Finally Common Sense Seems To Be Prevailing Well At Least I’d Like To
Think So !
Ah the Jim Tressel episode has now come to an abrupt and discerning end . And with it the mere pomposity and conceited actions of Gene Smith and university President E Scott Gee The sheer stupidity and asinine attitude of two of the university’s highest administrative officials has simply been beyond belief . Gee and in particular Smith have shown poor judgment throughout this whole episode . What might be even more unpalatable has been the audacity of Lou Holtz to even now suggest that Tressel’s actions shouldn’t overlook the good that he’s done for the school over the course of his career. I find it hard to believe that Holtz would seek to defend the coach’s action given the lengths to which Tressel went in lying to senior faculty members and then getting coaching staff subordinates to suborn his actions. But then again the college fraternity of coaching seems to be one big ol’ boys’ club where anything goes just as long as you don’t somehow get caught. However , once that happens it’s everyman for himself but within the fraternity of college coaching who knows what really goes on behind closed doors ?
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Slide show for your perusal .
Can someone simply explain to me how the hell this mess went on and with so much of it happening within the public domain ? Tressel and the entire football team haven’t played by the rules and the deeper one delves deeper into this mess the more unsavory this matter becomes . I simply do not believe that this whole episode is now over because of the wide ranging allegations that have taken place. The proprietor of the tattoo parlor where many of the Buckeyes’ players got their tattoos free of charge as we’ve been led to believe or in some cases the players were paid to autograph pieces of memorabilia that would be sold at a later date at a private auction. The owner Edward Rife , of the business in question has been indicted by a Federally appointed grand jury for grand larceny , racketeering , the sale of illegal narcotics, money laundering and drug smuggling . Suffice to say there’s a great deal that the school would rather gloss over along with the apparent idiocy of their actions.
Well the NBA Finals are now upon us and though it might not have been the matchup that everyone had envisaged it will be one that could very well deliver a great deal of intrigue . The Dallas Mavericks will face the Miami Heat in game one of the 2011 NBA Finals with games one and two being played at the AAArena in Miami , Florida . The two teams met in the 2006 NBA Finals with the Heat coming on top over the Mavericks . On either side there are ony four players from the respective rosters from those Finals in 2006 , with those players being Dirk Nowitzki , Jason Terry of the Mavericks and Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat. Wade would end up being the Finals’ MVP of the series , laying the foundations for his meteoric rise within the NBA .
For Heat President Pat Riley he may well feel that this is the vindication he sought having made the acquisitions that have bolstered this team . His young protege` Erik Spoelstra has coached this team to the success that they’ve attained this season . That notwithstanding , I do believe that this series won’t be as straight forward as some may well believe because of the Heat being looked upon as the prohibitive favorites . I’ve no doubt that the Heat are duly being rewarded as favorites but I tend to think back to the NBA Finals of 2004 when a highly favored Los Angeles Lakers’ team came up short against the underdogs ___ Detroit Pistons who manhandled that star laden Lakers roster. When the makeup of your roster at the time includes future bound Hall of Famers such as Shaquille O’Neal , Kobe Bryant , Gary Payton and Karl Malone you’re expected to win handsomely . However in this case , the Lakers in their sheer and utter complacency got a drubbing that left a bitter taste in their mouths . That 4-1 series loss showed in fact how lopsided this victory was for the Detroit Pistons whose coach Larry Brown may well have had his proudest professional moment in the NBA , courtesy of his team. I’m not about to suggest that the Heat will wilt under the pressure of expectation but can you imagine what the fallout might well be should they fail to deliver ?
As many of us may well felt that the LeBron James — Jim Gray interview brought to us courtesy of ESPN ” The Decision” was more about hyperbole than being anywhere near substantive in terms of content . James came off as being self serving , conceited in the aftermath of the interview and the Heat in many ways became the pariahs of the NBA . In many ways I look at this all as the monster that NBA Commissioner David Stern created because now the NBA has become more about its marquee superstars rather than it being about the teams . In so much as Stern would want to have us believe that there’s still a team philosophy about the brand and its overall sale to the public . Simply look at how these Finals are now being advertized for the fans and public’s consumption ? It hasn’t been about the two teams involved but more to do with unfinished plot lines and the fact you have players such Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh , Jason Kidd and James in particular still looking for their first NBA title .
I’ve no doubt that the viewership for these Finals will be a ratings bonanza for ABC and the impact it will have for the NBA globally will be significant . James has now become a marketing machine though not yet the heir apparent to Michael Jordan but you can imagine that the player and his management company will be looking for the financial bounty that will undoubtedly come about in aftermath of a Miami Heat victory with numerous corporate clients looking to associate themselves with the superstar.
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Picture gallery for your perusal .
This series has the makings of being an instantaneous classic if it lives up to the perceived hype . But I am simply looking forward to it being a completely entertaining and competitive series above all else. And I would certainly like to think that Dallas and Miami can serve us up with something that we will find entertaining throughout the length of the series , no matter how long it may well last . I don’t think that I can put it anymore succinctly than that !
Alan aka tophatal …………………………
Picture and slide show details below .
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(1) FILE – In a March 8, 2011 file photo, Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, left, sits next to E. Gordon Gee, Ohio State University president, during a news conference, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State announced Monday, May 30, 2011 that football coach Jim Tressel has resigned as the NCAA investigates the Buckeyes for possible rules violations. The school says Luke Fickell, an assistant head coach under Tressel, will serve as interim head coach for the 2011-2012 season. AP Photo/Terry Gilliam ……
(2) Ohio State students Curt Stine, left, and Matt Parker hang a sign on their porch near campus in support of former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, Monday, May 30, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. Tressel, who guided Ohio State to its first national title in 34 years, resigned Monday amid NCAA violations from a tattoo-parlor scandal. AP Photo/Terry Gilliam ….
(3) Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor arrives in this Nissan 350Z, center, to a players only meeting Monday, May 30, 2011, at the Woody Hayes Complex, in Columbus, Ohio. AP Photo/Terry Gilliam ….
(4) Ohio State players arriving at a players only meeting Monday, May 30, 2011, at the Woody Hayes Complex, in Columbus, Ohio. AP Photo/Terry Gilliam …….
(5) MIAMI, FL – MAY 30: Dwyane Wade (3) of the Miami Heat talks to the press during practice before Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on May 30, 2011 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida Getty Images/ Mike Ehrmann …….
(6) LeBron James (6) of the Miami Heat laugh looks on during practice before Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on May 30, 2011 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Getty Images/ Mike Ehrmann …..
(7) An exterior view of the American Airlines Arena before the start of Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks on May 30, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images/ Mike Ehrmann …..
(8) Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, right, points as teammate Dirk Nowitzki, left, laughs during an NBA Finals basketball practice Monday, May 30, 2011, in Miami. The Dallas Mavericks will play the Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday. AP Photo/David J. Phillip …..
(9) Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Terry listens to a question before an NBA Finals basketball practice Monday, May 30, 2011, in Miami. The Mavericks will play the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday. AP Photo/David J. Phillip ….
(10) Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, left, and team owner Micky Arison talk during during the team’s practice session, Saturday, May 28, 2011, in Miami. The Heat will play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals on Tuesday. AP Photo/J Pat Carter …….
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Theoraclesays's Blog 
If Gee and Smith should actually step down in their roles at the university it would be in the best interests of the school if they’re to keep their now tainted integrity in tact .
I’s here to tells you all we’s gonna whip Mr a Jim before we’s accept his resignation .
Listen here you’re the best house ni_ga we’ve got so I expect you to do as I say not as I do !
Gee and Smith are this decade’s answer to Stepn-Fetchit and his infamous scenarios that he willingly participated in to merely entertain ! Care to gather a guess as who’s who ?
tophatal ………..
The heat on Jimmy T must’ve been gettin’ good.
We both know the school would have done everything possible to keep him around.
Looking forward to more dirt being uncovered.
Chris Humpherys
Keep him around ? What part of the FBI is investigating the tattoo parlor and their business operations was so hard to understand for both Gee and Smith not to think that it wouldn’t be in their interest to suspend if not fire Tressel ?
Hell Tressel , himself had spoken to a FBI agent but he failed to let the school’s faculty know of this .
As for Lou Holtz that mother fu_ker simply gets dumber by the second !
? Money laundering , drug trafficking and alleged connection to organized crime ? C’mon now I know you’re not that naive ! But Smith and Gee have to be don’t you think ?
Like I implied in the initial response comment Gee is akin to Step-n-Fetchit ! The house nigga who simply obeys his master because that for all sense and purpose has been what he’s done in this case and made the school simply idiotic as this all unravels .
tophatal …………….
Check out this story behind the OSU allegations.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/05/30/jim.tressel/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a6
Has a lot of dirt in there.
I’ve always disliked OSU, so I can careless about the sanctions which are about to be imposed on the school.
Maybe Big Blue might win a game now!
I’m sure Wisconsin, Penn St. and Nebraska are celebrating right now.
I can assure you, this will take a huge step back for their football program, especially if they are banned from any bowl games.
Also….
Go Heat!
I have the Mavs with a passion.
HATE*************!!!!
jgome
Dirt ? Sh#t would come off with a better smell than the Buckeyes program at present ! Gee , Tressel and Smith are two of the biggest as_holes to be in academia at any level . As for Holtz coming to Tressel’s support ….. what else can be said given his own predilection for being truthful .
That SI piece simply scratches the surface when you know consider the charges that the tattoo parlor owner Ed Rife is now up on courtesy of the Feds .
The NBA Finals I sincerely hope won’t be as clear cut as some think it may be ! Purely because of LBJ’s dumb ass tv interview with Jim Gray I want to see the Heat upended ! James came across as an ingrate and self serving but I should know by now that when it actually comes to sports journalism ESPN isn’t the source that I really ought to looking at to even act with impartiality to begin with . They continue to bow to the lowest common denominator at all times .
tophatal ……………..
jgome
If Penn St , Nebraska and Wisconsin are said to be celebrating then look for another shoe to drop. Look at the Oregon Ducks and the fallout there ? ‘nough said on the matter me thinks ! LOL,LOL,LOL !!! I simply don’t believe that there are now any truly clean programs at all at the collegiate level ! They all find a a way to skirt the rules even if it’s something of a minor transgression . Way too much money involved and not enough benefit to the student athlete by way of a real education .
tophatal ………..
Yeah, there every top DI football program is the nation cheats somehow someway. Booster are always giving athletes money. At Tech (when I was there), Crabtree was diving in a bad ass GNC Yukon Denali, with some sick rims and tires. Him, coming from the ghetto of Dallas, has no way of affording something like that. Boosers and Alumni had to had some kind of ordeal in that. I’m just saying alot of college have boosters and alumni paying these kids so they can attend their schools. It’s hard for these schools to land the top football recruits in these little shitty towns.
jgome
I don’t think that they’ve even touched the tip of the malfeasance that has gone on ! The NCAA is powerless to stop much of it and were it left to the state agencies they couldn’t be impartial if any misdeed concerned a state ran college .
I think that the biggest hindrance is with the actions of the agents and with some of them being given free rein by some college campuses to come and go as they please , never mind the various alumni associations , the boosters and their less than savory actions at times .
Saban last year bitched and whined about the actions of agents but low and behold several players on the Tide’s football team had contravened the very same rules he harping on about . So much for the AD and compliance officers at Alabama . In the aftermath of that those players were given a warning but as we know that simply doesn’t mean sh_t to the players . If they want to flout the rules and break them then they will no matter what the cost ultimately could be . I mean the NFL hasn’t adopted a strict enforcement policy as it relates to a draft prospect having contravened NCAA rules upon their entrance amongst the professional ranks and until they do without a deterrent in place these kids know that they’ve got it made.
I like Pryor’s ride Nissan 350Z with tinted windows and all the trimmings no doubt ? Can’t have cost him do you think ? LOL,LOL,LOL !!!
Nicole McLean says she wants a ride in TP’s road warrior. Can TP handle both ?
tophatal ……….
When will people wake the blank up and realize the NCAA is just a bunch of crooks disguised as well meaning butt holes. It is all about the money and the wins. The kids are getting screwed. It is called meat on the hoof. Dave Meggasey, Please read it. Tressell is another coach in a long line that are held up as Gods’ but in reality they are making millions off of 18-22 year olds. The rest of idiots at ESPn are part of the problem. In pro sports you know what you get-most of time FIFA is all about kick backs and payoffs. Pay the kids.
The NBA is boring. So is the NHL. Snooze time.
We will knows how garbage the NCAA when we hear the ruling on Ohio State. USC got made ineligible to make a bowl game for 2 years regarding their allegations. IMO, Ohio State’s is much worse, especially when you have drug exchanges at a tattoo parlor. I’m curios to see if they are ruled bowl ineligible; which I think the should be for 3-5 years after that stunt. I can understand issues with money or cars and whatnot, but drugs? C’mon now.
jgome
If the NCAA wants to keep what little integrity it still has then they’d better punish the Buckeyes with impunity . Ban them from being Bowl eligible for at least two years , take away scholarships and then deal with Tressel himself because he has brought the the football program into disrepute .
An asshole like Lou Holtz should simply shut the f#&k up and the same too with Jack Nicklaus who’ve come out in support of the beleaguered coach and tried to suggest that his actions were simply an error in judgment . Fu#k it, he (Tressel) repeatedly lied to people who mattered with the exception of the FBI because there he knew what the repercussions would be should it come out at a later date in litigation that he committed perjury.
Buckeyes we want you ! The Feds that is .
As to the cars if there’s any impropriety there I can you assure that those dealerships don’t want to be on the wrong end of a federal or state investigation from the Attorney General’s office .
Can you imagine how Reggie Bush and Cam Newton are feeling right about now ? LOL,LOL,LOL ! Jeez son we dodged a bullet !
tophatal ……………….
Bobby Gee
The NCAA conducts itself no better and no worse than how the Senate , House and a President’s ——- administration goes about conducting their business . They simply curry favor by doing what they deem to be in their own best interest and that of their closest allies rather than those that they are there to serve.
Well as we all know ESPN simply glosses over certain stories and the ones that drive up the ratings they’ll pound to death like a hammer hitting a nail on its head until that nail is actually pounded deep down into a piece wood.
tophatal ……………