You simply have to hand it to Chicago Cubs fans. Not only are they irrefutably the most loyal lot in all of baseball, but in the entire world of sports. If ever there was a single ounce of uncertainty in your mind that would even begin to question the validity of that statement, the event which transpired today at Wrigley Field should erase all doubt.

Despite losing 19 out of their last 23 games, including another heartbreaker yesterday to the Atlanta Braves, Cubs fans showed up for today's game in remarkable numbers. Numbers that some desperate ball clubs hope to draw over the duration of a three game series. Just one day after Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano lost his no hitter after 6 2/3 innings and the once reliable Ryan Dempster blew his third save in his last four tries, a season high 41,526 fans showed up at Wrigley to cheer on their team against Atlanta. It is the largest regular season crowd at Wrigley Field since a double header against the Reds on July 22, 1979.

Perhaps it was merely in hope of seeing the Cubs get their home record back to .500. A small victory, but a victory nevertheless. Or it is quite possible that fans had reason to be a little more optimistic than usual. After all, Braves Starter Horacio Ramirez was making his first start since April 5, and extended lay offs do tend to leave pitchers a little rusty. Or maybe the immense amount of grief and despair accumulated in the hearts and minds of Cubs fans since Derek Lee broke his wrist in a collision at first base on April 19^th, simply became too much to bear and they just completely snapped. Going 8-26 in the time since can tend to do that. What else could possibly justify the large crowd at Wrigley today?

For Cubs fans the answer is as simple as, "Because that's what we do!" One can't help but admire the unwavering support that Chicago fans have for their beloved Cubbies. As a long time Atlanta Braves fan I am well aware of the maxim, "Death, Taxes, Braves", but I would argue that adding "Cubs Fan" to that adage is something that is long overdue. Even Red Sox fans have to be a little envious. No one shows up for their team like Cubs fans, no one. They continue to come each and every year no matter how great or how poorly they do. The Red Sox may have had, "The Curse of the Bambino", "The Williams Shift", and "Buckner", but the Boston club has been to five World Series since WWII, and did manage to finally win one in 2004.

The Cubs on the other hand have not been period since 1945, and have not won since 1908. The closest Cubs fans have come to seeing their team play in the World Series was during the 1990 comedy, "Taking Care of Business" starring devoted Chicago sports fan Jim Belushi.

Chicago's 97 year championship drought heading into this season is by far the longest dry spell in all of the four major U.S. sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL). In fact, Chicago's 2003 National League Divisional Series win over the Braves was the franchise's first post season series win since the team won the 1908 series.

Yet you would never know that if you look at the crowded stands at Wrigley year after year. That is not merely being a fan. That is being faithfully devoted. "For better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part."

Well done Cubs fans. The Braves may have just won for the 12^th time in the last 16 games to pull ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for second place in their division, and are now just three and a half back of the New York Mets as the continue to pursue yet another addition to their unprecedented string of division titles. As a Braves fan it is a development that I am very pleased to see. But what you demonstrated today was far more impressive than any of that. And for that, I salute you.

The NBA Draft lottery was completed just two days ago and the draft itself is still well over a month away.  However, the frenzy of speculation regarding just who will be selected and where, has already kicked into high gear and commanded the attention of every top lottery franchise. All of whom, having long been eliminated from postseason contention with the exception of Chicago, would otherwise have nothing to focus their attention upon for quite some time as it relates to their club.  But now these teams, along with their disappointed but loyal fan base, have been afforded the opportunity to dream of what fortunes and promise "next year" holds for them with just a little more clarity. 

Naturally the greatest attention is focused on who will be selected first in this draft, and there are several players out there who are receiving heavy consideration for the slot. Unlike in this past April's NFL draft, there is no clear consensus number one pick.  But even if there were, we all recently bore witness to just how unpredictable a draft can prove to be. Even when there is just one.  Thanks Houston.

Gonzaga University small forward Adam Morrison had previously been favored by many to fill the role of the number one pick, as had Texas center/power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, though to a lesser extent. However, recent prospective basketball stock reports have seen the value of Italian star Andrea Bargnani shoot through the roof as of late.  A boom generated by numerous NBA franchises and scouts as they find themselves mesmerized by the immense talent and potential possessed by the Benetton Treviso International star forward, nicknamed, "The Magician."

But just who is this highly touted prospect who appears to be the next addition to the foreign invasion of basketball talent from Europe, and why would he be considered over major college stars who casual basketball fans are far more familiar with? Why are NBA teams continually looking to International players, when they seek to invest their top pick? Didn't teams learn last year from what happened to the Orlando Magic when they selected Fran Vazquez, and were then in turn burned by the forward who hails from Spain when he opted to remain in his home country and sign a long term deal there? What about the major disappointments that Darko Milicic and Nikoloz Tskitishivili, a former Benetton Treviso player himself, proved to become?

The answers are simple. Remarkable talent and strong fundamental basketball skills. With the current trend of young talented stars in the U.S. being one where many choose to jump straight to the NBA from high school or with minimal college basketball experience, many players come into the league lacking strong fundamental and team orientated skills.  As a result, numerous coaches and scouts have come to rely more on international players who are churned out of the fundamentals-driven basketball system that exists in Europe. Such players commonly possess strong passing and shooting skills, as well as a team first mentality. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that international stars currently comprise 18% of the league. Some who favor the International route of finding new talent, like former college coach and current Nike director of global basketball, George Raveling, believe that percentage could approach 50% by the year 2010.

An Italian player has never starred in the NBA.  Some consider that to be a slight knock against Bargnani (Barg-NAH-nee), who stands to become the first. However, current Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni, who made a name for himself while coaching in Italy, has experienced tremendous success by incorporating the international style of play that emphasizes passing and perimeter shooting. Not to mention the selfless style of team play his Suns team so well exhibits. Therefore, hailing from the Italian league should prove to be no major issue for the 7'0", 225 pound forward.

But Bargnani is hardly an enigma in the eyes of the basketball world to begin with.  Especially in the eyes of Toronto Raptor fans who witnessed his remarkable ability to beat players off the dribble time and time again during an exhibition preseason game in October of 2004. Bargnani showcased his numerous talents with relative ease. Even when matched against a quick power forward like Chris Bosh.

Many scouts have dubbed Bargnani the "Next Dirk Nowitzki", an accolade that is sure to generate first pick consideration from a host of NBA lottery teams. But it is a comparison that Bargnani, though while very proud of, tries to steer away from. Bargnani is not a player who allows for such praise to go to his head. When asked in an interview earlier this year who he thought he resembled in the NBA, the acclaimed Italian forward maintained, "I resemble no one, I am Andrea Bargnani. I am just trying to improve myself and become a better player."

Bargnani's humble approach to the game can further be ascertained from additional statements he gave when asked about the prospect of becoming the first European player ever selected #1 in a NBA draft, and whether or not he was worried about it going to his head. A question to which Bargnani replied, "No, because you have to show your skills on the court during the season. A player can be picked in lottery but if he lacks good attitude or skills he will never become a good NBA player. I prefer the facts, not the words."

The hype surrounding Bargnani is far from being unfounded. The 7-footer has an uncanny outside game. He has a quick and high release point on his shot, can catch and shoot from just about anywhere on the court, and easily beats any big man off the dribble. He is a very fluid and runs the court extremely well. He is a selfless player who always plays in the flow of the offense, rather than attempting to dominate it. He is very active on defense, and his versatility will not leave his team high and dry when it comes to generating pressure and getting stops.

Does Bargnani have his short comings? Sure, international players are just like homegrown talent in the sense they need to further enhance their skills, make adjustments, and adapt to a new style of game as they grow. Bargnani has been criticized for being a bit undersized to play at a high level in the NBA, as he is still maturing and lacks the bulk you would expect to see at the professional level.  However, it is worth noting that some said the same thing about Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons. I doubt I need to tell you how Prince has faired. Two championship appearances and one title should tell you plenty.  One of Bargnani's biggest assets, his versatility, makes it hard to project him at any particular position. He could either be a small forward or a power forward. He has played at both positions in Italy, and says he will glady play whichever his coach wishes.  Unfortunately, some fear he could have problems defensively in the NBA at whichever spot he ultimately is selected to play.

Though extremely quick for a big man, there is serious doubt that he could effectively cover and hang with the speedy small forwards of the NBA. His quickness is more than effective enough at the power forward position, but as mentioned earlier, his size isn't. Bargnani will likely need at least a couple years to adapt to the NBA game, enhance his skills, and bulk up to NBA size.  Thus making it highly unlikely for him to come onto a team and quickly become a force anywhere near the level of a player like Dirk.  Rather, he is more likely to serve as a role player coming off the bench early on in his career.

Despite the concerns, Bargnani's upside is clearly there. Worst case scenario, he will be a lower level supporting star. Some teams still may opt to go with a safer pick like Morrison or Aldridge. But make no mistake about it. Any NBA team outside of the top five lottery teams would be extremely hard pressed to land Bargnani in the draft. Several teams with a high lottery pick, like the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats to name just a couple, are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to see the Italian star sport their team cap and jersey on draft day. But even teams with a high lottery pick may not luck into seeing him fall into their lap.

Just one day after the NBA lottery, the Toronto Raptors dispatched coach Sam Mitchell and senior advisor Wayne Embry to Italy to scout Bargnani. How high are the Raptors on Bargnani's talents you may ask?  Toronto's general manager Bryan Colangelo statements issued yesterday should help shed some light on the matter. "I'm not certain we would even bother sending them if we ended up with the number 5 pick", is what the Raptors G.M. told reporters. A statement which immediately lead many to the conclusion that the Italian forward is on the club's short list and they are quite high on him.  It would prove to be the perfect culmination for both Toronto and Bargnani. The Italian star's journey will have come full circle as he would join the team he competed so brilliantly against in that preseason matchup during the fall of 04.  

Whether or not Bargnani will one day live up to his present billing at the NBA level remains to be seen. But no G.M. wants to be remembered as the guy who passed on the "Next Dirk Nowitzki" if the comparison proves itself to be accurate.  Best of luck to the Toronto Raptors in the coming month as they stew over the decision.  Whichever way the franchise opts to go, could very well prove itself to be the chief factor that dictates its future for years to come.

Shown The Way To The Door

Both before and after Game 6 got underway in Cleveland, I was fearful that if the young Cleveland Cavalier team led by the sensational LeBron James were to fail in their attempt to end the series at home, they would in all likelihood share the same fate that awaited another young team earlier this post season, The Los Angeles Lakers.

Little did I know that the circumstances would so closely resemble one another.  After a tremendous first half by James, and a lackluster performance from his supporting cast (31% from the field shooting), James and his team collapsed in the second half under the overbearing pressure of a team with more experience, moxy, and swagger than themselves.  James would score 21 pts in the first half, but only 6 points in the entire 2nd half.  Until he converted a three-point play late in the half, James had only 1 point off of a free throw.  Does this sound vaguely familar to anyone else reading this?

James would try to get his teammates involved for as long as he could in this game, but ultimately had to take matters into his own hands after poor shooting and missed opportunies surmounted.  James by himself, even as talented as the young 21 year old superstar is, would prove to be not nearly enough for a rejuvinated and hungry Detroit Pistons team who shut him down in the second half.

To James and the Cav's credit, the first half of the game turned out to be much closer than the Suns vs. Lakers Game 7 was at the half, and James did take more shots and scored five more points than Bryant.  But the 27 point effort, with only two assists, seems so much like a stat line Bryant would put up in his Game 7 performance.  Perhaps Kobe wasn't as deserving as many would have made it seem for his reluctance to shoot more in the second half of his final post season game.  When your teammates can not hit their shots and are reluctant to shoot, there is only so much even a superstar can do all by himself. 

James will be back for certain next season with a vegence and a thirst for further success in the playoffs, as will Bryant.  Now they both just need some more help to get to that next level they both so desperately want to reach.  One superstar can only take you so far.

He's Done It.  Add Another HR To The Books!

No not Barry Bonds, who tied Babe Ruth with 714 homeruns yesterday afternoon. While a noteworthy achievement for certain, steriods or not, Barry's mark will never be completely be accepted by many fans due to the shroud of uncertainty surrounding the Giants outfielder in regards to the questionable means he may have utilized to achieve those remarkable statistics. 

Rather, I am talking about homerun numbers 20, 21, and 22 hit by Cardinals first baseman, Albert Pujols.  The three homeruns came in three consecutive games against Kansas City in interleague play this weekend.  The Cardinals slugger is now on pace for an 80 HR, 200 RBI season, and many could not be more enthused, nor could they ask for a more upstanding individual and player as Pujols.

He is already the first player in MLB history to hit 30 HR or more in each of his first 5 seasons.  The first since Ted Williams to register 100 RBI or more in each of his first 5 seasons.  He has tied Todd Helton as the fastest player to reach 1,000 hits, and surpassed Willie Mays as the fastest to 1,000 hits and 200 HR on that same day.  The guy only gets better each and every year, gets along with his teammates, and isn't afraid to admit mistakes like when he got into that little bat tossing episode with Pirates pitcher, Oliver Perez, earlier this year after he hit a homerun off of him, but then later admitted he was wrong for doing so. Pujols acknowledged Scott Rolen as the player who helped him realize that, "Players like him should be above such behavior," and Pujols agreed wholeheartedly.  The next time he homered off Perez, he just ran his bases with no antics.

Really, when is the last time you heard Bonds acknowledge another teammate for helping him realize that he did something wrong and needed to admit it?  When was the last time you heard Bonds acknowledge a teammate at all, or even talk to one?

Pujols isn't just a class act on the baseball field, but off it as well.  When asked about Bonds, he defended the player he twice finished second to in N.L. MVP voting before winning his first last season.  He mentioned that he honors and respects what Bonds has done, and that he gets far more crap than he deserves.  "Until it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he used steriods, he has nothing to be ashamed of and the record should be respected," was the basis of Pujol's statement to the media earlier this weekend.  He also threw in that MLB could test him everyday of his career just so there would be no similar doubt ever cast on him. 

Then there is the whole adopting a daughter with Down Syndrome, and setting up a charitable organization to assist with the genetic disorder and also provide relief to the poor in his native country of the Dominican Republic to take into account as well.  He is also a highly religious Christian who tries to help others accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and provides links to Christian ministers on his family charity website.  But maybe one day people will find a way to chastise him for that.  Regardless, he is my favorite candidate to one day surpass Hank Aaron's home run mark, and I agree that one couldn't ask for a more classy individual than Pujols to accomplish the feat.

NFL Dreams Fading Fast?

The league will meet in Denver this Tuesday to further discuss the prospect of a NFL team in Los Angeles, if not two.

This has gone on long enough.  How much longer will the second largest market in the country go without an NFL team?  When one combines the professional teams in Los Angeles/Orange County you get two MLB teams, two NBA teams, two NHL teams, and not one NFL team, the nation's most popular sport.

Two possible venues have been proposed.  A renovation of the L.A. colliseum is one possiblity, as is a new stadium to be constructed adjacent to Angel Stadium in Anaheim.  The league hasn't made up its mind which it will persue, that is if it doesn't elect to persue them both.  However they risk losing one, and the most inviting of the two, the proposed stadium in Anaheim that is to be newly constructed, unless the league settles on that site by Tuesday, something many doubt the league to do.  Reason being, despite the support of the Orange County Business Council, many in the city feel the land is worth far more than the amount it has been offered up to NFL for, all in the name of simply bringing an NFL franchise to the city.  The city has threatened that if the league can not commit soon, they will begin to entertain other proposals for the site.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is not completely safe either.  The political climate is right at the moment, something the city did not have in its favor in 1999,  when the city lost in expansion bidding to Houston. But many fear that could change if a decision isn't reached soon.  California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is up for re-election in November, and folks, it ain't going too well in the Golden State right now.  Then there is the problem of NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue's retirement come September if the league has found his replacement.  Thus the two largest proponents of a team coming to L.A. would be gone.

So it appears that unless something is decided quickly, L.A. could miss out on a NFL club once again.

Proper Sports Etiquette

So tommorrow evening I travel to Petco Park to witness two great pitchers square off as John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves face Jake Peavy and the San Diego Padres, and get to see the Braves play live for the first time since 1999.

My question to the blogging arena is this.  Do I dare wear my Braves home uniform to the park?

I ask this realizing it is not a Chargers vs. Raiders game, nor a Yankees vs. Red Sox showdown, or even a mildly heated divisional rivalry.  But still, is wearing the away team's home threads amongst the home crowd acceptable?

There is simply no hiding from the truth, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers just let control of this series slip away from them.  A dozen different adjectives could have easily been used to describe the once highly improbable prospect of a second round upset Cavaliers victory over the defending Eastern Conference Champs.  But after the waning moments of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, only one comes to mind now,  reckless.

Heading into Game 6, the accolades for James and the Cleveland team could not have been any more admirable.  Countless NBA fans who had previously not taken serious notice, suddenly found themselves lining up around the country to become "witnesses", as LeBron and the Cavaliers instantly captured the interest and praises of a basketball world desperately seeking an author to usher in the next great chapter of NBA history.  After beating Detroit on their own court, accomplishing something that had not been done previously this post season, many were convinced that LeBron James would prove to be that author.  This NBA writer who had previously awarded Los Angeles Laker, Kobe Bryant, the title of best player in the league, was singing a new tune.  Even former Chicago Bull and Michael Jordan teammate, Scottie Pippen, one of the 50 recognized greatest players in NBA history, recently staked his claim that at this early point in his career, James was not only more talented, but a more desirable teammate than, "His Airness." 

One would have been extremely hardpressed to find anyone outside of Detroit who wanted to see this series extend beyond Game 6.  But at this point, one would be extremely hardpressed to find anyone outside of Cleveland who still thinks that James will usher in that next great chapter this year, and do what Jordan himself could not accomplish, knock off the Detroit Pistons in the first go-around.  Even there you may still have problems finding somebody.

Though the stat line may not reflect it at first glance; 32 points, 11 boards, and 5 dimes, LeBron James really cost Cleveland in its Game 6 defeat.  His 7 turnovers were costly and unforgivable.  Amidst the last few vital Cavalier possessions, James better resembled Los Angeles Laker Center, Kwame Brown, than the all-world guard/forward we have "witnessed" this NBA season.  On more than just one occassion James would carelessly fumble the ball away or have it stripped from him inside the paint, killing Cleveland's opportunity of registering some badly needed points in crunch time. However, that would not prove to be his greatest mistake by any stretch.  Rather it was his hesitation and lack of a desire to take the game into his hands during the final seconds with his team down by three, and thus needing a three, in order to extend the game into overtime with a chance of victory still well in place. 

Instead of taking things into his own hands, James elected to cower from the role of team leader as well as from the responsibilty of taking the game deciding shot, erroneously driving beyond the three point arch and then trying to desperately get the ball to a teammate back outside the arch before time expired in hopes of winning the game. 

As fate would have it, James would be fouled on the pass attempt and put on the foul line, practically ending any hope of winning the game due to the extremely difficult task of having to convert the first free throw attempt, deliberately miss the second, but still have it touch the rim, and then be fortunate enough to have a teammate get the rebound and get a successful shot off with less than 2 seconds remaining on the clock.  

A two point shot does nothing for you, so the Pistons had nothing to lose by fouling James, or even if they simply let him drive to the basket and slam one down.  Even if Cleveland brought it within one and immediately fouled whichever Piston brought in the ball before time expired and then that player missed the first shot, and then converted the second one, Cleveland still would have lacked the time to get a shot off.  

James undeniably made a grave mistake by not taking the shot himself or passing the ball off much sooner to a teammate while still beyond the three point arch if he had no intention of taking the shot himself.  It was quite plainly careless of James, who clearly lacked the time and wherewithal for anyone to be able to possibly justify what he did with the basketball at the end of Game 6.  

The truth is it seems that James still lacks the killer instinct that all the great champions and legends of this game have.  In any sport, whether it be on the gridiron or on the hardwood, the leaders of champions always wants the ball in their hands at crunch time.  Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or even Steve Nash would have taken that shot in the final seconds if the ball were in their hands.  James does a great job of getting his teammates involved, but at a certain point, you have to take the game squarely into your own hands if you truly want to lead.  James had that opportunity and balked at it, possibly ending his team's hopes of knocking off the defending Eastern Conference Champs. 

It is not my intent to take away from all the great things LeBron has accomplished this season and postseason, and I will most definitely not rule out a quick turnaround by LeBron, if not this season, then next year to be certain.  But at this present moment, LeBron robbed his teammates and adoring "witnesses" everywhere of what could have been, and that is a bitter and crying shame, because it was shaping up to be such a beautiful and well crafted piece of NBA literature.  It appears that next chapter might have to wait just a little bit longer before it is ready to be authored into NBA history, as it now seems that Pistons vs. Spurs showdown still possibly awaits us once again afterall.

Side notes and random thoughts

- If Dallas comes from ahead to lose this series against San Antonio, becoming just the 9th team in league history to surrender a 3-1 lead in a best of seven series and lose, but the second this postseason after the Los Angeles Lakers did the same thing, which team is the bigger disgrace?

- Since when did slapping boards away instead of pulling them in securely become so common on the offensive and defensive glass?  I was harsh on LeBron after his game 6 performance, but how about Flip Murray?  That board came right to him after the Wallace free throw miss, and it looked as if he tried to slap the rebound away instead of going up with two hands and safely securing it.   I was always taught to go up and grab the board, and was chastised by the coach if I tried to slap it out to a teammate, basketball fundamentals right?  Reason being, a secure ball is better than a potential loose ball that the other team recovers.  Yet I see more and more of this as I watch the NBA today.