Sports

Benjamin Simon

Staff Writer

It was a cold day. Freezing. When I stepped out of the car, I immediately put my hood up, disappearing within my coat. Right before I had stepped on the pavement, Mr. Marc Narducci, the man I would be shadowing at the game, texted me that he would be a little late. We had met through a connection at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Recently, I had begun my internship there and one of my first experiences would be following a reporter in the field. Mr. Narducci is one of the lead correspondents who cover the Temple Owls men’s basketball team for the Inquirer.

It was 10:45, an hour and fifteen minutes before the Temple vs. Tulane basketball game was set to begin. I made a quick run to the Dunkin’ Donuts next to the Liacouras Center, the home stadium of the Owls. In twenty minutes, I was out and headed for the media entrance on the side of the arena. People were slowly filling into the building.

“Walk down and go through the doors,” read the message sent by Mr. Narducci. I followed the instructions and strolled towards a desk to find my press credential. After that, I proceed to the court. It was forty five minutes before the game would start and both of the teams were beginning warm ups. Not long after, I met Mr. Narducci, and he showed me around.

We went through some of the rooms that would be important and gathered pertinent information. There were stacks of papers that intensely gave information on both teams participating and even a page for every player on each team. There was also a page that gave me and other media members down to the second information on the pre-game events. Pretty neat if you ask me.

We shuffled to our seats, and past the court, where about two rows back, the media sat. There was a platform that stretched the length of the floor, with a black tablecloth suffocating it. For thirty minutes, we sat there and waited till the buzzer, indicating the end of the pre-game events. The men from Temple and Tulane warmed up in the meantime, stretching, dribbling, and getting shots up.

After the buzzer sounded, the Star Spangled Banner played, along with the introduction of the visiting team. But before the Temple starters were announced, they played a quick video montage to get players and fans excited. By the end of that I found myself quite pumped for the game. When they introduced the Temple players, I found myself clapping, along with the Owl faithful. Amidst soft celebration, I turned my head to examine the other member s of the press. Not one clapped or seem nearly interested in what was going on. With Mr. Narducci in the bathroom, I decided it was best to hold my applause, as a member of the media.

As the game begun, I decided that I would document a couple of things throughout the game. I would write down the time left on the shot clock after each Temple possession ended. This would be fun and interesting to analyze later. I also planned on writing down key notes that were influential in the outcome of the game.

Throughout the event, I continued with my plan. I also made note to watch Mr. Narducci and see what he did, along with follow his tips for me. As the game went on, he documented the score and little notes on Twitter for people to follow the competition. He also made sure to keep an ESPN tab open and check in with the box score. He later began piecing a quick story together because he would have to have one as soon as the buzzer sounded. Mid-way through the first half, as Temple pulled away from Tulane, I unintentionally began to cheer quietly for the Owls. Mr. Narducci tapped me:

“You know there’s an old saying,” he said nicely, “‘no cheering in the press box’.” I apologized, feeling slightly embarrassed, but noticed this was all part of the learning experience. By halftime, Temple led Tulane 28 to 8. Surprisingly, I had witnessed history. Tulane had the lowest scoring half of any team in the Liacouras Center. Wow.

Halftime was uneventful and was filled with watching 10 year old kids play the national sport of Ireland, Gaelic football. In the meantime, Mr. Narducci knocked out some points for his story. He said that since it was due right as the game was finished, he would have to make some inferences at this point in the game. He began writing the piece as if Temple had already captured the victory. As the second half started, I kept up my routine that had kept me occupied during the first half. As Temple maintained their lead, the rowdy Temple fans roared. I worked hard to keep my excitement contained.

Everything was going smoothly until late in the game. I felt a little splash on my clothes and I turned around. I saw a cup on the floor, and beer rolling around the platform. I looked at the guy and then down at my bag. It was soaked with beer. Great.

The man apologized to me, but made no effort to clean up the cup, mess, or help me dry my bag. Luckily, my electronics were on the table.  For the next 15 minutes till the game ended, my mind was held by my soaking equipment that I would have to carry into the press room.

After the game and Temple won, I quickly shuffled to the bathroom, while Mr. Narducci left for the press conference. Minutes later, I joined him. It wasn’t long before Quinton DeCosey and Obi Enechionyia, two of the most productive players that day, found their way here as well. Most of the reporters covering the game were there, but not enough to fill the locker room. Most had a recording device that they placed on the table for the players to speak into, so they could transcribe their comments later. Mr. Narducci videotaped them. They stayed for no longer than five minutes. It was quick and fast. I felt as though I had blinked and boom, they were gone.

Soon after, head coach Fran Dunphy came in. Dunphy was much more insightful, but he wasn’t there for much longer either. 7 minutes tops, and he was gone. During each interview, I made sure to document acouple lines that I felt were significant and accurate. After that, a handful of reporters, including Mr. Narducci left for a small, claustrophobic room where they would knock out another, longer story about the game. Mr. Narducci started by transcribing his interviews so he could get his quotes done, and then he added more meat to his previous story that he had sent in a little less than an hour ago. It wasn’t long before I had to go.

During my experience with the Inquirer, I learned about the expectations of a reporter. For example, how they are asked to reach deadlines by the ends of games, analyze the game play, come up with insightful questions to ask in the interviews, and more. There is a lot asked of journalists in the field. It was great to get insight into these requirements and have a sense about what the job entails.

 

 

Benjamin Simon

Staff Writer

As New Year’s rolls around, people often create resolutions that they want to commit themselves to for that year. Here at SLAMedia, we decided to break down the New Years Resolutions for some of our Philadelphia sports teams.  

Eagles: Increase the amount of quality and necessary signings

The Eagles have time and time again made head scratching decisions regarding the signing and drafting of players over the last years. Last year, the Eagles drafted an unproven outside linebacker, Marcus Smith II from Ohio State, with their first pick. Not only was this a position that was already solid at with Brandon Graham, Trent Cole, and pro-bowler Connor Barwin but Smith did not make a tackle the entire season.

The Eagles also stole the money to sign backup running back Darren Sproles. There’s no denying that the speedster was great in special teams and throughout the first couple games, but he slowly tapered off, finishing the last five game with thirteen rushes and just forty seven yards.

This move always baffled me. The Eagles already had the best speedy running back in the game, LeSean McCoy. Why get another that played exactly like him? This was a move that was unnecessary and they could live without.

This new year, the Eagles should strive to making more quality pick ups at positions that they need, such as cornerback and wide receiver. These are two spots where the Eagles lack the talent to contend against some of the best in the league. These examples are only few of many questioning moves that this team has made over the past year.

Sixers: Don’t trade for any more draft picks

As the Sixers have tanked, they have proceeded to stock piles of draft picks. Now is the time to stop. The time has come where they have found their core of the future: Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, and whoever they take this upcoming draft. They finally have a group of guys who, in many years, could bring a banner home to Broad Street. However, they still need more pieces. But that doesn’t come by trading away players who are assets for unproven draft picks.

This new year, the Sixers should relax with their core, and begin to slowly build around it. This idea hit me when it was released that Carter-Williams would be placed on the trading block. Why mess more with the kids head? What’s the best they could get for: another draft pick and unproven player? The Sixers need to stop thinking of 2021, and begin to focus on 2017. Who are the players to keep? Who are the proven pieces to bring in to better fit the young, talented players? It is time to think about now, winning, and our core, rather than draft picks and tanking.

Phillies: Have more young guys play

Last year, the Phillies had a frustrating season. Amidst constant losing, the management refused to switch around the order as the season grew on. Every day, we saw the same old names, past their prime and selfishly taking a valuable spot. Ryan Howard. Kyle Kendrick. Jimmy Rollins. As the season wore on, die hard Phillies fans begged to see the upcoming talent, yet it didn’t come. Cesar Hernandez played only sixty games (less than half of the Phillies total regular season games). Maikel Franco barely saw sixteen. JP Crawford didn’t even touch Citizens Bank Park. Yeah there were exceptions: Cody Asche and Ken Giles, but I just wish we would have seen more. As the young talent bloomed in the minor league system. We never got to witness them.

This new year, the Phillies must make it a priority to get more at bats and pitching opportunities for the young guns of the system. Therefore, they will not only give them a chance to prove themselves, but an opportunity to release the jitters and soothe into the big leagues. This is a must do if the Phillies struggle to win once again this season.

Temple Basketball: Shoot the ball better

The Temple basketball team has shot a scary 37% during their first nineteen games this season. That ranks them 339th in shooting percentage in the NCAA. Ouch. Not only that, but they are shooting an atrocious 30% from three-point range. There is absolutely no way a team can win, while shooting that bad during games.

It also hurts that your three best and most relientent scorers (Will Cummings, Jessie Morgan, and Quenton Decosy) are shooting a combined 34% from the field.

This new year, the Owls must shoot better to give them a chance to compete. They hustle and work hard on defense, but you can only go so far, without shooting the ball consistently.

Penn Basketball: Fire head coach Jerome Allen

Since Jerome Allen took over as head coach for Glen Miller in 2009, the Quakers have gone 56-85. But it isn’t like Allen hasn’t followed up with some strong recruits. Miles Cartwright was rated a 90 by ESPN when he came out of high school. Patrick Lucas-Perry was rated an 87. Tony Hicks was also an 87. Allen has had strong cores. In 2013, Penn was projected to finish to finish second by NBC Sports. Instead, they landed an 8-20 mark and sixth place in the Ivy League. But despite the losses of many key players from the previous year, the Quakers looked like they had some potential. With a flat out scorer in Tony Hicks (15 points per game last season), big man Darien Nelson-Henry (6’11), and a bunch of bench players flowering with talent, they looked like they might have a shot. Yet again, Penn has started the season 4 and 9.

That leaves one option for their New Year’s Resolution: fire head coach Jerome Allen. Despite his great demeanor and recruiting skills, Allen has yet to find a way to win games on a consistent basis. With only one winning season throughout his five previous ones, Allen has to go. It is time to give another person the keys to the blooming potential here at Penn.

 

Benjamin Simon

Staff Writer

Dear NFL Fans,

I used to think the Eagles were overrated. I saw a team that overestimated their ability last year. A team that didn’t have the mental or physical stainability to compete with the best.

I used to think the Eagles were weak. They were a team that would crumple under pressure and not be able to execute their plays when it was absolutely time.

I used to think Chip Kelly was arrogant, dirty, and inequitable.

I used to think the management was setting them up to lose. Why wouldn’t you draft a cornerback with one of your top picks? Why would you sign speedster Darren Sproles when you already had three sufficient running backs? Why would you release place kicker Alex Henery, when he been quite efficient in his time here?

And I still agree, even a week after the strong 33-10 victory over the Cowboys.

If someone told me, a team has only played five teams with a winning record throughout their twelve games, and of those five games, they were a troubling 2-3. I wouldn’t be impressed. This Eagles team is not tough, elite, nor built for the big stage. During the first game of the season, they started down 17-0 against a rebuilding and struggling Jaguars. Later, after leading 34-7 against a Rams team with a sub .500 win percentage, they gave up 21 unanswered points, and handed the Rams a chance to win.  In games that should have definite blow outs, the Eagles made it into a battle.

To add to that, the Eagles have the 7th highest turnover margin in the NFL as of right now(-6); tied for the 5th highest amount of fumbles (20) and tied for the 1st highest amount of interceptions (16) on the year. Yeah, there are the flashy numbers (286 passing yards per game), but a team cannot contend for a super bowl ring if they are so sloppy on offense. And I remind you: these stats come despite playing more than half of their games against sub .500 teams. Not very convincing to me.

But I don’t necessarily blame it all on the amatuer cornerbacks or the careless throws or the troubled offensive line. I think General Manager Howie Roseman and Coach Chip Kelly also have large roles in their iminate struggle.

The foggy decisions by the Eagles management started about a month prior the 2014 NFL Draft, when Pro-Bowl wide receiver Desean Jackson was released. Amidst the questioned release, the Eagles blamed it on Jackson’s affiliation with gangs, which turned out to be a pile of junk. It was just an easy way to explain why they were sending their superstar wide receiver towards unemployment. But it also was not nearly close to the truth. It was sleazy, unjust, and just proved the personality of the organization. The are willingness of Kelly, Roseman, and the whole Eagles organization to taint a career to get what they want, instead of being upfront, is unimpressive.

Something else that has always baffled me is the signing of Riley Cooper. 5 years and 25 million, for a backup receiver. Yeah, he had some good games last year, but not enough to warrant a 5 year deal. I think we needed one more year to see what he was made of. This year, Cooper has only had two games with more than 50 yards. He has only one touchdown. And only one game with more than 5 receptions. This is scary, for a guy we committed to for the next 5 years.

And lastly, I don’t think this Eagles can go to the super bowl with Nick Foles as their franchise quarterback. Yeah, Foles was impressive last year, but do you remember former Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ? Yeah, I know, he played baseball, but the same idea is present in both situations. Happ was stellar his rookie season with the Phillies, posting an appealing 2.93 ERA. But in the past five years since his first season, his ERA grown and grown, so much that it was a scary 4.22 this year as a part of the Toronto Blue Jays this past season. The reason? In his rookie season, there was no tape on Happ. No one knew his pitches, his tendencies, and flaws. Most batters know the pitcher’s characteristics before they bat, but they couldn’t with Happ, because he hadn’t been in the league! However, they now know his pitching aspects, explaining his struggle.

Same with Foles. As a rookie, no one had seen much tape on him. But now they know him, and they know where he struggles. Elite quarterbacks figure out ways to escape this trap, but throughout this season, Foles has shown me that he is confused, at a disadvantage, and not an elite quarterback. As defenses are figuring him out, he is having a hard time figuring them and their schemes out.

As you can see, the Eagles are in no place to contend for a super bowl title this year. Maybe in a couple years, when the gaping flaws are concealed, but this is not the year.

Sorry Eagles fans.

Sincerely, your fan,

Benjamin Simon

 

 

Benjamin Simon

Staff Writer

Dear General Manager Hinkie,

I remember when I loved watching the Sixers. I’ve always had DirectV so I’ve never had the games on television, unless it was on ESPN. But I always found a way to follow the game by listening to the radio or watching GameCast. After hours at school and more time at sports, I looked forward to coming home, relaxing, and enjoying the Sixers. I enjoyed watching them win.

I remember going to a playoff game in 2011 against the Heat. They lost, and everyone knew that there was no way they could beat the Heat. But the stands were sold out, everybody in a white t-shirt, cheering on the team of Philadelphia.

I remember just two years, sitting in front of the TV watching the Sixers beat the Bulls in the 2012 playoffs. JUST TWO YEARS ago, I was watching the playoffs.

I remember being yelled out by father, because I would cheer so loud whenever the Sixers made a big play, as I listened to the radio.

I remember being excited for each and every game. Preseason games. Regular season games. Playoffs games.

I remember being excited and proud to say that I was a fan of our tough, gritty, and talented Sixers.

But now I come home and I forget the Sixers are even playing. I want to know, but its hard to care, when their manager sets them up to lose. Its tough when you open your phone to see that your favorite team is losing 73-29 at halftime. It’s discouraging and upsetting, to the coaches, players, and especially fans.

I understand the idea of tanking. In theory, make your team so bad, that they lose as many games as possible to get a good draft pick. But there are many grey areas within this method. What if the player does not turn out to be as good as expected? What if you don’t actually get the desired pick? What if you lose fan support throughout the time?

Three years ago, the Sixers won nearly two playoffs series. Two years ago, the Sixers had a troubling, yet promising year. Jrue Holiday was an all star. Evan Turner showed glimpses of promise. Nick Young could score from all places at times. They just missed some pieces. They needed a big man, a new coach, and maybe a consistent shooter. But these were things we could have fixed instantly. A couple draft picks and free agent signs away, the Sixers would be right back in the playoffs.

Instead, you decided to trade away our future and ended all hope of playoffs. All hope of anything good for the fans of the Sixers. During the 2013 draft, you, Mr. Hinkie, traded away Jrue Holiday, our all-star, for an injured center who never has reached his full potential. That was the beginning of our downfall.

At this time, I began hearing talk of “tanking”. The Sixers would be “tanking” for the next years. I looked up the word, talked to people and noticed this word meant that the Sixers would suck for the next couple years so they could get the best draft picks possible.

Soon the playoff team I once knew, was composed of washed up minor league players, old players no one wanted, and draft picks that were to come seven years from now. We are entering a dark tunnel with no clue where we will end up when we come out.

The other day, I looked up the most commonly cited example of tanking in sports: the baseball team, The Houston Astros. For the past five years, the Astros have had multiple one hundred loss seasons, an unthinkable feat in baseball. Things are looking up, but the losing years are only continuing. With another ninety loss season under their belt this year, they don’t seem to be winning specifically soon. They might be good sometime in the next couple years, but is it worth the ten years of waiting, if they are only successful for a couple years after that? The draft picks, the stars that teams groom and work so hard to get, are all bound to leave when the opportunity presents itself. They will pounce to the dominant teams and most of all, the teams that can offer them the most money.

This method can be represented by many players across all sports. Basketball superstar, Shaquille O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic. After a successful first couple years, he bounced out of Orlando to the Los Angeles Lakers for the better location, more money, and chance to play with Kobe Bryant. In baseball, Alex Rodriguez left his first team, the Texas Rangers, for the bigger and more profitable market of New York City.

Since the Sixers don’t necessarily have the basketball market or the city of the Knicks or Lakers, we are bound to have this cycle occur to us again and again, like many other sports teams. Groomed stars will ultimately leave for the more desirable situations, regardless of their allegiances.

And the thing is, the Sixers had a chance to improve, years ago. What’s the point of tanking, especially when you have a chance to win before hand? Why tank at all?

As a player, it is insulting. As the general manager, you are telling him, “we are bringing you in here because you suck and will help us lose.”

As a coach, it is insulting. As the general manager, you are telling him, “we are bringing you here to coach a team that is incapable of playing basketball at an NBA level. We are setting you up to lose and ultimately fired.”

And as a fan, it is insulting. As the general manager, you are telling us, “we don’t care about you.”

At this point, who is left on your side?

Sincerely, your fan,

Benjamin Simon

Benjamin Simon

Staff Writer

 

Eli Simon sat in the car on the way to his grandmothers. He sat in the back of the car, legs up, engulfed in his cell phone. He bit his nails as he read off of his phone.

“‘Most of their team is from New Jersey. #taneycheats’”

He mockingly laughed at the remark, but deep inside, Eli worried. Did they really cheat? Were there kids on his team really from New Jersey? Would Little League stop them from moving on? He knew they hadn’t cheated, but these Instagram posts and comments were giving him second thoughts.

Amidst the thousands of followers, TV appearances, and Little League World Series stardom, the Taney Dragons did not have an easy road to the Little League World Series. In their first tournament against teams from their district, second baseman Jahli Hendricks supposedly threw his glove on the ground and was ejected from the game. He would not be allowed to play in the next game either. Luckily, they won both games. After winning the Sectionals tournament and moving on to the State of Pennsylvania tournament, Taney faced another dilemma.

Starting catcher Scott Bandura and Hendricks had other plans the week of the State Tournament. Months before, Bandura’s father had secured the two of them a scholarship to attend a prestigious sports camp in New Hampshire. This opportunity could not be passed up on, so the Dragons would have to win without two of their most productive players.

As a result, the Dragons went into the tournament a little staggered.

“I didn’t think we would go far,” recalls Simon, while noting it would be hard to win without Bandura and Hendricks.

Fortunately, the Dragons won their first two games and went on to face the boys from Collier Township. In the fight between the two unbeatens, Taney punched first, winning the game in a fierce 13-10 victory. Therefore, the Dragons advanced to the finals, only to face Collier again after they had won. Only two team teams remained.

The state bracket was set up in a double elimination format meaning they would have to lose twice to be officially out of the tournament. The first game of the championship Collier won, routing the Dragons, 7-2. Not only was this the first lost of the tournament for the relentless Dragons, but this was also their first loss of the season. They would play Collier one last game for all the marbles in the jar.

Midway through the State Finals game, Collier surged to a 4-0 lead over the Dragons. It looked like this fabulous adventure might finally come to an end. But the next half inning, Jared Sprague-Lott answered the call ripping a two run homerun over the fence to cut the lead to 4-2.

Despite trailing, the Dragons were full of hope and energy. “I knew we could come back,” says right fielder Zion Spearman, “and we put it in our minds that we could come back, so we did.”

In the next inning, with two runners on base, Spearman came to the plate. “I was just trying to take my time and recognize the pitch,” he said, recalling the event.

Luckily, Spearman launched a ball over the right field fence, pushing his team to a 5-4 lead. The Dragons never looked back and went on to win 6-4, punching their ticket in the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament. They were only a few steps away from the Little League World Series. The kids began to look ahead to the next tournament, while celebrating their fabulous victory behind them. But this was quickly interrupted.

Hours after the game, many Dragons had their joyful evening disturbed. As first baseman Joe Richardson scrolled through his phone, he was tagged in a comment on Instagram. He looked on the notification bringing him to a post by one of the Collier players. The caption to the photo was “#taneycheats”.

The players from Collier began posting more and more photos with captions of “taney cheats” and “the real state champs”. Along with the photos came loads of comments. Multiple were mean and demeaning.

Richardson instantly informed his parents, who relayed it to coach Alex Rice. An email was sent out to the parents of the team asking them to tell their children not to respond or retaliate in anyway to the posts. It was hard not to say things back.

Under Little League rules, players must live in the township they are competing for. In their posts to Instagram earlier that day, the kids from Collier questioned if the Taney players actually lived in Pennsylvania.

This rumor had its roots in the fact that, months ago, Sprague-Lott had been chosen for the 12-and-under United States baseball team that was competing in the Dominican Republic. As a compliment to being chosen, each player received a bio on themselves, and in that bio, the people running the site accidently stated that Jared was from New Jersey. This was a mistake by the website, Jared lived in Philadelphia. But the Collier kids found this and pounced on it.

As the comments and posts kept flowing, the more mean and hurtful they became towards the Taney players. The kids claimed that Taney had been cheating for a while and other teams had noticed: “…and little league said they weren’t gonna do anything because they’re an intercity team with a girl so [they] probably told the umps to give them calls” said a Collier player on Instagram.

The players also added that their coaches were in on the fact that Taney was cheating. The players claimed on Instagram that their coaches would eventually talk to the Little League Organization about the allegations that Taney was pulling players from outside of their boundaries and bribing umpires.

Later, in response to many of the comments, one Collier player said, “But they still serve up chicken dinner,” when referring to the Taney players. Another player on Collier responded “Ya fricken chicken dinner.”

Many of the players were surprised, upset, and hurt. For Spearman and Richardson, this was the first time they had witnessed any sort of racism in their playing days of baseball.

At first, Spearman said he was mad at the comments, but he soon got over it just like many kids on the team. Richardson says it gave him and his teammates a chip on their shoulder and an opportunity to prove people wrong. Many teams could crash and fall when faced with these sort of dilemmas, yet the Dragons kept fighting. They would go on to advance to the highly touted Little League World Series.

Today, the Collier Little League organization has publicly supported the outcome of the game. “CTAA is happy for Taney Little League and we believe that Taney won fair and square,” said the 12U commissioner for Collier Little League, Steve Alauzen. He also noted that the coach of the Collier State Tournament team would not be allowed back into the organization if he even wanted to rejoin. He added that the comments by the players on social media were “inexcusable”.

A couple days after the posts on Instagram, the pictures were taken down along with the comments. Aside from screenshots, the “Collier and Taney Instagram Incident” has been erased.

When asked if he forgave Collier, Eli Simon hesitated, looked around and thoughtfully said, ”I really don’t care anymore. It’s over.”