What's entertaining me today 6/27/09

This week has provided good yet tragic material for what has entertained me. However, I'm not sure if entertained is the right word. Saddened is definitely the word to describe it. However, you already know there is never a day that passes that I am not entertained in some form or another. So what is on the agenda for today?

*Prodigal Sons
*NBA Draft
*What makes an ICON

1. Prodigal Sons- Much is said of the prodigal son. Now most of you probably think I'm talking about Jesus. And who is saying I'm not? However, I am talking about something a little more earthly. In the world of Superstardom, many families have made a major impact. However, it is not exactly rare but unlikely that a son eclipses or lives up to the same standard of excellence that the father has put into the world.

Earlier this week, Jeff Jordan, oldest son of "His Airness" Michael Jordan, quit the University of Illinois Basketball team to pursue "life after basketball". No reason was given besides he was ready to focus on his studies. This NEEDS TO BE APPLAUDED! Jeff was already rich by default because of who his father was, but he still chose to walk on to a school where he believed in the program instead of accepting one of the D-1 scholarship offers he did receive. Jeff was due to be a junior in the fall and over the past two seasons, Jeff played in 59 games and scored 58 points, had 42 assists and 24 rebounds. As a freshman he averaged 5.3 minutes a game and moved up to 8.4 minutes per game as a sophomore. Coach Bruce Weber believed in Jeff and said Jeff had the opportunity to gain more playing time this season because he brought an incredible work ethic to the team and he always strived to get better and make his teammates better.

But what is in a prodigal son? What sons have become as famous as the father? Probably the best ever in sports has been Bobby and Brett Hull in Hockey. With several Stanley Cups between them, you could only argue that the only better father-son tandem in hockey have been Gordie and Matt Howe, and that is mostly for the brilliance of the father, Gordie, who is arguably the best Hockey player ever (between him and Wayne Gretzky). There are plenty of other notable father-sons who have played professional sports such as Archie Manning and both his sons Peyton and Eli - NFL Quarterbacks, Bill and Luke Walton - NBA, Felipe and Moises Alou - MLB, Bobby and Barry Bonds - MLB, Ralph, Dale and Dale Jr. Earnhardt - Nascar, Ken and Ken Griffey Jr. - MLB, Ken and Ken Norton Jr. - Boxing/NFL, Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve - F1 Racing, Calvin and Grant Hill - NFL/NBA, Dell and Stefan Curry - NBA, Dick and Pete Weber - Bowling, Tony and Anthony Dorsett - NFL, Joe "Jellybean" and Kobe Bryant and countless other father son combos. I have almost as many father-daughter combos I could mention but that will be the subject of another blog.

As I began, there is no more revered prodigal son than the one called Jesus. "For GOD so loved his only begotten son....", (paraphrased for the less than initiated) that he loosed him on Earth to save us all from our sins.... That's a lot of hype to live up to, even if you ARE the prodigal son. Point of all of this is it is not scientific that greatness passes through the genes within a family, however it IS more likely that a child is prepared and does have the advantage of better genes than an average person towards some type of athletic aptitude. We all have gifts however, and I am anxious to see what Jeffrey Jordan's gifts are now that he is done with his life as a basketball player. Kudos to you, young Mr. Jordan. I can only hope you are not eclipsed and forgotten because of the accomplishments of your younger brother Marcus who will be a basketball player at the University of Central Florida on scholarship this fall. Don't believe me....check this out...



2. NBA Draft- Thursday was not as exciting as I thought it might have been, however it was a good draft. I am the worlds biggest fan of college basketball (an over exaggeration, but it sounds good) and I am a moderate fan of the Professional game. The strange thing is that I had plenty I wanted to say about the draft at first, but now...I just think the draft was OK. That's it. OK. The best action of the draft actually happened before the draft. The "Big Cactus" Shaquille O'Neal was trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and future 2nd round pick and $500K. Wow! The Cavs didn't actually give up much if Shaq pans out. The second most exciting trade was the Orlando Magic landed Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, some other dude and a draft pick. Not bad. Just in case Hedo Turkoglu decides to sign elsewhere, however Vince was the type of player that the Magic were missing in the playoffs. Gamechangers. Definitely. Will it get either team a championship in 09-10....Don't think so...Check this out....



3. What makes an Icon- This week was a week marked in tragedy. Three Pop Icons passed this week. They say it always happens in threes.

First, Ed McMahon passes. Ed had been dealing with some IRS issues and that must have led to additional stress in his life. Beyond being the voice of Johnny Carson and "The Tonight Show" for so many years, Ed was a star in his own right as he was the creator and host of his own show, "Star Search". Star Search ran from 1983 to 1995 and then ran again but this time was hosted by Arsenio Hall. Star Search is responsible for introducing such talents to the world as Tiffany, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Dave Chapelle and David Archuleta just to name a few. Ed McMahon voice provided comfort and continuity to a generation of late night television viewers and it was a familiar and welcome part of the Tonight Show. Mr. McMahon's passing is surely a somber one in Hollywood.


Secondly, Actress Farrah Fawcett passes. Farrah has long been battling cancer and finally her battle was ended. She was 62 years old. Having won multiple golden globes and being emmy nominated, she was best known for her role as Jill Munroe on "Charlie's Angels". Besides Charlie's Angels, the only part I remember and my favorite for Farrah Fawcett was the TV movie, "The Burning Bed". This part, for which she won a Golden Globe, was amazing. Farrah Fawcett became an international sex symbol in the 1970's where young girls across the world were imitating her hairdo and her poster is one of the highest selling posters in history. Farrah Fawcett was adored by her fans and will be missed immensely.


And Last but certainly not least, the most tragic news for the week was the passing of Michael Jackson. The "King of Pop" passed when he was discovered in his home unconscious and not breathing and in a deep coma. He was rushed to the hospital where he later passed. There was a public outcry and nearly simultaneously pouring of distraught people into the streets expressing their emotions.

Widely regarded as the greatest entertainer who ever lived (Don't even get me started about how the people overseas feel about MJ), Michael Jackson has inspired MILLIONS! Mike is the only artist to sell over 750 million albums worldwide and the only artist to sell over 50 million albums on 1 album (Thriller...duh). Mike had the unfortunate circumstance of having his entire life played out on television and in front of the public. Which is actually sad. Sad, because we saw this brilliant artist transformed into a freak of nature before our very eyes.

What do I mean? Mike went from being a precocious super talented African-American little kid to becoming a middle aged white woman with an addiction to plastic surgery and some sort of strange affinity for young boys. Mike has had a life full of fodder for the normal person to ingest. The strange marriages. The little boys. Jesus juice. Amusement park at your house. The Elephant Man's Bones. Strange outfits. Even stranger behavior.

Crazy thing is, even though I was a MJ fan, I haven't been one FOR REAL for about 20 years. Seriously, ever since "Thriller" is when it ended for me. "Thriller" was a fantastic album that you could just put on and let it roll. No fast forward on the tape deck (no CD's back then). "Off the Wall" was an amazing and underrated album. Even though I have enjoyed some songs after the "Thriller" album, such as "Leave Me Alone", "You Are Not Alone" and "Smooth Criminal", once evil (said.."crazy") Mike took over, I wasn't interested anymore. I always wondered if there was anyone around him that said to him (or in their head)..."Dude has lost it. He's crazy!" If no one did, that is what I was saying. However, regardless of personal feelings, Michael Jackson was an incredibly talented individual whose legacy will be to inspire people to be the best at whatever their passion is. Don't believe me....Check this out.....



Well until next time....
R. Steed (Big Goldie)
"Fluffy Puffy - The Media Mogul in Training"
www.dashowtv.com
www.arewenotentertained.blogspot.com