Boris Becker tweeted me about the NBA Lockout and it made my night!

A few nights ago my phone chirped.  It's normally not that big of a deal, but since I've been traveling internationally, I've limited my phone usage.  Usually when my phone chirps, it means that I have a text message.  Prepared to see who just dinged me for 50 cents, I picked up my phone to see what was going on.

As it turns out, Boris Becker had tweeted me.  Now this is special for a few reasons. 

• First, I LOVE BORIS BECKER.  I'm a huge fan.  When I was a teenager, I used to follow him around the ATP tennis tournament in Mason, OH.  I finally got his autograph, and when that happened I more or less left him alone.  I have countless pictures in photo albums of him and the other tennis stars in that day (e.g. Stefan Edberg, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Mats Wilander).  Those were the days! 
• Second, I've often espoused the genius of Twitter and this was only further reinforcement.  Becker had tweeted about, "not believing the NBA will go on strike," and I merely tweeted that a strike was different than a lockout and that the players were already locked out.  He replied saying that I had a point. 
• The thing is, I never expected to receive a response from one of my favorite tennis players of all time.  I just put my 3 cents out there.  ****  Why 3 cents?  Because I'm smarter than the average person so it's worth 3 cents, when I "talk".  The fact that Boom Boom Becker even responded made my night!

Look, I'm not saying that if you tweet your favorite people that you'll get a response.  I'm just saying that Twitter is a great tool to get your point across and you never know who might take a second out of their day to acknowledge you. 


THE WIRK

Deron Williams is acting like a turkey... Let him go to Turkey...

If Deron Williams wants act like a turkey and play in Turkey, does anyone care?  I sure don't. If I was an NBA owner I'd charter a bus to the airport for all the players who wish to go overseas.  I'd call the players' bluffs every day and twice on Sunday. 

Dear player: If you want to play internationally, that's your choice.  Go if you want to go.  Nothing is stopping you.

Personally, and I've written about this before on some forum (i.e. if not in this blog specifically), I think Williams is an idiot.  Unfortunately, he's not alone.  5 million guaranteed in Turkey.  Great.  I happen to think that these people are very short-sided in their thinking.

I don't believe that NBA players with viable NBA careers think international competition is the best competition.  I also don't think that playing overseas is smart from a marketing perspective since I feel it would make people lose interest in their brand.  This isn't the Yao Ming phenomenon.  Yao already had his audience.  International players who grow up in their native land have a built in audience their and then "matriculate" to the NBA.  The same metaphor can be used when amateurs matriculate to the professional level.  No offense to international competition, but FIBA and global basketball is much different compared to the NBA.  

As I've stated before, I predict that the NBA lockout will go til at least 2012.  I think the NBA All-Star festivities in Orlando won't happen.  I also think with a shortened season, that the teams that are already "stable" will sprint to the finish line.  Tough luck to the teams that are rebuilding or hoping that they could "gel" and build "chemistry".  Players will enjoy their summers and extend vacations.  Some players will work out with MLB baseball teams and/or join other summer leagues.

Of course, this is all my opinion, after experiencing the 1998 NBA lockout and having an inside perspective into how it affects players, coaches, agents, media, and fans.

In all honesty, I'm not really a fan of Deron Williams to begin with so I have to ask why anyone is really listening to him?  The guy is on the New Jersey Nets.  Who cares?!!?

Dear, Deron Williams:  Talk is cheap.  Let us know when you have a boarding pass.


THE WIRK

I have had NBA TV all along... Who knew?!?!

I've been complaining that I didn't have NBA TV all season.  Um, yeah.  In an effort to escape the NFL lockout coverage, I actually hit my channel guide button and undertook the chore of scrolling through all my channels.  Sure enough, I actually have NBA TV.

Comcast: 1, The Wirk: 0...

I can't believe I could've been watching some of these games and NBA TV's programming all along.  Actually, since I travel frequently, I haven't been home that much.  However, I'm thrilled about my new "find" and even though it's not a barn burner, I'm watching the final minute of the Atlanta Hawks v Chicago Bulls game.  Why?  Because I can!


THE WIRK

Thoughts on the NFL, NFLPA, and the possibility of a lockout

If I was an NFL owner, I'd tell the players to walk. Then I'd wait for the dissension amongst the players... There are not enough players that make a ton of money compared to the ones with lesser contracts or no contract at all... Then again, I like basketball better so I'm biased... 

If I was a player, I hope I saved my money.  It's not as if there are a lot of alternatives, and the disparity between paychecks between the haves and have nots is wide.  Now that the NFLPA is decertifying, I'd be worried, since it's all going to the courts and the attorneys get to play with it...

My only wish is that all the football coverage would move to Court TV...  I doubt I'm that lucky though.  Decertification...  Doesn't sound fun, does it?

I still think there's going to be a lockout. 


THE WIRK

Review ~ Late Rounders: The Long Hard Road to the NFL

With the combine coming to an end and the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring on Thursday at 11:59PM, I started thinking about football again.  Personally, I think there will be an NFL Lockout.  So, in an effort to keep myself thinking about football, I became curious about a documentary I heard about that chronicles the story of a few football players trying to make it into the NFL.  I requested and received a screener copy of the documentary Late Rounders: The Long Hard Road to the NFL.  I enjoy a good sports movie, but Late Rounders is unique in that it is a documentary focusing on several NFL prospects as they train and prepare for the NFL draft through the NFL combine and pro days. 

The story for Late Rounders is told by the agents from HOF Player Representatives, the players themselves, and those closest to them (i.e. a significant other and trainers).  Many of us are used to only seeing highlight reels for athletes and never get a chance to see what it's like for a player to wait, wait, and wait for their phone to ring on draft day.  There's probably a reason for that.  It's not easy to remain optimistic and hopeful as teams make their selections and a player's name starts to slip and/or remains on the board.

I've never been one to watch the NFL Draft, but I know who Mel Kiper Jr. is.  The NFL draft is notoriously long.  There are SEVEN rounds.  Yes, seven.  It's no secret that basketball is my first love, and I don't even watch the 2nd round of the NBA draft.  ****  To be honest, I only watch the first 20 picks in the NBA draft and then I'm done with it. 

As a spectator, I can't fathom anyone hanging in there for 7 rounds for an NFL draft.  However, for these men (i.e. featured in the documentary) their futures are on the line and they will wait.  As they wait, their friendships grow and their resolve is tested.  If/When their phones ring, it can be the chance they've been working their whole lives for...  They just need their phone to ring, or do they?  There is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is more than one way into the NFL.  If you're not drafted, there's free agency, and players need to understand all of their options.  Not all the roads are the same, and not everyone travels the same path to reach his destination. This documentary is about the journey in addition to the destination.

The road into professional sports isn't easy.  Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to be better at certain sports (i.e. body type, metabolism) but work ethic and desire also play a part in shaping one's future.  As director, Evan A. Marshall takes you through the journey to the NFL for a few players (e.g. John Conner, Corey Peters, Aaron Morgan etc.) you begin to pull for these men as they pursue the "chance" to prove themselves.

These men are not JUST football players.  They are men with an intense desire to play football.  There's a difference.  Late Rounders shows you the human side of the road to the NFL. 

Late Rounders: The Long Hard Road to the NFL will be shown on March 13, 2011 at 3:30PM at the Artisphere Dome Theater; 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.  There are only 240 tickets available for this session, so be sure to order them in advance at http://www.dciff.org. Tickets are $10 each.

After the screening, some of the stars from the film will be on hand (along with Evan, the director) for a Q&A with the audience.  To see a trailer, sample clips and more info on the film visit: http://www.laterounders.com/  


THE WIRK

The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV ~ Now what...

The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV, with a final score of 31-25.  The game was a good one!  As a spectator I was thrilled to have such a great match-up.  I know I wasn't the only one who was worried that the game was going to be a blowout after Green Bay had a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter...  ****  I had flashbacks of the boring Pro Bowl and started to panic. 

My Super Bowl prediction was incorrect.  Oh well.  At least I took a shot!

No, I didn't go to the game this year.  I took a look at StubHub.com and a couple of days there prior to Sunday there were seats for just under $3,000.  When I took another look on Sunday morning, the lowest seat price was $4,000.  At those prices, there was no way I was going to go ~ especially since I'm not a fan of either team.  Last year meant more to me, since I am a Indianapolis Colts fan.

Now that football season is over I can focus my attention on basketball, and of course follow the labor talks for both the NFL and NBA.

As far as I'm concerned it'd be no surprise to me if there is a work stoppage (aka "Lockout") for the NBA.  It looks like the NFL may have a better chance of preventing a work stoppage.  Needless to say, I need to get back on track with the negotiations, once I settle. 

Lastly, I still need to gather my thoughts from the Super Bowl festivities ~ decide what stories to share and leave out, etc.  This may take a minute, so appreciate the patience.  I need to download some pics and gather my thoughts...

Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on bringing the Lombardi trophy home.  For the rest of the NFL, there's always next year or is there?!?!


THE WIRK

NBA International players to cross the pond if lockout ~ I say, "No"

I've been reading a couple of headlines related to international players in the NBA (e.g. Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko) and the plans they're "considering" if there's an lockout next season.  Having survived a NBA lockout in 1998 with an international player who also entertained offers from other teams in Europe (i.e. if I remember correctly, I remember a team in Spain was interested), I'm willing to call the player's bluffs.  If these guys start looking for their passports, my bet is that they're going for pleasure and NOT business.

I remember the NBA lockout "vacation" that was had.  To say that everyone was unhappy would be a lie.  Players who were committed to conditioning and rehab still worked out.  They just might've been found working out at MLB facilities, local community centers, and health clubs, etc.  From what I could see, for those players not living paycheck to paycheck and who were smart with their money, life was just fine.  It was good time off.  Recently I asked a writer what he did during the last NBA lockout, and he said he was more or less on vacation also.  After such a busy offseason with everyone chasing LeBron to get the scoop on his "decision", maybe it wouldn't hurt to have some NBA rest...  Just a thought, but I digress...

Is Okur going to hop a plane to Europe, if there's a lockout?

Is AK-47 taking his ammo across the pond, if there's a lockout?

I'm not about to read up on Okur and Kirilenko's contracts, but I do feel as though they're solid in the NBA and have viable careers.  I have no idea what their making in terms of $$$, but I do feel like the risk of injury overseas is too great.  We're not just talking about international competition like the Olympics and FIBA World Championships.  We'd be talking about a "season" or partial season.

If you think I'm buying the story that these guys (i.e. and not specifically Okur and Kirilenko) or anyone with a viable NBA career are going to pack up and head overseas, you're fooling yourself.  You'd have better luck selling me season tickets to one of the bottom dwelling NBA squads that are always mentioned in the same breath as the word "contraction".

****  Actually now that I think about it, both stories about an international player heading across the pond are about players with the Utah Jazz...  Random, but I think pure coincidence, since the Jazz are having success at 26-13.  FYI, I took the pictures for this post back in April 2009.


THE WIRK

Unathorized comments on NBA hard salary cap cost Ted Leonsis $100,000

Welcome to the NBA ownership, Ted Leonsis!  It looks like David Stern threw down the hammer when he fined Ted Leonsis $100,000 for his unauthorized comments regarding the NBA's collective bargaining negotiations and allusion to the adoption of a hard salary cap (i.e. similar to the NHL).  For those of you that don't know, Ted Leonsis is a new majority owner for the Washington Wizards, but he has been majority owner of the Washington Capitals for years.  Therefore, he's familiar with the "benefits" of a hard salary cap.

According to Wikipedia, "In June 2005, the NBA's 1999 CBA expired, meaning the League and the players' union had to negotiate a new agreement; in light of the fiasco that was the 2004–05 NHL lockout, the two sides quickly came to an agreement, and ratified a new CBA in July 2005. The new agreement will expire following the 2010–11 season, but the league has the option to extend it through the 2011–12 season if it wishes. If so, the League must exercise its option to extend the agreement by December 15, 2010."

For any of you that can't sleep and want to read the current CBA (i.e. collective bargaining agreement), here's the link:  http://www.nbpa.org/cba/2005

Personally, I have very fond memories of the 1998-1999 NBA season and the associated NBA Lockout...  Ahhhh, yes.  Those were the days :-P

THE WIRK

Friday before the Super Bowl ~ Vegas, NFL Commish Party/Lockout, Caps, and Go Colts!!!

Today,  I wasn't able to get out since I was jockeying con calls and working.  HOWEVER, I was able to watch a little bit of TV, check some schedules, and gather my thoughts before trekking out to Laudy for the NFL Commish party.

My predictions for the night:
Winners: I liked the Hawks, Pacers, and Nuggets.  I liked the Nuggets even after I heard that Kobe was playing and Carmelo Anthony was out.  It was a hunch ~ but it was dead ON.  Did you see that Nuggets v Lakers game?!  If not, you missed a good one.  Chaucey was shooting the lights out of the arena and left with a career high of 37 points.  I need to get to Denver when they're all healthy and see them play, in person, for myself...
Loser: I also liked the Hornets, even though CP3 wasn't playing, since I read that AI was out also.  No idea what happened with that game, since I was up to my eyes in football stuff, but according to the ESPN crawl, the Philly bench "stepped up"...  Yeah, well you're just as shocked as I am... Who cares ~ you can't predict them all, and that's what you get when you pick a lame game to guess about.

So, what's the verdict?!?  Well, I'm not 100% psychic, but I'm 75% psychic...  I would've gone 3/4...  Can you tell that I'm jonesing for a trip to Vegas?!?! I looked at flights to Atlantis last night and the RT fare was a hair under $200.  I always carry my pasport with me (i.e. since you "never know") and almost bought the ticket to head out there tomorrow, but I held off.  Sure enough when I looked for the same flights on the way to Laudy, they flights were sold out.  Oh well.  It wasn't that serious for me to head out there for THE DAY. 

I wish I had enough time to head to Vegas before the Super Bowl.  I love the Venetian Sportsbook.  Ask anyone who knows me, has spent any amount of time with me in Vegas, or is looking for me when I'm in Vegas and they'll tell you where I am and they'd be willing to bet on it.  I'm a creature of habit.  I like familiarity.  I know the guys there in that book, and they have served me well throughout the years.  I'm superstitious (i.e. just a little),and I study that board (with all the games listed) ridiculously well.  As a gambler, I believe in the streak.  I believe in momentum, and I have a firm grip on the psychology of sports.  I've seen what it's like for athletes to travel, to wake up for film, and to have to go to the arena early for treatment/shoot around.  I've seen how quickly or slowly some bounce back from injury,  I know that back spasms is a fake diagnosis, when listed as an injury, and I also have a clue as to who's a headcase and who has brains.  OK - so maybe I don't KNOW, but I'm VERY confident in my hunches. 

When in the book and in preparation for my trips to Vegas I watch plenty of games, look up the trends, and crunch/examine the numbers just as much, if not more than the investors that watch the companies in their stock portfolios.  I get a little obsessive compulsive.  Instead of buying and selling Coca Cola, I decide whether I want to pick up teams that are improving and try to time it right, as to when to jump off of another team's bandwagon...  My brother looks at health care com[anies/technology etc. for work, and he always tells me he hates gambling.  BULLSHIT.  He's a gambler ~ he does the exact same thing I do.  He just chooses health care related companies, and I'd rather watch sports.  Ever get tickets to go watch Pepsi , Boeing, or Wendy's do anything!?!  Yeah, I didn't think so.

Anyway... Enough about that.

So today was Roger Goodell's State of the NFL press conference and his Super Bowl party...  I missed the press conference.  I told you I was working...  Anyway, the gist of it is this.  I firmly believe there will be an NFL Lockout next season in 2011, and I'm not in the minority.  Why?!?  Because everyone wants to get paid and $8 billion in gross revenue is plenty of money to fight over.  (Shoot, I'll lock you out of my car for $20...  I can't even fathom what I'd do if I had to fight for a cut of $8 billion...  But I digress... ) Another reason I think a lockout will happen, is because I've seen it happen in basketball.  I've seen what happens when the bluff is called.  I remember when my ex had to go workout with the college kids at Cleveland State or the Cleveland Indians, since the Cavs facility was off-liimts.

I mentioned the strong possibility of no football in 2011 to my brother at the Commish's party.  "There going to strike?!?" was his reply.  No, Grasshopper ~ let me school you and any other person with incorrect ideas about this issue.  The players aren't going to strike.  The owners will lock them out ~ hence, LOCKOUT.  Just like in basketball...  Don't believe me?  Here.

According to Wikipedia ~ A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.

As a fan, a lockout would be terrible.  I've seen the movie "The Replacements".  It was good, but that's a movie.  I was having drinks with my friends yesterday and my friend MW had me laughing.  He pointed to his 3 friends and said, "They're going to put us in uniforms, give us helmets, and call us the Dallas Cowboys!"  How can you not laugh at the thought?!?!

We also talked about the Pro Bowl and the movement of the game to the week before the Super Bowl.  Consensus at the table and the ratings showed me that this was a good move.  Although, I'm not sure that anyone of us actually watched the game.  Sure, fan attendance was better ~ duh, has anyone compared airfare price differences between a trip to Honolulu v. a trip to Miami?!?!  The argument is that people need something to fill the void preceding the Super Bowl.  Yeah ~ but does anyone even know who won the game?!?!  I think it was the NFC...  Dammit ~ just checked it, and I was wrong ~ the AFC won.

Oh well, if you would've asked me to put in order the musical performances at the Grammy's I could've done that quicker.  I actualy ended up DVR'g the Grammy's and waching 2 crappy ACC basketball games that Sunday ~ but let me tell you, that if I had to do it all over again, I still wouldn't want to watch the Pro Bowl.  I've never been to the event, but any event that the PROFESSIONAL athletes are given the PRIVILEGE to play ~ and the athletes bow out ~ well, why should I watch?!?!  The player himself doesn't want to play...  What is that even about?!?!?  If anyone honored me enough to pick me to represent whomever/whatever in the internet shopping and text message olympics I'd be there with bells on.  I just don't understand it. Some people want to play, some people don't.  It all boils down to this ~ if you're not psyched about your own gig/product, how am I supposed to be psyched about your gig/product?!!

One last thng, and I realize that this is selfish ~ I met my last fiance during the NBA Lockout so who's to say an NFL Lockout would be so bad?!?!  Just saying...  Haha :-P

Anyway...  Enough about that.

The Caps have won 13 in a row.  The record in hockey is 17...  I say the Caps go for at least 18!  Let's go Caps!!!

I can't think of anything else right now.  So that's all I have for now.  Time to light a candle and pray for Dwight Freeney's ankle.  GO COLTS!!!

Wait...  Speaking of the Colts check out the pics from the NFL Commish party today.  I'm a Colts fan so I'm partial to the Unitas pics...  Incidentally, Unitas was Lithuanian..  Hahaha:-P

Tickets to the party looked like credentials...

The Pointer Sisters ~ Jump was the last song they sung.

The Vince Lombardi trophy

Unitas' helmet

Unitas' game jersey from the Super Bowl

THE WIRK