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Show orts MONDAYOULY2.2007 B4 "King" James well on his way was so amazing was all the losses he took early in his career. Bird and'/the CeltSports writer ,', ics and Isaiah Thomas and r Some basketball play- the Pistons knocked him ers have the ability to out of the playoffs repeattake over a game when- edly early on in his career ever they choose, the abil- and he took it and let it fuel ity that drives players to him into being arguably never want to ever lose. the greatest player ever. So, it just wouldn't feel The best players always step up biggest when right if Lebron played like a the most is on the line, poised veteran this early in players like Michael Jor- his playoff career. We need dan, Magic Johnson, Lar- to watch this young superry Bird, or Tim Duncan. star stumble and look morIn today's society you tal before we see his leadare measured by winning, ership under pressure. This plain and simple, and what year's Eastern Conference better way to measure great- finals were a stylish step in ness then by how many the right direction. Lebrons championships you win. showing in the fourth quarter The idea that we are go- and two over times of game ing to see greatness unfold 5 were as grand as it gets right before our eyes draws for playoff performances. It seems like the dynasty us to watch those great ones every opportunity we have. of the Spurs gave Lebron Most Americans love to exactly what he needed cheer for the under dogs, but to grow into the player he what American sports fan will eventually become. doesn't like seeing a domi- He is too good at decision nating player take over a making, dunking, driving, game or even a series (unless passing, and he is becomyour cheering for the other ing the clutch type player team)? It's those ridiculous that is required to domireverses that look more like nate big time playoff series. Also, think of how art then basketball or those no look passes to a wide well he handles the presopen man. Not to mention a sure of being the next MiErik Frederlckson ege Times The Orem Owlz refuse to call the baseball stadium Brent Brown Ballpark and refer to it as Home of the Owlz. Two names, One stadium UVSC battling Owlz over name of baseball stadium as Brent Brown Ballpark. "It's their (UVSC's) Sports writer stadium for most of the year," added Katofsky, The fight between UVSC "but for 90 days of the and the Orem Owlz over season, it's our stadium." the naming rights of the Not pointing out specific baseball stadium on cam- incidents, Hale said there are pus is starting to boil over. likely various reasons why Renaming the facility the Owlz are referring to the Brent Brown Ballpark by stadium the way they are. the school was thought to "They have heartburn have solved the problem. over several issues involving However, the manage- the stadium," said Hale. "I ment and owners of the personally don't see where Orem Owlz, the minor they are coming from." league tenant at the field Owlz general manager since 2005, do not feel the Zachary Fraser said that there same way about the issue. was an agreement between The Owlz have decided to the team and UVSC concontinue referring to the field cerning future naming rights. as the "Home of the Owlz," "We have a signed docuthe same designation they ment on Feb. 3, 2006, behave used since the Parkway tween Val Peterson (UVSC Crossing deal fell through vice president of adminiswith UVSC two years ago. tration and external affairs) "We have relationships and the team that we would with our sponsors, and work with the college on UVSC has relationships with naming rights," said Fraser. their sponsors," said Owlz Why it was not folco-owner Jeff Katofsky. Val Hale, UVSC vice president of advancement and marketing, said that since the Owlz are tenants, it is curious that they won't call the field by its proper name. "The Blaze play in EnergySolutions Arena and they are just tenants there," said Hale. Katofsky said there isn't a contractual obligation to refer to the facility Jason Adkins new season, newr scenery. m social life. lowed puzzles Fraser. "We felt that we had a good understanding of how we would promote the facility," said Fraser. Peterson was not available for comment due to his annual National Guard training commitment. Hale said he has no doubt that the Owlz want a piece of the naming rights money but reiterated that the college owns the stadium. "UVSC is not in the business of subsidizing minorleague baseball," said Hale. The Owlz were informed about the name change in a meeting with UVSC officials on May 31. "It was not that 'We (UVSC) have a plan to change the name,"' Fraser said of UVSC's stance at the meeting. "It was 'This is what we would do.'" Not wanting to speculate on what UVSC's plan is if the Owlz do not re- fer to the stadium by its new name, Hale said that the college "will wait and see what will happen." Said Fraser: "We are nowhere near a resolution." Owlz Schedule Up Next July 4 Against Ogden 6:05 p.m. July 5 Against Ogden 7:05 p.m. July 6 Against Ogden 7:05 p*m '"[ 'Will he be the next dominating player that the NBA so desperately needs?' game winning shot that we just know is going in before it even leaves their hands. If you remember there was a Nike commercial, after Jordan's third retirement, narrated by 'Air' Jordan himself that ended with him saying, "there will be someone better than me." Who would have thought that the player most hyped to take on the role of the next MJ would come so soon or be fresh out of high school. Lebron James had no choice in the matter from the start, since his junior year of high school he has been the focus of media frenzy. Mature beyond his years, he still has some growing to do and we are watching that growth take place right before our eyes. Players rarely win championships fresh into their first season. Especially in Lebron's situation, he is being asked to do everything at 22. He is being asked to lead his team in every aspect of the offensive side of the court. There may never have been a player in the history of the NBA that was as seasoned beyond their years as King James is at 22. Part of the reason Jordan chael Jordan. He is mature well beyond his years off and certainly on the court. We may very well be watching the maturation process of the greatest player that will ever play this game. But first we must watch the losing before the next step can be taken. The excitement of just the thought of watching James play is energizing and the NBA and its fans would relish in the thought of seeing another brilliant player make the NBA his own personnel playground. Will he be the next dominating player that the NBA so desperately needs? The dominating type player that win championships? We will all find out soon enough. But, let us not forget that this candidate for the NB A's future has the weight of the basketball world on his shoulders. Never has a player been the sole leader of his team, the Eastern Conference champions, at such a young age. So we can only stay glued to the TV and "Witness" his greatness. But if you ask me, I desperately want another Michael Jordan type player to watch every summer in the playoffs. 2007 SUMMER RATES PARKWAY CROSSING 3t»d*b«tfaxJurtd Sbedlbtfbsfaartdaunttr $125 $1M $135 $140 (Shvtdrawtunwd PRIVATE) Print* NtawMwtor $249 ' " . . 'r. $650 2M2fcidi S75B $t$0 3M3tttt U ipirtiMit* ire f i l H m W w d mi II ir summer will be sweet We swear. ! .""^^v •xpmtftdctbte! 'Apptiutioit ( M and dtptsit do apply* mm ••>•',: •• * ; - - - • & V ; ? 5 « H « ' - ; r , |