A good choice but is it the best one?

Anyone else find it, I don’t know, odd or ironic or something, that Sports Illustrated bestowed its Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards on Pat Summit and Mike Krzyzewski yesterday?

I know it’s got nothing to do with Bernie Fine or Jerry Sandusky and the absolute mess two of the more high profile American college athletics programs find themselves in these days but still …

First off, let me say I have no quarrel with the career accomplishments of Summit and Coach K, they have performed their duties with dignity and high levels of success and are likely worthy of any honour bestowed upon them.

But I wonder about their selections as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.

I guess you can’t say anything for certain or that something needs to solely be one way but it strikes me that it should be, you know, athletes who are given such accolades. Men and women who get on the field of play and do things unimaginably well, either in record-breaking fashion or in one-off accomplishments that are jaw-dropping in their scope.

Coaches, especially American college coaches it seems, are too iconic for me, too lionized, given far too much credit. It’s been mentioned before, it should be mentioned again, their importance and significance is often out of whack with reality.

While I know the selection of Summit and Krzyzewski can easily be defended – and SI’s story here lays it out in typically brilliant fashion – but I also wonder if the choice wasn’t at least – in the back of the minds if nothing else – a way to show that, yes, the NCAA has good people leading the teenagers they are charged with growing into women and men.

A solid message and no doubt true.

I  wonder if this was the right avenue to make it.

-

Know who I’m most anxious to see arrive at the Air Canada Centre this week?

No, not the dopey UFC thugs who’ll take over the arena on the weekend and make my life a tad more difficult in trying to get to and fro the start of training camp.

Amir Johnson.

When last we saw the young lad, he was off to relax for a month or so in the summer before having the necessary surgery on the ankle that troubled him most of last season.

I mentioned back then that there were people high up in the HOTH organization who were a tad miffed that he waited to have it done; he wouldn’t have been ready for the start of training camp had it begun on time.

Those same people, who haven’t had a chance to check in with him officially since July 1, wonder what kind of shape he’s in, how he came through his rehab and of all the players, he’s the one causing the most private discussion.

He could come back the same old guy, all bouncy and quick and ready to go.

Or he could not.

Might make for some interesting times around the end of the week for a team that, right now, would be counting on Johnson to play a rather substantial frontcourt role.

-

Hey, the Leaves won.

Just thought I’d mention them here today because, well, just because yesterday was such a big hit.

-

You don’t think I work hard?

Ace Photog Lucas Oleniuk proves that I do.

-

A wee note on the angst of some yesterday that I’d dare talk pucks, or anything else in this little space.

As perhaps I’ve mentioned before, they would like me to branch out a wee bit, to keep up with the silly music and movie and sitcom and cop drama stuff and kind of weigh in the story of the day every now and then.

And I like it, so I will.

But there’s going to be all the Raptors stuff you want, as much of the NBA stuff you want, some Europe some other stuff.

That’s just the way it’s going to be and if ticks some of you off? Well, I guess that’s too bad.

-

Speaking of the Raptors, you saw this, right, about James Johnson and Metta World Peace?

Well, the only other interesting thing to come out of the gym yesterday was Solomon Alabi was one of the four guys who worked out in the morning (Jerryd Bayless was planning on coming back at night) and it’s going to be interesting to see where he fits.

He’s one of only four bigs on the roster right now, there are high-ranking people in the organization who swear his talents have increased incredibly and maybe he finds himself in the mix.

Or maybe not.

Look, Solo may have vastly improved – to the point where coaches aren’t worried about him scrimmaging in practice lest he hurt someone like they were last season – but I think they need another veteran big, and should basically rely on three anyway so I’m not sure anyone needs count on the second-year guy too much.

Sure, when the stupid schedule piles up five games in six nights, or when someone inevitably gets injured, it’d be nice if they could feel confident in throwing him out there but in the perfect scenario, he watches and learns and gets maybe a couple of minutes a night.

Good kid, though. He spent a lot of the summer back in Florida working with his college coaches, and former NBA coach Leonard Hamilton, and recognizes what he’s got to work on.

“I worked on everything, worked on my defence and to avoid getting fouls, running up and down the floor, rebounding, getting my legs stronger and try to gain more weight.”

-

Okay, just when you thought idiocy knows no bounds, how about this dope.

Some goofy weatherman at some TV station declares – get this! – that if the Indianapolis Colts lost he’d wear his wife’s Colts gear – a wardrobe that consists only of panties.

Now, I understand goofiness in the TV weather business, and I know all about silly broadcasters making silly claims that usually end up biting them in the butt but this guy? This guy is the most foolish ever.

Even 8-Ball knew the Colts would lose.

-

Enough Raptors for you?

Just wait, we get the schedule tonight (bet on a Dec. 26 opener at Cleveland, a Dec. 28 home opener since the ACC’s booked for basketball that night) and we’ll have all kinds of stuff on it tomorrow.

-

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Peter]

That really is a great picture of you and Jose. If that wasn't commonplace for your life, it'd be framed and on your rec room wall. Two men very comfortable, and happy to be back to work! Each with the tools of their trade in their hands. Awesome shot.

Blogger's note: It's not that commonplace and it'll find a spot on a wall somewhere here, I'm sure

[deanor]

Say it like it is,

Pat Summit got the award, not for anything she accomplished this year, but rather because she is sick, and has an illness that will not allow her to remain in her position much longer. She is a legend in coaching, as is Coach K who broke the record this year. IF she had not been diagnosed, Coach K alone would have gotten the accolade IF the decision had been made that his accomplishment in sports this year was truly the best. It wasn't. But Summit gets some love while she is still well, and hopefully her descent into this illness will be private and media will show respect.

Peace

Deanor