NBA All-Star Saturday night was TERRIBLE

It's NBA All-Star weekend and I'm home.  My husband came to town and rather than hustle to Houston, I decided to stay local and watch the festivities at home.  Thank goodness I didn't make the trip!  Last night's events were terrible!

I'm partial to Duke and, to an extent, the Cleveland Cavaliers as well so it was nice to see Kyrie Irving win the 3 point shoot out.  Matt Bonner also participated.  Do you care about Matt Bonner?  Neither do I...

Anyway, I couldn't tell you who participated in the Slam Dunk contest (i.e. without looking it up) and to be honest, I don't care enough to research it for this post.  The dunk contest was boring.  Correction: the dunk contest was BORING.  The competitors missed so many dunks that by the time the ball went in the hoop, I was completely disinterested in the theatrics.  The entire show was amatuerish and a bad movie (i.e. that I was determined to watch in hopes that it would get better).  It never did.  Charles Barkley deserves a hefty paycheck for making All-Star Saturday night "listenable".  Notice I didn't say "watchable"...

I'm a sports fan and a girl, so I chose to do my nails.  I painted my nails China Glaze Skyscraper (i.e. in honor of Kenny "Sky" Walker.  That's the closest I could get to caring about the event.  PATHETIC.

By the way, do you know how much All-Star Saturday night tickets are?  I do.  In 2010, a ticket for the 2010 NBA All-Star Saturday night was $400 face value.  $400 face value...  All I'm saying is that if I had actually paid face value, much less a scalper ticket price for that ridiculous display of non-talent, I'd be furious.

I've never been to the NFL Pro Bowl, but I presume it's just as awful as what I tried to watch last night.

It.was.terrible.


THE WIRK

The 2011 NBA Draft was a yawner ~ Might as well try to laugh about it

For the sake of being comprehensive here are my favorite tweets from the NBA Draft that was held on Thursday night.  Yes, it was boring ~ so the least we can do is laugh at it.  Enjoy!

• JayBilas - Because it was a weak Draft, I took a shot every time I said "wingspan". I was out on my feet by the ninth pick.
• THEWIRK - Is the movie "The Air Up There" shown on planes or listed as a favorite movie in media guide for any NBA scouts?!?! Just curious. #NBADRAFT
• Blackwolf303 King Timoteohuacan  - How much wud, cud a chukwudibere chuk, if a chukwudibere cud chuk wud? #NBA
• THEWIRK - Isiah Thomas was the last name I heard watching the #NBADRAFT. Great. Sleeping w/lights on tonight. Guaranteed nightmares... Yuck.
• THEWIRK - #NBADRAFT is getting really weird. Fran Fraschilla earning his money now. Who's the international scout for the #Twolves? Carmen SanDiego?
• THEWIRK - It's not fair to refer to Kyrie Irving as Cleveland's New King. Just because LeBron wanted that moniker, doesn't mean Irving does. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Somebody remind Jeff Van Gundy that Rashard Lewis is a #Wizard... #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - @thenyknicks David Bowie is excited to have Iman also... Wait. What are we talking about?!?!
• THEWIRK - Wait. A Michigan player just got drafted before an Ohio State Buckeye. Grrrr. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Bobcats Jeremy Tyler might be more well-travelled & versed in internat'l affairs than a certain female politician from Alaska. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Jordan #Williams was just being compared to Mike #Sweetney. That can't be good. #Nets #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Shelvin #Mack just got picked up by the #Wizards. I like it. Mack can play. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Singler is another guy that will have to get used to a less successful program now that he's in the #NBADRAFT #sothisiswhatlosingfeelslike
• THEWIRK - #Pistons take #Singler. I'm sure he won't stick out in Detroit. He should've come out last year. Trick shot? No one cares. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Harper is going to the #Cavs and no, we're not talking about "Ron"... #NBADRAFT
• thesportsgeeks - Someone tell Tom Penn that calling the heat a "dynasty" might be a little premature.
• THEWIRK - #heat picked #bogdanovich. People will start hating him right about "now" since he joined the unholy union. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Spurs take #Joseph from Texas. Bilas says he has big hands and isn't a finisher. He's prob too young to play w/vets anyway. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - The team with the most guards wins, right?!?! #Twolves #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Bulls need someone who isn't soft and close out games in the playoffs... Come on, Bulls. Never mind. Pick going to #Twolves #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Celtics get Marshon #Brooks. Well, Bilas seems to like him. Wait. Bilas just said Brooks "doesn't guard". #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Do you know your wingspan? #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Thunder get Reggie #Jackson. Guy hasn't been weighed/measured and isn't in bldg. Next commercial, I'm measuring my wingspan. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #rockets take #mirotic and there's basically silence. I think people are using the google app on their phones right now. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Nuggets at 22 take #Faried and the Newark, NJ crowd goes "wild". Well, at least they got excited for their hometown guy. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Nolan #Smith heading to Portland #Trailblazers... I like it. More fire power. #NBADRAFT
• jadande - " A conscientious objector on the glass"? "Seems not to care?" Congrats, T-Wolves
• THEWIRK - Doesn't say much when a teammate said the coach used Brian Skinner over #Montiejunas' apathy. I remember Skinner as a Cav. Meh. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Was David Stern actually laughing when he announced the #Twolves were taking #Montiejunas from Lithuania? #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Tobias #Harris is in the bldg but not in the green room. Does that mean he was sitting in the stands? He's headed to #Bobcats #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Wizards take #Singleton from fsu. All the guys in green room have been taken. Wonder how it feels to be picked last. Exhale. #NBADRAFT
• jadande -  RT @ESPNForsberg: Knicks fans pumped about Shumpert: http://twitpic.com/5fvt4k
• TheBillWalton (The Bill Walton Trip) - With the 17th pick, Isiah Thomas selects Iman Shumpert as drunken Knicks fans voice their displeasure.
• THEWIRK - #Knicks at 17 take #Shumpert. Oh my. He's not even in there. Not good. I looked away, but I think Spike Lee said, "WHAT!?" #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Of course Spike Lee is the bldg and ready for the #Knicks pick. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Vucevic headed to Philly... #Sixers Can't wait to see him on that Kardashian show with Odom. Kidding! #NBADRAFT
• sam_amick - That's phenomenal. Draft order consistent with birth order - Markieff just ahead of Marcus.
• THEWIRK - The #rockets are still a franchise? Marcus #Morris selected. Morris twins/brothers go one after the other. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Jay Bilas reminding us that the #Suns like picking the lesser of the twins (e.g. Lopez brothers) Markieff Morris, welcome to phx. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #suns take #Morris at 13. Where are my suns fans? Is that going to help? Crap. Stuart Scott just said his brother is better. #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Wait. As long as there are "quality" International players on the board, I must persevere! #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Now is one of those times when I wish teams would just "pass" if there's nothing/no one that they really want who's available. #NBADRAFT
• sportspickle - Please don't pan down. Mychal Thompson is probably wearing short-shorts.
• THEWIRK - #jazz take #burks. I think I might stop watching. No idea who these guys are anymore. #NBADRAFT
• ESPN_Colin (Colin Cowherd) - Jimmer to Sacramento. Well, I guess this is the last time any of us see the kid #kingsaretvratingspoison
• THEWIRK - Thompson to the GSW #warriors #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - The #jimmerjam doesn't exactly look like the place to be... Oh well. Welcome to the NBA. #NBADRAFT
• TheBillWalton (The Bill Walton Trip) - While walking up to the podium, Kemba Walker pulled a drop step on David Stern, breaking the commissioners fragile ankles. Simply amazing!
• THEWIRK - #Bobcats are getting to be hotter... #Kemba Walker headed their way! @CharlesOakley34 you have to like that! #NBADRAFT
• TheBillWalton (The Bill Walton Trip)  - Stuart Scott said that Brandon Knight took some college courses in High School. Ironically he didn't take any college courses at Kentucky.
• THEWIRK - Welcome to Motown, Brandon #Knight... #Pistons #NBADRAFT
• thesportsgeeks - The number one Google search tonight will be "Jan Vesely girlfriend".
• THEWIRK - #vesely to the #wizards #NBADRAFT alright... I guess we'll see him in a dunk contest or a kissing booth "soon".
• fauxjohnmadden - Coming to ESPN in 2017: The Decision 2.. Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson both get the hell out of Cleveland
• sportspickle - I had Lithuanian League Pass on DirecTV. I think Valanciunas has potential.
• THEWIRK - Valanciunas said his game is close Chris #Bosh... Yikes! It's probably a language issue. #raptors #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Labas, Valanciunas! Welcome to Toronto. Guess I'm moving to Canada... Where's my passport. #raptors #NBADRAFT
• sportspickle - Greatest Canadian basketball players ever: 1) Steve Nash; 2) Tristan Thompson; 3) Bill Wennington; 4) Uh ... Gretzky?
• jadande - "he just needs to learn how to play" um, not what I want to hear about a No. 4 pick
• THEWIRK - Tristan Thompson? Um, ok. Www.google.com here I come... #Cavs #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Enes #Kanter just got picked by the #jazz. Now who will the #Cavs take at 4? Is Okur still with the Jazz? Turkish connection? #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - Anyone see #Rambis in the #Twolves war room? #NBADRAFT
• THEWIRK - #Timberwolves took Derrick Williams. I didn't know he was a guard?!?! #NBADRAFT
• fauxjohnmadden - Kyrie Irving goes #1 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This officially ends Irving's shot at a successful professional career.
• THEWIRK - Does Fran Fraschilla need an assistant? I'm good with International players. #NBADRAFT

I saw a tweet that said that the Cavs Draft Party was a success.  I really don't see how that's possible.  The draft ended up being so boring that I hope there were plenty of food and beverages for the Cleveland faithful.  If not, I'd imagine a stampede to the doors after the Cavs made their picks and the strange picks started.

 

 

THE WIRK

2011 NBA Draft brings hope to Cleveland Cavs fans ~ Tickets still available

One of these days I'm going to go watch the NBA Draft in person.  ****  Interestingly enough, I've actually been introduced to the "hat lady" a year or so ago.  If you've watched the draft in previous years or are in the know, you know who I'm talking about. 

For those of you that are in the area or are interested in attending tonight's draft at the Prudential Center, tickets are still available on Ticketmaster.  Here's the link:  http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020046A9A1CE6DD0?artistid=1597990&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=7

I just did a quick check and one ticket in section 1, row 17 is going for $40.60 (i.e. not including fees, etc.).

It's no secret that tonight's draft is a weak one.  As an Ohioan who spent most of my young adult life "close to" the Cleveland Cavaliers, I'm excited to see them make their picks.  I'm predicting that the Cleveland Cavaliers take Kyrie Irving and Enes Kanter.  I know Irving has had foot problems, and I know the "agony of the feet" that Cleveland Cavs fans have experienced.  I've seen them, and I know them all too well. 

There are a few stories about tonight's draft (e.g. foot problems, International players, and 7 foot centers from Lithuania)..  Hmm...  For kicks, let's flashback to the 1996 draft and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  Remember this clip? 



The NBA Draft can bring hope to a city, franchise, and fans and along with a couple of smart selections ~ the Cavs need hope.  ****  Incidentally, 1996 was the year when guard, Allen Iverson,  went #1. 

I will be watching the draft on TV and following it on Twitter.  If you're not on Twitter and following the draft, you're missing out on some extremely comedic tweets!  Don't say that I didn't give you a "head's up".  I usually laugh all night long!


THE WIRK

With the 1st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...

I've written about the NBA Draft lottery before, and from what I can tell most of you have read that post today.  Here's the link, in case you have no idea what I'm talking about: http://www.thewirk.com/2010/05/iswas-nba-draft-lottery-rigged-depends.html.

Yes, I do think the NBA Draft lottery is somehow rigged.  I'm not saying it's done every year, but some years look more suspicious than others.  Don't ask me how it's done, especially since they went to the ping pong balls, but something seems awfully interesting about the Cleveland Cavaliers getting the 1st and 4th picks this year. 

It's a shame that the player talent pool is shallow this year.  As a Cavs fan and a Duke fan, I'm interested to see how Kyrie Irving does in Cleveland.  After the debacle and let down associated with last year's season, I'm looking forward to rebuilding the Cavaliers under Byron Scott.

At least Cavs fans will have something to be excited about.

Incidentally, I received an email this morning from a former customer of mine in Minneapolis.  His email read, "You got our draft pick.  Please treat it kindly."  Funny.  For the record, I think the Timberwolves are just fine with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley...

It may be a small victory, but I'll take it.  Go Cavs!  I can hear David Stern now, "With the 1st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select..."

Oh, and you have plenty of time to sign up for a Twitter account so you can follow the NBA Draft when the actual picks are made.  Trust me.  If you're a basketball fan, you'll want to follow the commentary.  It's pure comedy.

Update:  I just heard David Kahn's comments.  He's not alone in his thoughts.  We've all seen the 1985 footage.  I remember thinking the same thing for the 2003 lottery, when I saw Gordon Gund's positioning near the podium.  I didn't watch last night's draft lottery, but I'm just saying the outcome looks "interesting" after the previous, dreadful Cavs' season.


THE WIRK

Duke defeats Butler in the rematch, and I meet Bill Cowher

I left Ohio this morning and flew into Philadelphia.  I did that because I needed to be close(r) to New Jersey since I had a ticket for the Duke v Butler 2010 NCAA Championship rematch. 

The line for the game was Duke -14.5 if anyone is curious (i.e. and from the conversations overheard at the Izod Center by the men around me, people cared).

I didn't expect this game to be a close one.  However with Kyle Singler getting into early foul trouble and Duke shooting ice, ice cold the game was a lot closer than more Blue Devil fans wanted. 

Incidentally, I was surprised to see a fairly sizable Butler University contingency.  ****  FYI.  I've seen some of Butler's campus in Indianapolis. and it's beautiful. 

Both teams were tied at 33 at half-time.

With Butler's Gordon Hayward gone (i.e. he matriculated to the NBA), I figured Brad Stevens would have his hands full.  I was right.  As mentioned before, Duke's Kyle Singler ran into foul trouble but towards the stretch in the 2nd half, Duke its rhythm and started to drain shots.  Ultimately, Singler would foul out.  However, the Blue Devils were able to ride Nolan Smith's 24 points and Kyrie Irving's 21 points (i.e. 17 of which that came when it mattered in the 2nd half).

I'm not going to pretend that this game was more interesting than the game I missed (i.e. UNC's upset of Kentucky), but it was a fun game to watch for any Duke fan. 

In addition, it just so happened that I looked across the aisle and you'll never believe who was sitting a couple of rows behind me.  It was former Pittsburgh Steelers' coach, Bill Cowher.  The rumor is that his daughter is dating Ryan Kelly.  I guess that makes Coach Cowher a Duke fan.  EXCELLENT! 

****  FYI.  I never forget a face.  If you're a sports person, actor, singer, performer, politician etc. and you're in the building, I will recognize you.  I am always looking around, and I'm just good like that at picking people out of a crowd.  Trust me.  The list of random "celebrities" that I've run into or had sitting next to or near me at events is outright strange (i.e. Oprah, Tom Cruise, and countless others).

Go Duke!  Duke defeated Butler with a final score of 82-70. 

****  For the gamblers out there, Duke didn't cover the 14.5 points.

THE WIRK