Zuri Berry

Jeremy Lin inspires both the positive and negative

Zuri — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:09:23 +0000

Jeremy Lin is a sensation in the NBA. (REUTERS)

It didn’t take long before the puns turned to racism. For me, the beginning was the borderline New York Post back page “Amasian.” But early Saturday morning, it was the brazen “Chink in the armor” headline from ESPN that so angered the masses.

ESPN has since fired the headline writer and has suspended an anchor for using the same slur on a telecast.

I knew it would come to this. I just didn’t think it would be ESPN.

Since the moment Jeremy Lin started lighting up the Garden and the eyes of respective fans around the world, there’s been an endless stream of puns put forth to play off both Lin’s name and heritage. As if “Linsanity” wasn’t enough, you’ve got “Linvincible,” the “all he does is lin” chants and many more. It’s added to what has been a remarkable story about a point guard that was one step away from being out of the NBA. But it’s also added a layer of racism around the coverage of the most popular professional Asian-American basketball player ever.

What’s more, the blatant racism has re-opened what I would like to call ever-fresh wounds. Lames excuses like this one, delivered as a comment on Jim Romenesko’s site, continue a perpetual sense of “gray area” when in fact headlines like “Chink in the armor” are clearly racist:

“I’ve used “chink in the armor” many times — and never thought of it as racist. People need to get over it.”

Because a phrase like “chink in the armor” can stand alone means nothing to me. The fact that it was used in conjunction with a story about an Asian-American man, when it clearly wasn’t necessary, is all the evidence I need to throw out the race card.

What pisses me off, and I’m pretty sure every other person of color in this great country, is the idiots that try to excuse away what is obvious and offensive. It’s why the wounds are ever-fresh. Not only are the folks who use these tactics are saying forgive the offender, but they are also diminishing what others are legitimately calling out as racist, thus continuing the cycle of offensiveness.

Over the past few years, I’ve seen this become the tactic of choice for racists — particularly on comment boards. They see the bigotry of some as a chance to defend, downplay and delegitimize the concerns of others. It’s no surprise that they’ve capitalized on moments like these. But it’s heartening to know that wherever intelligent conversation takes place, this kind of hackneyed racism is shot down immediately. It’s just unfortunate that it has to sully a great story in Lin, who as a classic underdog with an exceptional background deserves the attention and popularity he is getting.

My hope is that organizations like the New York Post, ESPN and others, take into account the responsibility they have to handle Lin’s story with care, particularly in regards to racism. There will always be some that excuse away their behavior, whether it was born of ignorance or hate. But news organizations like these are smarter than that and they do know better.

In a post football world, there’s only two things left

Zuri — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:53:08 +0000

Well, really, there’s lots more left to concern myself with. As winter winds down, I’ll be focusing more and more on high school sports content for the Boston Globe. That includes prep hockey and basketball. But if I weren’t such a nut, I wouldn’t be here. So I’m also going to be paying close attention (not reporting or anything like that) to the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox. Spring training is a hop skip away and the Celtics are in full swing. The only thing that’s missing is my presence on both topics. I’m sure I can rectify that right here. Stay tuned.

Give Rob Gronkowski a break

Zuri — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:37:48 +0000

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has caught a lot of flak for his post Super Bowl activities. (Stan Grossfeld / Globe Staff)

After the Patriots lost to the New York Giants 21-17 in the Super Bowl, it’s more than conceivable that fans would want to blow off some steam.

Whether that was on message boards, blogs and elsewhere, there were a number of rants to be made on the demise of Tom Brady and company. One would only have to turn to their left and then to their right to get varying opinions on the outcome. And frankly, blaming it on Brady, Wes Welker or whoever else is your choosing.To each his own condemnation. But in the aftermath of a loss with this magnitude, it appears that some venting is entirely without merit. Particularly, how the Patriots deal with a loss.

For Brady, it meant draping his heads in a towel for minutes on end to digest the previous 60. For Welker, it meant borderline crying in front of strangers when having to explain what his drop meant for his team. For Brandon Spikes, it meant walking into a room full of reporters with shades over his eyes, desperately trying to hide his emotions. For others, it meant ducking the media.

But for Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots tight end who for two weeks had the most famous ankle in the world, it meant going dancing shirtless.

Context, please!

After finishing his second NFL season with the most dominant display a tight end has ever put forth (90 catches, 1,327 yards, 18 touchdowns), Gronkowski went out partying post XLVI. Without hesitation, he was ripped mercilessly by former players (Rodney Harrison) and pundits alike. The general consensus of the folks in the “Gronk can’t party because he lost crowd” is pretty simple. Partying after a loss gives off the perception that an athlete does not take the loss as seriously as, say, Brady. But this isn’t grounded in anything other than spite. Not one person can lay claim to know how Gronkowski feels. Not you, not I. And yet, the perception remains despite overbearing evidence to explain Gronkowski’s actions post-Super Sunday.

At 22 years old — only one year removed from the legal drinking age — might a culture of alcoholism explain what most Millenials already know? Gronkowski was out doing exactly what most 22-year-olds would do after bitterly going on vacation for six months. Given the nature of the video, the way he sloppily grooved back and forth, and, yes, his lack of clothing, there is some probable cause to believe that Gronkowski was imbibing fire water. (Is anybody even arguing it?)

Forget the setting and circumstance for a moment. The real question for Gronkowski is why get hammered? Why, for generations of young men, do they turn to alcohol to cope with something depressing like a Super Bowl loss?

Before this starts to sound like a pamphlet for your local AA, remember the circumstances of the professional athlete. There’s the public persona, the voluntary and involuntary privacy, the pressure of playing in the National Football League, and then the responsibility that comes with it all. Now understand, sans camera, that no one would question how Gronkowski felt about losing to the Giants. Instead, you and I would point to his postgame interview, judge his demeanor in answering those questions (he was sullen) and then conclude what most in Indianapolis observed long before any video leaked, that No. 87 was upset like the rest of the Patriots.

Is it all the more salacious that he was out and about shirtless? Yes. Of course it is. Does it matter? No, not in the least bit. In seeing Gronk bop back and forth, slaphappy, one could see the reigns being loosened on the 6-foot-6 tight end. He looked like a guy that hadn’t had a drink in months. And being of his age, he looked at home on stage with LMFAO, relaxed for once. Cut him some slack. After his surgery, he’s going to be on the sofa for awhile.

I’m more worried about his dance moves.

For the Patriots, soul searching

Zuri — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:17:58 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — This time, like last time, the New York Giants owned the New England Patriots in the stretch. But unlike last time, there was just too much funny business for Tom Brady and the gang to pull it out. And it showed in key plays as the Patriots lost 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For starters, Ahmad Bradshaw’s 6-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the game was bizarre. Given the Giants’ lengthy drive, and the amount of timeouts the Patriots had remaining, Bill Belichick decided that it was time to play some situational football. What does that mean? That means that Bradshaw got an open lane for a touchdown on 2nd-and-goal at the Patriots’ 6-yard line. The Patriots’ defensive line just stood up while its linebackers watched as Bradshaw hunkered at the 1-yard line, unsure if he was supposed to take the easy touchdown. Turns out, Eli Manning was yelling at him to not score. Manning, also thinking situational football, wanted to kill some more clock before letting Brady have at the Giants defense.

The question is simple: Do you hold for the field goal or lay down and put the game on your offense? Belichick says there’s a 90 percent chance of making a field goal at that range. That would put the Patriots down 18-17 with as little as 10 seconds remaining.

As much as it seems logical to allow a touchdown, everything about it feels wrong. And that proved true as Bradshaw’s touchdown became the game-winning score.

Maybe it’s my junior football mind speaking, but I want that 10 percent chance for something to go wrong. I want the opportunity to load up and go for the block and win the game rather than allow the loss.

These are the kind of decisions that keep you up at night.

Outside of the allowed touchdown, Wes Welker’s drop was every bit as critical as the wide receiver proclaimed it to be in his emotional postgame press conference. It’s tough because Welker’s usually sure hands would normally make that catch, a deep throw that was a little bit behind but still in a spot for him to get his hands on the ball. A reception there would have put the Patriots in Giants territory with a little more than 4 minutes remaining. Surely the Patriots would’ve finished the drive with at least a field goal. Instead, another incomplete pass to Deion Branch forced a Patriots punt that led to the Giants’ game-winning drive.

It was uncharacteristic of the Patriots. Much like Brady’s safety on New England’s first possession, there were too many mental errors for the team to recover. And then there was too little time.

For the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, with the way they played, they needed some help. And unlike the AFC championship, they were the ones making mistakes. For a team known to be smart, that distinction is unfortunately up in the air.

The only Super Bowl swag I care about

Zuri — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:23:12 +0000

Shot glass at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

I have a shot glass from every city I’ve ever been to. So naturally, I have two from Indianapolis now.

Some radio love

Zuri — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:32 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — I did a radio interview with ESPN Radio 1230/1450 in North Carolina. They were kind enough to send the interview snippet as an .MP3. We talk Indianapolis and the Super Bowl. And, of course, Rob Gronkowski’s ankle. Enjoy.

My Super Bowl XLVI pick, plus Indy thoughts

Zuri — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:31:48 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — I feel like I’m playing linebacker on a football field, just keeping my head on a swivel. But instead of looking for blockers and opposing offensive players, I’m looking out for celebrities, hookers and NFL players.

Not necessarily in that order.

Super Bowl week has been a drain on my energy but I’m glad to say it’s coming to an end and we’ll all be game oriented by tomorrow morning. The visual distractions of people — both en masse and celebrity — can be a bit overwhelming. And right now, on this Saturday, the relentless stream of gawkers outside the media hotel are relentless. It’s getting to that uncomfortably weird stage in which everybody, celebrities included, want the game to just get here.

And while normally I would have my picks and predictions up on Thursday or Friday, I’m just getting to it now because of the relative quiet today surrounding the New England Patriots and New York Giants. There is no coach or player availability to the media.

So who do I got? I’ve been asked that quite a bit the past few days. More times actually than I have all season. I guess that’s what happens when people see you sitting at the Boston Globe booth. Admittedly though, I’ve been waffling on who I like. The Giants beat a strong 49ers team after a couple of special teams miscues, and the Patriots sort of backed into the big game after Billy Cundiff’s missed field goal with seconds remaining in the AFC Championship. Neither won outright, and that may be more of a reason why there’s such parity in the NFL than not. No one team has a lock on talent. But I do know one thing, the Patriots have a lock on discipline. And despite Brandon Spikes getting away with slugging a guy, the team is poised to play error free, much the way they’ve done the entire season.

The big question everyone wants to have answered is whether Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is going to be good to go. He was listed as questionable for the game on Friday’s injury report. He practiced the final two practices, giving some assurance to Patriots fans that he’ll be available. I expect him to play and to play well. I think that bolsters the Patriots’ chances of winning this game tremendously. There’s no stopping him, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker.

The revenge factor here, which I think is blown out of proportion for some, is right on the money for Tom Brady. This is a game he doesn’t want to lose, not just because he hates losing and this is the Super Bowl, but because it was the Giants who last beat him and it was the Giants who last took away his glory in Super Bowl XLII. If vengeance has any bearing on any one player in this game, it’s the most dangerous player on the field in Tom Brady.

Again, I like the Giants. I like the fact that they only need four pass rushers to cause trouble. I love their receiving corps. I love how Eli Manning has been running this team. I’m not so much a fan of their running game, which I would have considered inconsistent up until about a month ago. I think their weakness is their offensive line, which lets Manning get banged up too much. But they’re a solid team and they play hard nosed. I just don’t think they have the gusto to make enough stops against this Patriots offense. Can you tell I’m hedging? Because I’m hedging. Who knows how this thing is going to turn out. After XLII, we all thought 19-0 was inevitable. But you remember what happened. I just think that the Patriots are better overall and more consistent in what they do. And what they do is almost entirely unstoppable.

Giants vs. Patriots
My pick: Patriots

Last week (conference championships): 1-1
Postseason: 6-3
Regular season: 135-83 (61.9 percent)

Enjoying Indy

Zuri — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:19:22 +0000

I’ve only been here for a day and a half and I can already say that I’m enjoying Indianapolis. With the Super Bowl hanging over its head, and the throngs of media descending on its streets, there is quite a bit of Hoosier Hospitality on display.

Let’s see how this week plays out though before delivering judgment.

Back to grind mode.

In Indianapolis for the Super Bowl

Zuri — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:28:22 +0000

In Indianapolis, the media center hotel is adorned with tons of Super Bowl logos.

Before I get too busy, I wanted to stop and share some thoughts with those that frequent this site. I’m here in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, the rematch game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Who knew when I wrote on this very site five months ago that I was going to be taking a greater role in Patriots coverage that I would be here, that the Patriots would be here, and that I would have this opportunity. It really is a blessing.

Since I’ve come to the Globe, Boston sports teams have done extremely well. I took part in our coverage of the NBA Finals in 2010 as the Celtics and Lakers went toe to toe. I was on the ground in Vancouver when the Bruins throttled the Canucks in Game 7, and then Vancouverites throttled their city. And now I’m here in Indy as the Patriots try to cap a really serendipitous season.

In the words of Kevin Garnett, “Anything is possible.”

Overachieving 49ers spruced up the football season

Zuri — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:26:51 +0000

One week you love Alex Smith, the next week he's back on the chopping block.

In retrospect, the San Francisco 49ers played astronomically beyond their talents this season. Probably nobody knows this more than Jim Harbaugh. But I imagine he still must be distraught over Sunday’s 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship. I know 49ers fans are.

One can only look at Alex Smith and marvel at the 49ers’ turnaround season. With Smith at the helm, the franchise was teetering on edge in all of its 18 games. Could he make the big throw? Will he make the throw? Will the season go down in flames because of him? He transcended all of that, helping the 49ers to a 13-3 regular season and a stellar divisional playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints. And yet, still, the 49ers faltered.

Blame Kyle Williams if you want, but there were way too many plays left on the field against the Giants. And Smith, in my opinion, is just as worthy of fault as Williams.

Sunday’s NFC Championship was much like the 49ers’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers made too many mistakes to survive. The fumble by Williams in overtime stands out, but when Smith starting playing target practice with the ankles of his receivers to begin two straight drives in the fourth quarter, there was more than a bit of trepidation seeping in the building. Smith’s final line was 12 of 26 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. If one didn’t know any better, you’d think the team in red and gold was playing with its backup under center.

However, in keeping with the 49ers’ theme of the year — stellar defense, mediocre offense — the team somehow fought its way into a position to win the game, pushing the Giants into overtime despite going three-and-out on two straight possessions with less than five minutes left in regulation. An inability to punch it into the end zone literally murdered the 49ers’ chance at Super Bowl XLVI.

Forget Williams. Get over that. It was a team loss, one marked by a deficient offense and tired defense. But what you can’t forget is that the 49ers went 14-4 despite what we all knew to be a limited team. It’s because of their phenomenal success that this year has been so satisfying for football fans, whether you’re from the Bay or not.

The loss to the Giants is not the first time the 49ers have disappointed me — and it surely won’t be the last. But this season also happens to have provided some surprises, for the better. I can live with that.

Zuri Berry

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