The list of finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame recently was announced. It's not a list that's going to blow anyone away. There are no iconic names, like Jordan, Barkley, Malone or Robinson. And it is that fact that makes Reggie Miller's omission all the more puzzling.
Reggie Miller, who until a week or so ago was the all-time leading 3-point shooter in NBA history, Spike Lee's nemesis, one of the best ice-water-in-his-veins shooters the game has known, is not a Hall of Famer?
Most agree that Miller's time eventually will come, which is one of my many issues with halls of fame (if you're not a Hall of Famer when you're first eligible, why are you a Hall of Famer two or three or 14 years later?). Had guys like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone or David Robinson been on the ballot this year, Miller being left out would make a bit of sense.
But these are the guys who were deemed more worthy than Miller (followed by some commentary): Dennis Rodman (did one thing, rebound; couldn't score unless it was a putback; averaged 7 points a game in his career), Chris Mullin (can't argue with it; this has more to do with his collegiate accomplishments at St. John's than his long and respectable NBA career, although he was on the original Dream Team), Ralph Sampson (again, college-based induction as he was a three-time national player of the year), Jamaal Wilkes (four-time NBA champion and former UCLA star with whom I'm not too familiar).
It's true that Miller never won a title, or an MVP award. But this is the Hall of Fame, and Miller is more famous than any of the guys who were named finalists. It's not that they don't deserve to be in, but Miller should be in with them. Not next year or in a few years, but now.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Poison oak
There are times, and they’re becoming all too common, when rivalries take a turn for the worse. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two instances when fans of the Red Sox and Yankees have taken things a little too far.
One involves a stabbing, the other a vehicular homicide. I shudder to think what made these people engage in such horrible acts? Oh, that’s right, sports. I always shake my head when I hear these stories because they are so avoidable.
The most recent occurrence of rivalry hate has reared its ugly head, and this one is a doozy. Harvey Almorn Updyke, 62, of Dadeville, Ala., called into a radio show in late January saying he poisoned the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner on the campus of Auburn University.
These trees have been there for generations, and students throw toilet paper into the branches upon big victories for the football team. And no victory was bigger than winning the national championship over Oregon on Jan. 10.
This, apparently, enraged Updyke, a Crimson Tide backer whose team had won the national title the season before. But things didn’t go too well for Alabama this year, and Updyke simply wasn’t going to sit idly while the trees at Toomer’s Corner were dressed in toilet tissue.
No, he was going to kill them dadgum trees, then brag about it on sports talk radio. Updyke was arrested, charged with criminal mischief and released on $50,000 bond. The damage to the 130-year-old trees, which likely will die, the school said, is $2,500.
I’m not sure what the penalty is for one count of criminal mischief, and I know the punishment has to fit the crime, but these trees are more about sentimental value than monetary value. Besides, the trees didn't have anything to do with the Tigers' victory. Perhaps Updyke should have poisoned 'Bama running back and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram after a less-than-stellar 2010?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the statue of good ol' Bear Bryant, which was being protected by police earlier this week, gets decorated in the orange and navy blue of Auburn. Roll Tide.
One involves a stabbing, the other a vehicular homicide. I shudder to think what made these people engage in such horrible acts? Oh, that’s right, sports. I always shake my head when I hear these stories because they are so avoidable.
The most recent occurrence of rivalry hate has reared its ugly head, and this one is a doozy. Harvey Almorn Updyke, 62, of Dadeville, Ala., called into a radio show in late January saying he poisoned the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner on the campus of Auburn University.
These trees have been there for generations, and students throw toilet paper into the branches upon big victories for the football team. And no victory was bigger than winning the national championship over Oregon on Jan. 10.
This, apparently, enraged Updyke, a Crimson Tide backer whose team had won the national title the season before. But things didn’t go too well for Alabama this year, and Updyke simply wasn’t going to sit idly while the trees at Toomer’s Corner were dressed in toilet tissue.
No, he was going to kill them dadgum trees, then brag about it on sports talk radio. Updyke was arrested, charged with criminal mischief and released on $50,000 bond. The damage to the 130-year-old trees, which likely will die, the school said, is $2,500.
I’m not sure what the penalty is for one count of criminal mischief, and I know the punishment has to fit the crime, but these trees are more about sentimental value than monetary value. Besides, the trees didn't have anything to do with the Tigers' victory. Perhaps Updyke should have poisoned 'Bama running back and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram after a less-than-stellar 2010?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the statue of good ol' Bear Bryant, which was being protected by police earlier this week, gets decorated in the orange and navy blue of Auburn. Roll Tide.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Pacquiao is scared of Mayweather
The Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao mega-fight was scheduled for last March 13, but because of Pacquiao’s unwillingness, it did not happen. And who is to say if, or when, it will. The fight was cancelled because the fighters could not agree on a blood-testing policy.
Mayweather wanted random blood testing up until the night of the fight. Pacquiao recently has said, “As long as the drug test is not done close to the match, I’ll agree. Because if they get blood from me close to the match, it will be a disadvantage for me because I’m smaller and he’s big.’’
Well, that is not much of a disadvantage because if Pacquiao is weakened by blood testing, so will Mayweather. They both are taking the same test.
Also, Travis Tygart, CEO of United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has said, “We don’t do anything that can potentially impact an athlete’s performance,” so there is no weakness caused by this test. This shows that Pacquiao is making excuses, because he is scared to fight Mayweather.
If Manny is not scared to fight the undefeated Mayweather, who is 41-0 lifetime, could it be he is taking performance-enhancing drugs? If the fight were to happen, not only would Floyd “Money” Mayweather beat Pacquiao, he would knock him out. There would be no need to look at the scorecard.
Mayweather wanted random blood testing up until the night of the fight. Pacquiao recently has said, “As long as the drug test is not done close to the match, I’ll agree. Because if they get blood from me close to the match, it will be a disadvantage for me because I’m smaller and he’s big.’’
Well, that is not much of a disadvantage because if Pacquiao is weakened by blood testing, so will Mayweather. They both are taking the same test.
Also, Travis Tygart, CEO of United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has said, “We don’t do anything that can potentially impact an athlete’s performance,” so there is no weakness caused by this test. This shows that Pacquiao is making excuses, because he is scared to fight Mayweather.
If Manny is not scared to fight the undefeated Mayweather, who is 41-0 lifetime, could it be he is taking performance-enhancing drugs? If the fight were to happen, not only would Floyd “Money” Mayweather beat Pacquiao, he would knock him out. There would be no need to look at the scorecard.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Former Rogers football coach Toppa dies
Legendary Rogers High School football coach John Toppa, who won 11 state championships from 1958-90, died Monday night, according to a family friend. Read Wednesday's edition of The Daily News for full coverage and reaction.
Football withdrawal
The end of football season is always a little depressing. The 17 weeks of the regular season fly by, and the playoffs are over before you know it. Then we’re left with nothing until August.
I thought this year might be different, with my team winning the Super Bowl. But as elated as I remain about that (still get chills when I see highlights or the post-game celebration), the end of the season left a void. Having my Sundays back has been nice, but I do miss playing basketball in the morning and then setting up shop on the couch for several hours that afternoon.
Some people salivate at the mention of pitchers and catchers. I couldn’t care less. Baseball’s regular season is too long, and the postseason wraps up just before Thanksgiving. So why do we need to start obsessing about it right after the Super Bowl, two months before anything matters?
Basketball, both NBA and college, is all well and good, but it just doesn’t compare to football season. NCAA tournament time comes close, but we have a while to wait for that.
The threat of work stoppages in other sports isn’t terribly troubling. Baseball strike? Meh. NBA lockout? Unfortunate, but I’d be OK.
But if the NFL continues down its current path toward a lockout, I’ll be crestfallen. I can’t bear the thought of Aaron Rodgers losing a year of his career while in his prime. I don’t want the Green Bay Packers to miss out on defending their Super Bowl title. I want to be able to get excited about games between teams I wouldn’t give a damn about if I didn’t have some of their players on my fantasy team.
My only source of optimism in this labor dispute is the belief that neither side — neither the owners, nor players — is dumb enough to let this go on long enough that it affects next season. Hopefully I’m right. I’m already jonesing for some football.
I thought this year might be different, with my team winning the Super Bowl. But as elated as I remain about that (still get chills when I see highlights or the post-game celebration), the end of the season left a void. Having my Sundays back has been nice, but I do miss playing basketball in the morning and then setting up shop on the couch for several hours that afternoon.
Some people salivate at the mention of pitchers and catchers. I couldn’t care less. Baseball’s regular season is too long, and the postseason wraps up just before Thanksgiving. So why do we need to start obsessing about it right after the Super Bowl, two months before anything matters?
Basketball, both NBA and college, is all well and good, but it just doesn’t compare to football season. NCAA tournament time comes close, but we have a while to wait for that.
The threat of work stoppages in other sports isn’t terribly troubling. Baseball strike? Meh. NBA lockout? Unfortunate, but I’d be OK.
But if the NFL continues down its current path toward a lockout, I’ll be crestfallen. I can’t bear the thought of Aaron Rodgers losing a year of his career while in his prime. I don’t want the Green Bay Packers to miss out on defending their Super Bowl title. I want to be able to get excited about games between teams I wouldn’t give a damn about if I didn’t have some of their players on my fantasy team.
My only source of optimism in this labor dispute is the belief that neither side — neither the owners, nor players — is dumb enough to let this go on long enough that it affects next season. Hopefully I’m right. I’m already jonesing for some football.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Spitting image
Golf is a game for gentlemen, but this is taking it a few steps too far.
During the final round of the Dubai Classic on Sunday, a round in which he plummeted down the leaderboard with a 75, Tiger Woods was caught spitting on the 12th green. To say the commentator in the video overreacted would be a gross understatement, but Woods was fined an undisclosed amount by the European Tour for the incident.
Via his Twitter account, Woods apologized for the incident, writing, “Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry.”
For a guy who used to be deadly on Sunday, Woods is a shell of his former self. So forgive me if I cut him a little slack for spitting on the green while he shoots his way out of contention. Was it a dumb move, knowing the cameras rarely pan away from him? Of course. But maybe his head was somewhere else as his winless streak continued.
It just seems that this guy can’t catch a break, and even the smallest details turn into worldwide stories. Do a Google search for Dubai Classic, and you'll have to rummage through five pages before you find out who actually won the tournament.
(It was Alvaro Quiros).
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