Yao Ming was not on the ballot for Western Allstars. This makes complete sense due to his lack of games played due to injury. But why was Yao removed and T-Mac wasn't, when McGrady could have been removed on the same logic that he did not play enough games, cause it wasn't that Yao is injured. Plenty of injured players have been voted in and the use of alternates is widely accepted. Is it because the Chinese vote that would have pretty much guaranteed that Yao would have been named a starter? Either way, the NBA should have removed T-Mac from the Allstar ballot to save some face and avoided even the slightest chance of the catastrophic event of T-Mac being voted an Allstar from happening (luckily he wasn't).
Can we also take a moment to appreciate the Chinese vote. Absurd or not Bruce Bowen almost started an Allstar game one or two years ago because of his basketball development work in China and subsequent popularity there. Just something to think about. Also another reason to fear the ever growing power in the east. Just kidding?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The NFL: A Lens of Analysis
After the Saints won the NFC championship the TV feed went down to the on the field cameras just like every other big game, and there were the Saints, hooping and hollering. At one point they were circled up, bobbing left and right, up and down in unison like a tribal dance, and in the middle of the circle Drew Brees leading the chants.
Juxtapose that image with the one of Peyton Manning after beating the New York Jets. He trots onto the field to shake the hand of Mark Sanchez, smiles casually. Peyton looks like he expected to win, that this was business as usual, and business isn't done yet. The Saints have too much of that we are just happy to be here vibe. Based on that alone, I would bet the farm on Peyton.
The point is this dichotomy of personalities is the same that I see between players like Kobe and Wade compared to LeBron and Shaq. LeBron and Shaq are Hall of Famers, and I have no doubt LeBron will break records and be one of the greatest players in the modern era of basketball. But, it does concern me when LeBron says things like, "I have to learn to have that killer instinct" and when he dances on the sideline against the Bulls. It worries me almost more that he says that he wants to be the first sports billionaire. To me, that is too many things that are superfluous to the game. Too many distractions. It's also not the attitude of a guy who wants to win 6 rings before he's done. Listen, I love to watch Shaq dance, the Big Jaberwocky; hell I love to bust a move now and then, but that's not what I want to see DURING a game. I don't like the whole chalk thing. That's all about the individual.
Now I have to backtrack, I don't want to be harsh on LeBron. I don't think the dancing or chalk makes him a jerk or a prima donna. I admire the fact that he wants to be so business savvy. I just can't help but see these as signs of a lack of seriousness, a lack of a drive, but really a lack of something I can't define. Let me throw in one more qualifier. LeBron can and probably will win at least one ring, just because his personality is different doesn't mean he can't win it all. I likened his attitude to that of Shaq, and we all know the Big Diesel is a proven winner.
Kobe on the other hand is more like Peyton (a more somber, reclusive Peyton), and part of that is simply experience and having won a championship. But you have to appreciate the drive that Kobe shows, the business like demeanor. As one of my friends said, the Lakers need Kobe's drive to motivate all the softies he plays with. To be honest, the best word to describe Kobe is obsessed. He is obsessed with the the ins and outs of the game, the mechanics, but most of all with winning. I might add that you could very much argue he is obsessed to a fault, most of us regular folk like to have balance in our lives. He is manic about winning, everything is a competition. At practices he bets ballboys that he can make outrageous shots, wagering shoes and cash for pushups and situps. Kobe brings to the table a manner of professionalism, an attitude that winning is expected. But notice that there aren't those signs that LeBron has. Kobe keeps a low profile, all you hear about him is in relation to basketball, there is nothing else on his radar. (This section sounds a lot like I am a huge Kobe fanboy. I like Kobe, I respect his skill and his approach to the game, but he most definitely has his faults. This includes sometimes losing his resolve that I so admire, his ability to be a good team mate and being able make those around him better).
This is not about who is better, this is about addressing the difference in the approach to the game that both players have. I am biased. I want to have someone on my team who cannot stand to lose (maybe to the point of throwing up?), is obsessed with basketball and winning, and brings a high level of seriousness and competitiveness to my team. But that's just me.
Juxtapose that image with the one of Peyton Manning after beating the New York Jets. He trots onto the field to shake the hand of Mark Sanchez, smiles casually. Peyton looks like he expected to win, that this was business as usual, and business isn't done yet. The Saints have too much of that we are just happy to be here vibe. Based on that alone, I would bet the farm on Peyton.
The point is this dichotomy of personalities is the same that I see between players like Kobe and Wade compared to LeBron and Shaq. LeBron and Shaq are Hall of Famers, and I have no doubt LeBron will break records and be one of the greatest players in the modern era of basketball. But, it does concern me when LeBron says things like, "I have to learn to have that killer instinct" and when he dances on the sideline against the Bulls. It worries me almost more that he says that he wants to be the first sports billionaire. To me, that is too many things that are superfluous to the game. Too many distractions. It's also not the attitude of a guy who wants to win 6 rings before he's done. Listen, I love to watch Shaq dance, the Big Jaberwocky; hell I love to bust a move now and then, but that's not what I want to see DURING a game. I don't like the whole chalk thing. That's all about the individual.
Now I have to backtrack, I don't want to be harsh on LeBron. I don't think the dancing or chalk makes him a jerk or a prima donna. I admire the fact that he wants to be so business savvy. I just can't help but see these as signs of a lack of seriousness, a lack of a drive, but really a lack of something I can't define. Let me throw in one more qualifier. LeBron can and probably will win at least one ring, just because his personality is different doesn't mean he can't win it all. I likened his attitude to that of Shaq, and we all know the Big Diesel is a proven winner.
Kobe on the other hand is more like Peyton (a more somber, reclusive Peyton), and part of that is simply experience and having won a championship. But you have to appreciate the drive that Kobe shows, the business like demeanor. As one of my friends said, the Lakers need Kobe's drive to motivate all the softies he plays with. To be honest, the best word to describe Kobe is obsessed. He is obsessed with the the ins and outs of the game, the mechanics, but most of all with winning. I might add that you could very much argue he is obsessed to a fault, most of us regular folk like to have balance in our lives. He is manic about winning, everything is a competition. At practices he bets ballboys that he can make outrageous shots, wagering shoes and cash for pushups and situps. Kobe brings to the table a manner of professionalism, an attitude that winning is expected. But notice that there aren't those signs that LeBron has. Kobe keeps a low profile, all you hear about him is in relation to basketball, there is nothing else on his radar. (This section sounds a lot like I am a huge Kobe fanboy. I like Kobe, I respect his skill and his approach to the game, but he most definitely has his faults. This includes sometimes losing his resolve that I so admire, his ability to be a good team mate and being able make those around him better).
This is not about who is better, this is about addressing the difference in the approach to the game that both players have. I am biased. I want to have someone on my team who cannot stand to lose (maybe to the point of throwing up?), is obsessed with basketball and winning, and brings a high level of seriousness and competitiveness to my team. But that's just me.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
All Star Voting
Everyone with a fully functioning brain and a basic understanding of the NBA and basketball understands that AI should not be in the Allstar game. (My friend points out that the average NBA fan is, well, an idiot and to be honest the AI/T-Mac voting frenzy seems to be supporting his point). And to the credit of the NBA some people are coming out and speaking out. Jeff Van Gundy (who else) during his national telecast this week said that the Allstar game should be run like the Probowl, chosen by the players and coaches. (This is why I love JVG more than any other announcer, he will say what is on his mind, whether you agree or not, it's refreshing. I have never heard another announcer call out a ref and simply say, "that was a bad call" on a nationally televised game.)
But when Ray Allen came out and made a point about the flaw in the Allstar voting system, I was a little hesitant. I mean, shouldn't this message come from someone who, maybe, you know, got voted in? Or got a significant amount of votes. I mean, no offense Mr. Shuttlesworth, but you made the Allstar game last year as the second alternate. (I like to imagine the concept of the second alternate in the dating world, I mean that's pretty harsh. I think it would be great in a crappy romantic comedy. But it's also kind of sad, cause its probably happened at some point. You know I am right.)
EDIT
I wanted to comment more on that last tangent. Think about it, some girl has an event that she needs a date for, and her two dreamy guys cancel because of absolutely absurd circumstances, and she has to take some dorky guy who is head over heals for her who she treats like crap. Flash forward to then end of the movie where she finds out that she is the second backup for some dreamy guy who she is crazy about. Cue the big epiphany moment and proceed to happy ending. Call Josh Hartnett and Hayden Panettiere and lets film this bad boy.
But when Ray Allen came out and made a point about the flaw in the Allstar voting system, I was a little hesitant. I mean, shouldn't this message come from someone who, maybe, you know, got voted in? Or got a significant amount of votes. I mean, no offense Mr. Shuttlesworth, but you made the Allstar game last year as the second alternate. (I like to imagine the concept of the second alternate in the dating world, I mean that's pretty harsh. I think it would be great in a crappy romantic comedy. But it's also kind of sad, cause its probably happened at some point. You know I am right.)
EDIT
I wanted to comment more on that last tangent. Think about it, some girl has an event that she needs a date for, and her two dreamy guys cancel because of absolutely absurd circumstances, and she has to take some dorky guy who is head over heals for her who she treats like crap. Flash forward to then end of the movie where she finds out that she is the second backup for some dreamy guy who she is crazy about. Cue the big epiphany moment and proceed to happy ending. Call Josh Hartnett and Hayden Panettiere and lets film this bad boy.
If you stop hating...
You can realize that refs can be the funniest people on the court. My favorite line from a local men's summer league ref when a guard failed to put a body on the 6 foot 6 guy less than a foot behind him, "It's not a crime to be taller." The guy just looked at him with disbelief. Best part was he didn't say anything cause it wasn't the pro's where you can get away with, well, almost anything.
Best pro line I got was from the only time I sat courtside. After the far side ref made another ridiculous call the ref right in front of me looked at us and said, "Another great call" as he rolled his eyes. Makes sense, if the refs of the NBA make a team, you got rookies and vets, Kobe's and Adam Morrison's. But after I read some of the Donaghy quotes, I wonder if that analogy is completely wrong and anytime you get all the refs in one room its a bigger bitch fest than the old men pickup at the local gym. For those of you don't know what I am referring to, it's the OLD guys who bitch the most about calls. You would think that for guys with such experience, and better yet, such little time left, they would spend their time playing.
Best pro line I got was from the only time I sat courtside. After the far side ref made another ridiculous call the ref right in front of me looked at us and said, "Another great call" as he rolled his eyes. Makes sense, if the refs of the NBA make a team, you got rookies and vets, Kobe's and Adam Morrison's. But after I read some of the Donaghy quotes, I wonder if that analogy is completely wrong and anytime you get all the refs in one room its a bigger bitch fest than the old men pickup at the local gym. For those of you don't know what I am referring to, it's the OLD guys who bitch the most about calls. You would think that for guys with such experience, and better yet, such little time left, they would spend their time playing.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Equivalent Exchange
Stehpon Marbury to play in China. Finally we are getting back at them for the lead toys. Then again I'd let a shipment slip through customs at the dock if they took Sasha Vujacic too.
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