It can be taxing to support Formula One's new driving sensation, but at least the opinionated Scotsman wears his heart on his chest.So Lewis Hamilton is off to Switzerland. Don't worry, he'll be back to collect his Sports Personality of the Year award in December. And when he does return to Britain's shores, let's hope he doesn't listen to those vile rumours that perhaps he went Switzerland for the tax breaks rather than the Toblerone. It was all explained so succinctly by our Lewis in his press conference: "You come home and everyone knows you; it makes it so much harder to do normal things. I can't go to the cinema. I go to the bathroom in a petrol station and people come in there for autographs," he said with a very odd idea of what makes an acceptable example. But let's not start to get jingoistic about this. There is only one real reason we should be angry at Lewis and that is his shameless use of the bland excuses that are now second nature to the media-trained modern sports star. Not for them honesty, God forbid, much better just to treat fans with contempt. So why should we support Lewis when he has so little respect to us? Because he's British? Is that all we have? If we are honest, the idea that you should support a British sportsman as a matter course is infused with sort of unquestioning colonial idiocy that has recently seen the Portuguese police painted as evil-doers for nothing more than the fact they are not our British bobbies. While national teams represent a country, individuals should represent no-one but themselves. Call me a traitor but I would far rather support a foreign sportsman with whom I feel an affinity than a Brit with whom the only thing I share is a quirk of geography. It is for this reason that I cheered Goran Ivanisevic to victory over Tim Henman in 2001; that and my irrational dislike of Henman's sour-faced father. And it is this attitude that makes me so pleased that Andrew Murray has come along, the best candidate as British sportsman of the last decade. Murray knocks the ball around the court like a surly teen wishing he was hanging outside Spar with his mates rather than playing tennis. What's more, what comes out of his mouth is, unlike Hamilton, honest to himself. Like Hamilton, Murray left the UK to further his career; unlike Hamilton he had no bones about telling the press this. Pointing the finger firmly at the LTA, Murray said he was not going to have his career ruined by British training methods like his brother's was (and what's more he was once in a toilet in a petrol station . . . etc etc). Perhaps most beautifully, when asked if he would be supporting the English team in World Cup 2006 he opined that there is no one he would prefer to see lose. Of course he did, and so he should; he was a Scotsman watching the most bloatedly self-indulgent and smug England team in history. If he had said anything else he would have been either an idiot or a liar. Honest. opinionated. Not worried about popular opinion. It is a sad reflection that Murray stands out from other sportsmen for these characteristics. My God, they are always talking about role models in sport (Martina Hingis anyone?) and Murray is the closest we have come in a long time.
With the continuing global popularity of basketball, the future of whether the NBA can keep 99% of the best players in the world all in one league becomes less likely with each passing season.
With the 2007-08 NBA season in full-swing, I’m sure David Stern has taken notice of a small but significant pattern from this off-season. I’m not talking about perennial Kobe Bryant drama or the KG trade; this involves names that aren’t all household names, but the direction of the moves are making the NBA Commissioner a little more than uneasy. This 2007 summer has seen a number of players who have either left the NBA for leagues in Europe or have used the European leagues as leverage in their contract negotiations. Every day we come closer to the start of NBA training camps, and NBA heads should pay close attention to several situations that have already past and more importantly, to the outstanding issues that have yet to be resolved. Vasillis Spanoulis, the little-used Greek guard that was pivotal in defeating Team USA at the 2006 World Championships and a bench-warmer for the Houston Rockets last season, has already decided he would rather return to Panathinaikos in the Greek league rather that ride the bench for another team in Texas - the San Antonio Spurs (the team he was traded to). Not that big of news right? I agree. Of itself, it’s another case of Arvydas Macijauskas, a player that will be easily forgotten in the US. Though Macijauskas is a huge star in Europe, he never gained any traction in the NBA as the Lithuanian sharpshooter rode the bench for New Orleans during the 05-06 season. Macas, as he is known, chose to return to Europe after that one season. He chose more playing time rather than earning his time in the NBA. It makes more sense. It’s a matter of what’s best for the player in the short-term. That’s more than likely how Spanoulis will be remembered. However in early September, Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Lithuanian guard that led his home-country Lithuania to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, asked the Golden State Warriors to release or trade him. The Warriors chose the former and waived Jasikevicius. Since then, the European superstar has returned to the Euroleague and hasn’t missed a step, joining Spanoulis in Panathinaikos's back court. Again, nothing earth-shattering, but Jasikevicius was one of the many international players that had a reputation in the NBA. If Sarunas had stayed, he could have found a job in the NBA - there are several NBA teams looking for an experienced leader on the floor and a proven winner. At this point, you may be asking yourself “What are you getting at?” Add Sasha Pavlovic to the mix. The guard-forward who had a breakout last season with Cleveland cannot come to terms with the Cavs on his contract extension. If the two sides don’t get any closer to signing a contract, Pavlovic and his agent have made it clear that they are ready to do more than just entertain talks with European teams that are interested in the Serbian’s services. As of this post, Pavlovic has missed every one of Cleveland’s pre-season games. Then there’s the case of Andrei Kirilenko, who led Russia to a gold medal at this year’s Eurobasket. The Eurobasket MVP announced through a Russian blog that he is willing to drop the remaining amount of his $63m contract and head back to Europe rather than returning to Salt Lake City to endure another season of Jerry Sloan. The former NBA all-star was explicit and adamant about his position and AK can certainly play anywhere in the world. AK has since been tight-lipped and is participating in Utah’s summer leagues and camp. If it was only Spanoulis and Jasikevicius leaving, many would simplify the moves as frustrated Europeans unable to make it in the NBA. However, if an up-and-coming player like Pavlovic and former NBA All-Star Kirilenko decides to head home to play, I believe that signifies a trend that would immediately dilute the NBA talent pool and give rise to a competing league. Just five or six years ago, no one would believe that an international player returning home would dilute NBA talent. In fact it was more likely that they would believe it would actually enhance the NBA’s talent pool. Back then, it was arguable. Now, however, is a different era and the same xenophobic attitude will get you laughed out of serious basketball conversations. With the influx of international superstars into the NBA (Nowitzki, Yao Ming, Manu Ginobili, Steve Nash), national teams from around the world defeating the US in international competitions are becoming less jaw-dropping. And some of the top-European clubs defeating NBA teams in friendly matches (Maccabi Tel Aviv defeating the Toronto Raptors (2005), FC Barcelona topping the Philadelphia 76ers (2006), and CSKA Moscow defeating the LA Clippers (2006)), there is no doubt that basketball is on more equal footing globally. And that balance is especially apparent in the European leagues where the development and talent is second only to the NBA. This trend is becoming an issue for even American-born players. Just these last couple months, three NBA players made waves by utilizing the Euroleagues as leverage for their NBA negotiations. Charlie Bell, a former Michigan State player and current Milwaukee Buck, threatened to sign with Greek team Olympiakos in order to escape the Bucks. It didn'twork as the Bucks matched the offer sheet by the Miami Heat, but the fact that he and his agent used Olympiakos as leverage shows that this isn’t your father’s Euroleague anymore. There is the case of Dee Brown, the former Illinois-star and promising, young NBA player, who decided to leave the Utah Jazz in favor of Turkish club Galatasaray. Brown, a bench player last season, says it’s only temporary and hopes to catch on with another NBA club next year. The next natural move is for more and more players to not just threaten to leave the NBA, but to leave the NBA for the leagues in Europe. It’s no secret that the NBA wants a global league. The NBA has seen this coming for some time now and has been smart enough to realize that if they don’t stake their claims overseas right now while the NBA still has a virtual monopoly of talent, that with each passing season the world gets better. And the balance tips a little more out of the NBA’s favor. On paper, one huge world league would be ideal. I’m all for it, but it’s just not going to happen. Besides the obvious logistical issues, I just don’t see one big world league ever coming together, but it won’t be for the lack of trying by Stern and the NBA. The NBA may be successful in convincing two or three teams to participate in a NBA global expansion, but what’s more realistic are the continued development of two super-leagues (a la the NBA and ABA in the 1970s) competing for the world’s best basketball talent. Those two leagues will be the NBA and the Euroleague (ULEB). Basketball is constantly changing in favor of the world. Look at what has happened the last five years; that’s what happens when something becomes popular. There may be a child born in Sudan, India or Slovenia this very minute and in 16-17 years, there may be scouts from two clubs from two separate leagues, both offering the same amount of money, fame, and competition. No doubt the NBA has the upper-hand, it’s a huge locomotive with great history, reputation, and deep pockets as momentum. However, as salary levels get closer to one another and the talent gap continues to get smaller season after season, you’ll see the Euroleague competing for players more and more. We’re getting a good whiff of it this off-season. There were definitely more words than action this off-season, but I bet David Stern has a folder somewhere noting the small waves that have occurred. He knows that an exodus of both international and American-born NBA players is bound to happen in future off-seasons (and certainly during an NBA strike). On the surface, he is playing ambassador trying to spread NBA goodwill, but behind close doors Stern is working on a plan to somehow prevent the eventual loss of NBA players. It would be ironic if the globalization that Stern and the NBA has been promoting the last decade or so is the cause of an eventual exodus from the NBA that would balance the playing field.
The Gunners' dynamic midfield duo will cut off the ammunition to United's free-scoring trio. Tomorrow's lunchtime match at the Emirates Stadium marks a true old-fashioned clash of the titans in England. Level on points, Arsenal host Manchester United in what promises to be one of the matches of the season. It is not often that two teams of such a calibre meet in domestic competition at the peak of their form. Arsenal are yet to lose this season, while United have won their last eight, having scored four goals in each of their last four games. So who carries the edge going into this game? I would argue that it is Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. Arsenal have the edge because midfield wins games. Without there creative engine Paul Scholes, United will have to rely on their three greatest attack threats Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Though Rooney and Tevez both often fall back to win the ball, and Ronaldo is an excellent midfielder by trade, they will feel the hurt of their main ball winner and fighter Scholes. They need someone to fight and win balls and really take the game to their opponents. Since Scholes normally plays that role, it now falls to Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves. While both are competent, can they really win possession from the tenacious pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini, while still providing needed service to the dangerous front three? That is going to be the biggest issue for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Their biggest threat comes from their forwards, and as good as Rooney, Tevez, and Ronaldo are, they can’t change the game without the ball. Arsenal, on the other hand, build attacks through their best players, Alexander Hleb and Fabregas, the creative engines. Since they attack from the back, always going through the same two players, their most dangerous weapons (though not quite as lethal as the Rooney-Tevez partnership) see more of the ball and can use it more effectively. For example, in Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, Hleb and Fabregas were virtually unstoppable, and that was against a team whose fans claim to have “the best midfield in the world.” If Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano can be dominated by the young Arsenal midfield, it will be hard for Hargreaves, lacking match fitness, to do any better. Additionally, with Gary Neville (if he plays) lacking match fitness, he will almost certainly struggle with the pace on the ball of Hleb, Tomas Rosicky or Gael Clichy going forward. Further, on-form Flamini should become a big factor in how the game turns out. If he can establish himself sitting behind Fabregas, he will allow Arsenal to set the pace of the game. Not only does his defensive nature improve the solidity of the Arsenal back line, it allows him to help the Arsenal midfield take the play into the Manchester United half, giving further options to Fabregas and Hleb to move forward. Thus, if Arsenal can dominate possession they can win this game. However, there is a set of circumstances which would be more favourable for the Red Devils. Arsenal have trouble starting on the right foot, as seen in the matches against Liverpool, Fulham and, most recently, Sheffield United. Manchester United are a team who can press relentlessly at any time in the match, so they could easily open with a quick goal. If they can score one early on, it’s hard to see them slowing down, as they have scored four in each of their last four. This game can easily balance on a knife edge, but I think Arsenal will be the ones to edge it. If the superb and on-form Gunners midfield can gain possession and create chances, United’s midfield, lacking Scholes, won't be able to cope. In the end, United’s superb strike pairing won't beat out Arsenal’s dominant midfield.
Does Maria Sharapova scream for you? Does Andy Roddick’s serve turn you on? Who’s your favourite player?Who’s the best player in the world? Forget it! The whole reason we watch tennis is to see our favourite players strut their stuff. Not because Roger Federer is the best or Venus Williams's serve defies the law of physics. Unless these players make tennis what it is for you, you can forget them.There's that memorable feeling when your favourite player breaks barriers. The beautiful emotions when they perform out of their skin, win or lose. The drug that keeps you going. Your favourite tennis player could be a pensioner ranked No.500 in the world, but that doesn’t matter. Your favourite tennis player isn’t just a tennis player. He or she is your role model.Venus Williams is by far my favourite tennis player. Her outstanding defences leave me clueless. Her net play is unmatchable and unstoppable. And what about that serve? Inconsistent it may be, but when it’s in turbo mode….my world stops.That mind that is full of so much passion and belief on court, but not seen. No come on. No allez. But silence, the art of her mental capacity could never be understood by mere mortals. A true role model for me, heck I even employed her forehand to my game.Sure it’s inconsistent and a real mess some times, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It doesn’t matter how many injuries she has or losses, she will always be my No.1. Yes, Venus makes tennis what it is for me.Marion Bartoli makes me laugh, but why should you care? Federer is starting to bore me, why should you care? So give it a go! Your life, your tennis player.
