Written by: Kidist Amanuel

The Miami Heat’s forward LeBron James was named the MVP of the 2011-2012 NBA season on Saturday, May 12, 2012, making this the third time James has won the award.

LeBron James became the first Miami Heat player to win the MVP award, and he graciously accepted the trophy in front of the media and his teammates. “I haven’t been nervous like this in a long time,” James said. “I don’t know why. I just think back to where I come from.” James, hailing from Akron, Ohio, is one of only eight players in NBA history to win the award three or more times. This short list of players includes legendary players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Oscar Robertson. A great list to be a part of, right? Unfortunately, he is also the only player out of this eight that has not won a championship, which he addressed during his acceptance speech. “We have a bigger goal,” James said. “I want that championship. That’s all that matters to me.” He even mentioned that he would give all his three MVP awards back for a championship.

LeBron James Accepts Third MVP Award

James received a total of 1074 points, including 85 first-place votes, in this MVP race that was tallied from 120 sportswriters and broadcasters and one NBA.com MVP fan vote. Players were awarded 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for second-place, five for third, three for fourth, and one for each fifth place vote. Rounding out the top five in order in voting are Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.

In this shortened season of NBA due to the lockout, James posted impressive numbers and led the Heat to a 46-20 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. He averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He shot career-best 53 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three-point field as well. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month in January and February and Eastern Conference Player of the Week six times.

When his career comes to an end, LeBron James might match and even pass the record for most MVP awards, which currently stands at six. He is one of the most versatile and arguably the best player in the league right now. As Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers pointed out, “LeBron is an MVP candidate every year. It is just who he is. He only does everything. So I don’t know what more you can ask from him.”

Technorati Tags: Basketball, LeBron, LeBron James, Most Valuable Player, MVP, NBA, Sports

Written by: Kidist Amanuel

The Los Angeles Clippers advance to the Western Conference semifinals after beating the Memphis Grizzlies on May 13, 2012 in game 7 of their first round series.

Just for the third time in the 41 years history of the franchise, the Clippers have won a National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff series. In this best of seven series, the Clippers led the series 3-1, but the Grizzlies hold off elimination twice to tie the series 3-3. Game 7 was a tough, physical game, but the Clippers defeated the Grizzlies on their home court to advance to the second round of playoffs and to faceoff the San Antonio Spurs.

Los Angeles Clippers Advance To Western Conference Semifinals

This series had it fair share of dramatic moments. It ended up being one of the more interesting first round series this year. The first game featured one of the greatest comeback victories in league history. Down by 27 in the second half and 24 points with eight minutes left in the game, the Clippers put together an incredible 26-1 run to steal game one and thus home court advantage from the Grizzlies. The Clipper lost game two and the series was tied 1-1 when the teams went to Los Angeles for game three and four.  Similar to game two, game three was a closely contested game and the Clippers won the game by one point. The Clippers then went on to win game four of the series and get a commanding 3-1 lead, pushing the Grizzlies to the brink of elimination. However, the Grizzlies bounced back and got right back in the series with wins in game five and six by playing their brand of bruising style of basketball. Game seven, which was played in front of the Grizzlies home crowd, was another closely contested game, but the Clippers held on to win the game and thus advance to the next round of the playoffs.

The strong game of point guard Chris Paul during the series is one of the reasons the Clippers are advancing right now. The addition of Chris Paul during the 2011 off-season revitalized and automatically made the Clippers a championship contender team for the next few years. The addition of Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams has also given the team one of the best backcourts in the league. With star power forward Blake Griffin already on the roster, it was no surprise that the Clippers made the playoffs this 2012 season, even if many did not expect them to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Technorati Tags: Basketball, Clippers, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, Sports, Western Conference

Written by: Kidist Amanuel

The NBA defending champions, the Dallas Mavericks, have been eliminated from the first round of the 2012 playoffs after being swept by Oklahoma City Thunder in four games.

The number two ranked Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the best teams in the league throughout the season, were the clear favorites against the number seven ranked Dallas Mavericks when the series started. The veteran Mavs started the best of seven series by playing the first two games on the road. The Mavs lost these two games by a total of four points. They lost the first game on a heartbreaking game-winning shot at the buzzer by Kevin Durant, NBA’s leading scorer. Similar to the first game, the Mavs led in the final minutes of the second game, but once again could not close it out with a win. While the two games in Oklahoma City could have gone either way, game three of the series was a different story. Back in their home turf, the Mavs were expected to bounce back and win the two games at home. Unfortunately, game was not a close game. The Thunder led throughout the game and it was a rout from start to finish. The Mavs put on a valiant effort in game four, but behind the great game of James Harden, 2012 sixth man of the year, the Thunder won the game and clinched the series, effectively sweeping the Mavs.

Dallas Mavericks lose to OKC Thunder in first round of 2012 NBA playoffs

Just a little less than a year ago, the Dallas Mavericks hoisted the first championship trophy in the club’s history. So what happened? How did the Mavericks become just the second team in NBA history to be swept out of the playoffs the year after they win the championship? The roster changes that took place during the off season played a major role.  The Mavericks lost important role players that helped them during the championship run. Defensive and emotional anchor, center Tyson Chandler, was traded to the New York Knicks. Back-up point guard Jose Barea, who played a major role in numerous games, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavericks traded these two players and a few others to open up cap space and prepare for 2012 free agency, showing that their main priority for the season was acquiring top free agents and build for the future rather than defend their championship. Will this pay off? We will have to wait and see in the 2012 off season.

Technorati Tags: Basketball, Dallas, Dallas Mavs, Mavericks, NBA, OKC, Oklahoma City, Sports, Thunder, Western Conference

The ultimate student-athlete

 

Written By: Amy Pritchard

The seemingly endless ethical debate over whether or not student-athletes should receive payment for athletic services is complicated to say the least. Focus needs to be redirected to a more important question, should college athletic revenues be put back into academics?

There are books written on the debate, articles, and reports. In an informal survey I found that five out of every 10 people believes student-athletes should be paid. Everyone has an opinion, but let’s not forget that the student-athlete is a student first. There’s even a campaign by State colleges supporting this. However, with the time commitment and physical demands placed on said student, their athletic performance seems to cast a shadow over their academics. Given the current economic strains on higher education, fewer applicants are being admitted into colleges and tuition fees continue to rise. How can colleges offer an incentive to the student-athlete beyond the academic scholarship, to complete a college degree prior to entering the professional sports arena?  How do we shift our priorities from athletics to academics? Many report the scholarship is fair compensation. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics the average cost of a four-year degree is $21,189. Student-athletes earn this as well as up to $200,000 for living expenses, training, and academic services. Yet, some scholarships fail to cover a lot of the expenses incurred throughout four years of college and there is no guarantee that an annual athletic scholarship will be renewed for every returning student-athlete.

What is a student-athlete scholarship worth? Or, what is a student-athlete worth? If student-athletes are to be paid, do all players of all sports get paid the same? Much like Title IX allocates student-athlete scholarships equally between the sexes. If student-athletes were compensated, would the compensation be spread out equally between the sexes?  Seth Davis, in an article for Sports Illustrated states, “If applied in the free-market, or professional athletics, the answer is no, so in the end are student-athletes more fairly compensated across the board with scholarships, tutoring, and living expenses?”

We want to focus on the big numbers generated by the big programs. Two-thirds of the University of Texas at Austin’s annual revenue of $143.6 million dollars is generated by football. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano earns $2.03 million with bonus whereas a professor’s salary is $142. If the revenues were evenly distributed throughout each educational institution, how would that affect every student’s college experience? If more importance and value was placed on the degree earned while participating in college sports, would this effect the level of importance Americans place on professional sports?  “In fact, every NCAA dollar should go toward its mission, $10.8 million contract with CBS and Turner: The reality is that more than 96% of that money – which will be an average of $740 million each year – goes to the NCAA conferences and schools. 40 percent of NCAA expenditures sustain championships, programs and services.”

The NCAA’s mission is “to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount.” Does the college experience, opportunity to earn a degree, obtain coaching, training, and academic assistance not constitute a paramount experience?  I understand the concern of exploitation of our student-athletes and the possible negative impact corrupt booster gift giving may become if the NCAA lifted the current standards.  If said standards were lifted, will the corrupt gift giving and incentives get out of hand without regulation? Some argue the students are already being exploited. Seth Davis ponders, “[A]s the father of three children under the age of eight, I can only pray that someone “exploits” my sons someday by giving them tuition, room and board at one of America’s finest universities.”

The juggling act of the student-athlete.

 

In an article by Frank DeFord he echoes the sentiments of a Bloomberg report stating revenues incurred by college athletic programs should be put back into academics. “In an environment of fiscal strain confronting state governments, the New Brunswick, New Jersey, school is emblematic of rising tension over funding of athletics at the expense of academics” (Bloomberg). Out of 120 college athletic programs only 14 are profitable, that doesn’t even include the traditionally nonrevenue sports. It stands to reason that there is not a one-size fits all solution to this dilemma.  In an economic climate that puts strain on department budgets, some with cuts of $40,000 for photocopies and computer-scanned testing materials, and others with entire social studies department having their office phones removed in an effort to cut spending, can we justify spending even more? When cuts start effecting the learning environment, out-of pocket expenses for instructors and students, it is only reasonable to look at spending as well as revenue across the board. With headlines touting millions of dollars in revenues, we turn to athletics. It’s easy to look at the big programs and apply their situation to all institutions.

 

Seth Davis’s article is intended to rebut Taylor Branch’s article in The Atlantic. The one thing they both seem to agree on is that the system needs to be fixed. Student-athletes are students first and as such, greater importance should be placed on their education. Where there’s big money, there’s controversy and where there’s controversy people listen. Everyone is worried about the exploitation of the students, what about the exploitation of our educational system, one in which states are enforcing detrimental cuts. Why aren’t we focused instead on the broken educational system in our country?

Technorati Tags: Bloomberg, Frank DeFord, NCAA, Seth Davis, Sports Illustrated, student-athlete

Tiquan Underwood BEFORE learning he wouldn't be playing in the Super Bowl after all

Looks like a Patriots’ fan favorite will be sporting his freshly ‘Pat’ed high-top afro from the rafters of a suite as Bill Belichick releases Tiquan Underwood less than a day before Super Bowl XLVI.

In what many describe to be a yet another classless move by Belichick and the New England Patriots, wide receiver Underwood was taken through the motions of team photos, flying family and friends out for the big game, and relishing the whole day as an integral part of a team that many believe will take another Super Bowl win–all to be told a mere 20 hours before game time that he’s being cut and rookie Alex Silvestro is being promoted from the team’s practice squad in his stead.

Silvestro has only played in one game this season and has made two tackles. In response to the bombshell drop and with more class than his coach, Underwood tweeted, ”This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION… Good Luck To The New England Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates… #PatsNation.“ Equally painful is knowing that this bit of “business” is only to increase the likelihood of playing wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, a prime-time paid player that has only had 15 catches the entire season, but has also never played in the Super Bowl. Underwood, has only had  3 catches in 5 games, but his exuberance and anticipation was rising to the tune of a supremely explosive cog in the Patriots’ offense. While the Patriots have maintained that Underwood is still welcome to return to the team next season and will still receive a ring if they happen to win the Super Bowl, this classlessness makes you wonder if Underwood would even want accept it after having his hopes dashed the night before the big game. Makes you wonder who he’ll be rooting for come game time. And even though the New York Giants can’t sweep him away and make Underwood a part of their roster, it makes you wonder if Underwood will call the Giants and, in a Deepthroat-like voice, say, “I have information you want. Meet me before the game. It’ll make all the difference.”

While the Patriots have consistently made moves like this in order to keep their lineups fresh for each game, Belichick is consistent in his rudeness too. Known to many as a cheater and sore loser, Belichick has infamously walked off the field before the game clock expired  during Super Bowl XLII, despite being told by referees to show sportsmanship and remain on the field. Moves like this make the New England Patriots gain more protesters than fans.

Technorati Tags: bill belichick, chad ochocinco, cuts, new england patriots, new york giants, Patriots' fan favorite, release, super bowl, tiquan underwood, XLVI

Abject desperation ravages 49ers Williams after fumble.

Written by: Nick Mingay

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams received death threats from disgruntled fans this week after his two muffed punts cost the team a win and trip to the Super Bowl.

After the game, many came out in support of Williams, but others used social media sites to send threats of all kinds at the second year receiver.

“I hope you, your wife, kids and family die, you deserve it,” one tweet said on Williams Twitter account.

Williams got near a rolling punt during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. The ball hit his knee and was recovered by the Giants near the 49ers red zone. The second punt was in overtime, Williams fielded it but proceeded to fumble. It was recovered by the Giants Devin Thomas and from there it was an easy field goal for the Giants.

The 49er family was crushed by the loss, but they stood by Williams after his turbulent end to the NFC Championship game.

“There’s some comfort when your teammates come and give you a pat on the back and say we win and lose as a team,” Williams said on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday.

Williams was shocked by the threats made on his life. He spoke about an imaginary line between players and fans in professional sports, some people cross the line and don’t even think twice about it.

“People just write blindly and I guess that’s to be expected  with how open Twitter is,” Williams said on ESPN Radio’s “Hill & Schlereth” on Monday.

Williams did receive some uplifting support from a seven-year-old boy from Los Angeles. The boy, Owen Shure, after being heartbroken by the 49ers loss was asked how he thought Williams felt after his missteps lead to the loss. Shure proceeded to write a letter to his favorite perturbed athlete. The letter told Williams to be proud of the season he had and that Shure would always be his number one fan. This was a welcome sight to Williams after all the negative feedback he had received from fans.

The death threats Williams received are part of the game though. No one understands this more than his father, Kenny Williams, the General Manager of the Chicago White Sox. He has received threats on many occasions for his sometimes questionable trades and free agent signings.

“I’m used to the years of criticism and threats on my life from time to time, but I have to hear about threats on your son’s life while you’re watching TV and it certainly makes you question the culture of sports as it stands,” Kenny Williams told ESPN Chicago.

As for Kyle Williams, all he can do is seek solace in the off-season and come back next year to win back 49er fans that have left him for dead.

Technorati Tags: 49ers, Championship, Death Threats, football, NFC, NFL, playoffs, San Francisco, Williams

Written by: Shauna Bannan

Former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.

Joe Paterno, former Penn State University head football coach and admired figure among collegiate sports, whose reputation was shattered amid a child sexual-abuse scandal, died Sunday of complications from lung cancer.

The death was announced by his family in a statement Sunday morning.

“He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been,” the family said. “His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

He was readmitted to Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College on Jan. 13, nearly a month after being released from suffering a pelvis injury. His cancer treatments were “really taking a lot out of him,” a family friend said.

Paterno served as head coach for 46 years, winning a record 409 games with five undefeated and untied seasons and two national championships. He became the winngingest head coach in Division I football history on Oct. 29, 2011. The game was the last of 548 games Paterno coached.

Within days, Jerry Sandusky, Paterno’s defensive coordinator, was arrested on multiple charges of sexually assaulting eight boys over a 15-year time span, some at the time he served on the staff. The alleged incidents occurred outside the Second Mile, a charity to help at-risk youths, founded by Sandusky.

Trustees believed that Paterno should have taken further action to have Sandusky arrested after hearing information that the former defensive coordinator assaulted a young boy in the shower, witnessed by former assistant coach Mike McQueary. Paterno said he had informed Tim Curley, the athletic director, about the incident, but did not alert law enforcement authorities.

He announced his plans to retire at the conclusion of the season, but the school’s board of trustees fired Paterno on Nov. 9, 2011, enraging Penn State students, alumni, and fans throughout the nation. Assistant coach Mike McQueary and athletic director Tim Curley were fired as well.

“This is a tragedy,” Paterno said in a statement. “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”

Paterno is survived by his wife, Sue, and five children, all graduates from Penn State. His devotion and great efforts as a coach and symbol have left Penn State University, as well as the nation, in shambles.

Technorati Tags: football coach, joe pa, joe pa dies, joe paterno, joe paterno death, joe paterno dies, joepa, paterno, penn state, penn state university

Written By: Jessica Mangiameli

For the second time in a row, extraordinary swimmers from all over the country will come to compete in the Olympic Swim Trials which will be held in Omaha, Nebraska.  The trials will be held at the CenturyLink Center from June 25th-July 2nd.

The winners of these specific trials will earn the right to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics games in London. Omaha earned the right to hold the swim trials for the second time in a row after they hosted the swim trials in 2008 and had record setting attendance. The 2008 record setting meet drew 160,003 attendees over the time span of eight days. When the swim trials were held in Long Beach in 2004, it drew a crowd of 50,000 less than in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008.  In 2008, sixty percent of the tickets were sold to out of town guests. The capacity of the CenturyLink Center is just over 14,000 for each meet, making it a very special opportunity to participate in.

Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Nebraska

The CenturyLink Center is transformed when a portable pool is brought in.  The stage for the Olympic trials contains a green waterfall which is the backdrop for the medal ceremonies. There is also fire that shoots up from the deck when a new world record is set. To accommodate the swimmers, an adjacent convention center has a warm up pool and most swimmers stay in hotels within walking distance of the arena.  It is basically set up like an Olympic village which makes it easier for the coaches and athletes to train.

Some of the major swimmers that will be on hand for the trials include Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte for the men’s division.  The women’s division will include competitors Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni and Natalie Coughlin. Phelps, Lochte, Soni and Coughlin are all returning medalists from the 2008 Olympic games which were held in Beijing.  Missy Franklin is an up-coming 16-year-old super star expected to perform very well.

The first couple days of the 2012 Olympic Swim Trials will overlap with the ending of the College World Series Baseball Tournament.  This could cause a few problems for attendees of each event.  The city assures the public that they have everything under control and there should be very few problems.

The Swim trials can also be seen on television.  It is still to early to predict where the 2016 Olympic Swim Trials will be held but it is certain that Omaha will be considered.  Other competing cities will be on hand in Omaha to gather ideas on what their city can do to compete for the right to hold the trials.

Technorati Tags: 2012, CenturyLink Center, London, Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Nebraska, Olympic Swim Trials, Olympics, Omaha, Rebecca Soni, Ryan Lochte, Sports, Swim Trials, Swimming

By: Barbara J. Ross

The cover of Sport’s Illustrated is certainly a coveted photograph.  But – there exists an urban legend about “the curse.”  The curse is explained that if you are lucky enough to be photographed for that premier photo shoot, then you are doomed to failure in the current season.

Let’s examine the past evidence.  As far back as the legend apparently holds true.  OnAugust 16, 1954, baseball’s Eddie Mathews was a third baseman for the Braves.  He had played with the team for a nine-game winning streak and was the very first person that the magazine used for its cover.  What an honor!  The bad news followed.  Mathews broke his hand and missed the next seven games.

Within six months skier Jill Kinmont graced the cover and then was involved in a crash that nearly killed her.  She was paralyzed from the neck down into the rest of her body.

There are examples all throughout history. This has not stopped in modern times.  The famous New York Yankees were affected in April of 2010 when what was known as the “Core Four” were comprised of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada. Together, they graced the Sports Illustrated cover.  Jeter suffered injuries within one week and eventually returned to play in what was considered his worst season of his career.

The Texas Rangers catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, was lucky or unlucky to have the cover opportunity on October 31, 2011 during their play in that year’s World Series.  His team, the Texas Rangers, went on to lose the coveted trophy to St. Louis.  This was despite the fact that during the World Series game six, St. Louis lost after they were only one strike away from winning!

One could argue that this jinx is not always true.  For example, Michael Jordan is considered by some to be the greatest athlete in history.  He was featured on Sports Illustrated Cover no less the 57 times.  Mark Spitz was featured on the cover twice – once on July 22, 1968 and again on September 4, 1972.  We all know that these covers  proceeded his win of a record number of gold medals (seven) for his swimming feats.

The consumer must then be the judge.  Is this accolade a curse or impetus?  Is the curse a reality or just the urban legend as claimed?  Well, time will tell with the premier football quarterback of New England Patriots, Tom Brady.

His appearance this week (January 18, 2011)  on the cover marks the twelfth time he has appeared as the cover icon.  This number ties the number of times that retired Joe Montana appeared.  Time will tell as Brady works to advance to the 2012 Super Bowl.  Is the jinx fact or fiction, reality or urban legend?

As a note, the Pittsburgh Steelers are mentioned on the cover that depicts Brady, and they lost their playoff game on the next Sunday after publication. Who knows what this curse means!

Technorati Tags: cover, cover subject, jinx, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated Cover

Boston Bruins

Written by: Damian Roache

The Boston Bruins came into Dallas on Saturday as one of the hottest teams in the league, but inconsistent play and a hungry Dallas Stars team combined to end their seven-game winning streak. Dallas ended their own two-game losing streak and improved to 6-4-0 in their last ten games.

Former Bruin Michael Ryder put Dallas ahead for good with less than one minute left in the first period. His backhand shot beat Tim Thomas and gave the Stars a 3-1 lead going into the second period. Poor decisions with the puck by Boston allowed the Dallas forwards too much time in the offensive zone. Ryder had plenty of time and space to make a move on the net with no one covering him.

Dallas also got goals from Loui Eriksson, Trevor Daley and Tom Wandell.

Despite scoring the second goal of the game to tie the score at 1-1, Boston never seemed fully committed to playing their best game. A pair of goals late in the period energized the Stars and took away any momentum that the Bruins might have gained from Tyler Seguin’s goal.

The Stars pushed the Bruins throughout the full game, causing a number of bad turnovers and even getting one Bruin to lose his calm. Zdeno Chara was covering the front of the net when he received a crosscheck from Dallas’ Brendan Morrow. Chara took offense and pushed Morrow to the ice in retaliation, but unfortunately for the Bruins he would receive the only penalty from the incident.

Penalty killing is usually one of the Bruins’ assets, but on Saturday they allowed two power play goals against the Stars. The failure to kill off a slew of penalties in the opening period was one of the biggest reasons that Boston lost.

After the game, Bruins’ coach Claude Julien was blunt in his analysis of the game.

“It was us. We didn’t play a very good game from the get go,” Julien said. “From the first guy to the last guy tonight, I don’t think we had a very strong game.

Some Bruins fans might have seen this coming. The Bruins’ last game ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for the Bruins against the Phoenix Coyotes. Despite coming away from that game with two points and another win, Boston showed signs of cooling off from its recent run that has seen the team go 21-3-1 since November.

The year 2011 was an extraordinary time for the Bruins and their fans, capping a tremendous playoff run with the first Stanley Cup victory since the 1970s. Saturday’s loss to the Stars was an uncharacteristic loss for the Bruins and closed the book on a great year with a disappointing lack of effort.

One positive development for the Bruins was the return of forward Rich Peverley. Peverley played almost 17 minutes and showed no signs of rust in his game, despite not registering a point.

Technorati Tags: Boston Bruins, Bruins, Dallas Stars, Hockey, NHL, Stars