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LeBron Problems In April, I’ll be travelling to New York for a weekend. I checked the schedule the other day, the Heat will be visitng the Knicks on the Sunday I’m in town. I was so excited that I almost bought a pair of overpriced tickets on StubHub. Then I remembered that I still needed to get my vacation approved at work. And after that, book my flight and find a hotel by Madison Square Garden. For a second there, I almost lost track of prioritizing my list of to dos. It’s kind of like the best player in the world, declaring his desire to return to his former team, two years into his tenure with his current team with none of the eight championships that he promised. You can’t stop LeBron James. You can only hope to contain him. This might be something that opponents are saying to themselves this year, as he’s put up numbers for the Miami Heat worthy of MVP discussion. But it’s something that his teammates, coach, general manager and the entire Miami organization must be saying to themselves about Lebron off the court, especially after he suggested a return to Cleveland last week. What seems like a harmless attempt at reconciliation with his former team may actually be the machinations of LeBron’s long-term plan of returning to Cleveland via free agency, depending on who you believe. And so the seeds for The Decision II have been planted, years in advance of LeBron’s next flirtation with free agency, and not even two full years into LeBron’s tenure in Miami, who have been all promise and no results. Timing, as always, is not LeBron’s strong suit. What makes this even more disappointing is that Miami has actually flown under the radar this year, quietly establishing themselves as front runners for the championship without the scrutiny of last season. Their opening day destruction of the Mavericks helped reset expectations for the team. Back to a team with no limits, just as it seemed we may have to put a ceiling on them after their playoff collapse. The “not one, not two, not three” statement continues to teeter between a running joke and a goal that seems attainable with each convincing win. The LeBron from Cleveland that was appointment viewing every night he stepped onto the court had returned. And then, another poor judgment from the best player in the league took away all of those positives. The whole episode makes me question how we should categorize LeBron, the entire package, with the all-time greats. So ego-driven and aloof off the court, yet so selfless on the court that it actually becomes a flaw because of how talented he is. These two diverging paths make him a pitiful villain, and clouds everything that’s so great about him as a basketball player. As a fan, it’s disappointing. We only get to experience a few generation of players in our lifetime. I am part of the LeBron era, I just wish the best player in my favorite sport would hold himself to a higher standard. Of course, this is the same man who said after losing to the Mavericks in the Finals: “All the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that. So they can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they got to get back to the real world at some point.” Will LeBron deliver on what he’s promised and get to the root of his true priorities as a basketball player? And even then, will he ever find the love and public embrace that seems to mean as much to him as his on court accomplishments? I think I’ll keep my problems instead.

LeBron Problems

In April, I’ll be travelling to New York for a weekend. I checked the schedule the other day, the Heat will be visitng the Knicks on the Sunday I’m in town. I was so excited that I almost bought a pair of overpriced tickets on StubHub.

Then I remembered that I still needed to get my vacation approved at work. And after that, book my flight and find a hotel by Madison Square Garden.

For a second there, I almost lost track of prioritizing my list of to dos.

It’s kind of like the best player in the world, declaring his desire to return to his former team, two years into his tenure with his current team with none of the eight championships that he promised.

You can’t stop LeBron James. You can only hope to contain him.

This might be something that opponents are saying to themselves this year, as he’s put up numbers for the Miami Heat worthy of MVP discussion.

But it’s something that his teammates, coach, general manager and the entire Miami organization must be saying to themselves about Lebron off the court, especially after he suggested a return to Cleveland last week.

What seems like a harmless attempt at reconciliation with his former team may actually be the machinations of LeBron’s long-term plan of returning to Cleveland via free agency, depending on who you believe.

And so the seeds for The Decision II have been planted, years in advance of LeBron’s next flirtation with free agency, and not even two full years into LeBron’s tenure in Miami, who have been all promise and no results.

Timing, as always, is not LeBron’s strong suit.

What makes this even more disappointing is that Miami has actually flown under the radar this year, quietly establishing themselves as front runners for the championship without the scrutiny of last season.

Their opening day destruction of the Mavericks helped reset expectations for the team. Back to a team with no limits, just as it seemed we may have to put a ceiling on them after their playoff collapse.

The “not one, not two, not three” statement continues to teeter between a running joke and a goal that seems attainable with each convincing win.

The LeBron from Cleveland that was appointment viewing every night he stepped onto the court had returned.

And then, another poor judgment from the best player in the league took away all of those positives.

The whole episode makes me question how we should categorize LeBron, the entire package, with the all-time greats. So ego-driven and aloof off the court, yet so selfless on the court that it actually becomes a flaw because of how talented he is.

These two diverging paths make him a pitiful villain, and clouds everything that’s so great about him as a basketball player. As a fan, it’s disappointing. We only get to experience a few generation of players in our lifetime. I am part of the LeBron era, I just wish the best player in my favorite sport would hold himself to a higher standard.

Of course, this is the same man who said after losing to the Mavericks in the Finals: “All the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that. So they can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they got to get back to the real world at some point.”

Will LeBron deliver on what he’s promised and get to the root of his true priorities as a basketball player? And even then, will he ever find the love and public embrace that seems to mean as much to him as his on court accomplishments?

I think I’ll keep my problems instead.

The new team U.S.A. basketball Hyper Elite uniforms by Nike have dropped. The new threads are designed to give LeBron and company a little added help in bringing home gold this summer in London. The important deets on the new and improved unis, courtesy of the Nike Blog: The Jersey: The lightest jersey ever, the 3D-structured Dri-FIT strategically placed hem vents and mesh panels enhance breathability and circulation without adding bulky stitching. The 3D-structured Dri-FIT fabric also pulls sweat from the skin to reduce cling. The Shorts: Made of 100% recycled polyester materials, a four-way stretch fabric allows for a full range of motion with side panels and laser-cut perforations for circulation and ventilation. The shorts also weigh an incredible 14 ounces lighter than typical pro basketball shorts. Nike bringin’ the heat as usual.

The new team U.S.A. basketball Hyper Elite uniforms by Nike have dropped. The new threads are designed to give LeBron and company a little added help in bringing home gold this summer in London.

The important deets on the new and improved unis, courtesy of the Nike Blog:

The Jersey: The lightest jersey ever, the 3D-structured Dri-FIT strategically placed hem vents and mesh panels enhance breathability and circulation without adding bulky stitching. The 3D-structured Dri-FIT fabric also pulls sweat from the skin to reduce cling.

The Shorts: Made of 100% recycled polyester materials, a four-way stretch fabric allows for a full range of motion with side panels and laser-cut perforations for circulation and ventilation. The shorts also weigh an incredible 14 ounces lighter than typical pro basketball shorts.

Nike bringin’ the heat as usual.

Northern Trust Open Snubs WeirMike Weir made his return to the PGA Tour last week at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It was Weir’s first PGA Tour start since July after shutting it down in August due to elbow surgery. This week Weir was hoping to make his second straight start at the Northern Trust Open but tournament officials had other ideas.Weir, the two-time champion (2003 & 2004) of the Northern Trust Open is relying on sponsors exemptions and his European Tour status this season. Most would have considered Weir to be a shoe in for one of the eight available exemptions at the historic Riviera Country Club. However to the surprise of many including Weir, he was denied a spot. There are countless reasons as to why Weir may have been passed over this week, the most glaring are the two young Japanese golfers who received invites, Ryo Ishikawa and Yuta Ikeda. Noted golf writer, Lorne Rubenstein clarifies the situation.A source close to the events that transpired around Weir but who did not want to be identified speculated that Asian television could be a priority with Northern Trust, a Chicago-based financial services company that has Asia-Pacific operations … Riviera is owned by Japanese interests. Bingo! It’s a tough break for Weir but it’s not the end of the world as Weir indicated on his blog after receiving the news. “On the same subject, I was hoping to get an exemption into the field at the Northern Trust Open but it’s tough because there will never be enough spots for all the players who want them. The organizers had to make the best choice for their tournament and I wish everyone involved with the Northern Trust Open all the best with this year’s event. I’m sure it will be another good one.” Stay classy, Northern Trust Open.

Northern Trust Open Snubs Weir

Mike Weir made his return to the PGA Tour last week at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It was Weir’s first PGA Tour start since July after shutting it down in August due to elbow surgery. This week Weir was hoping to make his second straight start at the Northern Trust Open but tournament officials had other ideas.

Weir, the two-time champion (2003 & 2004) of the Northern Trust Open is relying on sponsors exemptions and his European Tour status this season. Most would have considered Weir to be a shoe in for one of the eight available exemptions at the historic Riviera Country Club. However to the surprise of many including Weir, he was denied a spot.

There are countless reasons as to why Weir may have been passed over this week, the most glaring are the two young Japanese golfers who received invites, Ryo Ishikawa and Yuta Ikeda. Noted golf writer, Lorne Rubenstein clarifies the situation.

A source close to the events that transpired around Weir but who did not want to be identified speculated that Asian television could be a priority with Northern Trust, a Chicago-based financial services company that has Asia-Pacific operations … Riviera is owned by Japanese interests.

Bingo! It’s a tough break for Weir but it’s not the end of the world as Weir indicated on his blog after receiving the news.

“On the same subject, I was hoping to get an exemption into the field at the Northern Trust Open but it’s tough because there will never be enough spots for all the players who want them. The organizers had to make the best choice for their tournament and I wish everyone involved with the Northern Trust Open all the best with this year’s event. I’m sure it will be another good one.”

Stay classy, Northern Trust Open.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of baseball great, Gary Carter. Three weeks ago I posted that the Hall of Fame catcher was one of my first baseball idols.Michael Baron of MetsBlog shares a memory of meeting his childhood idol in Carter’s final season with the Expos.”Carter was my childhood hero – the ballplayer I looked up to as a kid and made me want to play. I remember wanting to be him; my dad had a jersey made for me with his name and number screened on it, and I wore that jersey everyday to school during the playoffs and World Series in 1986. I even wanted curly hair like Carter had. Unfortunately, my hair is straight. And as stupid as it may sound, I would take my book bag and pretend it was a chest protector, and wear two mesh hats – one as a hat on backwards and the other as a catchers mask over my face.It may have been stupid, but Carter was my hero, and I think many of us always pretend to be and fantasize about our heroes and their moments of glory, as much as we don’t always admit it.I didn’t get to meet Carter while he was with the Mets. I met him in 1992 when he was with the Expos for his 19th and final season in Major League Baseball. I don’t remember the conversation I had with him; I just remember looking at him as he was speaking with me and being absolutely floored by the moment. How many people get to meet and speak with their ultimate hero? I guess I’m luckier than I think I am. I walked away with an autographed ticket, and a memory I will cherish forever.I’m especially saddened by the news of his passing and that he had to suffer the way he did. Your heroes aren’t supposed to suffer and they’re not supposed to die, right? After all, that’s why they’re heroes. I will always have 1986, 1992, and my front yard…

I was saddened to hear of the passing of baseball great, Gary Carter. Three weeks ago I posted that the Hall of Fame catcher was one of my first baseball idols.

Michael Baron of MetsBlog shares a memory of meeting his childhood idol in Carter’s final season with the Expos.

”Carter was my childhood hero – the ballplayer I looked up to as a kid and made me want to play. I remember wanting to be him; my dad had a jersey made for me with his name and number screened on it, and I wore that jersey everyday to school during the playoffs and World Series in 1986. I even wanted curly hair like Carter had. Unfortunately, my hair is straight. And as stupid as it may sound, I would take my book bag and pretend it was a chest protector, and wear two mesh hats – one as a hat on backwards and the other as a catchers mask over my face.

It may have been stupid, but Carter was my hero, and I think many of us always pretend to be and fantasize about our heroes and their moments of glory, as much as we don’t always admit it.

I didn’t get to meet Carter while he was with the Mets. I met him in 1992 when he was with the Expos for his 19th and final season in Major League Baseball. I don’t remember the conversation I had with him; I just remember looking at him as he was speaking with me and being absolutely floored by the moment. How many people get to meet and speak with their ultimate hero? I guess I’m luckier than I think I am. I walked away with an autographed ticket, and a memory I will cherish forever.

I’m especially saddened by the news of his passing and that he had to suffer the way he did. Your heroes aren’t supposed to suffer and they’re not supposed to die, right? After all, that’s why they’re heroes. I will always have 1986, 1992, and my front yard…

3 In The Key The Final Act No player in the league this year has been presented in such an isolated view then Kobe Bryant. A new head coach, a supporting cast that leaves much to be desired for (case in point: both Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas were linked to the team this week, and would’ve been an upgrade at the guard position for them) and two big men who are on the trading block and don’t seem part of the team’s immediate future. Add to the fact that their Los Angeles counterparts completed a trade for Chris Paul that the Lakers couldn’t close (well, the league wouldn’t allow to be completed) and that’s a long list of things going against Kobe and his team. And yet, as the Lakers fight for a playoff spot in this shorten season, Kobe remains everything we’ve come to know: amazing and frustrating all in the same breath. He’s shooting as much as ever, with a reputation and five championship rings that insulates him from criticism that would otherwise be intensified on a team built around length and size in the post. As the team struggles to find its offensive rhythm under Mike Brown, Kobe continues to do things his way, everyone else adjust accordingly. There’s something strangely inspiring about all this. Even as watching Kobe this year feels as though he’s one man, and the other nine players are on a separate plane. Kobe may be hurting the team’s long-term progress. But he’s also reasserting his individual brilliance with late game heroics such as the overtime win at Boston and his last minute masterpiece a few days later against Toronto. He shoots too much. But he’s doing all this with a wrist injury few could play through. He’s ignoring his teammates. But without him, where would the Lakers be. Amazing. Frustrating. The story of Kobe’s career. The most revealing quote came after he passed Shaquille O’Neal on the all-time scoring list when he said: “I just want No. 6, man. I’m not asking for too much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damn it.” There’s two things to take away from that statement. First, Kobe knows he needs help, he knows the roster at the moment is good enough to get to the playoffs and have a puncher’s chance. When you have Kobe, you have the best puncher in the world. But at the moment, not much else. Kobe has reined in his selfish play in the past for the sake of winning, but only when he knows his teammates are good enough. Right now, there’s no desire to sacrifice his individual play for the greater good. That greater good doesn’t exist. Second, Kobe is starting to recognize his basketball mortality. As his career winds to a close, he’s focused his goal on just one more championship. There are still years left on that body of his, but there will come a time when even dominating the ball on offense will not bring the same results. Just one more ring, that’s all that’s in Kobe’s sights. For now, he’ll craft another individually brilliant season for all the critics that thought the decline was coming. When the reinforcements arrive, and they will soon, we will see the final act of Kobe’s career. It’s going to be great theatre.

3 In The Key

The Final Act

No player in the league this year has been presented in such an isolated view then Kobe Bryant.

A new head coach, a supporting cast that leaves much to be desired for (case in point: both Allen Iverson and Gilbert Arenas were linked to the team this week, and would’ve been an upgrade at the guard position for them) and two big men who are on the trading block and don’t seem part of the team’s immediate future.

Add to the fact that their Los Angeles counterparts completed a trade for Chris Paul that the Lakers couldn’t close (well, the league wouldn’t allow to be completed) and that’s a long list of things going against Kobe and his team.

And yet, as the Lakers fight for a playoff spot in this shorten season, Kobe remains everything we’ve come to know: amazing and frustrating all in the same breath.

He’s shooting as much as ever, with a reputation and five championship rings that insulates him from criticism that would otherwise be intensified on a team built around length and size in the post.

As the team struggles to find its offensive rhythm under Mike Brown, Kobe continues to do things his way, everyone else adjust accordingly.

There’s something strangely inspiring about all this. Even as watching Kobe this year feels as though he’s one man, and the other nine players are on a separate plane.

Kobe may be hurting the team’s long-term progress. But he’s also reasserting his individual brilliance with late game heroics such as the overtime win at Boston and his last minute masterpiece a few days later against Toronto.

He shoots too much. But he’s doing all this with a wrist injury few could play through. He’s ignoring his teammates. But without him, where would the Lakers be.

Amazing. Frustrating. The story of Kobe’s career.

The most revealing quote came after he passed Shaquille O’Neal on the all-time scoring list when he said: “I just want No. 6, man. I’m not asking for too much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damn it.”

There’s two things to take away from that statement. First, Kobe knows he needs help, he knows the roster at the moment is good enough to get to the playoffs and have a puncher’s chance. When you have Kobe, you have the best puncher in the world. But at the moment, not much else. Kobe has reined in his selfish play in the past for the sake of winning, but only when he knows his teammates are good enough. Right now, there’s no desire to sacrifice his individual play for the greater good. That greater good doesn’t exist.

Second, Kobe is starting to recognize his basketball mortality. As his career winds to a close, he’s focused his goal on just one more championship. There are still years left on that body of his, but there will come a time when even dominating the ball on offense will not bring the same results. Just one more ring, that’s all that’s in Kobe’s sights. For now, he’ll craft another individually brilliant season for all the critics that thought the decline was coming. When the reinforcements arrive, and they will soon, we will see the final act of Kobe’s career. It’s going to be great theatre.

A love letter of sorts, that an 18-year-old Michael Jordan wrote to his college girlfriend Laquette. My Dearest Laquette How are you and your family doing, fine I hope. I am in my Adv. Chemistry class writing you a letter, so that tell you how much I care for you. I decide to write you because I felt that I made you look pretty rotten after the last night. I want to tell you that I am sorry, and hope that you except my apologie. I know that you feelings was hurt whenever I loss my necklace or had it stolen. I was really happy when you gave me my honest earn money that I won off the bet. I want to thank you for letting me hold your annual. I show it to everyone at school. Everyone think you are a very pretty young lady and I had to agree because it is very true. Please don’t let this go to your head. (smile) I sorry to say that I can’t go to the game on my birthday because my father is taking the whole basketball team out to eat on my birthday. Please don’t be mad because I am trying get down there a week from Feb. 14. If I do get the chance to come please have some activity for us to do together. I want you to know that my feeling for you has not change yet. ← (joke) I am finally getting use to going with a girl much smaller than I. I hope you my hint. Well I have spent my time very wisely by write to you. I hope you write back soon. Well I must go, the period is almost over. See you next time around, which I hope comes soon. With my Best Love Michael J. Jordan

A love letter of sorts, that an 18-year-old Michael Jordan wrote to his college girlfriend Laquette.

My Dearest Laquette

How are you and your family doing, fine I hope. I am in my Adv. Chemistry class writing you a letter, so that tell you how much I care for you. I decide to write you because I felt that I made you look pretty rotten after the last night. I want to tell you that I am sorry, and hope that you except my apologie. I know that you feelings was hurt whenever I loss my necklace or had it stolen.

I was really happy when you gave me my honest earn money that I won off the bet. I want to thank you for letting me hold your annual. I show it to everyone at school. Everyone think you are a very pretty young lady and I had to agree because it is very true. Please don’t let this go to your head. (smile) I sorry to say that I can’t go to the game on my birthday because my father is taking the whole basketball team out to eat on my birthday. Please don’t be mad because I am trying get down there a week from Feb. 14. If I do get the chance to come please have some activity for us to do together.

I want you to know that my feeling for you has not change yet. ← (joke) I am finally getting use to going with a girl much smaller than I. I hope you my hint. Well I have spent my time very wisely by write to you. I hope you write back soon. Well I must go, the period is almost over. See you next time around, which I hope comes soon.

With my Best Love

Michael J. Jordan