The Show.

Whatever happened to having pride in an identity? In sports, the ability to develop and maintain an identity is a hard thing to do but doing so creates a sense of pride for a program. It's an underrated part of sports that can go a long way in an organizations success, however in recent years there's been a noticeable spike in the number of teams trying to, "create new identities," which is code for, "we're terrible so we're going to change our uniforms and try to create some new excitement about our team." I understand the concept but I have a problem with teams doing this.

This week's edition features special teamsters, Heat coolers, Sid the Kid (yes, again), some girls who are really good at basketball and the big man in red. Enjoy!


What Up Kick Returners - This week was a big week for returners. We saw Devon Hester break the all-time record for the most returns for touchdowns in a career. We saw DeSean Jackson win the game for the Eagles against the Giants off a punt return with no time remaining on the clock. But perhaps the most entertaining return of the week was made by Dan Connolly of the Patriots. Never heard of him? Probably because he's always in the trenches. The 6'4", 313 lb. guard used his blazing speed to return this kick 71 yards. He wasn't quite able to heave his way into the endzone but it's still one of the best returns you'll ever see, and if you haven't seen it yet you need to:

Every Friday, as the second of three new installments at The Show (the third of which will be coming very soon), is Philly Phriday. I recently commented that being a general sports blogger requires me to be objective, but Philly Phriday is an exception. This is the day that I get to praise/complain about my favorite teams, but there's not much to complain about this week if you're a Philly sports fan. Usually on Philly Phriday I'll zero in on one team or player, however this week is a special week so we're going to do a group post.

What Up Wednesday is one of three new installments (the other two will be coming to you very shortly) on The Show. The concept of What Up Wednesday is to give weekly doses of props to those in the sports world whose achievements deserve some recognition. Soon to be coveted sports honor sought by the world's top athletic figures, What Up's will provide an easy way to catch up on the good going on in the sports world. So, without further ado:


What Up Ruben Amaro Jr. Being a sports blogger requires me to be objective, so I need to make it clear that I'm not doing this because I'm a Phillies fan. I'm doing it because what Ruben has done can only be defined as a colossal achievement that will effect the entire National League for years to come. Phillies fans have spent the last year "what-ifing." Fans were greatly disappoint when the team traded Lee after the '09 season, but of course ecstatic about acquiring Roy Halladay. However, there was always that lingering question in the back of their minds that wouldn't go away no matter how well the staff pitched: what if we hadn't traded Cliff Lee? Now Phillies fans can rejoice because Ruben Amaro Jr. has ended the "what-if" days and spawned the "best-rotation-in-baseball-history" days. Cheers Ruben.


What Up Brett Favre. Brett gets two what up's this week. One for his amazing streak. No matter how much you hate the guy you have to respect what he has done. 297 games in a row in unbelievable. It's a record that may never be broken and the man's legacy will always be that of a warrior because of this streak. Although annoying, Brett deserves congratulations on this amazing feat. His second what up is for ending the streak. Yes, it's a great streak, but we've been waiting for it to end for years now, so thank you Brett. However, if you attempt to break your own record your What Up will be stripped.


What Up Sidney Crosby. You're in the midst of a 19-game point streak, during which you've acquired 38 points. Your team is 2nd in their division and 2nd in the NHL. And you lead the league in points (51) and goals (26). Oh, and you've done it all with a really dusty mustache. I'd say that just about does it.











What Up San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are the first team to 20 wins this year and they've only lost 3 games. The Spurs have shown that they'll without a doubt be contending for a ring this year. The biggest question with the team is whether they'll be able to stay healthy. However, they have five players averaging 12 PPG or more, so their offense is dynamic and they get contribution from more than one or two players.









and finally...




What Up DeSean Jackson. This celebration is - well, words don't quite do it for me. I just want to thank you.

Whatever happened to having pride in an identity? In sports, the ability to develop and maintain an identity is a hard thing to do but doing so creates a sense of pride for a program. It's an underrated part of sports that can go a long way in an organizations success, however in recent years there's been a noticeable spike in the number of teams trying to, "create new identities," which is code for, "we're terrible so we're going to change our uniforms and try to create some new excitement about our team." I understand the concept but I have a problem with teams doing this.

The culture of the NBA is built on a foundation of youth, flash, attitude and showmanship. The league thrives on excitement - huge dunks, alley-oops, buzzer-beaters, etc. However, despite these things being that which the NBA thrives on, to thrive in the NBA takes something else that isn't quite as marketable or exciting. If you look at some of the NBA's top teams - the Celtics, the Spurs, the Lakers, for instance - there's something they all have in common: a strong veteran presence. It's not something that you can teach and you rarely see it on the highlight films. The qualities in a player or team that the media values often differ from the qualities that truly make a player or team successful - and having veteran players with winning experience that play with these unnoticed qualities will carry a team much further than the plays you see on the highlight films.

The media tends to bend people's perceptions of what's important regarding a player. When you turn on Sports Center in the morning and watch highlights, you see the nicest plays of the day. Often times people will use these plays to determine a player's value, which often times will end up as a skewed opinion of how good that player really is. Instead of looking at dunks to determine a players value, look at a players ability to win games. Look at Andre Iguodala. He can jump through the roof and some of his dunks are staggering. However, he has shown over the past few years that he doesn't bear the abilities to win games or carry a team. However, the media would rather show Andre Iguodala jumping through the roof for a dunk during a 76ers loss than Tim Duncan hitting the same bank-shot ten times in a Spurs win. Can you blame them though? No offense to Duncan but he's boring, and always has been. More effective than anyone, but boring, and that's not a knock on Duncan, it's actually a compliment. He plays a simple and effective game. The point I'm trying to make is that the media can't always show what wins games because sometimes those things can be boring. However, they're significant and need to be recognized.

The top teams in the league have more than an ability to look flashy and make it onto the Sports Center Top 10. What makes great teams is their ability to be more than one-dimensional. Let's go back to the teams I mentioned earlier - the Celtics, the Spurs, and the Lakers - and recognize one particular stat that epitomizes why these teams are so successful now. The combination of Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and Pau Gasol are a +100, which is the best in the league as of Dec. 7th. The combination of Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Peirce and Rajon Rondo are a +77 at this point, which is the second best in the league. I think you know where this is heading. The combination of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, and DeJuan Blair are a +71 which is third best in the NBA. On top of that, these three teams have a combined six players in the league's top ten for individual +/-. It's no coincidence that these teams are amongst the best in the league. The +/- stat in basketball is extremely revealing. A player may average 20 points a game for a season but if he also averages a -5 rating, what does that say about him? It says that he'll get his points but ultimately his offensive ability isn't enough to benefit his team. It says that when he's on the floor, his team gives up more points than they get. The perviously mentioned Lakers combination is +100 through 20 games this season, which means they're averaging 5 more points a game than whoever else is on the floor against them. This tells me two things: the Lakers can put up points, and they can play defense. Many players and teams can only do the first, but it takes both to be successful in the NBA.

The +/- stat is among many other telling stats you don't hear about often mainly because they're not marketable stats. You'll never hear ESPN say, "tune in to watch the +42 Kevin Durant take on so and so." You'll hear, "tune in to watch points leader/ppg leader Kevin Durant take on so and so." That's what people want to hear and that's what's marketable. People want to see offense, flash - the things I mentioned earlier that the league has built a foundation on. However, to win, a team needs more. This is where it comes back to teams being experienced. Teams in this league need to have players that know how to win and that know how to play on both sides of the ball. Kobe Bryant is known as an explosive offensive player, but he knows how to play defense too, which is a big part of why he and the Lakers have been successful. They're at the top of the league again this year, and if this year's standings don't convince you of the need for players like this, let's take a look at who has won NBA championships over the last ten years: the Lakers have won five times, the Spurs have won three times, and the Heat, Celtics, and Pistons have each one once. Each of these teams had a core of veterans that played a significant part in them winning. I can't even think of a team who has won without such a presence.

We are constantly shown the flash but that's not what wins. It's the Tim Duncan's, the Pau Gasol's, the Kevin Garnett's - amongst many others - that win. These players know how to play in a way that will help their team's win, which is different from just getting 20 points a game. It's important to overlook what's shown to us on TV (namely dunk after dunk after dunk) and to instead look at what aspects a team has that makes them win or lose. The highlights are great but come playoff time they're not going to matter as it's the often unnoticed yet significant attributes a team can consistently play with, along with strong veteran leadership, that will carry teams to championships.

Welcome to The Show's first ever podcast! We're pretty excited about bringing some audio to our followers and we hope you enjoy it. Since this is a new feature, feedback would be much appreciated.

In this edition I'm joined by Ryan Pinder who's the play-by-play voice of the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, a contributing writer for NHL.com and a freelance writer and broadcaster. The NHL is on topic as we talk the good and bad of the league at this point in the season, salary cap, Steven Stamkos and the Lightning, hits to the head, PK Subban, NHL attendance and more.

Enjoy!





Ryan's blog can be found here

When you think about a legendary athlete, past or present, it's hard to think about him adorning colors other than those which accompanied him while he made his mark on the game. Jordan will always be thought of as a Bull, not a Wizard. Smith will always be a Cowboy. Abdul-Jabbar will always be a Laker, Ruth will always be a Yankee, and Jeter will always be a Yankee. However, despite the certain stability of his future legacy as a Yankee, Jeter's current status as a member of the team in which he solidified his legacy is a bit shaky. Jeter is currently in the midst of a contract negotiation with the Yankees, however, the initial deal offered by the Yankees - 3 years, $45 million - may not be enough for The Captain. It's hard to think about Jeter in anything but pinstripes, but if this deal is going to get done both sides have some key factors to consider.

The Yankees are well aware that the 36 year old Jeter isn't going to be around forever. He's headed towards the end of his illustrious career and it's clear that his prime is past him. However, he's still a valuable player that can produce and lead. With that in mind, it's evident why the Yankees are offering what they're offering. Jeter's last contract paid him $189 million over 10 years, and they'd be crazy to offer him anything close to that. You can't pay a player based on his legacy, you have to pay him for what he is. Mike Modano, a future Hall of Famer who will go down as one of the greatest US hockey players ever, is currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings after signing a one year, $1.25 million contract this offseason. It's clear what this deal was about - the Red Wings wanted a seasoned veteran who knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, who can be a strong mentor, and who can undoubtedly play a huge leadership role on the team. Mike Modano simply wants to win. He knows he's reaching the end of his career, and because he has accepted this fact, he's able to take less money in exchange for a legitimate chance at winning a Stanley Cup. The Red Wings are able to acquire players at a low price because these players know they have a shot to win. The Yankees are in a similar position. They have the money and talent to compete for a championship year in and year out, and when you consider what they've paid Jeter in the past, as well as the opportunities they'll be able to offer him as his career nears its end, a slight pay cut for the Hall of Fame shortstop should not be too much to ask. I don't know what Jeter wants, but I do know that many players, regardless of what sport they play, want one thing as they reach the end of their careers, and that's to win. If the Yankees are smart, which they appear to be at this point in negotiations, they'll recognize two things: that they can perhaps offer more to Jeter than he can offer to them, and that Jeter should be paid for what he currently is, rather than being paid for the legacy he'll inevitably leave behind when he's done playing.

It's being reported that Derek Jeter's agent is asking the Yankees for $23-$24 million a year for 4-5 years, which makes it seem as though the two sides are seeing a different Derek Jeter. The Yankees see Jeter as a star on the decline, having hit .270 this past year after hitting .334 in 2009. Jeter and his agent see a player who is still worthy of a top-dollar contract that will be able to maintain his game after hitting the back side of 40 years old. If Jeter gets the contract he wants, he'll be playing at 40+ by the time the contract is through, and he'll be gaining more money per year than he did with his last contract. Apparently, the Yankees don't view this as appealing, which is completely understandable. He made about $19 million a year with his last contract, and now he's asking for more per year despite the apparent decline in his game that has the Yankees considering other options. They've already invited Jeter to explore the market which makes you question their desire to bring him back. With that being the case it seems as though a legitimate standoff could take place between these two parties, which means Jeter will have a decision to make. If he's going to stay with the Yankees and sign with the initial offer they proposed he'll most likely end up taking less money than he would if he decided to sign with another team. So he can either fulfill his legacy as a Yankee, perhaps win another championship, and take a bit less money, or explore the market in search of the best deal. To me, Jeter can't lose whichever way he decides to go, but I think the latter is not as respectable a decision, and picking that option could ultimately have a negative effect on his legacy. It seems that his career is on the decline which is why the Yankees aren't willing to pay him what he wants. However, it's perfectly reasonable to believe that another team may step in and offer him the money he's looking for.

The Yankees have the power to get nearly any player they want, which is why this particular situation is so intriguing - maybe they just don't want Derek Jeter that much. It's hard to believe, but this day was bound to come. If Jeter had hit .300 last year it'd be a different discussion, but it seems as if the Yankees believe Jeter is on his way out as a player, and they're either going to pay him less than he wants or go get someone else. That's Yankee baseball. They'll give you the money but you have to prove your worth year in and year out. They don't need to pay you if they can pay someone who they believe is better. It's hard to believe that this would happen to Jeter, who will go down as one of the greatest Yankees ever. Everything he has ever accomplished as a ball player has been in pinstripes: 5 World Series Championships, 11 All-Star games, 5 Gold Gloves and 4 Silver Slugger Awards, just to name a few of his accomplishments. Now, we're seeing the possibility of Jeter adorning something other than the pinstripes. It's hard to imagine him in another uniform, but its worth mentioning that if he does go to another team, no matter how well he does there, he will always be a Yankee.

Thanksgiving is a little bit different for every family, but if your family is anything like mine, your Thanksgiving has always been accompanied by a strong presence of sports - football in particular. My Dad and brothers have a tradition of going to a high school football game on Thanksgiving morning, and at night, after stuffing ourselves, we end up on the couch amongst all of our extended family watching whatever game happens to be on. To me, this has always been a big part of what makes Thanksgiving so special. I'm not sure why, but the day just wouldn't be the same without football. Maybe it's the fact that I'm able to bond with family members over the sport, whether we're talking about what the Eagles need or how much we hate the Cowboys (which inevitably happens at every family gathering). Maybe it's the fact that, to me, it doesn't get much better than sitting on the couch by the fire, stuffed to the brim with great food, watching a football game.

Unfortunately this year I'm missing Thanksgiving with my family for the first time. While it's hard to think about being away from them at this time, I find myself thankful and lucky to have a family worth missing so much, and it gets me even more excited to finally see them again at Christmas. So with this in mind I wanted to write a post in hopes of wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and to remind all those out there to appreciate those you have in your life. For some families, this is one of the few times during the year that they can be together, and there are also those who don't have a family to go to during this joyous time. Take the time to realize and appreciate who you have in your life - whether it's a small or large number of people - because it's these people who make life special. A lot of things in life come and go before you even realize they're gone. Having a few people that'll be with you until the very end is one of the greatest things you can have in your life.

So, whether your celebration on Thursday will be coupled with sports or not, have a great Thanksgiving, eat way too much, and appreciate what and who you're able to celebrate with.

Anyone who has ever been on the playground during recess can appreciate what the NHL is doing with this year's All Star Game. Every league has a goal of keeping its All Star Games innovative and fresh so they can maintain fan interest, and the NHL has a history of switching things up and trying new formats. For a while they did North America vs. The World as opposed to East vs. West, but this year it's a whole new game, and in my opinion, a much better game. This year, two captains will pick from a field of players and the two teams will play. Pretty simple, just like the days of touch football in elementary school. With this format, instead of playing for a conference that a player probably doesn't have a ton of pride in, said player is playing for someone who picked them for a reason. This boost's up the pride factor which should make it a more intriguing game from a player's standpoint, which in turn will make it more interesting for fans. All Star games are notorious for being bland but I think this will put an interesting spin on things and make the game much more interesting.

One of, if not the most important part of any All Star Game is fan interest. How are you going to assure that fans are going to be interested and intrigued? Every league has tried different things to maintain a strong fan following. The MLB made their All Start Game matter by awarding the winning league home-field advantage in the World Series, and in the midst of receiving criticism about the declining interest in the NBA slam dunk competition, the NBA and it's players began to make things interesting by incorporating props, costumes, and even food. Fan voting is a good way to ensure interest, but only to an extent. Luckily, the NHL hasn't given fans 100% say in who is in the game, but they've given fans the power to choose the top six players (a goalie, two defensemen and three forwards), which is a very happy medium. The league will pick an additional 36 which will assure that the right players get into the game. Out of the 42 selected players, two captains will pick the team's they want, regardless of what conference the players are in. This will make it the best game possible for two reasons: The first reason is that the east vs. west format doesn't assure a good matchup. As we've seen in baseball, the AL has dominated the All Star Game by for the better part of the last decade, losing just once since 1997. With captains picking teams, there will be much more parity and will thus lead to a better game. The second reason is that the captains may not necessarily pick the best players, but rather the right players. It's not always about having as many top goal scorers on your team as possible, but rather having the players that will work well together and give you a well balanced team.

A big argument for those against this All Star Game's format is the fact that someone is going to be picked last. I'm sure you remember this process as a kid: the captains pick the best players first and when it comes to the last few players feelings inevitably get hurt. To me though, if I'm considered the worst All Star in the NHL, I'm still an All Star in the NHL, right? Being named to the game is enough of an honor, and if I'm picked last I could care less. Of course that's just me, but these players are grown men. I'm sure being picked at all will negate any hard feelings or embarrassment, if there's any at all.

I was skeptical of this change at first because it's such a dramatic one, but the more I've learned about it and the more I've thought about it, the more I like it. It takes pro hockey to the pond where all that matters is playing the game. It'll be a lot of fun to see these players playing for each other rather than playing for a conference. Although All Star Game's in general are known for being somewhat sluggish or trite, I think this new format will add a bit more energy and pride to make it a game of interest. Whether it will work or not, I have no idea. All I know is that the league has my interest as a fan, which is essentially their goal.

It's always disappointing when a situation of high hope and excitement turns to one of despair and disappointment. A month ago when the Vikings acquired Randy Moss it was the move that was going to get this team back on the right track. However, after the team put Moss on waivers earlier this week, Brad Childress told the media that the acquisition of Moss was a poor decision and that he was (obviously and understandably) upset with how it worked out. This situation has really been a lose-lose for both sides - the Vikings, who have underachieved all year, were focused on turing their season around with the acquisition of Moss, and now find themselves in a hole after getting their hopes up. As for Moss, he may be in the midst of a premature and unexpected downfall from his status as a premier wide receiver in the NFL. So now both sides have to be asking themselves one question - what now?

For the Vikings, this season seems to be a lost cause. They're 2-5, and to win the division they'll have to catch the 5-3 Packers, who have a very strong team this year. There is of course a slight chance of this happening, but the Vikings are going to have to be close to flawless the rest of the way if they want a shot at the division. But what are the chances of that happening? Keep in mind this is a team with a beaten and battered quarterback who was only mediocre when he was healthy, a defense that is average and a coach who is losing control of his team more and more as the days have gone by. Unless something changes, I'd say the Vikings can kiss their playoffs goodbye. With that being said, I'd say it's time for the Vikings organization to do a little rearranging, starting with the coach. Brad Childress is losing control of this team, and it's gotten to the point where players are questioning his methods. The players don't seem to have trust in him and when that's the case it's extremely hard to win games. To be a great team you have to have players that buy into a system and philosophy, and if a locker room is divided it makes it almost impossible to achieve success. The Vikings need a new leader - someone that the players trust and someone that is going to bring in the tools the team needs to win. Speaking of which, the next thing the Vikings should be doing is excusing Brett Favre from his role as the team's quarterback, because it's clear that he isn't fit for the position anymore. He had a great year last year and many people thought maybe this was the year, but it clearly hasn't worked out that way, and it seems as if Brett is finally over the hill. The team's current system clearly isn't working so it's time to start fresh. Give Tarvaris Jackson the ball and let him be this team's new leader. It has to happen at some point and there's no use in delaying the inevitable, especially when the inevitable is going to be a better situation than the one you're currently in. The Vikings have a very talented team, but the problem lies with their big pieces - unfortunately, this team's biggest flaws occupy the most significant roles on the team.

As for Randy Moss, I think people foresaw an exit like this. It's nothing new with him. However, I think it happened a lot quicker than people expected it to. Just a few weeks ago Randy was the last piece of the puzzle for the Vikings; he was the savior, and now he's the goat. People are blaming the team's shortcomings on him and his lack of production, and to make matters worse his outburst during Sunday's press conference was the straw that broke the camel's back. Now he finds himself in a difficult position. He's been claimed by the Titans but they were the only team to put in a claim for him (according to NFL.com). He's been banished from two programs in less than two months, so who would want to sign him? Signing a guy like Moss is a catch 22 - you're getting a proven player who, when he's at his best, is one of the best players in the game, but his ego may cause unwanted tension or division amongst the players and management. Also, when he's not his best - which he hasn't been in a very long time - he's simply a liability. It's a lot like the situation Allen Iverson finds himself in. He's a proven player but no one wants to take the risk of signing him if all he's going to do is complain about playing time, make it about himself and create division on the team. To win these days you have to be able to manage your team - the second you have a player trying to make it about himself you're headed for trouble, and that's why a player's character is such an important factor in the acquisition process. Would you rather have a solid player who keeps his mouth shut and plays hard or a great player who may or may not create a divided locker room. I'm not saying all great players have this quality but it's easy to recognize the risk with a player that does. The key for Moss now is to just keep his mouth shut and play. He's not the receiver he once was and it's time for him to accept that, because if he doesn't he could find himself without a job very quickly.

When it comes down to it, these are two parties that, though uncooperative together, are ironically bonded by their current situations. Both have been doing things a certain way that once brought them success, but now those methods are failing them. So there's two ways to handle this: one, you could stay on course and keep doing what you're doing, even if it's failing you. Two, you can change your ways and figure out what needs to be done to remain relevant. Both parties need to realize that if they want to excel the latter is most likely the best way to do that, although it's certainly easier said than done.

Movember is finally here and men everywhere are celebrating accordingly by starting their quests to display with pride the best mustaches they can muster. For those who don't know what Movember is, it's a month long effort to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer, which is one of the most common cancers found in men around the world. October has become Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a lot of the efforts surrounding this cause are based on utilizing the color pink. Movember is very similar, however instead of sporting pink, men sport mustaches.
To help celebrate this great cause, spread the word of Movember, and hopefully inspire men everywhere to join the effort, I found it necessary to share some of the best duster's* from the world of sports. Enjoy.


Jared Allen is more man than most, and if I'm a quarterback and I see those handle bars coming after me I'm running for the hills.



George Parros - what else needs to be said?


Mike Ditka knows all too well that if you want to be a champ you have to look the part too. Well done sir, well done.


Lanny McDonald - if a mustache could grow a mustache, this is what you'd get.


As if Jason Giambi's size weren't enough to strike fear in a pitcher...


I have been a strong advocate for Brendan Ryan's mustache. I was extremely disappointed when he shaved it - he's simply a better ball player with that muzzy*.


Rollie Fingers - the man that has the stuff legends are made of.


Last, and most certainly least, Adam Morrison. I'm sorry to all of those who actually had to see this, but I just couldn't resist.


Hopefully all who read this will now feel inspired to join the cause. Men, have some pride and grow one. Women, tell all the boys who aren't growing one to man up.

Click here to learn more about Movember and join the effort!




*=synonym for mustache