Pacers 2015 Draft Pick @ #11

• Last time they had a lotto pick: Paul George
• Last time they had the #11 pick: Reggie Miller

This one has all the excitement you could ask for...

• many think the Pacers go with the guy originally projected in the top10, but now may be slipping down others draft boards:  Willie 'Trill' C. Stein
• or the graduate, NCAA PoY, with 2 Final Fours, and he stretches the D (basically essential in today's game): Frank Kaminsky. 
• there's equal competition from other bigmen, like Myles Turner and Bobby Portis. 
• there's also 2 more* Indy-area drafted in the first round: Trey Lyles and RJ Hunter

Are the Pacers looking for a win-now guy or long-term/franchise guy? Scoring or Defense? Personality or Athleticism? Big or Small? Why not both?

• there are point-guards like Cameron Payne, and Domer grad Jerian Grant
• the player I'll be rooting for, after he stole my heart in the NCAA tournament this year: Samuel J. Dekker

* link does not include: Gary Harris, Gordon Hayward, E'Twaun Moore, Zach Randolph, Zellers, Plumlees and JJs

** Devin Booker's eyes freak me out

Terrific Toronto

...and Niagara Falls,

Indy[car] Honda Toronto, Saturday's qualifying 

lakeside at Amsterdam BrewHouse enjoying Craft Beer (Week)

Biggest sports moments in Indiana history

Yesterday marked the 20-year anniversary of Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds. I started to wonder, where would that moment rank if it were played in the state of Indiana? Here are some from from recent memory:

• 2011 Indy 500: 100th Anny, rookie (JRH) leads final turn/lap, crashes; Wheldon wins again, his last
• 2006 AFC Championship in Hoosier Dome. 38-34. Cheaters lose
• 2010 Final Four: small, local school w/ half-court buzzer to beat #1 Devils
• 2011 Watshot 3-pt winner at buzzer over #1 and undefeated Wildcats
• 2001 Haston 3-pt winner at buzzer over #1 and undefeated Spartans
• 2014 AFC Divisional playoffs: Andrew Luck's 24-pt comeback win
• The NBA pipeline
• 2000 Pacers reaching NBA Finals

Last Century:

• Jeff Gordon winning inaugural Brickyard 400
• 1993 Notre Dame over #1 FSU (and '88 title)
• Bob Knight's championships, chair-toss & choke
• 1987 Pan Am Games
• Multiple ABA Championships in the 70s (and Nancy Leonard's fundraiser)
• Larry Bird
• Oscar Robertson
• Bobby Plump & Milan HS
• Hoosiers
• Rudy
• Breaking Away
• Slick Leonard
• John Wooden

Honorable mention: Tony Hulman, Mike Aulby, Isiah Lord Thomas, Shawn Kemp, Glenn Robinson, Damon Bailey, Billy Keller, Scott Skiles, Steve Alford

The Perfect Storm

The topic dominating airwaves for weeks is a crescendo this week in Indianapolis. America's best city is hosting another Final Four, this time featuring bluebloods Duke & Kentucky, as well B1Gs: Wisconsin and Michigan State. As if the game needed any more attention, the NCAA (and others) have publicly denounced the RFRA bill signed into Indiana law last week. Legislation was forced to specify a Federal law with similar language after gays were denied cake at a local bakery.

The result of that legal battle that required clarification has rubbed many liberals the wrong way (rightfully so) but Mike Pence doesn't deserve to be called a bigot. Understanding the language of the bill is the first thing everyone should do before you go off criticizing all Hoosiers and boycott the entire state. Bill Clinton signed the Federal RFRA over 20 years ago, and Obama signed the Illinois RFRA as well. So why is the outrage directed only at Indiana? They hate us cuz they anus.

Before you throw a tantrum, keep this in mind: it can be used to defend oneself against lawsuits or administrative action. It can’t be used affirmatively to try and deprive others of the protections of law. By boycotting, you're essentially doing the same thing you're accusing the intolerant of doing - not conducting business with someone based on their (constitutionally protected) beliefs. Religious or not, everyone should follow the Golden Rule, respect karma and maintain inner peace.

Chuchos Y Túmulos

This is an epic about a man and his best friend (and his wife & daughter) as they journeyed through Mexico, Guatemala and the Yucatan.

We decided to drive to Cancun and back, spending a couple weeks in Guatemala and visiting ancient pyramids and other archaeological structures. We camped in a tent on the beach, on lakes, in the jungle, backyards, but also stayed at a handful of hotels. Travis' wife & daughter were able to visit their family while I snorkled, relaxed and paraglided off mountains on Lake Atitlan. Let's begin, shall we?

1st stop: Austin, Texas on Superbowl Sunday. A quick round of disc golf and a bite at Denny's. And why did Wilson have to throw that interception at the goalline?
The next day took us all the way to Mexico City, specifically:

TEOTIHUACAN

Here I am in front of the Pyramid of the Sun.

another shot, this time I'm standing on the Moon. Possibly floating in the clouds at this point. 

On February 3rd we visited Oaxaca. The views here were spectacular.

  

 Because of its remote location and massive size, this was the only place we paid for a tour-guide. He explained how the location was an advantage and how far back the trade routes go. You can see the city beyond the trees.  Here is where we found some ancient artifacts, sprinkled on the ground. 

    

Monte Alban

Colts offseason moves

I promise not to discuss deflated balls. Time to move on to the 2015 season...

Notable free agents that I don't expect to return include Reggie Wayne, Matt Hasselbeck and likely Hakeem Nicks. That leaves a big hole at WR (after TY Hilton and Donte Moncrief) but the rumor mill says Duron Carter has his hopes set on playing with Andrew Luck this fall. Ahmed Bradshaw played great in the games he was healthy, and deserves at least another year - especially at the pricetag of less than $1M/yr. Ballard, Boom and Trent are still on the roster but I don't expect Richardson to stay employed much longer.

The 2 old guys (10+ years experience) entering Free Agency are Cory Redding and Mike Adams. Both of these men are anchors at their positions. Adams' value will be inflated by his Pro Bowl bid but should be a manageable sum around $2-3M/yr. Sergio Brown is quite a bit younger (26) but is quickly proving his worth. Colts need both their safeties to return as one of the league's best Pass Defenses can only get better. That is, as long as their 2 Free Agent corners can stay. Josh Gordy and Darius Butler are both in their late 20s and they're at that point in their careers where they've basically peaked. Do the Colts reward either with lucrative contracts (Butler was already making $2M/yr) or does Indy dive into the deep CB pool on draft day?

The 2 remaining Free Agents the Colts need to look hard at are Joe Reitz and Fili Moala. Maybe I have a warm spot in my heart for overpaid backups, or maybe I see greater potential from both, but this is where the Salary Cap comes into play. As I mentioned above, they are letting go of Reggie and Nicks, which should free up some space. And if they also happen to not re-sign Gordy and Butler, that should leave them around $11M under the cap. Take away ~$5 for the incoming rookies and you're left with some wiggle room, depending on how much the Cap increases this year. Lately, the average increase is about $7M but last year was $10M (to $133M). Thus, I expect this year's increase to be slightly smaller than average, so lets say it only increases $5M. Now we're back up to much more wiggle room, which allows them to possibly sign an experienced backup QB or upgrade at OL.

Yes, the most glaring need is Offensive Line but I argue that their patchwork actually works. As long as Donald Thomas plays, the only major weakness is Center. Lets face it, Harrison and Shipley are not starting-caliber. I suspect it would take a minor miracle to find a stud at this position for a cheap price. Honestly, who wouldn't want to be the battery mate of the best QB in the game??