A little kindness…TWO long careers

Posted on November 8, 2012 by jimberrysports

I was saddened to hear about the sudden passing of play-by-play man extraordinaire Jim Durham. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I used to listen to him do his play-by-play of Chicago Bulls basketball games. This was long before the Jordan years, but Jim still made Bulls basketball sound exciting.  It was partly because of him that I, too decided to become a sportscaster.

When I was in college, I would turn down the sound of games I watched on TV and do my own play-by-play. Sometimes I would even record it.  Once I got up the nerve to call him out of the blue at the radio station where he worked. I made up a story about doing an assignment about sportscasters. I just wanted to meet Jim Durham.  He graciously agreed to meet me, and even listened to my rather primitive play by play.  He asked, “Where did you do this ?”. I told him at home. He remarked, “If I could do the games this well from home, I’d never leave the couch. ” He couldn’t tell it, but I lit up inside with a huge glow. “If the great Jim Durham thought I could do this, then maybe I can.”, I thought.

Sure enough, I embarked on a broadcasting career that has now lasted 35 years.  I would run into Jim from time to time at NBA games, and a few years ago reminded him of our first meeting when I was still a student. Although he didn’t recall, he was still the same gracious man who encouraged me years ago. No doubt his kindness was the secret to his long and enduring career, and the catalyst for my own.

Thanks Jim. I’ll miss you and rest assured. I will pay it forward just like you did.

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Better than Mike ?

Posted on October 22, 2012 by jimberrysports

  A new poll of NBA general managers confirms what any NBA fan already knows. Two-thirds of them pick Heat star Lebron James to repeat as NBA MVP, and most of them say Lebron is the player they would want first if they had to start an NBA franchise from scratch.

  The question isn’t whether Lebron is the best NOW.  The question is…can he be the best EVER.  Some are suggesting that he’s already there..that James now is better than Michael Jordan.  Sorry. He’s gettin’ there, but he’s not there yet.

However, if I’m Lebron being put on that  ledge would motivate me enough to BECOME the best of all-time. He’s got a skill set that no player, not even Jordan, had.  Lebron finishes like Doctor J, is strong like the Mailman, strikes fear like Jordan, has three point range and defends like…nobody else.

Now that he has won an NBA title, fans automatically assume that Lebron will  leap over that mental wall that seemed to make him shrink in the big moments. I think they are right…but let’s see it.

 Jordan had an intimidating swagger that made him that much better. Only Kobe Bryant today has that same kind of confidence (although Kevin Durant might soon be there too. ) There is something to be said for KNOWING that you are man. If Lebron’s game goes up even half a notch more, he very well could end up being the best.

Of course, this debate assumes that everyone agrees Michael Jordan is the best ever.  Old schoolers say it was Wilt Chamberlain.  Isiah Thomas told me his pick for the best all-time is Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Jordan got six rings.  Lebron will need at least four to make his case. I’m not bettin’ against him, but the proof will be in the pudding.

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Patience…Patients

Posted on March 26, 2012 by jimberrysports

     By now, many Dolphin fans feel ready to commit themselves to an insane asylum.  “I must be crazy to keep rooting for this team”, they must sometimes think.    After interrogating Dolphin owner Stephen Ross at the NFL owners meetings, I can only say..Patience patients.

     Ross will never win any motivational speaking awards, but he does make some sense.  The Dolphins should not add overpaid free agents to this patchwork team.  They should not pay mega-millions for ANY quarterback unless he is clearly better than Matt Moore, and are wise to bring in a guy like David Garrard who can at least push Moore to play better.  They should build a team primarily through the draft until they reach the point where adding key pieces makes sense. 

    Of course, it will backfire if the Dolphins don’t draft the right players, and don’t coach up the ones they do pick. Ross is convinced Joe Philbin and his staff know how to make good players better. We’ll see.

  Ross remains confident in Jeff Ireland, who actually drafted well in his first year away from the shadow of Bill Parcells.  However, Ross can not afford for Ireland to be a PR liability.  If the Fins are not better next season, Ross will have no choice but to hire a GM with more NFL clout.

  Are the Dolphins a team nobody wants to join ? Not according to one coach who spurned them. Jeff Fisher told me he actually LIKED Ross and Ireland, and respects the Dolphins for playing so hard after a dismal start last season. He just thought dull St. Louis was a better place for him than sexy South Florida. To each his own.

  What’s a Dol-fan to do ? Accept the fact that your team is rebuilding. Actually I should say re-re-re building…it seems they do this every few years. If they get it right, the Dolphins are gonna be really good…in the 2014 season.

Dol-fans will you go crazier waiting that much longer ? Patience..patients.

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Standing tall

Posted on March 24, 2012 by jimberrysports

The most touching moment of the Heat game last night did not come while they were wailing on the Detroit Pistons. It happened when we saw the picture of 13 Heat players wearing hoodies in support of  Trayvon Martin, the 17-year old from Miami whose murder in Sanford, Florida has sparked national outrage.

During all of the outcry about his senseless shooting, I wondered if and when any athletes anywhere would weigh in. After all, pro athletes live in a world of privilege and fame that can make them forget where they came from. So many of them are reluctant to get involved in anything controversial, for fear of alienating anyone.  Others, quite frankly, may not be informed enough to take a stand on anything. It’s too easy for them to get self-absorbed in their unique world, focused on the “problems” many of us would love to have.

This case, however, touches a raw nerve. It takes us back to a time when civil rights was in the forefront, not on the back burner.  During the civil rights heyday, it was common for athletes to take stands and be out front on civil rights issues. Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and others would often lend their voices to the movement. They understood their voices carried extra weight.

It was gratifying to see Dwyane Wade, Lebron James and their teammates weigh in. The players last night wrote “R.I.P. Trayvon Martin” on their sneakers. Their head coach Erik Spolestra even weighed in, explaining how the case touched the heart of the Heat organization.

It was yet another example of why the Heat far and away is Miami’s best franchise. The confused Dolphins are still trying to figure out how to put together a team. The Marlins are focused on re-branding themselves. But the Heat really have a finger on the pulse of this town.

Last night was a night Heat fans could be proud, and make them want to root even more for the team to win a title.

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Still raisin’ Cane…

Posted on March 23, 2012 by jimberrysports

The New Orleans Saints bounty scandal has UM alumni footprints all over it.  Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is accused of putting up at least $10,000 of his own money to encourage teammates to “take out” opponents.    Tight end Jeremy Shockey is accused of being the “snitch” who told on them.  His  accuser ?  Former UM defensive lineman Warren Sapp.

This scandal was just too juicy for UM somehow NOT to be involved. Of  course, extra pay for extra special licks is not new to the Canes. Uncle Luke introduced the concept back in the day when he paid “bonuses” for vigorous hits.

Still,  paying for hard hits is not the same as rewarding players who deliberately hurt people.  That’s scary.

No one is pretending that football isn’t violent, but players should be on the field to win, not to cause injury. The truth is, however, that its a fine line between wanting to inflict pain and inflict INJURY.

Defensive players for years have bragged to each other about bone crushing hits that “took out” other players.  Once upon a time, UM took that to another level.

It should not be surprising that the concept carried over into the pros. The players all understand that.  The element of fear is a big part of football.

The defense is trying to force mistakes from offensive players who fear those crazy guys on the other side of the field WANT to hurt them.

Roger Goodell has already lowered the boom on those in charge of the Saints “bounty” system.  Soon, he’ll punish some of the players who carried it out.  Vilma could head the list. The NFL commissioner might even reprimand Warren Sapp for calling out Shockey.  He might even wrist slap Shockey for publishing a profane tweet defending himself from Sapp’s accusation.

Those UM guys. Even long after leaving Coral Gables, they still know how to “raise Cane.”

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No big man..no chance

Posted on March 15, 2012 by jimberrysports

  I hate to sound like a pessimist, but my gut is telling me something I can no longer ignore. The Heat will NOT win an NBA title unless they find a big man.  No one in particular…just SOMEBODY who can give them SOMETHING.   A few rebounds and blocked shots. Somebody who can catch the ball and dunk it.

  Erik Spolestra chastized his team for not giving enough “effort” against Chicago. Effort wasn’t the problem. SIZE was the problem. The Bulls are too big for the Heat, just like the Lakers were a couple of Sundays ago, and just like Dwight Howard is every time they play Orlando.

 Joel Anthony is not a true center. Dexter Pittman isn’t the answer. Eddy Curry remains anchored to the bench, meaning the Heat are no better in the middle this year than they were last year with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Erick Dampier. 

The Heat passed off the offseason acquisition of Shane Battier as the move that would get them over the top. I wondered then and now why they didn’t get a big body.  Heat fans should stop complaining that Chris Bosh is too “soft”. He’s a finesse player, not a banger.

What to do ? Pat Riley better get on the job and find a big man. Erik Spolestra better play the big men he has and challenge them to produce.  While you’re at it Spo, tell your bench to wake up.

Udonis Haslem…make a shot.  Shane Battier..make a shot. Norris Cole…where have you gone ?

Mike Miller..can you PLEASE stay healthy ?  I’m not hatin’ on the Heat…I’m just sayin.’  My heart wants them to win it all, but my eyes haven’t failed me yet.

 

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And the plan is..?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by jimberrysports

  I can’t say I’ll miss Brandon Marshall, but his trade to the Chicago Bears has me wondering about the Dolphins game plan.  Clearly, new coach Joe Philbin does not want to inherit any headaches.  However, if you’re trying to recruit one of the all-time great quarterbacks, why do you trade your best receiver ?

  Maybe the Dolphins plan is to get a lot of fast young guys who can catch passes and go the distance. That’s the essence of the West Coast offense. I’m cool with that.  But if your plan is to go young, then why are you chasing an OLD quarterback like Peyton Manning.

   For the past several years, the Dolphins have been a team with dual agendas. They’re trying to win now…but they’re also re-building. You can’t do both.

Brandon Marshall said he wasn’t a diva, but once he got here, his diva-ness came out. He didn’t produce like the superstar the Dolphins paid him to be, and he could be a royal pain.  I don’t blame them for lettin’ him go.

But what’s the alternative ? Should a Dolphin fan have hope for the present, or hope for the future ?  Unless the team settles on a clear path, I’m afraid the answer will be…no hope at all.

Last year, when the Dolphins started miserably, some Dol-fans were actually happy. They wanted to “suck for Luck” so the team could once and for all get another franchise quarterback.  They were willing to endure short term pain for long term gain.

The Dolphins messed that up by winning too much, pushing them down in the draft to where they will most likely get a nice player, but maybe not an impact one.

Fans who were glad to see them win a few games now are left wondering if the team is half bad, or half good. Being a bad team is rough. Being stuck on mediocre is even worse.  So Dolphins…what’s the plan ?  Tell us before more fans decide they simply don’t care.

 

 

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