Bay Area Choke Artists

The Bay Area, Northern California, is best known for its natural scenery, with the ever-popular lake Tahoe resorts, the beautiful mountain snow, and Silicon Valley . Lately, however, the Bay Area has taken on a new persona...when it comes to sports. Two words: CHOKE ARTISTS.

If you're a Bay Area resident, then I don't need to say much to convince you that we (the Bay) need a LeBron James-like figure to lead us to the light again.

How long has it been since the Warriors won a title? Since the 'Niners won a Superbowl? (1975) Since the Raiders made the playoffs? (2002) Since the Giants made the playoffs? (2003) Since the Athletics won their division? (2006) Since the Sharks won a title? (Never.)

Bay Area sports fans haven't seen a championship, or a championship-worthy team for that matter, since the A's won in '89 against who else but the Giants, another Bay Area team.

Sure, there's talent in every sport that the Bay has to offer; Barry Bonds of the Giants, Barron Davis of the Warriors, Joe Thornton of the Sharks...but when put under the microscope, these guys haven't really accomplished much, from a Bay Area sports fan's perspective.

Here's the proof: the Giants blew it against the Angels in the world series, the Warriors playoff flop versus the Mav's, the A's only reaching as far as division champs (with the best pitching rotation in baseball at the time mind you), and of course, the Sharks' 2009 playoff run...yuck!

So the only question is, who will be the one to lead us to victory? Will it be the ever-popular new kid on the block, fresh out of Texas Tech, wide receiver Michael Crabtree? Is it "Baby Face" Tim Lincecum, last year's NL Cy Young award winner? These guys are the talk of the town (or the Bay, for that matter), but do they carry the caliber of a star athlete? Someone who can carry the load from start to finish...and actually finish!

Cleveland has LeBron, L.A. has Kobe, N.Y. has Jeter and Eli Manning, Boston has K.G. and Paul Pierce. The Bay has...some explaining to do!