Kyle Jordan Ferguson
Bio
Stories (21/0)
Road to the Hall
Manu Ginobili announced his retirement from the NBA a few days ago. Like most of us who follow sports when a player’s playing days are finished, we put their career in a historical context. We do this with just about everything. Sports, politics, music etc. We cannot help but doing so. Lebron and Kobe, as great as they are and were, will never escape the Jordan debate. As great as Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are they will not escape the Joe Montana comparison. It is what we do.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Warriors of the West
The small things can make a big difference in sports. Small changes and minor adjustments can change the trajectory of history. NBA fans have experienced this first hand over the past few years and it has resulted in the Warriors winning three of four titles. Dynasties contrary to the angry fans that oppose them are good for sports.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Financial Fair Play
There is an old saying that goes, “you don’t have to be sick to get better.” More on this later. Paris Saint Germain pulled off the transfer of the century last summer after signing Neymar for a record fee $263 million. From the player perspective this was an opportunity to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow and take his place as the best in the world. From the fan perspective, we are left collectively scratching our heads at how this is actually possible. In 2010, UEFA began setting the table for a new policy that would require clubs to remain solvent in their pursuit of new talent via the transfer window. This new policy was Financial Fair Play.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Cleats
Melo Out in OKC
What was once the most valuable startup in the association, the Oklahoma City Thunder, is now looking shaky as they look to shed their $310 million dollar payroll and luxury taxes after signing Paul George to essentially a $290 million dollar contract. Last summer, Sam Presti looked like a genius after pulling off deals to acquire both Carmelo Anthony and Paul George. The future looked bright in Oklahoma City and they looked to have rebounded from the departure of Kevin Durant a summer ago. That future looks bleak at the moment as they move into the 2018-19 campaign. Still without much of a bench, the roster is top heavy.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Boogie to the Bay
After a short wait, we now know where Lebron will play the tail end of his career, a decision that those who have been paying attention ultimately expected. Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers sealed the deal Saturday night, reports indicate. This is a major shift in the NBA landscape. Lebron leaving the East all but lays out the red carpet for the Celtics to walk through next season with the Sixers presenting their only real threat (unless you consider Toronto but, eh). A graphic displayed on ESPN illustrated that only one first team All-NBA performer now resides in the Eastern Conference. Underwhelmingly, that one player is Joakim Noah. This was a seismic shift, as Woj put it. With Paul George’s return to Oklahoma City coupled with Lebron’s arrival, the West is more loaded than ever before.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
The Latest Installment
If you are over twenty-five, then you can recall the last real dynasty in the NBA. The 2000-2003 Lakers dominated the league and went on one of the greatest playoff runs in the association's history. A time in the association where hero ball was on its way out and low post dominance still held some sort of significance. Shaquille O’Neal was shouting expletives at his owner during training camp in Hawaii and Kobe had a taper fade. Ah, the good ol’ days. Well, those days are long gone, and there is a new sheriff in town. The Golden State Warriors locked up their third NBA title in four years last Friday night without much resistance from Lebron’s Cleveland side stamping a new era in basketball. The champs sent Lebron packing, likely to a new city, in the form of long range bombs and swagger on their way to solidifying their dynasty. A dynasty that given the probability of new league money and a front office with a hole burning in their pocket that looks to be here for the near future.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Summer of Bron
Like many things in life, decisions are determined by motive. What are you here for? In the case of Lebron James, what he is playing for heading into year sixteen remains to be seen. We enter another summer of free agency with another stock of talent prepared to make their decisions that will reshape the NBA landscape, Lebron being the biggest cog in that plot. We will all speculate until James ultimately makes the decision. Until then, we can do just that.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
- Top Story - June 2018
Russia 2018Top Story - June 2018
We are days away from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Days away from the tournament that will pit the 32 best teams in the world on one stage competing for soccer hegemony. The stars have aligned and will be on the pitch for competition in the forms of Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo. The trio of superstars look to provide a spectacle for all to see carrying their respective national team’s flag in hopes of capturing the most coveted prize as the world’s best. In lieu of that pursuit, the politics of sport have taken hold of this prestigious tournament. The setting and the timing of the event look to make this years’ competition one of the most politicized sporting events in decades. Russia as the host city in conjunction with the United States involvement in the bidding for the 2026 World Cup have made this years’ tournament particularly interesting.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Cleats
Are Superteams Good for Sports?
Sport produces two types of fans. The casual fan who will take in a game for leisure or simply the aesthetic of the sport. And then you have the die-hard. The die-hard is there week in and week out. They have jerseys, know the players' origin stories, and let them tell that they could run their organization better than management via their fantasy team. Super teams for both sets of fans have differing consequences. On the one hand, the casual fan who is only here to be entertained enjoys the dominance that the Golden State Warriors bring to the table. The die-hard outside of Oakland, of course, hates this scenario. Parity in sport has always been ideal to maximize interest and so profits. The more teams with a realistic chance to reach the pinnacle means a healthy league and in turn a profitable one. While the notion of multiple Hall of Famers joining forces is not new, there is certainly a trend.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
A Case for the Warriors as an All-Time Great Team
Perspective is important. Generational perspective in terms of the greats is apparent. Previous generations are often outgrown as the current one evolves and as they refuse to do so. Just as thoughts and ideals evolve, so do sports. The game of basketball has grown inside out. The days of low post dominance have evolved into 30 footers and pick and roll basketball. The game’s attempt to draw a larger international audience has changed the way the game is played. Positionless basketball now has an imprint on the game. Where in the 90s you needed a dominant big man, you now need a guard who can control the tempo. Phil Jackson’s attempt to revamp the triangle in New York is just one example. The league has caught up to conventional styles of basketball philosophy and as the game adapts, so do the players. 20 years prior, Kevin Durant would have been told to bulk up for a lifetime of banging in the post. In 2017, he is a 7'2" guard.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Young and Done
Trae Young has drawn many comparisons over the course of this season, from Stephen Curry to Damien Lillard to Kyrie Irving. Certainly, leading the NCAA in both points and assists as a true freshman garners a certain level of attention. Attention that some would say ultimately derailed the Sooners season leading to an early NCAA tournament exit at the hands of Rhode Island 83-78, lack of defense being the standout answer to the Sooners woes. Regardless, Trae was front and center for all of it. ESPN gave the super frosh around the clock coverage. He was the best player in college basketball averaging 27 points and almost 9 assists leading a team that finished 11-20 with nearly the same roster from a year ago to a top 5 ranking and the NCAA tournament. He performed well on the biggest of stages in front of scouts and lookers on which has ultimately led to his decision to leave early and enter the NBA Draft as a freshman.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced
Prep to Pro
Mike Krzyzewski made headlines in early November of 2017 when talking about the current one and done rule and how it impacts student athletes. “I would totally be for kids being able [to go to the NBA], and have always been in favor of kids being able to go right to the pros. And not putting any restrictions on them as to how long they have to stay. I think that’s not right.” Strong words from a man that has built his program as of late off one and done talent. Coach K is a one and done coach now and the institution of the rule has forced the blue bloods around college basketball to play ball. Whether or not the rule is good for college basketball is irrelevant. The issue is and should always be the kids first.
By Kyle Jordan Ferguson6 years ago in Unbalanced