Editor’s Note: I’d like to welcome another contributor. CM Sexton has his own blog at http://www.oursamedifference.com/. He’ll be bringing some of his perspective to TSG every Monday with his Quick Hits. If you enjoy this post, be sure to check out his blog and follow him on Twitter.
- Could the draft have gone worse for David Stern? The three most marketable players are now in Golden State, Clipperville & Minnesota? The NBA should rig these lotteries, get the big players in the big markets.
- The Big Cactus is now the Big Shaqalier. But really, he should be called the big ego. If Shaq helps Lebron win his first title, he will be responsible for Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and LeBron getting their first titles. His ego will need its own wing in Springfield.
- Manny playing for the Isotopes is unacceptable. If he wants to rehab or they want to allow suspended players to play in the minors he should have played every game down in the minors without pay.
- US soccer has made some noise through the sports world. Their tremendous win against Spain and taking a first half lead over Brazil made US soccer relevant for a week. I like watching US soccer because it gives me a chance to do USA chant whenever I want. USA USA USA!
- Jason Werth hit a home run so high in Toronto it landed in Vancouver.
- Mariano Rivera recorded his 500th save this weekend. An amazing feat, he is the most dominant pitcher I have ever watched, and I think should be the first unanimous Hall of Famer ever. But he won’t be, I guarantee it.The writer that doesn’t think so should have his vote taken away.
- Ricky Rubio says he may play in Europe instead of Minnesota this year and maybe next year too. This poker game of bluffs between these two is going to be chocked full of drama for the next few weeks. I think this is all going to end with Rubio getting traded to Knicks. The Knicks are going to get ripped off in a totally lopsided trade in favor of the Timberwolves, but I am okay with that.
- Watching Wimbledon makes me feel more civilized.
- Vince Carter getting traded to Orlando is another chapter in the you-can’t-build-a-franchise-around-Vince-Carter story. I think they will be fun to watch and good, but goodbye NBA finals.
- As much as soccer is trying to become relevant in the US again, I think lacrosse is going to soon pass it in popularity nation-wide. You can watch a game once and be hooked and its the fastest sport on two feet. Check out the exuberance and excitement in the call of the top play from the Under Armor All-American Game below. Also much love to Matt “The Phenom” White with the BTB goal. Matt is going to University of Virginia, and this future Cavalier is going to be a star. You heard it here first.
Disagree on Manny. I think making him play for a team with a science-based nickname has enough irony to be punishment itself
I agree with you on number 7 for sure! I'm working on a article for the site now discussing the topic of athletes refusing to play in places…..
i want to read that Vince Carter story, and that lacrosse play was awesome where did that kid go to high school?
i do, however, disagree completely with number 1. the point of the draft is that the best players go to the worst teams. clipperville, LA, is the 2nd biggest market in the country. players make names for themselves, not vice versa. shaq went to orlando and was larger than life, kg in minny, AI in philly, cp3 in now orleans/oklahoma city, malone and stockton in utah. all made lots of money, all did big things for the league, all played in “small markets”
thanks for all your input, the science team name is very good i got a good laugh on that response, as for the small markets any of those guys win championships in those towns you mentioned? They make money for being a good player then leave the team and go off to a big market for a chance to win. Stern wants the big markets happy, that makes the nba happy.
Oh and Matt White went to Ridgefield High School, somewhere in Connecticut, kid can straight play
the big markets are going to draw players, especially veterans, just because of the location. those guys i mentioned didn't win rings there, but lets look at 2 other smaller market teams – spurs and rockets. both won rings with superstars who stayed and played there (hakeem and timmy d). smart management was the difference there.
what you propose would prevent small market teams from drawing fans and revenue with new exciting players. the league as enough integrity issues without making the draft favor teams in large markets/big cities.
the big markets are going to draw players, especially veterans, just because of the location. those guys i mentioned didn't win rings there, but lets look at 2 other smaller market teams – spurs and rockets. both won rings with superstars who stayed and played there (hakeem and timmy d). smart management was the difference there.
what you propose would prevent small market teams from drawing fans and revenue with new exciting players. the league as enough integrity issues without making the draft favor teams in large markets/big cities.