Kevin Durant: Most Valuable Pullout?

In case you haven't heard Kevin Durant has decided not to play for the United States in the upcoming FIBA World Cup of Basketball.  The NBA's reigning MVP has sited mental and physical exhaustion as to why he won't play.  This is the first report of him being tired and it makes me wonder if that's the real reason for the superstar to pull out.
A couple weeks ago fellow American teammate Paul George suffered a nasty leg injury during an exhibition game.  My theory is that George's injury is the real reason as to why Durant suddenly called it quits.  I don't having a problem with him backing out, what I have a problem with is the media's reaction to his decision.
Kevin Durant is very loved by media and fans alike.  This is why he is getting a free pass on his decision not to play.  If Kevin wasn't as loved as he is the media would be labeling him as soft.  Instead everyone thinks he is making a smart choice for his future.  And it's just that that bothers me.  His future, so it's ok for him to think about himself when we are not in an NBA season, but it's not ok for Allen Iverson to take 30 shot's a game because he's not a team player? Or Derek Rose to take a long time to return from an injury. Can someone please explain this to me?  Doesn't make any sense to me. 
The media is always looking for "the story" and they had one this time and passed on it.  Durant was selfish when he decided not play for the U.S. all of a sudden.  Durant was worried about getting hurt and not being able to play in the NBA season because he is looking for two things, an NBA title and a big fat contract.  Durant's selfishness is proof that most NBA athletes are looking out for themselves and not their team. 
 

Ray Rice And Stephen A. Smith: How They Are Alike

Late last week Ray Rice was suspended by the NFL for his role in a domestic violence incident involving him and his then fiancé.  The suspension was just two games!.  The suspension has outraged many people including a lot of analysts at ESPN.  The general thought is why did he get just a two game suspension for doing what he did to his now wife.  Yes the charges were dropped but the incident was caught on video.  Ray Rice deserved at least a six game suspension to send the message to our youth that it is not okay to put your hands on a women for any reason.
This has turned into a big deal and everyone is weighing in on the situation.  One person's opinion that I don't agree with is Stephen A. Smith.  And guess what I'm not alone.  Last week on his show first take Smith decided to comment about the Ray Rice suspension.  He use big words and tried to sound smart, but let me rephrase what he said.  He said that if women know that their man may hit them that they should not provoke them.  Yes you read it right, it's not a misprint.  Now to me Smith's statement was wrong in so many ways.  First off a women is never to blame for a man hitting her.  A real man will never put his hands on a women.  My next point it that Stephen A. Smith needs to be punished for his actions.  I know he is not going to be on TV for a week but like Ray Rice that's not long enough.  Smith makes $2 million a year, you think he's even going to miss a weeks worth of pay.  A precedent needs to be set  for both Rice and Smith. 
My final point.  If Ray Rice was a fourth string running back he would have been cut the second that video hit the Internet.  The fact that he is a star running back should not give him a pass to do something so ruthless.  This brings me back to Smith.  His comments weren't blown up and made a big deal of like they should have been.  But had an unknown reporter had said them he would have been attacked by the media way more than Smith was.  Again the fact that Stephen A. Smith is very popular and good and what he does should not give him a pass to be arrogant.  You can be confident, but there is a thin line between the two and last week he crossed it.  This guy is so arrogant he uses his middle initial.  The bottom line is he said something that didn't need to be said and is totally untrue.   

Lebron To Cleveland.....Are You Serious?

Lebron James has finally decided where he is going to play next season.  He will play for the Cleveland Cav's.  After another long drawn out process he chose the Cav's over returning to the Miami Heat.  As expected Cleveland fans are excited and feel that their king has come home.  But I'm not sure that I like the idea of him returning to Cleveland.  To prove my point I have a story for you.
Years ago I knew a guy that had a smoking hot girlfriend.  He was extremely grateful that he was able to get such a beautiful girl that he showed it by worshiping the ground she walked on.  He did everything for her.  As time went on the relationship was decent, it wasn't good, it wasn't bad but it worked for them.  Then one day she decided things weren't working out.  She gave him the typical "it's not you it's me speech"  and said she "wanted to see other people".  My friend was heartbroken, but live goes on and so did he.  She spent the next few years in and out of relationships traveling the world and experiencing life.  But something wasn't right, see while she did all these wonderful things she just wasn't happy.  So one day my friend gets a call from the girl.  She explains to him all the experiences she had since him.  She told him that she missed and wanted him back.  My friend who hadn't had any luck with the ladies since she left took her back.  Like most people I thought my friend was a fool for taking her back.  So now I'm going to tell you my friends name.  His name is the Cleveland Cav's and his girlfriend is Lebron James.

The Other Basketball Team In Phoenix

With free agency in the NBA in full swing and all the talk about where Lebron James will end up the Phoenix Suns are a hot topic again.  Everyone in Phoenix has high hopes for the 2014-2015 version of the Phoenix Suns.  But wait, they are not the only show in town.  That's right Phoenix has another team that call U.S. Airways Arena home.  It's the Phoenix Mercury!
In case you didn't know the Phoenix Mercury are our WNBA team, and they represent the state of Arizona well.  They are currently 14-3 and hold the best record in the WNBA.  They also have two of the games best players in their starting lineup in Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.  Both are completely dominating the league and are being rewarded with starting spots in this years WNBA All-Star Game, which will be played here in Phoenix next Saturday.  The Mercury is having another memorable season and is looking to bring another Championship to the valley, something the Suns have failed to do.  The WNBA isn't nearly as popular as the NBA but with Taurasi's scoring ability and the fact that at 6'8 Brittney Griner can dunk, and does so often,  the Mercury are worth the watch.  They are an exciting team that is keeping many fans occupied with basketball this summer. 

The Free Agents that Weren't

We are now in July, so you know what that means.  Yes, NBA free agency.  The hot free agent by far is Lebron James.  He recently opted out of his final year in a five year contract.  Every team wants him but only a few teams are actually in the running for him.  The smart money should be bet on Miami or Cleveland, if I had to guess I'd say he is going back to Cleveland.  Another team that has a long shot of getting James is the Phoenix Suns.  The Suns are a team a lot of guys would want to play for.  The Suns can afford him and another superstar.  They already have a decent nucleus that lacks that "superstar", and they have a great young coach in Jeff Hornachec.  The Suns have also never won an NBA title, and in this day that may actually lure James to Phoenix.  Being able to say that you were the instrumental piece that brought Phoenix there first NBA title looks pretty good on your resume when you are being considered as the best player to ever play the game.  The Phoenix Suns have reached out to Lebron James agent, so the idea of him in Phoenix is real, it may not become a reality but here in Phoenix everyone is waiting to see what James is going to do.
The city of Phoenix isn't new to the idea of having the leagues best player.  The question is will it actually happen.  A few years ago Peyton Manning was a free agent and considered joining the Arizona Cardinals.  He visited Arizona before he signed with the Denver Bronco's. 
This is where the James situation gets familiar for fans in the state of Arizona.  We are always so close to getting the big name and then it doesn't happen.  If you need another example besides Peyton, google a pitcher with the last name Tanaka.  I think James and Manning's situation are so similar that Lebron won't come to Phoenix.  I think Lebron is just using Phoenix as a bargaining tool much like Manning did with the Cardinal's.  The other thing is Manning was never going to cone to the NFC and possible have to face his younger brother in the NFC title game. (I know wishful thinking)  The same goes for Lebron, the Eastern Conference is far more easier than the West.  Do you actually think Lebron will come to the West, where he'll have to face San Antonio before the NBA Finals?  I don't think so.  So while it's fun to imagine Suns fans get it all in now because in a few days this will all be over when Lebron resigns with either the Heat or the Cavs.

Winning Over A Nation Through Soccer

Earlier today the United States was eliminated from the World Cup after 2-1 loss in extra time to Belgium.  True soccer fans and experts didn't give the U.S. men's soccer team much of a chance to win but just like the previous games we hung in their and almost shocked the world again.  Even though we lost the USMNT brought the average American sport fans closer together these last few weeks.  They were everything we love in sports.  An underdog with with under rated players that just made you want to see them succeed.  And they did.  They weren't expected to get out of the first round.  With a win over Ghana, a team that has dominated them the last few World Cups, and a draw to a much more experienced Portugal team they did just that.
We had a lot things that didn't go our way including injuries in just about every game, and some very questionable calls that did not go our way.  Even though America did advance today they did let the world now that we will be ready for 2018.  They have made the sport of soccer popular here in the U.S. and lets hope the popularity continues into the next World Cup.

We Lost But We Won?

Earlier today the United Sates Soccer team lost a close game 1-0 to Germany.  If the United States had won or tied they would move on to the knockout round.  The World Cup's version of the Sweet 16.  Well the United States lost.  Since there game was going on the same time the Portugal and Ghana game was on the team had no idea of their fate.
Here's where the win comes in to play.  Because of goal differential the Americans were able to move on to the next round.  They will play Belgium on Monday in an elimination game.  This is when soccer gets fun.  There are no draws and after overtime the game is decided by penalty kicks.  Since it is now win or go home the games will also get a lot more competitive which means some players will try to be get away with a lot more.  The United States has an uphill battle if they want to win the World Cup but with us advancing after a loss gives us confidence in our national soccer team.  Go USA!

Lebron.....Don't Come To Phoenix!

In case you haven't heard Lebron James has opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat and will become a free agent on July 1.  The move isn't surprising considering he and the Heat just lost the NBA title to the San Antonio Spurs.  The other thing that shouldn't surprise anyone is where he ends up.  He will most likely make a deal with a couple of other all star players and all go to the same team and try to be a dynasty.  We all know how that worked out for him.  I think this move tarnishes his reputation as a "can't beat'em than join'em " guy unless he goes back to Cleveland.  If he goes back to the Cavs he can make the case for "I tried it and it didn't work out so now I'm coming back home". 
Whatever Lebron decides to do is fine by me as long as he stays away from Phoenix.  Yes, he's a great player, and the Suns are one superstar away from dominance, but I wouldn't want the Suns to win that way.  I'm old school and like the way the Suns have begun to rebuild.  If they got Lebron I think the focus would be on him and not on the team.  The Suns are a bunch over role players who don't need a guy to come in here and put the spotlight on himself.  They need a guy that's going to come in here and help the spotlight get put on the team.  If Lebron came to Phoenix, let's be honest with ourselves, he won't come alone and we would probably end up losing players that have become fan favorites, such as the Morris twins.  Where ever Lebron ends up it's going to make for an interesting summer for the NBA. 

The Great Choke Of The World Cup

We are in the middle of one the greatest opening rounds in World Cup history.  One thing people don't realize is that on Sunday we witnessed the biggest choke in World Cup history.  I'm talking about the game between the Untied States and Portugal.  In case you missed it this was a thrilling game that ended in 2-2 draw. 
The U.S. trailed 1-0 at halftime and many American fans were concerned.  Could this be the end of the Americans stay in the World Cup?  But in the 64th minute that all change when Jone's scored.  The U.S. was now tied with Portugal and it remained that way until the 81st minute.  That's when Clint Dempsey scored given the United States the lead and putting them just nine minutes away from advancing to the knockout rounds of the 2014 World Cup.
Coming into the World Cup many experts said that group G was the toughest group and didn't think the U.S. would survive let alone be the first team to punch their ticket to the knockout rounds.  With the game already making history with the first ever water break the U.S. were getting ready to make more history leading 2-1 going into stoppage play.  There was 5minutes of stoppage play and with about 30 seconds left Portugal pulled of a miracle.  Varela scored on a sweet pass from Reynaldo and broke the hearts of fans across the country.
Here's where the choke lies.  With less the a minute left the U.S. allows Portugal to get the ball on their side of the field?  And to top it off they allow it in the hands of the world's greatest player in the open field?  Are you kidding me?  And the worst part is we are satisfied with a draw!  "well we still have a chance to advance", "we weren't supposed to even compete with them", and "at least we tied" are some of the things people are thinking to justify this loss.(even though we tied it's a loss, especially if we lose on Thursday)  Look at it this way, if this was any other sport and something like this happened we wouldn't be celebrating the U.S. soccer team, we would be calling them artist's.  The fact that we are not a powerhouse soccer country saves our soccer team from humiliation.

What To Do On A Saturday Night!

Yes folks it's Saturday night and with the NBA season in the books and college football still a few months away, the big question for sports fans is what do we watch?  Well here is my suggestion, turn the TV to Showtime and watch a ghost.  Yes a ghost.
Tonight Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero takes on Yoshihiro Kamegai in the main event on Showtime Boxing.  The fight is just another installment of great boxing matches this summer that includes Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez.  This is Guerrero's first fight since his loss to Mayweather over a year ago.  Both fighters have 3 combined losses and are very explosive fighters, which should make for a great fight.
With only baseball in season right now its boxing's chance to win back the fan base it had 20 years ago.  In the past two years or so boxing has began to make it's return as a legitimate sport.  With a great fight tonight it can help put boxing back on the sports map.  So enjoy the fight and watch as boxing becomes popular again.