Bleacher Report - Articles by Emmett Corboy

Ticky-Tacky Calls Make It Hard to Watch the NBA

Emmett Corboy — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:53:54 -0400

In watching the NBA Conference finals, I cannot help but become more and more frustrated with the officiating. The flagrants, the technicals, and the ticky-tacky calls have done all they can to keep me from watching. Fortunately for the NBA, my fan hood, and the lack of any other solid programming, has kept me tuning in night after night.

Let's begin with last night's game four of the Eastern Conference finals.

The foul called on Mickael Pietrus while he was guarding LeBron in the final seconds of the game was nothing more than the NBA wanting to see the best players in the finals, not the best teams. If this is just about who is the best player, why don't we just turn the whole thing into a trickshot competition.... I'll get the Globtrotters on the horn.

If you are going to call the foul on Pietrus, then how can you not call the foul on Andy Varejao on the next play. Personally, I don't think either should be called. Both players played excellent defense. LeBron fell so he got the call. Dwight stood his ground and was rewarded with...well nothing.

Not only are bad calls being made, the refs are simply calling way too many fouls.

Clearly the refs are not subscribing to the old adage "let the boys play." The number of fouls called has increased from 33 personals in game one to 50 personals in game four of the East. I understand that players are going to be more physical as the series goes on, but how can the foul discrepancy be so large?

Calling 50 fouls almost makes the game unbearable. It seems like there is a foul called on every play in the fourth quarter. There is no rhythm or consistency to the game.

The technical-foul calling has been extremely oversensitive. Last night's technical call on Howard for "taunting" Andy was completely unwarranted. Howard completed an and-one and pumped his fist in no particular direction. By calling that a technical, the NBA is telling their players and the kids who look up to them to never be happy with their accomplishments.

I thought this was competitive basketball. In the heat of the moment, players are going to show some emotion. That does not constitute it as taunting.

Even if it did, why do we all have to subject to this liberal point of view where we cannot hurt anybody's feelings anyway? Why are teams and players not allowed to humiliate their competition? In Roman times, not only did they humiliate them, they made sure they did not leave the arena alive. In comparison, I see nothing wrong with a little fist pump after a key play.

Today, Howard's technical was rescinded, but it still turned the game and gave the Cavs all the momentum. Magic were able to bounce back, but what if they could not? Would the NBA have given them the game? I think not. Refs need to hold their whistles. They are hurting the game.

Add Another Ex-Con to the List for the Cowboys

Emmett Corboy — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:47:56 -0400

Michael Irvin, Nate Newton, and Erik Williams: three of the most illustrious Cowboys ever to be arrested. It's now time for them to move over—squeeze somebody else onto the list.

Jeffrey Lawrence Galland.

While he never suited up for the 'Boys, ex-convict Galland was a consultant who helped Dallas when they upgraded their practice facilities last year. The same practice facility that collapsed earlier this summer, leaving 12 injured and one paralyzed.

Galland was released from federal prison in 2000 after serving a four-and-a-half year sentence. Galland pleaded guilty to charges of using a firearm during a violent crime, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. He was also arrested in 1994 and was convicted of burglary.

My question is: does Jerry Jones even know the meaning of a background check? I know that convicts deserve a second chance, but before hiring anybody, you should check their references and qualifications.

Galland's résumé falsified information about his education. The résumé said he had earned a BS in Physics from Washington University, but he has not. It also said he had taken classes toward a master's in structural engineering at UNLV, but he has not.

Jones and the Cowboys need to take a little more time and put a little more effort into deciding who they hire. It is possible that the hiring of Galland cost one man to lose the ability to walk for the rest of his life.

What LeBron James Proved in One Second

Emmett Corboy — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:44:01 -0400

May 22, 2009. LeBron James hit the shot to keep the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Names for the shot are still trying to be thought up. Contestants are “the defibrillator,” “the shot heard ‘round the world” (boo), and as LeBron put it “the greatest shot I have ever made.” My personal favorite was offered up by ESPNs Jay Harris. “An L-Bomb. From L-Bron.”

No matter which name you prefer, the fact is that there was one thing and one thing only LeBron was out to prove when he released from 30 feet away with just one second on the clock: He is better than Hedo Turkoglu.

And finally did prove that. I know some of you may not be ready to take the step, but let’s face it people, LeBron has surpassed Hedo in all facets of the game.

Turkey scored 21 on 9-17 from the field. Pretty good numbers that have been good enough for most to say that he is better than LeBron. Until Game Two when LeBron tallied 35 points.

Hedo hit a shot that looked like it won the game for the Magic leaving just one second left on the clock. The Cleveland crowd went silent. The Magic bench went crazy. Until LeBron hit “the shot.”

The greatest reason that the shot put to rest all “Hedo or LeBron” arguments is because LeBron made it over Hedo. Not Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee, Skip to My Lou, or JJ Redick, but the man so many have said is better than him, Hedo Turkoglu.

Turkey made his shot over Sasha Pavlovic...yawn. Sasha, at 6’8” is shorter than the 6’11” Hedo. LeBron gives up three solid inches to the man who had a hand in his face when he shot. Hedo gets three.

It’s time we can finally put to rest the argument. LeBron is better than Hedo. Now, are the Magic better than the Cavs?

http://resultsinconclusive.blogspot.com/

Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers Head to Denver For Game 3

Emmett Corboy — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:48:18 -0400

The Nuggets and Lakers will head to Denver for Game 3 tonight with the series tied up at one game apiece.

Thursday night's game two was one of the best of this postseason. Melo lead the Nuggs to victory with 34 points and nine rebounds.

Kobe did all that he could to lead the Lakers for the first 47 minutes, but when the Lakers were in need of a game-tying shot, the ball went to the halfway washed-up point guard Derek Fisher, instead of last year's MVP. Fisher missed and the Lakers lost their chance to go up two games to none.

The Nuggets are going to come out tonight with fire in their collective belly and determination in their soul. As everybody has been saying, the Nuggs are playing the best basketball out of everybody, and have been throughout the playoffs. That being the fact, the Lakers will need to actually play like they have something to prove, because they do.

Throughout the entire postseason, the Lakers have played like they are already in the NBA Finals. That may work against the Jazz and Rockets, but the Nuggets are for real. The Lakers are going to need to come out ready to fight tonight if they want to win this game.

Here are a few keys to the game for each team.

Nuggets

JR Smith

He was unstoppable in the Mavericks series and so were the Nuggets. For the first two games of the series, Smith has averaged 5.5ppg compared to 16.6 and 16.0 in the Nuggets' first two series.

Stay Big

Nene, K-Mart, and Chris "Birdman" Anderson need to continue their domination of the frontline. The Lakers' bigs have been touted as "soft;" something the Nuggs can easily capitalize on.

While they have been out rebounded in the series, Birdman is making his presence felt blocking 1.5 shots per game and altering many others.

Lakers

Kobe

The former MVP needs to be "Mr. Big Shot" for the Lakers. When the game is on the line, he needs to take over, much like Bron Bron did last night in Cleveland.

If he wants to combat Jerry West's opinion, Kobe needs to step his game up in crunch time.

Prove It

The Lakers were picked at the beginning of the year by many as the team to rep the West in the NBA Finals this year. So far in the playoffs, they have not played like they should be in the Finals.

They snuck by a banged up Rockets team and never put the Jazz away when they had a big lead. They need to play tonight like they are the underdogs, because in many ways, they are.

Baltimore Orioles "Ready" for 2009 Campaign

Emmett Corboy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:37:59 -0400

Baltimore Orioles will remember 2009 as the year of Matt Wieters. The catcher’s long awaited arrival should come in May or June. Many have compared Wieters to Joe Mauer with power, and the team will look to him to provide the team with a boost heading into the midsummer days.

With three Spring Training games remaining, the Orioles are set to enter the regular season with two-fifths of what can make up a successful starting rotation. The team has had a few problems finding the other three starters, however.

Orioles' ace Jeremy Guthrie had a rocky spring that was interrupted by his participation in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA. Through 15 and a third innings this spring, Guthrie went 1-2 with a 10.57 ERA and 14 strikeouts. Guthrie is entering his second season as the team’s ace, after leading the team with ten wins in 2008 with a 3.62 ERA.

The Orioles signed Koji Uehara from Japan this off-season, and he will assume the role of second starter after a successful spring. Adam Eaton, Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez will likely round out the rotation. The O’s will look to lefty Rich Hill to provide a boost when he comes off the 15-day disabled list.

Except for the glaring whole still present at shortstop, the Orioles have to feel good about their offense and fielding. Aubrey Huff put up MVP type numbers a season ago, batting .304 with 32 bombs and 108 RBI.

Brian Roberts has been a top second baseman in the league for the past three years, and can be expected to bat near .300 with more than 35 stolen bases once again.

Right fielder Nick Markakis leads an up-and-coming outfield that will be rounded out by center fielder Adam Jones, and left fielder Felix Pie. The Orioles will need Markakis to hit the ground running and continue to put up All Star number throughout the season if they want to win any games.

Adam Jones is a versatile player who can bat leadoff, second, or lower in the order, depending on how manager Dave Trembley sees the match up. Luke Scott handled the left field duties last season, but will likely DH for most games this year, and let Felix Pie assume the role of the third outfielder.

Veteran third baseman Melvin Mora will need to continue to lead this team in the way he has in the past. Last season he batted .285 with 23 home runs and 104 RBI. The Orioles will need him to put up similar numbers this year, especially if he will be batting fifth.

Last season George Sherrill did an excellent job as closer and will remain as such this year, despite the return of 2007 closer Chris Ray. Ray will be relegated to set-up man. Much of the rest of the bullpen is still wide open.

For the Orioles to have success this year, they need a couple starting pitchers to step up and show they are ready to go out and be dependable every fifth day. Otherwise, the team is looking at a barrage of pitchers moving in and out of the rotation, much like last season.

Virginia Tech Hokies Ready To Avenge Last Year's Snubbing

Emmett Corboy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:13:35 -0500

After being one of the biggest NCAA tournament snubs of the 2007-08 season, Virginia Tech is ready to start a new chapter in Hokie basketball.

Seth Greenberg has been working tirelessly to prepare his team for the season opener Friday against Gardner-Webb; The same team that upset Kentucky early last season.

Senior AD Vasallo will be looking for to leave Virginia Tech after a good season. Vasallo started reaching his peak during the home stretch of last season when Tech was making its last effort to be recognized by the selection committee and get an invite to the NCAA Tournament.

Vasallo averaged 20 points in the three games Tech played in the National Invitational Tournament and was the leading scorer in two of those three games.

Whether he is at the two-guard or running the point, Malcolm Delaney will be the leader of this team both on and off the court. Delaney took this spot last February after Tech suffered its worst loss of the 2007-08 season, a 92-53 drubbing at North Carolina.

Delaney told the media certain players on the team needed to change their attitudes. The Hokies won seven of their remaining 10 games after Delaney's statement.

When Delaney is on the court with fellow sophomore guard Hank Thorns, look for the team to push the tempo more than they have in past years.

The Hokies can go small this year with Thorns, Delaney, AD Vasallo, JT Thompson, and Jeff Allen on the court at the same time. In the typically fast-paced ACC, this will allow Tech to keep up with their opponents' fast breaks.

Virginia Tech will be without forward JT Thompson for the first four to six weeks of the season. Thompson is suffering from an inguinal hernia that will require surgery Friday at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

After a solid freshman year, Thompson will be ready to fill the void left by departing senior Deron Washington as the team's rebounding forward who can stretch the offense and make an occasional mid-range jump shot.

Junior Lewis Witcher and freshman Victor Davila will need to step up in Thompson's absence. The biggest game during Thompson's abscense will come Dec. 1, when Virginia Tech plays host to Wisconsin for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Although Brian Butch is no longer at Wisconsin, the Badgers have a solid core of underclassmen big men ready to step up in his absence.

After starting 32 games last season, sophomore Jeff Allen will need to step up and play the post game he displayed during his freshman campaign. Allen averaged 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game last year. Greenberg will look to Allen to have a similar performance this year.

There are four newcomers to the Virginia Tech team this year: Davila, center Gene Swindle, forward Chris Panneton, and guard Evan Synstad. Davila will likely be the only one of the bunch to get any significant playing time at all.

Panneton and Synstad are walk-ons just joining the team this year and there had been talk of redshirting Swindle.

Davila is a 6'8" forward with great post moves who will rarely step out and hit a jumper. He should turn out to be a player along the lines of Coleman Collins. Davila is a three-star recruit from Hamptonville, North Carolina.

Virginia Tech's starting lineup is expected to be Delaney at point guard, Vasallo at two-guard, Allen at forward, and Witcher at the other forward. The third guard position is still up in the air, but fans may see sophomore Dorenzo Hudson there, especially while Thompson is sidelined with the injury.

Jason Campbell, Redskins Look Unready for New Offense

Emmett Corboy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:45:14 -0400

For weeks now, football fans across the nation have been patiently awaiting the kickoff of the 2008 NFL season.

After watching the New York Giants host the Washington Redskins in the premiere game, one thing became evident: Jason Campbell is not ready to lead the Redskins offense under head coach Jim Zorn's offense.

The fourth-year quarterback out of Auburn appeared to be a couple of weeks away from knowing the new West Coast system put in place by Zorn. Campbell threw for just 133 yards on 27 attempts and went for the deep ball only a handful of times.

While some credit has to go to the Giants' defense for keeping the short routes in check that the West Coast system relies so heavily upon, much of the blame has to fall on the shoulders of the quarterback in this situation. In nearly every third down the Redskins faced, Campbell failed to find a receiver open beyond the first-down marker. The 'Skins converting on 3-of-13 third downs is evidence of this.

With a new head coach and system for the offense to learn, there is expected to be a learning curve. After Campbell and the rest of the offense's showing tonight, the Redskins proved they are still behind that learning curve.

In order to compete in a division as tough as the NFC East, the offense will need to catch up quickly. With a home match against the Saints up next, the 'Skins will once again face a tough defense and playoff-caliber team. To win this game, Campbell will need to work the ball more down the field and find the open receiver with room to run after the catch.

In the Redskins' lone scoring drive, Campbell completed two passes for 25 of the 45 yards needed to get into the end zone. This drive was the only time the offense moved the ball successfully on the Giants' defense and the lone glimmer in a dismal showing by the offense.

For the team to be succesful in the coming weeks, Campbell will need to continue to make those completions that move the sticks.