6.0.A.T.?

Where were you when Kobe Bryant played his final NBA game? Even though the woeful Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs months ago and the Utah Jazz had no benefit to win, Kobe put on a performance. A performance that puts the cherry on top of Kobe’s iconic and historic career.

In 1996, Kobe Bryant, was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick overall. The Charlotte Hornets has no intentions of signing or drafting the teenager out of Lower Merion High School. He was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Back in 1996, I was old enough to remember watching the draft that night Kobe was drafted.

A 17-year-old (yes, 17-year-old!) kid from a Philly suburb was thrust in the NBA. His dominance in high school spurned his decision to jump college all together. Who would’ve thought Kobe Bean Bryant, the wide-eyed teenager would eventually become one of the greatest ball players ever?

I’ll always remember the Finals of 2004 between the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe was teamed up with legends, Gary Payton, Karl Malone and Shaquille O’Neal. He was in his prime then, still donning the “#8“. This was the end of his first stint of championship appearances. I remember how fearful I was for the Pistons to go up against Kobe Bryant. He was “the man”, “the second coming of Jordan”, “The Best Player in the NBA”. The Pistons were able to defeat the Lakers in 5 games in what was called “The Five Game Sweep”. But let’s not overshadow the Black Mamba’s great career with a recollection from 2004.

It was great to the league honor Kobe Bryant the way they did. The near-season long Kobe farewell tour was more about him than the Lakers. The fans packed into NBA arenas not to watch the Lakers but to see Kobe. Fans, no matter who your favorite team or player is, watched as Kobe ended his career Wednesday night in front of his home crowd. The same crowd that watched him achieve greatness for the past 20 years. Despite his 50 attempted shots, he scored 60 points in a winning effort. Sixty!

His point total was the most for any player in his last career regular season game. The Lakers stormed back, thanks to Kobe, to beat the Utah Jazz, 101-96. It was great to see Kobe and Shaq embrace each other at the end of the game. Their animosity towards one another was a part of the reason why Shaq left LA to pick up a championship in Miami. From Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Devean George to Snoop Dogg, Jack Nicholas and Jay-Z, all were in attendance to see the Mamba’s last game.

Kobe leaves his mark on the game. One of the best in his era, one of the best Lakers player ever. A 5-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star, 15-time All NBA Player, 12-time All Defensive Team, 1 regular season MVP and 2 Final MVPs. Kobe’s name is synonymous with success. It’s tough to see such a great player move on, but it was destined to happen eventually.

Kobe may be one of top five players to ever play the game. His skill and knowledge of the game trumped others. He stood out among the rest. He was the best player in the league at one time. Maybe one of the most feared players in the league as well.

Kobe put on a good show for 20-years. He had his ups and downs with the Lakers but managed to be up more than down. He leaves the game, third on the list of “most points scored.” He leaves the game a legend. The one who proceeded Jordan as the “great one”.

Thank you Kobe!

Bomani Jones and the Name Game

I woke up this morning and did my daily morning ritual of looking up the sports news from the day before. Bomani Jones, co-host of the Highly Questionable show on ESPN, angered many viewers yesterday with his choice of apparel.

Jones decided to wear a Cleveland Caucasians shirt during the airing of Highly Questionable. People were up in arms over this. Twitter went chaotic, speaking on how Bomani Jones was a racist and his poor lack of judgement wearing the shirt.

Some argued that if a white man wore a shirt saying “Cleveland Negroes” then it would be lambasted all over the social media world. He’d be automatically labeled a “racist”. Correct? I believe so. But there is a major difference between Bomani Jones’ shirt and a “Cleveland Negroes” shirt.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary, Caucasian is “of, constituting, or characteristic of a race of humankind native to Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia and classified according to physical features —used especially in referring to persons of European descent having usually light skin pigmentation”. It simply refers to a person of light skin color being of European descent (or of North African or southwest Asian descent). There’s no derogatory history behind the word “Caucasian”.

Now when you try to flip the script and say “What if…” you have to look at the meaning of the words. Let’s be fair. Let’s look into the definition of negro. A negro is “a member of a race of humankind native to Africa and classified according to physical features (as dark skin pigmentation).” Same as Caucasian, right?

The word “negro” has many negative implications throughout American history. Just as the “F-word” is one of the most vulgar words in the English language is basically an acronym for Fornication Under The Crowned King. Even though the word is more-or-less an acronym it is considered extremely offensive and vulgar.

Bomani Jones’ shirt is a parody on the actual name of the Cleveland baseball team, The Cleveland Indians. The Native American namesake or characteristics are a common sight in sports in the United States. There is the Washington Redskins, Chicago Blackhawks and numerous college teams that attribute their name to Native Americans. Granted, many collegiate teams have changed their nicknames but there are others who haven’t.

Let’s be honest, Bomani Jones was not wearing the shirt to show his fashion sense but his intentions were to rile the public. He knew A LOT of people would find the shirt offensive but his point was made. What’s the difference between wearing a Cleveland Indians shirt or a Cleveland Caucasians shirt? The number of people affected.

The Native American population is certainly not as large as the Caucasian population in the states. More noise can be made when something offends the majority rather than the minority. Jones’ shirt was no different than a Cleveland Blacks or Cleveland Arabs shirt. It raised the question of, “is this offensive?”

Personally, I believe naming a team after a ethnicity or race of people is wrong. Obviously, people would be upset if the shoes were on the other foot and their race or ethnicity was being mocked. Don’t you think the Native Americans feel the same way?

Who Cares…About the Oklahoma City Thunder?

In 2012, I rooted for the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Every game, I was glued to the television cheering on the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. I was anti-Lebron, at the time, so of course I was going to favor the underdogs.

lebrondurant — Lebron James and Kevin Durant in the 2012 NBA Finals.

They gave it their all but their all wasn’t enough to defeat the star studded Miami Heat roster. The Thunder lost the series four games to one. At that moment I jumped on the bandwagon and became a supporter of the Thunder’s rise to the top. Kevin Durant, the league’s leading scorer that year, was automatically in my top five. I went as far as buying an “authentic” jersey of his. It takes true fandom to purchase an authentic jersey. I was team Durant, team Thunder. They would one day become champions, I thought.

That fandom ended this week. I had the privilege to attend the Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game. Billy Donovan, the Thunder’s head coach, decided that after the gritty Toronto game the night before he was going to give Durant and Serge Ibaka the “night off”. Russell Westbrook was coming into Detroit hot following a triple-double performance.

Even though Durant and Ibaka were missing from the Thunder’s roster, the Pistons dug deep and pulled out a win on their home court. During the waning moments of the game, Reggie Jackson (formally Russell Westbrook’s backup, now the Pistons’ starting guard) evoked the excited crowd and threw his arms up, celebrating the win. A win that vaulted the Pistons to 7th place in the Eastern Conference. His end-of-game celebratory antics left a sour taste with his former teammates.

Westbrook and Durant had their own comments about Jackson’s celebration after the game. Russell Westbrook told reporters, “It was some real bullshit,” referring to Jackson. Westbrook did not appreciate Jackson jumping up and down and being overly elated over a regular season win against a non-conference opponent that was missing two of their starters.

But that wasn’t the statement that ended my fan relationship with the Oklahoma City. It was Durant’s statement that pushed me over the edge. Kevin Wayne Durant, he was arguably one of my favorite players in the league too.

“I wanted to play against Detroit, for sure, but you know, it’s Detroit, who cares about Detroit?” Durant told reporters. Prior to his “who cares about Detroit” comment Durant assured that if he and Ibaka were available they “would’ve beat the hell out of them…” referring to the Pistons.

As a Detroit fan, I’m used to it…we’re used to it. Durant can say whatever he wants about Detroit and how insignificant they are in the NBA but a win is a win. A win that put Detroit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Durant may not care about Detroit but the thousands of fans at the arena and watching on TV cheering the Pistons on, sure do.

Durant, Westbrook and company almost lost to a Los Angeles Clippers team that was near depleted. DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul, J.J. Reddick AND Blake Griffen weren’t in action. The Thunder should have rolled over the Clippers but instead had to rely on a Steven Adams tip in late in the game to guarantee the win. The Thunder are already destined for the playoffs but I’m sure Westbrook and Durant were happy to get the win. Sounds like deja vu?

Granted, Reggie Jackson left the Thunder last season at the trade deadline on bad terms. Reggie wanted to be the “man” in Oklahoma City but was overshadowed by Durant and Westbrook. Since his departure, I guess you can say there has been bad blood between these players. Jackson must have really got under their skin to bother them the way he did.

My allegiance to the Thunder is officially over. With the two kings of the West (Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs) the Thunder won’t get as far as they did in 2012. Durant will possibly go his own way and Westbrook…well who knows, he might stay in OKC and become their go to triple double machine. Truth be told, the Thunder aren’t winning a championship this year or next. Their power in the Western Conference has weakened over the years.

usa-today-8956270.0 — Kevin Durant being guarded by Reggie Jackson.

Detroit is a hard-working city. The Pistons’ motto years ago was “Going to work!” We were the Bad Boys. We were supposed to be swept in the finals in 2004. It’s not like those words haven’t been said before about Detroit. We’re not expecting to be favored anytime soon. Durant and Westbrook should worry more about getting past the Spurs and Warriors before being disgruntled that your former teammate celebrated your loss.

So I wish Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder the best of luck, because just like the Pistons, they’re going to need it to advance in the playoffs. I guess Durant will add Reggie Jackson and the Detroit Pistons next to Stephen A. Smith’s name of those he can’t stand.

Welcome Bob Quinn! New Detroit Lions General Manager.

Welcome, Bob Quinn to the Detroit Lions. Here, in Detroit, we are sick of losing seasons, empty promises and “maybe next year” sayings.

Jim Caldwell, our “beloved” head coach, proved in his first year that we just might have the talent to be a real contender. I mean, we went to the playoffs in his first year as head coach. The first time since 2011, when we were beat up by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

We had such optimism at the beginning of this season despite losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on the defensive side. We have one of the most dominant receivers in the game in Calvin Johnson Jr., and a gunslinger as a quarterback in Matthew Stafford.

The first half of our first regular season game against San Diego in 2015, had Detroit fans salivating at the mouth. Maybe this would be our year that we march into the playoffs and instead of heading home after the first game we win and prep for the next.

That optimism quickly changed in the following half. We looked like the same paltry Lions. Underachieving as always. For weeks, Lion fans were subjugated to head scratching play. Our first win of 2015 came in a 37-34 overtime game against the Chicago Bears. At that time we were 1-5.

After a devastating 1-7 start, we got rid of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan. Oh, and lets not forget general manager, Martin Mayhew and team president, Tom Lewand were excused as well.

After dismissing those staff members and placing Jim Bob Cooter (what a name!) as offensive coordinator the Lions showed some signs of life (that is, after having the life sucked out of them in London by the Kansas City Chiefs). We went on a three game win streak, which included a win at Lambeau Field. A rare feat all in itself.

Then came one of the most shocking, appalling and unbelievable moments in sports. The Lions, one tackle short of the end zone to win and sweep the Green Bay Packers, allowed Aaron Rodgers to throw the ball 60-yards on a hail mary pass to Richard Rodgers…after time expired…and after a silly face-mask penalty which gave the Packers another try at downing the Lions.

Another woeful season for the Detroit Lions. Another coach in the hot seat and many fans wondering “what’s next?”

Enter- Bob Quinn. A Bill Belichick guy. A guy that Bill Belichick himself called “one of the foundation blocks” of the Patriots organization. The Patriots are one of the few organizations in sports that despite the personnel, you always expect to excel.

With Calvin Johnson pondering whether or not to call it quits and the uncertainty of Jim Caldwell returning as head coach, Mr. Quinn has a lot on his plate. He will have to address the “what-ifs”.

What if Calvin Johnson decides to hang it up. Where do we go from there? Outside of Golden Tate, who can fill in the shoes of Calvin Johnson?

What if Jim Caldwell is dismissed. Who do we seek as the next scapegoat…I mean head coach of the Lions?

Our offensive line needs work. Our running game is lackluster. Our defensive line is tolerable, thanks to the play of Ziggy Ansah. However, we will still need improvement on our D-line. There’s plenty of holes to fill which means Mr. Quinn will have his work cut out for him.

So welcome to Detroit, new Lions general manager Bob Quinn. We hope that you fair better than our past general managers. We hope that you are able to put together a winning team, because quite frankly, us Lion fans are tired of being failures!

Strictly Out of My Mind: Puff…Puff…Fail

Everything has its risk. Guess what “bad habit” caused over 88,000 deaths per year in the United States from 2006-2010? What “bad habit” has over 16 million people in the United States suffering from chronic diseases? What everyday thing kills 33,000 people in the United States? Which “bad habit” has too few deaths to even report?

Take a guess…Ponder hard. Over 88,000 people die per year from alcohol. Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Whether it’s driving under the influence or an over dosage, alcohol has the ability to harm the user seriously. If it doesn’t kill you it can lead to serious diseases that over time can eventually kill you. The same can be said about the answer to question number two. Sixteen million people in the United States suffer from TOBACCO related illnesses. Much of which cause deaths eventually. Finally 33,000 people die per year in the United States from what?….car accidents. Car “accidents” are called such because no one intends to smash their car into another car or into a tree. The other two are choices people make, bad choices that take years off your life and could put you in a coffin (or a furnace if you choose to be cremated.) Cue the drum roll please… The last answer which causes too few deaths to even report (if there are any at all) is marijuana use. The illegal narcotic that is criminalized on the federal level across the country.

Now you tell me what’s worse. We need to drive. It’s a necessity to travel from point A to point B. Is it a necessity to buy a pack of Marlboro and smoke every single last cigarette in the box. No! Is it a necessity to buy a pint of Jack Daniels or 1800 and drink until your inhibitions are gone? No! So why are these legal while the most harmless and natural substance is deemed illegal? Marijuana is less deadly (if deadly at all) than both tobacco and alcohol. Yet, alcohol is served in most establishments and cigarettes can be found any and everywhere. Why is marijuana the red-headed step-child?

Honestly, looking at all the statistics and facts for tobacco and alcohol makes you want to reconsider your use of the two. Marijuana is illegal. Jobs test for drug abuse through many different methods, most commonly the urine test. Marijuana latches onto the fat cells and stays there for a period of time. Illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and over-the-counter drugs stay in a person’s system for days. An abuser of those illicit drugs can easily ready themselves for a drug exam. A few days of neglecting to sniff, smoke, or inject and they are clean and ready to go. Even though they are drug users of very serious and dangerous drugs they can easily pass drug exams. Marijuana users, on the other hand, have to wait days, weeks, and maybe even months depending on the user’s habit to rid themselves of THC.

Marijuana is not a dangerous drug. Some say it’s the “gateway drug” and causes people to act crazy. Users of marijuana are usually the most subtle and calm people you’d ever meet. Their main intent is to find something to eat (mind you that helps local restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations) and relax. Where is the crazy actions occurring? People have been brainwashed by the biased media and the corrupt government to condemn those who use marijuana. They want to emphasize the crimes caused by people who may use the drugs. How many people who use alcohol or cigarettes during, before, or after a crime does the media address? None. It’s no big deal that Outlaw Jimmy smokes a pack of menthol before deciding it is a good idea to rob a bank. It’s also no big deal that Kim Doe drinks a few beers and throws down a few shots of vodka before getting behind the wheel and hitting a family of four. Yeah, the media may say alcohol played a factor but does that stop the government from initiating a second wave of prohibition? Not at all!!

More and more people are put behind bars for their use of marijuana than drunken drivers. Cigarette users are exempt from the law since it’s legal to smoke a cigarette. It’s ridiculous that people are penalized for “calming their nerves” with an occasional toke of Mary J. The government is the most crooked and corrupt organization that has ever existed. Why is it okay for Senator Al Doe, to beat his wife, have relations with a person of the same-sex behind the back of their spouse, receive kickbacks from governmental contracts to receive a lifetime of free healthcare and salary. Many Americans struggle to pay bills and keep up in life while these decrepit individuals live off the blood and sweat of Americans.

Many jobs require the administration of a drug screen. Crack heads, cocaine heads, heroin addicts, alcoholics, chain smokers, wife abusers, child abusers, pedophiles, Satanist, etc. are able to bypass the drug screening while honest hard-working Americans who occasionally take a puff of the herb are subjugated to discrimination and are turned away from jobs. How is this a fair assessment of a person’s work ethic?

Over-the-counter drugs are prescribed to people everyday for their ailments. Many of these drugs have commercials to promote the drug. Along with the promotion comes a long list of side effects. Swelling, risk of heart disease, suicidal thoughts, drowsiness, high blood pressure, impairment of motor skills, death, etc. etc. are all included (quickly said) in these pharmaceutical drug ads. Why are these legal while a drug, whose only side effects are sleepy, hungry, and relaxed illegal.

Population control? Is the government allowing deadly drugs to be legal because it may control the population? Jobs are lost due to the use of marijuana while Crack Head Dan is allowed to keep his job because the drug last in their system for a few days. It’s totally unfair and unjust. Why should an honest worker be subjugated to the scrutiny of the law and workplace? People are fixated on the stereotype more than anything. A user of marijuana is commonly referred to as a “pothead” or “stoner”. These users typically are hippies and dangerous and out of touch with the world…blah, blah, blah. That’s like saying all blacks are criminals or all white people like hummus and mayonnaise. Common stereotypes which are constantly refuted and proved wrong. Don’t get me started with the whole stereotype ordeal.

It’s upsetting that marijuana users are condemned for their use of a harmless drug while a serious drug abuser is able to skate under the radar. That’s like a person guilty of disorderly conduct receiving 20 to life in jail and a child murderer receiving probation. It’s totally unfair and unjust. Drug test are a way to weed (no pun intended) out candidates that use drugs. Which often times leads to inefficiency in the workplace. Why punish those who use a drug (mind you, marijuana is used to treat chronic diseases) and let those who abuse more serious drugs possibly escape without prosecution. The mayor of Toronto smokes crack. He’s admitted he does! Where is he now? Still reigning over one of Canada’s largest cities. Yeah he’s a politician and for some reason politicians are held to a “godly” like standard so it’s remarkably okay for them to abuse harsh drugs.

Why is THC tested in a urine test? Let’s be real here, marijuana isn’t the one killing all these people and harming the bodies of its users the way some LEGAL drugs are. If I hated my life and wanted to commit suicide I wouldn’t buy an ounce of bud and smoke it one sitting. The worst thing that would probably happen is, I’d eat the whole pantry dry and fall asleep. On the other hand if I wanted to do some serious bodily harm I’d grab a fifth of Ciroc and some Oxycondone and do myself in.

There needs to be something about the drug testing for these companies. If we are going to allow alcoholics, chain smokers, and users of illicit narcotics the ability to easily pass drug examines and gain employment we need to stop criminalizing and condemning marijuana users of a harmless recreational drug that has caused a very LOW (to low to even calculate) number of deaths. Canada has even made drug testing for employment unlawful. Is the United States that archaic that we cannot look at alternatives? The United States and its higher education system already rapes the pockets of students and puts the hard earner meager earnings of graduates into these college presidents pockets. That’s a whole another topic though. America needs to follow after Canada and rid of the drug testing process employers utilize. It’s an unfair way to select potential job candidates . We are in the 21st century, there must be another way. Until that day we must follow the rules and abide by the unfair and unjust practices the government allows these employers to administer. What do you think?