Olympic Notes

This in from various reports on NBC Sports' coverage of the 2010 Olympics and men's ice hockey:

Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory (3:20-6:13 p.m. ET) drew an average viewership of 27.6 million, the most watched hockey broadcast of any kind since the USA vs. Finland 1980 gold medal game in Lake Placid, NY  on Feb. 24, 1980  which drew 32.8 million).  For historical comparison, the “Miracle on Ice” USA-Russia semifinal game that aired on tape delay on Feb 22, 1980 from the Lake Placid Games drew 34.2 million average viewers.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat to observe a nation of fans that appreciates winter sports, is proud of their winter sport heritage and celebrates success - no matter which country wins - so it was only fitting yesterday when Sidney Crosby scored the goal to give Canadians the gold that meant so much to this country,” said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.  “‘O Canada’ will never be the same.”

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Ramble On ...

The Blog @ TerryLyons.com frequently compiles a series of notes or random thoughts and posts a column of those in a rambin' fashion, called "Ramble On."


My first Ramble On column, a couple years ago, included a tribute to Led Zep and a line or two from the song:

"Ramble On, And now's the time, the time is now, to sing my song.
I'm goin' 'round the world, I got to find my girl, on my way.
I've been this way ten years to the day, Ramble On.."

This posting is just a reminder to my longtime blog readers and a note to the new readers to look for some Ramble On columns on weekends this spring.


So, here are a few ramblins...


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Cross country ski racing in 52-degree British Columbia weather is not quite the same as the typical coverage from thefrozen tundra and frozen ski-masks and icy nordic beards of Winter Olympics past.  Still, it is an event that screams out - "How the hell do you enjoy participating in this sport?"


Al Trautwig's commentary from past New York Marathons or past Olympic Summer Games marathons can be replayed over any long racing event, such as the 30 kilometer cross country staged yesterday and aired by NBC at 5:30pm est. - "It's going to be a grueling final 400 meters."

"It's going to be such a gritty finish," screamed Chad Salmela."

Click.


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Criss-Crossing sporting references from skating to hoops to hockey, Johnny Weir makes Dennis Rodman seem like Bill Masterton.


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If Nate Robinson plays an important role in the NBA stretch drive for Boston, the Celtics are in bigger trouble than previously believed by even the most pessimistic of NBA followers.  The Celtics' fate will be decided by the intensity brought by Kevin Garnett and the health of Garnett and Paul Pierce.

See the fact that every team has a ? -- http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/fran_blinebury/02/19/stretch.run/index.html


And yes, Nate Robinson rates high on the NBA knuckle-head scale no matter which team or which coach he plays for.  In other words, if you can't play for (and get along) with Mike D'Antoni, you can't play for anyone. So, good luck to Doc Rivers.


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Cornell and (No. 15?) Texas are two teams that no team wants to see come March madness.


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USA House getting a bad rep in downtown Vancouver.


Of course, if it ever involved an NBA player, it would be 1,000 times worse. (See Scott Lago, eh)?


See: http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/extras/olympics_blog/2010/02/home_away_from.html


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The term "Owning the podium" just wreaks of arrogance.

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Alexander Haig was right about the third graph of his obit.  Sort of sad.

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Odds & ends from Christmas to New Year's ...

Here are a few random items that I want to pass along as Christmas fades into the rearview mirror and New Year's approaches.  It's the most wonderful time of the year - if the temperature cooperates.  I enjoyed the weekend and its 40-50 degree rainstorm that melted away the pre-Christmas blizzard that blanketed our path from New York to Long Island to Boston this past week.


Looking ahead:  Here's a nice posting from Joe Favorito on athletes who blog.  Joe's blog is always filled with interesting and thought-provoking items, a little like a Christmas stocking, hung by the chimney with care and  filled with toys and gifts.  See Joe's work by clicking here.


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My kids are gearing up for the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Opening ceremonies, Bobsleigh, Curling, Ice Hockey, Figure skating, the works.  How are they getting so pumped?  Wii's "Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games" quickly rose to the #1 top present.  The video software gift from dear Aunt Samantha and Uncle Peter, will surely be the Olympic preview for our family until the games begin in Vancouver on February 12, 2010.


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Tell me? Is it me?  If the USA's men's basketball team for the Olympics was not determined and announced until only 45 days before the Olympic Games, the sky would be falling.  On December 28th, I do not know the USA or Team Canada rosters, yet, I know Sweden's team.  January 1st is announcement day via the NHL's Winter Classic. (Yes, on NBC, the network of the Olympics).

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FoxSports Charley Rosen contends that the 2010 NBA champ will come from four teams that played the key slots on network televised Christmas Day games.  Chances are, he is right, however, at this point in time, I would not count out the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets. Overall, I think the NBA diluted the 'aura' of their Christmas Day games on TV by televising five games and 10 teams.  I would prefer to focus on one great match-up at 5:30pm ET and (maybe) one late night game from the west coast on TNT.  Hey, if you really want some great TV, maybe the NBA should place the parquet on top of the ice at Fenway and play an outdoor game late afternoon on New Year's Day!

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Since when did Urban Meyer become a combo of Vince Lombardi-Red Auerbach-Joe Paterno-Bear Bryant and John Wooden? Or was it just a very slow news day?

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This from Utah scribe Steve Luhm via Truehoop:  "John Stockton , Karl Malone and Rickey Green are the only players in Utah Jazz history with at least 3,000 assists. Deron Williams is about to join them. After handing out eight assists in Saturday night's 97-76 victory over Philadelphia, Williams has 2,975 in his career. Williams needs 25 assists for 3,000. If he reaches his season average of 10 assists in games at Minnesota (Wednesday) and Oklahoma City (Thursday), Williams will get No. 3,000 on Saturday night, when the Jazz play Denver at EnergySolutions Arena. The game will be the 341st in Williams' five-year career. Stockton is the NBA's all-time leader in assists with 15,806. He handed out his 3,000th assist in a 107-93 win over Chicago on Nov. 30, 1988. It was the 341st game of his career. Amazingly, Williams is on the exact same pace set by Stockton -- at least on paper."

What I think is more amazing is that Deron Williams is reaching the milestone without a go-to guy like Karl Malone on the receiving end of passes.

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