So, you’d think athletes would watch when other athletes are in the news… and especially for negative things. But, apparently not as yet again, we have another story of an athlete making bad choices.

Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards brought like four, unloaded guns to the locker room and was actually playing with them. What? This guy is a crack up, but in a very bad way because he’s acting as if he’s totally clueless. Now, for the record, I’m not a fan of Arenas… I believe he doesn’t take his role on the team or his talent seriously and it’s a shame because so many would love to trade places with him.

Now, its a felony situation that he has now pleaded guilty for and he’s been indefinitely suspended from the NBA… By the way, even after the incident was in the news, this guy talks smack about the boss of the NBA, David Stern, saying that the guy was mean (among other things). Arenas will be sentenced on March 26th and why… because he brought guns to work, played around with them, didn’t take the situation seriously, and made insensitive gestures before a game depicting shooting actions. Why? That’s all I ask… Why?

Were we watching the same game where the starters for the Colts were taken out of the game and replaced with what seemed to be the third and fourth strings? I think the shock that still stays with me is that even if you are up… you see that you’re not anymore (Look at the score!)… put the starters back in.

Okay, so for those who didn’t see the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets football game let me just bring you up to speed. The Colts are really, really good and the Jets are not. The end. In fact, up until this game, the Colts were perfect for the season (14-0) and all of it went down the drain with this one decision… take the starters out.

Now, we can talk about the culture of the team and that this decision is one that they’ve made in previous seasons… or, that it’s important to preserve the athlete’s health and not take any chances at the end of the season. But, man… a perfect season? And there stood Payton Manning and his supporting cast all standing there on the sideline, with the crowd’s “boos” filling their helmets (…that they still were wearing, I’m sure in hopes of their numbers being called back up…).

I mean, obviously, I try to relate these things to my life to try to get answers and analyze what has happened, but nothing… I can get nothing. I just keep seeing myself running track and turning that corner to the final stretch and then hearing a whistle, followed by Coach telling me to come on out and do some stretches to get ready for the next race. You know, totally ignoring that I was a few feet from the finish line and moreover, winning… Wow!

All I want for Christmas is a Lakers’ win…

The Cleveland Cavaliers and L.A. Lakers face off and I’m not thinking LeBron will be doing too much dancing during this game… Hey, I’m not a hater at all. I’m just thinking he’s gonna need all his moves for the court. Oh and yes, this is the first time the two have met since the Cavs new acquisition of none other than, Shaquille O’Neal.

Don’t miss it…

Happy Holidays!

Aside: I’m not at all a fan of Tiger Woods. I acknowledge what he’s done for a game and how he’s broaden a community’s view, but personally, not a fan… That’s my opinion, right?

Point: Should the way people feel about a professional athlete or their actions off the field (court, ice, whatever) determine his or her on-the-field results or status?

You know, I heard this news a few weeks back and just couldn’t believe it, let alone writing about it…

So, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has cancer. Yes. Specifically, its chronic myeloid leukemia. He was diagnosed, late 2008, but just recently shared it with the world. This Hall of Fame NBA basketball legend decided to share his disease as a way of saying that a cancer diagnoses doesn’t mean an automatic death sentence (Crazy, huh?).

Jabbar is fortunate that what he has is treatable. And even with this, he still experienced the common fear associated with this reality that death is around the corner. I just applaud his bravery and his heart that, even in this state, he’s still teaching and being a pillar of strength.

He appears to be such a great guy and, man, what a humbling spirit.

I’m not the biggest Shaquille O’Neal fan, although I respect what he’s done for the game and he has made my mouth drop in amazement a few times…

But, really I just wanted to give Shaq a huge shout out, his propers, for paying for the funeral expenses of that little 5-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered. There’s really no where to go with this story because, for me, its too disgusting to expound on and I don’t want to give the baby’s murderer and mother (yes, mother) any more publicity.

Shaq was touched, as any sane human being would be, by the situation and what a way to make a difference.

I do send out regards to that baby’s dad and extended family.

You know, I’m a fan of Allen Iverson. I think he’s been one of the best point guards in the game (uh, basketball, that is… I gotta think of my sports’ challenged readers, too.), but I’m disappointed in his attitude of late.

I mean, in general, no one likes to get old (Heehee… I have bones that crack to songs. LOL!), but we all know its a fact of life. It’s just that I’m sure it can be confusing in professional sports because when a person is hitting the age where life is really just beginning, that same person is over the hill within the NBA (or any other professional game)… And that’s where Iverson is finding himself. But, he’s not aging gracefully. LOL!

It’s just a crack up because he’d rather not play at all versus coming off the bench. The non-graceful part is that he’s not accepting that he’s older now and isn’t as explosive as he once was. Kenny Smith on Inside the NBA laid out a clear case of how Iverson isn’t the “Anwser” that we once knew him to be and the film made it so apparent. He was missing shots, stumbling over his own feet, getting beat on the ball, and not pushing the ball up the court… It was actually sorta sad because Iverson was the truth back in the day.

What I think is unfortunate is that he’s definitely bringing a cloud of shame over his head by being so opposing and by being in such denial. At this point, what choices does he have? I personally don’t think he should leave the game, because those checks would make me think twice about retiring (LOL! I’m just saying.). But, then what are his choices? I can’t believe I’m seeing him in a Grizzlies uniform. Wow!

So, LeBron, after his team’s win over Miami last week, mentioned that he was going to change his jersey number (which is 23) out of respect for Michael Jordan… who obviously donned the number during his reign in the NBA.

This declaration brought on a media wave of attention to the very conceivable idea of retiring Jordan’s number throughout the NBA, which would cause some players to have to change their number from 23 or another relevant one for them. Although LeBron started this dialogue, I would say Pat Riley, Miami’s GM, pioneered this exact thing as Jordan’s number is already retired in the rafters over the arena seats.

I am a Jordan fan and I saw firsthand what his appearance did for every arena he walked in to, and yet not everyone is exactly on board with LeBron’s assessment. Charles Barkley discussed his stance on Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, and said he didn’t think this should happen. He felt like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the two who save the NBA and if anyone should be honored it should be them. Uh, What?

No disrespect Magic and Larry, but are you serious? I can’t even go any further with all the reasons why this isn’t even a comparison. I’m feeling flu-ish (LOL!). Thoughts?

Okay, say it’s just not me who believes Ron Artest is the second coming (maybe not that extreme) of Dennis Rodman?

If you go back a few posts you’ll see a short lineup of those “bad boy” types that Hubby thought I was endearing to and biased toward (And, yes, Dennis is one!), but that’s not the case here (I wanted to clear that up. LOL!). Artest, the newly acquired defensive mammoth to the L.A. Lakers, makes me a believer that we’re headed for a repeat.

Yes, I know, I know… It’s way too soon for that sort of talk, but what other team made a better or even comparable acquisition (Please don’t say the Cavs with Shaq…)? And what other team now would you say is more solid, with even an overly decent bench, than L.A.? Okay… I’m back. I just needed to point this all out before acknowledging the crazy antics and bonehead decisions Artest has made. But haven’t we all… (I’ll wait! LOL!).

The point is, today, today Artest is out of his mind (in a good way!) and finally with a team that can channel that fierceness and keep him focused at the same time. I mean, who can’t be calm with Phil around and the team reciting the Lord’s Prayer? As I always say, let’s just give him a chance. We shouldn’t deem one over another just because his questionable actions are public and yours or mine aren’t… Rodman was a crazed (And, I feel, misunderstood… Hey, I like vampires, too. Don’t judge me!) rocker with some head-turning tendencies, but when he stepped on the court, who was better?

I’m just saying… 

So, Ochocinco (Chad Johnson) of the Cincinnati Bengals is hilarious. For some time now, he’s been the “spark” (both good and bad) for his team and the unconventional entertainer of the NFL. Aside from his latest verbiage, Child Please!, he is also getting opponents all hot and bothered by sending them stuff in the mail.

Now, check this one out… He sent deodorant to the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive players because he said they couldn’t get close to him the last time they competed and maybe this time they would be able to… get a little closer… (Drained. Okay, I’m back. Hey, did you sing that little jingle, too?).

I never remembered good things happening to those who taunted others, so I’m trying to figure out how this will be different. Some old schoolers say they would make him pay for it on the field with some smash mouth football. I’m all for that, but I guess I’m just a little beside myself that this is being tolerated as he’s being paid to perform and be professional… enough for the antics. Or, is it okay… you know, good for the game?