To be honest, this year has been a trying one. Yeah I know it's only March but sometimes hardship doesn't wait for you to be ready before it strikes. It just kind of sets up and tells you to get ready.... if it says anything at all.
Allen Iverson is fast approaching the end of a fabulous career. Time waits for no man and it seems that the years of relentless play are finally starting to catch up with him. How fitting that the man who carried the dreams of a city night in and night out has to deal with back issues. I'm really not sure what the future will bring for A.I. Detroit is playing pretty good ball without him. His game doesn't really seem to fit in with the style that the Pistons are accustomed to playing and they don't really seem to excited about making him fit in. For the successes that his brief stay in Denver produced, the tenure is viewed as a failure because of the homecoming of Chauncey Billups and the post exit remarks of George Karl.
What we really need here is perspective. How much does A.I. have left? The man's track record speaks for itself. We know what he's done. We know what he's accomplished. We know how he reacts when faced with hardship. He leads and he wins. Plain and Simple.
In this last chapter though, what story will Iverson tell? What should we look for? I for one can't wait to find out.
I wrote this piece a few years back. Enjoy.
To try and to fail the two things I hate, succeed in this rap game the two things that’s great. H to the Izz-o, V to the Izz-a, what can I say about dude I gets bizz-a.
-Jay-Z
………to succeed and this rap game the two things is great……..
To succeed and basketball are two things he loves, we know that. You can see it in his crusades to the basket, sometimes by, through and over players a foot taller. You can see it when he explodes into a passing lane to turn some unbeliever’s poor pass into a basket for his team. You can see it when he draws two and sometimes three defenders then dishes to a teammate for an easy basket. Allen Iverson loves this game. He loves to play this game so much that he gives everything he has. He loves this game so much that he played in 75 contests this year, at a time when critics say his body should start to break down. He loves this game so much that he chooses to feed his family doing this. We all laughed when we heard Georghe Muresaan confess his love for basketball; that commercial should have included Allen Iverson…..and there would not have been a damn thing funny. You’ve got to respect him.
Jim Brown believed that “if you hit a person hard enough, enough times, that they would quit.” It’s seems as though the NBA is taking the approach with the Philladelphia 76ers star point guard. Well Allen Iverson hasn’t quit yet and because he loves this game, and succeeding, he won’t quit anytime soon. The performance of Allen Iverson this season should be ingrained into the fabric of every true basketball players psyche. He was in a word: Brilliant. To describe the foundation shaking performance he offered up this season could take an hour, but I will curtail my excitement. 30 ppg over the course of the regular season, a career high 8 apg average while making the switch to point guard, and lifting his team from out of playoff contention at the All Star Break to a 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. This regular season started out with undersized forwards (Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas), an inexperienced center (Sam Dalembert) and a rookie to act as his backcourt running mate (Andre Iguodala). For mere mortals the preposition of starting out the season with such factors as “facts of life” for the upcoming season would have been reason enough to embrace low expectations and play down to the publics prediction. But that’s not Allen Iverson. Instead of taking that route, Allen led….his…..team. He led them physically, mentally, and emotionally. There was never a night that the players of the Philadelphia 76ers could look up and not see the focused face of #3 ready and willing to do whatever it took to get a win on that night. He scored, he passed, and he defended. Most of all he provided the needed inspiration for his teammates to be a playoff team.
To try and to fail the two things I hate………
Watching Allen Iverson labor valiantly only to succumb to the machine known as the Detroit Pistons should inspire every basketball fan in the world. His daring, his bravery, his fearlessness cannot be overstated. To genuinely display valor is to know victory will not come easily, if at all, and still battle. Iverson was the Gladiator and even in defeat he received a standing ovation from the masses in the Coliseum.
One day the Hall of Fame will include a plaque inscribed with the name of Allen Iverson. Philadelphia’s favorite son and the rightful heir to the throne of Dr. J will be enshrined forever as one of the greatest to ever play the game. The query worth posing is this: what will his legacy be? Iverson went to the Finals earlier in his career and fell victim to the most dominant force our generation knows (Shaquille O’Neal)……along with his (trustworthy?) sidekick. This year he was eliminated by the defending world champions and even if he would have defeated them, Shaquille again waited in the wings……not to mention Tim Duncan later on down the line.
Truthfully, the odds of Allen Iverson winning a title before he retires are slim. He knows that and as fans of the game we know that too. To me one of the signs of a great player is that even if we don’t think he can win, we still watch. We watch because we know he will not fall short of our expectations. He will not succumb to the temptation to be an also ran. Allen Iverson will give 100% because that’s all he has. We are watching one of the greats and I just hope we comprehend his fervor, appreciate his exertion, and truly love his game.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Pure Passion
After watching the #1 ranked UConn Huskies fall to the #4 Pitt Panthers on Monday I was left with a couple relatively simple revelations.
1. The Big East is a BEAST. A monster, a behemoth, a snarling, raging, savage of a basketball conference. Georgetown, Notre Dame and West Virginia are all good teams. All are .500 or below in this conference and hanging on to very slim chance at the Tournament. For my money I say it's the best in the nation. (This coming from a Big Ten man, mind you.)
2. Now and forever heart, passion, and determination will always trump size, strength and agility. Always. The dismantling of Hasheem Thabeet by Pittsburghs frontcourt, Dejuan Blair in particular, should serve as an example to every child athlete, male or female. Pitt took it to UConn in a physical manner and then they took the game from them. It should show those young people that wanting it, I mean really wanting it, means more that wingspan, vertical leap, or height.
Don't get me wrong this isn't a Thabeet bashing session. The kid is a phenomenal talent. His shot blocking and rebounding skills are NBA caliber right now. At this moment his skill set could impove the front court of at least 5 NBA teams in either conference.
That being said he's been exposed. Every other potential tournament team with a legit post man saw Blair's performance and is salivating. Please believe Tyler Hansborough, Blake Griffin, Patrick Patterson and Wayne Chism want thier opportunity to do the exact same thing that Blair did.
What then does this mean for UConn? For Thabeet? For the Huskies title hopes?
For UConn it means that the team has to rally around thier star and encourage him. Respect is not given it's earned. Where were they during the in game pounding? They were there but they did not make thier presence known. I'm not insinuating retaliation. I'm suggesting fighting fire with fire. Desire with even more desire. I'm asking them to defend thier home court. I'm asking them to throw proverbial counterpunches instead of absorbing shot after shot. Because of what happened Monday night teams want a shot at UConn, not just Thabeet.
For Thabeet this serves as the biggest reason why I think he should stay another year. When I watch him play I don't see the aggression, the drive to really dominate night in and night out. I'm not talking about bad shooting nights or poor match ups. I'm talking about consistently imposing his will on the opposition. If this doesn't push the young man then I'm really not sure anything will.
UConn's title hope rest squarely on the lithe shoulders of thier 7'3" center. I think the backcourt, even without Jerome Dyson, and thier bench are talented enough to compete with any opposing guards/wings in the nation. I think Coach Calhoun can still coach 'em up. The question in most need of an answer is about the man in the middle.
For a 6 game stretch in March can Hasheem Thabeet be dominant. I mean Patrick Ewing, Danny Manning, Glen Rice dominant. I mean this team won't lose because I won't let them. Does he have it in him? Does he really want it like that? I can't wait to see.
1. The Big East is a BEAST. A monster, a behemoth, a snarling, raging, savage of a basketball conference. Georgetown, Notre Dame and West Virginia are all good teams. All are .500 or below in this conference and hanging on to very slim chance at the Tournament. For my money I say it's the best in the nation. (This coming from a Big Ten man, mind you.)
2. Now and forever heart, passion, and determination will always trump size, strength and agility. Always. The dismantling of Hasheem Thabeet by Pittsburghs frontcourt, Dejuan Blair in particular, should serve as an example to every child athlete, male or female. Pitt took it to UConn in a physical manner and then they took the game from them. It should show those young people that wanting it, I mean really wanting it, means more that wingspan, vertical leap, or height.
Don't get me wrong this isn't a Thabeet bashing session. The kid is a phenomenal talent. His shot blocking and rebounding skills are NBA caliber right now. At this moment his skill set could impove the front court of at least 5 NBA teams in either conference.
That being said he's been exposed. Every other potential tournament team with a legit post man saw Blair's performance and is salivating. Please believe Tyler Hansborough, Blake Griffin, Patrick Patterson and Wayne Chism want thier opportunity to do the exact same thing that Blair did.
What then does this mean for UConn? For Thabeet? For the Huskies title hopes?
For UConn it means that the team has to rally around thier star and encourage him. Respect is not given it's earned. Where were they during the in game pounding? They were there but they did not make thier presence known. I'm not insinuating retaliation. I'm suggesting fighting fire with fire. Desire with even more desire. I'm asking them to defend thier home court. I'm asking them to throw proverbial counterpunches instead of absorbing shot after shot. Because of what happened Monday night teams want a shot at UConn, not just Thabeet.
For Thabeet this serves as the biggest reason why I think he should stay another year. When I watch him play I don't see the aggression, the drive to really dominate night in and night out. I'm not talking about bad shooting nights or poor match ups. I'm talking about consistently imposing his will on the opposition. If this doesn't push the young man then I'm really not sure anything will.
UConn's title hope rest squarely on the lithe shoulders of thier 7'3" center. I think the backcourt, even without Jerome Dyson, and thier bench are talented enough to compete with any opposing guards/wings in the nation. I think Coach Calhoun can still coach 'em up. The question in most need of an answer is about the man in the middle.
For a 6 game stretch in March can Hasheem Thabeet be dominant. I mean Patrick Ewing, Danny Manning, Glen Rice dominant. I mean this team won't lose because I won't let them. Does he have it in him? Does he really want it like that? I can't wait to see.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Let me hit that.......
There are times when you need someone, I will be by your side.
There is a light that shines special for you and me.
It's been six months since my last post. Yeah I know I'm trippin. Thing is life doesn't play fair. Thing is I feel as though for all my running I'm only moving steady backwards. Thing is in spite of the talent, the promise and the immense pressure to succeed I ride the bench.
That being said, the biggest story on TV right now is the A-Rod steroid scandal. Rodriguez' admitting to using banned substances produced seismic tremors throughout major league baseball and the sports community at large.
I for one am shocked. I thought A-Rod was clean. I really did. He is (was) the natural. A throwback to the days of Carew, Mantle, DiMaggio, Aaron and Mays. He was the antithesis of the doping era. He would set a new standard for a new kind of player. Now, he is just another in a line of drug using athletes.
Damn.
Here's an article I wrote about steroids a few years back. Enjoy.
The essence of sport is competition. Winning or losing, succeeding or failing. From the first time any of us picked up a ball, we knew that victory was a goal….it was THE goal. Gaining life lessons such as discipline, teamwork, and trust were optional (although integral) in fostering that competition and finding our purpose within the world of sports.
That said, competition relates to victory. Winning is the reason to play. My father often says that the person who coined the phrase,” It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game”, probably did not win much. To win proves all the work done for the sake of competition was not done in vain; it justifies you.
The steroids discussion is beginning to die down as the lawmakers of this country wind down questioning sessions with the leaders of the four major American sports. (Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey.) Allow me to add a little wood to this fading fire.
Why would an athlete use performance enhancing drugs? Why would a young man or woman choose to endanger their career at most or their reputation at least in jeopardy by using illegal steroids? Why? Because they want to win that’s why. They want to be the best. Let’s see what some athletes around the world of sports have to say.
John Malone, College Football Player, Big State University
I use steroids because I have to. That’s the bottom line. If I don’t, somebody else is going to, outperform me and then I’m one spot lower on the depth chart. There is always an edge in my sport. It’s just a matter of who has it. I need to have the edge. Who can get that bench press up fastest, who can improve their squat fastest, and who can consistently shave time off their 40 yard dash?
For the simple fact that I play at Big State I am talented, but after my talent I’ve got to have drive…..and my drive tells me to do whatever it takes; Even if that means a few needles and some cream. I didn’t come to Big State to be a nobody. I came here to play, play well, and get to the NFL. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I lift and do so religiously. I run extra wind sprints before and after practice. I watch film. I’m a good citizen, I stay out of trouble and I go to class. Hell I even keep a 3.0 GPA. But when it’s time for scouts to decide if I can play in the NFL none of that matters.
All that will matter is whether or not I can cut it. Can I make the tackle? Can I break up that pass? Can I get off blocks consistently? I can if I have an edge. I can if I have a little bit more than the guy who’s in back of me and wants my job. I don’t use because I want to, I do it because I have to. Bigger, stronger, and faster baby, that’s what the league wants. You had better believe that what I’m going to give them.
Allen Wallace, Professional Basketball Player, Iowa BearKats
I use steroids because I don’t have a choice. Every year this league is getting younger. Kids are coming in and playing at a high level at 22, 23 years old. I’m an All-Star, an established star in this league but there’s a kid we drafted last year who jumps higher, runs faster, and moves quicker than I do. All I have on him right now is experience, but how long will that be enough?
Take for example Eddie Jones in Miami. He’s a good guy, a solid player and a former All-Star. He’s provided veteran leadership and timely scoring for that team consistently during his time with the team. In spite of all his wonderful contributions, the Heat drafted his replacement (Dorrell Wright) and will no doubt look at him in training camp next season to see if he has developed enough to fill Eddie’s role with the team. Not only is Wright a cheaper option but soon he’ll have the experience and maturity to pair with his talent and promise. When that happens what is Eddie to do? How does he delay such a transition?
I’ll tell you what I would do; better yet I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m putting this needle in my butt that’s what I’m doing. I’ll stay on the top of my game, both physically and mentally, for as long as I can. I don’t blame the organization. Basketball is a young man’s game. If I had to choose between a 23 year old and a 31 year old with similar skills I’d take the 23 year old without hesitation. Loyalty is a commendable trait to possess but smart business doesn’t always recognize loyalty. I know that and I do what I have to do to remain the best player at my position on my team.
I don’t have an off-season. I work out when the season is over to make sure I have a job when the season starts. It just so happens that I can make a phone call or two and give myself a little more. That little bit more is going to help me keep the kid we drafted out of my spot. For that reason, the little bit more is ok.
Derek Hunter, Major League Baseball Player, Oregon Foresters
First, let me say this: I haven’t been using for that long. I never had to. I was taught that if you work your tail off and do the right thing, good things will happen to and for you. In high school, college, and during my years in the minors I was clean. I’ve always been able to field and I have a strong arm so my skills as a shortstop were never questioned. I could always cut it. In addition, I’m a switch hitter who bats for average and spreads the ball to all fields. To compliment that, I used to hit the occasional home run. (Emphasis on occasional.)
In college, the minors, and my first 4 years in the league I never hit more than 15 home runs. I was told I was good, but I wouldn’t be great unless I could hit for power. Today’s league isn’t for the .345 hitter who hits 10-15 homeruns a season. As great a hitter as Tony Gwynn was how much better would he have been had he consistently hit 35 homeruns a season? Some might have referred to him as the best hitter ever.
I want to be great. I want my name mentioned with Rodriguez, Helton, Pujols, and Chipper Jones. To reach that level I must complete my game: so I use. When I hear people criticize steroid use in the game, I die laughing inside. They say it’s ruining the sport because it’s dishonest and illegal. I don’t care about that. I do this because I want to take my game to the next level. If you want a promotion at your job, you get there early and you stay late. If you want to be a good cook, you read a book or take a class or watch Emeril. In my profession all the overtime in the world won’t do. Some of the hardest working ball players I’ve ever come across I knew in college and the minors. Guess what? They’re still there.
For whatever reason, I’m here in the majors. I had the tools needed to get here and I work hard to maintain them. The next step for me is to cement my status as a superstar. I feel that juicing can do that for me. It works for other guys. I’m talking 35-40 home run guys created in one summer. Fans see it and they don’t complain because they know that a big hitter in the clean up spot for their home team is the answer to beating the reigning division champion and going to the post season. They know that if the home team can get a little run production then their pitching and defense can get them to the ALCS.
You take the bad with the good. Personally, I strike out more, but on the other hand I score more runs for the team. Injuries tend to stay a little longer but there’s no problem with me taking off a game every other week. Because I am a great baseball player I get the love of the best fans in the world, I live an awesome life, and I make good money. Steroids are a small price to pay for that. The investment is nothing compared to the return. Moreover, if you ask me next week I’ll say the exact same thing.
There is a light that shines special for you and me.
It's been six months since my last post. Yeah I know I'm trippin. Thing is life doesn't play fair. Thing is I feel as though for all my running I'm only moving steady backwards. Thing is in spite of the talent, the promise and the immense pressure to succeed I ride the bench.
That being said, the biggest story on TV right now is the A-Rod steroid scandal. Rodriguez' admitting to using banned substances produced seismic tremors throughout major league baseball and the sports community at large.
I for one am shocked. I thought A-Rod was clean. I really did. He is (was) the natural. A throwback to the days of Carew, Mantle, DiMaggio, Aaron and Mays. He was the antithesis of the doping era. He would set a new standard for a new kind of player. Now, he is just another in a line of drug using athletes.
Damn.
Here's an article I wrote about steroids a few years back. Enjoy.
The essence of sport is competition. Winning or losing, succeeding or failing. From the first time any of us picked up a ball, we knew that victory was a goal….it was THE goal. Gaining life lessons such as discipline, teamwork, and trust were optional (although integral) in fostering that competition and finding our purpose within the world of sports.
That said, competition relates to victory. Winning is the reason to play. My father often says that the person who coined the phrase,” It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game”, probably did not win much. To win proves all the work done for the sake of competition was not done in vain; it justifies you.
The steroids discussion is beginning to die down as the lawmakers of this country wind down questioning sessions with the leaders of the four major American sports. (Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey.) Allow me to add a little wood to this fading fire.
Why would an athlete use performance enhancing drugs? Why would a young man or woman choose to endanger their career at most or their reputation at least in jeopardy by using illegal steroids? Why? Because they want to win that’s why. They want to be the best. Let’s see what some athletes around the world of sports have to say.
John Malone, College Football Player, Big State University
I use steroids because I have to. That’s the bottom line. If I don’t, somebody else is going to, outperform me and then I’m one spot lower on the depth chart. There is always an edge in my sport. It’s just a matter of who has it. I need to have the edge. Who can get that bench press up fastest, who can improve their squat fastest, and who can consistently shave time off their 40 yard dash?
For the simple fact that I play at Big State I am talented, but after my talent I’ve got to have drive…..and my drive tells me to do whatever it takes; Even if that means a few needles and some cream. I didn’t come to Big State to be a nobody. I came here to play, play well, and get to the NFL. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I lift and do so religiously. I run extra wind sprints before and after practice. I watch film. I’m a good citizen, I stay out of trouble and I go to class. Hell I even keep a 3.0 GPA. But when it’s time for scouts to decide if I can play in the NFL none of that matters.
All that will matter is whether or not I can cut it. Can I make the tackle? Can I break up that pass? Can I get off blocks consistently? I can if I have an edge. I can if I have a little bit more than the guy who’s in back of me and wants my job. I don’t use because I want to, I do it because I have to. Bigger, stronger, and faster baby, that’s what the league wants. You had better believe that what I’m going to give them.
Allen Wallace, Professional Basketball Player, Iowa BearKats
I use steroids because I don’t have a choice. Every year this league is getting younger. Kids are coming in and playing at a high level at 22, 23 years old. I’m an All-Star, an established star in this league but there’s a kid we drafted last year who jumps higher, runs faster, and moves quicker than I do. All I have on him right now is experience, but how long will that be enough?
Take for example Eddie Jones in Miami. He’s a good guy, a solid player and a former All-Star. He’s provided veteran leadership and timely scoring for that team consistently during his time with the team. In spite of all his wonderful contributions, the Heat drafted his replacement (Dorrell Wright) and will no doubt look at him in training camp next season to see if he has developed enough to fill Eddie’s role with the team. Not only is Wright a cheaper option but soon he’ll have the experience and maturity to pair with his talent and promise. When that happens what is Eddie to do? How does he delay such a transition?
I’ll tell you what I would do; better yet I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m putting this needle in my butt that’s what I’m doing. I’ll stay on the top of my game, both physically and mentally, for as long as I can. I don’t blame the organization. Basketball is a young man’s game. If I had to choose between a 23 year old and a 31 year old with similar skills I’d take the 23 year old without hesitation. Loyalty is a commendable trait to possess but smart business doesn’t always recognize loyalty. I know that and I do what I have to do to remain the best player at my position on my team.
I don’t have an off-season. I work out when the season is over to make sure I have a job when the season starts. It just so happens that I can make a phone call or two and give myself a little more. That little bit more is going to help me keep the kid we drafted out of my spot. For that reason, the little bit more is ok.
Derek Hunter, Major League Baseball Player, Oregon Foresters
First, let me say this: I haven’t been using for that long. I never had to. I was taught that if you work your tail off and do the right thing, good things will happen to and for you. In high school, college, and during my years in the minors I was clean. I’ve always been able to field and I have a strong arm so my skills as a shortstop were never questioned. I could always cut it. In addition, I’m a switch hitter who bats for average and spreads the ball to all fields. To compliment that, I used to hit the occasional home run. (Emphasis on occasional.)
In college, the minors, and my first 4 years in the league I never hit more than 15 home runs. I was told I was good, but I wouldn’t be great unless I could hit for power. Today’s league isn’t for the .345 hitter who hits 10-15 homeruns a season. As great a hitter as Tony Gwynn was how much better would he have been had he consistently hit 35 homeruns a season? Some might have referred to him as the best hitter ever.
I want to be great. I want my name mentioned with Rodriguez, Helton, Pujols, and Chipper Jones. To reach that level I must complete my game: so I use. When I hear people criticize steroid use in the game, I die laughing inside. They say it’s ruining the sport because it’s dishonest and illegal. I don’t care about that. I do this because I want to take my game to the next level. If you want a promotion at your job, you get there early and you stay late. If you want to be a good cook, you read a book or take a class or watch Emeril. In my profession all the overtime in the world won’t do. Some of the hardest working ball players I’ve ever come across I knew in college and the minors. Guess what? They’re still there.
For whatever reason, I’m here in the majors. I had the tools needed to get here and I work hard to maintain them. The next step for me is to cement my status as a superstar. I feel that juicing can do that for me. It works for other guys. I’m talking 35-40 home run guys created in one summer. Fans see it and they don’t complain because they know that a big hitter in the clean up spot for their home team is the answer to beating the reigning division champion and going to the post season. They know that if the home team can get a little run production then their pitching and defense can get them to the ALCS.
You take the bad with the good. Personally, I strike out more, but on the other hand I score more runs for the team. Injuries tend to stay a little longer but there’s no problem with me taking off a game every other week. Because I am a great baseball player I get the love of the best fans in the world, I live an awesome life, and I make good money. Steroids are a small price to pay for that. The investment is nothing compared to the return. Moreover, if you ask me next week I’ll say the exact same thing.
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