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

The Cleveland Cavaliers and I are "on a break"

As a Cavs fan, I have to ask, "Why am I friends with this guy?"  Ryan is just one of a few Celtics fans that were out Thursday night and wanted to talk about the game.  Seriously, he's a great guy and one of my many friends that I debate sports with regularly.  In case you are blind and didn't notice, he's also a huge Rondo fan...  During the game yesterday and after it, Celtics fans celebrated, while Cavs fans like myself were numb to the world.
-----------
So, what did you do on Thursday night? Did you do/see anything good? As for me, I made it home just in time for the 2nd half of a heartbreaking game of basketball (i.e. Game 6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics series). When I made it home, the Cavs actually had the lead.

You know when you're in a relationship and it's not going well ~ but you wait it out and hope that it gets better?  Well, last night I broke up with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Actually, technically, I guess you can say we're on "a break".

The team mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted me.  Our relationship had such great promise this year and then it just fell apart. 

I feel cheated.  I feel misled.  I wanted more than they could give.  I've decided ~ I'm going to see other people.  I don't really care what the Cavs do.  It's time for me to cover baseball and other sports topics of interest.  ****  Actually, this morning I heard a rumor that someone on the Cavs slept with someone else's wife.  I made some phone calls and sent some texts and then learned that supposedly, it's a variation of that rumor.  I'm not going to go into details on this blog, because I don't know if it's true or not.  However, my sources are usually good...

Back to my relationship with the Cavs.  You are who you hang out with, and I believe that there is a lot of garbage on the team.  Antawn Jamison is not a winner.  Anderson Varejao is terrible and every time he touches the ball, I want to scream.  My last memory of game 6 is him launching a 3 pointer and missing (i.e. but you knew he missed it without me telling you, right?!?!).  Another Varejao image is him trying to stop play because he was bleeding.  Varejao if you're bleeding, keep bleeding - but NEVER stop playing defense or "offense".  Actually, NEVER play offense either.  I prefer you that if you must step on the court that you NEVER touch the ball.

I watch the Real Houseweives of New Jersey.  Yes, I like trash TV.  I was watching last week, and I heard the best quote from New Jersey matriarch, Caroline Manzo.  She said, "You hang around garbage long enough, and you start to stink."  That's what I think about some of Lebron's supporting cast (i.e. especially Varejao).
I didn't believe in the Shaquille O'Neal trade being the answer.  I like Shaq, and  I believed in his effectiveness years ago. Although I'm an Ilgauskas fan I recognize he can't play forever. I think Mike Brown should be fired. I also blame Danny Ferry, but then again I blame Danny for almost everything. I blame Ferry for the oil leakage in the gulf, global warming, overweight america, stock market crashes, and rain. It's always Ferry's fault.

Lebron.  Now comes the part where I jockey being a fan and being human.  I believe Lebron will stay in Cleveland.  I also believe that if the Cavs were to win a NBA Championship that this was the year for it to happen.  I can't imagine what it feels like in Cleveland today.  I know how it felt when I went to sleep last night.  I cried.  I actually cried because I know, that they (i.e. the city, the team) know, that this was "supposed to be their year".  I don't know if the rumors are true.  I believe the dynamic is flawed.  I hope Lebron doesn't become the new Brett Favre (i.e. stay, go, stay, go) and hold the Cavs hostage.  I do believe he does want to be recruited, but I do believe he will stay home.

As an Ohioan and a Cavs fan, all I can do is hope.  As I said, the Cavs and I are "on a break" and there's no time for tears, it's baseball season!


THE WIRK

Dear... ~ Open Letters Leading up to the Cavs v Knicks game on Monday

Dear Big Baby Davis ~ way to go...  You messed up Shaq's thumb and according to the AP, he has to come to Baltimore today to see Dr. Graham.  Thumb wars are dangerous.

Dear Shaq - I'm all for sportsmanship, BUT why didn't you just get BBD (i.e. hmmm, sorry Bell Biv Devoe) off of you when he was messing with your thumb?  I saw the video.  I'm surprised you didn't react.  Speaking of video...  Yesterday, I was forwarded the video of Kevin Garnett yelling at BBD on the sidelines of a game, and BBD reacting by CRYING on the bench.  WOW.  Check it out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzR60xPDLQs

Dear Danny Ferry - I see Jamison is performing better, as he gets into the Cleveland groove.  The Cavs have won 3 in a row, so I'm feeling much more comfortable about the trade.  However, now Cleveland and I are patiently waiting for time to pass so things could be made "right".  March 21, Zydrunas can return.  Until then, with Shaq out, Cavs fans have to rely on Varejao as your center.  I'm pretty sure that the Knicks aren't afraid of Varejao, but I sure am... I really hope the Cavs don't lose to the Knicks on Monday.  A Cavs' loss to the Knicks would be embarrassing ~ not as embarrassing as losing to the Nets (i.e. let's face it, that wouldn't happen). 

Dear Anderson Varejao - Your numbers in the past 3 games have been decent (i..e 13.0 points and 8.3 boards)...  You're playing well.  Don't blow it.

Dear Lebron - I read that you said it may take a while to recover from your collision with DeMar DeRozan...  Please, rest up.  T-Mac missed the second half of the game against the Grizzzlies, but he's currently listed as a probably starter for Monday night.  I wonder if he'll play the entire game.  My guess is NO, especially if the Cavs grab a huge lead early.

Last but not least...

Dear Knicks fans - I may have to eat these words later, but I think you're dreaming if you think LeBron is going to NY when his time is up in Cleveland.  As a Cavs fan, I really don't think it makes any sense.  I've heard the arguments about endorsements etc., but tell me what sponsors haven't been able to approach and find LeBron in Ohio?  Yes, NYC is a great city and MSG is a storied building with a rich history ~ but this is LeBron.  He can always just visit the city or even buy a place, go to the new Yankees' stadium, etc. and return to Ohio.  Why would he want to rebuild the broken Knicks franchise?  Now I know the rebuttal to that argument is that LeBron wouldn't have to do it alone.  Presumably LeBron would have Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh to help him win.  Give me a break.  Why would these guys want to take on that kind of responsibility?  This isn't baseball, where you can buy the top talent and expect a championship (e.g.  the Dallas Mavericks, back in the day, come to mind as an example of a "fail").  Basketball, although there are moments of individual glory, is a team sport.  Chemistry is a huge factor, and you can't buy chemistry.  Lastly, haven't you heard?  Cleveland rocks!

Go Cavs!


THE WIRK