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12 July 2010
We're almost a week removed from "The Decision", yet it still is eliciting strong (i.e irrational and unintelligible) reactions from people who apparently were unfamiliar with the concept of free agency. I mean, from what I know, LeBron James decided to leave the Cavaliers and join the Heat to play alongside two of his friends for a better chance at a title. I missed the part where he beheaded some puppies, burned down an orphanage and professed his admiration for Hitler.
Anyone who has been around sports long enough knows that fans are prone to emotional reactions. But in this case, the illogical hyperbole has spread throughout the media and basketball world as well. Following are the top 10 most ridiculous, head-scratching, absurd things that have been said by analysts, journalists, radio jockeys, basketball officials and so-called experts since last Thursday. Sadly, none of this is made up. These gems all come from people who are either getting paychecks to give their opinions and thoughts on sports, or people who work in the basketball world.
10). "LeBron took the easy way out" Interesting. Apparently joining a team with two other stars and thus putting the entire franchise under an enormous amount of pressure is considered easy. I guess it also stands to reason that leaving your home town and subjecting yourself to a boatload of criticism from talking heads is also now easy. Leaving nearly $15 million on the table over the next six years must also be easy. Hmm...knowing all that, I wonder why LeBron said this was a difficult decision?
9). "Cleveland fans deserved better" Personally, I love this one. I've always enjoyed the fan/entitlement perspective. I'm not sure exactly what fans feel they deserve from athletes, other than their best effort when they step on the floor, which they got from LeBron for seven years (see point #6 for more on this). I understand Cleveland has had a rough sports history, between the Browns' ineptitude, the Indians choke in the 1997 World Series, or the Cavs woeful existence until 2003. But does that mean LeBron is required to stay with the team for his entire career? Is it really his fault that Earnest Byner fumbled in the 1988 AFC Championship Game? Does he owe it to the fans to play out his career with a less-than-stellar supporting cast in Cleveland just because Michael Jordan rose over Craig Ehlo to hit a game-winning jumper in the 1989 playoffs? Look - LeBron played his tail off for seven years and made the franchise more nationally relevant than its ever been. He owes the fans nothing else. Get over it.
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09 July 2010
In case you hadn't heard, LeBron James will be playing with the Heat next season. Yesterday, I tried to defend LeBron as most of the world was ripping him apart. Last night, LeBron made his decision, but the LeBron hate hasn't stopped. I didn't use bullet points yesterday, so here are some thoughts in bullet point form about LeBron the day after the decision.
- If LeBron was arrogant and cocky before his decision last night, he must be less so today. All I heard was how self-aggrandizing LeBron was all day yesterday. If that's the case, why did he go and play on a team with two other NBA stars? If he is so cocky and arrogant, why didn't he go to the Knicks where he would have become a bigger global icon in the biggest sports city in the world?
- People always say, "It's all about the money," for athletes. Well, it's obviously not all about the money for LeBron and he's still not getting any credit for taking less money.
- LeBron did what I would have done. If I had a chance to move to Florida (a state with no state income tax) and work with two of my really good friends, I would do it in a second. Think about it... you would to. Don't deny it.
- LeBron didn't hurt his image as badly as some would lead you to believe. I guarantee you that he will still be in the top 3 of jerseys sold next year. Because kids buy jerseys, and kids loved the LeBron show last night. They don't care if he might be cocky, they care about him being able to put a ball in a basket. All indications now are that Michael Jordan wasn't the nicest guy in the world when he played in the NBA. Did kids in the 90s know or care? No, no they didn't. And we all had his jersey. Or, if your parents were poor like mine, you had the t-shirt jersey.
- People who say that LeBron, Wade and Bosh can't play together are morons. Obviously, these people didn't watch the 2008 Olympics. I watched every minute that team played and I can assure this team will be just fine.
- Dan Gilbert is the biggest moron in America. Seriously, just read this.
- Joey Votto got lost in the shuffle. Way to go, Reds fans! You got your precious little first baseman in the All-Star game. I assure you, it's all downhill from here.
- Dan Gilbert made Tennessee fans look rational. I had never seen anything like Tennessee fans after Lane Kiffin left. Dan Gilbert took things to a whole new level. He said that LeBron tanked in the playoffs? If LeBron tanked in the playoffs, WHY THE HELL DID YOU WANT HIM TO PLAY FOR YOUR TEAM SO BADLY???
- Saying that any rings LeBron might win will be tainted is inane. Rings are rings. Magic won with Kareem. Larry won with McHale. Jordan had Pippen. Kobe had Shaq/Pau. It really doesn't matter who you play with. No single player has ever won an NBA Championship.
- Who the hell will ever want to play for Dan Gilbert again? Apparently, if you are a FREE agent and leave his team, he will completely throw you under the bus. I really hope the NBA Players Association supports a boycott of the Cavs until he retracts his idiotic statement.
- Mike Miller is going to be shooting a lot of open jumpers for the foreseeable future. He's a really, really good guy to add to this mix. When Wade and LeBron attack the basket, defenses will be forced to collapse on them, which will leave Miller wide open on the perimeter.
- Dan Gilbert sounds like a middle schooler whose girlfriend just broke up with him. And the font he used for that letter is the same one that was used in a lot of AOL chatrooms back in 1997.
- More players will want to play in Miami. Guys will take pay-cuts to play with LeBron, Wade and Bosh. This roster isn't going to be as depleted as some would want you to believe.
- Cleveland and New York, grow up. A basketball player chose to not come play in your city. You are rioting because of it? Chanting, "Queen James" because of it? Look in the mirror, maybe that's why he chose not to come. You think anyone in South Beach would have been upset if LeBron hadn't gone there? No, they would have walked outside, seen the 2.4 million models that live there and been okay with their lives. If you mouthbreathers have jobs, you're still getting paid today. Be grateful.
- Two last words for Dan Gilbert. Be better.
- Love it or hate it, the Heat are going to be very good. Get ready. These three guys are all right in the primes of their careers and the NBA just got a lot more interesting.
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08 July 2010
LeBron James is going to announce where he's going to play the next part of his career tonight at 9PM on ESPN. He is getting absolutely slaughtered by the media, people on Twitter/Facebook and random people I just happen to talk to. The thing I can't figure out is... why?
LeBron is a 25 year-old guy, who just might be the best basketball player on the planet. He was anointed as the "next Jordan" when he was a sophomore in high school. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year, he's been to the NBA Finals, he won a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics and he's been the NBA MVP the last two seasons. That's a hell of a resume for a 25 year-old.
Now, a guy in his mid-twenties is about to make the biggest decision of his life. LeBron's been criticized for how he's handled his free agency. First, when he was going to take tours of all the cities he might go to, he was getting killed. "He just wants free trips! He just wants to be wined and dined!" is what people were saying. Then, when he chose to have teams come to Cleveland instead, he still got killed. People complained he wasn't taking it serious enough. People said he wasn't dressed appropriately. LeBron couldn't win.
Then, reports came out that LeBron was going to have a one hour special on ESPN to declare where he was going to sign. People flipped out. LeBron became Public Enemy #1. Message board commenters, sportswriters and some of my friends have all referred to LeBron as cocky and arrogant. Are some of those people cocky and arrogant? Yes. Are any of them even close to as good at what they do as LeBron is at basketball? Not even close. Would they be cocky and arrogant (or even more so) if they were? Yes they would.
Most of those people fail to mention that LeBron is selling ad time during his special and all the proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The few people that do mention it say that he can, "Just write a check!" People don't say that when athletes have celebrity golf/bowling/basketball events, probably because those athletes aren't as famous as LeBron. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America are going to get an hour of publicity on ESPN in front of millions of people they would NEVER get otherwise tonight. I think it's pretty cool that a random guy watching might be intrigued and want to get involved with that charity. Hell, someone might even write them a check based on tonight.
It's not like the hate for LeBron will stop after he picks a team, either. People have built in reasons why he shouldn't go to every possible team. I don't agree with most of them, and I really don't care where he plays. He's one of the two best basketball players in the world, whatever team he goes to is going to win a whole bunch of games next year.
Basically, there's not a decision that LeBron can make tonight that will make most people happy. People say he's "ripping Cleveland's heart out" if he leaves. He's one basketball player! I'm pretty sure the city will still function on Friday, even if LeBron chooses to play elsewhere. Just a further example of people taking the sports world way too seriously.
Maybe LeBron is cocky and arrogant. But, is that the worst thing we can say about him? That he's cocky and arrogant? It appears so. He's never been accused of rape like Kobe Bryant and Ben Roethlisberger. He's never killed someone like Rae Carruth or Leonard Little. He's never been arrested for alcohol/drugs like JaMarcus Russell, Tank Johnson and many others. Being cocky or arrogant doesn't look so bad compared to those things, right?
No matter what, I'm sure LeBron will continue to be ridiculed and "hated on" by a lot of people. I still can't figure out why. He's just a 25 year-old guy living out everyone's dream.
(Props to Brubaker for some help with this one, he made all the good points.)
(Also, "Defending LeBron" has always been one of my worst nightmares. I'm pretty sure he'd drop 100 on me.)
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07 July 2010
Send your gift ideas and complaints to @StadiumDrives on Twitter
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02 July 2010
Yes, I know the calendar just ticked over to July... but this is a (Sometimes) College (Mostly) Sports Blog! And we're about to turn 1 years old! There will be some sort of contest announced soon, but as for the prize, well, it's here. We'll be giving away a copy of Blue Ribbon's 2010 College Football Guide... as soon as our writers stop arguing over who gets paid more.
You can get your copy here, if you simply can't wait.
Derek Dooley, ya'll!
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01 July 2010
I'm into the World Cup. I'm not afraid to say it. And, no, I'm not one of those bleeding heart patriots yelling "USA! USA!" after every goal to be sure. Actually, I've watched more foreign soccer matches over the last week than U.S. games I've seen in my entire life. It's the spectacle that has me hooked. The fact that the entire world is watching the same tournament at the same time. Do I enjoy it as much as the World Series or the NCAA Tourney? No. But you'd be hard pressed to find data saying the World Cup isn't bigger than both of those combined.
Hell, against the better judgement of my family and friends, I went out and joined the local rec soccer league. That shit is harder than it looks. And tiring. But it has garnered my respect. (Except for the flopping. I hate the dives. I have a hard time believing you are so very injured, right up until the whistle blows and you steal a call, and the go back to frolicking around the pitch for the next hour. Get up, fairy.)
So here's a newbies look at the first two rounds of the 2010 World Cup.
Lionel Messi is the best player in the world. He may not have a goal, but he's had a hand (foot?) in damn near every Argentinian goal scored. And look at the numbers, La Albiceleste (the sky blue and white) are torching teams, and playing very little defense in the process. But it doesn't seem to matter. Which brings me to my next point.
I want to hang out with Diego Maradona. Aside from just looking like he knows what to do with a bag of cash and time to kill, the guy is a former Argentinian national team player, regarded as one of the best players of all time, and employs one simple strategy as coach: Just go score. Maradona isn't wasting time working up sets and defensive trapping tactics. He's putting a fun group of hard workers on the lawn and just asking them to play. And it is fun to watch. I just wonder what he does the 5 nights between matches...
Here's a list of people I had no idea existed in May, but now want to see get punched in the face. Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Wayne Rooney (could not be located in June), Anelka (take your gloves off, you look like a butler), Carlos Queiroz (put a tie on, it's the goddam Catalina Wine Mixer, I mean World Cup!), and last but certainly not least, Joseph S. Blatter. You are simply awful.
Completely uninformed picks! Ghana knocks out Uruguay 1-0. Brazil eeks by the Netherlands in a battle of smoking hot national team fans 2-1 with a late finisher. In easily the most anticipated match of the quarterfinals, Argentina bests Die Mannschaft 22-18 Saturday morning. And I'll take Spain over Paraguay because, well, Paraguay had a pretty tough time with Japan. And I don't even think they play soccer in Japan.
In the semis I'll take Brazil over Ghana in a blowout, to match up with Maradona's Argentinians, who eek by Spain on PKs.
In the final: Argentina over Brazil. And looting. Lots and lots of looting.
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22 June 2010
It was the summer of 2002. A small 2 bedroom, 1 bath, non-air-conditioned house we rented in the north-side ghetto of Knoxville, TN... where we spent our time. We picked guitars on a $25 sectional we had purchased from the Goodwill down the street and swilled cheap brew on the other couch, on the front porch, most evenings. We also fought our 56K dial-up modem in the attempt to keep up with our college buddies long since gone home from school, as best we could anyway.
Long, long before Facebook and MySpace were what the "kids did." It was a special time. There was no "poking" or "friending." It was a peaceful time. It was the time of AIM, when in order to be connected over the ether, you had to wait around to hear the opening door sound of someone's logon and then go see who it was. It wasn't the easiest, but it was what we had.
Back then, we discovered what would become an enjoyable and repeatable way to waste more time. It was called "Hot or Not." You know you remember it, stop lying. "Hot or Not" was a website for the vainest of people to post pictures of themselves, have it flash up at random on someone else's computer, wherein they had the opportunity to rate you 1-10. Lovely. And later, one could log on to see just how Hot one was. It was not unlike today's chat roulette, just, you know, with less penis.
Oh those were the days, spent gawking and laughing at the pure insanity of it all, and coming to a group conclusion (after the laughter died down), making a few parting shots about your lifestyle decisions, clicking a rate button and moving on. Rinse and repeat. And go get a beer every so often. Good times.
But I digress... This is a sports blog, no? I was sitting last night trying to think of a new commentary series to start here on our (not always) College (never) Daily (mostly) Sports Blog, when I remembered those hot afternoons and evenings all those years ago spent making fun of, well, you. And the SD Hot or Not series was born. Installment 1, GO!
HOT: Erin Andrews. Yeah, yeah. That's the easy way to get started, I know. So be it. Her contract with ESPN is up at the end of this month and she will be able to test the waters of free agency. You know, Erin, we could use a TV personality here at SD. What we can't provide in financial compensation could well be made up for in witty banter, perversely insulting third-party dialogue during sporting events, somewhat clean dishes, and Bud Light. Think about it.
NOT: Lady Gaga. Yeah, your music is catchy sometimes, and aside from all the hermaphrodite rumors, I can see where some males would find you attractive. Pretty much, you can do anything you want and get away with it. But playing with your boobies and chugging whiskey in a major league locker room after a game, you may not. Joe Girardi apparently has no issue with it, but as a baseball guy, I do. Stay in the stands with the rest of the asinine Yankee fans. It's not cute. It's sad. Oh, and Mets... don't encourage her.
HOT: Rosenblatt Stadium. As I believe I have made abundantly clear over the years, I fancy the stick and ball sport above all else, and as a former college player myself, Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha has always been a dream destination of mine. Sadly, I will never get to see it with my own eyes. The 2010 College World Series marks the end of its 61-year storied history as the pinnacle of college baseball. There's a new stadium under construction downtown and once the currently underway series is complete, Rosenblatt will become a parking lot for the zoo next door. Here's to you, Johnny. Thanks for the memories. Cheers!
NOT: Barack Obama. No, despite your most intense wishes, reader(s), I'm not about to get all politico on you. But come on, Chief, at least do the wave when it comes by!
NOT: France. What a week for French "sports." Not only are your soccer side falling apart in South Africa, basically surrendering to itself (surprise), but you had such an opportunity to steer the spotlight away from your idiocy on Sunday night. Instead, French qualifier Gregory Havret, summed up what people the world over believe about you. You are a smug and entitled people with little respect for anyone else. And your food sucks. Havret, fresh off a lovely run at the US Open to finish second, spent his entire post match interview whining about missed putts and talking about how good he really was, not once congratulating first-time Major-winner Graeme McDowell. Yep. Harry Dunne had it right.
HOT: NBA Draft Live Blog! Tomorrow night! Here! Stick around, for if nothing else, to see how long we can continue to run this joke into the ground! Year 4 and counting!
That'll wrap it up for the inaugural edition, folks, except to say that I was recently given the nickname "Augie" and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it just yet.
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16 June 2010
It wasn't long ago that USC seemed to be on the verge of dominating the college football world. They had it all – high-powered offenses, Heisman Trophies, an endless stream of high school All-Americans and a high-energy coach who was rarely seen without a smile on his face. Completing the Hollywood aura that encompassed the program were the celebrities on the sidelines, sunny weather and gorgeous girls in the stands. Depending on who you ask, they visited three straight national title games, winning two of them, and there seemed to be no end in sight to their dominance.
Now? Let's just say things have changed a bit.
Sure, they still have the sunny weather and beaches. I'm sure the girls in the crowd are just as beautiful as ever, and being in Los Angeles, it's a safe bet there will still be some famous faces on their sidelines for games this fall. But beyond that, the current USC football bears little resemblance to that fun loving, care-free bunch that ran roughshod through opponents in the early 2000s.
Now, this program that was once the envy of the college football world is now quickly becoming the punchline of jokes. The confidence they once had has been replaced by whimpering and whining. A once-proud attitude has given way to a defensive mindset, the kind of irrational logic that shows when the bully becomes the bullied.
It's one thing to be handed a severe punishment by the NCAA - more than one program has felt their heavy hand, and USC certainly won't be the last program to be sentenced. So the announcement that USC will be banned from postseason play for two years and have to forfeit scholarships for three years due to “lack of institutional control” relating to benefits received by ex-player Reggie Bush was definitely news-worthy, but not entirely shocking.
No, what's shocking has been the arrogance displayed by the program after the punishment was announced. Instead of accepting the punishment and moving on, USC has behaved like a petulant child who sticks out his tongue at his parents after having his hand caught in the cookie jar.
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11 June 2010
It's hot outside. You have no friends. If you're reading this, you're obviously bored. Have no fear! I am here to let you know what the world has to offer. Just follow along so you'll know what to do this weekend...
Watch the World Cup. Sure, we're American, we hate soccer. But, you should watch for two reasons. 1) There's little else on TV. 2) It's the best soccer played in the world, so it's got to be decent. Plus, soccer brings out the best/worst in most countries. There will be hooligans and fans throwing stuff on the field, which is always entertaining. There will also be countless beautiful women at these games. Soccer players always get hot girls. Remember that moron Britt that stole your girlfriend in high school? Yeah, she was hot.- Don't root for the US Soccer team in the World Cup. I know, right? Listen, the US has ZERO SHOT of winning the World Cup this year. Until we get more world-class athletes on our team, our country should not support this team. The administrators at US Soccer need to get the game into the inner city, integrate the game more and then the US will be a viable soccer country. Until then, I'm not rooting for the US to do well. I don't cheer for second-rate teams. Neither should you.
- Go see Phish in Chicago. I'm the only Phish fan here? Fine, more room for me and my earthy smelling friends.
- Be excited about conference realignment. This is the first step to a college football playoff. Doesn't that excite you? Super conferences are going to be awesome. There are going to be more conference games. Plus, we all get to laugh at Kansas when they are in the Mountain West or the Missouri Valley Conference. HA HA! That is me laughing at Bill Self while he stares dumbly at an Iranian burying a 3.
- Don't call me un-American for not cheering for the US Soccer team. Being un-American is not supporting the troops. Not cheering for a bunch of 5'9 white guys who steal girlfriends is exactly American.
- Bet on the Celtics to win Game 5. Boston is going to win Game 5 Sunday night against the Lakers. Mark it down. Hell, bet your rent check on it.
- Realize I'm right about US Soccer. Yes, we have 4-5 guys who are great players on our team. The great teams in the World Cup have 18-20 great players. If we keep supporting a shitty product, we'll keep getting a shitty product. Refuse average, demand greatness!
Thanks for reading the first (and possibly last) installment of What You Should Do This Weekend.
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04 June 2010
If you're a regular reader of the site (and we thank the five of you that are), you know we typically try to have a little fun, using offbeat humor, sarcasm and a basic disregard for most journalistic standards to get our points across. We typically don't touch the serious stuff or offer deep, insightful perspectives because, basically, we don't have any.
But the passing of legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden is time to put all that hold for a moment. Anyone with an interest in college basketball knows what Wooden accomplished on the court...namely ten national titles, including an unthinkable seven straight from 1967-1973, an 88-game winning streak and 620 wins over 27 seasons. His teams were known for their attention to detail, strong fundamentals, and professional approach, and the list of players who played under him reads like a "Who"s who" of some of the best basketball players in history...guys like Sidney Wicks, Lew Alcindor, Bill Walton and Gail Goodrich.
Perhaps as impressive as the on-court accomplishments was Wooden's legacy. Known for his blue-collar approach and substance-over-style methods, Wooden is historically regarded as one of the best teachers the game has ever seen. Perhaps my favorite Wooden story was one that Bill Walton often tells, about his first practice at UCLA when Wooden spent the first 15 minutes working with the players on the proper way to tie their shoes. If he was that concerned with the shoelaces of his players, is it any wonder his teams were so successful in every facet of the game once they stepped on the floor?
Now, I'm not planning on writing a detailed timeline on Wooden's life here - you will be able to find plenty of those on ESPN.com, SI.com and others over the next few days, and written by much better writers than myself. But being a sports blog, I felt it was appropriate to recognize the passing of a true sports legend. His on-court accomplishments will likely never be matched, and his legacy as a man is untouchable. I mean, when is the last time you heard a negative word about John Wooden from anyone? The guy was universally respected for how he lived his life and treated others, and we should all aspire to reach that standard.
In short, there's one reason that UCLA basketball is considered an elite program today, and that reason is John Wooden.
Rest in peace Coach.
