KOBE BRYANT - THE GREAT DIVIDE

Where is the love?

When discussing the NBA's best player over the past several years, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground.

You either love or hate Kobe Bryant.

I can understand the love.  Bryant is fiercely intense, always engaged on the court.  He demands the best of himself on both ends of the floor.  At times, he makes the incredible look routine.  With each postseason appearance and NBA Championship ring, he creeps ever so softly into the Jordan discussion.  He may never be crowned with the "Best Ever" label, but Bryant definitely owns property in the neighborhood.

You'd expect a player with those attributes and drive to be cherished and admired by all who claim to be students of the game. You don't necessarily have to root for Bryant, but you should  at the very least, respect his talent.

So why the hate?  Especially it seems from women.  Is it totally based on the 2003 Colorado incident when he was accused of sexual assault?  A case that prosecutors dropped after his accuser was unwilling to testify.  Of course, she later brought a separate civil suit against him that was settled out of court.  One only needs to read the details of the case to make a judgement on what possibly happened that night.  But since there was no one else in the room that night except for Bryant and her, it became a he said, she said regrettable moment in their lives.

I would like to know how many women would stay with their man if they truly believed he was a rapist?  Sure, the financial cost to Kobe was astronomical.  There's never been an account of how much the civil suit was settled for.  He lost a number of endorsements (only to eventually either gain most back or get new ones).  Bryant also did what all guys do when they really have to apologize to the wife.  Nothing says I love you like a 4 million dollar ring.  To this date, Vanessa is still Mrs. Bryant.  Guess Kobe had to wait on purchasing the big screen TV that year.   

Is the hate because Kobe isn't outwardly fun loving as say Dwight "Superman" Howard?  If that's the case, and he's judged as being unapproachable, too bad.  There's no law that says Kobe has to kiss babies and pose for photos.  If he isn't on Facebook or didn't accept your friendship request, get over yourself.  If Kobe doesn't Tweet, perhaps he realizes he doesn't have to brag or boast or let you into his world.

Is it that Bryant sometimes gets on his teammates for not giving more when they should be leaving everything on the floor?  Michael Jordan certainly required the best from his supporting cast and they were better for it.  A lot of people and players in the league didn't like Jordan either.  Six rings and the Hall of Fame later, guess we know who dominated that era. 

When Kobe Bryant walks through the tunnel to take the court, I wonder if the lyrics of a popular song are   looping through his head.

So hate on but guess what

I feel like I can't miss

I know they want me to fall

But ain't nothing bigger than this

So just pass me the ball

You know you looking at a...

Winner

Winner

Winner

MIDNIGHT RUN

WHEN WINNING ISN'T ENOUGH

Late last night, Mike Brown learned two things. 

One, it ain't easy being Cinderella.  Like the babe with the glass slippers, Brown had to hit the road before midnight.  Though in this economy, I wish someone would send me packing with a severance check of over two million dollars.  If the Cavs had let the clock tick to midnight, they would have been on the hook for 4.5 million.

Brown guided the Cavs to the ball in each of his five seasons at the helm, making it to the big dance in 2007.  Brown's record of 317-177 makes him the most successful coach in Cavs history and he was tabbed coach of the year in 2009.  Guess he forgot how to coach in one season.

The second thing Brown learned is why Phil Jackson is so revered.  It ain't easy coaching superstars.  Jackson has handled and gotten the respect of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant -- no small order.  But championships don't lie, and Jackson has run out of ring fingers.

Understanding that James was one of the prominent faces of the new NBA, Brown was careful not to publicly criticize the franchise.  That street didn't run booth ways.  James had no problem in past years questioning Brown's offensive strategies and during the recent Boston series, when O'Neal sat on the bench except for 49 seconds in the fourth quarter of a Game 4 loss, James openly wondered why.

Knowing Brown was being evaluated by owner Dan Gilbert and General Manager Danny Ferry, James elected to have no input, which in itself was an indictment.  If James wanted Brown back, all he had to do was pick up a phone or in this social networking age, even a tweet would have been sufficient.

 

Again, don't feel too bad for Brown. He'll certainly get another job and has a nice down payment toward the purchase of another house.  And there were times in the series against Boston when he seemed clueless as to how to combat the cohesiveness of the Celtics veteran squad.  Remember, it wasn't long ago that critics said Doc Rivers couldn't coach either.  Talent has a funny way of paving the way for success.  To that end, how much responsibility falls on Cavs management?  They tried to surround James with workable pieces but the Cavs have learned the hard way deficiencies show up in the playoffs.  Why didn't the Cavs for instance go after Pau Gasol when the Lakers snapped him up from Memphis?  I can tell you for a fact the Cavs never thought they had a shot to get the All-Star center, but somehow the Lakers found a way.

While the James sweepstakes chatter continues, perhaps he has learned one lesson.  Magic Johnson did it.  Jordan did it.  Kobe went through it and DeWayne Wade endured it.  All either had coaches fired or sat on the sideline while management figured it out.

WHERE IS THE BROTHERLY LOVE?

TIME FOR CHANGE?

If Donovan McNabb was a prima donna, I wouldn't care so much.

If Donovan McNabb was out smacking or abusing women, assaulting law enforcement or threatening reporters, I wouldn't give him a second thought.

If Donovan McNabb was taking shortcuts by using steroids or a habitual drug user, I'd write him off.

If Donovan McNabb finally gave a press conference and criticized his head coach or the Philadelphia Eagles front office, I wouldn't hold it against him.  But, I know he won't do that or any of the things above because Donovan McNabb is a class act.

It's a darn shame that the City of Brotherly Love can't show that brother any love. 

If you seriously think backup quarterback Kevin Kolb is a better option for the Eagles at the moment, congratulations on being able to see into the future.  If the Eagles are willing to unload McNabb because they think Kolb is ready and believe it's a good financial move to boot, it's their money, their right to decide the future of their franchise.

The reality of being a professional athlete is that few teams reward life-long performance.  The Bulls let Michael Jordan walk, the Philadelphia 76ers got rid of Wilt Chamberlain, Willie Mays ended his career in New York, Joe Montana in Kansas City.

Entering his 12th NFL season, McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia has never taken on that 'Take your coat off, stay awhile' feel.  He was booed by fans when the Eagles selected him second overall in the 1999 draft, right behind Tim "Ouch" Couch.

All McNabb has done in return is lead the Eagles to five NFC Championship games, four consecutive NFL East Division Championships (2001-2004) and a Super Bowl appearance against the New England Patriots in which the Eagles came up short.

The rap on McNabb is that he can lead you to water, but can't quite fill up the glass.  The unfairness of it all is that the bulk of criticism falls on his shoulders.  It has often been debated that the fault lies with head coach Andy Reid's pass first, pass often philosophy.  Would the Eagles have enjoyed better success if more emphasis had been placed on establishing a running game?

At 33 years old, a banged up McNabb is no longer the running threat he used to be which makes the presence of Michael Vick an intriguing window to the past.  On some level, Vick must remind Reid of that young stud out of Syracuse, fleet of foot with a strong arm.

Do you really unload the team's all time leader in career wins, pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing TDs, so easily?  Banish him to a team like the Oakland Raiders?  McNabb on the Raiders equals what, maybe two or three more wins (They were 5-11 last season)?  In return, if the Eagles get cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, they'd counter the talented bunch of receivers that reside in the NFC East.

A better fit for McNabb?  The San Francisco 49ers.  Bring his 216 career TDs under center and the 49ers immediately solve their QB woes to become the favorite to win the NFC West.  It would be a fitting place for McNabb to play out his career, joining the legendary names of Montana and Steve Young. 

The 49ers are in great shape to make such a deal too.  They possess the 13th and 17th pick in the first round of the upcoming draft.  Add a veteran to the mix and maybe the Eagles would bite.

For McNabb, it would be a strange feeling.  Imagine actually being somewhere where you're wanted and appreciated.



 

CAST A GIANT SHADOW

Simply the best

It's not exactly pump your chest out time if you reside in Michigan.  The state leads the nation in unemployment at over 14 percent.  Michigan is not far behind in pacing the country in foreclosure rates, and its auto industry needed costly government bailouts in order to survive.  Oh, and the Detroit Lions have been the laughing stock of the NFL for years.  Not exactly the kind of stuff that instills confidence.

There is one thing Michigan can be proud about.  Forget the accolades bestowed upon Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Rick Pitino and that crowd.  It should be obvious by now that the best college basketball coach in all the land resides in the thumb state.  There is no one better roaming the sideline than Michigan State Spartans Head Coach Tom Izzo.

If you hardliners need proof, chew on this.  Since 1999, no school has amassed more NCAA tourney games than the Spartans, a terrific 33-10 record -- so far.  Add to that, 6-1 in regional finals, six Final Fours and a national title .  And yeah, State was just there last year in the championship game against North Carolina.  Sick!  Just sick!

Making his his annual run through the tourney, Izzo has had to do it this year after losing Kalin Lucas, his starting point guard, in first half against Maryland.  This has arguably been one of Izzo's best coaching jobs considering this team provided a number of aspirin moments during the regular season.

If Izzo were to get close to the talent that regularly lines up around the corner to wear a Tar Heels or Blue Devils jersey, he'd be cast in stone by now.  I've learned my lesson.  From now on, I'm just going to automatically pencil in the Spartans to make it to at least the Elite 8.

In a day and age where so many youngsters lack discipline, Izzo leaves no doubt as to who is in charge.  Late in the regular season, Lucas bailed on the media after a game, offering no comment.  The next day, he was in front of the cameras, apologizing for his exit the night before.  That's the way things get handled in Izzo's world - take responsibility for your actions.  There's room for healthy discussion, for airing out differences.  The coach is willing to sit down and listen to reason.  When it comes time to perform on the court though, Izzo is darn near a dictator.  He expects and demands that his players leave it all on the floor.

The pro game has come calling to East Lansing more than once and I'm sure other collegiate programs have offered Izzo his own Brinks truck, but so far, thankfully, his response has been 'Go Green. Go White.'

Bracketology (Or, I Really Have No Clue)

The madness hasn't officially begun yet and my head is already spinning.  Did I really watch and record over three hours of a show called "The Experts" on ESPN Sunday night?  This after watching Selection Sunday on CBS, the commercial volume criticism of Dick Vitale (that upset over Virginia Tech not getting in!) and the seemingly running for office analysis of Digger Phelps.  I'm down to 28 percent space left on my Directv HD DVR.  How many more episodes of Burn Notice are left?

ED NEEDS TO TAKE A TIME OUT

Okay, you know when you have one of those Norman Rockwell moments; you can't help but feel good as a dad.

There you are sitting in front of the big-screen TV, the bigger the better because size matters, your young son or daughter adoringly by your side, watching sports, taking a vested interest.  Maybe, just maybe, you have a player in the making. 

The kid is asking all the right questions.  Dad, why did they call a timeout?  What happened to the shot clock? What is traveling? What's defensive interference? (A few NFL refs might want to brush up on that one as well) What's a double-play?  You get the idea.  You've been there.

But, before you can wipe the butter popcorn off your fingers, it's a commercial break.  And without warning, BOOM... there it is.  "Dad... what is Erectile Dysfunction?"

Are you freaking kidding me!  Enough already!  Whatever happened to age appropriate programming?  ED is not exactly the conversation you want to have with your kid during the Lakers-Celtics game.  "Well, son, if I take one of those pills, your mom and I are going to go one-on-one by the fourth quarter.  And there might be overtime."

"Hey dad, it says it can last up to 36 hours."  Of course, if you have a teenage son, his interest peaks when he hears... "If you experience an erection lasting more than four hours... "

And doesn't Las Vegas seem even more tempting with the "Viva Viagra" song?  What happens for a long time in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Oh, sure, the FCC can throw its weight around and issue hefty fines when Janet Jackson's breast gets exposed for the blink of an eye during a Super Bowl halftime show.  But prime-time talk of a stronger, longer lasting erection while the family's together, is advertising at its best.

Growing up, I remember my mom used to have difficulties trying to explain to me what tampons were while she watched her daytime soap operas.  I haven't seen one of those ads in years.  I don't see them during WNBA games, women's college softball, the LPGA.  I guess women really haven't come that far because they're taking a back seat to all those big, bad, pill popping men, some of whom are ready in as little as thirty minutes.

I know ESPN and the various networks showing sporting events need ad revenue to survive but some executive needs to step up and say, we're going soft during certain hours of the day.

There are some conversations better left for the bedroom -- not the family TV viewing room. 

LET'S BRING BACK HAPPY NEW YEAR

For the Kanye West, Lady Gaga generation, there used to be a time when ringing in the New Year meant partying until the wee hours and then waking up late -- 11AM or later -- to be pleasantly greeted with a day long feast of college bowl games.

New Year's Day used to be sacred.

The Rose, Sugar, Cotton and Orange Bowl all headlined on the same day.  The various broadcast networks staggered start times and it was pure fan heaven.  Now when the BCS title game gets underway, it seems at about the same time pitchers and catchers have to report.

WOUNDED TIGER WILL ROAR AGAIN

For the past week and counting, Tiger Woods has had to negotiate the trickiest slope of his life – a slippery one.

In the blink of an eye, the millisecond it takes to get into a car crash, the air bag deflated on his pristine reputation.  Herculean on the golf course, Tiger admitted last week that when off the fairway, he was human like everybody else.  Prone to make mistakes.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Charlie Weis has no defense for getting the axe today. 

He said prior to the Stanford game he'd totally understand if Notre Dame officials decided to give him his walking papers.  Now, unlike most of us, Weis won't
be posting a resume on Monster dot com.  If we mere
mortals got canned, and sent away with 18 million
dollars nicely tucked away in a bank account, it would
be tropical drinks, beach, ocean and Directv for the rest of our lives. 

But not Charlie.  He says at least six NFL teams have expressed interest in him becoming an offensive coordinator.  That sounds like a good place for Weis.

As Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

So the university with egg on its face is Notre Dame.  Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a news release, "We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations."

Weis had a whopping six years left on his contract.  So, what this means if you're a Notre Dame alum is check the caller ID on your phone before answering.  The university just lost a huge chunk of money and they might have their hand out for donations. 
Weis' record of 35-27 in five seasons makes Tyrone Willingham and Bob Davie seem like bargains.

Rest assured the next coach is going to get paid recession dollars.  Here's an idea, how about loading a contract up with incentive bonuses!  Top 10 finish... more money, BCS Bowl game... more money... National Championship... priceless.

Well, send The Leprechaun out on the recruiting trail.  Just keep in mind, there's no longer a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

THAT ANSWER CAME QUICK

C’mon.  Really?

Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies have parted company?
  
You mean the lowly, travelling in the slow lane Grizzlies couldn’t use the services of a 10-time All-Star and former league MVP?