March 2012 – Page 3 – Journo James's Journal

Manning Pursuit

Post author:journojames
Post published:March 8, 2012
Post category:Op/Ed/Commentary Sports

Here’s a column I wrote today for the blog Seattle Sports Central. The original can be found here.

A somber press conference in Indianapolis yesterday displayed macho men, who are rarely accused of being sensitive, getting emotional, full of sorrow and tears. But in about a dozen other NFL cities across the country, including Seattle, that same event stirred a great deal of giddy excitement.

Peyton Manning’s official release from the Colts offered quarterback-challenged teams around the league sudden hope for the near future. A lot of tortured fans who have suffered with their team’s woeful quarterback play went to sleep last night with blissful thoughts of game-winning drives and fantasy playoff scenarios, led by a four-time league MVP, dancing in their heads.

Sorry to wake you, Seahawks fans, but those wishful thoughts will probably remain as ethereal pipedreams. According to NFL pundits, Manning will most likely bypass the gray overcast skies and chilly temperatures of the Emerald City and choose to play in a warmer destination closer to his home in Florida. Seattle, it seems, is just too cool and too far away. Many sports media outlets have mentioned Miami and Arizona as the most probable landing spots. (more…)

David Stern, the Most Overrated Sports Commissioner

Post author:journojames
Post published:March 8, 2012
Post category:Op/Ed/Commentary Sports

Originally published Nov. 6, 2011

It’s Day 128 of the NBA lockout and there’s still no resolution between owners and players. Instead, NBA Commissioner David Stern offered the players’ union what sounded like an angry ultimatum. He basically told them to accept a chance to earn up to 51 percent of basketball-related income by Wednesday or face a deal that would be much worse. Frustrated players responded by contemplating the possibility of decertifying the union and filing an antitrust case against the league.

What a mess.

davidsportstraveler — NBA Commissioner David Stern, Photo courtesy of Sports Traveler

No matter how the lockout is settled, this basketball fiasco has shown that Stern is the most overrated sports commissioner in America and that his legacy has deservedly been tainted.

The blame game surrounding this messy financial fight all seem to be directed towards either the billionaire owners or the millionaire players. But, why has Commissioner Stern, more or less, dodged most of the criticism? Isn’t he ultimately the most responsible for this debacle?

Recently, Bryant Gumbel of HBO’s “Real Sports” did, in fact, harshly criticize Stern for his mishandling of the lockout. (more…)

Metropolis II

Post author:journojames
Post published:March 7, 2012
Post category:Drivel - Blog Entertainment & Culture Feature

I finally have a little time to share.

A few weeks ago I visited the L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA) and caught the Metropolis II sculpture. What is Metropolis II? Imagine an entire bustling city inside a large room. No joke. The structure, designed by L.A. artist Chris Burden, is made up of the world’s iconic urban structures and wrapped in speedways and tracks that cars, trains and trolleys race through, over, under and around. It’s noisy, chaotic, fun and impressive.

Burden began working on it in 2006, according to LACMA. It includes 1,200 custom designed toy cars, 18 roadways and buildings made out wood blocks, tiles, and Lego pieces. Burden estimates that 100,000 cars circulate through the complex structure every hour. (more…)