An Inspirational Tale of Hard Work Paying Off

I usually spend much of my time on here venting about problems I have with the Hawks or the BCS or the NCAA or Georgia Tech or....blah blah blah. I know, I'm a bitter sports fan -- well except when it comes to my Green Bay Packers. I thought now might be a good time to change it up a little and write briefly about something positive in the world of sports. A story that is really under the radar, and if you mention that to this person, they probably like it that way.

I want to talk about hard work. Dedication. Positive attitude. Handling pressure. I want to talk about my friend Patrick Ewing Jr. I received a text message from Patrick last Friday night, "I'm so excited bro." He had just found out he was being called up from the NBDL (in Sioux Falls no less) to join the New Orleans Hornets for the remainder of the season. You are probably thinking to yourself....big deal, the season is almost over, he may not even see any minutes. To look at this situation like that would be short sighted.

To know Patrick Ewing Jr. is to understand that hard work and refusing to fail is a lifestyle. This young man started his college career at Indiana University. After one season, he decided that wasn't the right fit for him. He decided to play where his legendary father played collegiate basketball - Georgetown University. Keep in mind, nobody expected Patrick Jr. to be as good as his father, but every time he put on that Hoyas jersey with his surname on the back, the expectations to perform at a high level were there, whether he wanted them or not. He accepted the challenge and became part of a special team that made it all the way to the Final Four in 2007.

In 2008 Ewing Jr. was drafted by Sacramento, traded to Houston and then to the Knicks. Yes, the New York Knicks, once again where his father becarme an NBA legend. Again, pressure for this young man? Of course. He wouldn't admit it, but it was there. Patrick showed up everyday, worked hard and did his best. It wasn't good enough for the Knicks and they decided to cut him right before the start of the 2008 season began. Patrick could have hung his head, given up, looked for something else to do with his life. Instead he decided to keep pushing, chasing a dream to play in the NBA just like his father. The pressure continued to mount.

Fastforward to 2008, Ewing Jr. signs with an NBDL team in Reno, Nevada. In the Spring of 2009, Patrick suffers a Grade 1 MCL sprain. He is done for the season. Again, Patrick could have hung his head, given up, looked for something else to do with his life. Instead, he spends almost a year rehabilitating his knee and his game.

Summer of 2010: Patrick gets invited to play on the summer league teams for the Knicks and Magic. The Knicks like the new and improved Ewing Jr. and invite him to their Fall camp. There is an old expression, "I've seen this movie before. I know how it ends." Ewing Jr. unfortunately got cut right before the start of the season by the Knicks for a 2nd time. That would be it for me. I would probably just say 'screw it' and look to do something else with my life. Coaching. Broadcasting. Work for an agent. Anything but putting on a basketball jersey. If you think that's what Patrick did...you don't know Patrick. Showing his humility and dedication to the game he loves, he accepted another roster spot back in Reno in the NBDL.

As if things couldn't get more frustrating, this past January Patrick was traded (exiled seems more appropriate) to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As John McEnroe famously said, "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!" To go from potentially earning a spot on the storied New York Knicks to now playing basketball in South Dakota?!? Guess how Patrick handled this? Yep....with the right attitude, remaining as dedicated as ever to the game. Since being traded, Ewing Jr. averaged 22 ppg and 11 rebounds for Sioux Falls.

And then it happened. The phone call he was waiting for. After all these years of climbing the mountain, the rehab, the last minute cuts before seasons began anew, the cold nights in South Dakota...for what? For this. To receive a phone call from the New Orleans Hornets telling him he was joining there team, if only for a few weeks, validated his hard work. This call wasn't about getting a chance to play - it was about proving to himself he did it the right way. He had the right attitude. I could not be happier for my friend. He is an inspiration for anyone that doubts their personal journey . There is an old proverb, "A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." Words Patrick Ewing Jr. lives by everyday...

Two Prize Fights Saturday Night

The Saturday night at the Final Four every year is usually college basketball's best value for fans. You get to watch two critical games with a trip to the championship on the line.

This year will be no different however the contrast between the two matches on the marquee could not be more different. VCU will take on Butler in one game while Kentucky faces UCONN in the other. If this were boxing, it's clear who would be the under card. However, what makes this so special is the winner of the under card gets a shot at the title fight. Think about that. This is the equivalent of an under card winner getting a shot at Manny Pacquiao two days later.

The coaches on Saturday night feature the two elder statesmen, Jim Calhoun and John Calipari, each earning millions of dollars personally and for their university. The other game pits the two hottest young coaches in America - Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart. One is 33, the other is 34. Jim Calhoun began his coaching career at Northeastern in 1972 - neither Stevens or Smart were even born yet.

Calhoun and Calipari are at the peak of their profession. They are in charge of storied programs and will probably never leave those schools until they retire from coaching. Stevens and Smart are just now scratching the surface of their careers in coaching. Both can and will easily write their own ticket to bigger pay days and be handed the keys to a larger program with a bigger budget.

Saturday night is a contrast in schools that are about the names on the front of the jersey (UCONN and Kentucky) and two that are about the names on the back. UCONN and Kentucky land high school All-Americans by merely sending out letters with the school's logo on envelope. VCU and Butler convince the kids that didn't get those letters to play for them.

UCONN and Kentucky more often then not can wear down an opponent based on talent alone. VCU and Butler have achieved similar success based on heart and courage. The kids on those teams show no fear and have shown they will not be intimidated by their opponent's jersey.

On Saturday night, VCU and Butler may feel like an under card, but you can bet the winner will step into the ring Monday night confidant and prepared to deliver a knockout punch.

Joe Johnson Lacks TigerBlood

This is more of a vent than a blog. I'm thoroughly disgusted in the Atlanta Hawks. I'm even more disgusted in Joe Johnson. I just spent two of the past three nights at Philips Arena. Last Sunday it felt more like Madison Square Garden with seemingly 75% of the crowd cheering for the Knicks. And Tuesday night was Staples Center South as most of the fans cheered on Lakers.

I'm so beyond frustrated that I don't even blame those fans. They came out to see superstar players. Guys like Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudamire and Kobe Bryant. The Hawks do not have a superstar. They have superstar contracts.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but Joe Johnson is the main reason this franchise is screwed. Sunday night vs the Knicks Joe Johnson had 14 points. Some dude named Landry Fields of the Knicks had 15 points. Landy Fields makes $473,000 this season. Joe Johnson makes $16 million this season. I wasn't an economics major at USC and even i know one team isn't getting a proper return on their investment while the other one is. Tuesday night vs. the Lakers Joe Johnson had 11 points on 4 for 14 shooting. That's one more point than Damien Wilkins. He makes $225,000 this season. Joe Johnson is a lifeless, emotionless, leaderless, overpaid guard with no killer instinct. He floats around the court like a bench player just trying to blend in and not screw up. The Hawks should have let Joe walk, blown this whole thing up and signed some run of the mill guard that can average 17 to 18 points per game, which is basically what Joe gives you. He's really no different than Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Kevin Martin. The only difference is those guys probably play with a lot more emotion for less money.

This Joe Johnson contract is the worst contract this city has ever seen. Its more than just the actual numbers. He isn't an 'attraction' to the fan base. There isn't one fan in this city or any other NBA city that is paying money to go see Joe Johnson play basketball. $124 Million Dollar contracts are for guys that create a buzz when they walk on to the court in an arena. They get your heart pumping as a fan. Joe Johnson flat lines. Joe Johnson is a supporting actor forced to play the leading man -- and his body language suggests that makes him very uncomfortable.

As for some of the other Hawks - it's really simple. I've said it before, Jeff Teague is the type of player who wouldn't be on an NBA roster if he weren't on the Hawks. This is a 1st round draft pick. I will never forget watching Ty Lawson being selected one pick ahead of the Hawks on that night. Josh Smith - I'm really getting tired of that permanent sour look on his face. I would start with him as a trade piece if I were the Hawks. Marvin Williams - he isn't even worth discussing. For $35 million he will average 10 points and 3 fall downs per game.

The Hawks are stuck with this roster at least for the rest of this season. The Atlanta Spirit are like that group of guys who run up an large bar tab (bad contracts) and then skip out on the bill (sell the team.). I truly believe, until they can find a taker who sees Joe Johnson as their missing piece to get over the hump, and can afford his contract, the Hawks will be relegated to mediocre in the East.