LeBron’s got balls, G.O.A.T.s don’t dance and other newsworthy notes from a torrid week in Tinseltown

I have long been called a LeBron apologist so please allow me to criticize when criticism is due. Many moons ago, Shawn Kemp, one of the most authoritative dunkers of his generation, hung from the rim after dunking on his Continue reading LeBron’s got balls, G.O.A.T.s don’t dance and other newsworthy notes from a torrid week in Tinseltown

Defending Isiah Thomas

We are a stay-at-home people these days. We all have this new strain of Coronavirus to thank for that. That means that we, especially us sports fans, have been glued, perhaps unhealthily, to our television sets. Old movies, reruns we’ve Continue reading Defending Isiah Thomas

Identity and the Golden State Warriors

We talk a lot about identity in sports, how the greatest teams over time, as a collective, develop a specific identity all their own. The Detroit Bad Boy Pistons of the late 1980s had a clear-cut identity.  If you drove Continue reading Identity and the Golden State Warriors

Book Review: Phil Jackson: Lord of the Rings by Peter Richmond

With all this talk about Phil Jackson moving to Manhattan to salvage the woeful Knicks, a team that coincidentally hasn’t won a title since he played for them in the 1970s, I found now to be the perfect time to Continue reading Book Review: Phil Jackson: Lord of the Rings by Peter Richmond

Once upon a time, there were Bad Boys

Once upon a time, NBA players beat the crap out of each other.  ESPN’s “30 for 30: The Bad Boys” pleasantly reminded us of that.  The two-hour, must-watch special highlighted the rise and fall of the Isiah Thomas-led, two-time champion Continue reading Once upon a time, there were Bad Boys

Kentucky wins basketball game over rival, fans burn couches in celebration

“The sky is burning.  I believe my soul’s on fire.” –          Bad Company, Burnin’ Sky, 1977   I’ve never understood the whole ritual of burning things after a team victory.  Why do we resort to setting things on fire in Continue reading Kentucky wins basketball game over rival, fans burn couches in celebration

Bad teams! Bad!

“That’s right, that’s right.  We bad!  Uh huh!” -Richard Pryor, Stir Crazy, 1980 We’ve talked a lot about fandom over the past few months, more specifically when it is acceptable for sports fans to switch allegiances and what rights we Continue reading Bad teams! Bad!

Celebrate the Disgraced Sports Superstar with MC Hammer

1991 was a simpler time in America.

LeBron James takes his talents… to Boston

I was living in Gainesville at the time.  Brotha E and I had ventured out to our local pool hall to toss back a few, delicious, bourbon cocktails and watch the NBA Playoffs.  The year was 2007; it was the Continue reading LeBron James takes his talents… to Boston

From First to Worst: Five NBA Hall of Famers who failed as GM

More often than not, the NBA superstar athlete is unable to translate the success he had on the floor onto either the sidelines or front office. There are exceptions to this rule, such as Pat Riley, Bill Russell, KC Jones Continue reading From First to Worst: Five NBA Hall of Famers who failed as GM