#FlashbackFriday: Would-Be SI for Kids Masterpieces

I drew a lot of artwork back in the day with the idea of getting it published in the "Art Gallery" section of Sports Illustrated for Kids.  But I only finished some of it and, more notably, submitted none of it.

Why?  Because no one wants to stuff their masterpieces in an envelope and toss them in a mailbox, potentially never to be seen again.  And (of course) because I knew, if I stashed them away for a few decades instead, they'd eventually make a grade-A #FlashbackFriday blog post.

Good call, young self.  Good call.

The End of the World: One Fan's Story

I'm in New York for this.  On Long Island.  Just under an hour east of the Barclays Center in the sleepy hamlet of Bellmore, at my girlfriend's family's house, visiting for a long weekend.

The girlfriend is keeping the TV on E! until 12:00 on the dot, watching a Keeping Up with the Kardashians re-run.  Yes – one featuring Kris Humphries (gut punch no. 1).  When the time comes, we'll switch over to YES, since I'll be watching this unfold on the official network of the New York Yankees (gut punch no. 2).  The suspense builds with each minute as we approach high noon.

11:56... 11:57... 11:58... 11:59...

And we're in.

The Best and Worst of the Alternate Jersey

One of the most emblematic features of professional sports is the jersey.  The spirit and essence of your team of choice is displayed in every stitch, every color scheme, and every numbering/lettering pattern of that team’s respective uniform.  As fans, the jersey is our way of connecting to the players.  It is the only situation where the professional and the lay fan stand united.  The jersey allows us to display our colors loudly and proudly.

Although sometimes a little too loudly.  A development in professional is the creation of the third or alternate jersey.  Most of the time, the alternate jersey is a refreshing option.  Whether it’s a playful take on the team’s traditional color scheme, celebrating the team’s history with a throwback option, or creating a retro/vintage look to commemorate those glory days of yesteryear, the alternate jersey invites the die-hard fan to have a little fun with their favorite team and injects a little joie de vivre in the pressure-filled world of sports.  Unfortunately, these alternates can go horribly wrong.  These third-option monstrosities make up some of the worst marketing decisions in sports.  Almost as bad as the decision to green-light Joey for NBC.  Because that worked out well for everyone.

So without any further ado, Four Guys brings you their picks for the best and worst of alternate jerseys from the four major sports leagues.

Taking my talents to Causeway Street?

After unloading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn was immediately followed by chatter about preliminary talks of sending Rajon Rondo to Dallas, it's clear that winning will not be a high priority for my favorite basketball team next season.  The 2013-2014 Boston Celtics might as well stitch a ceremonial "Wiggins or Bust" patch on their jerseys, because it sure seems they'll be tanking like Michael Dukakis for the consensus no. 1 prospect in the draft next summer.

Which brings me to my point.  This is my moment.  Now is the time for my childhood dreams of donning Celtic green to come true.  I can help the cause.  (An explanation via video follows the jump.)

O what a night

Wow.  I have been an NBA fan for as long as I can remember and I can guarantee I have never seen a night like last night (15 trades!!!!).  It’s going to take a few weeks for me to catch my breath so discussing everything that happened would take far too long (and no one needs that on a Friday afternoon).  So what I decided to do was pick out three teams I thought drafted well and three teams that I think have to be questioned.

I'm also staying away from the blockbuster Nets-Celtics trade from last night in this post.

(Frankly, I need more time to figure out my thoughts on the trade.  However, I am happy Danny Ainge took my advice from earlier this week!  If you need somebody to help you out in the front office, I’m available, Danny.  Just wanted to let you know.)

An open letter to Danny Ainge

Last night, I sat down and wrote a letter to Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge about the current state of my favorite team.  Since then, things have gotten a bit cray cray, and the message of my missive (presented after the jump) has become all the more relevant.  -Dave

Starting from the bottom

Starting over.

Some people love it, others can’t handle it.  All of us have to do it at one point or another, and yet so few people truly embrace it.

Starting over is scary.  I get it, but sometimes it can be the best thing for you.  Whether it’s in a personal relationship, a job or a new home, starting over gives you a blank slate to work from.

Rebuilding is a word that gets thrown around a lot in sports.  Believe me, I know.  The Mets and Bills have been “rebuilding” for more or less my entire life.  Sometimes it seems the rebuilding process is a tunnel without a light at the end of it.

But it’s a phase every team needs to go through.

Talkin' 'bout their generation

If the Spurs beat the Heat in tonight's decisive game 7, Tim Duncan will add another NBA title to his long-solidified Springfield credentials.  It will come 14 years removed from his first title back in 1999, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the longest span between rings earned in league history.  And it will also, as you may have heard, tie him with another Laker great in another category.

Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant will have five championships apiece.

A question with no answers

One disclaimer before we really get into this.  There will be no answer provided to this question because I honestly don’t know.  Nobody does.

That question is: Why don’t our sports evolve and change with the times? 

It’s coming folks and it’s coming soon.  An event will take place in one of our four major sports that we are not going to be able to ignore and this event will shift our entire sports landscape.  And I assure you this event will be tragic and something that far outreaches any Tim Tebow or MLB steroid story.