Ultimate Narcissist
“I am taking my talents to South Beach next year.”
I still can’t get over that quote from LBJ. That 10 word sentence encompasses everything that is wrong with today’s athletes.
And did you expect anything less from a guy who wore a Yankee cap at Progressive Field for years?
That self-absorbed, I don’t give a damn about anyone or anything else dress code violation alone should have told the jock sniffing local sports fans & enabling local media he wasn’t staying put.
Could you imagine Larry Bird or Magic Johnson every talking like that?
Regardles, that's my new handle for awhile (South Beach Talent).
Pete Carroll
This guy takes himself way too seriously. He’s turning up everywhere on the television circuit pushing his new book which should be title “How I cheated like hell and got out of dodge before the posy caught up to me.”
And I am amazed no one has had the balls to ask him during these interviews why he skipped town before the NCAA came down on SC? Sports journalism is in a sad place right now. It’s all about kissing ass to get access and/or getting as much air time as possible.
Shelley Duncan
I took a shot at this guy a few weeks back. I apologize. I discovered he was the International League MVP last year posting 30/90 numbers. And from what I hear from someone who covers the Tribe daily, he works his ass off everyday, is a good teammate and plays the game the right way.
I like the underdog, so I hope he sticks around and can give the Tribe a decent right hand bat. Besides, I liked and rooted for his old man (Dave Duncan) when he was an Indians’ catcher ages ago.
Yea, I know he's (Duncan) not 24, but I like guys who grind it out and keep their nose clean.
Underdogs
Speaking of underdogs, am I the only one who is curious as to what type of team the Cavaliers will put together this coming season?
Hell, I may even buy a ticket to support Gilbert and company.
I was hoping they would land Matt Barnes, who can defend, plays with an attitude, is long and can play multiple positions. Unfortunately, the team will have to overpay free agents to go there right now. And in some cases, they still won’t come.
Regardless, I wish Byron Scott luck. He will need it. One thing is for certain, no one outside the Cavs’ locker room will have high expectations for 2010-11. Maybe Scott and company can use that as motivation for his troops. I will be watching to see how Scott and his staff handle this difficult franchise conversion.
Browns
Camp starts this weekend. How does 7-9 sound? I can’t imagine the Browns finishing with more than 7 wins – and that’s being relatively kind. They still have question marks at some of the most important positions on the field – quarterback, pass rusher, cover corner and wide receiver – and not necessarily in that order.
The sad truth is they are still a lot closer to being a poor 5-11 team than a playoff bound 11-5 squad. I hope I’m mistaken – but not likely.
What I am most amazed at is the fact that many in the local media along with the majority of fans are expecting a much better team based solely on the fact that the “Walrus” is in town running the show.
There’s only one problem, MH doesn’t throw the ball, catch it, sack the quarterback or cover NFL receivers for a living.
Super Bowl Picks
How’s Indianapolis and New Orleans sound? What again?
Yes, I know it’s tough to repeat in football because the playing field is level – unlike baseball, but I don’t see anyone better in the NFC than New Orleans, as long as they keep their QB upright.
And as long as Manning is slinging it in Indy, they will be in the hunt. I also still like New England because of Brady, but their defense has some holes.
I know it unfortunately won’t be the Browns and Lions playing in Dallas come February.
Notice, I always go with the teams with the QB. I never fell for the “you can win with a guy who manages the game” silliness we were being sold post-Trent Dilfer taking snaps in Baltimore. The same morons who were preaching that garbage 10 years ago are now telling the world you need a QB beacuse it's now a passing league.
What the hell have they been watching since the Reagan administration?
Which is it geniuses? And no, the rules haven’t changed that much since 2000. It has been a passing league for 30 years, not just the last five. Or haven’t you heard of Elway, Marino, Kelly, Fouts and company?
Yes, you can win big with a good running game, a very good defense and soid special teams – but it’s a lot harder to do so. Your margin for error is greater. Try coming from behind with that philosophy
NFL Lock Out
I’m told we are likely to have an NFL lockout prior to the 2011 season. Yea, that will go over well with fans during this economy.
Here’s my favorite part of the stupidity – the NFL Players' Association is holding seminars telling its players to save money in case the lockout comes. They are worried players won’t save and thus will eventually crack and push the union to making a bad deal just to get their checks again.
Can you imagine making $450,000+ a year – and that’s a conservative estimate of what a sixth rounder in his third year in the league makes – and not having enough money saved to keep your family upright for a few months? Amazing.
As NBA player rep Pat Ewing famously said during NBA labor negotiations years ago– “Yea, we make a lot of money, but we spend a lot of money too.” Classic!
Trading Deadline & More
The non-waiver wire deadline is fast approaching and the Indians were able to get a taker (Detroit) for J. Peralta and his $4 ½ million salary.
Peralta basically stopped hitting once he moved to third base – a position switch that should have been made years ago beacuse of Astrubal Cabrera being amuch better shortstop.
As I said many times, you can carry JP at shortstop when he consistently goes 20/80+ and .275 for you, but not if he’s going to go 12/70 and .260 for you. And since moving to third, he’s been that or worse. And third is still a spot that dictates offense first.
A question has been recently asked nationally as to why pitchers are starting to dominate again? Simple – steroids, or lack there of. Yea, there have been an inordinate number of no-hitters this season, but that’s simply an anomaly.
What is clear is that we have gone back (thankfully) in time to the pre-1990s era, where 30/100 is a very good power season at the plate, where a 4.00 ERA is just average again and doesn’t get you a 5 year/50 million deal, and where banging out 40 doubles is a good year. These are all good things.
Now if they would truly address revenue sharing and a hard salary cap, I might just begin paying attention again.
Fab 5
Not that you care – but here are the five baseball players I would pay to watch perform – Ricky Henderson, Joey Bell, Gaylord Perry, Ozzie Smith & Ken Griffey.
I chose Ricky because he’s Ricky. The best base stealer ever had a tremendous eye at the plate, could go deep right out of the gate and played with a swagger unmatched by any other pro athlete. He’s the only hot dog you couldn’t dislike. Why? Simple – because he’s Ricky. But forget all the nonsense and laughs. We are talking about the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time – and it’s not even close.
Joey Belle is #2 on the list, because in his prime before the hip problems, no one competed more at the plate than Joey. He absolutely never gave away an at bat. I respect that.
Gaylord Perry is #3 because he drove the opposition nuts – both when they were in the batter’s box, but just as important, in the dugout. No one got into an opposing team’s head like Gaylord. Even when he wasn’t loading it up, he made you think he was.
Ozzie Smith is #4 because he’s the best defensive player in the history of baseball in my humble opinion. I can’t speak for players before 1970, but in the last 40 years, no one has done it better while also playing the most important position on the field, this side of the pitching mound.
Ken Griffey is #5 instead of ARod – who I dubbed back in 2000 as potentially the greatest player in the game, because Griffey didn’t cheat and ARod did - allegedly. Early on when he was in Seattle and healthy, Griffey was the best player in the game, no questions asked. Injuries took a toll on his body, but in his prime, he was the ultimate 5-tool player.
Moron(s) of the Week
I’m driving to Akron to work this past week and decided to change from my CD playing Iron Maiden to a local radio sports talk show and what nonsense do I hear?
The two hosts are debating whether Ed Reed of Baltimore deserves to be in the Hall of Fame when he’s done playing. They actually debated this for a couple minutes. Amazing.
If Reed, arguable the game’s best defensive player when healthy doesn’t get into the HOF, then who the hell does?
One could even make the argument that for pound (Reed is about 5-11/200), he’s the best defensive player of the modern era – including my favorite Lawrence “I did not have sex with that underage hooker” Taylor.
I quickly turned off the radio and put Maiden’s “Fear of the Dark” back on the air.
Till next time - be good.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Gilbert & LBJ
I have been asked by several of you to comment ASAP on the LBJ announcement.
Without getting into the weeds, this is the ultimate case of an owner, city, media and fans enabling a young athlete for years to do what he pleases, then crying foul when this man-child takes advantage of them one more time as he bolts out the door.
Commandment #1 in sports folks – ROOT FOR THE TEAM NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY, NOT THE PLAYER’S NAME ON THE BACK!
We’ve been over this many times. That's why I have never worn a player jersey and never will.
One day I will list all 10 - I promise.
Now back to the train wreck.
From what I have been told, Mike Brown and Danny Ferry, both no longer Cavalier employees, on more than one occasion tried to get Dan Gilbert to say “NO” to LeBron and his posy of friends who had free reign not only within that facility (The Q), but basically within that organization.
The owner did not dare take James’ toys away because he worried that would upset “the King.”
If you continue to enable a child, and never discipline him/her, will they ever respect you? Of course not.
When potentially half your personal wealth is wrapped up in one asset, you don’t rock the boat. And that’s the problem here folks. A sound businessman does not allow it to get to the point where a 25-year old kid and his childhood friends completely determine the fate of a franchise, no to mention the economic status of a major metropolitan city.
What Gilbert did was the equivalent of you or me going to Vegas and putting the bulk of our personal wealth on one single roll of the dice. That’s just not good business.
And of course, when the roll went bad, Gilbert completely flipped and went public. That's something you never do in PR. That’s why we have a "post-game cooling of period” my friends.
To make matters worse, Gilbert, surrounded by puppets himself, had no one savvy enough around him to either be able to talk him out of it or simply crash the Cavs servers so the owner couldn’t make a complete fool of himself.
That would have been my approach, followed by taking Dan the weightlifter out, getting him good and loaded, while no doubt having to listen to his childish bemoaning of what he had done for LeBron, Gloria and company for the past five years.
The truth is as follows – James took advantage of the system – which was his right. This isn’t 1810, its 2010 – slavery doesn’t exist anymore. The guy signed a three-year deal leaving him the out to leave. Then he did it. End of story.
We saw this coming a mile away. Anyone with common sense could see it.
What did you expect? He chose the 12-month out of the year beach and bikinis of Miami over the rustbelt and Ohio winters. That’s the simple truth of it. Think about it – many narcissistic, spoiled 25-year old professional athletes would do the exact same thing.
And no one individual in SPORTS HISTORY has ever been more spoiled than LBJ. A whole city was at his feet. You get what you deserve folks.
By the way, the clearest sign someone is totally self-absorbed is when the start talking in the "third person." James did it throughout the interview with that littel schmuck the oter night and has been doing it for several years now.
I do this for a living, remember? It's called speech class 101. Just actually pay attention to what people say, and more importantly, how they say it, and you'll have most of your answers.
God, how I wish I could fix a leaky roof or overhaul an engine. Instead, I know this silly %$#@. I'd give my left testicle to have a totally different skill set.
By the way, I thought the little schmuck doing the interview (Jim Gray or Grey - whatever) was just incompetent and continuing to just kiss ass, but I heard over the air yesterday that James' people paid him for that interview, not ESPN. No wonder there were no questions about game #5, among other pertinent issues that a professional interviewer should have addressed.
Back to poor Dan - he simply bet on red and it turned out black.
Yes Dan, I know your franchise worth just dropped by 50%. Yes, I realize the Cleveland casino you are investing in doesn’t look like it will be full come wintertime. Yes, I fully understand the on-the-court basketball ramifications for your team – 25-57 here we come.
But you put yourself in this situation and have no one to blame. No one enabled LBJ more than you. And if the kid had chosen to stay, you’d still be so far up his ass right now, you’d be able to tell us all whether he ate fish or chicken last night. So stop being a complete hypocrite. Grow up.
Had Gilbert treated James like an employee on occasion instead of his main enabler, it might have done some good long-term. Perhaps James would had had some respect for his boss when making his decision. Perhaps not. We shall never know.
And if Gilbert and company expected James to be loyal to his city, his team and his owner, they were thinking with their hearts instead of there senses. That’s always a bad plan if you are running a business.
Now man-up Gilbert, shut your mouth, hire some professionals, take their advice and work on trying to make the best of a horrible situation you helped create.
Besides, I don’t feel bad for you at all – you’re still going to be worth millions, just not as many. I feel for those downtown parking attendants, waitresses and cooks who will be out of a job when the Cavs average 10,000 fans instead of 20,000+.
As for you Dan, look at the bright side – you won’t have to put up with Gloria on the team plane anymore.
Anyone want to buy an NBA franchise cheap? I know where you can get a great deal. And with some stable leadership, long-term, it can potentially make you some money.
By the way, I officially begin a new job on my birthday (August 16). I will only have one boss (one school) instead of three. It's 5 minutes from my home and I love teaching/working there. And yes, I will still have time to brighten your week from time to time.
Be good guys. R. Jampo
Without getting into the weeds, this is the ultimate case of an owner, city, media and fans enabling a young athlete for years to do what he pleases, then crying foul when this man-child takes advantage of them one more time as he bolts out the door.
Commandment #1 in sports folks – ROOT FOR THE TEAM NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY, NOT THE PLAYER’S NAME ON THE BACK!
We’ve been over this many times. That's why I have never worn a player jersey and never will.
One day I will list all 10 - I promise.
Now back to the train wreck.
From what I have been told, Mike Brown and Danny Ferry, both no longer Cavalier employees, on more than one occasion tried to get Dan Gilbert to say “NO” to LeBron and his posy of friends who had free reign not only within that facility (The Q), but basically within that organization.
The owner did not dare take James’ toys away because he worried that would upset “the King.”
If you continue to enable a child, and never discipline him/her, will they ever respect you? Of course not.
When potentially half your personal wealth is wrapped up in one asset, you don’t rock the boat. And that’s the problem here folks. A sound businessman does not allow it to get to the point where a 25-year old kid and his childhood friends completely determine the fate of a franchise, no to mention the economic status of a major metropolitan city.
What Gilbert did was the equivalent of you or me going to Vegas and putting the bulk of our personal wealth on one single roll of the dice. That’s just not good business.
And of course, when the roll went bad, Gilbert completely flipped and went public. That's something you never do in PR. That’s why we have a "post-game cooling of period” my friends.
To make matters worse, Gilbert, surrounded by puppets himself, had no one savvy enough around him to either be able to talk him out of it or simply crash the Cavs servers so the owner couldn’t make a complete fool of himself.
That would have been my approach, followed by taking Dan the weightlifter out, getting him good and loaded, while no doubt having to listen to his childish bemoaning of what he had done for LeBron, Gloria and company for the past five years.
The truth is as follows – James took advantage of the system – which was his right. This isn’t 1810, its 2010 – slavery doesn’t exist anymore. The guy signed a three-year deal leaving him the out to leave. Then he did it. End of story.
We saw this coming a mile away. Anyone with common sense could see it.
What did you expect? He chose the 12-month out of the year beach and bikinis of Miami over the rustbelt and Ohio winters. That’s the simple truth of it. Think about it – many narcissistic, spoiled 25-year old professional athletes would do the exact same thing.
And no one individual in SPORTS HISTORY has ever been more spoiled than LBJ. A whole city was at his feet. You get what you deserve folks.
By the way, the clearest sign someone is totally self-absorbed is when the start talking in the "third person." James did it throughout the interview with that littel schmuck the oter night and has been doing it for several years now.
I do this for a living, remember? It's called speech class 101. Just actually pay attention to what people say, and more importantly, how they say it, and you'll have most of your answers.
God, how I wish I could fix a leaky roof or overhaul an engine. Instead, I know this silly %$#@. I'd give my left testicle to have a totally different skill set.
By the way, I thought the little schmuck doing the interview (Jim Gray or Grey - whatever) was just incompetent and continuing to just kiss ass, but I heard over the air yesterday that James' people paid him for that interview, not ESPN. No wonder there were no questions about game #5, among other pertinent issues that a professional interviewer should have addressed.
Back to poor Dan - he simply bet on red and it turned out black.
Yes Dan, I know your franchise worth just dropped by 50%. Yes, I realize the Cleveland casino you are investing in doesn’t look like it will be full come wintertime. Yes, I fully understand the on-the-court basketball ramifications for your team – 25-57 here we come.
But you put yourself in this situation and have no one to blame. No one enabled LBJ more than you. And if the kid had chosen to stay, you’d still be so far up his ass right now, you’d be able to tell us all whether he ate fish or chicken last night. So stop being a complete hypocrite. Grow up.
Had Gilbert treated James like an employee on occasion instead of his main enabler, it might have done some good long-term. Perhaps James would had had some respect for his boss when making his decision. Perhaps not. We shall never know.
And if Gilbert and company expected James to be loyal to his city, his team and his owner, they were thinking with their hearts instead of there senses. That’s always a bad plan if you are running a business.
Now man-up Gilbert, shut your mouth, hire some professionals, take their advice and work on trying to make the best of a horrible situation you helped create.
Besides, I don’t feel bad for you at all – you’re still going to be worth millions, just not as many. I feel for those downtown parking attendants, waitresses and cooks who will be out of a job when the Cavs average 10,000 fans instead of 20,000+.
As for you Dan, look at the bright side – you won’t have to put up with Gloria on the team plane anymore.
Anyone want to buy an NBA franchise cheap? I know where you can get a great deal. And with some stable leadership, long-term, it can potentially make you some money.
By the way, I officially begin a new job on my birthday (August 16). I will only have one boss (one school) instead of three. It's 5 minutes from my home and I love teaching/working there. And yes, I will still have time to brighten your week from time to time.
Be good guys. R. Jampo
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Short & Quick
Out of Control
The inmates have officially taken over the asylum.
That’s what I think of this summer’s craze with where LeBron and company will end up. And I say this less than 24 hours before James makes “The Decision,” as it’s being billed by ESPN for tomorrow’s 9 p.m. prime time James love fest.
I’ve been on record for several years in saying if I were a betting man, I’d say he’s (LBJ) leaving. I could care less what he actually decides to do, except that I feel for those businesses and individuals in downtown Cleveland that will be economically affected if James leaves.
As for those who live and die with this stuff – and you know who you are, I have one thing to say – Get a life!
If he leaves, please don’t grip and head to the locked garage to stick an exhaust pipe through the window of your 1985 Gremlin while turning on the ignition.
It’s not the end of the world. The sun will come up again Friday morning – I promise. In fact, it's supposed to be 85 and clear.
And why would you freak out over a guy who not only leaves his hometown, but decides to rub it in good and nasty by starring in his own one hour television special announcing the decision?
Finally, why go nuts over a dude who quit on his team in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5 versus Celtics)? I'll never let that go.
And if he decides to stay, that’s great for the Cavs and the community. But please, don’t get plastered and start setting cop cars on fire down Euclid like you are celebrating a world title.
He’s an athlete/entertainer – he didn’t just cure cancer or come up with a new cheaply produced and abundantly available energy source.
Look, like I said, I hope the guy hangs around, but as you can tell, I have lost a lot of respect for the man over the past couple years because of the way he’s handled this.
And as he’s gotten closer and closer to making his decision, it’s gotten worse and worse.
In the dictionary under self-centered, it says the following: “concerned only with one’s own self.” If should include a glossy 8x10 of LBJ for the way he’s dragged this out, oblivious of how it has affected everyone else.
And don’t try to sell me the ridiculous, narcissistic (aka: self love), made for television special with the “we are giving the commercial proceeds to charity” line.
I’m in the business, at least I was for a long, long time and pretty good at it too. I know PR bull when I see it. That’s just cover for LBJ and Nike to continue to build the James “Brand.”
Could you imagine Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or the real “23” pulling this “made for television” stunt?
And those guys each had multiple championships while LBJ has “Witness”
T-shirts available for sale at your local Drug Mart.
I actually had a semi-family member ask me if I’d like one for X-mas a couple years back.
He was surprised I didn’t have a "Witness" shirt since I worked in sports and lived in NE Ohio.
I then informed him I would rather he give me what they gave the American Indians in the 1840s – blankets with smallpox – than a “We are Witnesses” shirt. He was speechless.
I simply don't believe in hero worship - but you know that already.
Back on point - this is what happens when you’ve had your $#@ kissed since you were a freshman in high school x10. I don’t think anyone has ever told this young man when enough is enough, let alone “NO.”
And I say this regardless of what decision he makes on his basketball future. The guy simply needs to get a grip on reality before he starts believing his $#@ don’t stink!
Yea, I know, I'm really unloading on the guy but it's not like he's a low-life and beats women or gets plastered on a regular basis and then drives a two ton weapon on the open road.
I get it. Perhaps I'm a little over the top. But if you have a basic level of self-humility in your make-up, aren't you creeped out some by this spectacle?
Bosh & Johnson
As for Chris Bosh – come on. He didn’t want to go to Cleveland because it would hurt his “brand”? There’s that word again. This from a guy who has won as many NBA playoff series in his seven-year NBA career as you and me – none!
And Joe Johnson, a good NBA scorer and nothing more, got the max from Atlanta. Get serious. How many years experience of evaluating NBA talent do you need to have to realize that was a bad move - none.
I could go on, but why bother – you get the point.
Like I said – the inmates are running the asylum.
Brand
As for the "Brand" concept. This is a word that has gathered a ton of steam the past 10 years or so. It's popular in business, industry and academics. Now it has made its way into sports.
As someone who works in the field of words, I think it's way over-used and in many cases, silly even to reference the term, especially when you are an athlete who hasn't won a donut.
Again - some folks simply take themselves way too seriously.
Class Act & Humility
I wonder what Lenny Wilkens, a true NBA professional and terrific human being who played and coached in Cleveland, is thinking right now about LBJ and this whole circus?
To me it’s about carrying yourself with class and substance, it's not about image.
You see, the Lenny Wilkens' of this world never have to brand themselves.
Till next time. Be good.
The inmates have officially taken over the asylum.
That’s what I think of this summer’s craze with where LeBron and company will end up. And I say this less than 24 hours before James makes “The Decision,” as it’s being billed by ESPN for tomorrow’s 9 p.m. prime time James love fest.
I’ve been on record for several years in saying if I were a betting man, I’d say he’s (LBJ) leaving. I could care less what he actually decides to do, except that I feel for those businesses and individuals in downtown Cleveland that will be economically affected if James leaves.
As for those who live and die with this stuff – and you know who you are, I have one thing to say – Get a life!
If he leaves, please don’t grip and head to the locked garage to stick an exhaust pipe through the window of your 1985 Gremlin while turning on the ignition.
It’s not the end of the world. The sun will come up again Friday morning – I promise. In fact, it's supposed to be 85 and clear.
And why would you freak out over a guy who not only leaves his hometown, but decides to rub it in good and nasty by starring in his own one hour television special announcing the decision?
Finally, why go nuts over a dude who quit on his team in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5 versus Celtics)? I'll never let that go.
And if he decides to stay, that’s great for the Cavs and the community. But please, don’t get plastered and start setting cop cars on fire down Euclid like you are celebrating a world title.
He’s an athlete/entertainer – he didn’t just cure cancer or come up with a new cheaply produced and abundantly available energy source.
Look, like I said, I hope the guy hangs around, but as you can tell, I have lost a lot of respect for the man over the past couple years because of the way he’s handled this.
And as he’s gotten closer and closer to making his decision, it’s gotten worse and worse.
In the dictionary under self-centered, it says the following: “concerned only with one’s own self.” If should include a glossy 8x10 of LBJ for the way he’s dragged this out, oblivious of how it has affected everyone else.
And don’t try to sell me the ridiculous, narcissistic (aka: self love), made for television special with the “we are giving the commercial proceeds to charity” line.
I’m in the business, at least I was for a long, long time and pretty good at it too. I know PR bull when I see it. That’s just cover for LBJ and Nike to continue to build the James “Brand.”
Could you imagine Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or the real “23” pulling this “made for television” stunt?
And those guys each had multiple championships while LBJ has “Witness”
T-shirts available for sale at your local Drug Mart.
I actually had a semi-family member ask me if I’d like one for X-mas a couple years back.
He was surprised I didn’t have a "Witness" shirt since I worked in sports and lived in NE Ohio.
I then informed him I would rather he give me what they gave the American Indians in the 1840s – blankets with smallpox – than a “We are Witnesses” shirt. He was speechless.
I simply don't believe in hero worship - but you know that already.
Back on point - this is what happens when you’ve had your $#@ kissed since you were a freshman in high school x10. I don’t think anyone has ever told this young man when enough is enough, let alone “NO.”
And I say this regardless of what decision he makes on his basketball future. The guy simply needs to get a grip on reality before he starts believing his $#@ don’t stink!
Yea, I know, I'm really unloading on the guy but it's not like he's a low-life and beats women or gets plastered on a regular basis and then drives a two ton weapon on the open road.
I get it. Perhaps I'm a little over the top. But if you have a basic level of self-humility in your make-up, aren't you creeped out some by this spectacle?
Bosh & Johnson
As for Chris Bosh – come on. He didn’t want to go to Cleveland because it would hurt his “brand”? There’s that word again. This from a guy who has won as many NBA playoff series in his seven-year NBA career as you and me – none!
And Joe Johnson, a good NBA scorer and nothing more, got the max from Atlanta. Get serious. How many years experience of evaluating NBA talent do you need to have to realize that was a bad move - none.
I could go on, but why bother – you get the point.
Like I said – the inmates are running the asylum.
Brand
As for the "Brand" concept. This is a word that has gathered a ton of steam the past 10 years or so. It's popular in business, industry and academics. Now it has made its way into sports.
As someone who works in the field of words, I think it's way over-used and in many cases, silly even to reference the term, especially when you are an athlete who hasn't won a donut.
Again - some folks simply take themselves way too seriously.
Class Act & Humility
I wonder what Lenny Wilkens, a true NBA professional and terrific human being who played and coached in Cleveland, is thinking right now about LBJ and this whole circus?
To me it’s about carrying yourself with class and substance, it's not about image.
You see, the Lenny Wilkens' of this world never have to brand themselves.
Till next time. Be good.
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