Living a Little Boys Dream in LA

As a young kid from Raleigh, NC I was always a huge follower of the game of basketball. I collected, sold and traded player cards as well as dominated my friends all the time on the court in and after school; mimicking players from Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter to Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. Whether it was my NCAA team, the UNC Tarheels or the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, I had my teams and players who garnished my full support and ultimately made a fan out of me. Over the last five months I’ve lived in Hollywood, CA I decided to make it a daily objective to live out my dreams.

In fact, one of my life long dreams was to attend a Los Angeles Laker game. I speak in past tense because this week I got the opportunity to check it off the old bucket list. Ironically, I attended the game where the Lakers played North Carolina’s own Charlotte Bobcats. However, it was not an impressive performance by the away team, with Charlotte losing 106-73.  Kobe had 24 points and Andrew Bynum was a ferocious beast inside the paint all night, grabbing 11 rebounds while solidifying his place as the leading All-Star candidate at the Center position.

Although I watched the game I was marveled by the arena and its ambiance of greatness, the banners, the coaches, the players the history and especially my tickets. Thanks to Stubhub.com I sat approximately 10 rows from the court. I could not believe I was sitting right next to major media analysts and journalists like, CBS’s Jim Hill and ESPN’s J.A. Adande. As an aspiring writer and journalist it was as if I caught a glimpse of where I shall be some day.

The interesting thing is that I did not think about going to the game until I took a look at some of the player’s season stats on NBA.com in an effort to cast my vote for this month’s All-Star Game. While browsing the web I was prompted over 5 times by numerous companies to buy tickets for the next home game. At first, I did not pay any attention, but after a while the digital marketing took full affect over my impulse, and for about three days all I could think about was whether I was going or not.

The price for the tickets was the major concern for me. Luckily, I clicked on about three to four ticket sites to research the seating location before making my decision. After purchasing my tickets I was asked if I wanted to share my purchase on facebook. In my opinion, this was in an effort to make my friends jealous or build their impulses as well to generate likes or future business. Because I’m such a nice guy I decided not to rub it in. Instead I figured I’d blog about it. Until next time folks.

Video Source:

LA Lakers vs Charlotte Bobcats Full Highlight Jan, 31 2012 [video file] Retrieved    

     from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXj1cFWXMWo

Wake Up! Wake Up!…The Tebow Nightmare is over

For a majority of the NFL season it seemed like Tebow was favored a bit more by the Lord than everyone else on the planet.  His story is more “reel” than “real”. His whole legacy is something out of a Best-Picture winner at the Golden Globe’s.  This guy was the third string quarterback who rose to starter after much hype by fans and the media. The team even released their starter, Kyle Orton to justify making a decisive change at the position.

No other third string quarterback comes to mind as one of the league leaders in Jersey sales like Tebow. This guy brought so much money and attention to the league and the Denver Broncos franchise. The funny thing is that all that’s good about him as a person and a player does not solidify a starting role as QB next season. The Broncos ended their season by getting the ‘smackdown’ laid on them with a 45 to 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Although they ended on a sour note, the team did win their division and they also won their first playoff game in over 5 years.

John Elway has a major project on his hands for next season. As the team manager he must ensure the team continues to progress. If they are going to run the ball as much as they did this season, next season, I doubt Willis Mcgahee is the answer at running back.  I would not be surprised to see them take a running back in this year’s draft. Brady Quinn is a free-agent and the chance at a high draft-pick had been diminished by the success of this season. These two issues both work in Tebow’s favor for solidifying the starting role next season; Although, Elway clearly cannot be happy with a 47.1 completion percentage and low QB rating.

Tebow has got some work to do to call himself a conventional quarterback. There have been many running quarterbacks in the NFL but none more polarizing than Tebow. 

Much of the reason behind his legacy extends far beyond his play on the field.  Kordell Stewart mentioned on ESPN that it’s because he’s white that he gets the opportunity to put up such bad numbers. Stewart maintained that he and many other black quarterbacks had to play multiple positions, like Cornerback or Wide Receivers; before they were trusted enough to play quarterback. Even Brian Urlacher and many other players expressed that Tebow was more of a running back, than quarterback. 

Despite the story behind the man, the point is I am so happy this nightmare is over. I was getting sick of hearing Skip Bayless and other analysts talk about the same person every single day on every single show that ESPN broadcasts.  I’m an avid fan of the network and I must say I was disgusted and perplexed by so much Tebow coverage. At first I was rooting for the guy, but after all that hype on him, I became anxious to wake-up from spell the media once again placed over me and every other fan of the Lord’s work.

We got the truth but...Does anyone Care or Pay Attention

It’s amazing how much people allow to happen right under their noses. Whether it comes from entertainment, religion or the political industry, it sometimes seems people have been purposely psychologically manipulated by the same systems put in place to educate, entertain and govern them.

Call them conspiracy theories or whatever you want, many of the stories that depict the full details of many new developments in our society go heard by a few, instead of by the masses. Remember Kennedy’s speech on corruption and secret societies, building 7, the Eddie Long situation, or even who really killed Biggie and Tupac. There’s so much apathy in the minds of many viewers. It is as if most people just do not know that so many stories go untold or are hidden in plain sight by the mass media.

It takes great control, team building, budgeting, and execution to pull off not telling the truth or the full story.  Sometimes I wonder is the communications industry much like ‘the mob’. It’s like the owners of major broadcast stations have to be involved in lobbying and backing politicians and celebrities on some level. Even Keith Olberman was attacked and suspended on this issue. Not to mention the hero worship that takes place when a new movie by Brad Pitt, or Tom Cruise comes out and how the rest of the world takes a backseat to its issues to enjoy the latest project from Tinseltown.

These may be my opinions but as a human it is as if viewers and consumers share more of an apathetic approach to industry news that may disrupt or cause them to question their opinions on the world around them.

Most notably, politicians are known to illustrate this behavior; for instance, the NDAA’s (National Defense Authorization Act) unpopular support amongst civilians but heavy support in Washington D.C. It is signed and confirmed by the president that American civilians suspected of terrorism or any action or expression the federal government deems a threat against their agenda, may be investigated and ceased and detained without warrant or access to any trial at all. This strikes me as such a major issue while most people are thinking about what new song their favorite artist will drop next or which team will win the next big game.

If you are the person who feels like the only one paying attention, you are not alone. 

Once Upon A Time I loved a show

I must admit I am a fan of ABC’s new show Once Upon A Time. The show is about many fairy tale characters we know and love and how the evil which has trapped them in an alternate realm (today’s society) where they have forgotten who they were and from which they came; All because Snow White stole the witches happiness. How and why has yet to be determined, however, the show is developing the premise and the characters of the show on a consistent basis. I must say my favorite thing about the show is the acting. I am always surprised at how deep into the character many of the actors go. For instance, the wicked witch has the most believable negative attitude I have seen in a TV sitcom or series in quite some time. She makes me hate her with passion on some episodes and on others I fall in love with her dark sadistic tactics and tone.

Most of my guy friends ragged on me and made fun until they saw the show for themselves. After that they were hooked just as I was. In fact, my friends and me found out about the show through watching Monday Night Football. I guess since Disney owns ESPN and it is also an ABC affiliate, the station was running recurring 30 second commercials during the football games to generate a buzz and recruit the adult male demographic. In this case the marketing through sports was successful. The show comes on Sundays at 8pm Eastern Time and for some reason I’m always too busy. To be honest, I DVR the show and when a game is on that I do not want to watch because one team is overmatched or just getting blown out, I flip to the show and catch up on what I missed from the previous week. However, if they were looking to appeal to the average sports fan that watches Football, then they were successful in recruiting me.

Madden NFL 2012 Review

In the event you are looking for an alternative to first person shooter, or adventure games, Madden NFL 2012 would prove to be a wise choice. For starters, as far as the experience you get from viewing the standard gameplay is concerned, the graphics and color detail are nearly next to real life. Not too much has changed as far as game controls. However, kicking the ball for field goals and extra points may be an initial challenge for beginners. For the most part, to maximize the games full capability it requires awareness, timing and overall, patience. You’re not just going to play this game once and call yourself a master at it. In fact, the computer IQ is another thing this game has going for it. I’ve played the game since I was 12 and long gone are the days where you could do a HB Draw up the middle for twenty yards every down. I mainly play it on the Playstation3 Console but the XBOX360 version is mainly the same.

Overall I give the game a 9 out of 10 rating. There’s not too much more they could have done with it. Much of the games foundation is nearly set in stone each year. The game is one of the most consistent marketing and sponsorship tools for the NFL. It generates interests and informs fans on every facet of the teams and players associated. The endorsement of John Madden by Electronic Arts, helps gamers and fans of the NFL continue to identify with the Hall of Fame coach and long-time NFL analyst, years after he retired.
         The main updates and changes usually consist of roster shifts like trades and free agency. I like to update and save the rosters according to the changes that have taken place in real like. So if a player is cut from a team, I remove them from the team’s roster and save it before playing. This is a major factor for experienced gamers who want to level the playing field in an exhibition or season mode. In fact, there are various modes where you can create players, playbooks, and teams, for the sake of developing a dynasty in the games dynasty mode, which stretches over the course of 20 years.

In the end if you are looking for something to jolt the old competitive spirit then this games for you.

The Media: Is it Truly Objective and Legitimate in its Coverage of Sports?

In light of recent technological advancements in mass communications, media rights and credentials have undergone a facelift in the sports industry. What I mean is the image, integrity and objectivity of the press is long gone. Although there are traditional journalists and media professionals out there, they are no longer the rule but perhaps the exception. In an era where sports bloggers are allowed clearance into locker rooms, and team meetings, it is not uncommon for integrity and the facts to be dismissed on behalf of more hits on a web page or more twitter followers. Today, many reporters and journalists do not perform the task of confirming the accuracy of their sources. In fact, many of them even make up false rumors about a team or player just to get attention from fans, and colleagues. For example, the Mike Wise twitter rumor that took place in 2010. Ken Fang writes, “

[Mike Wise of the Washington Post thought it would be a good idea to put some fake news on Twitter just to see the reaction. The idea according to Wise would be that other reporters would fail to vet his Tweet and he would be able to say, “I told you so.” The only problem that while other reporters did quote his Tweet, Wise eventually revealed on Twitter and his DC radio show that he made the whole thing up] (2010).

Although, Wise winded up with egg on his face in the end, this speaks volumes as to how easy it is to manipulate the press and discredit its integrity. With the use of twitter, facebook and other social media outlets the media has ran into a situation where teams are beginning to question how viable of a commodity they are to them. Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, illustrates this view of the press in a recent blog post,

[I’m going to make this short and sweet. In the year 2011, I’m not sure I have a need for beat writers from ESPN.com, Yahoo, or any website for that matter to ever be in our locker room before or after a game.  I think we have finally reached a point where not only can we communicate any and all factual information from our players and team directly to our fans and customers as effectively as any big sports website, but I think we have also reached a point where our interests are no longer aligned. I think those websites have become the equivalent of paparazzi rather than reporters] (2011).

With many new stadiums and arenas built with luxury press boxes, teams are always interested in justifying their expense by allowing more credentials for the media. In my opinion if teams have a negative outlook on bloggers and reporters than they should not go out of their way to legitimize them. Many credentials are given to reporters and bloggers alike without any distinction or separation of the two professions.

[Credentialed bloggers usually enjoy the same access as a newspaper or radio reporter on a game night: a seat in the press box, fresh popcorn and access to the teams' dressing rooms for postgame interviews. They cover the game, pass information to their audience, and have done so for the last several years without many incidents of unprofessional behavior, despite approaching the coverage from a fan's perspective] (Wyshynski, 2011).

In the end credentials in the media are not what they used to be. My opinion is that teams and organizations should thoroughly choose and legitimize which reporters and journalists give them the most objective analysis. Regardless, whether they write for a blog, TV network, radio station or newspaper. 

It's Bigger Than Football...It's Bigger than Legacy.

Recently, Penn State University found itself on the other side of "honor with success". It has been reported that over 12 years ago sexual acts with a minor by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, were conducted and witnessed.  Which resulted in the abuse of eight boys over a 15-year period starting in 1994.

This is a major issue in sports and by far one of the biggest tort violations in history. Formally, torts are civil wrongs other than breaches of contracts for which the remedies are typically, but not always, monetary compensation. When someone commits a "tort," they have violated a non-negotiated, societal rule (http://www.lawpreview.com/index.php/Torts/). It is perceived that the humane thing for anyone to do in a situation of sexual abuse or misconduct is to call the police and relieve the employee of their duties.

Under the Clery Act, colleges and universities must disclose criminal offenses on campus each year. Instead Penn State went up the chain of command in which coach Joe Paterno was notified and then he told his Athletic Director and the School President. As a result, instead of notifying the authorities, the school remained tight-lipped about the incident and years later Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the school’s vice president for business and finance, were charged with perjury and failure to report the allegations. Curley and Schultz each face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

I remember when I was growing up my mother would always say “what happens in the dark will eventually come towards the light.” Meaning you can’t rely on keeping something a secret or hidden for too long without it exposing itself as the cause or definitive action which defines your moral character. After over 50 years of coaching at Penn State, it is sad that Joe Paterno’s legacy will potentially be defined by his unwillingness to protect the victims in this case. Parents around the world put their trust in that man and that institution and Instead he protected what he thought was the best interest in the university. Look what happened as a result of that. Players are already de-committing to the school and many parents are in a collective uproar. I am sure civil liabilities cases may soon follow this disappointing and shameful event. As far as Paterno, he has acquired legal defense, but the shame of his reputation may prove far more damning in the end. In my opinion, this is the biggest legal issue in sports to date. Along with the loss of scholarships and revenue a reputation of honor with success has been stripped from the university. This story is bigger than football and it should touch the souls of each human being. We have a responsibility to ourselves to not condone these acts and to prevent them from presenting themselves again in the future.