Magic Creating Magic?

   Football season is over, baseball season is still in the earliest of stages, basketball and hockey are both in the middle of their incredible seasons. Many people think that just because we are not in the middle of a season, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t action. Sports is like a soap opera with grown men. Last Wednesday, the NBA broke for its traditional All-Star game weekend in New Orleans. The NBA does the smart thing and gives its players a few extra days of after the All-Star game. This year the break happens to end on the Trade Deadline.

    Before All-Star weekend, there were minor trades that occurred between teams. Shortly after the All-Star game Sunday night, we had the biggest blockbuster in quite a while. DeMarcus Cousins goes to New Orleans Pelicans to form most likely the most dominate front-court in basketball. It certainly wasn’t the Kings who received a kings ransom here, it was the Pelicans. If the Pelicans make the playoffs, they will certainly give their opponent a run for their money. Per Vlade Divac, he had a better deal 2 days earlier, but the question is why he didn’t pull the trigger? The  Kings are consistently rebuilding their franchise. For the short term (and potentially long-term) future, the Pelicans have come out the winners.

    We had another trade of sorts that happened. The Lakers have “fired” Jim Buss and Mick Kupchak and hire Magic Johnson as the President of Basketball Operations. Here is why I would be very hesitant.  Why would I not have Stephan A. Smith’s exciting reaction? Easy: Phil Jackson. What am I hesitant to because of Phil Jackson? Phil Jackson is the most recent example of a great failing at another position. Phil Jackson has 9 rings as a COACH, not an executive. He has been horrible as an executive. Maybe he is just an exception and not the rule?

   Look at Larry Bird, Pat Riley, and Jason Kidd. Larry Bird, one of the greatest players of all time, went from player to coach to executive. He is the only NBAer in history to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year if that means anything to anyone. Larry Bird seems to know what he is doing. He has all the power he wants in Indiana. Pat Riley has rings as a coach and executive. That’s how got LeBron James to come to Miami (no state tax may do that also). He knows how to breakdown a team, rebuild it, and make it a contender. Jason Kidd went from being floor general to being side-court general. He is bringing his winning ways to the sidelines.

   Before judging Magic for potentially being the next Phil Jackson, lets give him some time. There are about 25 games left in the season. He still needs to evaluate the team and see where they stand and what they need. Maybe Magic can create some Magic and put a spell on the Lakers. Maybe he will listen to his heart and brain and not the green Benjamin Franklins(cough cough Phil). Larry, talk to your counterpart. You both made each other better in college and the pros, maybe you can make each other better in the front office.

The Soldier or the Horse. . .Who serves the team better?

                                              


  Sunday night is the pinnacle of all games for the football season. What is usually the highest rated game/show of the year is sure to be another show, especially with Lady Gaga performing at the halftime show. There are so many questions heading into the game. Which number 1(defense vs. offense) will outperform the other? Who has the better running game? Will Matt Ryan top of a magical season? If Tom Brady wins, is he automatically the greatest QB(and football player) of all time? There is 1 question that has been floated out there during Super Week that I would love to address.
   Many people are asking the following: Are the Patriots winning because of Belichick, Brady, or both? It's a very good question. The coach or the quaterback? The soldier or the horse? When Bill Walsh and Joe Montana had a magical run during the 80's, was it one or the other? In my opinion, it was Montana. Montana not only played well for the 49ers, but helped take the Chiefs on a deep playoff run. Every situation is different.
   In the case of the Patriots, I believe its all Belichick. Now this is not to deny Brady and his talents. As much as I dislike his arrogance, I certainly have to respect his talent and his play. If you remember in 2008, Brady went down in the first quarter of the first game for the season. In came Matt Cassel for the season and the Patriots went 11-5(even though they missed the playoffs). After that season, Matt Cassel landed a few starting jobs but became nothing. For the first 4 games of this season, the Patriots played their 2nd and 3rd string quaterbacks and went 3-1.
   Tom Brady is a 6th round pick. Do you think he would have excelled if he was in 31 other systems? Your first thought maybe "You never know." He was a 6th round pick for a reason! He started because Bledsoe almost got himself killed. Brady did not win that first Super Bowl, Vinateri won it.
Granted he couldn't figure out the Giants, but no one is perfect.
     Many people may disagree with me, but that's why I love debates like these ones. At the end of the day, Bill and Tom have been one hell of a team. They will be for however long they desire. My thoughts on SB 51, 31-28 Falcons. Lets go Falcons!