Jack Bauer of All Sports Making an Impact on Sportsnation?
Sure, we all know that it’s poor etiquette for sports writers to gloat and shamelessly self-promote themselves. I will always be a sports fan first. A sports fan who happens to put his comments and observations in writing, occasionally. As my evening was about to close yesterday, saw the following come across my television screen:
Needless to say I was a little ecstatic to read this being a UCLA alum. I also couldn’t help but realize that my mission as ‘Jack Bauer of All Sports’ may finally be making a serious impact on the sports world despite the limited readership of my column.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt once spoke of December 7, 1944 as a “day that will live on in infamy”. As fellow columnist “The Phoenix” would say: “Book It!”. June 9, 2010: the day the JBOAS began to matter.
Loyal followers might remember my merciless assault on the NCAA a little over nine months ago where I claimed the NCAA was too cowardly to appropriately punish USC’s football program. USC is a major cash cow for the NCAA who had just won a national championship with Reggie Bush in 2004 — the same year that’s the focal point of the investigation. Official NCAA reports on USC’s punishment came out today bringing all the details to light, and the NCAA appears to have dropped the hammer on South Central. Punishment could include invalidating the entire 2004 season.
Even though the NCAA finally did something right for a change (shameless shot at the BCS Bowl System), the NCAA is still a grossly flawed and selfish governing body. I do give credit, however, for finally standing up to big brother Trojan. Even though the NCAA will lose more money than BP by sanctioning USC, officials know it’s the right thing to do. At long last, much needed integrity and credibility has arrived — albeit from pressure from small timers like myself. While it may be unlikely the NCAA actually read my column last August, mavericks who aren’t afraid to speak up and make tough public accusations against large sports establishments have led to USC finally getting the punishment they’ve deserved for many years.
Kudos, NCAA. Now, how’s about a playoff system?
Okay. What other sports leagues can I piss off?
June 9, 2010 will also be a day of infamy for the good ol’ JBOAS because remarks about the officiating in Game 3 have come about. (Took long enough). In the aftermath of Game 2, I rickrolled the NBA for its poor officiating in Game 2 which was substantially one-sided. I went as far to suggest that NBA Commissioner David Stern may have influenced the outcome to create more drama — much to the lightening of my wallet, potentially. As a Lakers fan, I have no problem acknowledging that the officiating in Game three was so blatantly targeted towards the Celtics. Many Celtics players and coaches (specifically Doc Rivers) had harsh remarks about the officiating of Game three and its one-sidedness.
*ITEM OF NOTE — The officiating crew in Game 3 was different from the Game 2 crew. Insinuating that the new refs were trying to make everything right because of the Game 2 referees is just plain wrong. There’s only one logical explanation: the officials were instructed to do so to either right an injustice or create more drama by starting the chain reaction of the Lakers winning all three games in Boston*
Mr. Stern, I don’t buy for a second consecutive game referees your league assigned for the Finals — supposedly the best in the league — are as bad at their jobs as what happened in Games 2 and 3. In each game, one team benefitted from their work. There you have it. That’s right. I said it.
I, the Jack Bauer of All Sports, believe the National Basketball Association fixed Games 2 and 3 of the NBA Finals. Hold on a second. Make check payable to: David Stern. Amount: $50,000.
A strong accusation to say the lease, but I believe Doc Rivers feels that way about Game 3 based on his comments. For obvious reasons, he can never say that publicly. When I speak my mind as a fan (without the influence of alcohol) writing for Taking Back Sports, I do with full conviction. My column regarding Game 2 was no exception. After watching the officiating in Game 3 and how it influenced a Lakers win, any modicum of doubt I may have had about some of my thoughts was erased. I hope readers understand my position — I was blowing off steam after Game 2 — even if they disagree. After seeing the painfully refrained reactions of Celtics players and coaches after Game 3, I feel my Game 2 thoughts are validated.
June 9, 2010: The day the JBOAS began to matter. I may not be the real Jack Bauer protecting a nation from terrorist activity or government cover-ups, but I am raising awareness of a sportsnation about sports corruption and cover-ups.
I can only hope David Stern doesn’t hire a private security force to snuff me.