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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

Coach Holmgren

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

I just wanted to say a few things about the Seahawks and specifically Coach Mike Holmgren. This Sunday he will coach his final game for the Seahawks at Arizona, and that will cap off an incredible 10 year run of history for this franchise. It’s been quite a ride!

Though he most certainly does not know it, Mr. Holmgren and I are connected – but it is in one of those time-space kind of ways. You see, I moved to Washington in 1998, and not soon thereafter Mr. Holmgren was hired as the new head coach of the Seatle Seahawks. It was a huge, HUGE, “get” by the local team – it instantly brought respect, credibility, and notability to a team that for far too long had languished in relative obscurity in the Northwest. It was a new start – for us both – and it would be filled with the many highs and lows that only a decade of life can provide.

Sadly, that decade is, in some ways, coming to an end. This Sunday the Seahawks will face-off with Arizona. The team has had a forgettable season, primarily the result of a rash of devastating injuries to some big-name players at the most important positions. It’s been a tough season, and unlike in seasons past, the team won’t have the benefit of Coach Holmgren’s steady leadership to guide it through a challenging off-season in preparation for next year. The team, rather, enters unknown territory with a new coach and a possible re-shuffling of the roster. This is hardly familiar waters for a team fortunate to have 10 years of capable stewardship.

Some say change is good. In this case, I disagree. Mr. Holmgren should have been allowed to stay with the Seattle Seahawks as long as he was interested in coaching – no questions asked. You simply don’t turn away a man of his stature. I was and continue to be very disappointed with the Seahawks for the way they apparently showed him the door. They should have never taken away his GM responsibilities. Give him all the time-off he needs and desires. But let him go?? No! It’s very disappointing.

I will never forget back in late ’98/early ’99 the Seahawks ran a commercial where Coach Holmgren, flanked by his Seahawks players, marched off a Seattle Ferry deck and onto Colman Dock in downtown Seattle. Over the visuals you heard Holmgren saying, “We have a Super Bowl caliber football team.” Although he was not immediately prophetic (the Seahawks didn’t reach the Super Bowl until 2005), the words were exactly what that team and this city needed. Some attitude. Some confidence. Some leadership. It was very cool to know you had a guy like that representing your team and walking on your sidelines.

Much remains to be seen from the Seahawks in the post-Mike Holmgren era. It’s going to be weird, no doubt. Regardless of all that, I would just like to say thank you to Coach Holmgren for pouring his heart and soul into the Seahawks. It has been a great ride indeed.

Mr. Holmgren, you’re one of the best. Thank you.

Posted in Opinion, Seattle, 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

Vote!

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

The longest presidential campaign in United States history.

The most expensive presidential campaign in United States history.

The future of our country hangs in the balance. The repercussions of our choices will be felt throughout the world.

The time is upon us to act. It’s your duty. It’s your privilege. No matter your candidate, please get and out vote. Democracy depends upon the voice of the people. Be heard and be represented.

I personally feel very honored and grateful to be able to vote in such a pivotal and historical election. Be part of it on November 4th!

Posted in Opinion, Politics | Comments Off

The Economic Crisis

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

After listening to and digesting much of the economic news (and related bailout) over the past several days, I keep coming back to one question:

Why aren’t our government leaders reaching out to the best economic and financial minds in this country for guidance and expertise as they craft this immensely critical piece of bailout legislation?

It strikes me as odd that a bunch of lawyers and career politicians are tackling a problem they are so fundamentally ill-equipped to solve. These legislators are not experts by any stretch of the imagination in the fields of economics and finance. And once you add into this ignorance some partisanship, pride, and ego – viola! – you see what the result is – a paralyzed and ineffective group of bickerers and finger-pointers with nothing to show for themselves. So why are we expecting them to deliver a carefully thought out and effective plan to save our market? Why?

Politics are threatening to bring down our economy. This is not a time for scoring political points. Our government should be assembling the best economic and finance experts this country has address this problem. Congress regularly brings in experts to testify and also to serve on investigation commissions. We have the brain power to solve this effectively and appropriately. Our leaders must not let pride and ego get in the way of reaching out to those with the knowledge and expertise to stop this bleeding.

Posted in News, Opinion, Politics | Comments Off

The Plight of the Seattle Sports Fan

Monday, September 15th, 2008

In case it’s not completely obvious, it’s a pretty tough time right now to be a sports fan in Seattle. Oh let me count the ways…

- The Mariners are 35 games out of first place in the AL West…this, after they were widely regarded by baseball pundits at the start of the season as the team to beat not only in the West but also as a serious title contender in the American League. Guess that $117 million player payroll wasn’t money well spent, eh? And yes, that payroll is the 9th highest in the Majors.

- The Seahawks have started their illustrious 2008 season 0-2, falling in a blowout to Buffalo and in a heartbreaker to San Francisco. Granted, there have been devastating injuries, especially to the receiving corp, but this is uncharted territory for the Seahawks. Good teams will find a way to win, to overcome the challenges they face. Have we all been spoiled over the course of these past 5 seasons? This team is very much in danger of losing the NFC West this year. Arizona and San Francisco are certainly showing life in this young season and my guess is they have thoughts of revenge towards the Seahawks after being the doormats of the division for so long now. I don’t think this is how Mike Holmgren envisioned his final season in Seattle. And here’s the scary thing – these first 3 games were supposed to be the easier ones! Uh oh.

- Washington Huskies. Boy, what else can you say. They’ve been on such a decline now for so many years. Almost makes you wish that Neuheisel was back, eh? It’s sad to watch a once-proud program go through such tough times. My guess is Tyrone Willingham will not be at UW next year as coach. Whether that’s a good and or fair thing or not, I’m not sure. I think he will take the fall as the pressure from boosters and fans builds and builds and a change becomes demanded. That will lead to yet another coaching search (not to mention the search for the new AD), yet another new system, and yet more years of rebuilding. All this while trying to keep in-state talent in-state AND attract out-of-state talent. That’s a tall order. Mercifully, I’m not much of a Husky fan or a college football fan so while I’ll find the outcome of this to be interesting, I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over it.

- Seattle SuperSonics. Oh, wait – check that – the Oklahoma City THUNDER! Yep, Seattle’s NBA team is gone. It’s pretty much the worst thing a sports fan can go through if you ask me. Sure, they were bad when they were here, but at least they were here. I really wish I had the opportunity to be depressed about their lackluster play and terrible record. At this point, I’d take it. But it is not to be. The loss (theft) of the Sonics was really the last good turn of the knife in the breaking heart of Seattle sports fans.

You know, Seattlites really don’t need much help when it comes to depression. It usually hits us in the form of buckets and buckets of rain starting in Fall and lasting through, well, we like to hope early-Spring – but let’s be realistic – who the hell really knows when or if it’ll ever stop?! Let’s just say we’ve got that market covered. So when the local sports teams (i.e. rain diversions) aren’t doing so hot, you can kind of start to get the idea how difficult things can get around here. We’re ready and waiting for something to wake us up for and give us something to cheer for.

Will it ever come? When will the bleeding stop? That’s about as predictable as our weather.

Posted in Opinion, Seattle, Sports | Comments Off

Politics of Hypocrisy

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

The New York Times wrote an article yesterday that pretty much sums up what I was thinking about the McCain VP selection:

“Senator John McCain spent the summer arguing that a 40-something candidate with four years in major office and no significant foreign policy experience was not ready to be president.

And then on Friday he picked as his running mate a 40-something candidate with two years in major office and no significant foreign policy experience.”

Amazing, isn’t it?

Posted in Absurdity, Opinion, Politics | Comments Off

Fist Bumps of Fury

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

And this is why I have an “absurdity” category on my blog…

Fox “News”, in its continued effort to prove that it is really just a parody of actual journalism, recently aired a program whereby the host, E.D. Hill, suggested in a teaser that the Barack Obama/Michelle Obama fist bump at the start of the St. Paul, MN nomination victory speech was, and I kid you not, a “terrorist fist jab.” Her exact quote (before cutting to commercial) was:

“A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently.”

Upon returning to the program, Hill introduced a body-language “expert” and proceeded to make no further mention of the “terrorist fist jab.” Tricky, tricky.

Those Fox News folks are good. And I don’t mean journalists. They’re first class smearers. Is this how pathetic, scared, and desperate the right has become? Sure looks like it to me.

Many, many news outlets have caught on to the silliness of this story. MSNBC did a nice piece on it, so I’ll share it here. (By the way, the Ali G stuff is priceless – I wholeheartedly encourage you to check out his stuff – you won’t regret it!)

Look at Pat blowing it up! Woot!

My gosh, this all makes you wonder what that President Bush chest bump at the Air Force Academy meant, doesn’t it?

Ali G said it best… “Yo, is you mashed or something?”

Posted in Absurdity, Opinion, Politics | Comments Off

Yes We Can!

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

In 2004, during the Democratic National Convention, an impassioned, inspiring, and thoughtful keynote speech was given by a young, relatively-unknown Senator from Illinois. That man was, of course, Barack Obama. I remember that night and that speech so vividly. It was the first time I was genuinely moved and energized by the words of a politician. I recall audibly shouting at the TV, “Yes!” and “That’s right!” as the words from that speech made an impact not only in my head but also in my heart. It renewed my belief in what makes America so great, and it gave me hope that we could, and more importantly, would find solutions to those big challenges this mighty nation still faces.

At the end of that speech, I knew who I wanted my next President to be. Unfortunately, Obama was merely the opening act, as John Kerry was the headliner that year. In the end, I was left empty, and my only hope rested in 2008. You can imagine my excitement when Obama announced his candidacy for President! It was, as corny as it sounds, a dream come true. Hey, I take this stuff seriously! I know I run the risk of coming off cheesy, but I assure you - it’s sincere.

Fast foward to today and Barack Obama is on the verge of winning the Democratic Presidential nomination. What an amazing 5 months this has been! It all started in Iowa in January, and it has been an incredible ride ever since. The work, however, is really just the beginning. Another 5 months of campaigning are ahead of the general election in November. What a nice birthday present it would be for me to have Barack Obama as the President-Elect, eh? I’d take it.

People have asked me, “So why are you supporting Barack Obama?” It’s a seemingly easy question to answer, at least you would think, but for me it’s hard to put into words. Naturally I believe strongly in his leadership abilities and views on various issues, but more importantly It’s a “feelings” thing for me. He inspires me, he renews my belief in America, and he talks honestly about what we are facing and what we need to do as Americans to get this country back on track. He’s authentic, intelligent, and well-spoken. He’s thoughtful, patient, and humble. He is a natural leader, he is inclusive, and I think he is a postive face for our country. He is a great man, and I am proud to support him.

Barack Obama is the first political candidate I have openly volunteered and campaigned for in my life. I’m a bit of a politics nerd, I’ll admit it, but I have never, before now, felt compelled to actually take action on behalf of a candidate. It has been a great experience, and I look forward to additional campaign work ahead. I feel as though I have been a small part of history. And it’s only just beginning!

A brighter day is coming. I’m fired up! Let’s make it happen.