Random Sports Thoughts
The NBA released the 2005-2006 schedule today. Looking over the schedule, it's not a huge surprise. Tons of TV attention for teams like Denver that will probably end up underperforming but have "popular" players. Of course, tons of dates for the Lakers (after all, the whole country wants to see Phil and Kobe back together *bleech*), the Cavs (this year, the "chosen one" might actually make the playoffs), the Heat (ok, they're actually a legit team), and the Suns (another legit, but overhyped, team).
I was happy to see that the Pistons will, by my count, make 19 appearances on national TV (ESPN, ABC, and TNT). Adding games vs. the Knicks and Nets that I should be able to see on local TV here, I should be able to see around a quarter of their season, if everything works out well. It's about time that the L gives some respect to the Eastern Conference champion from the last two seasons.
Of course, in my opinion, the real problem is that the national TV schedule is set in stone before the season begins. While that gives me, as a fan, something to anticipate, it also leads to a ton of meaningless matchups clogging the airwaves in February, March, and April. At the beginning of last season, Denver vs. Minnesota in March would have looked like a great matchup. By the time it appeared on ESPN, it was a game between two non-marquee teams.
The television schedule up through the All-Star break should be set at the start of the season, and then around the same time that All-Star rosters are finalized, the TV slate for the second half of the year should be established. By that time, it's much more clear which teams are playing well and which teams will be involved in interesting games come the end of March or the beginning of April.
In other news, the Red Wings signed goalie Chris Osgood for a second go-round yesterday. Osgood wore the winged wheel from 1993 to 2001. He backstopped the team to the Stanley Cup in 1998, but was blamed for the playoff collapses in 1999 and 2000.
Playing goalie in Detroit is a tough job. It's the one place on the ice where Detroit fans, rabid even by hockey standards, focus the most attention. If the goalie is successful, they're a hero. If they're perceived as blowing games, everyone calls for their head. Osgood saw both the highs and the lows of this during his last time in Detroit. He is a good goaltender who bore far too much blame for failure by the whole team. Hopefully, this stint in Hockeytown will finish on a happier note.
Of course, it would help if Detroit fans would have more realistic expectations. Quarterbacks for the Lions and Goalies for the Wings are subject to a crazy amount of pressure. Before they show anything, they are anointed the next savior to lead the team to the promised land. With such high standards, they are almost destined to fail, and when they do, they are destroyed by the fans, whether or not they were at fault for the failure.
So best of luck, Chris. You'll need it.
I was happy to see that the Pistons will, by my count, make 19 appearances on national TV (ESPN, ABC, and TNT). Adding games vs. the Knicks and Nets that I should be able to see on local TV here, I should be able to see around a quarter of their season, if everything works out well. It's about time that the L gives some respect to the Eastern Conference champion from the last two seasons.
Of course, in my opinion, the real problem is that the national TV schedule is set in stone before the season begins. While that gives me, as a fan, something to anticipate, it also leads to a ton of meaningless matchups clogging the airwaves in February, March, and April. At the beginning of last season, Denver vs. Minnesota in March would have looked like a great matchup. By the time it appeared on ESPN, it was a game between two non-marquee teams.
The television schedule up through the All-Star break should be set at the start of the season, and then around the same time that All-Star rosters are finalized, the TV slate for the second half of the year should be established. By that time, it's much more clear which teams are playing well and which teams will be involved in interesting games come the end of March or the beginning of April.
In other news, the Red Wings signed goalie Chris Osgood for a second go-round yesterday. Osgood wore the winged wheel from 1993 to 2001. He backstopped the team to the Stanley Cup in 1998, but was blamed for the playoff collapses in 1999 and 2000.
Playing goalie in Detroit is a tough job. It's the one place on the ice where Detroit fans, rabid even by hockey standards, focus the most attention. If the goalie is successful, they're a hero. If they're perceived as blowing games, everyone calls for their head. Osgood saw both the highs and the lows of this during his last time in Detroit. He is a good goaltender who bore far too much blame for failure by the whole team. Hopefully, this stint in Hockeytown will finish on a happier note.
Of course, it would help if Detroit fans would have more realistic expectations. Quarterbacks for the Lions and Goalies for the Wings are subject to a crazy amount of pressure. Before they show anything, they are anointed the next savior to lead the team to the promised land. With such high standards, they are almost destined to fail, and when they do, they are destroyed by the fans, whether or not they were at fault for the failure.
So best of luck, Chris. You'll need it.
posted by N at 10:50 AM
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