Work with me here because this requires you to sit down and try to understand the game that is being played…  I’m not suggesting that you’re not equipped to do so, but with so many emails and with people’s time being pulled in so many other directions you may not have time to do so…

Last Sunday ESPN aired the Fab Five documentary, which was about the early 1990’s University of Michigan basketball team that claimed to revolutionize (there is some dispute from others about frankly a trivial point - void of true revolutionary behavior like Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the Mexico Olympics - in my opinion) the way teams wore their shorts, socks and other a sundry items on their person while playing college basketball…

For the record the team just played together for two years and never won a conference title and were beaten by arch-rival Duke in the NCAA championship game…

Years after they all left the school for greener pastures (pun intended) it was revealed that all of the players received money - an NCAA violation - from a Ford employee in Detroit and numbers runner named Ed Martin…  All incredibly unbeknownst to the school’s coaches, athletic director and president…

Long story short the school’s accomplishments during that tenure were erased from the record books…

During the documentary, former Fab Five member, Jalen Rose, revealed that he had extreme disdain for Duke for what he perceived from his personal experiences…  He called some of the Duke players, most notably Grant Hill, “Uncle Tom’s” and “bitches”…  In the show he said that was how he felt at the time, and after Duke thoroughly outclassed them in the title game and all other matchups he, through good old humble pie, had to respect them…  So clearly he does not feel this way today nor during his 13-year NBA career which much of it was played while Grant Hill was also in the league…  There were no comments or even incidents where Rose re-iterated his earlier comments as a teenager at the University of Michigan…

The overwhelming comments, post the documentary, are about how Rose felt some 20 years ago, and not other subjects the documentary subtly hinted at (for the record Rose and some of the teammates were executive producers on this piece, and the integral player of the team, Chris Webber, failed to participate as he is persona non grata with the University because he received the most funds from the numbers runner, Ed Martin)…

As a result of the comments that everyone’s so interested in every conceivable sports media outlet is talking about the 20 year old comments…

Grant Hill felt obligated to write an op-ed in the New York Times to, I guess, rebut what Rose felt 20 years ago, and he was lauded as “classy” by many in the media who got what they want all along and at every possible turn - Black people in disharmony on a public stage!!!

Days after Hill’s Times full-page rebuttal, this letter in response (see link) was placed on a website claiming to be authored by Rose:

http://sicklemaster.com/2011/03/jalen-rose-responds-to-grant-hill’s-op-ed/

Okay now if you’re still with me, how’s that chair that I asked you sit in feeling now?  Unfortunately, we have no guarantee that Rose wrote this…  He has his own website (http://jalenrose.com/) and it is not there. Can you see what’s going on?

In this uber-crazy media world where hits on a link and page views amount to cash, right along with “sexy” headlines and news bumpers, it is conceivable that some will do anything to get you to look.  I’m reminded of the lyrics by rapper NAS, “they shootin’, I made you look you’re a slave to a page in my rhyme book…  ”Meanwhile, the image is now of two Black men having a beef…  Been there, done that, seen it ALL too often…  Some folks love that stuff…  In contrast, I submit this article (see link) dated March 17th by an ESPN.COM columnist:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=6228351

To date it only has 30 comments from readers on its site… Somebody’s being played like a banjo…

PEACE & BLESSINGS

Greetings,

It’s been a while, and I will make every effort to not be such a stranger to my own blog.

Let’s talk hockey, the National Hockey League in particular, here in August as much of the United States craves for a frozen pond to cool off.

Five years ago the league staged its version of Armageddon when the entire 2004-05 season was iced in an effort to bring players salaries in line with the league’s economic structure.

A hard salary cap was imposed with a minimum floor and maximum ceiling for teams to field their respective rosters.  You would think that after league president Gary Bettman, the owners and players went so far as to nullify an entire season they’d get it right and there would be no such thing as “circumvention” of the very cap they all agreed to in the collective bargaining agreement.

Enter the recently voided contract negotiated by the New Jersey Devils and high scoring winger Ilya Kovalchuk.  Less than 24 hours after team CEO, president and general manager, Lou Lamoriello, won the most coveted prize of the free agency period the league rejected it.

The 17-year, $102 million contract offered the 27-year old Russian – not unlike the contracts of some star players on other franchises post-lockout – was unusually long and front loaded with the bulk of the money coming in the early years of the deal, as in each of the last five seasons the all-star was slated to earn $550,000.

On August 9^th arbiter Richard Bloch -  the same arbitrator that now deceased NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw removed in 2005 after Bloch’s upholding of the Terrell Owens suspension for what Mr. Upshaw termed a misinterpretation of the CBA - agreed with the league’s stance on the contract, thus placing Kovalchuk back into the open market and creating revisionist history as suddenly the league is also looking at the deals of Vancouver Canucks’ goalie Roberto Luongo, Boston Bruins’ center Marc Savard, Chicago Blackhawks’ winger Marian Hossa, Philadelphia Flyers’ defenseman Chris Pronger and quite possibly several others in the days to come.

It should be noted that Mr. Bloch has been involved in several NHL rulings prior to the Kovalchuk decision with evidence of no clear bias to either side.

However, this ruling comes at a time when, as illustrated by the list of similar deals being investigated, so-called cap circumvention has become the norm for several teams throughout the league, and rightly or wrongly Lamoriello’s signing was just the opportunity for Bettman to take advantage of the NHLPA’s lack of leadership and state of disarray after they jettisoned former president Paul Kelly roughly a year ago.

There have been rumblings that the former head of the major league baseball players union, Donald Fehr, would take the vacant position, but he’s just come on board as an advisor and clearly the level of his involvement is murky after this power play from Bettman.  Subsequently, the players union comes off as leaderless, perhaps even impotent and certainly ripe for the picking.

Again, I am at a loss to see this kind of confusion from the teams, the league and the players union after ripping the system apart and voiding an entire season. This is the kind of save me from myself attitude that a season long work stoppage was suppose to address.

For what it’s worth the current collective bargaining agreement ends in September of 2012.

Greetings,

We should have known it wasn’t going to be easy, however this is absurd even for the Mets.

Oh, but there were many ominous signs from the jump.

At the christening of the brand spanking new Citi Field - designed to slay the demons of two consecutive historic collapses down the stretch at the dilapidated Shea Stadium - light-hitting centerfielder Jody Gerut led off the game with a home run (by the way, he’s hitting just .199 and has since been traded from San Diego to Milwaukee) in a Padres win.

Did I say home run?

Forgive me Mets fans.  I didn’t mean to touch a nerve. 

This year’s edition, barring an heretofore unforeseen power surge, will struggle to just hit 90 homers collectively, and are led by soon to be 41-year old Gary Sheffield with 10 as no other player has double figures in this category.  So if you need to see a doctor or some other professional to speak with for this I understand.

My bad again, I forgot that the diagnosis of seemingly minor injuries by team physicians has added insult to, well you know… 

Three of the team’s cornerstone players have missed significant time.  Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran started with seemingly innocuous ailments only to be out of the lineup for months, and in the speedy Reyes’ case it’s anyone’s guess when he’ll recover from hamstring woes.  Meanwhile, first baseman Carlos Delgado – 38 homers, 115 runs batted in a year ago – needed hip surgery in mid-May.

Where can a fan turn to for relief?

Did I actually say that?  Please forgive me.

Setup man J.J. Putz, acquired in the offseason to aid all-star closer Francisco Rodriguez and bolster last season’s shaky bullpen first didn’t live up to expectations and has now been sidelined since early June after elbow surgery.

Surely, it’s no surprise that the rash of injuries affected the team, but even with a healthy squad the defensive and mental miscues have occurred all too frequently.

Remember, coming into this season there were several question marks in the two corner outfield positions, so predictably as Mets’ fate would have it in the sixth game of the season Daniel Murphy, a natural third baseman initially converted to outfielder and now a first baseman, misplayed a fly ball in a 2-1 loss to the Florida Marlins spoiling Johan Santana’s 13 strikeout performance.

On May 18^th in Los Angeles the season was perhaps summed up in 10-plus innings, three hours and 41 minutes of errors (mental and physical) and numerous men left on base, all magnified by outfielder Ryan Church’s inexplicable missing of third base when scoring the apparent go-ahead run.  Then in the Dodgers’ half of the 11^th two of New York’s five errors handed them the win.

A month later in the opener of this year’s Subway Series when there were still postseason aspirations, second baseman Luis Castillo drops the final out and turns an 8-7 win over the Yankees into yet another crushing one-run defeat. 

To make matters even worse is the mirage season of third baseman David Wright. 

On the surface he has been among the league’s top hitters for average, but upon closer inspection it is pillow soft, with high strikeout numbers, few homers and runs batted in.  

All of this brings us to the man responsible for fielding this club picked by Sports Illustrated to win the World Series.

Last week Omar Minaya endured perhaps his toughest time as general manager after firing close friend and assistant Tony Bernazard he received unbalanced heat for outing a beat reporter who requested help in landing a baseball job, and then backtracked as if doing the moonwalk.

From my vantage point, Minaya has benefited from the deep pockets of ownership and by being in the New York market.

He has acquired expensive free agent talent that clearly helped the ballclub, but other than the 2008 trade that brought in one of the games best starters in Johan Santana he has not been able to add essential pieces to a winning roster via trades with other general mangers.

This season is the best example of that, as they had to reach deep into the minor league organization after all the injuries while failing to acquire much needed major league ready talent.  Yet, when other clubs had holes to fill they moved swiftly. The recent acquisition of right fielder Jeff Francoeur was the kind of move that was begging to be made two months ago.

Certainly, the talent of the minor league affiliates has to be considered when not being able to make that necessary move to right a sinking ship when money won’t bail you out.

Why haven’t the Mets cultivated or acquired a caution to the wind player like Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, who smacked four home runs at Citi Field, made a daring grab of a foul ball and called out his teammates.  Surely, we’ve all known that since their last postseason appearance a hard-nosed guy like this was needed.  Or even a steady reserve corner outfielder like John Mayberry, Jr. of the Phillies who has stepped in when needed and the team hasn’t missed a beat.

Instead, they’ve signed aging, yet experienced, performers who eventually succumb to injury during the course of the year; i.e. Moises Alou for two seasons and Gary Sheffield this time around.

We haven’t seen the savvy shrewd moves from Minaya that are needed to circumvent the actions of Bernie Madoff and its effects on the Wilpon fortune. 

After last season’s second straight September collapse a strong argument could’ve been made to break up the nucleus or not bring back Delgado, but based on their history of late the miserable outcome was already determined.

PEACE

Greetings,

I like Soledad O’brien.

Her on point comments during the initial stages of Hurricane Katrina’s wrath were refreshing, and in a mainstream television news world where over-the-top sex appeal and bluster are pushed far more than substantive coverage her reportage is welcomed.

However, during the recently debuted Black In America 2 series on CNN I felt that it was all about O’brien as she anchored, did in-the-field reporting and voiced every segment - from South Africa to Bushwick and points in between – of this the network’s second documentary series on the subject which should have been titled, Soledad O’brien’s Black In America.

Watching this year’s four-hour presentation I yearned for other Black faces to do some of the reporting.

Roland Martin, T.J. Holmes, Fredricka Whitfield, Suzanne Malveaux and Don Lemon all should have been a part of this presentation.  Not unlike HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel where he serves as the navigator leading you into pieces that are reported on by others while offering his commentary afterwards.

Unfortunately, their contributions were deemed unnecessary, and in this day and age where Blacks are at best marginalized in many leadership roles of on-air mainstream media – just take a look at the hosts of any prime time cable news program - it was disappointing to not see them during this heavily promoted production, especially when CNN has several to choose.

Now I am not aware of the number of Black people who worked on this series behind-the-scenes as producers, researchers, writers, etc., but what was apparent was the face out in front of each moment was that of Mrs. O’brien, who from my perspective could have used some extra eyes doing the reporting, or perhaps even in areas of support, as there were times when context and depth were sorely needed.

One such example occurred during the story on the beautiful efforts of Steve Perry as principal of the Capital Preparatory School in Hartford, Connecticut, when the story arc took us to one of his students, Glorious Menefee, who courageously overcame the kinds of harsh family issues that challenge many young people, and excelled.

However, the fact that her parents – both overcoming years of crack and alcohol addiction, respectively – were there for her high school graduation together as one family is equally encouraging and empowering, and we needed some word from the adults about their recovery efforts in bringing this Black family back to some semblance of wholeness, instead of how many years the mother was on crack and the father’s verbal abuse.

Additionally, the absence of any mental health professional discussing the internalized effects of being Black in America was equally disjointing.

Malaak Rock’s Journey For Change program took students from Bushwick, Brooklyn to South Africa, but failed to give broad historical meaning to the young people’s trip to their ancestral continent, nor the stench of the centuries old, yet recently ended, apartheid system on the inhabitants.

Certainly, the appearance of the aforementioned Black reporters on this program does not guarantee the depth I am asking for, but they are also Black in America and a part of CNN’s news team, therefore raising the issue of why management chose the multiracial O’brien for the face and voice of this entire project is essential.

PEACE

PEACE

Greetings,

The recently completed confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor proved several things in my opinion.

First, the 55-year old Bronx native is highly intelligent as she skillfully check mated the queries from many of the senators that had some level of opposition to her becoming the first person of Latin heritage appointed to this nation’s high court.

Secondly, Lindsey Graham, the republican from South Carolina, loves to hear his own voice and reeks of the kind of patronizing behavior that causes many persons of color or marginalized citizens to avoid the whole process altogether, therefore she, and many others who see the larger picture, should be commended.

Thirdly, and for the purposes of this presentation, the ability of the conservative segment to couch arguments on their terms is quite interesting, and proves time and time again that the center of political thought starts towards the right and leans in that direction accordingly.

Yet, there’s some sleight of hand involved to create the appearance of radical liberalism (in this climate the counter viewpoint is always viewed as “radical’) when at best a centrist stance is what progressives are left with.

For example, to placate the conservative base New York Senator Charles Shumer, considered one of the Judiciary Committee’s liberal voices, boasted of Sotomayor’s conservative rulings:

She has agreed with Republican colleagues 95 percent of the time. She has ruled for the government in 83 percent of immigration cases, against the immigration plaintiff. She has ruled for the government in 92 percent of criminal cases. She has denied race claims in 83 percent of the cases and has split evenly on employment cases between employer and employee.

Regrettably, all the attention was focused on the “wise Latina” comment, and that was viewed more with paranoia than context.

Surely, one could argue that the statistics cited by Shumer also need to be given context, so perhaps the most substantive piece of information about Judge Sotomayor is the case of Jeffrey Deskovic as reported in the internet outlets AlterNet and Mother Jones.

Deskovic was wrongly accused of rape and murder at age 17, and spent 16 years in prison for a crime that DNA evidence proved otherwise.

After several appeals his case was brought before New York’s Federal Second Circuit, where Sotomayor, and her colleague, refused to reverse the ruling based on erroneous advice from a court clerk that prompted Mr. Deskovic’s lawyer to file a writ of habeas corpus four days late. and subsequently he stayed in prison six more years until the DNA evidence.

Unfortunately, the argument presented to the majority of the public, and the Judiciary Committee, to challenge an actual Sotomayor ruling was the case of the New Haven firefighters in Ricci v. DeStefano – a hot button reverse discrimination case just in time for the Affirmative Action argument to be placed in a conservative context.

Now, perhaps Sotomayor will do a David Souter – the man she’s replacing in the Supreme Court – and make more liberal rulings should she be confirmed, but pay close attention to how the machine moves all of its apparatus to dictate the argument.

PEACE

Greetings,

Like many throughout the world I was stunned and saddened by the tragic news of Michael Jackson’s passing.

Initially I was a bit numb from the whole experience and wanted to avoid the news commentaries instead choosing to listen to as many of his musical gifts as possible – just think of the legendary greats he collaborated with – and then it hit me that the little boy who became a peerless legend is gone.

My favorite album is the 1979 mega hit “Off the Wall”, where Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and so many other all stars teamed with MJ to create one of his many timeless pieces.

The more I listened to “She’s Out of My Life” and “Can’t Help It” – that seamless mix from song to song setting an amazing mood – I was reminded of how sincere he was to his craft and to the millions upon millions who appreciated the skill and showmanship.

As he matured artistically – at nine he was well beyond his years – MJ revolutionized the video music industry by turning his visual releases into world premieres and short movies with unmatched entertainment and messages.

Beyond “We Are the World”, “Man In the Mirror” and so many others I was reminded of the video for “Remember the Time”, the 1992 hit that was directed by John Singleton (MJ had film directors do most of his videos), with appearances from Iman, Magic Johnson and Eddie Murphy.  It is set in ancient Egypt, and though there is a courtship between he and a female the backdrop conjures up powerful images of remembering the origins of civilization, and I’m sure that Michael had something to do with that.

What also should not be overlooked when speaking of music videos, and overall entertainment, are Michael’s forcing of the fledgling MTV network, and other largely white gatekeepers, to play the music of Black artists.  Hopefully while many in the media are assessing his life they will point this out and realize that without MJ the world would not have had the opportunity to marvel at his greatness and those that followed him.

Among the many beautiful things about MJ’s works was that he pushed the envelope and teetered on the edge, but unlike some of today’s narcissistic artists Michael allowed his music and true skill to take you there.  He was a master entertainer, who took great pride in studying every minute detail of his presentation, while also remaining a gentleman in his appearances with females.

One could not look at Michael Jackson’s nearly 51 years without addressing the pain he lived with, as no better example is the relationship with his father and the rumors of abuse.  Well after Joe Jackson’s statements following the BET Music Awards, where he reminded everyone of his record label just days after his son’s death, even the unconvinced could certainly see there was dysfunction.

Yet, like many creative geniuses Michael willed his artistic expressions to the fore and allowed it to serve as medicine.

Sadly though, there were obvious demons that surfaced just like with Van Gogh, Thelonious Monk, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charlie Parker and countless others where the dichotomy of pain and creative perfection exists.

Over the last decade the molestation allegations had to take a huge toll even with the acquittal and light of truth finally exposing the accusers and their parents, while also compelling some in the media, like Aphrodite Jones, to recognize the sinister nature and report the conspiratorial possibilities, there was still irreparable damage.

For me the salient point is the way even the “King of Pop” became expendable and was kicked to the curb by the same industry that allowed him to reach mega star status on their terms - again, please know that MTV wasn’t interested in playing his/Black music until he threatened them.  Yes, Michael revolutionized entertainment as we know it and winked at the masses by dropping social hints here and there, but after reaching never to be seen again heights at such a young age what else was left to achieve?   

Subsequently, he became vulnerable again and even seduced by his own fame.

How ironic that because he never had a childhood he remained a child and was vicariously living through the many young fans he befriended, and that those in power knew the buttons to press to construct his demise.  Oh, it would’ve been so courageous if someone in his inner circle could have alerted him of this.

On so many levels his death is surreal, but cold water nonetheless.

For not only does it raise seriously needed questions about the entertainment industry and prescription drug use it also clearly illustrates the depths of mental illness.

Now, we all have issues, demons and skeletons – I certainly do – and the levels that are taken to address, or not address, them can be severe.

MJ’s vitiligo notwithstanding, his conscious decision to drastically alter his natural appearance is disturbing and speaks to a level of self-hatred that lives in many.

Posthumously, I hope his passing will force many to choose self-empowerment over the need to have someone else’s perspective validate them and healing over self-indulgence.

PEACE

Four years ago, there was no ice for the Zamboni to re-surface, no amazing saves or goals to marvel at, and no Stanley Cup to lift.

The National Hockey League was closed for business during the entire 2004-05 season.

Once again, economics were the culprit and the relatively small but cult-like U.S. fan base were the victims.

However, during the work stoppage, several changes were integrated that have helped the league once again gain prominence.

Namely, a salary cap was mandated to protect management from itself, and address franchise money woes.  On the ice, skating and a free-flowing game were stressed.

As such, the “coolest game on earth” got a much-needed breath of fresh air.

The recently completed Stanley Cup playoffs and the Finals match-up between Pittsburgh and Detroit are perfect examples of how far the game has come in terms of attracting American fans in the aftermath of its imposed shutdown.

This spring Lord Stanley’s cup has runneth-over with drama!

In just the first two rounds there were five game-seven’s and one overtime winner.  Furthermore, six of the 15 winners lost the first game, including Pittsburgh who twice rallied from 0-2 deficits.  It became impossible to predict a winner.

The emergence of young stars like Ovechkin, Malkin, Toews, Kane and, Sidney Crosby (the first draft pick after the work stoppage) have all played a part in the revival of the sport.  Along with the return of some of the game’s original six franchises to the postseason.

Throughout the regular season and playoffs, television ratings were up—in some cases for the first time in 15 years—with the Penguins game-seven cup-clincher attracting nine million U.S. viewers during the riveting final minutes.

However, the NHL has been here before.

The most notable time was 1994 when the New York Rangers won their first championship in 54 years.  However, a partial work-stoppage spoiled any momentum, and there’s been a steady audience decline since.

This time commissioner Gary Bettman is not threatened by labor strife, but there are other factors that can ice any chances of success.

At the forefront is the economic viability of some American franchises and a Canadian push to seize those troubled organizations—witness Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie’s recent coup to extract the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario after failed attempts in purchasing the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.

As well, all season long there was talk of serious financial concerns for not just the Coyotes, but the Atlanta Thrashers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.

For the most part we have parity, but bad ownership decisions can’t be overlooked, and it appears that hockey-crazed Canada will eventually get another team just as a result of smart economics.  So, what will that do to U.S. interest if one year we have an all Canadian Finals?

In Bettman’s favor is the redemptive rise of the Penguins, who just a few years ago were considering leaving the city. 

After it’s all said and done the product on the ice and the ability to effectively market it is what will really make the recent ratings increase remain consistent.

Additionally, the next Winter Olympics will showcase the world’s best hockey players in what may very well be the best international hockey tournament ever.

So, here’s hoping that Mr. Bettman takes advantage of the latest record-interest in his product by landing a lucrative television contract with a network that has the ability to market the game to a larger audience.

PEACE

Greetings,

I’m sure we’ve all reached the point of no return with athletes breaking out into their own personal victory dances for just doing their jobs.

Yet, there’s a part of me that understands that the beauty of sports is that the eventual winner earns the right to celebrate (however sophomoric), and if you don’t like it get them back, between the lines of competition, next time. 

I’ve also realized that those after game celebrations are much different from whooping it up after a matter of fact play when one’s team is getting clobbered.

So, I was taken back a bit with the recent comments from New York Yankees reliever Brian Bruney about the actions of New York Mets reliever Francisco Rodriguez after the former “blew” his first save in 17 chances this season when Luis Castillo dropped a routine fly ball.

“Unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like that. I have, but in high school,” Bruney said. “It couldn’t happen to a better guy on the mound, either. He’s got a tired act.” 

For the uninitiated, K-Rod (the nickname given for his early career strikeout success) is known to pound his chest, point to the sky and let out a loud roar after a save.

“I just don’t like watching the guy pitch,” Bruney said. “I think it’s embarrassing.”

By now, we know that Rodriguez rhetorically asked who was the 27-year old right-hander and then confronted him before a game to perhaps introduce himself.

For comparison sake, in five-plus seasons Bruney has won 13 of 23 decisions with 13 saves and an ERA of 4.28.  This season, before a stint on the disabled list, he showed signs of being a key contributor to the Yankees bullpen situation with two wins and 13 strikeouts in nine innings pitched.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez, who was a major free agent signing by the Mets after six-plus seasons in the American League with the Angels, is arguably one of the best closers in the game with 224 career saves, including a record-setting 62 last season and a 2002 World Series ring.

Again, for clarity let me say that I would prefer to see less of the “look at me” posturing, however I do understand that in this age of high stakes competition as well as sports talk radio hosts, bloggers and columnists throwing out choke labels incessantly it is part of human nature to celebrate a personal victory, and emotions can take over.

Yet, I do detect a great deal of hypocrisy in the Yankee reliever’s remarks.

For example, if Bruney was really so irritated with Rodriguez’s actions then I’m sure he’s spoken to teammate Joba Chamberlain for his gyrations after strikeouts and other during game celebratory expressions.

Furthermore, the Yankees have staged several last at-bat wins this season and on numerous occasions the hero has been doused with shaving cream on the field as the team celebrates.

Sadly, the Oregon native did not hold court with the press to express how embarrassing he thought it was for the most successful franchise in professional sports to carry on in such a manner after early season wins.

For his part Rodriguez has been doing the gesticulating throughout his career - not after losing four straight postseason games.  Meanwhile, Brian Bruney can only wish for such a pivotal role in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, with the way things have been going for the defensively challenged Mets one could argue that K-Rod is genuinely thanking a higher power when all actually does go well.

Greetings,

It’s been a little more than a week since LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs, and when, in his team’s conference final round loss to Orlando, the anointed “king” chose not to shake the hands of the victorious opponents afterwards and skipped out on the press.

Let me first say that I’m not one of those over-the-top supporters of the 24-year old man child – you won’t see me wearing his jersey - as I tend to lean toward the underdog and view a lot of the hype for so-called superstars as just noise.

Yet, there are things that I really admire about the way he’s handled himself from the day he stepped onto the Arco Arena hardwood at the age of 18 against Sacramento back in November of 2003 – and overlooking the on court prowess, he’s still with his high school sweetheart and very much in the lives of his two children - nevertheless much like myself, anyone or anything else there are things that I wish were handled differently.

For example, last February he was issued a $259 speeding ticket (I’ve had one or two) for going 101mph (would never try to reach that level, but there’s no such thing as slightly pregnant either) in a 65mph zone on interstate 71, and on the court there’s that silly act they do when the team is announced.

However, LeBron’s actions after the Cavs’ dream season - a 66-16 regular season and franchise best record, odds on favorites to reach the finals and a first MVP award – came to an end do not cause me to get all hot and bothered, while once again crushing the hopes and dreams of an economically ravaged fan base that held out hope that this year would be different from “the drive”, Ernest Byner’s fumble, “Michael double pumping over Ehlo” and Jose Mesa against the Marlins in the bottom of the 9^th.

Surely, sportsmanship has its place and whether a highly compensated idolized athlete wants to admit it or not they are viewed as role models, yet in this robotic, heavily image-protected and politically correct age we’re living in it was somewhat encouraging to see LeBron err in this fashion.

It should be noted that he’s not required to shake the opposition’s hands after a loss, for unlike the team sport of hockey and the individual competition of tennis the NBA along with the NFL and major league baseball consider it arbitrary to congratulate the victor after one’s season has come to a disappointing end.

So, all the talk about no congrats afterwards should be chalked up to what some would’ve liked to have seen, as oppose to a character flaw.

Now, as for the post game press conference snub, as a fan I would’ve liked to have heard what he had to say after such a loss, yet I do realize that even pampered athletes are human beings and there are times when a humbling setback forces humanity.

Besides, it is quite conceivable that after doing all he could to will the team to victory, and witnessing (pun intended) he and his teammates falter on the big stage, LeBron couldn’t address the media honestly as undoubtedly many of the questions would’ve been presented in a divisive way juxtaposing his performance vis-à-vis that of the other members of the Cavaliers.  So, perhaps he thought better of publicly outing management, his guys and also fielding questions about his future as he enters what could be his last season in Cleveland.

Furthermore, there’s a very fine line between competing and giving your all against an opponent (especially in a best of seven series that could last two weeks, where it is drummed into you to defeat them, win or go home at all costs) and flipping the switch, accepting defeat graciously and with the aplomb of a saint in a matter of moments.

Yes, it has been done, and in hockey’s playoff war to attain the Stanley Cup we’ve witnessed some of the worst acts of outright violence that would have the MMA crowd jealous, but for the most part they’ve followed the exemplary tradition of congratulating the opponent.

For balance in this discussion there was no furor similar to what we’ve seen with LeBron when overall nice guy Joe Thornton and his San Jose Sharks were eliminated from the postseason a month earlier.

Sure, I know who is really watching hockey?  And there’s no comparison between Thornton and LeBron, for which I’ll grant you, but even in the tight-knit boys will be boys world of the NHL there was no media storm.  Actually, there have been quite a few hockey players that have gone against the handshake tradition.

In fact, to further illustrate the humanity of this issue, 13 years ago Colorado Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux rearranged the face of Detroit’s Kris Draper in many places with a very questionable blindsided hit in their hotly contested playoff series.  Teammate Dino Ciccarelli, after the customary handshake, said that he couldn’t believe he shook Lemieux’s hand because of what he did to Draper.  So, not to suggest there was anything similar in the Cavs-Magic series, but perhaps LeBron just couldn’t do anything after the loss.

Moreover, where was the “sportsmanship” crowd, displaying the same vigor for LeBron, when Denver Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones purposely tripped Kobe Bryant?  James has never displayed that kind of behavior, and though I can do without some of his actions we should also remember the way he hustles on the court as no better example is the fear he puts in players when they are alone on seemingly uncontested dunks and try to showboat only to get their ego and shot rejected, just ask Phoenix guard Jason Richardson.

This whole “sportsmanship” argument comes off as more like a do as I say and not as I do discussion or better yet picking on a bigger name and not looking at other examples.

If true, no one wins.

I remember roughly a decade ago when Patrick Ewing showed up at a Miami Heat playoff game after they and his close friend Alonzo Mourning bounced his Knicks from the playoffs.

The outrage from fans and even those in the media who were appalled by this gentlemanly gesture was noteworthy.  For what harm could’ve been done by wishing to see a friend succeed?  Isn’t that sportsmanship?

Every now and then, there are moments now when I hear and read comments that some would like to see less fraternizing with the enemy before a big game, as they look back to the “good old days” when you wouldn’t dare talk to the opposition during battle.

To that, and this whole LeBron topic, I just ask for balance in the observations as oppose to the proverbial sportsmanship angle that fails to address the complete humanity of the situation, for we’ve all spoken when we should’ve just waited.

PEACE

Greetings,

Memorial Day.

To some it signals the official start of summer, department store sales and various other leisurely activities that come with a three-day weekend.

The intended purpose is an appreciation to the fallen veterans who gave their lives in the armed services.  However, I find myself in agreement with 60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney who recently wished for the day to be more about ending war.

Obviously, there are many sides to the oft-debated issue of war, especially after the 9-11 attacks, but in my eyes the basic concept suggests that certain lives – largely based on the lack of career options - are expendable, and I am in total opposition to that.

Furthermore, the residual damage that war causes to families, communities and the larger nation becomes the enemy within.

Many were appalled with the images from Walter Reade Army Medical Center a few years back that displayed the less than memorializing conditions injured soldiers were forced to reside in while recuperating from life altering changes.

Moreover, as Vietnam and the two recent wars so clearly prove, what awaits those un-fallen soldiers who attempt to return to civilian life is equally disturbing.

Frankly, where do you start? 

Unemployment and a myriad of other personal challenges - all directly and/or indirectly associated with post traumatic stress - and unfortunately the most irreparable harm occurs in the most important place for every single person in the world – that of the home and family.

Divorce rates are extremely high, as just five years ago 3,325 Army officers saw their marriages end in divorce, especially burdensome where young children are affected, and there were modest gains in other areas of the military.

Last year the Army had its highest suicide rate on record with 140 soldiers, but with 2009 less than half complete there’s a probability the infamous numbers from the previous year will be eclipsed.

As of this March forty-eight soldiers have killed themselves, and the number could reach well past 200.  Sadly, at The Senate Armed Services Committee hearings where these findings were released there was no explanation as to why, instead just a fingers-in-ear statement that failed relationships were the cause.

Also, with the economy in depression mode it is also noteworthy to look at the money allocated to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars: to date $830.2 billion and counting, according to the National Priorities Project.

So, the 141 years of observances for those who bravely gave their lives in combat is commendable as I’m sure there were families and lives disrupted and torn apart as a result of a soldier’s death in the various wars we’ve witnessed or read about.

But, as Mr. Rooney so accurately points out we use the phrase “gave their lives” when actually their lives were taken from them, and it seems a bit passive to after the fact remember someone when so much more could be done to prevent all the levels of attrition and death caused by war.

And, no I do not wish to see an escalation of drone attacks.