Post by Funkytown on May 9, 2018 17:30:57 GMT -6
Interesting piece from Michael Rand...
Randy Moss was crushed for 'I play when I want to play' while LeBron is celebrated
Link: www.startribune.com/randy-moss-was-crushed-for-i-play-when-i-want-to-play-while-lebron-is-celebrated/482201312/
Randy Moss was crushed for 'I play when I want to play' while LeBron is celebrated
As James unapologetically explained further, “It’s just about growing, maturing and understanding that you play smarter.”
I don’t disagree with any of this, really, and it’s hard to argue with the results. James, who is 33 and somehow in his 15th NBA season, is playing a whopping 41.4 minutes per game while averaging 34 points and 9 assists for the Cavaliers. Cleveland survived Indiana and swept Toronto, with LeBron’s heroics taking center stage in both series.
What is interesting, though, is how the response to this stands in stark contrast to how we choose to view other athletes who allegedly take plays off. Or, in a more apples-to-apples case, freely admit they do.
Exhibit A: Randy Moss in 2001 uttered the infamous quote to our own Sid Hartman, “I play when I want to play.”
The full quote, dug out of the Star Tribune archives, preceded a paragraph talking about how teammate Cris Carter said not a single player in the NFL gives 100 percent on every play.
“I play when I want to play,” Moss said. “Do I play up to my top performance, my ability every time? Maybe not. I just keep doing what I do and that is playing football. When I make my mind up, I am going out there to tear somebody’s head off. When I go out there and play football, man it’s not anybody telling me to play or how I should play. I play when I want to play, case closed.”
While LeBron’s slacking might be more about rest while Moss’ was more about game situations, in both cases there is an acknowledgement that some moments are bigger than others. And when those moments arrived, both rose to the occasion.
Moss had 1,233 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 2001. He had six more 1,000 yard seasons on the way to a career that led to his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.
But the “I play when I want to play” comment still sticks with him almost 17 years later. I doubt anyone will bring up LeBron’s in the lead-up to his inevitable Hall of Fame induction — unless it’s in a positive manner.
I don’t disagree with any of this, really, and it’s hard to argue with the results. James, who is 33 and somehow in his 15th NBA season, is playing a whopping 41.4 minutes per game while averaging 34 points and 9 assists for the Cavaliers. Cleveland survived Indiana and swept Toronto, with LeBron’s heroics taking center stage in both series.
What is interesting, though, is how the response to this stands in stark contrast to how we choose to view other athletes who allegedly take plays off. Or, in a more apples-to-apples case, freely admit they do.
Exhibit A: Randy Moss in 2001 uttered the infamous quote to our own Sid Hartman, “I play when I want to play.”
The full quote, dug out of the Star Tribune archives, preceded a paragraph talking about how teammate Cris Carter said not a single player in the NFL gives 100 percent on every play.
“I play when I want to play,” Moss said. “Do I play up to my top performance, my ability every time? Maybe not. I just keep doing what I do and that is playing football. When I make my mind up, I am going out there to tear somebody’s head off. When I go out there and play football, man it’s not anybody telling me to play or how I should play. I play when I want to play, case closed.”
While LeBron’s slacking might be more about rest while Moss’ was more about game situations, in both cases there is an acknowledgement that some moments are bigger than others. And when those moments arrived, both rose to the occasion.
Moss had 1,233 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 2001. He had six more 1,000 yard seasons on the way to a career that led to his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.
But the “I play when I want to play” comment still sticks with him almost 17 years later. I doubt anyone will bring up LeBron’s in the lead-up to his inevitable Hall of Fame induction — unless it’s in a positive manner.
Link: www.startribune.com/randy-moss-was-crushed-for-i-play-when-i-want-to-play-while-lebron-is-celebrated/482201312/
... and neither is this Chris guy.