It’s Baseball Season
I love baseball. I love the pace, the strategy. But, I don't get involved--fully--until hockey season is over. I've been spoiled the past couple of years, because the Rangers have been in the playoffs. They've had some intense series. Even when they've been eliminated, I'm still watching. Combine that with the NBA playoffs, and baseball takes a back seat.
This season feels different. The Rangers aren't that good. They may make the playoffs, but even if they do, they aren't going to go very far. I haven't been invested at all in the NBA this year. I'll watch the conference finals and league finals, but other than that, the NBA hasn't really been on my radar.
So, as I deal with the reality that is the Rangers, my mind wanders towards baseball. A couple months earlier. Which is great. In my spare time, I start thinking about Yankee lineups. Matchups. Yankee competitors. How will the bullpen be constructed? What should the lineup be?
Normally, this mental exercise happens this time of year, but it's never at this depth. I think about it, of course. I'm a Yankee fan. But, it's more casual. My mind is more focused on Ranger line combinations. And while I still think about that, my mind is shifting towards baseball. It's a nice change.
The weather here in New York is starting to get nicer, the snow is melting, the sun is shining. You turn on the TV and there's spring training baseball. You turn on the radio and there's baseball. It's here. In a few weeks, it will all start for real. Until then, we can enjoy thinking about baseball, dreaming about it. It's here.
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He’s Baaack!
The Answer is Back in Philadelphia, and guess what; he's starting.
"I feel like I am home," Iverson said at shootaround. "Just seeing people I'm accustomed to seeing, seeing the reporters, seeing some of the fans when I go out to eat. Just the smell of Philadelphia when I go outside."
I've smelled Philadelphia, it doesn't smell that good. All kidding aside, I have no idea what this move does for the 76ers. Other than publicity, Iverson will not make this team a playoff team. So, what's the upside? More fans in seats. More jerseys sold. Other than that, nothing. This is a marketing ploy. A good one, but still a marketing ploy. It should be treated as such.
Ron Artest Admits To Drinking During Halftime Of Games
Lakers forward Ron Artest admitted in an interview that he used to drink alcohol during halftime of games:
"I used to drink Hennessy ... at halftime," Artest said in an interview with the Sporting News, which is publishing the story in its Dec. 7 issue. "I [kept it] in my locker. I'd just walk to the liquor store and get it."
Artest said he drank when he played with the Bulls. I'm shocked that he admitted it. Considering Artest's past transgressions, it's not surprising. As Artest said himself:
"When I was a 19-year-old father, whew. I was a single pimp! I was wild," he told the magazine. "A lot of marijuana and alcohol -- even before [that age]. ... I [still] party and I have fun, but not like I used to. I used to drink every night and party every night."
I think on many levels, it's sad that he did this. A famous NBA player getting drunk and high every night. Partly, it's because he felt invincible. Who's going to deny him drugs and alcohol? That said, the NBA, and all sports leagues, need to a better job of making the dangers of drugs and alcohol known to its players. If they don't, more and more players will make these sorts of admissions.
Lawrence Frank Fired
In news that surprises no one, Nets head coach Lawrence Frank has been fired, following the team's 0-16 start. Assistant coach Tom Barrise will be the interim coach.
Honestly, I don't know what took the Nets so long. He was 0-16! Obviously, something wasn't working. The Nets season is a lost cause, but they could've got the ball rolling with the firing earlier. Hopefully, for the Nets' sake, it gives them the kick they needed.
Nate Robinson, For The Loss
Nate Robinson can be an exciting basketball player. Great dunks. Can take over a game. But then there are things like this that make you shake your head:
How stupid can you be? This is why the NBA is losing so many people. The players play stupid. No one wants to see that.
So Going To Europe Was A Good Idea For Brandon Jennings
You remember the story of Brandon Jennings. High school basketball superstar, he learned his craft in Europe instead of college. It was met with criticism, praise, and everything in between. If there were any doubters, Jennings proved them wrong. Last night against the Warriors, Jennings dropped 55 points. 55. One of the best for a rookie in a single game ever. This was also his 7th game. He also was scoreless in the first quarter.
I wonder if we'll start to see more and more players follow in Jennings' footsteps. The competition is better, and they aren't being weighed down by the hardships of college life (which, if there is any for athletes, it's not much). As Jennings proved, it can work.
LeBron Wants The NBA To Retire 23…But Not For Him
LeBron James wants the NBA to recognize the number 23...but for him. He wants it to honor Michael Jordan. And he wants all players to join him in not wearing 23.
"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said, according to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. "You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame."
LeBron would change to number 6, the number he wore in the Olympics. Apparently, he has until March 5th to change his number. If he does, will these players follow suit?
| Stephen Graham | Bobcats |
| C.J. Watson | Warriors |
| Marcus Camby | Clippers |
| Jodie Meeks | Bucks |
| Devin Brown | Hornets |
| Toney Douglas | Knicks |
| B.J. Mullens | Thunder |
| Lou Williams | 76ers |
| Jason Richardson | Suns |
| Martell Webster | Trail Blazers |
| Kevin Martin | Kings |
| Wes Matthews | Jazz |
I think the NBA should retire 23. After all, he is the greatest player ever. The NHL did it with Wayne Gretzky. The MLB did it for Jackie Robinson. Now, the skeptic in me thinks that this could be a marketing ploy. After all, the number 6 jersey would go flying off the shelf. So, I bring it to you: Do you support the retiring of number 23?
Abdul-Jabbar Has Leukemia
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is receiving treatment for a rare form of leukemia.
"I've never been a person to share my private life. But I can help save lives," he said in a midtown Manhattan conference room. "It's incumbent on someone like me to talk about this."
Abdul Jabbar doesn't have to deal with this publicly. He should not have to. An illness like this should be dealt privately. Which is why I respect him so much more for doing this. He's using his fame to help others. He's using his fame to help others. My father had leukemia. Thankfully, he's in remission. He has moved past that time. He's as healthy as can be. I do wonder, however, how he would've reacted if he knew Kareem had leukemia. Would it inspire him to speak out, because a basketball legend is doing the same? I don't know. I don't know if I want to know. I do know that what Kareem is doing is special. Having to deal with leukemia is hard. Having Kareem by your side, even if it makes a little easier, can make all the difference. Good luck, Kareem. We'll be rooting for you.
Another NBA Player Heads To Europe
Linas Kleiza has left the Nuggets for a 2 year, $12 million deal in Greece. Obviously, the main reason he left was the 80% pay increase. But, this is the second offseason that that a player has left for greener pastures in Greece. Josh Childress did it last year. There was rumors that Greece might be interested in Nate Robinson. If these role players can't find a home in the NBA, Europe is looking like a more and more viable option. And I think it's something that NBA has to deal with-- and hasn't. I'm not entirely sure what they can do legally. But there should be some incentive to keep NBA players in the NBA. If we start to see marquee players shipping off to Europe, then there is a big problem.
Starbury Crashes Car While Streaming Online
We wrote about the craziness of Stephon Marbury's live streams before. This might just be weirder. Sitting in the backseat while someone is driving his car, Marbury is streaming live online. Then this happens. Take a look (about 1:40 in)
At least he wasn't streaming and driving, and I'm glad no one was hurt. But, this whole, I don't know, outburst by Marbury, seems like a cry for help. I don't know what he's dealing with, but to stream your life online like that, seems weird. It doesn't seem right. It seems like a cry for help.
