Could Michael Jordan score 10 points a game off the bench?

 Listen to Spike tell you a story....


OK, OK, today is a very special day here on Wilber's Way. It's the day I celebrate my favorite athlete of all time. Heck, I'm even wearing a jersey with the man's name on the back of it writing this to help me channel some of his greatness. Yes, my MAIN MAN MONEY Michael Jordan turns 48 today.
This has become almost an annual post for me. You can check out last year's blog, here. This year I'm going to take a little bit of a different angle and it was inspired by Michael himself when he suited up for Bobcats practice last week.
Here's the post on Bobcats.com, in which Gerald Wallace says "Michael's Still got it" which brings me to the question of this blog.
COULD MICHAEL SCORE DOUBLE FIGURES OFF THE BENCH IN THE NBA TODAY?
My simple answer to that is probably. He's now 48 so he's certainly lost a step or three and couldn't run with the young bucks consistently. But he is certainly still sharp as a tack on the floor and knows where he has to be and knows what needs to be done. His biggest thing is getting in shape and being able to keep his wind to get consistent minutes. There's no doubt about that coming in a short time and he'll be fine.
As every player that was at practice last week with him, said he's still got his jump shot. That doesn't go away. How many guys in the NBA live on spot up jumpers on the baseline and behind the arc? Michael could come in and score for a team if he wanted to and was needed.
So, yes, I think he could still do it. Now, I'm not sure his body could take lot of minutes because even at the end of practice with the Bobcats, he had to ice the knees down. But he didn't have to get hooked up to an oxygen machine and showed at almost 48, he was still in damn good shape. He could be a damn good role player and help any team out in a run to make the playoffs.
Will that happen? No. He is the principle owner of the Bobcats and NBA policy prohibits any owner from playing for the team they own. And no he wouldn't go play for another team and have to play against the team he owns. Essentially, just like he did in Washington, and Magic Johnson did for the Lakers back in the 90s, he'd have to sell off the portion of the team he owned to play. Even then, neither was a controlling owner like he is now.
Looking at what the Bobcats have done, Michael is essentially working with head coach Paul Stilas to add something to the team in practice as another coach. I'm pretty sure guys, especially those who live in North Carolina where Michael is as Godlike as he is in Chicago, will listen to most anything he says and brings the best out of them. Heck, they did just knock off the Lakers and are now in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the East.
In closing, happy birthday Michael. You were my idol growing up and showed me hard work gets you what you want in life. I'm living it now and will keep working to get what I want out of life...


We'll run into the Nussie Hunter portion of the broadcast now and I've pretty much extinguished all Jordan related Nussies in my Jordan posts here over the last almost two years. So we have to shift gears a bit. Diora Baird is set to be in the new Maxim out soon. She's making me think spring with her ability to work in a garden. Check it out, here. And a sample below.

A year of Wilber's Way: Of course we back MJ!

It's been a year since I went from standard sports nerd who would bicker to anyone who listened to a sports nerd with his own .com. It's hard to believe, but I have a couple special treats and thank-yous for you the fans that have made this space both a success and a blast for me to pen when I've gotten a chance in the past year.


I have to start the day with a discussion on Michael Jordan's comments regarding LeBron James and the trio that has formed in Miami. If you haven't read the comments, be sure to check them out, here.
Now before everybody jumps and asks what does MJ have to do with any of this, let me say he's one of the greats, of course some guy with a microphone on NBC is going to ask.
But I want to look at what he's saying for a minute. Michael is one of the fiercest competitors out there. And as he said he would have never called up Larry or Magic to join forces. And while it wasn't just him that won those six NBA titles, when the game was on the line, everyone, including Scottie, deferred to him to deliver. Then when MJ gave it up to Paxson, B.J. or Steve Kerr, they delivered.
I know you're thinking that Michael didn't speak up when Karl Malone and Gary Payton went to play for the Lakers. But look where they were in their careers. Both were in the twilights of it all and came on as role players to help Kobe. You almost wanted to see them win it.
And what about KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in Boston? KG had suffered for years in Minnesota, getting one real legit run with Sam Cassel and Latrell Spreewell. And Ray made noise in Milwaukee with the Bucks in 2001, but nothing before getting dealt to the Sonics and was looking for something big. It made sense and you felt for all three guys. Especially after the Celtics lost out on the No. 1 pick in the draft months prior to Danny Ainge making the trades to get that team together.
This Heat team is different, LeBron is coming off back-to-back MVP seasons and Dwyane Wade carried the team to an NBA title a couple years back. He just needed help. So he goes and gets Chris Bosh, who has not even played in a playoff game, as an inside presence, and said two-time MVP. It seems to me like LeBron doesn't want to be "the guy" when it matters and will defer to Wade in the crunch time. Now Bosh is no Magic or Bird, but Wade and James are two of the top three players in the NBA right now. Some compare it to the AAU mentality that a lot of the guys have in the league today, and I see it. Most of the top teams have ridiculous names on the same team because they are friends. It's not something we've seen in the NBA, EVER.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it's the move that will get the Heat many titles, not just one.

OK, moving on to some fun stuff as part of the year-celebration, I found this picture of Carl Pavano growing his mustache.


Now I'm all about a guy growing his mustache out as part of the team, but Jimmy Traina at SI.com's Hot Clicks does not even mention John Axford, who saved yet another game tonight for the Brewers after taking over for the all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman.


Decide for yourself which is better, but I'm going with the Ax!

Alright, now for the REALLY good stuff as part of the year celebration, the Nussie Hunter has not one, but two Nussies for your enjoyment.
The first is Anna Kournikova, who threw out the first pitch at a Cardinals game a couple days ago. I'm the farthest thing from a Cards fan, but she looks great in pig tails and the jersey, if I must say so. You can see more here.


Alright, now the second Nussie of the day has been all over the dude sites the past couple weeks and next month with grace the pages the Playboy. If you don't know her yet in America, you need to. Her name is Kelly Brook and she really hasn't done anything than be a WAG, but she looks damn good in a bikini, as you can see below. And check out a ton more, here!

Never saw him with a cape, but No. 23 is Superman to me!

Today is one of the days I look forward to every year. And I might get called a nerd or a dork for it, but I know when Michael Jordan's birthday is. The man is 47 today and while some would just "Ho-hum" over that, this man holds s special place in my heart and mind.



Sure, he's a great basketball player, and we're going to celebrate that a bit later, but to me he showed me the way of believing in myself and getting motivated to achieve the goals and dreams I have in my life. And if you didn't notice, Check Monday's blog and you'll see I'm on my way to achieving some of them.
I mean, check the message that MJ put out throughout his career, it was always hard work will get you what you want. Like this commercial...

 
Yep, that pretty much sums it up. The man revelled in being told he couldn't do something. Just look back at his history. The guy was cut from his high school team as a freshman and it only pushed him to get that much better. Another cliff hanger... I'm going to tell you to keep reading and watching because that same guy makes an appearance in a minute...
But more on being motivated by "Calling McFly Chicken..."



I'm sure we all need some sort of positive enforcement and MJ delivered that for me. Let's just say the childhood isn't one that I'd want my kid to grow up in, so I buried myself in the Bulls and everything MJ. He showed me the way. Showed me to work hard to get what I wanted. Now, living where I did it just so happened basketball was a way of life, so that helped and got me engulfed in sports and playing basketball.
By the time I was old enough to start thinking about playing high school ball at my glorious high school, I was tall and nerdy. So that never panned out, but I still use that same work ethic and pushing myself to get tot the next level.
And when all the hard work pays off, it makes it that much sweeter. Michael had that in Chicago. Yes I remember where I was on June 12, 1998. Watched this moment with one of my best friends...


And at the end of the playing career, where do the greatest of all time go? You guessed it the hall of fame. That's where he was last July. And he showed with his words just how much failure can be used as motivation. Take what you learn from losing and pick yourself up and don't let it happen again.
Here's Part 1 of his speech.... Note who the first person he mentions is... Batman aka Scottie Pippen.

Here's Part 2 and Part 3. Believe me, you want to watch. Promises to play when he's 50. Never say Never!

Alright people, that's all on an MJ Tribute. Wait, the Nussie Hunter is on this too? Oh my! Yep, remember back in 2003 when Mariah did her tribute to MJ at the NBA All-Star Game? Well if you don't, take a look...


Yeah, she looked good  back then. Even donning my main man money's jersey...


Hope I did my man justice! MJ ALL DAY!

Going from bad to worse in Week 1 for Da Bears!

Well, sorry for the late post today, but had to wait from some news I knew was coming to come across the wire.
Last night's Bears vs Packers game was one of the best games I've seen in a while and a great one to start the season with, but it left more question marks than anything. As bad as things were at times, the Bears did have a lead with just over three minutes to play in the game.

Here's three things I'm burning on from that game.
1. Have to go with Jay Cutler here. He got himself into a bit of a bind early and seemed to get caught up in the game in the first half. Three picks, really? Kyle Orton doesn't seem so bad now does he? (We'll get to him in a minute) On the plus side, he came out for the second half calm and collected and helped lead a touchdown drive and got the Bears the lead on two different occasions before, well you guessed it, he threw another pick. Things are going to have to get better. No I'm not hitting the panic button (with him) just yet. The wide receivers will come around and continue to get better which will only make Jay better.

2. The defensive line, namely Adewale Ogunleye, played outstanding. This was one thing that was going to be the keys to the season for the Bears and Rod Marinelli has shown he's worth his weight in gold. 'Wale was flying all over the field as the left end and got two sacks on Aaron Rodgers. Throw in that blitz that netted the safety and Lovie Smith showed he knows how to call a defense during the game (yes he's calling the plays this year). They helped out the secondary throughout the game with the pressure. That was until late in the game, when Nate Vasher thought he had safety help over the top and got burnt for the clinching touchdown.



3. I didn't think anything of it, when word came down, but the news today on the first place I went to begin my daily reading was not good. Yep, Brian Urlacher texted David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune "My season's over." That wrist injury that didn't seem so bad, forced surgery this morning and Urlacher will miss 16 weeks (at least). Here's the injury. I don't know if I should be stomping on the panic button or staying optimistic about the season at the minute. But something jumps out at me from 2004 when Urlacher missed seven games and the team went 0-7.
Maybe David Haugh is right when he says in his latest post on the Tribune Web site, that this injury is to the deepest position on the team and the pieces are in place all around this team to make up for it. Let's just say I hope so.
There's more injuries here, Lovie talked about today.

Be sure to chime in with some comments about the game, below!

Now to the rest of the sports weekend that was. While Jay Cutler was busy messing himself at Lambeau Field, the guy the Bears shipped away was busy creating the play of the week. And with Gus Johnson on play-by-play it got that much better. Take a look.



Saturday night, I was out and started seeing the Twitter world blow up on this whole Serena Williams thing. Good lord she went nuts. Can someone say 'Roid rage? I believe she said "I will shove this F*cking ball down your f*cking throat!"



And now to Friday when the man himself, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith basketball hall of fame. Some didn't like his speech. Some, like Michael Wilbon and myself, thought it was MJ going "Unplugged" as he enters the Hall.
I'll give this little bit of info as to my take on it. That story of MJ getting cut in high school said one thing to me as a kid, if someone says you can't do something or you fail once, get up, dust yourself off and prove them wrong. Do better! That's what Michael's entire speech was and that was what he built his entire career around. It's like Back to the Future when Biff calls McFly a chicken, he can't back down. You say I'm not going to do this, you can bet your ass I'm going to prove you wrong. And damn if MJ didn't come through again and tell the haters how it was and show us the way. This is why I have you above my bed, sir. And why I'm naming my first born son after you (Just a warning!). Gotta love the fact he flew Leroy Smith to the ceremony just to prove to his coach "You screwed up, dude!" LOVE IT!

Here's part 1 of the speech. Hit up YouTube for the other three.



Now it's time for today's Nussie Hunter segment of the program. Was combing around Maxim and since I'm a fan of the Facebook and Twitter, they had a "Girls of Facebook" section. I dunno, I have this thing for Latin women. And Angela Christine is damn fine. Check for yourself!

Starting the Wilber's Way curse... NOW!

If last night's game is any indication of how this NFL season is going to go, us sports fans is in for a great season. Just leave your talk of changing the overtime rule at the door. You want the ball... STOP IT!

Now for today's festivities, that's right, today I pick the playoffs and a Super Bowl XLIV winner. Hope I don't start a "Wilber's Way Curse." We finished the previews yesterday so here's the AFC bracket, and playoffs, followed by the NFC.

AFC Playoffs (seeds in parenthesis)
Wildcard Weekend
Ravens (6) @ Chargers (3) -- Pick CHARGERS
Jaguars (5) @ Colts (4) -- Pick JAGUARS

Divisional Playoffs
Jaguars (5) @ Steelers (1) -- STEELERS
Chargers (3) @ Patriots (2) -- CHARGERS

AFC Championship
Chargers @ Steelers -- CHARGERS

NFC Playoffs (seeds in parenthesis)
Wildcard Weekend
Packers (6) @ Panthers (3) -- Pick PACKERS
Vikings (5) @ Seahawks (4) -- Pick VIKINGS

Divisional Playoffs
Vikings (5) @ Bears (2) -- BEARS
Packers (6) @ Giants (1) -- PACKERS

NFC Championship
Packers @ Bears -- BEARS



Sunday, February 7, 2010, Landshark Stadium, Miami, Florida
Bears vs. Chargers
I know what you're going to say, but hey I'm not alone in this one. The quarterback is no longer the fallback for this team. The defense will step it up for the Bears this year and they will win the North and the NFC.
On the other side, Norv Turner finally gets out of the way and LT stays healthy through a playoff run. He's spelled more by Darren Sproles, which helps. Add Phillip Rivers to the mix and this Chargers team is dangerous. With Ron Rivera leading that defense, he gets another shot at the Super Bowl.

My Pick: Chargers win. (Didn't expect that did you?) Just cue the Governator!

That's the Wilber's Way NFL Preview. Be sure to take a look back at each division to see how we got here.
Sept. 1: AFC South
Sept 2: AFC West
Sept. 3: AFC East
Sept. 4: AFC North
Sept. 7: NFC South
Sept. 8: NFC West
Sept. 9: NFC East
Sept. 10: NFC North

There are some other things going on in sports this weekend, aside from NFL Kickoff Weekend. None may be bigger than the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. The head of the class is none other than Michael Jordan. If you know me at all, you know MJ is why I am what I am today. The childhood hero and likely the namesake for my first-born son (just warning whoever the lucky lady is).
SI.com compiled this list of his greatest moments on video. Take a look. Very excellent.

With it being NFL Kickoff Weekend (I'm predicting a Bears 24-21 victory Sunday night BTW!) I was combing around Maxim.com and they have a list of Football Wags by position. The Nussie Hunter thought this would be a great chance to showcase one of his favorite girls. Peak the list and notice Jennifer Walcott. She's the wife of former Rams player and former Bears safety Adam Archuletta. GOOD GRAVY! Enjoy.