Monthly Archives: October 2009

“I Did Me.”

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The other day I was at Verizon Center for a Mystics related meeting. As I went to my car in the parking lot, I saw Gilbert Arenas. We talked for a few moments.

I said, “Hi Gil. You lost some weight? Tell me your secret ’cause you look great.”

Gil says, “What do I look like? What kind of animal?”

I say, ”A panther!”

Gil laughs, gives me a pound and says, ”Yes, that is what I am and I am gonna pounce. I am a proud black panther!”Was he ever last night! Kudos to the team for winning its opener on the road against a tough Dallas team. I am very happy for the Pollin family and for Abe. Way to go.

Like a Playoff Game

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That was a fun game. It was an intense and physical game and a game where we stood up and were counted and where the music was playing in the locker room afterwards.

Two games against the Flyers and their vaunted and expensive and excellent defense and we have put up 9 goals. And we now have 3 of 4 points in two games. The Flyers are scary good. We ain’t so bad though either, eh?

I am very proud of Jose Theodore. I thought he was a true difference maker last night.

Thank you Caps fans for being loud and proud last night for a rainy weekday game. That was a lot of fun. We must get our power play back on track. We must defend short-handed better. We must bury more of our chances but we have now won five in a row. So take the two points and smile just a bit.

Some comments:

  • I was shocked to see who I thought was a huge Caps fan - a season ticket holder of ours and someone who always wears red – wearing a Flyers jersey last night. He looked “conflicted” at the end of the game as his seatmates were laughing at him and explained to me his split allegiances. He is always a Caps fan until we play the Flyers.
  • We were down 2-0 when I left the Owner’s box and sat with my friend Scott who once was homeless. We chatted and as we sat together the Caps scored twice to tie the game. Do you believe in karma? Way to go Scott!
  • As I look at my email inbox today, I received six emails during the game when we were down 2-0 from some of our fans. Here are some of my favorites: “You can’t win with Jose in goal against a team like the Flyers.” (Jose was First Star of the game.) “Nick looks soft and scared. He is a baby playing against men out there.” (Backstrom had 4 points, a goal and 3 assists, and was Second Star of the game.) “The Flyers are bigger, tougher and edgier than you. They are exposing all of your weaknesses right now.” (We won 4-2. Thank you.)

Keep the faith. Enjoy the ride. TRY to be happy. Go Caps!

Boston Consulting Group Would Be Proud…

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PowerPoint decks bore me. Consultants scare me. Newly minted MBA’s telling me what to do offend me.

But BCG created a matrix and everyone in a big company has seen it. Here it is but translated to hockey.

I have no opinion on the findings. I just found this an interesting twist on the matrix and where we fit in. Check it out here.

Mara to the Marathon

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The hard core runners were in town for the Marine Marathon in DC this past weekend. I had several friends run in it and finish the race. Congratulations!

Here is a wonderful film starring Anthony Edwards about marathons; the power of long distance running; and of friendships developed along the way. It also shows a beautiful area in Africa, a safari and how a family gets away from it all. This is very powerful viewing only on SnagFilms.com.

Does This Strategy Ever Work?

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Can you ever take on the media and blame them for your troubles?

I don’t think so.

Just look. Fox News ratings are way up. The President’s approval ratings are way down. Is it any wonder then that Fox News is hyping their disagreements with the White House? ”Oh woe is me. Watch what we do that has the White House so afraid of us.”

By talking about the media or a specific outlet, it only increases their value. And it diminishes you.

Sports teams that blame the media for their troubles are no different. There have been times in my past that I wanted to blame the media for over hyping some issues or for using fake quotes or making up stuff. I always cringe when I read ”According to a source close to the team” or “According to a source who didn’t want to be identified because he may do business with the team.” What does any of that mean? One time we found that the person who was being quoted was the brother of a player that wasn’t happy with the team and wanted to be traded. Another time it was an out of work scout for a team that wanted to interview with us.

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Meaty Comparisons

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Thanks to Peerless. Here is a ten game comparison - this year vs. last year – on our players and their stats.

I am not sure what it all means but it provides good food for thought.

So far, I don’t think we are playing as well as last season as a team but we do have very good stats for team points and very good individual stats to date. I would NOT be surprised if we did take a step backwards in some areas although I believe our goaltending has been more solid this season compared to last season. I know this year’s team seems to spend more time in the penalty box. If that isn’t true it sure seems that way!

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Check Out the Standings

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We aren’t playing as well as we can. We aren’t healthy. We can’t score on a power play on the road. We aren’t gelled as a defensive unit. We seem to lack some intensity. See? I read your emails but we are 6-2-2.

We are near the top of the East in goals scored; middle of the pack in goals against; and near the top in points garnered. We have won 4 games in a row - ugly wins - but wins just the same.

We have so much work to do. We have so much improvement to make but after ten games, we are first in the division and near the top in the East. We are 6-2-2. We have 14 of 20 possible points. That is a decent pace for the year. We know we aren’t near peak performance yet and we ask for a bit of patience from our most demanding fans and the media. We know we have upside. It is a long season. We need to get healthy, keep garnering points and have a bit more fun out there. Onward. Go Caps!

As a Fan – As a Partner

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I believe in this year’s team. I think the Washington Wizards have a very good mix of vets, size, skill and talent with a new world class coaching staff and a big ole chip on the collective shoulders of the team.

The key for this team is cohesion and health. End of story.

There are many new players to be integrated into the lineup.

There is the overcoming of rust and and injuries and learning a new system from a new demanding coach.

But the pieces are here for an exciting playoff team and who knows how deep the run can be if the team stays healthy? Sports Illustrated in this most recent issue was very positive on the team’s potential.

I am a Gilbert Arenas fan. I believe that Gil has world class talent, drive and skills. He is now at that point in his career that wins are more important than personal stats and that he understands the benefits of team accomplishments. He loves the game and his teammates and the fans. He wants to come back and help the team win. End of story.

As many of you know, my sports partnership owns 100 percent of the Washington Capitals and 100 percent of the Washington Mystics. We also own 44 percent of the Verizon Center, the local Ticketmaster franchise and the Washington Wizards with an exclusive right to buy the rest when Mr. Pollin decides to sell the basketball team and related assets. We are Mr. Pollin’s minority partner in the team. We believe in what he has done to re-craft this team to be a world class attraction to the fans and to be a very competitive team that at minimum makes the playoffs again. Here’s to hoping for a healthy team and a great season. I know Mr. Pollin’s competitiveness burns bright and his fondest desire is to bring a championship to the fans of the Wizards.

It would be so great for our city to have playoff basketball in the district again. My belief is that both the Caps and Wizards make the playoffs and we are both utilizing the great facility that Mr. Pollin built for the fans come April and then later in the Fall. The Mystics are playing in the playoffs as well. Wouldn’t that be great?