Posts Tagged ‘basketball’
Walt Disney: Can you hire a decent director???
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Monday, 15 June 2009 13:44
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I love dramatic reenactment — skits, plays and, of course, movies. My love most likely stems from the creative side of me. You see, when I watch a movie, I always want to see, hear, feel and smell what the writer and director are trying to convey. And, I want to be “in” the story. There is nothing more impressive than a well constructed and sonorously conveyed tale.

However, I have an affinity for sports. And, when someone writes a book or makes a movie about sports, I really want to have a “true-to-life” experience. Have you seen “Hoosiers”? If you haven’t, it’s awesome. It is a very closely accurate depiction of the basketball craze here in Indiana. “Hoosiers” is a great example of “making a movie, that depicts the reality of the subject.”

What am I saying? Well, I hate watching movies that completely abandon the "true" story at hand. For example, I just finished watching “Glory Road” (a movie about the all-black Texas Western college basketball championship team in 1966). It is absolutely a monumental story, but “Disney” (like in other movies), almost makes me believe that the story they tell, is well, fiction. “Glory Road” is a good movie, based on an excellent story. The story absolutely carries the movie, and the ridiculous amount of B.S. — like the fake “can’t we all just get along” crap they feed you in the movie — only detracts from the real subject, which is tolerance and acceptance. Why can’t they just tell it like it was? This “reshaping” of history only clouds the true theme, which was racial integration within college basketball.

This movie reminded me of “Miracle” (the Disney movie based on the 1980 USA hockey team victory over the USSR). Almost exactly, the theme was, “the great underdog.” I love the underdog. But, how many movies can be made with the same “cookie-cutter” script? The worst part was that, in both movies, the “game-play announcement” sounded SOOO fake, that it made it hard for me to attach myself to the story. It sounded like a home video, with a bad actor, doing a book-read overdub…well, it sucked. And, the commentary (in both instances) seemed more like modern day vernacular than what would be expected for the times of the movies. One last thing…how in the world does hip-hop music fit into a movie based in 1965-66?

I absotively, posilutely LOVE a good movie, but give me a break. There is nothing worse than taking an incredible story and “transforming” it into a mediocre movie. Disney, you suck!!

 
March Madness brings plenty of Gladness and Sadness to the Midwest
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Monday, 16 March 2009 13:50
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Well folks, it’s that time of year. The time when every man, woman and child has at least two cents to offer in the team selection of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. That’s right, from little Billy in the 1st grade, to the knitting chair of aunt Ester, the Midwest is one of the most basketball-savvy regions in America. And no doubt, EVERYONE has their own version of who should be in and where. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi might make the big bucks for his version of “Bracketology,” but his basketball knowledge is easily challenged by the everyday, good ol’ Midwestern native.

The Midwest is no doubt the Mecca of basketball. Have you seen the movie “Hoosiers”? If not, it is a great example of the passion for basketball that we display here in the Midwest. Did you know that 9 of the 11  largest high school gyms in the U.S. are found in the state of Indiana? New Castle Fieldhouse, a high school facility in New Castle, IN, seats 9,314; which according to Wikipedia is the exact same capacity of Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. What does that say? It sounds like the Blue Devils under coach K (the supposed “KIngs” of college basketball) draw the same crowd as a rural high school in the Midwest. Cameron’s Crazies my keister, come to Indiana and you will certainly learn what it means to be crazy about basketball.

Back to the subject at hand, March Madness. Louisville, Kentucky is consistently the highest rated television market when it comes to the Madness that is March. Many businesses have televisions in their offices, dutifully tuned in to the tournament of all tournaments. It’s no wonder, with the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville,  Western Kentucky, Indiana University, Butler University and the University of Cincinnati, all at arms length. Not to mention, some other mid-majors that regularly see tournament play.

So, how does the Midwest stack up this year in the Big Dance? Ohio received 5 invitations: Ohio State, Cleveland State, University of Dayton, Xavier University and the University of Akron. Kentucky offered up three: Louisville, Western Kentucky and Morehead State. Indiana is represented by two: Purdue and Butler, while Illinois is represented solely by the University of Illinois.

THE GLADNESS: Well, there is much jubilation in the Derby City this year, as the Louisville Cardinals have been rewarded with the top seed of the entire tournament, only their second appearance as a #1 seed (there are four #1 seeds, one for each region: Midwest, West, South and East). Their first #1 seed was earned in 1983, when UofL defeated UK to move to the “final four.” This year, the Cards will represent the Midwest Region as it’s #1 seed. Louisville will play its first two games (assuming they continue to win) in Dayton, OH, and the Midwest regional finals will be played in Indianapolis; both sites are less than three hours from the UofL campus. The Cardinals have also climbed to the top spot in the coaches poll for the first time this year at probably the most important of “times.”

THE SADNESS: The University of Kentucky, who often refers to UofL as “little brother,” ended their 17 year Dancing streak while returning to the NIT (losers’ tourney) for the first time since 1979. Big Blue fans are some of the most loyal and rabid fans in the country, and it is quite ironic that they will be sitting at home watching UofL Dance their way through the tourney under the leadership of former Kentucky Wildcat coach, Rick Pitino. To pour salt in that open wound, Tubby Smith (the coach that the Kentucky faithful diligently chased away) will take his new team, Minnesota, to the Big Dance as well. Not a great time to be a Kentucky Blueblood. ESPN’s Dana O’Neil authored an in depth look into the Wildcats’ downfall in recent years, and every good Cat fan should investigate her analysis. By the way, this Sadness ironically equals Gladness for the supposed “little brothers,” the Louisville Cardinals.

To include more Sadness, the once basketball giant, Indiana Hoosiers, will see no post-season action as they finished the regular season at a paltry 5-26 with a last place conference record of 1-17, four games back from second to last. Also, Notre Dame, Bowling Green and Illinois St will join Kentucky in the NIT.

So, there you have it. Sharpen your pencils Midwesterners! Be sure to stretch your wrists properly to avoid acquiring carpal tunnel as you fill out all of your brackets. Grab some quality potato chips and your beverage of choice, plant your rear end on your favorite couch, and be prepared to swear at the players and officials, as the greatest post-season tournament in sports is just beginning!