Lebron James The Brand Or Human

For a long time, I came to believed that the Nike slogan of “Just Do It” fueled everyone in the universe and more so, the professional athletes who are paid to wear the logo on their hats, shirt, pants and shoes.

Just Do It…made my golf game better, I bought Nike shoes, golf bag and clubs, I bought into the Nike hype, and yes I did. So did Lebron, MJ, Kobe, Tiger, Venus, Serena, my son and daughter and millions of other Nike buying Americans.

Unlike you and I, the superstars who wear the Nike logo, are paid to be their best to a fault. It is almost expected that these athletes are not allowed to miss a putt, free throw, field goal, or yes a dunk during the off-season.

I guess you know where I am going with this. I know readers of my blog posts over the last few months can or will decide that I am huge Lebron James fan, matter of fact I am knowledgeable on all things Lebron and Cleveland Cavaliers.

As to King James, one thing I know for sure, he is a believer, or shall I say witness to the “Just Do It” cliché. James also takes responsibility for his actions, except for the Conference Finals, when he made an early exit off the court, without displaying his brand of leadership and sportsmanship that became so signature for him during the season.

For that, I gave him a free pass on the misstep, alluding to the fact, that we have to also remember he is young. After learning about the recent dink-incident with the Xavier player, Jordan Crawford at a pick up game, where the King was temporarily de-throned. I was reminded that Lebron is not only young and human, but he is a corporation who is protecting his brand.

Of course the details are very sketchy as to whether Lebron was dunked on, because of course sources are saying the people from Just Do It land confiscated the tapes, or shall I say evidence, leaving dunk-master Jordan Crawford with no proof or bragging rights.

In my opinion, it was not a big deal, as Lebron is not really supposed to be taking on some college kid in a full-fletched dunk-fest, pursuant to contractual obligation with his team. I know for sure its standard with NFL contracts, to prevent off-season injuries.
So it’s easy for the Lebron non-believers to put on the heat. As long as he did not hurt himself in his quest to save his ego, his true fans are happy.

The only thing I disagree with is that Nike did not use that dunk as an opportunity to make another ad showing their pitchman as an underdog. Of course, society forces athletes to be almost near perfect in their everyday life on and off the field/court. Corporate sponsors are paying recession dollars for endorsements, so both the company and the athlete are on permanent notice of any less than perfect performance.

To me Lebron should have hailed the kid as a rising star; yes Jordan Crawford did rise to the occasion, isn’t that what life is all about? But the way it was handled, causes speculation about whether he is even expected to miss a dunk, he is not only a dumpster, he a mentor, volunteer, pro basketball player, father and all around, Nike should “Just Realized That” and “Witness That”.

Breast Cancer Hits Home For Phil Mickelson Again

They say that you never quite grow up until you parents get ill or pass away, so pro-golfer Phil Mickelson will have to muster up the strength and courage as a caregiver for the second time around, as his mom was his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and is to have surgery later this week.

Just weeks after receiving the diagnosis on his wife Amy, Phil will have to embrace his mom through her struggles with this grave illness also. One can never be too prepared for these occurrences and we could only be thankful, that the every day challenges Phil faces playing golf has prepared him for this journey.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on its Web site that Mary Mickelson discovered she had breast cancer last week. She is to have surgery Friday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the same hospital where Mickelson’s wife, Amy, had surgery last Wednesday.
Mickelson’s sister, Tina, told the newspaper she wanted to make her mother’s condition known so she could receive the same outpouring of support and prayers that meant so much to Amy Mickelson.

Mickelson has not spoken publicly since the U.S. Open where he was a runner-up for a record fifth time.

His parents live in the same San Diego house where they raised their three children. Mary Mickelson was honored in 1998 as “Mother of the Year” by the San Diego chapter of the March of Dimes. She said at the time, “I don’t know if I’ve done anything extra than other mothers. We’ve always been involved and have just been there.”

Mickelson said at Bethpage Black that it was “highly unlikely” he would play the British Open, and said his schedule the rest of the year depended on his wife’s battle with cancer.

So I join the millions of fans who are rooting for Mary, Amy and all the rest of cancer patients out there. Remember to wear something pink in their honor.

Steve McNair Gone Too Soon

Several years ago, when I was first doing my research and weighing my options to become a sports agent, someone made a big impact on my life. I guess he had seen the fire in my eyes and saw how I wanted to help his fellow pro football colleagues. That someone was Steve McNair.

I met Steve and his brother at an Arena Football game here in Florida, where his brother was the quarterback, for the Florida Bobcats. A friend who has just retired from baseball and was giving me a look behind the scenes, on my quest to become a sports agent, introduced me to him.

I can tell you that Mr. McNair was very warm, seemingly kind hearted and extremely encouraging, he told me to do my best and keep my nose clean. And even after that, I could hear his words and other such kind words echoing inside my head as I conducted business as an agent.

As the tragic news of his death hit me on Saturday, it quickly came to pass that the pro-football player that I had met and watched on TV was taken away from his family in a rather tragic fashion. The speculations are mounting and frankly none of that is my business right now.

As always, I will rise above the fray and commend the man who donated his time and efforts to the community, I will lift up his efforts to his hometown during the time of Hurricane Katrina, and celebrate with all the players and fans who got to meet him.

At the end of the day, Steve McNair suffered a tragic death, leaving behind a wife and mother of his children. I am not condoning his shortcomings and the public disgrace; Mechelle McNair must face, but willingly admit that we are all human.

We have to remember that life give the greatest opportunities to shine and the biggest temptations to fail, so it upon us to choose, how we are remembered.

So today as a sports fan, mother, former wife, sports agent, volunteer and mentor, lets pick the opportunities of success and always second-guess the people we let into our live.

To Mechelle McNair, our prayers are with you on this difficult journey and please do not look back. RIP Steve McNair.

Breakfast At Wimbledon: An All-Williams Final

If I were a betting woman, I would have been raking in cash an hour ago, as my two favorite tennis divas finished their semifinals in winning form, heading into a sister-sister matchup on Center Court of Wimbledon in the women’s final on the 4th of July. As a tennis fan and one who especially cheer for the sons and daughters from our soil. I am truly happy for Venus and Serena who have on many occasions held that flag way up high for American Tennis.

Serena and Venus matchups are my favorites, but I am always very torn, as I have a problem deciding which sister I will cheer for. I normally just go with the flow, cheering for Serena because she is the little sister and rooting for Venus when she has no mercy as a big sister.
But all in all, I will be watching the finals with a lot of pride for these two legends in their own rights. Serena, a two-time Wimbledon champion, was pushed to the limit by the fourth-seeded Dementieva but raised her game when she needed in one of the most compelling women’s matches at the All England Club in years.
She saved match point and overcame Elena Dementieva 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6 in an overwhelming fashion, setting up another championship match against sister Venus. The 2-hour, 49-minute epic of a match ended when Dementieva sailed a backhand wide. And in true Serena signature style, she threw her head back, pumped her arms and hopped up and down in celebration.
It was Serena’s eighth straight win in a Grand Slam semifinal going back to the 2003 French Open. She is now 14-2 overall in Grand Slam semifinals. The results set up a second straight and fourth overall women’s final here between the Williams siblings. One Williams or the other has won seven of the past nine championships at the All England Club.
Venus and Serena Williams won in contrasting fashion Thursday to set up their fourth all-sister Wimbledon Five-time winner Venus needed only 51 minutes to overwhelm Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0 and reach her eighth Wimbledon final.
Venus is bidding to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win Wimbledon three years in a row and is trying for No. 6 overall. Serena beat Venus in the 2002 and 2003 finals at the All England Club
There have been seven all-Williams championship matches at majors, with Serena holding a 5-2 lead. Overall, the sisters are tied 10-10.
“Oh my God, this is my eighth final, and it’s a dream come to true to be here again and have the opportunity to hold the plate up,” Venus said. The sisters – with 17 Grand Slam titles between them – will face each other Saturday in a Fourth of July final.
“A fourth final – it’s so exciting. It was so hard before my match to watch all that drama,” Venus said, referring to Serena’s semifinal. “It was so difficult. But the hardest part is next to come, to play Serena Williams.”
My most perfect sports moment: breakfast at Wimbledon, all-Williams final on 4th of July – priceless.

Is Jim Brown Starting A Beef With Tiger Woods

As a lover of everything sports, I really do insist on myself, to find time away from the games to give back. I have been a volunteer ever since I can remember on the insistence of my dear my – bless her heart. She told me that giving back, in whichever way I could, makes or break who you are as a human being.

But as the years rolled by, I have giving back to causes I believed in, and some that I have had fun doing. As a volunteer, I have been an event planner, volunteer recruiter, fundraiser, board member, Orange Bowl Ambassador, even assisting with my kids’ booster club.

At no time during my tenure as a volunteer, did anyone seek to tell me that I needed to be more socially involved with the various issues we all are faced with. The various organizations, where I donated my time, was simply thrilled that I gave of my time, versus writing a check.

But trust me, if I ever could afford to start a foundation to help others, it would be a recreation center with indoor golf courses, basketball courts, batting cages and you name it. I think children are our future and fully well believe that if we invest in them from an early age, we will not live to regret it.

This segways me into the recent comments made by NFL Hall of Famer, Jim Brown about Tiger Woods. Everyone who knows me, knows that NO ONE speaks ill about Tiger Woods – no one. But I will be a grown up this time around for the sake of being fair.

If I must paraphrase Brown, who said that Tiger is a killer in his sports and will run you over, but is not doing enough for social issues. Jim, I have one question, who deem you the know all, be all on social issues? First of all, as a woman, I am quite taken aback that you will speak from your high and mighty throne, knowing the injustices that you have been accused of in your past.

Correct me if I am wrong, not one time, did I her you come out and speak remorsefully about the number of domestic violence accusations that have loomed around you for the last few years.

Yes, you have purportedly tried to clean up your act, but fighting street crime and worked with gang violence, but who are you to judge what drives Tiger? Seriously, golf and football are two different sports; the way of thinking is totally different as a pro golfer and a pro footballer.

Not to knock what your efforts are on social issues, but there are different approaches, you might believe that fighting gang violence and inducing neighborhood peace is where its at, while Tiger created a foundation to teach kids to regenerate their efforts into being a good sportsman, ultimately making decisions about the future and beyond.

The question is not what you have done to prove you are a contributor on social issues, but rather are you doing anything at all to make a difference. Henceforth, in that regarding Mr. Woods should not be the focus of your banter, instead, you should express an interest to collaborate instead of criticize.

Now, just in case Brown has not visit the Tiger Woods Foundation’s website to inquire, before making that ridiculous statement, here is an excerpt from the website:
Empowering Youth: Providing access to critical developmental programs is a priority for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Youth are encouraged to explore their interests and career aspirations in an inspiring and supportive environment at the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Achieving goals and reaching dreams is the focus of our nationwide character development program. The Foundation is giving youth the skills to lay their own groundwork for the future.

We can proudly say that more than 10 million young people have benefited from the Tiger Woods Foundation since its inception in 1996. Through programs and annual events, the Foundation continues to make a difference in the lives of youth around the world.
Our programs, initiatives and students continue to grow and exceed expectations every day. What started out with limited access throughout America, now reaches out to young people around the world. We’re proud to say this is just the beginning.

Just in case Jim was not familiar with the Tiger Woods Action Plan; here is another excerpt (there is even a phone number for ease of reference Jim):
Defining goals and achieving them while giving back to the community is what Tiger’s Action Plan is all about. A character development program for youth 8-17, Tiger’s Action Plan addresses three priorities: character education, volunteer service and career exploration.

The curriculum begins by helping kids identify their dreams and goals. By the fourth unit, they are asked to plan an Action Project that will benefit their community and throughout the remainder of the program will explore careers and reflect on their efforts. For the grand finale, participants complete their Action Project and give a formal presentation to their friends, family and community.

Once completed, participants are equipped with tools to help them continue setting and achieving their own personal goals, creating their own ladder to success. Since the program also encourages community service and volunteerism, young people are instilled with a desire to give back to their local communities and continue making a difference.
Teachers and group leaders can obtain a ready-to-go curriculum, and individuals can participate in the program by clicking on the link below or calling 1-866-916-GOAL.

What I think this all boils down to, is Jim wanting Tiger to be the stereotypical spokesperson to the problems facing inner city kids and neighborhoods, nothing wrong with that, but there are different approaches. So the next time Jim Brown wants to “beef” with Tiger, he should pick up the phone and call Tiger to discuss ideas, instead of trying to rule the social issues platform, looking from his “throne” like the model citizen that he is. In short and with due respect, Jim Brown “shut the hell up.”

Pistons’ Head Coach Michael Curry Ousted

The cutting axe was wheeling in Detroit earlier today when the Pistons fired Coach Mike Curry. It looks as if that the Pistons are trying to heal the bleeding and start their rebuilding process, which started with the Chauncey Billups trade, a sub-par .500 record and a sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. That ouster by the Cavaliers ended the Pistons’ six year streak of making it to the conference finals.
Team president for basketball operations, Joe Dumars recentlt spoke about bringing back Curry for next season, but changed his mind about the fate of his former Pistons teammate after further consideration.
“This was a difficult decision to make,” Dumars said in a statement. “I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”
Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg said the timetable for naming a new coach was up in the air. “Obviously with the free agency period starting Wednesday, July 1, 2009, we don’t know quite the speed of it,” Grigg said.
Another ex-Pistons player and former Dumars teammate, Bill Laimbeer, stepped down in June as coach of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock, saying he wanted a shot at coaching in the NBA. Laimbeer did not immediately respond to an e-mail messages seeking comment.
The Pistons began the season with big hopes but couldn’t recover from the loss of All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups in a November trade to Denver for Allen Iverson — a move intended to feature Iverson’s creativity and create time for emerging guard Rodney Stuckey.
Instead, the Pistons fell apart. They won just three games in February and three in April, plummeting to the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff seeding and a no-win matchup with LeBron James and the Cavs.
The playoff series loss ended a dominant run: The Pistons and the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers are the only franchises to play in six straight conference finals since 1970-71, when teams had to win two series to advance that far.
Immediately after the season, Dumars defended Curry. “It was an up-and-down season for him,” Dumars said then. “And, an up-and down-season for us. … The fact that we made so many changes for a first-year coach, I had to step back and be a little more patient than I have been. … I tried to put myself in his shoes.”
Dumars last week started rebuilding the roster. The Pistons may very well part with unrestricted free agents Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, and they picked up forwards Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko in last week’s draft.
Last year, Dumars fired coach Flip Saunders after he led the team to the conference finals in each of his three seasons. Curry was an assistant under Saunders for one season. The Pistons also parted ways with Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in 2005 after he helped them win a title and almost repeat during his two years with the team. Rick Carlisle was fired after two years with the Pistons following an conference finals appearance in his second season and NBA Coach of the Year honors in his first.
Curry, who played for the Pistons in 1995-1997 and 1999-2003, started his playing career as an undrafted free agent during the 1993-94 season in Philadelphia and ended during the 2004-05 season with the Indiana Pacers.
Near the end of his playing career, Curry headed the NBA players’ association, leading it from 2001-2003. He later served as the NBDL’s vice president for player development and the NBA’s vice president for basketball operations.

On To The Semifinals For Venus Williams

With the recent developments at Wimbledon, it would seem like the stage is being set for an all Williams final. As earlier today five-time champion Venus Williams overpowered Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-2 to move on to the semifinals in royal fashion.
Williams who over powered her opponent, hitting shots from all over the court, proving that she is a stalwart on grass. Although Venus wore a brace on her left leg, she did not skip a beat, slamming over 29 winners in stark comparison of the six winners her opponent offered up.
Both players endured the red hot sun, in a match which lasted little over 60 minutes. “I can’t complain,” Williams said. “I’m in the semifinals of Wimbledon, right where I want to be. I just need to take another step forward.”
Williams raced to a 5-0 lead against Radwanska, and finished off the first set with back-to-back aces. Williams dropped only two of 18 points on serve in the set.
Radwanska managed to win the first two games of the second set, but Williams regained command and ran off six straight to finish the match, ending with a clean forehand winner.
Serena Williams, a two-time Wimbledon champion herself, was due up later on Centre Court against 19-year-old Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. The sisters have met in three Wimbledon finals, including last year, and are on course for a fourth title meeting.
“That would be fantastic,” Venus said. “That’s what Serena and I are hoping for.” Venus Williams is trying to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win three Wimbledon titles in a row.
Only once in the last nine years has there been a Wimbledon women’s final that didn’t feature at least one of the Williams sisters. The sisters were the only two Grand Slam winners left in the women’s field — Serena has 10 major titles and Venus seven.
An all Williams finals, is what the fans back home are hoping for too, so we will continue to be the cheering force behind the sisters, although deep down inside I am rooting for Venus.

Yao Ming Might Be Out For 2010 Season

The Houston Rockets had better throw a dinner party for all the players; so that they could serve up some good food with the bad news the team received on center Yao Ming’s left foot injury. According to reports, this injury could be severe enough to hold out the big man next season, and could even be career threatening. Ming will know the severity of the injury upon completion of the selected treatment method, which will be used.
According to Rockets’ team physician Tom Clanton, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.”
Clanton, responding to a story on Yahoo Sports that reported that the Rockets and Yao representatives are concerned Yao will never play again, said that Yao could choose to try again to immobilize the foot in the hopes that the hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone would heal on its own, as several of his previous bone injuries have and doctors expected this time.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said that he would not comment until he knows all the facts. Yao is scheduled to meet with several specialists to consider a wide variety of options. Clanton declined to say what option he expects to recommend. Because Yao is entirely asymptomatic, there remains a hope that additional time in a boot or cast could allow the bone to heal on its own.
Yao had a pin inserted in the foot in February 2006 and was ready to play in the Olympics in less than six months, and in 77 regular-season games last season. Clanton, however, said there is concern that a more extreme procedure might be warranted, even though his current injury is considered less severe.
If Ming misses the entire season, we can safely say that the Rockets luck out on the deal involving Shaq. Although it is not clear whether Shaq would have elected to go to Houston in a trade. Even though Houston has managed to win without Ming, he is an integral part of their team. Hope he gets well soon.

Alonzo Mourning Returns To The Miami Heat

Former Miami Heat Center Alonzo Mourning will bring his game back to the Miami Heat, but this time as a front office personnel. Mourning is in the process of cementing a deal with the Heat that will allow him to work in a player development role, serving as a mentor to the young players on and off the court.

This announcement came during a Miami Heat team golf charity event here in Miami. Heat president Pat Riley confirmed through a team spokesman that plans are in the works to give Mourning an official front-office capacity.

”We are in discussions with Mourning, and in the stage of forming a long-term relationship,” Riley said Friday. Mourning’s duties have yet to be defined, but it is he likely that he would work with young players, draft picks and free agents to help them adjust to the franchise and living in South Florida.

Mourning also would serve as a liaison to help assist Heat players in community activities and charities. Mourning is expected to earn a salary, and is likely to travel with the team and assist the coaching staff.

Mourning, 39, officially retired in January after playing 15 seasons. He was a seven-time All-Star and was twice named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Mourning helped the Heat win an NBA title in 2006. He sustained a career-ending knee injury in December 2007 against Atlanta.

Mourning retired as the Heat’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes and games played. In March, he became the first Heat player to have his jersey retired when his No. 33 was raised to the rafters. Mourning has been heavily involved in charitable and political activities throughout his basketball career.

Mourning has maintained an almost daily presence around the team since he retired. But his hiring comes a month after the Heat dismissed about 20 employees in business operations amid budget cuts. Mourning’s position is considered a separate basketball operations position.

A Fan’s Tribute To Michael Jackson

Long before Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover, Venus Williams, Serena William or Michael Jordan, there was the pop icon, the musical ambassador, the gloved one – yes Michael Jackson.

So today as we mourn the death and loss this musical superhero, lets take a moment in silence for this gentle giant and a musical pioneer, but lets not forget during that moment, that he was a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend.

Now is not the time, to celebrate his down falls, but rather, we must embrace the good he has done for humanity through his music and charity. Lets remember how this son of our very soil brought dance and pop music to every corner of the eastern and western world. Let raise our hand in solidarity for every child, and all the other causes that his donations have helped.

Lets recall where we were, when we first heard: Beat It, Thriller, Human Nature, Ben or Dirty Diana. Lets whistle, lets hum to his tunes and for one moment in time, set our mind, body and soul at ease, because we were a part of his musical journey.

They say life is not a destination, but a journey, and Michael Jackson made his way around the corners, curves and speed bumps of his life. He left us behind as fans wishing he had giving us more of himself, but seriously what else could we have asked of a man whose music transcends race, class and creed.

He was a soft-spoken man, who for most of his life lived an existence, which was enriched, but similarly impoverished. He was a king in his own right, but was deprived of the simple things our children now takes for granted. He was forced to live and make his own happiness, which in itself is an arduous task.

So today Michael wherever you are, may you no longer struggle to be understood, I hope you find the peace of mind you so diligently sought to find, and may you find friends among the angels.

My duty to you was as a fan, so I thank you for the many years that I was able to turn to your music, when I need to the comfort just to be happy. Thank you the lyrical contents and the arrangements they were like no other. Most important rest in peace MJ – you deserve it.