Brilliant or Insane?: sports

Friday, April 11, 2014

Cleveland Indians Scrub Chief Wahoo from Their Baseball Cap Prompting Curiosity About What's Next for the So-Called Racist Logo?

By Mark Barnes

photo credit: soul_motor via photopin cc

The Cleveland Indians seem to be succumbing to pressure from some fans, politicians, media and various other protesters, as the organization has apparently started fazing out their Chief Wahoo logo.

Chief Wahoo, pictured above, has been replaced on the Indians' cap with a plain block C, which looks like something the club hired a four year old to design. As the outcry against the logo escalates, the Indians steadfastly deny any change. In fact, the team's director of communication, Curtis Danburg, told Cleveland.com, "There's no process to eliminate Chief Wahoo."

Still, as the 2014 season opened, the chief was conspicuously missing from the ball cap.

The Indians are often likened to the NFL's Washington Redskins, who are ridiculed by many for the Redskins nickname, considered to be racist by some native American tribes, which links Cleveland to quite an unsavory debate.

Is Chief Wahoo racist? Some say, Yes. Others say, No.

Either way, as the logo slowly moves from the heads of Cleveland players down the uniform, one must wonder just how long Chief Wahoo will remain a staple of Indians baseball.

Mark Barnes is an education author, former sports writer and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

The Value Behind Opening Day in Cleveland

By Zachary Fenell

Photo credit: Zachary Fenell 2012

Don’t let the past weekend’s snowfall fool you, Cleveland. Summer will arrive soon--evidenced by the fact that Cleveland Indians baseball returns to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario this Friday, April 4. The Indians once again sold out the home opener, extending the Indians' streak to 22 consecutive sold out home openers, according to the Tribe’s website.

The Indians offered a special online pre-sale that began Monday, March 3. That morning I found myself and countless other CLE-natives hovering over our computers, ready to snatch up two Opening Day tickets. Because of this pre-sale option, Opening Day sold out before tickets could even go on sale to the general public on Monday, March 10th.

I thought I was one of the smart ones; a true fan devoted to getting tickets before they were even available for public purchase. But after rejecting the $37 cost for two upper reserve seats in favor of trying my luck at cheaper bleacher seats, I realized I was not smart at all. The window to purchase Opening Day tickets closed within 15 minutes, and I had missed out because I wanted to pay less.

Now, do I regret my frugality? Following some thought, I determined answering the aforementioned meant answering another question first. What value does Opening Day in Cleveland possess? Allow me to explain further.

Sizing things up

To provide some perspective, those $37 seats I passed up cost $17.50 regular season. Bleacher seats cost even less. So, in my mind, I figured I could spend $37 on an Opening Day ticket or go to two or three Tribe games for the same price. Don’t you love the dynamic pricing model?

Admittedly, those two or three games don’t offer the exhilarating Opening Day atmosphere. I attended Opening Day back in 2012, and the only spectatorial experience which really compares was last year's regular season finale.

Bottom line, the value behind Cleveland’s home opener relates to motive. If you want to experience Cleveland tradition, dollar amounts become less relevant. From a pure baseball angle though, paying Opening Day ticket prices remains impractical.

Zachary Fenell writes about all things Cleveland for Brilliant or Insane (a blog with strong ties to the Rock and Roll City). Learn more about Zachary on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

5 Ways to Speed up Major League Baseball and Rescue Bored Fans

By Mark Barnes

photo credit: Scott Ableman via photopin cc

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was discussing the pace of the game on ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning show. He and the hosts all agreed that the game moves too slowly. I couldn't agree more.

Regular readers of Brilliant or Insane likely know there is no love lost between MLB and me. Baseball is already like an aching tooth in many ways, so perhaps I'm a bit biased. Still, I think even the most ardent fan will agree that a Major League Baseball game is sort of like a drive-in double, featuring Schindler's List and Titanic.

Speeding up Baseball

Baseball can spark my interest with these 5 ways to speed up the game, so I'm not spending more than a couple of hours on my lazy Sundays at the ballpark.

Allow pitchers only two pickoff attempts: Granted, some of these suggestions may be a bit out of the strike zone, if I may, but this one is serious. How often do you see a runner on first base, and the pitcher forces him back five, six, sometimes eight times. If you only allow the hurler two pickoff attempts, this brings a whole new strategy into the game for both the pitcher and the potential base stealer. I'm envisioning more stolen bases and a much faster game.
On the sixth foul ball, the runner takes his base: Watching a batter hack his way to 15 foul tips, trying to "stay alive" is like watching the pendulum on a grandfather clock sway hypnotically back and forth. Give the umpires one more thing to count. If the pitcher can't get the guy out before six foul balls, he's doing a lousy job; advantage batter.
Stop singing in the 7th inning: Is it just me, or is "Take Me out to the Ballgame" maybe the worst song of all time? Save our ears and move the game along.
Eliminate warmup pitches for relievers: One of the biggest wastes of time in a baseball game happens when a relief pitcher warms up, after coming into a game. He's been warming up in the bullpen for dozens of pitches. These guys make millions of dollars, for crying out loud; how much warming up do they need?
If you're 20 games under .500, you only play 5 innings: In Cleveland, we've suffered through one horrendous year after another. Would anyone really notice if the Indians only played five innings?

You may be waiting for a hearty, "April Fool," but I'm not fooling. Any combination of these will certainly speed up the game and make Major League Baseball abundantly more enjoyable.

Mark Barnes is an education author, former sports writer and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

The NCAA Tournament provides powerful lessons for students

My 11-year-old son joined an NCAA Tournament bracket pool with his friends. There's no money involved, but he and his pals can't resist the thrill of seeing who can pick the most winners in sports' craziest tournament.

So, are you the kind of teacher who is telling students to put the brackets away? Instead, why not embrace the NCAA Tournament as a teaching tool?

The info graphic above is perfect for teaching angle, rotation, trajectory and far more than an English teacher can come up with. Consider other ways you can connect March Madness to curriculum.

There's plenty of history behind the tournament. Don't forget the health and physical education lessons.

So, kick back this weekend; watch some college basketball and plan this week's lesson at the same time. Then, go tell your principal that you worked all weekend.

Mark Barnes is an education author and consultant and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

NFL Hall of Fame's first ever Fan Fest coming to Cleveland

via profootballHOF.com

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is taking a road trip. One hundred NFL Hall of Famers will participate in the first-ever Hall of Fame Fan Fest May 3 and 4 at Cleveland's I-X Center.

All-time NFL greats, like Jim Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Marcus Allen and Joe Namath, to name just a few, will participate in special shows, clinics and meet-and-greets at this amazing event. Shows and exhibits will cover one million square feet at the sprawling Cleveland I-X Center.

One of the featured spectacles at Hall of Fame Fan fest is Pro Football and the American Sprit, a unique tribute to NFL players who missed playing time, while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Look for more posts from Brilliant or Insane during the Fan Fest in May. Meanwhile, for details about the event and Hall of Famers attending, visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.

Mark Barnes is an education author and consultant and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Jason Collins is gay, but can he play in the NBA?

Jason Collins is gay, but unless I'm looking for a date on a Friday night and he's my type, do I really care?

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Collins ignited a media frenzy when he appeared in an NBA game as the first openly gay player in league history.

At the risk of being naive, I have to wonder why this is such a major story. It was much more important news when movie star Ellen Page came out. After all, she's not an over-the-hill journeyman returning to acting after a career that can be described, at best, as pedestrian.

The idea that gay men playing in major sports is historic is, putting it lightly, ridiculous. When Martina Navratilova was winning one Grand Slam after another, her sexual preference was a not an issue, and it was certainly never a doubt.

When Collins was signed by Brooklyn, one national reporter called it "purely a basketball move." Seriously? Why else would the Nets add Collins to their roster? Was the reporter hinting that having a gay player on your team might be a new NBA promotion? I can see the billboards now: "Don't miss the Brooklyn Nets -- home of the NBA's only gay center."

Of course, this was a basketball move. Brooklyn needs front court help, and Collins is a big man, who has played seven seasons with the Nets and 13 in the NBA. He was signed to a 10-day contract, so Brooklyn has very little to risk.

Of course, Collins likely won't last far beyond those 10 days (he's old and has never been very productive). I wonder how historic it will be when Jason Collins becomes the first openly-gay NBA player to be waived by his team.

Mark Barnes is an education author and consultant and the publisher of Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Mark on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Lessons from Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin and Public Reaction

By Reed Gillespie

via cnn.com

The recent release of Ted Wills's report on Richie Incognito's bullying of Jonathan Martin brought workplace bullying to the forefront.

Sadly, what happened in the Dolphins locker room occurs far too often in our schools. In watching, listening and reading media and public reaction to the report, I've been shocked by how often I've heard the following two statements.

People need to understand the context and the dynamics of a football team's locker room.
Jonathan Martin will not be welcomed back into the Dolphins' locker room or any NFL team's.

Is it any wonder why schools have trouble preventing bullying and harassment when such drivel spews from the mouth of experts, former players and the common man?

Let's examine the two offending statements:

People need to understand the context and the dynamics of a football team's locker room. The actions of Incgonito and two teammates are never permissible. As an educator, I've heard similar statements echoed by parents, students and even teachers,"They're just teasing" or "Boys will be boys."

Whether it's a highly educated, intelligent 312-lb professional football player or a 65-lb, bespectacled, prepubescent boy doesn't matter. The treatment of Martin was offensive and unacceptable. Where Martin "should have the opportunity to pursue a career in the NFL without being subjected to harassment," students should be able to pursue their education at school and be who they want to be.

Jonathan Martin will not be welcomed back into the Dolphins' locker room or ANY NFL team's. Far too often the targets of harassment are vilified when they've done nothing wrong. According to Wills's report, "the fear of being labeled a 'snitch' or a 'Judas' played a role in Martin's decision not to report the abuse from his teammates. Martin believed that going to his coaches...meant risking ostracism or even retaliation from his fellow lineman." Attaching such a stigma to telling undermines everything we should stand for.

Like many schools, the Dolphins failed to protect the target of bullying. Organizations--be they Fortune 500 companies or elementary schools--must create a safe climate, one in which everyone is respected and where inappropriate actions are reported by either the bullied or by bystanders.

It's not enough to post anti-harassment posters and have a training session or two on proper conduct. Corporations and schools must establish a positive climate and culture where people can develop, be productive and pursue their dreams.

Reed Gillespie writes about education for Brilliant or Insane. Learn more about Reed on our Team page. Follow Reed on Twitter here.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Cavs fire GM Chris Grant

via: USA Today Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in one of the most dismal stretches of basketball in the franchise's history. In fact, the Cavs are so bad right now, local radio personalities are calling them the most embarrassing team in all of sports. Ouch!

Responding to a humiliating defeat to a Los Angeles Lakers team that came to Cleveland with only eight players (none named Kobe Bryant) and finished the game with only five, the Cavs fired General Manager Chris Grant, according to Yahoo Sports.

Team owner Dan Gilbert had to do something. Talk around Cleveland is centering around what fans can do to get the Quicken Loans CEO's attention; suggestions range from humorous to downright ridiculous, but who can blame Cleveland fans?

What's next?

If you have seen any of the Cavs' last 10 games, you know that the ax is likely to continue to fall.

One must wonder if head coach Mike Brown isn't next.

Brilliant or Insane publisher Mark Barnes covered the Cavs for the Warren Tribune in the 1980s. He now writes primarily about education.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Jim Thome statue: Brilliant or a Shame?

By Zach Fenell

The Cleveland Indians announcing during this year’s Tribe Fest the unveiling date for the Jim Thome statue at Progressive Field sparked quite an emotionally charged conversation among fans. Saturday, August 2nd the Indians will honor the former Tribe slugger and reveal the statue. Judging by people’s responses online, the statue faces at least a few critics. This raises the question: “Jim Thome statue, brilliant or a shame?”

via: ESPN.com

A core argument against the statue revolves around Jim Thome leaving Cleveland via free agency following the 2002 season. Strong reactions came from disgruntled fans in this article, Thome Humbled to be Getting a Statue. One person wrote “Embarrassing. A Jim Thome statue. A monument to the fact that no matter how great, beloved, well-paid, or publicly devoted to staying in Cleveland, nobody stays.”

Another reader stated “What a crock of do do. Thome took the money and ran. Thome played for Thome. There are far better Cleveland players that deserve a statue.”

In fairness, other Clevelanders demonstrate excitement over the statue. One fan tweeted, “I refuse to be anywhere but the Jake on August 2nd for the Jim Thome statue unveiling #ChildHoodHero @Indians.”

Are fans more pro-Thome or anti-Thome?

Thinking back to Jim Thome’s brief 2011 return to the Indians, I’m guessing most people hold a pro-Thome attitude. After all, once the team announced acquiring Thome, fans sold out the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Waving placards that read “Welcome Thome,” Cleveland gave the Tribe’s all-time home run leader an incredible homecoming.

Personally I hope the response from two-and-a-half years ago symbolizes how most Clevelanders feel today towards good old number 25. Twelve years later, to those remaining upset over Jim Thome’s departure, I can only preach forgiveness. Harboring grudges equates to a shame, not building the statue.

Forgive and forget may be the order of the day.

Zach Fenell writes about all things Cleveland for Brilliant or Insane (a blog with strong ties to the Rock and Roll City). Learn more about Zach on our Team page. Follow him on Twitter here.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Top 5 Super Bowl social media blurbs

Social media is cool on so many levels. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are all amazing tools for professional and personal purposes.

Admittedly, I use them more for the professional benefits, but I do enjoy the personal stuff, and occasionally, it provides excellent fodder for blog posts.

The day after the Super Bowl, which saw Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos suffered a brutal beating at the hands of NFC champ Seattle, the social networks were rife with heartrending and hilarious commentary about the game.

There were hundreds of Brilliant and Insane shares. Here are our top 5 2014 Super Bowl social media blurbs.

"oh my god RT @barkbox: Interception, Peyton Manning. #ruhroh (see picture above)
Bronco defensive end Shaun Phillips' son texted, "It's ok daddy u r still my hero."
"My pee wee team tackled better than the Broncos. But wait, it's Manning's fault."
"If I were running sound for the Super Bowl, I'd just have Flea take a bass solo for the entire game."
Peyton Manning saw his shadow yesterday on Groundhog Day. Unfortunately, the shadow picked him off too."

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Cool Coach Carroll easy to root for

Since my hometown Cleveland Browns never play in the Super Bowl, I don't typically have a rooting interest, even though I love the NFL and have played fantasy football for nearly as long as it has existed. This year, though, is different.

I'm rooting for Pete Carroll. It may seem odd that I didn't say I want Seattle to win, but a Seahawks' victory is only a product of my real goal -- a championship for Carroll, the coolest coach in any sport.

If you doubt Carroll's cool, consider these chilly facts:

While coaching at USC, Carroll had a Facebook page, almost before Mark Zuckerberg had one.
Carroll has a Twitter page with nearly 900,000 followers.
When most owners, general managers and fans think a player's coach can't win, Carroll does it year after year.
Carroll invites his players to take yoga class, and they participate willingly.
About five minutes after Seattle management paid Matt Flynn a billion dollars (okay maybe a little less) to be their new quarterback, Carroll named rookie Russell Wilson the starter. Wilson has the Seahawks in the Super Bowl in his second year. You have to be a certain kind of cool to make a move like this.

Social media legend. Player's coach. Yoga master. Winner. These are all things Pete Carroll.

None of these, though, describes him as well as my favorite moniker.

One cool coach!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

CNN Report says some college athletes are elementary-level readers

via: the southern.com

An astonishing report from CNN reveals that many schools have up to 18 percent of their athletes in revenue sports reading at an elementary level -- some as low as fourth grade.

This is a staggering percentage of poor readers, who appear to be getting a pass from higher institutions, when it comes to admission and course work.

Suspicion of athletes being treated differently by colleges has existed in the K-12 world for years, and this report appears to bear out the suspicion.

You can read the entire CNN story here.

So, just how big of a problem is this?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Will fans forgive Jameis Winston?

Fans are usually quick to forgive.

Mike Tyson bit a fighter's ear off in a boxing match, and his popularity didn't suffer. Miley Cyrus twerked on national TV, and she had the biggest year of her young singing career.

And now there's Jameis Winston (pictured below).

photo credit: zennie62 via photopin cc

The Florida State quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and BCS National Champion overcame allegations of rape, or did he?

Winston had, arguably, the greatest year of any freshman in college football history. If he were eligible for the NFL draft, he would likely be the first player taken. Winston's skills are hardly debatable.

The baby-faced Winston, however, was accused of rape. Sure, investigators tossed the case, when the evidence pointed to consensual sex, but does this erase the stigma that accompanies the allegations?

For the fluid Seminole passer, this episode was barely a speed bump, but one must wonder if fans outside of Tallahassee will hold Winston's dalliance with a younger girl against him.

Or, will we forgive Jameis Winston? And if we do, will we do it too quickly?

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Browns fire their coach; do I really care?

As the 2013 NFL regular season ended, head coaches rapidly joined unemployment lines.

No one who has ever followed the Cleveland Browns could have been even mildly surprised that

via: Cleveland.com

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski was one of the victims of the falling ax, after just one season at the helm.

As I listened to local media comment on the decision, I wondered if Chud's firing makes any difference to ardent fans or indifferent viewers (I'm more of the latter, I suppose).

Since their 1999 return to the NFL from a three-year absence, the Cleveland Browns have had only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance. Their won-loss record in the last 15 years is an appalling 77-163 for a horrid winning percentage of .320.

During that 15-year period, the Browns have had seven head coaches. By comparison, in the last 45 years, the Browns' most hated rival, Pittsburgh, has had just three head coaches. Those great leaders led the Steelers to eight Super Bowl appearances and six victories.

Although I used to be a sportswriter, I never covered the NFL or the Browns, so I may not be the foremost expert on the sport. It does stand to reason, though, that some semblance of stability at head coach equates to winning. At least it does for Pittsburgh, and it has for New England, another perennial playoff team, who has been coached by Bill Belichick since 2000 and has won three Super Bowls.

Cleveland ownership never seems to pay much attention to coaching tenure though. So, a new coach will be hired -- the eighth, since 1999. He will be wise to leave his bags packed, because head coaches don't last long on the shores of Lake Erie.

Meanwhile, the Browns and their fans will live to lose another day.

Is there any reason for me to care?

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Dear Santa, I want a fantasy football title for Christmas

I have been in the same fantasy football league for 24 years. I have no research to bear me out, but I'm pretty sure that ours is one of the oldest fantasy football leagues in existence.

via: rigor.com

If you understand fantasy football, you know that this is one competitive game. Average people get to manage teams, in much the same way NFL general managers do. We make weekly lineup decisions, just like NFL head coaches. Fantasy football team owners pore over weekly statistics and review match-ups, deciding whom to play in critical games that could ultimately lead to a Fantasy Super Bowl.

That Fantasy Bowl, for most leagues worldwide, is today -- Week 16 in the National Football League. Because some NFL stars will be resting for the playoffs next week, it's best to play Fantasy Bowls the week before. No one wants Peyton Manning cooling his jets on the sidelines, when a fantasy league championship is on the line.

Yes, we fantasy football owners take this stuff seriously. I always say I'm not a competitive person. When it comes to fantasy football, though, I'd sell my soul in a second for a big day this week by CJ Spiller, who has been the proverbial bust this year. All will be forgiven with one long TD run in the fantasy title game, when I need him most.

I have made the Fantasy Bowl this year for a record 6th time in my competitive 12-team fantasy football league. A win will even my championship record at 3-3. The journey began four months ago at our annual fantasy football draft, when I started building my championship team, selecting Jimmy Graham with my first pick. After numerous trades, free agent pickups and a host of tricky lineup moves, my team is on the precipice of another championship trophy.

Now that you know the importance of fantasy football and the lengthy history of my league, you won't be surprised to learn that I've asked Santa for one thing this Christmas -- a Fantasy Bowl Championship.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Have we seen the last of the real Black Mamba?

Kobe Bryant is hurt again. He only returned to action recently, after sitting out the first month of the season, after rupturing his achilles last year.

via: awesome people.com

Now, a cracked knee has sidelined the Los Angeles Lakers star again, making one wonder if NBA fans will ever again be able to marvel at Kobe Bryant's wondrous play.

Bryant is 35, and he's played in 1,465 NBA games, including the playoffs, and numerous other Olympic and summer competitions.

His game has already morphed into something quite different from what it was even five years ago.

Bryant can still kill opponents with a sick fall away J, with a taller defender draped all over him. He can meander his way through traffic and spin the ball off the backboard and into the cup, with relative ease.

The mammoth dunks, for the most part, have faded into the distance. Blowing by younger, quicker guards is ancient history.

Returning from a ruptured achilles with a withering body seemed doubtful.

Now, with yet another devastating blow to those oh-so-tender twigs that Kobe calls legs, one must wonder if we haven't seen the last of the real Black Mamba.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Hey Major League Baseball, I'm breaking up with you!

Major League Baseball and I are not married; we're not even dating. Still as a longtime fan, whose interest has waned in recent years, mostly because of an endless stream of failed Cleveland Indians seasons, I'm breaking all ties with MLB.

via: ESPN.com

Why would an avid sports fan go to such extremes? I'll answer in two words -- Robinson Cano. The former Yankees 2nd baseman recently signed a free agent contract worth, get this, $240 million over 10 years.

Maybe I should be mad at the Yankees for starting a Cano bidding war. Perhaps it's the Seattle Mariners I should hate for creating this beyond ridiculous contract.

Not only is $24 million a year for a ballplayer a slap in the face to any blue collar worker, it's especially infuriating to me -- an educator, completely convinced that I'm in the most important profession there is. Am I worth millions? No. Am I worth more than a guy who hits baseballs? Without a doubt.

Don't even get me started on how marginally talented Cano is when compared to other great players, who never made one-tenth of his salary.

So, there you have it. I'm sick of the money that MLB teams are handing out, with no thought to the economic ramifications. Maybe I can't stop it, but I don't have to participate.

This is why I'm breaking up with Major League Baseball forever.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Week in Review: Kidblog sparks dialogue

When news broke of education blog king, Kidblog.org, moving to a freemium platform (some features free, others available with a paid upgrade), it seemed that anyone using the product had an opinion. The Kidblog post was so hot, it sparked a follow-up.

via: tech.mn

In case you missed any of the action, these posts and other hot topics are listed below in this Week in Review:

Kidblog no longer completely free: Shocked to find a paid upgrade in my Kidblog dashboard, I spread the news of the change in this post.
Kidblog CEO defends move to paid platform: When educators started commenting and sharing the news of my post about the big change, Kidblog's co-founder, Matt Hardy, weighed in, inspiring this post.
Anti-homework movement is growing: Always a hot-button issue in education, this post was one of the most popular ever at The Results Only Learning Blog, so I cross-posted it here and found that its popularity has not dwindled.
Your tweets are not your own: Inspired by an interesting video on the the dangers of social media in business, I followed up with this post.
Buy or Sell Lebron James as NBA's all-time best player: The "best-all-time-player" is always a fun debate in any sport. Being from Cleveland, this one is especially interesting to me.

Enjoy these posts, comment if you wish and, as always, please pass them along to friends and family.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Buy or Sell LeBron James as NBA's best all-time player

About six years ago, I wrote an article for Suite101, naming LeBron James one of the NBA's top 5 players of all time. In fact, as stated in the article, I placed King James at number 3, and he had been in the league for less than five years at that time.

The old version of that article received many comments, and most of them were less than kind to yours truly (Suite101 has removed old comments from its updated site). How could I place LeBron on such a lofty pedestal in such a short time, readers wondered.

Although the slant of this post is similar to the Suite101 article, the debate is fresh. With a decade of experience, four NBA MVPs and two NBA championships to his credit, it's time to pose the question: Is LeBron the best ever?

I'm selling LeBron James as the NBA's best all-time player

Based on my high ranking of LeBron years ago, it may seem strange that I'm not yet convinced that he's number 1 overall, considering his hefty laurels, and a good argument might convince me, because it's a very close call.

As I did years ago, I'm still going with Michael Jordan as the NBA's all-time best player.

Although Michael's and LeBron's statistics are similar, each better than the other in one or more areas, my Buy or Sell barometer measures so much more than statistics.

Even though LeBron James can rip an opponent's heart out faster than a zombie in The Walking Dead, Michael Jordan was even deadlier, when it came to snatching victory away from opponents and jubilance from opposing fans.

According to sketchy historical data, outlined here, Jordan hit 50 percent of his game-tying or game-winning playoff shots. By comparison, King James has hit slightly less than 42 percent in fewer attempts. Game winners is still just one more measuring tool, but a key one for me.

It's NBA Finals Game 7. The clock is winding down. 3, 2, 1. . . . You can have any player in history take this shot.

I'll take Michael Jordan, the NBA's best all-time player.

Who do you want?

Thursday, December 12, 2013

How long before the NFL becomes a flag football league?

Heading into the 2013 National Football League season, team owners and league administrators wanted to cut down on head injuries. The answer? Tighten the rules on hits above the chest.

via: businessinsider.com

The result? More hits below the waist and a bushel full of torn ACLs. A couple of key players blow out their knees, and the league's collective eyebrows furrow. When New England's Rob Gronkowski has his knee shredded, in a vicious hit from Browns safety T.J. Ward, heads turn.

Since the new rule that levies harsh fines on players for hitting high, NFL defenders are admittedly aiming for the legs, ending many receivers' seasons and threatening the careers of others; this is the second major injury in as many years for Gronkowski, the supremely talented Patriots tight end.

There is little doubt that the NFL's competition committee will have a bevy of intense debates about this latest rash of serious injuries, due to devastating hits on defenseless players. If you can't hit high and you can't hit low, what's left?

Is it time for the NFL to create a hitting zone on all players? I'm envisioning new uniforms with big -- or not so big -- target, centered between the navel and neck.

When Calvin Johnson takes a helmet to the stomach, cracking a rib, what happens to the target then?

Does it become a flag?