1. Donald Sterling has single-handedly stolen the sports headlines this weekend with his racial comments that were allegedly recorded during an argument with his girlfriend. Although he has had a racist history and been involved in a number of incidents where he made racial remarks, is this where the NBA should draw the line in the sand? What should the repercussions be on Sterling, and does this whole situation serve as a distraction to the Clippers who are on a playoff run?
Spencer-
This has to be the NBA's chance to take a stand on this. Obviously given his history it should have happened before but there is no going back now and they either end it now or become open to all kinds of criticism for fans, player, other owners, journalists and so on. In terms of what they should do I don't want Sterling to reap any benefit from this so forcing him to simply sell the team for its $700 Million worth, a franchise he only purchased for $15 Million, doesn't serve justice. Sterling doesn't deserve to make any profit from this situation. I do think the end goal needs to be getting him out of the league but it isn't as easy as making him sell the team. Obviously they can't make him do that, but a suspension and extremely large fine should be a stepping stone for getting him out as well as continued loss of support from his fans and colleagues and sponsorships being dropped. I think all this could be the foundation for getting Sterling to decide on his own to sell the team and get out of the league. Sterling has been a problem long enough and the fact that a guy with the views he expressed in the recording has this much relevance in a world renowned organization is just plain sad. With all the in mind I think it does pose a threat for the Clippers as they go on this playoff run. For one I think as much as it united the players on the team, I think it makes them focus more on getting their resentment toward Sterling across then on the basketball games ahead. I think it was a huge distraction in their game yesterday and it showed as the Warriors really took it to them. Not only that but they are losing sponsors, fans, support and the future of their potential hall of fame coach is questionable. It is negative attention that unfortunately will get associated with the Clippers logo and team and it may cost them a shot at the title.
My final word on this is that people like Donald Sterling bring a world that has taken a lot of positive steps toward racial equality backwards and there is no place for them. I will say though, this is a wake up call for how far the world has to still go to reach racial equality completely, because the fact of the matter is people like this still exist out there, as sad as it is, and they single-handedly hold us back. That is a discussion for another time though.
Ty-
When I first heard about the comments I wasn't really surprised. This was the guy that has had numerous incidents that were worse than this because it dealt with housing discrimination. He discriminated against black people and hispanic people and was a slum landlord. That is way worse than saying he didn't want his mistress associating with black people. Now what was really bad was when he went on to say how he gives black people food to eat and etc. It honestly just showed what his mindset has always been. In a way i'm glad that this happened. Only now in this new social media age do people seem to care more or have more affect on matters like this. Before things like this would get brushed under the rug like it has been so many times even for Sterling. The NBA owners have to act quickly to fine him and also to make it uncomfortable for him to still be in the league. This is America so we can't force him to sell his team. The only way is to not show the team support.We can show the players on the team support but we can't let Sterling continue to run a lucrative business. The sad part is that the best case scenario is that he sells this team for 500 million or more dollars and is allowed to still own property with the same mindset. It also will show a message that things like this will not be tolerated. It will be tough to get him to sell but if sponsors continue to cut ties with the Clippers and fans don't continue to support the team financially than it can really make a difference.
What I hope really is happening is that people other than minorities begin to realize that what he said wasn't what made him racist. He could have never said any of those things and continued to own the team and do the discriminatory things that he has done before. I want people to take from this that racism isn't always this blatant and it is very easy for somebody to be in this kind of position of power and have these feelings. Hopefully it shines a light on the racism that obviously still exist because it shouldn't take a illegally leaked voice recording on TMZ to get this kind of response.
Ty-This has been probably the best first round of the playoffs in a very long time so this is actually pretty hard to pick except for a few series.
The East:
First I have the Heat sweeping the Bobcats. The Bobcats starters have played well but the bench just can't keep up with Miami. I have the Wizards beating the Bulls in 6. The Bulls are too resilient to not when at home at all in a playoff series so I think they get this next game but the Wizards are the better team. The Pacers will beat the Hawks in 6 somehow. I have absolutely no confidence in that pick and I shouldn't. I have the Raptors beating the Nets in 7. Not confident in this pick either but the Raptors have showed me that they have the guts to pull it out and they have a better team in my opinion.
The West:
This is harder to pick but I have the Spurs beating the Mavs in 7.....Unless the Mavs win tonight... I know that is a cop out but oh well. I have the Thunder beating the Grizz in 6.Why? I honestly don't know. Kevin Durant and Westbrook can't continue to shoot this bad right? I also got the Blazers beating the Rockets in 7. These two teams are so evenly matched. Either team could have easily been up 3-1 and this series could have easily been tied. I now have the Warriors beating the Clippers in 7. I think that the Donald Sterling thing will honestly effect how they play. Basketball is usually an escape for most of these players and now their team symbolizes something completely different. It's not their fault and they are the better team but they might not be able to shake this out of their minds and also it looked like the Warriors are starting to heat up.
Spencer-
I'll start with the easiest one, which is the Heat sweeping the Bobcats tonight and advancing. From there I think the Wizards have pretty much locked up their series after downing the Bulls yesterday without Nene mind you, to take a 3-1 lead. I will say I think the Bulls win at home in game five to stay alive but the Wizards win it at home in game six. The Rockets, Trail Blazers series is probably one of the tightest match-ups in general, so it is hard to go one way or the other cause I could still see Houston come back. Portland has made me a believer though and I don't expect them to let Houston hang around. Blazers in six. Four of the last five series are tied at two a piece so we definitely got some GREAT finishes upcoming. Thunder, Grizzlies have had a handful of the top plays of the playoffs in just four games and Memphis is living up to that fear factor they brought into the playoffs, which made teams afraid to play them. With how incredible this series has been I think it is going seven games with the Thunder pulling it out at home to advance. Next, Clippers, Warriors and like I said in the first question I think the publicity surrounding Donald Sterling may cost the Clippers. The Warriors are hot and blew the Clips out yesterday I see them carrying that momentum over into game five and beyond and winning in six or seven. Brooklyn and Toronto are the third series tied at 2-2 and this one is a toss up for me. Each game it's like the other team takes momentum and control of the series. I'll take Brooklyn though because I want them to advance to give the Heat a tough series in round two. Last 2-2 series is Pacers and Hawks and this may be the kiss of death but I'm taking the Pacers in six. Hoping they finally got their heads on straight with that huge win on Saturday. Then we got one series left between Dallas and San Antonio, Mavs leading 2-1. I'm impressed with the Mavs and they are certainly hanging tough with the Wests top team (record wise) but I think the Spurs are kind of a sleeping giant and once you wake them, they are relentless. Spurs in six.
Spencer-
Ty-
The Bruins probably should be the favorites because they are the best team in the league. I still don't think they will win though. I know it is crazy but I believe in the Penguins even though they have goalie woes. I'm sure they will get past the Blue Jackets and have a chance to do some things. Also you can't sleep on the way Montreal has been playing. Also the Blackhawks and the Ducks are two very good teams as well. So although the Bruins are the favorite, i'm still going to take the field.
Ty-
This is one of those things in baseball that I hate. What the hell is the point of having unwritten rules that contradict written rules. If people are actually ok with using pine tar because it helps pitchers not hit players than that is fine. Just make it a rule and not something stupid like this. Just allow pine tar so that we don't have to worry about it. I don't even see the reason of having the rule as a sort of figure head to make it look like there is some integrity. Also I don't get how this dude got out of the dugout with this stuff smeared on his neck? Like nobody else, coaches or players, thought to tell him not to do that?
Spencer-
This whole issue is so silly to me. Basically the league has banned all these substances for pitchers to use but they don't "really" enforce it because everyone has hinted at using them secretly at some time, and in addition umpires only point out their use when an opposing manager brings it to their attention. Its basically like driving 58 in a 55 MPH zone. You probably aren't getting stopped for speeding unless you are driving by with a sign that says I'M SPEEDING! That's basically what Pineda did by having pine tar right on his neck for everyone to see, but basically everyone says the same thing that he can do it as long as its not blatant. WHY!? Look I understand why pitchers do it but if it's breaking the rules, why isn't it checked and enforced better? You either ban them completely and actually crack down on it, or change the rule. I don't know which will be better for the league but you make a mockery of the game by letting there be this grey area that says it's okay but just hide it. That's like letting a guy get away with murder because he did it in a discrete way rather than just murdering him in public. He still broke the law man. The best solution in my mind is allowing maybe one substance, perhaps pine tar, for better grip and monitor how much can be used. That presents the problem of overseeing the amount being used though. I'm interested to see if anything comes of this as the season continues or in years to come.
5. What we learned:
I saw Draft Day over the weekend and I thought, as a football fan/sports enthusiast, it was an awesome showcase of what goes on behind the scenes at the NFL Draft and inside an organization looking to build a franchise with the correct players. I don't want to try to give too much away but just to be safe, I'm putting out a spoiler alert if you choose to continue reading...
Before I went
to the movie I had heard mixed reactions because of there being a side story
involving the romantic relationship between Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner,
but I honestly didn't find that part of the story too distracting from the real
purpose of the movie. In fact I thought it really shined light on the
discussions and decisions made in an NFL front office on a daily/yearly basis.
Basically Costner is the General Manager for the Browns and has the seventh
pick of the draft, but makes a deal for the first overall pick looking to
potentially go after the top prospect in the country, a Quarterback, and
re-energize the franchise. Costner's character basically spends the day of the
draft after making this deal trying to figure out if this QB is really in the
best interest of the team and if there is anything to not like about him being
part of the franchise. He goes through ups and downs figuring it out, dealing
with the opinions and criticism from his head coach and fellow front office
employees and has to decide if he wants to do what is expect or go with his gut
to build for the future of the franchise.That was the feature of the movie and in my mind captured that idea with the audience. As fans of the game sometimes we get so caught up in drafting a guy, trading for a guy, resigning or releasing a guy, that we lose site of the fact that it isn't about what you or I want, but about doing what is best for the team and building it for the future. That is what these GM's, owners, coaches, recruiters etc. are responsible for and sometimes the players we are dazzled by in college aren't going to be what everyone wants or expects them to be, or have character that isn't a fit for the franchise. We all have to realize how much work these guys put into scouting players, watching their film, finding out about who they are as players and people and know that they see the things we don't. Remember that as the draft approaches. Your team may not always draft the guy you want but know there is a reason for each pick and that its never an exact science and that goes for any sport. Bottom line is sometimes a GM's just gotta go with their gut.
Ty: Scott Brooks Needs to Play Reggie Jackson with Russell Westbrook like he used James Harden.Both Scott Brooks and Russell Westbrook will probably always get the blame for a Thunder loss. Kevin Durant has played poor the last couple games and that has not helped the Thunder but they have been in each game. If Durant and Westbrook play better than the Thunder can probably blowout the Grizzlies again. It just isn't that simple.
Although I saw the Thunder miss a lot of shots that they usually make, the Grizzlies have made it really difficult for them to score at time and have done a great job of controlling the pace. I love Russell Westbrook because he is always in attack mode but sometimes he needs to be more poised but that just isn't Westbrook at times. What Scott Brooks needs to do is play Reggie Jackson just like he played James Harden when he was with the Thunder.
Remember that when Harden was on the team, he came off of the bench but he played starters minutes. Yes Reggie Jackson needs to play more but he also needs to play the Harden role in the 4th quarter. Jackson is a little better at controlling the pace and is a little bit better at deferring to other players than Westbrook is. It would allow The Thunder to play Westbrook off the ball and allow him to attack in a different way. It also allows chances to get Durant the ball because they can't key on him as much if they have more offense and ball movement on the floor. Yes Reggie is coming off of a career game and likely wont do that again but this is a way to open up the flow of offense.
The Thunder rely so much on Westbrook and Durant but they have played best when they have everybody involved. Obviously I would prefer is Brooks was still playing Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones because they add offense and they could not be worse than how Fisher and Butler have played. Brooks has always been criticized for not making adjustments but I think this is so obvious so you have to make it happen.
Best lineup would probably be Jackson, Westbrook, Sefalosha, Durant and Ibaka. Should be enough to spread the Grizzlies out. Durant could probably hang with Gasol or Randolph a little bit but neither of those two can guard Durant or Sefolosha if he can hit 3's
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