Today a number of sports items caught my eye starting with word from Indianapolis that the NFL may be considering a change in the overtime rules for playoff games only. The proposal would require a sudden death overtime only to end on the first possession if a touchdown was scored. Kicking a field goal would get the other club the ball with a chance to tie or win with a touchdown of their own. I like the idea. Only I would like it better if the same rule were also used in the regular season...
Did you read where Atlanta Brave third baseman Chipper Jones says he will retire after the 2010 season with two years left on his contract if he can't bounce back from his poor 2009 season? Leaving all that money on the table would be hard, but it also shows the pride Chipper has in his performance. Chipper has been frustrated the last several seasons anyway with injuries cutting his playing time. Last year he played in 143 games and that was the most he had been able to make since 2003. But 2009 was also the most unproductive of his career. After winning the NL batting championship with a .364 average in 2008 he dropped off 100 points to .264 --second lowest of his 16 year career--in 2009. In addition he hit only 18 home runs, a career low, coupled with a career low 71 runs batted in.
At 38 years old in late April it cannot be expected that Jones still will have much left and improving significantly over 2009 will not be easy. What has been a great and likely future Hall of Fame career may be coming closer to an end than his contract status calls for.
HOW ABOUT THOSE AGGIES...AND HORNS?
The Texas Longhorns ran into a Texas Aggie men's basketball team on Saturday that would not be denied. There is no better scrapping, hustling, or well coached team in the Big 12 than the Ags. They don't have the depth or raw talent of any of the other top teams in the league, but they play harder and with more focused effort more than any of them. The Longhorns, on the other hand, have simply lost what it takes to win big games. They are often disorganized, make too many poor decisions and while very athletic often can't use those skills in a productive basketball manner. Too many stars...or players who still think they are the same high school stars they once were? I can't make that accusation myself since I have not been around the program this year, but I have heard others who have been make it.
AS FOR THE ROCKETS--THE DEFENSE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
If you gave the average basketball fan a choice he or she would prefer to see exciting offensively oriented play. Slow, walk the ball up the court and use the whole shot clock basketball often is not attractive. Neither are styles predicated on defense first--unless it is a gambling defense that results in steals and fast breaks.
At the same time teams that play very strong defense and are careful not to take too many poor shots are the same teams that win. Admittedly, some teams with great athleticism and basketball skill can take lower percentage shots--because they still hit them-- or gamble a bit on defense because they are quick enough to recover and be exciting winners. But most teams without as many gifted players have to play as a team and keep the other club off the scoreboard.
The current situation with the Houston Rockets doesn't fit either scenario. Top to bottom they are not one of the more gifted athletically teams. And at the same times they look like they are trying to play like one. That is how they can lose and give up 133 points in a game as they did Saturday in Salt Lake City.
We can speculate all we want about how the defense will be better next season with a healthy Yao Ming to plug up the middle. But unless others on the team learn to play defense Yao will be in foul trouble every night after trying to clean up other's mistakes. The time is now for the Rockets to emphasize defense and only that the rest of the season. Rick Adelman has to know who CAN and who WILL play defense in making decisions for next year.
Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks will never be a great defensive pair in the back court. However, they will score some points and keep the sagging defense on Yao Ming honest. The Rockets will have to have solid defense from both forward positions and at least a couple of players in the rotation off the bench. This thing of giving up 120 to 133 points just can't continue.
ASTROS CAMP QUIET
I am not scheduled to spend any time at Astros spring training this year so until the season begins about everything I write here will be second hand or analysis. One thing I can say is that camp has started very quietly. Feature profiles from various players are about all that is being written. Maybe that is good. If the Astros are going to be a surprise in the NL Central this season they will have to do some sneaking up on people. So let the stealth needed begin.
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