Really, why? Well it was on my mind! I also typed it on my new iPad with a Journal App that I fell in love with, so there. By the way, yes, still on blogspot with every good intention of moving to WordPress. I am thinking next weekend, its a long Holiday one and I don't have my kids, I'll be in New York, alone and mostly bored, not that anyone pays attention...
I am really disappointed in the NBA. I used to be a very big fan as a kid. I look back at the early 80's and I wonder if I am just being nostalgic or is there something to it. The night before last I was watching the Flyers hockey game and in-between periods I switched over and the NBA Draft Lottery was on, that's what initially got me thinking about the topic...
Anyway, I watched and sat there comparing it to the NFL which seems to do everything right when it comes to drafts and dealing with college players. On the flip side you have the NBA; their silly one and done college rule and this 'lottery' that is staged to determine who gets the first pick through the 14th, I think. This should be exciting stuff!!!! It's what can shape a future franchise right? Not so fast my friends --- not only is drafting NBA talent a hit and miss, moving target but thanks to stupid contracts and salary restrictions it is downright convoluted. On top of that, I really no longer understand what it takes to be an NBA player and I have to tell you, I love the college game and think I am fairly knowledgeable, but I look at the mock drafts put up by experts and I scratch my head...I know maybe 10 names from the college game and I really wonder what their impact is going to be. The overall #1 seems to be John Wall, a skinny 19 year old kid that played one year at Kentucky, because quite frankly, he had too. Now I am not knocking the kids' talent but I don't think he is NBA ready and I don't necessarily mean from a skills standpoint, though I think the top 10 point guards in the game will eat him for lunch for the next two years. What I see is an immature, self absorbed, talent laden kid that will never reach his max potential because he will no longer be 'taught' the game of basketball. All of that is sort of off topic but because year after year this same thing happens, it has made the NBA an inferior product. David Stern, the NBA Commissioner, can stick his head in the sand and point to TV ratings all day long but I see empty buildings and complete apathy about the future. You, Mr. Stern, got very lucky with an influx of talent in the Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul class. Enjoy it now because I don't see the future staying 'rosy'.
Watch your older brother, the NFL, and learn; you can market the player but at the end of the day it is the team that matters. Fans will always appreciate great talent but we fall in love with teams, winning and enthusiasm. When you hand 19 year olds $40 million without any track record of success you are creating an atmosphere of individualship and greed. Coaches are not respected in the same way as they were before and veterans are seen as has beens that should just go away. And fans? Do they even know we are there? Just ask Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, but that is a whole different rant!
I am glad my 76ers are no longer relevant or this would all frustrate me so much more and there is an indictment in itself. I look longingly at my Dr. J jersey, the 1983 championship banner and my Moses Malone '4,4,4 Sixers' shirt with longing and passion, for another time and another era, but no longer for basketball...
Showing posts with label Atlanta Hawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlanta Hawks. Show all posts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 5, 2008
Random Thoughts from the Weekend
1. I'm very proud of the Hawks despite Sunday's blowout - next year will be a lot of fun and I think the front office can capitalize on the new fan support.
2. My Flyers are in the Conference Finals and I know the City of Philadelphia is excited! Can this be the year we break the curse of William Penn?
3. People that know me, know that I do not like to medicate, but the knee has been killing me so yes I have been taking Vicodin (just prescribed); well Saturday night I also drank 2 Jack & Diet Coke's - boy was I loopy. Thankfully I just hung out and watched the Flyers clinch their series and a couple of basketball games.
4. Cydney's soccer team won 5-1; we are now 6-0 on the year with 2 games left. I feel good about finishing my first season as Head Coach undefeated!
5. Watched the Kentucky Derby with the girls - they are really into any sport I watch but they LOVE horses. It was a very exciting race but watching the end and seeing them have to put down a beautiful horse was a shame. These PETA people who are in an uproar need to find something better to do with their time. Comparing horse racing to dog fighting is LUDICROUS!
6. I hate being in this holding pattern with the knee - thanks for every one's thoughts and well wishes. We should know the deal by the end of the week.
2. My Flyers are in the Conference Finals and I know the City of Philadelphia is excited! Can this be the year we break the curse of William Penn?
3. People that know me, know that I do not like to medicate, but the knee has been killing me so yes I have been taking Vicodin (just prescribed); well Saturday night I also drank 2 Jack & Diet Coke's - boy was I loopy. Thankfully I just hung out and watched the Flyers clinch their series and a couple of basketball games.
4. Cydney's soccer team won 5-1; we are now 6-0 on the year with 2 games left. I feel good about finishing my first season as Head Coach undefeated!
5. Watched the Kentucky Derby with the girls - they are really into any sport I watch but they LOVE horses. It was a very exciting race but watching the end and seeing them have to put down a beautiful horse was a shame. These PETA people who are in an uproar need to find something better to do with their time. Comparing horse racing to dog fighting is LUDICROUS!
6. I hate being in this holding pattern with the knee - thanks for every one's thoughts and well wishes. We should know the deal by the end of the week.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The last few days @ Philips Arena
It seems like the home to the Hawks and Thrashers has become my temporary home.
Over the weekend Atlanta hosted the NHL All-Star game and I went down to soak in some of the festivities. On Saturday night was the Super Skills Competition. The event was nice, nothing spectacular but it was good feeling to be around true hockey fans. One thing really got me though, I was browsing the Program for the weekend and I noticed in the back the NHL took out a page ad if you will and made a memorial/dedication to my friend Jon that passed away last month. Standing on the concourse as people buzzed by me I was once again drawn back to what is now 7 weeks ago. It still blows me away to the amount of folks Jon touched and how blessed I will always be to have had him in my life. The game on Sunday was a great display of great offensive skill but also some very nice goal tending on both ends with the exception of Chris Osgood who looked more like a deer in headlights than a goaltender for a Cup contender.
Monday night found Ilene and I right back in the Arena for Matchbox 20 and Alanis Morrisette. I REALLY enjoy MB20. I'm not a music critic but I am pretty sure no one is going to call them musical geniuses but they put a very good, lively and entertaining show. I've been a fan since their first album and have caught them every time they are in town. It was good seeing Alanis on stage. Her Jagged Little Pill album is still one of those few 'records' I can listen to from start to finish at any random time. They both played all of their hits as well as new stuff. One of the things I like about Rob Thomas/MB20 is he/they come off as genuine. I get the message of the music and right now with all the things swirling around in my world I can relate. Right now one of their older songs keeps hitting my playlist and I think of my hero today. The song is Real World and it makes me think of my good friend Steve Talbott and the struggle he is going through and how he is facing adversity. Steve, you are a rainmaker and a superhero and my inspiration. If you want to follow Steve's journey I have linked his blog here on my page.
Over the weekend Atlanta hosted the NHL All-Star game and I went down to soak in some of the festivities. On Saturday night was the Super Skills Competition. The event was nice, nothing spectacular but it was good feeling to be around true hockey fans. One thing really got me though, I was browsing the Program for the weekend and I noticed in the back the NHL took out a page ad if you will and made a memorial/dedication to my friend Jon that passed away last month. Standing on the concourse as people buzzed by me I was once again drawn back to what is now 7 weeks ago. It still blows me away to the amount of folks Jon touched and how blessed I will always be to have had him in my life. The game on Sunday was a great display of great offensive skill but also some very nice goal tending on both ends with the exception of Chris Osgood who looked more like a deer in headlights than a goaltender for a Cup contender.
Monday night found Ilene and I right back in the Arena for Matchbox 20 and Alanis Morrisette. I REALLY enjoy MB20. I'm not a music critic but I am pretty sure no one is going to call them musical geniuses but they put a very good, lively and entertaining show. I've been a fan since their first album and have caught them every time they are in town. It was good seeing Alanis on stage. Her Jagged Little Pill album is still one of those few 'records' I can listen to from start to finish at any random time. They both played all of their hits as well as new stuff. One of the things I like about Rob Thomas/MB20 is he/they come off as genuine. I get the message of the music and right now with all the things swirling around in my world I can relate. Right now one of their older songs keeps hitting my playlist and I think of my hero today. The song is Real World and it makes me think of my good friend Steve Talbott and the struggle he is going through and how he is facing adversity. Steve, you are a rainmaker and a superhero and my inspiration. If you want to follow Steve's journey I have linked his blog here on my page.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Atlanta's Best kept secret - sports related
Believe it or not it's the HAWKS! yes, the Hawks people.
Last night the Hawks beat the Phoenix Suns 105-96 and they looked GOOD doing it. They are now 2 and 2 on the young season but they are showing real signs of maturity. They have beaten 2 of the best teams (Dallas & Phoenix) and have played very tough in their 2 losses, both on the road.
What has looked like an Organization in complete drift has all of the sudden become something. Let's see why:
1. The young nucleus - Joe Johnson, Josh Childress and Josh Smith are becoming bonafied stars in their own right and the oldest of them (Johnson) has been in the league 6 years.
2. Marvin Williams - this guy looked like another 'dud' pick but all of the sudden he has exploded and is playing with confidence.
3. The rookies - both Acie Law and Al Horford (my man from the University of Florida) are already playing HUGE minutes and contributing (Acie distributing the ball and Al is a MONSTER on the glass)
What might be the best part of this whole thing is that these guys are DYNAMIC and fun to watch. They could easily fit in the West Coast style of basketball as they like to run up and down the court.
There is still room for improvement as these guys will only get better.
Now it is up to you though!
The crowd, while a pretty good size because Phoenix was here, needs to get louder and more supportive in crunch time. The Hawks were up 3 to 7 points late in the 4th Quarter and you could feel the crowd just waiting for the Suns run to put the Hawks away. It never came and now is the time for us to help the boys out!
The Eastern Conference is VERY mediocre. If this team can stay healthy and keep growing they will make the playoffs this year...the future is in sight!
Get to Phillips now while you can get good seats!
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