How do we stop it?

Sexual assault, football program, small town...

Do these words sound familiar? It should be, and unfortunately it's a string of words that have rang in our conversations and news reports for far too long. It's a disease that has infiltrated academic institutions for years, whether it's in Happy Valley, Tallahassee, Steubenville, or more recently Knoxville, there has been a long trail of pain, power, and criminality that has been a part of the football environment as much as the pigskin and tailgate parties.

What happened today in Waco, Texas among the allegations of nine sexual assaults that led to the firing of long time head coach Art Briles and the re-assignment of Baylor University President Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr) will appease some. Granted, there are still those who will still think that the NCAA is out to get their beloved school (because never mind the women who were attacked against  their own will, as long as we beat Oklahoma! Go Bears!) but they bleed green and gold. However, it's not the fans who are the problem, there's a reason fan is short for fanatic. It's much bigger than that.

Whether it's the Catholic priests who are molesting young boys, or the recent stories by actors such as Elijah Wood coming out against the rampant pedophilia in Hollywood, the theme is the same: a crime has been committed by someone in power, and the higher-ups look the other way, hoping it will go away. The media who is afraid to challenge the system because of fear of losing access, to the police force in these small towns who dismiss the reports, everyone is accountable when they know and won't do what is necessary to bring this evil to light.

Rather than focus on the problem, it's time for solutions. There needs to be an independent counselor assigned to these institutions when an accusation comes about. Someone who can thoroughly investigate these matters without threat of obstruction. Someone like, I don't know...their own Ken Starr!

Sexual assault is no joke, and the time for administrators, law officials, and media to start dealing with this with the severity it deserves. Although Briles should be held accountable for his lackadaisical approach to reprimanding his players, his primary focus should be on developing players for being successful each Saturday in the Fall. He is no preacher, and that is where leadership above him comes into effect.

It's as Starr said, "Our hearts break for those whose lives are impacted by execrable acts of sexual violence." Starr told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "I am in favor of transparency. Stand up, take your medicine if you made a mistake."

It's time for these football institutions to get a taste of their own medicine and be held in check. It doesn't matter how many wins you get over your rival, when innocent people are violated and left to defend themselves, everyone loses.

In Spirit vs. Truth

They say that rules are to be enforced by the letter of the law, yet we do 30 mph in a residential district and don't get a speeding ticket. We give one child who spills their juice on the carpet a mere "tsk, tsk", and the one who wrote their name in crayon all over the drywall gets put in timeout. Teachers, don't you sometimes let the A-plus student turn in their homework a day late yet give a "0" to the class clown if they do the same thing?

Rules are meant to keep order in society, to restrain those from doing harm to themselves or to others. We've seen rules get enforced differently in the gated communities as opposed to the Section 8 housing ghettos of America. There's a reason for that, and it's that same reason why Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn't get suspended for tonight's Game 4 against Oklahoma City for the infraction you see above.

Now, upon further review I also believed that he shouldn't be suspended for what he did. For those who have played basketball, you know all about the purpose of deceiving the officials into giving you a phantom foul. He purposely attempted to flail and in the process happened to make unfortunate contact with the Thunder's Steven Adams. NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Kiki Vandeweghe presented his views on the matter yesterday. However, not everyone believed that was the real reason for not suspending Green.

Noted ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith stated that the main reason they should not suspend Green was the fact that it wouldn't be right to have the Warriors play at full strength. He argued that it had nothing to do with the league rules, but moreso about ensuring that the Western Conference Finals would be more entertaining with Green playing, and that it's not fair to the networks or the fans who pay outrageous ticket prices. Although he did bring up that the intent to hurt Adams was not there by the spirit of the law, the truth is that the focus of his rant was more about entertainment than enforcement.

This is where I strongly disagree with his reasoning. Yes, I agree that he should not be suspended, but the need for entertaining television should never be a factor when it comes to enforcing rules. The NBA has had a history of being accused of favoring certain teams (2002 Lakers) and poor officiating on the grandest stage only reinforces that notion. I remember the outcry when the Phoenix Suns had two major players suspended for leaving the bench in the 2007 Conference Finals against San Antonio, and I agreed with the ruling back then. If that is truly the league's reasoning (although they'll never state it) then they are setting up a bad precedent down the line. Even though the spirit of the law can be interpreted, it should never cloud the truth of doing the right thing, regardless of fan reaction. 

Perseverance in Pain...

The first Olympics I remember watching as a child was the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Now, I didn't know any better as a young lad, but I was happy about those nasty no-good Russians not participating and the Memorial Coliseum being filled with the red, white and blue. The first race I happened to watch on TV was the 3000 meters final, and there was apparently a lot of hype behind it. The two major competitors were Great Britain's Zola Budd and the darling of the USA team Mary Decker. What happened next was and still is a controversy that will be discussed for decades...

What I remember next (other than my mother repeatedly shouting out "She tripped her!") was watching the emotion of tears streaming down Decker's face as she watched her dream of Olympic Gold go down onto the stadium track. I just remember feeling a sense of disappointment along with her, and every time I would watch a runner lose a race, regardless of magnitude, that same feeling would come back. Perhaps it was because it is a display of how fleeting victory can be, and that years of hard work would disappear in a moment's notice. However, that paled in comparison to what took place at the Big Sky Outdoor Conference Championships last week.

Granted, she had already qualified for the finals, but instead of taking the easy way out and sitting down after rupturing her Achilles right after the race started, her decision wasn't even a debatable one: to keep on racing. She realized it wasn't just about her pain in the moment, it was about something larger. We often allow the slightest of annoyances to throw us off the goal, but remember, it's not just for our own interests that we have to continue on. There are others that are counting on us, looking at us to see if we have what it takes to finish the task. As someone who left college 15 years ago, only to return in my late 30s, I had to come to a realization: that it's not about what I wanted to accomplish, but to let future generations know that when life knocks you down, you have to get back up.

Erdahl, like so many others before her, got knocked down, but never quit. If you live long enough you will get knocked down too, and pain will be in the process. However, allow that pain to help you to grow, fight through it, and keep your eyes on the prize ahead. It will come in due time.

Leave it to chance...

2.5 grams of celluloid....

That is what will determine the future of 14 cities and the fate of many young men as the NBA Draft Lottery take place tonight. However the ping-pong balls of destiny bounce, it will direct how legendary franchises such as the Philadelphia 76ers (who are experts at this by now) and the Los Angeles Lakers have to move forward after very disappointing seasons. For teams such as Utah and Minnesota, tonight will be more about taking that final step towards becoming contenders in the postseason. For some, Christmas will come in May and for others, heartbreak at the realization that they are forced to wallow in the mire.

But should it? No, this isn't a referendum on changing the lottery process. I've never been a believer in the whole "lottery is rigged" campaign. Now, I would propose that to make it even more enticing, show the actual process of picking the balls out of the container on live TV, similar to those lotteries you see on the local evening news. If you are in Los Angeles or Sacramento, wouldn't you be glued to the TV set wondering if you are getting Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram by the bounce of the ball?

That being said, many teams look to the draft as a life preserver for failed decisions of the past and developing a culture of losing. Take the Timberwolves for instance. This is their 12th year in the lottery, and they are just now getting top level talent that can eventually result in playoff appearances. The 76ers have embraced losing like a fine cologne, yet whomever goes to the City of Brotherly Love will find themselves wrapped with 20 year olds who are a boat with no rudder. Acquiring talent is one thing, developing them into winners is another thing all together.

I'm not against tanking, sometimes it takes a scorched earth process in order to eventually grow. However, if you have poor leadership at the top, it won't matter who you select at #1. Shaquille O' Neal didn't leave Orlando because he wanted to do movies in Tinseltown; he left because of weak-kneed management who didn't place the right people in place over the organization. There's a reason Tim Duncan spurned Florida to remain in San Antonio; the culture established by Gregg Popovich encouraged him to stay there.

The point is, too many of the teams vying to turn it around overnight are like the man who never maximizes his 401k, or the fool who parts from his money on fast cars and fast food. Those are the ones you find at the 7-11 scratching off tickets in hopes of making it big in one fell swoop. The people who you find obsessing over Powerball are the same ones who never bothered to be wise stewards of their finances, or never develop their skills to become valuable in the job market.  Ever see that show "The Lottery Ruined My Life?" those people are similar to the teams who got the #1 pick but draft Kwame Brown (sorry Wizards fans).

So to you Lakers fans who think getting Ben Simmons will be the cure-all, just remember that euphoria will disappear when you realize who you have running your culture. A person who trusts in a Lucky 7 or thinks a weekend trip to roll the bones in Vegas is a person who has no lasting foundation, no matter what riches may befall you. Wealth is nothing without the character to maintain it.

The Big Payback...

Memories can be a tricky thing sometimes. The best ones are quickly forgotten, only to be recalled at a later date. However, it's the ones that cause the most pain that seems to linger like an old wound that never heals. Go back to the moments of your greatest disappointment and think about how long it took to move past it. Whether the event that happened to you was external or internal, the burden hardest to bear is living with the memory, even harder to erase it. That's why what took place in Arlington, Texas yesterday was a symbolism of a memory that stayed with the Texas Rangers long enough. The question is: was this best way to erase it? With unsubstantiated payback?

For those who may not remember how things started, I'll take you back to last October, Game 5 of the ALDS. The Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays were locked in an epic 3-3 tie. The Blue Jays, who had not been to the postseason since 1993, were in the bottom of the 7th when star player Jose Bautista stepped up to the plate:

With that, 23 years of frustration in the Rogers Centre went up into the upper deck, and while the Canadian faithful celebrated, the Rangers had the memory of vengeance on their minds, particularly due to an insignificant celebration by the Blue Jays' cleanup hitter. However, they had to wait until their last matchup of the year to exact their method of revenge. The Rangers decided to hit Bautista and he then does a direct slide right into Odor at second base, beginning the melee. Then it becomes a donnybrook as the benches cleared. At the end players were ejected and while the Rangers may have thought it made up for losing the playoffs, they only looked more foolish.

Baseball has been known for its long memories. Remember this incident?

For those who lived outside of the Big Apple and didn't watch, this was when Roger Clemens (allegedly) threw shards of a broken baseball bat at Mike Piazza. Now, back then it created a media firestorm of "The Mets need to get revenge on Clemens!" for a simple act of aggression. It resulted in one of the worst throwback pitches of all time...two years later! I hope it was worth it, because for a team to listen to the cries of the fans in some pointless desire for retribution shows the height of immaturity.

 

The Bible teaches us to "Not let the sun go down on your wrath." If there's a problem we need to learn how to resolve things quickly. Granted, some things do take time, I certainly know that from personal experience, but it is also said that he who angers you controls you. Will you allow your thirst for revenge to consume you, or will you allow forgiveness to be your way of life?

Evolution has passed you by...

Believe it or not, there was a time in which the NBA did not have a 3 point shot. It's true, look it up. Prior to the 1979 season, there was no such thing as the 3 point shot. As of 2016, the league has gone completely 3 crazy, to the point where championships are being decided not so much by how talented a player may be (although it still pays to have a superstar) it's whether or not they can shoot the 3 pointer. We're seeing 6'11 guys like Anthony Davis learning how to shoot the trey, and GMs are building teams that are built around the perimeter. 

We've all marveled at the greatness of now 2-time MVP Stephen Curry and his video game like display of offensive wizardry and superhuman marksmanship from beyond the arc (and in some cases half court). As a matter of fact, he has been largely credited for how the league has morphed from the land of the giants to a jump shooting exhibition the likes of which have never been seen on the game's highest level. Teams that cannot shoot the 3 aren't long for success anymore. Centers are virtual dinosaurs, and the days of the Charles Oakley-like enforcers are passe. However, not everyone feels ready to embrace the new-age NBA, as evidenced by former player Tracy McGrady. For those who may not remember how great of a player "T-Mac" was, here's a hint:

Recently, upon being asked of his opinion of Curry winning the award, T-Mac felt the need to have his "Hey you kids, get off my lawn!" sermon on the Mount...

"For him to be the first player to get this unanimously, it just tells you how watered down our league is," he said. "Think about when [Michael Jordan] played, Shaq,  I mean, those guys really played against top-notch competition, more superstars, I think, on more teams than it is in our league today."

Now, he has been joined by the chorus of one Sir Charles Barkley, who has long championed the cause of opposing the league allowing teenagers to be drafted (never realizing that it wasn't until 10 years ago when the league instituted a rule that players had to be one year removed from high school before joining) and thinking that led to the "watering down" of the league. They believe that these players do not possess the all-around skills to become great players by coming out so early. This is ironic considering that McGrady, who never played in college, became a great scorer and we've seen LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant become first-ballot Hall of Famers without ever having to deal with March Madness. 

Even worse, the older generation seems to really have a problem with the evolving 3-point assault on the game. Yes, it has impacted the center position and makes it even more of a necessity to have great perimeter players, but think about this: change is inevitable in all walks of life. The advent of technology has changed our healthcare, education and private sector jobs. It has impacted how we communicate with loved ones and has created a bevy of careers not once thought of even 20 years ago (until 10 years ago, there was no need for a "social media director"). Sports is a microcosm of life, and when change occurs, we have to understand that it is not to destroy the traditions and values that we hold dear, but to show that there are different means to reach the end goal. 

Take one look at our political theater, and you will notice the "Silent Majority" who support Donald Trump still holds on to what they consider traditional mores, not realizing that the rest of the world has advanced into new ideas and new levels of understanding. It's why more moms are pulling their kids out of football with the knowledge of terms like CTE, and why we are no longer allowed to smoke in a metal tube going 30,000 feet in the air. We may laugh at guys like Barkley and McGrady for their views, but ask yourself: are you still living in the past, unwilling to embrace the future?

Face the music...

"Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on..."

Power Station "Some Like it Hot"

That was one of my favorite songs growing up in the 1980s. Granted the song has a more provocative theme to it, but the title was relevant to what we saw a few days ago when the mercurial Dwight Howard was a guest on the Emmy-award winning "Inside the NBA." For those who don't follow basketball, this show is known for its witty banter with the excellence of eloquence in Ernie Johnson being the straight man to Charles Barkley's no-holds-barred approach. Though I don't always agree with Sir Charles (especially with his take on today's NBA) he is to be admired for taking on stances that aren't always popular with mainstream sports media.

Once the Oklahoma City-San Antonio game came to its conclusion, Howard was asked during the post-game program by Barkley about his laissez-faire approach to the game. For those who don't know, the self-proclaimed "Superman" has been criticized for how he left the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and for failing to live up to expectations with the Houston Rockets. Below is a synopsis of Howard's response:

“I think I was very likable in Orlando, and the way that situation ended [with him wanting to leave Orlando], I think people felt as though I’m just this bad guy,” Howard said.

He was also asked if he was disinterested in playing, given his penchant for appearing to quit on his team:

 “Disinterested? I’m always interested in winning,” Howard said. “But sometimes, as a big, you want to feel a part of what’s going on. … Now there’s been times where I’ve been upset and I’ve taken myself out of games and situations, and that’s on me, and I have to grow and be a better player at that.”

Now, many of the pundits took that as a shot at teammate James Harden, who has also shown a devil-may-care attitude as a supposed star player. However, the important takeaway from this is Howard's willingness to own up to some of his past mistakes. He showed a sense of self-awareness, which we don't often see from a lot of star athletes whose receptive to negative press is akin to the throes of a jealous media who doesn't understand the sports world. He demonstrated a level of humility, and that is what people are looking for in their favorite stars; a person who is not above holding themselves accountable. He had to have known when he came on the show that they were going to hold his feet to the fire, and to his credit, he responded well.

How often are we able to take it when someone calls our actions "onto the carpet?" Do we dismiss what is being asked and blame others for our shortcomings, or do we take responsibility and say "You know what? I have had past indiscretions that are of my own doing!" There comes a point in time when everyone has to have their come-to-Jesus moment and realize that if they are not on the path they should be, we can't blame our parents, teachers, coaches, spouses, or the government. When we are called into judgment, we will have to be the ones who give an account for our actions, no one else. Be willing to take the heat, and it will provide you with a better perspective of who you are as a person.

Now, about that mauve suit Howard was wearing...

Hope springs eternal...

Today is yet another sad day to be a Washington DC sports fan...

Living in Northern Virginia for a quarter of a century, I have seen the DMV area experience some of the most gut-wrenching defeats at what should be their greatest moments of triumph. Whether it was RGIII's leg dangling in the air in the 2012 playoff game against Seattle, or the Washington Nationals blowing a 7-5 lead in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, to Al Horford tipping in the game winner in Game 5 against the Wizards because Nene decided to take a nap near the basketball ring (shout out to Ted Cruz). However, there is no other team that has gained the ire of the nation's capital as much as the gladiators of the ice, the Washington Capitals.

Last night was yet another spring in which they will not drink the sweet nectar of victory from Lord Stanley's Cup as they lost to their arch-nemesis the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the NHL playoffs and were eliminated again after having the best record in hockey. Granted, the NHL playoffs are more of a crapshoot than any other sport. All it takes is a hot goaltender and an aggressive front line and 8 seeds knock out the best teams at any given time in the spring. If there was a Mount Rushmore of frustrated sports regions, DC would rank up there with Cleveland, Buffalo, and (this last one hurts) Atlanta. They are the perpetual tease that leaves you wanting more, with an A-level superstar in Alex Ovechkin and opportunities galore, yet have not graced so much as the Eastern Conference final since yours truly was a sprite young lad at VCU.

What is most frustrating is that it's not as if this area is lacking for getting a grade A star like the aforementioned 3-time MVP Alex the Great. Basketball fans marvel at the All-Star ability of John Wall each winter, and in the spring we flock Nationals Park to see NL MVP Bryce Harper knock a fastball into orbit or round the bases with his hat flying off in a dazzling display of brilliance the likes of one Barry Lamar Bonds. However, each of their seasons always ends with the same Wile E. Coyote look of not getting that dastardly Road Runner again.

Remember this? Robert Griffin III electrified this area similar to how the Michael Vick Experience graced the Georgia Dome in the early part of the century. However, it ended mercifully after front office upheaval and a lack of progression ended his reign before it every truly got started. Although the "Black Jesus" T-shirts were on the edge of blasphemy, there was this real hope that he was going to bring the Redskins to their past glory of yesteryear...

..and that is why, even in the midst of disappointment year in and year out, is why we keep going on. Think about that job you were so sure you were going to get? Or maybe it was that relationship you just knew would end happily ever after, and it didn't? That's the beautiful thing about hope, it never dies, it only lives, and for us to give up hope would be to give up a part of ourselves. Where there is no hope, there is despair, regardless of what setbacks you may have had before. Keep on keeping on, because as long as you have hope that lives...

A rising tide...

A while back I mentioned about the importance of having a strong culture of community, which the Golden State Warriors have displayed in the midst of two-time MVP Stephen Curry's recent injury. Many pundits on television declared that they did not need him to return prematurely in their current second round series against the Portland Trailblazers, and for the most part they may be right. However, for anyone who noticed last night at the Moda Center, the return of the league's most explosive player (notice I didn't say valuable, more on that later) came back at the most opportune time, and when they needed him most.

No, not because they were down quickly to the Blazers 16-2, it was more than that. There was a sense that this Warriors team, which has had to deal with the season long burden of not only trying to defend their championship, but to win the NBA-record 73 wins, was wearing them down both physically and mentally. Even if Curry didn't score a single point (more on that later too) the fact that they saw their leader come back Willis Reed-style (Google please) was the lift they desperately needed. What occurred afterwards was one of the greatest offensive displays we've seen in NBA playoff history as Curry dropped 17 points in overtime as they won to take a 3-1 series lead. It was way more than just a sixth man performance the likes of Detlef Schrempf (Google please) has never seen, it was about how just his presence alone gave his team the boost they had been searching for. Golden State regained their championship swagger, and Curry's jaw-dropping performance simply provided evidence of such. Even Portland's owner Paul Allen was left dumbfounded. 

Many people will point to the fact that despite Curry winning a second straight MVP, that because of the players around him he isn't deserving of the award. I argue that it's because of his play making abilities that it has lifted up the performances of a Draymond Green or Klay Thompson. Some will say "What about LeBron?" While there is not a more dominating presence in the league since Jordan laced them up, James has created a culture of dependency to which everyone (including his hand picked coach) defers to him. He could not get that type of power in Miami, which is why he's trying to "win one for the 'Land." From owner to general manager to the barkeep outside of Quicken Loans Arena, they all rely on him to be their deliverer of the Larry 'O Brien Trophy. Curry, on the other hand, has been largely responsible for being the conductor of a system that breeds confidence from the 12th man on the bench that even they can play a large role in winning a title. That is what Jordan did for the Chicago Bulls, he made guys like Steve Kerr and John Paxson major players during their title runs of the 1990s. So when we talk about valuable, it's not about the individual performance, it's who is the person that has been most influential in raising the performance of everyone around them, even when they aren't there? Again, even if Stephen Curry had not registered a single point, guys like Green, Thompson and Harrison Barnes gained that extra umph needed to push themselves over the hump. 

What is your presence at your job, class, or team? Are you capable of being that person that adds value to whatever task needs to be done, or do you drain the atmosphere?

Foul? No, you're foul!

For the 3-plus decades in which I have watched all levels of basketball, there is always the perpetual question being asked: "What is a foul?" We have seen referees blow whistles on the lightest of touches, to allowing blatant discretions like the one above. We argue, "Why don't they call it by the book?" Understand first and foremost that referees, just like anyone else, are human. They make mistakes, and unlike anyone else, their mistakes are shown before millions around the world on television and online. Sports-talk radio shows banter on for days about what they believed was a missed call.

Again, by the letter of the law, it is a foul. However, the NBA came out yesterday and stated that at least 5 missed calls took place during the end of the San Antonio-Oklahoma City game on Monday night. They are correct as fouls by both teams occurred. While the tune of "well it's too late to do anything about it now" has been the prevailing mantra in the days after, what is refreshing to see is the league doing something that fans have been asking for a long time: keeping referees accountable. Recently during the first round of the playoffs Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson took it a step further:

It will be interesting to see what will happen going forward, or if Commissioner Adam Silver will begin to enforce stiffer penalties. The NFL has a system in which referees who continue to blow missed assignments are not allowed to officiate playoff games, and if the same is done in the NBA, it could see an end to what many people feel is an unfair and selective enforcement of officiating at opportune times.

Remember the outcry in the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings in Game 6? The Lakers had an absurdly amount of free throws awarded to them in the fourth quarter, and appeared to many as if they were allowed to do more than what the Kings were in that instance. Although we forget that Sacramento still had a Game 7 (at home, btw) they could've won, to this day everyone and their mother outside of Staples Center still believes this game was rigged so that the NBA could have the LA market in the Finals.

 

Sure, there are times in which superstars are allowed to travel (Michael Jordan was notorious for getting away with three steps) and maybe can use their elbows more often than the 12th man off the bench, but to think that the league is telling their referees (who are well compensated) to throw a nationally televised game for the sake of ratings borders on the brinks of absurdity. However, after decades of people asking for the referees to be held accountable, the league has listened and are doing so. In life, we all know that mistakes will be made (Romans 3:23) but it's as they always say "The cover-up is worse than the crime." We all want to know that what we are watching and supporting is on the up-and-up, and that the standards of fairness and competency is extended to those officiating the games as much as those who are playing them.

However, I'm still convinced that the "frozen envelope" conspiracy was contrived by the Illuminati...

So you're saying there's a chance...?

They say that luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity. For years former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing has bided his time, preparing himself as an assistant coach, most recently with the Charlotte Hornets. Despite receiving adulation for his dedication to this craft, he never could receive the opportunity to prove himself at the next level and coach his own team. News came out over the weekend that he will finally get his chance by interviewing for the Sacramento Kings position. Although we don't know whether or not the "Madison Square Guardian" will get the job, this could open the door for other owners around the league to finally take another look at Ewing.

He is a testament to perseverance, never one to make his lack of opportunities a public issue. Even when he did not even receive consideration for the vacant job with his beloved Knicks (probably because deep down Phil "Big Chief Triangle" wants the job for himself) he didn't make it about himself, he just went back to work. While the NBA coaching carousel usually becomes nothing more than retreads getting hired over and over (looking at you, Sam Mitchell!) it takes an owner or GM with the foresight to think outside the box and give guys like Ewing their opportunity to show what they are made of.

There's a prevailing thought that big guys don't make great coaches; Kevin McHale would like to have a word about that. However, in recent years we have seen coaches like former Detroit Piston great Bill Laimbeer win multiple WNBA titles, and Ewing would be a great mentor to the enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins. This isn't about an endorsement, but about providing people opportunities who are hungry to prove themselves.

Sometimes it takes a fresh vision to provide stability, and if Ewing gets the position, he could be the stability that this woebegone franchise desperately needs.