Morning Reading: The Miami Heat, Raja Bell, an Event I Never Watch, and George Steinbrenner
As soon as the
Miami Heat
introduced their trio of
Chris Bosh
,
LeBron James
, and
Dwyane Wade
, the speculation of who would play with them began. Handing out all that money to the big three meant there would be little left to go around filling out the roster. It seemed like it would be Bosh, James, Wade, and nine guys you could find playing a pickup game at a playground court. That may still be the case with the last few guys coming off the bench, but Miami did add two crucial pieces on Monday. Two pieces that could help them get Wade another ring and Bosh and James their first sooner rather than later.
Udonis Haslem stayed with the only team he has ever played for by returning to the Heat and Mike Miller gave Miami the shooter they needed. Oh yeah, and there’s that whole Florida link. The two came close to championship glory back in their Gator days when they met Michigan State in the NCAA title game. Unfortunately that game didn’t go exactly how Florida fans would have liked. Haslem got his ring with the Heat in 2006 as a key part of their championship team. Miller, on the other hand, has been on a series of not good teams (oh how I wish the Orlando Magic had kept him). Haslem is taking less money than he was offered by other teams to return to Miami and Miller will finally get a realistic shot to win a title. Hardly a tough decision for either to want to join the Heat. Even less of one considering how they both fit in.
You want to play with the guy that clotheslined you in an important playoff game. At least I guess you do. Kobe Bryant is trying to convince Raja Bell to join the Los Angeles Lakers. An interesting pursuit considering the perceived animosity between the two. Then again, Bryant and Ron Artest worked out just fine in their first season together. As Bryant put it, you want people on your team who have the testicular fortitude to stand up to you. I have always thought of Bell as overrated, but then again isn’t most of the NBA? The Lakers don’t have much to offer Bell, but they can offer him a very good chance to get to the finals. That may outweigh all other options.
Tonight is the MLB all-star game. Would it be too predictable if I said “snore?” I honestly can’t remember the last time I watched an all-star game of any kind. It’s been even longer since I got excited about one coming up. When you’re younger all-star games are fun. All the great players in one place basically showing off. As you grow up you realize they’re a joke for the most part.
People say the NFL’s version is flawed because it’s at the end of the season and by then people have lost interest. Playing it after the Super Bowl isn’t a good idea because people have checked out. Playing it before the Super Bowl doesn’t work either because people are gearing up for the big game and don’t want to watch a filler. From a viewership standpoint, they may be right. I’d imagine more people will be watching the baseball all-star game tonight because in terms of sports, what other options do you have? But in terms of true all-stars, the NFL is the only major sport that gets it right. How can you accurately select all-stars at a season’s mid-point? I’m sure a good number of baseball, basketball, and hockey all-stars would still be considered such at the end of the season, but some could just be hot for half a year. The real all-stars are the ones at the top of the game at the beginning, middle, and end of the season. Basically that was all a really long way of me saying I won’t be watching the game tonight.
Baseball icon George Steinbrenner passed away this morning. The longtime owner of one of the world’s most recognizable sports franchises – the New York Yankees – was 80 years old. There are many interesting and humorous stories about Steinbrenner from over the years. His run-ins with Billy Martin, his clean cut policies, and of course his spending. Like him or not, Steinbrenner had a hand in creating one of the most successful and marketable franchises in the history of sports and as an owner isn’t that the idea? Rest in peace George.