"Lightning" Lonnie Smith is a Boxing Superstar In the Making

By

Justin Davis

(Featured Columnist) on July 22, 201

 

In recent years, the lighter weight divisions have produced exciting fights and fighters. Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Oscar de la Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao are just a few of the most renowned fighters today who began their careers at 130 pounds and under.

"Lightning" Lonnie Smith is a junior lightweight contender looking to add his name to this All-Star list.

Many boxing insiders may recognize the name "Lightning" Lonnie Smith as a three-time world champion who retired in 1999.

The younger Lonnie Smith, now full-grown and a man of his own, is carving his own legacy.

Smith has the pedigree and the talent to challenge and win a world title soon.

Smith first put on a pair of gloves at the age of 13, and his boxing career flourished from then on. Smith has said that he would carry his boxing gear in a black bag that was much larger than him.

Smith's illustrious amateur career includes a third place finish at the Junior International Olympics in 2003, the BCR world title in 2005, the Ringside World Championships title in 2005, a controversial second place finish at the Under-19 National Championship in 2005, and a second place finish in the USA national championship.

Smith finished with an amateur career of 51-10.

Competing in those national and international tournaments gives Smith an edge over his competition in his young career.

Smith turned pro just a week after turning 19 with a technical knockout victory over Javier Flores in the third round.

Now, he's 10-2-2 (seven KO's) and the losses and draws are controversial or the result of bad management, according to Smith.

He's currently seeking sponsorships, management, and promotional opportunities to further prove himself (if you are a promoter, manager or have information on opportunities you are encouraged to contact Lonnie on twitter http://twitter.com/130lbBEAST or at ReikoRich@gmail.com ).

What sets "Lightning" Lonnie Smith apart from the rest is his style.

Smith brings an amazing blend of hand and foot speed, power in either hand, and the amazing ability to punch at awkward angles.

He is adored by Hispanic fight fans, and he's known as "El Negro Mexicano Lightning," because he comes out to Mariachi themed music and fights to send everyone home early and thoroughly entertained.

When he's not fighting, Smith is training at "The Hit Factory" in Las Vegas, Nevada, honing his skills under the tutelage of former world champion and Hall of Famer Eddie "Mustafa" Muhammad and Yoel Judah.

The regimen of running at high altitudes, cardio, and strength and conditioning allow Smith to fight at the insane pace he dictates through the ropes.

Can Lonnie Smith handle the elite fighters of his weight class? Ask Jorge Linares.

According to eyewitnesses, Smith knocked out Linares in a sparring session before losing his title by KO in the first round to Juan Carlos Salgado last October.

He also spars with Zab "Super" Judah where he can further practice his skills. It won't be long before the whole world knows who "Lightning" Lonnie Smith is.

The Don Has Spoken!!

The competitor in Michael Jordan would never have allowed himself to team up with Larry Bird

and Magic Johnson if given the chance. I wish I could have heard the off the record thoughts of MJ on the 3 lovers joining the Heat together.

When Michael Jordan talks, people listen. His voice is gospel in NBA circles, even to this day. When MJ told the likes of Tracy McGrady

Apparently, Jordan’s off the record comments were much more severe and paint a clearer picture to how Jordan really feels. Either way, the Don has spoken, and his words will no doubt find their way to South Beach where LeBron’s talents reside, and where Rupaul Bosh rotates between his two teammates bedrooms.

Michael Jordan took the torch from Magic Johnson in the '91 NBA Finals. Could you have ever imagined either of these two guys going to another team to piggy back a title? No F-ing chance.

Pro sports

Guys like Jordan and Charles Barkley have the right to criticize James because they have earned that respect. Said Barkley….”He’ll never be Jordan, this clearly takes him out of the conversation. He can win as much as he wants to. There would have been something honorable about staying in Cleveland and trying to win it as ‘the man’… LeBron, if he would have in Cleveland, and if he could’ve got a championship there, it would have been over the top for his legacy. No matter how many he wins in Miami, it’s still clearly Dwyane Wade’s team.” The way Jordan and Barkley feel about a talent such as James running to Wade insults their basketball sensibilities. Sometimes you can’t choose your destiny. LeBron is too talented to pull this bitch move.

Side Note: Barkley is great for one liners as we know. One of my favorites came during the playoffs as LeDiva was quitting on his team, his franchise, and his city……”I played against the greatest player in Michael Jordan, and LeBron aint that damn good.” Well said Chuck. Well said.

Jordan was always frustrated with Jerry Krause and the guys he brought to the Bulls before they were winning titles. Jordan gave us a glimpse of just how bad of a talent evaluator he was when he wanted Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant traded. However, Jordan never threatened to leave and always wanted to win in Chicago. I’ve never said James shouldn’t have left Cleveland if he wanted to, but to take the coward way out and, seemingly, absolve yourself of blame and pressure should, and does, insult Jordan. Jordan was insulted, as all basketball fans were, because most thought James wanted to be ‘the man’ on his team. When you call yourself  The King and have “Chosen 1″ tattooed on your back, you don’t go play Robin in a horrible sports town. Like MJ said, these “kids” had an opportunity and they made it happen. It’s unfortunate, because instead of the torch being passed from MJ to Kobe to LeBron, it’s going from MJ to Kobe to Durant. As a Durant guy, that’s fine with me. Nobody is going to accuse James of being a savvy “decision” maker, but don’t get mad at the basketball Don for being insulted by the chosen 1’s career choice.

Book Review – “From Black to Gold: The Pittsburgh Steelers” by Tim Gleason

by Steelergurl on July 2, 2010

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, I really never thought about any football team other than the Steelers. Everyone in my family, for the most part, is a Steelers fan.  No one is an Eagles fan, not that there’s anything wrong with that *rolls eyes.* It just wasn’t something you questioned, it just was.  The only debate about football when I was growing up was Pitt or Penn State, and being a rebel, I went to both schools, much to my parents chagrin.

So when I read this book, and heard Tim’s story about being a fan, it was reminiscent of my own childhood.  The story is likely one heard throughout Steeler Nation.  What struck me the most was the story of his daughter, Mary Rose, who he said he never pushed to be a Steelers fan, yet there are photos of her throughout wearing different jerseys and even with Art Rooney Jr and another with Mike Tomlin.  I am struck by her story for two reasons: first, her bond with her Dad and watching football and talking football.  That’s much like my own relationship with my father.  I have said before, I can call my dad on any given Sunday and talk during commercials, no one offended when the other hangs up when the plays start.  Second, Mary Rose is a lot like my own son – a Steelers fan by birth – neither of them having been born in Pittsburgh nor Pennsylvania, yet they love the team. That’s one reason Steeler Nation is so spread out today.  Anyone who has been at my house to watch a game knows, Steelerboy paces upstairs because he doesn’t want to watch with me.  There are even times, likely when the score isn’t in our favor, when he chooses to block the TV so even I can’t see what’s going on, begging me to turn it off.  Yes, he takes his life in his own hands while doing so.  He should know better by now.  Besides, he really doesn’t want me to turn off the game, he just really wants them to win.

I enjoyed Gleasons story, and think that most fans would as well.  Gleason draws on a lot of the Steelers history, the background of the Rooneys – the best owners in the NFL without a doubt – and the good years and the bad years for the team.  The story is divided into two sections, the black years – the first 38 years of existence and the gold years, the next 37.  It’s a great read and I recommend each of you take some time to check it out.

When you are finished reading, there will be a quiz – because I promise you, there will be some little fact that you will learn about the Steelers that you didn’t know before.

Gleason self-published the book and I am attaching the flyer to order.  It’s well worth the read.

Let me know what you think!

FROM QUICKNESS TO SELLOUT

LeDiva James tarnished his image forever by taking the easy way out. We will never look at this fraud the same way again.

After taking some time to calm down from The LeBacle, I finally feel like I’m ready for an unbiased view on the biggest con man (LeCon if you will) in sports. Okay, maybe not. This train wreck career decision made by the Queen Diva confuses anyone with a love for basketball and the NBA. We all thought MeBron James wanted it all. He’s the biggest attention whore in sports. We assumed he wanted to be “The Man”, the alpha dog on a great team, and to put himself in the discussion of the all-time one name greats like Michael, Larry, and Magic. We never thought that when this free agency free-for-all started that the prized player would announce to the world that he doesn’t want to be the lead guy. That’s the most shocking thing to me in all of this garbage. I felt strongly that he would leave Cleveland from the second game 5 ended against Boston. I was so convinced that I created a LeBron to the Bulls page on this very site to try and help promote the cause. That was all before LeDiva sat across from his hand picked ass-bag Jim Gray and told the world in so many words that…..The pressure has gotten to me, I want to piggy back on Dwyane Wade’s shoulders, and I don’t have the balls to be the player and person I was destined to be.

I don’t even know how to describe my feelings for this guy. Last summer, while doing our annual fantasy football draft, I told some of my buddies that if I was running an NBA fantasy-expansion draft and I had the number 1 pick of all of the NBA players, I’d take Kevin Durant. What?! No LeBron?! I didn’t care for his selfish act then and last night’s nonsense reminded me of why. His press conference in Madison Square Garden in 2008 talking about July 1, 2010 made me loathe him like I loathe country music. I used to love LeBron’s game. I was convinced when watching his high school games that the only way he wouldn’t be a phenomenal pro was if he went Tyson and ruined his career somehow. With the help of Maverick Carter (His, seemingly, incompetent business manager), LeBron embarrassed himself and ruined The LeBron James brand forever.

It won’t be the same if he wins multiple NBA titles with Wade and the Rupaul of big men, Chris Bosh on the Heat. It won’t mean what it should have meant. His road to the Michael, Larry, Magic pedestal is no longer attainable. With his buddies convincing him to make this horrendous career move, they effectively killed his legacy, when they are the ones who are supposed to be looking out for it. Maverick Carter did an interview in 2007  saying that for LeBron to become a global icon, he would have to win NBA championships. Is this what Carter and the rest of his posse thought would get James to that level? If so, they are Turtle, Drama and “E” stupid. If you watch Entourage, you remember Vince, all costs, going to make “Medillen” the Pablo Escobar story. E went along with Vince wanting to sell his house and everything he owned in order to buy the script. They bought the script, and make a horrendous movie that nearly ruined Vince’s career. That’s what this situation reminds me of. I’m willing to bet that after MeBron talked to Wade and Bosh he told his crew that he was thinking of going to Miami. Instead of knowing how this decision would tarnish his biggest clients career, Carter had stars in his eyes and imagined what it would be like to live and party in South Beach. Nice representation Bron Bron.I always thought he was a man of one, as Brian Windhorst has written. He, and he alone,  was supposed to make this decision. I wish someone in his camp would have had the balls to help him realize the mistake he was about to make. And shame on LeBron for being so willing to become a glorified Scottie Pippen at 25!!! Lebron wants to be a helper, not the heavy lifter who carries a team to a title. What a travesty.

As LeBron talked about his tough “decision”, he seemed not sure of the whole thing. He seemed as if he wanted this, but knew it may not be the best thing for him. He was obviously nervous–not so much that he was leaving the only home that he has ever known, but self doubt creeping in saying “Do I really want to do this?” He sounded like an overgrown teenager when he proclaimed “This fall….man this is very tough…I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” Having missed college recruiting, LeBron seemingly wanted to relive a high school football player announcing which college he was going to. All that was missing was LeBron choosing a Heat hat. It was cheesy, corny, and as lame as anything I’ve ever seen. Would Michael Jordan ever subject himself to this sort of circus act? Hell, no. Could you ever imagine Kobe doing this? Not a chance. LeBron looked like a lost sole who had no idea what he was about to do. He should have been thrilled about the next chapter in his life, but instead he looked miserable. He didn’t seem like he was 100% sure he wanted to do this.  But,he did and proved why he’ll never be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest players ever. Once again….what a travesty.

I wanted to say how badly I feel for the people of Cleveland. Dan Gilbert’s letter to Cavs fans was a fun read, and it shed some light on the diva. However, he is the guy who enabled the biggest con man in the NBA and let him do whatever he wanted. LeBron decided when practice would start. LeBron would hold up team buses because…because…because he’s LeBron James didn’t you know? What an ass-hat. Poor Cleveland fans have had to “witness” The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Shot II, and now, The Decision. I don’t agree that Gilbert’s Cavs will win an NBA title before LeDiva, but I am rooting for him to build a high level team to give those fans hope.

You could also compare LeBron turning his back on Cleveland to when Hulk Hogan joined “The Outsiders” Kevin Nash and Scott Hall at the ‘96 Bash at the Beach and forming the nWo. Hogan was a beloved figure who was the biggest name in wrestling. The Outsiders were supposedly sent from the then WWF (now WWE) to destroy WCW. When Hogan turned heel it was one of those wow moments that you don’t forget. That’s what last night felt like for fans. You won’t forget the night that MeBron changed the course of his career. For Hogan, it rejuvenated his career. For LeCoward, it’s going to be the moment he ended the discussion of being one of the greatest players ever.

Here is the Hulk Hogan comparison. The first video is 80’s Hogan (Cavs LeBron) followed by Hogan’s heel turn (MeBron deciding to go to the Heat….and selling out). The parallels are staggering……

If you grew up in the 80’s and liked wrestling, there’s no chance that you didn’t like Hulk Hogan. If you say otherwise you are lying. Everything changed when Hogan went “Hollywood.” You see, Hogan’s star was fading when he turned heel in ‘96. He needed the change in image to keep his name in lights. LeBron didn’t need to go “Hollywood.” He was at the top of his profession. It’s too bad LeDiva couldn’t handle the pressure. Every Hogan fan knows this clip. The feelings they had this night in July of ‘96 is what poor Cavs fans felt Thursday night. Bobby Heenan said “it’s the lowest shot ever given to professional wrestling.” James leaving is the lowest shot to Cleveland since Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore after the ‘95 NFL season. Congrats LeBron, you’re now the NBA’s version of Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Although not nearly as cool.

LeBron wasn’t the only one who made a fool of himself on Thursday night. ESPN as a network should be ashamed of themselves. From Stuart Scott blowing LeBron from the start of the show, to Jim Gray’s softball questions, to Michael Wilbon being just another Boo-Yaa pansy, it furthered showed that the network and it’s “experts” don’t have the balls to be anything but robot like talking heads. Could Gray or Wilbon asked LeDiva why he made a spectacle of himself?How about asking why he quit in game 5 vs Boston? I would have paid money for one of them to ask James how he feels about ruining his legacy just to take the easy way out? The only thing that could have made this worse was if Dick Vitale was there screaming at everyone and explaining that if LeBron had gone to college the decision would have been different. ESPN should be ashamed of themselves for the continuous coverage and more Chris Broussard reports than anyone could stomach.

Mr. Piggy back said after his decision that he talked with his mom that morning and she supported his decision. I wonder if Delonte West was brought up? What LeBron James did Thursday night was show how mentally weak he truly is. He took the easy way out. He openly told the world that he’s a beaten man that needs help to win that elusive championship. Judging by how stoic he looked, he knows deep down that this is a mistake. That, one day, he will look back on this night and realize he made a career altering mistake. Instead of accepting a challenge like Michael or Kobe would, LeDiva proved he isn’t in their league. He may piggy back his way to a couple titles while he “takes his talent to South Beach,” but he lost something Thursday night. He lost his chance to join Michael, Magic, and Larry atop the NBA’s Mt. Rushmore. Whenever the overgrown child grows up and realizes it, he’ll wish he could have “The Decision” back.

I Hate LeBron James

July 3rd, 2010 Nick Gelso

Dwyane Wade is likable. Respectable to the sport that has made him a very rich man. He respects the city of Miami and his boss, Pat Reilly. He can be cocky at time. We all remember, “This is my house…” while perched on top of the scorers table. Even I thought that moment was cool.

Essentially, Wade has not done much differently than LeBron– except prove he can win on the big stage.

LeBron praises Akron and the city of Cleveland. LeBron throws powder in the air and riles up his home crowd. No question James is fun to watch. He is a phenomenon– a physical specimen. LeBron leaves it all on the court. He works hard to win. He racks up a lot of dimes. He can rebound and he can score. He has won 60+ games the last two seasons. The Cavs have decimated opponents in the regular season and LeBron led the entire circus.

Wade, though garnering a finals MVP and an NBA title, has been injured frequently. Yet, despite Wade’s early accomplishments, he was injured in 2009 and his team failed miserably in 2010.

Yes, he won a title. For all intense and purposes, however, Wade has not had the over-all success nor media praise that the sports world has given to LeBron James.

So… they are similar. They are both commiserating and posturing to play together during this summer’s free agency. The media attention has honed it’s bright light on these two stars. They are very much sailing in the same boat.

Then why do I loath LeBron James and respect Dwyane Wade?

It’s really quite simple.

LeBron James is the self proclaimed “chosen one.” He has crowned himself the king and yet behaves like a jester. He snaps fictitious photo’s and dances to the tune of Cavs (regular season) blowouts. He encourages his teammates to clown around. He is a silly, loose guy when things are going well for his team and, ultimately, for him.

Yet, when the going gets tough, LeBron sticks his nose up to the world and, unfortunately, the fans that have made him a multi millionaire. He claims to have billionaire aspirations. Has anyone advised the king that you should not bight the hand that feeds you?

Let’s face it, LeBron is for no one but LeBron. He proves it in his behavior off the court. He has teased and taunted the Cavs, and their fans, with free agency for nearly 3 seasons. The man could have dispelled the growing free agency tornado when it began. Style aside, you do not wear a New York Yankees hat in public when the world is speculating that New York may be your next home.

I know. I know. The Yankees hat is overplayed. It’s still relevant though.

Nothing confirmed it more than during his semifinal loss to the Celtics. As his team was nearing complete elimination, we were all witnesses to the chants of “New York Knicks” in TD Garden. As I, a self declared LeBron-Hater, heard those chants raining down on LeBron while he bricked up free throws under the pressure, I couldn’t help but feel the pain of his teammates. I honestly believe that LeBron basked in the attention that moment brought him while the final buzzer was about to sound on another early playoff exit for the Cavaliers.

His teammates, the guys who went out and busted their asses to help the Cavs accumulate 60+ wins in the regular season, had to realize that all along they were just pawns on the Kings chess board. Yep, I felt bad for Mo Williams. I felt pain for Antawn Jameson. I was almost hating the fact that Shaq may have played his final NBA season as a losing piece of a puzzle, smeared by the distraction LeBron’s circus had created.  I can even say that I (unbelievably) felt sorry for Anderson Varejao. Anderson may be on the leagues most annoying list but their can be no doubt that he is a hard working man, with the hustle reminiscent of Dennis Rodman (before he started wearing a dress).

The sports world loves to blame LeBron’s failure on his teammates (lack of) support. LeBron is perpetrated as a martyr having to do it all alone. Saddest part is, I have never heard LeBron defend his teammates– not once.

Team’s do not win 60+ games playing 1 on 5. What changes in the playoffs? Do his teammates disappear or does LeBron overwhelm them with his distracting aura? Does the “LeBron traveling circus” overwhelm the rest of the Cavaliers, leaving them ineffective– hiding in the shadow of the king?

During the sixth game of the semifinals, as the Cavs were nearing vacation time, the chosen one essentially looked composed in loss. Almost too composed. He never discouraged the media from distracting his teammates with the “LeBron’s last game as a Cavalier” nonsense. The series was never about the Cavs struggles or the Celtics’ successes. To the media, the series was about LeBron, and the King found nothing offensive about that.

LeBron James is the most self centered player I have ever witnessed. I am sure their have been worse but, since the dawn of the ESPN era, no player has captivated the public spotlight (nor embraced it) more than the chosen one. For that reason, and none other, LeBron has ended up a loser season after season.

Don’t give me the bull shit about LeBron lacking a supporting cast either– I know it’s coming. Championship team’s are just that– a cohesive unit. Led by a dominant superstar, not dominated by that star. LeBron James wanted every player Danny Ferry brought to Cleveland. They were the perfect compliments on the king’s court throughout 60+ seasons. Perfect in success, yet the reason for failure. That makes no sense.

Now, Danny Ferry has given up as Cavs GM and Mike Brown is in the unemployment line– two more casualties left to eat the pain of loss while LeBron dances around the NBA teasing and taunting everyone to become the next team to claim him.

Folks, we are fools in LeBron’s hype machine. We have all bought into the hype that LeBron so adores. I have read, on this site, more often than I would care to, that LeBron is going to New York. No, wait! LeBron is going to Miami! Oh.. correction! LeBron is headed to Chicago to try and follow in his air-ness’ footsteps. Aw Shit! We were all “summit-suckers” again, LeBron is staying put in Cleveland!

Ladies and gentlemen, give it up!

When is the world going to ask themselves, maybe it’s not the players surrounding the superstar, possibly it’s the superstar himself that cannot get the job done.

How is LeBron James going to share the stage with such high power ego’s as DWade and Chris Bosh? It’s not going to happen. LeBron says he will wrap up free agency as soon as Monday and not a moment too soon for me. Than we can all get back to talking about basketball and not the one man who thinks he is bigger than the game.

LeBron, you were right. You should not wear Michael Jordan’s number. You shouldn’t wear it because you don’t deserve to have it placed upon your chest. You couldn’t fill his Nikes.

Stay in Cleveland LeBron. Appease your subjects. They enjoy being witnesses. As for me, I have witnessed quite enough of this nonsense.

Free agency could not end sooner. The “summer of LeBron” has, thus far, been enough to make me switch the tube on the game I love and that is why I am proud to say that I am a LeBron hater to the bitter end.

This Isn't The Summer of 2000!!

Don't believe the hype of LeBron James teaming with Dwyane Wade

in Miami. Two alpha dogs one team doesn't work.

Do you remember July of 2000? Besides gearing up for a my first year at Illinois Drunk University, err I mean Illinois State University, I was all fired up for the Bulls big free agent chase. The team had won their 6th NBA championship

Side Note: This was when a 21 year old McGrady was viewed as the next star wing player to go along with Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter. 2000 T-Mac was an absolute beast.

Krause met McGrady at the gate with Benny The Bull, The Luvabulls, The Blues Brothers singing “Sweet Home Chicago”, and a bunch of fans who were there to get their ugly mugs on television. It seemed cool at the time, but nothing could change the image problem the Bulls had throughout the league back then. McGrady enjoyed his two day visit to Chicago, but was welcomed back to Florida by the Magic who quickly signed him and Grant Hill. Edie Jones signed with Miami, and Duncan remained in San Antonio. You knew it was bad when Tim Thomas said thanks, but no thanks. The Bulls? Cover your eyes….Ron Mercer and Brad Miller

The Bulls had the right plan, but they also possessed a weak roster (Elton Brand, Ron Artest, Marcus Fizer who sucked ass, and Jamal Crawford) which didn’t help their cause. As we approach free agency 2010, I can’t help but remember that hideous summer as a Bulls fan. Could it happen again? Absolutely. Anything can happen when egos and money are involved. Do I think it will happen again? No chance–not with the business like approach of John Paxson and Tom Thibodeau. In July 2004, the Bulls flew to, then, free agent Kobe Bryant’s house in California. The Bulls didn’t have cap room that summer, but nearly convinced Kobe to force a sign and trade to the Bulls. Kobe was impressed with the Bulls no nonsense approach, and how they kept the visit low key. Unlike the Knicks.

You knew I had to get a Knicks jab in there.

I can’t see the Bulls getting shutout as in 2000. Not with the best point guard in the league in Derrick Rose, and not with a solid potential all-star in the middle in Joakim Noah. Point guard and center are the two hardest positions to fill on a basketball team. The Bulls go into free agency with those spots filled with studs. The thought of Screamin’ A. Smith saying it’s a lock that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will sign with Miami is, as he would put it, “a basketball abomination.” This is what passes for reporting these days– throwing shit against a wall and hoping it sticks. You can have one alpha dog on a basketball team. Who would take the last shot on that team? How would LeBron feel about having the label of hitching himself to Wade’s coattail to a championship? How would Bosh like scoring 12-15 points a game as the 3rd wheel? Are you convinced this won’t happen? How about the fact Bosh has said he won’t play center. You know who Miami has locked into the center spot? Nobody. Unless they can bring back the immortal Joel Anthony. Give me a fucking break.

The Bulls ,as I’ve said, are in the best position of any of the teams with cap room. My uncle (Big Lou) is now convinced LeBron is headed to the Newark Nets. I know that he’s boys with Jay-Z and they are moving to Brooklyn in 2-3 years. However (Screamin A. voice), is The King going to play in Newark? No. Is he going to trust a new owner who wanted the guy who drafted Michael Jordan (Rod Thorn) to take a pay cut? No. The Bulls are the “IT” team of this free agency.

Some think the Bulls would like to pair Joe Johnson with LeBron James. That works for me. I'll take Teenwolf paired with LeBron. Just get The King to Chicago.

Who will the Bulls end up with? Everyone has a guess. I’m glad I’m going to a wedding this weekend and will be, somewhat, away from all of this madness. Most think the Bulls will target Chris Bosh at the start of free agency tonight and, hopefully, get a commitment from him before their Friday sit down with LeBron. Others have said that Joe Johnson is the Bulls preferred tag team partner for James. I don’t care either way. I’m good with both. Johnson would provide the space the floor shooter that the Bulls desperately need even if they get James. Bosh could be a nice pick and roll option for James and Rose and give the Bulls their best low post presence since…..since…..since…..Eddy Curry? What, did you think I was going to go Stacey King or Bill Cartwright on you?

Side Note: This just gave me a great idea. I think I’m going to plan a bad Bulls big men blog one of these days. You think I’m long winded normally, just wait until I can put together that list. I smell 3,600 words on Dalibor Bagaric, Aaron “The white Panther” Gray, Mark Randall, Michael Ruffin

The Bulls will come away with two solid players in the worst case scenario. I still think they will get LeBron and Bosh, or Lebron and Johnson. It makes too much sense for LeBron not to joing this team. If James leaves, he has to win big right away. Is he going to do that in New York with Tony Douglas passing him the rock? No chance in hell, as Vince McMahon would say. It’s why the rumors have been circulating for weeks. It’s why I believe the Bulls made the give away Kirk Hinrich trade. The Bulls would never give away Pax’s boy for nothing if they didn’t have some sort of notion that LeBron and, either Bosh or Johnson was coming with him. You don’t make those kind of moves on a whim. They know something.

Even though this situation reminds me of that fateful summer ten years ago, this time it’s a whole different story. The Bulls are on the top players radars because of Noah and that Rose guy, who by the way, is pretty good at basketball. The rebuilding efforts have been long, painful, and tortuous for Bulls fans. With two strokes of the pen, the Bulls could be back to playing in June and winning titles again. This isn’t July 1, 2000. This is a legit playoff team that two players away. It all starts tonight Bulls fans. Thankfully, Jerry Krause and the Blues Brothers won’t be at O’Hare making asses of themselves. If that were the case, I’d have post Vegas anxiety right now. I know one thing, I know I won’t have post July 2000 anxiety when this is said and done.

Thank You Ernie Grunfeld

Ernie Grunfeld did the Bulls a huge favor by taking "Kurt" Hinrich's remaining $17 million dollars. Thanks Ern.

If you’ve read any of my blog posts since I started this site  last November, you know the Marciano body shots I’ve thrown at Ernie Grunfeld. The Wizards GM is always a target of mine because I think he’s done a piss poor job running the Wizards. Yes, he’s the guy who gave Gilbert Arenas $111 million dollars. On Thursday, however, Grunfeld did the Bulls the biggest favor since David Stern rigged the Derrick Rose lottery. He agreed to take on Kirk (Please Flip Saunders don’t call me Kurt) Hinrich and his remaining $17 million dollars. The Wizards have the cap space to absorb Hinrich’s deal, but not until the NBA’s moratorium is lifted July 8. Ironically, the Wizards have that cap room because they shipped off Antawn Jamison to the Cavs at this year’s trade deadline. Funny how this shit works out, isn’t it? By taking Captain Clank (That’s my buddy Chad’s nickname for him), Grunfeld insured the Bulls will have around $30 million dollars to spend on free agents this summer. Which two you ask? I ‘ll let Worldwide Wes answer that question…..”We’re going to Chicago, and Chris Bosh is coming too. Worldwide Wes is now telling people LeBron James will bring Bosh with him to the Bulls once free agency starts July 1. As I’ve written for months, the Bulls are all in on the LeBron sweepstakes. They hired Tom Thibodeau, knowing he was OK with LeBron and Worldwide. They gave away Hinrich for nothing! Look, I have ripped Kirk for a long time, but even I have to admit he was a solid player. That’s where the league is right now, though. If you want to play at the big boy’s table, you better be willing to do what The King, Maverick Carter, and Worldwide want. Who could have guessed that a former Knick would help the Bulls achieve their goal.

Grunfeld and Dave Checketts ran the Knicks in the 90’s. They hated the Bulls as much as us Bulls fans hated the Knicks. No Knick would ever help the Bulls, right? Oh, how things have changed. Checketts had this to say to ESPN New York….”I’ll have to give Ernie a call, has he lost his mind?”

“Ernie and I hated Chicago more than anyone. We wouldn’t do one thing to help them when we were running the Knicks. In fact, we even tried to kill deals we heard the Bulls were working on. We’d call agents and tell them, ‘Why would you send your player there? Are you kidding? Don’t you know what’s going on inside that organization?’” Checketts wasn’t done….

Bulls fan owe Ernie Grunfeld a big thank you for taking on Hinrich's deal. The former Knick really stuck it to his old team.

“We tried to convince Michael Jordan to come to New York when we offered him all of our cap space in ‘96,” he said. “We even bid on Scottie Pippen once. A lot of time has passed, but it’s still hard to picture Ernie doing a deal that would help the Bulls.” How do you really feel Dave?

Somewhere, the Knicks and their fans are feeling like this is the 90’s all over again. For all of my ball busting of Grunfeld, I owe him an apology. Thanks Ern, thank you for taking the only white guard in the NBA who can’t consistently make a wide open 3. I may have to send Big Ern a gift.

The NBA world has known for 2 years that the Knicks want LeBron James. They started planning for July 1, 2010 the day Donnie Walsh took the helm. Walsh sounded terrified at the thought of the Bulls now having enough room for two max free agents. “They got more cap money than they had, there’s no doubt about that.” He seems resigned to the fact that his dog shit team is falling out of the LeBron sweepstakes faster than “Grown Ups” will fall out of the top grossing movies of the summer. Donnie needs a smoke.

A LeBron James - Derrick Rose combo is closer to becoming a reality thanks to Thursday's trade of Captain Clank.

The Knicks main draw for 2 years has been their ability to sell LeBron on the fact that he can bring the sidekick of his choosing. That was their sell. Not their B-List celebrities lining up to make a pitch to The King. The Knicks are planning elaborate dinners, and selling New York. When you have a roster that consists of Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Tony Douglas, I’d be selling the city and anything other than basketball. Sorry Knicks fans, but your 2 year dream is about to become a nightmare. Don’t blame Donnie Walsh, blame Isiah Thomas who ruined your franchise. “Zeke” basically destroyed basketball in New York like LeBron will do in Cleveland once he’s “Up out of there” as Worldwide Wes said. Does anyone think LeBron, who’s in desperate need of winning titles, will want to play with those stiffs over Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah? That’s what I thought. LeBron James is going to be a Bull. I’ve never been more confident about it.

I feel obligated to mention the Miami Heat because they have cleared the deck as well and will make a pitch to LeBron. I’m only mentioning them because I don’t want to be viewed as shortsighted. Know this– there is no chance in hell (Vince McMahon voice) that The King will want to be viewed as Dwyane Wade’s sidekick. They played well together on team USA, but LeBron wants to be the alpha dog, and he wouldn’t be that in Wade’s world. The Heat will come away with Amare Stoudemire and Ray Allen, but The King is out of Pat Riley’s greasy, slimy, scummy hands.

Since Kirk Hinrich is now a former Bull, I have some parting words for Captain Clank. On draft night ‘03 there was one guy I wanted no part of. His name? Kirk Hinrich. When a slimmer, younger David Stern announced the Bulls had selected the goofy haired Hinrich, I threw my remote control at the wall. True story.  I didn’t want him then, and I basically high-fived myself when news broke yesterday that he was headed to Washington. Kirk is a solid player, yes, but I will not miss his over dribbling or his line drive jumper clanking off the front of the rim. I know many Bulls fans love the fact that “Kurt” was scrappy, tough minded and white. For me, he will always be a 40% shooter who picks up two stupid fouls in every first quarter. Ugh, maybe I will go see Grown Ups just to get Kirk’s game out of my head. The greatest thing he ever did for the Bulls was be competent enough to draw interest from a team like the Wizards. The Wizards have cap space and know that no free agent will go there to play with Gilbert Arenas. Kirk was a gritty defender and a solid combo guard, but he was never worth the $9 million dollar average he was being paid. So long Kirk, I won’t miss you.

Random Tangent: I’m telling you now that some of the teams with cap space (Nets, Clippers, and T-Wolves) who get shutout of the free agent game will need to fill that space through trades. There is still hope the Bulls can trade Luol Deng. It could be in a sign and trade (to the Hawks for Joe Johnson), which would give the Bulls the chance to sign 3 top fight players this summer. Every non Bulls NBA fan is scared shitless right now.

The moment the Bulls and their fans have waited two years for is almost here. LeBron James and Chris Bosh are another step closer to becoming Chicago Bulls. The Knicks, Cavs, and their respective fans are having nightmares of the 90’s all over again. How ironic that a former Knick helped the Bulls get into position to begin another championship run. Thanks Ern, I owe ya.

Friday, June 18, 2010

My Final Thought on the NBA Finals

So I wanted to be objective and write about the Lakers' championship victory on scorExpress.

But I couldn't bring myself to do it.

So I'm here...

Am I disappointed? Yes. But I am proud of the Boston Celtics. After all they weren't supposed to be in the Finals. That was supposed to be LeBron's department. We see how that worked out.

Then it was supposed to be Dwight's area for a Finals rematch. Despite nearly blowing a 3-0 lead, the C's made it.

Red Auerbach made the 2-3-2 format. It backfired on his team. They were up 3-2 and became the first team in 16 years to blow a 3-2 lead and lose the NBA Finals. They also became the first Celtic team to blow a 3-2 lead in the Finals, and also became the first team to lose a Game 7 to the Lakers.

And the final blow. They became the first team to blow a lead in the Finals heading into the fourth quarter.

With all that said, the Celtics blew it. It was their M.O. all season. Big leads into the fourth and lost them. I can concede the fact that the Lakers were the better team and they found ways to win. I lost a bet in the process, and I was upset about it, even to the point of burning the attire that I choose to wear in the process. After sleeping on it, I retract my statement. When you're in the heat of the moment, and upset, you do say things you do not mean. So I gotta suck it up, keep my word, and fulfill my debt. Maybe I'll donate the apparel somewhere.

Regarding the Lakers, they rallied, plain and simple. Kobe Bryant fought through the struggles, Derek Fisher and Ron Artest made clutch shots, and Pau Gasol came up big. They played excellent defense in the second half, and made the necessary adjustments to get the victory. Although Bryant got the MVP, I really feel it should've gone to Artest. He hit the huge three pointer to seal the win for LA, and if you wipe out the other games, the MVP should've went to the player of the night, and Artest picked up the scoring when Bryant was struggling.

As for Bryant, I have respect for his game, and even as a person (after watching the E:60 piece on him). He knows the game, he studies the game, and the work ethic is unparalleled. I respect the Lakers organization, and I respect the fans that can handle winning with class. I do like the fact that Doc Rivers respects Phil Jackson to the point where he can walk up to him and shake his hand, which inspired me to congratulate a few fans that I know could be classy. Being a fan of a champion team is a great thing.

On the flipside, this could be the last stand of the Big Three. We knew the window was short. and perhaps if KG had not got hurt in 2009, and if Kendrick Perkins didn't go down in the Finals, it would be a three-peat. The C's starting five of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Perkins have never lost a playoff series, and they technically still haven't, since Perkins went down. But with Allen being a free agent, and Pierce having the possibility to opt-out, and even Rasheed Wallace contemplating retirement, and finally, Doc Rivers could be leaving all together, things are going to change in Boston. It will be up to Danny Ainge to make the right changes.

Either way, no matter what. I will still be a Celtics fan. Congratulations to the Lakers fans, and I do mean that. Enjoy the repeat. Respect.

Posted by thelibraicon at 12:04 PM 0 comments

HOW WE ROLL IN CHI-TOWN

Chicago showed the world just how we do championship celebrations. Soak it in Chicago, you never know when we'll get to do this again.

Is it possible to be emotionally high and drunk for 4 straight days? I’m thinking it is because I’ve reached a high I’ve never felt before. No, not even when I was in Jamaica for The Blade’s wedding. Sure, some beers, champagne, and a few vodka’s have helped the cause, but what a whirlwind it’s been since Wednesday night. I’ve excused myself for being over the top in joy, but when you haven’t celebrated a professional sports championship since June 14, 1998, you’re allowed. I’m my own voting committee, so there. The Blackhawks first Stanley Cup championship since 1961 has brought me so much excitement that I don’t want this moment to end. So, since I am my own voting committee, I’ve decided all of Chicago is allowed to own this moment for the rest of the summer. Hey, it’s better than being miserable watching two horrendous baseball teams, right?

Random thought: Speaking of horrendous baseball, I couldn’t be happier that the crosstown meltdown is being so overlooked this year. The Flubbies and ShitSox don’t deserve to be talked about. All they deserve is a mere mention of the scores of the games. And, even that’s pushing it. The fact that they are playing for the BP Trophy is so Chicago baseball. Any coincidence that the tragic oil spill happened right after BP hooked on with the Cubs? I don’t think so, and you can’t tell me different.

Patrick Kane took home not only a Stanley Cup championship, he also gets to hang onto the WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt for the summer. This is reason number 1, 382 why I love this Blackhawks team.

Friday’s parade showcased the greatest city in the world at it’s best.–an estimated 2 million people (I’m not buying that number but play along. We’re celebrating, dammit!). The Blackhawks put on a first class party that set the bar high for the championship celebration. The highlights, for me, included seeing Mr. Cup Clincher, Patrick Kane, pounding a bottle of champagne on the bus leaving the United Center. I mentioned the other day that Kaner was number 1 on my list of Chicago athletes that I’d like to go out on the town with. Well, Kaner took it to another level on Friday. After slamming his bottle of champagne, Kane started pounding beers like Stone Cold Steve Austin. By the time the buses hit Michigan Avenue, Kane looked like he reached Mrs. Toews drunk. Or, more commonly known, as Ron Harper drunk. I loved it. Why? Because when you’re the number 1 pick of a dying franchise, the smallest guy on the ice at all times, you score 10 goals & 18 assists in the playoffs, you can do just about anything in my world. Here’s to you Kaner….Cheers.

I always knew Dustin Byfuglien was a cool cat, but I had no idea he loved carrying the WWE World Heavyweight Title belt–as if Big Buff wasn’t cool enough already. God, I love this Hawks team. Big Buff handed the belt to Kaner to hang onto for the summer. I haven’t enjoyed a belt passing moment like that since Hogan handed the WWE Title over to The Ultimate Warrior after their epic encounter in WrestleMania 6.

Some of the other highlights from a day I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to see include Duncan Keith’s speech. Missing 7 teeth is one thing, but his “That’s how it goes” & “Who knows a good dentist?” lines were from the heart and really funny. The Norris Trophy winner is just reaching his prime. How much better can he get? Yikes. He talked about coming here 5 years ago and never imagining this moment. You aren’t alone Dunc. Nobody thought this was possible 5 years ago.

Eddie Olczyk killed it all day. Sweating more than Michael Spinks before the Tyson fight, Eddie O did a great job making sure to mention everyone remotely responsible for making this moment happen.

Jim Cornelison gave us one more stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Rest your voice Jim, you’ve earned it my man.

The sign that said “The Blackhawks: The cure for Jordan withdrawal.” That stuck out to me because for too long the Jordan era is all we’ve had when we talk about Chicago championships. I still don’t count the 2005 White Sox. Sorry Sox fans, it is what it is.

The masses chanting Rocky-Rocky- Rocky when the greatest owner in the history of Chicago sports took the mic. Thank you Rocky, I can’t say that enough.

Kris Versteeg proved again why Eminem is the only good white rapper on the planet. It’s all good “Steeger”, do what you do.

The crowd chanting for Marion Hossa was a great gesture by the fans too. The big man finally got the monkey off his back after two years of Cup failures. With his mind clear, just imagine how deadly he can be next year knowing his cup curse is over?!

I didn’t want to mention Mayor Daley butchering Joel Quennville’s name, but I had to. Thanks Dick. Stay classy my man. Allow me to give the coach some love…..You did a hell of a job coach Q. The way you brought along young players, picked Niemi and rode him to the title, and the way you mixed up your lines in the Finals showed just how good of a coach you are. And, it also showed you have massive balls for being willing to change things up for the better of the team. My championship hats off to you. Cheers.

It was, yet, another show of respect by the Blackhawks that Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, Denis Savard, and Bobby Hull were part of the celebration. Rocky Wirtz did what his grumpy ass of a father wouldn’t, he brought back the former Hawk legends to the team. Thanks again, Rocky. I told you I can’t thank him enough.

A special thanks goes out to John McDonough and Jay Blunk. The marketing gurus put the Hawks back in people’s mind. Sure, it took talent and winning, but they deserve a tremendous amount of credit. Once again, cheers. I’m approaching Kane drunk…..Maybe not, but still.

The Blackhawks Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane live up their "moment" at the Blackhawks championship parade. What a season. Thank you guys....We'll never forget it.

Jonathan Toews is so comfortable as the captain and leader of this team it’s almost scary. HE’S 22 YEARS OLD!!! The guy I named hockey Steve Sanders heard MVP chants all day. Why not?! 7 goals, 22 assists, and 29 points will earn you The Conn Smythe Trophy. The next Steve Yzerman is a top 3 player in this league and might just be moving up. You know what? I just moved him ahead of Hockey Drago and Sid the Kid. The throne is yours Tazer. Your number 1 on Mr. Chi City’s list. I look forward to seeing your Hall of Fame career unfold.

Patrick Kane said he’ll try and keep his shirt on all summer and told all cab drivers he loves’ em. Whatever he and the rest of the best hockey team in the world do all summer is fine with me. I just hope they live this moment to the fullest. Enjoy it all summer long. That’s what I hope all of the Blackhawks fans do as well. What are you going to watch– God awful baseball?! Enjoy this championship! You never know when it’ll happen again. Enjoy it because this parade showed the world just how we roll in Chicago. See you next June…

Another Step Towards The King

Never an organization to move swiftly, the Chicago Bulls swooped in to hire the best assistant coach in the NBA on Saturday. Tom Thibodeau will be named the 18th coach in Bulls history, once the NBA Finals are over. Quite frankly, I’m shocked at how the Bulls dawdling front office targeted a guy, interviewed him, made him an offer and got the deal done. Thibodeau was the main target of the New Orleans Hornets and the New Jersey Nets ,along with the Bulls. He is deserving of his first head coaching sentence, but he only entered the picture for the Bulls just this week. Something is going on in Deerfield and I think I know what and who it has to deal with.

Tom Thibodeau is a good choice for the Bulls, but he didn't become a serious candidate until he signed with CAA and had a connection to LeBron James.

Thibodeau, apparently, always was against having an agent again. It wasn’t, until recently, that he aligned himself with Creative Artists Agency. That’s important because CAA also reps William “Worldwide” Wes (he just became an agent), Chris Bosh, and– wait for it….LeBron James. What caused the Bulls to hop on a plane and head to Los Angeles last week? Hmm, I wonder. Within about 48 hours, the Bulls had an offer on the table to hire a coach that the new billionaire owner of the Nets, Mikhail Prokorhov, and GM Rod Thorn desperately wanted to hire. There’s a reason the Bulls acted like they actually have a pulse. They know something….This is the same Bulls front office that stalled two years ago when Mike D’Antoni was ready for them to make an offer. This is the same Bulls front office that had a deal with Doug Collins that same summer, as well as this past December, only to F the thing up. Moving swiftly and showing some form of a vision hasn’t been their strong suit. Until now.

According to Yahoo basketball writer Adrian Wojnarowski, some league executives didn’t think Bulls De Facto GM Gar Forman wasn’t that high on Thibodeau, but it doesn’t matter. Jerry Reinsdorf is because he knows he has a great chance at stealing away LeBron from the Cavs and ending pro basketball in Dumpland forever. Dan Gilbert hasn’t slept since this news came out, I can promise you. Why do you think Danny Ferry stepped down this week? It wasn’t, solely, because Gilbert wants to be more hands on– it’s because he has to know there is a great chance LeBron is leaving. The NBA’s free agency signing period has already begun. To quote my favorite wrestling broadcaster Gorilla Monsoon…”You can take that to the bank.” The wheels are in motion, and owners are calling the shots.

Worldwide Wes is telling people that he believes LeBron is strongly leaning towards signing with the Bulls. Thibodeau is part of CAA. His ties to Wesley make the Bulls the front runner for the biggest free agent in the history of sports.

It wasn’t until Thibodeau signed with CAA that he was thought to be a serious target for the Bulls. You better believe that if LeBron didn’t approve of  Thibodeau being the Bulls coach, the Bulls never would have flown to L.A. to get the deal done so quickly. Jerry Reinsdorf is craving for more NBA championships, and is showing he will do anything to make sure the most athletic player in the history of the league signs with his team. Wojnarowski states that the Bulls hiring of Thibodeau doesn’t guarantee them LeBron, but it’s the equivalent of a down payment. Yes, the chairman wants The King that badly that he’ll hire a coach his GM may not have wanted. Reinsdorf knows Bulls fans will always place Michael Jordan number one on the “Why the Bulls have 6 championships” list. And ,rightfully so. Chairman Jerry wants his own legacy, and signing the biggest free agent of all-time will go a long way towards accomplishing that goal. He could silence all of the rumblings Bulls fans have had over the years. He cares more about his horrendous and un-watchable White Sox. He only still owns the Bulls because he makes a sh*t load of money with them. He doesn’t pay coaches. He doesn’t want more rings as long as the United Center is packed every night. With one signature, all of that talk vanishes quicker than weed in an NBA players hotel room. If Reinsdorf pulls this off, his legacy will be cemented. Why? Because adding James means more banners will be hung at the United Center. That’s how big this.

William “Worldwide” Wesley made headlines that have people in New York and Cleveland looking for anything sharp. He thinks LeBron is leaning hard towards signing with the Bulls. I still have no idea why “Wes” has so much power and say with NBA players. No matter how much I read about him, he still seems like he doesn’t exist. Not that I care right about now. If he thinks LeBron is coming to the Bulls, fine. Do your thing worldwide. Remember, if Thibodeau wasn’t a part of CAA, he wouldn’t be coaching the Bulls.

The way the Bulls swooped in to steal Thibodeau from the Nets and Hornets tells me they know something regarding LeBron. The Bulls used to haggle with Phil Jackson about money when he was winning titles for Christ’s sake. Now they get a deal done with a coach in 48 hours? They must know something we don’t. An NBA executive believes most of the big free agent deals will be done by July 1. It’s why Dwyane Wade was doing that slimy rat ,Pat Riley’s,dirty work when he questioned the Bulls loyalty to former players. Wade can’t possibly be that ignorant. Actually hearing and reading about some of his actions, he quite possibly is that ignorant and isn’t the wholesome hometown hero some thought. Whether he believes the Bulls aren’t loyal to former players doesn’t matter. It’s a Riley ploy to keep James and Bosh from coming to the Bulls. Riley is trying to sell James and Bosh on taking less money to go to Miami. Sure Pat, because NBA players always take less money. I still loathe that sneaky piece of crap after all these years.

Random Tangent: Stan Van Jeremy would have won the ‘06 title with the Heat if Riles didn’t abruptly toss him to the curb like a cheap hooker. Riles saw an opportunity to add another ring to his resume, so he fired Van Jeremy and rode Wade’s coattails for that ring. Sorry Pat, but your slimy ways aren’t working right now.

Yes, Tom Thibodeau is the Bulls new head coach, but remember, he only has the gig because he’s with CAA, and LeBron James is on board with it. If he didn’t? There’s no chance the Bulls would have acted big time and made this move. Something is going on in Deerfield alright, and it all has to do with LeBron James. Get those number 6 jerseys ready….

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

JersyMikeJr Interviewed

Kn ven.

Knowing that I am somewhat sarcastic and caustic, I try to walk away from potential ‘explosive’ situations.  I generally walk away, while ‘muttering under my breath”, and go to find a ……, or a Poker game.  But sometimes, it becomes the responsibility of the ‘elder’ to educate and enlighten, the next generation.  While listening to my favorite Wednesday night Sports radio show, “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” w/ @edthesportsfan & @soulonice6, my senses were assaulted, when @soulonice6, called Stan Van Gundy, “The Master of Motivation”.  I mean hearing this while my Celtics, were being assaulted, insulted, and abused, on the court, and on the scoreboard, was like throwing ‘gasoline-on-the-fire”, and I will admit my opinion of the ‘Gnome’, has been the same, since he left Miami.

 

Every job that Stan had within the last decade, came with a “Star” Big man. In Miami, it was Shaquille O’Neal, who averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 Rebs, and 2.7 Asst, per game.  Stan rewarded the organization, for the acquisition, of Shaq, by losing to the Detroit Pistons, in the Finals, and Shaq referring to him as’ “the Master of Panic”.  After resigning, in Miami he moved on to Orlando in 2007, where he has Dwight “Superman” Howard. That year 2007 - 2008, he lost to the Pistons again, in the Conference Finals.  With his number slightly  declining in 2008 – 2009, Howard and  Stan, made the postseason, losing in the NBA Finals, to the KOBE/Lakers, in 5 games – a quick exit.  This year, with his numbers, at their lowest since the ;Gnome’s arrival, Howard and the Magic, find themselves trying to dig themselves, out of a deep 0 – 3 hole.  Stan is known for his whining,  ‘who took my lunch money face”, and sideline antics.  He’s known as an ‘underachiever’ among his peers; until he wins a title.  Despite having teams with talent, Stan has never had 60 wins, in a season, something even Mike Brown, managed to accomplish twice, back to back even.

 

Putting the ‘Gnome’ with the word “motivation”, has to be either a typo, or just being ‘caught up’ in the moment; the Magic have won 2-in-a-row.  The Orlando Magic, have their backs against the wall, that’s their motivation. The ‘Gnome’s motivation, is that he will be behind Mike Brown, in the unemployment line, if the Magic fail, AGAIN.  There’s a better chance of  LeBron staying in “Clownland”, than the ‘Gnome’ surviving Orlando, if they lose , this year.  Having your back against the wall, “win or go home”, is the only motivation here, for both Stan, and the Magic. After Custer led his troops, up on the Little Big Horn, he probably gave a helluva “motivational speech”; too.  Webster defines the word: motivation; n, meaning to give motive to and the word: master; a person in control – do we really need tape; ‘we have all seen the whining and whimpering ‘Gnome’- What control?!  Wake up, while Stan is a good coach, he barely has control, of his Depends, let alone his team.  I stand by his record:

 

Head coaching record

Team	Year	Regular Season				Post Season
		Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
MIA	2003–04	42	40	.512	2nd in Atlantic	6	7	.462	Lost to Indiana Pacers in Conference Semifinals
MIA	2004–05	59	23	.720	1st in Southeast	11	4	.733	Lost to Detroit Pistons in Conference Finals
MIA	2005–06	11	10	.524	(Resigned)	-	-	-	-
MIA Total		112	73	.605		17	11	.607
ORL	2007–08	52	30	.650	1st in Southeast	5	5	.500	Lost to Detroit Pistons in Conference Semifinals
ORL	2008–09	59	23	.720	1st in Southeast	13	11	.542	Lost to Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Finals
ORL	2009–10	59	23	.720	1st in Southeast	10	3	.769	Currently down 2-3 in Conference Finals vs. Boston Celtics
ORL Total		170	76	.691	-	28	19	.596	1x Eastern Conference Champion
Total		282	149	.654		45	30	.600

The Cubs Clown Car

In my ongoing attempt to get Cubs general manager Jim Hendry fired, or to disappear like a rat in The Sopranos, I thought this was the perfect time to put another nail in the soon to be fired GM’s enormous coffin. It’s not completely out of spite, but the latest “Cubby occurrence” has given me no choice. The Cubs dynamic duo (Hendry and Lou Piniella—Enter sarcasm) have decided to take the $91.5 million dollar set-up man and stretch him out for an eventual return to the Cubs starting rotation. Excuse me while I yawn and fall asleep for 2 hours. Only the Cubs get themselves into these kind of situations.

The Cubs went through this kind of debacle before. They created a monster– let that monster fester, paid the monster,( which killed his motivation), watched his skills diminish and, eventually, became so sick of that monster that they would do anything to rid themselves of it. How could the Cubs let this happen twice? It happened to them with Sosa in the 90’s, and it’s happening with Carlos (the $91.5 million dollar mistake) Zambrano now. Sammy was putting dumb Cub fans asses in seats, when he was the only attraction to some horrendous Cub teams. They paid him, let him show up late to spring training, let his henchmen parade through the clubhouse, allowed him to act like a petulant child, paid him some more, watched his skills diminish faster than his shrinking biceps, and finally planted a video tape of him leaving the park early in the last game of the ‘04 choke job. Any organization with half a brain would have stepped back from that incident and said…”We can never let another player hold us hostage again.” Any team with a front office with knowledge, balls, and a vision would not let that happen twice to them. That’s always been the Cubs problem– no knowledge from the top down, no balls to take a highly paid player and set him straight (The Marlins just did it with the 2nd best player in the game. It was a quick decision, and it proved a point to the rest of the team), and no vision on how to see a mistake and learn from it.

Carlos Zambrano's elevator doesn't go near the top floor. His fastball doesn't go near 95-96 mph anymore either. That's a really bad combination.

Carlos Zambrano has been babied by the Cubs and Hendry since he’s shown his ace potential. They backed him in the Michael Barrett fiasco, they refuse to stand up to him when he drinks Red Bull out of water bottles,they give him the opening day start because he’s as fragile as Frank Bruno’s jaw, and have made excuses for him at every turn along the way…..much like they did with Sosa.

When you give one player that kind of leeway, it opens the floodgates to a one man wrecking crew feeling– like he can do whatever he wants. That’s where the Cubs are with Z.  Hendry has always been over matched in his role as GM, but he found Zambrano and has been determined to prove to the public that he was right on The Big Mental Midget. Hendry shares many of the same qualities of former Bulls GM Jerry Krause. “Crumbs” loved to find the diamond in the rough and gloat about it. Hendry has had that same kind of mentality towards Big Z since he became GM. I can’t figure out why. All of this for a guy who’s won 18 games once in his disappointing career.

When Piniella first decided to put the rag armed lard in the bullpen ,I figured it was to A) motivate him and get his head out of his ass, and B) to hopefully piss Zambrano off to the point where he would wave his no-trade clause (Hendry gives those away like Jerry Angelo gives away draft picks) and the Cubs could move his $18 million dollar salary. I was all for it. As I’ve written before, there’s always a sucker GM out there, and if Z was made available, teams would inquire. Would the Cubs have to eat some of his salary? Sure, but that’s what it would take to move one of the few contracts you can on this back loaded, un-tradeable gag outfit. It certainly wasn’t me channeling my inner Cub fan saying…..”Maybe Z will regain his velocity and we can put him back in the rotation!!” No. I’m about one thing with this pile of crap– clean house and build with young kids who are hungry. It’s the only way to change the culture of this titanic. The first move is to sell off the spare parts. This team isn’t going anywhere this year. Don’t tell me about the recent 4 game winning streak. Don’t let them fool you again Cubs fans. Start planning for 2011 Mr. Ricketts……NOW.

Side Note: I guess $18,875,000 million doesn’t get you what it used to. Unless you like an out shape fat loser with a 6.75 ERA. In 29.1 innings pitched this year, Zambrano has given up 41 hits, a 1-3 record, and the 25 most pointless strike outs in the majors this year. Did I mention that in his last outing he didn’t hit 90 mph on the gun? Why wouldn’t you move him back to the rotation? Good call clowns.

I bet Piniella wishes he wouldn't have just stuck around for his 2010 salary. Piniella, Hendry, and Zambrano all deserve the same fate after this season.

Tubby won’t trade Zambrano because his job is on the line this year. He’s all in at a level that rivals the upcoming Bears season. So, we are stuck with The Big Baby coming back to the rotation. That means someone has to be supplanted. Enter Tom Gorzelanny who’s been half decent so far this year. Lucky for Tubby and Uncle Lou, Gorzelanny hurt his pitching hand. Although the X-rays were negative, expect the dynamic duo to put him on the DL which will allow the monster to regain a job he doesn’t deserve to have. The Cubs starters have pitched well lately, now one needs to suffer because the $18 million dollar man is back in the rotation, despite a fastball that struggles to reach 90 m.p.h. Only the Cubs. Uncle Lou pushed to move Z to the 8th inning role–something that Hendry felt wasn’t a need to address in the off-season. It’s a mess that will get worse before it gets better.

While we’re at it, don’t put it past the overpaid Red Bull maniac to have tanked and grooved pitches in his bullpen stint. I wouldn’t put it past him for a second. Remember, when you create a monster, anything is possible. The Cubs deserve anything Zambrano lays on them because, after all, they created this beast. If Zambrano was an ace pitcher, nobody would care how he acts, but his act has grown more tired than the 7th inning stretch guest conductors. I hope Tom Ricketts is watching closely what is going on with this clown car team. His hands were tied with this team because of Hendry. Let’s just hope the 2nd year of his ownership doesn’t include the clown car of Mr. No-Trade Clause, Uncle Lou, and The Red Bull Monster.

On To The Next One

The Blackhawks, once again, proved to be the most hated thing in Canada since Lite Beer by eliminating the Canucks. No word on if Roberto Luongo is still crying...

To quote Jay-Z, it’s on to the next one for the Blackhawks. After disposing of the Vancouver Crybabies 5-1, they are on their way to San Jose to face the number 1 seeded Sharks. This Hawks team boggles my mind. They looked lost, bored, and hungover in Game 5. I made up the hungover part, but after those pictures in the limo…….Oh, never mind. The Hawks played at their pace on Tuesday night. They looked like the team from Games 2, 3 & 4 and not the lugs from Game 5. All that matters is they are moving on and are 8 wins away from bringing The Stanley Cup back to Chicago for the first time since 1961…..It needs to happen, because I don’t want to have the look on my face that the Canucks fans had after the game last night. Thank you, Canucks fans, for making my night even better. They, collectively, looked like Dustin Byfuglien shot their dog. It was fantastic television. At least Vancouver has………Um…..Um…..Anything? Oh that’s right, they wait for the Hawks to kick their ass right out of the playoffs every spring. I knew I could find something.

You know a team is on a roll when every player is contributing. The Hawks got goals from Chris Versteeg, Dave Bolland, and Troy Brouwer (he hasn’t played since Game 2). I even have to give some props to Brent “Men’s League” Sopel for standing in and, repeatedly, taking shots for his team. Obviously, as this Sharks series goes on, the Hawks will need the big money players to carry them, but they are a deep and complete team who are like the line from a Snoop Dogg song, “Serial Killa”……6 million ways to die…..choose one.

The Hawks Troy Brouwer puts one past Roberto Luongo in Game 6. Brouwer was one of many role players on the Hawks who stepped up in Game 6.

Seeing Brouwer get interviewed in the post game was what sports are all about. His father recently had surgery for a blood clot on his brain, and it has obviously weighed on his mind. He hasn’t played well since the end of the season, but his inspired play in Game 6 is another reason to think some interesting things are happening with this team. The pass that Patrick Sharp centered to Brouwer could have been deflected, but it made it through and it was on from there.Once the Hawks took the lead 1-0, my confidence grew quicker than Joel Quenville’s mustache’s popularity.

Side Note: Coach Q will become a celebrity in this town, Ditka style, if the Hawks win 8 more games. Coach Q, a fine restaurant, cheap wine, bad hotel resorts, and a limp are in your future….

Patrick Kane scored on another “video game” goal, as I call them, to effectively seal the deal. The Sharks are a big, talented team who just beat up the Red Wings in 5 games. The Hawks best players ( Toews, Kane, and Hossa) will need to carry the load so their role guys can do their jobs like they did in Game 6. This series vs San Jose will, undoubtedly, get tougher for the Hawks– which is why it’s time for their big money players to carry the load. This is when Marion Hossa proves he’s worth a 12 year deal– this is the series when Jonathan Toews, aka Hockey Steve Sanders, takes his first steps towards Yzerman status, and this is the series where Patrick Kane puts his stamp as, potentially, the best American born player in the world. You know the saying…..Big players….Make big plays….In big games.

Speaking of big players, kudos to Antti Niemi who outplayed the Roberto Luongo in 4 of the 6 games. I don’t claim to be a hockey savant, but when are people going to stop calling Luongo a great goalie? The guy is as fragile as post prison Mike Tyson. Niemi was huge in the first periods of Game 3 and, again, last night when the Hawks took the Canucks best shot. The Hawks faced goalie questions all year, but it’s becoming obvious they have a goaltender of the future. If that’s the case, we’ll be watching a lot of deep playoff runs by the best team in Chicago. The old adage goes, if you have a “hot” goalie you can ride him to the cup. When does Niemi qualify as a “hot” goalie? Fair question, and I think the answer is now. I don’t know what will happen in this Sharks series or beyond, but until that series starts, I’m going to enjoy this. For the Hawks, it’s on to the next one…..

What a difference a year makes. Troy is back and practicing with the team in the off-season. Aaron Smith is healthy and back in the mix.  Larry Foote has returned from Detroit and Bryant McFadden came back from Arizona.

In other words, don’t sleep on our defense.

After last season’s gap in the secondary – mainly because the Steelers have to play a lot differently without Troy than when Troy is on the field – this year the entire defense is back to smashmouth excellence.  I hate that the defense depends on one player so much, but Troy’s quickness and ability to see a play unfold and beat the ball to where it’s going is just something that not everyone can do.  And while Ryan Mundy is a decent safety – come on he’s okay – he can’t play strong safety as well as he can play free safety.

Overall, the Steelers secondary was just slightly off last year.

But in true Kevin Colbert form, we filled gaps and  drafted for the future: don’t sleep on linebackers Jason Worilds, a rookie from Virginia Tech and Thaddeus Gibson out of Ohio State.  They have great mentors who will undoubtedly teach them what it means to be part of the Steelers defense.  They will likely have reps on special teams before they get to actually press the passer in an actual game, but on defense, I think the Steelers have a mix of veterans and rookies that will keep it competitive and provide quality depth.

The secondary is better already because Bryant McFadden is back. Right now, it’s Will Gay’s job to lose, but if I were him, I would be training like crazy in this off-season.  It’s funny what a little competition for your job does for work ethic. The Steelers also drafted Crezdon Butler who has both size and speed and will be gunning for a spot, too.

With all the attention on the offense and the lack of having Big Ben on the field for 6 (or 4) games at the beginning of the season, the Steelers have somewhat been dismissed.  That’s a mistake.  Last year’s weakness was primarily the defense and specifically the secondary.  That weakness was due in large part to injuries.

I don’t see that same weakness scenario happening this year.  In fact, if you take a good look at the roster, we’re back to the typical Steelers defense championship talent.  I’m slightly biased, but don’t sleep on us. I see a very interesting football season in 2010.

Let’s go Steelers!!

Worst Contracts In Major League Baseball: Cover your eyes early Cubs fans…..

Alfonso loves to pimp his swing......Even if the ball doesn't leave the yard. That's how the clown with the worst contract in baseball rolls.

Alfonso Soriano- Cubs: Oh, where to begin with this ass-bag. Let’s first attack Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who has done his best to one up Isiah Thomas on the “I bet I can F-up my franchise worse than you can” list. He gave Soriano a 6 year, $136 million dollar deal after “Fonzi” displayed his talents on a baseball bottom feeder in Washington in ‘06. The Nationals had as much pressure on them that season as my 2007 Men’s Softball league team had (Thanks again Jay and Bob….We didn’t need you for the playoffs or anything). Soriano had a typical contract year in ‘06……67 walks, 46 home-runs, and 41 stolen bases. He also became the 4th payer to join the 40-40 club with Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez. What does that group have in common……..Think about it. Soriano also became the first player to have 40 homers, 40 stolen bases, and 40 doubles in one season. Translation: Perfect free agent timing. The Cubs “had” to have this guy. Jim Hendry put down his double cheeseburger with bacon and thought it was brilliant to outbid every other team in the running on years and money (he outbid other suitors by $30 million or so) to get the selfish “me” guy to the northside. Three and a half years later, Cubs fans can’t say his name without saying….”You know he has 5 more years on his contract right?!” Between the injuries, dropped fly balls, standing at the plate admiring long warning track fly balls, getting picked off, hopping while catching fly balls, swinging at 56 foot curve balls, displaying an inability to hit teams 1-2 starters, his low baseball IQ, and hitting opposing teams closers with as much success as Todd Hundley did (I knew I could find a way to put him in this article)…..Cubs fans have had it. Soriano belongs in the Mexican league that Jake Taylor played in in the late 80’s.

The Gruesome Details: 5 more years, a FULL no-trade clause, and average of $18 million dollars per season. That’s as disgusting as his admission that he’s afraid of the wall. Thanks again Jim, we didn’t want flexibility going forward with new ownership.

Other Atrocious MLB contracts:

Barry Zito- Giants: The former CY Young award winner has 4 more years with $76 million left on his Giants contract. The Giants had the stink of Barry Bonds for one more year and instead of a fresh start, former GM Brian Sabean inked Zito to the mega deal. Zito is now no better than the Giants 3rd starter. $126 million just doesn’t get you what it used to.

Vernon Wells- Blue Jays: Another highly paid aging outfielder, Wells is owed a ridiculous $107 million over the remaining 5 years of his deal. According to FanGraphs, Wells 0.9, 1.3, -0.1 wins since 2006. How bad is it when your presence on a bad team makes that team even worse? Congrats Vernon, you’ve earned it.

J.D Drew- RedSox: The RedSox right fielder is hitting .143 with a .286 slugging percentage, and those instrumental 6 RBI on the young season. That’s hideous by itself, but when you take into account he’s making $14 million dollars this season. Take a bow Theo Epstein…..Thank you. He’s never had over 70 RBI for Boston, and he’s on the books until the end of the 2011 season. Drew’s agent Scott Boras pulled another John Dillinger heist with this contract. I hope Drew has saved some money because this will be his last big money contract. Unless Jim Hendry is still employed in 2011. Speaking of Mr. Hendry yet again……

Carlos Zambrano- Cubs: I remember the day in ‘07 when Jim Hendry struck again. The Cubs inked Carlos Zambrano to a 5 year $91 million dollar extension that made me shake my head 682 times in one afternoon. All of this for a guy who had yet to win 18 games in a season, not displayed playoff mental toughness, never demonstrated a strong work ethic, and showed he just might be clinically insane. You better believe Jimmy boy gave him a full no-trade clause in his extension that he has shown no desire to wave. With the news that he is headed to the bullpen, maybe he’ll start to soften that stance. I’m fine with making him upset if it means he’s likely to wave the no-trade and accept a trade later this year. Is it probable? No, but this is pro sports and there’s always a sucker out there.

The lesson for Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger is more than just being traded to make your problems go away or having a District Attorney in a town no one heard of before say there will be no charges filed against you.  The lesson goes much deeper.  What Tone and Ben failed to realize this off-season, and in off-season’s before, is that the sport is much bigger than they are.  It’s not about you.  Those six Lombardi’s are not about you.  Not even the two you earned while playing on the team are about you.  This game is not about YOU.

No one will dispute that these two fabulous athletes allowed the Steelers to the win in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIII when Ben threw a perfect pass where only Tone could catch it.  Yet, the victory isn’t theirs alone.  That victory, and every victory before and after, is dedicated to the values of the Rooney family, the hard-working spirit of a team and the dreams of a (Steeler) Nation.

Right or wrong, expectations for behavior, for off the field character have been set. Unfortunately for both Ben and Tone, the fall from grace since February 1, 2009 has been swift and not at all so pretty.  First Ben’s accused of raping a woman at a hotel last summer while participating in a golf tournament, then accused of sexual assault at a bar in a college town this year.  Tone’s problems start with substance abuse (2008 marijuana charges) and domestic violence and end pretty much where they have started with a failed drug test. These behaviors are just unacceptable, to the League, to the Steelers and to the fans.

The question of race even comes to play in my opinion.  Tone fails a drug test and is suspended for 4 games for violating the League’s substance abuse policy.  Ben, arguably, has a substance abuse problem of his own – alcohol abuse.  While Ben’s not been charged with a crime, how really different is his behavior than Tone’s? I ask the question, looking for your answer. I believe the problems are similar. And the causes similar – both thinking the game is about them.

Ultimately, these players forgot that they represented part of a long-standing tradition the Rooney’s have instilled for decades – the image of the hard-working team that IS The Pittsburgh Steelers.  It’s bigger than the Sunday game. It’s bigger than football season altogether.  Instead of being focused on team spirit and being part of a family, they were only concerned with themselves and short-term gratification.  Whether you like it or not, as professional athletes, when you cash that big multi-million dollar check and become the face of an organization (Ben) you are now a role model for fans of all ages. What you do off the field is as much of a lesson to aspiring football players as is what you do on the field.  Let’s hope it’s a positive lesson. In both these cases, the lesson was not positive.

But the biggest lesson of all today is that they were each afforded another opportunity.  And if we want to be literal, second second chances each.  Tone will have a new future and an opportunity to show how great a talent he really is on the field with the Jets.  And Ben has an opportunity to redeem himself and prove that he is not just a top five QB ON the field, but a man of integrity and character off the field as well(he has a lot of work to do, especially at my house).

These opportunities should not be taken for granted – ask the many athletes that came before you – ask the 15 year old kid working out all summer now just to get his chance in high school and hopefully a full-scholarship because his parents can’t afford college any other way.

Tone and Ben (and a host of other professional athletes in all sports) forget that the game isn’t just about them – it’s much much bigger.  None of them should act like ungrateful, spoiled brats (not the B word I preferred to use, but I am trying to remain PG-13).  They should be thankful that someone is paying them an ungodly amount of money to entertain us, and should be thankful for the opportunity.

I realize that some may disagree with my post and will stand that athletes are not role models and that we shouldn’t care about what happens off the field as long as they have 1,000 yards receiving and 5,000 yards passing.  While to an extent I agree, where I disagree is when it effects what happens on the field.  I don’t think anyone can dispute that Ben’s recklessness from riding a motorcycle with no helmet to the tension last season due in part from the accusations swirling from the beginning of training camp last year have caused problems.  Tone has been suspended before for substance issues and clearly his online persona (shower photo to twitter use) was ONLY about him.

Disagree with me if you want, but the power in this industry still remains with a few. And those few with the power are not the athletes themselves.

Once you recognize that, you begin to play chess instead of checkers.

Hopefully we don’t have to see any third chances…because I suspect, third chances don’t exist.

So, Ben and Tone – Save your pennies boys, or change your behavior.  That power you do hold.

                       THE AFTERMATH – The Detroit Pistons $93M Blunder!!

After going 39/43 last season, Joe Dumars decided it was time to make some more changes; he’d already moved Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets.  With Rodney Stuckey showing so much promise, and being much younger, he was heir-apparent to the coveted Piston Point-Guard position.  Rasheed Wallace was expendable; because they had Ben Wallace, and Kwame (Hand of Stone), was young, and should start playing, up to his “POTENTIAL”.

And then Joe had a VISION!!  With RIP Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince getting on in years, let’s IPMROVE OUR BENCH, and we’ll bring in some more youth, along with an experienced 6^th man, with INSTANT FIREPOWER..  They had made the playoffs the last two years, and just need a few ‘tweaks”, here and there, to bring a CHAMPIONSHIP back to Detroit.  Joe would be a HERO, and we would all be amazed, at his genius.  With a gleam in his eye, Joe went out, with a ‘fistful of $$$’, and the organization’s blessings, to find Detroit’s ‘Holy Grail’.  Unfortunately, he went no further, than the Great Lakes, stopping in Chicago, and Milwaukee, and spending $93M, for a new DYNAMIC DUO.

First it was the streak-shooting, HIGH SCORING, but injury-prone Ben Gordon.  Taking little. if no heed , to the ‘seriousness’ of Gordon’s injury, Joe opened up the wallet, and gave Gordon a 5-year, $58M contract.  After all, Gordon had led the Bulls, in scoring for 4-straight years, including some ‘Piston Killers’, and all the NBA, knew what he was CAPABLE, of..  Youth and scoring, this was ONE of the missing pieces, to get the Pistons, through to the FINALS..  Next in his YOUTH MOVEMENT, was Charlie Villanueva, the up-and-coming Power Forward, of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Joe opened his pockets, giving him a 5-year deal, for another $38M, for a grand total of $93M.  Putting in a young NEW COACH, a Joe ‘Disciple’, and the Playoffs, were going to be a GIVEN.  Joe smiled, and said to everyone, “It’s All GOOD!!”

This year, the Detroit Pistons have thus far won 23 games, while losing 53, and missing the playoffs, for the first time, this decade.  Ben Gordon has only appeared in 57 games, his lowest total of games played, since entering the NBA. His season totals, in EVERY OFFENSIVE CATEGORY, are CAREER LOWS.  Last Friday, he scored 20+ points, for the first time, since February.  Charlie Villanueva was benched last Friday, by his coach, his second, of the season.,  His conditioning and work ethic, have been seriously questioned, by both his coaches, and his peers.  His season totals resemble, his rookie year, more than that of a three-year player, being paid, #6.5M annually.

So, after giving away the proverbial “Farm”, the Pistons managed to ‘Fall’ not just out of the playoff race, but “out of grace”, with its longtime fan-base.  What, if anything, can Joe do to fix this.  Will this be the end the END, of  Joe’s REIGN; and what bearing will it have, on his LEGACY.  Most importantly, where will the Pistons be next season, with all the “YOUNG GUNS” of the league, having enjoyed so much success?