Is this true.

Why did the debate suddenly emerge last week literally out of nowhere that the race for the MVP of the ACC was down to Grievas Vasquez of Maryland and John Schirer of Duke?  How can a guy like Grievas Vasquez who is unquestionably the emotional leader, best player, statistical leader, and heart & soul of a Maryland Team that was a preseason pick to finish in the middle of the pack in the ACC be in a race for with John Schirer for League MVP when it’s debatable that Schirer’s the most vital player to the success of his own team, much less the league.

You’ve seen the stats.  Grievas Vasquez is the first player in the storied History of the ACC to amass more than 2,000 points, 700 assists, and 600 rebounds in his career.  He’s on the cusp of passing the Legendary Len Bias to become Maryland’s Second All Time Leading Scorer behind only the Great Juan Dixon.  Vasquez even has an outside chance to catch Dixon if the Terps have extended runs in the upcoming ACC and NCAA.  He has literally and figuratively put the Terps on his back during the current 7 game winning streak that has seen them rise from a bubble team, outside of the top 25 just 3 weeks ago, to a team that tied for the ACC Regular Season Title, is in the top 20, and on the cusp of getting anywhere from a 3 – 6 seed in the Big Dance.  Schirer on the other hand, while he has had a solid career at Duke and has evolved from a ‘Spot up Shooter’ to an all around ‘Floor Leader’, has not had a comparable impact on the Duke Record Books nor the Duke team this season.

How can John Schirer, universally known as a member of ‘Duke’s Big Three’, along with Kyle Singler and our own Nolan Smith (all averaging at least 17 points a game) be even mentioned in the same sentence as Grievas Vasquez, who is undeniably the Terps loan ‘Super Star’, in the discussion of MVP of the ACC.  Schirer was joined on the First Team All ACC by his teammate Singler, while Nolan Smith was a second team selection.  Vasquez, had no teammate make any of the first three All ACC Teams, and was joined only by Freshman Jordan Williams for League Wide Honors as he made the All Freshman Team.  When they played head to head last week on National TV for League Supremacy and League MVP, who closed the deal for his team down the stretch, Vasquez or Schirer?  It was Vasquez, that’s who.  He literally razz led, dazzled, and shimmied his way past Schirer for the go ahead and clinching baskets last week.  Done Deal.  Case Closed, Right.  Need More.  Where would Duke be this season without John Schirer, arguably in the same place, battling for the ACC Crown.  Nolan Smith would be excelling at the point guard like he will next year and Andre Dawkins would have filled in as a ‘drop dead’ shooter to complete the triumvirate.  Where would Maryland be without Vasquez this year.  Probably just North of NC State near the bottom of the Conference, or at best case in the middle of the pack as Gary Williams always has his teams’ battle.  That’s how you truly define the Most Valuable Player.  What would be the impact on his team without him.

If it’s that clear, then why the debate.  Statistically there’s no justification for it.  Common Sense doesn’t support it.  Even the eye test doesn’t support it as Vasquez clearly has demonstrated that he’s the Most Valuable Player in the ACC if not the country this season.  So why the Debate.  Is it Tobacco Road Bias?  Is it ESPNs decades’ long infatuation with all things Duke?  Is it Americas potentially subconscious preference for John Schirer who personifies the ‘Boy Next Door’, ‘Hoosiers’, ‘Moms Apple Pie’ and everything good about American tradition to the Cocky Shimmy Shaking Vasquez from Venezuela.  I’d say a combination of all of these factors.  But one way to really put into perspective how much of a No Brainer it is that Grievas Vasquez is the MVP of the ACC is that the number one Duke Love in the National Media, Dick Vitale even conceded that there should be Co MVP’s awarded to Vasquez and Schirer. 

It should be a No Brainer that Grievas Vasquez is the MVP of the ACC.  When the votes are tallied, with the voters prove that it was a No Brainer and Pick Vasquez and prove that they have no brains and pick John Schirer.  We’ll soon see.    

2010-03-05

What should you do when someone attacks your integrity? Your originality? What should you do when someone challenges your motives and your manhood?

Some would say rise above the negativity by simply turning the other cheek. Others would encourage the eye for an eye mentality and deem violent defense of oneself as appropriate.

Well, after being faced with "hateration" - this is how I chose to react: http://mcsingh.com/2010/03/04/f-me-friday/.

See, I've found that life is actually 10% what happens ... and 90% how we react to it.  Meaning, we must control our emotions and always take the high road - pushing ourselves to get better each time we face adversity.

So the next time you face a negative person, situation, or circumstance - trust in your ability to rise above it and transform the moment into a positive one for your own personal development.

Have a great weekend!

Coach Singh

Fearless Friday #4 now posted on http://mcsingh.com  

2010-03-01

As March has arrived, we look forward to this weeks' WCAC playoffs... and the ensuing NCAA Conference and National tournaments.

I have made a promise to myself, knowing that goals are simply dreams with deadlines.  

here is the full manifesto: http://mcsingh.com/2010/03/01/march-madness-manifesto/

As we watch the greatest annual tournament ever created, I encourage you to seize the opportunity to be inspired by setting an audacious goal for yourself, your team, your office, or your family.

Cool Runnings!

Coach Singh

Motivational Monday #8 now posted on http://mcsingh.com/ 

Marlon Mitchell{C/OF} batted .385 as a freshman last year with the Wilson Tigers. Marlon looks to bring the same intensity for Coach Eddie Smith. Marlon says he wants to help his team prepare and capture their first city title.

Johnny Damon is now a Tiger. He has officially signed a 1-year contract with Detroit for $8 million. He had previously turned down a offer from the Yankees, 2-years for $14 million. With such a small difference in salary, it seems that Johnny didn't resign with the Yankees because they didn't hit his desired number, 2 years for $16 million. Maybe Johnny really wanted out of New York. In his press conference announcing the deal, Johnny said Detroit is where he always wanted to be. "After I played for the Redsox, Detroit was the number one team I wanted to sign with," said Damon.

Damon is joining a solid franchise in Detroit. The Tigers finished second in the AL Central in 2009 and were one win away from making the playoffs. Just like last year however, they may have to win the division to make it to the playoffs in 2010. We'll have to wait and see if Johnny sees the playoffs again.

Again the WCAC has proven itself to be one of the best top to bottom high school basketball leagues in the nation.  The overall out of conference record is 73-26, with about 10 of those losses coming to traditional national powerehouses such as Mater Dei(2), St Benedicts, Montrose Christian, and St Anthonys of NJ. 

I think the overall strength of the league is best demonstrated by looking at the bottom 3 teams: PVI, Carroll and BI. Their combined records are 11-40 in WCAC play but 21-6 in non-league games.

Gonzaga's website stated that the new football coach was introduced to the parents & players.  Can anybody advise what the overall impressions were?  Did he introduce his staff?  Will they be competitive next fall?

The IAC should be real competitive this year, with no dominant team.

Who are some of the key players for teams this year. Perhaps a couple of darkhorse players and teams?

Who is gonna win the Title?

Any thoughts?

DCsportsFan,

Next season, you all have to cover Prince George's county sports. It is a disservice to the Washington Metropolitan area to leave out a county that consistantly puts teams in the state basketball and football tournaments, currently has the area's best female tennis player in two-time state champion Katelyn Stokes, and is the hottest breeding ground for national basketball recruiting. Kevin Durant, Mike Beasely, Jeff Green, and Delonte West, all professional basketball players, are from Prince George's county, with West and Green graduating from Northwestern and Eleanor Roosevelt high schools respectively.  

If this organization is to remain an objective, comprehensive, and reliable sports site, then Prince George's county sports must be included.

Thank-you