Top 5 Bama RBs

ROLL TIDE!

*I want to dedicate this post to the Vaughan family. It was their passion that led me to Roll Tide! Thank you. 


5. Glen Coffee

Beating LSU is always a big deal.

I became an Alabama fan in 2007, after an American family I lived with as a teenager introduced me to their alma mater - the University of Alabama. Up until then I only followed the NFL on a weekly basis. Yet their passion for "Bama", which I heard about at the dinner table, was contagious. It didn't take long for me to swear allegiance and turn my attention to college football. And there to welcome me was an exciting running back by the name of Glen Coffee. 

Seeing highlights of Coffee's standout performance against Houston on homecoming weekend (2007) was special. Coffee ran for 121 yards and looked like a beast. It was then that I saw his potential and became a bonafide Coffee addict! It didn't matter that he sat out for a number of games in 2007, that highlight reel performance against Houston had me hooked. 

In 2008, Coffee became Bama's #1 back - with Ingram and Upchurch in the wings, played all 14 games and averaged a whopping 5.4 yards per carry. After every game, I would search for Coffee highlights and hit play on LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out!

If you haven't seen Coffee's 87-yard monster run against Arkansas in 2008, then do yourself a favour and click here.

Coffee also starred in what is still one of the most impressive Iron Bowl victories I've seen - the 38-0 blitzkrieg Bama dropped on arch-rival Auburn in 2008. 

Before there was Ingram, Lacy, Richardson, Yeldon or Henry, there was Coffee! And while I never saw Shaun Alexander tear it up in Crimson, #38 possessed the speed, strength and athleticism to regularly get me out of my seat!

It still blows my mind that Coffee made the jump from rushing for 545 yards in 2007 to exploding for 1,383 - and double-digit TDs - in 2008.

4. Trent Richardson

He was Heisman worthy!

THE JUKE SEEN ALL AROUND THE WORLD! Richardson's insane juke on Ole Miss in 2011 even made the news down here in Sydney, Australia. All I can remember from watching the game live was losing my mind! 

Richardson's delicious mix of brute strength - dude did work in the weight room - and elegant athleticism perfectly encapsulated my love for running backs. I appreciate a lot of positions that take to the gridiron, but nothing gets me going like a freakish running back.

The tandem of Mark Ingram and Richardson in 2009 was one of the most beautiful (football) sights I've seen. Heisman-winner Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards in '09, while the freshman RB rushed for 751 yards, including 109 yards (+ 2 TDs) in the National Championship game against Texas! In other words, Richardson grew up quick and didn't waste time impressing on the biggest stage.

Signs weren't as bright after a down season in 2010, where Richardson rushed for 700 yards and 6 rushing TDs. If doubts were raised heading into 2011, however, Trent quickly dispelled them as he went on to match Shaun Alexander's streak of six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. 

When Trent torched Florida for 181 rushing yards, 2 TDs and averaged 6.2 yards per carry, I was ready to crown Trent as Ingram's worthy Heisman successor. How Trent didn't win the Heisman after the season he had in 2011 - he ran 203 yards in the Iron Bowl - is beyond me. I still reckon voters just didn't want to reward another Bama RB so soon after Ingram's 2009 win. (OK, RGIII and Luck did have outstanding seasons...)

Trent got the last laugh, though, as he lifted his second National Championship trophy in 2012 with Bama and scored a TD in his final collegiate game.

Note: I know much of Trent Richardson's shine has faded due to his less-than-impressive NFL career. This is disappointing as his stellar college career ought to be remembered and reflected on fondly. Hopefully, folks will come around.

3. TJ Yeldon 

Yeldon gave me a lot to yell about!

"Yeldon's gonna give us something to yell about!" 

That's what I'd chant before games in 2013. I was so impressed with Yeldon's high-flying game that my beautiful wife bought me a #4 Bama jersey for Christmas in 2014. (Note: On our second date, Claire came over to the sharehouse I was living in and we watched the 2012 National Championship game together. What a dame, hey?)

What stood out about Yeldon, other than his impressive rushing numbers during his freshman and sophomore seasons, is that he was a different kind of running back. Where other Bama greats were hardnosed, run between the tackles and apply the bulldozer technique, TJ used his elite footwork and danced his way into gaps before trusting his turbo speed.

If you check out this highlight reel - fast forward to 2:22 - then you'll see what I'm talking about. Bama was playing Mississippi State, who were no pushovers, and even when Bama had a 24 point lead in the 3rd, Yeldon was dancing and juking defenders out of their cleats. You'll see his trademark hop and juke before Daphne's #1 son gained the first down and more. This kind of carry often deflated opposition sides (and opposing fans) and allowed Bama's stout defence to finish the job.


2. Derrick Henry

Built like a linebacker!

"Crown him Heisman Henry IX!"

Yes, I spent a lot of time on social media in 2015 campaigning for Derrick Henry to win the Heisman trophy!

Henry's 2015 season was just magical. If he was overshadowed by LSU's Leonard Fournette early in the season, it didn't last long. Even before Bama dismantled Fournette and LSU on November 7th - Fournette had a pitiful 31 yards, 1.6 per carry - Henry was putting distance between himself and the LSU's legitimate beast. (Henry ran for 210 yards against LSU. It has to be said that Bama's 2015 offensive line was NFL-worthy, though.) 

Are you ready for Henry's 2015 stat that ought to blow your mind? 28 rushing touchdowns! You might also want to consider the quality of the teams Bama faced. Christian McCaffrey, who finished second in Heisman voting, rushed for 8 TDs.

Stats aside, what tickled my soul about Henry is that he got better as games progressed. Seriously, go watch highlights and check the box scores. Henry looked like he was running downhill in the second half of games. Henry actually averaged the most yards per carry in the fourth quarter of games in his Heisman season. A great example of this came against Auburn, when Alabama's final 14 plays consisted of hand-offs to #2.

PS. How about Henry IX's 156 rushing yards against the Chiefs (NFL) last weekend!


1. Mark Ingram Jr.

The first time I saw Bama lift the trophy!

It's hard for me to believe that someone ousted Derrick Henry for #1. That's how good Ingram was, though. The first Bama jersey I bought was the #22...

In many ways, I wasn't learned enough to truly understand how brilliant #22 was in Crimson. I saw the 2009 SEC Championship game against then-undefeated Florida - a thorn in Bama's side - and was able to recognise Ingram's ability to carry the team when the Gators were chomping at the bit. I just don't think I was able to fully appreciate the hurdles that Bama overcame during Ingram's sophomore/Heisman season. 

It was Ingram's touchdown at the start of the second quarter of the National Championship (Texas led 6-0) that had me chanting the Heisman winner's name. Then, as if on cue, Ingram ran for his second TD after Texas had scored 14 unanswered points. This put the National Championship game on ice, and it was fitting that #22 answered the call.

What also endears me to #22 is his continued love for the Crimson Tide. We often see Ingram on the sideline cheering on the team and laughing with fellow alums. He doesn't appear to be a diva or untouchable. In fact, Ingram recently penned a piece for The Players Tribune:

This is your time to shine. Point blank. The floor is yours. Everything is sitting out there for you right now. All you need to do is go out and grab it. You have an opportunity to do something special, something you’ve been dreaming about since you were a little kid.

But you’re ready. All of you. This team is ready.

Don’t let the stage be too big, or get caught up in what’s going on outside your locker room. Just follow your coaches, do your job, and leave everything you have out there on the field with your brothers. If you do that, I can tell you that special things will follow.

I’ll also tell you this: I’ll be right there watching it all go down — front and center, rocking my crimson gear, showing the love. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.

Top 5 2018 NRL off-season moves

Sutton's luscious mo was my NRL highlight of 2017!

Full disclosure: I'm a Rabbitohs tragic. Actually, I grew up as a North Sydney Bears fan, became an NRL refugee, and then found a new home in South Sydney. 

5. Gagai heads South

Another fantastic Indigenous addition for South Sydney.

If Gagai is anything close to the player he was for Queensland last year, it won't take him long to win over The Burrow. Sure, he didn't come cheap - $2.1 million over four years is what I heard, but neither did GI. Speaking of GI, one of the reasons I think Gagai will prove to be one of the best signings is because of the pressure he can potentially take off of GI's ageing shoulders. (Note: I'm still not happy with how much Souths coughed up to resign GI. I know he's etched his name in as an all-time great, I just think Souths could've used some of that $$$ to bolster the bench.) It can't be easy coming back from niggling knee injuries, but South Sydney faithful are hoping Gagai's creative flair and versatility will help ease GI back into the grind. 

Whether we see Gagai slot in at centre, fullback or on the wing, he's an upgrade in a backline that lacked creative spark last season. I also think he'll work well playing off of Reynolds and Walker. Gagai's first job will be to smash the pitiful two tries he scored for Newcastle last season (cross this off by Round 3!), and then eclipse last season's average running metres of 133 per. What I'm crossing my fingers for is Gagai asserting himself on defense, and finishing the season with more try assists than last season (9). 

4. Teddy goes to the Dark Side

:(

Tedesco upped his average running metres per match from 134 in 2016 to 173 last season for the Tigers. The last time the Roosters had a young gun at fullback - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2015 - he went on to average a shade under 230m per. Will Teddy eclipse the 200 mark? What about Roger's 11 tries in 2015? Well, considering the Roosters beat out the Rabbitohs (UGH!) and the Sharks for that champion Storm half-back, who I refuse to add to this list, the early signs are looking positive.

When I write this list next year, I hope that #1 will include Souths stealing Nick Politis away from Bondi. Either Politis and the Roosters' brains trust are smarter than the rest of the league when it comes to fitting talent under the salary cap (the Broncos and Storm might also be exempt), or something fishy is going on. Then again, the Knights singlehandedly freed the Roosters up in the cap department this offseason. 

Pettiness aside, the Roosters have finally filled the hole RTS left and have a player in Tedesco who can star for the foreseeable future. Tedesco's movement with the ball in hand is captivating, and it's clear that playing off the back of a gargantuan pack and savvy halves will do this young gun a world of good. And don't sleep on Tedesco's delicious mix of speed and strength! 

PS. The most depressing thing is that Teddy only just turned 25! 

3. The Panthers get their vet

Gould got his guy.

If you were to dust this deal for prints, you'd probably find Gus Gould's all over it. This team isn't exactly bereft of Premiership winning experience - Tamou and Merrin come to mind - but it's clear that once Moylan asked out Gould and co started targeting a veteran replacement. And once we learned that the Sharks weren't likely to resign Maloney, it was only a matter of working out how this deal would get done. 

Personally, I'm not a Maloney fan. He comes across as a bit of a pest. And if he isn't bending the rules defensively, he's a prime target for opposition runners. He makes up for defensive worries with superb ball handling and last tackle kicking skills, rugby IQ and decision making. Then there's the fact that he's a proven winner. How many other players have appeared in Grand Finals with three consecutive teams? Count 'em: Warriors, Roosters and the Sharks.

What the Panthers are undoubtedly hoping for is that Maloney will have the same calming and reassuring effect on Nathan Cleary as he had on Townsend in Cronulla. (Cleary already looks like an ice-man!) Another positive is that Maloney makes those around him better. This is a daunting prospect for opposition sides as the Panthers are bursting at the seams with hulking forwards and electric backs. 

I might just have to cash in my Blue Mountains heritage chips this season!

2. James is Hunting Dragons

Who'd want to be a referee?

I'm sure some people will downplay what the Dragons added this offseason, but the way I look at it is that this young team, which possesses a lot of raw talent and potential, solidified its leadership group. 

Before The Footy Show was finally laid to rest, last season they had Tommy Raudonikis trudge out, yell and make outlandish predictions. It reminded me a lot of what bland American shows turn to when they lose their best thinkers and writers. One of Tommy's sprays was directed at Ben Hunt, who he believed would finish the season playing for the Broncos' reserve side. 

“I’ll tell you something — this is my prediction — at the end of the season (Hunt) won’t be Broncos halfback. He’ll get dropped before that. He’ll have a fall out with Wayne Bennett. All he’s doing is thinking about all that big money he’s getting and I don’t think he’s worth that money.”

Hunt finished the season filling in - and thriving - as McCullough's replacement at hooker. In fact, Hunt played so well that he earned himself a Kangaroos jersey for the World Cup. As a result, Hunt racked up more running metres and tackles per game than he had in the previous two seasons. Furthermore, he stabilised the Broncos' spine and turned in man-of-the-match performances when it counted the most. 

Meanwhile, Graham helped pull Canterbury back from the abyss and led in effort and grit week in and week out. He may not be the ball playing forward he once was, but he's lost nothing in leadership and determination. (Graham still managed to average 34 tackles and 125m per during what many considered a down season!) Statistics also don't prove Graham's worth. If you watched any Bulldogs games he played in last season (19), you saw that he was often the only bloke chasing run-away opposition players to the in-goal and usually finished games with blood pouring down his blessed face. 

Both these signings are masterstrokes. 

1. Putting NEWCASTLE back on the map

The happiest bloke in Newcastle.

In: Mitchell Pearce, Connor Watson, Aidan Guerra, Kalyn Ponga, Tautau Moga, Herman Ese'ese, Jacob Lillyman, Chris Heighington, Slade Griffin, Brent Naden, Christian Hazard. 

Out: Brendan Elliot, Dane Gagai, Rory Kostjayson, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Starling, Anthony Tupou, Jacob Gagan, Pauli Pauli, Peter Mata'utia, Chanel Mata'utia, Mickey Paea, Sam Mataroa, Joe Wardle, Jaelen Feeney. 

I loathed the Knights growing up in the 90s. They were a dominant outfit that knew its identity. From first grade through to reserve grade, I couldn't imagine the Knights ever falling upon the tough times they have experienced of late. Three consecutive wooden spoons must be a brutal pill for loyal Novocastrians to swallow!

What first jumps out at me from these offseason signings are the Bondi Boys. Guerra, Pearce and Watson have packed their beach bags and will now join SKD in Newcastle. Not only does this camaraderie breed confidence, but it also lays a platform going forward. These are representative players who have tasted NRL and rep success. In fact, between the three of them, they have racked up 430 NRL and 27 Origin caps! They also have a hefty bone to pick - something this Souths fan once relished. 

My sleeper signing of the season is Tattau Moga. If Moga builds on what he turned in for the Broncos last season - he only failed to run for over 100m on two occasions last season - he'll be a force to be reckoned with. I can see him finally filling the boots that Newcastle lost in Joey Leilua.

Then there's the much-hyped Kalyn Ponga. I'm just about ready to fall in love with yet another Queensland-declared fullback. (Lockyer, Wesser, Matty Bowen, Boyd, Slater...) I expect to see Ponga and Turbo Tom (Trbojevic) lock Origin horns for years to come. It starts now! 

ENCORE: How 'bout that new Cowboy!

It's scary to think that McLean will be playing alongside TAU-MA-LO-LO this season.

Thurston and Morgan must be licking their lips! They have their gritty co-captain back, their resident wrecking ball is coming off a fantastic World Cup showing for Tonga, and now one of the Storm's most consistent performers - and biggest bruisers - is heading to North Queensland. This also means that the try scoring machine Coen Hess (12 tries last season) and the half-back born in a prop's body John Asiata would be coming off the bench!

McLean is only 26, and he looks poised to take the next step and don the sky blue for NSW this season. To guarantee a Blues jumper, Jordan just has to keep progressing as he has been over the last three seasons. Last season he smashed his way into the 100m running, 10+ hit-ups and 20+ tackles per match club.

What I want to see is just how long other teams can stop these forwards from smashing through defensive lines and offloading with ease!

I hope your 2018 NRL season is as fruitful as Sutto's mo!*
*Except for Manly & Roosters fans!

5 WWI Propaganda Posters

At the outbreak of World War I, Empires and nation-states began employing and disseminating propaganda on a widespread, international scale. With new weapons came a focus on using modern concepts of nationalism, patriotism and service to help deliver "victory". News from battlefronts was also disseminated faster than ever, and it began to filter back home and into the public consciousness. And while governments and rulers have long understood that controlling the views and beliefs of subjects and citizens is crucial to progress, the sheer scale and length of WWI meant that persistent propaganda and advertising became essential. I'm going to share 5 posters from the Great War and comment on context and meaning. 

5. 

This is a Russian poster depicting Kaiser Wilhelm II as the devil. War and conflict had long been waged between Russia and Prussia, but by 1914 the Kaiser - who was also the king of Prussia - was widely understood to be the enemy of the Russian people. (Note: This made life difficult for the Tsar's German-born wife!) Through overt advertising and propaganda messages, it was believed by many - especially those at the top of Russia's oppressive pyramid - that defeating Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire would bring an end to Russia's widespread struggles. What we also see in this image of the devil and the human skulls is the barbarity and savagery that Russians were to believe that Germany stood for. This atrocity propaganda was used by every participant and often touched on religious and cultural beliefs.

4.

Only us Aussies would be able to get the beach into the war effort! And talk about a savage guilt trip!

The contentious issue of conscription came to the floor during WWI, and even as far away as Australia is, the Commonwealth still came knocking. Given the number of servicemen who were dying and the size of the armies that were needed to forge ahead, propaganda wasn't just employed to depict the enemy as evil - justifying the war, but also to recruit 'volunteers'. (Note: Australia initially pledged 20,000 troops.) Emotional blackmail was mixed with national sentiment and resulted in a man's worth being defined by his willingness to fight. What advances in travel and news also allowed for, though, were atrocities to be widely portrayed through letters, photographs and print media.

3. 

Now there's a hunkasaurus! Let your eyes feast on those luscious locks, and check out that oh-so-masculine jawline!

This German poster concentrated on raising funds for the war effort - "War loans help the guardians of your happiness." The word choice is fascinating to think about while looking at the German soldier quite literally protecting his wife and baby. (Women and children were often used as symbols of purity, innocence and righteousness.) On top of gaining support and sympathy through advertisements and propaganda images, all sides in this world war needed "war loans" and finances to help fund a war that no one thought would span from 1914-1918. In fact, German military officials were so confident that it was going to be a short, explosive war that they believed they would be home for Christmas.

2. 

Women were used in war propaganda in a variety of ways; although they were depicted as helpless and innocent victims of an evil opposition, they were also called on to join the war effort by taking on manufacturing, agricultural and industrial roles that had otherwise been filled by men. Production on the homefront was spearheaded by women who created support organisations and put in long hours of manual labour to support the national effort. 

Women also donned military uniforms in WWI. The Great War was the first time in American history that women were officially attached to the military. For example, women served in the American navy, while the Army Nurse Corps was assigned to the army when the United States officially entered the war in 1917. 

1. 

What more do I need to say? Oh, except that it was actually a rip-off based off of the 'Lord Kitchener wants you' poster from 1914...

Top 5 90s Ballers

Things have changed. 

I can remember a time when my brother and I would set the VHS to record the monthly edition of NBA Action. Fast forward a few years: I can remember racing to our dining table, when we lived in Kuala Lumpur, to check the NBA scores printed in the New Straits Times. 

A few weeks ago, the missus and I visited some mates in Putney. When we strolled through the living room, I noticed two young boys off to the side sitting in front of a TV waiting for the NBA game to start on League Pass.

Times have changed.

Before analytics-and-stats-driven millennials throw shade at me and this post, let me make this clear: I'm making a case for my Top 5 Ballers from the 1990s.

*Shout out to SLAM for keeping this 90s kid in touch with everything that mattered in the game. 


5. Penny Hardaway / Allen Iverson

I still wonder what a healthy Penny (and Grant Hill) could've done...

AI's SLAM covers blew this white kid's mind.

I want to come clean... my brother was the original Penny and Iverson fan in the family home. In fact, he still cheers for the Magic and 76ers. 

I guess I didn't consider myself cool enough to join the fan club. I mean, Penny had 'Lil Penny; AI had Bubba Chuck swagger. (Shout out to Grandmama!) Penny had everything you wanted in a post-Stockton 90s point guard, while AI blew the league away with his "killer crossover". (Stop bitching, Tim Hardaway.)

And then there are the kicks. I remember when I first laid eyes on the Penny IIs in 1 Utama - Kuala Lumpur, as it was the first time I contemplated stealing something from a store. I still can't believe that I owned and wore a pair of AI's Answer IV! A chubby, unathletic (JV) kid has no right wearing those bad boys. 

Fellas like Penny and AI made the 90s about more than wins and losses. They gave us something to "ooh" and "ahh" at, on and off the court. 

PS. What would've happened if the Magic had won in '94 and the 76ers in '01? 

My brother rocking his '96 Penny Hardaway Dream Team jersey. Yeah, I'm eating carpet.

That was my Magic hat.

4. Charles Barkley

My magazine of choice before SLAM.

Guess what my JV coach nicknamed me? 

"THE ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND."

I hated it. 

But I didn't hate Sir Charles. Sure, he rubbed rubs folks the wrong way, but he was a dynamo on the court. I could watch him - and Shawn 'The Reign Man' Kemp! - attack the basket all day long! Then there was the eye-popping fact that Charles - an undersized power-forward - would grab rebounds as if he was first in line at a buffet (career rebound average: 11.7). 

Has anyone this millennium make you want to learn about the fundamentals/importance of rebounding? Does anyone even box out these days?

Catching highlights of Charles vs. Jordan (1993) was thrilling. It still grinds me that I didn't manage to get my hands on one of those '93 Finals cards! I'm sure there are still fans wondering how that stacked Phoenix team didn't get the job done. Charles was statistically outrageous! Check out his 92-93 averages: 25, 12, 5, 1, 1 / 52% from the field and 76% from the line. 

What's my advice for Charles going forward? 

You do you. Just don't throw anyone else through a glass window.  

3. Shaquille O'Neal

I was on Team Shaq

I always wonder how it is that I could hate the Lakers but own the Shaq jersey above. All I can come up with is that I couldn't take my eyes off of the Big Diesel. 

- Blue Chips & Kazaam

I still rate Blue Chips.

My poor parents had to sit through Kazaam multiple times.

- The Magic Years

THE SHOES.

- The 3-peat

At this point, I was cheering for Portland.

- 2006 Heat

Who was Batman?

I laughed when Kevin Durant recently said that Shaq was just 'big and strong'. What rubbish!

Shaq was larger than life in every way. When he came into the league, he was dribbling and finishing with style. Then he muscled up, improved defensively and perfected the fly swatting game. Folks seem to forget that he averaged over two blocks per game for his career. It's also perplexing how people downplay what became known as "hack-a-Shaq". Teams couldn't stop him in the paint so they resorted to tackling him. Shaq would literally CARRY opposing players to the hoop. 

Check out skinny Shaq!

What we also are quick to forget about was Shaq's vision and passing ability. The Big Aristotle perfected Phil's L.A. triangle, in part because he was able to pass out of double teams with ease. In other words, Shaq made role players look legit. Go back and watch some of Shaq's assists - big fella was versatile. 

The last word goes to Shaq breaking my Pacers-shaped heart in 2000. He destroyed our Dunking Dutchman - I hope Rik's health insurance is top-notch - and made it impossible for Reggie, Jackson and an emerging Jalen Rose to seize control.

Where's Rik? Oh dear!

2. Michael Jordan

Before I had the opportunity to watch a live NBA game, I watched MJ's Come Fly with Me and Playground. I wonder what the local Video Ezy clerk thought when I'd come in every Saturday and rent the same Jordan documentaries. I can still hear MJ's practised documentary voice and the 80s keyboards... 

After my brother and I had watched - and rewatched - the Jordan documentaries, we would scramble out the back door and reenact what we had seen on the dinky ring Dad stuck to the laundry door. We'd take turns being 'Jordan and the Bulls', while the other sucker had to be 'Bird and the Celtics' or 'Magic and the Lakers'. If you were Jordan, you won - no questions asked. We were such purists that we recreated the exact results. (Years later an ex-NBA player who went on to coach the Malaysian national team would call us "basketball junkies".) 

What does one wear to Christmas? Jordan jersey and hoodie!

I owe my passion for basketball to MJ. I have no doubt that rugby would've eclipsed and eventually worn down the round ball game if it weren't for #23. 

Then there was the exhilaration of opening a pack of basketball cards and finding a JORDAN in the deck. I'd slowly stroll home, casually close my bedroom door, and then F-R-E-A-K O-U-T! Last I counted, my brother and I collected and preserved 53 Jordan cards. Some people say we should sell them.

I still get the itch. 

You can't sell His Airness.


1. Reggie Miller

Reg wasn't always easy to love. What kind of cover is this?!

Last weekend - May 7 - we celebrated Mum's 65th birthday. Thankfully, it was a gorgeous autumn day. May 7 also marks the day when the Indiana Pacers went from being a team I enjoyed watching to a team that I wanted to rep. If you don't know what happened on that magical day in 1995, then do yourself a favour and watch this.

This DOESN'T happen. And when you are the visiting team in Madison Square Garden, it DEFINITELY doesn't happen. 

It was just after Reggie sunk those free-throws that I knew it was time to get rid of my Jordan paraphernalia and take on the Pacers' cause. 

It wasn't easy moving from the Bulls to the Pacers. Indiana was less spectacular. Games felt more like a grind. Emotions were always running high. It also didn't help that MJ always played well against us. At the same time, though, I didn't want it any other way. We may be "small market" (yes, 'we'), but we are...

No one epitomised this Midwest battler complex more than Reggie Miller. He was dorky looking, sounded a bit off, celebrity row hated him, players bitched about him, but no one could shake his killer mentality. Yes, I'm talking about Reggie's dagger 3! You can't tell me that Reggie wasn't clutch. 

No foul. 

The most ironic part about all this for young Cam was that I couldn't shoot the three for my life. In fact, I was told to focus on using my fat ass to box fellas out.

When I was at home, though, I'd watch the 3-point king go to work. After the games were over, I'd head off to try and replicate Reggie's clutch moves. (My brother would block 97.3% of my shots!)

When I heard fans chant "Cheryl" it made me appreciate Reg more. The Cheryl moment somehow made it easier for me to accept that my brother was ten times the player I was. (I was only ever going to play JV.) I guess what I'm trying to say is that I projected myself on #31. 

I know people still hate Reggie. Does anyone else keep picturing Spike Lee? But at least I supported someone other than #23.  

Believe it or not, what happened in Madison Square Garden in 1995 is no longer my favourite Miller moment. Reggie's Hall of Fame induction speech has taken the gong.


Thank you, champ.