The Tribute: Not a fan of Brewer; But What the Hell

I give it to Derek Fisher because he might be small but he took one for the team, but that dunk was crazy haha. So I bring it to you guys! I know you remember that one.

Phase 2 of the Retirement of Brandon Roy

Minnesota Timberwolves Brandon Roy just had his 7^th knee surgery and might just be the last one because I think that he will have an official retirement this time from the NBA. Last year it was an unofficial one. The All-Star was a hopeful to be one of the next great players of the league. He was even in the mentions of the likes of Kobe Bryant of the future and Michael Jordan was his childhood hero growing up. So you just knew Roy was looking to walk the same path of the greats that came before him. The problem is in sports that we all know our health is something that we don’t have control over; especially our ligaments. Roy was out the whole 2011-2012 season nursing his knees that seem to be giving out on him and all type of contusions problems.

There were a few teams out there this summer that were courting Roy to come play for their organization but they had their doubts the same time just like many out there. The question they had was “would his knees hold up” and the answer is no! I think that Roy loves the game of basketball and I could imagine the stress and maybe the depression he might face not being on the court but he has no control over it. Roy is such a competitor when he did play in Portland and sky was the limit for him. So when we all found out that he had such bad knee problems, the only thing you could do is feel very sorry for him. The most important thing for Roy is to take care of his health first. I understand many want to see him on the court as I do as well. But there is life outside of basketball and even after it as well.

Roy is going to go on record to say that he is just going to see how the process plays out and take some time off to see how it goes but I think this time is the end. Many players aren’t Grant Hill that can come back from all those surgeries and setbacks. Not to say his destiny is written but it damn sure is looking that way. Do you think Brandon Roy is done in the NBA? Also do you think he could have been one of the great guards to ever play the game? I would love to know what you think.

The Demise of the Self-Proclaimed Dream Team

There is so much finger pointing to go around to where we wouldn’t know where to end at. The Philadelphia Eagles are atrocious and they aren’t playing with pride. The leadership within that team is non-existent. Coach Andy Reid knows he is going to get the axe after the season is done and that’s even if he makes it that far, so he could care less right now. To give him some credit I think he is a good coach that has selfish players that are mainly about themselves and they think they are better than what they really are. I can’t sit here and tell that I’m not happy to see them this way because I’m hella excited right now. This team has been my or should I say our NY Giants nemesis for years but this is just plain despicable how they are playing right now.  A record of 3-8 just won’t cut it in this league and definitely not in Philadelphia. I know these fans are furious and embarrassed on how this team is playing for the last 2 seasons.

Now let’s good to the juicy part of this! You have a cornerback in Nnamdi Asomugha that many around the sports industry thought was the best corner out there, now he isn’t worth a can of soda. Many teams chased him and now they look like they would just run away from him. Asomugha is getting beat down the field and can’t cover his receiver on defense. Just a waste of $60 million; yikes! Many changes just need to be made and it’s starts at the top. The self-proclaimed dream team will be no more and they should be just ashamed of themselves for even considering themselves in that category. They were once a title contender in the NFL and now they are just an old beat up 1993 Toyota Camry with a bad transmission. They stink and they know it.

Michael Vick has tried his best but he isn’t the player he once was as we can tell. To no fault of his because his offensive line is terrible at protecting him and Vick is just too small of a quarterback to take those hit. You can see through the years he isn’t durable at all. Getting concussion after concussion just makes him a liability on the field and he will be gone by the offseason. My thing is if you can’t beat Carolina Panthers something is really wrong with you. But no disrespect to this team but they aren’t a great club to be afraid of even with Cam Newton. The only player that I like is McCoy because he is a hell of a runner for this club but the results haven’t showed in wins. This will be a fun soap opera to watch in the next few months. Stay tuned people….

Top 10 Available MLB Free Agents

1.      Josh Hamilton

2.      Zack Greinke

3.      B.J. Upton

4.      Mike Napoli

5.      Anibal Sanchez

6.      Nick Swisher

7.      Mariano Rivera

8.      Dan Haren

9.      Michael Bourn

10.    Rafael Soriano

Top 10 NFL Power Rankings: Week 13

1.      Houston Texans

2.      San Francisco 49ers

3.      Atlanta Falcons

4.      Baltimore Ravens

5.      New York Giants

6.      New England Patriots

7.      Chicago Bears

8.      Denver Broncos

9.      Green Bay Packers

10.    Indianapolis Colts

Top 5 NFL MVP Race

 

 

1.      Peyton Manning

2.      Tom Brady

3.      Aaron Rodgers

4.      Matt Ryan

5.      Adrian Peterson

Honorable Mention: Drew Brees

Top 10 NBA Power Rankings

  

1.      Memphis Grizzlies

2.      Miami Heat

3.      San Antonio Spurs

4.      New York Knicks

5.      Oklahoma City Thunder

6.      Atlanta Hawks

7.      L.A. Clippers

8.      L.A. Lakers

9.      Brooklyn Nets

10.    Golden State Warriors

Where are They Now: Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo was a player that came from the Congo to go on to play for John Thompson and Georgetown University. Might I add a great player at that. He stands 7’2’’ tall and at center he was one of the most prolific defenders that have ever hit the United States. Mutombo came to the country wanting to be a doctor but Thompson talked him into becoming a player for the university. In time many people were convinced he wanted that career because in the late 90’s he came up with a great idea to become a humanitarian and build a hospital in Congo with his own money. This wasn’t just a great gesture; it was life changing for the people of Africa.

Through his career he has seen the highs and lows of the NBA but that didn’t stop Mutombo from competing at the highest level. Being a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year isn’t that shabby either. That just doesn’t happen by accident. It was the hard and long days at the gym perfecting his craft. I just always was annoyed when people would say “he is big, he has to be a great defender and block shots”. I would say to that why he is by himself then as the best. That shows you it’s a gift to be great not only size. Mutombo was selected in the 1991 NBA draft as the 4^th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. This was a team that had its struggles through the years leading up to Mutombo’s arrival and when he landed he changed the culture of the team. They didn’t know what it felt like to be a winner. That is what the Congolese native brought to the table.

Who can forget what Mutombo was known for and that was the finger wave when he blocked a shot. Some loved it and some hated it. If you hated it was because he blocked one of your favorite players or team shot. I loved it because he brought to the NBA confidence like a Michael Jordan or Patrick Ewing that we’ve haven’t seen for so long. There were times he would block a Knick’s player shot and wave the finger and I would yell at the TV as a teen and say “put that damn finger down” haha, but you gotta love it and respect it. Lastly Mutombo as I said has done everything right as being the good guy in life by giving back to his community but this year he was questioned and connected with a gold scam that happened in 2010. However, it came to light this year. Mutombo might be a humanitarian but he is a businessman as well.

Mutombo brought in some investors and traders to a New York Hotel to go over the possibilities of earning more wealth and I mean tens of millions of dollars at that (O’Brien, 2012). He even had a power point presentation to show them. These investors were very interested in this and they went to Congo to find these tons of gold that Mutombo was telling them about. The whole point was to smuggle the gold into the country while buying low and sell market price. It came out to be a big scam that even Mutombo didn’t know about. Well that is what the media is saying. As Mutombo has no comment on. It’s a pretty sad story to hear that a NBA great was a part of a messy situation like this. But for now let’s remember Mutombo as one of the best centers that has ever played the game. Were you a Mutombo fan and if so what was your favorite memory of him.

 

References

O’Brien, L. Dikembe Mutombo And The Case Of The Missing Congolese Gold. Deadspin.com, 1 March 2012, http://deadspin.com/5889660/dikembe-mutombo-and-the-case-of-the-missing-congolese-gold, Retrieved 24 November 2012.

Harlem's Greatest: Hector Macho Camacho

A kid from Puerto Rico coming to Spanish Harlem isn’t the easiest transition but being a boxer was his destiny from the start. Having a superb career in boxing is something that Hector has on his record for the rest of his life and even after. His legacy has been set for many decades to come. Being 79-6-3 isn’t bad either with wins against the likes of Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard just to name a few. Macho had the world in his hands. It all started with the New York Golden Gloves in 1978 where people recognized this young aspiring boxer and seen something in him and everything else took off. Yes Macho did have some stumbles in his life just like many do but he lived for this sports. Like how they say “blood, sweat and tears” perfect example of it.

As everyone knows by now Macho was shot in the face in Puerto Rico for many reasons that authorities are reporting but this isn’t what I want to talk about tonight. I just want to reflect on the great career of a boxing legend from Puerto Rico. Many knew that Macho was the real deal when he knocked out Sugar Ray to force him to his retirement. This fighter just wouldn’t give up and go down to many opponents and the numbers don’t lie either. If it is so that he will be taken off life support and leave us we all want to say thank you for a great career and entertaining the masses through your grittiness and passion for the sport that you loved.

Were drugs apart of Macho’s life? Yeah, he had some slip-ups and he’s paid for them with jail time and probation. This seems like the norm for pro athletes when they retire from sports. Not for all but there are the ones out there where they can’t make it in the real world when the gloves or the ball is down. Camacho was an example of this and such a tragic and sad story to report. I wish writing this that it shouldn’t take a great to be close to death to write about his or her legacy. Where do you rank Macho amongst the greats and if you’re old enough, what were your great moments of him?

The Ndamukong Suh Report: Some Things will Never Change

Is it just me or are you guys tired of this maniac of a football player in Ndamukong Suh. I really try to keep the peace when I write to you guys but this dude just doesn’t get it. First he almost breaks Jake Delhomme neck and then the stomp last year. Where does it end guys? I think I know when someone does it back to him and maybe they might get him with his helmet off. Let me stop haha. Okay guys I’m back. Sorry about that! Just seeing him again and again with his crazy and bizarre ways you just ask yourself when is this guy going to be out of the league. Roger Goodell needs to pull the plug on him quickly or this is going to get more out of hand. This isn’t good for the league at all. I’m at work today; yes I did have to be there at the bank unfortunately and I see Suh on CNN. Man, when you on CNN something isn’t right people. Don’t you agree?

Yesterday were some great football games besides the Jets just not showing up to the game. I think they were like us and stayed home with the family because I didn’t know what was on the field except Tom Brady throwing bullet passes. But that’s beside the point right now when Suh is the topic of discussion. Many people try to give him the benefit of the doubt but it shows that 3 strikes and you’re out and it seems that he went way over them. With the kick in the groin to Houston’s Matt Schaub you can just tell Suh is always out for blood like he is really hunting out there. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Football is a gladiator sport but it’s just a sport people and at times there are some major injuries. But Suh is making those injuries on players intentionally and he needs to be out ASAP. I’m calling for his job Goodell and other higher powers out there. I know I don’t have that kind of pull but at least you guys listen to me.

Suh was a guy out of University of Nebraska with a lot of momentum and buzz. Being drafted No. 2 didn’t hurt as well where he got paid tens of millions of dollars. Even being in commercials endorsing the famous Subway’s sandwiches you just knew this player had a bright future. He seemed like a good guy and many experts say that he really is. But does this guy black out when he is on the field? Who the hell knows, but this isn’t good for the NFL and for the viewers at home. Kids watch football too and when I was growing up I sure didn’t see this madness on the field from players. Suh just takes it to the max with his reckless abandonment and his time will come. I promise you that because this isn’t a man that is trying to change. With all the disgust I face tonight, what do you guys think about his play and where he will be in the next 3 years?

Eli vs. Big Ben: The 04’ Draft Class

Both Manning and Roethlisberger are great quarterbacks in their own rights and both were drafted in the same 04’ draft class. My question to you is who is better? Now that is debatable and choosing who you’d rather depend on who you ask and what city they live in. But asking me is another thing and my choice is Eli Manning for many reasons. To name a few is that Eli is more depended on to take his team to the next level rather than Roethlisberger. The reason why is because through the years the Steelers have some great weapons where they could succeed when he was out through injury. Not to say he isn’t valuable but I just feel Manning is more in that category. Another reason is Eli has been the Super Bowl MVP not once but twice; Roethlisberger hasn’t sniffed that before. In the two Super Bowls that Big Ben won he wasn’t that great at all. He just looked very shaky and not ready for the big game when the lights were on. Just a thought guys!

Big Ben is much more athletic than Eli and can break tackles like no other quarterback can do. But Eli is more durable and never gets hurt. You never have to worry about him missing any games and let’s not talk about off the field. Manning is the model citizen that we want our pro athletes to be (Valentine, 2012). Now Roethlisberger has been the total opposite so far but he seems to be getting on track especially just recently married last year. So we hope for the best with him. Now he is out with a shoulder injury which is no cause of his but he just seems to get injured often. Eli is a better pocket quarterback and he is more clutch than Big Ben when the game is on the line. Again this is debatable by some but that’s how I feel about it.

See some of you get too caught up with a season game between the two and feel whoever whens that game is the better QB and I’m here to tell you that is so far from the truth. Sometimes you might have the better quarterback having a bad game; it happens! But whichever QB you pick you can’t go wrong, but I’m going with Eli and hopefully he can get his 3^rd Super Bowl ring. How could I forget Manning is a better passer and has much more yardage then Big Ben through his same career. I know Roethlisberger was a bit annoyed by not being chosen 1^st overall in the 04’ draft and there was a reason why! Where is your loyalty at and who do you choose?

References

Valentine, E. Eli & Big Ben: Leading best QB draft class ever? Bigblueview.com, 2 November 2012, http://www.bigblueview.com/2012/11/2/3590236/eli-manning-ben-roethlisberger-  phillip-rivers-matt-schaub-2004-quarterback-draft-class, Retrieved 22 November 2012.

Rondo is Making his Case as the Best PG

All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo has come a long way from his playing days in the University of Kentucky. A young, immature and not developed point guard came on the scene in 2006 as a rookie to Boston where the pressure is high. Not getting the respect he wanted from the team he started to let his game speak then after his voice. For a slim and only standing about 6’0 his confidence is bigger than him and who can knock him for that. With his flashy passes and his hunger to win that is what makes Rondo one of the best point guards in the NBA today. With a championship under his belt and sky’s the limit for this young guard.

Rondo makes it known that he is the best point guard and I use to blow it off and say “he is one of the best, but not the best”. However, I’m starting to drink the cool-aid some. Look at what he has done through the years and what he’s doing now. I’m amazed at his progression that we’ve seen in his young career. Rondo’s a treat to watch night in and night out. This is a player that leaves it all on the floor. There was a time when the Big-3 was formed in Beantown and many thought that it was because of them why Rondo was a good point guard. I would say that isn’t the case because as we’ve seen Rondo holds his own on the court and raised Garnett, Pierce and Allen’s play through the years.

Many will say that Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and for the most part I will say he is because he is a better floor general then Rondo and better shooter, but don’t tell that to Rondo haha. This year is much different and with his 34^th consecutive game with over 10 assist or more, who can question his greatness? There are only a few great point guards in the NBA but there can only be one that is the best and I think that Rondo is making his case this year. Do you think he is the best?

The Tribute: Up Up & Away

Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook is one of the most exciting basketball players in the NBA and he shows it night in and night out. So this tribute shows why many players fear him when he attacks the basket; and you can see why!

Top 10 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

1.      Houston Texans

2.      Atlanta Falcons

3.      New England Patriots

4.      Baltimore Ravens

5.      San Francisco 49ers

6.      Green Bay Packers

7.      Denver Broncos

8.      Chicago Bears

9.      New York Giants

10.    New Orleans Saints

I Hate Prison & Bumblebees

What the hell was the Steeler’s organization thinking when they came up with this bright and I mean literally bright idea to make these horrendous uniforms? This has to be one of the ugliest uniforms ever made besides those Oregon Duck uniforms. I feel so dizzy watching this game tonight with these awful colors. I think about the Twilight Zone when I see them. I got it guys; these uniforms are the throwbacks from the 1930’s, ok but come on. Some throwback you just don’t bring back and this was one of them. I guess jersey sales are down in Steeler land and they are trying to make up the difference; who knows? But they are bringing ugly to another level.

These uniforms are bringing prison to the NFL with those colors and who loves bees? Definitely not me and I can’t believe I’m doing an article about uniforms haha. But hey, somebody has to talk about it right? Who better than me! I guess we all hope that this won’t be ongoing that they will be wearing these uniforms. Let’s not even talk about if they win in this because they will want to wear them all the time and that will be a disaster to viewers. Bet Big Ben is probably happy that this week he didn’t have to wear those uniforms. Those things are going viral everywhere guys.

The Rebirth of Brett Favre: Tony Romo

There is something about that Tony Romo that had me guessing for so many years, and it finally came to me. This guy is a lot like football great Brett Favre. I was always trying to think who Romo reminded me of and look at that. Favre was a great player in his day and played football damn there until he was 40 years old. Do I need to say more? But he was known to be a turnover machine and practiced a reckless abandonment on the field most of the times. Now you see that in Tony Romo’s play. Romo is so much like Favre through his career with so much on his shoulders and the pressure; wow! Romo I would say has Favre beat when it comes to that because he plays in Dallas where it is all or nothing. Also Romo doesn’t get the respect he deserves fair or not that is just the way it is in Dallas.

I will say that when or if Romo does win a title in Dallas he will then be beloved and might be in the conversation of Hall of Fame. The reason why I bring this up is because he is a great quarterback that is so underrated by many but he can throw the ball without being scared what is coming to him. He never looks too much like the game is too big for him. Now his offensive line is another story guys. Don’t you notice most of the times he is always telling them where to be or yelling at them when they get him sacked or when they have a bad snap? Favre wasn’t far from that as well in Green Bay. The scrutiny that both players faced and Romo is still facing is unbelievable. I think that Romo is trying his best but this team isn’t that great like so many people have been saying for years.

I think they do have a gem in Romo and if they ever trade or get rid of him they will regret it. Favre was one of those players that you didn’t know what to expect when he was on the field at times because sometimes he would just throw that football like a rocket and say whoever gets it gets it. That was something to watch years ago but I can’t lie I do miss Favre on the field and I think it will be the say about Romo. Where do you think Romo ceiling will end?

Top 10 NBA's Next Generation Stars

1.      John Wall

2.      Kyrie Irving

3.      Anthony Davis

4.      Ricky Rubio

5.      Michael Kidd Gilchrist

6.      DeMarcus Cousins

7.      Brandon Jennings

8.      Jrue Holiday

9.      Paul George

10.    Greg Monroe

Moneyball II: Starring the Miami Marlins & Jose Reyes

 I love the movie Moneyball with Brad Pitt but I didn’t think we were going to relive what the Oakland A’s did years ago anytime soon. But I see I was very wrong about that because the Miami Marlins proved me wrong. They were sure that they are going to get their payroll down to a dollar; well not a dollar. You know where I’m going with it. The Marlins got rid of a player that they signed to a lucrative contract last off-season in Jose Reyes in just one season. I knew he wasn’t worth the money he got and would be a bust. Too I guess if you get rid of the manager everyone goes I see. The Miami Marlins are known for this kind of mess and the disappointments they give to their fans. Not to say they have a lot but they do have some kind of support. It just blows my mind after just one season into their new stadium they empty house completely. Even moving all of these players in a blockbuster trade won’t bring fans even more to the games. I think this was a very bad move on their part.

Now that’s just the beginning with this all. Having a new arena you would think that the Marlins would have been smart enough to keep the players that they have and maybe trade a few but not your main core of star players. Yes, this does put them in a good spot to find other talent and maybe give big contracts to players that deserve it but they are taking a big risk on that one. Who’s to say that this trade will even work? I guess they feel like that the players that they had didn’t get it done this season and their attendance was abysmal, so why not? If this isn’t Moneyball, I don’t know what is.

This trade will make the Toronto Blue Jays a much better team overnight and hopefully make them a contender but now with that type of payroll they’ve taken on; who knows what the future will be? Miami is known for fans not being committed to their sports teams. I can understand why being in the tropical weather that Florida brings. Who wants to go to a game right? You just want to party, relax and enjoy the sun. It’s not like the Marlins didn’t win two World Series titles within 15 years. This is a decent stat to have but management and ownership pulls the trigger, not us. Just another reason why the Marlins are a bad run organization that is inconsistent and they can’t keep their stars. If I remember, wasn’t Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera a Marlin in 2003? Just a thought people!

Top 10 NBA Power Rankings

 

1.      New York Knicks

2.      San Antonio Spurs

3.      Miami Heat

4.      Oklahoma City Thunder

5.      Memphis Grizzlies

6.      Los Angeles Clippers

7.      Boston Celtics

8.      Los Angeles Lakers

9.      Minnesota Timberwolves

10.    Brooklyn Nets

Mike D'Antoni is Hired and Ready for Battle: Well I Hope

Demands, demands and more demands of Phil Jackson led to the hiring of ousted former New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. Phil would have been a great fit for the Lakers but he wanted the moon and stars and whatever else came with it. Jackson knows that he has nothing else to prove and he is the best coach in sports that ever lived. Some might argue that, but you know where I’m going with that. They reached out to Phil and he did answer the call with allegedly demands of a stake in the Lakers organization and Dr. Buss wasn’t having it (Bresnahan, 2012). So who could be next in line, oh I know D’Antoni; the same guy that was called a good offensive coach but not a good one all around. This hiring is a good hiring for what was out there at the time.

I do think that D’Antoni will boost the spirits of the team and will bring his up-tempo offense with him. I can’t lie I want to see this offensive scheme real bad because you have the best center in the game which is Howard and still a top player in Kobe. This will be a sight to see but where there is smoke there is fire. Offense is great and all but will the D’Antoni system work without implementing a desire to play tough defense. In this league you have to have both offense and defense to win a NBA title. D’Antoni has proved that he is quite stubborn on giving an open ear to defense. I really hope this changes with him now in LA and given a great opportunity to coach a legendary team that has championship aspirations.

I know Steve Nash is excited about reuniting with his old coach from Phoenix, where he had great success winning his two MVPs. So my question is who will Nash partner up with on the great pick and roll that D’Antoni brings? I just hope that 3 years/$12 million is enough to keep the coach motivated and happy because we all know he got much more coaching the Knicks. I guess he had to take a cut to prove himself again because we all know how that job ended. Congrats to Mike and we all wish him well but we want to see a different side to his coaching and maybe some surprises. Can Mike be successful and last in Tinseltown?

References

Bresnahan, M. Mike D'Antoni to be next coach of the Lakers. LAtimes.com, 12 November 2012, http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-hire-mike-dantoni-20121112,0,7850509.story, Retrieved 12 November 2012.