The Road More TravelledWritten by C.J. Felton
With Larry Brown, you’re never quite sure if he is coming or going. What’s almost certain is he isn’t staying - for long.Speculation that Brown might bolt Pistons to become Knicks’ floor boss next season has been rampant since beleaguered Lenny Wilkens departed New York last week. And oft-traveled Brown didn’t do much to help convince management, players, and fans in Detroit that he was staying put. First, he let it slip to New York media that Knicks job had always been his dream, and spoke of his great respect for their President, Isiah Thomas. Then on Saturday, with Knicks in town to play Pistons, Brown ducked media both before and after game, presumably to avoid questions from gathered New York press he wasn’t prepared to answer honestly. Or maybe to see how long and hard wind kept blowing him east. Either way, he left a credibility fire burning in Palace that was approaching five alarms. Why would Brown want to leave what would be any other coach’s dream job in Motor City? He might have most supportive (and most hands-off) owner in professional sports in Bill Davidson, a GM in Joe Dumars who will give him everything he needs to compete for several more NBA titles, deepest starting five in game complemented by an above average bench, almost all devoid of egos, and adoration of some of best fans in league - The Brawl aside. Most coaches in pro sports toil a lifetime to find two or three of those stars align in one job, yet Brown has them all in Detroit. Oh, and there are other 15 million reasons to stay, three years left on his contract at $5 million per season. The answer to why Brown would even consider taking Knicks job is very simple. He is a vagabond whose bags are never fully unpacked. What keeps 64 year old coach moving on is challenge of picking up a bunch of broken pieces, and putting it back together “the right way”. The Knicks certainly present that opportunity. A dysfunctional band of egos, a terrible salary cap mess, hungry fans, and a rabid media all face next Knicks coach. For a born and raised New Yorker, Brown must look at that situation and hum “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere”. Some coaches are motivated by trying to stay at top once they get there, building dynasties and legacies (see Phil Jackson, another strong possibility for Knicks job). In Brown’s case, he shows no apparent interest in record book or how he is perceived once he feels job is done and heads on down road. It’s building process that motivates Brown, and he needs to be looking up at something to fuel his motivation.
| | Greatness Falls at the Hands of a True LegendWritten by Alex Fitzsimmons
It’s implausible to imagine player who broke most coveted record in football being remembered as guy that couldn’t win big game. Peyton Manning bears that ugly scar. After shattering Dan Marino’s single season touchdown passing record, throwing for 49 TD passes, Manning’s legacy was almost guaranteed to be that of one of greatest signal callers ever. That is, until last Sunday, when in three repugnant hours of chaos and confusion, it all melted away.Previously known for his audacity, fieriness, passion for game and his methodically deliberate decision-making ability, Manning was undoubtedly most dominant player at his position. He seemed carry a certain aura that few before him ever possessed. The way he could read a defense, stare linebacker in eyes, shoot a factiously sly grin at him, and in an instant, he’d turn into a magician, and football would end up 50 yards downfield, with defender wondering when play was going to start. Not only was Manning such an artisan at reading coverages, his arm strength and accuracy was and still is superior to any quarterback playing now. It’s not his arm that proved to be his undoing, problem was his swagger. Winning back to back MVP awards demands a degree of respect from league, and prior to being tumultuously exploited by New England Patriots secondary, a decimated secondary lacking it’s best player, Ty Law, Manning yielded a power that said he was man and nobody could stop him. Looks like someone shut power off. But that was old Manning, truly “special” Manning. Now, Manning’s nothing more than a shell of his former self. He’s no longer a truly elite quarterback, just a good passer that wilted when his team needed him most. As touchdown passes rained in Indy, numerous bandwagon hopping fans considered Manning one of greatest quarterbacks to ever play game. He isn’t even best quarterback in game right now, never mind one of greatest ever. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady proved once and for all that he is a better player than Manning, last Sundays 20-3 dismantling of Colts confirmed that. And last season, seemingly infallible Manning was picked off four times in AFC Championship Game against none other than Brady and Pats. The only stat in football is wins, and Super Bowl trophies. Brady is a perfect 7-0 as a starting quarterback in playoffs. But what’s even more astounding, he’s 6-0 lifetime against Manning. Brady is also a two time Super Bowl MVP, at only 27 years old. Manning doesn’t have any Super Bowl wins or even appearances, and he’s a year older than Brady.
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