Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Ballay

Eerie Thoughts: How a Coin Flip Altered the Career of Kareem and Hakeem

Chris Ballay — Sat, 02 May 2009 00:53:58 -0400

My job, when aimlessly wondering the Internet through sports statistic site after sports statistic site, is to find that story that history overlooked. That story we as modern basketball fans never considered. And, every now and then, I find something.

The coin flip: the simplest way to make a decision on the most equal of matters. And more importantly, up until 1985, or before the NBA lottery, it was the one factor that separated two teams with identical records at season's end.

The more I looked into coin flips being used prior to the draft, the more I realized how much of an impact it had on the history of the NBA. In particular two coin flips stand out the most.

More importantly, two careers where impacted by the coin-flip: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's and Hakeem Olujawon's.

Can you imagine for a moment Jabbar never having been a Buck with Oscar Robertson, or Olajuwon never having been a Rocket?

In 1969 the biggest player coming out of college was Lew Alcindor (later to be known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Whoever had the number one pick the choice was obvious: Alcindor. The race for the top spot consisted of a coin flip between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.

Obviously, Milwaukee had won, but I began to think to myself what if Phoenix had won?

During the 1969-70 season the Suns roster consisted of legends Connie Hawkins (24.6 points per game) and Gail Goodrich (20.0), as well as Dick Van Arsdale (21.3), Paul Silas (12.8), and Jim Fox (12.9).

Now, can you imagine how the Suns would of been with Jabbar? The lineup would of consisted of Gail Goodrich, Dick Van Arsdale, Connie Hawkins, Jabbar, and Fox and Silas rotating. Pretty interesting to consider. More importantly, maybe Jabbar (unlike Milwaukee) would of liked Phoenix.

Also, what's to say if that coin flip does not side with Milwaukee that Jabbar never ends up going to the Los Angeles Lakers and Showtime never happens? Better yet would Oscar Robertson ever have gotten that 1971 NBA title?

Eerie things to think about...

And this is not even considering the fact the fact that both the Harlem Globetrotters and ABA tried persuading Jabbar to join them and not the NBA. Granted, I still think the coin flip had more of an impact.

Only 15 years later a similar incident took place. Going into the 1984 draft Hakeem Olajuwon remained the biggest commodity every team desired. And as history shows us a coin flip was thrown between Portland and Houston where the Rockets prevailed the winners.

With the Rockets selection of The Dream, he would go on to have an amazing career with two championships.

But let's imagine for the sake of me talking what happens if Portland wins that top pick and The Dream goes to play alongside Drexler and Company? How's that turn out? How dominate do they remain over the next decade? And what about Michael Jordan? Would Houston have Jordan at No. 2 or Sam Bowie?

Who knows.

It's just an incredible thing to really think about. Despite the blatantly, amazing talents of many athletes, there are times, a least in the case of something like Jabbar and Olajuwon, great teams first start building up by non other than pure, simple luck.

But for the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trailblazers, I'm sure the term "bad luck" also applies.

Alex Rodriguez, Reality's Harvey Dent

Chris Ballay — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:00:21 -0500

Last summer's blockbuster hit The Dark Knight remains one of my favorite films for many reasons, but oddly enough I actually found a connection with the movie and modern day society.

No, I am not talking about the odd similarities I see between my Communication Studies professor and the Joker, rather I am talking about Alex Rodriguez's fall from grace to Harvey Dent's fall from grace.

Let me explain before the harsh comments begin. And yes, I am probably a dork for writing this article.

The steroid witch hunt in baseball has been going on for several years. From Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, to Barry Bonds, we have seen the best of the best come under fire. We have seen the most admired players be exposed for what they are: cheaters.

But through it all there was one bright light, one white knight: Alex Rodriguez. As great player after great player was found to be cheating, fans said to themselves, "Well at least Rodriguez is doing it right. At least he is not cheating."

He was the glimmer of hope in baseball. The poster boy for all.

That all changed this past week. That all changed when Rodriguez, reality's Harvey Dent, admitted to having used anabolic steroids from 2001 to 2003. The one guy you could have faith in turns out to be just as corrupt as the rest.

Let's look at the symbolism. First there's the corruption of Gotham City. That is represented by the players who were using steroids. Then there's Batman who is...

Okay, haven't thought about that one.

But the transformation of Dent is the same as Rodriguez giving into the temptations (the Joker) of trying anabolic steroids.

Though in the end, unlike the movie, the world will get to see Rodriguez for who he is. Someone who cheated, someone who gave into temptations, someone with two faces, someone who was just taking a chance...

LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints Have Apocalyptic Weekend: The Double-Loss

Chris Ballay — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:27:06 -0500

I am a fool. I should have known this day would come again. I should have known.

It was 1,074 days ago and the year was 2005. It was the third day in December. LSU lost to Georgia 34-14 in the SEC Championship Game. The following day, the Saints lost to the Buccaneers 10-3.

That was the last time I experienced the dreaded double-loss weekend. Yes, every sports fan has experienced this awful set of circumstances. Not only does your college team lose, but your NFL team as well.

This December it would have been three years since I last felt the horror of a double-loss weekend. I am a fan of both LSU and the New Orleans Saints. Countless times, I have not had to focus on the LSU loss because the Saints won, or better yet I did not have to focus on the Saints' loss because of an LSU win

Well, that didn't happen this past weekend. First, LSU lost to Alabama 27-21 in overtime, resting all my chips on the Saints. Sadly, New Orleans did not cash in. They lost to the Falcons 34-20, and the apocalyptic weekend I was experiencing really kicked in.

Maybe the sun will come up tomorrow. Just maybe. But, it will be difficult. I must remove myself from all sports media for one week. That means no Internet, television, or telegrams.

I can only hope this article serves as a shoulder for those other fans who have also experienced the apocalyptic weekends known simply as double-loss. Hold strong and be strong.

Did I mention both my fantasy football teams lost, too?

LSU Tigers Football: Requiem for a Purple T-Shirt

Chris Ballay — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:45:00 -0400

Last Saturday, the LSU Tigers got clobbered by the Florida Gators 51-21. The loss was nothing short of painful and embarrassing, yet because of this loss, something died. Something immeasurable by any scientific study.

The death was that of my lucky LSU purple T-shirt.

Luck and sports almost play hand in hand. No team has ever been successful without the help of some no-name fan wearing his lucky shirt on gameday.

You think LSU won last year's BCS Championship because of Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, Early Doucet, and Glen Dorsey? Well they did most of the work, but let's not forget another little helper out there.

My shirt, that is.

Yes, that purple shirt was special. For a good two years I wore it, and the luck of the shirt was at its climax last year. Would LSU had come back and beaten Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee had it not been for my shirt? I really don't know.

Let me put it this way, the games I did not have my T-shirt on the entire game (Kentucky, Arkansas) LSU lost.

Scary, isn't it?

Even after the 2007 season ended, I still felt there was some luck in that shirt. Sure it was a shard of cloth by now, but again some luck was left.

On Sept. 20 of this year, LSU beat Auburn 26-21, which could only mean one thing: the shirt was still alive and well.

But last Saturday, I pushed my T-shirt's luck too far. He's done a lot for me, I mean he helped bring in a National Championship for LSU football.

I wish I had known prior to the LSU/Florida game that he did not have a lot of time left and that our days of miracle wins were over.

He did his best to try and bring a win back to Baton Rouge. Using his amazing luck, he did manage to have LSU rally from a 20-0 deficit to a mere 20-14 ballgame, but that was all he could do.

Every sports fan knows the death of a lucky item happens when your team puts up a terrible performance. That performance for my shirt was the 51-21 Florida slaughter of LSU.

I write this blog in memory of my purple LSU shirt. You never talked much, but you brought me more fortune than any shirt I have ever had.

May you rest in peace, old buddy.

Beavers' Upset of Trojans and the Implications

Chris Ballay — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:46:00 -0400

Unless you live under a rock, I am sure all college football fans are aware of the stunning upset the Oregon State Beavers orchestrated against the USC Trojans. Against the No. 1 team in the land, the Beavers of Corvallis, Or., unseated Pete Carroll's crew 27-21.

Behind the obvious thrilling game that took place Thursday night, what really did USC's loss signify?

Looking back their are several main areas this loss touches on. For one, Oregon State needs to get the credit they deserve for having pulled off two straight wins against USC in Corvallis. OSU did not get any lucky breaks or use trick plays, they simply manhandled the Trojans. Head coach Mike Riley seems to have Carroll's number. I know, I can not understand it either, but Riley always gets his troops ready for battle when the Trojans come to town.

My second point rests with big deficits USC throws themselves into. Point 1: In 2006 the Trojans trailed the Beavers 33-10 before losing 33-31 after missing a two point conversion. Last night USC trailed 21-0 at one point.

Basically, the Trojans do not just put themselves in a hole, they nearly dig a canyon. Had USC not played so lousy in 2006 and 2008 to where the deficits were difficult for any team to come back from, then maybe the team could of rallied for a win. But the fact remains, no matter who you are, coming back from 20+ points is pretty difficult. Especially in an environment such as Corvallis.

Thirdly, I would like to discuss the unbelievable performance by 5'6'', 180 pound, freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers. On 37 carries Rodgers had an astounding 186 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon State's successes would never had happened had this virtually unknown athlete ripped through the Trojan defensive line time and time again.

But, after Rodgers's performance there was one thing I could not stop thinking about? Beanie Wells. Seeing such a small running back do so much damage to the USC defensive line definitely makes us all wonder how Beanie Wells would of done against USC. In fact, it almost puts a big asterisks next to the Trojans' 35-3 win. Then again maybe USC just had an abnormally bad game Thursday night.

Let me say this. A lot of people in the country, more so than ever, really want to see a USC/Ohio State rematch in the Rose Bowl. Bottom line: people want to see what Beanie can do against this Trojan defensive line.

My fourth point: leadership. USC has all the talent in the world. No question about it; Carroll knows how to recruit and put a team together. Yet with all the talent in the world, USC still lost? Why? Like so many others have stated, "USC did not have the leadership it needed at the end of the game." Mark Sanchez could end up being a terrific QB, but last night he did not have it all. He was not able to drive down his team for the tying touchdown when trailing by seven in the fourth. That in itself is nothing short of huge.

In 2007 the LSU Tigers found ways to win. They had players who made plays and made victories happen. It does not seem USC has that yet. Sure, Joe McKnight is one of the most dynamic players in the nation, but he was gone yesterday. He was simply lost in a different world bobbling punt returns and getting tackled for huge losses. This leadership flaw was certainly seen by all.

So overall this victory is significant because it shows a) USC is not an invincible as we were lead to believe, b) USC is in a state of flux. The Pac-10 has one team in the Top 25 (USC), and they just lost to a Beaver team with a losing record. How strong is that conference? And finally, c) USC already has one loss and we have not even finished September yet. Could more be coming?

Before I sign off let me recognize the Unsung Hero of last night's game. Of course Rodgers was the star, but the guy who really made an impact was Johnny Hekker the punter. Three times Hekker pinned the Trojans inside the 20, twice he pinned them inside their ten. Listen I do not care how good of a quarterback you are, to be trailing by seven on the road, 95 yards aways is nothing you could characterize as "simple."

One final note: I must acknowledge that indeed my friend Corey called this upset. Yes, I too was shocked when I heard him make this statement. Very well, Corey you were right I was wrong.

Reap the benefits.

Against All Odds: Jarrett Lee Drives LSU to Victory

Chris Ballay — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:56:00 -0400

In my lifetime I really wonder if I will ever, 100 percent comprehend, what Jarrett Lee pulled off at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night.

When all the dust has settled and this game is looked back at in 15 years it will not be the ending of the home winning streak in the LSU/Auburn series that will be remembered, but more importantly the emergence of an LSU quarterback. The birth of a leader who led his team to victory, despite going against all odds.

Lets try and put into perspective what Lee accomplished last night.

One year ago on October 20, 2007, LSU trailed Auburn 17-7 at half in Tiger Stadium. Even with Glenn Dorsey, Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, and Early Doucet on the roster, victory for the Tigers still seemed like a long shot. LSU did win that day in one of the most exciting games in LSU history. Flynn-to-Byrd is etched in the minds of Tiger faithful forever.

Now fast forward to about a year later; last night, and you had an even more overwhelming situation. LSU was down 14-3 at the half, at Auburn, with inexperienced Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch taking turns at quarterback. To top off this daunting task the starting quarterback, Andrew Hatch, went out of the game with a head injury in the third quarter.

With Hatch out for the game early in the third quarter, Lee was thrown back under center. In the first half Lee threw five passes, all were incomplete, including one that lead to a costly six Auburn points.

Was LSU's back against the wall? You bet. Was Auburn one score away from putting this game away? For sure. Did seeing Hatch go out injured then replaced by Lee scare the bajezuz out of many LSU fans? Of course.

This was not an ordinary victory for LSU. Yes, you could say this was essentially the same group of men who lead countless come from behind victories last year, but still one main difference sticks out: Jarrett Lee.

A 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Texas was supposed to lead the Tigers to victory? Les Miles believed and so did offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.

In one quarter LSU transformed a 14-3 deficit into a 17-14 lead. Behind play calling that had one of the best defenses guessing play after play, LSU switched from a first half team that was a deer-in-headlights to the swaggering, SEC juggernaut that we have all come to know.

Lee's first touchdown to Chris Mitchell for 39 yards gave LSU players one thing: hope.

The second touchdown, Keiland Williams's half-back pass to Demetrius Byrd gave the LSU players another thing: their swagger.

And finally, LSU's winning touchdown, a short screen pass from Lee to Brandon LaFell, gave the LSU team their biggest missing ingredient: confidence.

There are various reasons as to why LSU came out on top last night at Jordan-Hare stadium. Too many to count, too many to state. But the main one, the one everyone saw is Jarrett Lee.

On September 20, 2008, Jarrett Lee transformed from a quarterback prodigy to a starting SEC quarterback.

Welcome to manhood Lee.

Cold Reality of Retirement for Professional Athletes

Chris Ballay — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:49:00 -0400

When I was younger, I never could quite understand how NFL players can spend their entire career never giving into pain, always fighting for the extra yard, only to breakdown into tears the day they retired.

I never understood how these men, born to fight through pain, let everything out during the press conference they called it quits.

Yes, these men love the game. But tears? Why?

I did not find the answer to the question until about 15 months ago. At the time I was a writer for LSU's Daily Reveille. That spring I took on the task of interviewing NFL Hall-of-Famer Y.A. Tittle.

Tittle was one of football's first pocket passers in the 1960s. Towards the end of our discussion, I asked Tittle a few questions pertaining to retirement. As Tittle stated, the hardest thing about retiring is the reality that football, the sport you have played your whole life, is all over.

"When you did have to retire, you missed it many years after that. I know I realized that I’ve been out so long that my memories are fading still I do miss the game. I started playing [football] in the 5th grade. I played for 37 years counting the pros and LSU."

To put it simply, retiring from a professional sport is a little different than retiring at the age of 65. For one, most of these guys, like Tittle stated, have played football their entire lives. When a man retires from his engineering job, you pretty much know that that individual was not an engineer his entire life. Sure, he might of been in the business for 37 years, but doubtful he was always an engineer.

When athletes retire they enter a completely different world. A world that they have not lived in since they were a child. And it is that thought, that realization, that there is no more football, basketball, baseball, and so on, that makes these grown men cry.

This is why you had Michael Jordan return to the NBA twice. This is why shortly after retiring, Brett Favre wants to come back. Despite all the battles these men have endured on the court or field, the reality of living in a world without themselves competing in their sport is too much to bear.

It's a cold reality.

Robert Horry: The Infamous, Average NBA Player

Chris Ballay — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:06:00 -0400

The NBA Playoffs are here yet again, and much like every other year, the constant suckling of Robert Horry carries on. The life or death stories of Horry's incredible postseason shots are once again told to large audiences. People gasp at the man who now has seven NBA titles.

But it's all overhyped. It's all blown out of proportion because when you really look at Robert Horry's career, you see Big Shot Rob was nothing more than an average player on some very good teams. In my mind, I see him as a leech.

In 16 seasons, Horry's career numbers are about 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game Of course, we have to add in his staggering playoff numbers, where Horry has averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Horry has been an incredible clutch shooter in playoff time, but let's stop putting him in the same paragraph as playoff legends Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Jerry West. Horry's name should probably be mentioned alongside someone such as Bill Laimbeer.

If that.

Simply put, Horry made a living by jumping on teams on the rise. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets, where he stayed for four seasons. It was there Horry was his most dominant (10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds in the regular season; 12 points and 6.3 rebounds in the postseason).

Horry won two titles with Hakeem and Co. Following a brief stop in Phoenix, Horry latched on with the Lakers, where he helped win three titles. Horry then jumped ship and landed in San Antonio where he has already won two titles.

After leaving Houston, Horry made a smaller impact on games. From the 1996-97 season to the present day, Horry's stats are around 6 points and 5 rebounds per game, with a slight increase at playoff time.

What is Horry's next move? In a couple of years, Boston may be his next stop to win two titles and further embellish his career. Again, his name will be thrown around with legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Horry will be remembered for his countless big shots—but remember, Big Shot Rob was never the focal point on any of his championship teams. He was never the dominant player.

The media loves embracing the fact that there is a player who has seven rings. Robert Horry is nothing more than the most infamous, average ballplayer we have ever seen.

The Life of an NBA Coach: Don't Step on a Landmine!

Chris Ballay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:26:00 -0400

In general, professional sports are ruthless when it comes to hiring and firing coaches. But nothing holds a candle to the NBA. Don't get me wrong the NFL and MLB are tough, but the NBA is downright cut throat.

And it needs to stop. This is not right. This is not just.

Two prime examples stick out to me the most: Sam Vincent and Avery Johnson. Both coaches were recently fired, and frankly, I believe they were mistakes.

Exhibit A: former Charlotte Bobcats coach Sam Vincent

One year ago Vincent was the talk of North Carolina as UNC grad Michael Jordan recently hired him to be the new coach. Vincent was going to the next best thing to coach in the NBA, but MJ seemed to think it was time to part ways with Vincent after one year.

That's right, after one season Jordan felt a new guy was needed. Correct me if I am wrong, but Jordan has not had was you could call the most "stellar" NBA front office career so far. Wouldn't you think that giving your team's coach needed, I don't know, more than one year to show his potential? I mean one year? That's absurd.

Sure Charlotte went 30-52, but I do believe it was the franchise's best record ever and believe it or not the 'Cats finished a mere 7 games out of the 8th and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

I don't get it. I would think that MJ would realize getting a solid basketball team is not a quick fix solution. So why Jordan, why fire your coach after one season?

Exhibit B: former Dallas Maverick coach Avery Johnson

It is the 2006 NBA Finals and it is Game 3 between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. Dallas currently leads the series 2-0 and is up by 13 with about 6:40 remaining in the game in Miami. Before long it should be 3-0 Dallas! The trophy will be heading to the Texas city in no time!

Then Dwyane Wade came alive and just like that Miami stormed back to win the game...and the next three games.

The Mavs would never be the same.

Ever since the losing the 2006 NBA Finals Dallas seems to be taking more and more steps back. Last year the team was a league best 67-15. As great as their record was the Mavs were manhandled in six games by the 8th seeded Golden State Warriors. Flashforward to this year where Dallas is struggling midseason. The team makes a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd, yet in the the end same result: first round series loss in 5 games to New Orleans.

Avery Johnson the coach of the Mavericks during the city's up and down times was brought in for Don Nelson as the coach who would lead Dallas to promised land (well, he got halfway). The coach was a star in the making, yet in such a short amount of time that all changed. Johnson is unemployed for the wrong reasons.

Cuban, like Jordan, got frustrated and in my opinion will not get a better coach than he had in Johnson. Dallas lost something inside themselves when Miami defeated them. Something that no matter how hard Johnson pressed on would not change in his players. For one, it seems Dirk is universially now known as a flake come playoff time.

Did Cuban get it right firing Johnson for back-to-back playoff exits? I, honestly don't think so. Sure you can say, "Dallas wasn't going anywhere!" But, to be frank I think that has to do with the players on the team. Cuban will find out in a hurry that he had a good coach in Johnson who just needed some time to get over the hurdle...and when he does Cuban will be kicking himself for letting him go in the first place.

Two first round exits are bad, but keep in mind this year Dallas was going against the 2nd seeded team in the New Orleans Hornets. When you look at Avery Johnson's three years it really can be seen that in fact his "failures" were nothing more than blown out of proportion situations.

Note: Avery Johnson is going to get snagged by someone. Here's my shot in the dark: LA Clippers. Also, reports are saying that Larry Brown is headed to Golden State to coach the Warriors....

in two years...