LeBron is Still the King

I've been trying to stay away from the ESPN-led Who's better: LeBron or Kobe argument. One, because I'm sick and tired of it. And two, because it's not entirely accurate.

But with Orlando seemingly about to dismiss Cleveland from the playoffs, and the tarnishing of LeBron's reputation in certain circles, it's time to separate fact from fiction.

Before the year started, my BOW(Best in World) list went like this:

1. LeBron
2. Kobe
3. Spot up for grabs. A healthy Dwyane Wade gets the first crack to claim the spot, but Chris Paul and an aging Tim Duncan should still be included in the conversation.

Certain things have changed. Not only is Dwyane Wade easily in the top 3, but he has vaulted himself ahead of Kobe Bryant for No. 2. You can label me a homer all you want, but to me, Dwyane Wade is equal or better to Kobe in virtually every single category. He's more explosive. He's better at getting to the line. He's a better distributor, and a better ball handler. Defensively, they are about even now. I will say both are even as a scorer, but Wade led the league this year. I can argue that Wade's jump shot has become as lethal as Kobe's, or at worst, near Kobe's level. And Kobe only has more clutch moments, because he has a longer resume. I defy anyone to name a major spot where Wade has faltered in the clutch.

So now to the King. From an offensive standpoint, anyone who blames LeBron James for the Cavs' 3-1 deficit is just lost. He's averaging 42.3 points, over seven assists, over seven rebounds and shooting 51 percent from the floor! Against one of the best defensive teams in the league. OK, there have been some missed free throws and turnovers down the stretch, but seriously, he's kept the same assists/rebound numbers, and averaging 12 more points per game.

That said, here's where I deduct a couple points from the "LeBron will exceed Michael Jordan as the greatest ever argument."

Defense.

The Cavs aren't losing this series because Mo Williams is firing up blanks. They are losing this series because the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA has allowed over 104 points per game in the Eastern Conference Finals. And as the guy who finished 2nd in the league in Defensive Player of the Year, LeBron has to shoulder some of the blame, sorry. Individually, he's kept Turkoglu in check outside of Game 2, and Rashard Lewis has cooled down the last 2 games(16 ppg) with LeBron getting the assignment more often. But King James is the central figure in the Cavs defense, and he'd be the first to tell you that he's not getting it done on that end.

Of course, neither is Kobe. What the hell has he done defensively to ignite a Lakers team that has shown chinks in the armor the whole year? So Kobe isn't closing the gap this playoffs. Where it gets more interesting is LeBron vs. Wade. I can't argue with the sentiment that Wade has accomplished more in his career. The 2006 Heat were better than the 2007 Cavs. But while LeBron got trounced in the finals that year, Wade staged one of the most brilliant title round performances in league history.

But most accomplished doesn't mean Best in World, or else Tim Duncan still has the crown. The sheer fact is LeBron is a better player, because there are things LBJ can do that Wade can't. But it doesn't work that way vice versa. Yes, it's not fair to Wade cause he's four inches shorter and 50 pounds lighter, but it is what it is. Numbers can tell you 75 percent of the story, and your eyes the other 25 percent. And according to both the stats and the eyes, we're witnessing Best in the World facing a 3-1 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals.

But the gap between LeBron and his best bud is smaller than the gap between LeBron and his Western Conference rival.

Shaq-Kobe Revisited

First things first, credit goes to ESPN's always excellent TrueHoop Blog and Henry Abbott for coming up with this revelation.

Watch this NBA "Where Amazing Happens" commercial of the famed Kobe-Shaq one-hand baseline alleyoop again from the 2000 Western Conference Finals.



Not the pass, or the dunk. But Shaq's complete and total stiffjob of Kobe after the play. Shaq ignores Kobe's hand, extended out for a high five, and even snubs him when Kobe grabs his forearm.

The Big Fraud. Always a real class act!

Also, great point by my buddy Evan Cohen at ESPN 760: Why would the Magic allow Shaq into the building last night? After tearing into Dwight Howard and calling Stan Van Gundy a "master of panic?" There's no chance I'd allow Shaq to gain entry to the Magic Kingdom, let alone Amway Arena.

What the Eastern Conference Finals Have Taught Me...

Besides that my prognosticating lack of skills showed up again?

That a Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh Heat team could be a legitimate contender in the East.

Orlando still presents matchup problems in the frontline, but Bosh would make Dwight Howard play defense all over the court. And Udonis has defended Rashard Lewis well throughout his career.

Most people agree that the Celtics have one run left in them in 2009-2010. But who knows what shape Kevin Garnett will be in next year? Or if Father Time catches up to Ray Allen?

And I believe without a shadow of a doubt now that Wade-Bosh is a superior team than the LeBrons.

The Heat certainly need help elsewhere. They don't have a true perimeter stopper on defense. And they need help at the point, although D-Wade will likely run the point during most critical junctures.

But it's time for Pat Riley to work his magic again, excuse the pun. Get the extension done with Dwyane Wade in July, and then get Chris Bosh, even if it means trading Michael Beasley.

Tuesday Tidbits

-From a production standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world for the Dolphins to make an offer to Anquan Boldin. But I believe actions like firing the most powerful agent in football today are part of the reason why Bill Parcells and company aren't touching Boldin with a 10-foot pole, even at the inexpensive price of a second or third rounder.

Yes, the Fins have been inhibited for years by various regimes treating draft picks like they are items on the Wendy's 99 cent value menu, and that's probably Reason No. 1 why they are saying "No Deal."

But I do believe that Boldin relinquished any chances of donning aqua and orange with his ill-fated decision to A. Not celebrate with his team after it improbably won the NFC Championship, and B. Rehashing his trade demands during the two biggest weeks in Cardinals history, or at least since they've been in Arizona. That shows that Boldin is in no way, shape or form, a team guy, which goes against the culture Bill Parcells has implemented in South Florida. That's what he means when he talks about "character." Yes, Will Allen gets an extension amid his legal issues, but he buys into the Fins uber-team oriented culture. And I would expect Randy Starks to still retain his spot on the roster, despite his alleged dumb-ass stunt over the weekend.

But to the Tuna regime, there's no place for a guy who only sees green. And so much so that he creates distractions during Super Bowl Week and fires the best agent in football.

Other quickies:

-The Jordan Bulls in six championship seasons, had two playoff series that went the distance. The Spurs had one series(the 2005 NBA Finals) that went seven games in their four title years. Even the Shaq/Kobe Lakers lost only two playoff games over their last two title runs, outside of the infamous seven-game Sacramento West Finals in 2002.

So even if the Lakers get past Denver, and beat an inferior Orlando team in the finals, don't even think about comparing them to the great NBA teams of the past 20 years. They are closer to the 2004 Detroit Pistons and 2006 Miami Heat, highly flawed teams which still took home the hardware but were by no means, dominant forces.

-There cannot be a worse medical staff in the history of sports than the Mets. Seriously, can you put Jose Reyes on the DL before his calf snaps in 900 pieces?

-I'm pretty confident Cleveland wins in Orlando tonight. But I still think the Magic will return the favor at the Q, either in Game 5, or even Game 7.

Another Plus Towards Getting Jason Taylor

On one hand, you have tormented former hero Jim Leyritz, trying to atone for allegedly killing a drunk driver while he was also intoxicated.

And then you have Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Starks, busted for allegedly driving his truck into an officer. His truck designed to sit four, but carrying, oh only 13 people, including a woman on his lap(no word on if she stayed there the whole time).

Yes, the result of Leyritz's offense is much worse because it resulted in a death. But I'm more horrified with what Starks allegedly did. Carrying 13 people in your car, and then driving into an officer? That reeks of someone that simply doesn't give a you know what about anybody and anything other than himself.

I'm not sure if the Dolphins will take action, but if this is true, I have no problem seeing Starks be freed to find another uniform in 2009.

LeBatard and Leyritz

One of the world's greatest sportswriters, Dan LeBatard is back after a year-long sabbatical with a haunting piece on sports hero turned real life goat Jim Leyritz, who's of course, awaiting trial on charges of vehicular homicide.

Just like all of Lebitz's pieces, this column will not appease everyone. It paints Leyritz, a battered person in the public eye, with a sympathetic brush. How he lost everything financially, and professionally. How he's admitted to being over the legal limit, but has been accumulating evidence to show that the deceased victim was even more culpable(a Florida toxicology report confirmed that her BAL was .18 versus Leyritz's .14). How he used to get paid for speaking engagements, but would stay 3-4 times the required amount, just telling stories and getting to know people. And how he says the portrayal of his post-accident life is chock full of misnomers.

And guess what? I do have sympathy for Jim Leyritz. Maybe because I met him two years ago pre-accident, and he was that fun-loving, articulate, introspective person that LeBatard paints him out to be. But in an unforgiving society, I want to be the one that believes in second chances, that believes someone can still be a good person even after committing a terrible mistake.

DUI to me is an unthinkable offense. I've lost a 17-year old cousin and a 17-year old friend over the last decade in alcohol-related accidents. But while I understand that in Leyritz's case, jail time may be required to prevent another accident from happening, the real albatross is living with the fact that you took someone else's life.

As someone who knows and likes Dan as a journalist and a person, well done, and welcome back! I understand why you took a break. But I hope you are back to stay.

1 For 1 on the Prediction Front...

Nuggets 106, Lakers 103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

And immediately sticking out to me....the Hall of Fame Coach Formerly Known as Phil Jackson on the Lakers sidelines.

Over the last 30 seconds, Phillip
-Did not protest what should have been a violation by J.R. Smith cutting behind the jump circle before a jump ball between Chauncey Billups and Pau Gasol was finished. Gasol outjumped Billups of course, but the Lakers coughed it up trying to nab the ball. Had the violation been called, L.A. would have inbounded from the sidelines.
-Down by 4, he did not advance the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt despite calling a timeout.
-On the final play, seemed to use Kobe as a decoy, and instead had Derek Fisher, of all players, flash to the wing and take the 3. Suffice to say, it came closer to Jack Nicholson than the basket.

I guess when you have nine rings, you can pull off the feat of retirement, even when it appears to the naked eye that you are at least coaching.

Quick Baseball Hits

-The Marlins have a litany of problems, but speed and defense is not near the top of my list. In fact, the bigger problem I have is Marlins braintrust thinking that they could transform a "homer or strikeout team" into the 2003 Fish overnight. That's why the deal for Emilio Bonifacio deal was so dumb. One guy doesn't change the landscape of your team. Only a complete overhaul would. Which doesn't make sense.

The reality is that Dan Uggla(who could be gone by July) will never be a good defensive second baseman, and has major holes in his swing. Jeremy Hermida and Cody Ross will always be below average outfielders, and will always strike out a lot. Chris Coughlan fits that profile right now. This is what happens when you operate a team with ZERO payroll, and rely on guys with off-the-charts talent, but could use an extra year in the minors. You bet some of that blame goes on Larry Beinfest and Michael Hill. Which is why they should not rush Cameron Maybin back, and they should scrap any notions to infuse this roster with speed and defense, and just accept it for what it is. Speed doesn't win you a championship anymore, and frankly defense doesn't either in the steroid era. Homers and power pitching does.

That's why the Marlins stink right now. Because they are 14th in the NL in OPS(an anemic 707), and the vaunted starting rotation is in reality one ace(Josh Johnson), a good middle-of the rotation arm(Chris Volstad), a supposed No. 1 getting his brains bashed in(Ricky Nolasco), an always injured starter(Anibal Sanchez) and to this point, a lefty bust(Andrew Miller). That's not getting it done.

Other tidbits:

-As a Met fan, Omar Minaya PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not trade Bobby Parnell for Mark DeRosa. Or Nick Johnson. Or Todd Helton. I said it before the year and I will say it again: The Mets are not a contender. They need to spend a year rejuvenating the farm system, even if it means temporarily getting worse. They should have shopped Delgado. David Wright's value is taking a nosedive by the second. And as much I hate to say it, Steve Phillips isn't completely off-base in suggesting dealing Carlos Beltran. He's the top player who could give you a lot of value right now.

-Let's see eight straight victories for the Yankees after a horrible start. Wasn't that the script every year under Joe Torre? So can people get off Girardi's back now?

-And why in the world would the White Sox trade for Jake Peavy? Other than Carlos Quentin, Josh Fields, and Gavin Floyd, there are no up and coming players, except three that could be off to San Diego. Congrats Kenny Williams, you will once again be the best team in a laughable AL Central, and then get promptly dismissed in the ALDS again. And then toil around in 60-winville for the next three years.

On Second Thought, the Cavs Could Be in Trouble

Guess I asked for this when I said Kris Allen beating Adam Lambert on Idol last night was as improbable as if the Magic beat the Cavaliers.

Magic 107, Cavs 106 in Game 1. In a building that Cleveland was 43-1 in games they fielded an NBA team in.

Don't ambush me for sounding overdramatic here, because when push comes to shove, I still think the Cavs win this series on the strength of having a superior all-around club.

But the Magic drew first blood, in spite of:

1. LeBron James playing one of the most remarkable playoff games I've ever seen. 49 points, 20-30 shooting, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals. The discussion over best player in the NBA is laughable. D-Wade and Kobe(yes in that order) are incredibly gifted players that are as competitive as anybody who's ever stepped onto the deck. But LeBron makes basketball look like a video game. He seems to be playing a different sport. Not sure we were ever praising Jordan in that manner.

And the idea that LeBron lost Cleveland the game because he went into selfish one-on-one mood is just asinine. He wasn't selfish. Selfish players don't have 8 assists. Selfish players don't set up Delonte West and Mo Williams on the two biggest shots of the game. The Cavs lost because the trio of Z, West and Mo Williams couldn't hit a shot inside of 65 feet.

2. Cleveland not only taking a 15-point advantage into the locker room, but precisely executing their game-plan of defending Dwight Howard straight up, and trying to wipe out Orlando's bombs away attack and eviscerating their pick and roll game. At least for one half. Then we learned that Rashard Lewis is a horrible matchup for Anderson Varejo, who's not used to extending himself to the three-point arc on defense. And that Mo Williams in a clutch spot, still can't guard a chair. And that Stan Van Gundy transformed himself from the Master of Panic back to a coach capable of carving out a Hall of Fame career. Moving Hedo Turkoglu to a point forward role(4-11 shooting but 14 assists) and thus making others besides LeBron guard him was a masterful stroke.

3. And while I am in the Dwight Howard is overrated camp, he's unstoppable within 5 feet from the basket. And this is surprising to say about the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA, but I don't think Cleveland has anyone who can force Dwight Howard out of that comfort zone. Z is immovable at this point. And the other three "bigs"(Varejo, Wallace, and Smith) work hard but are undersized. I think we took Kendrick Perkins defense for granted because that's the guy you need on D-12, the 6-11, 275 pound widebody defensive lineman. The Cavs are bereft of anyone even close.

The summary is this: I still expect Cleveland to win this series. But it will be quite a series.

And just for the record, I expect Denver to even it up tonight at Staples. They were the more impressive team in Game 1, despite Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith shooting 7-20. And there's no evidence the soft Laker defense can stop Carmelo.

WHAT?!!! Adam Lost?????

Perhaps I will post a longer entry on the great tragedy known as the American Idol season finale tomorrow when I’m further able to collect my thoughts(yes, some males do spend time analyzing A.I.)

But after eight seasons, I am done with the show. And I’d like to thank 100 million people worldwide for curing me from Idolitis.

Because if you all are stupid enough to pick Boring, Blasé and whiny voiced Kris Allen, over Adam Lambert, the most daring, talented, and flat-out-best singer in the history of Idol, then I don’t want to be there to experience the next ring of worldwide stupidity. I mean, seriously have you all been infected with swine flu? The person who I feel was better than Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry rolled into one just got unseated by Kris Allen? What’s next, the Magic beating the Cavs tonite?

And yes I understand that 1. I’ve never brought myself to ever cast a vote, and 2. Adam is probably better off not being hamstrung by the Idol contract. But how is it worth watching what’s supposed to be a singing competition and constantly not seeing the best singer win?

American Idol has become the Harlem Globetrotters. And I stopped watching the Globetrotters a long time ago.

Derek Jeter: Still Overrated

I've long been a supporter of a committee of current and ex-players, coaches and executives being the ones to vote on the Baseball Hall of Fame. And not overly sanctimonious writers.

But perhaps I should cease that line of thinking after the Sporting News survey of the top 50 players in the game was released today. The subjects of the survey were a panel of 100 Hall of Famers, award winners, and other baseball personalities.

Albert Pujols, consensus best hitter in the game, occupies the top spot. OK. Then A-Rod, Johan Santana, Manny, and Hanley Ramirez. No problems there.

But No. 8: Derek Jeter.....I kid you not. Apparently, we know that Joe Morgan must have been interviewed 99 times for this survey.

If we are talking career accomplishments, Derek Jeter is a unquestioned first-ballot Hall of Famer. But today? El Capitan has a 771 OPS. Just like his 771 OPS last year. Everyone outside of Joe Morgan and Suzyn Waldman know that Jeter is a below-average shortstop that should be switching positions with A-Rod. And for the "intangibles" that everyone loves going to? Yeah, the same ones that allegedly empowered the Yankees to four World Series titles last decade, have resulted in zero playoff series wins since 2004.

Right now, Derek Jeter wouldn't even make my list of the top 5 shortstops in baseball(Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins, Troy Tulowitzki, J.J. Hardy). So how exactly is he the 8th best player in baseball?

See the list HERE, at your own risk.

George Brett Pissed Over More than Just Pine Tar

As you may have been able to tell, I've tried to tweak the format of this blog over the last couple of weeks. Less cynicism and more thoughtful sports issues. Less off-the-field comedic stories and videos, and more in-depth entries.

This is not to take a shot at the Deadspins and Sports By Brooks of the world. I love those blogs and read them daily. But they expound on the lighter side of sports much better than I do. So I'm reverting back to what I'm good at, and what provides more value.

That said, sometimes there are videos that need to be shared for the general public. And George Brett going postal on a reporter from the Kansas City NBC affiliate about manager Trey Hillman needs to be viewed.




Too bad Stacy London and Clinton Kelly weren't there to see those pants. Otherwise, they may have had a few choice words.

Marve to Purdue

With reports that former UM quarterback Robert Marve has finally chosen to transfer to a school-Purdue-I think it's time to once again examine the domino effect that he may have on the University of Miami.

Randy Shannon has two seasons left on his current contract. AD Kirby Hocutt continues to act cryptically towards the issue of a long-term extension for his football coach. In public, Hocutt supports his coachh with glowing praise, but there's been no talks, or even a timetable towards extension talks. Now eeople close to the situation have told me Hocutt really does love Randy Shannon. Outsiders still believe UM is playing out the string, before dumping him for say, Kirby Hocutt's former coach Jim Leavitt.

My opinion is Shannon's future at the U will be tied to his decision to pick Jacory Harris over Robert Marve.

Now to me, Harris over Marve was the right decision. I think Jacory Harris was and is the better quarterback. And more importantly, on a school still going through wholesale rebuilding, Jacory possesses the much higher ceiling. He seems like a naturally cerebral quarterback, and willing to put in the hours to improve on and off-the field.

Quite a contrast to Marve who for me, was not a pleasure to deal with at all. Very abrupt and terse with the media, thinking he was for lack of a better term hot shit. On the field, he had the propensity to continually start running anytime his first read wasn't open, rather than go through progressions. It's one thing when a freshman or first-year quarterback does that in Game 1. But falling into the same habits by Game 12? Smells of a guy letting the cockiness overshadow putting in the work needed to get better. And his off-the-field transgressions(allegedly breaking a windshield, fleeing from cops, suspended for the Emerald Bowl for missing class) upholds all of this.

Still, it's Randy Shannon's job to decide whether he needs to pick one, or try and win with both. He chose Option A. So going forward, it's very simple to me: If Jacory Harris becomes the best UM QB since Kenny D, the Canes should be able to return to at the very least, the top of the ACC standings, and maybe even the title picture by 2010/2011. If that happens, Randy Shannon is the long-term answer in Coral Gables.

But if Harris flops in the same way the more heralded Brock Berlin and Kyle Wright did, and Marve flourishes at Purdue, then Randy Shannon gets tagged as the guy who can't develop his own talent, just like his predecessor Larry Coker. And just like Larry Coker, Randy Shannon will likely be out of a job in a couple years.

Don't Pick An Upset Just to Pick An Upset....

I've strayed from making wholesale predictions on the NBA Playoffs until now. But I need to step in to feed a little reality check to those that are really prognosticating an Orlando upset over Cleveland.

I mean, seriously?? Yes I know Orlando is more talented than Detroit and Atlanta, but what part of eight straight double digit wins was not convincing to you? Even I thought the Pistons and Hawks had a chance to swipe a game.

The Magic's number top two individual defenders are Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus. One is a 6-5 shooting guard, the other is an undersized 3. What makes you think they can turn LeBron into a jump shooter?

And while those two guys are trying to lock up King James, who is gonna guard Mo Williams? Rafer Alston? Sure J.J. Reddick actually played like he cared against Ray Allen last round, but can he do it two rounds in a row coming off a grueling seven game set?

And let's look at how the Cavs match up versus Orlando. We know that as dominant as Dwight Howard can be, the Magic offense functions best with their pick and roll game, and letting D-12 get points off dunks and putbacks. Easier said than done versus the No. 1 rated defense in the league. Plus, the Cavs have the numerous bodies(Z, Joe Smith, Wallace, Sideshow) that the Celtics didn't have to throw at the big guy. I don't see Hedo Turkoglu having a great series versus LeBron. And Cleveland can afford to throw Mo Williams on Orlando's revolving No. 2 guard, and put Delonte West on Nelson.

Bottom line, I'll stick with my Cleveland probably drops a game in this series. Which means it could easily be another sweep. But I'll be surprised if Mike Bianchi is covering games at this time next week.

Now to a series that will have drama, the Lakers-Nuggets West title. Why? Because, with the giant turd that Andrew Bynum has been this playoffs(5.6 pts, 3.8 rbs), Lamar Odom's back acting up, and Phil Jackson taking an I don't care pill, are the Lakers really much more superior than Denver? Phillip is just asking for Mr. Big Shot to go nuts against the Artist formerly known as Derek Fisher. The Nuggets have several options(Dahntay Jones, Kenyon Martin, some Chauncey) to throw at Kobe.

But then there is my favorite part of the NBA: The officiating! Take my word, it will be ridiculously one-sided. Like as bad as the Sacramento series one-sided. You can drum up all the LeBron-Carmelo matchup carries intrigue all you want, but I'm not buying it. And I don't think David Stern is either.

The Lakers problems are more legitimate than just disinterest. The Nuggets should give them a hell of a series. But I don't think they can overcome four games on the road, and potentially playing 8 on 5 at times. Lakers in 7.

Stephon Marbury Still Thinks He's a Starter

Seriously.

After the Celtics got walloped by the Magic 101-82 last night, Marbury on his future plans:

"I got to wait and see. I'm not going to make any hasty decisions. But I loved playing here. Being a sixth man coming off the bench is not a bad thing. I know I'm a starter so it really doesn't matter as long as I'm on the court."

And I thought he was starting to get it......

Mushnick Drops an A-Bomb on Sterling

He thinks he's high. He thinks he's gone too far. He wants him GOOOONE!

Now that Mike and the Mad Dog aren't around(not together at least) for NY Post media critic Phil Mushnick to kick around, he has set his new target on Yankees play-by-play broadcaster John Sterling, calling for his firing barring any major improvement.

Sterling is an acquired taste. Either you like his schtick or you don't. As a play-by-play broadcaster, I don't do schtick because I'm not good at it, and I prefer to describe the action in front of me. But I don't condemn it, if someone can pull it off. And as much as Sterling can often represent the snobby "The Yankees are better than you" attitude, he's able to pull off his own style.

That said, if he's making up things Mushnick documents such as purposely calling a ground-rule double a homer, then yeah we have a problem. But if you are going to get on Sterling for being late to describe a wild play at the plate- seriously, get some alcohol in your life.

After all, I have heard much worse than John Sterling in terms of play-by-play broadcasting. I will leave it at that.

Not to Go All Political But...

Something about the news that Steelers LB James Harrison is refusing to accompany his teammates to their visit to the White House just irks me. And no, it's not that I'm a Democrat and approved of Nick Saban's elected skipping in 2006.

At least that was work related, or so Saban says, which probably means it wasn't. But Harrison's rational:
"If you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. So as far as I'm concerned he would have invited Arizona if they had won."

Wow James, I'm sorry that in the middle of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, the war in Iraq, even overcooked health crisis es, that Mr. Obama couldn't fit a mano y mano with James Harrison on his busy schedule.

Maybe the reason is just that you are a flat-out punk, James?

UPDATE: Somehow, I have a hunch that the Dan Rooney being an Obama appointed ambassador to Ireland thing will play a part in Harrison going anyways, whether he likes it or not.

I Hate to Give The Big Cactus Credit But....

"OBEY YOUR MASTER.....MASTER
MASTER OF PANIC PULLING STRINGS."
-Modified Metallica as sung by Shaq today

I'm unabashedly rooting for the Celtics this series. I root for the Boston teams second. But it's painful to see another Stan Van Gundy coached collapse. It's painful to see another big man tear into SVG, even though I have no problem with anything Dwight Howard said.

And it's painful to give any sort of credit for Shaquille O'Neal. By the way, how the bleep does Shaq get NBA All-Third Team? I didn't know being the anchor of a defense that allows 140 points a game, and getting a coach(Terry Porter) canned is the criteria for being named one of the NBA's top 15 players. The NBA where amazing happens!

OK back to Stan.

Off the court, Stan Van Gundy sounds like a coach who gets it. Who understands how to motivate. Who understands how to use personnel(even tho he thought Jameer Nelson was too short for the Heat to draft). Who knows how to teach defense. Who was well schooled by Pat Riley.

But here's one thing about coaches that I've learned from being around them the last couple years. They are sado-masochists. They spend a lot of time gameplanning in fear of the worst possible situation coming true. Take the NBA question of whether to foul a team down by 3 in the final seconds of the game. I would foul 100 times out of 100. But most coaches don't foul 99 out of 100 times because they fear "What happens if we don't foul right and the shooter just jacks up a 3?"

And Stan Van Gundy is the ABSOLUTE WORST at this type of coaching. Last night, he didn't get Dwight Howard more than 10 shots, because he's scared that the Celtics will foul him on every post touch. Just like Shaq didn't touch the ball in the last 2 minutes of Heat-Pistons in Game 7 of the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals, thus the Heat cough up a six-point lead. Just like not having Dwyane Wade in the game during the Heat's final 2004 playoff possession, because he wasn't a good 3-point shooter at the time.

There were other strategical blunders too. Like actually having D-12 in the contest down by 3 knowing the Celtics are going to foul him. And then panicking by having him intentionally miss the 2nd free throw. And why would J.J. Reddick be on Ray Allen late in a tight game, with defensive stopper Mikael Pietrus on the bench?

I think SVG knows how to coach, and can be a great NBA coach for a long time. But I truly have doubts whether he knows how to trust his players, and put his own fears aside. If he doesn't do that, then he will be known as the "Master of Panic."

JT is Back

After five hours of absorbing the news that Jason Taylor signed a 1-year, up to 1.5 million dollar deal with the Fins, it's STILL HARD for me to put my thoughts together, not just on the move, but how it came together.

So thankfully my good buddy Evan Cohen summed it up best on his ESPN 760 show today: "I don't think there's ever been a move rumored for months that I'm this shocked actually happened."

I couldn't agree more. I never thought 99 would end up in aqua and orange again.

Sure, I could buy that all things equal, JT would choose a return to the Dolphins. It's his home, it's his family, and it's where he built his legacy. But just like most other superstars, I thought he would also adhere to his wishes when asking for a trade last year. I figured an opportunity to win a championship with New England would be too good to pass up. An opportunity to conclude his career as a "Belichick guy." An opportunity to morph himself from a on-the bubble Hall of Famer to a first-ballot Cantoner.

And I truly did not think that Bill Parcells and the Fins wanted JT back. Sure, they need another outside pass rusher, and didn't snare one in the draft. But beyond the rift and any sort of lingering feelings, the Tuna(or the Big Kahuna as someone on my former station called him today) is all about bringing in his guys and eliminating distractions. His well documented number one no-no is no celebrity player. Just ask kicker Jay Feely, fired for amongst other things, talking to the media too much. Jason Taylor automatically becomes the face of the DOlphins franchise. Even if Cameron Wake plays 75 percent of the snaps at his position. And this team cut one of it's four core veteran leaders(as named by Tony Sparano a bunch of times last year) Vonnie Holliday, to pave the way for more snaps for younger players like Merling and Langford. Now, they are bringing in a 34 going on 35-year old player to depending on whether he plays more DL or OLB in the 3-4, take away snaps from potentially three younger players?

Listen, as a Dolfan, I'm all for bringing in Jason Taylor, even if I think he could be at this stage of his career, a situational pass rusher and nothing else. At the very least, he bolstered their depth and at most, he and Joey Porter could be a lethal sack duo, in addition to the frontline(It's also possible they could trade Porter now too.) The players want him back. He's reportedly been a self-participant in the Dolphins off-season program, getting the regime from Sparano. He'll make the younger guys better. He'll help sell tickets and jerseys. It will be great to see JT end his career here, and passing up an extra 7 mil to play for the organization and fan base he loves is a nice feel-good story.

And for Patriot haters, it leaves them without a replacement for Mike Vrabel. Especially since my roommate, as plugged in with Belichickville as anyone, says Julius Peppers is not an option anymore.

But there's still a lot of questions that I would love to get answers to:

-Did Parcells really have interest all along and he was pulling a major smokescreen to try and screw around with the Patriots?

-Is this only a keep him away from New England and get him on the cheap move?

-Did Stephen Ross ask for this to happen?

-And will Parcells call him "Jason Taylor", "JT", or "The Player?

The Rocket Throwing Junk

So as we all know by now, the pervasive juicing that has gone on and still goes on in sports does not bother me one bit. But that doesn't preclude me from ripping and/or laughing at an athlete for the way he tries to maneuver out of quicksand.

Case in point Roger Clemens. 16 months ago, after appearing 82 times in the Mitchell Report, Clemens decides to play the role of Mr. Defiant. He's gonna be the one to look right into the eyes of his accusers and punch them in the face. Well, not literally, but by proclaiming his innocence and throwing everyone from Brian McNamee to his wife under the bus not just on a million different media outlets, but testifying in front of Congress. OK, admirable strategy except 1. Nothing that came out of his mouth was remotely believable, and 2. He looks like a raging buffoon doing it.

So, then Mr. Defiant does what every other juicer does, run and hide. Only to come back today on ESPN's Mike and Mike show to defend himself from the release of American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime. And the quotes come straight from the handbook of how to defend yourself from steroid allegations:

"The allegations are hurtful to me and my family." CHECK

"Everything in the book is false." CHECK

And of course, "I'm trying to move on." CHECK

What I love is how Mr. Defiant now thinks he can suddenly go to not wanting to talk about his past, when the original defense strategy was "I'm gonna take the steroid accusers head-on." Or how I'm supposed to believe that 100 percent of a book written by 4 NY Daily News writers whose JOB is to tell the truth and report accurate information, is a lie. Especially when it comes from someone who has zero responsibility to be truthful.

Sometimes you just have to wonder how these PR people actually have jobs, especially in an enviroment where people are begging for work. I mean, who thinks that Sammy Sosa can restore his reputation by pretending not to speak English? Who thinks A-Rod is going to score points by plastering his lips to a mirror? And note to Roger Clemens and his peeps, it's not a good idea to go all Hulk on your accusers, when it turns out you are likely just crafting one lie after another. And then can't go back on it, because otherwise he gets arrested for perjury.

Tuesday Recommended Reading

First off, sorry for the inactivity Monday. I was wrapped up with other things. It's gonna happen from time to time when I'm not getting paid to write/update/edit the blog. Don't mean to sound defiant, but it is what it is.

That being said, let's start off Tuesday's readings with this article about the Marlins bullpen which technically appeared in the Miami Herald but is really more of a PR piece. I'm not going to name names but the print media covering the Marlins is on the whole, the softest coverage I've ever seen. Except with Joe Girardi of course, because he didn't supply off the record information. But what irks me here is this statement: "The Mets spent 35 million more on the bullpen than the Marlins spent on their team." Actually the number is 8.5 million dollars. Sure, K-Rod's contract is 37 mil, but that's over THREE YEARS. His 2009 salary figure is 8.5 million dollars. And they didn't spend anything on J.J. Putz and Sean Green, they traded for them.

Last I checked, a reporter is supposed to write ACCURATE INFORMATION to his/her readers.

Pahokee HS's President won't allow Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin or his staff on campus until he apologizes for one of the 1,000 foot in mouth statements he's made since presiding over Rocky Top. Hope the same ban is extended towards Nick Saban.

Always need a little daily dose of Kobe-bashing. It's good for the soul.

Late Monday Recommended Reading

In the midst of Glen "Big Baby Davis" hitting his game-winner in Orlando, and then going KG afterwards, he trucked an unassuming 12-year old kid sitting along the sideline. And now the father wants an apology. Of course, he also calls the Celtic forward a "raging animal" in an e-mail, which could be construed as racism. But never mind that. The dad is already a better defender than J.J. Reddick.

Video: Uncensored Phil Jackson

Following Game 4 of the Lakers getting a rocket shoved up their ass.....I only curse because it's the theme of the video.



If Phil Jackson lets his assistants/Kobe run the huddle half the time to think about smart-ass press conference comments, keep it going Phillip!

Best NBA Commercial That Will Never Air

An Indictment of A-Rod That Doesn't Come from Selena Roberts

Joel Sherman, who's one of the best writers in baseball when he's not scripting venom about Joe Girardi, tells the story of how A-Rod and Jeter almost became real enemies. It was the fall of 2000, and Alex Rodriguez and my beloved New York Mets were closing in on a record-deal. But that was before the following demands were allegedly made by Rodriguez and Scott Boras:

-A Shea Stadium office for A-Rod to handle off-the-field issues. Like potentially, where to put you know, those substances MLB would eventually prohibit you from taking.

-Instant, on-demand charter jet service for friends and family. We assume Madonna and Jocelyn from Scores count in the friends department.

-And here's one to improve the A-Rod-Jeter relationship. A guarantee that Rodriguez would have the largest billboard presence in the Big Apple, over "The Captain."

So does Steve Phillips and the Wilpons get a pass for saying thanks but no thanks? Not really. As much as I don't like A-Rod the person, there's nothing bad to say about A-Rod the player, roids or no roids(and you know how I feel about that). Hey, I'm even the guy that thinks the "he's not clutch" statements are ridiculous.

But let's face it, I'm not losing sleep over missing a chance to root for Alex Rodriguez.

Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

And NBA Officiating Has Gone from Sucking to Even Worse...

Just in case you still haven't witness Saturday's embarrassing end by the zebras, stealing a victory from Dallas and giving it to Denver, here's the video from one of the worst non-calls in NBA history.



You know it's got to be downright horrific when a Heat fan actually has sympathy for the Mavericks and Mark Cuban.

Or maybe it's just I detest the job NBA officials are doing, and the absolute hard-headedness from David Stern on-down to not address it. And a statement two hours after the game saying "We F'd Up," does not count.

What gets me is this: If you really want to make the situation right, wipe the Carmelo 3 off the board, give Antoine Wright the foul and gather everyone to replay the final 4 seconds with Dallas up 105-103, before the tip-off of Game 4. Sure, it's not the most fair scenario to Denver. But isn't this about getting calls right? What's a more fair scenario: Taking a win away from Denver that it didn't deserve, or screwing Dallas by standing by a call you've already admitted was wrong?

Until those things happen, everyone should be allowed to take unlimited shots at the officiating without any ramifications, beginning with the commish's best friend, Mr. Cuban.

Well Since the Dolphins Went from 1-15 to the Playoffs...

Now it's the new fad to predict that your team ascends from crapburgerville to the postseason.

Today's example, Lions RB Kevin Smith on his blog, not only guaranteeing that Detroit will make it to the playoffs next year, but also says "Believe it or not we weren’t far off last year. Almost every game we could have won, we were one play or one player short. Except for Tennessee on Thanksgiving, they just came out and beat us to sleep. They manhandled us, but nobody else did."

A quick review of the Lions 0-16 season, in which they were allegedly as Kevin Smith says "close."(Dave Wannstedt also seemed to say that every year)

Week 2: Lions get nipped by Green Bay 48-25
Week 3: Lions lose a 31-13 heartbreaker to San Francisco
Week 5: Lions just needed that one play to turn around a 34-7 loss to Chicago.
Week 10: In an instant classic, Jacksonville squeaks past the Lions 38-14.
Week 12: Another close call, Tampa 38, Detroit 20.
Week 16: And who can forget the game of the ages that dropped the Lions to 0-15, a 42-7 nailbiter to New Orleans?

Two other thoughts here. Number one, how did that Jon Kitna 10-win projection work out in 2007? All they need is a 3-13 season to match that 10-win guarantee-in three years. Number two, nice way to help alleviate pressure on top pick Matthew Stafford, Kev!

NBA Officiating Still Sucks

Magic vs. Sixers GM 5 First Round: Dwight Howard blasts Samuel Dalenbert with an elbow. Officials call technical foul. League overrules, suspends Howard for Game 6.

Celtics vs. Bulls GM 5 First Round: Late in overtime, Brad Miller drives to the hole and gets smacked in the face by Rajon Rondo. Clearly a flagrant one by the NBA rulebook, yet both the officials and league say two-shot foul.

Heat vs. Hawks GM 5 First Round: Mo Evans on a fast break rises for a dunk, Dwyane Wade clearly going for the ball gets Evans arm. Officials call it a flagrant foul one. League overrules and retracts the flagrant.

Heat vs. Hawks GM 7 First Round: Zaza Pachulia gets pulled down by Udonis Haslem late in the game. Officials call it a flagrant two and toss Haslem. League reduces it to a flagrant one.

Magic vs. Celtics GM 2 East Semis: After hitting a 3, Eddie House gets slapped in the head by Rafer Alston. Officials assess double technicals on House and Alston. League gives Alston a 1-game suspension.

Lakers vs. Rockets GM 2 West Semis: While battling for a rebound, Kobe Bryant elbows Ron Artest either in the throat or the upper shoulders. Officials call nothing on Bryant and eject Artest. League overrules and gives Bryant a flagrant foul.

Magic vs. Celtics GM 3 East Semis: If the location of Kobe's elbow was questionable, then we know where Kendrick Perkins landed his elbow: Above Mickael Pietrus's shoulders. Automatic suspension according to the rulebook. But both officials and league give Perkins only a flagrant one, perhaps applying the new Kobe rules.

Lakers vs. Rockets GM 3 West Semis: Late in the game, Pau Gasol gets dropped by Ron Artest in what seemed like a hard foul/borderline flagrant one. Officials give Artest a flagrant 2 and eject him. League reduces foul to flagrant one.

And David Stern still thinks his officials are good???

Weekend Reading

Urban Meyer off the field is Matt Millen on the field, according to this Lehigh Valley blogger. Suffice to say, Matt Millen off the field is Urban Meyer on it.

Bio on the late great Chuck Daly. Certainly makes a case of ranking him as a top 5 NBA coach. And a few did you know's, such as he was an assistant for six years at Duke.

ESPN's John Hollinger says LeBron James's PER rating is 42.28 through the playoffs so far. WOW! You can get an explanation to how PER works here, but it's the best barometer for an NBA players success in my opinion.

SI's Steve Aschburner becomes the second person this week to call Kobe Bryant a dirty player. Some former Heat studio host was the first of course...

It's an A-Bomb for A-Rod! And Georgie Girl needs another clothing change. John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman's call of Alex Rodriguez's first pitch homer.

Marlins Putting the N/A in Defense...

On one hand the news of calling up Chris Coughlan and putting him at a position where he hasn't played since Litthe League days isn't a terrible idea. Coughlan is a very highly touted prospect, and the Marlins .238 combined average proves the "home run or strikeout" lineup doesn't do a lot of good without plenty of Option A. And, let's face it, the Fish's defense is going to be terrible until the roster goes through a major facelift. That's what happens when you take players who have plenty of skill but aren't fully developed in the minor leagues, and put them in the Show a year early.

But, on the other hand, are we serious here? Have you ever heard of a major league team assigning someone a position they haven't played since the 7th grade? Maybe other things than the Marlins payroll comes closer to mirroring Westminster Christian than a MLB team.

And of course, this is the same franchise that canned Joe Giardi because of stuff like this. Funny that Miguel Cabrera is now at......oh yeah first base!

Great Song For Mature Ears

I have no reason to post this other than to provide a laugh. My roomie just called attention to this Fatboy Slim classic.....how many chicks were seduced by this in the 90's?

Duke Athletes Are Sissies

Not that anyone confused Mike Dunleavy say for Ron Artest.....except maybe Kobe.

In Dunleavy's own words:

"I spent the first three weeks of my recovery out in Colorado. They wanted me to stick around because flying wasn't the best of ideas and the team was traveling quite a bit. It was a pretty good setup: the people were very helpful and friendly, the hospital was real close to the hotel and I got two sessions of rehab in a day. The rest of the time, I passed by catching up on a lot of movies and books. Boredom set in immediately. Case in point, I found myself watching the Sex and the City movie one night. I can't believe I am admitting this but I sat through the whole thing by myself."

I Love Ron Artest.....

Even if I don't want the Heat to get within 1,000 miles of the pending free agent.

Here's Ron-Ron after getting the heave-ho for taking an elbow in the chops from the NBA's most under the radar dirty player, Kobe Bryant.



By the way, the NBA rulebook is VERY straightforward. Strike an opposing player above the shoulders with an elbow foul, and you are finito. Without a shadow of a doubt, Kobe needs to be suspended for Game 3.

NOTE: And Kobe is allowed to play. The NBA says Kobe's elbow connected with Artest's chest, and thus only assessed him a flagrant foul. In fairness, everyone who has watched the Zapruder film numerous times say it's still not conclusive where the elbow landed. But are we surprised that in a coin flip situation, the league chooses not to jeopardize LeBron v. Kobe?

Thursday Recommended Reading....

Always nice when you have perhaps the most revered columnist in South Florida on your side. Dave Hyde telling Michael Beasley to pack his bags and enjoy Toronto.

Here's the part that all of the people in the "keep Beasley and pair him with Bosh" camp are missing. Chris Bosh is probably not going to be in Toronto in six months. So if the Heat don't make a deal, then Toronto would feasibly deal him to another contender/up and coming team that would become the instant favorites to re-sign him in 2010. So while there's still a myriad of free agent options in 2010, Chris Bosh is essentially a free agent in 2009. Are the Heat players or not?

ESPN's Buster Olney suggests a new no-tolerance steroid policy: One positive test, and you are out. Finito. Like gambling. My opinion is that's a dangerous path to walk on because you can't convince me that there aren't occasional errors in a testing policy that goes through modifications year after year. But for those who are bothered by pervasive juicing(don't count me in that group), what's in place is not good enough. And frankly, if Congress is going to waste everyone's time trying to retroactively slap steroid user tags on baseball players, perhaps they can tighten the screws on Bud Selig, and put the pressure on the commish to resign.

Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice calls conspiracy on the NBA for the lack of a Kobe Bryant suspension, even before the non-suspension happens. See my thoughts above.

Others Reaction to ManRam...

The two most insecure athletes have weighed in on Manny Ramirez allegedly taking an illegal female fertility drug:

Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter: "Dam manny ramirez, come on man Agggggggggh, agggggggh, agggggh."

Brett Favre on Yahoo Sports: "I'm still retired. I've got to have a source make that clear because Rachel Nichols is only doing one report an hour from my farm, instead of three. And Bus, get on the phone with ESPN, how dare they post Manny on the front page and give me second billing in the other stories section!"

Swine Flu Day 15.16

The mother of all Swine Flu Updates is coming......Be scared in

3

2

Trembling Yet?

1

Per the AP....

The World Health Organization says up to 2 billion people could be infected by swine flu, if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic.

WHO flu chief Keiji Fukuda says the number wasn't a prediction, but that past experience with flu pandemics indicated one-third of the world's population gets infected.

Fukuda says that with a world population of 6 billion people, it's "reasonable" to expect that kind of infection tally.

He said WHO is unable to know what the future holds, and it is impossible now to say whether the pandemic would be mild or severe.
WHO has said it believes a global swine flu outbreak is imminent, and last week it raised its alert to five, one step short of a pandemic.

So Who's Left to Make the Hall of Fame?

That question will get debated ad naseum on the Mothership after the news that E-Bay Shopper of the Year Manny Ramirez got busted for PED's today. As far as I'm concerned, I could care less about roiders because if I were in there position, hell yeah I would do it. So it's not right for me to wag the finger at them. And in my Hall of Fame, everyone from Bonds to Clemens to A-Rod to Pete Rose to Shoeless Joe gets admission. But hey, I don't like sharing the soapbox with 300-pound uber-cynical know-it-all baseball writers.

So I guess this confirms that Ken Griffey Jr is the only "clean" slugger from the juicer era. Allegedly.

Last Random Thought of the Day: Who will be the first Red Sox fan that screams conspiracy? Cmon on now, Mr. Young/Naive/Stupid is about to make his return, so what better time for Manram to turn himself in and help seize the spotlight away from the Yankees.....cmon you can run with that Red Sox fan!

OK It's Time To Stick Up for Girardi Now....

This is ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Has the Joe Girardi era been deemed a smashing success so far? Obviously no, since the Yankees are 13-13 this season following their first non-playoff season since 1995.

But if anybody thinks that the manager is the person culpable for this start, seriously get your frigin heads examined.

Let us count the ways why the Yankees are 13-13:

One of the top 3 hitters in baseball hasn't registered a plate appearance this season(Alex Rodriguez, or Bitch Tits)

Their next best hitter, Mark Texiera(198 average) has encountered the typical crappy New York first season troubles that everyone from Carlos Beltran to A-Rod ran into.

So the top 2 hitters on the team who combined for 68 homers and 224 RBI's, have combined to practically not show up. And two other position players, Jorge Posada and Xavier Nady are on the DL. And you expect this team to be good Yankee fans?

But those are just the sticks. Now to the arms. No. 1 starter C.C. Sabathia, the 500-billion dollar man: 1-3, 4.85 ERA. No. 2 starter Chien-Ming Wang: 0-3, 34.50 ERA, now on the Disabled/what the bleep is going on List. No. 3 starter A.J. Burnett: 2-0, 5.40 ERA.

So the top 3 starting pitchers, combining for a robust 3-6, 7.39 ERA. And since that means more work for Girardi's bullpen, what does the skipper have to work with? Oh yeah, his top 2 set-up men Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte? Also on the DL.

Just to review, the New York Yankees are 13-13 because 3 of their 8 starting hitters are hurt, their best player hasn't gotten an AB, their 2nd best hitter has sucked, as have their top 3 starting hurlers and their top 2 setup men are banged up.

And that's Joe Girardi's fault? Please......

Headlines in Wilponville

Courtesy of the NY POST, which is not allowed in Mets clubhouses. Why would any paper be passed out on team property?

Wednesday Recommended Reading

Dave Hyde's blog has a hillarious prediction on the year of the Favrah and a channel that would make you yearn for ESPN Ocho.

The venerable Greg Stoda writes all is not well in the dysfunctional relationship between the Marlins and Hanley Ramirez. For the record, I've never thought that he will be on this team if and when the new stadium opens up in 2012.

The Heat Owner Speaks....

Great job by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, speaking with Heat owner Micky Arison. Amongst other things, Mr. Arison says "If a player you would be targeting became available in 2009, why wouldn't you do it? We have not historically been a very patient organization. We're an organization that moves quickly. If the opportunity came along, we would consider it. If something becomes available that would make us significantly better, we'll look at it."

Translation: It's looking more likely that Michael Beasley should find his passport.

One thing sticks out from my first interview with Micky Arison. I asked him what impresses him the most about Pat Riley. He said "Pat wants to win more than anybody, except for ME."

So while Pat Riley has and always will get free reign to alter the roster however he chooses, it certainly helps trigger his impatient sensibilities if the man who signs his checks also is in favor of a big move NOW.