Basketball Articles
It’s an Eminence Front
Posted by Vasherized on February 2nd, 2010 under Basketball
It’s a put on.
Those were the words floating through my mind yesterday after Texas trailed at halftime for the fifth time in the last six games. That, and the conclusion that Eli Manning looks eerily like Pete Townsend circa 1982 with less cocaine.
But what better to way to describe Texas basketball’s freefall from grace than some nostalgic Townsend lyrics from the best song on The Who’s worst album, It’s Hard?
Yes, basketball is hard. But over the past month we made it a hell of a lot harder than it needs to be. No style, no substance. Basically, HenryJames in his 40’s.
The freshmen saviors? Names on a jersey. Offensive sets? FEMA on a basketball court. Man to man defense? Watching the traffic fly by, then fouling as an afterthought out of road rage. Free throws? NOTHING IN THIS LIFE IS FREE, SON. Coaching? I guess some things are just better learned on your own.
$29.99 DVD on Amazon.com. If it worked for Trips Right it can work for you!
Those reservations for Houston in March and Indy in early April weren’t only looking premature but downright insane.
That was until Jordan Hamilton came to the party, dressed to kill with afro comb, Jordache jeans, silk shirt, and fresh-out-of-the-box Air Jordan’s. The eminence front dissolved with #23’s array of runners in the lane, long range bombs, baseline dunks, and off-balance fade-aways. It was the first display of Star Power — calling for the ball and nailing the shot — that we’d been expecting for months from Jordan Hamilton.
After James Anderson put on his own Kevin Durant impersonation in the first half, Hamilton decided “No, that’s MY boy. Calls me J.hammy.” And it wasn’t long before Durant was on his feet doing shit we did as fans watching him as a freshman at Texas. “Aw naw he di’int!! Sheeeeeia.t. Daaaamn. Dawg is feelin it. Y’boy. Tessass Fight!”This was all precisely before and after the Holly Rowe interview, which was painful to watch but great for recruiting. Durant comes back to Austin like it’s mama’s home cookin and the families of elite prospects notice that stuff. Don’t you, Ms. Kabongo?
With each Hamilton bucket, you could feel a month’s worth of pressure lift off our guys as the lead grew from 6 to 9 to 12. The look on Travis Ford’s face recalled similar expressions from Izzo and Williams just six weeks ago. Execution on offense translated to better focus and discipline on defense – exactly what UConn did to Texas the second half in Storrs — except this was a road game at Gallagher-Iba.
It never reached Mario Boggan levels of Okie froth & fury but credit our defense for shutting down their best player and the crowd in the second half. Balbay liberally swabbed Anderson in his trademark Turkish Ambergris scent, “Prison Musk”. Apparently that shit causes your eyes to water, forces bad shots, and makes you think about giving up basketball altogether. Bottle that shit, Doge.
Eau Du Balbay
We also found out someone on this team other than Damion James is capable of taking over a game. We saw glimpses of this from Pittman early in the season and Bradley in December. But it’s been a painful drought of turnovers, clanked bunnies, bricked free throws, and eroded confidence ever since we boatraced Pitt, Michigan State, and North Carolina.
That former lottery pick, Sexy Dexy, went Kirstie Alley on us in January, racking up as many fouls as points in three of the last four games. Could a 2 a.m. run to Player’s be far away? His regression to the mean — and a good size 16 shoe below it — can only be rivaled by Modesto, CA real estate values and Dave Bliss’ career ladder. If we have any hopes of going deep into March and early April, Dex has to figure his shit out. And the refs aren’t going anywhere — it’s all on him.
But all those mistakes can disappear just as quickly with a few gritty wins.
So thank you, Jordan Hamilton, for pulling the team’s head out of it’s ass even if it was for only one half of basketball.
Now let’s see it again on Saturday against OU and Monday against Kansas.
More of Pete Townshend’s bloody windmill chops and less of Roger Daltrey’s lipstick and glitter. Because we won’t get fooled again.
Baba O’Reilly encore, imo.
Share This
17 Responses
Leave a Reply
Related Articles
-
63
Texas Basketball vs. Oklahoma State: Post Mortem
By Trips Right on February 1st, 2010 -
25
Cool Open Gym Video of 2009 Horns
By Trips Right on August 26th, 2009 -
15
Kevin Durant: “Be True To Your School”
By srr50 on October 19th, 2009 -
15
Damion James will be better on the perimeter
By HenryJames on October 17th, 2008 -
37
Some Thoughts on Jordan Hamilton vs. OU
By Trips Right on February 7th, 2010
Activity
-
Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Bo Pelini Interview 5 minutes ago
Third and fourth bullets are good stuff.
Good to be able to admit fault and correct it.
This game next year could be an ESPN Game Day special and if so, you’re taking me.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout 5 minutes ago
Nate,
Missed the point, but par for the course. I’ll go back to my developmentally challenged assistance home and cry.
Indeed, back on point. Any rumblings about anyone else on the take? Tiny and TMG had great panache’. They sounded like a Vegas show….
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Spring Preview: Texas Tech Offense 11 minutes ago
Good to have you back on the keycaps, ded.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
RRR commented on the blog post Spring Preview: Texas Tech Offense 26 minutes ago
I agree the RG position will be the most interesting development of the Spring. Last year Okafor couldn’t drive block and couldn’t run in the open field on screen plays. If he’s not physically capable of losing weight and improving, I want to know who will replace him. Suh and McCoy may
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 2 hours ago
I wish they weren’t playing Kentucky next. Same goes for #11 seed Washington having to play West Virginia.
Sucks that we are getting the two best teams left in the tourney playing in the Elite 8 possibly.
-
Farmer Ted wrote a new blog post: Bo Pelini Interview 2 hours, 59 minutes ago
Steve Sipple has a Q&A with Bo Pelini in Sunday’s Lincoln Journal Star. There are some candid comments and it’s worth a read. Some notable excerpts:
On the program’s improvement: “I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been because I think we’re getting close…I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think the players feel the
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
adam-biggers wrote a new blog post: Spartan Hoopla: Here’s What I Really Think About Spartan Basketball 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
Okay, gloves off.
No stats, no recaps, none of that.
If you have ever read my stuff on Bleacher Report you would notice that I keep to a newspaper style of writing. On this blog, I want to be more opinionated, but without being out of line at the same time.
Here it goes, this is what I
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
P.Drez wrote a new blog post: Carlo’s Chelsea Capitulate; United Seize Control 3 hours, 41 minutes ago
An already painful week turned excruciating for Carlo Ancelotti. After being dumped out of the Champions League midweek by former hero Jose Mourinho, Chelsea failed to rebound and dropped two valuable points at Blackburn. Manchester United edged Liverpool and now control the Premier League race.
A forlorn figure on the touchline, Carlo Ancelotti could
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Tim commented on the blog post Spring Preview: Tech Offense 4 hours, 20 minutes ago
With Leach at the wheel I was expecting a 10 win minimum season with the guys this team has coming back in 2010. Now with Tubbs, Willis, and Brown running the show I’m in agreement it’s anywhere between 9-12 wins this year.
Very exciting to hear your take on the O-line ded, as
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
adam-biggers wrote a new blog post: Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State Stamps Its Ticket to Sweet 16 Without Kalin Lucas 6 hours ago
No Kalin Lucas?
No problem.
“Too Easy” has had his share of leg and ankle problems this season, and with two minutes left in the Spartans’ second round matchup with Greivis Vasquez and the Maryland Terrapins, he made an early exit.
State’s 5′11″ point-man Korie Lucious may have a little something to
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 7 hours, 53 minutes ago
This really has been a great start. It’s pretty exciting to see dark horse teams winning by playing solid basketball rather than just shooting the lights out. 4 year players are so key.
-
Bob in Houston commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 7 hours, 54 minutes ago
And nobody melts down like Maryland fans. I can’t even post some of the stuff they have spewed.
-
dick commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 8 hours, 41 minutes ago
Hopefully, yall caught the Maryland Michigan St ending. Freakin’ thrilling. Maryland almost pulled off a comeback for the ages.
officially the best opening weekend ever
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 8 hours, 46 minutes ago
Tom Izzo can coach some ball.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 8 hours, 48 minutes ago
MSU at the buzzer!!!!!!
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 8 hours, 50 minutes ago
Fear the Turtle! Came all the way back from a dozen down to take the lead on MSU…
-
D W commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 8 hours, 56 minutes ago
It’s incredible how few teams play good, fundamental basketball.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 1 minute ago
tOSU will be moving on. Evan Turner does a little of everything. 22 pts, 8 reb, 8 ass. Great player.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 1 minute ago
tOSU will be moving on. Evan Turner does a little of everything. 22 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast. Great player.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 7 minutes ago
Bob Huggins looks like a guy I wouldn’t want to play for. He makes Barnes look like Dick Vermeil….
-
Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 9 hours, 9 minutes ago
Scratch that. The Big Red are blowing Wisconsin out.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 11 minutes ago
I’d be happy to see the last two minutes of the OSU/Tech game. 4 pt game with just under two minutes.
Cornell putting it to the Bo Ryan’s….
-
Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 9 hours, 37 minutes ago
Cornell is playing phenomenally well. I’d be surprised if Wiscy doesn’t cut into the lead in the 2nd half.
Jay Bilas may end up looking like a genius.
-
admin commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 9 hours, 53 minutes ago
parlin – Shoot me an email sailorripley at barkingcarnival dot com.
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 10 hours, 47 minutes ago
I really want Mizzou to give it to WVU.
-
Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Round 2 Saturday Recaps 11 hours ago
What kind of NBA player does Samhan end up as?
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 11 hours, 12 minutes ago
I really like Cal today.
ATM and Cornell look too good to be true and the public is all over both of them.
I gotta believe that Izzo beats Maryland today, I haven’t been impressed with the Terps this year. I am surprised that they are favored.
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 11 hours, 34 minutes ago
Gonzaga is getting plowed like a future Zeta during her Provisional Summer session.
-
Alex wrote a new blog post: The Top 10 Reasons our Cal Bears will beat the Duke Blue Devils 11 hours, 39 minutes ago
Kevin Berger from March To March lays it out for us here.
1) Interior Worries. As in the Bears shouldn’t have any defensively even if Cal is an undersized group. Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas aren’t going to drop step and dunk you to death on the low block so Mike Montgomery can
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 11 hours, 45 minutes ago
Jordan Hamilton + 2 years ~ Wesley Johnson. Discuss.
Dunstan Pearl said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Livin’ in a box!
Livin’ in a box!
It’s a put on!
parlin said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Meaty big and bouncy, Vash. Nicely done.
coloradoag said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Choice effort. Superb tagging. All in all – a hearty read.
Wayne said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Gretzky played drums for The Who?
Bob in Houston said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Eau Du Balbay.
Only so much can be produced per day.
Trips Right said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Standing O. Nice work.
Bateshorn said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Normally I don’t give a shit about basketball until my office manager tells me I’ve got an hour to get my bracket in or I’m gonna feel like a git at lunch at the bar with the boys, but this is fine work.
beowulf said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
That was as fun as it gets.
Great way to leave the office after a full day.
Gracias.
Mike Cook said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Outstanding. It sure feels good to win, and to do so with swagger.
Ambergris Cay said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:54 pm
“Eau de Balbay.” I scored a precious 50 ML on Ebay and wore it today for the first time. At lunch I strolled up to my usual haunt, the Nantucket Pharmacy, and took a stool at the counter. Lina, the cute, young, trim Moldavian counter girl, normally very friendly and even a little flirtatious with me, was intensely attentive today. She was smiling, biting her lower lip, laughing, twirling her fingers in her naturally blond hair. “What are you wearing?” she asked as she leaned over the counter to give me a good, deep smelling over. Satisfied, she said, “Earthy with marine undertones.” I explained to her that a key ingredient of my rarest of colognes just happened to be Turkish ambergris. She lit up like Red Square at Christmas. Moldava and Turkey are almost neighbors so my “Eau de Balbay” must have untethered some powerful, primal emotions deep within her. When, as I paid for my grilled cheese and chocolate frappe, she asked me out to a movie tonight, I thought, “Doge, my man? Thanks to you, son, I find myself, most uncharacteristically, playing man-to-woman defense.”
Great piece of reportage, Vasherized. I hope every Horn baller and Barnes will read it and use it as inspiration for the upcoming Big Games.
Getting lucky in Nantucket, Ambergris Cay
eloy said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:01 pm
great write up, james anderson probably smells like a Turkish Beall’s ( I heard that is the only dep. store they have there)
Texoz said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Fun stuff.
You know, if you put on Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and turn the volume off while you’re watching a UT basketball game, you’ll notice that our team still doesn’t pass the ball very well.
Jungleheat said:
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Those fresh out the box Jordan’s came with a shoe horn, which helped in pulling the team’s head out of it’s own ass. Nice work, Vasherized.
Trips Right said:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 am
I can’t get this fucking song out of my head. Thank god it’s a good song.
Vasherized said:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:39 am
Dude, it’s your anthem.
Come … and … join … the … party … Dressed to kill. Okay maybe the first part. Crocs kill in their own way.
Ambergris Cay,
That story warms my cold heart. Sailor Ripley will tell you the reason we went in this business is to help guys other guys get laid since we were so good at it ourselves.
To the rest of you reprobates, I’m glad some Townshend power cords mixed with Wayne’s World keyboards got your day going as good as mine.
Geoff Arnold said:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
haaaaaaaaaaaaaHA-as Gus Johnson would intone. That article just made my day. Phenomenal work Z, and totally agreed from a outsider’s perspective.
Vasherized said:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Good to hear from you, Geoff. Stick around.