Lil’ Boy Imitates Kurt Russell’s ‘Miracle’ Speech

Too cute! I love it!!

The Speech Heard ‘Round the World

I expected Jordan to talk about the memorable years  in Chicago and the  time spent with his teammates.

I forgot.

I forgot the dogged determination that fueled the machine.  Michael Jordan took center stage tonight to accept his Hall of Fame award. But he did more than just that. Michael took this opportunity to show us he hasn’t forgotten all  the naysayers.

This is not the same man who spoke so calmly and professionally during basketball conferences. Michael cursed. Michael verbally abused Byron Russell (as if he needed to do it again), talked trash about Stockton, Isaiah, and Magic.  He criticized Dean Smith for his refusal to allow Michael Jordan to grace the cover of Sports Ilustrated. Remember, Dean Smith? Yes, that Dean Smith, his beloved North Carolina coach.

In my house, there is a saying we use when you verbally destroy your opponent–we call it “telling” someone off. Michael “told off” everyone who ever doubted him. He called out his high-school coach for choosing Leroy Smith in the TENTH GRADE! Tenth grade, folks.  He called out Rod Thorn and Jerry Krause for choosing the organization over him.  I was scratching my head and wondering if this was actually a “roast” instead of an induction ceremony.

Michael Jordan contemptuously smirked at the notion of a team being bigger than the player. “There is no I in team,” Michael sarcastically spit out the words as if they burned his mouth, “but there is an I in win.”

Michael Jordan made his case for why he is the best player to play the game–period. What’s more, Michael proved that he was larger than the game of basketball.As Michael alluded to tonight, the Hall of Fame isn’t sufficient to hold Michael Jordan’s legacy; Michael needs a museum so we can all remember what he meant to not just the game, but to us. Michael made us believe again. During those four short quarters, we believed nothing was impossible.

Tonight just made me want to be like Mike all over again. He’s like a fine wine–his passion for the game is intoxicating. Passion that just gets better with time.

A Salute to the Troops…

The clean-cut  young man on television looked like someone I attended high-school with–my brother, or a friend. With his calm tone, he could be talking about the blue summer skies or his favorite meal.

Fields trains for the 2012 Paralympics.

Except Sgt. Jerrod Fields wasn’t talking about a blue summer sky or some mundane topic; he was telling a reporter about his encounter with a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq.  In 2005, while serving for the  U.S. Army, Sgt. Fields was on a routine reconnaissance mission with his platoon. The routine mission left Fields’ leg badly mangled and facing a tough decision.  Facing amputation or 22 operations to fuse his ankle with his leg,  Fields opted for amputation below the knee. Fields’ primary reason for his decision? He would not be able to play basketball.

Not only has Fields resumed playing basketball at a Chicago summer recreational league, he won a gold medal at the 2009 Endeavor games and is already training for the 2012 Paralympics. Throughout it all, Fields remains grateful, saying “I’m just happy to be alive…those bombs aren’t made to take limbs–they’re made to take lives.”

Sgt. Fields’ story is a reality check. I talk a lot of  trash about the war because I don’t support it. I’m like that whiny child in the backseat asking “Are we there yet?” Is the war over yet?  After my reality check, courtesy of Sgt. Fields, I realize my criticism of the war has not translated into support of the troops. Sure, I can vocalize my contempt for the war and our reasons  for entering the war, but I hardly ever vocalize my admiration and sympathy for the soldiers fighting daily.

Sgt. Jerrod Fields of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program does squats on his prosthetic lower left leg during a weight-training workout at the U.S. Olympic Training Center

Thank you Sgt. Fields, Brandon,  Artreese, Ernso, and all the other women and men serving in the armed forces. Thank you for risking your lives and being away from your families so that I can share moments with my family.

Sgt. Jerrod Fields–we’ll see you in 2012! I’m rooting for you! (Usain Bolt isn’t the only fastest man running)!

U.S. Army World Class Athelte Program Paralympic sprinter hopeful Sgt. Jerrod Fields, seen here working out at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., won the 100 meters with a time of 12.15 seconds at the 2009 Endeavor Games in Edmond, Okla., on June 13.

Steve McNair Found Dead in Nashville Apartment

McNair was found shot to death.

Former Baltimore Raven and Tennesse Titan quarterback, Steve McNair, was found shot to death in an apartment in Nashville, Tennessee.  Two bodies were discovered; one body has been confirmed as Steve McNair but the identity of a female body has not yet been confirmed. Police are investigating the crime scene as the wound was a fatal gunshot to the head. McNair retired in 2007 and is the second black quarterback to go to the Superbowl.  I remember watching McNair scramble on the grid iron and we share the same birthday; he will be missed and my condolences are with the McNair family. McNair was 37 years old.

“I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.”

ESPN is reporting the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement with Ron Artest. If true, it’s a three year deal worth 18 million. Artest sent ESPN.com a text message, writing:  “I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.”  WHAT!!!!!!!! I am sick with this news, Artest is a beast on the court and half of the players are scared of him. Artest is still a bit scary and is the closest to Rodman in the league. As you all know, I am an official Kobe Hater and well, this makes the Lakers a tougher and better team. Kobe is  that much closer to another championship! Say it ain’t so!

Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest--a happily ever after union?

WHHAAAATTTT!

Serena Williams is Victorious!

Williams clinches victory and advances to the Wimbledon championship match.

Down 7-6 in the first set, Serena Williams had no choice but to win or go home. Serena dug in her heels and churned out a victory, winning the second and third match. Elena Dementieva was phenomenal and gave Serena the match she needed to elevate her game. Both women are warriors; I hated to see Dementieva lose.

Now Serena has nothing else to do but prepare for the championship match. Oh and cheer on Venus at the Semi-finals, telling reporters,  “Go Vee!” If Venus wins today,  Serena could go from watching  Venus  on the tennis court to playing against her big sis in the championship match.

Business is Business. Your Slice of News for Today…

In a late-night trade, Ben Gordon will go to Detroit Pistons.

There is some serious shaking and moving going on in the NBA right now. Sources are reporting free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are packing it up and heading to Detroit. Gordon, former Bulls guard, says “I don’t have any regrets, and I don’t have any bitter feelings for the Bulls. Business is business. I’m going to a situation now where winning is the No. 1 priority. I’m happy with my decision.”

The buzz is that Zach Randolph is going to to be traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Quentin Richardson.  Sources also say Trevor Ariza will be hanging up the Lakers jersey with five teams pursuing him. The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of these teams. The Lakers are unwilling to pay Ariza more than 5.6 million. Ariza is looking for a team that will. With all this moving and shaking going on, I thought about the glory days when players played for one team and retired for the same team.  Give Kobe his props,  Bryant seems to be the last player to have any team loyalty and look where this has gotten him.

While basketball moves off the court are being made, things are heating up on the tennis court! Today numero uno ranked Dinara Safina is battling against Venus Williams who is ranked #3.  The first match between Elena Dementieva and Serena Williams begins at 8 AM ET.

Can Dementieva defeat Serena Williams?

Your Slice of News for Today….

Is the Sleeping Giant's basketball career finit?

This is bad. If you’re a Houston Rockets fan this is really bad.  Sources are saying Yao Ming many not return this season due to his broken left foot. Wait, it gets worse. The buzz is that doctors are worried about a re-fracturing of the navicular bone. That’s fancy medical mumbo-jumbo for: the foot ain’t  healing. Even if Yao can recover it seems like it’s just a matter of time before his body wears down. Yao is a whopping  7 feet and 6 inches tall and his head weighs  thirty pounds alone.  Sad to see it end up this way. I hope this is just a case of the “sportszarazzi” blowing things out of porportion.  Something tells me I’m wrong.  I never liked Yao’s game but he’s solid and a seems like a decent guy. The future of the franchise is up in the air and what are the Rockets going to do with T-Mac and Ron Artest? This is bad, real bad, Michael Jackson.

Gooooooooooooing home!

After a strong start, the U.S. soccer team loses to Brazil. Final score: 3-2. After the match Landon Donovan made it clear that 2nd place does not satisfy his appetite for victory, “We’re at the point where we don’t want respect, we want a win.”  I agree Landon and can someone please tell the  commentators this? ( Comments like “the U.S. put up such a great fight” and “they can hold their heads up high, Jon” are particularly insulting). A very wise coach once said, “You play to win the game!” Ditto.  Hmm, at the rate it’s going, Landon may be an old man watching on television when the U.S. clinches a significant soccer victory. Who knows, maybe next year? 348 days to go till the World Cup…I’m sure the U.S. soccer team can’t wait for another chance at an upset. Neither can I.

Brazil clinches the victory, 3-2.

Can they do it?

The U.S. soccer team will face the titans of the soccer world--can they do it?

Still licking their chops over their victory against Spain, the U.S. soccer team is looking for a victory against Brazil. The coverage begins at 2:00pm on ESPN.  Leave your comments–will the U.S. upset Brazil or did they just get lucky with Spain?