A Competitive Edge

So in my short leave of absence alot has happened in the world of sports. The Dwightmare, OVER! Yes that means he’s a Laker.  The Dodgers pull off a historic trade with the Red Sox acquiring Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, and Carl Crawford…can you say mega-deal! Not to mention the Dodgers only gave up Loney and prospects.  In college football, Penn State doesn’t get the death penalty but nearly as bad, with fines reaching $60 Million, bowl bans, vacated wins, and the taking down of Joe Paternos statue.  In the NFL, the players involved in the bounty scandal win their appeal and are available to play this sunday.  Ya, in one months span that’s a lot. So College football has kicked off, the NFL has it’s first big weekend coming up, the race to October is in full swing, and the necessary countdown for the NBA has begun.  Man I love sports  

So thinking back to day 1 of the NBA just think of all the talented players that have came through.  Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Bird, Isiah Thomas, Kobe, Jordan, Stockton, both Malone’s, Ewing, Drexler, Barkley, Wilkins and so much more…and thats just a small sample.  Now try of think of the best backcourt duo, a little harder.

Here is mine…

5. West and Goodrich(LAL)

4. Johnson and Cooper(LAL)

3. Isiah Thomas, Dumars(DET)

2. Frazier and Monroe(NYK)

1. Kobe and Nash(LAL)

So this trade to send Nash to LA gives Kobe one last go at his sixth NBA championship.  Nash is a two time MVP arguably one of the best players to ever play point guard and Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player to ever play the game.  Now you tell me how that isn’t the best backcourt…Thats what I thought, no response.  The LA Lakers have a 5-1 odds to win the NBA championship next season, but I say there odds are a whole lot better…I guess only time will tell.  Send me your responses to the BEST BACKCOURT EVER TO PLAY IN THE NBA!

The injury plague is one that can instantly take your team from title contention to completely forgotten about.  It’s something that you wish there was an “on/off” option in the menu like a video game. It’s for lack of better words “a pain in the ass”.  Your team is rolling atop the division not letting anything bring you down, until…the injury plague strikes.  Your top player has gone down due to a torn Achilles i.e., which happened while jumping in a bounce house for his sons birthday.  It merely was a freak accident which once had you as title contenders to completely out of title contention or basically forgotten about.  Just blasphemy.  Your left sitting there (as a fan) completely in shock without an explanation.  The only question that pops into your mind is, why?   Why sports gods, just why?  The best part about life though is that most injuries heal…MOST.  Unfortunately there are injuries that don’t though.  For example,  Brandon Roy forced into early retirement due to chronic knee issues.  The good old Tommy John surgery that saves some pitchers but also destroys others from once a promising career.  Injuries will always play a part in the world of sports. Its like a ticking time bomb, its only a matter of time, but hopefully not.   

What happened to the true and pure type competition, because thats obviously gone.  It got taken over by egos and alot more egos.  Since when does an athlete have to be arrogant and self centered, thats not the definition of competition.  Being an athlete is about having a competitive mindset, one that allows you to think you’re better then the other player.  Don’t smack talk saying your better, but show you are.  Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have a very similar mindset…and that was/is winning, pure and simple.  If Kobe gets beat, he isn’t going to try and injury or inflict pain on you, he’s going to beat you not once and not twice but countless amounts of times.  A perfect example of arrogance is Andrew Bynum in the 2011 Western Conference Semi’s.  The violent body check sending Barea to the floor…not to mention his poor exit from the court (taking off his jersey)…might I remind you.  Remember in little league when sportsmanship was the #1 priority, where’d that go?  I understand that sports are very emotional but at the same time show it on the court or field rather than on another player.  For god sake, your playing the game you love FOR A LIVING!  Most sports are a team game so act like it.  Now quit your whining about money and etc and just compete.  Thats all I ask of you

Sincerely,

Every Sports Fan

“I remember draft night, I shook David Stern’s hand while rocking a red suit with white pinstripes and red gators … I’ve always been a trendsetter.”
— Jalen Rose

“

[Kobe] could’ve played back in the 1980s. Not all these guys could’ve played back in the day. But he for sure could. And not just played; I mean played.

”— Gary Vitti

So is it a coincidence that Michael Jordan’s Bobcats lost 23 straight to end the 2012 season to clinch the lowest win percentage in league history, not that its a good thing.