Past the midway point of DeMarcus Cousin’s rookie season, as Dennis Green might say, he is who we thought he was; a superbly talented big man with troubling character issues. Sacramento fined their young power forward an undisclosed amount on Monday after investigating his role in an altercation with teammate Donte Greene following the KingsContinue reading “Dealing With DeMarcus”
Author Archives: Paul Knepper
Most Influential African-American Athletes
Sports have been a catalyst for social change in this country, especially within the civil rights movement, as African-Americans have battled institutional racism in order to earn equal opportunity and respect in the athletic arena. Through courage and determination, many individual athletes blazed trails for future ballplayers and in the process became heroes and roleContinue reading “Most Influential African-American Athletes”
Rocco and Me
By Paul Knepper Sports fans choose their favorite ballplayers for different reasons. Some root for athletes who play for their favorite teams, grew up near them or attended the same school. Others admire players for their style of play or flare. Some identify with athletes that exhibit the personal qualities they value in themselves andContinue reading “Rocco and Me”
Battle of the Birdmen
The Friday Faceoff – Koko B. Ware vs. Chris Andersen. Which Birdman is most fly?
How About a Little Separation Between Sport and State?
By Paul Knepper As I watched some girl from Glee sing America the Beautiful before Sunday’s big game, I found myself wondering when exactly the Super Bowl became mistaken for Patriots Day? Sports are supposed to be a diversion from controversial issues like politics and religion and I’ve grown increasingly disgusted by the way sportingContinue reading “How About a Little Separation Between Sport and State?”
Top Ten Athletes I’d Like to Hear Sing the National Anthem
by Paul Knepper Everybody has heard by now that Christina Aguilera flubbed the words of the national anthem in front of 160 million viewers prior to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. Any time I hear a botched rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at a sporting event I think of Carl Lewis’s infamous hack jobContinue reading “Top Ten Athletes I’d Like to Hear Sing the National Anthem”
Andy Pettitte – The Tipping Point
By Paul Knepper Andy Pettitte was a tremendous competitor. He was a winner. And he was a cheater. Before he even made an official announcement that he’d hung up his pinstripes for the last time, sports journalists began penning their Andy Pettitte tribute pieces. Interestingly, most relegated his use of performance-enhancing drugs to a mereContinue reading “Andy Pettitte – The Tipping Point”
Curtis Martin is More Than a Hall of Famer
By Paul Knepper Curtis Martin is one of 15 finalists on the ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and should be among those selected this Saturday for induction. As his long time coach Bill Parcells said on Monday, “Running back is a production position, and his production is indisputable.” Martin’s 14,101 career rushingContinue reading “Curtis Martin is More Than a Hall of Famer”
Top Ten Basketball Books
By Paul Knepper Last week a friend of mine asked if I could recommend a good basketball book. That’s not a simple question for a hoops junkie like me. It gave me the idea to come up with a list of my favorite basketball books. Let me know what you think and if you haveContinue reading “Top Ten Basketball Books”
Will the Real Joe Dumars Please Stand Up?
By Paul Knepper Joe Dumars was one of the most beloved sports figures in Detroit when the Pistons named him their President of Basketball Operations and General Manager in 2000. During his first several years on the job, the architect of the “Bad Boys” reincarnated became a Motown legend. Now, three years after their lastContinue reading “Will the Real Joe Dumars Please Stand Up?”
Paul Knepper 