Bulls Trade Former MVP Derrick Rose to New York

Trade rumors aren't always true, but in the case of Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks the rumors became fact Wednesday afternoon shortly before 3 p.m. CT. The youngest MVP and hometown hero won't be back in a Bulls uniform and it's no surprise to many as Rose's large contract handicapped the Chicago front office during an unexpected time of mediocrity. It was a deal that had to be done as the Bulls look to rebuild after a disastrous season that left them on the couch during the playoffs, despite playing in the woeful Eastern Conference.

It's 2016 and Derrick Rose is leaving Chicago without a ring and zero trips to the Finals. Who could have ever guessed that five years after becoming the youngest MVP in the history of the Association that this would be the case? Who would have thought back in 2011 that Rose would have more torn ACLs than Finals appearances? You would have been a fool to think Rose wouldn't retire as a Bull back then.

The story had all the makings of a fairytale. Rose dominated for four seasons at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago before playing a year of college basketball at Memphis. He helped carry the Tigers to the NCAA championship game, before entering the NBA Draft. The Bulls had a 1.7% chance of landing the number one pick in the lottery, but the ping pong balls were in Chicago's favor and Derrick Rose was coming home to play pro ball.

Rose averaged 17 points, four rebounds and six assists en route to being named the Rookie of the Year for the 2008-09 season. Two years later, he posted 25 points, four rebounds and eight assists per game to become the youngest MVP in the league. The Bulls, winners of 60 games that season, entered the playoffs as the number one seed in the East. That year marked the start of one of the great rivalries in recent sports history as Chicago battled Miami and its Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Miami dispatched Chicago in five games and thus began the downward spiral of Rose's career.

Sure, he followed up his MVP campaign with another solid season in 2011-12, but he tore his ACL in the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Bulls would go on to lose the series to the eighth seed. With a serious knee injury, many speculated Rose would miss much of the 2012-13 season, but fans and the league were excited for The Return.

Only problem: The Return never happened. Rose didn't suit up despite being cleared by doctors, and it only aggravated the fan base more when the wounded Bulls left it all the floor to defeat the Brooklyn Nets in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. While his teammates limped through a taxing series, Rose watched in his suit from the bench.

Finally, he returned for the 2013-14 season. 10 games into the season it was clear there was some rust to knock off, but Rose put up respectable numbers of 16/3/4 per game. And then it happened again. Rose went down with another torn meniscus against the Portland Trail Blazers, required surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

He came back in 2014-15 and played in 51 games, missing 20 due to another knee surgery for a torn meniscus. Still, he returned in time for the playoffs and buried a game-winning three at the buzzer in the Eastern Conference semifinals to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3. However, the Cavs won the next three games and took the series, as LeBron James slammed the door shut once and for all on the Bulls' championship window. 

Rose played in 66 games this season, but the Bulls looked nothing like they once were under Tom Thibodeau. Chicago limped through the regular season and missed the playoffs, despite a roster with Rose, Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol. Wednesday marked the end of Rose's run in Chicago.

What a cruel story it seems to be. What had all the makings of a fairytale turned into a nightmare for Rose and Chicago fans as silly remarks were made in the media, tension with the front office mounted and rumors of incoherency in the locker room became weekly fodder for the media. Rose, a hometown hero, was supposed to bring a championship to Chicago. He drew the praise of LeBron James, Scottie Pippen and even Michael Jordan. But his knees failed him, his game changed and the hype faded. 

He is now a 27-year-old former MVP who seems to be past his prime when he should be in the thick of it. He's a point guard that relies on explosive drives to the hoop who has been forced to try and fix a broken jumper to no avail. He's a Chicago kid who no longer plays in Chicago.

It goes to show that not all fairytales have happy endings.

LeBron's Latest Title is More Special Than the Rest

LeBron James has been one of the most polarizing and publicly ridiculed athletes in the history of sports. No athlete in today's world endures more criticism or skepticism than James, even though he brought most of it on himself. You either love him or you hate him, there is no in between. But now, just hours after capturing his first title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's time for the hatred and disrespect of LeBron James to go by the wayside.

Ever since "The Decision", LeBron put a target on his back and became one of the biggest villains the sports world had ever seen. He was viewed as a sellout, someone who can't win on his own. He took the easy way out and became an ego that the world wanted to see fail, and fail miserably. Yet he won two championships and captured four MVPs. It was obvious that the road to the Finals went through LeBron and the Miami Heat. He truly was the King.

Redemption.

But a return home was in order. LeBron went back to Cleveland but was far from forgiven by those who weren't fans of his. He immediately created drama with the acquisition of Kevin Love, issues with not listening to former head coach David Blatt, and yet another Finals loss. It was LeBron in a nutshell. A figure that constantly has the media drooling simply because he's such a popular quote. People want to hear LeBron talk either because they adore him, or they want to use whatever he says against him when he fails.

This season was no different. Not only did the Cavs downplay the Golden State Warriors 2015 championship by saying they would have won if Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were healthy, but LeBron then came across as being incredibly bitter when he argued the definition of the MVP award after Steph Curry won his second-straight MVP. It was a bad look. LeBron started to look like the athlete whose best days were behind him, yet was unwilling to accept the fact that the NBA was on the verge of having a new face. The Warriors were taking the league by storm, breaking plenty of records along the way. It was obvious LeBron couldn't stand that.

Honestly, that's what made this championship so special not just for LeBron, but for those who have spent the last however many years hating him. We finally saw LeBron take something personally. We finally saw LeBron show emotion and a killer instinct. It was clear from the start that he took this series as a personal challenge unlike ever before. It was initially him versus Curry, but it quickly became him versus the Warriors with multiple people chipping in to spur the eventual Finals MVP.

I'll be honest, I was all set to type a blog about how LeBron was no longer King when the series was 3-1. I was ready to say that it was Steph Curry's league and that the Cavs were never going to be able to topple the Golden State giant. I've been one of the LeBron haters since that historic day in July of 2010, and I was ready to celebrate another failed trip to the Finals. Yet now, I have gained so much respect for LeBron James. The respect for his game was always there, how could you not respect what this guy can do for a team, for a city? The NBA has never seen a guy that can do the things LeBron can do. Yet it was the sense of entitlement, the ego, the flopping, the constant whining, the selfishness when dealing with personnel within the organization. It got old, it got old real quick.

LeBron repeatedly out-performed the unanimous MVP

However, LeBron was a different animal in this Finals. Trash-talking Steph Curry, stepping over Draymond Green, and literally willing his team to a victory. This was a LeBron we had rarely seen before, but one that people literally begged for all these years. The comparisons of LeBron to Michael Jordan always consisted of a statement somewhere along the lines of "Well Jordan had a killer instinct and was a better competitor." Before this Finals, there were only a handful of moments in LeBron's career where he possessed that killer mentality. Obviously last year he dragged the Cavs through the Finals by himself, but this year was different. He had flare. He had personality. He finally showed us that losing was not an option.

This is the LeBron that we have always wished he would be. An absolutely unstoppable force that wasn't going to settle for anything less than a ring. I feel sorry for the people that can't appreciate what he just accomplished. He fulfilled his promise and is now a hero in every sense of the word for the entire state of Ohio. He put on a performance for the ages that culminated in an iconic chase-down block like only LeBron James could do. Then to see the raw emotion, the tears of relief, of absolute joy, when that final buzzer sounded was special. The wait for a championship is finally over in Cleveland, and LeBron deserves all the respect in the world for delivering on his promise.

USMNT Prepares for Ecuador in Copa Knockout Round

After a 2-0 defeat to Colombia in the Copa America opener, optimism was shattered for the US Men's National Team. The Americans generated few chances, their captain looked ill-equipped and it seemed that this tournament would be more of the same for Jurgen Klinsmann's side.

The loss produced negativity from everywhere (including this blog) as Klinsmann's job came into question and many wondered whether or not the US would ever be able to take the next step in international competition. Klinsmann remained calm, saying that he felt his team played well, but it did nothing to quiet those who were disappointed in the Americans' opening act.

But disappointments have transformed back into optimism over the past week as the US closed out the group stage in impressive fashion. The Americans had to earn a win over Costa Rica to stay alive, and they left little doubt, defeating Los Ticos 4-0. They followed it up with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, playing stellar defense down the stretch with only 10 men for the final 40-plus minutes after DeAndre Yedlin's red card.

The pair of wins gave the US a group win with the next task being Ecuador in the quarterfinals. This is a match the Americans can certainly win, and if they do, it would most likely set up a semifinal match against Lionel Messi and Argentina. But that's down the road. Right now, the job is to knock out Ecuador, a team that features quality play up front in Enner Valencia and Antonio Valencia.

The US and Ecuador met in a May 25 friendly in which Darlington Nagbe produced the game-winning goal for the Americans in the 90th minute. Antonio Valencia did not play in that match after winning the FA Cup with Manchester United earlier in the week.

The biggest issue for the US entering Thursday's match will be replacing Yedlin who is suspended after his red card against Paraguay. Consistency, something Klinsmann has never shown during his time as manager, has been key for the US so far in the Copa America as they have put out the same lineup  However, he will be forced to shift things around with Yedlin out and seven other players with a yellow card.

Losing Yedlin for any match would hurt, but especially against a side with as much firepower up front as Ecuador. Enner Valencia has tallied two goals and two assists during the Copa, while Antonio found the back of the net once and assisted another. The pair have had a hand in four of La Tri's six goals so far in the tournament.

A win over 13th-ranked Ecuador would give Klinsmann a signature win in a major tournament, while also helping the Americans accomplish their goal of reaching the semifinals. It won't be easy to advance, but the US has shown they can play well when their backs are against the wall. For a manager trying to quiet his constant critics, Thursday night's match is as big as it gets.

The United States and Ecuador kick off at 8:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

In Warriors-Cavs Spat, Nobody Is Right

In an NBA Finals that have become a string of blowout games with little storylines other than the
Warriors closing in on history and LeBron James losing again, the Game 4 scuffle between James and Draymond Green gave the media what they needed. Finally, there was a new talking point and the media beat the subject of the scuffle to death yesterday, offering opinions on Green's Game 5 suspension and James' role in the matter.

Let me offer one more opinion even though you probably don't need another.

There isn't a single guy in this whole mess who is right. They are all wrong and people's judgement of the matter in baffling. Let's start with the actual play. You've seen it: James and Green get tangled up on a Green screen for Steph Curry. James pushes Green to the floor, and while he did get pushed, Green sells it with a flop as well. James, with miles of real estate around Green, looks down at the Warriors' forward and chooses to step over him. Green took exception and flung his hand up and hit James in the groin before taking another swipe at him. The two then went for a rebound and were whistled for a double foul. Some jawing occurred after the whistle and Green reportedly called James a b*tch, which resulted in an upset LeBron James.

Here's the deal: James was wrong for stepping over Green and deserved to have it upgraded by the league. Green was also wrong for swinging at James and deserves to be suspended for Game 5. Let's not forget that this isn't the first time Green has done something like this in the playoffs. He had his moment with Steven Adams in the Western Conference Finals and has been caught unnecessarily flailing his legs on other plays. Green was suspended because of his body of work. He has no one to blame but himself for missing Game 5.

James then sat at the podium in the postgame press conference and violated an unwritten rule by bringing the trash talk off the court. Let's be clear: what Green reportedly said is not right, but it is said all the time in all sports. For James to overreact the way he did both in the game and afterwards at the press conference says plenty about James, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. Nobody loves flaunting who they are more than James with his constant reminders that he's the leader of the team, best player in the game and father of three. In this case, he used the father of three schtick to help lobby for Green's punishment in the postgame presser. While it's not illegal to do what James did, it certainly didn't win him any more fans.

After the suspension was announced yesterday more jawing ensued and this time it was Klay Thompson doing the talking. Thompson questioned why James' feelings were hurt and insinuated that he was being a baby. Again, nothing wrong with what Thompson said because he was basically articulating what many fans and players thought about James. Where Thompson is wrong is the fact that he spent more than enough time complaining about a Timofey Mozgov screen in Game 3, claiming it was a dirty play. For a guy whose career is primarily based on his ability to get shots off of moving screens, he came across as a baby complaining about a screen in a blowout loss. To then turn around and question another man's toughness was weak on his part.

James wasn't quite done, stepping to the podium later and laughing at Thompson's comments. He then insisted that he "took the high road" in the entire situation. If the high road is stepping over someone then whining about a swear word in the postgame press conference then, yes, James certainly took the high road. However, I'm not sure many people would see it the way James sees it. He once again, tries to remain the holier than thou, but it's easy see right through it.

Nobody was right in this situation and everybody got what they deserved. To not understand that is to not be paying attention or to see things through the lens of a Cavs or Warriors fan.

So where does this leave us? Pretty simple: Draymond Green isn't going to play in Game 5. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors from that. Tonight, it would be shocking if James didn't come out with an extra edge and drop 40 points on the Warriors. However, his willingness to do that seems non-existent as he prefers to set up his teammates and allow the losses to pile up in the process. A change of strategy should be in order.

For Golden State, they are without their engine and their most versatile player. That could cause some issues, but it could also give Steph Curry a chance to build on his legacy. A dominating performance in the absence of a key teammate with the Finals on the line would certainly be worth adulation.

Until tonight, it's all talk and speculation and the pettiness that has transpired since the scuffle will finally end once the ball is tipped. It can't come soon enough.

If I Were NBA Commissioner For A Day...

While reading through the sports news yesterday, I saw two articles that talked about points I have
previously made on this very blog, although I'll give the authors credit that their pieces went into much more depth than mine. Both articles talked about the NBA and changes that should happen for the league to improve. The Association is in something of an upward trend of late, garnering enormous television deals, high ratings during the playoffs and a Finals rematch between the league's two biggest starts.

Life is pretty good for Adam Silver and the NBA. But what if he let me run the show for a day or two? Here are some things I would consider...

Shorten the schedule
There are a few different ways to go about this, and from a financial point of view none of them are attractive. Obviously, shortening the schedule means less games and less money, but star players are dropping like flies at crucial points in the season and it's bad for the game overall. No disrespect to the Portland Trail Blazers, but how fun would a Warriors-Clippers series have been in this year's playoffs with a healthy Steph Curry, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin? Unfortunately, we can only speculate since Griffin's quad and Paul's hand meant the Clippers were trotting out the B team against the Blazers. The Warriors are good enough that Curry could sit through a handful of games, but the league has to realize that the best players are going down in the playoffs year after year.

The league could do a few things to help the situation. They could go back to a five-game series in the opening round of the playoffs where teams only need to win three games to advance. They could schedule a few less games and have longer breaks in between games or they could get creative and cut the schedule by quite a bit and implement games in the form of a midseason tournament.

Implement a midseason tournament
It wasn't too hard to guess that this was my next idea. A past post went into a little more detail about the possibilities of a midseason tournament, but it would be fun to see teams match up in a single-elimination tournament in the middle of the season. The league could get very creative with the tournament, playing games at neutral sites and holding the championship during All-Star weekend. The league could then take the cup winner and the Finals winner and hold a game to open the following season in another country. That puts the spotlight on the winners and grows the game outside of the USA. Again, scheduling would be the biggest issue, but it's certainly something the league should explore.

Continue to improve the D-League
Okay, so this isn't necessarily a new idea, but it's something that needs to continue. Over half the NBA franchises now have a D-League affiliate and the league needs to work to get every team an affiliate soon. Too many players are drafted and then their career flops after a few seasons. A strengthened D-League would cut down on the grimaces I give the television set when a middling college players thinks he should leave after his sophomore season. A quality minor league system would give those college players who make poor decisions a better chance at reaching the league. The up-and-down nature of the D-League is like the Wild West of basketball, but pro teams can at least have a hand in the system that's being run and the players that are getting minutes. Ultimately, a healthy D-League means a healthier NBA so it would be wise to make the D-League a priority.

These are just three small ideas, but there are plenty of other possibilities for the league to consider. The main thing is this: the league is in a great place, but perhaps there is too much demand on the players. Money is fantastics and games equal money, but how can the league protect its players, while maximizing its profit? Moving forward, that's Silver's biggest challenge.

What are your thoughts? Toss some ideas out there or comment on mine.

LeBron Forced to Shoulder Load Once More

Down 2-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked like a JV squad so far against the defending champs. A series that was hyped up beforehand due to it being a rematch and the way Cleveland breezed through the Eastern Conference bracket has become a slaughter that has left fans and analysts wondering if it's already over.

As always, no one is more polarizing than James, the native son who is once again trying to bring home a championship to a city that desperately covets one. Lyndon B. Johnson was in office the last time Cleveland was crowned champions in any of the four major sports, but with a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, it seemed this might be the year for the Cavs.

Yet here we are, once again, wondering where LeBron James' running mates are. It's become a theme of LeBron's career in the playoffs: he handpicks his teammates, his teams dominate the regular season and then his sidekicks play their worst basketball in the playoffs, while James takes the scrutiny for the losses.

The 2016 Finals are just the latest example. While James shot poorly and turned the ball over seven times in Game 2, he has still averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists through the first two games. He's shooting 42 percent from the field, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. He leads his team in steals and blocks as well.

His Game 2 performance was a mixed bag as Golden State's defense has done a fantastic job frustrating him, and for James there is no room for error. His help has been virtually nonexistent leaving him with no choice but to take over, something he has not done yet. Irving missed all but one game of the Finals last season, and opened this year's Finals with a pair of poor-shooting performances. His 26 points led all scorers in Game 1, but he shot just 7-for-22 from the field and 1-for-4 from 3-point land. He followed it up with a 5-for-14 night, which was good for just 10 points. 

Love, whose status is uncertain for Game 3 due to a concussion, had no issues on the offensive end in Game 1. He scored 17 points and hauled in 13 rebounds, but struggled in Game 2 before exiting with the concussion. He scored five points on 2-for-7 shooting in 21 minutes of play. Where Love has struggled has been defensively as Draymond Green has carved the Cavs up, averaging a series-high 22 points.

Beyond Love and Irving, the rollercoaster ride that is J.R. Smith seems to be at a low point currently. Smith has taken only nine shots and scored only eight points in the two games so far, while Iman Shumpert has taken four shots and scored six points. What's this mean? The Cavs are relying far too heavily on 35-year-old Richard Jefferson and junkyard dog Matthew Dellavedova to score. 

James, who could fall to 2-5 all-time in the Finals with two more losses, has to see Golden State's style of play and wish he had that luxury. Golden State is up 2-0 in the series and Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have averaged 14.5 and 13 points, respectively. However, five players for the Warriors are averaging double figures and seven players are averaging nine points or more. Truly, Golden State's strength is in numbers.

Meanwhile, James will either need his supporting cast to step up or he will need to take over like he did in last season's Finals. If it's the latter, Golden State will no doubt be crowned champions. They are overwhelmingly a better team top to bottom and it will take more than just LeBron James to take them down. 

The first two games beg the question: has any superstar before been hung out to dry by his teammates as much as LeBron James? James' career will have him in the conversation of the all-time greats, but his teammates' shortcomings, and what it's cost him, in the playoffs will inevitably be his shortcoming in that conversation. 

The Passing of Ali Shakes Up the World

The world seemed to slow down last night as the news of Muhammad Ali's passing filled social media. It was a tragedy the world could see coming, but couldn't prepare for. Ali's influence on the world, not just boxing, is one that won't ever, can't ever be replicated. Aside from boxing, Ali became the face of Parkinson's disease and was very outspoken when it came to racial tension and activism. He was more than just an athlete, and the world already feels a little emptier without him.

First minute. First round. That's all it took.

It's impossible for me to truly remember Muhammad Ali. Being 21 years old, I've only ever known him through his on-going battle with Parkinson's. I never saw him step into the ring. I never saw him throw a punch. Heck, I never even saw him in an interview where his true personality could be shown. Muhammad Ali was never truly a boxer to me, rather he was like a cartoon, a fictional character. The only way for me to try and understand who Ali was in his prime is to watch YouTube videos and google his famous quotes. I wasn't even close to being born when Ali took over the sports world, so for me to watch film of how dominant he was and to hear how cocky and unfiltered he sounded, it doesn't even scratch the surface of his greatness.

That is why Ali was always "larger than life" to me. Could someone have really been that dominant? Is it even possible that someone, in a world where LeBron James and Richard Sherman ruffle some feathers for declaring themselves "the best in the game", could have been so conceited that he labeled himself "The Greatest"? I've seen the highlights and I've heard the interviews. There will never be another athlete or person like Muhammad Ali. Not even close.

The Muhammad Ali I knew needed help everywhere he went. I can remember a couple years ago when Ali was recognized at a Louisville football game, and the poor shape that he was in. There was no boyish smile, there was no lightning-quick footwork being displayed, there were no words spoken. He was simply...there. With sunglasses on and wearing a suit, being held up, literally, by his family members. I'm not even sure he could appreciate where he was. Parkinson's stripped him of everything he used to be.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

What I've come to appreciate about Muhammad Ali, though, is just how influential he was in every stage of his life. Whether he was fighting in the ring, or fighting a terrible disease, Ali went into every battle thinking he was going to win. There was no room for doubt, there was no room for question. He was a winner, a trooper, a true champion. He taught us how to believe in ourselves, and how to speak our minds. He showed us how to push through adversity, and eliminate fear from our hearts. His personality may have been viewed as overbearing but the lessons he taught will live on forever.

Last night we said goodbye to the greatest athlete to ever live. The original "Greatest of All Time". Perhaps the most quotable athlete, aside from Yogi Berra, has left us in body, but not in spirit. Muhammad Ali should be remembered for more than just his boxing matches. Yes, he completely changed the sport of boxing, but he also changed the world. It's hard to imagine losing someone so successful and influential, but the great thing about someone like Ali is that the legacy doesn't die. It's still here. It will always be here. Sure he gave us great highlights and great one-liners, but above all else Ali gave us all hope. Hope that we can conquer whatever battle it is we're currently facing, regardless of how big or small it may be. Whether you view him as Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali, the Black Superman, or The Greatest, he was a champion and a pioneer. And he was pretty, too.

Americans Kill Optimism in Copa Debut

All the fanfare and excitement that surrounded the Copa America was gone less than eight minutes into the tournament Friday night in Santa Clara, California for American fans. Cristian Zapata's fantastic finish off of a corner kick in the eighth minute proved to be the winner for Colombia as it defeated the host US squad, 2-0, in the Copa America opener. As has become custom, the match left US supporters searching their feelings, wondering how to feel after a defeat that puts the Americans in a difficult position moving forward.

On one hand, Colombia is ranked third in the world and a 2-0 defeat seems like nothing to hang heads about, but on the other hand, it was not necessarily a well-played match for the Americans despite the claims postgame that it was. Colombia's early goal off a corner kick was perfectly executed, but Geoff Cameron appeared to lose Zapata as he made a run around a pick. The goal crushed any early momentum the Americans had with the home crowd backing them and chances were few and far between in the first half.

Things got worse at the end of the half as DeAndre Yedlin was whistled for a handball in the box, which earned Colombia a penalty. James Rodriguez, who would later leave due to a shoulder injury, netted the penalty with authority, putting the US down two at the interval.

Clint Dempsey's strike from just outside the box midway through the first half was the only good look the Americans would have in the first 45 minutes, and it sailed just wide of the right post. With the exception of Dempsey's shot, the US struggled to get anything off set pieces and Michael Bradley continually found himself with the ball in the middle of the park, only to turn it over with an errant pass. His turnover led to the Yedlin handball, a play that summed up his night in a nutshell.

Dempsey provided the US with one more quality chance off a set piece in the second half, but Colombia's David Ospina made a diving save to maintain his clean sheet. Darlington Nagbe and Christian Pulisic, a pair of newcomers who captured the nation's attention during friendlies leading up the Copa, both played well off the bench, but the US simply did not generate enough quality offensive chances to keep up with the Colombian side.

Bradley's poor play doomed the Americans and the lack of chances was a death sentence against a quality side like Colombia. So which is it for the US? Is it the glass-half-full outlook that besides two plays they played okay? Or is the glass-half-empty outlook that they generated only two shots on goal, while killing any optimism the fan base had about a quality showing in the opener?

These kind of debates have come to define Jurgen Klinsmann's time as manager and, quite frankly, it's getting old. For a country that wants to take the next step into international soccer relevancy, outcomes like Friday night's have to be seen as a disappointment. Surely nobody expected the US to go out and dominate against the world's third-ranked team, but only two shots on goal and poor play from the captain have to be deemed unacceptable.

Moving forward, the US will not face a team in Group A of the caliber that Colombia was, but Tuesday's match against Costa Rica in Chicago is a must-win for the Americans. The result is certainly attainable, but some adjustments will have to be made.

A win would put the Americans back in a good place in the group and might just rekindle that optimism that so many felt going into the tournament. For at least one writer, that would most certainly be true.

USA and Costa Rica kick off at 7 p.m. CT at Soldier Field in Chicago Tuesday night.

Copa, Euros Provide Packed Soccer Summer

I played soccer nearly my entire life. When I was five I began playing youth soccer and I continued playing until I was a sophomore in high school. I played every position throughout the years, but settled in at left back during my high school playing days. I enjoyed the game back then, but only enjoyed playing it. I couldn't seem to gain any interest in watching the sport or following any of the leagues or teams across the world. I was the definition of a bandwagon fan: I would root hard for the U.S. National Teams when they played in the World Cup, but that was it.

Times certainly have changed now. In December 2013 I traveled to London and was able to attend an Arsenal-Tottenham FA Cup match at Emirates Stadium. Seeing the North London Derby in person was an absolute thrill and I was treated to perhaps the best sporting event I'll ever attend. The passion of the fans was amazing and the level of play was elite. It's hard to describe how incredible the atmosphere is, but it's something that every sports fan should attempt to witness.

Since then, I've fallen in love with the game. I simply can't get enough of it. I have taken a liking to Arsenal and the Premier League, but I'll watch any soccer that's on television. Others may find it boring for the lack of scoring, but I find it exciting as sides try and crack each other's defense. The talent that each player possesses is incredible (40-yard passes on the money that a teammate brings down right on to their foot) and they make the game seem so effortless when in reality it is very difficult.  I'm now that guy who wakes up at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday to watch games and yesterday I found myself watching a friendly between Belgium and Finland in the middle of the afternoon when I could have been doing anything else in the world.

Now, as a fan of the game, this summer promises to be one of the biggest soccer summers ever. Tomorrow night the Copa America kicks off for the first time on U.S. soil and next week the Euro championships begin in France. For the first time ever, Lionel Messi will be coming to America to play in competitive matches and fans can watch 83 matches live between Copa and the Euros.

This is a huge summer for soccer in the U.S. It's the first Copa to be held outside of South America and matches will be played in 10 different cities across the country. The Americans were placed in a difficult group that includes Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay and if they advance through the group they will most likely meet Brazil. Certainly, if the game is going to continue to grow in this country than this is the summer for it to happen.

Whether you're a fan or not, take time to watch some games this summer. The world's greatest players will be on display and hosting the Copa America here in the United States is a huge step for this country when it comes to soccer. If you live in one of the host cities then make an effort to attend a game. There's something special about seeing the passion and enthusiasm that surrounds soccer. It is unrivaled by anything we have here in the States.

The Copa America will be held from June 3-26 and will air on FS1, Univision and Univision Deportes, while also being available on Fox Sports Go and Fox Soccer 2 Go. The Euro championships will be held in France from June 10 to July 10. That tournament will air on ESPN and ESPN2.

Curry Can Cement Status With Finals Win

Steph Curry's meteoric rise to the top of the NBA is almost complete. The kid from Davidson who
captured the nation's attention during a 2008 NCAA Tournament run fought through a host of ankle injuries early in his NBA career and became just the tenth player in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards this season.

He led the Golden State Warriors to the 2015 NBA title, shattering shooting records in the process. For an encore, he's led the Warriors to the regular-season wins record at 73-9, while shattering those same shooting records again. Curry hit 286 3-pointers last season and then knocked down 402 this year. He elevated his scoring average by 6.3 points per game and averaged more rebounds and steals than a year ago. He shot more 3-pointers and two-point field goals than last season, but still shot a higher percentage this season. For all of that, he was voted the first ever unanimous MVP in NBA history.

Many think he's the league's best player and why not? The numbers paint a picture of somebody who will go down in history as one of the game's greatest, but there's still one other man vying for that title. As long as LeBron James is in the league, he will always be in the conversation. At 31 years old and in his 13th NBA season, James can put up 25/7/7 any given night. He's been widely considered the league's best player for years, but that title is slipping away with every late-game dagger from Curry.

Curry's Warriors defeated James' Cavaliers in six games during last year's Finals, but if Curry is to cement his status as the league's best then he will need to defeat James again this year. The Cavs limped through the Finals last season with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving sitting due to injuries. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were exceptionally bad, shooting 31 and 25 percent in the series, respectively.

Curry was his usual self, averaging 26/5/6, while James gave us a performance for the ages, putting the team on his back and averaging 36/13/9. This season it's the Cavs who look unstoppable, advancing the Finals with a 12-2 playoff record. With the exception of an 0-2 trip to Toronto in the conference finals, Cleveland has mowed down any and all opposition. Love and Irving are healthy and playing well, while Tyronn Lue has made this Cavs team his own.

Golden State has battled the championship-or-bust expectations, a Curry knee injury and the Oklahoma City Thunder on its way to the Finals. The Warriors have lost five games in the playoffs, which seems alarming after their rampage through the regular season (fun fact: if they lose the Finals to Cleveland, they will have as many playoff losses as regular season losses. Puts that regular season in perspective a bit).

Despite the long road to the Finals and the Cavs' dominance, Golden State has Curry, Klay Thompson and a host of role players who give them quality minutes. Any team that can shoot like Golden State can win any game. For Curry, a win would mean back-to-back titles to go along with back-to-back MVPs. The only other point guard to accomplish that feat? Magic Johnson.

By defeating James two years in a row, Curry would thoroughly announce to the world that he is the game's greatest, but he would also carve out a spot in the NBA history books with a win. It's the game within the game, and it's a game that will surely not disappoint.