Time Goes By

Still remember watching Jordan and Bird go at it. Where does the time go?

A Sports Fan

If you are a hockey fan you will appreciate the above video.

Even though I am a born Torontonian and have never once cheered for the Habs, I still had a second of awe when I saw this. Seeing all the greats who once laced up their skates and found a spot on the TV every Saturday night in our living rooms made me think how lucky we are to have lived to see them.

I missed out on seeing some of the greats play in hockey, and in every other sport, but just think about how lucky we are right now to have lived to see Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras, Pedro Martinez, Joe Montana, and the list could go on and on for days.

With all the writers out there that bitch and moan about their team and how much they suck, why not write about the game itself. The players who make your night entertaining and just take in the great thing most of us take for granted.

Let's enjoy the thing we call sports.

MJ & Black Mamba

When I saw the winning shot by Kobe Bryant to beat the Heat, I instantly thought about Jordan and his shot over Ehlo and the Cavs.

Seriously, it's the same shot!

Hall of Famer Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is in the basketball Hall of Fame.



Push or no push? Doesn't matter, Jordan has his 6th title.
For more MJ moments, head to ESPN's Top 23 Jordan moments.

Champions

The Lakers are again on top of the basketball world. I don't really have too much to say but congratulations. I am a Lake Show fan and I have been one for some time now.

Just a few thoughts.

Phil "Zen Master" Jackson is absolutely ridiculous. Just think about it, the guy has 12 championship rings!!! He has 2 as a player and 10 as a coach. The funny part is everyone talks about his 10 coaching rings but barely does anyone talk about the 2 he has as a player. Come on, 12?!?!

Kobe is a champion again but this time he did it without Shaq. But I was always thinking isn't Gasol the equivalent to Shaq? Back in the 3-peat days of Shaq and Kobe, Shaq was absolutely more dominant than Gasol has ever and will most likely ever be but he is still a big man that has skills. Everyone talks about how Kobe needs this ring without Shaq to solidify his greatness but he still needed a big man in the middle to do it. Just asking, did Jordan need that big man down low to win his 6 rings? Hmmm...just something to think about.

No denying Kobe is a legend at this point but I still don't think he can compare to Jordan. The NBA is and will always be a league where the big man down low will get you championships and this is why Jordan, in my eyes, is still the greatest.

Derek Fisher is the man. If you went back a few years when the Lakers had Malone and Payton in the lineup when the Pistons were the opponents I specifically said, "Fisher should be starting because if he does, they will win. Bench Payton!!!" Well, I was right back then and I am right now. Fish is the man. He is the prime example of a guy who doesn't have any flash or skills that will dominate others but he has the savvy experience that any and every playoff team needs.

Kobe and the Lakers are at a point where rings are in reach and yes I meant rings with the "s". Now that Kobe has tasted the life sans Shaq on the podium and is within reach of Jordan's 6 titles, the Lakers are most likely in contention for at least 2-3 more rings in the next 3-5 years.

This is the start of a new Lakers dynasty.

14 and Counting

**Apologies for the long absence from the world of On The Fence Sports. It seems life, work, and the books are all conspiring together to keep me away from posting.

The guy finally has achieved his goal of tying the unthinkable, 14 grand slams that Sampras achieved through his career. Congratulations are in order for Federer for, finally, winning the French Open. This story has been covered thoroughly through the world of sports but has anyone really talked about the "other side" of the story? What other side? Well, how about that famous guy who took his #1 spot from him, Nadal.

The whole 14 grand slams is a great story and I know Federer is satisfied with taking the title but if I was him I would still have a little feeling inside me, "do I really deserve this?" Just think about how many years and finals appearances where he finished behind Nadal at the French Open. Nadal is the real deal when it comes to the clay and if I was Federer I wouldn't feel complete unless I beat him at the French Open...finals, semis, or any match at the French.

Don't get me wrong, winning a grand slam is nothing to sneeze over but when it comes to the French Open, in my eyes, Federer needs to beat Nadal on the championship route to be considered a champion on clay. Just think about Nadal winning on grass at Wimbledon.

There is not much for me to say other than, he is the 2009 French Open champion and one grand slam away from breaking Sampras's grand slam record. There is an asterix beside the win at the French, not the same kind of asterix that should sit beside all the steroid abusers in baseball, because Federer lucked out and watched Nadal fall before reaching the finals.

Remember the Bulls before and after Jordan? The teams who took down the Bulls and won the NBA championships didn't really beat the Bulls.

Fuel the Addiction

Finding a way to improve something may be as easy as putting two great things together. Adding the Jordan brand with the AF1 was something I didn't think was going to be a good idea but after seeing this, I'm not totally against it. I would have preferred Nike to keep the two brands in their own worlds but it isn't the worst thing to hit the market.

Looking forward to adding this to my list of shoes.

The Chosen One

Watch CBS Videos Online


The part about him hiring his friends and surrounding himself with his old buddies reminds me of the show Entourage. This guy really does have it all and it fascinates me. His ability on the court and his endeavours off the court are ones that are simply out of reach to 99.9% of the people on this earth. Watching the highlights night after night, I wonder if I'm living and watching the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. Will he bring Jordan down, it is inevitable that Jordan's crown is taken away.

One thing I love about sports is there will always be someone out there, might take 3-5 decades, that will come and shatter every record and every imaginable thought about what the greatest player is made of. LeBron is frickin 24 years old and look at where he is right now. Pro athletes seem to peak at around 27 and maintain their greatness for 3-4 years after. It makes me sick to think about where LeBron is headed in the near future. Is he going to be walking around his hometown with championship throphy after championship trophy.

As I was a little too young to truly appreciate the Jordan days when he was playing for the Bulls. I still remember Jordan "pushing" off on Bryan Russell and leaving his arm in the air after the ball went through the mesh but it isn't the same as what I am experiencing now with LeBron. For all who love the game of basketball or sports in general, make sure to soak as much LeBron as possible. You really never know if someone like this will reach the NBA in your life time.

LBJ AF1

A pair of LeBron inspired AF1's.

Very nice combination of the red with the gum sole. I am always a fan of the gum colour sole. I'm starting to the think that the iconic brand that Jordan created might be in for some competition with LeBron. Okay, before all you Jordan faithful out there torch this blog up and rip it up, hear me out. The Jordan brand is one of my favourite, even though it costs an arm and a leg for the right to own it, and it will continue to be a brand name that will survive for decades to come. There is always a reason for my madness.

LeBron is starting to really make a name for himself on the court, especially if he can lead the Cavs to a Larry O'Brien trophy in the near future. Maybe even grab 2-5 of them in the next 7-10 years. James has this special drive to him, on and off the court, that will never stop even when it seems he has everything in the world. He wants to be the first $1,000,000,000 athlete, yup One Billion Dollars!!! With the power he posesses he has the ability to really challenge Jordan for brand superiority.

There are plenty of things that might stand in his way though. Remember when Vince Carter was playing for the Raptors when his high flying ways was making highlight reels and everyone was branding him as the next IT athlete. Well, as time progressed and reveiled, the Carter brand wasn't a classic that would last through time. The Carter shoes were nice but the VC brand just didn't live up to the hype, not due to the brand, but more due to his role on the court. If LeBron wants to make his brand iconic and be the first billion dollar athlete, he needs to be healthy just like Jordan and make sure to follow his PR representative.

I do see LeBron maintaining his King Kong size brand and growing to iconic and classic status but only time will tell if it actually happens. The battle will rage on between the current heavyweight champion, Jordan, and the up and coming LBJ.

Wonder how many Jordans or LBJ shoes I'll have in the future. Hopefully my salary can support my love of shoes.

Hall

Was this even needed. These guys already have a place in the hall of fame (minus the girl on the left). Kind of weird seeing Stockton without Malone and Jordan without Pippen.

Come on Nike

Why does Nike keep on doing this to me.

I'm not rich you know!!! I don't have money growing on trees!!!

New Jordan Commercial

Pretty sick!

Jordan 2009 Creator

An Interview with the Jordan 2009 designer.




Thanks goes out to FRESNESSMAG.com.