I got this article from an old friend. I think it’s very poignant – which makes it a rarity since 99.9% of sports articles’ topics, content, and writers are pathetic.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-17/nba-all-star-game-white-men-cant-root
Either way, please take the time to read this and think it about it.
(my hyperlinks are struggling as of late – so please don’t be that big of a slug and just copy and paste this into your url….please)
Even though it is only one day after the non-sense, my blog post will seem old. Why? Because LeBron James, the King, has placed himself obnoxiously all over the media. Luckily, I don’t care that it is a day too old. I wanted to comment on a few things I have thought about and discussed with some close friends.
First, LeBron is always so contrived. I guarantee you that he will attempt to swing his pay cut into something heroic. I guess once you have all that money, you can somehow even convince yourself that you are actually above it all – namely, the cash. Hey, he just wants to win a championship!
Secondly, LeBron basically squashed any ability to reach Jordan with his legacy. Signing with the Heat basically creates an all-star team. They are now expected to win every game – literally. If they don’t win the NBA championship every year, it will be the biggest implosion – maybe ever – in sports history. Jordan did it by himself (Pippen was not that good). LeBron will not. In this situation, LeBron will not even approach Kobe with his legacy.
Need I ridicule the beard
Third, LeBron had every right to leave the Cavaliers. Seven years is long to be anywhere, especially terrible-ass Cleveland. Yet, “the King” didn’t have to be such a turd about it. A one hour press conference “for the kids?!” Really? Another shining moment for LeBron that combines his wonderful qualities of narcissism and faux-contrite-ness. He is the chosen one among dooshbags.
Lastly, for those dorks – LeBron, Wade, and Bosh – to put on the Heat jersey the day after and come out like they were fighters drove me over the top. You are not fighting Tyson in the ring, so quit acting hard – or I will slap the shit out of your wrist the next time you drive the paint.
Like a good friend said to me – My favorite team in the NBA is now whoever the Heat is playing.
First off, Wow! A hollywood story for the US team thus far! As I understand it now, USA has won their respective bracket with England coming in second. What a great accomplishment for our team, especially considering had 3 more minutes gone by without a goal, we would not even had gone on to the next round. I was screaming for Landon Donovan this morning!
Now, despite the USA’s success, I haaavvveeee had some difficulty cheering for the US…
Sadly, I have been just as hyped about a number of other teams (namely, Germany) as I have been about the US team. Yesterday, my friend and I had a conversation where we both agreed that we would both have trouble really celebrating a great US success – like a Championship. It is certainly not because I don’t love America; on the contrary, I serve in its military and fight for its ideals (supposedly). It stems from the aggregate American attitude towards soccer. Clearly, Soccer is not even in the top 3 interests for American Sports fans – it may not even be in the top 5. Moreover, a substantial amount of sports commentators and writers – the supposed vanguards of sports opinions – are taking a “luke-warm” interest in our team… at best. I was shocked to hear commentators arguing over which was a bigger event, The Masters or the World Cup. Shameful.
Now, compare this to the global attitude to soccer. If America won the world cup, there would be a large cult celebration. The team might get a parade through New York, but certainly farmers from the South wouldn’t watch. Other countries, though, in their entirety, particularly from South America and Europe, would literally shut down. Work would stop and partying would ensue at an unimaginable rate. For them, soccer is everything all the time, not just some event that happens every 4 years. Foreign players are beyond superstars. I imagine Messi, and I know Beckham, makes LeBron look like a chump in the world of Superstardom. In addition, I do think that if America won, it would literally be bad (relatively) for foreign relations. I can only imagine the obnoxious YouTubers commentating, “America won and we don’t even care about soccer!!” “We are the best blah blah!!!” That would be a shame, but would definitely happen. Think if there was a World Cup of Football of Baseball and some obscure team smashed us. Imagine the American bitterness. I know I would be pissed.
I would like things to be different because I think soccer is a great game. However, it will NEVER rival American Football, Baseball, or even Basketball in the US. So, while I hope the US does great, I will remain hesitant to parlay unending devotion to them. America already maintains many of the best things in the world – the best soccer team might be just obnoxious.
Let me repeat. I really hope the American team does great, but really just for the guys on the team who have put their lives work into it. America won’t celebrate their success like they should and because of that, I find difficulty supporting, not the team, but “America.”
The argument usually arises from a discussion concerning my passion, MMA, whereby Baby states that superior physicality in the sport far outweighs the importance of technique involved within the sport. Logically, consider it is an ongoing argument, I make the opposite claim that, especially for MMA, technique is just as important as physical talent – around 50/50.
Discussing athleticism in MMA is for another post entirely and it would be highly unreadable for most readers. However, I wanted to continue my inital claim by discussing players in other sports.
"I wish this version had fighting so I could bitchslap Wayne..."
Now, in no way can I or woud I ever disregard Baby’s argument concerning the importance of athleticism and the necessity one must undertake in order to achieve their highest capability. Clearly, Lebron is the best player (agruably… I dig Kobe) and the best athlete in the NBA. Jose Reyes – the best athlete in the MLB and it definitely a top 10 player. Dion Sanders was a freak – greatest corner ever – maybe the greatest Defensive player ever. The list is ad infinitum for great players being ridiculous athletes. HOWEVER…
I wanted to present some of the greatest players ever who for professional athletes are considered marginal in talent… at best. First, the greatest example – Wayne Gretzky. He was considered the smallest, weakest, and least athletic on his team, yet he is the greatest hockey player of all time. How about Steve Nash? A short white guy winning the MVP in the NBA (twice right?)- and deservedly so… Nash is no Iverson in talent…
What about Football? Personally, I do not think my argument holds up as well in football where, usually, raw talent, equals a lot of success. However, the best quarterback of all time was Joe Montana who didn’t necessarily possess the “Peyton Manning arm.” Another great example, Adrian Wilson, the safety for the Cardinals, is legendary for his vert – its all over youtube. Yet, I would take John Lynch running a 4.7 every single time over that absurd vert.
I guess what I what to point out is that, especially in team sports, certain intangibles matter almost as much as ability. The ability to be a playmaker, be cool under pressure, think quickly, be intelligent about the sport - these are all qualities of excellent professional athletes, not necessarily qaulities of excellent athletes in professional sports.
I think the NFL combine and the amount of value weighed upon the results are mind-boggling. To somehow think that a .1 faster 40 is going to equivocate to even a .1 better player is ridiculous.
Concerning fighting, one of the most important characteristics is without a doubt gameness. Without it, one should really reconsder his choices – in wrestling, boxing, MMA etc…
Being a great athlete is highly important, but being a great athlete is not the sole determinant of success in professional sports… people should consider that…
I personally prefer the playmaker just making it happen as opposed to the freak athlete, but that is likely because I don’t have their ability…
Two things have had me bugging lately…
First, the issue surrounding the Jay Leno Show. I love Jay Leno. I always watched him over Letterman growing (though I enjoy Letterman as well). It was sad to see him go from his primetime spot. As most know, he didn’t actually want to go and decided to create his show during prime time. This was NBCs first attempt to appease both Conan and Leno.
If you don’t know, it didn’t work out. After the Olympics are complete, they are moving his show back to his original prime time spot, and bumping Conan, the new host of the Tonight Show, out of his normal spot.
This bothers me because Conan will eventually leave and go to Fox. When this happens, there will probably be tensions that could have been avoided in the first place had NBC handled it properly, both with Leno and Conan. The network is putting clout over a symbol of American Entertainment which I find unfortunate.
The second issue deals with Mark McGwire. I’m sure my comments on this blog are but one of a trillion on all the sports blogs out there but nonetheless…
My issue with McGwire has almost entirely to do with his approach to owning up to his actions. Look, if your options, as a professional athlete, were to be a good player, make a couple million, and have a comfortable career, OR you could become an incredible player, the most famous athlete in America for sometime, boost your salary by many millions, and guarantee your self a hall of fame spot, just about EVERYONE WOULD JUICE
McGwire should swallow his pride and admit that what he did was not something wrong or immoral, but something he thought was best for his career at the time. Though he came relatively clean yesterday, he still would not admit every detail, particularly the ones with Canseco, and its simply annoying. I hate to break the news to him, but him coming out saying he used steroids isn’t exactly a shocker among the sports world.
Lastly, (and this really bothers me) is there really a need to have congressional oversight into baseball – literally, a kid’s game? Yes, over usage of steroids can be dangerous; however, probably no more dangerous (on the aggregate) than one can endure through overusing the mega-drug of [insert any number of common drugs used here]. Canceso talks about in his tell-all book that his physical condition is actually remarkable – he used steroids admittedly for 20 years.
I do not agree with the idea that using steroids is immoral, or even cheating for that matter. These guys were simply trying to get an edge in their profession… the same thing everybody does, or at least tries to do. You can not fault someone for trying to improve their own quality of life, especially when it physically isn’t hurting anybody else.
But honestly, this was in 2005. We had a massive investigation into baseball by our legislative body during a two-sided war and the beginnings of one of the worst financial crisis’ in our countries history. Think about it…
I had a wonderful experience with my high school football team (to bad my college experience could not have been duplicated).
An integral part of the high school football lifestyle is undoubtedly the locker room and with the locker room comes the music played. Of course, in every locker room, you have the heavy metal dorks right next to the rap-lovers. That being said, I did my best here to parlay the top (no discernable order however) all-around songs that remind me and likely my generation of the glory days!
ACDC – Thunderstruck
I’m pretty sure that since this song was released in the ’80s, it has been blasted throughout every high school locker room (as well as a favorite on every warm-up CD).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w
Collective Soul – Shine
Blasted by every lifted-truck on either side of the Mississippi, this song still strikes a nerve with me. I choose “Shine,” but “December” by Collective could have just as easily been chosen. Shout out to Nate Nebergall on this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPslBGjuRL0
Foo Fighters – Everlong
Just like Collective Soul, I could have chosen a number of Foo Fighters songs, but this one used to get me the most jacked (ugh!) before games… same with Baby too. Dave Grohl is the shit in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBG7P-K-r1Y
Guns ‘N Roses – Welcome to Jungle
No explanation needed on this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1WUMRgbPR0
Incubus – Pardon Me
This may have just been a Cascia thing, but this song was on just about ever mix CD I ever heard during my tenure at school. Shout out to IVYMurph on this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhZvDJ2opsM
Eminem – ‘Till I Collapse
A little different for the Cascia crew, but this song undoubtedly gets everyone pumped up. I do not mind the rap, especially considering my graduating class’ theme song was Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio (R.I.P.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPkAHvp1Vgw
These songs I feel are the best representation of my Cascia experience. We all have our own personal songs that bring to life past experiences ( I personally rocked Meat Loaf before every game), but I think these songs are a pretty good representation of the communal enviroment
Special Note to class of 2004 – Enrique Iglesias – pretty much any song he sang, except for “My Hero”
The likes of TayHa, SPri, and RPritch blared this latin sex symbol literally on repeat. I like Enrique, but I can’t hear him without briefly recalling these guys and their semi-homoerotic behavior.
haha I love this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8PtBtRzcqM&feature=related
Medina is at times an eccentric, ol’ school hard ass that demands much from high school players. However, unlike many high school coaches, Medina has unrivaled intellect, both with “Xs and Os” and with players Psyche. He was involved in many activities, both as teacher, coach, and employee, and is without a doubt a leader within the elite community that is Cascia Hall.
To go undefeated for 3 consecutive seasons (he only lost one game the year before by the way) is an incredible feat and deserves much praise, particularly in a state like Oklahoma. Medina was a serious influence in my life with his advice concerning the military and I know he did many things “behind the scenes” to get me where I am today. I am forever grateful. He is an inspiration too his players, no matter how hard he pushes them, and the community of Cascia should be kissing his ass daily to keep him where he is.
Medina in a sense is Cascia Hall.
Congratulations Coach… it is much deserved.
Some of you have likely already seen this for I do not get a chance, nor do I really desire, to watch a lot of Sportscenter. However, I accidentally stumbled upon this link and was, well, I do not know really what to think.
It’s the video coverage of the New Mexico female soccer player who is likely the dirtiest player I have ever seen. My question is “did this girl have no idea she was on camera?” The things she was doing were so blatant it was like it was scripted. She is such an idiot. If you have not seen it… check out this link
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4629837
Incredible … I am not really going to act ridiculous and proclaim she was unsportsmanlike. I think she is just trashy.
In lieu of Tebow getting rocked last night, I wanted to finally make this post.
I wanted to briefly point out how ridiculous some people can be about college football. It literally blows my mind sometimes. Does anyone else take a step back and observe people watching these games?? Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing football and I enjoy watching the game but good lord. I know not everyone is wagering their paycheck on each game, so I just find it hard to believe why people are so intense.
Regardless…
The purpose of this post is talk about the Heisman trophy – past and present. Last year really set me off. Top 3 àTebow, Bradford, and McCoy…honestly? Could there have been a more generic uninteresting Heisman race? Isnt the trophy supposed to go to the most astounding player that year. Granted Tebow is an incredible player and Bradford and McCoy are probably going to make great pro’s, but honestly, the three quarterbacks off the three best teams??? Did the Heisman board (or whoever comes out with the candidacy) not think about anybody else? What makes it even worse was that the only reason Bradford won was because Texas lost to Tech, thus bouncing McCoy out of the number 1. Last year, and I think it is hard to argue against, I felt Crabtree was hands down the best player in college. But of course he didn’t play quarterback.
When looking at the past winners, every player has either played quarterback or running back with the exceptions of Tim Brown (Receiver) and Desmond Howard (Receiver). Excluding Charles Woodson (who I feel is the best example of how the Heisman committee should vote), the last defensive player to win was Leon Hart in 1949. This is comical. Has the best player in college over the last 60 years always played offense? Let me further that, has the best player in college over the last 60 years always played QB or RB? Granted a lot of the winners I think might be the best player in college that year, but it’s hard to really prove. Examples may be Reggie Bush, Ricky Williams, Bo Jackson, Tebow. These guys were incredible the year they won it and they just happened to play a sexy position. I have heard my whole life about Tony Mandarich; the greatest lineman ever to play in college. If that’s the case, why didn’t he win the Heisman. If he was the best, he should have been rewarded accordingly. The worst example ever was in ’92 when Gino Torretta won it with Miaimi. The guy wasn’t even the best player on his own team… probably not even top 15. He just happened to play QB for the best team in the country. Ridiculous in my opinion.
Of course, as of last night, the Heisman race this year consists of 5 QB’s. Cant wait for those player profiles and highlight reels. Maybe Herbstreit can break down some film and explain why his intangibles make him the best.
Ugh
In case you didn’t see it
