Ref First, Female Second (Chris Paul)

Chris Paul; Picture Courtesy via NBA.com

Chris Paul has been and will always be one of the greats of our generation in basketball. There's no doubt about that and there's no telling what the future will bring as he continues his career. He's one of the most defined leaders but lately, there has been some talk about Paul's mindset. He's been called a dirty player and now he's in a situation people will talk about for the next week or so.

Chris Paul, stated that in the game against the Cleveland Cavs, that he was trying to get on a fast pace with the game, when Lauren Holtkamp, NBA Ref, would hold him up from in bounding the ball. He stated that he asked her to give up the ball so that he would get the offense going and she would hold him. He also stated that when doing so, she would say "uh-uh" and he would state back "why, uh-uh?" and then he was hit with a technical foul. He felt that the call was unfair and didn't understand why it was called.

Later after the game, the question was asked about what had taken place with the situation and he referred to the situation as it happened and explained that the call was "ridiculous, if that's the case, then this might not be for her". This would officially open a conversation between the NBPA and the NBRA. The NBPA is lead by new direct Michele Roberts, who made a statement saying "any suggestion that Chris Paul would ever conduct himself in a disrespectful manner towards women is utterly ridiculous, outrageous and patently false."
 The NBRA would also make their statement saying, "The NBRA deplores the personal and unprofessional comments made by Chris Paul. She belongs".

The question now is, was this about gender or about the call itself. Chris Paul would state in an interview the next day that the situation had nothing to do with the gender but more about the situation that it was a bad call. The way he talks about the situations seems like he's stating that regardless if it was a man or woman, the argument about the call would be the same. Doc Rivers and Becky Hammon have also come out to state that they feel Chris Paul did nothing wrong in what he said and was referring the play itself.

Even though, gender is not the case, if every time a woman enters situations controlled by men and they are questioned, does the questions have to continue about personal feelings towards women or the actual situation itself. Because for all that, should women be removed from the environment so that this doesn't continue?

Could this stick to his career? (Jerry Rice)

Jerry Rice; Picture Courtesy via slumz.boxden.com

Jerry Rice is known as the greatest wide receiver of all time has accomplished so much in career. A wide receiver known for his career from 85 to 05, mainly with the San Fransisco 49ers. Rice is a 13 year Pro Bowler, 3x Super Bowl Winner, and holds multiple records such as receptions and more than 6000 yards ahead in the receiving yards category.

Jerry Rice to many is known as the greatest NFL player of all time, in regards to his ability to change the dynamics of the wide receiver position and not known for dropping passes. The dropping of the passes come from so many different factors, such as large hands, great hand eye coordinator and even some give credit to the precise throwing ability of Steve Young. Rice has been able to be an example to so many guys for some many years and made catches to solidify himself as one of the greatest Hall of Famers.

There's one big issue that has arrived at center stage. Has he cheated the game? This usually comes up in every greats journey through their life as an athlete. I mean, he did come from a small college in Mississippi Valley State, where he was nicknamed "World" because there wasn't a ball in the world he couldn't catch. But there seems to be something to that. Nobody really knows much dirt on him and in the media world we live in, there has to be.

Well, Mr. Rice did an interview and stated that he had used stickum on his gloves to get a different feel for the ball when he was able to catch it. The question that comes is, does that separate itself from cheating? Stickum was banned in the NFL in 1981. Has Jerry Rice put the asterisk next to his name now because he has announced it? I'm not sure what the situation will become of this but we will soon find out the results? 

ESPN's CHARACTER!

Stuart Scott, Picture Courtesy of thepouchtimes.com

There never seems to be enough support or the right support for any situation. People tend to overlook the little things and never acknowledge what's right in front of them. I started my own hashtag #GreatnessStartsEarly about a few years ago and have ran with it in stride. I can only hold true to that statement because of the connection I have with people I have never met and people that I have. I don't normally praise people I don't know but there are a few people that I have this hire respect for that has created avenues and awareness to my future in sports. I was given the opportunity as a blessing to study sports management in my 4 years and I not just feel, I know that Stuart Scott is one of the biggest reasons why.

I never really wanted to get involved with sports writing/media but somewhere down the line I gravitated to it. Stuart Scott, was the first voice I remember recognizing in the sports world and I was never able to explain why he was so unforgettable. Scott, was a 49 year old sports anchor that lead ESPN/SportsCenter to new heights and you could see the impact he had in so many lives. Scott in 2007 was diagnosed with cancer and would go the next 7 years battling good spirit. He would earn an ESPY for his dedication efforts to remaining strong through the entire time and inspiring so many people.

Stuart Scott, is a Chicago native who attended North Carolina University and has 2 daughters. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. Fraternity. He is known for joining ESPN in 1993 and giving us the phrases "Boo-yah" and "as cool as the other side of the pillow". Scott was able to interview some of the greatest minds that were involved and played in sports. His dedication to sports is everything that people could dream of. He was able to take his ability to bring his personality to ESPN and not give up on himself, even against the normal standard.

Last but not least (which is the main reason I'm writing this)... STUART SCOTT IS THE VOICE OF ESPN. ESPN is a network that was created to bring attention to sports. Scott was able to bring the attention to ESPN. People looked at sports like they needed ESPN and not the other way around. Scott was the character to sports throughout the world. He gave people energy, effort and efficiency. He never let anybody down with his personality and ability to give the company a name. People come in and out of our lives everyday but I'm not sure this is one person we will ever be able to imitate or replace.

"Thank you Stuart Scott for giving purpose to sports"

Play or Party?

Picture Courtesy via ESPN.com

Cleveland Browns started off the season 7-4 in the first 11 games. This was a great look on the season until Brian Hoyer begin to go into a slump and things were not looking good for the team and their running game. I'm not sure exactly happen but the season would make its turn but thing seemed to be different when the announcement was given that Josh Gordon would return after his suspension was over.

You would believe that Josh Gordon, the underpaid WR Pro-Bowl and 2013 NFL leader in receiving yards, would be a great addition to a team that was already heading the right direction to the playoffs. That idea would definitely not help because they would drop their next 5 games and things would definitely not look good when they would bring in Johnny Manziel. Even with showing flashes of greatness things would change for the team.

Now...THE REAL ISSUE. Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel because of their off the field situations. Manziel is said to be a player who doesn't take life serious enough to play in the NFL because of his constan partying and inability to stay out of the lime light. Josh Gordon was suspended before the season for failing drug test and was not able to clear the situation. It would seem as though, they would focus more on the season but there seem to be a more situation with the telescope on them.

Manziel, on a Friday decides to have a party and invites many others from the team. This would involve several players would would be suspended for not making it to practice and treatment the next day. The biggest comes with Josh Gordon attending and him being included with the suspension. Johnny Manziel's contract (4 year, $8.25M) is bigger than Gordon's (4 year, $5.3M). Gordon doesn't have much of his contract left, making over a little over a million. He has a workout clause that will earn him an extra $50K.

I'm not sure what the team is willing to do with these guys and especially because the party could have waited. There is a huge problem in Cleveland and the owner definitely seems to be looking forward to cutting ties with some of these guys including Josh Gordon. He feels nobody is bigger than the team and they can be let go if they are not willing to do their job. I hope this turns out right but the might be a cause that needs special outside attention because these guys are too talented to mess their career over.

Thoughts?

UAB Football Cut

UAB Football, Picture Courtesy via UAB Athletics Website

Athletics is a big thing when comes to the college experience. It's the driving force behind the connection the student body has with it's university. It drives people to support their school in many ways behind just the fact they get an education. Lately athletics have been changing drastically in colleges because of the realignment of the conferences and where schools are willing to relocate.

UAB seems to be dealing with a different situation because of what has just taken place. The President of UAB Football just announced that UAB will not have football anymore, which leaves a group of football players and coaches without an opportunity to continue their career. Money seems to be the issues with the program and they feel as though there is not need for this program to continue on the back of the university.

A video was just released about situation and it seems like players are really upset about the situation and this issue needs to be addressed. Senior Tight End Tristan Henderson addressed the situation directly to the President after the President made his announcement to the team. Not in his words but, he basically addressed in a 6 minute video captured, that this was unfair and they are being inconsiderate about the future of the boys who are still on this team. He was very upset and it seemed to be a bigger issues with the student body. People can't quite understand how the administration makes the money they do and the program must suffer. This leaves football players without opportunities to do what they love and maybe without scholarships.



I can only wonder what will happen later with the focus of these players now are on their futures. What if there was no other option for them to play somewhere else? How do you deal with a situation when you were dedicated to a school for years and now you go back to trying to figure out what you will do for yourself? 

Hands Up!

St. Louis Rams Demonstration, Picture Courtesy of NBC News

Lately, race has not just been something that exist in this world as a underground subject. It has surfaced and not just in the way that people pay attention to it but people are taking action. There was a time in this world where athletes had to take stands in society to give a face and recognition to a personable subject that relates to athletes. Race is a target subject that takes place in all sports and currently in the United States, there are situations that are happening too often that seem to not get enough attention to stop the situation.
What does it take to stop a situation where Blacks are murdered in their communities? I'm not touching on right or wrong in this subject, but the object is for their to be awareness. We always find ways to talk about situations but who are the people that can help with the situations at hand?

On June 4th, 1967, some of the top black athletes, including Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Lew Alcindor and Bill Russell all came together in support of Ali going against the idea of joining the military. Those athletes had an idea and took things in their hands regardless of the the support. Most people would call Ali, disrespectful and non-patriotic. Ali's mindset was to not stand for something he didn't believe in, going along with his religion as a Muslim.

We can talk about how much Ali, may have not taken any consideration for the country and that idea is definitely understandable, but if there is not fight, where do we stand? Do we stand in a society where the only time it matters is when Blacks pride themselves on something patriotic or can we stand for our skin.

The 2 most popular sports in America are dominated in % by Blacks. Blacks, who most have come from different situations where there was no support and other opportunity to succeed and make a difference but through athletics. It might not be understood but those 5 (Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens, Kenny Britt and Jared Cook), took a chance with something to draw attention. No, it was not the entire team and I'm not sure if the entire team would have stood for that, but the "HANDS UP" situation seemed to be very important to them.

St. Louis Police Association felt someway about the gesture yesterday on 11/30/14 and because they felt that it could have created a hostile situation, they requested that the NFL discipline the football players. Their request was denied and it looks like the NFL is leaving this sensitive subject alone. This keeps from supporting the gesture or going against it.

Can this form of support for a situation be a huge lift for the communities? Can this draw enough attention so it makes a difference? What will it take for organizations like the NFL to stand up for situations like so that people can help with the cause? They stand up for Cancer, Aids, ALS, Obesity, Domestic Violence and other things that affect the world that surrounds these athletes. Should they avoid this because there is a percentage of people in the NFL that feel offended if they do stand with one side?

NBA Division Changes

Adam Silver NBA Commissioner, Photo Courtesy of Business Insider

Not sure what the world thinks about changes but in this world that we live in, it's the only way we will be able to survive. There's a key question though, should divisions continue in the NBA or should there be any change. People have come to the table worrying about the balance of the divisions and opportunity the league can provide for fans. A better question I think about, if the change of divisions happens, does it take away from the NBA fanatic spirit?

Lately, the West has been dominating the NBA and it because of the consistent abilities to draw free agents and also being able to pick pieces from the NBA draft that work. The East has had the focus on the draft spectrum that the projected mockery created. They are more interested in the big name (so called) athletes vs. understanding what it takes to build a team aka "Just find a player who knows how to play the game instead of potential".

Now that we realize the East is falling short and coming up with the idea of tanking (I won't say any names), what should the league do? Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is the considered one of the biggest genius in business today. He has been able to create mogul moves instead of innovating them. He's highly respected because of his "I don't care" attitude when he is fined for standing up for what he believes in. He doesn't care what is said about the NBA, he has his own ideas. Lately, he feels some of the West teams should be moved to the east, since people can not come to an agreement about being able to challenge the west.

Cuban's idea consist of moving the HOUSTON ROCKETS, DALLAS MAVERICKS, SAN ANTONIO SPURS AND NEW ORLEANS PELICANS to the east and shifting CHICAGO BULLS, DETROIT PISTONS, MILWAUKEE BUCKS, AND INDIANA PACERS to the west. Sounds interesting?... Not really but there is some thought behind it that makes some sense. Last year Cuban's Mavericks were the last seed in the Western playoffs but with a record that if they were in the east would have been the 3rd seed. The NBA playoffs have not been interesting for the first 2 rounds lately and people want to see the best team.

Do you think this takes away from rivalries? Or maybe there was never one in the first place since Jordan retired out the league. Another idea put out there is, maybe just take the best 16 teams and roll with that for the playoffs. It definitely would keep things interesting so people can watch the best players and we won't have to worry about those below average teams finding themselves in position to make the playoffs.

I read another interesting article that could also help the situation with alignment via sbnations. It involves and regional situation where the league becomes more balanced and guys are so much closer. It reveals 5 regions and we get rid of conferences all together. Which honestly, makes some really good sense. Here's the article http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/26/7280545/nba-schedule-reform-regions-map-playoffs ... Check it out.

5 Region NBA, Picture Courtesy of SBNATION

Regardless of whatever, there definitely needs to be some changes and this is the time for the NBA to do so.