We have seen this before…

He has no answers...

With great power comes great responsibility. This is the phrase that I keep coming back to when trying to revisit the Miami Heat loss to the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks just 3 days ago.

Since their victory the Mavericks have shifted to an afterthought and the story has become why did Miami and mainly Lebron lose this finals? Fairly or unfairly this story isn’t going away and it won’t for the foreseeable future. Not until Lebron wins a title.

Michael had it, Tiger had it, Kobe had it, Wilt had it, Ali had it, and Lebron has it. Freakish athletic ability that allows you to do things in your sport that few people are even capable of dreaming about. Like Lebron these other men all enjoyed their fair share of criticism. Because, like Lebron, they are and were so gifted athletically that winning was the only thing that the public would allow. Any sports fan, I can guarantee has made the comment, “Well if I was that athletic I would just go to the rim every time and dunk.” or “If I was that strong I would just run people over” or “Man I wish I had his ability I wouldn’t waste it.” But really would you?

People who have never had to deal with the things that professional athletes deal with have no idea what it is to have their lives. So here is the situation, you are a multimillionaire, you get paid to play a sport, shoot commercials, and make appearances, you get the money regardless, only you can’t ever say anything stupid in public, and by all means you cannot LOSE and if you do it is all your fault! I know that I get stressed out when I upset a friend or co-worker, now you are telling me I have millions of people who are pissed at me? And if I lose I am letting down millions of people who once believed in me?

Now you take the men I mentioned above, the icons if you will, who were held to an even higher standard. They are not allowed to let pressure get to them because we say so? How dare you act human in front of millions of people rooting for you to fail!! (Sarcasm folks!)

Now I don’t disagree that Lebron like all those guys before him hasn’t done the best job trying to gain our sympathy, but their was a time where everyone hated Kobe, Ali, Tiger(He is in the middle of his hatefest, maybe he and Lebron should go to Denny’s or Ihop and talk about it), Wilt, and even MJ. All of these men had their hiccups, their screw ups(or just screws TI-GERRR!) and all had reasons for being hated and all of those went away when they won.(Still waiting Tiger)

The past is forgotten by winning and winning a lot. It is forgotten by performing at the highest level when your team or your sport commands it. That’s why we love the icons so much, they delivered when they were supposed to deliver. The only reason they were able to do that time after time is because of the failures they went through to get them to that elite level.

So sure Lebron didn’t play in the Finals the way he did in the Boston or Chicago series. The way we have been dying for him to consistently play since he entered the NBA. But if both those series told us anything it’s that the ability to do so is in there somewhere.

Lebron has it in him to make shots and dominate games. To get to the rim when ever he wants, to get a triple double and be a lock down defender. The only problem is he only doesn’t when HE wants to and not when WE want him to . I think the greatest compliment that can ever be given to Michael Jordan is that he WAS Michael Jordan every time he stepped on the floor. He played his guts out and gave the fans and his teammates the same great player every single night no matter if it was in November or in Game 4, 5, or 6(haha little jab at Lebron) of the Finals , he was MJ, His Airness, the greatest of all time every single time he took the floor! If Lebron learns anything from this whole experience it should be that we want the 35 point, 12 rebound, 9 assist, 3 steals and 2 blocks Lebron every single night because anything else would be a waste of your great gift or power if you will…remember Lebron with great power comes great responsibility.

2010 becomes 2011 continued

Boxing continues to be one of Americas forgotten sports. In one of my first posts on this blog I wrote about how Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. needed to fight to save boxing and nearly a year later the fight still hasn’t happened. Both have fought and both have won easily, but they have yet to fight each other. To make boxing even more irrelevant the heavyweight division is still without a major superstar. So the question is…

Will Pacquioa and Mayweather fight? Will the Klitschko brothers fight each other and give people something to talk about.

Answer: Pacquioa’s next fight has already been determined and that is against and over the hill Sugar Shane Mosely(Less sugar and more molasses last time I checked). Mayweather on the other hand will be fighting the law after numerous allegations were brought up against him. Will these two fight? I say yes, just not when anyone cares anymore. I feel like this will be a fight that happens late in both of their careers when they are not the tremendous fighters they are today.

As for the Klitschkos… noway this happens but wouldn’t it be great to see them duke it out? Not only would it unify 3 belts but what would be better than watching two brothers beat the hell out of each other!

Celtics won round 1… Lakers won round 1 and 1/2 and round 2. Round 3? Both are on a collision course once again to meet in the finals. This year however both paths are far more difficult, So the question is…

Will the NBA Finals be Lakers vs. Celtics?

Answer: No! Not only are the Lakers are too old, but they still have to go through the west. The Spurs are better, the Mavericks are playing defense, and the Thunder are better. The Celtics have to go through, wait for it…THE EAST! I know shocking right! The not only have to battle the Magic and the Bulls, but there is this little team in Miami that is starting to figure things out. One of the two may make it but I have a hard time believing that both will get there.

You remember this guy right? He was and still is the best golfer in the world. Sure he had a rough 2010, but who didn’t really? Sure his was far worse than most people on the planet but whose to say he can’t bounce back. So the question is…

Will Tiger Woods fix his golf game and start winning again?

Answer: PGA Tour you have been warned. Tiger fell off so much that other golfers actually started talking smack! If struggling through an entire golf season wasn’t bad enough, other golfers actually not fearing Tiger was the last straw. I foresee Tiger going bananas this year and leaving a clear path of destruction in his wake. Wins, Wins, and more wins.

Bonus question: Will Tiger Woods start dating again?

Bonus Answer: Now I would love nothing more than Tiger to start dating either Lindsey Lohan or Brittney Spears, but after the year he had I just can’t imagine him dating so soon. If he does date however I expect the women to be someone from high society without any history of any shady past whatsoever.

AND FINALLY……..

Both the NFL and NBA are in golden eras and both are in jeopardy of not having seasons next year. So the question is…

Will the NBA and NFL have lockouts next year?

Answer: David Stern and Roger Goddell call Bud Selig and ask him how 1994 was, PLEASE!!! No one wants to see a strike. In the NFL it would mean players like Tom Brady, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Andre Johnson wasting prime years of their careers. In the NBA it would be a loss for Lebron James, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Kobe Bryant. Both leagues have never been better so hopefully these labor negotiations can be worked out before we lose any basketball or football.

2010 was a great year in sports and hopefully 2011 can be even better. Hopefully we will soon be able to find out the answers to all these questions! Happy New Years from SOGJ!

2010 becomes 2011

Its been a while and a lot has happened that has not been blogged by your favorite writers here at SOGJ but a new year means a fresh start.

Sitting around deciding what to write about has been the hardest part of jumping back onto the blog. I didn’t whether to write a year in review or a prediction of things to come so I decided to combine the two ideas. The year that was and the questions the create for next year.

1. Brett Favre’s NFL Future

For 20 years Brett Favre has played in the NFL and finally after this season that may come to an end. After an amazing 2009-2010 season Brett came back after his annual, “I may reitre”, “I don’t know what I am doing”, “I want to play.” fall fiasco to play one of the toughest seasons ever by an NFL player. Now it is no secret I am not a fan of Brett Favre but I have to give the man respect for being an absolute warrior playing through multiple injuries that individually would sideline most men but he played with all of them. A fractured ankle, a concussion, a sore shoulder, a sore elbow, a fractured foot, and a broken reputation(thanks Jenn Sterger). So the question is…

Will Brett Favre retire?

The answer: Most likely I think he will. Now that being said it would not surprise me in the least bit if we see number 4 in purple and gold next year.

After a stellar college career Tim Tebow was suprisingly drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos. Former head coach Josh McDaniels traded up to the first round to get the Captain of Team Jesus, even though most projections had him as a 4th round pick at very best. Most of the uncertainty was based around the fact that it took Tebow 3 days to wind up and throw the football. So what did Tebow do? He changed his throwing motion and eliminated his hitch. This was a positive sign that Tebow one day may be an effective NFL QB. Then the Broncos signed starting quarterback Kyle Orton to and extension, effectively ending any chance for Tebow to start for the foreseeable future. Flash forward 6 months, fire Josh McDaniels, take the Broncos out of the playoffs and Tim Tebow gets his chance to start and after two games he has looked good! So the question is…

Will Tim Tebow be a starting quarterback in the NFL for the next ten years?

The answer: I think yes. From what we know about Tebow is that he has the will of Rocky Balboa, the determination of a stubborn child, and Jesus on his side. He wants to prove all of America wrong that he can play.

Coach K has had 2 and a half of the best coaching years in the history of basketball. First he led the Redeem Team to the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal, then he led the his Duke Blue Devils to the National Title, and he followed that by leading Team USA to the World Championships. He will soon break the record for all time wins by a coach in NCAA history and his team is currently ranked number 1 again. So the question is…

Will Duke win another title and is Coach K the greatest coach ever?

I think that Duke will repeat in a walk. They are clearly the best team in the country, with the deepest lineup, and the best players. As far as the greatest coach ever I think he is certainly making a case for it. If in 2012 he leads Team USA to another gold medal there are few other coaches who have done what he has accomplished.

To be continued…

That Wrangler guy

Well it’s been a few months since the last time we have posted anything but what topic would be better than, you guessed it, Brett Favre! After yet another off season of the will he won’t he game Brett showed up to training camp late. The difference is that this year his receiving corps has been decimated by injury. Percy Harvin has had chronic migraines and a bad hip and Sidney Rice will miss who knows how much more time recovering from hip surgery. Now if that was Brett’s only problem I would not be writing this! Last week a report was published that while Brett, a married man, played for the Jets he sent inappropriate pictures to a Jets sideline reporter. Let’s just say they were of little Brett. Really Brett sending pictures of your dong to try to convince a girl to date you, and your married! Now of course all of this is alleged but if you listen to the desperate voicemail he also left it’s pretty pathetic and I believe it is the old gunslingers voice.
So where does this leave Favre? We he is the starting quarterback of a 1-3 Vikings team and he has a bum ankle and elbow and a pending NFL investigation looming over his head. Can you imagine the guys conducting the investigation?
NFL security: Brett we are going to need you to take your wranglers off.
Brett: Uh guys these pants are Uh real…comfortable…
NFL security: Yea we know Brett we have seen the commercial, we need to compare you to the photo.
Brett: Uh you know you don’t have to do that. I mean I I am not making excuses but my arm hurts.
NFL security: Brett we aren’t the media we know your old. Now let us do our job! And if we can’t convince you we have Ryan Longwell, Jared Allen, and Steve Hutchinson in the hall waiting to help.
Brett: Well only because its for the team.
Or something along those lines anyway. This week they play Dallas and I have a feeling it will be the beginning of the end for our friend Brett! That is until next fall!

SlamBall and Rock ‘n’ Jock, where did you go?

Sports change all the time. Today it was announced that the NFL will possibly change to an 18 game season as soon as 2012, as long as there is no lockout. This got me thinking for some reason about my teenage years and two games that I loved, SlamBall and Rock ‘n’ Jock. You know you watched and loved both!

Rock ‘n’ Jock

What do you get when you take NBA players, athletic celebrities, and a basket that is lowered on top of another basket and make it worth 25 points? ROCK ‘N’ JOCK basektball of course. Remember the Violators and the Bricklayers? What about Bill Bellamy(MTV personality) and Dean Cain(TV Superman) leading their teams? This was what made up fake sports was supposed to be. I would still watch this if it were on. Back in the day it was Gary Payton, Chris Webber, and Skinny Shawn Kemp(as opposed to coked up fat Shawn like in his Cleveland Days. This was Seattle Reign Man Shawn.), can you imagine Dwight Howard, Ron Artest, and Stephon Curry in a Rock ‘N’ Jock game!? This would be gold. Tell me you wouldn’t watch MTV again instead of watching teen girls watching their lives fall apart or another 20 something college dropout get hammered! I know I would look forward to this every year. MTV did it right it was cool and not corny like the fake games they have at the all-star game.

They also had the Rock ‘N’ Jock Softball which was of course ruined by allowing super freak athlete/entertainer Nelly compete. He was just to good. Enough said.

SlamBall

Oh SlamBall! How did this idea fail? Trampolines, body checking, and basketball! Although I never watched much SlamBall I have a personal tie to this wonderful sport. You see when one of your best friend’s mom owns a gymnastics studio that has built in floor trampolines you take full advantage of it. Now, how you ask did we set up a basketball hoop in the studio? You take a plastic Play School basketball hoop and you jimmyrig it to a large tumbling mat. Now we didn’t play actual SlamBall but we did have ridiculous dunk contest for the better part of 2 hours! Some where in a basement or attic is a video tape that has all the glorious windmills and reverse between the leg dunks. I can not take credit for any of those amazing dunks but I can however take credit for being a gigantic hype losing my mind dunk after dunk!

Again…

Dear Brett,
I just got the news…great to have you back. When I got drafted I told my mom maybe someday I will be a backup for a Hall of Famer, and thanks to you it happened!  Sure you had to come out if retirement but I mean I don’t blame you! Who wants to make a living as a NFL quarterback when its so much easier to carry your clipboard. You know I tried the whole ” I don’t want to go to training camp so I might not play what are you going to do about” routine once, you know what the Vikings did…sent the backup equipment manager to gather my things! But I am glad your back Brett. This means I can stop working so hard at training camp. I know you have been sitting back throwing to high school kids, while all your teammates have been going through 2 a days but its your spot I will just get my clipboard. Just one more thing Brett when you throw a costly interception at the end of our last game this year and we head to the off season when you decide to do this for the fourth year in a row, you think you could give me a heads up? Sage has been asking about you everyday it breaks his heart when you’re not here, just for his sake I won’t tell I promise I know how you love keeping everybody on their toes! Ok well see you at practice…oh wait you won’t be there by the time the second team takes the field…ok well maybe at our 3rd pre-season game we can catch up.
Sincerely yours,
Tavaris Jackson
P.s. hope the ankle holds up!

It took time to appreciate Scottie

Always in MJ's shadow right where he liked it.

Growing up in central Illinois in the 1990′s if you weren’t a Chicago Bulls fan you were pretty rare. There were usually two schools of thought on who your favorite player was, obviously most went with Michael Jordan and everyone else rooted for Scottie Pippen. I fell into the first camp. I loved MJ he was the man. I knew Scottie was good but he was just Robin to Michael’s Batman. He was my little brother’s favorite.

Years later Scottie Pippen has made it to the Basketball Hall of Fame. It wasn’t till a few years ago, after watching and re-watching countless games on dvd, ESPN Classic, and NBA TV that I truly began to appreciate Scottie Pippen as a basketball player.

He was truly ahead of his time. I myself have been guilty of being in awe of how much of a freak that LeBron James is but give me Scottie’s smothering defense and I like my chances. He was a 6’7 point forward that could literally guard all 5 positions. MJ could take chances on defense to get his highlight dunks because he knew Scottie had his back. Playing against the Bulls defense with all its length and Scottie as its anchor was like trying to throw a hardball through a tree try as you might you weren’t making more than a dent.

Scottie got steals, blocks, and for my money is the greatest player I have ever watched at taking charges. He would throw his body in front of anyone to get a stop. I can remember a playoff game in the late 90′s where he took 4 charges! That’s in one game! Find me a time a superstar took 4 charges in a playoff series let alone a game!

Offensively Scottie was ever improving. Originally a slasher and occasional spot up shooter. He turned himself into a reliable go to guy and good 3 point shooter. I can remember before Tim Duncan shot 18 foot bank shots Scottie used it as a lethal weapon. He also became the NBA’s first point forward.

Scottie deserves his place in the hall and I am happy he got in. He will always be one of my favorite players to watch and  now I truly appreciate all the things that he did on the basketball court.

Can the Heat reach 70?

In the 1995-1996 season the Chicago Bulls took the NBA by storm and won a record 72 games. Let me start by saying this is my favorite team of all time. This was the summer between my 7th and 8th grade year and I felt like I watched every game(my 3 year old sister could say all the names in the starting lineups)It was MJ’s first full year back, Rodman’s first year with the team, Scottie Pippen was at his best, Toni Kukoc was the best 6th man in the league, Steve Kerr was the best shooter, and Phil Jackson was the best coach. It was an NBA record for wins in a year.

Earlier in the week Jeff Van Gundy made the claim that he thinks this years version of the Miami Heat can match or beat this record. I have examined both teams schedules and I have my prediction on how the Heat will do. Lets go month by month…

October

The better gel early, they play Boston in Boston on opening night and Orlando 3 days later in their home opener. But they also play the Nets and the Sixers. Given that LeBron lost his last game in Cleveland in Boston and the Heat were bounced from the playoffs by the Celtics last year and the immense pressure of starting off well I say the Heat start 4-0. The Bulls won their first 5 games before losing on the road to a good Orlando Magic team playing without Shaq. The Bulls were also without Dennis Rodman. Penny Hardaway poured in 36 points while MJ had a bad game and the Bulls lost by 6. 5-1 through 6 games.

November

This is the most important month for the Heat. It is important they get off to a great start taking advantage of teams still getting used to each other. The Bulls started their season by going 12-2. The Heat play only 4 road games this month 2 tough and two very winnable. They also play NBA doormats Washington, New Jersey, Toronto, and Philadelphia this month. Possible loss chance Dallas and Orlando on the Road, and Boston, Phoenix and Utah at home. My prediction through 18 games on the for the Heat 15-3 (the Bulls through at same point 16-2).

December

Last month was most important but December will be the hardest early on  and second hardest next to March. They have 10 road games this month which include, LeBron’s first game back in Cleveland, Phoenix, Houston, Sacramento, Golden State, Milwaukee, New York, Washington, Utah, and at the Lakers on Christmas Day. They also have to play Atlanta at home as well as Dallas again. If they can make it through this stretch the record could start looking real. The Bulls on the other hand won 13 in a row to start December before losing to the Pacers. Through 28 games the Bulls were a cool 25-3 my prediction for the Heat 23-5.

January

This month is highlighted by a 5 game road trip ending with their first trip to Chicago. They also play OKC for the first time at the end of the month which should be a great game. They have to play Milwaukee back to back games and also get the Clippers, Detroit, Toronto, and Cleveland again. The tough games are Golden State again as well as Portland on the road. January is when the Bulls hit 5th gear winning 18 in a row going 31-1 in 32 games.(This team was so good!) So if you are counting at home through 42 games the Bulls were 39-3. The Heat will be 37-5.

February

More road games for the Heat in February than home games. 7 of the 12 games they play. This is the month where the Heat will be able to get some rest for the home stretch. Tough games at Orlando, Boston, and Chicago are offset by home games against Indiana, The Clippers, Washington, and the Knicks. Plus winnable road games at Detroit, Indiana, Charlotte, and Toronto. Tough month to judge with the All-star break in the middle. February of 1996 was the only month when the Bulls lost back to back regular season games and it actually doubled their losses to 6. Through 56 games the Bulls were 50-6, I think this is when the Heat can keep pace or they will lose it completely my prediction 48-8.

March

Heading into March the Heat will hover close to the 10 loss mark which will motivate them just a little more. I think this is a big month for Mr. Wade. Playing only 5 road games this month that being said MARCH IS A BEAR! The start of the month goes like this in order Orlando, San Antonio, Chicago, Portland, The Lakers, Memphis, Spurs again, and finally OKC. 8 games in 14 days against tough Western conference teams and Chicago and Atlanta! That being said Wade turns it up a gear and I think LeBron goes on a triple double streak of 6 games. After March Heat record through 75 games 66-9 which was exactly the same as the Bulls.

April

Here is where it gets really interesting. The Heat gunning for history taking every teams best shot have 7 games for history. Do they go for it or rest for the playoffs? I say they go after it! Lets go back in time first, the Bulls finished 6-1 in their final 7 games. Which moved their record to 72-10. All the games were against relatively easy teams. The Heats final seven games look like this Minnesota and New Jersey on the Road, Milwaukee, Charlotte, and Boston at home, and finally Atlanta and Toronto on the road. My prediction they are 69-12 heading into the Toronto game. Toronto will be playing for lottery ping pong balls but will give the Heat one of their toughest games of the year. I think the Heat will win and reach 70 games. Final record 70-12. The Bulls record is safe but the Heat become only second team ever to reach 70.

The Tiger Slump?

Think of the greatest athletes you can? Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Barry Bonds(pre or post steroids the man is a still a stud) Now try to remember anytime where they struggled in their prime? Sure Mike had the years we forget in Washington and Wayne lost some speed late in his career but never a complete drop off. Could we be witnessing that from Tiger?

After his domestic problems we expected Tiger to come back and dominate just as he always had. He would take a while to get back in the swing of things sure but eventually he would regain his cut throat style that made him so successful. What is happening this weekend is exactly the opposite! It’s like watching Greg Maddux not be able to locate a fastball or MJ missing his patented fade away, Tiger Woods is at +11 and in 78th place out of 80! He shot a 75 today dangerously close to the unthinkable 80 mark.

Could we be witnessing something that we have never witnessed in our lifetime? The absolute best player in a sport falling off so sharply that he is forced to retire. No player on the Tour fears him anymore and who knows if Tiger even thinks he can win anymore?

Regardless if this is a minor set back before he returns to form or the beginning of the end of one of the greatest careers ever please pay attention. Either way you will be viewing something that you are not likely to see again. Normally decline is gradual not a sharp downward spike, right now we are at the top of that spike waiting to be slammed down or held up like one of Tiger’s check swings.

NFL Questions!

The NFL season is rapidly approaching and it got me thinking about some questions I have about the upcoming year.

1. How long before T.O. and Ochocinco get into some type of twitter war?

You know it is only a matter of time before these two duke it out via twitter or some form of social media. Chances are it will be about a reality show or a celebration or why one is better than the other. Inevitably the two largest egos in the game will collide I just hope VH1′s cameras are their to catch the action.

2. How long before the Eagles have to depend on Mike Vick at quaterback?

This is maybe the scariest of any scenario for the NFL. Kevin Kolb struggles for the first few games and Mr. Dog Fighter himself is thrust back into the starting spot. With his recent off season stumble is America ready to accept him as more than just a gimmick in Philly’s offense?

3. How long before, Cedric Benson or any Cincinnati Bengal gets arrested?

Roger Goodel might as well have a fall/winter home in Ohio. In recent most of his discipline has been handed down to the Bengals. I wonder if for a change it will be Carson Palmer paintballing his neighbors mailbox while intoxicated and getting arrested.

4. When will Albert Haynesworth get fed up with Mike Shanahan?

Two things can happen here-A. Haynesworth goes on the Prince Fielder vegan diet and turns into a lean mean fighting machine. Basically destroying any offensive lineman in his path or B. He completely self destructs and becomes a modern day Fat Albert and stands on the sideline eating Twinkies and loaded french fries during every Redskins game.

5. When will Ben Roethlisberger do something stupid to get himself thrown out of the league?

You know when you are a little kid and you touch something that is hot? You learn not to touch it again, right? Well Big Ben has yet to learn this lesson. First the motorcycle incident then his little back alley night club dealings when is this guy going to learn. He is a heck of a quaterback but he is a moron if he thinks that Roger Goodel is going to continue to put up with his shennigans.

6. How long before Tim Tebow is the starting quaterback for the Denver Broncos?

Not that I don’t love Kyle Orton and his neck beard or Brady Quinn and his biceps but it’s TIM FREAKING TEBOW! I give it 4 weeks tops before the Captain of Team Jesus is strutting out as a starter. When has a 3rd string quaterback gotten more attention than what Tebow gets? I certainly can’t remember. I can’t wait for the Mile High Messiah to take the rains!