Saunders to the Pistons, Larry to the KnicksWritten by John Onan
What it means to these two teams Well, news of Larry Brown’s departure from Detroit and expected arrival in New York has finally come to pass. As expected, Flip Saunders, embattled former Minnesota Timberwolves coach has now taken help of a team that has reached NBA Finals last two seasons; winning it all in 2004. First off, I already understand that Saunders in no Larry Brown; and that may be good news for Piston’s organization and their players. The focus should be on team and not on if coach is flirting with other teams for head coaching jobs and/or front office positions. The center of attention should remain on court, where this Pistons squad is proven winners. The core of this team is still very young and window remains wide open for more championships. If Brown were to remain in Detroit, General Manager Joe Dumars would more of less be admitting that this team can’t win without him. And in return, this team would spend next season, and any thereafter with gypsy coach at helm, with prospect of Brown always curious whenever one of many NBA jobs open up for discussion. Brown went as far to say about Knicks opportunity that it was his “dream job “. Well, by looking at Knicks roster of returnees, this dream could turn into a bad one relatively quick. With Stephon Marbury running show, “I” remains permanently ensconced in this team. Good luck Larry, getting Marbury to buy into “team consept” and playing defense. It has yet to be done by any coach ever to encounter a guy who still believes ballgame revolves around him. And before anyone compares Marbury to Brown’s guidance of a young Allen Iverson, he’s not even in A.I.’s league; never will be. Isaiah Thomas continues to mismanage team and it’s finances, bringing in role players and expecting them to flourish in a town that will tell you exactly what they think of you if you’re not performing to those inflated expectations. Jerome James and Quentin Richardson are not answers to Isaiah’s frontcourt prayers. Channing Frye is a nice draft pick, but he won’t get ball unless he rebounds it, as long as Marbury and Jamal Crawford are launching jump shots.
| | Who Else Knows These Facts About TrampolinesWritten by Paul Johnson
"El trampolino" was Mexican word for "diving board", and one of many words in common usage, which was once actually trademarked as "trampoline".The first gold medal awarded in Olympic trampoline competition, went to Irina Karavaeva, of Russia. The event, which took place at 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, was witnessed by George Nissen, 86 year-old inventor of trampoline. The famous picture taken in late 50s, of inventor George Nissen on a trampoline with a "tame" kangaroo, was only accomplished by Nissen holding its front paws when they got on it, so animal could not kick him. The Gillingham Jumpers, a club based in Kent, England, is largest known trampoline club in world, with 1500 members bouncing around Jumpers Rebound Centre, every week. Trampolines have entered arena of "extreme sports", with some centers offering a combination of bungee jumping and trampoline jumping, where participants wear a harness attached to bungee cord rigging, that allows them to bounce extra high off trampoline, without danger of falling if they lose their balance.
|