Believe In Blue

Everything about anything
Written By John Sauter

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Hello people, my name is John, and I am a true American. If you enjoy the city of Indianapolis, the Colts, the Indiana Hoosiers, the IRL, NASCAR, and/ or intelligent ranting on the world of sports, then you are in the right place... Thanks for stopping by


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Moto GP drivers had their first practice and testing sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday September 14th, 2008. 
Had I not had to work today, I would have been planted at the track to watch motorcycles tear through the course at speeds of over 200 mph - sick!
Come September, eyes across the globe will yet again be focused on Indianapolis as it hosts another world class event.  This one will be extra special though in that it will be the first motorcycle race at IMS since the track’s very first race in 1909! 
P.S. 
Fuck you Formula 1

Moto GP drivers had their first practice and testing sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday September 14th, 2008. 

Had I not had to work today, I would have been planted at the track to watch motorcycles tear through the course at speeds of over 200 mph - sick!

Come September, eyes across the globe will yet again be focused on Indianapolis as it hosts another world class event.  This one will be extra special though in that it will be the first motorcycle race at IMS since the track’s very first race in 1909! 

P.S. 

Fuck you Formula 1

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Lucky Me

Product Image       

Just bought Californication Season 1 and South Park Season 3.  Best Buy is currently selling seasons 1-5 for 15 bucks each… a steal.  Cant wait to watch two of my all time favorite episodes - Red Badge of Gayness, and Spontaneous Combustion.

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Enjoy going to the L.A. Clippers, the black hole for young talent.
And by the way, PLEASE lose the suit… you look absolutely ridiculous

Enjoy going to the L.A. Clippers, the black hole for young talent.

And by the way, PLEASE lose the suit… you look absolutely ridiculous

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Pacers trade and draft

I had intended on getting to this topic earlier, but now will just have to suffice. The trade is now done, and I don’t like it. I wish I had expressed this opinion before the trade, but o-well. I don’t hate the trade; I just think we could have done better. We could have received better value, or we could have not traded at all and held onto J.O. , with the latter being the option I preferred.

And before you call me a dumbass, let me explain… According to numerous reports and even more rumors, O’Neal’s rehab is coming along great. He is supposedly looking very good in basketball workouts out in Las Vegas; and this is the only reason teams are making somewhat reasonable trade offers. The issue is that the trade options are good, but could become much better over time - in particular, at this season’s trade deadline. Teams are not certain on O’Neal’s health. So why not keep him, let him continue to rehab, and slowly build his minutes over the season. Assuming he will be healthy (which is the big problem with my plan, what if he doesn’t get healthy…), teams will have full confidence in his value. Confidence in his ability will lead to higher value for him then, compared to the lack of full confidence teams have right now. So come early 2009, teams will know he is healthy, and teams will be desperate to make last second improvements to build for the playoffs. Desperate teams make for rash decision making and overvaluing players. Thus, I believe that we could get far greater trade value mid season than now.

Going even further (mind you this is all risky due to my assumption that he will be healthy), his value will be maximized next off-season. There is nothing NBA owners love more than players with expiring contracts. And Jermaine O’Neal is exactly that. After this season he will have one year left on his contract. Thus teams will be competing to pick him up, knowing that they can let him go only a year later.

But this all doesn’t matter now that the trade is done. And its not that bad of trade. T.J. Ford does have skills. I was a big fan of him in college and during his rookie year. This was all before the neck and spinal injuries though. However, he has apparently rebounded and regained his lighting quick speed. If he stays healthy, he should provide the Pacers with a more athletic point guard than they have seen in some years. Hopefully Rasho Nesterovic will provide the Pacers with some much needed post presence as well. Assuming he wont though, I think the Pacers must address the needs of a big man with the newly acquired 17th pick, maybe even the 11th. In addition, I do think taking a point guard, which all indications point to, is still a reasonable route to take in the draft.

At least we didn’t trade O’Neal to the Cavaliers for the 19th pick, Anderson Varejo and Wally Szerbiak!

One more thing Pacers… PLEASE don’t draft Kosta Koufus. PLEASE

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To me, this is a VERY scary sight. 
trappedintime:




Home Sweet Home | Hope Sweet Hope (via a35mmlife)

To me, this is a VERY scary sight. 

trappedintime:

Home Sweet Home | Hope Sweet Hope (via a35mmlife)

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mattirick:
I hate people.

mattirick:

I hate people.
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USA Olympic Mens Basketball Team Named

Guards:

Chris Paul          (pg)

Deron Williams    (pg)

Jason Kidd         (pg)

Kobe Bryant       (sg)

Dwyane Wade    (sg)

Michael Redd     (sg)

Forwards:

Carmelo Anthony

Tayshaun Prince

LeBron James

Carlos Boozer

Chris Bosh

Centers:

Dwight Howard

Head Coach:

Mike Krzyzewski

Assistant Coaches:

Jim Boeheim

Mike D’Antoni

Nate McMillan

Based on initial reaction, this is quite a team.  There is not a collection of players from any country in the world that has anywhere near as much talent as this group.  On paper, Team USA should cruise through the Olympics to Gold.  Competitors should have no business being in close games with the Red, White, in Blue. 

Now saying this, they will… 

The problem, as America has found out over the years, is that the world has caught up.  Not only have they caught up, but they are becoming all around better basketball players.  While Americans focus on glory, the rest of the world practices the basics.  While we try to dunk, drive one-on-one, and shoot threes, the rest of the world practices free throws and bounce passes.  And with the rapid influx of foreign players into the NBA, the contrast in fundamentals has come to light.  Nowhere is this more obvious than the free throw line.  The most simple and fundamental thing in basketball is a free throw.  And nothing pisses me off more about American basketball than players, guards especially, not being able to hit their free throws – the most basic shot in the game.  I don’t care if you can dribble behind your back and through your legs en route to drawing a foul in the lane if you can’t hit your free throw!  Foreign players on the other hand have no trouble with free throws.  Big guys, small guys – German guys, Argentina guys – they all hit free throws…

Along with the superior free throw shooting, foreign countries have gained ground based on playing simple team basketball.  The American game has turned into one of super star vs. super star, with players standing around watching all too much.  There is much less movement and terrible passing.  As our game deteriorates, other countries are playing team oriented basketball.  They do not have stars that hog the ball and take all the shots. They pass the ball around and move until the best quality opportunity opens up.  

It is important to point out, however, that these foreign countries gain significant advantages in their team cohesiveness based on the fact that most of the players play together year round.  They practice and prepare to play as a group on a regular basis, while the American team has about two months – tops – to prepare for the Olympics.  Most other countries’ players are totally familiar with sets, style, and their teammate’s strengths and weaknesses.  

Lastly, the level of significance most basketball players across the world place on the Olympics is much higher than in America.  When Team USA steps onto the court against a challenger, they are playing a team full of national pride and gratitude.  While this is an assumption, it seems to be pretty clear that other countries are playing much more for the glory and respect of their country than Team USA is.  

All things considered, this team should still win the Gold.  Realistically, they should not lose a single game.  In fact Team USA has lost a total of only 5 games in Olympic play, which started in 1936.  Following the introduction of Pros to the Olympics, Team USA won 24 consecutive games - a streak that came to a sudden halt with a 5-3 showing that resulted in the bronze metal at the 2004 games. Back to team though - they have quality coaching and a good mix of players.  I like the solid point guard play that is complimented by highly skilled shooting guards.  The forwards are phenomenal as well.  My only problem with the team is having only one center, Dwight Howard.  I think the team will be OK though based on having players that can focus on the defensive end of the court, which is what has killed us in our three previous blunders on the World stage.  So Good Luck America.  I know that there will naturally be some challenges – players will have off nights and other team will have special moments - but this group of players has far too much talent and skill to be matched by any other country.

Make us proud boys!

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