Articles

The Odd Joy of the Solo Goal

Suhrith Parthasarathy

Soccer is arguably the truest of team sports. But it is oddly at its most exhilarating when a sudden burst of individual virtuosity makes it something else. From Maradona to Messi to Neymar, the solo goal is soccer's most beautiful outlier.

The Many Evils of Mike D'Antoni

Bethlehem Shoals

Mike D'Antoni left the Knicks amidst accusations that his coaching style was too rigid. This after his tenue in Phoenix, where he earned a reputation as a free-thinking revolutionary who opposed any and all basketball orthodoxy. Neither one is exactly true, and neither does the man justice.

The Beards of Summer

Adam Doster

Chris Siriano's House of David Museum is the most comprehensive resource available documenting the story of baseball’s greatest religious-commune-based team. In the foreseeable future, it will become the only reminder of the Israelite House of David’s barnstorming glory days.

The Muamba Message

Fredorrarci

True, sport is not life, but it's one of the things that dignify life. There's no need to be ashamed of it, or to distance ourselves from it. There is a need, however, to be thankful for it, and for those who commune with us in it. Muamba's collapse was so shocking and poignant because it happened while he was taking part in this act of communion.

NBA Nonsense Notebook

Michael Katz

Emptying a reporter's notebook of the good stuff: real talk from Craig Smith on Cinnabon, Gerald Wallace on wack sneakers, Nate Robinson on ranch dressing, Metta World Peace on ennui, and other journalistic misfits from hours of hanging out around tall, wealthy people.

Reasons To Be Mad, Part Two

Classical Squadron

Further bite-size thoughts on why we watch and care—or don't, and don't—basketball in March, from Classical staffers and fellow travelers.

Reasons To Be Mad, Part One

Classical Squadron

Welcome to Total Basketball Immersion. While everyone who cares to be subsumed in the mania of the first few days of the NCAA tournament is already happily there, we all find ourselves here for our own reasons. Here are a few of the reasons why we watch, from various Classical staffers, contributors and fellow travelers.

Exile In Dayton

Pete Segall

The basketball that happens in Dayton before the NCAA Tournament officially begins is no longer called the play-in game. But, in a fundamental and ineffable and not at all fun-to-watch way, it is still very much that. And also more than that.

Monta Ellis as Religious Experience

Eric Freeman

Golden State's breathtaking but flawed guard, has finally been traded. One of the league's most electrifying player, he's also one of its most frustrating—and, if you aren't watching him regularly, one of the most empty and ill-defined. To watch Monta Ellis is to love him. 

Live The Fantasy: Making Your Own NCAA Tournament Fantasy League

Brendan Flynn

The NCAA doesn't license use of its players for fantasy basketball purposes. Which in no way means that you can't make your own NCAA Tournament fantasy league. You just need some rudimentary Excel chops, a calculator, and as much dorky purpose as you can muster.