By now you've heard the news. Kobe Bryant says he wants off of the Lake Show. He says he feels betrayed by the organization as a "Lakers Insider" went on record with the "Kobe forced Shaq out of LA" blast. Kobe also says he was lied to about the direction the team was going when he resigned.
Let me break this down for you. Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere. In fact, I don't think he wants to go anywhere.
For starters, he's wanted to be "the man" in LA the whole time. Bryant today revealed that owner Jerry Buss told him that there was no way that he was going to resign Shaq in 2004; that it was simply way too much money for a player of Shaq's age and physical condition. That may be true, but Kobe didn't exactly stand up and say, "You can't get rid of him. If he goes, I go." Instead, Kobe resigned with the Lakers after weighing offers from other teams around the league that summer.
As for the lying about rebuilding the team, I think he's telling the truth, but actions speak louder than words. Shaq was traded Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a 1st round pick BEFORE Kobe put pen to paper on his deal in LA. Did he think that trio was going to bring another championship to LA? Yet there was Kobe, signing his contract shortly after the trade, and that contract has further hamstrung the Lakers. At an average of nearly $20 million per year for Kobe with a luxury tax threshold of around $60 million at the time, how were the Lakers going to pay any quality players to play with him?
The result? A predictable 3 years of frustration. The Lakers have been a fringe playoff team ever since, and now Kobe says he wants out. Well, it's not going to happen.
First of all, there's no one outside of Dwayne Wade and Lebron James that would be equal value for Kobe. And the thought of getting a few players back and making the team better is noble, but star power sells seats in LA.
This is about one thing - getting Jerry West back in the fold. West might be the only executive in the league that Kobe trusts right now, and his history of success is well documented. West's return would spell the end for the Lakers current GM, Mitch Kupchak, and based on the deals he's made since the summer of 2004, he deserves to be shown the door. Like trading Caron Butler (you remember him from the Shaq deal) to the Wizards for Kwame Brown. Butler has become an all-star, while Brown has been both injured and insignificant.
So don't worry, Kobe fans. You don't need to retire that yellow #24 jersey just yet. Expect Bryant to be there when the season starts in late October. Just don't expect to see the same front office.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
And They're Off
If you, like me, have been critical of the NHL's shortsighted decision to go with NBC instead of ESPN the past couple of seasons, then your frustration probably reached new levels on Saturday.
Here's the scene. Game 5: Ottawa and Buffalo heading to overtime in what could be a series clinching win for the Senators. While this is great from a hockey fan's perspecitve, NBC execs don't exactly see it that way. That's because they're committed to televising the Preakness, the second leg of Horse Racing's Triple Crown. The two events are now going to overlap.
The decision is simple for the Peacock. We're off to the Preakness. Why? Because it gets better ratings and brings in far more advertising money than the NHL. Fair enough. I can understand the rationale.
What I can't understand is why the problem even exists. Because the ONLY reason that the hockey game was being played at 2pm Eastern time (11am Pacific) is that NBC wanted it that way. And that's why you didn't get your Hockey NIGHT in Canada. NBC wanted an afternoon game, so they got it.
"Well, that makes sense," you respond. "NBC probably pays big money for the TV rights, so they have the right to influence the schedule." That's when I inform you that NBC pays absolutely nothing for the rights. In fact, the only way the NHL gets money from NBC is if the Peacock makes money off of hockey. Then they throw a few coins into the NHL's hat as they pass by a begging Bettman on the corner.
Did we miss the overtime here in Canada? No. We still had CBC.
But here's why you should be pissed off. Because unlike NBC, YOU ARE CURRENTLY PAYING THE NHL MONEY FOR BROADCAST RIGHTS. CBC pays tens-of-millions of dollars every year (soon it will be $100 million/year) for the right to televise Hockey Night in Canada. Guess who funds CBC? You do, Joe Taxpayer. But despite the fact that CBC is lining the NHL's pockets and NBC pays NOTHING, Bettman has allowed our friends south of the border to dictate the schedule.
So let me get this straight. NBC decides to cut to the Preakness because horse racing makes them more money than hockey. So why would the NHL not allow CBC to have the final say on the time of game 5? After all, the Corp is paying the bills so shouldn't they be given the right to make some of those millions back by airing the game at the most lucrative time?
It's an absolute joke. To allow a station to alter your schedule at the most important time of the year and then they don't even air the conclusion of the game... well, quite frankly it's exactly what you saw those beautiful equines drop all over the track at the Preakness on Saturday.
Here's the scene. Game 5: Ottawa and Buffalo heading to overtime in what could be a series clinching win for the Senators. While this is great from a hockey fan's perspecitve, NBC execs don't exactly see it that way. That's because they're committed to televising the Preakness, the second leg of Horse Racing's Triple Crown. The two events are now going to overlap.
The decision is simple for the Peacock. We're off to the Preakness. Why? Because it gets better ratings and brings in far more advertising money than the NHL. Fair enough. I can understand the rationale.
What I can't understand is why the problem even exists. Because the ONLY reason that the hockey game was being played at 2pm Eastern time (11am Pacific) is that NBC wanted it that way. And that's why you didn't get your Hockey NIGHT in Canada. NBC wanted an afternoon game, so they got it.
"Well, that makes sense," you respond. "NBC probably pays big money for the TV rights, so they have the right to influence the schedule." That's when I inform you that NBC pays absolutely nothing for the rights. In fact, the only way the NHL gets money from NBC is if the Peacock makes money off of hockey. Then they throw a few coins into the NHL's hat as they pass by a begging Bettman on the corner.
Did we miss the overtime here in Canada? No. We still had CBC.
But here's why you should be pissed off. Because unlike NBC, YOU ARE CURRENTLY PAYING THE NHL MONEY FOR BROADCAST RIGHTS. CBC pays tens-of-millions of dollars every year (soon it will be $100 million/year) for the right to televise Hockey Night in Canada. Guess who funds CBC? You do, Joe Taxpayer. But despite the fact that CBC is lining the NHL's pockets and NBC pays NOTHING, Bettman has allowed our friends south of the border to dictate the schedule.
So let me get this straight. NBC decides to cut to the Preakness because horse racing makes them more money than hockey. So why would the NHL not allow CBC to have the final say on the time of game 5? After all, the Corp is paying the bills so shouldn't they be given the right to make some of those millions back by airing the game at the most lucrative time?
It's an absolute joke. To allow a station to alter your schedule at the most important time of the year and then they don't even air the conclusion of the game... well, quite frankly it's exactly what you saw those beautiful equines drop all over the track at the Preakness on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Chicken Stu
TOUGH TO ARGUE WITH WHAT THE NBA DID WITH RESPECT TO SUSPENSIONS YESTERDAY. BUT I WILL.
ROBERT HORRY GETS A PAIR OF GAMES - ONE GAME FOR HIS FLATTENING OF STEVE NASh, THE OTHER FOR STRIKING RAJA BELL ABOVE THE SHOULDERS IN THE ENSUING SCRUM.
AS FOR THE SUNS, BOTH AMARE STOUDEMIRE AND BORIS DIAW WILL WATCH GAME 5 AS THEY EACH GET AN AUTOMATIC GAME FOR LEAVING THE BENCH. DID THEY DO ANYTHING? NO. BUT THE RULE IS CLEAR AS DAY. YOU LEAVE THE BENCH, YOU GET SUSPENDED. THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO GREY AREA. OR IS THERE?
THE SUNS MAY ACTUALLY HAVE A CASE HERE. IN THE FIRST HALF OF GAME 4, SAN ANTONIO's FRANCISCO ELSON THREW DOWN A DUNK AND WAS INADVERTANTLY UNDERCUT BY JAMES JONES WHO WAS TRYING TO GET UP COURT. TIM DUNCAN AND BRUCE BOWEN BOTH LEFT THE BENCH. DUNCAN, IN FACT, CAME ONTO THE COURT. IN REVIEWING THE MATTER, THE LEAGUE SAID THE RULE DIDN’T APPLY BECAUSE THE ELSON-JONES SITUATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN INCIDENT. BUT THE FACT REMAINS – 2 PLAYERS LEFT THE SPURS BENCH BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY PERCEIVED TO BE A BLATANT CHEAP SHOT ON THEIR TEAMMATE. HOW IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE SUNS WERE DOING?
WATCH THE REPLAY OF THE HORRY ALTERCATION. YES, STOUDEMIRE AND DIAW START TOWARD THE SCRUM, BUT THEY NEVER ACTUALLY GET THERE. IN FACT, THEY ARE RESTRAINED BY THEIR COACHES LONG BEFORE THEY GET THERE. THEY DID NOT ESCALATE THE SITUATION IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. SO WHY SUSPEND THEM??
THIS IS A COP OUT TO ME. STU JACKSON DECIDED TO INTERPRET THE SITUATION IN ONE CASE BUT NOT THE OTHER. HAD THERE BEEN NO OTHER INCIDENT TO SPEAK OF, JACKSON WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL WITHIN HIS RIGHTS AS LEAGUE DISCIPLINARIAN TO GIVE BOTH STOUDEMIRE AND DIAW A TIMEOUT. BUT THIS SMACKS OF FAVORITISM AND NOW THREATENS THE INTEGRITY OF THE BEST SERIES THIS YEAR'S PLAYOFF HAD TO OFFER.
ROBERT HORRY GETS A PAIR OF GAMES - ONE GAME FOR HIS FLATTENING OF STEVE NASh, THE OTHER FOR STRIKING RAJA BELL ABOVE THE SHOULDERS IN THE ENSUING SCRUM.
AS FOR THE SUNS, BOTH AMARE STOUDEMIRE AND BORIS DIAW WILL WATCH GAME 5 AS THEY EACH GET AN AUTOMATIC GAME FOR LEAVING THE BENCH. DID THEY DO ANYTHING? NO. BUT THE RULE IS CLEAR AS DAY. YOU LEAVE THE BENCH, YOU GET SUSPENDED. THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO GREY AREA. OR IS THERE?
THE SUNS MAY ACTUALLY HAVE A CASE HERE. IN THE FIRST HALF OF GAME 4, SAN ANTONIO's FRANCISCO ELSON THREW DOWN A DUNK AND WAS INADVERTANTLY UNDERCUT BY JAMES JONES WHO WAS TRYING TO GET UP COURT. TIM DUNCAN AND BRUCE BOWEN BOTH LEFT THE BENCH. DUNCAN, IN FACT, CAME ONTO THE COURT. IN REVIEWING THE MATTER, THE LEAGUE SAID THE RULE DIDN’T APPLY BECAUSE THE ELSON-JONES SITUATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN INCIDENT. BUT THE FACT REMAINS – 2 PLAYERS LEFT THE SPURS BENCH BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY PERCEIVED TO BE A BLATANT CHEAP SHOT ON THEIR TEAMMATE. HOW IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE SUNS WERE DOING?
WATCH THE REPLAY OF THE HORRY ALTERCATION. YES, STOUDEMIRE AND DIAW START TOWARD THE SCRUM, BUT THEY NEVER ACTUALLY GET THERE. IN FACT, THEY ARE RESTRAINED BY THEIR COACHES LONG BEFORE THEY GET THERE. THEY DID NOT ESCALATE THE SITUATION IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. SO WHY SUSPEND THEM??
THIS IS A COP OUT TO ME. STU JACKSON DECIDED TO INTERPRET THE SITUATION IN ONE CASE BUT NOT THE OTHER. HAD THERE BEEN NO OTHER INCIDENT TO SPEAK OF, JACKSON WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL WITHIN HIS RIGHTS AS LEAGUE DISCIPLINARIAN TO GIVE BOTH STOUDEMIRE AND DIAW A TIMEOUT. BUT THIS SMACKS OF FAVORITISM AND NOW THREATENS THE INTEGRITY OF THE BEST SERIES THIS YEAR'S PLAYOFF HAD TO OFFER.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Those Towels Aren't for Crying
Well, you knew the Canucks season was going to end at some point. And if you don't consider this year a successful one, think back to where this team was a year ago.
Yes, there will be plenty of Canucks news to come this summer, but in the meantime, dial up a few other sporting events. Here's 5 things you should be paying attention to right now:
1. Vancouver Giants
The G-men are on the verge of winning back-to-back WHL Championships and for the second straight year they'll be in the Memorial Cup. And to boot, you can check it out live as Vancouver plays host to the CHL's Final Four beginning May 18th. It's not the NHL, but many hockey fans will tell you it's far more entertaining. More hitting, more chances, more fighting for less money. Pretty tough to beat.
2. Steve Nash
Even if he doesn't win the MVP award for a 3rd straight year (which he should!!!), Nash has the Phoenix Suns in prime position to win an NBA Championship. The Suns play the most entertaining brand of hoops in the NBA (think Buffalo Sabres of basketball) and the reason is a skinny little kid from Victoria, BC. To put in perspective what Nash is doing, try to imagine the chances of a kid from Mexico City racking up the most assists in the league, winning back-to-back Hart Trophies, and leading his team down the road to a Stanley Cup. PVR every game and burn it onto DVD; this won't happen to another Canadian in our lifetimes.
3. Swords and Sens
The rematch of last year's 2nd round series just might be the best the playoffs has to offer this year. Ottawa and Buffalo are arguably the two most entertaining teams in the NHL and now they'll go head-to-head in the Eastern Conference Final. Toss in the fact that they chucked plenty of knuckles in back-to-back battles in February and you've got the makings of one hell of a series. Plus Ray Emery just threw gas on the fire by ripping the city of Buffalo two days ago. Lets get ready to rumble.
4. BC in the Bigs
Justin Morneau won the American League MVP last year. Jason Bay was the NL Rookie of the Year two years ago. And those are just two of the numerous big leaguers that hail from beautiful British Columbia. There's Ryan Dempster who's off to a great start as the Cubs' closer. Southpaw starter Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies. And young guns Rich Harden and Adam Loewen, who will both be back despite suffering a setbacks due to injury. These BC buds are just a few of the reasons that BC baseball is smokin'.
5. Spring Swingers
Yeah, I know the US Open is a month away, but the world's best clubbers are starting to rev up for the toughest stretch of the season - the summer. The Players Championship goes this weekend and PGA Players treat this tourney like a major. Heck, it's worth watching just to see the top players in the world drop a few in the drink on TPC Sawgrass' 17th. Two years ago, Bob Tway (who's won a major before) fired a 12 on the island hole. It might be sick, be there's something fun about watching that.
Yes, there will be plenty of Canucks news to come this summer, but in the meantime, dial up a few other sporting events. Here's 5 things you should be paying attention to right now:
1. Vancouver Giants
The G-men are on the verge of winning back-to-back WHL Championships and for the second straight year they'll be in the Memorial Cup. And to boot, you can check it out live as Vancouver plays host to the CHL's Final Four beginning May 18th. It's not the NHL, but many hockey fans will tell you it's far more entertaining. More hitting, more chances, more fighting for less money. Pretty tough to beat.
2. Steve Nash
Even if he doesn't win the MVP award for a 3rd straight year (which he should!!!), Nash has the Phoenix Suns in prime position to win an NBA Championship. The Suns play the most entertaining brand of hoops in the NBA (think Buffalo Sabres of basketball) and the reason is a skinny little kid from Victoria, BC. To put in perspective what Nash is doing, try to imagine the chances of a kid from Mexico City racking up the most assists in the league, winning back-to-back Hart Trophies, and leading his team down the road to a Stanley Cup. PVR every game and burn it onto DVD; this won't happen to another Canadian in our lifetimes.
3. Swords and Sens
The rematch of last year's 2nd round series just might be the best the playoffs has to offer this year. Ottawa and Buffalo are arguably the two most entertaining teams in the NHL and now they'll go head-to-head in the Eastern Conference Final. Toss in the fact that they chucked plenty of knuckles in back-to-back battles in February and you've got the makings of one hell of a series. Plus Ray Emery just threw gas on the fire by ripping the city of Buffalo two days ago. Lets get ready to rumble.
4. BC in the Bigs
Justin Morneau won the American League MVP last year. Jason Bay was the NL Rookie of the Year two years ago. And those are just two of the numerous big leaguers that hail from beautiful British Columbia. There's Ryan Dempster who's off to a great start as the Cubs' closer. Southpaw starter Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies. And young guns Rich Harden and Adam Loewen, who will both be back despite suffering a setbacks due to injury. These BC buds are just a few of the reasons that BC baseball is smokin'.
5. Spring Swingers
Yeah, I know the US Open is a month away, but the world's best clubbers are starting to rev up for the toughest stretch of the season - the summer. The Players Championship goes this weekend and PGA Players treat this tourney like a major. Heck, it's worth watching just to see the top players in the world drop a few in the drink on TPC Sawgrass' 17th. Two years ago, Bob Tway (who's won a major before) fired a 12 on the island hole. It might be sick, be there's something fun about watching that.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
No Commons Sense
This just shows you where politics in this country are really at. What a joke that Jack Layton, Gilles Duceppe and Stephane Dion have decided to throw Shane Doan under a bus just to gain a fleeting moment of support.
A year and a half ago, linesman Michael Cormier alleged that Doan uttered a slur against Francophones while skating by him. Doan denies that incident ever occurred. The nhl investigated the allegations and deemed that doan did nothing wrong.
The issue was dead until the opposition parties in the House of Commons decided to bring it up on Monday. They feel that Doan is an unfit captain for Team Canada at the World Championships. They even suggested it cast a shadow on the Canadian team.
First of all, the notion that Doan even made these remarks is absurd to me. I know him personally and I personally guarantee that he did no such thing. His teammates bug this guy on a regular basis because he says “fudge” instead of four-letter words, and you want to label him anti-French? And if that’s not good enough, he was investigated by the league and cleared of any and all allegations of wrongdoing!!!
Secondly, the fact that these mud-slinging opposition leaders have no bigger issues to tackle than the captaincy of Team Canada makes me wonder why we even pay the salaries of these clowns. This is how you spend your time???
“Hey guys, maybe tomorrow we can do some digging into Ghandi’s past… I think this whole 'world peace' thing was a cover.”
I wonder why people in this country are so jaded on the political process?
Newsflash- we have actual problems in this country. When you finish with Health Care, unresolved Land Claims and pollution, give me a call. But do us all a favour and deal with some of the issues you were elected to resolve. Because it's tough to clean up this country's problems with mud all over your hands.
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