3 of my favorite sports teams,
each facing a unique set of issues which leaves me worried and sad to different
extents.
1. Orlando Magic
For those who don't know, I do
watch a few bit of basketball when I can, and Orlando Magic has always been my
team since the days of Shaq, Penny Hardaway, Pat Garrity, Tracy McGrady to the
current ones like Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Ryan Anderson...etc (notice I
left out an All-Star Center, shall explain later). While I cursed and sweared
at Lebron James for breaking the heart of Cleveland, I never expected the same
kind of drama to be reacted, or even worse, in Orlando. Any sign of respect,
much less liking of Dwight Howard vanished the moment he hypocritically put an
arm around coach Stan Van Gundy, unaware that the coach has just announced to
the world that he was told of Dwight's backstabbing gesture as he wanted to get
Stan sacked behind his back. Honesty and integrity seem to be values too
beneath of superstars like Lebron and Dwight, blessed with awe-inspiring talent
but always look to do things their way, preferably the easy way. If Dwight has
a PR assistant, he should sack him instead as his reputation has officially
gone down the drain. Superman no more, just a super weasel. So Orlando has
belatedly sacked coach Stan after a losing but resilient effort in the 1st
round of playoffs, while Dwight remains non-committal about his future. Because
of one prima Donna superstar, we lost a great coach and can still end up with
nothing but broken dreams. Whether Dwight stays or not is not important
anymore, I just want the drama to end and rebuild the team as a respectable
franchise.
2. Arsenal
Kudos to Wenger for leading the
Gunners to the coveted Champion's League spot (sorry Spurs) and finishing above
rivals Chelsea and Tottenham as the best team in London. However, in what seems
to be a recurring theme in recent times, the Gunners face another summer of
uncertainty with regards to the future of Captain Van Persie. While I hope and
trust Van Persie not to be like Dwight Howard, I really wish to see an example
of a player who doesn't turn his back on his team for supposed ambitions and
realistically, money. A role model who wears his colors proud, who stays
through thick and thin, who cares more about his teammates, his fans, his
mentor than his personal ambition or greed. Steven Gerrard is probably the last
player like that and he will be respected for his loyalty to the cause. Even if
players leave like Henry and Fabregas, fans know that they are Gunners through
and through, unlike Nasri and Adebayor. I really believe that we are not far
away from a trophy with the recovery of Whilshere and the addition of Podolski
and more to come. So hopefully Van Persie stays on and win with Arsenal, thus
cementing himself as a legend like Henry.
3. Blackburn Rovers
I always joked that Arsenal is my
mistress while Blackburn is my wife. Well, we are relegated and honestly, I
don't see us getting back into the Premier League as long as the stupid Venky's
and clueless Keanu are still in charge. What used to be a well respected
institution in English football has now become a laughing stock and I will hate
to imagine how the late Jack Walker may feel as his hometown team fell to such
depths. What is more depressing is that Blackburn don't have an urgent need to
sell in the first place. We were doing fine as a mid table team in the league
with a trust fund set up by Jack Walker financing the team. Prudent managers
like Mark Hughes and Big Sam have constructed teams within limited budget which
have achieved the minimal of staving off relegation. After stupid Venky's
bought the club, unrealistic ambitions (Champion's League) and targets
(Beckham) reflected owners who clearly have as much football knowledge as a
casual fan. Their undying support of Kean as manager bore more out of the
reluctance of paying compensation after foolishly extending his contract the
season before despite barely surviving relegation on the last day. Incompetent
owners, clueless manager and an utter and complete mess, I fear of us becoming
the next Leeds, Portsmouth and Charlton which never see the bright lights of
Premier League once relegated. I hope and I pray that stupid Venky's sell the
club ASAP to a decent owner who don't have to be rich but with real love for
the club.
Watching sports used to cheer me
up but this year has really been a torture. Haiz.....
