Which NBA Team Will Carmelo Anthony Choose in Free Agency?

Carmelo Anthony opts out of final year of contract to test his value in the free agency market. Will he sign for less money and a shorter contract to play for a playoff contender like the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers or re-sign with the New York Knicks.

 
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks sent a letter to the team by FedEx opting out of his option year of his contract passing on the $23 Million yearly salary. He wants to explore his value in the free agency market. The Knicks have the ability to resign Carmelo to a 5 year $129 Million deal having an advantage on every other team because of the collective bargaining agreement cap limiting the contract offered by other teams to 4 years and $96 Million. Carmelo has expressed interest in staying and signing for less if the team commits to adding better players making them a playoff caliber team.

Where would Carmelo go if he decides to leave the Knicks?

Carmelo has four teams actively and publicly vying for his services and most of the teams would be offering the maximum contract allowed of $96 million over 4 years so it would have to do with depth of talent or change in location for Carmelo Anthony personal benefit to leave the New York Knicks. The teams besides Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks pursuing Carmelo are the Houston Rockets, the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Odds Carmelo joins the Houston Rockets

Long-shot in my opinion. Carmelo isn’t going to like playing in Texas. Houston is a similar team to the New York Knicks and adding Carmelo would just deduct from their chemistry. Houston doesn’t need a guy who wants to shoot he ball everytime down he court and disregard defense. He won’t make Houston stronger, just more dysfunctional. He would be better off staying in New York and asking the larger and longer contract. Odds he signs with the Rockets is 15-1.

Odds Carmelo joins the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat saw that Dwayne Wade is losing steps and Chris Bosh isn’t the answer. With Lebron James entering free agency, Carmelo will focus on what Lebron does before he commits. Lebron is younger and a better player than Carmelo so the watch won’t be on Lebron’s wallet but rather the question of staying in Miami or leaving. Personally, I see Lebron staying as Miami is his home and his wife and children have a strong base there. No reason to uproot from sunny Florida for some miserable weather, and play for a North or West based team. Lebron has his rings so no necessity for the Championship win anymore. Carmelo MIGHT consider Miami if Lebron stays. If Miami added some three point shooters with Carmelo and Lebron’s ability to drive the paint, they would be a tough combination to defend if there was true chemistry and communication between the two players. Odds he signs with Miami is 5-1.

Odds Carmelo joins the Chicago Bulls

Joakim Noah and the Bulls have been courting Carmelo since the All-Star break and talking about how he would instantly make Chicago a serious contender. BlogaBull has been reporting about this speculative Carmelo landing spot. I definitely don’t see it happening. Yes, Carmelo instantly transforms the team if everything goes as planned on paper. But everyone knows that Derrick Rose NEVER finishes a season. Look at his record over the last three years. In 2011, he played 39 games, in 2012 he did not play for the entire season and in 2013, he played 10 games. This can’t be ignored by Carmelo and why in the world would he leave the Knicks for less money and security. Odds he signs with Chicago in my mind is at 10-1.

Odds Carmelo joins the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles area is where Carmelo makes his home in the off-season. With Donald Sterling selling the Los Angeles Clippers to Microsoft former CEO Steve Ballmer. There is new competition in town to steal he spotlight from the NBAs #1 franchise. It’s time for the Lakers to make an investment in the fans and give them a reason to support the Lakers over the Clippers who surely will have deep pockets to buy the talent to take them to the next level. I positively see Carmelo leaning towards returning to his home state and playing for the Lakers. Would love to see the Lakers make a move and try o get both Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. That would diffuse the new ownership of the Clippers and keep the Lakers at the top of the list of most valuable NBA franchises. Odds are 2-1 that Carmelo chooses the Lakers.

Odds Carmelo stays with the New York Knicks

I think the odds are very good that Carmelo stays because of the extra year in the contract and the $33 million more over the contract. Carmelo can leverage this free agency period to force Phil Jackson’s hand to make room to add another star player. One thing history has taught us about the 7-time NBA All Star is he likes money and is the total dominating factor behind his motivation. Odds are Even Money that Carmelo stays with the Knicks if they commit to improving their player personnel which shouldn’t be a stretch since owner James Dolan brought GM Phil Jackson to New York to win and compete against the attention given to the Brooklyn Nets.
Sources: ESPN New York, New York Daily News, Blogabull

Steve Kerr Declines New York Knicks, Will Phil Jackson Coach Them?

Kerr Declines N.Y. Knicks, Phil Jackson Back Interviewing Head Coaches.

 

Steve Kerr turned down his old coach and mentor, Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks. That leaves the New York Knicks going back to square one to figure out who will man this fast sinking ship in rookie GM Jackson’s first year at the helm. Not only does Phil Jackson have to find an adept coach to manage but he also has to placate the whims of Owner James Dolan. Not an easy task. Lots of established coaches wouldn’t dream of taking this job without serious guarantees considering the track record of James Dolan and past coaches.

Why did Kerr pick the Golden State Warriors?

Steve Kerr took the Golden State Warriors head coach job. He got a team of talented basketball ball players that gutted out a 7 game loss in the playoffs without their star center. Kerr passed on the chance of rekindling his relationship with coaching legend and new President of Basketball Operations of the Knicks, Phil, Guru” Jackson staying at home in sunny California near to where his daughter attends college. The Knicks refusing to give him the 5^th year, easily makes up Kerr’s mind for him. I think that Steve Kerr made the right move especially considering he lives in California, Golden State Warriors have a playoff caliber team, and the uncertainty of Free Agent Carmelo Anthony taking a pay cut to resign with the Knicks. Also contributing must have been the problem that Phil Jackson would ultimately get the credit for any real success and it would be perceived that Jackson was coaching thru Kerr and he was more of a puppet. I’m sure the terrible reputation of James Dolan was the weight that stacked the scale and off Kerr went to sign his name on the bottom line of a 5 year, $25 million dollar deal with the Golden State Warriors.

Who will Phil Jackson choose to be the head coach of the New York Knicks?

I know the media is floating the names of former Jackson players Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis. I don’t see either. No experience and a better candidate is just waiting in the wings. My choice for new head coach of the New York Knicks would be Mark Jackson.

Why Mark Jackson, didn’t he just get fired?

For me, this would be the best ironic news in the world. Mark Jackson got hired to be the Golden State Warriors head coach in 2011. In those 3 years, he coached them to two consecutive playoffs appearances. Mark Jackson was fired right after the losing the playoffs to Donald Sterling’s Los Angeles. Clippers in seven games and after posting the Golden State Warrior’s first 50 game winning season in 20 years. Mark Jackson was accused by the owners of being a monster to work for and an overbearing person that created hostile relationships, so he was fired.

Mark “Maverick” Jackson vs. Phil “The Zen Master” Jackson

Is Mark Jackson an uncontrollable maverick? Maybe! But Phil Jackson is the Zen Master. Phil has a calming influence and people follow him like the Pied Piper. Well, that is the legend. But is it a reality? If it is true, then Phil Jackson will have no issue bringing a very talented coach to New York. Mark Jackson was originally drafted by the New York Knicks when he began his 17 year career on the parquet floor. He was a leader of that team and it was a sad day when he was traded across the country to the Los Angeles Clippers. Mark Jackson proved that he knows how to coach with his three year stint with the Golden State Warriors and the only reason Phil wouldn’t hire him is if down deep this is about the legend of Phil Jackson and not about the stability and performance of the Knicks. If Carmelo Anthony needs a reason to take a pay cut and stay, a 17 year former guard turned coach would be it. How could Carmelo not want to play for a fellow baller? Numbers don’t lie and the NBA is about getting a team to the playoffs.

 

 

Donald Sterling and the Impact on the Constitution

How We Can Effect Change to the U.S. Constitution Because of the Donald Sterling Controversy

 

The Donald Sterling mess..did America get its justice or did Americans lose another tiny slice of their civil rights? It’s ok to reach for a Utopian society where the scales of equality balance at a zero differential. It is better than ok that we all want a kinder,less polarized, more tolerant world for our children to grow up in. It’s ok that we want to put the dark days of racism in the trash, compact it, put it on a shelf, and demonize anyone that embodies those racist thoughts. BUT, the question is at what cost?

 

One Step forward, two steps back

It seems that we take a step forward and then two steps backwards, like a country dance. We attempt to right a wrong even though the process to collect the evidence was a criminal act. We ignore the process because the moral outrage is worse than the crime. Rarely in life does a private legal transgression of the social contract trump a misdemeanor. Seldom is the court of public opinion dominant to penal law. Illegal wiretap vs. the sanctity of a private conversation and the crime wins.

 

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

In courts throughout the land, judges rule daily on evidence admissibility. Little tolerance is afforded prosecutors and law enforcement if a piece of evidence is tainted in the slightest, collected without proper search warrant or without probable cause. An illegal collection process or a flawed evidence custody chain is basis for disallowing the evidence as it is now “fruit of the poisonous tree.” Should we allow this type of personal intrusion to effect social change and what is the price? And in this case, why did “the world” wait to hang Donald Sterling after his comments when his actions for decades needed addressing many times before regarding his discrimination practices concerning housing and employment.

 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Abdul-Jabbar, former Hall of Fame NBA superstar and past employee of Donald Sterling, wrote anop-ed for Time magazine where he expressed outrage at Sterling’s remarks, agreed that he has no place in the NBA as an owner but then started the conversation on the issue of the way the evidence was collected and “leaked.” Kareem drew a parallel to what Sterling’s ex-girlfriend did to the actions of the NSA and their eavesdropping policy exposed by Snowden. Abdul-Jabbar wrote, “Shouldn’t we be equally angered by the fact that his private, intimate conversation was taped and then leaked to the media? Didn’t we just call to task the NSA for intruding into American citizen’s privacy in such an un-American way?” . I agree with Kareem and America that Sterling is a vile creature and has no place in any business that affords him a position to wield his prejudice, but there is another issue being conveniently ignored. The rights of Americans to have a private conversation regardless of the topic or personal opinion. It’s rare that we see inside the mind of a racist at his own expense and by his own utterances but we must factor in that he thought it was a private conversation, not one that would be taped illegally and leaked to TMZ Sports.

 

Two wrongs don’t make a right

Donald Sterling is a jealous, easily manipulated man, that in his heart of hearts is a racist. He is banned for life, the NBA commissioner fined him and team ownership will transfer. Now, we have to inspect and interpret the dynamics of the case and look past the outrage and the action of the haters. We have to realize that this scandal has a bigger context in life than an old man’s racist conduct and thoughts. Serious violations of rights is what is at stake here for us all.

 

Constitutional “gray” areas

• The NSA wiretaps.
• The “Stop and Frisk” police policies.
• The proliferation of video cameras
• The Google Glass.
• Law enforcement and government procurement of emails and texts.
• The searching of smart phones without a warrant,
• Facial recognition software.

This is just a small amount of issues that technology has bred. The forefathers could not have envisioned these advances and could not have addressed them in the Bill of Rights. We need to create a long term standing policy on what citizen’s rights are as far as collection and warehousing of personal data and the means of collection. It’s time for a definitive understanding of the impact of these technologies on the rights of the citizens. No longer is an “interpretative” line item policy enough. We don’t have and cannot afford the time it takes for the Supreme court to weigh each and every argument. Technology is just moving too fast for that time luxury. We need to revise the constitution like a building, total renovated from the ground floor up.

 

Time for Major Revision to the U.S. Constitution

Isn’t it time that the collective; our President, our representatives in Congress, the Supreme Court of the United States, and its’ citizens, address these issues in the Amendments of the U.S. Constitution? Isn’t it time to bring this great document into the modern age? Time to stop trying to interpret what our founding fathers would do and start agreeing on what we want America to be. Our forefathers couldn’t possibly have imagined the technology available now and what the future holds as well as the ramifications to people’s basic rights. Technology offers many advantages but also presents many challenges to our basic ideas of freedom and protection from government and media intrusion. We have to revise the U.S. Constitution to make a relevant document to our lives now in the present and for our future.

 

U.S. Constitution…Holy Document?

Our forefathers would have encouraged us to see the Constitution as a guide but not the “end all be all” document it has evolved into. It’s not a Holy document, it was written by brilliant men in a different time with different challenges, but no divine inspiration. To try and take their world and blend it with ours the way we do is fundamentally flawed. Rather than having lawyers present case after case to the Supreme Court arguing about how a particular word in one context changes the entire meaning, let’s empower our leaders to take affirmative action enacting concrete change.

 

Empowered Action

Using the Constitution as a guide, let’s do a major re-write. We have a ton of smart citizens in this country in academia and other professions. Let’s get their insight and wisdom and trailblaze the future now. Let’s be the generation of Americans that re-purpose the Constitution. Let’s rewrite our collective futures letting our forefathers guide us and model their basic principles with more detail and focus upon OUR immediate and future challenges. Let’s stop the interpretation.

 

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Do we follow Dale Carnegie’s advice and one day find the upside in this Donald Sterling mess if it effects positive change for society. or will we remember this sad event as another tragic day in many, where we lost another slice of our rights and our privacy. History will not be kind to Donald Sterling, that is a guarantee, his legacy is now of a racist. History will also judge us on how we handle this controversy and if we made lemonade from our lemons.

 

Silver lining

Ben Franklin once said many years prior to the Constitution in a reply to the Pennsylvania Governor in 1755, ” They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Relevant liberties such as open communication, the unabridged freedom of speech and the freedom from search all will be challenges of the Orwellian future and Donald Sterling can be thanked that maybe this will be the scandal that starts that conversation and this dark cloud may have a silver lining.

 

Los Angeles Clippers Owner, Donald Sterling’s, Penalty for Being a Racist?

Lots of questions popped into my head yesterday after listening to Donald Sterling, owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers basketball team taped conversation that was “leaked” to TMZ Sports that by now has been heard by more people than President Obama’s last State of the Union speech.

 

What is the penalty for racist remarks? Should people who say racist things go to prison? Should they be fined per word, per thought, or per incident? Should punishment escalate according to amount of offenses? Is it a misdemeanor or a felony? Would the three strike rule apply to be considered a habitual offender and demand life in prison without parole? Should they have to attend racism classes for “rebooting,”? Is there a statute of limitations such as in Paula Deen’s case? Should it be legislated by state or federal government? Is it Constitutional to legislate against racist beliefs? It’s going to require the wisdom of Solomon and Abraham Lincoln to negotiate this issue.

 

THE LAW regarding taped Conversations

Some other ethical questions to answer concerning the Donald Sterling remarks. His trophy girlfriend, Ms. V. Stiviano, recorded this conversation without his knowledge. California, being a two party privy state, recording private conversations are illegal without both parties consent as per California Penal code section 630-638 . It is criminally punishable, the penalty imposed could be a $2500 fine and 1 year in jail. Also expect a civil lawsuit as the party recording the conversation can be held liable for any losses occurred by the other party. Would a judge have to strike from the record evidence obtained illegally? Is it ethical for news media to use illegally wiretapped conversations? Could TMZ be liable to Donald Sterling for damages for publishing an inadmissible tape and thus be guilty of libel for circulating something that can’t be substantiated cause the fruit of the evidence is tainted. Suppose the tape was altered? All of this adds up to some interesting speculation and thought as a society how we should address such behavior on this matter and others like it in the future.

 

The Defense?

First let me say, I think what Donald Sterling said was absolutely obscene and without defense. There is no excuse for it and shows his true colors(no pun intended). I’m sure his PR people will try to spin it or make an excuse. They could whip out the Ambien defense like Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Kerry Kennedy (quick side note: I was always amused they both got away with DUI using the same defense, awesome). They could have Donald Sterling admit to being a longtime sufferer of Tourette’s syndrome or Alzheimer’s disease. I’d have to use a Dr. Phil-ism for those excuses, “I’m sorry, but those dogs just won’t hunt.”

 

The Solution?

OK, let’s agree that there are no excuses for this behavior. Let’s also agree that he said everything on the tape with a sound mind, no drugs or alcohol involved and not a legitimate excuse in the world. So, Now what? Can the NBA commissioner Adam Silver force him to sell the team? The Los Angeles Clippers are worth $575 Million according to Forbes magazine article in January 2014. Will he get paid what it’s worth and won’t any qualified prospective buyer know the value of the team and the reason why he needs to sell and try to take advantage of the situation and make a profit on racism indirectly. Pandora’s Box on steroids when you start peeling the layers away from this smelly onion. Can players boycott their games effecting a breach of contract and not be held financially responsible for that breach cause their feelings were hurt? Should we listen to the unreasonable demands of Rev. Al Sharpton to make Donald Sterling give the team back to the NBA and forfeit almost $600 million dollars in equity and future income. Is this an equitable punishment for his “crime”?

Should Mr. Sterling be fined by the NBA for conduct unbecoming and actions detrimental to the league. Bingo, we have a winner. In this case, that is exactly what will be done. Sterling has owned the team since 1981, the NBA is a cronyistic organization and the NBA commissioner is appointed by the owners and serves at their discretion, Commissioner Silver will do as told. That’s the reality. A fine imposed, Mr. Sterling will be publicly shamed, the feature focus of many articles and the target of many media talking heads like Rev. Sharpton and his National Action Network, ESPN2 Keith Olbermann and the rest of the bandwagon jumpers. They will rally around an emotional issue and use that to further their own agenda and themselves “profit” indirectly from racism.

 

You Can’t Fix Stupid

Comedian Ron White coined this expression in his comedy routine. It’s the most accurate and only thing that can be said in Donald Sterling’s defense. We, as a free society, have to respect the right to thought, right or wrong. We have to respect the sanctity of private conversation.

Voltaire, a French philosopher, has been attributed with the saying, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Is there a lesson to be learned from such a quote? Can this be the answer? Is the answer, tolerance of the feeble minded?

Ben Franklin said “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” Words to ponder because he was a staunch advocate of Freedom of Thought.

John F. Kennedy said in Saturday Review, October 29, 1960, “Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.” No clearer words spoken by our beloved ex-president that would argue tolerance of the wickedly stupid.

 

Slippery Slope

You can’t make someone like anyone. You can’t force bigots to like their own prejudices. It only binds the hatred tighter. You can’t force people to associate with each other. The Beatles sung, “All you need is Love” but we also need tolerance of the stupid. Tolerance of the people that hate others. Let us ignore “the haters” and concentrate teaching the new generation to choose acceptance and appreciate what makes us different physically and culturally. You can’t criminalize ideas. You can’t legislate thoughts. The Constitution directly forbids the making of law by Congress abridging the Freedom of Speech. Yes, Hate words are unprotected speech but hate is protected. We are allowed to hate, it is our right. And there is a measure in place to penalize the haters if that hatred escalates to discrimination. It takes true enlightenment to understand the right course of action when dealing with hatred and a great place for guidance is in the Good Book.

Matthew 5-44: ” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you .”

 

 

The Five Greatest Athletes of the Last 10 Years

 

My top 5 athletes of the last decade. Not easy coming up with a list of the best of the best. I chose one from Basketball, Baseball, Football, Boxing and Tennis.

1. Lebron James— NBA Basketball Player, Miami Heat

Eleven year player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. According to NBA.com Lebron James Stats He is a Two-time NBA Champion and 4-time NBA MVP. Most acknowledge that his addition led to these successes. Will always be negatively connected to “The Decision”, as chronicled here by Yahoo.com sports blog writer Dan Devine in his article, “LeBron James would make ‘Decision’ differently, somehow” which some say was handled by a less mature man. Married with two children and living in the Biscayne Bay area of Miami. His career has transcended basketball as evidenced by his Nike endorsement as well as being a spokesperson for other major brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Samsung as reported here by Forbes.com, “LeBron James’ Endorsements Breakdown: By The Numbers”. He has been ranked as one of the most influential athletes throughout his career and was voted the most popular player in the NBA in 2013.

2. Derek Jeter— Shortstop, New York Yankees

According to ESPN Derek Jeter Stats, The Yankee Captain is the all time leader in hits, games played, stolen bases, and at bats. His awards and records are too many too list. Announced his planned retirement in the preseason of 2014, Derek is enjoying his final season, the 19^th, dubbed “the Farewell tour.” A future unanimous, first ballot, Hall of Fame inductee, Derek will be the gold standard, defining what it means to be a Yankee. Playing in the most intense media market in sports, Derek has always remained above the negative. Derek Jeter epitomizes what it means for an athlete to be a role model. Except for two years, Derek and the New York Yankees have advanced to the postseason winning seven AL Championships and 5 World Series, referenced by the Encyclopedia of players at Baseball-Reference.com. Derek will always be known as Mr. November or Captain Clutch because of his epic postseason performances. One day, the #2 jersey will be retired from service and a plague will be erected in center field in Monument Park next to the other Yankee Greats.

3. Tom Brady— Quarterback, New England Patriots

Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe in the 2001 season and never looked back. NFL.com career stats: Elected to 9 Pro Bowls, 3-time Super Bowl Champion, and 2-time Super Bowl MVP, Tom has become the benchmark for judging a Quarterback in the NFL. The Patriots and Brady have made the playoffs all but two years since he took the starting QB job. Brady continues to amaze and there is no telling how long he can continue.

4. Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather Jr.— Professional Boxer

Born into the boxing world, Floyd was destined to be the Champion and today, most experts agree he is the “pound for pound” greatest fighter of all time. Throughout his 18 year career, Floyd remains UNDEFEATED and is the lineal champion in three different weight classes. In 2013, Mayweather was the highest paid athlete, according to Sports Illustrated and reported by ESPN in the entire sports world. Still fighting today his record is an unbelievable, 45 wins, 0 losses with 26 Knockouts, compiled by Statistic brain.

5. Serena Williams— Professional Tennis Player

Serena played her first professional match at age 14 in 1995. That match was the start of a hall of fame career and a conversation that has to include her amongst the greatest female tennis players of all time. In 19 professional years, she has won 32 Major Titles as per ESPN.com Serena Williams stats, $50 million in prize money reported by Women’s Tennis Association, and most recent player to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously archived by Tennis-X. She has won four Olympic medals and is currently ranked #1 in the world which is also a record for the oldest person holding that ranking reports Tennis Sports Iluustrated. Battling injury and extreme depression throughout her career, it only enhances her accomplishments. She is a true champion that all can admire because of her dedication and refusal to give up. She is the entire package; Brains, beauty, and Strength, and a great role model for anyone.

As reported in the article by Success.com, “Game,Set and Match”, off the court, Serena is an accomplished fashion designer with her own collection called Signature Statement. She is active in charitable ventures with a focus on at-risk youth. She is also part owner of the Miami Dolphins, an NFL franchise.