Griffin Simply Given Dunk Title

Blake Griffin could have just showed up, done run-of-the-mill, recycled dunks and been handed the Dunk Contest trophy Saturday night. And that's exactly what happened.

In today's dunk contests, it's rare to do anything - ANYTHING - that hasn't been seen before. Creativity is essential but now it's all props and gimmicks. JaVale McGee's two-basket, double-dunk was impressive but when you have to wheel in another basket, it's not a true dunk. Dwight Howard's from 2009, with the extended 11-foot basket, was also new but very gimmicky. And that's what the dunk contest has become. 

DeRozan should have made finals

Maybe that's why I felt DeMar DeRozan got hosed on his scores. A between-the-legs dunk from the baseline off a pass off the support system deserves higher than 44. Missing the first few attempts probably hurt that particular dunk and the fact it was the first dunk of the night didn't help his score. McGee and Griffin missed even more attempts yet weren't dinged on their scores. 

DeRozen didn't need any props for his attempts. He was the only one that didn't use any, or he was saving them for the final round. DeRozan scored one of the two 50s in the first round with his second attempt, yet didn't make the finals. That's not a surprise when Griffin had already been penciled in for one of the spots.

Griffin's dunks weren't anything new or impressive. He moved on through the competition based on the fact everyone wanted to see him win. His first dunk attempt looked like it was going to be very impressive. However, after two misses he modified it to a standard 360 cock-back dunk. Every person in the contest can do that dunk. His second attempt was even more run-of-the-mill. A baseline windmill from a pass off the side of the backboard.....after seven attempts. And the worst part is it got a 46, better than DeRozan's between-the-legs dunk. It was clear at that point, the fix was in. No matter what Griffin did he was going to win. He shouldn't have even made the finals. DeRozan and McGee were the two best dunkers of the first round.

The one Griffin dunk I did like was his rendition of Vince Carter's arm-in-the-rim dunk. Griffin tossed it off the backboard before powering it through. Even though we've seen that type of dunk before, I'll take it because he tweaked it and added some of his power to it. 

Good idea but jumping the hood isn't that great

And that brings me to maybe the most overrated dunk there's ever been. When you say "he dunked over a car" it sounds impressive. Unfortunately it wasn't in this case. The small Kia they wheeled out was placed under the basket so he didn't have to jump far. Going over the hood meant he didn't have to get very high. The whole thing was set up long before the event even started. They would use the "official car of the NBA" to bring down the house with everyone's "favorite dunker", Blake Griffin. Cue the choir singing "I Believe I Can Fly." (Another low-light.) 

Of course Griffin would have to be in the finals. Sorry, better dunker, you're gone. The Blake Griffin cash cow must be milked. It's been set up for months now.

At least Chuck called it like he saw it.

"I hate to say this but that's not the greatest dunk," Barkley said. 

"But the presentation was pretty fun," Kevin Harlan said. 

"Yeah, but that's like when you have a pretty girl. If she's dumb, it don't matter."

The other dunker, Serge Ibaka, didn't 'wow' me with his rendition of the "free throw line" dunk. He took off right at the line, which is further back than we've seen, but he's 6'11" so it cancels out. Brent Barry could take off from near the free throw line. Grabbing the toy with his mouth hanging at the rim, and especially the kid actor, was silly. 

I watch the dunk contest every year. I get what the league is trying to do with it - get people watching and create a spectacle. However it's getting a bit out of hand at this point, which is hurting the event. The contestants don't need "coaches", especially yelling at the crowd and commentators, and pumping up the crowd. No more bringing extra baskets out. No more cars. It's time to eliminate the props. 

The real "best ever"

Maybe I'm a stick in the mud but I know what I'm looking for and I haven't been seeing it lately. Maybe I'm not embracing the new-school dunk contests. But I saw the highlights of MJ and Dominique battling. There were no props there. Just high-flying, power dunks.

I saw the best dunk contest ever in 2000 with winner Vince Carter and Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady. There were no props used. Vince Carter didn't miss one of his dunks. They were fresh and incredible. Jason Richardson did some amazing dunks that hadn't been seen before when he won back-to-back titles. The closest thing to those two is DeMar DeRozan. He is doing some dunks no one else playing right now can do, and he's doing them so easily I think it's hurting his scores. And he doesn't have the name recognition, that's his biggest problem. And being a good player should factor in to it. 

I'll keep watching All-Star Weekend, always. The dunk contest has the ability to be great. It just wasn't Saturday night, and it hasn't been great in the past few years. Maybe my standards are too high. 

(Photos: ESPN, Getty Images)

Phil Jackson on Dan Patrick Show

I don't listen to the "DP Show" too often. I won't go into a diatribe here about how his comedy stylings and talkative crew turn me off to the program, I'll just say he does a nice job with interviews. Phil Jackson called in this morning. Thanks to my twitter feed (from @AndrewSiciliano), I got the rare national interview by Phil on my radar. I needed an appointment to catch the appearance because he's rarely, if ever, on the shows I frequently listen to (The Herd, The Jim Rome Show). Any Phil interview, at any time, is intriguing. Including those in-game interviews.

Phil Jackson's thoughts on the Lakers and league, courtesy of the Dan Patrick Show, Feb. 16 [AUDIO].

Some excerpts:

On Blake Griffin: "He's going to be a multi-dimensional player, and doesn’t look like he’ll be content just doing those whirly-twirly dunks he can do. We all hope he’ll have the ability to monitor when it’s important to do that type of slam because there’s a reason his knee gave out last year. You can only exhort and expend that body that way so often and sometimes it’s going to get you in trouble…. You learn that as you grow and age in this league.”

Last season? "I'm fully determined to end my career as a coach. (pause for laughter) Did you like that?"

Another Quotable: "I have to watch Modern Family. That's what my kids tell me I have to watch."

Jackson says the only thing the Lakers need to add is Matt Barnes back to the lineup, who's been out 4-5 weeks with a knee injury and his absence has affected the second unit. Jackson also talked about the long road trip and Jerry Sloan.

The Lakers have one more game tonight at Cleveland, which will be a nice break after two bad losses, before resting for the All-Star break. I don't read too far into the losses at Orlando and Charlotte. Four games in five day, three on national TV. The Bobcats "have the Lakers' number", whatever that means. Los Angeles has dropped 8 of last 10 in Charlotte.

Lakers Won't Trade Bynum for Melo

The report of discussions to trade Andrew Bynum for Carmelo Anthony is purely gamesmanship on the Lakers part. They can't give up Bynum this year and win an NBA Finals. Letting this "rumor" out serves them two purposes. 

1) It lets Carmelo know when he becomes a free-agent in the off-season, the Knicks aren't the only major market team interested. 

2) It motivates Bynum. He picks up his play to prove how much they need him and it gives the team, who had been in another lull, a boost with all eyes and doubters focused on them.  

Melo isn't going to be a Laker....this year

Both things will serve them will moving forward. I believe Chris Broussard was hoodwinked again by Lakers or Nuggets executives and his "sources." The Lakers wanted the rumor to get out. Not because they were actually going to make the trade, but to put the image of Melo in a Lakers uniform in everyone's head. And what a sight that would be.

Can you imagine? You wanna talk "Big Threes?" Try Kobe, Melo and Pau. "Big Four" like Boston is boasting these days with Rondo? Just add Lamar.

But that's only if Melo decides to sign up with Los Angeles in free-agency. The Lakers aren't going to trade for him, and they shouldn't. They can't give up Bynum and expect to beat Boston in the Finals. Boston a serious road block on the path to another Phil Jackson three-peat. Right now, Boston is the favorite to win the Finals. 

While adding Carmelo adds a top-3 player in the league, he doesn't play center. An unquestioned talent and the most effortless scorer in the league, Carmelo can add so many things it's worth making a sacrifice.  But this year's Lakers cannot give up Bynum's size, power, presence and expect to compete with Boston's bruising frontcourt.

If Bynum isn't there, Pau is forced to bang on fives and play center. That's not where he lives. This was proved in the 2008 Finals. Bynum was injured and LA got worked over physically and overall. You can't replace Bynum with Carmelo based on size and position. 

The Lakers know this, but they still would like Carmelo to consider playing for them. They'll be needing a three next season to replace Ron Artest, who helped get them one ring and possibly another but is near the end of the line. 

If the Knicks  become contenders if they can simply sign Carmelo without giving up some of their young talent, the Lakers would become an unstoppable force. It's a long shot for the Lakers but a shrewdly played by the front office. Knowing Broussard will report anything and ESPN will make it a top story, it caused a stir. More "motivating through the media" from Phil and Lakers brass. But if they could land the biggest free-agent since, well, last summer, that might even make Phil pull a Favre and renege on his "last season" statement.

Class Act

He waited through nearly the entire first round in the green room on draft day. He rode the pine for three years behind a legend, amid doubts. When he finally got his shot to take over the team, fans cussed at him and wanted to fight him. He went 6-10 in his first season as starter, creating more doubt and animosity. When he took the Packers to the playoffs last year, he lost and got the unfair rap of being "unable to win in the playoffs."

Rodgers reached the pinnacle by staying classy

He's answered a thousand questions about Brett Favre. He continued on, putting in the work to be the best, though not many noticed. He got back to the playoffs. He won the Super Bowl. And one thing remained a constant through his first six, turbulant years: Aaron Rodgers handled it all with class.

It's a trait often forgotten about in today's world but when you see it, you realize how great an asset it is. No one could blame him if he took a Shaq moment. No one deserves to call out all the doubters, haters, Favre-worshipers, disloyal Packer fans more than Rodgers. But he's too classy. That's not where he lives. He lives up on the high road, far above the negativity that tried to bring him down for so many years. Now he lets his ring speak for itself.

After his Super Bowl performance, which some have called one of the greatest by a quarterback in the big game, he is officially in that "elite group" of NFL quarterbacks. His ring and Super Bowl MVP trophy confirm  it. He needed to play a flawless game versus Pittsburgh and he did just that. He's one of the best playing the position right now and he's one of the classiest professional athletes in any sport.

Rodgers deserves to let people know they wrongly doubted him. But don't expect him to anything of the sort. He's too grounded, puts in too much time, works too hard to succumb to that pitfall. He'll continue on the way he always has: with class.

Cy Young Got How Many Votes?

Seaver: Highest percentage

USA Today showed the highest and lowest baseball Hall of Fame voting percentages this week in its "Snapshots" corner on page one of sports. It blew me away. Voting for the Hall of Fame can be tough, especially now with so many "PED" and "cheating" scandals to wade through. There are certain people, however, who need no thought at all.

Let's look at the top five highest percentages:

1. Tom Seaver (1992) - 98.84%
2. Nolan Ryan (1999) - 98.79%
3. Cal Ripken Jr. (2007) - 98.53%
4. Ty Cobb (1936) - 98.23%
5. George Brett (1999) - 98.19%

All no-doubt Hall of Famers, for sure. But this list (complete list of votes and percentages here) raises so many questions. 

First, why aren't there any receiving 100 percent of the vote? There was really a writer out there with the balls to think Nolan Ryan didn't deserve to be in the Hall? In fact, there were six who didn't include him on their list.

Some people didn't vote for Ruth

Why isn't Babe Ruth at the top with 100 percent of the votes? Ruth received 95.1 percent of votes in 1936, the first year of voting, the same as Honus Wagner but less than Ty Cobb. (Both Cobb and Ruth should have gotten 100 percent.) Eleven of the 226 ballots excluded Ruth that year. He must have pissed a few of the writers off at some point because not voting for him just doesn't make sense. Not only were his 714 career home runs more than some franchises at the time, he also hit .342 for a career, in case you forget. And we shouldn't forget his 94-46 pitching record with a 2.28 ERA in 1,221 innings pitched. 

Let's move to the next year, 1937. Only three players were elected that year, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker and Denton True "Cy" Young. You know, the guy who holds unbreakable pitching records like career wins (511), innings pitched (7,355) and games started (815). Well, he barely made it. Young is sixth from the bottom on percentage of votes all-time - 76.12 percent. Ryne Sandberg got a better percentage in 2005. Only 153 of 201 voters thought Cy Young should be in the Hall of Fame. And that was an INCREASE from the first vote the previous year when he got less than 50 percent. 

It's amazing to see the voting of players that are, without question, the greatest players in the history of the game. Joe DiMaggio? Only 88 percent. Maybe the almighty Baseball Writers' Association of America had some sort of grudge against these guys like there is today. I don't know, it was 50, 60, 70 years ago. I also don't care. The only thing I know is what they did on the field and the stories that have been told. 

I can only imagine people in another 50 years who are looking back on, what can only be assumed, ridiculous voting percentages coming up for greats like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, two of the best players to ever play. If it took Lefty Grove, a 300-game winner, three tries and then only got 76.4 percent, it's not hard to see voters trying to make a point on Clemens.

It's either yes or no when it comes to the Hall of Fame. The philosophy that seems to fit best is "if you even have to think about it, no." (Thank you, Skip Bayless.) It's just a quick yes or no. No thought, no debate. Ted Williams? Yes! Joe DiMaggio? Yes! Cy Young? Yes! Bert Blyleven? Well, I don't know, let me look at his ---- No! Barry Bonds? Yes!

Maybe it's a lost cause to think people will get the voting "right" during the much-debated "Steroid Era." I mean, 20 voters didn't think Ted Williams should be in the Hall of Fame his first year. And that's unacceptable. So is not letting in the greats of the game. 

*I also feel Joe Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame. Despite what the courts may have said and testimony there may have been, he still performed at a high level during that Black Sox World Series and was an all-time great. 

**And yes, Pete Rose should be in, too. 

Jay Cutler in "The Injury and The Backlash"

We get spoiled by NFL players. We see these modern-day gladiators banging their heads into each other week after week. We see them dragging around broken ankles and legs and playing with a club hand. We're so used to seeing players sacrificing their bodies that when someone doesn't play with an injury, we're all taken aback.

The immediate reaction to Jay Cutler and the Bears coaching and medical staff's decision to sit out the second half of the NFC Championship game due to a knee injury cut deep. Cutler's toughness, mentality, desire, effort and body language were all called into question as soon as he didn't re-enter the game. With no specific play highlighted to account for the injury, it was easy for people to jump down Cutler's throat about not finishing the game.

In the NFL, we expect these guys to do whatever it takes to win the game. Seeing Cutler on the exercise bike for about five minutes and seeing him standing on the bum leg on the sidelines, people questioned what Cutler was all about.

Cutler's reputation took a hit

Lovie Smith confirmed Monday Cutler suffered a sprained MCL during the first half. Can we call Cutler's toughness into question now that we know what the injury he suffered? Should everyone have waited for the MRI before getting on their Twitter accounts and calling him out? The answer is no, to both.

Most would agree Cutler is tough. He's got to be playing QB in the NFL, behind that line, which gave up 57 sacks this year. But he's not "Favre-tough" or "Big Ben-tough." People are going to rush to judgement about Cutler because they know guys like Favre and Roethlisberger would still be out there, dragging that leg around, trying to make a play. That's Cutler's only fault. And no one knows, except Jay Cutler, how much pain was in that knee.

Smith also said it was his decision to pull Cutler. "He was hurt, he couldn't go, so we moved on." That sounds like a "Vince Young" to me. (def: The QB gets dinged after playing awful. He "tries" to give it a go but doesn't really want to go back in. The coach says enough is enough, this guy's not helping us today even if he is healthy. Let's put the next guy in, regardless of how awful he might be.) Maybe effectiveness played a role in the decision to sit him.

Which brings us to the Bears' back-up quarterback situation. Has to be worst in the NFL. Todd Collins has a chance to go legend and instead throws four incomplete passes before being pulled for emergency-QB Caleb Hanie. It would seem Cutler on one leg, having a bad day, would be more effective than Collins. Hanie did better than anyone could have hoped and actually made a game of it. Nice job by him, despite a couple ill-advised throws (B.J. Raji).

While watching the game Sunday, I was critical of Cutler, like so many others. I felt if he could stand, he should be out there. Only a broken leg should keep someone out of a game to go to the Super Bowl. But I've been spoiled watching the NFL. I've seen Phil Rivers play two games on a torn ACL and I said "If he can do it, why can't you?"

Each player and each injury is different, however. The backlash on Cutler went over-the-top but I understand why it happened. I won't label him a quitter but he's reputation will need some recovery. But unlike his sprained knee, it will take longer than three to four weeks.

Packers or Bears? Tough Call

Best game of the year

Bears vs. Packers with a Super Bowl trip on the line is a dream match-up for more than just the great people of NFC North country. This is NFL history. The first playoff meeting for these storied franchise since 1941. Only the fourth time they've made the playoffs in the same year. As great as it will be to watch, it's even tougher to pick the winner.

If you pretend to know who's going to win this game, you're just kidding yourself. There's a laundry list of reasons why each team should win or lose. It's setting up for a memorable NFC Championship game. I can't recall a game I've personally been more intrigued to watch.

Why the Bears Will Win:

• Soldier Field. In a match-up this close, the home team will have an edge. While the Packers have spent much of the week saying the field conditions are the "worst in the NFL," the Bears are used to it. Put on the right cleats.
• Bears Defense. Clearly one of the best in the league, again. The ability to pressure with just the four down linemen will cause problems for Aaron Rodgers, who has exploited teams who must blitz all year. Julius Peppers could be MVP of the game. Briggs, Urlacher and Co. will stop the run and put even more pressure on Rodgers to do it himself in cold, windy conditions. The Packers struggled to move the ball on them both time they played this year, once when the Bears had nothing to play for.
• Jay Cutler and Mike Martz. This combo continues to impress with good play-calling and excellent execution. Chicago's screen game, with Matt Forte, will keep the hard-blitzing Packers' defense off balance. A veteran like Martz will be able to scheme on the Dom Capers' defense better than most.
• Special Teams. Devin Hester is the best return man in the history of the game. The Packers are known to give up big plays on special teams. A lot of pressure falls on the Packers' coverage teams.
• They seem to have the Packers' number. Beat them at home on a late field goal and shut them down in the last game of the season before giving up a late touchdown on the road. The Bears' strengths match up well with against the Packers.
• Underdog. No one outside of Chicago and Bears fans think they can win. Vegas has Packers by 3.5. People haven't given the Bears credit all year (I'm guilty). They proved everyone wrong by making the playoffs, winning the division and being in this position. The masses will be against them again with Green Bay and Rodgers playing at such a high level right now. As we continue to see in the NFL, the team people don't give a chance rise up and shoves it in their face.

Will the stellar play continue?

Why the Packers Will Win:

• Aaron Rodgers. No one is playing at a higher level right now. After the Atlanta beat down, people were saying how it was the greatest game ever by a Packer QB. Rodgers is driven by the need to prove he can do it better than Favre, and Packers fans want that just as bad. He dismissed the foolish rap of not being able to win a playoff game with two huge road wins. The accuracy, athleticism, scrambling and composure are putting Rodgers into the top-tier level of NFL quarterbacks. With a Super Bowl win, or even appearance, no one will doubt he belongs in that category.
• Packers Defense. The blitz will be in Cutler's face all game long. The Bears must account for Clay Matthews on every play because he is coming and he is relentless. Cutler was sacked nine times in the two meetings in the regular season. With less time to throw, Cutler will have to avoid Tramon Williams, who single-handedly crushed the Falcons' hopes with two back-breaking interceptions. The Packers were second in the league in points allowed and the Bears were 21st in points scored.

Green Bay must turn Cutler into "Bad Jay"

Wildcards:

• Cutler. Could be due for a stinker. Consistency has always been the issue. He's only got one playoff game under his belt and it was against a sub-.500 team that shouldn't have been there. It's a feast-or-famine situation with Cutler. It wouldn't surprise anyone if he had three picks, or if he throws three touchdowns. I'll need to see it to believe it with him.
• Mike McCarthy. He's been known to come with a dud in big games too many times. His clock management skills have widely ridiculed. His special teams will give up huge plays and his offense and play-calling have already been shut down by the Bears D twice.
• Motivation. I have to think the Bears have more with everyone picking against them and being at home. But the Packers have plenty in their own right. This is the true wildcard to the game. When everyone is going with one team (Packers), I cringe. Never seems to work out that way, i.e. Seahawks v Saints, Patriots v Jets.

I've debated the winner of this game all week. It seems after that breakdown I would be favoring the Bears. Not necessarily but I know they can win this game for those reasons. I've doubted the Bears and thought the Packers were the better team all year. The Bears had an easy road, but if you look at it, the Packers regular season road wasn't much tougher. However, they've proven themselves in the playoffs. The Bears beat the Seahawks. Despite my doubts, the Bears have proved me wrong time and time again. And they will have to do it one more time. I'm going with my head instead of the feeling that's been creeping into my gut this week. Packers 17 Bears 16. Prove me wrong again, Chicago.

AFC Championship prediction: Steelers 20 Jets 13. I really like the Steelers here. Big Ben, the defense and I don't see the Jets beating them twice at Pittsburgh in the same year.