We have all heard the phrase hindsight is 20/20 right? Looking back that phrase is definitely true, and things are crystal clear now.
I remember Shaq and Kobe winning their last championship together, and thinking this is not even fair. The two of them are so young and could challenge the Bull 6 championships in 8 years record. They could even be a part of the team that goes 73-9 to eclipse the Bulls record for wins in a season.
I remember also thinking my Pistons were in trouble going against an all-star laden Lakers team in 2004. Yeah, Rasheed made the guarantee in Indianapolis and backed it up, because of “The Block”. Chauncey, Rip, Tay, Ben and the rest of fellas were balling that year, but this was the Lakers with possibly four hall of famers, plus a hall of fame coach.
When I was sure Dwayne Wade would be chosen to wear the Red, White, and Blue with the second pick in the draft. He would be chosen for the body of work he had done in college, and would come and form the second best trio of guards in Piston History.
As you can see I have been wrong a time or two. Looking back, it is all too clear to me now. There will be plenty of times in life we are found to be wrong, but it is what you do after that makes the difference.
So I have decided after watching the 2009 NBA draft unfold, that I will take a wait and see attitude. I will wait and see if all the trades and draft choices that I thought were wrong actually turn out to be correct. I had to take off my general manager hat and just be a fan without a voice or an opinion.
That is the hard part, to just sit back and let the professionals do the job they are paid to do. But I know so much and my help could be beneficial to them, I think. But time and again my opinion is left floating in space unheard, even after screaming my advice as loud as I could at the television.
Ricky Rubio, then Johnny Flynn, and Ty Lawson too, what are you doing? DeJuan Blair second round? Oh well, I guess there is always next year. Just wait and see, that is what I have to remind myself time and again.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Now What?
Now that the NBA Finals are complete and we have a new champion, now what? No men's basketball for 5 months.
To fill my Basketball Jones, I will be tuning in to check out the WNBA, and supporting their 2008 champion Detroit Shock. For anyone who hasn't given the WNBA a look, please do so. The game is still the game, so tune in to see them do their thing.
I will be playing as much outdoors as my knees can take. There is nothing like playing outside and hearing the sound of chain nets, if you can find them anymore. I will also be watching Black Magic, reading books, and attending AAU tournaments all in the effort to satisfy my Basketball Jones. November can't come soon enough.
Dwight Howard
D you are a very good young player that has a very bright future. This summer watch tape of Patrick Ewing steal his jumper, Hakeem Olajuwon steal his footwork, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar steal the sky hook, David Robinson steal his free throw shooting. Combine their unique talents with those you already possess and the sky is the limit for you. There are plenty of other examples to watch and learn from, and I am sure you will because that just seems like the type of young man your are. All the best to you, keep smiling and enjoying the game.
Baller-In-Chief
If you are like me, you like the fact that President Barack Obama is a baller. He enjoys shooting the rock just as much as many of us do, and follows the game as we know from his NCAA bracket. If you like to follow what President Obama is doing in and around the basketball court check out Baller-In-Chief blog http://baller-in-chief.com/ by Claude Johnson, it is well worth reading.
To fill my Basketball Jones, I will be tuning in to check out the WNBA, and supporting their 2008 champion Detroit Shock. For anyone who hasn't given the WNBA a look, please do so. The game is still the game, so tune in to see them do their thing.
I will be playing as much outdoors as my knees can take. There is nothing like playing outside and hearing the sound of chain nets, if you can find them anymore. I will also be watching Black Magic, reading books, and attending AAU tournaments all in the effort to satisfy my Basketball Jones. November can't come soon enough.
Dwight Howard
D you are a very good young player that has a very bright future. This summer watch tape of Patrick Ewing steal his jumper, Hakeem Olajuwon steal his footwork, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar steal the sky hook, David Robinson steal his free throw shooting. Combine their unique talents with those you already possess and the sky is the limit for you. There are plenty of other examples to watch and learn from, and I am sure you will because that just seems like the type of young man your are. All the best to you, keep smiling and enjoying the game.
Baller-In-Chief
If you are like me, you like the fact that President Barack Obama is a baller. He enjoys shooting the rock just as much as many of us do, and follows the game as we know from his NCAA bracket. If you like to follow what President Obama is doing in and around the basketball court check out Baller-In-Chief blog http://baller-in-chief.com/ by Claude Johnson, it is well worth reading.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Letter to LeBron
Dear LeBron,
As a fan I can't help but be interested in your career. You seem to be a great young man with enormous talent. I miss the LeBron's this season and hope they make a return. But, my concern is free agency and what that could mean for you.
For several years my friends and I made at least one trip per season to Cleveland from the great State of Michigan to enjoy a weekend that featured the Cavaliers. It has come to my attention that you could become a free agent next year and decide to play elsewhere.
This is where I come in to bring light to what could be a dark situation. You are currently enjoying the dream of playing in your home state, not far from where you grew up in Akron. There is no need to leave now or later in your career. Cleveland is where you belong, unless you would like to move up north a bit. Seriously, you have to do what is best for you and I fully understand that. But, what is best for you is Cleveland and that also happens to be great for me.
Cleveland is but a 2 1/2 hour trip south from my house to the Q, barring a stop by Ohio's finest that is. I've seen the transformation in Cleveland since you arrived. My first trip down was for Michael Jordan's last game at Gund Arena, and for that game my friends and I could have sat courtside. Tickets courtside would have been great, however we chose a different option that provided for more excitement. In contrast, for our last trip there we were sitting up near the catwalk, pretty much a step from the roof. But the excitement was great, you put on a show that night. But of course we are hoping for better seats next time. Please put in a good word with the ticket people for me.
Cleveland is where you belong and I just don't think you should even consider going anywhere else. That is unless of course you want to wear Red, White and Blue. Just a thought.
As a fan I can't help but be interested in your career. You seem to be a great young man with enormous talent. I miss the LeBron's this season and hope they make a return. But, my concern is free agency and what that could mean for you.
For several years my friends and I made at least one trip per season to Cleveland from the great State of Michigan to enjoy a weekend that featured the Cavaliers. It has come to my attention that you could become a free agent next year and decide to play elsewhere.
This is where I come in to bring light to what could be a dark situation. You are currently enjoying the dream of playing in your home state, not far from where you grew up in Akron. There is no need to leave now or later in your career. Cleveland is where you belong, unless you would like to move up north a bit. Seriously, you have to do what is best for you and I fully understand that. But, what is best for you is Cleveland and that also happens to be great for me.
Cleveland is but a 2 1/2 hour trip south from my house to the Q, barring a stop by Ohio's finest that is. I've seen the transformation in Cleveland since you arrived. My first trip down was for Michael Jordan's last game at Gund Arena, and for that game my friends and I could have sat courtside. Tickets courtside would have been great, however we chose a different option that provided for more excitement. In contrast, for our last trip there we were sitting up near the catwalk, pretty much a step from the roof. But the excitement was great, you put on a show that night. But of course we are hoping for better seats next time. Please put in a good word with the ticket people for me.
Cleveland is where you belong and I just don't think you should even consider going anywhere else. That is unless of course you want to wear Red, White and Blue. Just a thought.
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