The Big Difference

     One of the things coaches can recognize over the years is an athlete's potential for greatness.  The thing is, people point to many things, like talent, training or IQ, but the difference between greatness and anything else? The ability to rise to the occasion.  This week, the sporting world gave us a stark contrast in examples.


Flash Forward

     It's easy to overlook Nonito Donaire when your country's most well-known boxer is 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.  Donaire knew that and he sought out Fernando Montiel for a high profile fight to formally announce his greatness to the world.  Shoved into the spotlight this past Sunday with his nation hoping and the world watching, the "Filipino Flash," delivered, and he did it in spades.

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Empty Nest

      So, it's official. Jerry Sloan, coach of the Utah Jazz for the past 23(!) years, has officially resigned.  With his resignation and apparent desire to not coach again, Sloan leaves behind tremendous numbers, achievements and distraught fans.

     I have made no secret (in articles like this one) that Sloan is one of my top coaches in history, if not my favorite.  Like me, many would point to his longevity as his greatest achievement. He was the longest tenured coach in US Professional Sports history, staying with the Jazz for 23 years (as coach, almost 30 if you include his days as assistant/scout) while the other NBA teams combined for a jaw-dropping total of 245 coaching changes.  Yet, it's not enough to just put it plainly as keeping his job for 23 years, while some head coaches last barely a few months.

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2011 NBA All Star Game Reserves: Coaching Errors

The NBA released its list of NBA All Star Game Reserves (including Yao Ming's replacement), and the results have been disappointing.  Admittedly, NBA assistant coaches have a tough job of deciding the reserves, but check out the list they gave out:

West Reserves: Pao Gasol (Center), Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki (forwards), Manu Ginobili, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams (Guards) 

East Reserves: Al Horford (Center), Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce (forwards), Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson (Guards)

Who should they have put in? Here are the snubbed players:

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Fifty Peso Shots: January 2011

     Some shots from the cheap seats:

• Watching the Timothy Bradley-Devon Alexander fight (which Bradley won by decision after a clash of heads), I couldn't believe the people indignant that Pacquiao didn't choose Bradley to fight.  Bradley's slow, stalking style and punches that are wound up too far are too easy for Pacman.  Bradley holds a lot too and is small.  I don't think it's a good idea for Pacman to face him.

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