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From the Left Field Bleachers: Explicit

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on August 28, 2020 Respond

When unarmed people are being murdered by “law enforcement” officers without due process should the support for the solution(s) to this ongoing tragedy be implicit or explicit? Let’s back up for 2:58.

The Pros

The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott/strike and refused to take the court for the 1st round NBA Playoff game against the Orlando Magic. Shortly thereafter the other NBA teams scheduled to play along with the WNBA, MLB and WNBA games were cancelled), on Tuesday (08/27/20) in protest of the attempted murder of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha Wisconsin Police Officer. Originally ,when discussions were being held for the NBA to restart play in the “Bubble” atmosphere in Orlando Florida, many players were outspoken in dissent against the idea, George Hill of the Milwaukee Bucks for one stated that he did not want Pro Basketball to distract from the ongoing Black Lives Matter struggle in particular.

What Can We Do?

According to this ESPN article, NBA players and the Players Union were trying to figure out what the best path forward in offering solutions to the issue of police brutality against African Americans. Stars like LeBron James and others have used their significant social media platforms to express frustration, anger and call for societal change in order to the address the issues being put forth by the Black Lives Matter movement. Today LeBron went so far as to leverage the power of his team the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers to force owners to use their resources to help find a solution for these ills. But here is the rub, his actions and all other athletes utilizing their platforms are being implicit instead of explicit. Stay with me here.

Can anyone make a real case that the modern (Kennedy era) Democratic Party has more closely represented the interests of African Americans, way more than the modern (Nixon era) Republican Party? Sanity dictates that we cannot even be a serious conversation about which party has because the answer is obvious. The Democratic Party is extremely flawed with Corporate Democrats still firmly calling the shots but even this terrible reality pales in comparison to the atrocities committed and furthered by Republicans and Donald Trump. Voter suppression like tactics like closing polling locations and now pulling out mailboxes in African American communities is part of the past and current strategy of disenfranchisement.

So if this is the case, then the solution is clear, athletes can use their influence to EXPLICITLY endorse, support, and help elect candidates that will become leaders that will truly represent us and tackle the root causes of inequity-racism-brutality. Does becoming an internationally recognized individual forfeit your right to express your ideas for solutions to many of society’s issues?

Emboldened

(Now) Senator Bernie Sanders 1965 Property of Chicago Tribune All Rights Reserved

So picture this, here is LeBron James emboldened and determined to help change things, “I support the progressive movement brought to the public consciousness by Senator Bernie Sanders and led into the future by the squad: made up of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. I support this movement because I know progressives like Senator Sanders were chained to, and arrested in support of African American’s during the 1960s, fighting for their right to the same rights that white Americans enjoy; while others were putting human rights behind political calculations of “personal evolution” or wondering about what the country is “ready for.”

Explicitly vs Implicitly

LeBron didn’t say that, I did. And I also say we ALL need to come out and support and vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, then hold their asses to the fire to start adopting progressive, people first policies that are going get to the root causes of racism, police brutality, inequity…all that. I said that, and LeBron and his fellow NBA players should be explicit and say it too. Way too many have died to be beating around the bush lost in implicit messages. Sometimes the solutions are as simple as, well, Mathematics…

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From The Left Field Bleachers: LeBron in LaLa Land

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on July 2, 2018 Respond

I must admit I was surprised that LeBron James would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Perhaps I was holding out hope that LeBron, being the baller with the highest bball IQ,, would sign with the team that offered him the best chance to defeat the Golden State Warriors, ie.. the Houston Rockets. What led me to my delusional conclusion? Well here are a few reasons:

  • LeBron wants to be remembered as the GOAT
  • LeBron has tons of money so he doesn’t need to break the bank
  • LeBron really wants to beat the Golden State Warriors
  • LeBron is 33
  • Because I wanted him to join the Houston Rockets to beat the Golden State Warriors

Business As Usual

Many will point out that LeBran left 30 Million on the table with Cleveland but that is a drop Sportsin the bucket compared to what he will be reaping in endorsement deals from sponsors in the nation’s 2nd biggest media city.

I am not a LeBron hater, far from it, but I do root for the integrity of the game. Perhaps its a foregone conclusion that within a capitalist system where the emphasis is on profits, integrity in sports cannot exist in terms of players and owners loyalty to each other. There was a time, not long ago, where a fan could name the majority of players on their favorite teams and most of those players would be on that team for several seasons.

Next season the Lakers will cobble a few players around LeBron and watch as he uses his incredible talent(s) to catapult the Lakers into a playoff spot. Of course LeBron will once again lose to the Golden State Warriors, if they make it that far (see the Houston Rockets). In the end it will be enough for the Lakers $$$ wise as they significantly raised ticket prices!
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Alex Paramo Summer SolsticeAlex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

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From the Left Field Bleachers: All Hail the King

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on June 21, 2016 Respond

All Hail the King by Alex Paramo

27, 11, 11 and 3: some of the numbers that Lebron James posted during the Cleveland Cavaliers victory against the reigning NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors. In a world of numbers, what does an NBA Championship bring to a team, a city, a community?

By the Numbers

All Hail the KingAccording to an article in the Miami SunSentinal, “a bonus from the league for teams and players, more ticket and merchandise sales, better endorsements contracts, more tourism to the area and many other benefits — all of which adds up to tens of millions of dollars at least, according to sports business experts.”

Additionally, just by his move to the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Miami Heat, Lebron James added $500 million dollars to the Cleveland-area economy. The city that was known as the “Mistake by the Lake” is slowly recovering from a mass manufacturing exodus.

Unemployment is down in the 6% range from the 10% range it suffered from in 2010. Lump on that all of the new sales in Championship merchandise, tickets for the 2016-2017 season and increase revenue in Cleveland as a tourist destination.

Beyond the Numbers

All Hail the KingOf course what the NBA Championship brings to the Cleveland area goes beyond numbers. Legendary Cleveland Browns running back, Jim Brown discusses the value to the city of Cleveland of this incredible accomplishment by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The final number was 93-89 and the most memorable number for the past 54 years in the city of Cleveland is 1 NBA Championship.

Read more of my series From the Left Field Bleachers.
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Alex Paramo Summer SolsticeAlex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

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From the Left Field Bleachers: All Around Game

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on May 16, 2016 Respond

All Around Game by Alex Paramo

Recently Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Analyst Charles Barkley suggested that 2 time and current MVP Stephen Curry is not the best player in the NBA but rather the best offensive player. He stated that Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard were better than Curry because they were better “all-around” players. Many folks took exception to that comment because they conflate MVP with the best player. What does it mean to be the best player? Or best all-around player in a team game?

All Around Person

From the Left Field Bleachers: All Around PersonOften in our society we celebrate the athlete, movie star, rock star, public figure but what do we celebrate them for? Growing up I would attach myself to my favorite sports stars and I would be interested in their persona as presented through the media. Of course the media lens is always distorted so you never really know what an athlete is like in their personal life. I admire athletes
like Michael Jordan and Barry Bonds but by most (media) accounts, they are selfish and boorish people. There are athletes I follow because I enjoy their style of play, John Stockton, Walter Payton, Patrick Ewing come to mind. These guys were tough, giving it 100% each and every game/play.

Lately athletes have begun speaking up about societal issues. Lebron James has been vocal about the need to curb gun-violence and has voiced his displeasure on the Travon Martin verdict (to mention a few issues). I find myself gravitating toward “celebrities” who speak their mind and lend their “weight” to various troubling issues such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s advocacy on behalf of climate change. Additionally David Robinson and Dikembe Mutombo are among the most generous and active NBA players (retired or active) giving money and time to many humanitarian causes.

Image vs Reality

The troubles of our world/society face each and every one of us. The power of fortune and celebrities may shield “celebrities” somewhat but in the end, no one can escape the problems that threaten the downfall of our world/society as we know it. We can admire folks for their From the Left Field Bleachers: All Around Personathletic prowess, acting ability, musical talents but this is a one-dimensional view of someone in a three-dimensional world. The legacy of a legendary person is made when said person uses their celebrity status to better the conditions of their fellow humans instead of merely financially enriching themselves.

For the record I agree with Barkley’s assessment that the all-around player is more valuable then the 1-dimensional player. In Curry’s defense, he is also a great passer and lead the NBA in steals. Would I choose Curry over Lebron probably not, let the NBA finals (Cleveland v Golden State) begin!
Read more of my series From the Left Field Bleachers.
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Alex Paramo Summer SolsticeAlex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

CP Logo FinalWe are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market and the Monte Vista Fire Station. Need help with your web presence and social media marketing? Click here to find out how we can help you!
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From the Left Field Bleachers: Coming Home

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on May 2, 2016 Respond

Coming Home by Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

Lebron james decision to return to Cleveland after four successful years in Miami caught many sports pundits and fans by surprise. Why would he leave after such a successful run in Miami? Think about it every year he was in Miami the Heat played for a title. Any observer familiar with the NBA would surely bet that a Lebron James-led Miami Heat would be representing the Eastern Conference at the end of the upcoming 2014-2015 season.  So why leave all that? To a team that, only the overambitious fans in Cleveland would peg to lead the Eastern Conference this coming season.

Home Sweet Home

Home AgainWell for one, Lebron’s family lives in North Eastern Ohio. He has deep roots in Akron. Who
wouldn’t want to play at home? Being from NYC I would often daydream of helping Patrick Ewing lead the Knicks to a title!! In Cuba’s Baseball League, the players on each team are actually fromthe province (like a state) that they reside in. What a concept! I often wondered why start-up pro leagues like the USFL and the XFL did not try this, they would have had built in interest in those communities.

Exodus

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Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our CP Logo Finalcommunities. We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market and the Monte Vista Fire Station. Need help with your web presence and social media marketing? Click here to find out how we can help you!

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5 Reasons Why Cavs win the NBA Championship in 5

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on June 4, 2015 Respond

By Alex Paramo

Size Does MatterThe NBA Finals are about to start and while many College Basketball Fans* will be rolling their eyes most sports fans will be watching and following how the several sub-plots unfold! After all: Lebron James is back in the finals with his new/old team, JR Smith is stepping front and center into the biggest stage, Kyrie Irving is healthier, Klay Thompson is no longer dizzy and Stephen Curry is un-guardable!

My pick, unlike the line, is Cleveland Cavaliers over the Golden State Warriors in 5 (Shout Out to my buddy Steve Keszy of “Swamp Brothers” TV fame). Why you ask? Well here are 5 Reasons:

  1. Size Matters – Cleveland is just too big. Irving and Shumpert will run the splash brothers off the 3 point line leaving the Cavs big front line to swat shots and collect rebounds (James 6-8, Tristan Thompson 6-9 and Mozgov 7-1).
  2. Unstoppability: Cleveland’s Unstoppable (LeBron) is more unstoppable than Golden State’s unstoppable (Curry) – Curry will break down his man, drive and float it but it will be more difficult with the Cleveland front line (see #1). Lebron breaks down his man and heads to the rim with a full head of steam – Look Out!!
  3. Lining up Kerr – Andrew Bogut and former All-Star David Lee are not being used effectively. These guys should play significant minutes to counter Thompson and Mozgov but they won’t. Bogut for one is a rhythm player that needs real minutes to get going.
  4. Size Does MatterBenches or Chairs – The Cavs have seasoned AND still capable veterans (Perkins, Miller, Marion, J.James alongside their super-sub: see below
  5. No Clowning Around – J.R. Smith’s clown tactics are well publicized and known, but the man can play ball. He can shoot, defend, perform well under pressure and is a savvy player still playing his best ball. Comparitively, Golden State’s 6th man, Andre Iguodala, has started to decline in performance in his career.

There you have it, 5 reasoned and rational points showing why the Cavs will roll the Warriors in 5 games. How can I be proven wrong? – If Kerr plays his big men more, if Blatt doesn’t instruct his D to play the splash brothers to shoot, if J.R. implodes, and if wildcard Shawn Livingston gets some real minutes – then we will have a great series!

zone

*Note to College Basketball Fans: Watching Zone defenses is not at all pleasurable!
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Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is originally from NYC and is of Colombian Ancestry He is an Author, Co-Founder of Community Publishing and Marketing Coordinator at the Rail Yards Market in Albuquerque, N.M.

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities. #JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org We are proud to be a community partner in the Rail Yards Market.

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From the Left Field Bleachers: My Country ‘Tis of Thee

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on August 4, 2014 Respond

My Country ‘Tis of Thee by Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

The injury to Indiana Pacer’s Forward Paul George has reignited the debate regarding whether highly paid professional athletes should be “allowed” to play for their respective countries during international competitions like the Olympics and World Cup respectively. George suffered his injury during a scrimmage as the US National Basketball Team was preparing for the FIBA World Cup.

Smoking Cubans

The most vocal critic of the arrangement between the NBA and FIBA is the Owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban. Cuban had been critical of the toll that playing for a national team takes on NBA players, specifically Dirk Nowitski who represents Germany. Cuban centers his concern on the fact that he views players on his team as a financial investment. Cuban pays tens of millions of dollars in payroll and as such is governed by the bottom line. Cuban argument centers around the fact that organizations such as FIBA and the IOC are reaping in billions of dollars at the expense of his players, while not paying him, his fellow NBA owners or the players. Furthermore Cuban states, “The greatest trick ever played was the IOC convincing the world that the Olympics were about patriotism and national pride instead of money.” 

Times are a Changin’

Dream Team My Country Tis of TheeBob Greene in his article for CNN.com informs us that the beginning of the radical shift of the Olympics, from an all-amateur tourney to a money-making endeavor began 20 years before the 1992 Dream Team. By most indications, the Olympics were a patriotic tournament and many athletes became national heroes after representing their country. Even today, their is a semblance of that national pride but how much is manufactured and how much is sincere? My mom always makes it a point to discuss the Colombian teams’ players in any international competition that they are part of. Of course Mark Cuban would probably say that this is all drummed-up patriot jingoism to attract attention and boost-up TV ratings/revenue.

Pecking up the Pieces in Pacer-Land

My Country Tis of TheeIndiana Pacer‘s President and Dream Teamer Larry Bird is left to pick up the pieces after the terrible injury to his most talented player. Mark Cuban is left to pick up the pieces of his argument against allowing NBA players and reviving former Commissioner David Stern‘s suggestion to have players 23 and under represent their respective countries in international competitions. During the London Olympics players like Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul came out against Stern’s 23 and under suggestion. Both players felt like it should be an individual choice. From all accounts, players are choosing to represent their respective countries due to national pride. Bryant stated that Cuban is and the rest of the owners are just trying “to protect their investments.” And that of course is the crux of Cuban’s argument.

Leaving it to the Amateurs

My Country Tis of TheeThere is no doubt that the Olympics and other International competitions are huge money-making endeavors. Perhaps we should have two sets of international events, one coordinated by the professional leagues of the individual countries, and the other, handled by International Athletics governing bodies. For folks interested in watching millionaires compete the latter would be the viewing choice. The former would apply for the sake of rooting for the home team (national teams). In that case, perhaps we should leave it to the amateurs.

What do you think? I would really like to know.

 

Alex Paramo is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.

We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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From the Left Field Bleachers – The World Cup: the Final Frontier

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on July 3, 2014 Respond

Alex Paramo Summer Solstice

Alex Paramo

As the U.S. born son of two Colombian immigrants I have certain benefits come World Cup time, I get to root for two teams: “The Yanks” and “Los Cafeteros.” The issue of immigration is crucial to any sports conversation because, as in Major League Baseball and especially in the National Basketball Association we have seen the influx of many players from other Colombian-American World Cupcountries. In these sports a player can play for any team regardless of where he was born or even where he resides. In the Olympics, all notions of amateur have been thrown out the window. The Olympics are now accepted as a show-case for pro athletes while filling the coffers of the International Olympic Committee and serving as publicity for pro leagues.

U.S. Men’s Soccer

The U.S. displayed remarkable resiliency at the World Cup. They were immediately cast as underdogs when placed in the group of death and given a daunting traveling schedule. I rooted for them loud and proud! Despite their success and my affinity for the team, I am a bit troubled by Landon Donovan‘s exclusion from the team and the bigger question it brings up: should players with little if any connections to the U.S. be permitted to play on the National team? Should a player like John Brooks, who has never even lived in the U.S. be chosen over say a Landon Donovan, still one of the best U.S. players, who has committed his life to the U.S. program?

Flag Waving

Darryl_StrawberryAs a kid I would would follow the NY Mets, NY Jets and NY Knicks not only because I am a born and raised NYer but because for the most part the ‘core’ of the team would stay in-tact from season to season. That consistency on the roster(s) allowed me to identify them and with them in the context of wins and losses. I felt like I could feel their suffering doing a bad season and partake in the celebration(s) with them during team triumphs. Heck, in my mind, I was part of the team! Of course these days yesterdays villain (Boston Red Sox Roger Clemens) becomes today’s hero (New York Yankees Roger Clemens). Which leads us back to Landon Donovan and the German Invasion.

Xenophobia

Final_FrontierNow of course my sentiments are not born out of Xenophobia because, as I stated above, my parents are immigrants to this great country. The idea of the U.S. as a country that welcomes people from all corners of the world is paramount to my identity as an American. Many Native North Americans welcomed the first European settlers and helped them get, well, settled and I still believe in that welcoming spirit. My sentiments regarding the U.S. Soccer program coach Jürgen Klinsmann‘s decision of taking 5 German nationals over Landon Donovan and other home-grown players stem from my desire to identify with my national team. I respect Klinsman as a coach but disagree with his decision.

The Final Frontier

The World Cup represents the final frontier, the last bastion of true ‘fandom’ where we root for our team based upon a shared national experience. Of course there is a commercial aspect to it but unlike pro sports or the Olympics, it does not dominate the essence of the tournament. This current World Cup tourney united Americans from Queens, NY, Kearny NJ, Chicago, Il, Seattle, Topeka, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Anchorage. Should we include Berlin and Munich? Where do we draw the line? It is a complicated issue that deserves examination and solutions. Does being German born and raised make those players any less American and/or disqualify them from the U.S. national team? Perhaps a 5 to 10 year residency requirement should be enacted by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Isn’t the whole point of the program to create a strong program in the states?

Beating Belgium

Would Donovan have helped the U.S. squad defeat the Belgium team yesterday? Of course we will never know but one thing I do know is that I would have preferred to watch Landon Donovan yesterday because I would’ve recognized him, been familiar with his style of play and felt like I had been in the trenches with him over the past 12 years. In the video Andres Cantor, Mr. ‘Goooool’, calls the play and describes Donovan as the greatest U.S. Soccer player of all-time.

What do you think? I would really like to know.

Alex Paramo is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.

We are proud to be a community partner and digital programmer at Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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