Arguably the best NFL QB of all time, Bret Farve hung up his #4 jersey in the most bittersweet and graceful NFL retirements in recent memory earlier this year. As he wiped the tears off his cheeks and thanked an allegiance of fans for an incredible football career, thousands of us honored and said farewell to a legend. Weeks after the press conference "heard around the world", Bret Farve's retirement was under scrutiny of "reading between the lines". It became a whirlwind of: would he or wouldn't he? And while speculation behind Farve's words left open the idea of a return, "cheese heads" far and wide were ready to move on, welcoming Aaron Rodgers onto Green and Gold turf. I mean it was Farve himself who said, "I am a man of my word", and after 17 season, a Super bowl win, and numerous impressive records, no one had reason to doubt him or, let alone predict what was to come.
And now, here we are late July, with the anticipation of football season just around the corner and with enough Bret Farve drama to make T.O. tantrums or Michael Vick dog fighting seem like an after-school special. A player once known as the "all American", "golden boy", "legendary QB icon"- now can easily be labeled as "trader", "spoiled", "NFL joke". His legacy is quickly turning into a re-run of greats who have come out of retirement just to remind us that people retire for a reason. Back from what can jokingly be called a "summer off", Farve's return to footbal is accompanied with allegations of tampering, requests of contract release, unfriendly welcome wagons, and a back and forth of "he said, she said". Oh, and lets not even mention the "inappropriate dialogue" between Minnesota Vikings and Farve that "might or might not" have happened on a PACKERS OWNED CELL PHONE!!
Whether the Packers will release Farve from Green Bay, whether the Vikings will be charged, or whether he will sit 2nd string to Rodgers or not, is probably as important as whether Farve will or will not wear wrangler jeans. The spirit which he brought to the city of Green Bay and to the entire game of football, will be forever tainted, and the real sad part is: it couldn't be more a shame or waste.. of a true icon.
So it looks like LAKERS are finally getting a taste of crude reality.. it takes more than a relatively good season, a Western Conference Title, and an MVP to become NBA Champs. It takes a team to walk onto the court with humility and passion. It takes a team who believe in the ability of each other-not just that of one star player. A team who plays every last second of every last quarter. It takes the Boston Celtics!
Now I can, and will admit that against, my endeared , and now grieved Spurrs, Lakers played with confidence, grace, and unmatched determination. For example, in game 1 of the WC, down by 20 points in the third quarter, the Lakers clawed their way back for an 89-85 win in a game that will no doubt go down as one of the best playoff comebacks in team history. And, as they inched closer to a Championship, 4 years in the making - purple and gold spirits flooded every crevasse of LA!
While Game 1 and 2 ended in devastation, it wasn't until infamous Game 4 that LA fan's begin to ask, "Where is that championship team that blew through San Antonio?" It looked like a once pronounced and defending team had met there match. The Boston Celtics, coming from a 24-58, 2007 year played with vengeance to end with a 66-16 record, and add a 17th NBA Championship title- leaving gold lined purple jerseys far behind. Calling Game 6, a game at all is almost a joking contradiction. The Boston celebration could have easily begun mid first quarter- when Celtics took a dominating lead and Lakers raised their white flag. And even Boston fans couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy after turnover 15, and cringe at Bryant's unfruitful attempts. As Red Auerbach was drenched in Gatorade (which, by the way, was a bit weird for the NBA), and the clock tripled zero- watching the Lakers walk off the floor with their heads bowed was almost like basketball player euthanasia- Lakers were finally put out of their misery.
And now, as the all the green confetti has cleared, and with all that anticipated success behind them, the Lakers peel themselves off the Celtics' home court, pressed to face a city they let down. And while LA fans far and wide mourn their embarrassing loss, it is the Lakers who walk away from this series with the more lasting injuries, to their pride, ego and confidence.
It looks like the NBA "There can only be ONE" campaign came short of the truth. The Big Three: Garnett, Allen, and Pierce (Finals MVP)- proved that it takes more than ONE. It takes a TEAM- and well, that seems to be Lakers most lacking game plan.
I don't hate Kobe for petty reasons: for his talent, for instance, which is beyond dispute and often gorgeous to watch, or because he sold out Shaq, or because he's an adulterer, or because his face looks like a weasel.This is all irritating but peripheral. The true source of my rage is much, much deeper: I hate Kobe Bryant's rotten and derivative soul.
The Jordan myth-a morality play about how dedication, respect for the game, and loving your parents makes you the undisputed greatest person in the world-has stifled an entire generation of great players. But, as Jordan's most talented immediate successor, Kobe has been uniquely warped. He's plagiarized MJ's game so expertly that, in many ways, he's ahead of the master's curve-Kobe is stronger than the 27-year-old Jordan and has a deadlier outside shot. But for all his miraculous skills, Kobe is painfully bad at mythmaking. Since he's a Jordan-like talent, Kobe clearly thinks that he's entitled to the Jordan mythology, but he doesn't have any of Jordan's charisma or imagination. As melodramatic and managed as Jordan's career was, there was some authentic core-it was original and seemed to mean something. Kobe exists entirely within quotation marks.
Jordan was a master of pantomime. He built his empire largely on iconic celebratory gestures: ex. "the tongue-wag". Kobe's dramatic gestures are all either borrowed or embarrassing. He wiped a pile of imaginary dirt off of his shoulder for a while, then added a schoolmarm finger waggle while making the least convincing tough-guy face I've ever seen.
In the carefully scripted after-school special of Kobe Bryant's career, this playoff series is the part where he "selflessly" "matured" into a "leader." For example, during TV timeouts, he seizes his teammates and shouts intense Jordan-esque lectures directly into their ears, carefully exaggerating his gestures so people in the cheap seats can admire his leadership. To the untrained, this looks like progress, but you could see him mentally adding another line to his resume. Fact is that his "untainable" behavior will continue to proceed him. And sooner or later.. those 81 point one man circus shows will be back!
Please note that my hate for Kobe Bryant is almost like hating a fictional character in a movie or book... my opinions are carefully contained within the parameter of "the game" which is Basketball. So relax with all the inane and angry posts. They dont really matter to me, the same way LA doesnt really matter to Kobe!
Ideally, born and raised a LA girl.. I should be rooting for the Lakers tonight.. I mean Kobe did whine and bitch enough to get a REAL TALENTED player (Pau) and they have had a decent season, impressive even. However, given the fact that the San Antonio Spurrs have made the playoffs AGAIN and have won Game 1 AND 2, my loyaly is to them for rest of the Western Conference and eventually Final Game. While I would LOVE to see the Nuggets finish the Lakers and deter them a Conference championship.. i'd much rather see the Spurrs take them on, and WIN! So for all you Brainwashed Kobe/Laker fans... I sincerly hope they win tonight... just for the satisfaction of watching them LOOSE it all at the end!!
p.s. what would also be great is Kobe watching Shaq take ANOTHER RING!! hahaha
hey everyone.. so this is my new All Access page..im pretty new at it, so im hoping to spruce it up realy soon with some better pics and videos...
btw im totally loving my time working at Am 570 Radio... learning alot about the biz and meeting some pretty great ppl... hoping to stick around for a while...
