SportsNetUSA Blogs

I guess there is no reason to have an NBA season next year.  The Decision was made and the balance of power has shifted to the east.  I don’t know about you but I did not see Travis Outlaw signing with the Nets.  That out to make new owner Mikhail Prokhorov and his team the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference.  I had written previously that LeBron has for the most part been given a pass since he came into the NBA.  What a difference a week makes and his unprecedented decision makes.  LeBron has taken a lot of, you have to say it, Heat.  The best shots being fired by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.  Very entertaining to say the least.  All of it has been entertaining and the comish Stern has to like that his league has been hyped way past the finals.

The ESPN special was what I expected.  Pretty poor and it all just looked poor and badly planned.  That didn’t really bother me.  Jim Gray was there, LeBron looked nervous and there were nervous fans in Miami and Cleveland.  In Miami there was great celebration and in Cleveland there were tears and the burning of James’ jersey.  All of this will make a good book some day when all of the behind the scenes start to become known.  I have really enjoyed seeing which side certain people take.  Marcellus Wiley of ESPN said the other day that LeBron cannot be expected to take on all of Cleveland’s sports failures over the last forty years or so.  I would agree Marcellus except and this is what drives me crazy with some athletes, he did take it on.  I cannot stand it when athletes take all the money, fame and advantages but then cry when things don’t work out.  LeBron took on the nickname King.  He took the Nike contract and the advertisement spots.  He took on the ” We are all Witnesses” campaign and allowed the mural on the building.  He encouraged the hero worship with those campaigns and that pose.

Dan Gilbert’s claims that LeBron quit and was narcissistic were very entertaining to me.  Many said that Gilbert went too far, and yes he probably did.  Well for sure he did when he predicted the Cavs would win a championship before the former King would.  The odds are not in Gilbert’s favor.  There are those that say James should have called Dan and told him personally what he was going to do.  Hey these things get messy and James was just being a business man.  In his show he made it very clear that he understood this is a business.  It was obvious from Cav fan reaction that it is more than a business to them.  That is always the toughest point for fans, it is not just business for fans like it is for owners and players.  So fans boo all you want and root against James and his team as hard as you can.  Mr. Gilbert say what you want and figure out now how to keep your guarantee.  Everyone please remember not to take it overly seriously and breakups are just hard and the villain here is in the eye of the beholder.

A question that was asked was when did James know he was leaving Cleveland.  He says it was the day of his TV show.  I don’t know but he did not play that well towards the end of the Boston series and I found his exit off the court very curious.  If you have a chance to check it out he walks off the court and heads to the tunnel.  He took his jersey off and flung it overhead.  His body language looked to me like he knew he was out of Cleveland.  He may not have known where he was headed but it do not look like Cleveland was the spot.  I wonder if the King will do those pre-game shenanigans.  You remember the team picture taking pantomimes.  The baseball games and whatever else these fun loving team guys did.  Man that was just so cute and clever, hard to believe they did not win a championship.  That would be a great tradition to carry to Miami.

Did you witness the day or two after when Miami introduced the three new Kings?  That was far worse than the Decision Day.  The MC for the Heat was being overly clever and smug.  I understand he was playing to his Heat fan base much like a politician playing to their party base.  LeBron said he came there not to win just one championship, not just two…no he stopped at seven.  Wade said he felt sorry for the guys that were going to have to guard them.  He also said something about the three best players to ever play on one team.  There were even Beat LA chants at that rally.  So these three guys yucked it up for the crowd and the camera.  They stopped short of predicting an undefeated season.

Finally what can we draw from this.  First thing is, LeBron thought he would have multiple rings at this point in his career.  Second thing is, he looked at his team and thought he could maybe win one title with those guys if he were lucky.  I wonder if he had some deep talks with Kevin Garnett?  Remember Kevin was loyal to the Wolves and it never happened.  LeBron had to be fearful of repeating that story.  It is obvious that he did not think he could win with Bosh alone.  It is obvious that Wade did not think Riley could put guys in place along side him to win either.  He did not think he could win with Bosh alone either.  So these three did the best they could to put the odds way, way in their favor.

We have all been in pickup games where guys do the old, okay it is us five over here against you five over there.  You know what I mean.  The five best against the five worst.  Vegas has made them the favorites and on paper you have to give it to the Heat they should win multiple titles.  But here is hoping they don’t.  I for one will be rooting against them, nothing personal you three Kings, just business.  No you guys did nothing wrong and I don’t blame you for it.  Count me in the business of hoping it does not quite work out they way you three Kings think it will.

It’s a deep hurt you’re feeling right now.  A deep, deep, hurt.  I won’t say “I know how you feel,” or “I know what you’re going through,” because the fact of the matter is …I don’t.  You’ve been through a lot Cleveland: “The Drive,” and “The Fumble.”  Who could forget “The Shot?”  and whatever it is you call Edgar Renteria’s walk-off hit in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Art Modell took away your beloved Browns like a thief in the night.  No doubt, a lot to go through.   Its been a long, long time since you’ve had a chance to feel good about yourself.  I know its been a long time since you’ve tasted victory.  But Cleveland, dearest Cleveland, please have a little class.  Are you shocked?  I’m sure you are.  We all are.  The whole world mourns for you during this time.  Seriously, we all feel terribly for you. Even Joakim Noah said he feels bad you lost your hero.  Please don’t  make us  think differently.

LeBron James is gone.  The King has left his castle.  I never thought he would leave you, his beloved city, but don’t hate the man.  Everyone has to leave home sometime.  When you have a treasured possession you have to do what you can to take care of it.  Quite frankly Cleveland, you did not.  You didn’t treat the King the way he needed to be treated.  Mr. James said it best during his made-for-TV special: “you become a superstar individually, but you become a champion as a team.”  Individually, LBJ did all he could for you.  Afterall, it was his hometown too.  But what kind of team did you supply him with?  Even the great Michael Jordan played with another superstar in Scottie Pippen.  Which superstar did you get to co-star with Mr. James?  Don’t worry I’ll wait ….

A past-his-prime Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t count. Mo Williams and his disappearing acts get the boot as well.  I’m sorry but Anderson Varejao, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, and Anthony Parker don’t quite fit the bill.

Dan Gilbert, calm down why don’t you.  Don’t compound things buy calling LBJ’s acts “narcissistic” and “self-promotional.”  Afterall, he did raise over $500K for charity and scholarships for underprivileged kids.  It can be said the midseason acquisition of Antawn Jamison was absurd and preposterous.  Did anyone really think that was a good move?  Did anyone really think that would be enough to keep the King happy?  Sure, the Cavaliers had the best record int NBA during the last two REGULAR SEASONS.  The playoffs, however, are a different ballgame.  Just ask the Phoenix Suns teams that failed to reach the Finals or the Mavericks from ‘07.  You can’t fault the guy for wanting to win.  James gave you every opportunity to put a winner around him and you didn’t. 

So, Cleveland, while you’re out wiping your tears, burning his jersey, and labeling him Art Modell II, don’t forget about the good he did.  James made basketball in Cleveland relevant for something other than “The Shot.”  While he regrets he didn’t bring you a championship, he did manage to make it to the Finals once, which was nothing short of a miracle when you consider the team he had around him.  After it was all said and done he even injected millions into your economy.  It’s ok to be hurt, but time heals wounds Cleveland.  Long Live the King!

It is official, I am burned out on the NBA free agency period.  Where is LeBron going?  Why would he go there?  What does it mean if he stays?  What does it mean if he goes?  What does it mean if he joins Wade in Miami?  I go through this at different times throughout the year and it usually means I listen to music for awhile.  I am a sports junkie and love sports talk whether it be radio, TV, newspaper, the inter-net or person to person.  Time to cut back. 

First though I would like to toss out some thoughts for consumption.  What if Kobe Bryant was doing all the things that LeBron is doing now?  Would the coverage be totally different?  I think it would.  Bryant is a polarizing figure much like Brett Favre is and those two would be blasted for this.  LeBron has been able to skate through for the most part.  Let me be clear.  I like LeBron and I do not blame him for working the system.  I do not know him but he carries himself well and seems like a likable guy. 

Ah, I guess that is the difference.  We like to think we are people that live by principles and guidelines.  What it really comes down to is if we like someone.  If we like someone or he plays for our team.  Like hating Danny Ainge as a player on the other team but loving him if he is on our team.

I say if Kobe were acting like and doing the things James is he would be killed.  If Kobe’s nickname were ” King”  you would hear derision.  Oh, that Kobe is so arrogant he calls himself King.  I have hardly heard a peep in regards to James.  The Cavs fired their head coach and general manager after they were favored to win the title and failed.  If that happened with Kobe, the Sports Center question every day would be, ” Did Kobe get his coach and GM fired.”  There would be outrage about how a spoiled and loser Kobe pushed ownership and threatened to leave if there weren’t changes.  I have heard no one suggest that maybe LeBron pushed those guys out.

If Kobe were traveling all over the country and courting different teams you know the screams would be that he is selfish, disloyal to his city and his teammates.  Danny Ferry went after every guy that LeBron said I need this guy and they still did not win.  The Cavs had the best record in the regular season the past two years and fell when favored in the playoffs.  If Kobe did this you would hear things like he is blaming his teammates for his failure.  I have not heard that coming from anyone.  The only guy that criticizes LeBron is Skip Bayless and I think Skip is way out of bounds.  Why though does James get a pass.  Can you imagine if it were Kobe saying he would like to hook up with Wade in Miami?  It would be all over the place that Kobe knows he can’t win by himself  and he is not a leader and all of the other garbage.  Not a peep is said about LeBron, it is just where is he going?

So you see, it is if you like a guy not what principles you claim you have.  Kobe is not that likable and LeBron is.  Therefore he is covered differently, just like Magic used to be covered differently and heavens knows Michael Jordan was covered differently.  He still is today.

Brett Favre takes his time deciding whether to retire and he gets ripped all over.  I actually heard people on ESPN say they were tired of talking about Favre.  I have not heard anyone saying they were tired of talking about LeBron.  Favre is criticized for being a media sponge (nicer word than what I have actually heard) and yet I have not seen anything directed towards James.  They were talking about where James might wind up more than the NBA Finals.  What if Kobe where hanging out with Jay Z?  It would be said that he was not dedicated to winning and had to many outside issues like they said about Shaq.  I have not heard any of this directed towards LeBron.  My question is why?  Why if certain behaviors are demonstrated by one athlete and then you see those same behaviors in another, why different coverage?  I can only come up with, that one player is well liked and the other one is not.  Is there something I am missing?  I think not?  Am I wrong?

If LeBron does go to Miami then I have some advice for coach Eric Spoelstra.  You need to practice your speech about needing to spend time with your family.  Since you are not married you need to say you need to spend time with your future wife so you can prepare to spend some time with your future family.  Come up with something creative because I am thinking you will not be the head coach any more.  I see the old great one coming back in Pat Riley.  He would be a good coach for LeBron as he seems to be beyond criticism as well.  You know they say Riley is a winner and he moves around a lot on the sidelines.  I know he likes to coach when he has the players especially a player like LeBron.

Alright who really cares where anyone goes during “free agency”? I know on FNM we argued back and forth last year about where Mr. James would end up after the bidding war. Mr. Neyland and Mr. Ford had Mr. James heading to NEW YORK CITY.  Rahshaun Haylock and I had Mr. James staying in the lovely city of Cleveland Ohio. But who cares? Players are going to come and go, and fantasy, fanfare and the hope for an instant title are going to go with it.  So, who cares?

Big free agent dollars were unheard of in the NFL until White moved from the Eagles to the Packers in 1993.  The Vikings were relentless, but they probably didn’t have to fight too hard considering Favre’s thirst for revenge.  Prime Time left Atlanta after six seasons and had one of the best seasons in NFL history in his one year in San Francisco in 2004.  It was another example of a star player taking advantage of a huge year and a thirsty owner. Haynesworth

Who cares?  The team was named after his dad. There’s no way Junior could leave DEI.  After back-to-back titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995, Schumacher defected to Ferrari for a two-year, $50-million deal.  Come one who really cares?  In 2001, it was the richest deal to which the Sox ever signed a player. Three years into it, the team placed him on waivers and would have sold him for a few packs of Upper Deck cards. Instead, he stayed in Boston and got two titles before officially wearing out his welcome in 2008.

Back before Barry was Barry, he was a quality hitter with an incredible eye and decent power. The Pirates were beyond him by 1993. The Giants swooped in with a then-record six-year, $43.75-million deal. He helped keep the team in San Francisco and build a new ballpark. So it would seem the money was worth it.  The five-year, $2.9-million deal in 1977 was revolutionary money at the
beginning of free agency. Of course, once Reggie became Mr. October in the Bronx, no one was hemming or hawing.  Giambi was an icon with the A’s from 1995 to 2001, as he won the MVP in 2000.  Steroids, injuries, and ineffectiveness plagued him in the Bronx. When he finally left, the Yanks won another title in 2009. But for seven years and $120 million, would you have turned down the money? I’m just saying.

Blasphemy. Garvey was Mr. Los Angeles. So when he took his Gold Glove and can’t-miss-a-pitch bat 120 miles down the freeway to San Diego, it killed Dodgers fans. How could Charlie Hustle ever leave the Reds?  And of course those who really care make free agency the most important aspect of their sport:

He is easily the most talked about and most coveted free agent in the league’s history. A player seemingly at the height of his skill, fame, and marketability is up for grabs. The signing could change the complexion and the balance of power in the NBA for the next decade.  By 1996, Shaq had become more than just a basketball player. He was a multi-faceted marketing machine that craved both a title and a spotlight big enough to hold him. The Lakers offered the perfect combination. It wasn’t until Phil Jackson was hired in 1999 that the $121-million deal paid off with an NBA title.

Tim Duncan literally saved the San Antonio Spurs when the Celtics lost the lottery. He became Mr. Alamo, so the idea of him leaving town was seen as a long shot.

Yes, LeBron James’s free agency is that big. And for many sports fans that have been touched by the players that have left their teams, free agency has made them moan, groan, cheer, or sneer at where players have gone. Yes, it has changed sports, because as a fan, there are players that have been hated because of the colors and logos that they have worn. But as soon as they become part of your team, they are suddenly transformed into beloved member of your family.

SO WHO CARES?? If your team wins it all or bites the bullet, you don’t. As for the rest of us WE DO NOT CARE.

I am tired are you tired?  I am tired of things being said and then repeated so often that people come to accept it as the truth.  Sometimes it may be the truth but so what.  If someone said to me, Randy Routier you are no Mike Lupica or Mitch Albom, well, that is the truth but so what.  So I beg of you if you love the NBA let’s stop looking for the next Michael Jordan.  If you are one of those that does not like the current NBA because there is no Bird, Magic or Jordan, do yourself a favor and get over it!  LeBron is not Jordan and he never will be.  Remember way back when Grant Hill was supposed to be the next Jordan and even Harold Miner, they weren’t.  Kobe Bryant was not the next Jordan either but his basketball greatness only a fool would deny.

LeBron James is not Jordan and that should not take away his greatness.  Jordan won his first NBA championship at the end of his seventh season and LeBron has passed that so many are signaling that he cannot ever be Jordan.  They are right, he can’t be Jordan but to deny his greatness is a joke.  The guy is twenty-five and he may never win a title or he could win seven who knows.  All I know is this guy has the moves of a point guard and the body of a power forward with the passing ability of a point guard.  Throw in the shot blocking ability of a center and on rare occasions the outside shot of a shooting guard.  James in the open court is just a wonder to see.  So if you are one of those guys that is stuck looking for the next Jordan, turn the page and enjoy or even pick up a new book to read.

Something LeBron to look at is, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and their careers.  It took the three of them on the same team before either of these great players won a championship.  Garnett and Allen won it in season 13 and Pierce won it in his 10th.  For all of his greatness, Garnett got to the Western Conference Finals only one time and many years he and the Timber Wolves were bounced in the first round.  In the beginning of these playoffs I was sad to see Kevin play with that gigantic white wrap around his leg.  He looked like it was all he could do to carry that thing up and down the court.  Suddenly, he is rejuvenated, as are all of the Celtics.  Heck there has even been a Rasheed Wallace sighting.

So LeBron, take heart and I know you don’t need it from me but as long as you are on the court there is time to win one.  When you are finished there will be young players that people will say, he is great but he is not LeBron.  It won’t be fair but I guess it is not fair that you are bigger, stronger and faster than almost anyone on the court.  My only knock on LeBron has been all of that pre-game team posing stuff.  I can’t stand that stuff.  A columnist up here wrote that the Kings were going to make a strong move to get him.  Out of all of the guesses where he will wind up that is the only one that I say there is zero chance of happening.

Where are the Dallas Mavericks?

Welcome to Cleveland Heights, a community featuring charming homes on tree-lined streets, more than 135 acres of beautiful parkland, fine recreational facilities for all ages, excellent educational opportunities, unique neighborhoods, thriving commercial districts and proud, caring neighbors who are involved in a community they love. The added beauty of a lush country setting with an abundance of trees, parks and lakes — including Lake Erie — makes Cleveland Heights a wonderful place to raise a family, build a business or just enjoy the great neighborhoods. The city’s approximately 50,000 residents also enjoy proximity to downtown Cleveland, just a 20-minute drive away, University Circle (Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, Cleveland Orchestra, Music School Settlement, etc…), Cleveland’s cultural center, just to name a few of the area’s highlights. Charming Center Hall Colonial and Victorian style homes, line the heavily wooded communities of Cleveland Heights.

The peaceful community of Chagrin Falls is located along a beautiful 2.1 square mile stretch of land in the northern part of the state, 18 miles southeast of Cleveland. Well-kept houses and charming specialty shops accent the tree-lined streets of this delightful small town. The nearby community of Moreland Hills is a 7.5-square-mile residential suburb located approximately 14 miles east of Cleveland.

Both communities feature a wide variety of lovely homes, many of which are located on large, wooded lots of at least two acres.  Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 6,659 sq footage, $2,225,000.  Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8.5 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, 7,100 sq footage, $1,995,000. Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 6,272 sq footage, $1,395,000.

MAGIC MATT, RAMIRO, CLIPPER NATION did you read the above? Those homes are in the Cleveland area, not Los Angeles. To get anything close in footage, area and price range you are going to have to move to ???  Ask any of the Lakers where their houses are and how much they spent on them. They do have some great $23,000,000.00 homes in Los Angeles. Strike One.

So, how do you build a sport conglomerate so that everyone in the world wants to be a part of it? One thing you eventually have to do is make it a worldwide spectacle with players from all over the world wanting to come to your backyard to play the game. That has been the NBA’s goal for years, and they have been able to entice players from around the world to play here.

But that was not always the story. For many years, the NBA was a sports organization that was locked like much of the Midwest and eastern region of the United States. In 1947, 1948, 1949 and the early 1950’s the sport and the championships were tied into Philadelphia, Baltimore and Minneapolis. In the early 50’s it was all Minneapolis with Syracuse thrown into the mix. Then the Lakers moved and the championship started to belong to the people of Boston, with the first slugfest of the west coast versus the east coast with the Lakers and the Celtics fighting it out for the NBA title.

The NBA had found the perfect match, sunshine versus bleak winters, laid back versus the lunchbox crew.  The NBA grew, new franchises, expansion, not from just east to west but also from north to south. Over the years of competition, even the Midwest and central became bigger players than many thought they would be.

In expanding that competition, players themselves learned that for the good of the game some would languish their star studded careers in cities that most people never visited in a lifetime, while others would start and continue their careers in the industry and entertainment hubs of America.

The NBA also understood which franchises were the marquee franchises, and when their rating levels dropped so did the ratings of the NBA.  Guys, before you explode, answer me this. How did the Los Angeles Lakers get Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Big Shaq Daddy? The way I have had it told to me by the FNM gurus of basketball, these three are in the top four all time centers in the NBA. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? I am sure we could go on and on about trades and why certain teams get the players and other teams never do.

It is because the NBA watches out for franchises and regions in order to increase national exposure, through television, tournaments and play on a worldwide basis, all to promote the game of basketball. The NBA watches to make sure that the wealth is somewhat spread out through the United States and its regions.

Boston/New York/Syracuse/Miami/Washington/Rochester - East Coast - 22 Championships

Minneapolis/Chicago/Detroit/Milwaukee-Midwest- 15 Championships

Baltimore/Philadelphia (warriors/76ers)/St Louis- Central-6 Championship

San Antonio/Houston-Southwest- 6 Championships

Los Angeles/ Portland/ Seattle-12 Championships

If I missed someone this is as close as I get, and yes there were teams that I could have leaned, but the point is that the NBA has looked for balance so that everyone in a region has had, or will have, those teams that have won Championships.  Bringing me to the point; the NBA has no reason to see a Lebron James leave Cleveland.  Look at the teams from the different regions and look at which teams already have youthful talent and budding superstars in the NBA playoffs.

Why would the NBA look to move the next face of the sports conglomerate to an area that already has the shining face of a superstar? If you were to move your biggest name, then move it to an area that’s struggling (if a team there can afford him). Or leave him where he can do the most good for the NBA, his current home.

If you want to be known as an international organization, first you need to be known as a successful national organization within your own borders.  Are games manipulated?  Are championships preplanned? Can those things be readjusted at will? Yes, because it is a game, played by fallible humans, that on occasion can have an outcome change. It can, but …

You often will hear on SPORTSNETUSA.NET the bantering of Title IX, Pedal to the Metal, Big E, Stick boy, and The Franchise about sports; where they were, how far they have come and where they might be going as a viable, competitive, watchable product to the public. Some of our honored group would go so far as to tell you that Hockey and Pro Basketball are on the rise.  But let us be realistic, the more butts you can plunk into seats the more whatever product you are watching will look more popular.

Take for example this past Sunday (3/7/2010), just in the LA/O.C. market alone on cable television, you were offered 20 college basketball games. Throw in four high school games and three pro games and you would say the sport is popular. But how true is that statement and how true are those numbers? If a marketer were to call the average sport’s viewer and ask if they watched a basketball game there is a very good chance that they watched a few moments of one of twenty games. If you do that in enough markets it makes the game seem as if it is growing in popularity. This kind of chicanery is played by many major sports throughout the country and we, the viewers, are supposed to buy into popularity over boredom.

STATEMENT FROM NEILSEN RATINGS: 
The National Basketball Association has achieved a rapid rise and fall in television ratings since the 1997-1998 NBA season, when ratings for the NBA Finals achieved a record high, to the 2002-2003 NBA season, when ratings for the same event hit an all-time record low.

Blame for this rise and fall has been pinned on the destructive NBA lockout which occurred right after the 1998 season. The lockout wiped out thirty-two games of the 1998-1999 season and caused fan apathy. As well as heavy competition from prime time programming such as American Idol, the CSI franchise, and Dancing With The Stars.

Despite the fall in ratings, the NBA’s regular season ratings average is only slightly lower than Major League Baseball’s, and ratings for the finals continue to outdraw competing events that occur during the same month, golf’s U.S. Open and the Stanley Cup Finals.  So why do my compatriots continue to try and tell me how popular a sport is that seems to have no popularity at all?

It is this, my partner TITLE IX is the voice for one of the more successful woman’s program in college basketball, Vanguard University. He has the luxury to watch a product that is superior on a daily basis and that influences his perception of the game. On the other side of the table is The Franchise who works with a major professional organization in basketball and also has the
pleasure of touting some of the best young talent on the high school level. Ah, to wear rose colored glasses. The trifecta of this group, is the wishful announcer of Cal State University Fullerton Basketball, the Big E. Okay, I know that is a giant leap from the other two; at least they have something to root for on a high school, pro or college level. Let me give credit where credit is due. CSUF has made it to the tournament before and Big E is a “half full glass” type of person.

But gentleman, the door is starting to close and it will continue to close on your sport and others when the foundation of your sport and its fans forget what made yours and other sports famous … history.  History is a lost story in basketball, we only hear of number 23. History is a lost sport in hockey, we barely ever hear of number 99. And in baseball, the history stopped.  So guys, your sport is not as popular as you’d like to think, because no one cares about who did what whenever. Well I guess I should not say that. I, at least, know three who care.  It’s just that they need to yell a little louder.

By the way Mr. Neyland my all-GSAC team is the following:
Teresa Kamp: Fresno Pacific
Becki Huddle: Vanguard University
Kelly Boeke: Vanguard University
Lisa Faulkner: Vanguard University
Kelly Schmidt: Vanguard University
Erin Kella Point Loma
Colleen Planeta: Point Loma
Lindsey West: Azusa Paciific
Stephen Patten: Azusa Pacific
Sonia Ackerman; Cal Baptist
Gittie Mejer: Concordia
(Whomever I missed I know TITLE IX covered)

I keep hearing LeBron James wants to change his jersey number from 23 to 6. James says “[Jordan] can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.” Michael Jordan is arguably (if you’ve listened to Friday Nite Mics then you’ve heard the arguments) the greatest basketball player of all time. He has won six championships, six Finals MVPs, and five regular season MVPs but he is not Jackie Robinson. He doesn’t hold a candle to Robinson’s cultural impact. Jordan is a basketball and marketing icon, but he didn’t change the landscape of professional sports. For James to change his number from what he feels is respect for Jordan to number 6 shows his lack of basketball history. Lebron also said “I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” James said.  There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first. Without Julius Erving, who wore number 6, there would be no Michael Jordan. But didn’t someone else wear #6 that won 11 championships, was a pretty decent player in his own, arguably the greatest basketball player ever and most likely the greatest defender and played during an era that changed America? For LeBron to change his number out of respect to Michael Jordan, he should think about changing it to a number not #6 out of respect for Bill Russell and the history of the game.

Speaking of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant should be mentioned in the same breath. I know everyone at www.sportsnetusa.net will disagree.

Here is my top 5 MVP candidates:
1. LeBron James
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Kevin Durant
4. Kobe Bryant
5. Dirk Nowitzki

I was thinking recently of a game the Buddha of Babble and I played during our 3am journey from Jackson to the Nashville airport a couple of years ago; the Hall of Fame game. This is a list of nine that should be in the basketball Hall of Fame.
*Artis Gilmore: dominating in the ABA and didn’t drop off when he came to the NBA. Top ten in rebounds, blocks, games and   number one in field goal percentage.
*Dennis Johnson: nine straight All-NBA Defensive teams, three time NBA champ, one Finals MVP
*Gus Johnson: besides being my Uncle Popsie’s favorite player, prototype power forward, think Gayle Sayers impact on the hardwood
*Jerry Tarkanian: Long Beach St. is still living off the recognition he brought to the program, more coaching victories than Ralph Miller, John Chaney, Norm Stewart, Ray Meyer and more championships
*Oscar Schmidt: five-time Olympian for Brazil, one of the best players never to play in the NBA
*Rebecca Lobo: catalyst for UCONN dominance, National Champion
*Frank Selvy: 100 points in a college game, three time all-American
*Hank Gathers: 2nd player in NCAA history to lead in points and rebounds in the same season, average for NCAA career 33 points, 14 rebounds

The most impressive sports team during the last few years has been the UCONN Huskies Women’s basketball team. At this moment, they are at 70 consecutive wins and counting and a national championship during the run. If Maya Moore stays for her senior season, she will be considered one of the all-time greats.

Speaking of all-time greats here is my All-time Golden State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Team:
*Kelly Schmidt, Vanguard University: four all conference selections, two-time GSAC Player of the Year, four-time all-American (three 1st team and one 2nd), NAIA Player of the Year
*Jessica Richter, Vanguard University: three all conference selections, two-time GSAC Player of the Year, three-time all-American
1st team, NAIA Player of the Year
*Lisa Faulkner, Vanguard University: two all conference selections, GSAC Player of the Year, NAIA Player of the Year, two-time all-American 1st team, NAIA single season assist leader (385)
*Gitte Mejer, Concordia University, all-American 1st team, three-time GSAC Player of the Year
*Sonia Akkerman, Cal Baptist University: all-American, three-time GSAC Player of the Year
Honorable mentions: Lindsey West and Cindy DeYoung (APU), Jamie Gast (CUI), Lesley DuBois (TMC), Colleen Planeta (PLNU), Katie Hardeman and Becky Gibb (WC)

If the NCAA really cared about “student-athletes” missing class time, the NCAA would not consider expanding the Field of 64 to 96 teams. The tournament field is fine the way it is structured now. Proponents say expanding will lessen the cries of those that missed the cut. Even if the field grows, there will always be one or two teams that feel left out. I thought the NCAA wanted full-time “student -athletes” not athletes that only go to class when the time is convenient to the NCAA; which is October to the first week of April.

Happy New Year to everyone!  It is early January, I made my resolutions, believed 2010 would be a better year and I am already having second thoughts.  This has always been a challenge for me in my life.  I am a very critical second thought person or second-guessing.  This made be wonder if top professional athletes have second thoughts or second-guess themselves.  It seems that the top pros do not think like we do.  Kobe Bryant goes 0 for 10 and his mind says the next one of course is going in.  I doubt that LeBron James has second thoughts about who the most physically gifted player on the court is anytime he is there.  Which brings up the question if Gilbert Arenas now has any second thoughts?

I will not call Gilbert an idiot but his actions and reactions were idiotic.  I guess he did not hear the Plaxico Burress gun story.  Maybe he was napping when league officials meet with players and talk about rules like not bringing guns to the work place.  One would think that a twenty-eight year old would not have to be told not to bring guns into a basketball arena.  Do you think Mr. Arenas has second thoughts about saying commissioner David Stern is “mean”?  Does he look back and say maybe it was not a good time to point my finger like a gun at my teammates?  I have seen Stern interviewed in the past and a real cut up and loosey-goosey guy is not how I would describe him.  Mr. Stern is dead serious about His NBA.  This is the guy that hated his players even dressing like thugs much less carrying guns into his arenas.  If Gilbert has a second thought he may now understand he should have shown remorse and seriousness.  Is his agent Carrot Top? 

How about the Washington Wizards management and their brilliance?  Any second thoughts about giving this guy over $100 million?  Remember when their nickname was the Bullets?  I guess it was okay because Gilbert’s guns did not have any bullets in them or so we have been told.  This is a serious story but it does make me laugh because of how unbelievable it is.  Gilbert Arenas has incredible basketball skills that have allowed him to average almost 23 points in his career.  When he is hot he cannot be stopped from scoring.  If his career is over I would suggest he have a second thought about stand up comedy.  Gilbert Arenas proves once again that athletes are not role models no matter how much people want them to be.

As this year ends and I look forward to the New Year, I just hope that some of my holiday wishes come true.  Maybe the BCS will really understand that no matter what you (the BCS) do there is going to be many of us that will argue that your system is flawed and you should have left well enough alone. No playoff system, no computers judging teams, no strength of schedule, no more ranking all off the who, what, where of football. Let us go back to 7 to 8 traditional bowl games on New Year day and let us the FAN argue who should be number ONE (#1).

HEY NFL-the SUPER BOWL is about FOOTBALL, not the so-called build up that lets us the fan down because the hype is bigger than the game.  For all us hockey fans, I think all games should be played outside, it would shorten the season and hockey would only be played where hockey should be played, where it is freezing.

Not Below Average, I am sorry that is what I thought the N.B.A. initials stood for but I guess not, as this will be another year of sub par teams having a chance to call themselves WORLD CHAMPIONS. So may we have two divisions, those who can and those who cannot and the cannots are the NON-WORLD CHAMPIONS.

And let us call March Madness what it is: the madness of coaches and fans whose teams are left out of the elite group that is selected to play for an NCAA Championship.  Another tournament where we the fan can see a non-deserving team being crowned the best in the NCAA. HYPE-HYPE-HYPE. Plus if we are going to call it MARCH MADNESS let us put an equal sense of MADNESS for the MEN and the WOMEN, because some of us are FANS of both. EQUALITY!

Please someone shorten the season, Mike is eating too many post-game meals. Just how much baseball can we watch in sub zero winter gear? Mike looks horrible in a down filled jacket (he looks like an apple that should be dipped in caramel). Baseball is the game of spring, summer, and autumn, not the game of “it was a Cold Day at Lambeau field”.  Before I let you go baseball, how many bad teams do we have to watch? I feel as if you are taking on the NBA’s business plan. “psssst…hockey tried it and it does not work”.  Dump some clubs. Less teams, fewer games, more interest, and hey the season is shortened.

Watch out for that can, step over that person I think he is sleeping, for the rest of you NASCAR yahoos, please realize that there are other drivers out there that are not called “Junior”, I understand that fans love their heroes but NASCAR exist outside of the Confederate south. Wake up, you’re going to have an educated female driver on Junior’s teams, so understand that it is 2009 and fixing a flat is not done with bubble gum and you blowing on the tire stem  (The previous statement was not aimed at any NASCAR fans associated with SportsNetUSA.net).

Fore, or in the case of playing golf with any of us at SportsNetUSA.net, it is seven or eight. I will be the first to say-Michelle you may be on your way and that is good for the LPGA and that the shortened season will be good for women’s golf because then everyone will play. But please ladies stop hugging after you lose or play rotten, be like the rest of us ACT like YOU want to WIN. As a fan of the LPGA it drives me crazy that you just accept defeat as ho hum. As for the men, who cares? There are just too many mediocre millionaires, MEN SHOULD HAVE TO CUT THEIR GOLF PURSES SO THEY WORK FOR A LIVING.

Last but not least, could just once, or maybe even more than once, could a team WE broadcast for WIN an OVERTIME GAME, yes we are not just broadcasters we are FANS.

That’s it- Happy holidays from SPORTSNETUSA.NET and thank you all for listening to High School football, Fullerton College Football, Golden West Football, Sacramento City College Football, Anaheim Jr. Ducks Ice Hockey, Vanguard University Basketball and of course High School Sports Zone, Friday Night Mics and (New Notes! on 90.1 FM KBPK) have a great sports NEW YEAR