It's Okay To Not Stick To Sports

On this blog we talk about sports. You name it and we've probably touched on it, but sometimes there are current events in this world that take precedence over the games and the athletes. Here on our blog, Nate and I have sometimes ventured out (examples here, and here) beyond the borders of sports and written about those, like Carmelo Anthony, who chose to step out of the sports bubble. Sometimes there are things that are simply too important to brush to the side, although we try while escaping to sports.

Athletes, coaches and sports media figures are stepping out of the sports bubble more than ever and giving the media and fans their thoughts on the world's current issues, leaders and political debates. Check the comment or replies section after any of these opinions are given and there's the same old comeback of "stick to sports."

Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, the USWNT and a whole host of NFL and NBA players have given their opinion on Donald Trump, Black Lives Matter, race and equal pay matters. Reporters like Richard Deitsch, Seth Davis and others are willing to talk politics on their social media networks. Every time each person listed above strays from sports topics they are told to just "stick to sports."

Sports is an outlet for people. It's a place to get away from the political debates and the issues of the world we live in. For three hours, a fan's worries can just be about the bad call the umpire made or the dropped catch by their favorite wide receiver. Sports is an escape, but it seems some would like to completely forget that there is more to an athlete, coach or media member than their job. They have earned a platform and they are entitled to use it how they see fit.

These are turbulent times in our world. Political leaders in multiple countries pose a threat, violence is on the rise both at home and abroad and the divide between the American people seems to be at an all-time high. Now, more than ever, it would be great if we could just stick to sports.

But we can't. There's more to this life than just sports and there are decisions being made by our leaders that will greatly affect the trajectory of this country and this world. These are no small matters when we talk about people's freedoms, equal pay, race relations, etc. More than ever, sports figures are taking responsibility for their cities and the happenings in them. The platforms they have are massive, reaching millions of people each day. Thankfully, most choose to use them for what they believe in.

You might not agree with their opinion and that's okay. You may disagree with Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the National Anthem or you might disagree with Derrick Rose and LeBron James wearing "I Can't Breathe" shirts in warmups. That's okay. You might not understand why the US Women's National Team is asking for equal pay with their male counterparts. That's fine. But what is not fine is telling them to just stick to sports. Appreciate the fact that they are using their platform for what they see as positive change.

Can you imagine if no one used their platform for change? Why do we ask sports figures to stay in a box, but not others? If everyone confined themselves to their profession then Martin Luther King would have just been a preacher. No person in today's world thinks that MLK should have "just stuck to his day job." Chance the Rapper is very dedicated to seeing Chicago prosper and recently donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools. No one suggested he "just stick to music."

Rather than asking these sports figures to stick to sports, we should commend them for speaking up. When young black men are being killed unjustly, we should respect the fact that men with a platform speak out. When women aren't earning equal pay, we should appreciate that some of the most influential women in the US are setting an example and enacting change. When our President is causing strong divisions among the American people and a coach says it's wrong, bravo to the coach for taking a stand.

Sticking to sports is a tired comeback to those who choose not to. It's asking sports figures to put themselves in a box and not use the platform they have been given. Don't like it? The unfollow button isn't far away. Go ahead and give it a click.

Carmelo Anthony Should Be Commended For Using His Voice

Anthony marches in Baltimore during Freddie Gray protests

You can say what you want about Carmelo Anthony as a basketball player. He is a ball hog, he won't ever lead a team to a title, he took too much money to stay in New York, he acted like a baby when he demanded a trade from Denver, etc. However, whatever your opinions are of Anthony the player, his words this past week deserve respect for Anthony the man.

After a tumultuous week in America, marred by violence between African American men and white police officers in three different cities, Anthony took to Instagram to make sure his voice was heard.

“The system is Broken. Point blank period. It has been this way forever. Martin Luther King marched. Malcolm X rebelled. Muhammad Ali literally fought of US. Our anger should be towards the system. If the system doesn’t change we will continue to turn on the TVs and see the same thing. We have to put the pressure on the people in charge in order to get this thing we call JUSTICE right. A march doesn’t work. We tried that. I’ve tried that. A couple social media post/tweet doesn’t work. We’ve all tried that. That didn’t work. Shooting 11 cops and killing 5 WILL NOT work. While I don’t have a solution, and I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t have a solution, we need to come together more than anything at this time. We need each other. These politicians have to step up and fight for change. Go to your local officials, leaders, congressman, assemblymen/assemblywoman and demand change. There’s NO more sitting back and being afraid of tackling and addressing political issues anymore. Those days are long gone. We have to step up and take charge. We can’t worry about what endorsements we gonna lose or whose going to look at us crazy. I need your voices to be heard. We can demand change. We just have to be willing to. THE TIME IS NOW. I’M all in. Take Charge. Take Action. DEMAND CHANGE. Carmelo Anthony.”

Anthony is not obligated to speak up and as Charles Barkley so eloquently put it years ago: athletes don't have to be role models. Barkley was right that they don't have to act like it, but the reality is that athletes are. Anthony's voice will be heard by many and, regardless of whether or not his play is well-liked, it will be respected by many. There's a certain section of society that Anthony's voice can go where President Obama's and other suited political figures just won't. Quite frankly, the world needs everyone to step up at a time like this because everybody could be better and do better.

Anthony's post is just words, but he is a man who has shown he's more than that in the past. He marched in Baltimore with protesters after Freddie Gray's death. And his post this time asks those who have remained silent to step up to the plate. Speaking up is not for every athlete, but we do live in a generation where some of the biggest names (Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul) are not afraid to go beyond the court. Just because they can drop 25 points whenever they want does not mean they have to step out in times of tragedy, but it is refreshing to me that they do. It shows they understand that they can make a positive difference.

A positive change is needed in this country and any athlete who will have the ears of millions, and wants to use their voice in a positive manner, will earn my respect. Anthony, despite his flaws on the court, is a role model for everyone, including his peers in the NBA. His platform can be used for good and that's exactly what he's doing. Bravo.

Melo in Chicago? Thanks But No Thanks

The summer of 2014 is going to be one of the best summers maybe in NBA history. Arguably the best draft class (assuming the star-studded freshman class goes "one and done") since 2003 will join the NBA in late June and the free agency market is as star-studded as anyone can remember. Hall of Famers highlight the free agency such as Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. Yet the one free agent who has drawn just as much intrigue as anyone is current New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony. In the midst of an absolutely awful season, Anthony has been given advice by players who have known what testing the free agency waters is all about. Both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have offered Melo advice on how to handle the pressure yet neither has made any attempt to recruit the Knicks forward, nor will they.


However, Melo is at the point where he can pick where he wants to go and just about anyone would take him. Yet as the season reaches the midway point and rumors begin to leak more and more, the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls have emerged as the top options for Carmelo with the Bulls seemingly having the edge. When you first hear "Carmelo Anthony" and "Chicago Bulls", the majority of Bulls fans would get excited and hope, wish, and pray that Melo would don the red, white, and black next year. My question to those people would be, quite simply, why?

Melo's need to have the ball in his hands could hurt Chicago

Why would you want Carmelo Anthony in Chicago? Can he score? Absolutely. Can he score efficiently? More often than not he can't. Melo is as one-dimensional as they come and a player like him would never last under Tom Thibodeau. Thibs' expectations and culture are virtually impossible for a lazy and selfish player like Carmelo Anthony to accept and play under. The Bulls play a team game on both sides of the ball and the offensive scheme requires plenty of ball movement with a high-low post game and ball screens. Melo is not a good or willing passer (averaging a mere 3.1 assists per game for his career) and continually slows down the offense in order to play one on one. Again, is he good at it? Yes, arguably the best half-court offensive player in the league. But does that fit the Bulls' game plan? No, and it never will.

Why would you want a guy that's going to take away from a high-powered attack with numerous weapons? Assuming Derrick Rose comes back at full strength and with the incredible development of Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah, the Bulls have plenty of guys that can be built around and offer great upside on both sides of the ball. What good is all of Jimmy Butler's improvement if he's forced to stand and spectate while Melo does eight jab steps towards his defender only to pull up from 25 feet out? What good is Joakim Noah's ability to get to the hoop from the elbow and finish with both hands if he's stuck watching Carmelo dribble out 16 seconds of the shot clock so he can shoot a contested step-back? Carmelo Anthony would give the offense no sense of flow whatsoever because he has to have the ball in his hands and he fails to make other players around him better.

Thibs' intensity may not sit well with Melo

With Melo's game now being set aside, why would you want a guy with the attitude he has ruining the great chemistry the Bulls have? He didn't have a great relationship with George Karl in Denver, he ran Mike D'Antoni out of New York, and told the Knicks front office not to re-sign Jeremy Lin. The bottom line is, Carmelo Anthony is the epitome of a spoiled and selfish player. He's under the assumption that the front office should cater to him which, to a degree, is not totally wrong because he's the guy that's selling the tickets. But other than that, his relationship with his past coaching staffs and teammates has not been good and if you think he could handle Tom Thibodeau you're out of your mind. Tom Thibodeau is flat out tough. He expects the best every single second of every single practice or game and presents an intensity that few coaches in the NBA can match. You have to be tough to play in Chicago, mentally and physically. Carmelo Anthony has enjoyed playing in New York where it's clear that he is "the guy" and the fans are just happy to have him there because he's entertaining to watch. But if Melo were to come to Chicago could he handle being in the shadows of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah when it comes to leadership? Denver and New York were Melo's teams and it was obvious. Chicago would never be his team to lead and that's not something I imagine Anthony would like to be a part of.

Am I saying Carmelo Anthony is a bad player? No. Am I saying Carmelo Anthony is a bad player for the Bulls to pick up? Yes. The Bulls need to focus their efforts on bringing Nikola Mirotic over from Spain and focusing on the payroll as a whole. They don't have the money for a superstar like Melo nor would he fit with the system. Maybe I could be wrong. Maybe Carmelo Anthony has only been selfish all his career because he's had to be in order for his team to succeed. Maybe he's capable of playing with the concept of a team offense. The only way to tell would be to give him a number seven jersey with "Bulls" across the chest. But as for now, the Bulls have other options they need to explore, options that would better their chances to improve as a team.

ESPN's Reporting Continues to Falter

As an aspiring sports journalist/broadcaster it once was my dream to work at ESPN. While I still watch the various ESPN stations and enjoy some of the programming, it is my view that the business has gone downhill. No longer is ESPN an unbiased sports news station. Instead it centers around it's favorite teams and leagues. Rather than reporting on stories and issues, the various shows that ESPN airs would rather debate about the topic in an almost-uncivilized manner. It's all too much. It's not good reporting or journalism and it has brought ESPN's credibility down. Below are my observations.

There's an ESPN favorites club
If you're in the ESPN favorites club then life is sweet. If you're not then forget about being covered. For example, if LeBron James changes his shoes at halftime of tonight's game then I'm sure even that will be covered by Sportscenter tomorrow morning. However, if Indiana's Paul George records a double-double in the series clincher against the Knicks then it will register as just a blip on the radar. Why is that? Well it's obvious. Carmelo Anthony is a member of the Knicks and a member of the ESPN favorites club. When the Pacers defeat the Knicks that is not a story. The story is that Carmelo didn't get it done for the Knicks. Same story with the Heat. Instead of asking, how did the Bulls win, they ask, how did LeBron let the Heat lose?

Brett Favre might be the president of the ESPN favorites club. Remember his multiple retirement saga? ESPN followed him around like it was some kind of reality show. If Favre was caught throwing passes at a local high school then it was the top story. Meanwhile, the quarterbacks who were actually on teams at the time were getting zero press.

ESPN has there favorite teams too. The Cowboys and the Jets are always going to be top stories when it comes to the NFL. If it's the NBA then it's the Heat or the Lakers. Never mind that LA was ousted by the Spurs almost two weeks ago; ESPN still discusses the future of the Lakers despite all the other playoff series still going on. The Yankees are always going to be covered when talking MLB and the NHL hardly exists to ESPN. They have their favorite teams and players and those are the ones that will receive the coverage.

The sports world revolves around the NFL
ESPN has plenty of different shows that air on a daily basis, but there is an obvious favorite among the major pro sports. The NFL has almost five shows that air during a week and all of them cover the same topics. In contrast, the MLB has Baseball Tonight, the NBA has Fastbreak and the NHL has nothing. It is the middle of May and there is still NFL Live, NFL 32 and NFL Insiders airing on a daily basis. Why do we need that much NFL coverage? I couldn't tell you because Sportscenter also feels the need to use much of their program to cover pro football.

It's not fair at all because the reality is that most fans' only avenue to sports news on television is ESPN. That means that all they hear about is football. But you know what ESPN can't figure out? They will be the ones to comment on how hockey seems to be lacking attention, lacking fans and lacking interest in the United States. They fail to realize that their lack of coverage on the sport is part of the problem.

Right now I should turn on ESPN and see plenty of coverage on the NBA and NHL playoffs to lead off. Following that there should be coverage of last night's MLB games and then lastly there should be news from the NFL. The NFL is irrelevant right now because it's out of season, but someone forgot to inform ESPN about that.

A story isn't worth reporting if ESPN can't argue and debate it
Here's the perfect example on this new-found phenomenon at ESPN of always debating stories. When Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay athlete in American pro sports, it was a huge day for the LGBT community. It was a monumental moment and no one can argue that fact. Whether you support gay rights or not, this was a story worth reporting because it signals a change that is imminent in our professional leagues. Sports Illustrated reported on the story and did a magnificent job of letting Collins tell his story. That's it. Just tell his story.

Smith has become the poster child for the Debate Era

ESPN couldn't merely tell his story. Instead, the found a way to twist what should have been an informative story into a raging debate. LZ Granderson, an openly gay journalist for ESPN, and Chris Broussard, a Christian reporter on the NBA for ESPN, both appeared on ESPN's Outside the Lines just hours after Collins' announcement. What happened on the show was disgraceful and should not have happened. Broussard was asked several questions and basically baited into sharing his personal views on homosexuality. I'm fine with Broussard's opinion and I'm fine with Granderson's, but I have a problem with debating whether homosexuality is okay or not on a show that shouldn't be used as a platform for that.

I used to like watching ESPN First Take, but I no longer watch it because I cannot stand to listen to Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless yell at each other about every topic put in front of them. There is room for debate in sports journalism, there is no doubt about that. Pardon the Interruption has found the happy medium between debating and discussing. First Take would rather yell their way through the show and that is not enjoyable at all. Sometimes a story is just made to to be reported, not to be debated.

These are three of the biggest faults ESPN commits and it has hurt the television shows, their reporting and their entire programming in general. I sometimes wonder what direction ESPN is headed in because, in the day and age of reality television, it really seems like that's the direction that ESPN wants to go. They are not worried about giving equal coverage to all leagues and teams, but they would rather focus on the teams and leagues that they find most exciting. That's not good reporting.

ESPN is highly-regarded as the best option for sports reporting. If we really do consider them the best then it's time they be held accountable.

2013 Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

Out West there is some argument as to who will emerge the victor. In the East it's quite a different story. The New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony have been a great story this season. The Indiana Pacers seem to have returned to the success of the '90's. The Brooklyn Nets went through a re-branding process and then turned in a top four finish in the conference. The Chicago Bulls played admirably all season long with their MVP sitting on the sidelines. Obviously, there are plenty of great story lines in the East, but those will be put to bed in due time. It's the Miami Heat's world when it comes to the NBA and LeBron, DWade and the Gang only reinforced that thinking with a 66-16 record. Any man with a brain would have to consider the Heat the favorite to win the title again, but these playoffs should give fans some great series. Let's take a look at the Eastern Conference first round match ups.

1. Miami Heat vs. 8. Milwaukee Bucks
Saying Heat vs. Bucks is synonymous with saying David vs. Goliath. Unlike the original story though, Goliath will win this series with ease. The Heat are better than the Bucks in every way and this should be a sweep if Miami means business from the opening tip. Miami was 2-1 versus Milwaukee in the regular season and the Bucks may steal a game at home. However, Miami was built for the playoffs and they have looked brilliant this season and have shown no signs of weakness. LeBron James is an MVP and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have done their jobs as well. For Bucks fans, enjoy watching Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis because it is likely the last time they will suit up together in Milwaukee. Prediction: Miami in 4
How They Stack Up
                  Points                          Rebounds                            Assists                              Points Allowed
Miami            102.9                              38.6                                    23.0                                     95.0
Milwaukee      98.9                               44.0                                   22.9                                    100.4

2. New York Knicks vs. 7. Boston Celtics
Is this an exciting series or what? New York is led by Carmelo Anthony who captured his first scoring title this season while Boston is led by veterans, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. When Rajon Rondo injured his knee midway through the season many thought the Celtics were done, but here they are. They may be the seven seed, but they are dangerous. The question is, can the older players endure a long, tough series and stay healthy? Garnett, Pierce and Jason Terry have all been banged up, but when healthy Boston is a title contender. The other key to the series for the C's is Jeff Green. They will need his offense, but more importantly his defense on Anthony. New York is hoping to get past the first round and anything less will make the season failure. That's something the Knicks don't need, nor does Carmelo. However, count on the experience of Boston if they are healthy. The championship window isn't closed just yet. Prediction: Boston in 7 
How They Stack Up

                  Points                          Rebounds                              Assists                            Points Allowed
New York       100.0                              40.6                                    19.3                                     95.7
Boston            96.5                              39.3                                    22.8                                     96.7

3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks
Pacers fans endured some hard years after the Malice in the Palace, but Indiana is back and they look very good. Full of budding stars, the Pacers have to be breathing a sigh of relief for not drawing the Bulls or the Celtics in the first round. Both teams would be a harder match up than Atlanta because, if history tells us anything, the Hawks are the kings of mediocrity. Count on them to be in the playoffs, but count on them to not win anything. This year should be no different. Indiana is far too difficult of a match up because of their size and athleticism. Jeff Teague versus George Hill should be a phenomenal point guard duel between two rising stars, but the key is Indiana's Paul George. The All-Star will probably be guarded by several different Hawks, but he should be able to score on anybody. Even if ATL decided to put Josh Smith on him that will give David West a mismatch. Bottom line: match ups aren't in the Hawks favor. Prediction: Indiana in 5
How They Stack Up

                  Points                          Rebounds                              Assists                            Points Allowed
Indiana            94.7                              45.9                                    20.3                                     90.7
Atlanta            98.0                              40.9                                    24.5                                     97.5

4. Brooklyn Nets vs. 5. Chicago Bulls
This could be a great series, but as with most of the Bulls' season it will be about who isn't on the floor rather than who is. Derrick Rose most likely isn't going to suit for Chicago and so the Bulls will have to get the job done without him like they have all year long. They have to be healthy though if they are to win. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson have been banged up lately, and both players' status is uncertain. Luol Deng has shouldered the load for Chicago this season, but will he run out of gas? He averaged 38 minutes per contest this season and that could catch up to him. For Brooklyn, they have enjoyed a healthy Deron Williams this season and he is playing great basketball. If Noah is out then look for Brook Lopez to dominate. However, if Chicago is healthy then they get the slight edge in this series. Prediction: Chicago in 6
How They Stack Up

                  Points                          Rebounds                              Assists                            Points Allowed
Brooklyn         96.9                              42.8                                    20.3                                     95.1
Chicago          93.2                              43.2                                    23.0                                     92.9
   

Scoring Title First of Few Individual Awards for Melo

Before I get into this topic, I would like to yet again say that my thoughts and prayers are still with those in Boston and those who were affected by the life-changing incident this past Monday. My last blog covered a little bit about how the marathon affected the nation and the sports we all love and in no way, shape, or form are we all ready to return to normalcy. The images we saw on the news still stick in our minds and we grieve for those who are hurt. With that being said, I wish to discuss the latest news that Carmelo Anthony has won his first scoring title.

Melo has been all smiles all season, and deservedly so.

It was announced this morning that Kevin Durant would not play in the Thunder's final game, leaving him what would have had to have been a 70-point performance away from his fourth straight scoring title. Carmelo Anthony absolutely dominated the month of April and averaged 36 points per game since the first of the month, and that's no April Fool's joke. In a word, Melo was absolutely dominant this year. It didn't matter how you guarded him, who guarded him, or where you guarded him. The bottom line was that Melo had a Hall of Fame season and will gladly accept the first scoring title to be presented to a New York Knick since Bernard King in the 1984-1985 season.While shooting his way to the league's best 29 points per game accompanied by an impressive 45% field goal percentage, Carmelo Anthony will make his way into Knicks history with this incredible season.

But what about Melo's career as a whole? Is it really that admirable? Sure he's a six-time All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist, but has Carmelo Anthony's career really been that extraordinary? If you look at the statistics, his career is definitely above average, but he hasn't done anything that will make future generations remember him for.

The road to Melo's first Finals appearance runs through Miami.

So what makes Melo worth remembering? It certainly won't be his 33% three point percentage, nor is it his three assists per game. Melo's teams have also been a non-factor in the playoffs with Melo only seeing second round play once in ten years. While with the Nuggets, Melo only won the Northwestern Division three times out of his eight seasons in the Mile High City. Needless to say he never won the conference championship and never even sniffed the Finals.

That carries right over to the City that Never Sleeps when he joined the Knicks in 2011. This year was the first year Melo's team won a division title and they boast the two seed in the East. With the playoffs looming, this brings us to Carmelo's playoff statistics. Essentially, Melo's statistics don't differ from his regular season averages which you could say is good because that means he doesn't disappear. On the other side of that, however, it doesn't appear that he elevates his game either. Players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Derrick Rose all have seen an increase in the point production when it comes time to chase a title, Melo has not.

With the postseason comes postseason awards which Melo has basically been nonexistent, he has been named to the All-NBA team five times: once to the second team and four times to the third team. He has never been an MVP finalist until possibly this year and as a whole his name just simply hasn't been in discussion for postseason awards. We won't even get into defensive awards because Melo doesn't exactly overexert himself on the defensive end. All in all, Melo will be a player people look back on and remember but my guess is very few people will say "Man I wish I could go back and watch Carmelo Anthony play." He's a top ten player of the generation but not one that will be as big of a name down the road if his career continues down the road it's going. No disrespect to the phenomenal half-court offensive player that Carmelo Anthony clearly and honestly is, but the hype is backed up by very, very few accolades.

Carmelo Finally Cracks Under Garnett's Pressure

Carmelo Anthony has erupted this season and is playing his best ball yet. The man is a serious MVP candidate averaging 29 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. His play this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Lately in the media, though, Melo has been drawing attention for negative reasons.

It started with Kevin Garnett trash-talking Melo into oblivion last week when the Celtics visited the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. KG, as only KG could, finally said the magic words to Anthony and the two had to be seperated not only on the court, but after the game as well. Melo took it upon himself to go to where the Celtics would be loading the bus and wait for Garnett. Are you serious? Every sports analyst I listened to after that incident reiterated the point that "it stays on the court". I believe those analysts are right. Why on earth would you think it a good idea to try to confront a guy outside of the basketball court, especially Kevin Garnett who you know his only goal is to get you to lose focus on the game. That's absolutely childish.

So we discovered that Melo can't handle trash talk. Then why after the Knicks third loss to the Chicago Bulls was he running his mouth about Luol Deng and the Bulls in general? Luol Deng had one of his best games of the season and dropped 33 points on Carmelo Anthony. Yet after the game Melo said he "didn't think Deng did anything". Excuse me? He also said that he wasn't worried about the Bulls at all. I would be worried, they clearly had your number the three times they played you. Why after you just threw a fit about being trash talked would you go do something silly like talk down an athlete that has done nothing personal to you?

I'd like to think that the bad week for Melo stopped after those comments but I would be incorrect. News came out today that the Knicks organization placed microphones at either end of the court in order to listen in on the talk that went on between the players during the game. The decision to do so was in order to "protect Anthony". Now we're going to babysit a 28 year old man? What happens if the Knicks find out that in some way Carmelo is instigating the trash talk. How do you plan to protect him then? This whole situation has gone much too far all because Melo let Garnett get in his head. I'm sure Garnett was being nasty with his talk, that's how he is. But Carmelo should know that and have thick skin. He's one of the best players in the league, his play should do enough talking for him, especially this year.

This past week has really shown Melo in a negative light. Everybody already knew he couldn't be tough on defense, but his mental toughness had never really been challenged. Garnett took it upon himself to see just how mentally tough Melo is and well, we know how that worked out. Melo's a great offensive player and a guy that kids look up to. I'd like to see him stop and think before he acts or speaks because he doesn't need to miss any more games to suspension with the Knicks looking like title-contenders. Just shut your mouth and play, Melo.

Stern Stops CP3 to Lakers Deal

Still Enemies: Paul and Bryant will continue to play against each other
in the West after Stern vetoed the trade

For a little over an hour last night their was excitement among NBA fans everywhere. News broke that New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul had been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three team deal that also sent Lamar Odom to New Orleans and Pau Gasol to Houston. For weeks it had been rumored that LA wanted Paul and Orlando big man Dwight Howard. Along with Kobe Bryant, the trio would create a Big 3 that would dominate the West and challenge Miami for the NBA title year after year. With the deal last night, LA moved one step closer to assembling the team they and their fans have been dreaming of. Social media sites blew up and ESPN was in a frenzy...and then David Stern stepped in.

The Hornets, as of last year, are league owned yet Stern and the league never interfered with the trade negotiations. However, minutes after the deal was done, Stern put his foot down and stopped the deal. Chris Paul tweeted, "WoW" and Lamar Odom tweeted, "When a team trades u and it doesn't go down? Now what?" Paul was reportedly working with NBPA head Billy Hunter and sources say he may take legal action against the NBA. The buzz around the league is that several owners, Dan Gilbert and Mark Cuban have been named, complained to Stern about the deal. Owners in small markets do not want their teams raided for their superstars by large market franchises such as LA, New York or Chicago. New Orleans, being from a small market, would be losing their best player to Los Angeles. Since Stern technically owns the team, owners complained that he shouldn't give up the team's best player. What this sounds like is a bunch of whiny babies not getting their way.

The small market owners and Stern are not in favor of "superpowers" and that's exactly what they think is happening here with Paul being dealt. However, there are so many things wrong with Stern's decision to stop the deal it's not even funny. Owners, and some fans, are acting like the Lakers are getting Chris Paul gift wrapped to them without giving up much. That couldn't be further from the truth. If the trade ever goes through, LA is losing two of it's top three scorers, the Sixth Man of the Year, 33.2 points and 18.9 rebounds per game. Gasol and Odom have won two titles with the Lakers and been major contributors to those teams. The Hornets and Rockets weren't getting a couple of bums in the deal.

If anything, the Hornets are smart for dealing Paul now. They saw the cloud of drama that hung over Denver last year while the Nuggets tried to figure out what to do with Carmelo Anthony. Eventually Melo would be traded to New York, but Denver had to deal with the constant rumors and media scrutiny for half of the season. No organization wants that and CP3 has made it known he will be catching the first train out of New Orleans if he reaches free agency. The man simply doesn't want to be there. He is going to do the same thing Melo did and demand a trade all year long. The Hornets are wise to move him now and avoid the drama and controversy that will surely come their way. Also, the Hornets were going to get something for Chris Paul. Stern, who probably thinks he is doing the right thing, just failed miserably. What if the Hornets can't come up with a deal to trade Paul? Then he leaves in free agency and the Hornets get nothing for him. Then they can thank David Stern for that one.

Stern has not had a very good six months as the
commissioner of the NBA

What does this mean for the other teams? Today Dwight Howard has requested a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. If that happens then the fantasy of he, Paul and Kobe playing together in LA will probably never happen. For at least an hour it looked like a strong possibility but now it seems impossible. David Stern didn't accomplish anything positive by blocking the trade. He kept a disgruntled superstar in New Orleans who will basically hold the team ransom until he gets what he wants and he caused problems for LA. They now have two stars who feel unwanted and aren't sure of where they stand in the organization. Even Houston is angry with the commissioner because they needed Gasol to replace the spot left by Yao Ming's retirement.

David Stern has had one of the worst six months anyone could possibly have. He did a miserable job handling the lockout and, in my mind, came out as the loser of that situation. Now, he has angered at least three teams in his own league and has made three stars unhappy. I have no idea what he thought he would accomplish but he has put a lot of people in an awkward spot. What's he going to do now? Stop Dwight Howard from going to the Nets? Stern made one of the most foolish decisions ever. Howard will most likely be in Brooklyn by the end of the week and Paul, Odom and Gasol will be at home, avoiding training camp. The three organizations have one man to thank for that: David Stern.

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

Well, it appeared the Boston Celtics threw in the white towel last night and gave the Big 4 the night off and the subs promptly lost in overtime to the lowly Washington Wizards. With that loss, and Miami's win over the Atlanta Hawks, the playoffs are now set in the Eastern Conference. Like I said yesterday, this year's playoffs are going to very hyped up and rightfully so. There are four or five contenders in the East and many questions that will be answered in the coming weeks. The Chicago Bulls have won 60 games to date and are the top seed while the Heat are second and Boston is third. Many would say one of those three teams will represent the East in the Finals but watch out for the Orlando Magic and maybe even the New York Knicks. I've broken down each first round matchup and predicted the winners starting with the Bulls vs. Pacers so let's take a look...

1. Chicago Bulls vs. 8. Indiana Pacers

Could this be the start of another Chicago Bulls dynasty? It very well could be with the defense the Bulls have under rookie head coach, Tom Thibodeau. There's also that fella named Derrick Rose who has become one of the game's best players and should receive the MVP honors this year. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are a great tandem in the post with Boozer providing the scoring and Noah grabbing boards and bringing energy. Luol Deng is not talked about much but he has had a great season and will be counted on this postseason to take the pressure off Rose. The Bulls bench has also been very effective this season and they will need to be ready in the first round because the Pacers are always putting fresh bodies out on the floor. As many as 12 players see good time game in-game out for Indiana but they need Darren Collison and Roy Hibbert to come up huge if they hope for a first round upset. Locking down Rose is impossible but slowing him up would be huge for this young Pacers bunch. Don't expect an upset but don't be surprised if the Pacers steal one from the Bulls in Indianapolis. Prediction: Bulls in 5

4. Orlando Magic vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks

If big, bad Dwight Howard can keep himself from getting suspended because of technical fouls then the Magic should win this series for the second year in a row. However, the Hawks did win three out of four in the regular season so maybe there is some substance to that. Atlanta has five players who average double figures with Joe Johnson leading the way at 18.5 per game. What the Hawks need is for Al Horford to play great and Zaza Pachulia to be the irritant he is and get inside Howard's head. Jameer Nelson is always steady at point guard and Atlanta's Jeff Teague is faced with the task of stopping him. Teague has started a handful of games since Mike Bibby's departure and the playoffs could be a something of a coming out party for him. Kirk Hinrich has playoff experience with the Bulls and is reliable. This series is hard to predict but I'm going to guess that Dwight Howard can go seven games without being a cry baby and take the Magic to the second round. Prediction: Magic in 7

3. Boston Celtics vs. 6. New York Knicks

This so called "rivalry" has supposedly heated up this year but until now that was a lie. Now that the two teams are meeting in the playoffs things probably will heat up and we should be treated to a great series. If the Celtics hadn't made the idiotic move of trading Kendrick Perkins then I would say Boston would win easy but that's not the case anymore. If you're looking for an upset special this could be it. The Knicks can score in bunches and the Celtics seem very vulnerable right now. They haven't been the same team since the trade and they seem to have lost their edge. By no means am I saying the Knicks are a great team, but they are capable of winning this series. Carmelo Anthony is the best closer in the game right now and that means better than Kobe for all you Laker fans. He and Amare came to New York for a reason and, while they are a few years away from the ultimate destination, they can take the first step this season. For the Celtics it's championship or bust. Prediction: Knicks in 7

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Philadelphia 76ers

We all remember that little pow-wow the Heat had at the beginning of the season when LeBron made the claim that they would win something like 11 NBA championships together. It seemed silly then and it seems silly now. Miami won't win more than four championships and they won't win this season. That said, they won't have a problem in the first round against the 76ers. With LeBron and Dwyane Wade, the Heat have two of the best finishers in the game and that's what a team needs to advance in the playoffs. Message to Erik Spoelstra: give Wade the ball for the last shot if it's needed!!! LeBron has been awful and lost his chance!! Okay, back on topic, Chris Bosh needs to play like an All-Star in the postseason for the Heat to advance far. For the Sixers, they are a young team with a veteran coach and they have a nice story this year but they don't have a chance to beat the Heat. Kudos to Doug Collins and staff but Miami will be moving on easily in this series. Prediction: Heat in 4

If those predictions hold true I would then pick the Bulls and the Heat to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Bulls would win to advance to the Finals. With a potential lockout looming, make sure to watch as much playoff basketball as possible because who knows when we will see it again. The East has made a comeback and now has several solid teams and is filled with superstars. That's a change from the past and these playoffs are where the conference can really showcase that. Four of the top candidates for MVP will be playing in the East and should all advance to the second round. Stay tuned in the coming days for the Western Conference preview once that bracket is set.

Melo's Clutch Jumper Tops Pacers, Playoffs Looming for Both Teams

On Sunday night I had the chance to attend the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and, wow, was it a treat. The two teams went back and forth all game long, with no team able to extend their lead much past seven, and with four seconds to go, Carmelo Anthony drilled the go-ahead basket that proved to be the game winner. The Knicks won 110-109 for their seventh win in a row and moved up into the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. Anthony finished with 34 points despite sitting a prolonged period of time in the second half due to foul trouble. New York was without Amare Stoudamire but Anthony and Chauncey Billups stepped up in his absence. For Indiana, it was a disappointing defeat after playing well for the majority of the game, but failing to find consistent offense down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Danny Granger scored 17 points in the first half but was held to three in the second half and his potential game-winning jumper was blocked by Anthony.

After watching Indiana play it is clear they aren't going to be a breeze for the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. Do I think the Bulls will lose the series or that it will go seven games? No, not a chance, but the Pacers are a young, scrappy bunch and they should play the Bulls to a few tough games and, perhaps, steal one from them. They are the only Central Division team that beat Chicago this year and they match up well with the Bulls lineup. The Pacers play 11-12 guys and are a deep team, but the one thing they are lacking is that superstar and closer. Danny Granger can be that guy but last night he wasn't. A superstar can't score only three points in the second half and disappear in the final five minutes of the game. That's one thing the Bulls have going for them. Derrick Rose has been phenomenal this season and the MVP trophy is all his, no arguments. He is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds and nearly 8 assists per game and has perfected that closer role for the Bulls this year. The Pacers use three point guards in Darren Collison, A.J. Price and T.J. Ford with Collison getting most of the minutes. There may not be a faster player in the league than him and how well he matches up with Rose will surely dictate how the series will go for Indiana. In the post the Pacers have Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Hibbert to go up against Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. Granger and Luol Deng will be a nice matchup to watch and then Paul George will guard Keith Bogans/Ronnie Brewer. The Pacers are on the way back to success but with such a young, inexperienced team don't expect an upset over Chicago.

New York is the mystery team in the East. They can be really good, like this seven game win streak, or they can be just plain awful like their six game losing streak at the end of March. With Anthony, Billups and Stoudamire in the lineup, the Knicks can score at will but the one thing hindering them is their defense. It is their style to score 100+ points and give up the same amount and that's not good come playoff time. Sure, they can guard somebody but they don't. They will face either the Celtics or the Heat and both teams can match the Knicks point-for-point while playing solid defense. If the Knicks play the Heat they won't win. They could push the series to six or seven games but, just like Mike D'Antoni's Phoenix teams, the lack of defense will hurt them. However, if the Knicks play the Celtics then they have a realistic shot at beating them. Without Kendrick Perkins or Shaquille O'Neal in the paint, the C's have lost their identity and they no longer seem like the big, bad bully on the block. Both the Bulls and the Heat have thumped Boston in the past week and New York may be able to pull of the upset.

The Eastern Conference playoffs should be very exciting to watch. Are the Heat good enough to make it to the Finals? Are the Celtics still the same, old Celtics we have come to expect? Are the Bulls really as good as their record indicates? There are questions all around the conference as the playoffs get ready to start and it should be a wild few weeks. It's fun to see teams getting into playoff mode and games getting chippy (take a look at Jermaine O'Neal's foul on LeBron James from Sunday) and who will emerge to take on the Lakers, Thunder or Spurs out West? They say the NBA is where amazing happens and we should be treated to some amazing basketball starting in just a few days.

Photo courtesy of Darron Cummings (AP Photo)

Superpowers Good for NBA

Much has been made lately about the superpowers forming in the NBA. It all started with the Boston Celtics acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to go along with Paul Pierce, which created the first Big 3 in the East. The Los Angeles Lakers have put Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol out on the floor for a few years now and the result has been two championships to date. This summer, Miami re-signed Dwyane Wade and plucked LeBron James and Chris Bosh from the free agency market while Chicago was able to sign Carlos Boozer to help Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Before the deadline the Knicks traded for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups and those two have teamed up with Amare Stoudamire to become a legit contender in the East. Out West there is the Thunder, Spurs and Mavericks as well and it is clear that the competition in the NBA is the best it has been since the mid-1990s.

To fans this is the best thing for the NBA because interest in the league was dwindling. After the Jordan-era, fans turned away from the NBA because the stars of the 90's were retired but now a new generation of superstars is in their prime and viewership has spiked. Also, there are finally a number of teams who have a legit shot at the title, whereas in recent years there have been few contenders. In both leagues there are four or five teams that have a chance to advance to the Finals. Boston, Miami, Chicago, Orlando and New York look strong in the East and out West the Lakers, Thunder, Spurs and Mavericks will fight for the conference crown. It is this intense competition that brings fans to their television sets because there are a number of can't-miss games. For example, Miami played Orlando last night, San Antonio tonight and then Chicago on Sunday and all those games are/will be on national television. These matchups of power teams have rekindled interest in the league.

Like the NFL, the collective bargaining agreement expires for the NBA after this season and there could potentially be a lockout next year. Enjoy this season while it lasts because owners are going to try and make the league more balanced, in hopes that every team will have a shot at winning the title. That's exactly what the league doesn't need though. What the NBA is creating now is good because they actually have competition and that creates so much more for them. It means more people tune in to watch, rivalries are created, stars go head-to-head every night and the playoffs are buckle-your-seatbelt action from start to finish. The NBA had become so watered down in the early part of the millenium because there are too many teams and stars were spread out. It made for a lot of bad games that nobody was interested in. Now, the stars have joined forces and the quest for the championship should be the best it's been in a long time.

It's hard to pick a Finals matchup because of how evenly teams match up and that's what makes the games fun. Nobody wants to see Charlotte play Toronto because the starpower just isn't there but almost half the league has players and teams worth watching. I would imagine the playoffs should get the highest ratings it's had in awhile. Also, many stars have free agency coming up and that will mean more alliances being formed. It's an exciting time for the NBA and one that they should cherish, not try to destroy.

Jersey Gets Their Superstar

More trade news from the NBA and I'm not a fan of this move at all. Deron Williams, star point guard of the Utah Jazz, was sent to the New Jersey Nets and, in return, the Jazz received point guard, Devin Harris and a promising rookie in Derrick Favors. Williams is clearly one of the best point guards in the NBA today (see past post on NBA point guards) and many teams have coveted his services. The Nets pulled off the move less than 24 hours after Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks and it almost seems that the Nets wanted a superstar on their roster so badly that they didn't think through this deal very hard before executing it.

It's no secret that New Jersey wanted LeBron James in the summer and that they desperately tried to make a trade with Denver to land Carmelo. Now they have Williams, but the problem is that they gave away two young players that had loads of potential. Harris and Favors along with center, Brook Lopez, made up a pretty good, young core that could have led the Nets back to the glory days of the early 2000s. Without a doubt, Williams is an improvement from Harris but he really has no one to pass to. He and Lopez could have the same success that Williams had with Carlos Boozer in Utah but there is no supporting cast. At first glance it appears that the Nets have a pretty solid roster of young talent but it really isn't. At 17-40 they are 4th in the Atlantic Division and have no shot at the playoffs this season. After Williams and Lopez the Nets have an overrated, overpaid and injured player in Troy Murphy. Sasha Vujacic has a decent jumpshot but other than that all he has going for him is Maria Sharapova. Damion James's best basketball days were in Austin, Texas as a Longhorn and Travis Outlaw got a hefty contract in the offseason and has produced very little. Williams is stuck with a bunch of players that will not win.

On top of all that, Williams is a free agent at the end of this season and I would be surprised if he stays in New Jersey. Unless they can pull together some pieces and convince him that they have a shot at being a contender he will most likely leave for a better team. I have thought that he may want to go to Los Angeles to play with Kobe. Yes, Phil Jackson is leaving and there certainly will be some changes to the Lakers but Williams could run the point and have Kobe, Gasol and Odom to pass to. Derek Fisher is on the way out and LA will need somebody to run the Lake Show. It's definitley a place where he can win a championship or two and cement his legacy as an elite point guard. A friend of mine also brought up the idea of Dallas. Jason Kidd, like Fisher, is almost done and the mavs will need a point guard. Williams is from Dallas and could play in his hometown with Dirk Nowitzki and work for Mark Cuban. What player doesn't want to play for Cuban? Point is, there are going to be many destinations more popular than New Jersey at the end of the season. The Nets could only have him for half of a season and then he will be gone, but Utah has Harris and Favors for a long time.

Another thing that bugs me about this trade is Utah's timing. A few weeks ago williams and former Utah head coach, Jerry Sloan, reportedly got in an argument and when all was said and done, Sloan resigned. He was one of the NBA's best coaches and had been with the Jazz for 20 years. However, Williams got the best of him or the franchise picked their point guard over their coach and told Sloan to resign. What ever it was, Jerry Sloan is now at home. Williams is no longer in Utah either. Why didn't the Jazz tell Coach Sloan that if he waited just two more weeks Williams would be gone? That's no loyalty to a man who has been around for a long time. Jerry Sloan deserved better than that.

With this trade it is obvious that the power of the NBA has shifted to the East. For years the West has won all the championships and had most of the star players but with Carlos Boozer going to the Bulls, Amare and Carmelo to the Knicks and now Deron Williams to the Nets the East should be dominant. The Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Magic and maybe even the Knicks could take on the top teams in the West and beat them any night and I will say right now the champion will come out of the East this season. No one knows yet how long Deron Williams will be in New Jersey but, for now, the Nets have their superstar and they are hoping it means a few more "W's" in the win column.

Photo courtesy of financebehavior.co.uk

Melo's New York State of Mind

The deal is done and the drama is over. After months of speculation and rumors, Carmelo Anthony has been traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks. The trade, which also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves, was completed late Monday night and involved 12 players, draft picks and 3 million dollars in cash. New York is getting Melo, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman from Denver while the Nuggets are receiving Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov and draft picks from the Knicks. New York also sent Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota for Corey Brewer. Anthony is a bona fide superstar in the NBA and Billups is a steady point guard who is a proven winner. The Knicks did sacrifice young talent but no one can deny that superstars win championships in the NBA and the Big Apple now has Melo and Amare Stoudamire in blue and orange.

Since the offseason, trade talks have swirled around Anthony and he made it no secret that New York was his preferred destination. He tried hard to end up in his chosen city without tarnishing his image like his buddy down in South Beach did and, for the most part, he was successful. Carmelo Anthony is back where he wants to be, the East Coast. Melo was the superstar in Denver and led them to the Western Conference Finals in 2009 but despite the success of the Nuggets, it was clear they were never going to win a championship. It became imminent that Anthony was on the way out, whether it was via trade or free agency, and now he will be playing in Madison Square Garden, the greatest arena in sports. The Knicks signed Amare Stoudamire in the offseason and he has lifted MSG's spirits, leading the team to a 28-26 record which is second in the Atlantic Division. Already much improved from last season and second in the league in scoring with 106.2 points per game, New York added Melo who averages 25.2 points. Stoudamire puts up 26.1 per game and the two average over 16 rebounds combined.

What will be interesting to see is how Anthony and Stoudamire mesh. Amare left Phoenix because he was tired of playing in Steve Nash's shadow and he wanted a team to call his own. He has been the star of New York City for the first half of the season and carried the Knicks so far but now Carmelo enters the picture. Can the two coexist and will Melo respect that this is Amare's team? I think they can do it and I believe they will produce. However, to say the Knicks are favorites to win the East is ludicrous. At best they will be the 5th seed behind Boston, Miami, Chicago and Orlando but they could make some noise in the postseason. It will be hard to win playoff games with little supporting cast. Landry Fields and Billups are reliable but after that there is little talent. Ronny Turiaf and Renaldo Balkman can defend and rebound but the scoring will be hard to come by off the bench. A few years from now the Knicks could be an Eastern Conference powerhouse but not this year.

I say they could be in a few years because they will be able to assemble a supporting cast and another summer of superstars in free agency will have gone by. Chris Paul has mentioned before that he would like to go to New York and team up with Anthony and Stoudamire and the idea of that should be scary to other teams in the East. Deron Williams and Dwight Howard are also approaching free agency so there are options out there. It is my assumption that Paul will end up in NYC to run the point for the Knickerbockers which would make Spike Lee and the Gang go nuts at MSG.

The Knicks have not been a good team since the new millenium hit and they haven't had a superstar since Patrick Ewing. Stoudamire has filled that role and now Anthony is with him. Ewing never could win the Big Apple a championship but it looks like these two should. This year expect nothing better than perhaps a first round win in the playoffs but in the years following, beware of the Knicks. Those are words we haven't heard in awhile. But then again, basketball is back in New York City.

Photo courtesy of ice-dotcom.com