Dunkin’ on Lebron: No Big Deal July 29, 2009
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I had called it the “Dunk Heard Around the World”. Others had adapted the old marketing adage to describe it, “If a dunk has happened but no one was there to see it, was it really a dunk to begin with?”. The answer is yes. Last week, thanks to the scrappy folks at TMZ and eBaum Nation, the world was treated to the highly-anticipated supposedly embarrassing video that would have King James look more like a serf than basketball royalty. We all rushed to those destinations in cyberspace to see what all the fuss about. And our general reaction: “That’s it?”. After having had the opportunity to see both videos on TMZ and eBaum Nation, I can’t say that I was impressed at all by what I observed. The dunk by Jordan Crawford was somewhat explosive for the Xavier sophomore, but there wasn’t anything truly spectacular about the basketball move. One could hear a crowd reaction when the dunk happened. There were definite “ooohs” and “aahhs” when Crawford landed the throw down, which may have affected the image-conscious LBJ. These gasps from the surrounding fans may have played a part in affecting Lebron’s judgment. The basketball icon probably thought to himself that he had been embarrassed, judging by the crowd’s reaction. His warped sense of reality at the moment likely had him ask for the tapes shot by the free lance reporters at the round ball camp.
In the end, however, Lebron has done himself more harm than good by suppressing the information. Had he followed the advice of the Beatles and “Let It Be”, the video would have found itself on YouTube in no time. A small minority of viewers would have claimed that Lebron was somehow put to shame by a younger, greener player. But the majority of people would have gone, “ho hum”. A pretty average athletic move over King James. In nothing was Lebron posterized, nor was he embarrassed. After a couple of days where most of us would have empathized with James’ plight, as the YouTube link would have circulated through Corporate America’s email inboxes, and as some initial conversation would have gone on around the water cooler, the story would have died down all by itself. While public relations experts are often touting the head-on, proactive tackling of issues by their clients, in this case, the laissez-faire approach would have been the best strategy to employ. On some occasions, in PR, the best action is simply: do nothing. This is one such instance. Having been proactive in censoring the dissemination and distribution of this video, Lebron actually created a mystique; a mystery around the dunk that made it larger than life. The myth-making and hype-generation had already started with sports writers, talk show hosts, and fans across the globe. “Lebron’s posterization must have been worse than Shawn Bradley’s by T-Mac.” “An amateur over a superstar NBA player? Has Lebron lost a step?” These were the types of thoughts that were being formulated and communicated amongst basketball thinkers and fans alike….
Once the video was released for all the world to see, things changed drastically. Our wild imaginations were suddenly quieted by the cold reality of a dunk that belongs to the realm of the mediocre. But that’s not all. All of a sudden, our minds went from evaluating the basketball move to its significance in the grander scheme of things. Lebron James actually put the kibosh on that dunk? He went through all the trouble of confiscating the tapes that had captured the scene, just so he could preserve some kind of reputation? Does he think that such a routine dunk could even make him look bad, while he has been the target of more spectacular throw downs while playing in the NBA? Is LBJ so concerned and meticulous with his image that he’s unable to “let go”, when a young man dunks on him? The answer to all of these questions is the same: yes. Lebron apologists might call this extreme self-awareness. I think it borders on narcissism.
To me, what is most surprising, here, is the lack of thought or strategy from James’ camp. For a man who wants to become the first billion dollar athlete, you would imagine that the Cavaliers’ star player would want to surround himself with people that can truly counsel him with proper feedback, advice, and insight. In the PR snafus of the past few months, it’s become abundantly clear that James’ handlers are probably not the most competent advisers the world has ever seen. The modern professional athlete is known for having an entourage of hangers on and yes-men. A group of men with a financial interest in following their leader without question, or hiccup. After all, who would want to bite the hand feeding them? This perspective is understandable from the folks that make a living from the group’s main bread winner. The most surprising aspect to all of this, is that an athlete would not want people likely to challenge their thinking in their immediate surroundings. If I were a pro athlete of Lebron’s ambitions, I would want to surround myself with men and women likely to bring different perspectives from my own to the table, and who wouldn’t be intimidated to voice those opinions. We all see the world through the prism of our past experiences. Bringing people in with other backgrounds and learnings would enhance the quality of ideas thrown around and debated within my camp. Whether or not this is something Lebron is secure enough to sprinkle in to his camp, as he matures remains to be seen. But, for now, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that he doesn’t quite have those wide ranging points of view within his kingdom. If he did, his latest faux pas would most certainly have been prevented….
Michael Vick Gets Off Easy July 27, 2009
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Today, after several reports hinting to Michael Vick’s reinstatement, the NFL has come down with their final ruling. Roger Goodell has decided to conditionally reinstate Vick, granting the quarterback the ability to participate in team activities including preseason games. Once the regular season starts, Goodell went on to say that he would consider full reinstatement by week 6. While I applaud the smart pragmatism with which Goodell has ruled in this situation and the way he has so adroitly led the National Football League since taking the job, I can’t say that I agree with the commissioner’s final decision.
While many have come out to defend Vick in the past few weeks, including Terrell Owens (over the weekend) and Tony Dungy (over the past few months), it has become apparent to me that Vick is getting off easy on this one. Let’s debunk some of the arguments that have been thrown out there over the past few months, as Vick’s prison sentence was drawing to a close, and as speculation arose about a possible return to professional football.
1) “He’s paid his debt to society.” Yes, Michael has lost more money than most of us can count. And yes, he has served his two-year prison term. But what Vick did was an abominable act of cruelty which should have us all question his humanity. The supposed debt he’s paid is not close to commensurate the pain and suffering he’s inflicted on the dogs he was involved with. Just remember some of the pictures taken at Bad Newz Kennels. And think that this is just a subset of what went on, there. Those are the only pieces of evidence authorities were able to recover.
2) “He deserves a second chance.” This may be a grander issue for another entry, but I have always thought that we forgive too easily in this country. Our nation has been known for giving people second chances. Other countries tend to laugh at our way of brushing things aside once we’ve received what seemed to be a contrite apology. If you’re a celebrity that has make a public mistake, take the time to apologize and all will be forgiven. Do you remember Hugh Grant, and his faux pas? Can you say William Jefferson Clinton?
3) “There are people playing in the league right now that have done worse that Michael Vick.” This one has the distinction of having been used by a modern king of rhetoric and solid logic: Terrell Owens. While at camp on Sunday, Owens felt the need to speak out against the league’s treatment of Vick and one of the wobbly premises he leaned on was this one. Are you trying to point out the examples of Leonard Little and Donte Stallworth? Yes, these two young men made terrible mistakes. But those were just that: instances where bad judgment prevailed. Vick actually took a positive action that is both morally reprehensible and inhumane by any standards. His cruel deeds contained intent to harm. The pain and suffering he caused were not just a byproduct of his actions. They were the known effect.
4) “It’s not like he harmed human beings.” Some people live by the saying that you can judge the quality of a human being by seeing how they treat children and the elderly. I would extend that saying to include animals, particularly those living in captivity. Having been exposed to the details of the infractions which Vick was a part of, it’s very difficult for me to consider Vick a good human being. He has a long road ahead to convince me that he’s a changed man, after spending some time behind bars.
5) “Vick grew up in an environment around the subculture of dog fighting.” This is perhaps the most inane argument of the bunch, because it lacks quite a few legs to stand on. First of all, many of us may have been witness to less than desirable things during our upbringings. But part of becoming a full-fledged adult is the ability to recognize what was wrong or bad about our past, and moving beyond it. We all go through this. For some of these things, it takes our leaving the shelter of our parents’ abode, as we embark on our college studies. What we used to think as self-evident truths are sooner or later revealed to only contain partial veracity. Vick certainly could have done that by being exposed to other things. Plus the former Falcons’ star possessed key accelerators to this personal growth: money and notoriety. Vick was also fortunate enough to make a more than healthy living with football and gaining access to quite a few places and people, by virtue of his celebrity. Most people would have jumped at the opportunity to open up and learn new things about the world. A lot of pro athletes broaden their horizons and gain quite a bit of sophistication, during this process. The arts, fashion, humanitarian causes become substantial off-the-field interests for these sports stars. Vick, instead, apparently still appreciates a good lap dance, and up until his incarceration a couple of years ago, a vicious battle between canines.
6) “He has the right to earn a living.” You’re absolutely right he does. He can continue to make his $10 per hour wage working in construction, the way he did when he was still incarcerated. Playing in the NFL is not a right, it’s a privilege. If each owner and general manager feels that Vick won’t make for a good addition to their franchise, there is no obligation for NFL teams to sign him. Sure, Michael Vick has a right to make a living. But the checks he’ll be cashing every two weeks don’t have to be signed by an NFL owner.
As I’ve said in the past, Vick, to me, has proven out to be someone with very faulty morality, to say the least. While part of me would like to believe in a good story that would feature the transformation of a man who fell upon hard times, I can’t bring myself to believe that the former Virginia Tech quarterback has turned a corner and is ready to completely shape up, and become a positive influence on those around him. While I’d love to see Tony Dungy mentor and guide a troubled athlete back to a productive and honorable life, I can’t quite see it happening with Michael Vick. Call me skeptical. A curmudgeon. Or just call me a realist. Until Vick has show several years of upstanding behavior and difference-making in the community, I will not consider him rehabilitated or even changed for the better. Until then, he’s still a reclamation project. A guy seeking redemption. A man who, at the heights of his powers, threw everything away because of his desire to partake in the cruelest of blood sports.
“Tweet Tweet” Goes Ochocinco July 14, 2009
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Over the past year, Twitter has taken off and firmly etched itself in America’s collective consciousness. It’s had Larry King and Ashton Kuchner race to 1 million followers. The micro-blogging/micro-sharing service has drawn a lot of attention, both good and bad. Brands and public figures have found a new way to conduct their public relations, marketing, and overall promotion. And Twitter has also found its way into the sports world, bleeding into a realm populated by young men and women prone to gravitating towards new technology. We’ve seen Kevin Love break stories about his Minnesota Timberwolves before the Wolves had an opportunity to put out a press release. Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa filed a law suit (before later dropping it) against Twitter because an impostor, posing as him, was defaming him as a public figure.
On a rather slow sports news day, the big news last Wednesday was Chad (formerly Johnson) Ochocinco’s declaration that he would be tweeting during games this season. As you might imagine, the NFL has not signed off on such behavior, as it stated through its spokesperson Greg Aiello. “We already have a rule that prohibits the use of cell phones or other handheld devices in the bench area during games,” Aiello told ProFootballTalk.com in an e-mail. Now will this legislation actually stop Ochocinco from doing it during games? Will he take the chance at getting suspended or fined for the sake of providing his loving fans with short updates on how he’s feeling on the sidelines, as his defense takes the field in front of him?
First things first, before analyzing the possibility of athletes tweeting during athletic encounters, let’s examine the author of these comments. The man wants attention. Ochocinco craves it. He desires it probably more than money. He feels that he exists when he’s relevant. When people are talking about him, when he’s making headlines, the media-savvy Chad is happiest. And who can blame him. Most human beings have that desire to be important, to be relevant. His just happens to be stronger than the average person’s.
Twitter is a great promotional tool, for brands and individuals in the public eye alike. Its short form expression makes it an accessible medium to just about anybody that would like to share their thoughts, ruminations, and inner musings. Now from a fan’s perspective, wouldn’t you think that it would be great to get the up-to-minute sentiments from a sports star during the contest? Talk about all-access. Although many male fans may be saddened by this: no need for intermediaries the likes of Erin Andrews. No sideline reporters, expensive camera crews, stupid questions, broadcaster hiccups, lobbying attorneys, loud-mouthed agents, or canned answers. We get the impressions and sentiments of the gladiator in 140-character increments, as he competes in the arena. It’s unfiltered, raw, and straight from the protagonist’s mind. No filters, no posturing, just the athlete and his opposing thumbs madly typing away on his handset. Doesn’t that seem better than ever? Imagine having tennis players tweet during changeovers. Courier, who had once been criticized for reading during a changeover could instead have shared his thoughts with fans, as he toweled off and tried to compose himself between games. Courier actually did just that! In May of this year, in an old man’s match against John McEnroe in New York, Courier provided updates to fans and followers alike during changeovers. If you are interested in seeing what Courier was sending out, please click here. Wouldn’t it be cool to have that type of access to our athletes, all the time? To see what goes on in their psyche during competition? Imagine having Federer tweeting throughout this year’s Wimbledon final. How about a Jonathan Sanchez giving us updates inning-by-inning, as he’s trying to polish off that no-hitter, the other night? Or Tiger Woods giving us updates, as he rounds the front nine, and is about to attack the final few holes as the leader on Sunday? How compelling would it be to have that type of access?
While it may be a little bit easier to conceive that an athlete involved in an individual pursuit tweeting away, without risk of repercussion, there’s no question team sports are a different story. The only person you’re accountable to, as an individual athlete is yourself. Granted your coaches and other members of your “camp” could get fed up if tweeting becomes a priority over your training regimen. But those folks work for you. In a team game, you’re essentially on par with your teammates. If your performance is suffering, and your teammates see you tweeting, instead of attempting to correct the issue, one could certainly understand that friction could ensue. I would want a struggling teammate to do everything in his power to get back to form, instead of being concerned with communicating directly with his fan base. Sports excellence is reached through performance first and foremost, not self-promotion.
Now, will Ochocinco decide to circumvent or break the rules outlined by the NFL, next year, when it comes to using Twitter during games? Can this type of behavior bring him enough exposure and publicity to make the fine worthwhile? Knowing the kind of animal that Chad is, he might try it once or twice, just to see if Roger Goodell’s office sends those fines over. As he’s often told us, Ochocinco considers himself an entertainer first, and a football player second. This type of communication to his fan base and digital followers could be just the next coup to give him a good bump in buzz.
The next big question on everybody’s minds should be: next year, will we now see Chad Johnson pick up his cell phone out of a goal post, à la Joe Horn, and include his tweeting within his post-touchdown celebration? Now that would be a first and something truly special. In this Digital Age of ours, the boundaries of communication are getting broken down everyday and we’ve seen new forms of human behavior created frequently. Don’t be surprised to see Ochocinco at the forefront of the human race when it comes to putting on a spectacle, embracing a new mode of self-expression, and putting his name in the paper….
Sanchez Slings a No-No July 11, 2009
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As we enter the dog days of summer in the sports world with the NBA playoffs in the rear view mirror and the college football season and NFL still over a month and a half way, hardcore sports fans rely on baseball to get their fix of competition. While the MLB season has been fairly sleepy of late (Manny talk aside), the hardball gods always have a way of waking up and grabbing your attention at the most obscure of times. While the Eastern seaboard drifted off to sleep, the unlikeliest of Giants hurlers crafted a wonderful masterpiece that has the baseball world abuzz heading into the All-Star break.
The recipe for a no-hitter at AT&T Park was well in the works heading into the 4 game series between the Padres and Giants this weekend. The Giants had All-Stars Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain toeing the slab on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The Giants staff ERA is the best in baseball, meanwhile the Padres are the worst hitting team in baseball with a glorified Triple-A lineup with the exception of slugger “Yo” Adrian Gonzalez. While Lincecum titillated Giants fans by bringing a no-hitter into the 7th inning on Thursday night in an eventual 9-3 win for the Orange and Black, Bay Area baseball fans thought they would have to wait until Matt “Citizen” Cain twirled on Saturday night before they would see more pitching dominance at the beautiful waterpark ballpark in China Basin. However, the stars aligned one day earlier.
Jonathan Sanchez has all the talent in the world. Passionate Giants fans and knowlegeable baseball pundits have known this for years. Coming into the 2009 season I fully expected him to join Lincecum, Cain, Randy Johnson, and Barry Zito to form the best rotation in the game. While the first 4 hurlers have lived up to expectations (yes, Zito has pitched much better then his record, but will never pitch well enough to live up to his salary) and along with the Kung Fu Panda (All-Star snub Pablo Sandoval) allowed the Giants to hold the Wild Card lead and dream of October baseball in San Francisco for the first time in 5 years, Sanchez has been the ultimate disappointment. The 26 year old has struggled with consistency (namely his arm slot) for the entirety of his MLB career. Once though to be a valuable commodity (in terms of Brian Sabean being able to leverage Sanchez in a trade to acquire a decent bat for the Giants still woeful lineup), the lefty had largely lost all value. His performances were so paltry that he was removed from the rotation a couple of weeks ago and relegated to the bullpen. He pitched well in largely meaningless innings out of the pen, and when Randy Johnson went down with an injury last Sunday, Sanchez got his chance to return to the rotation.
Last night, he was simply magical. While Giants fans have seen flashes of brillance from Sanchez in the past, the Puerto Rican lefty finally was able to craft a masterpeice that would make Pablo Picasso (or at least Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan) proud. He was able to pitch with confidence throughout and get past the proverbial wall that he would inevitably hit in almost every start of his career when he would enter the 5th or 6th inning (hence his terrible 2-8 record this season entering the game). Sanchez had pinpoint control of his always dirty stuff last night. The result: 11 K’s, 0 BB’s and most importantly 0 HITS. He did all of this with his dad Sirgfredo watching from the stands. The two shared an embrace in the Giants dugout that would make even the burliest of men come to tears.
Sanchez became the first Giants hurler since John Montefusco in 1976 to twirl a no-hitter (Sanchez pitched the 13th no-hitter in team history). Meanwhile, the Padres who were no-hit for the 7th time as a franchise, have yet to have a pitcher accomplish the feat in their team history. Sanchez became the first Giant lefty to throw a no-hitter since the legendary Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell did so for the New York Giants in 1927. This was not the first no-hitter of Sanchez’s life though. While he had never pitched a complete game in the majors, Sanchez had thrown 4 no-hitters while pitching in college for Ohio Dominican (an NAIA school). The competition was a little different last night though, although even many baseball insiders might mistake the Padres futile lineup for an obscure college team. This was also the first no-hitter thrown at AT&T Park (or its many previous names) in its 10 year history.
Kudos must also go to Eli Whiteside, Aaron Rowand, and Pablo Sandoval for making the evening historic. Whiteside was Sanchez’s battery mate last night due to the fact that Benjie Molina missed the game as his wife went into labor. Aaron Rowand made a great grab against the wall for the second out in the ninth off a seed hit by Edgar Gonzalez. He also knocked in 3 runs as well as his average is creeping back near .300 Lastly, Sandoval gave Sanchez some much-needed breathing room with a majestic 3 run homer in the 5th. After all, it is much easier to pitch a no-hitter when you have an 8-0 lead rather than holding on in a 1 or 2 run game in the late innings.
The goat of the night is Juan Uribe, who made an error in the 8th at 3rd base. This error was all that kept Sanchez from a potential perfect game. However, when Sanchez struck out Everth Cabrera on a questionable third strike to clinch his date with destiny, Uribe’s error was largely forgotten as the Giants celebrated in style. The next question becomes what is next for Sanchez? I have one simple answer. Trade him now.
Sanchez did one thing last night (besides making history). He revived his trade value. He is now a potential hot commodity around baseball. GM’s now are fully aware of what Sanchez is capable of. He is middle aged in baseball (26), but with his relatively small salary and big upside is someone that is attractive. Brian Sabean should be able to parlay last night’s outing into a corner infielder or corner outfielder with some pop. That is exactly what the Giants need to hold off teams like the Brewers, Cubs, Mets, and Rockies and get the Wild Card. The Giants have the best rotation in the game. They just need to give Sandoval some help in the lineup if they want to garner a postseason birth. Once they make “the tournament” in October, they will be a formidable team with Lincecum and Cain spearheading them toward the World Series.
Sanchez may have just put the Giants in the World Series last night. However, he won’t be around to see it. Sanchez to the White Sox for Jermaine Dye. This and a multitude of other moves will be considered by the Giants brass until the July 31 trade deadline. However, the Giants must move Sanchez. I feel that last night was a huge aberration. Sanchez will likely continue to be very inconsistent throughout the rest of his career. There is a risk that he could become great, but this is a risk the Giants must take. They have the pitching they need. Lincecum, Cain, Zito, and Johnson now. Bumgarner, Alderson, etc. in the future. Maximize your stock while it is at its zenith. Trade Sanchez now.
King James Losing his Regal Appeal…. July 9, 2009
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The more time has gone on, the less thrilled I am with Lebron James from a PR-perspective. There’s no doubt that he’s great for the NBA. His skills are unmatched at that size. His desire to involve his teammates is commendable. And he’s certainly shown that Jordan-like ability to take over games, and win without a strong supporting cast.
But one thing that needs to be noted, over the past few months is his lack of public relations savvy. Once considered untouchable by the press, as the rare exception in modern professional sports, as a guy who thought team-first, Lebron James’ outer stucco is now frittering away, and we’re starting to notice a few flaws. As we’ve seen in recent incidents, LBJ has become less fun and more image-conscious.
The most recent instance has us now considering whether or not James is too self-involved. In one of Nike’s annual camps hosted by LBJ, himself, the best high school and college players congregate in Ohio to learn from and play against the King himself. In a moment of intense competition in a pickup game on Monday night, Xavier sophomore Jordan Crawford reportedly landed a two-handed dunk over an outstretched James. Shortly after the dunk, freelance reporters who were taping the camp, including that highlight moment were asked for their videotapes by Nike officials. According to eyewitnesses, this was after James approached Lynn Merritt, a Nike basketball senior director. It would seem that Lebron wanted to keep such a YouTube-able moment from hitting the information super highway. Is Lebron losing some of his sense of humor? Is he getting too big for his britches? Is he becoming too vain, not able to take the momentary ego bruise that would come with the documentation of his getting dunked on? I would certainly contend so….
James, in my eyes, is losing some of his regal appeal. Once the poster-boy for the NBA, I certainly believe that Lebron once-impeccable image is taking quite a hit. I was–like most–disheartened by his lack of sports etiquette at the conclusion of the Eastern Conference Finals, when he was unable to congratulate his worthy opponents, the Orlando Magic, and simply refused to address the media post-game. Most people know that leaders don’t shy away in crisis. They are supposed to address those critical junctures with a measure of stoicism and a resolve that will inspire others. Not only was he not embracing his role as team leader, by not facing the music, but he devalued himself as a sportsman, in the truest sense of the term. Most reasonable people trained in the art of public relations would have presented a public apology a few days later. Instead, James went on the offensive, defending his prior behavior as something natural, because, he “hates losing”, while other less regal human beings and competitors most likely like to lose, one would imagine.
And now, our King has followed up his former PR faux pas, with one that will end up haunting him. When most would have recognized the fun in having a younger basketball player dunk on him, LBJ was too busy protecting his own image. Can you say “selfish”? Do you recognize a lack of prioritization? A man that should be doing his best to recruit the world’s best basketball talent to an unattractive American city is instead depriving a young college student out of his fifteen minutes of fame, because he doesn’t want to appear vulnerable. What Lebron needs to realize is that this latest episode makes him look like a guy more concerned about bad individual publicity than winning championships. A self-imbued, ego-centric basketball star focused more on what he’s projecting, than what he’s accomplishing on the court. Do you think Jordan would have reacted the same way? Or Magic? Both men would have recognized that releasing the video would actually allow fans to see them in a different light. Showing a little vulnerability once in a while makes you more relate-able, more human. Instead of playing to the masses, James has decided to embrace the side of royalty that makes most people cringe: an air of superiority, a tight-lipped arrogance…. King James, who once inspired others with his athletic feats, seems to now be more concerned with how his crown fits on his head.
Andy Roddick’s Tragic Birthdate July 6, 2009
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My co-host Paul posed the following question following Sunday’s epic 5 set Wimbledon final in which Roger Federer garnered his record 15th Grand Slam title over American Andy Roddick: Is Andy Roddick a tragic figure in men’s tennis? As an A-Rod apologist I could have easily claimed yes and bemoaned the star-crossed career that he has had and labored on all the reasons why he has only one Grand Slam title and may never win a second. However, the fact is that Roddick is not an all-time great player. He is just not good enough and was born at the wrong time for anyone with his talent level to try and win multiple Grand Slam titles. Here is my immediate reaction to the question of whether Roddick is the symbol of tragedy in modern men’s tennis:
I think you would be giving Roddick way too much credit to label him “a tragic figure” in tennis. He has had a great career. He is just not an all-time great player. He is probably the best player ever with only 1 GS title. Sure, he could have validated his whole career yesterday by beating the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in the Wimbledon final, but he didn’t win because he was not good enough to do so. He has hands of stone and is indecisive at the net. He played the best tennis of his life in this tournament (yes, WAY better than the 2003 US Open he won), but he lost Sunday’s final in the second set tiebreak. He was up 6-2 in the second set breaker to go up two sets to love. He had two serves that he could (or should) have hit an ace or service winner on at least one of them. The worst of all was completely bricking a sitter backhand volley on top of the net on one of the set points.
If you mean that Roddick is tragic in the sense that he is basically the same age (one year younger) then the GOAT, then yes that is tragic for him. He has reached 5 GS finals. I will maintain that he has played well in each and every one of those finals. He destroyed JC Ferrero in one and has lost to the GOAT in the other 4. So, if tragic means running up against the GOAT in every major final you have lost, then that is tragic for him. If he were playing in ANY other era then he would have at least 2-3 GS titles, if not more.
I am expecting disagreement on this, but I will adamently maintain that Roddick would beat Edberg or Becker on grass 7 of 10 times in a best of 5 match. A lot of that has to do with his serve and the evolving sport (especially fitness and technology) over the past 15-20 years. However, what I really mean by this is that Roddick would have multiple GS titles, if not for playing as a contemporary of the GOAT.
When you pose the issue of whether it is tragic that Roddick’s prime is coinciding with Fed’s, then yes that is tragic for him. However, I don’t feel he will go down as a tragic figure. He hasn’t lost a ton of heartbreaking major finals. Yesterday was really the only crushing defeat of his entire career. In most of his other encounters with Federer, he was simply outclassed. Yesterday, he was Fed’s equal for over 4 hours. If Roddick were more talented (as a volleyer especially), he would have closed out that match in 3 or 4 sets. This was the first time in their career matchups (at least since 2003), that Fed had trouble reading Roddick’s serve.
Andy should be given a lot of credit for resurrecting his career with Larry Stefanki this year. He is now clearly the #4 player in the world (ahead of Djokovic, obviously by the way they are playing, not necessarily in the rankings), and arguably #3 as he just beat Murray on Murray’s home court. He will have another chance in the next 3 years to win a GS title (probably). However, I think he is getting the most out of his career right now. He simply wasn’t a good enough player to finish Federer off yesterday.
