Do you have an exclusive on a nickname?
Does a nickname belong to only one athlete or person? This is the example; James Shields is probably unknown to the majority of you. I’m not going to quiz you in this instance, Shields pitches for the Kansas City Royals. As this is written Shields has a 9-8 won lost record, he stands 6-4 and 215 pounds. This is no criticism of the pitcher it’s clearly aimed at the local sports guy. Last night on the 10:00 p.m. sports report the anchor began describing highlights of the baseball game. He said; “Big Game James” etc. etc. etc. I ceased listening hearing the term Big Game James being attached to Shields name.
Does a nickname only apply to one athlete or can several other athletes also be given the nickname? I’m really unsure of my facts however I can only remember one athlete with the nickname Big Game James. Worthy was given the nickname because he helped win important games. That athlete is Hall of Fame and former Laker James Worthy is that player. At the time the NBA selected its 50th Anniversary Team Worthy was one of the honorees. The 6-9 225 pound Worthy was an NCAA Champion while at North Carolina. In addition he was a 3X NBA Champion while a member of the Lakers and a 7X NBA All-Star player.
He has no job as this is written
Word is circulating the Pistons are talking to 7-footer Jason Collins although he remains unsigned. The Collins twins (Jason and Jaron) will be noted as good collegiate players with marginal NBA talent. It helps both brothers height was advantage, the NBA always look first at your height and that has always been a bonus. Jason set himself apart from other NBA players when he announced after the 2012-13 season he was gay. They whoever “they” are claiming Jason’s best years may be behind him at age 34. GM’s claim his sexual-orientation is a non-factor, is that truly the case we might ask?
It could occur I guess?
Fox Sports.com looks ahead to 2014 with its NBA mock draft. I thought it interesting Chris Mahr indicated the Lakers could make North Carolina’s James McAdoo their top choice. McAdoo is a 6-9 230 pound power forward who despite sophomore numbers of 14.4 ppg and 7.3 rebounds a game decided to return for his junior year. Outside of McAdoo’s number I’m unsure if the writer realized the significance of his mock draft. James second cousin Bob played for North Carolina as well. In addition cousin played for a number of NBA teams including the Lakers from 1981-1985. Bob provided a spark off the bench aiding the Lakers in winning two NBA Championships during the Showtime era. Cousin Bob was elected to both Halls of Fame, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and The College Basketball Experience in 2006.
Are you serious?
This has long been the era of corporate names on the front of stadiums and arenas. Although we might not like the name there are two alternatives. We can continue to refer to the building by its old name or adopt the corporate name. I think I will stick with the old name for the Rose Garden which houses the Blazers. The new name for the former Rose Garden is; “Moda Center at the Rose Quarter.” Moda is a health care provider which operates principally in Alaska, Washington and Oregon.
Bits n Pieces
Talking to an acquaintance about free agent signings and trades; “I cannot offer an explanation why there appears to be more player movement (coaches too) in the NBA.” There are no figures to offer it would appear the NFL and MLB have a lesser number of changes.
*I’m made as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” The quote from the 1976 movie titled Network. The late Peter Finch won an Academy Award for playing nutty newscaster Howard Beale. What am I mad about you ask? A local Kansas City Star columnist who covers political and metro news decided to wade into the area of sports. Without any basis (other than his opinion) he’s decided it would be a detriment for Kansas City to obtain an NBA team again. It’s his view an NBA team would impact the Chiefs and Sporting Kansas City. I say baloney; it’s always been my belief (and I could be wrong) fans are passionate about “their” sport alone. Soccer fans don’t purchase season basketball or football tickets, same for football fans or basketball for that matter. *www.imdb.com
P.A. announcers and broadcast teams must be real careful with this one. The Utah Jazz roster contains two players with similar last names. Third year man Alec Burks and rookie Trey Burke. In addition to similar last names both players have Kansas City connections. Alec grew up in Grandview a suburban city south of Kansas City (MO). Trey grew up in Columbus (OH) however his mother is originally from Kansas City. She graduated from Ruskin High School before heading off to college where she met and later married Trey‘s dad.
The media is fixated on the age of the Lakers, bet you didn’t know this fact. The Spurs (who revamped their team) their roster average age is 1.3 years younger than the Lakers. Even more interesting the oldest average age team is the Heat at 30.4.
