An Attempt to Comprehend What Happened Last Night

David Stern's last NBA Draft was a thing of brilliant television, and not beacause of him. (Credits: Jason DeCrow/AP Photo)

Usually the lead up to the NBA draft is about one guy, about a franchise changer. About a LeBron, a D-Rose, a Kyrie, but when that's not the case the draft is often quite unique. As in the case of last night, everyone's trying to trade down or flip their picks for already established players. When the draft doesn't revolve around the actual players being drafted, it can still be exciting. Last night, however? No, last night was wild. From the git-go, the draft just lost control of itself and turned into one of the best of all-time. I'll try to tell it as a story, but even the thought of this draft hurts my head. Here goes nothing.

Pretty fitting that David Stern, who had ruled over the NBA like a tyrannical dictator for almost 30 years, would be a huge part of the actual draft. From the second he walked out to the podium, Stern was bombarded with boos. Obviously he's used to the boos. The boos have pretty much become part of the NBA and NFL drafts and it's a "whatever" sort of situation now. But the way that Stern reacted to the boos was amazing. He was playing with the crowd, shit-eating grin from ear-to-ear on his face. At one point he just goes, "I cannnn'ttttt heaaaarrrr youuuu." Another point he raises his hand encouraging the fans to increase their volume.  It was a moment like none other. Stern's arrogance spilling all over the crowd and yet instead of creating a mess he sort of recreated a Jackson Pollack. I wasn't a Stern fan, and still don't love the guy. But he played that so right. So. Damn. Right.

Anyways, Stern's first announcement pretty much flipped the draft on its head. It was long thought that the Cavs were going to select Nerlens Noel. The unpolished, defensive big man with a scruffy flat top was supposed to go first. There were rumblings of Victor Oladipo or Alex Len, but Noel just seemed like he could be that franchise altering big man. But no, instead, the Cavs selected Anthony Bennett from UNLV. Stern paused for a moment, knowing the shock that was about to awaken the crowd, before he announced Bennett's name. Again, absolutely well played by Stern. Then there was the audible "WHOA" from Bill Simmons, which was hysterical and a perfectly accurate reaction to the news. Little did any of us know that the draft would produce several more "WHOA" moments.

Noel kept falling and falling. The stunned look on his face every time they showed him getting passed on was priceless. Here was a kid who was unfairly overrated and it had clearly gone to his head. Once things went a different way then he thought, he was just speechless. I understand why he was feeling that way, but he wasn't the consensus number one pick. No one was donning this guy the next Hakeem, not even the next Patrick Ewing. So him falling to sixth overall, wasn't a real shocker, but it felt like. He went to the Pelicans, which has to be the worst name in all of sports, and was quite fitting. And then there was the first trade. Ugly.

I was watching the draft with two knowledgeable Sixers fans and both of them were stunned. JRUE HOLIDAY (AN ALL-STAR) TRADED FOR NOEL AND A FIRST ROUND PICK? It had to be the worst draft-day trade in the history of sports. Not even close. Like trading a young, budding all-star point guard AND a first round pick for some dude who has no offensive game? It was like, what? Why? How? It was incomprehensible. This was really the time the draft started popping off. The funny part? Everyone got it wrong. Some guy had reported that the first round pick was going to New Orleans instead of Philly. Once it was corrected, then trade made sense, well at least it removed itself from the "Worst Draft-Day Trade Ever" power rankings, but it was still bad. Was it as bad as the inside decoration on Noel's suit? Why did Noel have Kentucky and his number sewn into the inside of suit coat? I have no idea. You played there for one year. Actually, you didn't even make it through the year. If the NBA still drafted players out of high school, you would've come out of high school. You have no ties to Kentucky? It's probably never actually gonna be your Alma Mater, so WHY IS KENTUCKY AND YOUR NUMBER SEWN INTO YOUR COAT'S INSIDE.

After Noel, the draft sort of settled down for a few picks. Stern was still toying with the crowd, pausing to soak in the boos. Everyone still concerned with why Shane Battier was interviewing players as the pseudo sideline reporter, which was brutal. I don't even want to watch Battier shoot a three-pointer or flop around in an ugly Heat jersey, so I sure as hell don't want to watch his goofy self interview guys. Detroit drafted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who simultaneously lifted the "Best Name in the Draft" Award. The Sixers selected Michael-Carter Williams; I think he has the biggest spectrum of being a bust or being a star. I think he has an equal chance to be either one. Then there was the next trade, which was kind of laughable.

Boston Dallas selected Kelly Olynyk, who wreaks of bust (unathletic, white guy who played in a mediocre conference and on an overrated team) and then shipped him to Boston. With the Celtics in complete rebuild mode, they certainly don't have the luxury of picking a bust like Olynyk. But, the dude that Dallas got in return for Olynyk was even more of a clown. Like if I wanted entertain my two-year old, I'd just throw Lucas Nogueira in front of him and the kid would be giggling 'til he passes out. He couldn't put the hat on his head, like physically could not do it. Not that he didn't wanted to, as if for the sake of his afro, but he couldn't do it. Then the smile. Oh my god, it was like you don't even have to see him dribble a basketball or post someone up to know that he won't make it out of Europe. There is nothing I hate more about NBA scouting than raw, big men from Europe. Absolutely Nothing. Like, I understand there's the Dirk Nowitzki's and Gasol's of the world, but then there's this guy. He's a bust already. Mark my words. A bust for a bust. Great deal, guys.

If we thought that the draft was crazy enough, the news of the emerging Celtics, Nets blockbuster was getting more and more intense. We all were kind of dreaming of how wild that trade may be, but no one really thought Kevin Garnett would budge on his no trade clause. Then all of the sudden he did.

Awe is a feeling that should be indescribable. When someone actually is in the state of shock, or when they're awestruck, they can't put a thought to their feelings. There is no comprehension between the emotional and logical parts of the brain. That's what my brain was going through when I read the news that the deal had went down. So. Many. Storylines. KG and Paul Pierce leave the Celtics (as well as Doc), marking the end of an era. KG and Pierce going to play for, not with, Jason Kidd who's only a few years older then them. The fact the Celtics, the NBA's greatest organization, has to have Gerald Wallace's horrendous contract on their books. Wallace admitted he had lost his identity during the playoffs. How do you lose your identity in your 13 year in the NBA. Wallace has had a nice little career, but he isn't worth $10 mil a year even when he has his identity. At this point I wouldn't give him a veteran's minimum (I mean I would, but you get my point); confusion and bewilderment are not things you want on the court. Then there's how KG could completely alter Brook Lopez's career by turning him into a beast in the post. How about the Nets still having to pay more than $20 million for Mr. Sketchy a.k.a. Joe Johnson.

If I try to pick a winner in this trade...I can't pick a winner in this trade. There's so many bad things that outweigh the good on both sides. I really think the biggest loser is Jason Kidd, however. Yes, he did just get two future Hall-of-Famers to compliment his "Big Two and one Sketchy Guy." But, also so much pressure was just added to him immediately. If he can't get this thing to work, he could be out quick.

On paper, this team should win a title. But the paper is aging and then again basketball isn't played on paper. This reminds me exactly of the dealings that the Lakers had with Dwight and Nash last year. They barely made the playoffs and then were swept off the court like they weren't even an NBA team by the Spurs. Why weren't they successful? Age. Nash was hurt all the time and then Kobe was run into the ground by D'Antoni. This Nets suqad has all the makings of being the "2012-'13 Lakers 2.0." Like the Lakers they have no bench and their relying on a starting five with miiiiilllllllllaaaaaaagggggeeeee on them.

The Celtics on the other hand, are in complete rebuild mode. No Ray. No Doc. No KG. No Pierce. The organization has given the keys to Rajon Rondo, but he's driving an empty Astro Van right now. Yes, they did acquire three first round picks (which will probably all be late first rounders), Marshon Brooks and Kris Humphries' expiring contract. But they also had to take on that, again mind-blowingly atrocious, Wallace contract for three more years. It wasn't the world's worst rebuilding trade, but it also wasn't the best. Will the Celtics make the playoffs next year? Probably not, unless Jared Sullinger and Jeff Green turn into the next big things; they're both nice players, but I don't think either will be great.

Really the saddest part of the deal is the end of this great Celtics era. Yeah, they didn't win the two titles they were supposed to win, but they provided a lot of great sports memories. The two rematches vs. the Lakers. KG getting into LeBron's head in Game 5 of last year's ECFs and then promptly forcing LeBron to become a man and play the greatest game he's ever played. This team restoring the "Big Three" idea. I hated this team and I'm going to hate the Nets, but I respected them greatly. I'm going to miss hating the Celtics, hating Brooklyn won't be as fun. They don't have many real fans, so it won't be as fiery.

Last night was wild and could be described in a multitude of ways. I loved last night. It was by far the most compelling draft I've ever watched and it had moments when I was either in a pure state of shock or laughing my face off. I hope they make a 30 for 30 about it. It was that ridiculous and yet it really could alter the landscape of the East. Or it could do absolutely nothing. Only time will tell.

David Stern always wanted to be bigger than his league, but he couldn't be bigger than his own exit party. It was too damn good.

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We're NFL Apologists and It's Wrong

Aaron Hernandez is just the latest (and greatest) part of a problem the NFL keeps ignoring and we keep letting them do so. (Credits: Al Bello/Getty Images)

The National Football League has an average yearly revenue of $9 billion dollars, leagues milleniums ahead of any other major professional sports league in the U.S. It's by far the most popular league, with people shelling out big money just to go to preseason games. Grantland makes up arbitrary articles about the league entitled "91-Day Warning." ESPN covers the league almost as much as their cover LeBron's breakfast choices. The league's draft seemingly spans over a month. The Super Bowl is one sports-crazed President (cough...cough...Obama) away from turning into a national holiday. I mean we actually one day might not have to work the Monday after the Super Bowl. If there's any league that comes close to running the country, it's the National Football League. And the worst part? It's the league with the most serious issues, issues that are growing every single day.

I'm not here to talk about head injuries or maybe I am? I know it's a tired argument, but it doesn't take an idiot to realize that this is a violent game and to realize that every time two mammoth human beings slam skulls it's probably not a good thing for their brains. Playing in the National Football League is dangerous. Dangerous to mental health. Dangerous to spinal cords. Dangerous to shoulders, knees, legs, hands. But now it's becoming dangerous to society and that's when the issue leaves the sports realm and enters reality.

Aaron Hernandez, a Pro-Bowler, was just arrested for murder. The authorities believed he killed someone over an angry dispute. He'll get all the headlines for it. The Patriots have released him, cutting ties with him before he could even blink. Just like that, one instant an integral part of a Super Bowl contender, next jail-bound and jobless. Hernandez is just one (major) part of an increasingly alarming problem that is plaguing the NFL. Yet, just like the Patriots we will eventually cut ties and forget about Hernandez if and when he is found guilty. Aaron Hernandez will then be remembered as a murderer, not an NFL player. Not an NFL player.

What about Titus Young. Young was arrested three times last month, Two times in one day. Then when his father publicly expressed concerns with his son's mental health, no one (other then Brandon Marshall) even blinked. Bye bye, buddy. No longer on an NFL team, no longer the league's problem, no longer our problem as fans.

June 10th: Pacman Jones arrested for assault.
May 25th: Joe Morgan arrested for DWI.
May 12th: Jason Peters arrested for drag racing.
May 8th: Corey MacIntyre arrested for battery.
May 3rd: Daryl Washington arrested for assault.
May 3rd: Armonty Bryant arrested for DUI.
April 21st: Rolando McClain arrested for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
April 18th: William Moore arrested for battery.
Arrests figures via a UT San Diego database. 

Those figures are just over the last two months. Eight guys arrested for what most consider serious crimes and that's not accounting for the other guys who were arrested for other things like public intoxication or marijuana charges. The NFL's problem is no joke and yet we as a nation treat it like that, because we love the NFL so damn much.

We joked about the Bengals in 2006, when it seemed like every single player on the team got arrested (8 different players were arrested). We called them thugs, made jokes about how the locker room should have been in a jailhouse. We faulted Marvin Lewis and cracked that he was the jail warden. Then last year, when six Lions went to central booking, we did the same exact thing. Fitting for a city with such a high crime rate right? It's the NFL, and because we love the NFL, we apologize. And apologize. And apologize. All hail the mighty NFL.

If this happened in the NBA, there would be riots in the streets. People slinging around the word "thug" like it was the word "the." Congressional hearings tearing down the league, destroying David Stern. Funny thing is? The NBA is cleaner than it's ever been. Stern's dress code policy in 2005 not only changed the way the player's dressed, but it changed their mindsets. It made them think deeper about the actions, not just their wardrobe choices but also how they were going to act late at night in the club or whatever their late night choice of residence was. LeBron James isn't a source of hatred for any legal reason. He's never killed anyone, never gotten a DUI, has no crime record. The only reason people hate him is because he acts a bit arrogant, said some wrong things and has a big ol' blemish on his life record called the "The D***sion"

In the last year, there have only been four arrests in the NBA (five, if you include J.R. Smith's booking in May of last year). Long gone are the days of bandanas under fitteds, 3 XL tees or ugly baggy velour jump suits and more importantly long gone are the days of people calling NBA players "thugs." Or at least long gone are those days when people actually had real evidence that the league was filled with criminals. Stern made things right, why can't Roger Goodell?

There are a few reasons why Goodell can't steer the ship in the right direction, some I agree with and some I don't. One, it's the old "Violence breeds Violence" argument. Since NFL players play a violent sport and need to be in a "violent" mindset to be successful in their craft, they sometimes can't turn off that mentality once they leave the field. I don't buy it. It's sort of like the argument that says kids that play violent video games or watch violent movies are going to be more violent. The correlation doesn't seem real to me, it seems like some ridiculous idea that mom's that don't like video games/football came up with.

Two, the mental health issue. Now, this makes some sense. As researchers start to understand the down-the-road-effects of concussions, they've started to link it to depression. Depression leads to anger problems, drinking problems and other issues that could cause an NFL player to want to hurt someone. How you combat this issue, while retaining the sports central core idea (violence) seems almost impossible to me. You can't take the violence out of football and still think people will love it the way they do now.

Three, because Roger Goodell, frankly, might not think twice about it. Now, I don't know this for fact and I'm not claiming that he doesn't care, but dollar signs can truly blind people. He's running the National Football League as enjoys it's most popular period ever. Every single team produces a positive revenue, even the Jacksonville Jaguars. Everyone salivates over the NFL and he's probably the only guy, aside from LeBron James, who could hijack an hour of ESPN programming and break viewing records. Roger Goodell doesn't just run the NFL, he runs the sports world. Would I blame him if he couldn't see past all the success the league is enjoying? No, I wouldn't. I don't how I would handle being the commissioner of the NFL, so I won't blame the guy's moral compass unless I ever met him. But, you also certainly cannot throw the idea in the garbage.

I'm just sick of us getting on our hands and knees for the NFL, letting it's superstars beat their girlfriends, drive absolutely blasted or, in Hernandez's case, murder other humans. Don't get me wrong, I love football just as much as the next guy, but that's why I enjoy college football more. It's about the teams, not the players, not even when the players are Reggie Bush or Cam Newton. Again, I'm not telling you to abandon the NFL and pick up a college team as your only football rooting interest; the college game has its issues too. However, I am telling you to stop apologizing for every single NFL player that gets arrested.

There's a serious problem in the NFL and if we don't fix it properly soon, the league we love so dearly will be a thing of the past.

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The Future of Roc Nation Sports

Victor Cruz was one of the original five to sign to Roc Nation Sports, who's next? (Credits: The Star Ledger/USA Today Sports)

When Jay-Z teamed up with Creative Artistis Agency earlier this year, it sort of rocked the world. HOV, who's already exerted his influence over several unique cultural spheres, was starting a sports agency firm? Whoa. The feeling of shock hasn't really settled, especially when Jay continues to slowly build a sports empire one major piece at a time. Currently, Roc Nation Sports represents Robinson Cano, Victor Cruz, Geno Smith, Kevin Durant and Skylar Diggins. Each of these athletes are at least somewhere near the top of their game, except for Geno Smith who we know very little about it. Yet most importantly, these athletes are marketable away from their craft.

In Durant's case, not only is he arguably the second best player in the NBA, but he's got this charisma that makes him extremely likable. He's active on social media. His backpack fad caught on fast and he's developed this mean streak that has gotten people truly excited about his future.

Cano's isn't as marketable off the field because he keeps relatively quiet. However the way he conducts himself on the diamond makes him seriously interesting. He's one of the top-5 or top-10 players in the game, but he plays with this casual fluidity that makes him look like he's not even interested. Whether it's making a snap throw in the hole, or lining an opposite field bomb into the left field bleachers, he does it with ease. Anytime you can do something without looking like you're trying, then you look awesome.

Victor Cruz is definitely nowhere near KD or Cano respectively, but he's still an exciting player. He's a quick playmaker, who can turn a 10-yard catch into 99-yard highlight. Again, however, it's not what his done on the stat sheet, but his extracurriculars. You know what I'm talking about. His highly entertaining salsa celebration, which lately has included him throwing up the Roc. In his case it's not the talent that makes him marketable, it's the salsa dance. Get it?

So we here at BDD&C have identified 10 athletes who we believe would be a perfect fit for Roc Nation Sports down the road. (Not in any particular order)

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds

Dat Dude BP, as his Twitter handle goes, is the absolute man. He's a slugging second baseman, who has found his niche on a talented Reds team. But it's not just his talent that has him as potential RNS guy. He's got the swagger and gusto that HOV would love, his Twitter is funny as hell and he's not afraid to say what he wants. Oh and his trademark celebration? Throwin' hunneds. Jay-Z knows a thing or two about doing that back in the day.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

The dude's nickname is "Megatron." He is absolutely not human and he proved that this year by breaking the single season receiving record with broken fingers. How do you catch fastballs from gunslinger Matt Stafford with broken fingers, let alone break a record with that handicap? Not human. Megatron is about as marketable as they come simply from his on-field abilities. Plus, anyone who wears a black visor and backs it up is legitimately the man in the NFL. He might not be the loudest or must outspoken dude off the field, but who do you want on your team catching passes. Almost 2,000 yards with broken fingers. I still can't get over it.

Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets
Not only has Harvey exploded onto the scene this year, but he's done so on a terrible Mets team. He's also gotten lavish praise from MLB analysts who claim he's the next Verlander. His 7-1 record, his 2.05 ERA and the rumors of starting the All-Star game are cool and all, but he's the man off the field. Guy's caught on camera at a Rangers playoff game, kissing on a Russian model at 24-years old. He's a season and a half into being a Met (which is a handicap in New York compared to being a Yankee) and he's already publicly bringing out models. This dude is going to run New York for the next ten years. HOV knows a thing or two about running New York.

Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers

I think the mask game in MSG pretty much sealed this guy's future. He's the best player in the NBA under 23 by a landslide and he hasn't even played on a good team yet. I don't see how HOV could pass on a guy who might eventually team up with LeBron and win multiple titles. Plus the whole "Rising out of the ashes of The Decision," stuff with Kyrie has been really cool. Does anyone in the NBA have a cooler, more hysterical commercial than Kyrie in Uncle Drew? Nope. He hasn't exactly stayed healthy, but when he's pulling these moves at All-Star Weekend you know he's the man.

Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Sherman isn't everyone's cup of tea. He's a huge talker. He's got the swaggy dreads. He told Skip Bayless on National TV to refer to him as "All-Pro, Stanford Graduate." I mean, how many dudes do you know that have went to Stanford, become All-Pro's and were cool as hell. Usually you're only going to get two out of three with a Stanford guy, but Sherman's got it all. Another notch on his resume is that he plays for the Seahawks who have emerged as one of the sexier picks for next season and their sleek, state-of-the-art jerseys are awesome. Sherman's "Talk the talk, walk the walk," attitude should have Jay-Z calling his number real soon.

Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco 49ers
I think that sack celebrations are one of the best type of celebrations in sports. They are like touchdowns for offensive players and most of the time transition fluidly into a celebration. Smith is not only one of the best in the game at getting to the quarterback, but his variety of celebrations certainly have caught people's attentions. Even better is that one of his celebrations by sprinting off the field and sitting down on the bench as if nothing was happening. One of those "celebrating without celebrating" celebrations and it's pretty catchy. Plus, the guy's averaged more than 16.5 sacks in his first two seasons. Anyone who rocks 99 is a HOV kind of guy if you catch my drift.

Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
Anytime you can be a core piece to the turning around of a franchise who hadn't made the playoffs in 15 years, you're probably the man. Machado is a straight doubles machine, leading the league by 10 with 34. Gappers, aside from the rarer triple, are awesome. Nothing like smashing a baseball into the gap and cruising into second base...ten more times than the next closest guy. This dude is 20 years old and has a seriously bright career ahead of him. HOV always had a thing for the latino culture and Machado's got that Latin-American swagger down pat. If he can make the O's a perennial playoff team, then he will remain one of the big names in baseball.


Ricky Rubio, PG, Minnesota T'Wolves
At 22 years old, it's felt like we've known Rubio for years. Yes, he was drafted four years ago, but he's only been in the show for two years. He's one of the flashier players you'll watch in the NBA and you never know what type of ridiculous pass he'll try to pull off. There's certainly room for him to grow, but again he's only 22. Rubio also slaughtered it in the "Backyard Wrestler" Foot Locker/Adidas commercial; that off-the-court charisma is big. Jay will definitely want to extend his boundaries past America and by signing a 22-year-old flashy, entertaining Spaniard he'll have just that.

Steph Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
Before this season I probably wouldn't put Curry on this list. Yes, he's always been a nice scorer, but he's had never really shown us that he could ever translate his college dominance to the NBA. That is a thing of the past and Curry has vaulted, catapulted, exploded into the upper echelon of the league. Some of his games, especially his 54-point "awkward, nervous New York Knicks fan laugh" masterpiece, already give his legend some serious credibility. Guy's got that almost childish charisma that makes him extremely marketable in it's own weird way. HOV should not miss out of this 25-year-old's budding career.


Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Miami Marlins
A guy that has the balls to change his name from Mike to Giancarlo and then back it up is a legitimate one in my book. He's a bonafide slugger, who should consistently rack up 30-plus homers and 100-plus ribbies once he finds himself on a decent team. He averaged a home run every 13 at-bats. Wait what? At 23 he should have a monstrous career ahead of him and knowing the Marlins, they will trade him to a team that can pay him before his contract's up. HOV will most certainly jump all over an opportunity to get this guy. He's cool. He rakes. He's a natural. What more can you say?

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Doc's Disappearing Act

Doc Rivers disappeared from Boston in the messiest of ways. (Credits: Mark L Baer/USA Today Sports)

For nine years in Boston, Doc Rivers roamed the sidelines for the Celtics with electricity belting out his raspy tone, demanding the absolute most from his players on defense. In his tenure as Celtics' head coach he was obviously successful, winning 50-plus games four seasons, winning the Eastern Conference title twice and falling an ugly Game 7 short of being a two-time NBA Champion. But Doc's out-of-nowhere desire to leave Boston, along with his departure is weird and potentially ugly twist in what looked like a phenomenal marriage between coach and franchise.

On the surface, Rivers fit the Celtics head coach billing perfectly. He's demanding, intense a preacher of defense and a witty public speaker. If you'd ask any Celtics fan if Doc Rivers if a great coach they'd answer with a definitive "yes." But, most of them forgot about him in the pre-Big Three Era. He led the Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker and Ricky Davis Celtics to the playoffs in his first season, but he only won 57 games from '05-'07 and many were calling for his head. It wasn't all his fault, the team was pretty much Paul Pierce and no one else in those years, but it also wasn't completely excusable. Once Rivers was given to the keys to the Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Pierce version of the Celtics he turned it into an unstoppable machine. They won 66 games in that '07-'08 season and won the franchise's 17th championship, Rivers was now heralded as one of the best coaches in the league. But he was actually probably somewhere in between, not a man deserving of a firing and yet also not deserving of such lavish praise.

Think of what Danny Ainge brought him in that magic summer of 2007? Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the prime of their careers to team with Paul Pierce? That's a titanic shift in talent and leadership. Add the emergence of Rajon Rondo and Doc Rivers had one of the better teams in NBA history. Their 66 wins and NBA Championship would back that up. However, when you look at the team Rivers was outfitted with you can't not compare him to Erik Spoelstra. RELAX. I'm not saying that Spoelstra is as good as a head coach as Rivers, but they were thrown into similar situations. They both had the underratedly difficult task of perfect searing together three major stars into a winning team. From the outside that task looks overly simply, three stars in the primes of their career? They can coach themselves, right? Yet, it's more difficult than that. Managing egos, explaining when the three need to defer to each other, etc. Rivers was able to successfully merge the Big Three in his first season; it took Spoelstra two years to get it right. But here we are in 2013, Spoelstra with two titles and Rivers with only one. 

Obviously Doc had the older team. He wasn't able to run his players into the ground in the regular season like Spoelstra could and still compete in the playoffs. He had to manage his aging Big Three and didn't have the opportunity of having the Best Player in the NBA who is also a humanoid and rarely never tires. Yet, I don't think that excuses him from not having at least two titles. I know the Kendrick Perkins injury excuse is a widely acceptable one for why the Celtics didn't beat the Lakers for a second time in '09-'10, but as we see Perkins becoming basically null and void in OKC it might not have been that great of an excuse after all. 

Whether or not you see Doc as a great coach or just a good one, his latest move was one of a weak-hearted man. There's something annoying about the process of players pushing their way out of small markets, or off of lesser teams to improve their ability to win championships. That's pretty much become kosher in the NBA and while it irks some people, no one is taking pitchforks to the league offices about it. But when a coach does it? Now that's a problem. Coaches are not the stars in the league. I don't care if Rivers was Phil Jackson or Gregg Popovich, they are not the stars. They don't create revenue. They don't make the NBA exciting. While coaches certainly can exert some influence over a game, they aren't out there playing, making shots, rebounding or defending. They certainly do not have the power that stars do and they should not be able to push their way out of unfavorable situations.

I just don't understand how a man, who was on the verge of retiring two summers ago, could sign a five-year contract to coach a team. He clearly knew the risks involved, an aging squad, a phenomenal but erratic point guard, Jeff Green's health issues. He knew at some point this team would need to be blown up and rebuilt in some capacity, so why did he sign on for so long? For him to abandon the Celtics like this, especially with the franchised mired in uncertainty, is really a cowardice move. He is not a superstar player, not even a "superstar" coach and yet he tried to make his demands to leave the Celtics (with three years left on his contract) look like they were appropriate. It wasn't and it isn't. It was wrong.

Doc will get a free pass for his one championship and numerous winning seasons, but it shouldn't be that simple. He only lifted one banner, the team has 16 others hanging in the rafters. Yes, he brought back the Celtic Pride, but he couldn't even turn this team into a mini dynasty. If this widely positive tenure had ended with a mutual parting of the ways, then that would've been just fine. But it didn't, Doc stomped his feet, reportedly almost got into a fight with Rajon Rondo and had his merry way. If I'm a Celtics fan I thank him for his service, but I don't give much respect from now on.

What did they say about "Honoring your word?"

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There's a New Man in the Elite Stratosphere

Leonard's tough, patient defense on LeBron almost helped his Spurs win a title and ruin James' legacy forever. (Credits: AP Photo/Lynn Sladky)

In today's NBA it's becoming increasingly hard to pinpoint players to an exact position. You have the combo guard, the swingman, and now the pseudo 3/4 forward which is the newest spot on the floor that LeBron, Carmelo and Kevin Durant all more or less play. But still, we try. We try to place a top-5 at each position, we try to pigeonhole whoever's the cream of the crop at their position. As the NBA Finals wore, I started to come to a realization. A realization that made a lot of people at first go, "No way," and then eventually, "Yeah, I see it," and then finally, "I'm on board."

The top five pseudo 3/4s in the league are the following:

1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul George
5. Kawhi Leonard

Leonard is not one to abuse the stat sheet. You will not see him leading the league in any categories. He's not redefining the game, nor the position. But he is turning heads, and get this, he's only 21.

Sometimes when you play in an obscure place, people don't recognize you. On the surface, it's an obvious statement. In Leonard's case, he played for a quality, but relatively unwatched program in San Diego State. Sure, people know San Diego State. But do they know San Diego State? It isn't Duke, North Carolina, Kansas nor Kentucky. People don't know what SDSU is about and they surely aren't tuned into the Mountain West Network 24/7 or at all for that matter. Of course he was recognized by the scouts, earning him the 15th overall selection last year, but even they had their skepticism.

First and foremost the 21-year-old is an athlete with a high basketball IQ. That was clearly shown in First Team All-Rookie selection last year; people saw that his abilities could propel him towards a nice, long career. However, no one saw him emerging like he did this year. No one thought he'd become an integral part of a Western Conference winning Spurs team. No one saw his impact making waves against the Miami Heat.

He did make that impact, and Gregg Popovich looks like a genius for it. Kawhi Leonard became a legitimate star in the NBA in one series. Not only was he dunking all over people and averaging more than 14.5 points and 11 rebounds in seven NBA Finals games, but he also was guarding LeBron James which is the tallest task in the NBA. He didn't lock James down per say, but he did enough, at times, to force LeBron to defer to his teammates. He was a huge reason why people were raining complaints about LeBron's passiveness, lamenting him for his Downey soft interior. Leonard might have just earned the title as the "LeBron slower downer," because we all know the only person that can stop LeBron is himself.

Unfortunately for Leonard, the Spurs didn't win the title and many will look at his missed free throw late in Game 6 as a major reason to their ultimate choke job. But, without him the Spurs would have been swept off the court and embarrassed. If there's any solace that organization can take from a disappointing NBA Finals is Leonard; he'll be a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come.

I realize ultimately that it's not a lock that the second year star is legitimately top-5 material at his position but I'd put him there. Who else is going to go there? Paul Pierce is one option, but I like him better as a swingman (2/3 kind of guy) and he's getting olllllddddd. Danny Granger's another guy here, but he's a one trick pony and George (his own teammate) has surpassed him in every category but physically putting the ball in the hoop. Kobe Bryant? 2-guard. Rudy Gay? Mentally not strong enough. Andre Iguodala? Maybe, but he still can't figure out if he's a franchise player or not. I'm picking Leonard and I'm confident about it.

This argument would have a lot more pull if he had made that free throw and the Spurs were NBA Champions. But, sometimes loses make you stronger. I think Leonard's on his way up...way up.

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The Clippers Are...And Always Will Be...the Clippers

The Clippers are doing whatever they can to get Doc Rivers to come coach and as you would assume it's a total disaster. (Credits: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

There's something about being the little brother in a sports city that brings out the absolute worst in teams, in organizations. The Mets always disappoint. The Islanders play in a dump. The Jets are a circus. The Nets were from New Jersey. Aside from the White Sox, who have had more success then their cursed big brothers lately, the little brother effect is usually a disastrous one for the lesser of the two halves. But for all the little brothers who have once failed or still continue to fail, the Los Angeles Clippers take the absolute cake.

The original Buffalo Braves franchise, which actually was a decently successful one in Buffalo, has taken on three forms. The Braves, the San Diego Clippers and then finally the latest disaster, the Los Angeles Clippers. Moving to Los Angeles in the 1984-'85 season, the Clippers looked to turn the page on a six-year tenure in San Diego that produced exactly zero playoff appearances. But, the move up I-5 did very little for the franchise's misfortunate. They didn't make the playoffs until '91-'92, which is one of the only six playoff appearances in the team's history. Los Angeles' second squad has only made the second round twice, twice in 29 seasons in Los Angeles.

Yet, for all the organization's misfortune and their owner's basketball ignorance they were able to pull off a franchise changing deal (with a little help form David Stern) by acquiring Chris Paul. The move instantaneously altered the franchise. Adding CP3 to the young up and comers like Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe signaled that this team had the potential to be a contender in years to come. Despite the strike shortened season last year, the Clippers made the playoffs for the first time since the '05-'06 campaign and advanced to conference semis for only the second time in team history. Chris Paul's emergence had really vaulted the Clippers into the national spotlight (though they couldn't overtake the spotlight on the struggling Lakers), but as the befuddling organization has always done it has tried to turn a quality situation into a disaster.

After L.A.C. was bounced in six games against the Grizzlies in the first round this season, they fired coach Vinny Del Negro. It wasn't a surprise. First off he was a terrible coach and no one understood why he was even there in the first place. Second, Chris Paul hated him (for good reason). This is a player's league and as a player's league goes, the superstar isn't necessarily the coach but he can be a pseudo GM. So off goes Del Negro and then there's this hole that the Clippers need to fill. Actually there's two holes to fill, one is the head coach and two deals with CP3. Paul's contract is up and while it seems like a lock for him to stay in the beautiful confines of Hollywood, it isn't a guarantee. Not how the Clippers organization runs it ship. Not how Donald Sterling has proceeded over the years.

Of course the first attempt at filling both holes became a dramatic one. There's been rumors flying about every single player on the Clippers (except for Paul) being traded to the Celtics for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers, who has strangely requested a departure from his digs in Boston. Of all of the supposed trade proposals, some involving draft picks, some involving the taking on of brutal contracts like Jason Terry's, none of them have favored the Clippers. Absolutely none of them. One of the original offers was something of the effect of DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and a first round pick for Garnett, Pierce and Rivers. Like what? Why in the world should the Clippers do that? Garnett looked run down all year and Pierce isn't getting any younger. And why are you trading for a coach? This isn't the 1920s when coaches were traded, as if that was ever a good idea.

For Boston, this is an absolute steal. Anything they can get in return for Rivers (At this point it's supposedly Rivers and Garnett for DeAndre Jordan and TWO PICKS) is a steal. Again when's the last time you heard of a coach getting dealt. If Rivers is really ready for a "change of scenery" then I'd trade the guy for basically any in the league that didn't have a brutal contract (which is actually a lot of guys in the NBA, but not as many as it used to be). The Celtics have the upper hand in this deal, not only because the Clippers are desperate for a coach that Paul would play under, but also because the Clippers are...and always will be...the Clippers. It's like dealing with a third world country that just hit a raw material gold mine and now they don't know what to do with it, trying to trade all their best young researchers and business people to get a president like Bill Clinton. It just doesn't make any sense.

Fortunately for the small triumvirate that makes up the Clippers fanbase, the NBA isn't letting any of these ridiculous lopsided deals go through. They just can't let Sterling's own stupidity ruin what is an interesting two-headed monster in Los Angeles. But the Clippers will keep trying to run, what is a nice looking little yacht, into the ground and do so with fervor. The post-Big Three Era in Boston could be hitting the restart button a lot more quickly than people thought.

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The Spurs Still Can Defy Odds

If there's any team that can beat the Heat in Game 7, it's the San Antonio Spurs. (Credits: BasketballWallpapers.com)

Just think of what the San Antonio Spurs have meant to the basketball world over the past decade. For some of us they've represented a sensational, well-oiled machine that plays better team basketball than Princeton did in the 50s. Their combined basketball IQ could eventually re-shape the sport and their led by one of the greatest coaches of all-time. The San Antonio Spurs are everything right with the NBA.

For the other half of NBA fans the Spurs have represented a boring, monotonus, unappealing style of basketball that coincided perfectly with the dark ages of the NBA. They thrived when "clowns" like Corey Maggette, Steve Francis, Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury were the league's "best." They didn't ever beat an "elite team" or a "true superstar" in the Finals. Once the Celtics Big Three was formed and the Lakers re-emerged with Pau and Kobe teaming up, the Spurs faded into second-round oblivion. The San Antonio Spurs are everything wrong with the NBA.

No matter how you view the Spurs, you cannot take away from the four titles hanging from the rafters in the AT&T Center. You cannot take away their stats. Tim Duncan's MVPs. The fact they have won more than 50 games each season since '99-'00. You cannot take away the greatness associated around these Spurs, no matter how hard you try. And you cannot, as much as you want, abandon them just because they choked away a heartbreaking Game 6. If there is any team in the last decade that can defy odds and beat the surging Heat on their home floor in Game 7 it's absolutely the San Antonio Spurs.

Duncan, Tony Parker and the shell of Manu Ginobili are beyond battle tested, they wrote the damn book. They're like your dad when you were seven, just hitting shots off the backboard until you were either bored or you tried to fight him. They don't think about context, they don't imagine beating LeBron and shredding his legacy to pieces. They don't care about the slimy Pat Riley. They haven't thought about that Heat pep rally that enraged the country three years ago. They don't care about #TeamHateLeBron. They don't think about anyone but themselves and how they are going to win Game 7; they're simply thinking about winning the next game. It's just about winning the next one and the next one and the next one until the job is finished. That's the San Antonio Way. That's the Popovich Way.

This team has four titles. One sweep. One win in five. One win in six. One win in seven. They've seen it all and then some and they have one of the geniuses of the game roaming their bench. Oh and they've traded wins with the Heat all series. They've already won a game in Miami. They know exactly where they are and haven't broken a sweat.

If the Spurs do end up losing this series it won't be a result of the same mistakes that occurred Tuesday night. There will be no lapses in judgement by Popovich, leaving in Manu for much longer than he should have or leaving Duncan and Parker on the bench for extended (and strange) sequences. Kawhi Leonard and Ginobili won't choke from the free throw line. If the Spurs lose on Thursday night it'll be because LeBron finally asserted himself in the way we demand of him. Or maybe they'll lose because Dwyane Wade, much like Game 4, will re-discover his younger days when he could pour in thirty with a blink of an eye.

The Spurs will not lose Game 7, the Heat will just have to win it from them.

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Lefty's Game of Inches

It was a game of inches for Phil once again. (Credits: AP Photo)

As Phil Mickelson made his way up the 18th green after hitting a decent, but not miraculous recovery approach out of the rough, the crowd was raining "Let's Go Mickelson" chants down on him. Lefty knew that his next shot, which was his last chance to force a playoff, had to be nothing short of perfection for him to prolong what should have been his first U.S. Open title. Even in the face of what would be his sixth runner-up finish in the tournament, Mickelson couldn't help but crack a smile. It was, on the surface, a choke job as he led the field heading into Sunday, but it was slightly different from Phil's other down-the-tube Sunday's. This one had a different feel, and you could see it in the grin that he couldn't hide. Inches stood between Mickelson and that illusive Open title; it just wasn't his day.

You could feel it from the onset, Lefty just kept missing birdie putts by inches. Balls lipping out, just skirting by the hole. Phil wasn't putting well, but he also wasn't horrible. On the second hole he lifted a perfect shot out of the sand, which missed by an inch. It would've been an eagle, and instead he missed a not so easy birdie turn around and settled with par. For all the "Mickelson Moments" over the year, the double-putts, the god awful drives into the woods, this was certainly one of them. But it didn't feel as if it was that sort of moment and it also only resulted in a par. There was no real harm on the hole, just that he left two strokes on the board that shouldn't have been there.

The near misses continued on from Hole 3 all the way to Hole 9 before Mickelson finally dropped in a classic Lefty shot. Lifting a perfect approach shot for an Eagle, he had brought himself back to life and put thoughts back in people's head that he could do this. Phil later wasted that Eagle by Bogeying 13 and 15 before Justin Rose left him the opportunity to tie in on 18.

Then you go back to this moment, Phil walking up toward that approach shot on 18, everyone chanting his name. It's a moment we've seen with Phil before, he's seemingly the only guy that people chant for in golf. People act like they're at basketball game when Phil's in the spotlight and this time he couldn't help but break that smile. He knew he wasn't going to make that shot, that shot would be a once in a lifetime moment that would be up there with Bubba's blast from the pine needles and Tiger's absurd backspin chip. And yet even when the crowd knew it wasn't going to happen they were still rooting him on like he was the veteran turning the clock and putting on that throwback great performance in the NBA Finals. That's the sad reality with Phil, he'll always be just right there, so likable and yet so far away from what he should've been.

Maybe one day Mickelson will lift the U.S. Open trophy, but for now he'll simply be an inch here, an inch there and an inch from everywhere.

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Welcome Back to the Limelight, Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore is back and that's huge for the U.S. (Credits: Mike Russell/MikeRussellfoto.com)

It's July of 2009. The United States is off in South Africa pulling miracle after miracle in the Confederations Cup. First scoring the necessary three goals against Egypt in the final group match, after embarrassing themselves in the previous two games. Then, of course, they pulled off the stunner of all stunners by beating the Euro champion Spaniards in a game that will always be remembered for Sergio Ramos cocky touch in the box (I'm sure it haunts him in his sleep...or not at all). With a chance to win its first major international title ever, the U.S. burst out to a 2-0 lead against Brazil. The ultimate miracle looked like it was going to happen as the US took that lead into half. However, the Brazilians undressed the Americans in the second half by doing what they do best, playing with scintillating pace, deft touch and disgusting amounts of skill.

While the miracle fell ultimately short, the U.S. had phenomenal momentum going forward in World Cup Qualifying. Though they were led by Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey in their prime, the most pleasing outcome of the Confederations Cup run was the two-headed monster up front: Jozy Alitdore and Charlie Davies. Altidore brought the thunder. He was the physical, ball controlling, strong finish striker. Davies brought the lightning. He was the pace guy, with blazing speed, beautiful ball skills and a nice touch on his finish. With a formidable striker duo at the top, the U.S. was poised to be a legitimate scoring threat; it was time for United States soccer to take the next step. And then the accident happend...

Days after U.S. clinched its sixth straight World Cup appearance, many feared Davies may never walk again. He was only 23, while he even recovered to play professional soccer again, he was never the same. Altidore was hit hard.

At a budding 19 years old, it seemed like Altidore on his own was on the road to stardom, but the Davies accident really affected him. They were boys. They were teammates. They were a emerging tandem and yet it was all gone in the blink of an eye. Altidore struggled to find time at La Liga's Villareal. Then he was loaned to a second tier Spanish side called Xerez and then on to Hull City in the Premiership and then on to a Turkish squad Buraspor. It was a roller coaster ride for a kid in his early twenties and it didn't help that the head coaching reigns were being shifted to Jurgen Klinsmann who didn't give players hall passes because they were favorites under his predecessor Bob Bradley. For Altidore it might have been too much at the time. Playing for three crappy clubs in two years when you're so young can tear at one's confidence and it can sometimes even derail a career, but Jozy would persevere.

Signing with the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2011, Jozy finally found a home. He scored 20 goals in 52 games in that inaugural campaign, which is big number for a U.S. player playing abroad. But the most important part of it all was that he was playing consistently and playing well. There was no more movement, no more turmoil and yet he still had to prove himself to new US coach Jurgen Klinsmann. In 2012, with Jozy clearly thriving in the Netherlands it seemed like a lock that he would start up front. And yet that once again wasn't so. He played only seven out of 14 games in 2012 and missed out on two of the three signatures wins the U.S. had that year. One was the 5-1 thrashing of Scotland, in which Landon Donovan scored a hat trick and the other was the U.S. first win in Estadio Azteca, 1-0. The lone goal was a Brek Shea to Terrence Boyd (thought of as a possible Altidore replacement in the future) to Michael Orozco Fiscal connection. It was the perfect combination of test pieces for Klinsmann, making some history for the US; Altidore wasn't even on the sidelines. That seemingly fueled the 22-year-old for the next season.

31 goals in 41 games. The most goals in a European season by an American. Dutch league leader in goals. Voted to what is the equivalent of the All-Pro team for the league. Jozy Altidore had arrived in the '12-'13 soccer year and Klinsmann couldn't deny him any longer.

There's always been this caution about Altidore because of Freddy Adu. Young, ultra-skilled star receives so much attention and is donned the "Future of US Soccer" before he flames out because we overhyped him before he fully developed. That's why he made his first appearance at the age 17. I mean you look at him, he's 6-foot-1 and shredded. He's fast. He's skilled. He's got an accurate and hard hitting boot. Even at 17 you were wowed by his combination of strength and size; he's about as LeBron as an American soccer player can get. Even with that caution remained, and with him struggling between '09 and '11, Klinsmann didn't want to fall in love with the idea of him until Altidore rose again. Well the man has risen.

The United States is on top of their CONCACAF group through five games. 10 points and back-to-back wins. Altidore has put his stamp on this group by scoring the first goal in each game. His confidence is soaring; that idea that he finishes everything that comes in way in the box is once again a reality. He's playing with that edge. That fire. That control. All of this could mean enormous things down the line for the United States. For them to have a strong force, controlling the ball in the box and just ripping twine left and right whenever someone hits him with a pass is vital. Vital for progression out of the group. Vital for progression to, dare I say it, the World Cup Semis. Imagine the U.S. in the World Cup Final Four and you'll see Jozy tattooing a beautiful cross into the net just like he did last night.

Jozy's living up to the hype and the USMNT is rolling. Coincidence? I think not.

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The Sad Reality of LeBron's Block

Unfortunately this will be the image we remember from what was an otherwise mediocre game from LeBron. (Credits: Getty Images)

LeBron was mired in a 5-for-15 game Sunday night as his teammates were shredding the Spurs defense left and right. Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller were draining threes like no one was in the gym and the Heat were dominating a sputtering Spurs squad. With the Heat up 19 and only a little bit more than eight minutes remaining, Tiago Splitter drove the lane looking to put someone on the poster. Unfortunately for him, LeBron James was the man humanoid he was trying to put into the history books. Of course, as expected, LeBron stuffed Splitter, erupting a raucous response from the Miami faithful fans. The World's Greatest Player stood there for a moment, soaking in what was a play that will be apart of every NBA Finals montage ever.

After gloating unnecessarily up 19 for about five seconds LeBron joined his teammates down the court, took the ball, cut to the hoop and found a wide open Ray Allen in the corner. Swish. 22-point lead. Next possession Tony Parker found the wrong man in Mike Miller, who fed LeBron on the fast break for a thunderous two-hand dunk. Timeout. Game over.

All that will be remember from Sunday night's game will be that sequence, that block. LeBron's "greatness" swirled up in a 5-0 run that brought his team's lead up from 19 to 24. Not a two-point lead into a seven-point lead. Not a seven-point lead into a 12-point lead. He helped turned a blowout into a rout and yet people will hoot and holler about how he "shut the door" on the Spurs. Don't look now folks, but this LeBron we're watching has an aire of pre-2012 LeBron. Ringless, immature LeBron seems like the dominant voice on his shoulder right now. If that's the case then that's bad news for the Heat.

7-for-17, 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, three steals, two turnovers. That's LeBron stat line for last night. For the series he's 14-33, averaging 17.5 points, 13 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals and two turnovers. Is anyone impressed by these stats? Is anyone jumping out of their seats proclaiming LeBron "the Greatest of All-time?" If you are, you've lost sight of what this "new" LeBron is supposed to bring us. He's supposed to dominate the game from start to finish. He's supposed to control tempo, flex his muscles both offensively and defensively. The flaws in his game aren't supposed to be superseded by athleticism anymore; there aren't supposed to be flaws. But folks, this is the old LeBron we're seeing in these Finals. A guy playing with ultimate mediocrity, while his teammates are excelling right in front of his eyes. As LeBron watches his teammates pretty much win the game for him, he strikes at the very last possible moment, with the game basically out of hand. He makes that freak athletic play, or sets of plays, that makes our jaw-drop to floor. He makes that play that makes us forget about the dud of the game he was having and he leaves with a youtube clip, GIF or image that we stare at for hours in wonderment. Right now, LeBron isn't play with substance. His passivity obvious. His nervousness clear. This folks, is not the "Greatest Player Ever." Not even close.

I'm not falling for this "LeBron affects the game in other way than on the stat sheet" jargon. I'm not weak-hearted. I don't want greatness to hit me in the face with his team up 19, I want greatness to hit me in the face for 48 straight minutes and leave me exhausted at the end. I have not been exhausted for one minute of this series. LeBron has only piqued my interest for the pure fact he hasn't piqued my interest at all.

LeBron has plenty of opportunities still to plead his case toward the "Greatest Player of All-Time," but if he continues to play like this there will be no such title granted to him; the Spurs will surely win this seres. And 1-3 in the NBA Finals doesn't scream greatness. Not. One. Bit.

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Patrick Kane's On-Ice Maturity Means Big Things for USA in '14

Patrick Kane's game is growing more complete game in and game out; that's a wonderful sign for USA Hockey (Credits: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

You never can doubt Patrick Kane. On the ice he's a man possessed. A wizard with the stick. A sizzler on the skates. Sometimes you watch this guy and your mind has a difficult time processing what's he's doing. How does he think of it? How are his hands so deft? How does he not out think his own skates? Patrick Kane is a playmaker's playmaker.

But there's always been concern with him. He's 24 years old, a kid by NHL standards. Yet, he's been in the league five seasons. That's a veteran's amount of years, right? Well he's still a kid and he has acted like it all too often off the ice. Blackout at college parties. Punching out cab driver's. Shit-eating grin, a staple of his. But nonetheless, he's never really let it get to him on the ice. He's consistently put up points throughout his career. The off-the-ice stuff will subside over time, it has to. On the ice, however? Well on the ice, he's becoming a new man, a leader.

Now you look at the Blackhawks and you can look no further than Jonathan Toews. He's the captain. The pulse. The golden boy of Chicago. He's never made a mistake in his life. He always has the right thing to say. He's almost the complete opposite of Kane. And yet something about Kane is so much more appealing. Whether it's his daring play or his fiery celebrations, people gravitate toward Chicago's bad boy.

Lost in the mix of Kane's windmill cellys, his mouthguard dangling the entire game and his ridiculous fake Twitter is a man who is growing before our very eyes. He may still be slamming thirty racks of Natty like he's a healthy scratch on the Lake Forest College team, but his on-ice transformation is hard to ignore. More points that Toews. Same +/-. A higher shot percentage than the captain. Patrick Kane is leading the Blackhawks toward glory, for a second time. His 28 points in 22 games in the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup run was impressive. He made plays at an alarming rate, but it was nowhere the complete style of play he's displaying now.

And then Saturday night we watched Kane not only net a hat-trick, but we watched him own the game. He was all over the ice, making plays everywhere and providing the offensive composure necessary for a team to get to where Chicago has gotten. There wasn't a chance this team was excited to go back to Los Angeles for a Game 6 against a team who has lost at home only once all playoffs. Kane wouldn't let it happen. The apprentice has transformed into the master.

Kane had 5 points in six Olympic games in 2010. He was a +4. He was very much apart of a young core of players who almost pulled off a miracle upset against a far more talented Canadian squad. This time around with Kane and his young teammates growing, the United States has a legitimate shot at Olympic Gold. This time around it won't be a surprise. This time around the U.S. squad will be expected to produce on the Olympic stage. They might even be favorites. Guys like Zach Parise, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Ryan Callahan, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny and Ryan Kesley are all coming back at the peak of their primes. Oh and the United States has the best goaltender in the league, Jonathan Quick, who is primed to be be the newest version of the Berlin Wall.

Canada on the other hand? There team is going to have a new look and a new feel to it. Yes, it will provide the same Canadian depth and talent, but will the experience be an issue? Their goaltending trio is a mess. Three of their seven defensemen probably won't return. Five forwards most likely will be replaced. The leadership roles will be filled by familiar faces, but other key components to the team will be left up to new men. USA, at least experience-wise, will have the upper hand.

Then you just think of what the free-wheeling, speed bursting, slick handed Kane will do this time around. You just salivate when you watch Saturday's night hat-trick happen on the grandest of stages. You think of Kane just undressing Drew Doughty, burying the biscuit and flying into one of his patented, electric celebrations. It makes you want to jump out of your seat right now. But then you realize you have to wait eight months to chant "U-S-A"  at the top of your lungs while Kaner and co. fly around with no regard for humanity and plenty of regard for twine.

Enjoy the show during the next two weeks. The next time you see Patrick Kane in the spotlight, he'll be rocking the red, white and blue and doing it with the upmost pride.

It's on Canada, see you soon.

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US Soccer Aiming for Higher Goals

Brad Evans got the winner on Friday night for a determined U.S. team. (Credits: AP Photo)

There's this old adage in World Cup Qualifying that goes like this, "All you've got to do is win your home games and draw your road matches." As true as that statement may be, it doesn't reflect greatness, doesn't protrude confidence. To me, it's sort of like "Playing not to lose" and we all know how that goes.

In CONCACAF it's so much about winning your road games as it is surviving them. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, the confines that most CONCACAF teams play in are ancient or unqualified and most likely both. So while the talent in region may not be up to snuff, the difficulty of the playing conditions is similar to playing in hell. Sweltering heat, rabid fans, abused pitches. Getting a point in some of these venues is just about not giving in mentally to all the factors that try to cut you down. But for the United States and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann it seems as if there are even higher goals on the docket.

Last night the Americans trudged through the sweaty heat and beat up pitch in Jamaica. They played with an aire of confidence that made you felt from the onset that they weren't deterred by their lackluster surroundings. Michael Bradley should've scored in the third minute. Jozy Altidore finished a header in the 30th minute. The first half, or at least a majority of it, was an American domination. They looked like the better team, they controlled position, dominated the ball, had a chokehold on the tempo. Even in the last fifteen minutes of the first half when they seemed to be on their heels, they weathered the storm and made it to the break.

The second half was much of the same, the Jamaicans continued to push and push but the Americans just wouldn't let it happen. That was, until, the entire back line fell asleep for one single moment. As it goes in soccer a single moment can do you in, and that almost happend when Jermaine Beckford knocked in a set piece header in the 89th minute. With a grim draw looming the United States could've backed down. They could've easily taken the single road point and moved on without looking back. But the next five minutes made you realize that the Americans are looking even higher.

They blew it on the road in Honduras. They used the snow to their advantage against Costa Rica and they slugged their way to a critical (and almost impossible point) in Estadio Azteca against Mexico. But still five points in four games clearly didn't satisfy these Americans. Not when they had five minutes left to possibly shift the entire hexagonal. So they pushed immediately after that goal. They won themselves a corner kick and instead of waiting to create the classic corner formation, Michael Bradley quick kicked it. Got it back and then pushed in. After he found Brad Evans with a nice pass, the wing back surprisingly turned around and just ripped a shot into the corner of the net. "The most unlikely of heroes" is exactly right as announcer Phil Schoen belted once Evans had his shirt over his head celebrating like he'd never been there before. That's because he hadn't ever been there before. But it didn't matter. USA grabbed three points from the jaws of a what would've been a disappointing draw. It was magical and it was important.

Bradley, who set up the play, kind of summed up the entire night with his play. It wasn't flashy. It wasn't amazing. It got the job done. That's it. He played a controlled tempo, never making too dangerous of a play, yet remaining aggressive. Then when it mattered, he made the right play. The exactly precise play and it didn't matter who he found with that little hesitation move combined with that pass, they were going to score. Brad Evans just happened to be the guy there to make the play. If it was Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Omar Gonzalez or freaking DeMarcus Beasley it would've went in.

The Americans didn't blow anybody away last night (all 323 of us who get beIN Sport) but they showed us that they're aiming higher than they have in the past. No longer is the goal of a road game to get a point (though Mexico is excusable), it's to win. No longer is the goal to win the group like we did in 2010, it's to run the group, make it our child. And while the Mexicans are over there struggling with their own identity and chemistry issues it looks like Jurgen is crafting a beautiful CONCACAF juggernaut one result at a time. Wins at home vs. Panama and Honduras will put the rest of the group, especially Mexico, on notice. 

A loss or draw in either game will bring us right back to square one, however. But I don't get that feeling. Not with Jurgen. Not with Bradley, Altidore, Graham Zusi, Dempsey and co. buzzing. This isn't your "Bob Bradley" Americans anymore, folks.

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Bruins Dictation of Play Forcing Penguins into Unchartered Territory

Brad Marchand and the Bruins have a clear mental edge and that bodes poorly for the Penguins. (Credits: Gene J. Puskar/Boston.com)

There's almost always a play, a moment that defines a series, that shrinks a week or two's worth of play into 10 seconds. That instant usually comes in a swing game such as Game 5 or 6, sometimes even Game 3. But in this year's Eastern Conference Finals it may have happened in Game 2, smack dab in the middle of a blowout. Not exactly the time you'd think it would take place. It was a moment that made you laugh if you were a Bruins fan, shake your head in disgust if you were a Penguins fan and it simply wowed you if were neutral to it all.

Brad Marchand straight up punked Matt Cooke. He took every ounce of toughness, cockiness and grit he had and flipped it on its head. Cooke was trying to be a tough guy, attempting to throw him off his rhythm. Instead Marchand gave him a light push, laughed and turned around flying into a fast break. Jaromir Jagr found him on a nice lead pass and Nose Face Killah launched the puck into the Vermont Cheddar section of the net. But what really made it all click was after the goal, when Marchand found Cooke and just yelled at him, "What? What? That's right." And the Bruins winger couldn't be anymore right.

That goal put the B's up 4-1 in the first period. They were dominating the game on the scoreboard and on the ice, well on their way to sweeping the Penguins in the Consol Energy Center. What could Cooke or any of the Penguins say? They were getting embarrassed on their home ice. The Bruins were completely dictating the play and the Penguins were wrongly trying to emulate their ECF foe. The Bruins are in the Penguins head. Matt Cooke, Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fluery and every fan in Pittsburgh is going to wake up tomorrow in a cold sweat after having a nightmare about guy with a hooked nose and a wicked wrister.

Since this series started people have been praising the Penguins electric offense, calling it an unstoppable machine. How could you argue against that? They had scored 48 goals in their previous 11 playoff games. They have two of the best offensive players in the league in Evgeni Malkin and Crosby as well as a goal scoring machine in James Neal. But it hasn't mattered, they haven't dictated the play. Pittsburgh is far too concerned with being tough, with trying to imitate the Bruins and that has the B's sizzling. There is nothing worse than a team faking toughness. Guys like Matt Cooke don't intimidate, they embarrass your team. His ejection in Game 1 for a silly, unnecessary hit is just one of the many reasons why being "fake tough" is a deterrent, not a game changer.

Can Pittsburgh come back and win this series? Sure, they have the explosive offense to change a series in an instant. Yet, if they're hellbent on proving their "toughness" they won't make it back from TD Garden. They need to push the pace, they need to forget about getting revenge. You win the game on the scoreboard right? Well then don't go in the corner's looking to prove something, just find the puck. Pittsburgh has been outscored 9-1 by the Bruins. 9-1. One goal. One measly goal. It's not like Tuukka Rask is some god-like figure standing in there like a wall, he's only faced 56 shots. 55 saves in two games isn't going to blow anyone away. They're losing the psychological battle and the on-ice mortification of the Penguins has turned ugly.

I said before the series that if the Bruins get in there, control the tempo and dictate the style of play they'd win this series. Well, the Penguins are overwhelmed. They've forgotten who they are and it looks like the Bruins are stealing their identity. I predict this series to head back to Pittsburgh for Game 5, but unless they're is a change of mentality in Crosby's locker room, this series won't reach six games.

Bruins, Blackhawks looks mighty juicy doesn't it?

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Roy Hibbert's F-Bomb Brings Pressure Upon Him

Roy Hibbert has a chance to become a serious part of history. (Credits: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Roy Hibbert sat there on the podium Saturday night basking in the glory of what was his seventh double-double of the playoffs and his team's most surprising win of the season. He was the paint presence that denied the Heat almost everything in the lane, forcing them into their lowest point total of the playoffs. Forcing them into a stunning Game 7. As the press conference unfolded, Hibbert left us with this charismatic, but charged speech, bemoaning the media for not giving him and his team credit. Well you've gotten your credit Roy, but now the pressure's on you.

Don't get me wrong, I liked his speech. I thought it was fiery and yet not over the top or overly angry. Save the gaffe that I won't go into, it's the kind of speech that could be remembered forever (if they win it all). But it also could be the press conference that sets LeBron off, because let's face it, LeBron has once again found himself in a predicament. We all know how he answered last year when KG finally hit that nerve, dropping 45 points with insane efficiency and vicious intensity. Could Hibbert's f-bomb and spotlight soaking fuel LeBron? Well if he has any pulse, it shouldn't matter. This is a legacy game for him.

Yet it could also be a legacy game for Hibbert. He's been maligned for much of his career for being too soft, for hanging around outside of the paint. A guy of his height and stature should not leave the paint ever, aside from resetting his three-second count. Now that he's developing into that menacing post player, he's really become a star in this league. But that could all come crashing down if he has a bad game. He needs to score, he needs to defend, he needs to rebound and above all he needs to make LeBron and company fear the paint. Fear the paint. That's what Shaq did, what Patrick Ewing did, what Hakeem did. It's a crazy thought to put Roy Hibbert anywhere close to those three names, but he's 26 and on the verge of sending his team to a stunning NBA Finals appearance  Who knows how good he could become and what a win (and a big performance) could do for his psyche. He's already revved up, a win here may propel his career toward greatness.

Although, knowing Hibbert even from his Georgetown days, he can easily be destroyed by a loss. Add a loss on top of this explosive press conference and this could be a confidence shredder. Hard to think that's the case when he seems like the most confident guy in the NBA as of now, but we've seen it before from Hibbert. He can wither right before our eyes, seemingly to forget that he's 7-foot-2 and blessed with such gracefulness. We thought he had completely turned the corner last year when he earned his first All-Star appearance, then he had an ugly regular season campaign this time around. Now he's back once again playing at a high level. So the questions remains, will he wilt tonight under a new found pressure? Or is it his time to etch his name into the history books.

Look across the way and he'll see LeBron fighting for that same legacy. Game 7 tonight, for all the marbles. In this case, the ones inside their heads. 

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