Michael Jordan on LeBron James
Poor LeBron. He’s been living in Michael Jordan’s shadow ever since he entered the league. His recent “Decision” hasn’t made things any easier for his newly, blemished image.
The NBA’s newest Big Three, who Dan LeBatard cleverly referred to as the “Three My Egos,” are once again feeling the Heat, this time from the old school. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan have all sounded off on the league’s recent power shift.
When asked about LeBron choosing to play alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Michael Jordan responded “There’s no way I would’ve ever called up Larry [Bird], called up Magic [Johnson] and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team.’”
Magic agreed with Jordan’s assessment, saying he was always too busy trying to figure out “how to beat Larry Bird.” I guess ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join em’ was never a big 80s hit.
For better or worse, Michael, Magic and Larry left a nearly unattainable, NBA legacy for anybody not named Kobe Bryant. Like it or not, that’s how future generations will be judged.
With most already skeptical about LeBron James’ road less traveled, it looks like baseball won’t be the only major sport with asterisks in its record books.
Dwyane Wade on 9/11
LeBron James isn’t the only member of the Miami Heat alienating fans. Dwayne Wade was recently asked what would happen if the new and improved Heat failed to live up to expectations. He responded with…
“There’s going to be times when we might lose one, two games in a row, maybe two games, three games in a row, you never know. It’s going to seem like the world is crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade has just went down again.”
Wade quickly apologized for his insensitivity.
“In an interview yesterday, I attempted to explain how some people may view the Miami Heat losing a few basketball games in a row during the upcoming season. It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context. I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe.”
And you thought Wade dissing the Knicks upset New Yorkers. Memo to Chris Bosh. You might want to steer clear of microphones any time soon.
Nick Saban on agents… and pimps
College football must be right around the corner because the outspoken coaches are again making their way into the limelight. At the recent Southeastern Conference Media Week, Nick Saban didn’t waste any time making himself heard. Within the first televised hour, the Alabama head coach blasted sports agents who tinker with college athletes before they’re allowed.
“Agents that do this, and I hate to say this but, how are they any better than a pimp? I have no respect for people that do that to young people.”
Saban’s tirade came in response to one of his athletes, Marcell Dareus, who is currently under NCAA investigation. Florida, Georgia and North Carolina have also recently been accused of wrongdoing.
Look, we all know sports agents are a sleazy bunch, eager to prey on unsuspecting student athletes for the promise of a quick buck. They’ve been called a lot worse than pimps over the years. Until the system is fixed, expect the corruption, and these Saban-like sound bites, to continue.
Movie critics on Inception
One of my blogroll brethren called Inception, Leonardo Dicaprio’s latest blockbuster, “meticulously crafted” and “unbelievably daring.” He also called its script “dense and layered.”
I agree with the dense part.
I saw Inception last week… and walked out of it. I’m all for heady movies about dreams, time travel and alternate realities. I just don’t like when I need an instruction manual to accompany my movie-going experience. There’s simply no room for it on my lap next to the popcorn, Reese’s Pieces and Cherry Coke.
In my opinion, if a movie feels the need to add a character or two to repeatedly ask others in the film “How is that possible?” then that kind of defeats the purpose, don’t you think? These moments only served to remind me how far-fetched these ideas actually were. I’m all for suspending disbelief at the movie theater. That’s why most of us go. I just don’t need to be constantly reminded I’m doing so.
In this day and age of sequels, rehashed 80s themes and movies based on comic books and video games, it’s perfectly understandable that we’d be eager to celebrate an original thought. Unfortunately, even after Inception, I’m still waiting for one.
Bus Cook on Brett Favre
Last summer was the Summer of Favre. Since this summer has been all about LeBron James, it appears Bus Cook, Brett Favre’s agent, is suffering from a little LeBron envy.
To ensure his Mississippi meal ticket made it back into primetime, Cook came out with this gem.
“Brett talked to goddamned Ed Werder at ESPN, says he needs ankle surgery. Now why did he do that? I’ve got Childress calling. I’ve got reporters calling all damn morning. Goddammit, why does he have to be such a goddamned drama queen? Play, don’t play, goddamn, people are getting sick of it. I’m getting sick of it!
Translation: How dare LeBron James steal the headlines away from my number one client? Why isn’t anyone talking about Brett Favre? Don’t they know we have Wrangler jeans to sell?
Perhaps, Bus, it’s because we’ve seen this movie before and most of us already assume (those of us that care) that Favre’s return is a foregone conclusion.
No worries, sports fans. Football season is almost upon us, which means the unavoidable ‘will he/won’t he’ talk will soon be back in full Favre force. You might want to consider reaching for the mute button on your remote control.
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ALL THE FANS ,ALL THE WRITERS ARE DOWN ON LEBRON AND I DONT KNOW WHY , HE TOOK LESS MONEY TO JOIN A WINNING TEAM. MAGIC HAD A WINNING TEAM ,KAREEN,WORTHY,GREEN,ETC. BIRD HAD MC HALE,JOHNSON,PARISH,AINGE ETC. JORDAN HAD PIPPEN,PAXSON,ETC. COME ON GIVE THE GUY A BREAK . WHO DID CLEVELAND HAD ON THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT WILL COME CLOSE TO ANY OF THOSE THAT I MENTION. NONE. CASE CLOSED.
No dice on Inception, huh? I was thinking about going to check it out tonight, actually… we still may.
I’m with Jordan.
I read an editorial recently that pushed readers to blame the league and not the trio. Syayed the elders all had surrounding casts much greater than the ones Bosh, Wade, James, and Paul had at their respective teams.
But his best point was that the money in the league now has made the payers soft and friendly. Obviously millions at stake is cause for motivation, but once you have millions, the fear of losing your job, or a basketball game becomes less significant.
I could care less now, but do hope it blows up in their faces
Chris
Saban ought to know a “pimp” when he sees one.
In the case of LeBron his legacy now will live and die by what he achieves in Miami.
Heat fans have dedicated Drake’s song to him ” Best I Ever Had”
Will it prove to be the case ?
🙂
tophatal
…… 🙂
tophatal
Lane Kiffin up to his old tricks as usual . No common courtesy at all .
The guy is a friggin’ “douche bag” !
How not to win friends and still alienate people .
🙂
tophatal …………. 🙂
The Globe said that “Inception” stunk, too. Maybe Lebron and friends could be cast in a movie about a bunch of basketball players that win a championship in their dreams.
Sounds like Salsero will be okay with a few heat victories.
KP…
I gotta tell ya’, man. I went into that movie with some high expectations, only to be let down.
Billy B…
With the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, it just might do that.
Al…
It’s probably too soon to tell but let’s assume five consecutive titles for the Heat.
Even then, what will LeBron’s legacy be?
It’ll be more the ‘best duo ever’ thing than a LeBron thing.
And they still have a ways to go before the catch Jordan/Pippen and Johnson/Abdul-Jabbar.
Surprising news about Kiffin, Al… yet still not so surprising.
I loved Fisher’s rant about him. It looks like now not only those in Knoxville hate Kiffin, but those in Nasvhille too.
He’s making friends quickly, huh?
Why do I have a feeling this is all going to end badly for Monte’s boy?
Uncle AF…
Nice to see the Globe has some sense. Others are raving about it. Not sure why.
And that LeBron movie might just become a reality. They’ll be calling it “NBA: 2011-2015”
LeBron’s created a facade that he wants to win titles . He actually wants the fame money and glory more than anything else. ESPN are a bunch of a_s wipes . They pad James’ people for the exclusivity of the interview. Rumor has it they paid in excess of $250,000 .
So now when he talks ’bout winning you know it’s ll bullsh_t. He simply doesn’t know how to win because he was placed on a pedestal by the writers and analysts to begin with !
🙂
tophatal …………….. 🙂
Chris
Kiffin is a d_ck wad and finally people have figured his a-s out.
🙂
tophatal …… 🙂
Al…
We both know that LeBron was a huge thing coming out of high school.
Regardless of his focus, he’s still the most physically talented individual we’ve seen come into the league in some time. So the hype and the expectations were warranted.
He’s just living in a huge shadow and he’s doing it his way. Might be right, might be wrong.
His legacy is still a ways away from being fulfilled but Al, even if Kobe wins one, or even two more rings, he still won’t be perceived as better than Michael.
Al…
I think most of us knew that about Kiffin already.
Al Davis certainly did.
I like Jordon’s point, but with all due respect to Wade and Bosh, they are not Magic and Bird.
I think Wade’s point was that the media for the most part act moronic and I agree.
Inception looked like a waste of time to me too.
All this hype over a guy (Farve) that is gonna choke again borders on insanity.
It’s tough to argue with Magic and Jordan… I think when you talked about Dan’s nickname for the trio “Three My Egos”. They are friends, I remember reading somewhere that Jordan was never friends with his teammates. He even called them businness associates. It just shows the completely different mindsets between him and Lebron…
Saban’s rant were retarted. He was short sighted on that one. Awhile back the money came from booster, then the athletic programs, and now that it’s so closely watched in the athletic programs, the players are compensated by agents… They just need to make hit lists of agents that suck. These are the only guys bugging the players too early. You never hear of Rosenhaus or Boras’s of the world doing stupid crap like this… It’s only the guys that are trying to take advantage of the kids…
Chris
Now USC is about to sued in the Federal Court system by the Titans for their involv<aement of Pola's breach of contract. Kiffin is also a defendant in the case.
Wherever he seems to step sh_t just seems to follow.
🙂
tophatal ………. 🙂
Chris
Like we all knew the guy is a monumental wanker !
Softly Does It Goes The Approach
🙂
tophatal …………. 🙂
Chris
Terrific performance by Garza throwing the “no hitter” .
tophatal
Chris
Don’t you understand hype can’t hide the flaws in the kid’s psyche ?. He hasn’t won a thing . Most Yanks are all bout the here and now and simply don’t focus on the tangible .
Commendable and laudable what he did in high school. But who remembers that at the end of the day ?
One more reason not to tke the Cowboys seriously.
🙂
tophtl ……… 🙂
Yeah, Aer…
I don’t know how much of a hit Wade’s image will take from that and I certainly didn’t put that in the post to bash him.
A lot of us are still sensitive, understandably, that that incident. He probably could have phrased that a little better.
If anything, LeBron’s getting still getting more criticism for his decision to leave Cleveland.
I see he hasn’t made too many public appearances after showing up in Miami. Maybe they don’t him to lay low.
Chap…
Jordan definitely screwed up the league for all his successors. He was a different cat altogether.
He was flawed in his own right but for some reason we love those athletes that leave it all out there, that compete to the death and that’s what he did.
I mean, is not talking to your teammates even civil? When Kobe does it, we think he’s pompous but for some reason, MJ got away with it.
Al…
Nice to see Fisher not take that one laying down.
Al…
I worked last night and unfortunately did not make it to see that game. I hear there were only between 17-19,000 in attendance.
But at the bar, those that were in there were glued to the set.
He was throwing some nasty stuff later.
Good for him and the franchise.
He hasn’t won a thing, Al, but he’s still one of the top three players out there.
And there isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t want him.
Chris
Having him doesn’t guarantee success other than the fact the attendance increases. But beyond that if the Heat don’t win who then assumes the blame ?
Garza pitched a gem and that’s all one can really say . The shame of it all is that there were only 17000 there to see it all. The fans are n no way truly appreciative of the team not by a long shot ! 17,000 ? Please !
Very disturbing news piece done by Channel 8 on former Bucs’ players now having severe mental health issues. It’s really sad to see not even the Bucs or NFL are actually helping out these guys . Many of them played for the team over two decades ago.
tophatal …………. 🙂
It’s funny how you mention Kobe. I think he’s won me over even though I will still always root against him. I didn’t really like Jordan during his first three peat maybe for some of the same reasons I didn’t like Kobe… I guess when you see anyone reinventing their game to a new level when they already were better than nearly everyone it wins us over. I guess Durant is going to be the first superstar I like right off the bat!
Al…
I think we both know Spoelstra will be the first man out.
Then it has to fall on the players.
Look, Riley and Arison set the table. They did their job by landing those guys, giving that franchise every opportunity to win a title.
Re: the Rays attendance last night, Al, I’m not excusing the fans, but it was a Monday and the banged up Tigers were in town. Not exactly sell-out material.
And, Al, if the NFL decides to go to an 18-game schedule, they better be prepared to dole out some of that money to health care for its vets.
Good point about Durant, Chap. He’s a likable dude.
I’ll have a piece coming up shortly about whether or not we should like or hate the Heat.
But you’re right. I’ve never openly rooted for Kobe but if he brings his Lakers team to the Finals against this Miami team, it’ll be tough to root against him.
> Chris
This won’t be put on Spoelstra’s shoulders because it’s all dowm to Riles .
He’s the architect of this all . Simply look at Riles as a marionette.
LeBron’s personality hs been carefully manufactured doesn’t anyone actually realize that ?
You’d be hard pressed not to see him for what he is .
We’re Not All Created Equal Even When It Comes to Sports
🙂
tophatal ………… 🙂
I’m not so sure I see Riles as the Fall Guy if this thing goes south, Al. I mean what GM in their right mind wouldn’t compile Bosh, Wade and LBJ? What other M would even be able to pull that off? For that move alone, he should have already sealed up GM of the year.
Ainge did that with Boston’s Big Three, they won a title and it paid off. But if they hadn’t, would it be on him? I doubt that. He landed the biggest names in free agency. He did his job as Riles did his.
Chrs
Stop making excuses for the fans. Monday night or any other night their asses aren’t coming out to support this team unless they’re either playing the Red Sox or the Yankees and you damn well know at .
The fans in the are area apathetic to say the least !
The organization is ambitious but the fans are third rate !
tophatal ………. 🙂
Chris
Riles’ party and he’s lso the DJ .
I’m not making excuses for the fans, Al. As you mentioned, only 17 thou saw Garza’s no-hitter the other night.
What I am saying is that that is a damn good team, top to bottom, and those that don’t go are actually missing a good brand of baseball.
And so far, Riles is still continuing to spin the hits.
Chris
The dumb ass fans will still bitch once they’re gone . Fact here like I’ve mentioned they’re not thoroughly supportive of the team. It’s all well and good to talk about the team and saying they’re great but that doesn’t sustain them financially . Are they too frigging dumb to realize that ?
🙂
tophatal ………… 🙂
Al…
I’ve actually been polling random Rays fans these days. I wouldn’t call them dumb asses by any stretch.
Everyone I’ve talked to, while they might not actually ATTEND the games, knows the lineups, the rotations, the standings and is in full support of the Rays.
The biggest beef is not necessarily with the Trop itself but where it’s located. Nobody here wants to drive an hour plus to get there.
I’m thinking that team will eventually stay in the area and move to this side of the Bay. It’s just a matter of who ends up paying for it.
Guys,
I’d almost say the same thing for the A’s. We have a bunch of great fans, but the stadium sucks, so nobody goes. I think going to games is over rated anyways, unless you have a good group of friends to go with. When you have your HD 50′ TV to watch it on, there’s less of a reason to go… Not to say I don’t go to games here and there or enjoy them, but sometimes it’s not easy to make it out to the park…
Surprising, it’s getting solid reviews. A lot of others I know have really liked it, but hey… we’re buds and I think maybe you’re in my head on this – because I still haven’t been to see the movie yet… ha ha.
Dude, we need to chat again – want to get our plans moving here.
And why the heck isn’t Pete Nice ripping on my college football posts yet? Where is that guy? Ha ha.
I’m still debating whether I should watch Inception again, maybe on DVD.
It took me ten viewings to dig Vanilla Sky but I finally did. So perhaps I’ll give it another shot… in my own time.
Call me whenever, man. Would love to hear what you have in mind.
And I’ve been trying to email Pete_Nice. I think he’s in hibernation until football season.
All I can say is stay the best. Some professional bloggers post 3 or 4 times a day on their blogs, simply because this regular addition of new content helps it to get regular readers.
(1) Let’s see…MJ owns his own bb team and once ran another; Magic was a 10% owner of the Lakers and owned a string of successful businesses; Bird is a long-time bb executive. I’m thinking maybe these guys have switched their loyalties. No sympathy for their “fellow” players any more, they’re just a gaggle of guys bound for the miserable, miserly existence of a certain former NFL player who now owns a team in the Carolinas. I’m not buying. (2) Then, we’re treated to the musings of Nick Saban on the subject of sports agents. Pimps, he calls them. Fair enough, so long as we call Nick a whore monger
Jack Sprat…
Thanks for chiming in although this is an OLD post. You should consider subscribing and joining the fracas.
Look, I don’t fault guys like Magic or Michael for spending their millions (billions?) on investments.
Problems is, Type-A’s like that demand the best out of their employees, the kind of effort they gave, or were born with. Problem is, those individuals are few and far between. If you’ve ever done a job well, then been promoted to management, you know exactly what I’m talking about.