Ben Roethlisberger Deserves Suspension? Not a Chance!

The concern surrounding Ben Roethlisberger’s latest episode on sexual assault is misguided and strictly bias.

Either an ethical district attorney wants to punish the two-time Super Bowl champ for his stupidity, or an irritable father wants the NFL to suspend Roethlisberger of his accusations that has transpired—not once, but twice—and has raised concern within the Steelers family.

Not long ago, charges in the Lake Tahoe case were dismissed, when a woman and employee of the resort accused him of sexual assault. His teammates label him as a hero, but the general public has mixed emotions.

Within the last month, hands have either pointed at Big Ben as if he’s a guilty malefactor, rather than a hallowed sports figure that every citizen in Pittsburgh endears after anchoring the franchise to two championships in the last decade.

But lately, all the speculations that the league—or even the franchise—should suspend Roethlisberger, are utterly ridiculous.

I clearly understand that commissioner Roger Goodell inserted a conduct policy, established to take down the bad guys in the league. I gather an understanding that he’s the NFL sheriff, who usually seizes control by handing a misbehaved player a heavy sanction as a way to learn a valuable lesson.

But in this situation, Goodell doesn’t have to issue a suspension to Big Ben. What’s fascinating about this ordeal is that some believes he deserves a punishment, after replicating absurdity off-the-field more than once. What’s amazing is that some are willing to penalize him when he has never been indicted, or even arrested, on sexual assault charges.

For all we know, he could be guilty, but manipulated Goodell and team executives to think otherwise. For all we know, he could have associated and encountered the wrong type of women whose accusations could be fabricated and misleading.

Maybe that’s what Goodell assumes, yet to react or respond amid a troubling situation.

He’s the one commissioner who never hesitated to discipline a renegade player for his off-the-field conduct or any nonsense involving criminality such as DUIs, dogfighting scandals, strip club shootings, or even the incident when Plaxico Burress shot himself in the right thigh.

In this instance, Goodell doesn’t have to wear the police hat or a badge declaring himself as the sheriff in a league of unmanageable superstars.


From the near-deadly motorcycle accident to the Lake Tahoe alleged sexual assault to Milledgeville, Ga., Roethlisberger hasn’t learned a valuable lesson and has lacked maturity as a loyal Rooney family is getting tired of his turmoil which has developed an unfathomable distraction.

It has even made an impact on law enforcement, leaving behind enough headaches and forced police officer Jerry Blash to resign Wednesday, a day before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made public documents related to its investigation of a 20-year-old woman and college student who claims that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted inside a nightclub restroom.

Roethlisberger issued a one-minute statement Monday evening and seemed very apologetic.

He hung his head in shame, deeply embarrassed, and regretted that he potentially placed ill-fortune on teammates, coaching staff, and an authentic ownership that bestowed him with riches.


Meanwhile, the Rooneys are tempted to punish the centerpiece of their franchise, indifferent about winning, and committed to protecting character—a religious facet that symbolizes the franchise’s classiness.

Art Rooney II alluded in a statement earlier in the week that he’s contemplating if he’ll issue any disciplinary action. Monday afternoon he said, “In the coming days, Ben will meet with commissioner Goodell to discuss his resolve to abide by the league’s personal conduct standards. After consultation with the commissioner, our organization will determine the next step in this process.”

By suspending Roethlisberger, it sends an example to team players, as well as the league. And if the Steelers—the fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL—traded its valuable wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the superstar whose heroics clinched Pittsburgh’s sixth title when he connected with Big Ben for arguably the biggest game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl history, to the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick, that explains the organization is burnt out of pointless troubles.

The Steelers have no regrets jettisoning Holmes, who was benched for a game in 2008 after he was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

In fairness, that’s why some are suggesting he should be suspended. But it’s not a good explanation in suspending a player for someone else’s wrongdoing.

There’s a slight difference, Roethlisberger has never been liable of guilt, but Holmes was charged with a misdemeanor. That’s not a good explanation, even if the league or franchise believes they have to set an example and identify Big Ben as the next poster boy of the league, since Adam 'Pacman' Jones ran into unlawful troubles.

His first incident was a red flag, the second incident raised concerns. When a quarterback, team leader, or anybody for the matter, is accused by a different woman in a different state, there are indications that a player is immune to problems.

He wasn’t arrested or charged in either case, but next time he may not be too lucky to get away with his foolishness if he’s a criminal and not a victim. For the time being, we may never know the truth to the puzzling issue perturbing the Rooneys.

Twice in less than two years, Roethlisberger has been accused for sexual assault, the latest issue last month was inside a college bar where he was partying and drinking.

He invited women into the club’s VIP room to drink some of his shots, as one of the women was under the legal age of drinking and was intoxicated. Later, Roethlisberger followed her down the hallway and into the restroom.

It has turned into a perturbing situation for the Rooney family who signed him to an enormous $102 million paycheck, one of the richest deals for a pro football star.

Fred Bright, the district attorney, probably feels Roethlisberger deserves to serve a suspension. He said bruises and bleeding was seen on the victim when she underwent a hospital exam. Not to sound naïve, but who really knows if Roethlisberger was the one involved?

There’s not enough evidence to prove if he’s guilty or not, nor is there a reason to suspend him. But many think it’s fair to suspend Roethlisberger for numerous reasons.

One reason being that his name surfaces on a regular basis about sexual assault. Secondly, Goodell had the leverage and authority under the league’s conduct policy to suspend a player of ruining the NFL’s reputation. There’s no need to proactively set standards, especially if minor ramifications are falsified, something that could mark his image.

There’s speculation and buzz surrounding the Steelers as to whether they’ll trade the problematic quarterback. All of which seems logical, but it sounds as if he’ll remain in a Steelers uniform despite all the havoc circling the franchise and agitating a displeased Rooney family.

It’s rare to see the Steelers protect renegade superstars, solicitous about its image and pride. They’ll be willing to move and they like the potential of Dennis Dixon, but he’s inexperienced. The primary target among quarterbacks might be Charlie Batch, a 35-year-old who’s reliable and has veteran leadership that could take Pittsburgh a long way.

If someone is somber at the workplace, it’s head coach Mike Tomlin. He hasn’t really lashed out about the woes that have dragged down the spirit and divided Steelers Nation, but he is willing to move on and elude the uncontrollable debacles.

These days, Roethlisberger is running out of time and answers. He would be the fortunate one if he’s a Steeler by next season. Like many, he’s leaning towards self-destruction if he continues to follow this disturbing pattern.

It would be a real shame to put his career in jeopardy for his poor judgment off-the-field at nightclubs, intoxicated with bimbos.

Still, he shouldn’t be suspended when innocent.

You know the phrase, innocent until proven guilty.

Bulls' Turbulence Herald a Disaster: I'd Fire Paxson, Reinsdorf

Nobody in Chicago, a town some like to call America’s greatest sports town, wants to believe that futility suffocates its chances of celebrating a championship. In fact for many years now, the Chicago Cubs’ undying curse has tarnished and stained the finest sporting market.

In other parts of the town, the White Sox are belittled and laughable because of Ozzie Guillen, a lunatic whose customary postgame rants, and on-the-field tantrums formulated controversies in the Southside of Chicago as general manager Ken Williams defends the mindless moron.

And now, here are bigger problems a passionate sports town faces, conflict involving coach Vinny Del Negro and his confounded boss, executive vice president John Paxson, an imbecile blamed and criticized for all failures that has poisoned an entire franchise. Ever since the Jordan regime abandoned the settings of being described as NBA’s most dominant franchise, a dynasty submerged and the organization never fully rebuilt as powerful contenders. It’s really embarrassing when a franchise has trouble reconstructing as a favorable team.

For some time now, it’s understandable that the Bulls drama and turmoil won’t purge instantly, unless owner Jerry Reinsdorf decides to fire Paxson, whose personnel decisions and myriad of blunders placed heavy burdens and extended tension.

Considering that the Bulls struggled advancing to the playoffs with fiascos prolonging dismay and deficiencies, Paxson’s seven years running a business elicited major problems, and his job status brought forth questions. All of which evaluating the facet of the issue, tells us Paxson is a cancerous general manger, and responsible of the difficulty lingering in a franchise that at one point was accustomed to amassing excellence.

According to Yahoo Sports, Paxson was enraged with Del Negro over a playing-time dispute for Joakim Noah, but apparently the animosity surrounding two resentful men are beyond a minor coaching error. It’s a dire feud between a boss and co-worker that seems irreparable at this point. If Paxson has bullied and flared up a face-to-face altercation that has flustered Del Negro and developed needless interruptions entering the playoffs, then he deserves to get canned by Reinsdorf. The last two seasons have been painful, publicizing nothing but hell as two co-workers employed within the same organization exchanged words and provoked heated discussions that escalated to apparent scuffles.

At least this explains that they aren’t the best of friends. There’s no doubt, Paxson and Del Negro are enemies, burned out of working together as a productive unit, and apathetic of resolving an ugly and amateurish disaster. With this lingering disturbance, no one in the Bulls’ front office has control of the driver’s seat. But not when the general manger and coach is amid infighting tumultuous, which has turned into a sporting soap opera.

Of course, it’s worst than the Cubs’ World Series drought. And this time, Steve Bartman hasn’t contributed to the staggering hysteria that has pillaged the Bulls’ buzzing storyline involving the superb shooting touch of Derrick Rose or the emotional play of Noah. Lately, a frivolous predicament is severe, forcing the franchise to hire lawyers and investigate the Yahoo report.

In seven years, Paxson hasn’t been distinguished as a spotless executive and exploded several times. His short temper has flared up during postgame news conferences, confronting media personnel and snapping at other executives. For all we know, he might be the agitator, instigating and impelling the second-year coach to retaliate. The Yahoo report said Paxson called out Del Negro, but an unspecified source who spoke to a reporter at ESPN Chicago.com, acknowledged that Del Negro charged Paxson.

“That’s inaccurate. That’s 100 percent false,” Del Negro said Wednesday night. “This thing is funny just because you have guys who care, guys who are competitive and it’s unfortunate (the incident) had to come out.”

It’s hard not to believe Del Negro. He has tremendous credibility, but has been characterized as a villainous employee within a franchise that hasn’t done much during his regime. Just a year ago, Chicagoans were impressed with his unproven and inexperience ability when he damn near led the Bulls past the first-round in a near upset against Boston in Game Seven of a thrilling series. Sadly, he’ll be fired once the Bulls are eliminated in the first-round against Cleveland for someone else’s failure’s and miscues of operating a dynamic franchise.

In the wake of Rose’s career-high 39 points in a pivotal win against Charlotte, the Bulls endure guilt more than anything.

“The Chicago Bulls are focusing all of our energies into the remainder of this season and, as such, were disappointed at the recent stories that may have distracted from that,” a statement read Wednesday.

For those who cannot remember, Paxson never desired hiring inexperience Del Negro, and decided to bring him aboard, even though he never approved of his hiring. One reason he serves as a head coach of the Bulls, Paxson desperately needed to find someone to instruct an inferior team, which a suitable and experience advisor was an essential resource of improving an attenuate franchise.

Reinsdorf rebuffed interest on the expensive price tag of Mike D’Antoni, a big-name candidate Paxson targeted greatly and knew he would have blended in nice with his up-tempo offense and contribute with the speed of Rose, an explosive point guard in the league.

If Reinsdorf wasn’t too damn stubborn and cheap, he’d have paid D’Antoni within the price range that he requested. Once again, he’ll be searching for a new coach, instead of canning Paxson, an embattled general manger whose countless mistakes and outbursts will dismantle an entire business as long as he’s in charge of all personnel decisions.

If Reinsdorf was wise, he’d sell the franchise in sake of the championship-starved fans. If he had pride, he’d fire Paxson. Go ahead, fire Del Negro, but there’ll always be problems occurring with Paxson having the final word.

Lakers, Buss Family Must Break Relationship with Phil Jackson

In a town where celebrities enhance their popularity by appearing in the next glamorous movie or releasing a top album with phenomenal vocals, it’s almost ridiculous that citizens residing in Hollywood embrace overexposed celebrities.

In my judgment, the timing couldn’t be better to anoint Phil Jackson as the greatest coach in NBA history, after all we are in an age where people rave so much about Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus and we hear the bizarre voice of Lady Gaga take over radio airwaves.

As much as I’m curious to know why the Dodgers’ center fielder hasn’t dumped that Rihanna loser, I’d like to read the minds of the Buss family, as I am wondering why the Lakers’ organization has endorsed and stood by a petulant Phil Jackson.

Honestly, he has evoked a soft appearance on the sideline, exploiting an inadequate psychological approach and whistling for mental toughness and aggressiveness from an inert team, instead of signaling for a timeout when it is necessary to calm the team and provide rhythm to a complacent group on the floor.

The state of the Los Angeles Lakers is anything but cohesive and flawless, and even more so, they are vulnerable of collapsing prematurely as competition becomes stiffer. The defending champs evolved into a careless and lethargic franchise, fading out of contention with a soft and passive productivity.

If the Lakers win another NBA championship, the franchise will possess its 16th banner inside its luxurious venue as Jackson secures an 11th coaching title, on behalf of the bottomless and talented core.

In reality, he’s the reason for the Lakers recent struggles in what is suddenly morphing into a crisis. He’s the symbolism of L.A. sports, the one coach everyone admires heavily for uplifting an entire community when he arrived in California.

Amid the late stages of his magnificent coaching career, he has no intentions of fleeing the beautiful lifestyle and landscapes, staring at the Santa Monica pier, gazing at the refreshing sunset as well as the Hollywood sign.

And he’s thrilled to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy with his players in June, a time when the purple and gold confetti usually falls from the rafters at Staples Center. But the perfect time to part ways is now.

The truth is, Jackson is no longer the assessable voice that the Buss family needs to evaluate his status in the next year.

Even though the average Lakers supporter grasps a sense that he’ll not return next season, Jackson may not retire. In many ways, it might be hard to be aloof from a profession that he has devoted much of his life in, becoming accustomed to the frequent road traveling and mentoring and enlightening the minds of players from several generations. Yet even if he has led the Lakers to its fourth title last decade, he’s not reaching standards as a coach, stumbling in a number of games this season alone.

There was a point during his career when he demanded and manipulated his teams to play with tenacity and a sense of urgency, but with health concerns, including two hip replacements, he has minimized his coaching agenda. There’s enough evidence to advise the organization that a coaching change is needed by next season. That will probably happen eventually, if Jackson doesn’t retire under his own power.

Perhaps it isn’t easy to terminate a good friend and legendary coach with a long tenure, particularly when he’s the significant other of Jeanie, owner Jerry Buss’ daughter. And it’s understandable that he has built a strong and close relationship with the family, but in the meantime, the ownership must realize that there's more to operating a functional business then pacifying a satisfied crowd.

From his hippie era spent in New York during the ‘70s to America’s greatest sports town, Chicago, to the bright lights in Hollywood, he has been welcomed and appreciated at every basketball address. He could have finished his journey atop all NBA coaches a year ago, but instead announced to the Lakers’ faithful that he was returning and aiming for his 11th championship. Is he the greatest coach ever, or has he simply had the privilege coaching superstars who were surrounded with a stud supporting cast?

It’s a rhetorical question, given that he knows his resume revolves around the most dominant player ever in Michael Jordan, the most dominant center ever in Shaquille O’Neal, and arguably the greatest guard ever in Kobe Bryant.

In the midst of the Shaq and Kobe feud, he was fired by the Lakers, after which he wrote a book ripping Kobe and referring to him as a cancer. Phil confessed that he tried to coax the ownership to trade Kobe, bitter with his selfishness and arrogant demeanor.

But a year ago, they smiled together and exchanged hugs as Kobe and Phil reunited by amassing another title and repairing an unsteady relationship. Each season, Jackson survives and compiles enough wins to seize a remarkable legacy with the aid of superstars. Embraced as a premier coach in pro sports, he became the first head coach to reach a pinnacle with 10 championships, surpassing Red Auerbach of the Celtics.

Meanwhile the struggles in Lakerland are more evident when Bryant doesn’t fuel the spectators at the dullest venue in the NBA and when he isn’t haven’t a scoring surge known as the Kobe Show.

Lately, he’s not the game’s best closer, and he obviously hasn’t overcome his abundance of ailments when he shot 8-23 Sunday in the Lakers’ 91-88 loss to Portland. The ominous response leaves bleak scares in Los Angeles that have yet to vanish as the Lakers lost six of their last nine games.

Since then, the chances of winning back-to-back championships have dwindled, with all the oddity, apathy, and inconsistency that has unfolded in previous weeks.

It’s really amazing that the Lakers have convenient excuses to defend their failures. The finger has been pointing directly at the overpaid bust, Andrew Bynum, who’s sidelined with a strained Achilles tendon, or at the crazy personality and temperamental demeanor of Ron Artest.

But in reality, the Lakers are a tough, driven team, based on momentum and critical structure, a tactic Jackson used to mold within his players.

He’s obviously one of the greatest coaches in NBA history on paper, but sometimes it fair to suggest that he just had great superstars. For a long time the Lakers haven’t played as efficient. For a long time, the Zen Master hasn’t called timeouts.

After six months of inconsistency and seeing the talent submerge, it can all be contributed to paltry coaching. Sorry, but it’s time to terminate Phil.

Phil Mickelson Resonates the Happiest Ending With Wife Amy

In a week when all the brouhaha surrounded Tiger Woods, how he’d respond and contend in his return to the course for the first time since the ghastly sex scandal was an ultimate concern, which deterred any optimism of an inspirational ending at Augusta.

This was an event consisting of infatuation, converting into a public scene with the world’s greatest golfer finishing fourth after returning from a five-month, chaotic hiatus.

In a sport that needed a touching story, Woods uplifted humanity as spectators applauded him everywhere he walked on the course, ecstatic that he returned and recovered from the hellish months.

But in the end, the focus of attention at the Masters wasn’t Woods’ stupendous comeback or potty mouth that ignited an outburst and begot a fuss. Rather, all the recognition turned to Phil Mickelson, a famous golfer and Woods's nemesis who won his third Masters by three strokes.

As much as Tiger hijacked the scene with his eye-opening first two rounds in the midst of his jarring status on-course and everyday life in general that is mired in tumult, all spectators dismissed the soothing and heartwarming opportunity Mickelson had finalizing an inspirational storyline at the Masters.

Amy Mickelson, Phil’s wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been battling the deadly disease with chemotherapy sessions and resting in hospital rooms petrified. Never has jubilation exposed much emotion at Augusta National, endless tears of happiness and romantic hugs and kisses between a husband and wife, whom battled through adversity the last year.

It was the first time in 11 months that Amy traveled to witness her husband deliver a special win, collecting his third green jacket. She dripped tears behind the 18th green, proud of Phil’s accomplishments in a golf tournament he almost eagled three consecutive times Saturday, which gave him a cushion heading into the final round Sunday.

There’s no longer much conversation surrounding Tiger’s potty mouth or sex scandal that has marked his image to some extent. There’s no longer much gossiping about Woods affairs with mischievous bimbos, deceiving his wife, Elin, of his infidelity.


As of now, Mickelson captures adulation by winning his fourth major championship, finally capitalizing on the grandest stage.

It’s almost a glance at redemption, rebounding from a horrendous collapse at the Masters a year ago when he gaffed on the final day of competition. But this time, he prevailed seizing an inexplicable moment. His ailing wife cried when he rolled in his final shot, warm and delighted with her husband’s dramatic turnaround, in which he had finally sustained immortality.

Last year at the U.S. Open, he vowed to win at Bethpage Black and receive the grand prize to place it near Amy’s hospital bed, but dropped and stumbled against Lucas Glover. Four years ago, Mickelson was en route of capturing a victory at the Open, but ill-advisedly blundered in the tee box on a stroke that bounced off a tent.

Over the years, he has been unfortunate, descending in the late stages to lose out on a major championship. There were many rooting for him, even though Woods was pampered with much eulogy.

In the galleries, there were friendly fans pulling and cheering on Mickelson, every time he teed off on the fairways. It was fascinating that he was fearless and unflappable, slapping a shot between two trees on 13, leading to a birdie that organized a win.

The imagery from Mickelson was sentimental, suddenly at ease with fewer afflictions and a problematic crisis that has battered a distress family. In reality, he soothed a difficult scenario to bear with, building upon inspiration in his highest and most meaningful win of his golfing career.

Some will admit that Mickelson’s win resonated the sweetest sporting story in ages, relighting happiness for his wife and mother, who are both fighting breast cancer. This tournament has typified a memorable finish at the 2010 Masters, as many embraced Woods of contending in his return, but also viewed a romantic panorama at the end between Mickelson and Amy.

“I want to recognize my family,” Mickelson said. “My wife has been through a lot this year, and it means so much to us to share some joy together. She’s an incredible wife and an incredible mother, and she has been an inspiration for me this past year in seeing what she went through. I’m so happy that she and our three kids are here. It was such an emotional week, and I’m having a hard time putting it into words.”

Later, Mickelson talked more about his wife’s health status, in which her prognosis seems hopeful and promising of an enduring and healthier status. But cancer is an obscure illness that has a chance of reoccurring, despite experiencing chemotherapy.

“It’s been tough. It’s been tough,” Mickelson said repeatedly. “As I’ve said, we are fortunate long term, but the meds that she has been taking have made it very difficult, and she didn’t feel well. She doesn’t have energy, and she’s just not up for a lot of what this tournament can provide.

"To walk off the green and have her here to share this moment and share the joy of winning on 18 and to share this with my kids is something we’ll look back on the rest of our lives. This means so much to us, the jubilation. It’s very emotional. I don’t usually shed tears over wins.”

It’s not about the win, but it’s the magnitude of the win. He pulled it off for his uptight family, encountering anxiety and heavy burdens, unsure of a treacherous health condition involving a wife to a popular golfer and his children.

Long ago, Mickelson was criticized for lapsing in tournaments during Tiger’s absence, a point within a prominent pursuit that he presumably could have obtained winnings and eminence.

For a long period in time, Mickelson has been enveloped in the company of Woods, who has been saluted as an iconic golfer and the greatest athlete, stealing stardom with the sudden impact he delivers in the sport, even though he slept with damn near every waitress, stripper, porn star, and any other bimbo.


But now the noticeable transformation in golf happens to be Mickelson’s emergence at perfect timing. He hijacked the scene by reducing much hoopla about Woods. The title of best golfer in the world will always belong to Woods, but in the meantime, Mickelson is the best golfer with a monumental defeat to break away from the worrisome struggles that delayed fruition in prior major tournaments.

“Phil, I’m proud of you,” Masters chairman Billy Payne told him at Butler Cabin.

We’ve seen Mickelson at striking distance, at his very best in these Masters. In such a high-spirited mood, he fired a shot that landed within three feet of the hole, fueled with his unstoppable momentum and aggressive strokes.

In striking distance, Mickelson missed the putt, which would have been his third eagle in two days, but reprieved by making a birdie and possessing a two-shot lead over Lee Westwood and Anthony Kim, the 24-year old golfer who climbed the leaderboard in the late rounds.

Meanwhile, Mickelson pulled it off, not just for himself, but his wife. In what seems like a late win, it wasn’t too late for Amy. Seems an inspirational scene uplifted spirit at Augusta, when a committed, selfless golfer wins it for his lovely family.

That is, Phil, of course.

Tiger Engages in Obscenity to Lose Composure as Phil Mickelson Rises

It was a radical shout, heard with intense emotions and limited composure of Tiger Woods when he’s frustrated and delivers a poor performance. Not sure why spectators are stunned with his symbolic demeanor when he has a setback and lapses at the worst possible time. He can get away with foul language, but has clearly forgotten to tone down the profanity, in a sport most citizens perceive him as the influential model, even after his despicable and grotesque scandal.

Earlier in the week, he was the same man who constantly mentioned and overstated at times, that he was aiming to lead by example and have “respect for the game” in his return to the Masters. If so, he wouldn’t have engaged in obscenity at Augusta, on the beautiful surface where spectators welcomed Woods back with continuous standing ovations, thrilled of his fast recovery and mental approach on the game. This is clearly a staggering scene, surviving five months of hell with undying turbulence, which doomed his image and put a marriage in bedlam.

As he continues to intrigue us all, still in position to win his first title at the Masters in five years, Woods created uproars in his recent outburst on Saturday. This is something the crowd never anticipated, unless an individual who deeply despises him ever since his sex scandals stained believability. But more than anything, Woods wasn’t even supposed to be anywhere near contention, let alone sound off vulgarly at the mouth. If there’s one awful thing to scold Tiger about, it would be his pathetic language, which leads to trouble and creates an animus argument.

Eventually, we come to an understanding that he really didn’t mean any harm, later apologizing for his unnecessary swearing. From his struggles Saturday, it may have dictated Tiger’s fate, in which he may not win after all. From losing his composure, he’s no longer the favorite of fitting for a green jacket after an errant tee shot on six. While almost every one is rooting for Tiger and turning a sporting event into a publicity scene, Tiger is suffering from another collapse, presumably losing his touch when he bogeyed and started yelling “TIGER WOODS, YOU SUCK!”

Off to a brilliant start, a credible Woods presented an astonishing landscape at Augusta National, the center of attention everywhere he walked on the course. At a refreshing scene, in a friendly environment, Woods was greeted and cheered by thousands, but stumbled in the third round. In a week that he was given much adulation, he finally faltered in the critical round of the Masters, needing to recapture poise and dignity. And if so, he’ll enlarge stability and mental capacity to expectedly contend by Sunday afternoon.


His arrogant mouth has gotten him in trouble at the prominent golf course, on brink of losing again at the Masters, where he has had misadventures in recent memory. He has drawn more attention by bickering, rather than keeping his vow to minimize swearing on-course and maintain his ill-temper behavior of exploding in the midst of a triumphant moment. He has a potty mouth, a dirty mouth, once again acting out of character.

Rather than thinking before he reacts, Tiger reacts before thinking. In these Masters, he has experienced a frustrating round, falling to his nemesis Phil Mickelson. Maybe this is his time to take home a green jacket, ousting a five-shot deficit and has climbed the leaderboard as the top contender for his third green jacket. There’s Lee Westwood, currently at 12-under par and atop the leaderboard at Augusta, with Mickelson only five shots behind after making back-to-back eagles on 13 and 14.

Any golfer could rise into contention at this point. Woods seems to be suddenly declining, losing morale on a day where nothing worked in his favor. He was angry that a shot fell short of the flag, rolling 12 feet down a hill and rested in an unfavorable spot on the green. He was forced to take another shot, but even worse than before, it rolled past the hole and missed for a par.

Then, he bogeyed and dropped to 6-under. That was enough to make an irritable Tiger scream out loud, and curse in despair. Never did he toss his iron stick, but he was infuriated with himself, scowling, and screaming when he lapsed. Throughout the day, Woods became angrier, never finding his way back, but somehow managed to salvage his to third. By the seventh round, Tiger was agitated and fatigued with his struggles, mad with the world and himself. When he arrived at the 18th hole, the spectators applauded Woods, despite his ill-tempered attitude.

Is Tiger sure he’s a form of Buddha?

From Five Months of Hell, Tiger Transcends To Stardom at Masters

On a typical sunny day at Augusta National, Tiger Woods was permitted with much praise.

At Amen Corner, the beautiful scenery on the grandest greenery, populace sat calmly anxious to witness a rekindled Woods renew splendor at the greatest event on the PGA Tour.

On this day, Tiger transcended, yet, as the prominent golfer, and walked from the 11th green to the 12th tee.

The masses greeted him with warm receptions and roared at him, urging him to give a friendly wave and his customary fist-pumps. In return, he has hijacked the sport this weekend, orchestrating astonishing golf and mounting his chances of winning his fifth Masters. The amiable supporters’ greetings and cheering has alleviated much uneasiness and hostility that an irritable individual affirmed. But the scene at Augusta has been peaceful over the last few days, and Woods has been able to withstand the anticipated drama from a disgruntled and senseless critic who hired a plane that carried a repulsive banner stating abhorrent words relating to his sex-scandal.

Besides a plane circling the course to annoy Tiger, it turns out his image never relinquish and isn’t impaired at the late stages of his career. That’s assuming Tiger is a changed man, an honest and sincere family man, a better man appreciating his supporters. Each of his forgiving fans gazed from the galleries, watching for the glamorous moment. The crowd has paid tribute to an embattled Woods, deeply forgiving him of his extramarital affairs. Of course, the average populace disapproves of his degrading infidelity that has traumatized children across the world.

It’s amazing how most children from our society perceived Tiger as a world-class athlete, but even greater, a world-class idol and role model with a flawless reputation. In a civilized country, he has been a charitable worker establishing the Woods’ foundation to contribute and give back to the less fortunate. During a miraculous golfing career, Tiger committed a mistake no one ever imagined, disappointing his wife, Elin, and dismayed his two children. It’s unbelievable that his presence means much to the Masters, an exalted event, where he maintains dignity and aplomb, still dominating the greenery as if nothing awful has manufactured in his lifetime.

It’s obvious that his life won’t ever fully recover, but he’ll be the landmark of golf until he decides to depart a sport he declared fame. Even though he slept with porn stars, pancake house waitresses and ill-behaved bimbos, a notorious scandal would leave a stain and a career in tatters, but he’ll have the mentality and talent to prevail on the grandest stage. For the rest of his regime, he’ll be labeled as a serial sex-addict, as well as the greatest golfer on the planet.

It was absolutely perfect timing for Tiger to make a comeback, now on a mission to be fitted for his fifth green jacket and inch closer to the Jack Nicklaus’ record-setting 18 major titles.

When it seemed that his career was tarnished, Tiger has returned to prominence, suddenly decreasing the nightmarish images and rejuvenating a heartwarming tale. During an age when golf acquires very little heed, a redemption story pertaining to a magnet megastar aids a dull sport. The public has welcomed back Tiger, but it’s a mutual perception and turned into a beautiful publicity scene, a refreshing turnaround for a man who has been marked as a sex-addict.

Near the tee at No. 3, he stopped and shook hands with a 4-year old girl. In the wake of a five-month scandal, Tiger has been pleasant interacting with all populace. This hideous scandal didn’t affect the way fans classifies the world’s greatest athlete, adored by many for his courage and exhilaration that he publicizes in the game. Returning to a competitive sport, Tiger wants to win at Augusta, a site where he has been luckless and hasn’t won a green jacket in five years. But now, he’s aiming to rebound, currently within two strokes of British leaders Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

The masses aren’t holding a grudges, understanding the temptations are immense. Eventually, we gather a sense that he committed poor judgment, but was vulnerable just as the rest of them of violating martial vows. Not thinking much about the past, Woods is focus on winning the entire event, stroking a 2-under-par 70 to enter the third round tied at fourth. After all, he’s the God of golf, just as Michael Jordan was the God of basketball or as Babe Ruth was in baseball.

It’s the Masters, similar to the World Series or NBA Finals, where Woods hijacked the spotlight, since slamming into a fire hydrant and neighbor’s tree on Thanksgiving weekend when TMZ debilitated his stardom.

As he gradually moves on the leaderboard, Woods is on pace to win the Masters, revealing to the world why he’s the greatest among all golfers and why he magnetizes an entire event.

“Well, I felt that I could put myself in contention, “Woods said. “My practice has been really consistent and progressing with Hank [Haney]. And as I said, I didn’t have the luxury of playing tournaments coming in here. So I had to be more focused on my practice sessions coming into it and then take more out of them than most people would.”

It seems eccentric that Woods is in contention, missing five months worth of action as well as confronting the dreadful scandal.

If he emerges to sustain triumph with a win, Woods’ career might be tarnished, but not stained, as he’s adored by millions.

So right now, the leaderboard indicates that Woods can win.

Tiger Can Win, Put Infamous Mess Out of Its Misery

The gusty winds howled, and then tornado warnings added nervous reactions, as well as tension in Tiger Woods’ return to the glamorous greenery at Augusta National. Wearing his stylish purple striped shirt, with his customary Nike cap, Tiger hasn’t really thrown a hissy fit. And normally, his stare is intense with self-confidence and poise of dominating and taking over the greatest-golfer-on-the-planet role.

But it’s only normal for a man who has been scolded by the media and Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National, of his horrible sex scandal that stunned the entire world. This wasn’t supposed to happen to an authentic family man, understanding the significance of family values and being a positive role model to children. On this day, he found himself, not only trying to protect his image, but keep a vow with children and continue running his educational center.

The same people who paid Tiger warm recognition and rooted from the galleries, or speaking malign of the world’s greatest golf. But there was no one more disgusted or spoke sternly of Woods for living a lie and committing adultery with his blindsided extramarital affairs than Payne. He walked into the conference room sitting before reporters, disappointed and embarrassed of a popular golfer’s image being immune to controversy. In a sense, Tiger’s marriage and image are in tatters, an ongoing situation that Payne dwelled on and singled out Woods.

No one ever knew that he lived two lives as a sex-addict, having sexual activities with waitresses, porn stars, and rumor has it, he had sex with a 21-year-old in his Isleworth community. If you are willing to remove the nightmarish trauma of Wood’s egregious sex scandals, all the brouhaha traveled to Augusta, where his presence was noticed with the exception of populace gazing from the galleries sensing true remorse and a recovery from Tiger.


It takes much courage for a man to face the public and media, since his outrageous scandal shocked the sports world. But he has admitted and blamed himself of his wrongdoing, ready to contend for his fifth green jacket at the Masters and chase Jack Nicklaus’ record-setting 18 major titles. For the first time on Wednesday, we witnessed Tiger stare at the public. He was uneasy as a normal citizen would be, after committing ghastly transgressions against his wife, Elin. Just a year ago, he was rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery, but now he’s recovering from a mental sickness that placed his spotless reputation in tatters.

The warm greetings and amiable receptions from fans enhance his status, in such a way that his image isn’t tarnished or stained. And with the latest release of his Nike ad, you’d think he’s the cleanest and assessable sporting figure, setting positive examples. That is until you hear the commercial ad. Before he teed off in the first round of the Masters, he and Nike launched a controversial television commercial, not to promote his products, but to send sorrow for a messy episode. His late father Earl Woods is speaking to his son of his infidelity, an edited commercial featuring the voice of a disappointed father who raised his son to be the wise man we all believed in.

“Tiger, I am more prone to being inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything.”

This was unnecessary and irresponsible of Nike. The point is, this is a bad way to sell a product by hearing a top-class athlete scolded by his father for the disturbing revelations. The company isn’t leading by example, instead selling its merchandise with an ill-spirited campaign to raise its profit. It was a foolish stunt, enough to make us cringe.

Aside from his affairs with pancake house waitresses, porn stars and an alleged neighbor, he’s the heart and soul of the game. Not to overstate or condone poor judgment, but he’s the best golfer on the planet. He took a bad turn by approving an idiotic advertising campaign, on the day he tried revitalizing his legacy and focus strictly on his game. Shortly before he teed off on the first hole Thursday, a plane overhead carried a banner that read “TIGER: DID YOU MEAN BOOTYISM?"


There’s no stripping his talent or shrewd mind. He plays the game with dignity, intelligence and a sense of urgency, stealing the spotlight with breathtaking shots, clutch finishes, and momentous wins. If he played on one leg at the U.S. Open two years ago, then we should have suspected that he wouldn’t have had a tough first round, even though he’s bothered with scandals, a ruckus that usually takes away a mental mindset.

There’s not a moment the hiatus delayed his robust capabilities, or affected his indomitable way to approach a sport that requires a mental state of mind. Back on the greenery for the first time in 144 days, he still had the balance and readiness to hit on the fairways and greens, breaking 70 and pumped his fist at times, a customary ritual that identifies Woods.

On a gusty, overcast afternoon and light showers, he made two eagles and birdied an awe-inspiring shot, carding a 68, the first time in 16 opening rounds at the Masters that he scored under 70. He might play better under adversity, perhaps similar to Kobe Bryant when he averaged multiple 50-point games while leaving back and forth for court on alleged rape charges.

The galleries crazily shouted, and one man uttered “Make us proud!” The masses were roaring loudly, thrilled to see him make an impact at the Masters and deliver on critical shots entering the second round at 4-under par and only two shots behind leader Fred Couples.

“It was unbelievable, the whole day,” said Woods. “The people, I haven’t heard them cheer this loud in all my years here. It certainly helped keep my spirits up because I was certainly missing a bunch of putts in tough conditions.”

He could win this damn thing, folks.

I wouldn’t count him out.

“Why play if you don’t think you’re going to win?” Woods said. “If I don’t think I can win, I won’t enter the event.”

It appears that winning is a slim chance, based on his turbulence in the last five months. The last four years he went 0-for-4 in majors, and relapsed a year ago on his final two holes in the Masters. There’s much cheering from the supporters witnessing a resurrect Tiger from the galleries, as well as security impersonating golfers to protect him of mishap. So he can win this four-day event, at a honeymoon where he has a love affair with the cheerful and forgiving fans.

The world still adores the man after all of his troubles.

Keep in mind, he can win.

Tiger's Love Affair with Fans Keeps Image Intact

He arrived on time to Augusta National, at the beautiful scene of the most admirable golf course on a sunny afternoon, ready to contend and attempt to win his fifth Masters and aim closer to Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles. A few days ago he addressed reporters when he walked into the interview room, where they sat in a tight atmosphere.

It was a hectic scene as reporters were interrogated Tiger Woods, whose image and marriage are in tatters after his extramartial affairs. Not long ago he let down and misled an entire nation that believed he was not only the world’s greatest golfer, but the world’s greatest icon and a role model operating an educational center for promising children.

During a four-day honeymoon at Augusta National, a large number of fans—as well as journalist—will stare from the galleries, interested to see how ongoing distractions and martial issues affect his performance at the most influential golf tournament of all. Of late, there haven't been bitter or resentful supporters despising Woods for his notorious sex scandals.

As expected, the public reacted with warm receptions, thrilled about his return and gathering clear evidence that he’s the cause of the sport’s resurrection. Fans from all parts of the world became drawn to the sport because of Tiger; fascinated with Tiger’s fist-pump, animated postured, heart-stopping finishes, and impressive victories. All of his astounding milestones amplified the game’s attendance and his presence alone draws tremendous television ratings, enhancing the popularity of a dull event.

If his believability and credibility have dwindled, he’s still the center of attention. If he’s living a lie, Tiger still absorbs all the attention in this weekend’s festivities. He’s no different than previous athletes who committed transgressions and had dismantled images.

It’s easy to postulate that Woods’ eminence has decreased in less than a year of infidelity. Not long ago he spoke publicly for the first time since his auto accident at a news conference, and most of the masses assumed that his comical and insincere speech was rehearsed to reassemble corporate sponsors and reaffirm a robust status.

For now, things might be irrelevant until he actually takes the course and tees off Thursday for the first time since a contemptible scandal. So he ventures in a four-day event, attempting to end a troubling mess and reduce all the negativity by being fitted for his fifth green jacket. He needs a win badly to mitigate the woes and idiocy that have smudged the one golfer the world truly admired before his hellish sins.

But the United States is truly a forgiven country. For instance, he smiled when an amiable crowd waved at him. In response, someone shouted “go Tiger,” and in return, he gestured thumbs-up. It’s good to know that he has a love connection with fans, not mistresses revealing shocking details to paralyze his reliability.

“I’m just trying to be more respectful of the game and acknowledge the fans,” Woods said. “I haven’t done that in the past few years, and that was wrong of me.”

He wants to act in a classier manner, limiting his unnecessary tantrums. Maybe he’ll think before flinging his iron stick or using profanity whenever he’s frustrated. For this weekend in particular Augusta National has beefed up security—in the event a mistress arrives? Oh, I don’t know.


His goal over the next four days is to win. That’s how he’ll revitalize his popularity and credibility. It has been discovered too often in the world of sports—from Kobe Bryant’s rape charges, to Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring, to Michel Jordan’s gambling addiction, and now to Tiger’s sex scandal—that winning resurrects popularity. For the first time since the scandal, he was greeted pleasantly by thousands; embraced for coming back recovering from a mental sickness that has put a legacy in shambles.

He just needs a win at a major to save his legacy, which has been tarnish by reports of all the affairs with strippers, porn stars, waitresses, and whoever else Tiger may have had sexual intercourse with. His name has recently been linked to further infamy as well. The apparent relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian who divulged that he used human growth hormone for more than 10 years, and who is currently being investigated for supplying unlawful drugs in Canada and the U.S., has left Woods' state of credibility in disarray.

He met with Galea, allegedly, when he tore his right Achilles’ tendon in December of 2008 while rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery. Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, received a phone call from federal investigators about the alleged incident. But according to Mr. Woods he’s innocent.

“He did come to my house. He never gave me HGH or any PED’s," Woods said. “I’ve never taken that my entire life. I’ve never taken any illegal drug, ever, for that matter.”

There’s not enough evidence to take down Tiger in this one. So imagine if he wins the Masters, all of the mess that would be lessen as the masses move forward, embracing his artistry and performances on the greens. If he used performance enhancers, then his career could be in jeopardy. While he’s gradually receiving his endorsement deals back, he could lose each and every one for disgracing his integrity. But we may never know the truth, as we’re eager to move forward, putting a perplexing past to rest.

“So many fans have supported me over the years,” Woods said. “I just wanted to say thank you to them, especially going through all of this over the past few months. It really put things in perspective for me and how much I have appreciated—or underappreciated—the fans and the game of golf.”

He’s a changed man who is learning not to take things in life for granted and to appreciate life in general. He was surprised and relieved hearing the fans’ reactions, while he seeks redemption and a remedy for his horrible mistakes as a man.

“I didn’t know what to expect with regards to the reception, and I tell you what, the galleries couldn’t be nicer,” said Tiger. “I mean, it was just incredible”

I bet.

Now he just needs another win to add to his historic resume. But there’s no doubt, he’s golf’s beautiful landmark.

To a Nation Disliking a Regal Institution, Duke Are National Champs

With all apologizes to those residing eight miles away from Durham, NC or even those bitter critics hating an institution for its prestige and arrogance, now is the time to accept the Duke Blue Devils and respect what they have accomplished in a bittersweet tournament.

Here in America, one of the regal universities withstands disdain each season as skeptics scorn well-educated athletes with pure athleticism.

It figures that Duke confronts antipathy more than any other collegiate program, belittled and strongly targeted when the nation senses and postulate goodness by a school disparaged.

Never mind it being a well-educated, bright campus with student-graduates. Never mind it being a superior school, fulfilling a strong commitment with an academic agenda.

Never mind it being an environment where many student-athletes have raised their status and obtained a lifelong dream by making a transition to the NBA.

Needless to say, people across the nation despise Duke.

Except now, we must live with the perception that the Blue Devils are national champions, celebrating after a bittersweet win and cutting down the nets in Indianapolis ruining a beautiful sequel.

It’s unusual that a cute sequel ends with humanity and reality, in which Butler fell short of originating its own ‘Hoosiers’ script, but encountered its stiffest competition and was vulnerable to perish against Duke.

Earlier in the year, the Blue Devils struggled to win games, dropping a serious quantity on the road, which many thought meant that they weren’t qualified to return to the national stage or earn a Final Four berth.

Finally, late in the season, Duke lifted its swagger and rode a hot winning streak, taking pride in a sport the population are accustomed to.

Every Spring, Duke’s students and alumni expect the Blue Devils to dominate the tourney, rise to the occasion, and inherit national titles.

Yet the animosity surrounding a splendid program in college hoops, it will always foil an entire university.

Viewed as villains, Duke is accustomed to and fine with the pathetic bashing of haters and doubters, particularly when the Blue Devils are known as champions, cutting down nets, hoisting trophies, watching confetti fall from the rafters at Lucas Oil Stadium, and lastly, getting the last word.


At this point, Duke has prevailed smearing a near-miracle and feel-good story. It doesn’t take an envious or angry individual to postulate that the Blue Devils have returned to prominence.

To some extent, no one deserves more nods than Mike Krzyzewski, the one coach proclaimed as an evildoer and berated in collegiate sports. For the first time in nine years, he measured up to conventional standards and guided the Blue Devils to a national title.

For the first time in a long time, he celebrated with his players, smiled with his players, and cut down a net to finish a season on good terms.

By example, Coach K is one of the greatest role models in the game, a mentor athletes idolize and adore playing under. He’s not the root of all evil or a hideous villain, and though it may seem like he’s a scoundrel, he demands physical and mental toughness from his players, teaching all of his athletes useful principles to advance and establish a knowledgeable future outside of basketball.

He’s disliked even though he runs a legit program, with no criminals or one-and-done players.

It’s a rarity anytime his players depart as underclassmen for the pros.

After all, not everybody loathes Coach K. For instance, most of his players contemplates before making a transition to the next level, unsure of their status and zests an opportunity in playing for an adviser and perfectionist.

With the Butler feel-good story, it was a way to root against Duke.

This loss marks a disappointing finish in a classic championship, a near-close win to upset the world’s most hated program.

This was a redemption stage, a moment for Krzyzewski to plead a case. He finally was successful advancing past the Sweet 16, after people pointed the finger and blamed him for constant struggles and failures.

He has called this the most exciting team he has ever coached, proud to have had the privilege of molding a talented group of guys.

Whatever the ill-tempered population thinks of Krzyzewski, with each of his players he has developed a strong bond and a relationship that has been contagious for years.


In a game that will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time, ending one of the most surprising and craziest runs in college basketball, Duke survived the madness.

The irony is some are jealous of Duke’s history and exaltation, jaded hearing the Blue Devils mentioned as the Gods of college basketball.

By now, most college basketball loyalists are discontent with the finish. Given that Duke was the greatest No. 1 seed to reach a majestic platform, they were almost victimized and suffered the biggest upset in collegiate sports.

While Butler earned respect from all those critics scorning Duke, fortunately the Blue Devils preserved a title.

If the shot Gordon Hayward launched from 50 feet dropped in without hitting the backboard and bouncing off ending a miraculous season with a heartbreaker, instead Duke would be taking the criticism.

The Bulldogs had nothing to lose, while the Blue Devils had much to lose. This is rated as a traditional and winnable program with high expectations, in which winning each season is vital.

There were Duke fans in attendance, taking part in an incredible finish.

When the buzzer sounded an estimate of 6,000 wearing seas of blue sighed relief and roared, all electrified to survive a nerve-racking evening of competitive basketball.


In many ways, Duke is ripped and hears malign bickering for comprising of the highest budget in the sport, at $13.8 million yearly.

But we witnessed one of the greatest Duke teams in history, a team with unity, tenacity, and heart. Throughout the years, Duke has had big-name athletes such as Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer, Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and J.J Redick, quality players that have elevated their games on the NBA level, becoming high-caliber superstars.

“This team will really be brothers forever. It’s as close a team as I’ve had,” Krzyzewski said. “You want great things to happen for people who are great with us. I mean, they’ve been spectacular to coach. I’m ecstatic about it. I can’t tell you how happy I am. They have suffered from comparisons, which shouldn’t happen. It absolutely shouldn’t happen…It’s a different landscape. They haven’t been given credit along their careers for what they are doing or for what they are trying to accomplish. I’m really pleased for them, especially my senior class. They’ve been great kids to coach and true competitors along the way.”

Perhaps, winning the national championship is a good way to leave on top as a senior. Not too many college athletes are privileged to depart their senior year on top. But it’s not the case for center Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas, or Jon Scheyer, whom all will leave with great memories and ecstasy. In the last three seasons, they battled much adversity, but stayed together as a cohesive team.

Despite their travails, much of the year we saw the Blue Devils legitimize their talent. The unstoppable three-point shots that Scheyer buried were extraordinary, extending leads and taking over when necessary.

They also excelled with Zoubek’s ability to take advantage of his muscular body grabbing rebounds in traffic and organizing second-chance points.

Yet the players are running the hardwood and making incredible plays, much love goes to Coach K, a father-figure who has done a wonderful job assembling and developing young stars.

And, of course, that gives all of us reason to hate the Blue Devils, glancing at a remarkable track record and seeing them in the tourney every year. That's an explanation to Duke’s triumph, coached and taught under a powerful man with the desire to stand as the games perfect model.

His book is called “The Golden Standard," a story which talks about his experience while coaching Team USA basketball.

Honestly, it’s hard to dislike Coach K, someone who’s a good role model and kind citizen, living the true meaning of humankind. Hate all you want, but Duke was good all along.

Whether You Like It or Not, Duke Lives with Hate

There’s a way to describe the Duke Blue Devils. It’s a prestigious institution wrapped in much mystique, and proclaimed as the school of all villains. Why?

For years, we’ve disdained a campus in an environment arrogance makes a strong impression, scrutinized either for its collective win total or overbearing personality that a majority of the nation cannot stand one bit.

But here in America, it’s not surprising that people either envy or hate a school for all the attention and worshipping it collects. This nation loves to hate Duke, glaring senselessly at the program as if they are harming college hoops. This writing isn’t to personally attack Duke, but it’s to notify students and alumni that it’s the most hated team in the nation.

Exactly why are we forced to glance at the evildoers of college hoops Monday night, the archenemies the country wanted to fall in the early stages of the NCAA tournament? It’s not exactly what everyone anticipated, unless you are that someone with their eyes glued to the television, rooting on the Blue Devils from Durham, North Carolina.

Here we have a cute fairy tale, as a villain tries to spoil a feel-good story. No disrespect to Butler, the cutest storyline in the NCAA tournament after winning its first ever Final Four in school history, which seems in jeopardy. So there’s a scheduled meeting with Butler and Duke, an unfriendly and hostile date with lingering bitterness, which has provoked a controversy.

To some extent, mostly everyone hates the Blue Devils for its tremendous credibility and prominence. If there are some things to dislike about Duke, maybe it’s Dickie V, the passionate ESPN analyst and sports announcer bracing and divulging his deepest love to the Blue Devils. Every time you listen to him communicate, he’s normally genuine and emphatic, but most disgruntled sporting devotees deny Duke’s physical and mental toughness, blatant and malicious to its sudden rebirth. It’s apparent that its brand name turns populace off drawing much antipathy as well.

Simply, no one cares about the Blue Devils, in hopes that they’ll lose to an elite program from a small school located in northern Indianapolis. For years, Duke has been targeted and singled out. For years, Duke has been teased and mocked. Why must the average fan give them such a hard time? The program itself has been getting lambasted for decades, because of its pompous attributes and unlikable standards. Such is its craftiness, its athletes, its demands, and its rituals.

These days, when Duke advances to the Final Four or the national championship game, bitter fans are disappointed and tired of the Blue Devils absorbing the spotlight. Come now, the cultural standpoints of hating a very talented and educated program still remains. At a school that takes in much pride, animosity is inevitable, but cannot affect their splendid game plan of late.

You can argue that Duke is the best team, when the Bulldogs are the biggest feel-good story in the tournament. All the drama humiliating the Blue Devils will either make them or break them down. But come to think of it, Duke normally functions whenever haters and disbelievers expect ill-results from a resilient and relentless team, craving another national title.


At this point, Mike Krzyzewski, who has had led Duke to a total of 11 Final Fours, including seven in the last nine seasons, is the root of all evil. He was berated in The Indianapolis Star on Friday, where an image of himself with devil horns was seen on the front page.

“It’s very juvenile,” said Krzyzewski, the man with a hardwood floor named after him. “We have great kids who go to school. They graduate. If we’re going to be despised or hated by anybody because we go to school and want to win, you know what? That’s a problem.”

With all due respect, Coach K has molded and mentored his student-athletes. Notice most of his kids decide to remain in school without forgoing their junior or senior year, not in a hurry to chase the cash at the next level. He encourages his players to weigh their options before making a transition to the NBA. And rarely do his student athletes leave as one-and-done players.

For instance, Lance Thomas, a smart and gifted 6’8” senior opted to return and has benefited, now competing to win a national title and depart on top. Same goes for Jon Scheyer, the senior guard with the ability to bury three-pointers and take command in the scoring column. He’s a primary reason the Blue Devils have driven this far, making critical plays in the games, which uplifts morale and prevalence.

Is that another reason Duke is hated so?

If so, it’s pure ignorance and jealousy.

Maybe it’s an overbearing program, with brainwashed athletes. Maybe they honestly believe no team in the nation is capable of beating them, overtaking them, or even embarrassing them. Like it or not, Duke has revisited the national landscape matching familiarity with Coach K implementing a teachable perception and defensive standards. His potent roster over the years has transformed and reestablished, becoming America’s nuisance and winnable program. The local newspapers’ editors apologized to Coach K and his wife for its heartless reactions earlier in the week.

More than anything, hating Duke comes as no surprise. Perhaps you hated them since Laettner fired his electrifying buzzer-beater, you hated them since Grant Hill emerged as a legitimate star, you hated them since J.J Redick become the all-time scoring leader.

Is there anything else? Yes, you hated them since Coach K came along, taught, and mentored by the former coach we all admire greatly, Bobby Knight, even though he scolded his players, threw temper tantrums on the sideline, and crazy tirades at postgame interviews.

I cannot recall such reaction by Coach K.

There’s nothing personal, it’s just the program he coaches and runs.

Sadly, everyone hates Duke.

The Emergence of Butler Bulldogs Writes a Sequel in Hoosier State

It’s almost a cliché the way the Butler Bulldogs persist in writing a cinematic script in its hometown, before its feverish hometown crowd sitting in the stands.

Fans are almost awaiting a beautiful movie, not to only top the box offices, but to outline an unimaginable pipe dream in the NCAA tourney. No feel-good story in college hoops seems as heartwarming and tasteful, a sentimental perspective that has glorified the smallest institution in the smallest town.

Whenever a team is fortunate to play in a neutral site 17 minutes away from its campus, it’s a privilege every team wishes, yet it sometimes draws a ruckus being close to home where thousands of hometown faithful come to root and heightens pressure. But in this instant, the Bulldogs wonderful movie wasn’t stripped. Sure enough, it’s the best basketball program in the nation, representing a berated Horizon League.

Most basketball fans discounted the rebirth of a Hoosiers tale a long time ago, describing Butler as a soft-minded, undersized and ill-defensive program. One win away from winning the national title, a notion that the Bulldogs can win it all is immense, unlike when the nation denied acknowledging a tough-minded, humbled, and classy team.

This is more than a basketball miracle, and honestly it’s a powerful school meeting tournament qualifications that was overlooked for representing a smaller conference. Living with the concept that Butler is a team with little notability, people have neglected its talented and vibrant nucleus. It’s surely a team that merits attention, strictly for its toughness, unity, and chemistry.

For the entire tournament, the Bulldogs have been vicious by sharing the ball unselfishly and intensifying defensive toughness. For now, Butler owns the Hoosier State, outlasting its interstate foes as a menace in the national landscape. Indiana was fried a long time ago, diminishing ever since Kelvin Sampson cast hideous stains for his infractions against NCAA rules. In other locations, Notre Dame fell early and Purdue almost survived without their star forward Robbie Hummel.

It’s obvious Butler is the hottest team in the country, with its physical intensity and mental toughness. If nobody believes in the Bulldogs after tonight, then what is there to believe in? It’s difficult to put anything past a much-confident and scorching program, merely seven miles from 4,500 students who are enrolled on the smallest campus.

For years to come, we’ll reminisce about a Cinderella that really isn’t a Cinderella. Our country is glancing at a legit program, provoking the odds of an unpredictable tourney. Whatever people believe, it’s a core of heavyweights that suddenly cannot lose a game, and has been unbeaten for a very long time now, extending its incredible streak to 25 straight wins.

Yes, the Bulldogs are victorious again, after knocking off Michigan State in a tense and close 52-50 win at the Final Four to advance to the national championship game Monday night. In the stands, thousands sounded with loud shouts, overjoyed with the improbable defeat and in all likelihood a Hoosiers sequel. Years ago, Butler was mired in mediocrity, fearless and undermined. Years ago, it never made it to a national championship game. Years ago, it never had this much popularity. But lately, it has emerged as bracket-killers and a real basketball powerhouse.

The emergence of Butler ultimately reveals much about an elite program, with more than enough star power to survive as they ease closer to a championship. This isn’t seen every day. Rarely does someone from the Horizon League defy logic and transcends near the very top. But admittedly, it appears anything is possible and promising in the NCAA tourney, even though the Bulldogs aren’t anywhere near George Mason or Davidson.

For all the thrills and buzz surrounding Butler, it’s time we wake up to realize it can win the entire tournament. Assuming that a journey has erupted reliance, it’s virtually hard dismissing a relentless team with humbleness and faith. This team has been fortunate, flawless scoring points on turnovers and shooting threes effectively.

For years, we’ve been stunned by the wildness and politics, not grasping an understanding that mystique among topflight schools degenerates during a rebuilding or competitive juncture. Is that why the Bulldogs are good? Partly. Is it because competition is steeper or because of weakened programs? In this case, the Bulldogs are really good, but weren’t recognized until reaching the grandest stage.


Thus the ultimate goal is to win. Brad Stevens, 33, is a young coach and could be mistaken as a teenager. Yet everyone also knows only one coach has won the national title in his first appearance in the last 10 years. That doesn’t say Stevens becomes the next one to be victimized. If the Bulldogs stick to fundamentals, like containing leads, finding ways to score, and protecting the ball, Stevens will add to a historic resume.

Somehow the Bulldogs survive in the final minutes of a game, never quitting and staying poised. Somehow the Bulldogs wrote another script, hitting just one field goal in the final 12:18, while shooting under 31 percent in the game. This time, they were bailed out as they rose on defense and relied on solid free throw shooting. As we’ve seen recently, Butler scored 20 points off 16 Michigan State turnovers—an abnormal trait out of Tom Izzo’s Spartans.

That’s how badly they missed the star guard and leader Kalin Lucas, who was sidelined with a torn Achilles. On this night, you could’ve predicted the Spartans to win, having a fundamentally sound unit in Durrell Summers, Korie Lucious, and Draymond Green, but the turnovers hurt a chance at redemption after falling short a year ago in the national championship game.


This year, the one shining moment goes to the Butler Bulldogs. Maybe it’s a nice movie after all, with Gordon Hayward leading the Bulldogs with 19 points as sharpshooting guard Shelvin Mack nailed mid-range jump shots and threes.

Mack finished with 14 points, but from his body language you could see he was exhausted and suffering from dehydration. But still he drained critical shots to uplift a miracle. When Hayward started connecting on huge shots, it changed the momentum and gave the Bulldogs a cushion. But no play was bigger than when he flew and sliced by traffic, grabbing his ninth rebound on Lucious’ intentional missed free throw as time expired.

With Matt Howard in foul trouble and Mack dehydrated, Hayward took control and guided the Bulldogs to the biggest game in school history. In an ugly game, Butler took advantage and had its way with the basketball. From poor shooting, to clumsy fouls, to turnovers, they secured the gratifying win at home and celebrated and trotted to the locker room happier than ever.

I deeply believe there’s a movie in the makings.

Tom Izzo Creates a Triumphant Brand, Now Is MSU's Time to Win It All

Here they are again, returning as Big Ten saviors, the well-coached and well-experienced Spartans. What's a usual resemblance of last year's storyline, Michigan State has battled adversity and withstood the fear to arrive on the finest stage in college hoops, a perennial stage that represents the signs of redemption.

Again, the kids from the city bring humanity to an ailing state experiencing much misery for its economic downturns that have heightened unemployment rates and crippled the auto industries. Again, the kids are given an opportunity to reprieve and win it all. Again, the landscape of Michigan State is a well-respected coaching standard invoked with the cleverness of Tom Izzo, who has been all about guiding the Spartans yelling and demanding that his players press on.

He doesn't mind scolding his players or giving much-needed advice, as some of his players may actually feel he's personally attacking them or being a nuisance. But his sharpness is beyond verbal attacks, and instead, he's acting as a teacher and mentor, critiquing the way his players perform in each game.

Similar to last year, the masses have forgotten and written off Michigan State. Never mind their miracle run a year ago. Never mind their profound run to clinch a Final Four berth in their home state, in front of the wildest and craziest Spartan fan base. In the stands, the fans share their appreciation with warmth cheers, but more than anything, admires Izzo by wearing "IZZONE" t-shirts flaunting school spirit and valuing a masterful coach.

Sometimes he's questioned about failing to win big games, but somehow always pioneers the Spartans to the Final Four. Sometimes, he's viewed as an overbearing individual with an ego higher than most collegiate coaches, but he's humbled to coach such an energetic and explosive core. And sometimes he's a victim at fallen out of contention, but finds a way to get back up and win the biggest game. The student population of 45,520 is convinced that the Spartans are much improved than the one that reached the national championship game last year, before North Carolina routed them badly.

Right now, a tremendous amount of pressure is on Izzo, finally influencing doubters to believe in a magical run without its star and primary leader Kalin Lucas, their best player who tore his Achilles in the final minutes of the first half in a second-round game in the NCAA tourney. None of this is a coincidence or a fluke, particularly when Izzo motivates and applies his players with useful messages. Also, you can point out that he graduates most of his student athletes, and somehow encourages them to take another shot at winning a national championship.

For years, we've debated about an awful system that hasn't compromised with universities and its trustees, but Michigan State isn't one of them, refusing to allow student athletes to disrespect academia and fathoms the magnitude of education. Or is Izzo's coaching habits and guidance inspiring his kids to remain another year in school? It clearly could be a combination of both. It's not regular that players depart for the pros after one or two seasons, having to rebuild an elite program every few seasons.

Maybe it's a privilege playing for a coach that expects a laborious effort and critical focus, in which the athletes have no problem returning for a few more seasons. They realize the likelihood of winning it all under a mastermind coach. They realize he's one of the greatest collegiate coaches, adjusting weaknesses and building around talent. As it is, there's great chemistry, emphasis, and instructed knowledge that no other coach matches.

No wonder he has the necessities and an equipped roster. No wonder players turn down the NBA and remain in school-not only to earned a degree, but accomplish a championship at the college level. To the man with the most credit, Izzo has led the Spartans to their sixth Final Four in the last 12 years, including two straight and counting, knowing his common principles frequently.


So clearly, Izzo is tied currently for the fifth-most appearance in the entire 72-year tournament history. He's the shortest coach, standing at 5-foot-8 or something like that, but has the loudest voice and communicates with his players. It's fair to suggest that the Spartans are preparing for battle and can win it all, two wins away from a national title, a triumphant moment he has tasted since 2002. If you are a non-believer, you might be making a bad mistake by not penciling in Michigan State on your bracket. Just a year ago, they were national title runner-ups and couldn't have possibly declined in a single season with the same players from a year ago.

Raymar Morgan knows it's critical to hit two free throws with less than a second left. And when Durrell Summers is on a hot streak, he's tough to contain, especially in his breakthrough performance last weekend against Tennessee. He led all scorers with 21, missing just two of 10 attempts. It's obvious that he transformed the landscape as an offensive weapon, as well as their momentum resource. In other words, he's very athletic and dangerous in the transition game, amazing the crowd with his highlight dunks and fast break vehemence.

For once, the tournament hasn't seen much of David or Goliath, but if there's any still lasting in a mystic tourney, it's backup little man, Korie Lucious. Last season, he suffered a broken foot during the Final Four, but now is a component to the Spartans ability to arrive almost each year in hopes of adding a national title.

It wasn't long ago that the Spartans were no longer alive after losing Lucas to his injury. But Izzo's Spartans never quit, finding enough life elsewhere. Much has to do with the shortest man with the loudest voice. This year, they may cut down a net and hoist a trophy.

Now is the time to win.

Joe Mazzulla Increases Mountaineers' Eminence with Great Pride

Before he fortified and dignified a high-profile status, Joe Mazzulla merited much account, leading the West Virginia Mountaineers to its first Final Four since 1959. Every spring, in a tourney where there’s much excitement and intense drama, a student-athlete emerges, and increases notability for an incredible performance that aggrandizes thrills.

Yet, this year we’ve witnessed spectacular feel-good stories, such as Butler's awe-inspiring movie script during its first ever appearance to the Final Four, or ultimately Bob Huggins' redemptive tale, or even Duke reliving a glorifying rebirth. But with all the hype circulating the wonderful stories, a happier storyline features a little point guard with plenty of enthusiasm and conviction.

There’s a very good chance that the Mountaineers win the national title, mainly for containing a sentimental and thriving guard. Though the masses had probably dismissed all odds when Mazzulla underwent surgery on his broken shoulder and rehabilitated for months, he became robust at a consequential moment.

Considering his aptitude and work ethnic, Mazzulla is a primary reason the Mountaineers advanced to the Final Four, known as the toughest and fiercest scorer in college basketball. He indeed, effectuated a shooting clinic in the greatest collegiate game of his college career, recovering from missing the entire season a year ago because of left shoulder damage. But it seems like none of that matters, with the parallels of Michigan State’s point guard Kalin Lucas or Duke’s Nolan Smith. This is someone with sheer passion and coveted of winning a national championship.

It’s clearly understandable that Mazzulla takes in much pride to experience an instant gratification at a program with much ineptitude, but is suddenly transforming into an adequate basketball school. In an era where the Big East conference gets an upper nod for its dominant athletes and stout powerhouses, West Virginia in previous seasons hasn’t been so opportune, advancing to the highest standard stumbling to capitalize with enough equilibrium offensively. And yet every team has an ideal agenda it devotes much of its energy on.


For instance, Huggins’ coaching has altered the dimension and emphasized a tougher approach. His man-to-man defensive principles have been the difference to an irresistible run. But this year, it’s obviously the emergence of Mazzulla, a journeyman converting into a star player with his breakthrough layups and quick attacking of the basket. He’s the comeback kid, a virtuous hero attaining tremendous appreciation for taking charge in the leadership role. The more startling feeling of his career in jeopardy, elicited scary conceptions when medical experts were convinced that Mazzulla's damaged shoulder was career-threatening.


As a result, most doctors described the critical injury as a high risk ending a promising career. Fortunately, he was given an opportunity, reprieving from his poorest days at Rhode Island. For years, he has been denied and overlooked, struggling in high school as a below average guard. Before he ever was braced as a hero for his proficient shot making and distributing, he was a soft defender and playmaker with no discipline or methodical styles.

There were hugs and smiles when the final buzzer sounded in West Virginia’s upset over Kentucky to clinch a Final Four berth. That apparently wasn’t the most heartwarming panorama of the night, once warmth bear hugs were exchanged between Mazzulla and Huggins. Their hugs were tender, each shedding tears in what was a heartfelt win, and even an indicator of redemption. Sometimes a win leads to an inconceivable turnaround, and collocates a miraculous moment in school history as well as forgiving a coach of poor judgment in his previous coaching jobs.

This isn’t a kid just redeeming himself, but also one of the most controversial coaches in college basketball. It’s apparent that Huggins was a rebellious jerk at one point, arrested on DUI charges and fired as Cincinnati’s head coach. Such is the emergence of formally a softened guard, now a humbled player who has mellowed, and believes after a 17-point masterpiece to win the East Regional final MVP title.

He wasn’t always an innocent man, either. Much as basketball fans like to believe the good side other than the bad side of any athlete, Mazzulla was arrested at a Pittsburgh Pirates game in 2008. Really now, he’s remorseful after pleading guilty for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness and paid $222 in fines.

Even more so, he deeply regrets provoking an altercation at a bar in Morgantown, an incident he was arrested and later pled no contest to disorderly conduct charge. And obviously, law enforcement refused to hit Mazzulla with a hard plenty, but the team became his enforcers and suspended him indefinitely.

But as of now, he’s a changed man with an undergraduate degree and currently attends graduate school. That's one of the great things about life, an individual can change how they live and amend disgusting behavior. And if there was anyone who believed in Mazzulla, it was Huggins. He had enough faith in his point guard, never benching him.

There’s still much faith left, too.