Basketball

The Legacy of Tim Duncan

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In a sport filled with machismo and flash, it’s easy to see how Tim Duncan

Silent but Deadly

Silent but Deadly

fades into the background among the high profiled NBA stars. With so much attention focused on players such as Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, and Lebron James, it’s hard to believe that Duncan’s aren’t more celebrated. Everyone talks about James’ quest to win multiple championships and how Kobe Bryan has won his five titles in Los Angeles. With all of the debate about which NBA star needs to cement his legacy but winning an elusive championship ring what the experts and sports fans should be debating is how great Tim Duncan’s legacy is compared to the all-time greats.

When you ask NBA fans to describe the 6’11 power forward and center the reaction is usually a long paused as a sound of “uuummm” protrudes from their lips as they struggle to find the words. Now if you ask most NBA fans if they would consider him an all-time great they would probably say that is blasphemy. Sure Duncan’s a good player, but one of the greatest of all-time? No way?

Consider this. After the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in 5 games to win the NBA title, Duncan has won five championships. Yes, the same amount as Kobe Bryant and three more than King James. Oh, by the way, two of those title wins were over Lebron James. With a list of accolades such as MVPs, All Star appearances, and countless NBA awards that is longer than a list of all the age jokes about the Spurs, there is no question that Duncan is a surefire Hall of Famer.

Sure, Duncan might not be the flashiest players in the NBA, but he gets the job done. He’s like a Buick while other NBA stars are italian sports cars. Sure he might not be the fastest or prettiest car, but he won’t break down on you and will be there when you really need him.

Even at the age of 38, Duncan may have the opportunity to win another title. Sure he’s not the player he used to be, but being the selfless player that he is and accepting less minutes, the Spurs are still an elite team. A team without stars, but players who all accept their role and do what is best for the team. Add in Gregg Popovich, a hall of gamer in his own right, and the Spurs could win another title or two over the next two seasons. With their well-rounded roster and playoff experience, this team will be dangerous in 2015.

With all the debate about whether James will catch up to Jordan’s six NBA titles, people should be focused if Duncan can surpass his Royal Airness. Wouldn’t it be ironic if the quietest and one of the least flashy NBA players in history won more titles than the electrifying Jordan? Instead of his Airness it might be time to recognize his royal Duncness.

Miami Heat Fans Leave Again: Spoiled Brats

/ Rich Sports Talk / 2 Comments

19e15cc33f4008dc5deac50c79462eea_crop_northAnd the award for the worst fan base in professional sports goes to…….. the Miami Heat! Once again the so called Miami Heat fan base showed why they are the most vile and unappreciative bunch of bandwagoners in sports. While other cities pray for a championship run for once in a lifetime, Miami fans have been treated to four consecutive years of their team making it to the championship. Most NBA cities would be grateful to be in the playoffs or even have a team. Could we please relocate this team to a city like Seattle? A city that deserves a great basketball team.

Seriously, Miami Heat fans are the slime of the NBA. After the Heat fell behind in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Heat fans did what they do best. No, not get in a boisterous rant about how how the Heat are a dynasty or immediately rebuttal that they are not bandwagon fans. The Miami Heat fans once again walked out on their team during the NBA Finals.

As we already know, last year these same “fans” walked out of the same building in Game 6 when the Heat fell behind. Then of course, Ray Allen hits the shot, the Heat are back in it, and then the spoiled Heat fans had the audacity to demand to be let back into the game. However, this time they went the extra mile of booing their team. Yes boo the players that have brought you to four straight NBA Title Games, classy Miami. Way to appreciate the team that’s brought you two world championships in a row and is still alive, barely, in this series.

Listen, I hope that San Antonio wins. Not because I don’t want Lebron James to win another title but because I want a city who actually appreciates their team and would appreciate the title. Lets face it. We hate fans who only root for a team when they are winning or don’t appreciate the good fortune they have. Heck, I’m 23 and none of my teams have won a championship in my lifetime and Miami’s putrid fan base is complaining after winning two in a row?

It’s unfortunate that such a talented team is wasted on a bunch of individuals who don’t appreciate their efforts. Seriously, I think MTV should be making a reality show about Heat fans. They already have the rotten drama queens of My Sweet Sixteen, they should have a show called My Heat Seats. The life, struggles, and knowing the perfect time to leave the arena for Miami fans.True there are many great Heat fans who are there for every game and are very supportive. However, the vast majority of this fan base have now walked out on their team not once but twice.

Go ahead Miami. Leave for your clubs and overpriced tanning booths but mark my words. You better hope that this fan base doesn’t walk out on this team again. You never know what could happen. That could be strike three and then the King could to leave.

The Return of the King?

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The King returning to his former kingdom

The King returning to his former kingdom

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the jackpot. For the third time in four years the dismal franchise will have the number one pick in the NBA Draft. With the most talented draft class in probably the last decade, the Cavaliers could be poised to be a playoff team in the near future. However, the true jackpot may not be in this draft, but possibly in the homecoming of their former savior.

With a strong young nucleus, this years number one pick could be the final key to luring back Lebron James from South Beach. Many Clevelanders might not want their former king to return to Cleveland as the wounds from his departure are still fresh and deep. Still, if Lebron James was to come back the Cavaliers would be favorites to win the title.

It may only be speculation at this point, but Cleveland has put themselves in a great position to entice James. Miami may win a third title this year, but their future is in question. Despite great ownership and a talented roster, the Heat are getting older and may only have one or two true title runs left. Despite this, James may choose to stay in Miami because of the lifestyle it has to offer and the larger market available there rather than Cleveland. Los Angeles and New York are long shots to get James in the future, but at least they provide the market for the Lebron James brand. Even though the end goal will be to attract James back to Cleveland, it will still depend on what Lebron James wants to do. Either way, the Cavaliers have made themselves as attractive a destination as possible. If they can add a legitimate coach, it will be hard to imagine that James could turn down a young talented nucleus with a great head coach. He’s in the business of winning, and that’s a winning formula.

King James may not return to his former empire, but even without James the Cavaliers now have the young pieces to become a competitive basketball team. With a young and upcoming roster they could soon become a perennial contender and maybe even a championship contender. However, in a perfect world the King will return to his people and bring them the championship they so rightfully deserve.

Clipped: Why LA is done

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An organization divided

An organization divided

They stood there in defiance. A team against an owner. The basketball team with no name, but with a loud message. “We do not support our owner”!

There is no question that the LA Clippers are in the center of a storm of controversy. In the past 24 hours, Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling has been accused of making racist remarks towards African-Americans. He even went so far as saying that he didn’t want them to attend Clippers games! This isn’t even the first time this has happen. In 2006, the U.S. department of justice sued Sterling for 2.75 million dollars for not allowing blacks to rent his apartments.

The fact that this man could make these comments is revolting. Nobody, and I mean nobody should judge others based on race. Excuse me Mr. Sterling. Aren’t you a business owner? You shouldn’t care if a person is black, white, blue, purple, or clear if they pay premium money to support your team!

After this bombshell it is clear that the title hopes for the Clippers have pretty much gone out the window. Now I know that many of you will say they are still one of the most talented teams in the league with a great head coach, and I would agree. However, it’s hard enough to win with any distractions especially one of this magnitude. Besides who wants to play for this man? Would you really risk your body for a man who clearly does not feel that way about other people? Even with the team still intact and beyond the fact that the team is protesting the owner, the big question is what next?

When the playoffs are over and if Sterling is still the owner  of the franchise, I have a strong feeling that there is going to be problems within the organization. I cannot see Doc Rivers wanting to work for this organization if Sterling is still in charge. Don’t forget the players. Would Deandre Jordan and Chris Paul want to play for a racist? I can’t see it.

While the Clippers still are in the playoff race and could potentially compete for the title, the next few months will without question be trying. With a team that was smacked in game four 118-97, and who protested the game by refusing top wear the Clippers logo in warm ups, it is clear this team does not want to play for Sterling. With a distraction like this, I see no way that the Clippers will make the finals, let alone make a run in the postseason. While the fallout from this incident still remain to be seen, there is no question that there is no fun in the sun for the Los Angeles Clippers organization right now.

 

What Could Have Been? Michael Jordan’s Baseball Career

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What would have happened to the sports world if MJ had succeeded?

What would have happened to the sports world if MJ had succeeded?

It’s been twenty years since Michael Jordan shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement from basketball in order to pursue a career in baseball. People were shocked and outraged, but most of all confused. Why would the greatest player in the NBA hang up his sneakers after winning his third championship in a row? We all know what happened next. Jordan rode the bus in the minors with the Chicago White Sox Double A affiliate Barons for one season before returning to the hard wood. After his return to the game, Jordan won three more titles and cemented his legacy as the greatest basketball player of all time. However, one can only wonder what would have happened if Jordan continued playing baseball? What impact would that have had on the sports world?

Many people look at Jordan’s baseball career as a failure but was it really? Despite lackluster stats in his first season, his manager Terry Francona has said that Jordan showed steady improvement throughout the season and raised his batting average by fifty points in the Arizona Fall League. Had there not been a baseball strike at the end of the season

Despite early struggles, had Jordan continued playing he could have maybe made it

Despite early struggles, had Jordan continued playing he could have maybe made it

there was a good chance Jordan would have continued his baseball career. While it is unlikely he would have been the star player he was in the NBA in baseball, with his world-class athleticism and work ethic Jordan could have developed into a solid major league starter. Had he made it to the show, Jordan would have been one of only a few athletes who successfully played two professional sports. His popularity could have helped baseball’s popularity because people wanted to see Jordan. While he might not have been the missing piece to a world series, Jordan’s impact on the game could have been huge in regards to the exposure and attention he would bring to a franchise. If Jordan had continued his baseball career what would have happened to his basketball legacy?

What would the NBA be today if Michael Jordan was successful at baseball? The murder of his father in 1993 played a major role in Jordan’s decision because his father always wanted Michael to be a professional baseball player. Would Jordan’s legacy be remembered as fondly as it is today?

Think about it. Without Jordan the Bulls probably don’t win three more championships, Phil Jackson doesn’t become one of the greatest coaches in league history, and Jordan doesn’t add more stats or moments to his resume. No more game winners, no flu game, not another three peat. Lebron James is viewed as a traitor would walked out of Cleveland. Can you imagine if Jordan never came back? All of those NBA fans would have viewed him as a traitor to the game. Chicago fans surely wouldn’t remember him as fondly, that’s fore sure. The Bulls and Jordan built the NBA’s future in the 90s by making the sport more popular and making basketball one of the most popular sports in the world. Would the NBA be what it is today if Michael Jordan never came back?

Thankfully Jordan would return to NBA and cement the sport’s popularity. But it is hard to fathom a world without Jordan holding a basketball. We will never truly know the ramifications if Jordan had continued to play baseball. The repercussions across the sports world have dramatically changed the landscape of professional sports in America had Jordan been successful in his baseball career. Who knows? For all we know Jordan could have built up baseball or maybe decided to play both at the same time. Either way, its hard to imagine a world where Michael Jordan played baseball. All we can do now is ask ourselves what could have been if Air Jordan became Jordan in the outfield instead.

 

Call to Arms! Why Rafael Montero should be Mets fifth starter

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Montero should be in the Mets rotation

Montero should be in the Mets rotation

The New York Mets already have their fifth starter, an his name is not Noah Syndergaard. As much as my fellow Mets fans would like to see Syndergaard at Citi Field in April, he will not be there until at least june. It will be the same song and dance that Harvey and Wheeler went through where the Mets will have him pitch in the minors, get ready, and ultimately come up by midseason. However, the Mets do have a young arm that is ready to make an impact in the rotation by April, Rafael Montero.

Enough with the competition! If Daisuke Matsuzaka or John Lannan are the fifth starter by opening day the Mets are making a huge mistake. They are both done. Instead, the Metropolitans should develop one of their top prospects who has been great this spring. While some may argue the Jenrry Mejia is a better option, and while I really like Mejia, he is coming off a major injury last year and its better if the Mets just take it slow. Mejia needs to build up his arm again and making a few Triple A starts to regain his confidence and stamina would be ideal before heading north with the big club.

As for Montero, he is ready. While he may not have the top of the line stuff compared to Syndergaard, Montero has the potential to be a great middle of the rotation starter. While his fastball sits in the low 90s, it has very good life and he locates it very well. His off speed arsenal is above average and he can mix and locate all of his pitches extremely well. However, the reason I really love Montero as a player is that he just has a good feel for pitching.

He may not be an ace, but Montero reminds me of Pedro Martinez

He may not be an ace, but Montero reminds me of Pedro Martinez

Watching Montero in the Futures game at Citi Field game last year, he reminded me of another pitcher the Mets once had, Pedro Martinez. When he was a Met, Martinez did not have the overpowering fastball he once did, but was effective because of location and mixing his pitching well. With his small frame and ability to mix, Montero reminds me of Pedro Martinez later in his career. He might not blow it by hitters, but he can fool batters by keeping them off-balance by mixing his pitches in all counts.

With his impressive spring so far, the Mets should look at Montero’s 2013 campaign and realize he is ready for the majors. In 2013 between Double A and Triple A Montero had a 12-7 record, 1.10 WHIP, 2.78 ERA, and 150 strikeouts in 27 games. He might not be the top of rotation prospect the Mets have grown accustomed to in the past three seasons, but Montero is a work horse that would solidify the back end of the rotation. If he continues to pitch well in Port St. Lucie, there is no reason why Rafael Montero shouldn’t be in Queens coming opening day.

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