Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball shows Military Appreciation in DC

Saturday Team USA held a Military Appreciation event at the DC Stadium Armory.  Nike gave away "Hoops for Troops" blue T-shirts and the event was a terrific way for Team USA's Men's and Women's Basketball teams to show their appreciation towards those who serve the USA. 

Approximately 3,100 tickets were distributed and the crowd was thrilled to see our nation's finest basketball athletes work through drills, participate in a scrimmage, and a few selected lucky ducks were able to compete in a skills challenge with their favorite member of the team!

What a great event for the Nike World Basketball Festival, the DC Armory, and Team USA!

Kobe being Kobe



Durant and Westbrook laugh with LeBron

I hope you enjoy the great shots of fan favorites, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (i.e. along with Washington DC's own Kevin Durant).  These guys may compete with different jerseys during the better part of the year, but in international competition, they're definitely UNITED.

Other notables who attended the event were Lenny Wilkens, Gheorghe Muresan, and the Georgetown University Hoyas' own: Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Coach John Thompson (Senior).

Team USA (both men and women) will take on Brazil at the Verizon Center on Monday, July 16.  The women play first and the men are slated to start at 8PM.

Update (July 16): According to my contact, there are only 2 single tickets available in the lower bowl for tonight's match-ups.  The price is $784/ticket.


THE WIRK

Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball Teams come to DC this weekend

In case you're like me and not right on top of the USA Men's Basketball schedule, I'd like to let you know that the USA Men's (i.e. and Women's) Basketball teams are coming to the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.  Both teams will be playing Brazil's Olympic squads. 

Do you know who Oscar Schmidt is?  If you are a true international basketball fan, you do.  Regardless, educate yourself here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Schmidt.

I digress...  Let's get back to Team USA...

If you want a pair of front row tickets (i.e. according to Ticketmaster's website) that are in section 112 (i.e. which traditionally look at the visiting team's bench for NBA games) there are a pair for $827.65 EACH.  That's right - for you and your wife/buddy/customer/client/child/boss, etc. you'll spend close to $1,700.  Don't worry, Moneybags, a portion of you ticket price will go to USO charities.  So if you're fortunate enough to have the ticket money, a huge fan of Team USA, and can't make it to London for the festivities - get yourself to the "Phone booth" on Monday at 5:30PM for the doubleheader. 

Here's a link so you can purchase your tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500488CE14C7042?artistid=873991&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=7

If you're feeling charitable, I'm only interested in a single ticket and it's ONLY $520.90.  If you want to donate to my ticket account, feel free to Paypal me at sjwirk@gmail.com.

For all of you that have $59, you can pick up seats to the game if you use the discount code: wizards and following the link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=wizards&o=505&g=2197

****  I guess I've been catching too many clips of Team USA in Las Vegas, that I presumed that they'd head straight to London when they were finished training in Las Vegas.  As it turns out their stint, out West, wraps up on July 12. 

In addition, I was talking to my friend, Teri, earlier and The Nike World Basketball Festival 2012 will take place at the DC Armory July 14-15.  This was also news to me.  You can expect to find me at the DC Armory this weekend to get over my basketball drought, since the NBA Finals, and to relive some 1992 Dream Team Memories.  From what I understand there will be some select appearances by members of the Dream Team at certain events.

So, for all of you "hoop heads" in the DC/VA/MD area, it looks like you have something to do!  Go out and support Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball.

Nominated for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Team were: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).  Oh and there's another guy...  Hmmm.  What's his name?  You know - that guy who left Cleveland to win a Championship with the Miami Heat.  Yes, LeBron James. 

The men are coached by Duke University's, Coach K.

Admitedly, I'm not as familiar with the Women's team, but here are the names I recognize from the USA National Team:  Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Chicago Sky), Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).  ****  No offense intended to the other women on the squad who's names I didn't include.  I think I only recognize these names from their NCAA Women's Tournament game performances.

The women are coached by UConn's own, Geno Auriemma.

Enjoy.


THE WIRK

College football and basketball players shouldn't get a cut of TV revenue

I have the day off today, and it's raining, so I decided to check on my baby (i.e. this blog).  I'm not sure what happened yesterday, but my blog stats went through the roof!  Well, in an effort to not neglect you all and to stay focused on this endeavor, I took a quick look at ESPN.com and found a poll that struck a cord with me...  I figured I'd get your thoughts.

While I was surfing the net, I came across a Sports Nation poll asking whether college football and basketball players should receive a cut of their schools' TV revenue.  Below is a picture of the current results.

If you know me at all and/or have been following this blog, you know how much I appreciate money...  Initially when I read this questions, I jumped to YES for my answer.  I thought to myself, why shouldn't they get paid?  The athletes contribute to the program and as stars of the team they draw ratings...  However, I started to think the question through and realized that there are many other issues that need to be considered.

1.  Not all colleges/universities have the following (i.e. storied history) to attract viewers, ratings, and TV numbers.  Some school are simply too small and don't produce quality teams consistently enough to land the TV deals.  Growing up, I heard all the Notre Dame jokes about their teams playing in a "cereal bowl", but their fan base is loyal. 

2.  While an athlete might be incredibly talented, the focus of amateur athletics should be education.  If these individuals want to be paid as professionals then they need to take it up with the National Football Players Association (NFLPA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) regarding age restrictions etc.  ****  I'm not going to research the particularities in this matter, but I've argued with former players about this matter in the past, and I think age restrictions are lame.  Caveat emptor (i.e. let the buyer be ware).  If a team is willing to risk its money on a very young prospect, it should be its right.

3.  I don't want to hear about how the athletes need the money.  More or less everyone in college and even adulthood will argue that they "need the money".  That argument doesn't hold any water.

Out of curiosity, I specifically checked the stats for Ohio.  I'm from Ohio and Ohio generally makes the "final" decision when it comes to who becomes President and other decisions.  Further, it's the Midwest - middle America, and therefore more or less "average".  Needless to say, when I checked, Ohio was split 50-50...

Just some thoughts from a girl who's too lazy to head out in the rain...

THE WIRK

The NBA playoffs are underway, and there are still arenas left to hit

NBA fans everywhere are enjoying the 1st round of the playoffs, and I'm more or less grounded this week.  Even though I'm not available to fly, I'm still following the action. Taking a look at the 1st round match-ups (i.e. with an eye out for venues I haven't been to), here are the teams that I will focus on this post-season.

1. Memphis Grizzlies
2. Denver Nuggets
3. New Orleans Hornets
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Orlando Magic

**** I'm actually locked and loaded for a Denver Nuggets game, so there really should only be 4 teams on this list.

I won't be able to travel as freely until the 2nd round of the playoffs. Further, as much as I like to root for the underdogs, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets will probably be eliminated in the 1st round.  I guess this means that I'm rooting for the Thunder and the Magic (i.e. which is just fine because I like Kevin Durant and hear great things about the Magic's new arena). It doesn't hurt that I love Disney and Mickey Mouse as well.

Thunder Up! Go Magic!


THE WIRK

Tell me why you don't like the NBA ~ I'm honestly curious

I have a lot of friends who don't like the NBA.  I always find this interesting, but different strokes for different folks.  We all don't have to like the same things.  However, I am curious.  For those of you that say that you, "Hate the NBA", I was wondering why.  Did you use to like the NBA during the Jordan years and now that he's gone, you don't care anymore?  Do you think the athletes get paid too much and are spoiled?  Do you think that the guys don't play hard?  Do you like college basketball better or are you not a fan of the sport at all?

It's no secret that I love the NBA, so it's not like I'm looking to change anyone's mind or anything.  Just like I said, I was curious...

Any comments would be appreciated since I'm genuinely wondering.


THE WIRK

Quick Poll: Duke or Maryland ~ Where would you go to play basketball?

So for the past 2 days or so, I've been debating back and forth with a friend over what program is better for a top college basketball prospect (i.e. assuming money is no object). I think the whole debate started after Coach K was featured on ABC News Nightline. I realize that we all have our own opinion so let's take it to the blog and involve more people, since I know how my friends think I'm curious about the public's opinion.

Money not being a concern, if you were a TOP basketball prospect, where would you go to college to try to ensure that you have the best future in the world of basketball (i.e. coaching, agents' pull, team's ability to win, basketball alumni network, etc.) ~ DUKE or MARYLAND?

Cameron Indoor Stadium

Comcast Center

THE WIRK

Quick bullets: Jay-Z's concert, Basketball (Cavs, Maryland, Kansas), and Hockey (Caps)

Music

Last night, Jay-Z rocked!  Hot show...  Seats were fantastic ~ Row F (less than 6 rows from the stage) on the floor!!!

Trey Songz opened ~ say, "Ahh"

Jay-Z

Young Jeezy ~ Rep'd his city, the ATL

Basketball

• Cavs won.  They beat the Nets.  That's 5 wins in a row. 
• Incidentally, I saw that the Cavs are trying to woo Zydrunas by visiting him in NYC.  I think I've neglected to mention that he's sensitive and tends to hold grudges.  I'm not saying that he won't return to Cleveland.  I'm 99.99999% he'll return to Cleveland, because ultimately, I believe he sees the big picture and wants a NBA Championship.  Yes, I'm not 100% ~ so yes, there's always a chance I'm wrong.  I'm just saying, I understand that he didn't appreciate being dealt in the first place.  
• Update, from David Aldridge:  http://www.nba.com/2010/news/03/04/ilgauskas.cavs/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
• Further, with Shaq's thumb injury I only have one word for the Cavs GM, and it's "Karma".
• (23) Maryland beat (4) Duke.  Normally this is a great match-up, and I'd be at the Comcast Center.  This year, I couldn't have cared less.  I've been in College Park when the Terps have upset the Blue Devils.  For those of you in the building, I'm sure you were thrilled.  However, the rest of the college basketball world (i.e. who recognize that the ACC is weak) would have preferred to watch (2) Kansas play (5) Kansas State.  In case you've been living under a rock, I'll tell you that Kansas won by 17. 
• Tip: ESPN 360 has regional programming.  If you're trying to bypass the regional restrictions, you need to Google the codes or try to connect to someone else's feed (e.g. http://www.just.tv/ or http://www/channelsurfing.net).
• Here's a picture from last year's Duke v Maryland game at the Comcast Center.

Duke v Maryland @ Comcast Center, Feb 2009 ~ Zoubek's jersey is ripped so he had to change it

Hockey

• 
  
  Tonight, the Caps return to the Verizon Center in their first home game since the Olympic break.  Should be a great game as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.  I can't wait to get there to take in all the action!
• 
  
  Yesterday, the Caps beat the Sabres in Buffalo.  The score was 3-1.  I'm actually a little curious to see what sort of ovation Ryan Miller received from the crowd after his strong Olympic performance.
• 
  
  Here's a story for you...  I was working in Montreal last year and shared the hotel elevator with the a few of the Tampa Bay Lightning players (i.e. who were in town to play the Canadiens).  I recognized the Lightning players from the logo on their travel bags, and I was trying to think of a way to make small talk after I heard them briefly talking.  This is the moronic phrase that came out of my mouth, "Oh - Tampa Bay, so that's why your English is so good."
• 
  
  Seriously?!?!?  How stupid was that?!?!  So much for small talk.  Sure, they didn't have strong Quebecois French accents, but it's not like the guys are from Tampa Bay...  Wow...  Lucky for me, the elevator ride was short and they were kind enough to just politely smile at me.

I have to keep it moving, so that's all I have (for now).

THE WIRK