GO LAKERS!

Sorry I’ve been M.I.A… I was under the weather. But, on to more interesting stuff….

During the LA Lakers/Orlando Magic series there are many stories that are worth noting, but one stands out for me. This father and son were watching Orlando on television (pretty normal, huh?) and all of a sudden the boy spoke…

Here’s the story… The boy, up until this point, hadn’t spoken and the family was as resolved as a family could possibly be that he wouldn’t talk. Now with the surprise of his reaction to the team on television, the father thought that maybe there was something to do. And, it was…

This story found its way to the Magic offices and they responded by giving the boy and his father season tickets.

The glorious part of this story is in the fact that the boy has talked ever since. During each game the father says it’s hard to even shut him up. What a great inspiration to embracing the thought of never giving up…

So, there’s a feeling amongst a good number of baseball fans that this steroid era isn’t really a big deal to them at all.   The point that some of the biggest stars in professional baseball have allegedly been connected to steroids pretty much muddies the water for the entire game.

I’m not sure how to feel about it… The school of thought on this is that if everyone’s doing it how can we single one person out or demolish the game all together? It’s a big, fat case of spilled milk, huh? I just think there has to be another answer, but I’m not even sure what that is.

What example is it setting?…  Will this trickle into all sports in general? Man, this world is funny at times…

Okay, so for those who didn’t instantly get the title let me give you some background information… LeBron James is the NBA’s 2009 MVP and deemed by some as the next, next (the first “next” was Kobe Bryant, of course) coming of Michael Jordan. James has a slogan attached to him that “we all are witnesses”…

Now, to the story… James and his team, the Cleveland Caviliers, were just sent home by the Orlando Magic. End of story…

I’m not, by any means, a “hater” of LeBron (A.K.A. “LeGone”… I didn’t make it up.), I just cannot get with crowning him Jordan’s “next next” when he hasn’t even won a ring yet. We all know there has been several spectacular players who never experienced a championship… And at that point, the next level of honor would then be the Hall of Fame, but players would all tell you they’d still love to have a ring.

I’m just saying… I’m only witnessing James going home, again (I had to…). And, as great as some may be, within the context of the game, James hasn’t arrived… And, if you’re comparing someone to Jordan (Uh, let’s say like Kobe, who has three rings…), I’d think you wouldn’t want to insult Jordan’s legacy and the number of championships achieved (six to be exact)… I’d like to witness that first before becoming a true witness. I’m just saying…

Disclaimer: (You have to say it really fast in order for it to come out as it should. LOL!) LeBron is an outstanding talent who has no doubt excited the NBA culture; and has not in any way appeared in any light except for extreme gratitude to the comparison of the likeness of Michael Jordan.

I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to even go there regarding Michael Vick getting out of jail and all that surrounds his situation, but then I thought better about it…

Photo from chrisliv bucket

So Vick got out of jail last week and is now home under home arrest (Is that redundant? LOL!… Like, where else would he be?) And, of course, all the questions started (well, increased) about him returning to the NFL and how soon and should he even be allowed to… Anything you can imagine was asked about Vick’s future.

I’m sorta passed [not okaying it, just passed it] what he did just for the simple fact that he served the time that was given to him, so I’m more concentrated on the outcome of him returning back to the NFL. I was having a debate with a friend of mine last week, and I asked him the question that other sports analysts were asking on television, ‘How many quarterbacks [even with his 2 years off] are as good as Michael Vick [or your perception of who he'd be now]?’ With that knowledge of how versatile he was, I think he’ll be back… If not as a pure quarterback, I believe he’ll support the team in some skilled position.

I’m sorry he interrupted his career with bad decisions, but you know, I’m glad we all need grace… including him.

So, Hubby and I are watching the Denver Nuggets versus L.A. Lakers and the commentators are discussing Jerry West’s comments on who is the best player between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (You know what I think!). BTW, for those of you who don’t know Jerry West likeness is actually the NBA’s logo.

Anyway, the conversation is going well and then it happened… one commentator, sort of put off by West’s assessment that James was better than Bryant, asked when the logo was going to be changed to Michael Jordan. I almost fell off the couch. LOL! It was a definite a funny and cunning statement, but I felt that a lot of truth was underlined in the question.

I’d love to see Jordan’s likeness as the NBA logo. He did so much for the game by bringing the money and the fans back into the arenas. Is it possible?

I was watching a New York Yankees’ game over the weekend and I couldn’t help but notice all the empty seats at the new stadium.

Okay, background information… the Yankees have this new stadium with astronomical prices for the seats, especially the club seats and closer. Well, with the economy and the lax response to purchasing those pricey seats, the Yankees’ organization lowered the prices. Obviously, in hopes of acquiring more patronage.

Still, the seats remain empty.

Wow! How many times do things happen that you’re just not expecting… or further more, just don’t want to deal with (Huh, just name a day of the week, right?)?

Okay, I’m going to set the scene…

A professional basketball player is working, playing ball, when he hits an amazing, last-minute shot. In his excitement, hustling back up the court, he bumps into a boy spectator, who is up cheering and sharing the game with his dad.

From that story, would you say there’s anything malicious at play (I’ll wait…)? Well, you’re wrong if you said there was nothing to this story. Apparently, the fans in question were rendered less than happy, feeling like the push was more than a harmless act on the part of the player. “Big Baby”, the Celtics’ player, even issued an apology after the random story hit.

But I have a sorta rhetorical question… When you pay (“pay” is the key word) to sit on the floor of any professional game, isn’t that also saying that you know plays may come out of bounds and you’re vulnerable to those plays? I’m just saying, if you don’t want the sweat, the profanity, the flying ball, or the flying bodies, then pay a little less (probably alot less… LOL!) to sit in the more common seats.

Good job, Big Baby, for issuing that apology although you were just doing your job.

Wow… Manny. Hubby says he knew all along, but didn’t care ’cause you provided so much entertainment. I must say, I didn’t know… I believed your hits were a result of hard work and crazy skills.

Steroids? Now, along with the 50-game suspension, how much of that overwhelmingly fat check are you willing to part with?

Shocked…

So, the 2009 NFL draft was this weekend. Many dreams came true for a lot of young men on Saturday and Sunday… Those who dreamt as young boys about their names being called, finally got to the point of making their dreams a reality.

I like the stories behind the draft… The ones that tell you about the person rather than their stats. For me, it just reminds me of what this site is all about (You know?)… I mean, I love the game, but what makes this player relative and relevant to me? Here’s one…

Michael Oher, once an offensive tackle for Mississippi was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. The thing is, he was once homeless. Just watching this guy and his humbleness brought chill bumps all over. He was just so thankful and appreciative for the opportunity. He said he was ready to start today. Man…

The family that took him in were there to share in the celebration and he, for me, just stole the show by his story and his desire to now be there for the family who took him in.

Man, I’ve got to follow this guy to see what he does… And, apparently, others have already followed his story… Oher’s journey was chronicled in a book, The Blind Side, by Michael Lewis. I’m sure the book will be a moving read.

Keep your eye on this guy…