The Sports Media Continues to Disrespect Golden State’s Accomplishments

The NBA season is about a third of the way through their season and the Golden State Warriors have only lost one game.  That’s right; the Warriors are 27-1 through their first 28 games of the season.  They’re on pace to shatter the 95-96 Bulls record of 72 regular season wins  and yet, they’re still not getting the love or respect that they deserve.

I believe that it’s become a new fad [of sorts] in sports media to find a way to disrespect the Warriors’ championship and their undeniable success this season.  They’re getting chastised from the likes of media members such as Colin Cowherd to former players like Charles Barkley and current NBA coaches, Greg Popovich & Doc Rivers.  Rather than give the Warriors their due, hot heads like Barkley continue to say that the 95-96 Bulls would mow through this [finesse] Warriors team because they played a more physical type of basketball in the 90’s.  There’s no denying that Barkley is right, the state of play in the NBA 20 years ago was much different than it is today.  However, he’s not taking into account that, the 95-96 Bulls team might not be as successful in this current NBA climate.

While the 95-96 Bulls had some great jump shooters, none of them shot the way Curry & Thompson do on a nightly basis.  Defensively the Bulls certainly could prevent some of the Warriors’ scoring but there’s no guarantee they’d be able to shut the likes of Curry & Thompson down for an entire game; especially not Curry, he’s just too damn good.  The NBA is witnessing something that’s never been done before and instead of embracing it, many are choosing to try and break them down at every turn.

I’m tired of hearing all of these retired players coming out and finding new ways to besmirch what the Warriors have accomplished.  What this team has done has been nothing short of sensational.  They’re playing alongside [arguably] the best player in the game and as a roster; they have without a doubt the deepest bench.

Unfortunately I believe that the only way this team is ever going to get the respect that they’ve earned is to repeat; and I for one am rooting like hell for it, and believe that they’ll do it.  Hopefully at seasons end when the Warriors are hosting the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the second straight year, all of these haters will disappear and the once maligned Golden State Warriors will be given the credit that they so richly deserve.

Russell Wilson Deserves Some MVP Consideration

The MVP discussion around the NFL for the first half of the year wasn’t much of a conversation.  It had been well established that Tom Brady was running away with the award with Cam Newton nipping at his heels.  A few weeks ago, following the Patriots first loss of the season, Brady was no longer the consensus choice and Newton began to gain significant ground.  As we enter Week 14, it’s safe to say that the award is Newton’s to lose.  However, there’s a dark horse candidate that not many are talking about but someone who I believe deserves some MVP consideration.

Very quietly, Russell Wilson has become my dark horse MVP candidate.  Wilson’s overall statistical numbers might not jump off the page [68.8 completion percentage, 3,289 yards, 26 TD’s, 7 INT’s]; however, his numbers over the last four games are pretty damn impressive.  He’s thrown for 16 touchdowns and 0 interceptions while averaging a little over 300 yards passing per game.  In two of those four games he threw for 5 touchdowns while completing over 70% of his passes.

It’s understood that the MVP award is given for a player’s season long statistics, not just what he’s done over the course of a few games.  Again while Wilson’s statstics might not blow anyone away, it’s important to keep in mind that he’s been playing with a back-up running back and a mediocre receiving core.  Not to mention, he’s had to overcome some deficiencies that have plagued the vaunted Seattle defense which has blown four 4th quarter leads so far this season.  Part of the knock on Wilson (which I have taken part of) was that he’s been a decent quarterback who’s been carried by his elite defense and excellent running game.  If nothing else, Wilson is proving to be a rising star and has all the skills to be considered a top tier quarterback in the years to come.  

If the Carolina Panthers are undefeated at the end of the regular season then there’s really nothing to discuss; Newton deserves the MVP award.  However, if the Panthers lose a couple games down the stretch and Wilson continues to play at this level, I believe that he deserves some strong consideration and love from the voters.

 

Los Angeles Clippers Are Far from Title Contenders

Heading into this season, the Los Angeles Clippers were pegged as a legitimate title contender and so far, haven’t lived up to the hype.  If it wasn’t for the dumpster fire that’s been the Houston Rockets, the Clippers would be representing the title for most disappointing team in the league.

The Clippers have been the bridesmaid of Los Angeles [and the Western Conference] for years, and last season it seemed like they were in position to finally turn the perspective of this franchise around.  Following Chris Paul’s epic Game 7 heroics against the Spurs, many believed they would steam roll the Houston Rockets and face-off against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.  Instead, they blew they’re commanding 3-1 lead over the Rockets and once again were bounced out of the playoffs.

By now, everyone knows that offseason drama between the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks over signing Deandre Jordan; the Clippers ended up resigning him (although I believe the Mavericks made out as the victors).  What many may not be aware of was the comments Doc Rivers made about the Golden State Warriors [to Grantland] and their championship run from the previous season.  Rivers said, “You need luck in the West.  Look at Golden State.  They didn’t have to play us or the Spurs.”  In other words, following an epic collapse, Rivers tried to deflect him team’s failures and throw shade on an accomplishment made by a [bitter] rival.

This all leads back to the opening statement about how the Clippers are the most disappointing team in the league given the preseason hype.  The following are my 3 reasons (and explanations) why the Clippers are not title contenders and won’t be for the near future.

• Doc Rivers is overrated

Doc Rivers is a good basketball coach, but I wouldn’t consider him one of the best in the league.  Outside of his title with the Boston Celtics in 2008, his teams have come up short more times than not.  For the past 2 years the Clippers have been favorites to win the title and both times they’ve lost in the second round; to teams that they should’ve beaten.  Rivers hasn’t had the success that one would think given the praise and admiration he’s given throughout the league.

• Chis Paul may be a floor general but he’s not a leader + he’s never gotten past the second round of the playoffs

Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the game along with being one of the dirtiest players.  Paul has no problem taking cheap shots at another man’s groin in order to win a game.  He’s also been known to call out teammates if they don’t play up to ‘his’ level.  Given all that, he’s revered as one of the best “leaders” in the league but he’s yet to bring his team past the second round of the playoffs.  Hell, even Carmelo Anthony has done that.

• The Golden State Warriors will continue to beat them [they’re 0-2 against the Warriors so far this season]

It wasn’t a smart move by Rivers to make those comments about the legitimacy of the Warriors title, especially since his team fell flat on their face in the second round.  The Warriors took those comments personally and have beaten the Clippers soundly in both of their games this season.  If the Clippers were to face the Warriors in the playoffs, I don’t see how the Clippers will have any chance.  If they’re lucky, maybe the Warriors will take a game off so they don’t completely blow this team out of the water.

The Los Angeles Clippers look like a mess from top to bottom.  If they continue to slide, it will be interesting to see how fast this locker room will turn on each other.  One thing is for sure, this team is nowhere near a title contender, and it’s time to start questioning if this coach is the right man for the job.

The Patriots & Their Fans Need to Reflect Before Playing Victim

The New England Patriots are the latest victims of the referee debacle that has summed up the current NFL season.  There were roughly three [maybe four] borderline calls that impacted the outcome of the game.  While I sympathize with Patriots fans for getting hosed by the refs, especially given that they were in the midst of an undefeated season.  However, they’re not the first team to be victimized by the horrible officiating and certainly won’t be the last.  However, if you listen to New England sports radio (or watch any of the Patriot homers on ESPN or FOX Sports) you’d think the NFL has it out for the Patriots.  That couldn’t be further from truth and frankly that narrative is weak and extremely pathetic.

There isn’t another team in the NFL that has gotten the benefit of the whistle more over the last 15 years then the Patriots.  What many Patriots sycophants are quick to forget is their golden boy quarterback’s legend originated on a made-up call (the tuck-rule) that saved their season and screwed the Oakland Raiders in the process.  In last year’s playoffs against the Ravens, the Patriots got the benefit of a few calls which helped them overcome a deficit and win the game.  There have been coaches and players who have griped over the years that the Patriots were getting the benefit of the doubt on game changing calls, especially in Foxboro.

It’s hard to have sympathy for a team that’s been caught cheating [more than once], who’s benefited more times than not in officiating calls, and is the first to complain the moment anything doesn’t go their way.  In addition, it’s even harder to garner sympathy for them because their fans are some of the worst in all of sports.  Every fan base is going to bias towards their team, but Patriots fans take it to the next level.  Just like their team, they’re the first to bitch when things don’t go their way but have selective amnesia when they get the benefit of many calls.  They’re the true force behind this whole victimization crap that’s been streaming through the airways all week, and it just goes to show you how sad and pitiful the fans of New England can be.

The New England Patriots during the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick tenure have mostly benefited from officials calls, Sunday night they didn’t.  The narrative that the NFL has it out for the Patriots is simply untrue and needs to be put to bed.  Given their history, the Patriots and their fans need to reflect on the past before continuing the charade of playing the victim.