Jock Jerseys’ Flash

We’ve all played sports video games before.  From the original sports games like RBI Baseball, where you could bunt for a homerun, to Tecmo Bowl where you could literally kill a quarter with a single running play.  The question still remains…Will they ever be able to create a sports video game that gets everything right?  Let’s face it, no matter how advanced the computer’s AI gets, it’s still a computer with a finite amount of movements and reactions to your input on the controller.  Don’t get me wrong, video games have come a long long way in the past few years, not only graphically, but with advanced controls.

Looks Amazing, But Something Doesnt Feel Right

There are so many things  you can do now with the controllers that just weren’t possible with the old NES and SEGA Controllers, but despite the spin moves, jukes, alley oops and curveballs can a sports video game ever make you feel like you are there?

Is there ever a real “Home Field Advantage” when playing these games? I have yet to see home field really make that much of a difference; in fact, if you took my combined stats of every sports game I’ve played at home and on the road, it would probably be statistically even.  In my opinion, the lack of arena influence on the game is one of the biggest reasons why sports video games have not progressed to their fullest potential yet.  Sure, the controller vibrates in a tough situation but is that really a substitute for the Cameron Crazies yelling obscenities at you and jumping around as you shoot free throws with the game on the line?

You Cant Match This Intensity Without Help from Your Drunk Roommates

Is there any way to match what you are feeling during game 7 of the World Series? What it feels like to have millions watching you as you kick the winning field goal of the super bowl? And the answer is simply no…Video games have their place, don’t get me wrong, I love playing them almost as much as anyone but they are no substitute for the real thing.  Playing Mario Baseball with your roommates can be fun for a while, but is there any question that if you leave one out over the plate that Bowser is putting it in the upper deck, much to the chagrin of Waluigi. 

This is not a knock on sports video games; I own lots of them and like playing them.  I just wonder if there is more that developers can do to make you feel like you are there.  Get the crowd involved, let the good coaches make the right decisions when the game is on the line instead of having the players do what they have done since the first quarter.  Kids can play all the video games they want, but it is no match for the character they build by being out on the court or field, depending on teammates, persevering through pressure and much more.

Every year or so, a sports movie comes out that is supposed to make you feel good, tell a captivating tale, break your heart, or keep you on the edge of your seat.  Unfortunately, I always walk away disappointed which is why from this day forward - with the exception of The Sandlot - I will never watch another sports movie. 

I hesitate to even put The Sandlot in the “sports movie” category because it is really more of a story about growing up, getting into trouble, facing your adversity, and learning the hard way that sometimes a knock on your neighbor’s door is the best way to handle things.  The grab bag of crazy characters take turns talking trash, kissing lifeguards, chewing tobacco, and playing ball under the fireworks.  They even come together and beat an organized team that had their own baseball jerseys.  Yes, this movie is a classic and one of my personal, all-time favorites. 

But the other sports movies out there are what really grind my gears.   I don’t want to take anything away from the talented actors, they are fine at what they do, but let me say this…with very few exceptions you had two choices growing up. Your first option was to play sports which many of us did.  Your second option was to take drama or theater classes which some of us did.  Those that excelled in drama classes, probably weren’t so hot on the basketball court or the baseball and football fields.  So why is it that I am forced to watch actors look like uncoordinated 6^th graders out on the court or field every time I watch a sports movie?  Oh, and have you ever seen Tom Cruise throw a ball? Good form there.  You really put the Short in Shortstop by the way. 

Anybody who has ever watched an actual sporting event knows that there is enough drama in the game to make it exciting without having to add players breaking their leg but triumphantly returning to the court for the game winning shot.  Real sports fans know that it takes talent and chemistry all year long to win a championship, you can’t start liking and trusting each other in the huddle on the last play of the game and expect to get anything done. 

Also, do they ever lose?  Is there any doubt as to the outcome of a sports movie?  Did you watch Mr. 3,000 and really think that Bernie Mac wasn’t going to get his 3,000 hits and get into the Hall of Fame? If a team ever does lose the championship, do they ever show it? No they end on a good note and run the story of how they lost just before the closing credits. 

To me, sports movies are a horrible rendition of what actual sports are like.  Horrible acting, horrible drama, predictable endings.  I would love to hear of any sports movies you’ve seen that break this mold.  The challenge is out!

Thinking back to when I played AYSO soccer in Midvale, UT back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, I can’t help but think how those times have impacted me as a person since.  Having time to spend with your friends, playing soccer and generally having a good time was something I wouldn’t trade for all the money in the world.

The teams I played on were not always good, in fact, many were quite horrid thinking back.  Much like the NCAA these days, all the quality players were scooped up and hand-picked for the top teams in the league.  Despite the deficienices on the field, everyone on the teams had a great time playing and were rewarded at the end of the season w/ the team photos and soccer trophies.  The games were always fun as well, marked by sliced oranges and Hi-C during halftime and Twinkies or Ding Dongs after the game - win or lose.  Great times…

I also played tee-ball for 1 year, but wasn’t very good and/or didn’t feel like continuing down that path, so that is as long as it lasted.  Looking in my scrapbook box the other day, I did find that my lone baseball trophy among the half-dozen or so soccer trophies.  My trophy rack would certainly look better w/ more baseball trophies! 

In addition, I also suited up for the “Junior” Jazz rec league teams for several years.  This was really my passion and I think I was pretty good, but it did not lead to any high school teams or playing time unfortunately.

Something I could have excelled at, had I applied myself correctly at the time, would’ve probably been golf.  Our high school had a golf team and both my parents were playing on a regular basis, so it would’ve been a natural direction to go.  I play sparingly these days, but wish I could’ve added a few golf trophies to accompany my others.

Now perhaps, I will try to instill the same love of sports and team play on my son and daughter.

Facing a decisive opponent early Thursday morning (U.S. time), the United States men’s basketball threw down the hammer on Greece in a 92-69 victory. Fresh in the minds of several Team USA players, including Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, was a defeat at the hands of the Greeks in the 2006 World Championships - an embarrassing loss for the United States.

Thursday’s game against the Greek team presented the first true challenge so far for the Americans, who are now 3-0 in the 2008 Olympic Games, heading for a match-up against Spain on Saturday. Of course, Spanish team will be just as difficult for Team USA, if not more so. The team features several NBA players including Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon, so they can adequately compete.

Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh led the Americans with 18 points apiece, while Wade finished w/ 17. A strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter helped propel the team to victory, one that, no doubt, brings great joy to those players who were defeated 2 yrs ago.

Check out this highlight of an alley-oop on the breakaway by Wade to Bryant:

Bryant is getting all the attention in China, but it is Dwyane Wade who is really standing out so far - exhibition games & Olympics. He is showing that he has his strength back, his willingness to attack the rim and strong legs. Let’s just hope that all of this play doesn’t affect his season w/ the Miami Heat, who desperately need him at full-strength. I haven’t exactly been Wade’s biggest supporter, because I feel like the league game him & the Heat an assist in their championship run a couple years ago. But make no mistake, Dwyane is a baller’ - one of the best the United States has.

If you polled anyone under 25 yrs old, they probably wouldn’t be able to guess who the NBA Store’s top selling jersey is (1998-2008), but most people over 25 would know it’s the greatest basketball player of all time - none other than Michael Jordan.

Despite not even playing in the NBA for a good portion of the 10 yr period, Jordan still has the top selling NBA jersey, outranking Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal and Lebron James. It’s no surprise to see Bryant, Iverson and Shaq in the Top 5, but Lebron has already jumped into the 5th spot in only his 5th season.

Here are the top selling NBA jerseys at the NBA Store from 1998-2008:

1. Michael Jordan
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Allen Iverson
4. LeBron James
5. Shaquille O’Neal
6. Tracy McGrady
7. Dwyane Wade
8. Jason Kidd
9. Vince Carter
10. Tim Duncan

I’m really surprised that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Yao Ming and even Stephon Marbury aren’t on the list, especially considering the markets they play in (Boston and New York, respectively).

The next group of stars to crack this list over the next 5 yrs will likely include: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Amare Stoudemire and Greg Oden. No one else really stands out as a big-time jersey seller and even these guys would have a tough time getting higher on the list.

If you have a favorite player who didn’t make the list, let us know about it.

Even after the Lakers, Suns and Mavericks made trades to strengthen their chances of going to the NBA Finals, a flurry of NBA trades change the landscape across the league.

The Western Conference is still the dominant force it has been all season (for a few seasons actually), but the Eastern Conference has also changed significantly.  The Celtics and Pistons are still the favorites to get the Finals for the East, but Cleveland’s monster 11-player trade may just get Lebron & Co. back to the championship game for a 2nd year in a row.

Cleveland made arguably the biggest move of the season, as part of an 11-player trade involving the Bulls and the Sonics.

• Cleveland got: Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak & Bulls 2nd round pick in 2009
• Chicago got: Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown & Cedric Simmons
• Seattle got: Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, Adrian Griffin &

This move was obviously made to appease the King (James), so that he doesn’t bolt in 2 years when his contract is over.  The problem w/ the trade, however, is that they are now locked in for 2 more years w/ the current roster, which includes several new players that other teams are not going to be seeking.  It’s make it or break it for the Cavs…

Ben Wallace adds defense and rebounding, but nothing else.  Joe Smith adds a reliable scoring threat & rebounder (that’s more than you can say for Gooden) and Wally Z & Delonte should help the Cavs shoot better from the outside.  Had Gibson not turned his ankle, this would be a pretty dangerous squad immediately, but they’re going to struggle to mesh.  Look for Lebron to carry the team and show them how to win… just not all the way to the Finals.

The best move in my opinion, which is still developing (as far as chemistry), is the acquisition of point guard Mike Bibby by the Atlanta Hawks.  Atlanta has been short on PG play for years, but management has finally addressed that issue.  It will be interesting to see how Bibby fits in w/ the other players.  They got beat hard by the Lakers in Bibby’s first game, so tonight’s game against the Warriors could be a better gauge of how well the team is going to wrap up the season.  I see them making the playoffs and being a threat in the first round, but they aren’t advancing (unless they play Orlando or Cleveland).

Some smaller transactions occured including Bonzi Wells (Hornets), Gerald Green (Rockets) and Juan Dixon (Pistons).

Still, the move that may have the most impact is the Lakers’ trade for Pau Gasol.  Memphis basically gave him away to LA, without getting anything back in return (thanks Jerry).  The trade instantly made the Lakers championship contenders in a tight Western Conference.  They are big, they are agile, they are quick, they can adapt, they are confident and they have Kobe Bryant… what else do they need.  Even after adding Shaq to their lineup, the Suns couldn’t even handle the Lakers, who have dominated PHX all year long (watch out in the playoffs).

The New Jersey Nets have reportedly offered super PG Jason Kidd a 2-year contract extension, but the fact that they wouldn’t extend it to 3 years may have sparked a fire under Kidd.  He sat out Wednesday’s game with a “migraine” and claims that he wasn’t sending a message to anyone, including Nets’ managment.  The rumor mill says otherwise…

While you have to give Jason Kidd the benefit of the doubt here, it’s sad to see how easily a player can force a team to move him if he’s unhappy.  Players sign contracts to play the one of the greatest games on the planet and the get paid handsomely for it.  It’s a game… if you don’t like the team you’re on, don’t sign a contract with them when it’s time to renew - go somewhere else.  Wherever you go - you’re stuck there, because that’s what you chose to do.  Team owners should have the right to quit paying players who “tank it” (a la Vince Carter) or force the teams’ hand when it comes to trading them.  Suspend the guy and quit paying him… he’ll be back on the court in no time.

Jason played on Friday night, but just about everyone is saying how unhappy he is (except him).  If New Jersey continues to struggle, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him moved before the trade deadline.

Whether Kidd ends up staying or leaving the Nets, you can still get a Jason Kidd jersey above.