LeBron James attending a Philadelphia Eagles' Game Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Since the NFL is kicking off, I thought it would be fun to compare NBA teams to their NFL counterparts.  Looking back at former Eagles’ quarterback Vince Young, making the bold “Dream Team” statement, many where convinced that the Eagles of last season were chasing a championship the same way the Miami Heat were trying to at the time: by luring the best free agents on the market. However this edition of the comparison will compare the teams of the NBA Southeastern division.

Atlanta Hawks = Oakland Raiders

First, let me give my condolences to the great Al Davis who passed away last year. He gave the Oakland community a great sports team and showed a bit of much needed swagger in the NFL. Back to the comparison. Hotlanta craves a championship with its history of proud sports teams. The Hawks have seemingly faltered in that cause. Even with the tremendous amount of talent they have had, they haven’t won a Championship, let alone, a deep run in the playoffs. Sometimes its hard to question whether management is looking to rebuild or build a contending team, especially after they traded their star Joe Johnson this past offseason. The Raiders can be presented in the same way. For the last several years, the organization had some of the biggest and talented names in football, but they have always been average or just plain mediocre. The Raiders have never really committed to rebuilding and they haven’t done a great job in bringing together a championship team. However the one constant between both teams are their immaturity levels. The Raiders are laughably prone to be given silly penalties. Its the barking and the non-disciplined actions that have given the Raiders’ organization a bad name. Same goes for the Hawks. The Hawks don’t have a leader and they often show their selfishness by simply quitting on their teammates if they don’t get the ball, look at Josh Smith repeatedly this season.

Charlotte Bobcats = St. Louis Rams

Yeah both teams emphasize the consistent losing traditions in their respective sport. The Bobcats are just plain terrible. The Rams are just hopeless. They both have some talented players on their roster but they lack any chemistry and simply can’t match up with far more talented teams. I’m mandating that Michael Jordan not have a say in team management. He has proven consistently that he fails at managing a team. I don’t know if any more evidence is needed especially after he drafted Kwame Brown over a decade ago. Both teams are just god-awful. Realistically, I don’t what more comparison is needed between the two teams. They both, seemingly, have always been bad in recent history.

Miami Heat = Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick at a 76ers' game. Credit: Barbara Johnston-US PRESSWIRE

I know I hinted upon this in the introduction, but both teams have very much in common. Both their head coaches, Erik Spoelstra and Andy Reid have really had a love affair with their star players. Just look at how much respect Coach Spo has for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in the huddle and just hear an interview of Michael Vick where he doesn’t mention Coach Reid once (none exist). Yes, besides that, the obvious is that both teams made huge free agency splashes. Both teams were instant favorites to win the championship but failed to do so, the first year after the dynamic free agency. However if the Eagles are really like the Heat, they will bounce back from a disappointing year and become the next team to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Orlando Magic = Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew sitting court-side at a Pacers' game. Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Well, I have to say the Jaguars got lucky when their star player and really entire offense, Maurice Jones-Drew, came back to the Jaguars after holding out for nearly the whole preseason. Had Jones-Drew continued to hold out, he would have easily been trade bait for the Jaguars to continue in their rebuilding stages. Similar to the Dwight Howard nightmare, the Jaguars are essentially nothing without their star player. Luckily for both teams, the nightmare of their star player keeping their team hostage is over as Dwight Howard was traded and Jones-Drew will continue to play for the Jags. But overall I see both teams struggling this year, maybe being in discussions of being the worst team in their respective league. Overall, the Magic and Jaguars need a lot of rebuilding if they want to compete and become the better teams within the Sunshine State.

Washington Wizards = Buffalo Bills

The Bills and Wizards for many years have been roaming the bottom of the pack in their sport, but it seems they both can now make cases for the playoffs after both their underrated free agency additions. Do I think they will contend for a title? Absolutely not. However, maybe the proud fans close to the border and in our Country’s capital can watch their team in the playoffs. The Wizards made some very solid additions when they acquired Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, and Martell Webster, while drafting Bradley Beal. They will easily be better and with their salary burden, Rashard Lewis, gone, they can look to build up a stronger team in the nearby future. For the Bills, signing Mario Williams makes their already solid defense twice as better. In a sense, both teams have struggled mightily for the last few years, but the forecast is looking bright as both teams are my surprise teams in the upcoming season.

Boston Celtics = Pittsburgh Steelers

Celtic Great Bill Russell wearing a Seattle Seahawks jersey Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

This seems like one of the more perfect replicates in all the comparisons that will be made. Both franchises have one the most championships in their league’s history. Currently both teams feature dominant defensive abilities and have tons of experience with their core group of players. The C’s and Steelers both have great facilitators in Rajon Rondo and Ben Roethlisberger. To add on, both teams are led by two of the best coaches in the modern era of sports, Doc Rivers for Boston and Mike Tomlin for the Steelers. Theses two teams have many features in common and both symbolize what it takes to win.

Brooklyn Nets = Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yeah, I’m expecting a few scratchings of the head. Both teams made large splashes during the offseason. The Nets and Buccaneers are both poised to make a run for the playoffs. Both teams have that Jersey connection. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Greg Schiano, the former head coach of Rutgers University, and the obvious, the Nets called New Jersey home for decades previous to this year. The Nets and Bucs have alot of talent and feature some of the better young players in their sport. Yes, the Nets may not have a player as respected and knowledgeable as Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay, but they have a group of solid veterans who can stabilize the locker room. Look for both teams to make some noise in their respective divisions and go back to their winning ways similar to the early 2000′s.

New York Knicks = Dallas Cowboys

Seemingly enough both the Knicks and Cowboys always have the cameras on them. Both have some of the more polarizing owners in their respective sport. Both call home to the world’s greatest stadiums. The Knicks and Cowboys are a perfect match. Both have the names and talent to make deep runs in the playoffs, but always seem to fall short. Whether it is a quick first round exit or not even making the playoffs. Money has never been an issue for both franchises as they lure in free agents and big names in the trade market. To add on to the ongoing list, both franchises are suspect to a coaching carousel as it is hard pressed to find a coach in either franchise in the last several years who have stayed long enough to make a permanent name for themselves to be called a coaching great with the exception of Cowboy’s ex-coach Bill Parcells.  The Knicks and Cowboys are both looking up to better teams, so they better get away from the press and focus on winning.

Philadelphia 76ers = Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow while with the Broncos Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The Sixers and Broncos may not seem like the perfect duo but they definitely have quite a few things in common. First off they both made the playoff last year and defeated te higher seed in the first round of the playoffs. Obviously there is no one at the level of Tim Tebow in the 76ers, but it took luck to see both teams defeat their superior opponents. For the Broncos it was one throw in overtime. For the Sixers, it was an injury to Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Both teams made big moves in the offseason and have upgraded. The Broncos signed four-time MVP Peyton Manning which gave them a serious upgrade over Tim Teeebowww (insert Stephen A. Smith dialect). The 76ers traded for Andrew Bynum one of the best big men in the NBA, a significant upgrade of a star player compared to Andre Igoudala. Both teams have had similar experiences in the past year, which makes them each other’s copy.

Toronto Raptors = Miami Dolphins

The two teams who have really stunk it up for a while in each other’s sport. Yes, they had a year or so of the glory days when they made the playoffs in the last couple of years. But both teams seemingly always have a reserved seed at the top draft picks. Neither team has a star. Yes both teams have a collection of a very capable players and have that one player that seems to excite the crowd: DeMar DeRozan for the Raptors and Reggie Bush for the Dolphins. Both teams are competitive to whoever they play but they just lack the talent to make a push for the playoffs. Not to mention a strong division in which it seemingly impossible to win many games. As both teams struggle to see who they are going to build around in the future, it become a norm that both teams are in the basement when it comes to success.

June 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) puts up a reverse shot defended by Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Rajon Rondos is a special athlete.

When I think of Rondo, I think of a lanky freak of nature with quick hands and quicker feet, a true defensive demon on the court, the kind of player that can plague an opposing point guard the entire length of the floor.

What I also think of is how awesome he could have been in roles in other sports.  Imagine three scenarios and we’ll elaborate on each:  major league baseball center fielder, football free safety, and soccer goalie.

1) MLB Centerfielder

Rondo brings a lot of Ken Griffey Jr.-like athleticism to a position that would require it.

Apr 24, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (24) flies out to center during the second inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Center fielders are usually among the quickest on the team, along with shortstops of course.  Rondo would be able to make the athletic catches, the home run saves, the slides, the dives.  He would be awesome in center fielder.  On offense, if he took a while to develop, he could work on his bunt game, as I figure a good bunt by Rondo would get him on base most of the time.  From there, he could steal second base a lot, aided by his long and quick stride.  I would love to see Rondo in Major League Baseball.

2)  Football Free Safety

Could you imagine the things Rondo could do in the backfield?  I also think he would make a good receiver, but that is a whole different topic.  What I envision is a guy who would intercept every long pass, make every saving tackle, and prevent big plays from being even bigger.  He could also play cornerback most likely, even better than receiver.  There are so many positions Rondo could play in football that would utilize his great length and quick, big hands.


Could Rondo tend the net like the legendary Lev Ivanovich?

3)  Soccer Goalie

Could you imagine Rondo’s quick feet and long arms in a soccer goal?  Would any one score at all?  Even on penalty shots I think Rondo would be so quick he wouldn’t be left guessing like most GOOD goalies.  Yes, I am suggesting Rondo would be a great goalie.  Moreover, as a special specimen as he is, he gets to wear whatever colors and kind of jersey he wants as goalie, so he could go out in style.  He would definitely propel the U.S. World Cup team into the second round.  I don’t think I am exaggerating.  He would be quick enough, long enough, and smart enough to make a lot of great saves.

We’ve looked at what Rondo could do in other sports, but what he is doing in basketball is pretty great in its own right.  His coordination enables him to make a lot of moves other point guards are incapable of.  His huge hands enable him to palm the ball and thus make better one-handed passes.  He is an exceptional athlete and I feel he would excel in so many different facets in sports as a top flight versatile athlete.  Rondo, in short, is pretty amazing, and I’m glad he got his chance to be in the NBA.  He is the kind of player that would rise to the top anyway, but a lot of bad things can go wrong along the way.  Here’s to hoping Rondo has an injury-free impressive career…!