A Tale of Two Cities

As NFL training camps open this week, there is one player that can't wait to get back to his team more than any other guy in the league -- Reggie Bush.

It's human nature to want to feel loved. We are much more comfortable in an environment where we feel appreciated. Reggie Bush grew up in southern California (San Diego to be exact). He was a high school superstar and when he took his talents to U.S.C. he became a national phenomenon. Aside from Kobe Bryant, Reggie Bush was probably the biggest star athlete in all of Los Angeles. He was loved. He was in a comfortable environment.

This summer, on June 10th, all of that changed for this once proud native son of southern California. When the U.S.C. program was hit with a two-year bowl ban and the loss of scholarships by the NCAA, all fingers were pointed at Reggie Bush. The school that was more than happy to call this former Heisman Trophy winner their own was now forced to disassociate themselves from Bush. Since he was declared ineligible during USC's title run, the school had to pretend he never existed. Heisman trophy in Heritage Hall...buh bye. Retired number hanging in the L.A. Coliseum...buh bye. Murial painting along the wall of the athletic training facility hallway...covered up.

Suddenly this didn't seem like such a comfortable environment after all for Bush. He won't be welcome at practice. It will probably be very tough for him to attend a home game anytime soon. The message boards, blogs and tweets have been ruthless. His legacy is destroyed in Los Angeles.

"We're Jazzed You're Here" - that is the latest marketing campaign for the city of New Orleans, and it could not mean more to Reggie Bush than right now. NFL training camp and the upcoming season is Bush's escape. The timing could not be better and the environment could not be more opposite than what he leaves behind in southern California.

The minute Bush hit the ground in New Orleans in 2006, he was called "Saint Reginald" by the city. The city had been devastated after Hurricane Katrina and this Bush was just what the doctor ordered. He started a "Yard by Yard, Neighborhood by Neighborhood" program which built homes in New Orleans based on Bush's yardage totals. He helped a special needs school in the area stay open after Katrina by donating $56,000 in sponsorship money from Adidas. He personally funded an $86,000 artificial field turf for Tad Gormley Stadium, where six local high schools play their football games. This past summer he held his 2nd Annual Youth Football camp in New Orleans as well. Oh yeah, and on the field he helped the team win it's first Super Bowl.

In the city of New Orleans, Reggie Bush is, well, a "saint." In the City of Angels (Los Angeles) Reggie Bush is a sinner. One man, two reputations. Two cities, two opinions. For the next six months Reggie Bush can leave his alter-ego on the west Coast. Ironically, he probably feels like he's now home. After all, this is the environment where he feels loved...

Ugly Just Like Us

Years ago the front man for the rock band Staind, Aaron Lewis, wrote a song called 'Outside'. The main chorus of the song went:

I can see through you
See your true colors
Cause inside your ugly
Your ugly like me...

Never have truer words been spoken about the world of college football. Here is breaking news: Ugly is everywhere, not just at USC. For the past few months USC fans have had to endure the criticism, the revelling from haters, the jokes and pretty much a general, "shame on you guys" from any and all college football fans, experts and writers (yes, I separate 'experts' and 'writers'). Here is the ugly secret of college football: what happens at USC happens at 'BCS' programs all over the country, and these past few weeks are proving that point.

USC was guilty of 'lack of institutional control'. That's the nice way of saying, 'how can you not know agents are giving your student athletes improper benefits?!' The NCAA wanted to make an example out of USC. That's what happens when Yahoo Sports launches a witch hunt on a program that had been too good for too long. It's human nature to want to watch and relish in the fall of something great.

The University of Florida is now being investigated for one of it's former standout players, Maurkice Pouncey, receiving up to $100,000 from an agent prior to the Gator's Sugar Bowl game. Sounds ugly to me.

The University of North Carolina and University of South Carolina are also both being investigated by the NCAA on allegations their football players received improper gifts from agents. Sounds ugly to me.

What else is ugly? How about 11 Notre Dame football players being arrested over the weekend? How about star athletes at Georgia and Tennessee being arrested? Want Assault? Look no further than the defensive end for the Pitt Panthers.

Ahhhhh....mush. None of these stories matter right? The NCAA took down USC. Isn't that what everyone wanted to see? They are the big fat cheaters on the West Coast. Everything else is just gravy at this point. Who needs football West of the Mississippi anyways? The NCAA wanted to make an example out of an elite program....and boy did they ever. They must now go from 'setting an example' to 'staying consistent'. If other programs are guilty of the same charges USC was, then the penalties must be consistent.

Let's be honest here. Who doesn't believe that if the NCAA spent four years (like it did with USC) with their flashlights and magnifying glasses up the University of Florida's rear-end they wouldn't find dirt? A successful program that cranks out NFL talent year after year is bound to have some agents hanging around and is clearly going to have a star players 'taken care of' while enrolled in school. You don't think star college athletes sign with agents just because they are nice guys do you?

In the case with USC, the NCAA wanted to send a message to college football programs across the country: violate the rules and the penalty will be harsh. Right now, college football programs are sending a message back, and man is it ugly!

'Witness' The Heat Turned Up In Miami

Well the decision was finally made and there is so much to digest off of one man saying two words: Miami Heat.

My first reaction, as a guy from a small Midwest market (Milwaukee), I feel bad for the city of Cleveland, but they need to understand this decision. LeBron James is entitled to assess the landscape, talk to a variety of teams and make his own choice on which franchise gives him the best chance to win now. This wasn't about loyalty or money. It was about winning. It's not LeBron's fault he didn't get to play with Shaq in his prime. It's not LeBron's fault the Cavs couldn't trade for a Pao Gasol in exchange for a few basketballs and clipboards. It's not LeBron's fault he got stuck with Mike Brown instead of Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson.

On to Miami. There aren't many cities in this country that sell themselves more than Miami Beach. In fact the dichotomy of Cleveland vs. South Beach couldn't be greater. There is a reason free agents aren't flocking to Milwaukee and Sacramento. It's seems to me that 'lifestyle' is more important in the NBA culture than other sports and Miami Beach ranks #1 in that category.

As for the new-look Heat, most 'experts' believe the Heat aren't ready to win a title just yet. The Heat have their big three and I believe the rest of the roster will be filled out with a city-wide Hoop-It-Up tournament at the Dade County YMCA. The Heat need a point guard, a center, and most importantly, depth to survive a playoff run.

The pressure on these guys (but mostly LeBron) begins game one of the NBA season. If they lose two in a row, the chemistry articles will be written. If they lose three in a row, Erik Spoelstra will be back to holding Pat Riley's clipboard during timeouts. Pat Riley allowing Erik Spoelstra to coach this group of guys is the equivalent of Coach K. allowing Chris Collins to coach Team USA in the Olympics. It really is amazing how Pat Riley's "aura" has now transcended three decades of the NBA . He has remained relevant and more importantly, powerful, influential and respected by players young and old.

On the flipside, what are the Nets thinking now that all the big name free agents have found a home? I'm guessing Brook Lopez never thought he'd be the face of Nets.com on July 10th. I wonder if that Russian billionaire owner thought he was buying the Mets, not the Nets and things just got lost in translation. How do you say "do over" in Russian? When your billboard marketing campaign doesn't even involve a player (Jay-Z), you definitely have roster problems. Well, good luck to him and his move to Brooklyn. Nyet!

Say what you want about this spectacle Thursday night on ESPN, but it made the NBA relevant and exciting in the middle of July. LeBron James is a star in this star-driven league. Whether he now has new fans in Miami or if the Heat become the new villains of the NBA, David Stern is smiling. His brand is healthy and this upcoming season promises to be something special. In fact you might even say so special...it's fit for a 'King.'

2nd Rate All Around

The Atlanta Hawks are owned by a group of six or seven investors (I stopped keeping track when I stopped caring) called the Atlanta Spirit. I think it's fair to say they are considered a 2nd rate ownership group. They aren't in the elite class of say a Jerry Buss (Lakers), Wyc Grousbeck (Celtics), Mickey Arison (Heat), Mark Cuban (Mavericks) just to name a few. Unlike those other franchises the Atlanta Spirit is comprised of three or four guys who care more about their fledgling hockey franchise than NBA basketball. Yeah, that's 2nd rate.

Joe Johnson is the Hawks leading scorer. Again, I think it's fair to say he's considered a 2nd rate star in this league. He doesn't have a cool nickname like Flash, Melo, or even merit the one word moniker like 'Kobe', 'Jordan', 'LeBron'. Although the nickname 'Average Joe' keeps popping into my head. He's never won a 2nd round playoff game and has a tendency to disappear in big moments.

"Second Rate Ownership Group Overpays Second Rate Star". It's like a match made in heaven. These two are so perfect for each other, Neither of them know how to win. Neither of them appear to have the passion and fiery emotion within to want to compete for an NBA Championship. If Joe was about winning he would have hitched his wagon to wherever LeBron, Bosh or Wade landed. If the Atlanta Spirit was about winning, they would have pulled the trigger to land Amare Stoudamire last summer when they had the chance.

The Atlanta Spirit won't admit it but they have always been more concerned about their P&L (Profit & Loss) Statement then their W&L (Wins & Loss) Statement. Oh, and please don't tell me this ownership group thinks fans of the Hawks should be grateful for them opening up their checkbooks to overpay for Joe Johnson. That's not the winning message I'm looking for. I'm looking for a smart, intelligent approach to assembling a team capable of competing for a title. Throwing $119 million at a 2nd rate player is a bad investment. Re-signing Marvin Williams last summer for $40 million is a bad investment.

There is an old expression 'scared money doesn't make money.' The Atlanta Spirit gave Joe Johnson $119 million because they were scared. They were scared that they won't ever be able to lure an all-star caliber player here again. They were scared that if Joe left and the Hawks had a poor season, it would greatly hinder their ability to sell this team.

It's no surprise I have yet to read one national NBA columnist write a story on how this max contract for Joe Johnson was smart. I'm sure the Atlanta Spirit is proud of themselves today. Nobody can call them cheap. Sure, they spent some money. That's the easy part. Making a smart investment.....that's the hard part.