Seattle Sports Writer

Best Sports Moments of 2011

2012-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

June 2010, that's 18 months ago. Since then, silence on this blog. I was waiting for great moments to arrive so I would have ample material for sophisticated reflection. You know, sports don't happen every day...

OK, OK. I have been horribly lazy when it comes to this blog. A few times it crossed my mind to write something, but the motivation and inspiration never struck. With lockouts and sex abuse scandals dimming the bright lights of the playing fields in 2011, now provides an opportunity to remember what remains pure and exhilarating about athletics. Without delay, in no particular order here are my favorite moments from the past year.

Rapinoe to Wambach
July 10 - U.S.A. vs. Brazil, Women's World Cup
The world's best player, Brazil's Marta, seemed to have snatched the momentum and the victory with a typically outrageous goal in extra time. But the drama began developing all the way back in the second minute when the early own goal went the way of the Americans for a lead they held until the 67th minute. At that moment, a penalty for Brazil was perhaps deserved, but Rachel Buehler's red card was not. The harsh send-off rashly tipped the scales. When Hope Solo saved the initial penalty, the U.S. still had a chance, but the referee and linesman conferred to astonishingly award a re-take, saying Solo had moved before the ball was played. Replays showed otherwise. Marta scored the lifeline second kick, forcing the match to overtime. The U.S. contented themselves with bunkering down to reach 120 minutes at 1-1, but Marta skillfully killed those hopes, tight roping the ball inside Solo's far post with a goal probably only she in the women's game could have scored. Stage: Set. 119th minute, gasping for air, one more go for the red, white, and blue. I saw it later, knowing the result, and got chills anyway. I still get them watching it. The poetic words of Ian Darke: "Rapinoe gets a cross in. In towards Wambach.........Can you believe this?! Abby Wambach has saved the USA's life in this World Cup!" Overtime ended shortly after, followed by a penalty shootout as perfect for the Americans as the one that saw them raise the Cup in 1999, and the United States marched onward to the semifinals.

World Series Game 6
Oct. 27 – St. Louis vs. Texas, World Series
The Texas Rangers were to finally win a World Series. They would defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 to become one of the final franchises to capture their first championship. Twice within a strike of the decisive moment, the perpetually downtrodden but suddenly flourishing franchise found themselves out of fortune for the second straight Fall Classic. Whether a Rangers diehard or Cardinals supporter, you had to agree – this was magic, dramatic stuff. Texas led most of the way, and sat 7-5 up in the ninth inning with a 1-2 count on Cards third baseman David Freese. Closer Neftali Feliz then threw a ball that cracked off the bat of Freese, looping off the right-centerfield fence and over the head of Nelson Cruz, who was inches from clinching a victory by squeezing the ball in his glove but got a late break on the ball. So close were the Rangers so many times that the agony only amplified. In the tenth, Texas again took a two-run lead through Josh Hamilton’s home run. Surely, this time it would be enough. But after his blown save, Feliz gave way to Scott Feldman, who surrendered another last-strike, two-run gut-wrencher, this time to Lance Berkman. Tied again. Basketball and football comebacks are limited by time, but in baseball, no lead is saved by the clock. They played on. Series MVP Freese smacked a walk-off shot in the eleventh, sealing a 10-9 victory that set the stage for a game-seven Cardinals triumph the next day behind a gutty performance from ace Chris Carpenter. The defining moment, though, was game six, seeping with dramatic turns, white-knuckled fans from both sides, and a matchup that left both teams remarking on historical significance into the night and winter.

Final Day of MLB Regular Season
Sept. 28 – Tampa Bay and St. Louis qualify for playoffs
The Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves both went into the ninth inning of the 164th game of the 2011 regular season thinking they had overcome severe September slumps to win the day and make the playoffs (or at least a play-in game). Atlanta led the second-stringers from Philadelphia 3-2 with their electric rookie closer Craig Kimbrel pitching. Boston led the bottom-feeders from Baltimore 3-2 with their electric veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon pitching. Tampa Bay looked doomed anyway, facing a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning against the Yankees. No matter that they had clawed back to 7-6; a Boston victory assured that the Red Sox would not be eliminated. Then Kimbrel issued a walk, and another, and another, three free passes leading to a sacrifice fly from Chase Utley to tie the game, which the Braves lost in the thirteenth. Twenty minutes later, Papelbon allowed a double, and another, and a single. No extra innings needed with Baltimore walking off victoriously. Three minutes later, Evan Longoria of the Rays capped the night by going yard, his home run following a last-strike, pinch-hit, ninth inning, game-saving blast from Dan Johnson, who had been batting .108 heading into the at-bat. The Rays were in, the Cardinals were fatefully in, and the Red Sox and Braves, both in promising positions a half-hour earlier, were guilty of wasting the largest September leads ever. The focus tended toward the collapse of Boston and Atlanta that evening, but St. Louis slowly stole the spotlight as this night opened the act on their postseason party.

Champions League Final
May 28 – FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United
This moment lacked the sheer drama of others, but while lacking in surprise, the Champions League Final oozed greatness. Barcelona thumped Manchester United with previously unseen technical ability and attractive, graceful football. Xavi and Iniesta held the ball until openings became viable. Messi foraged for chances to dance and dream. Villa curled home a pivotal third goal. The defense slid side-to-side in perfect balance, distributing with ease. The Red Devils needn’t have been embarrassed by this result. Their side boasted great players, but Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona announced themselves one last time as perhaps the greatest club team ever assembled. The score – 3-1 to Barca – spoke to the control but not the domination of the Catalans. Even when Wayne Rooney knotted matters at 1-1 near the end of the first half, Barcelona seemed to shrug their shoulders and trust in their precision. This was a phenomenal team – deep, pacy, skilled, cohesive, fun to watch, united. United to the point that French defender Eric Abidal, having just recovered from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his liver, had played the full 90, been given the captain’s armband, and lifted the trophy initially to mark the triumph.

Nowitzki’s Tears
June 12 – Dallas vs. Miami, NBA Finals
Professional athletes do everything under a spotlight. Perhaps that’s what led to the Miami Heat becoming the villains of the NBA. Superstars should be mortal enemies, and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh violated that code by signing in South Beach, selling themselves with fireworks and promises, mocking opponents, making everyone mad. Everyone was rooting against them. The NBA Finals was a matchup of the enemy and the underdog, Miami’s athleticism and talent against Dallas’ cageyness and execution. The veteran Mavericks seemed overmatched in the first three games. After that, Dirk Nowitzki exercised ghosts. Fade-aways, free throws, relentless drives, long-range bombs. Everything seemed to go. Just as Nowitzki ascended, James disappeared. The championship LeBron craved was two games away, closer than ever, but he couldn’t elevate his play to capture it. In the fourth quarters of the six games in the series, Nowitzki outscored James and Wade combined. Jason Terry and Nowitzki’s teammates followed his lead. The Mavericks led for the final 22 minutes of game six, steadily holding their lead until the buzzer sounded. And then Nowitzki found a place where the spotlight couldn’t follow him, escaping for a few private moments into the locker room away from cameras and confetti. He cried. Or so we think. Maybe he screamed in joy and pumped his fists. We don’t know, and that’s precisely the point. That little run away reminded me that athletes are human, just like their fans, and that’s what makes the games worth watching. We don’t know the outcome, but there’s always a story. Here’s to more great ones in 2012.

100 Greatest MLS Players

2010-06-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Rapids won the 15th MLS Cup to close the 2010 season. With a reflective eye toward the league's history, I am assembling a list of the league's 100 greatest players. To help with the ranking, I have some ground rules:

Players are ranked solely on MLS regular season and playoff accomplishments. That means the career accomplishments of players like David Beckham, Luis Hernandez, and Lothar Matthaus were not considered, nor are U.S. Open Cup accomplishments.

Emphasis is placed on individual and team success, awards and recognition, longevity, statistically great seasons, career stats, and impact on the game.

Statistics play a significant role in the rankings, but are not weighed as heavily for defenders and midfielders as for forwards and goalkeepers.

Take a look, comment with your thoughts, and let the debate begin.

FIRST TIER. Players not often mentioned with historical significance in MLS but who enjoyed long careers without individual awards, collected numerous team distinctions, or forged short but successful runs.

100. Lubos Kubik. The Fire revolved around Kubik for three seasons. He directed the back line and contributed an outrageous 15 goals and 22 assists as a defender. Won Best XI honors in 1998 and 1999, Defender of the Year in 1999, and MLS Cup in 1998.

99. Manny Lagos. Midfielder mostly recognized for his role in San Jose’s championship seasons of 2001 and 2003. Without knee problems, may have been more of an attacking force in MLS.

98. Paul Bravo. Bravo outscored Eric Wynalda for the San Jose Clash in the league’s inaugural season, then tacked on 39 goals and 22 assists in five years for the Colorado Rapids.

97. Eddie Johnson. On this list for two seasons: 15 goals with Kansas City in 2007 and a league-leading 12 strikes with Dallas in 2004. Johnson has the tools, but he has yet to become a consistent striker.

96. Peter Vagenas. The understated Vagenas embodies professionalism, stabilizing the Galaxy midfield for nine seasons and doing the same for Seattle in 2009. A two-time MLS Cup winner with Los Angeles.

95. Danny Califf. A rock during the Galaxy’s MLS Cup years of 2001 and 2002. Califf’s ruggedness and physical presence made him a feared center back and brought him inclusion on the Best XI list for 2005 while with the Earthquakes.

94. John Spencer. The diminutive Scot had two seasons with 14 goals, two Best XI selections, and one top-three finish in MVP voting.

93. Joe Franchino. A little dirtiness, lefty dead ball abilities, and plenty of hard-nosed tackles helped Franchino become captain of the Revolution. The squatty left back barked orders and marshaled New England to three MLS Cup Finals.

92. Chris Albright. An attacking fullback who started out as a forward in MLS, Albright offered creativity and bite to the Galaxy’s lineup. Won the 2002 MLS Cup with Los Angeles and earned Best XI honors in 2005.

91. Wolde Harris. Electric sub and spot starter, Harris had the skills and temperament to change a game instantly. Finished with 51 goals and 31 assists in only 12,000 career minutes.

90. Brad Davis. Just finished with five goals and 12 assists for the second straight season. Brilliant left-footed deadball service and decisive ball-striking abilities. Won two titles with Houston.

89. Jay Heaps. A starter for four MLS Cup teams but never a winner, the athletic Heaps holds an iron grip on a starting job in New England. Heaps has logged an astounding 27,363 minutes, with 10 seasons of 2,000 or more.

88. Ramiro Corrales. An MLS original and a key bit player for San Jose’s Cup winners in 2001 and 2003, Corrales possesses a deadly left foot and the adaptability to link defense to attack.

87. Simon Elliott. Holding midfielder was the glue for talented Galaxy teams in the earlier part of the decade. Five seasons of 10 or more assists with just under 20,000 career minutes.

86. Nick Garcia. Simple, purebred defender has started all but three of the nearly 300 games in which he’s appeared, logging over 25,000 minutes. Won 2000 MLS Cup as a rookie backliner with Kansas City, the stingiest team in league history.

85. Andy Williams. Enigmatic but talented playmaker won his first title with Real Salt Lake this season. With 82 career assists, the vision is always there even if the inspiration wanes at times.

84. Mike Petke. Mainstay for a number of clubs, including Cup winners from D.C. in 2004. A three-time all-star, Petke’s size, longevity, and savvy stand out.

83. Eddie Robinson. Robinson perennially struggles to stay on the field, but he’s decisive as a center back when available. Provided an anchor for four MLS Cup-winning teams, and earned Best XI honors in 2007.

82. Carey Talley. Quiet utility man offers stability and work ethic. An MLS Cup winner in 1999 with D.C., he’s one of the more uncelebrated but steady forces in the league.

81. Jonathan Bornstein. Chivas USA converted Bornstein to an attacking left back and reaped the benefits as he became Rookie of the Year (2006) and an MLS Best XI selection (2007). Teammate Jesse Marsch compared him to DaMarcus Beasley – shifty wingers who could play in defense, midfield, or attack because of their great soccer instincts.

80. Jon Busch. The tenacious little guy with a couple of great seasons. Busch backstopped Columbus to an 18-game undefeated streak in 2004 and won Goalkeeper of the Year for Chicago in 2008.

79. Greg Vanney. Left to play in France during his prime, but still made two Best XI teams. Pushed Galaxy to two MLS Cups from the back and finished with 22 goals and 23 assists before retiring in 2008.

78. Sasha Victorine. Consistent if unspectacular midfielder has scored 32 goals with 41 assists. Won a Cup with Los Angeles in 2002 and has logged almost 2,000 postseason minutes.

77. Ezra Hendrickson. Lanky wing back was a staple of Galaxy’s defense for seven seasons, including three MLS Cup teams. Played over 20,000 minutes with 23 goals and 30 assists pushing forward from the back line.

76. Diego Serna. 15 goals and 15 assists for the powerhouse 2001 Fusion, inclusion on the Best XI that year, and three other seasons with double-digit goal scoring. Deadly but for only a short time.

75. Robert Warzycha. Retired as the career assists leader for the Crew, delivered a devastating dead ball, and brought class and experience to the Columbus midfield in the team’s first few seasons.

74. Matt Reis. Had to wait for his chance, and capitalized on it with five years of 100 or more saves and never a Goals Against Average of greater than 1.50 in any season. Offers stability and leadership for New England.

73. Carlos Llamosa. Hindered by injury often, Llamosa commanded the defense whenever he was on the field. Won three championships with D.C. and was a Best XI selection in 2001.

72. Richard Mulrooney. Left back, holding midfielder, winger – Mulrooney’s staying power comes from his versatility. Three-time MLS Cup winner with 75 career assists.

71. Dema Kovalenko. Bounced around the league for five teams, but he’s been effective everywhere: 223 starts in 246 career games, 38 goals and 40 assists.

70. C.J. Brown. Often unrecognized, Brown started 290 of the 296 games he’s been available to the Fire. No nonsense style doesn’t make friends but has allowed him to stick around for 13 seasons with Chicago.

69. Nick Rimando. Undersized keeper one of the league’s great reactionary shot stoppers. Cemented his place with MLS Cup MVP in 2009 after winning the title with D.C. in 2004.

68. Brian Mullan. Three-time MLS Cup winner has offered bite and classy service after reinventing himself as a winger with the 2003 champion Earthquakes.

67. DaMarcus Beasley. A fixture for the National Team, Beasley played only four seasons in MLS, tallying 14 goals, 20 assists, and one Best XI selection.

SECOND TIER. Players who have been among the league's upper echelon for multiple seasons in their career, including sustained team success and individual recognition. Most lack the longevity or impact on the game of the third tier players.

66. Hristo Stoichkov. Stoichkov earns an honorary spot for the fear he struck during a four-year stay. The former Barcelona superstar never scored in double digits during a season, but he could still drop bombs anywhere inside midfield, dance on the ball, and conduct an offense. Defenders cowered when the legend came forward.

65. Scott Garlick. Steady – that’s the best way to describe Garlick. He played for D.C., Tampa Bay, Colorado, and Real Salt Lake, always posting good but not upper-crest numbers. He won 107 games (third all-time), played 21,000 minutes, and saved 1,000 shots. Garlick always seemed to have hard luck, too. In 2003, he controversially lost his starting job to Joe Cannon for the playoffs. In 2005, Jeff Cassar nudged him out of a starting role. Ultimately, he parlayed his steadiness into a decade-long run, including an MLS Cup title with D.C. in 1997.
64. Edson Buddle. Finally began to realize his immense potential this season, garnering MVP buzz for the first time. His physique makes him dangerous all the time. Buddle is up to almost 100 goals in his career, and he has formed the league's most consistently dynamic partnership with Landon Donovan.

63. Thomas Dooley. A pioneering, all-purpose player who paved the way for a stronger U.S. presence in European leagues, Dooley capped off his career with Columbus and the MetroStars. As a defender, he twice won Best XI nods in 1997 and 1998, but he also played defensive midfielder and forward in his career. Dooley captained the U.S. in their disastrous 1998 World Cup run, but he should be remembered for his steady presence in the first years of the league.

62. Juan Pablo Angel. It took only three seasons of devastating finishing to vault Angel to the top of the Red Bulls franchise in all-time scoring. If Angel can get his head, either foot, his knee, chin, ear, neck, thigh, or any body part to the ball in the box, a goal will result. Clinical in a way few in MLS ever have been.

61. Ronald Cerritos. Until Brian Ching passed him in 2009, Cerritos claimed the top spot on the franchise scoring list for Houston-San Jose with 61 goals. For all his greatness, Ching has never had a season with as many points as Cerritos had in 1997 (12 goals, 10 assists), 1998 (13, 12), or 1999 (15, 9). Cerritos struggled in stints with D.C. and Dallas, but those three early seasons (including the Best XI year of 1997) cement his place in club and league history.

60. Amado Guevara. As pace dictator for the MetroStars, Guevara captured the regular season MVP award in 2004, notching 10 goals and 10 assists. He followed with 11 goals and 11 assists in 2005 and eight goals and four assists in 2006. Red cards have resulted from a nasty streak, and Guevara tends to pout unless he has ample playing time and the ball at his feet. But the most-capped player for the Honduran National Team produced some undeniable magic in his first few MLS seasons.
59. Tim Howard. Though he left MLS in 2003, Howard added to his accolades in the league by winning the 2009 All-Star MVP for Everton, vaulting his team to preseason victory with a string of impressive saves. Howard grew into a star with the MetroStars, playing his first game as a 19-year-old before working into the starting role by 2001. That season Howard won Goalkeeper of the Year with 146 saves and a 1.33 GAA. He stayed for one and a half more stellar campaigns before crashing Manchester United’s starting XI and later joining Everton. At the deepest position for the U.S. National Team, he has a chance to be the best in the country’s history.

58. Joe-Max Moore. The fourth-leading scorer for the United States totaled 41 goals and 35 assists in six seasons for the Revolution. Only four players have had a season with at least 15 assists and a season with 15 goals. Moore is on that list with Jason Kreis, Diego Serna, and Eduardo Hurtado.

57. Josh Wolff. Wolff’s crowning moment came not in MLS but at the 2002 World Cup, where his perfect cutback fed Brian McBride for the opening goal against Mexico in the round of 16. He’s been pretty good in MLS, too. Wolff scored a then-rookie record eight goals in his MLS Cup winning first season with the Fire in 1998. He’s had four seasons of double-digit goal scoring and stands at 75 goals and 41 assists. If injuries hadn’t kept him from playing so often, he could be among the league’s most revered forwards.
56. Ryan Nelsen. Everyone knew D.C. United had the talent to win MLS Cup in 2004, but the team’s fate revolved around a healthy Ryan Nelsen. He wore the captain’s armband, repelled all comers, and anchored D.C. to the title. The New Zealander parlayed a short and sublime MLS career into a vital role as captain of Blackburn Rovers. Such was his effectiveness that in 2004, he won Best XI honors for the second consecutive year despite playing only 17 games. He had confidence and strength in the tackle, poise on the ball, and direction for the back. A pillar in United and league history.

55. Kerry Zavagnin. Unflappable anchor for the Wizards earned Best XI honors in 2004, an MLS Cup in 2000, and 21 caps with the United States. Made simple plays routinely and marked the opposing team’s best midfielder for consistently good Kansas City teams the past decade. Perhaps the most underappreciated player of his generation.

54. Stern John. Two seasons of electricity led Stern John to the English Premiership, but he remains one of the most lethal from MLS. Fast, strong, and powerful, he poached as effectively as he fired lasers from distance. He took defenders off the dribble and finished in the air. He scored 26 goals in 1998 and followed with 18 in 1999. John found the net about every 100 minutes in MLS. Comparatively, all-time leading scorer Jaime Moreno scores every 189 minutes, Landon Donovan every 185 minutes, Taylor Twellman every 148 minutes.

53. Peter Vermes. Vermes was the best defender on the league’s best-ever defensive team, the 2000 Kansas City Wizards. Agile enough to play forward early in his career, he and Tony Meola were the key cogs that helped the Wizards lift the trophy despite being outshot 22-6 by Chicago in the 2000 title tilt. Vermes also captained the MetroStars in 1996 and played for the Rapids before joining the Wizards to make defensive history.

52. Eduardo Hurtado. The powerful 1996 Galaxy relied on Hurtado as their primary goal scorer. The Ecuadorian had 21 goals and seven assists that season and earned Best XI honors. In his 16-year career, he played for 20 clubs and finished as the second-leading international scorer for his country. Hurtado also had 10 goals and 14 assists for the 1998 MetroStars, but suffered as a member of their anemic seven-win team the next season, totaling only seven goals and three assists.

51. Diego Gutierrez. The stage: MLS Cup ’98. The opponent: Two-time defending champion D.C. United. The situation: 1-0 Chicago with the first half concluding. Fire playmaker Peter Nowak sets up Diego Gutierrez, and the midfielder scores the first goal of his professional career on the league’s biggest stage. Final score: Fire 2, United 0. Gutierrez continued as a backliner and midfielder, providing consistency and leadership for Chicago and Kansas City in 12 sterling seasons of service, notching the fifth-most minutes played in MLS. He scored 12 goals with 44 assists and went to the 2000 and 2004 MLS Cups with the Fire and the Wizards.

50. Pablo Mastroeni. If it’s dirty work, Mastroeni will do it. Interestingly, his one Best XI nod in 2001 came as a defender, but Mastroeni does most of his work as a holding midfielder. Never statistically outstanding, the hard-tackling, man-marking, and simple-passing Mastroeni is up to almost 25,000 career minutes. Surrounded with a wealth of attacking talent, he and Carlos Llamosa provided defensive girth for one of the league’s finest teams – the 2001 Miami Fusion. Mastroeni lifted his first MLS Cup as captain of the Rapids in November.

49. John Harkes. Harkes raised the first MLS Cup as captain of D.C. Then he did it again in 1997. He returned to the championship round in 1998, but lost. Those first three years of MLS, Harkes captained and anchored United to the most dominant team run in league history. An up-and-down final four years for New England and Columbus do not change his legacy. The grit of Harkes, his fluid passing, and the occasional scoring strike (check out this Goal of the Season from his time in England) made him one of the league’s first stars. He helped usher an improving era of U.S. soccer for the National Team and MLS.

48. Clint Dempsey. Audacious and hungry, Dempsey offered New England, MLS, and the U.S. National Team an attacking flare they had lacked. He dominated his short tenure in MLS, sweeping to Rookie of the Year honors in 2004, being honored as a Best XI selection with 10 goals and nine assists in 2005, and banging in eight goals with four assists in 2006. He went to the MLS Cup in 2005 and 2006, narrowly missing out in his rookie year of 2004. Dempsey continued his torridness with Fulham in the English Premier League, having scored 19 goals in 97 appearances.
47. Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Many still ponder how Blanco is so effective on the soccer field. He’s squatty, prodding, without a skill that particularly stands out. Yet he makes everything go, finds holes and exploits them. The Mexican is always dangerous, whether passing or finishing a play. He scored 16 goals with 26 assists in three seasons conducting the Fire, and he put immeasurable angst in the boots of defenses he faced. Still a force with El Tri, he may have one more chance to shine in the 2010 World Cup.

46. Frankie Hejduk. The surfer boy with loads of energy turned 35 this year, but you wouldn’t guess it by the engine he still possesses owning the sidelines as a wingback. In the 2008 MLS Cup, Hejduk captained the Crew and headed home their final goal in the 3-1 triumph. In his time with Columbus, the Crew have also won three Supporters Shields. He runs, he fiercely defends, he stokes the fire for teammates, he downs beer with fans, he surfs competitively, and he entertains. An unforgettable talent.

45. Joe Cannon. He should have won the MVP in 2004, when Cannon made 150 saves with a 1.07 Goals Against Average. Instead, he took home his second Goalkeeper of the Year award in three seasons. Cannon backstopped the 2001 Quakes to a championship and has over 25,000 minutes, over 1,100 saves, and a career 1.33 GAA. He belongs in conversation with Hartman, Thornton, Howard, Onstad, and Meola as the best goalkeeper the league has ever seen.

44. Wade Barrett. The captain of Houston’s repeat champions, the rock at left back, the quiet stabilizer, the winner of three MLS Cups, the unheralded cog without flash but full of substance. Barrett does the unquantifiable on the field – man marking, positioning himself to repel all attacks, dispatching the Dynamo defense verbally, making the simple pass to the feet of a playmaker. Sterling defender with a superb postseason resume and one MLS Best XI selection in 2002.
43. Guillermo Barros Schelotto. For only playing four years, Barros Schelotto’s dominance makes it seem he’s been around longer. He drove the Crew to an MLS Cup and two straight Supporter’s Shields, won the regular season and MLS Cup MVP in 2008, averaged eight goals and 11 assists in his first three years, and won two MLS Best XI commendations. Only a couple players have had better three-year stretches than the Argentinean maestro. His dead-ball service, passing acumen, and vision of the field stand out among the best the league has ever seen. He could be a top-10 player if his tenure were longer.
42. Alexi Lalas. Panayotis Alexander Lalas had great hair. The man also had great game. Lalas peaked in 2002 when he won Best XI honors and the MLS Cup with the Los Angeles Galaxy. His physical gifts – including world class size and strength – often trumped any shortcomings. A winner of 96 caps with the United States, Lalas was the first American in the modern era to play in Italy’s Serie A.

41. Richie Williams. The D.C. United midfield for their 1990s championships consisted of stars – Etcheverry, Harkes, Ben Olsen. Then there was Richie Williams. As the forgotten little guy (standing only 5’5), D.C. charged Williams with marking the opposing playmaker. Like most defensive midfielders, he did it without much celebration, individual recognition, or flash. The only historical category to which Williams is tied: fouls committed. He rates fourth all-time but in about 100 less games than the three players ahead of him. Williams didn't play a genteel game, but he held down the middle well enough to help D.C. to three MLS Cups, starting every playoff game for the Black and Red from 1996-1999.

40. Brian Ching. After graduating from Gonzaga, Ching toiled in the lower leagues honing his talents. The big Hawaiian won a place with the Galaxy in 2001, went back to the Seattle Sounders (then an A-League team) the next year, and finally found his opportunity to blossom with San Jose in 2003. What took so long? Ching has been electric since, scoring 72 goals with 27 assists, winning two MLS Cups, and getting plenty of National Team exposure. He tied for the league lead in goals with 12 in 2004, won selection to the Best XI that year, and reached the apex (so far) for his career in 2007, when he tied the MLS Cup in the 114^th minute, then netted the winning penalty in the shootout.
39. Chris Klein. Despite knee problems, Klein continues climbing longevity lists in MLS. He’s played 26,249 minutes (fifth most in league history) in 333 games (third most). A rugged midfielder with a creative spark, he’s got 49 goals and 69 assists. Klein set up the winning goal for the Wizards in the 2000 MLS Cup and returned to the championship game with the Galaxy in 2009.

38. Chris Henderson. Henderson quickly emerged as one of the league’s foremost wingers, starring for Colorado initially and in a second stint there. He played for the MLS Cup champion Wizards in 2000 and the Supporters Shield-winning Miami Fusion in 2001. In his return to the Rapids, Henderson teamed with Mark Chung for a great dual-wing combination. His finest statistical season came in 2002, when he had 11 goals and seven assists. When he retired in 2006, Henderson had 51 goals and 80 assists, a league record 317 games played (since broken), and 26,242 minutes, ranking him fourth all-time.
37. Carlos Bocanegra. Bocanegra played four years in MLS and never won an MLS Cup. But no defender had such a decorated and dominant stretch. He took Rookie of the Year honors and went to the championship game in 2000, became the first two-time Defender of the Year in 2002-2003, and earned Best XI honors both those years. Like Ryan Nelsen, Bocanegra’s class, size, timing, and tenacity made him a prime target for a move to Europe. Like Nelsen, the U.S. captain thrived upon moving to the English Premiership. Perhaps he’ll return someday to MLS and add to his brief but glowing resume.

THIRD TIER. These players separate themselves because they combined personal accolades with team success, historical impact and in many cases, longevity.

36. Raul Diaz Arce. Good strikers need an edge of coolness, a dash of daring, and a hunger for the ball. In the first three seasons of MLS, Raul Diaz Arce typified these qualities. Only Roy Lassiter scored more goals in that stretch than Diaz Arce. He had 23, 15, and 18 to kick off MLS on his way to 82 in a six-year career. Diaz Arce seemed to score wherever he went (he played for six MLS clubs), but he never earned the respect of some other great offensive players. Perhaps it was his tempestuous relationship with Marco Etcheverry. He had a striker’s pedigree, from the clinical finishing to the need for touches and the spotlight.

35. Chad Marshall. It’s easy to overlook Marshall when compiling an historical list. He’s only 26 years old. But the last few seasons, he’s been as good as anyone. In 2004, he learned under Defender of the Year Robin Fraser as the Crew ran off an 18-game unbeaten streak and won the Supporters Shield. He was excellent in 2005 and 2006, but missed much of 2007 with a career-threatening concussion. Then he and the Crew swept all the honors in 2008, winning MLS Cup (with Marshall heading the game-winner), Defender of the Year, and the Supporters Shield. Marshall repeated as Defender of the Year this season, and the Crew again won the Supporters Shield. His head became an offensive weapon with back-to-back four goal seasons, and he controls games with his size (6’3) and strength. He’s one player who will likely rise on this list by the time he’s finished.

34. Clint Mathis. With Maradona-like control, Mathis sliced through Dallas in 2001, starting inside his own half before beating a slew of defenders and slamming a low shot inside the near post. Then this season for RSL he planted a first-time, Zidane-esque volley in the upper corner using his left foot to receive a cross. And don’t forget his five-goal game in 2000 for the MetroStars. Mathis has provided MLS with some of its best highlights, but the rest of the time, he disappears. That great volley was one of only two goals he scored in 2009. Only in his Best XI season of 2000 – when he had 16 goals and 14 assists – has Mathis registered double-digit goal scoring. A brief, testy time with Hannover 96 in Germany yielded limited success. In his first stay with Real Salt Lake in 2005, Mathis maddeningly typified his talent. He scored only three goals, but all three won MLS Goal of the Week honors. Mathis became an MLS Cup winner with RSL in 2009, but he is still largely regarded as an enigma, mixing brilliance with arrogance, head games with soccer brains.

33. Marcelo Balboa. He appeared in three World Cups with the U.S., earned MLS All-Time Best XI honors in 2005, became the first to 100 international caps for his country, tallied 24 goals and 23 assists in MLS as a defender, and retired as one the most decorated players from the United States. But Marcelo Balboa isn’t known for those things. That stuff’s boring. Get to the bicycle kicks already. Two of them specifically. The first came against Columbia in the 1994 World Cup, whistling fractionally wide in what would have been a forever-replayed highlight globally had it been successful. Then on April 22, 2000, Balboa rose to MLS immortality. Jorge Dely Valdes drifted a hopeful, looping cross to the top of the 18-yard box, Balboa contorted his body and legs to meet the ball a few feet off the ground, pounding it with the power of a scissor motion precisely inside the far post. One touch of the ball. One play. His gift to us with love. The announcers freaked. “That’s got to be the goal of the year. We’ll call it now!” “And even the fans in Columbus have got to tip their hats to Balboa.” Everyone who witnessed the moment knew it was special. Despite tremendous accolades, that’s how we will always remember Marcelo Balboa.

32. Tyrone Marshall. I’ll admit it – as a defender myself, I’m a little partial to blue chip backliners. I am elevating Marshall higher than most people would. He doesn’t have glittering statistics – though most defenders don’t. But when he is healthy and on his game, Marshall’s physical prowess, tenacity, leadership, and instincts have made him one of the best. Marshall won a pair of MLS Cups with the Galaxy, his team shutting out Taylor Twellman and New England through 90 minutes and overtime to hoist the trophy in both instances. Those are nervy times, and Marshall peaked in those moments despite playing with two different defenses. He continued to excel with Toronto in 2008 and Seattle in 2009, being named the Sounders Defensive Player of the Year despite the presence of Defender of Year finalist Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Kasey Keller. That speaks highly of the influence his peers believe Marshall has over a defense. Despite slowing a bit in 2010, at his peak, only a couple players marshaled better than Marshall.

31. Jimmy Conrad. Few soccer players in the U.S. have fan sites devoted exclusively to their every move, but Jimmy Conrad does. Its headline: “Welcome to JimmyConrad.com! Your whole life will now change for the better.” The guy’s got a soccer pedigree, but he dabbles in other interests like writing for soccernet.com and hosting a weekly radio show. He also bowled five strikes once (thanks, JimmyConrad.com!). On the pitch, Conrad captains the always-stingy Wizards. In 2005, 2006, and 2008, he earned Best XI honors, capturing Defender of the Year in 2005. He won the 2001 MLS Cup with San Jose, laid the foundation for Kansas City’s run to the title game in 2004, and has scored 19 goals as a sizable set piece weapon. His 6’2 frame offers power in either box, but the greatest attribute Conrad brings is commitment to the cause. You can’t teach desire. Coaches can coax it at times, but mostly, players have to find the fire themselves. In January, Conrad got tossed from a U.S. friendly with Honduras after two yellow cards in only 17 minutes. To amplify the situation, he had been awarded the captaincy for the match. Desire won out in the battle between cautiousness and competition. In that case, the move haunted Conrad, but for the most part in MLS, it’s been his defining (and success-driving) characteristic.

30. Jason Kreis. From the soccer hotbed of Omaha, Neb. rose Jason Kreis. The astute, deceptive Kreis achieved a number of firsts in MLS: first goal for the Dallas franchise; first goal for Real Salt Lake; first to 100 goals scored in MLS; first on the all-time scoring list for three years; first American to be named league MVP; first to post a 15-goal, 15-assist season. The superlatives continued in his seamless transition to coaching: first coach to lead RSL to the playoffs; first to coach a MLS team at his young age (34 years old); first to win the MLS Cup for his franchise. Kreis bridged his game effectively from the first years of MLS into the new decade despite lacking a defining skill or characteristic. He was fast but not noticeably more explosive than others; accurate but not overwhelmingly so; elusive but not in a dominating way; visionary but not in a way that transcended his peers. He was ordinary in stature, heady on the field, always an emotional leader, and a fierce competitor. But like the team he coaxed and coached to a championship this season, sneakiness helped Kreis achieve success. He built a career on others underestimating him, thinking he didn’t have the speed of Donovan, the playmaking of Etcheverry, the creativity of Dempsey, or the cannon of Stoichkov. He would suck opponents into the lie, and then bang! 18 goals, 15 assists. Bang! MVP. Bang! 108 goals and 74 assists over 12 years. Bang! One of the best careers in MLS history.

29. Jesse Marsch. One player emerged an MLS Cup Champion each of the league’s first three seasons. That man was Jesse Marsch, and he remains one of the league’s greatest midfield stalwarts and winners. His college coach at Princeton, a man by the name of Bob Bradley, convinced D.C. United to draft the unheralded midfielder in 1996. Along with Steve Ralston and Jaime Moreno, Marsch was one of the last three remaining MLS originals until his retirement after the 2009 season. He accumulated 321 games played, including a club record 200 for the Fire. In addition to three MLS Cup victories, Marsch played in second-place sides during the 2000 and 2003 seasons. He earned his only all-star bid in 2001 for the Fire. Never compromising in the tackle, always positionally sound, and technically simple, Marsch aged well. This came into evidence by his two call-ups to the U.S. National Team – one came in his personal-best 2001 season with the other not arriving until 2007 when he was age 33. Upon retirement, March became an assistant coach for Bradley and the National Team.

28. Jeff Cunningham. It's easy to forget Jeff Cunningham's greatness. He seems to disappear for a season or two, then reemerge with double-digit goals. A brilliant dribbler and finisher, the streaky Cunningham is magic with the ball and a little space in the attacking third. A vagabond in MLS, Cunningham wore the colors of Columbus, Colorado, Real Salt Lake, and Toronto before arriving at FC Dallas in 2008. He scored at each stop, earning the Golden Boot in 2006 and 2009 with MLS Best XI honors in both those years plus 2002. As Jaime Moreno slows down and sits on 134 goals, Cunningham may end his career atop the all-time MLS scoring charts if he continues to increase his tally of 136. But are Cunningham’s goals meaningful? He had no significant team achievements until FC Dallas reached the 2010 MLS Cup. Columbus came within a game of the 1999 MLS Cup before D.C. throttled them 4-0 in the decider. Since then? A Supporter’s Shield with the Crew in 2004, a season in which Cunningham primarily came off the bench, and not much else. A bunch of non-playoff seasons later, Cunningham must prove his worth by the success of his teams, and time is running low on his 33-year-old legs. He has more to prove in MLS than any other active top player on this list.

27. Roy Lassiter. He had a few great seasons but the first MLS campaign was Roy Lassiter’s (and MLS’s) best for pure goal scoring. The beneficiary of MVP Carlos Valderrama’s midfield magic, Lassiter struck for 27 goals and four assists. With a great positional sense, classic striker instincts, and brilliant playmakers like Valderrama, Jaime Moreno, and Marco Etcheverry around him, Lassiter was the ultimate predator in the early days of the league. He added 10 goals for Tampa Bay in 1997, 18 for the Mutiny and D.C. in 1998, and 18 with 11 assists for the MLS Cup champs from D.C. in 1999. Thanks to salary cap troubles, his own inconsistency, and team instability, Lassiter bounced around and put only 15 further goals in the net from 2000-2002. By that time he topped the league scoring charts with 88 goals, a total that stood until Jason Kreis passed it in 2004. Only six stand above him in goals, and all played more seasons than Lassiter. Cunningham may have more goals, but Lassiter played in two MLS Cups (1998 and 1999), winning one.

26. Ben Olsen. As a player on the rise in 2000, Ben Olsen looked like his career would be moving to Nottingham Forest in England. Then ankle injuries started mounting. He would stay with MLS and D.C. United for the rest of his soccer-playing days, struggling with injury but rehabbing admirably. In some of his last appearances for D.C. United as a player, Ben Olsen’s fans made signs memorializing his “Heart of a Lion” for the club. At that point, his ankles had grown so painful that Olsen said he couldn’t even carry his child up the stairs. The cagey midfielder linked distinct eras in the club’s history, winning Rookie of the Year in 1998, the MLS Cup MVP in 1999, a second title with the team in 2004, Supporter’s Shields in 2006 and 2007, and Best XI honors in 2007. As a young player, Olsen boasted speed and vision on the right wing for D.C. and for the U.S. National Team. Bum ankles forced his reinvention as a hard-working holding midfielder. His willingness to adapt earned praise from fans and a spot on the 2006 U.S. World Cup squad. Olsen’s 221 appearances for the Black & Red are second in team history, as are his totals in minutes (17,098) and game-winning goals (13). His 29 goals and 49 assists are an admirable total, but an endless motor and hard-fought longevity are his hallmarks.

25. Pat Onstad. He left the game in 1995 to become a teacher before a dire need in the nearby indoor league brought him back. After a long season in front of sparse crowds for the A-League Rochester Rhinos in 2002, Onstad contemplated retirement. Then fellow Canadian Frank Yallop brought Onstad to San Jose. In his first start, he let in a terrible goal that had him on blooper reels across the country. It couldn’t get worse, but it certainly got better quickly. Pat Onstad would lead his team to the 2003 MLS Cup, stop a penalty from Ante Razov in the final, and capture MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Since 2003, he has become the league’s oldest-ever player, posted the best Goals Against Average in league history (1.05), won two more MLS Cups with Houston, another Goalkeeper of the Year award and Best XI selection, a Supporter’s Shield, MLS Save of the Year in 2009, and multiple All-Star selections. His best moments came in the biggest games – the save on Razov in 2003 and two stops in a penalty shootout to win the Cup against New England in 2006. With nothing left to prove, Onstad and Houston finally endured a down year in 2010. Before injury knocked him out, the great positioning was still there, the vocal leadership remained strong, the reactions cat-like. Will he ever retire? When that time arrives, he will be remembered as one of the league’s best despite a longer road than most to get there.

24. Christian Gomez. Ranking Gomez this high might surprise some. Consider the following: In his first three full MLS seasons, Gomez earned Best XI honors every year, two Supporter’s Shields, and one MVP award. D.C. also boasted the league’s most potent attack all three years. Gomez was the catalyst. Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno emerged as MVP candidates with Gomez feeding them the ball. For that three-year stretch, Gomez scored 35 goals with 29 assists, averaging out to 11 or 12 goals and nine or 10 assists a year. Look at the players surrounding Christian Gomez on this list: The only players who can match that three-year stretch are ahead of him. Too bad he couldn’t sustain his success. When Gomez left United for the 2008 season, D.C. took a precipitous fall in goals scored and team points. With Gomez, D.C. averaged 55 points and about 55 goals per season. Without him in 2008, D.C. dipped to 37 points and 43 goals. He never experienced success after going to the Rapids, and returned to D.C. in 2009 a different player. Perhaps it was the perfect situation for his set of skills those three years, but whatever the reason, Christian Gomez and his cheeky, sneaky game led the proud United franchise to the top of the league. Ever since the old Gomez left, they haven’t been the same. That’s the definition of a difference maker.

23. Mark Chung. MLS boasts only a few truly great wingers. Among the best was Mark Chung. The ultra-quick lefty provided a goal-scoring and creative force on the outside for the Wizards, MetroStars, Rapids, and Earthquakes, tallying 61 goals and 76 assists in 10 seasons. At 5’7, Chung danced around defenders with electric pace and control. He thrice earned Best XI honors – one of 17 players to do so – and twice took home the MLS Fair Play Award. When he teamed with Chris Henderson in Colorado, the interchangeability and dynamism the duo created provided the primary punch for the Rapids and formed perhaps the league’s finest-ever wing paring. Chung struck some of the most powerful, thumping goals around, and he always had a deceptive second gear he could enter instantly. Among wingers, he must be regarded as near the very top of a not-so-tall MLS collection.

22. Zach Thornton. Few in MLS can physically intimidate like 6’3, 230 lb. Zach Thornton. The Chivas USA goalkeeper demands respect in the box and combines his enviable bulk with excellent positioning, strong distribution, and surprising agility. Thornton ascended to MLS stardom in 1998 with the Chicago Fire. He won the starting job over Jorge Campos for the expansion club, then backstopped the team to the MLS Cup while winning Goalkeeper of the Year and being named to the MLS Best XI. He returned to the championship game in 2000 and 2003 (winning the Supporter’s Shield that year), went to five All-Star games with the Fire, and earned Chicago Defender of the Year honors in 2001 and 2002. His longevity is also impressive: Thornton ranks third among goalkeepers in career appearances, starts, and minutes and second in wins and shutouts. But what elevated Thornton on this list was his work in 2009. After bouncing around to Colorado, New York, and Chivas, Thornton was an afterthought going into the season. He proceeded to earn his first All-Star nod in six years. His 2009 Goals Against Average was the second best in league history at 0.87, and Thornton captured Goalkeeper of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Best XI, and team MVP awards. He commanded a second look at his historical significance in MLS the same way he commands the box whenever he takes the pitch.

21. Mauricio Cienfuegos. The little El Salvadorian lacked the distinctive dreadlocks of teammate Cobi Jones or the goal-scoring record of Eduardo Hurtado and Carlos Ruiz, but he was just as integral to the sustained success of the Los Angeles Galaxy from 1996-2003. At 5’6, Cienfuegos defined “diminutive.” He worked wonders with the ball at his feet, using his squatty strength to shield and his explosive quickness to ghost away from defenders. With 80 career assists to his name, Cienfuegos ranks ninth in MLS, and his 28 game-winning helpers place him fifth all-time. The Galaxy ran their attack through Cienfuegos the first eight MLS seasons, and the yield was impressive: Supporter’s Shields in 1998 and 2002; MLS Cup runners up in 1996, 1999, and 2001; entrance to the playoffs every season; and victory in the 2002 MLS Cup. When that championship team returned to Los Angeles, it was Cienfuegos who carried the trophy through LAX. He and Jones linked the unfulfilled promise of the first Galaxy teams to the long awaited title in 2002, a fitting role for the playmaker who had for so long linked defense to attack for Los Angeles.

20. Kevin Hartman. If this were a longevity contest, Hartman would win. He’s likely on his way to becoming the league’s top man in games played, starts, and minutes, trailing Steve Ralston by about season’s worth of each statistic. This year, Hartman is 10-1-8 with a league-best 0.62 GAA. He was part of a special run by FC Dallas of 15 games unbeaten, but his season was nearly over after Thierry Henry’s inadvertent goal celebration caught Hartman and caused damage to the keeper’s MCL. The goal by the Red Bulls ended another magnificent streak: 415 shutout minutes by Hartman. It isn’t the first such streak by the journeyman netminder. Hartman is almost an MLS original, beginning his career in 1997 with the Galaxy. He leads the league in all-time goalkeeping wins, losses, saves, and shutouts. He has faced more shots (1712) than anyone, and of those goalkeepers who have faced at least 1,000 shots, Hartman owns the best Goals Against Average (1.21). He won two MLS Cups with the Galaxy in 2002 and 2005. He earned Best XI and Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 1999. Again, if the contest were based purely on longevity, Hartman is the greatest in MLS. Once a backbone of the Los Angeles defense, Hartman brought his steady gloves and influential leadership to Kansas City and Dallas. Although highlight saves dot his resume, Hartman’s greatest strength is his steadiness. By now, very few situations exist that Hartman hasn’t experienced. FC Dallas held its breath to see if their veteran keeper would return for the playoffs. Now he has a chance at his third ring.

19. Ante Razov. Young players are often told to force the opposition to their off-foot just as they are asked to force an offensive player to their off-hand in basketball. This fundamental defensive philosophy seems simple enough. Yet MLS defenders bit and bit and bit at Razov’s fakes during his career, setting the elegant forward up to strike the ball with his favored left peg. He was a rare player who had one really exceptional skill and built an entire arsenal of moves, feints, and maneuvers to get in position to use that one exceptional skill: Searing, accurate left footed shots. Pick any highlight video of Razov on youtube, and count how many of his goals come on his left foot. Would you have guessed that Razov is the third-leading goal scorer in MLS history? Razov played forward one way – sitting on the last defender (He was called for offside 310 times, second to Cunningham but in 76 less games) ready to take a shot (with his left foot, of course) at all times (He is the leader in career shots and shots on goal). In addition to his shooting records, Razov’s name is sprinkled throughout the record books: seven seasons of 10 or more goals, second-most game winning goals, 2003 Best XI, 66 assists, 1998 MLS Cup Champion, 2000 and 2003 MLS Cup runner up. The electric partnerships Razov built with Hristo Stoichkov, Josh Wolff, and Damani Ralph made Chicago one of the league’s juggernauts in the early 2000s. While coaches would surely hound their defenders to force Razov right (how hard can it be?), he inevitably found an opportunity or two to bury the ball with his left each game, and most of the time, he took it with class. If you could take the best body parts of MLS players to build a super-athlete, you couldn’t do better than Razov’s left foot.

18. Carlos Ruiz. The L.A. Galaxy lost three of the first six MLS Cups and seemed to lack championship instinct in the early years of MLS. Then Carlos Ruiz arrived. El Pescadito began his MLS career with a startling MVP season in 2002, scoring 24 goals and creating buzz for the league while edging Taylor Twellman for the Golden Boot. In the playoffs, Ruiz scored eight goals and added two assists to set league records for a single postseason in goals and points. More importantly, he won the Galaxy’s first title by coolly slotting past Revs goalkeeper Adin Brown in overtime for the trophy-hoisting golden goal. Ruiz gave L.A. the scoring bite and fearlessness they had lacked. For that unstoppable season alone, Ruiz may have won inclusion on this list. It would be his crowning achievement in MLS, but not his last. In 2003, Ruiz christened the Home Depot Center with a late strike to beat the Rapids on national television. He again battled Twellman for the Golden Boot, this time tying the Revolution marksman with 15 goals. Ruiz scored 11 more in 2004 with the Galaxy. Then he slowly and puzzlingly disappeared into anonymity. Traded to Dallas to make room for Landon Donovan, Ruiz continued to score – 31 goals in three seasons – but missed the spotlight and organization of the Galaxy. He bounced around to Los Angeles and Toronto in 2008 before going to Europe. In all, Ruiz scored 82 goals in 155 MLS games, poaching, prodding, slotting, heading, kneeing, and poking home in a predatory fashion his opponents still feared even in his lighter final years in the league.

17. Brian McBride. In his time with Everton and Fulham in the English Premier League, McBride became the most successful American field player to go from MLS to Europe. Fulham even renamed its sports bar McBride’s in his honor. He did great things in MLS, too. In the Inaugural MLS Draft, the Crew selected McBride first overall. During parts of eight seasons in Columbus, McBride scored 62 goals with 45 assists. His diving headers and dynamic volleys were the stuff of Sportscenter Top-10s. His good looks, charming personality, and endless motor made him an ideal early spokesman for MLS and U.S. Soccer. Though never a Best XI selection in a single season, McBride was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI during the league’s tenth anniversary in 2005. The selection committee chose from a pool of 78 players who had been named to a single-season MLS Best XI team or who had been named to at least three All-Star teams. The All-Star team exception was surely made to include Marcelo Balboa and McBride, both of whom were spotlight players who had scored MLS Goals of the Year. Everywhere he played, Brian McBride elicited respect and admiration from fans, and Columbus was the site of his greatest early achievements. He returned to the league with the Fire in 2008 after his success in England and has been marginally successful with Chicago, though at 38 and in his final season, the toll of his all-out on-field persona has robbed McBride of his great physical gifts. Nonetheless, the U.S. legend will call it a career shortly amid speculation that he is the greatest forward to ever come from this country and this league.

16. Shalrie Joseph. A graceful, powerful two-way player with four Best XIs to his name, Joseph still doesn’t receive much pub for being a great midfielder in MLS. His physical tool set gives him a remarkable advantage. He has the power of Tyrone Marshall and the agility of Dwayne De Rosario, the leginess of Ezra Hendrickson and the motor of Chris Armas. There isn’t a play on the soccer field Joseph cannot make. In 2009, Joseph was named a finalist for MVP. He enjoyed his best season statistically, piling up eight goals and eight assists to complement the bite he provided the Revolution midfield with his balanced tackling and ability to trigger the attack. Despite modest career goal and assist numbers, ever since he broke into the starting lineup in 2003, Joseph has been the workhorse for New England. From 2005-2007, the Revolution became the Buffalo Bills of MLS, reaching the final and losing each time in heartbreaking fashion – twice in overtime and once on penalties. Championship-caliber seasons have been the norm throughout this decade for New England, and Joseph’s steadiness drove the team success. It’s no surprise that the Revs struggled in 2010 without him the first part of the year. Now team captain, he must reaffirm his place as a central figure in MLS following a rare down year for himself and his team.

15. Peter Nowak. Majestically, Nowak swooped into MLS and elevated the expansion Chicago Fire to the 1998 MLS Cup. Just two years prior, Nowak had been named best playmaker in the German Bundesliga. He took that pedigree to the Chicago midfield. Everyone respected Nowak. The way he created for his teammates, controlled the pace of the game, covered endless ground, and offered his body immortalized him in MLS lore. Nowak spent only five seasons MLS, but his imagination and work ethic lifted the league to a new level. He earned Best XI honors three times (and was named to the All-Time Best XI), contributed 26 goals and 48 assists, and gave a dominant MLS Cup MVP performance in the 1998 championship game to dethrone the two-time defending champs D.C. United. The Chicago captain became the first member of the honorary Ring of Fire in 2003. He translated his fiery field general status into a successful coaching career, leading D.C. to the title in 2004, helping guide the U.S. National Team as an assistant to Bob Bradley, and guiding the Philadelphia Union in their inaugural season. Fans felt a special connection to Nowak because he seemed to represent the “everyman.” Only 5’6 and with limited speed, Nowak maximized his limited physical potential, utilized his immense game understanding, and provided legendary verbal leadership. Other players on this list have him beat for longevity but not for impact.

14. Chris Armas. Take a guess at what line of work Chris Armas is in since retirement. Chicago Fire front office? Head coach for a youth soccer club? Nope. High school gym teacher at his alma mater. How fitting. The most workmanlike player in the top 20, he felt a deep, abiding loyalty to his club and teammates. He took this to the point of feeling guilty when he signed a new contract in the offseason and found he had a torn labrum and discomfort in his hip at the start of training camp. As a gym teacher, Armas continues his incredible legacy of loyalty. After Nowak retired, Armas was the Fire, taking over the captaincy. Like Nowak, he was short (5’7) and a great vocal leader, but Armas lasted longer. He earned a record-tying five Best XI nominations, equaled only by Dwayne De Rosario and Jaime Moreno. He was ever-present in the best moments of Chicago Fire history – the 1998 MLS Cup, the 2000 and 2003 MLS Cup Finals, the U.S. Open Cup wins in 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. He scored the golden goal in overtime of the 2003 Eastern Conference Final to send Chicago into the Final and even scored in the 1996 MLS Cup Final while with the Galaxy. The work rate of the stout Armas made him the anchor for the Fire and in many cases, the U.S. National Team. Few were more revered and celebrated as a leader, and no one on this list more definitively became the face of their club. The genuine, industrious whirlwind ball winner goes down as one of the best.

13. Eddie Pope. A torrential downpour on a swampy, inhospitable Foxboro pitch. Overtime of the first championship game in MLS. The league’s top two regular season teams. A bevy of stars: Etcheverry, Jones, Agoos, Williams, Harkes, Moreno, Frasier, Vanney, Armas, Cienfuegos, Razov, Hurtado – all players on this list. And Eddie Pope rises highest, leaping to head the game-winning goal for D.C. United. He continued to rise in subsequent seasons, that goal marking the start of his ascent. Pope won two more MLS Cups with D.C., won four MLS Best XI selections, and became the face of U.S. Soccer. Quiet and steady with springy and explosive legs, Pope emerged as a classy leader for D.C., then the MetroStars, and concludingly for Real Salt Lake. No one was more respected. The languid Pope labored through multiple injuries to play key defensive roles in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups. When he announced his retirement in 2007, Pope said, “It's just time...You get up in the morning and you're in pain. Before practice, you are in pain. And after practice you are still in pain.” The ascent had taken its toll, but through a combination of National Team and MLS accolades, Eddie Pope had risen to become America’s best ever defender.

12. Tony Meola. The only goalkeeper to win an MVP award, Meola is tops at his position in MLS history. Keepers must be particularly outstanding to be considered for individual awards, and in 2000, no one was more dominant. Meola had a record 16 regular-season shutouts to his name for Kansas City and a 0.92 GAA. In the championship game, Meola stonewalled a loaded Chicago Fire team by making 10 saves – many of the remarkable variety – to back up the league’s stingiest-ever defense. Kansas City scored the game’s lone goal in the eleventh minute and made it stand against Stoitchkov, Razov, Nowak, Armas, Beasley, and a roster that included 13 players from this list. Meola grabbed the MVP, Goalkeeper of the Year, Supporter’s Shield, MLS Cup, MLS Cup MVP, and (for good measure) Comeback Player of the Year. Historic. In 2005, MLS named Meola its best-ever goalkeeper by placing him on the All-Time Best XI. He has the third-most saves ever in MLS but ranks first in saves per game when compared to the other players in the top ten. Of players who faced at least 1,000 shots on goal, Meola’s save percentage of 73.5 is the best. More than numbers, the command and intimidation of Meola elevate him slightly above his peers. Opposing forwards took a different mindset when facing him. Defenders had more confidence in front of him. That’s respect. That’s greatness. There’s no one better between the pipes.

11. Robin Fraser. Search for Robin Fraser on youtube, and the only thing to be found is a video of him endorsing Lasik Surgery. No montage of his timeless tackling ability or mentoring skills, his knack for organization or positional sense. His name is not found anywhere on the list of All-Time Leaders from mlssoccer.com. Fans appreciated Fraser but were not compelled to celebrate him like Eddie Pope or Marcelo Balboa. He played 27 games with the U.S. National Team, but never enough to endear himself as an international regular. So why is he here? Fraser twice won Defender of the Year and garnered five Best XI spots, which is tied for the most all-time and included four of the first five MLS seasons. Fraser anchored two Supporter’s Shield-winning teams, captaining one. He mentored two of the better MLS defenders in the past few years – Chad Marshall and Nat Borchers. Quietly, Fraser dominated games despite lacking the great physical abilities of Pope or Marshall. His keen reading of the game made him an asset even in his last season at age 38. No one shepherded and commanded a defense as effectively. Few players had a better sense of their strengths and utilized them so effectively. That’s why Fraser now makes an excellent coach at Real Salt Lake. Fanfare never accompanied Robin Fraser. Effectiveness always did.

10. Jeff Agoos. San Jose soared to the 2001 championship in miraculous fashion after finishing last in the league the year before. They were transformed thanks primarily to two players – Landon Donovan in attack and the effervescent Agoos in defense. Agoos was a finalist for MVP – the only defender to ever finish in the top three. He already had won Defender of the Year and earned the last of his three Best XI nods. He was also a member of the All-Time Best XI. The individual accolades increased the resume of Agoos after he had won three MLS Cups with D.C. United. He captained the Quakes to the title in 2001 and again in 2003, becoming the first and still only player with five MLS Cups. What made Agoos special? He did a little bit of everything – solid tackling, good organization, fine distribution, the occasional dead ball, verbal and active leadership, dedication in training, terrific man-marking, high energy levels, a little bit of nastiness, and unfazed strength and commitment in the challenge. Above all, Agoos spearheaded winning teams his entire career, and he ended up with a trophy haul no other player can claim. He was the league’s greatest winner.

9. Taylor Twellman. Coaches often harp on players for not being hungry enough in front of the goal. Chances must be buried. This hunger for goals defined Twellman. He threw his body wherever necessary to make ball and net meet. It was this great strength of Twellman’s game that unquestionably shortened his career. Now at age 30, Twellman’s soccer days are over. Concussive symptoms forced the great striker to retire. But what a goal scorer. With 101 goals, Twellman sits sixth on the all-time list. Amazingly, he played between 58 and 170 fewer games than the five players ahead of him. In goals per game, Twellman is third with 0.58. Only Stern John (a ridiculous 0.80) and Mamadou Diallo (0.64) scored at a higher rate, but they played a third as many minutes as Twellman in MLS. With the goals came acclamation – a Best XI nod in 2002; Best XI, Golden Boot, All-Star MVP, and regular season MVP in 2005; five seasons of double-digit goals, including the league’s best-ever scoring race during the 2002 campaign when he had 23 goals and Carlos Ruiz had 24. And of course, like any of the top players, Twellman had tremendous team success. The Revolution reached the MLS Cup four times with him, and he scored two goals in those four games. History, however, does not treat the Revs well. New England’s losses were heartbreaking, each in their own way: Golden goals for the Galaxy by Ruiz and Pando Ramirez in 2002 and 2005, shootout heartbreak against Houston in 2005 (with Twellman converting his kick after scoring in overtime), and another loss to the Dynamo in 2006 after the Revs took a lead through Twellman in the 20^th minute. Should not having a ring count against a player who did so much in championship matches? Twellman’s career began its abrupt end when Galaxy keeper Steve Cronin attempted to punch the ball and caught Twellman’s head in 2008. The result of the play? A goal for Twellman, of course. He reeled off to celebrate with Shalrie Joseph, only to find he had been knocked woozy – and that his time on the field was to be over too soon.

8. Cobi Jones. From 1996 to 2007, Cobi Jones took the field during the league’s seminal moments. He suffered disaster at points, losing four MLS Cup Finals with the Galaxy, failing to capture the 1998 MLS Cup despite a Supporter’s Shield and record-setting offense, falling to a golden goal by Dwayne DeRosario in 2001, and crashing out of the playoffs after blowing a 4-0 advantage against San Jose in the epic 2003 California Clasico home-and-home. That’s soccer – unpredictable and often cruel in its reality. But Jones had his share of greatness, too. In 2002, he broke through to bring the Cup to Los Angeles. He did it again with an underdog, ragtag group in 2005 as the trophy-raising captain. For that 1998 juggernaut, Jones posted 19 goals and 13 assists, catapulting the team to score 85 goals and earning his lone Best XI nod. The Galaxy faced an even more talented Chicago team in the semifinals and lost in overtime. In 12 seasons with Los Angeles, Jones reached six MLS Cup finals, won two Supporter’s Shields and five regular season Western Conference titles, and scored 70 goals with 91 assists (tied with Landon Donovan for sixth all-time). During that time, Cobi Jones also became the all-time leader in appearances for the U.S. National Team with 164 caps. He modeled consistency, was the best of teammates, covered ground like few could, played for winners, and had a spectacular spark when needed. It helped to have a distinctive mop of braided hair that distinguished him on any field. For longevity and presence at the key moments of MLS, Jones earns his place here.

7. Carlos Valderrama. What is it with crazy-haired soccer players? They can’t be missed on the pitch. Cobi Jones. Alexi Lalas. Jeff Agoos. And Carlos Valderrama. The man with the mop of curly golden locks and the boots of a magician. He was the crowning star in Columbia’s golden age of soccer. He came to MLS at the end of a great career and with minimal running managed to pick apart the opposition with the deftest passing ever seen in the league. For all the rage surrounding Valderrama – the hype of Columbian football in the 1990s, the wacky hair and droopy mustache, the unequaled playmaking skill, even his fun-loving nickname “El Pibe” (the kid) – he had one of the great footballing brains and a pair of the most visionary eyes in history. Who else could impact a game so deeply without leaving the midfield circle? Laugh if you like, but Valderrama did not play in great shape beyond the 1980s. It’s akin to Michel Platini being a chain smoker for the great French and Juventus sides of his time. Valderrama seemed to get rounder each season. Yet he produced. He sits second all-time behind Steve Ralston in assists. Ralston had 135. Valderrama had 114. Yet consider this: Ralston took over twice as many games to reach his mark, playing 378 in total. Valderrama did it in 175. That means Ralston averaged 0.35 assists per game. Valderrama averaged 0.65. Of the players in the top ten of all-time assists, Valderrama’s 0.65 is by far the best. Etcheverry is next at 0.53, then Preki at 0.46. Landon Donovan is at 0.38. Cobi Jones is at 0.29. The man won the league’s first MVP award in 1996 despite being flanked by a teammate (Roy Lassiter) who set a record for single-season goal scoring. He never reached an MLS Cup Final, yet impacted the game and drew fans as few ever have. Imagine if he had been fit and had a broader skill set. Can you see Valderrama the goalscorer and midfielder enforcer? Nah. His limitedness was part of why we loved him. Maybe he wasn’t a complete midfielder, but he may not have graced MLS if he had been.

6. Preki. The only man to win the MVP and scoring championship twice, Preki loved defying the laws of age and odds. Most of his damage came with the Kansas City Wizards, whom he helped to the MLS title in 2000, though his one season elsewhere – with the Miami Fusion in 2001 – produced some wonderful free-flowing football. Preki is near the top in MLS in points with 270 on 79 goals and 112 assists. As a midfielder, he survived until age 42 in MLS, played on the U.S. National Team at age 38, and scored the winning goal in the last minute of his final game in 2005. He had staying power. In the 2003 All-Star game, Preki had the spotlight because of a turn-back-the-clock season that would eventually earn him an unprecedented MVP at age 40. The announcers marveled at the pace of his passes and accuracy with the ball. He never dazzled with speed or glitz, but he understood how to break down defenses with the ball at his feet. In his final few seasons, defenders had to be left shaking their heads wondering how the old man got the best of them again. Even now at age 47, it isn’t inconceivable that Preki could strap on the boots and be serviceable. His head coaching stints with Chivas and Toronto ended unspectacularly, but at least the clubs knew they could turn to their coach if ever they needed an extra player in a pinch. Among all the greats in MLS, Predrag Radosavljević was perhaps the sneakiest good.

5. Dwayne De Rosario. Originally De Rosario sat below the top ten here. Then I looked at his resume and had to move him up. No one has been consistently better in the last five years save one or two players on this list. His accomplishments include four MLS Cups, two MLS Cup MVP awards (with two game-winning goals), a record-tying five Best XI seasons, two game-winning goals in MLS All-Star games against English opposition, 78 career goals, 52 career assists, the captaincy of two different clubs, and two MLS Goals of the Season (extra points for the spectacular). Who can top that? De Ro tried out for a spot in Europe a couple times, but he found a home in MLS despite playing in four cities. When facing Chelsea and West Ham in All-Star games, De Rosario always seemed to be the player most likely to break through against opposition that was a cut above. He can conjure magic in the biggest stage, summoning the creative spark that American players are often said to lack. For evidence, see his Golden Goal in the 2001 MLS Cup Final or screaming Goal of the Year free kick in 2005. Who else managed to elevate their game like De Rosario in MLS Cup? His genius creeps into about half of the league’s great moments from the past decade. And for that, De Rosario deserves to be in the top five.

4. Steve Ralston. There are a couple of methods to use when evaluating players for a list like this. One is to base each pick on their career, that is to say what they accomplished compared to every other player in MLS. The other is to compare the trickier and less defined quantity of greatness, consulting both the statistics and the intangible “it factor.” I’ve landed somewhere in the middle for most of the list. But this pick leans heavily on the career of Steve Ralston, and it will probably be the most controversial one here. How can I put a guy fourth on this list when he didn’t win an MLS Cup or ever have a double-digit scoring season? Longevity, that’s how. Ralston was one of the last MLS originals to survive. He won the first Rookie of the Year Award in 1996 and played until 2009 (with one appearance in 2010). Whereas others on this list were sprinters or middle distance runners (great for a few seasons), Ralston set the pace in the marathon, compiling league records in assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372), and minutes (33,143). He played in four MLS Cups. He lost in four MLS Cups. He was an ironman, a leader, a wicked crosser of the ball, an occasional scorer, an unbelievably clean player, and an automatic choice even when surrounded by amazing talent like Valderrama, Lassiter, Twellman, and Joseph. The guy simply knew the game, and knew it well enough to go from diligent winger to center mid to fullback to withdrawn forward to winger again. He made three Best XI squads and could have been named at a different position for each one. Underappreciated? I say yes. When building an all-time MLS midfield, it wouldn’t do to have four or five ego-centric personalities fighting for playmaking duties. A great midfield needs a Steve Ralston to quietly run the flank, track back, make simple plays, flash a few dangerous crosses into the box, and not make a peep if he doesn’t get the ball as much as he’d like. Flashiness does not always equate to greatness. Ralston was not flashy, but his long, successful, steady career was one of the greatest ever. I’ll take him in my midfield anytime.

3. Marco Etcheverry. Bicycle kicks, midfield chips, searing blasts, dodgy runs leaving defenders sprawling – all can be beautiful for their individual panache. Marco Etcheverry could certainly do these things, especially in his younger days. But soccer purists appreciate just as much a tap-in goal that comes from a fluid passing movement. Or the killer pass that absolutely catches the defense out. Such signs indicate beautiful soccer. Marco Etcheverry mastered both. The Bolivian midfielder drove D.C. United to MLS Cup titles in 1996, 1997, and 1999 and Supporter’s Shields in 1997 and 1999. He won the MVP in MLS Cup 1996 and the regular season in 1997, earned four Best XI nods from 1996-1999, and was named to the All-Time Best XI. Within the team and individual honors arose some of the league’s most celebrated moments on Etcheverry’s dangerous left foot: the corner for Eddie Pope to head a golden goal in the inaugural MLS Cup, the half-field bomb that became the 1999 MLS Goal of the Year (individual panache is good sometimes too!), the many elegant one-twos with the player one spot ahead of him on this list. Etcheverry needed to see lots of the ball, and he had a fiery disposition that made the nickname “El Diablo” stick well (Coming to mind: His red card for a takedown of Lothar Mattheus in the 1994 World Cup and a horrid late chop through the back of the legs of Mauricio Cienfuegos in 2000). Despite his temperament, most often Etcheverry is remembered for technical giftedness, slick passing, and stylish football. Even in his final seasons, Etcheverry controlled the pace of the game. His vision never waned even if his quickness diminished.

2. Jaime Moreno. If players on this list had to submit a resume outlining their credentials, no one could beat Jaime Moreno for longevity, dynamic skills, individual and team accomplishments. His statistics speak resoundingly. All-time leading MLS scorer (for now) with 133 goals. Only player in MLS history (for now) with 100-plus goals 100-plus assists. Four MLS Cups. One MLS Cup MVP. Five Best XIs. All-time Best XI. Almost twice as many penalty kick goals as anyone else. Most fouls suffered. Most regular season games in history with one club. Jaime Moreno injected skill into many stacked D.C. United squads. As an asterisk, his resume may note that he lost a few prime years lost to injury and weight problems. The Bolivian joined MLS midway through the first season and went on to play in the first 15 seasons of the league (along with Steve Ralston, the only players to do so). Moreno’s craft helped him score clinically with either foot anywhere inside 30 yards. His deft touches often set up running mates for easy put-away goals. He could run at defenders with pace. He was a threat out of the air. He could dictate the pace of the game and the flow of the attack. Put simply, Moreno’s resume would outline how complete he was as a forward. United reaped the benefits. In fact, D.C. has never won a trophy without Moreno in top form. He was the only United player around for all four of their championships. Moreno’s resume has everything a player needs to claim the top spot on this list, BUT (you knew it was coming) he just wasn’t quite as threatening, wasn’t quite as dynamic, wasn’t quite as good as the one player above him.

1. Landon Donovan. Who else could it be? Landon Donovan dominates U.S. headlines a decade after making an initial splash as a teenager with the USMNT. No one is more dangerous in MLS than Donovan, nor has any player delivered more in bigger moments. In his initial stint with San Jose, Donovan engineered a last-place-to-MLS-Cup turnaround with a splendid regular season, flashy All-Star MVP appearance, and five goals and two assists in the playoffs, including the equalizer in the championship game against the Galaxy. In 2003, the Quakes took the Cup again by dispatching an ultra-talented Chicago Fire squad behind a rampant Donovan, who tallied two goals in the final to make it four goals and two assists in four playoff games. He won the trophy again in 2005 with Los Angeles, again scoring four goals in four playoff games. Despite great individual statistics from 2006-2008 (Donovan averaged 13 goals and 10 assists per season in that stretch), his team struggled and missed the playoffs. Then in 2009, the Galaxy went back to MLS Cup behind Donovan’s MVP season but fell on penalties to a surprisingly effective, defensive-minded Real Salt Lake team. It was one of the first times Donovan had ever failed on the big stage in the league. Yet failure for him has been rare. Interestingly, Donovan’s teams have only claimed one Supporter’s Shield, perhaps because Donovan so often misses parts of the regular season with National Team duty. But when the playoffs arrive, no one is better. At age 29, Donovan is already the league’s all-time leading scorer in the playoffs (17 goals, 8 assists), and at 111 goals and 92 assists, he’s sure to be at the top of the regular-season goal-scoring and assists charts in the coming seasons barring a move to Europe. He’s got a regular-season and MLS Cup MVP, four Best XI nods, a place in the all-time Best XI, and a Golden Boot. He’s proven consistently to be the class of the league, and he doesn’t look to be unseated from this spot very easily since most of the greatest talents in MLS look for a move to Europe after a season or two. When it comes to MLS, there is no one you’d want to have in your side more than Landon Donovan.

ALL-TIME TEAMS. Just for kicks, using the rankings as a guide, here are my All-Time Best XI and "Second-Best XI."

Best XI

Goalkeeper: Tony Meola. Most commanding, best shot-stopper in his prime.
Defender: Jeff Agoos. Never physically dominant, Agoos was nonetheless almost always positionally and tactically aware.
Defender: Robin Fraser. The anchor, the organizer, the forgotten hero, the sweeper who cleans up all mistakes.
Defender: Eddie Pope. Classy defender who could match up with any striker in the world during his peak.
Defensive Midfielder: Chris Armas. The protection for our three-man back line comes from the workhorse who buzzes around to break up opposing possession.
Winger: Steve Ralston. Versatility, experience, and expert service from the iron-man of MLS. Also, he's the low-drama choice for captain of the side.
Attacking Midfielder: Dwayne DeRosario. DeRo offers dynamic running in the middle of the park.
Attacking Midfielder: Marco Etcheverry. El Diablo will need to have plenty of the ball at his feet, so we'll give him spot kick duties.
Winger: Cobi Jones. Preki probably wouldn't be happy in winger role, so we'll have Jones here instead. Not a bad replacement.
Striker: Landon Donovan. The best. Donovan will be running at people and can withdraw to midfield at times, allowing Etcheverry or DeRosario to move up top.
Striker: Jaime Moreno. Moreno's sure to offer some classy finishes and delicate passes up top.

Second-Best XI:

Goalkeeper: Kevin Hartman. One of the underappreciated greats, he is a steady force between the posts.
Defender: Jimmy Conrad. Out of the air, Conrad will dominate in both boxes.
Defender: Marcelo Balboa. We'll be sure to get Balboa going forward for some bicycle kick goals at some point.
Defender: Carlos Bocanegra. I know I put him below the two Marshalls, Tyrone and Chad, but Bocanegra's versatility and experience are invaluable here. If we're talking real-life peak years, I want Bocanegra in my side.
Defensive Midfielder: Shalrie Joseph. The physically dominant Joseph will be a ball-winner and distributor behind the play makers.
Winger: Ben Olsen. This was the hardest choice and forced me to omit Carlos Valderrama and Jesse Marsch, but our midfield must have some selfless engines who don't need the ball.
Center Midfielder: Peter Nowak. He'll be the heart and soul with the captain's armband.
Winger: Mark Chung. Chung was another toughie, but as an out-and-out winger, he brings something different to the table. I want that in my side.
Attacking Midfielder: Preki. I'm a little nervous about Preki getting enough of the ball, but with two forwards who get themselves into great spots, it should work.
Forwards: Taylor Twellman and Brian McBride. I love this pairing up top. Why did the U.S. never try it? (A number of reasons obviously, injury and timing foremost among them.) Twellman's work rate, movement, and finishing ability with McBride's holdup play, aerial supremacy, and craft. Brilliant.

There you have it. All for fun. It took far too long to actually finish this list, but for any hardcore MLS fans reading, I hope you appreciate the thoughts. Love it? Hate it? How would you change it? Tell me what you think by commenting below.

Greatest Yet to Win a Title

2009-08-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching and agonizing over the great 1997 and ’98 NBA Finals. Stockton and Malone. Pippen and Jordan. The flu game with Jordan willing his team to a pivotal victory. Jordan’s “final” shot, securing the repeat three-peat a year later. His Airness letting the follow through hang decidedly. Double heartbreak for the Jazz duo.

This calls for a list of the greatest players yet to win a championship.

A few blog posts below I mentioned that putting together a championship-caliber team, staying healthy, finding the right chemistry, and competing for a NBA Finals berth takes the stars aligning correctly. Even for the greatest to play the game, hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy is rare.

Stockton and Malone certainly aren’t alone in lacking a title on their career resume. Where to start in assembling a gathering of tortured NBA stars?

First, some ground rules upon which my list is based.

Rule #1: It includes active and retired players. That's why I said yet to win a championship instead of never to win one. That means some of these players may have a chance to remove themselves from the dubious honor as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen did last spring.
Rule #2: I made an argument for placing each player on the list, but I also listed reasons why they should not be on it. Both were weighted equally in the consideration.
Rule #3: Several factors carried significant weight: Individual and team success, awards and recognition, longevity, statistically great seasons, career stats, and impact on the game.
Rule #4: ABA years count for career resumes, but players who have won an ABA championship are still eligible. I am counting only those yet to win an NBA title.

To begin the process, I made an extensive list of players. Some you may recognize, others will be less conspicuous. I then ranked the players from bottom to top.

Applaud it, debate it, and tell me your thoughts below.

Too Young To Tell

Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony. A couple of young bucks who need more seasoning before they can be included on any all-time lists. Howard officially emerged as the best big man in basketball last season and has yet to average under 10 rebounds per game. He won Defensive Player of the Year honors for what could be the first of many times in 2009. Anthony has a career average of 24 points per game, and his team finally achieved some success by reaching the Western Conference Finals. You may notice that one of Anthony's classmates is on the list, but Carmelo does not have enough years to qualify. This is because that player (whom I'm sure you can guess) has done statistically in his first few seasons what few have ever managed. For all their greatness, Melo is 24, and Superman 23. They have what most on this list covet: Time.

(Somewhat) Honorable Mention

40. Shawn Kemp. The classic underachiever. He had the tools for greatness, teased us with the most ferocious dunks in the league for a few years, then ballooned wider, sunk lower, and eventually left the NBA fat and with serious substance-abuse issues. Kemp only once averaged 20 ppg, but anyone who watched the 1996 NBA Finals can attest to the fleeting talent he possessed.

39. Rolando Blackman. An All-Star with Dallas, Blackman simply played to his potential as a high-scoring guard/forward. He hovered around the 20 point mark for most of the 1980s, reached the Western Conference Finals with the Mavs in 1988, finished as the franchise leader in points, nearly won a title as a bench warmer with the 1994 Knicks, and quietly left the NBA after that season to finish his career in Europe.

38. Sidney Moncrief. Name the NBA's first Defensive Player of the Year. If you weren't peering at this list, would you have guessed Moncrief? The stealth Bucks great harassed, muscled, and made opponents change their game. No less than Michael Jordan touted, "He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it." Moncrief could score, too, with five seasons at a 20 ppg clip and a career average of 15 points. His Bucks teams were thwarted in the playoffs, but Milwaukee won seven division titles and made the playoffs for ten straight years with Moncrief. Degenerative knees kept him from playing longer.

37. Rudy Tomjanovich. Rudy T bled Rockets red. In 1977, he also bled from a life-threatening punch by the Lakers Kermit Washington. This violent melee defined Tomjanovich's career and chiseled one of the darker moments into league history. Despite that day, he went to five All-Star games, averaging 17 points and eight rebounds for his career. After reaching the Finals in 1981, Tomjanovich retired and went into coaching and personnel, eventually rising to the head job in Houston where the Rockets won two title during his tenure. You don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.

36. George Yardley. My guess: No one who will read this list saw Yardley play. Jump into your time machines and head to the 1950s. "Bird" (before Larry came along) originated the turnaround jumper. Yardley almost missed out on the NBA, instead opting for the Navy, his engineering degree from Stanford, and AAU basketball. Eventually Yardley signed for Fort Wayne. He was one of the league's first superstars. In 1957-58, he became the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in a season and completed his career with averages of 19 points and eight rebounds. His Pistons came within a point of the title in 1955, but he never returned to the Finals.

35. Tim Hardaway. With a crossover that froze defenders for over a decade, Tim Hardaway emerged as one of the most electric, yet puzzlingly underrated stars of his generation. He averaged almost 18 points and eight assists for his career, made five All-Star and five All-NBA teams, went to the playoffs ten times, and became the engine of the Miami Heat when the team won 50 or more games four times in the late 1990s (plus a No. 1 seed in the lockout-shortened 1999 season).

34. Walt Bellamy. Lost among the Chamberlain-Russell rivalry in the 1960s, Bellamy averaged 31.6 points and 19 rebounds per game his rookie season and made the All-Star team each of his first four seasons. He never played for a significant contender, and his career statistics went downhill after a sterling start to his career. An interesting bit of trivia: he once played in a record 88 regular season games because of a trade and odd scheduling.

33. Elton Brand. Always under the radar, Brand is one of four active players with career averages of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, joining an elite shortlist of Shaq, Garnett, and Duncan. He’s under the radar, however, because he’s only made the playoffs once and has been part of a number of underachieving, talented teams.

32. Nate Thurmond. Another outstanding 1960s big man not often mentioned, Thurmond went down as a shot-blocking, rebounding, big-screening, and strong-passing center for the San Francisco Warriors. He averaged 15 rebounds per game in his career and earned All-NBA Defensive Team honors five times.

31. Vince Carter. Carter will be remembered for his dunks and underachievement. He led Toronto to their only second round appearance in franchise history, but he gave up (a la Manny Ramirez) at the end of his Raptors tenure, averaged his best numbers early in his career, and has never been a good defensive player.

30. Reggie Miller. 2560. That’s the number of three-pointers Miller nailed in his 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers. He accumulated 25,279 points, but he averaged only 18 points per game to get there. One of the game’s great clutch shooters, he has a legacy of great late moments without a body of work to vault him higher on this list.

29. David Thompson. Skywalker should be much higher, but substance abuse ruined his career. He scored 73 points in a game, the fourth highest total all-time, and he averaged 22.1 career points per game despite a decline to the low teens in his final three seasons. His showdown in the 1976 ABA Slam-Dunk Competition with Julius Erving still stands immortal in making basketball a sport of entertainment.

28. Mark Jackson. This selection recognizes Jackson's body of work more than a collection of seasons or individual accomplishments. Jackson ranks second in career assists, placing him ahead of Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, and Oscar Robertson. His lone individual accomplishment -- winning Rookie of the Year in 1987-88 -- and lone All-Star appearance in 1989 reflect a team-first mantra. Jackson played for seven teams and averaged a double-double only twice in his career, but he steadily directed his squads as a post-up point guard, making the most of his instictive passing skills and lack of physical gifts.

27. Grant Hill. Looking at the beginning of Grant Hill’s career with the Detroit Pistons, he seemed on track for greater things than being No. 27 on this list. Peer at his first three seasons. Season one: 20 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5 apg. Season two: 20 ppg, 10 rpg, 7 apg. Season three: 21 ppg, 9 rpg, 7.3 apg. Had he kept those stats a few more years, he would easily be in the top five alongside Jason Kidd, the man with whom he shared the 1994 Rookie of the Year award. Instead, Hill had his career ravaged by bad ankles. Could Orlando have anticipated how little they would get out of Hill when they signed him as a free agent in 2000? It’s a testament to Hill that he didn’t become discouraged into retirement following so many injury relapses. He played 70 and 82 games the last two years for Phoenix. He still has excellent career averages of 18.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. But with him it will always be a case of what could have been.

Distinguished Service

26. Yao Ming. Yao will never be a 30-ppg scorer or great defender. He’s a behemoth with a soft touch who flourishes with the right supporting cast, and that’s been enough to make him a five-time All-NBA player. He made the game vastly more global by bringing Chinese interest to the NBA. He has made seven All-Star teams. Yes, he often injures himself at critical times. He’s been called soft and slow of foot. But how many other big men in the NBA would general managers choose before him? He still possesses the ability to dominate a game with his size and touch.

25. Dikembe Mutombo. The man who backed up Yao the past few years sneaks in just above him on this list thanks to his four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Mutombo ended his career second to Hakeem Olajuwon all-time in blocked shots, and his presence (along with that intimidating finger wag) changed the interior play of teams he faced throughout his many years in the NBA. Even in his late 30s, he could still rebound and block shots with the best. Though his offensive game never seemed fluid, he managed to average double digit scoring for his career in complement to his game-changing defensive abilities.

24. Bernard King. Only 20 players in NBA history have scored 60 points in a game. King is one of them. Like Chris Webber, King suffered a knee injury that robbed him of the hallmark quickness he exhibited early in his career. King led the NBA in scoring for the Knicks with 32.9 points per game in 1984-85. He made four All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams. Though he only played 874 games in his career, he averaged 22 points and 5 rebounds with 11 seasons of 20-plus points per game. With limited playoff exposure in an era of high-scoring forwards, King often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

23. Kevin Johnson. Johnson posted some fine seasons in the late 1980s and 1990s, joining Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas as the only players to average 20 points and 12 assists in a season, and becoming the third player (after Thomas and Oscar Robertson) to post three straight seasons of 20 points and 10 assists. He made three All-Star teams and led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993. Some make this list based on a body of work. Others -- like Johnson -- depend on a few magical seasons to make the cut. Though his dominance was short, KJ had an electric game few have ever matched.

22. Artis Gilmore. A monster many thought never realized his potential to dominate as a big man, Gilmore nonetheless compiled an impressive career resume in 17 professional seasons. He averaged 18.8 points and 12 rebounds per game in five ABA and 12 NBA seasons, and he still sits as the NBA's all-time leader in field goal percentage at .599. Like Dan Issel below, Gilmore won an ABA championship with the Kentucky Colonels, but he never sniffed the NBA Finals, making the conference finals twice with George Gervin and the Spurs in 1982 and 1983. At his best, Gilmore used his enormous 7'2 frame and tremendous strength to control the lane on both ends of the court, ranking among the league's top post defenders and leaders in blocked shots and rebounds most of his career. While he could be criticized for being mechanical and even soft at times, he played some of the most efficient basketball on both ends of the court the league has ever seen.

21. Chris Webber. Webber has the 25th highest career scoring average ever, putting him dead even with Dr. J. For a five-year stretch with the Sacramento Kings, Webber made the All-NBA team every season, helped the franchise to the NBA elite, led the NBA in rebounding for a season, and became a viable MVP candidate. Then he shattered his knee, and microfracture surgery robbed him of the quickness that allowed him to be such a special post player. He still had productive years left with the Kings, Sixers, and Pistons, but he never dominated again. Ultimately, Webber will be remembered for botching a timeout call in the 1994 NCAA Championship game, disappearing against Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, and never making the NBA Finals. A bad legacy for a great player.

20. Dan Issel. Issel vaults himself higher because of ABA accomplishments. If you combine his NBA and ABA scoring, Issel ranks sixth all-time in points behind Kareem, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Dr. J. Though Issel never won an NBA Championship, he did win an ABA Title with the Kentucky Colonels in 1975. For that reason, it could be argued that he shouldn’t be included on this list, but the ABA did not have the same level of competition as the NBA, so titles from that league have less weight. He was consistently a 25-30 point scorer and double-digit rebounder in the ABA, and he continued to hover around 20 points and eight rebounds per game in nine NBA seasons. For his career, Issel averaged 25.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, making him one of the highest statistical achievers on this list.

Outsiders

19. Adrian Dantley. Twice Dantley was traded from championship teams in the season leading up to the trophy capture. Perhaps he would be remembered differently had the Lakers chosen to keep him over Jamaal Wilkes in 1979. Or if the Pistons opted to stay the course instead of swapping Dantley for Mark Aguirre a decade later in the middle of their 1989 championship season. Dantley had helped Detroit to the Finals the year before, putting up 34 points on 14-of-16 shooting in Game 1. This six-time All-Star had his best shot to win with the Pistons, and he came up three months short. Instead, Dantley will be remembered as an electric scorer, twice leading the league as a member of the Utah Jazz. Four times he averaged over 30 ppg, and his career scoring average of 24.3 ppg puts him in a tie with Larry Bird for 14th best all-time. He shot an astounding 54 percent from the field for his career, rarely dipping below 50 percent for a season. Having played for seven teams, Dantley still awaits a Hall of Fame call.

18. Alex English. Alex English this high on the list? Let the statistics wow you: While with the Denver Nuggets in the 1980s, English averaged 21, 24, 25, 28 (leading the NBA in 1982-83), 26, 28, 30, 29, 25, 27, and 18 points per game. His Nuggets reached the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, including the Western Conference Finals in 1985-86. He finished sixth on the NBA’s career scoring list and stands twelfth today. He made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA Second Teams. Who was the first player to score 2,000 points in eight consecutive seasons? Alex English. Who was the top scorer in the NBA in the 1980s? Alex English. And who belongs firmly on this list? Alex English. a

17. Bob Lanier. The Elton Brand of his day, Lanier always hovered around the 20-point, 10-rebound mark, finishing with career averages as consistent as his professional routine: 20.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg. Despite his dominance, instability plagued the Pistons during Lanier’s tenure. He had eight head coaches while in Detroit, and the team plummeted to 16-66 in his final year. The Pistons traded him to Milwaukee during the 1979-80 season, where he went on to serve as captain of a talented Bucks squad the last five years of his career. With Lanier, Milwaukee twice reached the Eastern Conference Finals, won five division titles, and became the first team to sweep the Boston Celtics in the 1983 NBA Playoffs. Lanier made six All-Star teams, won the All-Star MVP in 1974, and shot 51 percent from the field in his career. Before his election to the Hall of Fame in 1992, he had already been immortalized there. His size 22 sneakers were bronzed and displayed as the largest in the league’s history. The big man, of course, left no small shoes to fill.

16. Pete Maravich. Pistol Pete offered the ultimate in situational obscurity. In his first 10 seasons in the NBA, his teams only once produced a winning record. Atlanta, New Orleans, and Salt Lake City fans were sparse, but those who did come saw one of the game’s great showmen. Maravich averaged 25 or more points five times, including a league-leading 31.1 ppg in 1976-77. Certainly Maravich’s career at Louisiana State merits mention. There he redefined collegiate scoring records, tallying most career points (3,667) and highest career scoring average (44.2 ppg). Fans came to expect and love his dippsy-dos, behind-the-back passes, between the legs dribbles, and flamboyant trickery, even if it came in mostly losing contests. For all his showmanship, Maravich never could shake the me-first image. He never seemed to be on good terms with team management. Shortly after moving to Utah, the Jazz released him in 1979, and he signed with the Boston Celtics during Larry Bird’s rookie season. The Celtics had the league’s best record and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but a bad knee forced Maravich into early retirement. Boston went on to the title the next season. Few players have ever been as fun to watch, but perhaps with more substance and less flamboyance, Maravich may have been able to add more team success to his considerable individual accomplishments. To magnify his legend, it was discovered that he had a heart defect when he died suddenly while playing pickup basketball in 1988. It seemed nothing could stop the Pistol Pete show.

15. Tracy McGrady. A two-time scoring champion, McGrady always gets a bad name for never leading his teams to a series win in the playoffs. Up until the past season, McGrady had averaged at least 21.6 points for eight consecutive years. He also posted six rebounds and five assists per game during that time. With the explosion to score 62 points in a game (against Washington in 2004), the playmaking ability to dish 13 assists in a single contest (which he’s done five times), and the commitment to grab 17 rebounds in one night against San Antonio in 2002, McGrady has proven his versatility and effectiveness. He is a classic case of a dominant player carrying mediocre teams into the playoffs. Sadly, when his Rockets teammates finally won a playoff series this year, injuries prevented him from taking part in the victory.

14. Dave Bing. The Mayor of Detroit may have been the greatest scorer in Pistons history. He averaged 20 points and six assists per game in his career, but rarely had opportunities to showcase his talents because of inferior supporting talent. He won a scoring title in 1967-68, and had his career slightly derailed by an eye injury in the 1971-72 preseason. Recovering from a partially detached retina, Bing still averaged around 20 points for the better part of four more seasons in Detroit. Two seasons in Washington and one in Boston to close his career saw him flirt with championship teams in the years surrounding his tenure in those towns, but they had limited success with Bing in the lineup. Pistons scout Pistons scout Earl Lloyd once quipped, "Maybe some other player does this better, and another player does that better. (But) nobody does as much as Dave does."

13. Lenny Wilkens. Aside from Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, Lenny Wilkens showcased the best playmaking skills of his era. He played the bulk of his career for the St. Louis Hawks, a team that twice finished first in their division in his eight seasons there but made limited runs deep into the playoffs. During his time as a Hawk, Wilkens was a mid-teens points-per-game scorer who chipped in with six assists each contest. Then like a ripening wine, Wilkens upped his scoring to 20 points and his assists to eight and nine per game for the five straight seasons in Seattle and Cleveland, only once making the playoffs again with lousy squads. He made nine All-Star games, winning the MVP in 1971. Wilkens served as one of the first player-coaches for the Sonics, and he finished second to Wilt Chamberlain in the MVP voting in 1967-68, averaging 20 ppg and 8.3 apg. The dazzling playmaker went on to become the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.

12. Dominique Wilkins. Yes, he could dunk. As the winner of two Slam Dunk Contests, Wilkins should be recognized for aerial greatness on par with Jordan and Erving. The man could also flat out score. He had 10 straight seasons averaging 25-plus points per game in the middle of his career, including a scoring title in 1985-86. Until his last year, he never failed to average 17 ppg. He’s one of only 12 players to score 25,000 lifetime points and trails only eight NBA players in career points with 26,668. “The Human Highlight Show” had much more substance to his game than many recognize. He made the All-NBA First Team once, Second Team four times, Third Team twice, and All-Star team nine times. The Hawks enjoyed their most sustained success with ‘Nique, winning 50 or more games from 1985-86 to 1988-89. Wilkins famously dueled with Larry Bird in game seven of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He won the individual battle with 47 points on 19-for-23 shooting, but Bird had 20 points in the fourth quarter on his way to 34 overall. The Celtics won 118-116. Had the Hawks prevailed, Wilkins would have reached his only conference final. In the 1990s, Wilkins’ star faded. He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, twice went overseas to play, and finished with mediocre teams in Boston, San Antonio, and Orlando. Without the two seasons in Europe, he may have vaulted into the top five on the all-time scoring list.

Contenders

11. Dirk Nowitzki. Imagine if the 2006 NBA Finals had ended differently. Nowitzki’s Mavericks were up 2-0 on the Miami Heat in the series, up 13 points with six minutes to go in game three, seemingly coasting to the franchise’s first championship. Nowitzki had vanquished Tim Duncan and the Spurs two rounds earlier. The Mavs won two nights before on the strength of his 26 points and 16 rebounds. He seemed ready to ascend into the NBA elite. Then with 3.4 seconds remaining and a chance to tie the game, Nowitzki missed one of two free throws, and the Heat won 100-98. A few days later, Miami celebrated their fourth straight victory and the title. The Mavericks have never been the same. Oh sure, Nowitzki won the MVP award the next year. Dallas won 67 games that season. But the spotlight again melted their star in the playoffs. Golden State, a team that had won 25 fewer games in the regular season, dispatched Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavs in the darkest of moments for player and franchise. Like so many players on this list, Nowitzki’s legacy could have completely changed with that one moment, that one fourth quarter, that 2006 playoff run, a single free throw. As it stands, Nowitzki is the first MVP to appear here, which places him above the Outsiders category. Of all the players on this list, he creates the greatest matchup problems of anyone except LeBron James. He handles like a guard, shoots like a marksman, rebounds like a center, and plays one of the most unique floor games ever. If he someday manages to exercise his playoff demons -- and perhaps even if he doesn't -- Nowitzki may go down as the finest European player in NBA history.
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10. Steve Nash. Nash never seemed a likely candidate to be an all-time NBA great. Born in South Africa, raised in Canada, a collegian at Santa Clara. Not particularly tall, noticeably strong, or strikingly quick. Yet when he arrived for his second stint with the Phoenix Suns in 2004, he struck a perfect marriage with mercurial coach Mike D’Antoni. The running Suns found the ideal catalyst in Nash, whose fluid passing skills and ability to keep his dribble alive made for a love affair with fantasy basketball owners everywhere. With Nash throwing them the ball, Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Marion became All-Stars, role players like Raja Bell and Boris Diaw stat sheet fillers. Nash won two MVP awards and thrice led the NBA in assists. He nearly captured a third MVP award, narrowly losing to former teammate Nowitzki in the 2007 vote. Had he won three MVPs, Nash would have joined Russell, Chamberlain, Kareem, Moses Malone, Bird, Magic, and Michael in reaching that historical summit. With two, he sits equal to Bob Pettit, Karl Malone, and Tim Duncan. Only Magic won two or more MVPs as a point guard. Nash certainly has his critics. Some say he’s a defensive liability, a statistical anomaly, a product of D’Antoni’s run-and-gun tactics, a MVP in seasons without a dominant player. Perhaps those criticisms are true, but Nash still claims more MVP awards than Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, or a slew of other Hall of Famers. The Suns improved 33 games the season he arrived, won 60 or more games twice, and lost in two grueling Western Conference Finals with Nash and D’Antoni running the show. Pretty good for an undersized Canadian who had never been on an All-NBA Team before re-arriving in Phoenix.

9. Patrick Ewing. New York had a love-hate affair with their star center from the day Patrick Ewing became the Knicks’ No. 1 draft choice in 1985. He never ceased to average 20 points in his first 13 seasons and retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks, but fans in the Big Apple always expected more. If only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon had not graced the same court as Ewing, the hatred New York fans felt could have been cooled by a team trophy or two. Ewing’s Knicks stretched the 1992 Bulls and 1994 Rockets to seven games, but like many tense moments in his tenure, they fell short in the decider both times. While he was notorious for disappearing at big moments, Ewing had his share of heroics. To get the Knicks into the 1994 NBA Finals, he posted 24 points and 22 rebounds in a game seven victory over Indiana. He also beat the Pacers in game five of their Eastern semifinal series in 1995 with a clutch game-winner coming two seconds before the buzzer. Perhaps the blame for playoff losses can be attributed to his teammates as much as Ewing himself. In game six against Chicago in 1993, Charles Smith missed from point-blank range in the final seconds. In game seven against the Rockets the year after, John Starks shot an abysmal 2-for-18. Ewing spent the final two years of his distinguished career in Seattle and Orlando, but he will be remembered as a New Yorker, for better or worse. Though he couldn’t deliver a championship to the media center of the world, Ewing’s stature in New York was summed up by Jordan, who said, "He has a heart of a champion. When you thought about New York, you thought of Patrick Ewing. He came and gave life back into the city."
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8. Allen Iverson. The irony was thick in the 2001 NBA Finals. In one corner, Shaquille O’Neal, at 7’1 and 325 lbs. a force the NBA has never experienced. Opposite Shaq, the MVP of the league that year, 6’0, 165 lb. Allen Iverson, no larger than most of the fans watching him. Then like lightning, Iverson struck in game one with 48 points, engineering a seesaw victory for Philly in overtime. The underdog had the upper hand, but Shaq and Kobe bulldozed their way to four straight victories and the title. Iverson hasn’t been back to that stage since. Aging and banged up, one of the game’s greatest scorers sits on the free agent market waiting for suitors. For all his difficult moments, the man has been a true NBA great. In addition to the 2001 MVP, Iverson has averaged 27.1 points for his career, second on this list to Elgin Baylor. That places him fourth all-time trailing only Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan. He’s won four scoring titles, a total eclipsed by only Jordan and Chamberlain and tied with George Gervin for third-most in history. Throw in 6.2 assists per game as well. He’s combative and a warrior, lightning on the court and thunder with his words, a problem for coaches and poster child for the unwholesome image of the NBA. Yes, he tends to run his mouth and not particularly enjoy practicing. But practice? Who needs practice anyway? I mean, we're talking about practice, man. Not the game, not the game. Practice. As he closes his career, Iverson can claim with full confidence that he bore his heart and soul on game day. For becoming the quintessential David in a Goliath league, Iverson should be considered the game’s greatest giant slayer.

7. LeBron James. First, let’s get something straight. If you were a general manager starting a basketball team and you could pick any player from this list or from the entire pool of players in NBA history as your franchise cornerstone, you would have to pick LeBron James. Wouldn’t you? Granted, he hasn’t won anything yet, which is why he’s still here. But does anyone reading this doubt he will still be among the uncrowned by the end of his career? No way. King James has to be the most physically gifted player in league history. He won his first MVP this season. With what has to be the weakest supporting cast ever to win 60-plus games, he carried his team to the league’s best record. When it comes to talent and pure output over a six-season span, he immediately moves to No. 1 on this list. But let’s slow down before we anoint King James as, well, king. With just about 13,000 career points in six years, he’s already outscored Mark Jackson’s career output in 18 seasons. With 3,159 assists to his name, he’s bested Adrian Dantley and his 15 seasons. His 3,307 rebounds puts him in a dead heat with 13-year vet Allen Iverson. With each championship-less season, LeBron scales another spot or two on this list. Give it a few more years without him kissing the golden globed trophy, and he will have reached the summit. But who realistically believes that will happen? This phenom will get his rings, and then the comparisons will be made to the sport’s greatest champions instead of its greatest also-rans.

6. George Gervin. Floppy hats and flamboyant outfits. That silky finger roll, the fluid jump shot, the effortless dribble drive. The Iceman. George Gervin won four scoring titles, tied with Iverson for third-most ever, and he preceded AI and MJ as the first guard to do it. When the Spurs moved from the ABA, Gervin elevated his game. He had averaged 22 ppg in the ABA. He upped that to 26.2 points per contest in the NBA, giving him history’s seventh-best average. The Spurs enjoyed some team success with Gervin as well. San Antonio won 50 or more games five times, and reached three Conference Finals, one in the East and two against the L.A. Lakers in the West. They made the playoffs for 10 straight seasons in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Gervin was the main reason. He made the All-NBA First Team five straight years (1978-1982) and the Second Team in the sandwiching years (1977, 1983). He averaged 28 ppg in that seven-year span, shooting around 50 percent every season with an average of five or more rebounds all but once. And he did it all with a coolness only the Iceman could claim. For his first scoring title, Gervin needed 58 points in the season finale to eclipse David Thompson, who had put up 73 points earlier in the day. He dropped a career-best 63, including a record 33 in the second quarter. As always, icy cool under fire. Gervin twice finished second in the MVP balloting and remains in the Spurs franchise top 10 lists for almost every major statistical category, including a record 23,602 points scored. After differences with new coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, San Antonio traded Gervin to Chicago prior to the 1985-86 season. There the Iceman spent the year at shooting guard in place of an injured young Bull named Michael Jordan. It seemed an appropriate way to end Gervin’s career as he passed the mantle to the game’s greatest superstar and top trendsetter.

5. Jason Kidd. The triple double isn’t an official statistic, but it helps us grasp the greatness of Jason Kidd. At 103 triple-doubles, Kidd sits atop the active player list. He won’t catch Oscar Robertson, who had 181 in 14 seasons. For perspective, Grant Hill’s 29 career triple-doubles place him second on the active list behind Kidd. LeBron James has 18, Kevin Garnett 16, Kobe Bryant 14. No other player has had the skill set of Jason Kidd. He’s been named to the All-NBA Defensive Teams nine times, the All-NBA Teams six. From the point guard position, his career rebounds-per-game average puts him on par with Dr. J, Rasheed Wallace, and Jermaine O’Neal. Assuming health, he will pass Mark Jackson for second place on the all-time assists list this season and already has five assists titles to his credit, one ahead of Magic Johnson for third all-time. Kidd lifted a nucleus of Kenyon Martin, Kerry Kittles, and Keith Van Horn to two NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets. He should have won the MVP award in his first Nets season when New Jersey doubled their win total behind Kidd’s 14.7 ppg, 9.9 apg, and 7.3 rpg. The Suns won 50 or more games three times in five seasons with Kidd. In his prime, only Magic and Cousy could run a comparable fast break. Only Scottie Pippen and Gary Payton could comparably hawk ball handlers. Only Oscar Robertson and Magic could post similar numbers in the big three statistical categories. As Kidd’s career comes to a close, he may yet have his best chance at a title in Dallas. Nowitzki is the most talented teammate Kidd has ever had, the Mavs his best supporting cast. If they were competing in the Eastern Conference Kidd’s Nets faced a few years ago, things might be looking up for the best point guard of the last decade. But like so many others, in the closest calls of Kidd’s career he faced dominant teams with better personnel: Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers, Duncan and Robinson’s Spurs. Ultimately, his will be a legacy of all-around excellence whether that elusive ring arrives or not.

4. Charles Barkley. Who else in league history rebounded like Sir Charles at his height? There’s a reason he received one of the game’s best nicknames: Round Mound of Rebound. Listed at 6’6 but famously reaching only 6’4, Barkley only once failed to average double digit rebounds in a season. Bill Walton described him: “Barkley is like Magic (Johnson) and Larry (Bird) in that they don't really play a position. He plays everything; he plays basketball. There is nobody who does what Barkley does. He's a dominant rebounder, a dominant defensive player, a three-point shooter, a dribbler, a playmaker." Indeed, Barkley did a little of everything, but rebounding defined him. To drive Phoenix to the NBA Finals in his 1993 MVP season, Barkley posted 44 points and 24 rebounds in game seven of the Western Conference Finals against Seattle. Has there been a better game-seven performance the last two decades? Has there ever been a bigger game-seven stat line? The Suns gave Jordan’s Bulls perhaps their sternest test in a championship series, so nearly reaching a deciding game. Nearly, but not quite. The next year Barkley scored 56 points in the first round against Golden State, tied for third-most in a playoff game. Chuck always entertained. He could haul in a rebound, dribble the length of the court, and slam it in the grill of a 7-footer. Or dish it off after bringing the ball up. Or back down anyone in the post, bulling his way to the hoop. And when the final buzzer sounded, Barkley continued to amuse, candidly offering his take on the game and whatever else crossed his mind. “I don't create controversies,” he said. “They’re there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention.” He had his dark moments, such as spitting on a young girl by accident and being criminally charged (but later cleared) for an incident in a bar. But few have ever shone as brightly on the court. It was Barkley who led the original Dream Team in scoring during the 1992 Olympics, finishing ahead of Jordan, Bird, Magic, Malone, and all his contemporaries on the greatest team ever assembled. He was a winner, too. Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Houston each had a 50-win season with Barkley, and his teams won that many games seven times in his career. He missed the playoffs only twice. Alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Barkley’s first season with the Rockets nearly brought him back to the Finals, but it ended with him helplessly trying to close out a wide-open John Stockton as the Jazz point guard sank a three-pointer at the buzzer. There would be no Jordan-Barkley rematch. Love him or hate him (and like most, you probably lean strongly one way), the basketball world would be a far different place without Chuck.

Medalists

3. John Stockton. Of all the records in the NBA, John Stockton’s all-time assists mark may be the hardest to break. It took him 18 seasons of averaging 10.5 apg to reach 15,806 career helpers, putting him 5,472 ahead of second-place Mark Jackson. By comparison, Steve Nash is not even halfway to Stockton’s mark. Jason Kidd is the active assists leader with 10,199. He would have to play seven or eight more seasons at his current level to approach Stockton. Kidd has never had a season with 1,000 assists. Stockton had seven. As much as I herald Steve Nash for his MVP seasons, Stockton had eight years where he averaged more assists with a comparable scoring average, field goal percentage at or above 50 percent, free throw percentage in the low to mid 80s, and a near-league-leading steals average. Not just one or two years comparable or better than Nash’s MVPs. Eight seasons. So why didn’t Stockton get any MVP buzz? Heck, the guy only made the All-NBA First Team twice. Maybe it was the simplicity of Stockton’s game. No flash. No behind-the-back or between-the-legs. He made the simple pass, sacrificed his body to set the league’s best screens, found the open man every time. Sometimes appreciating subtleties is easier in hindsight. Stockton brought a simple, utterly effective game. His Utah Jazz never missed the playoffs in 19 seasons. Not once. The Jazz were Western Conference Finalists five times in seven years in the 1990s, reaching the aforementioned agonizing NBA Finals in 1997 and ’98. Stockton’s signature moment came in 1997 when he launched the series-winning three-pointer over Charles Barkley to beat the Houston Rockets in game six and propel the Jazz to their first championship series. But John Stockton was never about singular moments. It’s his body of work that demands the utmost respect. It’s the assists. The 1,504 games played, good for third-most in league history. The fact that Stockton missed only 22 games in his career due to injury. The 3,265 career steals, also a record. The humble beginnings in Spokane, Wash. and Gonzaga University before it became a national power. The record for most seasons played with the same franchise. And of course, the endless number of Stockton-to-Malone pick-and-rolls. The two shall forever be linked. At the end of their long careers together, the Mailman offered an assist to the man who threw him so many, saying, “There absolutely, positively, will never ever be another John Stockton – ever.”

2. Elgin Baylor. Baylor is basketball history’s greatest footnote. He lived in the shadow of record setters his entire career. You name a great basketball moment or accomplishment during his time, and Baylor somehow was overshadowed by it. When Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 ppg in 1961-62, Baylor had to serve in the military part time and poured in 38.3 ppg without playing enough games to qualify for the scoring title. In his other two seasons averaging 30 or more points, Baylor finished second to Chamberlain for the scoring title. He never won a scoring crown despite finishing with the third-best average in league history (27.4). In 1960, Baylor scored 71 points and grabbed 25 rebounds against the Knicks, setting the standard for scoring in a single game. Chamberlain topped that point total five times the following two years. In the 1960 Western Conference Finals, Baylor’s Lakers lost to the St. Louis Hawks by one point in game six and two points in game seven, the start of many playoff close calls. In 14 professional seasons, Baylor made the NBA Finals eight times – and lost every one. The 1962 Finals ended with overtime in game seven and the Celtics topping the Lakers by three points. In 1966, the Lakers lost to Boston by two points in game seven. In 1969, the Celtics won game seven 108-106. In all, Boston victimized Baylor’s Lakers for seven titles in the 1960s. It wasn’t Chamberlain that Bill Russell denied all those years. Wilt got two titles. It was Baylor who lost the most. By 1970, it seemed the Lakers’ time had come. Russell had retired. Chamberlain had been acquired. L.A. easily returned to play New York in the Finals. After a seesaw first six games, Baylor surely watched in horror to see a hobbled Willis Reed take the court briefly and inspire the Knicks to gut-wrenching victory. The Lakers lost the series despite outscoring New York in the seven games. Finally, the topper. In 1971-72, bad knees ended Baylor’s playing career after only nine games. What did his teammates do without him? Nothing much. The Lakers just went on to a then league record 69-win season, taking 33 games in a row at one point and capturing their first title in Los Angeles by beating the Knicks. Maybe he was a bad luck charm. But how could that be for a 10-time All-NBA First Teamer? With little media coverage of the NBA, the pioneering shot-making abilities of Baylor went unfilmed and uncaptured in history except for the endorsement of his peers. He preceded the high flyers of the 1970s like Dr. J and David Thompson, but the world didn’t get to see him. Said former teammate and broadcaster Tommy Hawkins, “Pound for pound, no one was ever as great as Elgin Baylor.” No one in the history of sports came so close so many times either. As the greatest runner up in sports history, it only fits for him to be No. 2 on this list.

1. Karl Malone. What makes the Mailman tops on this list? In a word: Consistency. For 17 straight seasons, Malone averaged at least 20 points and eight rebounds, including 12 seasons of 25 ppg or more. He missed no more than two games in any season until his final campaign with the Lakers. Malone sits eleventh with a career average of 25.0 ppg. Free throws played a large part in his scoring assault; he shot and made more than anyone ever. His 14,968 career rebounds rank sixth in NBA annals, the highest of any player on this list. Malone can claim the most consistently outstanding statistics and the greatest career numbers of any player here. Along with Nash, he’s a two-time MVP, and he beat out Jordan to win his first award. Had Malone played another full season, he likely would have passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to top the league’s career scoring list. Instead, he finished a hair shy of Kareem (38,387) with 36, 928 points to his name. Those numbers continued in the playoffs. In 19 postseason appearances, Malone accumulated 4,761 points (fourth all-time), 2,062 rebounds (fifth), and 193 games played (tied for fifth). He ranks first on this list in each category. Yet his failings in big moments overshadowed his lengthy accomplishments. In game one of the NBA Finals in 1997, Malone had two free throws that would have given Utah a lead with seconds remaining. The Sunday afternoon game ticked away as Scottie Pippen whispered in his ear, “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays.” Pippen was a prophet. Malone didn’t deliver, missing twice, but Jordan did, winning the contest with a buzzer-beating jumper. Such moments defined his career. He always seemed on the verge, having opportunities to redefine his choker image. More than anyone, Jordan always seemed eager to assert his supremacy in the game’s closing minutes. With Utah leading by one in the deciding game six of the 1998 Finals, Jordan stripped Malone from the blind side and sank Jazz hearts with a cold-blooded jumper that became the defining image of His Airness in a career of defining images. Again Jordan greedily grabbed the trophy at his fellow superstar's expense. After Stockton retired in 2003, Malone left Utah to sign with the L.A. Lakers. Los Angeles boasted four sure-fire Hall of Famers that year after also signing Gary Payton to play alongside Shaq and Kobe. The team made the NBA Finals, but they fizzled in the face of a tenacious and blossoming Pistons team. Malone could have played another season continuing to pursue the scoring record and that elusive championship. Yet he could not bear the inconsistency. Injuries and lack of cohesion in his final season drove him to retirement. The sunset greeted Karl Malone, the Mailman, the thirteenth pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, the league’s strongest and most consistent power forward, the legendary Ironman, he of the greatest championship-less basketball resume in history. History-changing greatness, but no ring. For all his merit, the Mailman ultimately didn’t deliver what he (and every player on this list) coveted most.

Sad Days in Baseball

2009-08-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

Our heroes have turned into villains. Record books require asterisks. Some of the game's greatest will not be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Every home run champ and award winner over the last 15 years is called into question.

We have no clue the extent of steroids use and its impact on baseball. Every few days a new star seems to be identified as an user. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz both violated the league's policy, casting an ominous cloud over the Red Sox championships in 2004 and 2007. Did the Boston bombers cheat to get their rings? We may never know.

Sadness and doubt creep into the minds of baseball fans everywhere. The magic of the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run race in 1998 tarnished by stammering in front of Congress, positive tests, and a corked bat. The electricity of Barry Bonds winning batting and home run titles, oblitering hitting records and collecting four straight MVP awards, quietly washed away. Alex Rodriguez, perhaps the greatest home run hitter ever, forever frowned upon, his surefire records sure to be tainted.

Where do we turn for hope? Many stars can still claim their greatness clear of suspicion. Look at the remarkable body of work for the Cardinals' Albert Pujols, likely on his way to another MVP award in perhaps his finest statistical season. Look at Ken Griffey, Jr. riding into the twilight as a Seattle Mariner. Spurning more money and a chance to stay near his Orlando home with the Braves, he instead returned to the city that adores him to be part of a budding M's team. He and his 600-plus career homers should be elevated in history because of his squeaky-cleanness in this disgraced era.

Look at the Tampa Bay Rays repeating their surprising success from last year, the distinguished careers of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson coming to a close, the potential for a World Series featuring Joe Torre's Dodgers and the Yankees of Joe Girardi, the Phillies possessing the firepower for a repeat, the close races in almost every division in baseball.

We still have reason to enjoy America's pasttime. So while allegations and test results continue to dampen our days, don't lose hope that better times will soon arrive for baseball. The game must cleanse itself and purge the rampant drug use among all looking to gain the slightest competitive edge. It will happen with time, and we will again be able to look on baseball's storied history with pride.

Diving a Little too Deeply

2009-07-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

Writhing in pain. Screaming in agony. Stopping the match. Drawing the trainer on the field. Getting magic spray treatment on the supposed injury. Disgracing the game of soccer.

I love the beautiful game, but I hate how soccer players act like their limbs were removed when they want a foul call. Certainly there's a fine art to flopping realistically. Any sport lives with a certain amount of acting and trickery to deceive officials and gain an advantage, but soccer players seem to have no sense of moderation when it comes to hamming it up to get a call.

Tonight I watched Italian club giants AC Milan take on Mexico's flagship franchise Club America. The soccer lacked much appeal for the better part of the game, a reality not unexpected for a preseason match. Club America won 2-1 with a pair of well-taken goals, but the result stuck with me less than the pitiful pleas for a call.

Brazilian star Ronaldinho twice has been named FIFA World Player of the Year. He's got the vision and touch to again be the best. But he must stop yapping for a foul every time he loses the ball. He's not entitled. He's not special. He's underachieving, and he will continue to fall short until he starts playing the game again and hustling to win the ball back.

One play in the first half Ronaldinho dribbled right into a defender, lost possession, and then stood still, mouth moving more than his body. Meanwhile, Club America didn't clear it, didn't move it out of the area, didn't connect a pass for a few seconds. Ronaldinho could have created a tense moment by poking his foot back in the action. Instead he lazily placed the blame on the referee for his own incompetency.

Ronaldinho symbolizes the larger problem in world football. Embellishment, play acting, frailty, whatever you call it, it's destroying the game. Referees have more leverage now to award a yellow card for diving. Can FIFA extend that leverage to include embellishment of injuries?

No. Not really. That would require too much subjectivity from the referee. Rules should be as objective as possible. Black and white. Simple. Enforceable.

So my plea for less screaming and writhing falls on players and coaches. Please, just play the game. If we want soccer to become mainstream in America, we must rid the game of diving, embellishing, and disgraceful falls. Americans love the grinding, physical play that characterizes great rivalries. We crave crunching hits in football, grace despite collision in basketball, plays at the plate in baseball.

When soccer players flop and scream, they lose potential fans. American soccer needs to be different. Look for the foul, maybe consider going to the turf if you're in a favorable position and the defender bumps you, but don't yelp and stay down. Pop up. Do what Ronaldinho did not. Stay in the play if the call doesn't come. Show us your heart, and we'll show you our faithfulness.

Make the game beautiful again.

I Love My Bed

2009-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

I don't often write on this blog about non-professional interests. This place I reserve for critiques on the world, observations about sports, etceteras on important matters.

But today I am making an exception to speak a bit about a very important place in my life. A place where I spend a good chunk of my existence. A place that always welcomes me warmly. A place I have grown to love. A place of great comfort at the end of exhausting days. A place of pillows, flannel sheets, and weariness melting into peaceful slumber.

Yes, indeed, I am speaking about my bed. It's not just any bed; it's my bed. And I love it.

I love that I have my dad's homemade lamp beside me with a soft, energy-efficient lightbulb glowing golden for just the right amount of reading light.

I love that my wacky blue futuristic alarm clock displays the big red digital time so I can track my eight hours of sleep each night (I tend toward obsessive compulsiveness, if you didn't guess that already).

I love that my current reading list resides on my four-drawered wooden nightstand, ready for me to browse and enjoy as my eyelids grow heavy.

I love that my dad the woodworker created with his own hands and ingenuity the golden glowing lamp, the four-drawered wooden nightstand, and the keepsake-filled, leather-handled bedside box that sit vigilant below my bedroom window.

I love that my trusty little white fan blows white noise and cool air into my nighttime environment and lets me continue the habit I started while living in the ever-noisy college dorm where my fan doubled as a cooling agent and lifesaver when I needed sleep amid the late-night chaos.

I love that my big white body pillow waits patiently for me each night, providing cushion between my knees and elbows, allowing me to take up my favored position of laying on either side.

I love that my flannel sheets smell fresh and that only I have slept in them, and that they envelope me in warmth and consistency each time I return.

I love that I sleep with two pillows stacked below my head, one a little more firm that the other, so that just the right height can be achieved to create a parallel line between my head and the bed, preventing any neck cricks come morning.

I love that my green-and-blue-plaid down comforter is warm, but not too warm, and easily sheddable and easily make-able in the morning.

I love that I can open a window or shed my blankets to make the room cold and force me to wrap myself more tightly in the warmth of the green-and-blue-plaid down comforter.

I love that the sheets tuck so nicely between mattress and box spring at the foot of the bed so all I have to do is pull up the sheets and green-and-blue-plaid down comforter in the morning to make it all ready to return the next day.

I love that after I make my bed, after I leave my apartment for the day, after I commute 25 minutes to the office, after I consume three meals and answer countless emails, after I blog and converse and communicate, after I spend my day elsewhere, after I attend an important meeting, after I finish up a few to-dos, after I leave the office, after I pull back into my parking place, grab the mail, turn the key, open the big front door, set down my backpack, and take off my shoes -- after I return, when the day is done, my bed will be there. My refuge. My space. My special place.

I love my bed, and it loves me back.

Rockets Win......Without T-Mac

2009-05-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

Poor Tracy McGrady. Perhaps he's destined to become the best player never to make it out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. His Houston Rockets teammates finally won a playoff series yesterday, the team's first such triumph since the glory days of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler in 1997. But poor McGrady found himself surely feeling a little bitter that a knee injury kept him from enjoying this series and kicking his nasty habit of playing for teams that lose in the first round.

It's too bad. With a healthy McGrady, these Rockets might have had enough quality to battle the L.A. Lakers in the second round. Instead, they seem like a team happy enough to win a series and call it a successful season. After all, the Lakers rolled through Utah in the first round. They have Kobe, Pau, Phil, a rested Bynum, and a full scale mission after last year's heartless Finals failure. To challenge Los Angeles, someone needs a very complete team, and the Rockets lack a proven playmaker on offense. There's no fulcrum, no center point from which it starts.

What about Yao Ming? Playmaker he is not. Like Shaq, Olajuwon, and almost any dominant big man, he needs teammates who can get him the ball and utilize his set of interior skills. Ron Artest? Erratic shooting and decision-making dog his offensive game. He scored 27 points Thursday on 50 percent shooting, but he uses his bullish strength and size more than his creativity with the basketball. Shane Battier and Luis Scola defend and offer complementary scoring in important roles. Aaron Brooks continues to grow nicely. But there's a missing link. And McGrady could have provided it, if he were healthy.

Alas, the speculation will continue about McGrady's will to win. In seven playoff appearances for McGrady, he has zero series victories and a 13-36 record overall. He has played in three losing game 7s, one for Orlando and two for Houston.

McGrady's 2002-03 Orlando Magic looked prime for an upset when they took a 3-1 lead against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. McGrady talked about the second round. He averaged almost 34 points in the first four games of the series. Then the Pistons creeped back. Rookie Tayshaun Prince came off the bench as a McGrady stopper. Doubt creeped in after a stunning 31-point game 5 loss. Game 6 went to the Pistons by 15 points. Detroit completed the comeback, winning in seven games and destroying McGrady's psyche. This one went beyond ouch, inflicting deep wounds of confidence that may still reside in the subconscious of T-Mac whenever key moments arise in April and May of the NBA season.

The torture of McGrady continued after he became a Houston Rocket. In 2005, Houston won two on the road against Dallas and had the Mavs on the ropes in the fourth quarter of game 3, but showed their mental frailty, allowing Dallas to win three straight tight games mid-series, then falling by 40 points in a not-so-classic seventh game. Two years later, equipped with home court advantage against the Utah Jazz, the Rockets took a 3-2 series edge and proceeded to drop the final two games, including a choke-tastic finale where Yao Ming couldn't grab a rebound and Carlos Boozer attacked Houston's soft interior. The Rockets also lost to the Jazz last year, avoiding a seventh game by dropping the series in six.

This season, with two fellow stars and a nicely rounded lineup, McGrady couldn't stay on the court. In a year when Yao finally stayed healthy, when Artest, Battier, and Scola could bully the opposing team's best player, when head coach Rick Adelman developed a rapport with his players, when the pieces were at long last in place, T-Mac got hurt. His chronic back problems and bum knee wouldn't go away. And now that his teammates have won one without him, perhaps his rap (whether fair or not) as a perpetual playoff choke artist won't go away either.

Poor Tracy McGrady. He can be electifying, but he may not ever get to prove he has the pedigree to be as effective as he is flashy. He may retire among the great scorers who couldn't quite cut it in the crunch, a legacy of failings and flair with dreams derailed by a bad back and subpar support throughout the years. It's tough to win consistently in the NBA, to put together a successful outfit for even one run at a championship. I feel for McGrady, but in this moment of brief success for my Rockets, I am savoring a long-awaited victory. Maybe next year, T-Mac. We can always hope.

Why I hate cable companies

2009-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

My cable bill tripled this month. Thrice the price. Thanks so much for that introductory six-month offer, Comcast! Now that I'm an established customer, let the gouging begin.

Allow me to count the ways I detest thee.

I hate cable companies because, as I said, they give you a decent deal for a few months, then jack up the prices. Plus, when I called Comcast, the customer "care" representative said oh wait, let's see if we have another special running so we can save you money. Forget the specials! Just give me a lower rate from start to end. I would rather pay a continuous flat fee every month than have to log into my incredibly slow Comcast account to see what I'm being charged this time around for the same, unchanging service.

I hate cable companies because they have all sorts of extra fees. For them to fix my connection, I was charged. What?! If the service for which I am paying doesn't work, then the company should be obligated to fix it. That's why I pay them. But at Comcast, that's an extra little fee on your bill each month or a $20 surcharge to have someone come out if you don't pay the fee. Fantastic. Thanks for your help. Oh, and then there's the fee for not having any additional services besides internet. So that's extra too. I had to add cable TV or pay extra. Nicely played, Comcast. Nicely played. Then they offered me a trial with "increased speed" for a few weeks. I got charged for that too, predictably, when the time period for the trial ended. And my access didn't move any faster. Nope. No increase here.

I hate cable companies because they have a monopoly over neighborhoods. I have no good alternatives for internet at my apartment. Qwest costs the same amount, and I don't want a phone line. Netzero requires that phone I don't want. Clearwire is known to be unreliable and expensive. Verizon doesn't serve my area. So Comcast it will be. I'm so excited.

I hate cable companies because their customer service sucks. There's no nicer way to say it. It sucks. When I found my bill this month, I called Comcast to get the scoop. I'm a regular on their phone lines now, calling at least once a month, sometimes more. When my internet went down for a few days in January, I had to call four times. They have this great little service that promises to call you back so you don't have to wait on hold. Only they don't call you back. So I had to figure out how to wait through that automated portion of the call before I answered more questions by pushing buttons, sat on hold, and then finally got someone on the phone. Tons of fun. Trust me.

Anyway, back to my call this month. They must have received complaints about the automated system because it's gone. This time I got a dazzling operator who looked closely at my bill just for me so she could explain the increase from $23 a month to $66. Well, your beginning promotion ended, she said. Yep, I knew that. But that would make it $42, would it not? Well, you have that "increased speed" addition for an extra $10, plus you don't have an additional service for another $10, and there's tax added on. Oh. Okay. That's fantastic. So extra fees? Great.

How about if I reward your horribly-run business by adding basic cable so I don't get charged for having no additional services? What will I be paying then? Her: Actually, you're saving money if you do that! It will cost you less to add on basic cable! SAVING MONEY? Well, golly gee, count me in!! I had no idea Comcast would be saving me money. Can I go on one of your ads as a satisfied customer? I promise I'll give a nice little testimony. Promise.

Thank you, Comcast, for all you do in my life. I couldn't have internet without you, so this unfortunate relationship continues. I'm sure I will be calling again in the future. And ooh, on Friday one of your specialists will install basic cable. If I know you like I think I do, I bet there will be a cute little charge on my bill next month for the installation. Can't wait.

Count me as a satisfied customer.

He Stayed Home: Brockman Begins and Ends as a Husky

2009-03-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

He stayed home.

Of all the places Jon Brockman could have gone to school, he chose the UW. And the Huskies were so much better for it.

At the climax of his four-year Hec-Ed odyssey, Captain Jon ended a conference champion, the heart of a renewed program, and the irreplacable immovable object that made his team work.

Numbers can describe part of his legacy. 1,805 points, good for second on the all-time Husky scoring list. No. 1 for the UW with 1,283 rebounds. More double-doubles in his career than any current player in the country. The third ever to lead the Pac-10 in rebounding for three years, joining Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton.

But Husky fans know more. Beyond the record-setting rebound totals. Beyond the box score. When the buzzer sounded against Purdue just a few days ago, that lump in the throat of many fans showed just how important Brockman has been. Screw the statistics. Seeing Jon Brockman play brought joy to those who bleed purple and gold because he was a Husky from his prep days at Snohomish High School throughout his up-and-down four years here to that tantalizingly nip-tuck fall to Purdue. No one embodied a program like Jon Brockman.

As a freshman, he reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAAs, not realizing that day would stand alone as his only appearance so far into the tournament. He toiled for two underachieving years, plugging the gap from the Brandon Roy era until Justin Dentmon found his groove, Isaiah Thomas arrived like a fireball, Darnell Gant became a stopper, Venoy Overton annoyed endlessly, and Quincy Pondexter became a fixture. He played a great good soldier while Lorenzo Romar reloaded.

Then the Huskies figured out how to win again. Brockman's scoring went down, but his effectiveness, his tenacity, his leadership soared. When his mates needed him this season, he stepped up. As the season slipped against the Boilermakers, Brockman suddenly emerged, pumping points onto the board as he furiously tried to prolong his stellar career. Just one more game. One more game, he surely kept telling himself as the seconds ticked away.

It was not to be.

While he might have a future in professional basketball, it won't be the same to see Brockman in another uniform. He will forever be a Husky.

He led. He worked. He role modeled. He posted double-doubles almost without fail. And the Huskies were so much better for it.

So thank you, Jon Brockman. You are one of a kind, the rugged wide body we all hoped you would be when we saw you putting up gaudy stats as a high schooler just north of the big city. Thanks for four years of dignified service, for bridging two eras of UW basketball, for being our constant, for 1,805 points and 1,283 rebounds, for highlights and heart, and most of all, for staying home.

Torn on Gay Marriage Rights

2009-03-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

I believe marriage should be a lifelong bond between one man and one woman. In no other scenario does marriage allow two individuals to express free, total, faithful, fruitful love.

Lately, though, I find myself struggling with the debate over the government-offered social benefits of marriage and how these benefits relate to gay and lesbian couples. I am torn. Can we deny the rights of others because of their sexual orientation? Although I believe that the physical act of sexual intimacy should be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman, I also know that love exists in many homosexual relationships.

Yet a homosexual partner cannot act in the capacity of a family member if their partner is ill in the hospital. Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr. wrote about a woman named Lisa Marie Pond who died of an aneurysm at age 39. Hospital staff prevented Pond's partner of 20 years, Janice Langbehn, from being at Pond's side for eight hours. Langbehn finally reached Pond just before her last breath. Read the story here.

Legal issues allow hospitals to call often-estranged family members rather than asking a gay person's partner in the event that that person cannot make a medical decision of their own will. Legal issues can prevent a gay person's partner from dispersing the estate of their loved one. Legal issues prevent gay couples from receiving the same benefits from the government that a married man and woman receive.

Now, I am not advocating for homosexual unions to become legal marriages. Many have compared this issue to racial discrimination, which I find to be a false analogy. People of color have not been given the opportunity or resources to succeed as much as white people whereas people of homosexuality have (generally) the same chance at financial and social comfort as people of heterosexuality.

I see two sources of the problem. First, why do we offer government-provided benefits to those who are married? Why should married persons receive special treatment? Shouldn't individual taxes, social security, and other social programs be paid for and distributed equally? Second, if we must continue offering the legal benefits of marriage to heterosexual couples, how can we deny such rights to homosexual couples? Isn't that a fundamental right?

To me, homosexual acts remain sinful, but that is a personally-held belief I hold closely to the universal truth of how God intended sex to be. I don't believe a government that holds no religious affiliation should be exacting its laws based on that belief.

I have a plan to get the conversation started at least. It's not anything dramatic, and I'm sure many would criticize me for shortsightedness. So let's start a conversation. Here's what I think:

Let's forget the term "marriage" when crafting legal language. Replace it with civil union or something more appropriate. Let religious organizations determine who can be married. Next, figure out a way to keep people from abusing the privilege of civil unions to gain the benefits of marriage. I'm no legal expert, but a carefully composed description of the intent behind newly coined civil unions (or whatever we call it) should suffice. And last, extend civil unions to people of homosexuality and heterosexuality. Make it a legal issue, not a religious one, because that must be the center of this debate.

Opinion columnists often stand stringently behind their statements, but I am going to admit something you won't often hear. I feel conflicted. I'm not sold on my own plan. But I'm willing to talk about this. Dialogue. Listen. I hope you might be too. Join me. Let's start a conversation.

Ledger Rightfully Awarded Posthumous Oscar

2009-02-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Sinister. Calculating. Menacing. Disturbing. Brilliant.

And now Academy Award winning.

The late Heath Ledger's turn as the diabolical Joker took honors for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars Sunday night, a tribute most expected and about which the country -- consumers and critics alike -- buzzed since The Dark Knight was released in the summer.

Few superhero movies draw attention for great acting, but such was the distinction of this virtuoso performance by Ledger that he drew immediate and lasting praise throughout the year. Behind the dripping white glaze, upturned blood-red daubers, and uncanny maneurisms, Ledger escaped into the character, barely physically or vocally recognizable from his roles in previous films.

One only needed to see a scene or two of the film before Ledger's Joker gave moviegoers equal feelings of eeriness and intrigue. He performed magic, ruthlessly slamming a gangster's head into a pencil. Ta-daa! It's gone.

He played the unstoppable force to Batman's immovable object, dangling defiantly in the face of Christian Bale's steely hero; creating anarchy by taking down Harvey Dent, Gotham's White Knight; strutting out of a bank robbery by school bus; outwitting the cops and the black-clad protagonist himself in the interrogation room; Irish-jigging upon exiting an exploding hospital dressed in a nurse's uniform; pitting the scrupals of inmate scum against a boatload of civilian innocents; scurrying from an overturned semi to challenge the benevolence of the hard charging, motorcycling Dark Knight; masterminding beautiful criminal chaos to that insanely jubilant tune, those troubling, dazzling words: "Why soooo serious?"

Ledger was so good that the audience almost roots for him. His sinister nature sucks you in, thrills you as few villains ever have, makes you almost, just almost want to be a bad guy too. He's just so perfectly, fanatically evil.

When considering the quality of Ledger as an actor, consider the variety in his body of work. The Joker. Tough Montana Cowboy Ennis Del Mar in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain." Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland in the fun, flighty "A Knight's Tale" from 2001. The irresistable Patrick Verona in "10 Things I Hate about You" (1999). Heroic Gabriel Martin in Mel Gibson's 2000 colonial action thriller "The Patriot." Categorically different roles, each performed with exceptional quality.

The young man could act any part with distinction. Few times have I cared to see an Oscar go to a specific individual or film, but Ledger's award carried special meaning, being that he will not grace the screen again. His talents will be missed and mourned. But the Academy did well in honoring the late Ledger for a performance that will stand out for some time.

Hope Returns

2009-02-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I usually hate the overuse of exlamation points, but now they are spilling out of me. GLORIOUS DAY!!! WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't care if the Mariners lose every single game this season. Griffey is back! The kid is back!

Why in the HELL did it take so long for management to figure this one out? What was the downside? He gets hurt? So what? It's a one year, couple mil contract. Big loss.

He takes playing time from a young guy? Nope. Not at left field or designated hitter. Our prospects look positively anemic for those positions right now.

He doesn't fit in? Our clubhouse is dysfunction city anyway. Adrian Beltre says we don't play the right way. J.J. Putz called it a terrible environment. Ichiro isolates himself from everybody. You know what, you're right. Griffey might mess all that up. All the teamwork and comradery we've worked so long and hard to build among the M's could evaporate. He might just force us to start over.

Wait. We hit rock bottom. Forgot about that. Yep. So maybe Junior won't scramble team dynamics after all. There's no way to make it worse, and even if he somehow figured out a way to do that, it's only for this year.

I'm telling you, it's about damn time. I am on my knees thanking the good Lord Jesus for giving us at least a little salvation here in Seattle. If Griffey actually hits, say, 25 home runs with 70 or 80 RBIs, that's gravy, baby. Sweet, tasty gravy.

If the M's rally around Junior, Wakamatsu, and the new cast of characters, I would be pleasantly surprised. More likely, they will be terrible. I would be fine with 70-75 wins. Despite that severe lack of optimism, we have hope. We have an icon back in our midst. I've never seen a city respond to an athlete the way Seattle responds to Griffey. Only a few things could screw this up, and none of them revolve around Griffey's production on the field. He could stink it up, miss over a hundred games, and still be granted hero status. He's that special to us.

Thank you, Junior. Thank you, Jack Zduriencik. Thank you, Howard Lincoln. Thank you, Willie Mays. Thank you, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (for preemtively declaring the Braves as winners of the Griffey sweepstakes). Thank you, God, for something around which the people of Seattle can unite during these times of layoffs, epic snow storms, Clay Bennett, the sale of the Seattle P-I, frozen salaries, record river flooding, and a plummeting stock market. Ken Griffey, Jr. is coming home to the place he belongs, and I couldn't be happier.

Welcome home, kid. Welcome home.

More than Heart

2009-02-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

I am Catholic. I am very Catholic.
'

Yet I just graduated from a very Protestant school. A great school. But a very different environment from the Catholic Churches, youth groups, conventions, and teachings that permeate my life. I like to tell people I became fluent in "Evangelicalese" after exploring the Seattle Pacific campus for the last four years.

"Evangelicalese" is my term for the lingo, the slang, the language that only Christian insiders really know. Sorta like street talk reversed. It plays off Biblical word choices, gives Christians a vocabulary they feel comfortable using, and turns off hundreds of thousands of people who would know what we are talking about if we used the same words as the rest of the world.

I recognize that Catholics have adopted some Evangelical phrases as their own, and that the Roman Catholic Church has a completely separate brand of Catholic vocabulary. Language is never ideal. For our purposes here, though, let's just talk Evangelicalese for a couple minutes. Let's talk about one diction choice in particular that aggrivates me endlessly. Let's talk about the "heart."

Everything in Evangelical Christianity revolves around the "heart." Listen to your heart. He's made some bad decisions, but his heart is in the right place. I'm going back to the heart of worship. The heart is what really matters. I know in my heart that this is what God wants me to do. She has a heart for this or that. My heart, your heart, our heart.

Now, the heart does play a central role in faith. Think about all the Biblical mentions of having a pure heart, a clean heart, a changed heart, a weighed down heart, a burning heart. Jesus himself tells us, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

But Jesus most emphatically states the first and most important commandment: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Our heart serves an important role in the body, but we must not mistake the significance of the heart's role. It's one part of the whole. God demands that our thoughts, our bodies, our hands and feet, our very actions and choices should be a radiance of love. That love comes from the heart, from our desires, but it also comes from our processing, our money decisions, the physical affection we show, the time management choices we make, sexual intimacy, the mass media we feed into our thoughts, the people we choose to love and how we choose to love them. Everything we do matters. Emphasizing the heart too much risks forgetting that intentionality and thoughtfulness are not always born from a desire to serve God but from a will to serve God.

We are fallen. We flub. We sin. We cannot love as fully as God loves us.

We can, however, put processes and regularity in our lives to make a habit of offering our time, talent, and treasure. It takes budgeting to do that. Scheduling. Patience. Trust. Uneasiness. Those are not actions and feelings borne of the heart but of the mind. God demands both.

So wear your heart on your sleeve. Don't lose the desires of your heart. Have a heart for the work and ministry that excites you. Be a person after God's own heart.

But don't forget that God demands something more. You must love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind also.

Singing a Joyful Song

2009-02-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Exuberant song broke out in the Sesotho language. Harmonies rang true. Locals danced to proclaim an end to the day’s wrenching labor amid the summer heat, hands on the next person’s shoulders as the 30-person train milled around joyfully.

It was an unbridled celebration at a small African village for a simple accomplishment: Laying a concrete foundation.

Welcome to Bela Bela, Lesotho (pronounced bay-LAH bay-LAH, Leh-SOO-too), the site where staff and alumni of Seattle’s Holy Names Academy have spent the past 10 weeks in collaboration to help Bela Bela’s sister school of the same name become more sustainable and safe for its more than 650 students. Holy Names sent 23 volunteers to Bela Bela this November through January.

Read the story

Why are newspapers so important?

2009-01-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Help! The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is up for sale, headed for closing, reeling in red. Hundreds of staffers soon will be jobless. Seattle will be a metropolitan area with only one major newspaper. The demise of print journalism only seems to accelerate with time.

So?

Are newspapers really that important?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

Other news sources can't match newspaper journalism's qualities. Television and radio cannot report in as much depth. Magazines cannot report as immediately. Partisan political analysts do not gather nor present news in an objective way. Newspapers make all these other outlets better. They can complement one another, grow together, and form a more cohesive way of keeping society informed.

Particularly in our increasingly computerized and multimedia-enhanced world, the role of print journalism no longer claims gatekeeping of information or serving as the first source to which people turn for news. The Internet transformed and continues to alter the scope and nature of our writing. Straight news most often loses its compelling nature because readers already have heard the basics. The Internet makes our world smaller because news arrives instantaneously whether it’s an earthquake in China or a scientific breakthrough in Seattle.

The convergence of journalism and technology adds pressure to write more vividly than ever before. Journalists can no longer settle for straight news coverage. But as I heard often in my classes, plain style does not mean boring style. What we write has to captivate the audience in a way that other sources of news cannot. There is an art to the craft, in the way we spin words and weave tales to create intrigue and consequent dialogue. When trying to appeal to readers, an element of consumerism automatically enters the picture, and traditionalists might view this as detrimental to the broader ambitions of journalism.

Many insiders label journalism a selfless industry and a necessary service to the public. While these qualities remain, journalism is also a business. Newspapers must make enough money to function, and citizens have to purchase the paper or access the website to gain readership and increase advertising revenue. A certain level of competition exists that necessitates a better product, and we are in the midst of an extremely competitive stage in history as the industry reinvents itself.

C. Edwin Baker, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, argued last week in an editorial from The Seattle Times that government should intervene with a tax credit to give journalism a boost. Such a solution must be handled quite carefully. Journalists should strive to be independent, and as such, any governmental support would come with a caveat: The money newspapers accept must not in any way change the watchdog relationship journalists keep with the government and its officials.

But we are talking about a solution when what I want to address is the problem. Why are newspapers so important? Let me take you for a quick spin into my view of the industry.

Journalism is not a trade where triumph visits daily. There are instances of excellence and moments of accomplishment, to be sure, but the rigors of journalism should be understood well before one enters into this work. There are times when the magic is gone and a blank computer screen sits before the writer; when a writer is assigned a boring topic; when an interviewee offers nothing of substance, instead blurting cliches and generalities; when rewriting seems impossible after so much time has already been spent painstakingly compiling and composing. Journalists live through these experiences constantly, but they do so trusting that their work provides society with a heartbeat, a space to give definition to the activities of the day.

Seeking truth remains the primary reason I see journalism as valuable to society. Newspapers must report truthful events, whether that means covering a car wreck or going in depth to report on political corruption, describing how to garden well or how the big game went down. We are responsible for capturing life and maintaining accountability, all of which functions from a foundation of truth.

Throughout last year when I covered sports for The Falcon, Seattle Pacific's student weekly, I asked myself a question: Where is the truth in this work? In what ways do sports transcend the athletic fields and courts to communicate broader truth?

A few times I was struck with answers to this question.

In the spring, I read a story on members of the United States military playing games of 3-on-3 basketball in the sand courts of their Iraqi bases. As the brother of a United States Marine, I have heard about the emotional and physical drain of risking one’s life for one’s country. The experiences of our soldiers often seem distant from the world in which we live. Wars occur far from our homeland. Soldiers often return different people than when they left and are cast aside by society. The strain of participating in warfare can cause depression, flashbacks, and permanent scars on individuals and generations who have served in combat. Yet the men in this story are playing basketball, watching the same playoff games I saw last spring, and trying to live as normally as possible. In places like Iraq and in stories like this, sports can be transcendent, uniting people from diverse backgrounds and in vastly different locations.

I have also admired the way sports can unite a community. ESPN annually hosts their sports version of the Emmy Awards, a summer affair with the winners determined by fan voting. Midway through the show in 2006, the ESPYs switched gears to present the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to two men who brought basketball and peace to warring religious factions in Northern Ireland. The problems in Northern Ireland have existed for hundreds of years, deeply ingrained into every person born there. That's what made the unity so monumental for Trevor Ringland, a Protestant rugby star, and Dave Cullen, a Catholic who played basketball to escape from warfare. Click to read the story.

Across religious and cultural boundaries, sports can transcend and express the truth of human experience. While the expression of this truth is not at all restricted to sports, part of my learning quest is to discover how I can see sports coverage extending beyond the reach of simple competition. Seeing religious boundaries overcome, the basketball soldiers in Iraq, and stories like the New Orleans Saints returning to the Superdome helps me believe that sports coverage can be an important part of people’s lives, promoting healthy community and offering expressions of grace.

Nonetheless, for every great article, there are many more mundane ones. Though these moments of truth exist, this industry is tough. Last fall, when I interviewed Tom Wyrwich, a sports reporter for The Seattle Times, he told me about his journey to The Seattle Times. He knew he wanted to write for a big city daily, and he attended the University of Missouri, an excellent journalism school. Before he could ever be hired somewhere like the Times, though, he went to write for a small paper in Indiana, covering small college sports and hometown high school action. He also spent time freelancing in Florida, all the while making minimal money and living away from his girlfriend. Tom Wyrwich’s story accentuates the point: This industry is tough.

Wyrwich’s company, The Seattle Times, laid off 200 employees last year who mostly specialized in outreach programs, leaving them strapped in terms of expansion. This industry is tough.

I applied last fall for six internships with a wide range of competition for each. Not only did I not get an internship; I did not receive a single reply from the newspapers to which I sent my information. It was only after I followed up with each one that I confirmed my elimination from the applicant pool. This industry is tough.

I am confident I have the ambition and basic skills necessary to succeed in journalism, but my limited portfolio presents a barrier to a future career. I can’t very well overcome a lack of clips without more experience, but I can’t get more experience with my lack of clips. This industry is tough.

Nevertheless, hope remains. Hope remains for the industry to reinvent and resurrect itself, thriving again in new and creative ways. I look at the work of Washington Post reporter Anne Hull, immersing herself in the lives of her subjects, writing with flair and without conformity. Her story about Nallely Ortiz portrays the problematic stereotypes of immigrant life without stereotyping Nallely. Her language resounds with detail and powerful images without overwhelming the story of Nallely. While not everyone can report in as much depth as Hull, her process offers an example of how to go about seeking truth and reporting it with distinction.

I also find hope in the teachings of writing coach and Poynter Institute Senior Scholar Roy Peter Clark. Through his simplified tips on formal adjustments to writing, I have learned to use more expressive verbs, organize my writing to build on itself, pay attention to sentence variety, and move toward plain style without losing imagination. I will also always remember Clark’s reference to a writing charge from British author Arthur Quiller-Couch. We must at times be willing to “murder our darlings.” Simplify, simplify, simplify – especially if I favor a snippet in question because it makes me look clever or funny.

Clark’s coaching allows writers to blend distinctive style and emerging trends of the industry with the traditional basics that have proven true over time. Though journalism continues to move forward technologically, we cannot lose the moorings that give this industry its groundwork.

My peers also elicit hope. Tension often arose as I functioned in dual roles last year, writing for The Falcon and acting as student body president for the organization that funded our student newspaper. Despite our disagreements, I always appreciated the thoughtfulness with which my peer and fellow Falcon staff member Evi Sztajno covered Senate and ASSP. Her ambition, honesty, and degree of journalistic separation impressed upon me the enormity and profoundness of the task journalists face.

Peers like Evi help guide me in the principles of journalism, particularly the boldness required to demand transparency and accountability from leaders. Since I missed taking Media Law, I find it helpful to learn from peers who have spent significant time formulating their ideas about ethical and legal aspects of journalism. We must ensure independence to meet our goal of reporting truth without risking allegiances compromising our journalistic vision. We must stand by the things we write because we have confidence that our data-collecting process will stand up to a rigorous examination. We must speak and act with empathy, but not overstep our bounds as reporters. And we must do all these things in the heat of the journalistic moment, in an environment that does not often give a chance for second thoughts.

While my journalism training did feel a bit rushed this year, I can identify one advantage I have over most young writers. Being an ASSP Officer and Falcon staff writer taught me how to balance varying loyalties. Journalists never write for a single audience. We write for people on all sides of an issue, for the public good, for the subjects of our stories, for our editors, for our publishers, for our advertisers, and even for ourselves. Most journalism purists insist that our first allegiance must be to the public, but the public is a multifaceted, multiracial, multigenerational, economically and socially diverse group of human beings. We seek truth for all our readers, and that can be a daunting task. In serving my dual roles, I came to understand the strain placed on journalists to satisfy so many groups of people. Words carry tremendous power, and we as journalists are equipped to change the world with our prose.

That sense of deferential power and purpose gives me chills and keeps me motivated to pursue journalism. Samuel G. Freedman described the tremendous hope and monumental challenge of journalism in “Letters to a Young Journalist.”

One thing you can say about the present unpopularity of journalism is that it drives out the uncommitted. If you’re a true believer, if this is meant to be your life’s work, then nothing and nobody can change your mind. Even in a bleak period for journalism, you can find signs of vitality – the astounding growth of NPR; the development of Salon and Slate on the Internet; the transformation of USA Today from an object of ridicule to a serious, successful national paper; the opening of twenty-four-hour cable news operations in local as well as metropolitan markets. So don’t think journalism is going away. Delivery systems may change from paper to computer, and reporters may be renamed “content providers.” Revered and beloved publications may perish while reality-TV series thrive. But intellectual curiosity, vigorous research, acute analysis, and elegant prose will never go out of style. If anything, the shorter the supply, the more those traits will be valued (20-21).

The industry of journalism changes daily in this era, but the establishment will continue because it must continue. Society cannot function without the truth present in quality, ethical journalism, and I want to be part of the revolution that takes journalism to a new place of public prominence and engagement.

There is hope. There is truth. There is a world that needs journalists to feel its pulse and report back on its heartbeat, and I want to be there to capture all the beauty and ugliness, simplicity and complexity, details and themes, births and deaths, and very essence of life it has to offer.

In this time of newspaper closings and struggles, many have quoted Thomas Jefferson, the civic leader who had a greater hand than perhaps anyone in formulating a government structure that has endured wars and time to make the United States the world's preeminent power. Despite his love for and intellect in developing a working government, Jefferson remarked, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."

Times have not changed so significantly that we no longer need newspapers. It will be a somber day when the Seattle P-I shuts down in a few weeks. We must work diligently to ensure we avoid similar closings as the future of journalism rests in our ability to reinvent the industry as a viable business once again.

Better Luck This Time

2009-01-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Ouch.

I felt pretty good about my first-round playoff predictions. Then I went 1-3. Now what?

Well, unlike the players or the coaches or the owners or the fantasy nerds or the hometown fans, I can't be eliminated even if I put up a stinker. And 1-3 qualifies as a stinker for any prognosticator, but in the world of sports writing and predictions, I am unbeatable. Or maybe it would be more accurate to call myself uncuttable. I'm like the team manager's son, the kid who was never that great but always made the cut because the coach didn't want to lose the parent. I'm like that. Even if I suck, you still have to put up with me.

So I'm back to work this week with a fresh set of best guesses. Care to disagree? Think I'm nuts or clueless? Let me know by commenting below.

Baltimore @ Tennessee
I had the Ravens all wrong last week. Ed Reed embarrassed me for calling his team "boring." He alone gave me two plays worth the ticket price to see. No one reads the game from his position better than the Baltimore safety. His pick for a touchdown showed his athleticism and game-changing abilities, but it was his second interception that had me marveling. Chad Pennington shut off the right side of the field with his body language, so Reed completely left his coverage responsibilities, knifed into the passing lane, and shot in front of the receiver to literally steal the ball away when Pennington thought he was playing it safe. Reed seemed so locked in he may have intercepted the ball had the Dolphins attempted to spike it at some point. My apologies for forgetting that defense can be wildly entertaining, and kudos to Baltimore for proving me very, very wrong on my pick last week.

I like the Ravens. I think they will keep any game close. Reed and Ray Lewis still brilliantly anchor a defense that can win games by getting points itself, but I'm not sold that Joe Flacco, Le'Ron McClain, and Derrick Mason can move the ball consistently. Not when Jeff Fisher and his superb coaching staff prepare for two weeks.

I am convinced that Jeff Fisher might be the finest NFL coach without a ring. He came agonizingly close with Kevin Dyson stretching short of the end zone in 2000. That team had Eddie George in his prime, Steve McNair becoming an MVP-quality quarterback, Jevon Kearse when he was the Freak, sure-handed tight end Frank Wycheck, Bruce Matthews and John Runyan and Samari Rolle. This year's team? Albert Haynesworth is probably their biggest star. They've got a couple of capable, if not star-quality young running backs in Chris Johnson and LenDale White, an aging if ageless Kerry Collins, a not-so-freakish Jevon Kearse, some guy named Bo Scaife, and Vince Young begrudgingly being a good teammate with clipboard in hand on the sideline. Yet I have confidence in them. Why?

Jeff Fisher. Mike Heimerdinger. Jim Schwartz. Battle-tested, performance-proven coaches who can formulate a game plan that will get to a rookie quarterback on the road in front of intelligent fans who will make signal calling a significant hurdle every single down. Collins and the offense won't have to do much because Tennessee's defense will use the crowd noise to take the bite out of Baltimore. The Ravens better hope Reed has a couple of big plays left in him. They will need it to win this game. Titans 14, Ravens 9.

Arizona @ Carolina
Eight wins at home for Carolina. Make it nine.

Nobody loved their home field advantage more than the Panthers this season. Coach John Fox built a team that fits his style: Rugged, based on a relentless running game and a powerful, quick pass rush. Led by pass rushing extraordinaire Julius Peppers, Carolina plays disciplined, physical, attacking football, and Arizona sports a quarterback who isn't so mobile anymore. For all the MVP-qualities Kurt Warner has shown the past decade, lack of mobility always dogged him. He better hope he has time to show us his quick release on Saturday.

If the Panthers manage to cover Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, expect a blowout. I think the Cardinals receivers will make a couple big plays, but without a running game to grind out some short yardage and keep the clock moving, they will face a huge disparity in time of possession. Jordan Gross and the outstanding offensive line of the Panthers will open up gaping spaces for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. I say each of them gets at least one touchdown, and they combine for 150 or so yards. I say that with extreme confidence. It could be more.

Arizona won a playoff game this year, so fans should be content with that progress. Panthers 31, Cardinals 20.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants
Everyone talks about the hot-cold Philly offense. One week, they flop against the Redskins and put only a field goal on the board. Then they hammer Dallas with a dynamic performance to sneak into the playoffs. They had the dud tie against Cincinnati and a stinker against Baltimore. But they also went for 30-plus points seven times. So which Eagles team will we see on Sunday?

Actually, I don't think the offense matters as much to the Eagles as their defense, and their defense has been excellent lately. Minnesota moved the ball sparingly last week, with Adrian Peterson breaking off one big run and the Vikings getting little else. Asante Samuel helped the Eagles with an interception return to give them some very important points. Since a 36-7 week 12 loss to Baltimore, Philadelphia has allowed 20 points to Arizona, 14 to the Giants (in a victory), 10 to Cleveland, 10 to Washington, and six to Dallas. I like Philly to effectively limit the great running game of the Giants. They need their defensive to outbully New York's bullish blockers so Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward don't get a chance to show us how effective they can be as a thunder-lightning combo.

New York must stay committed to the run. Their game plan against Carolina in week 15 showed that if they run first, they can be unstoppable. If New York pounds away without much luck early, they can't stray from their game plan. This game hinges on the offensive line of New York matching up against the disguised blitz packages and pressure Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson brings. If Philly stops the run, Eli Manning and his receivers must make enough plays to beat New York.

Somehow, I think Jacobs and Ward do enough for the Giants to break a couple of big plays with play action. Manning manages this game, and while Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook both have fine days, the goal line struggles of Philly surface again as they have to settle for one too many David Akers field goals. Giants 24, Eagles 23.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh
Can miniature running back Darren Sproules summon up more all-purpose magic this week? Can punter Mike Scrifres make news again by pinning the Steelers inside their own ten a few times? Does Philip Rivers have more dogged theatrics in him? Can Norv Turner kick the stigma that his teams tend to be underprepared and outstrategized in the playoffs?

I say yes.

Pittsburgh boasts the best defense in the league, and their fans always make Heinz Field unwelcoming to visitors. Mike Tomlin has kept the strong tradition of defense and discipline in Steeler town since Bill Cowher departed. Not many signal callers have the credentials of Ben Roethlisberger at his age, and with Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and James Farrior, the defense boasts three of the most skilled, unique players in football. Willie Parker ably stepped up in the shadow of retired great Jerome Bettis.

Yet the Chargers started something special following their last loss in week 13. I still maintain that Rivers should have received more MVP buzz. He carried this team offensively when the other two stars -- LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates -- underachieved. Last week I predicted Tomlinson would regain some of his old swagger. I just got mixed up on which running back would shine. It was Sproles I was seeing in my crystal ball, not Tomlinson. Sproles will rack up more yards this week, though it will be the Chargers defense that makes a couple of key stands late in the game to win it for San Diego. Pittsburgh will make a couple of uncharacteristic key turnovers that turn the momentum in the second half. San Diego will capitalize and reach the AFC Championship Game as a dangerous 8-8 team. Chargers 20, Steelers 17.

Prediction Central

2008-12-31T16:53:00.001-08:00

The NFL Playoffs start Saturday afternoon. Unlike in baseball or basketball, there's no telling who will win the Super Bowl. The sixth seeds in both conferences -- Baltimore in the AFC and Philadelphia in the NFC -- wouldn't surprise most people if they won a game or two or even three. The NFL has an irresistible draw no other professional league can claim: parity, unpredictability, the chance that any playoff team can claim its highest honor (see: last season's Giants).

I love this stuff, and so does most of America. All eyes are in Minnesota, Phoenix, Miami, and San Diego this weekend. Here's what I think we will see.

Atlanta @ Arizona

Let me rant for a moment. I find it infuriating that Atlanta and Indianapolis have to go on the road for their first games. The Cardinals and Chargers were three and four games behind their opponents this season. What's the point of winning games in the regular season if they mean squat for seeding? Indy finished with the same record as the NFC-best Giants, yet they have to travel cross country for a date with one of the NFL's hottest teams. How does that make any sense? I'm fine with all division winners making the playoffs, but team records rather than division championships should determine seeding.

Okay, ranting complete. Now for the game. I see the Cardinals flopping miserably. Sorry, Arizona fans. The Falcons have far better offensive balance, and a defense that can actually tackle people and prevent long plays. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald make the Cardinals dynamic, but Atlanta has something special, the sort of mojo that translates to winning the turnover battle and getting a big play or two. They also boast the biggest impact player on the field, Michael Turner, who I think should have received more MVP buzz.

Kurt Warner passes for 250-plus yards, and the Cardinals defense plays respectably. But Turner rips off at least one long run, the Atlanta secondary picks off a couple passes, and amazingly, Matt Ryan, Mike Smith, and the Falcons, so mired in lost investments just a few months ago, reach the second round. Falcons 27, Cardinals 17.

Indianapolis @ San Diego

Peyton Manning will probably win the MVP, though more for his grit than monstrous numbers. Give him credit for willing the Colts to victories through their early season struggles.

My hypothetical vote for MVP goes to Philip Rivers though. No other quarterback matched his numbers - 34 touchdowns (tied for tops in the NFL), only 11 interceptions, and a league-best 105.5 quarterback rating. Manning maneuvered through a little early season mediocrity; Rivers slugged through 12 games of constant underachievement and crunch-time failure before his teammates finally figured out how to follow his lead again.

Both quarterbacks will have big days. Even with Bob Sanders, the Indy defense will have a hard time stopping Rivers and a revitalized LaDainian Tomlinson, who will regain a dash of the elusiveness that made him a runaway MVP in 2006. He goes for 100-plus yards.

In a back-and-forth duel reminiscent of the 2007 AFC Championship shootout between the Colts and Patriots, the experience of Manning and his mates makes the difference. Reggie Wayne completes a dynamic receiving night by catching a 20-yard bomb while falling out of bounds with four seconds left. Vinatieri nails a 48-yarder as time expires. The Indy faithful rejoice. Colts 38, Bolts 35.

Baltimore @ Miami

The defenses here can be dominant, but Ravens stars Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have the experience edge and, more importantly, many more miles behind them. I love what Chad Pennington and the Dolphins offer. Nothing too flashy, good fundamental football, avoiding the big mistake, running the ball effectively, throwing in a few trick plays, that intriguing Wildcat formation, Joey Porter's relentless engine, Tony Sparano and Pennington's solid decision making.

John Harbaugh did a masterful job with the Ravens, but, quite frankly, they're boring. I don't want to see Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis and Le'Ron McClain and Derrick Mason for more than one playoff game. If Baltimore gets on a roll and reaches Tampa Bay, we could be in for a ho-hum Super Bowl with two teams nobody cares to watch (a la 2001 with the incomparably boring Trent Dilfer quarterbacking Brian Billick's troops to triumph). No thanks.

Miami wins a punt fest with Pennington and Ronnie Brown doing just enough to reach the end zone in the fourth quarter. Dolphins 16, Ravens 10.

Philadelphia @ Minnesota

At the Metrodome, Tavaris Jackson will show us he can actually lead this offense. Jackson passes for over 200 yards and at least one touchdown. A few long strikes open the lanes for Adrian Peterson so the Vikings aren't so one-dimensional. BUT...

The best all-purpose player in this game will be the Eagles' Brian Westbrook. He accounts for over 150 yards running and receiving, Donovan McNabb plays efficient football and rushes for a couple of key first downs, and the Eagles continue to pound away in the red zone like they did against Dallas. Philly improbably made the playoffs, and improbably hot teams are dangerous in one-and-done situations. Eagles 24, Vikings 20.

The Art of Patience

2008-12-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

Father Donald Perea is a patient man.

He speaks delicately and precisely, measuring each word. He carefully discerned entering the priesthood while he continued to work in engineering for five years after graduating from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He steadily worked toward his doctoral degree over a six-year period.

But more than anywhere else, Father Perea shows patience through his artwork. After more than ten years of creating wooden sculptures, he has finished just three projects. And he feels quite satisfied with that result.

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Sports needs teams to hate

2008-12-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

The Yankees announced their two newest sellouts, I mean signings, this week in uber-workhorse CC Sabathia and electric-but-often-injured A.J. Burnett.

Fantastic. Being a huge fan of every other team besides the Yankees, I'm just so darn excited to see their star-laden (if overpriced and aging) lineup paired with a pitching staff comprised of three or four guys with Cy Young potential (Sabathia, Burnett, Joba Chamberlain, and the ageless Mariano Rivera). Let's get those Yankees get back into the playoffs. Again. Their one-year hiatus seems a distant memory with the big bucks doled out this offseason.

Oh, and don't forget basketball's version of the evil empire: the L.A. Lakers, sitting atop the Western Conference at 21-4 with Kobe Bryant willing them to fourth quarter miracles and Pau Gasol lazily using his inhumanely long wingspan to gobble up offensive boards.

I hate everything about these teams. Their sustained excellence, their unceasingly deep pocketbooks, their ability to make deadline trades that amount to grand thievery. The way Phil Jackson cojoles the best out of his pesky backup guards every night. The way A-Rod and Jeter so gracefully and effortlessly knock a ball out of the park or into the gap. The way the Lakers can stink it up for three quarters and pull a fourth quarter magic act at home to win in front of their Hollywood crowd. The way Jack Nicholson sits smuggly in the front row with his stupid-ass sunglasses and thinks he's a real fan. The way players forsake their baseball soul for money and the prestige of the pinstripes. The way young talent fell into the Lakers laps and how they've so keenly developed Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic. The way your team has no chance against the Yanks in the 9th inning because of Rivera and his devastating splitter. The way Kobe gets a look in his eye and decides there's no way in hell he's losing this game. That no matter the year, these teams are always, always in contention.

I hate everything about the Yankees and Lakers. And I love to hate them.

Every good story needs a villain. It makes the triumph of our heroes seem that much better. Would the Red Sox World Series run in 2004 have been so worth savoring if they hadn't come back from 3-0 down to dreaded Yankees? Would the NBA have experienced such a renaissance in the 1980s if only Bird's Celtics had emerged as the dominant team without Magic's Lakers to challenge their supremacy? Would the downfall of the Sacramento Kings earlier this decade been so dramatic without the Lakers there to suckerpunch them with some unforgettable fourth quarter comebacks? Would sports be the same without its dynasties and devilish figures?

No. We need Kobe and Shaq, Jeter and Steinbrenner, the Zen Master and pinstripes. As much as I hate them, their sustained excellence makes it so much more fulfilling when others ascend. Being a Seattle sports fan, it's been a brutal 2008. But won't that make it all the better when one of our team finally reaches the summit (assuming they are still in Seattle, unlike the Oklahoma City Bandits)? To be a true sports fan, you have to stand by your team in times of turmoil. Like now, if you live by the Space Needle. But it's how you hate the enemy that can sometimes act as a specialized barometer to seek out the truly dedicated.

As much as I hate to admit it, I actually do love that the Yankees signed Sabathia and Burnett because if they fail to win the World Series, the harder will be the fall. And there's nothing I love more than seeing the teams I hate crash and burn.

It's Not the Drivers

2008-12-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

I'm from Idaho. Snow didn't used to get to me, at least not like it did to the people of Seattle. Everyone in the Emerald City complains that people in Washington can't drive in the snow. An inch falls, and the city shuts down.

After enduring a week of snowstorms and icy roads, I get it now. It's not that people here can't drive in the snow. It's that snow here makes it much more difficult to drive.

Idaho is flat. Even when it snows in Boise, there are few steep inclines that make it treacherous. Conversely, Seattle's landscape ebbs and flows, with steep streets and quick elevation changes. Half the workforce commutes a good distance from the snowier suburbs. Less snow plows and de-icing techniques are available. The Seattle Times reported only 21 snow plows for King County. TWENTY-ONE! Those plows can only cover so much ground.

So what?

So, all these factors up the danger of snow driving. We get snow here every year, so the problem isn't experience driving in it. The problem is our landscape and our ill-preparedness for the circumstances. One more thing that makes it easier in Idaho: Seemingly everyone has a car with four wheel drive. Subarus and SUVs are big there. Not so in Seattle.

I've spent the last three days holed up in my apartment because I didn't want to brave the roads, and I had no reason to go out. My work closed, the school where I coach closed, and I had food and entertainment at my disposal. I know I am not alone in that thinking.

Here's my plea: Stop blaming it on the drivers. Yes, driving in the snow can be different and dangerous. Some people go too fast and some too slow. But the real problem is the landscape and location, the terrain and where people choose to live and work, which forces so many to commute great distances. Keep that in mind as we endure more of this amazing winter freeze.

May we all drive safely and drive only if we must. And may the temperatures rise. Soon!

Gregoire and Rossi: Preying with Misinformation

2008-10-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Stop it.

I'm speaking to Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi. You disgust me with the advertising techniques you have chosen. My free moments to watch television turn into times of frustration because I can't escape the stretched statements, lack of context, and character attacks that fill the advertising waves. Never have I wanted a TiVo more than when I hear another ad telling me Gregoire pocketed millions from Indian casinos or that Rossi will cut the minimum wage.

Stop it.

This sort of campaigning preys on a public vulnerable because of a crisis of misinformation. Our newspapers suffer as readership dips. Television news coverage continues to slant because we crave partisan commentary rather than objective news gathering. Many young people rely exclusively on the political wit of John Stewart, Steven Colbert, Jay Leno, and David Letterman as a source of news. As a result, few people can name many Supreme Court justices, candidates for an office other than the presidency, or a substantive reason for supporting their chosen candidate. Many don't know any better than to believe the false claims and vicious political maneuvering present in campaigning. Gregoire and Rossi know this. They rely on it, thrive on it, stake their gubernatorial lives on it.

That's not the type of leadership I want to see.

As a journalist, ethics mean a great deal to me. I am held to a high standard whenever I publish my work. My information gathering techniques, the way I interview and compose a piece, which quotations and research I select -- all these aspects of my work must be approached with respect to the people involved whether they are interviewees, observers, readers, or editors.

Politicians similarly serve a variety of people and must do so seeking the greatest social good. We may differ in how to approach that social good, but we must agree that government exists for this purpose. I get none of that feeling from watching Rossi and Gregoire campaign. Their ads serve their individual political aspirations, emphasize partisan voting lines, and divide our state.

We have nine days until elections. I'm not expecting the negative campaigning to fade. In fact, I expect it to intensify. But I refuse to fall victim to the uninformed practice of relying on these ads to influence my vote. Shame on you, Gregoire and Rossi.

Stop it.

Bridge Builder: Senior Dalillah Bernal's quest to broaden SPU's definition of diversity

2008-07-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

Dalillah Bernal slightly taps her fingernails. She points to the vocabulary on the board. Her hands circle one another furiously. Her arms stretch out as if conducting an orchestra.

Bernal never stops moving. She alternates between chalkboard and computer, listening and teaching. Eight, then nine, then 10 people are seated in the classroom. Bachata music from Puerto Rico murmurs behind the conversation.

In many ways, the conversation is typical. Today the discussion is about taboo topics, and the dialogue roundaboutly finds its way to focusing on sex, a SPU favorite. Pre-marital, contraceptives, abortion, how it relates to Christianity, how students on this campus aren’t all saints, even STDs.

The trick: Everyone is speaking Spanish. Bernal is directing them, fingers and hands and arms and extremities ceaselessly saying as much as her words.

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Turbulent End to Tremendous Career

2008-06-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Cliff McCrath sat ten victories and likely one more successful season shy of becoming the winningest coach in collegiate soccer history. So when our administration asked him to retire, I found myself muddled by a dismissal that was for McCrath and many others emotionally draining, professionally damaging, and highly charged.

The puzzle of how McCrath exited SPU taught me much about the human aspects of journalism. Raw vulnerability reigned as I made tough phone calls and pursued truth in the matter. Journalists report on meaningful events in people's lives, and this matter affected the vast number of players, fans, allies, SPU supporters, administration, students, alumni, neighbors, and soccer followers who wanted to know why Cliff McCrath wouldn't be continuing as a Falcon for another season.
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Neighbors Sad to See Sunset Go: Locals bemoan April closing of 26-lane Ballard bowling alley

2008-06-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

With the closing of Sunset Bowl this spring, the Ballard neighborhood lost a local leisure-sports landmark and SPU lost a favorite late night hangout. With Denny's soon to be demolished, and Sunset officially done, few nearby 24-hour facilities remain. For now, SPU students remember the alley fondly.
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Not so Black and White

2008-06-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Imagine you are truly excellent at your work. You pay attention to detail, attend workshops for personal development, and know the ins and outs of the community in which you perform your craft. Yet no matter how you excel, no matter how perfectly you carry out your duties, no one notices. Praise is a foreign concept. In fact, you’ve come to hope that no one notices because it means no one is criticizing you. Most of the time that’s what people spend their time doing if your work isn’t flawless. But when you are really on your game, it goes unnoticed. That’s how you know you’ve done your job well.
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This is the world of the referee.
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SPU Engages Teenybopper Culture

2008-06-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

There's always a place for non-sports writing in the world, and a piece on the growing popularity of High School Musical on college campuses proved too fun to pass up.

Bring on the cheese!

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Fan Callout: Support Your Teams

2008-06-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of reasons to love Seattle Pacific University. We're in the heart of an amazing city with a small, tightly-knit community that challenges and sustains us as students. We have a beautiful campus and competitive NCAA Division II sports in our ranks. But we are lacking in a certain area that saddens me as a sports reporter. Yep, there's no doubt about it. Our fan support at Seattle Pacific stinks, and it's a problem that can only be fixed by us as students, staff, and faculty. We must begin supporting our teams more consistently.

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Stick-Throwing Extraordinaires

2008-06-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

There are four of them. They throw rocks and footballs. They run sprints with the track team twice a week. They bike in the offseason to stay in shape. But they specialize in throwing sticks.

To be exact, they specialize in throwing 145-inch, 600-kilogram sticks that resemble spears used in the Roman and Greek empires during warfare.

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Bugs and heat take toll as Crew places third

2008-06-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Battling rolling wakes, 80-degree heat, and water bugs, SPU placed third overall in the nine-team Covered Bridge Regatta in Eugene, Ore. this spring. The Falcons ended the year without an invite to Nationals, but they were proud of some results during the course of the rowing season, including this race.

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Falcons Win Two for Homecoming

2008-06-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

The crowds descend on Royal Brougham during Homecoming Weekend, and SPU obliged this winter with two important victories over conference foes. Before heading into a matchup with conference-leading Alaska-Anchorage the next week, the Falcons had hoped these two wins would be a springboard for a successful second half of the season, but regardless of where the team ended up, crowds still loved the taste of success provided by these games.

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Celts Raise 17th Banner

2008-06-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

With the NBA Playoffs having just finished, the time is ripe for a look back at my preaseason predictions for the season to come. Some were accurate, but the landscape of the season morphed into something new with the flurry of trades this winter. The Boston Celtics pulled off the season's biggest coup before the NBA even tipped off, however, acquiring Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and a revamped roster to begin the momentum toward beantown's record 17th title.

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Toppling the West Region's Top Seed

2008-03-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

For a team that has enjoyed conference and national success the past few years, there was a surprisingly gigantic chip on the shoulder of men's basketball at SPU. Though no one said it, they knew that to consider this season a success, they had to beat Alaska Anchorage -- the conference champions in waiting. Plus there was the whole matter of making the NCAA Tournament, which this win virtually assured they would do.

Throw in a big crowd and the emotion of senior night with four stars bidding adieu to the Brougham faithful, and you've got a recipe for a memorable encounter.

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FUN-DA-MEN-TALS

2008-01-20T17:34:00.000-08:00

It's always good for a laugh when visiting teams travel, miss free throws, or otherwise screw up fundamentally because SPU's Orangemen chant in unison "FUN-DA-MEN-TALS" (followed by clap, clap, clap-clap-clap).

Against Western Washington, fundamentals proved to be the difference. The Falcons shot 38 free throws, making 33. You will win 80-90% of your games with a stat like that. The gunslinger, start-from-the-hip release of Marques Echols played to silky-shooting perfection as he went 13-for-13 from the line.

With the WWU-SPU rivalry enhanced by the recent success of both teams, there's a certain fire when these two meet. The Falcons travel to Bellingham March 6 for the rematch.

Until then, keep practicing those free throws and fundamentals, fellas.

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Falcons topple SU

2008-01-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

Seattle U's tiny Connolly Center amplifies the tension, the noise, the crowd, the magnitude. So, SPU's victory over their chief rival last week had fans gripping their neighbors, squealing in delight and gasping in anguish.

You gotta love college basketball, even when the score is low and hustle plays are some of the biggest highlights.

This victory puts SPU in the driver's seat for second place in the conference. Alaska Anchorage, the preseason favorites, have yet to lose against D-II competition this year and are 5-0 in the GNAC. Should be fun when those two hook up on Jan. 31.

For now, Falcon fans should be content with this clutch win. The senior leadership for SPU played a significant role late in the game. Experience often begins to tell at this point in the season.

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Writing with a purpose

2008-01-17T22:44:00.000-08:00

I read sports for a variety of reasons: to get the score, to hear the game breakdown, to be entertained, to take in an expert's perspective. Any good sports article has a distinct purpose aside from relaying the news. A great sports writer should look at their article prior to writing and say to themselves, 'My readers are going to visit my story for this purpose.'

I'm still working on that purposefulness as I complete my basketball articles each week. I must ask myself why someone would take the time to read what I write. What do I have to say that pertains to the lives of my readers?