With Potential Duncan, Ginobili Departure, San Antonio Will Take on a Whole New Look

It wasn't the ending that Spurs, or NBA fans for that matter, had in mind for San Antonio. The team that won 67 games in the regular season was said to be a shoe-in for the Western Conference Finals and the team that could take down the Golden State Warriors. Yet the Oklahoma City Thunder accepted the underdog label, as well as a Game 1 embarrassment, and ended the series in six games. It was an entertaining series to say the least, but the young athleticism and support of seldom-mentioned role players propelled the Thunder into the next round where Golden State awaits.

Duncan and Ginobili have lots to smile about after another successful season

While the Thunder/Warriors series has NBA fans licking their chops, the uncertainty of San Antonio's "Big 3" lingers in the minds of fans everywhere as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili take the time to make a decision about whether or not to retire. It's a decision much less subtle than that of fellow All-Star Kobe Bryant, whose season turned into one big farewell this year, and deservedly so. The great thing about Duncan, Ginobili, and really the Spurs organization as a whole is that they don't attract, or even want that kind of attention. This is not to say that Kobe's farewell tour was in selfish or bad taste. That's not it at all. But Duncan and Ginobili have displayed nothing but class in both victory and defeat and they embody what the Spurs' organization is all about. For that reason, San Antonio and the NBA will take a significant hit should they decided to hang it up for good.

With Duncan being 40 years old, and Ginobili not far behind at 38, it would have made sense for both of them to retire two years ago when they won the title. Could there have been a more perfect ending for two players who have done so much for the game of basketball? To see the greatest power forward of all-time and the player who paved the way for future Argentinian NBA players, there's not a more fitting conclusion than that championship. But they both came back, and that shows not only their dedication to the Spurs and the game of basketball, but the impact that organization has on its players.

Teammates since 2003

In an article by ESPN's Michael C. Wright following last night's game, Ginobili responded to a question regarding his potential retirement by saying "It could have happened two years ago. I really appreciate everybody: the team, front office, coaches, everything. So it makes it different." It's nearly impossible to find a professional organization where the athletes and the front office coincide so well. Being a Bulls fan, that's a foreign concept, but it goes to show just how in-tune the Spurs are from top to bottom and it shows the precedent set by Duncan and Ginobili over these last 20 years. You just don't find humble, classy players that manage to stay together like these two and Tony Parker have. It doesn't happen and it most likely won't happen ever again. Players are too concerned about money and have too much ego to be concerned with pay cuts or lessening their role the way Duncan and Ginobili have.


There's no telling what the final decision will be. Maybe it depends on whether or not San Antonio can attract a big free agent like Kevin Durant or Mike Conley, both of whom have been named people of interest for the Spurs. Maybe it depends on the Spurs' outlook heading into another year in the ever-competitive Western Conference. Or maybe, and perhaps most simply, it depends on whether or not Duncan and Ginobili believe they can still play at a high level. It would appear that both still have a little left in the tank, as Duncan posted 19 points last night and Ginobili averaged 21 minutes for the series. They're still capable, but the Spurs are not a team that plays just to play. They are perennial contenders, and the wear and tear of playing 85+ games (once playoffs are factored in) is not exactly friendly to the body of veterans at their ages.

So is this the end? Only time will tell. Should Duncan and Ginobili decide to retire, fans can be sure that it will be done quietly and humbly, the same way they have done everything throughout their careers. No flare, no desire to make headlines. The NBA will miss Duncan and Ginobili whenever they do ride off into the sunset, but when they do, they should be appreciated. They have shed positive light on the league and have shown professionalism every step of the way. They are two players that everyone can learn from, athlete or not. They've done things the right way. The Spurs have done things the right way. It's sad to think that this could be the final time we saw these two All-Stars in uniform, but they have given us more than enough memories from their illustrious careers.

Pitchers' Complaints Over Unwritten Rules Growing Old

After giving up a bomb that landed on Waveland Avenue last night in the Chicago Cubs' 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres, John Lackey became the latest MLB pitcher to complain about a batter's post-homer celebration. Christian Bethancourt's solo blast was the only run of the game and he took a minute to watch it go. Lackey took exception and had a few things to say afterwards.

The following is from ESPN's Jesse Rogers:

""How many home runs does he have?" Lackey asked sarcastically after the game.

Wednesday was Bethancourt's third of the season, and it was a monster blast to left that landed on the street outside Wrigley Field. Bethancourt watched it for a moment before rounding the bases.

"I got a long memory," said Lackey (4-2), who took the loss after going eight innings and allowing a run on three hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Bethancourt and Lackey don't have a history; this was the first meeting between hitter and pitcher, which Lackey was well aware of.

"Oh, I know," Lackey said. "He'll learn.""

You can watch the highlights here.

This is a tiresome subject that seems to be a hot topic this season. Bryce Harper made headlines for trying to make baseball fun again, and last season Jose Bautista's bat flip in the ALDS drew the ire of pitchers young and old. Harper called baseball a "tired sport because you can't express yourself" and, quite frankly, he's right. Any emotion from a hitter is seen as disrespect and it has to stop.

Goose Gossage went on a rant during spring training and called Bautista a "disgrace to the game." His comments were a perfect illustration of the old-school players and his thoughts seem to still ring true with some pitchers today.

Baseball currently is a one-way street and it's an annoyance. Pitchers can yell, scream and stare down a hitter after a big strikeout, but batters aren't allowed to take a look at a home run that travels over 400 feet. Give me a break. It seems that there is still some lingering thought that baseball should be a gentleman's game, but that went by the wayside when players started wearing hairstyles more suited for rock stars (i.e. Josh Donaldson) and teams started sporting lumberjack beards. You can forget that notion and understand that baseball has changed. Get with the times.

It's unfair for pitchers to think that hitters should show respect to them, but pitchers don't need to return the favor. A pitcher can get upset with a hitter and throw a 95-mph fastball into their ribs. What can a batter do if they feel disrespected by a pitcher? This has to be a two-way street.

When Harper first made his comments a few months ago, I disagreed with what he was saying. My stance has changed though. I'm tired of guys like John Lackey getting upset for allowing a home run. I'm tired of guys like Goose Gossage calling people a disgrace to the game because they hit the biggest home run of their life. Get over yourself, pitchers.

There certainly is a line for celebrating, and when it's crossed retaliation is warranted, but that line is not what Christian Bethancourt did last night. I side with Harper: let's make baseball fun again. For that to happen pitchers need to get over themselves. 

Westbrook's Play Lacks Praise it Deserves

Last night was another reminder that Russell Westbrook is a top five player in the NBA and that, when he is under control, he is a finisher that is virtually impossible to stop. Westbrook's driving and-1 layup sealed a pivotal Game 5 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder in San Antonio, and gives OKC a chance to clinch the series on its home court.

Westbrook is a lightning rod for opinions. From his pregame outfits to his unabashed recklessness on the court, he seems to drum up an opinion in everybody. You're not neutral about Russell Westbrook - you either like him or you don't. Whatever your position on the man, the truth is this: his play demands more praise than it gets. His final stat line last night of 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists was MVP-esque and before anyone brings up his eight turnovers let me remind you that Steph Curry was 0-for-10 from three to start Game 5 in Portland. It's hard to play a perfect game.

Westbrook has been questioned as a finisher and rightfully so. The Thunder were notorious for blowing fourth quarter leads during the regular season. NewsOK's Darnell Mayberry did a little digging on the claim that the Thunder were choke artists and came up with this: "In his 11 of the Thunder's 13 losses in games where it led after three quarters, Kevin Durant has averaged 6.4 points, 0.4 assists and 1.4 turnovers on 42.1/30/84.2 percent shooting splits (field goal/3-point/free throw). Westbrook has averaged 5.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.3 turnovers on 29.1/16.1/80.7 shooting splits.
Westbrook has gone without a fourth-quarter field goal four times over that span. Durant has had at least three fourth-quarter turnovers three times in that span."

For a team that relies so heavily on two superstars, those numbers simply have to be better. And for Westbrook, he has improved. The ill-advised late-game shots have gone away and he's hitting his free throws late in games. His 8-for-8 performance at the line last night was crucial and he committed only two turnovers in the second half.

Still, despite his routine stuffing of the stat sheet, there are those who say he is not a star. Mark Cuban said he was not a superstar during OKC's first round series against Dallas. Westbrook responded by averaging 26 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists over the five games.

The MVP votes were recently announced and once again, Westbrook failed to get the credit he deserved. Curry was certainly the league's MVP this season, but Westbrook (and everyone else in the league) failed to get a single vote. The lack of votes comes after averaging 23.5 points (8th in the league), 7.8 rebounds (1st among PG, SG, SF), 10.4 assists (2nd in the league) and 2.04 steals (5th in the league).

His rebound average is higher than LeBron James, Kristaps Porzingis, Zach Randolph and Al Horford. His points per game is ahead of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, while his assist totals trump every point guard in the league not named Rajon Rondo.

Certainly Westbrook deserved at least a few votes, did he not? But it's always the negative that people focus on with Westbrook. Routinely, fans say the Thunder have no chance to win a title until they let Westbrook go. After watching last night's game and looking over the numbers, you tell me what team could lose that kind of production and be better for it. The answer is none.

Westbrook is a superstar player in the NBA. His play, though not perfect, has shown that time and again. It's about time people start respecting him like one.

PEDs, Players' Ignorance Continue to Hurt the MLB

Before the season began, Bryce Harper made headlines with his comments about the lack of "fun" in baseball. The "Code" of baseball was challenged, and with it came an uproar from both current and retired players. Baseball has always been a man's game. Not "man's game" as in physical stature or strength, like football, but more towards the side of a sport being centered around respect and integrity. The game is littered with rules you'll never set eyes on in the official rule book and that's what makes the game such a beautiful sport. And while I don't agree with Harper's reasons for saying baseball isn't fun, I do believe that the game of baseball as a whole is not as fun as it used to be and Dee Gordon of the Miami Marlins is the latest reason for that.

Gordon will serve an 80-game suspension this season

It was announced this morning that the 2015 National League batting champ and current second baseman for the Marlins will serve an 80-game suspension as a result of a failed drug test. While taking PEDs is pathetic and dishonest in its own right, Gordon made matters worse when he claimed that he did not know that he had ingested the drugs. How do you not pay attention to what you're putting in your body? I don't think people are secretly spiking his food or sneaking pills into his meals, which either means Gordon is lying or he's just flat out clueless. It not only hurts Gordon's physical health in the long run, but it kills the reputation of an All-Star and shows a complete disrespect to the game.

That's why baseball has become so hard to trust and be viewed as fun. PEDs have become a constant reminder that even when things are going so well in baseball, there are still players who feel it necessary to cheat and ruin the integrity of the game. And what makes this even worse is that guys like Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire have now ruined the perspective of fans and analysts whenever a player enjoys success. Take Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta for example: Arrieta has become the best pitcher in baseball over the past year and has had historic outing after historic outing. He has been an irreplaceable piece of the rise of the Cubs and has provided more excitement than any other player on the roster. Yet Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless spoke about Arrieta on ESPN First Take earlier this week and wondered aloud if Arrieta was using PEDs.

While it's ludicrous to think that someone would undermine a guy's work ethic with an accusation like that, you can hardly blame Stephen A. Smith for calling attention to Arrieta's rise to stardom. Was Smith careless in how he phrased his accusation? Yes. Was the thought behind his words justifiable? Probably. That's the way the baseball world works now and that saddens me. If you have any sort of success, the assumption is almost always that that player's success is due to PEDs of some sort, not his own work ethic and improvement. The cheaters of the late '90's and early 2000's created that culture, and it has stuck with baseball ever since.

Arrieta's meteoric rise has recently raised questions about PEDs

Gordon's suspension is the first of its kind for this season, but it falls in line with a long list of other suspensions past cheaters have served. The biggest issue here is that the MLB is not doing anything to make an example out of anyone that will leave a lasting impression. Sure 80 games seems like a big number, but in the grand scheme of things it's only half a season. Who cares? Dee Gordon is 28 years old and in his sixth season. Once he serves this 80-game suspension he'll come back and serve no further punishment. In the grand scheme of what could be a 12-15 year career, is 80 games without pay really a big deal? No. It is estimated that Gordon will lose about 1.65 million dollars during this suspension, but in comparison to the 50 million dollar contract he signed this past winter, 1.65 is pocket change.

The bottom line is that suspensions and fines are not punishment enough for the guys who don't play the game the right way. If you want to stop the use of PEDs or at least lower the number of guys using them then you ban the guys who break those rules. It's absolutely inexcusable to have guys like Pete Rose banned from baseball for betting on his team to WIN, yet the guys who cheat and set a bad example for younger athletes basically get a slap on the wrist in the long run. The MLB has its priorities real mixed up, and baseball will not recover unless the discipline does more damage.

To connect this all to Harper's desire to make baseball more fun, there is no way that that can truly happen. Players can do all the bat flips they want, they can celebrate in any way they desire, but if players continue to cheat and call the integrity of the game into question then baseball will never be as fun as it should be. I absolutely love the game of baseball and it is a sport I follow faithfully, but why should I enjoy watching America's oldest sport if my favorite player will be questioned about PEDs any time he has a successful season? There is no trust in baseball, it has become guilty until proven innocent and it should not have to be that way. It's time the MLB starts taking itself and these PED violations more seriously because, ironically, taking things more seriously would translate to more fun in baseball.