Larry Brown Sports

World’s Best Scorer Isn’t Too Proud to Learn from Another Great

Larry Brown — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:24:03 +0000

I’ve been more than critical of Kobe Bryant throughout his tenure with the Lakers. Although Kobe’s character has turned me off, I always respected what I’ve heard is a legendary work ethic. Now I have no choice but to once and for all accept Kobe Bryant for what he stands for after seeing a few clips played on TNT Thursday night. When the Lakers were playing the Rockets, not only could you see Kobe show off some of his new offensive moves, but you also saw TNT play a video of Kobe training with Hakeem Olajuwon during the offseason. Turns out Kobe went out of his way to contact The Dream and ask Hakeem if he could teach him his legendary post moves. Hakeem was thrilled to help out:

Could you imagine being Hakeem and just hanging out at home, only to receive an email from the NBA Finals MVP asking to train with you? Usually the young guys in the NBA are the disrespectful punks who think they know it all and don’t want to learn from anyone. But then you have Kobe Bryant, 13 seasons into his Hall of Fame career, and he still wants to add to his game, and he goes out of his way to contact one of the smoothest players ever in order to improve himself. I don’t know if I’ve done a complete 180 here, but this story has completely changed the way I look at Kobe. Now I really have respect for Kobe. Anyway, here’s the originally Dream Shake in action.

Joe Theismann Crushes ‘Vindictive’ John Riggins for Dan Snyder Remarks

Larry Brown — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:19:08 +0000

The Redskins have become a certifiable mess, and a lot of it starts at the top with owner Dan Snyder. The team is 2-5 this year despite having spent plenty of money on their talent, and the fans are unhappy, as is ownership. Former player John Riggins recently had his radio show canceled on Snyder’s station WTEM in D.C., and he’s responded with some harsh, critical rants about Snyder and head coach Jim Zorn. Riggins’ criticism, while humorous and biting, came across to many as excessive. Count former Skins QB Joe Theismann as one who isn’t on board with Riggins’ criticism, as he told the 2 Live Stews on Sporting News Radio:

“John’s not outspoken about this football team, John’s just decided to attack people personally, and I think he is way out of line. I don’t agree with his opinions. I think it’s vindictive, I think it’s downright harsh, and I think John speaks specifically for himself.

John thinks he’s representing the fanship, but I don’t believe he is. The Redskin fans are frustrated — this football team has not achieved anywhere near what I think the fans believed they were capable of doing. But to attack the owner and say the things about the owner that he said, to attack the coach and say the things that he said about the coach, seemed purely motivated in one mean-spirited way, and I don’t agree with it.”

Even though Riggins’ rants have received plenty of play across the airwaves for their entertainment value, it’s nice to hear a different legend call Riggins out for his inappropriate behavior. People have learned that screaming and yelling and making outlandish remarks will get you on TV (thanks, ESPN), but it doesn’t earn you the respect of anyone. Riggins doesn’t have mine or Theismann’s respect for what he’s done. No doubt the Redskins are in bad shape and a lot of it is due to the ownership, but there’s no reason to go about the criticism in the manner that Riggins has.

Ochocinco Sends the Stinky Ravens Defense some Deodorant

Larry Brown — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:31:04 +0000

Bengals ~~sideshow~~ wide receiver Chad Ochocino is known for running his big mouth and pulling stunts on and off the field. When I say off the field, I don’t mean getting into trouble with the law — I mean stirring up controversy with opposing teams. A few years ago Ocho had a chart of all the opposing cornerbacks who would be guarding him and he would keep track of which ones he burned. He also is known for sending packages to opposing defenses, a practice he replicated this week prior to the game with Baltimore. Ocho says he sent Fabian Washington, Dominique Foxworth, Ed Reed, Dawan Landry, and company gift baskets that included some deodorant so that they didn’t sweat all day. While Ocho is saying that’s what it’s for, I was guessing it has a duel purpose to also let them know they stink.

Even though the Bengals have the better record and already beat the Ravens in week five, I’m skeptical about their chances once again. It took a few key penalties on an improbable drive for the Bengals to win last time so odds are it will be another close game. The bright side is that the Bengals had an extra week to prepare for the game so they should be all set and rested for the contest. Putting the outcome aside, I’m just hoping for both teams to have success running the ball; I have both Ray Rice and Cedric Benson gunning for me in the Coors Light Fantasy Football League. Going against me though is that Dewey at the Right Brain blog said bench Ced this week, only I don’t have any other options.

Getting back to Chad, it’s sad to see so many analysts have to eat crow regarding his performance this year. I guess they didn’t realize Carson Palmer got hurt last year and missed almost the entire season, leaving the injured Ochocinco stuck with an incapable Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. All those analysts must have forgotten about Chad’s five straight Pro Bowl years prior to last year.

125 Years from Koufax to Kershaw but Jamie McCourt’s the Face of the Dodgers

Larry Brown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:12:07 +0000

This Frank and Jamie McCourt divorce junk not only gets uglier by the day, but it also gets more humorous too. As if asking for half a million a month in alimony isn’t bad enough (not to say she doesn’t deserve half of everything but just that it’s an absurd amount of money to live off of), Jamie’s written some funny stuff in her legal declaration. According to the LA Times,

Jamie McCourt claims she was actively involved in the ownership and management of the team from day one, detailing her involvement in executive meetings, hiring and planning decisions, and marketing and community relations initiatives.

“I was the face of the Dodgers,” she claims.

Vin Scully, Manny Ramirez, Tommy Lasorda, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Jonathan Broxton, Andre Ethier. All of them take a back seat to Jamie McCourt. And in seven words, Jamie encapsulated most of what I had against the McCourts while they owned the Dodgers. The owners not only felt they were, but also aimed to be more important than everyone else in the organization, including the ones fans care about most — the players.

As if that sentiment isn’t bad enough, Bill Shaikin outlined my biggest gripe with the McCourts in a thorough article this week, and it’s something that should really tick fans off. Frank and Jamie took home between $7-$8 million a year for themselves instead of spending some of that money on payroll. Cliff Lee’s salary was $5.75 million this past season. The Dodgers have also spent the least amount of money on signing bonuses in the draft the past two years of any team in baseball. As we’ve said many times before, the McCheap’s strike again. I just hope the courts force them to sell the team rather than recognize Frank’s sole ownership of the Dodgers.

Matsui Managed MVP Even as a DH

Larry Brown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:54 +0000

I’m not so sure Hideki Matsui got the kind of love he deserved for his incredible Game 6 performance and otherwise outstanding World Series against the Phillies. Most of the focus on the FOX postgame show seemed to be about the Yankees quartet of Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, and Rivera winning their fifth rings with the Bronx Bombers, but to me there’s no doubt that Matsui was the star of the show. Matsui single-handedly destroyed Pedro Martinez and catapulted the Yankees to victory. Honestly, 6 RBIs in a World Series clinching game? He was Pedro’s worst nightmare and the game-changer. And it wasn’t even limited to Game 6 either; Matsui did the exact same thing by hitting the tie-breaking home run in Game 2.

Even in Philadelphia where he couldn’t play the field for three straight games, Matsui took advantage of his opportunities going 2-for-3 in pinch hit spots, with a home run in Game 3. I had the feeling entering Game 6 that if the Yankees closed out the series on Wednesday night, the MVP would go to the player who had the biggest game. Without a doubt, that was Matsui, and now he’s cemented in history for a clutch performance that rivals Reggie Jackson. You get the feeling that maybe if he didn’t require a translator his face would have been more omnipresent but either way Matsui let his bat do the talking.

By the way, it was about time the Yankees won a World Series. Those dedicated fans shouldn’t have to wait so long between titles — they deserve to win more frequently.

Chiefs Post New Sign About Losers, Directed at Larry Johnson?

Larry Brown — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:22:11 +0000

The Chiefs are in the midst of yet another losing season, having a record of 1-6 on the year. While we’re already aware of the issues they’ve had with volatile running back Larry Johnson, it seems as if they’re trying to avoid any other problems within the organization — the sort of the thing that can mount as the result of constant losing. Rotoworld has tipped me off to the latest sign posted at the team’s facility, courtesy of beat writer Josh Looney. See it below:

Judging by this sign, it’s safe to say LJ won’t be back with the team next year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets less than 100 carries over the course of his career following the season. In other words, after several heavy workloads with the Chiefs, he’s probably done. Although the team stinks right now, I do have confidence they have some of the right pieces in part to slowly start turning things around. Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel is a good start.

Kevin McHale Confirms Kevin Garnett Trade Was Financially Motivated

Larry Brown — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:24:01 +0000

One of the biggest trades in the NBA occurred a few offseasons ago and it helped bring the Celtics their first championship in 22 years. In the trade, Kevin Garnett was dealt from the Timberwolves to the Celtics after Boston had already acquired Ray Allen, completing one of the biggest offseasons for a team this side of the Yankees. So far several reasons have been suggested as explanations for the trade. For one, the Timberwolves were going nowhere and either Kevin Garnett wanted to get moved and/or the team felt they owed him a shot at a title. Secondly, people suggested that as part of the “free KG movement,” GM Kevin McHale decided to give his former Celtic teammate, Danny Ainge, a nice present. Another suggestion was that the Timberwolves decided it was time to rebuild without Garnett. Well since he was fired by the Timberwolves in June, it seems like McHale wants to set the record straight about the trade that tarnishes his resume as a front office guy. In an interview with the 2 Live Stews on Sporting News Radio, McHale said it was owner Glen Taylor’s financial decision that led to the Kevin Garnett trade:

“There was a contract extension coming up … I had talked to [Garnett's] agent and I said ‘hey man, you guys are looking for some big money, you better talk to our owner on it.’ I called up our owner and said this is kind of where everything’s at. It just got to the point where our owner came back and said ‘I’m not sure I can spend that amount of money — we’re going to make a trade.’ At that point, it’s just try to get the best deal. I really liked Al Jefferson — I always have. I think you’re looking at trying to get the best, young player you can in that situation. It was really just trying to find the best, young player available to get a good, young nucleus and go from there.”

In addition to explaining how his hands were tied with the deal, McHale made another reference during the interview to the difficulties of running a small-market franchise:

“Financially-wise, small markets, it can get tough in the NBA. Rebuilding in the NBA is tough because I think people expect immediate success. I don’t know if it’s how the kids are taught the game today, if it’s AAU, if it’s more games than practice, or maybe it’s just the fact that guys are coming out younger, and younger, and younger. When I came out, after two or three years, you were expected to really be a leader on your team — you were expected to help your team win games. [Young players] are so ill-equipped to become leaders these days because they don’t spend much time in school and they’re not counted on by their coaches to be leaders.”

Two crap seasons later and it’s pretty clear that the Timberwolves are still hurting without Garnett who, outside of last year’s knee injury, is still rolling along at an All-Star level. Meanwhile the Timberwolves are still very much in rebuilding mode with no seeming turnaround in sights. And it sounds like the fans have their owner to thank, and possibly themselves for not making the organization more profitable while KG was on the roster.

Gus Johnson on Chris Johnson: He Has ‘Getting Away from the Cops Speed’

Larry Brown — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:50:09 +0000

Gus Johnson is known for some of his outstanding calls on CBS broadcasts, particularly his enthusiastic work during March Madness. In fact, it was only back in week one that he absolutely nailed the call of the Broncos last second miracle play by Brandon Stokley to beat the Bengals. While Gus is at his best reacting to the unpredictable action in front of him, he had a lapse in judgment when he used what seemed like was a “scripted” line while describing the first of Titans running back Chris Johnson’s touchdown runs on Sunday. When Chris broke away for the score, Gus’ description was “He’s got getting away from the cops speed!” Wait for the second run by Chris in this video to hear it.

Putting aside that the league is so image conscious that Roger Goodell enforces strict penalties for players who get into trouble with the law, this is just a stupid thing to say all the way around. I’m guessing that the last thing Chris Johnson, who to the best of my knowledge has never had any legal issues, wanted was to have the announcers compare his football run to that of someone escaping the police. Gus owes Chris an apology and should know better than that. Furthermore, the argument that it’s OK because it’s a black announcer saying it about another black person is ludicrous; such an analogy should never be invoked if it has no factual basis, which in Chris’ case, it doesn’t. If that was meant to be funny, I don’t see the humor in it.

Video courtesy of Awful Announcing, of course

Oregon Coach Chip Kelly Sported the Duck Costume Before the USC Game

Larry Brown — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:26:51 +0000

The Oregon duck mascot has quite the history here at LBS. A few years ago, the Duck was suspended after getting in a fight with the Houston Cougar mascot. That may have marked the greatest moment in the history of mascot moments. This time around it was Oregon coach Chip Kelly trying to pump up the home crowd at Autzen Stadium by donning the costume before the USC game. Check it out:

Kelly has quickly become one of the coaches I respect the most in college football. First off, I think he handled the LeGarrette Blount situation quite well, handing down a harsh penalty but maintaining an interest in seeing Blount overcome the incident. Then, Kelly reimbursed a dissatisfied fan who traveled to the Boise State game. And now he’s wearing the Duck suit. Here’s what he said about it, “I take my job seriously, I don’t take myself seriously. It was more of a chance to see our fans. I think they’re the best fans in college football.” Talk about a BMOC … he better savor these days while he can because you can bet your butt the fans will be calling for his head when they have a 6-6 season.

Cole Hamels and Brett Myers Get Into it After Game 5

Larry Brown — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:36:54 +0000

Two LBS favorite characters, Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, managed to create the ultimate story when their paths crossed after Game 5 in the Phillies locker room. According to Yahoo! Sports, the two had a heated moment in the clubhouse after the Phillies beat the Yankees 8-6 to extend the series. Tim Brown explains:

As Myers walked past Hamels near Hamels’ locker he said, mocking, “What are you doing here? I thought you quit.”

Hamels, the witness said, responded with an expletive.

Before the situation escalated, Myers was guided away by a team official.

Normally Myers’ big mouth and inability to restrain himself results in stupid remarks, but here he did indeed call out the right person. Hollywood Hamels went too Hollywood over the offseason and it’s cost him. After being so dominant in the postseason last year, Hamels took off the offseason to enjoy himself and capitalize on his new found fame. He admitted he came into the season unprepared and that it caused him elbow problems in spring training. The problem is that Cole got selfish, forgetting he’s still a baseball player with an obligation to be the ace of an awesome team. Everyone else came into the season prepared but he didn’t, and he let them down with his lack of preparation. Right now he’s costing them big time in the playoffs. Hamels needs to make it up to everyone with a gem in Game 7, that way it will “finally be over” for him. I think the dude’s ultimately learned his lesson.

By the way, I was on Charlie Manuel’s side for holding Cliff Lee until Game 5. Even if the Yankees won with Sabathia in Game 4, the Phils had the advantage in Games 5 and 6 with Lee and Pedro on full rest while Burnett and Pettitte are on short rest. Then it could wind up coming down to a Game 7 with CC and Hamels. Maybe the Yankees need to buy another starting pitcher in the offseason. Or maybe they’ll just win in six.

Larry Brown Sports

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