One Of The Strangest Stories In The NBA Season

What is going on with Tracy McGrady in Houston?

Roughly two weeks ago a local television station in Houston reported that McGrady's ailing knee required surgery and he was being shut down for the remainder of the season. Then the Rockets officially denied the reports and said Tracy would continue to heal and would likely play later in the year. Having not played since the first report Tracy McGrady then went on a medical opinion safari, seeking out the second, third, and fourth opinions of as many medical professionals as possible from the sounds of things.

Finally, an ESPN report stated that McGrady told them the consensus opinion was that the knee does require surgery and that his season is officially over...except it isn't. The Rockets were apparently unaware of this diagnosis and are all but refusing to let T-Mac go for the year. Leslie Alexander, the Rockets owner, even released this gem of a quote:

"Daryl (Morey, the Rockets general manager) and I were talking this morning. We both discussed how great Tracy is in the playoffs. There's very few people who have the ability to step up their games in the playoffs and he does. So we're not looking to run away from Tracy."

First of all, how do you not burst into laughter reading this quote? As a Magic fan, I know first hand how 'good' McGrady has been in the playoffs. McGrady has taken a team to the post-season seven times. Of those seven times he has a combined zero wins from all his teams. zero for seven in the playoffs is not exactly raising your game for the playoffs on a consistent basis. Usually you have to get out of the first round at least once for someone to make such glowing remarks about your playoff track record. The closest Tracy has come to getting out of the first round was in 2003 with Orlando when he had a three games to one lead over the heavily favored Pistons (Magic were the eighth seed; Pistons were the first seed). Incidentally, that was the first year that the first round was changed to a best of seven format. So the three games to one lead that would have been a series victory a year before went to a game five, which continued on to a game six, and finally to a deciding game seven...all Orlando Magic losses. Way to raise that game Tracy!

Secondly, if this guy is such a pivotal part of your team as he appears to be for the Rockets why are they so against him getting healthy? If the man needs surgery on his knee get him some freaking surgery. Am I way out on a limb in thinking that if something is wrong and you have the means to fix it you should fix it? Here's some advice for the Rockets: Shut Tracy down, nobody needs him for the playoffs (clearly). You'll be doing him, and probably the team as a whole, a giant favor going forward. Just let this strange story die already.

The Winds Are Changing

I've got to admit, I have grown tired about writing about myself and have decided to stop doing it on this blog. I have found it increasingly hard to get motivated about sharing my personal status as it is not only intensely boring but mostly depressing as well. For these reasons I have decided to change this blog into a topic related affair. I figure I will go the path of sports blog since that is what I seem to read about online the most. That doesn't mean that on occasion, when the right topic should arise, I won't deviate from the sporting world but I plan on at least narrowing down the focus of the blog. Let's get things rolling with the new focus.

NBA
It's All-Star weekend which roughly marks the halfway point in the season. Some interesting stories have started to develop at this point as well. Not being a sports writing professional I am going to start with the Orlando Magic due to an overwhelming personal bias. Jameer Nelson's shoulder injury was a huge blow to a team that was emerging as a very serious contender in the East. After briefly sharing the honor of best record (for one day) the Magic have lost three of their last five since Nelson went down. Few teams need the All-Star break as bad as Orlando at this point.

Another basketball story is that of the Hall of Fame finalists being released today. Sixteen finalists made the cut and though unlikely all could get in under the voting structure for basketball's hall. The headliners of this class include Michael Jordan, who is widely considered the best player of all time; John Stockton, who retired as the NBA's leader in career assists and steals; and David Robinson, who had an amazing career with the San Antonio Spurs that included steady production in addition to being one of four players to post a quadruple double in the NBA. I would be shocked if any of these three didn't make the hall this year and it would be a shame. All three of these players had tremendous careers and provided countless hours of entertainment for me as I began to gain interest in sports as the nineties progressed.

The last story I want to mention is the Shawn Marion to Toronto for Jermaine O'Neal. Sure Jamario Moon follows O'Neal to Miami and Marcus Banks is packaged with Marion but clearly that's not the substance of the trade. Miami really needed a legit center type which Jermaine is if he can stay healthy. Don't get me wrong Udonis Haslem is a solid player but he's a PF not a C. Marion certainly helps Toronto athletically and should give them some good rebounding and perimeter defense from the Forward slot. This trade really works for both teams, and I have to admit I like it from a fantasy standpoint also. I have Chris Bosh in my league and with JO leaving town he should control the paint in Toronto even more now. I also have Haslem and while O'Neal will certainly take some boards from him I am hopeful that he will also take some of the pressure off Haslem. Now teams have to put their centers on JO allowing Haslem to be the cutter and free ranging rebounder he used to be when the more well known O'Neal was in town.

MLB
It's a little early for baseball news as most teams are just now starting spring training sessions and haven't even begun playing spring games yet. However, due to the era we live in now it is apparently never the wrong season for steroid news, which is most unfortunate. Clearly the big news on the steroid front right now is Alex Rodriguez admission. 2001 to 2003 is a pretty long time frame to only have one tainted sample, which goes a long way for putting the flaws of the whole MLB drug testing program at the time. Three years of steroid use for a player of that magnitude is a fairly large scar for the league, especially when he was an MVP winner or candidate every year in that span. It is a sad fact to learn that he was on steroids as he is a great player regardless and was one of the best players in the league when he left Seattle for Texas in the first place. I don't care much for the Yankees but I do like A-Rod (stems from my time as a Mariner fan early in my baseball life). It is my hope that Alex becomes a poster boy for the post steroids era. What I mean by that is this: He admitted to using them, so we all know he did, but what he does now is crucial. He needs to cooperate with the league offices as much as possible and if he leads the league in one statistic this season it should be drug tests taken. If he takes a large number of drug tests this season and has a good season it would serve as an example to the rest of the league that there can be life after steroids.

Aside from Alex himself, I think that baseball's drug testing should be mandatory and more frequent than once or twice a season. Considering the history this league is unfolding with steroids I don't think it is unreasonable to want monthly testing, is it? Of course not, didn't think so. Also, I need to ask who the brainchild was that decided to make samples collected for drug testing anonymous? Who is the sales genius that proposed this terrible festering pile of an idea and got the higher ups to think it was a good idea? Amazing. We took drug tests when I was playing basketball in high school and when we were done filling the cup there was an underpaid school nurse waiting outside the stall to write your name on that cup with a giant black marker. What's wrong with that system that the MLB doesn't believe in?

NFL
Not a ton of news here yet as it is very early in the offseason. I will get more excited in a week when the NFL combine statistics start pouring in. It is ridiculously fun to sit and dive into tons of 40 times and try and decide which player is helping and hurting themselves by being examined like some sort of equine. Odds the lions get the first pick wrong again this year? I'm going with something in the area of 2 to 1 as I am guessing they take Stafford. I really don't think that there is a QB worth taking at the top spot even if your starting QB at this point is Dan "I'm not sure where the endzone ends and I begin" Orlovsky. The right move is trading down, but who wants to jump up and how badly? Who knows.

Until next time sports fans, take care of yourself and don't inject foreign hormones into your blood streams unless you want to make the baseball hall of fame! Errr...wait...

Happy January 27th everybody. Few things happening in what is becoming my extremely boring life. I may or may not have mentioned that I play World of Warcraft. If I haven't, I play World of Warcraft. Except for the last week as I haven't logged in for around eight days now. Not really sure why just needed a break from it I guess. When you are unemployed and play WoW it can really start to eat up some of your awake hours.

I'm still applying for jobs left and right with little to no prospects on the horizon. The most notable job application since my last post is my compensation associates application with Google. That would be pretty righteous place to work and it's in the bay area which would be ideal for me. Far enough from my hometown where I don't have to visit all the time, but close enough to friends and family that I could visit when the need arises. Though considering I didn't hear from Google on the first application I sent their way and the fact that the job market is flooded with people likely far more experienced than I, I don't exactly expect to have anything come of it...unfortunately. Optimistic, I know, but that's just who I am.

In sporting news the Superbowl is just around the corner. We didn't get the all bird matchup that I was hoping for and the Steelers are favored in the game, as they should be. I am really pulling for the Cardinals though, especially because their division is so terrible and nobody gave them a shot because of it. My Magic have slipped a bit in the last week after having the best record in the NBA (by percentage) for a day they have lost two straight and after tonight's game with the Pacers they have to face Lebron and a very good Cavs team. We really need to get back on track tonight and head into that game with the Cavs with some confidence. The offense looked pretty out of sync last Thursday against the Celtics with the exception of only a couple players.

Yesterday marked the beginning of my fourth week of my new healthier lifestyle. I weighed myself again and am down to 182 pounds. That is eight pounds lighter than I was when I started this adventure of fruits, veggies, and everyday exercise. Ten pounds in a month was more than I could have expected and I am on track for that easy. I am pretty excited about all of this and it only came with a small price of not having alcohol or sodas and taking care of myself since new years. Wasn't a problem at all. Jon Adams: being a better human sine 2009. That will sound much more prestigious in five to ten years I'm hoping.

Well, until next time everybody. Take care and go Cards!

It has been nearly two full weeks since my last post so now is as good as time as any to update the ongoing non-happenings that is my life. The job applications continue to pour out into the world with minimal returns. I've heard back from only one job in the last month and that was an email response last Tuesday. The email was to ask what the best time to contact me via phone was and I responded the same day saying that I would be available anytime during the day on weekdays. Of course, I haven't heard from this potential employer since then. Such is life.

In the sporting world we are down to only two remaining teams in the NFL playoffs. I must admit I was rooting for a Cardinals and Ravens showdown in the Superbowl. No definite reason for this, mostly just because the Ravens were the underdog and I am kind of tired of the media coverage that is afforded to certain teams in the league (Steelers included). The Cards making the Superbowl is nothing short of amazing. Everybody, including myself, counted them out in round one but that is why they play the games. I will be rooting for them in the big game and I have become a fan of Larry Fitzgerald throughout these playoffs. Does anybody work as hard as that guy does? I mean, he carries at least an extra five pounds in dreadlocks and still can't be stopped. It really is impressive.

In the NBA I find the lone bright spot of my favorite sports teams. The Orlando Magic find themselves with the second best record in the league behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last Friday's game was especially sweet for me because the Magic were in LA playing the Lakers. To fully understand what makes this a sweet game for me you must hold two truths. The first truth is that the Magic won this game by a final score of 109-103. The second truth is that my father is a lifelong Laker fan and thus they have grown to become one of my least favorite teams (because that is just the kind of sports relationship my father and I have). I can't wait to see what the Magic can do once they get Pietrus' defense back after his hand heals up. I am not saying we will finish with the best record in the league or anything but I do believe we have a real chance to make a serious run in the playoffs if we can stay healthy.

On the new year's resolution front, I am happy to report that I have and continue to stick to my workout regiment and dietary changes. I weighed myself on Saturday and I have lost seven pounds over the first two weeks. That is more than I could have anticipated. I feel lighter and generally much better about myself. I haven't had an alcoholic drink since new year's or a soda since I implemented the changes into my life. My friends find me to be slightly boring I think, but I am also useful as a sober driver so it all evens out. Now if I could only find a girl who is as boring as I am...

That is it for now friends, I hope to have something to report soon. Until I do I hope that everyone who stumbles across this finds themselves well and in good fortune.

New Year's Resolutions

Well the new year is upon us and I couldn't be happier to see 2008 go. Don't get me wrong I love even numbers and all, but the past year has been a rough one to say the least. Graduating in May was great but the half a year of crippling unemployment has been, well...crippling. Alas, that is the negative and this, being a new year, is the time to focus on the positives. I've already sent out approximately 4 job applications which is almost 1 a day in 2009. At that rate I am bound to find something soon...uh...right?

Another bright spot is my main new year's resolution. I found a website that outlines a 16 week program for getting 6-pack abs. Seeing as I have little else to do and I wouldn't mind having a toned midsection (hey, can't hurt my chances with the ladies I suppose...though my incredible awkwardness will likely do that for me) I thought I would make it my new year's resolution. The website is www.iwantsixpackabs.com in case anybody running across this blog wants to check it out. I am only 2 days into my first week but I can say that following the dietary outlines for this brief time has already helped me feel healthier and the workouts have to be working (nobody in the history of man has ever been as sore as I was today).

That's it for now, I hope everyone had a great holiday season and here's wishing you a happy new year.

My Slacking Ways...

Anybody who may have read the first couple of posts knows that I've slacked on my goal to post at a one post per week rate. For this, I apologize. I have no excuse other than my pure laziness. I am still searching for a job and writing cover letters for applications has taken some of my time, while applying for unemployment has taken some as well. Times are tough.

My fantasy football championship week was this weekend and I was fortunate enough to sneak into the finals. Despite losing Tom Brady in week one and having my second rounder lead the league in drops from a wide receiver (I'm looking at your Braylon Edwards), I got some playoff breaks to go my way and got to the money game. I ran into the regular season points leader and scored one of my higher totals of the year but was outdone by a better week for my opponent. It happens, I was just grateful to be in the money after the injuries and hardships my team had sustained all year.

The holidays are upon us as Christmas is only a couple days away now. Being unemployed it's a bit of a rough year for gift giving but have figured out a few gifts to give my close family members. I would share them but my only fans might be said family members so perhaps after they've received them. I will say merry Christmas because that is the holiday I celebrate with my family (and egocentricity is fun for one), however, I do want to wish everybody a happy or merry whatever holiday they celebrate during this season. I will post again soon, everybody be safe.

Fantasy Football, Unemployment, and Not Much Else

It has been just over a week since my last entry and, frankly, little has changed. I am still unemployed and looking for a job while staying at my parent’s place. I guessed I really picked the wrong year to graduate from college. In the off chance that somebody looking for a recent college graduate to fill a position I majored in marketing at San Diego State and also completed the English minor. I have an internship in the marketing department of a publishing company in the bay area. Great, glad we got that out of the way. Not much to report on this week, though the playoffs for my fantasy football league start this week. I am the fifth seed going in, but have had a pretty quick drop from when I was second in the league just three weeks ago. I am just proud that my team made it to the playoffs despite losing Tom Brady after seven minutes into the season. I also dropped Matt Cassel after his first two mostly terrible games, which proved to be something of a mistake of late. My recent decline can be attributed to my having to choose between Jake Delhomme and David Gerrard each week (which I more often than not do incorrectly). Braylon Edwards is also a big reason I didn’t finish a little better. He came into the season with a lot of hype and has really not lived up to any of it. The only stat he leads the league in is dropped passes, ouch. It doesn’t help that both the first and second string quarterbacks are injured for the rest of the year either. I am going to sit him this week in the first round since the Browns are playing the Titans. I want no part of that with Braylon. That being said, I really don’t see myself winning. I will let you know how it goes but I don’t think it will be well.

Outside of fantasy sports, I have applied to another three jobs this week. I have yet to hear from any of the jobs I’ve applied to in the last couple weeks and it’s quite discouraging (especially with my credit card and student loan debt well exceeding my bank account at this point). It’s become more and more difficult to even find part time work. After re-reading this last small paragraph I find it rather depressing so let’s just try and move on…

Christmas is almost here. It is nice to be back up in Northern California with my family for the holidays again. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been able to see them on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. That appears to be the silver lining to my chronic unemployment.

Well, I feel like that is all I have at the time being. I don’t recall if I mentioned it last week but I like to write poetry and have posted most of my poems on my myspace page. I will most likely not be re-posting any on this site but should you want to read them my space can be found by clicking here. I went with Hartford the whale because I am a big fan of the movie Mallrats and it is a blurb from one of my favorite quotes from Brodie Bruce (played by Jason Lee). In addition to the poems there I will likely post any new poems I get around to finishing on this blog as well. Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s entry and hopefully soon I will have something of more interest to report on. Like a job, that would be grand. Live well.