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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.

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

Episode 4 - Tickr Tape - TheTickr.com

Episode 4 - Tickr Tape

TheTickr.com

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

You’re not going want to miss our Team Gisele Super Bowl rant! Plus we go H·A·M over Jeremy Lin and break down every Asian basketball stereotype!

Episode 4 Show Notes
  • Our Super Bowl Recap
  • The Amazing Jeremy Lin
  • Who Tweeted It?

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3 In The Key

1. A mirror reflection

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on this Chicago Bulls team since their loss to the Miami Heat last Sunday. It’s time worth spending because this Bulls team feels different from all the convoluted plans in the league for super stars to come together on a single team. They’re a cohesive unit built around an all world point guard that brings to life the cliche of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

In the post-Jordan era, the Bulls have always been either terrible, or on the cusp of mediocrity. But when you have the reigning Most Valuable Player and a trip to the Conference Finals under your belt, you elevate yourself into the championship discussion.

In a league that’s only rewarded the title to a handful of teams over the last few decades, its an esteemed honor to be in this circle of few.

But is this Bulls team as currently constructed good enough to win it all? Or are they facing an uphill climb that seems like it will inevitably end in disappointment come playoff time?

It was not long ago that Lebron James ambushed the league with his talents, ending all doubts many had before his rookie season on whether he was just another manufactured phenom with little substance. He carried an inferior cast to the NBA Finals, creating championship expectations for his final years in Cleveland, his out of this world talent helping to mask all their flaws, which came to the forefront in repeated postseason shortcomings.

Mo Williams never proved worthy of being a second option, not when it mattered in the Conference Finals against the Magic. Antawn Jamison was the stretch four who was the final piece to the puzzle, but he disappeared in Lebron’s final games in a Cleveland uniform against the Celtics in the playoffs.

The similarities are hard to ignore.

The Bulls were hoping that the signing of Rip Hamilton would fill the void of a second scorer. So far, he’s been injured more than he’s played. And on nights when Rose struggles with his shooting, players like Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer are expected to be primary scoring options. Luol Deng is one of most underrated players in the league, but injuries has slowed him down as well. It doesn’t help that Carlos Boozer is earning a max-level contract but never relevant when the games matter most.

Look closely and you come to the realization that the Bulls are a team of limitations, driven by their defense that keeps them in games even on nights when the offense sputters.

If Chicago wants to compete in the post-season, they’re going to need help. Whether it’s O.J. Mayo or J.R. Smith, there are still pieces that are missing to complete the team.

For a championship to return to Chicago, Rose is going to need the same help that Lebron never received during his time in Cleveland.

2. Believing in the Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are 25-1 to win the championship at the moment.

That’s got to be the best value on the board right now.

Since the Carmelo Anthony trade in mid-season last year, the team’s been on a joy ride. First to the playoffs last season, where a quiet first round exit couldn’t even damper excitement for this year’s squad.

With the emergence of Ty Lawson, paired with Andre Miller, the Nuggets have the best point guard combo in the league. Al Harrington has emerged as a surprise contender for sixth man of the year, and retaining Nene from free agency and the acquisition of Rudy Fernandez via trade gives the Nuggets a ten-deep rotation that’s matched by few.

In a condensed schedule, that gives him an advantage for the regular season that could result in a top four seed.

Look around the landscape of the West, where first place and tenth place are separately by a few games, the conference winner will be the one that gets the right matchups in the playoffs.

I look at the Nuggets and see a team that can matchup with all the contenders in the West.

The problem of a go-to scorer in crunchtime lingers, and is something that the Nuggets need to resolve before the post-season.

They’re as entertaining as the Nash-Nowitzki-Finley Mavericks, with as much potential as the Chris Webber era Sacramento Kings.

It seems that everything the Nuggets have been doing post-Carmelo Anthony has surprised. They’re overachievers by nature of our expectations, but if there’s a team that can come out of nowhere and make a run to the Finals in this year’s sprint, I like the Nuggets’ chances better than any other team you can name.

3. Linsanity

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin scored 25 points with 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals as he did against the Nets on Saturday, a proud moment for all Asian basketball fans like myself. 

The online community reacted accordingly. First with resident Knicks diehard Spike Lee going off with a series of nicknames for Lin on Twitter, including Enter The Dragon, 10 Fingers of Death and Grasshopper.

And yes, I’ve watched this Jeremy Lin Show compilation six times since Sunday morning.

Of course, when asked after the game whether Lin is now the starter, coach Mike D’Antoni replied, “Let me watch the Super Bowl and then we’ll figure it out”.

You’d think he’d be a little more appreciative, considering Lin’s performance probably saved his job.

On Monday, Jeremy Lin made his first career start against the Utah Jazz. And performed beyond anyone’s expectations. His final line: 28 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 8 turnovers. 10 for 17 from the field. 7 for 9 at the free throw line. And several MVP chants in the second half.

This might be real. This might last.

The fact that the possibility even exists makes Jeremy Lin my favorite story of the season so far.

This won’t be the last I write about him.