The Team to Beat in 2012-2013 Season

With the acquisition of Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles is the team to beat in the NBA; forget just the West. This brings them to another level that we haven’t seen since the Shaq & Kobe days. Howard is a great big man in the game and the most dominant at that. I know that the Miami Heat just won the title and will be the defending champions, but the Lakers are deeper than them. Matchup wise I think the Lakers are going to dominant the NBA. It’s very hard to say because I’m a Knicks fan, but I understand what’s in front of me.

I’m just glad like all of you that the Howard drama is done for now. Who knows what the next drama will be with him, maybe this upcoming 2013 free agency. He will become a free agent and God knows what his next move will be. Many experts think that he will re-sign, but I think that he won’t. If Kobe was younger he would of, but he is at the end of his career and Howard said that he wants to win titles.

With Nash at the point, even though he is 38 years old he will give you a good two seasons of great productivity. This is a great fit for Howard for the short-term. The reason is because the starting line-up for the Lakers is old guys. Howard is going to milk this thing like it’s no tomorrow. What he will do is restructure his image by winning and all will be forgiven and then he will ride off in the sunset with another team. I’m just scratching my head why the Orlando Magic got nothing back in return for the trade. They were really pressured I see to get this deal done, but they had better options out there besides a ball hog in Al Harrington. They will be a mess for years to come. Do you guys think that Howard will win his first title this upcoming season?

Where are They now: Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway

Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway was considered to be the next great in the NBA after Michael Jordan. The torch was going to be passed to young Hardaway, but with injuries sidelining him most of his career he never received it. Penny came out of Memphis with a lot of notoriety for being the greatest player to come out. Playing in Memphis State which is known now as Memphis University, Penny brought his team to the Elite Eight and racked up many different awards while doing it. In the 1993 NBA, he was drafted third overall by the Golden State Warriors, but then traded to the Orlando Magic for Chris Webber.

Penny flourished in his rookie season. Being a 6’7’’ and so versatile player, he couldn’t be stopped. He had Magic, Bird and Jordan in him all in one person. Many times through my teenage years I always heard “What if” or “Do you think that Penny would of”? Those questions still go through my head of what he could have been, but we live in a world of performing and moving on to the next big thing. Penny could have been one of the greatest players that we have ever seen play basketball. If you guys remember he starting the posturizing players like Shawn Bradley and others by dunking on them.

Today Penny is a retired NBA player that is giving back to an urban community to which he was originally from Binghamton. He understands the crime, drugs and violence that cover the streets every day. So he wanted to volunteer his time and give money to the middle school that gave him a chance, which is Lester Middle School (CNN, 2012). Hardaway is showing the kids just because you are from the ghetto don’t mean you can’t dream big and overcome your situation. Hardaway was once that kid growing up without a father in his life and left for his grandmother to raise him at the tender age of 5.

Hardaway might be retired from the game, but he still has the same fire today about basketball that he had over 20 years ago. He is giving that to the kids today and is stressing the fact about education and the importance of it. I totally love what he is doing for his community and wish that many other sports players would do this and look for nothing in return. Penny was one of my favorite players growing up and I know for many of you too. Hope you enjoy this issue and I have something for you guys next week on the edition of “Where are They now”. Tell me what you think about Penny Hardaway?

This is my Year: The Comeback 2012

Denver Broncos Peyton Manning had some uncertainty if he was going to be able to play football in the future, while dealing with major injuries to his neck. Remind you people, he had four surgeries to his neck. With those kinds of injuries is devastating not just to a player’s career, but their lives. Manning is committed this season to stay healthy and give it his all while he is in a Broncos’ uniform. Manning signed a mega free agent deal this off-season for 5 years/$96 million. He was definitely a hot commodity and prize for the league to swoop up, but the Broncos won the raffle. Broncos’ legend John Elway made a great sales pitch to Manning and he bit.

The future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players that ever lived will have some question marks this season and the rest of his contract. Can Manning stay healthy and not have his neck give him more problems? This is a tough one to answer guys. The only thing we can do is just wait and see how this story turns out. Manning is one of the most beloved football players that we have in the game. We want to see him succeed, but not another Super Bowl! Haha sorry Peyton. However, hoping for an electrifying season for Manning and maybe some record-breaking numbers can cure all things.

Manning is a much decorated player that doesn’t have much to prove to us, but himself. He wants to challenge himself that he can stay on the field and win another Super Bowl. Manning already has one championship and four MVP awards. I’m very excited that Manning is back to playing football. The only thing that we’ll have to get use to is that color uniform. It just doesn’t look right on him. I guess we were just use to his white and blue colors in Indianapolis. Manning’s progress will take time and the fans need to be patient with him and understand he is coming off a season ending surgery. But this league is a win now league, so we have to see how this season turns out.

I think that whatever situation Manning is in, his team automatically becomes a championship contender. The Denver Broncos are a good team, but Manning makes them so much better. He makes regular players into superstars. Ask Colts great Marvin Harrison. Do you guys think that Manning will have a breakout year?

Fight Now or Never Fellas- Age is Catching Up

Guys, I have been getting so many questions recently on if Floyd Mayweather is going to fight Manny Pacquiao. I think that if they don’t fight by early next year, they won’t fight at all. It’s that simple people. They both are in their mid-30’s and on the downside of their careers. I would love to see this fight happen like everyone out there, but I’m getting very restless and just want the fight to happen or not. It’s that simple you guys! Mayweather just got out of jail last Friday and you know he is looking for the next fight of his career. But we all know it won’t be against Pacquio.

I don’t think Pacquio is scared to fight Mayweather. The whole issue was that Pacman wanted a 50/50 split if they fight, but Money Mayweather isn’t trying to hear that. Mayweather feels that he is the main attraction, which he is and only wants to do a 60/40 split. I can understand where he is coming from. Why give Pacman that kind of money when he isn’t the main attraction. Yes, Pacquiao is a great fighter, but Mayweather attracts more viewers. Let’s be real with ourselves. So many people order Mayweather’s fights because they want to see him lose. Remember he is still undefeated. This is something that we have never witnessed before; an undefeated boxer in his mid-30’s.

Now here is where the good part starts guys. Mayweather will and I say, he will beat Pacquiao and I think that he will knock him out. Here is why people. Pacquiao has speed and power and you know he will attack Floyd. Mayweather will take the attack and think of how he is going to drop Pacman and I think he will. Just a thought guys! What do you think will happen if they fight?

Is Phelps the Greatest Olympian?

18-time gold medalist Michael Phelps is considered as one of the greatest Olympians of all-time. He is also known as a shark in the pool. I can say that Phelps has done so much for his sport that he will be missed for years to come by many. Phelps is more than great, he is transcendent. At the age of 27 he has accomplished so much and he feels that he can conquer more things in life. Phelps has told many reporters that he is going to retire from Olympic play and this will be the last swim. I can tell you guys, he definitely went out in style.

Before we place Phelps as the greatest Olympian of all-time, we have to remember the greats that came before him. To start it off, America’s own gold medalist Jesse Owens; becoming the first African American to win a record of 4 gold medals in track and field in 1936 (Fanbay, 2004). The Olympics was held in Germany at that time and this was the time of Hitler. Whoa! Larisa Semyonovna Latynina from the Soviet Union was arguably the best of the best when it came to Olympians. Latynina won a grand total of 18 medals in gymnastics. I don’t want you guys to try to pronounce that name. I had a hard time myself. So you see, giving praise and respect to your history can make you appreciate the present and Phelps is that.

I can truly tell you that watching Phelps in this 2012 Olympics in London has really showed us how we want our American athlete to be. When Phelps is in that water he is competitive and fierce. That’s what it takes to be the best in your sport. I’m happy for him and hope that he will be in Brazil in 2016. Maybe a comeback?

Last Season Wasn't Luck - I'm Going to Salsa Dance Some More

New York Giants Victor Cruz came on to the scene last season and became one of the most popular player’s in the league. Cruz has taken this league by storm. Cruz set a franchise single-season record with 1,536 receiving yards. What a year he had! Many fans fell in love with his salsa dancing that he did in the end zone after a touchdown. With the regular season in front of us, Cruz is anxious to get back on the field and show the doubters that he isn’t a one hit wonder. I’m here to tell you guys that he definitely isn’t that. This boy can really play. That’s to tell you when you’re fully healthy you can see the best out of a talented player.

I can see Cruz reception yards taking a dip, but not by much. When he is defended by the opposition, he makes it very uncomfortable for them. Many defenses have trouble with him. They know if he gets an inch, he will run a mile. That is how fast he runs. Every time Cruz caught the ball he looked like a running back getting into that end zone. Many thought last year was his breakout season. I think this year will even be better of a season for him. I think Cruz will have more touchdowns and pull his team together to win more regular season games.

The goal is to win another championship for the club and all of the players understand this and knows what it will take. It all starts with the Manning-Cruz chemistry. The Giants have a lot of weapons on offense and Cruz will be leading the charge. Cruz has a lot to prove this season that he is here to stay and the Giants didn’t make a mistake on giving him this great opportunity to be our number one receiver. When Cruz is on the field you can see the difference between him and other players. He has that fire in his eye to beat you. Not many have that eye of the tiger attitude. Can’t wait for the season to start guys and I hope you are too. Do you think that Cruz will have a big season?

Slugger Passes Sosa: Next Stop Sixth Place

Baltimore Orioles Jim Thome is one of the most liked players in the MLB. Since breaking into the league in 1991 with the Cleveland Indians, the 41 year old player has been smacking home runs. Last month Thome passed the alleged steroid using Sammy Sosa for 7^th place on the all-time home run list. Thome hit number 609 and feels that he can go after Ken Griffey Jr.’s 630 home runs. If Thome can get to the feat he will be 6^th all-time. With a struggling year because of age and injuries, Thome is just happy to be playing baseball.

I remember a few years ago when he played for the Chicago White Sox, many experts were questioning if Thome is a Hall of Famer. I’m here to tell these so-called experts that you guys were totally wrong. Thome is a man-child in his heyday. Pitchers were scared to pitch to him because they knew it was going over the fence. I’ve been following Thome since the 90’s and he has always made me nervous when he went up against the New York Yankees.

This is the type of player that you want to see great things for him. Every team that he played for had nothing but great things to say about Thome. This is very rare to see in sports. With attitudes and high egos, testosterone plays a big factor in team chemistry. I can say that Thome from what we know has done it the right way without the use of steroids like many of his old counterparts. So it is refreshing to see a player of his caliber hit those home runs for the fans that followed him his whole career. Great job Jim! We baseball fans and sports fans want to see you break Griffey’s record. In the end people, records are made to be broken and I’m a huggggeeee Ken Griffey Jr. fan. Do you guys think Thome has enough in him to do this?