The All T-Mac Team

In case you don’t like to read my sports related ramblings you can stop reading now.
In the wake of all the NBA discussion of “Who signs a free agent contract for millions of dollars,” I thought I would share my All Tracy McGrady Team.

McGrady put up tremendous stats. Had some remarkable plays and tried to carry around a swagger that he was one of the all-time greats. But in reality, he never won. At least not anything significant. Did he make all-star teams? Sure. Did he make ESPN videos? Of course. Big Shoe Contracts? Check. Long term mega-million contracts? Yup!

Did he ever win a playoff series? Only the first round insignificant games. Oh he did win this year as a water boy for the San Antonio Spurs. But his teams never made it to the second round!

My son and I decided to create a team of guys who command millions of dollars but truly are useless for winning. Big stats and big contracts but they are more concerned for themselves than the success of the team. They would rather get 20 points and 10 rebounds than win. Their teams perform better when they are out or even after they get traded. They demand attention versus sharing the accolades. They are coach killers. Prima donnas since they were 13.

Straight from the Home Office in South Bend, IN!

The Post Players

·         Andrew Bynum – You might as well take all of your money, put it in a nice pile and just set it on fire. Why pay this guy anything is a mystery. He once was reprimanded for taking a long jump shot. Went back in the game and took the same shot again. Idiot.

·         Zach Randolph – He puts up 20 and 10 every night. Once asked to miss a game to go to a funeral only to go to a strip club on his way out of town. (Hey, they had good wings)

·         Josh Smith – Would rather have a high-light dunk than win a game.

·         Dwight Howard – I am just tired of hearing about him. 3 years ago he could have been the face of the NBA, but his immaturity has made his public persona spiral to the bottom. He’s complained about every coach he has ever had.

The Wings & Shooters

·         Monte Ellis – Golden State got remarkably better when he was traded. If you want someone to score, you should get him. He may be the last person on your team that will lead you to a championship.

·         Rudy Gay – Maybe I am biased because he is a graduate of UCONN

·         Carmelo Anthony – I know this will get some eye rolls, but winning at Syracuse doesn’t count anymore. The Nuggets improved without him. The Knicks play better when he’s hurt. And he must take 30 shots a game to be happy. Coach Killer!

The Point Guards

·         John Wall – I sat on a plane beside an employee of the Wizards when he was a rookie and they said then that he wasn’t physically or mentally tough enough. He was always too hurt to practice. Oh sure he will have the occasional big game or high-light play, but he can’t win.

·         Brandon Jennings – Ditto

·         Deron Williams – Showed so much disrespect for his Hall of Fame Coach that the coach quit and his team traded him. He was fat and out of shape for the Olympics. Coach Killer.

After I read this list I noticed something….Deron Williams played college basketball for 3 years, Rudy Gay had 2 years at UCONN, Carmelo, John Wall and Zach Randolph all played 1 year. Jennings, Bynum, Ellis, Howard and Smith all came from High School. Maybe this is a maturity issue.

Who is on your “Most Over paid and Can’t Win List?”

My Sports Mt Rushmore

Recently I had a discussion around my personal favorite sports stars. The question on sports radio was, who would be on your personal sports Mt Rushmore?

I have a scrap book I kept on Andre Dawson when I was in the 9th grade. I loved the Montreal Expos and he was their best player. When he left for the Cubs I finally got to watch him regularly on TV. He is now in the Hall of Fame.



 
Cal Ripken was on my other favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. I had VHS of the game where he broke Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played. I converted to DVD a few years back. Occasionally when I need to wax nostalgic, I break it out. He is in the Hall of Fame.

Pete Maravich was my first sports hero. I had a poster of him on my wall as a kid. The day he died, my brother called and told me to sit down and close my office door, because he knew I would be upset. I have the USA Today news articles in a box.

I am one of the few Detroit Lions fans (story for another day) Barry Sanders is their greatest all time player. He had some Thanksgiving games that were unbelievable.

Who is on your sports Mt Rushmore?

 

Ten Pieces of Advice to High School Graduates

Adapted from a sermon I heard from David Chadwick several years ago:

1.     I pray that you find that spiritual connectedness to God that becomes your core!

2.     We are bombarded with the notion about looks and beauty. The reality is that we should look for the content of a person’s heart and character

3.       Don’t chase the dollar

4.       Your job does not define you

5.       Be a GIVER (Note how close the word miserable is to miser)

6.       Give value to the oldest generation.

7.       It is that awesome connection to faith and scripture that gives us strength 

8.       If it is too good to be true, then it is too good to be true

9.       Read the bible!

10.   Remember those less fortunate!

Sports Teams Need an HR Department

Can you name the BUST?

I think Professional Sports teams need strong HR (Human Resource) presence in their front office. Some NFL teams pick a player based on how fast he runs or how many times he can bench press a Buick. The NBA has become a draft based on potential. The NBA would rather pay $5 million over a 3 year period to evaluate whether a 19 year old can run and jump like a deer, eat McDonald's 3 times a day and spend every frickin last dime he makes versus paying that amount to a player who can help them win immediately. Major League Baseball is just as bad by looking at how fast they can throw a ball or how fast they run to first base.

Whatever happened to the premise of “Past Performance is the indicator of Future Performance?” For the sports teams that make these judgments based off of a combine or a Pro Day Workout is the equivalent of an employer making a hiring decision based solely on the interview.

I can see the YMCA combine:

Child watch- How fast can you change a diaper

Welcome Center – How fast can you answer the phone

Lifeguards- How quick are you off the stand and into the water

Maintenance- How quick are you running down the hallway with 100 keys dangling 

(Disney does this and they call it AUDITION)

More sports teams need to follow the San Antonio Spurs, the New England Patriots and the Washington Nationals.

Combines (and interviews) are for show and make for great theater. But selecting a player or a candidate just off the performance of that one day is for suckers!