All Right Magic, One down.

The Orlando Magic, not only won last night, at the Amway, they dominated. With Dwight Howard on the bench the rest of the Magic team, finally decided to put in the effort to win. Yesterday I challenged them to heed Vince Lombardi's words and make the important decission to play like a winner. This they did. The question is now, can they continue to do this in Atlanta on Thursday? I certainly hope so. They have a large mountain to climb, but last night they picked up the gautlet and advanced to the first level. Go Magic, make us believe.

The Magic Need the Effort

For too long I have thought the quote, "Winning isn't everything it is the only thing," was attributed to the great Vince Lombardi. Apparently I was wrong. Enjoy that last line, because there are not many times you will hear it. The quote from Lombardi was actually, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is." When you look at this line, you can see the fit and the truth behind it. I don't root for a team because they win every championship or even  be in contention all the time. I root for teams due to some abstract reason. It may be that geographically a team was the one I saw in person, or on TV or listened to on the radio. It may be that I have rooted  for teams since my childhood. One thing I do know is when my teams do not put in the effort to win, I loose interest. What ever the reason, once you are a fan, you remain loyal whether they win or not. Yesterday I was hard on the Orlando Magic and part of that reason is at times they seem to lack the effort or will to win games. Tonight I will still be rooting for them to keep going and maybe pull this series out, but what the Magic have to show me is that they are willing to make that effort to win. I won't change my allegience, but my perception of the players and coaches depends on the idea, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is".  Remember, Magic, myself and all of Central Florida will be watching.

O.K. Magic, Let's just get it over with.

The Orlando Magic are limping through their playoff series with Atlanta, without a real fight. Oh, sure they show up, but where is the intensity and fight they have shown in previous years? Last night they shot 9% from the three point line. That is not a misprint! Nine percent. A high school team could have done better. I almost could shoot 9% if no one was guarding me and many times the looks that they got were open. The Magic would miss on their end and Atlanta would come down and hit an open shot. The Magic defense tightened up later in the game, but where were the sharp shooters from Orlando, when they had the ball in their hands. I just looked at my wife and said, I hope they get this over quickly, so we can get on to the real playoffs, Boston and the Heat or the Bulls.  So, to the Magic, just let this end quickly, so that I can quit hoping that somehow you all will regroup and make another run this year. If you don't have the desire against Atlanta, how will you ever find it against the better teams in the east.

Red Sox are they getting bangs for their bucks.

A few years back I was one of those people that rooted for  Boston to win the World Series and break the. " Curse of the Bambino". It was the lowly Red Sox taking one from the Darth Vader of sports the hated Yankees. Today the Sox are just like the Yankees in that they are out there buying a championship. I know that is the rules, but when you have been a Pittsburgh Pirate fan your whole life, it doesn't  make it easier to accept. When you look at today's standing and the payrolls, the Pirates are getting much more for their money then the BoSox and I can't help but laugh. Pittsburgh's total payroll is $35 million and Boston's is $162 million. The cost per victory for the Pirates five wins is $7 million and for the Red Sox it is $81 million for their two wins. I realize that it is very early and the Pirates will loose more games then they win this year and the Red Sox will contend for the championship of baseball, but I can't help and have a little chuckle as the Sox fans wring their hands in worry. At least I have no expectations for the Bucs.  

You have to love the NCAA basketball tournament!

My bracket is shot to hell, but I don't care. This is the best show in all of sports. They call it March Maddness for a reason. It is one and done, not a seven game series. Do you think VCU could beat Kansas in a series? In one game the emotions can carry a team to victory. I love the NBA but usually the best team prevails over the length of the playoffs. I am now going to root for VCU, however if Butler wins I won't be too upset. Kentucky and UConn have had their time in the spotlight. VCU and Butler deserve theirs.

Second round results.

O.K. the second round is complete and I am 26-6. I'll take it, although I would like to be 32-0. I missed Marquette beating Xavier, Michigan over Tennessee, Arizona beating Memphis, Morehead over Louisville, VCU over Georgetown and Kansas St over Utah St. The ones I picked that I liked were Richmond over Vanderbuilt and Gonzaga over St. Johns. The Big East has already lost St. Johns, Villanova, Louisville and Georgetown and more will go out this weekend and a couple of games will feature two Big East teams against each other. Looking forward to the games this weekend as we go down to the Sweet Sixteen. March Madness the best time of the year. Let me know how you are doing.

Make your picks

Alright everyone, the time has come to reveal your picks for the NCAA tournament. Use a coin toss, emotions, logic and every other means that you have to tell me your selections from the Elite Eight to your champion. For complete disclosure, part of my choices are based upon my at home Cameron Crazie. I believe in world peace and harmony at home, so Duke is my pick to repeat. Pat agrees. Seriously though I will never dismiss Mike Krzyzewski. He is the best coach and is better at this time of the year. Here is my picks, laugh if your must. East Ohio State plays North Carolina with Carolina advancing to the final four. West is Duke and UConn, with Duke winning to advance. Southwest is Kansas and Notre Dame with Kansas moving on to Houston. Finally Pittsburgh meeting BYU in the Southeast regional with Pitt going to the final four. I have Duke beating Carolina and Kansas beating Pitt. Drum roll please, Duke to repeat as the national champion. I win no matter how the games play out, because my wife will like my picks. O.K. now it is your turn.