Coram Deo Sports

Probably Finished Here

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:24:00 +0000

I think I'm done with Coram Deo Sports. It was a fun run, but I'm just going to write on Abundant Redemption, even when I'm writing about sports. Thanks for reading.

It's Been Awhile

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:02:00 +0000

A few random thoughts concerning sports...

I was in Minnesota this weekend. A chance to get away from Titans football and watch a team with a different philosophy? Nope, the Titans were playing the Vikings.

The Cubs are a joke.

UCLA almost pulled another one out against a ranked team.

As I get older, the only team I live and die with is the Bruins. I felt it with the Lakers during their run last year. I hope it's still here when the NBA resumes. I kind of have the love for the Predators, but that comes and goes.

I really don't have an NFL team, and as much as I want the Cubs to win it, I can't say I'd be unhappy for the Dodgers.

I'm finding myself rooting for players and stories more than I root for teams. I would almost rather, actually, I think I can definitively say I'd rather Joe Torre or Ken Griffey Kr. win a World Series than the Cubs. Not that I don't want the Cubs to win. I really do. I would just love to see the Yankees eat their pride or an aging legend go out on top.

I told you the thoughts were random.

Classic

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:56:00 +0000

More Neuheisel Love

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:21:00 +0000

I didn't actually see this happen, but a friend told me the story Tuesday morning.

After Craft threw his third interception Neuheisel pulled him aside and yelled at him, "That's three. Stop it."

That's good coaching.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:04:00 +0000

First of all, Bruins, I'm sorry. I had absolutely no faith in you. I was wrong.

Second, I'm legally changing my sons' names to Neuheisel.

Third, I am already giantly (not a word) impressed by Tennessee fans who have been congratulatory and kind.

Fourth, go Bruins!!!

Halftime Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:53:00 +0000

I was right. I hate it, but I was right. I knew Tennessee would score on defense.

Four interceptions. Yikes. On the bright side, Norm Chow was overheard walking into the locker room saying, "The kid's still the best quarterback I've coached in three years."

My hope for this game was for UCLA to show itself to be a program moving in the right direction. I wanted them to prove themselves as a relevant team. I think, after a half of football, they are proving themselves relevant.

I've seen basketball teams have less possessions than Tennessee has in the first half, and they only have fourteen points. I don't expect the second half to be as close.

Good game. I haven't broken anything. Maybe I'm growing up.

Probably not.

Go Bruins!!!

The Prediction

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:11:00 +0000

It kills me to say it, but here's what I think.

Tennessee - 38
UCLA - 10

I think Tennessee scores at least once on defense.

Be Ready To Wrestle

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:07:00 +0000

This is a warning.

I am looking at an absolute nightmare of a situation Monday night. My favorite, most beloved team, the UCLA Bruins are playing my least favorite, most hated team, the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Bruins are going to lose, and probably lose badly. A third-string QB is making his first start behind an offensive line starting four first timers. Several aren't even offensive lineman. A rookie, Pac-10 offensive line matching up against an SEC, Tennessee defensive line spells trouble.

This is beyond painful for me. Children are already approaching me at school and talking trash. There is a second grader who keeps telling me he's sorry for the beating the Bruins are going to take Monday night.

I'm feeling slightly on edge.

So, here's the warning. If you want to talk, go ahead and talk, but be ready to wrestle.

I'm going to try to stay humble and quiet. I'm going to try to smile and take the fun pokes that come my way. I'm going to try to remember there is real suffering in the world and this is just a game.

But this is a perfect storm for me to snap. I don't know what will be happening. I don't know where I'll be. I don't know who will be talking, but there is a good chance it'll happen. When it does ... when the warmth of my UCLA love mixes with the coldness of my Tennessee hate causing a storm reaching category 3 or higher, look out. I will be so full of insecurity and anger I might have wrestle you to the ground to prove something to myself and to the rest of the baby blue army.

On the brightside, I'm a UCLA fan, so I probably won't be able to tackle you.

Just be thankful I won't be challenging you to a game of softball, women's water polo, or a juggling contest.

Pointing Toward Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Two years ago a good friend took me to the Notre Dame/UCLA football game in South Bend. The experience was incredible until UCLA put on another "how not to tackle" exhibition in the fourth quarter. What I remember most about the game (other than my friend shifting between apologizing for my team's loss and celebrating his team's win) was the immediate change in the stadium.

Notre Dame had played poorly all day. UCLA's defense had played well, but the story of the game was Notre Dame's inability to make plays. There was an intense frustration swelling in the fans. With every failed drive, the frustration grew. UCLA was not supposed to win this game. Everyone knew they were watching something that wasn't supposed to happen. Then this happened...

Did you hear the crowd? There was hope and excitement during the play, but when the Jeff SmsoungujndnsonJA caught the pass and ran for the touchdown, there was an eruption. All was right. Things were how they were supposed to be again.

I think situations like this are snapshots of the coming day when we see our Savior. We know things aren't going the way they should. Children are sick, wars are fought, and friends become enemies. We are constantly feeling the frustration swell. But the day is coming when the frustration will end and our faith will be made sight. There will be an eruption that day that dwarfs any stadium celebration. The shout will be for our Savior, the truest and greatest hero of all.

Livestrong?

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:17:00 +0000

It is one of those 'we have 70 channels and nothing is on' kind of nights. I've settled in on TLC and a show about the 759 pound man. The 759 pound man hasn't walked since 1998. The doctor just asked him how long he has had high blood pressure. I'm guessing since at least '98.

Anyway, I wish this guy all the best. I really hope the show helps him lose some weight and get healthy. What inspired this post is the guy is wearing a yellow, Lance Armstrong, Livestrong band. It just struck me as something that needed to be documented ... and this is my outlet.

Bryant Athletes

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:45:00 +0000

These are my cousins Josh and Noah from California.

In a related story, I pulled a muscle in my shoulder when I tried to shoulder press setting four in the Gulf Shores condo gym. Looks like I'll be missing this year's competition.

Rays Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:03:00 +0000

I have Rays Fever. I loved watching them a little last week in Florida. I was sitting in bed reading tonight and it hit me that they might be on ESPN playing the Red Sox. I told Rebecca I was really excited about watching this game. Most exciting team I've seen in a long time.

A few things occurred to me. What if the Cubs finally get a chance to win a World Series and lost to the Rays? How bad do the Blue Jays and Orioles feel that the team finally making a move on the Yankees and Red Sox are the Rays? How much fun is it to watch fans who have never had anything to cheer for get excited about their team?

The Rays just won and swept the Sox. Sorry, Pete.

Win the win was final they played, 'Sweet Caroline.' Careful, Rays.

Merchandise #2

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:00:00 +0000

The Memphis Grizzlies have lost the sale of two youth bball jerseys.

Merchandise

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:56:00 +0000

The Memphis Grizzlies have sold two youth basketball jerseys tonight. I'm glad Mr. Love will be in Tennessee.

Random Ramblings in Hyphen-Bullet Form

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:42:00 +0000

- I read Baron Davis might be traded to the Pistons. I hope not. I love Baron Davis. I hate the Pistons. I miss the days when players stayed with a team. In the current system there is such a natural progression to root for players instead of teams. When the players you love end up on teams you hate (or teams you love have players you hate) it makes for some interesting situations.

- On the subject of UCLA players in the NBA, it is good to see a Bruin impact. Even before Lavin there was a pretty long drought of significant Bruins in the NBA. Now Farmar is looking like the PG in LA. Love and Westbrook are lottery picks. Trevor Ariza looks like the real deal.

- I'm in Florida for the week. One of the things I'm most excited about is watching the Rays on tv. I've noticed their winning ways, but haven't gotten a chance to watch them in Nashville. They will be on tv here all week.

- I know it's none of my business, but I would be more comfortable if men didn't wear capris.

The King of Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:23:00 +0000

I guess this classifies as sports. I watched the documentary called 'The King of Kong' today. It is brilliant on purpose and hilarious unintentionally. Maybe the filmmakers intended the comedy, but the participants certainly didn't.

If you've never seen a grown man cry because of Donkey Kong, rent this movie.

It is unbelievable.

My favorite character is the fourth best player in the world at Super Cobra.

Fantasy Sports

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:58:00 +0000

When my team does well I'm a genius. When they don't fantasy sports are all about luck.

My first round pick was Chase Utley. Not because I knew he would do what he is doing, but because he went to UCLA.

Finals Breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:49:00 +0000

CRAP!!!

Bad Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:09:00 +0000

I'm watching the initial coverage of Big Brown's attempt at winning the triple crown. The intro had the announcer say it's like going through a season undefeated and showed a picture of Wes Welker. Should they have shown a member of the Dolphins?

Just saying.

Praying For A Win?

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:06:00 +0000

There was a time I would shudder at the thought of praying for my team to win. I thought it was ridiculous. I've changed my mind.

Two years ago the Rutgers womens' basketball team beat Duke in the NCAA tournament. Duke's best free-throw shooter was at the line, needing to sink two to win the game and send the Blue Devils to the championship game. She missed them both. Because Duke lost and Rutgers won, Rutgers got national attention. Because of their national attention, they were mentioned by Don Imus. Because they were mentioned (and I'm using that term loosely) Don Imus was fired. Because Don Imus was fired, numerous people had to find new jobs. If the girl from Duke makes her free-throws, none of that ever happens.

Some people (including Christians) believe that was simple fate. I don't. I believe God has a part in every detail of life, including missed free-throws (For the sake of brevity, I'm leaving it at that. If you want to talk more about my beliefs about God's sovereignty leave a comment or we'll go to lunch).

My point for this post is there are huge ramifications surrounding sports that go far beyond wins a losses. Every made basket sets in motion other happenings that determine outcomes in other areas of life. Areas more significant than wins and losses. But the significance of those areas makes wins and losses more significant.

All that to say, I think it's okay to pray for your team to win. Or even the Penguins if they're playing personified evil (hypothetically). Praying is submitting to God's will. When I pray for a friend to be healed, I'm saying I know God can heal them if he chooses, but I know if he doesn't choose to heal them, he's got a reason I don't understand. I think it's the same for sports. I pray for my team to win, but if they don't, I rest in his will, no matter how painful it is to watch UCLA lose in the Final Four three years in a row.

I'm not sure any of this is making sense, but it's my current practice. I'd love to hear what you think.

One more important note. I haven't had a team win a championship since 1999. That was before I was a sports prayer. Off the top of my head, I can only remember one game I prayed for a win and got one. I'm just saying, I've been knocking, but I'm waiting for the door to be opened.

Why I'm Back

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:58:00 +0000

Warning - this post needs an editor. I wrote it at 12:30 and didn't see many of the errors I'm seeing today. I'm too tired to change it because I was up at 12:30 writing about bball. Kind of a catch-22.

So, I've watched NBA basketball several nights in a row. Hopefully the streak will continue tomorrow night. It is a product I had sworn off. For years I told my uncle I'd rather watch playoff hockey than playoff basketball. I was watching the Lakers/Spurs game tonight and came up with some reasons I think I'm back.

The athletes

Basketball players are hands down the best athletes in the world. To be a good basketball player, you have to have the total package of athleticism. I've played pick-up basketball with NFL players who couldn't shoot a smooth jump-shot. To be able to score and defend a person has to be extremely coordinated. The NBA is full of the best of the best athletes. The skill level is off the charts.

The depth

Coaching in high school and watching college, you basically see teams that are 6-8 players deep. And by deep I mean 6-8 who actually play. Most high school teams really only have 3 or four contributors. Some have as many as 6. More than 6 is rare. Watching the NBA playoffs and seeing up to 10 contributors is fun.

Innovation and creativity

I have had a breakthrough. Motion offense isn't the way to go (unless you're less talented than the other team). If you have the best player on the planet, you don't want to reduce the game to five on five. That isn't bad basketball. Sometimes purists can be stubborn. I still don't want complete isolation or ball-hoggery, but ball-screens. The players and coaches have the basketball minds and talent to pull off some incredibly imaginative plays. I'm enjoying have my mind opened up to the game.

The fundamentals

I know. I know. The pro game's reputation is no fundamentals. It isn't true. I'm watching these guys defend, handle the ball, rebound, and shoot. They're fundamentals are excellent. This isn't the NBA of the late 90's/early 00's (or whatever we're living in). This is good basketball. They defense on the pick and rolls alone is worth watching. One more thing, the passing is amazing. I'm not sure how it has become so good again, but it has. I love good passing and the game is currently full of great passers.

The coverage

I don't know of another sport that gets the kind of coverage the NBA does. The cameras in the coaches huddles are great. The interviews between the third and fourth quarters are great. By the way, if you watched the Lakers/Spurs game, why didn't Popivich talk about basketball in the huddles. All he did was motivate. He was full of lines like play together and play for each other, but I didn't hear a single basketball comment. I don't get that. Maybe it's why Brent Barry got the final shot.

The shot clock

I love the 24 second shot clock. No game is over with that short of an opportunity to shoot. It keeps the game moving at a fun pace and I think even improves defense. You know you only have to defend 24 seconds at a time.

The Lakers

I have a team again. You can scroll down if you're at all interested in how I've slowly come back to the Lakers. I won't go into it all again, but I am a Laker fan once again. I no longer root against Kobe. I love watching him and want another championship in LA. I'm already talking to my uncle about a road trip to Memphis next year to see the Lakers play the Tigers (I mean Grizzlies).

A couple things I'd still like to see go.

The music during the game.

It just bugs me.

Advancing the ball to the front-court on timeouts.

I just don't get this one. The ball should be taken out where the timeout was called. I see no reason or fairness in advancing it to the front-court.

If you've given up on the NBA, give it another try. Watch for 96 seconds. You'll get four possessions, and you'll be back.

When It Hurts

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:58:00 +0000

The true test of love is pain. If you love something, it will hurt when it is threatened or lost. This is never more true (exaggeration) than in sports.

A real fan is not someone who gets excited when his or her team wins. A real fan is someone who feels pain when their team loses. I live in Nashville and because of living in Nashville, I pull for and follow the Titans. I am not a Titans fan. When they lose, I feel nothing.

Yesterday, for the first time in a long time I felt it. (I really can't even remember how long ago it was - I think Sedale Threat and Nick Van Exel were Lakers the last time I felt it.) When the Lakers lost to the Jazz, it hurt. I felt the sting.

I know I've written about this more than anybody cares to read, but it is fascinating and exciting to me to care about the Lakers again. I have gone from wearing purple everyday to wanting the Clippers to be the team in LA and now the love is coming back. I can't deny the pain. It wasn't a deep pain. I didn't want to kick the furniture (see youtube - unaware bruins fan), but it was there. It was like the pinch you get when the needle pierces the skin. Over pretty quickly, but remembered and dreaded.

Not sure I'll ever be here again...

but it's nice to feel the hurt once more.

The Lull

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:57:00 +0000

My interest in sports lulls after March Madness. I will find the passion again. The Predators made a sweet and unintimidating little run in the playoffs. That was fun and kept me inspired for a week longer than usual. I'm following the NBA playoffs more than I have in years. I'm rooting for the Lakers, but very intrigued by Chris Paul. On a side note, I'm also intrigued by Ron Paul and am currently reading and recommending his book. LINK

I love baseball and have even been to Wrigley already this year, but I won't truly get into baseball until around July.

Spring basketball practice started last Wednesday and ended yesterday. We're installing a new offense. I've mentioned before on this blog that X's and O's aren't my strength. This is my third year with Drew and I am really excited as I see myself growing in that area. As he drew up the offense, I noticed intricacies of the game I normally wouldn't notice. It is pretty amazing to be growing so rapidly as his assistant. We're going to be very hard to guard next year. I'm hungry for basketball season.

All that to say, Coram Deo Sports has been a little slow lately. I hope to be more inspired in the next few weeks. Hopefully the NBA and NHL will be inspiring.

Something Is Happening to Me

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:05:00 +0000

I can't explain it, but I'm finding myself very interested in the Lakers. Old feelings are being rekindled. I ran across this video today. I posted on a Sports Illustrated message board defending Byron Scott's role on the 80's Laker teams. I looked up James Worthy posters on ebay. Something is happening. I think I'm forgiving Kobe. I think I'm cheering for the Lakers. I have wanted them to lose for so many years in a row. It feels so strange. But it is definitely happening.

I Wish I WIsh I Wish (from Sports Illustrated)

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Bryant) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Rams owner denies LA move

Posted: Friday April 25, 2008 06:45AM ET

A recent proposal by California billionaire Ed Roski Jr. to build an $800 million stadium near Los Angeles, with the goal of attracting an NFL team, was met with raised eyebrows by concerned Rams fans here. Would Chip Rosenbloom, the team's new owner and a Hollywood filmmaker, shuttle the Rams back to his hometown? Rosenbloom on Thursday sought emphatically to allay such fears. "We have a lease (through the 2015 season), first of all. We have a commitment to St. Louis, secondly. We don't have any interest in moving to Los Angeles," Rosenbloom said at Rams Park. "Is that clear enough?"