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

Duke beats UNC for the ACC Championship ~ GTH Carolina, GTH!!!

My brother and I, 2005 ACC Tournament

If you haven't been to an ACC Tournament and you're a fan of a team in the ACC you really need to make the trip.  I'm a Big East and ACC fan.  I grew up loving the Georgetown Hoyas, and was crushed when they were upset by Villanova in 1985.  I ended up liking Duke, and my brother ultimately went to Duke for 9 years to pursue all of his degrees.  While my brother was at Duke, I was dating and engaged to a professional basketball player who's teammate(s) went to Duke, and I would get free tickets for my brother and I through them.  I've been to Cameron Indoor Stadium numerous times, and it's amazing.


Coach K cutting down the net, ACC Tournament 2005

I've been to the ACC Tournament at least once.  I know I saw it in 2005, when it was in Washington DC.  I may have seen it another time in Greensboro, NC but I can't remember if it was the ACC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.



Duke ~ 2005 ACC Tournament Champions

Anyway, today Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils beat the UNC Tarheels with a final score 75-58.  Duke's Nolan Smith had 20 points and 10 assists.  UNC's John Henson had 10 points and 18 rebounds in the losing effort.  I only caught the 2nd half, since I had plans earlier today but the Blue Devils prevailed.



I was out a few weeks ago with a couple of guys.  One was a retired NBA Veteran and UNC alumnus.  The other was a Duke alumnus and a current professional basketball player.  We were at a fundraiser for an NBA player's foundation and as the Blue Devil walked by the UNC guy yelled, "Go to hell, Duke.  Go to hell."  ****  For those of you familiar with the rivalry, that's not uncommon ~ but the chant is wrong.  Immediately, the Duke alumnus and I both smiled and yelled back, "Go to hell, Carolina.  Go to hell."  We all laughed, but let's not get it twisted ~ this rivalry is serious.

Check out the tourney.  If you're a fan, you owe it to yourself!

THE WIRK

UNC v Duke doesn't disappoint tonight ~ Duke defeats UNC

The North Carolina Tarheels are giving the Duke Blue Devils a run for their money at Cameron Indoor Stadium tonight. 

****  I'm not sure when I was at Cameron Indoor last, but since I'm doing this post on the fly the best pictures I have that I can locate are from 2006.

Right now, the year is 2011 and the game is tied at 62 with just under 6 minutes left in the game. 

Both Roy Williams and Coack K are coaching their hearts out right now.  Actually, I've met both coaches at airports ironically and they both were nothing but nice.  I'd describe them as very personable and appreciative of the fan support.

If you haven't been to Cameron Indoor Stadium or the Dean Smith Center to witness a Duke v UNC match-up you really need to count and save your pennies and make it happen.  Both venues are very different.  Cameron Indoor is so much more intimate, but to experience the rivalry "right" I recommend you check out both stops.  ****  I'll save my Dean Smith Center pics for later.

If you're a college basketball fan, this is one rivalry game that needs to be seen in person.

I used to go to Cameron Indoor once a year for a period of about 4 years.  I've been to the Dean Smith Center at least twice.  If you end up at Chapel Hill, stop at the Top of the Hill for some food and/or drink before or after the game.  I met Scott Maitland years ago at the ACC Tournament (i.e. when it was held in Washington DC), and I've been to the restaurant a few times.  I have nothing but good things to say.

This rivalry has so much history that alumni and sports fans return to see the action first-hand.

Can you pick out Duke alumni: Danny Ferry and Billy King?

What about the Terp, Len Elmore?

Don't believe that it's a great match-up?  Check out who I saw when I went to the game in 2006.  Yes, that's Cal Ripken Jr.

Duke just defeated UNC.  Final score 79-73.  Nolan Smith had a career-high 34 points.  Great game!

The rematch at the Dean Smith Center, is scheduled for March 5th.

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

Coach K is not going to the NBA ~ ABC News Nightline clip

For those that continue to think that Coach K is going to leave the Duke Blue Devils and head to the NBA, please check out this clip from tonight's interview that ran on ABC News Nightline.

Coach K is not going to the NBA

For a more extensive look at the interview, check out the official link of John Berman's interview: For Duke's Coach K, Basketball Is a Family Affair. 

Duke fans rejoice.  The rest of you, please give it up.  The man is staying!  As someone who's been fortunate to go to several games at Cameron Indoor, I'm beyond thrilled.

Coach K, leading this Blue Devils team to a 2005 ACC Championship

Oh and here's one for you.  Guess who helped me get my brother and I tickets to my first Duke game at Cameron Indoor (i.e. even though my brother was a Duke University student at the time)...  Yep, it was Danny Ferry.  Talk about irony!  :)


THE WIRK

Cleveland Cavs fired Mike Brown ~ Who's the next Cavs coach?

Looks like SamAmico's tweet was on target last week.  The Cleveland Cavs have fired Mike Brown (i.e. who I will now nickname, Cleveland's "Ollie North") and they did it right before the deadline in which they would have owed the coach $4.5 million.  Mike Brown coached the Cavs for the past 5 years and won 61 (i.e. I think) games last season.  He has the highest winning percentage in Cavs history (i.e. .663 with a W-L record of: 272-138).

I'm realistic.  I'm not about to put all the blame on Mike Brown's shoulders for the Cavs poor playoff performance.  However, I do believe that he could have done more with what he had.  I've never coached a day in my life, but I know my rotation would've been different and that after 5 years, I'd have drawn up more than the "Give it to LeBron" play.  I do realize that there are some no talent assclowns on that team that need to go.  With the July 1st deadline looming and everyone watching the LeBron countdown, I'm curious who else leaves/retires/stays...

Who do you want to see Coach the Cavs?  I'll tell you right now, and I didn't need a statement from Duke to tell me it, but I really don't believe Coach K will leave Duke ~ regardless of the Danny Ferry and LeBron James connection. 

Do you see Calipari leading the Cavs?  What about if Stan Van Gundy gets fired?  Voice your thoughts.  I'm interested in knowing what you think...

Oh, and if you read the following article on NBA.com, you can't help but notice the following sentence, "Ferry, too, has an unsure future in Cleveland as his contract is set to expire next month."  Interesting...

Lastly, I just saw this quote, "Obviously, we didn't achieve what we set out to achieve, which is to win a championship," Ilgauskas said, according to The Plain Dealer of Cleveland. "But if you're going to lay all the blame on coach Brown and think that's going to solve everything, you've got another thing coming."  Don't worry, Zydrunas.  I blame you, too.  Just kidding!  Kind of, but not really...  Haha.


THE WIRK

Tiger, Masters, Duke, Caps, Cavs, and the Caesars Tennis Classic ~ What a week!

Golf: 

As I sit and try to figure out whether I want to go to the Masters this week (practice round v tournament), I realize I don't have time on my side.  I need to make a decision.  Tiger Woods' interview is at 2, and I'm waiting patiently.  I doubt we'll hear anything of interest, but I have to cover my bases.

Basketball and Hockey (i.e. maybe):

Tonight is the National Championship game and I'm probably the only person (i.e. that's alright because I'm confident) that has a Duke victory as a forgone conclusion.  As a result, I'm entertaining the idea of going to the Caps game tonight, since it's been a while since I've been out to support them.  To address the rumors of Coach K going to coach the Nets, all I have to say is "Nope".  That's my opinion, and we'll see where my 2 cents stand up against $12-$15 million that's supposedly going to be offered.  I for one adore Coach K at Duke, and hope that he's not lured to the NBA by a few bucks.

On another note related to basketball, I have to say something about the Cavs v Celtics game I watched yesterday afternoon.  The Celtics held on to win, but they almost gave the game away (i.e. they squandered a 22 point lead).  If I was Doc Rivers I'd be very, very scared.  I wish LeBron would've went for the tie.  He went 0-9 in 3 point shooting.  I was more than ready for overtime.  However, my vote doesn't count.  Regardless, I'm still praying for a Cavs Championship this year.  I believe, and I cannot wait for the NBA Playoffs schedule to be announced.

Lastly, it's no secret that I couldn't wait for Zydrunas to return to the Cavs.  As such, check out the Fresh Brewed Tees - Cavz: Better with Z T-shirt.  It's a great shirt and at only $20, just buy it!  $1 from each sale goes to support the Cleveland City Mission.

Fresh Brewed Tees ~ So good, I bought two!

Tennis:

I'm still intrigued by the Caesars Tennis Classic being held this Saturday, in Atlantic City.  Venus Williams is hosting the event.  Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, James Blake, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras, and Marat Safin are slated to play.  For a person who used to follow the ATP Tour when names like Chang, Sampras, Agassi, Becker, Edberg, etc. dominated ~ this event is a fantastic idea!  Ticketmaster is offering a Buy One, Get One Free promotion (i.e. use promo code: BOGO).

I'm including some pictures of the pictures I've taken from my days of tournaments past.  The quality isn't that great, because I haven't scanned these pictures yet.  However, you get the point. 

Ivan Lendl

with Nick Bollettieri

Agassi

A young Pete Sampras

My favorite, Stefan Edberg

Boris "Boom Boom" Becker

That's all for now.

THE WIRK