We Prayed for a Win TodayWritten by Paul Griffitts
It was thirty minutes before big game; St. James’ Boys School and Holy Cross School were both in their locker rooms waiting to come out for shoot around warm up. Both coaches assembled their teams and began to pray, “O Almighty God today is big game and we pray in your name to give our boys a win.”Pretty comical when you really look at it, both coaches praying to same God for same outcome but only one will get answer prayed for. When game is over, is it team’s skill and player’s talent that will win game or prayer of most righteous coach that wins game. There are examples of athletes appealing to God in every sport. When a player on a basketball team shoots up ball at last second without even looking they say, “He threw up a prayer”, and when a football quarterback throws ball all way to end zone at end of a game hoping someone will catch it they call it a “Hail Mary” pass. So does God answer prayers of one coach and his players over another coach and his players who are in same game? Of course not! Acts 10:33: Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34: Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36: The word which [God] sent unto children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 45: And they of circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on Gentiles also was poured out gift of Holy Ghost.
| | 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.
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