Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

"J"DRAMA

The actors look funny as hell, but hey at least they are jumping from the goddamn three point line and 20 gabillion feet in the air just to dunk the basketball. So in my book this is TOTALLY watchable.

LET FAVRE PLAY

If there is a guy who I think will play football until he dies, it's Brett Favre. At almost 40 years of age Brett his flirting with the chance to play his 17th season in the NFL. Sure mock him all you want for "retiring" and "un"-retiring, but we all know that wasn't a sincere retirement because it wasn't time for him to leave this sport that he loves. And one more thing, what's this garbage about him being a diva and leaving the Vikings hanging about the possibility of playin for them. I think Brett's performance throughout his career (and his gatrillion NFL records) proves that if he wants to weight his options a little bit then that's what he is going to do, he is NFL royalty. Not to mention the man is 39 and just coming off a shoulder surgery so leave him alone. If he wants to play for you (Minnesoda Vikings) you should be jumping for joy and wait patiently for him to make up his mind. It's not like the quarterbacks you have will get you anywhere anyways.

And how good would it be though for Favre to put on a Viking jersey and play in the same division as his former team The Green Bay Packers. That's two for sure high rated classic games on tap this year (if he plays for them of course). So...I'd say...Let him play.

LET VICK PLAY

Today is the official release date for Michael Vick from his dog fighting sentence. It is still unsure if Roger Goodell will lift his "suspension" from the NFL for his part in the dog fighting ring. For Mike Vick that part of his life is now in the past, it's no longer about the dog. He has served his sentence, paid his due for his wrong doings. Now it's time for him to get back to what he does best, back where he belongs, in a NFL jersey playing football.

Whether you are a Michael Vick supporter or not, you have to pull for this guy. Sure he was wrong, he shouldn't have done what he did, but he admitted to his mistakes and served his sentence. All he need is a chance to prove to everybody, he's changed. In my opinion I think America owes him at least a chance, because they praised him, loved him when he was at his best and they stomped him, left him when he was at his lowest. Through it all he has lost almost everything, his fans, fortune, reputation. But it's nothing he can't get back, can't build back, all he is missing is a chance. I assume now for Mike Vick it's no longer about the fans, the fortune, and his reputation. It's about accepting this new chapter of his life and getting back to playing football.

As for commissioner Roger Goodell, please reinstate Mike and give him a chance to be back in under the lights every Sunday night.

It's July

These guys kill me LOL!

Skip Bayless rips LeBron a new one

R.I.P. Air McNair

I was skimming through my Tweetdeck when I came across a tweet from Kevin Durant that read "RIP Steve McNair". I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as I literally rubbed my eyes to make sure I read it right. Then I proceed to check ESPN to confirm it, former NFL quarterback dead at 36.

Although the details surrounding his death is still being pieced together. Whatever happened the truth will come out. Aside from that, I am sure all NFL fans would agree with me that this was one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. To me I will always remember him for his toughness of the field, his athleticism, his will, his drive and that he was inches away from winning a Super Bowl. He gave everything he had and more during his 13 year career. Words cannot express the amount of respect I have for him and the sadness I feel now that we lost another great one. RIP number 9.

Check this out vol. Soul 2 Sole by David Park

Fooling around on a hot summer afternoon

Hey Bryan Colangelo!

In case you haven't noticed, there's this cool little tool over at ESPN.com titled "NBA Trade Machine" where wannabe GM's like me get to mess around with trade scenarios to see if they work within the NBA trade guidelines.

Now I know a lot of Raptor fans are bracing themselve's to the possibility of yet another franchise player skipping town. As of right now, the chances of Chris Bosh returning in Raptor red next season is very slim. Once again this franchise is littered with the "potential" tag, and that is simply not good enough to keep anybody around no matter, because in order for a player to make big time money (max contract) they have to earn it first by winning. Playing on a subpar or average team will not get you anywhere. So this creates a huge headache for everybody in Raptor land, what should they do with Chris Bosh?

My solution is simple, as simple as getting rid of Chris Bosh right now. Why? I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day discussing this issue and how Chris will be demanding a max contract next summer (6 years 136 million dollars?) People familiar with the NBA know that you don't neccessarily have to be a "max" player in order to get paid like one. This leads to another question, is Chris a max player? In the NBA there are only a handfull (being real generous here) of deserving max contract players. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, etc all carry lengthy resumes that includes MVPs, multiple playoff victories and of course for a few of them NBA championships. I know it's still too early to judge Chris Bosh's body of work in the NBA because he is only 25 years young which is far from the age when NBA stars reach their peak. No doubt he is talented, he's a winner, I respect what he has accomplished so far in his career. But this is literally a toss up, Chris is young, talented but injury prone and his production level has been the same the last three years and coincendentally his team failed to get far into the playoffs (missing it last year). The Raptors right now are a talented squad (even without Bosh) but they are littered with young players and if you count Shawn Marion the next player in terms of senority is Jake Voskuhl. This team lack the toughness and veterin leadership that a perenial playoff team has.

So with that said I found a team that should be a perfect fit on and off the court for our soon to be ex franchise player. Chris Bosh welcome to Houston Texas.

With the recent developments regarding Yao Ming's foot injury and it's implications. Knowing that this injury can be detrimental to the team's future, also the fact that it's hard to imagine the Rockets as the type of team that would fold under this type of situation and give up on the season. If Yao is out for the entire 09-10 season, there will be a huge hole in the middle for the Rockets to fill. Enter Chris Bosh, having the ability to play both the center and power forward spot I see Bosh as a perfect compliment for Luis Scola. Bosh's got the length and quickness that Scola lacks in low post defense. As a big men in the NBA Bosh is one of the best at running the floor. The Rockets equipped with one of the quickest guard in the league in Aaron Brooks and with Bosh they can finally play a faster pace that they couldn't with Yao in the lineup thus making their offense multi-dimensional. And do I have to really mention that Bosh is from Texas (although born in Dallas) being in the home state would be a huge confident booster.

In return the Raptors should take Shane Battier, Carl Landry and the contract of Brian Cook (waive him later to save money). This move could pay huge dividend for the Raptors, they get a proven and solid veterin player in Shane Battier, did I mention he's one of the best defenders in the league. Shane has the senority to mentor the flock of wing player/young players that we have on our roster. With Carl Landry we get another energy player, who can grab rebound in bunches. On paper, this may look like an unfair trade, but with the development of Andrea Bargnani, the rebounding machines in Reggie Evans and Carl Landry and the addition of Shane Battier. The Raptors are sure to improve in all of their weak areas in one fell swoop (scoring, defense, rebounding).

Win Win

The best coach you've never heard of

Don Meyer is one of the best coaches in basketball, that you've never heard of. To everybody else, he is just a coach. To everybody involved in coaching, he is a legend. As of January 10th, 2009 he passed Bob Knight for the most wins in NCAA Men's Basketball with 903 wins. But his story goes deeper than that....

Karma!!!

I must say I have the utmost respect for this dude because of his career of hitting big shots in clutch situations and the fact that he's a winner (7 NBA Championships) . But as a Kings fan, I hated him for this. So when I heard he has no idea where all of his seven rings are, I couldn't help but let out a big grin followed with a "HA! HA!".

Following a videoconference with NBA greats Robert Horry, Dominique Wilkins and Bernard King about the most amazing moments of their careers, Horry admitted that he doesn’t know the exact whereabouts of his seven championship rings.

"Honestly, I don't know where they are right now!" Horry started, laughing. "I just moved, so I think that they're in a box somewhere in my house. The movers weren't supposed to touch it, but they did. I used to keep them in a jewelry box in my bathroom, but I think that they're in the house somewhere."

Dude probably hired a Kings fan to help him move. Karma is a female dog.

Where will Amazing Happen

Whoever is responsible for these commercials, you have outdone yourself this time. The editing is bonkers.

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart

"SMFH!"
another drunk hit and run

Once upon a time in Notre Dame

"You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin' and you have nearly a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football team in the land for two years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself." - Fortune

Famous Stars And Straps - Decade

First things first, congrats on the 10th anniversary to the FSAS family, it's a huge accomplishment to have lasted in the game for a whole decade. For those who don't know Famous Stars and Straps is a company started by Travis Barker (Blink 182, Transplants) which began with accessories and t-shirts. Armed with their trademark "F" BOH (Badge of Honor) Travis and his team built a brand that has no boundaries and transcends all genres. It's one of those rare brands, that anybody can rock. Whether you're a rapper, rocker, punk rocker, black, white, asian, hispanic, old, young, everybody is down with FSAS. 10 years in, Travis and the FSAS are just getting started.

GHM NCAA style

Like I said on Twitter, I don't know if this is hilarious or horrifying. You be the judge.

I played basketball today...

and

IT FELT GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT!
because I haven't played in quite some time

Instant Classic or Epic Fail

Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but it took him 53 minutes. Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.

Easy, pal! Syracuse Orange guard Eric Devendorf thought he'd hit the game-winning three-point shot with seconds left in regulation. Credit: Rich Kane/US Presswire.

Referees eventually waved odd Devendorf's shot, forcing overtime between Syracuse and Connecticut. Credit: Julie Jacobson/AP Photo.

Wimps! It's only the fourth overtime in this shot. Jonny Flynn (left) Paul Harris (right) of the Syracuse Orange trying to catch their breath against Connecticut. Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.

Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet reacts after fouling out in the fifth period of overtime against Syracuse. Credit: Julie Jacobson/AP Photo.

A few minutes later, Kemba Walker was back on his back -- after missing a shot in the sixth overtime. Credit: Rich Kane/US Presswire.

Connecticut's Kemba Walker is pulled up off the floor at the end of the fifth overtime against Syracuse. Julie Jacobson/AP Photo.

The Connecticut Huskies bench watches near the end of the game against the Syracuse Orange during the quarterfinal round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City. Credit: Michael Heiman/Getty Images.

OK, now you can celebrate. Looks like Eric Devendorf has hops -- or at least that's his celebration move. Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.

Justin Thomas of Syracuse celebrates late in the sixth overtime against Connecticut during the quarterfinal round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City. Credit: Michael Heiman/Getty Images.

The final scoreboard between Syracuse and UConn. Sometimes a baseball score looks like a football score. Sometimes basketball periods look like innings. Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.

6 Friggen Overtimes

Kobe vs Ron Ron - TBJ style

On Wednesday, in a heated Western Conference game between the Lakers and Rockets, stars Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest were caught on camera talking some serious trash to one another.

The homeboys over at The Basketball Jones decided to do this hilarious imitation of the heated exchange. With J.E. Skeets as Ron Artest and Tas Malas as Kobe. Good Job guys!

About TBJ

The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle

These dudes put in the work every day to put on a wonderful podcast for basketball fans everywhere. So check them out at http://thebasketballjones.net/. If your a fan and like what you can subscribe to their podcast with the links below.

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