Mid-Season NBA MVP

Cousin Money Mike

We are just past the mid way point for the NBA season which means NBA Most Valuable Player talk. This season has been dazzling thus far. Lets take a look in the eastern conference to start. With the majority of everyone hating on Miami and the Big 3 because of Lebron (well deserved). The Boston Celtics finally getting healthy getting Kendrick Perkins back. The Bulls led by All-Star Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer. The Orlando Magic and the big trade they made parting ways with Vince Carter and acquiring Gilbert Arenas. And the resurgence or the New York Knicks mainly because of Amare Stoudmire arrival. Moving onto the West were we have the San Antonio Spurs. A bunch of wise old veterans who just flat out get the job done with a league best 39-7 record. Then we move onto the the 2-time defending champs Los Angeles Lakers. We all know Phil and company will be ready to go by playoff time as they are just sleeping walking through the regular season. Followed by the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder. I have to mention the dazzling play of to super star players of Blake Griffin and Kevin Love who both are putting up monster numbers. That is just the recap of a few things that have gone on in the dazzling NBA season.

 

Now onto the main topic who is the MVP thus far at the mid way point of the season:

 

  5. Kobe Bryant: Kobe is putting up not even close to his best numbers but lets face the facts. Is Kobe really interested in getting another MVP trophy? No. He wants the rings so that when it is all said and done he can put into the same category as Michael Jordan. Will he be in the category is the different story. Kobe is at 25 points a game, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds a game. Good numbers but not great. But when push comes to shove and the game on the line I want this guy taking the final shot.

 

4. For my next two spots you can flip flop Amare Stoudamire and Dwight Howard. Both unbelievable at both ends of the court. Lets give the 4th spot to Stoudamire only because of his teams record at 23-21. Amare is at 26 PPG, 9 RB, and 2 blocks a game. I have to go back over the years and I am going punish him just for his teams record just like Dwayne Wade in Miami. But there is no doubt that he has changed the way people look at the New York Knicks. Him and Raymond Felton have put the Knicks on the map and next year when they get 'Melo they will battle for the top spot in the East.

 

3. Dwight Howard. Howard is just a flat out beast. After some games I like looking through box scores. For the most part he gets his share of points and touches, but occasionally I come across a game or two where he is like 5-9 from the floor. Why? How can this man not get 15-20 attempts a game. He is a beast n the boards and in the paint. He is this generations Shaq. Give this man the basketball more Orlando. Howard is averaging 22pts, 13 boards, and 2 blocks. The magic will go as far as he carries them.

 

2. Lebron James. Yes he the villain of the league and not many people like him. But lets face the facts he is without a doubt the most talented player in the game. He can do it all. He is a freak of nature. I hate the guy as much as the next guy, but the dude can play. Looks at these numbers on a team where he has to share the ball with superstar Dwayne. 26 ppg, 7 boards, 7 assists, and 1 block. He has his fingerprints all over every win the Heat get. The big question still remains can he win a championship.

 

1. Derrick Rose. This guy is coming into his own. The strides he has made from year to year have been phenomenal. Let's go to his rookie year when his strength was getting to rim. Then his sophomore year when he become a good mid range shooter. Now this year when he has become a great mid range shooter and is developing his 3 point shot and is getting very good at it. The guy can not be guarded. Try and get in his jock and he will go right around. Then when he goes around and help comes he will stop in the dime and drill the mid rangers. Or back off him at the arc and he'll knock down a 3 in your eye. 25 ppg, 8 assists, and 5 boards. Did I mention that he has put together a highlight reel this year of dunks. Him and Boozer have master the pick n roll game. It is almost becoming a ritual now at the end of home games hearing that "M-V-P" chant from the crowd.

 

What else you got for me Mr. Steamboat?????

 

SteamboatJackson

Word have left me in awe of how you snubbed some of the best players in the NBA off of your list. You make me laugh with how naive you are and how much credit you give yo a guy that has not heart (yes Lebron James). Your recap was toughing but left out some pimp daddy's that needed some credit, but your mention of Blake Griffin and Kevin Love was well deserved and so much that I wanted to name drop them again. But I am going to give you my Top 5 and then will follow up with the best of the rest because you left some names off that are getting the short end of the stick.

 

5.) Lebron James: It is painful for me to put Lebron here but he is deserving to be on this list. He is having a strong season statistically which is why I have to respect the game and put him on here. Filling up the stat sheet in every category, highlighted by his NBA second leading scorer stat. He is a the 26th in the league in rebounding but he is the 1st overall small forward in rebounding which means he is doing more for his team in more areas. He is 12th in assists and of course 1st overall for a SF yet again with the next closest being at 40th. Lebron is using his full arsenal of weapons he has and if this Heat team can figure out how to win close games a run an efficient offense down the stretch watch out. When looking at the statistics too Lebron's scoring has slipped but that is really the only thing.

4.) Kevin Durant: Really a let down when looking at Kevin Durant because he was the odds on favorite for the MVP award this year. While he is the league leader in scoring he is doing that while shooting a lower percentage. The Oklahoma City Thunder were supposed to be the emerging team this year and while they are in the upper half of the tough Western Conference teams in the playoffs. (If they were to start today.) It just doesn't seem as though they have taken the next step be labeled 'those guys'. Quick definition: 'Those Guys'- The team that nobody wants to play because they have the edge and leadership of a game changer. KD has 18 games of 30 points of more this season which has is amazing, and while 9 are against teams with losing records that coincidentally means 9 are against very good teams. So he is showing up for the big games but a little more consistency against the top teams is where OKC needs KD. There is another factor that is hurting Durant in a young man named Russel Westbrook who I will talk about later.

3.) Amare Stoudemire: New York can smile again with a big building block in Amare. He has turned the Knicks into a playoff contender for years to come and he his making his teammates better which is the true sign of an MVP candidate. Something that could have helped his cause even more is if he would be a double figure average rebounder. He just doesn't get after the boards as hard as he should, although he is having one of his best blocks per game year. The Knicks sold out for Lebron and missed but Amare and about a 200% guarantee Carmelo Anthony is coming over the summer isn't a bad consolation. So when looking at it the Knicks would have needed to win there division for Amare to win the MVP because a .500 team doesn't cut it when discussing and MVP. His play has been inspirational and he has turn Raymond Felton into a relevant scoring point guard, which brings me great personal joy because that means another long prosperous career for another UNC Tar Heel. But the Knicks need to start winning a lot of games and finish about 15 to 20 games over .500 for Amare to be a serious contender. Give it your best this year Amare because once 'Melo arrives there goes your MVP chances.

2.) Dirk Nowitzki: This is my sleeper pick and it is a rather high sleeper pick. Dirk Nowitzki isn't flashing and he has a great team down there with the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Cuban has brought in some great pieces but time is limited for a lot of the old timers he does have down in Dallas. (P.S.- Mark Cuban if your reading this I am saddened that you weren't allowed to buy the Cubs, you were my one hope for the next 50 years of winning a World Series.) Without further ado Dirks stats don't blow you away he is still the 11th leading scorer in the league. With a 7-footer you would also expect more than 7 RPG but in Dallas they don't need that from Big Dirk. Dirk is a match-up nightmare for other teams because of his ability to shot it from anywhere on the floor. The thing that both hurts and helps Dirk's chances for MVP is that he missed 9 games and played just about 12 minutes in two other games while still being hobbled by injury. His numbers have slipped slightly since returning from injury. Where Dirk's chances are helped is that he was leading this team fighting for the one seed versus the San Antonio Spurs until he got hurt and his team lost 7 of 9 games while he was out. MVP's make a difference and losing one can really affect a team, just ask the Cavs. (Sorry Cleveland, I will always show you guys love from here on out.)

1.) Derek Rose: The most deserving pick in my opinion, as well as be acknowledged by many players in the league. Derek was 9th favored MVP coming into the season and currently ranks only behind Durant in most odds. With injuries to much of the Bulls core missing Noah and Boozer for much of this season it is remarkable where the Bulls sit in the standings. Right now sitting in the 2nd seed only the Bulls and their fans have one man to thank: Derek Rose. His improved three pointer point out by Cousin M&M (Money Mike) keeps opponents trying to find ways to stop him and it makes him a dual threat. Also, Cousin Money Mike says it is fitting that the fans chant, "M-V-P, M-V-P" at the end of games usually when shooting free-throws. Two things stand out this year that will be catalysts to his MVP trophy. The first was a sad moment where I felt for the kid who is coincidentally the same age as me and that was when he missed his second free throw versus the Clippers on Dec. 18th down by one to tie the game and go to overtime. Derek Rose never was a phenomenal free throw but he has elevated that part of his game since that miss. He was shooting .788 up until that miss and since then he is shooting .873 from the charity strip. Which lets you know something about Derek Rose, he always wants to get better and the fire in him to win is something that has become apparent. Everyone who is a competitor hates to lose and that missed free throw meant more to Derek than anyone else and the stats show since then. The second memorable moment was to Chicago grown gamers going back in forth in the fourth quarter: Featuring Dwayne Wade vs. Derek Rose. Wade posted 12 in the fourth and Rose 11, I thought this was a game that was going to go to Miami because on three straight Miami possessions Wade hit three three-pointers in a row. After every Wade hit though it was Derek rose that answered with a lay-up, another lay-up with an and one and a 20-foot jumper. This fourth quarter hold will be one of the most memorable moments versus a Chicago native that didn't want to come back to home, which was fine for Rose because this is his team and his town now.

While those conclude the MVP I want to settle one last debate. Derek Rose is always going to be a better point guard than Rajon Rando. Yes the point guard position requires to assist the ball which is very important to an offense but that being the primary objective is not longer the number one requirement. Rondo ranks 33rd in scoring while Derek Rose ranks number one. Both point guards rank in the top 5 in rebounds with Rose at 3 at Rondo at 5, so not much difference there. Rondo is the worst free throw shooting point guard in the league and has been since he came in, with no desire to work at it and get better. I am a 6 foot white kid that was considered a 4 in high school, which is power forward so I can't shoot all that well but I was around a 75% free-throw shooter. Rondo is shooting just under 50% from the free-throw line at 49.2%, for God's sake Shaq is shooting 55.8% from the free-throw line. That is embarrassing and by the way Rose is shooting 82.4% for the year and increase from years prior unlike Rondo who's percentage has gone down. Rondo 45th in three-point percent, Rose 20th need more be said for that? Yes, Rajon has assist by the difference of 4 assists but look at the scorers he passes to versus Roses. Pierce vs Deng. Advantage: Pierce. Bogans/Korver vs. Allen: Advantage Allen. Garnett vs. Boozer: Advantage Slightly Boozer. Noah vs. BOS Center Quartet: Push So his assists should be higher in my opinion. He can make your jawy drop with some of his passes much in the way that Steve Nash can. Guess what Rondo you can keep that over Rose because you will never be the complete modern NBA point guard that he is. Rose all-star votes 1,225,275 to Rondo's 1,171,311 all-star votes so happy that Derek is the starter. Hey Rondo how is your Gold Medal from Team USA's World Championship too?

Notable MVP Mentions:

Kobe Bryant: Strictly out of respect that Kobe is Kobe.

LaMarcus Aldridge: His play since Brandon Roy went down has been spectacular not that it was all to bad before.

Dwayne Wade:  Having one of his best shooting years and 5th in scoring even with LeBron being in South Beach. Unfortunately these two will battle votes from each other and their names are tainted.

Dwight Howard: His MVP status is on display on both ends of the floor and he is finally putting up huge numbers on offense consistently too. Ranking 14th in scoring impresses me big man.

Kevin Love: Who though the high energy, hustling white guys from  UCLA would be a monster in the league? Love is 16th in points in the league and leads the league in rebounding by almost two full rebounds per game. The unfortunate thing is that his team is miserable and he could never win but I wanted to show him some 'love'.

Andy Gray: Sexist Remarks

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While I do not want to discredit woman as a race because that is cruel and unusual; I would like to make something noted thought. These remarks made are strong and rash about the female linesman but in an obscure way I see where Andy Gray is coming from. Do not take that last statement wrongly if you are a woman. The rate of speed that athletes play at now is at the fastest rate of speed ever. Players keep getting bigger, faster, and stronger. Male athletes are always going to be faster than females, that's just the genetic make-up of our bodies. So having a female ref a sport where she will not be as quick as the athletes to be able to get in the right position to make a judgment call. Am I saying get rid of female referees? No I am not but keep them to sports where there positioning is easier and  not as much ground needs to be covered. The NBA has female refs and I have no problem with that, but that court is minuscule in comparison to a soccer field. I have found out over this past summer watching a lot of the World Cup soccer referees get bashed harder than any refs out there. They aren't like baseball or football umps/refs because they have very few calls to make but sometimes they are the biggest one's and can decide a game. So for the physical demanding sports keep the men referring the  men  and for the top tier competition give the  best refs, that will always be able to be in the right position to make the right call. 

An Ode To 'The Great One'

SteamboatJackson

Today is the birthday of Wayne 'The Great One' Gretzky and Cousin Money Mike and I wanted to honor him by ranking the three best young stars in the NHL right now. Before I wanted to just honor him with a few words and statistical knowledge. He is in the rarest of company because he might not have any company with him. Let me explain, in all the other sports there are several players that make up a Top 5. Then if you had 20 people arrange their top 5 you would probably have each one of those five getting at least one top spot nomination. In the NBA you have the big guys in Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar then the guards in Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michale Jordan. While I would put Jordan in the #1 spot that is because I am fan biased and I am not old enough to know about the other guys another.

With anyone who has hockey knowledge and you ask them who the greatest player of all-time is the answer will 99% of the time will be Wayne Gretzky. That 1% is a joker usually that will come around and give in that Gretzky is the greatest of all-time. When Gretzky retired he held 61 NHL records. Many of which will never be broken, just like Cal Ripken Jr's of most games started will never fall - MARK MY WORDS. He evolved the game and made good players look like they were second tier to him. In all honesty they really were he is in a class of his own, he ranks number one and whoever you want to put at two is such a distant two it is like the NBA Central Division standings right now. Happy Birthday Wayne.

Cousin Money Mike

To honor Wayne 'The Great One' Gretzky my buddy Steamboat and I decided to move past our differences of the Jay Cutler saga and talk about the NHL. Who is the best player in the NHL? The way any hockey fan should see it is you got 3 legit choices. Sidney "Sid the Kid" Crosby, Alexander "Ovie" Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos.

Crosby was drafted in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is Sids 6th season in the NHL and now captain of the Penguins has turned them into a powerhouse. In 6 season Crosby has played in 412 games (Not including postseason). He has compiled 215 goals, 357 assists, and a whooping 572 points. Not to mention he is only 23 years old. In first season as an 18 year old he tallied 102 points which was good enough for 6thd in the league. In his 2nd season he won the MVP by posting 120 points.

Ovie (25) was the first pick of the 2004 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals. Ovie is also in his 6th season as a left winger and also the captain on the Capitals. And has turned them into a powerhouse. Ovie has played in 446 games (Not including postseason). He has totaled 228 goals, 292 assists and 580 points in 6 seasons. In his first season he led all rookies in points with 106 points and edged out Crosby for rookie of the year. Ovie is known along with his dynamic ability to create to be a force as well with monster hits.

Stamkos (21) in the last two years has put up ridiculous numbers. He was the first pick on the 2008 draft selected by the Tampa Bay Lighting. Stamkos has played 161 NHL games. He has 74 goals, 67 assists, and 141 points. Wow! He has never been to the postseason. Although the way Tampa is playing right now you will see him come playoff time.

All three of these guys are phenomenal players. With Stamkos only being in the league 2 years he ranks 3rd on my list. Crosby and Ovie have changed the NHL. It was a sport where nobody was watching and now is becoming more and more popular mainly because of these two players. This past winter classic was a great having Ovie and Sid on the ice at Heinz field. Ovie takes 2nd on my list only because of his postseason play. He can't win in the postseason. (Him and Lebron should get together and talk). Let's look at my guy Sid the Kid. Been in the league 6 years and has been to the finals twice already. Runner up in 08 and won it in 09. It took Crosby this year to finally catch Ovie in total points. Mainly in part because he was putting up monster numbers until his head injury and Ovie is having a below average year. Ovie is the more talented player, but I'm sticking with Crosby because he has a two Cup appearances and one Stanley Cup. This postseason is shaping up to be a great one. Can't wait!!!

SteamboatJackson

Cousin Money Mike said many things that I like, while we have very different opinions in football - hockey is where we see eye to eye often. Stamkos is the young gun that is trying to show these older guys that he is in their tier. Crosby wills his team to victory and is a leader much like Jonathan Toews of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Ovechkin is a leader that knows only one speed and always plays at a certain level of craziness.

3) Third for me is the same, Steven Stamkos. He is just too young to jump these other studs and be called the NHLs new golden child. While wearing a 'C' or an 'A' has nothing to do with how good a player is it an important part of in my eyes of being one of the best players. A lot of players have chosen to be great for themselves, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Barry Bonds and did nothing for those surrounding them. While Stamkos is not like any of those guys in a any regard; he has a lot to grow into and learn. When this list is redone when they all retire he could find himself sit atop it. While the Tampa Bay Lightning have finally started to build an orginization down in Florida they have to keep getting this guy some gamers to surround himself with. He leads the league in goals because he has St Louis feathering him passes, but has an unbalanced assist number due to not many people around him that can finish and Simon Gagne not staying healthy. He reminds me of Ovechkin a few years ago when he was ending the season with 200 more shots than the next closest guy because he didn't have much and was doing it all on his own. Stamkos your day will come especially with Steve Yzerman building that organization, as much as I hate the Red Wings that organization is a model on how to build good teams.

2) Sidney Crosby is number two for me. He was having one of the best seasons of his career until he went down with a concussion. In all honesty I just do not like Sidney Crosby, I acknowledge his talent and desire are top notch. Other than the guys on his team I don't think many other guys in the league like him much either because he seems like a cry baby. I do wish he would have finished this season playing all 82 games because us as fans got cheated. He could have put up possibly around 140 points. Where he has really benefited this year is that him and Malkin been playing more shifts together this year. His playoff success is also noted but his buddy Malkin has actually outplayed him ever so slightly in the playoffs. So while Malkin isn't the face of that franchise he does take home the second most valuable award from the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smyth Award. Many things are handed to Crosby on a silver platter which is what I don't like; he is deemed the golden child and the face of the NHL. Crosby is also on the best team top to bottom of these three guys.

1) Alex Ovechkin brings home the trophy for me as the number one player in the NHL right now. Cousin Mike calls him 'Ovie' but he also goes by he is also known as 'Alexander the Great (Gr8 if you choose)'. When I see Ovechkin everything about him screams that he is a man's man playing a man's game. He has won the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard twice for leading the league in goals and was the runner-up last year behind Stamkos and Crosby by one goal. Ovechkin has also won the Hart Memorial Trophy twice and was runner-up last year to one of the ginger-headed Sedin brothers. Personally I thought he got snubbed and he should have won his third one in a row. He has a top 5 slap shot for forwards and maybe even in the entire league. His energy and desire to win are second to none because he is crazy as shit. While that might not be the most important to who he is as a player it makes him easier to relate to because I'm crazy as shit to. The guy lights the lamp and is actually becoming a better passer. When I see 'Ovie' on the ice it reminds me of when I smile into that mirror and see no tooth. For me I have always liked his recklessness and excitement for the game. His ability and talent put him at number one two, once he wins the Stanley Cup this year too he will silence a lot of critics. Some bonds run deeper than others and mine and his starts and ends with our toothless smiles.

Jay Cutler: Find Your Heart and Show Me Desire

SteamboatJackson

While I am not the kind of person to hit a man while he is down that is what I am sadly kind of what I'm going to do. So much scrutiny has been laid on Jay Cutler for not coming back into the NFC Championship. The word is out that it is a Grade II MCL sprain. This limits a players mobility, and for a quarterback it would limit his ability to get efficient drops and slide around in the pocket. So in that regard I can not hate on the man it would have been extremely difficult to play through it, but not impossible. In modern football the toughness that this game was originated on has almost left the game completely. Guys used to play with broken arms, fingers, noses, you name it the original guys pushed through pain. They didn't wear helmets and if the felt dizzy, probably because they just got a concussion, the were told to get back out on the field and hit the one in the middle. While those days are over, because concussions are a serious issue, toughness is part of the foundation that this game was built on and should never leave it.

Safety is a big issue that should be addressed and at the speed this game is played at concussions must be monitored and the league must try to limit them. With medical advances players can get back into the game quicker than ever. While I'm not saying pumped every athlete that could continue to play with a cortisone shot. However what I am hinting at that if you are in the biggest game of your life wouldn't you want to do everything you could to play it through?

The reason why people jumped down Cutler's throat is because he looked like he didn't care that he was out. This injury reminds me slightly of an injury I had my senior year of high school, a grade two separated AC joint. This is a shoulder injury that takes 6-8 weeks to recover from, which would have been my whole senior year. I finished playing the game until 2 minutes left in the game because my coach told me the game was a lost cause. Am I toughest guy in the world? Absolutely not, but no one ever questioned my heart or desire for the game because the passion was always shown in my eyes. I am man enough to admit that I started crying because I thought my season was over and it was a thought I couldn't take. It made me sick to see Cutler's dopey face with zero emotion and not even a grimace of pain.

Personally I don't care that Cutler came out because he was playing like crap. If anything I wish he would have stayed in because Caleb Hanie started to scare me as a Packers fan. I repeat: CALEB HANIE STARTED TO SCARE ME. Crazy statement of the month that Caleb Hanie is the next Matt Cassel and now is going to get paid by some other team to be a pimp daddy QB. Every player and fan is going to protect Cutler saying that he 'helped' Hanie. The thing was that once he was out they probably showed him about 10-15 times and not once was he helping nor was he supporting the team. That must be some selective Jersey Shore camera crew that they had working that game then. His team defended him afterwords but no one, not even some third string guy, came and gave Jay Cutty love.

The demeanor that Cutler plays with is one of the worst that I have ever seen. I've played with kids that have awful attitudes but that was because they sucked and were never going to see the field. Then I've played with kids that overachieved tremendously and had more heart than I myself had which I though was impossible. The thing that disturbs me is that Jay Cutler has the gifts to be a Top 8 QB in the NFL. He doesn't have the desire or the will though to get into that top tier of QBs. In my eyes unless he comes out and shocks us by making the Bears contenders ever year to me he is just a middle of the pack QB. Sure he can have games that rival the likes of Manning and Brady, but he also has games that make Bears fans miss 'Sexy Rexy' and Kyle Orton.

Sure the Bears offensive line is miserable but that is just another excuse that could be put out there for Jay Cutler. Heart is something that you have or you don't. Show me some emotion Jay, cheer on your team, do something for God's sake. Donovan McNabb played the rest of a game with a broken ankle in a regular season game. Andy Reid tried to take him out and he wouldn't allow that, probably because the only crazier fan base than Bears fans are Eagle fans. Eagles fans always hated McNabb too, but at least he tried to gain their respect. Jay Cutler's nonchalant attitude is why players around the NFL crashed down on him. The Bears history is a great one with great coaches and players, and when the one coach that has coached the Bears to win a Super Bowl attacks the 'franchise' QB it makes me shake my head. Once a Bears problem always a Bears problem: quarterbacks.

P.S.- Jay Culter of the Bears isn't even the most famous Jay Cutler, go to google images and type in Jay Cutler.

Cousin Money Mike sent me a reply, I wanted to show some mercy to him/Bear fans so I'll post this for him:

As everyone knows this past Sunday Jay Cutler was injured late in the first half of Sunday's NFC Championship between  my beloved Bears and the Packers. Originally while the Packers still had the ball the camera showed Cutler walking off the field before the 1st half had come to an end. To start the 2nd half Cutler came in for a series then was pulled. When I saw Todd Collins trot out onto that field my initial reaction was Jay Cutler is the biggest bitch of all time. How could he do this, he has no heart he has no desire like my friend Steamboat Jackson said.

Collins eventually got hurt when Clay Matthew's finger tip brought him to the ground or he sucked so bad they never really cleared that up. Anyways Caleb Hannie was brought in and almost pulled off which would have been arguably the best storybook ending in Chicago. But he didn't and instead he broke our hearts and we can move on from that. But before I finish talking about Hanie I have to say hats off to him what a great job he did.

Onto the main event of Jay Cutler. After 24 hours of gathering my emotions I came to rationalize that I am going to defend Jay Cutler. Why? Because he is a competitor. How about in Denver when he had that battle with Phillip Rivers? Or last years game when he was pounded by Atlanta on Sunday Night Football and kept getting back up? Or how about the entire year when he was sacked and league high 52 times and got up? During his two years in Chicago and you can correct me if I'm wrong here, but has he ever blamed anyone else besides himself or thrown a teammate under the bus? I can't remember him ever doing such a thing. The guy is a tough quarterback. Let's remember playing the quarterback in the NFL is not easy what so ever. You probably have to be the toughest. Think about a 6'6" 285 pond Julius Peppers trying to absolutely destroy you. And you basically in a defenseless position. Not fun. If Cutler thought he could gut it out then he would have been in there.

Now lets get another thing straight about Cutler and his body language. Terrible!! And that is probably an understatement. But then again let's look at the facts here. Unless you were at the game and were eyeing Cutler the entire game only you know how he was acting the entire 2nd half because the people at home only saw shots of him bumming around the sidelines. Selective camera work is what that is called. Should he of acted better and looked more supportive? No doubt. But again lets look at it.. Jay Cutler has been waiting since they beat the Seahawks to play the Packers. This was the biggest game of his career. He had everything riding on this game and he has to come out because of a leg injury. Not to mention he had nothing to cheer about because of his lackluster performance in the first half which probably made him feel more like shit. Knowing that if he could of got just a field goal or 7 points on the board it becomes a completely different game. So think about playing the biggest game of your career then getting hurt and not being able to finish while playing bad in the first half before you take shots at my QB?

Bottom line: The bottom line is Cutler will always be remember for this until he gets to or wins a Superbowl simple as that. Is it unfair yes! Same thing happened to Scottie Pipen before the Bulls won all the championships. He sat out game 7 of conference finals with a headache vs the Pistons. He was always remember for that until he won 6 titles. One final thing..... Go Steelers!!!

SteamboatJackson

Thank you Cousin Mike for chiming in but I want to send a few things in your direction. Last year Aaron Rodgers was sacked the most times in the league and still went to the playoffs and performed well throughout the season; having a better season than Cutler had this year and a better playoffs. Jay Cutler doesn't have Julius Peppers chasing him down he had Clay Matthews 6'3 255. On the contrary Julius Peppers lowered the boom on Aaron Rodgers, blooded and dazed still stayed in the game to finish not to mention a bruised shoulder from the first drive of the game. While they are different categories of being hurt, I do believe this could have been a time Cutler could have played hurt. Instead he went out with an injury, an injury that should have sent his ass back into the locker room if he wasn't going to play anymore. Riding the bike is something that I would avoid if I was that 'seriously' hurt that I couldn't give it a go. Probably wouldn't be taking the stairs at a restaurant if an elevator was available if I couldn't finish a pro football game. Then again maybe he was trying to impress Krisin Cavalarri, since he couldn't do it on the field the way Aaron Rodgers did for Erin Andrews. Go Pack Go!!

Ben Roethlisberger: What Goes Around Comes Around

Karma works in mysterious ways is Big Ben being dry humped on national tv how it comes full circle. Big Ben either must have a fling with Rashard Mendenhall or just like the girls that refused Big Ben maybe Big Ben has refused Rashard in the the shower. Either way this is a little much for me. A Super Bowl prediction will be posted closer to the Super Bowl, which should be a good game with great historical franchises being in it.

History Will Be Made - Martin Brodeur vs Sean Avery

During the past playoff season they did a bunch of 'History Will Be Made' commercials to promote the playoffs. While I am as diehard Blackhawks fan as someone my age can be one that gave me goosebumps, and made me say shit shortly after, was Steve Yzerman's goal in double OT to win the Stanley Cup. The link is posted and if you have time I would recommend watching a few of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qc7fBl7vO0&feature=fvw

So then a few parodies were made and this one in my opinion is the best. Sean Avery is probably the biggest cocksucker in the league. He was a guy who was made to play back during old time hockey and bruise with the 'Broad Street Bullies'. A rule has since been made to ban this action but it just goes to show how big of a d-bag he is.

America's New Football Team: Bye Bye Dallas

SteamboatJakson:

            For just over two decades now the Dallas Cowboys have held the title 'America's Team'. That is a title I believe they no longer deserve, not because I am cruel but the stats are there to support my claim. There have been 18 different teams to the Super Bowl since the last time the Cowboys were there. That is 18 different teams in 14 years (15 years assuming that the Dallas Cowboys don't make it this year) with the Cowboys not as a Super Bowl participant. Nor do I see them getting to the Super Bowl with Tony Homo (Romo) at the helm. I also wouldn't consider them 'America's Team' if there is no salary cap after the lockout, which is most likely coming. Throwing money at the problem of not winning is not American, our debt is a higher number than I know how to say and averages over 4 million dollars per day.

I would like to nominate a few teams for the right to be 'America's New Team'. The New England Patriots have to be the start of the conversation, is anything more American than patriotism for your country. A patriot is one who loves and defends his/her country. Also the success the organization has had over the past decade cannot be ignored, four Super Bowl trips since 2002 winning three of them. My next team would be the Indianapolis Colts. They have a quarterback that can do no wrong by almost anyone you ask in Peyton Manning, much like the New England Patriots Tom Brady. Every team that could be considered for 'American's Team' needs a clean face for the franchise and a quarterback's face is a good place to start. One cannot forget to mention the Pittsburgh Steelers when talking about 'America's Team'. While 'Big Ben' hasn't been an ideal face with recent legal troubles, one can't complain about how the Steelers play the game. They seem to be a direct reflection of their fans. That reflection is bringing your hard hat to work and put in the work to succeed. While I could be biased in putting in the Green Bay Packers it is hard to ignore the fact that they could qualify. A team that is owned by their fans is truly American, no matter how you spin it because they have a direct connection with their fans. It will be interesting what my Crazy Cousins will have to say about who they think is 'America's New Team.

Cousin DJ Cliff:

As sad as it may be, America is currently watching one of the world’s most popular sports without having its own definitive team to pull for.  A team where fans from Texas and Maine can get together and pull for.  A team whose jersey is worn in middle school classrooms in Atlanta, Ga as well as Boise, ID.  Sports in the United States are currently lacking an “America’s Team,” and here’s the most recent team to fall from grace, in addition to my vote for its replacement.

Dallas Cowboys: the team that basically termed the phrase for “America’s Team” has experienced a massive fall from grace.  No longer is this team comprised of your blue-collar workers, it is now comprised of reality-tv stars, drama-queen rookies (Dez Bryant, although I must admit that the kid can play), and underpaid veterans (see Free, Doug; starting LT pulling in a massive $467K this year).  Not to mention, one of the most self-centered owners in sports.  Jerry Jones singlehandedly overhyped his team, promised the world a spectacle with his Cowboys reaching the Super Bowl in his Palace, and placed more emphasis on getting a boxing match in his Palace than a W in his Cowboys’ win/loss column.  This isn’t America, and this isn’t America’s team. Potential replacements may be hard to come by for a category that holds such meaning in American sports.  However, leaving no stone unturned, here are a couple shots at it (in particular order).

New Orleans Saints: your 2010 Super Bowl Champs (yes, you read that correctly.  2010 Super bowl, not Super Bowl XLIV champs.  I’ll hold on to that rant for a later time) are the front runners to take over the title of America’s team.  The city was put on national crisis alert when Katrina hit in late 2005, and no thought New Orleans would ever be the same.  After a couple years of rebuilding a city, stadium, and team, the Saints emerged as the feel good story of the year, and possibly the decade.  Humble leaders who played their college ball in the blue-collar Midwest (Drew Brees, Sean Payton), an iconic stadium that spans lifetimes (The Superdome, host to the Rolling Stones, BCS championships, Republican Party National Convention, Final Fours, and even a couple Red Sox/Yankees preseason matchups), and a fan base stronger than Jack Marks (Who Dat Nation).  To me, Who Dat Nation means “Dat is not Who I would mess with.”

For what it’s worth, the torch was passed on December 10^th, 2006, when the Saints trounced the heavily favored Cowboys by a total of 42-17.  The game had the interesting subplots (Parcells vs. former student Payton for the first time), playoff implications (saints took over the 2^nd best record in all the NFC), and a milestone in the making (Brees topped 4,000 yards passing in a for the first time in his career).  All in all, a coming out party for Who Dat Nation and the city of New Orleans, capturing the eyes, ears, and hearts of a nation without a team to pull for. 

Cousin D-Lo:

             I think in order to be America's team, you need to have a large fan base + great history/tradition + relevance in the football world. For me that leaves the Giants, Bears, Steelers, Jets, and Patriots. The Steelers are eliminated with their quarterbacks inability to pull tail like most normal Super Bowl champion quarterbacks can and needs to party on college campuses to do it. The Patriots have a reputation to play dirty and have the taint of Spygate on their legacy.

            The Bears would initially be ruled out due to the fact Cutler may or may not have bitched his way out of Denver. However, thanks to spygate 2 it looks like McDaniels may actually be the bigger douche in that mini drama. Also the Bears and Steelers are the two most well traveled fan bases for away games. The Jets are the White Sox and Mets to the Cubs and Yankees, so it would be hard to place them over the Giants. People seem to have forgotten the Eli Manning out on SD situation, but keep in mind 75% of America hates the east coast bias ESPN provides and just for NY sports in general.

             To me it is either the Steelers or Bears. Both are family owned organizations and are not affiliated with the NY/NE area overdose of attention. Plus they have probably the 2 largest fan bases overall. Cutler and Roethlisburger aren;t helping the cause however.

             Also - does anyone see the Bears over the Jets in the super bowl as easy as I do? The comparisons are similar. Brian Urlacher is the 2006 Peyton Manning (best player/career without a super bowl). The Jets are the 2006 Bears. They are getting dangerously fooled by their big arm, erratic, short young quarterback from a major college program. Their defense will "carry" them as far as they will go without their game changing defensive tackle (Kris Jenkins/ Tommie Harris out for seasons). Brad Smith can change a game for them like Hester did. Their head coach runs their defense. And they play in one of the 2 biggest markets in football. If they beat the Patriots Monday and become the #1 seed in the East, I am putting $50 on both teams winning the conference Tuesday.

Cousin Money Mike:

            Ok first things first. The Cowboys should not be America's team. Back in the day led by Aikmen Smith and Irvin yes, they were a powerhouse and the title was well deserved. However, Romo, Barber (Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice I don't think they even know who their featured back is) and who a rookie Dez Bryant or Miles Austin. Come on the title should have been stripped from these guys three years ago.

            The Pittsburgh Steelers are well deserved of becoming America's Team. I mean come the Patriots can't become they got caught with the whole Spygate thing. And the Saints became good last year. Anyways back to the best organization in football. Mike Tomlin is a badass, and accepts nothing other than winning. They are the funniest team to watch in the NFL hands down. They play a physical style of football, which is extremely entertaining. I can't wait to see Harrison just level someone from the Ravens this weekend and probably pick up another fine. Also, from Willie Parker, to Rashard Mendenhall over the years the Steelers have been consistent at one thing over the years and that is running the ball with authority. And we all know you have to run the ball to be successful in the NFL. (Which is why the Packers are not going anywhere this year?). But my vote goes to your future 2011 super bowl champions Pittsburgh Steelers.

SteamboatJakson:

            While this is long overdue maybe it is better that I held off giving my perspective. I mentioned before several teams that should be in contention for ‘America’s New Team’ but everyone knew all along whom my pick was going to be. The Green Bay Packers are my clear choice to be ‘America’s New Team’, while I am a Green Bay fan that does not make them any less deserving. Can you say I am bias? Absolutely you can, but who isn’t going to be at least a little bit towards their team.

            Tradition runs heavy through Green Bay which is essential in being called ‘America’s Team’. With the most NFL Championships the Packers do not lack a winning tradition. While the Super Bowl wins are not as great as some of the other teams the number is still relevant at three. The trophy everyone wants at the end of the year is ‘The Vince Lombardi Trophy’ named after one of the greatest coaches ever to coach the game. While Mr. Lombardi did not retire as a Packer it is where he built his legend and where his heart and soul was/is today.

            The stadium is named after a Packer legend as well Earl ‘Curly’ Lambeau. Green Bay has always taken care of its own and will continue too because they are a reflection of their fans. The Green Bay Packers are owned by the city of Green Bay, which means all citizens in Green Bay can have input that matters and gets voiced about the team. While tradition is great you also need a strong present and future to be considered ‘America’s Team’.

            The Packers present has shifted from an American hero in Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, who is the future. From early in the 1992 season until the end of 2007 the Packers fans will know who was under center for them. This current Packers team is of rare sorts in that they build through the draft and very rarely through free agency. Including the punter and kicker the Packers heading into the playoffs are starting 20 of 24 players that were drafted by the Packers. Which is highest in the league, this point illustrates that loyalty to their players is a concern to the front office. When going and working for someone you want to be able to work your way up and be treated fairly, well that’s what the Packers offer. Not only are they a model franchise in that regard it is part of what makes them ‘America’s New Team’.

Goal Ibrahimovic - Lecce vs AC Milan

While soccer isn't really my thing I can see the appeal because the similarities it has to my beloved hockey. Either way this is a absolutely filthy goal. While Lecce is a bottom dweller and AC Milan is full of pimp daddys a goal like that usually would go in against anyone you play against. Ibrahimovic was shot out of a fucking cannon starting around 15 yards behind where the furthermost defense-man was. This is for the few followers I have but I wanted to show them some respect in the sport that they crave. Roll Tide.

John "The Destroyer" Scott - Wins Fight

I have been away from the blog for a little while now and am trying to catch up on things that I have missed that were under the radar but worth showing. Being a Blackhawks fan and remembering where I was for this fight might be a memory I have fro the rest of my life. Teams carry a certain sentimental value and the past few years of my life the Blackhawks have been that team for me that means arguably the most. But Big John Scott is strictly an enforcer that is a waste of God given size. Zdeno Chara is just a few inches taller than Scott but applied himself and learned to do things well. John Scott in my eyes does not belong on the ice but if he were to fight every night then he might be worthy of his ice time. For a man that skates like an 8 year old he sure can fight.

Charles Barkley "I'm a Dumbass''

While this is an older video I don't know why it does not have more views. Charles Barkley is a character and you never know what he is going to say. So as an ode to one of the best power fowards in modern basketball history, thanks for being a dumbass Charles.