With the NBA Finals quickly descending upon us, I feel that it is necessary for me to set the record straight regarding LeBron James. I have had individuals over the past few weeks make comments, in person and on Facebook, asking why does everyone have to be a "hater" with respect to LeBron. My nephew, a self-proclaimed Miami Heat fan, stated to me that all LeBron wants to do is win an NBA championship,which he would never do by staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that there are five other NBA teams with a higher payroll than the Heat. I hate to break it to him, but I could care less about which teams have higher payrolls than the Heat, and if LeBron didn't want to win an NBA Championship there would be some serious concerns on my behalf as to his motivation for being in the NBA. Furthermore, I do concede that LeBron is a talented basketball player. I would not state that he is the greatest, but he does have the athleticism and skills to play the game. However, with all of that being said I despise this man for what I believe to be very valid reasons.
First, LeBron does not know the meaning of modesty. Webster's dictionary defines "modesty" as "freedom from conceit or vanity". I have no respect for an athlete who, last summer, needed to have an hour long special hosted by ESPN to announce "The Decision" as to where he would be playing for the 2010-2011 NBA season. LeBron did not even wait until the end of the program to announce his decision; rather, he proclaimed to those who had turned in to watch him as if he were the President of the United States that he was going to the Miami Heat within the first ten minutes. The remaining 50 minutes were devoted to LeBron grandstanding about himself. Apparently LeBron donated money to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America since he has a "longstanding commitment to giving back to the community." If you believe that line I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Furthermore, LeBron has crowned himself "The King" of basketball. No one with an iota of modesty would be that pathetic.
Second, LeBron does not know the meaning of professionalism. When LeBron lost in the Eastern Conference Playoffs in 2008 and 2009, to Boston and Orlando respectively, LeBron stormed off the court like a five year old throwing the biggest temper tantrum known to the history of man. According to LeBron, he is a "competitor" so when you lose a playoff series why would you congratulate the team who just began your golf season a few weeks earlier than you anticipated. I do not disagree with LeBron that when you are a competitor it is difficult to lose and have your dream of achieving the apex in your sport end. However, as a professional, you suck up your pride and congratulate the other team. This is something that is taught to athletes at a tender age...or at least I thought so. Imagine my surprise when last year LeBron actually stayed out on the court to congratulate the Celtics. I would like to believe that LeBron had grown up, but my inclination is that LeBron did it simply because he was tired of the bad press he received from the previous two years about his lack of sportsmanship.
Lastly, LeBron does not know the meaning of honesty. When LeBron decided to leave Cleveland to go play in South Beach, he stated that he was going because he wanted to win an NBA Championship. Needless to say, Cleveland fans were upset, hurt and never wanted to see him again. LeBron could not help but throw digs at Cleveland throughout the regular season. However, after the Heat beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals this year, LeBron "apologized" to Cleveland by telling him that the real reason he left was that he had to beat the Celtics. Of course, he could not stay with Cleveland to accomplish this feat, even though he had come close with them. So what is the truth? Or does LeBron just say whatever he wants because no one will question him?
The bottom line is that LeBron is a narcissist who lacks the ability to understand and perform common social courtesies. What saddens me is that so many young children look up to him. I would not want my child to learn his behaviors and think that they are acceptable. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of LeBron, and I am sure that some individuals would love to throw tomatoes at me for what I just wrote. I have a high standard of what a professional athlete should adhere to and LeBron falls extremely short of that line. Maybe someday he'll learn the error of his ways, but I am not holding my breath.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
"Do You Believe in Miracles?...Yes!"
I was only three years old when, in 1980, sportscaster Al Michaels uttered those magical words during the last five seconds of the Olympic hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union. Millions of Americans from all walks of life watched the game during prime time television, albeit tape delay, and witnessed the unthinkable: Team USA beat the heavily favored Soviet Union hockey team by a score of 4-3. I have no recollection of watching the game (I was probably sound asleep at the time). Nevertheless, over the years I have watched countless programs about that game, heard numerous stories from individuals who were present in the packed field house that evening, and watched the movie "Miracle" (which, in my opinion, is a must-see). Every time that I am reminded about the monumental accomplishment of Team USA, I cannot help but feel proud to be an American. The love that I have for my country oozes out. Many people consider this to be the best Olympic moment of all time. Not only do I concur with that analysis, but I also believe that this joyous occassion symbolizes just how sports can, even for a few hours, unite a country in patriotism and help us to momentarily forget all of our differences, all of our grudges, all of the many reasons why we, as a country, disagree with each other.
In order to truly appreciate the significance of this event, you must understand what transpired prior to this epic showdown. In the 1970's and 1980's, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the depths of the Cold War. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. In protest of the Soviet Union's bold decision, then-President Jimmy Carter declared that the United States would not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. The Soviet Union would reciprocate in 1984 by boycotting the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There was no love lost between these two super powers. This political animosity transferred into the sports arena.
Heading into the 1980 Winter Olympics, the Soviet Union was the super-power of ice hockey. Although their players were considered by the International Olympic Committee to be "amateurs", the Soviet players were technically professionals in their home country. The team had world class facilities at their disposal. If the Soviet Union did not come home with an Olympic gold medal in 1980, their country would consider them to be failures.
Team USA was composed of 20 true amateur hockey players, most of them hand picked from elite collegiate hockey programs across the country. Herb Brooks, a legendary coach and strict taskmaster, crushed any egos that any of the players may have had, worked his players to the brink of exhaustion and made a group of complete strangers gel into a team that had determination, grit and the desire to make their country proud.
Leading up to the Olympic games in Lake Placid, Team USA played 61 exhibition games against teams from within the United States and from Europe in a span of five months. The final exhibition game pit Team USA against the Soviet Union. Team USA got decimated by a score of 10-3 in front of a huge crowd in Madison Square Garden. The Soviet Union had no doubt in their minds that Team USA was not a threat to them winning their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Unbenkownest to the Soviets, Herb Brooks and Team USA had other plans.
Flash forward to Friday, February 22, 1980. The Olympic hockey match-up that Team USA hoped for came to fruition. There was no way that Team USA was going to let the Soviet team beat up on them, especially on their home ice. The crowd was unbearably loud, singing "God Bless America", waiving the good old red, white and blue flags, and chanting the now famous "U-S-A, U-S-A". The Soviet team struck first, but Team USA came back to end the first period with the game tied 2-2. At the end of the second period the Soviets lead 3-2. Team USA had twenty minutes left to accomplish the biggest upset in history.
Team USA came out for the third period with the mindset that this was their moment, their time to shine. At the ten minute mark, Team USA had their first lead of the game at 4-3. I can only imagine how Team USA, the Soviet hockey team, their respective coaches, the crowd present in Lake Placid, and the millions of Americans huddled around their television sets felt as time slowly ticked off the clock. Team USA was in the zone. Every second that transpired was one more step to achieving the greatest upset in Olympic history. Finally the last ten seconds arrived. In an interview that I saw with Al Michaels about the "Miracle on Ice", he stated that when he knew Team USA had won the game he was trying feverishly to come up with the right words to say at the end of the game. What he said has become an iconic quote: "Do you believe in miracles?...Yes!"
American pride was at its highest the moment the buzzer went off and Team USA rushed out onto the ice to celebrate. Celebrations occurred everywhere. Political animosity, differences of opinion, opposing philosophies among members of this great country dissipated. All that existed was pure joy. Team USA went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland.
Today we are once again faced with many divisions within our country, whether they are political, moral, spiritual or financial. The Cold War is over and the Soviet Union no longer exists. Atrocities are occurring in various parts of the world, including Libya, Afghanistan and Rwanda. It is easy for each of us to get caught up in the "bad" occurring in the world. However, we need to always remember two important things: we are Americans and we all hold our country near and dear to our hearts. There is no doubt that a miracle occurred when Team USA beat the Soviet Union. However, another miracle occurred: all of us became united as Americans. Sports has the power to do this. It has done it before and it will do it again. So do I believe in miracles? Yes, yes I do.
In order to truly appreciate the significance of this event, you must understand what transpired prior to this epic showdown. In the 1970's and 1980's, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the depths of the Cold War. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. In protest of the Soviet Union's bold decision, then-President Jimmy Carter declared that the United States would not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. The Soviet Union would reciprocate in 1984 by boycotting the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There was no love lost between these two super powers. This political animosity transferred into the sports arena.
Heading into the 1980 Winter Olympics, the Soviet Union was the super-power of ice hockey. Although their players were considered by the International Olympic Committee to be "amateurs", the Soviet players were technically professionals in their home country. The team had world class facilities at their disposal. If the Soviet Union did not come home with an Olympic gold medal in 1980, their country would consider them to be failures.
Team USA was composed of 20 true amateur hockey players, most of them hand picked from elite collegiate hockey programs across the country. Herb Brooks, a legendary coach and strict taskmaster, crushed any egos that any of the players may have had, worked his players to the brink of exhaustion and made a group of complete strangers gel into a team that had determination, grit and the desire to make their country proud.
Leading up to the Olympic games in Lake Placid, Team USA played 61 exhibition games against teams from within the United States and from Europe in a span of five months. The final exhibition game pit Team USA against the Soviet Union. Team USA got decimated by a score of 10-3 in front of a huge crowd in Madison Square Garden. The Soviet Union had no doubt in their minds that Team USA was not a threat to them winning their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Unbenkownest to the Soviets, Herb Brooks and Team USA had other plans.
Flash forward to Friday, February 22, 1980. The Olympic hockey match-up that Team USA hoped for came to fruition. There was no way that Team USA was going to let the Soviet team beat up on them, especially on their home ice. The crowd was unbearably loud, singing "God Bless America", waiving the good old red, white and blue flags, and chanting the now famous "U-S-A, U-S-A". The Soviet team struck first, but Team USA came back to end the first period with the game tied 2-2. At the end of the second period the Soviets lead 3-2. Team USA had twenty minutes left to accomplish the biggest upset in history.
Team USA came out for the third period with the mindset that this was their moment, their time to shine. At the ten minute mark, Team USA had their first lead of the game at 4-3. I can only imagine how Team USA, the Soviet hockey team, their respective coaches, the crowd present in Lake Placid, and the millions of Americans huddled around their television sets felt as time slowly ticked off the clock. Team USA was in the zone. Every second that transpired was one more step to achieving the greatest upset in Olympic history. Finally the last ten seconds arrived. In an interview that I saw with Al Michaels about the "Miracle on Ice", he stated that when he knew Team USA had won the game he was trying feverishly to come up with the right words to say at the end of the game. What he said has become an iconic quote: "Do you believe in miracles?...Yes!"
American pride was at its highest the moment the buzzer went off and Team USA rushed out onto the ice to celebrate. Celebrations occurred everywhere. Political animosity, differences of opinion, opposing philosophies among members of this great country dissipated. All that existed was pure joy. Team USA went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland.
Today we are once again faced with many divisions within our country, whether they are political, moral, spiritual or financial. The Cold War is over and the Soviet Union no longer exists. Atrocities are occurring in various parts of the world, including Libya, Afghanistan and Rwanda. It is easy for each of us to get caught up in the "bad" occurring in the world. However, we need to always remember two important things: we are Americans and we all hold our country near and dear to our hearts. There is no doubt that a miracle occurred when Team USA beat the Soviet Union. However, another miracle occurred: all of us became united as Americans. Sports has the power to do this. It has done it before and it will do it again. So do I believe in miracles? Yes, yes I do.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
My Beef with College Football
Let me start with this caveat-I have never been a rabid college football fan. I do not know if it is because I grew up in the Northeast, I went to a college that was a Division III school, or my dad never had any games on unless it was Bowl Season. I am not one of those people who wait with bated breath for college football to commence. I do watch some of the Bowl Games, and I will pick a team for whom to root. That's the extent of my involvement.
However, I do have a beef with college football. It's called how the heck do you determine a National Champion? Until the BCS was instituted a few years ago, there were two polls that ranked the teams. At the end of the season, if you were on top, you were the champion. Yet there were those years that the polls did not "choose" the same top team; therefore, two universities would spend an entire year arguing as to why their football team was the "true" National Champion.
Finally those higher ups in the college football world realized that something needed to be done to eradicate the "two champion" team conundrum. Enter the BCS. A specific formula was created, which includes the strength of each college football team's schedule and their record, and each week a list is spit out by a computer ranking all of the football teams. The intention of the BCS is to ensure that the top two teams play each other at the end of the season for the National Championship. I have listened to many college football fans discuss the BCS. Some believe that it does provide for the cream of the crop to duke it out on the big stage. Others strongly advocate that amazing teams do not get the respect they deserve due to the BCS. Some fans go as far as to say that the BCS is just a bunch of crap. Let's not forget that the winners of specific conferences are guaranteed to get a spot in one of the premiere Bowl games. Honestly, this is all too confusing for me.
Ideally, college football should have a playoff system. Every other major sport does this. Playoffs ensure that one team wins the National title. However, I am a realist and I know that Bowl games bring in the big bucks for the universities that play in them. Why would you advocate for a playoff system when your school receives tons of money? I wouldn't want to do it if I was president of the University of Alabama, University of Florida, or University of Southern California (these are just examples so no tomato throwing-remember, I have no favorite team).
Therefore, this brings me back to my original complaint about college football. How do you determine who is the big kahuna? As the Owl in the Tootsie Roll commercial so eloquently stated, "the world may never know."
However, I do have a beef with college football. It's called how the heck do you determine a National Champion? Until the BCS was instituted a few years ago, there were two polls that ranked the teams. At the end of the season, if you were on top, you were the champion. Yet there were those years that the polls did not "choose" the same top team; therefore, two universities would spend an entire year arguing as to why their football team was the "true" National Champion.
Finally those higher ups in the college football world realized that something needed to be done to eradicate the "two champion" team conundrum. Enter the BCS. A specific formula was created, which includes the strength of each college football team's schedule and their record, and each week a list is spit out by a computer ranking all of the football teams. The intention of the BCS is to ensure that the top two teams play each other at the end of the season for the National Championship. I have listened to many college football fans discuss the BCS. Some believe that it does provide for the cream of the crop to duke it out on the big stage. Others strongly advocate that amazing teams do not get the respect they deserve due to the BCS. Some fans go as far as to say that the BCS is just a bunch of crap. Let's not forget that the winners of specific conferences are guaranteed to get a spot in one of the premiere Bowl games. Honestly, this is all too confusing for me.
Ideally, college football should have a playoff system. Every other major sport does this. Playoffs ensure that one team wins the National title. However, I am a realist and I know that Bowl games bring in the big bucks for the universities that play in them. Why would you advocate for a playoff system when your school receives tons of money? I wouldn't want to do it if I was president of the University of Alabama, University of Florida, or University of Southern California (these are just examples so no tomato throwing-remember, I have no favorite team).
Therefore, this brings me back to my original complaint about college football. How do you determine who is the big kahuna? As the Owl in the Tootsie Roll commercial so eloquently stated, "the world may never know."
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Summer 2010 Wrap-Up
First, I must apologize for being derelict in not posting on my blog for quite some time. It is not because there haven't been interesting sports stories on which to comment. I have just been lazy. Nevertheless, it is time to get back on the bandwagon since fall is here, which means that there are many sporting events either in progress or ready to commence. However, before moving on to the present day sports stories, I have an obligation to comment on some of the headlines that occurred this summer.
The Passing of George Steinbrenner It was only fitting that a man who was born on July 4th left this world the day before the mid-summer classic known as the All-Star Game. Mr. Steinbrenner was someone that you either loved or hated. However, no matter how you personally felt about him, I must pay him homage for revolutionizing baseball as we know it today. Mr. Steinbrenner's controversial comments, high payroll, and do whatever it takes attitude to produce a championship caliber team has forced other major league teams to invest in their minor league players and offer outrageous million dollar contracts to the most desirable free agent players each off season. I must admit that I will miss Mr. Steinbrenner throwing the occasional insult at the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Steinbrenner left this world on top with the Yankees winning their 27th championship last fall.
LeBron James joining the Miami Heat In my lifetime I have never witnessed so much hype surrounding where an NBA player will be the following season. The self-proclaimed "King" of basketball had teams "courting" him for months. In the end, LeBron decided to ditch Cleveland, whom made him the star he is today, and decided to head to South Beach where he felt he could legitimately win a championship with his compadres Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. LeBron claims that he will be a team player and share the ball with his fellow superstars. While this rhetoric sounds good, I will be keeping a close eye on LeBron to see if he will actually walk the walk. Furthermore, the Heat will need a coach who can put egos in check if they want to be legitimate contenders for an NBA title.
Tiger Woods. Two words: train wreck. Everyone loves a train wreck so golf ratings should be shooting through the roof.
The Perfect Game That Wasn't. On June 3, 2010, Armando Galarraga, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was on his way to being the third pitcher this season to pitch a perfect game. On what should have been the last play of the game, and Galarraga's coronation into the perfect game club, umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald of the Cleveland Indians safe at first base. Imagine the shock in the ball park at that moment. Jim Joyce immediately became the most hated umpire in Major League Baseball. Later on that evening, Jim Joyce admitted that he messed up the call and denied a young player such a prestigious honor. The following day Jim Joyce was greeted with a chorus of boos from the crowd. However, a poised Galarraga came out onto the field and handed Joyce Detroit's lineup card. That simple gesture of forgiveness brought Joyce to tears. There are some baseball fans that are insisting that instant replay be instituted into Major League Baseball for all questionable plays. Yet if you are a true pure baseball fan, such as me, instant replay will take away human error and remove moments such as the one just described.
Stephen Strasburg Will he be known as the new Nolan Ryan or is his career already over due to injury?
So there's my wrap-up of this summer's most interesting sports stories. Some of you may not agree with me so feel free to post what you believe I should have mentioned.
Let the fall sports season begin!
The Passing of George Steinbrenner It was only fitting that a man who was born on July 4th left this world the day before the mid-summer classic known as the All-Star Game. Mr. Steinbrenner was someone that you either loved or hated. However, no matter how you personally felt about him, I must pay him homage for revolutionizing baseball as we know it today. Mr. Steinbrenner's controversial comments, high payroll, and do whatever it takes attitude to produce a championship caliber team has forced other major league teams to invest in their minor league players and offer outrageous million dollar contracts to the most desirable free agent players each off season. I must admit that I will miss Mr. Steinbrenner throwing the occasional insult at the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Steinbrenner left this world on top with the Yankees winning their 27th championship last fall.
LeBron James joining the Miami Heat In my lifetime I have never witnessed so much hype surrounding where an NBA player will be the following season. The self-proclaimed "King" of basketball had teams "courting" him for months. In the end, LeBron decided to ditch Cleveland, whom made him the star he is today, and decided to head to South Beach where he felt he could legitimately win a championship with his compadres Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. LeBron claims that he will be a team player and share the ball with his fellow superstars. While this rhetoric sounds good, I will be keeping a close eye on LeBron to see if he will actually walk the walk. Furthermore, the Heat will need a coach who can put egos in check if they want to be legitimate contenders for an NBA title.
Tiger Woods. Two words: train wreck. Everyone loves a train wreck so golf ratings should be shooting through the roof.
The Perfect Game That Wasn't. On June 3, 2010, Armando Galarraga, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was on his way to being the third pitcher this season to pitch a perfect game. On what should have been the last play of the game, and Galarraga's coronation into the perfect game club, umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald of the Cleveland Indians safe at first base. Imagine the shock in the ball park at that moment. Jim Joyce immediately became the most hated umpire in Major League Baseball. Later on that evening, Jim Joyce admitted that he messed up the call and denied a young player such a prestigious honor. The following day Jim Joyce was greeted with a chorus of boos from the crowd. However, a poised Galarraga came out onto the field and handed Joyce Detroit's lineup card. That simple gesture of forgiveness brought Joyce to tears. There are some baseball fans that are insisting that instant replay be instituted into Major League Baseball for all questionable plays. Yet if you are a true pure baseball fan, such as me, instant replay will take away human error and remove moments such as the one just described.
Stephen Strasburg Will he be known as the new Nolan Ryan or is his career already over due to injury?
So there's my wrap-up of this summer's most interesting sports stories. Some of you may not agree with me so feel free to post what you believe I should have mentioned.
Let the fall sports season begin!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Will the Boomer Sooners still continue to Hook 'Em Horns?
I have a confession to make-I really do not like college football. I'll let you take a moment to digest that revelation (please make sure to sit down since I do not want to be responsible for any ER visits). I cannot pinpoint the exact reasons why college football does not appeal to me. Maybe it is because I grew up in the Northeast where college football is not religiously televised, or maybe since there are no big rivalries to rivet us to our recliners, or maybe the passion to root for "the team" isn't there. I will watch a few Bowl Games on occasion, but that is about as far as I go.
Nevertheless, I respect (and somewhat envy) everyone I know that are huge college football fans. I love the friendly bantering, learning the words to the fight songs, and listening to people politely trash talk the big game coming up over the weekend. I am a bit jealous that I cannot experience that passion for the game, that loyalty which involves the school colors running through your blood, that "need" to personally attend a game and scream at the top of your lungs to the point that you have no voice for the next week.
It is this admiration for the fans that makes the whole realignment of the college football conferences intriguing to me. One day the Big 12 is disbanding completely. Today 10 of the 12 teams are staying in the conference. Other schools are jumping ship for what they believe are greener pastures. Yet are these schools making the right decisions or are they slowly digging their hole in the graveyard of college football greatness? Will programs lose credibility due to which teams they will or will not play? Is this happening simply because of the Benjamins being thrown around, or is the NCAA pushing for a true playoff system? Unfortunately, I have no idea. Maybe some of you out there can shed some light on this for me.
Oh, and since I do not "have" a college football team, that means that I am primed to be '"bribed" to root for "your" team for the right price. I accept all forms of clothing gift cards, books, and a trip to Sonic whenever I visit you.
Nevertheless, I respect (and somewhat envy) everyone I know that are huge college football fans. I love the friendly bantering, learning the words to the fight songs, and listening to people politely trash talk the big game coming up over the weekend. I am a bit jealous that I cannot experience that passion for the game, that loyalty which involves the school colors running through your blood, that "need" to personally attend a game and scream at the top of your lungs to the point that you have no voice for the next week.
It is this admiration for the fans that makes the whole realignment of the college football conferences intriguing to me. One day the Big 12 is disbanding completely. Today 10 of the 12 teams are staying in the conference. Other schools are jumping ship for what they believe are greener pastures. Yet are these schools making the right decisions or are they slowly digging their hole in the graveyard of college football greatness? Will programs lose credibility due to which teams they will or will not play? Is this happening simply because of the Benjamins being thrown around, or is the NCAA pushing for a true playoff system? Unfortunately, I have no idea. Maybe some of you out there can shed some light on this for me.
Oh, and since I do not "have" a college football team, that means that I am primed to be '"bribed" to root for "your" team for the right price. I accept all forms of clothing gift cards, books, and a trip to Sonic whenever I visit you.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
It's Not Easy Being Green
The biggest rivalry in NBA basketball has been renewed. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. I have been enthralled with the history and competition between these teams since I was young. In my household you were a Celtics fan. End of story. No ifs, ands or buts. The Lakers were evil. My dad would allow Eric and me to stay up late on school nights just to watch these two teams square off in the NBA finals. There was a painful stretch of time when this rivalry was not front and center. However, the bad blood boiled to the surface once again in 2008 when the Celtics prevailed. Now it is 2010, and both teams are hungry to add another championship to their storied franchises.
If you are a Celtics fan, you may agree with me when I say that the first three games have been painful to watch. The Celtics looked like an overrated college basketball team in Game 1. LA ripped them to shreds. Game 2's big story was Ray Allen and his eight three-pointers in one game, which is an NBA Finals Record. The men in green looked good and pulled out a win. The teams traveled to Boston, but I don't think that everyone on the Celtics team made it back. Ray Allen was MIA and Paul Pierce had a no good, horrible bad game. The Celtics mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful. Another loss. Have I mentioned that Boston fans are not very forgiving? LA is leading the series 2-1. Tonight is a pivotal game 4 for the Celtics. Win and they still have a chance to win championship #18. Lose and they need to start making plans to meet up in Cancun and drown away their sorrows with Coronas.
My poor husband has had to deal with me "coaching" from the living room couch. After all, only I can tell the five players on the floor that you need to have more then one green jersey under the basket to get a rebound, or that you have to make a clean pass in order to have the opportunity to shoot at the hoop. My husband tells me that it is "just a game." I hate to break the news to him, but this isn't just a game. This is an epic series. The thought of watching Kobe Bryant celebrate another championship, possibly on the floor of the TD Garden, makes me want to projectile vomit. Pau Gasol, who is lucky to be in the NBA at all, is not worthy of a title when the most he has contributed thus far is trash talking about Kevin Garnett. Rajon Rondo, the Celtics' point guard, is just too cute and has to win another championship. Phil Jackson, well, I'll save my gripes about him for another post. I am invested in this rivalry. This is history in the making.
Even though I have an early day tomorrow, I will stay up this evening and watch my beloved Celtics try to put themselves back together and kick LA's butt. Of course Eric and I will have to exchange our three text messages prior to the game. These are for good luck. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the magic conversation that we have. If I did, I would have to force you to become a Celtics fan.
GO CELTICS!
If you are a Celtics fan, you may agree with me when I say that the first three games have been painful to watch. The Celtics looked like an overrated college basketball team in Game 1. LA ripped them to shreds. Game 2's big story was Ray Allen and his eight three-pointers in one game, which is an NBA Finals Record. The men in green looked good and pulled out a win. The teams traveled to Boston, but I don't think that everyone on the Celtics team made it back. Ray Allen was MIA and Paul Pierce had a no good, horrible bad game. The Celtics mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful. Another loss. Have I mentioned that Boston fans are not very forgiving? LA is leading the series 2-1. Tonight is a pivotal game 4 for the Celtics. Win and they still have a chance to win championship #18. Lose and they need to start making plans to meet up in Cancun and drown away their sorrows with Coronas.
My poor husband has had to deal with me "coaching" from the living room couch. After all, only I can tell the five players on the floor that you need to have more then one green jersey under the basket to get a rebound, or that you have to make a clean pass in order to have the opportunity to shoot at the hoop. My husband tells me that it is "just a game." I hate to break the news to him, but this isn't just a game. This is an epic series. The thought of watching Kobe Bryant celebrate another championship, possibly on the floor of the TD Garden, makes me want to projectile vomit. Pau Gasol, who is lucky to be in the NBA at all, is not worthy of a title when the most he has contributed thus far is trash talking about Kevin Garnett. Rajon Rondo, the Celtics' point guard, is just too cute and has to win another championship. Phil Jackson, well, I'll save my gripes about him for another post. I am invested in this rivalry. This is history in the making.
Even though I have an early day tomorrow, I will stay up this evening and watch my beloved Celtics try to put themselves back together and kick LA's butt. Of course Eric and I will have to exchange our three text messages prior to the game. These are for good luck. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the magic conversation that we have. If I did, I would have to force you to become a Celtics fan.
GO CELTICS!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Who Is Your Role Model?
My all-time favorite NBA basketball player is Charles Barkley. I do not condone his antics on and off the basketball court; however, he has never been afraid to say what so many people think. Therefore, when Charles stated in 1993 that athletes should not be role models a controversy ensued. How dare an athlete come forward and proclaim that he, or any of his peers, should not be viewed as an individual's role model! Regardless of what people may want to believe, ever since this declaration of independence was made by Charles, time and time again this statement has proven to be true.
Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony have always existed. Athletes who attain superstar status have the entire world at their fingertips. Temptations are abound. How a superstar chooses to respond displays their real persona rather than the one they may carefully craft for the public's adoration.
Succumbing to temptation is not new to professional sports, or even humanity. Professional sports, and "supposed" role models or heroes, have been faced with these decisions for centuries. Eight players on the 1919 Chicago White Sox baseball team became known as the "Black Sox" due to a scandal that entailed purposely throwing World Series games for monetary benefit. These players succumbed to greed and threw away the chance to achieve the dream every child wishes for if they can break into the Major Leagues-to win a World Series title. Ben Johnson, the famous Canadian sprinter, won the 100 meter gold medal in world record time at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. However, only days later, he was stripped of his precious medal due to testing positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs. Ben looked for the easy way to become the superstar of his sport rather than investing the time and dedication needed to attain his desired level of success.
Josh Hamilton, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, was a superstar in the making. Young children wanted to be like him. Unfortunately, Josh determined that feeling good and getting high off of alcohol and cocaine was more important than reaching his full potential in a sport he loved. Josh is back playing in the big leagues and is doing his best to lead a clean life. Michael Vick, the young, talented quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was on the road to join the ranks of NFL superstars in his position, which included Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly and Joe Namath. While Michael Vick continued to post amazing stats each week on the football field, off the field he was running a lucrative dog fighting ring known as "Bad Newz Kennels." Michael was not satisfied with simply becoming a football superstar. He also had to be the top dog in his illegal financial endeavour. Michael's need for constant attention and money ended up in his conviction of conspiracy to run an illegal interstate dog fighting venture. This federal felony sent Michael to prison. Although he has served his time and is once again playing in the NFL, his chances of attaining superstardom have gone to the dogs.
Tiger Woods was touted as the Michael Jordan of golf. Only 34, Tiger has won 14 professional major golf championships, is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam (winning the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship all in the same year) and has more career PGA Tour wins than all active golfers. Furthermore, Tiger has achieved the Grand Slam three times (the only other golfer to do this was Jack Nicklaus) and has received the PGA Player of the Year award ten times. Tiger's boyish smile and clean cut image drove thousands of people to PGA tournaments each year, which brought the sport astronomical monetary revenues. Tiger had it all-a beautiful wife, two adorable children, tons of endorsements, fame, and the adoration of millions across the world. Yet this was not enough for him. In late 2009, it came to light that Tiger had committed adultery not with just one woman, but with at least ten, maybe more. On December 11, 2009, Tiger announced that he was taking an indefinite break from the golf world and admitted to his infidelity. Tiger's squeaky clean image is now lost in a sand trap. Sadly, yet another fallen star.
This is only a sample of the "supposed" role models that many people, at one time, looked up to on a daily basis. Not all superstar athletes fall into this category; however, they do face these temptations everyday. We, as a society, do not make it easy for these superstars to say no. After all, we are the ones who put them up on their pedastals and believe they can do no wrong. Why don't we show our children the true role models of their lives-their parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers, and other everyday individuals who help shape who our children become now and in the future. Charles Barkley is right. He, and other superstars, are not role models.
Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony have always existed. Athletes who attain superstar status have the entire world at their fingertips. Temptations are abound. How a superstar chooses to respond displays their real persona rather than the one they may carefully craft for the public's adoration.
Succumbing to temptation is not new to professional sports, or even humanity. Professional sports, and "supposed" role models or heroes, have been faced with these decisions for centuries. Eight players on the 1919 Chicago White Sox baseball team became known as the "Black Sox" due to a scandal that entailed purposely throwing World Series games for monetary benefit. These players succumbed to greed and threw away the chance to achieve the dream every child wishes for if they can break into the Major Leagues-to win a World Series title. Ben Johnson, the famous Canadian sprinter, won the 100 meter gold medal in world record time at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. However, only days later, he was stripped of his precious medal due to testing positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs. Ben looked for the easy way to become the superstar of his sport rather than investing the time and dedication needed to attain his desired level of success.
Josh Hamilton, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, was a superstar in the making. Young children wanted to be like him. Unfortunately, Josh determined that feeling good and getting high off of alcohol and cocaine was more important than reaching his full potential in a sport he loved. Josh is back playing in the big leagues and is doing his best to lead a clean life. Michael Vick, the young, talented quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was on the road to join the ranks of NFL superstars in his position, which included Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly and Joe Namath. While Michael Vick continued to post amazing stats each week on the football field, off the field he was running a lucrative dog fighting ring known as "Bad Newz Kennels." Michael was not satisfied with simply becoming a football superstar. He also had to be the top dog in his illegal financial endeavour. Michael's need for constant attention and money ended up in his conviction of conspiracy to run an illegal interstate dog fighting venture. This federal felony sent Michael to prison. Although he has served his time and is once again playing in the NFL, his chances of attaining superstardom have gone to the dogs.
Tiger Woods was touted as the Michael Jordan of golf. Only 34, Tiger has won 14 professional major golf championships, is the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam (winning the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship all in the same year) and has more career PGA Tour wins than all active golfers. Furthermore, Tiger has achieved the Grand Slam three times (the only other golfer to do this was Jack Nicklaus) and has received the PGA Player of the Year award ten times. Tiger's boyish smile and clean cut image drove thousands of people to PGA tournaments each year, which brought the sport astronomical monetary revenues. Tiger had it all-a beautiful wife, two adorable children, tons of endorsements, fame, and the adoration of millions across the world. Yet this was not enough for him. In late 2009, it came to light that Tiger had committed adultery not with just one woman, but with at least ten, maybe more. On December 11, 2009, Tiger announced that he was taking an indefinite break from the golf world and admitted to his infidelity. Tiger's squeaky clean image is now lost in a sand trap. Sadly, yet another fallen star.
This is only a sample of the "supposed" role models that many people, at one time, looked up to on a daily basis. Not all superstar athletes fall into this category; however, they do face these temptations everyday. We, as a society, do not make it easy for these superstars to say no. After all, we are the ones who put them up on their pedastals and believe they can do no wrong. Why don't we show our children the true role models of their lives-their parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers, and other everyday individuals who help shape who our children become now and in the future. Charles Barkley is right. He, and other superstars, are not role models.
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