LeBron & Manny

It has been confirmed that LeBron James was dunked on by Xavier's Jordan Crawford. Apparently we will never see this though because after it happened LeBron told some Nike people to get the videos from the photographers and get rid of them. The issue here is image. Lebron understands that he has a huge following and that already beautiful image cannot be tarnished by some video at his skills camp.

Well one thing is for sure, I would have loved to see this. I certainly disagree with his decision to tell Nike people to get the tapes from the people there and make sure they do not make it to the internet. If anything, he should have endorsed it. Not that he needs more exposure, but this would have increased engagement to his brand and made people talk more. He didn't hit anyone with a car or dangle his child over a hotel overhang, he simply got dunked on. His brand would not have been tarnished if the videos were posted, in fact it would have been great exposure. It kinda makes him more human-like. He would have been on the radio, an interview on Sportscenter, and a ton of views on YouTube, all directed at the Lebron James Brand.

Now, he is left looking almost foolish because he needed to tell "his people" to rid of the evidence. This now makes his brand look weak, like he can never do anything wrong. Great story, questionable advice. Where were "his people" when he walked off the court and failed to address the media when the Cavs lost to the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals? Obviously they still have some things to learn.

If I happened to be in a basement for my entire life and had no idea who Manny Ramirez is, I would certainly think he was a God and saved the country of Darfur from all the genocide. The media is promoting his use of banned substance and 50-game suspension. It's a joke. He's a great personality and probably an even better hitter but this is so sad. In his first game back, whatever channel was televising a game and would cut to Manny's at-bats. Are you kidding me? Yeah, let's tell those 11 year-olds watching that its ok to juice it or put something in your body that is illegal or frowned upon. We are now comparing Manny's return to Cal Jr's consecutive games played record for example, along with many other great accomplishments in sports. Barry Bonds was HATED because he was accused of juicing. No one liked him and now he will always be remembered by the asterix instead of when he played baseball. Manny was actually caught and suspended, yet he's back playing. This is what the world of media has come to. If you have a personality, no matter what you do, you'll be ok.

Until next time...

Planet Fitness & Endzone Burial Celebration

Last night I lifted a weight for the first time in about 8 months. Not that I need to work on my already Hercules figure or anything, but I figured I could use the exercise. So the other day I walked into a Planet Fitness near my house and signed up for $20 a month with benefits that include half off drinks, free use of massage chairs, ability to use my membership at all other Planet Fitness locations and my favorite, free tanning... ha. 

Well last night I walked into the gym around 9pm. I walked around a bit to see where everything was. A ton a treadmills, TVs, dumbbells but very little free weights. There were no bench presses other than the ones that help guide your movement up and down. Those machines are for yea well take a guess. Anyways, I wore some Nike sneakers, a pair of dress socks because I was too lazy to take them off after work, and a long sleeve Nike dri-fit. That's what I wore and here is what I forgot:

- Red Bandana

- Wife-Beater/Tank Top

- Diamond Earrings

- Gold Chain

- Du-Rag

- A Group of 5-7 Friends

- One Leg Rolled Up Sweatpants

- Backwards Fitted

- Hair Pick

- Inflatable Chest Pump

Oh and my Spanish Flag...

If you haven't already guessed or assumed, I was surrounded by, I'll just say non-whites. Not that I am racist one single bit, but I was the only white person in the entire gym. All two floors of this place, I was the only one. These people showed up in packs. 7 guys cycling through one pull-down machine all doin' their spanish chitter-chatter. It was almost awkward. I got the stares and the looks and the "Why don't he go back to Westchester" glares. I made it a short workout. My muscles haven't been strained like that in a very long time. It felt good and can't wait to get back in there. I will definitely reconsider the times I work out now. Kinda seemed like I had a huge "Hey I don't belong here" target on my back and forehead.

Today I read an article about a guy in the Canadian Football League who attempted a "Michael Jackson Tribute Celebration". This is what happened, guy catches touchdown pass, takes off his helmet, jersey, shoulder pads, sets them on ground then proceeds to lie on the ground, arms folded across his body. He was flagged for two sportsmanship penalties or whatever people call them these days and will most likely be fined. In my opinion I would have kicked him out of the game for stupidity. After the game this player said he was pretending to be "buried" to honor the death of Michael Jackson. HA... What a god damn clown.

Michael is probably all "ohhh what a sweet sweet child" or some other crazy thought but come on. This was no tribute to Michael. This was a display of "Hello everyone, I cannot dance so I'll pretend like I'm dead. Thanks Michael, your the best!" If your gonna do an endzone celebration as a tribute to MJ, then do the moonwalk or one of his crazy arm and leg flings then grab your crouch. Don't pretend to be buried you imbecile.

Until next time...

WNBA - "Wannabe National Basketball Association"

Last night as I channel surfed in between innings during the Yankees game I found myself continually turning back to ESPN2 where a WNBA game was on. Not that I enjoy watching any female sports (sorry) with the exception of good looking females participating in sports i.e. my girlfriend kicking ass in lacrosse, Natalie Gulbis strut her stuff on the LPGA Tour, Biba Golic tear up the table tennis circuit, or that smokin' hot softball pitcher from Arizona a few years back (her name has left me at the moment), I just can't seem to muster the strength to understand how the WNBA can consider themselves professionals. I know they represent the best female basketball players I think in the world but it's simply not interesting.

The arenas are less than half full, they have a league represented by 13 teams, one team was cut which won the first 4 WNBA titles, horrible TV contracts, dismal advertising, and a brother (NBA) who is the only reason why they are still afloat. It's beyond me that the only true reason why David Stern has not cut ties with them is because female advocates would put a stake through his heart. In a day and age where adjustments must always be made with marketing campaigns and rebranding ideas, the WNBA is on a path to further make a mockery of themselves. There is no feasible way this league can stay afloat without the help of the NBA. It will take a female athlete the size of Shaq, the skills of Kobe, and the man-child physique of LeBron to actually gain more interest other than the 9-year-old girl and her father attending a game for something to do. To be honest, get rid of the league, I have more interest in women's college basketball where the coaches are better; more animated, and are always vying for a championship that actually means something to a school and a community.

Now onto the game I was watching. The Atlanta Dream lost to the Minnesota Lynx 91-85 during a drawn out 4^th quarter in a game that should have ended after the 3^rd quarter. Not that I watched the entire 4^th quarter but it’s not hard to guess what happened. In the last minute it was a close game with both team turning the ball over and scoring (much like a 7^th grade CYO game). With about 30 seconds left, the “Dream” applied a trap after half-court, got a steal, and converted the layup and were now down 6. Now about 20 seconds remaining and plenty of time to put it in the hands of the other team making free throws and then converting on the following possessions, what happened next was down right hysterical and sad. The “Dream” gave up. They didn’t foul, didn’t attempt to try to make a steal, 3 players didn’t even make it past half court. With 20 seconds left, coming off a steal, a converted layup, some momentum and a 6 point deficit, they stopped. The coaches shook hands or whatever the hell they do and they walked off the court.

With this kind of play, how can the WNBA expect ANYONE to watch this atrocious “professional” sport they call the Women’s National Basketball Association?

 

Until next time…