King of Pop
First, we delve into hero worship gone overboard – again.
An alleged pedophile kicks the bucket and the world comes to a complete stop. It’s wall to wall coverage on every network. I can’t get away from it and it’s driving me nuts.
Am I the only one who thinks this is just another sign of our society collapsing in front of our eyes?
Yea, I know Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. He was also a 50 year old man whose hero was Peter Pan.
He was an adult who had an amusement park in his backyard so he could lure eight-year olds over for a ride on the merry-go-round and perhaps a sleep over complete with silk sheets and wine.
The dude allegedly paid millions to make lawsuits involving inappropriate behavior with children go away.
This leads to the obvious question of what moron parent would ever let their kid near this guy?’
But that’s for another day.
I haven’t even covered the fact that he turned himself into “half man-half freak." I mean, I can’t think of another human being on this planet that looks likes Michael Jackson. He was a walking wax figure of himself.
With all this and much more revolving around this circus act, we now have adults around the globe mourning his death as if he had Mother Theresa’s impact.
No, in this case, the good does not outweigh the bad! The freak didn’t hurt just himself with self-destructive behavior, he molested children (allegedly) for Christ’s sake!
If he were a semi-normal person, he would have done serious jail time and his photo would need to be plastered on every palm tree near Southern California middle schools.
Instead, we have the networks giving him more air time than if a president had passed on. I’m especially disappointed in Fox News – who usually has the right read on the day’s events in terms of appropriate coverage. I couldn’t even get away from the Jackson coverage when I tuned that network in last night. And I tried 3x.
I don’t know what’s worse – adults gathering outside a hospital holding candlelight vigils or the fact that they had their children with them.
Check that – dragging the kids along is worse. Imagine what those parents could possibly be saying to their kids right now?
“Johnny – a great man just passed away. He was a musical genius unlike no other. Forget the fact that he liked to play – ‘Touch Jacko’s salami and win a ride on the ferris wheel.' That’s not important son. Besides, nothing was ever proven."
Right. And O.J. was innocent.
Thankfully, some of this will soon pass and the media, and the morons who live vicariosuly through people they have never met, will be on to the next reality television train wreck.
However, when historians write about our culture’s demise hundreds of years from now – like they have done with every dominant culture (Greeks, Romans, etc…) – America's hero worship culture will certainly demand a lengthy chapter.
By the way, I can see the cable networks now – planning their next fifty shows around Jackson’s toxicology reports and possible criminal indictments against some poor doctor who wrote this freak’s meds prescriptions so he could function well enough to always carry an umbrella with him outside on sunny 90 degree California days.
It’s always somebody else’s fault. Right.
NBA Draft
Those who read my pre-draft analysis know that I had little to say about the comings and goings of draft day since I did not see enough of these guys play to form real opinions on what they will do at the next level.
My college basketball viewing in 2008-09 involved mostly watching a couple Duke –North Carolina battles and the Final Four.
However, there are some post-draft observations that I need to air.
First, what the hell were the ESPN experts thinking when Minnesota drafted THREE point-guards and not one individual on the live panel at the time criticized the move?
One member of the panel (Jeff Van Gundy) did questioned if they could play two point guards at the same time.
Hey genius – Why not go farther and question the wisdom of actually drafting two players in the top six that play the exact same position?
Even Mark Jackson, usually a calm and appropriate voice when it comes to NBA analysis, didn’t raise any alarms. More on Jackson later.
When you need everything, the last thing you want to do is take three quarterbacks. That’s essentially what the Timberwolves did – NBA style.
Yea, I know they are trading one of them. But unless you have two deals ready to go when you make the picks, it makes absolutely no sense to me.
The last time I checked, you can only play one point guard at a time – especially when one is 5-11 and the other is 19 years old with spaghetti arms.
Back to Mark Jackson. He actually said the Cavaliers did not improve themselves by adding 17 points and eight boards a night (The Big Aristotle).
Right Mark.
Do the Cavaliers still need a perimeter player who can defend tall, athletic bigs? Of course. His name is Shane Battier and we wanted Cleveland to acquire this underrated player two years ago.
Regardless, the Cavaliers ARE better than they were 48 hours ago. They added a post big that still draws double teams, who can still defend the goal and who is still a physical freak – even at age 38.
Is Shack as good as he was five years ago? Of course not. But if he’s healthy come playoff time, he makes them (Cleveland) a better team because, for 28-30 minutes a night, he will be able to match up against any and all comers, including the Howards, Garnetts, Gasols, etc…
He simply gives them a much better chance of not being dominated inside - something we pointed out days after witnessing the Lakers dismantle the Cavs’ big men in Cleveland back in December.
To put it simply – you STILL have to account for Shack when he’s on the floor. Secondly, he has something to prove – being the first to five rings. And third, he takes some of the workload off LeBron James.
On occasion, when the Cavs are in the half-court set next year, LJ and company will be able to throw it into the “Big Fella” and watch as he dunks on someone.
That’s the equivalent of not asking your quarterback to sit in the shotgun and make all the plays, allowing him to hand off on occasion so he rest on occasion and let someone else do the work.
Remember – the Cavs have NOT had a post player who can consistently score with his back to the basket in SEVERAL years. Not since Z turned into a face-up 15-17 footer shooter – albeit a good one.
This move makes teams have to prepare for a post game when they play the Cavs. That’s a good thing.
And imagine James, when he's at his best, going to the hole, and Shack cleaning up his miss because the defense rotated over to help on 23? That’s also a good thing.
Now on to acquiring Shane Battier – or a facsimile there of.
Sideline Reporter
I continue to marvel at the stupidity of networks using “babes” to interview athletes during games and special events.
Instead of asking Shack what his thoughts were on potentially facing Dwight Howard in the post-season next spring on Draft Night, or inquiring how the Cavaliers now match up with the Kobe-led defending champion Lakers – this woman asks Shack if he would come off the bench next year in Cleveland?
Great f%$#@g question!
The Cavaliers added a future first ballot Hall of Famer, with four rings, who put up better numbers than anyone on the team’s front court in 2008-09, just to be part of their bench rotation.
Right.
No. We didn’t want to hear how he would have played Dwight “the impostor” Howard – as Shack calls him – had Cleveland plucked him up before the trading deadline?
No. We don’t want Shack to comment on trying to one-up Kobe in terms of rings, now that he’s on a team coming off 66 wins.
I don’t know if this is about political correctness or these networks actually believe these women know sports. All I know is 90% of the questions usually asked by these dolls are useless.
Something tells me most of these NBA sideline gals – with the exception of Cheryl Miller – wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a man or zone. Ditto for those sideline bunnies if you asked them to explain what “dime coverage” looks like during college football Saturdays or NFL Sundays.
By the way, most male sideline reporters only have a 20% success rate in asking questions in my book – especially the ones who care more about their wardrobe than asking probing questions.
Bottom line – when they go down to the sideline reporter for comment or questions between quarters or at halftime, that’s my cue to take a leak.
Vince Carter & Richard Jefferson
Orlando did not get better if they added Vince Carter and they lose Hedo T. to free agency. Carter does not make his teammates better. Hedo does – at least he did against the Cavs.
I consider it a wash at best.
I’m also not a Richard Jefferson fan, but he does give San Antonio more athleticism on the wing. It makes them better, but this group is aging, and will need to keep their key parts completely healthy to challenge come playoff time.
It's interesting how some teams (i.e. Cleveland & San Antonia) are being built specifically for April through June and the match-ups they will likely face.
It's almost as if the regular will be simply an extension of training camp with the main goal being to stay healthy. Look for the O'Neal's and Duncans to get plenty of bench time during the 82 game exhibition campaign.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
By Request
It looks like I am taking requests now.
Nationalized Health Care
First of all, we do not have 47 million Americans who can't get health care, as the advocates of a Canadian/British system would have you believe.
Approximately 10-15 million of our citizens make over $50,000 a year and choose not to buy health care for a variety of reasons, including stupidity. Some 12 million or so are immigrants who entered illegally in the first place and don’t qualify. Another 10-15 million are youngsters between 18-25, who live on their own, think they are indestructible and/or truly can’t afford it.
Add the fact that many who are currently without insurance can qualify for Medicaid benefits if they would bother to do the paperwork. In other words, we, the taxpayers pick up the tab when they get sick. For example, those currently on welfare receive Medicaid coverage and prescription drugs free of charge.
Having said that, I do believe there are problems with our current system, including the doctors’ main complaint that we need to curb the amount of lawsuits that are filed, which in turn drive up the cost of doing business.
And I do have compassion for those who truly don’t have health insurance, those between jobs, the elderly that get hammered with rising drug prescription costs, etc…
My solution?
Sorry. I’m not qualified to provide any answers other than to state the obvious – the government isn’t set up to provide a public option that works. If it did, that would be a first.
Have you checked out the Post Office's multi-billion $ a year deficit?
I do see some sort of health care bill eventually passing Congress this year. It will likely be a very watered down version. The President will claim victory. But the private sector will remain in charge overall of health care – as it should be.
The bottom line is those who have a decent job and a health care plan in place complain about the cost but generally are pleased with their overall coverage.
Meanwhile, those without work, between jobs, or have low-paying jobs are one serious car accident away from being ruined financially because they have no coverage.
Some sort of Catastrophic Health Insurance should be made available to Americans who need it. Yes, I would pay a little more in taxes to make sure families going through tough times aren’t ruined because mom needed four weeks in the hospital to recover from emergency surgery.
I just don't know how we do it. It's not my area of expertise.
North Korea & Iran
For some reason, we are currently tailing a North Korean ship carrying illegal arms to Burma but we aren’t likely to board it.
So why tail it if you don’t plan on checking out the cargo?
Plus, if we do board it, the nut jobs in North Korea might start firing missiles south – where we have 28,000 soldiers stationed in South Korea.
It’s like owning a gun. I was told several years ago – never point a weapon at someone unless you are willing to fire. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
One thing is for certain, the dictators around the world will continue to screw with the new, young President. That’s what you get when you don’t even use the term “war on terror” anymore, send terrorists to Bermuda for permanent R & R and think your persuasive skills can convince thugs to negotiate in good faith.
Think about it - if you went from state office to Senator to the most powereful man in the world in just over four years, you would think you could walk on water too.
That's a potentially dangerous mindset to possess unless Obama has some strong adults around to keep it real.
As for Iran – better late than never. Obama has finally publicly accused the Iranian regime of terrible behavior in repressing public criticism of its elections returns.
Initially, he didn’t want to “meddle.”
I’m not going to rip Obama on this one. This country, in the past, has given moral (verbal) support to folks who rose up against repressive regimes, only to stand by and watch those democracy seekers bleed in the streets after the crackdowns.
Sara Palin
I was also asked to comment on the Alaskan governor. No, she won’t be a serious candidate for president in 2012, even though her followers believe that to be the case.
Her detractors – mainly the media – have succeeded in marginalizing her to the point where I can’t see her ever getting 50+% of the vote. That doesn’t mean I don’t like her politics or her looks for that matter. She simply has too much of an uphill climb and is damaged goods.
Sorry Sara.
No, I don’t have a front-runner yet.
NBA Draft
I haven’t seen many of these guys play enough to comment on who will make it in the pros and who will flame out. That’s just a fact.
I do know this – the Cavaliers need an impact post presence – on both ends, and a young, tall wing player who can defend and run the floor. Neither of these needs will be filled with the 30th pick overall however.
It’s time for Danny to wheel and deal again.
When you get beat, you need to get better. It’s that simple – even if you were the best team in the league during the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Look for Andy V. to be involved in a sign and trade. The Cavaliers need a very skilled player up front. AV is one of their few bargaining chips. This corner has been in his corner for several years. However, with this team, at this time, I would rather put $8 million a year or more toward a better all-around player than someone who has no offensive skills.
Besides, I was wrong. AV has proven he is better served coming off the bench. I can’t pay a role player, albeit it a unique one (AV), that kind of cash when I have other pressing needs.
One last look back at the Orlando series reinforces my belief that Mike Brown and his staff gagged badly. LJ should have been put on Hedo T. – which would have wiped that smirk from his face and slowed down Orlando’s offensive efficiency.
Secondly, Z should have played minimal minutes at best. That happened in game #6 – which was too little too late. He simply could not keep Howard from dunking on him at a ridiculous rate.
It was like watching a quality DI post player take on Thiel College’s best interior presence. Thiel is in PA, for those of you who did not work for me during your youth.
I would have played Ben Wallace more and gritted my teeth with him at the offensive end of the floor.
The fact remains that the 6-9 Hedo T. will make a lot of money this off-season thanks in large part to the Cavaliers putting a 6-3 guard (West) on him most of the series.
If I had a midget on me, at the age of 30, I would be smiling also, along with going anywhere on the court I pleased. Hedo was not nearly as effective against a taller and more athletic Laker perimeter presence.
As for Howard, he was exposed by the Lakers as being a freak physical specimen lacking real post skills – which is what we called him during the Cavs’ meltdown against the Magic.
Even Charles Barkley, who normally “gets it” when it comes to basketball talent, overreacted during the Cavs-Magic series. He claimed LeBron and Kobe better watch out because Howard has joined the club - or something to that affect. No – not yet Charles.
Pat Riley
The Pat Riley to Cleveland rumors are intriguing, even though I doubt this guy, who has lived in LA, New York and Miami would want to spend the next few winters in Cleveland – even if LBJ decided to stay.
One of my sports commandments has always been – you don’t fire a manager/coach unless you can clearly upgrade. Riley would be an upgrade. However, no owner has the stones to can a coach the same year he wins 66 games and is named NBA Coach of the Year. It simply has never been done. But it makes for interesting conversation.
Manny
I occasionally turn on SportsCenter. And it seems, the network has gone from covering Mark Sanchez’s every move in the Big Apple to Manny’s every BP swing as he prepares for his re-instatement after turning up a cheat.
Who gives a %$#@?
Indians
If you want to know why the Indians have been out of the post-season in seven of the last eight years, just look at their top draft picks since 1998. Only CC, a first-round 10 years ago, has made a splash. Many of them barely had a cup of coffer with the parent club.
In fact, if you analyze the “young” players Mark Shapiro and company have been touting since 2000, most of them are #4 starters –at best, and fourth outfielders. Those are just facts.
Yes, Wedge will be gone soon, but Shapiro needs to also be held accountable. He knows, in this market, he just hasn’t had a good enough batting average. And it’s not because the owner has been cheap. No, Dolan hasn’t given him a blank check, but Shapiro needed to do more with $80 million – the current team salary in 2009.
We are already on record as wanting Grover back. He knows the town, the farm system and is the only manager who had sustained success here since the 50s. Those are also facts.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Buddy Bell back in the dugout as well. If Grover doesn’t want to manage anymore, he can run the show from upstairs and Bell can call the shots in the dugout.
Yes, I want Indians running the Cleveland Indians this time around. I believe in the Bo Shembeckler philosophy – “A Michigan man will coach the Wolverines!”
By the way, I can’t see the Tribe dealing either Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez this season. That would send a message to fans they are light years from competing again. It’s simply bad logic. As bad as this team is playing, no one can guess who will win this division in 2010.
I though this team would win between 85-88 games based mostly on the fact they play so many games (19) against their mediocre divisional mates. I was obviously wrong. However, it won’t take much in this division to get competitive again if you hit for a high batting average in the off-season.
In case they are looking – which I’m sure they are- someone tell the Dolans I’ll work relatively cheap and only seek a one year deal.
Hopefully, it was worth the wait.
Nationalized Health Care
First of all, we do not have 47 million Americans who can't get health care, as the advocates of a Canadian/British system would have you believe.
Approximately 10-15 million of our citizens make over $50,000 a year and choose not to buy health care for a variety of reasons, including stupidity. Some 12 million or so are immigrants who entered illegally in the first place and don’t qualify. Another 10-15 million are youngsters between 18-25, who live on their own, think they are indestructible and/or truly can’t afford it.
Add the fact that many who are currently without insurance can qualify for Medicaid benefits if they would bother to do the paperwork. In other words, we, the taxpayers pick up the tab when they get sick. For example, those currently on welfare receive Medicaid coverage and prescription drugs free of charge.
Having said that, I do believe there are problems with our current system, including the doctors’ main complaint that we need to curb the amount of lawsuits that are filed, which in turn drive up the cost of doing business.
And I do have compassion for those who truly don’t have health insurance, those between jobs, the elderly that get hammered with rising drug prescription costs, etc…
My solution?
Sorry. I’m not qualified to provide any answers other than to state the obvious – the government isn’t set up to provide a public option that works. If it did, that would be a first.
Have you checked out the Post Office's multi-billion $ a year deficit?
I do see some sort of health care bill eventually passing Congress this year. It will likely be a very watered down version. The President will claim victory. But the private sector will remain in charge overall of health care – as it should be.
The bottom line is those who have a decent job and a health care plan in place complain about the cost but generally are pleased with their overall coverage.
Meanwhile, those without work, between jobs, or have low-paying jobs are one serious car accident away from being ruined financially because they have no coverage.
Some sort of Catastrophic Health Insurance should be made available to Americans who need it. Yes, I would pay a little more in taxes to make sure families going through tough times aren’t ruined because mom needed four weeks in the hospital to recover from emergency surgery.
I just don't know how we do it. It's not my area of expertise.
North Korea & Iran
For some reason, we are currently tailing a North Korean ship carrying illegal arms to Burma but we aren’t likely to board it.
So why tail it if you don’t plan on checking out the cargo?
Plus, if we do board it, the nut jobs in North Korea might start firing missiles south – where we have 28,000 soldiers stationed in South Korea.
It’s like owning a gun. I was told several years ago – never point a weapon at someone unless you are willing to fire. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
One thing is for certain, the dictators around the world will continue to screw with the new, young President. That’s what you get when you don’t even use the term “war on terror” anymore, send terrorists to Bermuda for permanent R & R and think your persuasive skills can convince thugs to negotiate in good faith.
Think about it - if you went from state office to Senator to the most powereful man in the world in just over four years, you would think you could walk on water too.
That's a potentially dangerous mindset to possess unless Obama has some strong adults around to keep it real.
As for Iran – better late than never. Obama has finally publicly accused the Iranian regime of terrible behavior in repressing public criticism of its elections returns.
Initially, he didn’t want to “meddle.”
I’m not going to rip Obama on this one. This country, in the past, has given moral (verbal) support to folks who rose up against repressive regimes, only to stand by and watch those democracy seekers bleed in the streets after the crackdowns.
Sara Palin
I was also asked to comment on the Alaskan governor. No, she won’t be a serious candidate for president in 2012, even though her followers believe that to be the case.
Her detractors – mainly the media – have succeeded in marginalizing her to the point where I can’t see her ever getting 50+% of the vote. That doesn’t mean I don’t like her politics or her looks for that matter. She simply has too much of an uphill climb and is damaged goods.
Sorry Sara.
No, I don’t have a front-runner yet.
NBA Draft
I haven’t seen many of these guys play enough to comment on who will make it in the pros and who will flame out. That’s just a fact.
I do know this – the Cavaliers need an impact post presence – on both ends, and a young, tall wing player who can defend and run the floor. Neither of these needs will be filled with the 30th pick overall however.
It’s time for Danny to wheel and deal again.
When you get beat, you need to get better. It’s that simple – even if you were the best team in the league during the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Look for Andy V. to be involved in a sign and trade. The Cavaliers need a very skilled player up front. AV is one of their few bargaining chips. This corner has been in his corner for several years. However, with this team, at this time, I would rather put $8 million a year or more toward a better all-around player than someone who has no offensive skills.
Besides, I was wrong. AV has proven he is better served coming off the bench. I can’t pay a role player, albeit it a unique one (AV), that kind of cash when I have other pressing needs.
One last look back at the Orlando series reinforces my belief that Mike Brown and his staff gagged badly. LJ should have been put on Hedo T. – which would have wiped that smirk from his face and slowed down Orlando’s offensive efficiency.
Secondly, Z should have played minimal minutes at best. That happened in game #6 – which was too little too late. He simply could not keep Howard from dunking on him at a ridiculous rate.
It was like watching a quality DI post player take on Thiel College’s best interior presence. Thiel is in PA, for those of you who did not work for me during your youth.
I would have played Ben Wallace more and gritted my teeth with him at the offensive end of the floor.
The fact remains that the 6-9 Hedo T. will make a lot of money this off-season thanks in large part to the Cavaliers putting a 6-3 guard (West) on him most of the series.
If I had a midget on me, at the age of 30, I would be smiling also, along with going anywhere on the court I pleased. Hedo was not nearly as effective against a taller and more athletic Laker perimeter presence.
As for Howard, he was exposed by the Lakers as being a freak physical specimen lacking real post skills – which is what we called him during the Cavs’ meltdown against the Magic.
Even Charles Barkley, who normally “gets it” when it comes to basketball talent, overreacted during the Cavs-Magic series. He claimed LeBron and Kobe better watch out because Howard has joined the club - or something to that affect. No – not yet Charles.
Pat Riley
The Pat Riley to Cleveland rumors are intriguing, even though I doubt this guy, who has lived in LA, New York and Miami would want to spend the next few winters in Cleveland – even if LBJ decided to stay.
One of my sports commandments has always been – you don’t fire a manager/coach unless you can clearly upgrade. Riley would be an upgrade. However, no owner has the stones to can a coach the same year he wins 66 games and is named NBA Coach of the Year. It simply has never been done. But it makes for interesting conversation.
Manny
I occasionally turn on SportsCenter. And it seems, the network has gone from covering Mark Sanchez’s every move in the Big Apple to Manny’s every BP swing as he prepares for his re-instatement after turning up a cheat.
Who gives a %$#@?
Indians
If you want to know why the Indians have been out of the post-season in seven of the last eight years, just look at their top draft picks since 1998. Only CC, a first-round 10 years ago, has made a splash. Many of them barely had a cup of coffer with the parent club.
In fact, if you analyze the “young” players Mark Shapiro and company have been touting since 2000, most of them are #4 starters –at best, and fourth outfielders. Those are just facts.
Yes, Wedge will be gone soon, but Shapiro needs to also be held accountable. He knows, in this market, he just hasn’t had a good enough batting average. And it’s not because the owner has been cheap. No, Dolan hasn’t given him a blank check, but Shapiro needed to do more with $80 million – the current team salary in 2009.
We are already on record as wanting Grover back. He knows the town, the farm system and is the only manager who had sustained success here since the 50s. Those are also facts.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Buddy Bell back in the dugout as well. If Grover doesn’t want to manage anymore, he can run the show from upstairs and Bell can call the shots in the dugout.
Yes, I want Indians running the Cleveland Indians this time around. I believe in the Bo Shembeckler philosophy – “A Michigan man will coach the Wolverines!”
By the way, I can’t see the Tribe dealing either Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez this season. That would send a message to fans they are light years from competing again. It’s simply bad logic. As bad as this team is playing, no one can guess who will win this division in 2010.
I though this team would win between 85-88 games based mostly on the fact they play so many games (19) against their mediocre divisional mates. I was obviously wrong. However, it won’t take much in this division to get competitive again if you hit for a high batting average in the off-season.
In case they are looking – which I’m sure they are- someone tell the Dolans I’ll work relatively cheap and only seek a one year deal.
Hopefully, it was worth the wait.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cavs Post Mortem & More
Back to The Drawing Board
There are times when an opponent either outplays you and/or has your number. That was the case with Orlando beating the Cavaliers in six in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cavaliers’ coaching staff also needs to do some soul searching after this series, including why it took so long to figure out that poor Z and company simply couldn’t guard Dwight Howard one-on-one in the blocks or why LeBron wasn’t defending Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic's offensive facilitator in this series, from start to finish.
Regardless, there are times when you simply don’t match up well. We were wrong - the better team clearly won.
Now the good news - The Cavaliers won a team-record 66 games and the core is young and intact - James, Moe Williams & Delonte West. Everyone else is either old or expendable.
The team also has wiggle room to wheel and deal in terms of an expired contract (i.e. Wally Z.), a potential sign and trade commodity (i.e. Anderson Varejao) and two expiring deals in 2010 (i.e. $25 million between Z & Ben Wallace).
The needs are clear – a young, multi-dimensional post player and some size/athleticism on the perimeter to off-set the small backcourt.
Self-Pity
No whining please – there’s nothing worse than hearing Cleveland fans and media complain about not winning a title since 1964. Your team lost. It wasn’t even close. Self pity is not an attractive trait.
Pulling A LeBron
There's no excuse for LeBron James' hissy fit after the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers. He needed to shake hands and address the media afterwards.
Shaking hands shows sportsmanship - even 9-year olds are expected to do it after losing. As for the post-game press conference he skipped, that's part of the job description.
As we have said in the past, anyone can answer softball questions after winning, you find out a lot more about people after a tough loss.
And I don't buy the excuse James was devastated after expecting to reach the Finals and coming up short. Anyone who followed this series and knows baskeball saw this coming after the Cavaliers went down 3-1. James has a very high basketball IQ and he had plenty of time to prepare for a potential early exit.
In fact, this corner didn't even watch most of game #6. By that point, it was clear the Cavaliers were up against a hotter/better team (take your pick).
And no one has mentioned that James made matters worse the next day (Sunday) by not manning-up and admitting his mistakes (plural).
And no, I don't give him a pass this time because he's been a solid citizen and positive role model during his career to date. Sunday's performance sealed that deal for me.
The guy is the best player on the planet and has been for several years now, but he was wrong. Period.
Until he admits his errors, not shaking hands after a loss, from here on out, will be known to many as "pulling a LeBron." That's not good for the near-perfect public image LJ and the NBA have worked hard to cultivate.
As for the NBA, we'll see now if the league has the guts to slap a large fine on him for shunning the media - but I doubt it.
MASH Unit
This season is spinning out of control fast. First, the Tribe comes out of the gate slowly – again, and now players are going on the DL faster than Tribe hitters are fanning at 2-2 breaking balls down and away. Grady Sizemore is the latest to go down.
We’ll say it again - clear the deck and play the kids. No one is going to show up this summer to watch this product either way. You might as well let your best prospects get their feet wet and see who is ready and who needs more seasoning.
Power Shortage
My boy J. Peralta has hit exactly one more home run for the Tribe than I have this season. Why Eric Wedge has him hitting in the middle of the order right now is a mystery to me.
Discipline & Organization
Those two words keep popping up when you hear players talk about their first impression of the Mangini regime in Cleveland. That’s got to be a good thing.
Hopefully, it will translate into players being held accountable for both mental and physical miscues in games, and we won’t have quarterbacks taking multiple timeouts because they couldn’t get the plays off in time.
Lakers
Yes, we like the Lakers in six over the Magic. Too much size and length up front, enough perimter size/athleticism to keep Orlando from consistently knocking down 3s and the best player on the court - Kobe.
U.S. Economic Demise
I heard a wise man the other day say "It's not what your economy consumes but what your economiy produces that matters."
That says it all and also creates a scary scenario ahead as the U.S. goes deeper and deeper in debt with no end in sight.
I'm not a economic expert - far from it. But I know you can't just keep printing money without massive inflation facing you right around the corner. Even the communist Chinese, who own much of our debt, are begging us to stop the madness.
This wise man went on - describing the 19th century as the "European Century," the
20th century as the "U.S. Century," and the 21st century as "the Chinese Century."
At this point, who can argue with that?
The good news - an election is less than two years away. The tough part is finding good candidates, regardles of party affiliation, who have the guts and knowledge to put forth the right plans to start the process of getting us out of this mess.
There are times when an opponent either outplays you and/or has your number. That was the case with Orlando beating the Cavaliers in six in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cavaliers’ coaching staff also needs to do some soul searching after this series, including why it took so long to figure out that poor Z and company simply couldn’t guard Dwight Howard one-on-one in the blocks or why LeBron wasn’t defending Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic's offensive facilitator in this series, from start to finish.
Regardless, there are times when you simply don’t match up well. We were wrong - the better team clearly won.
Now the good news - The Cavaliers won a team-record 66 games and the core is young and intact - James, Moe Williams & Delonte West. Everyone else is either old or expendable.
The team also has wiggle room to wheel and deal in terms of an expired contract (i.e. Wally Z.), a potential sign and trade commodity (i.e. Anderson Varejao) and two expiring deals in 2010 (i.e. $25 million between Z & Ben Wallace).
The needs are clear – a young, multi-dimensional post player and some size/athleticism on the perimeter to off-set the small backcourt.
Self-Pity
No whining please – there’s nothing worse than hearing Cleveland fans and media complain about not winning a title since 1964. Your team lost. It wasn’t even close. Self pity is not an attractive trait.
Pulling A LeBron
There's no excuse for LeBron James' hissy fit after the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers. He needed to shake hands and address the media afterwards.
Shaking hands shows sportsmanship - even 9-year olds are expected to do it after losing. As for the post-game press conference he skipped, that's part of the job description.
As we have said in the past, anyone can answer softball questions after winning, you find out a lot more about people after a tough loss.
And I don't buy the excuse James was devastated after expecting to reach the Finals and coming up short. Anyone who followed this series and knows baskeball saw this coming after the Cavaliers went down 3-1. James has a very high basketball IQ and he had plenty of time to prepare for a potential early exit.
In fact, this corner didn't even watch most of game #6. By that point, it was clear the Cavaliers were up against a hotter/better team (take your pick).
And no one has mentioned that James made matters worse the next day (Sunday) by not manning-up and admitting his mistakes (plural).
And no, I don't give him a pass this time because he's been a solid citizen and positive role model during his career to date. Sunday's performance sealed that deal for me.
The guy is the best player on the planet and has been for several years now, but he was wrong. Period.
Until he admits his errors, not shaking hands after a loss, from here on out, will be known to many as "pulling a LeBron." That's not good for the near-perfect public image LJ and the NBA have worked hard to cultivate.
As for the NBA, we'll see now if the league has the guts to slap a large fine on him for shunning the media - but I doubt it.
MASH Unit
This season is spinning out of control fast. First, the Tribe comes out of the gate slowly – again, and now players are going on the DL faster than Tribe hitters are fanning at 2-2 breaking balls down and away. Grady Sizemore is the latest to go down.
We’ll say it again - clear the deck and play the kids. No one is going to show up this summer to watch this product either way. You might as well let your best prospects get their feet wet and see who is ready and who needs more seasoning.
Power Shortage
My boy J. Peralta has hit exactly one more home run for the Tribe than I have this season. Why Eric Wedge has him hitting in the middle of the order right now is a mystery to me.
Discipline & Organization
Those two words keep popping up when you hear players talk about their first impression of the Mangini regime in Cleveland. That’s got to be a good thing.
Hopefully, it will translate into players being held accountable for both mental and physical miscues in games, and we won’t have quarterbacks taking multiple timeouts because they couldn’t get the plays off in time.
Lakers
Yes, we like the Lakers in six over the Magic. Too much size and length up front, enough perimter size/athleticism to keep Orlando from consistently knocking down 3s and the best player on the court - Kobe.
U.S. Economic Demise
I heard a wise man the other day say "It's not what your economy consumes but what your economiy produces that matters."
That says it all and also creates a scary scenario ahead as the U.S. goes deeper and deeper in debt with no end in sight.
I'm not a economic expert - far from it. But I know you can't just keep printing money without massive inflation facing you right around the corner. Even the communist Chinese, who own much of our debt, are begging us to stop the madness.
This wise man went on - describing the 19th century as the "European Century," the
20th century as the "U.S. Century," and the 21st century as "the Chinese Century."
At this point, who can argue with that?
The good news - an election is less than two years away. The tough part is finding good candidates, regardles of party affiliation, who have the guts and knowledge to put forth the right plans to start the process of getting us out of this mess.
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