A “Decision” That Has Ramifications
by Cheval John
With the Miami Heat defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder last night by the score of 121-106 to win the National Basketball Association (NBA) title, Lebron James can finally be considered as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history.
James scored 26 points, pull down 11 rebounds and added 13 assists.
For his efforts, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NBA Finals.
Yes, he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Heat to reach this milestone in his career.
But the way how he left is something that still has to be looked at even though it has been almost two years since the infamous “decision.”
I can understand if he went to Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert and told him, “I did everything that he could to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland, but it wasn’t enough.”
“So I decided that I am going to the Miami Heat in order to increase my chances at winning an NBA title.”
That alone would have been more commendable and if Mr. Gilbert got mad, then that would have been his problem because he had every opportunity for seven years to build a team around James.
But instead, he decided decided to stage a one-hour special on ESPN to announce his decision.
That to me was unprofessional and a disgrace because he declared that I am more important than you and at the same time, it embarrassed the city of Cleveland.
No other superstar have done what he did because they understood that it was all about the team and the fans that pays big bucks to see their home team perform.
For example, Didier Drogba, who was with the English football (soccer) club, Chelsea, F.C. for 8 years, left for the Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua after the 2011-12 season.
He played an integral role in the club winning their first UEFA Champions League title in Munich, Germany last month against hometown favorite Bayern Munich.
He could have left in the same fashion as James.
Instead, he told his entire teammates and the owner that he was leaving for other opportunities because he felt that it was the right thing to do.
He even did an interview with Chelsea T.V., the club’s own television station to explain his decision and thanked the fans for their support of the team.
Drogba understood that the club gave him a chance to prove himself and that it wasn’t about him, but it was about the team.
Also, he was honest with his teammates and the fans.
Because of that, he will be welcomed back with open arms whenever he wants to return to the club while Mr. James will always be remembered for that infamous “decision” no matter what he does for the remainder of his NBA career.
A Step In The Right Direction
by Cheval John
It looks like we might have a playoff after all.
Today, the commissioners of the BCS conferences agreed to a four-team playoff system at a meeting in Chicago.
The playoff will be a first in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest division in college football
The move could come into effect in 2014 pending final approval by the board of college presidents, who are set to meet next week in Washington, D.C.
Before, the two top teams that would play for the BCS title was selected based off of strength of schedule, the type of conference that a team came from and an undefeated season.
The selection is made by the Associated Press writers, coaching polls and the BCS computers.
The teams plays at a designated site to determine the national champion.
What do you think about a playoff in the FBS?
Armstrong Officially Charged With Doping
by Cheval John
Seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has officially been charged with using performance-enhancing drugs today by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USDA).
Armstrong, a cancer survivor, could face a lifetime ban from cycling competitions if he is found guilty and could be stripped of his seven titles in the process.
The USDA letter, obtained by the Associated Press, accuses Armstrong of using and promoting the use of a blood booster EPO, blood transfusions, testotorone, human growth hormone and anti- inflammatory steroids.
The news was first reported by the Washington Post earlier today.
Armstrong in a statement maintains his innocence of using any drugs and that he was clean this whole time.
The case was investigated by federal criminal investigators for two years, but they did not find any reason to believe that Armstrong was using drugs.
Officials from the USDA says that they will pursue charges against Armstrong despite the conclusion of federal criminal prosecutors.
Armstrong participated in the St. Croix 70.3 Ironman Triathlon earlier this year after retiring from cycling last year.
He was training for another triathlon in France when he heard the news and is now banned from competition.
Witnessing Partial History
by Cheval John
When I got to the club house at 2:30 p.m , I saw that Spain was leading Italy 2-0 going into half time.
I thought I missed out because I saw that it was going to start at 2:30 p.m.
What I failed to realize was that the start time was in eastern time and not central time.
In reality, I did not miss anything but the two goals that was scored by David Silva and Jordi Alba that gave Spain a 2-0 lead.
My thinking was that Italy had a chance to make a comeback because they had really good players like Mario Balotelli.
What I did not know was that they never scored 3 goals in any of the games they won to reach the final and would have to get 3 goals in order to beat Spain.
They came out with urgency in the first 10 minutes of the second half as had chances to score.
They even used their final substitution that brought in Thiago Matta to give them fresh legs.
The result was they managed only three shots, but still could not score.
Worst of all, Matta went down with a hamstring injury that left Italy shorthanded and dashed the hopes for them to win.
Substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored the final two goals for Spain in the 83rd and 88th minute, respectively to put the game out of reach and to win the title.
A lot of history was made in Spain’s run at the 2012 UEFA Euro Tournament.
Here are a few stats that stood out:
Spain only conceded one goal in the entire tournament. Ironically, that conceded goal was against Italy in the first round.
With the win, Spain became the first team to win three straight major tournaments. (UEFA Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup).
Fernando Torres became the first player to score in two UEFA Euro finals appearance. He scored the game-winning goal in the Euro 2008 final against Germany that gave Spain their first Euro title.
Vicente del Bosque became the second head coach in history to win the UEFA Euro Cup and the FIFA World Cup.
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