Matt Williams' Blog

Remember a year or so ago when Bill Simmons was talking about how badly Kevin Durant needs a nickname?  I’m pleased to announce we don’t have to wait any longer.  My buddy, Craig Renzel texted me something he heard on The Dan Patrick Show the other morning, “AI’s nickname for Durant is ‘the Durantula’.”  That officially takes over as the best nickname in sports, moving Calvin Johnson, a.k.a. Megatron, into second.  I’m glad Allen Iverson can contribute in other ways off the court, because, by the looks of it, his career is about done… 

Anyway, I heard Ric Bucher call Durant  ”Inspector Gadget,” which is generic and unacceptable.  So I am here to one, do my part to make people call KD “Durantula” and not “Inspector Gadget,” and two, tell you why Durantula is this year’s NBA MVP…  

Durant just went 29 games in a row scoring 25 points or more.  That record beat Allen Iverson’s record of 27 games in 2001 for current NBA players.  No one has come close to that since MJ had 40 straight games of 25 points or more in the 86-87 season…  Take a second to let that soak in.  

Last night in San Antonio, The Thunder lost by 8 (87-95), after being down 1 point after 3 quarters… Durantula had 21 points up to that point, but was held scoreless in the 4th.  My point… They can not win without him.

Most people say Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are atop the MVP candidates this year.  While it is hard to argue against either one of them, the Lakers just went 4-1 without Kobe, including wins against Portland (34-26 in 8th playoff spot), San Antonio (32-23 in 7th place), and Utah (37-20, in 3rd place).  If Kobe’s finger gives out, the Lakers still have Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, and Phil Jackson.  If the Cavs lose LeBron, they still have Shaq, Antawn Jamison, and Mo Williams.  Obviously both teams’ championship hopes rely on Kobe and LeBron playing up to, if not beyond, their potential.  But both teams could win first round playoff rounds without them.  

The Thunder have good players, possibly great, in Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, but have no chance at a playoff spot or even a sell out crowd without Durantula.  Doesn’t this make him more valuable to his team than Kobe or LeBron?  This isn’t the “Who is this year’s best player on one of the best teams in the best market award.”  Or is it?

It’s finally the time of year when NBA basketball stops working better than NyQuil…  Yes, the season is way too long (and I have several issues with the Front Office intervening with the outcome of games to draw the biggest markets and most favorable matchups in the playoffs, allegedly), but I’m here to waive my white flag (for now).  

I actually just want to talk about the game itself for once… and give you my predictions for the ‘10 Finals, now that the season has started…

THE NBA trade deadline is always awesome.  I was reading Bill Simmons earlier in the week, and he mentioned how trades nowadays are always about cap space and luxury tax (which is why we knew the Granger for Al Jefferson deal was malarkey).  While that may be the case, there were so many important deals that just went down in a matter of 48 hours, which to me, is awesome, whether it be for business reasons or actually trying to improve a roster.  Different teams need different things.  The Knicks are basically playing for the Free Agent Market of 2010 (deservedly capitalized), got rid of huge contracts, and got a huge expiring contract giving them room for 2 max salaries!!  (I can’t wait to see the combination of talent after this year and who goes to what teams… Lebron and Bosh, Dirk and DWade, A’mare and Joe Johnson (who could still be a Sun right now!)), while teams like Dallas are trying to solidify their Western run against the likes of Denver, San Antonio and the Lakers.

Anyway, said huge trades will have some impact on the outcome of the season (if the refs don’t decide… wait… I’m not going there today).  Kevin Martin to Houston?  Even though they lost Landry, Scola and Hayes can step up, and now they have a great (Ray Allen’ish… I said ‘ish) shooting guard, so Aaron Brooks can focus on his role as Point.  Since they somehow stayed in the playoff hunt this long, this should put them into the seventh or eighth spot (because Phoenix for sure will fall out with a pouting Stoudamire).  

With Miami failing to land A’mare or Boozer, D Wade decided his hurt calf was now an injury… Expect Milwaukee to take their place in the bottom tier of Eastern Conference playoffs squads.  The Bucks also picked up John Salmons, which means they’re starting line up is Jennings, Salmons, Mba-aMoute, Illyasova and Bogut… I like that a lot more than Rafer Alston, Q Rich, fill in the blank, Beasley and J.O. (Wade might hang up the skeaks once they bow out of the hunt… It’s happened before… Just ask my fantasy league in 2007 when I traded Melo for Wade right before Miami shut him down!)

Nate Rob can play some ball again in Boston and McGrady in New York.  Butler moving to Dallas was big for them as well, but nothing made a larger impact than Tyrus Thomas to the Bobcats… just kidding… 

The real move was Antawn Jamison to the Cavs, which  instantly made the them a Finals’ contender, instead of Eastern Conference Finals runner up.  This for sure puts them above old and oft’ injured Boston, and Vinceanity can only take Orlando so far unless they start giving the ball to Superman in the post every other, check that, every possession.  Atlanta has made a nice run, and has a great chance to make the Eastern Conference Finals if they don’t play Cleveland in the semi’s, but they can’t beat Cleveland (might have just jinxed though so beware).  

So I say that these trades have “some” impact on the outcome of the season.  They make some teams better, turn some into contenders, and show us who is officially rebuilding (see Washington Wizards)…  But they don’t have enough of an impact to change the inevitable.  Even at the beginning of the season, we wondered if Boston would be healthy and take the title back, or if LeBron and Shaq would mesh… but we all knew, barring injury, the Lakers would repeat.  None of these trades changed that.  As a matter of fact, the biggest trade this season was for sure RonRon going to LALA, literally, in the offseason (meaning, figuratively, RON RON has been in LALA land for quite some time).  

So here goes my NBA Playoff picks… About as simple as I can make it without drawing brackets… which for all of you who know me, know I surely don’t mind drawing up some brackets… Anyway…

Both current 7 seeds, Phoenix and Miami will be off all summer, making way for Milwaukee and Houston to sneak into the NBA Summer Season (aka the Playoffs, which last an eternity).  Other than that, we know Cleveland and LA will take home court, with Boston, Orlando and Atlanta in the East, and Denver, Dallas and Utah in the West, earning home court for the first round… They’ll match up somehow against Toronto, Chicago, Charlotte and Milwaukee in the East, and San Antonio, Portland, Oklahoma City and Houston in the West.  I say “somehow” because I don’t expect many upsets in this years playoffs, none that will effect even the Conference Finals, I presume, but get back to me once the match ups are set; which means I won’t bother running down each round right now…

What it all comes down to is this…  LeBron v Kobe part 1 (which I not-so-insightfully predicted last year… let’s just say I was anxious).  Even with their improvements (don’t forget about Sabastian Telfair at PG) I still don’t think the Cavs will take it, even though the only thing I want more than LeBron to beat Kobe is for Granger and Co to beat both of those dudes… 

Which reminds me… I have to find that piece of paper with a list of all the free agents after this season…  My friend and I wrote down a bunch of big names that will be free agents, and made a bet on whether or not the Pacers will sign any of them (off the top of my head, I know, LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Dirk, Nash and Joe Johnson are on there).  He was skeptical, but I had the Pacers back…  At the way things are looking right now, maybe I should have been a bit more skeptical myself.

Here in a few hours, Tiger will be speaking to a small group of colleagues and friends in front of a camera, which is not being considered a press conference.  He won’t answer questions.  

This statement will obviously be completely scripted, not off the cuff, as I like to say…

Let me spare you the hour you all are about to lose… He is going to apologize and say he needs help, and is trying his hardest to save his family, which is now his priority instead of golfing and slutting around on his wife.  

Was that harsh?  I sure don’t mean to be because I really just don’t care.  What he’s done behind closed doors is obviously detestable, but I guess I have to say it again… It was behind closed doors.  It wasn’t on the golf course, which is the only place I care to hear about Tiger. 

The media harps on athletes personal lives more than I care to listen, but they’re only giving the people what they want.  And people want to hear about super stars’ imperfections because it makes us feel better about ourselves, knowing that if a star can make mistakes, we are allowed to as well once in a while.  That to me, although I’m sure I’ve been guilty of it too, which completely makes me a hypocrite, is just as detestable.  To me, it shouldn’t make us feel better about ourselves, but instead focus on our own mistakes, and work harder to fix them.  

I don’t care what he has to say today.  It will be the same as every steroid admission by baseball and track stars for the past decade.  ”It’s in the past.”  ”I’m here to look forward.”  ”I’m truly sorry.”  Great.  Let me know when you’re back on the course. Until then, I don’t care if he’s in rehab, or in Vancouver watching bobsledding.  

Let’s get back to what’s important.  Is he going to break The Bear’s record?  Will he win 19 majors?  Will he come back and be on fire, or flame out on the game of golf?  Anything else is just girlish gossip.  Let’s all pull out the Leader in us, and focus on these athletes for their achievements at their profession, instead of pointing the finger at their mistakes to mask our own…  

If I’ve convinced one person not to watch the “non-press conference” later this morning, I’ve done my job.

May I dare say, Congratulations New Orleans’ Saints?  Yeah, I said it. And I mean it.  They deserve the Lombardi.  And Hoosiers should be happy about their win, and learn a few things at the same time.  

All I heard all week was how the New Orleans fans outnumbered Colts fans immeasurably.  That’s disappointing.  I feel like we took this one for granted, then the Saints came and took the Super Bowl from us.  Maybe its a “sign of the times” as they say, and people had to stay here in Indy to watch the game instead of traveling down to Miami to support their team in person.  Or maybe the Saints fans wanted it more…  I can’t speak for how badly the players wanted it, being more of a non contact athlete myself, but “Who Dat Nation” (so ridiculous) really showed us the difference between a Colt vs. a stallion in fan nation …  

Also, we should be proud as Hoosiers (and Boilermakers, but I just mean as Indiana folk).  Not only did Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees attend (and ball out at) Purdue, Tracy Porter went to IU.  His pick to the house was obviously the play of the game, coming with less than 4 minutes to go, putting the Aints, errrrr… Saints up 14.  So the two biggest players in the game, and an Indianapolis team were all represented, very well, in Super Bowl 44  (I also want to give a shout out to Courtney Roby, who was somehow contained by Colts’ special teams).

Speaking of the Colts containing… How many tackles did they miss?  It reminded me of a few years back when Manning had to put up Zeus- like numbers because the Colts D just couldn’t make plays when it counted.  Although, their goal line stand would have been huge if Manning and C0. didn’t punt the ball away and give the Saints a field goal, and momentum going into the half…

None the less, I’m proud for Indiana that the Colts made it back to the Super Bowl, and proud Indiana was represented so well on both teams.  I’m also not ashamed to say I’m happy for the Saints.  I mean, it’s not like the Colts lost to New England, or San Diego, or Pittsburgh, or Brett Favre…  

I still think Peyton will win another Super Bowl ring.  And for some reason, it just seemed like this year was too good to be true.  Everyone thought the Colts were going to win.  No one outside Indiana wanted the Colts to win, but this year’s points favorite was more lobsided than New England over Giants…  That scared me.  When asked, I admitted I was biased and really couldn’t be objective in my decision on who would win.  Wanting the Colts to win is different than thinking they’ll win.  I just can’t figure the two apart (obviously… my pick was Colts 34, Saints 24).  Bottom line, it was the Saints’ year.  They deserve it, and I don’t mind taking my hat off to their squad, city and fans (enjoy it now ‘cuz it ain’t happenin’ again).    

But for now… Congrats.

I’m almost glad I’m not down at Radio Row this week.  I don’t really want to be a part of the media hounds asking annoyed players the same questions repeatedly.  Remeber those hyenas from The Lion King?  Summoning the inner, ok, the waayyy inner athlete in me, I think if I were a player in the Super Bowl this week,  I’d see a lot of Shenzi, Bonzai and Ed, in Sal Paolantonio,  Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen (Yes, I looked up the names of the hyenas).

Anyway.  All the jabber you hear on the TV about Dwight Freeney and his ankle are beside the point.  He will not be the determining factor in the game, and that “story” has been beat to death.  I say “story” because I’ll guarantee he’s never doubted he’ll play Sunday, making all the talk and speculation pointless. 

The real point to be made of Sunday’s finale… the real factor that will decide the game… is the takeaway battle.

The Saints are known for their ability to take the ball away.  They made the Vikings, who played better than the Saints in most other areas of the game, fumble 5 times.  Hell, they’ve had an offensive takeaway for a touchdown this year (Brees threw a pic, but Robert Meachem ripped the ball out of Redskins’ Safety Kareem Moore and returned it for a touchdown).  That comes down to coaching.  I’d bet no one practiced stripping/ punching the ball as much as the Saints.  The Colts on the other hand practice everything down to a detail and are just as capable of causing multiple, game changing turnovers. 

Determining who’ll be better at it Sunday comes down to matchups.  Peyton owns defenses.  Its incredible to watch when he figures out their schemes.  Gregg Williams will be no different.  Darren Sharper is no match either, no matter how hard he studies 18.  I’m not so confident in Addai and our backs holding on to the ball, however.  For some reason, I see Joey with a critical turnover.  “Say it ain’t so, Joe.  Say it ain’t so.” 

When it comes to the Saints turning the ball over… I have the same hunch for Pretty Boy Bush… 

Stop trying to be Kanye, pal.  His sctick is old  (music is incredible, but none the less, one can only take so much ego [no not eggo’s Billy}).  Make a huge run, let your ego flow and watch Bethea catch up to you and snag that ball right back (or Chad Simpson on a kick off).  And watch out for fumble #2,

 lil Reggie, after you catch a screen, turn around and Clint Session is right there.  Then, any one of the Colts’ four defensive backs  could house it for 6 after you cough that one up.  But let me know if I can ever come to one of your parties, or just hang out.  Thanks man.  Hope your ribs heal quickly. 

Any of the Saints receivers are liable for a turnover as well.  Much more so than the Colts 4 go-to’s. 

Manning will have  the game we all expect him to have.  He’ll lead when necessary, and take advantage when the defense gets take overs.  What makes the Colts great, is that in return, the defense will inevitably bail the offense out a time or two as well.  We haven’t seen that in the past.  The D would make a stop, but Peyton would get stalled.  Peyton would lead a touchdown drive,  but the D would give up one.  Now they feed off eachother. 

I expect the same on Sunday.  Big plays on the offense will spur big plays on defense, or vice versa.  Freeney will play, and be effective, but not great.  The key lies in doing what the Saints do well, better. 

The Colts’ D will cause huge turnovers, because everyone is focusing on the exact opposite…  Unless I just jinxed them.

There are a few things worth mentioning this week when it comes to the Colts being in the Super Bowl. 

One, Tony Dungy does not regret leaving the Colts last year.  Who’s even to say the Colts would be in the same position with him as a Coach?  He made the right move for himself and his family, and anyone that thinks he regrets the decision for more football accolades, doesn’t know Coach very well.  Well, I don’t know Coach very well at all either, besides answering the phone when he calls in for interviews (is that beeping my own horn, or kind of sad, or both?), but I know enough to know his priorities ensure he made the right decision. 

Two.  Dwight Freeney is going to play.  Yes, he sprained his ankle and is not at full health.  Any one who thinks this will keep him from playing in the Super Bowl, is flat out not very bright.  I don’t want to hear another thing about it. 

Three.  I know it is after the fact now that it is Monday and the entire team is in Miami, but the fact that the Pro Bowl players in the Super Bowl had to travel separately from the rest of their team is ridiculous.  I know the NFL is mainly concerned with revenues and bottom lines, but it shouldn’t be concerned enough about the Pro Bowl to split up teams’ travel schedules.  Now, this is the first time the Pro Bowl has been before the Super Bowl, so I wouldn’t expect this to happen again, but Goodell should have taken this into consideration.  It is a classic case of administration vs. employee/ teacher vs. student episode.  The administration makes the rules and therefore think they are impeccable, but should be able to admit when there is something flawed, and be able to adapt accordingly.  This is the first time in Goodell’s reign that I’ve been dissappointed in his decision making. 

Having Said That…

I think seeing Manning and Brees walk the field together after their halftime interview was awesome.  Historic even.  When have you seen that before?  I never have, and I think the video will be classic promo material for years to come.  Other than that, the Pro Bowl was retarding.  Yes, I made that a verb.  I think it made the viewers dumber, and I think it should be turned into an honorable mention type of deal with players getting listed, but no game actually being played.  It is almost as dumb as having home field in the World Series decided by the winner.  Baseball will be a better sport when Selig is done.  I think that thought is parallel with Al Davis and the Raiders.

Thank you, Mr. Obvious. 

Now to something not so obvious.  The outcome of the game.  Many factors are overplayed, over valued, down played and under valued.  The Colts’ D is one such factor, being extremely under valued.  It doesn’t revolve around Freeney.  He is an integral part, indeed, but no one meets the opportunity to start and make an impact than Colts players… Bullitt, Lacey, Powers, Brock, Stover, Garcon, Collie…  The Colts’ D is one of the fastest, most disciplined in the league.  But, you also have to take into accound the undervalued Saints running game.  So much is made about Brees and their pass offense.  Saints’ rushing game was ranked 6th in the league, compared to the Colts last place ranking!!  Colts need Muir and A. Johnson to be huge run stoppers, and Clint Session is going to have a hell of a time covering Reggie Bush, but I’m guessing he’ll step up to the task.  Just a hunch. 

When it comes to passing games, both are top 5.  Passing D?  Watch out New Orleans, Colts were ranked 14th, New Orleans was ranked 26.  I dont’ want to hear about Saints being banged up either… Colts had 2 rookie corners most of the season.  Which leads me to my picks…

Colts 36

Saints 29

MVP, Reggie Wayne would get it if Peyton weren’t throwing him the ball…

Peyton takes the cake. 

I left my notes at home today, it being Monday, and all.  Check back later in the week to see what I might have forgotton, or think of in the mean time.

Mark Patrick on Sports is packed…  That is my excuse for my lousy blogs. 

But these are good excuses… right?

Guest List today includes…

Tom Pedulla, from USA Today … Larry Clisby, enough said, Sean McDonough, Ryan McGee, Senior writer for ESPN the Mag, Fred Glass, and Chris Denari… 

Tomorrow, to end out the week… 

When I went to Terre Haute with JMV last Fall, he asked me to “go up to the guy with the big eye brows and ask him if he’ll join me for the show later.” 

“Who is it?” I asked,

“Mike Silver.”

“Oh sweet, from Yahoo! Sports, right?”

“Right.” 

Mike was more than happy to join JMV, and now we’re more than happy to help him.  Since he’ll be starting our Friday show, I told him we’d help promote his  www.ridewithsilver.com event.  I went to the page, and couldn’t refuse.  Please check it out.  It is a really cool promotion, and everyone’s support helps. 

Mike Beas from Vype Magazine will join MP as usual.  Then we have a little something extra…

Mike Ahern will be joining MP, IN STUDIO from 4-6.
Chet Coppock will call the guys after 5, and Reds’ Broadcaster Thom Brennaman will join the guys around 4…  The Reds are in town for their Winter Caravan, and will be at Castleton Square Mall on Friday from 5-7, with all the guys signing autographs after 5:30. 

After 6, #1 in the country, Ben Davis womens’ bball Head Coach Stan Berge will join MP to help promote THE BATTLE AT THE BIG BARN at Hinkle on Saturday… 

More Colts coverage next week, I suppose…

Look at Peyton’s face.  All I see is, “Look how cool I am in this sweater.”  But what it really says, “I’m going to F -ing kill any defense I ever see in the Super Bowl.”  I bet he was one of those kids you just hated because he had everything, was good at everything, and knew it… including that sweater. 

Man, did you hear Mark Patrick on CBS’ morning show (video on its way). Jets’ funeral… Hilarious…  That episode makes me hate the NY media so much more.  Anyway, there is a game to play Sunday, which is where we’ll switch our focus. 

Before we start though, we gotta take care of this “Pants on the ground” fad.  This must be the dumbest soundbyte I’ve ever heard, and I can not see how it became popular.  Favre looks like an idiot trying to imitate it, even more so than the dude on American Idol, and that says a lot.  Which leads me why I titled this post, “Keep your pants on.” 

I don’t think the Jets can win Sunday.  It is that simple.  I am so sick of hearing about the Jets defense.  Everyone is talking about their blitz packages… Manning had over a 68% completion rate against the blitz this season.  The Colts’ D is going to LIGHT UP Sanchez, and Manning is going to LIGHT UP the Jets’ D.  They lost 7 games for a reason… 

It is so funny to me that these guys think they have a chance to win because they were leading at half here in Indy a month ago.  Manning went down the field effortlessly to score a go ahead TD before being pulled.  I understand players and coaches’ confidence and all, but I don’t think there is any way they really believe that they’ll win.  Deep down, in the pit of their stomach, they have a feeling that Manning doesn’t.  Sure, he has nerves, too, but his confidence isn’t blown out of proportion, by a loud mouth coach trying to rally his players.  Manning’s confidence comes from the results of his hard work.  In the pit of his stomach, he KNOWS they can win, and doesn’t have to run his mouth to convince the public.   

The Jets will have less than 300 yards on offense.  I would bet (not literally) the Colts will hold Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene to under 100 yards total rushing.  Braylen Edwards may not have a catch.  Sanchez might get pulled out of the game after his 3rd fumble.   Manning might get pulled out of the game after we’re up 30 in the 4th. 

So when I say “keep your pants on,”  I mean act like you’ve been here before.  This is the Colts’ third AFC Championship game with Manning.  This game shouldn’t even be a blip on the radar.  Keep your eyes on the prize, my friends.  Enjoy your Sunday, and rest assured we’ll be playing in February.

Ever since I’ve been running the college, NFL and Purdue games at WNDE, I’ve had to take some weekdays as my day off, since a good portion of those games are on weekends… So I’m staying home today, for a nice day of nothingness… 

Or so I thought..  I’ve spent the whole morning scheduling guests for MPOS for today and tomorrow…

We’re waiting to see if Governor Daniels is willing to join Mark again today, but besides that, we know for sure about these folks…

Robbie Hummel, 

Guerin Catholic High School Head men’s basketball Coach Pete Smith, who’s raising awareness for Samaritans Feet, by going barefoot against Brebeuf on Friday…

Then, besides Coach Lickliter tomorrow, we are pretty much NFL the rest of the way…

Jason Cole, NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports and Vic Carucci of NFL.com are both on today.

Friday, I’m trying to line up Peter King and Damon Hack from SI.com.  We have Mike Lopresti from USA TODAY, Michael Vega from the Boston Globe,  and Ian Eagle, who’s calling the game for Westwood One packed in tomorrow as well.  

To add to that, I had to tell President Obama we were packed, and let’s see how next week looked if we made it to the Super Bowl…  Speaking of the Super Bowl, remember when I told you guys to get tickets to Miami, back in September?

My next blog is straight Colts talk… and awesomeness.  Which means it will take the rest of the afternoon.  Here’s to my day off…