STARS!

Slocum/AP

        
          One sport that I feel like is never really highlighted is Hockey.  I have been a fan of the National Hockey League, specifically the Stars, ever since I was born.  Hockey is brutal and awesome to watch, never knowing when the next fight is going to break out...but wait, let's make them do it on ice.  How can you not think Hockey is great when walking into the stadium with the cold chill of the ice keeping you cool throughout the game.  One of my favorite things about Hockey are the fans.  Hockey fans are straight-up out of control, in a good way.  I can specifically remember going to Stars games when I was younger and the entire crowd yelling STARS during the national anthem.  Some might call that disrespectful, but I just call it being an avid fan. 
          So how are the Stars doing this year?  Let's just say it corresponds to the rest of Texas sports.  Yes we did get the Rangers to the World Series for the first time ever, but we still lost.  The Houston Texans aren't going to win a Superbowl anytime soon in my opinion.  University of Texas football even surprised us with our lack of winning.  According to ESPN NHL Power Rankings, the Stars came in at 13.  We had a three game winning streak, but was stopped by Colorado with a 5-0 loss.  Out of 30 teams ranked on the list, that leaves the Stars at about the middle of the pack, not great but not bad.  The Stars are also up two spots up from the week prior.  The good news those is that the Stars Offense is ranked fourth, a lot better than our overall ranking. 
          What is going on with Texas sports.  Being a Texas native, I know we all have the persona of thinking we are the best at everything.  But I feel like we are allowed to have that persona when it is true.  I now have to defend my teams that were once great, but have nothing to say about them except just take the heat.  The Cowboys, Longhorns, Mavericks, and Rangers all used to have pretty decent seasons that gave me something to rebuttal to my antagonizing friends.  But now, there is nothing except silence.  I really want to Stars to come back and give us something to talk about, but I unfortunately do not think that is the case.  I do not like to rag on Texas sports, but when there's nothing left to say, you just have to.  
          Thank god sports are in cycles so we always have something to look forward to in hopes of becoming champions once again.  If that were not the case, we could enter into the next Great Depression. 
         

Fantasy Football?

          When Football season comes around, the first thing that comes to my mind is fantasy football.  I'll admit it, I'm not the most avid fantasy football player out there, yet it is still the first thing that comes to my mind.  For those of you who do not know what fantasy football is, it is an interactive, virtual competition in which people manage professional football players versus one another.
          One reason why I think that fantasy football is so popular is because they way that it incorporates other teams.  Fantasy football almost seems to support itself in a continuing cycle that makes the actual football game important to many different people.  Although you might not like a particular team, a player from that team might be on your fantasy football team.  This makes many avid fantasy football fans follow teams that they would not normally follow, giving each football game an even wider audience.
          I can easily see why this is so popular for football fans.  Not only is it a great way to make money, if you're good, but most usually team up creating an entire fantasy football community.  Betting on sports is one of the most common types of gambling, but fantasy football almost legitimizes this sort of gambling.  It is completely fair and based on the players and how well they play.  This gambling also involves a large amount of strategy that is not realized.  The best teams that win are those teams that are the most successful at following which players are performing the best or which players are not hurt. 
           Not being an avid fantasy football fan, I can also see the negatives.  Unless your lives revolve around football, it might be hard for those to keep up with the fantasy league.  Only those that are dedicated to spending time on the league should sign up, especially with money involved.  Another disadvantage that I could see is taking away the fanatics for home teams.  It becomes harder to differentiate who you want to win if it involves a home team.  For example, one of roommates wanted to the Houston Texans to win because it's their home team, but also wanted the Colts to get as many field goals as possible.  Its hard to root for your home team when the other team getting getting field goals equals more money in your pocket. 
          Although there are many positives and negatives to fantasy football, it is something that I do not see going away anytime soon.  The U.S. male population is almost driven by fantasy football during football season.  I'm not sure if you're okay with this, but I know that I definitely am. 

Mavericks: Do They Have What It Takes?

          As the 2010-2011 basketball season comes in full swing tonight, many are already anticipating which team will be the highlight of the season.  My personal favorite happens to be from my hometown once again.  The Dallas Mavericks, for the past couple of years, seems to be on the edge of making it to the top.  A lack of focus and team support has led them towards the path of self-destruction for the past couple of years.  I can personally remember in the 2005-2006 season, after winning the first 3 games against the Miami Heat, Mark Cuban put a design as the front page of The Dallas Morning News.  What was this design you might ask?  It was none other than the pathway that was to be traveled after winning the fourth game, winning a Championship Title.  As many of you all know, the Mavericks never did win that fourth game.
           This type of mentality is what has kept the Mavericks from winning the NBA finals.  Don't get me wrong, I am an avid fan of the Mavericks, but it is hard to have hope when all the eggs are put in one basket, or counted before they hatch. 
          There is an obvious need for a great basketball team in such a large city, and was once rated the seventh most valuable basketball franchise in the United States by Forbes Magazine in 2008.  Everyone obviously sees the potential that this team has, and that potential is greatness.  Do the Mavericks have a great arena to play in?  Yes, the American Airlines Center is the best arena to hold basketball games in the entire city of Dallas.  Is the team filled with talent?  Absolutely, key players such as Dirk Nowitzki, averaging 25 point per game, and Jason Terry, averaging 16.6 points per game, only break the surface of the talent that is on this team.  For some reason, it just seems that with this team, pressure does break pipes. 
          This tirade however is backed up by frustration in following the Mavericks throughout my entire life.  I have been there through the bad, the embarrassment, the frustration, and yes, some good.  It is just hard to constantly be so involved in a team that has lost in the first round of playoffs three out of the past 4 years.  That one year that was the exception only gave us a little longer until we were defeated in the conference semifinals by the Denver Nuggets.
          The 2010-2011 basketball season might prove change for this team.  Sports Illustrated ranked the Mavericks 5th for preseason power rankings.  Although it is always great to be number one, number five lets us start out with a modest, yet successful ranking that leaves room for improvement.  I personally cannot wait to see what the Mavericks are going to do out on the court tonight, and can only hope for the best.  Maybe it is the Mavericks time to put all false connotations to rest considering this teams talent and ability.  Just as the football and baseball seasons come to a close, I knew there was something I could look forward to. 

UPI Photo/Ian Halperin

 

 

 

 

The Texas Rangers

     This has been a very big year for Texas sports, ranging from the national to university level.  One of the biggest surprises however is from Major League Baseball and the success of the Texas Rangers.  The Rangers moved on to the American League Divisions series for the first time in eleven years after winning the American League West.  The Rangers then moved on playing the Tampa Bay Rays and won the American League Championship Series.  Many ask why this is such a huge deal...because this is a first in the Texas Ranger history.
     The Rangers are now playing against the Yankees and is almost turning into a Boston Red Sox Cinderella story from 2007.  No one expected the Boston Red Sox to win, but they eventually conquered all misconceptions.*  I personally have a high hope that will be the same for my home town team.  The Texas Rangers have not won a World Series title in the history of this baseball team.
     This team of course has to give credit to the players that make it so successful.  One player that has caught the eye of the media is Cliff Lee.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

  Cliff Lee has started with one of the best three-streak weeks of pitching in baseball: 24 innings, one walk, 34 strikeouts.  Lee, however, is not just starting off lucky, but played brilliantly with the Phillies for five years.  This season, Lee has pitched 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA.  Although this is a great number for a starting pitcher, it is really hard how to compare Lee with other players that have had much more experience.  Lee has pitched 64 great innings, but what about Andy Pettitte who has thrown 263 postseason innings.  Everyone can admit that there is a lack of experience, but everyone must also admit how strong Lee has started.  
     Born and raised in Texas, I can only hope and pray for a defeat against the Yankees.  The Yankees have been to the World Series 28 times and I think it's about our turn.  Not to discredit the Yankees, they are very talented being backed up with players such as A-Rod.  The Rangers, however, seem to not only have luck on their side, but also a desire to win.  Many baseball fans do believe that the Rangers this year are getting a lucky start and will crack under pressure.  With players such as Cliff Lee on the Rangers side, I don't see how that is even possible. 

--Update: Rangers are winning against the Yankees 2-1.
--4th game on Tuesday at 7:30

*Random Fact: The movie titled "Fever Pitch" starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon was originally written for a couple following a terrible Major League Baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.  At the unexpected turn of events, the entire script had to be rewritten in order to accommodate to the new status of the winning Red Sox. 

Texas Rated in the Top 100!

Eric Gay - AP

          For many different topics, from music and film to restaurants and tourist destinations, being rated in the top 100 is not only a great honor, but will also drive in revenue and even more prospective customers or fans.  Unfortunately, in the college football world, being rated in the top 100 is almost depressing considering the BCS 25 is what really matters.  After this shocking season, the Longhorns have dramatically dropped and have been excluded from the BCS 25 for the first time since 1999.  Garrett Gilbert, once known as the up and coming new quarterback to lead us into victory, has honestly thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
 
Garrett Gilbert, is the 83rd nationally ranked quarterback, but I was expecting way higher of a number, being a Longhorn fanatic, student and football follower.  Being rated in the top 100 is not something I like to see.  I personally would rather stay in the BCS 25 in order to once again compete for the National Championship, although that is almost impossible by now.

Yes, the Longhorn offensive line is ranked in the top 100, but being ranked 53 out of 100 is nothing to brag about.  Greg Davis has recently come into question based on his offensive coordination coaching skills.  The Longhorn Students have become so outraged by the lack of coaching ability they personally have developed Facebook groups in order to get this coach fired, which can be found at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Fire-Greg-Davis/147491988625779.

One reason why this is such a shock to the University of Texas community is based on how great the Longhorn football team did in the previous season.  Garrett Gilbert seemed to handle the pressure during the National Championship.  Although the Longhorns did end up loosing, it provided the fans with hope for the next season seeing the maturity and talent of the young quarterback.

It does not help the situation that the Longhorns were unable to come out with a victory against Oklahoma losing 20-28.  Oklahoma might be one of the most crucial games of the year considering the rivalry that has lasted decades.  If we simple pulled out a win against this team, our faith would have been restored immensely.  However, the offensive line is either scared of the ball or oils their hands before the game.  

I do feel guilty for being disappointed in the Longhorns because I have never had to be disappointed before while attending school here.  This makes the Nebraska vs. Texas game this coming weekend so much more interesting.  We do not have a chance at coming close to the BCS 25, in my opinion, but if the Longhorns can somehow shape up their offensive line, it will put my mind at ease for the season next year.  Seeing as it will be my senior year, I am expecting the Longhorns to dominate like they once did.  One thing the Nebraska game has going for it is that the Longhorns have beaten Nebraska 8 out of 9 times since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996.  Let's make it 9-1 to restore the fanaticism we all once had.