Can SOMEONE please get the Lakers organization into the year 2015??!!!

What do you do for a living?  Are you in Sales, medical field, or something else?  Whatever it is, imagine you are considered one of the best in your field.  Now you're thinking "I want to see what other companies are like."  Not that you're necessarily unhappy with where you are--you're respected, compensated well and you have some seniority.  You decide to send your resume out through a service and low and behold you get 6-7 companies lining up to interview you!  Great day right?! You do your research on the companies and you know their history and you see where they are in terms of stability and job security. You decide to take the interview for all the companies because you want to hear what they are all about.  You want to be a part of a winning team and know how you and your skill set fits in to that team--right? Well, while you're at company #1 they bring out local celebrity and former star of the "what's going down" episode of That's My Momma Randy Watson to sing Greatest Love of All as part of company #1 pitch to why you should join them.  Does that move you in any way? You went to an interview to see how you would fit in with this company, knowing that you have a ton of value and experience you can offer.  They bring out Randy Watson as part of their pitch to you!!!  You see where I'm going here? No? Well neither did LaMarcus Aldridge when he met with the Lakers on his first visit for free agency.  The Lakers made a movie (similar to what they pitched to Mello last year) and brought out their "a-list celebs" to pitch "basketball" to him.  When he asked about basketball questions, he got vague and incomplete answers.  After all of this the Lakers brass were reported as saying they felt the meeting went exceptionally well.  Now that this is all coming to light, the usual punching bag for the Lakers woes (Kobe Bryant) is being hung out to dry.  Here's my case why that is MOSTLY unfair:

The state of the LA Lakers​: for 2 years most of the blame/media coverage about the Lakers is that Kobe is getting a ton of money and his attitude is keeping free agents away from the Lakers. Here's why that' flawed (mostly, but not completely). Yes his salary does prevent LA from bringing in 2 max contract players. But, what team has that kind of cap room and what two max contract players are REALLY worth spending that kind of money on AND willing to go to that one team? I'll wait for the answer...So let's take that off the table for now. The 2nd issue about Kobe not being the type of player others want to play with. Who? Who are these players that don't want to ball with a top 10 all time great with 5 rings and a unanimous 1st ballot hall of famer who has the best work ethic on the court since Jordan?! Point them out, mark them with a highlighter so I can see them in fluorescent light because I DON'T WANT THEM ON MY TEAM!  The MAIN problem for the Lakers organization is THEIR approach to free agents! They're still pitching players like they did when they landed Shaq. A bunch of Hollywood types, movies about how they can market them and why "the big city" is the best place for their "brand."  This is the age of social media. No offense to my Cleveland, OH family but that is a relatively small market that houses the best player in the league--his brand is just fine! Why, because you no longer need the exposure of a big city to be a big market attraction. News and information is instantaneous. It's not dependent on a big market.  And lets be honest, "branding" is GLOBAL not just local. The Lakers need to infuse some fresh blood into the front office.  Someone who knows the pulse of the players.  They also need to point to how bringing in player _____ is going to help them get banner #17..18...and well you get it!

Now, Kobe has and still goes "on the record" with unwise comments. Most recently he was interviewed by Jemelle Hill and the quote attributed him about why he doesn't make friends in the NBA he said (paraphrasing) 'friends are temporary but banners last forever.' Two sides to this. Those who love the competitiveness of that statement laud his bravado.  Those who really pay attention to what that means are saddened by it.  A TRUE friend DOES last forever.  It seems apparent Kobe hasn't really found that TRUE friend or tried. When you retire and the bright lights are dimming and darkening who's left? Family? Sure. Friends? TRUE ones! Not just those who are there when things are good.  This is how Kobe has approached a lot of his career (based on what I've seen and read as I have never met the man personally). That's sad to me, because the end of his career is coming--a brilliant hall of fame career. He's apparently been wise with his money so he wont be going broke but the game and it's players who are carrying it on, may not be as quick to embrace a retired Kobe as they are for one who is currently playing--he may be OK with that now but later? We all want to be loved/liked on a certain level.  I think this mindset has prevented some with bonding and going all out for the Lakers. If I can make an analogy: As a supervisor, I have people who work for me. If all I ever do is treat them like employees and just show business interest in what they say and do, they will handle their jobs appropriately but when the ____ hits the fan, and I'm backed into the wall and now NEED them to step up their game, how many (if any) will be WILLING to do that on their own? What would be their motivation? I've only treated them like employees and just giving them what is fair and just; not considering them or sacrifices they've made and attributing value to that at all. Still, some may give you more, but how many? How long will that last if you stay on the same course?  Kareem was known to be a bit surly during his playing days. It cost him relationships with team mates and media. he was an all time great and first ballot hall of famer.  However at some point he wanted to be a head coach. He started off working with centers and did a great job in helping some of the games big men take their game to the next level.  However he (to this date) has never gotten the opportunity to be a head coach. Not because he couldn't handle it. There are ton of head coaches who got jobs they probably shouldn't have but did. Most attribute Kareem's past as the main reason he didn't get ground swell and support for what he wanted to do next. 

This is Kobe's 20th year in the league. Monumental accomplishments. Great career. He will be celebrated this year. I'm hoping to see him in Charlotte. I hope he takes this time to enjoy what has been accomplished, appreciate what has been earned, and enjoy the last chapter(s) of his career with his team mates and an organization who is at a cross roads betting heavily on draft picks D'Angelo Russel and Julius Randle can take them to the next great chapter in Lakers history.  Because when it's over (and the end is sooner than we want to think) it's over!  The Lakers will need to figure out life after Kobe--that train is getting retired and a new model is needed. They can't rely on the old thinking. They need to adjust to how things are done today.  Get back to basketball and winning ON the court. Let the players agent figure out how his/her client can win off the court. You can give them resources, but stick to what got you here--winning basketball games and championships.  It's what the interview is for!

...or is it just me?

Why keeping Sparano MAY make sense for the Raiders

OK...OK...OK...It's one win but MAN!!! that one win came a full calendar year PLUS for Raiders fans..AND at the expense of one of your rivals.  Only thing that would've made it sweeter for me was for it to be against the broncos. 
This team has a lot of bright spots on it.  There are pieces to build from.  That couldn't be said as early as 2 years ago.  We are beginning to see the development of players on the defense like:
Sio Moore, Khalil Mack, Justin Ellis, TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden
offensively has to lead off with your General: Derek Carr, Latavious Murray, Gabe Jackson, Lil Wiz, Streator, Andre Holmes, Brice Butler and James Jones. There are also other players in the mix that we hope are developing and will see some major PT soon like McGill, Dowling and Watson.

Again, all positives we couldn't point to a couple years ago.  Now, I said there's a reason why the Raiders may want to consider keeping Sparano as the head man.  Consistency. The Raiders will still likely get the first pick in the draft.  At worst a top 5 for sure.  That means there's still a lot of work to be done and still quite a few more pieces to be added.  Why not keep a guy who has the players respect?  He's been a rebuilding coach before. He's considered a top coach with the offensive line and let's face it we still have some work to do to get these guys in a better position to succeed.  The Raiders will not contend for a playoff spot next year--no shock to the realistic fan.  For some of my Raider Nation brethren I may have just put myself on the most wanted list for that statement.  Either way, I believe it to be true!  Keep Sparano around for a few more years and see what that type of consistency can do for Carr/Mack/Moore and the other foundation pieces the Raiders have.  Sparano could turn this into a playoff contender with the right pieces if GM Reggie McKenzie can get him what he needs.  The Raiders are still looking for a permanent home. No deal is forth coming. What is there to gain but hoping a marquee coach REALLY wants to come there for anything less than a Brinks truck with all the trimmings!

Give Sparano a chance to put his model in place.  We are starting to see some of the young talent Reggie brought in so let's tie the two together for a couple more years. We're out of cap hell and have a full compliment of draft picks. We have (what we believe) is our present and future signal caller, so let's keep it moving with the guys we got.  Sparano will likely make some moves with the assistant coaches in the off season--so be it.  I say consider him for the top job rather than settle/hope we find the next big thing in coaching.  Rebuilding a team doesn't occur overnight. We made the wrong choice 3 years ago in a guy w/o head coaching experience, let's roll with what/who we know.

...or is it just me?

Future ESPN 30 for 30--Kobe Bryant--an appreciation

What if I told you a 17 year old kid from Italy, via Philadelphia would change an NBA franchise and spark a debate for years to come?  Ok, I had to start off like that!  Seriously, 17 year old Kobe Bean Bryant decides to go from high school to the pro's; gets drafted 8th by the Charlotte Hornets then traded to the LA Lakers draft day for Vlade Divac and thus began a history making career that will end with countless comparisons to Michael Jeffery Jordan--revered as THE greatest NBA player ever...or is it just me?

Let's compare (stats are through 4/2/2013)

Name (championships)	Seasons	GP	GS	PTS	ASST	REB
M Jordan (6)	15	1264	1264	32292	5633	6672
K Bryant (5)	16	1234	1086	31457	5853	6544
Difference (1)	1	30	178	835	-220	128

Jordan played 3 years at UNC before going to the NBA.  He "retired" for a season, came back and won three more NBA championships before retiring again.  He then came back for 2 more forgettable years with the Wizards.  In total Jordan played 15 seasons was a starter since being drafted.  Jordan completed his career in 2nd place in all time scoring.  Since retirement he has dropped to 3rd (behind Karl Malone and Kareem).  Jordan holds 6 scoring titles.

Kobe came to the Lakers in 1995-96 seasons.  He played in 71/82 games that year, starting in only 6.  Following year he played in 79 games and started 1.  It wasn't until the strike shortened season of 1998-99 that Kobe became a full time starter. Kobe didn't become the Lakers first option until 2005-06 seasons (Shaq traded to Miami).   Kobe holds 1 scoring title. Kobe will finish his 16th season in 4th place all time on the scoring list.  At this point he trails Jordan by 835 points to move into 3rd all time with 1 more year on his contract.

I'm a big Kobe fan, but NO ONE has ever matched Jordan competitive mentality--his killer instinct.  Jordan admitted in a recent article he created a rivalry with his own brother convincing himself that his father favored his brother (Larry) more than him. This drove him to compete and dominate on the highest levels throughout his career.  Kobe is close--but I would say he's still #2 in competitive nature.  Kobe has played through numerous injuries such as broken fingers, damaged knees, back problems, sprained ankles to name a few.  He, just like Jordan wants/demands the ball when it's clutch time.  He (like Jordan) was known for delivering in the clutch as well.  Jordan would dominate on defense as well as on offense which is the difference in the two.  Kobe has always been a very good defender, but his gift to the game has been his offense.  His uncanny ability to create his own shot when there doesn't seem to be one.  He's been labeled as selfish and a ball hog, but when you're 4th in the NBA in scoring all time that comes with the territory.  Jordan/Kobe have both been described as "hard to play with" by some team mates but both have also been described as "driven" by the same.

Last night Shaquille O'Neal got his jersey retired from the Lakers (rightfully so).  Shaq and Kobe's feud was much publicized.  Both (one retired and the other on the door step) reflect back on their feud and admit they wished they were able to work things out for the betterment of their careers.  If they were, we could be talking about Shaq catching the great Bill Russell with 11 rings and Kobe would have likely surpassed Jordan's 6 at this point in his career.  Instead Kobe offers this explanation to why it didn't work out.

     "Me and Shaq are two alpha-males. We both are dominant and need to be the dominant presence on our teams.  We would eventually have to part even if it was on good terms.  It would be like Jordan (Michael) playing alongside Wilt (Chamberlain) during their careers.  Eventually they would have to part ways."

TRUE.  Kobe has been vilified in the media.  He's earned some of it.  Some of it not so much. Jordan was/is beloved.  To suggest someone in this lifetime would be close to the icon that is Jordan is uneasy for some.  That gets manifested in different ways.  it's easy to pick apart someone's flaws--especially someone you don't like.  What's difficult is to respect those accomplishments w/o bias for what they are.  Jordan was compared to NBA legend Julius "Dr J" Erving early in his career.  Sacrilegious for those of us who loved watching the Dr work.  Over time though we came to appreciate Jordan for what he was.  Kobe's career isn't over with yet.  He may/may not catch Jordan in scoring/championships.  EVERYONE who knows anything about Kobe knows that's his mark. He chooses the best at his position to emulate.  Love him or hate him, whether it's 5 rings, 6 rings or more Kobe is still in the conversation as one of the greatest to play the game of all time.  We may never see another one like Jordan, but I would venture to say we'll also never see another one like Kobe Bean Bryant either!

What happened to the middle ground?

"Best team ever!"  "This is the team to beat!"  "Long season for..."  these were the headlines after 1 week of football.  I wondered how true would people be if things were reveresed in week 2.  Sure enough the tune changed completely.  Let's look at some examples
Jets put a whoopin on the Bills week 1.  They score an NFL high of 48 points and everyone is ready to annoint them the beasts of the East.  Fast forward to Sunday and the Jets lose to a good Pittsburgh team.  Now the headlines are filled with "Calls for Tebow to start with Jets."  take the Cowboys.  They beat reigning super bowl champs the Giants in the season opener.  Sunday they get beat soundly by Seattle.  The same ones who were ready to have a part for Dallas's ceremonious return are the same ones asking if "they have the right QB for the team." 
Where is the middle?  Is there anyone who believes in a win is a win and a loss is a loss.  A win (this early) isn't the catapult to a 16-0 season and promises of future greatness.  Nor is a loss (this early) the begining of the Apocalypse for your team. No one has perspective anymore.  I guess because society is used to the sensationalism.  People want the extreme story. Nobody wants to hear the truth--really?  Truth is the vast majority of teams have work to do.  Some more than others.  For other teams (like my beloved Raiders) there's a lot that needs to be done but not much to do it with.

Shaq V Howard

It's been a while since I posted. A lot has taken place.  I've felt like writing a couple times but that's not when I want to write--when I kinda felt like it.  I wanted my next post and any post from here on to be inspired.  I wanted to "want" to write.  I'm a self professed sports junky who isn't trying to get cured. 
With that said I just read an article by Scoop Jackson on ESPN.  Pretty decent article.  Scoop, like most writers/fans/ex-players was/is calling out Dwight Howard for his play.  Scoop contends that D12 needs to "prove all of us wrong (fans/writers/players)." That's the part I don't agree with.  He doesn't HAVE TO prove anything to the fans to make his money.  Writers neither.  Players--kinda. He has to prove his worth to the GM and Owner of the team.  Right now, the public message they're sending is he is.  He's got an open invite to a max contract at the end of the season.  if he chooses to go elsewhere there are other teams waiting to offer him the max they can offer (which is 1 year and some millions less than the Lakers could).  All that adds up to he doesn't have anything to prove to them to make THAT money.  Howeva' if he wants jersey sales, shoe contracts, endorsements, acting roles all that other stuff that comes with being a superstar in a major sport--he has to convince us!
The most common comparison is Shaq and Howard to each other.  You already know the background and similarities (position, size, former team, etc...)  Both are physically gifted and love to have fun--big kids.  Difference is Shaq LOVED to Dominate on the court! You come at him and he's putting in 40 pt and 20+ boards THEN give you a sound byte in the interview to let you know WHY you brought this on yourself! D12...no so much. You go at him and he sulks. He doesn't get mad and he doesn't take ANYTHING out on the court. THIS is what EVERYONE--GM/Owner included are waiting to see from him.
Scoop talks about D12 not smiling so much on the court.  I get that, but I can take that if he DOMINATING you with a smile. Let's be honest, he can still dominate.  You see glimpses of it.  If he's planning on staying with the Lakers, that means living with Kobe another year or two (maybe more).  He can't wait until Kobe is gone before he decides he wants to assert himself. Do it now! Demand your spot as an equal--even if you're not. Kobe is hard to play with--no question.  BUT, you'll get his respect if you earn it--demand it! Kobe AND Shaq will freely admit (now) that both needed each other.  If they were able to figure out a way to co-exist, the potential was limitless.  When Phil retired in 2005 after the finals, Jerry Buss/Mitch had dinner with Pat Riley about coming back to coach the Lakers.  Riley said yes on one condition--he could talk to Shaq and Kobe about staying together.  He was denied.  At that point Shaq was going to be traded.  What could've been...
To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dwight needs to take hold of "the fierce urgency of now." Now is the time to dominate!
Now is the time to demand your respect!
Now is the time to prove to yourself that you belong in the conversation as a dominant player!

If I could tell Dwight something directly it would be this:
D12 you have all the game in the world but you're not showing it. Kobe wants to win above everything and everyone. You have to deal with that. It's the price a champion pays. If you're not paying that price, you're not winning championships or at least you're not a factor in it. Basketball gives you the vehicle for everything else you want to do--movies, endorsement,etc...Most are saying the NBA center is going away.  First proof is the all star game eliminating voting for positions but front/back court. Show the world (because that's your stage) the dominating center is STILL in the NBA.  he's rare and he's the catalyst for a championship. 

The BUSINESS of Sports

This is a great time of year for sports fans.  You have the Olympics in London which, to me, seems more intriguing than ever, you have NFL pre-season kicking off, you have the blockbuster trade of the Lakers and for those baseball fans...whatever.  So amidst all of this why so many negative views? 
Olympics: Should NBA players play?  If so, should there be an age limit?  Why is Usain Bolt disrespecting Carl Lewis?  Who is the best Olympian ever Bolt or Phelps? US Soccer women had t-shirts printed that celebrated their accomplishment--how dare they?
My answer?  Money. NBA and its owners want to limit who plays in the Olympics.  Why?  They're not getting their cut. One of the most outspoken is Mavs owner Mark Cuban.  Not sure why he cares since no one (not named Nowitski) on the roster is making the Olympics.  Nowitski would be playing for Germany and good luck getting your "cut" from them.  The NBA cares about lining their pockets even more.  The pro's were criticized when D Wade suggested they get paid to play.  Actually they do when they medal (25k for gold, 15k for silver and 10k for bronze). Hey it's gas money for the Maybach for a year. We can't go back to the college players for 1 VERY good reason...We don't have too many that stay in college!  If you're NBA caliber talent (or even close to it these days) you're 1 or 2 years and done.  Rarely do you see these guys stay 3-4 years.  The age limit thing in the NBA will prohibit players who are beyond the limit after some have hit their peak.  The olympics is every 4 years.  You get a college player who stays until their Jr or Sr year (age 19-21), they go pro and 4 years later the Olympics rolls around again.  They're possibly over the limit w/o a chance to play for their country.  I'll concede it may not happen as often but no other country is considering doing this why would we?  The talent in other countries is a lot higher now because of the NBA.  Let the big dogs be The Big Dogs.
The Lakers trade for D12 is drawing some of the old arguments.  Small markets can't compete. That's crap!  Small markets shouldn't have owners send out inflammatory tweets about stars leaving.  Small markets need to hire GM/HC better and make better long term decisions.  See Pacers, OKC and Spurs as proof smaller markets can/do compete with the larger ones.  The Clippers made the playoffs for the first time since Kennedy was president.  Big Markets do have more room for error, but they have to be smart too.
Greatest Olympian ever? My two cents I say Phelps. Yes he has more opportunities in swimming than they do in track and field.  But 22 medals and 18 of them are gold.  18!!! You STILL have to compete against the best of the best in every event and you do that to a clip of 18 first place finishes, 2 second place and 2 third place. I say Phelps.  Doesn't make me right, because it's ALL subjective.  Some people have to stop being so sensitive and thinking one group is voting for another because of race. Racism exists, it's just not in every decision made.

speaking of being over sensative the US womens soccer team getting grief over t-shirts they wore after beating the same team who beat them for the World Cup is just stupid!  You have to wait 4 years to win an Olympic gold medal (summer olympics at least).  No do overs.  No mulligans. No 2nd chance next year, or the year after that.  World Cup and Olympic gold are TWO VERY different things!  You work at your craft that long to be the best and then prove it during the course of several days.  Yea, you deserve to get loose!  For all the "ugly American blasts" I say BLLLPPPPP!!! 

then again, maybe it's just me...but I doubt it

Why the NBA is missing the boat on what is REALLY the problem

I'm baaack!!! It's been a minute but allow me to give my usual EXPERT opinion and fix what is wrong (or at least tell you what's wrong) in the NBA.  Ready?!  Heeere we go!
Small market owners are complaining about the rich getting richer and the big market teams fielding better competition than they are/can.  The latest craze (which will somehow find it's way to be blamed on LeBron and/or President Obama somehow) is the 'concept' of "the big 3."  Everybody knows the whole LeBron "decision" campaign and him taking his talents to south beach--not rehashing that.  People came out of the wood work spraining ankles, twisting backs and pulling hamstrings to pile on why this was a "cowardly move."  How quickly do we forget!  They say hindsight is 20/20.  Really?  Then why don't these owners/gm see what's always been there?!

Anybody ever heard of Bill Russel, Bob Cousy?  How about Bird, McHale, Parrish?  Magic, Worthy, Kareem? Dr. J, Darryl Dawkins, Moses Malone, Mo Cheeks? Jerry West, Wilt and the big O? The concept of the big 3 has been in the NBA for years.  The issue isn't teams are putting the big 3's together--the change has come due to two MAJOR pieces.  1. Salary cap and 1a. Talent pool
Salary Cap has prevented the smaller market teams from being able to put their chips in and buy multiple free agents.  On the surface you may say "that's the argument--lack of an even playing field."  This is only one part of it. Teams are having to draft young inexperienced players, teach them over the next 2-4 years (which is what they would get in college).  By the time they develop their games, their 1st contracts are up, likely the coach that was there may be fired by now, the team is left with hiring a new coach, overpaying for a guy who is just now developing and hoping he does blossom into a star.  This is where the salary cap hurts the smaller teams--little room for error.  Don't get me wrong; prior to the high school/1 year college player surge hit, you still had some bad player decisions.  The major difference is you at least got to see them compete in college 2-3 years.  You were able to overcome a bad selection—your percentages of getting a better player were in your favor.  2-3 years of training (college ball) goes a long way in the develop process.  If Kwame Brown went to college would he still have been #1 overall?  Not likely.  If Kobe went to college, do you think he would have been drafted 8^th then traded?  Nope. There’s an argument on both sides.  It helps SOME of these guys mature on and off the court.  It also gets them around better talent. 
Now days with the 1 year rule, you have glimpses of brilliance in college, with kids who typically don't have developed bodies for the NBA grind at potential stars.  THAT is the crux of the problem!  The talent pool of TRUE NBA players is shallow.  You have so many players that aren’t ready that make the jump.  Teams have to draft them on potential when you have very little to go off of.  These decisions lock up money or you let a guy go and he develops elsewhere.  Back in the days of Magic, Jordan, Isaiah, Bird, etc…you had players who proved themselves in college.  They had a more polished game.  Every team in the NBA had a bonified all-star.  Some teams had 2 or 3 or even more.  Over time as the talent weakened it took those all stars from one team and moved them to bigger teams who could afford a luxury tax or afford to pay 2 or more stars.  The smaller markets couldn’t compete not just with money but with time—the gambles on players were even more risky since you didn’t have much to view.  A wrong step and you’ve set a franchise back several years.  A modern day success story is the Thunder.  They drafted young players like Durant, Harden, Westbrook who all developed well.  They also had a supporting fan base to give them time.  You have the opposite in the Wizards and Bobcats who can’t get the right pieces in place.  Solve the problem by improving the talent pool.  Either pay the college kids or put real money and time in your D-league.  The other option is having these small markets continue to struggle to the point of folding or just being the Washington Generals to a league of Harlem Globetrotters.

…maybe it’s just me, but I doubt it!