The Sportz Assassin's Greatest Hits 2005

#7 - The Roid Rage

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:22 GMT

LINK: SENATE HEARINGS ON STEROIDS IN BASEBALL

Sometimes something just takes a hold of the nation...and no one really understands why. Why does the Senate care so much about steroids in sports? Why hold these hearings? Does Donald Fehr not realize he looks like a tool out there trying to protect his sacred union??

The Steroid Hearings were quite the big event on many levels.

(A) It was held on the morning of the first day of the NCAA Tournament.
(B) Raffy Palmeiro's speech which turned out to be a lie.
(C) Mark McGwire talking out of his rump.
(D) The unbelievable. Jose Canseco leaves the stand as the person with the most credability.

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What a wild Thursday for me.

First off, the NCAA Tournament began. I have DirecTV and bought the MEGA MARCH MADNESS package...so I "got all the games"!! God, I love basketball. I sat and watched all of the games. I have THREE TVs in my ‘Sportz Room’ so I did get to view 3 of the 4 games played without picking up a remote.

At 8:00, the Miami Heat hosted the LA Lakers on TNT. Well, that is Shaq v Kobe...but I’ve really gotten tired of the Lakers efforts this season. No, not their record....their efforts. If I wanted to see a team gun 3-point shots....I’d be a Wisconsin-Milwaukee booster or a JJ Redick fan. I’m neither. So, aside from catching glimpses here and there....I didn’t really focus on it.

But, something I had absolutely no interest in....yet found myself viewing...was the Senate hearings on steroids in baseball. It wasn’t enthralling, nor was it educational. Usually, in Senate hearings that involve issues in the mainstream...the politicians ask obvious softball questions that just furthers the thinking how out of touch they really are.

Somewere....which was good.....and some were big baseball fans....which was good. For the most part, aside from the monotony of some of the questions....the committee members actually asked some uncomfortable questions.

I caught some of Senator Bunning’s remarks [he’s my elected official]. I caught some of the Witness Panel before the March Madness began. But, the players and baseball management panels were both quite interesting and quite disturbing. So, I caught myself tuning in from time to time.

First, the players. Curt Schilling [who along with Frank Thomas will be on a task force] looked and sounded very comfortable in his surroundings [it was even mentioned that he could have a career in politics]. He openly attacked Jose Canseco for writing his book [other players did it in veiled comments].

SammySosa, who had his lawyer and interpreter on the panel with him, sounded very composed. In his prepared statement, he states that he has never used steroids. Raphael Palmeiro came out the best. Not only did he flatly come out, pointing even, that he has never used steroids.....he sounded like a man with absolutely nothing to hide. When asked if it would take Olympic-type punishment to eradicate steroids from the MLB, Palmeiro, unlike others, said he wouldn?t care since he had nothing to hide anyways. Good answer. I?ve gained much respect for you!

How did Jose Canseco do??? Well, better than I thought. While jabs were sent his way for writing this book, which is pretty much why everyone is there, he did compose himself pretty well and came off pretty much as the guy who wrote the book. He was denied immunity, but still answered all questions, though in a manner that excused himself from anything, and made a good effort to get his message out. While other players downplayed the magnitude of steroids in baseball....Canseco stood by his claim that it is and was a rampant problem that needs government intervention. He opposed baseball policing itself [the others were willing to play out the new testing program]. His best quote was, "from what I am hearing, I was the only individual in Major League Baseball to use steroids. That?s hard to believe." Classic!

The big loser on the players side is easily Mark McGwire. While Big Mac is retired....his footprints are all over this "Steroid Era" of baseball. He was the one that set the home run record [that Bonds soon bested]. He is sixth all time in home runs. He has been linked to andro. McGwire, unlike Canseco, really contributed nothing to the hearings. When asked any uncomfortable questions, McGwire simply answered with "I?m not here to talk about the past." When asked how he could be a spokesperson for steroids being bad news if he never actually knew anyone [or himself] that was affected by the drug.....he pulled the "my attorneys advise me to not comment." Thus placing his name alongside the phrase "steroid user". He looked very, very bad. The committee members even seemed to grow tired of McGwire?s dodging of their questions.
AOL News - McGwire Steroids Statement to Congress

Then, the baseball officials came in....most notably commissioner Bud Selig and union leader Donald Fehr. The committee members essentially attacked Selig for poor leadership in striving for stricter penalties...and attacked Fehr for basically not letting MLB put in place the harsher penalties. The new drug policy was completely ridiculed for the variety of loopholes and "drafting errors" in it.

All in all, this was a horrible day for baseball in many aspects. Public relations-wise...this was a nightmare. You had players up there like ostriches, with their heads in the sand. You had baseball executives openly accused of being inept. You had, arguably, the most important baseball player in the last 20 years run and hide from any question about steroids. You even had some comments from committee members that baseball?s anti-trust exemption may be used as blackmail to get this straightened out.

People said that these hearings won?t amount to much. Maybe that is tangibly true. However, this is one of those forks in the road that baseball needs to assess itself. Continue down the path of "don?t ask, don?t tell" or really try to get this thing squared away before this is the WWE.

What do I think?? Well, I am in favor of ONE uniform drug policy over all of athletics. MLB, NFL, NBA, NCAA, high schools, whatever. Have that one uniform code that all sports must abide by. Maybe not as harsh as the Olympic code [which, by the way, doesn?t stop people from cheating there]. If they want to add even stiffer penalties...fine. But put it all under one umbrella so that athletes and the average guy will get the same treatment under the laws. Whether it is Barry Bonds or Joe Schmo.

#6 - Carolina Cheerleaders Getting Freaky!!

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:31 GMT

LINK: Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders Arrested For Sexing Each Other In Nightclub Bathroom

This blog entry gets a ton of referrals. I got these chicks' pics from the Pantehrs web site. Apparantly, not to long after the story broke...the threw out the pics...leaving me as one of the few people who still had 'em.

So, I search around the net and see my little story here [which is nothing more than the AP report] gets a nice bit of run.

This time...I include the comments...which are about as fun as the story!!

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Ahhhh. To be young and dumb. Check out this story of two Carolina Panther cheerleaders who decided to have a little fun in Tampa this weekend. P.S.....bot of this chicks went to my college [UNC-Charlotte].

The chick on the left is Angela....with the one on the right being Renee. Take a gander at their wild night in Tampa.

via AP

Two Carolina Panthers cheerleaders who allegedly were having sex with each other in a bathroom stall at a Tampa, Fla., nightclub were arrested and charged early Sunday following a run-in with patrons and police.

According to a police report obtained by the CBS TV affiliate in Tampa and the Charlotte Observer, Angela Ellen Keathley and Renee Thomas were arrested following an incident at Banana Joe's, in Tampa's Channelside district, at 2:10 a.m. ET.

In the police report, witnesses claimed Thomas and Keathley were having sex with each other in a stall when other patrons grew angry that the two were taking so long in the bathroom.

Another woman waiting to use the bathroom got into an argument with the two, and Thomas hit that person in the face, according to details of the report posted on TampaBay10.com, the CBS TV affiliate's Web site.

Keathley, who was escorted from the nightclub, was so drunk she could barely stand, the report said. Police described Keathley as rude and belligerent with police.

When Thomas was arrested, she gave police the name of another Panthers cheerleader -- Kristen Lanier Owen, the Observer and TampaBay10.com reported. Thomas, who was charged with one count of battery, might face additional charges for lying to police, once they confirm her identity.

Keathley was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing or opposing an officer.

Other Panthers cheerleaders bailed Thomas and Keathley out of Hillsborough County jail later Sunday morning, TampaBay10.com reported.

The cheerleaders made the trip to Tampa on their own -- the squad performs on the sideline only at home games. Panthers officials at Sunday afternoon's game said they were aware of the report, but declined further comment when contacted by the Observer.

According to the Panthers' official team Web site on NFL.com, Keathley is a registered nurse and second-year member of the TopCats. Thomas is listed as a student at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and first-year member of the cheerleading squad.

This entry has 14 comments: (Add your own)

tlmiller39

stuff like this. it makes me hate myself living in a wrong city. hope this the last time i will hear about this two... GRRRR
Comment from burdeous - 11/9/05 8:40 AM

Dude seriously i read about girls doing this in bathrooms in Clubs especially in Hollywood and parts of London why cant they take the smallest of cameras and pull a bisexual Paris Hilton for crying out loud. Give us brothers somethin to see damn it!. Your cheerleaders theres a reason why fans are at least 15 ft high from the field and 35 ft from them. They're sexy!
Comment from godsonalways2002 - 11/9/05 1:08 AM

what sluts----hope you both lose your jobs so being so stupid--bar- room pickups----get out of pro sports--there are still straight people that respect THE GAME******----GO TELL YOUR FAMILY YOU JUST HAD SEX WITH ANOTHER WOMAN IN A BATHROOM STALL_________
Comment from mandr596 - 11/8/05 10:23 PM

KICKASS
Comment from dizzyz - 11/8/05 4:42 PM

Perhaps people can just limit what their kids watch or take the time to explain the behavior they are seeing so they understand the morals their parents want to portray, instead of just laying the blame on others.

Comment from orlin4269 - 11/8/05 4:41 PM

yes i guess what we can say is that what has happened is not good for our kids or any kids, but i think its time that we stop letting our kids idolize everyone that play sports and etc.. and start being role models for our kids, maybe spend more time with them let them route for there team but show them that we are superstars too. and bye the way, man those girls are hot, i sure wish i was in that stall!
Comment from kgaskin11 - 11/8/05 2:51 PM

me and my best bud kw will happily watch you eat( pussycats) anytime!!!!!!!!!!!if your ever in miami, look us up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! raul too............
Comment from mindys253 - 11/8/05 1:02 PM

Hey Redskins Cheerleaders (Bucs next home game) if you plan on partying in Tampa like these Carolina Cheerleaders, I hope you remember to bring those little toilet seat covers to lay down on the floor before you get your "Game On" in the bathroom.....We're all out!! P.S. Does anyone have their cell phone numbers? And now that they got "Canned" maybe T.O. can hire them to help him work out in his front yard!!
Comment from hearnfan1 - 11/8/05 12:37 PM

Seems to me that the 'straight' approach to rearing kids isn't working so hot as it is. Just go to a mall and walk around. I say let the kids be exposed to 'queer' things. Maybe they will straighten themselves out. I mean, its OBVIOUS that the straight, homophobic method of child rearing is producing nothing but pill poppin' prostitots.
Comment from agentyrb - 11/8/05 12:32 PM

I am truly saddened by the fact that I wasn't there to be corrupted. What wil the children do? The NFL, NBA and MLB have players with such high standards that
our little tykes look up to! They learn how to count by adding up drug convictions. They learn how to cheat by using steroids. They learn how to lie and commit perjury and once in a great while how to rape. . They learn the value of a college education by listening to these athletes speak. And they learn family values by seeing the paternity suits and illigetimate children. So just what the heck is wrong with a little coochie rubbin', anyhow?
Comment from watchinglezbos - 11/8/05 11:32 AM

If you really think this is going to affect kids thoughts you are being a bit naive. These girls should have had more intelligence and taken their business to the privacy of their own home but I find it hard to believe that this act will alter the minds or acts of any child.
Comment from mike1173 - 11/8/05 9:08 AM

We have to watch queers playing football. Now this! Where can I get a copy of the video? :-D
Comment from ridgerunner56 - 11/8/05 8:17 AM

does anyone really want to have their kids watching lesbians on national TV. the squad is one thing, but to be associated with some "queer' moves is more than a kid should be subject to with everything else associated with kids now a days.
Comment from zaideedog - 11/8/05 5:19 AM

#8 - Rudy T Quits!!

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:15 GMT

LINK: Rudy T Out....Is Phil Jackson Back In???

This one got 47 comments on this one....about the Rudy T era in Los Angeles. Um, did that really happen?????

A discussion broke out about the pros and cons of letting Phil Jackson back into the Laker nest [hit the link above for those comments]....which went on for a few more months....and included me on SPORTS BLOGGERS LIVE disagreeing with Scoop Jackson who believed that Jackson would wind up with the Knicks [ha, ha, ha...guess I was right!!].

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What’s going on Rudy T?

Apparently, not the working relationship between the Lakers and Tomjanovich. It seems that Rudy T isn’t just ill as once thought...but there is something going on behind the scenes that may force him out as Lakers coach. Until he speaks...no one knows what that is.

Rudy T has some physical issues. He "retired" from the Houston Rockets because of them....and his bladder cancer took a lot out of him. Also, Rudy is the anti-Phil Jackson. He is into every play...and lives and dies with the ups and downs of the NBA. Really tough to do when you are coaching a team like the Lakers who basically live in a soap opera. He also has had alcohol abuse in his past.

Again....this isn’t set it stone. Word is that he has the "option" to resign....and the Lakers gave him that.

The Lakers were 22-19 under his leadership and have won the two games he has missed with an "illness".

Who will replace Rudy T?? Rumors are abound about who it could be.Some sources have them possibly looking at trying to get Phil Jackson back. Other sources think they’ll go after Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun. Michael Cooper, who had a brief stint as the Nuggets head coach, will have his name in the mix. But Kobe and Coop have already had words to each other. There is even a "joke" going around that Kobe Bryant should be player/coach since he’s calling all of the shots anyways.

Most likely, Frank Hamblin, who was the only holdover from the Phil Jackson era, will stay on as coach for the remainder of the season [hey, he is 2-0]. However, the Phil Jackson rumor has some legs....and some merit. It is being reported that Laker owner Dr. Jerry Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak approached Kobe Bryant about the possibility of bringing Phil Jackson back aboard the Lakers. The selling points were (a) the triangle offense would HAVE to run thru Kobe like it did thru Jordan in the day....(b) having Phil back with Kobe and the Lakers would royaly peeve off Shaq in Miami....(c) Phil brings offensive discipline that has been sorely missing on this team. Apparently, Kobe is taking to the idea.

Do that voo-doo that you do so well

It is rumored that Phil Jackson somewhat likes the roster that the Lakers have. He sees Kobe in the Jordan role....and an underused Odom in the Pippen role. Chris Mihm is no worse that Luc Longley and they have plenty of perimeter shooters that the triangle offense makes into stars. Jackson also tends to bring to teams defensive discipline...which has been sorely lacking for the Lakers and is evident by their 3-16 record when giving up 100+ points. It has been rumored of late about Phil Jacksion's itch to get back into coaching. But, all the jobs he may be willing to take wouldn't be open [Miami, San Antonio] or aren't very attractive [New York].

Jeanie Buss: Laker owner's daughter and Phil Jackson's woman

Here are some takes from Laker fans and observers about this development:

JOHNNYSEE: Not to me. This is purely intuitional, but I think Rudy was forced out. I believe Dr. Buss or Mitch or both have expressed displeasure with the way Rudy's coaching the team from game to game, if not necessarily with the overall results and the result was either Rudy being asked to leave or him saying, life's too short for this [crap] - if you don't like what i'm doing, fine - i'll leave. Am I the only one who noticed that Chris Mihm was suddenly in the last two games at crunch time under coach Hamblin? Either way, as most of you know, while i liked the guy, i was growing increasingly disenchanted with the coaching and, so long as this isn't health related, I'm not gonna shed any tears over this, I can tellya that. Will Jackson come back? Riley? Will they stick with Hamblin? Promote from within and give Rambis another shot? Coop? Who knows, but they sure weren't getting everything from the talent they have, such as it is.

YCS: I doubt the Lakers would give him such a long term contract, and a complete overhaul of a roster for a guy who hasnt' coached in a few years, only to jettison him after this few games. I can't imagine that would be what occured here. No way, not after 40 games. I don't care if he had players do handstands in the games. No way Buss and Kuptchak make a mid season change given how much turnover this team had in the offseason with this team above .500 in the West this year with Kobe missing games. I have no clue what it was, but I don't think it's ownership or a team issue. None of those things make sense. He's been an NBA lifer. He's dealt with all sorts of teams I'm sure in that time. You don't handle 35 or whatever years in this league without being able to handle various types of team issues. Honestly I almost hope that is the primary thing because it's either that or his health. And I'd rather have team issues for them, then health issues for Coach Tomjanovich. I'd be surprised if itweren't the latter though. He's too experienced with the NBA to have it be something in that regard.

Honestly. Looking at this roster. If he didn't have a past with them, I'd say Coach Jackson would be amazingly suited for this roster. Kobe would have more of a role in the triangle in years past. Odom would have the pippen role, and Atkins can hit from the perimeter. This is a team who's well suited for his offense. Coach Jackson teams have traditionally been good defensive teams. Obviously I'd be amazed if that actually were a possibility. Coach Jackson returning would be a huge slap in the face to all those critics who say Kobe forced him out, which would be quite a humorous occurrence that I'd enjoy. No way Riley returns midseason with his team on top of the East. Realistic people? I don't know. Bzdelik is probably the only option I can think of if you?re looking past whoever will take over this team on the interim level.

LAKRMIKE: I like Rudy as aperson I respect - as a nice guy. I want him to be happy and healthy. If he can do that, but no longer coaches the Lakers - I can live with it. Like you, I have been waiting half a season for the team's progress to appear. And it hasn't - until tonight.

WOLFONTHEAIR: Tim Legler said The Lakers definatley have give Rudy the "OPTION" of resigning That it is definatley health related But NOT Cancer...does this sound like alchohol again??? The stress of the season and the losing streak of 3 games? He didn't coach Sunday night..he was sick. Maybe he had a bout of drinking? Just speculation here of course. Did you also hear the wild rumor that The next Coach may be Jackson again??? Lol he seems to like the new look Lakers and is very very interested in them. Hmmmmm

BDB: Rudy is no fool,he sees the tough part of the schedule coming up and he sees what he has.

JROWE: Lots of speculation on the Big Show this afternoon. Theories ranging from Rudy not being happy with the team's play, to doctor's advice to avoid stressful situations. They also theorized that Jax would be contacted by Buss, and that Jackson has said that he's "intrigued" by the Laker talent. Kobe would be the "Jordan" in Jackson's new version of the Triangle, and they said "remember, Kobe didn't say he hated Phil as a coach, he just didn't like the fact that Shaq was the focal point in Phil's offense". Another one they mentioned was Kobe mirroring Cary Grant in "It's A Wonderful Life" (I think that was the movie), where he realizes what he had, and wants to revisit it. So in this situation he misses the coach that Jackson is, and in a scenario where he's the vertex of the Triangle; then it works better for Kobe than before. That's John and Steve's take (of the Big Show). John travels with the team, and is privy to key information. Also, Joe McDonnell (when he's not full of himself) is actually a journalistic bloodhound, who gets breaking stories regularly. He backs the Jackson coming back to the Lakers theory, and feels that Rudy is viewed as being "too nice". That Jackson is missed, and would come back to the Lakers in a "let bygones be bygones" mentality. So, what ABOUT that book??? ;-)

It's got to be understood, that Kup and Buss need to maximize the team they have, with the player they've invested in 7 years and a gazillion bucks. That they've been languishing in their inconsistency with the Xs and Os that haven'tyielded anything watchable to this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson is brought back, and Kobe is turned into Jordan (meaning shifting him to that position), and giving Odom the role we've been talking about. If Jackson is "intrigued", suffice it to say that Jackson's re-signing would appear to be imminent, especially since the Lakers star player gives his blessing to "appreciate what he had before", ESPECIALLY with Shaq out of the picture. This could be Kobe's dream come true.

RSMBENTLEY: The concept of the triangle is not hard to master, but to be able to play with it consistently, you need more than just the bare concept, you need to be able to able to impliment it automatically. That takes time, and that takes throwing away games until you get it right. There's no shortcut to making a good system work. I hate to be repetitive, but it's just like what happened in Hoosiers. It really is. Until it's automatic, you suffer. If you try to skip over that, and just freelance because it's easier, you never really learn the system. Jackson's system would be easier to learn if he had a translator who made it easier to learn, and if he coached as well on defense as he did on offense, and so even if they were floundering around on offense, they'd stay in the game by getting stops. That bings me to one last quick point, which is about Jacksons' teams having good defense. They've had it in spite of him. They've had it when good players who were competitive to win their matchups in man-to-man defense, for a spurt here or there. The kind of defense the Lakers needed to make that comeback agaisnt Portland a few years ago was only for one half of one ballgame. It's a different era officially since Jordan quit. An era of physicality. You have to do it for the entire 3rd and 4th quarter... maybe the entire game, if you're against a team with as many weapons as San Antonio now has. Lakers have no physically intimidating players except Kobe. So what they need to do to be effective is to know what the offense is going to do against them and take initiative. Take some risks, go for steals, be ready to rotate if it fails. Think ahead. Know who to double with who, and when to rotate back. Good defense is dynamic. That motivation is not going to come from Phil, but it looks like Hamblen figured it out. Then again, the Blazer tonight played at a level where the lakers matched up against them man to man. If it was a different team like the Spurs, the only way to defend is to be out-thinking their coach, and that usually comes from your coach, and Phil doesn't usually do that. But that's what they need to do. Phil cannot cure this defensive mess. But he could cure the offense, if he just gets them to continue doing what they did tonight: move the ball. Just move it. And they'd be in better defensive posture transitioning after a make than a miss and outlet, which has generally killed them, though already, Hamblen seems to be imparting lessons with respect to transition ball.

#9 - Doug Christie Needs To Grow A Pair

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:07 GMT

LINK: THE DOUG AND JACKIE VARIETY SHOW!!!

I think...not sure...that the 64 comments I got on this topic was a high for the year.

During the early part of this century...the Lakers and Kings were known to have a bit of a rivalry. Well, every Laker fan hates Dou g Christie...and, well, here is why...

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I swear that this is the funniest thing I think I’ve ever heard.

Sacramento Kings guard Doug Christie…and his wife…will be the subjects of a new reality show. The show will be on VH1. Nothing is set in stone…but negotiations are ongoing. If it is a go, filming begins on Tuesday the 11th.

Jackie Christie….aka Mrs. Christie….aka the one wearing the pants….is doing the moving and shaking. She’s gotten clearance from the NBA to allow a camera crew to follow them at his job….and to film her following him at his job too.

Jackie defends the move. "There has been a lot of negative publicity and a lot of misperceptions and misunderstandings about our relationship. We want people to know it's cool to be committed and respectful of yourself and your family. We're just happy together the way we do it, and a lot of people misunderstand that and think that he's an athlete and he should act this way or that way."

For those of you who don’t know about Doug and Jackie….Doug spends most of his time on the court sending hand signals out to his wife….punctuated by raising his left air in the air. He is mostly a defensive player…who has his offensive moments and has been one of the Kings key players in their recent success. His off-the-court interests include designing men’s clothes. He also has a nice tattoo on his left hand [ya know, the one he raises in the air to send love to his wife] that reads “infinite love”.

Doug Christie's Official Website-DC13

Whether it is designing purses or fighting Rick Fox…Jackie is usually not to far away from Doug. When she attends his games…he waits for her to come down from the stands after the game so they can walk off the court together. Remember when he was tossed against Miami two weeks ago?? She ran down from the stands to walk with him into the tunnel…and into “the showers”.

In fact, Jackie has her own website: http://www.jackiechristie.com

It isn’t just love…it is help. "When I make this sign, it means drive to the hole," she said. "When I make this sign, it means smile because you look a little sad on the bench. He started making this sign and said, 'This means I love you,' and it developed from there. It makes me feel real special.” There are betting pools done to see how many times Christie signals to his wife in a game.

And Doug is cool with this. “Every conversation I've ever had with a woman since we've been married besides my wife she knows about. She's been there. But what are we talking about? Banking? Mortgage? Other than that, I don't have anything to say to anybody. It's taking up my time and my time is limited to basketball and my family." Jackie says, "Doug is allowed to look at females. I would prefer he didn't."

Every July 8.…I mean EVERY…the Christies re-marry. And, no….not a renewing of their vows. They have a complete wedding with a preacher, guests, reception, cake, etc. Jackie has reportedly had incidents with female autograph seekers and reporters. She sends him notes in the locker room. She follows the team bus in her car…while talking to him on cell phones. She’s moved her mother in with them.

Jackie Christie

Of course, to us Laker fans, Christie is known for being the guy who threw up those bricks late in Game 7 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals. And the classic Shaq quote about his foot: “I had Doug Christie’s wife massage it for me before coming over here.“ And all of this “lovey-dovey” with his wife has given us chuckles and ribbing to Kings fans. Of course, it is their business and, it is true, we shouldn’t go after that. What any couple do with their marriage is their business and we should respect that.

But, if they put it onTV…then we haveevery freaking right to ridicule them! I mean, they will be getting paid to "entertain" us about their day to day operations. If he was getting crap before from just what we see now....imagine the hell he'll receive we when see what goes on OFF the court.

At least there might be something for us Laker fans to watch this summer.

TAKE A LOOK AT MONPONSETT'S TAKE:
Puddy Whipped
THE LEGENDARY NY TIMES TAKE:
Hi-Fi New York
TAKE FROM GORILLA MASK:
GorillaMask.net: Break out the whips and leashes... it's Christie Time.

#3 - Mike Tyson's Punch Out

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:51 GMT

LINK: MIKE TYSON'S PUNCH OUT

Nothing makes me think of my early teen years than Mike Tyson's Punch Out. And, evidently, this take brought back memories for others as well.

Mr DC Sports Guy [aka Mr Irrelevant....aka Jamie Mottram] said "this was one of my favorite blog entries of all time. Thank you."

Plus, I finally got hip to the "STOLE MY BIKE" rage on the internet when researching this topic [aka stealing pics].

So....have a blast from the past!

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Mr Irrelevant brought back the 13 year old in me. Just by saying "Mike Tyson Punch Out."

Dude....that game was classic!!! Everyone who every played that game can hear that music that would play during the training sequence. "Doo. Doo-da-doo-doo-doo. Doo-da-doo-doo-doo. Da-da-da-da-da. Da-da. Da-da. Da-da. Doo-doo-doo-doo. Da-da. Da-da. Da-da. Doo-doo-doo-doo." Listen to it below

Freaking classic!!! Nintendo made it’s name with that title....along with Super Mario Bros and Excitebike.

For those who don’t know...."Punch Out" followed Little Mac thru his infant boxing career. You had a little jab...an uppercut...and hitting select would give you that power punch. It was all just guts to get the glory.

Jeremy Roenick, Phil Garner and Hideki Matsui face off first.

First, you face Glass Joe. Joe was the easiest fight you could ever have. "Make it quick. I’m trying to retire." Hit Joe with a left....right...left....right...etc. He goes down quicker than a crack whore. Next, Von Keiser tried to bring the pain. He was pretty much a waste as well...but he most likely introduced you to some face punches. After him, Piston Honda came along. A tad bit tougher...but easy to figure out. Along comes a training sequence.

Adam Sandler, Mongo and Rammathorn [Super Troopers] come up next

Don Flamenco meets you next. Dude is hilarious!!! He does a little dance...bites a rose...and takes a whipping. The most memorable character is King Hippo. Smack dude in the mouth...then rabbit punch him in the stomach takes care of him. Next was the Great Tiger...an interesting fighter. His jewel on his turban would flicker...and he’d do some sort of circular floating shot. Block those shots....and the Tiger gets dizzy and is available to wail on. Enter another training sequence.

What toxic dump did these mutants crawl out of??

Now comes some tough ones. The Bald Bull was about 50 times bigger than you....and you had to dodger his Bull Charge. Do that...and time your punch and you can do major damage. Along comes Soda Popinski [this is usually where I had a tough time]. The south-paw chugged down some...uh...soda....before ready to whip some capitalist boot-ay. Dude was orginally named Vodka Drunkinski in the arcades. I don’t ever think I beat Mr. Sandman, the next fighter.

Super Macho Man would put you to bed real quick. His Super Spin Punch got me everytime. If you could beat him [or just type in the code], you get to face off against Iron Mike Tyson. I never beat Iron Mike.

To hear a adaptation of the Little Mac training music...click here: http://members.aol.com/gallery7v/punchjog.mid

For a hilarious hip-hop parody of the training scene...check out Punchout remix. [WARNING: adult language]. UPDATE: There is a Lego Rave version.....a 50 cent edition....and

#5 - NBA Mock Draft

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:39 GMT

LINK: FANS NBA MOCK DRAFT!!!!!!

I went around the internet world to get fans from all 30 NBA teams [well, almost all] and held a Fan's Mock Draft.

Essentially, we held a draft with a fan of every team acting as their GM. It wasn't scientific and was based on nothing more than what that fan wanted. But it was really fun. It's interesting to see how fans view their teams and how they'd make their changes. Maybe I'll do it again next year.

Big thanks go to Yannis for helping me corral all these people together...and hold this thing.

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I had a kind of smart idea. I want to hold a mock draft using fans of the teams selecting. So, instead of me picking a mock draft [heck, I'll do one anyway]...I'll hold a draft involving fans instead. So, a Milwaukee Bucks fan will select the first pick in the draft. Then, I'll go to an Atlanta Hawks fan for the #2 pick. And so on.

These are just fans. And they are picking WHO THEY WANT...not who they think their team is going to select. These are bloggers, message board members and just people from all over the internet.

It won't be a live draft. We will just fill in the blanks as we go along.

I have some draft representatives filled. But, if you wanna take a stab at your favorite team that doesn't have a rep yet....let me know.

Our draft was discussed on this past Monday. Click to listen to the show!

1-Milwaukee Bucks [Majesticwolf24]: Marvin Williams [PF]-UNC. "As a Milwaukee native myself, I can only dream that the team will select the youthful Williams."

2-Atlanta Hawks [YCSJ2980]: Andrew Bogut [C]-Utah. "Bogut would give us a nice young frontcourt, especially if harrington can develop into a legitimate four. We can use our cap space elsewhere and hopefully make a significant jump next year"

3-Portland [FineAsset]: Gerald Green [SF]-HS. "We are going for Gerald Green"

4-New Orleans [TopdawgDB26]: Chris Paul [PG]-WakeForest. " A perfect point guard to play along with JR in the back-court. The backcourt of the future."

5-Charlotte [SportzAssassin]: Deron Williams [PG]-Illinois. "Although Knight had a good year, Williams is the shooter they need who also is an excellent floor general to compliment Okafor."

6-Utah [Endora60]: Raymond Felton [PG]-North Carolina. "The Jazz desperately need a decent point guard who could be ready to go immediately. With the loss of Arroyo (for whatever reason) and the neverending health problems of Lopez, we need somebody in the worst way."

7-Toronto [Yanniis K]: Fran Vazquez [PF]-Spain. " With all the point guards worthy being picked at 7 Toronto goes big as they hope they can get Leni-Ukic or Jack at 16."

8-New York [George Coztanza]: Channing Frye [C]-Arizona. "Frye will give the Knicks an inside presence with a nice low post game, athleticism, and a force on the defensive end with his shot blocking and defensive ability. This should help the team recover from the awful Nazr Mohammad trade"

9-Golden State [DieCastDude24]: Martynas Andriuskevicius [C]-Lithuania. "Ever since Warriors fans fell in love with Sarunas Marciulionis in the early '90s, the Warrior Nation have been looking for another player out of Lithuania. We'd also like another center, being fairly well set at all other positions in terms of depth, skill, and youth. Young and will need some seasoning, but he's big, getting stronger, and doesn't mind mixing it up. Not much of a scorer, but that's not a requirement with the current squad. Plug him in there and watch him growwith the team"

10-LA Lakers [Group from LakersForum]: Charlie Villanueva [PF]-UConn. "Villenueva would be a nice power forwardin Phil's system...and would move Odom to the small forward spot that Phil wants him at."

11-Orlando [MCPot]: Martell Webster [SG/SF]-HS. "This kid can shoot the lights out and he's ready for the next level"

12-LA Clippers [TouchNLook]: Antoine Wright [SG]-Texas A&M. "The Clippers and southern Cal will welcome home perimeter shooter Wright to the offensive arsenal."

13-Charlotte [SportzAssassin]: Danny Granger [SF]-New Mexico. "He and Okafor can become an excellent frontcourt tandem to build upon. Granger has excellent athletic ability and great passing skills that is a nice thing for a building team to have."

14-Minnesota [DMHamack123]: Sean May [PF]-North Carolina.   "May can hit the boards and play in the paint. Next to Garnett, he could be a very solid addition."

15-New Jersey [SmileyJenni415]: Hakim Warrick [SF]-Syracuse. "An unbelievable athlete who can jump out of the gym with the best of them. A highlight real waiting to happen. His incredibly long arms and intensity make him a ferocious offensive and defensive rebounder. Has the potential and desire to not only become an offensive force, but a shut down defender as well. A very exciting player to watch with huge potential."

16-Toronto [Yanniis K]: Jarrett Jack [PG]-Georgia Tech. "Things go as plan for us as we go with Jarret Jack at 16 to bring a young experienced floor general."

17-Indiana [Illini Pacer]: Rudy Fernandez [SG]-Spain. "I think though this team needs a shooting guard who can shoot. Imagine that."

18-Boston [Monponsett]: Rashad McCants [SG]-North Carolina. "About time we got a nice Irish kid on the Celtics"

19-Memphis [DCTW]: Ike Diogu [PF]-Arizona State. "His name appears at the top of many of the Grizz fans' lists."

20-Denver [NYGFan1724]: Chris Taft [PF]-Pittsburgh. "This guy comes from a frontcourt that looked like it was made of Defensive Lineman. Taft was on of the most athletic and physical players I saw when I watched him play in the Big East. He would Bolster a lacking bench in the frontcourt, and can bang around in the paint, or get out to mid range for a silky J. He can throw his elbows, and be Karl's Enforcer in case Duncan or someone drives in."

21-Phoenix [MackMasterson]:   Andray Blatche [PF]-HS. "An agile 7-footer right from high school, the Suns need abig big man that can up and down the floor and complement Amare. Trading this pick could be an option here as well."

22-Denver [NYGFan1724]: Salim Stoudamire [SG]-Arizona. "Did anyone watch this kid in the tournament or when he played on Arizona. Stoudmire has one of the highest 3 pt. pct. in the NCAA, and would be an improvement over EVERYONE at the SG position for Denver. Salim can set up the screen, and is a great player just for the assist and defense. This guy has heart, and along with Taft, could make a solid point for Denver to go to the Finals in 05-06."

23-Sacramento [IAndrencko]: CJ Miles [SG]-HS. "Kings need to replace Mobley"

24-Houston [IcyDragon97]: Wayne Simien [F/C]- Kansas. "Wayne fits perfectly in the Rockets half-court system, he will be able to take the rebounding load off of Yao Ming. He can learn behind Juwan Howard for a few years and then take over the PF slot. He has some size concerns, but makes up for it with his athleticism and strength."

25-Seattle [Fish2026]:  Yaroslav Korolev [SF]-Russia. "Super talent young and could fill some holes if free agency doesnt work out our way."

26-Detroit [Zeke11DP]: Francisco Garcia [SG/SF]-Louisville. "The current World Champions have shown throughout the 2004-2005 season that SF is a position that they lack in talent behind Tayshaun Prince.   Even though he had a poor performance in his final tournament game against Illinois had an impressive tournament run for the Cardinals. Similar is stature to another guy in Tayshaun Prince - Garcia will add depth to a position the Pistons need to address in the offseason."

27-Utah [Endora60]: Ronny Turiaf [PF]-Gonzaga. "We've had good luck in the past with Gonzaga players--one in particular--and we need a power forward second only to a point guard."

28-San Antonio [TJones21]: Ersan Ilyasova [SF]-Turkey. "Let's see. We drafted Tony Parker and Beno Udrih at the 28th spot so going with Ilyasova makes it a three peet."

29-Miami [Crazy From The Heat]: Randolph Morris [C]-Kentucky. "I would love to see Morris come here"

30-New York [George Coztanza]: Ryan Gomes [PF]-Providence. "Gomes is a first round talent whose stock dropped because his team played poorly during his senior season. This is a guy who can put the ball in the hoop. He should develop into a pretty decent guy to have in the rotation through his career."

P.S. After our draft, Yannis' Sports Journal will be breaking down and analyzing our draft. Hopefully, we will be featured on AOL Sports.

#2 - North Carolina Wins National Championship

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:57 GMT

LINK: NORTH CAROLINA!!!! C'MON AND RAISE UP!!!

As a Tar Heel fan....this was sweet. After enduring that 8-20 season and hearing about how dysfunctional my beloved UNC program had become....this one was sweet. Everything about this season was great. Roy Williams finally won his championship. We beat Duke on a tap in from a freshman. Four players were taking in the first 14 picks of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Of our 33-4 record...I remember all 4 of our losses!! First loss came to Santa Clara in our opener [Felton missed it]. We lost a great game in Wake Forest. We lost that game at Duke when we couldn't get a shot off. And I was in a casino in Indiana as I watch us lose to Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament.

Ahh...but I always will have the tape of UNC tagging Illinois and winning the 2005 championship!!!

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We are the champions!

North Carolina beat Illinois for the National Championship tonight. It is Carolina’s first title since 1993 [my senior year in high school] and Coach Roy Williams’ first title in his 17-year career. As a Carolina fan...this is just so sweet after going thru the horror of the 8-20 season of 2001-2002. Guys like Adam Boone and Brian Morrison transferring and the whole Matt Doherty debacle.

I watched Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace and Jeff McInnis get outmuscled in Seattle by Arkansas in the 1995 Final Four. I watched Vince Carter and Antwan Jamison fall short in the 1997 and 1998 Final Fours even though they were the best teams there. All of them didn't do what this team did tonight.

It was a very good game. It was nip and tuck for the first 15 minutes or so...then UNC went on a run that gave them a 13 point halftime lead. Illinois made their patented run and tied the game at 70 with over 2 1/2 minutes left. That was the last time they scored.

One ongoing trend in Noth Carolina titles has been bad turnovers late in games. In 1982, we all remember Freddy Brown tossing the ball to James Worthy to seal Georgetown's loss. In 1993, Chris Webber called a timeout when Michigan had none. Tonight, Luther Head drove then kicked the ball out to Raymond Felton's outstretched arm.

Also, in 1982, a freshman named Michael Jordan hit the game winning shot. Tonight, a freshman named Marvin Williams hit the game winner.

When your team wins...you want to pump your chest and scream out loud [I am doing both]. But I want to scream about how well I predicted this game. Look at my blog entry about this game.

SPORTZ SAID: "I think that Illinois' love affair with the 3-pt shot may be their undoing. They shot over half of their shots Saturday from behind the arc. If they don't hit a great amount of those shots...it will start the North Carolina fast break and that's what Illinois doesn't want. I think THAT fact combined with May having yet another superb game will make the North Carolina Tar Heels National Champions with a 77-71 victory!"

This is exactly what happened. Illinois shot FORTY 3-pt shots. FORTY!!! That is unreal. It broke the record for most 3pt shots attempted in a title game by 25%!!!!! [The record was 30 treys]. It didn?t really create a ton fast breaks for UNC, it did create some and it really kept Tar Heels out of foul trouble. I even got the score somewhat correct. While it wasn?t the 77-71 game I predicted...the score was very close to it as was the margin of victory. Oh, and May had that "superb game".

SPORTZ SAID: "One thing North Carolina seems to have an advantage is from their bench. Against Michigan State, Marvin Williams, David Noel and Melvin Scott each played at least 16 minutes. For Illinois, Jack Ingram played 21 minutes but the Illini got only 15 bench minutes from everyone else combined. If the game does become a trackmeet...it seems to favor the Tar Heels."

The benches did play big parts in this game. Since Augustine was in such foul trouble, Illinois needed to rely of Jack Ingram for major minutes. And they didn?t have anyone to back him up. And none of the Illini big men could do anything against May. The rest of Illinois bench gave them zero points, one rebound and no assists in only 8 minutes. Deron Williams played the full 40 minutes. Brown and Powell played 38 apiece. Head played 37. You could see tired legs on those final Illini shots.

Ingram played 30 minutes as a reserve. Only May, Felton and McCants played at least that much for North Carolina. On the surface, Illinois bench out-scored UNC [11-9], but bench guys David Noel, Marvin Williams and Melvin Scott did play many minutes out there. Noel played excellent defense and Williams got the game-winning put back.

SPORTZ SAID: "Both teams technically use a trio of guards. North Carolina has the better PG in Raymond Felton and the better offensive player in Rashad McCants. Not to mention Jackie Manuel is one of the tougher defenders around. But Illinois' trio of Derron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown gives them a slight edge. All three of them defend excellently....all three can stroke it from anywhere...and all three have high basketball IQs."

Felton had a tremendous game. He scored 17 points and dished out 7 assists...all while trying to stay out of foul trouble. McCants scored his entire 14 points in the first half. Add in Manuel, and the Carolina backcourt scored 31 pts on 10 of 25 shooting. The Illinois Trio scored 50 of their 70 points...and needed 47 shots to do so. Head, Williams and Brown shot 34 of the three-pointers. Head shot 16 threes by himself.

SPORTZ SAID: "Roger Powell came to play inthe Final Four. And Augustine will nab some boards and put a bit of a buffer in the middle. Jack Ingram can come off the bench and contribute. But North Carolina has a clear edge here. Sean May could be the MOP of this tournament. He's played against tougher centers in the last two games [Davis, Wilkinson] than he will on Monday. Carolina also can throw Marvin and Jawad Williams in there. Jawad struggled in the regionals...but was insane on Saturday. He knows that Monday will be his last game and he may make the most of it. It also could be the freshman Marvin's last game....and he is just such a tough matchup for anyone. Add in a David Noel who works hard on defense and runs the floor and the Heels have the clear advantage."

Illinois got just 20 points from their front court....and none from Augustine. Powell was a beast on the boards...nabbing 14 total and 8 offensive. But UNC got 44 points from their big men...including 26 from Sean May. Marvin Williams, though mostly ineffective, got the game-winning tip in the closing minutes.

SPORTZ SAID: "Illinois must slow the game upenough on defense that it forces the Heels to play more of a half-court game. Stop the dribble. The Illini has the defense to do it. Illinois must slow down the guard penatration of McCants and especially Felton. If they break down Illinois' defense, it will be a long day."

Illinois did a pretty good job limiting fast breaks and penetration by Felton. The problem is that North Carolina played so well in the half court game due to Sean May. They didn?t need the break outs since they could just dump it into #42 all night long.

SPORTZ SAID: "North Carolina has to establish May early and often. They forgot about him in the first half against Michigan State and it cost them a halftime lead. May should be able to do damage against Augustine."

Well, duh. We all saw how this one turned out.

SPORTZ SAID: "North Carolina has got to play better defense on the perimeter. This has been a sticking point at times during the season....especially when they were in Syracuse. D Williams, Brown and Head will completely murder them if they don't stick on 'em."

I was very surprised how well the Heels played defensively. Sure, they weren?t the greatest defensive team ever....but they played much better than usual. They really forced everything Illinois did outside. They had virtually no inside threat and never could dribble the ball to the hoop.

#4 - Doctor K and The Rocket

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:45 GMT

LINK: The Rise and Seperation of Gooden And Clemens

Of all the things I've ever blogged on....I see this one linked in more other sites than anything.

This was an idea of mine to go back and look a the lineage of the careers of Roger Clemens and Dwight Gooden. For many of us in our 30s....we remember how dominant these two guys were in the mid 1980s. I mean, these guys were GOLDEN! Their teams faced off in one of the most memorable World Series ever, won Cy Youngs and were idolized by so many people [personally, I wanted to be Dwight Gooden].

But in the 2 decades since...their lives and careers couldn't be any different. While the Rocket is padding his Hall Of Fame stats....Gooden is barely making his way in the world.

The research on this was fun. Enjoy!

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In 1984...two young pitchers broke into the Major Leagues together. In 1986...they met on baseball’s biggest stage. Today, one of them is trying for yet another Cy Young Award while the other is just turned himself in to police after 3 days on the run.

Dwight "Doc" Gooden and Roger Clemens were the best pitchers when I was growing up. There was one in each league...dominating.

Doc Gooden won his first Cy Young Award in 1985...at the age of 20. He went 24-4 with an era of 1.53 and 268 strikeouts...giving him the nickname "Dr. K". He had an unreal 16 complete games...including 8 shutouts and won the NL pitching Triple Crown. He even hit a home run that season.

The very next year [1986], 23 year old Roger Clemens won his first Cy Young Award. He had the same 24-4 record as Gooden did a year earlier. He ended the year with a 2.48 ERA and 238 strikeouts. He also helped lead his Red Sox to their first World Series berth since 1975 and hoping for their first title since 1918.

In that 1986 World Series, I was rooting for the Mets. As an 11 year old kid...I always pulled for the National League in such events, as back in those days there was actually a difference in the two leagues aside from just the DH. Both Gooden and Clemens were on the mound for Game 2 in New York. Boston already had a 1-0 series lead. Oddly enough, neither pitcher won the game. Gooden was shelled for 6 runs while Clemens left in the 5th inning and not getting a decision. Both pitched again in the series....Gooden lost Game 5 and Clemens started, but didn’t finish, the immortal Game 6. In that entire postseason...neither pitcher won a game.

The next 5 years....both players kept their groove going. Gooden went 74-34. Clemens went 94-48....including two more Cy Young Awards. After that...both players started wearing out their welcome.

Gooden tested positive for cocaine in 1987 and continued to have issues with the drug. In 1992 Gooden posted a 10-13 mark. He followed that up with a 12-15 record in 1993. Both years he struck out just 294 hitters. The next year, Gooden pitched in just 7 games...won 3 of the them...and had an ERA over 6.00. In September 1994...Bud Selig suspended Gooden for the rest of that season [which wasn’t long since the strike occured] and all of 1995. That was the end of his Mets career.

The wheels came off for Clemens in 1993. He posted an 11-14 mark and had the largest ERA of his career. The next two seasons, Clemens did win 19 of 31 decisions...but stints on the DL, friction with the front office and a 10-13 campaign in 1996 [he oddly tied his record 20 strikeouts in a game late that year] meant he was out the door in Boston.

In 1996, Gooden resurfaced as a new man with the cross-town Yankees. Though unspectacular, Gooden did go 20-12 in his two seasons in pinstripes...which included another World Series ring [though he was left off the postseason roster] and a no-hitter. From there, he spent two seasons in Cleveland and spent the 2000 season with Houston and Tampa.

Clemens didn’t go out like that. In 1997, he signed a huge deal to go to, of all places, Toronto. He won his first 11 games as a Blue Jay.....and won the Cy Young in both 1997 and 1998, becoming the first player to win 5 Cy Youngs. In 1997, Clemens won the AL Triple Crown...something that had not been done since 1945. He did it again in 1998. After demanding a trade...he ended up in pinstripes with the Yankees.

In 1999, he had a very subpar 14-10 record....but did win the World Series clinching game to win his first ever ring. In 2000, pretty much the same thing happened. A mediocre 13-8 record...and another ring. Late that season....a player signed a minor league contract to join the Yankees and be Clemens teammate. Dwight Gooden. Gooden did pitch in and performed okay...even winning another ring. After performing poorly in spring training....the Doc retired. Clemens pressed on.

Oh, but in 2001, Clemens blew back up. A 20-3 record netted him his 6th Cy Young. After "retiring" after the 2003 World Series....Clemens stepped back on the bump for the Houston Astros in 2004. He went on to win another Cy Young award....his 7th.

As I write this...Clemens is just 11-6 but has an unreal 1.56 ERA. A few more wins with an ERA like that could get him yet another Cy Young award. Gooden just turned himself into police after fleeing a traffic stop in which he was suspected of drunken driving. He has a domestic violence charge pending and has a DUI on his record already.

His family is screwed up too. While Clemens’ son was just drafted by the Astros, but is pursuing his college career at Texas...Gooden’s son, Dwight Jr., was jailed earlier this month for probation violation stemming from a crack cocaine conviction. He was found with a gun and some of the hippie lettuce.

What happened?? Cocaine.

The sad truth is that the fast life of 1980s New York swallowed Gooden. It cost him his prime. I cost him a lot of trust. In a day and age where Doc’s former teammate Jesse Orosco recently pitched....it isn’t out of the realm of thought that Gooden could have still been around. Heck, his rival Clemens is still punching guys out now. It cost many of his teammates their prime. Darryl Strawberry also fell to the same fate.

It is really a shame. Gooden put in one of the most majestic seasons a pitcher could have. And he didn’t really burst then flame out like a firecracker....he just burned away like a candle. One minute, he’s lighting everything up....the next, it just goes away.

And that is what makes this recent news about Doc even more saddening. I really forgot about him. I see Clemens highlights on ESPN every few days. He’s interviewed on Sports Bloggers Live and other outlets. I have to hear about Gooden on Cracksmoker.com or on the news blotter.

But, to be honest....when I heard his name...it did make me think about the mid-1980s. When road jerseys were blue. When "interleague play" meant the World Series and All Star game. When 36 home runs could win the HR Crown. The cookie cutter stadiums. The two divisions in each league. Being in my "tween-age" years. And Doc Gooden mowing down the rest of the National League.

Please find help, Doc.

#10 - Hurricane Katrina Affects the Sports World

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:22:00 GMT

LINK: Katrina's Effects On The Sports World

The year 2005 may be most remembered for something none of us thought we'd never see. We essentially saw a US city wiped from the map. Hurricane Katrina affected us all in many ways.....but I will never, ever, ever, forget the horror I felt as I watched this thing unfold. As someone who grew up in the Southeast, I've been thru hurricanes and understand both the dangers and the sort of laid back attitudes concerning them. Most people board up and ride them out. Well, this was a different beast.

And while this blog entry is nowhere near anything helpful to anyone...nor is it a great blog entry in itself...but it reminds me of those days and the responses of people around me to what happened. I think of Die Cast Dude mailing Saints hats around the country to raise money. I think of Monponsett's excellent commentaries. I think of Lew [LRPatton] and his constant devotion to raising awareness of what's going on down there. And I think of the evacuee I ran into on an elevator of an Atlanta hotel as he was preparing to move....yet again.

In this holiday season in which we spend time with our family....and as we give and receive gifts....please don't forget about these people who were uprooted from everything and, in turn, lost nearly everything.

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We always say it in times like these....but sports is secondary. Well, not secondary. Heck...they are waaaaay down the list. But there are times when sports and life crash into each other.

The image of the roof of the Superdome peeled off will be one of the lasting images from Hurricane Katrina. It has been a sancuary for 30,000 people...and is currently a staging place for injured people rescued in the city. Families are living there now....if they were to leave, where are they to go? Toilets and garbage over overflowing and causing concern. With no power....the dome has become unbearably hot. New Orleans' chief of Homeland Security reported that a guy even lept from the top section to his death in the stadium.

The governor has ordered the Superdome to be evacuated [with possibly the entire city] as water is slowly rising and it would be a catastrophe if the dome started to flood with no escape plans in place.

*The Saints...tenants of the Superdome...are in California preparing for a preseason game against the Raiders this weekend. They've been practicing at San Jose State since, essentially, evacuating last weekend. After this weekend...who knows where they will be. They could just head to Charlotte...site of their season opener against the Panthers. Week 2 [September 18th] they are supposed to host the New York Giants. That game could either be cancelled...or moved if the Superdome isn't able to be ready by then.

*And what is to become of the Saints if New Orleans is, for lack of a better word, gone? The team has spoken to officials in San Antonio about possibly setting up base there. They could have a make-shift office space, practice facility and possibly play their home games at the Alamodome. Saints owner, Tom Benson, has a history with the city and could find businesses willing to cooperate with the team. The team may also look at Houston [which is closer to New Orleans. The problem with that is there is a fear that the Superdome may not be functional for quite some time. There is the holes in the roof...possible structural damage....no power right now....and just the overall mood to hold a football game in the middle of such devastation.

*Five college football games scheduled for this weekend have been cancelled. Tulane-Southern Miss was postponed until Thanksgiving weekend as both schools' towns have been decimated by the hurricane. North Texas-LSU may be cancelled as the schools have no openings to replay the game. Nicholls State-Utah State, Southern-McNeese State and Jacksonville-Hammond have been postponed. If you remember...a hurricane forced the movement of several college games during LAST year's opening weekend....most notably the Florida State-Miami game.

*Tulane may have the biggest problem. Located right in the mix of the flooding....Tulane University may be closed for quite a while. That raises the question: does the football team go on? Can the team represent a school that may not be open for quite a long time???

*Brett Favre's family still lives in his hometown Kiln, Mississippi. He spoke to his mother Tuesday who told their horror story of having to live in the attic as waters rose in their home. Today, the water receeded and his mother and grandmother left for Brett's brother's home nearby. Mama Favre's home is pretty much destroyed...and most likely have to be torn down to be rebuilt. Favre's mom was pregnant with him when Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf back in 1969.

*The NBA is already preparing it's teams for the Hornets possible relocation. All 30 teams have been notified that the New Orleans Hornets will most likely not play in New Orleans next season...and that no site has been set yet. The leading candidate as of now is nearby Baton Rouge where they could use LSU's facilities including their 14,000 seat arena. That is smallish for an NBA team...but the Hornets were one of the poorest drawing teams and much of their fan base have bigger problems to deal with. It will be interesting to see in the Hornets move to another city entirely.....say Nashville, Memphis or St. Louis.

*The NBA Players Association is quickly on the ball. Unionprez Antonio Davis has been on the horn with many players, trying to come up with the most efficient ways to lend support and assist FEMA.

#1 - Sportz' Tribute To Carl Lewis

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:23:03 GMT

LINK: Sportz Tribute To Carl Lewis

This is my favorite blogging moment of 2005. Hands down. I still will go back to this take and literally cry laughing watching the Carl Lewis "Break It Up" video. If you've not seen it yet...please do.

What started as a lark [and a buddy's and mine ongoing joke about Lewis slaughtering the National Anthem way back when] turned into a riot as I dug deeper and deeper in research to pull some of the lamest things I've ever found.

Please...watch his video. It features Carl, some heavy makeup, an old lady, bubble, huge sunglasses, weights, frizzy hair, jumping, 80s video making tricks and much more!!!

Enjoy!

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Why am I posting this?? I don't know. About a day ago, I had the ultimate respect for Carl Lewis. He is a sporting freak of nature and one of the finest Olympic athletes of my lifetime. But, for some reason, I've been slap happy about Carl Lewis and his rendition of of the National Anthem before a Nets-Bulls game over a decade ago. It's been in my head for weeks now.

Why now? Well, me and a buddy from work just throw out an "uh-oh" every once in a while....then the voice cracking "rockets red glare" [I've got tears in my eyes as I type this]. A week ago, he even got on the intercom at work and did the anthem. I lost it.

So, Thursday...I was pulling into KFC and listening to The Jim Rome Show. Blind Date's Roger Lodge was guest hosting and busted out the audio from it. I freaking lost it again!!!!

So, I just had to find it on this great invention called the internet [thanks again, Al Gore!].

Listen to it here: National Anthem

But, in searching for the anthem...I ran into something that almost made my choke on my laughter. Check it out: Welcome to CarlLewis.com! When you get there...make sure you check out his acting reel. OH MY GOD!!!!

Then...check out his music video....OH MY GOD.... MUSIC VIDEO: Welcome to CarlLewis.com! It couldn't be more gay if it was named Gay Gayerson. I guess it is called "Break It Up"...but it sounds, well, just listen. He looks like El De Barge or something.

UPDATE!!! Oh my God.,....it gets better. I found this review of his "work": "In 1987, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis launched a brief and ill-fated career as a musician with the single "Break It Up," recorded with his band, Carl Lewis and the Electric Storm. The song is garden variety '80s pop, but the video, which Lewis has posted on his official Web site, is something else entirely. It begins in pure silliness, with Lewis, looking like a stacked Grace Jones, singing while working out in a gym. Later, as he sets to work seducing a portly, elderly woman in a hot tub, it becomes deeply strange. A treat. "

The name of his band was "Carl Lewis and the Electric Storm"...ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen to a clip of Ozzie Smith's "Cupid": Musical Athletes - Boston.com - Music - A&E
Listen to a clip of Jeff Conine's cover of STP's "Plush": Musical Athletes - Boston.com - Music - A&E
Or how about a clip of John Daly singing? Musical Athletes - Boston.com - Music - A&E
Or a clip from C-Webb: Musical Athletes - Boston.com - Music - A&E
Neon Deion just "wants the money": Musical Athletes - Boston.com - Music - A&E
Or how Shaq's "biological didn't bother": Biological Didn't Bother - G-Funk Version by Shaquille O'Neal on Yahoo! Music