In Memoriam – May 13, 2011

It seems fitting that Friday the 13th would be a day to remember the passing of careers, often with shocking or horrific ends. This year has brought a number of passings, less than six months in. The Hat Trick takes a moment to reflect.

Phil Jackson’s Coaching Career (1989-1998, 1999-2004, 2005-2011)

The buzz among media insiders is that The Zen Master’s third retirement is his last. I am inclined to agree. After 20 seasons on the bench, including 13 Conference Championships, 11 NBA Championships, 7 repeat championship and 3 three-peat championships, Jackson has very little left to prove to anyone. Still it was disappointing to watch his two-time defending champion Lakers team be swept from the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks, obliterated by 36 points in Game 4, and stained by classlessness as two of his key players, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, were ejected in the fourth quarter for unacceptable cheap shots. Regardless of the final note being a sour one, Jackson will be long remembered and never replaced.

The NBA won't be the same without the Zen Master. 1

Tiger Woods’ Reputation of Dominance (1997-2011)

Tiger Woods’ withdrawal from the Players’ Championship on Thursday is the latest in a long line of disappointing performances by Woods. Citing injuries, once again, Woods' body appears to be failing him in his quest to regain his ranking as the world’s #1 golfer and pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' major championships record. Tiger has not looked like “Tiger” since prior to his well publicized Thanksgiving Day, 2009 auto accident in his neighborhood. A combination of personal and physical problems have derailed Woods’ reign on the golf world and, at age 35, I am not completely convinced he will ever regain the reputation he had as, far and away, the most dominant player on Earth.

Gravity is real! What goes up must come down. Father Time is real, too. 2

NASCAR’s Mainstream Reputation (2010-2011)

Alright, the “born” date may be a little recent. NASCAR has gradually become a more respected sport in recent years, viewed as moving more toward the mainstream. A litany of rules with technical specifications, increased television presence and rating, more sponsorship money, and greater attendance than at any time in the past was helping NASCAR shed an image that some may view as closer to professional wrestling than professional sports. For me, the real eye opener was when Indy Car driver (and super hot chick driver) Danica Patrick began competing in NASCAR last year.

I do not follow racing closely, but the addition of Danica Patrick to NASCAR competition got MY attention! 3

Then racers Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick did their best to strengthen an association some may have had between NASCAR and steel cage matches, with competitors leaving the ring and returning with folding chairs. At last Saturday’s Southern 500 race in Darlington, South Carolina, Busch, intentionally or not, hooked Harvick’s car, causing it to spin. While both racers were on pit row, Harvick got out of his car and called Busch out for a little fisticuffs. Busch attempted to drive off, hitting Harvick’s car, again, as Harvick attempted to punch Busch through Busch’s window. I’m sure that, somewhere, there were chants of “Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry!”.

It appears that this was a step back for NASCAR after taking gradual steps forward for quite some time. Perhaps NASCAR could alter its “Have at it, boys!” theme to, “Hold on a second, boys!”

You really must have a pair of stones to get out of your car on an active raceway to walk over and try to punch a guy while he is IN his car! 4

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1) Image from blogs.hoopshype.com
2) Image from huffingtonpost.com
3) Image from blogs.smarter.com
4) Image from ketknbc.com