is one of the most successful NBA coaches in the history of the game; no doubt the best in the modern era. The Lakers brass had nothing to lose bringing in Jackson.
But D'Antoni is just a better fit in Los Angeles. Jackson's signature 'triangle' offense fits a portion of the Lakers roster. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol won an NBA title under Jackson using this style of offense. But new point guard Steve Nash doesn't operate in a fashion that is conductive to Jackson's style.
Enter D'Antoni. His fabled 'Seven Seconds or Less' offense has been the leading style of fast-break offense in the league since he implemented it in Phoenix. The style was successful for the Suns somewhat, especially for Nash who won 2 league MVP's under D'Antoni. Not to mention the Lakers other addition, Dwight Howard, is probably the best suited center in the league to run in this fast paced offense (The Nash-Howard pick and roll is a scary prospect for any team running into the Lakers). All of this should benefit Bryant in terms of getting more open looks in this fast-paced offense and D'Antoni is a coach Kobe has already gone on record saying he likes.
Whether this works or not, who knows. Jackson's resume is volumes above D'Antoni's, that isn't in dispute. But D'Antoni's offense, on paper, certainly appears to be a better fit for Los Angeles.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
7600 Kilometers Away, Ilya is Still Being Ilya
One of the many suspected downsides to the NHL lockout was that Ilya Bryzgalov would be no longer available to give bizarre, hilarious interviews to North American reporters. However, Ilya continues to impress over in his native Russia where he is playing during the lockout. Last week, Bryzgalov told reporters that he could no longer talk to them because mama said so. The video is here, but unless you speak Russian, it won't be useful (h/t to Deadspin for the video).
For those who want a refresh or introduction to Bryz, he has previously discussed the universe and China's penalties for killing tigers, his fear of bear in the forest, and giving us great news and even better news before last year's Winter Classic.
However, in my books, nothing will ever top his response to Oilers fans after they responded vengefully to his new Anaheim teammate Chris Pronger in his return to Edmonton.
For those who want a refresh or introduction to Bryz, he has previously discussed the universe and China's penalties for killing tigers, his fear of bear in the forest, and giving us great news and even better news before last year's Winter Classic.
However, in my books, nothing will ever top his response to Oilers fans after they responded vengefully to his new Anaheim teammate Chris Pronger in his return to Edmonton.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Mack Stays, Thankfully
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a history of making quick illogical gut-feeling moves. That's why I was totally surprised today when the club announced that Joe Mack would return as the club's general manager next season. Hey, A RATIONAL THOUGHT!
See, as much as the anti-Mack sect wants to believe, the fact is that everything wrong with the organization does not start and stop at the general manager's office. As a talent evaluator, Mack's track record in his three years in Winnipeg is quite remarkable. Remember, Mack inherited the position from Mike Kelly, who left no stone unturned in destroying the future for his successor. Specifically, the non-import talent, which was left depleted.
The lack of talent that Kelly left behind at the non-import position is staggering. Doug Brown and Ian Logan were the only starting-caliber non-import players left for Mack on defense. Brock Ralph and Aaron Hargreaves were the only Canadian receivers left behind (!). The offensive line remained a somewhat cohesive unit, with Brandon LaBatte, Obby Khan, and Steve Morley amongst the starters.
In three off-seasons, Mack has improved this spot of the team impressively. Brock and Hargreaves are out as starters and have been replaced by Cory Watson and Kito Poblah (major upgrade). Henoc Muamba has replaced the recently retired Brown as the ratio-buster on defense. Justin Palardy has been brought in as a Canadian kicker and has broke franchise records while giving the Bombers more flexibility in dressing an extra import player. All four of those guys have been brought in by Mack, along with extra depth players like Carl Volny, Fernand Kashama, and Jake Thomas.
But that's Mack the talent evaluator. Mack the general manager? Ya, I have no problem raising issues with that. He's certainly had a few missteps, a couple that proved costly this year. But starting to bake the cake from scratch again doesn't seem like a good idea right now. Do fans who've waited 20-odd years for a Grey Cup want to start the building-a-team cycle all over again? Vince Lombardi isn't strolling into Winnipeg to hand you a championship next year. In fact, there is a better chance a Jeff Reinebold-type will be ripping into town with his Harley.
Maybe Mack takes some things away from this past season. He will have an early test with many key players hitting free agency (Bryant Turner, Marcellus Bowman, Jonathan Hefney, Volny, Jason Vega, Johnny Sears) but on paper, the talent is there. Give him 2013.
Another sub par year next year? Joe, the board would like to speak with you.
See, as much as the anti-Mack sect wants to believe, the fact is that everything wrong with the organization does not start and stop at the general manager's office. As a talent evaluator, Mack's track record in his three years in Winnipeg is quite remarkable. Remember, Mack inherited the position from Mike Kelly, who left no stone unturned in destroying the future for his successor. Specifically, the non-import talent, which was left depleted.
The lack of talent that Kelly left behind at the non-import position is staggering. Doug Brown and Ian Logan were the only starting-caliber non-import players left for Mack on defense. Brock Ralph and Aaron Hargreaves were the only Canadian receivers left behind (!). The offensive line remained a somewhat cohesive unit, with Brandon LaBatte, Obby Khan, and Steve Morley amongst the starters.
In three off-seasons, Mack has improved this spot of the team impressively. Brock and Hargreaves are out as starters and have been replaced by Cory Watson and Kito Poblah (major upgrade). Henoc Muamba has replaced the recently retired Brown as the ratio-buster on defense. Justin Palardy has been brought in as a Canadian kicker and has broke franchise records while giving the Bombers more flexibility in dressing an extra import player. All four of those guys have been brought in by Mack, along with extra depth players like Carl Volny, Fernand Kashama, and Jake Thomas.
But that's Mack the talent evaluator. Mack the general manager? Ya, I have no problem raising issues with that. He's certainly had a few missteps, a couple that proved costly this year. But starting to bake the cake from scratch again doesn't seem like a good idea right now. Do fans who've waited 20-odd years for a Grey Cup want to start the building-a-team cycle all over again? Vince Lombardi isn't strolling into Winnipeg to hand you a championship next year. In fact, there is a better chance a Jeff Reinebold-type will be ripping into town with his Harley.
Maybe Mack takes some things away from this past season. He will have an early test with many key players hitting free agency (Bryant Turner, Marcellus Bowman, Jonathan Hefney, Volny, Jason Vega, Johnny Sears) but on paper, the talent is there. Give him 2013.
Another sub par year next year? Joe, the board would like to speak with you.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Later Farrell
Yesterday, the Toronto Blue Jays traded their manager John Farrell to the Boston Red Sox.
In retrospect, Farrell was my third favorite person I know named Farrell (preceded by Will and Farrel from FUBAR). His stint as Jays' manager lasted only two seasons before asking to pursue his 'dream job' as manager of the Red Sox.
His record as manager of the Jays was adequate, which is why I wonder some Jays fans are upset about this. After going .500 in year one, the Jays dipped down to a 89 loss team this past season, one which was marred with bad baserunning and odd lineups among other things.
But it's not the fact that Farrell has been let go that bothers some people, it's the compensation the team received in return. Jays fans seemed to value their manager in a trade scenario and thought his rights were worth a Clay Buchholz or a Daniel Bard. So is Mike Aviles fair compensation?
To find out, we will compare this move with another managerial trade that happened earlier in the century. In 2003, the Seattle Mariners let their manager Lou Pinella go to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for outfielder Randy Winn.
First, lets compare the managers in question. Looking at the managers' resumes, it's not hard to decipher that Pinella was a hotter commodity. Pinella was a veteran manager who had been managing for 16 years prior. He had a World Series ring after managing the '90 Reds and was two years removed from Seattle's record 116 win season at the time. Meanwhile, Farrell has managed two years overall with a sub-.500 record.
And the compensation proved so. In Winn's last season in Tampa, he posted a 4.6 WAR and followed that up with season of 3.1 and 4.0. WAR is a baseball stat that is shortened for 'Wins Above Replacement'. It shows how many more wins a player gives a team as opposed to a player at "replacement level".
Aviles is coming off a 2.0 WAR season with Boston. So, factoring in the differences in managers, the compensation seems fair. Of course, this is only an explanation if you don't believe trading an actual major league player for a manager is absurd, which I do. Look at what Pinella's record was with Tampa, a dismal baseball team. He lasted three seasons with them and had three straight 90 loss seasons before being dismissed.
In retrospect, Farrell was my third favorite person I know named Farrell (preceded by Will and Farrel from FUBAR). His stint as Jays' manager lasted only two seasons before asking to pursue his 'dream job' as manager of the Red Sox.
His record as manager of the Jays was adequate, which is why I wonder some Jays fans are upset about this. After going .500 in year one, the Jays dipped down to a 89 loss team this past season, one which was marred with bad baserunning and odd lineups among other things.
But it's not the fact that Farrell has been let go that bothers some people, it's the compensation the team received in return. Jays fans seemed to value their manager in a trade scenario and thought his rights were worth a Clay Buchholz or a Daniel Bard. So is Mike Aviles fair compensation?
To find out, we will compare this move with another managerial trade that happened earlier in the century. In 2003, the Seattle Mariners let their manager Lou Pinella go to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for outfielder Randy Winn.
First, lets compare the managers in question. Looking at the managers' resumes, it's not hard to decipher that Pinella was a hotter commodity. Pinella was a veteran manager who had been managing for 16 years prior. He had a World Series ring after managing the '90 Reds and was two years removed from Seattle's record 116 win season at the time. Meanwhile, Farrell has managed two years overall with a sub-.500 record.
And the compensation proved so. In Winn's last season in Tampa, he posted a 4.6 WAR and followed that up with season of 3.1 and 4.0. WAR is a baseball stat that is shortened for 'Wins Above Replacement'. It shows how many more wins a player gives a team as opposed to a player at "replacement level".
Aviles is coming off a 2.0 WAR season with Boston. So, factoring in the differences in managers, the compensation seems fair. Of course, this is only an explanation if you don't believe trading an actual major league player for a manager is absurd, which I do. Look at what Pinella's record was with Tampa, a dismal baseball team. He lasted three seasons with them and had three straight 90 loss seasons before being dismissed.
Also, the acquisition of Aviles gives Toronto flexibility heading into the off-season. The Jays now have four viable starting candidates for the four middle infield positions (Aviles, Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, and if resigned, Kelly Johnson). It's now possible that the Jays could seek out a possible trade, maybe moving the beleaguered Escobar.
Oakland seems like a possible suitor. The A's just moved their starting shortstop, Cliff Pennington, in a trade to bring them another outfield. With a hole at shortstop and a surplus of pitching, the Jays and A's could becoming trading partners in the near future.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Best of 30 For 30
Tonight is the debut of There's No Place Like Home, the 46th documentary in ESPN's award-winning documentary series 30 for 30. The show debuted in October 2009 and was originally conceived to be a run of 30 sports-related documentaries on events that happened in the previous 30 years. However, the success of the show has led to the production of more documentaries.
The series does a great job of telling stories that transcend sports. Each film is directed by a new party and the list of directors involved has included Morgan Freeman, Ron Shelton, Barry Levinson, and Morgan Spurlock. Here's a list of my favorite 30 for 30 films, in no particular order:
THE TWO ESCOBARS
The film accounts for the almost simultaneous rise and fall of two Escobars in Columbia (no relation). There is Pablo, a drug cartel kingpin who gives away money to grow the game of soccer in his country. Then there is Andres, a star on the Colombian national team. Both rise throughout Columbia in the '80s but Pablo is killed in a police shootout in December 1993 and Andres is killed by an angry fan after he scores in his own net in a game against the United States. A really good look into the culture of soccer, drugs, and life in Columbia.
NO CROSSOVER: THE TRIAL OF ALLEN IVERSON
In 1993, high school basketball phenom Allen Iverson was convicted of 'maiming by mob' and sentenced to 15 years in prison for allegedly striking a white women. Only Iverson and three fellow African-Americans were charged with these crimes after a brawl in a bowling alley. Iverson was eventually pardoned by the Governor of Virginia, although the incident still draws heated reactions from all sides in the city of Hampton. The film highlights the events as well as drawing on how modern-day race relations plagued and still somewhat plague the city.
GURU OF GO
Paul Westhead is a basketball coach who's style of play has run him out of countless job. However, in 1990, Westhead has something going at Loyota Marymount. The team is winning and is led by its two star players, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, two former high school teammates from North Philly. Late in the 1990 season, Gathers collapses on the court and passes away. Despite this, the team going on an inspiring run in the NCAA tournament. Don't chop onions while you watch this one.
UNGUARDED
'Unguarded' is the story of Chris Herren, a New England high school basketball star. Recruited by every major college in the country, Herren decided to stay at home and play at Boston College. However, at 18 years old, Herren walks into a room with cocaine and for the next 15 years, Herren is caught up in a world of drugs that all but kills his career. Herren has now been sober since 2007 and is now a motivational speaker and mentors young athletes to prevent them from following his path. 'Unguarded' shows the redemption of Herren both on and off the court.
THE FAB FIVE
This one is the highest-rated documentary of the series and it's probably in my top three favorite of the series. It follows 'The Fab Five', a group of five freshman basketball players who play basketball at Michigan. All but one of the group are interviewed in this documentary, which follows the glory years of the group, their cultural impact, the downfall, and the eventual scandal that removed all of their accomplishments from the official record. The film is also a great look into the shady side of college sports from all sides.
PONY EXCESS
Hey, we were just talking about the shady side of college sports. 'Pony Excess' follows the rise of the SMU college football program. Of course, this rise is thanks to the help of school boosters, who are paying recruits top dollar to come play at SMU. (One of my favorite scenes has a boosters opening a briefcase with 10,000 dollars in it and showing it to a recruit. The recruit laughs, the boosters says. They weren't even close). While the scandal eventually catches up to SMU and kills the program, they weren't the only program doing so.
JUNE 17, 1994
This one is filmed differently then the others, instead it just uses archival footage from June 17, 1994 to recap an exciting and memorable day in sports. The Knicks and Rockets were playing in the NBA Finals. The FIFA World Cup was opening in the States. Arnold Palmer was golfing in his final US Open. Ken Griffey Jr. hit another home run in his historic season. The Rangers were having a parade in New York celebrating their Stanley Cup win.
And oh ya, O.J. Simpson's car chase.
ONCE BROTHERS
Vlade Divac and Dražen Petrović were close friends and stars of the Yugoslavian national basketball team. But Divac was Serbian and Petrović was Croatian. The Yugoslavian wars of the early '90s eventually drove the two apart and fractured their friendship. In 1993, Petrović was killed in a car accident and the film has several emotional sit downs with Divac, who expresses his regret that they were unable to settle their differences.
THE BEST THAT NEVER WAS
This one's my favorite. The film starts off by showing a day in the life of Marcus Dupree, who gets up and goes to work everyday like most other people. Then the film drifts back to Dupree's high school years, where Marcus was the king on campus. The best running back in the country. College recruiters sitting on his mama's porch all hours of the day, looking for a signature. Eventually, he went to Oklahoma but Dupree clashed heads with coaches, had injury issues and never lived up to expectations. After a short pro career, Dupree eventually vanished into the day. A great story.
The series does a great job of telling stories that transcend sports. Each film is directed by a new party and the list of directors involved has included Morgan Freeman, Ron Shelton, Barry Levinson, and Morgan Spurlock. Here's a list of my favorite 30 for 30 films, in no particular order:
THE TWO ESCOBARS
The film accounts for the almost simultaneous rise and fall of two Escobars in Columbia (no relation). There is Pablo, a drug cartel kingpin who gives away money to grow the game of soccer in his country. Then there is Andres, a star on the Colombian national team. Both rise throughout Columbia in the '80s but Pablo is killed in a police shootout in December 1993 and Andres is killed by an angry fan after he scores in his own net in a game against the United States. A really good look into the culture of soccer, drugs, and life in Columbia.
NO CROSSOVER: THE TRIAL OF ALLEN IVERSON
In 1993, high school basketball phenom Allen Iverson was convicted of 'maiming by mob' and sentenced to 15 years in prison for allegedly striking a white women. Only Iverson and three fellow African-Americans were charged with these crimes after a brawl in a bowling alley. Iverson was eventually pardoned by the Governor of Virginia, although the incident still draws heated reactions from all sides in the city of Hampton. The film highlights the events as well as drawing on how modern-day race relations plagued and still somewhat plague the city.
GURU OF GO
Paul Westhead is a basketball coach who's style of play has run him out of countless job. However, in 1990, Westhead has something going at Loyota Marymount. The team is winning and is led by its two star players, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, two former high school teammates from North Philly. Late in the 1990 season, Gathers collapses on the court and passes away. Despite this, the team going on an inspiring run in the NCAA tournament. Don't chop onions while you watch this one.
UNGUARDED
'Unguarded' is the story of Chris Herren, a New England high school basketball star. Recruited by every major college in the country, Herren decided to stay at home and play at Boston College. However, at 18 years old, Herren walks into a room with cocaine and for the next 15 years, Herren is caught up in a world of drugs that all but kills his career. Herren has now been sober since 2007 and is now a motivational speaker and mentors young athletes to prevent them from following his path. 'Unguarded' shows the redemption of Herren both on and off the court.
THE FAB FIVE
This one is the highest-rated documentary of the series and it's probably in my top three favorite of the series. It follows 'The Fab Five', a group of five freshman basketball players who play basketball at Michigan. All but one of the group are interviewed in this documentary, which follows the glory years of the group, their cultural impact, the downfall, and the eventual scandal that removed all of their accomplishments from the official record. The film is also a great look into the shady side of college sports from all sides.
PONY EXCESS
Hey, we were just talking about the shady side of college sports. 'Pony Excess' follows the rise of the SMU college football program. Of course, this rise is thanks to the help of school boosters, who are paying recruits top dollar to come play at SMU. (One of my favorite scenes has a boosters opening a briefcase with 10,000 dollars in it and showing it to a recruit. The recruit laughs, the boosters says. They weren't even close). While the scandal eventually catches up to SMU and kills the program, they weren't the only program doing so.
JUNE 17, 1994
This one is filmed differently then the others, instead it just uses archival footage from June 17, 1994 to recap an exciting and memorable day in sports. The Knicks and Rockets were playing in the NBA Finals. The FIFA World Cup was opening in the States. Arnold Palmer was golfing in his final US Open. Ken Griffey Jr. hit another home run in his historic season. The Rangers were having a parade in New York celebrating their Stanley Cup win.
And oh ya, O.J. Simpson's car chase.
ONCE BROTHERS
Vlade Divac and Dražen Petrović were close friends and stars of the Yugoslavian national basketball team. But Divac was Serbian and Petrović was Croatian. The Yugoslavian wars of the early '90s eventually drove the two apart and fractured their friendship. In 1993, Petrović was killed in a car accident and the film has several emotional sit downs with Divac, who expresses his regret that they were unable to settle their differences.
THE BEST THAT NEVER WAS
This one's my favorite. The film starts off by showing a day in the life of Marcus Dupree, who gets up and goes to work everyday like most other people. Then the film drifts back to Dupree's high school years, where Marcus was the king on campus. The best running back in the country. College recruiters sitting on his mama's porch all hours of the day, looking for a signature. Eventually, he went to Oklahoma but Dupree clashed heads with coaches, had injury issues and never lived up to expectations. After a short pro career, Dupree eventually vanished into the day. A great story.
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