Red and Gold Swagger: The Top 5 South Broward Bulldog athletes of All-Time

It is the 100^th  year anniversary at my alma mater South Broward High School and as I sit less than one week away from ending my high school Career there are many people that I will see this week that I may never see again. In other words they will be history and speaking of History many people including myself may not know that South Broward has had people who wore that Red & Gold proudly just like us play in the NFL,MLB and WNBA.  We aren’t ST.Thomas Aquinas level or anything like that but each school has its own unique history it can be proud of. I am a sports blogger this is what I do so let me give you a list of the top 5 Best athletes in my school’s illustrious 100 year history.

#5 Chris Bushing (Major League Pitcher-Cincinnati Reds)

After Graduating High School from South Broward Chris Bushing signed as an amateur Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles in 1986. Although very talented Chris struggled with the control of his fastball which kept him in the Minor Leagues for five seasons. Baseball Legend Felipe Alou said the following about Chris “with that kind of Fastball he has to make a hitter cry”. Pretty great stuff to hear from a guy who has seen a lot of great talent in his day. Chris’s Career was very short he appeared in only 6 games for the reds in the 1993 season where he earned a 12.46 ERA and 4 strikeouts on 4 innings pitched.

#4 Broderick Nelson (Corner Back-Michigan State Spartans)

Broderick Nelson played 4 years at MSU and 2 as a starter. He earned All-Big ten Honorable mention recognition in 2001. He was an NFL Draft prospect until injuries derailed that. He did a lot of Damage in Red and Gold though. He was named twice to the Class 5A All-State team. Nelson also won MVP in the annual Dade vs Broward High School All-star game as well as Broward County Offensive Player of the year. Nelson is certainly one decorated individual I’m happy to call a South Broward Bulldog.

 #3 Travis Daniels (Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs-Corner back)

Travis Daniels put up Big time numbers while attending South Broward. During his Senior Season at SBHS he recorded 60 tackles along with interceptions as a cornerback. Daniels also played wide receiver and hauled in 34 receptions 500 yards and 4 touchdowns. These dual threat numbers helped Daniels earn 1^st team All- State, All-County and All-District Honors. This helped him earn his way to into the College Football rankings where he would go on to play for Nick Saban and the LSU Tigers. Daniels was a key contributor for 4 seasons at LSU and helped the Tigers Capture a National Championship in 2003 with a win over the Oklahoma Sooners. Daniels after 4 seasons at LSU declared for the NFL draft in 2005 and was selected in the 4^th round 104^th overall by his hometown Miami Dolphins. Daniels has played 8 seasons in the league and is now currently playing on the Kansas City Chiefs.

#2  Bill Hawkins (LA Rams-Defensive End)

Bill Hawkins accomplished a lot in his football life. At South Broward while on the Football team he had the Highest GPA on the team at 3.8 along with being an All-State Selection/High School All-American 2^nd team. This led him to the University of Miami football program where he was a 3 year starter at the University of Miami. While at Miami he helped the Hurricanes Capture a National Championship in 1987. Jimmy Johnson called Hawkins “The most consistent Linemen I ever coached”. Pretty impressive coming from a guy who has coached some the greatest teams in football history. Hawkins was picked in the 1^st round 21^st overall by the LA Rams where he played three seasons in the NFL.

  

#1 Tamara James (South Broward/University Of Miami/Washington Mystics- Greatest Of All-Time)

If you have friends on the South Broward basketball team or just spend a lot of time in the gym If you look around Tamara James has left her mark everywhere around it. Look toward the far end of the gym and you will see that her #24 is retired, Look on the walls and you will see pictures of the Dynasty she helped build from 2000-2002 when the Lady Bulldogs captured 3 consecutive State Championships. James is a Bulldog for life. Tamara James didn’t stop her domination there though She went on to play basketball for the University of Miami where she became the Schools All-Time leading scorer with 2,406 Points. She was named to the All-ACC 1^st team in 2005 and 2006 and would later go on to have her #2 retired by The University Of Miami. After all of her dominance in High School and College ranks it was time for Tamara to go pro and declare for the WNBA Draft. She was selected in the 1^st round 8^th overall by the Washington Mystics. She spent 1 season in the WNBA then went on to play pro basketball overseas. These days when she’s not playing basketball she is running her Foundation along with being an ambassador to the Girls Basketball team at SBHS. Tamara James you are the Greatest Bulldog Athlete of All-Time.

So as you can see the place we come from has a nice history of sports that to be quite honest I wasn’t aware of for many years even attending South Broward. It’s a history I and my fellow Seniors should be proud and take pride. It should also Inspire us to make our own history. 

Video Blog: NBA Awards

Awards in the NBA are being handed out as we speak, checkout my awards breakdown in the video below. See how my picks stack up with the NBA.

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Throwback Thursday: 1996 NBA Draft Class

The 2013 NBA Draft is set to take place in a matter of a month or so and it is chalk full of guys not much older or mature then myself. Not only that but it may be one of the weakest classes in years due to the fact that there is no clear consensus number one pick. I don’t like to focus on the negative though that’s not we do here a Tru School Sports but we will do is our Throwback Thursday and today the post is on arguably one of the best if not the Best draft classes in league history which  features the Players from the 1996 NBA draft. That Draft changed the whole dynamic of the league for better or worse bringing you some of the biggest names in basketball the last 25 years with players such as Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant.

Flash,Flare,Practice, Championships and controversy are a few words to describe the two most noticeable faces from the 1996 class-Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. The 2 players are arguably the best players in the history of  2 of the NBA’s most iconic franchises in the Philadelphia 76ers and L.A  Lakers. Iverson and Bryant brought their own unique playing style and swagger to the League on and off the court. Kobe had an afro and was cold blooded gained a reputation as one of the leagues top clutch Performers. Iverson like his counterpart did the same but at a greater magnitude for many Sixers teams that lacked the talent the Lakers had.

In what is known among many People as the “Ankle Breaker” era of basketball (Early 2000’s) Iverson and Bryant were the leagues two most popular players and had a clear rivalry with each other. In 2000 the two franchise players met in the NBA Finals. The series provided one of he most memorable moments from that era of basketball when Allen Iverson crossed over Tyron Lue made him fall down , hit a Jumper and stepped right over him like only A.I could do. The Sixers came out swinging in game 1 beating the Lakers but in the end we were in the midst of what was going to become a dynasty and A.I just didn't have the help.

These guys though as great as they were still had controversy surrounding them. Allen Iverson Had his infamous “Practice” Interview/rant. Kobe Bryant had his feud with Shaq which ultimately ended the Laker Dynasty. Great Players who we love to talk about, who  also are some of the Highest Jersey sellers ever came from that 1996 draft class with 1st and 13^th picks respectively.

Then there are the Guys who are the Best we have ever seen at a particular facet of a game

In the 5^th in 15^th picks of that Draft In Ray Allen and Steve Nash. Ray Allen is statistically and historically the greatest three point shooters and one of the greatest clutch shooters of all-time. Steve Nash for the better Part of His career made Pick and Rolls look illegal and is one of the very few people to win Back to Back MVP’s.

Ray Allen Has played on some great teams over the years. Whether is was with Sam Cassell, Glen Robinson, Rashard Lewis,Kevin Garnett or Lebron James he always found ways to become and stay the most feared shooter in the game. Very few people in even in today’s NBA can match the fitness level of Ray Allen even at 37 years old. It is this reason that He is the NBA’s All-time best three point shooter.

Steve Nash is the perfect example of how you make teammates better, If you look a numbers he averaged 11 assists four times in his career. If you Wan’t physical proof of how great Nash Is as a facilitator just look at what Amare Stoudemire’s Contract and what he hasn’t done without Nash, That speaks volumes to his greatness. The Phoenix Suns teams of the Mid 2000’s of Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare was some of the most exciting basketball I ever watched had they had some coaching on defense Nash might have a ring on his finger But for a guy who was once considered to slow in College and that he wouldn’t matchup well with athletes in NBA Not bad.

Then There are the guys who are All-Stars that never won anything but were very exciting to watch in their prime in 4^th and 17^th picks Jermaine O’Neal and Stephon Marbury.

Jermaine O’neal was once considered one of the best frontcourt players in his prime but for all the talent he possessed he is a great example of someone flaming out early in their career. Make no Mistake About it though when in his Prime Jermaine O’neal was a monster for the Indiana Pacers and and All-Star Year in and year out.

Stephon Marbury was a guy who was exciting to watch but at the end of the day wasn’t impacting winning. He had plenty seasons averaging 20 points but never took a team deep into the playoffs. Starbury was a tremendous talent anybody who gets traded for Jason Kidd has to be.

The Number two pick in 1996 draft happened to be one of the better defensive players of this era and that would be Marcus Camby. Although he was never turned into a star Camby has had a long productive career and won Defensive player of the year in 2006-2007. Wherever he has gone he has produced.

Sacramento just received word that Kings are not Moving and I’m sure if you ask Kings fans about the glory days of Webber/Bibby/Peja. They will all tell you about great it was to watch the  14^th pick in the 96 draft play. He played on the best teams in that franchises history and was one of the deadliest shooters of his era and appeared in 3 All-Star Games for the Kings.

Other Players That Appeared in this draft are guys such as Antoine Walker, Derek Fisher, Kerry Kittles, Zydrunas Ilgauskas which are all guys who were Role Players on teams that won or made it to the NBA finals.

So All in all the 1996 Draft Class will go down in the books as one of the most influential and impacting drafts in NBA History but is it the best? In my opinion the answer is yes but some people may disagree but it definitely helped the NBA in finding stars for the league post Jordan era.


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Michael Jordan Baseball Card

Michael Jordan was known for his greatness in the 90’s, just not as a baseball player. In the midst of his prime in Chicago MJ decided to do what his dad wanted him to which was play baseball after he passed away. His Airness left the Bulls for the Birmingham Barons to try make it to the Major leagues. This 1995 Upper deck Collectors Choice edition features Jordan Pictured in a Chicago White Sox Jersey playing the outfield.

He was much better at basketball then baseball as most know but little known fact-Michael Jordan had 30 stolen bases in his lone season of baseball. If only he didn’t strike out 114 times he might have had a future in it.

Larry Johnson 1991-1992 Upperdeck

 The NBA draft is rapidly approaching by the day and I can only begin to wonder about all the different ways my Charlotte Bobcats will screw up whatever pick they get I look at this card for hope. Larry Johnson pictured in the card above was selected 1st overall in the 1991 NBA Draft and would go on to win Rookie of the year honors in 1992. LJ was a franchise changing talent and fresh off a national Championship at UNLV gave the Hornets instant credibility. Although it was before my time I have a deep appreciation for those Muggsy Bouges-Alonzo Mourning-Kendall Gill-Dell Curry and LJ teams of the early to mid 90's it represents a golden era for basketball in my hometown. This picture captures one of the greatest draft picks made by any Charlotte sports team, I can only hope that who ever we draft this year turns out to be what LJ was during his time with the Hornets.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of the wonderful Moms out there who make sacrifices for their kids everyday nothing is possible without you guys.

THANK YOU!!

Defining Moments: Nate Robinson

The Series between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat is displaying a lot of intensity. It is also showing how teams who are substantially different in terms of their roster are annoying each other into uncontrolled insanity whether it be through Hard fouls or Flops These teams don’t like each other.

This series is also serving as a defining moment in the career of arguably the most Important player currently healthy on the Chicago Bulls roster and this person stands at a Chiseled,uncontrollable 5’9-Nate Robinson. Throughout his career Nate has displayed inconsistency but has left little doubts of his talent level in the minds of the people who witnessed him. The only problem is that his defensive effort has never been inconsistent and that’s a no go in the playoffs. Stops in New York, Boston, Golden State and Oklahoma City have always left people wondering why Nate can’t stick anywhere. This playoff run has provided him with an opportunity to prove himself to the basketball world and the Chicago Bulls organization that he is here to stay and isn’t just some dude who will bounce from team to team.

With Derrick Rose injured and most likely never coming back for the rest of the Playoffs Nate Robinson has been provided with substantial minutes in the playoffs for the 1^st time ever. As a Celtic in 2010 he averaged 7.5 minutes per game. As a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder he averaged 4 minutes a game and during those 2 Playoff Cameos for Robinson he started 0 games.

This Postseason he has started 6 games and played a big role in some of the Bulls most important wins. Like During Game 4 Against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center in Chicago where Nate collected 34 Points 4 Assists and 2 Steals in a 142-134 Triple Overtime Win for The Bulls which will go down as one of the craziest games in Bulls history where he also dropped 23 fourth quarter points. He has shown that He will not back down to anyone and that in a larger role can produce big time. Nate wound up leading the Bulls to a 7 game series over Brooklyn which leads us to where we stand now. 

The Miami Heat are the center of attention in the Basketball world locally and globally someone in your neighborhood is Loving or Hating the Miami Heat. At this Current moment that also applies to the Chicago Bulls depending on your perspective. The Heat look like an immovable force and Here are the Bulls the most injured, Unhealthy team in the playoffs that is going to give every ounce of energy it takes to win by any means necessary. The series up to this point currently stands at a 2-1 Heat lead. It has also been a tale of two Nate’s and proven why he Is the X-Factor in this series. In Game 1 the Bulls stole home court with a 93-86 Victory over the Miami Heat. In that Game Nate Robinson tallied 27 points, 9 Assists on 50% shooting while hitting 3 Three pointers. The last 2 games he has scored under 20 points and shot under 40%. If the Bulls are going to win this series Nate will have to adjust back to the Heat and get on track and play at a high level.

Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich are all out. The Bulls are considered underdogs by many and Nate has been one his whole life this is a defining moment in his career. There was a song I once heard that sung “Opportunity, Opportunity comes but once and don’t come back no more”. The lights on Nate Robinson may never be brighter than they are right now at this current moment.

So what’s it going to Be Nate will you snatch and grab it?