The King of sore losers
No question, the Nuggets are the best in the West. But No. 6 for the Los Angeles Lakers needs to go to learn better sportsmanship.
Without a doubt, the King is one of the greatest of all time, but as a gracious loser and role model for being a good sport, he earns a 0 on his jersey. The King did not stay on the floor at the finish of the game as his teammates did, congratulating fellow players.
Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus would shake hands, as did Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio; tennis greats meet at the net; and Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes looked for each other at the end of the game.
I believe I made my point that the King should change his name to Le Baby. King, grow up. There will always be room for one more loser.
Jay Weinstein, Denver
McManus kicked to the curb too soon
Re: “McManus announces the end to nine-year career in Denver,” May 24 sports story
I think the Broncos are going to regret letting Brandon McManus go. I can see him on another team beating us. I have agreed with all their decisions until this one. Kickers like him are very hard to find.
Dea Coschignano, Wheat Ridge
“Pro football is a business,” the saying goes, not unlike Cabella’s, Whole Foods and Walmart. When the price of American-made ammunition suddenly skyrockets during COVID, sporting goods stores quickly find cheaper inventory. When the price of Italian Parmesan rises to the point where sales are lagging, grocers shop American startups and others who can provide tasty alternatives at less cost, albeit without the fancy brand name.
And when the home-team kicker fondly known as “McMoney” to many fans — one of the few reliable scorers in way-too-many-years-in-a-row of foul-smelling Broncos football — is due millions of money in 2023, the Walton family et al. have their buyers look for a cheaper product to offer fans.
It’s just a business.
Those of us who still make purchases based on quality and brand loyalty over price are going to miss you, Brandon. Thanks for everything. Find yourself a dome and play five more years at least. We’ll still be fans. Maybe the Chargers or Raiders are hiring.
Lane Ledbetter, Denver
Don’t overlook key factor in motorcycle tragedies
Re: “Motorcycles: Deadly crashes hit all-time high in 2022,” May 18 news story
As a motorcyclist, I support wearing helmets, but I object to your focus on helmets related to fatalities.
It’s OK to mention that “Of the 2022 fatalities, more than half of the motorcyclists were not wearing helmets, and nationwide, DOT-compliant helmet use decreased by 4% from 2020 to 2021.” But to then go on another two paragraphs about why helmets are good, then do a couple of paragraphs about why rider training is good, and then finally, in the last paragraph in the article, point out that other drivers need to be cautious of motorcycles is seriously disingenuous.
If you look at the statistics on motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles, you will see that an extremely high percentage of them are caused by other motorists violating the rider’s right-of-way. That is to say, the motorist caused the crash. How about putting that front and center?
And finally, something under half of those killed were wearing helmets. Safer crashes are not the answer; fewer crashes are the safest. Don’t drink and drive — or ride — and put down your phone. That will save lives.
Ken D. Bingenheimer, Denver
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.