Terrorism pushes sport to background
In times of global strife, sport recedes in the mind’s eye.
What does it matter who won the game? In the wake of Friday’s horrible attacks in Paris, a much larger game will play itself out across Europe and the Middle East in the coming days and months, and probably years. The promise of more bloodshed seems assured.
Those global concerns certainly come first and foremost. But as we reflect on these events, the images from Stade de France loom large. The fact that one of the perpetrators blew himself up at a major sporting event — during a friendly soccer match between the French national team and its German counterpart — ensures that the fallout and analysis will include and impact the global sports landscape.
Three major events come to mind immediately, raising questions and concerns about security and process. Super Bowl 50: The NFL championship game in Santa Clara in February will undoubtedly have more security in the wake of the Paris attacks. New York and New Jersey set the bar when they hosted the Super Bowl two years ago. Virtually no one was allowed to drive to the event. It took hours for spectators to come and go due to the mass transit requirements and limitations. Expect the same at Levi’s Stadium — and then some. Summer Olympics in Rio: Brazil is seriously challenged when it comes to security and crime, even without the threat of outside agitators. Despite major economic gains in the past decade, this is still a country of extreme wealth and extreme poverty, making it vulnerable to infiltration. If the new paradigm involves taking terror to the masses, the Summer Games in Rio seem to be a natural target, though the nation pulled off last year’s World Cup without a hitch. World Cup in Qatar: It’s a long way to 2022, but the World Cup awarded to Qatar looms large on that distant horizon. One can only hope the raging tensions in the Middle East will have dissipated. If not, the corruption of Sepp Blatter’s FIFA regime could have a deadly impact on the world’s largest sports event. It will be hot in Qatar, in more ways than one.
A closing thought on the aftermath from Paris: While all of these major sports events now face even more serious security concerns, opportunity is also at the door. Sport brings people together like nothing else. Let these national and global events provide a platform for solidarity and hope. Let them showcase the resolve of civilized humanity.
If we can do that, half the battle is won.
Watch what you wish for
Amid this miraculous start to the season for the Warriors, one thought keeps popping into my head.
How can it get any better than this? The team dominates opponents before a rabid crowd in a sold-out arena in Oakland, night after night.
Yet, ownership clearly thinks it can get better. The team still wants to move to San Francisco.
I understand why. A shiny new arena will improve the team’s profitability. It will be seen as a lifetime legacy and accomplishment by co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber .It will raise the value of the franchise.
But will it be the same? No. Oracle Arena has been a very special place for years. There’s a unique vibe in that arena. Will it be better in San Francisco? Doubtful. It will be more expensive. And it will be a different crowd.
Just ask Jed York about that. After years of arguing that moving to Santa Clara meant nothing, the 49ers’ owner is facing a stark reality. He grossly misjudged how longtime fans would react to the team abandoning San Francisco. The diehards are no longer in their seats. Their expected replacements aren’t, either.
Yes, the 49ers are horrible, and that’s exacerbated the problem. Yes, San Francisco is actually a destination fans might want to visit, unlike Santa Clara.
But the core issue runs deeper. The Warriors have a long, deep love affair with Oakland and its fan base. You can feel it every night. It’s not a San Francisco crowd. It’s not a South Bay crowd. It’s an East Bay scene. It’s an inclusive Bay Area scene. And a very cool one at that.
So, as you continue down the long and rocky road to San Francisco, Mssrs. Lacob and Guber, stop and think about it for a minute. Go to Levi’s Stadium and see how that feels.
Is it really going to be better in San Francisco? Can it possibly be better than what you have now?
G.O.A.T. Curry
You can’t have a cup of coffee these days without hearing someone talking about Stephen Curry. Is he the greatest longdistance shooter the NBA has ever seen? It’s looking that way. But people still love to debate.
Here are my top five shooters of all-time: 5. Glen Rice 4. Steve Kerr 3. Larry Bird 2. Drazen Petrovic 1. Steph Curry It’s all subjective. Let the barstool arguments begin. But one thing we do know: Curry is the second-best three-point shooter in NBA history, in terms of percentage made. Who’s the alltime No. 1? Mr. Kerr, for sure.
MadBum, not Mad Men
Here’s another little listicle for you. Watching Madison Bumgarner doing Ford pickup commercials can be painful. I ask you this: Is he the worst sports pitchman of all time? Here are my bottom five:
5. Carlton Fisk (“Just a pinch between the cheek and gum”)
4. Joe Namath (“Now I don’t wear panty hose ... ”)
3. Bumgarner (Aforementioned F150 ad)
2. Shaquille O’Neal (Any ad he’s been in. The man has marbles in his mouth)
1. Muhammad Ali (“D-Con roach spray! Kills roaches dead!”)
The fun thing about this argument: The worse the ad, the more we kind of like it. So Ali’s cockroach classic really serves two purposes. It was the worst of all time ... which makes it the best of all time.
Final seconds
Some final takes: Luke Walton has been a pleasant surprise, on the sideline and in news conferences. ... York portrays himself as a Silicon Valley guy, but he doesn’t seem to have a grasp on the venture or the capital. He should study how successful tech companies are run. Silly Valley isn’t an address. It’s about risk-taking and innovation. (Hint: Hire someone!) ... Is it Festus for the rest of us? Young Ezeli’s play so far may make Andrew Bogut expendable after this season. Here’s hoping they both stick around. ... The Raiders’ Michael Crabtree is playing for a contract. And it’s fun to watch.