Review of the Mitt Romney Netflix Documentary

Last night I finally had the opportunity to take advantage of some of the insomnia that I've been experiencing as of late by watching the Netflix original documentary, "Mitt," which highlights the ups and downs of the Mitt Romney presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2012.

The documentary, which chronicles the personal moments of the Romney circle, attempts to provide audiences with a "rare intimate look" into how Romney and his family balanced their political aspirations with their personal convictions.  We see Mitt and family kneeling together in prayer, thanking God for the blessings they have been given.  We see Mitt and family huddled together in various hotel rooms, critiquing speeches and preparing for debates.  We see Mitt and family dealing with the realities of lost campaigns.  In short, we see Mitt and family face the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

But the main point is this: we see MITT AND FAMILY!

If one thing is clear from this documentary, it is the fact that Mitt Romney is a family man.  For good or for bad, Mitt placed a tremendous amount of emphasis on what his family thought and felt about his running for president, along with their advise during the campaign.  There is a very real and genuine bond between family members that doesn't feel forced or simply for show.  The genuine love and devotion of the Romney family is, without question, the most striking aspect (at least for me) of this documentary.

Second only to his devotion to family, it is the authenticity of Mitt Romney the man that comes across most in this film.  The public image that is Mitt Romney is replete with examples of him as a "flip-flopper" and a "detached white man" who doesn't understand the needs of the masses. Whether or not you believe these stereotypes is irrelevant because what this documentary enforces is the fact that Mitt Romney really is who he says he is.  I was struck by the fact that Mitt's public character was, in many respects, identical to his private persona.  Love him or hate him, Mitt Romney seems to genuinely believe what he said during his campaigns.  To some, this will serve as proof that Romney is a man of good character; for others it is another reason to be glad he lost the election.

And though Mitt Romney seems to genuinely believe and stand by his moral and political opinions, he doesn't do so without a sense of reservation.  The documentary presents a number of occasions in which Mitt and family doubt their chances of winning, and even seem happy at the prospect of returning to "normal life."  On at least two occasions in the film, Mitt refers to himself as a "flawed candidate" who "cannot win."  In addition, Mitt and family seem to lack the killer mentality that is so necessary in a national campaign.  They do not support the "win at all costs" mentality and even seem mortified when they discover the back door dealings of other candidates (when former Florida Governor Charlie Crist breaks his word and endorses John McCain you see the Romney family's collective stomach begin to churn at the alleged betrayal).

The film also highlights the fact that Mitt Romney and family were both impressed and intimidated of Senator/President Barack Obama.  Time and time again, Romney comments on how Obama had "changed the game" and that he was "clearly a step ahead of everyone else."  When John McCain insists that the strategy to beating Obama would be to highlight his inexperience with foreign policy, Romney accurately decried such a strategy as a surefire way to lose.  During the 2012 campaign, Romney and family seem awestruck at the prospect of sharing the debate stage with the President, even though they sincerely believed that Obama's policies were bad for America.  

Through all of the campaigning, speeches, debates, etc., Mitt reveals a man who is torn between two worlds: his desire to serve his country in its highest office v. his desire to serve his family and his God. This introspective tug-o-war creates both confidence and hesitance for the Romney campaign. They detest Obama's politics but cannot help but admire and even be intimidated of the President. They see the problems within the GOP but cannot break free of them.  As a result, Mitt Romney finds himself in the middle of a war he cannot win.

The film concludes with the Romney family, huddled together in a hotel room, once again facing the realities of another lost campaign.  They do so with remarkable poise and even gratitude.  One can only wonder if a part of them was glad they had lost the election.  Mitt and Ann Romney then return home, together, refusing the aid of Secret Service agents.  The final scene also feels as though Mitt and Ann had never campaigned in the first place, as they sit next to one another in their living room, reflecting on what had transpired and on the uncertainty that lies ahead.

In short, the Netflix documentary, Mitt is unlikely to change anyone's opinion of the man.  If you loved him before, you will love him even more.  If you disliked Mitt during the campaign, you will probably find more reasons to continue disliking him.  But what the film does do is prove once and for all that Mitt Romney really is who he says he is.  Love him or hate him, Mitt Romney is not a pretender.  He's a genuine family man who loves his God, his country, his heritage and his posterity.  Mitt Romney was probably right when he called himself a "flawed candidate" but I believe he is also an honorable man, and this is coming from somebody who wasn't a fan of the "flawed candidate."

My final grade for Netflix's Mitt: B+.  It is worth the time to watch it.

My 2013 Person of the Year

Another year has come to an end and with it another opportunity to look back and reflect on the people and events that helped to shape 2013 into the year it was.  And as has become tradition on my blog, the conclusion of another year affords me the opportunity to select my "Person of the Year."

Time Magazine has, since 1927, continued this tradition.  My humble little blog is only in its third year (you can see my previous selections by clicking on the following links.  My 2011 winner can be found by clicking here and my 2012 winner by clicking here).

So, without further delay, I offer up my selections for 2013's Person of the Year:

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10.) Lance Armstrong

Professional athletes who have confessed to using performance enhancing drugs is nothing new. The case of Lance Armstrong, however, is unique.  After all, no athlete was more passionate about his innocence than Armstrong.  Compounded with his triumph over cancer, Armstrong had been a beacon of moral integrity and purity of athletic ability.  For over a decade, Armstrong had vehemently defended his position that he had never used drugs of any kind while competing.  In January of this year that all changed.  In a dramatic confession to Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong admitted to using drugs throughout his career.  His subsequent downfall, which is arguably the most dramatic of any professional athlete who has admitted to drug use, led to his dismissal from his Livestrong foundation and the loss of virtually every sponsor that Armstrong ever had. Armstrong's fall from grace was one of the most dramatic stories of the then infant year that was 2013 (you can read a previous blog post that I wrote on the Armstrong scandal by clicking here).

9.) Sheryl Sandberg

2013 was the year that saw Facebook successfully evolve from being what Founder Mark Zuckerberg called "a really cool website to a really profitable company."  And one of the chief reasons for that successful evolution was Sheryl Sandberg.  After being "stolen" away from Google and made COO of Facebook, Sandberg set to the task of guiding Facebook into the world of a publicly-traded company.  It was a task she understood very well and succeeded at accomplishing. But this was only part of why Sandberg had such a successful year.  In March, Sandberg released her first book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. The book, which became an instant best seller and stayed at the top for quite some time, addressed the issue of women in the workplace, particularly women (or the lack thereof) in leadership positions.  Sandberg was both critical of society and of women, stating that both could do a better job of establishing greater gender equality and of promoting qualified women to leadership positions.  Sandberg's example has catapulted her to the highest echelon of the business world as one of the few women to break into that club.

8.) Margaret Thatcher

April saw the passing of a British legend.  Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady," Great Britain's longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th century, made her grand exit from the world after a stellar career as a staunch conservative politician and leader.  Thatcher's resume needs no review here on my humble little blog.  The bottom line is she was one of the most charismatic and influential world leaders of the 20th century.  Her iron will and uncompromising, unapologetic devotion to conservative ideals, which had been forged over a lifetime, made Thatcher one of the most imposing figures in both her nation and on the greater world stage.  Her name has become synonymous with tough, unforgiving yet still elegant British politics.  Her name deserves to be uttered with the likes of Churchill and other great British leaders who are now larger than life.  Farewell, Iron Lady! Heaven added one formidable woman to its ranks in 2013!


7.) The "Culture Warrior"

Duck Dynasty, George Zimmerman, Paula Deen, Miley Cyrus, racism, gay marriage, war, corporate greed and corruption, gun rights, Ted Cruz, government shut downs, Anthony Wiener, talk radio, yadda, yadda, yadda.  2013 was, like many before it, inundated with a vast assortment of polarizing issues that were hijacked by eager culture warriors who were more than willing to spin their rhetoric in a way that was sure to pull at the heart strings of their respective listeners. Like Baskin Robbins does with ice cream, 2013 offered up a flavor of cultural sensationalism that appealed to the palette of everyone.  The culture warriors did a magnificent job of ensuring that these issues, and many others, became larger than life and stole the headlines when other stories deserved the air time. They successfully stole the communal microphone and forced us to listen to their ilk whether we wanted to or not.  Thank you, brave culture warriors, for helping us to complicate the obvious and get all worked up over stuff that doesn't really need to preoccupy our time.

6.) Peter Higgs

In March, the incredible scientists at CERN (the large hadron collider in Europe) went public with a remarkable discovery that has defined particle physics.  The Higgs Bozon, the particle that essentially gives all matter in the universe its mass, was confirmed to be a real phenomenon of nature.  The discovery of this so-called "God Particle" was the life work of one Peter Higgs, a British physicist and Nobel Prize winner who first postulated his theory of the Higgs Bozon in the 1960s.  With CERN's confirmation that the Higgs Bozon is not merely a theory but a fact of nature, particle physicists are now able to to better determine how everything in our universe (stars, planets, etc.) came into existence.  And make no mistake, this discovery is one of the "big ones" that will go down in the history books for as long as humans study the universe.  Undoubtedly the biggest science story of 2013.

5.) Kathleen Sebelius

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. "Obamacare") was meant to be one of the crowning achievements of President Barack Obama's second term.  The hope was that millions of Americans, who either couldn't afford or qualify for health care, would find respite in the new law, thereby granting all Americans access to needed medical services.  The problem, however, was the fact that signing up for "Obamacare" became more difficult than crossing the Arctic Circle in flip flops.  And the blame for Obamacare's roll out (whether deserved or not) was placed squarely on the shoulders of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius.  Sebelius' office, which was responsible for creating and maintaining the Obamacare website, completely jumped off the boat and missed the ocean.  In addition, Sebelius came under scrutiny when she was unable to specifically explain to a congressional committee where approximately $12 billion in funding for Obamacare had gone.  In short, Kathleen Sebelius became one of the largest scapegoats and whipping boys of 2013.

4.) Edward Snowden

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you have heard of Edward Snowden.  Whether you consider him a hero or a villain is a question that will likely continue long into the future. Snowden, a computer specialist who contracted with the CIA and NSA, released documents to various media outlets that revealed the questionable surveillance practices of those and other agencies.  Snowden, who has since his "treason" sought asylum in various nations, has become a focal point in the debate over government's duty to protect its citizens v. the 4th Amendment right to privacy. Again, the question of whether Snowden is a hero or a villain is not going to be solved any time soon, but the information he has brought to light is going to fuel the debate of surveillance v. privacy for years to come.  Where does government's duty to protect its citizens go too far?  How does technology come into play with regards to this debate?  Only time will tell but what is certain is the fact that Snowden has provided ample ammunition for those on both sides of this argument.

3.) Hassan Rouhani

In June, the Iranian people saw the ascension to power of its seventh president, Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani, who is not a newcomer to the stage of Iranian politics, is a controversial figure to say the least.  Unlike almost all of his predecessors, Rouhani is determined to reconcile his nation with the Western world.  Rouhani has stated, on multiple occasions, his desire to see Iran become an ally of the United States and even Israel.  Unlike previous Iranian leaders, Rouhani admits that the Holocaust was a real and terrible event and that Israel and the rest of the Muslim world can and should reconcile with one another.  In addition, Rouhani has been a vocal supporter of women's rights, freedom of the press and ending poverty. Rouhani is also opposed to the nuclear programs that have landed his nation in hot water with the rest of the world.  Americans, along with the rest of the world, should be very excited at the fact that a man like Rouhani is in a position to effect change in a nation that has been at odds with the Western world.  Rouhani may very well be the beacon of change we all have been hoping for and that his people deserve.

2.) Nelson Mandela

There is little doubt that the most prominent figure to depart the world in 2013 was none other than Nelson Mandela. Like Margaret Thatcher mentioned above, I see little reason to review Mandela's unprecedented resume of accomplishments here on my little blog.  The bottom line is Mandela was one of those figures who transcend history.  His fight for equal rights in his home nation of South Africa will be praised long after we have all taken that magic carpet ride into the sky.  Mandela is proof that one man with courage, integrity and endurance can change the world for the better.  Mandela endured more challenges and trials that any person should be asked to bear, but he did so with his head held high and his feet firmly planted on the ground.  His legacy is an inspiration to anyone who dares to believe that the world can and will be changed for the good of all mankind.  Farewell, Madiba!!!  The world is a much better place because you lived in it.

And now, the winner of the Corazon's Corner 2013 Person of the Year Award is..............

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1.) Pope Francis

This is actually the first time in my three years of doing this that I have agreed with Time Magazine's selection of Person of the Year. Simply put, Pope Francis is, in my opinion, the most impressive Catholic Pontiff in over 1,000 years.  Like the fictional character King Midas, it seems that everything Francis touched in 2013 turned instantly into gold.  This is, of course, due to the fact that Francis has a perfect understanding of a very key principle of Christianity: actions speak MUCH louder than words!

I cannot even begin to emphasize how much I love this guy!  Pope Francis makes me wish that I could be both a Catholic and a Mormon.  His example of humble and authentic discipleship is something that I sincerely hope every leader of every congregation of every brand of Christianity (or any faith or no faith for that matter) will take note of and attempt to emulate.  Whether it be Francis' example of washing the feet of convicted criminals, his sincere embrace of a disfigured man, his dismissal of Catholic leaders who live off the riches of others, his vehement opposition of greed, or the many other examples he has set, Francis' actions are those that have made Catholicism relevant again.

I for one will be the first to invoke the words of the Late Reverend Krister Stendahl, who coined the phrase "holy envy."  I have holy envy for Catholicism because of the works and example of one Pope Francis.  He makes me want to be a better Mormon, a better father, a better human.  If there is a better selection for 2013's person of the year I don't see it.  Pope Francis is, in my estimation, the clear winner...and this may not be the only year he wins!

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There you have it, folks.  Thank you for reading.  And may I take this time to wish each of you a happy, safe, prosperous and joyous 2014.  Love and peace to you and yours in the year to come!

David Barton as a U.S. Senator???

Yeah, you heard me right. America's favorite pseudo-historian and Glenn Beck's nearest and dearest doomsday buddy is seriously considering making a run for the U.S. Senate.

According to insiders close to Barton, Tea Party officials met with the Texas Looney Tune to discuss a potential run against John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Primary. A Facebook group with nearly 1,500 supporters has also been created to help convince Barton to take up the challenge.

If you have followed my humble little blog at all, you are more than aware of the fact that I strongly detest Barton's work as a self-proclaimed American "historian."  Simply put, David Barton is to history what Tim Tebow is to being a quarterback: nice guys with good morals who suck at their respective jobs.

Let me be clear on one thing: I do not think that David Barton is a bad man.  From everything I have seen and learned about him I believe that Barton is probably a very good man.  The problem, however, is that Barton is woefully ignorant of the basic realities of American history.  Barton has made a career out of twisting the truth for political reasons, and as a result, I believe he would be a serious liability as a U.S. Senator.

Historian John Fea sums up the problem of Barton becoming a U.S. Senator best at his personal blog. Fea quotes from the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, Gordon Wood, who stated, "If someone wants to use the past to change the world, he should forego a career as a historian and run for public office."  Amen to that!  Perhaps Barton is a better fit for the fiasco that is Congress than I originally thought!  If you want a man who can twist the truth without batting an eye then Barton is your man!

The following are a few of the many David Barton (and Glenn Beck) "highlights" that I have commented on over the past few years:

Barton on why the Lincoln movie was a fraud...even though he never actually saw it: Link
Barton lying about George Washington and the history of the Valley Forge prayer story: Link
Barton's nonsense about the "Black Robe Regiment" (which, incidentally, went nowhere): Link
Barton's idiotic belief that Thomas Jefferson supported prayer in public schools: Link
Barton confronted and destroyed by Chris Rodda: Link

Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be many more "hits" to come!

America Has Stopped Dreaming (No Longer the "Home of the Brave")

Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White, Roger B. Chaffee, Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Gregory B. Jarvis, S. Christa McAuliffe, Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, Laurel B. Clark, IIam Roman.

These seventeen (17) names are the forgotten heroes of America.  The brave men and women on this list were not soldiers (though some had served in the Armed Forces), thus their legacy has nothing to do with war or dying in battle.  They never stormed a beachhead or secured a strategic hill; they never triumphantly lead a force into combat or eliminated some foreign threat.  Yet with all of that being said, these seventeen souls are the greatest of human heroes. Why?  Because they dared to venture into the unknown for nothing more than the quest for greater knowledge and further exploration. And while the soldiers of war are certainly deserving of the honor they have dearly earned, these seventeen soldiers of curiosity, whose battlefield lies in the stars and whose enemy is the ignorant, dared to escape the bonds of Earth to dance with the gods on a stage far greater than anything our puny little planet has to offer, thus making them, in my opinion, the greatest of heroes. 

For over 50 years, one organization has done more to wage this war for greater knowledge and exploration than any other in human history.  Founded in 1958, NASA has given America (and the world at large) more opportunities for growth, more avenues for progress and more desires to dream that big dream than any other organization in the history of our species.  And throughout its history, brave men and women have answered the call to breach our earthly atmosphere and to reach for the stars, and today provides us all with an opportunity to say thanks.

Ten years ago today, the Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed while attempting to return to Earth, claiming the lives of seven brave astronauts.  And though this day belongs primarily with their memory, I believe that this occasion also affords us the chance to recognize the sacrifice of all seventeen brave NASA astronauts who have died in the ultimate line of duty: the quest for greater human knowledge.  The Apollo I, STS-51L (Challenger) and STS-107 (Columbia) missions all serve to remind us that our greatest possible quest, the human pursuit to explore, comes, at times, at a very high cost.

Ironically enough, all three NASA tragedies occurred on roughly the same dates (they are separated by 6 days on the calendar), so it's only natural for us to remember all of them when we honor one of them. Twenty-seven years ago (January 28, 1986) the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded during liftoff, while forty-six years ago (January 27, 1967), the astronauts of the Apollo I mission were burned to death in a cabin fire during a routine launch pad test.  These two national tragedies, along with the Columbia disaster which we mark today, are hallowed anniversaries that should compel us to reflect upon that which we hold most dear.  The natural human drive to explore, expand and soak in all the knowledge that we can is, by far, the single greatest characteristic that separates humans from all other known living things.  We aspire.  We dream of the impossible.  We fantasize about becoming more than we are.  In the words of Mark Twain, we humans dare to "Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in [our] sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

But sadly, this dream is dying a quick and painful death.  The drive to continue our exploration of the heavens is running out of fuel faster than a rocket during liftoff.  The public, by and large, has grown ignorant of the immensity of the challenge before us and has erroneously regarded space travel as "routine."  This, coupled with the fact that incompetent leaders have lost sight of the vitality of space exploration to the human race, has mothballed NASA and placed its agenda on the back burner.  Too often we hear national leaders and ignorant citizens foolishly proclaim that we have "nothing more to explore" or that there is "nothing out there worth our while" or that "other pressing matters take precedence."  These idiotic statements, along with many others like them, would be laughable if the implications weren't so tragic.  Space exploration is, without question, the most important, most galvanizing, most essential endeavor that we can hope to embark upon.  There is absolutely zero justification for us to simply discard or downgrade the space program.  As Gene Krantz, the former flight director for NASA during the Apollo program stated:

We have the young people, we have the talent, we have the imagination, we have the technology.  But I don't believe we have the leadership and the willingness to accept risk, to achieve goals.  I believe we need a long-term national commitment to explore the universe.  And I believe this is an essential investment in the future of our nation.

No financial crisis, no global pandemic, no natural disaster, however severe, can serve to justify our wanton disregard for humanity's greatest challenge and adventure.

But that is EXACTLY what we have done.  We have allowed economic pressures, global fears and partisan political paranoia to derail us from what is absolutely essential to our survival, and yes, space exploration is absolutely essential to our survival.  I say that not because of the fact that eventually our species will be forced to migrate to another world, but because space exploration lies at the very heart of human exceptionalism.  If we truly hope to become more than we are we must push ourselves towards the horizon.  Space exploration is vital because of what it brings out in us as a society.  It forces humanity to look past the pettiness of so much that we esteem to be of "value" in this world.  It affords us the chance to discover new scientific, technological and medical breakthroughs.  It inoculates our culture from becoming too complacent and too lazy.  It makes us dream bigger, work harder, and think deeper.  In short, space exploration is the "hard thing" that will make us all stronger.  In the words of Kirk, Spock and Picard, space truly has become "the final frontier." 

Now, you may be thinking to yourself that all of this is achievable without sending rockets and astronauts into space and you may be right...to a point.  I suppose we could achieve much of this without landing a man on the moon or venturing to Mars and beyond but I maintain that NOTHING has forced us to dream bigger, think deeper or work harder than NASA and the manned space program.  As a result, there is no more efficient manner in which we could improve conditions than by continuing to push the envelope of space.  Yes, more astronauts will die and more multi-million dollar space vehicles will be destroyed, but the ends more than justify the means.

Consider for a moment what the Apollo program gave humanity.  Aside from bringing home moon rocks and cool pictures, the Apollo astronauts (and NASA as a whole) gave society some very practical and important innovations such as:

Memory foam, freeze-dried food, hand vacuums, CAT scans, MRI scans, cordless power tools, ear thermometers, huge improvements in insulation, satellite television, GPS navigation, shoe insoles, scratch resistant lenses, smoke detectors, improved water filtration, fire resistant suits, solar panels, pacemakers, improved and simplified kidney dialysis, athletic equipment, physical therapy, cochlear implants, LED technology, artificial limbs, anti-icing for aircraft, radial tires, enriched baby food, powdered lubricants, Velcro, AED heart resuscitation, invisible braces and Tang!

And this doesn't even take into account all of the innovations that the Apollo program brought to computers.  Everything from smaller and more reliable components to the development of micro-chip processors, digital watches, fibre optics, flat screen televisions (eventually), video games and much more can be directly linked to the great space race of the 1960s...that's right...the 1960s!!!  One can only imagine what we could have achieved by now had we not simply chosen to give up on serious space exploration.  For too long we have been content with doing circles around our own globe and putting satellites into space (which is all fine and good) when we could have been venturing out much deeper into the infinitude of space.  By now Mars should even be in our rear view mirror.  Pathetic that we haven't done more, isn't it! If there is a God in heaven, he must surely be disgusted with the fact that we have settled for the scraps when we could have had the stars.

But all of these technological advances pale in comparison to what the space program has done for American culture.  The Apollo program not only gave birth to the next generation of scientists, but it also redefined American culture.  In the following lecture, Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson illustrates, in great detail, just how dramatic the space program was on American culture, in ways most people don't even realize:



Too often we hear partisan political hacks on both sides complain about the erosion of American culture taking place before our very eyes.  And though their assessment of the situation is accurate, their solutions for the problem are bogus.  Having been hampered by the near-sighted vision of partisan bigotry, their remedies almost always consist of petitions for society to adhere to the narrow and one-sided view of their respective political leanings.  In other words, as long as society accepts the tenants of their particular dogma all will be right with the world.  But these proposals, unfortunately, fail to address the larger picture.  American (and world) culture is eroding not because of political strife or religious apathy; it is eroding because we no longer dream the impossible dream.

Sure, we still have collective dreams as a society, but more times than not, those dreams consist of narcissistic ambitions based on the meaningless acquisition of personal wealth.  We dream of "striking it big" by picking the right combination of numbers in the Lotto or winning a huge lawsuit.  We define success as getting that job promotion or creating the next "big idea" that guarantees us a huge pay day.  And though these dreams are, for the most part, acceptable, not a one is capable of delivering us the desired cultural change we seek. 

The problem is that the "American Dream" is a self-serving dream.  Sure, a white picket fence and a stable job is great and is a noble thing to work for, but it doesn't bring about cultural change.  To truly change a culture we must shift our paradigm of thinking.  We must dream the impossible dream.  And I'm not talking about the impossible dream of becoming the next NFL or NBA star, or of becoming the next winner of American Idol or Next Top Model.  I'm talking about those big dreams that come to us all as we gaze up at the night sky.  Is it any wonder why so many children want to become astronauts or fantasize about traveling to new worlds?  This isn't just science fiction taking over their minds.  It is pure, raw, undisturbed imagination at work.  The dream that we can shoot for the stars.  This is what we need in order to change our culture. The LeBron James', Kim Kardaishian's and even the Barack Obama's and/or Ronald Reagan's of the world can only do so much.  It takes a Neil Armstrong or a Christopher Columbus to truly expand our collective world view.

But the fact of the matter is that nobody wants to make the necessary change because we are now a culture that is based on fear.  The collective paranoia of the masses has created a society that cannot embrace the needed change because we are too frightened by our own shadow.  And I'm not just talking about a fear of terrorists or plots to destroy our democracy.  The fear I speak of is far more subtle.  It is the fear of letting go and embracing the unknown.  Like the starving man who frantically scavenges for the scraps under the table, thus missing the feast above him, we as a culture cling to our iPod, cell phone, On Demand, flat screen, GPS society without realizing that we could have something even greater.  Our frantic paranoia prevents us from embracing the unknown, which then reinforces the fear factor. 

We are no longer the "Home of the Brave."

We are the home of the complacent.  The lazy.  The self-serving.  The comfortable.  But certainly NOT the "Home of the Brave."  And yes, it takes much more than valiant soldiers and mighty armies to be considered a truly brave society. We've convinced ourselves that the pointless political and social matters that we obsess over today actually reveal our valor when in fact they reveal our cowardice, unwillingness to embrace the unknown and our lack of resolve to make any actual change in the way we perceive the world. There is nothing brave about our collective rejection of dreaming the big dream. 

Case in point: as the clocks turned to February 1st, the top stories on all the major news websites were:

On MSN: Joe Biden on how new gun laws won't stop shootings, how service animals help the elderly, Kim Kardashian's pregnant belly starting to show, Beyonce admitting to lip-syncing at the Inauguration, the NFL union chief ranting about concussions in football and underwater explorers discovering a giant squid.

CNN featured leading articles on an X-Games snowmobiler who had died, and more drama about guns.

Fox News: More gun crap, an article on Obamacare, and a deadly explosion in Mexico.

In fact, not a SINGLE MAJOR NEWS OUTLET featured any leading story about the Columbia anniversary!

This is an obscenity!  The collective lack of recognition for humanity's greatest achievement and most daunting quest, that being manned space flight, reveals just how warped we have truly become.  We insult the memory of the crew of STS-107 (Columbia), along with all the others who have died for the cause of exploration by essentially blotting them from our collective memory and discourse.  We have belittled their contributions to little more than a "special interest" or a novelty act. 

But make no mistake, NASA and the manned space program is no special interest.  In fact, it should be our MAIN interest.  All other concerns and priorities pale in comparison.  What could possibly be more important than exploring God's playground?  We can either use our resources to uncover the mysteries of this tiny and relatively insignificant blue rock or we can use them to reveal the wonder of the cosmos.

How much would you be willing to pay for the universe?

As we remember the seven brave astronauts who perished on board Columbia, along with the ten others who died during other missions, let us recognize the fact that our ability to dream the big dream is what truly makes humanity special.  Without it we might as well return to our caves and draw stick figures on the walls.  If the legacies of Apollo I, STS-51L and STS-107 teach us anything it is that mankind can achieve just about anything it sets its mind to...so long as we dream big and act brave.  As Christopher Columbus stated:

You cannot discover a new world unless you first have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

Thank you, brave astronauts for revealing to us the true nature of humanity and the correct perspective we should all embrace!

A brief video tribute to the seventeen brave astronauts of Apollo I, Challenger and Columbia:

Neil Degrasse Tyson on the importance of space exploration:

Li(v)e Strong: The Paradox of Lance Armstrong

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before the fall.  Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." -Proverbs 16: 16-19


Last week, over 28 million people watched Oprah Winfrey's interview with cycling great Lance Armstrong, who, after over a decade of passionate and pathological denial finally admitted to using performance enhancing drugs throughout the course of his career.  And while there is nothing remarkable about an athlete admitting to using PED's in today's society (it has become almost commonplace these days), Lance Armstrong's story is a unique case.  Not only did he insist upon his innocence with greater zeal and determination than any other athlete, but he also regularly resorted to great and often hostile means to protect his legacy.



Let me say right from the beginning: I am not a cycling expert.  I know little to nothing about the sport and would probably have to strain my brain to come up with even half of a dozen professional riders.  Like most Americans, I know of Lance Armstrong almost exclusively due to the reputation he has gained as a seven-time Tour de France winner and as the founder of his cancer charity, Livestrong. And like most people who watched the interview, I too was struck by Armstrong's admission.  But it wasn't his admission to using PED's that stood out for me.  Instead, it was the detailed and calculated measures that Armstrong resorted to, over the course of a decade, that not only destroyed the lives and reputations of those who dared to challenge him, but also created an atmosphere of  absolute defiance to anyone who stood in his way.  Essentially, Armstrong considered himself bulletproof.  No attack, no matter how personal, no drug test, no matter how thorough, could penetrate the Teflon exterior of cycling's golden boy.

But all of this came to a violent and ugly end last week as Armstrong, under the weight of mounting evidence and departing sponsors, was forced to admit that he had been living a lie.  And in the process, America's white knight hero was brought back down to earth.

 

But the story of Lance Armstrong isn't as cut and dry as we may think.  After all, Lance isn't the normal star athlete by any stretch of the imagination.  Unlike Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Marion Jones, or the countless number of professional athletes who have admitted to using PED's, Armstrong's legacy transcends the world of sports.  As a cancer survivor and founder of Livestrong, Armstrong has become a walking, talking rally cry for cancer victims all over the world.  His inspirational story is undeniable, his impact to those who face this horrible disease immeasurable.  His Livestrong charity has raised over half a billion dollars for cancer research while his personal triumph over cancer has inspired countless millions in a way that only a cancer victim can fully understand.

Let me be clear here, it would be arrogant presumption of the highest order for me to assume that I know what a diagnosis of cancer feels like.  I have no clue and I hope I never do.  The unimaginable shock and horror of such a diagnosis is something that only a cancer patient truly understands.  As a result, none of us (or at least very few of us) have any right to pass judgement on Lance or any other cancer patient for how they choose to face this disease.  It is for this reason that Lance Armstrong has become a paradox of epic proportions.  One the one hand, you have a lying, cheating athlete who used banned substances to achieve excellence and then went to wild extremes to cover it up, often severely hurting those around him.  On the other hand, you have a philanthropist of the highest order.  A man who has given heart, mind and soul to defeating one of the most horrific diseases in human history.  In a very real sense, Lance Armstrong is a 21st century version of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  He is fire and ice personified.

But such is often the case with great and inspiring figures.  After all, it is easy to love the demigod who rarely if ever makes a mistake.  Sure, we would all love to believe that our heroes are the embodiment of perfection but such is rarely if ever the case.  Some of the most iconic individuals are also often the most complex and troubled as well.  For example, I have always been perplexed by how Thomas Jefferson (my favorite Founding Father) could write, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal" while at the same time keeping over 300 human souls in bondage (not to mention having sexual relations and children with one of them).  Or how about the case of the great King David, who, as the hero of all Israel, chose to fall to temptation by sleeping with Bathsheba and then cover it up by sending her husband to die on the front lines of battle.  And while I'm not trying to equate Lance Armstrong with Thomas Jefferson or King David I do think the illustration is sound.  Sometimes great figures have great challenges and the higher they rise the harder they fall.

We live in a cynical society.  For whatever reason, Americans love to watch the rise and eventual fall of those in the public eye, and Lance Armstrong's story provides us with ample opportunity to rubber-neck this car crash to our heart's content.  With that being said, I believe that Lance deserves our eventual forgiveness.  Yes, the man lied and created an ugly situation for himself, leaving a trail of wreckage in his path, but such is life.  As the great poet Alexander Pope aptly stated, "To err is human to forgive, divine."  There is no doubt that Lance Armstrong has some ugly and difficult days ahead of him, but as he himself stated, "This is not my darkest hour."

And even though I never watched one of his races, nor did I care much for his sport, I am proud to declare today that I am now a Lance Armstrong fan!  Yes, I know he lied, cheated and hurt anyone who stood in his way, but I believe that the final chapter to the Lance Armstrong story is yet to be written.  I'm a fan of Lance because he is a walking, talking paradox, and as such is yet another example of the complexity of human existence.  We are all capable of the most beautiful dreams and the most terrible nightmares.  Every one of us walks the tight rope between virtue and vice.  But the point is that we never cave to our mistakes.  As Armstrong himself stated:

Pain is temporary.  It may last an hour, a day or a year, but eventually subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.   

Amen, Lance.  A professional theologian couldn't have said it better!  And no doubt Lance will face his pain and his demons, as we all will.  Sure, it is likely that Lance Armstrong will never again recover his reputation but at this point it really isn't about reputation.  As Oprah Winfrey said at the conclusion of her interview with Armstrong, "I hope that the moral to your story will be: 'the truth will set you free.'"  Hopefully such will be the case with us all.

My 2012 Person of the Year

Another year has finally come to an end and with it another opportunity to reflect on the people and events that helped to make 2012 an unforgettable moment in history.  Yes, I realize that I am 24 days PAST the new year, but I still wanted to get this post in before moving forward with anything else.  For the millions...er...half dozen of fans of Corazon's Corner, I am pleased to present the second annual installment of my Person of the Year award (you can see last year's winners by clicking here).  So, without further delay, here are my selections for 2012's Person of the Year:



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10.) Michael Phelps
Last summer, at the Olympic Games in London, Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all-time, winning 22 medals overall for his career, 18 of which were gold.  Phelps' dominance in the pool over the last 15 years (and 3 Olympic games) has made him swimming's ultimate hero, not to mention has earned him millions of dollars (impressive considering the fact that swimmers really aren't that celebrated).  2012 also marks the end of Phelps' dominance, as he announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of the London Games.  Thanks, M.P. for all the memories! You were a joy to watch!

9.) The Super Hero
So maybe this selection is a little over the top and is certainly influenced by the fact that my two young boys are DIE HARD super hero fans right now. With that said, I couldn't help but notice just how prevalent super heroes were in our culture last year.  For example, the top two grossing films for 2012 were The Avengers ($623 million) and The Dark Knight Rises ($448 million), while The Amazing Spiderman came in 6th ($262 million).  For whatever reason, the super hero has been a big deal in American (and world) culture in 2012, but I think it isn't simply due to their entertainment value.  Super heroes make us hopeful.  They make us believe that a better world, with better people (capable of amazing feats) is possible.  The past few years have brought with them a measure of economic and social decline, but the super hero, albeit fictional, makes us feel like the darkness can and will eventually give way to the dawn.  And if not....Hulk SMASH!!!!!

8.) Bashar al-Assad

Just another asshole dictator trying to maintain his pathetic regime at the cost of the people he claims to "love." Bashar is the second of four sons (and one daughter) of the al-Assad family, which rose to power in Syria in the 1960s.  The family line is one of tyranny and evil, and Bashar seems more than happy to continue the family business.  The struggle of the Syrian citizenry gripped the headlines throughout 2012, and al-Assad is a chief reason for it.  His unwillingness to compromise or release even a small measure of control has caused misery and despair for far too many. One can only hope that Bashar's people will have the opportunity to show him the same love that the Lybians showed Muammar Gaddafi.

7.) Queen Elizabeth II

Back in June of last year, Queen Elizabeth II, along with millions of citizens of Great Britain and the Commonwealth across the globe, celebrated the Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) of Britain's second longest standing monarch.  Queen Elizabeth II's reign has been one of constant change.  She came to the throne at the conclusion of the Second World War, and witnessed first-hand the social, political and economic evolution of Great Britain from that of a dominant world power to a lesser but still very relevant nation.  In addition, the British Royal Family has experienced a number of ups and downs that have caused popular support for their reign to ebb and flow over the years.  Everything from Princess Diana, Lady Camilla, and a wild Prince Harry have captivated the tabloids, and brought the Royal Family unwanted attention. Yet through it all, Queen Elizabeth has managed to keep the British Monarchy relevant.  Her approval is still quite high and doesn't appear to change any time soon.  She truly has become the embodiment of everything special about Great Britain.

6.) Barack Obama

Any time you are the President of the United States you are probably a lock to be a top 10 Person of the Year every year. But when you win reelection it becomes a virtual requirement. Of course, we all know that President Obama won a second term in the Oval Office, despite facing a number of obstacles that, at least to some, threatened his chances in a big way. From a historical perspective, it is rare that a standing president with high unemployment levels and rising debt is able to win a second term, but Obama did just that, and did so in fairly convincing fashion. Some will argue that he won because of Romney's ineptitude, others will say he won because he was a success in his first term. Personally, I think he won because of a shifting electorate. Best of luck with your second term, Mr. President. We all wish you the best.

5.) The Changing American Voter

As stated in the comment above, I firmly believe that Barack Obama won reelection thanks in large part to a shifting electorate.  The American voter is, no longer, what he once was.  The clear shift in demographics, predominantly marked by a massive increase in Latino voters, has forever changed the American political landscape.  No longer can a national candidate hope to guarantee his/her seat in office by focusing on the traditional "meat and potato" voting block.  An increased number of Latino, African American and female voters, along with a younger demographic, has changed the game in a big way.  President Obama's team understood this, Romney's did not.  Pure and simple. 

4.) Neil Armstrong

Okay, I must admit, I am a bit of a space nerd but that isn't the reason I made this pick.  When it comes to exploration, there is no greater name than that of Neil Armstrong.  People of this generation seem to forget (or never understood in the first place) just how important of an achievement the Apollo space program really was, and Neil Armstrong is its crowning gem.  As the first man to walk on the Moon, Armstrong forever etched his legacy in stone with the likes of Columbus, Magellan and Lindbergh (he actually surpasses those guys).  After his astronaut career, Armstrong essentially retired from public life.  He was rarely if ever outspoken except for on a few key issues, the main one of course being the importance of further space exploration (a cause that I agree with 100%).  With the passing of Armstrong, along with the retirement of the Space Shuttle, one has to wonder if America will ever explore the heavens again like we once did so many years ago. One can only hope that the legacy of this, the greatest explorer in human history, will challenge us to do better...MUCH better!  

3.) Curiosity: The Mars Rover

On August 6th of last year, at approximately 5:17 a.m. (EST), a 7ft tall, 9ft long, 2,000lb robotic car named Curiosity made contact with the surface of Mars.  This, of course, was not the first time that a human-built robotic object has graced the Martian surface.  Far from it.  Curiosity, however, is still a special achievement.  Her size, strength, speed, mobility, on board navigation and communications alone make her the most advanced rover to ever venture into space.  But that isn't all that Curiosity has packed under her skirt.  Along with all of her technological advances, Curiosity is also equipped with the most advanced biological, geological, geochemical and radiological sensors/equipment known to man.  Her mission, which is primarily to assess if life has/is/is capable of existing on Mars, has already yielded mountains of invaluable data, and will surely supply even greater amounts of data in the coming months.  Thanks to Curiosity and other rovers like her, Mars is becoming less like the distant alien world our ancestors worshiped, and more like a friendly neighbor who lives next door. 

2.) The Nut-Job

2012 saw no shortage of paranoid, idiotic, crazy, whacked out, Looney Tune, kookoo for Cocoa Puffs, doomsday nut-jobs!  In fact, 2012 was full of them.  Whether it was the Newtown Connecticut shooting, the Aurora movie theater shooting, the Seattle cafe shooting, the Sikh Temple shooting in Wisconsin (4 of at least 16 mass shootings last year), 2012 saw its fair share of psychotic evil.  But that wasn't all.  As if our crazy train wasn't full enough, 2012 also saw plenty of paranoid political propagandists as well.  With the election of 2012, both extremes of the political spectrum had more than enough crazy to last a lifetime.  But the biggest nut-jobs of the year have to be the dimwits who bought into the whole Mayan apocalypse.  From doom bunkers to cataclysmic global power outages, these wackos spent ridiculous sums of money and time preparing for an end that never came.  And, of course, let's not forget the other "end of days" loons.  People like Warren Jeffs, who has convinced his polygamous flock that the world was going to end before New Year's Day, and the Westboro Baptist Church, which has protested everything under the sun in the name of some psychotic apocalyptic god.  Yes, I think it is safe to say that the inmates took over at least a portion of the asylum in 2012.  Here's hoping we can get rid of them in 2013.  In the words of Jack Nicholson from the movie, As Good As It Gets, "Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here." 

And the winner of the 2012 Corazon's Corner Person of the Year Award is.....{cue drum roll}........


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1.) Malala Yousafzai

Though she may seem like any other average teenage girl, the life and story of Malala Yousafazai is far from mundane.  Long story short, she has become the embodiment of everything hopeful and praiseworthy about the "Arab Spring."  Her short life has served to illustrate the power and value of every human life, regardless of age, race, gender or religion.

Malala's story begins with her quest to challenge the social, political and religious norms of her home in Pakistan by insisting on her right to pursue an education (something forbidden to young girls).  Her insistent petitions eventually let to her expulsion from school, along with severe condemnation for her family.  Eventually, however, Malala's vocal pleas provided her with an opportunity to become a blogger for the BBC.  Malala used the opportunity to share with the world not only her plight but her dreams, goals and aspirations.  In so doing, this added a human element to conditions in Pakistan (and many other parts of the world), which garnered greater support for change.  Eventually, the attention forced Pakistani officials to reluctantly re-open schools for young girls.  Malala's efforts in this manner, coupled with her devotion to other women and human rights causes, eventually led to her being awarded the National Youth Peace Prize and International Children's Peace Prize.  Malala has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as well.

Sadly, Malala was shot and almost killed in October of last year by Taliban radicals.  After spending weeks in a coma and months in recovery, Malala was eventually healthy enough to be transported to Great Britain where she had a full recovery.  Malala's iron will and grit not only let to her physical triumph over her foes, but continues to aid her in the continued cause of peace and human rights.

There is no doubt that the "Arab Spring" still has a long way to go, but thanks in large part to the efforts of Malala Yousafzai and others like her, there is great hope for a renaissance of sorts taking place in the Middle East and other areas.  Malala's impact will, no doubt, be felt for generations to come.  As a Joan of Arc of sorts to the Muslim world, Malala's life serves as proof that nobody is too young or feeble to make a change.  This makes her the PERFECT selection for the Corazon's Corner Person of 2012.

My Predictions for the 2012-13 NBA Season

The 2012-13 NBA season opens up this Tuesday, and I for one couldn't be more excited, even if my team (The Bulls) will likely struggle until D-Rose returns to save the day.  There have been a number of changes to "The Association" in the off season, making for a dramatic and exciting shakeup in the league's balance of power  Here are my predictions for how the season is going to play out.

 

 

THE EASTERN CONFERENCE:

 

1.) Miami Heat

The Heat are EASILY the best team in the East (probably the league), and are likely even better than last year.  With the additions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, this team is deeper than it has ever been.  And LeBron has awakened to his true potential.  Miami sails to the top seed in the conference.

 

2.) Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are my surprise team in the East.  Andrew Bynum is the second best offensive big man in the league (next to Blake Griffin) and Evan Turner is an emerging stud.  Mark my words, this guy is gonna be special.  That's why they were more than willing to part with Iguodala (a great player in his own right).  The 76ers have depth, size and speed.

 

3.) Indiana Pacers

I love the Pacers.  This team has the complete package.  Add a star scorer to the mix (maybe Rudy Gay?) and they could go all the way at some point.

 

4.) Boston Celtics

Everyone knows that the Celtics are old as dirt, but they still have a good roster.  Moving Garnett to center doesn't make a lot of sense by I can see why they did it.  The Celtics do have some young talent on their bench and eventually I see Fab Melo working his way into the starting rotation.  They're still good enough to make some noise in the East.

 

5.) Chicago Bulls

There is no team in the NBA that depends more on one guy than the Chicago Bulls depend on Derrick Rose.  Without him the Bulls are barely a playoff team.  Rose has it all: he can score, pass, defend, has speed, leadership, and all the intangibles you want in a team leader.  But since he's still out for at least a while, the Bulls will fall to #5 in the conference (and it PAINS me to say that, since they are my team).

 

6.) Brooklyn Nets

Everyone is talking about how great the Nets will be, and I am sure they will be better.  I, however, am not sold all the way.  This was a pathetic team who couldn't even get out of the cellar last year.  Yes, Brook Lopez is back, and Joe Johnson is a stud, but I don't see that being enough to launch this team into the top eschelon in the East.  But they do have a KILLER new stadium.

 

7.) New York Knicks

The Knicks are in trouble and they know it.  Amare may not be what he was ever again, and Carmello isn't going to fill the gap.  Felton will be solid (for a fat PG), starting in front of old fart Jason Kidd, but this team doesn't have much bite behind their bark.  A lot of names but no real game.

 

8.) Washington Wizards
This is the year that the Washington Wizards emerge.  John Wall is for real and I expect big things from him this year.  They are also a big team with Okafur and Nene starting in the post.  The Wizards should be exciting to watch this year.

 

 

THE WESTERN CONFERENCE: 

 

1.) Los Angeles Lakers

"Showtime" is always a media favorite, and this year the Lakers look to have (at least on paper) what it takes to get back to the big dance.  The ageless Steve Nash, along with Dwight Howard will greatly improve this team.  I think that the Lakers are good enough to go all the way, and certainly good enough to win the West.

 

2.) OKC Thunder

The Thunder may have done the DUMBEST thing they could do in trading away James Harden.  I know he sucked in the Finals but this guy was a critical component to what OKC had going.  In basketball, chemistry is so very important, and Harden was a key ingredient.  Still, OKC isn't going to suck.  Durant is easily one of the top 5 players in the world, and Westbrook keeps getting better.  They are still very much contenders. 

 

3.) Los Angeles Clippers

Is there a deeper or more physical team than the Clippers?!?  These guys quietly had a FANTASTIC off season, adding Lamar Odom (who will be his old self now that he's back in L.A.), Grant Hill and Jamal Crawford.  And once Billups is fully healed, this team has not one but two stud field generals (Chris Paul).  Add in the best offensive big man in Griffin and one of the biggest up and coming centers in the league (DeAndre Jordan) and you have a mean roster.  Oh, and don't forget Turiaf and Bledsoe who will be awesome off the bench.  Folks, the Clippers are deep, tough, fast and exciting.  When was the last time somebody ever said that?!?

 

4.) San Antonio Spurs

They're old but they're always consistent...at least in the regular season.  The Spurs still have the depth, speed and experience to make at least their typical impact.  But this team isn't doing squat in the playoffs.  I think this is the final curtain call for the Spurs.

 

5.) Denver Nuggets

Adding Andre Igoudala was a brilliant move!  This guy is the second coming of Scottie Pippen. The Nuggets will be much better this year, even if they don't have a lot of size.  They should also be better defensively this year (which they deseperately needed).  I see them advancing at least one round in the playoffs.

 

6.) Memphis Grizzlies

Ok, so this is a team in turmoil, and I predict that Rudy Gay could be gone by mid-season.  But still, The Grizzlies are solid enough to make the playoffs in the west.

 

7.) Houston Rockets

Jeremy Lin isn't their biggest addition now; that label goes to James Harden.  The Rockets just got a lot better.  Still not good enough to really do anything, but they are a playoff team now.

 

8.) Minnesota Timberwolves

So normally I think the Timberwolves could go as high as #4, but with injuries to Rubio and Love, this team is only barely going to make the playoffs.  But mark my words; the Timberwolves are for real.  Once healthy, and with one more year under their belts, this team could be a contender.  Adding Brandon Roy (who was amazing in Portland before early retirement) was a stroke of genius.  The T-Wolves are going to be a force to reckon with for years to come in the West.  But this year they only barely make it due to injuries.

 

THE HARDWARE:

 

MVP: Kevin Durant

This is the year that Durant finally gets some hardware.  Everyone knows what a scoring machine he is.  Now with Harden gone, he's gonna have to do even more, and he will deliver.  Plus, he is due to win.

 

Defensive Player of the Year: LeBron James

Most people probably don't realize this, but LeBron has finished in second place for two years for Defensive POY.  We all know how good he is with the ball, but LeBron is just as good on defense.  I think he gets the deserved recognition this year.

 

Rookie of the Year: Anthony Davis

He's already looking tough in the pre-season, and he held his own during the Olympics.  Davis is going to be a solid pro.  He's a future 20 and 10 guy. 

 

6th Man: Grant Hill

Now that he's coming off the bench for the first time ever, I think Hill will have more spring in his step and will likely contribute more than ever.  Hill can play a number of positions and has the experience and (still) the athleticism to be a big contributor in L.A.

 

Most Improved: Evan Turner

I said it earlier, Evan Turner is an emerging stud in Philly.  He may even be a future all star.  Watch this kid. He's for real.

 

Coach of the Year: Doug Collins

The 76ers are going to contend (as much as anyone can against the Heat) in the East.  They are much improved and Collins is a big reason why.  He got a lot out of this team last year and I expect the same this year.

 

Comeback player: Derrick Rose

He's got it all, and once he comes back, everyone will see just how important D-Rose is to the Bulls.  The best PG in the game today.

 

 

THE PLAYOFFS:

 

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Round 1:

Miami sweeps Washington 4-0

Philadelphia over the Knicks 4-1

Indiana downs Brooklyn 4-2

DA BULLS upset the Celtics 4-2

 

Second Round:

Miami over Chicago 4-2

Philadelphia defeats Indiana 4-3

 

Eastern Conference Finals:

Miami over Philly 4-1

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Western Conference Playoffs, Round 1:

Lakers over Timberwolves 4-1

OKC sweeps the Rockets 4-0

Clippers over the Grizzlies 4-1

Denver upsets the geriatric Spurs 4-2

 

Second Round:

Lakers down the Nuggets 4-2

Clippers upset the Thunder 4-3

 

Western Conference Finals:

Clippers stun the Lakers and win the series 4-2...all games taking place at the Staples Center.  This marks the turning of the guard as the Clippers officially become the best team in L.A.

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NBA Finals:

Miami repeats by downing the up and coming Clippers 4-1

There you have it!  Let the games begin.