Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Saga of the Dodgers

Picture, if you will, a team with an enduring legacy. A team whose rich and vibrant history spans both coasts of the United States, and who can trace their beginnings back to the time of the Chester A. Arthur presidency. A team who many legends have called home. A team who has been indelibly etched into some of the most historic moments not only in their sport, but in all sports. A team of legends, of icons.

Now, picture this team being driven into the ground by an unscrupulous owner who regards it as his personal ATM. A husband and wife ownership that are too busy trying to determine whether or not to purchase a seventh mansion than to pay attention to their own franchise. Picture bathrooms covered in graffiti, concession stands that are criminally understaffed, and a stadium that is less than half full every night. Picture a place and team where a fan of the opposition was beaten bad enough that he remains in the hospital almost three months later. A team that is being declared bankrupt, and the commissioner of the league has to step in to keep the team functional.

The teams in the preceding paragraphs? The Los Angeles Dodgers.

What Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie have done to the Dodgers is criminal. They have taken a once proud franchise, a team that is not only royalty in their own sport but in all sports, and turned it into a laughing stock. They have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, due to their inability to meet their upcoming payroll. This was after McCourt attempted to negotiate a television deal that would permit him to pay his divorce settlement, but would severely handicap the Dodgers over the next seventeen years.

Naturally, none of this is the fault of Frank McCourt. Just ask him. He blames Bud Selig for blocking the proposed television deal and for stepping in to take over the team, even though he still does not realize that the Dodgers are not his personal ATM. In response to McCourt's accusations, Selig issues a statement saying that "The Commissioner's Office has spent the better part of one year working with Mr. McCourt and his representatives on the financial situation of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which was caused by Mr. McCourt's excessive debt and his diversion of club assets for his own personal needs. We have consistently communicated to Mr. McCourt that any potential solution to his problems that contemplates mortgaging the future of the Dodgers franchise to the long-term detriment of the club, its loyal fans and the game of Baseball would not be acceptable. My goal from the outset has been to ensure that the Dodgers are being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future for their millions of fans. To date, the ideas and proposals that I have been asked to consider have not been consistent with the best interests of Baseball. The action taken today by Mr. McCourt does nothing but inflict further harm to this historic franchise."

The Los Angeles Dodgers deserved better than Frank McCourt. They deserved better than to be facing the spectre of bankruptcy, and to be in such a terrible financial state where it may take up to a decade to recover. Above all, their fans deserved better than this.

It is always rough watching a team with such history go through a rough stretch. It is worse when the problems are entirely self-inflicted by an uncaring ownership that did not understand what owning a professional franchise entailed.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Market For Lackey

With the continual failure by John Lackey to look anything like a major league pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, it is time that they admit the signing was a failure. As it stands, when Clay Buchholz comes off the disabled list, Lackey may end up as the long reliever, should Andrew Miller pitch well. And $15.25 million per year is a lot of money to be paying to a long reliever.

Now, to find a proper landing spot for Lackey, one needs to find a team that is willing to take on bad contracts, and has one of their own to dump. As it turns out, there is such a team sitting in the AL West, Lackey's old stomping grounds. In fact, it was while pitching in the AL West that Lackey looked like an All-Star, and managed to trick Theo Epstein into thinking that he should get paid like an ace.

Enter the Seattle Mariners. They have a ballpark just slightly smaller than the Grand Canyon, no expectations, and do not have fans or media that will consistently put pressure upon them. Also, with King Felix and Pineda entrenched as their top two starters, Lackey can slide into the third pitcher role, and probably 'rediscover' his stuff when he leaves the confines of Fenway Park. Since the Mariners are not likely to score anyway, adding another pitcher may help them push towards a pennant, since they are only two games back presently.

So, who would the Mariners send over? Well, as it turns out, they have their own albatross of a contract that actually could fill a position of need for the Sox. Chone Figgins, come on down! His offensive game has vanished in cavernous Safeco Park, and he also desperately needs a change of scenery. The slash line he presently has of .190/.238/.254 can only improve with a move to Boston and Fenway Park. Plus, with the injury to Jed Lowrie, the Red Sox could use a utility infielder/outfielder type, and Figgins has displayed the ability to be that player in his career.

On paper, there is the concern that Seattle would not make this trade due to the difference in price tag (Figgins only has another $17 million over the next two years left). So, the Red Sox send some money over, or a mid-level prospect. It wouldn't be the first time they paid someone to take on a mistake (see Renteria, Edgar). They should be willing to do the same thing here.

Seattle has also shone a willingness to take on a bad contract to dump one of their own. Let us not forget the Carlos Silva for Milton Bradley swap, where more fecal matter switched sides than when monkeys fight at the zoo. They have made these trades before - they will make them again.

Make the right move here Boston and Seattle. Put those two out of their misery and get them a new start.

The Ricky Rubio Hype Machine

In the continual quest to find the 'next big thing' in sports, front office personnel will scour the globe, trying to find someone that might become an integral part of their organization. Occasionally, one of these players becomes hyped to the point where they are considered an absolute lock, despite any limitations that casual fan would notice. The latest member of the hype machine - Ricky Rubio.

Rubio was the fifth pick overall two years ago by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This selection was part of the absolutely confusing draft conducted by David Kahn, where his first three selections were point guards (Rubio, Johnny Flynn, and Ty Lawson). Lawson was traded to Denver, and Flynn ended up being a 2009-10 All-Rookie Second Team player, who then missed all of last season with an injury. Rubio, however, was lauded as being able to process the game faster than anyone else, and was a truly elite talent.

Instead of proving this in over the past couple of years in the Spanish League, he essentially became a bench player. Over the past two years, he averaged 5.9 points and 4.4 assists. Yup, that's the production that you want out of the number 5 overall pick. While the Spanish league has produced a few legit NBA players, the brothers Gasol specifically, there were flashes that they would turn into something. Also, they were not languishing on the bench during the regular season and the postseason, as Rubio did.

The idea is that Rubio's game is tailored more for the American brand of basketball. This does not make any sense. In theory, the NBA is the upper echelon of basketball talent, where the best of the best in the entire world play. So, how is it possible that some 20 year old that was a bench player in Spain would be able to step in and dominate, as Rubio is expected to do? Pure madness.

Then there was Rubio's arrival in the United States, where 200 people - mainly Timberwolves employees - waited around to greet him. Why? Was this just a smokescreen to make Rubio think that the Minnesota area was excited to see him come? Does Rubio have an ego that requires this sort of messaging already? What was the point?

In all likelihood, this will not end well for the Minnesota Timberwolves or for Ricky Rubio. He would have been better served working on his game overseas, and having the Timberwolves trade his rights for a useful piece, like maybe a center. Rubio would be more valuable as an unknown entity than he will be on the court.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

It's Back!

Like the horror movie villain that returns in every sequel, the WNBA has returned for it's fifteenth episode season. And like the horror movie franchise that has long since run it's course, virtually no one cares. For their pre-game festivities, they may as well have rolled a tumbleweed across half court.


Now, there may be people interested in what the WNBA has to offer. Of course, their audience is likely trying to find a cure for insomnia or would be looking for the most cost-effective way to torture prisoners now that waterboarding is passe. There is no truth to the rumor that North Korea is looking to gain a WNBA expansion franchise for that purpose.

Lost in the majesty of this benchmark is the actual truth. David Stern forces money into this league. In fact, this money would be better spent if he was to light it on fire or use it as toilet paper. Any time you have a league where half the original teams NO LONGER EXIST, where three teams have relocated, where teams have been forced to merge for financial stability, or where six teams overall have folded due to a lack of interest - the league is not viable. Take it off life support, pull the plug, and bring in a priest to give it Last Rites.

Maybe, at some point in time, there can be a viable professional women's sports league in this country. However, it is not the WNBA. Time to give it the shotgun like Ol' Yeller.

Jimmer Fredette Sucks

Every year prior to the NBA Draft, there is a prospect that gets an inordinate amount of buzz despite the fact that they truly are not that good. Typically, this is because they do one thing really well - usually shooting the basketball. This year's overhyped player - none other than Jimmer Fredette.

First, let's look at the obvious reason as to why he will not be worth an early pick. Fredette is 6'2". He would be extremely undersized as a shooting guard, which would encompass his one skill. As such, he would need to be considered a point guard at the NBA level, which would fit about as well as Keanu Reeves would in the role of Hamlet. Fredette has minimal ball handling skills, cannot pass, and is nothing more than a spot up shooter. As a point guard, he would need to make plays and be able to distribute the basketball. That is not what he does. He simply does not fit in the NBA.

Second, all he can do is shoot a basketball. In fact, he shot a basketball so much that in his 1323 minutes played at BYU last year, he attempted 765 field goals - one every 1.7 minutes. This is a point guard? He cannot defend. He cannot pass. He cannot rebound. He is, quite simply, J.J. Redick. And we all can see that Redick is still nothing more than a five minute per game player, who might be able to hit a few threes if the team is down big.

Third, NCAA basketball scoring champions do not typically fair well in the NBA. For example, look at Adam Morrison. Morrison coming out of college had a lot of buzz like Fredette does - a guy who could shoot the ball, but had no other skills. Morrison, right now, is the twelfth man off the bench, waving the towel and being a glorified cheerleader. Yeah, he was worth that lottery pick.

Yet, despite the fact that Fredette should be nothing more than a second round draft choice based on his lack of an ability to do anything other than shoot a ball, he is being considered as a possible lottery pick. Specifically, the New York Knicks are rumored to be interested in moving up in the draft in order to select him. And people wonder why it is that the Knicks suck almost every year. Could it be personnel decisions such as this?

So, feel free to waste your pick on someone that is a draft mistake waiting to happen. At least if the Knicks get him in a game, that pick will still be better than drafting Frederic Weis.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Johnny Damon and the Hall of Fame

On Saturday, Johnny Damon just became the 11th player in major league baseball history to record 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 home runs, and 2500 hits. The previous ten players - George Brett, Goose Goslin, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Willie Mays, Paul Molitor, Stan Musial, Babe Ruth, Robin Yount, and Al Simmons - are all members of the baseball Hall of Fame.

So, this leads into the question - is Damon a Hall of Fame caliber player? Based on the eyeball test, where watching a player gives his value compared to his contemparies, he would seem not to be. Keep in mind, he has only been on two All-Star teams (2002 and 2005) and has never finished higher than 13th on any MVP ballot. On his career rankings, the best he places all-time is with his hit total, which is 72nd, with a present total of 2646.

The list of the top ten players he compares to is also an interesting mix. There is a Hall of Famer in Roberto Alomar, and two players that should make it in, with Tim Raines and Jimmy Ryan. The other seven are Vada Pinson - who is considered the best player not in the Hall, Steve Finley, Willie Davis, Jose Cruz Sr., Mickey Vernon, and Al Oliver. THis is a pretty good list of former players, but no one that truly stands out.

The two things that Damon has going for him are the group that he managed to join on Saturday, and being an intergral part of the Boston Red Sox World Series winning team in 2004. Baseball, being a sport that is truly based in history, is mindful of when players hit special milestones or join exclusive company. Also, being one of the members of the Sox during their curse busting season can only help in the minds of the voters, which will be noticed when Curt Schilling becomes eligable.

For Damon to make it in as a definite, chances are that he will need to put together another couple of years of solid production. However, at this point in his career, he is mainly a designated hitter, as his arm strength and defensive capabilities have decreased dramatically. The question will then be whether or not some team is willing to take on a 38 year old DH with limited power next season.

Right now, Damon seems to be on the outside looking in. However, a couple more solid years of production that move him closer to 3000 hits would do wonders for his case.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Papi For the Hall?

When people think of David Ortiz, they think of the run from 2003 through 2007, where Big Papi may have been the most feared hitter in baseball. With his outgoing, gregarious personality, his larger-than-life persona, and his seemingly uncanny ability to come through in the clutch, Ortiz had become something akin to a god amongst Boston sports fans.

Yet, what has been somehow overlooked through his career is that Ortiz's numbers have reached a point where he may receive legitimate consideration for the Hall of Fame when he retires. As it stands presently, Papi has 1675 hits, 366 home runs, 1213 RBI, a .283 batting average, and an OPS+ of 136. These statistics will only improve, as he is just 35 years old and has at least three more years in him. At that point, he should be around 2000 hits, 430 home runs, and 1400 RBI.

Looking at baseballreference.com, the top 10 players on his comparison chart are interesting. There are only two Hall of Famers amongst them, with Ralph Kiner and Hank Greenburg at 9 and 10. The other eight are Lance Berkman, Paul Konerko, Mo Vaughn, Albert Belle, Derrek Lee, Kent Hrbek, David Justice, and Tim Salmon. None of these eight really strike anyone as a Hall of Fame caliber player, however, this list can change in the next three years.

What Papi has working for his Hall of Fame candidacy is entirely outside the realm of statistics, however. Ortiz has become a legend in the game, in part for his role on the Boston Red Sox World Series winning clubs in 2004 and 2007. He also has gained a reputation as the most feared clutch hitter in baseball, perhaps of all time. When it was close and late and Ortiz came to the dish, it was a must see event. More often than not, he would come through. This is one person whose reputation may exceed what he actually accomplished, and help his case going forward.

Ortiz seems like the type of player who will hang around the ballot for the 15 years he is allotted, then have his fate decided by the Veteran's Committee. Like a Don Mattingly or an Alan Trammell, he will be considered too good to fall off the ballot entirely, but not be good enough to get voted in. However, this could change. If Ortiz manages to get around 2200 hits and 450 home runs, which is an unlikely scenario, his mystique may be sufficient to elevate him to the hall at some point.

Papi will be an interesting case going forward. It will be fun to see if his reputation will outweigh his statistics.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Anyone Seen LeBron?

Remember the old television show/computer game entitled 'Where in the World is Carmen SanDeigo'? Well, it appears that a sequel has been made, and it stars LeBron James.

This recently completed NBA Finals was a matchup of two superstars that had a reputation for choking when it mattered in Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron. In what was supposed to be a coronation for the Heat, it was Dirk who shook off the mantle of being a choker, and turned into a cold-blooded crunch time assassin. LeBron, meanwhile, has an APB put out on him, since his fourth quarter whereabouts are completely unknown.

The playoffs are where legacies are made, and reputations confirmed. The Finals cemented LeBron's legacy alright - that he is a passive choke artist without the heart and determination to force his team to victory. No longer can he claim that he did not have the talent around him, and that it was the fault of the Cavaliers that he never won a title. Even with the talent the Heat surrounded him with, he still has the same amount of championships as the family pet.

Dirk, meanwhile, was surrounded with what could be considered a collection of role players and castoffs. If that description sounds familiar, that would be because LeBron thought that was what Cleveland put around him. The Mavericks, unlike the 'Champions-In-Waiting' Heat, understood the concept of being a team, that no one player was bigger than everyone else. They all played hard. They fought for everything they got in the series and in the playoffs. And, on Miami's home court, they slapped the crown off of the self-appointed 'King'.

And so, LeBron is left without a title yet again. Only this time, the only person he can blame is looking back at him in the mirror.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Shut Up Roberto Luongo

Well well well. Someone on the Canucks seems to have a short term memory.

In an incredibly short-sighted comment, Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stated that the goal Maxim Lapierre scored on Tim Thomas would have been an easy save for him. Specifically, he feels that way because he plays in the paint, while Thomas is a more aggressive goaltender.

Obviously, Luongo did not watch the play because, if he did, he would have realized that Thomas was actually in the crease. He was not five to ten feet from the net, which is apparently where Luongo thinks that Thomas plays at all times. It was just a strange bounce off of Thomas' chest that went into the net. Sometimes, these goals happen.

Next, what business does Roberto Luongo have calling out any other goalie? At last check, Thomas has given up a TOTAL of six goals in the Stanley Cup Finals. Luongo gave up eight in one game. Thomas has given up two fewer goals in five total games than he gave up in one. In fact, two of Thomas' losses in the Finals are because the Boston offense forgot to get on the plane to Vancouver. Yes, Luongo has two shutouts, but if the puck is being fired directly into the goalies chest, even Betty White could make those saves.

Then there is the side effect of calling out Tim Thomas only makes him angry. And Vancouver won't like Thomas when he's angry. At this point in time, Thomas is making a case to be the MVP of the playoffs, regardless of whether or not the Bruins win. Now that he's been called out? All bets are off. Thomas has already taken his game to another level in the finals, but he will bring it for the next two games.

Yes, the Canucks have a 3-2 lead in the series, but this will be going back to Vancouver. Thomas has been called out by an inferior netminder who suddenly thinks that he's great again. We'll see how Luongo fares back in Boston.

In the meantime, shut up Roberto Luongo. You may have doomed the Canucks to another year without the Cup.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Kris Humprey's $2Million Mistake - Part 2

When all you know how to be is a skank, cheating is part of the equation. After all, it is what skanks do.

As such, it is no surprise that the darling of the reality television world and skank extraordinaire Kim Kardashian was discovered to have cheated on her fiance Kris Humphries. Keeping with the Kardashian family tradition of collecting athletes, naturally she cheated on him with.....another athlete. Only this one is, if anything, more obscure than Kris Humphries.

Congratulations to New England Patriots backup safety Bret Lockett. Lockett is a third year player who was on the injured reserve all of the 2010 season with a chest injury, presumably from having Kardashian's fat ass sitting on it. Now, Lockett has become a name in the sports and entertainment world, for the fifteen minutes of fame he will be allowed. In addition to his new-found fame, Lockett has also won several venereal diseases, a placard on the Kardashian Athlete Sex Wall, and a lifetime of envy from those people that find her attractive.

Meanwhile, what is Kris Humphries to do? He just blew 5/8th of his yearly salary, right before the inevitable NBA lockout, on an engagement ring for someone that has been around the block so often that Jenna Jameson thinks she's a slut. He could break up with her, but there is no way he gets that money back, and, while Kardashian is a cow, she's a cash cow at that. By staying with her, he forever forfeits his man card, and will probably have the other members of the Nets getting her phone number. At least banging Kim Kardashian is an incentive for Deron Williams to stay with the Nets, right?

Anyone who is surprised by this needs to get their heads examined. After all, Kim Kardashian is all about herself.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Isiah Thomas Returns - Part Five?

Imagine for a moment that you own a business. In the past, this business had been rather successful, ranking near the top in it's respective field. However, the business has fallen upon hard times recently, and needs help to achieve it's former level of greatness. As such, you are looking for someone to lead the business back.

Amongst your candidates, there are people that have been successful in the type of business that you own, there is someone that has learned the position by working his way through the ranks, and then there is someone that destroyed the last four companies he has been a part of over the last ten years. Obviously, that last person is not someone you would seriously consider, right?

Unless, apparently, you happen to be the Detroit Pistons. Their present head coaching search is down to four people - Mike Woodson, Kelvin Sampson, Bill Laimbeer, and......Isiah Thomas. Yes, that Isiah Thomas. The same Isiah Thomas that managed to bankrupt the Continental Basketball Association two years after purchasing it. The Isiah Thomas that took a talented Pacers team that had just come off an NBA Finals appearance, yet was unable to get them past the first round. The same Isiah Thomas that ran the New York Knicks into the ground, both in the front office and as a coach - yet was almost brought back last year as an advisor. And yes, the same Isiah Thomas that is presently attempting to coach in college basketball without anything resembling success.

All of this does not take into account the various scandals that have marked his career either. From his attempts to freeze out Michael Jordan during the All-Star game, to his being sued for sexual harassment while with the Knicks, to his being hospitalized for an overdose of Lunesta (and trying to cover it up by claiming his daughter was the one getting the medical attention), to the Knicks having illegal workouts with draft prospects while he was in the front office, Thomas is toxic. Stay away at all costs.

We here at Mr. Dave's Sports Blog are aware that making fun of Isiah Thomas is roughly akin to beating up Helen Keller - too easy. Yet, despite his long list of failures, Thomas continually returns in the ranks of basketball. Either he has pictures of someone in the NBA that allow him to continue getting employment, or he is David Stern's version of the retarded kid that works at McDonald's washing dishes for $3.00 per hour. Nice to know that the NBA's favorite charity involves watching Thomas pretend to be a competent basketball coach/executive/towel boy while not having the capabilities to manage my cat.

So, Detroit, bring Isiah Thomas back as your coach at your own peril. Just expect failure at an epic level.

The Market For Plaxico

After spending the last 21 months in prison on a gun charge, Plaxico Burress was released from prison yesterday. Immediately, thoughts were bandied about as to which team he would end up with, and which teams would show interest in the 34 year old former New York Giant.

Teams mentioned as possible landing spots for Burress are the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bears. The Eagles could make sense, if Burress is willing to serve as the third receiver. As it stands, the Eagles receiving corps are solid, with Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson holding down the top two spots. The Redskins and the Bears would make more sense, as both teams are in desperate need of legitimate talent at the receiver position. Burress's size and history would lead one to think that he would be an immediate upgrade over what both the Bears and Redskins have on their roster at this point.

However, reality must enter the equation. What, if anything, does Burress have left in the tank? He is 34, which is old for a receiver in the first place. Coupled with the fact that he missed the past two seasons while incarcerated, as well as part of a third season when injured by a self-inflicted accidental gunshot wound to the leg, there have to be concerns as to whether or not Burress can actually help a team.

This is not a situation such as Michael Vick had when he left prison. Vick was still about to enter the prime of his career, and, as a quarterback, could afford to have a year to get back into the flow of the game. Burress will not be afforded that luxury. He will need to perform from the moment he steps on the field. And there is no way that is going to happen.

There are a number of factors working against him. First, working out in prison is not even close to being the same as working out at the team's facility with trainers and staff. While Burress may still be in shape, he may not be in FOOTBALL shape. There is a distinct difference. Second, while in prison, he could not run routes or catch a football from a quarterback. Sure, he could have had someone throw him a couple passes, but having some kid named Miguel who's in prison for stealing a car throwing you a football is not the same as having Eli Manning throw you a football. Third, he is 34. If this happened five years ago, then the chances of Burress having a successful comeback would be better. People slow down as they get older, and who knows how much Burress has slowed over the past two plus seasons? Fourth, chances are that whatever team he lands with will need him to be productive immediately, and he has simply just missed too much time.

People love a story about redemption and atonement, especially when it involves an athlete who paid for his mistakes being able to return to glory. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen here. This is not Hollywood - there will not be any storybook endings for Plaxico.

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Michael Jordan - LeBron James Comparison

Recently, a lot has been made of comparing LeBron James and Michael Jordan as players. From the eyeball test, where one can see that LeBron is almost capable of scoring at will, this seems like a solid comparison. However, one must ask if they are truly that similar. With LeBron, he is the entire package - capable of scoring, rebounding, and having a great eye for the passing lane. Jordan, meanwhile, is remembered mainly as a high-flying scorer, capable of dominating a game with his sheer offensive talent alone.

Delving into the statistics, we see that Jordan for his career had per game averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. These show that while the mental image of Jordan involves gravity defying dunks, or pushing off of Byron Russell to hit that series clinching shot in the 1998 NBA Finals, is not entirely accurate. In the modern era of the NBA, he is the all time leading scorer in points per game, but he was more than that. He was able to come up with the occasional rebound, and find the open man when double teamed. Also, his defense was rather underrated as well, as Jordan finished with 2.3 steals per game, good enough for third all-time.

Now, looking at LeBron, the numbers are fairly similar. His per game averages are 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. Looking at steals, LeBron has 1.7 per game. While Jordan was more of a scorer than LeBron, LeBron is a greater facilitator than Jordan was, and has a bit more well-rounded game. Keep in mind that Jordan had the luxury of having another top 50 player of all-time with him for most of his career in Scottie Pippen, while LeBron may as well have had four guys from a YMCA adult basketball league on the floor with him until this past season.

So, the comparison to Jordan is not entirely accurate. As such, who would best fit as a comparable player to LeBron? Given that LeBron plays a bit of the point-forward role, perhaps the best person to look at is someone who filled a very similar role himself, although he was considered a point guard for most of his career. Magic Johnson essentially invented the point-forward position, as a 6'9" point guard who had an uncanny ability to find passing lanes, could rebound, and had the ability to score. Like LeBron, there was no one close to being what he was at the time, and was a bit of a physical freak for his time. Magic, over his career, averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game. There is a gap between Magic and LeBron in terms of points per game and assists per game, but Magic was asked to be more of a facilitator than a scorer on a team that also included James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Looking strictly at the total package of LeBron, and of Jordan and Magic, it would appear that Magic Johnson is the best comparison for LeBron James. LeBron gets a lot of recognition for his ability to score, but his well-rounded game should not be forgotten when evaluating who he is on the floor.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Can You Spell Lame?

Every so often, there is an event that is incorrectly labelled as a sport. Basically, there should be certain criteria for something to be a sport - it is physically demanding, one needs to be a great shape to compete in it at a high level, participants sweat through their own exertion, and there is a score. Notice that none of the aforementioned criteria involve being a pimply faced geek with four inch thick glasses.

Presently, the National Spelling Bee is being televised on ESPN. That's right, the 'World Leader In Sports'. But guess what - this is as much a sport as Nero was a benevolent leader of nations. If spelling is such a physically demanding sport, then Webster and the people at Oxford's Dictionary should be considered athletes on par with LeBron James, Derek Jeter, and Tom Brady.

Yes, these kids are smart. However, these kids probably spend as much time playing an actual sport as Craig Sager spends looking at himself in a mirror. It is great that there are a few people out there that actually can spell the most obscure and random words in the English language, yet it's fairly certain that being able to spell 'Diuril' or 'Myrtillocactus' will not generate employment offers - unless the job is being an ubergeek.

Things that are not sports - such as chess, horse racing, golf, and the spelling bee - should be left to where they belong, elsewhere. Stop putting these things on sports channels and sports highlight shows. That is the place for great catches, physical contact, and the ability to do amazing things with a ball or puck. That is not the place for being able to spell 'Kyoodle'.

So, knock yourselves out watching some dork trying to spell 'Aneuch'. As for myself, I'm going to actually have a life.

Don't Blame Tressel

After a five month saga involving investigations into Ohio State University and several of it's players, Jim Tressel resigned on Memorial Day. The fact that he left the university is not surprising on it's own, but what is surprising is that he left of his own accord.

Tressel was originally suspended for two games by the university due to his players getting deals on cars, selling championship rings and jerseys, and parting with team items for money. Meanwhile, the players that were mainly involved were suspended for five games. With all of the outrage over the token suspension that he was given, Tressel added on another three games to his own punishment. Now, as the scandal continues to deepen and his knowledge of the situation has proven to be more extensive than previously thought, Tressel has resigned rather than continue to face the scrutiny that he is under.

Sure, it is easy to vilify Tressel for looking the other way, and not being forthright with investigators. It's easy to make him the bad guy in all of this, and the fact that very few people are running to his defense speaks volumes. But what is lost in all of this is that Ohio State University and Jim Tressel are not the only ones doing these things. This happens everywhere.

Colleges provide scholarships for their athletes - this is true. But what do they provide for housing and for meals? Where do these kids get the money to go out and have fun? It's easy to say that they should get a job, but if they are expected to carry a certain GPA, AND practice forty hours a week, where is the time to be employed? The rigors of a full-time college schedule can be quite daunting on their own, never mind trying to learn a playbook and be a part of a team expected to contend for a national championship every year.

If the NCAA really wanted to dig into every program, they would find skeletons in every closet. However, the NCAA likes the status quo, where they slap down a few schools dumb enough to get caught and turn a blind eye to the rest. If Tressel is truly guilty of anything, it is getting caught.

The NCAA and these schools make obscene amounts of money from their college football and basketball athletes, yet none of the players see a dime of it. If the NCAA was serious about stopping these situations, they would give the athletes a weekly stipend to take care of their day to day, and not have to resort to selling a jersey to make rent. If the choice is to break the rules and have a place to stay or follow the rules and be homeless, which would you do?

But the NCAA is more concerned with upholding the facade of the 'student-athlete' and the supposed amateur aspect of their game, claiming that it is for the good of these kids. If they truly cared about the students, they would find ways to keep them from having to worry about whether or not they should be signing an autograph to get food.

Tressel, while at fault, is hardly the only bad guy in all of this. The entire system is rotten to the core.