Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

Remember a few months ago when Ohio State University president E. Gordon Gee was giving his thesis on why TCU and Boise State (both undefeated at the time) did not deserve a chance to play in the BCS National Championship Game? Remember that Gordon?

I'm sure ol' Gordon wishes he could forget ever opening his mouth about a sport, by his own admission, he knows very little about. As we discovered not long after those remarks, Mr. Gee's Buckeyes weren't deserving of the title shot either by having 5 star players admit to selling their Big 10 championship rings and game gear to OSU boosters. Next time Gordon, sweep around your own front door before you go sweeping others.

But wait! Gordon's not alone when it comes to dining on crow. Seated across the dinner table is none other than OSU head coach Jim Tressel, Mr. Sweater Vest himself.

It always puzzled me that Terrelle Pryor and the other 4 players were so adamant on returning to Ohio State next year to face a 5 game suspension rather than head for the NFL. I mean Pryor proved he was NFL-ready but he chose to remain with the Buckeyes to play just 7 games next year when he could have made millions as a backup quarterback on an NFL roster. My theory is Pryor and his 4 teammates felt obligated to return after their coach, who knew of their rule violations almost a year ago, attempted to cover up the issue to keep his guys on the field.

According to Tressel, he felt he was "doing the right thing" for the safety of his players. Come on Jim! You were doing the right thing for the safety of your job! We all know you've been on the hot seat for two years and you needed a championship run or at least a BCS bowl victory to save your job. Nice try Jim.

Maybe next time, Gordon will keep a hushed mouth when it comes to who is worthy of playing and who is not. And maybe Tressel will urge his players to do the right thing and follow the rules of being a student-athlete. But that probably won't happen, Jim has a history of covering up for players who break the rules. Remember Troy Smith and Maurice Clarett?

Who's Clutch? It Ain't the "King"

Let the debating end now! LeBron James is not a better player than Kobe Bryant…PERIOD!

While both have phenomenal playing skills and can post great numbers in any given game, the Black Mamba makes the King look like a prince in one key area that is arguably the most important: closing out a game.

Over the last two weeks we sat and watched as game after game the Heat had an opportunity late in the game to either nail the coffin on their opponent or make a courageous comeback. In every instance, the ball was in LeBron's hands with less than 10 seconds on the clock. The result was identical in each game - CLANG! - a brick thrown up by James.

Yeah I know you LBJ worshippers think I'm picking on him. Well maybe a little, but I'm also stating facts. LeBron has had many opportunities to prove that he is a clutch performer. The last (and only) time he actually came through was in game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference semis against Orlando. Game 2? A game 2 winning shot is only memorable if that shot is a momentum shifter. We all know the Magic went on the run through LeBron and the Cavs.

On the other hand, Kobe Bryant has a killer instinct that we all once thought LeBron had as well. In a close game we have seen Kobe drive the dagger straight through the hearts of his opponents. I want to see that characteristic in LeBron…I really do! It makes arguing with LeBron loyalist more challenging is their guy is really all they believe he is. Kobe has proven to be the guy you want with the ball in his hands at the end of a game.  LeBron has only proven he can shed a tear with his teammates. More on that in my next blog. Crying? Really Miami?