All he did was win

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. In a jersey, all Michael Jordan (pictured above) could do was win. In a suit, all he has been doing lately is lose.

By Josh Kramer

Once upon a time Michael Jordan and the word “winning” were synonymous.  Everyone wanted to be like Mike.  There truly was not a more well-known athlete.  Since the turn of the century, times have really changed for “His Airness.”  The post playing career has not exactly been one of triumphs and successes for the man commonly referred to as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

Jordan, the current majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats took another loss last evening.  After posting the worst record in terms of NBA history in terms of winning percentage, the Bobcats got the shaft in the 2012 NBA draft lottery.  They will not get to build their team around can’t miss prospect, Anthony Davis.  Instead, they will be saddled with pick number two.  Though there are plenty of talented players that will be drafted on June 28th, none even rival the potential possessed by the one with the infamous unibrow.  Ironically, the team with the NBA’s worst record has not won the draft lottery since back in 2004 when the Magic earned the right to draft Dwight Howard.  That marriage continues to get sweeter and sweeter (just kidding).

The Bobcats really could have used the former UK prodigy.  Any team that goes 7 and 59 obviously has a wide variety of holes, but Davis appears to be one of those franchise type players.  Michael Jordan without question had a better playing career than Larry Bird.  The same cannot be said in terms of post-playing career though.  Bird is currently dominating Michael Jordan in terms of front office prowess.

Advertisement

Go to bat for Woodson

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Isn’t it a no-brainer who the Head Coach of the New York Knicks should be in 2012/2013? Mike Woodson (pictured above) is clearly the man for the job.

By Josh Kramer

405 and 563.  3 and 14.  These are the records of the New York Knicks in regular season and postseason play since the departure of Patrick Ewing.  New York has seen better days in terms of basketball to say the least.  After finally breaking their woeful record setting 13 game losing streak in playoff play, New York has many question marks as they prepare for Game 5 of their first round series with the Miami Heat.

Let’s be entirely realistic though.  I have a better shot at winning the lottery than the Knicks do at winning the next three games against the Miami Heat and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  Who will be manning the New York sidelines during the 2012/2013 season?  That is the real question.

Isn’t it obvious?

Unless Phil Jackson miraculously decides to come out of retirement and take over the reigns, Mike Woodson is the man for the job.

Weekly Nickel 3-19-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Marian Gaborik (pictured above) has led the Rangers to the top record in the Eastern Conference.

By Josh Kramer

Contrary to popular belief, College Basketball is not the only thing going on in the world these days.  Though it may seem that way at times, plenty of other things are going on in the sporting world as well.  The “Peyton Manning Sweepstakes” continue to heat up.  NBA basketball treks on with the “Trade Deadline” in the rearview and Dwight Howard’s version of “Gossip Girl” on hold for at least another year.  Last week was totally awesome baby with a capital A, but this week is sure to be great in its own right.  Here are the events to keep an eye on.

5.  Sid “the kid” Crosby is back in the flesh.  New York, Boston, and Pittsburgh are running the show in the Eastern Conference, while the West has turned into St. Louis and Vancouver’s playground.  We are nearing the end of the regular season, with right around 10 games to play.  It is hard to believe, but I know all of you remember how exciting the NHL playoffs were last year when Game 7’s became almost a given.  This week my attention is focused on a matchup at Madison Square Garden tonight.

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers:  Who can remember the last time these two bitter rivals were relevant?  We may have to reach back to the prime of Patrick Ewing’s career.  We are living in the now though.  And though New Jersey is not a top-tier team, they still are capable of making noise in the postseason.  The Rangers on the other hand are looking to bring back some Mark Messier type of memories.  Perhaps Marian Gaborik can help make this a reality?  Both of these rivals are coming off of a loss.  Something that has been a rarity for the Rangers this year.  Don’t get used to it though.  Not only are the Rangers one of the NHL’s best teams, they also are one of the best at home.  Tonight, they will defend their home ice.

Food for Thought 1-31-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Back in July of 2008, Rafael Nadal (pictured above) broke Roger Federer's heart and took over Men's tennis. On Sunday, Nadal's heart was broken by Novak Djokovic.

By Josh Kramer

Though it is extremely difficult for me to do, the main topic today will not pertain to the Super Bowl on Sunday.  Do not worry though.  There will be much more to come regarding the big game soon.  Today, I am going to give center stage back to tennis.

One for the ages

5 hours and 53 minutes of greatness.  I do not think there is a way to adequately explain what the tennis world was able to bear witness to on Sunday.  Every cliché in the book for an “unbelievable” event would be relevant in describing this tennis match that will not be forgotten any time in the near future.  A “once-in-a-lifetime type of match.”  A  “I-can’t’believe-what-I-just-saw type of match.”  Let the superlatives roar.  Because without utilizing a plethora of superlatives, you would be doing an injustice in describing the 2012 Men’s Australian Open final.

Pacers add fuel to the fire

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Roy Hibbert (pictured above) and the Indiana Pacers are proving to be a contender in the early-going in the East. Will they mature in time for the playoffs?

By Josh Kramer

It is no secret that the Indiana Pacers have finally returned from their seven-year hiatus following the infamous, “Malice at the Palace.”  There is a reason why many, including myself, pronounced the Pacers as the sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.  Indiana has a good thing going, and will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

Wednesday night, they handled business at arguably the toughest arena to visit in the NBA, the United Center.  Sadly though, they did not finish the job. The Pacers showed signs of their immaturity and inexperience via a very excessive post-game celebration (more on this later).  Going into Wednesday, Chicago, who also happens to be the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference was 8 and 0 at home.  Well the dreams of an undefeated home record were dashed on Wednesday by the very balanced attack of Indiana.

Indiana is a team that can beat you in so many ways.

Patrick Ewing as a head coach?

Photo courtesy of nicekicks.com. Patrick Ewing (right) wants to do what Rick Pitino (left) does and step into the head coaching ranks.

By Josh Kramer

The NBA Draft was a wild one this year.  Who cares if the talent level was at a seemingly all-time low and that the lottery was dominated by little-known international players.  Television ratings were the highest they have ever been.  And everyone is praying that a new CBA gets formed sooner rather than later.

But in the meantime, an intriguing story just broke.  The Detroit Pistons are considering Patrick Ewing, the former Knicks great, as a possible candidate for their head coach vacancy?  Ewing, who really defined New York basketball for a 15 year period has been an assistant coach basically since his retirement.  Many have pigeon-holed the first ballot Hall of Famer as a “Big Man” assistant.

“Finals Rematch”

Miami and their star studded trifecta should actually be able to throw a legitimate championship party in the near future.

By Josh Kramer

It is finally time for the conclusion of what has been a wild NBA season. The NBA Finals are set.  And it is a rematch.  Though I will state, these are two very different teams from the matchup of 5 years ago.  In what has been a very memorable extra season thus far with many unexpected turns and twists, we have narrowed the field 2.  And not to be pessimistic, but make sure to tune in and savor it.  With the looming CBA disputes and possibility of a lockout next season, this may be the last professional basketball any of us gets to “Witness” for a long time.

“Food for Thought 2-22-11”

In the big news of the day, the New York Knicks just added the likes of Chauncey Billups (left), Carmelo Anthony (right), and others to their team. New York appears to finally be relevant again for the first time since the Ewing days.

“You had me at Melo.”  That is what the whole city of New York is saying today in light of recent developments where their beloved Knickerbockers picked up scoring machine, Carmelo Anthony.  The former Syracuse star is finally heading to play in the Mecca.  Its about time.  There is so much going on in the sporting world.  There is so much to talk about. 

So lets jump right into the day’s main headlines.

You Had Me at Melo