Jordan Hill: Part 1, off the field

If you know anything about me you know that Penn State is my life, people can say what they want about us and they can write whatever they want about us, but they can't take away the fact that I am Penn State and WE are Penn State. This summer I learned a lot more about what that meant. I had the opportunity to work with Penn State senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill. It's an opportunity I'm very thankful for. I got to know the Jordan outside of football, when the camera's weren't on, when the media wasn't in his face 24/7, and that Jordan is in one word, quiet. I was sitting at home one night and got a call from Jordan, the first thing he said to me was "you wanna move in?". That was when former teammate and roommate Justin Brown decided to transfer to Oklahoma. I quickly said yes because why would I want to pass up an opportunity to better myself by learning from someone who has dealt with so much negativity. To me it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I sat down with Jordan and asked him some questions about everything that's gone on and his mindset going forward. I asked what his initial reaction was to the sanctions, he simply said "here we go again", a reaction he said that many players had. They didn't quite understand what exactly was going on until Head Coach Bill O'Brien broke it down for them. When I asked what he first thought of the hiring of O'Brien he said he didn't know much about him, "once Coach (Larry) Johnson called me and told me who he was I was on board and ready to go". Hill has been on board through and through, asking him why stay at Penn State, "I stayed for my teammates, I stayed to help the University, I stayed because I love Penn State". People have expectations for Penn State this year, some think we might win 8 games, others think we win 5, that's fine with Hill because he has his own expectations for his team and himself; "go out and play as hard as we can, execute our game plan, and win every game. Off the field, graduate. On the field, Big Ten Player of the Year, All Big Ten First Team, and First Team All American". Jordan is poised to have a big year, many project him as a potential first round pick. He isn't worried about that though, he just wants to go out and play. He describes himself as "quiet", "soft spoken, and "humble", which if you didn't know him you might not think it. People give athletes a label that they aren't regular people, I got to hang out with Jordan the night the sanctions were announced and when I came over he was relaxing playing some Playstation, something normal people do. He isn't one to flaunt himself like other athletes, he doesn't care much for the spotlight. Talking to him at work one day he I said "a lot of people don't know who you are, you've kind of been overshadowed in your career", he replied with "that's fine with me, I'll let my game speak for itself". When number 47 runs onto the field I'll be happy to say that's my roommate. Penn State heads into this 2012 season with new things everywhere you turn. This year it's going to matter what the name on the back says because those are the ones who decided to stay and help Penn State get through this beyond difficult time. Bill O'Brien has his hands full this year but Hill said he is the right guy to do it and nothing is going to phase him. The excitement level in Happy Valley is something I've never seen before, the town is standing behind this team every step of the way, and I'm truly honored for have two of these men as roommates. The motto for the season is "One Team" and that will be in full force come Saturday when Ohio University comes to Beaver Stadium. Take a minute and close your eyes, think about what the first "We Are" chant will feel like, got chills? I do.

Penn State: Past, Present, and Future

I wrote what it was like to be from State College, that was before the Freeh Report surfaced, nothing has changed for me. I've lived in State College my entire life, I've been Penn State my entire life, and I've loved every minute of it. I'll admit coming to Penn State wasn't my first choice but when it came down to it I couldn't resist being apart of the Penn State family. Being apart of this family is not just going to football games and having a good time on weekends, but learning how to make an impact. If that sounds familiar, it's because when a young Joe Paterno told his dad he wanted to be a coach instead of a lawyer he was asked if he thought he could make an impact, myself and thousands of Penn Staters will tell you he did. I've heard the negativity about Paterno, I've heard it for quite some time. Could he have done more? Yes. Could Mike McQueary have done more? Yes. What about the others? I'm pretty sure they could have done more. People make mistakes every single day, but when you're Penn State and have the reputation of being "spotless", people will wait for the perfect time to tear you down. This is that time. People have been trying and trying to find the right time to find flaws in Joe Paterno. He was a human being like the rest of us, of course he had flaws. Those people have their moment and they aren't holding back. It's easy to kick someone when they're down though, just ask ESPN. I've stood behind Joe Paterno forever, and will always stand behind him. Am I worried what people think of that? No. Why? because I reflect on the fact that he is one of the most influential people in college sports, I reflect on all the good he did for Penn State, his players, and the community of State College. Most people have erased that from their memory but the fact is you can't erase it. The NCAA can hand out whatever, if any, penalties they want, but you cannot just remove Joe Paterno from existence. For me, his name will forever be associated with making sure his players graduated, making sure Penn State students have the best education (his name is on the library in case you didn't know), and making sure he made an impact. People can spin that last one however they want, but I'm referring to the fact that he wanted his players to leave better men and become great fathers and figures in the community. I'm referring to the fact that he made Penn State what it is today by focusing on the importance of graduating. You can hate Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, and all those involved in this horrific and unthinkable situation, but don't hate Penn State. It's times like this where a school needs to show it's not what the media has portrayed it as. Penn State is not all those negative things you hear, and it's not a place where future students and their families should shy away from. It's a place where a 17-18 year-old can come and get a great education, an education that will lead them to success in the future, it's a place where 110,000 people dressed in blue and white can come together on a fall Saturday and say the one thing that every Penn Stater should hold close to their heart, "We Are, Penn State". The future is bright for Penn State, we're moving forward and not looking back. You can say anything you want and write whatever you want about Penn State now; but there is one thing you can write about for the future and that's WE ARE going to continue to be Penn State.

Penn State Football, Never Leaving

This isn't about the university, this isn't about Jerry Sandusky or Joe Paterno, this is about Penn State football. Moving forward is going to be hard yes, but its' going to happen. Penn State football will always be about plain uniforms, home-field advantage, and having the best fans in the nation. When you come to Beaver Stadium and you're about to enter the gate, think about why you're at Beaver Stadium; you came to this game to see Penn State football put on a show in front of 110,00 people screaming at the top of their lungs for the team they love. You didn't come to talk about Jerry Sandusky, you didn't come to talk about what happened when, you came to watch football. You came to see Silas Redd slash and dash into the endzone, you came to see Jordan Hill rip down the quaterback for a big hit. Coming to Beaver Stadium is about seeing those blue uniforms and plain white helmets, hearing four simple words echo throughout the 110,000 seat stadium, "We Are, Penn State", and when you attend a Penn State football game, you know what that means.
The road ahead for Penn State is a steep one, but none steeper than the one the football team faces. The questions are asked by the hundreds; how will they move on without Joe Paterno? what is the team going to look like? will the fans still come out? Jerry Sandusky this and that. Those questions will be answered starting Saturday September 1, when Ohio comes to Beaver Stadium. Success may or may not come right away, but I've said it before and I'll say it before because it is what I believe in and what I've grown accustom to, WE are Penn State. The football team is Penn State, the 45,000 plus student body is Penn State, the alumni are Penn State, and those who bleed blue and white are Penn State. We will come out every Saturday and show the team that WE still have their back. Every Saturday WE will show the nation, the media, and everyone who doubts us that we aren't down and that we will be back stronger than ever because we are one. It's going to be different, the mood might not be the same, but sometimes change can be a good thing. The old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" isn't more true than it is with Penn State. You don't know what we're about and you don't know who we are, but WE do. We know what Penn State is about, and it's not what you're hearing, and come September 1st we will prove to everyone that no matter what is said or written, we won't be knocked down and we will continue to be Penn State.

LeBron: Worlds #1

Ever since entering the NBA in 2003 LeBron James has been at the forefront of conversation when it comes to being the best. During his high school career at Saint Vincent Saint Mary's everyone who watched him play knew he'd be something special, but no one knew he'd be this special. Over time he has gotten bigger, faster, and stronger, which has made him arguably the best player in the world. Some might argue that Thunder All Star Kevin Durant might be the best, but if you watch both of them play there is a clear difference in who is the best. Sure Durant can score at will and make the difficult shots, but LeBron can do it all, and so much better. For someone who is 6'8" and weighs 265 pounds- some have him at 280, which would be even more incredible, but for someone of that size and to have the leaping ability and speed James has, the things he does are out of this world. His ability to get a rebound at the free throw line and sprint down the floor to the other basket and score in a matter of 3-4 seconds is something to rarely see with someone that big. He doesn't have Magic Johnson vision but his knows where his teammates are and how to get them the ball. When driving to the basket he is nearly unstoppable; he can the contact and still get off a shot, if he misses he has the strength to get the rebound and get off another shot. I haven't even mentioned his defense. A 4-time All Defensive First Team, no one really appreciates how great his defense is. When was the last time you saw someone play both ends of the floor like LeBron James? He gets it done on both ends, with great ease. He can guard position 1-5, and shut them down. Michael Jordan was never asked to guard all positions, Kobe Bryant is never asked to do it, and neither is Kevin Durant. LeBron does it, and does it well. In the 2011 Playoffs against the Bulls, LeBron guarded and locked down guard Derek Rose. In the conferecne semi finals this season against the Celtics he guarded Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo, in the same game. His ability to track down the ball in transition and make a play on it, whether it's blocking it or altering the shot, is above everyone else's. He hasn't made all the clutch shots, but did Michael Jordan? did Kobe Bryant? Those guys didn't make every single shot they took and believe it or not, they had bad games too. Just entering the prime of his career at age 27, LeBron has a long way to go in his already amazing career. He is two games away from winning his first championship, which he would be younger than Jordan when he won his first title, and look how he turned out. His focus level is at an all time high and that could spell trouble for the NBA. You have to wait til his career is over to rank him, but for now, you can start placing him in the "All Time" rankings.

The Penn State Way

Growing up in State College can teach you many things. Growing up in the shadows of Penn State can you teach many things. Being a Penn State fan can teach you many things, but what exactly are those things? I've lived in State College my whole life and have grown up bleeding blue and white. My family is Penn State through and through and to me that has been the best part of my life, being a Penn State fan. My family has taught me to treat people the way you want to be treated, to respect people and they'll respect you. Every parent will tell their kids that, but in State College, it means so much more. It's not a very big community, kind of secluded from everything else. There has always been one thing that you'll learn whether you've lived here, or  attending school here, it's to do things the Penn State way. What is the Penn State way? It's doing things with pride, making a difference in the community, and making everything count. None of that would be possible without the vision of one man, Joe Paterno. His dad wanted him to be a lawyer, but he wanted to be a coach. His dad asked him if he could make a difference by being a coach, Paterno answered that question with 60 plus years of difference making. He took Beaver Stadium from a 46,000 seat stadium, to a 110,000 seat cathedral for college football. Yeah he cared about what happened on the field, but he cared a hundred times more what you did OFF the field. What you did in the community, what you did in the classroom, what you did for your school, your family, and your team. Penn State has always had some of the highest graduation rates among its athletes, and that's in part to Joe Paterno's commitment to excellence. He never wanted the stadium named after him, instead he wanted the library in his name. On fall Saturday's the Penn State family gathers in the house that Joe built to show their Penn State pride, and that's never more evident when "We Are....Penn State" is echoed throughout the 110,000 seat stadium. What does "We Are" mean? It means we are one; one family, one community, one school. This community was shocked in November when the Jerry Sandusky story broke, we were shocked that something like this could happen in such a place, a place like State College, where nothing wrong had ever happened. We had to rally around our school and show everyone that we were still Penn State and the actions of one man wouldn't bring us down. We had to rally around our coach when everyone else was bringing him down, breaking his image which he held up high where it should be. Nothing people say can take away from what Joe Paterno has done for Penn State, State College, college football, and everyone involved in this community. The work he did, the amount of time and energy spent making Penn State a successful place, changing the lives of thousands, will never be matched. The Penn State way will never fall, it will be stronger than ever now, and we will carry on Joe Paterno's idea of making a difference. All of this is possible because We Are....Penn State.

One and Done

For years now the one and done rule off college basketball has been put on the back burner but it's time to really look at it and determine the right way of handling it. Up until recently high school basketball players could jump from high school to the NBA; such players as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard all came straight from high school into the league. Those type of players don't need the college basketball experience because they are NBA ready and can come in and compete with other big time players. In college football you cannot go from high school to the pros, for obvious reasons (kids would die), you have to be three years removed from graduating high school. Many think, including myself, that the "one and done" rule needs to be changed. High school basketball players should have the option of skipping college and entering the NBA Draft. The athlete should be able to enter their name in the draft, attend a pre draft camp and be evaluated by NBA coaches and scouts to determine where in the draft they stand. After being evaluated they will have a deadline to declare whether or not they will remain in the draft or attend college, if they attend college they will remain in college for at least 2 full years. The one and done rule does allow schools to get that prized recruit, but only for a season if they choose. Although you might have a top player for a reason, maybe two, it potentially takes away from having a really good player for 3-4 years. There have been many players recently who, if the rule was changed, could have gone straight to the NBA. Bulls guard Derek Rose and Thunder forward Kevin Durant could have made the leap from high school to pro if the rules prohibited them. Instead, they went to college for a season then went to the NBA;  in the long run it doesn't mean much but for schools trying to build their programs up, wasting a scholarship on one and done players means losing out on potential 3-4 year players who can help build a program for those years. In the latest NBA mock drafts, 5 of the top 10 players are freshman, lead by National Player of the Year and Kentucky center Anthony Davis. Davis is a player who could have gone straight from high school. A year in college is not going to do these players any good by playing against other plays who are a lot less talented (see Kentucky's season and Davis's stats), they might as well play pick up games at their local rec center. And while their skills might not translate immediately, it's a better learning experience by playing against the top players in the world who they can learn from. The rule might not be changed in the near future, but it is something to look at for the future which would help the NCAA, the players, and the NBA.

NFL Draft Review

The 2012 Draft has come and gone with some obvious picks and some surprise picks. Before we look ahead to rookie camps and training camps, let's look at some of the picks round by round by that made sense and those that made you scratch your head.
1st Round:
Best Pick- Arizona picks Notre Dame WR, Michael Floyd 13th overall. This is a steal in the first round for the Cardinals, Floyd is a big body who has good speed and will go up and fight for the ball. Playing with Larry Fitzgerald will only make him better and those two will be a nightmare for opposing corners. The Cardinals need to have a quarterback first.
Worst Pick- Kansas City picks Memphis DT, Dontari Poe 11th overall. I get the fact that Poe had great numbers at the combine for someone his size, but that doesn't mean you're going to produce at the next level. Poe played in Conference USA and had only 1 sack this past season. I'm not saying he's going to be a bust but his film does not show how dominant he should be. At 6'4" 345lbs Poe has a chance to be long time pro if he can produce.
2nd Round:
Best Pick- San Francisco picks Oregon RB, LaMichael James 61st overall. This is a sleeper pick in a way, James had a very productive career while at Oregon including being a Heisman finalist. He has great speed and quickness and once he gets in the open space, not too many people can catch him. Frank Gore has been injured and you don't know how long he can remain an every down back so having a back up like James will be very beneficial. He can also be key on special teams.
Worst Pick- St. Louis picks North Alabama CB, Janoris Jenkins 39th overall. This is more of a questionable pick rather than a bad pick. This could go two ways, either Jenkins gets his act together and plays like the top 15 pick he could have been, or he brings all the baggage he had in college and you never hear his name. Jenkins got kicked off the Florida squad but still had an impact on the field. Keep an eye on this one.
3rd Round:
Best Picks- This round had two picks that were very good. First, the Houston Texans pick Ohio State WR, DeVier Posey 68th overall. Posey had one of those careers that might have gone unnoticed to some people. He has great hands, good size, and good speed. He can play the slot along side Andre Johnson. Second, the Pittsburgh Steelers pick Miami OLB, Sean Spence 86th overall. Spence is one of those players who's numbers at the combine don't show how good he really is. He is quick and is strong. He had an up and down career while at Miami. Playing behind James Harrison will be very good for Spence who is only 5'11" and Harrison has shown that you don't have to be the biggest guy to be the best.
Worst Pick- Philadelphia Eagles pick Arizona QB, Nick Foles 88th overall. This is not a bad pick because Foles is a bad player, it's a bad pick because the Eagles need to address other things before a quarterback. They need to address their offensive line so they can protect their starting quarterback Michael Vick, who could be one hit away from being on the shelf.
4th Round:
Best Pick- Miami picks Miami RB, Lamar Miller 97th overall. Miller is in my mind one of the steals of the draft. Miller has great speed and good size for a running back. At 5'11" and 212lbs and running a 4.40, Miller can make an immediate impact for the Dolphins. He is very good in open space and can break tackles, he does have some fumbling issues but if he takes care of that he has the chance to be a top back.
Worst Pick- Houston picks Nebraska DL, Jared Crick 126th overall. Crick was considered a top 10 pick before he got hurt early in the season. It's a concerning pick because we aren't sure how healthy Crick is going to be coming into rookie camp. He has the potential to be dominate like he was in college, but it's a waiting game now.
5th Round:
Best Pick- Washington picks Iowa OG, Adam Gettis 141st overall. Gettis might not start right away but he has the chance to make the team in camps and be a back up. He has good size and strength for a guard. Having started for 3 years in a run first, zone blocking team at Iowa, Gettis could come in and make a name for himself and surprise people.
Worst Pick- Denver picks Tennessee DE, Malik Jackson 137th overall. Jackson started off at USC then transferred to Tennessee and got more playing time. He did produce but he is the type of the player who should produce more for how good he can be. Can you get the productivity from him where he can constant threat to free up Von Miller? Or will he take plays off? Another waiting game player
6th Round:
Best Pick- Kansas City picks Texas A&M RB, Cyrus Gray 182nd overall. This is a team player. Who also is very fast, which people tend to look past. Very compact with a big upper body. The Chiefs do have two backs already but Gray can come in and compete while giving a leadership type role, always motivating his teammates is a great attribute he has.
Worst Pick- Cincinnati picks Ohio State RB, Dan "Boom" Herron 191st overall. Not necessarily a bad pick, but another one of those players who comes in from college with baggage. Suspended for the first 5 games of his senior season while at Ohio State, Herron does display good attributes. He is a strong kid who has decent speed, finds the hole very well. If he's put his college days behind him, can be a solid back.
7th Round:
Best Pick- San Diego picks Michigan State RB, Edwin Baker 250th overall. Baker had a very solid career while in East Lansing, a small back in size but is strong for being 5'8" 204 and is deceivingly fast. The Chargers do have Ryan Matthews, but he has not been the back they were hoping he was going to be. Baker might not come in and start but he has the chance to compete. San Diego was pretty successful with Darren Sproles who was only 5'6".
Worst Pick- Indianapolis picks Northern Illinois QB, Chandler Harnish 253rd overall. They took a quarterback with the first pick, and they take one with the last. Both the Colts and the Redskins took two quarterbacks, which might not have been needed. If you're the Colts, you helped Andrew Luck a little bit on offense, but you need to help him more on defense so he doesn't have to be on the field all the time. A little questionable, but then again, I'm not an expert so what do I know.

There was also my most disappointing player. Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict. Projected a first round pick coming into this past season, but he has a lot of baggage and takes a lot of plays off. He has all the talent which could have made him a top 10 pick. Burfict didn't crack the 5.00 at the combine, he signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent. Lets hope Marvin Lewis can make him realize he should have been a first round pick.

Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis- QB, Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Washington- QB, Robert Griffin III, Baylor
3. Minnesota- WR, Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
4. Cleveland- RB, Trent Richardson, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay- CB, Morris Claiborne, LSU
6. St. Louis- OT, Matt Kalil, USC
7. Jacksonville- DE, Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
8. Miami- QB, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
9. Carolina- ILB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
10. Buffalo- CB, Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
11. Kansas City- OT, Riley Reiff, Iowa
12. Seattle- WR, Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
13. Arizona- DE, Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
14. Dallas- CB, Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
15. Philadelphia- OLB, Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
16. New York Jets- DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
17. Cincinnati- DT, Dontari Poe, Memphis
18. San Diego- DT, Michael Brokers, LSU
19. Chicago- OG, David DeCastro, Stanford
20. Tennessee- OT, Cordy Glenn, Georgia
21. Cincinnati- DE, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
22. Cleveland- DE, Chandler Jones, Syracuse
23. Detroit- OT, Jonathan Martin, Stanford
24. Pittsburgh- DT, Devon Still, Penn State
25. Denver- ILB, Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
26. Houston- OLB, Shea McClellin, Boise State
27. New England- RB, Lamar Miller, Miami
28. Green Bay- DE, Nick Perry, USC
29. Baltimore- RB, Doug Martin, Boise State
30. San Francisco- TE, Coby Fleener, Stanford
31. New England- S, Harrison Smith, Notre Dame
32. New York Giants- QB, Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Everyone will question this but that's what makes it a "mock" draft. You can make changes and get it right so when it comes time for the draft you look smart. I feel pretty confident with the first 2, after that, its anyone's guess.

NFL Draft Preview

Now that we all know the Colts will draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck number one overall, that means Robert Griffin III will go second for those of you who were confused, we can focus on picks 3-254. Right now we'll focus on the top 10. Who will go to Minnesota at number 3? They could go out west and take USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, or they can snag Oklahoma State All American wide receiver Justin Blackmon. They could even go down south to Baton Rouge and take LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. That pick is way up in the air which makes the draft better, the suspense is always the best part. After Minnesota comes Cleveland, who could take one of the two guys that the Vikings do not take. Or they could take Alabama freak of nature running back Trent Richardson, they do need a running back since Peyton Hillis is now in Kansas City. Next comes Tampa Bay who has been reported to be interested in Richardson, although Legarrette Blount doesn't like that, so they could go in that direction. Maybe they'll take a corner if Claiborne is still on the board. Their first round pick from a couple years ago and starting corner Hakeem Talib hasn't been what Buc's fans have wanted. That brings us to St. Louis, they need to give Sam Bradford some help. If Matt Kalil is still on the board, not likely, but if he is that would be a huge get. If he is gone, they can hope that teams somehow missed Justin Blackmon so they can give Bradford a legit wide receiver. Now on to Jacksonville. They didn't win the Tim Tebow sweepstakes, which isn't surprising because they have quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. A sleeper in the top 10 could be Mississippi State defensive end Feltcher Cox, so look out for the Jags to pick someone unknown. The Miami Dolphins are in an interesting spot; should they draft a quarterback? Should they draft another wide receiver to help their starting QB Matt Moore? Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd would be a great choice if that's the case. If they do decide to go with a quarterback, Texas A&M receiver turned quarterback Ryan Tennehill could be a good pick. He hasn't had a lot of experience in college calling plays, but you go to the NFL to learn and become great. The Carolina Panthers have the 9th pick and might look to boost their defense and take Cox if he is still on the board. A sleeper at this pick could be Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly who was a stud in college while at Boston College and has great size at 6'3" 235. He might not be the "safest" pick, but really no one is safe pick. He will certainly be a player who can contribute. Closing out the top ten are the Buffalo Bills. The Bills got a huge gift over the off season when they signed free agent star Mario Williams. They could draft someone to help him on defense or they can try and help their offense first. If Floyd is on the board, I'd look for them to pick him. If he is gone, they could help that defense by taking Memphis mystery Dontari Poe. He blew away scouts at the combine but his film doesn't match up to what he showed in Indianapolis. He could very well surprise everyone but I wouldn't spend a top ten pick on him. With all that said, here's how I predict the top ten to shape out.
*Note: I am NOT an expert
1.  Indianapolis: QB, Andrew Luck (Stanford)
2. Washington: QB, Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
3. Minnesota: WR, Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)
4. Cleveland: RB, Trent Richardson (Alabama)
5. Tampa Bay: CB, Morris Claiborne (LSU)
6. St. Louis: OT, Matt Kalil (USC)
7. Jacksonville: DE, Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State)
8. Miami: QB, Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M)
9. Carolina: WR, Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)
10. Buffalo: LB, Luke Kuechly (Boston College)

Best Sporting Events

If you ask any sports fan I'm sure they have their top sporting events they'd like to attend before they die. Here are some to think about if you're creating a bucket list (Not in any particular order)
- Summer Olympics. Every four years the best athletes in the world come together in and compete to bring home the gold medal for their country. For 17 days, athletes put everything they have into competition with literally the worlds greatest athletes. A different city every time it is sure to be the trip of a lifetime.
- The World Series. Baseball is America's past time, and what better way to celebrate that with a trip to a world series. It doesn't even have to be your team, although most of us would like to see that, just being around that atmosphere is enough to make you want to be there. You can go for a game 1, or hope for a game 7 and witness a winner take all event you'll remember forever.
- Ohio State/Michigan. It is THE game in the college football season. No two teams hate each other more than Ohio State and Michigan. Watch the game from either The Horseshoe or inside the Big House. Over 100,000 fans decked out in their scarlet and gray or their maze and blue. Records don't matter, although fans on both sides would tell you otherwise sometimes, it is sure to be an amazing old school Big Ten battle.
- North Carolina/Duke. You either wear dark blue or light blue in this game. Much like Ohio State/Michigan, this is the ultimate game in the college basketball season. The teams, separated by 8 miles, play twice a year with the winner usually being the ACC regular season champs. Take a seat inside the Dean Smith Center, or travel down to Durham and witness Cameron Indoor. A National Title is nice, but beating the other shade of blue is that much better.
-The Masters. Simply put, a tradition unlike any other. Played on the beautiful Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia, this 4 day event is the biggest golfing event of the year, it is the Super Bowl of the PGA Tour and sees the top golfers in the world compete for the famous Green Jacket. If you're able to get one of it not the toughest tickets to get in sports, enjoy the drive down Magnolia Lane leading up Augusta National. You won't forget it.
- NCAA Final Four. March Madness, simple at as that. A bracket full of top programs, cinderella teams, and everything in between. Those 64 teams are fighting for a chance to go to the Final Four and cut down the nets for a National Title. Grab a seat and watch the magic of March Madness.
-Stanley Cup Playoffs/Finals. Probably the most action packed event you can attend. Whether its the first round or the finals, there will never be a shortage of big hits and amazing goals. Often referred to as the best athletes on the planet, these superstars go 100 miles an hour every night in hopes of raising Lord Stanley's Cup.
-A night game in College Football. If you love college football, this is a must.There are few things like the atmosphere of a night game between to college football teams. There are certain places where you have to go for this one; Tiger Stadium- home of the LSU Tigers, The Horseshoe- home of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Beaver Stadium- home of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Bryant Denny Stadium- home of the Alabama Crimson Tide, The Swamp- home of the Florida Gators. Just one of those things you have to see to believe.
-Red Sox/Yankees Game. Need I say more?
-Tailgating at any event. This is a must. You can be the average sports fan and show up 20 minutes before the event and just enjoy it for a couple hours. Or you can show up hours before, fire up the grill, grab a beer, and have a good time. You might want to head to a college football game for the best experience. The schools mentioned above are GREAT places to go.

Others to attend: World Cup (every 4 years), Super Bowl; I'd rather stay home and watch the commercials and have a party but that's just me, NBA Finals, Kentucky Derby, NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Home Run Derby, WWE Wrestlemania.

NBA Fantasy Draft

There is always debate as to who is the best player in the league, and people always want to debate who they would take first to build their own "dream team". Do you go with a point guard first? Or do you go with a big man in the middle? Maybe a wing player? There are so many players to pick from each position that it's hard to pick a starting five, but if I had to do so, it would look something like this.
-Point Guard (PG): Chris Paul, LA Clippers, Paul is the best PG in the league, hands down. He's averaging 19.6 PPG, 8.5 APG, and 2.3 SPG and is shooting 44% from three. He is the second best passing PG behind Steve Nash but when he is on his game and playing at the all star level we are so used to seeing, there is no one better. He is the reason why the Clippers are in the position they are. He's the reason why Blake Griffin is an all star and the reason why the Clippers could make a run in the playoffs.
-Shooting Guard (SG): Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers, this one is a no brainer. Bryant is putting up amazing numbers despite having a new coach, a new system, not the best supporting cast and a nagging wrist injury. He's averaging 28.5 PPG (leads the league), 5.0 APG, and 5.5 RPG. Bryant is a very underrated defender as well, he is a 9-time all defensive first team. He is the second best player in the last 20 years and hits the toughest shots in the NBA. If there is 3 seconds left and I'm down 1, I'm putting the ball in number 24's hands.
-Small Forward (SF): LeBron James, Miami Heat, hands down the best player in the NBA. The numbers speak for themselves; 27.7 PGG, 8.2 RPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 STG, and he is shooting an incredible 54% from the field. He is the best at the rim finisher in the and when he gets out in transition either by himself or with Dwayne Wade no one can stop him. LeBron is also great on the defensive end, he is big and very athletic and can guard a quicker point guard. In the 2011 playoff series against Chicago, James would guard Derek Rose who is one of the faster players on the floor. He can also track the ball down in transition and get a play on the ball. Yes there are the people who will say he can't win a title because he can't finish in the fourth quarter but he is on a mission this year to prove everyone wrong and so far he is doing so with the way he is playing.
-Power Forward (PF): Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves, this might come as a surprise to some people, but those are the people who haven't seen Kevin Love play. The kid is going to be a star for years to come. He is a beat on the boards on both ends and can has an inside game and an outside game. He is a tough, big, physical guy at 6'10" 260lbs and has a pretty sweet beard. He's averaging 25.4 PPG (4th in the league), 13.7 RPG (2nd in the league), and is shooting 36% from three which isn't bad for a power forward. Love commands the most double teams in the league, more than Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. Last season he had 55 straight games with a double-double, which is quite impressive going up against guys who might be a little more athletic than you. All-in-all, Love is only going to get better. Watch out.
-Center (C): Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, this is another easy choice. Standing 6'11" 265lbs, Dwight Howard creates many problems for opposing centers. One of if not the most athletic centers of all time, his size and strength along with his freakish athletic ability makes him the most dominant center in the NBA. Throwing up 20.7 PPG, 15.0 RPG, and 2.2 BPG, Howard has it all. He doesn't shoot free throws well (48%) most centers don't. How is a force on both ends which makes him by far the most dominant big man, and the only true dominant big man in the NBA. There is no argument for who is the most dominant center, Andrew Bynum is the closest one to the argument but he isn't consistent enough. Howard dominates Bynum in their match ups. Dwight has the potential to be a 20-20 type of guy. At the tender age of 26, Howard hasn't hit his prime which is scary. When he does, look out. We could be looking at the most dominant center of all time.

I know I left a lot of guys out who might deserve to be in the starting five, but this is just my opinion. Compare your five and my five and see how it goes.