Heels and Nats

Not often that a blow out win does not qualify as a good game, but last night's contest between Carolina and N.C. Central was a game that should not have been played.   I doubt Carolina gained anything from playing the Eagles in a tilt that more closely resembled Friday night's exhibition rout against Belmont Abbey.   At times Central had trouble simply getting the ball up court.


But I shouldn't be too harsh, since the win over NCCU was kind of a coming out party for Marcus Ginyard's jump shot.  Hitting more than one three-pointer - in consecuitive games no less - shows M-Giny's shot is legit.


Outside shooting, along with the play of Drew II, are by far the two biggest question marks with this year's Tar Heels.  And another good sign from last night's game - that addresses both issues - was the play of Dexter Strickland.  Strickland looked stage struck on Monday, but last night looked like a reliable option as both our back up point guard AND as a legit shooting threat.


So I guess as a whole the game was unwatchable, but the play of Ginyard and Stickland causes me a revise my initial assesment of the win over N.C. Central.


Hansbrough Update


Tyler Hansbrough is off to a great start for the Pacers.  He's still getting into basketball shape after dealing with shin problems for the second year in a row.  Despite playing limited minutes Hansbrough's been in double figures both games, and has already been to the foul line 21 times in less than 30 minutes.  Due to his injury his touch and timing are off, as he is shooting only 33 percent so far and he's been foul prone, too.  But once he gets into basketball shape watch out for Psycho-T.


Good Nats News?!


Some very positive hot stove league news from our hometown Nats this week.  


First, Ryan Zimmerman won the Gold Glove AND the Silver Slugger, marking Zimm as the best defensive and offensive third baseman in the National League.   The awards are an exclamation point on a great individual season for Zimmerman, one in which he hit a career high number of homers, had a 30-game hitting streak and made the All-Star team.  


Zimmerman is the main reason to care about the Nats, but hopefully that will change next season under new - and no longer interim - manager Jim Riggleman.  The Nationals announced today that Riggleman, who skippered the team to a 35-42 mark, had won the right to manage the team for a full season in 2010. 


I'm optimistic about Riggleman.  The Nationals showed a pulse after he took over, and even generated a little buzz during two significant - an 8-game then a 7-game - winning streaks.


Now if they can sign a starter and one more reliever, this team could be respectable next season and win around 70 games.


Finally, how weird that Manny Acta will also be managing next season? Less than a six months after getting fired with a 26 and 60-something record - one would think the stink from such a record would linger more than that - Acta will still have one of the most exclusive jobs on the planet as a big league manager.