Bishop Media Sports Network
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch March 31
SSE Minute March 30
All-Magic
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the NBA some franchises stand out for dominating over different eras.
Some examples of that are Chicago, Boston, Detroit or the Los Angeles Lakers. There are other teams that don’t have that kind of extensive history but they have had some great players.
For instance, the Charlotte Hornets or Seattle Sonics have had some superstars. Orlando is probably the best example of this. Let’s see who the greatest player in Magic history is.
Penny Hardaway is the best point guard in franchise history. Hardaway played in Orlando from 1993-1999. Standing at 6’7 he was a taller than the average PG and could see over the defense. He was also an explosive athlete and won several accolades. He won the MVP award at the inaugural Schick Rookie Game.
He was named to the NBA All-Star team four times (1995-1998) and All-NBA First Team twice (1995 & 96). Penny also won a gold medal in 1996 at the Olympics.
Steve Francis played in Orlando from 2004-06 but he made an impact. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds per game, 6.5 assists per game and 42.6% from the field.
Center Rony Seikaly is probably best known for being the first player picked by the Heat in 1998 but he spent a couple of seasons with the Magic (1996-98). He averaged 16.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 48% field goal percentage. Those are very solid numbers and he was almost a walking double-double.
Horace Grant had two different stints with the team, 1994-99 and 2001-03. He was probably at his best in Chicago but he brought veteran leadership to Orlando and helped lead them to the Finals in 1995. He put up 11.3 PPG and 8.2 RPG.
Dennis Scott (1990-97) is not very well rounded but he was a great shooter. He was one of the most prolific three-point shooters of the 90’s. He shot 40.3% beyond the arc with 14.8 PPG.
Nick Anderson (1989-99) was a very good shooting guard. Before the arrival of Shaq during the 1991-92 season he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. At 6’6 he was the same height as fellow shooting guard Michael Jordan.
Tracy McGrady (2000-04) was in his prime when he came back home to Florida. He was 2x All-NBA First Team (2002-03) and he made the All-Star game every season. He averaged 28.1 PPG, 7 RPG, 5.2 APG and 1.5 steals per game. He led the league in scoring two of the four seasons he spent with the team. He also led some mediocre teams to the playoffs three-straight years.
Dwight Howard (2004-2012) was a very athletic big man. He won the Slam Dunk Contest (2008), 3x NBA rebounding leader (2008-10, 2012), 2x blocks leader (2009, 2010) 5 x All-NBA First team (2008-12) and 5x NBA All-Star.
He was very limited offensively and he really did not develop a post game. He still managed to score 18.4 PPC, 13 RPG, 2.2 blocks per game on 57.7% shooting.
Rashard Lewis (2007-10) is often overlooked but he played well. At 6’10 he played both forward positions and created match-up problems. He shot 39.3%from three-point range and made the All-Star game in 2009.
You know who the best player has to be. Shaquille O’Neal (1992-96) is one of the most dominant players ever. He was in the best shape of his career when he played for the Magic.
The Diesel made the All-Star game every year he spent with the team. He led them to their first Finals in 1995. Super Man had 27.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG on 58.1% shooting.
Final Four Madness
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m not a religious man.
Don’t get me wrong, I was raised Catholic but the only thing I retained are the litany of jokes regarding Catholicism. After this Loyola Chicago run and the support they’re receiving from America’s most popular nun since Whoopi Goldberg in “Sister Act”, I’m starting to rethink my religious convictions.
March Madness always has upsets, buzzer beaters, etc., but it just feels like this year has taken all those things to a whole new level. From a 16 seed defeating a 1 seed for the first time in history, to a Sweet Sixteen consisting of two regions without any top 2 seeds, to an 11 seed making it to the Final Four; throw in all the other stuff that has happened in between, I’m not sure there’s been a more entertaining tournament in recent memory.
Of course, based upon the first two weekends of the tournament, it’s only fitting we have the Final Four that awaits us in San Antonio. This year, we’ll get a little bit of everything.
The Pedigree: Kansas. After two years of having their season end in the Elite Eight, the Jayhawks were finally able to break through and advance. I’m not sure they are the best team remaining, but they are the most complete team.
Like the other three teams, Kansas’ strength is their perimeter play, but nobody has their size down low. If the Jayhawks are to win it all, they’ll need their post players to play big.
Arguably the Best Team All Season: Villanova. The Wildcats will arrive in Texas as the favorites to win their second title in three years. There really isn’t anything they don’t do well.
Defense? Yes. Take care of the ball? Yep. Potent offense? Sure, if you’re the type of person who likes your team to score a lot of points and hit a lot threes. For a team that plays 4 guards a majority of the time, they even rebound well. Not to say they can’t have an off night, or can’t be beat, but they’re the favorite for a reason.
Big Conference Team Clicking at the Right Time: Michigan. As much as I just drooled over Villanova and the way they play, you could argue the Wolverines are playing the best of this group. Three point shooting is going to be the key. If they’re making their shots from beyond the arc, they’ll have a shot. If not, it may be a one and done situation for the Big Ten champs.
Cinderella Team: Loyola Chicago. There have been other double digit seeds and mid-major schools (George Mason in 2006) that have made the Final Four, but I’m not sure any of them had as legitimate a chance to advance to the championship game as this Ramblers team.
Defensively, Loyola is good enough to disrupt Michigan’s offense and either of the teams they would meet in the championship game, if they are to make that far. They’re the underdogs, without a doubt, but don’t be surprised if they cause a little commotion.
After a season and tournament that has more than lived up to the hype, you can only hope that the final weekend will be more of the same. Based on the way the remaining four teams have played, I would expect nothing less.
You can take the pageantry of the Super Bowl or the excitement leading up to the college football playoffs; I’ll take March Madness over either of those every single time. It’s become a religious experience.
Brave Business
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Ronald Acuna, Jr. had a stellar showing in spring training for the Braves this year.
The heir apparent to left field led the team with four home runs in 16 games to go along with his bonkers slash line of .432/.519/.727. Oh, and he also stole 4 bases.
To sum up, the kid is good and he’s going to win Rookie of the Year; once he makes the big-league club.
That’s right, Acuna has already been demoted to Triple A despite having the best spring of anyone on the team and he’ll begin the season in Gwinnett, just as predicted.
Don’t fret however, because he’ll be donning his Atlanta uniform on April 13th. Write in down in pen.
The reason for this decision comes down to money and player control, not that anyone in the Braves’ front office would say so publicly. It’s the same situation that the Cubs found themselves in with Kris Bryant, the Philles with Maikel Franco, and the Astros with George Springer.
Due to complicated and pretty stupid Collective Bargaining Agreement details (the players are really going to have some things to say when the current CBA expires) if the Braves keep Acuna in the minor leagues through April 12th, they’ll get an extra year of at the end of his initial contract before he’s eligible for free agency.
Essentially Atlanta is trading two weeks of baseball’s best prospect in 2018 for a full year of a player entering his prime six years from now. A fair trade, if you ask me.
It’s a loophole that will almost certainly be closed in the next few years, as it does deny the players involved a whole year of potential big money but the Braves will reap the benefits for now.
As they should, because this is not the same situation as the Cubs were in in 2015, when they were a competitive team. Bryant being held back and the interim third basemen going 1-for-12 in the three losses out of five games might have actually made a difference to Chicago, who could have had home field advantage in the Wild Card Game with just one more win (they beat the Pirates in Pittsburgh anyway, mind you).
A few losses due to some lesser left fielders taking the field instead of Acuna will have no such impact for Atlanta.
I know it’s disappointing for those who bought Opening Day tickets (see you there), but let’s not pretend that two weeks of Acuna are going to make or break the Braves’ 2018 season.
The Nationals are going to win the NL East again (and lose in the first round again) and a few extra at-bats by our best prospect isn’t going to stop them.
The Wild Card is going to be out of reach as well. I think the team is going to be able to take some steps forward this year but there are better teams out there who will secure those spots.
The Braves won’t find themselves in the cellar (hello, Miami) but the youth and inexperience of the pitching staff will prevent them from finding a way into the playoffs this year.
On the other hand, in six years’ time those pitchers will be in their primes and so will the likes of Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, and Ronald Acuna, Jr.
There will be more use for him on the other end of this contract than there is right now and that’s why the Braves are doing what they’re doing.
This demotion was expected and its good business. Ronald Acuna, Jr. will be here soon anyway, on April 13th.
Jason Bishop Show w Kipp Branch March 24
SSE Minute March 23
Free Spending Jags
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The best part of the NFL offseason in my opinion is free agency. I like it better than the draft because these players are proven commodities in the league. The problem with the draft is we really don’t know how the players coming from college will pan out.
One team that’s been extremely active in free agency is Jacksonville. They do what every team is supposed to, address weaknesses. Last season the marquee signing was defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
He set the Jaguars single game sack record (4) in his first game. Campbell helped lead them to their first playoff berth in a decade. Jacksonville advanced to the AFC Championship game and they almost defeated New England. This year’s signings are supposed to make them better than the Patriots.
The franchise played it safe and resigned quarterback Blake Bortles. Bortles isn’t a great QB so he needs a lot of help. They are trying to surround him with talented playmakers.
The best playmaker might be wide receiver Marqise Lee, who re-signed with Jacksonville.
Fellow receiver Allen Robinson signed with Chicago. Allen Hurns is a candidate to be released so Lee is the best returning WR. Lee led the Jags with 56 catches and ranked second in receiving yards (702) playing in 14 regular-season games.
Former Colts WR Donte Moncrief was signed to a one-year deal. Moncrief didn’t have a great 2017 season but some of that was due to poor quarterback play in Indianapolis.
Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins at 6’5, 260 pounds will be a big red zone target. He has not lived up to the hype since being drafted in the second round in 2014. He did have his best statistical season last year with 50 catches, 374 yards and 3 touchdowns.
They also signed another tight end, Niles Paul. The most receptions he has ever had in a season is 39 in 2014. That’s more than double the reception totals for any of his others between 2011-2017.
Guard Andrew Norwell signed a $66.5 million contract over five years. He really provides stability to a weak interior offensive line. His addition will help open holes for Leonard Fournette in the run game and provide pass protection.
The Jags also added some players on defense. Linebacker Lerentee McCray signed a two-year contract. He’s played sparingly in his four-year career. In 2017 he had 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He does help provide depth on defense and he contributes on special teams.
Cornerback D.J. Hayden signed a contract for 3 years and $19 million. Hayden has not had more than one interception in a season. He hasn’t had a pick since 2015. He will also provide depth and likely be the Nickel CB.
They continued with the theme of adding quality depth in the secondary. They signed safeties Cody Davis and Don Carey. The defensive unit was ranked second overall in total defense.
These moves might help improve an already dominant unit. I think the Jags will be the most talented team in the AFC after the draft. Now let’s see how that translates into winning games.
A Maddening Weekend
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It feels like just about every year you could make the claim “this year’s opening weekend to March Madness was the craziest one yet”!
Obviously, this year was no different. Over the course of the tournament’s four day opening weekend, among all the upsets and buzzer beaters, I learned a few things as well as had some beliefs reinforced.
For instance, I learned the next time Syracuse makes the tournament as one of the “last four” teams in, I need to automatically pick them to make it to the Sweet 16.
For the 2nd time in 3 years the Orangemen won 3 games in 6 days, to make it the second weekend. Two years ago, they made it all way to the Final Four. They’ll have to go through Duke and possibly Kansas, if they want to make a return trip this year; it’ll be rough, but I’m not counting them out.
I also felt more secure in my theory that when it comes to tournament knockout pools, under no circumstances should you ever pick a team coached by Sean Miller or Rick Barnes.
While the final score against Buffalo was a surprise, Arizona actually losing to them wasn’t. As for Tennessee, I thought about picking them for their game against Loyola Chicago, until I remembered who was coaching. Barnes may have a done a great job with the Vols over the course of the season but winning in the tournament isn’t exactly his forte.
I realized this year that if an ACC team makes their conference tournament and enters the NCAA tournament as a 2-seed, playing in the closest venue to their campus, just go ahead and pick them to be upset.
It happened to Duke last year. They won the ACC tournament; were upset by USC in Greenville, as a 2-seed and it happened this year with UNC getting completely dominated by Texas A&M.
This next one hasn’t exactly taken place yet, but I feel so confident that it will, I’m going to go ahead and include it under the “beliefs I had reinforced” category.
After complaining about Kentucky’s seeding and draw, John Calipari will somehow try to convince people that his Wildcats made the most miraculous run to the Final Four ever and that the other teams had a much easier route, although his own team won’t have played a team seeded higher than 9th.
For the record, if Kentucky makes the Final Four, I’m not diminishing their accomplishment because of who they played to get there; just pointing out one of the many ways Calipari contradicts himself. Trust me, it’ll happen.
One thing I probably knew but was finally forced to come to terms with is as good of a coach as Tony Bennett is, the style of play his teams run isn’t conducive to being successful in the tournament; at least not consistently.
They’ve had some success in the tournament over the past 5 years (1 Sweet Sixteen and an Elite Eight appearance), but they’ve also been purses in the first weekend three time; twice as a 1-seed and once as a 2-seed. Plus, there’s the loss to UMBC, which doesn’t help their case.
Speaking of UMBC, the most important thing I learned over the first four days of the tournament was what UMBC actually stands for; University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I mean, it’s only fitting I try to learn everything I can about the team that made this “the craziest opening weekend in March Madness history”!
Georgia Hires Crean Of Crop
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
They fired their basketball coach and so obviously they needed to find a new one. It was supposed to be Thad Matta.
There was a 5-year, $16 million contract offer made and he was expected to sign it, but on Wednesday he decided not to.
That’s was the first choice. To say that the guy who was hired was a second choice does a disservice to him. Simply, because it only took three hours after Matta’s contract rejection to make an offer to the next guy on the list.
Tom Crean showed up and showed off the kind of infectious enthusiasm he’ll be bringing to the table after he was announced as the new University of Georgia men’s basketball coach this week. He started off on an excited and positive note, leaving just one thing left to do, get ready for the next season of ball.
Exuberance and enthusiasm are good things for first impressions, certainly, but even beyond that I think that Crean is the right man for the job right now. His resume is one that shows a guy who can right a ship and build up a program that needs it.
Look at his successes at Marquette, where he took a rarely successful program and took them to the Final Four in his fourth year. As well as made every post season after. He also took a program that was on probation in Indiana and got them to the Sweet 16.
These aren’t just little schools either. Indiana is Indiana, with five National Championships to their name. Marquette had won the big one as well and both of those schools were in dire straits before Crean turned them around.
In both situations, Crean utilized the progams’ wide reaches and rich pools of resources to return them to glory. UGA is different in that its former glory doesn’t include championships, but it’s about where those two schools were before Crean came aboard and pushed them towards excellence.
It is no small matter that he was the head coach at Indiana. UGA is an SEC school, sure, but the pressures of a basketball coach at Indiana are more akin to what Kirby Smart faces each year than they are to the situation Crean now finds himself in.
He’ll need to produce wins to keep his job but the pressure of being the top dog (no pun intended) of a school’s sports program is off of him. That is likely to be a positive as he inherits the Bulldog’s basketball team.
Hugh Durham and then Mark Fox took a broken program after the 2002 scandal and led them back to winning ways but they were never able to implement consistency and take the next step.
That sporadic success has made UGA fans ravenous for more and more success.
The return of UGA’s football program to an elite level has also raised the expectations of its other programs. UGA is a football school and it will always come first, but success breeds expectation and Crean should be the guy to elevate the basketball program to an equal level of Kirby Smart’s boys.
February and March could merely be a continuation of sports fanaticism, not a just a lull in between the end of a bowl game and G-Day.
Crean can make that happen. He’s already been speaking about his approach and his plans to attack the Greater Atlanta area for recruiting once his staff is in place.
He’s got a history of getting programs past their previous barriers, and he can be expected to do the same thing at UGA.
Not bad for a second choice.
