Season's Greetings from the Yard

It is that time of year again where the Yard reviews the year that was, the rants and the raves, the missives and the misses. We cranked out 25 postings to the blog this year. It was a random cycle of publishing. The highlight was June with five with the Dodgers in first and the Lakers in the Finals. Of late, we have been quiet in the blue turmoil at the Ravine and in Westwood. It is a time of reflection, perspective and planning. We reflected on the shortcomings of the Bruins and the Dodgers. We kept the Giant’s surprising victory in perspective and we plan to watch our Lakers play in the finals for the 4th straight season. All of our postings are listed on the Blog site. There are some fun stories and some painful ones. Our hits and misses are there for eternity. We were right more than wrong but we were horribly wrong about a few things this year.

We also relocated our offices to Las Vegas. It was a surprising move that caught several staffers off guard. Yard management just felt that we needed a cheaper base of operations from which to piss our money away. Las Vegas offers lower housing costs, no state income tax and easy access to venues where money can be most effectively wasted. We could still observe our favorites and villains. We also felt that the political climate in California is better to view than to breath. These were key considerations for the move. Our focus group questioned this reasoning but doubled down on Las Vegas when we offered them player’s cards and a place to crash within ten minutes of the Strip.

The Yard has been on hiatus during the move. It was a fortuitous time to be on hiatus as well. With the hated Giants finally winning something, the Dodgers in turmoil and our beloved Bruins never winning anything, it was best to be away from our bully pulpit and off the radar. The dust has not settled any of those issues but it is forgiving sports report in Las Vegas. UCLA is rarely mentioned and TJ Simers is not a contributor. The Dodgers are covered but not with the expanse and detail of the LA Times. And we think they hate the Giants up here as well but that might be more hope than reality. The area seems open minded to our close minded rants.

Predictably, Frank McCourt’s post-nuptial with soon to be ex-wife Jamie was thrown out by the judge. Frank, now you are a real California resident! Nothing says “ Welcome to California!” as clearly as paying millions to lose half your stuff in an ugly divorce. We just wish he owned the Giants or the Clippers not our Dodgers. Both of these combatants contend that they have investors lined up to buy out the other. Jamie, save your breath. Major League Baseball wants no part of you and whatever investors you might line up. Your ownership would never be approved because you are a frigging load. Frank, good luck! Retaining ownership control and finding $350 million to buy out Jamie does not sound grammatically correct. You already sold the parking lot to Fox.

The BCS seemed to work this year because Oregon and Auburn did not stumble on the field. The NCAA did their part by reinstating Cam Newton at least until they get their millions from the BCS Championship game. Did we really think the NCAA was going to suspend Cam Newton before this rating bonanza? The NCAA always acts in the best interests of themselves regardless of the gravity of the situation. If Cam Newton was playing at Northern Illinois, he would be suspended, the school placed on a three year bowl ban, and scholarships reduced. Auburn may still vacate this championship if they win but the NCAA is going to make sure their payday happens before they take any money away from Auburn.

Boise State won 24 games in a row piling up record numbers to a loyal fan base. When they got to a BCS game, they beat Oklahoma and TCU. They finally got upset when their All American kicker missed a field goal to win it in regulation and another in OT to lose it on a cold Friday night in Reno. They crushed Utah with ease playing their B game up here in Las Vegas in something called the MAACO Bowl. At least the turf was green. The Yard has seen Boise play on the blue turf and they are a class act on any color carpet. It is hard to understand how this quality, exciting team is relegated to this game while 8-4 UCONN plays Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. We can imagine Bob Stoops wants no part of Boise this year either. From New Years Day until the title game, fourteen teams that have already lost 3+ games will be playing in a better bowl game than BSU.

The Miami Heat seems to have figured it out winning 14 in a row at one point and climbing back atop their division. It did help to have a streak of playing games against teams with a combined record of 85-134 with only two of those opponents having a passing chance to sniff the playoffs. When they finally played a championship contender in Dallas, they lost. They are a perimeter team that will win regular season games when playing games like the aforementioned stretch. Lebron took his considerable skills to South Beach to win championships. Perimeter teams without a low post offensive threat or any low post defense are not playing basketball in June. Chris Bosch is their Ringo. He is sucking $17 million a year that could be spent on two bodies down low. At least the winning streak keeps King Riley upstairs until the All-Star break. Christmas Day will not be a playoff preview because the Lakers will be in the Finals and the Heat will be at home watching.

The Celtic-Knick game last week was the best NBA Game of the season. The Knicks have been a joke for over a decade and it never seemed that this team was going anywhere this year. It was a playoff atmosphere at the Garden and the game came down to the last shot. The Knicks have been horrific but Knick fans are among the best and Madison Square Garden is still a magical place to play. The NBA is better when the Knicks are in the mix. We do like seeing another east coast challenge to the Celtics which is kind of nice. Lebron should have taken his considerable skills to Manhattan. King James, do you see the life Jeter and A-Rod live as kings of that city? You would have owned the town. South Beach is for posers, Snooki, and retirees. Manhattan is called the Big Apple for a reason.

This could be the last report from the Yard for 2010. We never know but as the days dwindle in the year, we wish everyone the health, prosperity and vitriol that brightens our days, affords our efforts and provides purpose to our mission. All of the best to you and yours this holiday season and into the New Year.

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. Richard Lamm