College Basketball - The media whores: Handling their business in 2011

The Blake Griffin Analogy

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest that Blake Griffin won tonight is a microcosm of how the system works in college football and basketball. Griffin was the favorite. Griffin was even the best and most exciting dunker. But Blake Griffin did not earn his victory on an even playing field. And in the case of tonight, he would not have won the contest on an even playing field.

The same concept holds true. The 'major' teams are often the favorites and even the best. But the playing field is not even and it often leads to unfair results.

And who or what enables this unfair playing field: the media or as they will otherwise be called in this article, the media whores.

Tonight, in the first round of the NBA of the NBA Dunk Contest, Blake Griffin needed a  good score on his second dunk to advance to the final. He had two minutes to complete the dunk and he was going to use about all of it if needs be to complete what may have been the greatest dunk in the history of the event. He was going to have Baron Davis throw it off of the back side of the backboard while he came flying from the side of the court and he would then complete a reverse back hand 360 dunk. He tried about six times and only came relatively close one time.

Hey. We don't fault Blake for trying though. We only wish that he completed the amazing dunk!

Finally on the seventh try, he settled for a ho hum tomahawk dunk. Now I've watched enough NBA Slam Dunk Contests to know that had that been anybody random ass clown throwing down a generic dunk on the seventh try that we would have saw sixes and sevens from the judges. Blake did throw down the dunk with decent power and that might have been enough to boost him into the eight and nine category had he just been a random ass clown.

But Blake Griffin is not a random ass clown. He's Blake Griffin and his average score was consequently a 9.2. His total score of 46 for the dunk gave him a two round total of 95. It was enough to beat the random ass clown, Demar Derozan (94 points) by a point. Even though Derozan threw down one of the best dunks I've seen in years for his second dunk (I did not see his first dunk); short of dunking from the three point line, he was not going to surpass Blake Griffin on this night.

Was Griffin the highest flying, most powerful, most exciting dunker in the field? Yes, yes, yes. But did he truly earn it on a level playing field? Absolutely not. But hey, the NBA and the sports media is swimming in more gravy with Blake Griffin winning the dunk competition.

How's that, you ask?

They cash in as soon as this weekend. More internet hits for articles and highlights. More people will actually tune in for tomorrow's All Star Game to see Blake Griffin's star. And long term. Well long term, let's just say that a bigger money path has now been blazed. Andre Agassi said it best when he said, "Image is everything."

Remembering Boise State Football 2010

Last season, the Boise State Broncos had one of the best football teams ever assembled (Just watch and see how many skilled players, let alone linemen they had that will go pro - It'll be sick!) But it did not matter. It flat out just did not matter. Had BSU beat a Nevada team that was essentially as strong of caliber as anybody else in the top ten then it would still not matter.

And I know what some of you lemmings and otherwise intelligent people are thinking. The Nevada Wolfpack were a top ten caliber team? Yes! They were 13-1 and their only loss was a close loss at Hawaii. Everyone out west, knows Hawaii is a notoriously tough venue (The Rainbows are always good at home even when their team sucks). But Hawaii did not suck. They were 10-4.

The Wolfpack also, had a running back duo that broke the career record for rushing yards. They were a team capable of pounding any team into submission on any given night. And quite frankly there is a reason that they were not on Oregon or Auburn's schedule. These teams from 'major' conference routinely stay away from their equals so that they can most effectively play the system. The University of Florida has not played a non conference game outside of the state of Florida since 1992! Shameless!

The general system

These team  from 'major' conferences are essentially no better than many of the teams from non 'major' conferences. But they have made a system that allows them to be recognized as superiors while the media whores who have vested interests in the facade prop them up. And yes, there is no bigger media whore than good ole 'wholesome' ESPN.

The RPI (College Basketball) Formula - A shameless double standard 'supplemental tool'

The RPI is predominately a measure of strength of schedule and quality of wins. When a team from a 'major' conference has a good RPI, it is used to justify anything and everything regarding their seeding in the NCAA tournament. When a non 'major' school has a good RPI, it suddenly becomes only a 'supplemental tool.' That is why despite being one or two in RPI for approximately the last month and a half (off the top of my head), BYU has not cracked the Top Five in the polls.

Look at an excerpt from bleacher report (not exactly a power house media outlet, but known). Look at how they shamelessly consider BYU to be some second class program from somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

BYU (23-2) is having an outstanding season, but one has to wonder how reliable the RPI is with the Provo, Utah school as its No. 1 team:

It's questionable at the least to understand how they rank higher in the RPI than Kansas RPI (No. 2), Texas RPI (No. 8), Ohio St. RPI (No. 3), Pitt RPI (No. 6) and Duke RPI (No. 7).

Just for clarity, Provo/Orem has the same population as Durham, North Carolina, where Duke is located.

One might miss that subtle shot if they are not used to recognizing the media whore's tactics. Yes even outlets like the Bleacher Report who were likely created to counter media whoredom, eventually realize there's more money in pedaling  to the bigger supply of johns (telling their primary markets what they want to hear).

How can a team from Provo have the best RPI? Oh clearly the RPI measure cannot be taken seriously?

Oh really?

The whores at ESPN will be rattling off Duke's RPI, UCLA's RPI, or whoever's RPI to justify their seedings or whatever else come tournament time. However, when a team like BYU cracks the top spot in the RPI, it's more like, what the _______ is wrong with that formula? They know that little if anything is wrong with the damn formula. But anytime a non 'major' school gets up there, they will have no problem pretending that the formula is broken.

I guess a little thing like having the best f-ing player in the country (Jimmer Fredette) and routinely kicking ass did not help them get to where they are? C'MON!

Even today, despite a poor shooting performance from that best player (who is always getting double and triple teamed and still routinely dropping 40's on teams), BYU went to Fort Worth and beat TCU by 23.

Tweny freaking three points!

Great teams make good teams look bad. That is what BYU did to TCU and that is what they did to San Diego State (a top ten team) when they beat them by 13, handing the Aztecs their only loss of the season.

Media Whore: Oh that doesn't matter though. San Diego State plays so many non 'major' teams. It doesn't matter that they have twenty seven wins to one loss! Clearly a Pittsburgh or whoever would too if they played out west.

I doubt it! The truth is that if the 'major' conference teams are better than it is a marginal difference at most. But the media whores would have you think it's a head and shoulders difference the way they routinely vote and the way the continually disregard the BYUs and San Diego States of the world.

Furthermore

Were it not for that one loss,San Diego State would likely be ranked one in the nation right now! Even the media whores would have a hard time denying the Aztecs that top spot. So BYU beat an elite team and has routinely spanked more teams than anybody, but it's not good enough to get them top five status?

No. BYU will take their token top ten spot and like it. Of course the voters won't like it. As long as BYU is there, they are taking up valuable real estate and robbing them of potential revenue.

Yes that is the reality. 'Overachievers' or rather teams from non 'major' conferences cut into the revenue stream.

Corrupt Math

ONE LOSS San Diego State is behind a THREE LOSS Texas team (four after their loss today).

One of the Longhorns losses came by seven points to USC! Yes USC! Are they not on probation? Did they not have scholarships cut. As a Southern Cali resident, I have not even bothered to watch them on television this year, if they are even allowed to be on television.

But they still have to pretend that USC is relevant. After all, they are from the 'major' magical Pac 10.

One can legitimately believe that Texas is better than San Diego State. That is not the issue. The issue is not that it is a legitimate belief but rather that the voters play this shell game every f'ing year. We always see the 'major' teams getting the benefit of the doubt. You can set your watch by it.

When the media whores give you these supposedly well thought out reasons for it, it is window dressing. They are just covering up the fact that as media whores, they get more money if Ohio State is ranked number one and not San Diego State.

Without knowing anything about schedules or the teams or anything, we already know that by the media whore system, Texas should be ranked higher than San Diego State.23-4 for Texas will almost always beat 27-1 for San Diego State. It's a gray area and that's all the room that they need to sell you that Texas deserves it more. They will only vote for San Diego State if there's a possibility that they would lose their pretend credibility. And since San Diego State does not have an average point differential of 35 and wins against six top ten schools then that is not an issue.

The Excusemobile: Emotional Effects!

We know how it goes too. San Diego State is a good team, but they just do not have enough quality wins yadda yadda yadda.

Quality? The RPI is a freaking measure of quality. But when BYU has a solid RPI, it's, 'oh well it's a just a supplemental tool. Yea that's it.' -

Consider this RPI analysis for ESPN whore, Eamonn Brennan.

The RPI is one of many resources/tools available to the committee in the selection, seeding and bracketing process. Computer models cannot accurately evaluate qualitative factors such as games missed by key players or coaches, travel difficulties, the emotional effects of specific games,

Emotional effects? Are you f'ing serious? Are you going to tell me that a team like BYU could be penalized because some kid was worried about his grandma being sick?

So if a team has a hard fought loss to Team A then that should factor into their loss against Team B? C'MON!

The TCU reality check

Here is something else for consideration. Today. BYU beat TCU by 23 on the road. Connecticut has not beat one Big East team at home or on the road by that great of a margin all season!

Yes, Connecticut recently piled on some losses so they are below BYU in the standings. But a three loss (not a six loss) Connecticut team would be unquestioned and be ahead of BYU (as I just explained). It really is automatic.

Okay, but is not this the same TCU that is going to be good enough to be a part of the Big East next season?

TCU gets how this BS works. That is why they parlayed their recent football success and will be joining the Big East next season. They'll have the same recruits (mostly). But they'll magically be 'major' and not icky non 'major' via The Mountain West moniker.

There is no such thing as merit in college sports. It's about the title. If BYU had the magical ACC title then nobody could deny them.

BYU realizes that it has gotten so bad and that is why they said f this. We're going independent. 'Maybe if we crush enough 'major' teams that are really not much better than the teams we play now then we'll get our due that is overdue.'

Who really gets screwed

Okay, so some of the cream of the crop teams are looking for and arguably finding loopholes to improve their situation. But who is really getting hurt in the long run?

How about the Colorado States, New Mexicos, Fresno States, Long Beach States, Gonzagas and UNLVs of the world. They are all fine and competitive institutions.

Those teams are consistently on par with Marquette, Louisville, Villanova, Syracuse, North Carolina State and Miami. The only damn difference is that they are not from a 'major' conference.

Feeding Lemmings

ESPN is going to keep enabling and fools are going to believe them. I had one message board poster tell me that the Boise State Broncos (football) did not have the big linebackers to compete for a full season in the SEC. The lemmings in those more vested markets actually believe such nonsense because that is the type of stuff that the media whores tickle their ears with.

Do the lemmings not bother to check out how many NFL players are coming from schools like Boise State? Sure there is arguably some marginal differences, but it really is not that pronounced. And it certainly is not enough for them to think that Auburn was absolutely better than Boise State this year. Quite frankly, I would not bet against Boise State. But thanks to the BCS whores (that includes the school presidents and atheltic directors of 'major' schools) we'll never get to know see what would have happened.

In fact, BSU beat the other Paper Championship Finalist, Oregon only one season before. Auburn certainly was not better than Adrian Peterson's Sooners, who the Broncos beat in 06 Fiesta Bowl.

Oh I forgot to mention that it is the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The systematic screwing of good teams is brought to you by Tostitos. Sort of makes you want to buy the store brand chips doesn't it?

Back To The BYU Basketball Reality

BYU has two losses this season. They lost a game in Southern California against UCLA. That was a game in which UCLA's big oaf center got four fouls and then he was allowed to throw elbows and bulldoze people and not get fouled out. Of course BYU played terribly that day and UCLA played well so I do not want to take anything away from UCLA.

Maybe we should consider what emotional trauma some of the BYU players may have been suffered from that game? (Sarcasm)

BYU also lost at one of the toughest places to play, New Mexico. The Albuquerque venue is basically the Rockies version of the Cameron Crazies. At one point recently, the Lobos even had the nation's longest home winning streak. But hey, we still got to consider New Mexico a non 'major' team (Code for: Not the media whores biggest seller).

By the way, UCLA (19-7) and New Mexico (17-9) are not slouches. BYU lost by single digits to good team on the road in games that they did not play well.

Heading into the New Mexico game, BYU was coming off of an emotional 13 point game at home against previously undefeated San Diego State. Do we not factor in the emotional nature of playing in that trap game?
Of course we do not do that! BYU is not a 'major' team. That double standard is preserved for the haves, not the have-nots. Instead, just mark it on the ledger that BYU lost to the lowly New Mexico and drop them in the rankings as far as you can possibly justify without too much of an outcry (Let's relegate blogs like this, that tell you how it is, to the fringe).

It does not matter that New Mexico (17-9) is not really lowly and that they would hold their own against any other 17-9 team in any other conference.

Speaking of 17-9, that is the exact record of St. John's, the team that beat Pittsburgh today. But will BYU jump ahead of Pittsburgh? Maybe, but probably not. After all, BYU has not beat all those 'major' teams that Pittsburgh has beaten.

BYU does not have the same strength of schedule as Pittsburgh. Never you mind that RPI weighs strength of victory and weighs it against performance. Perception needs to be reality. Reality being reality could be disastrous.

Reality

BYU is not  dominant team. Come tournament time, they might lose at any stage. But so might Pittsburgh or really any team in college basketball. So why do we pretend that one team is not worthy and one team is elite? It goes back the media whores. It's a set proposition. More johns are in the Big East Market (Yea that's how they came up with the name Saint John's by the way) (sarcasm).

That is not to say that every market does not have a wonderful amount of level headed and fair minded sports fans (they do). But like Colin Cowherd says, sports fans always back with their dog in the race.

If you can tell the majority of sports fans that their team is 'major' and the team in f'ing who the hell cares is not as good as you guys then they are going to accept it. It is that simple. Yes there are victims, but majority rules all the same.

Picture 1: Believe it or not, it is not the 'white bias' keeping BYU down.

Picture 2: The media loves selling the story of BYU' Jimmer Fredette as this year's Stephen Curry. The fact that his team is as good as any other team only annoys the media whores though.

Bonus

Reali ESPN?

Tony Reali joined ESPN in 2000 and in 2002 was the stat boy for the show, 'Pardon The Interruption.' He went on to host 'Around The Horn' in 2004 after ESPN presumably refused to pony up the dough to keep host, Max Hellerman. ESPN is notorious for not wanting to pay the 'talent.' Just ask Dan Patrick or Stephen A Smith who are two of the 'biggest' ESPN 'personalities' ever. But ESPN's decision to replace Hellerman with 'stat boy' Tony Reali is possibly the best example of ESPN's alleged cheap management style.

Its not bad that the 'stat boy' got a promotion. That is just what the 'American Dream' is all about. But promoting him to host of one show while he kept his job as stat boy on PTI is pathetic! This arrangement that started in 2004 continues to this day!

ESPN would like you to just unconsciously figure that Reali is so popular that it is good for him to be on a second show even in a small capacity. And if he is already on set then that is just efficient right?

Wrong. People pay high premiums for their entertainment. And if ESPN is truly the 'World Wide Leader' in sports then they should reward their consumers with a diversity of talent and viewpoints for that matter. Further, as a big institution with monopoly protections (or rather oversights) it is their responsibility be the proper engine to reward upcoming talent.

ESPN has made the calculation that any talent spawned by using an intern or 'lesser known' in Reali's spot as stat boy would only lead to higher contracts down the line. But again, we are making a lot of millionaires out of the 'talent' and entertainment executives. This package deal of savings that Reali is giving ESPN is just cheap. And do not even get us started on Mike Greenburg doing Sports Center when he has a healthy enterprise going with 'Mike And Mike In The Morning.'

Picture: Tony Reali effectively gives ESPN the package deal of being a host on one show and stat boy for another show.

Mike Gundy's 'kids,' the fifth ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys lose - They were not 'man' enough for the challenge

We all remember in 2007 Mike Gundy yelling at Jenni Carlson, a sports reporter for 'The Oklahoman' newspaper. Gundy belittled Carlson, saying that three-fourths of the article was "inaccurate" and that the article was "garbage." He then taunted her, saying that he wished that she had a child someday that gets belittled so that she would know how it feels. Because she was obviously not empathetic from his viewpoint.

Aside from Gundy's total lack of respect for Carlson, it was obvious that he was a narcissist that wanted control of every situation and on his terms. Anyone familiar with narcissists, knows that hypocrisy is inherent to their actions to elevate their stature above those around them. So in the same rant in which he said his 'kids' were belittled, the subtle point overlooked in the media was his characterization of the students that he coached. He called them 'kids' that were incapable of any serious scrutinizing. This is such an abhorrent accusation that any young responsible adult should take umber age to it.

But to give Gundy, the narcissist what he wants, Shots Heard will report badly about his 'kids' (Oklahoma State Cowboy football team) lost the game last Saturday against the Houston Cougars. The Oklahoma State Cowboys were ranked fifth in the nation and competing for a national championship, but hey they are "not professional athletes," so what can you expect right?

There is no need to criticize those 'kids'. It does not matter that they choked and lost to the obscure Cougars, 45-35. And if the OSU quarterback was "scared" on that two-minute drill when he threw the interception (pick six) then let us not harp on that. The "children (child)" are undoubtedly "upset" and "heart broken." We would not want to belittle those children in there extreme sensitive state.

So there will be no criticism of how those children could not live up to the hype of being an 'elite college football team.' If Shots Heard has anything to say then it is going to be directed at Mike Gundy. Because after all he is a 40-year-old man that can take it (so he says). To go after any of 'his (my)' guys in their fragile state just would not do.

After all, they are not 40-year-old men that are capable of taking sharp criticisms. That being the case, we really should have expected the Cowboys to come up short in a situation that took intestinal fortitude. But do not worry Mr. Gundy, Shots Heard is not harping on that or criticizing your kids in any way.

But Shots Heard will gladly go at the man, Gundy that screamed at Carlson, "Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40!"

But Shots Heard is not concerned with your loss to the Houston Cougars or your coaching shortcomings that enabled that outcome. We are concerned with the fact that you are a disgrace to humanity. And the mere fact that T Boone Pickens (billionaire philanthropist and political activist) puts his name to the stadium that you coach in is a black mark on him and everything he claims to stand for.

You went at Carlson like a screaming mad man, calling three fourths of her article, "fiction." And when she and others in the media challenged you to be accountable for your fiery rant, you declined. You were the one that could ultimately not be "responsible." Nor did you care that you were potentially making another young person "cry" or have her "heart broken."

Like the cunning narcissist that you are (Gundy), not only were you defiant and unapologetic; You claimed that your only regret was that you did not write out your rant ahead of time. That way you could make sure you got in every single cheap shot.

You are ashamed to be a part coaching, you said. Well perhaps that is a Freudian slip because you should be ashamed to be a part of coaching. You bully those around you, but like a true bully you are nothing when your feet are held to the fire.

She makes you ashamed to be a part of coaching? Well people like yourself make me ashamed to be a part of humanity. You will continue to bully people and have unfettered dominance over your 'kids.' Meanwhile, you have no problem flattening any hard working person who calls you out for it. You are a disgrace to humanity. But more respectively, you are a disgrace to the Oklahoma State University. But then again, it is not an institution of high values. In the wake of that controversy, leaders could not be found for comment. It turns out that they are not the 'men (man)' to go after. So they hope.

ESPN glorifies your rant through sound bites and following your rant you got applause from what Lennin (a well accomplished narcissist and founder of the USSR) would have called "the useful idiots." But make no mistake, any 'adult' with intestinal fortitude sees you for what you are, an unapologetic scoundrel.

Picture: Philanthropist and political activist, T Boone Pickens and OSU football coach, Mike Gundy

ESPN: Word play for web hits

At the US Open, a 17-year-old, Melanie Oudin, beat the consensus sexiest player in women's tennis, Maria Sharapova. Selling the plain faced Oudin who looked even worse than the original Punky Brewer was one option. Oudin wore off color blues, big wraps on her left thigh and left wrist and pink and yellow shoes was one lackluster option ESPN could have chose. Or ESPN could find a way to sell the loser (even one that double faulted 21 times) and knock it out of the park. Thus the headline 'Oudin, 17, toples Sharapova.'

Who would not want to see a topless Sharapova? Undoubtedly thousands of readers who are either semi-literate or just misread the headline as 'topless' were disapointed to simply see a spazzy looking Oudin celebrating her victory. Some readers may have even clicked on the link in the extreme hopes that the web editor misspelled 'topless.' Topples and topless are only spelled differently. But the meanings are worlds apart.

Sneakily, 'topples' was only the quick headline header to the link. But it is the lead header that draws in the reader and thus is the most important title. The actual title of the article is much less important. Thus the title of the article, 'Oudin's run continues in Flushing' does not mention 'topples' or even Sharapova.


One could blame the wording of the lead header on happenstance. However, as a former newspaper journalist that dealt with editors, I can tell you that editors thrive on maximizing readership. The web editor was undoubtedly giving himself a pat on the back reminiscient of Anthony Michael Hall giving himself a pat on the back (for his writing) at the of the movie, 'The Breakfast Club.'






Picture 1: Melanie Oudin celebrates her victory against Maria Sharapova at the 2009 U.S. Open.

Picture 2: Maria Sharapova poses for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Picture 3: Maria Sharapova extracts nutrients from a banana in between sets of an undetermined match.

Picture 4: Anthony Michael Hall's character 'Brian Johnson' in the movie, 'The Breakfast Club' deals with boredom while serving a Saturday high school detention.

Video: Maria Sharapova poses for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Peepers Creepers: Erin Andrews Edition

Many of us may remember the classic 'Married With Children' episode (all of the episodes were classics) in which all the neighborhood women were getting peeped. Peg was mad that she was not getting peeped and dressed in a sexy negligee next to the lighted window. She yelled out to the potential peeper that she had cookies.


But for ESPN executives, the subject of peeping (peeking) is not so funny. Erin Andrews, voted the sexiest sports reporter by Playboy two years running.was peeped on while in the nude in her hotel. The video then was leaked onto a still unknown blog and taken down after ESPN lawyers took legal action. Though that action may have unwittingly brought the crime into the public consciousness.

The New York Post ran blurred pictures of the incident and wrote:

"No one would have known that a sick voyeur had secretly videotaped ESPN reporter Erin Andrews nude in her hotel room if the Mickey Mouse sports network hadn't sent a letter to an obscure Web site demanding that it take down its link to a fuzzy video of an unidentified blonde."

USA columnist, Christine Brennan twittered that this type of happening was brought about by Andrews cultivating a frat house type of following. And the frat boys came out in full force for this story as 'Erin Andrews peephole video' topped google searches for a day.

But it does not appear that many if anybody is sneaking a peek. A lot of would-be viewers are instead downloading viruses. But if one did a sneak a peek, you might have the understanding of MMA fighter Gina Carano.

You may remember in February, Carano weighed in nude to make weight, while her handlers held towels to cover her. She then told ESPN radio that she would not blame someone for sneaking a peek. Ironically that same 'Mothership' that pimped the sneak-a-peak is heading off at the pass any effort to sneak a peek at Andrews.



Picture 1-3: ESPN sideline reporter, Erin Andrews
Picture 4: Model and sister of Erin Andrews, Kendra Andrews, Radio talk show host, Dan Patrick, Erin Andrews
Picture 5: Erin Andrew eats a sandwich as part of a sideline report
Pictures 6-7: MMA fighter, Gina Carano

Note: Shots Heard is not publishing the controversial Andrews photos. The pictures are viewable at this link to the NY Post 6th Page news story.