Blog backlog

Lots to post about in the last four days: Carolina basketball, Mark McGwire, and perhaps Gilbert Arenas.


Carolina


After a nice win in Chapel Hill on Sunday against a semi-respectable Virginia Tech squad, the uneven Heels looked as bad as they have in a long time in losing to Clemson on Wednesday.  Perhaps nothing can make a team look younger than a road game in a hostile arena.  And that certainly came true in Clemson.


The Heels looked very good down the stretch against Virginia Tech.  After a tight first half where Malcolm Delaney scored 20 points for the Hokies, the Heels came out the second half with much more intensity.  Injured starter Marcus Ginyard helped but the clamps on Delaney, and the Heels' back court took over down the stretch. Larry Drew II made good decisions, got Ed Davis and Deon Thompson some nice looks, and hit a nice three with the shot clock running down. And Will Graves was perhaps even better. The Greensboro junior hit three 3-pointers, rebounded, and played his best and most complete game as a Heel.  


Dexter Strickland bounced back from a terrible game against College of Charleston to carry the Heels in the first half.  He was aggressive but didn't rush things, a zen-like balance hard to achieve but key to playing basketball and especially point guard at Carolina for Roy Williams.


Unfortunately, Strickland was the only Heel to show up against Clemson.  It's a pretty bad night when a freshman is your most composed - not best but merely composed - player.  The worst part of this loss - and there were many bad parts - was the play of Carolina's veteran players.  Ginyard, Thompson and Drew each had 5 turnovers. That's 15 turnovers from players who are supposed to calm their younger teammates, make plays to stop runs from the other team, and lead the comeback. 


We knew this young team would be raggedy, especially on the road.  But most Heels fans also expected some Noel-like leadership, and that has not happened yet. 


Mark McGwire


I don't want to say much on McGwire.  I have no respect for any player who juiced up.  But unlike players like A-Rod, Andy Petite or evan Barry Bond, who seemed to take steroids or PEDs for a relatively short time, McGwire took steroids for 10 years.  Ten years! 


McGwire was quoted as saying he regrets playing in the steroid era.  Dude - if you took steroids for 10 years you WERE the steroid era.


What a scum bag, another scoundrel to add to the incredible list of All-stars/scum bags: McGwire, Bonds, Petite, Clemons, Sosa, A-Rod, Manny Ramirez.  I wonder if Hall of Fame voters will vote in guys like Bonds and A-Rod since they probably did not take steroids for more than a few years, but I hope guys like McGwire and Clemons never get elected.


Wizards


The Wizards continue to stumble, but that's nothing compared to Gilbert Arenas' problems.  As you probably know, Arenas was charged with a felony gun possession, has plead guilty and reached a plea agreement.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday and could receive a 5-year sentence, though jail time is unlikely.


Pleading to a felony does make it unlikely that Arenas will play again this season, and also makes it easier for the Wizards to void his $110 million contract.  


Arenas is not a thug, just stupid. However, Javaris Crittendon , the other player in this drama, does appear thuggy.  The Post is reporting that in response to Arenas' bad joke Crittendon DID pull out a loaded gun, and cocked in the locker room.  Did that moron actually think he needed to be ready to shoot a teammate in an NBA locker room?  


I'll end on a more positive NBA/Carolina note, actually two.  Antawn Jamison is playing great lately, though the Wizards are 1-2 without Arenas.  I don't want the Zards to trade him, but if they do I hope he goes to the Lakers, Celtics or Cavaliers so he can win a title.


And speaking of Cleveland, 2005 alumnus, 8-20 survivor and national champion Jawad Williams is finally getting some playing time for his hometown Cavaliers.  With Jamario Moon injured the last four games, Jawad has averaged 18 minutes and 8 points while shooting 41 per cent on threes.