Friday, June 28, 2013

NBA Draft 2013 Recap: They Stole the Show...


On Thursday night the burrough of Brooklyn held the 2013 NBA Draft. The start to the NBA draft was full of surprises Nerlens Noel dropped to #6, Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive drafting streaking selecting UNLV's Anthony Bennett #1. Many pundits (except us) predicted Noel to be the #1 draft pick in 2013 they were wrong and Noel's family was shocked holding their breath as Noels slipped down from #1 to #6. Finally Noels was selected by New Orleans Pelicans appearing to team w/ another Kentucky athlete and former #1 draft pick Anthony Davis. After the selection Kentucky Coach John Calipari was interviewed giving vivid thoughts of a possible Davis and Noel duo in the NBA. Pelicans looked to have secured a young front court full of potential. A few minutes later Twitter exploded with reports of Noels being traded to Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday. After dropping from a perceived #1 draft pick to #6 then being traded from Pelicans to 76ers minutes later. Noel told USA TODAY Sports "oh I am going, to make them pay".



Nerlens Noel is from Haiti his mother worked several jobs just to put food on the table. Through all he has endured he never quit he never gave up on his dream. His mother told reporters that Noel has been dreaming of this day since he was a child. Noel suffered a season-ending ACL tear forcing the young Mc Donald's All American to miss most of the 2012 season at Kentucky. It was the ACL tear that caused Noels to rapidly drop in the draft the look on his face became memorable everyone including ESPN announcers were shocked "wow".

During a pre-draft conversation with Atlanta's Jarvis Davis of 92.9 FM "The Game" we discussed the the possibility of Noels not being the best fit in Cleveland. Reason's discussed Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson already provide a good level talent at the post positions. Minutes before the draft I sent a two word text message to the producer "Anthony Bennett". With his strength, size and athletic ability Bennett reminds many of another former "Runnin Rebel" Larry Johnson. Bennett is a more prepared polished player when compared to Noel and has the ability to defend the SF and PF positions. When called with the #1 draft pick Bennett appeared shocked and you can't Google one website in the world where "Mock Drafts" listed Bennett at #1. History was set last night at Anthony Bennett became the first Canadian selected #1 in the NBA draft.



David Sterns goal was global he wanted to reach places where the NBA was less known. Stern believed the  basketball was an international sport that could catch fire around the globe expanding other countries from Canada to Nigeria. In the end Stern's dream was achieved, it all began in 1984 when the Houston Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon from Lagos Nigeria. It ended Thursday night during the 2013 draft when Stern called the surprising name of Canada's Anthony Bennett. Stern achieved his international goals the NBA has improved greatly international athletes have come from almost every continent since his commissioning except Antarctica of course.

The night should have ended with those three highlights Bennett, Noel and Stern but in the end the greatest immediate impact was felt when the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics stole the show. The writing was on the wall Tuesday afternoon when the much anticipated trade of Celtics coach Doc Rivers was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. Celtics brass had already watched former BIG 3 band member Ray Allen jump ship last season to rival Miami Heat and win a Championship as the NBA Finals parade drove through South Beach on Monday. Then Thursday night the Celtics completed their overhaul sending Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. In the end Brooklyn hosted the 2013 NBA Draft and then stole the draft for keepsakes  with a Mega Deal. It's possible Boston's received way too much compensation for the once heralded NBA athletes, their tanks are close to empty but for the immediate future Brooklyn Stole the Show.... 

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Clenaure Carter is now the Writer for http://www.football.com covering Georgia Tech Football

Also check out Pro Sports Lives (Atlanta GA 1190AM) at http://www.prosportslives.com/ every Saturday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST....



Thursday, June 13, 2013

NBA: Miami Heat Robbed of Competition


For years it has been known that the NBA's Western Conference has been superior compared to its Eastern Conference foes. Western Conference offers the more recent legendary NBA franchises from Kobe's Los Angeles Lakers to Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs. For comparisons sake simply look at the 2012-2013 Western Conference playoff teams and an argument can be made that the "Top 6" teams in the conference could have challenged the Miami Heat. Fact is the road to the 2013 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat was full of opponents missing key components to their rosters. Chicago Bulls "no Rose", Indiana Pacers "no Granger" yet the mighty Heatles struggled for a combined 8-5 record versus those opponents in the playoffs, possibly playing to the level of their competition. .

No this is not a Miami Heat bashing or ripping apart of LeBron James. This is just a statement of the facts, the Heat simply faced less than adequate opponents in the Eastern Conference this season. When you rattle off 27 straight wins and your main regular season opponents consist of the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats a sense of superiority can settle in quickly. Now the Miami Heat are embattled in a fierce standoff against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. A battle that has the defending champions scratching their heads searching for answers. As the same tactics the Heat deployed against the Granger-less Pacers, Rose-less Bulls, incompetent Bucks, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats "geesh" simply will not work against the well dressed Spurs.

At the beginning of the 2013 season the Heatles appeared to meet the challenges presented by the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics four of the top teams in the conference. Unfortunately these teams all had significant injuries down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. While the Pacers tested Miami's resolve the truth is the conference was flawed. It was the equivalent of shopping at the Louis Vuitton Outlet finding an awesome sales deal then arriving at the house to find out one sleeve was shorter than the other. While the Miami Heat found deals against less talented and injury plagued teams this season.The lack of competition in the Eastern Conference is now coming back to bite them in the end. It's not Miami's fault they are used to shopping at the wrong places.

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Clenaure Carter is now the Writer for http://www.football.com covering Georgia Tech Football

Also check out Pro Sports Lives (Atlanta GA 1190AM) at http://www.prosportslives.com/ every Saturday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST....



Saturday, June 8, 2013

Jay-Z: Sports Business of "Dead Presidents"

      
         
Kevin Durant to sign with Music Mogul and Icon Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports. Changing marketing companies for the second time in two years. This represents a big change in the sports industry as Roc Nation now represents players in the NFL, MLB, WNBA and now NBA. Jay-Z once a part owner of the New Jersey/ Brooklyn Nets recently dissolved his shares to open up on a more lucrative journey and expand in the world of sports and entertainment. While some have criticized Jay-Z's motives and sports marketing knowledge Roc Nation Sports has an impressive list of sports agents to represent clients. 

      One of the biggest business moves which seems to flow by silently into the whispers and criticisms of Hova's business abilities was the signing of NFLPA Contract Advisor Kimberly Ann Miale in May. Kimberly will represent New York Jets Rookie QB Geno Smith. Since Roc Nation Sports has now infiltrated the big sports markets with athletes such as Robinson Cano, Geno Smith, Skylar Diggins and Kevin Durant rumors of mad and jealous agents are swarming. Some have accused Jay-Z's representation as illegal stating that Roc Nation Sports has yet to be certified by the NFLPA. Overlooking the facts, Roc Nation Sports has partnered with Creative Arts Agency a well documented sports marketing agency. 
       Jay-Z's business relationship with CAA Co-Head Michael Levin has come under scrutiny from different agents and marketing firms. Who fear Jay-Z is using tactics which put him above the law when it comes to NFLPA rules and regulations. As CAA has allowed Roc Nation Sports to recruit athletes from CAA's agency. Robinson Cano is one of the athletes which CAA allowed Roc Nation Sports to recruit. 
Roc Nation Sports has changed the game of sports marketing business. Usually the athlete is the cash cow but with Jay-Z now the agency is the cash monopoly with guaranteed endorsements and big money contracts waiting on the other end. Imagine Jay-Z representing Michael Jordan or Allen Iverson in the 90's the powers combined would make player union's scramble. Now look at reality Cano, Skylar, Smith and Durant four of the most marketable athletes in their respective leagues. 
      What to expect? Expect Roc Nation Sports to shake the hemisphere of sports marketing. Watch as the Music mogul becomes a sports business tycoon creating cash flow with the world's biggest athlete's. The big announcement will follow and the money gates will open when Jay-Z signs LeBron James and turns LBJ into the richest athlete on the planet. This is your official warning the sports business game is now changed "forever" and contrary to belief Hova understands the game of business. Jay- understands the "Sports Business of  Dead Presidents". 

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Clenaure Carter is now the Writer for http://www.football.com covering Georgia Tech Football

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