I was watching the Miami game last night, and I realized that i was really pulling for the Heat to win. After awhile I realized this was the case, and was completely blown away. I have always hated the Heat. Even more odd, i have always liked the Pacers. After mulling this over in my head, i realized I was pulling for Gary Payton. But not just Gary, I wanted the Heat to win because they had Gary Payton. This is not normal. Gary has never been my favorite player, and even if he had, he certainly isn't now. I recalled watching the Spurs in the finals, who had Brent Barry, whom I have been a much bigger fan of, and not rooting for them. So, my question to you is; Does anybody else feel this way about a certain player? I don't mean, 'Do you cheer for your favorite player?' I mean is there a player in the league that for some reason, whether it be sentimental or otherwise, you just want to see them win? No matter what team they go to or what role they are playing?
Well I was really going for Detroit when they won their first championship with this current group two seasons back, and GP was my idol while he was in Seattle. Strange, maybe it was just the Malone/Kobe factor.
Jamaal Tinsley, and to a lesser extent, Big Game James. Tinsley, in my estimation, was the best college point guard that I have ever seen. He was one bad call from taking a team that was predicted to finish 7th in the Big 12 to the Final Four and the next season he took a team that was as talented as the team I'm coaching right now (and that isn't meant to be a compliment) to winning the Big 12 regular season title. Marcus Fizer has him to thank for being the 4th pick in the 2000 draft and Paul Shirley has him to thank for being in the league period. He hasn't had the career that I expected him to have yet but that is more of a byproduct of Carlisle grind it out system. When Rick takes the handcuffs off of Tinsley you will see a player who is capable of leading the league in assists and steals and being a top 5/perennial All Star caliber point guard in this league. Even when Carlisle buried him on the bench when he first arrived two years ago, I was still pulling for the Pacers knowing that he couldn't remain on the bench forever. This season I think that the Pacers will come out of the East mainly b/c I think that that Tinsley has matured into a championship caliber point guard. As far as Big Game James, I loved the way that he played in the 2002 playoffs against the Spurs and I've kind of stuck with him since. Though I wish that he wasn't playing under the guidance of America's biggest con man, Larry Brown. I still believe when motivated he is one of the top 7 true centers in this league. He just isn't motivated by anything other than a contract extension. I find myself rooting for the Knicks for the first time in my life b/c he is on the roster. I've already circled December 6th on my calender.
We all saw what Tinsley was capable of last season when he had to take over the team - he is a tremendously talented player and one of my favourite guys to watch. However, as a fellow Sonics fan, I don't see how you can like Jerome when you admit yourself that he isn't motivated by anything other than money. The amount of Seattle time and Seattle money he wasted due to exactly this makes it impossible for me to like the guy.
GP was my favorite Sonic ever, but I don't even consider the 1990s him and the 2000s him the same person, so I don't really root for him. I do root for Brent "The Shocka!" Barry, however.
Monster game from Jerome today. Three minutes, no points, a rebound, two turnovers and three fouls. That's the BGJ we all know and love!
There is a reason why he's called Big Game James and not Every Game James. I'm sure that on December 6th you'll see a better effort.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">There is a reason why he's called Big Game James and not Every Game James. I'm sure that on December 6th you'll see a better effort.</div> Assuming he even gets on the court. He's behind AD, Curry, Rose and Frye right now, and probably Jackie Butler too by the time December rolls around.
I've found myself rooting for the Knicks in the early going as painful as it is to do. I just can't not like a team with Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford on it. I'm usually religiously against New York sports teams but I just can't help but pull for them this year.
I like Mo Cheeks from his days with Doc, Moses and Toney. Seems like a class guy, like when he rescued that girl singing the anthem. Funny thing is, I hated the Blazers when they had all those knuckleheads and he was the coach (lived in Portland at the time, too). So I don't mind seeing the Sixers do well this year.
I seem to find TJ Ford interesting, partially due to his horrific injury last year and the way he's dealt with itm so I suppose I have a "soft spot" for him. Another guy like that is Joe Johnson because I like his style of play. Unfortunately, he's not doing too well this year, but I still like him.
