In 2011 the Oregon Ducks sported 12 different uniform combinations for their 12 games played. The Ducks wore 6 different helmets during the season and ended their year with a head to toe new uniform for their play in the 2011 Rose Bowl. By now it is no secret that Oregon has taken the "Uniform" out of Uniform and that their Deal with Nike has paid off sweetly. With the Ducks yet again showing off more new looks this 2012 season, looking back at their previous combinations is not only fascinating but just plain cool.
LeBron Raymone James - a name recognized by 85% of the American population today. As the face of the NBA, LeBron is unquestionably one of the most polarizing and influencing professional athletes of this day and age. Nonetheless, the spotlight is nothing new to the Miami Heat forward. Ever since his Sport's Illustrated cover at age 16, he has had to live his life in the eyes of the media. A life filled with success, popularity, and also some poor decision making. After 9 years in the league however, LeBron has finally managed to pull off what many have been waiting for since his professional debut back in 2003. To the fury of many, LeBron has won the NBA Championship title he has been longing for his entire life. And after everything that has occured - "The Decision," the multiple championships’ guarantee, and the 2011 Final's fourth quarter woes, the "King" has delivered. Like him or not, he has reached the ultimate basketball prize and has done so with an impressive stat line. A 27.1 point, 6.2 assist per game regular season average and 30.3 point, 5.6 assist per game average in the playoffs. Numbers that crowned him this season's clear and unquestionable MVP. The most impressive part of his entire season however was not the un-human numbers he put up but the performance that he managed to pull off in the Finals. Anybody that watched could conclude that the LeBron James of 2012 was not the same player that all had seen just one year ago. He seemed so much more mature, confident, and ready for the moment. This was evident in times like game 3 where LeBron sunk 12 straight free-throws in the last minutes to seal the victory. Or in game 4 when he shot a rainbow 3 in a crucial moment to take away any chance of a Thunder victory. There was no yelling or celebrating coming from the 3-time MVP but instead a calmness that told us all he finally and plainly was just ready. There was no sight of the player that hesitated to give up the big shot; no instead was a man in want of being a part of the moment, regardless of the outcome. His average of 28.6 points earned him Final's MVP, finishing with a triple-double performance in the game 5 series clinching game. Nobody is questioning LeBron's “Clutchness” at the moment, and frankly, no one can. Looking past his apparent arrogant personality and selfish acts stands a person whom has transformed the game of basketball. When the day arrives that he decides to hang the shoes up and retire nobody is going to care about anything but his accomplishments that happened ON the court. That is what the core of sports is about anyways - victories, stats, and accomplishments - not whether the athlete was liked or not. What does this first ring symbolize for LeBron? According to him, "Everything." There is constant debate that goes on with his name but in reality what truly matters is what he has contributed on the court. The game is what matters and currently no one is more on point than number 6. The dynamic of what has been LeBron Jame's career has been nothing short of interesting to follow and after this first championship it finally seems that "The Chosen One" has risen to the level he was born to be in. What's next is left for opinion and for time to settle. In the mean time though, the high-flying, much watched NBA superstar, sits atop his “Throne,” listening and waiting for his next opportunity to be great.
Game Six between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers just closed out. Boston led by three at half but the Sixers put up 49 in the second half to edge them over the Celtics for a 82-75 victory. Behind J. Holiday's 20 point, 6 assist game, Philly was able to send the series back to Boston for the deciding game seven. The big three of the Celtics were not able to step up and deliver the kind of performance they needed to seal the series. Going into this last game my heart wants to believe that Philly can pull off the upset over Boston but I just cannot ignore several factors. For the Celtics this is not their first rodeo and I just can't fail to remember that this is a team with the same three players(Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, And KG) who led them to a championship just a few years ago over the Lakers. These guys are experienced veterans and when it comes to clutch situations, they deliver. While Philadelphia is young and fast and provide a ton of energy and excitement, they just don't have the same history or experience as the guys in green. And while I do think that it will be a close match there is no way I believe that the Celtics, who by the way will also have their home crowd behind them, will lose. I expect to see Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals two days from now.
