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**Today concludes our 5-part series as we give you the definitive ranking of the five coolest sports figures of 2010. To check out the entire list, please click here. Here's number #1...**
Here at ETSF, there's something that we admire more than just having an epic performance on a given night, or spitting witty one-liners to the media, or being quintessentially calm under fire. When someone has their mind made up that they're going to do something so blasphemous, so audacious, and so ridiculous that it seems foolish...yet, the results are genius.
There's nothing cooler than that. Nothing.
With that being said, there was only one person to crown as the coolest of them all in the calendar year. It took Kenny and I approximately 0.6 seconds to come to the conclusion. Ladies and gentlemen, the coolest motherf*cka of 2010...Mr. LeBron Raymone James.
If you’ve read this site enough, then you know there’s an extreme Michael Vick Bias here; if not from Ed, then certainly from me. There’s no doubt that Michael Vick belongs on this list. The question is “where?”
For some, they’ll make the case that he belongs at the number one spot. It was a tough decision to make and something that was discussed between Ed and me, but there’s no shame in being in this position, and when all the elements were put into play, this is where Vick belongs.
**Today continues our countdown of the 2010 year and our definitive listing of cool as ETSF presents "The Five Coolest of 2010". To see the entire list thus far then check out #5 and #4 here. Onto #3...**
In our definition of cool in the context of these posts, there's a line in a poem I remember being beaten into my brain back in college that accurately helps describe what cool is all about.
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you..." (Rudyard Kipling)
For Cameron Jerrell Newton, there hasn't been a more clear cut essence of cool from the quarterback position since the days of Vince Young, Tommie Frazier, and Roger Staubauch. The young man has exceeded any expectation that has been put in front of him, the young man always carried a smile on his face, and the young man gave the proverbial "Heisman" stiff-arm to the continued ridicule and angst sent towards him on a continual basis.
There was an overwhelming urge to put Cliff Lee up here, and if it was a list for the most coveted man in free agency in 2010, he’d be near the top of the list, and he can even make this list, but there wasn’t a cooler Texas Ranger, or a cooler manager/coach in sports in 2010 than Uncle Ron (shout-out to Jemele Hill) aka Ron Washington.
Note: I call Washington various forms of his name (Ron, Big Ron, Wash, Lil’ Ronnie, Uncle Ron, and more). Do not be alarmed or confused when you see more than one form; it’s all the same guy.
**This week on ETSF, as we bring a close to the year 2010 we decided to highlight the five coolest sports figures of the year. Why cool? Because there's something about the way some cats carry "it" during critical moments that makes you look at them in disbelief. Check out our top five as we unveil them this week, starting with #5, Brian Wilson.**
"That is one of the livest beards I've ever seen in my life." - Dez Allen (what up homie)
Its by far the first thing you notice when you see Brian Wilson, dude has a ridiculous beard. He dyed it, grew it out to epic proportions, and even talked about the beard in 3rd person. When asked if he actually dyed it, Wilson said "It's just dark because we play a lot of day games, it's really tan. It's just focused."
Just like his beard, his game was focused as well. The crazy-eyed closer for the San Francisco Giants became a cult-figure for the Bay Area fanbase, and for every save he accumulated in the 2010 baseball postseason, Wilson's legend grew, culminating in a World Series victory over the Texas Rangers.
People...
Sometimes Christmas gives you the opportunity to work. When I come home for the holidays, I am always put to work. Changing light bulbs (because my mama is 5'1"), fixing things (damn leakey faucet), and putting up Christmas decorations, cleaning rooms, and going grocery shopping for numerous things like milk, eggs, cheese, Hennessy, cigarettes, and rum.
Just remember...tis the season to give, and hopefully receive in the near future. (Namely gifts, money, and socks & drawls from your mama)
The Lakers, Yankees, and Cowboys all have one incredible, dumbfounding, and telling thing in common: no matter who they are playing, a large segment of folks will cheer against them. It’s something that is very much a part of the fan experience, but it’s something that still blows my mind. Someone’s team may have already played a game, or they’re on bye week or, worse yet, they may not even have a favorite team, but it doesn’t stop them from cheering against any of the teams I named.
Let a Lakers game come on, or let's say a Yankees or a Cowboys game is on the tube. You can catch this online (Facebook and Twitter), or if you choose to go somewhere to watch the game. There have been times when I’ve gone out to watch a Cowboys game, and a fan of the Saints will be there, in full gear, talking about how much the Cowboys suck. I’ll do my best to ignore them, but it eventually becomes too much to bear, and I end up getting sucked into some debate about how the Saints are the champs, how the Cowboys aren’t any good, etc, etc. Keep in mind the Saints didn’t even have a game that day.
One of the most exciting times in sports is only a few weeks with the NFL playoffs, and for me, it's one that will leave me feeling pretty empty. See, my team, the Dallas Cowboys, will not be in the postseason this year, and while there are plenty of players I have love for, there's nothing like cheering on your team as they make a run to the Super Bowl.
Since that's not the case this year, and I was totally unprepared for the possibility my team would not at least be in the playoffs, I have to find some underlying themes for me to truly enjoy the postseason, come January. Watching this NFL season has led me to believe there is no sure-fire favorite to make it to The Big Yard in Arlington this season, but there are certain things I would not mind seeing happen, as well as some things that I pray to God don't happen.
In life, I can't think of many things that I've done consecutively 89 times. Brush my teeth 89 days in a row? Nope. Made it to work 89 straight times? Hell no. Man, I don't even think I told my mama I loved her 89 straight times. (Love you mommy)
So being able to witness Geno Auriemma lead the UConn Huskies to 89 consecutive victories, topping Wooden's 88-win streak in the process and win two consecutive national titles as been awe-inspiring. (By the way, the conversation of does this streak compare to UCLA's is ridiculous. Of course it compares, and if anything their streak might...MIGHT...be better. More dominant over time in a more modern era.) However, what we've witnessed over the last three-plus years has made me question something that in my opinion was a clear as day.
Maya Moore has surpassed Diana Taurasi as the best player in UConn history.
With all due respect to the two contestants in the Finals of the ETSF Fantasy Football League, the most anticipated matchup took place over the weekend in a game that does not determine who wins it all, but it does determine who will hold bragging rights over the two individuals who make up Ed the Sports Fan.
Despite the fact that I failed to keep up my tremendous play in the postseason, and despite the fact that our resident fantasy football guru (Ed) had a subpar season, people still look forward to the battles we engage in when it comes to this thing called fantasy football.
What was supposed to be the Tussle of the Titans turned into something much more disappointing. People took it upon themselves to rename our battle for the fifth-place trophy (not really; these are just names I made up last night). It was billed as the following:
The Battle of the Beleaguered
The Clash of the Careless
The Duel of the Disappointed
The Event of the Erroneous
…and finally, The Fight for Fifth Place.
**Today's post is from a good friend and featured contributor Average Bro. The man is one of the biggest DC-area sports fans I know, and the gospel needed to be spoken. This post was written 24 hours before the Arenas trade to Orlando...spooky. Read up and enjoy.**
I’m a Washington Wizards fan.
No, really, stop laughing. I’m dead serious. We do actually exist. I even own season tickets. Believe me now?
Being a die hard fan of a team that most people outside the DC Urreah don’t even know exists, is about as humbling an example of fandom as I can think of. And given the sad state of DC sports, that’s quite a declaration. In short, since winning a title in the 70’s, this franchise has sucked. Royally. But when Gilbert Arenas arrived in 2003, he was supposed to change things. And for awhile, he did.
Gary Neal (1984-2010)
Gary Neal, 26, passed away on December 16th, 2010. He was born on October 3rd, 1984 in Aberdeen, Maryland. After doing a bid at LaSalle and Towson in the college ranks, Mr. Neal took his talents overseas to develop his game in countries like Turkey, Spain, and Italy. Finally, this summer R.C. Buford and San Antonio Spurs recognized his talents and signed the combo guard to a three-year deal, thus making his basketball dreams an ultimate reality. Sadly, that ultimate reality all came crashing down in one fell swoop when the 26-year old as bamboozled and hoodwinked by a man with a lot of random ink on his body, a horrible haircut on the top of his head, and a vertical of 40-plus inches.
With just five seconds left in the first quarter, and Nuggets leader Carmelo Anthony on the bench, Earl Smith III aka J.R. Smith was instructed by Coach George Karl to lead the offense for a final shot. Now, we've all seen J.R. Smith on many occasions, and on this particular one he did what we all have become accustomed of seeing from Smith...discombobulated and out-of-control. The sad truth is that J.R.'s always had world-class talent, and last night he decided to flash it.
Since 1997, the case can be made that the best power forward in the NBA has resided in San Antonio. Some people know San Antone as The Home of the Alamo, or Sea World, or the Riverwalk, but if you’re a basketball fan, you’ve known the place as somewhere where four Larry O’Brien championships are safely nestled away. You can make the case that they won the championship four different ways (dominated the Knicks, overwhelmed the Nets, outsmarted the Pistons, and used experience over the Cavs). There is one constant though; the man who dominated the frontline and the man who continues to hold it down today; none other than The Big Fundamental, Tim Duncan.
Sometimes you shouldn't question what the sports gods put in front of you. Sometimes you should just accept it, embrace it, and understand that these moments don't come around all the time.
On Tuesday, the three-man weave consisting of B-Lew, Ken, and yours truly touched down at Jerry's World aka Cowboys Stadium as the great folks of Nike invited us to the 2010 Nike Football Summit in Dallas, Texas. If you've noticed over the last couple of years Nike has pushed the envelope on innovation with their footwear, equipment, uniform, and sportswear that represents their Nike Football campaign. From high school prepsters, to college stalwarts, to the cream of the crop professionals, Nike has them covered.
Let's make one thing perfectly clear, the revolution of football will not be televised...because Nike's already got it on lock and ready for everyone to enjoy.
The NBA is a better place when the New York Knicks are competitive. Think about it; they play in the Mecca of basketball, they have loyal fans, and they’re known around the globe. They’re also polarizing from the fact that you will be hard-pressed to find a person who, at one time or another, hasn’t had an opinion on the New York Knicks. The problem is that, in recent memory, it’s been hard to find much to be positive about. However, the Ghosts of Clyde Frazier, The Pearl, Dave DeBusschere, Sugar Ray Richardson, Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Chris Childs (toughness and hands only), and Latrell Sprewell have descended to The Garden and the Knicks are playing the best ball they have played in years.
Through it all, the Knicks fans I know have been loyal to the T. Whether it’s Till, Patrick Phillips, Dame Kelly, Lizz Robbins, B. Wolfe, DragonflyJonez, Chi-Chi, or any other Knicks, they’ve been down for their team, and if there is a squad in the NBA who deserves to have some good fortune, it’s them. There’s a healthy balance of joy, optimism, but trepidation and concern, and considering the road the Knicks have taken in the past several seasons, it’s hard to blame Knicks fans for any anxiety they harbor.
As we all know, the Philadelphia Eagles came into Jerry’s World last night to play the Dallas Cowboys. The back-story is simple: the teams are in the same division, Cowboys have beaten the Eagles three consecutive times, the Eagles are in first, and the Cowboys are still in The Red Jesus (Jason Garrett) Transition Period. Last night’s game had all the makings of a good one.
There was plenty of activity after the whistle, some hard hits, and a celebration of epic proportions by Desean Jackson that even I, as a Cowboys fan, thought was kind of funny. His touchdown put the Eagles ahead for good, and even with the Cowboys scoring a late touchdown, it wasn’t enough, and the Eagles ended up winning 30-27.
Of course, after the game, you have the obligatory post-game handshakes. I always watch these things, because I like to see how players interact with each other after three hours of competitive battle. After watching sports all my life, I thought I had seen it all.
Players shaking hands, sharing a few words, while others walk right past each other and some even have altercations after the game. That’s cool and all, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s all in the game. However, there are codes to go by in the game, and one was on full display right here:
For quite a few people, their first glimpse of Cam Newton came this season as the quarterback of the Auburn Tigers. Folks have been amazed by the play of the man who has broken records, escaped witch hunts, senseless slander, and droves of delusional drones doo-dooing on his great name. The man has overcome all of that to lead his team to the National Championship and come January 10, 2011, he’ll have his opportunity to cap off a dream season.
However, my first take of Cam Newton didn’t occur on CBS, ESPN, or during a mop-up game when he was back in Florida. The first time I saw Cam Newton play football came on Halloween of last year, on a dreary, desolate, and dry day down in Corsicana, Texas at a non-descript field with crowds much smaller than what he saw this season.
Last year, B-Lew, Bean (my first roommate from the Navarro days), and I headed down I-45 to shock the world at the annual Battle of Region 14 between the Blinn Bucaneers and the Navarro Bulldogs. See, B-Lew went to Blinn ten years ago and Bean and I went to Navarro, so we decided to head on down there and see what these teams were talking about.
I don't get it.
The Atlanta Falcons are 10-2 this season. They are undefeated at home (6-0) in the Georgia Dome, and Matt Ryan doesn't lose at home as he is an astonishing 19-1 in the Georgia Dome. They have a bruiser of a runningback in Michael "Burner" Turner, and they arguably have the most productive wide receiver in the NFL this year in "Rowdy" Roddy White. They've got one of 5 best tight ends of all-time in Tony Gonzalez doing work. They have one of the league's most prominent defensive ends in John Abraham, and head coach Mike Smith is 30-14 (.682 win percentage) in his 3rd season as head coach. They are doing work.
So why do none of us believe in the Dirty Birds?
Question for you NBA connoisseurs out there...name the last elite NBA point guard who led their team to an NBA title.
Don't worry...I'll wait.
If you came up with Isiah Thomas back in 1990 with the Detroit Pistons, you would be correct. You young folks out there that said "Tony Parker-(Longoria)!" have no sense of history, have no idea what "elite" is, and need to get some old men with some wisdom in your life.
So for all the pundits and the prognosticators of this great game of basketball who will tell you that this is the "Golden Era of Point Guards" why do I not believe that any of them will lead their team to an NBA title anytime soon?
**This article was written by special contributor Philip Barnett of Forum Blue & Gold and Talk Hoops. He's always welcome 'round these parts, enjoy.**
This past Saturday I attended my favorite sporting event in the annual USC-UCLA football game for the third straight year, and the fourth time in the past five years. Here on ETSF, the Pac-10 doesn’t receive a lot of love (Oregon playing for the title!), so I’ve decided to share a little bit on the experience of one of the most unique, if not the most unique rivalry game in college football.
Because Los Angeles is such a large metropolitan area, the sport’s scene out here is ridiculously crazy. The city is constantly divided between two teams in all sports whether it be basketball (Lakers, Clippers -- there are more Clippers fans that one would ever imagine); baseball (Dodgers, Angels); hockey (Kings, Ducks); even football had its glory days (Raiders, Rams). All of these teams are within 50 miles of each other, but the biggest split is USC-UCLA. We’re talking about two major universities with the campuses within 12 miles of each other. If you’re living in Southern California, your neighbor to your right could be a USC fan, and the one to your left could be a UCLA fan. This rivalry splits relationships, friends and family -- even if it were for one day -- down the red and blue line of fandom.
Last weekend, The Three Amigos, aka Three the Hard Way, aka The Trio, aka The Mob, aka The Crew came together to shock the world in Dallas at the Big XII Championship. Luckily, B-Lew and I already live here, so we didn’t have to do anything in regards to travel. That only left Ed to make the trip from Cincinnati to D-town, and once he touched down, it was on like Donkey Kong.
People who frequent our website know that our Shock the World excursions are never solely about the event itself; moreover, it’s about the other things surrounding the actual game. Ed touched down on Friday morning, and after lolly-gagging around, I made the trip from Denton to downtown Dallas to pick the man up, and get it goin’ at the best place we know: Rudy’s.
The Cleveland Cavaliers Fanbase, 40, passed away on December 2nd, 2010. This fanbase was created in 1970 due to the passion that the Browns and Indians showed for the last 50-plus years. The Cavaliers fanbase had been a maligned group of people, as the organization they supported had been quintessentially repugnant and abhorrent save for two stretches of success in the early 1990's (which was subsequently put on their deathbed by The Jordan) and the now critically acclaimed era of reign from the King, LeBron Raymone James. The Cavs fanbase is survived by other jilted lovers Cleveland fanbases, The Dog Pound (Browns) and The Tribe (Indians).
A special foundation has been created in honor of Cavaliers fans, called the...well, there really isn't a name they came up with for a foundation...they just passed the hat around and collected change, lint balls, parking stubs, bus passes, and used Carmex tubes for everyone who was laid waste to in "The LeBronaclypse." This "passing of the hat" was created in lieu of the abomination that took place in Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday night.
**This is what happens when you have a lack of sleep, sip on some libation, and have delusions of grandeur all the time. In the next 12-18 hours you're going to read everything from "I TOLD YOU SO's" to "TRAITOR" to choreographed jeers to enhanced security and beyond...but to be real, this is going to be nothing more than a bunch of interactions between LeBron James and his closest friends. You only get to come back home for the first time once, and this is how I envision it happening...**
3:47 AM
(LeBron arrives at his palatial establishment in Bath Township, Ohio directly from the Miami charter flight from Detroit. The man is bombed out and depleted after leading his team to an easy victory over the maligned Detroit Pistons. His mother, Gloria James, is at his home and is anxiously awaiting his son's arrival...)
(Keys jiggling and the front door is unlocked, LeBron walks into his home...)
Gloria James: LeBron? Is that you?
LeBron James: Yeah mom, its me. I'm home.
**Ed's Note - Its not often we let a guest bless the mic here on ETSF. I mean really...other than Phil, Celia, JKS, Rev, B-Lew, and JAG...that's literally it. So today, I'm going to ask that you give this man your undivided attention, and welcome a friend and hated brother of mine, Cool Black.**
I’ve been a San Francisco 49’er fan since my first 8-bit Montana to Rice TD celebration on Tecmo Bowl in 1987. While Monday night’s contest between the Niners and the Arizona Cardinals tug at my heart strings, my real purpose for watching was to send all of the bad juju in the known universe towards Larry Fitzgerald who stood between a Fantasy Football victory and my ascension to the 1st place throne in the ETSF Hi-Def Fantasy Football league. After securing a nail-biting victory, I turned to SportsCenter to hear the usual nonsensical banter. And there it was; The Teaser. “Derek Anderson Tirade, Up Next.” Of course, I questioned what he could POSSIBLY be angry about, and so the bait was set. I waited, and waited and waited, and there it was. Five minutes of my life that I will never be able to get back.
That was NOT a tirade, plain and simple. I don’t know what that was. But it made me ponder, what would have branded this outburst a certified tirade. And so, I present five elements to take a simple sports rant to the rarefied air of “Tirade.”
