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 Sports Chick
August 09, 2004 Remember When it Mattered? By: Marty Coultas Welcome back my fellow sports fans. Another summer week has come and gone and now as we head into what little sunny weather we have left, I am reminded this week of all the things we, the American citizens take for granted. As I watched the World War II Air Show at Veterans Park on Sunday afternoon, I ran into several war veterans who had come to our beautiful lakefront for a lovely lazy day of plane watching and sightseeing. But more importantly Milwaukeeworlders, these men were there to honor their fellow veterans and comrades from years ago. These men were there for the fun of course, but were also in attendance to reminisce about their past experiences and chat about the personal stories each had experienced. These men were there to honor the country and the men that they had fought so hard for so many years ago. Point being Milwaukeeworlders, these men remember the important things in life. These men remember when it mattered. Let me elaborate...... As I read two well-known national sports columnists this week, whose names I cannot mention but whose initials are MC and KW, I was saddened by the demise of Team-USA basketball. In fact, I was more than saddened; I was shocked and appalled that I hadn't noticed. The defeat of Team-USA by Italy this week was certainly a shocker to the good citizens of this country but came as no surprise to these well known sports writers who have, apparently, been predicting this repugnant demise for a couple of years. You remember two years ago when Team-USA came in 7th at Indianapolis in the World Championships. Since then, we Americans, the supposed most dominant and powerful team in all of the universe have not only been caught but surpassed by the rest of the world. We cannot play team basketball the way they do and we cannot coach as well as they do and we pay no attention to the fundamentals of the game the way they do. Milwaukeeworlders, please allow me to ask one simple little question..............What in the hell has happened to us? With that in mind, I decided to re-examine my observations. First I thought about the coach. Larry Brown, a guy who has very little record of coaching team basketball and is well known for putting up with "hot-dogging" and personal stats rather than team victory. You know, the coach of the Detroit Pistons, who are a very selfish team. Whoops, wait a minute. I think he is known for being exactly the opposite of that. Then how in the world did he put together a team of these selfish crybaby types who are more interested in personal glory than they are in victory? Hmm. Well, I don't know...... All the players on the team I have had the honor of watching play in person, and we have all seen Dwayne Wade up close and personal right here in Milwaukee. And guess what, he isn't selfish at all, he is a great team player. Well, there you go one guy who might have been the right choice. Oh yeah, that Tim Duncan is really self--, OOPS, no he isn't. Well certainly Iverson and LeBron James and Carmello are. Wait a minute; NO THEY AREN’T. They all have kick-ass stats in the assist department, which might lead one to believe that they are really not all that selfish. Okay, it must be that we are too small to play internationally. Duncan 7'0, Odom 6'10, Boozer 6'10, Stoudemire 6'10. And then there is James, Jefferson and Marion at 6'8. I don't think that the problem is one of size, especially given the talent level of these men. Then the nonsense about no true shooting guards. Puhleeze People! I am ready to admit that there could be a big upset in the Olympics, but I am not about to start bad mouthing our team because we did not send our best players. I think we sent the team that wanted to be there and I think they wanted to represent their country. Remember that there is no Shaq, there is no Kobe and there is no Allen, (Ray, I mean, who “unintentionally” planned his wedding during the Olympic Games). Coincidence? I think not. I think they, the boys that are honored and ecstatic to be invited, as well as their coach will give it every damned thing they have. I suppose there is a possibility that some one will get the better of us but I will lay even money with any of the dozens of writers who are calling for the imminent defeat of Team-USA. I expect that our boys (Note to self, all are African Americans) will give this effort all they have and they will not leave anything in the locker room when it is all over. Anyone who knows anything about the members of this team knows that not one of them leaves anything in the locker room when it is gametime. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all that we can ask and what's more, that is all that it will take to win. With one of the greatest coaches in history and one whose whole system is based upon teamwork, I expect we will once again come home with the gold and then the national media can make up whatever stories they choose to explain that the Europeans or Argentines did not bring their best guys to compete. And it will all be crap because what will happen is that we will win without our "best" guys because we sent the best team we had and they were pretty damned good and they worked their asses off. As for the guys who didn't go, regardless of their “reasoning,” TOO FREAKIN BAD, IT IS THEIR LOSS. And a few additional tid-bits happened over these past seven days since we last spoke.....Let me elaborate..... Some major milestones happened to some great athletes this weekend. Greg Maddux wins his 300th. Congrats to him and to his GUARANTEED ticket to the Hall of Fame. If you see big brother Mike around town give him a big thumbs up. And of course, Elway goes into the Football Hall. And although my last memory of him is a bitter one (Think January 1998) I sure did love to watch him play. By the way, Suzi Favor-Hamilton was awarded the Gold Medal from last years National Championship in the 1500. This came about after the disqualification of “doper” Regina Jacobs. However, Suzi will not be in Athens because of some mystery ailment at the US trials one-month ago. Too bad, I am guessing that she has now probably seen the end of her Olympic dream. There are too many young African women who know that running in Track and Field is their ticket out of poverty and desperation. That is different than using your running skills for personal profit. Oh, and one other thought. Jeff Gordon won the Indianapolis 400 on Sunday despite challenges from such luminaries as Dale Jarrett. He ran over debris about 20 laps from the finish and hurt his air dam but still won comfortably. Jeff had been the fastest car all-day and even after the debris hit the car; he was still the best. I am sorry for all you number 8 fans but there is no question that number 24 is the best driver on the course. Period. No questions asked. CUT AND DRY folks...CUT AND DRY. Jeff Gordon is a truly gifted athlete, regardless of his personal life and his personal problems. No matter who the crew chief, no matter what the track, he is always "the man to beat". He hits obstructions beyond his control, he faces other racing teams whose sole goal is to beat him and he comes onto the track week after week, race after race and kicks their asses over and over and over. Repeatedly. Jeff was born in August of 1971, as was my older brother John. These are remarkable people, those born in August of 1971. Don't ever forget and for goodness sake, don't ever bet against them. I love my brother John and I have unlimited respect for Jeff. You August 71' people are remarkable. I love you both. Obviously, one a lot more than the other. Happy Birthday John, this one was for you. See you in a few weeks! And that Milwaukeeworlders is what I have to say this week. As always, your opinions and thoughts matter to me. Please email me with whatever it is you have to say!!! I always reply just not always what you may be awaiting. And again readers, as I always say......Keep your ears open and your noses clean!!!Marty the Sports Chick
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