The Sixers Need a Change

In the NBA the Philadelphia 76ers are struggling and find themselves out of the playoffs with a 25-38 record. Allen Iverson missed two practices and was disciplined then went off on a tirade about not getting respect and has missed several games. Glenn “ Big Dog” Robinson told Randy Ayers off and head coach Ayers a couple of days later was fired and top assistant Chris Ford, a former player and coach in the NBA, was hired on an interim basis.

What a month!

The Sixers clearly need to make a change in the off-season. Iverson has worn out his welcome in Philly by not respecting authority and the rules set forth for everyone. True the Sixers needed to deal with Iverson’s antics before and maybe this scene wouldn’t have happened but finally it seems the brass in the organization has decided to look past the fact he fills the seats and more to the fact that his leadership skills are lacking especially off the court, and he is getting more and more beat up in part because of his lack of conditioning.

You can do whatever you want on the court but if you don’t show dedication off the court you will never win a championship! Fans need to realize that no matter how exciting Iverson is and how much you want a superstar the best teams have won with more than one guy taking all the shots and with all the people we have had here Iverson couldn’t be the only player we had.

Iverson just is capable of being a leader and motivating players and himself to a higher level. He is so used to getting his way that he can't beleive he is being punished for not coming to practice and not calling to say anything.

Are you kidding me?

The truth is Larry Brown put defensive stars on the floor to complement Iverson offensive skills and drive then messed up trying to bring in more scoring because people said we need a second guy. Agreed but you number one guy has to accept that as well. Ironically when Iverson finally realized that the talent and health level was and is dryer than ever before.

Remember if not for Matt Geiger, Iverson would have been a LA Clipper. Larry Brown wanted to discipline A.I. several times and threatened to walk but often higher brass like Pat Croce and friends smoothed things over.

Brown quit in part because Iverson came to game six of the Detroit playoff series at 6:30 a half an hour before tip off claiming he got a in car trouble. It was this lack of dedication that has plagued the Sixers for years.

If you could get an All Star like a Steve Francis as most thought that would be a steal. Francis contrary to some fans belief does everything better than Iverson except complain. He has a better handle, is willing to play the point, can shoot and finish better, can score at will (especially if you ask him to be the main man and shoot 26 times a game!) And has more size and youth.

Let me ask people who besides a team with a legit shot at the title would deal with a 6 foot 165 pound guy who is beat up and wants to still be the man?

The answer: Not a lot of teams.

As it should obvious building around Iverson is hard to do because you have to have a big guard to guard A.I.’s man, Iverson likes to gamble (which can if your gamble is wrong can lead to open shots for the defense) and he doesn’t get that the leader of a team has to be more than just a soldier.

Iverson’s career he was nice he helped get us to the finals but the time is now to shop around and get the best deal we can get. Starting draft time Iverson should be on the rumor mill and if we can get expiring contracts, an guaranteed All Star, draft picks or a combination of all three it will be good for the city and the team.

A.I. is a media magnet so it will be tough but I believe that despite what people say if we have a winner in town people will come out and support. Philly was here before and will be here after number three.

T.O., The NFL, Eagles, Ravens and 49ers

Terrell Owens’ fate be decided by the time you read this but several sides have blame in this fiasco.

First off for those who don’t know here is a brief recap:

Owens was supposed to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. His paperwork was not received in the proper time (the date was moved up a week with notification supposedly being received by fax) and Owens was still property of the San Francisco 49ers. They wanted him off the team and told him to find the teams to renegotiate his contract and they would trade him. The Eagles and Owens apparently agreed to a deal and the Eagles offered 49ers a low deal of a fifth round pick and James Thrash for Owens rights. Baltimore offered more than the Birds in a second round pick for Owens rights and the Niners pulled the trigger before getting the nod that Owens could reach a deal with the Ravens. So now Owens is petitioning the league to rescind the trade and declare him a free agent because he claims his agent never received the fax and he never said he could reach a contract extension with the Ravens.

Now, Owens on Monday, March the 8th didn’t go to a physical and maintains he wants to be an Eagle, the 49ers are out of the picture unless the trade is rescinded and they can’t get the pick they got from Baltimore. The Ravens can either broker a deal likely with the Eagles or play hardball with Owens and not pay him while he holds out for a new contract. The Player Association, the NFLPA is filing a grievance with the league saying the trade was illegal because Owens had a right to know personally not through an agent of the move up of the date.

First off the league should be more responsible that to just fax agents information about free agency. The league should send any important information via certified mail, email and fax! That way there is no excuses for messing up.

Secondly the 49ers were wrong for trading Owens before an agreement was reached by Owens and the Ravens. I believe they were trying to stick it to Owens because of his attitude and also they got a better deal from the Ravens.

That leads me to the third point which is the Eagles gave a horrific offer for one of the best wideouts in the game trying to play the cheap role and could of gotten severely burnt. After scoring a major player in former Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse on Thursday, they trying to land T.O. with a fifth and Thrash!

Talk about not sealing a deal!

If you want someone you have to give the other guy no chance to say no.

I know the 49ers were unusual if not unethical for trading T.O. before he reached a deal with Baltimore but the Birds almost made the Niners run in spite after that offer, they were probably insulted.

Hopefully T.O. will be an Eagle but it doesn't look good It is nice that he wants to be here and we want him here even worse, but money talks and if the Eagles don’t grab him remember how this went down. Andy Reid, Joe Banner and Boston Red Sox’ owner John Henry will be lunching together!

The Perfection Continues and My Number One Seeds

St. Joseph’s was named number one in the country the week before the Atlantic 10 tournament after going 27-0 and the loss of number two Stanford this past week to Washington.

The Hawks led by soon to be Player Of The Year Jameer Nelson, enjoyed Senior Day at the field house with a 32-point victory over St. Bonaventure in the season finale.

They now will travel to Dayton for the A-10 tourney where they will potentially see teams like Xavier, Temple and hometown Dayton. Nothing is guaranteed but the Hawks should win the Conference tourney and cement their place as a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament where I expect them to make it to the final four. Chemistry is the Hawks first weapon, coaching is their second, and the talent they possess is third.

The other three picks for the number one seed are Stanford, Duke and Mississippi State.

Pittsburgh and UConn had excellent shots but they had clear competition in their conferences while these other teams did not. Gonzaga is great but doesn’t face the competition Mississippi State does. While not perfect Duke, Mississippi State and Stanford consistently destroyed their conference competition and all have excellent coaching.

Women, Sports and the Extras

There is a difference between doing something on the side and making something a full time profession. Anna Kornikova is now doing everything besides tennis full time because she was less than glorious on the woman’s circuit but she is very attractive.

People like Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Jennie Fitch, Heather Mitts and Serena Williams are athletes who happen to be attractive enough to model. Nothing is wrong with that.

Do we cry foul when male athletes pose for magazines or do endorsements?

I know women journalist are mad at women like Lisa Guerrero for posing for a magazine like
FHM but if women liked old fat men from the booth best believe they would be in a women’s magazine like Cosmopolitan immediately.

The point is as long is they do what they are supposed to do well, let their extra curricular stuff go. Women deserve the right to make money just like any man does. They have to live with themselves when they wake up each morning.

Clarett Opens A Can Of Worms

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett challenged the NFL’s early entry rules and the courts ruled in favor of Clarett making it legal to enter the draft before the third year after high school.

Clarett has signed with an agent and has entered the draft but has not showed up at workout sessions and has been a problem to teams he is looking to get drafted by. I think his talent on the college level was exceptional but wonder if he is ready for the hard season in the NFL. He didn’t even play the whole season in his one-year national championship run with the Buckeyes.

Ironically this rule, which the NFL is appealing, is actually going to be more beneficial to USC Wideout Mike Williams than Clarett. Williams is a guaranteed top 10 pick after helping current Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer to a Heisman Trophy and helping the Trojans to a share of the national crown this year.

Also for the future you hope you don’t see a load of players who aren’t physically or mentally ready for the league. The NFL is less about strict athleticism that the NBA and you see how that league is now. Football is about strategy as well as athletic skill. Kids coming into the league may get hurt fast.

Any questions, comment, concerns email me at clayton@geoclan.com.