Bleacher Report - Articles by Jeremy Ng

An Ode to March Madness: Why the NCAA Tournament Is So Fun

Jeremy Ng — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:44:44 -0400

Put on your shoes, it's time to dance.

Everyone loves this time of year, as winter turns to spring and we all indulge ourselves in the madness that is the NCAA Tournament.

This is the month when your television is primarily on CBS as you get your first glance at the bracket. You flip over to ESPN to get information on what teams to pick. You hear Dick Vitale sing the praises of North Carolina and Duke. You hear other analysts making ridiculous picks and you laugh at their stupidity.

And of course you watch the show in its entirety because you want to win your pool.

Or...

You wake up on Monday morning and open up the sports section of the New York Times and realize that there is a bracket to be filled out and you make picks based on team names and “eeny-meenie-miny-mo.”

Regardless of whether you follow college basketball religiously or only watch the games during March, you fill out a bracket and you join a pool. You don't have to know anything about college basketball to have a shot—and even the most casual fan can enjoy every single tourney game.

In fact, for the next few weeks, from Thursday to Sunday, you don't even need your clicker, because you'll be glued to CBS watching each and every one of your picks.

That is why we all love the NCAA Tournament: Every game matters, and every team has a story. In the spirit of the season, here are the best things about “March Madness”...

5. Filling out your bracket

It doesn’t matter if you know anything about any of the teams or if you are a college basketball guru—everyone knows that if one pick goes wrong you can lose your pool instantly. This is why picking teams is so important.

If you're a big-time college basketball fan and you watch the ESPN constantly, you often hear picks from analysts that make you second-guess yourself. Is Memphis really that good? Do I really want UCLA winning it all?

These questions always arise for the educated fan—but in the end, you go with your gut, and that is what makes it so satisfactory when you win your pool.

If you're someone who knows nothing about college basketball, on the other hand, you look up and down the bracket and pick teams based on how the names of the teams sound.

Oral Roberts sounds like a cool school—I guess I’ll pick them. I think Siena sounds pretty neat too, so I got to pick them as well.

No matter how learned you are on the subject of college basketball, you have a chance to win your pool, and that's all that matters.

4. Watching the early round games

Whether you are a high school student bringing in a portable TV to class, or a college student cutting classes to stay in your room to watch, or an adult slacking off at work and watching online...you are watching.

This is because you know that at any point, your team can lose. You have to watch every game, and even if you don't care that much about your bracket, you still have to admire how many games come down to final possessions and last-second shots.

That is the beauty of the tourney: At one point one team can be Britney Spears of the late 90s, looking beautiful and as if they can do no wrong...and all of a sudden the situation can take a complete 180 and they end up as the Brit of the last few years—and their season comes to an abrupt end.

This is why we all watch: to witness the miracles and to live and die with our favorite teams. They don't call it madness for nothing.

3. Comparing your picks to your friends’

Bragging rights mean everything to sports fans. Everyone knows that when you are big fanatic and you are losing to someone who knows about as much as Lindsay Lohan knows about sobriety, it irritates you.

There are always certain people in your pool that you want to do better than, regardless of whether you have a chance to win any of the prizes or not. You never want to be losing to your good pals—and especially not to your girlfriend or boyfriend, who has no got a clue as to why North Carolina and Duke have such a huge rivalry.

You want to be able to say after each weekend that you know more about college basketball than your friends and you love to boast about how you made a risky pick that everyone else questioned and it paid off. It's like betting $1,000 on red 16 and hitting the big payday.

Somehow you just knew that it was going to happen—and that will give you an eternity to rub it in your friends’ faces.

2. Following the Cinderella teams

Every year there is at least one team that pulls off the upset that no one could have foreseen, or a team that makes the unbelievably deep run into the tourney.

People in the sports world like to call it the “George Mason,” as the Patriots made the inconceivable run to the Final Four just a couple years ago.

No matter if they ruin your bracket or beat a big team to spoil someone else’s picks—it is hard for anyone to root against the underdog. There is an aura about these teams that makes you want to root for them—the same feeling that you get when you watch Sean Astin in Rudy or Emilio Estevez yelling “Quack! Quack! Quack!” in The Mighty Ducks.

1. Winning your bracket

Despite all the other feelings experienced during “March Madness,” nothing can surpass taking home the grand prize.

Not only are you rolling in the dead presidents, but you realize that, through all the ups and downs of the tourney, you were the only one who has the satisfaction of knowing that your picks were the best.

You survived the brutal loss of one of your Final Four teams during the first weekend, and made up for it with your sleeper pick that actually made it to the Sweet Sixteen. You are the master of the bracket and everyone else knows it.

And now, for the next year, you own the bragging rights, with the money to prove it—and you anxiously wait for the Earth to circle the Sun again so you can do it all over again.

Roger Federer: Epitomizing Dominance

Jeremy Ng — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:18:23 -0400

What exactly characterizes dominance? The dictionary defines it as “ruling or controlling with authority or influence”. When surveying the field of sports with this in thought, two great athletes come to mind—Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.

These two men have been able to be at the top of their fields for over four years now, in non team sports. In solo sports, it can be easier to shine as all the focus is upon the athlete; however, the level that these two men have performed at has put them in a league of their own. In every tournament they enter, they are the favorites to win against the rest of the field not to mention the fact that if Woods shoots over par or if Federer loses a set it comes as a shocker.

That itself shows how magnificent their play has been and how talented they are as well. Yet so much of golf and tennis is mental, the ability to focus on every shot and forget the mistakes on prior plays. In team sports, it is easy for a player to error and have his teammates “pick him up” but in the aforementioned sports, it is so vital to have mental fortitude.

What separates the two is small, but it is what makes one greater than the other. (And I’m not talking about who is the better actor in those Gillette commercials.) Woods has the aid of his caddy, to support him and give him advice on what club to hit. The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour does not allow for coaching during matches.

In fact, for the past ten months, Federer has been traveling without a coach anyways, and has still managed to pick up two Grand Slams. Moreover, Woods is not playing against his opponents; he is playing against the golf course, meaning no one can beat him but himself. Federer must face his opponents head on, stare them down across the net and defeat them one by one to capture his precious Grand Slams.

While Woods is a tremendous athlete, and quite possibly the best to ever play golf, Federer is the best and most dominant athlete in the world today, and he is on a quest to cement himself as the greatest tennis player of all time, even though, to some, he already is.

Federer, not so long ago, was merely known as a talented youth with a poor attitude and who was unable to perform at the level that he was capable of. Federer turned pro in 1998 at the age of 17, still a baby on the tour level. In his first five years on tour, Federer compiled a record of 158-93, a meager 63% winning percentage.

However, it was his win at Wimbledon in 2001 over his idol, Pete Sampras, that he says changed his perspective on the game. He had the epiphany that he could be the best since he had just beaten the best, in Sampras, on Sampras’ best surface. After a full year of playing and training after that monumental victory, Federer entered the 2003 season with two goals in mind: to win his first Grand Slam and to end the year at No. 1.

Unfortunately for him, he was only able to achieve one of those objectives, winning the Wimbledon Title in London, where he has not lost a match at since. Federer ended the year at No. 2, behind Andy Roddick, but that only fueled Federer to practice harder to claim the throne atop the tennis world.

In the 2004 season, Federer went on to grab three Grand Slams and the No. 1 ranking as well. In 2003 and 2004, Federer amassed a 152-23 record, a monumental jump signifying not only his rise to greatness but his growth in mental maturity as well.

When many sports fans watch Federer, it is easy to think that he is not playing at full effort but that is only because the game that he plays comes with such ease. Federer is a maestro on the court, able to come up with winners from any conceivable area. But without his genius ability to orchestrate the points, his talent would be wasted. He has given many of the tennis world the reason to believe that he is the best to ever hit a tennis ball, not just through his grace on the court but also through his sheer domination of the competitors he has faced ever since he first achieved his status as No. 1.

Since 2004, Federer has won 87% of his matches, has claimed 11 of the last 17 Grand Slams, only failing to reach at least the semi-finals just once. Until his recent loss to the up and coming Serbian Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open, Federer had reached 10 straight Grand Slam finals, winning 8 of them and losing twice at the French Open to Rafael Nadal. Those numbers are unfathomable, especially in a sport that is constantly testing the physical and mental stamina of its athletes.

But it is more than just numbers that defines “Roggg” as it his intrinsic ability to shred his opponents on the court in a routine fashion, time after time. When Federer trails in a set, the tennis world turns upside down as intense fans of the game closely watch the match in anticipation of an extraordinary upset. Has there even been a player in any sport with so much pressure to win so dominantly in every single event? Probably not. But Federer does this, week after week, quietly going about his business, as he trains to set the new standard in professional sports, something the New England Patriots, as a team, could not claim, which is, perfection.

Statistically, Federer is on pace to set many records, the most important being the all time Grand Slam victories held by Sampras, 14, whom many also argue is the best ever. It is interesting to compare the careers of these great athletes, as many of those who argue that Federer is not the best, question the competition he is playing against. In Sampras’ day, he had to face legends like Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. While it is true that all of them are great players and had fantastic careers with multiple Grand Slams each, it is fair to contend that Federer would be able to dominate those players as well as the ones he does now.

Federer holds the ability to win on all surfaces, and that itself gives him an edge against his current competitors as well as the champions before him, who he is chasing down to claim the title as the paramount in the history of tennis. Also, few realize the excellence of Nadal, arguably the best clay court player ever, who holds a perfect 21-0 record on the red clay of Roland Garros, and who has been the only type of Kryptonite for the Fed Express, holding the two titles that would have given Federer an absurd 10 straight Grand Slam titles.

However, the critics still want to see more from Roger before anointing him the King, and now he has his chance to prove his prominence as he finally has “worthy” competitors in Nadal and Djokovic, to challenge him at the Grand Slams. Federer now has his opportunity to silence his critics, by continuing his dominance and displaying his utter greatness by capturing more Grand Slams, and leaving all historians and casual fans of the game with no doubt that he is the best ever.

For now, Federer can only continue to go about his business quietly, as he amasses even more incredible feats and statistics. Perhaps one day, he will be appreciated by all fans, but until then, he can only keep the train of supremacy on the tracks until the wheels can turn no more and he reaches the last stop: Station GOAT. Roger Federer, the Greatest tennis player Of All Time and the most dominant athlete of this generation.

Kobe Bryant: His Time Has Come

Jeremy Ng — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:49:31 -0500

In the recent weeks most people have been discussing the blockbuster trades that have been shaking up the Western Conference.

Most writers are focused on how the new pieces will fit into each team’s puzzle but in reality, the biggest trade of the season was the one that never happened.

This past offseason there were tons of reports circulating around Kobe Bryant’s wish to be traded. Kobe voiced that he was unhappy with the way the organization had acted and that they had not done what was necessary to build a championship caliber team around him.

He was right.

Perhaps in frustration Kobe belittled his young center, Andrew Bynum, saying that he was not going to be good enough to help him win an NBA title. Most media people attacked Kobe for making these comments about a teammate, but that was the comment that changed the Lakers coming into this season.

When Bynum heard the remark made by Kobe, he said that it motivated him to work extremely hard during the offseason and to do his best to show Kobe that he belonged. With some help from Kareem Abdul Jabbar, his hard work paid off as he has emerged as one of the top young centers in the league.

What is there to take from all of this?

The signs of a leader.

There are times when players need to be comforted and pampered, but there are other times when they need a wake-up call or a jumpstart to help fulfill their potential.

There was never any question about Bynum’s talent. Just a few years ago, in a game between the Lakers and the Heat, Bynum made his presence felt in just a mere 30 seconds of play. Facing off against Shaq, Bynum proceeded to slam dunk over him and block him on the subsequent play. After that, Shaq introduced his forearm to Bynum’s chin.

Even as a rookie, Bynum showed he had tenacity and grit, muscle and speed, and tons of potential oozing out of him. Bynum was only 18 at the time, a mere boy in a big man’s body. He was playing with Kobe Bryant, one of the best to ever play, and the fear of failing him was clearly a factor in his development as well.

This season the whole demeanor of the Lakers has completely changed.

Kobe has shown that he not only expects, but trusts that his teammates will make plays. Many analysts look at the statistics and see that Kobe’s shots per game have dropped from 27 to 23 to 20 in the last three years, but statistics cannot even begin to tell how Kobe’s game has changed.

Some argue that he is more mature, but it really only shows how badly he wants to win.

In the past it was clear that sometimes Kobe believed he needed to put up 40 a game for his team to win. He would come out ready to go and if he was hot the Lakers would win, if not, they would usually lose. These days, more often than not, Kobe is reserved in the early stages of the game instead looking to get his teammates involved rather than look to take over the game himself.

By instilling this trust now, he will be rewarded in the postseason as his teammates become more confident the more the ball is in their hands.

Kobe trusts that Bynum will slide to the hoop when he drives the opposing team’s center so that they can have an easy dunk. Before Bynum’s injury, he was second in the league in total dunks. Kobe has faith that guys like Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic will drain the open trey when the defense collapses on him. All three of them are shooting at least 38 percent from beyond the arc this year.

Kobe exudes confidence, and now the whole team has that self-belief as well.

Kobe always knew he could win another championship as he had been there before but his teammates never seemed to have the same belief that he did. Now they do.

It is not only his offensive intensity that rubs off on his teammates; it's his hard nose defense as well. That is why guys like Ronny Turiaf are banging bodies with big men and hustling for loose balls. It's why Farmar is constantly harassing the other teams point guard down the court.

Kobe is guiding this team, showing them what needs to be done in order to win, and setting the tone. When the game is on the line it's Kobe out there guarding the other team’s best SG or SF, looking for the all important defensive stop.

That is what makes Kobe one of the best all around players. But even though everyone knows Kobe is one of the best to ever play, many have questioned his ability to lead and win a championship on his own. Many credit the three championships he has to Shaq, which is a valid case.

Now his time has come. No. 24 now has the pieces he needs to get his fourth ring, and put all his doubters to rest. He is a winner and has one of the most lethal benches in the league.

Do not forget Kobe can still turn it on when he needs to.

This season, Kobe has decided to lead by example and become the epitome of a superstar in the NBA. He has set out a goal for his squad to win a championship. It is said that when great leaders talk, everyone listens. When they walk, everyone follows.

Kobe is walking. The Lakers are following.

Johan Santana: A Reason to Believe for the New York Mets

Jeremy Ng — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:58:55 -0500

Some people find tops of mountains to be beautiful; others identify sunsets with beauty.

To a New York sports fan, nothing could be more beautiful than seeing Isiah Thomas getting the pink slip.

But to scholars and philosophers, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Thus, to every New York Mets fan, beauty can be defined in two words: Johan Santana.

Johan, as he will be called by the Amazin’ fanatics, is everything the Mets have dreamed for as he represents the ace that they have desperately been searching for. Johan is unquestionably the best pitcher in the game, with the best fastball-changeup combination as well as being an inning eater, strikeout master, certifiable winner and having the intangible winning attitude.

These are all the qualities they saw in Pedro Martinez when they signed him just three winters ago, yet when Omar Minaya made that offer, it was to an older, aged and worn down Pedro instead of a relatively young, in his prime ace, that is Johan.

Unlike Pedro, Johan is not past his prime and has not gone through the rigors of postseason battle as often, but he has been there before and knows what it takes to make it that far.

After the most notorious collapse in regular season baseball history last fall, the Mets needed to change the mindset that had captured most of Queens and bringing in Johan was the best way to do that.

Just a week before the trade was announced, the Mets were considered to be the second best team in the National League East, and to some others, the third best, behind both Philadelphia and Atlanta.

However, adding Johan to the Mets rotation has now boosted them past both teams and has left them sitting atop the entire NL as the team to beat. There are few players that can affect the face of a team so strongly, but Johan is able to with his masterful control on the mound.

What most Mets fans do not even know about Johan is that he is a tremendous athlete and is a superb hitter as well; so great that even Peter Gammons, an esteemed baseball analyst, can claim that Johan will be the best hitting pitcher in the NL next year, no questions asked.

Now granted that is not one of the reasons the Mets pursued him but it is an added bonus considering the Wilpon family decided to pony up and spend the dough on him.

The Mets did pay a price to get Johan, dishing out nearly $150 million over the next seven years but his value to the organization is worth far more than that. Not only will he help sales, he is also the rock upon which the organization can build upon and centerpieces like him are, as the MasterCard commercial says, priceless.

Before Johan, the Mets were a beautiful 1965 Camero, all shined up and ready to win the car show but did not have the engine, and now they have their turbo high horsepower machine, that will be running for a long time, and are ready to drive away with the prize.

Over the last four years in Minnesota, Johan has started a minimum of 33 games, pitched 200+ innings, had more strikeouts than innings pitched and has had a WHIP of .99. However, transitioning to the NL should bolster all his statistics as it known to be a weaker hitting league due to the lack of the designated hitter.

In a few years, analysts might need to use a microscope to see Johan’s stats. But what is most impressive about Johan’s career is that in an age clouded by steroids and astronomical hitting statistics, Johan has found a way to master America’s Pastime from the mound.

That is what the Mets faithful hope for him to continue to do as he puts on the orange and blue and toes the rubber, every five days.

Other than just Johan’s pitching prowess, he has added depth to the Mets’ pitching rotation as now everyone can slide down a slot.

Instead of forcing Pedro to be the ace, there can be less pressure put upon him as the No. 2 and consequently less on John Maine and Oliver Perez who will be occupying the third and fourth slots in the rotation.

In fact, Maine and Perez were the only combination of two pitchers under the age of 26 to each have 15 wins last season, which bodes well for the Mets Organization as the sky is the limit for those two, especially under the tutelage of pitching guru Rick Peterson.

So after all the offseason questions about the Mets’ pitching rotation, Johan has taken a page out of Allen Iverson’s playbook, and answered them all.

However, Johan does find it necessary to practice.

So for now, Johan will head to spring training, the first step in the ultimate goal of the franchise, as the monumental savior of the team. He will be asked to carry a significant amount of the burden the Mets placed upon their fans after last fall but he will shrug it all off with his cool demeanor.

There are some players whose mentality can be questioned in the New York environment but Johan will be loved from day one, and the amore will only grow after each start.

But after winter, spring, summer and fall, when it is all said and done, beautiful or not, will the Mets and their fans see Johan standing on the hill, in late October, with the sun setting behind him, as he pitches his team to the glorious title of World Champions?

Ya gotta believe!