NBA Lockout...Who Cares?

May I have your attention please?

In case you were not aware, the National Basketball Association has locked out it's players for the past four months and all training camps and pre-season games are postponed. The regular season will be altered, if not cancelled altogether, very soon. Thank you for your attention, you may now go back to your regularly scheduled lives.


I guess David Stern, the NBA owners, Derek Fisher and the players association haven't gotten them memo that no one cares about their labor dispute. Let's be real. Is anyone besides David Aldridge, Stephen A. Smith and Chris Broussard paying attention to the NBA lockout?

Hey NBA! It's football season! You're irrelevant right now!

The average sports fan, is not concerned with the NBA until after the Super Bowl and the NBA knows this. Why else does ABC wait until February to broadcast games every weekend? No one truly gets engulfed in the NBA season until mid-April because of the NCAA tournament. Come to think of it, the NBA isn't even king of it's own sport! If the entire season was cancelled, I personally would be OK with it. With several stars choosing to play overseas, may they will learn how to play fundamental basketball. The refs may need to go overseas too for that matter.

The Players Association fails to realize the owners ain't trippin' off not having a season. They're saving money! They don't have to pay outrageous salaries but they still get the guaranteed TV money and revenue from their arena's non-NBA events. Within the next few weeks, we'll start seeing some players ready to jump ship when that first check is not deposited in the bank.

Now I know there are some folks, besides the players, who are truly worried about the possible cancellation of the season:

• Tattoo parlors in every NBA city - I feel for you. I really do. Monta Ellis has boosted the city of Oakland's economy with his body art alone.
• Club Owners - You'll get by. The rappers got you covered.
• Baby Mama's and their lawyers - No income, no child support.
• Metta World Peace - Tell Ron we said "wassup!"
• Basketball Wives - Never mind, you're just as irrelevant as the lockout.
• Wannabe models in LA, Miami and Atlanta - Where will you go now to fake the funk?
• Jay-Z - Your fellow owners want you sitting courtside, not in the board room with them. 

So we'll see you in November 2012 NBA, we'll be back. Well...at least some of us will. You may want to talk to your friends in Major League Baseball to see what cancelling a season can do.

And So the Trial Begins...Why?!

Barry Bonds faces possible jail time, but is it fair?

Today is a day many in the baseball media have longed for. A day they hope is the beginning of the big bully finally getting what he deserves. Ah yes, today baseball's home run king Barry Bonds will stand trial in U.S. District Court on four counts of perjury.

Wait at minute! Did I just say home run king? Yes I did, as should every red-blooded baseball fan!

The government is accusing Bonds of lying to a grand jury about his use of anabolic steroids. In December 2003, Bonds testified during the BALCO investigation he used substances identified by the government as "the cream" and "the clear," both anabolic steroids, but Bonds said he believed they were arthritis balm and flaxseed oil.

Did Bonds lie to the grand jury? Who knows. Honestly I don't care, but what I do care about is whether a man is treated fairly in a county that prides itself on "equality". Let's look at scenario from a wide angle lens for a moment:

• Barry Bonds has never tested positive for steroids in his baseball career and has vehemently denied knowingly using any banned substance.
• Rafael Palmiero testified on Capitol Hill and wagged his finger at the congressmen on the panel while strongly denying ever using steroids. We found out later that Palmiero was a regular steroid user, however the government announced they would not seek perjury charges against Palmeiro.
• Mark McGwire refused to answer questions at the Congressional hearing and for years denied his involvement in steroid use. Last year he finally admitted using steroids in order to accept a job as the St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach and eventually find his way back on the road to Cooperstown.

One of these kids is not like the others.

I feel bad for Bonds, I really do. He's in a lose-lose situation here. On one hand if he's cleared of all charges, Major League Baseball will still continue to blackball him from the game. On the other hand, his case is very similar to Marion Jones. Both denied knowingly using PEDs. After much pressure from the IOC, Jones admitted her guilt and was sentenced to 6 months in prison. What will the sentence be for Bonds if he is found guilty?

Sadly the real culprits in the scandal will never be brought up on charges. Prosecutors have yet to turn their attention to the source of the problem. They have their eyes set on the accused $5 drug users while the king pin continues to live high and mighty. In this case, the king pin is Major League Baseball. For years they turned a blind "eye" to the rampant use of PEDs in the sport because the bigger the players were, the larger their revenue became.

Commissioner Selig and MLB execs, we can only hope the day will come for you to stand trial as well. But I won't hold my breath, your buddies in Washington have had your back for a long time.

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?

Time For the Heat to MAN UP

After yesterday's 87-86 loss to the surging Chicago Bulls, a few undisclosed players on the Miami Heat reacted in a way that has even their loyal fans saying, "Man up!". In his post-game presser Heat head coach (for now) Eric Spolstra described the atmosphere in his team's locker room. "This is painful for every single one of us to go through this, there are couple of guys crying in the locker room right now, it is not a matter of want," Spoelstra said.

Really? I mean really Miami? You got guys shedding tears over a regular season loss? So the Heat is now a 12 and under AAU team? Granted the Heat are currently on a 4-game losing streak and have missed 13 consecutive shots with a chance to tie or lead a game in the final 10 seconds of regulation or overtime (LeBron James has missed four during this current losing streak alone). The team is slumping but is that enough to cry about? Honestly the Heat looked worse when they opened the season at 10-8. They are a virtual lock for the 3-seed in the East and can easily capture the 2-seed (currently 1 game behind the Bulls). So why all the crying?

Trust me, I'll be the first to admit that competition brings out emotion. As an athlete there were several occasions which I cried. I shed a few tears after a tough loss but those were championship games. I also balled like a baby when a hamstring injury ended my baseball playing days. We've seen even the great Micheal Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal cry, but only after winning a championship. The only player I can recall crying over a regular season loss is Terrell "That's My Teammate" Owens.

Now the question circling American Airlines arena is this: Who was actually crying? The answer will forever remain a mystery but we can narrow down the suspects easily. First, eliminate all non-starters from the list. Yesterday the bench contributed 6 points, 8 rebounds and 0 assists. The bench has been a non-factor most of the season so why would any of them cry now? So that leaves the five starters. Hmm...OK now we're getting someplace. We can now eliminate Erick Dampier. Why? Because he's Erick Dampier! When was the last time he's shown any emotion? Yesterday's line for Dampier: 0-4-0, and only one of those boards was on offense. That leaves us with James, D-Wade, Chris "What Is My Role on this Team" Bosh and Mario Chalmers.

Now according to Spolstra's statement, a "couple" players we're crying. So most likely one of their Big 3 was crying. It doesn't matter who it was, all I want is for this team to man up and make the run to the playoffs as entertaining on the court as we all expected it to be. The NBA is supposed to be where amazing happens...amaze me Miami!! I mean that's what this team what put together for, right?

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?

The "Exit Interview" list

Thursday 2.10.2011 we saw one of the great coaching minds in NBA history hang it up. No matter how you felt about the Utah jazz, Jerry Sloan was as consistent and good a coach as any team could ask for. You don’t hold the same job in such a fickle environment for 23 years unless you are good at what you do. Most of us have only been doing any one thing for that long because it is essential for survival (breathing, for instance) and some of us have not even been breathing that long.

Sloan was the definition of old school, a hard-nosed guy who was the same on the court with the Bulls as he was with a clipboard on the Jazz bench. I have never been a Jazz fan, but watching them play you could always tell they were an extension of Sloan’s toughness and game smarts on the court. Jerry will be missed if only because we are so used to seeing him. But rather than dwell on what happened in Utah leading up to his resignation or trot down a memory lane that makes me talk about Karl Malone (not doing it) I had a better idea.

In honor of Sloan, who should no doubt be given a gold watch in honor of his service to the NBA, let’s take a look at all the guys in the NBA who are either close to hanging it up or should be FORCED to find a new form of employment. I call it the “Exit Interview” list, but it can also be considered the solution to the NBA’s cash flow problem. The list has two outcomes:

1. You leave with the obligatory Gold Watch. A symbol of all you have brought to the game and a thank you from the NBA and its fans. This doesn’t mean you were necessarily a champion, but you were a high level contributor for enough years to warrant recognition.

2. You are presented with a Bill. You may not think you are done yet, but you are done. The NBA and the fans have had enough of you stealing money or hanging on waaaay past your prime, which may have been a season and a half long. You are being held accountable for the time wasted watching you fail or overvalue yourself or literally steal money from an organization. The official poster child for this category is Sasha “the machine” Vujacic. If you think that may be harsh, consider this. He gave himself that nickname, and that’s really enough reason right there. On board? Good, let’s take a look at the list as it stands today in no particular order.

Hostage situation? Presumably how Sasha negotiated his last Lakers contract.

(Guidelines: 5 year minimum in the league. Either relatively close to retirement or should already be retired.)

Gold Watch: Great to have you, thanks for playing

Mike Bibby: You almost reached Sam Cassell status with the big shot ability and late game threat persona. Then you went to Atlanta, where the lack of heart has been documented on this very blog.

Ray Allen: Jesus Shuttlesworth

Kevin Garnett

Shaquille Oneal

Jason Kidd

Dirk Nowitzki

Baron Davis: I'm giving him the watch, mostly because of the "what if his knees had held up" argument. And because of the dunk over AK47 in the 2007 West Semis.

Kobe Bryant

Derek Fisher: please know you only get the watch because of the name above you...and the one 4 names above him. Now retire.

Jason Williams: White Chocolate? Yeah he hung on too long but the elbow pass?? The crossover on Gary Payton!...nuff said.

Zydrunas Ilglauskas: 11 years in Cleveland, give the man SOMETHING

Lebron James

Dwyane Wade

Vince Carter: One more overrated injury, and you get a bill

Steve Nash

Grant Hill: Vince Carter could learn a thing or two from him

Marcus Camby: I'm giving it to him, hometown bias

Tim Duncan

Antonio McDyess: If you remember him in Denver with the ridiculous hops and subsequent knee surgeries, it’s amazing he is still getting it done at any level.

Chauncey Billups

Antawn Jamison

Bill: You ain't got to go home...

Sasha Vujacic: Poster child. This is your FINAL notice. If the NBA does not receive payment they will be forced to repossess your supermodel and your hair ties.

Etan Thomas

Jermaine Oneal: Yes the years in Indiana were good, but short. The time spent on the bench in Portland and in Miami loom large. Plus he may be 32, but his knees are 78 years old each.

Marquis Daniels

Shaun Livingston

Kwame Brown: When you were found hiding in your SUV with empty McDonald’s bags, we should have known.

Boris Diaw

Brian Scalabrine: At this point, only Steelers fans are impressed by the towel waiving.

Keith Bogans

Anthony Parker

Mo Williams: Make checks payable to “South Beach”

Anderson Verejao: See Mo Williams for preferred method of payment

Brian Cardinal

Brendan Haywood

Anthony Carter

Melvin Ely

Al Harrington

Chris Wilcox

Charlie Bell

Dan Gadzuric

Vladimir Radmanovic

Jared Jeffries

TJ Ford

Jeff Foster: Yeah I remember that crazy rebounding streak you had in the 03-04 playoffs. Don’t tease if you can’t deliver.

Rasual Butler

Brian Cook

Ryan Gomes

Luke Walton

Joe Smith

Theo Ratliff: Really? Doesn't it seem like Ratliff was drafted in 1989?

Eric Dampier: I saw you at Mississippi State, and you are no you at Mississippi State

Juwan Howard: Fab 5...this one hurts. But that 105 million dollar contract and no memorable production justify it

Jamal Magloire: You were an All Star once, should have quit while you were ahead

Earl Boykins: short is no excuse

Keyon Dooling

Darko Milicic: This is your second notice, pay up

Sebastian Telfair: Stay in school kids

Troy Murphy

Quinton Ross

Marcus Banks

Willie Green

DJ Mbenga

Eddie Curry

Royal Ivey

Morris Peterson

Malik Allen

Tony Battie

Jason Kapono

Sean Marks

Beno Udrich

Reggie Evans

Francisco Elson

Ronnie Price

EVERY Duke player ever drafted who is NOT named (Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Chris Duhon, Corey Maggette, Shane Battier, Grant Hill, Luol Deng or *barely* JJ Reddick)

The list is fluid and up for debate. At least 2 cents welcome.

-Khari Rose-

Atlanta - Home of America's Worst Fans

Here's a fact that may be hard for Atlanta professional sports fans to accept: Atlanta will never be considered a championship town! Yes I said it, so loosen up your butt cheeks Braves, Falcons, Thrashers and Hawks fans. Atlanta is fortunate to be one of 13 U.S. media markets to have a team from each of the four major sports leagues. Including the Division I college sports at Georgia Tech and nearby University of Georgia, there is never any sports down time in this town. With year-round sports entertainment "The ATL" should be crowned the sports mecca of the South. Living here you'll soon see how the fans have tarnished the shine on that crown.


Last night I attended the Hawks vs. 76'ers game at Philips Arena. I arrived 5 minutes before tip-off to an 80% empty arena. Growing up a Lakers fan I know all about late arrivals, so I gave the fans the benefit of the doubt until the 2nd quarter. Nothing changed in the lower or upper decks before halftime. The Hawks trailed by double-digit margins the entire game and the crowd could not enough muster up enough energy to boo their team's horrible performance. I surveyed the crowd and it seemed like I was at a social gathering rather than a basketball game featuring two playoff contenders. An overwhelming amount of metrosexual men wearing shades indoors couldn't even grab a beer and hot dog because they were too worried about messing up their suede blazers and $300 jeans. The ladies texted and tweeted all night and looked as if they just left a video shoot. The only time it got impressively loud is when Harry, the Hawks' mascot, shot t-shirts into the crowd at 100+ miles per hour. The Hawks only near sell out games are when Kobe or LeBron come to town. Any other time, there would be no problem walking up on game night and buying a courtside seat. Atlanta does not live and die with their pro sports teams like in towns like Boston, St. Louis and Chicago; instead they wait until free Chick Fil-A sandwich night to come out in large numbers.


What gives Atlanta? Do you not realize it takes you filling the place for your team to perform consistently on a championship level? No superstar free-agent would consider Atlanta when they know they can go elsewhere to play in front of sell out home crowds.


I know what you're about to say Falcons fans, "we sold out every home game this past season." This is true you did...technically...but logging onto NFL.com or any ticket reselling website you'd find thousands of Falcons tickets available all season long. Not even the faithful season-ticket holders were regular attendees! The fair-weather Falcons fans only showed up so strong this year because the team was actually good. Let's see where they will be next season if the Falcons play a more difficult schedule and lose two or three games in a row.


The Braves and Thrashers are a lost cause. Turner Field and Philips Arena sit in neighborhoods where the demographic is 80% African-American, however neither team effectively markets toward the non-Suburban fan. When you're in a town where whites are the minority, you better find a way to include the majority in your marketing plans. Kids and families on the southeast side of Atlanta can't relate to Chipper Jones or Andrew Ladd but they might be intrigued by Jason Heyward or Evander Kane (yes the Thrashers have a black guy on their roster, as a matter of fact they have two).


Real Atlanta sports fans, take your teams and your city back! Tell the Atlanta Housewives, rappers and groupies to take their Coach bags, Coogi jeans and Prada shoes elsewhere. Otherwise, you'll never see a championship parade on Peachtree Street in your lifetime.