Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Farewell to the king
The great Ronaldo, three time FIFA Player of the Year and World Cup winner with Brazil, has decided he will retire after the 2011 season. Personally, I do agree his best years are way behind him, but in his prime, I don't think I have seen a better player. That includes Maradona, Zico or Zidane.
(Personally my order would be 1-Ronaldo, 2-Maradona, 3-Zidane and 4-Zico.)
When Ronaldo first joined Inter Milan, his combination of speed and power was unparalleled at that time. Three knee injuries robbed him of a lot of that speed, but the power remained and the football smarts made up for the lost pace.
O Fenômeno (The phenomenon) as he was dubbed by the Italian press, is the leading goal scorer in World Cup history, and wants to be included in Brazil's team for South Africa. Whether he gets a chance to make it in another World Cup or not, his legacy is secure and he will be missed.
(Personally my order would be 1-Ronaldo, 2-Maradona, 3-Zidane and 4-Zico.)
When Ronaldo first joined Inter Milan, his combination of speed and power was unparalleled at that time. Three knee injuries robbed him of a lot of that speed, but the power remained and the football smarts made up for the lost pace.
O Fenômeno (The phenomenon) as he was dubbed by the Italian press, is the leading goal scorer in World Cup history, and wants to be included in Brazil's team for South Africa. Whether he gets a chance to make it in another World Cup or not, his legacy is secure and he will be missed.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The King James version
To me it seems almost like yesterday. Actually it's almost a full decade now. This is where it started.
He was a high-school sophomore, and Slam Magazine (the best sports magazine in the world, IMHO) put him on the cover and declared him the greatest high-school player ever. About to rule the world. Sports Illustrated soon followed, then ESPN started showing his high school games, and we all know the rest. But this is where it started.
Right now Lebron James is by anyones definition, either the best or second best player in the NBA. He was more hyped than any amateur in any sport before being drafted, and he has done the impossible-he has surpassed the hype. Before all is said and done, he very well may go down as the best player who's ever lived. But before all of that, he is also doing something that has never been done before.
He is simultaneously running two different franchises.
Lebron James is under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers until July 1st 2010. He has refused to sign an extension prior to that time. Meanwhile, the biggest market in the world has a team with no superstars, no future stars and no 1st round draft pick. What it does have however is money to spend.
For the last two years, both franchises have been making moves with the same goal in mind-to get Lebron's signature on a contract come July 2010. Cleveland has brought in complimentary players to stay competitive-Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiack, Delonte West, Mo Williams, Ben Wallace & Shaquille O'Neal. All to show the earnestness of their desire to keep the King happy.
The Knicks? all they've done is tank the last two seasons, clearing out bloated contracts and cobbling together a bunch of spare parts to stay entertaining if not winning. Their game plan has been to have the most money available come July 1st to sign James plus 1.
There are a lot of people who don't think Lebron will want to sign with New York. They think that because of all the moves the Cavs have made, moves that have taken them to the finals one year and the conference finals last year, Lebron will not want to leave a championship caliber team to a rebuilding team. Those people also think that Lebron is loyal to Ohio-he's born in Akron and has a stated desire to bring the first NBA title to his state.
I think Lebron James coming to New York is a done deal. Cleveland may win a NBA title this year, and they may not. At the end of the season, I don't think it will matter. Lebron will say all the right things, smile for the cameras and sign on to play basketball for the New York Knicks.
Why am I so sure? Well for a few reasons. First off, its in the benefit of everyone; the players, the media, David Stern, the owners, to have a competitive team in the biggest media market. Cleveland is not a big media market, and as great a player as he is, he James cannot make it a big market. Second, Lebron knows that while the Cavs may be competitive now, getting top flight free agents to sign on in Cleveland will be a constant uphill battle. He may win one title this year, but what happens next year? Three years from now?
In addition though, the options for him are limited. Lebron can't go to Miami-they already have Wade and that would make him second fiddle. The King is no second fiddle. New Jersey is a dark horse option that could be a real player if only they had a stadium. Chicago? No superstar wants to play in the shadow of Jordan. The only real option besides Cleveland is New York, and James knows that.
Every great player, indeed every king, needs a suitable kingdom. Remember 1996? Kobe Bryant was the 13th pick by Charlotte. His agent told the team it was never going to happen; Kobe was going to play for the Lakers or not play at all. A trade was made and the rest is history. Could he have been a great player for Charlotte? Probably, but he also wouldn't be the player we know now if he did. He and his people realized that and they held out for LA.
Larry Bird went to Boston and became Larry Legend, Magic Johnson in LA and of course, Jordan in Chicago. These players in their prime were all comparable to Lebron, but none had the biggest stage of them all as a home court. You wonder why Tim Duncan has three rings and no one outside of real basketball fans know him? Because he plays in San Antonio.
When you win a title in Cleveland, you get a parade. When you win in New York, you get Jay-Z and Alicia Keys serenading you in front of millions on a float down Broadway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiryjGi6wZQ
The only real option for Lebron come July 2010 is New York. They need him, but believe me, he needs them just as much if not more. The King of Cleveland will never be the truly global icon he desires to be without being in a major market. Yes, he's already a big star, but imagine how much bigger he would be as the centerpiece of the NY Knicks? Knicks vs. Lakers in the 2011 NBA finals, Kobe vs. Lebron, NY vs Los Angeles. Just think about how huge that would be.
Relax, Knick fans, this one is in the bag. Move over Frank White. Get ready for the coronation of the new King of New York this summer.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Arsenal's woes
Oh mighty Arsenal.
Okay, before we go completely destroying them, let's remember a few things. One, there's a second leg coming up, and they can re-write wrongs at that time and grow stronger as a team from this debacle. Second, Sol Campbell just resigned, so he's still in his learning curve. Third, the brain cramps that occurred this week can't possibly happen again, can it?
That being said, this performance from an Arsenal team with aspirations of winning the Premiership and hoisting the Champions League trophy was pathetic. The goalkeeper, Fabianski, was downright amateurish in allowing both the first and the second goals. Sol Campbell was a good signing to be a veteran voice in the Arsenal defense, but the worst place to have a slow, old defender in right in the middle of the field, and Porto exploited that all game.
Yes, he scored a good goal to keep Arsenal in it early, but as the game went on, Hulk and Falcao ran at him constantly and kept Arsenal on their heels. Any chance for an in game adjustment by the manager?
The obvious question, long and short term, is this; what is Arsenal to do to get better? This is a team that a few seasons ago was running unbeaten through the Premiership, challenging the giants of Europe and wowing the football world with the stylish play of Bergkamp and Henry.
Arsene Wegner failed at the beginning of the season to bring in adequate veteran leadership for this team, and on nights like the one this week in Porto, it showed. This team lost one of the best goal scorers in England, Emmanuel Adebayor, last season, and failed to replace him. Just like they failed to replace Henry when he left for Barcelona. Arsenal has young talent but no proven leadership. Their best player, Cesc Fabregas, is inconsistent and not a goal scorer, more of a facilitator. Well, who's he going to pass to with no scorers up front? That all adds up to entertaining, but not championship winning football.
It's time for Arsenal's ownership to take a long hard look at Wegner, and decide if he should be given more time. This team has good players, but not enough talent to win any titles this year. Focus on next season, get some punch upfront, remove that godawful goalkeeper and lets see the Gunners stand up again.
Okay, before we go completely destroying them, let's remember a few things. One, there's a second leg coming up, and they can re-write wrongs at that time and grow stronger as a team from this debacle. Second, Sol Campbell just resigned, so he's still in his learning curve. Third, the brain cramps that occurred this week can't possibly happen again, can it?
That being said, this performance from an Arsenal team with aspirations of winning the Premiership and hoisting the Champions League trophy was pathetic. The goalkeeper, Fabianski, was downright amateurish in allowing both the first and the second goals. Sol Campbell was a good signing to be a veteran voice in the Arsenal defense, but the worst place to have a slow, old defender in right in the middle of the field, and Porto exploited that all game.
Yes, he scored a good goal to keep Arsenal in it early, but as the game went on, Hulk and Falcao ran at him constantly and kept Arsenal on their heels. Any chance for an in game adjustment by the manager?
The obvious question, long and short term, is this; what is Arsenal to do to get better? This is a team that a few seasons ago was running unbeaten through the Premiership, challenging the giants of Europe and wowing the football world with the stylish play of Bergkamp and Henry.
Arsene Wegner failed at the beginning of the season to bring in adequate veteran leadership for this team, and on nights like the one this week in Porto, it showed. This team lost one of the best goal scorers in England, Emmanuel Adebayor, last season, and failed to replace him. Just like they failed to replace Henry when he left for Barcelona. Arsenal has young talent but no proven leadership. Their best player, Cesc Fabregas, is inconsistent and not a goal scorer, more of a facilitator. Well, who's he going to pass to with no scorers up front? That all adds up to entertaining, but not championship winning football.
It's time for Arsenal's ownership to take a long hard look at Wegner, and decide if he should be given more time. This team has good players, but not enough talent to win any titles this year. Focus on next season, get some punch upfront, remove that godawful goalkeeper and lets see the Gunners stand up again.
This week in the world of sports
Am I the only one who is completely uninterested in the Winter Olympics? Care to tell me your reasons?
I watched the European Champions League quarterfinals this week. Arsenal is still one of my favorite teams, but I have to look at the game against Porto in this context-they played down to their opponents and got caught napping. http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=248deedb-4040-48d9-94b7-c653a598d2f1&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles
Arsenal right now reminds me the old Montreal Expos baseball team; prepetually tremendous young talent, but a team that cannot put it all together over the course of a season to win it all. They remain interesting because of their young guys, but they ultimatley will break your heart because the very thing that makes them intriguing (their youth) is what makes them underachievers (their inexperience.)
I hope the two words that Tiger says on Friday during his press announcement is "I'm back" and not "I'm sorry." He owes no except his wife an explanantion, and all of these phonies in the media harping on this story, they do not deserve to see him humbled.
I watched the European Champions League quarterfinals this week. Arsenal is still one of my favorite teams, but I have to look at the game against Porto in this context-they played down to their opponents and got caught napping. http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=248deedb-4040-48d9-94b7-c653a598d2f1&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles
Arsenal right now reminds me the old Montreal Expos baseball team; prepetually tremendous young talent, but a team that cannot put it all together over the course of a season to win it all. They remain interesting because of their young guys, but they ultimatley will break your heart because the very thing that makes them intriguing (their youth) is what makes them underachievers (their inexperience.)
I hope the two words that Tiger says on Friday during his press announcement is "I'm back" and not "I'm sorry." He owes no except his wife an explanantion, and all of these phonies in the media harping on this story, they do not deserve to see him humbled.
Welcome
Who is this guy? you may be asking yourself as you come across this blog.
Well, for starters, i'm a Jamaican born resident of Queens, NY who loves sports, politics, books (reading and writing them) and meaningful debate.
Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, my world view was funnelled through Radio Jamaica, Fame FM, JBC and the various local newspapers. There was no CNN, ESPN or Fox in this mix, but don't be fooled-the opinions and insights were as pointed and thought provoking as anything you see on the major networks today.
My initial sports interests were football, track and field, boxing, basketball and horse racing.
After moving to New York in the 1980's, I developed a love for baseball and American football. I also over the years followed other sports, notably tennis and golf with some degree of interest.
I have my favorites, some of whom may surprise you. I live in New York, but my favorite NFL team is the Oakland Raiders (followed by the the NY Jets.) My favorite NBA teams are the Knicks and the Lakers. In baseball, the Yankeees are my team, and one of my upcoming blogs will be about George Steinbrenner and why he is the best owner in all of sports.
Why is this longtime Queens resident not rooting for the Mets you may ask? Because the ownership of the Mets are scattered in both their resolve to win and acknowledgment of what they need to do to be a consistent contender.
So....what's my point?
Well, my point is I think sports are a microcosm of life; I want to share my opinion with as many people as possible, and more importantly I want to hear what everyone else has to say. That's that whole meaningful debate thing.
So, welcome, I hope you enjoy, and without further ado, lets get it.
Well, for starters, i'm a Jamaican born resident of Queens, NY who loves sports, politics, books (reading and writing them) and meaningful debate.
Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, my world view was funnelled through Radio Jamaica, Fame FM, JBC and the various local newspapers. There was no CNN, ESPN or Fox in this mix, but don't be fooled-the opinions and insights were as pointed and thought provoking as anything you see on the major networks today.
My initial sports interests were football, track and field, boxing, basketball and horse racing.
After moving to New York in the 1980's, I developed a love for baseball and American football. I also over the years followed other sports, notably tennis and golf with some degree of interest.
I have my favorites, some of whom may surprise you. I live in New York, but my favorite NFL team is the Oakland Raiders (followed by the the NY Jets.) My favorite NBA teams are the Knicks and the Lakers. In baseball, the Yankeees are my team, and one of my upcoming blogs will be about George Steinbrenner and why he is the best owner in all of sports.
Why is this longtime Queens resident not rooting for the Mets you may ask? Because the ownership of the Mets are scattered in both their resolve to win and acknowledgment of what they need to do to be a consistent contender.
So....what's my point?
Well, my point is I think sports are a microcosm of life; I want to share my opinion with as many people as possible, and more importantly I want to hear what everyone else has to say. That's that whole meaningful debate thing.
So, welcome, I hope you enjoy, and without further ado, lets get it.
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