We know David Beckham is really popular, but someone needs to alert the Associated Press that the world of sports actually includes things that happen beyond Europe.
The AP's top 10 list of international sports stories for 2003 is almost entirely Eurocentric. Fifty-five sports editors and broadcasters were polled (from around the globe but not the United States, which has its own survey) and apparently they believe that if it doesn't happen in Europe/to Europeans, it means little.
Kobe Bryant's case was No. 8. Two others involved Americans, Lance Armstrong's Tour de France triumph (No. 4) and the worldwide doping scandals (No. 2). The rest is all Euro, and, our paranoid side might say, anti-American. No. 9 is Belgium's Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne "eclipsing" the Williams sisters. Really? The Belgians had super seasons, but have the Williamses been "eclipsed"?
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods won another player of the year title over Vijay Singh (Fiji) and Mike Weir (Canada), LeBron James signed endorsements for $100-million before playing a game, and the Spurs stymied the Lakers' four-peat attempt, yet these events didn't crack the top 10 despite the enormous global popularity of golf and basketball.
Switzerland's Alinghi captured the America's Cup. Did you know that? You should have, it checked in at No. 10. Alinghi over Tiger? Nice poll, Euros.
James-led rookie crop gives NBA the gift of excitement
Few gifts this holiday season measure up to that bestowed upon the NBA on Christmas by LeBron James:
Final, official, notarized, we-saw-it-with-our-own-eyes confirmation that James could fulfill even the most optimistic pundits' projections.
James' epic mano-a-mano duel with the NBA's reigning king of mano-a-mano duels, Orlando's Tracy McGrady, was riveting, legend-building stuff.
It seems inconceivable James is 18 (he turns 19 Tuesday). Teenage rookies don't make fadeaway, cloud-dusting 20-footers from the corner with a hand in their face, or are so oblivious to pressure and scrutiny and expectations.
Incredibly, James might be raising expectations. He possesses the total package of skills and, of equal importance, apparently is blessed with a persona to cope with his burgeoning status as a cultural icon.
Better yet for the NBA, the top five picks in the 2003 draft all appear destined for greatness. No. 3 Carmelo Anthony has helped make Denver the surprise of the season, and No. 4 Chris Bosh (Toronto) and No. 5 Dwyane Wade (Miami) are stars on the rise. No. 2 Darko Milicic (Detroit) is being groomed slowly, but most think he too is a future All-Star.
James' journey to greatness is a long road with many potential roadblocks: injuries, complacency, burnout, mismanagement, etc. But has any teenager peered into a future with more promise?
