Sometimes I truly wonder why I am a sports fan, especially when you consider how the people who play the sports I enjoy seem to care less about the game than I do.

Take a good long look at your favorite team(s), and I will bet you that at least half of team members could give a rat's spit about you or any other fan for that matter.  They care about #1, first and foremost, and the virtually anyone else can go take a flying leap, in their opinion.

Now, with that said, let me qualify this a bit, because I know I've just sounded harsh.  I accept they give up a LOT to be famous, most notably their privacy.  But then again, they get paid a staggering amount of money to do what they do, and part of that salar includes being good ambassadors for the games they play in order to keep the road paved for those who come after them. 

I'll throw out three personal experiences as examples of what I am talking about here:

Back when I was in my teens, and we called the Phoenix Suns the Phoenix Nuns (because they won NUN of their games at the time, the team being jacked up on coke for the most part), I attended a home game against the Lakers with my Grandfather.  He was a bus driver, and a guy whom he picked up every day gave my grandfather his pair of courtside tickets because he thought he was a damn nice guy (quite astute of him, because my grandfather WAS a damn nice guy).  Anyways, after the game was over, and Showtime had driven the Nuns into another drug induced coma, as he was leaving the court my Grandfather reached out to shake Magic Johnson's hand as he walked by, and Magic not only stopped to shake his hand, he gave me his towel he had thrown around his neck and shook my hand as well, saying "thanks for coming out to see us all play".  He didn't have to do it, but Magic was, for all his other faults, a great ambassador of the game, and he realized that without us sitting in the seats, there's no money to pay for those houss, cars, and "posse's" that today's players seem to take so much for granted.  Needless to say it made quite an impression on me.

A few years later I was in a video store deciding on a rental, when in walked Richard Dumas, who was at one time quite the rising star for the Suns before drugs and some serious personal issues got in the way.  He was alone, except for a woman on his arm, and he was almost immediately surrounded by fans, except for me.  Don't ask me why but my gut told me "hey, this guy's on his own time, leave him alone" so I went about my business, and when I was walking out after picking out my videos, Dumas caught me at the door, and he offered me his autograph, since I was wearing a Suns T-shirt at the time.  I thanked him and said he didn't have to, I knew he was there to do something personal, and he said "I know, that's why I'm offering, you were the only one who had that kind of respect, so I wanted to say thanks, and thanks for being a fan of the Suns."  And with that he took out his pen and autographed my receipt.

Now the third tale.  This took place about 5 years after the Dumas incident, and the company I was working for had scored a luxury box for a Suns/Bulls home game.  As one of the managers, I got to go.  We lost the game (I have NEVER been to a Suns home game where we have won, curiously enough, I've only ever seen them lose, though I have seen them win on the road, go figure), and afterwards I watched John Paxson and Bill Cartwright walk over with Kevin Johnson to a boy at courtside who was in a wheelchair, and they gave him a signed basketball, and stood for photo's after they wheeled him out on the court.  I found out later through the local paper that the boy in question just happened to be there, and was a huge fan of both teams.  The players got wind of it and set the whole thing up during halftime as a surprise for the boy.  It wasn't a Make-A-Wish kind of thing, or something they had to do to get their names in the paper, it was just something they did because they wanted to. 

Look, I'm not saying that pro athletes need to do these kinds of things on an everyday basis, they have their lives to live just like we do, they just have a lot more means than we do to live their life, that's all.  But when you hear pro athletes, who make as a yearly MINIMUM more than most of us will make in a lifetime, whine and complain about the pay, and then at the same time basically treat the job as a 9-5 occupation, it's amazing that we as a society tolerate that.

Basic rule of business is this, whenever a company pays you $1 in salary they are expecting to make at least $1.25 back, and as you climb up the ladder that ratio gets larger and larger, to where if you make $100k the company will expect about $400k in revenue from you for whatever it is you do.  Now apply that ratio to a multimillionaire pro athlete, and you find the ratio to be enormous.

Just in the recent sports news, you have athletes who refuse to face reality and admit their responsibility (Clemens) all in the name of protecting their so called legacy (whereas no one ever thinks that by just standing up and saying "I did it" their legacy would actually be more solidified), to the Latrell Sprewells who think $25 million dollars isn't enough to feed a family (I would like to take him to a third world country and show him how many families that kind of money could feed), and now you have Devean George, who is basically a scrub, playing scrub minutes and giving scrub productivity, but has a heightened sense of self importance to the point where he wants to hold up a trade that would improve his team's chances of winning a title (supposedly, I'll write more on the trade if it goes through), just so his "small salary" could possibly grow next year.

Hate to tell you Mr George, but you just killed your chances of getting any kind of a contract for anything other league minimum by what you just did.  I'm all for looking out for number one, but sometimes when you are a pro athlete, and you play like #2, you gotta just shut up, drop to your knees, and thank God almighty that someone with so little real talent is permitted to make that kind of money in the first place, and not go looking for more money that you haven't earned. 

Again, it all comes down to professionalism, and respect.  Those that have it, for themselves, the game, and the fans, HAVE legacies that we all celebrate and admire.  Those who don't have these priorities tend to end up like so many other has beens and never was, just a footnote in someone's team roster.

Ok, I've just pushed the OFF button on my Rant.  Thanks for reading!

Dal

It's been a while since my last posting, new job, lots of personal **** going on, but I've still managed to slip in and watch a few NBA games here and there this season, and now that the All Star break is coming up soon I thought I would throw out some of my thoughts regarding various teams - no specific orders, no axes to grind, just some blunt and straightforward thoughts...(And yes Im using the Harry Potter grading system, it's much more fun!)

Los Angeles Lakers: I have to admit, they have been impressing me so far this season.  I still don't think they will be able to keep this up for the whole road, but they'll make the playoffs and if they are playing then like they are now (or better), I feel sorry for the team that gets them!  Im an admitted Kobe hater, but in the 4 games Ive seen him play this year Ive asked myself "who is this guy and what's he done with Kobe Bryant?"  He's dishing, he's rebounding, he's TRUSTING his teammates!  I've been so amazed by all this it's even had me wonder if all the trade rumors and I want outta LA talk at the season's beginning was a secret plot with Kobe and Phil to rally the other team members!  So far so good for Laker Lovers, lets see how it holds up for the rest of the season is my only caveat.  GRADE O (Outstanding)

Miami Heat: Oh how the mighty have fallen.  Miami had all the makings of a dynasty, a solid core group of powerful veterans in Shaq, Zo and Wade, and a good group of role players, this team was ripe and ready to bring in some young talent through the draft and prepare for the inevitable passing of the torch, instead they stuck with basically the same team that won the championship and let father time pass them by.  It's truly a pity that the last two dominant big men we will ever see, Shaq and Zo, will end up their careers on such a down note, when there was SO much promise in the beginning.  Look for a 5 year rebuilding period before Miami even comes close to climbing out of the cellar.  GRADE T (Troll)

Phoenix Suns: It's been an unusual year for my team, no question.  Rumblings all around about discord, and there they sit in first place in the west, go figure.  Offensively the Suns can hang with anyone and beat anyone with the possible exception of a healthy Golden State or Hornets team.  Defensively there seems to be a bit more of an edge, Ive noticed.  They seem to be willingly giving up some games to work on their defense and then make up for it the next night with their standard offensive dominance.  After three successive years in the Western finals, I find myself wondering if D'Antoni is finally working on his bench and his defense to make a serious run at the Spurs and Mavericks of the world.  The problem is, I have a sneaking su####ion neither of those teams will be in the Western Finals this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hornets or Lakers there.  GRADE E (Exceeds Expectations)

Boston Celtics: They play a weak schedule, and dominate.  They go .500 against each team that beats them.  They have the same formula that Miami used to win the title a few years ago (3 power players with a series of role players), and people are looking to find out what's wrong with this team.  While I am not a huge Celtic fan, I am a fan of good basketball, and this team is playing some of the best overall B-Ball Ive seen in years.  They are like the Anti-Spurs, proving you can play defense and make it exciting at the same time!  Do I think they will keep up this pace?  Not a chance, they will have a few slips and slides along the way.  Do I think they will be in the Eastern finals?  Absolutely.  GRADE O (Outstanding)

Detroit Pistons: After the debacle that was the Cavaliers series last year, this team could have folded its tent and completely rebuilt, but Joe Dumars and Flip Saunders were smarter than that, they knew their guys still had some legs, they just needed a bit more support from their bench, and voila!  More bench time, fresher starters!  Look at it this way, their starters are playing an average of 8 minutes per game less than last year, which if you add that up over 82 games means they will have play about 9 games less this year than last year, meanwhile they are dominating the league.  A seven game series of Boston and Detroit might be the best thing to happen to the NBA since the old Laker/Celtics series in the early 80's - I know I'd pay for a ticket, and I dont even LIKE the Pistons!  GRADE E (Exceeds Expectations)

Chicago Bulls: I must admit I am NOT surprised at how the Bulls are playing this year.  Last playoffs I remember talking to a friend of mine when the Bulls lost that if they didnt get some inside presence in the offseason they were going ot be bottom of the barrel at BEST, and it's been pretty much as I thought I would be.  The Bulls made the cardinal mistake of believing their press clippings, not realizing they played well above their collective abilities last year.  Firing Scott Skiles was an expected move, but overall it's a useless gesture.  The Bulls will make the playoffs, but are a first round sweep waiting to happen for the Celtics and Pistons of the league.  Its a pity, though, because they are just 2 or 3 pieces away from being a real power.  GRADE P (Poor)

Portland Trailblazers: WOW!  This is a team of the future, no question about it.  When they get a bit older, a bit more seasoned, and get 100% healthy, this is the team that will dominate the Western Conference after the Spurs' age finally makes them drop off the Title radar.  They play exciting, energetic, fan friendly ball with just enough defense to make you realize that when they "grow up" and become veterans they will have little or no competition in defense or offense.  They have made Portland a fun team again, and can even make some of us forget about the "Jailblazers".  GRADE: E (Exceeds Expectations)

Dallas Mavericks: I will wrap this blog up with Big D, which for me means Big Disappointment.  I just can't get a handle on this team anymore it seems.  Last year they played all 82 regular season games at a Playoff intensity, only to find they didn't have another gear to move in to when OTHER teams (Golden State) played at THEIR intensity level.  This year they just seem to be going through the motions, it almost seems like they are afraid to get on a huge roll like they did last year because they wont have anything to draw upon come playoff time.  Jason Terry seems to be the only Mav playing with anything resembling energy and desire, Dirk looks like a statue most of the time, and Avery looks like he too is trying to figure out just what the hell this team is thinking.  They are playing like a team afraid to succeed, and unless they get it together during the 2nd half of the season this is another playoff debacle just waiting to happen.  GRADE A (Acceptable)

Last minute thoughts: 

Is it just me or does Isiah Thomas have to have some incriminating film of the Knicks' owner fornicating with various farm animals in order to keep his job?   I have never seen such incompetence rewarded with continued employment in over 30 years of watching the NBA. 

Speaking of incompetence, isn't it about time someone in Minnesota told Kevin McHale it's the 21st century now, you can draft big men and use your free agent money to bring in GOOD players?

I keep hoping Baron Davis' body holds up for the entire season and playoffs, he's one of the best point guards to ever play the game, but never got his due because of his continued health problems.  GOOD LUCK BARON!!!

You would think that before the Seattle Sonics move they would at least ensure they will give their new city a truly competetive product.  Durant's the only reason people watch this team right now, and he's going to probably end up like LeBron, a great player with VERY mediocre talent around him that he will have to make look like stars night in and night out.

Jason Kidd's mustache makes him look like Joe Pantoliano's long lost twin brother.  Shave that thing JK!!

Just some various things that are flittering around in my head today I thought I would share:

 - Was it just me or was (once again) Stephen A Smith on ESPN being just a plain old fashioned JERK when it came to the discussions about the Kobe Bryant situation?  Especially when it came to the question of whether or not Kobe was right in taking this to media first rather than the Laker's front office.  I can respect that everyone has an opinion, but why does this guy have to take EVERY differing opinion from his own as a personal affront and try to win the "arguement" by simply yelling?  He is probably good for ratings in some ways, but personally?  I see him starting to respond to something I reach for the remote.

 - Congratulations to the Spurs on making the NBA Finals once again.  Do I like the team?  Nah, I never made any secret about that.  But I always give the devil their dues, and there's no question that the Spurs right now are playing some very strong, very passionate team ball.  So congratulations and good luck in the finals, Spurs, I think you have a VERY good chance of winning the title this year.

 - Is it just me or is Jeff Van Gundy proving to be the ONLY ESPN commentator with any passion on the game play-by-play ?  I find myself watching the games just to hear this man respond to the VERY obvious fawning made by his other two commentators.  While they try to justify nearly every call, he calls a #### a #### and says hey, that was a bad call, or that was a good call, and STANDS by his opinion!  WOW, a commentator with class on ESPN, what is the world coming to!

 - Read my blog on the Kobe Bryant situation for the details, but the bottom line is still this, neither the Lakers NOR Kobe want a trade to happen, this is just another example of the Kobe First Rules, and for a trade to happen would be one of the biggest shockers in recent NBA history.  But both parties have no one to blame for this situation but themselves, the Lakers for hitching their wagons to Kobe, and Kobe for basically causing a potential dynasty to be dismantled due to petulence and petty infighting over who has the biggest star or the biggest paycheck.  Such a pity, the Lakers could still be winning titles if they could have found a way for everyone to live together.

 - So if this guy ( I forgot his name) that's gonna be drafted number one this summer, is going to bring possibly a title to the north west ?  I dunno, the Trailblazers and Sonics seem to me to be more than just one star player away from a title run.  First off the Blazers have to be able to let go of their passle of lawyers they have to have on staff to keep up with all the court cases, it's getting in the way of the salary cap *grin*, and second the Sonics have to just set a case of C4 under the team, blow it up, and start over with Ray Allen as the aging veteran, and go from there.  Just adding one star player right out of the draft is not going to make THAT much difference folks.  They might make the playoffs next year, but that's about it, be honest.

 - My congratulations to both the Pistons and the Cavs for giving us at least ONE competetive series in the conference finals.  Frankly for all it's bad play, this has still been one of the more competetive series in the entire playoffs!  The bad plays to a degree are at least caused by the other teams more often than not, instead of just plain ineptness by supposed professionals.  Frankly I thnk either team could beat the Spurs in the finals, but only if Detroit cleans up it's game, and the Cavs do NOT wake up to the fact that they are just one step away from the Finals.

 - Speaking of the Pistons, WHEN is someone gonna finally step up to Rasheed Wallace and say "Sheed, two words - GROW UP!".  Good lord this man is a 5 year old in a hulking body, and nothing has really changed since the days when he choked out his own bloody coach!  He whines and cries and whines and cries and then tries to cover up for it by making semi-spectacular plays, all the while making the refs tired of his rhetoric and in my own opinion, more willing to overlook a foul or two simply because they wanna #### Sheed off!  Just look at his 'Shirt throwing" after game 4 the other night as just the latest example in a career full of incidents.  Talented player?  Yes.  Gifted player?  Not really.  Whining detriment to his team?  ABSOLUTELY!

 - Last but not least, a couple predictions:  (1)  There will be a 7 game NBA finals, regardless of who the Spurs face.  (2) Just prior to draft day, there will be one, maybe two BLOCKbuster trades, involving at least one of more of the following teams:  Nets, Lakers, Bulls, Suns, Blazers, Rockets, Hawks.  (3) Someone will find Vince Carter's old pair of Air Jordans and return them to him, allowing him to once again be Half-Man, Half-Amazin!

Ok, Im out!

Ok, Ill admit it, Im a Jordan-fan.  Ive loved the Bulls ever since I first saw Jordan play, and I had the pleasure of seeing him many times here in Phoenix, and once even in Chicago when I was on a business trip to the Windy City.  After the dynasty was broke up, I still rooted for the Bulls, even tho they had little/no chance of winning. 

Then the Bulls brought in Scott Skiles, and I was jazzed.  Being a Suns fan and knowing the style of play Skiles demands of his players from his days as a coach here, I knew the Bulls would make a turn-around within 2 seasons, and it turns out I was right on the money. 

That being said, now that the Bulls have shaken up the eastern conference a bit, and are already being talked about as possible favorites for next year's Eastern Conference title, what do they need to do to fulfill that promise?

The answer is surprisingly little, to be honest.  The Bulls are maybe one or two solid bench players from an NBA title.  Their combination of youth and strength in their starting unit is extremely impressive, and with Ben Wallace having at least 3 years left on his window as a top flight player, this means a title run is totally in the cards. 

But they have to take a couple chances, and look for some solid talent off the benches of some of the weaker NBA teams.  Unheralded players that are either very young and underused, or extremely talents but only in a role playing type specification.  Frankly I would look at the benches of Indiana, Atlanta, and Seattle, 3 of the more productive benches of this past NBA season, and make a few trades or free agent offers to get a more solid secondary unit and 2 more role players.

Whatever the Bulls do, the starting five MUST be kept as is, they are an extremely potent group, and capable of going up against any starting 5 from any other team in the NBA.  It's their bench that hurts them, however.  Shore up the bench, get 2 more role players, and Bulls can easily make another title run, especially as their extremely young core of players come in to their own and enter their prime playing years. 

Bulls fans, take heart - with the right couple of moves from the front office, we can once again stand up and say WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!

My apologies for this being a rather short analysis, but of all the playoff teams that are out now, in my mind there is less wrong with the Bulls than any other team.  They are so close to having the talent to win a title it's scary.

Next Blog:  Los Angeles Lakers