The SEVEN
April 10th, 2011
I. Glenn Beck to leave FOX News
This week it was announced that Glenn Beck's FOX "News" program will come to an end by the end of the year...although they failed to announce that his outlandish and racist statements led to the mass exodus of advertisers from his broadcast. When thinking about Beck's none-too-soon departure, I am reminded of the words of William Shakespeare from "Macbeth":
Out, out, brief candle
Life's but a walking shadow
A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more.
Good riddance!
II. Cathie Black to leave NYC Schools Chancellor Post
Actually she has already left the position she should have never held. Having a successful career in publishing does not make you qualified to walk in off the street and run the largest school system in the nation. Make better decisions, Mayor Bloomberg, in this, your final term.
III. Kevin Boyle to leave St. Patrick's
Kevin Boyle, the legendary New Jersey high school basketball coach and three-time national coach of the year who has coached players such as Sam Dalenbert and Al Harrington, is leaving his Elizabeth, NJ powerhouse St. Patrick's HS
to take a similar job at Montverde Academy near Orlando, FL. Good luck to him!
IV. Kyrie Irving to leave Duke
Another superstar player previously coached by Kevin Boyle is Duke's star freshman Kyrie Irving, soon to be an NBA rookie after the announcement that he will be entering the NBA draft and - to that end - hiring an agent. Irving, due to injuries, played a total of eleven games during his one year at Duke. Wow...even Julius Erving stayed three years at UMass.
Hey, I've never had any issue with athletes going pro at whatever age they feel is right - and, of course, hardly anyone says anything about tennis players - but there are only so many players like Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James - people who can step into the NBA as stars with one or less years of college. Hope it works out for Kyrie...but really wish he wouldn't hire the agent so that he could have the option of changing his mind and returning for at least one more year.
V. Morris Twins to leave Kansas
Speaking of collegians leaving early, Marcus and Markieff Morris of the University of Kansas have also decided to leave school, forgoing their senior seasons to enter the NBA draft. For my take on that, see number four...I mean, I know Markieff and Marcus were the leaders of the Big 12 conference in field goal percentage, but I remember a young lady from one of my favorite movies saying "I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." I can envision them saying that as they go up against the big men of the NBA. Markieff averaged 13.9 in college; is there the thought that that will become 23.9 in the NBA?
VI. Manny Ramirez to leave MLB
I remember picking up a New York Times and reading of a local high school senior from Washington Heights who was a phenomenal baseball player...and I've been following the career of Manny Ramirez ever since. What a career it has been - and what a shame it comes to an end under the cloud of a banned substance. Whether you were a member of Red Sox Nation, Yankees Universe, or a general baseball fan, those years he spent in Boston were among the greatest in the storied Yankee-Red Sox rivalry.
"Manny being Manny," as the saying goes, should have been enough to punch his ticket into the Hall of Fame...and I'm truly sorry that probably will not be the case.
VII. Taking leave of his senses...
What you may have seen leaving the building are the brains of Donald Trump, as he supposedly flirts with a run for the presidency while joining the ranks of the "birthers." Or maybe he just enjoys hearing himself speak...or is it that he wants to try to spike the ratings of "Celebrity Apprentice?"
Who knows...and quite frankly, it's almost like who cares...but in the event that he really intends to seek the Republican nomination, I would share the following with him:
Most Americans look for a certain level of common sense and ability to reason in elected officials, especially in the President. So when someone questions whether President Obama was born in the United States, what they are essentially saying is that in 1962 - at a time when African-Americans were unable to vote in several southern states; unable to get hired in numerous situations; unable to live in certain neighborhoods and just becoming able to attend integrated schools in many areas - there was a group of civil servants or bureaucrats in Kenya and Hawaii that felt that this baby named Barack Obama needed a Hawaii birth certificate, and conspired to get him one. Could they in 1962 have forecast all of the varied events - over 46 years - that would lead to this Black man's run for the presidency in 2008?
If this was true, and the Kenyans saw such potential in young Barack, why would the newly-independent country have wanted to pass his citizenship on to the United States?
I couldn't even go to Canada last year without proper documentation; what would make anyone think that in this post-9/11 era someone can easily create that type of document? The bottom line is that anyone whose powers of reasoning are no better than those folks screaming "birther" theories at town hall meetings is not qualified to lead our nation. And no one whose racism leads them to scream such theories should lead our nation. So Donald, I'd leave that line of questioning alone were I you. Otherwise...you're fired.
About Me
- Mack Williams
- My online column/blog, Sportin' Life - now rechristened as The SEVEN - has appeared on various sites for years, and became the basis for my first book, Sportin' Life: Essays on Sport and Life. My second book is entitled Voices From The Blue States - and my forthcoming children's book to be published in 2012 will be entitled "Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues." I am currently developing a TV sitcom, to be entitled Joyful Noize, as well as a comedy/drama entitled No Place Like Home. For more info e-mail me at mcwstar@aol.com.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Play Ball
The SEVEN
April 1, 2011
I. Well Hit
So Evan Longoria's AK-47 was stolen last Saturday while the Tampa Bay Rays played a spring training game...but, of course, the fact that he had one almost lends a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Longoria hits a shot down the line." That being said, it may not be too wise at all to try to take his cap.
II. Bad Hit
Meanwhile, it was not a game when the popular television/radio personality DJ Megatron was shot and killed on Sunday, another victim of senseless violence.
III. Jose Can You See
Several sportswriters are speculating that if the New York Mets fall out of contention, they will look to trade their most exciting player, shortstop Jose Reyes. Yes, Reyes is potentially in a "walk year," but doesn't that make this that much more reminiscent of when the Mets let Darryl Strawberry walk after the 1990 season? The results could be similar as well.
IV. Goooaaaaal!
I remember being locked out of my house and having to find something to do until someone was back home. NFL players know that feeling now - which may be why Chad Ochocinco scored a tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. Ochocinco got himself a spot on their practice squad, which enables him to work out with them - and, in my opinion, makes the following stats quite impressive:
Average: .202
Doubles: 17
Triples: 1
Home Runs: 3
RBI: 51
Stolen Bases: 30
You may wonder what these baseball stats have to do with Ochocinco or MLS, especially since on the surface they don't seem all that impressive - but guess what: they're Michael Jordan's stats with the minor league Birmingham Barons in 1994...at the age of 31...thirteen years after playing baseball in high school. Some players who had been playing all along didn't do much better. I'm sure that had MJ gone on the baseball diamond at North Carolina, he could have a statue outside U.S. Cellular Field instead of the United Center.
V. National League Predictions
Let's keep it simple...
NL East
Probable Winner: Philadelphia Phillies
Possible Winner: Atlanta Braves
Wild Wager to Win: New York Mets
NL Central
Probable Winner: Cincinnati Reds
Possible Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
Wild Wager to Win: Milwaukee Brewers
AL East
Probable Winner: Boston Red Sox
Possible Winner: New York Yankees
Wild Wager To Win: Tampa Bay Rays
April 1, 2011
I. Well Hit
So Evan Longoria's AK-47 was stolen last Saturday while the Tampa Bay Rays played a spring training game...but, of course, the fact that he had one almost lends a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Longoria hits a shot down the line." That being said, it may not be too wise at all to try to take his cap.
II. Bad Hit
Meanwhile, it was not a game when the popular television/radio personality DJ Megatron was shot and killed on Sunday, another victim of senseless violence.
III. Jose Can You See
Several sportswriters are speculating that if the New York Mets fall out of contention, they will look to trade their most exciting player, shortstop Jose Reyes. Yes, Reyes is potentially in a "walk year," but doesn't that make this that much more reminiscent of when the Mets let Darryl Strawberry walk after the 1990 season? The results could be similar as well.
IV. Goooaaaaal!
I remember being locked out of my house and having to find something to do until someone was back home. NFL players know that feeling now - which may be why Chad Ochocinco scored a tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. Ochocinco got himself a spot on their practice squad, which enables him to work out with them - and, in my opinion, makes the following stats quite impressive:
Average: .202
Doubles: 17
Triples: 1
Home Runs: 3
RBI: 51
Stolen Bases: 30
You may wonder what these baseball stats have to do with Ochocinco or MLS, especially since on the surface they don't seem all that impressive - but guess what: they're Michael Jordan's stats with the minor league Birmingham Barons in 1994...at the age of 31...thirteen years after playing baseball in high school. Some players who had been playing all along didn't do much better. I'm sure that had MJ gone on the baseball diamond at North Carolina, he could have a statue outside U.S. Cellular Field instead of the United Center.
V. National League Predictions
Let's keep it simple...
NL East
Probable Winner: Philadelphia Phillies
Possible Winner: Atlanta Braves
Wild Wager to Win: New York Mets
The Phillies' rotation has a chance to put up some of the greatest collective numbers of recent years, but don't sleep on the Braves. They are officially back.
NL Central
Probable Winner: Cincinnati Reds
Possible Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
Wild Wager to Win: Milwaukee Brewers
Reds are solid and should repeat...but what happens if King Albert Pujols...potentially in a walk year...has an even more Albert year than usual? Cubs should be better.
NL West
Probable Winner: San Francisco Giants
Possible Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Wager to Win: San Diego Padres
NL West
Probable Winner: San Francisco Giants
Possible Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Wager to Win: San Diego Padres
VI. American League Preview
AL East
Probable Winner: Boston Red Sox
Possible Winner: New York Yankees
Wild Wager To Win: Tampa Bay Rays
If the Baltimore Orioles continue their rise under Buck Showalter, they could make this division the most parity-filled division in the game.
AL Central
Probable Winner: Chicago White Sox
Possible Winner: Minnesota Twins
Wild Wager To Win: Detroit Tigers
AL West
Probable Winner: Texas Rangers
Possible Winner: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Wild Wager To Win: Oakland A's
Rangers could have some dropoff without Vlad and Cliff Lee.
VII. NCAA
Enjoy the semi-finals...and the ultimate David vs Goliath final!
Monday, March 21, 2011
What In The World
The SEVEN
March 22nd, 2011
I. Get Me Outta Here
Now that AT&T is in the process of buying T-Mobile, a lot of T-Mobile subscribers have questions about what is to come in terms of pricing and service...so much so that one of my Facebook friends posted her hilarious forthcoming divorce announcement from T-Mobile, asking the readers to please respect their privacy during this difficult time. I was going to say that my main question was unrelated, but I guess it does relate to the services provided: With no T-Mobile, what's going to happen the next time Dwyane Wade gets locked in the hotel suite?
II. What You Don't Know...
I guess the creative folks at the ad agency which did the T-Mobile MyTouch commercial (in which the shirtless guy portraying an iPhone mockingly reveals that he had to give his shirt to AT&T for his data plan) had absolutely no idea AT&T would be buying their client.
III. Snoozing And Losing
When the Miami Heat got out of the gate at 9-8, there were probably some people that almost thought D-Wade really wanted to record a "Get Me Outta Here" message. Once again, we see that basketball is truly a team game and even when assembling phenomenal individual talent, it often takes a while for the team to get on the same page and avoid "stumbling and bumbling," in the words of Walt "Clyde" Frazier...which brings us to the New York Knicks, who have compiled a record of 7-9 since acquiring Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in their big trade with the Denver Nuggets. Of course, it seems as though the Nuggets - 10-4 since then - figured things out pretty quickly.
IV. And The Emmy Goes To...
I see ratings were up this weekend for the NCAA Tournament. Why is that? Let's look at why March is filled with Madness.
First of all, basketball is a great sport. People are filled with pride when their local school or alma mater is in the tournament. There is a particular excitement and sense of urgency involved with a single-elimination tournament...as opposed to a playoff series lasting up to seven games. And of course, there are the upsets. I think that most people without a particular rooting interest in the tournament watch the first two rounds...okay, now the first three rounds with the newly-added First Four...solely to see the big guys get bumped off. This year produced more upset entries into the Sweet 16 than usual, which may account for some of the ratings rise. But could part of it be the participation of the Turner Sports Emmy Award-Winning Inside The NBA crew? Always interesting to hear what Charles Barkley will say, and with him and Kenny Smith and E.J. and the others involved with the NCAA Tournament coverage, I'm looking forward to the post-game shows!
V. Clearance Sale
I so wish I had a dollar for every John Cena hat/wristband/headband/hoodie I saw while passing through New York's Penn Station on Saturday night, and then Newark's Penn Station the next night as folks were coming into those stations after WWE shows. If I had been able to collect a dollar from them all, I might get together with a couple of buddies and make an offer on the New York Mets - who, I am certain, will be on the clearance rack before long.
VI. Bad Play or Bad Luck
One of the symbols, rightly or wrongly, of Met fan frustration over the last few years was Luis Castillo and his dropped two-out, ninth inning pop fly which cost the Mets a win over the Yankees in 2009. The Mets' new general manager, Sandy Alderson, alluded to that as he announced that the Mets were releasing Castillo...with a six million dollar golden parachute, so to speak. Castillo was immediately signed by the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, which sets him up to potentially exact some revenge on the team that essentially said that they would pay him six million to leave the building.
But let's ask ourselves this question: if Castillo - who batted .302 in 2009 - had dropped that popup against the Royals or the Mariners or the A's or the Padres, would he have incurred the wrath of the fans in such a manner? I would say Luis Castillo's biggest problem was not that he dropped a ball, or that it cost a game, but that he dropped that popup against the Yankees.
VII. What In The World?
In a world where, among other things, we as a nation are struggling to recover from a recession; where freedom-seeking uprisings are taking place from Egypt to Bahrain to Libya, and the Ivory Coast is experiencing civil war; where Japan has been hit with a tsunami, earthquakes, and a possible nuclear crisis, why in the world are the NFL owners and players fighting over billions?
Really, why are the owners locking out the players? What message does that send? They must think it's open season on unions in this country...like Gov. Scott Walker and many of the Republican leaders apparently do. Well, like the people of Wisconsin, I'm siding with the union.
March 22nd, 2011
I. Get Me Outta Here
Now that AT&T is in the process of buying T-Mobile, a lot of T-Mobile subscribers have questions about what is to come in terms of pricing and service...so much so that one of my Facebook friends posted her hilarious forthcoming divorce announcement from T-Mobile, asking the readers to please respect their privacy during this difficult time. I was going to say that my main question was unrelated, but I guess it does relate to the services provided: With no T-Mobile, what's going to happen the next time Dwyane Wade gets locked in the hotel suite?
II. What You Don't Know...
I guess the creative folks at the ad agency which did the T-Mobile MyTouch commercial (in which the shirtless guy portraying an iPhone mockingly reveals that he had to give his shirt to AT&T for his data plan) had absolutely no idea AT&T would be buying their client.
III. Snoozing And Losing
When the Miami Heat got out of the gate at 9-8, there were probably some people that almost thought D-Wade really wanted to record a "Get Me Outta Here" message. Once again, we see that basketball is truly a team game and even when assembling phenomenal individual talent, it often takes a while for the team to get on the same page and avoid "stumbling and bumbling," in the words of Walt "Clyde" Frazier...which brings us to the New York Knicks, who have compiled a record of 7-9 since acquiring Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in their big trade with the Denver Nuggets. Of course, it seems as though the Nuggets - 10-4 since then - figured things out pretty quickly.
IV. And The Emmy Goes To...
I see ratings were up this weekend for the NCAA Tournament. Why is that? Let's look at why March is filled with Madness.
First of all, basketball is a great sport. People are filled with pride when their local school or alma mater is in the tournament. There is a particular excitement and sense of urgency involved with a single-elimination tournament...as opposed to a playoff series lasting up to seven games. And of course, there are the upsets. I think that most people without a particular rooting interest in the tournament watch the first two rounds...okay, now the first three rounds with the newly-added First Four...solely to see the big guys get bumped off. This year produced more upset entries into the Sweet 16 than usual, which may account for some of the ratings rise. But could part of it be the participation of the Turner Sports Emmy Award-Winning Inside The NBA crew? Always interesting to hear what Charles Barkley will say, and with him and Kenny Smith and E.J. and the others involved with the NCAA Tournament coverage, I'm looking forward to the post-game shows!
V. Clearance Sale
I so wish I had a dollar for every John Cena hat/wristband/headband/hoodie I saw while passing through New York's Penn Station on Saturday night, and then Newark's Penn Station the next night as folks were coming into those stations after WWE shows. If I had been able to collect a dollar from them all, I might get together with a couple of buddies and make an offer on the New York Mets - who, I am certain, will be on the clearance rack before long.
VI. Bad Play or Bad Luck
One of the symbols, rightly or wrongly, of Met fan frustration over the last few years was Luis Castillo and his dropped two-out, ninth inning pop fly which cost the Mets a win over the Yankees in 2009. The Mets' new general manager, Sandy Alderson, alluded to that as he announced that the Mets were releasing Castillo...with a six million dollar golden parachute, so to speak. Castillo was immediately signed by the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, which sets him up to potentially exact some revenge on the team that essentially said that they would pay him six million to leave the building.
But let's ask ourselves this question: if Castillo - who batted .302 in 2009 - had dropped that popup against the Royals or the Mariners or the A's or the Padres, would he have incurred the wrath of the fans in such a manner? I would say Luis Castillo's biggest problem was not that he dropped a ball, or that it cost a game, but that he dropped that popup against the Yankees.
VII. What In The World?
In a world where, among other things, we as a nation are struggling to recover from a recession; where freedom-seeking uprisings are taking place from Egypt to Bahrain to Libya, and the Ivory Coast is experiencing civil war; where Japan has been hit with a tsunami, earthquakes, and a possible nuclear crisis, why in the world are the NFL owners and players fighting over billions?
Really, why are the owners locking out the players? What message does that send? They must think it's open season on unions in this country...like Gov. Scott Walker and many of the Republican leaders apparently do. Well, like the people of Wisconsin, I'm siding with the union.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
As the writer of a blog entitled "Sportin' Life," I'm one that clearly believes that one should not have to be a sports fan to realize that sports - and influential individual athletes - have had considerable impact on the nation throughout the years...and if you don't, look up Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Arthur Ashe, among others. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, the importance of individual games or even seasons really pales in comparison to the rest of life - as shown by recent events in Japan. Hopefully the thriving major leagues in Japan can play a part on the financial side of the rebuilding of their nation from some of the worst possible times.
That being said, I borrowed my title from Charles Dickens, in part because I was planning to write about some of the best of times, or the best of all time, in the NBA as I remembered that it was about fourteen years since the original 50 Greatest Players list was announced. Recognizing 50 players over 50 years ensured that some very worthy people would be left out - so I figured that this year I'd do my own Sportin' Life All-Time NBA Starting Fives (plus a "sixth man") list for every franchise.
Before I begin, I should say that by virtue of trades and free agency (check my earlier blog, "Open The Floodgates"), many great players have played for more than one team - and, as such, may appear on more than one team's list...but that is not absolute. For instance, LeBron James makes both Miami's and Cleveland's lists, for he is clearly among the best that has appeared on the court for both franchises. On the other hand, Allen Iverson doesn't make the Pistons' list; not due to the length of time spent in Detroit but due to the quality of his work there.
I more or less tried to do this like an actual team - two forwards and guards, one center - but some exceptions couldn't be avoided. We're going to start with the two most iconic franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, and work our way through on a divisional basis.
Los Angeles Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Magic Johnson / Wilt Chamberlain / Kobe Bryant / Shaquille O'Neal / Jerry West
Boston Celtics
Bill Russell / Larry Bird / Kevin Garnett / Bob Cousy / Paul Pierce / John Havlicek
New York Knicks
Patrick Ewing / Bernard King / Walt Frazier / Earl Monroe / Willis Reed / Amar'e Stoudamire
Philadelphia 76ers
Wilt Chamberlain / Julius Erving / Charles Barkley / Allen Iverson / Hal Greer / Maurice Cheeks
New Jersey Nets (including New York Nets - ABA)
Julius Erving / John Williamson / Buck Williams / Jason Kidd / Larry Kenon / Vince Carter
Toronto Raptors
Tracy McGrady / Vince Carter / Chris Bosh / Antonio Davis / Andrea Bargnani / Mo Peterson
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan / Scottie Pippen / Dennis Rodman / Derrick Rose / Bob Love / Joakim Noah
Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller / George McGinnis / Mark Jackson / Billy Knight / Jermaine O'Neal / Rik Smits
Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Marques Johnson / Oscar Robertson / Ray Allen / Sidney Moncrief / Brandon Jennings
Detroit Pistons
Grant Hill / Ben Wallace / Bob Lanier / Dave Bing / Isiah Thomas / Joe Dumars
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James / Larry Nance / Brad Daugherty / Mark Price / Craig Ehlo / Ron Harper
Miami Heat
Alonzo Mourning / Dwyane Wade / LeBron James / Glen Rice / Tim Hardaway / Rony Seikaly
Atlanta Hawks (includes St. Louis Hawks)
Lou Hudson / Dominique Wilkins / Pete Maravich / Joe Johnson / John Drew / Bob Pettit
Orlando Magic
Shaquille O'Neal / Penny Hardaway / Dwight Howard / Tracy McGrady / Dennis Scott / Scott Skiles
Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Wallace / Emeka Okafor / Stephen Jackson / Gerald Henderson / Raymond Felton / Boris Diaw
Washington Wizards (including Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets)
Earl Monroe / Gus Johnson / Wes Unseld / Elvin Hayes / Gilbert Arenas / Phil Chenier
Oklahoma City Thunder (including Seattle SuperSonics)
Kevin Durant / Dale Ellis / Jack Sikma / Lenny Wilkens / Shawn Kemp / Gary Payton
Portland Trail Blazers
Clyde Drexler / Maurice Lucas / Bill Walton / Brandon Roy / Terry Porter / LaMarcus Aldridge
Denver Nuggets
David Thompson / Dan Issel / Carmelo Anthony / Dikembe Mutumbo / Alex English / Fat Lever
Utah Jazz (including New Orleans Jazz)
Karl Malone / John Stockton / Deron Williams / Adrian Dantley / Carlos Boozer / Pete Maravich
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett / Stephon Marbury / Wally Szcerbiak / Kevin Love / Al Jefferson / Sam Cassell
San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan / David Robinson / George Gervin / Tony Parker / Manu Ginobili / Artis Gilmore
Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki / Jason Kidd / Jason Terry / Mark Aguirre / Michael Finley / Derek Harper
New Orleans Hornets (including Chatlotte Hornets)
Chris Paul / Larry Johnson / Alonzo Mourning / David West / Glen Rice / Rex Chapman
Memphis Grizzlies (including Vancouver Grizzlies)
Mike Miller / Zack Randolph / Rudy Gay / Pau Gasol / Marc Gasol / Jason Williams
Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon / Elvin Hayes / Clyde Drexler / Calvin Murphy / Moses Malone / Rick Barry
Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash / Amar'e Stoudamire / Charles Barkley / Dan Majerle / Kevin Johnson / Connie Hawkins
Golden State Warriors (including Philadelphia Warriors and Syracuse Nats)
Rick Barry / Wilt Chamberlain / Tim Hardaway / Chris Mullin / Chris Webber / Jason Richardson
Los Angeles Clippers (including San Diego Clippers and Buffalo Braves)
Bob McAdoo / Randy Smith / Blake Griffin / World B. Free / Elton Brand / Baron Davis
Sacramento Kings (including Kansas City-Omaha Kings and Cincinnati Royals)
Chris Webber / Oscar Robertson / Vlade Divac / Nate Archibald / Mike Bibby / Peja Stojakovic
And this final "Honorable Mention" (or "my bad") group is a group of people who were deserving or could be seen as deserving but got left off this list because of the number of greats in their
franchise's history:
Michael Adams / Nick Anderson / Paul Arizin / Elgin Baylor / Walt Bellamy /Chauncey Billups / Rolando Blackman / Muggsy Bogues / Bill Bradley /Junior Bridgeman / Don Buse / Fred Carter / Doug Collins / Mike Conley / Billy Cunningham /Dale Davis / Bob Dandridge / Mel Daniels / Dave DeBusschere / Mark Eaton / Danny Granger / Spencer Haywood / Jeff Hornacek / Antawn Jamison / Richard Jefferson / Vinnie Johnson / Bobby Jones / Billy Keller / Jerome Kersey / Jerry Lucas / Kenyon Martin / Cedric Maxwell / Kevin McHale / Nate McMillian / George Mikan / Yao Ming / Robert Parish / Paul Pressey / Mitch Richmond / Rajon Rondo / Dan Roundfield / Dolph Schayes / James Silas / Ralph Simpson / Jerry Sloan / Latrell Sprewell / John Starks / Brian Taylor / Nate Thurmond / Rudy Tomjanovich / Andrew Toney / HedoTurkoglu / Norm Van Lier / Chet Walker / Jimmy Walker / Russell Westbrook / Gus Williams / James Worthy
Even with six players per team, some outstanding players were left off -maybe your favorite player - which brought forth the need for the above group, which includes some of the greatest players in the league today as well as some original Top 50 selections. Anyway, hit me up with your likes and dislikes!
That being said, I borrowed my title from Charles Dickens, in part because I was planning to write about some of the best of times, or the best of all time, in the NBA as I remembered that it was about fourteen years since the original 50 Greatest Players list was announced. Recognizing 50 players over 50 years ensured that some very worthy people would be left out - so I figured that this year I'd do my own Sportin' Life All-Time NBA Starting Fives (plus a "sixth man") list for every franchise.
Before I begin, I should say that by virtue of trades and free agency (check my earlier blog, "Open The Floodgates"), many great players have played for more than one team - and, as such, may appear on more than one team's list...but that is not absolute. For instance, LeBron James makes both Miami's and Cleveland's lists, for he is clearly among the best that has appeared on the court for both franchises. On the other hand, Allen Iverson doesn't make the Pistons' list; not due to the length of time spent in Detroit but due to the quality of his work there.
I more or less tried to do this like an actual team - two forwards and guards, one center - but some exceptions couldn't be avoided. We're going to start with the two most iconic franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, and work our way through on a divisional basis.
Los Angeles Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Magic Johnson / Wilt Chamberlain / Kobe Bryant / Shaquille O'Neal / Jerry West
Boston Celtics
Bill Russell / Larry Bird / Kevin Garnett / Bob Cousy / Paul Pierce / John Havlicek
New York Knicks
Patrick Ewing / Bernard King / Walt Frazier / Earl Monroe / Willis Reed / Amar'e Stoudamire
Philadelphia 76ers
Wilt Chamberlain / Julius Erving / Charles Barkley / Allen Iverson / Hal Greer / Maurice Cheeks
New Jersey Nets (including New York Nets - ABA)
Julius Erving / John Williamson / Buck Williams / Jason Kidd / Larry Kenon / Vince Carter
Toronto Raptors
Tracy McGrady / Vince Carter / Chris Bosh / Antonio Davis / Andrea Bargnani / Mo Peterson
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan / Scottie Pippen / Dennis Rodman / Derrick Rose / Bob Love / Joakim Noah
Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller / George McGinnis / Mark Jackson / Billy Knight / Jermaine O'Neal / Rik Smits
Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Marques Johnson / Oscar Robertson / Ray Allen / Sidney Moncrief / Brandon Jennings
Detroit Pistons
Grant Hill / Ben Wallace / Bob Lanier / Dave Bing / Isiah Thomas / Joe Dumars
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James / Larry Nance / Brad Daugherty / Mark Price / Craig Ehlo / Ron Harper
Miami Heat
Alonzo Mourning / Dwyane Wade / LeBron James / Glen Rice / Tim Hardaway / Rony Seikaly
Atlanta Hawks (includes St. Louis Hawks)
Lou Hudson / Dominique Wilkins / Pete Maravich / Joe Johnson / John Drew / Bob Pettit
Orlando Magic
Shaquille O'Neal / Penny Hardaway / Dwight Howard / Tracy McGrady / Dennis Scott / Scott Skiles
Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Wallace / Emeka Okafor / Stephen Jackson / Gerald Henderson / Raymond Felton / Boris Diaw
Washington Wizards (including Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets)
Earl Monroe / Gus Johnson / Wes Unseld / Elvin Hayes / Gilbert Arenas / Phil Chenier
Oklahoma City Thunder (including Seattle SuperSonics)
Kevin Durant / Dale Ellis / Jack Sikma / Lenny Wilkens / Shawn Kemp / Gary Payton
Portland Trail Blazers
Clyde Drexler / Maurice Lucas / Bill Walton / Brandon Roy / Terry Porter / LaMarcus Aldridge
Denver Nuggets
David Thompson / Dan Issel / Carmelo Anthony / Dikembe Mutumbo / Alex English / Fat Lever
Utah Jazz (including New Orleans Jazz)
Karl Malone / John Stockton / Deron Williams / Adrian Dantley / Carlos Boozer / Pete Maravich
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett / Stephon Marbury / Wally Szcerbiak / Kevin Love / Al Jefferson / Sam Cassell
San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan / David Robinson / George Gervin / Tony Parker / Manu Ginobili / Artis Gilmore
Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki / Jason Kidd / Jason Terry / Mark Aguirre / Michael Finley / Derek Harper
New Orleans Hornets (including Chatlotte Hornets)
Chris Paul / Larry Johnson / Alonzo Mourning / David West / Glen Rice / Rex Chapman
Memphis Grizzlies (including Vancouver Grizzlies)
Mike Miller / Zack Randolph / Rudy Gay / Pau Gasol / Marc Gasol / Jason Williams
Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon / Elvin Hayes / Clyde Drexler / Calvin Murphy / Moses Malone / Rick Barry
Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash / Amar'e Stoudamire / Charles Barkley / Dan Majerle / Kevin Johnson / Connie Hawkins
Golden State Warriors (including Philadelphia Warriors and Syracuse Nats)
Rick Barry / Wilt Chamberlain / Tim Hardaway / Chris Mullin / Chris Webber / Jason Richardson
Los Angeles Clippers (including San Diego Clippers and Buffalo Braves)
Bob McAdoo / Randy Smith / Blake Griffin / World B. Free / Elton Brand / Baron Davis
Sacramento Kings (including Kansas City-Omaha Kings and Cincinnati Royals)
Chris Webber / Oscar Robertson / Vlade Divac / Nate Archibald / Mike Bibby / Peja Stojakovic
And this final "Honorable Mention" (or "my bad") group is a group of people who were deserving or could be seen as deserving but got left off this list because of the number of greats in their
franchise's history:
Michael Adams / Nick Anderson / Paul Arizin / Elgin Baylor / Walt Bellamy /Chauncey Billups / Rolando Blackman / Muggsy Bogues / Bill Bradley /Junior Bridgeman / Don Buse / Fred Carter / Doug Collins / Mike Conley / Billy Cunningham /Dale Davis / Bob Dandridge / Mel Daniels / Dave DeBusschere / Mark Eaton / Danny Granger / Spencer Haywood / Jeff Hornacek / Antawn Jamison / Richard Jefferson / Vinnie Johnson / Bobby Jones / Billy Keller / Jerome Kersey / Jerry Lucas / Kenyon Martin / Cedric Maxwell / Kevin McHale / Nate McMillian / George Mikan / Yao Ming / Robert Parish / Paul Pressey / Mitch Richmond / Rajon Rondo / Dan Roundfield / Dolph Schayes / James Silas / Ralph Simpson / Jerry Sloan / Latrell Sprewell / John Starks / Brian Taylor / Nate Thurmond / Rudy Tomjanovich / Andrew Toney / HedoTurkoglu / Norm Van Lier / Chet Walker / Jimmy Walker / Russell Westbrook / Gus Williams / James Worthy
Even with six players per team, some outstanding players were left off -maybe your favorite player - which brought forth the need for the above group, which includes some of the greatest players in the league today as well as some original Top 50 selections. Anyway, hit me up with your likes and dislikes!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
You Missed A Good Game or A Crying Shame
Finally, after all these years of mediocrity, Rutgers' men's basketball team was in a position to beat a ranked St. John's team in the Big East tournament...but unfortunately for them the Big East must have decided to use the refs from the WWE, who totally blew off or conveniently disregarded the last 1.7 seconds of the game after a St. John's player walked and threw the ball into the seats, depriving Rutgers of a chance to win and advance in the tournament. Now that would be something to cry about.
After seeing Paul Pierce fly down the lane and slam one on multiple people the other night , I'm left to conclude that perhaps Paul isn't showing his age after all. I don't know...maybe that's why Tiki Barber wants to return to the NFL - after four years of retirement - at the age of 36...but is he not considering the fact that in his sport people would be slamming him? Michael Vick took off two years, so to speak, and just got the franchise-player contract, but he's a little younger and a lot faster than Tiki.
Giving an extra billion dollars off the top of the pot to the NFL owners...who are not getting slammed, concussions, etc...makes about as much sense as Wisconsin governor Scott Walker giving a deficit-creating tax break to the rich. I sure hope President Obama's coattails are long enough to bring the House of Representatives back to Democratic control when he wins re-election in 2012. I'm about as tired of the Republicans as I am of Charlie Sheen. More, actually. I was going to ask how many strikes Sheen gets, but then he got fired...so I see the answer is 10.
Speaking of 10s, as crazy as Blake Griffin's dunk over the Kia was, I'd have given him the same score for some of his in-game dunks, especially the ones over Timofey Mozgov and Danilo Gallinari while they were Knicks. And speaking of these two new Nuggets, my first thought when the trade was announced was of the old USFL and Herschel Walker, who post-USFL joined the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. Of course I couldn't understand why my then-beloved Cowboys could not figure out how to use Walker and Tony Dorsett together...but that said, I began to think about how Walker was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Vikings for about a dozen players...and shortly thereafter, the Cowboys' resurgence began. Could this be in the works for the Nuggets...who are looking really good after the trade? They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves in the absence - according to one player - of someone with "sticky fingers."
Of course, the other piece of this is that from a marketing standpoint it was a trade that the Knicks had to make, no matter how many good young players they gave up. With Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups - who had been the best newcomer before his injury - in Knick uniforms, the Knicks have become must-see TV again in the Big Apple and surrounding areas. The league must be overjoyed that the team in the number one arena in the biggest city is relevant again...even if they are still just title pretenders as opposed to contenders.
Hey Philadelphia Phillies, hope you're watching the Miami Heat games, 'cause the way everyone brings their "A" game when El Heat are the opponent is the same thing you guys are going to see beginning next month. Then again, if they can't score off your pitchers it won't even matter.
After seeing Paul Pierce fly down the lane and slam one on multiple people the other night , I'm left to conclude that perhaps Paul isn't showing his age after all. I don't know...maybe that's why Tiki Barber wants to return to the NFL - after four years of retirement - at the age of 36...but is he not considering the fact that in his sport people would be slamming him? Michael Vick took off two years, so to speak, and just got the franchise-player contract, but he's a little younger and a lot faster than Tiki.
Giving an extra billion dollars off the top of the pot to the NFL owners...who are not getting slammed, concussions, etc...makes about as much sense as Wisconsin governor Scott Walker giving a deficit-creating tax break to the rich. I sure hope President Obama's coattails are long enough to bring the House of Representatives back to Democratic control when he wins re-election in 2012. I'm about as tired of the Republicans as I am of Charlie Sheen. More, actually. I was going to ask how many strikes Sheen gets, but then he got fired...so I see the answer is 10.
Speaking of 10s, as crazy as Blake Griffin's dunk over the Kia was, I'd have given him the same score for some of his in-game dunks, especially the ones over Timofey Mozgov and Danilo Gallinari while they were Knicks. And speaking of these two new Nuggets, my first thought when the trade was announced was of the old USFL and Herschel Walker, who post-USFL joined the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. Of course I couldn't understand why my then-beloved Cowboys could not figure out how to use Walker and Tony Dorsett together...but that said, I began to think about how Walker was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Vikings for about a dozen players...and shortly thereafter, the Cowboys' resurgence began. Could this be in the works for the Nuggets...who are looking really good after the trade? They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves in the absence - according to one player - of someone with "sticky fingers."
Of course, the other piece of this is that from a marketing standpoint it was a trade that the Knicks had to make, no matter how many good young players they gave up. With Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups - who had been the best newcomer before his injury - in Knick uniforms, the Knicks have become must-see TV again in the Big Apple and surrounding areas. The league must be overjoyed that the team in the number one arena in the biggest city is relevant again...even if they are still just title pretenders as opposed to contenders.
Hey Philadelphia Phillies, hope you're watching the Miami Heat games, 'cause the way everyone brings their "A" game when El Heat are the opponent is the same thing you guys are going to see beginning next month. Then again, if they can't score off your pitchers it won't even matter.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Week That Was...
What a week this has been!
First Esperanza Spalding beats out Justin Bieber for best new artist, but that's okay, Bieber Nation, because I bet she's never been an MVP! Last night we saw Jevale McGee dunk three balls, Serge Ibaka dunk from beyond the foul line, Blake Griffin jump over a car...but finally we can get back to the most important topic at hand.
Where will Carmelo wind up?
'Melo, if you or your agents or your wife happen to be reading this, hold up! Before you finish packing for your move to one side of the Hudson River or another, I think you ought really consider staying right where you are with the Nuggets - and here is why:
For years, when anyone would analyze the relative strength of the two conferences, the West would come out on top - and that remains true to this day. But when you look further down the road, you may see a change on the horizon. In the East, the five top teams are Boston, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago. The Bulls are basically a young team that could contend for many years. The Magic are young, and could contend for years. The Heat are young, and were built to contend for years. The Hawks should be in position to contend for years. Only the Celtics are a predominantly veteran team.
But when you look at the Western Conference, the opposite is true. As good as the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are, they are much more seasoned teams than those younger teams in the East. Or more specifically stated, when Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kobe Bryant can no longer perform at the levels to which we have been accustomed, their teams will no longer be automatic title contenders. Among the top teams in the West, only Oklahoma City is a young team...which means that there could very well be opportunity for new teams to emerge from the West, in a manner that might not be the case in the East.
My belief is that the always tough-to-beat at home Nuggets - with Anthony, a still vibrant Chauncey Billups, a beast-becoming Nene, the improving Arron Afflalo, wild card offensive terror J.R. Smith, and contributions from Kenyon Martin, Ty Lawson, and Birdman, and perhaps a key free-agent addition - could make their way to the upper echelon of the Western Conference faster than the Knicks or Nets could with the addition of Anthony to their depleted post-trade rosters.
So Carmelo, you might consider calling off the dogs. As one young Dorothy found out, there's no place like home.
First Esperanza Spalding beats out Justin Bieber for best new artist, but that's okay, Bieber Nation, because I bet she's never been an MVP! Last night we saw Jevale McGee dunk three balls, Serge Ibaka dunk from beyond the foul line, Blake Griffin jump over a car...but finally we can get back to the most important topic at hand.
Where will Carmelo wind up?
'Melo, if you or your agents or your wife happen to be reading this, hold up! Before you finish packing for your move to one side of the Hudson River or another, I think you ought really consider staying right where you are with the Nuggets - and here is why:
For years, when anyone would analyze the relative strength of the two conferences, the West would come out on top - and that remains true to this day. But when you look further down the road, you may see a change on the horizon. In the East, the five top teams are Boston, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago. The Bulls are basically a young team that could contend for many years. The Magic are young, and could contend for years. The Heat are young, and were built to contend for years. The Hawks should be in position to contend for years. Only the Celtics are a predominantly veteran team.
But when you look at the Western Conference, the opposite is true. As good as the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are, they are much more seasoned teams than those younger teams in the East. Or more specifically stated, when Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kobe Bryant can no longer perform at the levels to which we have been accustomed, their teams will no longer be automatic title contenders. Among the top teams in the West, only Oklahoma City is a young team...which means that there could very well be opportunity for new teams to emerge from the West, in a manner that might not be the case in the East.
My belief is that the always tough-to-beat at home Nuggets - with Anthony, a still vibrant Chauncey Billups, a beast-becoming Nene, the improving Arron Afflalo, wild card offensive terror J.R. Smith, and contributions from Kenyon Martin, Ty Lawson, and Birdman, and perhaps a key free-agent addition - could make their way to the upper echelon of the Western Conference faster than the Knicks or Nets could with the addition of Anthony to their depleted post-trade rosters.
So Carmelo, you might consider calling off the dogs. As one young Dorothy found out, there's no place like home.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Open The Floodgates
Hey, I wonder how many people have thought about how ironic it is that when Cliff Lee takes less money than he would have gotten from the Yankees - and probably the Texas Rangers as well - to join (or rejoin) a team of superstars in Philly, he is hailed as a modern-day hero not all-consumed by the pursuit of the dollar - but when LeBron James takes less money to join a team of superstars in Miami, he is NBA Public Enemy Number One.
Funny thing is, that ain't exactly too bad for the NBA. Every promoter needs a Smokin' Joe Frazier to go up against Muhammad Ali, a Max Schmeling to fight Joe Louis, a John McEnroe to face Jimmy Connors, a Bobby Riggs to challenge Billie Jean King, a "Rowdy Roddy" Piper to call out Hulk Hogan. As a result of "The Decision," the Miami Heat are this year's Designated Haters - or better stated, the team we're supposed to be designated to hate. But that means they're the team we all follow, the team we must know the score for, the team whose clips we seek out on the highlight shows whether we are rooting for them or not. Much as David Stern claims not to have cared too much for the way "The Decision" was put together, it has worked out wonderfully for the Association.
But before there could be a Decision, there had to be someone who risked and or gave it all so that those who followed could have the ability to make decisions. Ladies and Gentlemen, please google Curt Flood.
Flood, a tremendous center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (.293 lifetime batting average, three-time all-star, seven-time Golden Glove winner), had a crazy idea back in the late sixties. I guess one way to look at it would be to think about your own situation, in which you may have gone to various schools for many years in order to create a situation for yourself where you have options in terms of employment. Perhaps there came a time...or two...or three...where you thought you had more or less reached the end of the line with a particular employer...and because you had a certain amount of skills, you had the ability, as LeBron might say, to "take your talents to South Beach" - or anywhere else your services would be valued.
Unfortunately for the old school athlete, that ability was not in place, due to something called the "reserve clause" which essentially said that your team owned your rights until such time as they chose to relinquish them via trade or releasing you. So back in the day there was no such thing as free agency for athletes, no way for athletes to do the same thing you may choose to do at your job. Just because they are well-paid should not mean that they are without basic rights.
Curt Flood challenged this concept...and the fact that he did basically led to the end of his career, probably well before it should have ended and definitely before the reserve clause was struck down. So when LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh team up together as free agents; when Carmelo Anthony refuses to sign a contract extension with any team willing to do a deal with the Nuggets; and even when Cliff Lee chooses, to the surprise of so many, to return to the Philadelphia team and area he had grown to love in 2009 - take that, W.C. Fields - these guys owe a debt of gratitude to Curt Flood (as well as Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally, whose subsequent actions brought down the clause). Somewhere in heaven Curt may have been smiling as he watched "The Decision."
Funny thing is, that ain't exactly too bad for the NBA. Every promoter needs a Smokin' Joe Frazier to go up against Muhammad Ali, a Max Schmeling to fight Joe Louis, a John McEnroe to face Jimmy Connors, a Bobby Riggs to challenge Billie Jean King, a "Rowdy Roddy" Piper to call out Hulk Hogan. As a result of "The Decision," the Miami Heat are this year's Designated Haters - or better stated, the team we're supposed to be designated to hate. But that means they're the team we all follow, the team we must know the score for, the team whose clips we seek out on the highlight shows whether we are rooting for them or not. Much as David Stern claims not to have cared too much for the way "The Decision" was put together, it has worked out wonderfully for the Association.
But before there could be a Decision, there had to be someone who risked and or gave it all so that those who followed could have the ability to make decisions. Ladies and Gentlemen, please google Curt Flood.
Flood, a tremendous center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (.293 lifetime batting average, three-time all-star, seven-time Golden Glove winner), had a crazy idea back in the late sixties. I guess one way to look at it would be to think about your own situation, in which you may have gone to various schools for many years in order to create a situation for yourself where you have options in terms of employment. Perhaps there came a time...or two...or three...where you thought you had more or less reached the end of the line with a particular employer...and because you had a certain amount of skills, you had the ability, as LeBron might say, to "take your talents to South Beach" - or anywhere else your services would be valued.
Unfortunately for the old school athlete, that ability was not in place, due to something called the "reserve clause" which essentially said that your team owned your rights until such time as they chose to relinquish them via trade or releasing you. So back in the day there was no such thing as free agency for athletes, no way for athletes to do the same thing you may choose to do at your job. Just because they are well-paid should not mean that they are without basic rights.
Curt Flood challenged this concept...and the fact that he did basically led to the end of his career, probably well before it should have ended and definitely before the reserve clause was struck down. So when LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh team up together as free agents; when Carmelo Anthony refuses to sign a contract extension with any team willing to do a deal with the Nuggets; and even when Cliff Lee chooses, to the surprise of so many, to return to the Philadelphia team and area he had grown to love in 2009 - take that, W.C. Fields - these guys owe a debt of gratitude to Curt Flood (as well as Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally, whose subsequent actions brought down the clause). Somewhere in heaven Curt may have been smiling as he watched "The Decision."
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