Why Bzdelik
If Colorado does go ahead and hire Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik, here could be the laundry list of reasons why he ended up being the pick.
- He's going to push guys to do the work in the classroom
- He's all about structure, defense and playing hard
- Once voted the NBA's best advance scout so he knows how to break down an opponent
- He has the resume of turning around sorry teams (see Nuggets, Air Force) quickly
- Has learned up close and personal from Pat Riley
- He can block out distractions and just coach
- Might be able to pull off a Texas A & M-like turnaround in Boulder
Interesting to me how much flak Tubby Smith has received in the press lately. No wonder he skipped town to go to -- Minnesota?
Let me get over the shock of Smith's relocation plans for a moment. I will say that from all the attacks against Smith you'd think the man never won a thing at the collegiate level. All those victories at Tulsa, Georgia and Kentucky were just a joke, I guess. A national championship? Yeah, that was all smoke and mirrors, too. Smith couldn't coach himself out of paper bag.
All that criticism must have got to him, too as he went muy loco by going igloo hunting into Canada South to coach some basketball in Minnesota. That's the best he could do? They'll love him there but a very sad ending for all his contributions to UK, even if he never was Adolph Rupp or Rick Pitino.
A lot of names might be mentioned to replace Smith, amongst them Rick Barnes of Texas and Billy Gillispie of Texas A & M. The BGT says Barnes has his own sweet set up at Texas and that school will do all it can to keep him. Gillispie could definitely be a leading candidate, though. Other possible matches include John Calipari of Memphis and Mark Few of Gonzaga. Maybe even Anthony Grant of Virginia Commonwealth.
Ready for a bold nugget?
Forget me mentioning Grant or other quality prospects like Chris Lowery of Southern Illinois or Karl Hobbs of George Washington. UK felt it took a chance on Smith, a black coach, and despite him winning a national championship and an awful lot of games, he didn't live up to the school standard for achievement so the Wildcats won't hire a black coach anytime soon, no matter how successful.
Hey, don't rail against the messenger. It's Kentucky! I've never been a part of all the South's skeletons.
Letters
This one from that big family with the surname "Anonymous," who asks what if Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik prefers staying put at the academy or ends up somewhere else, what then for CU athletic director Mike Bohn?
"If Bzdelik falls through, will Bohn turn to Mike Dunlap again?"
BGT: I'm afraid Dunlap is yesterday's news. Whatever the reasons for him pulling his name from consideration for the job, both he and CU have moved on, likely to never go out romancing one another again. If, for some reason, Bzdelik does not end up with his name on the position, the Buffs have plenty of other options. The question that would then loom large would be -- would anyone of stature desire the job? Personally, I'd like to think so but that's my opinion. What is the perception of Colorado from outside state lines? We'd quickly find out.
Anyway, in a completely unrelated note, wondering when Bohn and Northern Illinois are going to put together a CU-UNI game.
Why are you laughing?
Next letter comes from Dan, who thinks I've lost it or Todd Helton has done so.
"Read where you don't believe Helton has "lost it". I disagree- he has. Seems like more than a coincidence that ever since the steroid thing happened he lost weight and lost power. I was begging for the Rockies to trade Helton two years ago when he would have brought some great, young players in return. Of course, the Rockies being the Rockies didn't do it. Name the amount and I will bet you Helton does not hit 30 HR's this year."
BGT: Dan, stop! You have me laughing, amigo. O.K., here's the thing. I believe Helton's numbers have slipped because his back has been injured or he's had other health concerns (intestinal), not because he has lost his taste for steroids or other juices.
Coors Field also plays differently these days. I truly think that with the development of Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, a steady Brad Hawpe to go with dangerous Jeff Baker, and up-and-comers Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta that the Colorado lineup is going to be potent again, netting Helton more good pitches to hit. If healthy, I do see 30 home runs and 100 RBI, just not the 40-homers and 130 RBI seasons.
But never shy I will say this, Dan. You asked for the amount of the wager. How's this work for you -- if Helton does fall short of the mark, then I take a picture of myself holding a sign saying "Dan knows best" and post it on this site. If Helton comes through, like I believe him capable, you go to a game and when they announce him coming to bat, you yell "Todd, I was wrong, can we hug and make up?"
Local Side Roads
The Denver Broncos caught a break. When linebacker Al Wilson flunked his physical with the New York Giants, the trade on the table between the two teams that would have netted the Broncos some Eli's cheesecake and little more was off. Wilson is dinged but he is playable and watch for him, for now, to be back in Denver next season. It is unlikely another team is going to pass him now as healthy enough to suit up. The Broncos could flat out release Wilson but that would be as stupid as it would be insulting as losing Wilson for nothing is just not a move of a champion. He may not be Randy Gradishar but he's not Brian Bosworth either. You find a way to get something for him if you've decided you can't or won't pay him.
The Nuggets get blasted at Toronto, 121-94, and looked like CU in doing so, allowing the Raptors to shoot 57 percent from the field while looking clueless on offense. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony may have played their worst games of the season, hardly contributing anything, combining for 24 points, three rebounds and five assists. That was a pretty expensive night on the court for owner Stan Kroenke as he didn't get much of a return on his game investment. He isn't wealthy by allowing such performance to continue. Keep hearing this team needs more time to learn to play together. Garbage. How long do you and I get to assimilate into a new work environment before we're expected to be good at what we do? A week or two? A month? This group is out of excuses and its' obvious right now that changes have to be made this offseason.
CNNSI.com is bagging on Rockies' second baseman Kaz Matsui and that ain't right. The former Met was sensational after coming to Colorado in a late-season trade. He got on base, he hit and was a definite upgrade at the position. To say that Jamey Carroll, a nice backup, is a better player, is a crime. Carroll is cheaper and good in spots, nothing more.
Troy Tulowitzki is the Rockies' starting shortstop, which was expected, and Clint Barmes and Cory Sullivan get kicked out of the party, getting stationed at Colorado Springs. Tulowitzki is an unknown but provides promise of some offensive punch. Barmes will likely be dealt this season and Sullivan, a fourth outfielder masquerading as a starter will also probably be leaving town in the next few months if no injuries occur.
Could Rockies' prospect Ian Stewart be changing addresses? Maybe. Look here.
Them other guys
With Texas A & M going down only Kansas remains in the NCAA Tournament as a Big 12 representative, which is o.k., because the Jayhawks are a legitimate team to win the whole enchilada.
Brandon Rush must start to exert himself, make KU his team, though and Julian Wright has to become more consistent. All I hear is that Wright is a top-3 or a top-5 pick in the NBA draft. Such a decision would have bust written all over it right now. If he can't dominate from game to game now how's he going to do it at the next level. Those complaints aside, the BGT is taking those Buff Bullies to beat UCLA in a tight one.
No comments:
Post a Comment