People « TwoThree.net

Archive for the ‘People’ Category

The Jordan Comparisons

Monday, June 15th, 2009

The NBA season is over; The Lakers are the champs, Kobe got his fourth ring. Great. End of story. Close the book. Right?

I can’t yet.

There’s something about this past NBA season that is really bugging me. And before I get into it, let me state the obvious up front – I’m definitely coming from a very biased perspective. But here’s what it is: The Michael Jordan comparisons. I’m tired of them. First it’s Kobe Bryant. Then it’s LeBron James. The media wants you to think these guys are the Next Coming. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see that. They’re great players, yes. They’ve had great careers thus far. But I think it is a great disservice, not only to Kobe and Lebron, but also to MJ, to make these comparisons. Just look at Jordan’s resume. The facts speak for themselves. Feel free to refresh your memory here and here.

I can already hear some fans say, “Well, hey, Kobe and LeBron’s numbers and accomplishment compare fairly favorably to Jordan’s.” Sure, maybe they do, to a degree (but not by much). There’s more than just numbers and accolades to compare here though. Fortunately someone picked up on this. I was reading ESPN today and came across this article. In it, Bill Simmons writes:

You know what? We just witnessed one of the great two-year stretches in the history of professional basketball if the determining factors were durability, consistency, individual success, team success, statistical excellence and degree of difficulty. Kobe’s 2007-2009 stretch ranks alongside these post-shot-clock efforts (in no particular order): Bill Russell (1961-63), Jerry West (1964-66), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-68), Bill Russell (1967-69), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-72), Larry Bird (1985-87), Magic Johnson (1986-88), Michael Jordan (1990-92), Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-95), Michael Jordan (1996-98) and Tim Duncan (2001-03). Not a fraud on the list.

I would rather see Kobe linked with everyone above and not just Jordan, if only because the MJ comparisons are tiresome. We’re never seeing another Jordan, just like we’re never seeing another Brando or Lennon. It’s just not happening. They might compare statistically and stylistically, but Jordan could command a room of 10 people or 20,000 and get the exact same reaction: Every set of eyes trained on him for as long as he was there. His personality, his charisma, his aura, his passion … indescribable. Like nothing I have ever seen. Nobody remembers this now because he hasn’t played in awhile, but Jordan was always the coolest guy in the room. Without fail. He was like Doctor J. crossed with Sinatra. Remember those dopey ads when somebody said, “My broker is E.F. Hutton,” and everyone else in the room froze? That was what happened to an arena when Jordan walked in. You would freeze, and you would hear screams, and then it would be a sea of lightbulbs. And everyone was saying the same thing, “I get to say I watched Michael Jordan.”

That just about sums it up.

There is only one Michael Jordan. Period.

Posted in Opinion, People, Sports | Comments Off

November 22, 1963

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

On this day 45 years ago the United States lost a young, vibrant, and visionary leader. Though it was 15 years before I was born, I still, for whatever reason, have great interest in this man and the time in which he led our country. Though I try to keep my focus on the truly important things he accomplished and dealt with while alive, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas has always been a topic of great interest to me. It had, obviously, huge historical and political implications for our country and the world at large.

Some historians have speculated on the, “What if Kennedy lived?” question, and really, to do so is quite a mental exercise in revisionist history. The 1960′s were a volatile but pivotal time in our history on many fronts – social equality, the Cold War, national security, and space exploration – among other things, were issues all on the table. I caught myself today thinking about this very intriguing question. What if JFK did live to serve through 1964, the end of his first term as President? What would he have accomplished? Surely, at least from what I know and have read, he would have been re-elected for a second term through 1968.

What great things did our country miss out on? Or did we?

I tend to think we and our country did miss out. Not only on a great man’s leadership, but on the fruits of his vision and related policy.

And you have to wonder…

Would we have had Nixon, Carter, or Reagan as Presidents – ever? Would the Bush’s still have risen to prominence?

What about NASA, the space shuttle, landing on Mars, and all the incredible innovation and discovery provided by space exploration – would we still have the benefit of that?

Would we have pulled out of Vietnam earlier?

These are just some of the tantalizing questions one can consider when playing this ‘what if’ game. Unfortunately that’s all we are left with. The man is gone, and it is up to history to decide his policy and leadership – his legacy – however brief it might have been. It is my opinion that he was a great American, a visionary and charismatic leader, and one of our best Presidents. I wish he, as well as all of us, could have seen it through to the end.

President John F. Kennedy would have been 91 years old today. Maybe he would still be alive today had he survived or avoided that fateful day in Dallas. I sure wish he had. Call me selfish, but I would have liked to have had the opportunity to get to know him (albeit from afar) in my lifetime.

One day I will visit his gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery to properly pay my respects.

Rest in peace, Mr. Kennedy.

Posted in Opinion, People, Politics | Comments Off

It’s History

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States. What an incredible moment this is in our Nation’s history. I’m not really sure what else to say – I’m speechless. And optimistic. And energized.

Posted in Opinion, People, Politics | Comments Off

Closing Argument

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Just in case you missed this. Please vote on November 4th, or sooner if you’re able to. Thanks.

“American Stories, American Solutions.”

Posted in People, Politics | Comments Off

Rally with Joe Biden in Tacoma

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Yesterday I took part in the the “Change We Need” rally with Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden in Tacoma, WA. Although it was a chilly morning with a lot of waiting, the sun eventually broke through and I was fortunate enough to be selected to sit behind the podium area. The energy was high, the people were friendly, and the message was on point. It was a fun experience.

Here’s a picture from the event – see if you can spot me in the crowd (I’ve made it pretty easy).

Remember to get out and vote on November 4th – and don’t forget to bring your friends and family too!

Posted in News, People, Politics | Comments Off

My Palin Name

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Though I shudder at the thought of being one of Sarah Palin’s progeny, I did find it quite amusing to learn what my name would have been had the stars aligned a little bit differently in my life.

My rugged, mavericky name would have been Icepick Motor Palin. There’s a name that could certainly leave an impression.

All this thanks (I think…) to the Palin Name Generator.

Posted in Absurdity, Fun, People, Politics | Comments Off

Living History

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

I can’t help but feel like I was a witness to history this past Thursday evening. On that evening, the first African American to be nominated by a major political party gave his acceptance speech. That man is Barack Obama. This was truly living history.

Now, for those of you who know me, you know that I have been a huge Obama fan since that evening at the 2004 Democratic National Convention when he gave that incredibly inspiring and moving speech (it’s embedded below, in another post, if you’re interested in seeing it…). I have supported his presidential candidacy since he declared he was running on that chilly morning in Springfield, IL. I did volunteer work for his campaign earlier this year – the first time I have ever involved myself in any sort of campaign. I proudly display his campaign sticker on my car. I talk to people about who he is and what he stands for. I have done all of this for one simple reason – I believe he is the leader we need with the right vision for this country.

If somehow you missed his landmark speech, here it is. I encourage everyone to watch it, but more importantly, listen to it.

Posted in People, Politics | Comments Off

The Last Lecture

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Randy Pausch, Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, died today, June 25, 2008, at the age of 47 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. If you’ve never heard of Mr. Pausch, you really are missing out on the life lessons of one extraordinary human being. On September 18, 2007, Mr. Pausch gave a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University as part of their “Last Lecture” series entitled, “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” It was an incredibly moving, meaningful, and emotional lecture, and if you haven’t seen it, I highly, highly recommend you take the time to watch it. I have included the YouTube video of the lecture below. He also wrote and released a similarly titled book, “The Last Lecture.”

Rest in peace, Randy – and thank you for all of your contributions in this life.

Posted in News, People | Comments Off

Rest in peace, Mr. Russert

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

I’m not entirely sure why, but the news and ensuing coverage of Tim Russert’s death has really been affecting me over the past few days. I certainly did not know the man personally, but I did know him in the celebrity sense – I watched him on so many occassions on NBC and MSNBC and I guess after awhile you just get familiar with someone even though, oddly enough, you never met them. It’s really strange how that works. In any case, I will really miss his work and dedication to politics, accountability, and fairness. He brought an insight and enthusiasm to politics that I think very few can or will match, and there will be a definite and glaring absence as we continue through this very important political season. I know that when he came TV, I’d be getting the best.

Rest in peace, Tim Russert – and thank you.

Posted in News, People | Comments Off

TwoThree.net