Sports Report

I haven't done a report about sports, so for something a little different, here are some thoughts I have lately while keeping track of the 3 big sports going on in America.

My Chicago Cubs.
I don't care how much you do or don't know about baseball. The simple fact is the team that scores the most runs wins every time. Doesn't matter how you score 'em, long as they cross the plate that's all that matters. Consider these stats by the cubs as of May 20.

They are a respectable 21-17. I had my doubts about this team earlier, but since writing about it to a few of my friends they have since played pretty well. However, in games that they score 3 runs or fewer, they are an astounding 0-14. I'll say that again, they haven't won a single game when scoring 3 runs or fewer. And they've played nearly 40 of em! This isn't an accident folks, the teams need to score runs. In games they do score 4 or more runs, they are a very good 21-3.

Where does run production begin? Why, at the leadoff spot, of course. Mr. Alfonso Soriano, please take the stand. Can you tell us, please, sir, how it is that in games that your team has lost, you have the following stats: 13hits in 64 at bats for a .203 average. You've scored a total of 8 runs in the 16 of those games you've played, you have 2 of your 12 home runs and only 3 rbi's, while striking out a whopping 17 times. I make it my mission, sir, to have you in a spot within the lineup that suits your power production. I'm tired of you babying your fans and your team with this me-first attitude-literally seeing as how you cry to your manager any time he doesn't have you in the leadoff spot. You make $17 million dollars during an economic crisis playing a sport that probably half of America would gladly play for free. Please, sir, for the better good of the team, hit third and protect Derrick Lee-especially while our horse Ramirez is out with a shoulder.

My 2 cents on Michael Vick
Michael Vick did an awful thing, as many of you know, by getting into illegal dog fighting and killing the dogs that were not performing well. He was incarcerated for 22 months and served his time. It remains to be seen if he will play another down in the NFL again.

What he did was terrible. While I personally don't think what he did was punishable by a prison sentence--I'm more mad at drivers who drive under the influence. I think they should be locked up, then maybe there'd be less drunk drivers killing innocent people--that can't be taken away from him. It's not like he was killing Benji. The dogs he killed were attack dogs that sat alone in the dark all day long and only got out to chase a squirell tail while running on a treadmill in training to fight other dogs. To me his only crime was running this illegal dog fighting operation. Before you jump over me after I've said that, know that I'm a huge dog lover, as I've had dogs all my life.

Now that he has been freed, he will begin his life afresh (read very big sarcastic asteriks there). IF he gets a chance to sign with an NFL team-John Clayton of ESPN seems to report that just the mention of a team that MIGHT be interested in giving Vick a chance responds to his assumptions with nasty phone calls and hate mail-he'll have to compete for a backup job. Lots of owners I'm afraid already have a preceived notion they will never give this man a second chance. We don't even know what he's learned from these chain of events.

However, none of this probably matters in the first place. I believe that he will never regain the game speed and efficiency needed to run a team on the NFL level. Look at college quarterbacks who begin to learn a new system. It takes them a lot of time to do so. Many learn for the first year before even attempting a pass in a game. And many good college quarterbacks never succeed at the NFL level. Vick has been 2 years removed from a very fast game and will be trying to play arguably the hardest position to play based on speed of the game, timing, and instincts. It's going to be awful hard to get that back.

My 2 cent opinion is this: Michael Vick served a great sentence for a horrendous offense. His time is served and he will never get back those 2 years that he missed with the speed, practice, and timing of the NFL. I personally don't see him ever becoming a legitimate NFL quarterback again, even if he is given a chance. I am sad about this, because I was a fan of his. Vick is a very exciting runner with a cannon for a left arm. Talent like that comes along once in 10 years, and it is a shame we didn't get to see his full potential. Vick, best of luck to you as you start afresh. I hope you're given a second chance on life and that you use it wisely.

Basketball:
LeBron or Kobe?
This is the interesting debate that is going on now. I'm not sure why, there's no question LeBron talent-wise is hands down the best NBA player today-and perhaps the greatest talent we've ever seen. Kobe, on the other hand, is on the down spiral of his career. He's logged over 1100 games plus about 150 post season games. Knees start to wear down once that # games played is greater than 1000. But he is still a very legitimate threat to take over a game at any time.

All players have strengths and weaknesses. Kobe's weakness is that he's a me-first player. Late into his career (and while being surrounded by better talent) he has learned how to be a better team player. However, he still wants to get his. You'll see him quit occasionally (game 3 vs Houston in this year's playoffs) when he is not involved offensively as if to tell everyone, "see, this is what this team is without me." Don't get me wrong, I love to watch Kobe play. He's a relentless defender, and I do like his cocky attitude. I think anyone who is great at sports ought to have a little cockiness to attach to it.

LeBron, on the other hand, is still coming into his own after 5 years in the league. The kid's only 24 years old. He can play any position 2-5 offensively and defensively. He constantly draws double and triple teams. His dunks are often viewed as highlight films, and every teenager imagines being him when on the court. At 24 he's being hyped as the best player to ever play the game. However, he has one glaring weakness that I've never read printed nor ever heard debated how this may affect his career. He is a below average free throw shooter. Granted, he still has years to improve on this part of his game. I read once where Michael Jordan told his college coach Dean Smith that it took him 8 years before he felt he could hit a free throw at any stage of the game. Kobe hits his free throws. LeBron will go 6-10 in a one point game and miss 3 in the 4th quarter of that game. LeBron, you want to be great? Spend a little less time on those 40 foot jump shots and a little more time on that 15 foot set shot. With your potential you should be shooting 20 free throws or more a game.

Today I would rank Kobe ahead of LeBron. Kobe has 3 rings, although he was the 2nd best player on those teams. When/if he gets a ring while being the star of his team, he'll climb even further up the ladder. LeBron's not quite there yet. He's never won a conference final, let alone an NBA championship. Let's see where the dominoes fall, but as of today this sports fan puts Kobe on top of this debate. I hope we get to see these 2 warriors compete against each other in the NBA finals this year.

And with that, the sports report rests. Comments?