So as I got home today, I turned on SportsCenter, and the first two stories I saw were about the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia Eagles. These are two teams that have come together in recent years and been constructed because of one word: talent. I can't stand the constant use of the word talent in the world of sports, and the Miami Heat and Philadelphia Eagles are two examples of why the term annoys the heck out of me.
The current version of the Philadelphia Eagles came together prior to last season and Vince Young dubbed them the "dream team" of the NFL. All of that talent that they brought in was sure to lead to a Super Bowl title. Michael Vick had his new contract, Nnamdi Asomugha was the big free agent splash on defense, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Asante Samuel, they had a roster full of talent. And what did that get them? An 8-8 record and a ticket home before the playoffs even started. They started the year 4-8, and it took a great final month of the season just to prevent themselves from having a losing record. I guess all that talent finally paid off after they had been eliminated from the playoff picture.
Today, a number of Eagles players mentioned the word talent as they were being questioned by reporters. All of this talent that we have here, it's our time to win now. That is more or less what each member of the team could be quoted as saying. We have too much talent to let another year go by without winning a Super Bowl. Talent, talent, talent.
Next, there is the Miami Heat. The current version of the Heat came together based on talent, and that talent has led them to become the most scrutinized team (in my opinion) in the history of sports. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, all of them are so talented. The expectations last year were championship or bust, and all that talent wasn't able to overcome the veteran-laden, experienced Dallas Mavericks. This year, all of that talent has them on the brink of elimination before even reaching the NBA Finals. Again, a Boston Celtics team full of veterans that have been through everything possible (including an NBA Championship) together is proving to be able to overcome all that talent that the Miami Heat possess. Talent, talent, talent.
Next on the list? Anthony Davis. The consensus number one draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft who is coming off an NCAA title as a freshman at Kentucky. So far, so good. However, it seems like I am the only one that has any doubts about him as he transitions to the NBA. He is a great defensive player, there is no denying that. However, his offensive game is nothing spectacular, yet he is already being hailed as the savior of the New Orleans Hornets franchise. He will be thrown into the starting lineup at center from day one, and instantly win Rookie of the Year without even having to play a game. Yet, with a limited offensive arsenal (although he has plenty of time to improve on that, do not get me wrong), and tipping the scales at only 220 pounds, I have my doubts. He is tall and lanky, and by no means has the body of a star NBA center. Dwight Howard is an inch taller and 45 pounds heavier than Davis. Andrew Bynum has two inches and 65 pounds on Davis. Al Horford is 30 pounds heavier than Davis. Roy Hibbert has four inches and 40 pounds on Davis. These are just some of the guys that Davis will be matched up against. I don't care how well he can block shots, those size differences will cause huge disadvantages for Davis. He might have ben great in college, but the NBA is a man's game, not a kid's game. If he doesn't get a lot bigger and stronger, all of that talent will mean nothing when he gets knocked on his backside a few times. Talent, talent, talent.
Finally, the biggest and most glaring culprits in this are by far the Dallas Cowboys. For YEARS (and that is no exaggeration) the one word that has been associated with the Cowboys is talent. Unlike the Heat or the Eagles, two teams that have only undergone facelifts recently, the Cowboys core group has been together for a long time. Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Miles Austin, Jay Ratliff, Dez Bryant, the list goes on and on. At the start of every season, it is always about how talented the Cowboys are. They have so much talent, it is impossible for them to lose. On paper, they are the most talented team in the division / conference / league, whatever the prognosticator decides to say. They have so much talent that every year has to be their year. The Giants and the 49ers played in the NFC Championship game last year, but they had nowhere near the talent that the Cowboys had. The talent on the Cowboys is unbelievable, they should just be handed the Lombardi Trophy every year. Yet, what has all that unbelievable talent led to? One playoff win in the last 16 years. 16 years! That puts them ahead of only five other teams in that span. The Cardinals, Seahawks, Raiders, and Redskins have been models of inconsistency, and they have all won more playoff games than the Cowboys over the past 16 seasons.
So, the next time someone talks about how talented a team or a player is, make sure to remember that if there is one thing that is highly overrated in the world of sports, it is talent. Don't show me how good someone is on paper. Tell them to go out and actually prove it because those three magical words will get you nowhere. Talent, talent, talent.
Daily Diamondbacks Update: Well talk about a great night at the ballpark! Ian Kennedy struck out 12 and gave up no runs, the ball was jumping off the bat of pretty much everyone in the lineup, and even Josh Collmenter and Mike Zagurski pitched scoreless innings! 10-0 victory. Wade Miley goes tonight, and he has been very good so far this year, so hopefully the good times carry over into tonight.
Daily Giants Update: Tom Coughlin got an extension through 2014 today, and it seems like every time he is on the brink of being fired, he defies all the odds and re-ups with the team. I'm glad to have him back, and I think he has earned the benefit of the doubt and can coach as long as he wants to.
Daily Rangers Update: Sadly, there won't be any good news for a while. Game 4 of the finals is tonight, and the Kings will be looking to sweep the Devils and complete one of the most dominant runs in the history of the NHL playoffs. The Rangers however, will be waiting until next season.
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