A return to greatness, a great dunk and a great one is gone

Not sure there’ve been too many athletes of the last decade or so who have been as polarizing as Tiger Woods.

It has been my experience that there are almost as many people out there who would like him to see him fail as would like to see him dominate; he became his own worst enemy, and turned even more people off, with the personal problems that became so public.

Yes, he can be a tad standoffish, closed and cold with the public and the media, there was a sense of entitlement that the enablers who surrounded him created that certainly didn’t make him a cuddly icon for all sports fans to embrace.

You can argue that because of that rather prickly nature and because of the cocoon that he lived in – build by those make oodles of money off him, actually – made him what he was: One of the truly dominant athletes of this era.

Fans, lots of fans, simply didn’t like him, even after that one-legged U.S. Open triumph over the People’s Choice Rocco Mediate in what was one of the most compelling individual performances I can recall.

But you can never, or should never, doubt his abilities, even in the face of injury and personal strife that looked like it was going to derail one of the greatest careers in the game of golf.

(We can debate where he fits among the Jacks and Hogans another day).

Watching him storm to a significant win on Sunday afternoon, even if the attention was divided between the golf and some basketball, was to see him almost back to where he was. Red shirt, fist pumping, putts going in from everywhere.

It was a Tiger performance and regardless of what you think of him, it was impressive and will, I’m sure, have even the most casual fans tuned in once the Masters kicks off.

-

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to sit alongside Mr. McCown as a weekly co-host on the good show on the FAN590 or whatever the call the station now.

But when I did, I always hoped there’d be a time during the week when we got to talk to Bert Randolph Sugar, one of the all-time great boxing guys.

He was an historian, a writer, a raconteur and just generally an entertaining fellow, a guy who could spin a yarn with the best of ‘em.

Not sure what it is, but that sport seems to provide us with all kinds of characters, some genuine, some just shady enough to be interesting, all with stories to tell.

Bert was one of the best, I first heard of him way back in his Boxing Illustrated days in the 70s, and he passed away Sunday at 75 after a long battle with lung cancer.

I’m not sure how many, if any, of you would have come across him in your travels, or if anyone out there even pays attention to boxing any more, but Bert was a guy with a giant personality in a game that used to be filled with them.

Wherever he is today, I bet he’s making people laugh.

-

Right, the Raptors.

Quiet day Sunday – they had some high falutin’ buntoss with the other MLSE dudes last night – but I know they were feeling quite good about themselves.

As well they should have been.

All season long, it’s been the work ethic of this team that’s been impressive, the way Dwane Casey can coax solid performances and good defence out of a team that wavers between beaten up and over-matched most nights.

Those games Friday and Saturday might have been the most back-to-back outings of the season for one huge reason:

They did not give in. At any level.

They didn’t fold against the Knicks down the stretch and never took a step backwards.

They didn’t flinch against the Bulls despite missing two key pieces, playing their fourth game in five nights and meeting a very good rested team at home.

If this season was about discovery, and developing a style and an attitude, I think we saw over the weekend that the journey is well underway. Now it’s on general manager Bryan Colangelo to beef up the talent and it remains on Casey to keep doing the excellent job that he has.

There is – at times – lots of promise. Whether it goes unfulfilled is the question.

-

I haven’t looked all that closely because I don’t have to write a few grafs until later but I’m pretty sure the Bracket Embarrassment will be at an all-time high.

-

Speaking of American college sports, we all know the neon Baylor Bears men’s team was an outstanding story until they ran into Kentucky on Sunday and it was cool that Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III was in the stands to watch them.

But the most impressive Baylor athlete, and perhaps the most impressive Baylor athletic feat, was Brittney Griner with this highlight reel play.

I know at some point a woman basketball player dunking will be somewhat the norm simply because the game and the athletes are evolving so quickly and so impressively. But we’re not there yet and plays like Griner’s are somewhat eye-opening.

-

One of the good nights of my basketball season came a couple of weeks ago when I finally got down to London to see an NBL Canada playoff game.

Loud. Family filled. Fun. Good, intense competition.

I can only imagine what it was like Sunday afternoon when the Lightning won the league’s inaugural title in Game 5 over the Halifax Rainmen.

You know my long-held opinion of that league: They did a bang-up job in their first year, the calibre of play was excellent, the connection between franchises and their fans was great and there were no true calamities.

It is a credit to the seven ownership groups and commissioner John Kennedy that Year 1 was such a hit.

But now the hard work begins. Now is the time to get to work on next year, to see if they can maybe add a couple of teams in Ontario – I’d suggest either Kitchener or Windsor or Ottawa or Kingston would make the most sense – and to put in place the regional and local sponsorship deals that will solidify the existing franchises.

Oshawa’s an area where they have to get to work, they got a late start last season and it showed in that hockey-mad town, and since the strength of the league is only as good as its weakest link, I’d expect a concentration of effort out there.

It was an excellent year – I know people in all the league cities would probably agree – but it’s not time to rest on any laurels.

Good luck.

-

Five games, nine days, all at home. Game, day off, game, day off, lather, rinse repeat.

What’s a guy to do with all that idle time?

Guess I’ll find out – and sure there will be stuff to fill the off-days, but it’s going to be a very nice stretch.

And, yes, an IGBT for each of ‘em, starting with tonight and the Magic around 7. See you then.

-

 

 

Comments

[Alan C.]

@Lorie and you other Lightning fans: congratulations on a great season capped by the championship. But I am most impressed by the great support the team received by those of you from around London. Hopefully, some day, Oshawa will pull up their socks and give you a go in the playoffs.

[Ted S.]

Totally agree on the future of womens' basketball. Very impressive stuff. An unquestionable talent. I'd love to see the reaction of male basketball players from 50 years ago, if Brittney Griner played back in the day. In a generation or two, women will be routinely playing at or above the rim.

[Pipit]

If you’re a career 76% in the free throw line and missed 2 crucial free throws in the dying minutes of a game it thus concludes that you’re extremely nervous and scared as hell. Forbes doesn't belong to stay in the floor on closing time until the time he overcomes his fear. You've reach the NBA and can't even make one taking two uncontested 15 ft shots.

Blogger's note: Wow. That's a bit over the top. You rip everyone so mercilessly? That's cold. Oh and 1,000 per cent dead wrong but what's that, right?

[sam]

The coverage of Tiger's career has been so far over the top, that it made watching golf difficult for me at times. He'd be off the leader board on the final round of a tour stop but the camera would be right beside him. You almost knew that behind that immense talent was a dark side.

Good solid effort by the HOTH on SAturday night. Hope the healthy bodies can muster up the same type of energy tonight.

[Sharkey]

Doug did you ever get the chance to speak to Bert when you were co-hosting with McCown?

Blogger's note: Couple of times, but more than a year ago as I recall

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Raps are playing hard. Great to see. I may have to retract my thinking from the other day that "they're not suddenly going to start learning how to win at this point." Maybe they will, and maybe they won't need to rely on a proven veteran to lead the way. They're obviously learning a few things from a good coaching crew, and next year, hey, they're all young veterans... they'll just need to add the "proven" part as they go – showing they can string 3 or 4 or 5 W's together in November and December would be a good start.
Anyone ready to watch some baseball?
Cheers. Go Jay/Raps!

[Lorie]

@Alan C: Thank you; and I look forward to "The 401 Finals", too! And Doug, if you want to imagine what yesterday at the JLC was like, well, think back to that game you attended two weeks ago, and just double everything: the number of fans in the stands, the sound in the arena, the enthusiasm, the excitement, the anticipation. I hear there were even twice as many cookies at The Scorers' Table. It was a really grand event. And one that those of us lucky enough to attend (the game was a sellout: there were over 5,100 in attendance and many in line for tickets were sadly turned away) will long remember. And look forward to repeatint next March! Cheers, and thanks for your support here of the NBL. Now, Go Raps!

[Steve]

@Pipit You'll notice that nobody in the NBA has a FT shooting percentage of 100, and the highest are around 90. News just in that is because all NBA players miss some free throws, not surprisingly they tend to miss them when the pressure is higher.

I assume if it's a close game tonight you will be yelling at Stan Van Gundy to take Howard off because he couldn't hit the side of a barn from the FT line despite being an all star?

[Geoff]

Well said Steve. And @Pipit your almost venomous opinion of anyone who makes a mistake gets really tiresome. Yours are the kinds of comments that I just don't want to read.
Hving said that....of course I was disappointed to lose the game that way, but in basketball the final outcome is made of a series of many many plays, not all of which work out. Not just the final seconds.
Keep up the hard work Raps!

[Steve]

I'm not saying I wasn't disappointed to lose that way either but reality is that in a 1pt game like that there are so many moments like that where we could have, should have would have. Forbes is the most visible face of the loss because he missed those 2 FTs and a lot of fans need someone to "blame". But you also have Bargnani going 4-18 from the field, nobody boxing out Deng, and no doubt many other moments where the game could have been won or lost.

Ultimately they put in a great effort in a game I doubt many people expected to even be close. Hopefully they can keep that toughness for tonight with the Magic despite the injury issues.

[m]

Why do we have to read these ignorant comments by this pipit character? Can you put a warning on his posts so I can avoid them or even better, ban him.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

I thought I remember that, after one of his more idiotic comments, you told pipit he was 'gone.' Did I misremember? If so, could you please not post any more of his comments? All he does is distract the Irregulars who come here to read not only a great blog, but, ofttimes, a number of well thought-out, informed comments.

If you use his comments as an example of what you have to go through, as Irregulars, we are well aware of that. And, if from time to time, you want to remind us, pick another person whose comments add nothing to the mix, and post that comment - AFTER you have banned him/her!

Thanks!

[Nick]

Hey Doug,
I totally agree that as female athletes evolve we should see more women getting above the rim, but I wouldn't go as far as to call what Brittney Griner did exceptional. She has the same height and wing span as LeBron James and she's a division 1 athlete; it'd be a joke if she couldn't get up above the rim.
Dunks make the highlight reel but the most impressive Baylor athletic feat of the last week was without question Heslip's 9 3's against Colorado last Saturday. Man or woman thats impressive and more so that it came in a tournament game.

[Rob.V]

Pipit (nor most anyone) should ever be banned from the blog.
_
I dont agree with his point however its no different than someone yelling out "you suck" at a game. I think when words are read they appear stronger than if they were just heard.
-
Banning someone from voicing an opinion (whether you agree or not) is not cool.
_
So I'm typing from a stool at Lefty O'douls in San Fran (which I believe shiek had recommended- thank you). Does this make me an irregular grunt?
-
I take it by the 8 million Baseball pictures on the walls here that he played in the league?.
-
Anyway, I will have a full west coast review for everyone at some point (not that you care-however you're going to get it anyway). Lol!
-
I will say this though...someone should have told me its freakin COLD in California. I had to go buy a coat, so much for my shorts and sandals (rookie mistake).
-
But hey, please don't tell Pipit. Rookie mistakes will cost you in Mr. Perfect's world over there.

Blogger's note: You need to find Tomasso's for dinner some night (it's outstanding and an old haunt of PJ Carlesimo, among others) and stop by the Buena Vista Cafe and if there's a bartender working who can talk to you about Jermaine O'Neal, tell him Jack Armstrong and I say hello

[doug]

you know in watching this NCAA tourney it has become clear that there is indeed depth in this years draft...which raises a interesting discussion for the Raps, as Eric Koreen discusses here in a article that talks about some of the higher seeded players and how they would fit into the Raps...I disagree on Barnes being a good fit for the Raps unless they move DD which I wouldn't do, obviously Davis is a no-brainer, then Gilchrist fits in well with the Raps and then Sullinger to me are the top 3 Raps picks with Robinson being the 4th...but lets say we get a 7th overall pick, those guys will in all likelihood be gone and we don't need any centers and the guard crop is weak...so I can see the Raps trading down, as to get McAdoo with a late 1st round pick would be a complete steal as he is in my opinion the best North Carolina player he is way under-valued or even a Rivers ...those type of players would meet our needs, as well as by trading down we'd get other assets...so this years draft will be extremely interesting not only as b-ball fan but from a Raptors perspective...

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/03/23/north-carolinas-barnes-may-be-good-fit-for-raptors/

[m]

Re: Rob V's comments about pipit. I don't think that insults are opinions and that guy is usually just insulting poeple. And the guy yelling you suck at a game is a jerk too.

[john]

HA! Pipit, you are too much. Such overreaction on a play at the end of a game that really means nothing. If anything he may have unwittingly added a ping pong ball or two.

@post Doug, I am curious why you would want a smooth outside shooting 3 only if you traded a driving 2 that would benefit greatly from more spacing that the 3 would create? For the other picks, I take it your methodology is that you take the best player in the draft cause three of your picks are power forwards and centres. Those two spots (center and PF) are the ones that the lowly raps are considered to have depth at with AB, JV, ED and AJ so one of them would have to be shipped out for sure to make a spot in the rotation. Unless you want to pay someone $4M a year to play 15 minutes a game? Not saying your picks are crazy, just wondering on the process…

[sam]

Pipit's responses are typical fare on another Blog I've read once or twice.

Forbes has had a pretty good run since the Barbosa trade, so I'm not sure his criticism is warranted. Against the Bulls, Dwayne Casey's options at guard were limited with only Forbes, and Jose at the ready. So who else could he have turned to. Marcus Banks?

[doug]

@John yea good response...fist off I don't look at Davis,Sullinger or Gilchrist as being true NBA centers, and they could easily play alongside JV, Bargs..also Wolstat says it better then I could (see below) in regards to Barnes, I think Roy Williams did a poor coaching job with NC, as he bought into all the Barnes hype and the kid is just not that good a player, ok he is good just not the player many think....he plays in a offense that is a pro-set up tempo offense and he has a hard time creating his own shots and also just goes absent for too long, McAdoo is the real deal and in fact he has moved up the most on many draft boards to as high as 6th from being a late first rounder to early 2nd rounder...Williams under-utilized him as the kid can play on both ends of the court, inside and out, can shoot the 3 ball, rebound, play tough defence, he is the steal of the draft in my humble opinion, but many others are now also seeing his worth...plus you have to upgrade, any of those 4 guys mentioned would make Amir expendable and have Ed coming off the bench, where he is best suited ...also Casey wants the Raps to get tougher,, to me you can't have both Barnes and DD and achieve that goal, ..a front-line of Barg's,JV and any of those other 4 would be a great unit to build on...

http://blogs.canoe.ca/courtside/general/knicks-at-raptors-points-per-game-why-harrison-barnes-shouldnt-be-a-raptor/

[Penguin]

I've never been a big boxing fan, but I nevertheless always enjoyed listening to Mr. Sugar when he was on Bobcast's show. He'll be sorely missed. As informative as he was entertaining.