After a second stint with the Golden State Warriors, Don Nelson's coaching tenure has now come to an end. It started off with promise following the magical run in the 2007 Playoffs where they upset the Dallas Mavericks by becoming the third eighth seed to upset a number 1 seed. In addition, the first eighth seed to triumph under the seven game playoff format and it was the Warriors' first playoff appearance since the 1993-1994 season during Nelson's first stint with Golden State. Yet, the later years of his second stint degenerated into another period lost seasons and total frustration for Warriors fans.
It's the end of the unconventional run and gun basketball that has become part of Warriors basketball during Don Nelson's last two coaching stints. During its time, it was entertaining to watch players run up and down the floor at breakneck speed. For example, the Run TMC era ,which featured Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullins was fun to watch every night during its heyday from the Late 1980s to Early 1990s. In addition, the incarnation of Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson during their surprising 2007 run.
Yes, Nelson had done wonders for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors (1987-1994) and the Dallas Mavericks. Initially, those teams were mired in mediocrity or in the abyss. Within a few years, he turned them into playoff fixtures every year and memorable games.
Unfortunately, his teams could never win when it counted the most. His style of play with the Warriors was not something that you can win an NBA championship as they could not play a semblance of good defense at all. Teams such as the Phoenix Suns (Seven Seconds or Less Era) can attest to that as well as the Denver Nugget teams of the 1980s and early 1990s.
Is it any wonder why teams such as the San Antonio Spurs with Tim Duncan won 4 championships as well as teams like the Celtics and the Lakers (2-time Defending Champions)?
Nelson's departure comes at a good time for the franchise and himself. He has the all-time wins mark in NBA history, which was achieved on April 7th against the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves. This was the only reason he was coaching while his team disintegrated into NBDL call ups and one-man gunners.
With new ownership and direction, it was the time for the thirty-one year coaching veteran to go. Nelson had one year and 6 million dollars left in his deal. He will be replaced by his assistant, Keith Smart. Smart has been Nelson's assistant since 2003.
In his last coaching stint, he was 9-31 with the Cleveland Cavaliers before they drafted their savior turned traitor, Lebron James. In addition, he's famous for making the biggest shot in the 1987 National Championship game between the Syracuse Orangemen and Indiana Hoosiers. It won the Hoosiers the national championship and can be seen seen below:
As for the loyal but long suffering Warriors faithful, they see it as an end to the reign of craziness that permeated that team from 2006-2010. For the fans, they want a coach who has the team moving forward rather than sideways. This means that Smart has his work cut out for him. Since the glory days of mid-1970s, the Warriors have been mired in mediocrity due to bad luck (Ralph Sampson bad knees, Tim Hardaway torn ACL, and Monta Ellis moped accident), coaches (PJ Carlisemo, Gary St. Jean and Mike Montgomery ), drafts (picking Todd Fuller over Kobe Bryant in 1996 and in 1997 picking Adonal Foyle over Tracy McGrady) and signings/transactions ( Trading Mitch Richmond for Billy Owens in 1991 when Dikembe Mutumbo was available and Corey Maggette 5 years and 50 million to play off the bench). Will he be successful? Only time and the win column will tell.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Farewell, Joe. Hello Donnie Baseball?
After a long and illustrious career, Joe Torre reign as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers ends after three short years. He came with a pedigree that was lacking with previous Dodger managers following the legendary Tommy Lasorda. Torre was a winner as evidenced by his four World Series rings with the New York Yankees after wandering around with the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves with mild to varying success. Yet, he was somebody who could bring a winning culture to a team that has been treading in mediocrity the last 20 years.
In his three years, he brought the Dodgers to two Division Championships and consecutive trips to the NLCS. Yet, they could never get a sniff of a World Series thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies who beat them 4-1 both times they got to the NLCS. His chances for a third have gone up in smoke as the organization has deteriorated into a chaotic environment. It has spared no one from the Owners on down to the players themselves. It's tragic that his career end this way but who can blame him for leaving?
In 2010, the Dodgers offense has disappeared under the bright Chavez Ravine lights. It has become a disappointing season for their Big 3 (Either, Loney and Kemp) who were expected to make the next step but took a big step back. In addition, the loss of Russell Martin, their starting catcher for the season was a devastating blow.
This season that has seen the sudden emergence of the San Diego Padres along with their hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Last night, the Giants absolutely crushed the Dodgers the night before. Not only that, but their ex-manager, Jim Tracy has resurrected the lowly Colorado Rockies who are currently 1 1/2 games out of First Place after a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers.
With the announcement of Don Mattingly as manager of the Dodgers, it is both puzzling and perplexing. At the same time, it does not generate any good will to a frustrated fan base reeling both the product on the field as well as the messy divorce battle between the McCourts (Jaime and Frank). The selection seems like something from the Donald Sterling playbook on how to save a couple of dollars for the bottom line rather than a move to improve the team.
Don was a great player during a dark period of the New York Yankees during the 1980s and Mid-1990s where they rarely made the playoffs at all until his final season in 1995. Ironically, he's going into yet another franchise facing a dark period itself and it resides just 3000 miles to the west of the Bronx.
In addition, his relative inexperience at managing a ball club and his leadership does not instill the confidence for a club reeling this season. It was evident this past July, when he went to the pitchers mound twice during a pivotal late July game against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Subsequently, the umpire threw Mattingly out of the game. It led to an automatic pitching change and ultimately led to the "hated ones" pulling out the victory, which sent the Dodgers tumbling.
During the press conference, it was announced that Mattingly will go to the Arizona Fall League to manage. It will be a testing tube for the new manager in training during the off-season. When April 1, 2011 rolls around, will the lessons of the Arizona Fall League and his brief spell as manager good enough to steer the Dodgers out of the dark fog or could he drive them deeper into the abyss? Only time will tell.
In his three years, he brought the Dodgers to two Division Championships and consecutive trips to the NLCS. Yet, they could never get a sniff of a World Series thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies who beat them 4-1 both times they got to the NLCS. His chances for a third have gone up in smoke as the organization has deteriorated into a chaotic environment. It has spared no one from the Owners on down to the players themselves. It's tragic that his career end this way but who can blame him for leaving?
In 2010, the Dodgers offense has disappeared under the bright Chavez Ravine lights. It has become a disappointing season for their Big 3 (Either, Loney and Kemp) who were expected to make the next step but took a big step back. In addition, the loss of Russell Martin, their starting catcher for the season was a devastating blow.
This season that has seen the sudden emergence of the San Diego Padres along with their hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Last night, the Giants absolutely crushed the Dodgers the night before. Not only that, but their ex-manager, Jim Tracy has resurrected the lowly Colorado Rockies who are currently 1 1/2 games out of First Place after a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers.
With the announcement of Don Mattingly as manager of the Dodgers, it is both puzzling and perplexing. At the same time, it does not generate any good will to a frustrated fan base reeling both the product on the field as well as the messy divorce battle between the McCourts (Jaime and Frank). The selection seems like something from the Donald Sterling playbook on how to save a couple of dollars for the bottom line rather than a move to improve the team.
Don was a great player during a dark period of the New York Yankees during the 1980s and Mid-1990s where they rarely made the playoffs at all until his final season in 1995. Ironically, he's going into yet another franchise facing a dark period itself and it resides just 3000 miles to the west of the Bronx.
In addition, his relative inexperience at managing a ball club and his leadership does not instill the confidence for a club reeling this season. It was evident this past July, when he went to the pitchers mound twice during a pivotal late July game against the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Subsequently, the umpire threw Mattingly out of the game. It led to an automatic pitching change and ultimately led to the "hated ones" pulling out the victory, which sent the Dodgers tumbling.
During the press conference, it was announced that Mattingly will go to the Arizona Fall League to manage. It will be a testing tube for the new manager in training during the off-season. When April 1, 2011 rolls around, will the lessons of the Arizona Fall League and his brief spell as manager good enough to steer the Dodgers out of the dark fog or could he drive them deeper into the abyss? Only time will tell.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Floyd Mayweather: What the F**K was he thinking?
This afternoon, I was listening on the radio while on my way to buy to some supplies for the Labor Day weekend, when I heard about Floyd Mayweather Jr. saying some rather xenophobic remarks about Manny Pacquiao. Initially, I thought it was just Mayweather just talking trash. As we know, Mayweather is known for running for his mouth like a fire house in the media. Yet, what I heard has to be the most stupidest thing I have ever heard a boxer and human being do.
It was an inappropriate and at the same time, a demeaning scud missile, towards the human race as a whole. It was terrible as well listening on You Tube such as declaring that he will "cook that yellow chump" as well as calling him a "whore" and vice versa as this video will show down below. It's sad seeing how this rant overshadows such a great career Floyd Jr. has made even under the shadow of his father, Floyd Mayweather who was another great boxer during his time.
Honestly, Mayweather needs his father or a "wise figure" to set him straight. It would have helped him from making such a total ass of himself in front of the whole world. Not only has he disgraced himself but it has given extra motivation for Manny Pacquiao to just absolutely obliterate him from the face of the earth should they fight.
Will it happen? I am not so sure as the negotiations have either bogged down because of demands as well as posturing such as the debate about the drug testing. Time and again, they have come close only for negotiations to fall apart.
For almost two years, negotiations have become a soap opera that has been depriving boxing fans of the right to see two great fighters at the height of their powers duke it out in the ring. It was a fight that should guarantee a trilogy of epic battles as well making both men insanely wealthy. Alas, it may not happen at all. Or will it?
Mayweather Jr. indicated that he may fight Manny Pacquiao in the 4 1/2 minute rant on You Tube. He claims that he will tell his ardent supporters on UStream and Twitter will be the first to know when he does come back. In addition, claiming that he'll kick "'Poochiao' ass. He's gonna take the urine and blood test."
If and when the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight goes through, Floyd better walk the walk or he may end up with a battered ego along with a taking a long look at himself in the mirror.
It was an inappropriate and at the same time, a demeaning scud missile, towards the human race as a whole. It was terrible as well listening on You Tube such as declaring that he will "cook that yellow chump" as well as calling him a "whore" and vice versa as this video will show down below. It's sad seeing how this rant overshadows such a great career Floyd Jr. has made even under the shadow of his father, Floyd Mayweather who was another great boxer during his time.
Honestly, Mayweather needs his father or a "wise figure" to set him straight. It would have helped him from making such a total ass of himself in front of the whole world. Not only has he disgraced himself but it has given extra motivation for Manny Pacquiao to just absolutely obliterate him from the face of the earth should they fight.
Will it happen? I am not so sure as the negotiations have either bogged down because of demands as well as posturing such as the debate about the drug testing. Time and again, they have come close only for negotiations to fall apart.
For almost two years, negotiations have become a soap opera that has been depriving boxing fans of the right to see two great fighters at the height of their powers duke it out in the ring. It was a fight that should guarantee a trilogy of epic battles as well making both men insanely wealthy. Alas, it may not happen at all. Or will it?
Mayweather Jr. indicated that he may fight Manny Pacquiao in the 4 1/2 minute rant on You Tube. He claims that he will tell his ardent supporters on UStream and Twitter will be the first to know when he does come back. In addition, claiming that he'll kick "'Poochiao' ass. He's gonna take the urine and blood test."
If and when the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight goes through, Floyd better walk the walk or he may end up with a battered ego along with a taking a long look at himself in the mirror.
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