First stop with the sputtering. YOU have no IDEA how GOOD Jerry West was. He isn't the image for the NBA statue for fun! Uhmm sorry for the yelling.
This icon played from 1960 to 1974. He was 6.2 and 175 pounds. He averaged 27.00 point per game; 6.7 assists per game; .474 shooting percentage per game and 5.8 total rebounds. He played 39.2 minutes per game. This guy was a ball player. My ultimate compliment. If you have some time, and believe me, it's going to take some time, read about his accolades. It can be found at the bottom of the web site provided in the notes of this page. The one knock. He won, only one Championship.That was in 1972.
The first thing people mention when comparing eras in football and basketball is how much bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic this modern group is to the their older version. The first thing I tell these wise keepers of the facts is that the rules were different and "no blood no foul" wasn't just a saying. In football's case no broken bones no foul. Since football is not my point, this is my last mention of that sport. To continue, these individuals were playing to support their family and absolutely took no prisoners. The pay at that time was not quite as lucrative as now and many needed the playoff money.
The second thing I mention is that there were no "nights off" at that time. Every game played, either someone was as good as you, or mean enough to make up the gap. Their league was small and was made up of two divisions. This lasted during West's career, from 1960 until 1970. In addition, in1960 there were a total of 8 teams which was was expanded to 9 the following year. It remained a nine team league until 1966 when it expanded to 10. In 1967 it was at 12 and then went to 14 until 1969. Now in 1970, we are entering the more modern era of sports with four divisions and 17 teams. West's career ended in 1974 and this now four division league, added one more team to the 17, for a grand total of 18 teams. Today there are four divisions and 30 teams. I'm pretty sure players of a higher caliber get "nights off".
The homework is done now so let's move directly to the good stuff. Scottie Pippen is the glue that held the six championships together for Michael Jordan. Scottie always played the other team's best defender and was able to do any thing on the court necessary to fill the gap for Jordan. Scottie was the ultimate wing man Anything needed he could provide. He easily could have scored more but deferred to Michael and was a facilitator. Jordan left to "play baseball" in 1993 and Scottie decided to average 22 ppg; 2.9 stls; 5.6 assts.; 8.7 trb and .08 blks. Jordan returns in 1994 for 17 games and Pippen still averages 21 ppg; 2.9 stls; 5.2 assts; 8.1 trbs and 1.1 blks. Not Mikey's scoring numbers but Scottie didn't need them to be. With those 1993 numbers he came ,within one blown call, of taking his team to the NBA championship against Hakeem Olajuwon and the the Houston Rockets. Pippen could run this Chicago team just fine without Michael but Mikey J. never would have gotten to the the ultimate game without Scottie P.
Mike was a scorer that learned to be a facilitator later in his career. Yes, he had decent assist numbers but he only passed when forced. Later in his career he learned to trust. Yes, yes I know he won defensive awards. People, please, he was a great off the ball defender. He was never put on any one's primary scorer or a great dribbler. Further, if Mike went into a slump, Scottie could be counted on to bridge the gap. Dude was lucky he had someone around that did what was necessary to keep the game in hand until it was "Jordan time". That of course meant he scored at will, while Scottie slowed the other teams primary dribbler, allowing the trap defense to work effectively. Plain and simple, if Scottie had left Chicago, Jordan's legacy would have left with him. But he stayed and the six championships are now lore.
There is, however, one caveat . Michael Jordan had the will of a champion. Normally it's not something you learn. It's something, with which you're born. Scottie didn't seem to have it before he met Mike. If Mike didn't teach it to Scottie, then he brought it to the forefront of Pippen's personality. About that I do not know. But I am sure, that as great as Scottie became, I must attribute the will to win as a direct result of playing with Jordan. So to that point of view, maybe Mike did create his "path". But be that as it may, if Pippen had not been part of Jordan's "path", both he and the "statue", would both be known as great players who just couldn't seem to win championships. I'm sure, just as West did, Jordan would have gotten as least one. Albeit late in his career.
NOTE : Jerry West stats http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westje01.html Copyright © 2000-2010 Sports Reference LLC.
NOTE : Salaries for some elite athletes. There are various dates and one comment that disputes Jerry West's salary. But the point is made. These are the salaries for the elites of their era. Adjust down greatly for the average salary. http://www.nesn.com/2010/05/sports-legends-salaries-may-surprise-you.html © 2010 New England Sports Network.
NOTE : A must read -ASSOCIATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL RESEARCH FAQ http://www.apbr.org/apbr-faq.html Copyright © Association for Professional Basketball Research. All rights reserved.Revised: November 01, 2001.
NOTE : I am aware that Jerry W. ran into the Celtic buzz saw during his career. However C's won the NBA Championship 1960-1966,1967-1968 and 1974. In between those championships were the Philadelphia 76ers 1966; New York knicks 1969 and 1972 and Milwaukee Bucks 1970. Other teams won championships during West's time.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Open letter to Martin Brodeur Goalie Of the New Jersey Devils
Martin , dude.., buddy.. listen. I think it's time we talked. You've played 1076 games and you've won 602 of them. You're goals against average is 2.21 and you've had 110 shutouts.Your save percentage is a whopping .914. You've had 23 postseason shutouts. Nice I say, and I doubt anyone would disagree.
Here's the thing. Since Scott Stevens has retired we haven't won any Stanley Cups. Hey, hey now, don't take it that way. Not saying we CAN'T win a cup without #4 Scott *moment of silence* Stevens. No, what I'm saying is after winning three of Lord Stanley's Cups and being a still very serviceable 38 years of age ..maybe it's time you rested a little during the regular season.
My friend..I hope I can call you that, since I've watched you, your entire 18 year career. During the 1993-1994 playoffs you asserted yourself and our former goalie Chris Terreri would quietly fade away. Marty you have averaged 60 games a year. If you remove the first three years of your career in which you split duties it goes up to 66 games over 15 years. True the 1994-95 season was more about the lock-out than Terreri but we'll still threw it out. Marty you were hurt in the 2008-09 season. When I remove that year you jump to a 68 games a year average. From the 1997-1998 season you have played 70 games or better except for your injury shortened year mentioned above. This excludes all playoff games.
Let's be frank..Yeah you're a heckuva goaltender. You may be chasing some individual stats. Can't blame you for that. You deserve them. However I would love ..yes love to have Lord Stanley's showpiece in the Prudential Center and let it gleam as it rode down Broad Street in Newark. So for us; for you; for the Devils; for Newark could you possible take off 20 to 30 games of the 82 game schedule. You'd be surprised what that rest will do for your butterfly saves and reactions, off stick side. I realize the low or high side of these missed games depends on how we're doing in the standings. Our team is good enough to win at least half of those missed starts whether our back-up goalie is average or a bit worst. It will also give us the opportunity to develop some goalies. Martin, my man, you won't play forever.
So ..glad we could have this talk!-Have a great 2010-11 year and let's get another Cup or two. 'Cause a legacy is just as much about post season success as regular season excellence. Okay..see ya in a few months.
Owen
Here's the thing. Since Scott Stevens has retired we haven't won any Stanley Cups. Hey, hey now, don't take it that way. Not saying we CAN'T win a cup without #4 Scott *moment of silence* Stevens. No, what I'm saying is after winning three of Lord Stanley's Cups and being a still very serviceable 38 years of age ..maybe it's time you rested a little during the regular season.
My friend..I hope I can call you that, since I've watched you, your entire 18 year career. During the 1993-1994 playoffs you asserted yourself and our former goalie Chris Terreri would quietly fade away. Marty you have averaged 60 games a year. If you remove the first three years of your career in which you split duties it goes up to 66 games over 15 years. True the 1994-95 season was more about the lock-out than Terreri but we'll still threw it out. Marty you were hurt in the 2008-09 season. When I remove that year you jump to a 68 games a year average. From the 1997-1998 season you have played 70 games or better except for your injury shortened year mentioned above. This excludes all playoff games.
Let's be frank..Yeah you're a heckuva goaltender. You may be chasing some individual stats. Can't blame you for that. You deserve them. However I would love ..yes love to have Lord Stanley's showpiece in the Prudential Center and let it gleam as it rode down Broad Street in Newark. So for us; for you; for the Devils; for Newark could you possible take off 20 to 30 games of the 82 game schedule. You'd be surprised what that rest will do for your butterfly saves and reactions, off stick side. I realize the low or high side of these missed games depends on how we're doing in the standings. Our team is good enough to win at least half of those missed starts whether our back-up goalie is average or a bit worst. It will also give us the opportunity to develop some goalies. Martin, my man, you won't play forever.
So ..glad we could have this talk!-Have a great 2010-11 year and let's get another Cup or two. 'Cause a legacy is just as much about post season success as regular season excellence. Okay..see ya in a few months.
Owen
Albert Haynesworth Question
Ok, let's get to the meat of the issue. Albert Haynesworth is listed as a 6-6 335 pound defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2002 and played seven years for that worthy organization. He now plays for the Washington Redskins which acquired the talent of Donovan McNabb this 2010 off season. In total Albert has been in the NFL for eight years and this 2010-2011 season would be his ninth. He has accumulated 229 solo tackles ;80 assisted tackles and 28 sacks. Those relate to 185 yards lost by opponents. Haynesworth has played in 16 games only once in his career and that was his 2002-03 rookie year. Since then he has appeared in as many as 14 games only twice. those years are 2005-06 and 2008-09 and only 12 last year. He had 4 sacks, 29 solo tackles and five quarterback pressures last year.
The guy was the 15th player selected in the NFL draft and has been to two pro-bowls. Those years 2007 and 2008. Big dude had some trouble with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he on October 1st tried to stomp a "mud-hole" into the head of Andre Gurode, the center of the Dallas Cowboys. He received a five game suspension. To his credit he refused to appeal this, although the NFL Players' association pleaded fervently for him to do just that.
In 2009 he hit the jackpot when Washington gave him a $100,000, 7 year contract. Big money had been outspoken regarding the defensive schemes in which he has had to play in 2009. It seems he knew more than his defensive coordinator Greg Blache. He also has had some issues this pre-season, allegedly with a muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis or what his head coach Mike Shanahan calls "headaches". He and his coach are not playing nice in the media and seem to be on different pages.
Sorry the homework done I NOW can get to the point. This guy is getting paid for what he did in the past. He seems to be a pain in the butt in the present. HOWEVER there is no mistaking that he probably has a little gas left in the tank. Is he worth keeping or do the "Skins" trade this guy for whatever they can get?
The guy was the 15th player selected in the NFL draft and has been to two pro-bowls. Those years 2007 and 2008. Big dude had some trouble with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he on October 1st tried to stomp a "mud-hole" into the head of Andre Gurode, the center of the Dallas Cowboys. He received a five game suspension. To his credit he refused to appeal this, although the NFL Players' association pleaded fervently for him to do just that.
In 2009 he hit the jackpot when Washington gave him a $100,000, 7 year contract. Big money had been outspoken regarding the defensive schemes in which he has had to play in 2009. It seems he knew more than his defensive coordinator Greg Blache. He also has had some issues this pre-season, allegedly with a muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis or what his head coach Mike Shanahan calls "headaches". He and his coach are not playing nice in the media and seem to be on different pages.
Sorry the homework done I NOW can get to the point. This guy is getting paid for what he did in the past. He seems to be a pain in the butt in the present. HOWEVER there is no mistaking that he probably has a little gas left in the tank. Is he worth keeping or do the "Skins" trade this guy for whatever they can get?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Dan Marino and Peyton Manning . Winners or Pretenders.
When you think of great quarterbacks there are names that instantly jump to mind. It might be Bart Starr ,Bob Griese, Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Terry Bradshaw, Fran Tarkenton, Johnny U, Roger Staubach and the list of these few backs could be and would be debated and argued for hours. Let's for the sake of argument give you a list. This list is most likely inclusive of any back that you would name. http://www.listology.com/list/greatest-nfl-quarterbacks-all-time Submitted by baker on Fri, 02/25/2005.It's a good list and I'm not here to argue order.
We all know what it takes to be a great, not good quarterback, but a great back. This list is not exclusive to these attributes. They need to be football smart, decisive with enough arm to get the job done and steely under pressure.The extra beyond that is what makes them special. I want to talk about two I saw that more than fits this special group. I sincerely believe if Warren Moon had not wasted those years in the CFL (sorry Canadian Football League aficionados he too would be in this special group).
Those two are Dan Marino and Peyton Manning..However here's the rub. Though those two are special are they actually pretenders to the group. I'm not going to take the time to debate who else deserves to be in that special tier but my two favorites have a very special flaw. And yes Warren Moon falls into it as well. Between these three giants they have two Superbowl appearances and and only one trophy. Hey,Hey, hey I know. This hurts.
Dan Marino arguably one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks I have ever seen. Surprisingly no one knew it when he was drafted out of Pittsburgh. In any case he only got to the big game once. Not his fault, I hear you say. His defense continuously let him down and when he lost Duper and Clayton, the mighty mites, who did he have to catch the ball in the clutch? Where were his running backs? I must admit all good points but irrelevant. Did he win Superbowls ? Did he get to Superbowls ? Let's move along.
Peyton Manning was put together by daddy, Archie(another special quarterback that had the bad luck of playing in New Orleans)along with his younger brother Eli, to be quarterbacks. Archie did a good job. If I had to pick a quarterback to win a regular season game it would be Peyton(or maybe Dan). However if I needed playoffs games or Superbowl trophies there would likely be trepidation in my pick. He has been to two Superbowls and won one and lost one. Hey his defenses let him down during many playoff games and his running back failed to punch in touchdowns when he needed it you say. And let's not forget all those drops from receivers and running backs over the years you continue. Yes, Yes I hear you but though, those issues are true they are irrelevant, as well. The playoff losses are unfortunate but whether his team let him down or he threw one interception too many is not important. He lost.
Listen I love these two players(yes and Moon as well. They gave me, and in the case of Peyton, is still giving me many enjoyable viewing moments. But facts are facts. Though Peyton has time to turn this around, his younger brother has as many Superbowls as he does. That would be one folks. I as mentioned understand Peyton has time..but I've come to accept him for what he is. One of the greatest regular season quarterbacks of all time. He and his buddy Danny.
NOTE : Here is some information with statistics for Peyton Manning,
http://www.nfl.com/players/careerstats?id=MAN515097 © 2010 NFL Enterprises LLC.
http://www.danmarino.com/Stats.aspx © 2008 FansEdge, Inc. All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_894_Six_Points:_Moon_not_first-ballot_worthy.html © Copyright 2005, Pigskin Media Inc.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoonWa00.htm Copyright © 2000-2010 Sports Reference LLC.
http://www.cfl.ca/page/hall-of-fame-warren-moon
We all know what it takes to be a great, not good quarterback, but a great back. This list is not exclusive to these attributes. They need to be football smart, decisive with enough arm to get the job done and steely under pressure.The extra beyond that is what makes them special. I want to talk about two I saw that more than fits this special group. I sincerely believe if Warren Moon had not wasted those years in the CFL (sorry Canadian Football League aficionados he too would be in this special group).
Those two are Dan Marino and Peyton Manning..However here's the rub. Though those two are special are they actually pretenders to the group. I'm not going to take the time to debate who else deserves to be in that special tier but my two favorites have a very special flaw. And yes Warren Moon falls into it as well. Between these three giants they have two Superbowl appearances and and only one trophy. Hey,Hey, hey I know. This hurts.
Dan Marino arguably one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks I have ever seen. Surprisingly no one knew it when he was drafted out of Pittsburgh. In any case he only got to the big game once. Not his fault, I hear you say. His defense continuously let him down and when he lost Duper and Clayton, the mighty mites, who did he have to catch the ball in the clutch? Where were his running backs? I must admit all good points but irrelevant. Did he win Superbowls ? Did he get to Superbowls ? Let's move along.
Peyton Manning was put together by daddy, Archie(another special quarterback that had the bad luck of playing in New Orleans)along with his younger brother Eli, to be quarterbacks. Archie did a good job. If I had to pick a quarterback to win a regular season game it would be Peyton(or maybe Dan). However if I needed playoffs games or Superbowl trophies there would likely be trepidation in my pick. He has been to two Superbowls and won one and lost one. Hey his defenses let him down during many playoff games and his running back failed to punch in touchdowns when he needed it you say. And let's not forget all those drops from receivers and running backs over the years you continue. Yes, Yes I hear you but though, those issues are true they are irrelevant, as well. The playoff losses are unfortunate but whether his team let him down or he threw one interception too many is not important. He lost.
Listen I love these two players(yes and Moon as well. They gave me, and in the case of Peyton, is still giving me many enjoyable viewing moments. But facts are facts. Though Peyton has time to turn this around, his younger brother has as many Superbowls as he does. That would be one folks. I as mentioned understand Peyton has time..but I've come to accept him for what he is. One of the greatest regular season quarterbacks of all time. He and his buddy Danny.
NOTE : Here is some information with statistics for Peyton Manning,
http://www.nfl.com/players/careerstats?id=MAN515097 © 2010 NFL Enterprises LLC.
http://www.danmarino.com/Stats.aspx © 2008 FansEdge, Inc. All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_894_Six_Points:_Moon_not_first-ballot_worthy.html © Copyright 2005, Pigskin Media Inc.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoonWa00.htm Copyright © 2000-2010 Sports Reference LLC.
http://www.cfl.ca/page/hall-of-fame-warren-moon
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