Lebron James Vs. Michael Jordan

On the eve of Michael Jordan's 50th birthday, I am going to talk about the hot discussion topic of the week. Mike vs. Lebron. Now, all week the "First take" discussed the matter with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. Skip took the approach of defending Michael, and Stephen took the side of Lebron.
The crucial argument was who would win in a one-on-one match.
 Here is my argument. First thing, Michael was 6'6 216 pounds. Lebron is 6'8 250 pounds. Now, to say that one-on-one Michael would dominate Lebron is a bold statement, just because of the size factor. It is a dis-respect to Lebron James. He is clearly one of the most explosive all around players that we have ever seen play the game. He is bigger, stronger, and possibly even faster than Jordan. However, Jordan and Kobe Bryant were clearly the two best shooters ever to play basketball. That is one thing Mike and Kobe have on Lebron. I think that Michael Jordan had the most desire to win of any player in all of sports history. That is what makes him a forever all-time world icon. He is so famous and popular that some people will always be heavily bias that no one could be better than him.
 I think that is unfair to Lebron. He technically has more potential than Michael ever had. he just has not had the chance to prove himself. Now, he may never catch Michael, but, to say he is not as dominant...is a hard thing to say right now. Lebron is clearly dominating the NBA and is almost impossible to guard. I would not state who would win one-on-one, but one thing I would say is this... It would be closer than people think. Jordan would work Lebron with his shooting. However, Lebron would drive to the lane on Jordan all day. My final word is that there is no way someone can say either one would dominate each other.  It is not realistic and just would not happen.

NFL Considers Widening Field

The NFL may consider taking a page out of Canada’s playbook. Nothing has been confirmed but the league could be looking into widening its field much like Canada’s CFL. The game of football has become quite gruesome over the years. Players are faster and stronger than ever and long-term head injuries are becoming more prevalent. Former competition committee leader Bill Polian told The National Football Post that the league had considered making the drastic change years ago and they may be revisiting the idea. Polian also mentioned that, from his experience, there are less traumatic collisions in Canada. The Canadian field is 35 feet wider than the NFL’s 160 feet. Allowing more space on the field could aid in the reduction of such high speed collisions.

I think the idea is certainly worth looking into. These players definitely need all the help they can get. Head injuries are no joke. The past few years have really shown us how devastating head injuries can be to a player's ability to lead a normal life outside the field. With cases like Junior Seau we saw how insomnia and depression could rob a player of his ability to think clearly and ultimately to live. So, I think the idea is well worth investigating.

But, not everyone is as open to the idea as I am. Some say the widening of the field could have an adverse effect on the player's safety and that collisions could be even worse. Others feel like the modification would have no effect on the hits at all. We'll see what comes of this idea in the months ahead. 

March Madness

It's hard to believe that we're already in the middle of February. It definitely feels that time is going faster by the day. The most exciting part about almost being done with February is that March Madness is right around the corner! The madness will begin on March 19th. That's only a few more weeks away. Right now Indiana University is currently number 1 with a 21-3 record and a total of 1,559 points. In other words, they are straight killin' it. Duke University isn't that far behind though. They are currently 21-2 with a total of 1,515 points. Not bad, considering they still have some time to catch up. As of right now the top 4 teams that will get number seeds are Indiana, Duke, Miami and Michigan . If the current pace of things keeps up, that will definitely change before the madness. For the last five weeks, the number 1 spot has changed except for IU who lost to U of Illinois but then rebounded with a huge road win over Ohio State who is ranked number 10.

Let the madness begin!

Forbes List Jay Cutler As One of Most Disliked Athletes

This year's Forbes' list for "America's Most Disliked Athletes," sparked controversy among many fans and sports writers when our very own Bears' quarterback, Jay Cutler, ranked in at fourth. 

Really, America? Fourth?

But before I get into that, let's review the others who made the cut.

Ranking first, in almost a virtual tie with Manti Te'o, was Lance Armstrong. 

Considering what Lance Armstrong has done by lying, cheating and deceiving the public, I'd say, number one has never looked better.

Then there's Notre Dame linebacker and Heisman trophy runner-up, Manti Te'o who ranked in at second. Now this one, I do have a problem with. I can understand the anger and disappointment fans must have felt the moment Deadspin ran the story of his girlfriend being a hoax. I get it...But after doing some research and finally meeting the man behind it all, how can all of the anger towards Te'o still be there? I think it's easy for us to judge him and say that had we been in that situation, we would do things differently. But can we really be sure about that? 

Ranking third, is Tiger Woods. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Let's just say, he gave "hole in one" a new meaning. 

And fourth is Jay Cutler. Out of all of the other athletes out there, Cutler is fourth. Makes no sense to me. Cutler is ranked higher than Metta World Peace, Alex Rodriguez, Mike Vick, Kurt Busch, Kobe Bryant and Tony Romo. 

Just looking at the facts, it makes no sense that Cutler is more disliked than Vick, who was indicted over dog fighting. 

Cutler was crushed by the fans and the media after pulling himself from the 2011 playoff game for being a "softie," but can we move past that and look at what he did in 2012 with the kind of offensive line he has? 

Did people miss the game where Cutler tied left tackle J'Marcus Webb's shoe after a play? He told ESPNChicago.com after the game, "I loosened it and tied it. I guess my fatherly instincts are kicking in a little bit." I mean, come on. That's like father of the year material.

I'd like to know if Tom Brady would ever do the same. That's the better question. 

                                                 (Picture via BearsBacker.com)

Chicago Tribune's Steve Rosenbloom expressed his thoughts on Cutler stating, "Seriously, America? Cutler is disliked more than every active athlete except Lance Armstrong, Manti Te'o and Tiger Woods? Cutler is bunched with a fake cyclist, a guy with a fake dead girlfriend and a fake athlete who's really good at the hobby we call golf?" (Chicago Tribune)

Cutler may have been in trouble with fans and the media in the past, but I think he's done enough to regain people's respect. 

And after all, thanks to backup quarterback, Jason Campbell, I think we've seen just about how important Cutler is to the team. 

Bulls Take a Beating

I had the (dis)pleasure of attending tonight's Bulls game at the United Center against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Bulls had a disappointing loss, 103-89. It would've been alright if they had made it a really good game and gave it their all, but anyone that watched will tell you it wasn't worth setting the DVR.
There were a few good dunks but overall it seemed like the Bulls were just not into it tonight.
To make matters more embarrassing, the Spurs were already missing some of their best players due to injury, including Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.
My biggest problem was the defense. It just wasn't there for the Bulls, and the Spurs had theirs down pat: the Bulls made 19 turnovers, while the Spurs only had 8.
And I was beyond excited to see Joakim Noah in the game after hearing rumors that he might not play due to not being at practice Sunday. While he will forever hold a special place in my heart, he just didn't impress me tonight.
Next time, I'll buy tickets to a Blackhawks game.

Hard Times for Iverson - Grant-Wilson

It looks like “The Answer” has got quite a bit of explaining to do for himself. It’s sad to hear how the former NBA All Star, Allen Iverson’s, life seems to be unfolding.

According to TMZ.com an Atlanta family court judge came down hard on Iverson last week saying he “does not know how to manage the children; has little interest in learning to manage the children and has actually, a times, been a hindrance to their spiritual and emotional growth and development.” This is a far cry from the man so many came to love both on and off the court.

The issues in the one time MVP’s life seemed to plague the final years of his career. Iverson’s divorce from his high school sweetheart, Tawanna, was long and messy. Last week she was awarded legal and physical custody of the couple’s five children. As if that wasn’t enough, Iverson’s ex lawyer dropped a bomb on him two days ago claiming that he was not paid for the hours spent handling the star’s divorce proceedings.  

After finding out about all this I was shocked to know that that just barely scratches the surface of Iverson’s financial trouble. In addition to his now ex wife getting custody of the children, the courts have ordered him to dish out $3 million as well as a part of their settlement.

He just can’t win for losing. Cases like this are way too common in the sports industry. It really makes you wonder about what really matters. Apparently Iverson can’t see his children unless he follows a set of strict rules including the completion of an AA program. But, he’s being forced to dish out insane amounts of money for children that he can’t even see freely. It all seems a bit excessive to me. Especially since he’s not even working.

Hopefully the one time MVP can find a way to bring the scattered pieces of his life back together.

The Reign of King James - Grant-Wilson

They don’t call him the king for nothing. LeBron James has been on fire, pushing his already outstanding athleticism to new heights. Over the last five games he’s managed to average 31 points. His coach said he’s “making greatness look easy,” I say he’s doing magic. He’s playing near perfect games.

Last night’s ten point win against the Los Angels Lakers is a prime example. I felt like I was tuned in to the LeBron show. James set a franchise record for five consecutive 30-point games. Not only is he racking up the points, but he’s shot an impeccable 74.2 percent over the last five games all while managing 6.9 assists per game.

Yesterday’s game was tight during the first half but something must have happened in the Heat locker room during half time. There was a serious momentum shift during the second half. James scored Miami’s last 11 points within the last four minutes of the third quarter. His partner in crime Dwyane Wade turned up in the fourth quarter and from there on it seemed to be the LeBron Show featuring D-Wade. At least Dwyane’s cool with letting the big man lead. He unselfishly told the Miami Sun Sentinel that he’s not looking for headlines and he leaves all that to LeBron.

Six of the last seven games against the Lakers have been big wins for the Miami Heat. The Heat will take on the Portland Trailblazers tomorrow night at 6:30. My DVR is set and ready for yet another record-breaking game for LeBron James.

World Baseball Classic Lacking Talent

It is time for baseball fans to get excited now that the pitchers have started to arrived early for spring training, and the World Baseball Classic rosters have been released.  All of the best players will be showing off their talent as well as representing their countries in the classic.  Well, almost all of the best players.  Many of the super star athletes won't be joining their countries this year for a many of different reasons.

Albert Pujols will not be participating this year for the Dominicans.  It isn't his personal decision, actually he said he want to play.  His manager was the one who put the end to all of that talk.  He is coming off of knee surgery, which took place in November, and is still recovering from that.  This is a great decision by the manager.  Though the World Baseball Classic does only happens every four years, and Pujols will be 38 when the next classic happens, he needs to sit this one out.  He is making $16 million this year and $23 million the year following is only a small reason why the Angels should not risk letting him play in the classic.  I think the bigger picture is how the Angels look as a team this year.  Many fans are predicting them to win the World Series with the addition of Josh Hamilton to an already offensive team.  So risking injury to a player who is one of the biggest offensive threats in all of baseball just seems ridiculous.

Another star player has also decided not to play in the classic; Felix Hernandez has, according to Yahoo! Sports, agreed to a $175 million dollar contract with the Mariners. The Mariners not letting their star pitcher play in the classic is understandable, but kind of a let down.  Hernandez is a very young pitcher and great to watch.  Obviously protecting your investment, especially when dealing with $175 million dollars, is a good idea; I would like to see the flame thrower pitch against the best in the world.  This is a very limited opportunity and is a great honor to be asked to play.

Another great pitcher that has decided on his own he is going to sit out this year is Justin Verlander.  His main reason that he stated for not wanting to play in the WBC is because of the length of the 2012 season for the Tigers as well as the amount of pitches he threw over the season.  Yet another let down for baseball fans.  This is one of the greatest pitchers to play the game and he is not going to play for the American team because of last season?  Sure, he pitched more than others because of the post season, but I can't stress enough how this is such a honor to play in this event, so why not take the limited honor?

Though many of the big names won't be playing in the WBC, I am sure it will still be a great to watch.  There is some young talent that will be taking the field such as Anthony Rizzo playing for Italy, but also being able to see the talent that other countries have the privilege of having.