What is the obsession with Dale Earnhardt Jr. all about?



Dale Earnhardt Jr./Getty Images


Dale Earnhardt Jr.  -  For the life of me I can't figure out why HE is the sport's most popular driver.  I mean, if you actually look at his career stats during his 12 years in the Sprint Cup Series, they're far from overwhelming.  His best Series finish came back in 2003 when he finished 3rd.  In 12 years on the circuit, he has amassed an underwhelming 18 wins, 155 top ten finishes, and has taken the pole position 10 times.  Now you may look at the 155 top tens and think that is impressive, but average them out over a period of 12 years, with 36 races per season and his top ten finish percentage is 35%.  So over two thirds of the time, he finishes in the back of the pack!  Oh, yeah and the most important statistic of them all - Junior hasn't won a race in three years, with his last victory coming in June 2008 in Michigan.  In fact, the only thing that is consistent in his resume is being selected as NASCAR's most popular driver (every year since 2003). 

?????  OK, still not getting it.  It's not like he's that much better looking than every other driver out there, is it?  They all seem to be poster boys that are pretty polished.  I can only assume it is because of his father and the legacy he left on the sport.  But Junior is not his father, he's not even close.  Yet fans cling to the name because they just want to hope against hope that he will someday become the start they are all so desperately hoping for him to become.   And when he had his best chance to win this past weekend in Charlotte, he ran out of gas on the last turn of the last lap.  WOW.  I don't know if that is just bad driving, bad advice from his crew chief, bad strategy or all of the above.  But he fell flat once again, and yet everyone is still singing his praises.  I don't get it, explain it to me.  Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne; every single one of these guys has less time in the sport than Junior, but have more wins, top ten finishes and better season finishes than Junior.  I mean, both Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards have only 7 years on the Sprint Cup circuit, with Busch garnering 21 wins and 104 top ten finishes and Edwards compiling 19 wins and 127 top ten finishes. 

I get loyalty, I truly do.  I'm an Arizona Cardinals Fan for God's sake!  And I'm not saying the guy shouldn't have fans, and that those fans shouldn't be loyal.  Of course they should.  But, typically, the most popular driver is it's best, or a perennial contender for a title.  Not a middle of the pack guy who will never fulfill the overblown expectations that are synonymous with his name.

A Soldier's Story: Remembering Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman was many things: a college graduate with a degree in Marketing, a college football star (1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year), professional football player with the Arizona Cardinals (drafted 227th in 1998), a husband, a brother, a son, an American, and a soldier.  A soldier is a person who has made a choice. They will never call themselves a hero, ever. What they will tell you is that they have a duty, a mission, a task, a purpose......and they have made the choice to see it through. What is this mission? Simple - defend freedom and liberty wherever and whenever it is threatened. They do so without the thought of reward or personal fame, they do it because it is their job. Pat Tillman was a soldier in every sense of the word, and this Memorial Day weekend we should pause to remember, to appreciate, and to thank him.

A rising star in the NFL, Sports Illustrated football writer Paul Zimmerman named Tillman to his 2000 NFL All-Pro team after Tillman finished with 155 tackles(120 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 9 pass deflections and 1 interception for 30 yards. Not many may be aware of this fact, but at one point in his NFL career, Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals. Loyalty, that is something unheard of in sports today and is a true testament to Pat Tillman's character.  He finished his career with totals of 331 tackles(242 solo), 2.5 sacks, 3 interceptions for 37 yards, 3 forced fumbles, 16 pass deflections, and 2 fumble recoveries in 60 career games. In addition he also had 1 rush attempt for 4 yards and returned 3 kickoffs for 33 yards.

Following the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Tillman enlisted in the US Army in May of 2002, turning down a 3 year-3.6 million dollar contract offer from the Cardinals. He chose to go through the toughest training the Army has to offer, opting to become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's elite infantry unit. As I am an active duty Army officer and have been in the service for 13 years, I can tell you that this was no easy task. Only a select few can be professional athletes, and only a select few can be Army Rangers; Pat Tillman is the ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAY THAT HE WAS BOTH!

Lost due to a friendly fire incident on April 22, 2004 while on a patrol in Afghanistan, many people have seemed to focus on the events surrounding his death. But I say, to honor him, we remember the way he lived!! I will always remember going to Sun Devil stadium on Saturdays while I was in High School, watching this 5'11", 200 lbs guy play with more heart than anyone I had ever seen. I will always remember the emotion he played with, his competitive spirit. I will always remember watching him play on Sundays, wearing Cardinals Red, playing a game he loved, with the team he loved, for the community he loved.  This Memorial Day Weekend, take the time to remember Pat Tillman. Take the time to remember his sacrifice and the sacrifice of millions of Americans who stand up and say "SEND ME."

Today I say, "Thank You, Pat Tillman, you embody everything that makes this nation great, and I salute you."

Best Player or Best Athlete? Jordan & James

Okay, so two days ago Scottie Pippen came out and got the whole sporting world stirred up with a few choice words about his former teammate and the basketball world's current superstar.  Here's what Pippen actually said during an interview on ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" Radio Show:

"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game, but I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved.  No guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score with LeBron James out there. Not only will LeBron dominate from the offensive end as well, but he's also doing it on the defensive end, which really makes him the complete package. He's able to get in those passing lanes, shoot those gaps and create transition opportunities where he is pretty much unstoppable."

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Now, hold on a second, there's more.  That was followed by words from another of Jordan's former teammates, Horace Grant, who said the following while a guest on ESPN 1000 in Chicago the next day:

"Pip is my man, and we will always be close but I totally disagree.......LeBron is going to be one of the top players to ever play the game. But Michael Jeffrey Jordan, who we bumped heads with at times, is I think in my era, the best who ever played the game."

Since his inital comments, Scottie has somewhat backtracked on his statements by basically saying the Lebron isn't at Michael's level, but that he someday could be if he keeps on his current pace, more or less.  Now, since both of these guys have a pretty substantial ring collection entirely due to MJ and their time on HIS team, they both have alot more credibility than most when it comes to this subject.  Also, it's hard to argue against Scottie's praise for Lebron.  The man knows what greatness is and looks like, having played next to Jordan for so long and having the Hall of Fame credentials to back him up in his analysis.  But I think Pippen's comments were just a little misplaced.  Michael was, is and will always be the game's greatest player.  Hands down, no question, no arguement, that won't change.  We could spend hours talking about his stat line; he's a 14x NBA All star, 6x Finals MVP, 5x NBA MVP, Highest Scorer in NBA History, and that's not even half of it.  His accomplishment speak for themselves.  But this is where Pippen was just a little off; Lebron James is, as it stands right now, the best pure athlete to ever play the game.  Notice that I said best athlete, not best player.  Jordan combined his rare athleticism, skill, hard work and talent to become the greatest player the world had ever seen.  And his drive to be the best is what solidified that position.  But Lebron is an athlete that the game has never seen before.

MJ ran about 6'6" and was pretty slight at 215lbs.  He moved gracefully and could also show bursts of explosiveness and power when he needed to, but his game was very fluid.  James runs about 6'9" and is a solid 250 lbs.  His vertical abilities are without question, and just as explosive as Michael's.  His body type and frame allow him to do things that Michael probably couldn't have done.  James can defend anybody on the court because of his size.  If you had matched up Karl Malone on the blocks against MJ, it would have been a tough night for Jordan defensively.  Not so for James.  The added dimension he brings on the defensive end makes him a matchup nightmare on the other end of the floor as well, because a typical PF doesn't have the speed or the quickness to stop James on the perimeter or in the open court.  Most SFs are too small for him, so they struggle against him as well.  Lebron has become a master and exploiting his physical stature and abilities to his advantage on the court, and it's something that the game has never seen before.  That's what Pippen should have said.  Michael Jordan is the Everest, he's the top, you don't get any better than that.  It's actually not possible.  Lebron is just a freak of nature, he truly is.  He's the greatest athlete the league has ever seen.  But best athlete doesn't equal best player, only Michael Jordan does.

Redemption vs. Validation: Nowitzki & James

Believe it or not, Dirk Nowitzki and Lebron James are more alike than you would think. 

Just take a look.

Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks (7'0", 245lbs)

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1st Round Pick, #9 Overall, 1998

NBA MVP Award: 2007

10x NBA All-Star:  2002-11

11x All-NBA Team: 2001-11
NBA 3 Point Shootout Champ: 2006
11 Straight Playoff Appearances: 2001-11
1 NBA Finals Appearance: 2006
FIBA World Championship MVP: 2002
EuroBasket MVP (2005)  
7x European Player of the Year

Lebron James, SF, Miami Heat (6'8", 250lbs)



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1st Round Pick, #1 Overall, 2003

NBA MVP Award: 2009 & 2010

NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004

NBA Scoring Champion: 2008

7x NBA All Star: 2005-11

2x All Star Game MVP: 2006 & 2008

7x All-NBA Team: 2005-11

3x All-Defensive First Team: 2009-11

7 Straight Playoff Appearances: 2005-11

1 NBA Finals Appearance: 2007


Kind of eerie actually.  Maybe Lebron has a few more notches on his belt like a scoring title and ROY honors, but we can all agree these are two of the premier players in this league.  However, the legacy of great players is defined by one simple thing; how many rings you got.  That is also something the both share, zero.  It may be unfair or unjust to make it so simplistic, but a ring is the ultimate prize.  MVP awards are nice, scoring titles are great, and all the other accolades look great on the mantle, but it's the ring that drives these guys.  For Dirk and Lebron, this finals match up will be the defining moment for one of their careers, and for two totally different reasons.

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For Dirk, the name of the game is redemption.  No one will ever really bring up the 2006 collapse if the Mavericks are able to finish their remarkable run with a title this year.  Does anyone even remember when Michael Jordan's Bulls used to get owned by the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s??  Or Jordan's postseason struggles for his first 6 years in the league, losing to Boston or Detroit every season??  Or even the fact that during his initial comeback with the Bulls (when he wore the weird number 45 jersey) they got ousted by Orlando in 1995 during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals?  Noooooo!!!  All we can remember are the two 3-peats and 6 rings!  In terms of greatness and where a player ranks in the annals of the game, a ring is the ultimate equalizer.  Karl Malone will never be mentioned when anyone makes a case for the greatest Power Forward of all time, nor will John Stockton when we talk about Point Guards.  They're top 10 for sure, but can never be considered a #1 candidate at their position.  Dirk has been in the league for 13 years, with 11 playoff appearances and only 1 finals appearance.  This is his last, best hope at that elusive title that will ultimately be the deciding factor of where he will rank in the basketball world long after he stops playing., for redemption from the ghosts of finals past.

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For Lebron, it's the ultimate opportunity for validation.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we were hooked on "The Decision" last summer.  It was good drama that played out before the entire country.  Fans were burning his jersey in the streets of Cleveland.  The Cavs owner issued bold proclamations and outlandish statements bashing the former hometown hero for deserting the city and claiming Cleveland would hoist a trophy before James would ever sniff one.  People from all over the country chimed in with their opinions, bashing Lebron for his "selfish" behavior and "grandstanding" by holding a prime time special to announce his moves.  But I ask you, what did the man really do wrong??  He saw he was in a hopeless situation in Cleveland.  If you don't believe me, just take a look at this year's series against the Bulls.  Derrick Rose was essentially playing the part of Lebron James from his last two years in Cleveland; he was the league's best player on a team with nothing but bit players whose success depended entirely on his own performance.  Just like they did to James, they turned all of their defensive efforts towards Rose and shut Chicago down.  In a 7 game series, teams need to have options, but the Bulls had none.  It was the same for Lebron during his time with the Cavaliers.  It wasn't about the money, the Cavs could have matched any offer in the league.  It wasn't about notoriety, he was the King of Ohio and essentially of the basketball universe in the Northeastern United States.  It was about being in a situation that would lead to a title.  He never stood a realistic chance in 2007.  They were just the best team in a horrible conference that year and got destroyed by the Spurs in a four game sweep.  But he got there, and he saw what it would take to win a championship.  Lebron did what he did for the right reasons, to become a champion.  But until he actually gets that ring on his finger, his "decision" will never be seen as anything but a betrayal to his hometown. 

Winning cures everything, and makes amnesiacs of sports fans.  It can provide redemption for those who squandered opportunites in the past, or it can confirm and validate the choices we make against what may be considered popular at the time.  Only one will get what they're looking for.

Who's it gonna be?

Down and Out in South Beach

Is it just me or is it incredibly ironic that in a pivotal game 4 of the conference finals, a game that the Chicago Bulls had to have to stay alive in this series, the NBA MVP and NBA Coach of the Year got outplayed, outhustled and outsmarted in crunch time?  You can talk all you want about the Heat's stellar play, Lebron James' electric performance making up for a subpar offensive game from Dwayne Wade, and the rise of Chris Bosh, but the real story was the poor decisions made by Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau in the last 8 seconds of regulation. 



The look on Thibodeau's face says it all...
 (from cbssports.com)


Throughout the series, it has been apparent that unless Rose plays well, Chicago is not deep enough to make up for his lack of offensive production.  Their defense has been shredded by the Heat over the last three games, and the Bulls have only managed to stay competitive in those games by simply trying to match Miami shot for shot.  If Rose can't get his game going by creating space off of the dribble and being able to get into the paint when he wants to, then Chicago sputters.  His teammates just sit around the 3 point arc or down on the blocks waiting for something to come their way.  They have shown no ability to create their own shots or scoring opportunites, unlike the Heat.  Game 4 was different though.  Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah were moving well without the ball when Rose cut in the lane.  They showed great awareness and made consistent plays on the interior, taking the pressure off of Derrick Rose.  And last night, Rose needed their help in the second half.  Heat coach Erik Spoelstra made the decision to put Lebron on Rose, effectively eliminating him from the game.  Rose had no way to counter Lebron's strength and quickness which prevented him from getting to the rim, or his length and ability to contest every jump shot that Rose attempted.  Rose had no room to breath in the fourth quarter, and it was a brilliant move by Spoelstra.  And the coach of the year's counter move??  To do nothing.  For most of the 4th quarter, Rose tried and tried again (with no success) to take Lebron off of the dribble.  Instead of challenging Lebron and possibly forcing him into foul trouble, Rose settled for step back jump shots which drew iron over and over.  Thibodeau had no set plays to run and called for no specific offense; hardly a counter strategy when your guy can't get anything going. 

However, Chicago still had a chance.  After a generous offensive foul call on James with only 8 seconds put the Bulls in a chance to head back to Chicago with the series all knotted up.  So after a quick huddle to game plan, and after inserting knockdown shooter Kyle Korver into the line up following the timeout, what did Thibodeau dial up?  Another clear-out isolation play.  No offensive movement, no pick and roll, no screens or any type.  Another step back jumper that resulted in an air ball from Rose due to great defense from James and overtime.  But this abortion of a play can't all be laid on Thibodeau's shoulders.  Miami was over the foul limit.  Derrick Rose is a wizard at getting to the basket and at a minimum, drawing contact for chance at free throws.  8 seconds is an eternity to set something up.  And it is plenty of time to set up your dribble and get your defender off balance before taking it to the hole.  Rose showed his immaturity in the league on this play.  He showed an inability to find a way to use Lebron's aggressiveness against him, which led to a step back, fadeaway jumper that was more of a prayer than a shot.  Those 8 seconds, and the execution (or lack thereof) of the Bulls' offense effectively ended their season and any hopes of advancing.

Not something you expected to see from the current league MVP and his coach of the year. 

Westbrook is a Victim of the Derrick Rose Effect

When you imagine the all time great point guards, what names pop up in your head?   Maybe Magic Johnson or John Stockton?  Steve Nash perhaps?  What about Jerry West (the LOGO!)?  Pistol Pete?  Bob Cousy?  Some might make the argument for Jason Kidd.  Anyone of these individuals in the prime of their careers would be an ideal point guard for any team.  Now, why do we think of these players when we imagine our prototypical point guards?  Because of their ability to run an offense, and to create opportunities with the ball.  They were (or are, depending on which name you like) masters of the game of basketball, and understand that its the sum of the parts that make up the whole.  If you have a player that is touching the ball nearly 100% of the time on every offensive play, then you need to have a player that is unselfish, with incredible court vision and an ability to create plays off of the dribble.  That's what guys like Nash, Magic, Stockton and the other great ones all possessed.  Sure, they could score if they wanted/needed to.  But their understanding of the game allowed them to fulfill the needs of their position.

Recently, OKC point guard Russell Westbrook has been catching a ton of flack due to his shooting woes and overall play throughout the postseason.  His shot totals have been unbelievable in some instances, taking over 30 shots in a game while accounting for less than ten assists.  His most recent benching during Game 2 has had the blogosphere and media buzzing about how he will respond for the rest of the playoffs.  Many are calling for Westbrook to change his game, and become a more traditional point guard by distributing the ball and creating more opportunities for his teammates.  But there is an inherent flaw in that way of thinking.  Westbrook can't all of a sudden change the way he plays the game.  He is a scoring guard, he uses his athleticism and blinding speed to create instant offense.  It is one of the main factors that has allowed the Thunder to be so successful throughout the year.  Westbrook isn't the problem, he's the victim of the Derrick Rose effect.



Derrick Rose


The Derrick Rose effect is a problem faced by several teams right now.  It basically boils down to a team's best offensive player/scorer being their point guard.  It causes his teammates to become bystanders rather than participants in the game.  The Milwaukee Bucks have this problem with Brandon Jennings, the Washington Wizards are going to experience this even more next year with John Wall, and more teams in the future will experience this effect.  Rose is the quintessential athlete at the point guard position.  His abilities are unbelievable at the point of attack in the lane and he brings a dimension to the court that is a nightmare for defenses to handle.  Westbrook is the exact same type of players.  The problem is that Westbrook is not the best player on his team, Kevin Durant is.  Derrick Rose is the best player on the Chicago Bulls, which is why no one bats an eye when he tosses up +25 shots at the rim.  That's the expectation of your star, to take the most shots.  Westbrook is the second fiddle to KD, no matter how you slice it.

The D-Rose Effect will end up costing the Thunder in this series, because you can't ask Westbrook to change who he is as a player.  It's what has made him an all star and what has gotten his team to the Western Conference finals.  But, when the game is on the line, you want your best player to either take the shot or make the decision with the ball.  Chicago will always put the ball in Rose's hand and they know they will live and die with his decisions.  Teams like the Thunder or the Miami Heat......well, they're not so sure. 

And that's why Chicago and Dallas will advance.

A Journey of Faith - Jeff Grabosky

Photo courtesy of  JeffRunsAmerica.com.  All rights reserved.

Today is a bit of a break from the normal posts I throw up on here, but I had to honor a remarkable feat of athleticism, determination and strength by a friend and former co-worker of mine, Jeff Grabosky.  Jeff just completed a run across the United States......that's right, this man ran from Oceanside, CA to Smith Point, NY in 120 days.  He carried everything that he needed with him in a jogging stroller, his clothes, sleeping bag and tent, and every other item that he would need to get by.  Sometimes he camped in the middle of nowhere, or sometimes he was able to make it to a hotel for the night.  He ran through the weather, through the long stretches of lonely roads, up and over mountains and completed a journey that only 42 people before him had ever completed.  And why did Jeff do this?

To encourage prayer.  As simple as that.  I had the good fortune to get to know Jeff for a little while when we worked together a few years ago.  He is as down to earth as they come.  He enjoys all kinds of sports, drinking, having a good time, all the typical stuff that any guy in their 20s would enjoy.  Which makes his story all that more remarkable to me.  He simply made a decision that he was going to this, that he was going to move across this country and inspire people with his feet.  And everywhere he went, he made little connections along the way with people in towns and cities across the country.  He showed them that by simply putting one foot in front of another, people could see that with a little faith and heart, human beings are capable of great things.  You can read about Jeff's story and his journey at his website: http://jeffrunsamerica.com/. 

I am just happy to say that I know a man of his character.  Congratulations Jeff!

Universal Justice - Cleveland Awarded Top Pick in the Draft

July 8, 2010.  That was the date of the now infamous "Decision" special that aired on ESPN in which Ohio's native son, Lebron James, declared he would be taking his talents to South Beach.  What immediately followed was a media frenzy of fan reactions ranging from those of jubulation in Miami to near riots in Cleveland and other Ohio towns, complete with Jersey fueled bonfires.  But, perhaps most notable of the reactions stemming from Lebron's departure were the words of anger and venom spewed by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on the very next day after his franchise player, his golden goose, his link to immortality, flew the coop.  In a letter to the fans on 09 July, Gilbert let loose on James, calling James' move "bitterly disappointing" and a "shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown 'CHOSEN ONE' ".  But out of all of the frustration and feelings of betrayal that Gilbert expressed in his letter, what got the most eyebrow raises were his declarations that the Cavaliers would bring home the championship gold before Lebron ever brought Miami a title.



Dan Gilbert


And to be honest, I don't think that you can really be upset with Gilbert's comments.  He said what every fan (save those of you in South Beach) wanted to say.  Lebron was living the so-called dream; playing for his hometown team, in the state he grew up in and had called home all his life.  Lebron stated that his decision wasn't motivated by money, since Cleveland could match any offer Miami made, but rather by a desire to win.  That probably cut Gilbert and the Cleveland faithful more than anything.  No one, and I mean no one, wants to win championships more than Ohio professional sports teams and their fans.  They are the most snake-bitten ball clubs in the world, and their fierce loyalty and determination get put to the test year in and year out by the futility of the Bengals, Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians.  Lebron, as a product of this culture, should have understood that more than anyone.  I think Gilbert, along with all the fans in Cleveland, were counting on that understanding to bring him back.  He was hometown hero who would make good on all of their devotion and reward them with that long awaited title.  When he bolted for a warmer climate and better views, Gilbert reacted honestly and said what every fan of the Cavs wanted to say.  He should never have to apologize for what he said.

However, after a 19-63 campaign in the immediate aftermath of the Decision, which also saw the team set a new NBA record for futility by losing an amazing 26 games straight, you almost have to look at Gilbert's comments and laugh.  But, guess what?  After struggling through such a horrendous year in which the Cavs faithful never dwindled and the team still sold out their home games night after night, Cleveland was awarded the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery.  Not only that, thanks to a mid season trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, they also hold the 4th overall pick.  Now you have to look at this set of circumstances and see that Karma Gods shining down on Cleveland just a little bit here.  For them to have a pick as high as #4 is one thing, but to have a #1 in addition to that is the universe's way of telling Cleveland that even the sun shines on a dog's ass somedays. 

Unlike other sports, draft picks in the NBA can have an immediate and definitive impact on a franchise from Day 1.  Basketball is one of the few "team" sports where one individual can be so decisive.  Three years ago, Derrick Rose went to Chicago and took them to the playoffs immediately while winning rookie of the year honors.  Fast forward to today, and he's the youngest MVP in league history and led the Bulls to the league's best record and (most likely) an NBA Finals appearance.  The league is full of stories just like that.  Even Lebron's time in Cleveland ran the same course, with him winning ROY and two MVP awards as well as three division titles for a club that had never known consistent success.  One player can truly make the difference in basketball; the Cavs have a chance to get two top 5 talents in the same draft and immediately return to legitimacy.   

Now that's karma for ya!       

Know You're Role: Westbrook vs. Durant

                                                                                                                                                

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Let's first state the facts; Russell Westbrook is an all star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has incredible athleticism, quickness and an innate ability to use his physical talents to get to the rim. He is a good all around shooter with good range and is a tenacious defender. But here are some other facts; Westbrook is not the 2-time back to back league scoring champion, Kevin Durant is. Westbrook does not have the smoothest shot in basketball, Kevin Durant does. Westbrook is not the franchise player, no matter how much he wants to be because that title is reserved for (you guessed it) Kevin Durant.

Now, with Westbrook's scoring average and relative field goal percentage, it's hard to argue with his production on the court.  But take a closer look at the numbers and you'll be able to see how he is hurting his team more than helping it.  In 9 postseason games, he has taken a staggering 199 shots of the teams 400 total shots.  In just the Conference Semi Finals, he has accounted for 30% of the teams total shots to Durant's 25%.  And, most telling of all, his assist per game average is a pedestrian 5.8, whereas during the regular season he averaged 8.2 per game.  He is supposed to the be the point guard, the facilitator.  It would be different if most of Westbrook's shot attempts resulted from hard drives to the basket, or points from free throws as a result of strong takes, but they're not.  He is settling for pull up, mid to long range jumpers, often times without even committing a single pass.  That is not what a point guard is meant to do.  His failure to involve his teammates in the offense, mostly by choice, has continued to plague his team in the late stages of games. 



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His struggles have a domino effect.  He lacks the maturity or the ability to see the big picture team concept.  If he's struggling to find his range, he needs to distribute the ball to keep the offense running until he can get high percentage shots.  Since he doesn't do that, he just keeps throwing it up there, which causes Durant to get frustrated.  Durant's frustrations have been glaring during the series as both he and Westbrook have the worst poker faces in the league.  When they are frustrated, they don't conceal it well, and it's infectious to their team's psyche. 

When the team's take to the court tonight, it will be interesting to see who Westbrook comes out as:  the Derrick Rose wanna-be that has continued to keep tunnel vision on the basket or the second half of one of the best one-two punches in the league.

How the West Will Be Won: Dallas' Long Road Back

Call this one instinct as well; I see a Dallas vs. Chicago NBA Finals match up.  The Eastern Conference finals is a little tougher to call, as the Miami Heat and their "Big 3" have more than enough talent, offensive firepower, and playoff experience to give Chicago a tough go of it.  And even though the Bulls pulled away in impressive fashion in the second half last night, it's easy to say that their series could go either way.  I just have to go with Chicago based purely on the opinion of Chicago being a better overall team and more importantly, being better at playing TEAM BASKETBALL.  My reasoning for picking Dallas is much more simplistic;  the Mavericks are just that much better than the Thunder.

First things first, you always gotta go to the numbers because they don't lie.  As a team, Dallas is shooting 47% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc and 52% in two point field goals along with 22 assists per game.  They have 5 players averaging double figures in points and have held home court advantage throughout the post season.  The Thunder, on the other hand, are shooting 41% from the field, 32% from the 3 point line, and 47% from inside the arc.  And in the playoffs, their assist per game has gone down by three to an average of 17 per game.  With only 3 players averaging in double figures, it's obvious to see how inequitable their scoring is.  Despite having the league's scoring champ in Kevin Durant, it's hard to see this one going to a game 7.  The Mavericks have the Thunder outmatched in every facet of the game.

It's been a tough road for Dallas and more specifically their superstar, Dirk Nowitzki.  After being up 2-0 in the 2006 Finals, the Mavericks folded like oragami under the offensive onslaught of Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat, losing the next 4 straight in one of the greatest collapses in NBA post season history.  Now I did say one of the greatest collapses because after an appearance in the finals, the following year the Mavericks were ousted as a number one seed by Baron Davis and the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in six games during the first round.  Ironically, this happened to be the same year that Dirk won his MVP award and the Mavs won 67 regular season games.  In fact, in the the next four seasons after their finals debacle, we saw Dallas post over 50 wins each year during the regular season but never make it past the second round of the playoffs, with three of the past four playoff runs ending in the first round to supposedly "inferior" teams.  And Dirk Nowitzki, as the face of the franchise, bore all of the blame.   

But this year seems to be different.  To use one of the most overused phrases in sports, the Mavs look like they have turned the proverbial "corner".  You don't get lucky and sweep the two time defending NBA champs, you have to be THAT good.   This is their year, this is their time.  Jason Kidd is playing his best basketball at the exact right time.  Both Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic are such legitimate knock down shooters that they are drawing defenders away from Dirk.  Tyson Chandler is utilizing all of his athletic talents and bringing that added dimension to the Mavs' interior game to compliment Brendan Haywood's interior defense.  And Shawn Marion always gives you that X-factor (along with the ugliest jump shot in the history of basketball), whether it's on the defensive end against the opponent's top scorer or running the fast break to perfection.  Their bench is contributing in a big way and have outscored their opponents in the first two rounds by an average of 10 points.  Bottom line is that this team is hitting on all cylinders and looks very poised, and polished.  That's something we could never say about Dirk's Mavs before.

Oklahoma City has accomplished a great deal to get to this point, and they are a very young and athletic team with a ton of potential.  But Dallas will mow them down in 5 games, I'm calling it right now.

Clash of the Titans: Wade & Lebron

So the Eastern Conference Finals are set: the Chicago Bulls vs. the Miami Heat; it's exactly the match up that everyone wanted to see. You've got young, explosive talents on both teams and high energy offenses that play an uptempo style of game that will be as fan friendly a match up as we've had in the playoffs in recent memory. This year's MVP, Derrick Rose, dueling against the two time MVP in Lebron James, but that is not the match up that will define this series.

As you can probably deduce from the title, King James and D-Wade will create the most headlines from this series, but for all the wrong reasons. This isn't a beaten down Celtics team with nagging injuries and poor depth that the Heat are coming up against this time. It's a young, fast, athletic group that has quality depth and knock down shooters in Kyle Korver & Luol Deng to compliment Rose's ability to get to the basket at will. They fight for every loose ball and contest every shot. But more importantly, not only did the Bulls sweep the season series, but Chicago has shown a consistent ability to win close games.

The of the Heat's 24 losses, 19 were decided by less than ten points and 13 of them by less than five points. Tough, grind out games have been the story of the Bulls' postseason so far against Indiana and Atlanta (except for game 6) and Chicago has displayed the tenaciy to battle out of those games while the Heat have not just yet. The Bulls' front court of Boozer, and Noah are younger, stronger and more physical than the Celtics. They won't allow Wade or Lebron to get to the rim like they did in the first two rounds. The defense of Chicago will turn the Heat into a perimeter jump shot team, and that's where the problems will come up for Miami.



Photo by Mike Ehrmann/ Getty Images North America


These aren't throw away games like the regular season. Every possession counts. You don't have the luxury of having an off night, and both Wade & James know this as much as anybody on the court. So when they won't be able to get to the bucket with ease like they did in rounds 1 or 2, they'll be trying to find their rhythm with their jump shot. Now if I'm right, and they're forced to do this, how do two superstars that each average over 20 shots per game make each other happy each time down the floor? Better question, (and it's one that people have asked all year) with the game on the line in the waning seconds, who takes the last shot? Wade? It's his team still, right? But what if Lebron's got the hot hand, does Wade still let him decide the game? This is the true dilemma of the Miami Heat. The Bulls have their superstar, and a great supporting cast of role players that compliment Rose's talents. The Heat, with all of their weapons, still don't have a true identity.

I'm going to say it right now....I think the Bulls are going to win the East and go to the finals. Do I think the Bulls are more talented than the Miami Heat? No. But they are the better team.

"Big 3" are Big Time in the Playoffs

Alright, after their game 4 performance I'm sold. The Miami Heat, much maligned all year long for not being able to hang with top competition, now stand one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. After all of the hype following "The Decision", this team is living up to all of the expectations at exactly the right time. And the numbers don't lie.

Mike Fuentes - Associated Press

Miami's Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are averaging a combined 65.2 points, 25 rebounds and 11 assists per game. Compared against the entire team averages, it means that they're accounting for just under 70% of the Heat's points and assists along with 57% of their rebounds. That is unbelievable production. But it's not just on the offensive side of the ball. Their opponents are averaging a pedestrian 88 points per game, often times not being able to run with the Miami on fast break opportunities or maintain their breakneck pace.

But the most telling aspect of their game isn't going to show up in the stat line; their poise and composure has shown through in the playoffs. After a disheartening loss in game 3 against Boston, many wondered how the Heat would respond in game 4. They were facing a veteran team with Championship experience that wasn't prone to panic in the postseason. And everything was there for the Heat to fold. Late game heroics from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, followed by a turnover by Lebron almost let the Celtics walk away with it. But in another close game coming down to the wire, the Heat did something they failed to do most of the regular season; their defense held on and forced OT. Indeed, it was their defense that carried the way in the late stages of the game. Between the 4th quarter and OT, the Heat outscored the Celtics 29-17.

These kinds of performances are what we expected of the Miami Heat when the season started. We all expected them to contend with the big boys from the start and when they fell flat at first, everyone in the media wanted to lump this team with some of the other great hype trains in sports (2008 Detroit Tigers anyone??). But this is the playoffs, and the playoffs are all about be able to play your best ball at the right time of year. That's what the Heat are doing now, and it's because of the "Big 3".

Don't Feed the Bears!!

Jed Jacobson-Getty Images

If you look at the NBA Playoff picture, there have been quite a few surprises. From the ending of two eras in LA and San Antonio, to the gritty performances from Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, to the rise of the "Big 3" in Miami, this year's playoffs has had a little bit of everything.

But out of all of it, there is only one team that you can honestly say you did not expect to see remaining in the hunt at this point: the Memphis Grizzlies. Why is nobody talking about them?? I have no idea. The hypocrisy of the "un-biased" sports media kills me sometimes. Their destruction of the San Antonio Spurs was a masterpiece to watch, but people were quick to discredit it. The championship experience of the Spurs that was so highly touted before their matchup with the Grizzlies was quickly turned into a mixture of age and poor health, taking away the factor of Memphis' stellar defense and tough inside play. Tomorrow, everyone will want to talk about the debacle that was the Lakers and their early exit from the postseason. While the situation may seem the same, pundits will be quick to give credit to Dir Nowitzki's Mavericks and their superiority. They'll talk about how the Mavs were just that much better than LA, and how unbeatable they'll be against either OKC or Memphis. You won't hear the same naysayers against Kobe's Lakers, as the red carpet of respect will be doled out in full force in preparation of the expected retirement of Phil Jackson.

Now, I'm not gonna try to take anything away from Phil and his records, but what people should be talking about is the team that nobody wants to play. The Grizzlies are young, their talented, their athletic and best of all, they have no fear. The numbers are there girls and boys: Their bigs (Zach Randolph & Marc Gasol) are averaging nearly 40 points & over 20 rebounds per game in the playoffs. They are +2 in the Assist/Turnover ratio, which means they take care of the ball. The intangibles are there: They are a #8 Seed that knocked off the best team in the NBA in dominant fashion. They showed that they knew how to go for the kill in round one in closing out the Spurs. They showed grit and determination in their game 3 performance against the Thunder, erasing a 16 point deficit before winning in overtime. They are no joke.

But the truly defining aspect of this team has been its poise. This is a team that had never won a single playoff game during its ten year tenure in the city of Memphis. They had made three prior trips to the playoffs, all resulting in clean sweeps for their opponents. When the Spurs were on tap, I don't remember reading a single prediction or hearing of anyone picking them to pull it off. Now here they sit, two games away from the Western Conference finals. We'll see how much they continue to ride under the radar, but for Dallas' sake, I hope they don't spend too much time gloating.

Top Storylines Emerging from the Draft: #1 - The Fans have sided with the Players

Fans booing at the NFL draft is not a new thing. With New York Jets/Giants fans being the predominant force in the room at Radio City Music Hall over the last few decades, it's actually the norm. They even boo their own teams when questionable picks have been announced, but honestly you can't blame them when they selected Kyle Brady over Warren Sapp in 1995. And most notably, we can all recall the most violent chorus of boos we had ever heard when the Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb with the second overall pick in 1999. But that's what fans do. They tell you how it is. They don't hold back and they wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to these teams. NFL fans are without a doubt the most passionate sports fans in the country and have helped football to overtake baseball as the national pastime. So it was truly telling to hear the fans in attendance at the draft last week shower NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with a barrage of boos as he meekly walked to the podium to start the draft. He awkwardly smiled and tried to play nice to the crowd, almost making it seem like "Hey guys, I'm with you! I love football too, so don't hate me please?" And it continued to happen everytime he came up to that podium during the first and second round. To the fans, Goodell is the face of the NFL, and more directly the face of the group of CEOs who are trying to get super rich and stop their employees from working.

That's what the NFL doesn't get. This whole work stoppage has an unprecedented context in which it is operating in, unlike any past labor dispute. The country's economic issues are widespread. Unemployment remains high and there is little relief in sight. Yet, fans still shell out gobs of money during these tought times to see their favorite games played on Sunday. The NFL has continued its tremendous growth during these times, and the fans are the biggest reason for that. So the idea of the owners wanting an additional $1 Billion off of the top of total earnings to be split between the 32 clubs and not shared with the players really resonates with the casual observer. To the fans, the NFL is becoming nothing more that Enron and Roger Goodell is Kenneth Lay. We have a hard enough time getting jobs, keeping them or earning enough money to support our family and our lifestyle. Sure, many NFL players make more money than any of us could hope to in our lifetimes, but we can relate to them in the most simple terms; they are just people who want to go into the office, put in a hard day's work and be compensated for what they do. When Big Brother says no, because I want more money and don't want to share it with you as an employee, there's no way to justify that to the fans.

So Roger Goodell, the owners, and their reps will continue to draw the ire of fans everywhere until this dispute is resolved. Goodell insists that he is trying to improve the game for the fans, but I don't recall a huge push by the fans for an 18 game season. That's all the owners and their desire to generate more revenue. Not one fanbase likes the idea of a team's home game played in London. It's part of the NFL's push to "grow" their sport internationally. Look, NFL Europe didn't work, but novelty contests that happen once a year can draw a crowd. Who cares if it's detrimental to a team or fan base, right? Despite what the league thinks, the reality is that the public sentiment is agains them. They will continue to be seen as faceless, greedy tyrants the longer this process goes on. The players have the backing of the courts (for now), and, after the reactions from the crowd at the draft, it was obvious the fans have their backs too.

Top Storylines Emerging from the Draft: #2 - No Such Thing As A "Reach" At QB Anymore

We hear it over and over again from every media outlet and talking head out there in the sports world; the NFL has become a finesse game predicated by high powered passing offenses. And it is absolutely true. The times of one signature back getting upwards of 25 carries a game and controlling the tempo on the ground is no longer a viable offense in today's league. We saw the confirmation last Thursday night, when only one RB was taken in the first round. ONE RUNNING BACK!!! And remember, the Saints had to trade to get back into the first round to select a player who had won the Heisman Trophy, starred on a national championship team, and was as productive a player as any that had come along in the last 20 years all while playing against top flight competition in, arguably, college football's best conference. But none of that mattered to the other 26 teams that took a pass (no pun intended) on Ingram.

We saw a consistent theme in this year's draft picks, all based on the QB position. Take a closer look at the picks in the first round: 4 QBs, 8 OL, 9 DE/pass rushing specialists. That adds up to 21 out of 32 picks specifically meant to either (a) run the passing game, (b) protect the passer, or (c) get him to the ground. Now, 4 QBs were taken in the first round and we've seen that in other draft classes with the results always being the same, busts of epic proportions. Remember the 1999 draft? A total of 5 QBs went in the first round: Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Cade McNown and Daunte Culpepper. Two turned in pro bowl seasons and multiple playoff appearances, while the other 3 flamed out within 3 years. We can see similarites between these draft classes if we take a closer look. At most, 2 of these guys (Couch & McNabb) had first round level talent and were expected to be day one starters. Yet, QB desperate teams reached on Smith, McNown and were forced to throw these guys to the lions from day one. Here we are, 12 draft classes later and we are seeing history repeat itself. Why? Because the game has changed. The rules, the plays, the athletes, everything has evolved and the days of the great running back are over.

Think about it, how often did you see teams line up in the I Formation last season? Today's game is built on speed, by spreading teams out and using the entire field to attack a defense. To do that, you have to have a QB that can deliver the ball on time and accurately. As much as analysts want to say that Christian Ponder is going to just have to hand the ball of the AP and not be forced to do as much, that is 100% false. If that were the case, Travaris Jackson would still be their QB. A great passing offense can mask a poor running attack (e.g. 2008 Arizona Cardinals), but the opposite is not true. Teams stacked the box and learned to contain Adrian Peterson. In 2009, Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson ran for 2,006 yards and compiled another 530 receiving, shattering the previous record held by Steven Jackson for total offensive yards gained in a single season. How did the Titans finish that year? They finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs largely due to poor QB play from both Kerry Collins and Vince Young.

In today's game, you have to have a passing game that is effective enough to keep defenses honest in how they play you. You have to have a threat through the air to be able to be competitive in this league, and it is why teams such as Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Jacksonville all struggled at times with poor QB play last year. So, in today's NFL, it's hard to say these teams reached in grabbing a QB early in the draft. The risk versus reward is always going to favor drafting a QB, because Jim Brown's days are done. The QB is going to have to win you the game, so teams now find it OK to take a chance because if they don't, then they'll continue to mire in mediocrity.

At least they can tell the fans that they tried.....

Top Storylines Emerging from the Draft: #3 - The Cardinals Bet the House on Free Agency

Now this one...........it hurts to write! But it is one of the larger storylines to come out of the draft and as much as I'd like to deny that there's a problem, I just can't. First though, let me give you a little context so you can understand my pain a little better.

Look, I'll admit it proudly; I am an Arizona Cardinals fanatic!! And before you even start thinking about the word "bandwagon" or any of that crap, let me make it clear that I have been a fan of this franchise since the sad days of outdoor September games in Sun Devil Stadium in the 100+ degree Phoenix sun. Yep, I was one of the few proud Cardinals fans sitting in the stands of a 75,000 capacity college stadium occupied by no more than 20,000 people, with 19,000 of them being Cowboys/49ers fans. Those days were rough and painful and nothing that myself or any other of the Cards faithful ever want to endure ever again. And for the most part, people would agree that the franchise has turned that corner. They hired a head coach who brought the mindset and philosophy of tough, disciplined, passionate football that the players have bought into completely. They went 3 straight years with out a losing season, back to back division titles and even mixed in a Conference Championship and Super Bowl appearance during that stretch as well. They now play in one of the premier facilities in the league and regularly sell out home games thanks to a re-energized and enthusiastic fan base. And most importantly, they have some great players in all-world WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pro Bowl DBs Adrian Wilson and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, and they play in a division that is up for grabs every single season.

Then......Kurt Warner retired, and the franchise took a major nose dive in 2010 going 5-11 and finishing last in the division. After 2006 first round pick and supposed "heir apparent" Matt Leinart was cut during the preseason, the Cards started 4 different guys at QB, two include two rookies and a QB playing in the UFL by the name of Richard Bartel. Needless to say, it was a forgettable campaign, and the team has said many times that it feels they are just one or two players away from being back in the postseason. By the way, those 1 or 2 players, well they better be a starting QB and a solid #2 QB, because no one on the roster is going to be the guy. Sooooo, knowing all of this, understanding the entire dyanmic of this team, knowing that you need a quarterback that has a great arm, with the ability to push the ball down the field on the deep throws, with the football IQ to read and dissect coverages, with the accuracy to make every throw on the field, the Cards used one of their draft picks to select.....................................

NO ONE! They drafted zero QBs. Think about that.....a big fat f$*#ing goose egg!!! Now, I love the Patrick Peterson pick, best overall player in this year's draft class. No problem with that one at all. Likewise, I love the pick of Ryan Williams, a RB out of Virginia Tech. I got to see Williams play in person on multiple occasions and he has an amazing blend of power and speed coupled with great instincts. We have needed more production out of the RB position and its been apparent that Beanie and Hightower just aren't cutting it anymore. So no problem with that one either. But in the 3rd round, with Ryan Mallett still on the board, the Cards chose Robert Housler, a TE from Florida International or some place like that. I, along with the rest of the Cardinals faithful, was speechless (Well....that's not entirely true, but I won't write what I did say because I don't want to be that crude).

I know there were character issues with Mallett, but with his elite abilities a 3rd round pick is well worth the risk. I'm sorry, I just don't buy John Skelton as a starting QB in this league. I think he is a moderate talent at best and will be a career clipboard holder. The Cardinals passed on an amazing talent that they could have gotten for mere peanuts compared to what the Panthers, Titans, Vikings and Jags will have to pay their guys. The other thing to consider is that with a 3rd round pick there is much less pressure to start him as a rookie, opposed to say, Christian Ponder in Minnesota (#12 overall pick). But the Cards passed, and have opted to put all of their eggs in to the proverbial free agent basket whenever the lockout ends. With a number of veteran QBs set to hit free agency when the lockout is permanently lifted (Matt Hasselback, Donavan McNabb, Marc Bulger) as well as the ability to deal with teams in trade negotiations (ala Kevin Kolb), all of that is still very much in doubt. It's always better to have a veteran QB to guide your team, someone that is used to the speed of the game and has shown the ability to manage an NFL level offense. But let's be real, QBs that hit free agency are on the loose for a reason. It's not an absolute certainty that they can come in and play at the highest level. We got lucky with Kurt, but I have a hard time believing that lightning is going to strike twice for us like that. We don't know how free agency will be affected by these labor talks. We don't know what those guys have left in the tank either. But we did know that Mallet had every quality from a physical standpoint that you would want to see in a young QB and we passed on him.

I really hope I'm wrong on this one and the Whiz is right!

Top Storylines Emerging from the Draft: #4 - Lions have the look of a Contender

No, I'm not kidding. The Detroit Lions look like they have the makings of a playoff team heading into the 2011 NFL Season.

Based off of their last two draft classes, a coaching staff committed to winning, and a GM without a serious man-crush on any and all receivers, the Lions have battled their way back to NFL relevance. You may look at the numbers and think I'm crazy, as Detroit has compiled an 8-24 record over the last two years, but keep in mind that this is a team that holds the dubious distinction of being the only team in NFL history to post an 0-16 record. And that was just 3 years ago. Since that debacle, they have drafted some quality players such as Brandon Pettigrew (TE), the talented albeit oft injured Matthew Stafford (QB), speedster Javon Best (RB) and have managed to continue to develop one of the best receivers/pure athletes in the game in Calvin Johnson. And let's not forget their big catch last year, DT Ndamukon Suh, the 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year, and that's where it gets interesting.

In this year's draft, the Lions sat at #13 and were expected to pick up a cornerback to help one of the worst past defenses in the league. Then the Tennessee Titans shocked everyone by taking Jake Locker with the 8th pick, their projected pick Nick Fairley, the DT out of Auburn started to slide until he fell right into the lap of the Lions. Now, the Lions have two dominant forces on the inside of that D Line who can bring ungodly amounts of pressure on the QB, which is an absoulte must in the NFC North with Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers lining up against Detroit 4 times a year. With Kyle Vandenbosch manning one DE spot, that line is as stout as anybody else's across the league. The Lions know a great pass rush can mitigate weakness in the secondary, which made the pick of Fairley a no brainer and a huge bonus for the team. You add in their two second round picks of speedster Titus Young (WR, Boise State) and power back Mikel Leshoure, and the title of this article doesn't seem so crazy now, does it. Young can help take pressure off of Calvin Johnson and stretch the defense in the vertical game with his speed, while Leshoure can provide the inside power running that the team needs to compliment the outside game of Javon Best.

The real X factor for this team is the health of Matthew Stafford. After two straight seasons with serious shoulder injuries in both his throwing and non-throwing shoulder, he has not yet played a full 16 game season. If the Lions can find a way to keep Stafford upright, then this team has really got a chance to do something special. Like I said, this is a group of talented young players who are hungry to establish their own legacy of winning and are prepared to bring Detroit fans along for the ride. They've got a coach that is instilling the right mindset in his players and an intensity that Detroit hasn't experienced in nearly 20 years, and most importantly, the organization seems to back 100%.

Bold Prediction: the 2011 Detroit Lions will make the playoffs!

Top Storylines Emerging from the Draft: #5 - The End of the Reggie Bush Experiment

Remember the 2006 NFL Draft????

It seems like only yesterday that football fans were watching history unfold; three sure fire, can't-miss, pro ready prospects were entering the draft with hall of fame expectations/comparisons. We all know the names: Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. I remember talk of Vince Young being the new Michael Vick, but a more "polished" version (yeah....I just threw up a little in my mouth too). I remember Matt Leinart being hailed as a better version of Carson Palmer, because he was considered more accurate and consistent (hahaha.......funny in so many ways). But most of all, I remember watching clips on Sportscenter with Reggie Bush and Gale Sayers breaking down his film together, and the inferences that Bush was destined to be the next Sayers, except with "more power and explosiveness."

Yeah........well it's 2011, and after Bush was taken 2nd overall in the 2006 draft, Bush has the potential to go down as one of the top draft busts of all time. Playing in 60 games over five seasons, Bush has never had a rushing total higher than 600 yards in a single season. His total rushing yards over that span is 2,090. That averages out to a hair over 400 yards a season. By comparison, undrafted rookie free agent LeGarret Blount rushed for 1,007 yards in just 13 games last year. His best year rushing the football was in 2007, where he amassed an underwhelming 581 yards on the ground. He has become a gadget player on offense and a tinier slot receiver rather than a running back.

His greatest contributions have come via special teams, where he is a dangerous return man. But why is that?? Because he has plenty of wide open space to work with. At the pro level, he has never been able to run the tough yards inside, to grind out an opponent. He has shown no ability to hit the hole with force and has never become an every down back. In college, Bush's athleticism masked these weaknesses because he was just that much faster than his competition. He could beat the defense to the edge and create plays in space. In the pros, the defenses (especially the front 7) can move just as fast and exposed those flaws in his game: lack of power, toughness and most surprising of all, a runner's instinct to find the hole and make the cut. His game is predicated on speed, and that's why he essentially became a receiver only.

After giving him a 6 year contract worth $62 million (with incentives & bonuses), I think the Saints have finally cashed in their chips on Reggie Bush. Set to make an unbelievable $11.8 million in base salary next year, the Saints decided to trade up in the draft to pick RB Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner. Known for tough, hard running with great instincts and power, Ingram will become the Saints starter on day 1 of the 2011 season (whenever that is). His strength, vision, and sheer tenacity are qualities that can't be duplicated and more importantly, can't be found in Bush. So where does Reggie go from here? The Saints want him back, naturally, but not to be their RB. Like I said before, he's a very dangerous and talented return man and he is a huge weapon for them in that aspect of the game. But Reggie's pride and arrogance will lead him to seek out the big contract he hasn't earned and a chance to start for a team desperate for any kind of spark on offense. Teams that jump to my mind are Denver, Seattle and possibly Cleveland as a compliment to Peyton Hillis. But mark my words, the New Orleans Saints, and more specifially Sean Payton's system, are the only place that Reggie Bush will know success.

As the old saying goes "You can't coach Speed"....but the flip side to that coin is "You can't coach toughness." Sayers had it. Bush doesn't. Where he ends up is anybody's guess, but I know one place he won't end up: Canton, Ohio.