Conspiracy Theory, But Maybe True

What if I told you the New York Knicks had a team meeting last week.  

In that meeting, GM Donnie Walsh, Owner James Dolan, head coach Mike D'Antoni and the powers that be with the Knicks sat around a table at Madison Square Garden and came up with an ingenious plan:  make sure that when Kobe and LeBron come to town, they have record setting games.  Play less defense, let them light up the scoreboard, and make them feel like the Garden is magical.

Let them be showered with praise by the Garden crowd.  Let them be the top story on SportsCenter for a night.  Let their performances be the talk of the town for a while.

That way, when both become free agents in the infamous summer of 2010, both will have fond memories of playing in New York.

It would certainly make it easier to entice them to join the Knicks then, wouldn't it?  

They can just look back at their all-world performances from the winter of 2009, on back-to-back games at the Garden.  Kobe pours in 61, LeBron goes for a triple-double with 52 points.  Ah, how sweet it would be to play 41 games a year in that building.  

The Knicks have already made it clear that they'll be contenders for top talent when that big summer comes around.  They've already made some moves to get them well under the cap so they can take on a couple max contracts.  And everyone knows this year the Knicks aren't going anywhere, barring an unforeseen run to the eighth seed in the East and a first round playoff defeat.  

The fans know that everyone in Manhattan is gearing up for that big summer, so they have already accepted the team will stink the next couple years.  They're all looking ahead to that summer of 2010, and are expecting a top flight free agent to be wearing orange and blue come the fall of that year.

So what better time than now to plant the seed in the players' minds?  It's not like you have to convince Mike D'Antoni to have his team play lackluster defense.

It was probably an easy sell in that meeting with his superiors, because relaxing on defense for a couple nights could mean Kobe and LeBron in a year and a half.

Why Is Mike D'Antoni Considered Such a Good Coach?

Am I missing something here?

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has never lead a team to the NBA Finals.  His system encourages a lack of defense.  While he has proven that he can win regular season games if given the right pieces, his teams can never turn the corner against teams that pay attention on both sides of the floor.

So why is he so desirable?

Here in Chicago, many people have been talking about whether Vinny Del Negro has taken so much flack because the Bulls could have had Mike D'Antoni or Doug Collins.  Collins hiring was mostly a story blown out of proportion, as he was never really coming here.  But D'Antoni on the other hand was the man the Bulls seemed to covet.  They didn't get him, as the Knicks swooped him up, and the media praised the Knicks for making the move to get him.

Everyone here seems disappointed the Bulls didn't get D'Antoni, believing that had he manned the Bulls bench Chicago wouldn't be 21-28 and in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference.  The funny thing about that notion is that D'Antoni's Knicks are just one game better in the conference standings than the Bulls are.  At 21-26, New York is in the East's 10th seed.

The national media talks about D'Antoni like he's an innovator, or someone with a great system.  All I see is a man who runs a free for all offense with undersized players who can't get a team to the NBA Finals.  Is that so impressive to you?

After all, it was against D'Antoni's Knicks that Kobe Bryant dropped 61 points on a couple of nights ago.  It was a Madison Square Garden record, but the clinic of bad Knick defense was almost as impressive as Bryant's scoring.

Tonight LeBron James and the Cavaliers visit the Garden, and the question is how many points the King will drop on the woeful Knicks.  When asked about it, Knicks foward Al Harrington told the media that you can't really stop him and he'll do what he does.  D'Antoni said he's more concerned with fast break scoring than stopping LeBron.  Why?  Why isn't he, like other coaches, concerned with trying to stop him, or at least slowing him down?  Granted, the man is going to get his points, but why not just pretend that at least one of his goals is to limit his impact on the game?

He just doesn't get it.  And neither does the media, for anointing him as one of the NBA's good coaches.

Hump Day Headlines: Afternoon Edition

In this week's Hump Day Headlines, we discuss Barry Bonds' latest mess, Michael Phelps potential criminal charges, David Beckham's failed soccer experiment, and LeBron reaches 12,000 points...

• As we have mentioned in past Hump Day Headlines, we've been waiting a while for the day to come when Barry Bonds would finally get nailed for cheating his way to baseball's all-time home run crown.  Despite everyone's best efforts to discredit the hundreds of pages filled with evidence damning Bonds in Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada's Game of Shadows, and the fact that not enough has been made of the fact that Bonds has already admitted to steroid use but says "he didn't knowingly take them", we now know that the proof is in the pudding, or urine sample.  The Federal Government has decided to unseal evidence against the slugger that includes multiple positive drug tests.  Bonds attorneys will try yet again to discredit these drug tests, which date back to 2003, but how a jury could actually be convinced that Bonds didn't know that he was taking steroids yet was consistently failing drug tests would really be a miracle.  Then again, O.J. somehow got away free.
• Now that Michael Phelps had been caught in a photo smoking marijuana from a pipe at the University of South Carolina, he could face criminal charges for his actions.  The Richland County Sheriff's department is investigating the situation, and apparently has a very tough stance on drugs (then again, who doesn't?).  The photo was revealed in "News of the World" a British tabloid, and can also be seen right here on this very site, courtesy of Scott's recent post.  Unlike Scott, I don't think you can give Phelps a pass for this act despite the fact that he's 23.  I'm 23, and Scott is 22, and if either of us were caught smoking pot we'd get into trouble.  Granted, many could chalk it up to us being young and dumb, and for that opinion those people would be right.  But neither of us is making monopoly money for endorsements with countless companies or is expected to be a role model for kids across the globe.  Phelps is a moron for rolling the dice with his reputation, especially after he had already been picked up for an under-age D.U.I.  I say Phelps deserves whatever prosecution he gets, and it's a shame he would be so dumb.  I guess he's not the wholesome kid we all hoped he might be.
• Remember when David Beckham came to the U.S. to play soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy as a way to popularize the world's game in this country?  That experiment surely failed.  He's barely through two years of a 5-year, 32.5 million dollar contract that was going to pay him far more cash in endorsements, and he's trying to get out of his deal to remain with Italy's A.C. Milan, the team he has been playing with for the last month and a half.  His lawyers are currently talking with the Galaxy to see if he can get out of his deal.  So basically, David Beckham's career in the states was short, filled with injury, and unimportant.  It was a novelty at the beginning, but fizzled quickly, like when Katie Couric got the CBS News job and people tuned in for the first week and then went back to their regular destinations.  That ends the argument that soccer could ever be popular in America.  If David Beckham can't do it, no one can.
• With his 33 points in last night's 101-83 win over the Raptors, Cavaliers forward LeBron James has eclipsed the 12,000 point mark for his career.  He is the fastest player ever to reach that scoring total, faster than Michael and faster than Kobe.  At 24 years, 35 days old, he passed Kobe who reached 12,000 at 25 years, 220 days old.  Said Cavs coach Mike Brown, "He's still going to get better, that's the scary thing."  There's an understatement.  The way LeBron is going, there's no telling what kind of statistics he can amass as his career moves along, and he could finish with the best statistics of any player in NBA history.  But until he wins a bunch of titles, and makes his team a champion around him, he'll never get to where every new NBA star has to get to, and that of course is Michael's standard. 

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker Benched For Being Annoying

Well, that's what Gregg Popovich said.

"Parker makes the All-Star team and becomes hard to deal with, so we're going to sit him and teach him a lesson," Popovich joked.  "Duncan says he wants to renegotiate his contract, so I said, 'Sit, I'm not talking to you.'"

Boy, that Pop is quite the card, a real wild man.  In a game against a team seeded only one spot (and now by only one game) below them in the standings, the Spurs decided it would be best to rest Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Michael Finley.  Four of the top five scorers, all out.

No real reason was given as to Finley's absence, though one would have to assume simple old age.  As for Manu, the reason given was an alleged "hip contusion" suffered at some point in the previous night's overtime win at Golden State.

Currently the Spurs are in the midst of their annual Rodeo Road Trip, and last night's game in Denver was the second of a back to back, which is never easy in the NBA.  However, the Spurs have off until Sunday, when they head east to face the Celtics.  Even if all these guys needed a night off, the next four days of rest wasn't enough?

Now, I'm not going to question Gregg Popovich on anything other than his facial hair decisions.  The man's won championships, built teams on late first and second round picks, and seems to always make the right decisions.  Though, it does seem a bit above and beyond to rest these four guys for no real reason when three of the last four years one game would've made a huge difference in the standings.

Fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver must've really been excited.  Kenyon Martin was out with tonsillitis, Chauncey Billups left the game early with a sprained ankle, and any Spurs player worth a damn was wearing warm ups or a suit.  

Scary thing?  The Spurs almost won, led by Roger Mason and rookie of three NBA games Malik Hairston. 

Sometimes, I guess, those unruly, out-of-control guys on the Spurs need to be taught a lesson.

Kobe Bryant or LeBron James? Or, Other?

Like it or not NBA haters, there are some serious stars in the game today.  While none of them carry the weight of the NBA on their shoulders like Jordan, Bird or Magic, they're pretty damn good in their own right.  But, you know that.

Not that anyone needed any reminding whatsoever, but Kobe Bryant went out last night in New York and lit up the Knickerbockers.  20 of 20 from the line, 61 points in just over 36 minutes.  Here's a look at all of those points.  

OK, so again, you knew all this.  Kobe Bryant is good at basketball.  However, around spectacular events such as the one documented in moving pictures above, there seems to always be debate generated about "Who is the best?"  Is it LeBron James?  Is it Kobe?  Is it another guy, maybe Dwyane Wade, or Chris Paul or Dwight Howard?  

Sometimes, I must say, I don't get this debate.  Who is to say which player is better?  In what category?  I'd probably rather have Kobe on my team with the game on the line, but as far as a fantasy team, I'd likely take Bron Bron.  Kobe's won championships, sure, but never on his own or without some serious help.  LeBron took his team to a championship without any serious assistance from the other 11 active Cavaliers at the time, and simply ran into a better Spurs team.  You could go over stats and awards doled out to the two players til you were blue in the face.  So, to save that likely dangerous situation, I'm changing the terms of the debate.  My question is, with all these players still in their prime, which would you take to start a team?

Right off, I'm crossing Wade off my list.  He's a phenomenal talent, has played big on the biggest of stages, and can do just about everything.  Problem with him though is two-fold.  First, he's been too injury prone in his career.  Second, dude hasn't been able to do much in the way of winning on his own.  

Next to go is Dwight Howard.  I love Superman, truly.  And, while I'm a big proponent of centering your team around your big man, especially one that can block shots and lock down the paint, I just don't think I'd take Howard over these other guys.  His game just has too many holes in it right now.  He isn't a great passer yet, can't hit free throws, and doesn't have a great offensive game (outside of putbacks and dunks).

Now for the most intriguing debate: LeBron or Kobe next? (Ooops...I think I just blew who I would take.  Damn it!).  People that don't watch a ton of LeBron think it's "in the know" to say that he doesn't really have a jumpshot.  That just isn't true.  He's worked big time on it over the past few seasons, and while it's not at Kobe's level (and likely won't ever be) it's certainly better.  He's got the great all-around statistical game that Kobe doesn't have, but there's something about Kobe's determination to simply dominate and destroy that would have me scratching off LeBron first.  Not to say Bron doesn't care, he does, no doubt.  But, Kobe seems like the kind of guy that would kill his brother if it meant guaranteeing a win. That instinct has to count for something.  Truly though, toss up between the two based on personal preference. 

The guy I'd take is Chris Paul.  I know he got hurt last night, but, assuming he's fine (word is mild groin strain) he's my choice.  Paul is that rare, once-in-a-lifetime combination of player that can be both the best scorer and best distributor in a given game, at any time.  Granted, he's far better as a distributor, but he's shown (on many occasions) that he can take a game over offensively if need.  Defensively, he's as quick with his hands and into the passing lanes as anyone in the league.  He shoots a better percentage from the line than everyone mentioned above not named Bryant (only by .2%, by the way).  He can do everything (he, not LeBron or Kobe, leads the league in triple-doubles and is third in the league in double-doubles).  

To me, the league has changed from being dominated by bigs to being dominated by guards.  Paul can anchor a team for years to come, while allowing a secondary star to blossom as well.  When your best player doesn't need to score much to be the best player in the game (think Brevin Knight, but amazing), that's a good thing.

And now, of course, your turn.  Who would you take, starting a team, tomorrow.  And no, Sam Dalembert isn't an acceptable answer.

OH MY GOD, Michael Phelps is a Human?!

Take a deep breath, everyone.

No, not you Michael.  You've done enough heavy breathing recently.

Unless you've been in a post-Super Bowl coma, you've likely heard about the news that pictures of Michael Phelps smoking from a bong have been circulating all over the web.  Smoking? Marijuana?  Good lord.  How dare he?!

Now, I'm not saying it's OK to smoke weed.  I recognize that it's illegal, that Phelps is being paid trillions of dollars by every company known to man and has a responsibility as something of a role model.  I realize all of this.  But, I also realize that he's only 23.  And, by and large, 23 year old people do stupid things.

Let's not condemn the kid for doing something that it seems like nearly every person has at least tried by the time they've turned 25.  And, if you haven't smoked weed, which is obviously fine, there's no way you haven't done something alarmingly stupid.  That's part of growing up, part of being a twenty-something.

Sure, are the stakes higher for Michael Phelps, record setting Olympian, than Scott Spinelli, live at home part-time employee?  I'd imagine so, if only slightly.  But, if there's one thing I can't stand, it's hypocrisy.

I hate when people are all up in arms when they find out that a college athlete didn't go to class or take his school work seriously, when we all know what really goes down on college campuses more often than not.  I hate when we find out that an athlete smoked weed and we pretend that A) it doesn't ever happen and B) get on our collective high horses to preach down to them about how bad it is, when, most of those people have done it.

Again, don't get me wrong.  I'm not advocating smoking pot.  All I'm saying is, before we crucify the kid, just be fair about it.  He's just that, a kid.  A kid that made a mistake and apologized for it.

Live and let live, I say.

Welcome to the Worst Month of Sports

Well here we are. The worst month of sports in the calendar year. The least intrigue of any month.

At least it's the shortest month of the year.

Let's review what's on tap for this blistery, cold month, for those of us who don't live in Hawaii or California or somewhere where seasons don't exist:

• regular season NBA games
• the NBA All-Star Game (and all weekend events)
• regular season college basketball
• regular season hockey
• pitchers and catchers report (which really is nothing)

If the best thing on that list is the NBA All-Star game, you really have a bad month.

The month of February is comprised of sporting leagues that don't play every day. It's the hardest month of sports, because your favorite teams don't play every night, and sometimes your favorite teams play all on the same night. There are many nights in which none of your favorite teams play.

So you really have to depend on television, or having a life, to get you through the month.

During baseball season, there's something on every day. That eliminates all those months from the discussion of which month is truly the worst (April through October). Except maybe for August, which has really nothing other than baseball and a major golf championship. But for me, as long as baseball season is going, the month cannot be the worst.

The other months of the year all have significant intrigue. Football season has games almost every day when you consider college and pro football playing simultaneously. You have the NFL on Sunday, Monday and Thursday (later in the year), and you have college football on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. So during the months between September and January, there's football to fix your craving whenever you need it.

The month of March is covered with great college basketball, as you have the conference tournaments and then the glory that is March Madness. And that's the cherry on top of all the February events that continue through month, with the exception of the NBA all-star game.

And what makes February even worse is that you see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the great sports in March, and you realize it's all still weeks away.

So that's my pitch for February being the worst month of sports. Feel free to disagree in the comments section.