Gordon Pt. II

Jazz nation, you are weeping right now that Gordon Hayward has left for the Celtics. I am not going to offer consoling words, just reality. Before I do, at least read this, Gordon's words. Secondly, I think even Gordon would concede that the announcement wasn't handled in the way he wanted. He planned a careful and respectful announcement, but it was thwarted. At least he didn't get on national television and burn Utah. He was very gracious in his post. Move on. Finally, realize the facts about playing for the Jazz and being a fan of sports.

Yup, he’s getting booed. He owes Jazz fans nothing, Jazz fans owe him nothing.

— utEdADdy (@utedaddy) July 5, 2017

Hayward leaving wasn't a slight against the Jazz fans. In his own words it came down to his relationship with Coach Brad Stevens and the chances for winning a championship. Booing a player for leaving in the fashion that Hayward left is childish. Utah is a very unique place and a franchise that players have a hard time dealing with. Salt Lake offers a lot, but also comes up short in many respects. Aside from just the city, the franchise has yet to win a championship. You may shake your head and say, "Who cares?", but there is something to a tradition of winning... no, a culture of winning championships. Celts have won before and know how to do it again. There is the expectation that it can be a reality. That's powerful.

Look at the current landscape of the NBA. The west is in an unparalleled arms race to combat the Warriors. The east is weak. Wether you like it or not Gordon's move to the Celts is smart. The best players in free agency have head west, while he is going east, thus increasing his chances of going to the finals. Why go through a gauntlet of hell when you just have to beat the Cavs to make it to the finals? Making the finals > not making the finals. You can never win a championship if you don't get to the finals. Thats bullet proof logic.

Just a heads up to potential jersey burners to do so away from dry vegetation this fire season

— Carter Williams (@cwilliamsKSL) July 5, 2017

Burn and boo, great way to attract other free agent players. It's business, nothing personal.

I want my legacy to be a Clipper.

This NBA's free agency has been one of the most exciting I can remember in my lifetime. Franchise players are moving to new teams it seems every day (CP3, Paul George, etc.) and plenty of rumors to munch on. The contract values are highest they have ever been -- I think the leagues salaries are far outpacing inflation...

A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter) on Jun 30, 2017 at 10:09pm PDT

One player yet to make his final decision, and that has drawn a lot of national interest, has been Jazz Star, Gordon Hayward. He is weighing his options seriously, visiting the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics before making his final visit with the Jazz (check out this article on his rise). The question to me comes down to a simple would you rather: Would you rather be immortal or have a championship ring? This assumes that you won't have both.... which is reasonable. The Jazz have yet to get a title (and aren't likely to ever win one. They need a lot more than just Gordon..) and other teams are poised to capture a championship sooner. Let's go back to ancient Greek mythology to help us answer this question. See the video below:



You should know the rest of the story... Achilles goes to Troy. He died and his memory was forever cemented (I know this is just one version of the story, but this is a pretty damn popular one). I mean, Hollywood made a movie about Achilles with Brad Pitt portraying him. If Brad Pitt being you isn't immortality, I don't know what is. Look, finding the tree of life or the fountain of youth isn't going to happen, so the closest you can get to living forever is to have your memory and stories carried on about you forever. Death knows every man and woman, but we bury people and have a gravestone for a reason. Anyway, Achilles was a hero to his people first and then known to all. I would think a guy like Hayward has to consider this in his decision. He has to think about the stories that will be told about him after he is retired, or in other words, his legacy.

You want a more recent example? Legacy, that is what Blake Griffin wanted. He told the front office gents, "I want my legacy to be a Clipper." Wow, I find this so significant and interesting. I think this shows so much awareness of where he is in the historical arch of the NBA. There is an arms race to match the all mighty Warriors and Blake Griffin is saying, "Nah, build around me and I am keeping the red, white, and blue on." Pretty patriotic, right? These colors don't run, homie! I bet Balmer ate that up with his cheesy smile. What did Blake do with this move, regardless of the next five seasons? Immortality. Legacy. Whatever you want to call it. He placed himself as The Greatest Clipper of All-Time. Don't believe me? Name the greatest Clipper of all time? Couldn't, could you... Did you say CP3? Don't tell me you said Elton Brand. Chris Kaman?!! Bob Macadoo? Bet you had to google that last one (I had to!) So what if you did! Proves my point. There is not a deep history for Clippers nation. If we can project ourselves 15-20 years from now and I asked you that same question, what will you most likely say? Blake Griffin. Talk about seeing the future! Talk about self awareness! Keep making your silly commercials Blake, you get it. It isn't about the ring. There is a value in what Blake has chosen to do with his career. The prestige of having a lasting legacy is bigger than just a single ring on a team where he was just a contributor. If you say "Clipper" to me I will say, "Blake Griffin." If you ask me how many championships Sam Cassell won, I will say, "I have no idea. One? Two? That's the guy who looks like an Alien?" Am I belaboring the point yet? Do you see what I am getting at? Why chase a ring when you can live forever?

a billboard funded by fans of the Jazz

Chasing...that is what Hayward would be doing if he goes East. Yes, he goes to a playoff team (bc the East sucks), but it doesn't ensure he gets a ring. It is also a place where he is not the center of the team. He isn't going to be the face of the franchise (maybe more so in Miami, but they still have a ways to go to become a true contender.) There are plenty of players that didn't win a ring and are still considered in "the greatest players of all time" debate. I would say that it is more likely they will be included in that conversation if they stuck with a team for a considerable amount of time. You think of them and you think of their franchise; it's synonymous. Guys like Elgin Baylor (Lakers) Gary Payton (Sonics), Allen Iverson (76ers), Stockton/Malone (very relevant to this conversation... although I don't think the chose to just have legacy and no ring, which I do think the case is here for Hayward), Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Dominique Wilkins (Hawks), Reggie Miller (Pacers), Pete Maravich (another Jazz man!).... I hope you get the idea.

Here is how I see the facts for Gordon:
1) Gordon is LOVED by Jazz Nation. They bought a freaking billboard for him. They launched a campaign to keep him! HIM! No matter what place he goes to next, he will not be loved the same and he will not be THE face of the franchise for years to come.
2) If he leaves, he loses immortality. He will go down as one of the greatest Jazz players of all time if he stays. If you think that is a stretch just wait and watch him will the Jazz to a few more playoff runs in the very challenging West. Loyalty will pay huge dividends for him. To be part of the Jazz hall of fame is some great basketball company.
3) He is going to a place that doesn't guarantee anything other than an easier road to the playoffs in the East. He isn't going to win the whole thing with Boston or Miami, not yet at least (and honestly, beating a team from the west is going to be impossible with the any of the current suitors). If he wants a ring so bad, he could sign a short deal and go somewhere later that can deliver a ring immediately. I don't really think the grass is that much greener on the east coast.

A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter) on Jul 2, 2017 at 7:03am PDT

4) He is not the type of player that will be legendary otherwise. Look at a guy like KG. He was going to have a legacy regardless of a ring. Great that he won a ring with Paul and Ray, but he was a HOF even with the Wolves. The reality of Gordon's situation is this: he has developed into a very fine player, a desirable asset, but his talents don't transcend a franchise. He isn't a KG type of player.
5) He gets paid basically the same.

The question is simple for Gordon. Do you want to live forever?
Yes? Say the magic words, "I want to be a Jazzman."

Why people hate the Warriors

I will try to not be as long winded here as I was on the LBJ post.

You were never a fan of Golden State. 
When I used to think about the Golden State Warriors nothing would register in my brain. I never thought about them. Then, I would think harder and come up with Baron Davis (2007) and Chris Mullen (1990s). That is it. That was all I knew about them. Overnight it seemed Golden State became really, really good. With that came the sudden, "Oh, I have always been a fan of Golden State." No, no you weren't. I bet you were a huge fan of Bryan Cranston before Breaking Bad! Loved him in Malcom in the Middle.

No one like a bandwagoner.

Draymond Green. 


Steph Curry.

I mean...... yeah......
Sweet guy, right?
But the running down the court....
The crappy shoes....
Chewing on his mouthguard.....
His... Why do people hate this guy?

He is like, 134 lbs in wet clothes.









Kevin Durant.

His move from OKC to GS was a bitch move. Total bitch move. I can't even slice it in any other way. Shows a lack of courage. A lack of competitiveness. A cowards way out. Et tu, Brute?

How do you do that? Join the enemy. Piss poor man. You could have had something in OKC with Westbrook! You had something! So, SO, SOOOOO close. Bitch move.

"I hate LeBron James"

As I have previously pointed out, and it should be rather obvious, LeBron James is the best basketball player on the face of the earth right now. I don't think its even close. I am not going to try to convince you of that. Arguing some topics in sports fall into the realm of disagreements that you see in politics and religion. Greatest has that weight.

Secondly, to hate someone requires a lot of emotion and I would think some personal interaction. I get that there are people in the world that hate others because of race, religion, beliefs, creed, ethos, etc. etc. To me however, someone must truly offend or hurt you or someone you love to hate them. My point being is that when some says, "I hate LeBron" I know its not true. How can you hate a person you don't truly know and someone who is playing a part in entertainment (LaVar Ball maybe? JK.... but seriously annoyed with him). That would be like me saying I hate the Javier Bardem or Alan Rickman. They played the bad guys, but I don't know them. LeBron has played the hero and villain equally. Its his image or brand that motivates him. LeBron is playing a character. He's an actor.

In my expert opinion, here is why people say they "hate" LBJ.

1) He crowned himself - When you give yourself a tattoo on your back proclaiming you are the second coming or literally coronate yourself "King James" people are not going to like that power grab. I am a huge Kobe fan, but even when he gave himself the nicknames of Mamba and Vino, I cringed (even though I will defend it till the day I die! He earned that RIGHT!). Its hubris to do it, reeking of pride and over self confidence. However, this was intentional and brilliant from a branding and marketing standpoint. All professional athletes have a brand to maintain. The moniker King James, while it ruffles feathers, was smart.

LeBron has vocally come out and said he wants to be the greatest ever and he believes it. How dare he! Right? That place is sacred and we the fans decide. You don't get to choose, Mr. James! LBJ is a once in a generation athlete and talent. Why not shoot for the stars and have a realistic chance. But just like how carving "Chosen1" on your back it doesn't make it true, saying it aloud doesn't change that fact. He continues to speak openly about how he compares to Mike. It's no secret, he wants to be better than him. That bothers people and gets them fired up.

2) LeBron is good - Because he is an All-Star you see LBJ way more than other players. He is the face of the NBA internationally. I guarantee more people in the world could name LBJ as a current NBA player than anyone else. Being in that spotlight attracts a ton of media attention. Just the fatigue of seeing LBJ annoys.

Also, because he is good at basketball he beats people at the game of basketball. He makes them look bad. It's not fun to lose. If you have fallen to the sword of LeBron, why would you like him?

3) The King complains - There is an unspoken rule of the universe: If you are the most talented, the most gifted, you do not get to complain. That seems to be the rule ingrained in us like a primal instinct. Dunno where it came from, but its just not fair if you are better to complain!

And then you have the perception that there is All-Star treatment with officiating [I say perception because (1) usage - the best players usually have the ball more (2) the best players attack and force calls (3) as one of my brothers pointed out, they are better than the average player... the whole reason they can get to the hoop - their ability - also helps them be a better defender (sometimes)]. When LeBron throws his head back in disgust or races like a torpedo back to half court with his hands reaching upwards to heaven, after a foul is called on him, it only deepens the resentment and bias against him. See video here.

A sister to complaining is his flopping game. He is the size of an NFL DE. That is another rule of the universe: If you are big you cannot be hurt or fall down.... But like it or not, flopping is part of the game. A player should look to every advantage to win the game - like walking in slow pitch softball  to bring in a run or flopping like a fish to get a call. But flopping seems like the cowards way. Beat me straight up! Don't fake it. 

4) Social Media Era - I think this is the most fascinating parts to a seismic shift in professional sports. Never before have we been able to have this much access to athletes. They are willingly and freely sharing themselves. It also opens the door to direct criticism and trolling (looking at you, Grant Hill, you coward). This has also ushered in a new reporting wave, where sensational headlines are suddenly created as quickly as a deleted tweet. Athletes are no longer protected in the same way they used to be and it is because they are being more open and sharing. As discussed on the Dan Patrick show with Ernie Johnson the other day, after every game or some kind of playoff record, the media instantly starts a debate or silly argument about how player X is the greatest X of all time.

There is no doubt that the power of social media has altered our way of communication, habits, beliefs, and behavior. Our sitting President, the flapjack head, knows its power. We need instant gratification.

5) Fans are irrational - For some reason fans think they dictate "the way the game should be played." This entitlement or right to say how a player should play or live out their career came from a misplaced sense of ownership. A ticket doesn't suddenly get you at the table to discuss the business of a franchise. It gets you into the arena. Before we get all in a huff about this idea (fans = revenue), lets look at a career defining moment for LBJ that could help illustrate my point - The Decision.

No one had done what James did so publicly to a city or franchise. He set up a televised press conference and infamously burned Cleveland with "I am taking my talents to south beach." OK. If you were kind of on the fence before about LBJ, you had to go on side or the other at that moment... A lot of fans took to anger and burned his jerseys, quickly forgetting that the same player brought their franchise back to relevance in a very short timeframe with little help. How irrational is that? Fans don't own the players and never will. The marketplace owns them. LeBron didn't make a power move at the draft like other superstars (ala Kobe). He stuck with his hometown, something he did not have to do.

Imagine you are at a company where you are spread so thin that you are working overtime and everyone that surrounds you in below average. You carry their workload. And finally, you live in a crappy city. The competition sees your value. They make overtures to you with more money, a better city, and better talent. You are going to stay right? The grass is literally greener on the other side, but you will remain loyal. Stay strong and true... LIKE. HELL. YOU. ARE.

LeBron had to make a decision, win now, get paid, or stick it out in Cleveland and become a "what could have been." Its all about the titles for him. Check this out - before LBJ was drafted in 2003, Cleveland last made the playoffs in 1997 and were bounced in the first round. They hadn't made a conference final since MJ took them down in 1992, which was only their second time ever reaching it. Look at James' timeline below:

2004 - Drafted, ROY. Finish 5th with a .427 win % - up 3 spots from 8th, .22 better win %, +18 more wins than the previous year. A significant pump.
2005 - Finish 4th, up one spot, .512, +7 more wins
2006 - 2nd, Lose in 7 in the conference semifinals, .610, +8 wins
2007 - Swept in NBA finals

He took them to an NBA finals in his 4th year and averaged 40+ mins on average. He did that with Ilgauskas, Gooden, Larry Hughes, Sash Pavlovic, Daniel Gibson, Eric Snow, and Varejao (included these players as they started most game and averaged +20 mins a game). Fans in Cleveland burned LeBron's jersey? Their best player... like ever...

He stuck around till 2010 and things didn't really improve in terms of upgrading the roster. I can totally see why LBJ left and why fans feel betrayed, but be real here. You are dating a 6 and getting by and then a 10 drops a note on your desk and says she and her friend are interested in you (yes, I am looking at you Wade and Bosh). What isn't to like?! He was in Free Agency. Up to him. Not Fan Agency. So buy your billboards hoping to entice a player to stay, but the chance to win and make more money at the same time wins out.

____________

Hate LeBron. He doesn't know you:

"All the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day, they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that. They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they have to get back to the real world at some point."

"Cleveland fans are awesome, but I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court."

"A LeBron James team is never desperate."

white chocolate...

as he was nicknamed... i love watching jason williams...

Laker Turmoil

The past two years, the Lakers have been swept in the first round of the playoffs because they lack a second star. There hasn't been a second star in LA since Shaq. Obvious right? Not only was he physically gifted, had a high basketball IQ, but most importantly, he had emotional intelligence (EQ).

Example: When did we know he and Kobe had problems? Not until the end, right when he was leaving. Sure you heard rumors, you saw some tussles here and there, but that is team stuff. You never really knew how bad it was until he left LA. He held his stuff together and let Kobe own the town and team. He wanted to be a sheriff some where else and for that, LA salutes him and retired his jersey. He was a team player and the game was bigger than him.

So what happens when you replace a star with a scab? The scab becomes a cancer and needs to be removed, before it infects the rest of your team. Intro cancer no.1, Andrew Glassman, who couldn't hold it together fell apart under the pressure and was subsequently dealt to Philly. Then cancer no.2, Dwight Howard, can't hold it together either. No EQ. No team. Cancer no.3, Mike Brown/D'antoni. Enough said. But just like a movie, the hero Kobe comes out and saves the day. Always. The unfortunate thing is that he will be gone soon.

So, Mitch Kupchak, don't do the scab thing. LeBron 2014!!!!

Know your role

Believe me, I know that the Lakers are playing bad. You don't need to update me on just how bad they are playing. It is frustrating. I didn't think they would win a title, but I though they would be competitive. It's still early on. Maybe they'll figure it out.

There is one cat who enjoying his life in LA. I give you:

Robert Sacre. Gonzaga Alum.



On this one skip ahead to the 30 second mark and just watch the bench.......





Then we have former Laker Ronny Turiaf. And if I am not mistaken, he is also alum of the Univesity of Gonzaga. What do they feed those kids there?

Front Row

A couple things need to be said.

1. I feel to be a true fan of any team, you need to love the sport and understand that the sum is greater than the parts.
2. If you get the chance to sit on the front row of an NBA professional game, DO IT, without question. It is a completely different game on the ground level. You can't quit smiling.
3. If you work at D.I. make friends with people who enjoy the same things you do. It will be a beneficial relationship.

I have been to numerous pro basketball games, from Orlando to Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. My experiences all varied from location, who was playing, the implications of the game, but tonight, might have surpassed them all. I've watched Kobe, LeBron, KD, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, and it is always entertaining, but if you told me I would have the most fun at a pre-season game just because I was sitting front row, I would've said you are crazy. I mean, the Jazz and the Blazers were playing... I feel bored just typing that... Jazz v. Blazers.

However, sitting on the floor, even just for a quarter, gave me a whole new sense of what NBA ball is all about. I was obviously amazed at their size, ability and physicality. It was brutal masterpiece, in the only way basketball can be, coupled with spectacular plays and dense decisions. Strip all the flash and flair, the music, the dancers, the mascot (who could commit murder and we would laud him on) the obnoxious fans, and you have a high intensity pick up game. This may be an oversimplification, but I felt I was watching normal guys hustle for loose balls, box out and rebound, talk smack and just play ball together. It didn't feel like it was a product, all tied up nicely to be presented to me. These dudes, who's day job is basketball, were actually trying, which at times I have forgotten. They were real humans.

For example, there was about nine minutes left in the second quarter. There was a shooting foul on the same side of the court as we (Walker Wood and I) were sitting. Wesley Matthews is about 20 feet away from me. I feel comfortable with Wesley, I've watched him play several dozen times on the television, and he played for the Jazz for some time. Anyway, I lean forward in my chair, not to talk any real smack (bc to talk smack you should buy the seats, which I didn't do, and be totally committed to looking like an idiot, bc you can't quit the entire game... which I also wasn't) and said:

"We wanna see Adam play [speaking of Adam Morrison, the Gonzaga star who faded quickly among NBA competition],"
He came towards me and had a quizzical look on his face and said,"What?"
Me: "Make sure Adam plays tonight, could you make that happen for me?"
Then some meat head said,"Yeah, remember when he was good?"
Wes: "Remember when you used to be in shape?"

Burn. Everyone laughed. He was silenced. Matthews then went four for four in that quarter on a variety of shots, ranging in difficulty for an NBA player, and after each successful bucket he came back down the court and said 'Thank You' to the knuckle-head behind me.


I was obviously giddy as a school boy. Just the same as when Metta World Peace finally responded to my tweet. I don't know if that interaction led to the amplified intensity, which was noticeable from then on out, but I do know that Matthews was very conscientious of that particular guy and wanted to play harder. Wes got a kick out of saying 'Thank You' a few more times.

I was itching in my seat, hoping I could bring on my five and have the next game to 11.

Thank you to Tyler and Taylor Thurston. A great couple and exceptional individuals. I am lucky to have them look out for me. I appreciate the opportunity you gave me tonight.

Day of Advent

Everyone loves an underdog. What makes it so inspirational is that they beat the odds despite their inadequacies. The underdog never quite matches up. On paper they don't even compare. Think George Mason   in 2006, Matt Saracen, Susan Boyle, Lone Survivor, Jesse Ventura, the Utah Jazz, Justin Bieber, Ricky Martin, Kanye, Channing Tatum, David and Goliath, and of course Rudy. We all can relate. I'm not telling you anything new, but one thing that has become a revelation to me as of late, was realization that I was the underdog.

Statistically, I am average. Numbers don't lie, but somehow, I've been tricking myself into believing that I was somewhat of the exception. I should have realized this when I was in High School. My basketball coach pulled me aside and told me to not shoot in games. Ever. Only lay-ups. (Coach Williams, I blame this post on you, and every failure I have ever had! You shot a young mans confidence down like the Hindenburg.) Or maybe I should have know when I tried out for a JC football team and got cut.

My day of reckoning came in the form of saved legged, sleeveless shirt, pretty boy. It was just a simple three and three game the other afternoon, but it soon turned into a school for the under privileged, that being me. It didn't matter what I did, this kid carved me up like a thanksgiving turkey. What made it worse is that he had his girlfriend watching... and cheering. Here I was, on an island, with some random dude humiliating me in front of my buddies, The People and Mowgli, and his smoking hot girlfriend clapping. It was a tortuous hell. To some degree, I now know what water boarding feels like*. After we lost the third game 15 - 5**, he walked off, hand in hand with his girl, and didn't even look back. My head was still reeling when I had an epiphany. I am just average. Simply put, I am sub par. I was so bothered, that I debated whether or not to burn every piece of basketball gear when I got home. That bitter taste didn't ebb away until the sun rose, my wounds were healing, and I realized that there is obviously much more to life than sports. I went from one paradigm shift to another in a matter of hours.

For every success there are a thousand failures. I am sure glad that my future doesn't rely on playing basketball. That being said, I sure hope it isn't indicative of what is to come - being washed-up. So, in a way, I've accepted that I suck and will no longer try hard at things that I am not an expert at***.

* No. No I do not. I have no clue.
** I didn't win a single game that afternoon. 0-4.
***Any suggestions?

Referral

I am going to take this platform and refer you to a this website. I love it. I encourage you to do some light reading and video watching. Pretty funny stuff.

Oh, and, "Go T-Birds!"

when we get the NBA back, we need latin announcers.

Watch. Understand. Believe.


We need this kind of commentating.


I mean, seriously. Who cares what sport they are watching, they should commentate on our lives.

Why are you the villain?

If I could speak to LeBron, if I had just five solid minutes with him, where he would answer any of my questions and was real with me, I think I'd ask him one thing; how do you do it?

He of course would wonder what I was referring to. He'd probably assume I was talking about playing in the NBA, the kind of time it takes to stay on top. Maybe he'd think I was talking about his freakish size and athletic ability, or maintaing the iconic image he has, but he'd be wrong. I'm really wondering how he, as a mere mortal, can function in a world that is crashing down on him. A world that hates him.

I didn't even finish watching the finals. My brother (huge LBJ fan, man lover of LBJ) turned it off. I turned my phone off because it was blowing up with texts, mocking me for rooting and wanting to believe that James not only could take over a game, but actually defy critics and raise up to Jordan status. He failed. The Heat quit. All the talk, all the brashness, the hype, the arrogance, the promises, became punch lines. The big three fell. The preseason parade was the only light show Miami would see this year.

Everyone hates him, he might as well go eat worms... And that's what he did in the finals. That's what he's done his whole career in games that mattered. All the ammo on James, from the "chosen one" tat to the decision, finally hit him. The target on his back is finally punctured with numerous holes. He can't win when it's supposed to be Bron time.

How does he live?

I cannot understand how a human can function with that much pressure on him. When you have the President chime in on your career, you know the world is watching. Imagine for a second people hating you for not playing a game the way they want you to play, People talking about you all the time... Is he really the bad guy? Is he really that bad?

Did he crack? He's only had pressure on him to be the best since he was 12. So, yeah, he cracked, but wouldn't you?

Bill Simmons has some good thoughts.

GOOSEBUMPS!

Reggie must have trained these guys. It amazes me that announcers can ruin an awesome play. This is the block of the year. They should have thrown their headsets off and joined a religious cult that worships big time blocks. That was an emphatic block. "I told ya. He is fun to watch." That is the best they could do? The Wheel of Fortune is fun to watch too. Gosh. Do some justice to this beautiful block. 



*Side note: I love that whenever a boy is apart of the cheer- leading squad, there is a definite distinction made when announcers mention him. He is a "male cheer-leader." He is not a man, boy, but a male. As if you were questioning his gender.

"You can feel the emotion..."

If you have listened to Reggie Miller commentate on a game, then you'll agree with me that you do not have to be consistent or good, to be an announcer. Look at Madden, you don't even have to be smart. What does it really take to be a sports broadcaster, cause from where I am sitting, all you have to do is play professionally. I haven't really noticed how bad Miller is in the NBA games, cause I am looking forward to the halftime show with Chuck (who in his own cute way is a complete fool), and Kobe is playing like a fiend. ESPN announcers are different, at least the ones who are running the Sportcenter show. Remember that reality TV show, where people tried out to be a ESPN anchor. That showed how difficult it really is to read the sports updates and be clever. Reading a teleprompter and sounding original is a task all on its own. ESPN anchors are clever, but most of them have never played a sport beyond high school, and to be honest, I think that is an advantage. Just because an individual played or coached at the next level, doesn't guarantee that they will be coherent on air: Bob Knight, Bill Walton, Sheryl Miler. They should team up ESPN boys with with Marv or Kenny. Going back to Reggie.

He is announcing the BYU game, (this is the most recent example I can think of) and in the first quarter he says, with his nasally voice, that a high tempo game would be an advantage for Florida.... Hold on. Doesn't Florida outsize BYU by a bazillion inches? A half court game is definitely in BYU's favor... No. That isn't how they have been playing all year. These boys run-n-gun. In the second half Miller rescinds his previous statement and says that a high tempo game would be an advantage for BYU. Duh, winning. His critic of Jimmer was fabulous. "He has got to get to the hoop, get in rhythm, and then get back to his shot. Just like I used to do. I was so damned good." (Millers head grew four inches as he talked about himself) Jimmer did what Reggie said,  then he started shooting again. He was taking the same stupid shots he has been taking ALL year and Reggie says, "These are not good looks." Reggie, this is his game. That is how the kid plays. Watch some highlights. Look at his stats.... Then when James F. buries a deep three to tie the game up, Miller loves it.

Coming outta nowhere, ADD moment: Then you have Craig Sager. Who is this clown? That is my only question. Then I will know why, when, how, and where.

Diametrically opposite is Verne Lundquist. The guy is a master. I remember listening to him every Saturday morning call SEC football games. He would could bring more color to a play then HD or a replay. He has the voice, emotion, everything you could want. You enjoy listening to him, you're not going to look for the mute button on the remote. Plus he has been on some movies. The only movie Reggie has been on is when Michael Jordan said, ""It's like chicken-fighting with a woman. His game is all this flopping-type thing. He weighs only 185 pounds, so you have to be careful, don't touch him, or it's a foul. On offense I use all my 215 pounds and just move him out. But he has his hands on you all the time, like a woman holding your waist. I just want to beat his hands off because it's illegal. It irritates me."

I have a feeling that the final four will have some fantastic commentating, if Miller isn't there. I've had enough of it. If Miller announces, I am going to e-mail CBS, NCAA, and TNT, and tell them that he has to go. I will mock him the entire game. Reggie is going to hear from me in some way. He should not announce the final four or championship games.

Without Regret

Looking back on the greats who have stepped away from the game ( of any professional sports really), I have contemplated how I am going to bow out. Will I be like Hershel Walker, and retire at my prime? Or be like Mike, and struggle to let it go? Or will I never really quit like George Foreman? I could just sell shoes, or grills. Maybe appear on TV shows, be an analysis, or be on a reality TV show. I have had second thoughts, even third and fourth thoughts, thus I haven't stepped away from the game.

I have had a lot of injuries as of late on the basketball court, and I am wondering if it is all worth it. I am not that good.... SIDE NOTE...In high school, we're playing in a tournament, we are down by 2. Coach calls a play for me to set a ball screen, then screen for our best shooter, who was waiting down on the block. I ran the play then gravitated to the three point line. Somehow, by design, the missed shot came right to me. There was hardly any time left. As I shot I heard Coach Williams yell, "NO!!!" and then his face became permanently red. I missed, front iron. Coach Williams told me I was never to shoot at the end of the game again.... BACK TO THE POST....., and getting hurt sucks. If it isn't my front tooth being jacked out of my face, by an elbow that seems to have come from Anderson Silva, it is my ankles, getting broken down into jello minus the gelatin-- or its my jaw, that feels like it is made of china, after it gets hammered by a forearm shiver. I am breaking down like a 1989 F-150. It was bound to happen, I just thought it would be later, like after I had developed a decent jumper, and had dunked it once; not to mention having a gut. This, issue, whatever you wanna call it (because it ain't age, I'm not even 24), came in the overnight express mail.

Here I am, sitting at a desk, with an ankle the size of Joan Foster's lips, and I am wondering if its all worth it. Is it worth it to throw on the Nike's and play? Is it worth paying 90 bucks for a pair of Kobe zooms, just to get my body broken? At the end of the day does it really matter, is my life enhanced because I played a pick-up game to 11?  What would I do instead though? Master Rock Band? Work on my impersonation of John Stamos? Am I ready to become a puppet of the people?

A.I.

He was dubbed the answer. To what? No one really knows. His intelligence is obvious. Just watch...

All the little worlds

This past weekend I went down to the NBA summer league games. While we (two great friends came with me) were watching the games, we saw the close knit family of basketball. Everyone knew everyone. We saw Gary Payton, Vlad Divac, Amare Stoudmeire, Sam Cassell, John Wall, Brandon Roy, Tyrike Evens, and most of the top rookies in the league. It was interesting to see that they all were more or less friendly. The NBA is a living, breathing family. The family is made up of players, coaches, assistants, trainers, agents, the media, officials, security, marketers, promoters, owners, investors, and fans. We heard a variety of conversations, from agents talking about deals with no name guys, players trying to make a splash, to scouts assessing players. The whole thing got me thinking about all of the worlds that exist within this world.

We all belong to a sphere, or multiple spheres. Different hats, or rather, attire is required for each one. Each one has a different language. Essentially a different culture. There are certain rules that are obvious, as well as the unstated. Not only must you look and act the part, you must back it up, cause no one likes a poser. There must be order to these worlds. These worlds are something like a clock. There are many parts, each having their own function and responsibility, making up the whole. People have to jump through certain hoops to get into anyone of these worlds. Admission is never free. Loyalty is expected as well.

I think it is fair to say that in the professional sports world, the rules are generally the same. You must be wearing name brand clothing. No one is wearing some faded glory shirt. Making a statement is critical, and nothing says, "I have the cash," more than a pair of throwback Jordans, covered by some Armani jeans, topped off by a Dolci and Gabbna shirt. These are our modern day, real life, super heroes. They preform amazing feats of athleticism and get away with murder (if you're an athlete, you are better off killing someone than fighting dogs). And you have to have a dang good looking chick, no matter where you are on the depth chart. What the world and the media deems "cool" is definitely embodied in these over-sized men. I'm no expert by any means. This is just what I see.

Seeing this world of professional athletes got me thinking about the many worlds that I have dipped my fingers in or have been apart of. I am sure we can all think of the worlds that we have been apart of, but what about the ones we have never even thought of. The ones that strike us as extreme, odd, stupid, disgusting, or just impossible.

Take for instance the world of mountain ironing. These people hike to the top of a hill... excuse me, mountain, and iron some sort of clothing material. What kind of conversations do these people have? "Rob got the new 300CX Iron. The battery power lasts up to 65 hours. Put him back a few hundies, but he can iron for days. Lucky guy. I guess his mom chipped in." Or is more like, "Goodness, it is just so good to be out of the house. This is the best excuse to get away from the kids and Spencer. I brought every single piece of bedding I own. It should last me a long time." They actually hike up a mountain with an iron, ironing board, and something to iron. They actually do this to release stress. I hope they bring starch with them, that would make it just that more intense.

What about these people over in England that do the wife carry or the shin kicking? "Hey Spencer, looks like you put on weight, and so did your wife. How do you think you'll fair?" (Hearty laugh by all of the spectators) "Just fine. I could carry your mother as well and still beat you! You lousy wanker!" says Spencer. Spencer then smashes his brute hand into the other man's face, and later takes 3rd. His wife weighted 250 lbs. Not a bad showing. Then the Shin kicking... They actually shove straw into their pant legs and kick each other until the other one quits. Saw it on ESPN. Oh, and this is not a sport. In the dictionary it is called STUPIDITY. They are obviously a primitive race that has not developed a language. No conversations could be recorded or even made up. After a series of tests on the winner of last years competition, it was determined he was brain dead. Doctors still are not sure how he has managed to live, let alone go to shave his face without cutting his throat.

Finally, here is the group, called free riders, or something like that. They go around and dumpster dive. They are dedicated to liberating the world from pollution... going green, the extreme style. They do not purchase any furniture, clothes, appliances, etc. whatever you find in a dumpster, they use. They live off our trash... The adage "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is true. Pretty amazing that they choose that life style and world. Not that I really admire it. Nothing that thrilling about choosing to be a bum, and not even a real bum. I would at least ask for money.

The different spheres are endless.

The Celtics

I hate the friggin Celtics. Maybe b/c everyone in Utah is loving on them right now. But I am about ready to blow a lid.

First of all they all act like they have chips on their shoulders. Like life is so tough for them. I guarantee you'll see KG, Ray Ray, Paul Pierce, and Perkins make the pooping face, or the "someone slapped my mother" look. I failed to mention Sheed, the biggest goof of them all. What are these guys problems?

I guess Ray's mom should quit coming to the game with that rhinestone jersey and nasty face. Begging for refs to get off her boy. Umm, Flo, he is a grown man. Maybe you should grow up too. Or maybe Paul will get carted off with a wheelchair again. Don't try to re-create drama bro. Willis Reed doesn't find it cool. Then again, it would be great if Perkins got another T, then the NBA could ignore his one game suspension again. I love when officials reverse calls, real ballys.

What would take the cake is if KG punched himself again, maybe even a slap would do. Hitting other players did not draw any attention to his obscure behavior. I just had a... yeah, I did... I just had an inclination of what KG's problem is; he is a psycho.

LA in 7. It will be great series. I just hope they can smile while losing.

Jazz Fans

The Lakers have once again entered into the NBA finals. As this glorious event transpired, I realized that once again the Jazz fans will have to wait another year to get beat again. I really cannot wait for next year to be here. My goal is to be at the La game in SLC, sporting a Kobe jersey. I would love to wear that purple and gold, with a big 24 on the front, and have everyone haze me. Here is the thing though, I feel bad for Jazz fans. I do. I feel bad that they can't win. But at the same time, I want to punch every hard core jazz fan in the throat.

They are the most irrational people in the sporting world. Your typical Jazz fan is LDS and live in Utah, or they are just lds and have family in Utah. Their basketball IQ... pretty low. And for some fallacious reason, they hate the Lakers. I guess this is where I do not get it. Why? Why hate the lakers? "Its cause Kobe raped a girl...you gunna root for a rapist. And he is a ball hog. Oh, and Fisher, total jerk. He is a traitor! Plus they are like the Yankees of the NBA. Just jump on the bandwagon. Fetch man." I'll counter each of these ridiculous claims.

Kobe the Rapist. First of all, do most jazz fans understand what happened? No. Not at all. Just hear say, and that is what matters. First of all, the DA decided to prosecute him, not the victim. It was also found that she had relations with other men besides Mr. Bryant within that same week. He also admitted that he committed adultery. He went to trail... he didn't settle it out of court... and was dropping 40 on the Nuggets during the playoffs. Sounds like his guilty conscience really got to his game. If you hate Kobe, then you have to hate every person who has done that. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamerlin, this list could go on and on, and those are just b-ball players. Oh... did I fail to quote some doctrine? Like love one another. Or it is required of us to forgive all men... if your perfect cast the first stone... how about hate the sin not the sinner. Or did most mix that last one up. Hate the sinner.

Or is it is game that you hate? Yeah, he is too good. Shoot. Might as well hate Johny Bravo and Brad Pitt.

Fisher the traitor. I am literally laughing right now. Give me a break. His daughter had a life threatening disease and the specialized hospitals were in NYC and LA. How dare he go back to a place he has already established residence. That isn't human. PALEASE! I have a name for you, KARL MALONE. The mailman quit working for the Jazz and went to LA to win a 'ship. Now, your Jazz icon went to the Lakers. Ouch. I guess he wanted to win one. Couldn't do it with the jazz. Sucks that a Tarheel was in the NBA at the same time as old Malone and Stockton. Just keep selling your cars while Jordan is selling his clothes. I guess I just lumped two arguments together. A side note, black players look better in the purple and gold.

Bandwagon jumper. I loved Kobe as soon as he left Lower Marion High in Pennsylvania. He was going to be the next MJ. He had a slow start, but I still loved his fro, spaceman boots, and silky fade away. I bet I know more about the Jazz then most Jazz fans. I guess I also like winning. Unlike rooting for a team that will never win. Get rid of J. Sloan, he ain't a winner. Get some real talent. All you have is heart and D. Will.

All in all, all of the Jazz fans arguments are lame. We have the loudest stadium...no that was Oklahoma this year. We have the most heart... yeah and you got swept... We are the best fans... and that is really helping. Get over it. You guys are competitive, but not winners. Quit being mad. Cub fans got over it. Just be happy with where you are, in the middle of the pile. Just sit back and watch a real team take it in the championship.

Retire No. 23?

Bron Bron said that no one should wear the number 23, out of respect for Jordan. He has since sought out the number 6 (Bill Russell's number). There are some rumors that the league may retire his number. An action like this, no matter how great Michael was, would take away from the legacy he is and the future of the NBA.

The greatest player of all time. Stats prove it, players agree with it, the rings prove it, but should the NBA really pay homage to him? I thought that was what the hall of fame was for. The Bulls have already paid tribute to "His Airness" by retiring his number. Isn't that enough?

Basketball is a team sport. Dispute that and it as if your disputing the law of gravity. A league wide retirement would only encourage selfish play and pride. Some would argue that it wouldn't, because to truly emulate Jordan, you have to make everyone around you better. And that is my point exactly. Emulate Michael, you have to adopt the team player spirit. He never asked for an MVP, retired number, or to be called the greatest, he earned it.

I want to be like MIKE. But he wasn't the first. There were many players before him, who revolutionized the game. He just re-invented aspects of it, he changed the way the game is played, but last time I checked basketball hasn't changed its rules in quite some time. You still have to put the ball through the orange cylinder to get points. Giving Jordan this honor would downgrade what the other greats did, like; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Pete Marovich, Larry Bird, or Magic Johnson.

He is remembered. He isn't forgotten. He isn't God. Let's remember that.