Just as 'there's no crying in baseball,' there is no reality in 'reality television.' Although I just spent the most ridiculous week of my life with "Queer Eye," (they have dropped the 'Straight Guy' part) I am pretty happy that I can return to a normal life this week. I suppose 'normal' is a relative term, but last week was filled with so much anxiety and pressure- I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Of course I am thrilled with my new flat screen television, my designer clothes and hot Marc Jacobs shoes. I have a gorgeous new living room that is a massive improvement over the college atmosphere that I used to live in. They outfitted me with cameras, plane tickets, accessories, and loads of other fine wares, but when it came time to collect on the biggest "gift" of the show, I got cold feet.

Ironically, this particular show was about me meeting a fellow Internet dater. I had met a guy online back in October and started a great correspondence. He lives in the mountain time zone and I'm an east coast girl. Of course we had never met because only a crazy person would get on a plane to meet someone you've met on the internet. (Well, unless you're Kip and LaFawnduh from 'Napoleon Dynamite.') The show flew out the mountain man to New York and set him up in a $3,000 a night suite in SoHo and filmed us all week getting ready for this big climatic date.

Now perhaps I'm an anomaly, but when it comes to first dates, I'd rather go bowling and drink beer than have a romantic candle-lit dinner. The show set us up to make everything look utterly perfect, but in reality, they set us up to fail. Sure, I had an outfit picked out by a celebrity stylist. My apartment was created by a top interior designer. The day of my date, a famous hair stylist in New York came over to my apartment and whipped my hair in to top shape. I had a MAC cosmetic professional do my makeup. I looked perfect, in fact, too perfect. This poor guy was going to see me in the best condition of my life as his first impression. How could I ever live to up to that on a daily basis?

The date started on the top of the Rockefeller building, which is the modern day equivalent of meeting at the top of the Empire State Building. (Hey, this show is owned by NBC and they own Rockefeller.) From there we were set to take a helicopter ride around Manhattan, but it was cancelled due to the deluge of rain. Instead, we did go bowling...in my cocktail dress. Afterwards, we had an intimate dinner at the Boathouse in Central Park. When I say 'intimate' I mean intimate with two film crews dancing around the table as we tried to eat and hold some benign conversation.

Where the problem lies is with the mountain man. We had always been so great on the phone as friends, but when the show tried to make everything so "perfect" for a hot romantic hookup, I was so tired of being pushed and forced to make something happen, I wanted nothing to do with this guy. It's like this: let's say someone offers you a slice of chocolate cake. They say, 'this is the best chocolate cake you'll ever eat.' Then, they say, 'In fact, you MUST try this cake, I promise you'll love it.' Once you start to question this person, they grow a little pushy and say, 'EAT THE CAKE! EAT IT NOW! LOVE THE CAKE, YOU MUST LOVE THE CAKE!'

Well dammit! I don't want to eat your cake! In fact, I wanted nothing to do with the frickin' cake! From there, I grew reclusive and couldn't even look the poor guy in the eye because all I wanted to do was run as fast as I could out of the restaurant. I think I totally understand how men are when their pushy girlfriends start asking about marriage. The more someone forces you to do something you're a little hesitant of, the less you actually want to do it.

When it was all said and done, I scored some fabulous gear, but ended up looking and feeling like the world biggest prick because I completely blew this guy off thanks to fear of commitment and the "reality" of reality TV. I felt horribly guilty for all the false promises the show created in both of our minds, and then backing out on the deal at the critical moment.

So in the end, some poor guy came to New York looking for love, and all he got was five gay men and a new wardrobe. I, on the other hand, can still claim my freedom as a single girl, who has a hot apartment with a phat flat screen TV. The price we paid was the disillusion of getting together, but honestly, I wasn't ready for that either. I'm glad it's all over, and I'm glad there are no hard feelings. (We did talk it all out once the cameras were turned off.) Now I can return to my normal life and focus on things that matter...like my sports blog!

So please pardon this tangent of a posting, but I thought some of you might be curious as to what occurred this week, and I needed to get the 'chocolate cake' off my chest. The show should air sometime in late August or early September, and I promise to let you know the date once it is finalized so you can all witness the embarrassment as the Fab Five went through my apartment and found my 'secret stash.' (Yes, girls have those too.)

Cheers,

Belle

There will never be another John Wayne, another Steve McQueen, or another Michael Jordan. In retrospect, the controversy surrounding "who will be the next Jordan" is almost laughable because the simplest answer is: no one.

As I prepared to write my rebuttal to Gbrent's pro-Kobe position, I dug deep into basketball lore to look at the first "king of the court," Sir Wilt Chamberlain. It was astounding to be reminded of all the feats Wilt left in his legacy. Today he currently holds over 100 NBA records and previously claimed to have bedded 20,000 women. (Statistically speaking, that means he would have had to sleep with a different woman everyday since age 15.) I'm not sure if anyone will ever be able to match those numbers. Jordan put up a good fight, but didn't come close to averaging 50.4 points a game the way Chamberlain did in the 1962 season, nor has anyone come close to matching his 55 rebounds in one game. Ironically, considering how young both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were when they made their debut appearances in the NBA, it is highly possible that either one of these players has the potential to overtake some of Wilt's 100 unbroken records.

Like many of my fellow bloggers pointed out to me, there will never be a second coming of Wilt, Michael, or the like. What we are witnessing today in the NBA playoffs is the start of a new era. In the 90's we had Jordan's Bulls, Barkley's Suns, Malone's Jazz and Magic's Lakers. What we are starting to see is potentially the next great rivalry, Kobe's Lakers and LeBron's Cavs.

This truly is an exciting time to follow the NBA because players like Kobe and LeBron are bringing back the excitement and thrill of the NBA that made players like Michael Jordan so enigmatic and mythic. Perhaps the debate doesn't lie in "who is the next Jordan" but rather, who will reach the seventh stage of Nirvana to be seated next to the legends of players like Jordan and Chamberlain?

Breaking down Kobe and LeBron is difficult because your statistics are skewed. Kobe is 27 years old and has seven more seasons in the league than 21 year old LeBron. Of course Kobe is going to have more stats to look at because he's been playing longer. The best way to compare each player is by looking at the way they impacted their teams from their first season to where they stand as players today.

Sure, both Kobe (named after the Japanese beef, by the way) and LeBron (I have no idea where his name came from) were drafted straight from high school to the NBA. Bryant went as the 13th overall draft pick in 1996 and LeBron went as the top pick in 2003. It took 2 years before Kobe moved from bench warmer to starter with the LA Lakers. In his first season, Kobe played 71 games for an average of 15.5 minutes a game and finished his season at 7.6 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. Compared to LeBron, his freshman season with the Cavs, he played 79 games and averaged 39.5 minutes a game and made Rookie of the Year with his season average of 20.9 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 5.9 assists per game. For the record, it wasn't until Kobe's third season in the league that he came near LeBron's rookie season averages. Score "1" for James, out of Rookie dominance.

For all you Kobe lovers, don't start whining yet. Yes, Kobe had three championship rings by age 24. Yes, Kobe ranks as the current top scorer in the league. Yes, Kobe scored 81 points this season in a single game that many argue is better than Wilt's single game record of 100 because it was coming from a guard position, versus a center. Yes, he is an eight-time NBA All-Star and has numerous records to his credit. Of course LeBron was Rookie of the Year in 2004, is a two-time NBA All-Star, and has several NBA records to his name, but at the current moment, Kobe stands out as a more prolific player thanks to his seniority, skills, and scoring ability. Score "1" for Bryant, out of merit and talent.

Since LeBron and Kobe can't evenly be compared on career statistics, let's look at their current stats in the 2006 playoffs. In seven games, Kobe averaged 44.9 minutes per game, 27.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. For LeBron's eight games, he has averaged 45.9 minutes a game, 33.3 points per game, 7.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. I hate to point out the obvious folks, but where Kobe could have solidified his contender position in this argument was in Game 7 against the Suns. While LeBron was creating last minute dramatics by sinking game winning shots, Kobe finagled one-point in the second half of Game 7 and choked. (Not to mention that LeBron is one of three players in NBA history to score a triple-double in his playoff debut.) Score "1" for James, moving on to the semifinals.

For any of you who'd like to debate that last point, look at it from a leadership position. Kobe never won a championship ring alone. He had amazing talent surrounding him with O'Neal and came in to a strong club in 1996. LeBron came to the Cavs when there was little to cheer about. Not only has he brought his club to prominence, much the same way Jordan ushered the Bulls to supremacy, he has done this with little controversy. No, I am not denying that the s#!t hit the fan with Cavs Coach Silas's departure in 2005, but it hardly compares to the soap opera drama the Lakers witnessed in 2004. We are all aware of the "Love Me Hate Me" slogan that Kobe has attached to his name, thanks in part to his rocky relationship with Shaq, Phil Jackson, and the fans. When Kobe took the captain's chair and tried to solo-pilot the Lakers in 04-05, he suffered a disastrous personal and professional fallout, failing to take the Lakers to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. If that wasn't bad enough, his shimmering image was quickly tarnished by a sexual assault charge, which was dropped and settled out of court. As Kobe was loosing his endorsement deals, LeBron was picking them up. Who could forget as soon as Sprite pulled Kobe as a spokesman, LeBron was on TV with the "Obey Your Thirst" campaign. Score "1" for James, clean nose and less drama

For the sake of time, I want to wrap up, but there are more and more comparisons you could make between the two players. Who makes a better role model? Who is less selfish? Who has a stronger work ethic? Who has more buying power? Honestly, I'd argue that James takes points in all those categories too, but that doesn't answer the biggest question: Who is the next player to become a legend? Kobe isn't original. Sure, he easily dominates in the skills department, but he can't market or create a positive image for himself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there ever a time when fans shouted: "Jordan Sucks!" What Kobe lacks is Jordan's magnetism and imagination. Even his gestures mimic MJ, or they are just unoriginal. His entire 2005-2006 season was one for the TNT camera where he staged numerous media blitzes to try to win back popular approval, but they all ended up looking phony. Whether it was his "kiss and make-up" with Shaq, or his feeble attempt to win over critics by passing up good shots so his teammates could make goals, it was all a little too late.

What LeBron has for him is his youth and a rather clean slate. He has a genuineness and authenticity that Kobe lacks. Perhaps he can credit his personal philosophy and the way he carries himself on the court to his idol, Michael Jordan. Although the skills are undeniable, character goes a long way. People remember Michael's charisma and his dominance of the game with 6 championship rings. They don't remember the averages, the records, the minute statistics. What Kobe fans love to use as their arguing tool are the numbers, what LeBron fans have in their favor are the numbers plus the character argument...and we all know, character goes a long way.

FINAL: James 3/Bryant 1

This is a rebuttal to the opposing argument, and is the second of a two-part duel posting between Gbrent and I, as we debate who is most worthy of being dubbed "heir apparent" to Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?

  On December 30, 1984, just after Michael Jordan had played his 31st NBA game for the Chicago Bulls, in a nearby Midwestern town a single-mother gave birth to a baby boy she named LeBron. It seems all too ironic that in MJ's rookie season, the boy who many believe will assume the legendary crown and surpass the basketball legend was born. The similarities between MJ and LeBron are endless, but is it possible for LeBron to steal the title from "His Airness" and be properly crowned "King James?"

  To overtake the title, it isn't just a matter of a player's statistics. Although the player must be at the top of his game and an invaluable member of his team, the player must also provide a charisma that the media can flock to and the entrepreneurial skills to set him above others in his field. Jordan had great sense of timing and dramatics. He knew how to tempt his opponents and his audience. Secondly, Michael Jordan didn't just change the game of basketball, he left an everlasting effect on the field of branding and sports marketing. His face is known worldwide beyond the hardwood of a basketball court. Does LeBron James posses the potential as a player and as a brand image to skyrocket past the ceiling that Jordan set?

  As a kid, Michael had two parents, four siblings, and numerous chores and schoolwork to keep him busy. He never thrived academically until high school when he started to pull a B+ average and excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. Ironically, Michael was cut from his sophomore basketball team because he only stood 5'11", but managed to grow the following summer and level out at 6'6". By the time he was a senior, Michael averaged 25 points a game and earned himself a scholarship to play at UNC-Chapel Hill. He made history in 1982 by scoring the game winning shot that earned UNC the NCAA Basketball Championship. Jordan left school two years later to enter the NBA as a college junior. Many consider the 1984 Draft to be a joke when Jordan was drafted 3rd overall by the struggling Chicago Bulls. With the Bulls, there was no where to go but up. Attendance at the games were dismal prior to Jordan's appearance. Within his rookie season, attendance went from 6,365 a game to 11,887. By the end of his first year, Jordan was named the 1984-85 NBA Rookie of the Year and was averaging 28.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. What Michael Jordan managed to do by age 21, LeBron James was accomplishing at age 18.

  LeBron James was born in to a single parent home in a rural area of Akron, Ohio. Through out his childhood, he was constantly moving between homes because his mother could not provide a stable home. Due to his nomadic lifestyle, LeBron had nearly dropped out of school by grade 4, but found a family with a pee-wee football coach and returned to school. As a freshman, LeBron started for his high school team, Saint Vincent-Saint Mary, and wore the number "23", in honor of his idol, Michael Jordan. By the time he was 16, LeBron stood at 6'8", was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball and ended his sophomore season averaging 25.3 points a game, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. As a high school sophomore, he was getting comparisons to MJ, and had already received a phone call from Jordan, inviting him to workout and participate in an exclusive scrimmage. As a high school junior, LeBron managed a steady B-average and had $20 million dollar deals from Nike and Adidas chirping in his ear. By LeBron's 18th birthday, well-wishers like Allen Iverson and Jerome Bettis were calling him. For LeBron's final high school game, he played in front of 18,454 fans  and finished his senior season, winning nearly every possible award there was to hand out.

  Unlike Mike, LeBron went number one in the 2003 draft to a team that resembled the same struggling Chicago club of 1984, but this time the team was the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although MJ was a celebrated college player, the cultural and national spotlight that hung over LeBron's head was much hotter his rookie season. No one can deny the way Michael Jordan shattered marketing and advertising standards with his savvy business and entrepreneurial skills in the 1990's, but LeBron had a $90 million Nike shoe contract before he played a single game in the NBA. (Although Jordan easily surpassed that mark in his career, he didn't come close to that in his rookie season.) Whereas Jordan scored 16 points in his NBA debut, LeBron banked 25. Just like Mike, by the end of his rookie season, LeBron was named Rookie of the Year and finished out his first season averaging 20.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Although his numbers are just below MJ's, James and Jordan are only two of three players ever to average 20/5/5 their rookie season.

  By age 19, LeBron James possesed a maturity and intellectal level for the game that surpassed many older than him. James understood where he existed in the league; he studied the fundamentals, but most importantly, he was an unselfish player. Many credit his greatest talent not to his arsenal of shooting skills, but to his ability to see the field and his acute passing skills. James is the most valuable player for the team because he makes decisions that best benefit the team as a whole. This is what makes him a strong leader for the Cavs. Off the field, James has managed to keep his nose clean and provide the greater Cleveland area with a role model that kids can look up to. He constantly gives back to his community, donating time and money to athletic facilities, such as the Ed Davis Community Center, that helped him grow into the player he is today.

  The charisma and on-court dramatics that once were calling cards for Mr. Jordan are now common-day antics by Mr. James. The 2006 NBA playoff games between the Washington Wizards (Jordan's old team) and the Cavs have already been kowtowed as historic. In six games, three were won by last second shots, two scored by James himself. He averaged 35.7 points a game throughout the six-game run and shot 51% in his FIRST playoff series. The kid is 21 years old and carries himself like a middle-aged player who's known the game for years. His confidence and height looms over his opponnets and it is clear that he hasn't even come close to hitting his stride.

  By his third season in the NBA, Jordan had set many precidents in scoring, but had yet to win the NBA MVP trophy. Similarilly, James is facing the same scenario, but unlike Jordan, James has already written history as the youngest NBA-All Star MVP, inaddition to numerous accolades and records that remain unbroken by any other player. Although both men share many awards, James has yet to win the big one, an NBA Championship, but only a matter of time will tell. At 21 years old, LeBron's stock is on the rise and set to bury Jordan in the coming years. With many names thrown out there as comparissons to Jordan, LeBron James is the only legitimate NBA player who stands a chance at accomplishing the technical and professional standars Jordan left behind.

  *This article is published as a duel-posting with GBrent and his opinion that Kobe Bryant is better suited as the next heir to the throne. Check back this week for my rebuttal of GBrent's position.