Going... Going... Gone!!!
That's right, the MLB regular season is gone. Over. Playoff time!
As I reflect on the recently-concluded MLB season, I can't help but notice a number that stands out to me. 59.
That's the number of homeruns hit by this season's homerun leader, Giancarlo Stanton. That's the highest number of long-balls in a season since the record-breaking year of 2001.
In 2001, Barry Bonds broke the homerun record by crushing 73 balls out of ball parks across the country. His number broke the record of 70 set by Mark McGwire three years earlier. In fact, 14 times from 1997-2004 a player went yard 50 or more times.
The significance of those years? Well, they're widely regarded as the "steroid era". Not to say that every player that had a 50 plus homerun year during that time was juicing, but there are certainly quite a few players during that stretch that now have an asterisk by their name in the stat book.
Bonds. McGwire. Sosa. A-Rod. Players that have been associated with steroids during the late 90's through early 2000's. Obviously, there were some exceptions. No one really questions Ken Griffey Jr. or Jim Thome's ability to smash a ball out of the park.
Since then, a few players have made their presence known by going over 50. Chris Davis. Jose Bautista. Ryan Howard. Although, Howard later popped for juicing as well. But Stanton's number is the largest since the record-breaking year.
While its tied for 9th overall, Stanton's 59 jacks could easily be considered the third most of all time without the use of PEDs. Stanton's assault on the ball this year was legendary. And a bit unforeseen. While Stanton is considered a power hitter, his previous highest total was 37 back in 2014. Add in his 132 RIB and a solid .281 batting average, and you can easily say Stanton's season was indeed a stellar one.
The homerun is one of the most exciting things in all of sports. For me, the homerun its up there with a defensive touchdown or a buzzer-beating basket. The long ball is what makes live baseball fun. It gets the fans excited. It can completely change the outcome of a game in an instant. And what can be more exciting than the walk-off blast? One swing. Game over!
After the MLB started cracking down on juicers, it didn't seem like a player would ever flirt with 60 homeruns in a season without the help of a needle. But here we are. Stanton has given baseball fans a reason to drive out to the stadium.
To baseball purists, Stanton has come closest to breaking the homerun record since it was set in 61; disregarding the assumed steroid users, of course. While the Hall of Fame might not ever acknowledge Bonds, McGwire, or Sosa, Stanton will certainly be able to make his case if his success at smacking balls continues.
Stanton has proved that a 60 homerun season is possible. Without a needle.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
The Fall of Jonny Bones
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Jon Jones failed a drug test.
The troubled UFC (now former) light heavyweight champion has, once again, failed a drug test. And for the third time in his career, he has been stripped of UFC gold.
It seems like a lifetime ago when Jones was a rising contender who won 6 of his first 7 fights in the UFC, four of them by stoppage. His lone blemish was a BS disqualification to Matt Hamill.
Then, he went on an unfathomable run of successful title fights winning bouts against Shogun Rua (to win the title), Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, and Daniel Cormier. Five of those wins came by stoppage.
But, prior to the fight with DC, "Bones" showed his first glimpse of a potential character issue: he failed a pre-fight drug test for cocaine. Seriously, Jon? Coke?
Prior to that, Jones' only real issue had been getting a DUI. But most people didn't really see that as a sign of a troubled individual; more of just a dumb mistake. But after the failed drug test, the writing started to appear on the wall. But many people, including myself, gave Jon the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just struggling with the superstar lifestyle. Maybe his fame had put him around the wrong people. Maybe this would serve as a learning experience to get his life back on track. And Jones said it was; but his actions showed otherwise.
Due to cocaine not being something that the UFC dished out suspensions for at the time, Jones was allowed to fight DC and continue with his career.
After the dismantling of Cormier, Jones was set to face Rumble Johnson. But, less than a month before the fight, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run incident. Jones rammed his rental car into a vehicle that a pregnant woman was driving then fled on foot. Then, he returned to the scene of the accident to grab some cash out of the glove box before taking off again. Unfortunately for him, an off-duty cop witnessed the accident. And to make matters worse, officers found weed in the car. As a result, the UFC suspended Jon and stripped him of the light heavyweight title for the first time.
Jones said his life would be different. He vowed to learn from his mistakes. I still wanted to root for Jones. I mean, come on, he was the most dominant fighter in UFC history. I wanted to see him do well. I wanted to believe that he had matured, and that after a third strike he knew he had to make changes. And almost a year to the day, Jones returned from his suspension to take on Ovince St. Preux for the interim- light heavyweight title.
Jones was victorious and once again had gold around his waist. The victory set up a rematch with DC, who had captured the LHW title in Jones' absence. The date was set for the biggest fight card in UFC history: UFC 200. But three days before the clash, Jones pissed hot again.
"Bones" was flagged for an estrogen blocker which is a typical sign of steroid use. However, Jones claimed he took some bad Cialis. Cialis... Really, Jon?
But the athletic commission concluded that Jon didn't take the estrogen blocker intentionally and was instead the victim of a "tainted supplement". The punishment: 1 year suspension and being stripped of his title for the second time.
Again, I wanted to believe. If the commission believes him, why shouldn't I?
His suspension ended in July and the rematch with DC was on. Jones said he was a new man. He had been clean and sober for several months. He was re-dedicated to MMA. And he damn sure looked like it at UFC 214 where he starched DC to regain the title.
All was right in the MMA world. Jones had overcome his demons and regained his status of the greatest. He destroyed his rival and was the light heavyweight kingpin once again. But it didn't last long.
Yesterday, a tainted drug test for Jones was revealed. Steroids. The death sentence in MMA. His legacy permanently tarnished. While it will take a little time for a suspension to be handed down, the UFC wasted no time in stripping Jones of the title for the third time.
This time, I can't back him up. I can't give him any excuses. I can't give him the benefit of the doubt. Time and time again, Jones has shown him self to be unable to follow the rules.
Now, he is waiting for his day in court. Of course, Jones and his team say it's not possible. But everything in this guy's past says that it is possible... and likely.
A man that could have been the greatest fighter of all time will now go down as a cheat. A waste of talent. A druggie. A man who doesn't belong in the sport.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
The troubled UFC (now former) light heavyweight champion has, once again, failed a drug test. And for the third time in his career, he has been stripped of UFC gold.
It seems like a lifetime ago when Jones was a rising contender who won 6 of his first 7 fights in the UFC, four of them by stoppage. His lone blemish was a BS disqualification to Matt Hamill.
Then, he went on an unfathomable run of successful title fights winning bouts against Shogun Rua (to win the title), Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, and Daniel Cormier. Five of those wins came by stoppage.
But, prior to the fight with DC, "Bones" showed his first glimpse of a potential character issue: he failed a pre-fight drug test for cocaine. Seriously, Jon? Coke?
Prior to that, Jones' only real issue had been getting a DUI. But most people didn't really see that as a sign of a troubled individual; more of just a dumb mistake. But after the failed drug test, the writing started to appear on the wall. But many people, including myself, gave Jon the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just struggling with the superstar lifestyle. Maybe his fame had put him around the wrong people. Maybe this would serve as a learning experience to get his life back on track. And Jones said it was; but his actions showed otherwise.
Due to cocaine not being something that the UFC dished out suspensions for at the time, Jones was allowed to fight DC and continue with his career.
After the dismantling of Cormier, Jones was set to face Rumble Johnson. But, less than a month before the fight, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run incident. Jones rammed his rental car into a vehicle that a pregnant woman was driving then fled on foot. Then, he returned to the scene of the accident to grab some cash out of the glove box before taking off again. Unfortunately for him, an off-duty cop witnessed the accident. And to make matters worse, officers found weed in the car. As a result, the UFC suspended Jon and stripped him of the light heavyweight title for the first time.
Jones said his life would be different. He vowed to learn from his mistakes. I still wanted to root for Jones. I mean, come on, he was the most dominant fighter in UFC history. I wanted to see him do well. I wanted to believe that he had matured, and that after a third strike he knew he had to make changes. And almost a year to the day, Jones returned from his suspension to take on Ovince St. Preux for the interim- light heavyweight title.
Jones was victorious and once again had gold around his waist. The victory set up a rematch with DC, who had captured the LHW title in Jones' absence. The date was set for the biggest fight card in UFC history: UFC 200. But three days before the clash, Jones pissed hot again.
"Bones" was flagged for an estrogen blocker which is a typical sign of steroid use. However, Jones claimed he took some bad Cialis. Cialis... Really, Jon?
But the athletic commission concluded that Jon didn't take the estrogen blocker intentionally and was instead the victim of a "tainted supplement". The punishment: 1 year suspension and being stripped of his title for the second time.
Again, I wanted to believe. If the commission believes him, why shouldn't I?
His suspension ended in July and the rematch with DC was on. Jones said he was a new man. He had been clean and sober for several months. He was re-dedicated to MMA. And he damn sure looked like it at UFC 214 where he starched DC to regain the title.
All was right in the MMA world. Jones had overcome his demons and regained his status of the greatest. He destroyed his rival and was the light heavyweight kingpin once again. But it didn't last long.
Yesterday, a tainted drug test for Jones was revealed. Steroids. The death sentence in MMA. His legacy permanently tarnished. While it will take a little time for a suspension to be handed down, the UFC wasted no time in stripping Jones of the title for the third time.
This time, I can't back him up. I can't give him any excuses. I can't give him the benefit of the doubt. Time and time again, Jones has shown him self to be unable to follow the rules.
Now, he is waiting for his day in court. Of course, Jones and his team say it's not possible. But everything in this guy's past says that it is possible... and likely.
A man that could have been the greatest fighter of all time will now go down as a cheat. A waste of talent. A druggie. A man who doesn't belong in the sport.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
May-Mac Madness
The circus is officially in town.
Yes, I know Ringling Bros. has shut down its operation. Not that circus. I'm talking about the Floyd Mayweather / Conor McGregor circus.
Before I talk about the magnitude of this upcoming bout, let me preface my thoughts by saying that Conor McGregor has no chance in hell of beating Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match.
Sure, Floyd has probably never faced anyone that can punch as hard as McGregor. I'll concede that "Money" Mayweather has never faced mental warfare at the level that the Notorious one will bring. Conor is the only man to ever hold two championships at different weight classes simultaneously in the UFC. He has the strength of an entire country behind him. He is arguably the more popular and liked fighter at this point than Floyd is. But, none of that will help him get over his massive shortcoming: he has ZERO professional boxing experience.
McGregor has never strapped on a pair of 12-16 oz. gloves and stepped inside a boxing ring for a professional match. Mayweather has. 49 times. And he won every single one of them.
As much as I can't stand watching Floyd dance around the ring and refuse to engage his opponent in a fight, I do recognize that he is one of the greatest to ever step inside the squared-circle. He's quick, agile, and virtually unhittable. He is a master of his craft; Conor is a novice of said craft.
As one-sided as this showdown is likely to be, it still has all the symptoms of a historical moment in combat-sports history. And the first dosage of this colossal event was given to us last week as the "May-Mac" tour touched down in four cities, in three countries, in four days for a series of press conferences. It was funny, it was weird, it was awkward, it was obscene, it was ridiculous....and it was friggin' awesome!
Floyd and Conor hurled insults, obscenities, and even money (well, that was just Floyd) at each other. The insults dug into each others pasts. Conor struck Floyd with remarks about Floyd's personal blemishes, while Floyd stuck to Conor's shortcomings inside the cage. They compared bank accounts and star power and neither refused to back down. At times, the insults came close to crossing the line. Some were offended by remarks made by Conor that seemed a bit racist, while Floyd left his mark with a sexual-orientation slur. It was, as UFC president Dana White predicted, a "shit show".
Then there were the outfits. Floyd kept it casual in workout clothes and jumpsuits, while Conor dazzled with his "Fuck You" pinstripe suit, and his now-infamous "polar bear coat" with no shirt underneath. Floyd stepped it up for the last press conference, but he was one-upped by the always-fashionable UFC champ.
The press conferences accomplished what they set out do: bring attention to the fight. Both of these men are fantastic promoters, and for those four days, they were in top form. Every sports outlet turned all of their attention to the fight (even though it's still a month away). Even non-sports media jumped on board for the ride. Anyone who didn't know about the upcoming "Money Fight" sure as hell knows now.
Say what you want about the competitiveness of the upcoming tilt, but there is little doubt that the numbers will be through the roof. It will break attendance (I've read it may cost up to 10K for ringside seats) and pay-per-view ($100 a pop) records. It will attract a who's-who of celebrities to pay big money to get through the doors. It will cause a flood of wager-money for Las Vegas. It will be one of the most watched pay-per-view spectacles in sports history. It will be the most talked about event for those final couple of weeks before the fight. It will be massive. It will be must-see TV.... and it will be a one-sided beat down.
I've read the backlash. I've seen the criticism. I've heard several people say they will not be paying to see this dumb-pointless-WWE-style rubbish. But let's not kid ourselves. Sure, you might not shell out 100 bucks to sit at home and watch it; but don't act like you won't be asking around to see who's having a watch party so you can see it for free.
This will be the most talked about sporting event of the summer, maybe even the year. And, yes, it's kinda silly, mismatched, and serves no purpose other than to provide each fighter with a 9-figure payday. But we'll all be there August 26 to watch the final act of the circus. And yes, that includes you.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Yes, I know Ringling Bros. has shut down its operation. Not that circus. I'm talking about the Floyd Mayweather / Conor McGregor circus.
Before I talk about the magnitude of this upcoming bout, let me preface my thoughts by saying that Conor McGregor has no chance in hell of beating Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match.
Sure, Floyd has probably never faced anyone that can punch as hard as McGregor. I'll concede that "Money" Mayweather has never faced mental warfare at the level that the Notorious one will bring. Conor is the only man to ever hold two championships at different weight classes simultaneously in the UFC. He has the strength of an entire country behind him. He is arguably the more popular and liked fighter at this point than Floyd is. But, none of that will help him get over his massive shortcoming: he has ZERO professional boxing experience.
McGregor has never strapped on a pair of 12-16 oz. gloves and stepped inside a boxing ring for a professional match. Mayweather has. 49 times. And he won every single one of them.
As much as I can't stand watching Floyd dance around the ring and refuse to engage his opponent in a fight, I do recognize that he is one of the greatest to ever step inside the squared-circle. He's quick, agile, and virtually unhittable. He is a master of his craft; Conor is a novice of said craft.
As one-sided as this showdown is likely to be, it still has all the symptoms of a historical moment in combat-sports history. And the first dosage of this colossal event was given to us last week as the "May-Mac" tour touched down in four cities, in three countries, in four days for a series of press conferences. It was funny, it was weird, it was awkward, it was obscene, it was ridiculous....and it was friggin' awesome!
Floyd and Conor hurled insults, obscenities, and even money (well, that was just Floyd) at each other. The insults dug into each others pasts. Conor struck Floyd with remarks about Floyd's personal blemishes, while Floyd stuck to Conor's shortcomings inside the cage. They compared bank accounts and star power and neither refused to back down. At times, the insults came close to crossing the line. Some were offended by remarks made by Conor that seemed a bit racist, while Floyd left his mark with a sexual-orientation slur. It was, as UFC president Dana White predicted, a "shit show".
Then there were the outfits. Floyd kept it casual in workout clothes and jumpsuits, while Conor dazzled with his "Fuck You" pinstripe suit, and his now-infamous "polar bear coat" with no shirt underneath. Floyd stepped it up for the last press conference, but he was one-upped by the always-fashionable UFC champ.
The press conferences accomplished what they set out do: bring attention to the fight. Both of these men are fantastic promoters, and for those four days, they were in top form. Every sports outlet turned all of their attention to the fight (even though it's still a month away). Even non-sports media jumped on board for the ride. Anyone who didn't know about the upcoming "Money Fight" sure as hell knows now.
Say what you want about the competitiveness of the upcoming tilt, but there is little doubt that the numbers will be through the roof. It will break attendance (I've read it may cost up to 10K for ringside seats) and pay-per-view ($100 a pop) records. It will attract a who's-who of celebrities to pay big money to get through the doors. It will cause a flood of wager-money for Las Vegas. It will be one of the most watched pay-per-view spectacles in sports history. It will be the most talked about event for those final couple of weeks before the fight. It will be massive. It will be must-see TV.... and it will be a one-sided beat down.
I've read the backlash. I've seen the criticism. I've heard several people say they will not be paying to see this dumb-pointless-WWE-style rubbish. But let's not kid ourselves. Sure, you might not shell out 100 bucks to sit at home and watch it; but don't act like you won't be asking around to see who's having a watch party so you can see it for free.
This will be the most talked about sporting event of the summer, maybe even the year. And, yes, it's kinda silly, mismatched, and serves no purpose other than to provide each fighter with a 9-figure payday. But we'll all be there August 26 to watch the final act of the circus. And yes, that includes you.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Big BALLin'
Lonzo Ball. LaVar Ball. Lonzo Ball. LaVar Ball. Lonz...... You see where I'm going here.
Prior to last week's NBA draft, these two names were the most talked about among the league; and only one of them is a player. The other? His outspoken dad.
I'll preface my thoughts by admitting that I don't watch a lot of NCAA basketball. I'm more of an NBA guy. But, like most sports fan, I fill out a March Madness bracket every year and watch closely. Aside from that, I might catch a handful of other games throughout the season. So, obviously, I wasn't too aware of the superstars of the college hoops season this year.
But I learned one name real quick. Lonzo Ball; the superstar from UCLA. And how did I learn of this guy? Not by watching him (I missed UCLA's opening tournament game). It was from an interview with LaVar Ball.
I can't recall exactly what was said, but I remember thinking "Is this guy crazy?! He's gonna ruin his son's chances at the NBA,". Surely no team would want to put up with this guy's dad, right? Boy, was I wrong.
Aside from being a fantastic ball player, Lonzo has the added advantage of having a dad who is a marketing master. One of the most important things for a collegiate athlete getting ready for the pros is creating a buzz; getting his name out there to the public and to the teams. And LaVar knocked it out of the park for him.
From his claims of being able to beat Michael Jordan in a one-on-one game of basketball, to his statements about his son Lonzo being better than Steph, Lebron, and Westbrook, LaVar has catapulted he and his son into the spotlight. Even if you don't follow college hoops (like me), you know damn well who Lonzo and LaVar Ball are.
Before the draft lottery to determine the draft order for the NBA, LaVar guaranteed his son would be a Laker. He didn't know when the Lakers would pick. But he knew he would be a Laker. Lonzo decided to only workout for the Lakers. For months, all we heard from LaVar was that his son Lonzo would be a Laker. And last week it happened. Lonzo was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. And LaVar had a Laker-colored hat ready and waiting. Lonzo took the stage in Laker-colored shoes that he had waiting on hand. The foresight of the Ball men had come true.
Then there's the shoes. Oh, the shoes.
After not reaching a figure desired by the Ball men for a sponsorship and shoe deal with Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas, they created their own brand: Big Baller Brand. They unveiled a sexy new sneaker with a hefty price: $495. When I read this, I couldn't help but wonder why they would dare price a shoe that expensive; especially for a guy who hasn't even stepped foot on the NBA hardwood. But then I thought "Why the hell not?".
LaVar and Big Baller were crushed on social media and in the press. Even pro athletes called him crazy. But for every person calling him crazy, there was a person typing in a credit card number. And while LaVar hasn't divulged an exact number, you have to assume the shoes are moving or new products wouldn't keep coming out (have you seen those Z02 Sho'Time shoes? Man, they're nice. Too bad I'm not a Lakers fan). And for those that say they're too expensive? Well, LaVar has a simple explanation: "If you can't afford the Z02's, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!"
And while I may not be big ballin' enough to afford a pair (although those hats are very tempting), you can't hate on a man who's personally-made product is bringing in the dough.
LaVar is brash. Outspoken. In-you-face. But, he's also a self-made business man. He's a marketing genius. He's the owner of his own clothing line. And he's got some talented sons.
People (myself included) have been saying LaVar is crazy since March; and all he's done is make his brand more popular while the paychecks flow in. And I, for one, have to respect that.
Time will tell how Lonzo fares in the NBA. But there's no doubt that he and his father have fared exceptionally for the last several months. Somehow, a man who's name was virtually unknown to those outside of California prior to this year, has turned his name into a business. The Big Baller Brand. And he has also helped his son become the most talked-about NBA prospect to enter the league since LeBron James.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Prior to last week's NBA draft, these two names were the most talked about among the league; and only one of them is a player. The other? His outspoken dad.
I'll preface my thoughts by admitting that I don't watch a lot of NCAA basketball. I'm more of an NBA guy. But, like most sports fan, I fill out a March Madness bracket every year and watch closely. Aside from that, I might catch a handful of other games throughout the season. So, obviously, I wasn't too aware of the superstars of the college hoops season this year.
But I learned one name real quick. Lonzo Ball; the superstar from UCLA. And how did I learn of this guy? Not by watching him (I missed UCLA's opening tournament game). It was from an interview with LaVar Ball.
I can't recall exactly what was said, but I remember thinking "Is this guy crazy?! He's gonna ruin his son's chances at the NBA,". Surely no team would want to put up with this guy's dad, right? Boy, was I wrong.
Aside from being a fantastic ball player, Lonzo has the added advantage of having a dad who is a marketing master. One of the most important things for a collegiate athlete getting ready for the pros is creating a buzz; getting his name out there to the public and to the teams. And LaVar knocked it out of the park for him.
From his claims of being able to beat Michael Jordan in a one-on-one game of basketball, to his statements about his son Lonzo being better than Steph, Lebron, and Westbrook, LaVar has catapulted he and his son into the spotlight. Even if you don't follow college hoops (like me), you know damn well who Lonzo and LaVar Ball are.
Before the draft lottery to determine the draft order for the NBA, LaVar guaranteed his son would be a Laker. He didn't know when the Lakers would pick. But he knew he would be a Laker. Lonzo decided to only workout for the Lakers. For months, all we heard from LaVar was that his son Lonzo would be a Laker. And last week it happened. Lonzo was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. And LaVar had a Laker-colored hat ready and waiting. Lonzo took the stage in Laker-colored shoes that he had waiting on hand. The foresight of the Ball men had come true.
Then there's the shoes. Oh, the shoes.
After not reaching a figure desired by the Ball men for a sponsorship and shoe deal with Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas, they created their own brand: Big Baller Brand. They unveiled a sexy new sneaker with a hefty price: $495. When I read this, I couldn't help but wonder why they would dare price a shoe that expensive; especially for a guy who hasn't even stepped foot on the NBA hardwood. But then I thought "Why the hell not?".
LaVar and Big Baller were crushed on social media and in the press. Even pro athletes called him crazy. But for every person calling him crazy, there was a person typing in a credit card number. And while LaVar hasn't divulged an exact number, you have to assume the shoes are moving or new products wouldn't keep coming out (have you seen those Z02 Sho'Time shoes? Man, they're nice. Too bad I'm not a Lakers fan). And for those that say they're too expensive? Well, LaVar has a simple explanation: "If you can't afford the Z02's, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!"
And while I may not be big ballin' enough to afford a pair (although those hats are very tempting), you can't hate on a man who's personally-made product is bringing in the dough.
LaVar is brash. Outspoken. In-you-face. But, he's also a self-made business man. He's a marketing genius. He's the owner of his own clothing line. And he's got some talented sons.
People (myself included) have been saying LaVar is crazy since March; and all he's done is make his brand more popular while the paychecks flow in. And I, for one, have to respect that.
Time will tell how Lonzo fares in the NBA. But there's no doubt that he and his father have fared exceptionally for the last several months. Somehow, a man who's name was virtually unknown to those outside of California prior to this year, has turned his name into a business. The Big Baller Brand. And he has also helped his son become the most talked-about NBA prospect to enter the league since LeBron James.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
MJ VS. LJ
The NBA Finals have come and gone. We've all had a moment to let it sink in. What is there to say? That Golden State Warriors squad is something special. Twice now in the last three years we've witnessed GS take down the Cavs and what many people consider to be the GOAT of the NBA.
The GOAT, huh? 3-5 in the finals. Now that's a statement. Making 7 straight finals appearances is amazing, but losing 4 of those seven is also amazing. But he played against 4 hall of famers!! ... 4 hall of famers??? Let's just slow down with that shit.
I'll give you KD and Steph, but Draymond? Dude has played in two all-star games, been on the all-defensive team twice, and never been on a 1st-team all NBA. That's a hall of famer? Not in my eyes. And Klay? A three-time all-star and two-time 3rd team all NBA member. Yeah, that's a Hall of Famer. Right. Lebron's sidekicks, Kryie and Love have similar credentials. So if GS has 4 HOFs, then the Cavs have 3. No excuses.
But wait. Lebron has played against so many Hall of Famers in the finals. MJ only played against a few! Okay, Lebron has squared off with KD twice, Steph three times, Duncan three times, and Dirk once. MJ went head-to-head with Magic, Drexler, Barkley, Payton, Malone twice, and Stockton twice. But let's also look at the playoff opponents.
Lebron has taken down people like Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Chauncy Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Andre Igoudala, Elton Brand, Rajon Rondo, Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Carmelo, Monta Ellis, Ben Gordon, Joe Johnson, Paul George, Paul Milsap, Al Horford, Kyle Lowry, Paul Pierce, and Isaiah Thomas. Not a bad list at all. But Jordan took down the best of his era. Including: Ewing, John Starks, Isiah Thomas, Mark Price, Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Shaq, Ben Wallace, Mutombo, Sam Cassell, and Reggie Miller, to name a few.
Oh, but Jordan lost in the first round! Lebron never did that. Yeah, well, MJ never lost in the finals; and he damn sure never got swept. But what about the stats? Post-season records: Most points in a game: Jordan. Most made field goals in a game: Jordan. Most consecutive field goals in a row: Jordan. Most points/field goals made in a 5-game series: Jordan. Field goals made in a 6-game series: Jordan. Highest points per game average in post-season career: Jordan. Most 50 point post-season games: Jordan. 40 point games: Jordan. 30 point games: Jordan. Only player to score 15 + in every post-season game: Jordan. Consecutive 50 point games: Jordan. Most consecutive 10 point and 20 point games: Jordan. And the list goes on and on... Now for James: Most turnovers in post-season history, and most career points in the post-season (he's about 200 points ahead of Jordan with about 40 more games played). Lebron did just pass MJ for 3rd on the all-time finals scoring record; though he has also played in 45 games, while Jordan only played in 35. Let's not forget that MJ never went to a game 7 in the finals, Lebron has twice.
What about the teammates? But Jordan had Pippen! And Rodman! True. And James had Wade. And Bosh. And Kryie. And Love. You can easily argue that Lebron played with more hall-of-famers than Jordan did (let's not forget LJ's time playing with Shaq -- though they didn't make the finals). Pippen never led a team to the finals, neither did Rodman. Wade has. Wade is likely the most talented teammate that Jordan or James ever had.
Some people say it's about more than just the rings. And I agree. But the ultimate benchmark of greatness is determined by the post-season. Let's compare Tom Brady. The majority of football fans say Brady is the GOAT at quarterback in the NFL. But Brady has arguably only been the best quarterback in the league twice his whole career. Statistically, he's played second-fiddle to guys like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisburger, and Aaron Rodgers throughout his career. Brady has played since 2000 and has won two MVP awards. Since then, 7 other QB's have won the MVP, including Rodgers winning 2 and Manning winning 5. So why is he considered the GOAT? 5 rings. Rings matter. Winning matters. Championships conquer all.
You may wonder why I haven't mentioned Kobe. Well, the majority of GOAT talk include MJ and LJ. Although, if you ask me, James is third on the all-time list behind the two names I just mentioned.
The title of GOAT is subjective. It's an opinion. Everyone has one. But those that think Lebron is the GOAT need to wake up and join team Jordan.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
The GOAT, huh? 3-5 in the finals. Now that's a statement. Making 7 straight finals appearances is amazing, but losing 4 of those seven is also amazing. But he played against 4 hall of famers!! ... 4 hall of famers??? Let's just slow down with that shit.
I'll give you KD and Steph, but Draymond? Dude has played in two all-star games, been on the all-defensive team twice, and never been on a 1st-team all NBA. That's a hall of famer? Not in my eyes. And Klay? A three-time all-star and two-time 3rd team all NBA member. Yeah, that's a Hall of Famer. Right. Lebron's sidekicks, Kryie and Love have similar credentials. So if GS has 4 HOFs, then the Cavs have 3. No excuses.
But wait. Lebron has played against so many Hall of Famers in the finals. MJ only played against a few! Okay, Lebron has squared off with KD twice, Steph three times, Duncan three times, and Dirk once. MJ went head-to-head with Magic, Drexler, Barkley, Payton, Malone twice, and Stockton twice. But let's also look at the playoff opponents.
Lebron has taken down people like Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Chauncy Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Andre Igoudala, Elton Brand, Rajon Rondo, Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Carmelo, Monta Ellis, Ben Gordon, Joe Johnson, Paul George, Paul Milsap, Al Horford, Kyle Lowry, Paul Pierce, and Isaiah Thomas. Not a bad list at all. But Jordan took down the best of his era. Including: Ewing, John Starks, Isiah Thomas, Mark Price, Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Shaq, Ben Wallace, Mutombo, Sam Cassell, and Reggie Miller, to name a few.
Oh, but Jordan lost in the first round! Lebron never did that. Yeah, well, MJ never lost in the finals; and he damn sure never got swept. But what about the stats? Post-season records: Most points in a game: Jordan. Most made field goals in a game: Jordan. Most consecutive field goals in a row: Jordan. Most points/field goals made in a 5-game series: Jordan. Field goals made in a 6-game series: Jordan. Highest points per game average in post-season career: Jordan. Most 50 point post-season games: Jordan. 40 point games: Jordan. 30 point games: Jordan. Only player to score 15 + in every post-season game: Jordan. Consecutive 50 point games: Jordan. Most consecutive 10 point and 20 point games: Jordan. And the list goes on and on... Now for James: Most turnovers in post-season history, and most career points in the post-season (he's about 200 points ahead of Jordan with about 40 more games played). Lebron did just pass MJ for 3rd on the all-time finals scoring record; though he has also played in 45 games, while Jordan only played in 35. Let's not forget that MJ never went to a game 7 in the finals, Lebron has twice.
What about the teammates? But Jordan had Pippen! And Rodman! True. And James had Wade. And Bosh. And Kryie. And Love. You can easily argue that Lebron played with more hall-of-famers than Jordan did (let's not forget LJ's time playing with Shaq -- though they didn't make the finals). Pippen never led a team to the finals, neither did Rodman. Wade has. Wade is likely the most talented teammate that Jordan or James ever had.
Some people say it's about more than just the rings. And I agree. But the ultimate benchmark of greatness is determined by the post-season. Let's compare Tom Brady. The majority of football fans say Brady is the GOAT at quarterback in the NFL. But Brady has arguably only been the best quarterback in the league twice his whole career. Statistically, he's played second-fiddle to guys like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisburger, and Aaron Rodgers throughout his career. Brady has played since 2000 and has won two MVP awards. Since then, 7 other QB's have won the MVP, including Rodgers winning 2 and Manning winning 5. So why is he considered the GOAT? 5 rings. Rings matter. Winning matters. Championships conquer all.
You may wonder why I haven't mentioned Kobe. Well, the majority of GOAT talk include MJ and LJ. Although, if you ask me, James is third on the all-time list behind the two names I just mentioned.
The title of GOAT is subjective. It's an opinion. Everyone has one. But those that think Lebron is the GOAT need to wake up and join team Jordan.
Call me wrong. Call me crazy. I just call it how I see it. #NailedIt
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