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Posts Tagged ‘basketball’

So today was a pretty strange day. The biggest player in basketball held a news conference and announced he was riding off into the sunset with two other All-Stars (one arguably a superstar in Dwyane Wade). I personally have never seen anything like it and not sure I will anytime soon but the best theatrics of the night was yet to come.  Dan Gilbert the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers posted an open letter to Cavs fans castigating his former player who he was furiously courting just hours earlier. Here is the letter verbatim:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

Now I can understand the anger and pain of losing not only the talent but all the revenue that goes along with a LeBron James leaving your franchise but it’s pretty funny how these owners and managers of pro teams can be so indignant when they feel they have been slighted but they have no qualms about booting, cutting, trading, suspending,  fining or outright renouncing players as they see fit!! Hey Dan grow up!!! There are plenty of other players out there, sign some and get back to work.

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I am not sure how many people saw this but it was mentioned by the crew calling the game during the Lakers and Nuggets game tonight so I just had to look it up. And I have to say that trash talking on the court never leaves you not even when you leave the court and don’t play anymore!! The setup is Cheryll Miller was supposed to do a pre-game and halftime show with Scott Pollard. Obviously his plane was late getting in and he missed both and Cheryll was not happy. This is classic!!!

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Kobe Bryant just completed a string in March that was quite extraordinary, over a span of 4 games her scored an unbelievable 225 points in 4 games the only person to exceed those numbers was Wilt Chamberlain who’s numbers are off the chart.

Kobe’s Run (March 2007)
3/16 Portland Trailblazers: 65 points
3/18 Minnesota Timberwolves: 50 points
3/22 Memphis Grizzlies: 60 points
3/23 New Orleans/OK City Hornets: 50 points

So The question becomes again is Kobe catching up to Michael Jordan ? Or (perish the thought) is Kobe even better then his airness. When Michael Jordan was amazing NBA crowds in the late 80′s and early 90′s putting up numbers like no one had ever seen it was unconceivable to think that anyone would ever be able to come close to that but here we are 10 years later and Kobe’s scoring numbers are right there and in some ways better, so lets take a look at the overall numbers and career stats for both players. have always said that not only was Michael Jordan an amazing player but he did something else that set him apart he was consistently good over many years which certified his greatness. By taking a look at his numbers you should be able to make the same inference.

Here is the spreadsheet here, comparing Kobe and MJ’s careers

Now I know Kobe’s career is far from over and he may yet even surpass what he has accomplished so far, after all most people agree that Micheal Jordan did not reach his peak until he was 30 years old, Kobe is still a year away form reaching that age and if you take a look at the current reigning MVP (2 years running, who is again in the running for MVP) Steve Nash is in his early 30′s. So Where do we begin in the Kobe and Air debate? Well I like to look at the career scoring avg and field goal percentage

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