The Hang Out Sports Show

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Sultan talks about his 7-8yr old basketball team and the great season they just completed. The LIONS, finished in 2nd place among 11 teams.

Sultan also discusses some of the emotions that are involved with coaching youth teams as well as how addictive it can be.

Sultan = Coach S.

Whenever football season begins its natural for other sports to be swept to the sideline due to the impetus of the sport. If football was an actor, it would be an “A” list actor, a mega-superstar that was coddled and catered to by everyone. Football could do no wrong and would be privileged/protected from all the other insignificant sports when in season.

When you accompany footballs star power with the constant drama of the NFL Lockout all other sports seem to stop existing. Before the lock out ended I watched quite a bit of baseball and then the atomic football bomb was dropped indicating that we were indeed having a 2011-2012 NFL Football season. I was happy, excited, and guilty of giving 98% of my attention to football. There was a new-found love for football as a result of being threatened to spend my winter without it.

Yes, I heard Jim Thome hit his 600th home run this past season (actually he hit two that day # 599 & 600). Yes, I heard Derek Jeter joined the 3000 hit club, and I even heard Tim Wakefield eventually got his 200th win as a pitcher. It’s been an amazing year for base-ball especially the way the Boston Red Sox’s and the Atlanta Braves folded at the end of the year, ouch! But those milestones may not have been missed by me alone because of the addicting, suffocating, and intoxicating allure of football. In addition, college football is happening as well and providing it’s fair share of drama filled controversial stories. The focus of the sports world is on the pigskin and the gridiron.

Nonetheless, there is one glimmer of light that continues to shine through the football mushroom cloud that I have never lost sight of. Quietly, shining bright and focused-in on the task at hand. Immediately making an impact that superseded all expectations of the Minnesota Lynx organization. Yes, I’m speaking of Maya Moore, one of the most impactful athletes in all of sports in recent years.

In 2010 the Minnesota Lynx, often referred to as the Missing Lynx, had a sub par record of 13-21, were second to last place in the WNBA Western Conference, and quite honestly no one outside of Minnesota watched their games (Reminds me of the scene from Semi-Pro where Will Farrell sings “Love Me Sexy” in an attempt to generate a fan base and viewers alike.). The Lynx haven’t been to the WNBA playoff’s since 2004 where they got bounced out in the first round and were never ranked higher than 3rd in the western conference. In short, they were horrible.

In 2011 The Minnesota Lynx have Maya Moore and at the end of the season the Lynx finish in first place with a leagues best record of 27-7. Not only did they make the playoffs but they advanced to the WNBA finals and are heavily favored to win the title. That is a complete turn around for a team from one season to the next. That’s the best overall example of how much Maya Moore has impacted this team.

This past season for the Lynx has been an unprecedented 180 degree turn around of any WNBA team since inception of the league. I can’t think of another player that has had this kind of impact on a team other than Money himself. Maya Moore’s’ arrival reminds me of the return of Jordan from baseball to reclaim the NBA Title, except she impacted this team year one day one. The most impressive part of it all is the fact that she’s doing it in her rookie year.

Maya Moore is the truth and gets my stamp of approval without question. She was the first woman signed to the Jordan brand (Major achievement for any athlete.), she was a first time all-star in her first year, and rookie of the year. It’s apparent she has brought her winning ways from UCONN to Minnesota and has positively affected the entire organization.

The fact of the matter is, whether the Lynx win the WNBA championship or not; Maya Moore has set a pretty high standard for #1 draft picks, rookies, WNBA players, and athletes everywhere to better define impact player. Her dedication to her craft and passion for basketball have not gone unnoticed by me because of football. I believe she is going to be with us for many years competing at a high level while providing a positive image as a role model for my daughter and the many other girls around the world that look up to her. I have been constantly impressed by all that she has accomplished from afar. However, I can’t keep my pen still any longer, I had to write about this great athlete and what she is accomplishing.

I will be watching football this Sunday but at 8:15 PM EST sharp I will be tuning in, with my daughter, to watch Maya Moore and the Minnesota Lynx begin capping off this past historic season with a WNBA championship.

It is official, we are in the Maya Moore Era!

Tip off for the WNBA finals is scheduled for Sunday (tomorrow) Oct, 2 @ 8:30PM ET.

Sultan Salahuddin
Writer/Host HOSS

Maya’s Team

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Sultan and Facts discuss why Kobe Bryant could never be compared to Michael Jordan in this podcast segment.

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In this Podcast Sultan and Facts discuss why Lebron may never win an NBA championship and it has nothing to do with him disappearing in the 4th quarter.

Facts is right!

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Sultan and Chris narrowly escape the beat down that was handed out in CHINA recently do to the superior athletic play of the Georgetown Hoya’s.

It’s not where you from, it’s where you at!

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Sultan Salahuddin and Chris Crowder explain the real reason why Stevie Williams was fired by Tiger Woods.

NFL season 2011-2012 is going to happen.