Horrible weekend for the Cubs. I mean, they played poorly, the White Sox played well and the result was the complete 180' of last weekend. The White Sox played well, took advantage of average pitching and hit the ball out of the park. That will help you win. Having the Cubs run themselves out of two innings last night doesn't hurt either.
But last night almost seemed pre-determined. That was the most poorly umpired game I've ever seen. I mean, how many calls did those kids miss?
Lou should have been thrown out for arguing balls and strikes. I suppose. According to the rules. But when two umps absolutely BLOW a call that was CLEARLY a swing, Lou has every right to push the envelope. I mean, that wasn't close. You and I both know it.
Then, this low and outside strike to right-handed Cubs hitters was absurd. Unfortunately, K-Zone was not happening due to how fast Mark Buehrle works a game, but I can think of between 5-10 instances when in a one strike count, that pitch was called a strike, which totally changes the at-bat. The Cubs got the benefit of the doubt a couple of times, but nothing like the Cubs did. The one time K-Zone was utilized on the Sean Gallagher curve ball that wasn't even borderline but a clear strike, was completely missed. And Ronny Cedeno was safe. Noticeably.
Joe Morgan reported that two of the crew-members were on vacation and replaced by minor league umpires. Is this serious?
I mean, Umps work six months a year. They more or less get paid to pay close attention to watching baseball games. They get to travel to the best cities in the country for three hours of work a night. Then, they take vacation and allow amateur umps to decide games?
This is ridiculous. Almost as bad as Phil Mickelson needing a vacation from golfing. But this is pretty bad. I mean, I would love to take my vacation to ump a game. Wouldn't you?
There's no excuse for this. I'm sorry but I don't see the need for umps to need vacation. They have six months of it after the season. I mean, granted, Lou Pinella took a small leave of absence yesterday, but what if managers needed a vacation mid-season? If umps are apparently entitled to time away, why aren't managers and players? What if Jose Reyes just took a week off to hit Vegas? Seriously.
If it's too hard, don't be an ump. Find another job. Just like having a AAA player is a downgrade from a major leaguer, an AAA ump is just the same. They aren't big leaguers and shouldn't be expected to call games like a big leaguer. MLB needs to find a way to keep the game professional at all times. Last night was embarrassing.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thank You!
All I have to say is this:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140879/index.htm
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140879/index.htm
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Women and "Dancing" Fans Beware
As we all know, Green Bay is going to be a different place this fall. Life in Titletown is going to be without #4, something that most of us aren't ready for.
Maybe we aren't ready, but some of us are moving on. I personally like the direction the Packers are going. I think that Aaron Rodgers really is a good fit for the offense and though they are losing the greatest ever, I think they are getting a very nice and serviceable replacement who's really going to be a game manager.
Allegedly, Jason Taylor doesn't see it that way.
Taylor, once of NFL Defensive Player of the Year fame, now of "Dancing With The Stars" fame, has reportedly said that he doesn't want to be traded to Green Bay. Taylor, a premier pass rusher, isn't into the concept of leaving the worst team in the NFL to go to a contender. Interesting?
Well, first of all let's get this out there. Taylor has spent his entire career in Miami, but recently could care less about the Tuna led front office. So I don't see this as being a loyalty thing. What we do know is that Taylor is looking towards the future and hit commentating, acting, show-tuning career that apparently is waiting for him post football.
Taylor has pretty much said he wants to be in a big market so that he can keep his face in the news. So people see him around and his image is strong for his post football career paths. So Green Bay, without Brett Favre according to the Taylor camp is not really what he's looking for.
There are two sides of this. Both the irony and the fact that Taylor needs to get out of the league now. Where should we start.
Taylor is going to get himself critically injured if he keeps talking like this. Probably by a teammate. I mean, Chad Johnson is bad for a team, other receivers are bad for teams, but this guy not only doesn't care about winning and rings, he cares nothing more than about his image. Sure, he's a good looking cat according to my finance and mom, but football is the ultimate man sport. Whatever you do afterwards is irrelevant on that field. He's giving other players a reason to make a run at him. He's making a mockery out of the NFL and his current team is going to be the first to let him know.
But since apparently he doesn't want to play in Green Bay, who knows what will happen. Sure, Green Bay is the smallest market of any professional sports town, right? If not it's close. Either way, Green Bay, though the smallest, gets more media attention per capita than any other team in probably the world. In the NFL, the only teams that will get more attention that the Packers are the Giants and Cowboys and with Favre gone, Taylor would become the only "superstar" on the most historic team in NFL history. And they're going to be a playoff team. And he's only a private jet away from Chicago. What, is it too cold in Wisconsin for dancing Jason? Can he not keep the same tan?
Taylor has done great things for the community with his fame and fortune, things that can't be overlooked. He, just like most NFL players, gives time, money and foundations which help the needy and these acts of charity get overlooked by the likes of Pacman, Chad, and Jevon Kearse's DUI. Mind you, we hear more about Taylor than anyone else because he probably has more PR people on staff than Terrell Buckley ever did. But when it comes down to it, Taylor has to walk into a locker room and go to battle with ten other guys on his side of the ball in a few months. You think they want to go to battle with a guy who's not all there? And doesn't care about winning? You tell me how long this guy's going to last. Maybe he doesn't care about playing football. Maybe his post-football career is more important. If that's the case he needs to become an actor and stop faking to be a football player because right now, he's wearing a costume on the field, and on the dance floor.
Maybe we aren't ready, but some of us are moving on. I personally like the direction the Packers are going. I think that Aaron Rodgers really is a good fit for the offense and though they are losing the greatest ever, I think they are getting a very nice and serviceable replacement who's really going to be a game manager.
Allegedly, Jason Taylor doesn't see it that way.
Taylor, once of NFL Defensive Player of the Year fame, now of "Dancing With The Stars" fame, has reportedly said that he doesn't want to be traded to Green Bay. Taylor, a premier pass rusher, isn't into the concept of leaving the worst team in the NFL to go to a contender. Interesting?
Well, first of all let's get this out there. Taylor has spent his entire career in Miami, but recently could care less about the Tuna led front office. So I don't see this as being a loyalty thing. What we do know is that Taylor is looking towards the future and hit commentating, acting, show-tuning career that apparently is waiting for him post football.
Taylor has pretty much said he wants to be in a big market so that he can keep his face in the news. So people see him around and his image is strong for his post football career paths. So Green Bay, without Brett Favre according to the Taylor camp is not really what he's looking for.
There are two sides of this. Both the irony and the fact that Taylor needs to get out of the league now. Where should we start.
Taylor is going to get himself critically injured if he keeps talking like this. Probably by a teammate. I mean, Chad Johnson is bad for a team, other receivers are bad for teams, but this guy not only doesn't care about winning and rings, he cares nothing more than about his image. Sure, he's a good looking cat according to my finance and mom, but football is the ultimate man sport. Whatever you do afterwards is irrelevant on that field. He's giving other players a reason to make a run at him. He's making a mockery out of the NFL and his current team is going to be the first to let him know.
But since apparently he doesn't want to play in Green Bay, who knows what will happen. Sure, Green Bay is the smallest market of any professional sports town, right? If not it's close. Either way, Green Bay, though the smallest, gets more media attention per capita than any other team in probably the world. In the NFL, the only teams that will get more attention that the Packers are the Giants and Cowboys and with Favre gone, Taylor would become the only "superstar" on the most historic team in NFL history. And they're going to be a playoff team. And he's only a private jet away from Chicago. What, is it too cold in Wisconsin for dancing Jason? Can he not keep the same tan?
Taylor has done great things for the community with his fame and fortune, things that can't be overlooked. He, just like most NFL players, gives time, money and foundations which help the needy and these acts of charity get overlooked by the likes of Pacman, Chad, and Jevon Kearse's DUI. Mind you, we hear more about Taylor than anyone else because he probably has more PR people on staff than Terrell Buckley ever did. But when it comes down to it, Taylor has to walk into a locker room and go to battle with ten other guys on his side of the ball in a few months. You think they want to go to battle with a guy who's not all there? And doesn't care about winning? You tell me how long this guy's going to last. Maybe he doesn't care about playing football. Maybe his post-football career is more important. If that's the case he needs to become an actor and stop faking to be a football player because right now, he's wearing a costume on the field, and on the dance floor.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Program Alert #2
The other day I got an e-mail. It was from arguably the most loyal reader of No Owens. She was irritated at the new format. One would think that as a loyal fan, she would take the extra minute of time to read the longer post and attempt to spare my professional career. This wasn't the case. So here is the new format: I'll try to get something together everyday even if it's only a couple of paragraphs. Friday will continue to be more of a feature. Alright? Get back in here.
Few things are bigger than a Cubs/White Sox series. There is so much pride on the line it's almost unsafe. I would imagine that more Chicagoans are arrested during these two weekends for battery than any other time of the year. I also bet more get off due to the color of their day's garb.
But aside from the fact that the Cubs pretty much smacked the Sox in the mouth, which is great, what really happened this weekend?
The Cubs were swept by the Rays in a three game series entering the crosstown match up. In the backs of Cubs fans minds, thoughts of "Is this the time where we fall apart..." thoughts were probably starting to stir. Especially since the White Sox came in just crushing the ball, putting up big numbers and leading the league in pitching.
But the Cubs showed up back on their home field held off the Sox in game one before just abusing them in the second two. Every part of their game was professional and close to flawless. They had quality starting pitching, decent bullpen work and prototype offense, most noted in Saturday's nine run fourth which include single after single. Yesterday they were stealing bases, hitting and running and getting a double play every time they needed one. They looked amazing.
With their backs against the wall, down in the seventh of game one coming off of getting swept, and swept bad, the Cubs dug deep and persevered. Who saw it coming? I don't know. I know that going into any late game situation this year, I've never for a second thought the Cubs were going to lose. They have something extra this year. I don't know if it's the balance in the lineup or the strong bullpen, but there is something else about this team and their ability to overcome.
Let's just see how long that this can last.
Few things are bigger than a Cubs/White Sox series. There is so much pride on the line it's almost unsafe. I would imagine that more Chicagoans are arrested during these two weekends for battery than any other time of the year. I also bet more get off due to the color of their day's garb.
But aside from the fact that the Cubs pretty much smacked the Sox in the mouth, which is great, what really happened this weekend?
The Cubs were swept by the Rays in a three game series entering the crosstown match up. In the backs of Cubs fans minds, thoughts of "Is this the time where we fall apart..." thoughts were probably starting to stir. Especially since the White Sox came in just crushing the ball, putting up big numbers and leading the league in pitching.
But the Cubs showed up back on their home field held off the Sox in game one before just abusing them in the second two. Every part of their game was professional and close to flawless. They had quality starting pitching, decent bullpen work and prototype offense, most noted in Saturday's nine run fourth which include single after single. Yesterday they were stealing bases, hitting and running and getting a double play every time they needed one. They looked amazing.
With their backs against the wall, down in the seventh of game one coming off of getting swept, and swept bad, the Cubs dug deep and persevered. Who saw it coming? I don't know. I know that going into any late game situation this year, I've never for a second thought the Cubs were going to lose. They have something extra this year. I don't know if it's the balance in the lineup or the strong bullpen, but there is something else about this team and their ability to overcome.
Let's just see how long that this can last.
Friday, June 20, 2008
If No One Else Will Say It...
I started playing golf when I was in middle school. I'd play a lot actually and got to be halfway decent. The thing about it was that golf was not my number one sport, in fact far from it, but everyone I played with went on to play golf in high school if I'm not mistaken.
There are distinct differences in my golf game today. Today, I don't play as much but enjoy going out on a nice day, throwing back some beers, having a good time with friends, and if I play well that's a bonus. I mean, sure if everything is going really bad, I'll get a little irritated, but the chances of that happening aren't really that high. I can pull something out of the woodworks every once in a while.
When I was younger, I have no idea why I played golf. I mean, I guess I liked it, but I was so competitive with myself that I got pretty mad at everything I did that wasn't exactly what Fred Couples would do. Fred Couples. There's a name for you. See, he was my favorite player, but even when I did something bad, I'd get angry, hit my club on the ground, maybe say something I shouldn't and maybe throw a club if I wasn't with my parents. You never saw someone like Freddy do that.
And then I saw the same immature and really classless actions on TV this past weekend.
Golf is supposed to be a "Gentlemen's" game and I think until you get older you don't really appreciate that.
So why when I turn on the TV to watch the US Open do I see the greatest player in the world throwing clubs, hitting the turf with his clubs and dropping inappropriate language like no one is watching?
Tiger Woods plays golf with a drive that is unmatched by anyone in the game. That's a fact whether you like it or not. I mean, even Johnny Miller was wondering when he was going to get "one of those uppercuts" from Tiger in celebration. He sure got some and rightfully so in what I suppose is a gutsy performance by Tiger, hitting the track on one good leg and winning.
But honestly, what I take away from the tournament is Tiger hitting that shot out of the fairway bunker on 16 or 17, throwing his club and dropping a "GD" bomb on the gallery and the millions watching world wide, and then dropping an "F Yeah" into the camera after making his put on 18 to force the playoff. Not to mention yesterday on Sportscenter he had to get "beeped" out during a conversation with Kenny Mayne.
You know, the thing is, you know Tiger has to know better than this. Or is supposed to. But I just don't think he cares. He doesn't care what you and I think about him. All he cares about is winning majors, making money, and then his wife and kid. Maybe not in that order, but the first one is solidified at the top. But he's Tiger Woods, he can do whatever he wants and he knows it. So who's going to hold him accountable for his classless actions? The PGA? They need him a lot more than he needs the PGA.
Tiger is in an interesting position. We talked about Jordan and Kobe the other week, but Tiger is really the only guy in the world at Jordan's level. And he is as businessman as well as a dominant "athlete." But Jordan was always a class act on the court, unless Reggie Miller was coming after him. Sure Jordan was the biggest trash talker ever, but he did in way that didn't require bad words and you never really noticed anyway.
It's Tiger Woods' world, and we live in it. And I'll have to accept that. But this guy doesn't respect the game of golf. He doesn't play it like a gentleman. Tiger may be the most successful player in the world who does more for his sport than anyone has probably ever done for their's in history. But he doesn't do it respecting the game or doing it the way it was meant to be played.
If Tiger Woods was just a business man worth the hundreds of millions that he is, the best clubs in America wouldn't allow a guy who acts the way he does on a golf course to be their member. They require class and respect, something that Tiger surely didn't show at Torrey Pines last week. I mean, I know it was a public course Tiger, but seriously.
There are distinct differences in my golf game today. Today, I don't play as much but enjoy going out on a nice day, throwing back some beers, having a good time with friends, and if I play well that's a bonus. I mean, sure if everything is going really bad, I'll get a little irritated, but the chances of that happening aren't really that high. I can pull something out of the woodworks every once in a while.
When I was younger, I have no idea why I played golf. I mean, I guess I liked it, but I was so competitive with myself that I got pretty mad at everything I did that wasn't exactly what Fred Couples would do. Fred Couples. There's a name for you. See, he was my favorite player, but even when I did something bad, I'd get angry, hit my club on the ground, maybe say something I shouldn't and maybe throw a club if I wasn't with my parents. You never saw someone like Freddy do that.
And then I saw the same immature and really classless actions on TV this past weekend.
Golf is supposed to be a "Gentlemen's" game and I think until you get older you don't really appreciate that.
So why when I turn on the TV to watch the US Open do I see the greatest player in the world throwing clubs, hitting the turf with his clubs and dropping inappropriate language like no one is watching?
Tiger Woods plays golf with a drive that is unmatched by anyone in the game. That's a fact whether you like it or not. I mean, even Johnny Miller was wondering when he was going to get "one of those uppercuts" from Tiger in celebration. He sure got some and rightfully so in what I suppose is a gutsy performance by Tiger, hitting the track on one good leg and winning.
But honestly, what I take away from the tournament is Tiger hitting that shot out of the fairway bunker on 16 or 17, throwing his club and dropping a "GD" bomb on the gallery and the millions watching world wide, and then dropping an "F Yeah" into the camera after making his put on 18 to force the playoff. Not to mention yesterday on Sportscenter he had to get "beeped" out during a conversation with Kenny Mayne.
You know, the thing is, you know Tiger has to know better than this. Or is supposed to. But I just don't think he cares. He doesn't care what you and I think about him. All he cares about is winning majors, making money, and then his wife and kid. Maybe not in that order, but the first one is solidified at the top. But he's Tiger Woods, he can do whatever he wants and he knows it. So who's going to hold him accountable for his classless actions? The PGA? They need him a lot more than he needs the PGA.
Tiger is in an interesting position. We talked about Jordan and Kobe the other week, but Tiger is really the only guy in the world at Jordan's level. And he is as businessman as well as a dominant "athlete." But Jordan was always a class act on the court, unless Reggie Miller was coming after him. Sure Jordan was the biggest trash talker ever, but he did in way that didn't require bad words and you never really noticed anyway.
It's Tiger Woods' world, and we live in it. And I'll have to accept that. But this guy doesn't respect the game of golf. He doesn't play it like a gentleman. Tiger may be the most successful player in the world who does more for his sport than anyone has probably ever done for their's in history. But he doesn't do it respecting the game or doing it the way it was meant to be played.
If Tiger Woods was just a business man worth the hundreds of millions that he is, the best clubs in America wouldn't allow a guy who acts the way he does on a golf course to be their member. They require class and respect, something that Tiger surely didn't show at Torrey Pines last week. I mean, I know it was a public course Tiger, but seriously.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Split Screen
Today, there are two great things to talk about, so for the first time in history, No Owens is going to be an equal opportunity slammer of folks.
As you know, we love Major Championships in golf here at No Owens. For all the "boring" comments golf gets from folks watching on TV, if you really enjoy golf, there are few better sports to watch, and root for on TV.
It's not secret that I root for the course. It's also no secret that I root against Phil Mickelson and his "you know what eating" grin. This year, Torry Pines is the obstacle in front of the players and it's Phil's "Home Course." Must be nice to grow up in La Jolla, eh?
What most people don't understand is that Torrey Pines is a different track than it was when Phil was killing Laguna Nigel High in high school. Earlier this century, Torrey Pines got a face lift so that it could compete with the other big guns to get a US Open. Since then, Phil hasn't played well on the new track, while Tiger seems to win it every time he touches it. So when you sit there and listen to the commentators talk about "Phil's home course" and the expectations around it, just know that it would be like Robin Ventura and "Old Comiskey" and "New Comiskey," two different things.
Also, I'm really not into the Tiger/Phil?Adam Scott lineup thing. It really effects the tournament in my opinion. I think the guys playing around that group are going to have to deal with serious issues with ridiculous fans running around them trying to post in preparation for seeing the big group come through. In my opinion, Tiger and Phil should only play together when the score calls for it. Spread it out, cause for a nice time, but no need for a sideshow.
Finally about the US Open, not to be confused with "The Open" because that's in Great Britain, I'm taking the field. So outside of Tiger, everyone is so good now. Technology is so good now that really on any given day, any of these professionals can shoot 67. That's' how after the first day a rookie and a Nationwide guy can be at the top of the leaderboard. Is golf a mental game? Yeah, but as equipment continues to get better, shot-making is going to get easier and easier no matter what Johnny Miller has to say. I'd like to see an event once a year when players are forced to use wooden drivers and old school Sam Snead Wilson irons. See what happens then.
Sitting there last night, I turned on the basketball game and the Lakers were up 20-7 or something like that. Lamar Odom was just killing everything. The Celtics were getting good looks and shots weren't falling. I just say there and knew that this was going to even itself out.
Baskeball is a game of percentages. You always go with the percentages. And Finals games don't end in blowouts unless it involves Jordan, or the Jazz shooting 65% when Jeff Hornacek is taking 15 shots and making 19 of them. It was only a matter of time before things cooled off and started to come back to the middle.
And they did, in a hurry. So we are going to hear for a few days about the comeback and how it's one of the greatest in NBA Finals history. Yeah, I guess it is, but what happened at the end of the night is the better team won, and both teams came back to Earth, from both sides of the spectrum. Sure there was great drama outside of the combined Oscars of those in the floor seats. Wasn't it funny that ESPN could have cared less about Jada? That was amazing.
So sure it was exciting, but in a game like basketball where percentages are so crucial, are you at all surprised? If you buy into the Kobe thing, maybe. Again, in a game the Lakers should have put away, the NBA's MVP was what, 6-19 for 17 points? The best closer in the game sure got the door slammed on him by the Celtic defense.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will get the majority of credit for last night's win. Garnett because he's Garnett and made big shots down the stretch like Pierce, while Pierce led the Celtics in points. The bench play was crucial from Posey and House. But my God, Ray Allen played the game of his life last night. Allen was going up strong for rebounds, coming down with them late in the game after not sitting for the entire 48 minutes. We all know Allen is probably the knockdown shooter in the NBA, but his ability to get to the basket last night gave House and Posey the shots they needed to change the game. And with the game on the line, Allen going to the hole for two of the games biggest shots told everyone watching that no matter who the biggest of the big three is, that night, Allen was putting the Celtics on his back, stepping up and playing the leader. The funny thing, he's been quietly doing it all series.
The Celtics are simply the better team. Better players, better coaches. That's how you win. That's what the Celtics are doing, and it's by no surprise.
As you know, we love Major Championships in golf here at No Owens. For all the "boring" comments golf gets from folks watching on TV, if you really enjoy golf, there are few better sports to watch, and root for on TV.
It's not secret that I root for the course. It's also no secret that I root against Phil Mickelson and his "you know what eating" grin. This year, Torry Pines is the obstacle in front of the players and it's Phil's "Home Course." Must be nice to grow up in La Jolla, eh?
What most people don't understand is that Torrey Pines is a different track than it was when Phil was killing Laguna Nigel High in high school. Earlier this century, Torrey Pines got a face lift so that it could compete with the other big guns to get a US Open. Since then, Phil hasn't played well on the new track, while Tiger seems to win it every time he touches it. So when you sit there and listen to the commentators talk about "Phil's home course" and the expectations around it, just know that it would be like Robin Ventura and "Old Comiskey" and "New Comiskey," two different things.
Also, I'm really not into the Tiger/Phil?Adam Scott lineup thing. It really effects the tournament in my opinion. I think the guys playing around that group are going to have to deal with serious issues with ridiculous fans running around them trying to post in preparation for seeing the big group come through. In my opinion, Tiger and Phil should only play together when the score calls for it. Spread it out, cause for a nice time, but no need for a sideshow.
Finally about the US Open, not to be confused with "The Open" because that's in Great Britain, I'm taking the field. So outside of Tiger, everyone is so good now. Technology is so good now that really on any given day, any of these professionals can shoot 67. That's' how after the first day a rookie and a Nationwide guy can be at the top of the leaderboard. Is golf a mental game? Yeah, but as equipment continues to get better, shot-making is going to get easier and easier no matter what Johnny Miller has to say. I'd like to see an event once a year when players are forced to use wooden drivers and old school Sam Snead Wilson irons. See what happens then.
Sitting there last night, I turned on the basketball game and the Lakers were up 20-7 or something like that. Lamar Odom was just killing everything. The Celtics were getting good looks and shots weren't falling. I just say there and knew that this was going to even itself out.
Baskeball is a game of percentages. You always go with the percentages. And Finals games don't end in blowouts unless it involves Jordan, or the Jazz shooting 65% when Jeff Hornacek is taking 15 shots and making 19 of them. It was only a matter of time before things cooled off and started to come back to the middle.
And they did, in a hurry. So we are going to hear for a few days about the comeback and how it's one of the greatest in NBA Finals history. Yeah, I guess it is, but what happened at the end of the night is the better team won, and both teams came back to Earth, from both sides of the spectrum. Sure there was great drama outside of the combined Oscars of those in the floor seats. Wasn't it funny that ESPN could have cared less about Jada? That was amazing.
So sure it was exciting, but in a game like basketball where percentages are so crucial, are you at all surprised? If you buy into the Kobe thing, maybe. Again, in a game the Lakers should have put away, the NBA's MVP was what, 6-19 for 17 points? The best closer in the game sure got the door slammed on him by the Celtic defense.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will get the majority of credit for last night's win. Garnett because he's Garnett and made big shots down the stretch like Pierce, while Pierce led the Celtics in points. The bench play was crucial from Posey and House. But my God, Ray Allen played the game of his life last night. Allen was going up strong for rebounds, coming down with them late in the game after not sitting for the entire 48 minutes. We all know Allen is probably the knockdown shooter in the NBA, but his ability to get to the basket last night gave House and Posey the shots they needed to change the game. And with the game on the line, Allen going to the hole for two of the games biggest shots told everyone watching that no matter who the biggest of the big three is, that night, Allen was putting the Celtics on his back, stepping up and playing the leader. The funny thing, he's been quietly doing it all series.
The Celtics are simply the better team. Better players, better coaches. That's how you win. That's what the Celtics are doing, and it's by no surprise.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Trying To Be Fair
Yesterday was a pretty sad day in the No Owens world. It officially marked the first time in history, barring lockout, that I had officially watched 100% of the NBA Finals and 0% of the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, last night was a pretty strong basketball game and I'm not embarrassed whatsoever to say I watched it and in fact enjoyed it. The game was fairly intense between two strong teams. Paul Pierce played the hero role but really, the best part was Kevin Garnett trash talking with Kobe. In a couple of sequences, Garnett put back that rebound for the slam, said something straight to Kobe, Kobe got fouled, Garnett was talking to Kobe the whole time he was on the line and even gave a slight facial expression acknowledging he heard Garnett, and then after Garnett put down the jumper that pretty much ended the game, Garnett running back down the court saying something about "Him not being able to guard me." I would write what he really said, but that wouldn't be appropriate.
What I didn't enjoy was when Mark Jackson said that "Kobe Bryant is at the same level as Michael Jordan." This debate has been going on in a few circles now, and it's time to get in on it.
As you know, I grew up a Bulls fan, a Jordan fan, and saw him play many times in person. So though it may something from you to get passed my emotions, I'll stick to the facts.
First of all, Scottie Pippen is not in the same league as Shaq. Shaq was a dominant player, still can be, and is one of the greatest centers ever to play this game. Pippen was a great defender, a perfect slasher and could hit a 20 footer when he needed to. He was a great fit for the triangle offense. Pippen was not dominant. This is why Pippen could not carry the Bulls, or any other team, like Shaq did in Orlando and Miami without Kobe. So, when comparing the greatness of Kobe and Michael, remember that Kobe was the second best player on his team for much of his career and failed to make the playoffs his first season without Shaq.
Along those lines, I will give Kobe a lot of credit for emerging this year as a leader. He really has...because he's had to. Why? The Lakers wanted Kevin Garnett but couldn't get a deal done. If Garnett was a Laker, would this be Kobe's team? I would say no. Is this a moot point? Maybe, but was there ever a question as to who's team the Bulls was? Ask Phil Jackson who ran that team...the Bulls I mean.
The NBA was a different league when Jordan played. It was hard. It was tough. Watch these videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlolzcidq0o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_z_68NdbqM&feature=related
There's a reason that Jordan got away with some of the things he did. Not only because he earned the right to get calls, but because he was getting hand checked and pressed all the time. The game was different. When it struggled (because Jordan left) it had to become an offensive minded where fouls could be called for really anything, and are. Points are driven up and players don't play defense like the used to.
But if you watch that second clip, you really see what set Jordan apart from pretty much anyone, on the court. His threat to shoot and score got people open. And he had the vision to find them. There are a few unreal passes he gets in both of these clips, but the second is really what it was all about. On the road, playing a tough, physical team, and doing all of the little things, while scoring 29. Just watching that, he could have gone for 40. But didn't. Facilitated, felt the flow of the game, and took what they gave him.
People really get enamored with Kobe's athleticism. As they should. But remember this, Kobe is listed at 6'6. So was Jordan...and at that time Rodman was 6'8 and Barkley was 6'6. Jordan was maybe 6'5, which still isn't short, but in a game of inches and length, that's a lot. Kobe's bigger, he plays in an open game unlike Michael did which allows for more aerobic type moves. Not like Michael wasn't the most athletic player, ever, or anything.
Kobe came straight from high school. Jordan, won a national championship and effected the game the second he stepped on the court. Kobe, didn't. It took Kobe a while to get into a starting lineup. Aside from the mere fact that Kobe hasn't effected the NBA like Jordan effected...the world...this is the all telling factor.
Watch Kobe play. Watch him shoot. Watch him backpedal. Watch him run. Watch him handle the ball. Watch him talk (yes I said watch). Watch him place wear towels when he's on the bench. Listen to the way he talks. Everything Kobe does is an attempt to replicate Jordan. From all of those things I just listed. He does them EXACTLY like Jordan did. Jordan was the first. He was the revolutionary and until someone can change the game like Jordan did, players, like Kobe, are going to try to be him. It'd be different if Kobe was being himself, transforming the game and how it's played and showing us something new. What he's doing is being un-original.
Look, I'm not saying that copying MJ is necessarily a bad thing. He had a pretty good thing going. But Kobe Bryant could play Michael Jordan in a movie because he does everything EXACTLY like MJ did. Be yourself. Change the game. Open people's eyes. At TheBron plays a different game. TheBron is closer to Magic than he is to Michael, in my opinion. But TheBron, though wearing 23 and doing some ridiculous thing with the powder pre-game, mad famous by Jordan, is at least trying to play it in a new way. Kobe, is a very expensive knock-off of Jordan.
Jordan was a revolutionary. He made basketball a global sport. And all of the hoop-la that went with Jordan came because of one thing: he was the best and greatest ever to play. And everyone knew it and everyone watched it. Until Kobe forges his own path, he'll still be a second/third tier player in the history of the game. And even then will he be Jordan? Time will tell, but right now, he's doing everything he can to be Jordan, not to be greater than Jordan. Best of luck with that buddy.
Also, if you actually listen to these people who talk about how Kobe is on Jordan's level on TV, I don't know what to tell you. You would think Mark Jackson would understand after never beating Jordan in a playoff series during a season in which Jordan played the whole year. Thanks for being bitter, Mark, and Reggie for that matter. Glad to know all of us have the same winning percentage against Michael in the playoffs.
However, last night was a pretty strong basketball game and I'm not embarrassed whatsoever to say I watched it and in fact enjoyed it. The game was fairly intense between two strong teams. Paul Pierce played the hero role but really, the best part was Kevin Garnett trash talking with Kobe. In a couple of sequences, Garnett put back that rebound for the slam, said something straight to Kobe, Kobe got fouled, Garnett was talking to Kobe the whole time he was on the line and even gave a slight facial expression acknowledging he heard Garnett, and then after Garnett put down the jumper that pretty much ended the game, Garnett running back down the court saying something about "Him not being able to guard me." I would write what he really said, but that wouldn't be appropriate.
What I didn't enjoy was when Mark Jackson said that "Kobe Bryant is at the same level as Michael Jordan." This debate has been going on in a few circles now, and it's time to get in on it.
As you know, I grew up a Bulls fan, a Jordan fan, and saw him play many times in person. So though it may something from you to get passed my emotions, I'll stick to the facts.
First of all, Scottie Pippen is not in the same league as Shaq. Shaq was a dominant player, still can be, and is one of the greatest centers ever to play this game. Pippen was a great defender, a perfect slasher and could hit a 20 footer when he needed to. He was a great fit for the triangle offense. Pippen was not dominant. This is why Pippen could not carry the Bulls, or any other team, like Shaq did in Orlando and Miami without Kobe. So, when comparing the greatness of Kobe and Michael, remember that Kobe was the second best player on his team for much of his career and failed to make the playoffs his first season without Shaq.
Along those lines, I will give Kobe a lot of credit for emerging this year as a leader. He really has...because he's had to. Why? The Lakers wanted Kevin Garnett but couldn't get a deal done. If Garnett was a Laker, would this be Kobe's team? I would say no. Is this a moot point? Maybe, but was there ever a question as to who's team the Bulls was? Ask Phil Jackson who ran that team...the Bulls I mean.
The NBA was a different league when Jordan played. It was hard. It was tough. Watch these videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlolzcidq0o
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_z_68NdbqM&feature=related
There's a reason that Jordan got away with some of the things he did. Not only because he earned the right to get calls, but because he was getting hand checked and pressed all the time. The game was different. When it struggled (because Jordan left) it had to become an offensive minded where fouls could be called for really anything, and are. Points are driven up and players don't play defense like the used to.
But if you watch that second clip, you really see what set Jordan apart from pretty much anyone, on the court. His threat to shoot and score got people open. And he had the vision to find them. There are a few unreal passes he gets in both of these clips, but the second is really what it was all about. On the road, playing a tough, physical team, and doing all of the little things, while scoring 29. Just watching that, he could have gone for 40. But didn't. Facilitated, felt the flow of the game, and took what they gave him.
People really get enamored with Kobe's athleticism. As they should. But remember this, Kobe is listed at 6'6. So was Jordan...and at that time Rodman was 6'8 and Barkley was 6'6. Jordan was maybe 6'5, which still isn't short, but in a game of inches and length, that's a lot. Kobe's bigger, he plays in an open game unlike Michael did which allows for more aerobic type moves. Not like Michael wasn't the most athletic player, ever, or anything.
Kobe came straight from high school. Jordan, won a national championship and effected the game the second he stepped on the court. Kobe, didn't. It took Kobe a while to get into a starting lineup. Aside from the mere fact that Kobe hasn't effected the NBA like Jordan effected...the world...this is the all telling factor.
Watch Kobe play. Watch him shoot. Watch him backpedal. Watch him run. Watch him handle the ball. Watch him talk (yes I said watch). Watch him place wear towels when he's on the bench. Listen to the way he talks. Everything Kobe does is an attempt to replicate Jordan. From all of those things I just listed. He does them EXACTLY like Jordan did. Jordan was the first. He was the revolutionary and until someone can change the game like Jordan did, players, like Kobe, are going to try to be him. It'd be different if Kobe was being himself, transforming the game and how it's played and showing us something new. What he's doing is being un-original.
Look, I'm not saying that copying MJ is necessarily a bad thing. He had a pretty good thing going. But Kobe Bryant could play Michael Jordan in a movie because he does everything EXACTLY like MJ did. Be yourself. Change the game. Open people's eyes. At TheBron plays a different game. TheBron is closer to Magic than he is to Michael, in my opinion. But TheBron, though wearing 23 and doing some ridiculous thing with the powder pre-game, mad famous by Jordan, is at least trying to play it in a new way. Kobe, is a very expensive knock-off of Jordan.
Jordan was a revolutionary. He made basketball a global sport. And all of the hoop-la that went with Jordan came because of one thing: he was the best and greatest ever to play. And everyone knew it and everyone watched it. Until Kobe forges his own path, he'll still be a second/third tier player in the history of the game. And even then will he be Jordan? Time will tell, but right now, he's doing everything he can to be Jordan, not to be greater than Jordan. Best of luck with that buddy.
Also, if you actually listen to these people who talk about how Kobe is on Jordan's level on TV, I don't know what to tell you. You would think Mark Jackson would understand after never beating Jordan in a playoff series during a season in which Jordan played the whole year. Thanks for being bitter, Mark, and Reggie for that matter. Glad to know all of us have the same winning percentage against Michael in the playoffs.
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