This Blog is Waiting for its Major League Callup

Alphabetical All-Pros

2010-07-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

While perusing footballreference.com, I had an idea. This tends to happen when I have too much time on my hands. There are 25 positions in the NFL (loosely, if you count 11 starters on both sides of the ball, a kicker, punter, and return specialist), and 26 letters in the alphabet. But since there's never been an NFL player with a last name beginning with X, we'll say there's 25 letters in the NFL alphabet.

Taking one player from each letter by last name, here's a 25-man roster of starters from NFL history:

QB- John Elway: There's only 3 players with 'E' names, so picking a top-5 quarterback was a no-brainer. Especially when he might be the most physically gifted quarterback of all time.
RB- Marshall Faulk: Can you imagine Faulk and Elway in the same backfield? This team will be able to throw the ball all day, and Faulk won't have any problem with that (he had two years with 1,000 yards receiving). Not a lot of 'F's' to choose from in Canton, so I went with a recent player.
RB- Bronco Nagurski: I refuse to put two tailbacks on my team, so Nagurski, who played both ways and even threw the ball a little, is my fullback. And how about this- he retired in 1937, then came back to the Bears for one more year in 1943. They won the championship that season.
WR- Michael Irvin: He's the only member of the Hall whose last name begins with I, so he was a cinch here. The best way to fill this team out is to start with letters that don't have a ton of players, find the best, then fill the holes.
WR- Randy Moss: 'M' is filled with greats of the passing game (Joe Montana, John Mackey, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Don Maynard, Art Monk, Warren Moon), so I picked the most talented receiver ever to play the game. But the toughest omission might have been Anthony Munoz, an offensive lineman.
TE- Mike Ditka: Call him a player/coach if you'd like. There are a fair number of 'D' players, but none approached Ditka's stature, making him a shoo-in.
OT- Gary Zimmerman: There have been better offensive tackles than Zimmerman, but when you're looking at a letter like 'Z,' you take the only Hall of Famer you find and you move on. Three All-Pro teams in a career with Miami and Denver from 1986-97.
OT- Orlando Pace: The first of the super-tackles, paving the way for guys like Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, Joe Thomas and Jake Long. He was pegged as a stud in high school, and was a cornerstone of the Rams' Greatest Show on Turf offense.
G- Gene Upshaw: Even though the ubiquitous 'Johnny U' was tempting, it's easier to find a Hall of Fame quarterback than a Hall of Fame lineman. Upshaw made 7 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams, so he's nothing to shake your head at.
G- John Hannah: This came down to a pair of guards, Hannah and Steve Hutchinson. Hannah gets the nod because he has a full body of work, while Hutchinson, one of the dominant guards of his era, hasn't yet sustained his play quite like Hannah did.
C- Jim Otto: In 10 of his first 11 years, he was the All-Pro Center. He was a Pro Bowler for each of his first 12 years. Not a lot of competition for this Raider in 'O,' but he might have found his way on here anyway.

DE- Deacon Jones: He was a terrifying pass rusher who changed the game. Anyone who put the fear of god in linemen and quarterbacks the way 'Demon Deacon' did is going to land here.
DT- Joe Greene: Big, durable defensive tackles who can get to the quarterback like Greene are tough to find. So he's got his spot here.
DT- Reggie White: Played both inside and outside on the defensive line, so this works
DE- Jack Youngblood: Sacks weren't an official stat until the end of his career, but at the age of 33 and 34 in his final two seasons, he still managed 20 sacks. Imagine what he did in his prime. After Steve Young lost out to Elway, Youngblood didn't have much competition.
LB- Shelton Quarles: Had to do it. I could put him on here or replace one of my receivers with Mike Quick, so I didn't have much choice. He was chosen to one Pro Bowl. I guess no team can be completely loaded.
LB- Dick Butkus: He had to beat out Chuck Bednarik to get here, but he's the most feared hitter in NFL history, so there wasn't much doubt he was going to find his way onto this team.
LB- Mike Singletary: Two Bears' linebackers, both of which might have been the best hitter of his generation. And of course, you have to love him in the Super Bowl Shuffle. "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold. Part of the defense, big and bold. I've been jammin for quite a while, doing what's right and setting the style. Give me a chance, I'll rock you good. Nobody messes in my neighborhood."
CB- Herb Adderly: You haven't heard of him, but alphabetically, he's the #1 player in Canton. He was going to make this team, either as a returner or as a corner (he was drafted as a running back), but I needed a corner, so this is where he goes.
CB- Emmitt Thomas: He wasn't even drafted by the Chiefs, but only three corners have more interceptions than him. Cornerback is a position thin on overall talent because it's hard to sustain greatness there, but he managed it.
S- Ed Reed: Forgive me for maybe keeping the greatest player ever (Jerry Rice) off this team, but there's a shortage of great safeties, especially ball-hawkers like Reed. Besides, Reed will be in Canton one day. He already has 6 All-Pro selections.
S- Paul Krause: He had 12 interceptions in his rookie year and never looked back, finishing with 81 picks in a Hall of Fame career. Bet you've never heard of him.

K- Adam Vinatieri: I nearly named Mark Moseley, the 1982 MVP our starting kicker, but there wasn't much competition among 'V' names for the best clutch kicker ever. Jeff Van Note, a center from Kentucky, was the biggest competition. I feel good about this pick.
P- Shane Lechler: There were a lot of tough omissions from 'L,' including Ray Lewis, Night Train Lane, Ronnie Lott and Jack Lambert. But I wanted either Ray Guy or Lechler as my punter, and there were too many great 'Gs' to use Guy here.
Ret- Jack Christiansen: The scouting report on this safety was 'Don't pass in his area, don't punt to him.' He played only 7 years in the NFL, all with the Lions, but had six punt return touchdowns on just 34 attempts in his first two years. For comparison, Devin Hester had seven touchdowns on 89 attempts in his first two years.

Top 10 LeBron Commercials

2010-07-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

These are from the days before LeBron's Q rating was still higher than a NASA engineer's IQ. Now, at least in Cleveland, I'd say he's slightly more popular than Osama Bin Laden, but slightly less popular than Bill Belichek.

The LeBrons: Swimming Pool:

Pretty much everything about this one is perfect. It's entirely possible LeBron's acting career peaked in these 60 seconds.

The throwback: LeBron vs. Dwight Howard in HORSE:

In the original, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan played HORSE for a Big Mac. Larry Bird makes his appearance near the end.

Oddly prophetic:

If LeBron had done this in his press conference on ESPN, it would have made my century.

Because the real LeBron isn't good enough:

Powerade had to make him better. Not the only one with fake stuff on here (like McDonalds' spot above), but it's worth noting there was debate if this one was real or not when it debuted.

LeBron is too cool for school:

One of my favorites. Even if it hurts for all the Cleveland fans now.

The best of the puppets:

Anbody else think the $20 Chinese food part is the funniest line in this one?

Good luck finding your chair, LeBron:

He did two spots for 'This is SportsCenter,' but I like this one. Scott van Pelt helps tremendously.

LeBron finds the energy to rule another court:

Funny when it initially came out, then got overplayed, but is still a little funny now that you haven't seen it for a while.

Puppet Kobe gets his revenge:

Funny how well this one holds up after a few years.

The Lakers would crush Miami

2010-07-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

LeBron is in Miami. So is Chris Bosh. So is Dwyane Wade. So what?

In a seven-game series, the Lakers would only need five to finish them off.

Here's the way I see it. The Lakers have Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum (they have Bynum most of the time anyway). Those two guys can rotate on Chris Bosh, and I'd take that duo over Bosh and whatever 7-foot stiff the Heat sign to play center. The top big men still available include Luis Scola, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O'Neal. None of those guys (except maybe Scola, but he won't sign with Miami) would give the Heat a better frontcourt than Los Angeles.

But here's the kicker. Don't forget that the Lakers are perhaps the only team with two legitimate All-NBA defenders on the wings. One of those guys can guard LeBron, and one can guard Wade.

According to my math, that means Mario Chalmers might have to step up offensively for the series to swing to the Heat. That doesn't make me feel very confident.

Look, I understand that the Heat still have to round out their bench, and there could be some very good veterans to help out when it's all said and done. But the Lakers have built a formidable bench, led by Lamar Odom. The Heat won't be signing anyone near Odom's caliber to help them out.

Miami can put together a starting five that could win any playground game. They'll probably tear through the regular season and could well be the top seed in the East (though LeBron has learned the hard way that a No. 1 seed isn't always the best route to the Finals). But Los Angeles has built a championship team that can play with anyone. They can go small and use Gasol at center and Odom at power forward. They can go big, with Odom, Gasol and Bynum all in the lineup at once. They can deal with just about any kind of team out there, and they feel comfortable no matter what kind of style of ball you want to play. And don't forget, they just beat the Celtics' Big 3 (which isn't as formidable as Miami's Big 3, but Miami won't have a center as good as Kendrick Perkins or a point guard as good as Rajon Rondo).

One reason why Michael Jordan's Bulls were such a great team is because you had three of the best defensive players in league history (Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman combined for 27 All-NBA Defensive teams in their careers). LeBron has made two All-NBA Defensive teams, but no one has ever accused Wade or Bosh of being a great defender.

We know that Bryant and Artest can stick with LeBron and Wade. But that's a terrible matchup for the Heat. Put LeBron on Kobe and Artest can eat Wade alive in the post. Put Wade on Kobe, and, well, Dwyane Wade won't stop Kobe Bryant.

You can wait to see how Miami fills its roster out before you make a call on who could beat who. But I'll take Los Angeles right now, and I'll take it to the bank.

I'm Back!

2010-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

I coached a few friends of mine in church league basketball senior year of high school. One of the players was a close friend of mine, a 6-foot-2 power forward who played defensive end on his high school football team. He wasn't much for shooting, but he could rebound, block, and intimidate. He was our enforcer.

At halftime of a particularly close game, I approached him once and told him he only had one foul (he averaged about four per half). When I told him this, he began to grin.

"Really? That's about to change."

He fouled out before the end of the third quarter.

It's been over a year since I posted on this blog. But that's about to change.

I'm working in the features department for The Star Tribune in Minneapolis, Minn. For the first time in two years, my life isn't all sports, all the time. When it isn't your job (as it has been for me in the recent past), sports becomes a lot more fun. So I'd like to put some thoughts up here every once in a while (as my current job allows).

Maybe I'll get bored with it. Maybe I'll run out of things to talk about as the dog days of summer approach - I've never been much of one for baseball analysis. More likely, once the summer ends and I go back to writing sports full-time and start zombie-ing my day through classes, I won't have the time or the energy to post stuff on here.

But for now, I do. Let's see if I can enjoy this. Better yet, let's see if you can enjoy this.

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/BW_Jones

A Strange Brand of Hate

2009-06-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Memphis hates John Calipari.

We're not talking the kind of hate you have for your screen door that doesn't close all the way and slams open and shut with the breeze. And we're not just talking about the University of Memphis. The entire city shakes its head and bristles at even the briefest mention of the now-departed coach, who took more than just his family and his dribble drive motion offense when he left town.

"He didn't leave for the money," one Memphian told me. "It was about the prestige. I used to brag about this team to other people. Now? They're going to the NIT. We ain't got nothing to look forward to."

Memphis took it personally when Calipari left. It's a city with identity issues, where the local college basketball team is the most popular tenant of an arena owned by an NBA team. It's a city buried south of the Mason-Dixon line where the majority of residents are black.

This is what people rallied around in Memphis. The Memphis football team is a joke, the Grizzlies are pathetic, and there isn't a lot else to galvanize the public here. Several billboards around town advertise for the team with the tagline "Local pride. National power."Most people in around the city just seem to think Memphis wasn't good enough for Calipari. Not the city, and not the program.

Folks talk about how he took players with him. It's true. DeMarcus Cousins and Darnell Dodson used a clause in their letters of intent to follow Calipari to Lexington. Calipari flat-out beat his former assistant Josh Pastner in recruiting wars for Eric Bledsoe and John Wall. Nolan Dennis backed out of his committment to the Tigers and left for the Baylor, and Xavier and C.J. Henry bolted the school for Kansas. Forward Shawn Taggart looks like he's going to stay in the NBA draft rather than come back to school, and Tyreke Evans unsurprisingly left to be a surefire lottery pick.

When the dust settled, Calipari was King of the Bluegrass. He's sitting pretty, with 16 scholarship players and 100,000-plus members of Twitter-nation. Pastner had eight scholarship players and was forced to sign mystery prospects like Latavious Williams, a superb talent who may or may not qualify, and Martin Ngaloro, a French forward. The programs clearly seem to be headed in opposite directions.

Now, with the NCAA guillotine hanging over the men's basketball program and their 2008 NCAA runner-up banner, people are even more disgusted with Cal. It might end up that he undid all the good things he accomplished during his time in the city. You can't even blame the people. The only thing they did to deserve it was support the program for years and years, even when the Tigers weren't competing at the national level.

But here's the catch. Everyone is glad he was here. No one wishes that he never came, or even wishes that he had operated differently while he was here. None of the fans would trade Memphis' NCAA title game appearance or the program's rise to national prominence for a less successful coach who might still be with the program.

It's not over here in Memphis. More information is probably going to come out soon in the Rose case - information that could do more damage yet. Calipari is dead to Memphians. They just want to move on. Because for everything he gave the program - and the city - in his time at Memphis, he may have taken something even more important away from them.

A Semester in Sports Journalism

2008-12-17T20:03:00.000-08:00

It was just over three months ago that I began writing for the Kentucky Kernel, the national-award winning daily student newspaper at the University of Kentucky. I didn't even have to apply for a set of credentials until almost November. Still, in that short time, I've come to view collegiate sports in a completely different way.

I'm not going to tell you that I broke any big stories, or that I have Billy Gillispie on speed dial. I don't, and from what I've been told, I probably don't want to (more on that later). What I will tell you is that my little laminated credential with "UK Hoops" (Women's basketball) emblazoned on it has put me in places that I never would have imagined before, and that a big part of me has changed because of it.

I am no longer the sports fan that I once was. And I'm certainly less of a UK fan than I ever thought i could become in my entire life. That's not to say that sports did anything wrong, or that I've grown disillusioned with UK Athletics (more on that later). I'm just different for the experience. I feel strange when I go to a football game wearing blue to cheer on the Cats, mostly because the night before I had to wear green at a women's basketball game and silently stared at my laptop as the pep band blares the fight song. Sports is slowly becoming my job, not my hobby. Trust me, you can tell the difference when you're in my shoes. It's night and day.

For those of you wanting to hear stories about what Rich Brooks is like in practice or wondering what Billy Gillispie's cocktail of choice is, stop reading now. I don't know any of that. Don't particularly care to. Ask someone on the football team, or a Lexington-area bartender. But here are a few highlights and lowlights of my semester with the sports staff:

1. Covered the UK-WKU football game. Strike that. I sat in the press box for four quarters, ate free food, and got player quotes for our columnist after the game ended. Still, it was pretty cool to sit in the press box and go down to the media room. For the record, Rich Brooks seemed to be decidedly likeable. Did I mention free food?

2. Got to talk to Miss Kentucky, Emily Cox, on the phone for about twenty minutes. I was writing an article on the bi-annual poster put out by the club hockey team at UK, and she was the model this year. She was every bit as nice as you could want Miss Kentucky to be. Just for kicks, here's how the conversation ended:
BJ: Well, that's it. Thanks for all your help.
EC: Thank you so much! This was great! I'll talk to you soon! Oh, wait. No, I guess I won't.
BJ: Well, yeah...
EC: Sorry, it's just, you know, I'm used to talking with my friends and saying "talk to you soon" before we hang up.
BJ: Yeah I know. It's cool. Thanks again.
EC: Ok. Bye!
*click*
BJ: Dammit.

3. Went to Big Blue Madness and sat in the Rupp Arena press box. I was sitting there, realizing that ten years ago I had sat not far from where I was sitting as an 8 year old in my Antoine Walker jersey, when it struck me. I was there. I was 19 years old, already doing what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.

4. Covered the signing of Daniel Orton. Orton, one of the top-10 players in the nation, didn't crack a smile once in his press conference. He seemed like a very quiet fellow when I interviewed him afterward. This was the first time I ever had to muscle a TV reporter out of the way. While we're on the subject, I haven't found a TV reporter that I like yet. They have humongous egos. And this is coming from a guy who deals with D-I athletes several times a week.

5. Wrote a story on the death of Jenni Casper. She was a beautiful 26 year old with a fiance who was suddenly killed when she, while intoxicated, crashed her car. She had been a standout on UK's volleyball team a few years ago, and I got the call. The whole day sucked. I bounced between the police station, a press conference, and about 20 phone calls while skipping all three classes that day. The worst of it came when I had to call her parents for information on funeral arrangements. I stared at the phone for five minutes before dialing. Thankfully, no one answered. Not a day, or a phone call, that I want to revisit.

6. Had a UK athletics employee tell me that Billy G is a pain. I asked her whether she just meant to work with, and she said no. "He's just... difficult. I'm glad it's not my job." I stumbled in on one of his press conferences one morning (the women's PC was right after it), and his presence stood in stark contrast to Brooks'. Where Brooks was jovial and insightful, Gillispie seemed clammy and cliched. It's a small sample size of both coaches, but it's worth mentioning.

7. Helped put out the Kernel's basketball preview. It was an exhaustive effort that took five men more than 12 hours work without stopping, but it was worth it in the end. It was an 8-page special section with two of my articles in it, both of which could be considered some of my better work. My name wasn't anywhere on it other than as my byline, but I was proud to work on it.

8. The UK-UofL women's basketball game. The game itself was forgettable, as Louisville followed through on expectations and waxed the Cats. But afterward, in the press conference, Angel McCoughtry insinuated that the Cards had intentionally tried to injure a UK player to avenge a hit on their own player last season. McCoughtry, a national player of the year candidate and the best player in the history of UofL's women's program, is also the only player that I have genuine disdain for after my semester in sports journalism.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to know what the practice facilities at the Joe Craft center look like, or run through downtown Lexington to try and get a story, or what it was like to try and interview hockey players at 3 AM, or what a press box is really like, or the most fun I had on assignment this year (an article on the club rugby squad at UK), or what the bowels of Rupp Arena/Commonwealth stadium are like, or what Mitch Barnhart is like, or how eloquent Dermontti Dawson is, or how much 'fun' it is to deal with PR people, let me know.

About the only negative thing that came out of my experience in journalism this semester is my newfound knowledge of the floundering newspaper industry. I don't know whether there will be a job for me when I graduate, or whether all of this will be for nought. I do know that I'm ready for next semester.

Re-examining International Basketball a Generation Later

2008-08-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

One thing I always remembered from visiting my father on his ships during his Navy days was the basketball hoop that usually hung somewhere next to the helipad. He always told me about how when the ball accidentally went into the drink during a game, the ship used it as a surprise 'man overboard drill.' One day, I asked Dad if he ever played. His answer was as follows:

"No, I didn't really play. We had a couple of really good players. One guy played on the Navy's basketball team, and two more got DI scholarships to play when they got out. We pulled into Haifa (Israel) at one point and the Israeli National Basketball Team was in town. Our guys who played pickup on the ship challenged them to a game, and it was embarrassing. We blew them out. At halftime, the Captain had to tell the guys to go easy and let the Israelis come back, to prevent any sort of incident or national embarrassment. Another time, they played a team in Greece that had three members of their national team and blew them out too."

To be fair, Israel has never been a basketball powerhouse. They haven't qualified for the Olympics since 1952, and there isn't one player on their national roster currently in the NBA. Presently, they are ranked a respectable 24th in the world, right between Lebanon and South Korea. Their greatest national accomplishment in basketball is probably a silver medal at the 1979 Eurobasket tournament. However, the fact that a handful of sailors on a ship of just under 1000 (about the same male talent pool as an average high school) could beat the twelve best basketball players in Israel remains mind-boggling. That game in Haifa took place in 1992, the same year that the original Dream Team bulldozed the competition in Barcelona by 40+ points a game.

Fast forward to 2000. The US men's basketball team beat Lithuania by two points to win the gold medal. In 2004, they settled for bronze as Argentina won gold. In 2005, an Israeli club team, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, beat the Toronto Raptors in a preseason NBA game. Last night, America held its collective breath as the 'Redeem Team' defeated Spain to reclaim the gold medal. Sixteen years ago, basketball was a relatively unknown sport that was absolutely dominated by one country. Now, it is likely the second most popular team sport on the planet, behind only soccer.

It had to begin with the Dream Team. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing all ended up in the Hall of Fame. Chris Mullin was a perpetual All-Star. Christian Laettner had just ended his career as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. The team was so good, coach Chuck Daly didn't call a single timeout. It would be the equivalent of an island that had only experienced sunny days suddenly being subjected to a "The Day After Tomorrow" blizzard. The rest of the world couldn't help but be fascinated by such an exciting sport after finally being exposed to it at its finest.

Today, American kids who dream of being the next Ladainian Tomlinson run outside and find their soccer balls every time they see Ronaldinho juke the goalie and tap a goal in. The same must have happened in 1992 when the Dream Team took Europe by storm. In 1992, Andrea Bargnani was 7 years old. Tony Parker was 10. Pau Gasol was 12. It's impossible to think that those games didn't affect these future stars, or their peers. Just one generation later, the thought of an NBA without foreign born players in unfathomable. With every gold medal we win, the next one will be even harder to gain.

The gold medal game featured a chirpy Spain team that never went away. The game was excessively physical, and the atmosphere in the arena was so electric it could be felt through the television. While the US did go 13-28 from 3 point range, a dry spell from outside the arc in the third quarter posed a serious threat to the US lead. Rudy Fernandez impressed before fouling out late in the game, and Marc Gasol turned heads as well. The Spainiards were never out of the game until 17 year old point guard Ricky Rubio (forced into a starring role following Jose Calderon's injury) was called for a technical foul with 30 seconds left. When the dust settled and the US celebrated their 118-107 win, American viewers felt something they didn't expect. Sure, we had won. But it was harder than anyone expected, and it won't be any easier in the future.

There's no going back to the old ways now. Every four years, the talent gap between the US and the rest of the world will shrink. More draft picks will be spent on foreign talent. Conversely, more and more NBA free agents will jump across the pond for more money and increased playing time in Italy, Spain, and Greece annually. No one in 1992 could have predicted that a can of worms quite like this could have been opened, the crew of the USS Yellowstone least of all.

When LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and company defeated Spain early this morning, it signaled another new era in international basketball. In 1992, the rest of the world was forced to take basketball seriously. In 2008, the US was forced to take the rest of the world seriously. The Redeem Team has returned US Basketball to a level of talent not seen since the original team, and they made an indelible statement with their sound victories throughout these games. The United States still has the best basketball players in the world, just like 16 years ago.

But like those startling red and blue lights and your rear view mirror, the rest of the world is closer than they appear.

Phelps, Federer, and Unquestioned Dominance

2008-08-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

One of the lessons we learn from sports is that losing is a part of life. We are taught that it is okay to fall as long as we stand up again, that mistakes are normal, and that no one is perfect. And 99% of the time, in sports and in the real world, that's true. But then you find a Michael Phelps, or a Roger Federer.

In a famous commercial, Michael Jordan stated that:
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Phelps and Federer laugh at that because when you compare their accomplishments, Jordan is mediocre. For years, they were untouchable in their respective fields. When you make SportCenter for losing a match and a win is considered too routine to be covered, you know that you are almost laughably good. Forget being on a different plane from their peers, Phelps and Federer cannot even be compared to the rest of mankind.

Dominance like we have seen from these two could only be seen in individual sports. Bell Telephone was deemed a monopoly and forced to break apart in 1984. A 16-0 regular season NFL team was anything but a lock to win the Super Bowl. Omnipotent dictators such as Stalin and Hussein have given way to democracy. Even Tiger Woods only wins a third of the majors he has competed in. Which is why everything that these two have done is even more impressive. Forget trying to find historical parallels within their sports, you can't find anything comparable anywhere. For the past 5 years, both Federer and Phelps have been, unquestionably, the best in the world at what they do. If you had to name the world's best lawyer, or the best cafeteria lady of the past 5 years, you wouldn't have a prayer of finding who it was. Yet these men stand out like road flares on a dark highway.

Maybe the easiest way for you to truly understand just how dominant Michael Phelps was in Beijing would be to ask the competition. A handful of swimmers who came in second to Phelps throughout the Olympics were quoted saying:
"Phelps swam so fast. It is my honor to compete with him."
"Maybe next time I can catch him."
"It's not a shame to be beaten by a better one."
"I tried to do everything to go better than Phelps, but I don't have enough power for that."
These all come from men with silver medals around their necks. They are the second best in the world, and they have no qualms about who is number one.

Federer's recently quashed streak of 237 consecutive weeks as the world's number one tennis player shows us that nothing can last forever. The shelf lives of athletes is shorter than that of cottage cheese. Federer's drop, Tiger's injury, and Phelps' inevitable regression that will occur between now and the 2012 games in London is shocking because... Because we are forced to realize that they are mortal. When the fact that you are a mere human is news, you know you've done something better than anyone else has ever done it. When you examine all the gold, and all the majors, that is what these men have shown us. Once in a blue moon, the stars align and sports gives us a god who doesn't just transcend his sport, but transcends everything that we had every known before him. That is what these two men have done, and that is how they will be remembered.

Favre, College, and the Next Part of Life

2008-08-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

We've all met Brett Favre. Maybe not the auburn haired Fabio lookalike who once captured three consecutive MVP's and led his team to two Super Bowl's, but we all know him as he is now. He's the 27 year old who keeps coming back to campus years after he graduated. His five and a half years of college weren't enough; he spends his weekends tailgating and partying at the old frat house, tirelessly attempting to hookup with freshman girls before passing out on the couch of an unwilling host. He never wanted to leave the glory days behind, even though they have left him.

This might explain why we felt the way we did once Favre retired. He had finally done what we could not do for him when he decided that he was finished, and we felt proud of him for that. His beard had become grayer and tougher than a steak from Golden Corral. The bonfire in his eyes has dwindled to a something resembling a flickering candle, almost there out of obligation instead of desire. We could all tell that it was time for him to go, which is why so few cried out when he made his announcement in March.

But he just couldn't kick the habit. He's back in green, but in a light we never thought we'd see him. Favre's trade to the Jets was shocking even though it we knew it was coming. Perhaps it was the inevitability of Favre's departure that made it so jaw-dropping, and we just weren't ready for it. The events that have played out over the past month have been almost as unbelieveable as the conclusion.

From a purely football standpoint, Favre is looking at a difficult road ahead. Presumably, he won't continue to play after his contract expires following the 2009 season. In the next two years, the Patriots are virtual locks to win the AFC East, which leaves the Jets in contention for the wild card. They'll be competing against Jacksonville, Cleveland, Denver, Cincinnati, and Tennessee for those last two slots. Favre certainly brings a dramatic upgrade at football's most important position, but its difficult to see the Jets as anything more than a 9-7 team.

Which may, in fact, be for the best. If Favre toils as an above average starter for an 8-8 team, his legacy in Green Bay won't be tarnished. He'll still be remembered for his career as a Packer, and not a Jet. Should the Jets make a deep playoff run or (heaven forbid) win a Super Bowl, we would have to remember Favre as a Jet and a Packer. For a man who has represented a state and been resented by a region for the past 15 years, that's quite an altercation on his legacy. With such a decorated past, its no wonder Favre was miffed by the Packer's reaction to his comeback.

You can't truly fault Favre for returning to football. Saying that he's going back to his roots would be an understatement; for twenty years the game has dominated his life. The decision was obviously very difficult for him, his anguish in the past few off seasons illustrates that quite well. Those of you close to my age (college) all experience the same thing. Sooner rather than later, we take a mantle of responsibility that we have never held before. We move out, try, fail, hopefully succeed in time, and carry that responsibility for the rest of our lives. That 28 year old alumni is having a tough time coping with that reality, just as Favre is having a tough time realizing how close he is to the end of something great. Favre simply decided he wasn't done with one part of his life, and Ted Thompson be damned, he's going to play football for as long as he can.

It has always been evident that making a final decision on retiring is uncomfortable for him. Take a look at his eyes on that magazine cover. They're greener than a PETA convention. Imagine, just for a moment, that the allegiance of those eyes isn't to the Packers, and isn't to the Jets. Imagine that his allegiance lies to game of football, and the emerald pastures that become the gridiron on Sunday afternoons. In the end, we loved Brett Favre because he loved the game, which is why he has come back for one last go at it all.

The Red Sox Are Counting Their Losses

2008-08-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

The blockbuster deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to be a bit lopsided, though no one seemed to identify a clear winner after the trade. After the smoke had cleared on Friday, we were told that Boston had acquired Jason Bay while giving up Ramirez to the Dodgers and prospects Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers sent Andy LaRoche (he of the .200 batting average) and Single-A pitcher Bryan Morris to the Pirates. The Pirates swapped outfielder Jason Bay to Boston.

The Dodgers seemed to be the winner of the three teams, and rightfully so. They had received a middle of the order, future Hall of Fame slugger for a backup infielder and a prospect buried deep within their system. They also received $7 million to pay the remainder of Manny's contract this season. That means that Manny Ramirez is basically free for the Dodgers the rest of the season.

The Pirates, though they did make a few nice pickups, did not hit a home run with this deal. Bay had been their best player since he won Rookie of the Year in 2004, and he was immensely popular with their fans. Hansen, if he can regain his control and become a more confident pitcher, may be a stud closer one day. Moss projects as an average to above average outfielder. LaRoche joins his brother in Pittsburgh, but I wouldn't want him as a starter on my team. Morris was a former 1st round pick whose stock has dropped considerably since undergoing Tommy John surgery before th 2007 season. Calling him an X-factor would be a compliment; presently a member of the Hickory, North Carolina Crawdads, he is as much of a mystery as WW Jacob's monkey paw.

But the Red Sox seem to be the unmitigated losers of the three teams. While they did manage to dump Manny to an NL team, they did it at a terrible cost. Jason Bay is not a better player than Manny Ramirez. Factoring in his baserunning and defense may or may not make him Manny's equal, but he is not an upgrade. His salary is considerably less, but remember that the Sox are still paying Manny for the rest of this season. Bay will make $6 million this year, and $7.5 mil before becoming a free agent after 2009.

Though it may be a small sample size, Bay is 4-11 since joining Boston in a series against the Oakland A's. Remember that many players, such as Edgar Renteria and Eric Gagne, have struggled with the additional attention that comes in a baseball pressure cooker such as Boston. Bay is moving from a situation where there was no national media, an uncompetitive team, and an average fan base to extremes in all those respects. It would be no surprise if his production fell off for the remainder of this year. The Red Sox maintain 4 solid outfielders, with JD Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Coco Crisp all available in addition to Drew.

But there is one more thing that Boston gave up to dump Manny. Had the Red Sox stuck it out with Manny for the rest of this season and cut him loose to the free agent market (as the Dodgers will), they would have received two compensatory draft picks, at least one of which would have been a 'sandwich pick' at the end of the first round. Now the Dodgers will get those. As a quick aside, it would shock no one if the Yankees signed Manny in the off season to DH and provide outfield help, with Giambi's and Abreu's contract expiring, and Matsui's rash of injuries. In recent years, the Red Sox (and many other major league teams) had begun to place an emphasis on the draft and player development. This trade goes against that philosophy.

So, to recap. The Red Sox gave away their cleanup hitter, two future everyday major-leaguers, $7 million dollars, and two draft picks to acquire an outfielder who may or may not be as good as Ramirez. No matter his issues with the front office and history of poor behavior, that seems like an awfully steep price to dump a future member in Cooperstown while you're in the midst of a pennant race.

We'll have to wait and see how it turns out for all parties involved. But keep in mind to not only judge this trade in October. If Hansen turns into Joe Nathan, or if the Dodgers pick up the next Joba Chamberlain in the draft, it all goes back to this trade.

When I Grow Up...

2008-07-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Right now, thousands of starry-eyed children across the United States are asleep dreaming of their futures. There’s a second grader in his red pajamas imagining a heroic, noble existence as a firefighter. A little girl is picturing herself as a doctor, saving lives daily in a hospital environment so perfect it would make the writers of Grey’s Anatomy blush. And there’s a 13 year old boy who just played in his first All-Star game, tucked beneath his New York Yankees bed sheets. The only thing his monomaniacal mind can think of is a career as a big league ballplayer.

Children today are flooded with statistics of the astronomical odds that must be overcome to be a professional athlete. An individual in the military has a better chance to win the Congressional Medal of Honor than a high school athlete has at going pro. While it certainly isn't an easy path, when was the last time we wanted to reward our youth for going the easy route? Is there anything more tragic than an 15 year old resigning himself to a lifetime of cubicle-dwelling because that's the sensible thing to do?

When I was six years old, I wanted to be a paleontologist. Never mind the fact that I had never even heard of Jurassic Park. I simply loved dinosaurs. My first grade mind could spell complicated scientific names such as pterodactyl, tyrannosaurus, and plesiosaurus at the same time as I labored over spelling words like 'apple.' Most young boys have a period where they are fascinated by dinosaurs, but I went above and beyond. Until I was about 10 years old, I knew that I wanted to dig up dinosaur bones in the Montana foothills for the rest of my life.

Then my father broke the news. He matter-of-factly informed me that paleontologists spend 90% of their time in libraries, and field expeditions like the ones I read about in National Geographic were few and far between. I was crushed. Demoralized and defeated, I began to pour myself into history books detailing the annals of World War II, which occupied me until an affinity for sports surfaced in my teenage years.

In hindsight, paleontology was almost certainly a pipe dream. There are six US universities that offer Paleontology as a major; comparatively, about a dozen offer Golf Course Design. According to various internet sources, there are about 500 paleontologists employed in the States. About three of them live the Indiana Jones inspired lifestyle I foresaw for myself. For perspective, there are about 1900 football players spread among the 32 NFL franchises. So it appears that dear old Dad knew what he was doing.

I’m not here to say that every machine-pitch shortstop should fancy himself the next Derek Jeter, or that a YouTube caliber dunk in an AAU game will pave the way for you as Jordan’s ‘air’ apparent. But it’s important to realize just how sterilized The American Dream has become, and how sports are a big part of that.

In the recent bestseller “Johnny U,” Tom Callahan wrote of Unitas' era: “That's the thing sports will never get back. Once, the players were one of us. They lived right next door. They don't anymore." Tragic as it may be, this influx of the cash has opened doors across America that would have otherwise remained closed tighter than a nun’s chastity belt. Salaries have increased exponentially for years now, making sports one of the easiest ways to rise through the glass ceilings our society has unknowingly installed.

Sports also provide us with a kaleidoscope to examine every angle of some of the more fascinating contradictions of our culture. As America becomes more sterile and politically correct by the day, sports stereotypes remain constant, and accepted. The thought of me, growing up in east end Louisville as a 5’9” white kid and becoming a wide receiver for the Seahawks a la Steve Largent is laughable, while the idea of me following in my father’s footsteps and becoming a doctor is eminently believable. By contrast, a 5’9” black kid in the west end sees himself as Deion Branch. In his own mind, he is less believable as a doctor than Doogie Howser.

The calculating, ruthless methods found in American business have never been found in our youth, yet they are somehow installed as they grow up as easily as a new Windows operating system. A college student who drops out of school to run a website based around an online grocery is hailed as an innovator, while the fifth year senior backup point guard who waits for his breakout at the Orlando camps is called foolish.

When do we stop going for it? At some point most young athletes will have to pack it in. That thirteen year old All-Star may earn a scholarship to a D-I school and hang on for another four years, or he may ride the bench through high school when the coaches realize he can’t hit a curveball.

Stories like those of the DiMaggio brothers, whose father came to America on a steamer are now extinct. Rudy Ruettiger would be considered nothing more than an obsessive if he had never suited up for Notre Dame. Giants like George Mikan, who master their trade through diligence and perseverance in place of athletic ability, are now ‘energy guys off the bench.’ But perhaps the most tragic casualty in our Darwinian society is the diminishing stretch run in the pursuit of the American dream.

So tell the kids to go for it. Most won’t turn out to be Jose Reyes, but who’s to say you won’t lose a Cal Ripken in the mix? A little extra exposure to team sports is good for everyone, and contrary to contemporary belief, dreaming big won’t wreck your future. Let them grow up to be athletes, and doctors, and paleontologists. We need them all. But perhaps more importantly, we need the idea that we need them all, because that’s why we do what we love, and why we keep doing it.

100 Down, 62 to Go

2008-07-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

The NFL plays 16 games in the regular season. The NBA, 82. Major League Baseball is not even two thirds of the way through their 162 game schedule, and many of the teams have yet to decide whether or not they can seriously contend.
The Indians mailed it in a few weeks ago, giving up on the idea of a tantalizing 1-2-3 punch of CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Fausto Carmona. Detroit sold the farm in the offseason, so all they can do now is cross their fingers that the offense keeps it going and that their arms come back soon enough to give them a shot at the Central. The Little Engine That Could in Tampa Bay is running as fast as they can just to avoid being overtaken by a toothless Yankees roster and a Red Sox lineup minus their best hitter. In the NL, the Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs, and Brewers are clawing for three playoff spots while the Braves insist they aren't out of it yet.
And with all of this, it's the sellers (by which I mean cellars) that hold the key to the postseason. There's never been a better time for Pittsburgh to be 12 games back, with outfielders Xavier Nady and Jason Bay up for sale. With that said, I'll prescribe playoff remedies for each team that thinks they have a realistic shot at playing in October. Also ahead is a Seinfeld reference and an interesting picture of Pat Burrell.

AL East

Tampa Bay Rays (58-41)
The Rays should follow the old Marlins blueprint for winning championships. Stock up on prospects, let them come up, then pounce on free agents and the trade market to load up for two year runs at the ship, then trade the guys you can't afford to keep for prospects and start over. The fish won two titles that way and are looking at a window for a third, so it's not such a bad idea. An outfielder would help immensely, and a stocked farm system means they can get one without wrecking themselves for the next five years. Go for it now and hope the youngsters hold up in October.

Boston Red Sox (59-43)
Wait and see. They have 4 good outfielders, a solid infield, and a rotation more stuffed than a redneck at Golden Corral. Justin Masterson should be another reliable bullpen arm when he returns from AAA, and the return of David Ortiz will do more to help than any deadline acquisition could. Even though they're a half game back, they're still the favorite for the Fall Classic.

New York Yankees (55-45)
Even though Phil Hughes has fallen off the face of the earth, the offense is underachieving, and the rotation is less intimidating than a Joan Rivers interview, they remain within striking distance. Even more surprisingly, they have good prospects. If they can find the right deal, a trade would make a lot of sense for them. As long as they don't sustain any more injuries, they only need a few breaks to make it back into the playoffs.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox (56-43)
They look good. The Twins just won't go away, and Detroit finally remembered how to play the game, so it won't be a cakewalk. Much like their 05 team, they are solid at every position without being spectacular at anyone (Carlos Quentin notwithstanding). They don't have any pressing needs, so a trade seems implausible. Their lead has experienced shrinkage of Seinfeldian proportions, dwindling to 1.5 games, but they should hold on to take the division.

Minnesota Twins (55-45)
This small market team doesn't have the wallet for a trade, but they do have the biggest X factor in the Central. Francisco Liriano is currently languishing away in AAA Rochester with a 9-2 record and 104 strikeouts in 112 innings. If he comes back and pitches for the Twins like he did in 2006, it could mean 4 or 5 extra wins from the back of the rotation. And that could be just enough to knock the White Sox out of the top spot.

Detroit Tigers (51-49)
They started out 0-7. They crawled to a 24-36 mark by early June. And since then they've gone 23-11 and played .675 ball. If they can keep Joel Zumaya away from Guitar Hero IV, and if Dontrelle Willis can find his way out of single-A ball, they'll be in good enough shape. They can't trade for anyone, as they gift-wrapped the better part of their farm system for Cabrera and Willis already. If they keep playing hard, they could have the most momentum of any team by the end of the season.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels (61-39)
Quietly boasting the best record in baseball and cruising with a 9 game lead over Oakland, who has already shut down for the year. Stay away from injuries, avoid complacency, and get ready for the postseason.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies (54-46)
Joe Blanton? That was your trump card? Better hope Ryan Howard's batting average returns to its typical level, which is only mildly unacceptable, and that Pat Burrell keeps it going or this team could be out of things fast. They've made their move, and it seemed to be a bit half-hearted.

Florida Marlins (53-47)
You wonder whether they feel like this is their year or if they want to wait a bit longer for Cameron Maybin, Chris Volstead & co. to come along. With such a competitive division, maybe it would be best to try in earnest next year. They can't afford to make huge trade deals unless they are sure that they are in it to win, and that might not be for another year or so.

New York Mets (53-47)
The resurgent Mets crashed the party a couple weeks ago, and if their position players (particularly their infield) plays to its potential, they have to be the favorite. Another starter and a good reliever would be huge, but the owners have already sunk a bundle of money into this team. I would go for it and try to get one more arm, because I think the Marlins and the Phillies are overachieving while the Mets underachieved so long.

Atlanta Braves (47-53)
This should be a much easier decision for Atlanta than they're making it. If you are in 4th place and seven games out at the end of July, you ARE NOT in contention. Trade Mark Teixeira, restock the farm system, and wait for teams above you to collapse in the next couple years while your young players emerge. That being said, their next 13 games are all against teams in front of them for the division or the wild card. A big win streak could turn things around quick, while a handful of losses would make trading Big Tex infinitely more palatable.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (58-42)
They need to get healthy. With everyone healthy, they might be the favorite to win it all. But if Soriano disappoints, and Zambrano and Harden and Wood get nicked up, they could miss the playoffs. No one member of the lineup is particularly terrifying, so it might be up their power arms to take this team into October.

Milwaukee Brewers (57-43)
They are, most decidedly, in it to win it. Trading LaPorta for CC wasn't such a bad deal, since All-Stars Ryan Braun and Corey Hart were blocking him anyway. If Sabathia and Sheets like money as much as the rest of us and they are interested in a big time deal this winter, they should be playing hard down the stretch. This team is as dangerous as anyone, and is currently the prime candidate to perpetuate the ill fortunes of the Cubs.

St. Louis Cardinals (57-45)
Management has made it clear that they have no intention of getting any extra help, so Tony LaRussa finds himself in a precarious position. Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, and Skip Schumaker can't keep this up forever. He has to pin his hopes to Albert Pujols bat and a training staff that is currently caring for a pair of top-of-the-rotation starters in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. 15-20 starts by that duo down the stretch could make all the difference.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks (50-50)
They're back to .500! And they still need a left handed hitter. Their rotation trots out Brandon Webb, Danny Haren and Randy Johnson three days out of five so there are no problems there, but the lineup has to get better. Gaping holes in the outfield and inexperience in the infield threaten to cost them a shot at... a first round playoff exit. They still have a ton of young talent and should be more dangerous in the future, so there is significantly less to worry about here than in LA.

Los Angeles Dodgers (49-51)
The most dangerous offensive player is a 25 year old catcher who is leading the team with 10 home runs. The best pitcher is 23 years old with a 9-9 record. The analysts are waxing poetic about Rafael Furcal, but this team needs something else. Though effective, Joe Torre has hardly been the shot in the arm that he was envisioned as. With a record like this, do you really want to give up young players for a chance to maybe make the playoffs? No. Wait and hope for the best.

Following the blockbuster deal that sent CC to the Brewers, a plethora of other trades have already gone through. In all reality, Pittsburgh will probably trade one outfielder, and the Bravos might wise up and move Teixeira if they have a bad week. But the biggest deals are already done, so expect solid play to be the biggest determining factor from here on out. Sixteen teams or so are still in it now, but only half will still be going after the regular season. Be prepared for one of the more exciting stretch runs in recent memory.
Big bucks, young talent, underachievers, impending free agents, and overzealous owners will all have their say in how the stretch plays out. With all this, there has never been a better time to be a baseball fan.
Unless you're a fan of WNBA fights.

Petrino's Mess

2008-07-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Bobby Petrino left a mess behind for his successor. Nevermind the Atlanta Falcons, where his French-army inspired retreat drew the unanimous ire of fans, players, and sportswriters alike. At the University of Louisville, a bushel of talented ne’er-do-wells were left in the cupboard for Steve Kragthorpe. Now head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Petrino’s fall from grace has at least been matched, if not eclipsed, by the Cardinals.

In the past year, starting cornerback robbed a convenience store with an Uzi. Wide receiver JaJuan Spillman was arrested twice for possession of marijuana and DUI.

Former high school All-American Willie Williams was released from the program following his arrest for possession of marijuana. George Stipling, a major contributor at running back, was dismissed for an unspecified violation of team rules. Most recently, wide receiver Trent Guy was shot outside a nightclub and has only been discharged from the hospital in the past few days.

And after all of this, Kragthorpe has responded by instituting a midnight curfew. All of which is sure to do wonders in recruiting for a program that went 6-6 last season without a bowl berth.

It’s worth noting that there appeared to be fewer problems within the program as Petrino led the team. But individuals within the Louisville athletic department privately state that this had more to do with deliberate deception and careful maneuvering to protect his players. After all, when you win, problems like these are generally menial and often overlooked.

When Petrino bolted to the Atlanta Falcons, it looked like he had inherited an NFL team that was just a few tweaks from making a significant playoff run. Then Michael Vick was hit with federal charges for dog fighting and went to jail. After arriving at Arkansas, team sack leader Freddie Fairchild was arrested for battery and dismissed from the program.

What do we take from this? Karma’s a bitch.

You certainly can be successful with players who have character issues, for a time at least. Louisville won the Orange Bowl and was just moments away from playing from the national title before being upset by Rutgers. Miami built much of its tradition on players with rap sheets and was incredibly successful- for a time. As the program declined, it self-destructed in a brawl with Florida International. The team appears to be on the right track now, but it just goes to show us that you can only walk the tightrope for so long.

By all accounts, Kragthorpe has done a fine job as a recruiter and disciplinarian. He doesn’t take on known head cases like Williams was, and he hasn’t tolerated any further indiscretions by other players, no matter who they are. The Cards appear to be on the right track, and Kragthorpe has left no qualms as to where the program is heading. The only question remaining pertains to how successful the program will be. For better or for worse, that is the ultimate judgment passed on a coach.

The Cardinals should certainly make it to a bowl game this season. Despite all they’ve gone through and the bevy of players they’ve lost, they still have the talent to compete in the paper-thin Big East. If Hunter Cantwell is as good as everyone in Jefferson county says, he should easily throw for 5,000 yards, run away with the Heisman and be drafted first overall by the Dolphins.

Should Louisville stumble again, whispers will begin to surface concerning Kragthorpe’s competency. He did inherit a very good football team, and he has yet to do anything worth remembering with it, legal issues notwithstanding. The offseason has brought a rough start to this year, which will likely be a pivotal one in the future of both Kragthorpe and the Cardinals. With in-state rival Kentucky pulling even in the horse race for state supremacy, there’s a lot up in the air now.

Tom Jurich, Steve Kragthorpe, and the rest of the Cardinals faithful must now walk another tightrope. They now have to find the right kind of talent to increase their wins without upping their arrest total. In a season that many hope will be marked with resurgent programs, let’s hope it’s not marred with an excess of arrests.

Favre: Past and Future

2008-07-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Typically, I avoid writing on current issues. The result of writing about what others want to hear, and not what you want to tell, often results in forced words and an overzealous opinion on a topic that is usually all but irrelevant by the following week. Brett Favre’s purported comeback, however, requires that I temporarily abandon this rule.

The quarterbacks coach at my old high school was a bony German expatriate who vehemently hated Brett Favre. Whenever I asked Coach Muller about the games in the coming week, he always spun the conversation to the Green Bay Packers and their boyish quarterback with a man’s arm. As he highlighted all the unnecessary sacks and interceptions that the Wisconsin superman had committed in the previous week, he often worked himself into a Tasmanian-Devilesque frenzy.

“Brett Favre is terrible. He doesn’t set his feet, he doesn’t follow through. His mechanics are just plain awful. I get all these kids that I coach, they want to be like Brett Favre. And I’m like, heh heh, hey kid… you’re not Brett Favre! You know? You don’t have that cannon arm. Brett Favre is terrible. Just terrible. Heh heh. So how many interceptions is Brett Favre going to throw this week?”

Thus was the career of Brett Favre. The mulleted men of Wisconsin swooned while his own coaches groaned at needless interceptions. His teammates championed his ballsy style and boasted of his physical abilities, while analysts lampooned his all-or-nothing play. Why should the end of his career be any less polarizing?

Sports Illustrated NFL writer Peter King, the world’s foremost authority on all things Favreian, recently wrote that #4 clearly wants to return to the Packers, and has told them so. The Packers, in turn, have done everything but tell him that they don’t want back. A Packers representative has even been sent to Mississippi to talk to Favre while the GM, Ted Thompson, is on vacation. Green Bay’s front office has obviously moved on, and so have many of the cheesehead faithful. Make no mistake; Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback for the Packers this season. Despite all of this, I fully expect Favre to apply to be reinstated before training camps open in the coming weeks.

This would be different than Joe Montana winding down his career in Kansas City, though. There are truly no historical parallels that would accurately describe the effect this could have on Favre’s legacy and on the people of Green Bay, if he were to return. If he stays retired, he’ll be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game. If he comes back and plays elsewhere, his legacy could only be tarnished. We’ve seen signs of him breaking down, physically and emotionally in the past few seasons. Assuming that he eventually latches on with a team outside Green Bay, I don’t know how he could build upon his monumental legacy.

That being said, Favre’s entire football life seems to have revolved around elevated play and shocking developments in his game and personal life at the most unlikely of times. At Southern Miss, he defeated Gene Stallings 1990 Alabama team despite being involved in a near-fatal car accident just weeks before. Early in his NFL career, a painkiller addiction threatened to kill him and tear his family apart before he kicked the habit and returned to the Super Bowl the following year. His 400 yard, 4 TD performance in 2003 on Monday Night Football the day after the death of his father will always be remembered in the annals American sports history. Considering this, maybe it should come as no surprise that Favre wants to air it out one last time. Hell, he could probably even pull it off and patch together one more Pro Bowl season. But I still don’t think he should.

The Packers will do everything they can to prevent Favre from returning, though they will try to make it appear otherwise. Favre will continue to work out in Mississippi, hoping that he can create a few more memories for the fans. Unfortunately, many of the fans are content with Favre’s legacy as it is. In a modern NFL where maybe only 15 teams are truly happy with their quarterback situation, Favre may not find a place. But his place in history is already there. His unforgettable career is already one that will be told by record books and rocking chairs. Let’s hope that it doesn’t change.

Baseball and the Daze of Summer

2008-06-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

And so the endless summer begins. Following the conclusion of the NBA Finals a few weeks ago, even minor sports diversions will be few and far between until we reach mid-August, when the NFL preseason and the Beijing Olympics commence. Year in and year out, baseball rules the dog days of summer.

It is a time of year that many people dread; a time characterized by Sportscenters stocked with an overabundance of fantasy football analysis and WNBA highlights. At this level it is no wonder why so few individuals see the warmth and comfort that the endless summer offers. Baseball will never cease to be there for America. Go ahead and gripe about how boring baseball is, but realize that the sport has been more constant through American history over the past 130 years. The National League was founded in the same year that Custer and his men were ambushed at the Little Big Horn and the same year that Wyatt Earp strolled into Dodge. It was a respite from daily life for your great grandparents during the Great Depression. Your grandfathers fought side by side in World War II with some of the greatest ballplayers of all time. Ten years ago, the great home run chase of 98 wholly returned the American public to its roots as the President prepared for his impeachment trial.

The rhythm and simple charm of baseball have appealed to Americans for seasons on end. With a bag of peanuts and a seat on the lawn in centerfield, you are as much a part of the game as any outfielder. Just as baseball has become a necessary part of American culture, each of us is a necessary part of the game itself. Though Pulitzer prize winning journalist Mary McGrory famously stated that “Baseball is what we were, football is what we have become,” I must respectfully disagree with her. More so than any other sport, we experience daily highs and lows and continual swings and lulls that baseball offers. When I wake up tomorrow, I’m just as likely to go 4-5 with two home runs and 6 RBI’s as I am to strike out four times. As NBA revenues climb and NFL ratings reach atmospheric levels, baseball will continue to be the most effective barometer of American culture.

In the past, historic pennant races and record-breaking campaigns captivated the country for months at a time. In 1949, the Yankees and Red Sox clashed on the final day of the season to determine the AL East champion. In 1974, Hank Aaron finally surpassed Babe Ruth with his 714th home run, cementing himself not just as a baseball great, but as an iconic figure who would always be remembered as one of the classiest, most talented individuals in American lore. Today, the upstart Tampa Bay Rays butt heads with the Red Sox and Yankees. The Chicago Cubs may well find themselves in the World Series, and stories like those of Rick Ankiel and Josh Hamilton embody the spirit of the country.

For the next six weeks, immerse yourself in the purest of American sports. Lose yourself in the tradition and lackadaisical aura that surrounds baseball at this time of year. Ninety percent of you who are reading this live in a town that is home to a professional baseball team. Odds are, most of you can even go to a game for about $6. Play hooky just one more time and experience a game with your local minor leaguers. The sport rings just as relevant and true in today’s culture as it ever has. There is nothing left in American culture that has been more loyal or more comforting than baseball. And for that we owe it this month.

NBA Draft Night 2008

2008-06-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

At last! After being told for weeks on end that the Bulls will take Memphis' leading man, Derrick Rose, with the first overall pick, it should actually happen tonight in the 2008 NBA Draft/Fashion Show. I'll provide my quick thoughts on every first round selection, along with a few ramblings and ADD thoughts that you may or may not care about. As a matter of fact, let's start with the rants now.
Why does Gerald Green not have a job? Here's an athletic, 6-8 wing player who won the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk contest, averaged 10 points in 20 minutes per during his sophomore season for the Celtics the same year, and even proved that he could be a legit NBA starter. In his 26 startsfor Boston that year, he was good for 15-20 a night. He and Al Jefferson were the two most exciting prospects that the Garnett trade returned, but was later shipped to his hometown Houston Rockets that same year. He appeared in one game before being released. If this guy was in the draft now (he would have just completed his junior year in college), he would be a lottery pick! Is Joe Alexander really better than him? Why doesn’t Detroit, or Golden State, or the Clippers sign him? Unfathomable.

Here comes the draft. It was just announced a few minutes ago that the Bulls have decided to take Derrick Rose. Didn't see that coming. Here we go.

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis: I think this was a business decision more than a basketball decision. With three guards already who are legitimate NBA starters and a severe lack of low post scoring, Michael Beasley really seemed to make more sense. I'm not sold on the fact that Rose is better than Beasley, but regardless of any perceived disparity in their talent level, Beasley would have helped more immediately. But because Rose is the flashy guard who grew up in Chicago, and Beasley may or may not be 6-8, they take Rose. Either Kirk Hinrich or Ben Gordon will be leaving the Windy City sooner rather than later. Just think, if Jay Williams doesn't turn his legs into pulled pork because he wanted to ride his crotch rocket, none of this ever happens.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State: I just told you I would have picked Beasley at number 1, but the past couple days it looked less and less like he would go here. In his post-pick interview with Stephen A. Smith, he said that he "is a fun loving guy and every basketball team needs that." No, no Mike. Don't shoot yourself in the foot. I would have loved to see OJ Mayo and Dwayne Wade in the backcourt together, alternating scoring and distributing. But if Beasley transitions to the 3 and the Heat can find a defensive minded big man in the next couple years, they will remain dangerous for quite some time.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - OJ Mayo, G, USC: Was swapped to Memphis late in the night for Kevin Love and Mike Miller. It’s quite the heist for Minnesota, who considered Love here anyway. Memphis didn’t make out terribly, but Minnesota is the winner. You can call his relationship with a sports agent during his high school and college career a red flag, but really it just means that he is already used to getting paid to play basketball. The glass is half-full people.

4. Seattle Supersonics - Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA: How does Ben Howland and UCLA keep pumping out guards? Aaron Affalo, then Jordan Farmar, now Russell Westbrook, maybe Darren Collision next? That being said, I don't like him as an NBA player. Guards are always so hard to project, and other than his defense, nothing jumps out at me and says "I'm going to be a stud at the next level." Of course, Seattle can afford to screw up a little. Whenever Kevin Durant fills out and becomes an athletic 4, and Jeff Green develops into a gritty wing, they may only be one good free agent away from contending.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Kevin Love, F/C, UCLA: And so the Brook Lopez freefall begins. Sent to Minnesota, where he will team with Al Jefferson in the post. Memphis looks like the old New Jersey Nets all over, with Conley or Lowry at point, OJ as Vinsanity and Rudy Gay as Richard Jefferson.

6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari, F, Italy: A lot is riding on this pick for Mike D’Antoni. Realistically, the Knicks are a starting point guard and a starting big away from sniffing .500. His team in Italy? Armani Jeans.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana: I cannot see him becoming an NBA starter. How is he any different than Sean Singletary or Chris Lofton? He should become a spot scorer, and maybe develop into a poor man's Gilbert Arenas. But he needs to lose that baby fat of his first.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander, SF, West Virginia: I didn't particularly like this kid until I heard him interview. "I am really looking forward to helping Milwaukee and I cannot wait to get there." He sounded like a straight-up Marine. He's known for being a hard-nosed defender whose scoring ability is still developing. But he's has Richard Jefferson as a Hoover Dam sized roadblock in front of him and Luc Richard Mbah-a-Moute behind him, so his minutes may be lacking.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - DJ Augustin, PG, Texas: And the Brook Lopez freefall continues. I really thought Lopez would go here, but apparently Larry Brown doesn't like what he sees in Raymond Felton. But because they traded back into the first round last night, they may simply like Robin Lopez equally. They should go big with their next pick to save Emeka Okafor's body.

10. New Jersey Nets - Brook Lopez, C, Stanford: Sounded like an NFL tight end in his interview; like a guy who would knock you down and then laugh- 'heh heh.' Interesting to look and realize how much more half-court oriented this team is now than it was at midseason. Total 180. That's what happens when you replace a guard and a wing with two 7-footers (Yi and Lopez).

11. Indiana Pacers - Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona: Indiana simply took the best available player. He was later traded to Portland (along with Ike Diogu) for Brandon Rush, Jarret Jack, and Josh McRoberts. Ford and Jack's arrival mean that Jamaal Tinsley should buy a bus ticket out of town. With him and O'Neal finally leaving, Indiana fans can take solace in the fact that the Ron Artest/Malice at the Palace era is over. They may or may not win, but the franchise’s dark age is over.

12. Sacramento Kings - Jason Thompson, F, Rider: The first surprise pick. A week ago he was an unknown; a probable 2nd round pick. A few days ago, we started to hear whispers that Golden State really liked him at 14. Regardless, this guy just made himself a ton of cash. Sign of the times: he’s the first senior picked.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Rush, G, Kansas: Dealt to Indiana with Ike Diogu and Josh McRoberts for Jerryd Bayless. Made himself millions by sinking that 3 in the championship game. Going into the future, Portland has Oden and Aldridge in the post, Rudy Fernandez and Brandon Roy on the wing, and Bayless on the ball. After this trade, they could contend in 3 or 4 years if Bayless and Oden come along as planned.

14. Golden State Warriors - Anthony Randolph, F, LSU: He's Ty Thomas reincarnated. Flip a coin. Heads, he becomes Kevin Garnett. Tails, he becomes Johnathan Bender. Simple as that.

15. Phoenix Suns - Robin Lopez, F/C, Stanford: Last year, Phoenix would have loved to have landed Joakim Noah. Lopez has a lot of Noah in him, and I'm not just talking about his hair. Defensive minded, good enough on offense. He'll study under Shaq while he keeps him and Stoudamire fresh and healthy off the bench, all while playing with Steve Nash. Great situation for both team and player.

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Marreese Speights, F/C, Florida: I never understood his appeal. Didn't excel in a soft SEC this year, didn't contribute a ton on previous Florida teams, and could use a stationary bike and some SlimFast. After Bayless, we entered the territory of NBA Draft purgatory.

17. Indiana Pacers - Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown: Officially this is Toronto, but it Indiana recieves it in the Jermaine O'Neal deal. Analysts complain that he is slow and his ceiling is low, but remember that this is a guy who literally couldn't run up and down the court when he arrived at Georgetown. I think his development could continue, and it can't hurt to have a 7-2 All American on your roster. Indiana also nabs another character guy to change their Pacmanesque image.

18. Washington Wizards - Javale McGee, F, Nevada: This is the best picture I could find of him.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - JJ Hickson, F, NC State: Another role player on a team desperate for a second star.

20. Charlotte Bobcats - Alexis Ajinca, C, France: After taking a guard with their first pick, they missed out on all the top big men. Robin Lopez, Mo Speights, and Roy Hibbert all went in the last few picks. They couldn't take a power forward, because Emeka Okafor's body won't hold up as a full time center. They were drafting for need here.

21. New Jersey Nets - Ryan Anderson, F, Cal: Wouldn’t you rather take Kosta Koufos or Darrell Arthur here? Either way, New Jersey continues to go big.

22. Orlando Magic - Courtney Lee, G, Western Kentucky: Analysts keep calling him NBA ready, but how NBA ready can a guy be who played in the Sun Belt? I think Lee will turn out to be another Keith Bogans for the Magic; a solid player but a borderline starter. Chris Douglas Roberts should become a much better player, and Orlando has time to develop players. Still searching for a point guard.

23. Utah Jazz - Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State: Mehmet Okur redux. Should be a solid backup, and that's all you can realistically ask for out of the 23rd pick.

24. Seattle Supersonics - Serge Ibaka, F, Congo: Don't have a clue who he is and apparently he won't make it to the NBA for 3 or 4 seasons. On an unrelated note, I think that the Sonics hired PJ Carleisimo with the intention of him only being around 3 or 4 years before they fire him and hire a coach to take the helm when their players mature and they become a contender. It's not a bad idea. After all, the team isn't winning now and whoever the coach is will take a lot of flak for the next couple years. Basically, they are 3 or 4 years from contending, which is more or less the shelf life of an unsuccessful NBA coach. After the move to Oklahoma City, they hire a new coach and put him on all the billboards and they start making playoff appearances. Makes perfect sense.

25. Houston Rockets - Nicolas Batum, G, France: There had been speculation that Batum was a lock to go to San Antonio at 26. This may be the last time you ever hear of him.

26. San Antonio - George Hill, G, IUPUI: At some point, every professional sports draft turns into a highly effective sedative. We are very close to that point. In other news, San Antonio just took its first American player since Jesus Christ was born.

27. New Orleans Hornets - Darrell Arthur, F, Kansas: Somewhere in the middle of approximately 46,719 trades, he and Donte Green were swapped.

28. Memphis Grizzlies - Donte Green, F, Syracuse: Eventually landed in Houston. Sorry Gerald Green, I tried.

29. Detroit Pistons - DJ White, F, Indiana: Eventually landed in Seattle. Safe pick instead of an upside guy like DeAndre Jordan.

30. Boston Celtics - JR Giddens, G, New Mexico: The draft has now entered the insomniac-only stage. Chris Douglas-Roberts would have been a good pick here. If you've made it this far, good night and good luck.

Dateline... ESPN

2008-06-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

The Scene:
An isolated home in a swanky, though subdued, Ohio suburb. A luxury SUV approaches the house, and parks in the driveway. A middle-aged man in a black suit with blue tie exits the SUV and is seen shuffling something into his coat pocket before walking briskly to the house. Despite walking with an air of self-confidence, the man obviously hopes that he will not be seen. A fresh-faced youngster appears at the front door of the house.
“Hey Mr. G! Come on in! I was just watching Hannah Montana but I’ll be ready in a minute.” The youngster disappears back into the house.
The man looks back over his shoulder before striding up the stairs on the front porch two at a time.
“Mikey? Where’d you run off to, superstar?” The man wanders into the kitchen of the home, blissfully unaware of the thinly disguised curtain entrance opposite him. You know what happens next. Chris Hansen emerges with a transcript of online correspondence in his hand.
“Hey there. Why don’t you take a seat?”
The man hastily examines his surroundings and decides he is too far from the front door to make a quick exit.
“Me? Oh I was just…”
“No really. Take a seat. I’d love to ask you some questions.”
(gulp) “Alright.”
“So. What are you doing here?” Hansen starts slowly, but the connotations of the question are obvious for this man, who is already sweating.
“I was… uh… just coming to talk to that young man and his parents.”
“But his parents aren’t home.”
“They aren’t? Uh… He told me that…”
“He told you what? Let me ask you this. How old did he tell you he was?” Hansen wastes no time. He must be particularly disgusted with this visitor for some unknown reason.
“He said… uh… He said he was a sophomore in high school.”
“Really? I’m holding an email that he sent to you and here he tells you he is in 8th grade. Didn’t he look a little young?”
“Well, sure, but…”
Hansen cuts him off. “So you knew you were coming here today to meet a 13 year old.”
“Yes sir.”
“And what were you going to do here today?”
“Just… (gulp) talk.”
“You weren’t going to try and sign this young man to a letter of intent to play basketball for you… were you?” Hansen fires the million dollar question, armed with email transcripts in hand.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Because it says right here (lifting email transcript to show man) ‘I want you. I think we can help each other. I think you would be happy here with me and we could do things that we’d never done before. I’…”
“I never said that.” The man remains adamant.
“Let me finish. ‘I want to make sure that no one else can have you. You’re my main guy. See you soon’ Signed, Coach Gillispie.”
The room is silent. Hansen stares at the suddenly sheepish Gillispie, who appears to be examining the grain in the hardwood floor.
“I never said any of that.” Coach Gillispie mutters, still pouting.
“What’s that?” Hansen leans in.
Gillispie looks straight at Hansen. He raises his voice and a vein in his forehead forms a Himalayan sized crevice. “I just told you I never said any of that!”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
“Can we check your jacket? What’ve you got in there?”
“Nothing! You can’t check nothing! You don’t have anything! Don’t you need a warrant or something?”
“Yes. It’s perfectly fine; you don’t need to take it off if you don’t want to.”
“Thank you!” Gillispie settles down, but remains noticeably irritated.
“Well, I have something I’d like to tell you. You see, I’m Chris Hansen, and I’m with Dateline ESPN.” Camera men and gratuitous boom mike operator simultaneously emerge from other entrances to the room as Gillispie hangs his head again. “So, if you have anything you’d like to say, or anything you’d like to ask me, go ahead.”
“No. I’m good.” He says slowly. He is obviously dismayed, as he reluctantly realizes what has just happened.
“Then you’re free to leave.”
“Thank you, sir.” Gillispie leaves and exits through the same door that he came in, lasting only a few seconds before a French-foreign legion sized force of angry local police officers tackle him. Hansen’s disembodied voice explains the aftermath of the incident.

“Coach Billy Gillispie, well-known for his aggressive recruiting tactics, is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. He thought he was meeting Michael Avery, an 8th grade basketball phenom. Instead, the Dateline crew caught him off guard and this embarrassing event came to light earlier this year. The NCAA does not permit coaching staffs to recruit high school players or for players to commit before their junior year in high school, but a loophole allows them to freely pursue even younger athletes. The rule is currently under examination and will likely be revised so that players this young cannot be recruited. And what about his coat, that he wouldn’t let us check? Well, we found a letter of intent with Avery’s name on it and University of Kentucky ball point pen, leaving no doubt as to what his intentions really were when he arrived at that house.”
Fade out to a slow motion scene of Gillispie checking over his shoulder as he walks up the sidewalk.

Now for the disclaimer. Firstly, players can’t sign LOI’s until later in their high school career, but there are a handful of middle schoolers who have committed (including one to Louisville), and a very few who have received ‘mutual commitments’ from colleges. Now for Gillispie. I think that Billy Clyde is a great basketball coach and that he will, someday soon, lead Kentucky back to the Final 4. I won’t predict a championship simply because there is too much luck involved. This embarrassing recruiting situation aside, he has done everything right since he took the helm of The Empire. From his tireless recruiting of Patrick Patterson and Darius Miller to his unsolicited appearance and shocking donation at Dance Blue, he has done nothing but earn my respect since arriving on campus. He even waved to me as he exited the Joe Craft center and caught me with my jaw on the ground while playing a sport on the north campus basketball courts vaguely resembling the one he coaches. He is not a pedophile, nor do I mean to make him out as one in this article, which is supposed to be a joke. But come on, Coach. Kentucky doesn’t need to get in on the ground floor with top-50 recruits; that would be like Exxon trying to invest in a potential fuel source generated by gathering methane from human flatulence. Kentucky simply doesn’t need to do something like this. There are less risky ways to obtain equal talent, and they don’t make the Wildcats look like a certain 80’s pop star.

Last year, Billy Clyde proved that he was the right coach for the job. With a top heavy roster that barely had enough talented players to piece together an SEC caliber rotation, he exceeded all (realistic) expectations and rightfully earned co-SEC Coach of the Year honors. He is not a players coach, but he understands the expectations at UK and embraces them. I hope Coach Gillispie keeps doing what he’s been doing, minus the shadier aspects of his recruiting. If he does, the team is likely on a collision course with the Final 4, and sooner rather than later.

The Case For (and Against) Soccer

2008-06-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

Why has the world's most popular sport failed to permeate the culture in which sports may be more popular than anywhere else? Despite the best efforts of ESPN, the MLS, USA Soccer and numerous overseas leagues, soccer has yet to be embraced in the United States en masse. How can something so universally popular be looked upon here as something as foreign and unappealing as escargot?

That's not to say that the sport has been rejected. After all, over 17 million kids will play youth soccer in the coming year, compared to just over 2 million in Little League Baseball and about 250,000 in Pop Warner Football. We do have a financially successful soccer league that has proven itself in multiple markets. And we're certainly not bad at the sport. While the men's national team may be only average for a country of our size, they are competitive on the international scene. Not to mention the women, though they have seen their popularity plateau in recent years.

There is certainly room for new sports to succeed in the US. After all, where was UFC, Lacrosse, or Arena Football ten years ago? The NFL has seen an unbelievable spike in its popularity since the early 90’s. In addition, we can’t forget the New York Cosmos, who briefly captivated the city of New York in the 70’s and early 80’s. As the talent pool in the MLS steadily rises, is there any reason to believe that recognition won’t follow? Skeptics in the US claim that soccer is too boring; that there isn’t enough scoring or action. But at the same time, why can American’s appreciate a great pitcher’s duel in baseball, or a gritty 10-7 Monday Night Football defensive struggle in the snow? I know some people think that sitting and watching a baseball game is like watching paint dry, but I enjoy baseball. And I don’t enjoy soccer nearly as much.

Another thing to consider is ‘the tie.’ There isn’t a single major American sport that tolerates a tie (NFL ties are once in a blue moon, and hockey is NOT a major American sport). Bear Bryant once said that ‘a tie is like kissing your sister.’ While a loss may be more devastating in the standings, it’s important to consider that a major reason why sports appeals to Americans is it’s black-white, yes-no, win-lose nature. A sport like football lacks the subtlety and political correctness that makes everyday life so dull. There is no faking injury, covering up a team weakness, and unlike in the real world, which becomes more sterile by the day, there is no mercy. Football is, by nature, what soccer cannot be.

Which is fine. They are two different sports, and soccer would have a difficult time competing if it was too similar to American football. Football isn’t like basketball, and basketball isn’t like baseball, and we’re okay with that. Which takes us back to the initial question. Why have Americans not adopted soccer yet?

Those who support soccer fight back with fierce words and harsh criticisms. They claim that the American reaction to soccer is indicative of our entire culture; ignorant, stubborn, and closed-minded. They even look down on those who don’t ‘appreciate the sport’ as a lesser breed of sportsfan, as though they’re capacity to enjoy something other’s won’t tolerate makes them an overall better person.

Come on.

Americans didn’t criticize Europeans for not enjoying the NFL Europa, or for waiting until the Dream Teams to start playing basketball. We have our culture, and they have theirs. Some people don’t like Taco Bell, but I don’t call those people bigots who are culturally insensitive. It’s a personal preference of theirs.

Now before someone tries to tell me how I just made a lousy analogy because Taco Bell isn’t even real Mexican, remember that most Americans don’t get real soccer. While the talent pool in the MLS is light years from where it was when it was founded in 1993, it still leaves a lot to be desired. With the exception of the World Cup every 4 years, America only gets good soccer games at about 3:00 in the afternoon a few weeks out of the year, when ESPN televises the UEFA Cup or some other major tournament. While it is something, it’s hardly a good way to get the sport mass exposure to those who aren’t used to seeing high-quality soccer.

When given a chance to watch a real, competitive soccer match between two quality teams with a noticeable amount of talent, the playing field shifts dramatically. While the World Cup isn’t nearly as popular as the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Finals, they are followed by a large segment of the population who becomes legitimately interested. When we look at why football never took off in Europe, remember that the NFLEuropa, Europeans only real way to watch football, was a disgustingly watered-down minor league system that the NFL never fully committed to. Basketball was nonexistent anywhere in the world until the 1992 Olympics, when the planet was introduced to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Mullin. Seeing a team like that would make anyone want to play basketball.

As I mentioned before, the Cosmos popularity skyrocketed (before crashing financially) in the 70’s and 80’s with players like Franz Beckenbauer and Pele on the roster (as well as several others who were great, but I don’t know who they are). In 1978, 79, and 80, they averaged home crowds of well over 40,000 at Giants stadium. They showed that soccer can be a viable sport in the US, while the current MLS has shown that it can be done and make financial sense. When Beckham first came to LA, there was unbelievable buzz surrounding all of the Galaxy games for the rest of the season, and they quickly sold out. But as long as Americans realize that the MLS isn’t much more than a glorified AAA league with the top players waiting to go to Europe, they won’t buy it fully. American’s won’t tolerate a second-rate sport, and until the rest of the world views US soccer as first-rate, we won’t either.

The NBA's Lost Generation

2008-06-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

The end is in sight now. As a new wave of superstars, headlined by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard are being heavily pushed as the face of the league in their early 20's, another generation is slowly fading out. After a ten year gap between Jordan and the players of today, the league finally has a strong base of world-class athletes and likeable personalities to promote. But what has happened to the league since Jordan left? Who was the most memorable, most likeable NBA player of the past ten years? What has happened to the league and its players in that time, and why?

Perhaps the title of most popular player of the last decade belongs to Shaquille O’Neal. His entertaining antics and charming demeanor on and off the court have endeared him to fans across the country. But just as he has never carried a team to a title on his own, he could not uphold the reputation and popularity of the league by himself. The popularity of the NBA has plummeted since the end of the Jordan era, and there is no one to blame but the players who led the league in that time. For the most part, the stars of the NBA in the past decade have been polarizing at best. Players such as Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Jermaine O’Neal, Steve Francis, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion, Tim Duncan, Baron Davis, Stephon Marbury, and Chris Webber were all extraordinarily talented, yet it all went terribly wrong somehow. Since the end of the Jordan era, the league seems to have wandered aimlessly through their seasons as they were led by these players.

This fleet of uberathletic, albeit somewhat immature young stars has set the league back significantly; possibly back to the days before Jordan, Magic, and Bird. The NBA Finals last year received the lowest ratings in years. With every game, it becomes painfully evident that there is a clear and definable line between the players and the fans. In years past the American public had still enjoyed basketball despite the fact that it was difficult to relate to the players. But today, it has become more and more difficult for fans to even respect the players. What happened to this glut of talent? Why did they not become the model faces of the league, or even willing leaders of their own franchises for that matter? In the past ten years, the league has not flourished because of these players, it has only survived in spite of them. Since the end of the Jordan era, the league seems to have wandered aimlessly through the years as they were led by this generation.

Over this period, Latrell Sprewell strangled his coach and refused a multimillion dollar offer from the Timberwolves because it “wasn’t even enough to feed my family.” Allen Iverson has bemoaned the uselessness of practice before being cast off from Philadelphia as fans grew weary of him. Kobe Bryant has forced an ugly divorce between the Lakers and the popular Shaquille O’Neal, then was involved in a very public rape trial. Vince Carter has been hailed as the next Jordan, only to demand a trade from a city that had opened their arms to him. Tracy McGrady still can’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs. And easily most damaging of all, Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest went flying into the stands in a traumatic event that the Pacers and the league office are still reeling from. Take all this into consideration, and it’s no wonder that the NBA is pushing most of this generation aside as they heavily tout a group of 25 and under franchise studs.

Many of these players signed major shoe deals a day after their final high school and AAU games. Then, they become first round draft picks and are given even more money. Instant gratification has become one of the most dangerous aspects of American society for her youths, creating complacency and disinterest in even the most passionate individuals. While these players may not have been fully to blame for their inevitable shortcomings as juvenile celebrities, it is also important to remember that they really did screw up a good thing. Badly. The stage had been set for their success, and for the most part they fell flat on their babyfaces. The draw of making millions now, and championships only later, was simply too great.

That's not to say that the game has only become corporate in recent years. After all, the game had become more and more commercialized as its popularity grew in the 80's with Magic and Bird. But these new endorsements and products were somehow different than the playful McDonald's commercial that featured Bird and Jordan playing horse in an empty arena, sinking every shot before bouncing balls of scoreboards, walls, and chairs before ending in a satisfying swish. Michael Jordan may or may not have been the best basketball player of all time, but there was something he did even better. Something that he was, inarguably, the best of all time at. There has never been a better shoe salesman than MJ.

This new era of talented superstars was given to us in almost the opposite way that we so warmly received Magic, Bird, and Jordan. While Jordan's talent and charisma were the force behind his endorsements, the endorsements themselves became the source of charisma for too many of these stars. Jordan, Bird, and Magic were popular figures and great basketball players. As a result, they sold well. Conversely, we were expected to like Kobe Bryant because he was the smiling face on the Nutella jar and we were supposed to be awed by Vince Carter's dedication to the game just because you could see it in those Gatorade commercials where purple sweat poured from his brow. In the past, the Wheaties box was a billboard celebrating champions. Today, it touts those who may or may not rise to the top of the league. Since 1997, Tim Duncan and Dwayne Wade are the only two NBA Live cover athletes who have won a title.

No player is more emblematic of this era than the 2004 NBA Live coverboy, Vince Carter. Drafted in the top five out of North Carolina and landing in Toronto, Jordan comparisons came quickly. And why not? He was a high flying 6’6” guard out of Carolina with a shaved head, appealing smile and athletic upside to spare. He could score with anyone, inside or out, and was an above average defender- when he wanted to be. But as one conservative GM cleverly observed at the start of Carter’s career, “Wasn’t (former USC star and NBA bust) Harold Miner supposed to be the next Jordan?” Carter was drafted fifth overall and immediately traded to Toronto, a relatively new NBA franchise. He immediately became beloved by the city and was considered the savior of the franchise, winning rookie of the year. In a short time, the Raptors became a playoff team with Carter as their focal point. But as the years passed and they grew no closer to seriously contending for a title, Carter slowly became more and more impatient, eventually demanding a trade and being shipped to the New Jersey Nets. Since then, he has remained a human highlight reel, an elite scorer and a top vote getter in All-Star games, but his game and his off court presence have been significantly lacking. He will never be an MVP, and will likely never win a championship. He is, most decidedly, not the next Jordan.

Grant Hill may have had what it took to lead the league in this era. He filled up every column of the stat sheet, was well known by the public, and was a very intelligent and well-spoken individual. But injuries derailed his once Hall-of-Fame caliber career and he has since found him self as a borderline starter on a disappointing Phoenix team. Kevin Garnett had the passion for the game, but no supporting cast and weak media support in Minnesota. Tim Duncan could have and perhaps should have stepped up and taken the mantle, but his quiet demeanor, unassuming style of play, and somewhat uninteresting private life precluded him from doing so. Their majority of their peers has meandered through their careers, happily aloof from the roles that they once were supposed to fill.

Perhaps it's unfair to compare these players to the group that came before them. The first ever Dream Team, sent to the 1992 Barcelona Games included Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, and Magic Johnson. It's unlikely that there will ever be a more talented group of basketball players playing at such a high level at the same time. The NBA's popularity peaked in the late 1980's, and remained strong as Jordan carried the flag alone into the late 90's. It is undeniable, however, that since then much of America has become strikingly disillusioned with the league. What has changed since then? It could only be this group of players. The prevailing perception is that these players are nothing more than ball hogging prima donnas who hold their stats dear and their bank accounts dearer.

As the game goes global, it’s hard to see fans ever becoming as close to their favorite players as they were in the late 80’s. How are we supposed to relate to 7’6” Yao Ming, or Mrs. Eva Longoria, or that big goofy white guy with a picturesque jumper by the name of Nowitzki? The American stars aren’t any better. As a friend of mine once said, only half jokingly, “LeBron James may be more powerful than the governor of Ohio.” Dwight Howard is 265 lbs with a 40 inch vertical and has been able to dunk since middle school.

But what these new players do bring, is a clean slate. Since the 2003 NBA Draft which included the likes of James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Wade, David West, and Josh Howard, the superstars of the league have been polite, eloquent, and relatively well-mannered on and off the court. While the players that followed Jordan and his ilk may have faced a difficult challenge in continuing the sterling reputation of the league after its most likeable players, this generation of players that entered from 2003 and beyond may have an even more difficult trial. Instead of upholding a high standard that was set by their predecessors, they must find their own way and establish a new precedent that will restore credibility to the league. Fortunately, if any core of stars is ready for this challenge, it is these young men. Already, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard are the new faces of the league. And that’s just the way the league and the fans want it.