The Revenge of College Basketball
Khalid Salaam wonders if Dick Vitale was right all along…
by Khalid Salaam
Put it like this: I haven’t even bought LeaguePass yet. Here I am an editor at the world’s greatest hoops mag and I just let the first month of the season pass away having seen only half of the teams play a game. Granted, the first month of the season is more a weeding-out process and doesn’t deserve 101 percent concentration, and living in the NYC area gives me twice as many chances to watch local games, so getting extra coverage isn’t as mandatory.
But that’s not the real reason I’ve turned off the snooze button and decided to keep my REM sleep game intact. It’s more because the League is decidedly down this year. It’s not even about how bad the East is. (insert random voice asking: “Khalid, how bad is it?”) Well okay, since you asked, it’s so bad as to render the entire League less interesting. The East has been down for almost a decade now so this is not some new event, but it’s about 5 or 6 notches worse than last year. At least last season Detroit and Miami were among the top 5 or 6 teams pretty much for the whole campaign.
This year I don’t think there is an East team in the top 7 period. The Sixers just sent down backup PG Louis Williams to the NBDL and I’m like, Well, damn just send the whole team down. Or the whole Atlantic division for that matter.
Thankfully we’re in the early stages of what’s setting up to be one of the greatest college basketball seasons ever. We’ve already had a classic (Kansas/Florida) and its not even December yet.
See, I’ve never been one of those basketball purist types who sit around all day and expound on the greatness of the college game. The comp is better they say, and they are more passionate and they play unselfish. Yeah, yeah. But this season they got something, they have a legitimate point. The comp is better; there are several teams from across the nation who have the potential to win the national title. But you can’t possibly tell which teams are gonna be there in the end — the very nature of the college game prohibits it. It could be UNC, Pitt, UCLA, Kansas or Ohio State. Maybe even Arizona if things fall right for them.
In the NBA its gonna either be the Spurs, Suns, Heat or Mavs. Nobody can convince me otherwise. In the NBA there are a dearth of big men. That’s why a flawed team like Cleveland can actually contemplate a trip to the Finals, even though they have a pair of baby boomers in their point guard rotation. That’s why an inexperienced team like Orlando, just because they have Dwight Howard, are a trade away from a Finals appearance when you know damn well in anything but this bizarro world Eastern Conference just making the Playoffs would suffice as a successful year. But since there are no big men that can defend the paint or block shots than teams with slashers and/or talented players at the 4 can challenge.
In the NCAA’s you’ve got Noah, Oden, Durant, Hansbrough, Horford, Big Baby, Hibbert and McRoberts and Gray. And that’s just some of the talent. Not too mention an ill frosh class that includes Paul Harris, Chase Budinger and Tywon Lawson.
What does all this mean? It means that you won’t have to wait until the spring to see some “worth your time” basketball games. That there is actually some intrigue, some excitement and some moments in which you’ll be amped to get home and turn the game on.
So basically Dick Vitale was right all along. Dammit.
52 Responses to “The Revenge of College Basketball”
Nov.30 at 3:03 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
My money’s on a Dallas - Cleveland finals.
Nov.30 at 3:27 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i was kinda upset that i didn’t get to see oden play last night. that woulda been a fantastic game. (not that it wasn’t, especially since Heels won, on their home court no less)
Nov.30 at 3:29 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
thats my point. cleveland is not suppossed to be a finals team.
Nov.30 at 3:35 pm
scott says:
Imagine what the eastern conference playoffs are going to look like this summer? Cleveland will win the east with LeBron James and a bunch of scrubs.
Nov.30 at 3:37 pm
scott says:
No offense to Myung or Lang but for God’s sake the Atlanta Hawks will probably make the playoffs.
Nov.30 at 3:48 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Ye, khalid i wasnt trying to say that are actually a really good team or anything, they have lost to the knicks and raptors in the last week. But whose better? Bulls? Pistons? Heat? Orland might be the second best team in the east, whoa.
Nov.30 at 3:50 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
should i toss the Nets in there too? i dunno
Nov.30 at 3:53 pm
Max Airington says:
Are you new here?
Nov.30 at 3:53 pm
scott says:
Sadly no one is better then Cleveland in the east. Miami probably won’t even have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs that is how much they have dropped.
Nov.30 at 3:54 pm
scott says:
What the hell is wrong with Jersey? They shouldn’t be this bad they have a decent roster.
Nov.30 at 3:58 pm
Max Airington says:
Alot of teams in the East are one trade away from contention. But I agree with the new guy Khalid, the contrasting lack of big men in the East and abundance of them in the West is the reason the West will the title this year. Hell, even the Lakeshow has an outside chance with Bynum’s flashes of potential. The East is guard heavy, and alot of those top flight guards are streaky shooters. Wade, Iverson, Bron, Gil, Pierce, Carter and co. all can go from shit to gold on a nightly basis. You need guaranteed points on the blocks, and a defensive presence in the middle. Greg Oden might change everything.
Nov.30 at 4:00 pm
jj says:
You know there’s something wrong when utah and orlando are conference leaders. I mean, ryan is right. This year the NBA pretty much sucks. I am hopeful however. The western conference playoffs will be one of those you remember forever, with never ending series. I mean, just imagine the spurs, mavs, suns, lakers, jazz, clippers and mavs all competing for one spot! And next year the league will be full of great rookies. It will really be one of the best classes ever. We just have to let this season pass by and come back in may/june…
Nov.30 at 4:00 pm
scott says:
Khalid don’t forget everybody’s Christmas day gift of Miami and LA Lakers.
Nov.30 at 4:00 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Like i said, College basketball is where its at. Its just more exciting right now. The NBA probably won’t pick up speed until after all-star
Nov.30 at 4:01 pm
M.K. Petrik says:
MIAMI WILL WIN IT ALL (AGAIN!)
Nov.30 at 4:01 pm
scott says:
Max what if Oden ends up with say Memphis then the west just gets stronger.
Nov.30 at 4:02 pm
Max Airington says:
We’re not even a quarter into the season and it sucks? That’s like talking about MVP candidates already. Oh that’s right. Did anyone else watch the NC/OSU game on mute?
Nov.30 at 4:03 pm
Max Airington says:
If the current performance keeps up, someone from the East has to end up with the No. 1 pick.
Nov.30 at 4:05 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
At least we still have pictures of britney spears’ crooked vagina.
1
Nov.30 at 4:06 pm
Dutch Rich says:
Jersey’s unable to spread the floor. It’s painfull to watch VC forcing the issue in the clutch and the entire D collapsing on his ass. Tossing up some bullshit trying to get to the line. He is becoming the ballstopper that Melo was pre-George Karl. They didn’t have shooters either. Look at TP and how he gets in the lane. That’s because of Brent and Bowen burried in the corner.
Nov.30 at 4:07 pm
scott says:
Charlotte and Memphis got the worst records in the league. Charlotte should get somewhat better. If Memphis trades Gasol you have to believe they will continue to have the worst record. That would give Memphis the best chance of landing Oden or Durant.
Nov.30 at 4:07 pm
Omar says:
All i have to say is - i’m done with the NBA (Is it me or did David Stern just really run it into the ground with all his rules and stipulations?), Hip-Hop (Wasn’t hip-hop supposed to be the Ghetto CNN and not VH1’s The Fabolous Life Of…), Thug Life (or Snitch Life. Nowadays these youngsters don’t even know the difference) and i’m definitely done with “hot” women. I’ma only date ugly bitches from here on. They just glad to be dating a man with a job. They don’t need a dude with a car and a house and medicle benefits. I’ma get on some George Costanza shit everytime i met a woman. “My name is Omar. I’m unemployed and i live at my parents.”
Nov.30 at 4:09 pm
scott says:
I can’t wait till Vince Carter gets his contract and then just falls off the face of the earth.
Nov.30 at 4:10 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Memphis doesn’t want to trade Gasol. They might get the number 1 pick anyway. They could still get Durant and let him play the 3 then trade Rudy Gay
Nov.30 at 4:11 pm
Max Airington says:
If you arent ugly, theyll respect you for your honesty and probably throw you a freebie. Hip Hop was dead long before Nas decided it was catchy.
Nov.30 at 4:12 pm
scott says:
College game will add OJ Mayo, Eric Gordon, Donte Greene, Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and Bill Walker unless he starts playing in January. College basketball is faaaaaaantastic.
Nov.30 at 4:12 pm
jbn74sb says:
College basketball is almost always enjoyable to watch, at least partly because of the fact that the crowds tend to be way more into it. Additionally, each individual game is way more significant to the outcome of a season than in the NBA. Add in the fact that almost all of the games on ESPN are available in HD, and the result is that you can almost always find a watchable college game during the week. Without league pass, assuming your home team’s games aren’t broadcast locally in HD, and college hoops has got it going on. As to how weak the East is, who cares at this point? The season is a month old. Who knows who will be traded, to where, and who will get hurt? I love watching the NBA, but any opinions as to the eventual champions or who will come out of the East are just way too premature at this point.
Nov.30 at 4:12 pm
Max Airington says:
And if you like ugly chicks, holla at Ryan, he can put you on to a few. Maggie?
Nov.30 at 4:14 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
O you’re done with hot women? Wow, this is a sad day indeed. Leave a little love for the NBA though.
Nov.30 at 4:17 pm
scott says:
It is never to early to debate who will represent the east and west in the finals.
Nov.30 at 4:22 pm
Omar says:
If i can find a down to earth hot chick that actually appreciates an unlimited metrocard then i’m back in the game.
Nov.30 at 4:24 pm
Max Airington says:
Move to the midwest. Full of em. Promise.
Nov.30 at 4:35 pm
Omar says:
I might do like a bunch of my friends did and go back to my native country (El Salvador) and get me a hot chick that lives in one of the villages. Marry her and bring her here. I’m sure she’d appreciate the little things like electricity and hot water.
Nov.30 at 4:50 pm
allenp says:
I don’t know, isn’t Vitale right mainly because of the new age limit?
Nov.30 at 5:05 pm
Nathalie says:
ultimately, the league is where i go to see if my favorite college players are still trying to dominate and get better. the team concept is totally drowned after ncaa, making the nba….well… a tad less entertaining
Nov.30 at 5:32 pm
Patrick says:
im a fan of gangstarrism and all. but ‘medicle benefits’ ?
Nov.30 at 5:37 pm
Omar says:
I don’t know, for some reason hot women want a dude with medicle benefits.
Nov.30 at 5:57 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
And spell check.
Nov.30 at 6:00 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Nah, Lang, “Medicie Benefits.” They’re Italian, and the ladies LOVE them. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.
Nov.30 at 6:08 pm
Jeremy says:
O, that’s what all of the Lebanese dudes do up here where I live. Take a 2 month trip back to Beirut, find a down to earth girl, hitch up and bring her back. Stick with El Salvador, though. I’m sure the mamasitas are a lot more appealing than most of these birds, though.
Nov.30 at 6:26 pm
Aaron says:
The NBA is coming off of one of the most exciting postseasons in recent history and is being stamped as being back and now suddenly the league is boring? The East has been poor for quite some time now with the exception of a few teams and the West has been dominate for quite some time as well. There are several trascendent stars in the league and numerous play an appealing style of ball. College hoops is always fantastic to me due to effort and rivalries and March Madness is really as good as it gets. But, the NBA is a whole is a better product regardless of better players having to stay around for a year now in the college ranks. Also, the big man arguement isn’t flying with me in the NBA because big men win in the NBA while guards win in the college ranks. Also, anyone can win in the NBA. Did that many people predict Miami would win last year? That Dallas would make it to the Finals? The league has as nice a balance as it has had in a while.
Nov.30 at 6:50 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I would say with Shaq and Wade we all knew Miami had the ability to win but i didn’t expect their 2nd tier players (toine, eboy,etc) to gel enough to beat detroit. i underestimated how much flip would damage detroit but we all knew that the east was weak even then. And dallas had the talent but i wasn’t sure how much avery would change their mentality but even then i knew they would be in the mix. same thing this year. and don’t sleep on the big man comeback taking place in college this year. its real.
Nov.30 at 7:27 pm
Maha10k says:
I love basketball so I love college and Pro. My team, PHX, got off to a slow start and it’s interesting to see how they put it together over the course of the season. The league is all storylines until the playoffs. With college, the season is shorter and the teams I root for (Arizona, UNC) schedule pretty well so most of their games mean something. The tourney is the BEST sporting event in the US hands down.
Nov.30 at 11:37 pm
MDShuai says:
I disagree. the NBA playoffs are the best. Then you get to see the best 16 teams in the league, playing to win, you see the same passion, desire, and intensity you get in college hoops, but with a much higher school level. Add to that the fact that for the first three weeks of the playoffs you have at least 2 games every night, it’s heaven. It’s like league pass for the guys who are too poor and cheap to actually pay for it; and by that I mean me. College hoops can be intense, but sometimes it seems like a chicken with its head cut off, running around, bleeding everywhere. You admire it’s intensity and energy, but at the end of the day you still eat it.
Dec.1 at 12:35 am
Vahid A. says:
I’m glad you write an article about this, because I’ve noticed the same thing about college basketball this year. Clearly, the difference this year is the freshman class; Durant, Brandan Wright, Budinger, Thaddeus Young…oh yeah, Mr. Oden hasn’t even played a minute yet. For the first time in my life, I find myself rooting for these young, extremely talented guys to STAY in college rather than entering the draft. I’d love to see this talented frosh class develop rivalries in college and then all come to the NBA in the same year. NCAA…give the kids some damn money so that they’ll be less inclined to leave college early for the pros. It would also be in Sternbot’s best interest to rig the lottery so that the best players in the draft go to the East. As a Suns fan, I will shoot myself if I see Oden go to a WC team. Watch Tim Duncan suddenly get “injured”, the Spurs tank the rest of the season and land Greg Oden to dominate the league with boring basketball for the next 10 years.
Dec.1 at 2:17 pm
Maha10k says:
Vahid
If ATL ends up in the lottery again and their pick isn’t top 3, the Suns get their pick. Some good college talent will be hitting PHX next summer. Unless of course they give it away like they did Luol Deng.
Dec.1 at 4:50 pm
Aaron says:
Let’s hope we can get a shot blocking big in PHX or a potential heir to Shawn. I would be really happy with Noah, Wright (both Brandon and Julian), Budinger or Mbah a Moute.
Dec.2 at 5:59 am
apaul says:
Off topic, but the Cavs will not beat Pistons in Playoffs… Not sure how much to blame Flip for their collapse last year, especially since I had to watch what I could form ehre and did nto see a lot of games. Unfortunatley, I can see virtually no college hoops from China.
Dec.2 at 9:28 am
BETCATS says:
Cavs for eastern champs. We are all Wittnesses so dont think the Pistons-Big Ben=Beating the King.
Dec.2 at 4:58 pm
Vahid A. says:
“Let’s hope we can get a shot blocking big in PHX or a potential heir to Shawn. I would be really happy with Noah, Wright (both Brandon and Julian), Budinger or Mbah a Moute.” Add Hasheem Thabeet and Thaddeus Young to that list. Best case scenario for the Suns is if they could land 4-8 pick from Atlanta and trade up to #2 to get Kevin Durant (leading Texas in PPG, RPG and BPG at the moment). [/dream]
Dec.4 at 4:08 pm
Omar says:
I like that “I’m A Witness” slogan. That’s dope.
Dec.7 at 5:53 pm
Shoguns of Harlem says:
college: there’s no stopping the Starheels. pro: can we please get Dean Smith to come out of retirement and coach the Knicks? Send him a fruit basket or something. Also, maybe my mailman stole the issue (again), but where are the stories on Chase Budinger? Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2LTt0vtvOY a 17 year old cracker with a 40+ inch vertical, doing Vince-like through the legs reverses when he was still in high school. And he looks like Ronald McDonald’s illegitimate son! How did he not win that competition?