B.YONEST “Sportz” Newz. Move over Carmelo and Amare. The Superstars name is Jeremy

Written By: Penn Franklin, 2.15.12

Okay, so let’s get serious for a second. Can we? There isn’t a person on the Global Sphere who had an inkling that Jeremy Lin was going to play more than 48 minutes total this year for the New York Knicks. There wasn’t a person in Jeremy Lin’s immediate family lineage who can “honestly” say they saw this sh*t coming. Jeremy Lin (my dear world) can really hoop. Like Steve Nash meets Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, hoop. His jumper is nice. Homies handles are significantly exciting to watch. He doesn’t ‘mind the pressure of the 4th Quarter (which LeBron James can’t even say). He’s an intelligent floor general. Yeah, he’s turnover prone and he’s not the fastest point guard I’ve ever seen COMMA BUT Jeremy Lin can play basketball.

Yes, I know it’s only been six games and the buzz will eventually simmer down some, but in a day and age of endless one hit wonders, YouTube phenomenons, people who are famous for all the wrong reasons and reality “no talent” stars, Jeremy Lin is a breath of fresh air. He’s more humble than Forrest Gump. I mean the dude was sleeping on friends and teammates couches because he didn’t know when/if he was going to be cut by the Knicks. He’s been cut twice in the last two seasons, played “maybe” a game(s) worth (TOTAL) in the last season or two. I had no clue Lin was even in the NBA until 10 days ago. When Kobe Bryant spoke of him stating “I have no idea who this kid is or what you’re talking about,” he was dead serious. The next night, Lin introduced himself to Kobe by busting the Lakers up for 38 points. Yep, I said 38.

Game winners. New slogans and punchlines. #17 New York Jerseys flying off the shelves of every Sporting Goods and Apparel Store from Boise, Idaho to all the small villages of the whole Asian Continent. Name the last famous athlete who had #17 jerseys pumpin’ out of Foot Locker. I’LL WAIT!  It’s been sarcastically amazing. If Jeremy Lin walked into my gym and stepped on the basketball court, my friends would’ve laughed at him and picked him last three weeks ago. I walked into my gym Monday and there were body building black dudes lifting weights in an XL Jeremy LIn jersey. Get Real. I COULDN’T make it up (but I just did. That didn’t really happen, but you can imagine if it did, right?)

B.YONEST “Sports” Newz.. LeBron is GREAT. Where’s the GREATNESS?

What defines Greatness? Is it the shots one makes in the “clutch” moments of the game. Is it the game winning RBI that leads to a baseball World Championship? Is it the presentation and delivery one portrays in the Post-Game Conference after a loss or humongous victory? These questions have plagued the career(s) of many phenomenal athletes over time. The Super Hero in question lately is LeBron James. There’s no question “King James” is great. Hall of Fame Career. Multiple Most Valuable Player trophies. NBA All Star Game MVP. The first player and youngest player to do this, that and the third. The question remains.. Is LeBron James GREATNESS..

Greatness is an attitude. Is a respect level and a desire to be the best individual, player and person you can be no matter who or what stands in your way. Greatness is a state of being. When the lights come on, the fans enter the stands and the clock starts ticking, greatness is the person or person(s) who stand up, accept the challenge and take their “character” and “game” to the next level; The level Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Tom Brady, Usain Bolt and Diana Taurasi take it to. They have a fire that burns “under the lights” and a refusal to let the MOMENT get the best of them. There’s no time to think about the situation. It’s time to seize the moment. Those individuals have. LeBron James… has NOT.

If you were to ask 10 (intelligent) people who the best basketball player in the Universe is, LeBron James is going to mentioned 7 out of 10 times. There is no question of the ability, skill and down right dominance he can display anytime he “feels like it.” The problem is James plays more like J.R. Smith than Michael Jordan in key moments of games. He seems disinterested, confused and somewhat nervous when the lights become brighter and the situation becomes magnified. Cleveland or Miami; it hasn’t seemed to matter. In Cleveland they were the number one seed. They had home court advantage, they were geared for a NBA Finals run and were embarrassed by the Boston Celtics. King James has been swept (by San Antonio). What is the problem? It has to be completely mental.

Teasing Dirk Nowitzki, on camera, before Game 5, showed me the most about Dwayne Wade and LeBron James’ attitudes. The lack of play in the 4th Quarter was the least of my concerns. They were not focused on the correct thing. Nowitzki’s health should have put Wade and James in a “killer” state of mind. Sick or not; Nowitzki is on the court and we’re going to take advantage of him, his health, his finger and Jason Kidds’ age. His post game Press Conference, although he was under amazing scrutiny, was lack luster at best. Again, he was asked a great deal of frustrating questions. I GET THAT. My problem is simple. James seems immature. The King of the Court doesn’t seem comfortable in his skin, right now. Does it make sense, no, but the proof is behind the camera.

LeBron James is far from a failure. He’s a Superstar Athlete, under a great deal of pressure, to perform on a big stage. Most of us “regular people” can’t imagine the process(es) James, Wade and Bosh face daily. There is no such thing as constructive criticism when it comes to those three. Is Destructive Criticism. There is not ONE person (in a 500 mile radius of Miami) who wants to see them succeed. Not this Season. Not next Season. NEVER. This is the time where James needs to start his soul searching process. Playing basketball isn’t his issue. James can hoop. His loathing, recurring, lack of success is a character/mental problem. It’s the only thing it could be. Is it quite difficult to form a team and win a Championship in ONE YEAR? Of Course, it is. Do I think the Miami Heat are going to come in next season so “fired up” it’s nauseating. I sure do, but the next 365 days of their lives are going to be full of disrespect, disgruntlement, punishing interviews and people reminding them of what they DID NOT do. I challenge LeBron “King” James to dig deep, learn from this challenge and be come greater when it’s all said and done. LeBron James is GREAT. Now, it’s time to build GREATNESS. Good luck King.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” News.. Resignation or Forced Out.. More Details to Come.

Dear Columbus Ohio, (First the Fat Boys Break Up, Now This….)

It’s TRUE. It’s the facts. Jim Tressel has officially resigned as head coach of The Ohio State University. The first decade had been an amazing ride. National Championships. Big Ten Championships. Multiple victories against Michigan. The last year has been a terrible pitfall from grace for “Tress” and The University. It all started with some tattoos, a secret and some suspensions. Since then, players have come out on Ohio State, claiming they received free property, played as an ineligible player and received special treatment during recruiting visits. This saddens me, personally, because I’m a humongous fan of The Ohio State University. I’m speechless quite truthfully. With that said.. Bring in Urban Meyer and let’s keep it moving.

Coach Tressel. We love you and will never forget all that you did for us here at Ohio State. It’s extremely sad that it had to end this way. Instead of everyone remembering you as the SECOND winningest coach in College Football, now your legacy will be forever tarnished by cheating, secrets, scarred players and lack of program control. We know you though Tress. We understand you were trying to protect your players, but the rest of the WORLD hates Ohio State and looks at this as a reason to throw shots. Stay focused on your family and friends who know you, internally. Thanks again, for all you have done. You’re a Buckeye Forever in my book Tress.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” NEWZ… THE Ohio State University. Who saw this coming?

Thad Matta has something quite special going on in Columbus, Ohio right now America. Matta has been a proven winner since his days at Xavier and when coming to Ohio State he was as touted as Jim Tressel. The Mens Basketball Program was expected to do amazing things under Matta and he has not disappointed. A National Championship appearance. A NIT Championship. A Sweet 16 Run. Of course, that’s not enough for THE Ohio State standards we here in the 614 place on our Program. Last year, Matta and his team took a nice run to the Sweet 16 before losing to (cheating) Tennessee. Let’s talk 2011 shall we?

Jared Sullinger, the 2010 High School Player of the Year committed to Ohio State and the City began to feel the possibilities of the upcoming Season(s.) There were no guarantees and some definite questions. Is Matta healthy? How will Lighty and Lauderdale transition from being the “light” of the team last year? Would they have a problem taking a backseat to the up and comers? Well given they are 22-0 and playing at a high level, it sure doesn’t seem so. THE Ohio State Mens Basketball team are for real.

Jon Diebler is playing is role, efficiently. William Buford is playing lights out basketball. Ohio State is playing spectacular defensive and Thad Matta has them believing they can get this done. The biggest surprise is the emergence of Freshman point guard, Aaron Craft. Homie can hoop. SinSERIOUSly hoop. I definitely missed that memo. He has to be one of the biggest for Ohio States dominant success. I’m impressed by the close games (on the road against Northwestern) they win more than the blowout victories, quite truthfully.

Is Ohio State going to go undefeated and win the National Championship? Probably pretty impossible. They would have to win 40 games in order to achieve such a feat. Who cares though? This team is phenomenal and I’m excited to see what the rest of the season will bring them. They have nine regular season games left with a stretch coming up against Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Could get ugly COMMA but I think these men have it under control. Go Bucks. OH-IO.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” Newz.. If I was a Gambling man, I would’ve got P.A.I.D.

It seems that we here in “INVAZION LAND” have some type of phychic powers or we’re just geniuses. Earlier in today’s blog run, we made a prediction about the AFC/NFC Championship Games. We claimed that Green Bay would pull off a win in Soldiers Field and Pittsburgh would find a way to win at home. Scores weren’t exact COMMA but they were damn close. Congratulations to Green Bay and Pittsburgh for making their way to Super Bowl XIV. I personally know some people who are basking in excitement right now.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t play quite as well as last week in Atlanta, but the Packers did enough to win. The Chicago Bears Jay Cutler run offense couldn’t get anything going early and the Packers opened up to a 14-0 lead before anyone knew the game started. Two quarterbacks later, the Bears were making a comeback with 3rd stringer, Caleb Hanie. Is there a quarterback controversy in Chicago all of the sudden? Could be. The Bears defense looked pretty damn good, though. Chicago could be right back next year. Congratulations to the Packers and Good luck in the Super Bowl. You’re gonna need it.

The AFC Championship went pretty much as i expected it would. I thought The New York Jets would put up 13 points, but I guess I can’t be perfectly correct all the time. In the first half, the Steelers looked so good, I considered the game a route and started watching something else. #Boredom. Complete #Boredom. I turned back in the Second Half and it was 24-12. I was almost convinced the J.E.T.S. were going to come back and complete “Mission Impossible” after they scored to make it 24-19, but it did in fact become that. Impossible! Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for reaching the Super Bowl three times in the last six years. Super Bowl XIV is going to be a good one.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” Newz.. If I was a Gambling man, I would’ve got P.A.I.D.

It seems that we here in “INVAZION LAND” have some type of phychic powers or we’re just geniuses. Earlier in today’s blog run, we made a prediction about the AFC/NFC Championship Games. We claimed that Green Bay would pull off a win in Soldiers Field and Pittsburgh would find a way to win at home. Scores weren’t exact COMMA but they were damn close. Congratulations to Green Bay and Pittsburgh for making their way to Super Bowl XLV. I personally know some people who are basking in excitement right now.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t play quite as well as last week in Atlanta, but the Packers did enough to win. The Chicago Bears Jay Cutler run offense couldn’t get anything going early and the Packers opened up to a 14-0 lead before anyone knew the game started. Two quarterbacks later, the Bears were making a comeback with 3rd stringer, Caleb Hanie. Is there a quarterback controversy in Chicago all of the sudden? Could be. The Bears defense looked pretty damn good, though. Chicago could be right back next year. Congratulations to the Packers and Good luck in the Super Bowl. You’re gonna need it.

The AFC Championship went pretty much as i expected it would. I thought The New York Jets would put up 13 points, but I guess I can’t be perfectly correct all the time. In the first half, the Steelers looked so good, I considered the game a route and started watching something else. #Boredom. Complete #Boredom. I turned back in the Second Half and it was 24-12. I was almost convinced the J.E.T.S. were going to come back and complete “Mission Impossible” after they scored to make it 24-19, but it did in fact become that. Impossible! Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for reaching the Super Bowl three times in the last six years. Super Bowl XLV is going to be a good one.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” Newz… New York/Pittsburgh and Chicago/Green Bay. DAMN!

And then there were FOUR… This is “almost” what it’s all about, right? It’s NFC/AFC Championship game day. I’m excited and my Indianapolis Colts (plug, plug) aren’t even playing. The New York Jets are back for the second year in a row. The Pittsburgh Steelers are back for the third time in six years. Damn, they’re good. The Chicago Bears are playing in their second NFC Championship game of the Decade and the Green Bay Packers are as well. This is going to be some sincereious sh*t if you ask me.

Although, the Packers have a disgusting rivalry against one another, there has to be a great deal of respect. Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers? I gotta say Aaron Rodgers on this one. He played lights out against Atlanta, in Atlanta. Green Bay’s defense or Chicago’s defense? It’s quite the toss up in all B.YONESTy comma but I’m going to have to take Chicago’s defense and Special Teams because they are at home and they have Hester. Case closed. That’s the kind of day it’s going to be, truthfully. Big time players making big time plays. The Packers and Bears know the offensive and defensive schemes, concepts and patterns of one another. This is going to be bigger than that. What player(s) and team wants it more, PERIOD! NFC Championship coming soon. I have to say Green Bay 27-20.

AFC Championship Time. These New York Jets are serious. Let’s not forget they had the Colts up against the fence last year before Peyton Manning did what Peyton Manning does and made a lasting comeback. #Talkreel. The offense is better. The defense is stronger. They are amidst “Mission Impossible,” beating Indy in Indy and marching right through Foxboro and stomping the Patriots. One more away playoff win will cement them into the Super Bowl and give Mark Sanchez the most road wins of any quarterback in History. Yeah, I said it. I think the Pittsburgh ‘Steel Curtain’ Steelers are going to have something to say about that though.

Roethlisberger is feeling good. Heinz Ward is ready for another trip to the Super Bowl. James Harrison and Troy P. got the defense ready to rock and roll. The Terrible Towel Steelers faithful are going to be so excited for this game to start, it’s nauseating. The weather is going to be traumatic, but all the teams should be ready for that. The Midwest and Northeastern part of the Country are running the NFL this year, you agree? I have to say…. 24-13, Steelers. I hate to say that, but I think the Jets “may” have run out of gas. Maybe? I tell you this though. If the Jets can beat Peyton In Lucas Oil, walk into Foxboro and beat Brady AND win in PITTSBURGH, they may be one of the best playoff teams IN HISTORY. That will be Mission Impossible.. Good luck Mr. Ryan.

ANONYMOUZ (click here to follow B.YONEST on twitter)

B.YONEST “Sports” Newz.. Thomas Robinson is playing for much more

Sports and Athletics are a scapegoat from reality. We as people utilize sports as entertainment and a way to live vicariously through the players and athletes. Sometimes, we find ourselves drifting away from the facts in our own lives and using our favorite teams as the ultimate way to not think about the “real world.” For two or three hours the bills, arguments, problems and issues don’t matter as much to us. The paper that needs to be turned in. The job that we just lost and/or the broke down car outside is the last thing on our mind(s) while we sit at the Sports Bar or at the house party and watch our basketball/football/baseball/hockey team play against their rival. Today, my heart goes out to Kansas Jayhawks player, Thomas Robinson.

Three weeks ago, Robinson lost his maternal grandmother. A week ago, Robinson (a sophomore) lost his grandfather while he was playing an away game against Baylor. The night before last, his mother passed away. He received the call from his 9 year-old baby sister. This is one of the most difficult articles, I’ve ever written. It’s crazy to me. The players rushed over to his apartment when they heard the news. Parents, players and coaches all said it was “the saddest thing they’ve ever seen in their lives.”

I attempt to empathize and understand what the lesson could be in such an event, but I honestly can’t think of anything. I normally find the silver lining and the comedic way to spin a topic and make it somewhat understandable through my eyes, but this one is even beyond me. Robinson played in yesterday’s loss to Texas and I can imagine it was somewhat of a way to not “think about reality” for awhile. I imagine it was impossible. Angel Morris, mother of the Morris twins, gave her a hug during the warm up session. Players cried uncontrollably during the moment of silence and the game began. Kansas came out playing like a possessed basketball team and before you knew it, it was 18-3. Inspired basketball or more?

Texas, obviously, found a way to win 74-63. They snapped the Jayhawks 69 game winning streak at home and that was the first Texas win against Kansas in nine tries (In Kansas) so congratulations to Texas. That’s a big win. I wish this article was about basketball, but all I can imagine right now is Thomas Robinson riding on an airplane as I type (by himself) going home to his younger sister, waiting for him because they have NO ONE else. You think when your grandmother passes away, you still have your mom and grandfather maybe. When your grandfather passes away, you still have your mother to console you and tell you it’s going to be perfectly fine. When your mother passes away, sometimes you’re lucky enough to have dad and/or your grandparents for comfort. Thomas Robinson is going home to his nine year-old sister. It’s unfathomable.

My thoughts genuinely go out to Thomas Robinson and his sister. I KNOW there’s nothing I can say or do. There’s nothing ANYONE can say or do, quite truthfully. It’s an experience that almost NO ONE has ever been through. I personally want Robinson to know that’s the only thing I thought about as I watched the game. Try to keep your head up, T-Rob. We know you’re going through it, terribly, but take care of that little sister. She needs you and you need her.. Stay up.

ANONYMOUZ

Sidenote: Kyle Keller, Assistant coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, lost his cousin Nate Fleming in an Oklahoma State plane crash a decade ago. Keller was supposed to be in Fleming’s seat and switched at the last moment. My heart goes out to Mr. Keller as well. I imagine this leaves another scar in his heart, but he will be able to console T-Rob. Again, much love to the Jayhawks program, but more importantly to Thomas Robinson and the Robinson family…

B.YONEST “Sports” NEWZ.. Auburn vs Oregon. NObodY saw this coming…

Glendale, Arizona is the place to be. The fast paced, quick tempo, Oregon Ducks are traveling from Eugene to face the highly talented, hard hitting, SEC Champion, Auburn Tigers. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen. It could go either way. I’ve heard that speed kills in a one game Series and Oregon has plenty of that. Every position from running back to receiver and linebacker has SPEED. My question is this.. What if Auburn finds a way to bottle that speed and shut them down early? Does Chip Kelly and the “cocky” Ducks have enough adjustments in the arsenal to overcome Cam Newton and the just as talented Defense of the Tigers.

I don’t know that tonight’s game is going to come down to the Cam Newton and LaMichael James show. I think offensive and defensive line(s) will play an intricate part on the success of either team. The Oregon Ducks offensive line vs Auburn’s defensive line. I don’t know much about either so my hypothesis is just that, but we’re talking SEC football vs PAC-10 football. On paper, there’s no comparison. Who knows? I’ve seen both teams play (in person) this year and I have to say Auburn looked amazing. Oregon did blow Stanford the hell out as well. Stanford finished the season with one loss and blew Virginia Tech out by 28 points in their Bowl Game.

I may be biased on my opinion from visiting both schools. Auburn showed us a great time and Eugene seemed to be pompus, arrogant and somewhat “irritated” about the fact College Gameday was there. I also happened to think Cam Newton (although he’s an superb cheater) is the best player/athlete in College, period. He plays the quarterback position which means he’s going to have more opportunities to make plays than most other players. If I were a betting/gambling man (which I am), I’d have to with Auburn 34-24. Again, just my hypothesis. I also feel like if i don’t choose Auburn some of my readers may disown me PERMANENTLY.. War Damn Eagle tonight.. Bucks for LIFE.

ANONYMOUZ

B.YONEST “Sports” NEWZ. The Super Bowl DEFINITELY wont have the Colts or Saints this year.

You have to all understand how difficult this article is for me to even be typing right now considering my dire love the Indianapolis Colts. I mean DIRE love for my Colts. The Saints; Great team, but I won’t act as if i’m not STOKED to see them out of the Playoffs. With that said, the former Super Bowl participants from 2010 (both) lost yesterday in on Wild Card Weekend. The New Orleans Saints went to Seattle (which the probably shouldn’t have considering they won FOUR more games) and lost in a shootout. The Indianapolis Colts (finally succombed to injuries and exposed defense) lost to the New York Jets leaving the Super Bowl up for grabs for two new teams. Thus, what a difference a year makes. Let’s just talk about it, shall we?

The Minnesota Vikings played the Saints last year in the NFC Championship and this season didn’t get CLOSE to the Playoffs. Brett Favre got caught sending photos to Jets reporters. Brad Childress got fired. Randy Moss came back and added a spark about as big as a two wet matches. Talk about turmoil. Minnesota was drowning in the term “oil” this season. Their dome collapsed. That says it all. Moving on. Let’s talk a little madness about the homie, Mike Vick.

Comeback player of the DECADE may be Mike Vick. Not season, but decade. The homie went to prison for two years, came out, got a job with the Philadelpia Eagles became a starter and has “balled out” since. He won’t win the MVP because Tom Brady (who I hope gets his.. well, nevermind. not nice) is playing football at a level not normal to man, but he’s going to come in second place, GRACEFULLY. No one and I mean no one saw this coming. I hope Mr. Vick finds a way to polish his game over the next few seasons because “Sky’s the Limit” for that man. He’s just as fast, just as exciting, just as game breaking and more PATIENT in the pocket. You can’t explain it, but maybe Prison did Mike Vick some good? Terrible to say, but it happens. Looking at three white walls, with the fourth wall being a cell, while your bank account dwindles by the minute and the NFL goes on without you will give you an intense amount of perspective, I presume. What do I know? I never been to Prison and I never played in the NFL.

The Browns still suck, The Bengals are still trying to figure it out, The Texans and Jaguars can’t beat The Colts, but the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams are on the up rise. Sam Bradford played very well for the Rams and Matt Cassel and the Chiefs defense brought some fire back to the City of Kansas City. I’m interested to see how the Chiefs handle a Playoff game @ home against the Ravens, today. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and dem are coming into Arrowhead Stadium with plenty of Wild Card experience and they are going to do everything to take those fans out of the game early. We’ll see! Steelers, Packers, Bears (Cutler surprised the HELLicopter out of me) and Falcons are in. The New York Giants won 10 games and didn’t make the Playoffs. The NFC is definitely on the come up. The Super Bowl race is going to be an interesting one to watch. Any given day, the favorite can find themselves an a dog fight and going home on a day they didn’t expect to. Hence, The Seattle Seahawks. Nobody saw that comin’. Especially Matt Hasselback.

ANONYMOUZ