The last post, “having the world by the balls and throwing it away”, was a negative post on athletes that literally have the worl by the gonads and flush it down the toilet.  Since we all agree there are many of these morons out there, let’s move on.  I am in a people related business, and a salesman, therefore I try to look at life through a half full glass and think positively.  So let’s look at some of the athletes that we SHOULD be hearing more about, rather than T.O.’s $9,500 fine, or the latest Vikings player arrest.  Let’s take a look at the good citizens in sports.  I am sure there a ton of them out there, so I am sure I will miss some, but I am listing some here that I have read about and enjoyed.  I encourage anyone else with a story about an athlete who is a good citizen, and made the most out of their situation.  

I am starting with the hometown receiver here in Denver.  Rod Smith, an unheard of wideout from Central Missourri State, came into Denver, only to not make the roster and get placed on the practice squad.  While some would fold like a cheap suit, Rod worked even harder.  He sucked it up, said to himself “it’s just not my time” and worked his tail off.  He is now one of the best WR’s in the NFL.  If you went to every GM in the game, they would want Smith on their team.  Always producing, and on top of that a good citizen in the community.  He was nominated for  the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which celebrates being a good citizen off the field.  He is well respected and is never on the news for possession of cocaine or getting caught with a gun in his car.  He is getting older and instead of ####ing about not getting as many touches, he takes the opportunity to help the younger wideouts and help his team.  Rod Smith is definitely someone who sucked it up and made the most out of their situation.  

 The second athlete that I will tell you about is a local Denver NBA player, by the name of Dermarr Johnson.  DJ had it all going for him, an exceptional athlete at the University of Cincinnati, and part of the Freshman All-American team his rookie season in the NCAA’s.  He declared for the NBA draft after his freshman year, and was drafted by Atlanta with the 6th draft pick in the 2000 NBA draft.  He struggled his first year as a Hawk, the he improved in his second year.  Then he had a twist of fate, a horrible car accident.  He broke 4 vertabrae in his neck, and was forced into wearing a “halo” to have the bones correct themselves.  Many doubted that he would play basketball ever again.  However, DJ had second thoughts.  Rehabbing himself back into shape after his bones healed, and working hard, Johnson played in some semi pro leagues to try to get a chance to play in the NBA once again.  He eventually made it and now is a guard/forward here in Denver(assuming he resigns).  At any rate, rather than giving up after his accident that nearly cost him his life, he remained positive and made the comeback.  Rather than be a victim, or as I like to call them, victocrats, he sucked it up, and worked hard and made the most out of his situation, and made it back to the NBA.  

 The last athlete I will discuss is the Ex-Avalanche player, Steve Moore.  We all remember the Mob like hit from Bertuzzi to Moore on the Ice on that dreaded day in Vancouver, no need to rehash that ridiculous event.  Moore suffered several injuries to his neck, deemed doubtful to ever play hockey again, let alone in the NHL.  Now, to be honest with everyone, I am not sure what Moore is up to these days.  But what I was able to find out is that as of February of ’06, he is doing full workouts and skating again.  That is good enough for me for an athlete who sucked it up and worked hard.   

 So you see, it isn’t all about being one of the best, like Rod Smith.  It isn’t about being an NBA Journeyman like Dermarr Johnson is likely and has been.  It isn’t about playing in the NHL like Steve Moore probably will never do.  It is about being positive and making the most out of your life.  This is the credo I attempt to live by on a daily basis.  The people and athletes you hear little about are the ones that need to be talked about.  They are doing the right things and working hard, not out sniffing cocaine and getting hookers, and raping women.  

 These examples are obviously from my hometown of Denver.  So I ask you, who are the people in your city who have sucked it up worked hard and made the most out of their situation?

In light of the recent Maurice Clarett debacle, I have decided to reflect on some athletes who had the world in the palm of their hand, and then chose to throw it away.  It is happening too often, seeing athletes with the potential fame and fortune, throw away their life's work and dreams on some poor decisions.  Let's start with the most recent and obvious, Maurice Clarett. 

"Yeah that's right, I F'd up....again"

Clarett won the NCAA Championship game for Ohio State when he was a freshman.  He had all the hype with him, and was proving that he was the man in the college scene amongst running backs.  This is the high point of his life.  Clarett's ego was swelling, and accompanied with some bad advice from agents and Jim Brown and others, Clarett decided to try to go to the NFL, a season before he was eligible.  He then spent the next year of his life battling it out with the NFL and the courts.  The NFL won.  Why did this one man think he could overturn a longtime standing NFL rule?  Bad advice and a big ego.  Why did he not just stay in college one more year?  He would have been the big man on campus, perhaps win another title, and probably still get paid.  Then he would have gone to the NFL, probably a top 10 pick I would guess.  But he chose delusions of grandeur and tried to test the waters.  He failed.  He then was in trouble with the law for insurance scams.  Then, for what reason I don't know, he gets a second chance.  The Broncos draft him and bring him into training camp.  Clarett, then arrives overweight and gets cut from the team.  Second chance blown.  Now, he is obviously in trouble.  This young man had the world in the palm of his hand, and threw it all away.  Could've made more money than most of us will see in a lifetime, and threw it all away.

Who else is on this list?

How about the NBA, and Leon Smith.  Do you remember this story?  he actually got paid, and then threw it all away.  Here is the story if you care to read. http://www.sportslawnews.com/archive/Mark's%20Vie
w/Thought27.html

And what about Rick Tocchet?  I am sure he collected enough wealth throughout his playing and coaching career to not need to start up a bookmaking business.  Talk about making the wrong decision, now he is probably looking at some long hard time.

Obviously the tops on the charts, would have to be Ray Carruth.  I am not even going to waste my time refreshing you all on his story, I am sure you all remember it well.

Another NBA guy, Chris Andersen.   Prohibited to play in the NBA for 2 years because he did some type of hard drug.  The NBA only bans players like this without warning for extreme substances.  Andersen had virtually no game, other than dunking, but he had managed to stick around in the NBA for a while.  Again, bad choices have started his demise.

Who else?  Shoeless Joe?  Stanley Roberts?  Half of the Tour De France?  Dale Carter?

It seems as though the list doesn't stop.

I would like to hear your opinions as well.  This is the first of a two part series, with the next installment being "Athletes that sucked it up, worked hard and made the most out of their situation.  I know, not a very catchy title, but it sums up what I want to get accross.

Who else had the world by the balls and threw it away?

If you are like me, you might have a Sunday ritual of going down to your local watering hole for a good round of NFL action.  I am often seen there on Saturdays as well.  Many of us that enjoy a beer here and there, or 20 over the course of the day, all have a favorite sports bar that we are patrons at. 

I travel on business a fair amount, and have been to many cities, such as Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas and a few others.  I always try to find the good sports bars to take in a game and a few beverages after closing whatever deal I am working on.

I have a few favorite sports bars here in Denver for any of you visiting.

If I am watching NFL on Sunday, then I go to the chain sports bar, Champps Bar & Grill.  These are located in several states, but provide a good atmosphere, plus it is centrally located between myself and my friends.   My most memorable moment there was watching the Broncos vs. Patriots in last years playoffs, and watching Champ Bailey return the interception thrown by Tom Brady back about 105 yards.  The DJ then threw on "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and the bar was singing in unison and jumping up and down.  Beer was going everywhere. It was like being at a rock concert, and I will never forget it.

If I am going to a Rockies game, then I enjoy a refreshing beverage at Above the Dove(former name, now referred to as The Tavern Rooftop).  Not really a sports bar, but it is right accross the street from Coors Field and you can sit on the rooftop and often catch a player from the Avalanche, Nuggets, or Broncos there.  My most memorable moment was getting to shake the hand of Luis Gonzalez, of the Arizona D-Backs, after a game they had with the Rockies.  How many of us can say we shook a world series champions hand?  Pretty neat in my opinion.

If I am watching NBA action, I sit on the couch.  I have the League Pass, and hey, plenty of beer in the fridge, plus it is cheaper.  My most memorable moment, well, I can't say or my wife would kill me.

If I am going to a Nuggets game, i always go to Brooklyn's.  Good drinks, good food and a ton of people on game nights, plus plenty of screens for the other games that are going on currently.  There is another Brooklyn's next to Invesco field, which is my favorite if i am going to a Broncos game.  On game day, they have an outdoor area with a grill going, plenty of brats, hotdogs, or burgers with sides for $5.  A great deal. All of the Sunday morning games are on many different TV's and the atmosphere is excellent.  I can recall being there at 10 am many sundays when I was a season ticket holder.

So, there you go.  Those are my favorite local sports bars.   So please let me know what you favorite is, and next time I am traveling to your city, I will try to be a customer.  Thanks for your reading,

RP

So, which doo do you prefer, nash's new cut, or the old greasy look?  These pictures are in order: Nash's new doo(from the arizona republic website), doo when he first entered the league (nba.com), and his greasy doo(steve-nash.net).  Which do you prefer?

OR

OR

WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

Sitting here on the 17th of July, I don't know where my beloved Nuggets are going.  Seeing the team crawl out of the cellar of the NBA and entering the playoffs the past 3 seasons has been awesome.  It would be nice to win a playoff series though.  So it leads me to some questions.  Where are the Nuggets going to be on day 1 of the NBA season?  A few factors are in this question...

1.)  They paid Carmelo...good decision.  Needed to lock up the player that has essentially made us a playoff hopeful year in and year out.

 2.) Nene signing for 60 million?  Hey, I hope Nene works out, but call me crazy, $60 mill for a guy who played in less than 1 game last year and tore his ACL seems a bit steep.  Nene could end up being great, and I hope he is, but he could also be a flop.  He is athletic and strong, but has no shooting touch.  So if he can't dunk, he is limited.  He needs to embrace the rebounding game and be one of the leagues best rebounders.

3.)  I would've thought they would have had K-Mart out of town by now.  Is he going to be on the roster at the start of the year?  That ought to be interesting.  If he is still on the team, their should be all sorts of chemistry issues after the war between Martin and Karl last year.

4.)  I think the Answer coming to Denver is a long shot at this point.  We have however, according to rumor will be picking up JR Smith.  While young and could have decent potential, Denver is still without a solid shooter. 

5.) We have no Gm right now.  This is a vital time, trading and signing players to contracts and we haven't even formally announced a new GM yet, after Kiki was let go.  Who is guiding this ship?

6.) I think the Nuggs are going to match the offer sheet for Francisco Elson that he received from the Spurs.  That will make it Camby, Nene, Martin, Elson, Najera, possibly Reggie Evans if resigned in the front court.  Too many forwards and centers in the mix, not enough time, spells for bad attitudes.  They need to do something here.

So, what the hell are the nuggets going to amount to this year?  My guess is a repeat performance of last year, a subpar record, sliding into the playoffs, and losing in the first round because we have no shooters.  I hope this isn't the case, but what hope do we have as of right now?  If this happens, then blow up the team and start from scratch around Carmelo next year.  The nuggets need to make some changes, and need to make some changes quick.  Mediocrity is not an option anymore, and I can't handle another 11-71 season.

...hopefully the future is bright

The other thing that is fishy is on nuggets.com, the organization recently started a nuggets blog to refute some rumors in the media.  Their first post was May 6th, and they haven't put up another blog yet.  They aren't releasing any information, such as Greg Buckner leaving Denver and going to Dallas.  That seems like something they should address on their "blog".  No news around Denver, I feel like we are ripe for the fall, but I certainly hope not. 

My suggestion is to go back to the old Rainbow Uni's, bring in Alex English for the vacancy at assistant coach, and hope for the best.

There are a few things that are ok in moderation.  Going out on Sunday before a work week in moderation is ok.  Going to a Poison concert in moderation is ok.  Drinking in moderation is ok.  Eating mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings right before bed in moderation is ok(not really).  Now if you do like I did last night though, and do all previous events in one evening...you dont feel to well on Monday morning.  Any of you ever been there?  A long Sunday night followed by a tough Monday?  It has happened to a lot of us. 

This leads me to a few monday thoughts that I have on my mind, since I am not the most productive today. 

First of all, according to insidehoops.com, my beloved nuggets are going to trade to get JR Smith, who was just traded to the Bulls.  They are giving up a washed up howard eisly and 2 2nd round draft picks.  I guess since second round draft picks are a #### shoot, this is probably a good trade.  JR Smith is still a young pup, with a chance to improve and be a solid contributor off the bench.

Second of all, did I mention it was nice to see I am losing my shirt on Frontier Airlines stock?  Not so much fun to see after a long Sunday evening.

Thirdly...not that NBA summer league matters, but the nuggets came in second, with only one loss, yet they dont get a player on the Vegas Summer League All star Team (first or second team).

Fourthly, after a promissing first half of the season, the Rockies are coming into their own be going on an impressive 0-7 streak.  For once, Colorado's starting pitching is holding their own, only to have the BP come in and mess it all up.  I have mentally prepared myself for the second half collapse we have become accustomed to here in Denver.  Still hanging on to that Wild Card berth from many, many years a go.

Five, i was watching HBO the other day and they had a special on the Juice, OJ SImpson.  They showed footage of his USC days, and it looked just like Reggie Bush.  OJ was a stud in college, but unfortunately, this was before my time. 

Six, does anyone watch the NFL channel and catch the "making the cheerleader" show?  Damn good stuff, my favorite is the Miami girls.

Unlike some of the other bloggers out there who are putting together intelligent, political and high brow blogs, I am merely hung over and throwing some words out there to the sports blogging nation.  Today leads me to ask the rest of you though, what do you do at work on Monday after a long weekend and having a hang over? What is the best monday morning hangover story  you have Me?  I just have a completely meaningless post about some completely random thoughts. 

I asked Dime this question on a comment on his blog, but got no love.  So I willl kick it out there to see if anyone else can give any insight....

While I was heading to Chipolte the other night to get a fat #### burrito, I was listening to the local sports talk show.  They were discussing why Lebron was holding out on agreeing to the terms of his contract for so long.  Others like Carmelo and Wade had already in principle agreed to their contracts, so why wasn't Lebron?  Then they came out with this:

These radio guys, refered to as "the 2 live stews" were saying that while Lebron is signed with Nike for his shoe endorsement, his contract has a clause that states if he plays in LA, Chicago, or New York, he would receive a $100 million bonus.  Then they went on to discuss how the NJ Nets are going to make a jump to Brooklyn, NY here in the next few years under the guidance of Jay Z, a partial owner of the Nets.  They said that LBJ and Jay Z are close and it could be a natural fit for Lebron.  $100 Million is more than his salary,  so why wouldn't he jump to one of these cities.

Now that LeBron has signed with Cleveland for 3 years, I am wondering, since the Nets are moving to Brooklyn supposedly I believe in 2009(3 years from now), is this the reason Lebron went for the three year deal with Cleveland rather than the 5 year?  Is he going to try to win a championship in CLeveland and then leave in three years to cash in?

These radio guys made another point, if all of this is true, Stern has to be pretty pissed that an outside company can so heavily influence the placing of a player in his league.  I thought this was all interesting and I wanted to see if anyone else out there had heard these rumors and their thoughts.

I am tired of the big whigs in the NBA walking on egg shells to make people happy instead of making the hard stand they need to in order to return the NBA to its days in the 80's and even early 90's.  Stern wants an age limit, and to his credit, he put one in place.  But he only raised it from 18 to 19.  I mean come on people.

When this was on the table with the players union all you could hear people say is how the NBA was taking away peoples ability to pursue the career and dream of their choice, and one's right to earn a living.  I say this is a load of ####.  They aren't taking away anyone's dream, they are just delaying it so that they can come into the league more prepared.  Most of the drafts in the 80's and early 90's consisted of College upper classmen who could come in and make an impact on their team.  Now except the occasional Lebron or Wade, the NBA drafts on potential.  Please reference the Sonics pick this year at #10, Sear Sene, who I believed averaged like 4 PPG in some International League. 

I am here to say the NBA needs to implement an minimum age rule similar to the NFL, three full seasons after you graduate high school.  If you remember, Maurice Clarett(broncos bust of a draft pick) tried to sue the NFL and lost, because the NFL has a set of brass you know whats.  The NBA doesn't want to offend anyone, so they settled on 19.  They were afraid of the players union.  I say tell the players union like it is, and if they dont lilke it, then good luck finding jobs out here in the "real world" like the rest of us hard working stiffs.  The owners should be ok with that, they have plenty of money anyway...see Paul Allen, owner of the Trailblazers, or Mark Cuban owner of the Mavericks.   

I dont see how the argument of discrimination, or taking away one's right to earn a living come into play.  I truly don't .  My former employer required that I had a college degree or 5 years exprerience to get a job there.  Honestly, can anyone tell me the difference between that and the NBA saying you have to have three seasons after you graduate before you can play in the NBA?  It's not like playing in the NBA is the only job in America.  The players could always sell insurance, sack groceries, sell security systems, be a gas station attendent and so on.  Can't you see it?  Last time I looked, the NBA is a business, who's goal is to make money, so why can't they put into effect any rule they want?

Anyone remember when Kobe Bryant was drafted?  It took him a while to get adjusted to the NBA, and after a couple of seasons he had turned into one of the best.  Now wouldn't have been nice to see him get that experience in college for a few years and then get drafted?  Why do we have to watch subpar basketball for a few years from some players when they could be doing it in college.

And speaking of college, Whoa!  Think about some of the potential teams you could have seen there!  I can see a UNC lineup of Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter, ANtawn Jamison and Kobe Bryant.  You think they would've won a few championships?  But that is a story for another day.

It is time for the NBA to buck up and quit letting the inmates run the asylum(not sure if I spelled that right).  Mr. Stern, grow a set and hold a firm line.  Your league, while still wildly successful, is ripe for a fall if things continue in their current path.  The NFL has it figured out, which is why they are the best league in the land to watch.  Minimum age/experience requirements and NON GUARANTEED contracts.  Yet another thing I am sick of.  Players is the NFL complaining that the contract is one sided.  Well, welcome to the real world.  Most of us out here in the "normal world"...wait I had better define that.  The normal world is the world where if we as normal people are driving down the road drunk, watching porn, and treating our bodies like a circus while behind the wheel(see Eddie Griffin) and hit somebody, we go to jail.  The normal world is also a world of non guaranteed contracts, where any of us who have worked for a company can be fired at anytime.  Why should overpaid athletes be any different?  I dunno, maybe I am off base...

I have been out of commission for a while now...something to do with starting a new business from scratch and working my #### off.  Anyway, I am getting back into the swing of things now and have decided to ring in on thsi Allen Iverson trade rumor. 

I have said in the past I am a Denver Nuggets fan...a die hard denver nuggets fan.  I remember holding season tickets during the 2003 season where the team registered an outstanding 17 wins.  I paid $375 for the entire season, it was great.  However, after beer, parking and hot dogs, I was probably out about 5 grand.  I then signed up the next season for $575 for the entire season, Carmelo's first season.  It was great, my seats were 15 rows off the baseline and then nuggets had to win their last two games of the season at home to go to the playoffs and did...everyone around me(the longtime nuggets fans) were in tears.  Ah Memories...those seats are now going for about $2500 a seat for the season.

Anyway, I digress...back to the original point.  I have read recently in the Denver Post that the Nuggets are interested in the Answer to be their answer.  THe rumored trade includes Andre Miller and either Marcus Camby, Nene, or Kenyon Martin.  Assuming the salary numbers work out, I welcome this trade.  The nuggets need a shooter, lord knows last year in the playoffs they couldn't throw it in the ocean, or hit the broad side of a barn, whatever your favorite cliche' is.  Nightmares of watching Greg Buckner toss up brick after brick from the trey line still haunt me.

Here is why I welcome the trade.

1.  Andre Miller can not shoot outside of 15 feet.  While he runs the break nicely and can score inside for a point guard, his lack of shotting ability from the outside locks up Denver's offense.  The other PG just stands at the free throw line taunting him to shoot.  and he doesn't, because he can't.  the defensive player just clogs everything up.

2.  I would prefer it not be Camby, he is a part of the heart and soul of this team.  That being said, I would trade him if it meant getting Iverson.  Camby is good for 50-60 games a year, and the Nuggets could always resign Francisco Elson to fill his spot, or Nene should he stay.  I would prefer to trade Nene out of the big men I have mentioned....I am still amazed that a player that is athletic and can only dunk the ball can get 60 million over 6 years after tearing his ACL.  Unbelieveable. 

3.  Acquiring Iverson would give them something we have not had in my lifetime.  Two 26 PPG scorers.  Anthony averaged around 26 last year and A.I was at 33PPG or so...Sounds good to me.  Throw in an athletic and recovered Kenyon Martin(mentally and physically) and we have a pretty good scoring and athletic core with Iverson, Anthony and Martin...Hell, they could go out and sign melo's good friend and Syracuse clutch preformer Gerry McNamara to distribute the ball to all of these guys...

Anyway, those are my thoughts, and if it happens, I am predicting the Nuggets will finally win a playoff series this year...PLEASE Philadelphia, make this trade a reality.

Anyone else agree?

I am going to warn you, I could be biased. However, I am sick of the NBA playoffs...in the western conference at least. After seeing the refs allow the Lakers to beat the Suns, and seeing the Clippers beat the Nuggets, I am convinced that the NBA and its officials have conspired to have the 2nd round be Lakers v Clippers. You watch, the Suns stand no chance of winning their series.

I am here to tell you that there is a conspiracy theory. Let's start with the series that just ended. I am not going to deny that the Clip Show was the better team. However, the fouls that are called on each end seemed like to different games throughout the series. Nuggets players being checked throughout the game, Clippers players being breathed on and getting the foul called. Tonight is the first night I have ever seen a player(Carmelo Anthony) with a clear path to the basket on a fast break commit a offensive foul. How the hell do you commit a foul with a clear path? Someone please explain that one too me.

And secondly lets chat about the Clippers. I am pissed off right now. The 4th quarter of the final game of the series, I had to listen to TNT say how good of an owner Donald Sterling is and how long the Clippers have waited to win a playoff series. Recount the unquantifiable amount of players that this owner has let go. This guy is all about money and not winning. This organization has historically been one of the losingest teams in the NBA, yet one of the most profitable. I don't need to have the rest of my night wasted listening to how this owner deserves this playoff victory because he decided to resign Brand and Magette....keep in mind he only resigned them after they were signing with other teams. Or in other words, he wanted to get them for as cheap as he possibly could. Forget signing them proactively, lets see what we will have to pay them. I am ok with wanting to make money. Hey, we live in a capitalistic society. But don't put the guy on a pedestal because he decided to try and win instead of improving the bottom line.

TNT kept talking about the Clipper faithful. Hey, I will give Billy Crystal his due, he has been a Clipper fan forever...but you and I both know that 80% of that crowd tonight couldn't even name five clipper players until they heard the starting lineup. I can't stand bandwagoneer's and pretty much anyone execpt Billy Crystal is a bandwagoneer. I know because I have seen Clipper games on TV with less than 2,000 people in the stands.

 Lastly, lets talk about that Laker game. I will leave you with this thought....If the situation were reversed, do you think Kobe would have received the foul call? In the end of regualtion or in overtime? Let me know what you think...I already know the answer. There is a conspiracy going on here and JFK ain't in the mix. The battle of Los Angeles WILL happen. If you are a bettor I would be playing heavy money on Los Angeles in Phoenix tommorrow. THanks for your time and I am out like the Nuggets, but hey at least we still have the Avs...And the Broncos will win the Super Bowl next year.

The day after the Nuggets victory…what a sweet day it is.  Since the Nuggs shot a blistering 39% and got the ‘W’, I will spend some time today wondering this question: Why do people hate winners?  Here are a couple of conversations I have had at my local watering hole:

Conversation #1:

(Bar Patron) “I hope LSU beats Duke tonight!  It looks like it is going to happen!”

(Myself) “Why do you hope the blue devils lose?”

(Bar Patron) “I just can’t stand them, they win all the time and I hate those American Express Commercials.”

Conversation #2:

(Bar Patron) “Man I hope Tiger chokes down the stretch.”

(Myself) “Really?  Why is that?”

(Bar Patron) “He just wins too much.  Plus I don’t like his little celebrations.”

Hey, I am human.  I can understand the dislike of Coach K's Amex commercials that run every twenty seconds or so during march madness.  But it is conversations like these that make me wonder, why do people despise winners?  Why do people shun excellence in the sports world and not admire success?

There are several teams and players that people love to hate for no other reason than that they win more than others.  If I hear one more person say they hope Tiger Woods loses I will cringe.  An example should be made out of Tiger.  He is what all golfers should strive to be.  He has made it on the tour through nothing but hard work, and fans despise him for it.  Don’t like the celebrations or tantrums?  Heaven forbid, a golfer actually look passionate about the game he plays.  He is THE most dominant person in golf and will continue to win.  Why does everyone hate Tiger Woods so much?  Phil Mickelson has now won 3 majors…are people going to start hating him now?

We all know the teams people love to hate…the Yankees, Duke, Notre Dame, just to name a few.  I can understand the Yankees situation is a bit different because they basically have a blank check and can buy any player they want.  This is why baseball for the betterment of the sport should do profit sharing amongst the teams and have a salary cap.  But I digress, that is a bullet point for another day.  But all the teams listed above have one thing in common.  Historically they are winners.  Why do we hate winners?

Can anyone shed some light on this for me?  I can understand why Red Sox Fans hate the Yankees, they are bitter rivals.  Hell, I can’t stand CU as a Colorado State Grad.  I can understand the bitter animosity for another team when they are your rival.  What I don’t understand is despising a team or player because they are good at winning.  Just one man’s opinion…I am out like Kenyon Martin.

A few quick thoughts for today…

Did anyone else watch that Grizzlies-Mavericks game last night?  After the first quarter I thought the Griz might be able to make a game of it…but then the worst basketball I have ever seen played occurred.  Come on Grizzlies, 48 points in the last 3 quarters? 20 turnovers?  I actually committed a crime last night…about 8 minutes to go in the fourth, I gave the control to my wife.  Yep, let me repeat that…I gave the REMOTE CONTROL TO MY WIFE.  This was the worst display of "Professionalism" that I have seen in a while. That is all I have to say about this game…this is the playoffs isn’t it?

Ok, I can’t quit talking about the Griz.  I haven’t seen much of Pau Gasol this year, but he has looked God awful in the first two playoffs games.  Is he playing basketball or trying out for the part of Moses in the next installment of The Ten Commandments? Quit practicing splitting the red sea and put the ball in the basket for cyrin out loud…Am I missing something here? How did Gasol get the All Star nod over Carmelo?

I have overcome my Phoenix Suns complex.  I now will state that the Lakers will win this playoff series.  Defense wins playoff games, and quite frankly, Phoenix can’t play a lick of it.  Every time they needed a stop, LA Lakeshow came up with a big play.  Either a big Odom trey…or Kobe taking advantage of a photo op by dunking all over Nash(This was a good call, Kobe was already in the air).  In short, Phoenix is an offensive phenom, but can’t demand a defensive stop like other teams like the Pistons and Spurs.  Wasn’t the blank look on D’Antoni’s face priceless all night?  He didn’t know what to do, reminded me of when he was here in Denver…

Kudos to Kobe for being a true leader of men.  Aside from scoring 29 last night, he has his team believing they can win and performing at a high level…

Here’s to getting Denver a win tonight at the Can.  With Martin suspended, the Nuggets should have a shot to win.  Don’t believe me?  IN the 38 games Martin has not played in over the past 2 years, the Nuggs are 29-9.  Look for the series to go back to Staples at 2-2.  Just a slight warning though, the prediction I just made might be the homer in me shining through... 

Thanks for your time, Please let me know if I am off base...

King James is one of the best players, if not THE best player in the NBA.  However, in game 2 against the Bullets…er…Wizards, his age and youth showed through.  Game 2 was obviously an important game for both teams. Cleveland could extend its lead to 2-0 and have a firm grasp on the series, or the Wizards could shift the home court advantage with a win. 

It was obvious all night that the Wizards Gilbert Arenas wanted the ball in his hands and was going to do what ever it took to win this game for his team.  LeBron, I would have to say was the opposite.  Where was the LeBron from game 1?  You remember him, the one who was looking to score every time he touched the ball and put up a triple double?  Not that he is going to putting up those numbers every game, but game 2 LeBron must have been trying to pad the assist stat column, because I have never seen him so passive.

Aside from being passive the whole game, He made several rookie errors down the stretch in the last 2 minutes of the game.  Starting with the jumpball after the tie up.  The ball is tipped towards the baseline and LeBron casually jogs after it and then saves it directly under the Wizards hoop where Arenas grabs the ball and gets the bucket plus one.  Where do I start….this is the playoffs…He should be going after the ball as if his life depended on it, especially in the last two minutes with your team trailing.  Secondly, DON’T SAVE THE BALL UNDER YOUR OPPONENTS BASKET!  This is basketball 101.  Had King James gone to Duke for a year, I am sure Coach K would have taught him that principle.

Now lets move to the end of the game, the Cavs down three with 20 seconds to go and they have the ball.  LeBron, decides to pass up on the three to try and get the quick two.  There is only one problem with this scenario.  James wasn’t passing to Drew Gooden who had a great game and could convert the layup, he was giving it to Anderson Varejao, who had 0 points and not one attempted field goal in the game.  Varejao fumbles the rock, fouls Antawn Jamison, and that is the ball game.  KYP, another principle coach K might have been able to teach LeBron had he become a blue devil.

I thought Mr. James had a sub par game, then I looked down at the stat line and he still managed to have 26 points.  No doubt he is a great player and I am sure he will rebound and have a great game in game three.  Kudos to LeBron in the postgame for commenting that no one on the Cavs showed up for game 2.  I always like it when the leader of the team is honest. 

My opinion, LeBron needs to hang on to the ball, and launch the three for the tie.  To me, it looked like he had the spacing and had a nice look at the rim.  Plus last time I checked, they don’t make commercials about Varejao…at least not in the states.  LeBron you are the man, take the shot at the end of the game in the clutch and lead your team to victory.  Let’s see if he does that next time.

With the Nuggets down 0-2 against the Clippers in the Western Divisional Playoffs, many are starting to question Carmelo’s ability to get it done in the playoffs.  Anthony should be used to this criticism since he has received little respect since his arrival in the NBA.  Take a look at Anthony’s NBA career and see what you think.  Here are some examples of how Carmelo has been raked over the coals.

Anthony should have won the Rookie of the Year award in the 03-04 season.  Look at the stats from that season between King James and Carmelo.  Anthony averaged more points per game, more rebounds per game, higher field goal percentage, higher 3 point percentage, higher free throw percentage, and fewer turnovers per game.  Lebron did surpass Anthony in assists per game…maybe that is how the NBA decides Rookie of the Year.  Personally, I could care less about stats, it all comes down to performance and wins and losses for me.  Guess what?  Anthony led Denver to a 43-39 season, and to the playoffs.  Mr. James was watching ‘Melo in the playoffs from a suite in the Pepsi Center.  I know because I was there.  So the guy with better stats, wins and a playoff performance doesn’t win rookie of the year.  Why? 

Don’t forget about the Olympics.  Carmelo was given the cold shoulder by the Team USA coaching staff and his played sparingly.  No respect shown to the former Syracuse star here.

And then there was the great all-star snub of 2006.  How does the 8^th leading scorer in the NBA get left out of the all-star game?  Anthony is having a career year and was snubbed by the all star voters…shame on the coaches for not selecting him as a reserve and on the public starting 5 voting process. Personally, I am blaming hanging chads.

Why does Anthony not get the respect he deserves?  I can tell you.  He was drafted the same year as King James.  The NBA has selected LeBron as the focal point for the league and will make every effort to have him in front of Carmelo.  LeBron is a great player, one of the best in my opinion…but nobody can deny the facts. Put on the thick skin Carmelo, the respect won’t come…you will always be in James’ shadow, regardless of stats or performance.