en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/662084 Comments by TLamont http://www.ballornuthin.com/ncaa-player-of-the-year-kemba-walker/#IDComment136643183 Thanks Aggieman and Ben...but please don't forget that having (perhaps) two of the top teams in the nation reside in a specific conference doesn't make that conference deep. The Big East may not have any of the single best teams, but by the measure of quality teams - which would be a more accurate one - the Big East remains the nation's best conference from top to bottom. Walker had to face really tough opposition almost every night out. Marquette and UConn were in the middle of the pack in the Big East, and have managed to still be dancing. Right now, it all becomes a one-and-done deal...and to some degree, that's why they call it March Madness. Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:08:31 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/ncaa-player-of-the-year-kemba-walker/#IDComment136643183 http://www.ballornuthin.com/miami-heat-celebration-takes-place/#IDComment85961575 They each got $2 million per year short of max money...so roughly about $14 million per season... Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:20:22 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/miami-heat-celebration-takes-place/#IDComment85961575 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-goes-to-south-beach-joins-wade-and-bosh/#IDComment85789054 Iconic / Legendary Status - He's going to Miami with the preface that he's going to win titles. But his value in the eyes of longtime hoops followers may be tarnished because he left his original franchise to do it. He'll also be complemented by Bosh and Wade, and they'll combine to have three of the top four players from one of the best drafts in NBA history (2003). Ego - From the looks of LeBron's organization of "The Decision," his ego appeared to be out of control - although it's quite possible that he used the media's coverage of his free agency to benefit children with the proceeds from the event (thus using his media power for the good of others). Nevertheless, I have expressed to many Cleveland natives that he has just as much - if not more - ego than Kobe Bryant. After all, who allows themsleves to be posted on a mural with his arms stretched out as if he were Jesus - with a tagline saying "we are all witnesses." Not Kobe Bryant. But his move to South Beach shows that he doesn't have to be "the man." On another note - - it'll be interesting to see what the city of Cleveland does with his mural... Fri, 9 Jul 2010 13:30:18 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-goes-to-south-beach-joins-wade-and-bosh/#IDComment85789054 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-goes-to-south-beach-joins-wade-and-bosh/#IDComment85788906 Hey Tony...in my estimation, "everything else" would include (but not be limited to): Money - he's leaving millions on the table to go to Miami to play ball. He'll still have a truckload of millions in his bank account, but in the end the Cavs still could have given him a lot more. Statistical Domination - Playing alongside D-Wade and Bosh will keep him from being the statistical giant that he has been over the past few years. Drafting LeBron on your fantasy team has traditionally led to victory (depending upon your league scoring system, of course). Fri, 9 Jul 2010 13:29:53 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-goes-to-south-beach-joins-wade-and-bosh/#IDComment85788906 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-bashers-going-overboard/#IDComment75290475 Remember that Jordan was there before Scottie. Scottie was drafted, came there and - I think sometime in 87-88 - became the first Bull not named Jordan to lead the team in scoring in MJ's era. It was a shock to many at the time, and people were scrambling to know what bush he came from underneath. And you're right...his all-around contributions wouldn't have garnered as much respect if he were on his own...or even playing with Ewing or Drexler instead of Jordan. But make no mistake about it - if you're comparing the parts between the current Cavs and the first edition of the championship Bulls - Scottie Pippen is clearly the third best player (behind Jordan and James) in the discussion. And in the prime of his career, who thinks that he wouldn't have given James a run for his money? Thu, 13 May 2010 17:07:31 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-bashers-going-overboard/#IDComment75290475 http://www.ballornuthin.com/dez-bryant-tim-tebow-among-nfl-draft-surprises/#IDComment69971774 From the look on Tebow's face when he received the call, it surprised him, too... Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:31:38 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/dez-bryant-tim-tebow-among-nfl-draft-surprises/#IDComment69971774 http://www.ballornuthin.com/jimmie-johnson-is-not-a-top-athlete/#IDComment67995904 Hey FraNz 41, My argument has nothing to do with Johnson's skill in his sport, but has to do with people labeling him as today's top athlete. I didn't say that racing is "easy." The only racing that I have ever done is on foot. The bottom line is that he's not the best athlete...and even the big name basketball and football players may not be the best pure athletes (there's always players that have more true athleticism than the headline players). And that is coming from an unbiased point of view. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:21:59 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/jimmie-johnson-is-not-a-top-athlete/#IDComment67995904 http://www.ballornuthin.com/jimmie-johnson-is-not-a-top-athlete/#IDComment67994759 Thanks Dan - I'm just getting back to replying to this. Much respect for your comments. I have played baseball and as a position player, it is not physically challenging at all. Perhaps (a very long and drawn out "perhaps"), I can see your point there. But I can tell you this - I have played basketball and football, and I can guarantee you that driving a car (no matter how aggressive or vigorous you think it is) will never physically challenge me as much as playing either of those sports. There's a reason that basketball and football headline sports coverage. It is because even with the proper training, there's a very small amount of people who can adequately perform at that level. Much of their ability is God-given, and then honed through training. Thanks for your comment - and I hope you can enjoy more of our non-NASCAR content! Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:13:10 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/jimmie-johnson-is-not-a-top-athlete/#IDComment67994759 http://www.ballornuthin.com/redskins-grab-mcnabb/#IDComment66611072 The Skins were probably happy that he was available because he's (still) a relatively mobile QB. He's somewhat accustomed to extending plays with his escapability. Thu, 8 Apr 2010 16:04:34 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/redskins-grab-mcnabb/#IDComment66611072 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nbas-best-antagonist/#IDComment66608630 Yeah - Dahntay Jones could definitely be on this list. Sideshow Bob (A.K.A. Carrot Top, A.K.A. Justin Guarini - from the first American Idol) is indeed nerve wracking. Thu, 8 Apr 2010 15:55:34 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nbas-best-antagonist/#IDComment66608630 http://www.ballornuthin.com/what-does-the-nfls-wonderlic-really-tell-us/#IDComment63491263 My point exactly. If it doesn't prove or disprove anything, give any insight or whatever...why administer it? I would be satisfied if Manning and Brady got really high scores (like 40+), which could correlate with their ability to read defenses so well. But then again...if the test really is like the samples they have all over the internet, then I don't see how they could correlate to anything related to football. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:18:18 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/what-does-the-nfls-wonderlic-really-tell-us/#IDComment63491263 http://www.ballornuthin.com/andrew-bogut-dunks-on-a-baby/#IDComment61471618 The funny part was that he looked like he wasn't going to fall, but then his knees were like "dude, you weigh over 300 pounds. Don't even try it"... Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:35:44 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/andrew-bogut-dunks-on-a-baby/#IDComment61471618 http://www.ballornuthin.com/ochocinco-will-dance-with-the-stars/#IDComment59899546 I noticed that the Skins released quite a few players yesterday. And this is an uncapped free agent year. I smell a continued recipe for disaster in D.C. Poor R.T. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:35:48 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/ochocinco-will-dance-with-the-stars/#IDComment59899546 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-switching-jersey-number-to-6/#IDComment59819403 Good point Eric. But as you mentioned those are three great players that wore number 6...so which one of them would get to have it retired in his name? With Jordan clearly being the best #23 (and NBA player period) in history, there's absolutely no room for argument as far as that goes. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 01:35:42 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/lebron-switching-jersey-number-to-6/#IDComment59819403 http://www.ballornuthin.com/maryland-game-is-a-must-win-for-virginia-tech/#IDComment59581146 This was a HUGE loss for the Hokies. I thought it would be possible for Tech to impress the commitee with a win at Georgia Tech...but GT just got handled by Clemson. A win over Maryland cannot be replaced by a win over GT, even given the fact that the game is in Atlanta. The Terps are in a different class than the Yellow Jackets. Interestingly enough, most analysts have Tech on their "last four getting in" list. But that's not a good place to be. I think the Hokies will have to (at least) win three in a row (including one ACC tournament game) to get into the big dance. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:34:47 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/maryland-game-is-a-must-win-for-virginia-tech/#IDComment59581146 http://www.ballornuthin.com/will-ilgauskas-diss-the-cavs/#IDComment58809997 If he does resign with the Cavs, it's because they planned it that way. It would be a great job by the Cavs knowing their personnel and making the system work for them. But this proves that the system is VERY, VERY flawed. Trading a good player for a better player, all the time knowing that you are going to end up with both players is something that the NBA is going to have to look at. It doesn't promote parity and at the very least there should be something that keeps the original team from retaining the services of that traded player a mere 48 hours after he clears waivers. Both teams accomplished what they wanted to with the trade. But Ilgauskas probably contacted the Wizards about his buyout in his size 33 slippers from his Cleveland-area home while eating a bowl of Wheaties with LeBron on the box. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:08:03 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/will-ilgauskas-diss-the-cavs/#IDComment58809997 http://www.ballornuthin.com/cavs-get-jamison-for-virtually-nothing/#IDComment58593177 Yeah, when Tawn was asked about the Wizards' (past) relationship with the Cavs he said, "Man, we hate those guys. But they have great fans, and now I'm happy to be a part of their atmosphere." Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:34:40 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/cavs-get-jamison-for-virtually-nothing/#IDComment58593177 http://www.ballornuthin.com/tiger-woods-self-righteous-press-statement/#IDComment58511737 Yeah, it has been pretty interesting. Tiger's initial statement was consistent with his most recent press statement - and he's basically told everyone to leave him alone. Kobe's case is really the only sport figure case that we can compare it to - but the major difference is that there were allegations of sexual assault and rape against Bryant. None of that is the case for Tiger - he didn't force himself upon anyone (that we know of) - he just had an insatiable desire for other women which he carried out. Word around the NBA was that Michael Jordan was a bonafide cheater (hence his divorce), but that never even hit the tabloids. And that was Michael Jordan - the biggest name in the history of basketball. So, in comparison, I guess it shouldn't be as bad as Kobe. But, yes, somehow the fact that he should be accountable for the consequences of his actions seems to have escaped Tiger...mainly because one of those consequences is that the media is going to seek greater access to his private life. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:32:52 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/tiger-woods-self-righteous-press-statement/#IDComment58511737 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nba-player-of-the-decade-shaq-or-kobe/#IDComment57090287 And TNT got lucky too. That crew - Charles, Kenny and EJ - complement each other really well and make people want to watch...and not automatically turn to something else during halftime or after the game. The comrauderie is natural and not forced in any way. Conversely, I hardly ever watch the "analysis" during the ESPN broadcasts. Jalen Rose, Tim Legler, Greg Anthony, Avery Johnson...can you say "no charisma"? People don't really think about it - but poor halftime and between-game coverage can make you lose your viewers who are impatient channel surfers. They just might find something else interesting and never turn back. Even a super-NBA fan like me might not turn back to the ESPN telecast. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:28:58 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nba-player-of-the-decade-shaq-or-kobe/#IDComment57090287 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nate-robinson-or-spud-webb/#IDComment57088764 What up G! Don't be one of those old school guys who is biased on old school players. It's not Nate's fault that he hasn't had steep competition in two of his three dunk contest victories. But Robinson is definitely a better athlete than Spud was. The guy's explosion is ridiculous and he makes more of an impact in the actual games. Spud is only remembered for what he did in the dunk contest - - and rightfully so. So, Spud was great in the 80's...but don't hate on Robinson because he really doens't deserve it. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:13:42 +0000 http://www.ballornuthin.com/nate-robinson-or-spud-webb/#IDComment57088764