Twas the Thursday before the Super Bowl in South Beach...

Eased into the day today and headed over to 12th and Ocean to meet some friends of mine for lunch.  This intersection is very close to where you can walk to the ESPN, ESPN Radio, NFL network, CBS Early Morning show sets etc.  Part of Ocean Drive is blocked to traffic, and the atmosphere was similar to a tame Bourbon Street...  People are walking around in their favorite teams' attire and soaking in the experience.  Sponsorship is everywhere on the street, and the most noticeable sponsor is Tide (i.e. aside from the huge Pepsi sound stage)...

Saw Sean Merriman walking off the set when I got to the meeting spot.  I didn't know who he was, until my friend told me.  Yeah ~ it's football.  Unless you're wearing a jersey and actually playing on the field during game day ~ I probably won't recognize you.  I guess that's how it is for all helmeted athletes, now that I think about it.  I didn't recognize Mike Modano (i.e. Dallas Stars) either when he came over to chat with members of the crew I was with when I was in Miami for the NBA Finals, in 2006. 

Lunched at The Tides with friends and took in the scene.  The weather was comfortable, not too hot and not too cold.  It was actually perfect.

After lunch we went back to the ESPN set to watch part of the Pardon the Interruption taping.  We missed the taping of the Deion segment, but c'est la vie.  Watching the taping got a little boring so went to check out the other production tents, but there seemed to be nothing going on at the NFL Network and other ESPN set.  We went to watch the rest of the PTI taping from inside the gate and behind the set, and I was introduced to J.A. Adande.

I found the equipement interesting...

Water break

Catching up with Brian, while our friend works...

Taping finished and we all rolled back to get some drinks, kill time, and catch up before everyone disbanded ~ some had to go to dinner, clean up, and/or wanted to catch other games on tv before going out "for real".  It's only Thursday and some of us just got to town, so we're still settling into the scene.

Incidentally, we were talking music, and I've determined that Norah Jones is the female James Taylor.

I ran into the guys from the plane last night, walking on Ocean Drive, on my way back to my brother's place.  Very random. 

According to the crew I was wih, the NFL Players Association and the NFL Players party is combined this year and being held at the Viceroy. 

The NFL Commissioner's party is tomorrow night in Laudy and I'll be there.
For all you gamblers out there, I got a text from my friend that the line moved to Indy -4.5...  I like the Colts even more now..  My guess is that it moved because people are scared that Freeney won't play and money started moving to the Saints...

Ok - that's it for now...

Cleveland is up 49-45 over the Heat.  GO CAVS!!!

I'm hungry...  Off to dinner ~ Argentinian steakhouse ~ LOOK OUT :-P

THE WIRK

I'm in Miami...

Yesterday I took a look outside my balcony and this is what I saw...

Quick flight to Miami last night and now my view has changed to...

I had to connect in Charlotte last night, but ended up meeting 2 guys from Minneapolis.  One of the guys bought our entire plane row drinks on the plane.  He was already ripped when he boarded...  He and his buddy missed their 1:15PM flight since they were in the bar and were on the 10:25PM flight with me as a result.  The one guy was a little mouthier than his friend and started yelling at another passenger as she was trying to lift a 40+ pound bag into the already crowded, overhead compartment.  "Next time pay the money and check your bag like the rest of us," he yelled to the lady 8 rows ahead.  Which prompted her to yell back.  The flight attendant had to come back and tell the guys to relax and leave her alone.  The passenger actually threatened to talk to the pilot and have the guys removed off the plane, since they were (in her own words) "harrassing her".  Yeah ~ who knows...  2 vodka sodas later, all I know, is that my allegiance was with the guys from Minneapolis.  Sorry lady ~ maybe you should've checked your bag...

I'm working today, but will get out eventually to Ocean Drive to survey the scene...  I'm thinking the News Cafe to start...  I was in Miami for Game 5 of the Heat v Mavs series (back in June of 2006), and I saw Edgerrin James grubbing up there one day...  He's no longer a favorite of mine, but since he went the "U" and he's not playing in the Super Bowl, I like my odds again ~ even though, he's no longer a Colt.  Miami isn't that big, so this should be fun...  I'm thinking Prime 112, Nemo's etc. will be the dinner spots of choice ~ but I will hit Lario's at least once this trip, since it's tradition and I love the ropa vieja!

At any rate, for those of you unfamiliar, here's a link: http://www.newscafe.com/  For some wild reason, the link plays Pachelbel's Canon, which (for you guys out there) is a tune often heard at weddings... Weird.

Later for now.

THE WIRK

It's tough to be a Celtics or Hornets fan right now ~ Go Cavs, Go Caps, Go Colts!!!

Basketball

1. Wouldn't be surprised if Paul Pierce sits out a few games.  Might as well rest the foot/ankle, until after All-Star break.

Paul Pierce walking off the court after hitting the deck

2. Ray Allen to be traded?  I think it's a mistake. I like Ray Allen as a Celtic and his 3 point prowess...  He's the Celtics version of John Starks...  I like his 3P%age (about 33 percent) and his 15 PPG.  Admittedly, I'm not a GM so I have no idea what he's making.

What uniform do you see Ray Allen wearing?

3. Would hate to be a Celtics fan right now, with all these headaches and KG back in the game.
4. Celtics don't scare Cavs fans!
5. Boobie Gibson is getting it done in Cleveland!  Cavs won 9 is a row last night as they beat Memphis.  I'm going to have to look for my "Got Boobie" T-shirt...
6. Incidentally I was playing on Twitter and saw NBATVChris (aka Chris Webber) ask if anyone thought Memphis was going to beat the Cavs last night... I tweeted back that there would be no upset in Cleveland and that the Cavs would win.  Chris, I was right!
7.  Chris Paul to have surgery.  That's really unfortunate for him and the NO Hornets, who currently are in the 9th spot in the West.  Sorry Hornets fans...  There's room for you on the Cavs bandwagon...  We'll welcome you with open arms.  Hornets don't scare Cavs fans either!
8.  NBA-All Star next weekend in Dallas ~ I need to start planning my trip!!!

Hockey
1. Capitals have won 11 in a row, but I won't be able to check them out until March.  They're away A LOT this month and I'm headed to the Super Bowl this weekend.
2. The Caps should beat the Rangers easily on Thursday night ~ just a hunch...
3. Whoever is in charge of setting NHL hockey schedule needs to get fired.  Why would you have the Capitals play the Penguins on Super Bowl Sunday?!?!  It makes no sense and at a minimum completely inconveniences ME, since I would've liked to have been there in-person to see the match-up at the Verizon Center!  Seriously, the first time these 2 teams met this year (last month), they were up against the Lakers v the Cavs in Cleveland.  I remember that, because I was in Cleveland watching LeBron et al ball...  I have no idea what cave the NHL schedulers are hanging out in ~ but I hope they get their acts together and position the marquee matchups better next year.

NHL Playoffs, Penguins v Caps, May 2009

Football
1. Dwight Freeney will play.  He has to...  It's the Super Bowl.  GO COLTS!!!

Other
1.  Still looking at logos for TheWirk.com.  I've seen so many mock-ups, that I've got a headache...

Alright, I'm done ~ I need to head to the airport "soon"...  Miami here I come...

THE WIRK

I just scored my ticket to the Super Bowl!!!!

Just checked my email and I have the best brother EVER.  I get to keep both of my kidneys and have been given a free ticket to the Super Bowl!!!!!

GO COLTS!!!!

THE WIRK

Celtics don't scare me, and I still need a ticket to the Super Bowl.... GO COLTS!!!!

List of thoughts because I'm too tired to write paragraphs right now.

Basketball
1.  Yesterday, Pat's dad couldn't go to the game Celtics v Wizards game, so I got called up.  Thanks, Pat. He's a Celtics fan so I compromised and wore lime green.  I will not put a Celtics hat on my head.

2.  I said to bet the Celtics -5.  If you did, you WON.  The Celtics didn't really play until the 4th Q, so sorry if you had to sweat it out.

Final score

2.  The Celtics are not scary.  As a Cavs fan, they'll have to show me more, before I BEGIN to consider them a credible threat in the East.  Garnett is definitely NOT back, even though he's playing.
3.  The only scare of the game happened when Paul Pierce went down, but he got back up and continued playing ~ eventually.

Paul Pierce getting treated on the bench.

4.  The Wizards are running some sort of promotion now through Chik Fil-A.  Chik Fil-A picks a player on the visiting team, and if that player misses both of his free throws, everyone in the arena gets a free sandwich.  Thank you, Big Baby Davis ~ for your poor shooting and my free lunch tomorrow (i.e. if I can drag myself out of my apartment and into the cold).
5. Can't watch another Wizards game for a long time.  Enough is a enough.  I walk out of the Verizon Center stressed out, and this is not good.
6.  I caught/picked up one of those free give away balls that they throw out into the crowd.  I was not standing and waving for it like a 6 year old child.  This proves you can get free stuff by sitting and "playing it cool". 

Yeah, I like free stuff

6.  Watching ESPN Sportscenter, and I'm disgusted.  You'd think Kobe Bryant walked on water last night.  Yes, I get it.  He's the all-time leading scorer for the franchise.  However, in my opinion, he's NOT the best Laker ever.  If you make me choose between Kobe or Magic ~ I'll take Magic any day.  To me, Magic is the Lakers' heart.
7.  Working on plans for NBA All-Star weekend. 
8.  I'm not Oprah and the last thing I want to do is read/sell books, but here's one for you.  I came across my copy recently, and it started me thinking. If you've never read "Homecourt Advantage" by Rita Ewing and Crystal McCrary ~ check it out. It reads quickly and will give you a good idea of what it's like to be a WAG in the NBA.
















Football
1.  Headed to Miami on Wednesday night/Thursday morning for the Super Bowl.  I need/want to be on the ground for all the festivities.
2.  Dwight Freeney and a torn ligament?!?!  Oh no!!!!  Dwight, please play!!!!!  GO COLTS!!!!
3.  I need a ticket to the Super Bowl.  Still.

Other
1.  Working on a logo for TheWirk.com
2.  Trying to come up with other sports ideas/events for this blog.
3.  Apologies to my trivia team, who I ditched to go to the game last night.
4.  Shout out to Fogdog and the Bryant brothers who I saw/ran into while at the game.


THE WIRK

UNC and Coach Williams can only go UP from here!

I used to love watching ACC Sunday TV.  Last night, I started to watch UVA v UNC yesterday and I fell asleep.  Does that tell you anything?  Ok - UVA v UNC isn't exactly a dream match-up, but ACC basketball is supposed to be exciting ~ right!?!?  Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Duke or UNC supposed to be at the top of the conference standing?  I caught a little bit of the Clemson v MD game earlier on Sunday, and I really think I heard the announcers say that Maryland was at the top of the ACC.  Did I hear right, or was I dreaming?!?!  Seriously?!?!  What is going on here?!?!  My allegiance and family loyalty tell me to root for Duke.  Believe it or not, I'll cheer for UNC right after Duke, and Maryland takes 3rd.  Maryland is in my top 3 because of its close proximity to where I live; and therefore, it's equals easier access to my 2 favorite ACC teams.

Duke.   I'm basically all talked out about them.  They lost to Georgetown on Saturday.  I saw that coming.  Duke might be leading the ACC, but they are not the Duke team I want to "see".  They are weak and not a scary team that strikes fear into the hearts of their oppoents.  March is going to be rough without the intimidation factor.

Maryland.  Wow.  They lost to Clemson at home yesterday.  Oliver Purnell's Clemson Tigers are notching up some quality wins over their weak ACC rivals.  I will never be a Clemson fan.  I couldn't care less, but a win is a win. 

UNC.  Ok - first of all, they called it a "snow day" in Chapel Hill last night...  According to the announcers, the season ticket holders called in saying that they wouldn't be going to the Dean Smith Center because of the inclement weather.  Ugh.  Had I known that, I'd probably have made the drive to Chapel Hill, had some lunch at Top of the Hill (i.e. I'd be wiling to be that the Maitland's joint still there), and took in the game.  They let the students move down to the lower bowl, so that the arena looked packed for TV.  Incidentally, the Washington Wizards should do that, too :-P  Yesterday was the perfect opportunity to watch the young Tarheels team get upset in a high dollar seat...  I could've witnessed the worst Tarheels' home loss since 2003.  Now THAT would've been something to blog about...

Instead, I'm recalling the 2008 Final Four in San Antonio.  I went to the Final Four in San Antonio and watched the games with my brother.  I had money on the Tarheels, since I was in Vegas the weekend prior and I even carried my betting slip in my purse to San Antionio.  I thought I had the money in the bank, but it's a good thing I hadn't already spent it.  Damn.  I watched one of the saddest Tarheel performances in tournament history.  I couldn't believe my eyes, and I think as an ACC fan I even blocked most of it from memory ~ since I can't remember who beat them, but I can sure as hell remember that UNC lost.

Final Four 2008

A month or so later after the Tourney, I was working in Raleigh, NC.  I was at RDU and waiting to go through the TSA security line.  As I waited, I did what I always do...  I looked around to see if I "knew" anyone in line.  Why I do this, I'll never know ~ but I always do it, and to be honest, with as much as I travel, I always seem to find someone who's face I recognize.  Sure enough Coach Roy Williams was in the line next to me!  Hmmm...  Ok - be cool, Sarah...  I'd never really been a fan of Roy Williams.  For some reason I never liked Kansas.  Not sure, why.  Just never did.  But even though I wasn't a personal fan of his at the time, even I knew that a chance meeting with Coach Roy Williams was special.

Coach was looking around also and I caught his eye.  I did what I always do...  I waved and then I started with charades.  I made the motion that looked like I was taking his picture with my fake camera and pointed to the waiting area at the end of security line, then just smiled.  He smiled and nodded yes.  Yep, I was all set.  I would get to meet Roy Williams!

His line was moving faster than mine.  Story of my life...  Lol.  To kill time in line, I started to text, every UNC fan I knew to tell them who I was going to talk to, since I thought it was very cool.  Coach finished going through securityy before I did, and he was gracious enough to wait and point to the shoe shine area.  I get through the line and wait a couple mins for him to finish up.  By that time other people noticed who he was and there were a few people waiting with pens and paper for him.  Once his shoes were shined, he signed a few autographs and then I had my turn.  He posed for a picture and we talked while we walked towards our gates.

With Roy Williams, April 2008

I told him I was a fan of the ACC and admitted to him that I was a Duke fan because of my brother, but followed up and told him that I respected UNC's program.  He smiled.  We kept walking and then I told him that I was at the Final Four and watched his team lose.  I told him I couldn't believe what I'd seen.  Coach's face immediately sank.  I managed to deflate him in less than 20 paces and I felt like crap.  You could see it in his face.  He was still feeling the hurt.  He made some comment about how he couldn't believe it either.  I honestly can't remember what he said, but til this day I can see the look in his eyes and feel the pain.

Half-time score @ Final Four 2008, UNC eventually loses by 18...  Final: 66-84...

I saw his quote, "How can you go any lower?" after his team's loss yesterday and can only imagine how he feels.  He's a professional, and of course he and the young team will get through this and grow through the experience(s) ~ but I have to respect that Coach loves that team and feels the same pain (if not more) as his players.  If I saw Roy tomorrow, I'd tell him not to worry, because all they can do now is go UP!  :-P

THE WIRK

"If the Celtics are healthy..." ~ Preview of Celtics v Wizards on Monday night...

I fell asleep early tonight and now I'm wide awake...  When I woke up I checked my text messages (habit), and I was happy to see a text from my friend, Pat.  For those of you that read this blog, he's the same Pat that went to Dallas with me.  Turns out Pat has an extra ticket for the Celtics v Wizards game and wanted to know if I wanted to go.  My only dilemma was that Monday is trivia night, but I easily got over my guilt as I texted my trivia team at 10 til 1 this morning to tell them I wasn't coming.  Seriously, WWMTTD (aka What Would My Trivia Teammates Do)?!!?  They would skip trivia also and go to the game ~ I know because they have skipped to go skiing, because they were tired, had a date, etc.  I'm sure they'll understand why I'm not going and that someone else is going to have answer any questions related to 80s music.

Sooooo, the Celtics....  I just checked and according to NBA.com the Celtics' record is 29-16 and they're coming into DC after losing 3 straight.  Incidentally, my Cavs are leading the East with a record of 38-11 and have won 8 straight.  I also checked and it looks like the line for the game is Boston -5. 

THE WIRK RECOMMENDS YOU BET THE HOUSE ON THE CELTICS.  Notice, I said "recommends".  I do NOT guarantee.  If I were energetic enough to go to Vegas tomorrow I'd bet the money line without question on the Celtics.  I seriously doubt they're going to lose 4 in a row.  I may have to eat these words tomorrow night, but I doubt it.

Back to the Celtics and the East.  Everyone I speak to either loves or hates Lebron and the Cavs.  However, the answer always seems to be the same, when I ask Cavs critics who they think can win the East.  The haters all reply the same way ~ "I think a healthy Celtics team can beat the Cavs".  This statement always amuses me.  I'm not sure what movie/show it's from, but it reminds me of the line, "If Grandma had balls, she'd be Grandpa".  The logic is completely flawed.  "If" is the premise and who really knows.  Injuries happen in sports and they're a huge determining factor when it comes to the success or failure of a team, but last I checked Kevin Garnett is back.

Kevin Garnett is back, but he's not BACK from his knee injury.  How could he be?!?!  The man just took to the practice court on Jan 19.  I just checked the box score from tonight's Lakers v Celtics matchup and KG played about 31 mins and went 5-9... He had 10 points, shot ZERO free throws, and was one short of a double double with only 9 boards.  Hmmmm ~ let me tell it to you straight.  I'm going to need KG to pull down a double double CONSISTENTLY in order for me to believe he's BACK from his injury.  AND, if the man isn't shooting any free throws, then it tells me that he's not driving the lane and is probably afraid to make contact ~ which also tells me he knows he's not "back" and that the knee is probably still ouchy.

WOW ~  I just looked at Rondo's numbers, and he exploded tonight!  On the contrary, Ray Allen only shot 2-10 in 34 mins of action and left with 7 points.  Hmmmm ~ I can be a very quantitative person at times, and these numbers do not scare me as a Cavs fan.

Then again, I wasn't scared of the Orlando Magic last year and we all know how that turned out.  YUCK!!!  Basketball is a team sport ~ regardless of what the numbers look lke and what the folks at Nike want the general population to believe.  We also know that some guys don't play "all out" every night, much less for the entire 48 minutes of game time.  "Just watch the last 2 minutes," is what all the NBA haters say when it comes to watching games.

Well - I'll be there tomorrow to see the Celts live and in person.  I'm going to see for myself how this team is playing.  I'm going to scout KG and the rest of the Celtics to satisfy my own curiosity, and then I'll decide whether or not, as a Cavs fan, I need to be scurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrred...  :-P

THE WIRK