First Day Notes, and more NBA v NCAA

Thanks to the dozen people who IMed me today asking how my first day of joblessness was going, and my apologies for not responding to most of you. So far it doesn't really seem real. It just feels like a long weekend.

In the last 2 days I've played 7.5 hours and 1,478 hands. I lost $126.67 and cleared another $100 worth of Party Poker bonus.

I began my massive house cleaning project, watched Pulp Fiction (top 5) and Swingers (top 10 pure comedies). Hmmm, I should write about my favorite movies. I also cleaned my trumpet, with the intention of playing it tomorrow.

Here are a pair of Mike Wilbon quotes that Clint brought to my attention:

1.)
As dramatic as the tournament often is, with all the upsets and buzzer-beating shots that become part of college basketball history, the play is very often -- how do I say this? -- spotty. Games, even between the good teams, are often a matter of attrition. Tournament games have steadily declined in quality for the simple reason that there are fewer and fewer skilled players in college every year.

2.)
As for the person who is "daring" me to provide reasons the NBA playoffs are more exciting than college basketball, why would I waste my breath. You're a college fan who probably thinks he knows everything about basketball and would spit out a bunch of dumb reasons the college game is more exciting without knowing anything real about the pro game. A great many of the people who spew that junk have their own issues to deal with.

I'll say this: The college game is exciting.

The NBA Playoffs are exciting.

But don't try to convince someone who has spent 25 years covering both that the college kids are more fundamentally sound and play better defense and all this garbage.

For all the college basketball know-it-alls, ask yourself this: If a college basketball player played better defense than his pro counterpart, why wouldn't he try out, make a roster as a defensive starter, then make the average NBA salary of $3.5 million?

Because he can't. Because the college game, while exciting, isn't as good. It isn't as well played, as well-officiated, as well coached, as well anything. It's a step below.

If you don't like the pro game just have the guts to say, "I don't like it" instead of hiding behind all the codes and personal agendas. People are allowed to like and dislike whatever they want. Discerning basketball fans see the beauty of both.

Well said, Wilbon.