The kid is here to endure the madness and mayhem of March, for the first time, as a Miami point guard. The bright lights from a baseball field that shone directly over home plate had fascinated Shane Larkin, taking swings in the cage with Tony Perez and Pete Rose and spending time with his dad and every Cincinnati player as a young kid.
For as long as he can remember -- back in early childhood -- Shane imitated Perez in his at-bats, wiggling his wrist and emulating the leg kick. When he was 5 or 6, he was sure to be a baseball player, and follow his dad's footsteps. Growing up going to spring training with his father, Larkin wasn't enamored with baseball like his father.
Deion Sanders, who was multi-athletic and played in the big leagues, gave him the nickname SugaShane. Inside the clubhouse, he walked around wearily, laughed and joked around with his dad's teammates and chewed all the bubblegum. While he looked on during games, he would dribble his basketball in the Reds' dugout.
Soon enough Larkin, the son of former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, could drain a breathtaking, game-winning shot to send his team to the Final Four in Atlanta, Ga., and in the meantime, whether the Hurricanes are bracket killers or not, he's stepping onto the court with a chance to reach the ultimate goal as a player. And yet, he pursued a different game to play, he chose basketball and now he's a star for the Miami Hurricanes.
He's the son of 12-time All-Star, a former NL MVP and a Hall of Famer. The kid mostly ran down fly balls blasted to him at spring training, and eventually he was eligible to play in a coach-pitch baseball league. At age 7, when he roamed the outfield and scaled the outfield wall, he made his decision, a smart decision. From that point on, he was dribbling a ball and shooting hoops, no longer jumping and kicking off the wall and then trying to catch a ball.
When he was in elementary school, the Reds began giving him tips on hitting and conditioning him for the big leagues, but then he returned home to Orlando, Fla., and his Little League coach turned him away from the sport by criticizing his swing. He gave up on baseball, but his father passed athleticism onto his son, so daddy is still proud and attends every game his son plays.
He couldn't believe it. Barry recalls the day his son told him he no longer wanted to play baseball. He was young, wealthy and gifted, deeply in love with baseball and was lucky enough to make a living as a pro athlete, while his son was just introduced to the game. Barry's greatest surprise was his son turning down the game, in frustration. There has been almost nothing but good fortune for him ever since he began playing basketball.
More than that, Barry remembers being incredibly upset and disappointed that he quit baseball. This was a chance for him to move out of his dad's shadows -- to make his own decisions. He had another goal in mind, and just like his father but in a different sport, Shane was driven and ambitious to grab a basketball, dribble it down the floor, make plays and finish at the rack. It's not that he chose the wrong sport. He didn't. It's just that he chose a sport opposite of what his father played, and his presence this season turned Miami into a superpower nationally.
It should certainly be noted that Larkin's emergence is the reason Miami began a 6-0 start for its first in conference play in school history. It's true, becoming attached to basketball, baseball had never been Larkin's sport of choice. It's really never been something that interested him because he found it boring and too slow. It was something Barry's son never wanted to pursue. Barry had never known this before, his mind amped up as if his son was the next baseball star of the family.
It turns out that he was the first basketball star of the family, a speedy 5-foot-11 Orlando native who has flourished in the Hurricanes ball-screen offense, scoring 14.6 points and dishing out 4.4 assists a game all season. He's a well-rounded guard, a natural-born talent, the kind of player every coach wants on his team. No one, of course, is more fully developed than Larkin, just as no one can play defense and run Miami's balanced offense better than him. The ball is secured in his hands, he's a playmaker, he hardly ever makes mistakes, and more importantly, he's unselfish with the ball.
His efforts to get his teammates involved in every game, unlike few sophomore players who are selfish sharing the ball and displaying teamwork, exceptionally put together a breakthrough season for the entire program. Larkin, 20, in many ways has emerged as a leader on the court among the four other seniors in the starting lineup. It was his father's idea to instill leadership qualities in him, for whatever he decided to work towards in life, which was becoming a stud in basketball.
For too long, we have ignored Miami in the ACC and respected Duke and North Carolina -- the Hurricanes are suddenly a national power, and deservingly they are a Final Four contender on a number of NCAA Tournament brackets, including mine. So it could be he took a detour and knew he had potential to be a premier star in basketball, with his solid ball handling, with his knack and love for the game -- zealous and keen, but respectively a skilled superstar.
It's time, now that Miami claimed its first ACC Tournament championship and earned a No. 2 seed, that we realize Larkin has grown into one of the nation's top point guards under veteran coach Jim Larranaga, who was most notably for guiding George Mason to 13 straight winning seasons. There's no doubting that Larkin has been taught and groomed by his father, as a kid, and has played with such passion and energy.
They are talking about him, reading about him, so everybody knows who Larkin is by now -- a burgeoning star in basketball, and the University of Miami Hurricanes are one of the biggest success stories of this tournament. All season, loudly, the Hurricanes have played tournament-style basketball with the grinding effort that makes them a potential Final Four threat. And Larkin has blossomed into one of top point guards in college hoops, and his team, the Hurricanes, finished the regular season with a 27-6 record and went 15-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
On Friday, the Hurricanes who were ranked fifth nationally in the poll will begin on the road to the Final Four. They will play against No. 15 seed, Pacific, in the East region of the NCAA Tournament. It's fair if you believe, as I do, that he's a more efficient basketball star than he is a baseball player, judging by his success on the hardwood where he's led Miami's charge to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference. In Chicago, DePaul wasn't the place he called home, and coach Oliver Purnell was trying to rebuild around him, but Larkin bailed out and transferred to Miami where he became the centerpiece for Larranaga.
It was Shane's decision to focus on basketball and not baseball. The coolest thing about Larkin is that he treats the game like an exam, and when he plays like a superstar that he is, he scores big and leads the Hurricanes to a positive outcome. It is especially all so familiar to Barry, who, like others, raised an athletic and classy son with the desire to succeed and the urge to reach his potential, but more importantly, to lead Miami to a national title.
The Hurricanes, for once in school history, are relevant in college hoops of Larkin's breakout season. The focus remains on school for the sophomore who decided to return for his junior season, staying in college and not making the jump to the NBA.
The son of a retired baseball player better put his shoes on. It's about to get good.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Hard To Stomach What Happened at Steubenville
There is nothing more devastating or catastrophic, and nothing more disturbing and upsetting than what happened at Steubenville.
This was profoundly an awful story involving two high school football players who not only destroyed their football careers, but their lives by using poor judgment and by choosing the wrong path. Judge Thomas Lipps found Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond guilty Sunday of raping an intoxicated 16-year-old girl.
The defendants were sentenced to a minimum of one year in a juvenile correctional institute, but Mays received an additional year for transmission of nude photos, which he will serve after his rape sentence is completed. It’s often someone is found guilty of rape, but it’s not often that teenage boys are charged for sexual assault.
It’s an unbelievably sad, sad story, the worst tragedy involving kids. It is also an example of what could happen to those who sexually assault someone. It’s also a way of cracking down on rape and sex offenders, something that needs to be taken seriously.
What happened at Steubenville, a public high school in Ohio, sends a strong message to children who may have attempted to attack, dominate and express masculinity through sex crimes against women. The outrage of a troubling case grabbed national attention, and because sexual assaults are more common especially in high school and college, it should have taught every high school student about the severity of sexual assault, just as parents should instill in their children a sense of responsibility and stability.
Much of the media attention has focused on this case, and for good reason, considering that these are teenagers who chose to ruin their lives, their family’s lives and those victims’ lives. It’s hard to forget and, without a sense of sympathy for the convicted Steubenville rapists, rape culture will haunt Mays and Richmond for the rest of their lives.
There is zero chance they will ever play football again. Sadly, the real problem these days is that rape involving athletes turns into a sports story. It’s a small community, where everybody knows everybody and where football is the identity.
One day soon, maybe even a couple of years from now, they can be motivated speakers and enlighten high school football players about the realities of rape and lecture to them about rape culture.
They can make a difference in their communities, by encouraging student-athletes to not take the same path, long after their juvenile sentences — promising careers that are forever destroyed. It’s a trial that featured all sorts of sickening, outrageous testimony about everyday teenage behavior and it shocked the world, a trial of which was in the spotlight nationally and a rape scandal that was so disgraceful and despicable.
The case of two teenagers, no doubt, embarrassed and polarized a town of almost 20,000 in Ohio, but it’s the moment when America must stress the danger of rape. It’s a good thing that a disturbing case is exposed in the sports world, even though the Steubenville rape is very uncomfortable and so repugnant.
It’s awful what happened at Steubenville. It’s an event I hate to talk about since watching negativity on the news all the time, a feeling that makes me numb, a feeling that angers me as I express my deepest sympathy to the 16-year-old victim. It’s beyond alarming what’s happening today, and what happened at Steubenville can happen anywhere and to anyone. This isn’t about football but two teenagers who played the game, which turned out to be a sports story.
This isn’t about football but it involved two football players, which turned a story into an endless chronicle in sports sections of newspapers and on sports websites, when in fact, there was one website that had an article that featured on the front page with a picture of Mays’ and Richmond’s face.
But it’s not a sports story. It never was. It was a story about real life, and what’s happening every day in a troubled society.
Yet, through it all, thankfully, the Steubenville story was a teachable moment for teens, an eye-opener.
This was profoundly an awful story involving two high school football players who not only destroyed their football careers, but their lives by using poor judgment and by choosing the wrong path. Judge Thomas Lipps found Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond guilty Sunday of raping an intoxicated 16-year-old girl.
The defendants were sentenced to a minimum of one year in a juvenile correctional institute, but Mays received an additional year for transmission of nude photos, which he will serve after his rape sentence is completed. It’s often someone is found guilty of rape, but it’s not often that teenage boys are charged for sexual assault.
It’s an unbelievably sad, sad story, the worst tragedy involving kids. It is also an example of what could happen to those who sexually assault someone. It’s also a way of cracking down on rape and sex offenders, something that needs to be taken seriously.
What happened at Steubenville, a public high school in Ohio, sends a strong message to children who may have attempted to attack, dominate and express masculinity through sex crimes against women. The outrage of a troubling case grabbed national attention, and because sexual assaults are more common especially in high school and college, it should have taught every high school student about the severity of sexual assault, just as parents should instill in their children a sense of responsibility and stability.
Much of the media attention has focused on this case, and for good reason, considering that these are teenagers who chose to ruin their lives, their family’s lives and those victims’ lives. It’s hard to forget and, without a sense of sympathy for the convicted Steubenville rapists, rape culture will haunt Mays and Richmond for the rest of their lives.
There is zero chance they will ever play football again. Sadly, the real problem these days is that rape involving athletes turns into a sports story. It’s a small community, where everybody knows everybody and where football is the identity.
One day soon, maybe even a couple of years from now, they can be motivated speakers and enlighten high school football players about the realities of rape and lecture to them about rape culture.
They can make a difference in their communities, by encouraging student-athletes to not take the same path, long after their juvenile sentences — promising careers that are forever destroyed. It’s a trial that featured all sorts of sickening, outrageous testimony about everyday teenage behavior and it shocked the world, a trial of which was in the spotlight nationally and a rape scandal that was so disgraceful and despicable.
The case of two teenagers, no doubt, embarrassed and polarized a town of almost 20,000 in Ohio, but it’s the moment when America must stress the danger of rape. It’s a good thing that a disturbing case is exposed in the sports world, even though the Steubenville rape is very uncomfortable and so repugnant.
It’s awful what happened at Steubenville. It’s an event I hate to talk about since watching negativity on the news all the time, a feeling that makes me numb, a feeling that angers me as I express my deepest sympathy to the 16-year-old victim. It’s beyond alarming what’s happening today, and what happened at Steubenville can happen anywhere and to anyone. This isn’t about football but two teenagers who played the game, which turned out to be a sports story.
This isn’t about football but it involved two football players, which turned a story into an endless chronicle in sports sections of newspapers and on sports websites, when in fact, there was one website that had an article that featured on the front page with a picture of Mays’ and Richmond’s face.
But it’s not a sports story. It never was. It was a story about real life, and what’s happening every day in a troubled society.
Yet, through it all, thankfully, the Steubenville story was a teachable moment for teens, an eye-opener.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Take My Advice: Pencil In Louisville, Gonzaga
March is the month when we fall in love with college hoops. It’s a birthright, in America, to fill out tournament brackets, and then witness the suspense, the excitement and thrills, the disappointments and underdogs of college basketball. Our infatuation with underdogs and the best tournament in all of sports captivates our heart and souls, grabbing the attention of all men and bringing offices together with conversations about the madness near the water cooler and the boxes of Dunkin Donuts on the back table.
The madness is upon us, and the irony of the game today is at a time when it is not as fun to watch with college hoops becoming a one-and-done system, the annual rite of spring still overwhelms employees in the office. All next week, no doubt, March Madness pools will generate attention and productive employees will stop what they are doing in the workplace. March will always be fun because of thrilling upsets, breathtaking finishes and the influence of brackets.
The real fun of March Madness, whether the program is an underdog or a favorite, is the interesting match ups and the drama. This year’s tourney, clearly, is intriguing, with solid match ups and refreshing storylines. This has been a crazy season of college basketball, and since college basketball is so unpredictable in March, here are the keys to filling out those NCAA Tournament brackets.
Top Contender In the Country: Louisville
By now, you should be sharping your pencils and choosing Louisville to prevail in a tough Midwest Region. There appears to be no one who can beat the Cardinals, a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, a 28-5 squad, a favorite to punch a ticket to Atlanta, Ga. and win an NCAA tournament. The Cardinals ended the season on a tear, with an astonishing turnaround after Notre Dame upset Louisville 104-101 in a five-overtime thriller back in February, winning 10 straight games and capturing the Big East title, the school’s second straight.
You never know about March Madness — Louisville will emerge as a Final Four team. It’s possible coach Rick Pitino’s team is the deepest that he’s had during his tenure at Louisville. Have you seen Louisville lately? If not, it’s the hottest team in the nation and senior Peyton Siva, an efficient point guard who had 11 points and eight assists to lead No. 1 Louisville to a 78-61 victory over No. 19 Syracuse on Saturday night, is the heart and soul of the Cardinals.
There’s absolutely no sense to discount the Cardinals from the Final Four or even call the team a disappointment, because this season is their time to cut down the nets and raise the trophy. So there’s a sense that the Cardinals, having defensive-minded center Gorgui Dieng who was recruited out of Senegal, are the team to beat and no team in their region stands a chance against them. It’s a team you would, well, respect in this tournament, when the Cardinals are well-coached and play fundamentally sound, when the Cardinals have the No. 1 defense and the No. 15 offense, run by Siva who speeds up the tempo and then there’s two-guard Russ Smith who presses and pushes in transition, accelerating and finishing at the rack.
Louisville, fast and experienced, thrives on turnovers and moves the ball along in transition for points. The road to Atlanta seems realistic for Louisville, but it won’t be easy. They will have their work cut out for them against eighth-seeded Colorado State or ninth-seeded Missouri, who are among the nation elites, and then later in the regional title game they can either meet No. 2 Duke or No. 3 Michigan State. The last time Pitino won a national title was in 1996 at Kentucky, and the Cardinals have the recipe for success.
It probably won’t even matter now, as Louisville has an elite defense, who they will play throughout the tournament. And now the Cardinals, forcing 59 turnovers in victories over Villanova, Notre Dame and Syracuse, have been penciled in, and as a result, the NCAA selection committee rewarded Louisville the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region. The committee was right, no matter how many people disagree, no matter how many people think they will be a major disappointment. The committee made a good choice, whether you like it or not. It’s Louisville. And guess what? My bold prediction: Louisville advances to the Final Four and wins the 2013 national title. Yeah, and so what if I’m wrong?
What if I’m right?
Gonzaga Is No Easy Out
In the West Region, I like the Gonzaga Bulldogs. If you don’t have Zaga going to the Final Four, you don’t know college basketball. That’s the truth, and sometimes, the truth hurts. The chalk it is for No. 1 Gonzaga, who may play No. 2 Ohio State in the West Regional in Los Angeles. There are no secrets to the way Zaga has dominated all season to be rewarded a No. 1 seed, and longtime coach Mark Few has done an amazing job in turning the Bulldogs into a national brand. Will it happen this time?
It’s a much different team this year, and even the vibes are good for those who are Zag fans, cheering on and believing in the Bulldogs. Get past Ohio State, and we can move on and talk Final Four, such as 7-foot center Kelly Olynyk. The Bulldogs star is Olynyk, a versatile Canadian who can play forward and maybe even shooting guard, averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. It’s a Gonzaga team that can beat anybody in its path. There’s no way — at least I don’t see it — that the Bulldogs will obliterate brackets with a stunning loss in the first round.
Keep your eyes on Louisville and Gonzaga.
They will have a date in the Final Four.
The madness is upon us, and the irony of the game today is at a time when it is not as fun to watch with college hoops becoming a one-and-done system, the annual rite of spring still overwhelms employees in the office. All next week, no doubt, March Madness pools will generate attention and productive employees will stop what they are doing in the workplace. March will always be fun because of thrilling upsets, breathtaking finishes and the influence of brackets.
The real fun of March Madness, whether the program is an underdog or a favorite, is the interesting match ups and the drama. This year’s tourney, clearly, is intriguing, with solid match ups and refreshing storylines. This has been a crazy season of college basketball, and since college basketball is so unpredictable in March, here are the keys to filling out those NCAA Tournament brackets.
Top Contender In the Country: Louisville
By now, you should be sharping your pencils and choosing Louisville to prevail in a tough Midwest Region. There appears to be no one who can beat the Cardinals, a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, a 28-5 squad, a favorite to punch a ticket to Atlanta, Ga. and win an NCAA tournament. The Cardinals ended the season on a tear, with an astonishing turnaround after Notre Dame upset Louisville 104-101 in a five-overtime thriller back in February, winning 10 straight games and capturing the Big East title, the school’s second straight.
You never know about March Madness — Louisville will emerge as a Final Four team. It’s possible coach Rick Pitino’s team is the deepest that he’s had during his tenure at Louisville. Have you seen Louisville lately? If not, it’s the hottest team in the nation and senior Peyton Siva, an efficient point guard who had 11 points and eight assists to lead No. 1 Louisville to a 78-61 victory over No. 19 Syracuse on Saturday night, is the heart and soul of the Cardinals.
There’s absolutely no sense to discount the Cardinals from the Final Four or even call the team a disappointment, because this season is their time to cut down the nets and raise the trophy. So there’s a sense that the Cardinals, having defensive-minded center Gorgui Dieng who was recruited out of Senegal, are the team to beat and no team in their region stands a chance against them. It’s a team you would, well, respect in this tournament, when the Cardinals are well-coached and play fundamentally sound, when the Cardinals have the No. 1 defense and the No. 15 offense, run by Siva who speeds up the tempo and then there’s two-guard Russ Smith who presses and pushes in transition, accelerating and finishing at the rack.
Louisville, fast and experienced, thrives on turnovers and moves the ball along in transition for points. The road to Atlanta seems realistic for Louisville, but it won’t be easy. They will have their work cut out for them against eighth-seeded Colorado State or ninth-seeded Missouri, who are among the nation elites, and then later in the regional title game they can either meet No. 2 Duke or No. 3 Michigan State. The last time Pitino won a national title was in 1996 at Kentucky, and the Cardinals have the recipe for success.
It probably won’t even matter now, as Louisville has an elite defense, who they will play throughout the tournament. And now the Cardinals, forcing 59 turnovers in victories over Villanova, Notre Dame and Syracuse, have been penciled in, and as a result, the NCAA selection committee rewarded Louisville the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region. The committee was right, no matter how many people disagree, no matter how many people think they will be a major disappointment. The committee made a good choice, whether you like it or not. It’s Louisville. And guess what? My bold prediction: Louisville advances to the Final Four and wins the 2013 national title. Yeah, and so what if I’m wrong?
What if I’m right?
Gonzaga Is No Easy Out
In the West Region, I like the Gonzaga Bulldogs. If you don’t have Zaga going to the Final Four, you don’t know college basketball. That’s the truth, and sometimes, the truth hurts. The chalk it is for No. 1 Gonzaga, who may play No. 2 Ohio State in the West Regional in Los Angeles. There are no secrets to the way Zaga has dominated all season to be rewarded a No. 1 seed, and longtime coach Mark Few has done an amazing job in turning the Bulldogs into a national brand. Will it happen this time?
It’s a much different team this year, and even the vibes are good for those who are Zag fans, cheering on and believing in the Bulldogs. Get past Ohio State, and we can move on and talk Final Four, such as 7-foot center Kelly Olynyk. The Bulldogs star is Olynyk, a versatile Canadian who can play forward and maybe even shooting guard, averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. It’s a Gonzaga team that can beat anybody in its path. There’s no way — at least I don’t see it — that the Bulldogs will obliterate brackets with a stunning loss in the first round.
Keep your eyes on Louisville and Gonzaga.
They will have a date in the Final Four.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Kobe’s Anger Sets Off Uproar as Dahntay Jones Must Fear Repercussions
It has often been said that Kobe Bryant whines and gripes, and the truth behind it is at a time when the Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to string together much-needed victories to fight for the eighth spot and qualify for the playoffs is that sometimes he’s overly sensitive.
The Black Mamba is the most fearsome creature of the NBA, and maybe he whines and gripes to referees for a no-call or a play that he felt he was fouled. There is much to love about Bryant, just as there is much to dislike about him. That’s because in the NBA he dazzle crowds with his exceptional play, and for the time being, unhindered and ageless, he’s playing his best basketball. The Lakers caught fire, currently in the eighth spot, a potential danger once Bryant is healthy. The Lakers are right where they want to be late in the season, thus far keeping sole possession of the final playoff spot.
If at some point center Dwight Howard put forth dominant performances, like the night of his return to Orlando, the Lakers can be a threat out west — if Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison comes off the bench and average double-digit points — there is a chance the Lakers can make a strong run. Those familiar with Kobe, known for publicly ripping his underperforming teammates and known to be outspoken, weren’t flabbergasted when Bryant called Dahntay Jones a “dirty” player and sounded off about having to wait to take vengeance. And, of course, he’s enraged over the incident, staring with an evil glare and bleeding to “get revenge,” as there is beef between the two players.
The rage of the Lakers resident superstar unwrapped on a night that Bryant suffered a severe ankle sprain, angrily criticizing Atlanta Hawks swingman for a distasteful foul and said he was Jalen Rose’d. Bryant will almost surely get him back after suffering an injury that can jeopardize the Lakers season. If he’s not, it will be a surprise, but knowing Bryant payback is coming for Jones.
So did Jones intentionally hurt Bryant? If so, it’s not cool but reckless and cruel, and a number of players from around the league are jumping to Kobe’s defense, calling it a low-down play. He will do something about, and Jones knows there will likely be repercussions. The growing anger and the declining sense of respect, the unfolded bitterness, will bring out another side to him while his injured ankle heals. It won’t undo what’s been done, though, and the damage can’t be repaired. Or, as happened during which rival Raja Bell nearly decapitated Bryant’s head in Game 5 of the Lakers/Suns series in 2006, maybe he won’t hold a grudge against Jones and will choose to move on and may even lobby for him to come play for the Lakers.
He’s not in the best mood, but he will eventually get over it, particularly when he returns to action. And more importantly, when he’s in full health. Following a severe injury to Bryant that could force him to miss action, and surely as he’s a hero in Laker lore, he truly doesn’t want to be listed as being out indefinitely. It is simply more important, more paramount, without risking his health in a game the Lakers can stand a chance with contributions from Steve Nash and Howard, to rest Bryant who is recovering and will hopefully be in good shape for the playoffs if the team holds on to the eighth seed.
The reality is that Bryant is unhealthy, late in the season. The Lakers, whether or not they will admit it, stands around and expects so much of Bryant. Minus the greatest scorer on earth, the best finisher in basketball, it allows the Lakers to believe and have confidence while Bryant watches from the sideline in pain. There is no question that someone else will have to step up and take over offensively until Bryant is healthy.
He has shown that no one will bully or victimize him without him retaliating, or maybe he’s just talking to lash out at Jones, angry and incensed with the way he defended him, giving him an earful when he spoke to the media shortly after being injured on a play that clearly looked spineless. The feeling won’t ever be the same, and without apology, Jones is a loser to Bryant, even if he reiterates that he feels bad and didn’t intentionally try to hurt the Lakers star.
“I didn’t try to intentionally come up under him,” Jones said to ESPN. “I was trying to play as hard as I could, to compete at a high level, to try to help my team win and try to contest the jump shot.
“I didn’t want to give up on the play. I take pride in how hard I compete and not give up on plays, and that’s all I was trying to do. It would be very hard for me in a nine- second span to be able to play defense and gauge where I could get my foot up under his as I’m looking at the ball and trying to contest the jump shot.”
Of course, Bryant was fuming after the game and has not bought into what Jones had to say. He is mad for suffering an injury, for not getting the foul call he asked for late in the game. Bryant is a remarkable talent and had been playing brilliantly, but unfortunately went down with sprained left ankle in the closing seconds of Lakers’ loss to the Hawks. No injury, of course, is truly inevitable in sports, but Bryant said Jones undercut him on a jumper from the wing.
The theater of insanity happened on Atlanta’s home floor Tuesday night involving Jones and Bryant, who came down on Jones’ foot. He does not have the ability to stop Bryant, and in Jones’ effort to defend him, the NBA acknowledged that he fouled Lakers guard. It’s not over, a feud that will probably last until Bryant meets Jones again. Kobe, who never fears anything or anyone, wasn’t afraid to respond and stand up for what he considered was “dirty and dangerous” and, in this case, Jones’ foul on Kobe was dirty. It was not the first time Jones had problems with Bryant on the court. Remember, Jones intentionally tripped Bryant during a playoff game in 2009.
“As defensive players, you can contest shots, but you can’t walk underneath players,” Bryant said. “That’s dangerous for the shooter.”
He later tweeted: “#dangerousplay that should have been called. Period.”
There is anger and there is resentment, neither of which is good for the game. Bryant, clearly sullen and angry over ankle sprain calling it his worst sprain since 2000 when he missed Game 3 of the NBA Finals, has been performing at a high level and willed the Lakers to substantial victories.
With Bryant not even close to approaching the twilight of his career — although he’s considering retiring from the game after his current contract expires to bring an era of distinction and transcendence to an end — it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bryant growling and snarling next time they meet. Since he has the most hideous facial expression in sports, more hideous than Craig Sager’s wardrobe, Bryant might be scorching the net that night and scowling next time he’s on the floor with Jones.
In a time when much is at stake, more than ever, Bryant was playing with toughness and aggressiveness, with a strong supporting cast finally stepping up. In a time when emotions are running high, while Bryant’s passion and obsession for the game still burns, viciously, he won’t back down from anything or anyone. There is nothing, amazingly, Bryant cannot do or say on the court, and to this day, he reigns so dominant and supreme.
The Lakers, which were once favored to make a deep run in the playoffs that even non-Laker fans did not envision the team to be a disappointment, are now poised and focused on a playoff run because of their sense of urgency and determination to play together as a cohesive unit.
Bryant is not too happy, and thinks he was done dirty. Watch out for Bryant’s sharp teeth and fangs. The Black Mamba is seeking payback.
The Black Mamba is the most fearsome creature of the NBA, and maybe he whines and gripes to referees for a no-call or a play that he felt he was fouled. There is much to love about Bryant, just as there is much to dislike about him. That’s because in the NBA he dazzle crowds with his exceptional play, and for the time being, unhindered and ageless, he’s playing his best basketball. The Lakers caught fire, currently in the eighth spot, a potential danger once Bryant is healthy. The Lakers are right where they want to be late in the season, thus far keeping sole possession of the final playoff spot.
If at some point center Dwight Howard put forth dominant performances, like the night of his return to Orlando, the Lakers can be a threat out west — if Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison comes off the bench and average double-digit points — there is a chance the Lakers can make a strong run. Those familiar with Kobe, known for publicly ripping his underperforming teammates and known to be outspoken, weren’t flabbergasted when Bryant called Dahntay Jones a “dirty” player and sounded off about having to wait to take vengeance. And, of course, he’s enraged over the incident, staring with an evil glare and bleeding to “get revenge,” as there is beef between the two players.
The rage of the Lakers resident superstar unwrapped on a night that Bryant suffered a severe ankle sprain, angrily criticizing Atlanta Hawks swingman for a distasteful foul and said he was Jalen Rose’d. Bryant will almost surely get him back after suffering an injury that can jeopardize the Lakers season. If he’s not, it will be a surprise, but knowing Bryant payback is coming for Jones.
So did Jones intentionally hurt Bryant? If so, it’s not cool but reckless and cruel, and a number of players from around the league are jumping to Kobe’s defense, calling it a low-down play. He will do something about, and Jones knows there will likely be repercussions. The growing anger and the declining sense of respect, the unfolded bitterness, will bring out another side to him while his injured ankle heals. It won’t undo what’s been done, though, and the damage can’t be repaired. Or, as happened during which rival Raja Bell nearly decapitated Bryant’s head in Game 5 of the Lakers/Suns series in 2006, maybe he won’t hold a grudge against Jones and will choose to move on and may even lobby for him to come play for the Lakers.
He’s not in the best mood, but he will eventually get over it, particularly when he returns to action. And more importantly, when he’s in full health. Following a severe injury to Bryant that could force him to miss action, and surely as he’s a hero in Laker lore, he truly doesn’t want to be listed as being out indefinitely. It is simply more important, more paramount, without risking his health in a game the Lakers can stand a chance with contributions from Steve Nash and Howard, to rest Bryant who is recovering and will hopefully be in good shape for the playoffs if the team holds on to the eighth seed.
The reality is that Bryant is unhealthy, late in the season. The Lakers, whether or not they will admit it, stands around and expects so much of Bryant. Minus the greatest scorer on earth, the best finisher in basketball, it allows the Lakers to believe and have confidence while Bryant watches from the sideline in pain. There is no question that someone else will have to step up and take over offensively until Bryant is healthy.
He has shown that no one will bully or victimize him without him retaliating, or maybe he’s just talking to lash out at Jones, angry and incensed with the way he defended him, giving him an earful when he spoke to the media shortly after being injured on a play that clearly looked spineless. The feeling won’t ever be the same, and without apology, Jones is a loser to Bryant, even if he reiterates that he feels bad and didn’t intentionally try to hurt the Lakers star.
“I didn’t try to intentionally come up under him,” Jones said to ESPN. “I was trying to play as hard as I could, to compete at a high level, to try to help my team win and try to contest the jump shot.
“I didn’t want to give up on the play. I take pride in how hard I compete and not give up on plays, and that’s all I was trying to do. It would be very hard for me in a nine- second span to be able to play defense and gauge where I could get my foot up under his as I’m looking at the ball and trying to contest the jump shot.”
Of course, Bryant was fuming after the game and has not bought into what Jones had to say. He is mad for suffering an injury, for not getting the foul call he asked for late in the game. Bryant is a remarkable talent and had been playing brilliantly, but unfortunately went down with sprained left ankle in the closing seconds of Lakers’ loss to the Hawks. No injury, of course, is truly inevitable in sports, but Bryant said Jones undercut him on a jumper from the wing.
The theater of insanity happened on Atlanta’s home floor Tuesday night involving Jones and Bryant, who came down on Jones’ foot. He does not have the ability to stop Bryant, and in Jones’ effort to defend him, the NBA acknowledged that he fouled Lakers guard. It’s not over, a feud that will probably last until Bryant meets Jones again. Kobe, who never fears anything or anyone, wasn’t afraid to respond and stand up for what he considered was “dirty and dangerous” and, in this case, Jones’ foul on Kobe was dirty. It was not the first time Jones had problems with Bryant on the court. Remember, Jones intentionally tripped Bryant during a playoff game in 2009.
“As defensive players, you can contest shots, but you can’t walk underneath players,” Bryant said. “That’s dangerous for the shooter.”
He later tweeted: “#dangerousplay that should have been called. Period.”
There is anger and there is resentment, neither of which is good for the game. Bryant, clearly sullen and angry over ankle sprain calling it his worst sprain since 2000 when he missed Game 3 of the NBA Finals, has been performing at a high level and willed the Lakers to substantial victories.
With Bryant not even close to approaching the twilight of his career — although he’s considering retiring from the game after his current contract expires to bring an era of distinction and transcendence to an end — it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bryant growling and snarling next time they meet. Since he has the most hideous facial expression in sports, more hideous than Craig Sager’s wardrobe, Bryant might be scorching the net that night and scowling next time he’s on the floor with Jones.
In a time when much is at stake, more than ever, Bryant was playing with toughness and aggressiveness, with a strong supporting cast finally stepping up. In a time when emotions are running high, while Bryant’s passion and obsession for the game still burns, viciously, he won’t back down from anything or anyone. There is nothing, amazingly, Bryant cannot do or say on the court, and to this day, he reigns so dominant and supreme.
The Lakers, which were once favored to make a deep run in the playoffs that even non-Laker fans did not envision the team to be a disappointment, are now poised and focused on a playoff run because of their sense of urgency and determination to play together as a cohesive unit.
Bryant is not too happy, and thinks he was done dirty. Watch out for Bryant’s sharp teeth and fangs. The Black Mamba is seeking payback.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Derrick Rose’s Long-Term Health Top Priority: Don’t Rush It
Maybe the best thing is to realize what can happen to Derrick Rose. Consider this: He returns, suffers a setback in his left knee and misses action next season, not able to save the Chicago Bulls. As much as anything, he is missed greatly by a city that adores Rose more than any other player.
For now, I genuinely believe that he needs to continue to rest and rehab. It’s not what the fans want. It’s what Rose wants. If he feels the time is right to make a return for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury, then he can finally play his first game of the 2012-13 season. There’s been something of an adjustment for the Bulls this season — players had to calibrate their games in the prolonged absence of the star point guard. The injury to Rose left Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau with no choice but to make major adjustments and rely on Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
The length of Rose’s delay, as well as the rash of injuries to Bulls’ players, forces Deng and Boozer to score at will for much of the season. The Bulls talent level is diminished, but as we know, Boozer and Deng are important offensively. Without Rose, the Bulls are average. With Rose, the Bulls can meet the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The majority of Chicagoans are growing antsy and don’t realize that rushing him can jeopardize the superstar guard’s career.
Rose said he’s not fully healthy and would be very limited by the injury, most likely not returning this season, an absence that has fans worrying and begging for him to play before the season ends. Yet in rehabbing and missing nearly the entire season, he’s become the son of Chicago, just as likable as Michael Jordan was during his time spent in the Windy City. The comeback, after all, is not smart and he won’t be helping himself by rushing back.
Therefore, returning too soon and re-injuring himself as the team is not favored in the Eastern Conference this season, with or without Rose, is a no-win situation. He’s mostly the superstar of the Second City, but unlike fans who refuse to wait patiently and until he fully recovers after having knee surgery, Rose knows what’s best for him. It’s clear he’s not comfortable and won’t likely play on Friday, as most anticipated and yearns for his comeback.
Rose, for one, is thinking long-term priority over titles at the moment on team that his services are needed desperately and he certainly is capable of carrying the Bulls, a responsible and skilled player who will embrace his role as the top-scorer, if not one of the best point guards in the league. There’s no timetable set for his return, but he’s getting healthier, and the worst that can happen is that he’s rushed back too soon. Now he just needs to take precautionary actions, and not worry about satisfying an impatient and crotchety group of Chicago fans.
If he came back today, he could inflict more pain, and maybe, just maybe, his surgically repaired knee is not in good condition, even when he’s making progress in his recovery. Then he’s mentally and physically not quite set to play, but when he’s fit, he will return. Since no one else seems inclined to say it, well, then, I will say it. Reality is Rose, who puts the Bulls in good position to win a championship, is not 100 percent — a notion that he’s still overcoming a severe injury.
There is no other team in basketball that misses its star player more. Rose, on the other hand, is far more concerned about the organization long-term, and by trusting him, he’s surely thinking with good sense. It could be to the Bulls disadvantage if he weakens other muscles and bones in his body or even re-injures his knee, which is likely to happen if he’s not careful.
The fastest path, after all, for a sudden return, is to work hard and regain full strength. And yet, every time Rose is expected to return, or tries to save the Bulls season, it’s uncertain as to whether he will be bothered by any remaining effects from his left knee. Realizing that Rose had surgery to repair a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on May 12, he still has no return date, and by stating that he doesn’t, it would be nice for the loyal fans to respect Rose’s wishes.
So rushing for him to deliver and make a bigger statement in the Eastern Conference is not very smart among fans, teammates and coaches. If he’s not ready, why allow him to play during his rehabilitation and risk further damage to his knee? If he’s not ready, why force him into the starting lineup, which is uncertain given the seriousness of Rose’s ACL tear? The doctors cleared Rose to play, but he won’t return until he can confidently dunk off his left foot, so fans will just have to wait.
For obvious reasons, the Bulls are confident he will return this season and hopes for a mid-March return, but folks in the city are emotionally attached to Chicago’s finest. The face of the city is Rose, and the Bulls are clearly the only pro franchise in town that fans show affection for, but the team won’t win an NBA championship without Rose’s good health. And perhaps more important to the Bulls’ long-term success is having Rose’s presence on the court.
It certainly wasn’t something he had in mind, but only he knows his body and knows the pain he feels. Rose ignores all the fans that try to push him to return right now. He insisted he’d give it more time before he makes a decision, working out on a stationary bike, with Bulls trainer Jeff Tanaka standing by him in the training room. The humble star just needs to gain the proper strength.
With faith and patience, he’s not in a hurry to get back on the court and has taken it day-by-day, step-by-step, going by his own pace. Think about how much he endured since suffering an ACL injury on April 28 — when we celebrated arguably the top point guard in the league, watched him amaze our senses and saw a glimpse of a rising star.
Just think how much better the Bulls will become once he’s fully healthy.
Save him for when he’s really needed. Save him for long-term. In the long run, it might pay off.
For now, I genuinely believe that he needs to continue to rest and rehab. It’s not what the fans want. It’s what Rose wants. If he feels the time is right to make a return for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury, then he can finally play his first game of the 2012-13 season. There’s been something of an adjustment for the Bulls this season — players had to calibrate their games in the prolonged absence of the star point guard. The injury to Rose left Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau with no choice but to make major adjustments and rely on Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
The length of Rose’s delay, as well as the rash of injuries to Bulls’ players, forces Deng and Boozer to score at will for much of the season. The Bulls talent level is diminished, but as we know, Boozer and Deng are important offensively. Without Rose, the Bulls are average. With Rose, the Bulls can meet the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The majority of Chicagoans are growing antsy and don’t realize that rushing him can jeopardize the superstar guard’s career.
Rose said he’s not fully healthy and would be very limited by the injury, most likely not returning this season, an absence that has fans worrying and begging for him to play before the season ends. Yet in rehabbing and missing nearly the entire season, he’s become the son of Chicago, just as likable as Michael Jordan was during his time spent in the Windy City. The comeback, after all, is not smart and he won’t be helping himself by rushing back.
Therefore, returning too soon and re-injuring himself as the team is not favored in the Eastern Conference this season, with or without Rose, is a no-win situation. He’s mostly the superstar of the Second City, but unlike fans who refuse to wait patiently and until he fully recovers after having knee surgery, Rose knows what’s best for him. It’s clear he’s not comfortable and won’t likely play on Friday, as most anticipated and yearns for his comeback.
Rose, for one, is thinking long-term priority over titles at the moment on team that his services are needed desperately and he certainly is capable of carrying the Bulls, a responsible and skilled player who will embrace his role as the top-scorer, if not one of the best point guards in the league. There’s no timetable set for his return, but he’s getting healthier, and the worst that can happen is that he’s rushed back too soon. Now he just needs to take precautionary actions, and not worry about satisfying an impatient and crotchety group of Chicago fans.
If he came back today, he could inflict more pain, and maybe, just maybe, his surgically repaired knee is not in good condition, even when he’s making progress in his recovery. Then he’s mentally and physically not quite set to play, but when he’s fit, he will return. Since no one else seems inclined to say it, well, then, I will say it. Reality is Rose, who puts the Bulls in good position to win a championship, is not 100 percent — a notion that he’s still overcoming a severe injury.
There is no other team in basketball that misses its star player more. Rose, on the other hand, is far more concerned about the organization long-term, and by trusting him, he’s surely thinking with good sense. It could be to the Bulls disadvantage if he weakens other muscles and bones in his body or even re-injures his knee, which is likely to happen if he’s not careful.
The fastest path, after all, for a sudden return, is to work hard and regain full strength. And yet, every time Rose is expected to return, or tries to save the Bulls season, it’s uncertain as to whether he will be bothered by any remaining effects from his left knee. Realizing that Rose had surgery to repair a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on May 12, he still has no return date, and by stating that he doesn’t, it would be nice for the loyal fans to respect Rose’s wishes.
So rushing for him to deliver and make a bigger statement in the Eastern Conference is not very smart among fans, teammates and coaches. If he’s not ready, why allow him to play during his rehabilitation and risk further damage to his knee? If he’s not ready, why force him into the starting lineup, which is uncertain given the seriousness of Rose’s ACL tear? The doctors cleared Rose to play, but he won’t return until he can confidently dunk off his left foot, so fans will just have to wait.
For obvious reasons, the Bulls are confident he will return this season and hopes for a mid-March return, but folks in the city are emotionally attached to Chicago’s finest. The face of the city is Rose, and the Bulls are clearly the only pro franchise in town that fans show affection for, but the team won’t win an NBA championship without Rose’s good health. And perhaps more important to the Bulls’ long-term success is having Rose’s presence on the court.
It certainly wasn’t something he had in mind, but only he knows his body and knows the pain he feels. Rose ignores all the fans that try to push him to return right now. He insisted he’d give it more time before he makes a decision, working out on a stationary bike, with Bulls trainer Jeff Tanaka standing by him in the training room. The humble star just needs to gain the proper strength.
With faith and patience, he’s not in a hurry to get back on the court and has taken it day-by-day, step-by-step, going by his own pace. Think about how much he endured since suffering an ACL injury on April 28 — when we celebrated arguably the top point guard in the league, watched him amaze our senses and saw a glimpse of a rising star.
Just think how much better the Bulls will become once he’s fully healthy.
Save him for when he’s really needed. Save him for long-term. In the long run, it might pay off.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Tom Crean Can Lead The Hoosiers To The Final Four
He won’t back down, will he? It’s all about Tom Crean at Indiana University, and the topic at hand — an ongoing topic that has people surprised — is not that serious or newsworthy. Nothing he may ever do should surprise us.
For those who know Crean, he would angrily confront another coach and would exchange words in a heated argument whether it’s a win or loss. For those who don’t know Crean, he’s not a goofy, silly guy.
This is one of the more fun guys in college hoops, someone who knows how to teach players the game and someone who doesn’t take nonsense from his players. He’s a fearless, hard-spoken, irascible guy. For those who haven’t seen him walk on the sideline during the games, he shows that he is vibrant, fierce and intense.
The program has not had a head coach this tough since Bob Knight, a legendary man who was used to constantly getting in trouble for things like throwing chairs, choking a kid and for even head-butting a player.
The Hoosiers, since the Knight-era, have finally found themselves a basketball coach whose attitude fits the program and whose tirades fires up his players. It became clear that Crean is not like everybody else, and from his work-ethic and attitude, he’s treated like a villain but is only an agitator who can get under someone’s skin.
You don’t have to embrace him or like him, but at least admit that he’s not a good coach but a great coach as he’s carrying a team that can win it all with a workable nucleus.
There wasn’t anything wrong with him exchanging words and getting in the face of Michigan assistant Jeff Meyer, once a member of IU’s staff, after the Hoosiers beat the Wolverines.
The confrontation soon ended, but moments later as the handshake line continued on, Crean and Meyer exchanged words in a shouting match after the game. This led to Indiana assistant Tim Buckley stepping in between and restraining the two men.
It was all in excitement, but to keep it under control, Buckley played the peacemaker during a feisty conversation. Crean has been the face of Indiana, one of the finest coaches in the sport.
On Saturday, the same day he had his post-game altercation, the Hoosiers pulled off a stunning, come-from-behind victory for their first undisputed Big Ten title in two decades. So sure, the game ended in dramatic fashion but it also ended with a verbal assault.
That right there could have motivated the Hoosiers collectively and made his players stronger, especially with the mayhem just beginning as March Madness looms. The Big Ten is fun to watch because of Crean and the hard-fought players he’s shaped in five seasons, thanks to his brilliant recruiting and coaching emphasis.
He says what’s on his mind without any hesitation and shows unscripted emotion on the court — he does not always act like a professional, but what matters the most is whether or not Indiana wins games. So far right now, they’ve been successful at that. If he’s around to produce and replenish talent, there’s no doubt the Hoosiers will always be one of the top schools in the nation.
Rather amazingly, in his fifth season, Crean has done an incredible job at Indiana, considering that his first recruiting class was highly regarded to be among the top 20 in the nation.
He’s the guy who rebuilt the Indiana program into a winner and restored what had been defaced after Knight’s departure. The turnaround happened under his watch, and potentially this season — with a rock-solid class that better defines the Hoosiers — Indiana can reach the Final Four.
The Hoosiers, belive it or not, are playing their best basketball, and with Crean’s frenetic demeanor, the program is performing at its highest level. Crean immediately turned Indiana into the talk of college hoops by connecting with his players and teaching the basics and fundamentals of basketball. In a season dominated by the Hoosiers, the only fitting thing was trash-talking from Crean.
It would seem that Crean and Knight have nothing in common, yet their personalities are a bit similar. He’s mentioned in the same breath with Knight, which makes sense in the aftermath of his latest episode on Saturday. Besides being one of the perennial coaches in the nation, Crean is also fiery and vehement and lets his emotions get the best of him every so often.
Long before Crean arrived to Indiana and revived the Hoosiers, ex-coach Kelvin Sampson repeatedly violated NCAA rules regarding phone contact with prospects.
Long before he arrived to Indiana and rescued the fallen program, bringing a sense of humanity back to a spiritless school, the Hoosiers were unable to suit up for the daunting tournament, let alone the Final Four, thanks to Sampson. But Crean, as we can see, fought through five seasons and produced wins, elevating the pristine Indiana from 1-17 to 14-4.
For a school that was a disgrace and in shambles from a cheating scandal, which resulted in a fired coach and a couple of players kicked off the team, Crean was a savior who was crafty and brilliant enough to straighten out the program from the moment he stood on the sideline at Indiana.
There are few coaches who can meet the challenge and tack together one of the most impressive teams in the nation with their recruiting abilities and basketball brilliance, wooing the top prospects in the country to play for the school.
Crean, though, as angry as he was that night, gives credit to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who pretty much mentored him. For years, Crean was at MSU as an assistant coach and suddenly ventured on his own to earn an eventual coaching job. Crean has undoubtedly gotten under people’s skin and annoyed opposing players and coaches, but it’s worked.
What happened on Saturday wasn’t the biggest deal, and was definitely blown out of proportion. He’s not changing for anybody and won’t ever change his ways. Some coaches are relentless competitors, and Crean is leading the Hoosiers to a place they haven’t been in years.
Better known as a recruiting expert, the native of Michigan is one of those coaches you would like to have around, an individual who is over a team primed for the NCAA tournament. If there was ever a time the Hoosiers would return to greatness between now and the upcoming seasons, it would be the moment with another multitude of prospects arriving next season.
He encourages his players to play mentally tough and portrays himself, by definition, as a genius, developer and motivator. Look up all three of those definitions in the dictionary, and Crean’s picture would appear next to all those words.
The new ruler of the Big Ten is the Hoosiers. After all, Indiana is a Hoosier state. And Crean is the one who is leading them.
For those who know Crean, he would angrily confront another coach and would exchange words in a heated argument whether it’s a win or loss. For those who don’t know Crean, he’s not a goofy, silly guy.
This is one of the more fun guys in college hoops, someone who knows how to teach players the game and someone who doesn’t take nonsense from his players. He’s a fearless, hard-spoken, irascible guy. For those who haven’t seen him walk on the sideline during the games, he shows that he is vibrant, fierce and intense.
The program has not had a head coach this tough since Bob Knight, a legendary man who was used to constantly getting in trouble for things like throwing chairs, choking a kid and for even head-butting a player.
The Hoosiers, since the Knight-era, have finally found themselves a basketball coach whose attitude fits the program and whose tirades fires up his players. It became clear that Crean is not like everybody else, and from his work-ethic and attitude, he’s treated like a villain but is only an agitator who can get under someone’s skin.
You don’t have to embrace him or like him, but at least admit that he’s not a good coach but a great coach as he’s carrying a team that can win it all with a workable nucleus.
There wasn’t anything wrong with him exchanging words and getting in the face of Michigan assistant Jeff Meyer, once a member of IU’s staff, after the Hoosiers beat the Wolverines.
The confrontation soon ended, but moments later as the handshake line continued on, Crean and Meyer exchanged words in a shouting match after the game. This led to Indiana assistant Tim Buckley stepping in between and restraining the two men.
It was all in excitement, but to keep it under control, Buckley played the peacemaker during a feisty conversation. Crean has been the face of Indiana, one of the finest coaches in the sport.
On Saturday, the same day he had his post-game altercation, the Hoosiers pulled off a stunning, come-from-behind victory for their first undisputed Big Ten title in two decades. So sure, the game ended in dramatic fashion but it also ended with a verbal assault.
That right there could have motivated the Hoosiers collectively and made his players stronger, especially with the mayhem just beginning as March Madness looms. The Big Ten is fun to watch because of Crean and the hard-fought players he’s shaped in five seasons, thanks to his brilliant recruiting and coaching emphasis.
He says what’s on his mind without any hesitation and shows unscripted emotion on the court — he does not always act like a professional, but what matters the most is whether or not Indiana wins games. So far right now, they’ve been successful at that. If he’s around to produce and replenish talent, there’s no doubt the Hoosiers will always be one of the top schools in the nation.
Rather amazingly, in his fifth season, Crean has done an incredible job at Indiana, considering that his first recruiting class was highly regarded to be among the top 20 in the nation.
He’s the guy who rebuilt the Indiana program into a winner and restored what had been defaced after Knight’s departure. The turnaround happened under his watch, and potentially this season — with a rock-solid class that better defines the Hoosiers — Indiana can reach the Final Four.
The Hoosiers, belive it or not, are playing their best basketball, and with Crean’s frenetic demeanor, the program is performing at its highest level. Crean immediately turned Indiana into the talk of college hoops by connecting with his players and teaching the basics and fundamentals of basketball. In a season dominated by the Hoosiers, the only fitting thing was trash-talking from Crean.
It would seem that Crean and Knight have nothing in common, yet their personalities are a bit similar. He’s mentioned in the same breath with Knight, which makes sense in the aftermath of his latest episode on Saturday. Besides being one of the perennial coaches in the nation, Crean is also fiery and vehement and lets his emotions get the best of him every so often.
Long before Crean arrived to Indiana and revived the Hoosiers, ex-coach Kelvin Sampson repeatedly violated NCAA rules regarding phone contact with prospects.
Long before he arrived to Indiana and rescued the fallen program, bringing a sense of humanity back to a spiritless school, the Hoosiers were unable to suit up for the daunting tournament, let alone the Final Four, thanks to Sampson. But Crean, as we can see, fought through five seasons and produced wins, elevating the pristine Indiana from 1-17 to 14-4.
For a school that was a disgrace and in shambles from a cheating scandal, which resulted in a fired coach and a couple of players kicked off the team, Crean was a savior who was crafty and brilliant enough to straighten out the program from the moment he stood on the sideline at Indiana.
There are few coaches who can meet the challenge and tack together one of the most impressive teams in the nation with their recruiting abilities and basketball brilliance, wooing the top prospects in the country to play for the school.
Crean, though, as angry as he was that night, gives credit to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who pretty much mentored him. For years, Crean was at MSU as an assistant coach and suddenly ventured on his own to earn an eventual coaching job. Crean has undoubtedly gotten under people’s skin and annoyed opposing players and coaches, but it’s worked.
What happened on Saturday wasn’t the biggest deal, and was definitely blown out of proportion. He’s not changing for anybody and won’t ever change his ways. Some coaches are relentless competitors, and Crean is leading the Hoosiers to a place they haven’t been in years.
Better known as a recruiting expert, the native of Michigan is one of those coaches you would like to have around, an individual who is over a team primed for the NCAA tournament. If there was ever a time the Hoosiers would return to greatness between now and the upcoming seasons, it would be the moment with another multitude of prospects arriving next season.
He encourages his players to play mentally tough and portrays himself, by definition, as a genius, developer and motivator. Look up all three of those definitions in the dictionary, and Crean’s picture would appear next to all those words.
The new ruler of the Big Ten is the Hoosiers. After all, Indiana is a Hoosier state. And Crean is the one who is leading them.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Mike Trout Deserves The Money, But He’ll Have To Wait
He’s a humble, likable baseball prodigy. This could easily be the best season for the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, who is one of the most sensational players in baseball. But with Spring Training currently in progress, his agent, Craig Landis is upset over a contract dispute and feels that Trout hasn’t been earning what he’s worth.
Sooner than later, though, Trout’s payday will come. First, he would need another incredible season on the diamond, even though he’s done something rare that most players at his age can’t make happen. Along with that, the Angels renewed his contract for $510,000, and sense that he’s getting what he deserves.
Judging by Trout’s agent, he absolutely knows nothing about the economics of baseball and has no leverage, and therefore he’s mad at a ball club that is unwilling to give the best all-around player in baseball what he may have foreseen and demanded, too.
The Angels, whether he likes it or not, renewed his deal at a low salary. It’s fitting for an organization that has a reputation of being cheap and stingy when it comes to giving a player a mega-sized contract. Fans have seen it often over the years.
It is well-established that Trout, after producing monster numbers in a game obsessed with statistics, hasn’t met the criterion for baseball’s economic structure.
Given his marveled rookie season, couldn’t he have made massive bucks? Certainly, but he and his agent will have to wait until after a couple of seasons for the Angels to restructure Trout’s contract. There has, quite precisely, never been a one-of-a-kind player in baseball like Trout.
On the field, he was awesome — the best rookie the game’s seen in this era, maybe the best rookie ever. Trout, who was called up to the majors from Triple-A back in April 2012, hit .326 with 30 home runs, 49 steals, 129 runs, a .564 slugging average, .399 on-base percentage and .963 OPS.
Right away, he brought so much attention to the Angels last season, blossoming into a rookie sensation practically overnight. He amazed fans in Orange County and even nationwide. That’s pretty amazing for someone who is barely 21 years of age, wouldn’t you think?
Because he’s a player with less than three years of experience and that he’s done it for one year, Trout may be the most underpaid and unappreciated player, making less than most of his teammates, as he’s playing for a minimum.
He would need to hit the ball hard enough to advance base runners, and more importantly, he would need to play a full season in the big leagues to earn a raise from the Angels. His agent can be unhappy all he wants, but the Angels aren’t ready to pay him a raise when he’s just entering his sophomore season.
The time will come to pay the money he’s worth, and as an ultimate sign of respect, the only way to show somebody that they are welcome is by signing them to a hefty deal and locking them up for long term.
He’s still young, but he’s shown he’s a baseball phenom. Trout won Rookie of the Year last season, getting 248 at-bats and joinining the likes of Derek Jeter, Josh Hamilton, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. It should be convenient that the side to blame is Major League Baseball Player Association, not the Angels. The criticism of the Angels sounds ignorant and irresponsible.
It couldn’t be worst timing, as the Angels are focused on more important things than to hear an agent whine about a player’s salary. It’s a shame Trout’s agent points the finger at Angels owner Arte Moreno, who is very cheap at times but also will overpay players just to buy talent. Jerry Dipoto, Angels general manager, is not culpable either.
What many in this age of baseball don’t quite take into account is pre-arbitration, in which players that can’t always get a large contract usually don’t luck up with one. Presumably because of the system, organizations have the right to pay a player less than the asking price, which means the Angels are the dictators.
As the team that has the lowest-rated form system in the game, the Angels might not have to worry about one of baseball’s prodigies coming from the club’s form system.
No matter a team’s policy, the best hitter and runner in baseball deserves the biggest raise. As much as any baseball team last season, the Angels embraced the notion of handing Trout the challenge of becoming an everyday starter in centerfield.
Had they made the move and called up Trout to play centerfield much sooner, the Angels might have won the AL West. So with that, Trout is the next Angel to earn big money, because in reality, he could have won AL MVP a season ago.
Considering that Miguel Cabrera won last year’s Triple Crown, it was appropriate for him to be named the MVP, as he finished the season by achieving something that hasn’t been captured in decades.
This week, the barrage of outcries initiated by a greedy agent is enough to set off an uproar. The ball club, again, spent massively, shielded that money from Trout and foolishly overpaid for Pujols and Hamilton, forking out $365 million over 15 years on a player whose numbers were in decline for the first year of his 10-year deal, and then another player who has a long history of injuries.
The day after Trout was given his 6.25-percent raise to $510,000, it created a media frenzy. More for the Angels’ sake than his own, he needs to be given the amount he’s due to make by the next couple of seasons. Wherever he goes, if the Angels don’t pay him soon, he’s this generation’s transcendent player.
For now, of course, he’s the generation of Tomorrowland, and he’s not a fantasy. He’s real. He’s good. He’s a hitter and runner. He drilled 30 homers and stole 49 bags.
The question here is not whether he will remain an Angel for a long time, but whether Trout is unhappy about moving to left field, a decision made by manager Mike Scioscia, as Peter Bourjos is expected to start in center field.
Scioscia likes Bourjos' ability to hit and get on base, and since Torii Hunter fled the residents of Disneyland to play for the Detroit Tigers, Trout and Bourjos are Scioscia’s guys.
Yes, he’s unhappy with his contract, but the Angels will eventually buy out Trout’s arbitration years, and perhaps a year of free agency, and then he’ll get $100,000 back. The thing is, Trout won’t be eligible for two seasons, so in the meantime, the star outfielder will continue to amaze us with his baseball greatness.
Our fascination with Trout is growing, especially after what he’s done as a rookie. Being the good kid as he is, Trout will be an Angel for many years to come.
Sooner than later, though, Trout’s payday will come. First, he would need another incredible season on the diamond, even though he’s done something rare that most players at his age can’t make happen. Along with that, the Angels renewed his contract for $510,000, and sense that he’s getting what he deserves.
Judging by Trout’s agent, he absolutely knows nothing about the economics of baseball and has no leverage, and therefore he’s mad at a ball club that is unwilling to give the best all-around player in baseball what he may have foreseen and demanded, too.
The Angels, whether he likes it or not, renewed his deal at a low salary. It’s fitting for an organization that has a reputation of being cheap and stingy when it comes to giving a player a mega-sized contract. Fans have seen it often over the years.
It is well-established that Trout, after producing monster numbers in a game obsessed with statistics, hasn’t met the criterion for baseball’s economic structure.
Given his marveled rookie season, couldn’t he have made massive bucks? Certainly, but he and his agent will have to wait until after a couple of seasons for the Angels to restructure Trout’s contract. There has, quite precisely, never been a one-of-a-kind player in baseball like Trout.
On the field, he was awesome — the best rookie the game’s seen in this era, maybe the best rookie ever. Trout, who was called up to the majors from Triple-A back in April 2012, hit .326 with 30 home runs, 49 steals, 129 runs, a .564 slugging average, .399 on-base percentage and .963 OPS.
Right away, he brought so much attention to the Angels last season, blossoming into a rookie sensation practically overnight. He amazed fans in Orange County and even nationwide. That’s pretty amazing for someone who is barely 21 years of age, wouldn’t you think?
Because he’s a player with less than three years of experience and that he’s done it for one year, Trout may be the most underpaid and unappreciated player, making less than most of his teammates, as he’s playing for a minimum.
He would need to hit the ball hard enough to advance base runners, and more importantly, he would need to play a full season in the big leagues to earn a raise from the Angels. His agent can be unhappy all he wants, but the Angels aren’t ready to pay him a raise when he’s just entering his sophomore season.
The time will come to pay the money he’s worth, and as an ultimate sign of respect, the only way to show somebody that they are welcome is by signing them to a hefty deal and locking them up for long term.
He’s still young, but he’s shown he’s a baseball phenom. Trout won Rookie of the Year last season, getting 248 at-bats and joinining the likes of Derek Jeter, Josh Hamilton, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols. It should be convenient that the side to blame is Major League Baseball Player Association, not the Angels. The criticism of the Angels sounds ignorant and irresponsible.
It couldn’t be worst timing, as the Angels are focused on more important things than to hear an agent whine about a player’s salary. It’s a shame Trout’s agent points the finger at Angels owner Arte Moreno, who is very cheap at times but also will overpay players just to buy talent. Jerry Dipoto, Angels general manager, is not culpable either.
What many in this age of baseball don’t quite take into account is pre-arbitration, in which players that can’t always get a large contract usually don’t luck up with one. Presumably because of the system, organizations have the right to pay a player less than the asking price, which means the Angels are the dictators.
As the team that has the lowest-rated form system in the game, the Angels might not have to worry about one of baseball’s prodigies coming from the club’s form system.
No matter a team’s policy, the best hitter and runner in baseball deserves the biggest raise. As much as any baseball team last season, the Angels embraced the notion of handing Trout the challenge of becoming an everyday starter in centerfield.
Had they made the move and called up Trout to play centerfield much sooner, the Angels might have won the AL West. So with that, Trout is the next Angel to earn big money, because in reality, he could have won AL MVP a season ago.
Considering that Miguel Cabrera won last year’s Triple Crown, it was appropriate for him to be named the MVP, as he finished the season by achieving something that hasn’t been captured in decades.
This week, the barrage of outcries initiated by a greedy agent is enough to set off an uproar. The ball club, again, spent massively, shielded that money from Trout and foolishly overpaid for Pujols and Hamilton, forking out $365 million over 15 years on a player whose numbers were in decline for the first year of his 10-year deal, and then another player who has a long history of injuries.
The day after Trout was given his 6.25-percent raise to $510,000, it created a media frenzy. More for the Angels’ sake than his own, he needs to be given the amount he’s due to make by the next couple of seasons. Wherever he goes, if the Angels don’t pay him soon, he’s this generation’s transcendent player.
For now, of course, he’s the generation of Tomorrowland, and he’s not a fantasy. He’s real. He’s good. He’s a hitter and runner. He drilled 30 homers and stole 49 bags.
The question here is not whether he will remain an Angel for a long time, but whether Trout is unhappy about moving to left field, a decision made by manager Mike Scioscia, as Peter Bourjos is expected to start in center field.
Scioscia likes Bourjos' ability to hit and get on base, and since Torii Hunter fled the residents of Disneyland to play for the Detroit Tigers, Trout and Bourjos are Scioscia’s guys.
Yes, he’s unhappy with his contract, but the Angels will eventually buy out Trout’s arbitration years, and perhaps a year of free agency, and then he’ll get $100,000 back. The thing is, Trout won’t be eligible for two seasons, so in the meantime, the star outfielder will continue to amaze us with his baseball greatness.
Our fascination with Trout is growing, especially after what he’s done as a rookie. Being the good kid as he is, Trout will be an Angel for many years to come.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Even When On the Rise, Joe Flacco Isn’t Worth Every Dime
Once maligned, now a superhero, Joe Flacco has earned millions that he can stash in the bank. Once, unappreciated to many, once unconvincing to claim elite status among NFL quarterbacks, Flacco is getting paid like a first-rate quarterback.
The money has finally come, unsurprisingly, in the aftermath of the Ravens’ victory of Super Bowl XVII, making Flacco the highest paid player in NFL history, a bloated and ridiculous deal for someone who has only won one Super Bowl championship, even with him emerging into a far more supreme quarterback. The check was issued to Flacco, the unsung hero who is Baltimore’s most accomplished pro quarterback since Johnny Unitas. He is now, unlike Unitas in those days, worth millions.
For Flacco, he’s an endearing superstar, like Unitas, who was never to be matched, the one pro quarterback with a long future in Baltimore. The Ravens and Flacco agreed to a six-year, $120 million contract on Friday. And he became the richest NFL player, pocketing more than Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton and Eli Manning and Drew Brees.
But, in truth, he’s certainly not worth more than $120 million — rewarding a player who still is unproven in a sense, after throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions with his best postseason as a starting quarterback. Because he led the Ravens to the team’s second Super Bowl title in 12 years, and because he solidified his status with a remarkable playoff run, Flacco was treated like royalty.
Players are overpaid for underperforming and a lack of effort, but fans fill their wallets. Owners are getting richer and stubborn, but fans pay for tickets. I, for one, am tired of athletes who are unworthy and haven’t nearly accomplished much. In fairness, Brady and the Mannings are all more laudable than Flacco at the moment.
Not to take anything away from Flacco, but he’s only on the rise to becoming a franchise quarterback, and the Ravens moved too fast. Flacco, the fifth-year quarterback, had a breakthrough season but he’s not worth more than Brees, the NFL’s highest-paid player at $20 million a season. There is, of course, Eli Manning in New York. He’s won two Super Bowls, but he’s only earning $106.7 million over seven years. It’s almost unreal, to say the least, that Flacco is getting more than those crowning quarterbacks. He, among others, amazingly takes home all the green. He was rebuked by doubters, and not close to a big payday.
It needs to be said that his regular season statistics aren’t as advertised as Brady’s or Manning’s, but he’s won a Super Bowl ring, hoisted the trophy, then left for a trip to Disney World and then a flight to New York to visit David Letterman. It might not have only been Flacco demanding an outrageous contract from the Ravens, but the person representing him could have been talking the Ravens quarterback into seeking a huge deal. His agent, Joe Linta, has constantly been voicing that his client was a top quarterback and believed he merit an elephant-sized paycheck.
Here’s hoping the Ravens spent wisely and not foolishly on a player who still needs to develop, in the National Football League. We’ll soon find out, but until then we can only speculate as to whether signing him long term and to the richest deal is worthwhile or a bust. With all the pain and suffering in our world, it’s egregious that one person can earn this much money, when there are unprivileged families, starving children and unwed mothers raising kids while struggling financially.
Although he’s not someone you’d expect to see earn the amount he’s now making, Flacco believes he’s the NFL’s best quarterback, appearing on a radio show and boasting about his greatness months ago. If Flacco had lost in the playoffs or even in the Super Bowl, he likely would not have been handed a boatload of money. It would be, however, a disappointment to see him not live up to expectations and not make his reputation as one of football’s most exciting players, while erasing all the doubts.
Like most athletes, he’s getting paid after one of his most memorable wins, entering the prime of his career at age 28. Honestly, this wouldn’t even be a discussion as to whether he’s worthy or unworthy, but because he set the market, it’s an ongoing conversation nationally that has not waned. The deal is bigger than what it really is, although Flacco played a big role in the Super Bowl and played like a star quarterback on the national stage.
It was apparent in that moment that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome signed him to a new deal as his previous contract was about to expire. They took a risk with Flacco by restructuring his contract, as the first indication is that he’s truly that good. But, as telling as it is, Flacco is an example of rewards following one major win. All it takes nowadays is an impressive playoff run, and even greater, a championship win. What you fail to realize or acknowledge is that Flacco got hot at the right time.
The organization was manipulated and rushed by Flacco and his agent into signing a mega-sized deal. Flacco and his agent seemed to be the dictators, forcing and pressuring Bisciotti and Newsome to offer the biggest contract on the market. By leading the Ravens there he felt he was worth every dime. The good news for the Ravens is that he delivered a Super Bowl title, winning the MVP with an eye-catching performance. That, by the way, was the main priority for the Ravens, locking up Flacco for a very long time, suddenly convinced that he could bring the team multiple Super Bowl titles. The Ravens, no doubt, are still among the best in the league.
After all that happened on Feb. 3 in New Orleans, it was apparent that the Ravens felt he was instantly a star. But, as it turns out, he’s a superstar who barely was born, a superstar who has not dominated well in the regular season. It’s one thing to join 49ers legend Joe Montana by throwing 11 touchdowns without having a pass intercepted, and become the only quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of the five seasons to begin his career. It’s quite another to have to duplicate the same kind of performance next season.
Sure he has six postseason road victories as a quarterback. Sure he’s tied with Brady for nine playoff victories in his first five seasons, the most among NFL quarterbacks. The problem is that he’s absurdly overpaid and overly pampered, and his enormous deal puts pressure on him to succeed next season with a team that probably won’t be as good or as lucky. Everybody in Baltimore must not be too concern with the signing and recognizes that Flacco had 63 victories total in the last five seasons, the best during that span.
At some point, he can become a great stud, but at the moment, it’s hard to rank his place in history. It’s hard to base someone’s status, following one remarkable postseason in pro football. Sometime around next season, Ravens fans will know what Flacco is truly about. It’s hard to say he’s worthy of a richer contract. But before anything else, he must win more often and captivate fans during the regular season, as well, not only in the postseason.
This is the same Flacco who has never passed for 4,000 yards in a season or thrown for more than 25 touchdowns. In addition, he’s only completed 60.2 percent of his passes and thrown 102 touchdown passes with 56 interceptions. In this scenario he’s not worth $120 million and will have to make us believe he’s elite, as well as lead the Ravens in the future, without the 2012-13 team if necessary.
Of course, Flacco, who has accomplished much at the apex of his career, won’t turn down cash. And while he’s won unlike Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, he certainly can use improvement. And as he’s now the team leader, from carrying the team on his shoulders, he’s still not quite there and has a challenging task entering next season.
The offense had flaws, most notably at the quarterback position, especially under fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. It was obvious the Ravens needed a change, and sure enough, they flourished under new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell. Finally, there was a difference offensively. The most obvious turnaround was Flacco, who made smarter decisions with the ball and threw 15 touchdowns to finish the season, finding his go-to receiver Torrey Smith.
While he was out of sync to begin the season, he shouldered the blame for the Ravens’ struggles and then turned it around in the playoffs. When it mattered the most, even though he relied on the Ravens tenacious defense to bail him out at times, Flacco made plays, he executed his plays and connected with his wide receivers.
At the very least, doubters need to take into account that he is getting paid because he took a team to the Super Bowl and won the biggest game. Are the Ravens set for the foreseeable future or not? When the time comes, we’ll know whether or not Flacco is the centerpiece to Baltimore’s blueprint. It’s still uncertain when linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, cornerback Cary Williams and safety Ed Reed are free agents, and will likely test the market, as the Ravens have a little cap room.
Newsome had no choice but to restructure a deal, or else Flacco would have talked with teams. Newsome was hopeful, and eventually the two sides reached a deal.
But a typical 28-year-old, however, is not worth $120 million.
The money has finally come, unsurprisingly, in the aftermath of the Ravens’ victory of Super Bowl XVII, making Flacco the highest paid player in NFL history, a bloated and ridiculous deal for someone who has only won one Super Bowl championship, even with him emerging into a far more supreme quarterback. The check was issued to Flacco, the unsung hero who is Baltimore’s most accomplished pro quarterback since Johnny Unitas. He is now, unlike Unitas in those days, worth millions.
For Flacco, he’s an endearing superstar, like Unitas, who was never to be matched, the one pro quarterback with a long future in Baltimore. The Ravens and Flacco agreed to a six-year, $120 million contract on Friday. And he became the richest NFL player, pocketing more than Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton and Eli Manning and Drew Brees.
But, in truth, he’s certainly not worth more than $120 million — rewarding a player who still is unproven in a sense, after throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions with his best postseason as a starting quarterback. Because he led the Ravens to the team’s second Super Bowl title in 12 years, and because he solidified his status with a remarkable playoff run, Flacco was treated like royalty.
Players are overpaid for underperforming and a lack of effort, but fans fill their wallets. Owners are getting richer and stubborn, but fans pay for tickets. I, for one, am tired of athletes who are unworthy and haven’t nearly accomplished much. In fairness, Brady and the Mannings are all more laudable than Flacco at the moment.
Not to take anything away from Flacco, but he’s only on the rise to becoming a franchise quarterback, and the Ravens moved too fast. Flacco, the fifth-year quarterback, had a breakthrough season but he’s not worth more than Brees, the NFL’s highest-paid player at $20 million a season. There is, of course, Eli Manning in New York. He’s won two Super Bowls, but he’s only earning $106.7 million over seven years. It’s almost unreal, to say the least, that Flacco is getting more than those crowning quarterbacks. He, among others, amazingly takes home all the green. He was rebuked by doubters, and not close to a big payday.
It needs to be said that his regular season statistics aren’t as advertised as Brady’s or Manning’s, but he’s won a Super Bowl ring, hoisted the trophy, then left for a trip to Disney World and then a flight to New York to visit David Letterman. It might not have only been Flacco demanding an outrageous contract from the Ravens, but the person representing him could have been talking the Ravens quarterback into seeking a huge deal. His agent, Joe Linta, has constantly been voicing that his client was a top quarterback and believed he merit an elephant-sized paycheck.
Here’s hoping the Ravens spent wisely and not foolishly on a player who still needs to develop, in the National Football League. We’ll soon find out, but until then we can only speculate as to whether signing him long term and to the richest deal is worthwhile or a bust. With all the pain and suffering in our world, it’s egregious that one person can earn this much money, when there are unprivileged families, starving children and unwed mothers raising kids while struggling financially.
Although he’s not someone you’d expect to see earn the amount he’s now making, Flacco believes he’s the NFL’s best quarterback, appearing on a radio show and boasting about his greatness months ago. If Flacco had lost in the playoffs or even in the Super Bowl, he likely would not have been handed a boatload of money. It would be, however, a disappointment to see him not live up to expectations and not make his reputation as one of football’s most exciting players, while erasing all the doubts.
Like most athletes, he’s getting paid after one of his most memorable wins, entering the prime of his career at age 28. Honestly, this wouldn’t even be a discussion as to whether he’s worthy or unworthy, but because he set the market, it’s an ongoing conversation nationally that has not waned. The deal is bigger than what it really is, although Flacco played a big role in the Super Bowl and played like a star quarterback on the national stage.
It was apparent in that moment that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome signed him to a new deal as his previous contract was about to expire. They took a risk with Flacco by restructuring his contract, as the first indication is that he’s truly that good. But, as telling as it is, Flacco is an example of rewards following one major win. All it takes nowadays is an impressive playoff run, and even greater, a championship win. What you fail to realize or acknowledge is that Flacco got hot at the right time.
The organization was manipulated and rushed by Flacco and his agent into signing a mega-sized deal. Flacco and his agent seemed to be the dictators, forcing and pressuring Bisciotti and Newsome to offer the biggest contract on the market. By leading the Ravens there he felt he was worth every dime. The good news for the Ravens is that he delivered a Super Bowl title, winning the MVP with an eye-catching performance. That, by the way, was the main priority for the Ravens, locking up Flacco for a very long time, suddenly convinced that he could bring the team multiple Super Bowl titles. The Ravens, no doubt, are still among the best in the league.
After all that happened on Feb. 3 in New Orleans, it was apparent that the Ravens felt he was instantly a star. But, as it turns out, he’s a superstar who barely was born, a superstar who has not dominated well in the regular season. It’s one thing to join 49ers legend Joe Montana by throwing 11 touchdowns without having a pass intercepted, and become the only quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of the five seasons to begin his career. It’s quite another to have to duplicate the same kind of performance next season.
Sure he has six postseason road victories as a quarterback. Sure he’s tied with Brady for nine playoff victories in his first five seasons, the most among NFL quarterbacks. The problem is that he’s absurdly overpaid and overly pampered, and his enormous deal puts pressure on him to succeed next season with a team that probably won’t be as good or as lucky. Everybody in Baltimore must not be too concern with the signing and recognizes that Flacco had 63 victories total in the last five seasons, the best during that span.
At some point, he can become a great stud, but at the moment, it’s hard to rank his place in history. It’s hard to base someone’s status, following one remarkable postseason in pro football. Sometime around next season, Ravens fans will know what Flacco is truly about. It’s hard to say he’s worthy of a richer contract. But before anything else, he must win more often and captivate fans during the regular season, as well, not only in the postseason.
This is the same Flacco who has never passed for 4,000 yards in a season or thrown for more than 25 touchdowns. In addition, he’s only completed 60.2 percent of his passes and thrown 102 touchdown passes with 56 interceptions. In this scenario he’s not worth $120 million and will have to make us believe he’s elite, as well as lead the Ravens in the future, without the 2012-13 team if necessary.
Of course, Flacco, who has accomplished much at the apex of his career, won’t turn down cash. And while he’s won unlike Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, he certainly can use improvement. And as he’s now the team leader, from carrying the team on his shoulders, he’s still not quite there and has a challenging task entering next season.
The offense had flaws, most notably at the quarterback position, especially under fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. It was obvious the Ravens needed a change, and sure enough, they flourished under new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell. Finally, there was a difference offensively. The most obvious turnaround was Flacco, who made smarter decisions with the ball and threw 15 touchdowns to finish the season, finding his go-to receiver Torrey Smith.
While he was out of sync to begin the season, he shouldered the blame for the Ravens’ struggles and then turned it around in the playoffs. When it mattered the most, even though he relied on the Ravens tenacious defense to bail him out at times, Flacco made plays, he executed his plays and connected with his wide receivers.
At the very least, doubters need to take into account that he is getting paid because he took a team to the Super Bowl and won the biggest game. Are the Ravens set for the foreseeable future or not? When the time comes, we’ll know whether or not Flacco is the centerpiece to Baltimore’s blueprint. It’s still uncertain when linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, cornerback Cary Williams and safety Ed Reed are free agents, and will likely test the market, as the Ravens have a little cap room.
Newsome had no choice but to restructure a deal, or else Flacco would have talked with teams. Newsome was hopeful, and eventually the two sides reached a deal.
But a typical 28-year-old, however, is not worth $120 million.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Oscar Pistorius Murder Shows That Athletes Are Humans Just Like All Of Us
Dear Oscar Pistorius believers,
What I’m about to write is the truth about an inspirational Olympian who let us down. I was, like you, in tremendous shock when the news broke that Pistorius faced a murder charge in South Africa. I happened to believe in Pistorius, and was in defense of the “Blade Runner.”
Why are we taken by surprise? Why not realize that athletes are humans, like the rest of us all over the world? Pistorius, a double-amputee who inspired many by the masses, is shocking because of our perception that he’s a hero and a model of excellence to those with disabilities.
The last thing Pistorius wants, while he’s accused of premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is for some bitter people to be against him and grasp a sense that he’s a senseless murderer.
He’s used to criticism that he heard all last summer for running with able-bodies as the blades, theoretically, were convenient to try to discourage him from fulfilling a lifelong dream — although he probably doesn’t care what people think about him. But he should be fazed by the murder case that’s giving him a bad name, even if he was built up then suddenly knocked down by the same Olympian cult.
I am shocked by the allegations. I’m stunned by a man who folks all over the world believed in. But why should we be startled? If anything, we should expect a pro athlete to have trouble with the law. We shouldn’t drop our jaws when our beloved pro athletes are involved in a scandal.
He’s like all the rest, after all: an amateur athlete who thinks he’s above the law and failed to realize those before him who were involved in transgressions, as there is a long history of athletes who have disappointed and shocked fans with their poor judgments.
For example, the sex scandal involving Tiger Woods wouldn’t go away for a long time, which caught us by surprise when he was simply, by all accounts, the most manicured, spotless golfer. However, he couldn’t keep his pants zipped and acknowledged that he cheated with as many as 120 women.
Remember Michael Vick‘s dogfighting scandal? That was even more horrific than Woods’ sins, and amazingly enough, we’ve forgiven the quarterback but obviously have not forgotten about the horrific crime. Remember when a 19-year-old hotel employee accused NBA superstar Kobe Bryant of rape? Those charges against him were eventually dismissed.
Alex Rodriguez nationally admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs while he played for the Texas Rangers; Andre Agassi, one of the greatest tennis stars, confessed to using crystal methamphetamine and recently, Lance Armstrong admitted to Oprah Winfrey for cheating.
We act like athletes or celebrities can do nothing wrong while we, as fans and members of the media, express great joy for every amateur or pro athlete and then become blinded by the fact that they make mistakes. It’s OK to make mental mistakes, because in reality it happens and it is only common.
But in this case, I have the feeling, like many, that he killed her intentionally and with premeditation on Valentine’s Day. Then again, I could be wrong. I wasn’t there at the time he shot her, so I can only state carefully about the killing. Viewed just a summer ago as an inspiration, especially to those who are disabled bodies, he’s suddenly a killer in many eyes.
This shocking downfall is jarring — and strangely enough — is unreal, but in reality, he shot and killed his girlfriend, dropping his head in shame at court appearances while shedding tears in a despairing moment. He has always been a fast runner on those blades, a wild animal on the track, a firm believer, making it possible for those who are handicapped.
What we didn’t know, at least when it comes to this devastating news, is that he had personal issues and lived a double-life. But he said he thought an intruder was in the house and that he killed his girlfriend by mistake. That could just be, for all we know, convenient to Pistorius, a way he can try to get away with the slaying of another human.
Turns out Pistorius is in ruins, though. He will be going to prison, unlike most athletes here in the states. He won’t certainly be running in 2016 at the summer games in Brazil. The thing is, no one ever imagined that Pistorius would ever be charged with murdering someone, but surprisingly as we shouldn’t be nonplussed by the recent incident, I was. Now I’m not.
Before this murder case, he was popular and appreciated from his inspirational image, but now he’s not even recognized by those who once showed support for him, including the people of Nike and Oakley. With those two endorsement deals, he was set to earn $2 million this year.
With this happening, we know Pistorius is obsessed with guns and had been involved in previous domestic incidents, according to South African police. It just goes to show that he’s not perfect. He’s certainly a great athlete, but what an Olympian does on the stage doesn’t define their character.
There is, as I write this, a scandal in the making right now. Some athlete is out there using banned substances. Some athlete is out there having an extramarital affair. Some athlete is out there running a scam. Some athlete is out there breaking the rules, or seconds away from a crime.
So this is not the first time an athlete has let us down. Get used to it. Humans are humans.
What I’m about to write is the truth about an inspirational Olympian who let us down. I was, like you, in tremendous shock when the news broke that Pistorius faced a murder charge in South Africa. I happened to believe in Pistorius, and was in defense of the “Blade Runner.”
Why are we taken by surprise? Why not realize that athletes are humans, like the rest of us all over the world? Pistorius, a double-amputee who inspired many by the masses, is shocking because of our perception that he’s a hero and a model of excellence to those with disabilities.
The last thing Pistorius wants, while he’s accused of premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is for some bitter people to be against him and grasp a sense that he’s a senseless murderer.
He’s used to criticism that he heard all last summer for running with able-bodies as the blades, theoretically, were convenient to try to discourage him from fulfilling a lifelong dream — although he probably doesn’t care what people think about him. But he should be fazed by the murder case that’s giving him a bad name, even if he was built up then suddenly knocked down by the same Olympian cult.
I am shocked by the allegations. I’m stunned by a man who folks all over the world believed in. But why should we be startled? If anything, we should expect a pro athlete to have trouble with the law. We shouldn’t drop our jaws when our beloved pro athletes are involved in a scandal.
He’s like all the rest, after all: an amateur athlete who thinks he’s above the law and failed to realize those before him who were involved in transgressions, as there is a long history of athletes who have disappointed and shocked fans with their poor judgments.
For example, the sex scandal involving Tiger Woods wouldn’t go away for a long time, which caught us by surprise when he was simply, by all accounts, the most manicured, spotless golfer. However, he couldn’t keep his pants zipped and acknowledged that he cheated with as many as 120 women.
Remember Michael Vick‘s dogfighting scandal? That was even more horrific than Woods’ sins, and amazingly enough, we’ve forgiven the quarterback but obviously have not forgotten about the horrific crime. Remember when a 19-year-old hotel employee accused NBA superstar Kobe Bryant of rape? Those charges against him were eventually dismissed.
Alex Rodriguez nationally admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs while he played for the Texas Rangers; Andre Agassi, one of the greatest tennis stars, confessed to using crystal methamphetamine and recently, Lance Armstrong admitted to Oprah Winfrey for cheating.
We act like athletes or celebrities can do nothing wrong while we, as fans and members of the media, express great joy for every amateur or pro athlete and then become blinded by the fact that they make mistakes. It’s OK to make mental mistakes, because in reality it happens and it is only common.
But in this case, I have the feeling, like many, that he killed her intentionally and with premeditation on Valentine’s Day. Then again, I could be wrong. I wasn’t there at the time he shot her, so I can only state carefully about the killing. Viewed just a summer ago as an inspiration, especially to those who are disabled bodies, he’s suddenly a killer in many eyes.
This shocking downfall is jarring — and strangely enough — is unreal, but in reality, he shot and killed his girlfriend, dropping his head in shame at court appearances while shedding tears in a despairing moment. He has always been a fast runner on those blades, a wild animal on the track, a firm believer, making it possible for those who are handicapped.
What we didn’t know, at least when it comes to this devastating news, is that he had personal issues and lived a double-life. But he said he thought an intruder was in the house and that he killed his girlfriend by mistake. That could just be, for all we know, convenient to Pistorius, a way he can try to get away with the slaying of another human.
Turns out Pistorius is in ruins, though. He will be going to prison, unlike most athletes here in the states. He won’t certainly be running in 2016 at the summer games in Brazil. The thing is, no one ever imagined that Pistorius would ever be charged with murdering someone, but surprisingly as we shouldn’t be nonplussed by the recent incident, I was. Now I’m not.
Before this murder case, he was popular and appreciated from his inspirational image, but now he’s not even recognized by those who once showed support for him, including the people of Nike and Oakley. With those two endorsement deals, he was set to earn $2 million this year.
With this happening, we know Pistorius is obsessed with guns and had been involved in previous domestic incidents, according to South African police. It just goes to show that he’s not perfect. He’s certainly a great athlete, but what an Olympian does on the stage doesn’t define their character.
There is, as I write this, a scandal in the making right now. Some athlete is out there using banned substances. Some athlete is out there having an extramarital affair. Some athlete is out there running a scam. Some athlete is out there breaking the rules, or seconds away from a crime.
So this is not the first time an athlete has let us down. Get used to it. Humans are humans.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Reid Gives Alex Smith An Opportunity
If Alex Smith waited to see where his next destination would be for a starting QB job, he won’t have to wait much longer and was finally given a chance. After waiting patiently, he finally checked out of San Francisco, boarded a flight and landed in Kansas City. The pressure is right on Smith after the San Francisco 49ers agreed to send the quarterback to the Kansas City Chiefs, with newly hired coach Andy Reid surrounding himself with someone who has mobility and intelligence.
He did the right thing for the Chiefs by grabbing an unwanted quarterback from another franchise, realizing Smith has the intangibles and potential to turn around a dismal 2-14 season in a weak AFC West, as the Denver Broncos are legitimately the real test.
And as results of the trade, Kansas City traded its second-round pick in the 2013 draft and a conditional mid-round pick in 2014 to acquire Smith. The best option available for the Chiefs to rebuild, obviously, was Smith who had been an attractive name for hordes of teams to add, and sure enough, Reid took a risk he felt was worth taking. It’s fairly obvious, considering the fact that it’s a fragile free-agent market — for veterans especially — as to why Reid made the trade and finalized the deal fast. Not that he was desperate to get someone. The perception of this deal is that Reid believes in Smith enough to make him the Chiefs franchise quarterback.
What is Smith good for? Absolutely something — considering the way he played last season until suffering the concussion. Reid, who had success with Donovan McNabb in his long tenure in Philadelphia, was determined to mend, first and foremost, the QB woes and end controversy between Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn.
There has, quite honestly, never been a quarterback unappreciated as much as Cassel in Kansas City. Four years ago when the team turned to Scott Pioli to refurbish things, the Chiefs acquired Cassel for the 34th draft pick. Before he was traded to Kansas City, Cassel had played one season for the New England Patriots, replacing an injured Tom Brady. By the end of that season, he had a 63.4 completion percentage, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 7.16 yards per attempt.
He and the Patriots fell short, missing the playoffs that year. But with Smith, the idea is to build something that lasts. If he’s lucky, Cassel will wind up as a backup elsewhere, but considering that the Chiefs have Quinn, he won’t be back in KC and will be a free agent. At the beginning, Cassel finished 9-7 with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his second year as starter.
Most of the population, it seems, wants Cassel out, who is unproven — the Chiefs are expected to release him soon. Suffice it to say, thousands of Chiefs fans cheered loudly when Cassel was drilled and left a 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion. For purely insensitive reasons, some celebrated Cassel’s injury after the quarterback committed three turnovers against the Ravens. Before he rose to his feet, before he walked off the field under his own power, heartless fans roared with glee.
The stupidity reached a boiling point when Chiefs tackle Eric Winston, who was angry and disgusted with the hometown crowd for such ruthless, childish behavior, scolded and ripped fans by publicly sending a message through the media when a reporter interviewed him afterwards in the locker room.
“It’s 100 percent sickening,” Chiefs Winston said. “I’ve never, ever — and I’ve been in some rough times on some rough teams — I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life to play football than at that moment right there. I get emotional about it because these guys, they work their butts off. Matt Cassel hasn’t done anything to you people.
“Hey, if he’s not the best quarterback, he’s not the best quarterback, and that’s OK, but he’s a person,” Winston continued, the big offensive lineman’s voice slowly rising. “And he got knocked out in a game and we’ve got 70,000 people cheering that he got knocked out.”
There have been a lot of unhappy fans in Kansas City with a long history of failures in recent memory. But maybe Smith, who, and it should be stated, led the NFL in completion percentage (70.0) and ranked fifth in passer rating (104.1), can change that. It would be the moment of a lifetime, a moment of gaiety if he can reproduce something identical to his 20-5-1 record as a starter, including the playoffs over the past two seasons in San Francisco.
He’s a good but not great quarterback who goes into another environment, giving the Chiefs a chance and could be the cure to a hapless football franchise. He’s a suave quarterback who is walking into unfamiliar territory, absolutely offering the Chiefs hopefulness, even though he’s good or bad, consistent or inconsistent.
The likelihood of having a good quarterback is not necessary, and from what was discovered in San Francisco, he completed just enough passes and managed to lead the 49ers to the NFC championship game two years ago, but lost to the New York Giants. He surely had no intentions of being the backup in San Francisco and finally has a chance to start elsewhere.
But, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick handed the keys to the driver’s seat, a concussed Smith was benched for the rest of the season, even when he was cleared to return to the game and, in essence, it was time for Smith and coach Jim Harbaugh to part ways. And someday, the Chiefs may just become good, under the presence of Smith and Reid. Having self-control, staying calm and sane, Smith stared from the sideline disappointed, but as mature as he is — mind you — he never complained or confronted Harbaugh when he was benched.
It is the oldest cliché in the sport, older than the Golden Gate Bridge or the Liberty Memorial. The NFL, like the rest, is a business, and a cruel one — to be exact. Nothing is guaranteed, except Bill Belichick’s coaching gig in New England and the cut-off hoodie he sports. But now, Smith got his starting job back, and he loves Reid by now. With a tinge of success, Reid knows what he has in Smith, who is a reliable quarterback, even on his worst days.
The 49ers, for the most part, also moved him clearing $8.5 million in salary, and Harbaugh and the team knew he wasn’t going to stay and remain No. 2 behind Kaepernick, who locked up the starting spot and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl. He was trade bait, and Reid went fishing for him. It will take a while for the Chiefs, who had the worst offense in the NFL, to rise to the top — but with Smith coming to town — it’s a start.
He was, in his own eyes, useless and unwanted, left on the sideline as another quarterback who was his backup earned the nod. And simply, whether it was the right choice or not, he won’t hold a clipboard and watch Kaepernick run for 40 yards. Nothing personal to Harbaugh and the Niners organization, but Smith couldn’t stay much longer. There’s no doubt that he’s a winner, maybe not a superhero, but he’s not a loser either.
The 29-year-old leader at one time just wasn’t good enough to convince Harbaugh that he was certainly a starter. The team that takes the field in September after upgrading and finding a quarterback to fill in the holes will be a different team, much different. For years, Reid has worked with an average quarterback and turned him into a top-tier passer, such as McNabb.
And most of all, he knew McNabb better than anyone else. Reid, who replaces coach Romeo Crennel, drafted McNabb in the first round in 1999, selected quarterback Kevin Kolb second in 2007, took a risk signing Vick when he was released from prison and developed sixth-round pick Matt Hasselbeck while an assistant in Green Bay.
When it comes to quarterbacks, Reid is a genius and teacher, which means Smith will be a student. And his philosophy could work.
The trade, which won’t become official to early March, has given Smith an opportunity and a shot at leading a team to a significant amount of wins. So he will be playing for a coach who can strengthen his quarterbacks’ capacity and reduce their weaknesses.
He did the right thing for the Chiefs by grabbing an unwanted quarterback from another franchise, realizing Smith has the intangibles and potential to turn around a dismal 2-14 season in a weak AFC West, as the Denver Broncos are legitimately the real test.
And as results of the trade, Kansas City traded its second-round pick in the 2013 draft and a conditional mid-round pick in 2014 to acquire Smith. The best option available for the Chiefs to rebuild, obviously, was Smith who had been an attractive name for hordes of teams to add, and sure enough, Reid took a risk he felt was worth taking. It’s fairly obvious, considering the fact that it’s a fragile free-agent market — for veterans especially — as to why Reid made the trade and finalized the deal fast. Not that he was desperate to get someone. The perception of this deal is that Reid believes in Smith enough to make him the Chiefs franchise quarterback.
What is Smith good for? Absolutely something — considering the way he played last season until suffering the concussion. Reid, who had success with Donovan McNabb in his long tenure in Philadelphia, was determined to mend, first and foremost, the QB woes and end controversy between Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn.
There has, quite honestly, never been a quarterback unappreciated as much as Cassel in Kansas City. Four years ago when the team turned to Scott Pioli to refurbish things, the Chiefs acquired Cassel for the 34th draft pick. Before he was traded to Kansas City, Cassel had played one season for the New England Patriots, replacing an injured Tom Brady. By the end of that season, he had a 63.4 completion percentage, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 7.16 yards per attempt.
He and the Patriots fell short, missing the playoffs that year. But with Smith, the idea is to build something that lasts. If he’s lucky, Cassel will wind up as a backup elsewhere, but considering that the Chiefs have Quinn, he won’t be back in KC and will be a free agent. At the beginning, Cassel finished 9-7 with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his second year as starter.
Most of the population, it seems, wants Cassel out, who is unproven — the Chiefs are expected to release him soon. Suffice it to say, thousands of Chiefs fans cheered loudly when Cassel was drilled and left a 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion. For purely insensitive reasons, some celebrated Cassel’s injury after the quarterback committed three turnovers against the Ravens. Before he rose to his feet, before he walked off the field under his own power, heartless fans roared with glee.
The stupidity reached a boiling point when Chiefs tackle Eric Winston, who was angry and disgusted with the hometown crowd for such ruthless, childish behavior, scolded and ripped fans by publicly sending a message through the media when a reporter interviewed him afterwards in the locker room.
“It’s 100 percent sickening,” Chiefs Winston said. “I’ve never, ever — and I’ve been in some rough times on some rough teams — I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life to play football than at that moment right there. I get emotional about it because these guys, they work their butts off. Matt Cassel hasn’t done anything to you people.
“Hey, if he’s not the best quarterback, he’s not the best quarterback, and that’s OK, but he’s a person,” Winston continued, the big offensive lineman’s voice slowly rising. “And he got knocked out in a game and we’ve got 70,000 people cheering that he got knocked out.”
There have been a lot of unhappy fans in Kansas City with a long history of failures in recent memory. But maybe Smith, who, and it should be stated, led the NFL in completion percentage (70.0) and ranked fifth in passer rating (104.1), can change that. It would be the moment of a lifetime, a moment of gaiety if he can reproduce something identical to his 20-5-1 record as a starter, including the playoffs over the past two seasons in San Francisco.
He’s a good but not great quarterback who goes into another environment, giving the Chiefs a chance and could be the cure to a hapless football franchise. He’s a suave quarterback who is walking into unfamiliar territory, absolutely offering the Chiefs hopefulness, even though he’s good or bad, consistent or inconsistent.
The likelihood of having a good quarterback is not necessary, and from what was discovered in San Francisco, he completed just enough passes and managed to lead the 49ers to the NFC championship game two years ago, but lost to the New York Giants. He surely had no intentions of being the backup in San Francisco and finally has a chance to start elsewhere.
But, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick handed the keys to the driver’s seat, a concussed Smith was benched for the rest of the season, even when he was cleared to return to the game and, in essence, it was time for Smith and coach Jim Harbaugh to part ways. And someday, the Chiefs may just become good, under the presence of Smith and Reid. Having self-control, staying calm and sane, Smith stared from the sideline disappointed, but as mature as he is — mind you — he never complained or confronted Harbaugh when he was benched.
It is the oldest cliché in the sport, older than the Golden Gate Bridge or the Liberty Memorial. The NFL, like the rest, is a business, and a cruel one — to be exact. Nothing is guaranteed, except Bill Belichick’s coaching gig in New England and the cut-off hoodie he sports. But now, Smith got his starting job back, and he loves Reid by now. With a tinge of success, Reid knows what he has in Smith, who is a reliable quarterback, even on his worst days.
The 49ers, for the most part, also moved him clearing $8.5 million in salary, and Harbaugh and the team knew he wasn’t going to stay and remain No. 2 behind Kaepernick, who locked up the starting spot and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl. He was trade bait, and Reid went fishing for him. It will take a while for the Chiefs, who had the worst offense in the NFL, to rise to the top — but with Smith coming to town — it’s a start.
He was, in his own eyes, useless and unwanted, left on the sideline as another quarterback who was his backup earned the nod. And simply, whether it was the right choice or not, he won’t hold a clipboard and watch Kaepernick run for 40 yards. Nothing personal to Harbaugh and the Niners organization, but Smith couldn’t stay much longer. There’s no doubt that he’s a winner, maybe not a superhero, but he’s not a loser either.
The 29-year-old leader at one time just wasn’t good enough to convince Harbaugh that he was certainly a starter. The team that takes the field in September after upgrading and finding a quarterback to fill in the holes will be a different team, much different. For years, Reid has worked with an average quarterback and turned him into a top-tier passer, such as McNabb.
And most of all, he knew McNabb better than anyone else. Reid, who replaces coach Romeo Crennel, drafted McNabb in the first round in 1999, selected quarterback Kevin Kolb second in 2007, took a risk signing Vick when he was released from prison and developed sixth-round pick Matt Hasselbeck while an assistant in Green Bay.
When it comes to quarterbacks, Reid is a genius and teacher, which means Smith will be a student. And his philosophy could work.
The trade, which won’t become official to early March, has given Smith an opportunity and a shot at leading a team to a significant amount of wins. So he will be playing for a coach who can strengthen his quarterbacks’ capacity and reduce their weaknesses.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Miami vs. NCAA Fight Will Get Ugly
Even by Miami’s high-minded standards, amid a moment of tumult and hell from a war with the NCAA, it’s been quite a fight. If she could, Donna Shalala would declare combat on the battlefield, a woman who is anxious to finish what a corrupted organization started. Might I suggest, perhaps as the everlasting event mounts, that the tension between the University of Miami and the NCAA will only get ugly?
Because, in truth, the news that centers the Miami athletic department for its dealings with booster Nevin Shapiro, a convicted Ponzi crook, is not shrinking and won’t disappear for a long time. This is not, as we all know, the first time the school has been in the middle of a scandal ever so horrifying and shameful. Except this time, it happens to be traded punches, not to mention swinging, jabbing and counterpunching, a nasty brawl between a university and the NCAA.
Earlier in the week, Mark Emmert, as the NCAA president should to salvage his damaged credibility, admitted that his organization bungled in its investigation of Miami athletic program. And, yes, I think we all can agree that Emmert is an idiot, a steward who has taken a prestigious job to his head, fast to punish a university and evidently is more about protecting his name from shame.
It would be appropriate to place all the blame on a vaunted program if there weren’t two sides to a story. But since there is, Emmert, no matter if he apologizes and tries to protect his name and the NCAA brand, should be just as culpable for his mistakes. When you look at it, from a certain standpoint, no second thoughts whatsoever, Emmert’s believability suffers among all people.
The more we talk about him, the more we are talking bad about him, not having anything nice to say about the guy simply when he is seeking power, and isn’t bothered by the fact that the NCAA needs to be reformed. The great American folks want him out.
It seems he’s the enemy in Miami, unable to crack down on slimy agents and athletes who would receive improper benefits to violate NCAA rules. It is dumb, at best, and credulous to believe that the NCAA will find the resources to catch athletes and coaches breaking rules, especially when a number of these coaches and athletes have not been caught for infractions.
Just when the news was beginning to die down, especially with all the noise regarding the messy Penn State sex scandal, it’s become awful again, in an instant. Still, before it reaches that point, Shalala is not afraid to challenge the NCAA to a fight. It takes a powerful woman, like Shalala, to stand up to a stained organization, but she is probably more powerful than Emmert and can even qualify for his position.
So Emmert is in for a rude awakening and cannot drop the hammer on Miami. And how proper for it to be the Hurricanes, so long in the aftermath of prior scandals and misdeeds, now the victims of the NCAA. It really takes heart and guts for Shalala, who is the Miami president and the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton, to flex her political power and argue that you cannot believe what Shapiro tells the NCAA, even though he came clean.
Looking at it from this view, Emmert is weaker while Shalala is stronger, bringing out the NCAA unethical conduct. It turns out the NCAA is just as bad as the schools it has punished, if not worse. And Shalala knows it. Just like Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, who is suing the NCAA because of its handling of the Jerry Sandusky case at Penn State, is fighting back for the sake of her university and its athletic program.
Shapiro is not credible to most. He’s certainly not credible to Shalala, but she also knows Miami had a relationship with the sleazeball. It’s unfortunate that Miami penalized itself, and banned itself from bowl games for the last couple of years, a harsh penalty for a school when the allegations were uncertain and vague.
It won’t be long until Emmert will be done as NCAA president, quickly tearing down the organization’s brand, even after admitting to his blunders. It could happen soon, if he doesn’t stop botching investigations and doesn’t get things under control. He could provide a difference and reform an unbalanced system but Emmert is desperate, unskilled and unqualified, running a shaky organization that has picked its battles with a few prominent schools without accountability for its own actions, which seems far worse than the universities it has punished.
As bad as it seems that the program’s name keeps surfacing with the same old mess — Miami is guilty as charged for its outrageous involvement with Shapiro — it shed light on a grievous issue that has not been figured out. Shapiro, who is serving 20 years in prison for managing a $930 million Ponzi fraud scheme as a sleazy booster of the University of Miami’s athletics program, provided thousands of dollars in cash and illegal benefits to football players and the men’s basketball team.
Will Shalala win the battle peacefully?
This can’t be happening. Of course it can. This may yet be remembered as the craziest showdown in sports, crazier than the scandals in the past, more interesting than a game itself once Shalala is through with the NCAA. Standing up for her university, Shalala has swagger in a clash with the NCAA.
Months since the astonishing news where the NCAA bullied and shoved Miami around, Emmert and the people under him have not recognized that the Hurricanes can be a threat and a fatal storm to the organization. The NCAA, breaking its own rules, is no match for Shalala in the boxing ring or the Octagon. It looks as if we’re in for an endless struggle before these two parties reach an understanding.
But, in the meantime, Miami’s accuser is just as dirty as the NCAA, which is all the more reason Emmert and the organization sided with Shapiro, without knowing the actual facts. It won’t be surprising to see him dismissed for hypocrisy and the lack of institutional control.
So it should come as no surprise that he will be gone soon, considering that he cannot administer a system or enforce the rules. No one can trust Emmert when he admitted that his investigators, yes those working under him in the Miami case, gathered information erroneously to give its brand a bad name as critics are all over Emmert, calling for his job.
It’s bad anytime an organization has to pay almost $20,000 to Shapiro’s attorney to use her ability and power in Shapiro’s bankruptcy case. After those working under Emmert were breaking the rules, he was not holding himself accountable.
If it was up to me, I would fire him, but the NCAA executive committee has no intentions of dismissing Emmert.
The NCAA won’t ever go away, not until Emmert does.
Because, in truth, the news that centers the Miami athletic department for its dealings with booster Nevin Shapiro, a convicted Ponzi crook, is not shrinking and won’t disappear for a long time. This is not, as we all know, the first time the school has been in the middle of a scandal ever so horrifying and shameful. Except this time, it happens to be traded punches, not to mention swinging, jabbing and counterpunching, a nasty brawl between a university and the NCAA.
Earlier in the week, Mark Emmert, as the NCAA president should to salvage his damaged credibility, admitted that his organization bungled in its investigation of Miami athletic program. And, yes, I think we all can agree that Emmert is an idiot, a steward who has taken a prestigious job to his head, fast to punish a university and evidently is more about protecting his name from shame.
It would be appropriate to place all the blame on a vaunted program if there weren’t two sides to a story. But since there is, Emmert, no matter if he apologizes and tries to protect his name and the NCAA brand, should be just as culpable for his mistakes. When you look at it, from a certain standpoint, no second thoughts whatsoever, Emmert’s believability suffers among all people.
The more we talk about him, the more we are talking bad about him, not having anything nice to say about the guy simply when he is seeking power, and isn’t bothered by the fact that the NCAA needs to be reformed. The great American folks want him out.
It seems he’s the enemy in Miami, unable to crack down on slimy agents and athletes who would receive improper benefits to violate NCAA rules. It is dumb, at best, and credulous to believe that the NCAA will find the resources to catch athletes and coaches breaking rules, especially when a number of these coaches and athletes have not been caught for infractions.
Just when the news was beginning to die down, especially with all the noise regarding the messy Penn State sex scandal, it’s become awful again, in an instant. Still, before it reaches that point, Shalala is not afraid to challenge the NCAA to a fight. It takes a powerful woman, like Shalala, to stand up to a stained organization, but she is probably more powerful than Emmert and can even qualify for his position.
So Emmert is in for a rude awakening and cannot drop the hammer on Miami. And how proper for it to be the Hurricanes, so long in the aftermath of prior scandals and misdeeds, now the victims of the NCAA. It really takes heart and guts for Shalala, who is the Miami president and the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton, to flex her political power and argue that you cannot believe what Shapiro tells the NCAA, even though he came clean.
Looking at it from this view, Emmert is weaker while Shalala is stronger, bringing out the NCAA unethical conduct. It turns out the NCAA is just as bad as the schools it has punished, if not worse. And Shalala knows it. Just like Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, who is suing the NCAA because of its handling of the Jerry Sandusky case at Penn State, is fighting back for the sake of her university and its athletic program.
Shapiro is not credible to most. He’s certainly not credible to Shalala, but she also knows Miami had a relationship with the sleazeball. It’s unfortunate that Miami penalized itself, and banned itself from bowl games for the last couple of years, a harsh penalty for a school when the allegations were uncertain and vague.
It won’t be long until Emmert will be done as NCAA president, quickly tearing down the organization’s brand, even after admitting to his blunders. It could happen soon, if he doesn’t stop botching investigations and doesn’t get things under control. He could provide a difference and reform an unbalanced system but Emmert is desperate, unskilled and unqualified, running a shaky organization that has picked its battles with a few prominent schools without accountability for its own actions, which seems far worse than the universities it has punished.
As bad as it seems that the program’s name keeps surfacing with the same old mess — Miami is guilty as charged for its outrageous involvement with Shapiro — it shed light on a grievous issue that has not been figured out. Shapiro, who is serving 20 years in prison for managing a $930 million Ponzi fraud scheme as a sleazy booster of the University of Miami’s athletics program, provided thousands of dollars in cash and illegal benefits to football players and the men’s basketball team.
Will Shalala win the battle peacefully?
This can’t be happening. Of course it can. This may yet be remembered as the craziest showdown in sports, crazier than the scandals in the past, more interesting than a game itself once Shalala is through with the NCAA. Standing up for her university, Shalala has swagger in a clash with the NCAA.
Months since the astonishing news where the NCAA bullied and shoved Miami around, Emmert and the people under him have not recognized that the Hurricanes can be a threat and a fatal storm to the organization. The NCAA, breaking its own rules, is no match for Shalala in the boxing ring or the Octagon. It looks as if we’re in for an endless struggle before these two parties reach an understanding.
But, in the meantime, Miami’s accuser is just as dirty as the NCAA, which is all the more reason Emmert and the organization sided with Shapiro, without knowing the actual facts. It won’t be surprising to see him dismissed for hypocrisy and the lack of institutional control.
So it should come as no surprise that he will be gone soon, considering that he cannot administer a system or enforce the rules. No one can trust Emmert when he admitted that his investigators, yes those working under him in the Miami case, gathered information erroneously to give its brand a bad name as critics are all over Emmert, calling for his job.
It’s bad anytime an organization has to pay almost $20,000 to Shapiro’s attorney to use her ability and power in Shapiro’s bankruptcy case. After those working under Emmert were breaking the rules, he was not holding himself accountable.
If it was up to me, I would fire him, but the NCAA executive committee has no intentions of dismissing Emmert.
The NCAA won’t ever go away, not until Emmert does.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Lakers Win Big For Jerry Buss
What happened Wednesday night, two days removed from the death of the greatest owner in the history of professional sports, left me touched and in tears. What we saw from folks at a venue in Los Angeles, to pay their profound respects to the most successful and influential owner, was an emotional scene so affecting that fans were fighting back tears.
A short video clip was shown on the Staples Center big screen, and then Kobe Bryant sauntered slowly onto the court. He took the microphone, with his face erupting into sadness at the time, as he addressed the crowd followed by a moment of silence for Dr. Jerry Buss, who died on Monday after his long battle with cancer.
As tearful as it was, Bryant shared his thoughts on Buss from half -court and wiped away tears during his emotional speech. As a way to honor the late owner, during a somber moment when the team celebrated Buss’ life and legacy, Bryant pointed toward the spot in which he sat and enjoyed his Lakers win titles.
What can you say about this moment, other than that the Lakers left an empty chair in his suite, a singular, enduring pregame ceremony dedicated to Dr. Buss?
“We are honoring the greatest owner in sports,” Bryant said. “He was a brilliant and incredible owner. He was an even better person with a great heart. We are all, all spoiled by his vision and drive to win year after year after year.”
The lights dimmed, for which a spotlight shone on a double suite, a family suite inside the arena where he watched the games with gorgeous women and his entourage. His words from a tape-recording blared out of the speakers through Staples Center to refresh everyone with memories as to what were his plans when he purchased the team back in the late-70s.
The crowd stood and chanted to express its deepest gratitude, for a man who made it all possible for one of the most celebrated and emotional moments in Staples Center. Even sweeter than anything else, the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 113-99, doing it for JB, who was always raring to beat Boston on the road or at home.
It didn’t matter as long as the Lakers overwhelmed their foes, in what is one of the NBA’s biggest rivalries ever, dating back to the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era or back to the Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell era.
The night was a tribute for a man who created the most entertaining team, an undaunted mastermind who was behind Showtime and made splashes by signing some of the most flashy and marquee players, bringing the franchise to life and spoiling a fan base that hates failure.
It is a legacy, of course, that will forever live on and own a special place in the hearts of Jeanie and Jim Buss, who have both been molded by their father to run a basketball business.
There will be folks talking and reminiscing about the good times with Buss for years to come, from the time he bought the Lakers in 1979 to the time he passed away, leaving behind the biggest show in sports history, one that will hopefully remain the property of the Buss family.
The man smiling down and winking his eye from the heavens, the man with a smooth toupee and a perfectly trimmed mustache that was his trademark will fully be appreciated for the memories he forged, for renewing the Lakers’ mystique year after year and producing an aura of greatness in the entertainment capital of the world.
Jeanie shared sentiment with actress Dyan Cannon before tip-off, a few rows behind the court, smiling and holding back tears as she mourned.
The night was about saying farewell to the inventor of Showtime, an owner who built an empire in Los Angeles and presided over 10 Lakers championships as a shrewd businessman because of his business acumen and basketball genius that defined a true winner.
Flags were flown at half-mast at the LA Live plaza across from Staples Center, and a wall was erected as fans adorn it by leaving thoughts and memories. The team also wore a JB patch, bearing Buss’ initials in every game.
It was fitting that the Lakers hosted the Celtics, a meeting Buss often looked forward to taking joy in and witnessing, especially when the Lakers beat their archrivals.
It was more than just a game but a moment to remember a dedicated and fervid showman, the pioneer of one of the most decorated NBA franchises ever, spending millions to form a team full of talented studs and bond with the smartest minds in the game that turned the Lakers into a million-dollar business brand.
It was perfect to listen to Bryant’s eloquent words when Buss met with the Black Mamba, divulged to him that he wanted to give the keys to him and traded Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center in the game’s history.
What a man he has become, stepping into his role as not only a clutch performer, but a team leader, as he was able to earn Buss’ trust and be named team captain after helping the Lakers win five NBA championships in 17 years.
This was a rare moment for sure, a time in Bryant’s life when he delivered his thoughts about a man who handed him the reins, and to this day, he credits his longtime friend for talking him into staying with the Lakers. Bryant, who had 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, was honored to speak on Dr. Buss, but was emotionally shaken while breaking into a smile slightly by the time it was all over.
If my assertion is true, which I hope, the Lakers can ride a winning-streak in the upcoming weeks, following LA’s most dominant effort this season: an incredibly remarkable, statement-made, limited-turnover performance. Playing with heavy hearts, the Lakers, for the first time all season, were strong-willed and aggressive, jumping out to a fast start that propelled to a heartwarming victory.
For all the uncertainty and trade rumors that surrounded Dwight Howard, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds to earn back his self-proclaimed “Superman” nickname, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that he will not trade the center before Thursday’s trade deadline, and they stuck to that word.
This commitment to Howard might not be such a bad suggestion, after all, not when he finally played like the most dominant center, after failures for much of the season raised doubts.
He’s making a stride toward silencing the critics and naysayers throughout Los Angeles and has suddenly come alive to give the Lakers what they’ve expected from the beginning of the season.
It was likely to see this performance coming from a team playing with heavy hearts and motivated by Buss’ loss, but it was also payback for the 116-95 blowout to the Celtics two weeks ago in Boston, realizing the magnitude of winning these games down the stretch, as Los Angeles is only 3½ games behind Houston for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
He was very impressive, but he needs to give his best effort every night, in the aftermath of his best game as a Laker. The best part about Howard, as he brought his game, was that he set screens for Lakers point guard Steve Nash.
That allowed Nash to make six-of-seven shots and score 14 points, while he also had seven assists to surpass Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,144).
Win or lose, Buss was close to his players and pampered them as if they were his own children. But he wasn’t too fond of losing, which is all the more reason he spent the money and brought in the necessities to win championships and form a dynasty that was unmatched to most NBA franchises.
Bryant and Pau Gasol had a bond that was just as special as Johnson’s with his friend and owner, a man who was a visionary and mentor.
Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers head coach, wasn’t around long enough to build a strong relationship with Buss, and when the Showtime Lakers were the dominant ones in the 80s, he was playing in Italy. But when no one else gave D’Antoni an opportunity, the Buss family was willing to welcome him to LA with open arms, after parting ways with a disappointing Mike Brown.
And mostly, winning was imperative to Buss. He didn’t care how it worked, as long as it did.
The Lakers won it for Jerry Buss.
A short video clip was shown on the Staples Center big screen, and then Kobe Bryant sauntered slowly onto the court. He took the microphone, with his face erupting into sadness at the time, as he addressed the crowd followed by a moment of silence for Dr. Jerry Buss, who died on Monday after his long battle with cancer.
As tearful as it was, Bryant shared his thoughts on Buss from half -court and wiped away tears during his emotional speech. As a way to honor the late owner, during a somber moment when the team celebrated Buss’ life and legacy, Bryant pointed toward the spot in which he sat and enjoyed his Lakers win titles.
What can you say about this moment, other than that the Lakers left an empty chair in his suite, a singular, enduring pregame ceremony dedicated to Dr. Buss?
“We are honoring the greatest owner in sports,” Bryant said. “He was a brilliant and incredible owner. He was an even better person with a great heart. We are all, all spoiled by his vision and drive to win year after year after year.”
The lights dimmed, for which a spotlight shone on a double suite, a family suite inside the arena where he watched the games with gorgeous women and his entourage. His words from a tape-recording blared out of the speakers through Staples Center to refresh everyone with memories as to what were his plans when he purchased the team back in the late-70s.
The crowd stood and chanted to express its deepest gratitude, for a man who made it all possible for one of the most celebrated and emotional moments in Staples Center. Even sweeter than anything else, the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 113-99, doing it for JB, who was always raring to beat Boston on the road or at home.
It didn’t matter as long as the Lakers overwhelmed their foes, in what is one of the NBA’s biggest rivalries ever, dating back to the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era or back to the Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell era.
The night was a tribute for a man who created the most entertaining team, an undaunted mastermind who was behind Showtime and made splashes by signing some of the most flashy and marquee players, bringing the franchise to life and spoiling a fan base that hates failure.
It is a legacy, of course, that will forever live on and own a special place in the hearts of Jeanie and Jim Buss, who have both been molded by their father to run a basketball business.
There will be folks talking and reminiscing about the good times with Buss for years to come, from the time he bought the Lakers in 1979 to the time he passed away, leaving behind the biggest show in sports history, one that will hopefully remain the property of the Buss family.
The man smiling down and winking his eye from the heavens, the man with a smooth toupee and a perfectly trimmed mustache that was his trademark will fully be appreciated for the memories he forged, for renewing the Lakers’ mystique year after year and producing an aura of greatness in the entertainment capital of the world.
Jeanie shared sentiment with actress Dyan Cannon before tip-off, a few rows behind the court, smiling and holding back tears as she mourned.
The night was about saying farewell to the inventor of Showtime, an owner who built an empire in Los Angeles and presided over 10 Lakers championships as a shrewd businessman because of his business acumen and basketball genius that defined a true winner.
Flags were flown at half-mast at the LA Live plaza across from Staples Center, and a wall was erected as fans adorn it by leaving thoughts and memories. The team also wore a JB patch, bearing Buss’ initials in every game.
It was fitting that the Lakers hosted the Celtics, a meeting Buss often looked forward to taking joy in and witnessing, especially when the Lakers beat their archrivals.
It was more than just a game but a moment to remember a dedicated and fervid showman, the pioneer of one of the most decorated NBA franchises ever, spending millions to form a team full of talented studs and bond with the smartest minds in the game that turned the Lakers into a million-dollar business brand.
It was perfect to listen to Bryant’s eloquent words when Buss met with the Black Mamba, divulged to him that he wanted to give the keys to him and traded Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center in the game’s history.
What a man he has become, stepping into his role as not only a clutch performer, but a team leader, as he was able to earn Buss’ trust and be named team captain after helping the Lakers win five NBA championships in 17 years.
This was a rare moment for sure, a time in Bryant’s life when he delivered his thoughts about a man who handed him the reins, and to this day, he credits his longtime friend for talking him into staying with the Lakers. Bryant, who had 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting, was honored to speak on Dr. Buss, but was emotionally shaken while breaking into a smile slightly by the time it was all over.
If my assertion is true, which I hope, the Lakers can ride a winning-streak in the upcoming weeks, following LA’s most dominant effort this season: an incredibly remarkable, statement-made, limited-turnover performance. Playing with heavy hearts, the Lakers, for the first time all season, were strong-willed and aggressive, jumping out to a fast start that propelled to a heartwarming victory.
For all the uncertainty and trade rumors that surrounded Dwight Howard, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds to earn back his self-proclaimed “Superman” nickname, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that he will not trade the center before Thursday’s trade deadline, and they stuck to that word.
This commitment to Howard might not be such a bad suggestion, after all, not when he finally played like the most dominant center, after failures for much of the season raised doubts.
He’s making a stride toward silencing the critics and naysayers throughout Los Angeles and has suddenly come alive to give the Lakers what they’ve expected from the beginning of the season.
It was likely to see this performance coming from a team playing with heavy hearts and motivated by Buss’ loss, but it was also payback for the 116-95 blowout to the Celtics two weeks ago in Boston, realizing the magnitude of winning these games down the stretch, as Los Angeles is only 3½ games behind Houston for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
He was very impressive, but he needs to give his best effort every night, in the aftermath of his best game as a Laker. The best part about Howard, as he brought his game, was that he set screens for Lakers point guard Steve Nash.
That allowed Nash to make six-of-seven shots and score 14 points, while he also had seven assists to surpass Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,144).
Win or lose, Buss was close to his players and pampered them as if they were his own children. But he wasn’t too fond of losing, which is all the more reason he spent the money and brought in the necessities to win championships and form a dynasty that was unmatched to most NBA franchises.
Bryant and Pau Gasol had a bond that was just as special as Johnson’s with his friend and owner, a man who was a visionary and mentor.
Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers head coach, wasn’t around long enough to build a strong relationship with Buss, and when the Showtime Lakers were the dominant ones in the 80s, he was playing in Italy. But when no one else gave D’Antoni an opportunity, the Buss family was willing to welcome him to LA with open arms, after parting ways with a disappointing Mike Brown.
And mostly, winning was imperative to Buss. He didn’t care how it worked, as long as it did.
The Lakers won it for Jerry Buss.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Jerry Buss: Remembering the Greatest Owner In Sports
Having achieved everything the average man couldn’t, Dr. Jerry Buss had the Midas touch and turned the Los Angeles Lakers into gold for much of his life.Never has there been a greater person in LA and a more likable businessman who not only mixed business with pleasure, but amazingly built an empire that turned stars into legends in a diverse community. It was where the “Showtime Era” was born and where he cultivated the tenor of American sports.
And, of course, he won 10 championships, just from his intellectual maneuvers and business acumen that never were called into question. Not once.
We’ve seen him come to life, smile and celebrate with bliss in the 80s when Magic Johnson led the Lakers. We’ve seen him raise a number of Larry O’Brien trophies and we have seen images of him getting drenched in champagne while rubbing his burning eyes during a wild party inside the locker room with those he pampered and rewarded.
So suddenly, as Buss has been ailing for quite some time, he met his expiration date and will leave a priceless organization behind for his children to take over and hopefully keep the winning tradition alive. Buss, who died of cancer Monday at age 80, was the heart and soul of the purple-and-gold.
When he bought the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, the Forum and the spacious ranch from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 — with ambitions in rising to a fruitful businessman — he became one of the most influential and successful owners in pro sports, if not the best to ever purchase a franchise.
He was defined more than anything by his character and cleverness, embracing and living a remarkable life for which his fame and fortune was indescribable.
Before he created a legacy in Los Angeles, where he came to as a young boy, Buss lived a life of misfortunes and hardships in Wyoming. Before he made his home in LA, Buss shined shoes at the old Kemmerer Hotel and worked on the Union Pacific railroad to make ends meet.
When he died, Buss reminded us that dreams can come true and that anything is possible, if one continues to thrive and give it their all. But once he resided in Los Angeles for good, as Buss was an endearing mentor to Johnson and most of the players he employed, he kissed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and smiled with the trophy in his hands.
The death of Buss leaves behind an incredible legacy for the Lakers and a city that deeply respected what he did for Los Angeles when he was alive and well. He used his power and brains to build a flashy image in the realm of Hollywood.
The brand of basketball he produced for a long time manufactured an era of glamour and success. It must have been inspiring to Johnson, because he’s now the son of the city after establishing himself into a successful entrepreneur, opening up a Starbucks, T.G.I Friday’s restaurants and movie theaters in urban neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Buss, who was entering the final stage of his life after battling with cancer, spent time with his friend Johnson in his room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center not long ago. He lied in the bed fighting his battle and appeared to be low-spirited, but when Johnson entered the room and emotionally sat down by his good friend, Buss smiled and they both cried and shared memories for the last time.
While most of the fans in the second-largest city in the United States embraced the man for many years, Johnson and Buss had a bond that was unbreakable, the best relationship between a player and owner in pro sports.
At the end of his life, while friends and his kids remember him for building dynasties and teams into a form of excellence and professionalism, the Lakers will forever be known for winning 10 of their 16 NBA titles under Buss. Every time, we assumed it was business as usual when Buss, given his moral fiber and desire to win, invested and spent $67.5 million to buy the Lakers.
The team was his when he parlayed a $1,000 real estate investment to earn rights for the Lakers, for what is now a family-operated business. The game would be a cool experience for celebrities, but not for those who were unprivileged. Those courtside seats were too expensive, catering merely to folks who could afford to sit on the floor.
In looking to be original and unique, he hired an in-house band to perform during games, along with gorgeous women who dance during timeouts to entertain the audience. He called these cheerleaders the “Laker Girls”, and as we know, he was a shrewd merchant, almost like Hugh Hefner from the sports aspect of things.
This was some team, hotter than the females Buss dated. He was, to put it bluntly, a lady’s man, as he enjoyed partying with models and actresses. That, of course, was when he would be seen with women on his arms. Buss, as it was known, played high-stakes poker while he was the creator of the most entertaining pro basketball team.
It’s something everyone will remember about Buss. The folks of Prime Ticket tried to set up the network for cable premium packages, but Buss, since he co-founded the network, refused to allow that to happen and ordered that the network will be broadcasted from a basic package.
Buss and the Lakers were mentioned in the same breath as the late George Steinbrenner and the Yankees for what they accomplished as a beloved owner and team in a city where the Lakers embodied Los Angeles.
He was evidently intelligent from a young age, and applied it in the classroom. Buss earned his degree in just two-and-a-half years at the University of Wyoming, meeting his first wife there when he asked to borrow her textbook.
For Buss, it was never too late for education, so he received a Ph.D. in chemistry from USC and obtained an honorary doctrine in law at Wyoming in 2005. The best way to win is by spending and bringing in marquee players, especially in Hollywood. He knew what it took to win.
He assembled a winning product, following his own most valuable and workable traits, a palpable sense of anticipation every time he spent top-dollar to win championships.
It wasn’t strange to see such experiments. It was as if he was preparing for a science fair, exploring and trying to find the proper supplements to fit his talented roster. He seemed too powerful and too anxious. He was more likely to fire a coach if it didn’t work.
They’ve talked about the moment when Buss gave Magic Johnson a 25-year, $25 million deal in 1981, higher than what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was earning, all from the same man who chose Kobe Bryant over Shaquille O’Neal and traded the big man to Miami in 2004.
The Lakers’ formula has worked for years, no matter what Buss tried or weighed with his brilliance and diplomacy, gambling on players and coaches and pulling off unthinkable deals that not too many franchises in the league could make possible. Either way, he’s figured out ways to win, and in any sport, winning titles is all that really matters. And he did that over and over again.
The Lakers, as always, are in contention, particularly when Buss made changes at the right time. Such is the time he fired Paul Westhand and gave the coaching job to a young assistant in Pat Riley, who led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning all four times.
The worst thing he’s ever done was hire the sorriest coach in Lakers history in Randy Pfund, and again, it was only an experiment which barely lasted before he tried something that worked.
Like Johnson, Bryant became very close to Buss, despite his trade demands before the 2007-08 season. This has ought to be evidence that Bryant is a Laker for life, because not only is he a centerpiece of the Lakers, but he was Buss’ friend for life.
It’s officially the Jim Buss era now, though. Fans are probably wondering whether or not he can keep a winning franchise running strong, without advice and moves from his father.
The Lakers are in the hands of the Buss children, and after they were taught and experienced over the years on how to manage a business, we should only hope that they learned from their father to run the organization.
While his daughter, Jeanie, will run the Lakers’ business operations, Jim, who has been in charge of the team’s basketball operations, will continue to make personnel decisions.
Their father, Jerry, was a winner and will continue to be in heaven. The gates opened Monday morning for Mr. Buss, with layers of purple-and-gold carpet.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Why LeBron James Will Never Be Better Than Michael Jordan
The legacy of Michael Jordan, who turned 50 on Sunday, is beyond extraordinary and indefinable. For the rest of the weekend, he will be showered with birthday-wishes from former NBA players and legends, and he will be glorified and greatly remembered for revolutionizing the game of basketball.The fans of the 90s were fortunate to embrace the life of Air Jordan: the greatest NBA player of all-time, the most unstoppable assassin of all-time, the smartest marketer of all-time, the savviest shoe salesman of all-time.
But now, we’re obligated to compare LeBron James to Jordan, the only player to ever consolidate an indescribable legacy that no one else will ever match. When he dominated, won six championships, five MVPs and 10 scoring titles, Jordan lit up on the court.
For now — at least — he stands alone and remains the greatest to ever step foot onto a hardwood floor, captivating spectators with his infamous tongue that stuck out while he slashed to the basket, floated through the air and levitated at the rim.
He stepped onto the court and dazzled our hearts in critical moments, taking over a game single-handedly to form a dynasty in Chicago, a city that has lauded the former Bulls megastar as a messiah.
It would be premature, not to mention a shame, to describe James as the next Jordan — legend and hero evermore — certainly when some believe James lost his claim to all-time greatness after bailing on Cleveland to form the Superteam in Miami.
Jordan was unmatched, never to be reproduced, a prolific scorer and a superstar whose spectacles were compelling. If James continues to thrive, amass championship wins and make his home in Miami, he can reach a crescendo and rise to grandeur.
But even if he does win seven titles, James won’t ever surpass MJ, not in the modern era of basketball, not in an era when the league is built around an influx of new talent and superstars, such as Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
For one, James fled Cleveland, settled in South Beach and grew into his role, becoming the team’s No. 1 scorer after joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. For another, he’s the most hated pro athlete since “The Decision” telecast when he announced that he was taking his talents to South Beach.
James abruptly left his native home to play for the Miami Heat, and was bashed and despised by Cleveland fans and critics all over. When Jordan was an instrumental part of the Bulls success, LeBron was essentially culpable for the Cavaliers languishing, for Cleveland’s economy deflating as businesses took a drastic hit after he left, especially in the first season without their King.
While some don’t care for James, some will actually get over his narcissistic infomercial. It’s unfortunate James won’t ever earn adulation like Jordan after his distasteful and immoral decision to walk out on a city that welcomed, admired, empowered and immortalized him.
It’s unfathomable fans won’t ever succumb to reality and put aside all bitterness after James led the Heat to an NBA title a year ago and vindicated humility, grace and class, regretting his selfish act that turned into a public relations disaster.
So now he’s loved or loathed, praised or criticized while everybody adores MJ, even when he has a reputation of being cocky and egocentric. More telling was what he accomplished on the court, not off the court — where he had gambling problems and wasn’t always too compassionate about sharing or donating his wealth to unprivileged children.
But more telling than his psyche was his reversed layups, windmill or vicious dunks in an era when he reigned supreme. We used to gather by the TV regularly during NBA season, delighted to watch Jordan play but not everyone braces him or herself for James whenever Heat games are nationally televised.
Unlike Jordan, some viewers are filled with anger and hate, not over the fact that he brought more hype on himself by manipulating ESPN into airing a one-hour TV special. Of course, he’s a good player but not the most likable person, and if anything, he’s not the next Jordan.
When he played ball, Jordan was the face of the NBA, a symbol of the sport, compelling enough to keep us all begging for more and persuaded us to watch, as fans became addicted to the world-famous star. The legacy Jordan left is unparalleled, never to be breakable but to forever remain intact for which no other player, including LeBron will ever reach a plateau as superlative as Jordan.
There’s little question, though he’s delivered jaw-dropping performances, that he must continue to win championships to rank among the best in NBA history. Right now, as it stands, he does not fit alongside Jordan, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on James in this age, to see if he can transform the landscape of pro basketball just as Jordan did during his tenure as a tremendous superstar.
The reality of this game is that a player is usually defined by the number of championships they win, but over the years we’ve still paid our profound respect to Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dominique Wilkins, Pete Maravich and George Gervin.
It has been a frenzied week, and the noise revolves around the endless debates as to whether Bryant is better than James or whether James is better than Bryant. Jordan is the talk of the weekend as well, and as the legend should be, he’s celebrated like royalty — and rightfully so — he deserves all the plaudits in the world.
He’s worked and earned it, and damn right, Jordan warrants it. The most noticeable star of the 1992 Dream Team would be Jordan, and as we all know, he’s made shots and slammed down signature dunks that made highlight reels to separate him from other players.
The tough-driven, unstoppable Bulls were fortunate to have a player as unthinkably great as Jordan, and turned out to be a popular and eventful team with Michael’s presence, with just about every game nationally televised.
Jordan, unlike most players, was a national event, just as his legacy is a national conversation. It’s probably OK to note that James has remarkably a crafty all-around game, and less than a year ago as a member of the Heat, he claimed his first NBA championship ring and flaunts it proudly after putting in the hours and hard work.
The number of championships keeps him off the list of NBA legends, but no matter what he does during a relentless career, he won’t ever match Jordan, who is the most decorated player in the history of the NBA.
That’s because Jordan is his own player and sustained greatness in a different era and won titles with a less talented supporting cast. As for James, he won his with Wade and Bosh, two NBA stars who all agreed to team up for championships.
For those who don’t remember or was an 80s baby, Jordan averaged 37 points per game in the 1986-87 season. There’s no doubt, like Jordan, that James will be in the Hall of Fame. There’s no doubt, like Jordan, he will be honored for individual accolades.
He’s a three-time MVP and became the first player in NBA history to score more than 30 points while shooting 60 percent for six straight games. This season alone, he’s averaging 27. 3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists, while shooting a staggering 56.5-percent.
But it couldn’t be more obvious that Jordan worn down bodies, beat his opponents, broke ankles, drove to the lane and finished at the rim with his competitive nature and basketball brilliance. There was no stopping Jordan, not even when he was suffering from flu-like symptoms, scoring 38 points in Game 5 of the 97 NBA Finals.
That night, he was exhausted, sick and weak, but somehow he led the Bulls to a pivotal win against the Utah Jazz. Jordan is known for “The Shot,” a game-winning shot he hit over Craig Ehlo in 89 when he was in his prime. The truth about James is that he’s marveled in a generation of glamorous stars and truly is growing into a South Beach icon, becoming gradually a global superstar.
It is to his credit that he’s accepted the leadership role in Miami and has become more than just a playmaker after not scoring and taking over late in the game during pressure situations. But he’s never earned 10 triple-doubles in 11 games, and in the game today, it just seems rare — could be done, but very rare in the modern era.
That happened when Jordan played. He had 10 triple-doubles in 11 games, something no one else has ever done, not even Bryant. No player can score 40 points, dish out 11 assists and grab 7 rebounds in the second of back-to-back games against the Detroit Pistons. Jordan, to be quite honest, retired as the greatest in NBA history.
It’s an understatement if one thinks differently about Jordan, who was a more efficient scorer than James and Bryant. If he stays healthy, with a skill set as identical to Jordan’s, James can monopolize his era and win multiple championships. But for now, and maybe not ever, you can’t compare James to Jordan. It’s inconceivable but it seems logical when James could be as solid as Jordan.
The ultimate birthday present for Jordan, if anything, is what he’s attained to become the greatest NBA legend to ever live.
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