The Chat House

Sports News

Welcome to another edition of The Chat House where Post columnist Michael Wilbon was online Monday, March 17 at 1:15 p.m. ET to take your questions and comments about the latest sports news and his recent columns.

The transcript follows.

Discussion Archive

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San Diego: Wilbon, how great was yesterday? Five conference finals, Lakers-Rockets, Nuggets putting up 168 points, Tiger's birdie on 18 to win the tournament, and finally Selection Sunday. I don't think there has been such an action-packed weekend in a long time and this sports fan loved every second of it!

Michael Wilbon: Hi everybody...just zoomed in from Bristol/NYC (I try to stay in NYC when I can on my ESPN visits)...and I'm still pumped up on adrenalin from yesterday...Yes, sir...What an incredible day in sports. When not on the set with Stuart Scott and Jon Barry doing pre-game and halftime shows for ABC's coverage of the NBA, I sat in a darkened room with 4 50-plus inch HD flat screens watching EVERYTHING with Stu and JB and J.A. Adande, screaming our brains out at every Tiger shot, at every great play in college hoops, at every three-pointer by Rockets guard Rafer Alston. I'm going to be so tired tonight from jumping around like a maniac yesterday...And next week, with Tiger playing at the tournament going, might be just as exciting...The next four weeks in sports are just phenomenal and I'm like a little kid on Christmas Eve waiting for each one of them.

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Chicago: Did you see that Sam Smith took a Chicago Tribune buyout?

Any idea where he'll end up?

Michael Wilbon: I did not know...Wow...you're breaking some news here that's important to me, considering I've read Sam for years, and known him for years and years and years...and respect and like him tremendously. I suspect I know where I'll be able to find Sam: in Scottsdale, Arizona on a golf course most days by 11 a.m. And trust me, I plan to find him often...

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Anonymous: Indiana is gonna beat UNC, write it down.

Which No. 1 is going down first?

Michael Wilbon: Nope, that's not going to happen. Good question, though...I hate to sound like I'm picking on Memphis, because I think they're really good...but I think North Carolina and Kansas are the two best teams in the tournament...Maybe UCLA by UCONN...This kid Thabeet is the next big thing...I should be picking UCONN to go further than I've got them going so far....Hmmmm.

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Alexandria, Va.: Mike:

Of course the selection committee will never admit it, but do you think Seth Greenberg's mouthing off about how they better get in, anyone who didn't think so was insane, etc., kept Virginia Tech out? Kind of a "we'll show you"?

Michael Wilbon: No...good question, but I don't think so. Usually, I know some of the committee members and I just don't think they have thin skins about things when they go into the room to debate...If anybody got hosed (and I don't think anybody really did) it might have been Dayton, which had an RPI in the low 30s...But if you couldn't get in this season, given the mediocrity of college hoops in the regular season in most conferences, then too bad...No tears here today...Tell it to the teams in the NBA's Western Conference...

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Alexandria, Va. (Houston transplant): Mr. Wilbon:

I suspect that you and Mr. Tony will find some time for this on PTI today, but:

If I had told you that Tracy McGrady would be scoreless in the first half and the Rockets would have a 15 point lead at the half, would you have called the men in white coats on me? I would have!

Huge performance by Rafer Alston, who could have been had for a ham sandwich this summer. Also, phenomenal defense on Kobe by Shane Battier.

I know that they "can't" advance in the playoffs, but I'm still dreaming....

Michael Wilbon: For T-Mac to score 11 points and Houston to win by double-digits is an eye opener to me, too. They've just got something special going and they're No. 1 in the Western Conference today, which just makes no sense if you're looking at rosters and evaluating talent. Bobby Jackson and Shane Battier were the two best players on the court for Houston yesterday...And who would have guessed that, even when Yao Ming went down for the season 10 games ago.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Mike,

With the NCAA tournament upon us, a mind-blowing NBA Western Conference playoff race and Tiger leaving us all speechless, can ESPN please put a moratorium on all discussion of the NFL draft, free agency or football altogether?

Michael Wilbon: Amen...Amen...Amen. I don't care who's "ON THE CLOCK."

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Washington, D.C.: I got a chance to watch the first part of the ESPN special, "Black Magic" about the history of HBCU baseketball, and I found myself getting angry. There were NUMEROUS black ball players back then who were more than talented, who did not get the chance to shine. And while I know things are different know, it still hurt me to see that the Lebrons and the Michael Beasleys of the 40s, 50s, and early 60s, never got a chance to shine. If you saw this, what are/were your thoughts on this program or the era in general?

Michael Wilbon: I was thrilled the producer, Mr. Klores, saw fit to tell the story of these men who are almost unknown by today's fans...I knew them. I watched them play when I could on TV as a kid. I knew Willis Reed played for Grambling. I knew who Earl Monroe was because of my dad who played in the south...The documentary is a great one...I absolutely feel for those men and the chances they were denied. My father-in-law, Dr. Benjamin Watkins, played at Johnson C. Smith and I could hear his stories all day about that era...I can't wait for the next installment.

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Denver :168! Are you kidding me?

Michael Wilbon: Poor Seattle...I That had to be humiliating for the Sonics to give up that many points...Now, I don't think it means anything in the big picture for the Nuggets, because Denver might come right back and blow a game by allowing, oh, 140...

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Washington, D.C.: How about some love for American University making the tourney? I went there for grad school and didn't even realize they were D-1.

Michael Wilbon: Big Love for American University...I'm happiest for my friends like David Aldridge who have rooted for the Eagles so faithfully over the years, and who have now been rewarded. I'll definitely tune in and watch their game on TV..I thought the tears streaming down the face of coach Jeff Jones' told the story better than anything of the joy being felt by people who have given to the program, people like my friend Eddie Tapscott who coached there...like Gary Williams who once led AU to a 24-6 season...like Wil Jones who played there..It's a wonderful school and I'm glad to see the team finally get to the Big Dance.

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Washington, D.C.: I would just like to say that I have literally never heard of half the guys that play for the Houston Rockets. Thanks.

Michael Wilbon: So watch them play and you'll have heard of them. So what, you never heard of them? You never heard of 22 straight wins in the NBA either, have you? It's only happened once, in 1972 and I'm guessing you either weren't alive or weren't old enough to know of the Lakers' streak.

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Hancock, Maine: Hi Michael,

Is there any good reason why the tourney isn't composed of the 65 best teams? Aren't these sorts of competitions supposed to feature the best teams in the country, and not just those with those that promise the best story lines? I'll root for American but who can claim that they really deserve to go over a team like Ohio State or ASU?

Michael Wilbon: It's meant to be a national tournament, and a field of inclusion. That's the NCAA's stated mission with the tournament and I, personally, like it.

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Reston, Va.: How about the Hoyas? Davidson seems to be the sexy pick for an early upset -- but what are Georgetown's chances at a repeat Final Four run?

Thanks

Michael Wilbon: Their chances are pretty good to get back to the Final Four...Georgetown isn't as good this year because the Hoyas don't have Jeff Green. And Davidson, which has won 22 straight, is formidable. Jonathan Wallace is a fine, fine shooter, mostly spot-up...but he's not as prolific a shooter as Stephon Curry, who can fire with people all over him and do it off the dribble...I could see the Hoyas getting back to the Final Four. I could see them losing in the second round.

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Santa Barbara, Calif.: Wilbon, when looking at the brackets, don't you find it a little weird that all of the mid-majors are playing against other midmajors rather than big schools? Davidson vs. Gonzaga, Butler vs. South Alabama, Drake vs. Western Kentucky...

Michael Wilbon: Yeah, and I hate it. I find it disgusting...it's like the selection committee doesn't REALLY want them in the field...Now, I just said in answer to another question I don't think the members walk into the room with an agenda. But I do feel it's ingrained in the big-school representatives, even if they don't articulate it, that the mid-majors don't really belong...

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Andanotherthing, Md.: Also on Tiger, he's the smartest golfer: someone already mentioned the quote about Auerbach playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers. He knows when to be conservative, when to be a gambler, when to be an assassin.

Michael Wilbon: I'm not going to disagree with any praise for Tiger Woods anytime soon.

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NCAA: Bobby Knight and Jay Bilas were saying that the NCAA tournament should just take the number 1-65 rated teams in order - no automatic bids for conference tourney winners that come out of the blue. While this would put the best teams in the tournament, I think it would take away some of the appeal of the tournament. What is your thought?

Michael Wilbon: I understand why they want that format. But I don't. I like the inclusive nature of the tournament the way it is, and I don't need to see any mroe 7th place teams in the Big Whatever Conference...which are the leagues that produced Bob Knight and my friend Jay. I get where they're coming from; it's just not the tournament I want to see. And I don't want to see 128 teams...You know what's fundamentally wrong with the NCAA Tournament? Nothing.

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Washington, D.C.: Supposedly your boy Billy Packer still found stuff to complain about, even given the fewer number of mid-major schools in this year's tournament. Does his attitude stem from elitism or a belief that games involving mid-majors just aren't as popular?

Michael Wilbon: I like Billy Packer a lot and I learn something about basketball every time I listen to him call a game or just sit around with him...But, he's a college basketball elitist, no question about it.

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McLean, Va.: Michael, have you had a chance to watch Bob Knight on ESPN's basketball coverage? He's still a cantankerous curmudgeon but the way he breaks down the games and seems to size up teams is amazing. What have you thought of him in the studio?

Michael Wilbon: I think he's been great in the studio. Not good...GREAT. I like listening to Knight talk about basketball...ANYTHING about basketball. I don't like rants off-the-cuff, because I don't care what he thinks about whatever the given topic of the day is when he rants...And he almost assuredly doesn't care about my rants. But just like listening to Packers, when he's not being an elitist, is very educational in terms of college basketball, listening to Knight is even more instructional.

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DC: Easy, no need to get upset. My point was that the Rockets streak is even more amazing, to me, because when you look at that roster you'd never EVER think they'd be this good. Really amazing.

Michael Wilbon: No, I didn't get upset. I might have misinterpreted your question (and for that I apologize) as saying there's disinterested because they're not stars. My bad...Thanks for writing again, and as for your real question, I learned watching the 1977 Portland TrailBlazers of Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Dave Twardzik, Bobby Gross, Corky Calhoun, Jim Paxson, etc. that the star-power of the roster doesn't necessarily preclude a team from being really, really, really good...Still, Houston's run and their sense of team is amazing.

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NCAA: It would be great if all the people that are spending their time trying to "improve" the NCAA tournament turned their attention to a football playoff and got some movement their instead.

Michael Wilbon: Amen...Amen...Amen...Yes, sir...Very well said.

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Mid Majors vs. Mid Majors: I'm with you on the mid majors vs. mid majors deal. However, this does guarantee that at least half will make it to the next round, rather than the majority getting whacked on the first two days.

Michael Wilbon: Good point. I thought about that and gave the committee about a 20 percent chance of having that agenda, 80 percent chance of having the more sinister agenda! Again, maybe I'm dead wrong about this...Thanks for looking at it from the other direction.

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Hyattsville, Md. : So how does the team that finishes ninth in the West feel about this season? Will it be failure if they win 50 games and still end up in the lottery? I look at the predicament the Nuggets are in, and can't help but feel a little sorry for them. They're having what should be considered a great season, but because of the insane level of comp in the conference - as well as the colorful cast of characters on that roster -- they get labeled as dysfunctional underachievers.

Michael Wilbon: Yeah, I'm with you...That's why I want to see the top 16 teams make the NBA playoffs, regardless of conference...The pros aren't the NCAAs. I want to see the best 16 make the post-season. Do i want to see Denver, or the 7th and 9th-place teams in the East? Even with Phill's improvement, I'd rather see Denver than Phillly in the playoffs...certainly more than Atlanta/Chicago/New Jersey in the 8th spot in the east.

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Arlington, Va.: What's your take on DeShawn Stevenson calling Lebron "overrated?" I'm a Wizards fan, but found James' response to be quite funny when he compared himself to Jay-Z and referred to Stevenson as Soulja Boy.

Michael Wilbon: I understand Stevenson's in-the-moment rant in the immediate aftermath of a tight game in which he was primarily responsible for defending LeBron and doing a darn good job on him, at that. But "overrated" and LeBron James don't belong in the same sentence. LeBron's one of the three best players in the NBA by any measure...

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Another Planet: Tiger Woods is here with me. I couldn't believe the announcers had any doubt he would make that putt on 18. He really might go undefeated for the year.

Michael Wilbon: No he won't...but it's fun watching him try, isn't it? It's the best thing in sports, watching Tiger on Sunday...I can't wait until next Sunday at Doral.

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New York: Hi Mike,

Just in the spirit of things, thought I would mention that my friedns and I take Thursday and Friday of this week off religiously (an unofficial national holiday) and we encourage all others to do the same. Not you, Mike, we need someone to tell us what to think.

Enjoy (and feel better)

Michael Wilbon: I'm even taking Thursday and Friday off...PTI is dark and for the first time in 28 years I'm not covering first- and second-round games...and I'll talk about that in detail (and why) next week...I've never just sat and watched the games, which I'll be doing for the first timce since college...

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Washington D.C.: How anxious are you to see Gilbert Arenas back on the floor with the Wizards this season?

Michael Wilbon: I'm a little nervous about it. I hope he's healty enough to play. I don't want to see Gilbert have another setback. I know he wants to play. The team needs him if it wants to advance in the playoffs...and there's no easy answer here. How will he know unless he actually plays?

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Leesburg, Va.: I heard on Tony's radio show this morning that you all have Jim Boeheim as your guest today. Jim's been my secret weapon in all the NCAA tournament pools I've entered. For those that don't know, Jim has a fantastic record of predicting who's going to the Final Four every year. I have a great track record in my works NCAA pool thanks to Jim. Unfortunately, I'm going to be working late tonight, so I'm going to miss Jim's picks. I'm distraught. Is there any way to view tonight's PTI show online? I really don't want to miss these picks. My NCAA tournament reputation is on the line.

washingtonpost.com: There's a podcast of the show available on iTunes.

Michael Wilbon: Don't stress! There is a podcast and you can figure out how to access it at ESPN.com. Coach Boehim is great on the tournament every single year and we're happy to have him...Speaking of PTI and guests we've got to run and tape our interview with Jim...Gotta run...Talk to you guys next week...Until then, Happy Bracketing! MW

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