A New Kingdom

Earlier, I posted an article about Cleveland's loss of LeBron James. Well, if you're interested in reading the flip side, click on the title of this post. I've already said my peace on the situation, so I'll defer you to Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald.

Go Cavs!

LeBron Goes to South Beach

Cleveland Cavaliers fans just got crushed by the decision of LeBron James. The Akron, Ohio native just kicked his hometown in the gut and bolted for South Beach. Although his Cavs were among the NBA elite, James couldn't resist "the urge to play basketball alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh." LeBron told ESPN, "I never wanted to leave Cleveland...This is a very emotional time for me..."

I hear that, and I call bullsh#t. It appears to me as if LeBron is just chasing rings. Chris Bosh signs with Miami. Dwyane Wade re-ups with the squad. So, James leaves a very successful Cavaliers team in hopes of joining a mega squad in Miami.

To be honest, I don't blame Cleveland fans for burning James jerseys. Dude says he "feels awful that he wasn't able to bring a championship to that town." So, why did he betray Cleveland by deciding to leave?

Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer has some interesting insight on the topic. To read his words, click on the title of this post.

Damon Evans Apologizes

If anybody cares to hear the apology Damon Evans issued today...You can. It's brought to you courtesy of Fox5Atlanta.com. Click on the title of this "post" to view the link.

Do as Evans says, NOT as he does

After his arrest for an alleged DUI, UGA athletics director Damon Evans, said he hopes to keep his job. As a lifelong Georgia fan, I hope he doesn't. Don't get me wrong. I believe in second chances and forgiveness. But, I also find it very difficult to look past the shame Evans just brought upon his alma mater. This once proud proponent of the state of Georgia's "zero tolerance" policy demands high standards from student athletes. Cited as "violation of team rules," Mark Richt has tossed quite a few kids off his team, for making "mistakes" similar to this. Damon Evans supported the decision, every single time. And, that's what a good athletics director should do.

But, this is a recently arrested A.D. we're talking about. The mugshot alone vastly diminishes any respectability Evans once owned. If he's allowed to retain his position at the school, I'll just have to wonder... Why should student athletes be held to a higher standard than the man who oversees the entire athletics department at the University of Georgia? That makes zero sense to me.

Evans is quoted in the AJC as saying, "My behavior, my actions, were not indicative of what we teach our student-athletes at the University of Georgia." Heck no, it ain't. Heaven forbid a football or basketball player find himself in the same situation. Dude would either be suspended or in desperate need of a transfer. Evans should be held accountable in the same manner as any "immature" athlete or university employee who runs afoul of the law. Actually, he should be held accountable to a higher degree of excellence. As athletics director at UGA, Evans sets the tone for anyone clothed in Red and Black. There is no excuse for the disgrace he just brought upon the University of Georgia. Damon is a man. He's 40. Shouldn't he provide better representation for the university whose standards he bares?

Although his apology resonated with somber words of remorse, Evans is no greater than the athletes UGA has dismissed for similar actions. And, he should not be granted any form of hypocritical immunity for his "unlawful" transgressions. Georgia's President, Michael Adams, has yet to make a decision on Evans' future at the school. As quoted in the AJC, Adams will "reserve further action pending a full review by staff and legal counsel." The President Dawg goes on to say that Evans is a man of integrity. Well, if that was the case, Damon Evans would have resigned his post tonight. He failed to do so. Evans claims to be "ashamed and embarrassed" by his actions." To be honest, I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he still represents the University of Georgia. Sorry to be blunt, but that's how I feel!

Click on the title of this post to hear Damon Evans' PSA on DUI prevention.

Trojans in Trouble

Over the last few days, people have been asking me what I think about the massive sanctions USC recently received from the NCAA. Well, I've got no problem with the ruling. Seems like a six degrees of Kevin Bacon-esque justice got served to ole Lane Kiffin. The one year lead Volunteer worked under Pete Carroll as an assistant coach in 2004. That's when Reggie Bush allegedly took improper benefits from a speculated agent/booster.

The Kiffin led Trojans will forfeit 30 scholarships over the next 3 seasons and be banned from bowling over the next 2 years. The case is pending an appeal from USC. Athletic Director Mike Garrett is quoted in the LA Times as saying, "As I read the decision by the NCAA, I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans... Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another ten years." Dude sounds bitter, but who am I to judge?

Let's reserve that right for someone a little closer to the situation. If columnist T.J. Simers had his wish, Garrett wouldn't be around the program for another ten seconds. To read his article in the LA Times, click on the title of this post. I also encourage you to check out the opinions of Gary Klein and David Wharton. They provide good insight for the best paper on the west coast.

Locals Succeed Elsewhere

Ya'll ready to start talkin' football? As I prepare for the upcoming season, I'm amazed at the endless supply of talent that annually flows from the beautiful state of Georgia. Athletes such as Eric Berry (University of Tennessee), Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown (former Auburn Tigers) cut their teeth playing high school football in the Peach State. But, they all went on to have incredible careers beyond Georgia's borders. Oh, and some dude named Chuck Smith (one of the greatest DE to ever wear an Atlanta Falcons uniform) was born and raised in Athens. But, he didn't play for the Dawgs. Instead, Mr. Smith took his skills to Tennessee and had an outstanding career as a Volunteer. The list could go on for miles.

Anyway, here are some lesser known local guys to watch in 2010:
LB #30 Mario Harvey from Forsyth, Ga led Marshall's defense with 117 tackles and 7 sacks in 2009. The rising senior could make his name well known, with a dominant performance against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 2.

RE #49 Bruce Miller from Canton, Ga led UCF with 13 sacks last season. The rising senior should continue to wreak havoc on Conference USA QBs.

SS #32 Hiram Atwater from Decatur, Ga was the leading tackler for the UAB Blazers in 2009, recording 89 tackles. It's never a good sign when a DB leads your team in this statistic. But, somebody's gotta make plays. And that's what Atwater does best. This rising senior is a tremendous asset for the pedestrian UAB "defense."

WR #17 Dwayne Harris from Stone Mountain is a rising senior at ECU. Last year, he led the Pirates with 83 receptions for 978 yards and 7 TDs. His 11.8 yards per catch ranked second on the squad. Look for him to exceed the 1,000 yard mark (if healthy) and become one of the top WRs selected in next year's NFL Draft.

RB #27 Mario Fannin from Hampton, Ga could emerge as one of the top tailbacks in the SEC, as he totes the rock for Auburn in 2010. After spending the previous season at WR, Fannin moves into a rotation with Onterio McCalebb in the War Eagle/Tigers' backfield. Although Fannin was second on the team with 42 receptions for 413 yards, he is a much better playmaker at RB. Behind a well seasoned OL, #27 could be poised for his best season on the Plains.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the SEC's 2009 freshman of the year. RB #5 Warren Norman of Stone Mountain, Ga is coming off an electric debut in the Vanderbilt backfield. Norman led the Commodores with 783 yards rushing on 145 attempts, for an average of 5.4 yds per carry. Although he got into the endzone a modest 3 times, Norman added 3 more scores as a kick returner.

I'll wrap this up in a minute. But, here's a few more names you should know...
DT #99 Omar Hunter from Buford, Ga- Florida Gators, RB #31 Kenny Miles of Lawrenceville, Ga and DT #91 Ladi Ajiboye from Riverdale, Ga- both South Carolina Gamecocks, FS# 3 Darren Myles, Jr. hails from Atlanta but plays for the Vols, WR#15 Darius Hanks from Norcross and LT #77 James Carpenter of Augusta roll with the Tide.

Hawks Swept by Orlando

Orlando just locked the door to Atlanta's "Highlight Factory." As a Hawks fan, that truly sucks. This was a season that witnessed the Hawks winning 53 games, including a 37-4 home record. Atlanta has made huge strides over the past few years. But, they still have no answer for elite teams such as the Magic and Cavaliers. And, once again, this was a season that ended too soon for my liking.

Hawks leading scorer, Joe (no show in the playoffs) Johnson appears to be on his way out of town. After a humiliating loss in game 3, a chorus of boos rained down on #2 and his team as they left the court. Johnson responded, "That doesn't bother me and I hope it doesn't bother anyone in this locker room. It's about us in this locker room. We could care less if fans showed up."

After that last statement, I could care less if Johnson ever shows up in a Hawks uniform again. #2 can kick rocks.

Hawks Vs Magic

The Atlanta Hawks were outscored 28-10 in the second quarter of game 1 vs Orlando. Cheryl Miller is currently drooling over Dwight Howard. "Big fella, what a first half!," she yelled in his ear.

Well, the game has mercifully come to a pause for halftime. The staggering Atlanta Hawks put up a dismal 33 points so far and trail Orlando by 20. Game 1 is pretty much decided and I almost wish Atlanta would have lost game 7 to Milwaukee. At least I'd be spared the shame of watching such a disgraceful effort from the dudes in Atlanta uniforms. The 2nd quarter was absolutely embarrassing. I don't expect the second half to be much different. Hawks fans, go to bed. This one is over.

Braves vs Gnats

Last summer, the Washington Nationals were a lowly club that gave the Braves fits. But, this is a new season. If Atlanta is going to re-emerge as a contender in the NL East, Washington is a team the Braves must handle.

Well, Atlanta is in DC tonight and Livan Hernandez is on the mound for the Nats. April's Rookie of the Month, Jason Heyward tied the game at 2, with a solo HR in the top of the 4th.

Sammy Kawakami (0-4 with a 5.55 ERA) got the start for Atlanta.

Side note: After a miserable 9 game losing streak, the Braves swept Houston at Turner Field, and entered tonight's contest just 3 games back of first place Philadelphia.

Update: The Magic lead Atlanta 33-27 in Orlando. Dwight Howard is causing problems for the Hawks. Meanwhile, the Braves are still tied at 2 with the Nats in DC. There are 2 outs with Jason Heyward (Intentional Walk) on 1st and catcher Brian McCann on 2nd, as Melky Cabrera bats in the 5th.

Hawks at Orlando

In the last few days, the Atlanta Hawks have made me feel like a "doubting Thomas" for not believing in them. After losing game 5, I thought Atlanta's playoff dreams were over. But, I'm happy to say I was wrong.

The Hawks dominated the Milwaukee sucks in games 6 and 7 with a suffocating defense. So, their reward is a trip to Disneyland (stole that line from Ryan Cameron). During the regular season, the Magic won 3 of 4 meetings. Atlanta's lone victory vs Orlando came late in the season, on a last second dunk by Josh Smith off a missed shot by Joe Johnson.

I'm hoping to see the rested Orlando Magic have a rusty performance tonight. Dwight Howard will do what he does. But, I'd like to see Vince Carter, Michael Pietrus, and Jameer Nelson struggle to find their rhythm in game 1. Opening tip is less than an hour away.

Go Hawks!!

Click on the title of this post to see the Dunk by Smith.