Hip Hop Hooray

We will probably see this again at the end of this season

The NBA is back and I couldn’t be happier. Of all the sports that make up my life’s obsession, basketball and specifically the NBA is at the head of the list. This has been the case since my dad introduced me to the Boston Celtics in the early 90’s and I adopted Dee Brown as my favourite player. He was small, wore my lucky number 7 and won the 1991 dunk contest. From that moment I was hooked.

Also I thoroughly enjoy this video... mainly for Christian Laettner rapping in a turtleneck.

All these years later and I’m not sure I’ve been more excited for a season to start. There is so much to love about the 2012/13 NBA season and I thought I’d share with you what I’m most looking forward to in no particular order.

• A proper 82 game season - Last year’s season was super exciting but in a lot of ways it was so different to a real season with the way the lockout ended and we ended up with a shortened season with way too many games close together. Whilst it was exciting for there to be more games per day, the quality of the basketball certainly took a hit as players struggled to cope. Now we have players who have had a proper off season and more rest between games, which I think will lead to better shooting and more minutes for the players we want to see.

• Heat vs. Celtics – I am writing this right after the first game of the season between these two teams has finished and the rivalry is stronger than ever. These teams genuinely dislike each other and now with Ray Allen in Miami it’s even more vitriolic. Kevin Garnett giving Ray the cold shoulder at the beginning of the game was awesome; although as a Celtics fan I was kind of hoping Rondo would put him on his ass.

• The new Lakers super-team – I despise the Lakers. I also love Steve Nash. It kills me to see the Canadian basketball genius wearing purple and gold and playing with Kobe Bryant, but it will be fascinating to see if this amazing team on paper will work as well in real life. It’s going to take a lot of work for them to find cohesion on offence with so many guys wanting to be top dog, but with the team still belonging to the Black Mamba. But seriously, I hope they go 0-82.

• Oklahoma City without Harden/Houston with Harden – As a neutral, for the last two seasons the Thunder have been the most fun team to watch. Then on the eve of the season they trade Harden to Houston for Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb. Most think they have taken a step backwards and I agree, but it will be interesting to see if they can make it work. Also now Harden has a chance to be a franchise guy in Houston, so we will find out just how good he really is. Although I think Houston need to do a lot more to actually become a contender in the next couple of years.

• The rookies – I’ve always loved watching young guys come into the league and picking who I think will make it. This year was a pretty stacked draft and there are quite a few rookies who will be fun to watch. Obviously it starts with Anthony Davis, who fresh of winning an Olympic gold medal is going to be a star in New Orleans. Then Jonas Valunciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Damian Lillard are going to be great to watch and are all guys I’ve liked in college/Europe. After that guys like Brad Beal, Jae Crowder and several others could do something in their first year.

• Fantasy basketball – I’m not going to go into detail on this one as I spent plenty of words talking about it last week. But if you didn’t read it, check it out.

• The TNT ‘Inside The NBA’ guys – I can’t express how much I love Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. Although the best way to explain it is that when I eventually get a male dog I am naming it Sir Charles Barkley Cousens.

• Basketball – OK but seriously how awesome is basketball?

Fantasyland

If only my league had a championship ring

My name is Daniel and I am an addict. My addiction isn’t one you’ll see on the show ‘Intervention’ though. There’s no TV commercial warning people about the dangers of it, but it has become as big a part of my life as a drug addiction would (I imagine). My addiction is fantasy sports and more specifically fantasy NBA. Fantasy sports are a multibillion dollar industry, particularly in the US, although in recent years it has exploded around the rest of the world too.

You see for most sports fans, we realised a long time ago that we were never going to make it as professional athletes, so the dream changed from playing the game to running the game. We are all armchair critics about what teams should do and all want to either coach or be the general manager of our favourite teams. Signing and trading players and building a team of athletes to win a championship. This is as close as we will ever get and it’s probably why fantasy sports has become an empire.

To quickly explain for the uninitiated, fantasy sports involves picking teams of players and using their real life statistics to calculate who wins. Basically it’s a maths game masked as a sports game to make us feel less like the nerds we are.

I almost kicked my addiction this year when for the first time in a decade since I started playing that I strongly considered quitting. You see with how serious I and my friends take it, the game is mentally exhausting over the course of about seven months a year and at the end of it, most of the guys end up disappointed with how they did after all the effort they put in. After years of effort without reward, it was all getting a bit much for me. Fortunately for me, another friend in my league, someone whom I only met through the league and he ended up giving me my career, was in the same boat and so we decided to team up and share the burden.

You see as much as we felt a desire to walk away; we knew that walking away from the game meant a lot more than that. Fantasy basketball is not only a big part of our lives; it has become a sort of glue that maintains it. I’ve made friends through it and also maintained friendships that in all likelihood may have ended years ago if we didn’t have this thing keeping us together. I can go months without talking to some of the guys, but as soon as we see each other we always know what we have in common and can talk about.

At weddings and birthdays and other social gatherings where more than one of us are in attendance, conversation always finds a way to turn towards the subject, whilst wives and girlfriends and other friends look at us like we are insane and try to change the subject unsuccessfully. In fact there are even cases of guys having actual relationship issues stemming from how important our league was to them. You might even remember in the film ‘Knocked Up’ where a wife suspected her husband of cheating and it turns out he was actually at his friend’s house for their fantasy baseball draft. “I got Matsui” he proclaimed happily, whilst she looked on in shock and horror. Fantasy sports is our mistress.

Our fantasy draft (where we pick our teams) is this Saturday and at this point it has evolved from a mere two hour exercise into more of an alternate Spring Carnival. We are having lunch on Friday and then the annual post draft barbeque to analyse how we all did and begin the months of trash talk. The emails and texts and calls have already been going for weeks as we study and prepare. I put more effort into my preparation for our fantasy draft than I did for any exam in high school or university and that’s not even an exaggeration.

Our league has even drafted a constitution based on previous incidents of controversy over the past decade to attempt to prevent future instances and keep everything as clean as possible. Because our league is almost half lawyers, it’s written in full legal terms and amendments have to go through a process. We’ve even had threats of overthrowing our commissioner when people don’t like certain rulings. However, we really aren’t all that different to millions of other guys out there doing the same thing.

There is even a hilarious sitcom called ‘The League’ about guys just like us who take their league just as seriously. Not only do we all see a lot of ourselves in that show, but it proves to us just how common what we are doing is, even if not by most of the people in our lives.

At the end of the day we are basically like Trekkies or Dungeons and Dragons fans, but our obsession is basketball.

Some of the guys think I was never really that close to quitting, that I was always going to come crawling back as the season approached and that I love it too much to walk away. The truth is I really was very close to giving up something that has meant so much to my life. But now that I’m back, I couldn’t possibly be more committed or obsessed once more.

I only hope that you have something with your friends that means as much to you.

Blue Chips: Predicting the Next NRL Stars

Get used to seeing Edrick Lee doing this in 2013

So with it being the off season I’ve decided I’m going to get in early and tell you about players you either haven’t heard of yet or at least haven’t seen all that much of who could make an impact in 2013. There does seem to be a consensus now that the Toyota Cup is overall quite a large step down from the NRL and even the NSW and QLD Cups, however sometimes there is talent that is clearly ready to play at NRL level.

Some of these guys have already debuted at NRL level, some have been in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year, so I’m not breaking news to those who really follow the under 20’s competition, but most people aren’t as obsessed as some of us. They have lives outside of this stuff. Not me though.

This list isn’t in any sort of rankings order and may end up being part 1 of a series.

•  Luke Keary and Jordan Tongahai (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – So I have to start at the club I know the best. It was hard to leave off Tyrone Phillips but as he is playing fullback, I find it hard to see him breaking into first grade in 2013. Luke Keary is a halfback who was named on the bench for the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and long term I think he and Reynolds will be halves partners with Sutton moving to the forward pack. Keary is a smart player with a good kicking game, takes the line on and can throw a good long pass, which is something we don’t yet see Reynolds do all that much. Tongahai is a left centre, who has shown defensive abilities usually not on display at NYC level, not to mention a strong finisher. With Matt King in his last year and not a lot of centre depth, I can see Tongahai getting his chance if there are injuries or if King’s form isn’t up to scratch.

• Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters) – This guy is a beast. He was named in the 2011 Toyota Cup Team of the Year and whilst he didn’t make the 2012 team, he is going to be a gun for the Roosters. He was captain of their NYC team and style-wise reminds me of a young Willie Mason. He has played for the Junior Kangaroos and I’d be shocked if Trent Robinson didn’t give him his chance in 2013.

• Edrick Lee and Michael Chee Kam (Canberra Raiders) – Quite simply Edrick Lee looks like he doesn’t belong on a rugby league field and should rather be playing shooting guard in the NBA. He played a bit of first grade on the wing in 2012 but in Toyota Cup he played centre and that is where I believe he should play due to his passing skills to put his winger outside him away. I’d say he is the best pure athlete I’ve ever seen in rugby league and could probably be a star at whatever sport he chooses to play. Chee Kam played for the Raiders this year but is actually off the Manly next year. He is a second rower/centre although I think he will stick to the back-row long term. Runs hard, hits hard type.    

• Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights) – If footy worked the same way as horse racing, the stud fees for the Sims parents would probably only be second to the Burgess family at this point. Honourable mention to Slippery Morris too. Korbin Sims looks exactly like his brothers and that’s almost all you need to know. Tariq looks like he will end up better than oldest brother Ashton, but Korbin looks like he will be a damn good player too. Oddly he has pledged allegiance to Queensland, whilst Tariq will play for NSW.

• David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs) – So I can’t make this list and not include the Toyota Cup Player of the Year. This guy is basically Sam Kasiano 2.0. The only question is where do the Bulldogs fit him in their ridiculous forward pack that will gain another monster in Tony Williams next year? The test for Klemmer, much like Kasiano, is how he handles the pace of NRL and whether his size becomes a defensive liability.

• Carlos Tuimavave (NZ Warriors) – The Warriors lost a lot of the players who were in their successful Toyota Cup sides but were desperate to keep their young playmaker. They lose James Maloney next season but gain Thomas Leuluai to partner Shaun Johnson, but I think Matt Elliott will look to find a way to get Tuimavave into the side in 2013. Not to mention Johnson himself needs to work hard to get his form back.

• Harry Siejka (Penrith Panthers) – Siejka is probably the player on this list with the most NRL experience already but I’m including him anyway as he only played a few NRL games. Between Siejka and Blake Austin, the Panthers should be able to replace Luke Lewis as a player and local hero, at least in the long term. Siejka is just one of those players that really draws your eye when he plays and seems to have not only talent but the intangibles to become a quality NRL halfback or five-eighth.

• Jacob Miller (Wests Tigers) – Miller is a player who has been on the radar for a few of years already but to this point hasn’t been able to fully breakthrough at NRL level. At Toyota Cup level he clearly looks too good as a halfback, but in his few first grade games he hasn’t done enough to grab the spot in what has been a bit of a revolving door to partner Benji Marshall. I feel like 2013 is make or break for Miller at least in terms of at the Tigers. If he doesn’t cement a spot next season, I’m sure another team would gladly take a chance on him.

So there you have my initial list of young guns to watch in 2013 in the NRL. There are several others who are worthy of being on this list and I may well follow up with more. Feel free to recommend players in the comments section and go on record with who you think will breakthrough in 2013.

As Advertised

Del Piero vs Heskey

On Saturday I attended Sydney FC’s opening home game of the season against Newcastle. Whilst that’s what the tickets said on them, I think it’s fair to say most of the 35,000 people in attendance were thinking more specifically about seeing Alessandro Del Piero vs. Emile Heskey.

This is a make or break season for the A-League and this game had the potential to heavily influence how successful this season could be. Were the game itself and the marquee players to not live up to the hype, then many casual fans who came to the game or watched it on TV would either lose interest or at least take a step in the wrong direction. However if the game and players did live up to the hype, then it could help the interest of these fans snowball and bring them back for more.

Whilst the result of the match didn’t go the way the majority of the crowd wanted, with Newcastle triumphant 3-2, I don’t think anyone could have asked for a better spectacle. If you asked the A-League to write a list of things they wanted that game to include they would have included:

• Lots of goals and action
• Del Piero scoring (preferably from a free kick or long range shot)
• Heskey scoring
• Overall entertaining game

All four items on the above list happened and the approx $25 I paid for a ticket almost felt like it wasn’t enough. Even as a Sydney FC fan, I didn’t walk away from the game in the mood I usually have when I see the team I support lose, because what I witnessed was bigger than the 3 points on offer.

Having to wait in a queue to enter and exit Allianz Stadium is something I haven’t experienced in years for any sport and the atmosphere was amazing. The Cove was rocking and the Newcastle fans made more noise than you’d think possible from the travelling fans and it’s a credit to both fan clubs.

I went to the game hopeful we were going to get to witness a good spectacle, but having spent the morning watching Argentina put on a show against Uruguay, I worried that I’d walk out remembering that the A-League simply can’t compete for entertainment value against the better quality leagues. Fortunately those worries were put to bed.

Despite the quality of the match and how great it was to see Del Piero and Heskey score high quality goals, it is certainly important that Sydney FC right the ship and start getting some results soon. Sydney is a town that struggles to follow a losing team and if they continue to lose, many fans will eventually drop off no matter how well Del Piero plays.

Ian Crook doesn’t have the luxury of time to build to something. Sydney FC needs to be a contender this season and capitalise on the opportunity they have. I don’t think his job is at risk just yet, but in a couple more weeks that might change if the results don’t.

On the other hand, Newcastle’s attack looked great. Not only Heskey, but his attacking partners in Ryan Griffiths and Craig Goodwin were fantastic. Goodwin is only 20 and the Melbourne Heart will be left kicking themselves for letting him go. It’s a name I think football fans should keep an eye on. Meanwhile to suggest Ryan Griffiths won the battle against brother Adam would be an understatement. Adam was awful in defence for Sydney and once Crook took Adam Griffiths and Terry McFlynn off they looked far better and I hope he has the courage to drop two of his veterans if they are better without them.

Overall I went into this season excited about the prospects of the A-League and I walked away last night even more excited than before. Time will tell whether it was a one-off that I’ll reminisce about one day or whether it really was the start of something.

Carpe Diem A-League

Del Piero introduced to the media

So now that it is the Friday after the Grand Finals it is finally sinking in that footy season, at least AFL and NRL season really is over. Sure it leaves a hole in my heart but the sun is shining and more important I’m genuinely excited for the start of the A-League season.

I, like many people I know, do like the A-League, want it to thrive and desperately want Australia to be a real power in the biggest sport in the world. However, unlike most of my other teams, I can’t claim to go to many games, buy merchandise or buy a membership. I’m a casual fan and I must admit that despite the fact that I want Sydney FC and the A-League to succeed, I don’t do all that much to support it. I’ve been to a couple of games and watch them on TV, but that’s not going to help pay the bills.

This season however really could be the making of the A-League. See whilst the A-League has had marquee signings before that have worked out, such as Dwight Yorke and even Robbie Fowler, what I think was missing from making it really help the league was having multiple star players across the league. The signing of Alessandro Del Piero for Sydney FC is obviously massive in-and-of-itself, but I think the reason this time it might lead to real success for the league is because other teams are also making waves. Newcastle has signed Emile Heskey, the new Western Sydney Wanderers looked close to signing Michael Ballack but have at least ended up with Japanese star Shinji Ono and the pressure is going to be on other teams to start looking for their own big money man.

The MLS in the States has finally caught on and has a loyal fan base and even gets decent coverage on ESPN. They pulled this off both by targeting cities starved for a team to support, but also by bringing in not just David Beckham, but plenty of other big names on the backend of their European career like Thierry Henry and now our own Tim Cahill. Now any game you go to has not only some good local talent, but likely also some guys you used to have to watch on TV as they played in the best leagues in the World.

I already have my tickets to the Sydney FC home opener to see Del Piero vs. Heskey and I’m going in a group with friends who are all equally excited not just for the game, but the season as a whole. The A-League might finally convert us casual fans into fans that actually make a dent in the revenue column.

Of course all this couldn’t come at a more important time for the FFA and the A-League. The existing TV deal is expiring and the league needs serious numbers to justify being paid the serious money it requires to cement itself as one of the premier sports in the country on a professional level.

Were this season to have similar crowd and TV ratings as they have had in recent seasons, I highly doubt the TV contract the sign will meet expectations. I also hope the A-League gets to move on to free-to-air TV as unfortunately not enough people in Australia have Foxtel and to get the mainstream publicity on a regular basis, not just for news stories and player signings, but for the matches themselves, the league needs to get onto FTA TV.

But for the first time, I am confident the A-League can pull it off. After years of teams struggling to pay their bills, changing owners or going under, the 2012-13 season is make or break and I’m actually putting my money on ‘make’.

Hopefully new CEO David Gallop gets to walk into a league with increasing revenue, ratings and crowd numbers as a shiny new TV contract (which he interestingly has been actively left out of, but that’s another story).

The season kicks off tonight with the Melbourne Derby and I hope it’s the start of something big.