I Still Hate the Dookies

Congratulations to Damino who vanquished his brother and took down Duke's 5th national title.
It was a great game and I really thought Wisconsin was going to win it until Grayson Allen took over.
With 13 minutes left Wisconsin took a 9 point lead.
Then Allen made a 3, a steal, got fouled while hustling for a loose ball and on that possession made a layup, got fouled and hit the free throw.

From 9 to 3 on the deficit in just about a minute based solely on the effort and execution of one player.

I don't believe much in momentum, but I do believe that the strategy of games change drastically based on lead size. Once Duke cut the lead so much so quickly, they never had to enter a desperation mode.

After that Kaminsky went cold, Tyus Jones went off and Duke won.

And Grayson Allen established himself and the next great white hated from Duke.

In 20 years he may have his own documentary.

Brother vs. Brother

"The one thing that I do think about is after the game. There is going to be one winner and there is going to be one that is going to be totally disappointed. My thoughts go to that one that will not experience the thrill of victory." - Mama Damino

One brother will rejoice, one brother will revile.

In case you don't know, Damino went to law school at Duke, and Big Kev attended Wisconsin. And BK is actually in the Annapolis -- I mean, Indianapolis -- for the game.

I really don't know who is going to win, but I would have to favor Duke slightly. Watching them I've been incredibly impressed with their depth of talent and their ability to fast break without making mistakes.

Obviously Wisconsin slew the giant but that doesn't make them the presumptive champion. Sometimes teams that pull off that big victory have blown their proverbial load by the time they get to the title game.

It should be a great game and I look forward to watching it and may the best Damino win.

By the way, that quote at the top was actually said by Jack Harbaugh before his sons, John and Jim, coached against each other in the Super Bowl. But this is pretty much the same thing.

A TON of Luck

TON knows about a lot of things: raising fish, body hair maintenance, sheet rock, computers, porn, computer porn and even sports like volleyball and MMA. But he will even admit college basketball is not his game. He'd be lucky if he could distinguish Peyton Siva from Peyton Manning. But TON used his head to pick Louisville to win it all and his heart to pick Syracuse to make the Final Four and his 1220 points put him in the top 1.8% nationally and at the top of our group.
Honorable mention should be given to Damino who was the only one in our group with 3 Final Four teams, and also the only one to have the title game participants correct. He was in the top 2,000 overall heading into the final game and probably would have been in top 2 or 3 hundred had Michigan won. But they didn't. So TON got the 320 points, and beat Damino by 10. But the following is not a list of people who did really well but fell short. It's a list of winners, and TON's name will go on it. Next year maybe you can add your name.

2012: Reissberg
2011: Mrs. Poop
2010: Vacated (I forgot to keep accurate records)
2009: Mrs. Poop
2008: Pa Beers
2007: Michael

Damino Learns An Important Lesson

15 years ago today Damino learned that you should never invite the whole school to a party at your house.

Never have the entire school over for a party when your Nana (may she rest in peace) lives downstairs.

One party ball is not enough beer for the entire school.

Damino also knows you never stop growing and learning.

He has learned a few more important lessons.

Always believe the worst about a politician.

Never believe a convoluted explanation when a simpler one is out there.

And never go against me when it comes to ferreting out the truth.

Rep. Anthony Weiner confirmed what I believed all along when he said "the picture was of me, and I sent it."

He went on to admit having internet or phone relationships with 6 women but claims he never met any of these women in person, just carried sexual conversations and exchanged the occasional lewd picture with these women. I hope he is telling the truth this time.

Several times during his press conference he said he was taking responsibility for his actions.

WRONG!

I have written many times on this blog about the importance of personal responsibility. I think it's the biggest problem affecting this country right now. No one takes responsibility for anything.

And it starts at the top. Bill Clinton (I know he wasn't the first) lied and lied and lied, until he got caught and couldn't lie anymore, then he apologized, admitted it and begged forgiveness.

Bill Clinton officiated Anthony Weiner's politically expedient wedding so I guess we shouldn't be surprised that when Weiner violated it he looked to his mentor for an example of how to take a scandal and blow it up into something 10 times worse by lying about it.

That's not personal responsibility. Once you've been caught, it's too late to be responsible. Personal responsibility is standing up and admitting wrongdoing because it's wrong, not because you have no other choice.

But politicians (in both parties) only care about themselves and their careers, and they will never take responsibility for their actions.

I just hope Damino learned that lesson this time.

11 Years Ago

11 years ago, a group of high school seniors planned a houseparty to celebrate their impending graduation.

Who showed up at this party:
A green haired freak
Nana
All of Wagner High School (seemingly)
The cops

The party that has been known since then as DaminoFest is still remembered fondly by those who were there.