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HomeCommentaryMarlon Scott: Sports Fanalyst FourThoughts - NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs, Must...

Marlon Scott: Sports Fanalyst FourThoughts – NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs, Must See TV

Sports Fanalyst FourthoughtsClarksville, TN – I recently realized the primary color in most of my favorite sports teams (Spurs, Ravens, etc..) is black. I wonder if that is a subconscious acknowledgement of the slimming effect of black clothes. Regardless, here are my more relatable sports FourThoughts for this week.

NFL Draft: Must See TV

I have watched the NFL draft for years as a fan and a fantasy football player looking for an edge. I think it is hands down, the best draft of the major pro sports. Apparently, this year I was joined by a record breaking number of NFL draft enthusiasts.

Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) speaks during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns Headquarters. (Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) speaks during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns Headquarters. (Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)

Over 45 million viewers watched the NFL draft last week, a draft that occurred two weeks later than normal. The draft has always had drama, but this year had an extra portion of polarization for several reasons.

Top of the list drawing viewers was Johnny Manziel. Who was going to win the Johnny Football lottery? For the first time in a while, the first pick of the draft wasn’t assured ahead of time. Jadeveon Clowney is a freak of nature, but had a lot of franchises scratching their heads.

Also, would any franchise draft an openly gay football player, Michael Sam? The answers to all the pre-draft questions was reality TV at its finest without the group of women besties who wait until they are in public to get ready to rumble.

NBA Postseason Dominating Cable TV Ratings

The good news for the NHL is their ratings for the postseason are up according to a recent NBC press release reported by Forbes. The viewers for the first 10 games went up 25% this season.

The bad news is that increase is still miniscule compared to the number of viewers tuning in to the NBA postseason. The first eight games of the NBA playoffs averaged 3.5 million viewers. That is more than five times the viewers who watched the NHL playoffs.

It is no secret why the NBA does so well this time of year. It has consistent star power, most of it in all the major markets. The game is played at all levels worldwide, second only to soccer. But lets not forget the biggest bonus this season – controversy.

Donald Sterling could not have timed his complete demise any better. The world loves to hate villains and Sterling served himself up like two scoops of bigot-flavored Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Granted, it is not fair to have the many overtime, buzzer-beater filled games of this year’s NBA playoffs tainted with ignorance and stupidity. However, you can’t tell me at least one NBA marketing guy isn’t quietly snickering while whispering Ka-Ching!

The Fall of the House of Sterling

Part of me hates to waste more words on Donald Sterling and his unconscionable views. However, another part of me can’t help but highlight the skill in which Sterling’s continues to orchestrate his own demise.

Already vilified, Sterling apparently thought it would be a good idea to do an interview on CNN. After all his wife’s interview went so well, right?

After “apologizing” for his mistake. Sterling went on to defend himself by launching his second assault on Magic Johnson. He went so far as to claim that unlike Jews, Magic is a prime example of how some successful African Americans do not give back to their community.

If Sterling had any marketing or legal counsel left before the interview, I am sure they ran away screaming afterwards convinced the next words coming out of Sterling’s mouth would include calling Mickey Mouse a dirty rat kids should not look up to.

Clarksville High Dominates the Diamonds

Both the Clarksville High Baseball and Softball teams excelled in the regular season and are continuing to dominate in the postseason.

Not only did both the Wildcats and Lady Wildcats finish as the 2014 District 10-AAA Regular Season Champions, they both went on to capture the 2014 District 10-AAA Tournament Championships as well.

As the District 10-AAA Tournament Champions, the teams advanced to compete in the Region 5-AAA tournament. Both teams have won their first round match-ups in Regional competition and will continue to play Wednesday, March 14th.

The Wildcats will have a rematch against the Rossview Hawks, the District 10-AAA Tournament Runner-Ups, at home.

The Lady Wildcats will travel to play Wilson Central, the District 9-AAA Tournament Champions.

“You have to give 100 percent in the first half of the game. If that isn’t enough, in the second half, you have to give what’s left.” – Yogi Berra

Marlon Scott
Marlon Scott
Marlon Scott is a freelance journalist and writer. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2011 with a B.S. in Communications, majoring in Communication Arts with a concentration in print and web journalism. His writing career began as a sports writer for The All State, the APSU student newspaper, in 2006. He continued working for the paper until his graduation, serving in various positions including Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. In 2010, Scott contributed stories and photographs as well as designed and served as Editor-in-Chief for the monograph, Civic Art of Clarksville: The stories behind the pieces. Scott has also produced 60 stories for The Leaf Chronicle. You can find him on twitter @theMarlonScott and on Facebook
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