Friday, July 11, 2014

LeBron James and the American Monomyth or Why I Love LeBron's Return Home

"I’m coming home." With these words, LeBron James completed the narrative cycle that began half a decade ago. The NBA's biggest star's decision to return to Cleveland is being called, "The Redemption", but his choice resonates with NBA fans across the league for a larger reason: the most powerful person in the game has finally lived up to the hero trope that we have projected on him.

By returning home, James becomes the embodiment of the Campbellian archetypal hero, having completed his hero's journey and riding to the aid of his home town. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth, or the basic pattern in storytelling around the world. In summary, the monomyth story is as follows:

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day at the urging of a wise man, into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man

In James we see each part of this story fulfilled. The year before the infamous decision to leave Cleveland, James watched as he was surrounded by players who can only be described as common. These were players of inferior talent or players who's prime had passed them by. There were rumors of James wanting to see major changes or he would consider leaving.

Next we see the entrance of the wise man who encourages the hero to embark on this journey, a roll neatly filled in by Pat Riley.

Next the hero must enter a region of supernatural wonder with fabulous forces. I would submit that Miami would seem like a supernatural paradise when compared to Cleveland and the combined powers of Wade and Bosh as fabulous forces when compared to the level of talent James was surrounded by.

A decisive victory must be won. you could argue that James tenure in Miami was not decisive, however I would say that 2 championship and 4 finals appearances were major victories for a player who's greatness was continually questioned until he became a champion.

And here the story ended, until today. The monomyth unfinished, the narrative circle left open, and the tenuous existence of the monomyth parallel teetering on the edge of destruction should James go somewhere other than Cleveland or stay in Miami.

But today the journey arc of the story closes and James brings not only his talent but his knowledge of how to win, and his ambition to find success in his hometown. I wish him well in the next part of his story, for the bestowing of boons will not be a simple path, but I know that he has made the right choice. He has upheld the highest tradition of being a hero, coming home again to change to common world.

Good Luck LeBron. (I still hope my Bulls beat you)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Mock Draft Version 3 with 1st round trades and 2nd Round


1 Kansas City – Eric Fisher OT
The talk that the Chiefs prefer Fisher is just too loud to ignore.

2 Jacksonville –Luke Joeckel OT
Jaguars are going to pick the best player available, so Joeckel is just too good to pass up.

3 Arizona (from Oakland) – Lane Johnson OT
Arizona has to fend off Cleveland, Detroit, San Diego, and Philadelphia and does so by trading up to number 3. They get the left tackle they desperately need.

4 Philadelphia – Dion Jordan OLB
Eagles get Chip a familiar face to build around.

5 Detroit - Ezekiel Ansah DE
A powerful defensive line gets better.

6 Cleveland – Dee Milliner CB
Cleveland wants to move back, but with Arizona jumping to 3 there isn’t a player worth moving up for.

7 Oakland (from Arizona) – Sharrif Floyd DT
Oakland pulls a major coup getting picks and the guy they were targeting the whole time.

8 Buffalo – Jonathan Cooper OG
This pick could get traded or Buffalo could go QB here, but I think they take a player who could be a future hall of famer even if it isn’t a sexy pick.

9 NY Jets – Barkevious Mingo OLB
Saints may want this pick, but they do not have enough picks to get it done. Jets start rebuilding their spotty defense.

10 Tennessee – Chance Warmack OG
Titans pick a potential hall of famer to block for CJ2K

11 San Diego – D.J. Fluker OT
Chargers fill a major need with a top athlete.

12 San Francisco (from Miami) - Kenny Vaccaro S
Miami can’t find anyone to fill a need, so they trade out to build up more picks. 49ers get the best safety in the draft.

13 NY Jets (from Tampa Bay) - Star Lotulelei DT
The Jets get a bigtime talent who falls and suddenly their defense is beginning to take shape.

14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT
Panthers take an athletic defensive tackle to fill a big need.

15 Pittsburg (from New Orleans) – Jarvis Jones OLB
After failing to trade up the saints get a solid pass rushing outside linebacker.

16 St. Louis – Alec Ogletree OLB
Fisher adds a major piece to a good young defense.

17 New Orleans (from Pittsburg) – Manti Te’o ILB
The Saints solidify the middle of their defense.

18 Atlanta (from Dallas) - Tyler Eifert TE
The Falcons jump up to grab a new weapon for Ryan

19 NY Giants – Desmond Trufant CB
With most of the linebackers off the board, the Giants strengthen a weak secondary.

20 Miami (from Chicago) – Tavon Austin WR
Miami moves back up in order to get a falling Austin.

21 Cincinnati – John Cyprien S
Cincinnati fills the biggest hole in their defense.

22 St. Louis – Sylvester Williams DT
Fisher puts the finishing touch on his developing defense.

23 Minnesota – Cordarrelle Patterson WR
Vikings pick a WR with major upside.

24 Indianapolis – Kyle Long OG
Colts find some protection for Andrew Luck.

25 Minnesota (From Seattle) – Kevin Minter ILB
Minnesota fills the biggest need on their defense.

26 Green Bay – Menelik Watson OT
Green Bay solidifies a terrible offensive line.

27 Houston – Robert Woods WR
Texans take the most polished WR to put across from Johnson even if his measurables were lacking.

28 Denver – Xavier Rhodes CB
Denver addresses the issue that kept them from advancing in last year’s playoffs.

29 New England – Justin Hunter WR
New England picks a WR to mollify Brady.

30 Dallas (from Atlanta) – Cornellius (Tank) Carradine DE
Dallas gets a versatile pass rusher to strength a weak defense.

31 Philadelphia (from San Francisco via Miami via Chicago) – E.J. Manuel
Philadelphia jumps back in to get their QB of the future

32 Buffalo (from Baltimore) – Ryan Nassib QB
Buffalo trades back in to get their coach his old QB

2nd Round

33 Jacksonville – Gino Smith QB
34 Miami (from KC via SF)– Bjoern Werner DE
35 Chicago (from Philadelphia)- Zach Ertz TE
34 Detroit – Terron Armstead OT
37 Cincinnati (from Oakland) – Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB
 38 Oakland (from Arizona) – Jonathan Jenkins DT
39 NYJets – Justin Pugh OL
40 Tennessee – DeAndre Hopkins WR
41Baltimore (from Buffalo) – Matt Elam S
42 Kansas City (from Miami) – Arthur Brown ILB
43 Tampa Bay – KaWann Short DT
44 Carolina – Quinton Patton WR
45 San Diego – Larry Warford OG
46 St. Louis – Shamarko Thomas S
47 Dallas – D.J. Swearinger S
48 Pittsburg – Cornelius Washington OLB
49 NY Giants – Corey Lemonier DE
50 Chicago – Sio Moore ILB
51 Washington – Johnthan Banks CB
52 Vikings – Darius Slay CB
53 Cincinnati – Khaseem Greene LB
54 Miami (from Indianapolis) – Margus Hunt DE
55 Green Bay – Monte Ball RB
56 Seattle – Gavin Escobar TE
57 Houston – Jesse Williams DT
58 Denver – Damontre Moore DE
59 New England – B.W. Webb CB
60 Dallas (from Atlanta) – Travis Frederick OL
61 Chicago (from SF via Miami) – Brandon Williams DT
62 Baltimore – Markus Wheaton WR

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

2013 NFL Mock Draft Version 2


2013 Mock Draft Version 2 with trade projections

1 Kansas City – Luke Joeckel OT
Trade rumors abound, but the serious contenders to move up just don’t have enough picks.

2 Jacksonville – Dion Jordan OLB
Jaguars need a difference maker on defense, Jordan is the best fit.

3 Cleveland (Via Oakland) – Dee Milliner CB
Cleveland moves up to snag the corner they crave.

4 Miami (Via Philadelphia) – Eric Fisher OT
The Dolphins have the picks to make a big more and Philadelphia is looking for value.

5 Detroit – Ezekiel Ansah DE
Lions come up short in the Milliner derby but still walk away with a quality defensive addition.

6 Oakland (Via Cleveland) – Sharrif Floyd DT
Raiders get the picks they need, and still get their guy.

7 Arizona – Lane Johnson OT
No brainer for the Cardinals to upgrade its terrible offensive line.

8 Philadelphia (Via Buffalo) – Geno Smith QB
Eagles jump back into the top ten to snag their quarterback of the future.

9 New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo OLB
Jets have to do something to help their defense, Mingo is the safest pick.

10 Tennessee – Chance Warmack G
Titans get the safest player in the draft.

11 San Diego – Jonathan Cooper G
Chargers get all the upside of Warmack at a cheaper price.

12 Buffalo (From Miami via Philadelphia) – Tavon Austin WR
Bills get a playmaker to pair with Johnson.

13 Tampa Bay – Star Lotulelei DT
Buccaneers benefit from a top 10 talent falling.

14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT
Carolina gets the guy they have been targeting all along.

15 New Orleans – Jarvis Jones OLB
Saints find a dynamic pass rusher from the outside.

16 Saint Louis – Kenny Vaccaro S
Rams plug a major hole in their secondary with the best safety in the draft.

17 Pittsburg – Cordarrelle Patterson WR
Steelers gamble on Pattersons huge upside to replace Wallace.

18 Dallas – Sylvester Williams DT
Cowboys shock the world by making a safe pick.

19 New York Giants – D.J. Fluker OT
An athletic tackle to protect a grateful Eli.

20 Arizona (Via Chicago) – Matt Barkley QB
Cardinal get their QB of the future, Bears recoup some picks.

21 Cincinnati – Alex Ogletree ILB
Bengals value potential more than they fear character issues.

22 Saint Louis – DeAndre Hopkins WR
Rams reach for a weapon in a make or break year for their not-so-young-anymore quarterback.

23 Minnesota – Justin Hunter WR
Vikings try to replace Harvin’s productivity with a big target.

24 Indianapolis –  Xavier Rhodes CB
Colts bolster a weak secondary.

25 Minnesota (Via Seattle) – Manti Te’o ILB
Vikings fill a major need with a solid leader.

26 Green Bay – John Cyprien S
Packers address their biggest weakness.

27 Houston – Menelik Watson OT
With the top four wide receivers off the board the Texans reinforce their offensive line.

28 Denver – Kevin Minter ILB
Broncos fill a big hole in the middle with a solid player

29 New England – Keenan Allen WR
Patriots reach for a often injured but very productive wide receiver to mollify Brady.

30 Atlanta – Tyler Eifert TE
Falcons address next year’s biggest need while getting another weapon for Ryan.

31 San Francisco – Cornellius (Tank) Carradine DE
An aging defensive line gets an infusion of talented youth.

32 Buffalo (Via Baltimore) – Ryan Nassib QB
After missing on Smith, Buffalo jumps back into the first round to get a quarterback their new coach is very familiar with.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

2013 NFL Mock Draft Version 1

2013 Mock Draft Version 1

1 Kansas City – Luke Joeckel OT
The Chiefs solidify the core of what could be an explosive offense.

2 Jacksonville – Dion Jordan OLB/DE
A team with many needs invests in a player with huge upside.

3 Oakland– Shariff Floyd DT - Trade Possibility
If the Raiders keep this pick they need a sure thing.

4 Philadelphia – Eric Fisher OT – Trade Possibility
Eagles fix a hole in the oline, but may trade back if the right offer comes along.

5 Detroit – Ezekiel Ansah DE
The best 4-3 lineman available is a must for the Lions in a increasingly offensive-minded NFC North

6 Cleveland – Dee Milliner CB
The Brown plug the biggest hole in their defense.

7 Arizona – Lane Johnson OT
The worst o-line in the league gets an instant upgrade.

8 Buffalo – Geno Smith QB
The Bills need a franchise QB, the only question is: do they move up to try to get Smith?

9 New York Jets - Barkevious Mingo DE/OLB
A hot name to an over the hill defense.

10 Tennessee – Star Lotulelei DT
While they need a guard, Star’s upside is too much for the Titans to pass up.

11 San Diego - Jonathan Cooper OG
The Chargers take a versatile guard to strengthen a weak unit.

12 Miami – Xavier Rhodes CB
The Dolphins need a corner to challenge the receiver talent in the AFC East.

13 Tampa Bay – Travon Austin WR
Trade possibility, but the Bucs can’t pass up the opportunity to finish building an elite receiver corps.

14 Carolina – Sheldon Richardson DT
Panthers steal a big time talent in the middle of the first round.

15 New Orleans – Jarvis Jones OLB
Major upside talent with the speed and power to frighten NFC South quarterbacks

16 St. Louis – Kenny Vaccaro S
Rams fill a major defensive hole after cutting Mikell and losing Dahl.

17 Pittsburg - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Steelers replace Wallace and give Big Ben a big target.

18 Dallas – Chance Warmack OG
Cowboys can’t pass up this much value at such a huge need position.

19 New York Giants – D.J Fluker OT
Giants nab an athletic tackle to protect Eli.

20 Chicago – Arthur Brown LB
Expect the Bears to trade back, but if they keep the pick Brown has the potential to secure the middle of the defense for a decade.

21 Cincinatti – Desmond Trufant LB
Bengals begin the rebuild of the defense that is holding them back.

22 Saint Louis (from Washington) – Sylvester Williams DT Trade Possibility
May trade back but Fisher’s love for powerful defensive tackles will make it hard for him to pass Williams up.

23 Minnesota – Keenan Allen WR
Vikings try to replace Harvin with the best of the rest of the receivers

24 Indianapolis – Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB
Colts add a solid piece to a defense in transition.

25 Minnesota (from Seattle) – Kevin Minter ILB
Vikings add a solid middle linebacker to fill their biggest need.

26 Green Bay – Menelik Watson OT
Packers try solidify a shaky offensive line with another late 1st round tackle.

27 Houston – DeAndre Hopkins WR
Texans try again to fill the spot opposite Andre Johnson

28 Denver – Manti Te’o LB
Broncos get a leader for great value.

29 New England – Justin Hunter WR
Trade possibility, but after a tough offseason for Brady, the Pats give him a new weapon.

30 Atlanta – Tyler Eifert TE
Falcons give Ryan a new weapon and address next offseason’s biggest need with one pick.

31 San Francisco – Cornellius Carradine DE
Trade possibility, but I think the 49ers stay put and strengthen their impressive defense.

32 Baltimore – John Cyprien S
Ravens plug the hole left by Reed.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Thoughts on a Past Love



Recently, I was talking with a friend about Albert Pujols and his chances to break Bond's home run record. It lead me to a sad realization:

Those records don't mean anything to me anymore.
I feel like baseball broke my trust
Part of my love for that game that I grew up with has died
I am not sure i will be able to revive it
Even when my Cubs were good I was still holding back
One of the things that enthralled me as a kid was the idea of these epic numbers and the idea of watching someone approach them
But now the numbers seem smaller
And mean less
Part of what made baseball so magical for me is that it was such an old game with so much tradition
Almost anything amazing that happened had happened before
But when you got to see something that had never happened before in baseball
You knew it was something that you would likely never see again in your life
And in that context every game had to opportunity to be The Game that changed baseball history forever
Now changing baseball history is like turning the page of a newspaper
Almost simplicity itself to do, yet somehow you still end up with dirty hands

Saturday, April 28, 2012

2012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down Day Two Trades

Since there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.

Trade 1: New York Jets acquire No. 43 pick from Seattle Seahawks for No. 47 pick, No. 154 pick and No. 232 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart: This trade is even
Under my chart: Jets underpay by the value of an early 6th


Trade 2: Chicago Bears acquire No. 45 pick from St. Louis Rams for No. 50 pick and No. 150 pick.
Under the Old Value Chart: Bears under pay by the value of a late 6th


Under my chart: Bears underpay by the value of a mid 6th
Trade 3: Green Bay Packers acquire No. 51 pick from Philadelphia Eagles for No. 59 pick and No. 123 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart:  Packers under pay by the value of a late 5th
Under my chart: Packers overpay by the value of a mid 7th


Trade 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquire No. 58 pick and No. 233 pick from Houston Texans for No. 68 pick and No. 126 pick.
Under the Old Value Chart: Buccaneers underpay by the value of a late 5th


Under my chart: Buccaneers overpay by value of an early 5th
Trade 5: Green Bay Packers acquire No. 62 pick from New England Patriots for No. 90 pick and No. 163 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart: Packers get a steal and underpay by the value of an early 4th


Under my chart: Packers get a steal and underpay by the value of a mid 4th
Trade 6: Denver Broncos acquire No. 67 pick from Cleveland Browns for No. 87 pick and No. 120 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart: Broncos underpay by the value of a late 4th


Under my chart: Broncos overpay by the value of a late 7th


Trade 7: Buffalo Bills acquire No. 69 pick from Washington Redskins for No. 72 pick and No. 217 pick.
Under the Old Value Chart: Bills underpay by the value of a late 7th


Under my chart: Bills underpay by the value of an early 7th


Trade 8: San Diego Chargers acquire No. 73 pick from Miami Dolphins for No. 78 pick and No. 183 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart: Chargers overpay by the value of a late 7th


Under my chart: Chargers underpay by the value of a late 7th
Trade 9: Baltimore Ravens acquire No. 84 pick from Atlanta Falcons for No. 91 pick and No. 164 pick.


Under the Old Value Chart: Ravens underpay by the value of a mid 6th


Under my chart: Ravens get a steal and underpay by the value of a late 5th
Trade 10: San Francisco 49ers acquire No. 97 pick in 2012 and a fifth-rounder in 2013 from Indianapolis Colts for No. 92 pick in 2012 draft.


Under the Old Value Chart: This trade is even


Under my chart: This trade is even

Friday, April 27, 2012

2012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Trades Buccaneers and Broncos

Since there is a new CBA in the NFL, the traditional draft pick value chart is out of date. I have taken it upon myself to make a new one and I will be breaking down all of the trade deals to see who came out on top.

Trade #9 Denver trades the 31st and 126th pick to Tampa Bay for the 36th and 101st picks

Under the old system: This trade is dead even.

Under my chart: This trade is dead even.

Eye Test: A dead even trade. Enough said.