- The Dallas Cowboys may have the moniker but the Dallas Mavericks truly are America’s Team.
- Richard Childress has never been more popular.
- South Park appears to be going out with a whimper.
- And, I’m Aaron Goins. All my thoughts on these topics and so much more (including how college football can solve it’s rash of scandals)… in The Highlight Reel!
NEWS and NOTES
**On April 11th, 2011, I wrote the following: “I hope I’m wrong but fear I’m right in predicting a Miami Heat victory in the NBA Finals.”
On June 13th, I thanked the good Lord above that I was indeed wrong.
The Dallas Mavericks withstood the super-team built on ego, talent, ego, desperation, and ego that was destined to win “five, six, or seven titles” and defeated the Miami Heat, four games to two, in the NBA Finals with a 105-95 Game Six victory on Miami’s home court. The championship was Dallas’ first in franchise history and the first NBA title for future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd. More importantly though, this championship saved the world from ego. It saved us all from evil. It saved us from the celebratory antics that were sure to come from a joyous prick named LeBron James.
Two tweets from the Twitter Universe came out shortly after the final buzzer sounded that stood out for me. The first was from a smart, beautiful, amazing young lady who has been ran across the coals for standing up for human decency and the ideals that a star doesn’t have to be a jerk. Michelle Beadle wrote: “Dear basketball gods- thanks for this one. Let the fools go cough and put on shows, and make predictions. This is enjoyable. Congrats Mavs!” The second tweet came from a man who was betrayed in July 2010: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert tweeted, “Old Lesson for all: There are NO SHORTCUTS. NONE.” In both cases, truer words couldn’t have been said. With this loss, hopefully LeBron James and Dwayne Wade’s cockiness and disgusting displays of arrogance will be replaced by a little humility; a trait Wade once had but has lost in James‘ company. Also, hopefully it will show to the rest of the league that following James’ lead is not the way to get to a championship because LeBron has just as many titles now in Miami with two superstars carrying him as he had in seven years leading Cleveland by himself: zero.
I am not a Dallas Mavericks fan. I respect the organization and I am a fan of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry as players but I don’t bleed Mavericks’ blue. The same can be said for a majority of us out there in the sports world. But, for those of us who despised the narcissistic behavior of LeBron James when he completed his heel turn in July 2010 and those of us who did not jump onto the Heat bandwagon like so many frontrunners / fair-weather fans, we all became Dallas Mavericks fans in the same way that we were fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls earlier in the playoffs. We had our favorite teams and players we pulled for but we also pulled for the opponents of the Heat because we needed to see evil and ego go down. For all of us, the Dallas Mavericks were the workforce for karma and humility that stood in the way of the prematurely celebrating idiots in Miami and the Mavs became America’s Team for a brief moment in time as they stopped the villainous, disgusting, and arrogant Miami Heat from getting their first championship.
Overcoming injuries, illness, and a history of failing in the clutch, the Mavericks delivered the sports world from evil and ego while bringing class and dignity to the forefront of the NBA as their won their first championship. Congrats Dallas and thank you.
**I hated not being able to see Michelle Beadle on ESPN SportsNation this week because this should have been the week Michelle celebrated being right about the overrated Miami Heat. However, instead of getting the celebrate, Michelle was in the midst of working hard at upping her status in the entertainment world. First off, Michelle was one of the key presenters of the 2011 Webby Awards, which celebrate the best in online programming, on June 13th. Then, Michelle Beadle got the biggest guest spot of her career thus far on Thursday, June 16th, as Live with Regis and Kelly became Live with Regis and Beadle. As a huge fan and supporter of Michelle Beadle, I’m thrilled to see the Beadster taking her A-game from ESPN to national syndication on one of the most well-known franchises in all of television.
**On June 12th, Jeff Gordon got me interested in NASCAR for something occurring on the track for the first time in a long time as Gordon scored career win #84 with his win in the 5-Hour Energy 500 at Pocono. The win put Jeff Gordon into a tie with soon-to-be Hall of Fame members Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip for third all-time on the career wins list. While I am not the NASCAR fan that I used to be, I am still glad to see guys like Jeff Gordon continue to etch their name in the history books among the all-time greats.
**TNA Wrestling recently celebrated nine years of existence when Slammiversary IX took place on June 12th in Orlando. As a professional wrestling fan, I followed the event and noticed something about TNA Wrestling I never thought I would say even as a fan of the company for 18 months now: TNA Wrestling has too much talent on their roster. At one of their premiere events, Slammiversary went off with eight great matches (the shortest of which still almost nine minutes) but features such established talent as Rob Van Dam, Christopher Daniels, D’Angelo Dinero, and Matt Hardy on the sidelines alongside rising stars Gunner and the Mexican American faction. Plus, the uber-hot and successful Madison Rayne and Tara saw their feud without a spot on the card. Yet, there really was not a soul who participated at Slammiversary IX who didn’t show with their performance that they did not belong.
Mr. Anderson defeated TNA World Champion Sting to win his second TNA World title in a victory that has been a long time coming for Ken Anderson, even though the journey included a heel turn that I felt was rather unnecessary. Meanwhile, a new number one contender was established when Kurt Angle beat Jeff Jarrett in what was billed as their “final encounter” but was likely another terrific match in a feud reminiscent of how professional wrestling feuds went in the 80s. Bully Ray continued his surprisingly wonderful singles push with a victory over AJ Styles in a Last Man Standing match while young upstart Crimson continued his winning streak with a win over Samoa Joe. Knockouts Champion Mickie James successfully defended her title against Angelina Love while Abyss defended the X-Division title against Kazarian and Brian Kendrick in a three way dance. Plus, James Storm and Alex Shelley (substituting for the injured Robert Roode) defended the TNA Tag Team titles over the British Invasion and Matt Morgan picked up a solid win over Scott Steiner.
While Slammiversary IX offered a tremendous wrestling card with the best wrestling action you’ll see in America, I still looked at those left off the card and found myself missing their presence on the show. It is one thing to have people miss an episode of Impact Wrestling because there is only so much that can be done in two hours. But, these talents can’t go ignored on the PPV cards that are so important to a company’s bottom line. What amazes me though more than anything is how there are still so many people who refuse to give TNA Wrestling even a shred of respect and follow World Wrestling Entertainment blindly despite WWE having an lesser roster and a lesser respect for the business that we all love. There really is not an answer in sight for this problem I see in TNA Wrestling as their online exclusive and international syndicated program is not going to get an hour on Spike TV and the few detriments to the company who eat away at valuable air-time (Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff) are not leaving anytime soon. But, having too much talent on a roster is a problem that many promotions would love to have.
**There is a possibility that TNA Wrestling could have another extremely talented man enter their roster in a few months if the rumors are true. Turning down repeated contract offers, CM Punk appears to be in the final days of his WWE career as the Straight Edge Superstar is frustrated with the lack of respect management has given him. So, instead of taking the money and continuing life as a highly-decorated veteran and jobber, Punk is willing to take his talents anywhere but with the WWE.
Personally, I would love to see CM Punk take his talents to Orlando. CM Punk is one of the most talented men in the entire business today. Yet, he is viewed in the WWE as upper-mid-card at best. For a man with three World Championships and multiple other titles in WWE, Punk still can not seem to get a win in a main event rivalry against any of the current WWE upper echelon even when that upper echelon has dwindled through retirements to only consist of John Cena and Randy Orton. Punk deserves better treatment and better competition. He’ll get that in TNA Wrestling if he goes there and joins many of his friends within the business whom WWE has either un-justly released or ignored. Hopefully he’ll make the jump. I think he’ll stay because WWE can’t be that stupid to let Punk walk. But, hopefully he’ll go because the wrestling fan in me wants to see the best wrestler in the world today working in the premiere wrestling company going today.
**I have always respected the accomplishments and the desire that NASCAR team owner Richard Childress has had in the sport of auto racing. I have never been a fan of Richard Childress Racing but I have respected him. On June 4th, I finally became a fan of Richard Childress because that was the day Richard Childress beat up Kyle Busch.
After the Camping World Truck Series event at Kansas in which Busch, as a Cup Series driver had no business competing in to begin with, finished sixth and roughed up fifth place finisher RCR developmental driver Joey Coulter in the process, Richard Childress finally gave Kyle Busch a taste of his own medicine with a much-needed attitude adjustment. The 65-year-old Childress put 26-year-old Busch in a headlock and delivered three huge fists in a manner that would make Nolan Ryan feel the urge to find Robin Ventura and re-visit 1993 all over again. NASCAR quickly showed that Kyle Busch is still their chosen one, something I have said since 2008, by refusing to acknowledge that Busch started the activities on this day with his treatment of Coulter since that would have meant Busch would be suspended since he was already on probation for his cowardly antics at Darlington last month. Instead, NASCAR put all of the blame on Childress and fined him $150,000 for the beat down.
This was just another example of NASCAR firmly establishing that they have a chosen one. His name is not Johnson, Gordon, Edwards, Harvick, Hamlin, Stewart, or even Earnhardt. His name is Busch, Kyle. He has been allowed to be a public embarrassment with his antics on the track for years but the last six weeks have shown more than any time before that Kyle is NASCAR’s boy. He was allowed to destroy two cars at Darlington with his actions on the track (crashing Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer) and on pit road (putting the un-manned Harvick machine into the inside pit wall without giving a thought to possible bystanders walking past), embarrass the sport by going 128 in a 45 zone on a public road in North Carolina, and bully a young man who simply out-ran him on the track without punishment. Yet, the car owner who finally had enough and gave Kyle a taste of his own medicine got fined $150,000. If that is not firm evidence that Kyle Busch is NASCAR’s boy, then there will never be enough evidence.
While Kyle is their chosen one, this incident helped me gain a new level of respect and actual admiration for Richard Childress. He has a successful vineyard, six Cup Series championships and multiple other championships in the various NASCAR series, and has even achieved success himself as a driver. But, there has never been a great accomplishment from Richard Childress than what he did on June 4th. He punched Kyle Busch repeatedly. That, my friends, is awesome.
**According to the record books, there was no BCS Champion in college football for 2004. At least, that is how it looks now after the violations caused by Reggie Bush at USC have led to the NCAA stripping the Trojans of the BCS Championship seven years after the they won the title. Now, regardless of what those history books will say, I know that the USC Trojans won that title game and were declared the National Champions for 2004. But, this vacancy will not be the first that fans will have to deal with because of the current state of college football.
Players are getting paid for their services and the NCAA is punishing the programs long after the players in question are gone. It happened at UCS. We are seeing the dumpster fire at Ohio State caused by former coach Jim Tressel allowing his Buckeyes, namely star quarterback Terrell Pryor, to receive gifts and money for their on-the-field talents. The story was a cloud above the head of the most recent NCAA Champions as quarterback Cam Newton was rumored to accept benefits during Auburn’s recruiting process.
Now, it is easy to bash the programs who are busted for these violations. But, the reality is that you can’t blame these college kids for doing what everybody else would do in their place. College students are breaking their bodies playing the game of football at a high quality for millions of fans who pay ungodly amounts of money to see these games. The college coaches are paid millions and the universities make millions off the football programs depending upon the levels of success. Then, when you factor in the money made off jersey sales, video game sales, and other avenues of revenue, it is literally sickening to think that these actual athletes on the field don’t have enough money in their pockets to super-size their meal at McDonald’s. Yes, it is wrong and a violation of rules when these young men accept the benefits illegally from boosters. But, the real crime is that these student-athletes are forced to accept illegal benefits in the first place while the members of the university who do cash in on their efforts drive in a Rolls Royce and live in a mansion.
The college football system will never be perfect for many reasons. But, one thing that can be done to make the game better would be to pay these kids something for the efforts they put into the game that is bring in millions of dollars in revenue to these universities. A stipend so that these kids could afford food and clothes would be something that the NCAA could force these universities to do with some of those millions and it would eliminate a big black eye to the sport of college football and college athletics in general.
**After serving around 18 months in jail, NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress was released recently and has started posturing with hopes of resuming his career in the league. Formerly with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, the 34-year-old Burress has already started attempting to persuade Philadelphia Eagles management to bring him on as another weapon for their high powered offense. Considering that Philadelphia has also gotten one jailbird on their roster in quarterback Michael Vick, the Eagles would be a perfect fit for the fresh-out-of-prison Burress.
While I think Burress is a complete idiot for taking a concealed weapon into a nightclub and shooting himself, I also think Plaxico has still got a few quality years of being a secondary receiver left in him. If I was running things in Carolina or Dallas, I would take a look at bring Burress on. For the Panthers, he would bring big game experience to an offense that is lacking that maturity in everyone except for receiver Steve Smith. Meanwhile, Dallas could use Burress as another target for QB Tony Romo to have and waste as Romo shows himself once again as one of the most overrated players in the entire league.
Unlike most convicted felons who come back into the league though, I will give Plaxico the benefit of a doubt and welcome him back with open arms as a fan. Plaxico did not hurt another soul or another living creature. He was simply a moron who shot himself. I don’t think the game of football should be taken from him for doing something Barney Fife did for years.
**Congratulations to the Boston Bruins on winning their first Stanley Cup in 39 years as the bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks, four games to three, to win the Stanley Cup Finals. While not a big hockey fan, these playoffs always feature enough drama, excitement, and that special “it” factor a lot of sports hope to create but only few actually can achieve in the big moment. The 2011 NHL Playoffs were no exception as the playoffs were as intense, hard-hitting, and exciting as they ever are.
The collapses of Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo on the road and the big game heroics of his Boston counterpart Tim Thomas mirrored the NBA Finals in a way. Luongo, one of the premiere goalies in the league, appeared destined for a title in the same way that LeBron James and Dwayne Wade were just too talented to be stopped while Tim Thomas was a talented goalie who could never put it together when it mattered most like Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki. However, the unstoppable was stopped and the underachiever finally lived up to expectations as Thomas’ MVP performance between the pipes lead the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup since the days of Bobby Orr. Congrats Bruins on the victory.
**“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” - Boyz II Men
The 15th season of South Park is halfway over and it is looking more likely that it is also the final season for the controversial-yet-critically acclaimed series comedy series after the Spring finale entitled “You’re Getting Old.” In a send-up of series finales and the cynicism that comes with maturity, Stan Marsh viewed the world around him as crap in the aftermath of his 11th birthday. More importantly though, this episode are shouted loudly how tired of being cynical about the world creators and head writers Matt Stone and Trey Parker currently are.
After 15 years of sharp, biting wit tearing down everything from serious political scandals to ridiculous pop culture fads, the guys at South Park have began to run out of steams and it has shown in this 15th season. The season, thus far, has been lackluster and under-whelming. Stone and Parker have seen tremendous success with their Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon, as they left the Tony Awards with nine awards on June 12th. But, in having success there, the show that brought them to the dance has suffered as South Park has been terrible. Boyz II Men said it right with the song “It‘s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” But, if the first half of season 15 is any indication of what Matt Stone and Trey Parker have left in them, saying goodbye may be exactly what South Park needs to do in order to keep its legacy remaining as one of the most important animated shows of all-time.
CHEERS and JEERS
Superstar of the Week: Dallas Mavericks
Simply amazing! The Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world and saved all of us from a victory parade that would have seen thousands in Miami die from asphyxiation as LeBron James’s ego would have swollen to a point where the lack of oxygen would have dangerous by defeating the Heat to win the NBA Championship. Now, I’m sure that Miami will probably hold a victory parade anyway because it hasn’t stopped LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade from celebrating absolutely nothing in the past. But, for the 2010-2011 season, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks reigned supreme. Thank you Dallas and congratulations on the first championship in franchise history.
Jerk of the Week: LeBron James
At least LeBron won one thing this week. After showing once again that he is NOT clutch and is NOT worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan, LeBron James gave us all a reminder of why we turned on him last summer with his post-game comments after the Game Six loss to Dallas.
“All the people that were rooting me on to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life they had before.” - LeBron James.
Thank you, LeBron. Everyone who was willing to put the hatred for you aside after this year now will continue to hate you because you showed, once again, that you are among the biggest jerks in the entire world. No humility gained in defeat and not a shred of respect for your fellow competitor or your fellow man, LeBron James is still one of the worst people in the entire world. Of course, I wasn’t mad about what LeBron said because it was all just more ranting from an arrogant punk. Plus, I just remembered that LeBron James is just like all of the little people, as LeBron looks at us, because of one thing: we don’t have an NBA Championship either. Suck it, LeBron! I hope that somehow, someway, you get taken out like Joe Theismann.
POWER RANKINGS - Top 5 Players in the NBA Currently
5. Dwight Howard - Center - Orlando Magic / LeBron James - Forward - Miami Heat (TIE)
4. Derrick Rose - Guard - Chicago Bulls
3. Kevin Durant - Forward/Guard - Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Dirk Nowitzki - Forward - Dallas Mavericks
1. Dwayne Wade - Guard - Miami Heat
BIG A RECOMMENDS…
Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad - currently available at your local Wendy’s
When you mix chicken, strawberries, blueberries, two types of lettuce, cheese, almond slivers, and a raspberry vinaigrette, you get a crazy-delicious meal. Grab one now while they are still available. It is worth the price (this coming from a very cheap man).
WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK…
What I learned recently is that I’m getting old. It’s funny to say that, at 28-years-old, I feel like an old codger but there are times where I have really felt old recently. It’s one thing to name-drop celebrities, athletes, or songs and have the “kids” not have a clue what I’m talking about. During my times in the classroom as a substitute teacher, I’ve had that happen plenty of times but could easily regain that youthful vibe with a reference from Taylor Swift or Glee. On June 1st, I got a nice dose of my age when I watched as Shaquille O’Neal retired after a 19-year NBA career.
I can’t remember an NBA without Shaq. He was a rookie phenomenon when I started really watching and paying attention to the league and he’s always been there as a colorful force in the game. Now, he’s gone. It reminded me a bit of the retirement of Brett Favre (the most recent one that looks like it’s going to stick) or the retirement of Shawn Michaels. I can’t remember the sport without them.
I know some people who, when they reach that mindset, close themselves off from the sports because the names they have know forever are no longer relevant. They are the same with music, television, movies and practically everything else in their life; so scared of accepting new things and accepting that they’ve gotten older that they live in the little bubble where life was good. In looking at these sporting icons move on to the next stage of their lives, I starting thinking of how I could climb into my bubble and begin lamenting how the kids missed out on greatness because they didn’t see what I’ve seen. After all, with over twenty years of enjoying the sporting world and the pop culture world, I certainly have enough references and loves to carry me the remainder of my days without adding to my repertoire. But, where’s the fun in that? Where is the fun in watching the same episode of Gunsmoke or ER or refusing to watch the NBA Playoffs because basketball was last good when Bird and Magic stole the show?
Yeah, I’m getting older. The familiar faces are slowly drifting off into the sunset. But, I’m not too old to keep enjoying life and the events of the world around me. I’m not too old to stop watching and experiencing new things in an attempt to remain “hip to the kids.” After all, if I did that, The Highlight Reel would cease to exist after a couple of editions. Without the revolving door of new athletes, stars, TV shows, dream girls, and obsessions, I’d finally turn into my father. I may be a cynical man but I’m never going to be that narrow-minded or separated from what’s in. That’s just not how I roll; not now and hopefully not in the future… when I’m thinking how I’m really old as I watch the retirements of Derrick Rose, CM Punk, and Aaron Rodgers.
- Aaron Goins
