Who said training camps weren’t exciting? First it’s Frye, then it’s Quinn, and now we’re getting ready for Derek Anderson to lead the Browns into the 2007 season. Can Romeo Crennel just make a decision already? Actually, no, he can’t. And I’ll tell you why.
Now that the world is back to spinning on it’s axis and Lebron James is slowly coming down off his high from getting to the Finals, we can clarify some things. First and foremost, Lebron James is STILL not Michael Jordan. He’s not even Kobe Bryant. Granted, what he did against Detroit and throughout the playoffs was unbelievable, and downright special, but it wasn’t Michael. It was, well, what we expected. You cannot bring this much hype to the table as the so-called “face of the NBA” and not win some playoffs series or get to the final series. And yes, Kevin Garnett, that means up until now your career and all of it’s accomplishments mean nothing. But really, to take that next step, Lebron needs to win the whole thing. Not next year. Not in three years. This year. The difference between Jordan or Kobe and James? Not that James has never won a title, more, the other two guys never lost one.
I just don’t understand it. What is this absurd fascination with Trent Green? Why would any team want a 37 year old quarterback who just came off an injury plagued season, and is clearly on the downside of his career? Not just that, but Miami has a very capable Daunte Culpepper shaking his head in confusion, unable to understand why this is happening. There is no real reason to shake the confidence of Culpepper just to MAYBE get one more solid year out of Green. I mean, when was the last time Green led a team to a Super Bowl, anyway? And all of a sudden he’s the savior. If anything, Kansas City cannot wait for this trade to happen. They probably could care less what they get, as well. They’re just trying to hide their giddiness for their quarterback of the future; Brodie Croyle.
The NBA Draft is soon approaching, and if you ask me, is not getting the attention it deserves. Sure, there’s the top two that everyone is talking about: Oden and Durant. But after them, a lot of these players are going unnoticed or flying way too far under the radar. I have taken it upon myself to enlighten the public on what players should be drafted this year. One thing I refuse to do, unlike NBA GM’s, is fill the end of the second round with European project players. Each player at each pick is a player that truly deserves to be there.
It happened again. Steve Nash and the Sun’s elimination from the playoffs produced a nation-wide question: Why doesn’t Nash, a two time MVP, get blamed when his team loses early? Well, that is not only a stupid question; it is an easily answered one. First, last season wasn’t Nash’s fault. They didn’t have Amare, and last I checked they still did pretty damn good. Second, this season was Robert Horry’s fault. He single handedly gave the Suns their exit tickets, and you can thank the NBA for that. The suspensions of Stoudamire and Diaw were ridiculous. But I don’t want to focus on the Suns. I don’t want to take it one step further and say,” Nash? What about Shaq and D-Wade?” I don’t even want to begin to dissect the many reasons why those two stars were heavily responsible for a drastic collapse and sweep by the hands of the younger Chicago Bulls. Wait, yes I do.
The NFL amazes me. Once again, they have found a way to not only enrage a superstar, but they may have found a way to phase him out, as well. Brett Favre, merely an average season away from three major records, recently expressed his displeasure for Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers organization when they failed to bring in Randy Moss.
With the NBA season quickly coming upon us, it is up to every sports writer to offer his or her expert opinion on what exactly will come of the 2006-2007 season. Their answer? They have no idea. The Heat retain all the same players from the team that defeated the Mavericks in 6 games a year ago, but they also are one of the oldest teams in the league. Teams such as the Bucks, Bulls, Clippers, and Grizzlies are being questioned whether or not their “promising” youth can lead them further into the playoffs. On the other side are teams like the Cavaliers, Suns, Nets, and Mavericks; teams that have been hanging around the past few years around the entrance to the NBA Finals, only to be turned down like the dorky kid at a dance. And before I go on and mention every NBA team, let us not forget about the talented but chemistry lacking squads such as the Knicks, Blazers, and Raptors. All your questions will be answered, starting with the Eastern Conference: