What do Josh Childress, Dee Brown, Earl Boykins and Boston Nachbar have in common?Apart from being role players in the NBA, they now share the distinction of having been the part of recent trend of NBA players migrating to Europe for bigger contracts.
The latest wave of offers threatens to shake the face of the NBA. The Greek suited Olympiacos- has reportedly stated that they are prepared to pay Kobe Bryant around 80 million for three years, perks included. It doesn' t take a beautiful mind to realize that paying that sum of dollars to any player at any time to play basketball for three years is just downright despicable.
Maybe this trend is what the NBA and David Stern should get used dealing with. Make no mistake, it's the NBA stars that Europe is after. Add LeBron James to that European wish list with his contract expiring in 2010; and we just might be looking at an international bidding war.
I think in the next few years we are going to be seeing more and more role players and even broderline stars heading overseas for big money. The NBA is slowly losing it's grasp on a game that has gone completely global. Basketball could very easily become like soccer, where you have several different leagues with the best players in the world spread out evenly.
It's a scary thought for those of us who love the NBA and its rich history.
David Stern is going to have to expand the league into major parts of Europe to be able to keep the NBA as the premier league. Cities like London, Rome and Paris are likely venues but after that it's anyone's guess and it could get a little dicey. The last thing you want is D-Wade waking up in Prague missing a kidney.
The salary cap is also a big issue. NBA teams simply can't compete with the outlandish offers being made by these European suitors. Throw in the struggling U.S economy and things get even more complicated. Higher salaries mean higher ticket prices, which means everything skyrockets while the American economy plummets.
Let's hope D- Stern has a plan, because the NBA is going to continue to lose players to the competitive european market and who can blame them, they have mouths to feed too. But without Kobe and LeBron in the NBA, there is no NBA.
Or am I wrong? Should I be happy that the sport is doing so well? Shouldn't basketball fans be glad that basketball has truly gone global? Or was it never about the sport... Is basketball to North Americans like a favorite tv show that we stop watching as soon as they kill off our favorite characters?
I can't call it. But I know I won't watch a game if Kobe suits up for the Olympiacos and I'll hate him for doing it.
What kind of guy would leave his team for 80 millions dollars and an European villa...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
NFL: Who is for Real?
We head into week 6 of one of the most unpredictable NFL seasons in recent memory. Nothing has turned out like it was supposed to. The Patriots aren't undeafeated, the Chargers are struggling, the Colts are suspect, Cleveland is terrible, the Bengals are still winless and a Tennessee Titan team without Vince Young is perfect.
My question is, who is for real?
McNabb and the Eagles have shown flashes of brilliance but tanked last week. Dallas is looking good. With the exception of their shocking home loss to the Redskins, they have been dominant. But it's all about egos with that team, and I'm not sure that new stadium is big enough to house T.O's. It will be interesting to see how they deal with adversity, Mr Owens "me first" attitude might affect team chemistry.
The Redskins might be the flying under the radar, but they have beat some quality teams. They beat Philadelphia, Dallas and handled Arizona. In the next three weeks they play Detroit, St. Louis and Cleveland. We could be looking at a team that is 7-1 going into week 9.
Remeber the Titans. How could we forget them? Vince Young ends up on suicide watch and the next thing you know this team undeafeated heading into week 6. Bottom line, the Titans defense is THAT good. Perhaps the most shocking part is that they are being lead by Kerry "Tom Collins" . This is a guy who didn't quite get it done with the G-men--but then again he was reportedly a raging alcoholic at the time---looks like he's sobered up now. But can he carry them all the way? I'm not con-Vinced.
What about the G-men? Nobody wants to talk about how they are still quietly shitkicking teams. Can somebody please explain to me why they aren't the odds on favorite to repeat---I think I just answered my own question. Nobody rePats.
Who is for real? Who is flying under the radar--who's a sleeper? This season, it's anyone's guess, unless your picking a team from Ohio.
My question is, who is for real?
McNabb and the Eagles have shown flashes of brilliance but tanked last week. Dallas is looking good. With the exception of their shocking home loss to the Redskins, they have been dominant. But it's all about egos with that team, and I'm not sure that new stadium is big enough to house T.O's. It will be interesting to see how they deal with adversity, Mr Owens "me first" attitude might affect team chemistry.
The Redskins might be the flying under the radar, but they have beat some quality teams. They beat Philadelphia, Dallas and handled Arizona. In the next three weeks they play Detroit, St. Louis and Cleveland. We could be looking at a team that is 7-1 going into week 9.
Remeber the Titans. How could we forget them? Vince Young ends up on suicide watch and the next thing you know this team undeafeated heading into week 6. Bottom line, the Titans defense is THAT good. Perhaps the most shocking part is that they are being lead by Kerry "Tom Collins" . This is a guy who didn't quite get it done with the G-men--but then again he was reportedly a raging alcoholic at the time---looks like he's sobered up now. But can he carry them all the way? I'm not con-Vinced.
What about the G-men? Nobody wants to talk about how they are still quietly shitkicking teams. Can somebody please explain to me why they aren't the odds on favorite to repeat---I think I just answered my own question. Nobody rePats.
Who is for real? Who is flying under the radar--who's a sleeper? This season, it's anyone's guess, unless your picking a team from Ohio.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
NBA Top 5 Greatest Players Of All Time
The World is flat, upside down and pigs can fly. Everything that we hold dear to us dies and nothing sacred.
While holding an open gym basketball practice for junior and senior highschool kids I walked into a heated discussion about who the top 5 best of all time were...
5. Wilt Chamberlain
4. LeBron
3. Iverson
2. Jordan
1. Kobe
I threw my ball away in disgust and made everyone jump on baseline. I'm still rattled.
One kid has the nerve to ask me "Coach, how many lines do we got"?
My response: As many as it takes for you to respect the game. Just run.
After practice I thought to myself, is it really that ambiguous who the top five players of all time are?
I mean clearly the list goes....
5. Jordan
4. Jordan
3. Jordan
2. Jordan
1. Jordan
Right?
Who do you got?
While holding an open gym basketball practice for junior and senior highschool kids I walked into a heated discussion about who the top 5 best of all time were...
5. Wilt Chamberlain
4. LeBron
3. Iverson
2. Jordan
1. Kobe
I threw my ball away in disgust and made everyone jump on baseline. I'm still rattled.
One kid has the nerve to ask me "Coach, how many lines do we got"?
My response: As many as it takes for you to respect the game. Just run.
After practice I thought to myself, is it really that ambiguous who the top five players of all time are?
I mean clearly the list goes....
5. Jordan
4. Jordan
3. Jordan
2. Jordan
1. Jordan
Right?
Who do you got?
NFL Bottom Feeders: Who's Going Oh-For
The Bengals, Texans, Rams and Lions are all winless on the season. The Texans probably should have beat Indy last week, the Bengals look terrible, but you would think they have the talent to get one "W". As for the Rams, a coaching change and reinstating Bulger as your QB might get them going in the right direction. And then there is the Lions, a complete zoo, they could have two of the more gifted receivers in William and Johnson but no one can get them the ball.
So the question is...Who is going to run the table in reverse this year?
I still think that for at least one freaking game, Carson Palmer, TJ and Chad Johnson aka Ocho Cinco aka No Show Johnson aka Mouthpiece ---will blow up for at least on game. The Bengals have no excuse. They'll get a win, and Chad will start yapping again.
As for the Texans, they must want to kill Sage after his Evil Knievel impression against the Colts. Slide dammit, slide young man. Everybody wants to be a hero. Instead Sage Rosenfels ended up airborn, spinning like a helicopter, by the time his dummied body hit the ground the Colts had put up 6 on the scoreboard. Schaub is back in, the Texans have a shot at their first win at home this week against Miami.
I'm on the fence between the Rams and the Lions. I think Jim Hasslett is a solid football mind, and he should be able to get this team to the point where they can get at least one game. To me, the Lions jump out at you as the team destined for futility.
So the question is...Who is going to run the table in reverse this year?
I still think that for at least one freaking game, Carson Palmer, TJ and Chad Johnson aka Ocho Cinco aka No Show Johnson aka Mouthpiece ---will blow up for at least on game. The Bengals have no excuse. They'll get a win, and Chad will start yapping again.
As for the Texans, they must want to kill Sage after his Evil Knievel impression against the Colts. Slide dammit, slide young man. Everybody wants to be a hero. Instead Sage Rosenfels ended up airborn, spinning like a helicopter, by the time his dummied body hit the ground the Colts had put up 6 on the scoreboard. Schaub is back in, the Texans have a shot at their first win at home this week against Miami.
I'm on the fence between the Rams and the Lions. I think Jim Hasslett is a solid football mind, and he should be able to get this team to the point where they can get at least one game. To me, the Lions jump out at you as the team destined for futility.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lakers Bandwagon-Register Now
I just saw a picture of the mammoth the Lakers are claiming is Andrew Bynum.
Egads. Can you say "bench press".
He looks like Dwight Howard on steroids. No wonder he was "untradeable". There is only one other guy that I have ever seen that looked like that and his name began with Shaq and ended with "How does my ass taste Kobe".
Okay, so who is jumping aboard the Lakers bandwagon this year? You turncoat sellouts seem to show up around mid May every year. I'm thinking it's going to be a little earlier this year.
Egads. Can you say "bench press".
He looks like Dwight Howard on steroids. No wonder he was "untradeable". There is only one other guy that I have ever seen that looked like that and his name began with Shaq and ended with "How does my ass taste Kobe".
Okay, so who is jumping aboard the Lakers bandwagon this year? You turncoat sellouts seem to show up around mid May every year. I'm thinking it's going to be a little earlier this year.
Trail AKA Championville
I don't think anyone can legitimately dispute that per capita, Trail BC is King of all sports towns in not only BC---obviously, but in Canada. I think right about now that is pretty much fact. Scoreboard.
Here's another fact. Trail is literally, not figuratively, The Home of the Champions, and I'm not just saying that because I'm from there. They're not just champions of Canada, but the WORLD. Yes, the World. The Trail Smokeaters have won not one, but two World Championships in 1939 and 1961. Two World Championships. Scoreboard.
There was a time--when you couldnt see Trail in hockey, baseball, and even basketball.
Unfortunately, a wave of second rate crack, (which I can only assume was planted by other jealous sports towns) is ripping through Championville and has slowed our dominance to small degree.
I could sound off forever but I don't have to----it's already documented in the WIKI.
Check it.
Here is a great link on the criteria to be a champion in Trail.
Oh and... Scoreboard.
What's your hometown saying?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Cubs In Deep Trouble
The Cubs are in deep trouble. But don't blame the game 1 one loss on the Cubs, that's on the fans at Wrigley. I have never seen a Wrigley crowd so quiet, check that, so NERVOUS! Nervous fans are the demise of every team, especially teams who are trying to break a century old drought. As if there isn't enough pressure on the Cubbies to begin with, not only are they expected to waltz to the World Series, which is absolutely ridiculous in baseball, but they walk into Wrigley Field and find their own fans sitting on their thumbs biting their lips. Maybe the night game threw the Chicagoans off. You know, they were'nt used to getting drunk so late in the day, maybe actually going to work on a Cubs game day might have tuckered them out.
Game 2 was terrible to watch, unless your a Dodgers fan. Zambrano actually pitched pretty well, it's a shame his defense was swiss cheese. The Cubs are in trouble. That is not the same Dodgers team that people think they are. Since Ramirez got there, this team has changed, they've loosened up in the dugout and in the clubhouse- and it has translated to their play on the field. They're having having fun. And why shouldn't they? They have the best hitter in the game which means everyone else is going to see great pitches to hit. It's a fun way to play baseball, just ask the Red Sox and David Ortiz! FYI Red Sox fan--get on your knees right now and pray you don't see No. 99 in pinstripes next year.
Game 2 was terrible to watch, unless your a Dodgers fan. Zambrano actually pitched pretty well, it's a shame his defense was swiss cheese. The Cubs are in trouble. That is not the same Dodgers team that people think they are. Since Ramirez got there, this team has changed, they've loosened up in the dugout and in the clubhouse- and it has translated to their play on the field. They're having having fun. And why shouldn't they? They have the best hitter in the game which means everyone else is going to see great pitches to hit. It's a fun way to play baseball, just ask the Red Sox and David Ortiz! FYI Red Sox fan--get on your knees right now and pray you don't see No. 99 in pinstripes next year.
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