Monday, March 23, 2009
NBA over College
There are many reasons that I like the NBA over College Basketball. The first is the playground rule. How many times have you been at the playground and all the best players are on the same time and they run about 11 games in a row without losing? A friend/foe that I sometimes refer to as "Life" had to remind me that I did the same thing in a high school basketball tournament and at the time, I thought it was tight but now that I look at it, it was actually kind of poo. I did the same thing that prime basketball universities always do. They get all the best talent and are expected to win. If they lose, they make excuses or it's some unfortunate set of circumstances that cause them to lose. (Think Chris Webber timeout.) Fortunately, my team did not lose but you get the point. Let's take a look at a few teams in the Sweet 16: Duke, Arizona, North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas, Connecticut, Michigan State and Syracuse. Now, think about it for a second and most casual college fans can realize that all of these colleges have won or been to National Championship in the last 15 years. Duke ( won 2001), Arizona (won 1997), North Carolina (Won 2005), Memphis(lost 2008), Kansas(won 2008), UCONN (won 2004), Michigan State (won 2000), and Syracuse( won 2003). Not only have these teams won in the last 15 years, 7 out of 8 has won or been to the championship in the last decade. Let's not forget Villanova won the title in 1985 and Louisville in 1986. Also, let's not mention that the college basketball instiuition of Rick Pitino won it with Kentucky in 1996 and has been to the final four with three different teams.(Providence, Kentucky, Lousiville). College Basketball is like picking a fantasy team on Madden football with no salary cap. In today's game, you could essentially have Peyton Manning at quarterback, Adrian Peterson at running back and Larry Fitzgerald at wide receiver. You would have the best offense in the league. Now, think about that in terms of college basketball. In the 2005 nba draft, North Carolina had 4 players in the first round of the nba draft: Marvin Williams (2), Raymond Felton (5), Sean May (13), & Rashad McCants (14). The only other team to have more than one player in the 2005 nba draft was Illinois with Deron Williams (3) and Luther Head(24). Can you guess who North Carolina played in the championship that year? Yep, Illinois. Now it sounds like my case is designed to be less for the NBA and more against college basketball. Without a stutter, I can easily state the the nba has a flawless resume. The nba has all the best talent in the WORLD and all the best coaches in the WORLD. What more do you need? A coach is a coach no matter what the level is as evident by John Calipari's and Rick Pitino's unimpressive stints in the NBA. So, I am saying that those two coaches are only good at a level where they can get all the best players in the country. On December 9, 2008, the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-101. The Lakers have the second best record in the league and the Kings have the worst record. So when a lower seed in a 64 man tournament beats a higher seed, you can now shut and understand that this happens in the NBA at least once a week. I picked the most extreme case with the Lakers and the Kings and I am trying to point out that the highest selling point of excitement for the NCAA happens every week in the NBA. Anyhow, since I just threw this article together I am going to close it out because I need to check my NCAA bracket results.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wow...Where is the Real Blunder in Philly?
As you painfully watch Kevin Curtis miss a catchable ball on Philadelphia's last drive and watch Philadelphia woefully rush for 66 yards by the running backs, you have to wonder if Donovan McNabb is the real blunder in Philly.
If I told you that McNabb would throw for 375 and 3 TD’s and the
eagles score 25 points, would you have thought that the eagles would
lose? A defense that is number 3 in the league and only gives up 18
points per game did not get it done. People want to look at what
they call McNabb’s "inaccuracy" when Roethlisberger, Flacco and
McNabb all have 60% completion ratio for the year. Roethlisberger is
going to the Super Bowl and Flacco was in the AFC championship. Now,
I don’t know what the Eagle game plan was but it seemed to be that
the Eagles turned it around in the second half. Can that be coaching
or all the players played poorly in the 1st half? I would say
coaching. Obviously, McNabb deserves some of the blame because if he
would have won, I would have given him a lot of the credit. I have
never seen people blame a quarterback who had a game like that. What
happen to Tony Dungy when he could not get it done in Tampa?
Fired!!!!! What happen to Dan Reeves when he could not get it done
in Denver? Did the Broncos get rid of Elway? No. Both coaches went
back to the Super Bowl and Dungy won one. The coaches that took over
Denver and Tampa Bay after they left ( Gruden and Shannahan) won
super bowls. Are Reeves and Dungy bad coaches? No. However,
sometimes a coach runs his course with a certain team. You are never
supposed to get rid of a franchise quarterback until he can’t do it
anymore and then, it is questionable. It baffles me how people seem
to view certain people. At no point in time did anyone even mention
getting rid of Peyton Manning. Not once when he was failing. He
never had a game like this in a conference championship. He even
publicly blamed his offensive line after the Pittsburgh loss in the
playoffs. Now, Peyton Manning may be better than McNabb but McNabb
is a legitimate franchise quarterback and if I was him, I would want
to get the hell out of Philadelphia for not being appreciated.
The Eagles did lose though but someone has to take the blame. Why not Donovan? Well, maybe because the defense gave up touchdowns in the first half when New England would have given up field goals and then the lead would not have been large. In Super Bowl 36, The Rams went field goal, missed field goal, New England interception, Rams fumble and all of a sudden 14-3 Partiots. Also, the Philadelphia defense failed to come through on the game winning driving. However, in the spirit of the debate, the Philly offense failed to come through on a potential GAME-TYING drive.
So, blame who you want but to fully blame Donovan is poo to me but let's look at where the real blunder in Philly is that has had a franchise quarteback for 10 years and has failed to put quality weapons around him.
As good as Westbrook is and I hate to point to any draw backs in hisgame, he is oft-injured because he is not a big strong back so he can't standthe pounding. If you put a huge back or even a legitimate change of pace from Westbrook (Jonathan Stewart-Carolina, Duece-Saints, Dominic Rhodes in Indy, Ward/Bradshaw New York), Westbrook could be more effective and you can't talk about money with that because you can get someone very good with low pick in the draft.
The truth will be revealed because Philadelphia could have built there offense through the draft with better slection in the draft and never would have had to acquire Terrell Owens and
give up 10 million in a signing bonus.
Oh okay.....It sounds like you want examples. Well, Read Below then!!!
In 2001, Eagles selected Freddie Mitchell. They passed up Chad
Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Chris Chambers...Ooh and a guy by the name
of Steve Smith. Have you ever heard of a dude called TJ Houshmanzadeh. They passed him
up too!!!!!!!! Freddie Mitchell is not in the league.
2003- Oh my bad dog. ONE MORE FOR YOU!!!!! 2003 Draft- The Eagles took
L.J. Smith (2nd Round, 61 Overall) and passed on Jason Witten (3rd Round,
69 Overall). LJ Smith never made the pro bowl and Jason Witten is a
five time pro bowler.
Does this sound like a trend or what?
Okay, one more.
2004 They took Running back Bruce Perry ( Round 7, 243 Overall). Dang,
did you know that Willie Parker went undrafted that year? DANG!!!!!! Oh,
Wes Welker was undrafted too!!!!! Come on dog. Nobody looks at this stuff.
Bruce Perry is in the CFL!!!!!
2005- You are going to laugh when you here this. In the 2005 draft, the
Eagles took running back Ryan Moats (3rd Round, 77 overall). They passed up
Marion Barber (4th Round, 109 overall) and Brandon Jacobs (4th Round, 110
overall). Oh, have you ever heard of a dude named Darren Sproles? (4th Round,130
overall). Moats plays for the Houston Texans.
I know you are not supposed to hit on all your draft picks but
DANG!!!!!!!!
2006- ONE MORE!!!!! ( Loud-high pitched) They took Jeremy Bloom (5th
Round,147 overall) and passed on....Wait, wow, wait one eye close, wait,
wait yes, you guessed it: Marques Colston ( 7th Round, 252 overall). They respond
by signing Hank Baskett who is 6-4 220 pounds as an undrafted free agent.
Wow, a big receiver that you obviously wanted yet you take Jeremy Bloom
over another big receiver. Jeremy Bloom is not on anyone's roster.
Make sense to you?
2007 Eagles took Running Back Tony Hunt (3rd Round, 90th Overall) over
Michael Bush (Round 4, 100 overall), Leron McClain (Round 4, 37th
Overall) and Pierre Thomas (undrafted). Tony Hunt is currently not on an NFL TEAM.
If I told you that McNabb would throw for 375 and 3 TD’s and the
eagles score 25 points, would you have thought that the eagles would
lose? A defense that is number 3 in the league and only gives up 18
points per game did not get it done. People want to look at what
they call McNabb’s "inaccuracy" when Roethlisberger, Flacco and
McNabb all have 60% completion ratio for the year. Roethlisberger is
going to the Super Bowl and Flacco was in the AFC championship. Now,
I don’t know what the Eagle game plan was but it seemed to be that
the Eagles turned it around in the second half. Can that be coaching
or all the players played poorly in the 1st half? I would say
coaching. Obviously, McNabb deserves some of the blame because if he
would have won, I would have given him a lot of the credit. I have
never seen people blame a quarterback who had a game like that. What
happen to Tony Dungy when he could not get it done in Tampa?
Fired!!!!! What happen to Dan Reeves when he could not get it done
in Denver? Did the Broncos get rid of Elway? No. Both coaches went
back to the Super Bowl and Dungy won one. The coaches that took over
Denver and Tampa Bay after they left ( Gruden and Shannahan) won
super bowls. Are Reeves and Dungy bad coaches? No. However,
sometimes a coach runs his course with a certain team. You are never
supposed to get rid of a franchise quarterback until he can’t do it
anymore and then, it is questionable. It baffles me how people seem
to view certain people. At no point in time did anyone even mention
getting rid of Peyton Manning. Not once when he was failing. He
never had a game like this in a conference championship. He even
publicly blamed his offensive line after the Pittsburgh loss in the
playoffs. Now, Peyton Manning may be better than McNabb but McNabb
is a legitimate franchise quarterback and if I was him, I would want
to get the hell out of Philadelphia for not being appreciated.
The Eagles did lose though but someone has to take the blame. Why not Donovan? Well, maybe because the defense gave up touchdowns in the first half when New England would have given up field goals and then the lead would not have been large. In Super Bowl 36, The Rams went field goal, missed field goal, New England interception, Rams fumble and all of a sudden 14-3 Partiots. Also, the Philadelphia defense failed to come through on the game winning driving. However, in the spirit of the debate, the Philly offense failed to come through on a potential GAME-TYING drive.
So, blame who you want but to fully blame Donovan is poo to me but let's look at where the real blunder in Philly is that has had a franchise quarteback for 10 years and has failed to put quality weapons around him.
As good as Westbrook is and I hate to point to any draw backs in hisgame, he is oft-injured because he is not a big strong back so he can't standthe pounding. If you put a huge back or even a legitimate change of pace from Westbrook (Jonathan Stewart-Carolina, Duece-Saints, Dominic Rhodes in Indy, Ward/Bradshaw New York), Westbrook could be more effective and you can't talk about money with that because you can get someone very good with low pick in the draft.
The truth will be revealed because Philadelphia could have built there offense through the draft with better slection in the draft and never would have had to acquire Terrell Owens and
give up 10 million in a signing bonus.
Oh okay.....It sounds like you want examples. Well, Read Below then!!!
In 2001, Eagles selected Freddie Mitchell. They passed up Chad
Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Chris Chambers...Ooh and a guy by the name
of Steve Smith. Have you ever heard of a dude called TJ Houshmanzadeh. They passed him
up too!!!!!!!! Freddie Mitchell is not in the league.
2003- Oh my bad dog. ONE MORE FOR YOU!!!!! 2003 Draft- The Eagles took
L.J. Smith (2nd Round, 61 Overall) and passed on Jason Witten (3rd Round,
69 Overall). LJ Smith never made the pro bowl and Jason Witten is a
five time pro bowler.
Does this sound like a trend or what?
Okay, one more.
2004 They took Running back Bruce Perry ( Round 7, 243 Overall). Dang,
did you know that Willie Parker went undrafted that year? DANG!!!!!! Oh,
Wes Welker was undrafted too!!!!! Come on dog. Nobody looks at this stuff.
Bruce Perry is in the CFL!!!!!
2005- You are going to laugh when you here this. In the 2005 draft, the
Eagles took running back Ryan Moats (3rd Round, 77 overall). They passed up
Marion Barber (4th Round, 109 overall) and Brandon Jacobs (4th Round, 110
overall). Oh, have you ever heard of a dude named Darren Sproles? (4th Round,130
overall). Moats plays for the Houston Texans.
I know you are not supposed to hit on all your draft picks but
DANG!!!!!!!!
2006- ONE MORE!!!!! ( Loud-high pitched) They took Jeremy Bloom (5th
Round,147 overall) and passed on....Wait, wow, wait one eye close, wait,
wait yes, you guessed it: Marques Colston ( 7th Round, 252 overall). They respond
by signing Hank Baskett who is 6-4 220 pounds as an undrafted free agent.
Wow, a big receiver that you obviously wanted yet you take Jeremy Bloom
over another big receiver. Jeremy Bloom is not on anyone's roster.
Make sense to you?
2007 Eagles took Running Back Tony Hunt (3rd Round, 90th Overall) over
Michael Bush (Round 4, 100 overall), Leron McClain (Round 4, 37th
Overall) and Pierre Thomas (undrafted). Tony Hunt is currently not on an NFL TEAM.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Dario Complimenting the Pistons!!!! WHAT THE HELL?
From: Pierce, Roy I:
Could this really happen…Pistons and Red Wings be champions in 2008??? I think so!
From: Dario Mobley:
Pistons won’t win b/c of the injury to Billups. It kinda of sucks because I like to see basketball played at the highest level.
From: Pierce, Roy I.
I forgot bout that.
From: Dario Mobley :
I am not liking Boston b/c they are not playing up to their potential. KG is overrated.
From: Pierce, Roy I. :
He the only one playing well on offense on their team!
From: Dario Mobley :
He is a fake superstar. He is not capable of having that big scoring game ( 35 + points) and he is the highest paid player in the league. When he plays a good team (The pistons or Lakers), they are not going to double him and he is going to have to score big. Even Tim Duncan had 40 points the first game against Phoenix. Poo. KG is overrated. He shows all that emotion and he has not taken more than 13 shots the last two games. It is one thing to not be selfish but it is a whole different story when you are the franchise player and you don’t do everything/anything you need to do to allow your team to win. He should score. IF he does not have one of those games, I don't think they can win it. I am officially against him. Rip had 32 points last game.
From: Pierce, Roy I. :
If Cleveland beats Boston I don’t think Billups will need to play until the finals.I see what you’re saying bout KG… but is he suppose to be the ‘franchise’ guy in Boston or is he just suppose to be a team member. Detroit doesn’t have a franchise guy like Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Magic… etc.RIP stepped up last game. I want Sheed to destroy the whole Magic team this game b/c of the guarantee; that would be hilarious. Hornets need to destroy San Anton tonight too or my prediction is done and so are the Hornets.
From Dario Mobley:
Billups will have to play to beat Cleveland also. I am not a Detroit fan but I at least want to see the game be played at it’s full potential. Detroit does not have a franchise guy. Your right but no one on Detroit’s team is making 23.7 million dollars and has won a league MVP and gets the accolades like KG has received. The Magic are not ready and I will stick a foot in my mouth on that one. I think Sheed will have a good game and watch Mr. Rip!!!! I want the Hornets to win but I picked the Spurs. My basketball mind tells me that. I hate that!!!! Anyhow, we will see.
Could this really happen…Pistons and Red Wings be champions in 2008??? I think so!
From: Dario Mobley:
Pistons won’t win b/c of the injury to Billups. It kinda of sucks because I like to see basketball played at the highest level.
From: Pierce, Roy I.
I forgot bout that.
From: Dario Mobley :
I am not liking Boston b/c they are not playing up to their potential. KG is overrated.
From: Pierce, Roy I. :
He the only one playing well on offense on their team!
From: Dario Mobley :
He is a fake superstar. He is not capable of having that big scoring game ( 35 + points) and he is the highest paid player in the league. When he plays a good team (The pistons or Lakers), they are not going to double him and he is going to have to score big. Even Tim Duncan had 40 points the first game against Phoenix. Poo. KG is overrated. He shows all that emotion and he has not taken more than 13 shots the last two games. It is one thing to not be selfish but it is a whole different story when you are the franchise player and you don’t do everything/anything you need to do to allow your team to win. He should score. IF he does not have one of those games, I don't think they can win it. I am officially against him. Rip had 32 points last game.
From: Pierce, Roy I. :
If Cleveland beats Boston I don’t think Billups will need to play until the finals.I see what you’re saying bout KG… but is he suppose to be the ‘franchise’ guy in Boston or is he just suppose to be a team member. Detroit doesn’t have a franchise guy like Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Magic… etc.RIP stepped up last game. I want Sheed to destroy the whole Magic team this game b/c of the guarantee; that would be hilarious. Hornets need to destroy San Anton tonight too or my prediction is done and so are the Hornets.
From Dario Mobley:
Billups will have to play to beat Cleveland also. I am not a Detroit fan but I at least want to see the game be played at it’s full potential. Detroit does not have a franchise guy. Your right but no one on Detroit’s team is making 23.7 million dollars and has won a league MVP and gets the accolades like KG has received. The Magic are not ready and I will stick a foot in my mouth on that one. I think Sheed will have a good game and watch Mr. Rip!!!! I want the Hornets to win but I picked the Spurs. My basketball mind tells me that. I hate that!!!! Anyhow, we will see.
Boston Talk
I tell you what. We will know if he has the K.I. at the end of this series. The only problem is Boston can still go because of Billups hamstring. Also, they can beat Cleveland because they have the homecourt. They are broads to only win on there homecourt. That's fake but Game 5 is going to separate the men from the boys!!!!!!!!
I think Doc Rivers will prepare for Lebron James to have a big game and double and triple him in the fourth quarter. That is where Wally will sell out. Lebron has no help. Imagine Wally in a hostile environment against the best team in the league. Look for him to be shut down and there are no other capable scorers on the team. Think about When Fox shut Wally down. Pitiful.
However, the only silver lining is the defense being played by Cleveland. It has been remarkable. If they can play that defense on the road, they are good. However, the energy of the crowd takes pressure off the home team and the road team has to make shots on the road.
The Cavs lineup in the fourth is Gibson, West, Lebron, Varejo/Wallace, Illgauaskas/Joe Smith.
You can leave 2 out of the three guys open. If they do an offense/defense substitution and put Illgauaskas and Smith in there, it could be interesting as someone will have to hit a shot in my opinion.
However, I think it will be a blowout or not a wire to wire game. Boston wins.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
My bad...I haven't really kept up with his stats. you're right dog, he got all that intensity, and can't score 40. and they don't have nobody on the court that can check him...you would think he would handle that. Dare I say that he doesn't have K.I?
from the looks of it...the cavs are going to win the series.
lebron will probably have a huge game tomorrow and this series is all but done. right?
"Dario Mobley" wrote:
Once he is not doubled, he will have to score 40 and he can't. Also,
he is not aggressive enough. HE has the skills but he is scary. All that
hypeness just to score 20 points a game and be poo.
Don't talk crazy!!! I hate when you do that. He had one good game.
How did he carry them in the first two games?
Game 1: 28 points
Game 2: 13 points
Game 3: 17 points
Game 4: 15 points
He makes 23.7 million dollars just to average 18.8 points and 9.9
rebounds
for the season and 20.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in the playoffs. Come
on dog.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs > >
So, you would think he would play better...same with Allen. I don't
know what's going on with him.
you really think Garnett is overrated? He carried them in the first
two games, dog.
"Dario Mobley" wrote :
Yeah. Walker and Pierce has made it to the east finals before.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
has pierce ever made it out of the first round of the playoffs?
and, you're right!
"Dario Mobley" wrote:
A veteran team with veteran players have no reason to play
horrible on the road. It's the players. KG is overrated and Pierce was never a
superstar and he does not work on his game anymore. He is getting weaker as a slasher and his jump shot has stayed marginal.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
Is it the player or the coach that has the Best Team in the
League,record wise, anyway, playing this poorly on the road?
I think Doc Rivers will prepare for Lebron James to have a big game and double and triple him in the fourth quarter. That is where Wally will sell out. Lebron has no help. Imagine Wally in a hostile environment against the best team in the league. Look for him to be shut down and there are no other capable scorers on the team. Think about When Fox shut Wally down. Pitiful.
However, the only silver lining is the defense being played by Cleveland. It has been remarkable. If they can play that defense on the road, they are good. However, the energy of the crowd takes pressure off the home team and the road team has to make shots on the road.
The Cavs lineup in the fourth is Gibson, West, Lebron, Varejo/Wallace, Illgauaskas/Joe Smith.
You can leave 2 out of the three guys open. If they do an offense/defense substitution and put Illgauaskas and Smith in there, it could be interesting as someone will have to hit a shot in my opinion.
However, I think it will be a blowout or not a wire to wire game. Boston wins.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
My bad...I haven't really kept up with his stats. you're right dog, he got all that intensity, and can't score 40. and they don't have nobody on the court that can check him...you would think he would handle that. Dare I say that he doesn't have K.I?
from the looks of it...the cavs are going to win the series.
lebron will probably have a huge game tomorrow and this series is all but done. right?
"Dario Mobley" wrote:
Once he is not doubled, he will have to score 40 and he can't. Also,
he is not aggressive enough. HE has the skills but he is scary. All that
hypeness just to score 20 points a game and be poo.
Don't talk crazy!!! I hate when you do that. He had one good game.
How did he carry them in the first two games?
Game 1: 28 points
Game 2: 13 points
Game 3: 17 points
Game 4: 15 points
He makes 23.7 million dollars just to average 18.8 points and 9.9
rebounds
for the season and 20.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in the playoffs. Come
on dog.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs > >
So, you would think he would play better...same with Allen. I don't
know what's going on with him.
you really think Garnett is overrated? He carried them in the first
two games, dog.
"Dario Mobley" wrote :
Yeah. Walker and Pierce has made it to the east finals before.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
has pierce ever made it out of the first round of the playoffs?
and, you're right!
"Dario Mobley" wrote:
A veteran team with veteran players have no reason to play
horrible on the road. It's the players. KG is overrated and Pierce was never a
superstar and he does not work on his game anymore. He is getting weaker as a slasher and his jump shot has stayed marginal.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elgin E Suggs
Is it the player or the coach that has the Best Team in the
League,record wise, anyway, playing this poorly on the road?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Response to a Steve Weinman Article
Steve,
I don't know you and this is the first article I read that was written by you. The particular article was about OJ Mayo and here is the link:
http://mvn.com/nba-source/2007/08/28/nba-in-no-need-of-oj/
Now, as a real NBA basketball fan, I have to take this time to ask you some questions, make a few statements and just give you an overview of what it means to be a person that watches the NBA.
Firstly, you say the NBA has an image problem. That may be true but the NBA still seems to be expanding globally better than any of our big three professional sports. Consequently, the fans the NBA are losing in the United States are being picked up in other countries. However, I am not here to argue the business of the NBA. I am here to talk to you about OJ Mayo. I don't know OJ Mayo at all. I have never met him and I have only seen clips of his high school games and I have seen a lot of his games at USC. THe difference between you and me is that I act like I don't know. You really feel like you know him. The recruiting himself to USC, throwing the ball of the backboard to himself and all of the trouble you mentioned in your article seems to somehow give you a glimpse into OJ Mayo's world.
Now, I know you are not naive enough to believe that high school kids all over the United States don't smoke marijuana, get into fights or get held back in school. With that being said, since you love basketball, please explain to me what that has to do with his skills as a basketball player?My problem with you is that you are letting a philosophical difference in the way you see life determine that the NBA does not need OJ Mayo. Basically, the slang term for what you are doing is "hating".
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are arguably two of the most like able NBA superstars in NBA history. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird was infamous for "talking trash". However, when those two talk trash, they are mentally strong players and that adds to their competitive fire. Larry Bird made a three pointer on Chuck Person and promptly told him "Merry Fucking Christmas." However, they are two of the greatest players ever and I don't argue with that. I spoke to a guy that worked at the Boston Garden. He told me that when he asked Larry Bird for an autograph, Bird distinctly told him "NO". Additionally, Bird always denied reporters and everyone interviews. Michael Jordan was never ever on a video game once because of business issues. However, Bird is still a fierce competitor and Michael Jordan is still the all-American NBA player.
Let me get to the point. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are great to me because of what they did on the court. Period. Forget off the court and forget dunking the ball at the end and throwing it to the crowd. Within your whole article, you forgot to mention one thing about OJ Mayo's game. You forgot to say he will be an undersized shooting guard in the NBA or he may struggle at the point guard because he is not a true point guard. Also, he has to take better shots and become a more consistent shooter. I don't see where you said anything about basketball. See, people like you who claim to love basketball wants basketball to be played in the way you desire it to be seen. However, San Antonio is the most fundamental, classy team in the NBA and half of America hates them. So, how does the NBA win? Can the NBA win? Is this a bigger issue than OJ Mayo being able to play better defense? What are we dealing with here? I don't attach myself to the individual NBA person. I attach myself to what they do on the court and that is the level we should use when analyzing players.
I dislike everything about Tim Duncan but I will watch San Antonio because I respect what they do ON THE COURT. I do not let my off the court philosophies affect what I see on the court. If Mayo pounds his chest and does 16 off the backboard dunks and wins the game, I don't care. If Mayo doesn't have any tattoos and was not a basketball prodigy and fed the homeless everyday for the rest of the life and was an advisor to The Pope and loses, I care because I only care about his basketball game.. The moment someone does not get it done on the court is when I take my time to slice them apart with a sharp blade. I don't care if he recruits himself to USC. I was a very good student in high school and I "recruited myself" to the University of my choice. Also, I "recruited myself" to summer interns to prepare myself for graduation. That was my dream though. Who am I or who are you to say that OJ Mayo should not do everything he can to set himself up for his dream? Now, I have an education but as you know everyone will not go the education route so is it fair for us to say "The NBA does not need" him because he wanted to be better prepared for his path and route in life? Is anyone saying that Bill Gates is stupid because he did not finish college? I think you get my point.
In conclusion, if you love basketball like you say, why do you care about the things that have nothing to do with basketball? Tracy McGrady and Dirk Nowitski are classy but they don't get it done when it counts, so I would say the NBA does not need them before I say it does not need OJ Mayo. Imagine how many Rocket and Maverick fans went to work the next day sick to their stomach because 16 million and 19 million dollars were going home in the first round yet again. Again, I don't care if you are the classiest player in the world or the thug that robs a bank after every game (not literally). I only care if you win. I watch the NBA for the competitive passion that is displayed by the players and not who they are cheating on their wives with because as much as that is a moral issue, at the end of the day, the NBA is only a game and it involves me passionately just like a game of chest. When the game is over, I analyze and talk about the game and then I am on to the next game. That's it. If Tim Duncan or Stephen Jackson hits a game winner, I commend them equally. I don't have any bias and you should not either because IF YOU LOVE BASKETBALL LIKE YOU SAY, it does not have to be played with everyone shaking hands and patting each other on the back after the game. It should be played with passion and fire and a competitive spirit and any form of expression is okay with me AS LONG AS YOU WIN. So when you write an article talking about the deficiencies in OJ MAYO's basketball game and not the deficiencies in his personality or decisions of the court, please send me a link because Dirk Nowitski losing in the first round stimulates my NBA passion a lot more than OJ Mayo having marijuana in his car.
I don't know you and this is the first article I read that was written by you. The particular article was about OJ Mayo and here is the link:
http://mvn.com/nba-source/2007/08/28/nba-in-no-need-of-oj/
Now, as a real NBA basketball fan, I have to take this time to ask you some questions, make a few statements and just give you an overview of what it means to be a person that watches the NBA.
Firstly, you say the NBA has an image problem. That may be true but the NBA still seems to be expanding globally better than any of our big three professional sports. Consequently, the fans the NBA are losing in the United States are being picked up in other countries. However, I am not here to argue the business of the NBA. I am here to talk to you about OJ Mayo. I don't know OJ Mayo at all. I have never met him and I have only seen clips of his high school games and I have seen a lot of his games at USC. THe difference between you and me is that I act like I don't know. You really feel like you know him. The recruiting himself to USC, throwing the ball of the backboard to himself and all of the trouble you mentioned in your article seems to somehow give you a glimpse into OJ Mayo's world.
Now, I know you are not naive enough to believe that high school kids all over the United States don't smoke marijuana, get into fights or get held back in school. With that being said, since you love basketball, please explain to me what that has to do with his skills as a basketball player?My problem with you is that you are letting a philosophical difference in the way you see life determine that the NBA does not need OJ Mayo. Basically, the slang term for what you are doing is "hating".
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are arguably two of the most like able NBA superstars in NBA history. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird was infamous for "talking trash". However, when those two talk trash, they are mentally strong players and that adds to their competitive fire. Larry Bird made a three pointer on Chuck Person and promptly told him "Merry Fucking Christmas." However, they are two of the greatest players ever and I don't argue with that. I spoke to a guy that worked at the Boston Garden. He told me that when he asked Larry Bird for an autograph, Bird distinctly told him "NO". Additionally, Bird always denied reporters and everyone interviews. Michael Jordan was never ever on a video game once because of business issues. However, Bird is still a fierce competitor and Michael Jordan is still the all-American NBA player.
Let me get to the point. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are great to me because of what they did on the court. Period. Forget off the court and forget dunking the ball at the end and throwing it to the crowd. Within your whole article, you forgot to mention one thing about OJ Mayo's game. You forgot to say he will be an undersized shooting guard in the NBA or he may struggle at the point guard because he is not a true point guard. Also, he has to take better shots and become a more consistent shooter. I don't see where you said anything about basketball. See, people like you who claim to love basketball wants basketball to be played in the way you desire it to be seen. However, San Antonio is the most fundamental, classy team in the NBA and half of America hates them. So, how does the NBA win? Can the NBA win? Is this a bigger issue than OJ Mayo being able to play better defense? What are we dealing with here? I don't attach myself to the individual NBA person. I attach myself to what they do on the court and that is the level we should use when analyzing players.
I dislike everything about Tim Duncan but I will watch San Antonio because I respect what they do ON THE COURT. I do not let my off the court philosophies affect what I see on the court. If Mayo pounds his chest and does 16 off the backboard dunks and wins the game, I don't care. If Mayo doesn't have any tattoos and was not a basketball prodigy and fed the homeless everyday for the rest of the life and was an advisor to The Pope and loses, I care because I only care about his basketball game.. The moment someone does not get it done on the court is when I take my time to slice them apart with a sharp blade. I don't care if he recruits himself to USC. I was a very good student in high school and I "recruited myself" to the University of my choice. Also, I "recruited myself" to summer interns to prepare myself for graduation. That was my dream though. Who am I or who are you to say that OJ Mayo should not do everything he can to set himself up for his dream? Now, I have an education but as you know everyone will not go the education route so is it fair for us to say "The NBA does not need" him because he wanted to be better prepared for his path and route in life? Is anyone saying that Bill Gates is stupid because he did not finish college? I think you get my point.
In conclusion, if you love basketball like you say, why do you care about the things that have nothing to do with basketball? Tracy McGrady and Dirk Nowitski are classy but they don't get it done when it counts, so I would say the NBA does not need them before I say it does not need OJ Mayo. Imagine how many Rocket and Maverick fans went to work the next day sick to their stomach because 16 million and 19 million dollars were going home in the first round yet again. Again, I don't care if you are the classiest player in the world or the thug that robs a bank after every game (not literally). I only care if you win. I watch the NBA for the competitive passion that is displayed by the players and not who they are cheating on their wives with because as much as that is a moral issue, at the end of the day, the NBA is only a game and it involves me passionately just like a game of chest. When the game is over, I analyze and talk about the game and then I am on to the next game. That's it. If Tim Duncan or Stephen Jackson hits a game winner, I commend them equally. I don't have any bias and you should not either because IF YOU LOVE BASKETBALL LIKE YOU SAY, it does not have to be played with everyone shaking hands and patting each other on the back after the game. It should be played with passion and fire and a competitive spirit and any form of expression is okay with me AS LONG AS YOU WIN. So when you write an article talking about the deficiencies in OJ MAYO's basketball game and not the deficiencies in his personality or decisions of the court, please send me a link because Dirk Nowitski losing in the first round stimulates my NBA passion a lot more than OJ Mayo having marijuana in his car.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
SAINTS EXCHANGE
Dario "The Realist":
Why do you love reggie bush so much? I don’t know. He is overrated Louis. Seriously……. He gets way more attention than his production warrants.
Louis "The DeadLock Saints Fan":
From memory alone and watching the game and not from stats, Duece is a much better short yardage back than deuce is as far as pounding it in there.
As I said I made my determination about Deuce long before looking at the stats. I look for end results and not how you did it. Yeah Deuce pounds it in there but the stats still don't lie and my eyes didn't lie to me before the stats. Since Deuce has been our Starting running back we have always been a below average short yardage team, even back in the Haz days.
Louis:
Minnesota- Peterson and Taylor – Peterson was explosive north and south hit the hole runner and Taylor is more of a look for the hole and not as explosive
Chester Taylor is a BEAST. I think he is just as explosive as Adrian Peterson, but than I think the O-line really contributes to that tandem, and don't bring up the pro bowl because Adrian Peterson was the only player out there actually trying like a crazy man. :)
Louis:
I meant Ron Dayne and TJ Duckett are NOT power backs.
I think Meachem will contribute unless he gets hurt again. Pierre punches it up in there pretty good I think he fits the mold of an emmitt smith type back as for as running style. After the Chicago game the Chicago defenders commented on how hard Pierre ran and how hard he was to tackle. Size doesn't always determine the type of back you are. Big back doesn't always = power back, and Smaller back doesn't always = scat back. Ron Dayne and TJ Duckett are considered true power backs. Walter Payton was not considered a scat back. I believe that Reggie and Pierre can be complimentary backs. I have always saw something different with Deuce. Yes he does pound it up in there but there was far too many games I have seen over his career where it is 3rd down and we need a couple of yards and he gets stopped in the backfield. I think that had a little to do with Faine being the center and he always got blown up in obvious short yardage situations, but Deuce is really not that effective in short yardage situations. I have seen him run over his share of people but it doesn't seem to translate in short yardage. Just so you know I made that decision about Deuce long before I saw his stats in short yardage situations. People can say what they want about Reggie but when he sees the sticks he will punch it up in there and get the first. The only time I have really seen him get stopped on short yardage is when Faine and the O-line was getting blown up.
Dario:
From memory alone and watching the game and not from stats, Duece is a much better short yardage back than deuce is as far as pounding it in there.. However, Reggie is not as bad as people may think because he dances and scats and seems to be able to get those short yards. That is from memory alone. My only problem is that Pierre and Reggie are close to the same back as far running style. They both are quick, make people miss back and Duece was a run over you type back. It represents a problem because Pierre does not change the pace when he comes in the game for Reggie. The top 5 dual back systems last year had two or mutliple different types of backs:
Minnesota- Peterson and Taylor – Peterson was explosive north and south hit the hole runner and Taylor is more of a look for the hole and not as explosive
Jacksonville – Drew and Taylor – Drew is shifty, dancing small runner and Taylor is bigger, physical
NYG – Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, and Droughns – Jacobs power but good feet, Ward more of a straight ahead power guy, Bradshaw is shifty, Droughns is like Ward
Tenn – Chris Brown and White – Brown is a hit the hole shifty north and south runner and more explosive, White is straight ahead power back
Oak – Fargas, Jordan, Rhodes – Rhodes is hit the hole, shifty north and South, Fargas is shifty, hit the hole north and south, Jordan is more of a big shifty back
How would you describe Thomas and Bush and do you think they will be an effective tandem?
Do you expect Meachem to really contribute if you had to say RIGHT NOW?
Louis:
1) Honestly, between you and I, what do you NEED to see from Reggie Bush next year?
I don't NEED to see anything out of Reggie Bush because I believe that he is a decent player and has the potential to be outstanding. If I had to pick one thing that he needs to work on is for him to protect the ball in traffic. If you noticed in the situational stats that I sent you just about all of Reggie's fumbles came in traffic up the middle. I also think that he needs to stop listening to fans and the media and just play his game. How many times have you seen him run up the back of the blocker in open field trying to follow the block. I think he took the first step in improving himself this offseason by participating with the team in the offseason workouts. I don't think Reggie understood the power of the the NFL offseason training program last year. I really believe that working out with them will get him stronger and more prepared to play NFL football. People also seem to forget that last year Reggie was only healthy for like 7 of the 12 games he played and it was obvious that something wasn't right those last five games when he played hurt. I believe he will come back and have a very good year this year.
2) With the focus on defense this offseason, is it possible that our offense could maybe decline from year 2 to year 3?
I think the Saints made a smart move by not re-signing Faine. How many times in watching the Saints did Faine ge t blown up in the running game. I think Faine was a liability in the running game and with Goodwin in the lineup you will see a drastic improvement in our running game. I really believe that the saints will address offense in the draft, because of their focus on defense in Free Agency. It is rumored that they are interested in Mendenhall or Forte.
A) My biggest concern is tight end and receiver where we have not made any upgrades. I think we should be trying to look at some small impact players at both positions similar to what we did on defense last year with Jason David, Simmons and Kaesviharn. Otherwise, we can get into 3 5 or 6 games and realize that our receiver core is weak. With basically the same core from year 1 aside from Meachem and Horn ( although I believe Patten is a Horn clone), the defenses can really catch up to our offensive philosophy. OR, do you think and Mr. Payton think that he is a genius and can pass the ball with Zedrick at receiver?
You said that the core is the same as year 1 but I believe that Patten is an upgrade over Horn, which is obvious when you compare production from last year. Also if Meachem performs the way I expect him to you have 6'3" 4.3 40 guy who can catch and get YAC. I think the staff is not worried about the core because of their expectactions from Meachem. I believe a starting 3 of Colston, Meachem and Patten is a very good WR core.
B) If Duece does not recover, are you worried at all about our short yardage runningback?
I think with Goodwin in as center we won't have short yardage problems. Although many people don't like to admit it Duece really wasn't that good of a short yardage back. It seemed like no matter who was in the backfield we got blown up in obvious short yardage situations. In 2006 on 3rd with < 3 yards to go Duece only averaged 2.2 YPC which means he didn't even get the 1st. In comparison Reggie averaged 4.0 YPC in the same situation last year. In 2006 Reggie averaged 6.0 YPC on 3rd < 3. The stats don't lie and really think about how many times have we needed a yard with Deuce and he couldn't get it. Check out the stats for yourself.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5470/situational;_ylt=Aj_0euKYoi_UIYAq5A5HSsP.uLYF?year=2006
C) What kind of player do you see Meachem being?
I hope Meachem can be what he was in college. He has the physical tools to be good and the perfect compliment to Colston. I will reserve judgement til I see him in training camp.
Dario:
1) Honestly, between you and I, what do you NEED to see from Reggie Bush next year?
2) With the focus on defense this offseason, is it possible that our offense could maybe decline from year 2 to year 3?
A) My biggest concern is tight end and receiver where we have not made any upgrades. I think we should be trying to look at some small impact players at both positions similar to what we did on defense last year with Jason David, Simmons and Kaesviharn. Otherwise, we can get into 3 5 or 6 games and realize that our receiver core is weak. With basically the same core from year 1 aside from Meachem and Horn ( although I believe Patten is a Horn clone), the defenses can really catch up to our offensive philosophy. OR, do you think and Mr. Payton think that he is a genius and can pass the ball with Zedrick at receiver?
B) If Duece does not recover, are you worried at all about our short yardage runningback?
C) What kind of player do you see Meachem being?
Why do you love reggie bush so much? I don’t know. He is overrated Louis. Seriously……. He gets way more attention than his production warrants.
Louis "The DeadLock Saints Fan":
From memory alone and watching the game and not from stats, Duece is a much better short yardage back than deuce is as far as pounding it in there.
As I said I made my determination about Deuce long before looking at the stats. I look for end results and not how you did it. Yeah Deuce pounds it in there but the stats still don't lie and my eyes didn't lie to me before the stats. Since Deuce has been our Starting running back we have always been a below average short yardage team, even back in the Haz days.
Louis:
Minnesota- Peterson and Taylor – Peterson was explosive north and south hit the hole runner and Taylor is more of a look for the hole and not as explosive
Chester Taylor is a BEAST. I think he is just as explosive as Adrian Peterson, but than I think the O-line really contributes to that tandem, and don't bring up the pro bowl because Adrian Peterson was the only player out there actually trying like a crazy man. :)
Louis:
I meant Ron Dayne and TJ Duckett are NOT power backs.
I think Meachem will contribute unless he gets hurt again. Pierre punches it up in there pretty good I think he fits the mold of an emmitt smith type back as for as running style. After the Chicago game the Chicago defenders commented on how hard Pierre ran and how hard he was to tackle. Size doesn't always determine the type of back you are. Big back doesn't always = power back, and Smaller back doesn't always = scat back. Ron Dayne and TJ Duckett are considered true power backs. Walter Payton was not considered a scat back. I believe that Reggie and Pierre can be complimentary backs. I have always saw something different with Deuce. Yes he does pound it up in there but there was far too many games I have seen over his career where it is 3rd down and we need a couple of yards and he gets stopped in the backfield. I think that had a little to do with Faine being the center and he always got blown up in obvious short yardage situations, but Deuce is really not that effective in short yardage situations. I have seen him run over his share of people but it doesn't seem to translate in short yardage. Just so you know I made that decision about Deuce long before I saw his stats in short yardage situations. People can say what they want about Reggie but when he sees the sticks he will punch it up in there and get the first. The only time I have really seen him get stopped on short yardage is when Faine and the O-line was getting blown up.
Dario:
From memory alone and watching the game and not from stats, Duece is a much better short yardage back than deuce is as far as pounding it in there.. However, Reggie is not as bad as people may think because he dances and scats and seems to be able to get those short yards. That is from memory alone. My only problem is that Pierre and Reggie are close to the same back as far running style. They both are quick, make people miss back and Duece was a run over you type back. It represents a problem because Pierre does not change the pace when he comes in the game for Reggie. The top 5 dual back systems last year had two or mutliple different types of backs:
Minnesota- Peterson and Taylor – Peterson was explosive north and south hit the hole runner and Taylor is more of a look for the hole and not as explosive
Jacksonville – Drew and Taylor – Drew is shifty, dancing small runner and Taylor is bigger, physical
NYG – Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, and Droughns – Jacobs power but good feet, Ward more of a straight ahead power guy, Bradshaw is shifty, Droughns is like Ward
Tenn – Chris Brown and White – Brown is a hit the hole shifty north and south runner and more explosive, White is straight ahead power back
Oak – Fargas, Jordan, Rhodes – Rhodes is hit the hole, shifty north and South, Fargas is shifty, hit the hole north and south, Jordan is more of a big shifty back
How would you describe Thomas and Bush and do you think they will be an effective tandem?
Do you expect Meachem to really contribute if you had to say RIGHT NOW?
Louis:
1) Honestly, between you and I, what do you NEED to see from Reggie Bush next year?
I don't NEED to see anything out of Reggie Bush because I believe that he is a decent player and has the potential to be outstanding. If I had to pick one thing that he needs to work on is for him to protect the ball in traffic. If you noticed in the situational stats that I sent you just about all of Reggie's fumbles came in traffic up the middle. I also think that he needs to stop listening to fans and the media and just play his game. How many times have you seen him run up the back of the blocker in open field trying to follow the block. I think he took the first step in improving himself this offseason by participating with the team in the offseason workouts. I don't think Reggie understood the power of the the NFL offseason training program last year. I really believe that working out with them will get him stronger and more prepared to play NFL football. People also seem to forget that last year Reggie was only healthy for like 7 of the 12 games he played and it was obvious that something wasn't right those last five games when he played hurt. I believe he will come back and have a very good year this year.
2) With the focus on defense this offseason, is it possible that our offense could maybe decline from year 2 to year 3?
I think the Saints made a smart move by not re-signing Faine. How many times in watching the Saints did Faine ge t blown up in the running game. I think Faine was a liability in the running game and with Goodwin in the lineup you will see a drastic improvement in our running game. I really believe that the saints will address offense in the draft, because of their focus on defense in Free Agency. It is rumored that they are interested in Mendenhall or Forte.
A) My biggest concern is tight end and receiver where we have not made any upgrades. I think we should be trying to look at some small impact players at both positions similar to what we did on defense last year with Jason David, Simmons and Kaesviharn. Otherwise, we can get into 3 5 or 6 games and realize that our receiver core is weak. With basically the same core from year 1 aside from Meachem and Horn ( although I believe Patten is a Horn clone), the defenses can really catch up to our offensive philosophy. OR, do you think and Mr. Payton think that he is a genius and can pass the ball with Zedrick at receiver?
You said that the core is the same as year 1 but I believe that Patten is an upgrade over Horn, which is obvious when you compare production from last year. Also if Meachem performs the way I expect him to you have 6'3" 4.3 40 guy who can catch and get YAC. I think the staff is not worried about the core because of their expectactions from Meachem. I believe a starting 3 of Colston, Meachem and Patten is a very good WR core.
B) If Duece does not recover, are you worried at all about our short yardage runningback?
I think with Goodwin in as center we won't have short yardage problems. Although many people don't like to admit it Duece really wasn't that good of a short yardage back. It seemed like no matter who was in the backfield we got blown up in obvious short yardage situations. In 2006 on 3rd with < 3 yards to go Duece only averaged 2.2 YPC which means he didn't even get the 1st. In comparison Reggie averaged 4.0 YPC in the same situation last year. In 2006 Reggie averaged 6.0 YPC on 3rd < 3. The stats don't lie and really think about how many times have we needed a yard with Deuce and he couldn't get it. Check out the stats for yourself.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5470/situational;_ylt=Aj_0euKYoi_UIYAq5A5HSsP.uLYF?year=2006
C) What kind of player do you see Meachem being?
I hope Meachem can be what he was in college. He has the physical tools to be good and the perfect compliment to Colston. I will reserve judgement til I see him in training camp.
Dario:
1) Honestly, between you and I, what do you NEED to see from Reggie Bush next year?
2) With the focus on defense this offseason, is it possible that our offense could maybe decline from year 2 to year 3?
A) My biggest concern is tight end and receiver where we have not made any upgrades. I think we should be trying to look at some small impact players at both positions similar to what we did on defense last year with Jason David, Simmons and Kaesviharn. Otherwise, we can get into 3 5 or 6 games and realize that our receiver core is weak. With basically the same core from year 1 aside from Meachem and Horn ( although I believe Patten is a Horn clone), the defenses can really catch up to our offensive philosophy. OR, do you think and Mr. Payton think that he is a genius and can pass the ball with Zedrick at receiver?
B) If Duece does not recover, are you worried at all about our short yardage runningback?
C) What kind of player do you see Meachem being?
Sorry- Conversation Bloggers vs. Traditional Sports Writers
I will re-read every post before I actually display it. Sorry. My material should read and flow a lot better but in a rush, I publish it without re-reading it. Here is another conversation I had with a friend of mine:
I am glad you liked it man. Thanks.
Man....... I don't have HBO. I might have to try to catch it on youtube or something. I would be interested to see that show. It is weird that they say bloggers are messing everything up. I think that as the flow of information expands and increases, there can and should be more than one way to report the sports news. As a sports fan, I won't give any credibility to a blogger who does not make sense about sports anyway. Additionally, if you are a true fan of whatever team you cheer for, I can't see any possible scenario where you will not be able to add something credible to the sports world or at the least, your favorite team's or city's sports world. I am sorry to say to those old school writers but when it comes to sports, if you have the same information, it is all on how creative you can present it. You don't need any credentials for that. They can not get mad because a blogger is getting the same access to the information that was exclusive to them for years. I think that is better because you can get a different perspective on sports instead of the traditional view which brings me to the portrayal of african americans in the media. The internet is good for that also because it allows other viewpoints to be heard and you can do it without having a major media source behind you. With this format, the viewing public is not entirely swayed by one source. To add to that, I think ESPN needs some competition because they are moving to an area where they pretty much dictate the success as far as a fan's perception of professional athletes. They have moved a lot into the off the field stuff and the way they spin it dictates a person's like or dislike for the player. It is similar to why people but the name brand over the generic at the store. Sometimes the name brand is not better but it is better to stick with what you know.
Also, the more money the athletes makes, the more the athletes will disconnect from the Sports Reporter because they don't need the media as much anymore to become insanely popular or rich like Howard Cosell and Ali did years ago.
Anyhow, if I can catch it on youtube or by someones house, I will let you know.
On Wed, 4/30/08, moses cage
wrote:
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: The Night of the Hornet: THe Untold Story of a Hero
To: dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 3:15 PM
Great piece Dario. I enjoyed that bro....real talk. The last paragraph gave me goose-bumps. Did you catch the HBO special "Costas Now" last night (it's coming on again tonight)? Bob Costas held a forum on the media's coverage of sports. I thought you'd find it interesting b/c one of the topics was the changing ways people get their sports information. In particular, they discussed the dying relevance of traditional sports writers and columnists due to the increasing numbers of bloggers and internet sites such as deadspin.com. Mike Wilbon, Dan Patrick, Mitch Albom and others were very critical of the bloggers, insisting that bloggers don't have the resume' or credentials to add anything positive to the sporting world. The show also discussed the way race plays a factor in the media's coverage of athletes, the emergence of sports talk radio, and the disconnect between the athlete and the reporter. It was a really good show, and I think you'd enjoy it.
I am glad you liked it man. Thanks.
Man....... I don't have HBO. I might have to try to catch it on youtube or something. I would be interested to see that show. It is weird that they say bloggers are messing everything up. I think that as the flow of information expands and increases, there can and should be more than one way to report the sports news. As a sports fan, I won't give any credibility to a blogger who does not make sense about sports anyway. Additionally, if you are a true fan of whatever team you cheer for, I can't see any possible scenario where you will not be able to add something credible to the sports world or at the least, your favorite team's or city's sports world. I am sorry to say to those old school writers but when it comes to sports, if you have the same information, it is all on how creative you can present it. You don't need any credentials for that. They can not get mad because a blogger is getting the same access to the information that was exclusive to them for years. I think that is better because you can get a different perspective on sports instead of the traditional view which brings me to the portrayal of african americans in the media. The internet is good for that also because it allows other viewpoints to be heard and you can do it without having a major media source behind you. With this format, the viewing public is not entirely swayed by one source. To add to that, I think ESPN needs some competition because they are moving to an area where they pretty much dictate the success as far as a fan's perception of professional athletes. They have moved a lot into the off the field stuff and the way they spin it dictates a person's like or dislike for the player. It is similar to why people but the name brand over the generic at the store. Sometimes the name brand is not better but it is better to stick with what you know.
Also, the more money the athletes makes, the more the athletes will disconnect from the Sports Reporter because they don't need the media as much anymore to become insanely popular or rich like Howard Cosell and Ali did years ago.
Anyhow, if I can catch it on youtube or by someones house, I will let you know.
On Wed, 4/30/08, moses cage
From: moses cage moses_cage@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: The Night of the Hornet: THe Untold Story of a Hero
To: dadeo23@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 3:15 PM
Great piece Dario. I enjoyed that bro....real talk. The last paragraph gave me goose-bumps. Did you catch the HBO special "Costas Now" last night (it's coming on again tonight)? Bob Costas held a forum on the media's coverage of sports. I thought you'd find it interesting b/c one of the topics was the changing ways people get their sports information. In particular, they discussed the dying relevance of traditional sports writers and columnists due to the increasing numbers of bloggers and internet sites such as deadspin.com. Mike Wilbon, Dan Patrick, Mitch Albom and others were very critical of the bloggers, insisting that bloggers don't have the resume' or credentials to add anything positive to the sporting world. The show also discussed the way race plays a factor in the media's coverage of athletes, the emergence of sports talk radio, and the disconnect between the athlete and the reporter. It was a really good show, and I think you'd enjoy it.
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