Kentucky's Perfect Season

         On March 3rd in Stegeman Coliseum Kentucky Wildcats complete only the 3rd undefeated season in men's division 1 history. They beat Georgia 72-64 after being down by 7 in the second half. The star of the team Karl Anthony-Towns was in foul trouble with 4 when he makes a bone headed play when he doesn't pass to open man and Georgia's defender takes charge to give him his 5th. When he comes back to the game he takes over getting 17 of his 19 points in the second half. With many key contributes not performing up to their usually Other players stepped up such as The Harrison twins at the starting guards scoring a combined 28 points with their bench out scoring Georgia's 19-15.
         All year Kentucky has had a historic defense with two 7-footers manning the paint with Willie Cauley-Stein being one of the favorites to win player of the year, and Karl Anthony-Towns, but near the end of the year their offensive has become one of the best in division 1. They play two units of 5 player,which makes them a huge threat to go very deep in the tournament because of their depth playing 10 kids. This team is scary and no one was to see them up against Kentucky in the tournament.

Celtics vs Warriors

Stephen Curry knocks down a three as the Warriors pull of  wild comeback vs The Celtics

         Isaiah Thomas' 20 points wasn't enough to hold 26 point halftime lead against Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Last night at the TD Garden, the C's defensive breakdown cost them the game, after a mediocre second half performance. The Celtics fall 106-101.
       Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were too much for the Celts to handle. Curry with a game high 37 points lead the comeback, while Thompson added 20 points while holding Avery Bradley to 5 of 17 shooting.
       Warriors Coach says "It was a fun challenge for us. If we lost it wouldn't have been the end of the world." Stephen Curry says "We didn't want to be down 26. We had to be mentally tough to make it an interesting game."
        After the huge second half it wasn't curry making the big plays, it was Andre Iguodala dunking to tie the game then Harrison Barnes making the go ahead lay-up.
         Isaiah Thomas, scoring 20 points in the game needed 23 as he missed a pull-up three when the were down 101 to 104 and who else but Curry secures the board and gets fouled. He sinks both free throws to clinch the amazing comeback.

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Hoop Dreams

              The movie Hoop Dreams is about a pair of boys from the ghetto who go to high school to play basketball. Their names were William Gates and Arthur Agee. They both went to St. Joes to play basketball. Family members supported them and paid their tuition. William started on Varsity as a freshman while Arthur is starting point guard on the freshman team. They both had pretty good freshman seasons, but going into sophomore year the family stopped paying for Arthurs tuition so he had to start over at Marshall High School. William is a star as a sophomore,  he is carrying the team and everyone loves him. Meanwhile Arthur is playing varsity as a sophomore but not to his full potential.

        St. Joes loses in the playoffs again even though Arthur had a great game. Going into his junior year William hurts his knee and he can't play the whole regular season. Arthur is starting on Varsity, and playing well. William comes back in the playoffs and in their final game William hurts his knee again, but comes back into the game. In the clutch Will misses 2 free throws and they lose again. Senior year William is a McDonald's All american. In the camp William hurts his knee once more and can't compete in the last days. When he comes to play his senior year at St. Joes he isn't as confident in his ability anymore, and they don't go very far in the playoffs. Arthur leads Marshall to the playoffs. They go on a streak where they beat a list of ranked teams to win the city championship. They even beat the number 2 ranked team to win the championship. William gets a scholarship to Marquette, but he quits after the season then drops out of college. Arthur went to college and played as well.

              The theme of the movie is how basketball become a job for the kids not a sport for them. When they first started playing they loved playing and they were having fun. Near the end the were just playing so they could get money and move their families out of poverty. William couldn't take it any more so he dropped out of college and stopped playing, but he got convinced to go back to school. I enjoyed watching the movie and the story it told. It shows that if you work hard you can succeed, just like Arthur did when he took an unranked team to win the championship.   

Sports Effects on Culture

         Professional sports has had many different effects on culture. It can have positive effects such as Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, but it can also have a negative effect like the issue with the voice mail on Donald Sterling's phone that cost him his job. Sports have been bringing people together for decades. It has allowed all racial differences to be pushed aside and let the best players in the world play the sport they love. Sports have effects our cultures in a positive way such as Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. For years the MLB was only a white mans league now it has transformed into something completely different because of Jackie Robinson and what he did for that culture. Ben Mclemore of the Sacramento Kings stands for another change in culture. His Family moved from 1 room apartment to 1 room apartment his whole childhood life, but once he made it to the NBA he started to provide for his family. This happens very often in sports, one kid makes it to the pros and it changes everything. It moves him and his family out of poverty.
         Although unfortunately there are also some negative effects on culture in sports. Lets talk about  the Seattle Seahawks. Their Quarterback Russell Wilson was called out by other teammates for not being "Black enough". This is an unfair statement to Wilson, because he went to college and graduated and just because he doesn't speak like his teammates with street slang they don't want him leading their team. Another example of a negative effect on culture is trash talking in sports. Kids are watching and they see all the trash talking and want to be just like them so they play in their game and start swearing and trash talking.
           Lastly, sports have had a crazy effect on my culture. Every sunday my family comes together to watch the Pats games. Also whenever something bad happens in my life I can go play basketball with my friends to clear my name for even an hour.  Sports have gotten me to the point I am at today. It has It is the reason I have all the friends I have today. My life would be entirely different if it weren't for sports. That is how sports can have a positive or a negative effect on someones life.

The Atlanta Hawks

         The Atlanta Hawks are the surprise team of the league about half way through the season. 41-9 record, as they stand first in the east. Also with the best record in the NBA. Last year they were the eighth seed and lost in the first round, but this year they got Al Horford back and he is leading the unlikely team to an amazing season. They just came off a 19 game win streak, longest in team, history.  Although they have no "stars'' that they can go to in the clutch, they have many solid players that can win them those close games.

         Their start to this season is one of the most improbable starts in NBA history. Coming off a sub par year they have come out firing on all cylinders this year. After having 1 All-star last year, they have 3 this year that are all worthy of the spots. All 5 of their starters are averaging over 10 points a game. With many capable players off the bench. All 5 of their starters were named players of the month. Coming into the season there were only 2 real contenders in the east, The Bulls and the Cavs, neither of them have preformed and the Hawks have taken advantage and outplayed every other team in the NBA. Many people on ESPN are saying the Hawks coach is a lock for the coach of the year. We can hope they keep preforming at this level going into the playoffs.

Super Bowl Predictions

      I am very excited for this Super Bowl. Not just because Tom Brady going for number 4, but all of the headlines. First, the Seahawks. Ranked number 1 all year in total defense. With a very young quarterback leading their offense all ready looking for his second ring. The Seahawks are looking to be the first team since 03', 04' Pats to repeat. Their big name players on the defensive ends are still fighting injuries. Richard Sherman with an  elbow injury and Earl Thomas with a dislocated shoulder.  So they have to rely on their lesser known players and see if they can stop the high powered patriot offense.
        Now on the the Patriots. They have one of the best QBS of all time in Tom Brady. They have the best Tight End in the NFL in Gronk, and have reliable receivers in Edlemen and Lafell. So if the great defense of Seattle can stop the Pats offense then broth teams will rely on the weaker side of the ball. I believe the Pats defense can stop the Seattle offense, enough where thee will be less pressure on the offense. That's what makes this a very intriguing game and I can't wait to see it!

Pats Receivers Vs Seattle Secondary

        The general argument made by author Mark Farinella in his work, Patriots Receivers Vow to Hold Their Own, is that the patriots receiving core has enough weapons to compete vs this star studded secondary. Patriots Receiver says"We're going to do what we have been doing all along." In the passage, Mark Farinella is suggesting that even though the Seahawks have one of the best corner backs and 2 of the best safeties in the NFL. The Pats wide outs have been competing all year and have proven them selves to everyone in this league. In conclusion Farinella's belief is that The Wide receiving core for New England is good enough to hold their own against this great secondary of Seattle.
          I really enjoyed reading this article because I found it very interesting. Seattle defense was tops in the NFL in every major category. New England has a very high rated offense so that is where the game becomes interesting. The article talks to the New England receivers and they all believe they are good enough to compete with this defense. I also believe they are good enough because they have 4 receivers with 40 catches or more with a solid running game to keep this Seattle D on their toes. Both Teams have worked and earned their way to this game but I  believe the game comes down to both teams weaker side of the ball. If Seattle can stop the Pats offensive attack then it will come down to the Seattle offense and New England defense. This has all the making to be a game for the ages.