November 10, Week in Sports
November 10, Week in Sports
:: BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT (Pro. Sports)
:: ALLEN IVERSON TRADED TO PISTONS (College Football)
:: TENNESSEE TITANS IMPROVE TO 9-0 RECORD (Pro. Football)
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NOW STARTING, FROM CHICAGO, NUMBER 44…
As President-elect Barack Obama sets up his transitional office, the sports world is abuzz with questions about what his presidency will mean for American athletics.
Obama’s passion for sports is well-documented. He is a huge fan of the Chicago White Sox, well-informed on the nuances of fantasy football, and a proponent for playoffs in NCAA football. He also plays basketball regularly, and earlier stated that if he were elected President, he would have a basketball court installed at the White House. While all of these issues relate to Obama as a sports fan, his presidency is also expected to have practical consequences in professional sports. For instance, many experts have noted that his tax policies would effect team owners and players, which ultimately might be a determining factor in free agency signings and player contracts. It is hard to tell whether or not that will actually be an issue, but sports analysts are closely monitoring the player market in Major League Baseball to see whether or not Obama’s election has an impact.
Of course, Obama is by no means the first President with connections to professional sports. George W. Bush was a former owner of the Texas Rangers, who pressured lawmakers and sports commissioners to clean up the world of professional sports, which played a big part in the steroid investigations in baseball and other sports.
Quote of the Week: ”I think it is about time that we had playoffs in college football. I’m fed up with these computer rankings and this and that and the other. Get eight teams–the top eight teams right at the end. You got a playoff. Decide on a National Champion.” — Barack Obama, on college football
Further Reading: ”Change is coming to sports, too, under Obama” – Lester Munson, ESPN
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DETROIT FINDS ‘THE ANSWER’
In a dramatic move that is shaking up the league, the Detroit Pistons traded star guard Chauncey Billups and two other players for Denver Nuggets superstar Allen Iverson. Iverson is one of the biggest stars in the league, and Billups was the NBA Finals MVP when the Pistons won the title in 2004.
The Pistons, who have made the playoffs every year since 2001, are one of the strongest teams in the league. During their current streak of making the playoffs, Billups has been one of the faces of the franchise, which made this trade a hard decision for Detroit. However, during their years of success, the Pistons have only managed to bring home the championship once, in 2004. By adding Allen “The Answer” Iverson, the Pistons are hoping to reclaim the NBA title. That being said, picking up Iverson is a risky move that could potentially flop, as it did with the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets, who also thought that Iverson was “the Answer.”
The Nuggets, on the other hand, are thrilled to have Billups on board. They have made the playoffs every year since 2003, but every single year they have been knocked out of the postseason in the first round. The Nuggets are hoping that they addition of the veteran Billups, known for his poise and passing game, will help the team advance in the playoffs this year.
Quote of the Week: “Whoa, now this came out of leftfield.” — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
Further Reading: “Pistons get Iverson for Billups, McDyess, Samb” — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
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TITAN-IC SEASON
The Tennessee Titans improved to a league-best record of 9-0 with a 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Titans have all but guaranteed a spot in the playoffs this year, and they have a chance to finish the regular season with a perfect record–one of the most difficult team achievements in sports.
The Titans are not a flashy team, and their biggest players are not household names. As a result, they have earned their 9-0 record very quietly, and week in and week out their doubters predict that they will lose their first game. However, the Titans have gone on winning, primarily because of the production of their explosive running backs, Chris Johnson and Lendale White. Despite a terrible performance by both Johnson and White on Sunday, the Titans still managed to beat the Bears, preserving their flawless record.
Part of the reason that the Titans’ success has received so little attention thus far is because of the fact that last year, the New England Patriots went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in decades. The Patriots–who had glam-quarterback Tom Brady and stud receiver Randy Moss–were a team that fans around the country loved or hated with equal passion. The Titans, for the time being, have yet to inspire those kinds of emotions in casual fans. If they continue to win these next few weeks, though, they will be the center of attention for the most popular sport in the country.
Quote of the Week: “Maybe they have some kind of angel around them or something. I don’t know” — Rashied Davis, Bears Wide Receiver
Further Reading: “Perfect Form” — Associated Press, via ESPN
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The College basketball season begins this week. While there are no major match-ups in the first few days of the season, many of the top teams in the country will get their first taste of the national spotlight. If you’re looking for an edge in your office pool next March, now is the time to start scouting teams.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASKETBALL
NBA (Pro. Basketball): The 2008-09 season is currently underway. It runs from late October to April of 2009, when the playoffs commence. [Official NBA Website]
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): The college basketball season begins on November 10th and runs through “the Tournament,” which takes place in March. [CBS Sports]
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:: FOOTBALL
NFL (Pro. Football): The regular season is now underway. The Tennessee Titans are currently the best team in the league, with an undefeated record. [Official NFL Website]
NCAA FOOTBALL (College): The college football season is now in full swing. The BCS Standings currently place Alabama as the best team in the country. [NCAA Football, ESPN]
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:: GOLF
MEN’S GOLF: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Major Championships: The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open (The British Open), and the PGA Championship. Now that the PGA Championship is over, mainstream golf news will most likely revolve around Tiger Woods’ return from injury and preparation for next year’s Majors. [Official PGA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
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:: HOCKEY
NHL (Pro. Hockey): The hockey season runs through April of 2009. By the new year, the league power rankings should be pretty well set. [Official NHL Website]
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:: TENNIS
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. [USTA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic
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OFFSEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in this year’s World Series. During the off-season, baseball news will focus on major trades and player signings. [Official MLB Website]