Greatest Of All Time.
G.O.A.T.
It’s often thrown around and to me there is no competition. There is only one G.O.A.T. when it comes to basketball and that is Michael Jordan. MJ. 23. Whichever you prefer. We all know (or should know) what he did so for me it’s not really worth even beginning to detail. But then you have the constant debates of who can possibly challenge MJ for the title. Some will say Kobe. I disagree and for the purposes of this entry I’ll stay away from why.
What got me thinking about the title for this entry was a quick comment my boy David made to me via Twitter regarding the rumors of Lebron and Chris Bosh to Miami to join D Wade: “…nothing confirmed...but if it happens...LEBRON can never be considered the best...in my opinion.” I got to thinking about that statement and as big of a Lebron fan as I am, I can’t help but agree. Let me shed some light on that statement: I’m from Austin, TX. The pro team in Austin is the Texas Longhorns so I’ve never had true affiliations. Basically I’ve just always enjoyed good sports and to a further extent, I’m a bigger fan of players than I am teams. So as a result, whenever the Lebron hype started in high school, I started to follow him and have become a big fan. So back to the topic at hand… For me, no matter what Lebron were to do going forward it would be hard for me to even consider him as a candidate for the G.O.A.T. title because he’d be going to a team with other superstars for the sole purpose of winning a championship. Not saying there is anything wrong with wanting to win a championship. Nothing wrong with that at all.
This is about his legacy more than anything. For me to consider you as the G.O.A.T.-to-be I need to see the ability to bring a team from the ashes and turn them into a champion. A true powerhouse. I always thought Lebron was on the right track in doing that in Cleveland and secretly hoped he’d just stay there and get a piece here and there and develop them into a champ. Instead it seems as if the dollars and the need for a championship right now is driving him. I can’t say I blame him necessarily but I do think it makes his legacy take a hit if he does what most think he'll do.
As a friend pointed out when I raised the “issue” in a recent Facebook status: “If Lebron, Bosh and Wade all end up on the same team, they are only two players short of an Olympic squad.” It seems like it’d just be too easy to go that route. I want the person that is coming for MJ's title to grind it out. Whether that’s fair or not, I can’t say. I’m only speaking from what I personally want to see. I may never see it because these days anyone with enough money and cap space can pretty much go out and buy championships in the NBA. Ask the Lakers and Celtics in recent years.
So if Lebron reads this somewhere (yea right), go for the rings. Go for the money. I don’t blame you. But don’t expect to be considered the G.O.A.T.
Ever.
At least not in my eyes.
-M.G.M.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Game. Blouses.
I gotta be honest. I think today was the first time in a long time I’ve watched an entire soccer game. I watched bits and pieces of USA vs. Slovenia and after I saw us get hosed I was pretty much convinced the fix was in when it comes to World Cup soccer. I couldn’t help but think it was worse than the NBA. At that point I was pretty much done with soccer for the year.
But as Americans, we tend to rally together in spite of adversity and when you throw sports in with some patriotism it creates a beast like no other. So when I saw I could watch USA vs. Algeria today online, the wheels in my brain started turning on my way to work as to how I’d be able to keep up with what was going on.
Somehow my schedule at work turned out perfectly today. I didn’t have any appointments from 10am until 1pm today so I was streaming the game on my computer through ESPN3.com while doing some paperwork in my office. When Clint Dempsey put the ball in the net in the 21st minute against Algeria I wasn’t looking at my computer. I heard the commentators scream goal and instantly I turned to see that once again, we were getting jobbed. The goal was called offside. I couldn’t help but think – “here we go again.”
It probably didn’t help that I just finished watching the best ESPN 30 for 30 to date last night – The Two Escobars – which detailed Colombian soccer and how it was fueled by Pablo Escobar’s drug money. Drug cartel’s would pay off the refs back in those times to try to fix games and I couldn’t help but find myself Googling Algeria and Slovenia to see if there were strong drug presences in either country after that goal was taken from us. If you enjoyed that ESPN 30 for 30 last night you should look into watching the documentaries called Cocaine Cowboys and Cocaine Cowboys 2. Very similar in many regards. Anyways - back to the game.
I was almost ready to shut off the game and go right back to good ole Pandora for the rest of the day. But a sense of pride started to swell up in me. From this moment on I was glued to the screen. I was incensed with a feeling of “us against them” and just found myself literally cheering the USA team on from my office. I think people were initially kind of shocked as they passed by my office at how into it I was. Occasionally they’d ask “what’s going on?” My response? Soccer. USA. This was followed by them rushing to their respective offices and tuning in as well.
As the 90th minute drew closer and closer you could see the USA players ramping up their play and becoming more aggressive. All the while I’m cheering on from my office and posting “USA! USA! USA!” updates on Twitter with my friends. I just kept on getting the feeling that any moment I’d be able to shout for joy. It just felt like they shouldn’t lose. Sure enough, true to American resolve, Landon Donovan came through in the 91st minute. It seemed like everything slowed down for a second and then of course I had to yell and post on Twitter - GGGGGGGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! Three of my co-workers came into my office and we quickly watched some of the replays. It was probably one of the cooler sporting moments I’ve experienced without having any true personal affiliation. After the game Donovan said: "We're not done. We believe, man. We're alive, baby." I don’t know if that’s a sign of things to come or what but it just feels like I watched something special take place.
With that being said, let the chants of “USA! USA! USA!” continue. As long as we're still in it I have something to do that will keep me busy until NCAA 2011 drops on XBOX 360. Football season can't get here fast enough but this soccer thing will do for now. For you Chappelle’s Show fans out there the best way I can sum up that finish is the following: Game. Blouses.
-M.G.M.
But as Americans, we tend to rally together in spite of adversity and when you throw sports in with some patriotism it creates a beast like no other. So when I saw I could watch USA vs. Algeria today online, the wheels in my brain started turning on my way to work as to how I’d be able to keep up with what was going on.
Somehow my schedule at work turned out perfectly today. I didn’t have any appointments from 10am until 1pm today so I was streaming the game on my computer through ESPN3.com while doing some paperwork in my office. When Clint Dempsey put the ball in the net in the 21st minute against Algeria I wasn’t looking at my computer. I heard the commentators scream goal and instantly I turned to see that once again, we were getting jobbed. The goal was called offside. I couldn’t help but think – “here we go again.”
It probably didn’t help that I just finished watching the best ESPN 30 for 30 to date last night – The Two Escobars – which detailed Colombian soccer and how it was fueled by Pablo Escobar’s drug money. Drug cartel’s would pay off the refs back in those times to try to fix games and I couldn’t help but find myself Googling Algeria and Slovenia to see if there were strong drug presences in either country after that goal was taken from us. If you enjoyed that ESPN 30 for 30 last night you should look into watching the documentaries called Cocaine Cowboys and Cocaine Cowboys 2. Very similar in many regards. Anyways - back to the game.
I was almost ready to shut off the game and go right back to good ole Pandora for the rest of the day. But a sense of pride started to swell up in me. From this moment on I was glued to the screen. I was incensed with a feeling of “us against them” and just found myself literally cheering the USA team on from my office. I think people were initially kind of shocked as they passed by my office at how into it I was. Occasionally they’d ask “what’s going on?” My response? Soccer. USA. This was followed by them rushing to their respective offices and tuning in as well.
As the 90th minute drew closer and closer you could see the USA players ramping up their play and becoming more aggressive. All the while I’m cheering on from my office and posting “USA! USA! USA!” updates on Twitter with my friends. I just kept on getting the feeling that any moment I’d be able to shout for joy. It just felt like they shouldn’t lose. Sure enough, true to American resolve, Landon Donovan came through in the 91st minute. It seemed like everything slowed down for a second and then of course I had to yell and post on Twitter - GGGGGGGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! Three of my co-workers came into my office and we quickly watched some of the replays. It was probably one of the cooler sporting moments I’ve experienced without having any true personal affiliation. After the game Donovan said: "We're not done. We believe, man. We're alive, baby." I don’t know if that’s a sign of things to come or what but it just feels like I watched something special take place.
With that being said, let the chants of “USA! USA! USA!” continue. As long as we're still in it I have something to do that will keep me busy until NCAA 2011 drops on XBOX 360. Football season can't get here fast enough but this soccer thing will do for now. For you Chappelle’s Show fans out there the best way I can sum up that finish is the following: Game. Blouses.
-M.G.M.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Somebody Tell Albert Haynesworth, We Want Our Money Back!
Playing devil’s advocate for a second: I understand Albert Haynesworth didn’t come to the Redskins under the same regime that is currently there. They went out and hired Mike Shanahan who has completely shaken things up and determined that he doesn’t want the same defense. So now Haynesworth is unhappy and doesn’t want to be in Washington. He wants to be traded. That part, I understand. Or at least I understand what I think he’s saying. I don’t agree with it but I think I understand. Haynesworth feels that he’s being forced to change positions without his permission. Cool. You don’t like that. More power to you. I’ve even seen some try to defend Haynesworth position by basically saying “he’d do what any of us would do” when negotiating any kind of deal in life.
I can’t say I agree though.
If I was Albert Haynesworth and I truly had ZERO intention of playing for the Washington Redskins again I wouldn’t accept the $21 million bonus he received on April 1st of this year. Let’s say that one more time. Matter of fact - let’s type it out so we common folk can see all the zeroes: $21,000,000. That’s how much money Haynesworth accepted as a roster bonus for being a member of the Washington Redskins. Haynesworth should’ve sat out and probably done the opposite of T.O. when he was protesting the Eagles. Instead of holding court in his driveway and doing pushups and stuff in front of the media, Haynesworth should’ve sat outside the Redskins facilities and invited the media to watch him eat ice cream or whatever kind of food Haynesworth enjoys.
But no. Good ole Al took that money and now he wants to run. Too bad the Redskins are now coming for that $21 million. . I hope he didn’t spend it all in one place.
I think the true tragedy in all of this is that not only is he letting his teammates down (even though he doesn’t care to be their teammates anymore) but that he’s now creating two problems, one for himself and one for others.
I can’t see how any future teammate can trust him to be there when he’s already received a lucrative deal and bounced. I mean, how are you to rely on this guy when he’s been paid more than anyone else at the position (ever...in life...if I'm not mistaken) but ultimately even THAT was not good enough? Who is even a potential trade partner? I mean, what GM wants to deal with that headache?
Along the same lines, the second problem is that now, it’s going to be tough for a defensive tackle in the future to get similar deals. I follow Darnell Dockett on Twitter and from what I've seen of him in interviews and NFL films behind the scenes stuff, I like him as a player and a person a lot. He seems like a guy that brings his lunch pail to work every day. What I would hate is that when it comes time for his payday, a GM has to think in the back of his mind “well I wonder if Dockett might pull a Haynesworth on me. Better be careful with how much we give him.”
I know it’s not Haynesworth’s job to figure out that kind of stuff. But it is his job to do what he’s paid to do and that’s play the game of FOOTBALL. If he doesn’t agree with what he’s being asked to do then he shouldn’t have taken the money.
So in my best Houston rapper voice (was it Slim Thug or ESG?): “Somebody Tell Albert Haynesworth, We Want Our Money Back!”
-M.G.M.
I can’t say I agree though.
If I was Albert Haynesworth and I truly had ZERO intention of playing for the Washington Redskins again I wouldn’t accept the $21 million bonus he received on April 1st of this year. Let’s say that one more time. Matter of fact - let’s type it out so we common folk can see all the zeroes: $21,000,000. That’s how much money Haynesworth accepted as a roster bonus for being a member of the Washington Redskins. Haynesworth should’ve sat out and probably done the opposite of T.O. when he was protesting the Eagles. Instead of holding court in his driveway and doing pushups and stuff in front of the media, Haynesworth should’ve sat outside the Redskins facilities and invited the media to watch him eat ice cream or whatever kind of food Haynesworth enjoys.
But no. Good ole Al took that money and now he wants to run. Too bad the Redskins are now coming for that $21 million. . I hope he didn’t spend it all in one place.
I think the true tragedy in all of this is that not only is he letting his teammates down (even though he doesn’t care to be their teammates anymore) but that he’s now creating two problems, one for himself and one for others.
I can’t see how any future teammate can trust him to be there when he’s already received a lucrative deal and bounced. I mean, how are you to rely on this guy when he’s been paid more than anyone else at the position (ever...in life...if I'm not mistaken) but ultimately even THAT was not good enough? Who is even a potential trade partner? I mean, what GM wants to deal with that headache?
Along the same lines, the second problem is that now, it’s going to be tough for a defensive tackle in the future to get similar deals. I follow Darnell Dockett on Twitter and from what I've seen of him in interviews and NFL films behind the scenes stuff, I like him as a player and a person a lot. He seems like a guy that brings his lunch pail to work every day. What I would hate is that when it comes time for his payday, a GM has to think in the back of his mind “well I wonder if Dockett might pull a Haynesworth on me. Better be careful with how much we give him.”
I know it’s not Haynesworth’s job to figure out that kind of stuff. But it is his job to do what he’s paid to do and that’s play the game of FOOTBALL. If he doesn’t agree with what he’s being asked to do then he shouldn’t have taken the money.
So in my best Houston rapper voice (was it Slim Thug or ESG?): “Somebody Tell Albert Haynesworth, We Want Our Money Back!”
-M.G.M.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
I Can Talk
No - seriously. I can talk. A lot. Probably - no - DEFINITELY too much at times. I can give an opinion on pretty much anything. That's probably a bad thing in some instances but for the purposes of this blog we'll just disregard that for now. That's the reason that this blog has finally been brought into the world to be honest. Sometimes I talk too damn much. And when I can't talk? I'll type. I Tweet – a lot. I update my Facebook status when I feel the need. Sometimes I just can't find a way to shorten what I want to say. Ever type what you thought was the perfect Twitter or Facebook update only to find out you exceeded the allowable characters? I'm THAT guy.
A friend of mine recently (as in this morning) told me that I could probably choose to argue a side of a story even if I knew it was completely wrong and somehow make people believe something about it is right. I realized I guess that's kind of true. Sometimes I argue things just for the sake of arguing them. Sometimes I really believe in what I'm arguing. Sometimes I just want to see if I can form an opinion that will get people riled up and in the process try to defend it. My blog will probably be a combination of all of these.
If you manage to stick around and read it on even a semi-consistent basis, please don't take me too seriously. Despite how it may seem, I don't even always take myself as seriously as I may come off. I'm a bit of a smart ass. Blame Andrew Kelson, Chris Ogbonnaya, Robert Killebrew and my other college teammates that sat at our Friday night and Saturday pre-game meal table. Hell, blame my whole team in general. If you didn't have thick skin or a quick one liner to fire back, you probably didn't make it long on our teams – especially if you happened to have a locker in the Suburbs (I'll explain in another blog one day).
The one thing I'm probably most "serious" about is my love of sports. They've always been a huge part of my life and I still marvel at what sports have done for me over the years. I formed great friendships, visited the White House, met the President, traveled to foreign countries, met influential people in the business world and even had my undergraduate education paid for - all because of sports.
Somehow everything always comes back to sports for me so that'll probably be what most of my blog entries are about – something sports related. Then again, I'm a pretty big nerd too. I like the latest and greatest electronics. I like to read. I even still play video games. But eventually I need to find a way to parlay all this sports mumbo jumbo into some cash because this 9-5 thing (really 6:30-6 - I consider when I wake up and get home as the start and end of my work days) is for the birds. So if any of you reading this feels like paying a brotha (or knows someone who might want to) at some point feel free to let me know. No - seriously. I won't be mad at you if you do.
Lots of people have opinions on what I should be doing. Some say I should be a lawyer. My brother was once convinced I should be an agent. Most close to me agree that I should, at the very least, do a blog. I finally gave in. My opinions will probably piss you off at times. I confess – I probably don't care. They're MY opinions. If you can't tell already I went to THE University of Texas. That alone will probably piss some of you off. Some thoughts will probably make you laugh because most of the time I'm just too stupid to get out of my own way and as a result, it might produce a funny here or there. It's all a work in progress so we'll see how it goes. So yeah - this should be interesting. Enjoy my Pointless Direction.
-M.G.M.
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