Never has an historical moment been less special.
From perfect games to hitting streaks and everything in between, milestones have become commonplace in Major League Baseball. However, the next history-making event that will take place is one that no one is talking about. And if anyone is talking about it, they are discussing how no one is talking about it.
A-Rod, you have no one to blame but yourself.
On the verge of being the seventh player in MLB history to reach the 600 home run plateau, Alex Rodriguez is arguably receiving the least fanfare and media coverage of the previous six to hit this mark. When he is getting the attention for this feat, it is stuffed in the middle of SportsCenter broadcasts, being seen as an afterthought rather than the extraordinary accomplishment it should be.
The reason A-Rod is not getting the focus from the media is simple: he took steroids.
Since the Yankees third baseman finally admitted in early 2009 that he did, in fact, use performance-enhancing drug during his time with the Texas Rangers, people have taken everything Rodriguez has said and done with a grain of salt.
Sure, he's hit 599 home runs, but could he have without the use of steroids? The time he spent in Texas were arguably his best years statistically, so there are some doubts. But this singular moment is much more than a statistical matter.
A-Rod is the first person to be in this historical position while it was fully known that he took steroids. He is chasing this monumental achievement, but the fans and the league know full well he used an outside advantage to get ahead. Barry Bonds went through similar circumstances, but he stood by his stance that he never used these PEDs. In A-Rod's case, it was a fact.
So, have people gotten behind him? Not really. Outside of the Bronx and its surrounding fanbase, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who was cheering on the veteran slugger or even remotely caring about the eventful home run.
The media has acted likewise. They are covering the feat, but as minimally as possible. There has been some coverage, including at-bats that could be his 600th, discussion on his place in history, and so forth. However, in order for it to come to the forefront of sportscasts and news programs, he had to be at 599. Not 597. Not 598. He had to be as close as possible so the media could not use so much time on him. Maybe they don't want to cover someone who admitted to "cheating," but while it is official and legal, it has to be covered. It's a cross between human emotion and factual happenstance. It's big news, but not as big as it could have been.
Once Rodriguez hits the homer, then what? Things may get a little interesting once he approaches 700. With that figure being much closer to the overall record held by Bonds (or Hank Aaron, depending on who you ask), the coverage will increase. It used to be one of the most heralded records in sports, and still is to an extent, so not hopping along for the ride as a fan or a media outlet would be downright asinine.
Nevertheless, A-Rod is not getting the attention he so desperately craves, and it may be driving him nuts inside. But, he has to live with the consequences of his actions, and he'll get all the attention he wants once the numbers 714 and 755 come into play. It's just a matter of the attention being more positive or negative. Outside of the tri-state area, I'm going to with the latter.
You did this to yourself, Alex. But then again, you may not have hit this many home runs if you didn't do this to yourself in the first place. Quite the paradox, huh.
Such is life. And baseball.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Baseball at the Break: 10 Storylines that will cause intrigue through October
Ah, the Midsummer Classic.
Coming on the heels of the fourth of July, it almost has that holiday-like feel. With games going on everyday from April through September, it almost seems like the sports world stops for those few special days. Many of my fondest memories of childhood center around being at the shore at my grandparents' house, glued to the T.V. for the Home Run Derby and subsequent All-Star Game. It's America's pastime on a grander scale, second only to the World Series.
With that being said, the Fall Classic is just months away, things are just starting to heat up in the race for the playoffs. Teams are looking to make leads bigger, play catch up, or just make things respectable. Players will be attempting to pad their statistics, fight for survival, and ultimately, secure their futures. Things are just getting interesting as we roll through July. Here is a list of the top 10 things to think about as the season draws nearer and nearer to its end:
10. Will Strasburg continue his torrid pace?
Stephen Strasburg is nothing short of a phenomenon. News flash, right? Strasburg has lived up to the hype in every way imaginable, except for one: wins. Yes, the statistic known as "wins" is an overrated statistic due to the offense being a part of it, and it has shown in the case of Strasburg. The kid has only given up more than two runs once in seven starts, and yet stands at 3-2. 3-2? Really? Strasburg should theoretically have five or six wins. The flamethrower from San Diego State is actually starting to fly under the radar because of his mediocre record. He, however, has been anything but. Strasburg has 61 strikeouts in seven starts, a 2.32 ERA, and shows no signs of slowing down. He will continue to dominate because he is that good, but until the Nationals decide they want to give him run support and help him to a few more W's, this prodigy will continue to lose the media attention he deserves. In short, it's a bit of a shame.
9. Will this be Lou's final season?
There has been speculation since last season that this could indeed be Lou's final season as manager not only for the Chicago Cubs, but for any team. Piniella has even gone on record as saying that his job as Cubs' skipper will be his last stop, regardless of when that tenure ends. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, and the team seemingly in a season-long tailspin, my guess would be that "Sweet Lou" will get out before it's too late. His best shot at the ultimate glory of winning a World Series as Cubs manager was 2008, and when the baseball gods did not allow that to happen, it appears that it will not happen under his administration. If Lou decides to sign a new contract following this season, it would be a surprise to anyone and everyone. The Cubs will be venturing in a new direction, becoming sellers as the season hits the trade deadline in mere weeks. That new direction may include a new manager such as Ryne Sandberg with a younger, cheaper team. Lou may not be in the future plans, and if he is, I, along with everyone else, will be surprised and a bit puzzled.
8. Can San Diego hold up in the NL West?
One of the Cinderella stories of the 2010 baseball season has been the surprising success of the San Diego Padres. Being stuck at the bottom of the NL West for the past few seasons, the Padres have been downright awful since their 2007 one-game playoff loss to the Colorado Rockies. With many predicting another fifth place finish for San Diego, it is nothing short of shocking that the team is just one game behind the best record in the National League. A makeshift pitching and timely hitting have made this a quality season so far in southern California. However, this seems more like an illusion rather than a reality. With three very good teams nipping at their heels, the odds are certainly not in the future of the young upstarts. I think the Padres will still end the season on a high note, exceeding expectations of everyone, but once it is all said and done, give the edge to the Dodgers, as they are the most talented team in that division. They'll be the winners come season's end. Nevertheless, you stay classy, San Diego.
7. Can Ubaldo Jimenez reach unimaginable heights?
The real question here should be "Is the 2010 version of Ubaldo Jimenez human?" Nevertheless, his 15 wins at midseason is the most by any pitcher since David Wells accomplished that feat in 2000. Ubaldo is on quite the roll, ranking in the top five in wins (15), ERA (2.20), innings pitched (127.0), WHIP (1.05), and complete games (3). He is having a career year, and his best year to boot. Expect much of the same in the second half from this 26-year-old phenom, but also expect a bit of a drop off. At this pace, Jimenez would have in upward of 28-30 wins, and that is just not plausible. However, expect his win total to increase due to the Rockies surge in the past few weeks. If they continue to flourish, a win total of 23 or 24 would not be out of the question. That seems like a reasonable figure to contend with when the leaves start falling, but also expect his ERA and WHIP to increase a bit. Maintaining those type of statistics is going to be very difficult for the Rockies' ace, so don't count on it. Regardless of all the predictions, one thing is for sure: this kid's got one bright future.
6. Could the Phillies really miss the playoffs?
Third place is not where anyone in Philadelphia envisioned their hometown club at the All-Star break. Quite frankly, neither did I. Nevertheless, that is where the Phils stand as of July 13, and if they want to erase the 4.5 game deficit in the division, they need to start producing some runs. This has been the main problem for the Phils for the past month or so, but it does have an easy answer. Jimmy Rollins was out for quite awhile, and once he made his full-time return, Chase Utley and Placido Polanco went out. Once those two key pieces return to action, the Phillies should have a much easier time in defeding their three-year reign as NL East champs and two-year reign as NL champions. However, another issue needs to be addressed. The backend of the starting rotation has had its problems in the first half of the year, and something needs to be done. The problem lies in the arm of Joe Blanton, and if consistency is not given from him, you're looking at Jamie Moyer as your No. 3 starter. With all due respect to Moyer, who has pitched incredibly this season, you cannot rely on him and Kyle Kendrick in a seven-game playoff series. Heck, relying on Cole Hamels has been a bit of a tense situation, as consistency has not been his strength since 2008. But, in short, once the injuries heal, all the Phillies have to do is pick up a quality, reliable starter, and they should be in the postseason, no questions asked. Well, except for, can they beat the Yankees if given the chance again...
5. Who will win the AL Central?
This three-horse race is shaping up to become a dandy. With the Chicago White Sox coming on strong in recent weeks, it has made the race much more than a runawau victory for the favored Minnesota Twins. My pick preseason was the Detroit Tigers, and they have been channelling their young talent in the best way possible. With both the White Sox and Tigers coming on strong and staying strong up to the All-Star break, it has left the Twins in third place and on the outside looking in. Not only that, but perennial MVP Joe Mauer is having arguably one of the worst years of his career. Now, a .293 average isn't anything to sneeze at, but when you're used to hitting in the mid-.300's, then you've got a problem. The Twins will most certainly make a return to the race once first baseman Justin Morneau returns from injury, and picking up another pitcher via trade before the deadline is not out of the cards for the Twinkies. I also foresee the White Sox falling off a bit, as they have a very good team, but just not one that will hold up as the weeks go on. I'm sticking to my guns and going with the Tigers. If they continue to play the way they've been playing up into the All-Star break, then they can and will win the AL Central in 2010. It'll be tight between Minnesota and Detroit come the end of September, but the Tiggers will take it.
4. Can Texas become a powerhouse?
Texas has gone from a constant in the basement of the AL West to a perennial championship contender in 2010. Staying with a strong young core and an upstart pitching staff has equalled success this season in Texas. The pitching has been the biggest surprise and has always been the biggest problem for the team. With incredible hitters such as Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, and Rafael Palmiero, the Rangers never had the pitching to compliment the pop in the bats. Thusly, the team struggled. Now, with Cliff Lee anchoring a young yet talented staff that includes Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter, along with a fireball closer in Neftali Feliz, the hurlers in Arlington are only going to get better. Combine that with the young hitting of Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Nelson Cruz, and the veteran leadership of Michael Young and Vladimir Guerrero, and you've got yourself some potential here. The divisional outlook makes things even better for Texas. The Angels are still good, but aging. The A's have young talent, but not at their level. The Mariners are at the bottom of the West, and will be for the foreseeable future. They're just not very good. Yes, things look good in the humid confines of the Ballpark in Arlington. How good? See: No. 1.
3. Which team will be left out of the AL East Race?
This may be the most interesting question of all. As long as the Rays stay competitive in the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, then it makes every all the more fun to watch. Initially, one may think that the Yankees could be a lock to secure two of the three playoff spots that will all the likely come from the AL East. This is probably true. They, more than the other two teams, view missing the postseason as the ultimate failure. They also have the most talent in baseball, bar none. They won't allow an early end to their season. As for the second team, I've got to give the nod to the BoSox. The fact that Boston has stayed so competitive despite having their biggest stars on the disabled list for quite some time shows the potential they have once those players come back and contribute. Furthermore, after their hot start, the Rays have shown recently they are indeed human, and once they start to falter in the slightest, the Red Sox will pick up the pieces of their playoff puzzle and finally put it together. Chalk the Yanks to win the division, the Sox as the Wild Card, and the Rays on the outside looking in. Money wins, once again.
2. Can Miguel Cabrera win the Triple Crown?
Yes, this could actually happen. As of the break, the Tigers slugger ranked tied for third in home runs (22), tied for the lead in average (.346), and first in RBIs at 77. At this point, it's easy to speculate, but the last few times a player has come this close, as quickly as the hype came, it went. Cabrera is at the top of his game, so it isn't out of the question that this could happen. He is playing at a level that only Albert Pujols could match in 2010. Right at this very moment, he is that good. If he continues to hit as well as he did leading up to the All-Star break, then it's plausible. My gut instinct, however, says this will not happen on the sheer grounds that it is so difficult for any player to do in today's game. However, if anyone can do it at this stage, it's Miggy. Stay tuned.
1. The Bottom Line: Who will win the 2010 World Series?
It's an easy item to ponder, but there is no sure favorite coming into the final months of the season. The Yankees possess the best record in baseball, and being the defending champs, they have to be considered the favorites. However, don't count out the Rays, Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, or Rangers. Call me crazy, but I've got this strange feeling about those aforementioned Rangers. If they can get past their lack of playoff experience (sans Vladdy and Cliff Lee), then they could end up playing in their first ever World Series. They will have to get past the Yankees, most likely, but this seems like more of a potentially even matchup rather than a forgone conclusion. Remember, the Rangers do have a guy who manhandled the Bronx Bombers in last year's Series...Cliff Lee, anyone? Simply, a hunch folks, so if they do make it, you read it here first.
As for the NL, I'm looking at the Phillies. Yes, we did just ponder their odds of actually missing the postseason coming off of two straight trips to the Fall Classic, but they have all the tools to reclaim their throne once again. Also, if the Phils add another solid starter i.e. Dan Haren, then they have to be considered the odds-on favorite to repeat in the Senior Circuit. I'm going with the Fightins, because with their plethora of talent and abundance of playoff experience, there doesn't seem to be anyone close to them.
With a Texas/Philadelphia World Series, it does have the drama of C-Lee versus his former team, not to mention the powerhouse versus the young upstarts. That's all the drama you need. With that being said, give the series to the Phils. They have it. Just watch.
It all should be interesting come October. And remember, if it happens, it was said here first. If not, it was just a little off. I mean, things have never gotten that crazy and offline in baseball, have they?
One final, somber note: My condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family on their loss of longtime Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. A true hands-on owner who knew what he wanted and what the fans wanted was lost today. He will be greatly missed. Fortunately for him, he was able to see his team take home the championship one more time. George Steinbrenner, Rest in Peace.
Coming on the heels of the fourth of July, it almost has that holiday-like feel. With games going on everyday from April through September, it almost seems like the sports world stops for those few special days. Many of my fondest memories of childhood center around being at the shore at my grandparents' house, glued to the T.V. for the Home Run Derby and subsequent All-Star Game. It's America's pastime on a grander scale, second only to the World Series.
With that being said, the Fall Classic is just months away, things are just starting to heat up in the race for the playoffs. Teams are looking to make leads bigger, play catch up, or just make things respectable. Players will be attempting to pad their statistics, fight for survival, and ultimately, secure their futures. Things are just getting interesting as we roll through July. Here is a list of the top 10 things to think about as the season draws nearer and nearer to its end:
10. Will Strasburg continue his torrid pace?
Stephen Strasburg is nothing short of a phenomenon. News flash, right? Strasburg has lived up to the hype in every way imaginable, except for one: wins. Yes, the statistic known as "wins" is an overrated statistic due to the offense being a part of it, and it has shown in the case of Strasburg. The kid has only given up more than two runs once in seven starts, and yet stands at 3-2. 3-2? Really? Strasburg should theoretically have five or six wins. The flamethrower from San Diego State is actually starting to fly under the radar because of his mediocre record. He, however, has been anything but. Strasburg has 61 strikeouts in seven starts, a 2.32 ERA, and shows no signs of slowing down. He will continue to dominate because he is that good, but until the Nationals decide they want to give him run support and help him to a few more W's, this prodigy will continue to lose the media attention he deserves. In short, it's a bit of a shame.
9. Will this be Lou's final season?
There has been speculation since last season that this could indeed be Lou's final season as manager not only for the Chicago Cubs, but for any team. Piniella has even gone on record as saying that his job as Cubs' skipper will be his last stop, regardless of when that tenure ends. With his contract expiring at the end of this season, and the team seemingly in a season-long tailspin, my guess would be that "Sweet Lou" will get out before it's too late. His best shot at the ultimate glory of winning a World Series as Cubs manager was 2008, and when the baseball gods did not allow that to happen, it appears that it will not happen under his administration. If Lou decides to sign a new contract following this season, it would be a surprise to anyone and everyone. The Cubs will be venturing in a new direction, becoming sellers as the season hits the trade deadline in mere weeks. That new direction may include a new manager such as Ryne Sandberg with a younger, cheaper team. Lou may not be in the future plans, and if he is, I, along with everyone else, will be surprised and a bit puzzled.
8. Can San Diego hold up in the NL West?
One of the Cinderella stories of the 2010 baseball season has been the surprising success of the San Diego Padres. Being stuck at the bottom of the NL West for the past few seasons, the Padres have been downright awful since their 2007 one-game playoff loss to the Colorado Rockies. With many predicting another fifth place finish for San Diego, it is nothing short of shocking that the team is just one game behind the best record in the National League. A makeshift pitching and timely hitting have made this a quality season so far in southern California. However, this seems more like an illusion rather than a reality. With three very good teams nipping at their heels, the odds are certainly not in the future of the young upstarts. I think the Padres will still end the season on a high note, exceeding expectations of everyone, but once it is all said and done, give the edge to the Dodgers, as they are the most talented team in that division. They'll be the winners come season's end. Nevertheless, you stay classy, San Diego.
7. Can Ubaldo Jimenez reach unimaginable heights?
The real question here should be "Is the 2010 version of Ubaldo Jimenez human?" Nevertheless, his 15 wins at midseason is the most by any pitcher since David Wells accomplished that feat in 2000. Ubaldo is on quite the roll, ranking in the top five in wins (15), ERA (2.20), innings pitched (127.0), WHIP (1.05), and complete games (3). He is having a career year, and his best year to boot. Expect much of the same in the second half from this 26-year-old phenom, but also expect a bit of a drop off. At this pace, Jimenez would have in upward of 28-30 wins, and that is just not plausible. However, expect his win total to increase due to the Rockies surge in the past few weeks. If they continue to flourish, a win total of 23 or 24 would not be out of the question. That seems like a reasonable figure to contend with when the leaves start falling, but also expect his ERA and WHIP to increase a bit. Maintaining those type of statistics is going to be very difficult for the Rockies' ace, so don't count on it. Regardless of all the predictions, one thing is for sure: this kid's got one bright future.
6. Could the Phillies really miss the playoffs?
Third place is not where anyone in Philadelphia envisioned their hometown club at the All-Star break. Quite frankly, neither did I. Nevertheless, that is where the Phils stand as of July 13, and if they want to erase the 4.5 game deficit in the division, they need to start producing some runs. This has been the main problem for the Phils for the past month or so, but it does have an easy answer. Jimmy Rollins was out for quite awhile, and once he made his full-time return, Chase Utley and Placido Polanco went out. Once those two key pieces return to action, the Phillies should have a much easier time in defeding their three-year reign as NL East champs and two-year reign as NL champions. However, another issue needs to be addressed. The backend of the starting rotation has had its problems in the first half of the year, and something needs to be done. The problem lies in the arm of Joe Blanton, and if consistency is not given from him, you're looking at Jamie Moyer as your No. 3 starter. With all due respect to Moyer, who has pitched incredibly this season, you cannot rely on him and Kyle Kendrick in a seven-game playoff series. Heck, relying on Cole Hamels has been a bit of a tense situation, as consistency has not been his strength since 2008. But, in short, once the injuries heal, all the Phillies have to do is pick up a quality, reliable starter, and they should be in the postseason, no questions asked. Well, except for, can they beat the Yankees if given the chance again...
5. Who will win the AL Central?
This three-horse race is shaping up to become a dandy. With the Chicago White Sox coming on strong in recent weeks, it has made the race much more than a runawau victory for the favored Minnesota Twins. My pick preseason was the Detroit Tigers, and they have been channelling their young talent in the best way possible. With both the White Sox and Tigers coming on strong and staying strong up to the All-Star break, it has left the Twins in third place and on the outside looking in. Not only that, but perennial MVP Joe Mauer is having arguably one of the worst years of his career. Now, a .293 average isn't anything to sneeze at, but when you're used to hitting in the mid-.300's, then you've got a problem. The Twins will most certainly make a return to the race once first baseman Justin Morneau returns from injury, and picking up another pitcher via trade before the deadline is not out of the cards for the Twinkies. I also foresee the White Sox falling off a bit, as they have a very good team, but just not one that will hold up as the weeks go on. I'm sticking to my guns and going with the Tigers. If they continue to play the way they've been playing up into the All-Star break, then they can and will win the AL Central in 2010. It'll be tight between Minnesota and Detroit come the end of September, but the Tiggers will take it.
4. Can Texas become a powerhouse?
Texas has gone from a constant in the basement of the AL West to a perennial championship contender in 2010. Staying with a strong young core and an upstart pitching staff has equalled success this season in Texas. The pitching has been the biggest surprise and has always been the biggest problem for the team. With incredible hitters such as Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, and Rafael Palmiero, the Rangers never had the pitching to compliment the pop in the bats. Thusly, the team struggled. Now, with Cliff Lee anchoring a young yet talented staff that includes Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter, along with a fireball closer in Neftali Feliz, the hurlers in Arlington are only going to get better. Combine that with the young hitting of Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Nelson Cruz, and the veteran leadership of Michael Young and Vladimir Guerrero, and you've got yourself some potential here. The divisional outlook makes things even better for Texas. The Angels are still good, but aging. The A's have young talent, but not at their level. The Mariners are at the bottom of the West, and will be for the foreseeable future. They're just not very good. Yes, things look good in the humid confines of the Ballpark in Arlington. How good? See: No. 1.
3. Which team will be left out of the AL East Race?
This may be the most interesting question of all. As long as the Rays stay competitive in the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, then it makes every all the more fun to watch. Initially, one may think that the Yankees could be a lock to secure two of the three playoff spots that will all the likely come from the AL East. This is probably true. They, more than the other two teams, view missing the postseason as the ultimate failure. They also have the most talent in baseball, bar none. They won't allow an early end to their season. As for the second team, I've got to give the nod to the BoSox. The fact that Boston has stayed so competitive despite having their biggest stars on the disabled list for quite some time shows the potential they have once those players come back and contribute. Furthermore, after their hot start, the Rays have shown recently they are indeed human, and once they start to falter in the slightest, the Red Sox will pick up the pieces of their playoff puzzle and finally put it together. Chalk the Yanks to win the division, the Sox as the Wild Card, and the Rays on the outside looking in. Money wins, once again.
2. Can Miguel Cabrera win the Triple Crown?
Yes, this could actually happen. As of the break, the Tigers slugger ranked tied for third in home runs (22), tied for the lead in average (.346), and first in RBIs at 77. At this point, it's easy to speculate, but the last few times a player has come this close, as quickly as the hype came, it went. Cabrera is at the top of his game, so it isn't out of the question that this could happen. He is playing at a level that only Albert Pujols could match in 2010. Right at this very moment, he is that good. If he continues to hit as well as he did leading up to the All-Star break, then it's plausible. My gut instinct, however, says this will not happen on the sheer grounds that it is so difficult for any player to do in today's game. However, if anyone can do it at this stage, it's Miggy. Stay tuned.
1. The Bottom Line: Who will win the 2010 World Series?
It's an easy item to ponder, but there is no sure favorite coming into the final months of the season. The Yankees possess the best record in baseball, and being the defending champs, they have to be considered the favorites. However, don't count out the Rays, Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, or Rangers. Call me crazy, but I've got this strange feeling about those aforementioned Rangers. If they can get past their lack of playoff experience (sans Vladdy and Cliff Lee), then they could end up playing in their first ever World Series. They will have to get past the Yankees, most likely, but this seems like more of a potentially even matchup rather than a forgone conclusion. Remember, the Rangers do have a guy who manhandled the Bronx Bombers in last year's Series...Cliff Lee, anyone? Simply, a hunch folks, so if they do make it, you read it here first.
As for the NL, I'm looking at the Phillies. Yes, we did just ponder their odds of actually missing the postseason coming off of two straight trips to the Fall Classic, but they have all the tools to reclaim their throne once again. Also, if the Phils add another solid starter i.e. Dan Haren, then they have to be considered the odds-on favorite to repeat in the Senior Circuit. I'm going with the Fightins, because with their plethora of talent and abundance of playoff experience, there doesn't seem to be anyone close to them.
With a Texas/Philadelphia World Series, it does have the drama of C-Lee versus his former team, not to mention the powerhouse versus the young upstarts. That's all the drama you need. With that being said, give the series to the Phils. They have it. Just watch.
It all should be interesting come October. And remember, if it happens, it was said here first. If not, it was just a little off. I mean, things have never gotten that crazy and offline in baseball, have they?
One final, somber note: My condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family on their loss of longtime Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. A true hands-on owner who knew what he wanted and what the fans wanted was lost today. He will be greatly missed. Fortunately for him, he was able to see his team take home the championship one more time. George Steinbrenner, Rest in Peace.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
LeBron James' Legacy May Be Forever Tarnished
After months and months of speculation and drama as to where LeBron James would ply his trade in 2010,, it was the Miami who were able to swoop in and woo James to their franchise. After getting a commitment from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh just days earlier, James' signing made a lot of people on South Beach very, very happy.
Besides there on those sunny shores, not many other people are as ecstatic. And for good reason.
At least five teams felt led on by James. The Knicks, Bulls, Nets, Clippers, and most notably, the Cavaliers, felt betrayed by LeBron James' decision to complete a "Big Three" in Miami. But as cut-and-dry as the situation may seem, where five teams lost out in the "LeBron James Sweepstakes," it's much more than that. It's a very complex situation, as James had made it himself, and it has major ramifications for the legacy of the two-time reigning NBA MVP.
LeBron has made enemies. Millions of them. Every single fan in New York, Chicago, New Jersey (and soon to be Brooklyn), Los Angeles, and of course, Cleveland, has at least a decent disdain for LeBron. The reason being is that they did feel led on, but also because they feel James has made one of the more selfish decisions in recent sports history.
How does this affect the legacy of James, you ask? Well, James is now, a much more despised player than he was before. In the eyes of the basketball world, he chose the city and the team that appears to be "easy way out."
James could have chosen any other situation, and he would not be as hated as he is now. The Bulls were a team that could have been his and one in which he could have led. The Knicks, Nets, and Clippers were on the rise, and he may have put them back in the forefront of contention for a title. Most of all, no one could have been angry with his decision to remain a Cavalier. It was home. It was all he ever knew. It was where his heart was, and how can you blame a man for wanting to stay home, no matter how good of a team he would have?
However, all of those choices were avoided. He chose the team that already had two superstars on it. He chose the team that many think is already tailor-made to win a title handily. In doing so, LeBron looks like he wants to win a title, and with good reason. But, he also looks like something else: desperate.
Had the yearning for an NBA championship for so long eaten away at James to the point that he felt he had to thrust himself into a position that almost looked unfair? Has he become so blinded by the lure of a championship, that he is willing to throw anything and everything away in order to get it? Yes, the No. 1 goal of an NBA player should be to win a championship, but has anyone ever been in such a situation to compromise everything?
He even compromised his leadership. He was never more of a leader than he was in Cleveland, and he was the Cavaliers franchise, plain and simple. Now, he's a sidekick. He's the No. 2 option to Wade, because quite frankly, this is Wade's team. LeBron knew that going, and he still made the jump to Miami. Now, this brings to mind the question of James' leadership. Was he tired of leading a team? Was he even capable of leading a team to a championship? You cannot doubt his on-the-court leadership and his game-by-game success there as well. However, in terms of the intangible known as leadership, was James ever qualified and able to lead? We may never know, and it may lead to the side of the King not being a quality leader. Simply put, "The King" is no longer "The King" anymore. He's the prince, at best, and that may be the way he wants it. Pressure off from a personal standpoint.
You cannot blame LeBron in trying to win a championship, but there is a fine line in professional sports between ultimate competitive drive and outright selfishness. To many people, LeBron James is the latter, and it remains to be seen if he can capitalize on this new found situation. If he doesn't, then many will see this as James getting what he deserves for being selfish and so shortsighted. If he does, then not many more people than the Heat and its fanbase will be happy. Then again, it appears that James is not trying to impress many more people other than one man: himself.
Besides there on those sunny shores, not many other people are as ecstatic. And for good reason.
At least five teams felt led on by James. The Knicks, Bulls, Nets, Clippers, and most notably, the Cavaliers, felt betrayed by LeBron James' decision to complete a "Big Three" in Miami. But as cut-and-dry as the situation may seem, where five teams lost out in the "LeBron James Sweepstakes," it's much more than that. It's a very complex situation, as James had made it himself, and it has major ramifications for the legacy of the two-time reigning NBA MVP.
LeBron has made enemies. Millions of them. Every single fan in New York, Chicago, New Jersey (and soon to be Brooklyn), Los Angeles, and of course, Cleveland, has at least a decent disdain for LeBron. The reason being is that they did feel led on, but also because they feel James has made one of the more selfish decisions in recent sports history.
How does this affect the legacy of James, you ask? Well, James is now, a much more despised player than he was before. In the eyes of the basketball world, he chose the city and the team that appears to be "easy way out."
James could have chosen any other situation, and he would not be as hated as he is now. The Bulls were a team that could have been his and one in which he could have led. The Knicks, Nets, and Clippers were on the rise, and he may have put them back in the forefront of contention for a title. Most of all, no one could have been angry with his decision to remain a Cavalier. It was home. It was all he ever knew. It was where his heart was, and how can you blame a man for wanting to stay home, no matter how good of a team he would have?
However, all of those choices were avoided. He chose the team that already had two superstars on it. He chose the team that many think is already tailor-made to win a title handily. In doing so, LeBron looks like he wants to win a title, and with good reason. But, he also looks like something else: desperate.
Had the yearning for an NBA championship for so long eaten away at James to the point that he felt he had to thrust himself into a position that almost looked unfair? Has he become so blinded by the lure of a championship, that he is willing to throw anything and everything away in order to get it? Yes, the No. 1 goal of an NBA player should be to win a championship, but has anyone ever been in such a situation to compromise everything?
He even compromised his leadership. He was never more of a leader than he was in Cleveland, and he was the Cavaliers franchise, plain and simple. Now, he's a sidekick. He's the No. 2 option to Wade, because quite frankly, this is Wade's team. LeBron knew that going, and he still made the jump to Miami. Now, this brings to mind the question of James' leadership. Was he tired of leading a team? Was he even capable of leading a team to a championship? You cannot doubt his on-the-court leadership and his game-by-game success there as well. However, in terms of the intangible known as leadership, was James ever qualified and able to lead? We may never know, and it may lead to the side of the King not being a quality leader. Simply put, "The King" is no longer "The King" anymore. He's the prince, at best, and that may be the way he wants it. Pressure off from a personal standpoint.
You cannot blame LeBron in trying to win a championship, but there is a fine line in professional sports between ultimate competitive drive and outright selfishness. To many people, LeBron James is the latter, and it remains to be seen if he can capitalize on this new found situation. If he doesn't, then many will see this as James getting what he deserves for being selfish and so shortsighted. If he does, then not many more people than the Heat and its fanbase will be happy. Then again, it appears that James is not trying to impress many more people other than one man: himself.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
An "Interesting" Question: Who Is the Greatest Laker of All-Time?
Leave it to Kobe Bryant to make things interesting.
After capturing his fifth NBA Championship against his team’s most hated rivals, the 2010 NBA Finals MVP has pushed a debate further into the forefront of NBA fans' minds and Lakers fans' minds alike: Who is the greatest Laker of all-time?
Now, there is a long and talented list to observe here. The Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers have had so many different dynasties, and this may seem like quite the arduous and difficult task. However, yours truly will iron out the wrinkles as it pertains to the top of the heap in Lakers’ lore.
The Lakers have obviously had many greats don the purple and gold over the years. Some have been there since day one; players such as Bryant, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson come to mind in that category.
Others were acquired in the prime of their careers, most notably Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pau Gasol.
A few were also with the franchise for the majority of their careers, making major contributions to the richness and tradition of the team. That list includes Derek Fisher, Byron Scott, Gail Goodrich, and Robert Horry.
Now, my sincerest apologies to any Lakers omitted from the mentions, but these are just a few examples of some of the greatest Lakers in history.
Now, in narrowing this down to one, eliminations need to be made. The third set of Lakers in this piece can all be set aside, although none of their accomplishments as Lakers can ever be taken for granted.
That leaves us nine incredible talents: Bryant, West, Baylor, Worthy, Johnson, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, O’Neal, and Gasol.
Despite his solid career numbers, Gasol hasn’t been a Laker long enough to be considered in this list. He may after his career is over, but for now, he doesn’t have that purple-and-gold tenure.
Down to eight, and now for the hard part. We can take Baylor off the list. His career highlights of 27.4 career points per game, 10-time All-NBA First Teamer, 11 All-Star appearances (and one All-Star MVP in 1959), Rookie of the Year honors in 1959, and has a 71-point game and a 61-point Finals game to his name. He also has an NBA Executive of the Year on his resume, winning it in 2006. Nevertheless, having his career cut short due to injuries along with the fact that he did not win a championship knocks him off the list.
Seven to go. Not too shabby. The only player left on the list who wasn’t the top one or two members of his respective squad was James Worthy. This is a case of right place, wrong time for “Big Game James.” With three championships, seven All-Star appearances, and a 21.1 career playoff scoring average to his name, not to mention the 1988 Finals MVP Award, Worthy is certainly worthy to be mentioned in this conversation, especially due to his clutch play in the postseason, but with teammates Magic and Kareem overshadowing his accolades, he drops from the list at this point.
With six to go, this is where things get a bit dicey. Three hall-of-fame guards and three top-of-the-line centers remain. Who gets eliminated next?
Well, the next to go would be Wilt Chamberlain. In terms of thinking specifically on the Lakers, the others on the list have accomplished more with Los Angeles than Chamberlain did in his six years with the club. Wilt had one of the best careers anyone could ever dream of. He averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 boards per contest in the 1961-62 season. He won two NBA titles, was awarded four MVP awards, made it to 14 All-Star games, was selected to seven All-NBA First Teams, won the scoring title seven times and the rebounding title eleven times. He also has an NBA Finals MVP and a Rookie of the Year award to his credit.
However, with most of those achievements coming as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, it doesn’t help his case as the greatest Laker. If Wilt “The Stilt” would have spent his entire career in L.A., he may have very well topped this list. Nevertheless, Wilt is now officially eliminated.
Now, just five remain. The biggest man left happens to be the next one to be taken away. That man is Shaquille O’Neal. He falls victim, like Wilt, to being in L.A. for only so many years (although to a lesser extent). Shaq ushered in another “Showtime” era in Hollywood, leading the Lakers to three finals in three years. In that span, he won three Finals MVP awards along with the regular season’s Most Valuable Player achievement in 2000. He was also the scoring champ that year as well. Being a 15-time All-Star (winning the game’s MVP honors three times) and an eight-time All-NBA First Teamer has to count for something, doesn’t it? It sure does, and Laker fans will not forget his on-the-court achievements along with his off-the-court charisma that made him a perennial favorite in Lakers history.
One who does not fall victim to tenure despite spending much of his career somewhere else is Mr. Skyhook himself, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The former Lew Alcindor, who was seemingly unguardable at times, may have given the most to Lakers fans over the years. His five titles in the 80s, including wins over the Celtics for the first time in Finals history adorned Kareem to the Laker faithful. He also won two championships as an assistant to Phil Jackson, mentoring Andrew Bynum into a vital piece to the Lakers’ most recent championship puzzle.
Six times the NBA MVP, 19 times an All-Star and 10 times an NBA First Team member, Kareem is arguably the most decorated player in basketball history. Not to mention, his all-time NBA scoring record doesn’t hurt either. Kareem’s contributions on and off the court endear him to Laker fans and basketball fans alike, and his overall kind and gentle demeanor make him and all-time fan favorite. Yes, you can’t do much better than Kareem, but a few surpassed him on this list…
Kareem’s exit leads us to the final three. This was as tough of a decision as it was lengthy, but the reasoning behind will certainly do it justice. Clocking in at third-best Laker of all time is none other than the logo, Jerry West.
West has the resume to make him the best of all-time. He has All-Star appearances (14 with one MVP in 1972) and the NBA All-First Team slots (10). He’s the Lakers second all-time leading scorer, and he won his lone championship in 1972. However, West may be defined by his NBA Finals MVP award in 1969. West is the only player in NBA history to win the honor while being on the losing side. Yeah, he was that good.
Like Kareem, West also has had success with the Lakers after his playing career ended. He may have created another dynasty in Lakerland in 1996 when he signed Shaquille O’Neal and traded Vlade Divac for the 13th overall draft pick of the Charlotte Hornets, a guy by the name of Kobe Bryant. Good moves, huh?
Yes, West has done it all, and with that single championship hurting his stock, he defines what the Lakers are all about, and he defines basketball by being one of the best ambassadors of the game ever.
With two Lakers remaining, it’s easy to tell who’s left to name. However, who’s taking number one?
Lastly being taken off the list is arguably the best player in the game today, Kobe Bryant. This runner-up spot for Bryant is placed with an asterisk, as “Black Mamba” still has a few years left in the 31-year-old frame to add to his already Hall-of-Fame legacy.
Bryant has the distinction of being part of two separate dynasties. With his instrumental involvement in the Lakers’ “Three-peat” from 2000-02 and his leadership in the team’s back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, Bryant has proven that he can be a spark plug, a sidekick, and the best player on the planet. He’s arguably the best defensive player of the last decade (He’s been on the NBA All-defensive First-Team eight times). His five rings (including two Finals MVPs), his regular season MVP award in 2008, his 12 All-Star Game appearances (with three MVP awards in those contests), and his two scoring titles, it may appear to the Laker faithful that Bryant has nothing left to prove. But Kobe would disagree.
Kobe wants to be not only the best Laker in history, but the best basketball player ever. That’s what drives him, and that is why he has matured into the player he is today. If he hadn’t matured from the days after Shaq’s departure, who knows what would have happened to his career.
Nevertheless, Bryant has done it in every way imaginable, and if this still hungry legend continues to play at this high of a level, we may be calling him the greatest ever. Period.
Which brings us to number one: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Simply put, Magic is the best Laker of all-time because is defines everything the Lakers are all about. He’s flashy yet he’s efficient. He’s charismatic yet he’s serious. Magic was always having fun during his tenure in L.A., and when it came down to business, he delivered tenfold.
Magic, like Kobe, has five rings. Magic has three Finals MVP awards. Magic has 12 All-Star games to his name, and Magic has three regular-season MVP awards.
But the Michigan State product was more than that. He was fun to watch. You never knew was he was going to do next. He was creative with his style of play, and he made you love watching the game. He was not only the main usher of the era known as “Showtime”: Magic was “Showtime.” More aptly put: Magic was “magic.”
We’ve never seen anyone like Magic Johnson before, and we’ll be hard pressed to see anyone like him again.
Well, there you have it. Magic is No. 1 in Lakerland, with Kobe looking to overtake him in the next few years. Will he do it? Only time will tell, but in getting back to the opening line of this piece: Yes, Bryant has certainly made it interesting, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Let the debate continue!
After capturing his fifth NBA Championship against his team’s most hated rivals, the 2010 NBA Finals MVP has pushed a debate further into the forefront of NBA fans' minds and Lakers fans' minds alike: Who is the greatest Laker of all-time?
Now, there is a long and talented list to observe here. The Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers have had so many different dynasties, and this may seem like quite the arduous and difficult task. However, yours truly will iron out the wrinkles as it pertains to the top of the heap in Lakers’ lore.
The Lakers have obviously had many greats don the purple and gold over the years. Some have been there since day one; players such as Bryant, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson come to mind in that category.
Others were acquired in the prime of their careers, most notably Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pau Gasol.
A few were also with the franchise for the majority of their careers, making major contributions to the richness and tradition of the team. That list includes Derek Fisher, Byron Scott, Gail Goodrich, and Robert Horry.
Now, my sincerest apologies to any Lakers omitted from the mentions, but these are just a few examples of some of the greatest Lakers in history.
Now, in narrowing this down to one, eliminations need to be made. The third set of Lakers in this piece can all be set aside, although none of their accomplishments as Lakers can ever be taken for granted.
That leaves us nine incredible talents: Bryant, West, Baylor, Worthy, Johnson, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, O’Neal, and Gasol.
Despite his solid career numbers, Gasol hasn’t been a Laker long enough to be considered in this list. He may after his career is over, but for now, he doesn’t have that purple-and-gold tenure.
Down to eight, and now for the hard part. We can take Baylor off the list. His career highlights of 27.4 career points per game, 10-time All-NBA First Teamer, 11 All-Star appearances (and one All-Star MVP in 1959), Rookie of the Year honors in 1959, and has a 71-point game and a 61-point Finals game to his name. He also has an NBA Executive of the Year on his resume, winning it in 2006. Nevertheless, having his career cut short due to injuries along with the fact that he did not win a championship knocks him off the list.
Seven to go. Not too shabby. The only player left on the list who wasn’t the top one or two members of his respective squad was James Worthy. This is a case of right place, wrong time for “Big Game James.” With three championships, seven All-Star appearances, and a 21.1 career playoff scoring average to his name, not to mention the 1988 Finals MVP Award, Worthy is certainly worthy to be mentioned in this conversation, especially due to his clutch play in the postseason, but with teammates Magic and Kareem overshadowing his accolades, he drops from the list at this point.
With six to go, this is where things get a bit dicey. Three hall-of-fame guards and three top-of-the-line centers remain. Who gets eliminated next?
Well, the next to go would be Wilt Chamberlain. In terms of thinking specifically on the Lakers, the others on the list have accomplished more with Los Angeles than Chamberlain did in his six years with the club. Wilt had one of the best careers anyone could ever dream of. He averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 boards per contest in the 1961-62 season. He won two NBA titles, was awarded four MVP awards, made it to 14 All-Star games, was selected to seven All-NBA First Teams, won the scoring title seven times and the rebounding title eleven times. He also has an NBA Finals MVP and a Rookie of the Year award to his credit.
However, with most of those achievements coming as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, it doesn’t help his case as the greatest Laker. If Wilt “The Stilt” would have spent his entire career in L.A., he may have very well topped this list. Nevertheless, Wilt is now officially eliminated.
Now, just five remain. The biggest man left happens to be the next one to be taken away. That man is Shaquille O’Neal. He falls victim, like Wilt, to being in L.A. for only so many years (although to a lesser extent). Shaq ushered in another “Showtime” era in Hollywood, leading the Lakers to three finals in three years. In that span, he won three Finals MVP awards along with the regular season’s Most Valuable Player achievement in 2000. He was also the scoring champ that year as well. Being a 15-time All-Star (winning the game’s MVP honors three times) and an eight-time All-NBA First Teamer has to count for something, doesn’t it? It sure does, and Laker fans will not forget his on-the-court achievements along with his off-the-court charisma that made him a perennial favorite in Lakers history.
One who does not fall victim to tenure despite spending much of his career somewhere else is Mr. Skyhook himself, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The former Lew Alcindor, who was seemingly unguardable at times, may have given the most to Lakers fans over the years. His five titles in the 80s, including wins over the Celtics for the first time in Finals history adorned Kareem to the Laker faithful. He also won two championships as an assistant to Phil Jackson, mentoring Andrew Bynum into a vital piece to the Lakers’ most recent championship puzzle.
Six times the NBA MVP, 19 times an All-Star and 10 times an NBA First Team member, Kareem is arguably the most decorated player in basketball history. Not to mention, his all-time NBA scoring record doesn’t hurt either. Kareem’s contributions on and off the court endear him to Laker fans and basketball fans alike, and his overall kind and gentle demeanor make him and all-time fan favorite. Yes, you can’t do much better than Kareem, but a few surpassed him on this list…
Kareem’s exit leads us to the final three. This was as tough of a decision as it was lengthy, but the reasoning behind will certainly do it justice. Clocking in at third-best Laker of all time is none other than the logo, Jerry West.
West has the resume to make him the best of all-time. He has All-Star appearances (14 with one MVP in 1972) and the NBA All-First Team slots (10). He’s the Lakers second all-time leading scorer, and he won his lone championship in 1972. However, West may be defined by his NBA Finals MVP award in 1969. West is the only player in NBA history to win the honor while being on the losing side. Yeah, he was that good.
Like Kareem, West also has had success with the Lakers after his playing career ended. He may have created another dynasty in Lakerland in 1996 when he signed Shaquille O’Neal and traded Vlade Divac for the 13th overall draft pick of the Charlotte Hornets, a guy by the name of Kobe Bryant. Good moves, huh?
Yes, West has done it all, and with that single championship hurting his stock, he defines what the Lakers are all about, and he defines basketball by being one of the best ambassadors of the game ever.
With two Lakers remaining, it’s easy to tell who’s left to name. However, who’s taking number one?
Lastly being taken off the list is arguably the best player in the game today, Kobe Bryant. This runner-up spot for Bryant is placed with an asterisk, as “Black Mamba” still has a few years left in the 31-year-old frame to add to his already Hall-of-Fame legacy.
Bryant has the distinction of being part of two separate dynasties. With his instrumental involvement in the Lakers’ “Three-peat” from 2000-02 and his leadership in the team’s back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, Bryant has proven that he can be a spark plug, a sidekick, and the best player on the planet. He’s arguably the best defensive player of the last decade (He’s been on the NBA All-defensive First-Team eight times). His five rings (including two Finals MVPs), his regular season MVP award in 2008, his 12 All-Star Game appearances (with three MVP awards in those contests), and his two scoring titles, it may appear to the Laker faithful that Bryant has nothing left to prove. But Kobe would disagree.
Kobe wants to be not only the best Laker in history, but the best basketball player ever. That’s what drives him, and that is why he has matured into the player he is today. If he hadn’t matured from the days after Shaq’s departure, who knows what would have happened to his career.
Nevertheless, Bryant has done it in every way imaginable, and if this still hungry legend continues to play at this high of a level, we may be calling him the greatest ever. Period.
Which brings us to number one: Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Simply put, Magic is the best Laker of all-time because is defines everything the Lakers are all about. He’s flashy yet he’s efficient. He’s charismatic yet he’s serious. Magic was always having fun during his tenure in L.A., and when it came down to business, he delivered tenfold.
Magic, like Kobe, has five rings. Magic has three Finals MVP awards. Magic has 12 All-Star games to his name, and Magic has three regular-season MVP awards.
But the Michigan State product was more than that. He was fun to watch. You never knew was he was going to do next. He was creative with his style of play, and he made you love watching the game. He was not only the main usher of the era known as “Showtime”: Magic was “Showtime.” More aptly put: Magic was “magic.”
We’ve never seen anyone like Magic Johnson before, and we’ll be hard pressed to see anyone like him again.
Well, there you have it. Magic is No. 1 in Lakerland, with Kobe looking to overtake him in the next few years. Will he do it? Only time will tell, but in getting back to the opening line of this piece: Yes, Bryant has certainly made it interesting, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Let the debate continue!
Friday, June 4, 2010
The 2010 Stanley Cup: The True Resurgence of the NHL
Ever since the lockout of the 2004-05 season, the popularity of the NHL had drastically decreased. Once known as one of the four major pro sports in the country, hockey was become an afterthought to the average sports fan. I can't tell you how many times I've talked about hockey over the past few years, only to hear the response of "Who cares?" or "No one likes hockey." That almost seemed tragic.
Oh, what an impact two starving teams can have on a struggling league.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers had long since been craving the taste of the Cup. The Hawks, the team with the longest current championship drought in the NHL, have endured years of failure and futility. But, with good drafting, solid free agent signings, and a little bit of patience, Chicago is a powerhouse in the NHL (and a young one at that), and will remain one for years to come. They were the two seed in the Western Conference, but played like they were number one, knocking out the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks each in six games. In the Western Conference Finals, the Blackhawks handed a lopsided sweep to the top-seeded and hard-luck San Jose Sharks, securing a trip to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since being swept by Mario Lemeuix and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992.
The Flyers are just happy to be there. On the brink of missing the playoffs, the Flyers squeaked their way in over the rival New York Rangers, but no one expected them to advance past the heavily favored two-seed, the New Jersey Devils. But just as quickly as they entered, the Flyers entered round two. This is where they made their history, coming back from down three games to none to defeat the Boston Bruins in seven games. Now entering the conference finals against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens, they were the favorites, and they took care of their business in five games, and were headed to the Stanley Cup, looking for their first championship since 1975. Not since the days of Eric Lindros has the Philly faithful been as excited for a team as they were for this incarnation of the "Broad Street Bullies," and their arrival to the NHL's final series.
With two historically downtrodden teams at the top of their game and currently at the top of the league in the Stanley Cup, this might just be what the doctor ordered to bring the league back to prominence.
Think about it: Would it be more compelling to see the third straight Stanley Cup Finals between the Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. Hardly. Despite the possibility of having yet another great series between these two occur, the casual fan would have been bored by this rehashed matchup.
This 2010 final is different. It's fresh. It's different. It's emotionally-driven and it's storyline driven. It's two starving teams playing very physical hockey to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. It's the team with the longest drought versus the team who's fans make it seem they have the longest title drought.
Gary Bettman must be salivating over this matchup. The NHL Commissioner (for my money, one of the worst commissioner in the history of professional sports) has to be happy with not only the quality of the four games thus far, but also the ratings. Just two nights ago, Game Three produced the highest rating for a Stanley Cup Finals game on cable in eight years. The initial game of the series also proved historic, as it produced the best rating by any Stanley Cup game in eleven years.
It is more than apparent than the NHL is on the upswing. People are watching...watching and enjoying. Ratings are up. Revenue is increasing. Everything seems to be going well and going back to the way it once was.
These two teams are perfect. The timing of both being on the grandest stage of them all is spot on. The backdrop of each team and their respective journey to the Cup is storybook, and the actual play of the series has been nothing short of exciting.
Good enough for ya, hockey haters?
For someone that truly didn't start following the sport until four years ago - after the lockout - I'm enjoying hockey more than ever.
Oh, what an impact two starving teams can have on a struggling league.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers had long since been craving the taste of the Cup. The Hawks, the team with the longest current championship drought in the NHL, have endured years of failure and futility. But, with good drafting, solid free agent signings, and a little bit of patience, Chicago is a powerhouse in the NHL (and a young one at that), and will remain one for years to come. They were the two seed in the Western Conference, but played like they were number one, knocking out the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks each in six games. In the Western Conference Finals, the Blackhawks handed a lopsided sweep to the top-seeded and hard-luck San Jose Sharks, securing a trip to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since being swept by Mario Lemeuix and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992.
The Flyers are just happy to be there. On the brink of missing the playoffs, the Flyers squeaked their way in over the rival New York Rangers, but no one expected them to advance past the heavily favored two-seed, the New Jersey Devils. But just as quickly as they entered, the Flyers entered round two. This is where they made their history, coming back from down three games to none to defeat the Boston Bruins in seven games. Now entering the conference finals against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens, they were the favorites, and they took care of their business in five games, and were headed to the Stanley Cup, looking for their first championship since 1975. Not since the days of Eric Lindros has the Philly faithful been as excited for a team as they were for this incarnation of the "Broad Street Bullies," and their arrival to the NHL's final series.
With two historically downtrodden teams at the top of their game and currently at the top of the league in the Stanley Cup, this might just be what the doctor ordered to bring the league back to prominence.
Think about it: Would it be more compelling to see the third straight Stanley Cup Finals between the Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. Hardly. Despite the possibility of having yet another great series between these two occur, the casual fan would have been bored by this rehashed matchup.
This 2010 final is different. It's fresh. It's different. It's emotionally-driven and it's storyline driven. It's two starving teams playing very physical hockey to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. It's the team with the longest drought versus the team who's fans make it seem they have the longest title drought.
Gary Bettman must be salivating over this matchup. The NHL Commissioner (for my money, one of the worst commissioner in the history of professional sports) has to be happy with not only the quality of the four games thus far, but also the ratings. Just two nights ago, Game Three produced the highest rating for a Stanley Cup Finals game on cable in eight years. The initial game of the series also proved historic, as it produced the best rating by any Stanley Cup game in eleven years.
It is more than apparent than the NHL is on the upswing. People are watching...watching and enjoying. Ratings are up. Revenue is increasing. Everything seems to be going well and going back to the way it once was.
These two teams are perfect. The timing of both being on the grandest stage of them all is spot on. The backdrop of each team and their respective journey to the Cup is storybook, and the actual play of the series has been nothing short of exciting.
Good enough for ya, hockey haters?
For someone that truly didn't start following the sport until four years ago - after the lockout - I'm enjoying hockey more than ever.
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