Golf needs something and OKC has something to prove

Another in our series of relatively unrelated notes because, well, partly because there was too much going on over the weekend and partly because not one thing truly stood out.

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Is this just a changing of the times or what?

I used to consider myself a pretty big golf fan; I knew most of the key players, knew who was going well and who was scuffling and looked at least once a day Thursday through Sunday to see who was winning whatever tournament was on.

And majors? I’d be in pools and conversations about them and would be sure to be near a TV when it came back-nine-on-Sunday time.

Now?

Now they have The Players – great tournament, tries to hard to be The Fifth Major – and the only reason I know who won is that I clicked up one station at the end of the Heat-Pacers and watched – and it was more like white noise, actually – the final three holes.

Why?

I can’t figure it out and judging by conversations I have, I’m not alone.

It is the absence of Tiger, who evokes passion on both sides of the ledger?

Is it because these guys are simply too good and it’s boring to see fairway-green-birdie chance?

Is it because these guys are, for, the most part, horribly bland? Everyone’s a good guy, lots of smiling urchins and adoring wives waiting for the winner at the 18th green. Everyone had “a good day” even if it included three bogeys and a fifth place finish; there are “lots of positives” they can take away from whatever they’ve done.

Sports – and, yes, I see golf as a sport – is at its heart conflict-based. It’s my team against your team, me against you, there should be a clearcut winner and a loser.

You don’t get that in golf, unlike any other sport. Everyone seems relatively happy, there are no black hats, there are seldom any built-in human dramas that make the games we watch so often so compelling.

Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you still love the game played at the highest levels by the best practitioners of their craft in the world.

Me? I want to either cheer for Tiger or cheer against him, I want man-to-man competition, I want some drama that unfolds in front of my eyes, not some competition that unfolds kilometers apart, with one guy not knowing what the other guy is doing.

Sure, I’ll back – I love The Open championship for the conditions they have to fight; I love the U.S. Open because it reduces many great players to mortals and that’s enough of a narrative to draw me in.

Week-to-week? I don’t get it any more.

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As more than a few people pointed out in various locations, Heaven’s band got a little bit stronger on the weekend and, man, do I wish I were in Memphis to hear some music on the weekend.

Would have been all kinds of tributes to Duck Dunn; great with The Blue Brothers, great on almost everything he did.

Like this ..

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I know there are those among you dying for some Raptors news.

Sorry.

But …

Giorgos Printezis hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as Olympiacos beat CSKA to win the EuroLeague Final Four on Sunday in Istanbul.

Oh, wait. Printezis is no longer Raptors property so I guess that doesn’t count.

Never mind. Carry on.

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So the L.A. Clippers move on to the second round of the playoffs, just the second time they’ve ever done that, with the Game 7 win in Memphis on Sunday.

One thing struck me as the game was unfolding; well, two actually.

The first: Can’t anyone here make a shot????? Really, that was some simply atrocious offence from start to finish. Now, I know collars get a bit tight and defence gets a bit more aggressive in deciding games of playoff series but, man, watching that game unfold was almost retina-burning and having watched the HOTH for 17 years, I’m one of the world’s leading authorities in retina-burning offensive basketball. I’m all for seventh games, there’s nothing like it in sport, but they need to be played at some higher level than that mess Sunday afternoon.

The second: I picked the Spurs in five, they’ll probably win in four and should win in three.

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Okay, advice time.

There’s a whisper around Casa Doug about the need for new deck furniture. Deck’s about 1,000 square feet, has a 40-year-old maple rising up through it, a couple of nice benches for relaxing and, thanks to some Irregulars, a big ass Napolean barbecue that wintered well and did a great job on the burgers, chicken and sausage yesterday afternoon.

Now, what do you have for me in the way of furniture sets?

Thanks.

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In all the years I’ve been going to games in Oklahoma City – and it goes back to when New Orleans moved up there post-Katrina – the crowd has been almost as much the story as the team.

Great people, unfailingly polite, entirely supportive, quite collegiate and far more interested in cheering their team on than worrying about what the other team does. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a boo.

That said, it will be interesting to see how they react tonight to Metta World Peace, who faces the Thunder for the first time since his thuggish attack on James Harden.

World Peace, because he’ll never quite get it, shows no contrition and, in fact, exacerbated the situation on the weekend by telling anyone who’d listen that he’s not sorry, he won’t shake Harden’s hand and then going off on some diatribe about Brooklyn or somesuch and his music. Yawn.

Anyway, I have a feeling there will be – and should be – a large measure of animosity among the faithful towards him. Not that it’ll matter, World Peace seems quite happy to play the villain, but the reaction of a normally happy-go-lucky audience will be something to see.

So, too, will the reaction of the Thunder players. I’ve often wondered about how tough that team was up and down the roster, we know Kendrick Perkins can be a hard-ass and I’m all right with that, I want to see Durant and Harden and Westbrook and the rest of them have that physical edge and determination that comes with a pure dislike of the players they are going against.

I do think the Thunder will win the series – they are simply more talented and they match up well with the Lakers – but tonight might be about sending a message.

It’ll be fun to see what it is.

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Comments

[Peter]

Putting aside our biases towards Metta and his history, I have general NBA question, but would like to use that situation as an example. Are teams required to disclose medical evidence to the league in situations like the Metta elbow to the head of James Harden? We all know there's gamesmanship going on around this time of year, and seeing a guy like Sidney Crosby out for months and months with a concussion, and seeing James Harden bounce back very quickly (and in top form) from his concussion, I'm just wondering if it's possible for a team to exaggerate symptoms of an injury while waiting for the judgement to come down on the opposing player. I'm not saying that happened here, but just curious if that is something that could happen in the NBA today?

Blogger's note: There is a league-mandated concussion protocol; teams have to share that information with the league, not other teams

[sam]

Ron Artest is a bit of a troubled soul. I imagine he just wants to be respected and liked for his talents. What he does on the court and during interviews leads me to believe he hasn't quite found his place. A talented player, with a knack of saying and doing the wrong thing.

Wall to wall coverage of Tiger was part of the reason I stopped watching golf -
He still commands a great deal of airtime for someone searching to regain his past dominance.

[David in Oakville]

RIP DUCK! Dunn and Cropper, the ultimate "glue guys". I am happy that Otis has a solid bass line now when he does RESPECT!

I agree, WORLD PEACE is a piece of work but the Lakers need his heart, troubled as it is. It should be interesting tonight.

Harden on the other hand seems like a class act.. I think he has a big night and I am thinking Perkins has a hard foul on World Peace if MWP should be so foolish as to drive the basket.

If I was Mike Brown, I might sit MWP to start the game and when he first comes into the game (assuming Perkins is on the floor), draw up a play to have MWP drive the basket to get the foul out of the way. If MWP is a man he takes it because he knows he deserves it. If he is the clown we all fear he is... foolishness ensues.

[David in Oakville]

Oh I forgot to say, thanks for the laugh Doug. That fight scene between Bob Barker and Happy Gilmore is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I hated Sandler until I was forced to watch Happy Gilmore on a flight back from Frankfurt seated next to two English guys who were knocking back G&T's like the plane was carrying the world's remaining supply of Beefeaters. Surprisingly they didn't laugh much... too focused on the free booze I suppose. I think they thought I was a loon because I was in tears for the better part of two hours watching the "golf ball wacking guy" hahaha.

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

I'm looking forward to round two. Pacers-Heat was a good game yesterday, and Lakers-Thunder should be a doozy of a series. Any plans for a IGBT this round?

Thanks,

Blogger's note: In office today to go over things just like that

Tim

[Ren]

I know he is coming off of back surgery, but you have mentioned your like of Rudy Fernandez in Denver. Knowing the Raps are looking for a shooter - would he be on the radar, do you think?

Blogger's note: If he wants to stay in the NBA -- no sure thing -- there might be marginal interest.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
Just wondering if the playoff schedule – starting round two games before round ones have finished – is designed to stay in keeping with the shortened season and prevent any teams from, godforbid, getting an extra day of rest (and therefore perhaps an edge), or has it always been like that?
I think it's the cult of personality – compounded by the glut in overall televised sports coverage that includes cramming major playoff tilts into dead-of-night time slots – that maybe has killed your interest in golf. The coming and going of new faces and stories has to be the same today as it was 10, 20, 40 years ago, right? But the Cult of Tiger kind of spoiled a whole lot of those faces and stories for a little too long. Don't get me wrong – I think Tiger was great for the sport; he literally raised the bar for everybody. But the smarmy coverage of Tiger was not good for golf (or any other sport, or topic, period).
The other thing about the nature of golf is that, no matter how many golfers are out there "competing" – the real competition isn't mano a mano – it's with yourself. Not one move made, or thought through, in golf has (or should have) one thing to do with anything other than your own unique "lie" and what you can do with it, given the clubs in your bag and your (sole) ability to use them. There is no such thing in golf as "direct" competition. Everyone takes turns! Doing one thing, and one thing only, at a time! In that way, it's like darts or bowling or archery – not one move you make gets in the way of or has any bearing on any moves or plays made by any other players.
I used to refuse to call golf a "sport" – to me, it was a game ("sports" implied physical exertion to me). These days, nine holes is a freaking marathon...
Cheers. Go Thunder.

[Phil A]

I'm not as sure as you are about the Spurs dominating their matchup against the Clippers. People should never sleep on Chris Paul because he possesses the ability to take over and win games on his own. That's how talented he is. With that being said, I think this series goes to 6 or 7 games in favour of the Spurs just because the Clippers are dealing with injuries.

[Rob.V]

Troubled soul-piece of work. You guys are being too politically correct with Ron Artest.
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The guy is an idiot!!... who can play D.
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I really, REALLY hope they Lakers lose in 4 and both Harden and Durant take turns lighting him up for 40!.

[john]

Hey Doug, what your thoughts on CB4 going down? Those injuries are very hard to diagnose for pain severity.

Do you think it will make much of a difference in the series? Will the Heat still prevail?

Blogger's note: It will make it harder but Heat still win this series, I think

[Marius]

any truth in this story about the Raptors pursuing Lin?
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19043066/report-raptors-to-pursue-jeremy-lin

Blogger's note: Well, since nothing can happen until July 1 and the Knicks have said they will bring Lin back, I'm not doing silly conjecture. So, yes. Or no.

[Peter]

From Marius' comment at 2:14 pm, the article states this: "Since his (Lin's) emergence came in a Knicks' jersey, he has a unique value to New York, who also have the ability to capitalize better on Lin's popularity because of their market." Clearly the author doesn't understand the GTA Asian community. I'd say Toronto is one place that he can go that could match or even beat NY's ability to market him. Maybe not with the same ridiculous hype, but certainly the off the court dollars would flow quite nicely for a Jeremy Lin in the Toronto market. At least in Toronto, he'd be allowed to fail. In NY, when you rise quickly, you can fall quickly!

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Well, you don't HAVE to get all new patio furniture for the Inaugural Irregular Bun-Toss and BBQ, but we sure do appreciate it! Sounds like you've got a nice big one there, so you should be able to create a splendid Outdoor Living Room (to call this exterior part of your home a 'deck' is oh-so-passe) with a seating area as well as a dining area. And the seating area should have deep-seating resin-wicker type furniture, an area rug or two, coffee tables, lamps, lots of flowers and planters, movable fabric dividers - unless that tree is square in the middle, some waterproof art (Yes, art!), one of those outdoor TV's that resists all types of weather. Oh, and a wireless sound system. 'Cause you know how much we Irregulars love our music. Sounds like you've got the Napoleon well in hand, but how about an outdoor bar? So, put me down for the buns - think we can trust D-Mac, doug, LeeZ, Rob V, the Tims, Peters, J's and sam's et al to remember the beer? Couple of cases each, do you think? So, thanks, Doug! It's really wonderful of you to host this. And we'll leave by midnight - unless we're having fun, that is! Cheers!

[Lorie]

Oops! How could I forget Sportschick? Can we put you down for a few dozen of those Two-Bite Brownies?!

[saatuk]

I love The Open championship for the conditions they have to fight;

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Sorry for being late - I just got home. I spent my life watching the British Open. I say 'take this The Open championship' and shove it, USA networks.

Blogger's note: It's not, and never has been and never will be, the "British" Open

[doug]

I think Artest is a sham, he knows it, his teammates know it, his coaches know it (okay maybe Mike Brown hasn't picked it up yet) and I mean it in a good way that he is a sham, he knows what he is and that is one crazy mother, who is competitive as all get out, is tough, and I mean streetwise tough, has his teammates backs, he intimidates and this whole not shaking the hand is part of that, and it works, look what were talking about and look at what that series will be.......I use to love watching golf but it wasn't Tiger that ruined it for me it was the media and how it was all Tiger all the time to the inclusion of all other golfers, and to the point that if Tiger wasn't in a tourney then it meant little to all concerned so why bother, plus the unfettered fawning of Tiger from announcers was puke rendering quite frankly...golf for me was ruined as a spectator sport except for the Open I love the BBC feed now that's announcing....ok as for patio furniture there is a store in the Beaches that has beautiful hand-crafted teak , lasts has character, durable, and has warmth (I should be a salesman) it does look good, plus there is benches, rockers everything not the WalMart everyday look ....ok cheers....and Lori I definitely would remember the beer, my memory is fading but beer and patios go hand in hand that I will remember until i take my last breath, hopefully on a patio with a beer in my hand...cheers...

[RON MORISSEY]

Doug: re: the "blandness" of golf today, Yes, I agree tour golf is bland compared to other high-powered sports. Consider the outragious behavior of NBA players, the concusion epidemic in the NHL and the bounty hunting of the New Orleans Saints. Nothing bland here, but would you want your son playing in any of these professional leagues?

However, nothing bland about the self-taught prodigious length with a pink-headed driver of Bubba Watson; the self-destructiveness of a John Daley who commands a large gallery if he is ten under or over: the genuine report that Phil Mickelson has with fans everywhere; the outlandish outfits of Ian Poulter and Rickie Fowler; the seemingly endless waggles of Kevin Na as he overthinks his shots; the highly publicized romance of Rory McElroy and Caroline Wasniacki the former number one ranked player on the WTA tour; the belly putter successes and controversies and, of course, the medieval morality play that is Tiger Woods both on and off the course.

Surely, blandness is in the eye of the beholder.

RSM

[Peter]

@Lorie... I thought we were all meeting at Boston Pizza first, and then going to Casa Doug for the after party? Do I still have to bring beer? 'Cause I don't drink. I know, I know, my irregular status is provisional on being the DD of the group! (We really need to make this happen... maybe without the after party at Casa Doug... Super Son probably wouldn't enjoy cleaning up after us!)

[Jeff S]

Not sure you are a member but Costco usually has some great outdoor furniture and the combination of value and prices cannot be beat.