The talk has heated up recently with the injury to Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees) getting hurt running the bases, and Hank Steinbrenner addressing the media demanding that the NL get the designated hitter. I don’t think the DH rule needs to change based on a pitcher not being prepared to run the bases without getting hurt, but I do think the rule needs to change.
The baseball purists would likely want the designated hitter out of the game in both leagues, making managers and pitchers earn their money. Then there is the other side of the coin where the average fan would want the DH in both leagues to promote more scoring.
I honestly don’t care if they give the National League the DH, or if they take the DH out of the game all together. However, I do think they need to change it one way or the other. It is just embarrassing that the two leagues don’t play by the sames rules. I can’t think of any other professional sport where one set of rules applies to one conference, but not another conference. Imagine in the NBA if they had the Eastern conference get to shoot free throws when they were fouled, but the Western conference teams were not allowed to go to the charity stripe unless they played an Eastern conference team in their building. How much since would that make?
Bottom line, they need to make both conferences in MLB play by the same set of rules!
Since the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are meeting in the 2008 NBA Finals, it got me thinking what the matchups would look like if you assembled the all-time greats from each franchise.
Lakers Starters
PG Magic Johnson
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Elgin Baylor
PF Wilt Chamberlain
C Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Lakers Bench
G Derek Fisher
G Byron Scott
G Jerry West
F Glen Rice
F Elgin Baylor
F A.C. Green
C Shaquille O’Neal
C Vlade Divac
Celtics Starters
PG Bob Cousy
SG Larry Bird
F Kevin McHale
F Kevin Garnett
C Bill Russell
Celtics Bench
G John Havlicek
G Danny Ainge
G Ray Allen
F Paul Pierce
F Antoine Walker
C Bill Walton
C Robert Parrish
This is just bad basketball and something that reminds me of the dirty years of the NBA, back when Bill Laimbeer wrestled w/ Charles Barkley in ‘90. Normally, you are suppose to root for the team that knocks your team out of the playoffs, yet after the cheap Steve Nash shot last year and the current move he did to David West’s back in tonight’s game, I just can’t do it.
Check out that link at about the 20 second remaining mark. All the players on the court know that David West has a hurt back in this game, just like Kobe has a hurt pinky/back right now. Yet, Robert Horry is the only one that blatantly pushes his elbows into it on a blind-sided pick. Such a cheap shot for a player that really is one of the most clutch to ever play the game and will more than likely end up in the hall of fame.
Luckily, the Hornets fans have 3 days rest for West’s back, but why is this legal? If this is legal in the sport and you don’t get a foul called, why hasn’t anyone on the Jazz taken out Kobe’s back or better yet jam his pinky worse than it already is?
1. New England Patriots
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. San Diego Chargers
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. New Orleans Saints
8. Philadelphia Eagles
9. New York Giants
10. Cleveland Browns
11. Minnesota Vikings
12. Green Bay Packers
13. Seattle Seahawks
14. Denver Broncos
15. Carolina Panthers
16. Houston Texans
17. Arizona Cardinals
18. New York Jets
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Washington Redskins
21. Cincinnati Bengals
22. Baltimore Ravens
23. Detroit Lions
24. San Francisco 49ers
25. Buffalo Bills
26. Oakland Raiders
27. Chicago Bears
28. Tennessee Titans
29. St. Louis Rams
30. Miami Dolphins
31. Kansas City Chiefs
32. Atlanta Falcons
First of all, I must start by saying I am huge NBA fan. The purpose of this article is not to bash the NBA. However, I just feel like the NBA needs to make some improvements. It is to the point where a game can’t go two minutes without someone flopping or trying some bush league move to draw a foul.
This behavior has translated onto the playgrounds to the point where anytime a player drives to the hoop, they automatically say “and one.” Also, if it is game point, they will keep calling fouls until they finally make the game winner.
If we can clean up the NBA, then basketball can played all over the world like it was meant to be played. I am tired of seeing the following things:
Players arguing after almost every foul called. In fact, I don’t think Tim Duncan has ever thought he has committed a foul his entire NBA career
Coaches arguing after almost every foul called. The goal of the coaches clearly is to try to talk the officials into giving them the next call. The officials do not owe the teams anything, they just need to call the game like they see it
Lebron James acting like he was hit by a baseball bat when he was barely even touched.
Kobe Bryant swinging his arms after a missed shot like he was violently mugged on the subway
Manu Ginobli flopping every other play, and whenever he drives to the hoop, he slams his elbow into the defender to get a call even though he clearly initiates the contact
Dirk Nowitzi throwing a tantrum demanding a foul to be called if he even gets breathed on
Any player that kicks out their leg after a three point field goal attempt and then falls down backwards on the ground like they had been shot in a desperate attempt to get three free throws
Steve Nash when his team is in the bonus suddenly can’t dribble the ball without finding someone to run into so he can fall down in attempts to force the officials to make a call so he can get to the line
I could go on and on, but I will spare you an even longer list. It should be noted that I think the players that I named are terrific players, which is all the more reason their actions should start reflecting that. They are too skilled of athletes to have to resort to those foolish tactics. It just plain looks childish, and it is watering down the purity of the game.
Perhaps, some day the commissioner will decide to start suspending players for these ridiculous and blatant attempts to influence the way referees call the game. Bottom line, I am ready to watch real basketball again!
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