By: Kevin Cottrell Jr. 

Just A Thought…

Character vs. Reputation…To be clear, Character is who you are and how you approach life and react in the face of adversity. Reputation is simply what others think of you. For some reason many of us tend to think we have “a reputation to uphold” but few of us realize the true importance of building our character. Let’s take a couple of athletes for example. In baseball, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton returned a last season from a 2-year ban for drug & alcohol abuse. After returning to the Majors Josh became the poster boy for recovering addicts. He was as clean as can be and even became an All-Star. However, this past January Hamilton had a relapse and pictures recently surfaced of Hamilton drunk (and or high) in a bar. Clearly it was a mistake and he assumed all responsibility for his actions and the masses forgave him because of his character. But then there’s Michael Vick. Vick’s reputation is that he’s a vicious killer with no regards for animals. After serving 2 years in Federal custody Vick is attempting to become the “success story” of the NFL. However, Vick was recently seen in an airport bar having a Cocktail (Grey Goose & Cranberry Juice). To many this is a harmless act for a grown man but when you have a reputation that of Vick’s no one even looks at the man’s character. So whether or not you’re an athlete or a middle school teacher, there are always eyes watching you. So be mindful that your reputation is the last thing you should be focused on and your Character is what you must uphold….Play on!

NBA News & Notes

*MIAMI VICE: By now many of you have heard the various reports about Miami Heat F Michael Beasley entering a drug rehab facility. In the era of social media Beasley had the ability to show the world how troubled he may have been. Before Beasley's Twitter account was closed and erased, these three posts were offered…

-- "Y do I feel like the whole world is against me!!!!!!! Back on my FTW!!!!! I can't win for losin!!!!!!!!!!"

-- "Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!! I'm done"

-- "not feelin this at all!!!!!"

Exactly what Michael Beasley meant by his tweets is for you (and the rest of the media) to decide. It’s obvious that being young and inserted into the NBA life can be tough on a young man but hopefully he can take care of things and get back to playing the game he loves. Yo Mike, B-Easy!

*SASHA STINKS!? After going the entire NBA Finals without scoring a basket, Lakers G Sasha Vujacic decided to take his services back home to star on the Slovenian National Team. Obviously he couldn’t find his rhythm in Slovenia either because Sasha was recently cut from the Slovenian National Team, just days before the European Championships are set to begin. If you stink in America and stink in Slovenia it may be safe to say YOU STINK! Get your game together Sasha or trade in your jersey for a whistle, I’m sure they could use your experience as an assistant coach back home!

*FAREWELL TO THE KING! I know many of you are enjoying the end of your summers and not paying attention to nightly ‘casts of Sports Center but this past weekend I caught a very interesting interview with LeBron James. I’m no psychic but something tells me that he’s leaning towards bolting the Cavs in 2010…”No matter what happens that summer, you know, I'm still here. I've got a nice big house here that I'm always coming back to. You know, I love this city and I'll always give back to this city no matter what my profession; if it takes me somewhere else." – LeBron. The King is right he does have a big house to come back to in the off-season because he’ll be looking to purchase a nice deluxe apartment in the sky (of NYC).

*DAY 58: It’s Day 58 of Allen Iverson in Free Agency. Last week he tweeted “My people just informed me that we are getting close to a deal.” Apparently not that close because 7 days later he’s still a free agent. Or is he? Reports are surfacing that the Memphis Grizzles have extended their first formal offer to the future Hall of Famer. Nothing is imminent at this point but we should all have the answer to Iverson’s new home fairly soon.

NFL News & Notes

(Shout out to COREY MAYS for welcoming Brett back with a smackdown!)

*FAVRE-GET IT!…Prior to the beginning of training camp the thought of Brett Favre joining the Vikings seem to make a lot of sense. With a dominating RB and speedy Receivers, Favre appeared to be the “missing link” to reaching the Super Bowl. That was then, now Favre has strolled in 3 weeks late and looked old and slow in his first preseason action. Now the locker room is reportedly “divided” as to who should lead their team. Most players are in favor of Tarvaris being under center while others prefer Sage Rosenfels. Needless to say few are behind Brett and if his play doesn’t improve this coming Monday night the Vikings ship may be destined to sink.

*DH23 BACK FOR PUNTS… Jay Cutler’s return won’t be the only thing worth watching in Denver, Bears fans will get a glimpse of the electric Devin Hester returning punts Sunday night. After two weeks of seeing six different players returning punts for Chicago, its time to let the true pro get his work in. Although Hester won’t (and shouldn’t) take too many chances the mere possibility of him returning a punt is just as exciting as watching Usain Bolt run in the 100m dash!

NFL DIVISION RECAP: Over the past four weeks I’ve broken-down two divisions (one representing each conference) per week. Last week was the conclusion with a breakdown of the AFC/NFC North. Let’s recap my predicted division winners and playoff clinchers.

AFC

1. North: STEELERS- Poised to repeat but easier said than done.
2. East: PATRIOTS- Brady & Co. feels like they have something to prove.
3. West: CHARGERS- I’m always high on the Bolts but that window is closing.
4. South: COLTS- Will always be my favorite with a healthy Peyton Manning.

WILD CARD: RAVENS, BILLS (Baltimore is solid and Buffalo will be this year’s Dolphins)

NFC

1. East: GIANTS- If you can win the NFC East you’re the best in the NFC.
2. West: CARDINALS- Should be able to runaway with their division!
3. South: SAINTS- Last to first place trend will continue in the South.
4. North: BEARS- Bears Offense looks impressive now will the D come thru?

WILD CARD:  EAGLES, VIKINGS (Philly will have a better record than Cards. Vikes’ are the mystery team to me but too good on paper to overlook)

III. SAY WHAT!!! (Tweets of the Week & My Thoughts J)

Adam_Schefter Vick debut, Cutler back to Denver, Favre on MNF, Cowboys scoreboard - has to be one of most significant preseason weekends in NFL history. (My take: And to think no one else has been arrested!)

Serenajwilliams twitpic.com/fak2h - At dinner with @msselitaebanks. Fun times (My take: I wonder who picked up the tab???)

DwightHoward moon walkin in shanghai lol bit.ly/Gkqd5

OGOchoCinco Do it big Wednesday, take a roll of toilet tissue with you to work= it represents you being the sh** at whatever you do!! Esteban sleeps zzz (My take: question is are you one ply or two?)

RevRunWisdom If there’s 1 pitch u KEEP swing at and keep missing ,, STOP swinging at it!!!! - baseball great -Yogi Beara