PT5 #4

Surprise!! …Look who made a US TV debut!

1)     
Want to start by giving a big shout out to my
step-mom for setting up a surprise for my Dad’s 60^th b-day. She got
the entire family together to surprise my dad at dinner. She took him to a restaurant
and he’d been sulking because he’s getting old, then the staff told him he’d
have to move…so he goes to another table and there we are, all four kids
waiting for him and signing happy birthday. My sister lives out in Colorado, my
brother in D.C. so he was totally shocked to see us all together. It was great.

2)     
I am really interested to see how the
Manning/Irsay saga plays out…are there hints of Packers/Favre in this?? There
is some obvious symmetry, but I suppose we’ll see what either side learned from
the messy divorce in Green Bay. If I had to choose a side now, it’d have to be
with the Colts and Irsay because they shouldn’t pay him that money he’s owed if
they don’t know his injury status. I also thought keeping things “in-house” was
big for Irsay, yet he makes his Manning statement on twitter?? Heed your own
advice big dog.

3)     
That has overshadowed the Super Bowl too…there
has been one, count it, one storyline of the actual game itself – Gronk’s
ankle. I’ve heard enough, I don’t care anymore, I’m a little miffed because I’m
not all excited about the Super Bowl, mainly because I believe the Packers
should be there. I’m guessing this game will actually be awesome, and the
Post-SB coversations will be pretty cool: Rank Eli or Brady in the list among
the elites – current and all –time, 
Coughlin HOFer?? Belechick best ever?? Pat’s a dynasty?? Giant’s most unheralded?...By
the way, I’ll take the Patriots to win. I want the Brady/Belechick story more
than Eli/Giants/Coughlin.

4)     
So did you guys see who made their US TV
National Debut on the 1/31/12 Letterman show??...Yep, Girls Generation.  They make some of that music that totally
annoyed my passengers on our drive to the UFC in Chicago and sure enough, they
are trying to make their way into the States…here’s the song they performed – I
have no idea why I like it.....

5)     
And finally I’m going to Jeff Ross tonight, very
pumped to see the Roastmaster General…I always wanted to roast somebody, but I
guess that’s what I do on the Heller show everyday, glad Mike is a good sport.

PT5 #3 –

Just how good is he?!?! – and you guys don’t like this?!?

1.)    The Bucks rolled over the Pistons last night, and mostly due to 3’s from Brandon Jennings in the 3^rd quarter, helping them stretch their lead. I’ve been thinking about what Jennings’ long term future is in Milwaukee, and I think I’m on board fully. His development was hindered last year because of the injury, and so I think we are seeing his 2^nd year development right now. He needed to shoot better and he is, and he is being asked to score, especially with Bogut out now. He has a true test of leadership the rest of the year and I’m hoping he takes that next developmental step. By the way…take a look at some numbers – Right now: Jennings 20pts/3.3rebs/5.0ast – and Rose 23pts/3.4rebs/7.8ast – Rose, no doubt is one of the best players in the league, but that’s who Jennings should be measured against…in Rose 2^nd year, as an MVP…25pts/3.4/7.7ast – think Jennings can do that?? I do…

2.)    Wisconsin plays Penn State tonight, bottom line, they have no bigs…Jared Berggren has to totally take over the game, maybe Evans too, and I expect them too. I’m not a player or coach, so I’m totally looking ahead to the Ohio State game, and I want that to be for the Big 10 lead. Badger shootaround starts at 7pmCT tonight.

3.)    I was at the UFC on FOX show on Saturday night, and I came away with mixed feelings. On the good side: People tuned in, watched, and saw what is legit competition of the fight game. The UFC is selling itself as the most legit, and that is what is was. See, previous promotions, even current ones, will sell freakshow fights, or just entertainment fights – maybe more for entertainment, than for actual competition – but the UFC wants to be the most elite in terms of competition. The bad: In the actual arena, without Rogan and Goldberg, I think the real entertainment value of the fights suffered…they were decisions, and just ok fights…even a little controversial. I’m very intrigued as to what the next card will be.

4.)    One of the best things about the sports world, is that there usually is a flood of things that happen all at once…that is like this week, with the Super Bowl, the Brewers on-deck, and National Signing Day…signing day, is a cool little presser – video, and Bielema breaking down the story of the recruitment and what he expects out of the player, we’ll carry it live, so  tune in…

5.)    BTW – I drove  to Chicago for the UFC show, and I drive a ’94 Accord that has a dying stereo…but since I was driving, I played what I wanted to hear, and it turns out…my buddies didn’t not like my affinity for J-pop (or in this case K-pop) …which is Japanese and Korean pop music…I guess it’s because of the videos that I like it... How could they not like this?!?!

Black eye of a day for the UW, Chadima, and the poor kids and adminstrators who have to deal with this.

The story goes: at his hotel Rose Bowl Party for the "behind the scenes" operations folks, which includes students under the legal drinking age; drinks were had, and at the end of the party when everyone cleared out, Chadima asked one to remain behind, questioned his sexuality, then proceeded to try and force himself on the man, going into his pants and trying to sexually grab him. The student said no, the dominoes fell.

Also, going through texts on Chadima's University cell phone; Chadima had used langauge that abused athority, (i.e. "Do this or I will have you fired") the true nature of the text's was unkown, but innapropriate.

According to the stories and reports, UW's response was appropriate, main concern being the victim and the others involved, but also the party itself, which was paid for by donor funds and thus a university sponsored event.

My take: Obviously Chadima's resignation and comments admit to his guilt and do whatever he can to protect the University. Also, the only way the law can be involved here is if someone wants them involved, which hasn't been the case. The most worrisome thing, and now Chadima has come out with comments about alchohol's affect on his life, is that what you think is a good all around guy...can have this kind of slip up. Scary and totally unfair to the victim. I don't know if I wouldn't get more lawyers involved and put pressure on the university to hand over some cash for the anguish, distress, and embarressment, and I don't know if that would be directed right at Chadima or the UW.

Here is the PDF of the findings :

http://www.news.wisc.edu/news/docs/2012_Rose_Bowl_Incident_Review.pdf

New blog idea...because I have zero consistency when posting. I will post a top-5 things going on every TUE/THU, just quick hitters though...because as you can see with previous posts, I usually end up spending too much time in this long drawn out format writing to much. I'm calling it PT5 -- My brother wanted to call it "Double Downed - Talking Item Tip Sheet. " I declined. So here is my first PT5

1)      It’s encouraging to hear Dan Patrick relay some potential positive info on Ryan Braun, but the message he passed along was carefully crafted. Using “may” and “might”…which just drags out the “hopes” and “prayers” I hope that he is all cleared of this. For the record, I still don’t think he will be, and I think what Patrick passed along featured many of the same things that Braun’s camp initially said.

2)      Stephan Jackson is an A-hole. He is asked a question about his role in the offense changing because he put up 1 shot…he calls it a dumb question and asks the reporter if he’s played basketball. Hey Stephan, we know you hate Milwaukee, it will be good riddance when you are gone, my middle finger has more class than you…get it?!? (Although I really like him on 2k)

3)      Bo Ryan doesn’t like the transfer rule that allowed Russell Wilson to become a Badger, I can see why a Coach wouldn’t like it, especially if his player gets poached. Coaches jet all the time, and since school is what matters…not the game, then it shouldn’t be bothersome. It’s a personal decision, let it remain that way.

4)      Really happy for Badger WR Jared Abbrederis and LB Ethan Hemer. Jared will end up with legendary Wisco status by the time it’s all said and done.

5)      I’ve started watching “Workaholics” on Netflix and I love it, and my second game of city league hoops is tonight…I want double figures so bad.

So Prince finally signs his deal 9-years $214 million...and how in the heck were the Tigers waiting in the weeds to pounce on Prince?? Kind of like with Pujols, all of sudden signing with the Angels.

Here's the link to Jon Heyman's CBS Sports article...

http://eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/34555236

We'll be all over it on The Mike Heller Show...

I feel strongly that Ryan Braun will sit for the 50-games mandated by Major League Baseball for a failing to pass the PEDs test that it has in place.

I haven’t heard or read a compelling argument as to why he would be able to win this appeal. His defense team put out the “unusual circumstances” claim, and Braun has said he’s innocent but I’m betting it won’t fly, and here’s why.

First, the failed test.

He failed because of red flags that came up in his Testosterone/Epitestosterone balance. Usually a ratio of 1:1, but his apparently, were more than twice the previously recorded high. For instance, Floyd Landis, when he got busted for the same thing, his levels were at 11:1. So, put Braun in the 20:1 category. That is “insanely high” as the NY Daily News put it. But it’s not unfathomable. It’s not impossible, and it certainly isn’t a reason to think something is wrong with the test.

The test itself was put together because of its accuracy of determining the results, not because it’s a flawed system that gets it right some of the time. They don’t do tests like that. They do ones that find the outcome correctly.

So explain to me why this was so high…I don’t care about how “insanely high” it was, tell me why it was so high??

But before we do that…you know what we do first, we take those tests that have really high ratios and test them for a synthetic form of testosterone, because we don’t see humans create this much within their bodies. So, we tested for that, and sure enough, a synthetic form of testosterone is in the sample as well.

What reasonable explanation can you give me for that being in there?? And…it will have to be such an unfortunate occurrence that will make me believe that this was a huge misunderstanding and is something that was not intentional, that I over turn the suspension.

That just isn’t going to happen.

I’ve followed most of the PEDs stories very closely because I have an interest in there genuine effects on the body and I believe with the right medically prescribed dosages and correct usage that steroids/HGH/testosterone/almost all PEDs could benefit our human race, extending lives and making them more livable. I see a real value in them. But, that’s not how the gov’t see’s them, and it’s certainly not how sports leagues see them.

And they are right, because they do provide an advantage over opponents who aren’t using.

I have followed what rampant steroid use in the professional wrestling, of course all the baseball stuff, and even more closely some recent PEDs suspensions in MMA and because of this I can’t see a real scenario that Braun escapes the suspension.

Here’s my best guess as to what defense Braun will have to use:

Recently in MMA a few guys have been suspended because of their high levels of testosterone(T). One claimed something called Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Which, is used to raise T in the body, because the body doesn’t naturally produce normal levels of it. This is where the synthetic form of the substance comes in. In the treatment, the T is used to bring back that ratio of 1:1 and sometimes levels can be even higher say 4:1 or as high as 8:1. This is not unusual for that therapy.

Now, imagine you are a pro athlete…who would have to tell your doctors, team, maybe the fans, that you have this issue. That gets done, and now high levels may come up in tests, but you are in the clear because of the medically diagnosed issue you have.

If you didn’t tell anyone about the therapy…then you have no excuse for why the ratio is so high. So say Braun’s defense team is using this as the unusual set of circumstances, if it’s the case more questions arise…

How did Braun keep his levels at the normal ratio prior to this test? The connection would be that he masked it all this time to protect him from getting caught with high levels.

Secondly, the second test, which was conducted by Brauns side of the table,  that came back with the normal levels screams even louder to as using, because the stoppage would decrease the levels, and there would be questions as to why a spike happened in the first place, and no consistency as before. Had his second test came back with high levels or a bad ratio, and then we might have some evidence of a real issue. When it’s just one pop, it looks like he got caught.

So that is my guess…he’ll decry his low levels of testosterone, talk about how it wasn’t being abused, how he has a medical condition, how he had a doctor ok it, but it wasn’t cleared, how he may have unintentionally did something, but wouldn’t sully the game, and the problem is…that’s all too late.

See you in 50 games.

So, yesterday I had the opportunity to be the emcee for the UW Hoops Student Night at the Kohl Center, which involved me being the ring leader of the bit of the circus it was. Free throw, three point, and half court shooting contests…interviews, scattered throughout, interaction with the couple hundred student fans in attendance. It also included giveaways, like a trip for 2 to the North Carolina game, gift cards to best buy, and autographed basketballs. That all got underway right around 6:30pm…but I got there a good hour before and was able to watch practice and I wanted to pass along a six-pack of observations and notes.

1) The first real noticeable thing during the 1-hour was Evan Anderson. The sheer size was something, standing at 6’11”, ridiculous wingspan, huge feet, but also, his movement had more fluidity to it. Didn’t look so knock kneed and moved a lot better than I remember a year ago. And you know what else?? Had great touch around the rim. Not just grabbing loose rebounds, but on consecutive possessions at one point, he hit a nice soft right handed jump hook from the right block, and the next time down the floor…did the same thing, but from the other side…left handed jump hook from the left block. He’s still got a ways to go, but should contribute, one negative I saw was he rolled the wrong way on a pick and roll. Didn’t open up to the ball on his roll, turned the other way behind the defender instead of sealing him off.

2) Ben Brust has a different mentality. I know in practice last year he could get hot. He’s got a great shot that can drop from about anywhere, but watching him run the point, I saw a different player. He has more than a shooters mentality, it’s a scorers. He used his incredible quickness to fly off screens and get to the basket, or find odd angles that he could get his shot off, and attacked. I didn’t know he was that player. I don’t know about his “getting others involved” point mentality, but I know if he can, he will find a way to get points. Threes, drives, fts, anything. He looked confident and comfortable as a scorer.

3) Got a good first impression of George Marshall too. Good on the handle, good at creating space to find his jumper, and he hit a pair of them after coming off of a screen, free throw line extended to the left…screen on his right, he’d get around and pull up at the free throw line and swish it. Again, looks like a scorer…didn’t see anything real great defensively, or a shot outside of 15 ft.

4) Mike Bruesewitz caught heat. Why? Mistakes of course. He gave everything I expected though too. Hard nosed D and rebounding, he was attacking the basket as well, looking like an all around player…but on a possession he had back to back mental lapses…throwing the ball away, like directly to another player, and then picked up a foul on the ensuing defensive possession after he threw it away, fouled in the act of shooting and the shot went down. So Bo gave him the business.

5) I have a feeling that some aren’t going to be pleased with Ryan Evans. I’ll call it Brian Butch syndrome, always wanting a little bit more than what in reality he gives you. Remember when we’d want Butch to just throw it down when he’d catch on the low block?? Or be even more tenacious, and by the time he was a Senior he was a pretty productive player?? I think that’s what we are going to see with Evans. Look, he is a vital part to WI success…he can do a bit of everything, but it’s like he should be better at all of it. He worked mostly in the post, had a pass go off his hands, he drove free but couldn’t quite finish, he flashed on one play that he can get open and score, he plays good D, and has great length and timing…but it still seems it hasn’t all clicked. Like there is a second of thinking that goes on before doing something? Maybe it’s just a feel for the game that’s lacking, it’s not as instinctual as others. Does that make sense? Just watch though, he’ll have good games, and he’ll have mind-boggling moments. That’s my prediction for his season.

6) Gasser is Gasser. Taylor is Taylor. I’ve said it on the show a few times, but I’m interested in seeing how each of these guys take their next evolutionary step. Josh hit open jumpers, played hard D, found loose balls, and certainly looked more confident…but I want to see how his game continues to improve. Jordan is just good, but how good is the question? He can do almost anything he wants with the basketball in his hand, but how will that change when teams are all over him?? This team lost some good Seniors, and I’m sure Jordan will rise to the challenge.

So that’s the six pack, my observations after just 1 hour of bball practice.…if you have any questions, feel free to email me at philipdawson@clearchannel.com I’ll do my best to offer answers.