NBA Lockout...whos really losing?

We are in mid-November and the Sacramento Kings have yet to lose a game. Not because their young talent is shinging, or because of their key free agent aquisitions. It's becuase the Kings have yet to play a game due to the ongoing NBA LOCKOUT. The NBA locked out the players because the team owners and players can not agree on how to split billions of dollars made in revenue. Along with the money, there are other system issues, but let's be honest ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. The players most recently turned down a proposal that offered the players at least 50 percent, and up to 51, of the NBA revenue. The players decided it was not enough and rejected the proposal. With the rejection of the proposal the 2011-2012 NBA season is in real jeopardy. A lot of us sports fans don't really care right now because football is king! I personally have a pair of King's season ticket and could care less at this moment. However come February if there is no agreement between the NBA owners and players, we will find ourselves becoming college basketball experts and anxiously waiting for baseball to start again. With that being said lets analyze, WHO IS REALLY LOSING DURING THIS LOCKOUT? NBA OWNERS: The NBA owners claim that under the old collective bargaining agreement, there is no way they can make money and put a quality product on the table. The owners claim that due to a combination of a bad economy and outrageous player contracts, a lot of the teams are actually losing money. The owners are the ones that actually siged the GIANT player contract that they are now complaining about. They didn't complain at the time because the economy was ok and the majority of the arenas were sold out on a daily basis. These last years the economy has been in the gutter and most of the NBA arenas are rarely full. I remember going to a King's game a couple years ago and it appeared half of the arena was empty. Now that the old deal has expired the owners are using a "get out jail for free" card and are trying to get the players to agree to a deal that can make them all money. Some owners see the loss of the season as beneficial. They aren't making money, but at least they are not losing money either. The owners are millonares complaing about not being as rich as they once were, so THEY ARE NOT THE LOSERS HERE! NBA PLAYERS: The palyers rejected a deal that could potentially earn them over 50 percent of NBA revenue. They have the nerve to tell the owners they think the deal is unfair and they want 53 percent. I find this ridiculous! While under the last deal the players earned 57 percent, they should feel fortunate that they are still getting offered over 50 percent. With this struggling economy "regular" people are losing their job or taking pay cuts. Why shouldn't it be any different with the NBA players? They need to open their eyes and realize they also need to take a pay cut. Who in their right mind tells their boss, "you know, I really think that our business revenue should be divided 53 percent for me and 47 percent for you." REALLY? What's wrong here is that a lot of these players with big contract have been spoiled their entire lives and they can not handle not getting their way. Every week that goes by and there are no NBA games the players are losing their weekly checks. For those with big contracts, they are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars every week. However, they have nobody to blame but themselves. Sign the deal, get paid and lets play some ball! THE PLAYERS ARE NOT THE LOSERS HERE! Let me tell you who are the real losers: THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE NBA AREANS AND DEPEND ON THAT INCOME TO MAKE ENDS MEET and THE FANS. Mr. Lopez works as an equipment manager and is currently unemployed, so now he has to look for another source of income, possibly relocate, tell his kids XMAS gifts will be light this year and cancel their vacation. Mr. Smith works as an usher and depends on this money to pay for his rent. Mr. Smith now depends on unemployment checks and is selling personal items to make ends meet; he lives in fear of not being able to make rent next month. Mrs. Jones works as a cashier at one of the vending stands, she is currently collecting unemployement and has gotten creative on ways to save money so their family can survive this tough stretch. She is a coupon expert, recycles aluminum cans on a daily basis and her kids did not get new school close this year. Luckily her husband is employed and they are able to survive, but there will not be presents for XMAS this year. Thousands of people are living stories like these around the country. THEY ARE THE REAL LOSERS! The financial lives are in the hands of the NBA players and owners! While the owners/players are concerend about not making as many millions, these people are concerned about not making rent, not eating, not buying there kids a toy and many other things. GET IT TOGETHER NBA AND GET THIS DEAL DONE!

America...algun dia regresaras!

America...algun dia regresaras!

Alguien por favor despierteme y digame que este torneo es tan solo una pesadilla. Lo veo y no lo creo. Lo que empeso con un refuerso de 10 millones de $, un par de refuersos que venian a ser campeones, canteranos que esperaban su gran oportunidad y una campana en el que AME iva a demostrar que es "Grande, Muy Grande", ahora esta apunto de terminar en un grande fracaso, en el sotano de la tabla.

Reinoso nos dio esperansa, pero al final no pudo sumar puntos. El Vice Presidente Ordiales quedo a un lado. Los canteranos no se realisaron. Disque refuersos como Sanchez y Vuoso muy bajos de nivel. El clasico se perdio. Nuestro goleador en la banca. Reyna es el que sentia mas la camisa, se desepero, declaro en contra de sus companeros, y ahora esta a punto de quedar fuera de Coapa. La aficion ya no fue al estadio para el ultimo partido de local.

Todo lo dicho queda en resultado de una de las peores campanas en la historia de America. Y quien sale perdiendo por la ineptidud del presidente Bauer, LA AFICION! Siempre nosotros somos los sacrificados. Creo que ya fue suficiente el esfuerzo de Bauer. Es tiempo de en verdad hacer limpia, empesando desde arriba. Creo que hablo por muchos Americanistas que lo primero que se tiene que hacer es dale las gracias a Bauer y despidirlo. Tenemos que poner a un presidente que le importe ganar partidos y no nomas billetes. Un presidente que le importe la aficion, por que se la tendran que volver a ganar si quieren volver a ver buenas entradas en el Azteca. Segundo, se tendra que dialogar con Alfredo Tena y analyisar si es el entrandor adequado para un nuevo America. Se occuparan refuersos de calidad, no las fregaderas que han traido en los ultimos anos. Hombres de calidad, sean Mexicanos o extranjeros, que tengan verdaderas metas de triunfar en el equipo mas importante de Mexico. Hombres que puedan con la presion que es vestir la camisa amarilla. De los 5 extranjeros, a despidir a todos menos a Benitiz. Fue su primer torneo y creo que hizo lo necesario para seguir en el equipo. Los demas, gracias por su esfuerso. Tambien hay que analisar bien y decidir a que jovens se les va dar una oportuninda seria. Tenemos una Sub-20 bicampeona y hay talento que puede aportar al equipo mayor.

Es tiempo de trabajar directivos Americanista. La afficion te es fiel, pero ya no apoyara los mismos errores de siempre. Los verdaderos Americanistas aqui estaremos siempre....y tu Ame, se que algun dia regresaras.

Mauricio Luna

Verguenza Amarilla

No miento cuando digo que no e visto jugar a el equipo de mis amores (America) desde que empeso el NFL. Hoy estoy mirando el patido frente a Morelia y la verdad que hasta verquensa da ver a un equipo de esa gradensa jugar como juega. No tienen estilo, ni forma specifica de como atacar. La defensa hace errores infantiles. Los refuerzos de lujo ni estan en el campo. Los de la cantera bi-campoena casi ni juegan...Que fregados esta pasando? Donde estan mis SUPER AGUILAS? Las que no respetaban a ningun rival...Las que defendian El Azteca a murir...Las sudaban la casima...Las jugaban todos los partido con HU*V*S...Regresa pronto AME!

Nueva Verguensa Azul

Ya tenia tiempo que no escribia en mi blog, pero lo occurrido el pasado fin de semana fue causa para mi regreso. El Cruz Azul, el equipo que es llamado "grande" nadamas por un buena decada que vivio en los 70's, nuevamente causo verguensa para el futbol Mexicano. Esta ves no fue por causas de antidopin, pero fue por comportamiento vulgar, corriente y falta de professionalismo. Lo que hizo "El Chaco" Gimenez y Jesus Corona no tienen lugar en ninguna cancha de futbol, ni en cualquier lugar de empleo professional. Lo de "Chaco" es comportamiento nuevo y espero aprenda de su error, todo meresemos una segunda oportunidad. Pero Corona es caso diferente. Nuevamente justifica su reputacion de problematico al cabezar al preparador fisico del Morelia. Claro que el preparador fisico tampoco no actuo como un santo, pero lo de Corona fue una cobardia. Hicieron muy bien en quitarlo de la selecion Mexicana. Hay algunos que justifican las aciones del "Chaco" y Corona, y que cren sus suspensiones eran injustas. Yo veo las suspencions de ambos injustas tambien. DEBERIAN SIDO MAS SEVERAS! La FMF los uviera usado como ejemplos de que ese comportamiento ya no sera aceptado en las canchas del futbol Mexicano....solo mi punto de vista.

Odiame Mas

Mauricio Luna

Tyreke Evans...Rookie of the Year

Today Tyreke Evans was officially named the NBA's 2010 Rookie of the Year. While it's not big news on a national level, it is pretty big here in the Sacramento area. This award is the culmination of a season that has once again brought hope to all Sacramento Kings fans. I can still remember when the Kings were title contenders in the early 2000's. They would give the Kobe & Shaq Lakers all they can handle for several years. There was hope and promise of one year getting past them and moving on to the NBA finals. That year was supposed to be 2002. I'm not going to revisit the playoff match up between the Kings and the Lakers that year...because Games 6&7 still get me fired up, but we all know what happened. In that series the Kings organization and it's fans did not only lose the series versus the Lakers, but it was the beginning of a downward spiral. A downward spiral that included a couple more years of disappointing playoff appearances, losing the star players that almost took us to the title, a rebuilding process that resulted in multiple losing seasons, rumors about the Kings leaving Sacramento and the worst record in the NBA in 2009. After having the worst record in 2009 the Kings were in position to win the draft lottery. It seemed that the Kings bad luck once again laughed at all it's fans because the Kings ended up with the 4th overall pick..."the worst possible scenario". Little did we know that 4th pick was going to bring us, not only the future Rookie of the Year, but also new hope for all Kings fans. Hope of one day bringing back the glory that we lived through in the early 2000's. Congratulations Tyreke! Today you lifted the trophy for Rookie of the Year...in 2012 we hope that you can lead the Kings in a realistic journey to lift a different trophy...an NBA Championship.

2010 NBA Playoffs (Western Confrence)

In the West is crazy! That's the best way to describe it.

West:

Lakers vs Thunder - 1 vs 8. This series should be over by now right. Well it's getting close. While the Thunder showed in games 3 & 4 that they are a force to be wrecking with when they play at home; the LakeSHOW reminded the youngsters that it's not their time yet. The Lakers gave us a masterpiece in game 5. The Lakers will once again step it up in game 6 and will send the Thunder home for the season. Don't feel bad for the Thunder. This is just part of the learning process. They have such a bright future with Durant, Westbrooke, Green, Ibaka and Harden all under the age of 25. All they need is a quality experienced veteran to convert them into championship contenders.

Mavs vs Spurs - The Mavs are going to give Mark Cuban a heart attack. With their backs against the wall the Mavs are going to have to go into San Antonio and steal the game. I think the Mavs can do it. The series will come will be defined in Game 6. If the Spurs are going to finish off the Mavs, they are going to have to do it in San Antonio. How high will Marc Cuban's blood pressure be during Game 6?

Suns vs Blazers - The Blazers have put up a valiant effort, but I think this series will end in Game 6. The Suns simply have too much firepower for the Blazers. It's obvious Brando Roy is nowhere near 100% and to be honest he shouldn't even be out on the court. He is hurting the Blazers more than helping them. I think the Blazers will come out inspired in front of their home crowd in Game 6. The Suns will need to withstand the initial burst of energy from the Blazers and then settle down and play their game.

Nuggets vs Jazz - I really like the Nuggets, but I don't think they can bounce back and win 3 games in a row against the tough and physical Jazz. Things started going down hill for the Nuggets when Martin got hurt, than their coach was sidelined and now they are visibly losing confidence. They might win Game 5 in Denver, but I would be shocked if they won in Utah. As for the Jazz, it's a typical Jerry Sloan coached team. The Jazz never change their style of play. It's going to be interesting to see how Sloan works Okur and AK47 back into the lineup.

Potential West Semifinals

Lakers vs Jazz
Mavs/Spurs vs Suns

2010 NBA Playoffs (Eastern Confrence)

Here we are half way through the first round of the playoffs and in the East the only series of interest is the Hawks vs Buck. Everything else has pretty much gone as planned.

East:

Cavs vs Bulls - Chicago managed to win a a game, but the Cavs have been the dominant team in the series. Nothing much to say here. I expect the Cavs to wrap up the series today in Game 5. It appears the Cavs will face the Celtics in the 2nd round.

Magic vs Bobcats - Quick and easy, like it should be for a top seed. The Magic already made quick work of the Bobcats. To me the story in this series was the manner in which the Magic won their games. Dwight Howard was a minimal factor due to his foul trouble. It's surprising to see how frustrated Howard as the calls keep going against him. You would think a player of his stature would compose himself in a different manner. GET IT TOGETHER SUPERMAN!

Hawks vs Buck - The series is all tied up at 2. It's amazing to see the Bucks still kicking, considering the injury to their best player. As for the Hawks it seems like they are unraveling and losing their confidence. Not a good sign for Hawk fans when the players start questioning their ability to play on the road. This series can officially go to either of the two teams.

Celtics vs Heat - The Celtics should wrap up this series in Game 5. The Celtics have clearly dominated the series. Aside from Wades electrifying performance in Game 4. The only question here is: Can the aging Celtics hold up to battle King James in the second round. Or will Rondo and the bench have to carry the Celtics.

Potential East Semifinals

Cavs vs Celtics
Magic vs Hawks/Bucks