'Possession Arrow': Badgley<-Razook

Before we begin, "Possession Arrow" would like to send our thoughts to the family and friends of the late Austin Toros coach and Boston Celtics legend (by way of Pepperdine University, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Phoenix Suns) Dennis Johnson, a class-act competitor and an admirable pro athlete.
Upon his passing, we made it a point to revisit Score blogger and Chronicle Film writer Josh Rosenblatt's "D-League Dreams," a great story about Toros tryouts that of course featured Johnson prominently while providing a glimpse of his style and philosophy. Rosenblatt took us to a Toros game recently, where we discussed a future NCAA-NBA blog debate and otherwise had a blast. There was no debate about Johnson: He was always fun to watch, on the court and then on the sideline.

From: Shawn Badgley
To John Razook
Time: Feb. 21, 2:27 PM

John:

Brace yourself. We've always been about giving the people what they want, even when they don't know what it is. How do you think we got to sharing our ideas and observations on college basketball in the first place?

So, it's with that in mind that I send you this photograph of me covering the Texas Tech-Texas game on Tuesday night. No, there is not whiskey in that coffee cup; yes, Kevin Durant is just about to challenge me to a game of HORSE.

And, yes, John, I know that you weren't able to make it, and that our "Pig Skinny" colleague, University of Oklahoma alumnus Taylor Holland, had to attend in your stead. I know how disappointed you are that, very much like Moses, you weren't able to join the chosen people (Taylor and me) as they crossed into the promised land (Chronicle personnel obtaining press access for major sporting events). I know you've never seen a blowout this exciting, simply because you've never been this close to the action. I know Bobby Knight has never brushed past you in the hallway outside of the media room as your weak and high-pitched "Hey, coach!" failed to quiet your colleague's analysis that "It's not every day that you see a Bobby Knight team lose by 30."

I know you mightn't have noticed, as I have in my courtside capacity, that the young Longhorns play down to the level of their competition. That even though they shot the lights out, they weren't as impressive as the Tech final might indicate. That this lack of concentration and killer instinct could cost them dearly in, say, a conference tournament – nay, a national tournament – in which they could otherwise do significant damage.

From: Shawn Badgley
To John Razook
Time: Feb. 24, 6:49 PM

John, judging from our minimal contact since my last e-mail, I'd say we're not really on speaking terms right now.

That, of course, isn't true: The whole town is aware that we live happily as man and wife in a small cottage off Onion Creek. I was just trying to create some controversy, something we'll definitely do with our Big XII Conference tournament preview set to hit stands in the March 2 print issue.

If I'm not mistaken, in fact, you attended a media day on Thursday in preparation for said preview and were able to get some words from the likes of Rick Barnes and Justin Mason. Also, you wore your St. Louis Cardinals cap, this spring's hottest new fashion style. Ah, spring. The time for baseball and big dancing.

My beloved Syracuse Orange took one step closer to doing just that with an ugly win at Providence. Florida took another hit in a bad loss to LSU, but should still be a No. 1 seed. UCLA tied a bow on a perfect season at home. Who knows how the field will shake out? In his most recent Bracketology forecast, the mutant ninja turtle of prognosticating, Joe Lunardi, actually had Texas Tech as a 9! Texas was a 9 the week previous, and now it could score a 4? Will Kansas keep its 1 hopes alive, or will A&M angle in? Today, Texas took out Oklahoma in Norman, Nebraska tossed Missouri back down to Earth, and Tech edged out … oh, dear God … Tech edged out Oklahoma State.

John, this week is getting rougher and rougher for you, my friend. Does that end the Cowboys' chances at the NCAAs, or were those dashed long ago? Don't answer that. Can't look ahead: The conference tournament will answer all of these questions and more in Oklahoma City starting March 8. And our conference-tournament preview will answer all of these questions and more a week before that. You heard right. Yeah, those who know me know that I favor the response, "I've got two balls, and neither one of them is crystal," when they ask me shit about a future I can't predict, but I'm shelving that sentiment for this one.

We're going to handicap the Big XII tourney and provide a tourist guide to the host and capital of Oklahoma. Look for it. Count on it. Poop on it.

Before that, though, look for me on the floor at the A&M game at the Erwin Center next week. Turns out Durant wants a rematch. Buy your tickets now.