Open Letter to Michael Heisley
Dear Mr. Heisley,
It seems that everywhere from the local press to the national pundits, you're being ripped for the Allen Iverson situation. I, for one, would like take 2 minutes to say thank you. I'll be honest and say that I've given you my fair share of criticism, but at least you tried. Memphis fans were tired of Fratello-ball, and you got rid of him. Memphis fans said that the team couldn't move forward with Pau, and he needed to be traded and the team blown up. You traded Pau and blew up the team. You made trades for OJ Mayo.
And then when the chance came along to give Memphis the superstar it has been screaming for, you took that chance and brought Allen Iverson to Memphis...well, to the Grizzlies at least. We never actually got to see him play IN Memphis.
Blame is being thrown every which way. But basically the bottom line is that for a little while, the Grizzlies had a bonified superstar. It didn't work for whatever reason - but at least you tried, Mr. Heisley. Ticket sales would have gone up. Merchandise would have gone up. Fans would have been happy.
But sadly, much like our luck in the lottery, the balls bounced the wrong way. But just like the lottery, it wasn't anything you could control. You just put your best foot forward, make the effort and hope with everything you have that it works out like it should.
Thanks for trying,
D
Has It Really Been Since July??
Man, this day job thing is cramping the style of my Average Idiot Ramblings.
Bill Belichik:
Cris Carter made the comment on ESPN this morning, that since 2000 in previous meetings with the Colts – both regular season and post-season games – Belichik has done this 16 times. Gone for it on 4th down and GOTTEN it 8 out of 12 times in the regular season and GOTTEN it 4 out of 4 times in the post-season.
That’s 12 out of 16 times against the Colts that the Patriots have gone for it on 4th and whatever and gotten it. Given THAT history, the fact that Manning had just walked the field twice, AND considering that they only needed 2 little yards…the decision to go for it didn’t sound quite so crazy to me.
Jimmie Johnson:
NASCAR fans immediately understand the phrase "modern era"...that is, "After 1972". Records are referred to as if that were the BC/AD line in the NASCAR time frame. I think we are in a new era that should be labeled "the chase era". Is it impressive that Jimmie Johnson can run off 4 straight chase championships? Absolutely, when you consider that some teams can't even make it IN the chase 4 straight years. But to compare Jimmie Johnson's championships - even his 3 in a row from last year - to Cale's is a skewed comparison.
Gone are the days of "Daytona pays the same points as Homestead" because honestly, they don't. The numbers may be the same, but the value of the Daytona points are drastically different. They're worth much less. The points leader can have lapped the field by Richmond and be up more than 3 races worth of points...and they all go away when the chase starts.
It's a voodoo points system that rewards excellence in the last 10 races. I said it was a gimmick system when they announced it, and I still say it is. Does winning the most races make you a points champion? No. But if we're comparing the chase to stick-and-ball sports, then they need to have a provisional in this goofy chase for the guy that wins the most races. He deserves to be in more - based on accomplishments - than the guy in 12th place 850 points back when it starts, if you ask me.
So congratulations, Jimmie, you are setting a very impressive high-water mark with 4 straight chase championships. And every driver that competes in the chase era will be measured with that stick. But I'm still more impressed with Alan Kulwicki's single 1992 full-season, championship as an owner/driver than I am with your 4 gimmick championships.
Vince Young
Well, apparently Vince Young CAN play football in the NFL...who knew? Well, other than Bud "the bird" Adams. I'd suggest he'd read it and took it to heart - but nobody reads this. I just do it to shut up the voices in my head.
and finally, USC
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
