Throwback Thursday

Yesterday was a big throwback day because three former NBA all stars were in the news for considering or making comebacks. The biggest story is Reggie Miller contemplating a comeback with the Boston Celtics. Penny Hardaway already signed with the Miami Heat while Allan Houston is looking at several teams as he considers a return to NBA action.

But before I jump into the NBA comebacks, I'd like to make a little Throwback Thursday dedication to Pete Sampras. He came out of retirement to play team tennis and senior events but does not seem to want to return to the regular ATP tour. I was browsing YouTube last night and stumbled upon this video.



For anyone who has become enamored with Roger Federer and amazed by what he can do, just remember that Pete Sampras is the best ever. He made Agassi look like a fool! Of course I'm not trying to take away from Federer's consistent dominance of the sport in recent years because that would be more foolish than Agassi's strategy in the video clip. Although no strategy could have been effective against Pete at that point. But I digress. Federer is great, but Sampras was the best against some of the best of all time. Nadal doesn't measure up to Agassi, Roddick doesn't measure up to Ivanisevic, and Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin don't play at the level they did six or seven years ago.

Now that we're clear on that, let's move on to basketball. Starting with Penny Hardaway, I suppose from the Miami Heat stand point he replaces Eddie Jones who was recently signed by the Dallas Mavericks. He also may play a larger role if James Posey goes elsewhere via free agency. But from Penny's standpoint I think the decision to come back is based on not wanting to end his career with a bitter taste in his mouth left there by the futility and frustration of playing for the New York Knicks. He gets a chance to reunite with Shaq and with a healthy Dwyane Wade, a chance at an NBA title. All around, not a bad move for either side, as Penny is only 36 and might be fresh after taking a year and a half to rest those creaky knees.

Let's move on to Reggie Miller. My friends all know me as the biggest Reggie Miller fan in existence. It would be hard to see Reggie in anything but Indiana blue and yellow. But does this make sense for Reggie? It's understandable for a player who spent 18 seasons in the NBA to miss the atmosphere and camaraderie of an NBA locker room. Reggie was offered a deal last year from the Mavs and smartly rejected that offer. Although Reggie would not have been intimidated by Steven Jackson's defense in the playoffs and probably would have lit up the Warriors. But Reggie made the right choice. He retired with dignity and respect and he should probably stay retired. The only thing that might justify him coming back is if he hit the game winning shots that clinched the NBA championship for the Celtics. Otherwise he would be thrown into the Karl Malone-Gary Payton category. Whether that criticism would be just or not is irrelevant because the similarities would be too obvious to overlook. So Reggie, we loved you for what you did and you have nothing to prove to anyone else. If Reggie wants to play for the love of the game, I would not protest. Jerry Rice is my all time favorite football player and I respect that he continued to play because he loved what he was doing. But there is no reason to play if winning a championship in one season is the goal. The Celtics chances with or without Reggie are good, but at 42 years old, how many seasons can Reggie offer to the Celtics?

Now, Allan Houston. Oh Allan Houston, the streakiest of shooters, the overpaid, the injured, the retired. I think Allan Houston wakes up every morning and wishes he was Grant Hill. I'm not sure, but I think I'd rather have Grant Hill's ankles than Allan Houston's knees. But an old Allan Houston means a less reliable shot and therefore a streakier shooter. There are plenty of young guys in the league that can provide that service. He was never much of a leader because the Knicks always had Patrick Ewing. I doubt he can jump very high anymore. Why are we even talking about this? STAY RETIRED ALLAN!