Archive for June, 2010

After reading about Vince Young’s recent outburst at a strip club in Dallas early Sunday morning im sitting in my room a bit baffled by it all. At first I thought about what I wouldve done in that particular situation, and realized that I may have acted similarly but theirs a big difference between me and Vince Young.  I wont belittle you and explain the differences between me and Mr. Young because I think they are rather self explanatory. Then I thought to myself, what would I have done if I were Vince Young, and had millions of dollars and got to play football for a few hours on a Sunday and get paid millions, and the two answers are very different.

According to the report on ESPN, young assaulted a man around 3:30 in the Am at a strip club. Now maybe im just a bit naive and give athletes to much credit, but as an NFL superstar what on earth are you doing at a strip club. I mean I realize you can blow money on girls at a strip club and not care, but whats the point? Lets not even mention guys like Pacman Jones or Ben Roethlisberger and what Young couldve learned from those two rejects, the fact of the matter is that your set for life and Id say that most girls would sleep with you for free. The solution then becomes, why dont we go to a club or a bar, ball it up and get laid for free? I suppose its tough for me to understand what really goes on with these guys because its not a position ill ever be put into but the solution to this ongoing problem seems pretty simple.

At the end of the day its hard to tell a young 20 something with a few million in the bank what to do, but for christs sake surround yourself with good people. At some point in your life you have to cut ties with those who are bringing you down and enabling you to make bad decisions. How much of a role model can you really be, when this is how you portray yourself? As for the players who say “I’m no ones role model” just remember that unless your a 3rd string long snapper, someone somewhere wears your jersey, and watches your clips on youtube, and ultimately look up to you. You might think that your affecting no one but yourself with your decisions but the fact of the matter is that you are out there for the world to see, and you need to make better choices.

Writing posts like this is always easier from the outside looking in, but I just know that if I had millions the last place I would go on a Sunday is a strip club.

How do you guys feel about these high profile athletes in the news? Guys like Arenas, Burress, Roethlisberger, Jones, and now Young?

The most recent development in the Lebron James free agent saga is the chatter about a possible new head coach in Tom Izzo joining the Cavs next season. I had planned on waiting to write about this issue until after July 1 had rolled around but I figure now might be a good time to share my opinion the topic of Lebron and his future in the NBA. You see I have been a Lebron James fan ever since I saw him play in high school against Carmelo Anthony on ESPN when James was a junior and melo a senior, so I have a soft side for the guy but I think he might be a bit of a liar.

You see Lebron has said all along that the decision he makes will be about winning championships in the NBA, but I think we all know that money talks and bullshit walks, right? Come July 1 2010 the Cleveland Cavaliers will be able to offer James a salary in excess of 120 million dollars, whereas the most any other team could offer James is right around the 100 million dollar mark. Now in my opinion theirs nothing more that you can do with 120 million as opposed to 100 million, but then again im not spending or making that kind of money so I can only assume. Would Lebron really be willing to walk away from an extra 30 million? The jury will be out for at least another month or so, but I think not and I will tell you why.

First off we all known that Lebron was born and raised in Ohio and thus his loyalty rests with the folks of that great state. Now unless he is a complete bullshitter he is sticking to his loyalty schpiel and I honestly have no reason not to believe him. Next, you look at whats happening behind the scenes in Cleveland and you really wonder how silent of a partner Lebron really is. I mean usually when the owner comes on camera and says “This player had nothing to do with this coaches firing” it usually filters through the BS meter as  “Our star though this guy sucked and now hes gone”. I would find it believe that Mr. Gilbert (Cavs Owner) is doing all this on his own and is not being given any friendly advice by Lebron. In all honesty I do not think Lebron has any true interest in leaving the team, and as long as it is molded around him and what he wants he will justify it in order to keep all of his money.

As for Tom Izzo and his possible transfer to the Cavs I think that would be as much a shame as Pete Carrol going to the Seahawks. Those are two coaches that are, or in Carrols case were staples at their institutions for many years. The prime recruiting tool for young talent, and mentors to young men many of whom are now playing at the next level. I think he should stay put, but then again its hard to snub 30 million over 5 years.

NO matter what we are talking about in sports, whether it be Lebron, the NCAA, Pete Carrol or anyone else in between it all comes down to one thing M-O-N-E-Y.

Although I do not consider myself much of an NBA fan (more of an NCAA buff) I am looking forward to the game five tonight at 8PM est on ABC. The game itself is rather intriguing both for the fact that it is a tie 2-2 series, but also because the Celtic’s Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace are in serious foul trouble. Both players have accumulated six technical fouls thus far and per NBA rule, if you accumulate 7 you are suspended for the following game. Although I would expect these guys to tighten up a bit for these next couple games, you have to acknowledge their track record and realize that loosing them would be a possibility for the celtics.

That being said, I have a funny feeling that who ever wins tonight’s game 5 will also go on to win the series, and considering the location Im going to give an edge to the Celtics. I realize that we are talking about two very good teams here, but the Celtics big 3 have not managed to put up a solid game together. Surely Pierce has had his game, Allen his, and Garnett his, but when these three come together and have a breakout game together, Im not sure the Lakers will have an answer. Also, considering the fact that Bynum is having some serious knee trouble which could limit his playing time and give the Lakers trouble late if Odom or Gasol get into foul trouble.

Its hard to deny the fact however that Kobe Bryant plays for the Lakers and although im a skeptic many would call him the best of all time. I for one will save my comments on the Bryant, Jordan and James argument until after I see where Lebron is heading this upcoming season, but I digress. When looking at the game tonight and Boston at -2.5 I think you have to go with them if for no other reason than to make the game exciting. If your feeling really confident in the Celtics winning tonight, I think you have to get them as an underdog to win the title before tonights tip.

It will be an exciting game and I look forward to discussing it with you all after it concludes.