With summer all around us, one of my favorite highlights of the season is the new season of HBO’s Hard Knocks. This series details the training camp regimen and story around a new team each year and is a staple of any football fan’s preseason diet as they get ready for another year of the NFL. Though this year will obviously be different with the introduction of COVID-19 throwing everyone in the world for a loop, it also features my favorite team: the San Diego, I mean Los Angeles Chargers. Though I wish I could have seen Hard Knocks with the Chargers still in the 619, it will be awesome to finally see my team in one of the most well-produced annual sports series.
Over the years, the cameras have covered everyone from the Dallas Cowboys to the Baltimore Ravens and have produced a plethora of awesome moments. My personal favorite has been the Atlanta Falcons season and legendary defensive line coach, Bryan Cox reeling off one one-liner after another. Moreover, watching Texans defensive end J.J. Watt workout to Fort Minor is another series highlight for the rather unintended sight of Watt being his uber serious self. So with this video I wanted to talk about my favorite storylines to look forward to this season regarding the Bolts and how the series might help their chances this year, if there is a season.
Top 3 things to look for:
New Quarterback
Secondary expectations
Transition to new stadium
Images via Clutchpoints.com, espn.com, chargers.com
Gus Duggerton shown at his introductory press conference as the new head coach of the University of Tennessee. Could Duggs shock the world and make his next stop out west in Reno? Image with the Knoxville News-Sentinel
With professional sports around the world on standby for the most part, there has been a new face taking the country by storm. His name is Gus Duggerton and he is here to hand out some 50 burgers. Duggerton, better known as Coach Duggs, has been setting the Twitch world on fire since he broke out on the virtual scene not too long ago on Pardon My Take’s stream via NCAA Football 2014’s Dynasty mode. Duggs (piloted like a Gundam by PMT co-host Big Cat), has already had successful stops at Toledo, Florida State and USC as the architect behind the “Air Duggs” passing attack, but has now come into his own as the former head man at Texas Tech and now his record-breaking run at the University of Tennessee. With Duggs in the midst of another successful year as the leader of the Vols, I wanted to extend a couple reasons why another trip out west might make sense for the big guy.
Duggs has made successful stops in Tallahassee, L.A., Lubbock and now Knoxville. Could his next stop be Reno? Image via Barstoolsports.com
Be the new king of the west: Sure Reno might be a little far away from the glitz of Hollywood or the sun-kissed beaches of Florida, but it still has a lot to offer and a lot of history to tell. As the land grant institution of the great state of Nevada, there is a lot to love about the University of Nevada and the ability to imprint your image on it. Though Duggs would be following in the proverbial footsteps of Wolf Pack legend Chris Ault, there is still much to be gained as the new king of the Mountain West and a ravenous fan base to pour into. Akin to former Pack basketball coach Eric Musselman’s time in Reno, Duggs would be the new king of the region and would be able to roll to numerous Mountain West titles. With Boise State slowing down, Duggs would be able to cruise to dominance shortly and then make history from there.
As much AYCE sushi as you can stomach: Given his status as somewhat of a football gypsy, Duggs has encountered his fair share of delectable delights across the country. From the southern fried treats of Lubbock to the Skyline Chili of Ohio, there has been no shortage of carnal delights for the big man to indulge in. Though he has probably not encountered the iconic Nugget Rib Cook Off or the AYCE sushi bars of northern Nevada which might make for a tasty romance for the big man. Moreover, Duggs could rule nearby Lake Tahoe during the summer months by holding court at Gar Woods with his legion of fans. Tahoe Tessie would have nothing on the incoming king of the Sierras.
Could Duggs establish a dynasty with the Pack? Only time will tell, but could this image be a sign of things to come? Image via Chris Boline
Doing something never done before: While the five star programs of the country have certainly earned their keep as such, there has been no football national championship in the history of the Pack. Though Nevada does have a lackluster budget and no outdoor practice facility, there is some history for the program and the upside to make your own spot in the annals of college football. Yes you would need to schedule multiple ranked opponents in the non-conference slate of the year to have a chance at the “natty” but it is not outside the realm of possibility. With Big Cat already being a fan of the Pack, the notion is not too far-fetched for his virtual doppleganger to make the trek to Reno and bring a title to the people of northern Nevada.
So let me know if you think Duggs should come to Reno after his sixth season and thank you for reading as always!
Since this last Sunday, America has been mourning the loss of one of its greatest joys. That being, last Sunday was the conclusion of ESPN and Netflix’s Last Dance documentary on the 1990’s Chicago Bulls dynasty. The series showcased a ton of different angles of the multitude of personalities on those iconic teams. From the zen master Phil Jackson to embittered general manager Jerry Krause, there was no shortage of quality television from this 10-part series. So while there has been a slew of people sharing their favorite stories from the series, I wanted to share some of my thoughts as well in addition to this podcast. #plug
Dennis Rodman in WCW: Finishing a close second in this category was “Rodzilla” chugging a Miller (?) before speeding off to a bender in Las Vegas in between Bulls games. What is most surprising about this portion of the series is Rodman, the team’s defensive stalwart, putting the season on pause to go smoke cigars with “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan on an episode of Nitro. Though the taping was in nearby Auburn Hills, Michigan, it is hard to fathom a player doing something like this during the modern era. Just goes to show much of a skillful chemist coach Jackson was in combining of these volatile personalities together.
Michael Jordan on the iPad: Whether it was blasting Gary Payton or renewing old “Dream Team” rivalries, there was no shortage of meme-able content from His Airness. M.J. is famous for his bitter rivalries and long memory of slights, so being able to see his reactions in real time was a pleasure to watch especially given how legendarily competitive Jordan is. The North Carolina native did not become the greatest of all time by being complacent so his competitive drive was on full-display throughout the series. Jordan recounting his battles in the NBA Playoffs was a joy to watch, even if there was some revisionist history abound.
The core of the Chicago Bulls second three-peat. From left to right, Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Image via ESPN.com
The blistering soundtrack: You can find the entirety of the soundtrack here but pairing old-school 90’s nostalgia with a star-studded Bulls highlight reel was something to behold. The majesty of those 90’s Bulls teams is pretty close to seeing how perfect basketball can be played, and while they had their dysfunctions, those teams set the standard for the league just like the songs featured in the documentary set the standard for hip-hop music during the era. These were songs that captured the grace and ferocity of those teams and made you feel like you were part of the moment as soon as the bass hit. The soundtrack had everything from high-intensity jams to somber melodies as the sun set on the Bulls dynasty in 1998.
Anytime “Sirius” was played: Wright Thompson wrote about Michael Jordan in an immaculate piece earlier this week and his impact on the game and one of the key standouts from the article was reflecting on those iconic Bulls intros from the era. During the height of their powers, there might not have been a more intimidating intro than “Sirius” by the Alan Parson Project. This intro rivals even some of the most iconic WWE entrances of all time in terms of making the hair on your arm stand up. So let me know your favorite part of the series and what it meant to you in the comments below.
With the first round of the NFL Draft wrapping up last night, teams around the league are doing their due diligence to make sure their new chess pieces fit within their sets. LSU’s Joe Burrow was selected as the first overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals and a number of other bluechip prospects were scooped as the evening went along. So who were the big winners and losers from the draft? Well you can Google that pretty easily and find an assortment of opinions and hot takes that would fit the bill for pretty much anyone. What I want to find is which picks make the most sense economically for the teams selecting in the top 10 of the draft and their impact later on this off-season.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ah yes, my beloved Bolts. The Chargers selected Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick and also traded back into the first round to select inside linebacker Kenneth Murray of Oklahoma. While the Chargers have a glaring need at QB since the departure of franchise stalwart Philip Rivers, the team has a strong defense with a handful of weapons on the offensive side of the ball along with a bolstered offensive line. So how does this stack up on an economic scale for the Chargers? Well they need to fill seats in their stadium that they will be sharing with the Rams and a potential franchise QB and playmakers on both sides of the ball fit the bill. Also with Rivers moving on, the team has cap space to move and find playmakers which it did this off-season by signing a handful of ex-Pro Bowlers in G Trai Turner, CB Chris Harris Jr. and DT Linval Joseph.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Well, signing Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski is one way to energize a stagnant franchise. With the Pats, I mean Bucs, having one of the splashiest off-seasons in recent memory, the draft was meant to help bolster some of their other needs and the team made another great choice by selecting Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs in the first round. Tampa now has another great talent to help protect and help TB12. So with the Bucs really readying to win now, Tampa is in a great position to win this season and make a lot of money. If there is a season that is.
LSU’s Joe Burrow was picked as the number one overall pick by the Bengals. Via @ TheSpun.com
Cincinnati Bengals: As mentioned at the top of the article, the Bengals opted to go with Heisman Trophy winner Burrow as their top pick and for good reason. The Ohio native won the national championship last season as the leader of the Tigers and will be able to transition into being the eventual leader for Cincy. Burrow was touted as the top pick by multiple sources and should fire up a stagnant franchise since they drafted Andy Dalton in 2011. In terms of economic appeal, it is hard to quantify the success of Burrow, but the excitement is palpable in Cincy. Plus the Bengals just drafted Tee Higgins out of Clemson to start day two of the draft which will hopefully compliment disgruntled All-Pro A.J. Green.
As day two of the draft kicks off, let me know which team will make the biggest splash in 2020.
Well I think it might be safe to say that more than 20 years after the end of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, they still can be one of the most unifying teams in America. As ESPN’s 10-part series on Michael Jordan’s iconic Bulls has proved, the team still resonates deeply within the American sports culture. With viewership for the first part of the special coming in at a whopping 6.1 million, America made its voice heard that they desperately still desire live sports in this peculiar time we are living in right now. As such, I felt there was no better time to spotlight some other members of those Bulls teams and their impact on the game of basketball in the 1990’s. Everyone of course knows Michael, Scottie and Dennis, but giving a spotlight to the other star players on those teams is a key element of how general manager Jerry Krause built those elite squads.
Horace Grant (1987-1994): A dominating presence on the glass during Chicago’s first three-peat, Grant made sports goggles one of the most popular fashion accessories during the early 1990’s. Drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1987 N.B.A. Draft, Grant immediately became a key contributor to those early Bulls teams as they battled with the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons for Eastern Conference supremacy. After Jordan’s first retirement following the 1992–93 season, Grant became the number-two star behind Scottie Pippen, and helped the Bulls push the Knicks to seven games in the second-round playoff series before being eliminated. While he was eventually traded to the Orlando Magic before Jordan returned later in the decade, Grant was a key cog of those early Bulls teams that helped spark a dynasty.
Steve Kerr (1993-1998): Though he is more widely-known now as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Kerr made a name for himself on the Bulls as a sharp-shooting point guard. An alumnus of the University of Arizona, Kerr became a key rotational piece for the second three-peat by utilizing his high basketball IQ and court savvy. With Jordan back full-time for the 1995–96 season, the Bulls set a then NBA-record of 72–10 and defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals. Kerr played a major part in the Bulls’ championship victory in the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. In the final seconds of Game 6 with the score tied at 86, he took a pass from Jordan and hit the title-winner to secure Chicago’s fifth world title. Kerr has since gone on to become a three-time N.B.A as head coach of the Warriors. Also according to Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, Kerr was Bulls head coach Phil Jackson’s recommendation when people asked him about hiring a coach.
John Paxson (1985-1994): Signing as a free agent with Chicago in 1985, the same year Jordan was drafted, the crafty Notre Dame point guard made a name for himself by continually hitting clutch shots and giving the team some grit. While never the fastest player on the court, Paxson did hit a clutch shot to help secure the team’s third consecutive world title as the Bulls knocked off the Suns in 1993. Paxson is still involved with the Bulls as a senior advisor and had a solid career as general manager of the team from 2003 to 2009. He also is in some ways was the spiritual successor to Kerr running the point for Chicago.
CHICAGO – 1997: The 1996-97 NBA Chicago Bulls pose for a team portrait in Chicago, IL. Front row (left to right): Luc longley, Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Middle Row: Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, Toni Kukoc, Bill wennington, Robert Parish, Dickey, Steve Kerr,Randy Brown. Back Row: John Ligmanowski (Equipment Manager), Frank Hamblen (Asst. Coach), Jimmy Rodgers (Asst. Coach), Phil Jackson (Head Coach), Tex Winter (Asst. Coach), Chip Schaefer (Trainer). NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 1997 (Photo by Bill Smith/ NBAE/ Getty Images)
Toni Kukoc (1993-2000): A member of the FIBA Hall of Fame, Kukoc’s tenure with the Bulls started on rocky terms as he was picked as the successor to Jordan and Pippen’s success according to then general manager Jerry Krause. While Krause never made the terrible business decision to completely relinquish the franchise to Kukoc, he did find a way to help all the personalities gel together — at his own expense most of the time. A three-time champion with the Bulls and the 1996 Sixth Man of the Year, Kukoc was a solid starter for Chicago following Horace Grant’s departure. Though he might not have had the strongest relationship with the team, he was still able to become a decisive cog in their arsenal.
Well let me know in the comments below what you think about the list and if I missed anyone. Also make sure to check out “The Last Dance” as well!
In the pantheon of pro wrestling, there has always been the haves and have-nots. Whether it is the grimy underbelly of Extreme Championship Wrestling (or the even grimier backyard wrestling scene) to the sparkling spectacle that is Wrestlemania, pro wrestling has had its share of colorful financial personalities over time. So with the stock market a hot topic day in and day out in our climate, I wanted to take a look back at some of the biggest wrestling personalities ever that made it a point to showcase how well off they were. This list is in no particular order and is meant to spotlight the superstars who have showed crowds around the world what it really means to live the “high life”. So without further ado let’s get into our list.
Known as one of the greatest heels of his time, DiBiase would regularly use underhanded tactics to win his matches. Image via. SI.com
“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase: As one of the greatest villians in pro wrestling history, DiBiase is also noted by many as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in WWE history. With his sidekick (and noted Twitter personality) Virgil by his side, the Million Dollar Man was a thorn in the side of both Hulk Hogan and the “Macho Man” Randy Savage. As his name would suggest, DiBiase was not bullish about his wealth — from his iconic “Million Dollar Championship” to his flashy ring entrances, DiBiase was a great heel for the 1980’s. Later on in life, DiBiase would become an ordained minister and would hold multiple championship belts in his career. DiBiase also headlined the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, being inducted by his sons.
Ric Flair: As potentially the greatest World Heavyweight Champion of all time, Ric Flair made a name for himself by showing off his lavish lifestyle and his ability to not only look the best but be the best. His famous quote “the stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ and dealin’ son of a gun,” is famous in wrestling lore. As one of the co-founders of both the Four Horseman and Evolution, Flair’s legacy is one of the greatest of all time. Also special consideration needs to be given for his love of sneakers and his cameo on Complex’s Sneaker Shopping.
John “Bradshaw” Layfield: As a former member of both the APA and the Acolytes (don’t forget about The New Blackjacks as well), Bradshaw changed his image in a major way in 2004 when he transitioned to J.B.L. Billed as a Texas millionaire, J.B.L. ran roughshod over the heavyweight division for one of the longest championship reigns in the company’s history. His feuds with Eddie Guerrero, the Undertaker and Booker T were solid battles all throughout this period. His persona rubbed plenty of people the wrong way, but his time as one of the greatest heels of the 2000’s left a memorable mark on the company.
Honorable mention, The McMahon Family: This is more of an honorary induction because it really goes without saying that the McMahons are the epitome of wealth and power in wrestling lore. As the ruling family of the WWE, Vince and Co. are the strongest powerhouse in the wrestling world especially with son-in-law and COO Triple H in tow. However, the most special kudos need to go to son Shane’s entrance music video during his time as a competitor. Now if you are a fan of wrestling drop a comment below with your favorite of the above group.
As the cover athlete of Madden NFL 20, Patrick Mahomes was the first Kansas City Chiefs player to grace the cover. Image via Polygon.com
In the modern era of video games, one has stayed a fairly constant presence in my life: Madden NFL. John Madden Football as it was originally called in 1988, has been a game I have played regularly since 2005 and have almost every year since. It is a game that is truly a cruel mistress in the sense that it is unforgiving when you lose and so sweet when you win. While many video games have unforgiving curves, Madden has been the game that I have played consistently over the years that has me yearning for more. Of course, there are categorically stronger titles in the pantheon of great games (Super Mario 64, Bioshock, etc.), but Madden in my mind is the game that has taught me the hardest lessons about business and bouncing back.
In the years I have played, I have applied many of the ideals and features of the game into my life in some form or another. Since it is a competitive sports game, I thought it contained a handful of parallels to the business world. In many ways, Madden has taught me some of the hardest lessons that I would apply later on in my professional career. Things like bouncing back (losing to your girlfriend’s 15-year old brother), practice makes perfect (I cannot tell you the hours I have spent on franchise mode in Madden 2005), and having the grit to persevere (breaking a PlayStation controller of mine in 6th grade was not my best moment) all have come from playing Madden. Indeed I am fortunate to have had some of these lessons early and apply them later on.
In Madden 2004, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was a virtual cheat code and able to score all over the field. Many players were banned from using the Falcons and his video game avatar is touted as the great Madden player of all time. Image via The Undefeated.com
While Madden is by no means a perfect game (how does Titans wide receiver Corey Davis break three tackles and score a 65-yard touchdown to win a game I will never know), but it has had the staying power to stay in front of TV screens all over the world. Since its introduction back in 1988, Madden has at least had a yearly release every year and has featured a multitude of NFL stars. Also as of 2013, Electronic Arts has sold more than 100 million copies of Madden NFL, and more than five million in one year, for more than $4 billion in total sales. This has number grown quite a bit over time and has also illustrated how EA’s monopoly over 2K Sports gave it a huge financial surplus in the polygon video game realm.
As a franchise, Madden is in many ways also the standard bearer for iconic video game franchises. Aside from Mario, no other franchise has pumped out a yearly installment quite like Madden. Additionally, the franchise has spun off into a television show (Road to Madden Nation), video game winner take-all tournaments for both professional gamers and athletes, a strong streaming presence on Twitch and YouTube and has illustrated a strong staying power in the pantheon of yearly must-buys. Indeed there are detractors that say the game does not change much year over year, but the franchise still has found ways to re-invent itself with options like Madden Ultimate Team. Even as businesses now, we must find ways to become adaptable to changing with the times, just like Madden has done over the year with each new generation of video game consoles coming out.
As I think about my interactions with Madden and the nights and days I have spent playing a game I will never be at the mountaintop of, I am thankful it has brought me so much joy. While I might never catch that figurative dragon and be the best like Eric “Problem” Wright or Michael Skimbo, it has always been a treat to play year over year. Like in business, Madden does not always have a formula to win at the highest level, but it does reward those who have created opportunities for themselves by putting themselves in situations to succeed. So as always drop me your favorite Madden memory below or tweet me at @CDBoline.
In terms of sheer grace and ferocity, no one ran the football quite like LaDainian Tomlinson back in the 2000’s. Tomlinson, or L.T. for short, (no not that L.T.) was one of the most dynamic stars of the 2000’s and was the main engine behind a San Diego Chargers offense that racked up five division titles during the decade. In addition to his prowess running the football, Tomlinson was a dynamic receiver out of the backfield and also a secret weapon as a passer for the Bolts. His drive and ambition helped to bring the Bolts to arguably their most impressive and lucrative stretch in franchise history and earned him a ticket to the NFL Hall of Fame as a first ballot member in 2017.
TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson scores a touchdown at Mackay Stadium during a game against the Wolf Pack in 2000. Image via the Reno Gazette-Journal
His impact on the Bolts started early on as a first round pick out of TCU in the 2001 NFL draft. Tomlinson was selected as a consensus All-American and also the winner of the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in college football. After a brilliant college career (including three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs 41-10 win over Nevada in 2000), Tomlinson was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Chargers. His rookie year saw him rush for over 1,200 yards and in 2003, he became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and record 100 receptions in the same season. L.T. galvanized fans in the greater San Diego area and was elected to the Pro Bowl five times in his career.
During the peak of his career, no season better defined his legacy with the Bolts than his MVP campaign in 2006. This season saw Tomlinson set league records for both rushing touchdowns in a year (28) and also total touchdowns in a season (31) as he led the 14-2 Chargers to a No.1 seed in the AFC playoffs. While the Bolts fell short in a divisional heartbreaker to the Patriots, Tomlinson’s campaign forever established him as an icon in San Diego. He was named NFL Most Valuable Player for his efforts in 2006 and also ended up leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2007.
As the decade drew to a close, Tomlinson still had a handful of tricks left in his bag. As one of finest trick-play specialists in league history, Tomlinson threw for eight touchdown passes and is only behind Walter Payton in league history for non-quarterback players throwing for touchdowns. Powered by L.T. and quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers advanced to the AFC title game in 2008, but were ousted by the Patriots yet again. His next two seasons were again effective and he ended the decade dominating most major statistical categories. Tomlinson led the NFL with 12,490 rushing yards in the 2000s, 1,897 more than runner-up Edgerring James and his 138 rushing touchdowns during the decade set an NFL record for any decade, and were 38 more than any other player in the 2000s.Tomlinson also dominated the Bolts’ main rival, the Oakland Raiders, by going 14-4 against the Raiders as a Charger, with 22 rushing touchdowns, three scoring receptions and three touchdown passes.
While L.T. was never able to capture that elusive Super Bowl title, his impact on the franchise was immense. He was named to the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team and eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as his playing career ended. Since his time leaving the Chargers, Tomlinson has been a focal point in the community and is still employed by the team as a special assistant to owner Dean Spanos. While the Chargers no longer reside in San Diego, Tomlinson has always been an advocate for a club that gave him his start in the NFL and where he delivered a truly thunderous performance over the decade.
With it almost being Friday, leave a comment below with your favorite player from the 2000’s.
Image via Clipnation.com. Darius Miles (left) and Quentin Richardson show off their iconic “knucklehead” pose for a photo shoot in the early 2000’s.
In the early 2000’s, a pair of braggadocious teenagers made their entrance into the National Basketball Association and influenced an entire generation of players after them. In between the likes of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett making the jump in the late 1990’s, but before LeBron James in 2003, Illinois natives Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson helped bring the Los Angeles Clippers to the edge of national prominence. While “D-Miles” and “Q-Rich” only played two seasons together, their influence extended beyond to a whole generation of players. The “Youngest Guns” as they were known, were a staple of Jordan Brand and entertained fans of all ages with their high-flying style of play.
Entering the league out of DePaul in Chicago, Richardson played both shooting guard and small forward for the Clippers and was one of the leaders of the team. Richardson, along with fellow young players Miles, Corey Maggette, Keyon Dooling, Lamar Odom and Elton Brand helped the team improve to 39 wins in their final year together in 2002. On the precipice of the playoffs, the team ultimately folded, but still found a way to leave a mark on the league with the team’s collective fashion style and athletic play. Richardson spent four seasons with the LA Clippers (2000-04), averaging: 12.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.5 APG. and had a 13-year career in the league with six teams. While he never found a championship, he is still involved today both in the broadcast booth as a member of the Orlando Magic broadcast team and was the former director of player development for the Detroit Pistons.
Image via Slam.com:
The cover of Slam Magazine 57 featured (from left to right) center/forward Elton Brand, forward Lamar Odom and forward Darius Miles. The trio were a strong nucleus of players that achieved numerous accolades through their careers, but did not achieve their potential together.
Miles on the other hand played above the rim with his thunderous dunks and was one of the athletic backbones for Los Angeles. Selected with the third overall pick of the 2000 draft, the native of Belleville, Ill. had a prototypical build for the NBA that mirrored Kevin Garnett’s frame. During his time with the Clippers, Miles was named to the NBA All-Rookie team in 2001, but sadly his tenure with the team ended after the 2002 season when he was traded to Cleveland. Miles would go on to have some success with the Portland Trailblazers, but also ran into controversy when he butted heads with head coach Maurice Cheeks. His career ended with totals of 10.1 PPG and 4.9 RPG, but his athletic style is still the blueprint admired by many coaches to this day.
While their time together ended prematurely, many players and coaches think fondly of the original young guns in L.A. Now Miles and Richardson host a podcast together sponsored by the Players’ Tribune called “Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles” where they interview a wide variety of stars both old and new. Everyone from Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant to Jimmy Butler and Damian Lillard have appeared on the show to share their war stories from the league and reflect on their times in the NBA. The duo was also famous for being the poster boys for the Air Jordan XVII that came out during their first initial years in the NBA. They also starred in the 2002 film Van Wilder, which was a staple of the early 2000’s comedy scene.
In the pantheon of iconic NBA stars of the 2000’s, Richardson and Miles might not make the top 10 or probably the top 25, but their swagger and style were a focal point of their era. In a time period dominated by baggy clothes, big chains and even bigger personalities, two men not even above the legal drinking limit helped give Clippers fans something to be proud of, which was not something common for the franchise back then. Indeed, having such a presence both on and off the court, solidified their reputations as tastemakers. So if you are reading this right now, go out and pick your best throwback jersey to wear for this weekend and queue up Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” to max volume.
Caption: Stone Cold Steve Austin (right) faced off against Shawn Michaels (left) leading up to the peak of The Attitude Era as special referee Mike Tyson looked on during their championship match at Wrestlemania XIV. Image via http://www.thechairshot.com/WWE
In the mid-1990’s, the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment), was in the midst of an identity crisis. The company had enjoyed a long sustained period of success starting in the mid-1980’s thanks to the likes of Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, amongst others, but now those stars were either no longer with the company or long since retired. Now with a new slew of stars to promote to a changing audience, the company had to compete against a thriving organization in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). This period is known as “Monday Night Wars” and it is the story of how Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWF and a variety of iconic stars saved their company from bankruptcy and established themselves as the dominant brand in wrestling.
Today, the WWE is flourishing and has a vice grip on the world of professional wrestling, but it was not always that way. After the high point of the 1980’s, the company saw an exodus of its most famous stars to WCW. While the companies had long traded stars, the most famous initial departures were Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) and Diesel (Kevin Nash). This was then followed by the most famous dissension of all when Hulk Hogan opted to sign with WCW as a free agent. What ensued after was the creation of one of the most iconic factions in wrestling history, the New World Order or NWO. With the combined star power of the original NWO (the group would later include dozens of wrestlers), WCW started to establish a dominant lead in the ratings war with WWE which put the latter in the proverbial headlock.
When Hulk Hogan (center) was revealed as the final member of the NWO, the wrestling world was turned on its head. Hogan joining the group was a turning point in the Monday Night Wars as WCW took a commanding lead. Image via Youtube.com/WWE
With WCW bearing down on him and his company, McMahon had to think of something soon or else he would have to sell his business, or worse, pull out of wrestling entirely. But, thanks to shrewd thinking from McMahon and his creative team, led by Vince Russo, the company transformed its image from family-friendly to more mature programming thanks to a slew of more abrasive wrestlers. McMahon took a gamble by allowing these athletes to express themselves in more of an honest and “real” way and no one did this better than “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The poster child of the disaffected youth of the 1990’s, Austin fought with his boss, fought with authority, and basically fought with anyone who challenged his run to the world title all while guzzling a variety of light beers.
With Austin leading the charge, the WWE was then able to develop a multitude of other stars to compete with WCW’s roster. Chief among them was The Rock, a brash trash-talker with pro wrestling in his bloodlines, who later went on to become one of the biggest box office stars of the 2010’s. Other stars included the Undertaker (one of the biggest box office draws in company history), Triple H (the current COO for WWE and the heir to the company throne), D-Generation X, Mick Foley (the hardcore hero and best-selling author), Kurt Angle (the former Atlanta Olympics gold medalist), and these are just on the short list of iconic wrestlers still best known from their time on the WWE roster in the late 90’s. In fact, each of the aforementioned wrestlers all eventually spun off to their own ventures which generated millions of dollars for their own brands.
While no one could have predicted this outcome, the amount of grit shown by WWE would make any company envious. Clawing tooth and nail, McMahon put his company in a position to buy WCW from Ted Turner in 2001, effectively ending the “Monday Night Wars” and establishing WWE’s monopoly on the world of pro wrestling. While the organization might not ever reach the collective starpower of the era, WWE now consistently sells out football stadiums for Wrestlemania, its marquee event each year, and also has ventured into its own programming network for its fans. The company continues to innovate and push boundaries in its space and while others have challenged since WCW’s demise, the WWE has deflected them all away or taken their best stars. In business, there is an omnipresent need to innovate and grow and the WWE showed that through this tumultuous period in company history, they rose to the challenge and emerged as the dominant brand in their industry.
So for those reading this, send me a tweet @CDBoline and let me know your favorite wrestler of all-time.
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