Dirk Nowitzki Is The Most Underappreciated Superstar in the World

That’s right, I said it. In the words of Ed, feel free to send all hate mail directly to ed@edthesportsfan.com, but I honestly believe, given what I have seen from this man over the past several years, that he is not only a superstar, not only a top-ten player, but he is the most underappreciated superstar in the world.

When I bring this up to people who watch basketball, as I do, the criticism is relentless, but please allow me to explain my stance. There is no other player in the NBA, not one, who possesses his skill-set. Dirk knows his strengths, and capitalizes them, and recognizes his weaknesses, and rarely allows them to be a factor. How many other players do we see, who we consider great, do things we know they cannot do? It’s hard to say that about Dirk. That right there lets you know he’s an intelligent basketball player, as well as a great one.

The disrespect isn’t really given by fans of the city of Dallas. There’s a large enough segment that realizes how great and how valuable Dirk is to the Dallas Mavericks, because we see his exploits first-hand. It’s people who are outside of Dallas that have berated this man to the point where I feel compelled to make a defense for him. We’ve seen him score 29 points in an eight-minute stretch in the fourth quarter of a game this season (it didn’t even lead Sportscenter! Are you kidding me??!?!). We’ve seen him give the Spurs 37 points and 15 rebounds in a series-clinching Game Seven of a playoff series. We witnessed Dirk drop 50 on the Phoenix Suns of that same 2006 Playoffs, and scoring in just about every single way possible. We’ve seen him carry the Mavs year after year after *bleeping* year, and while some of those performances have been legendary, the Mavs have failed to win a championship…which I’ll touch on right now.

People like to bring up that he choked against the Heat, right? Well, I’ll admit; he didn’t play well, but where was the rest of his team to pick up the slack? Who stopped Wade from channeling his inner-Jordan and going on a damn four-game rampage in the 2006 Finals? It’s not like Dirk can guard Wade; they don’t play the same position. As far as I’m concerned, the Wade performance is one of those legendary performances that we see, maybe, once every ten years. I can honestly say I haven’t seen a stretch like that in an NBA Finals since Jordan, back in the late-90s. As for the Golden State series, it’s not that hard to figure out. Simply put, it was a horrible match-up for the Mavericks, and anyone who saw the two teams play each other in the regular season could have seen that disaster coming. They demolished everyone else, but had all sorts of trouble with Golden State. They had the perfect recipe to slow down/stop Dirk: uber-athletic wing players, the ability to move well, and keep him from being able to get the ball, and when he did, he was swarmed immediately. No superstar could have dealt with that type of look. You think I’m lying? Look at the 2004 Finals when the Detroit Pistons devised their entire game plan to stop Kobe, and frustrated him to the point of no return. He was useless in that series, except for that buzzer-beater in Game Two. The Spurs did the same to The King in the 2007 Finals as well. Hell, Cleveland didn’t even win a game. If you scheme well to stop a star, the rest of the team will crumble, but this isn’t about them; it’s about Dirk, so my bad for getting off-track. Now what do I think the Mavs should do? It’s simple, yet something that may not happen, until it’s too late: TRADE DIRK.

The Dallas Mavericks basketball team has peaked; they’ve reached their championship potential, and unless they could get The King or Wade to come (which is another argument altogether, because Ed thinks something like that could actually happen), then they will never win an NBA Championship. Ever. The thing is I think Mark Cuban knows that. Deep down inside, I think he knows it won’t happen, but I also know Cuban is a brilliant man, and will try his best to make it happen, and he won’t do anything drastic, unless he absolutely has to. The Dallas Mavericks have been damn good for the past 8-9 years, but they have no NBA title to show for it. Dirk is still a great player, and I am thoroughly convinced that if he is put in a situation, a la KG in Boston, with even one or two other very good players, that will would win a championship, no doubt in my mind, and I’d bet a week’s pay on it, if the day ever comes. Hopefully the day comes, so people will have no choice but to take heed, and finally admit how great he is. It’s sad that it may take a title to do so, but in my opinion, championship or not, Dirk is the most underappreciated superstar in the world. Period.

THOUGHTS ON DIRK? IS KENNY ABSURD OR IS HE SPITTING TRUTH? LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!

-K. Masenda
www.edthesportsfan.com

ETSF's NFL Mid-Season Awards (Don't Be Mad At Me)

This much is clear when we talk about the 2009 NFL season. There are the "have's" and the "have-not's". The pundits will tell us that there are some truly exceptional teams and there are some really crappy teams. Things have changed so much from what we thought we knew at the beginning of the season, to what we thought at the quarter pole, to what has defined at the end of the first half speaks volumes to the parity in the NFL. With that being said, here the studs who are making some of these teams play phenomenally. Oh, and I definitely expect some of you to disagree. Here we go...

MVP of the 1st Half: Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Obviously the easier choices here are Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, as their teams are both 8-0. However, nothing about their offense is any different that its been in prior years. Minnesota on the other hand, had been EXTREMELY handicapped in recent years as they relied on the likes of Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, and the Tavaris Jackson experience. #4 has made this team a Super Bowl contender and has energized an offense that now all of a sudden has a ton of playmakers, plus the ability to change the world with a single throw. Look at Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, and Sidney Rice...is there a better trio of WR's in the league right now better than those three? Purple Jesus is still in the backfield, and the fact remains that this offensive line is very solid. The 40-year old graybeard can sit back in his Wranglers' and pick apart defenses like he's shooting cans on a fenceline. Easy pickin'.

Offensive Player of the 1st Half: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Clearly if I went by the pure numbers then you'd again go with Brees or Manning, or even by who's leading the league in rushing I could've selected Chris Johnson of the Titans, however...there's no way in hell you could've told me that in 2009 that CEDRIC BENSON would be 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and on pace to finish with almost 1700 yards rushing??!? Never, couldn't happen. He wins this by a landslide, its not even close.

Defensive Player of the 1st Half: Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints

For someone who was released by the Minnesota Vikings, for someone who's been an all-time great in our generation of football, to see that the Saints safety already has 7 interceptions through 8 games and has helped turn a mediocre defensive 11 into an elite 11 is truly astounding. D-Sharp is doing it all, as he has returned three interceptions for touchdowns this year and has assumed a leadership role for his team. My buddy Tyrell, who is an avid Saints fan, would always get nervous when teams would throw deep on the Saints. They were liable to give up a big play nearly every time. Sharper has eliminated that fear, and is leading the Saints to glory in 2009.

Rookie of the 1st Half: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

By far the easiest choice I've made in a long time. Easier than choosing Alpha, easier than choosing my prom date back in high school, easier than choosing my favorite ice cream, (butter pecan) Percy Harvin has done EVERYTHING the Vikings have asked him to and excelled. Catching the ball, running the ball, returning the ball...Percy's done it all. He is the essential X-Factor in football, and anytime he gets his hands on the ball he is feared that he'll take it to the house.

Coach of the 1st Half: Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos

Simply put, I cannot believe what's going on in Denver. There was more turmoil in the Mile High City than could ever be imagined and they hadn't even played a game yet. He traded away their supposed franchise QB, had multiple quarrels with their superstar wide receiver, and made some questionable free agent acquisitions in the off-season. They were picked to be in the CELLAR behind the RAIDERS & CHIEFS! What???? Now they are 6-2 and sitting pretty atop the AFC West where the Chargers were predicted to stand all along. Yes they just hit a 2-game skid, but there's no shame in losing to the Ravens and Steelers. McDaniels is a smart & young coach and he'll figure it out. Denver's making us all look real bad.

Team of the 1st Half: Indianapolis Colts

No Marvin Harrison, no Anthony Gonzalez, no Bob Sanders, and a severely depleted offensive line have all been major speed bumps to the Colts. However, losing the Gandhi of pro football in Tony Dungy might be an even bigger blow to this team. Yet, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney have manned up and put on a masterful performance through the first 8 games of this season. #18 is simply a maestro on the football field. I don't even think Jim Caldwell is actually coaching anyone out there, he's just a figurehead. #18 does it all. The defense has been high-energy all year and there are a ton of new faces that are continually making plays for this team. Plus, with the AFC as loaded as it is now, their 8-0 record looks all the more elite with every passing week.

THOUGHTS ON THE 1ST HALF AWARDS? WHO WOULD YOU PICK? LET US KNOW YOUR PICKS!

-Ed.
www.edthesportsfan.com

Ocho Cinco: What Football and Life Have Thrown My Way

I recently decided to read Ocho Cinco: What Football and Life Have Thrown My Way, by Chad Ochocinco. He’s always been one of my favorite players in all of football, and since I love to read, this was a good as time as any to kill two birds with one stone.

The first thing about this book is it’s pretty honest. He goes into detail about his journey through football, as well as the path he took to where he wanted to go. It certainly wasn’t conventional, but it was the way he took, and thanks to some luck, supportive people, and the drive to get to where he wanted to be, he got to the big-time. He’s honest about his issues with the Bengals (past and present), and when it comes to him, he truly wants to win.

The balance that comes from this book is due to having his peers, his coaches, family members, and friends speak for him. He may be talking about his journey to Santa Monica College, and his old position coach would have a section in there where he speaks about him. Another thing I can appreciate about this book is when other people speak about him, they weren’t excusing all of his behavior. You’re able to see they all have their opinions of him, but they all root it in the fact that he’s a good guy. It’s not to say he’s made the right choices. In the book, he talks about his challenges of being a better father to his kids. Even though he didn’t grow up with his, there are no excuses on his part for a lack of a father in his life. He seems to know right from wrong (and honestly, it doesn’t have to be looked at as wrong; maybe just not the best decision), but he usually finds a way to make the best decision, even if the road to get there takes longer than some people would like.


A theme that may be underrated is that people should have fun, and do what they enjoy doing. He’s a football player, but not only that, he loves life, he works hard at his craft, and loves to have fun while doing his job. You’ll see that as a continuous theme in the pages; people should love what they do every day, and have a blast while doing it. Some of the stuff is a little out there (the whole “Planet Chad” thing in the last chapter), but honestly: it aint no different than Wonkaland in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or whatever that place was at the end of 40-Year-Old Virgin, after Andy marries ‘ol girl. The dude just loves life and lives it to the fullest. The book doesn’t come across as fraud, or self-serving, which is not easy to do when you’re telling your own story. I will say that it’s authentic, in the sense that you feel like you’re having a conversation with him, and it can sometimes jump from topic-to-topic with no warning, but if you don’t let it deter you, then it’s all good. After reading it now, and seeing how his team having such a great season, it looks like this is all coming together, even though it wasn’t as planned, but as it is with the dude, there’s nothing conventional about him, except that he loves to live.

Be easy.

-K. Masenda
www.edthesportsfan.com

The Year of the Storied Franchise...

This year has been a great and memorable one for fans for some of the major franchises in sports. The beginning of the year saw the Pittsburgh Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl, the most in NFL history. After that, we saw the University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team demolish everyone on their way to another National Championship. Then the Los Angeles Lakers achieved basketball supremacy by winning the NBA Title, and finally the Yankees won the World Series for the 27th time in team history.

When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, I have nothing but respect for the way they handle their business, as well as their fan base. Truth be told, I’ve never met a fair-weather or a bandwagon-ass Steelers fan before, which I certainly can’t say for the other organizations listed above. Even when the Steelers don’t go all the way, their fans always have their back. They’re waving The Terrible Towel when they’re winning, losing, playing great, playing like crap, overachieving, underachieving; it doesn’t matter. Those fans are the epitome of loyal. As for their team, they have plenty of players that are just plain raw. Ben Roethlisberger has been my dude since day one, Santonio Holmes is on the verge (if not already) of being a top-ten receiver. James Harrison is a monster, their secondary is off-the-chain, and you can’t help but love Mike Tomlin and the job him and his coaches have done with the team.

Tar Heel basketball gets similar respect from me as well. When it comes to college basketball, I see it as a positive when UNC is one of the elite programs in the country. They had the luxury of having a hungry, experienced squad, after they got thrashed by Kansas, in the 2008 Final Four. The core of their team came back with a vengeance, and literally ran through everyone on their way to the National Championship, and even when I wanted Oklahoma to beat them in the Elite Eight, and Michigan State to take it in the Final, I couldn’t be mad when UNC took the cake.

Now if anyone has been on this site enough, they know how ETSF feels about the Los Angeles Lakers, so there’s no need to re-hash that. (Ed's note - Yes there is, they got away with the HEIST OF THE CENTURY by trading KWAME BROWN for Pau Gasol!!! Where is Stephen A.? Oh, I found him...)


The bottom line is the Lakers made their primary goal to win the title, made the most of their opportunities, and in the end, they prevailed. I can respect that portion of it, especially because of what the team has gone through for the past several years. As for their fan base, I still think they have their fair share of bandwagon riders and fair-weathers, which my blogger-in-crime, The NFL Chick, has eloquently defined, but I’ve come to accept the fact that it comes with the territory.

This last brand (because I refuse to call them a team) is the one I struggle with even more than the Lakers. Now the facts are the facts: the New York Yankees won the World Series, which Ed went into detail about in yesterday’s post, and they should be commended. However, I still think The Pete Bell Philosophy (we got the best players money can buy) is the devil. I hate that there is no salary cap in baseball, so they can outspend everyone, and basically buy a championship. I don’t see that as being fair or constituting anything resembling team, even though it’s certainly within the rules. I hate that they’re a collection of the highest-paid players in baseball, like Neon Boudeaux, Butch McRae, and Ricky Roe were in Blue Chips. That’s why I call them a brand, and not a team. Even with that, the fact that they prevailed and won their 27th championship, the most in Major League Baseball history, culminates the fact that this is indeed the year of the storied franchise.

THOUGHTS? IS THIS WHAT PROFESSIONAL SPORTS SHOULD BE LIKE? WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? LET US KNOW!

-K. Masenda
http://www.edthesportsfan.com/

The Yankees Tricked And Got It...World Series Champs

First off, I want to officially want to congratulate the 2009 New York Yankees for winning their 27th World Series championship.

This Yankees team has probably the greatest chemistry I've seen since the '04 Red Sox. They actually got some cool players on the squad (Sabathia, Swisher) and loosened up the ever stiff A-Rod. I said this on twitter last night and I'll share it with you all, Alex Rodriguez is the Kobe Bryant of baseball. Absurdly talented, socially awkward, and surrounded by great talent...lucky bastards. The difference between Kobe and A-Rod was that when it counted most. You could easily say that Kobe was an integral part of the Lakers winning their championships, whereas with A-Rod you could easily say that he was the reason they lost when it counted most. Well, not this time, as Mr. Hudson Mr. Rodriguez was crushing the ball, single-handedly putting himself in the class of Bonds/Pujols/Manny where the opposing team will refuse to pitch to the man. (You happy Isiah? LOL)

How did this effect the series? Well, A-Rod wasn't the only one crushing, Chase Utley was doing MAJOR work. The Yankees said eff that, we ain't pitching to him either. So it puts the responsibility on the person hitting behind Rodriguez & Utley. One was Hideki Matsui, the other was Ryan Howard. I think we all realized how that worked out...

So the Yankees now have ring #27. WTF. They got one for each of the fingers and toes, then they've got ring wristbands, headbands, three on a chain, etc. Just ridiculous. Plus, I know that my mailbox has already been hit with folks complaining about the Yankees salary, overall hate for Jeter/A-Rod, and other curse words that I won't share with you all, but the fact of the matter is this...none of this is the Yankees fault. Everyone would love to have their team have an owner like George Steinbrenner.

Think about a couple of quick facts.

- The Yankees spent $201 million dollars in salary for the 2009 season, tops in baseball. The Phillies spent $113 million, 7th in baseball. The Yankees spent $78 million more than the Phillies in salary, that $78 million is more that 15 teams salary, including playoff participants St. Louis Cardinals ($77M), Rockies ($75M), and Twins ($65M).

- The Yankees signed the three top free agents in the '09 class in Sabathia, Teixeria, and Burnett. Their 3 combined salaries equal $423.5 million. There are 16 teams who aren't worth more than $417 million. Here is the full list on Forbes to truly take in the absurdity.

- The Yankees have won 27 of 104 World Series in the modern era (starting in 1903) giving them a 26% win percentage of championship seasons.


And you know what the scary think about all of this is? They're going to have MORE money to spend in this offseason. That means players like Cliff Lee and Matt Holliday could easily be Yankees in 2010.

Again, this is not the Yankees fault. There is no salary cap in baseball at all. Hell, The #2 and #3 teams (Mets & Cubs) both didn't even SNIFF the playoffs so clearly money isn't everything, but MLB realizes something that we the fans probably don't care about. The big market teams have to spend the most money so those regions can keep the game relevant.

Think about it, this year you had two mega-markets (Philadelphia & New York) in the World Series, plus you had both teams from Los Angeles in the LCS. MLB reported that this was one of the highest rated playoff series in baseball history. You think the same ratings would happen if San Diego & Tampa Bay squared off? I don't think so. There will never be a salary cap in baseball, so just get over it. Their owner and general manager put their team in a position to win the World Series and they did it.

I hate the Yankees for two reasons: One, because they have the absurd amount of money to spend on players and my team (Atlanta, who does spend nice money) doesn't even come close. Two, I hate the Yankees because they are the powerhouse of their league, they are extremely polarizing, and they seem to have fans on every inch of this Earth. Its mind-blowing.

I didn't mind when Philly won last year, even though I hate them too (Atlanta's NL East rival) but it wasn't as bad because unless you are from Philly are have a real connection to them, there aren't just tons of Philly fans crawling around everywhere. Yankees fans? You mofo's were climbing out of the cubbyholes left and right (some of you I swear fo' Jesus I never knew were Yankees fans) screaming Yankee pride and singing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys song to the masses. It is maddening.

Truth be told, I need the Yankees to be great. I need them to win 100+ games every year, go out and pick up every great free agent, and secure the love of the media just like they always do. Except, I just want you all to lose in the end, because who wants to see the story of Goliath just crushing David. Goliath is supposed to crush David, that's the expectation. Who wants to see that? That's a story I'll pass on every time.

Congrats to the Damn Yankees, you were the best team this year. You bought chemistry, which is amazing, and I applaud you all because you were truly dominant. A tip of the cap to you lucky bastards.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORLD SERIES? HOW MANY OF YOU ARE TRULY YANKEES FANS? WHO'S READY FOR THE N-B-A!!! LETS US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!

-Ed.
www.edthesportsfan.com