Dwight Howard Haters ... Why the Hate?

Dwight Howard announced late last week that he would be signing with the Houston Rockets to join an up and coming team that, while likely not the favorite going into the next season, will certainly be a team that can make waves and have a shot at the title. I know that in the last season or two Howard has seemingly replaced perennial MVP LeBron James as the most hated player in the NBA and that hatred has only been magnified by Howard opting to leave the Lakers, the most popular team in the NBA. 

However, I’ve got to ask the haters. Why are you hating on this guy? This is probably going to be a controversial statement, but Dwight Howard has been one of the NBA’s five best players of the last decade. He’s a triple-time NBA Defensive of the Player of the Year Award winner and likely isn’t finished with that award; he’s a perennial All-Star and a guy who probably should’ve won a previous Most Valuable Player Award. He’s the best center in the game, bar none, and probably has the best personality of any generally hated player I’ve ever seen. Those are all reasons why you should respect Howard, but not really reasons why you shouldn’t hate him. After all, people hate great players all the time.

Here are the two main reasons you shouldn't hate him:

The biggest reason people seem to loathe Dwight Howard is because of his indecisiveness. The guy has shown a big propensity to not be able to clearly make up his mind. But, my question to his haters is … can you? Most of the people I know, particularly of my generation – which makes up a large number of today’s sports fans, can’t make up their minds about the smallest of everyday things like what they want to eat or watch on television. Yet, many of these same people expect that Dwight Howard should automatically or quickly make up his mind on the biggest decision of his life? Come on, guys, you’re being a little bit too harsh on the big fella.

The second reason – or newest reason – many people seem to hate Howard is because he’s perceived to have jilted everybody’s seemingly favorite team the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers fans are aimlessly offended that he’d do so – it is America’s team after all. But, here’s what Lakers fans and any other fans annoyed that Howard would leave L.A. are failing to realize … the Lakers are a sinking ship and one that’s sinking incredibly fast at that. This team is not going to be a playoff team next year – hell, they were barely a playoff team this year with Howard and a mostly healthy Kobe Bryant. It’s a team that there’s really no telling when they will be competitive again. And, if you’re a free agent looking to make an incredibly large sum of money and want to try to win a title at the same time, it’s simply not the place for you to be right now. Signing with the Houston Rockets was simply a good career move for Howard and if you can’t see that you’ve probably got your biased sports fan blinders on.

So, there’s really no reason to hate Dwight Howard based on his play (he’s one of the best in the league), there’s no reason to hate him for his indecisiveness (it really is rampant in this country among many) and there’s no reason to hate him for bolting on the Lakers (he made the smart move). So, again, I must ask the Dwight Howard haters … Why the hate?

Why I Hope the Lakers Don't Acquire Both Dwight Howard & Chris Paul ...

Reports came out late last night that the Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing the possibility of acquiring both all star center Dwight Howard and all star point guard Chris Paul via trade and they are willing to trade anybody and everybody that isn’t Kobe Bryant. 

Howard and Paul will be the two biggest free agents after the next season and because the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets both don’t want the possibility of their stars leaving via free agency without anything in return there is a great chance that both could be moved before this season starts on Christmas. 

Acquiring both Howard and Paul would of course be a huge move for the Lakers and probably would make them the favorite this season, but I’m 100 percent against the Lakers doing this.

Why?

Because I’m sick of what appears to be the new movement in the NBA for a handful of teams to create “super teams.”

The Miami Heat started this before last season with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh and now it seems every team with the means and money wants to model themselves in the same fashion.  

Some people say “super teams” are great for the NBA. I, frankly, don’t understand how that can possibly be the case. If you create even just a handful of “super teams” or maybe not even that many you are basically going to have a league for a few years where those “super teams” will be the only teams capable of winning a championship and all other teams will basically be screwed. Multiple teams creating “super teams” dilutes the NBA and for that reason it’s obviously a bad thing for the sport.  

45 Worst Trades in Sports History

1. Boston Red Sox trade Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 dollars and a $300,000 loan

2. St. Louis Hawks trade Bill Russell to Boston Celtics for Ed Macauley & Cliff Hagan

3. Charlotte Hornets trade Kobe Bryant to LA Lakers for Vlade Divac

4. Atlanta Falcons trade Brett Favre to Green Bay Packers for 1st round draft pick

5. Milwaukee Bucks trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to LA Lakers for Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgemann and Dave Meyers

6. 76ers trade Wilt Chamberlain to Lakers for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark & Darrall Imhoff

7. Minnesota Vikings trade five players and eight draft picks (three of which become Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson & Alan Harper) to Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker and four draft picks

8. Cincinnati Reds trade Christy Matthewson to New York Giants for Amos Rusie

9. Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas and three 1st round draft picks

10. Chicago Cubs trade Lou Brock and two others to St. Louis Cardinals for Ernie Broglio, Bobby Shantz & Doug Clemens

11. Golden State Warriors trade Robert Parrish and third overall draft pick (which became Kevin McHale) to Boston Celtics for first overall pick (Joe Barry Carroll) and Ricky Brown

12. Cleveland Indians trade Joe Jackson to Chicago White Sox for Larry Chappell, Braggo Roth & Ed Klepfer

13. Houston Astros trade Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham, Cesar Cedeno & Ed Armbrister to Cincinnati Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms & Jimmy Stewart

14. Detroit Tigers trade John Smoltz to Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander

15. Seattle SuperSonics trade Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice

16. Boston Red Sox trade Jeff Bagwell to Houston Astros for Larry Andersen

17. New York Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three others to California Angels for Jim Fregosi

18. Baltimore Colts trade John Elway to Denver Broncos for Mark Hermann, Chris Hinton and 1st round draft pick

19. Montreal Expos trade Randy Johnson and two others to Seattle Mariners for Mark Langston and Mike Campbell

20. Chicago White Sox trade Sammy Sosa to Chicago Cubs for George Bell 21. Cincinnati Reds trade Frank Robinson to Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas

22. Oakland A’s trade Mark McGwire to St. Louis Cardinals for T.J. Matthews, Blake Stein and Eric Ludwick

23. Philadelphia 76ers trade Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns for Tim Perry, Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang

24. New Jersey Nets trade Julius Erving to Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million

25. Philadelphia Phillies trade Ryne Sandberg & Larry Bowa to Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus

26. Boston Red Sox trade Tris Speaker to Cleveland Indians for Sam Jones, Fred Thomas and cash

27. Milwaukee Bucks trade Dirk Nowitzki & Pat Garrity to Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade Steve Young to San Francisco 49ers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks

29. San Diego Padres trade Ozzie Smith and others to the St. Louis Cardinals for Garry Templeton and others

30. Utah Jazz trade Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash

31. New Orleans Saints trade all six of their 1999 draft picks and a future 1st & 3rd Round draft pick to Washington Redskins to move up in draft to take Ricky Williams

32. Cleveland Indians trade Jeff Kent, Julian Tavarez & Jose Vizcaino to San Francisco Giants for Matt Williams

33. Indianapolis Colts trade Marshall Faulk to St. Louis Rams for 2nd & 5th round draft picks

34. New York Mets trade Tom Seaver to Cincinnati Reds for Pat Zachary, Doug Flynn & Steve Henderson

35. Rams trade Jerome Bettis to Pittsburgh Steelers for 2nd & 4th round draft picks

36. Washington Wizards trade Richard Hamilton, Hubert Davis & Brian Simmons to Detroit Pistons for Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinals and Ratko Varda

37. Memphis Grizzlies trade Pau Gasol to LA Lakers for Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenten and Marc Gasol

38. Atlanta Falcons trade 5th overall pick (which became LaDanian Tomlinson) and 3rd round pick to San Diego Chargers for 1st overall draft pick (which became Michael Vick)

39. Houston Astros trade Kenny Lofton & Dave Rhule to Cleveland Indians for Eddie Taubensee & Willie Blair

40. Tampa Bay Rays trade Bobby Abreu to Philadelphia Phillies for Kevin Stocker

41. San Diego Padres trade Fred McGriff to Atlanta Braves for Melvin Nieves, Donnie Elliott and Vince Moore

42. Seattle Mariners trade Jason Varitek & Derek Lowe to Boston Red Sox for Heathcliff Slocumb

43. Chicago Blackhawks trade Dominik Hasek to Buffalo Sabres for Stephane Beauregard and 4th round draft pick

44. Oakland Raiders trade Randy Moss to New England Patriots for 4th round draft pick

45. New York Knicks trade two first round draft picks for Eddy Curry

2010 ESPY Nominations (And, My Picks)

2010 ESPY Nominations:

(Not all award categories are listed)

Male Athlete of the Year:

Drew Brees, NFL
Kobe Bryant, NBA
LeBron James, NBA
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR
Albert Pujols, MLB

My Pick: Jimmie Johnson

Female Athlete of the Year:

Maya Moore, NCAA
Diana Taurasi, WNBA
Lindsey Vonn, Skiing
Serena Williams, Tennis

My Pick: Maya Moore

Best Championship Performance:

Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV
Anthony Johnson, Big Sky Conference Championship
Michael Phelps, World Swimming Championships
Shaun White, Winter Olympics

My Pick: Drew Brees

Best Breakthrough Athlete:

Britney Griner, Baylor women’s basketball
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
John Wall, Kentucky men’s basketball

My Pick: John Wall

Best Record-Breaking Performance:

Usain Bolt, 100 & 200-meter World Records
Brett Favre, NFL record for consecutive starts
Roger Federer, Most Grand Slam Titles
Connecticut Women’s Basketball, Longest winning streak in NCAA history

My Pick: Brett Favre

Best Upset:

Frankie Edgar over BJ Penn, MMA
Hawaii upsets #1 Alabama, NCAA softball
Northern Iowa shocks #1 Kansas, NCAA Men’s basketball
Y.E. Yang stuns Tiger Woods, PGA Championship

My Pick: Northern Iowa over Kansas

Best Game:

Twins best Tigers in extra innings (MLB Playoff tiebreaker)
Canada edges USA in Olympic overtime game
Duke beats Butler in NCAA Men’s Championship

My Pick: Duke over Butler

Best Moment:

Phil Mickelson, 2010 Masters
Joannie Rochette, Winter Olympics
New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV

My Pick: Phil Mickelson

Best Play:

Brett Favre throws game-winning TD vs. 49ers
Fordham’s Brian Kownacki flips over Iona’s catcher to score run
Rajon Rondo’s hustle leads to basket against Orlando in playoff win
Mark Buehrle’s opening day defensive gem off his leg, into foul territory, diving flip for out

My Pick: Mark Buehrle

Best Team:

Alabama, College Football
Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
Connecticut, Women’s Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
New Orleans Saints, NFL
New York Yankees, MLB

My Pick: New York Yankees

Best Sports Movie:

“Big Fan”
“Invictus”
“The Blind Side”
“The Damned United”
“The Karate Kid”

My Pick: “Invictus”

Best Coach/Manager:

Gene Auriemma, Connecticut women’s basketball
Joe Girardi, New York Yankees
Phil Jackson, LA Lakers
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men’s basketball
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Nick Saban, Alabama football

My Pick: Phil Jackson

Best NFL Player:

Drew Brees, Saints
Brett Favre, Vikings
Peyton Manning, Colts
Chris Johnson, Titans
Darrelle Revis, Jets
Charles Woodson, Packers

My Pick: Drew Brees

Best MLB Player:

Zach Greinke, Royals
Derek Jeter, Yankees
Tim Lincecum, Giants
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Joe Mauer, Twins

Best NBA Player:

Kobe Bryant, Lakers
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Dwight Howard, Magic
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Dwyane Wade, Heat

My Pick: Kobe Bryant

Best Driver:

Kyle Busch, NASCAR Nationwide Series/Sprint Cup Series
Dario Franchitti, IRL
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Ron Hornaday, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Tony Schumacher, F1

My Pick: Jimmie Johnson

Best Golfer:

Tiger Woods
Ernie Els
Phil Mickelson

My Pick: Phil Mickelson

Best Male Collegiate Athlete:

Blake Geoffrion, Wisconsin hockey
Mark Ingram, Alabama football
Evan Turner, Ohio State basketball
John Wall, Kentucky basketball
Garrett Wittels, Florida International baseball

My Pick: Garrett Wittels

Best Female Collegiate Athelte:

Tina Charles, Connecticut basketball
Megan Hodge, Penn State volleyball
Maya Moore, Connecticut basketball
Megan Lagenfeld, UCLA softball

My Pick: Maya Moore

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.

1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards

Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14

2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers

Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers

Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19

4. Bill Russell- Celtics

Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12

5. Magic Johnson- Lakers

Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks

Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

7. Larry Bird- Celtics

Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers

Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15

9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers

Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs

Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers

Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14

12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors

Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12


13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers

Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11

14. Jerry West- Lakers

Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers

Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16

16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets

Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

17. Tim Duncan- Spurs

Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12

18. Bob Pettit- Hawks

Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11

19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets

Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

20. John Stockton- Jazz

Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets

Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic

Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

23. David Robinson- Spurs

Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10

24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls

Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies

Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11

26. John Havlicek- Celtics

Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics

Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers

Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7

29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets

Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals

Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks

Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets

Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic

Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons

Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

35. Dan Issel- Nuggets

Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat

Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

37. Hal Greer- 76ers

Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

38. Reggie Miller- Pacers

Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

39. George Mikan- Lakers

Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics

Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz

Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers

Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls

Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers

Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets

Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks

Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers

Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers

Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

50. LeBron James- Cavaliers

Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6

51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics

Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

52. Willis Reed- Knicks

Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks

Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics

Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks

Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks

Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers

Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

58. Paul Pierce- Celtics

Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks

Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7

60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz

Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks

Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks

Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers

Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers

Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets

Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

66. Sam Jones- Celtics

Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

67. Wes Unseld- Bullets

Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

69. Kevin McHale- Celtics

Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

70. James Worthy- Lakers

Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics

Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics

Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2

73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets

Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets

Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

75. Joe Dumars- Pistons

Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics

Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets

Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers

Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons

Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers

Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets

Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics

Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic

Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics

Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns

Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns

Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets

Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks

Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2

89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers

Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics

Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks

Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic

Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

93. Neil Johnston- Warriors

Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers

Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

95. Dwayne Wade- Heat

Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks

Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

97. Jack Twyman- Royals

Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks

Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks

Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic

Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

He's No M.J.

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics to win the 2010 NBA Finals and Kobe Bryant won his fifth career ring, but the one thing that kept running through my mind during game seven of the NBA Finals was: “Kobe is no M.J.”

There has been debate for a while now, and it’s been magnified during the playoffs this year, that Kobe Bryant could possibly be as good as Michael Jordan. I’ve heard one sports commentator even ask the question what would it take for Bryant to be thought of as the greatest player of all time, like Jordan. Is six championships enough? Seven? Eight? Even more?

After watching last night’s basketball game I’ve come to the decision that Kobe Bryant never will be as great as Michael Jordan. Not even if he wins as many championships (or more) and scores as many points.

Why?

Because last night, in the biggest game he could ever possibly play in, he didn’t play like the greatest of all time.

He didn’t even play like top five or top 10 all time (which he should have). Bryant did score 23 points last night, which while not up to his usual self isn’t a low number. However, he shot six for 24 from the field for a lowly 25% field goal percentage.

In six NBA Finals appearances, Jordan never shot 25% or worse. This was the second time in Bryant’s five championships (not counting the Finals he lost) that he’s shot 25% or worse.
Bryant was forcing up shots last night that Jordan never would have even dreamed of taking. He’d throw up shots while being double or even triple teamed that would have taken some heavy praying to reach the bottom of the basket.

I’ll never doubt that Bryant is a great basketball player. As previously mentioned he’s easily in the top 10 and could reach the top five before his career comes to an end.

However, comparing him to Michael Jordan would mean that Bryant is the greatest of all time. After watching his performance in last night’s game it’s impossible to call him that.

Top 20 Unwritten Rules in Sports

20 Unwritten Rules of Sports

1. Don’t bunt to break up a no-hitter or a perfect game. (Baseball)

About 10 years ago San Diego Padres catcher Ben Davis successfully bunted for a single to break up a no-hitter by Curt Schilling. A few weeks ago Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria tried the same thing during Dallas Braden’s perfect game and thankfully was unsuccessful.

2. Don’t run up the score if you’re leading by a lot. (All sports)

The most notorious team that I’ve ever seen do this was the New England Patriots. Win a game with humility.

3. Don’t onside kick while leading. (Football)

The only time I ever remember seeing this was when I attended my first UCA Bears football game and Coach Clint Conque had the Bears onside kick at the end of a game with a huge lead. One of the Bears starting players actually got injured on the play. I always thought it kind of served Conque right for doing such an unsportsmanlike thing.

4. Don’t intentionally foul at the end of the game to keep another team from shooting a three to tie or win. (Basketball)

Some coaches do it and other coaches refuse to do it. I admire those coaches that refuse to do it. I’ve said multiple times I’d rather get beat than foul in that situation.

5. Don’t celebrate when losing.

Nothing looks dumber than when a linebacker celebrates a sack down by 14 or a NBA player celebrates a dunk down by 20 or when a pitcher celebrates a strikeout down five. If I were a coach I’d fine and sit any player celebrating while losing.

6. Don’t give an athlete a record they don’t deserve. (All sports)

The only time I’ve ever seen this was when Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre laid down to give Giants defensive end Michael Strahan the NFL’s single-season sack record. Make the guy earn the record.

7. Don’t shoot the ball as time expires when leading (Basketball)

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic notoriously did this two years ago in the NBA playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.

8. Don’t shoot 3-pointers when you’re up 10+ with less than a minute to play (Basketball)

Kobe Bryant (twice; made one) and Derek Fisher both shot 3-pointers against the Celtics during game one of the NBA Finals with an insurmountable lead with under a minute to play.

9. Don’t foul on defense when losing by more than 10+ with less than a minute remaining. (Basketball)

Too many NBA and college basketball teams do this and it’s always for naught. All it does is prolong your loss.

10. Don’t run a play when you can run the clock out. (Football)

11. Don’t show up a pitcher by admiring a home run. (Baseball)

I swear if you do you’ll get a fastball in the back.

12. Don’t show up a batter by celebrating a strikeout. (Baseball)

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and a few others are notoriously bad about this.

13. Don’t steal a base when you’re up by 5+ runs late in a game (Baseball)

Rickey Henderson did this about 10 years ago against the Milwaukee Brewers and Brewers manager Davey Lopes wanted his head for it.

14. Don’t yell at infielders on the basepaths while their trying to make a play. (Baseball)

Alex Rodriguez juvenilely did this a season or two ago while running out a pop out against the Toronto Blue Jays.

15. Don’t try to plant seeds with referees, umpires or officials to try to get favorable calls. (All sports)

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has done this on three different occasions in this year’s NBA playoffs alone.

16. Don’t swing at the first pitch following back to back home runs. (Baseball)

17. Don’t work the count when you’re up or down by a lot. (Baseball)

18. Don’t lean into a pitch intentionally to get a hit by pitch. (Baseball)

19. Don’t swing on a 3-0 count while leading. (Baseball)

20. Don’t walk across the pitching mound when going back to the dugout after an out. (Baseball)

Alex Rodriguez offended A’s pitcher Dallas Braden by doing this earlier the year. The mound is the pitcher’s territory; it isn’t like he’d walk through the batter’s box while you’re working.