Slaying the Tiger Review

By Seametrus Battle

Every sport has a player that is the face of their league, but sooner or later that player will be replaced by another player once his or her performance falls short of expectations. For example, in the NBA it was Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, and in the NFL it was Peyton Manning to Tom Brady. In the PGA, that one person was Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, Woods dominated golf for entire decade and everyone else playing against him were just guys who couldn’t compare. However, Woods off the course issues forced him to depart from the game in 2010. Although Woods made a comeback, it was clear he wasn’t the same Tiger from years past, and his body wasn’t either leading to Woods having back surgery in 2014. As the PGA was exiting the “Woods Era” they began to see success out of more young golfers. With these young golfers rising in the shadows of a legend, Shane Ryan provides the ultimate look at the future PGA and what the future looks like. In this book review, I will be breaking down the writer’s purpose, summarizing, and evaluating Shane Ryan’s Slaying the Tiger: A Year inside the Ropes.

Ten years ago, when you heard about the PGA, the first thing that would come to mind would be Tiger Woods. During that time, Woods was the definition of dominant as he won a total of 12 major championships, winning the PGA player of the year every year but 2004, and 2008 and also holding the number one ranking in Golf from August 1999 to September 2004 then regaining it again June 2005 ending October 2010. Fast forward five years later, things are most certainly different and Shane Ryan gives us all the information about what’s next for the PGA. In this book, the author goal was to give the reader a dynamic look at a moment in the game as the PGA transitions from one era to the next. As a result, Ryan spent time with Jorden Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, and Rory Mcllroy. The author took the audience on a basic tour of the PGAs youngest and some older stars that you wither have heard about or will hear about sooner or later.

Over the course of the book, the writer gave the basic info of the golf that he followed. From what their play style to their personality, the writer makes sure the reader knows the player as if they were about to do an essay on each golfer. The flow the author used was very smooth as he guided the reader into the next chapter not just jumping from pages to page with details that didn’t matter. Ryan painted a picture of the PGA during a time where there was basically no superstar that everyone was just dying to see, showing you how much variety and youth that is in the tour today. Although, these players have just stepped foot into the professional field of gold each person that Ryan followed was pushing to become the next face of the game.

Slaying of The Tiger is a different book, it’s not your typical sports book focusing on one player or no players at all. This book gives you many different perspective on several players cross the PGA making this book one of the best books I’ve read. Although, this book was very long, it was very interesting throughout the entire book as Ryan gave details that I never knew before reading this book.

The PGA is on the rise with it young stars like Rory Mcllroy, and Jordan Speith making an impact on the game that was unexpected. With Tiger Woods still aiming to make a comeback to the game of golf, it clear the PGA has turned the page on the Woods era and trying to start something new with more than one player as the fac

Lebron is the G.O.A.T

By Seametrus Battle Jr.

If you ask the typical basketball fan whose the greatest player to step foot on the NBA court, they’d probably say Michael Jordan because of his championships and the many different ways he affected the game, and many players like Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade.

Lebron James on the other hand is usually referred to as a guy who had to leave to win multiple championships and to some people will never be close to Jordan because of that reason alone. However, Micheal Jordan only had the best team out of the two, and also the better front office as well.

For example, The 2008-2009 Cleveland Cavaliers roster was full of role players that averaged less than twenty points per game. On the other side, the 1991-1992 Chicago Bulls had Scottie Pippen, who was an All-American coming out of college and arguably one of the best players in the NBA during that time.

However, there are many comparisons and scenarios that could be brought to the table but James allocates and diversity shows he’s better than Jordan.

James is the first and currently the only player to lead both teams in all five statistical categories for NBA finals, and the youngest player to surpass the 28,000 career points

Lebron James has been to six straight NBA finals. Starting at 2010 and finishing last season with the 2016 NBA finals losing three (Mavericks in 2010, Spurs in 2014, Warriors in 2015) and winning three (2011 vs. The Oklahoma City Thunder, 2012 vs. The San Antonio Spurs, and 2016 vs. The Golden State Warriors). However, his most recent finals appearance was record breaking as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship and also becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit over the 73-9 Defending Champion Golden State Warriors.

Nevertheless, Michael Jordan went to three straight championships retring after the third title then came back to return to three more finals. Jordan, nevertheless, won all six of those appearances, received six finals MVPs, and has the highest points per game averaged.

Here’s the difference, when Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers the following season the Cavs went from 61-21 to 19-63. This was the worst record since their 2002-2003 season, which is the year before they drafted James.  When Micheal Jordan left the Bulls for retirement in 1993, the Bulls went on to win 55 games, but lost in the Eastern Conf. Semis.

Many go against James because he had to leave Cleveland to get help  and pursue an much needed championship plus the Cleveland front office gave him little to nothing.

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up only three players during James first six years in Cleveland. Those players were 34 year old Ben Wallace, 26 year old Mo Williams, and a declining 37 year old Shaquille O’Neal.

These players did little to nothing as Wallace didn’t see the floor, Williams didn’t average more than fifteen points or five assist per game, and O’Neal averaged 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game.

As stated before there are many comparisons and scenarios that could be stated, but the focus here is the difference between a player with help against another player without help. James still has years to go and the currently has his team number on in the east with three games ahead of the Boston Celtics.

Pathologist’s discovery changes the rules of the NFL

By Raven Copeland and Sea Sea Battle

Nigerian pathologist, Dr. Bennett Omalu’s job typically consisted of general autopsies and medical reports, but his examinations on retired NFL players changed the ethics of professional football.

Omalu detected the disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE in the brains of Terry Long and Andre Waters, two former Pittsburgh Steelers players who committed suicide.

Omalu’s discoveries caused more than 2,000 retired and former NFL players to sue the League for negligence and the failure to notify them of the severity of head trauma, but most importantly it caused the League to change its rules.

For the past five years, the League has imposed 39 rule changes to protect the safety and health of players, improve practice methods, and improve the education of players and officials on concussions.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81990bdf/article/new-nfl-rules-designed-to-limit-head-injuries

For instance, game officials will call fouls against a player who lowers his head and makes forcible contact with the crown of his helmet. Also, a player is prohibited from launching himself off the ground and using his helmet to hit a defenseless player in the head or neck.

In previous years, defensive players could hit receivers in the head when the receiver’s feet touched the ground, but Omalu’s findings and the suicide deaths of retired NFL players changed this rule.

The League also has implemented rules that focus on players who have suffered from concussions during games and practices. For instance, if one of the 32 NFL teams’ players has head injury, that team must consult with a neurologist.

University of Memphis offensive guard Trevon Tate commends the League for handling CTE in a professional and safe manner.

“CTE as a whole has been handled completely better than it used to be,” Tate said. “Players can’t just go back on the field after a serious hit because it’s an entire procedure we have to go through if we look like we have a concussion.”

Although college athletes are optimistic about the future of professional football, former NFL players like wide-receiver, Russell Copeland wishes the League would have informed him about the consequences of head trauma.

“My doctor noticed discrepancies in my brain and told me that I would most likely have dementia in my older years of age,” Copeland said. “After watching the movie “Concussion,” I realized the League failed to tell us about the life-long effects.”

Omalu’s findings showed that prolonged head injuries caused former football players to suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, and depression in the later parts of their lives, which are symptoms associated with concussions.

Concussions result in confusion, mood change, memory loss, and mood change, which are symptoms that are associated with the long-term effects of CTE.

Pam Webster, Mike Webster’s ex-wife witnessed these symptoms in Mike’s behavior and attitude.

“I realized he was always angry and couldn’t concentrate,” Pam said during an interview with Frontline. “He didn’t enjoy things. It seemed that his enjoyment was removed from his life.”

Mike, a former Pittsburgh Steelers center died from a heart attack at age 50. Prior to his death, Mike retired in 1990 and suffered with mental illness, which caused him to act erratic in public.

Shortly after conducting an autopsy on Mike’s brain, Omalu inspected Terry Long, a Steelers lineman who killed himself with antifreeze at age 45. During Long’s autopsy, Omalu discovered tau proteins in his brain, which impair moods and cognitive function.

Omalu discovered similar inconsistencies in Mike’s brain and determined the disease was CTE. Research also showed that 87 of 91 deceased NFL players tested positive for CTE, and affected males who played every position, except a kicker.

The League also released study results that showed former NFL players were suffering from memory-related diseases at a higher rate than the general population.

In 2015, a federal judge approved a $5 million lawsuit settlement between the League and its former players for medical conditions associated with prolonged head trauma. The settlement covers medical exams, litigation expenses, medical research for retired players and their families and concussion-related compensation.

A study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology detected that more than 40 percent of retired NFL players had signs of traumatic injury.

Copeland cringes at the fact that his beloved sport created these long-term effects, but he would not change a thing.

“The game we played back then was much rougher than what it is now,” Copeland said. “It’s unfortunate that it resulted in these type of consequences, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Copeland said.

On the other hand, some former professional football players feel guilty for causing other players to have concussions and believe they somehow are responsible for the deaths of the players they once played against.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/09/nfl-retired-players-watch-react-to-concussion-movie-will-smith

Although the National Football League has improved their rules, they continue to receive criticism for some of their actions, so it is important for them to continue creating new rules. For instance, a 2015 game between the St. Louis Rams and Baltimore Ravens caused the League to impose a new rule.

In November 2015, St. Louis quarterback, Case Keenum was slammed to the ground after throwing the ball late. Shortly after, Keenum tried to get up but fell back down and the Rams’ trainer inspected Keenum but returned to the sideline and kept him in the game.

It was revealed that Keenum suffered from a concussion and the presence of his trainer’s disengagement serves as one of the examples of head trauma not being taken serious.

The presence of Keenum’s injury caused the ruling of NFL teams to be disciplined for failing to assess a player who sustains a concussion. Team officials or medical professionals who improperly handle a player affected by head trauma are fined or lose potential draft picks.

The presence of these rule changes have had a positive impact on professional football.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000047303/article/concussions-decline-after-change-to-kickoff-rule

In 2016, the QuintilesIMS Injury Surveillance and Analytics detected data that showed an 11.3 percent decrease (275 to 244) in concussions from 2015 to 2016. The data was collected from preseason and regular-season practices and games.

Also, the data found that there was an 8.7 percent decrease (183 to 67) in in-game concussions from 2015 to 2016.

Although there is a decrease in the amount of reported concussions, Dr. Mitchel Berger, member of the NFL’s Head, Neck, and Spine Committee hopes that more changes are imposed to greatly decrease this number.

“I’m encouraged that the numbers are down, but I’m still far from satisfied,” Berger said. “To get these numbers down we have to work with the medical committees and try to come up with some other ideas with how we can decrease the numbers.”

With the presence of these decreased numbers of concussions, NFL hopefuls, like Arthur Maulet and Tevin Jones are optimistic about the future of the sport.

“The NFL now prevents those types of plays that hit above the neck because it’s not competitive,” said Arthur Maulet, U of M cornerback. “I feel safe playing because I know the officials will make sure that everyone on the field is safe because football is very dangerous and one play can cause a serious concussion.”

“The league has made a big adjustment for the better and you can see it,” said Tevin Jones, U of M wide receiver. “There are more players who sit out just to be safe and more players are being punished for illegal hits that would hurt the opposing player.”

Copeland says he is glad that the League has imposed rules to possibly prevent the effects from head trauma and he hopes the number of injuries and suicide continue to decrease.

“It’s changed the game for the better and I’m ready to see the new changes the NFL has in store for the future,” Copeland said.

 

Underdog No More

Kytrel Williams, 21, from Memphis, Tenn., began playing basketball at Harding Academy graduating in 2014. Williams later committed to Motlow State Community College only playing one season averaging 2.3 points per game and shooting 38.1 percent.

Williams left the team following the 2015 season and transferring to the University of Memphis with no interest of playing basketball. However, Williams was begun to miss the game and realized his potential.

Going into his second year at the U of M the basketball program had a change of staff hiring Tubby Smith as head coach. These moves lead to Williams going out for the team and later becoming a Memphis athlete. However, Williams’s grade weren’t up to par to be on the court making Williams ineligible for the 2016-17 season.

“I had to determine whether I wanted to be on that basketball team or not, “said Williams. “I been playing basketball since I was three it became something that I loved,” Williams said.

After making the team, Williams made a serious effort to bring his grades up to remain on the basketball program. Following the fall semester of 2016, Williams became eligible for the 2017-18 season.

“I’m thankful going into this next season, I worked hard to get where I am right now. I’m prepared and ready for whatever coach needs me to do. I’ve made that sacrifice,” said Williams.

To his peers Williams is someone who is determined to get things done and always making a positive impact on everyone around him.

Tucker Plunk,21, is one of those peers who witnessed Williams’s growth as a person and as an athlete. Plunk is a fraternity brother of Williams in Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and has known him since he has enrolled into the University

“You start to see a difference in Kytrell once he decided to focus on basketball.” Plunk said. “He was always doing homework or in the gym, he’s work ethic is crazy, “said Plunk.

Making the team is just a small goal for the junior as he wants to make an impact for the program although he cannot play during this current season. With the basketball program making a comeback as an elite team Williams feels like he’s in a great position.

“I understand that I have to become a gym-rat, and work hard as ever to become the player I want to be.” Williams said. “I want to become the player that coach knows I’ll show up night in and night out” Williams concluded.

The University of Memphis is currently 18-10 coming off a loss to the University of Cincinnati 7487 and needing to win the conference to get into the tournament. Yet, this is Tubby Smith’s first year and there is no telling what could happen from now till the 2017-2018 season. Williams finally be able to step foot on the court.

Why Barry Bonds will be a Hall of Famer

With 762 home runs, 2,558 walks, and 1,440 extra base hits, one would think Barry Bonds would be a for sure Hall of Fame inductee. However, performance-enhancing drugs has hindered those hall of fame chances.

In 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted for obstruction of justice after the investigation of the early-2000s BALCO scandal leading to his conviction in 2011, but the conviction was later overturned in 2015. This was not it for Bonds as his testimony would be included in the Game of Shadows, in attempt to show Bonds admitting to using banned substances and PEDs. Yet, Bonds never failed a drug test.

These allegations damaged Bonds so much that he has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for five years and just past the 50 percent mark this year. In 2013, his final voting percentage finished at 36.2 percent, dropping the next year to 34.7 percent then rising again in 2015 to 36.8 percent boosting again to 44.3 percent in 2016 and lastly finishing this year’s Hall of Fame ballot at 53.8 percent.

This not only shows us the improvement of Bonds chances but with five years remaining on the ballot it is a good chance Bonds could become a Hall of Famer in two to three years, according to USA Today.

Another good sign for Bonds is the induction of Ivan Rodriguez, and Jeff Bagwell showing that the voters can tune out the PED rumors for players on the ballot. Rodriguez and Bagwell were both accused of drug use, Rodriguez was accused by his former teammate Jose Canseco in his very own book and in the same year (2005) lost 30 pounds before the MLB’s testing program with consequence begun.Bagwell on the other hand was accused as well but no one could prove it.

Drug–use is the only thing holding Bonds from being in the Hall of Fame as his play was absolutely legendary. Bonds holds the record for the most bases on balls (2,558) in a MLB career proving that pitchers feared him every time he would bat. When Bonds wasn’t being walked he would still find a way to either get on base or touch all of them resulting in him being 6^th in On-base percentage with .444. These are just little accolades for Bonds as his most celebrated award was breaking the all-time single season home-run record with 73 home runs beating Mark McGwire record of 70.

Holding Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame wouldn’t make sense as he is one of the most dominant players to ever step foot in the MLB. The MLB will probably never see another player of his caliber and that isn’t a bad thing. Just give credit when credit is due.