Showing posts with label David Stern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Stern. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

LeBron snub?

The Cavs just got upset in the Eastern Conference Finals. The magical (no pun intended) season was over. And what is the story that refuses to go away? LeBron leaving the arena without congratulating Orlando or speaking to the media. Give me a frickin' break.

This isn't youth sports where you have to lineup and shake hands after the game. This is the NBA. Let's not get our panties in a bunch because someone didn't want to talk to you in his moment of disappointment. Now David Stern wants to speak to LeBron about it. How is this a story?

Be a good sport and gracious in defeat, they say. Give me a break. What makes someone great is the unstoppable desire to win. T0 put winning above all else (without resorting to performance enhancing drugs or otherwise cheating). Just a few years ago we were bashing Larry Hughes for not caring about the team and putting himself first. I, for one, am glad LeBron was so pissed about the loss that he had to leave without congratulating Orlando or speaking to the media. I wish the whole team was that pissed. They should be. I want players who care about winning that much. And I don't want players who are so sensitive that they would feel slighted if the opposing team didn't shake hands with them after a crushing loss.


Bad sportsmanship is going to the other team after the loss and picking a fight. It's talking sh*t and making excuses after a loss. What LeBron did is not bad sportsmanship. But the oh so petty media insists on getting its interviews. Especially with the big stars in the league. And if that star spurns them, the media is compelled to lash out with this stupid story. Heaven help all those sports fans out there who are agreeing with the media and buying this "story."

Until next time, this is Barry Lakin, sayin' all the world is schlach.
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Friday, December 26, 2008

Cavs Thoughts


1. I'll save you from a detailed recap of what can only be described as a disgusting Cavs game. In a nutshell, the Cavs were gross, they did everything in their power to lose the game, and after they "won" as a result of what was clearly a "David Stern Special," I felt like I needed to take a shower. I've seen the replays and we got some absolute phantom calls down the stretch. Now, generally speaking, I'm fine with this. The Wizards are a deplorable bunch and lord knows that we've been on the wrong end of a few "Sterns" in our time as well. The larger issue, however, is why we needed a "Stern" to beat a 4-22 team in a nationally televised game at home. I'm not going to start sounding alarm bells after one crappy effort but there were a lot of things about this game that make me question whether Cleveland is really the 65 win team that I thought they could be.

2. Dear Cavs, don't take so many god damn 3's. We all know you're just being lazy. Stop it.

3. When you're playing a team that has NO frontcourt, maybe it would make sense to get Z involved.

4. There seems to be growing support out there for the notion that the Cavs shouldn't trade Wally because they don't want to screw up their current chemistry. I'm sorry but that's stupid. If the Cavs have a chance to improve at the deadline without completely destroying their '10 cap situation, they need to take it. I love it when people make the argument that the Cavs might be good enough as constructed to win a title. Oh really? And if we stand pat and you're wrong, are you going to be able to go back in time and change your answer? Listen, the Cavs are probably every bit as good as the Lakers or Celtics. But I would have a hard time saying that at this point, they're any better than either of those two. Luckily, by some dumb luck, we have a giant expiring contract at a time when 75% of the league is dying to shed salary. This is the perfect storm. The Cavs are the only one of the big 3 teams that has the right contract to make a move. I'm not saying they should just go for anything but if a decent deal materializes, they HAVE to pursue it. This type of opportunity comes around once in a blue moon. The Cavs can't squander it just because they have a 1-3 chance as currently constructed to win a title.

5. I'm starting to accept the fact that the Cavs are going to have to pay big dollars to Varejao this summer. Two years ago I would've said that doing so would be crazy. Now, it's the right thing to do. Our frontcourt is two years older and Varajeo's game has come a long way. The league isn't exactly crawling with young 6'11 guys that can run the floor, rebound like crazy, and defend three positions. Oh, and in case you missed it, 07 finals jokes aside, his offensive game is really developing to the point where it's almost feasible to put him and Wallace on the floor at the same time. In terms of dollars, I couldn't find a perfect analogy but I'd say he's worth somewhere between Shane Battier money ($6.5 million a year) and Tayshaun Prince money ($9.5 million a year). I know it seems like a lot but he's extremely valuable to this team and given the paucity of frontcourt options for the future, they can't afford to let him walk.

6. I'd say its 50-50 that the Cavs will be 30-4 when they play Boston on January 9th. That would be extremely exciting for the city. You can tell, given the type of year we've had on so many levels, that this town is just itching to go nuts for something.

7. I was all set to bash Craig Sager for the ass-clown tie he had on last night but then a funny thing happened: I read his Wikipedia page. The dude is married to a girl that's 21 years younger than he is. He has 2 kids with her and 3 from a previous marriage. He's 6'4. And finally, he has the following quote in his profile. "In a humorous, tongue-in-cheek interview with the Washington Post he claimed he had a "blonde fetish" and that the Hooter's in China was not up to his standards."

Well then...

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