Saturday, November 14, 2009

King James Says If He’s Not Going To Wear No.23, He’ll Wear No.6




Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James wants NBA players; including, himself to stop wearing No 23.

James insists that Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players of all time and deserves a tribute for his phenomenal talent and acknowledges that he or other players would be non-existent; if it hadn’t been for Jordan’s contribution to the game.

The comment about players hanging up their No. 23’s and sporting another number other than Jordan’s, first reported by The Plain Dealer, was made after Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat. James scored 34 points and seven assists to help the Cavs defeat the Heat, 111-104.

Mr. James who has worn the No.23 since a sophomore in high school had an epiphany realizing he should out of respect for MJ stop wearing the No.23.

Another jersey number Mr. James might consider wearing- the No.6. It’s the number of basketball great Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who just happens to be his second-favorite player.

Although, this sounds like a melodic tribute with honoring athletes who have come before them that paved a way for others success, what about the current NBA rules?

According to the NBA, a player must wear a number five years before applying for a switch. The petition would cause for the NBA to change its current policy and perhaps consider other jersey numbers to stop wearing.

With that said; unless, Commissioner David Stern is going to give it a go; Mr. James could see this tribute not likely happening full circle in the league.

I guess it’s similar to other sports; especially, in track and field when the late Florence Griffith-Joyner ruled the track with her glamorous one-legged outfits and phenomenal speed or sprinter Carl Lewis showed up to a meet in a limousine.

No runner would be caught dead wearing one of Flo Jo’s outfits or arriving at a track meet near the back stretch in a limo. Why? Because it’s symbolic of what these athletes represented and contributed to the sport.

A level of respect or a sport creed that exists in most sports, but now players are openly discussing keeping tributes alive and not just retiring a jersey- but giving numbers meaning that embodies a legacy.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Yankees Win World Series: A Cloudy Forecast


It was a redemptive night for the New York Yankees as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6.

A sluggish season for the team, including teammates Andy Pettite and Alex Rodriguez, who were in the midst of baseball’s steroid controversy.

Remember Mr. Rodriguez admitted to steroid use during 2001- 2003 in February, while his teammate Mr. Pettite admitted use before the 2008 season.

Yanks Hideki Matsui tied a record of six RBIs and Andy Pettitte won the clincher on Wednesday night to pitch New York to its first victory since 2000 and to an elusive 27th championship. Matsui was named most valuable player.

But it was a sweet reward for third baseman Alex Rodriguez who admitted to using steroids, had hip surgery and didn’t join the team until May- finally was able to silence his critics with his team clinching the series title.

However, there is much peculation over this victory for teammates Rodriguez and Pettite surrounding the field as fans and media wonder if these players are receiving a pass on their illegal use of steroids.

In the wake of the steroid controversy, both players openly admitted to using the illegal substances after testing positive and suffered no repercussions for their actions.

Unlike sluggers Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire who denied use and never tested positive for steroids, but were slammed in the public eye and deemed as cheaters.

Call it a perception of the bad boy image or Mr. nice guy that gets some athletes the stamp of approval of illegal use.

You have to question whether or not this victorious win brings a cloudy forecast over if an athlete admits to using a steroid they are no longer seen as a cheater, than one that does not admit to use.

Clearly, fans have made up their minds and decided to give certain athletes a pass for their skullduggery use of steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, but America’s past-time plagued with racial discrimination, cheating scandals, and steroid controversy that can only cleanse itself for one night after winning a series.

Keeping the hopes and dreams alive of athletes that openly admit to usage are indulged in the clouds while their counterparts receive precipitation and thunderstorms.