Ribeye steaks on the grill; ones that taste like angels.
Fireworks.
For a man that has put on a military uniform for nearly 13 years of his life, sacrificing family-life for building sand castles in places where they talk funny, I have a different view of what independence actually means.
We entered the American Empire quite some time ago. It is just like the Roman Empire and any other empire you can think of out of your history books. For well over 200 years, we gained independence from Great Britain and went straight to work on being a World power.
Independence is not about being a World power; it is about how we got there. It is about the ones that sacrificed for us to be at this point all throughout our great history. It is about our families being able to go out for a barbeque and not worry about being mortared.
We enter these conflicts because we want to save our right to throw some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill every July 4th with family and friends, because that is the American way.
Entering the United States Air Force in 1995, I had no clue what freedom meant. I wasn’t sure what we were independent from no matter what we learned in school in our history classes.
My life-changing experience came while temporarily assigned to Aviano Air Base, Italy as operations against Kosovo were kicking off. On the Armed Forces Radio Network, my supervisor and I were listening to then President Clinton deliver his speech announcing that bombing operations were imminent.
During this speech, 10 F-15Es were running at the same time, full of bombs. After President Clinton finished his speech, the aircraft started taxiing. In one or two minute intervals, they took off into the Italian night. Two hours later all 10 of them returned safely, completely “slick”. Meaning, somebody somewhere got messed up really bad by the bombs that were loaded on these aircraft. They were gone from every single F-15.
Then, it hit me. I understood what freedom meant. I understood how we got to this point.
Now, I understand why we are in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fighting once again for the very freedom others have already temporarily provided. So instead of taking a few minutes today to complain about gas prices, NFL contracts, and why we are in Iraq, think about the ones that are in the line of fire not able to enjoy this day quite the same as we are today.
They see fireworks of a different kind. Not celebratory fireworks, ones that could end their lives instantly.
Instead of worrying why we are there, support them. We signed on the dotted line and we have no choice in the matter. For the ones that signed up pre-9/11, it was a different World back then. But we all knew there was a chance we would need to step up to support and defend our constitution.
Supporting and defending is our job. Pretty soon, the job will be done and our World will be safer.
Impossible is nothing. But when you are Texas Tech University’s football program, impossible is still, well, impossible.
Pundits, or supposed experts, seem to like Texas Tech a lot to win the Big XII South Division in 2008, outgunning the traditional big guns named Texas and Oklahoma do to it.
The Red Raiders have a scheme offense that has produced a long list of one-year wonder signal callers. These quarterbacks have put up consistently outstanding numbers through the air after sitting in Mike Leach’s system as understudies.
Enter Graham Harrell; by far the most highly-touted of quarterbacks ever to ink a letter of intent to Lubbock Harrell came to Lubbock out of Ennis High School in Brownwood, Texas with as much hype as any other quarterback in the country.
As a sophomore in high school, Harrell put up Texas Tech-like numbers as he threw for 3,972 yards and 53 touchdowns while leading Ennis to the 4A-II state championship.
It was obvious early on that a potential marriage with pass-happy Texas Tech would be a match made in heaven.
As a freshman in 2005, Harrell threw for 422 yards in mop up duty as the clipboard holder for Cody Hodges.
In 2006, Harrell had 4,555 yards passing and 38 scores while leading the Red Raiders to a 4-4 record in the Big XII and the Insight Bowl. In the bowl game, Harrell led Texas Tech on a furious comeback to defeat Minnesota 44-41 in overtime. Tech trailed 38-7 in the third quarter before Harrell erupted for two passing scores and a rushing touchdown to spearhead the comeback.
Last season, Harrell simply lit up the scoreboard by throwing for 5,705 yards and 48 touchdowns. Part of the reason for his success was the emergence of redshirt freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree. In a 49-45 loss to Oklahoma State, Harrell threw for 646 yards, five touchdowns, and did not throw an interception. Crabtree hauled in 14 of Harrell’s strikes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
So suddenly thanks to the potent combination of Harrell and Crabtree, our college football experts are going out on a huge limb by picking Texas Tech to win the Big XII South this season.
At last check, Harrell and Crabtree have yet to line up on defense. Texas Tech’s defense has been paltry since Leach took over in Lubbock. Understandable since Texas Tech’s offense scores with lightning quick fashion and in bunches. Texas Tech’s defense allowed 24 points or more in eight of 13 games last season and ranked 10th in the Big XII in rushing defense.
To be fair, Texas Tech did rank first in the league against the pass, allowing just over 188 yards per game and was third in the Big XII in total defense. This performance is light years better than previous outputs in total defense. Truthfully, Texas Tech was tops against the pass in 2006 and second in 2005.
The offense, without a doubt, will be outstanding as it returns 10 starters. The defense will not be too shabby either, returning eight from a decent unit.
It is easy to ascertain Texas Tech will be very good in 2008 and potentially could be bound for a solid bowl game such as the Cotton Bowl. But winning the Big XII South and a date in the Big XII title game against more than likely a Missouri?
The non-conference schedule, traditionally one of the weakest for a school in a BCS conference in the country, is not going to be terribly difficult. The Red Raiders open against Tulsa, travel to Nevada, then return home to host SMU in a game that could easily eclipse 150 total points against June Jones’ air show, then the cupcake of the slate in UMass.
It is the Big XII schedule that will derail this team. It opens at Kansas State, not an easy task with a more experienced Josh Freeman running the show in Manhattan. They then host a rebuilding Nebraska. Last time the Red Raiders hosted the Big Red; Leach opened up the proverbial can of whoop #### and unleashed a 70-10 beating that makes the term woodshed seem awfully polite.
After Nebraska the Red Raiders have back-to-back road trips to Texas A&M and Kansas, visits from Texas and Oklahoma State, teams Texas Tech lost to in 2007.
Here is where this whole Big XII South Division run could go haywire. The most difficult of tasks is a trip to Norman to face a very good Oklahoma team that has national title aspirations, and rightfully so. Texas Tech then will host an improved Baylor team hoping to sneak into a bowl game.
Fact: Texas Tech has not won in Norman since 1996. In 1996, Oklahoma’s head coach was named John Blake and the Sooners finished 3-8, not winning a game in Norman. In fact, home losses that season included setbacks to Tulsa and TCU. Another setback was a 73-21 loss to Nebraska.
Other than in 1996, as you can see which should be a huge mulligan for Oklahoma, Texas Tech has never beaten Oklahoma in Norman. More importantly Leach, the former Oklahoma assistant, has never beaten his old boss in his own backyard.
Fact: Texas Tech has not won 10 or more games in any football season since 1976. For all the hype surrounding Mad Mike and his program, it is hard to fathom that the Red Raiders have never won more than nine games since the inception of the Big XII. They have flirted with double digits, including last year, but have failed to break through.
Fact: Texas Tech has made only three New Year’s Day bowl appearances in its history. All three were trips to the Cotton Bowl after the 1938, 1994, and 2005 seasons. The Red Raiders participated in the Cotton Bowl and have amassed a 0-3 record.
The impossible part of this equation is the trip to Norman. Harrell had one of his worst starts in his career the last time he made a visit to Oklahoma. He is a better player today than he was in the 34-24 loss as a sophomore, but Oklahoma has not lost a home game since TCU shocked the World and beat the Sooners to open the 2005 season. Before that you have to go back to 2001 to find when Oklahoma lost a conference home game.
Texas Tech, barring injury, will likely get over the 10-win plateau this season. It would be a massive disappointment if the Red Raiders dropped another average 9-win season into the history books.
Texas Tech will finish third in the Big XII South behind Oklahoma and Texas yet again. They will finish no better than 10-2 in the regular season and go to the Cotton Bowl.
Sometimes pundits go out on a limb because they want to be the one to predict the snowball’s chance right every so often. But, not this time.
The Big XII is too good and Texas Tech is still Texas Tech. It would take a herculean effort for the Red Raiders to find them in the top two, let alone winning the division for the first time. Harrell and Crabtree should be Heisman Trophy candidates whether they are the product of the system or not. Numbers don't lie very often, and these two are legitimate stars.
As for the Red Raiders as a whole, try again in 2009. That is if Leach sticks around.
Hate to go out on a limb here, but that is what sportswriters get paid to do. We get paid to make the general populous step back for a moment and think about something so off the wall, you would have never realized it without us. Which is why we get paid to write, and you supplement our income by reading what we write. It’s simple math, really. Not much quantum physics here.
The sky is blue. We take it for granted. Pretty common knowledge. This is not mind-boggling stuff.
Michael Jordan is the best basketball player of all-time. Tough to argue, though there are some potential arguments out there that can make for a heated debate.
Instead of beating around the bush, let’s get right to the point. Tiger Woods is the best athlete in the entire history of civilization. Ever. Nobody comes close. Not only is Tiger Woods the best athlete ever, Woods is also the most important athlete of all-time.
What the World witnessed on Monday was what champions are made of. Tiger Woods had every reason in the World to lose the US Open. He had every excuse in the book to use had he lost. Instead, no. On one leg, Tiger Woods did what he seemingly always does; win a major golf tournament.
Before his injury and even before he started making major winning a habit, Tiger was arguably the most influential athlete in our generation. Tiger brought new people to the golf course, people of all skin colors. His legacy on golf and professional sports is a modern day equivalent to Jackie Robinson. We give No. 42 his due credit for changing the face of professional sports, but we take Tiger for granted.
Tiger might not have had as many barriers to overcome in order to unleash his supremacy on the links, but he made the racial stereotype in golf essentially non-existent. Tiger is so good at what he does on and off the golf course that we sometimes forget the fact that he is a minority in the first place. Robinson would sure be proud.
The US Open was not Woods’ most dominant performance in his 14 major tournament victories, but it was his most important. Tiger was ripe for the picking all weekend long, but Tiger versus the field turned into another Tiger Woods Show.
He needed to play 19 extra holes as the least opportune of times. As the week wore on, Tiger’s limp got worse. Yet, Tiger still managed to win, and win with a million dollar smile on his face.
Tiger is why athletes were role models in the first place. Tiger is a breath of fresh air in a society filled with more bad apples than good ones. Tiger gives us a reason to believe that somewhere in the World; there is some good news in a society filled with bad news.
No man crush, save the crush part for his wife. Even holding his daughter after winning yet another piece of silverware for the collection, Tiger did it with a class and style rarely seen these days.
Tiger will shut it down for the rest of the season as he will get another surgery on his knee, and the rest of golf will try to take advantage and somehow, someway catch Tiger Woods.
Not happening in the foreseeable future. If his last tournament of 2008 was any indication, it will take a superhuman effort to beat Tiger on a bad day with a bad wheel.
Tiger will not win every single major he enters, but he will hoist his coveted silverware and don his green jacket more often than not.
Tiger is a role model, and a damn good one at that. What we can do as casual observers is watch in awe as he dominates his profession like nobody before and be able to tell our grandchildren about the greatest athlete our eyes have ever seen.
Tiger is that good, and a heckuva nice guy to boot. He is so good that even a blogger that doesn't like anything can take time out to write something nice for a change.
Inevitable delayed, for at least a few more days. In a mere 48 hours, Titletown U.S.A. will be celebrating another World title*.
There is no denying it. Boston has become the sports capitol of the United States*, churning out World titles right and left. First, the cheating Patriots*. Then, of all things, the Red Sox reversed the self-induced curse to win two World Series crowns*. The best franchise in the entire city will win on Tuesday night for what is seemingly its 400th NBA Championship+.
Too bad nobody outside of Boston cares. What is it that makes your Average Joe hate Boston so much? Is it the accent? Is it because we can’t make fun of the Red Sox anymore? Is it because we like to watch that ball go through Bill Buckner’s legs every October?
The Celtics were easy to hate back in the old school short shorts days of the NBA. We hated Larry Bird because his dominance made no sense. We hated McHale’s elbows as they cleared the way for his potent post moves. We hated Parrish because we had no idea why he was such a viable force in the paint.
This is why it is easy to hate Tom Brady*. Which is why it was easy to hate Roger Clemens* even before we realized he was a lying, cheating phony that would throw his own family under the bus to clear his murky name.
We have 13,000,000 reasons to loathe Bill Belichick**. Sorry, Coach. We were unclear on why we can’t stand you. Is it because you act like you are better than everybody else? Is it because you talk down to people? Is it because you have finally been exposed? Guess it couldn’t be because you acted like a four-year old when you lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. Nah. Maybe it’s because you are still trying to copyright the term “19-0”*.
There is a common theme here. The city formerly known for its dislike for tea products and its infamous revelry is now known for cheating and winning titles. Could Danny Ainge have bent the rules in order to bring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Boston?
What’s the difference between what the Florida Marlins used to do and what the Celtics are doing right now? “Hey, let’s buy ourselves a title.” Paul Pierce and Tony Allen are the only two players on the roster playing any sort of valuable minutes that were actually drafted by Boston. Not even Glen Davis, if you want to call the two minutes he played in Game 5 valuable.
Holy Matt Damon, Batman! Where is Larry Legend when we need him? Wake up Ted Williams. Send him to Steve Grogan’s house.
Nothing like the Boston Cheat Party. Nothing like watching Kobe lose in Game 6. Nothing like watching Kevin Garnett and his OCD for 48 minutes on Tuesday night, finally winning something of meaning other than high school titles in South Carolina and Illinois.
And Garnett does have some serious Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Never seen somebody so superstitious in my entire life. But I guess when you win a ring, its okay. Or, I guess it’s okay if you buy yourself a ring*.
At least the rock band Boston was actually from Boston^.
Legend:
*- Denotes Asterisk.
**- Denotes average coach that slightly bends the rules, thus World titles should not count and he should be thrown out of the NFL forever.
+- First 399 were legitimate.
^- Band popular in 1970's when society was going through a "transitional period", therefore chart success not valid.
He might have been the most popular Oklahoma player in the state of Nebraska. That because he nearly quarterbacked the Sooners to the impossible in the real “Game of the Century” in 1971, a victory over the Cornhuskers on Thanksgiving Day. Former OU quarterback and Lieutenant Governor Jack Mildren, called in Oklahoma the “Godfather of the Wishbone”, has passed away at 58 due to a long battle with stomach cancer.
Mildren came to Oklahoma out of high school from Abilene, Texas. When he took over the duties as signal caller in 1969, he set numerous Oklahoma passing records. In 1970 as a junior with the Sooners struggling, Coach Chuck Fairbanks installed a wishbone offense. Mildren was the perfect architect for the new offensive philosophy, leading Oklahoma to the Astro Blue-Bonnet Bowl where they tied Alabama.
In 1971, Nebraska and Oklahoma were atop everybody’s poll entering the season. The hype surrounding the “Game of the Century” started in October when ABC started running commercials letting America know where the catch the game.
Both teams mowed through their opponents. Oklahoma bombed the likes of USC, Texas, and top five Colorado en route to entering the game unbeaten, as expected. The Sooners beat Pitt 55-29 and Kansas State, 75-28. Nebraska did the same. Its closest game was a 31-7 victory over Colorado.
Finally, the big day. The nation watched the two battle at Owen Field in Norman on a cold, windy, dreary day.
After Nebraska witnessed future Heisman Trophy winner return a punt for a score that Sooners backers and Mildren always have adamantly said was a clip, a play that would become the most popular play in Nebraska football history, the Huskers dared the Sooners to beat them through the air. After all, Nebraska’s defense was number on in the nation, allowing more than seven points only on two occasions the entire season.
Mildren and high school teammate Jon Harrison damn near did the trick. The two hooked up four times, twice for touchdowns, as Oklahoma took a 31-28 lead with seven minutes to go.
Nebraska traveled the length of the field and scored the go-ahead touchdown as battering ram Jeff Kinney bowled over the goal-line with 1:38 remaining, taking a 35-31 lead.
Had Mildren been given more time to move the ball down the field, he probably would have pulled the Sooners through. It was a shame somebody had to lose on that day. Some still say the Nebraska 1971 team was one of the best ever assembled. They would eventually go on to beat Alabama in the Orange Bowl 38-6 to win the National Championship. Oklahoma would be lost in history after losing the game. What could have been. If Mildren could have led Oklahoma back, they would still be talked about today. Mildren’s team might have been Oklahoma’s best-ever team.
Rodgers’ punt return was probably the single best individual effort in college football history. But, Mildren and Oklahoma fans were right. There was a huge clip that was missed. The officials were probably trying to figure out how Rodgers could maneuver his way through the crimson clad Oklahoma defenders. There was a clip on the Nebraska 44 as Rodgers was zigzagging his way to paydirt.
Mildren was the vice chairman for Arvest Bank and he had a radio show on WKY 930-AM every single day. In fact, Mildren was on the air the day before his death, displaying the same toughness he showed on the gridiron as an option quarterback.
The least I expected yesterday was to hear of his passing, just minutes after jokingly writing a blog declaring my candidacy for the Presidency (a blog since deleted due to its poor timing and taste). When you hear of things like this, it puts things in perspective.
I didn’t always agree with everything he had to say on the radio. In fact, I disagreed with him an awful lot. He bled Sooner red. He was Sooner through and through. Sometimes his accolades on the field get lost in the shuffle. He was a big-time homer, but I guess when your mere presence in the program made it better by just being there, he gets a free pass.
Mildren didn’t seem to mind. He deserves a lot better to be honest. And maybe since he’s no longer here to deflect the credit away from himself, which he often did, we can make him the legendary player he was.
They say only the good die young. The state of Oklahoma lost a hero yesterday. And his name was Jack Mildren.
Coming out of the book of “if I’m going down, the rest of the NBA is coming down with me”, embattled crook and former NBA official Tim Donaghy has pointed the finger at coaches and players, saying their relationships with other officials has impacted the outcome of games.
Where did the NBA go wrong? When did David Stern lose control?
Out of the big three professional sports leagues in America, the NBA used to seem like it was the most in control led by Stern. Suddenly, the NBA is full of players that can’t play and has gone overseas to find players that can actually successfully complete a bounce pass.
I’ve been anti-NBA for a long time. When Darius Miles was drafted, it was official. The NBA had lost its mind. Miles was terrible. He couldn’t hit a shot from outside two feet. He couldn’t play defense. He couldn’t pass. He was more concerned with how his headband looked. He could dunk, and that was about it.
We are forced to watch players like Stephon Marbury. We wonder how he could make so much money. We wonder who signed off on that deal. And he wonders why new coach Mike D’Antoni wants nothing to do with him. Trouble is, the Knicks can’t release him without parting with large sums of money that could rebuild half the countries in the World. Nobody wants Marbury.
The NBA playoffs should probably interest me, but they don’t. I like to watch players like Tim Duncan, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Kevin Garnett. Can’t stand Kobe Bryant for some reason. Maybe because he thinks he’s better than Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan might be better than Kobe will ever be today.
Okay, fine. Probably not.
Which is worse? A league with alleged corruption, or a league filled with accusations of performance-enhancing substances?
The NBA has had a gambling problem for a long time. Look at Charles Barkley. Look at Michael Jordan. I have always maintained in my great theory of sports conspiracies that Jordan was suspended for gambling the first time he retired. His move to playing baseball made no sense. Why would he come back wearing No. 45? To repay a fine to the NBA, forfeiting all monetary proceeds for the jersey number change?
Jordan’s retirement and return time table made no sense. Stern, being the smart commissioner he is, wanted to save Jordan the public embarrassment of facing a lengthy gambling suspension. After all, Jordan was the face of the NBA. And since he left for good, the real Jordan we remember with the Chicago Bulls, the NBA has never been the same. His comeback with the Wizards didn’t count.
I’m in the minority on that subject, but nothing you can say can sway me your way. Sorry.
Even the best players in the NBA, for the most part, lack the squeaky clean image. Is that because they are going to the league too young? They lack the structure of college, suffering to break even while attending. They have never been rock bottom, like most college students.
Will O.J. Mayo help improve the image of the NBA? No matter what, his image is already tarnished. He could eventually be the best player in this draft. But he will always be known as the player that accepted benefits in the famous court of public opinion.
More corruption. More problems for Stern and the NBA.
What can they possibly do to improve its image? I can’t think of anything. The NBA is in trouble.
You can’t make somebody graduate. No matter what rules the NCAA puts in place, it is up to the individual to take care of all requirements in order to graduate. Now, the NCAA has set an amazing precedence forcing players to graduate, or else.
The NCAA got it wrong. It's beginning to sound like a broken record. Recently, the NCAA announced the schools that will be punished for not having its players graduate. Scholarship reductions are the main penalty for this Academic Progress Rate (APR) rule.
Only two major college football programs suffered penalties; Kansas and Washington State. As for the other Division I programs that suffered sanctions, they shouldn't be in Division I-A anyway maybe other than Hawaii. (the rest should know who they are) San Jose State lost 18 scholarships. Now instead of being bad, they will be really bad.
Not only are college football coaches now tasked with babysitting over 100 athletes 365 days a year, now they must figure out a way to make them graduate in order to have enough scholarships to replace them down the road.
It’s not fair. Football coaches have enough on their plate already. Not only has the NCAA regulated the amount of assistant coaches they have been able to employ over the past few decades, now they are taking their anal retentive ways to new levels.
Football coaches are tasked to be the father figure for these athletes, yet there is only so much they can do. The NCAA expects them to be Superman, Batman, and Iron Man while at the same time trying to figure out a way to win at all costs, now graduate their players even though some aren’t going to college to go to college, keep them out of trouble with the law with less assistants to help watch the players, and oh by the way, did I mention win at all costs?
Coaches have been fired for less. Mark Mangino was rumored to be on the hotseat entering last season before his Jayhawks turned the corner and went to a BCS bowl. Now instead of building on the momentum heading into the 2008 campaign, the NCAA has squashed it by limiting its scholarships from 85 to 83.
And for those who think the loss of two scholarships is a slap on the wrist, just ask schools that have been under probation. Two scholarships are a big deal. Not only do you lose depth, you have a sudden stigma attached to your program that wasn’t there just a month ago. So now matter how hard it may have been for Mangino to attract Big XII caliber athletes to his football program, it just became harder.
One basketball scholarship is a huge deal. USC losing two rides? That is a very huge deal. Good luck going to the NCAA Tournament with only 11 scholarship players on your roster. This rule not only is killing programs, but it hurts the athletes. How? Say USC had an incoming freshman not yet ready for the big-time. They want to redshirt this player in order to gain some seasoning. Not anymore. Forcing him into the fire could hamper his entire career.
Graduation rates are not always the fault of the coach. Most if not all coaches will hold an athlete’s hand all the way to class if they are struggling. But after the final whistle of their career, why is it down now to the coaches to still babysit their athletes when they might not want to go to class anymore? Most coaches still care about the athletes after the final whistle, they aren’t worth a salt if they don’t. But what is stopping a fifth-year senior two credits short of graduation from saying, “Coach, I have heard about going to class for five years. I’m not going to listen to it anymore.” The player moves home and the Coach is now out a scholarship potentially.
No matter what the NCAA does, kids are still going to go to college to play football or basketball. They can try anything they want, but that will never change. I don’t necessarily agree with it. My thought is if you are gifted enough for the school to use you for football, you may as well use them for a free college degree no matter what division you participate in. Not everybody has the same opinion.
The NCAA has made it harder to get into these colleges by raising its requirements. Proposition 48 is a term of the past. It used to be designed to give kids a second chance. But the NCAA has all but gotten rid of it.
Maybe former Oklahoma linebacker got it right in 1987 when he wore the “National Communists Against Athletes” shirt on the sidelines of the Orange Bowl. They have no problem cashing the large sum of money into their bank accounts, yet they want to twist everybody’s arms at the same time. Is their way or the highway. How many coaches will be fired due to this rule?
It’s ridiculous. I have always felt that one day, big-time schools would have enough and break away to form their own division. It might be a long ways off, but at the end of the day it’s the schools and athletes that make the product. Not the NCAA. If the BCS Conferences were to break away from the NCAA, or at least threaten to break away, what would the NCAA do?
Threaten them with the copyright for the term BCS and Final Four? They are just terms, and the NCAA had to buy the rights to use Final Four from the state of Indiana anyway. What leverage do they honestly have? Do all schools have a contract with the NCAA?
Yes, America. I’m suggesting a college athletic coup attempt. Schools could change the rules back to the way it used to be. 110 football scholarships. No rule on how many basketball players you can bring in for one particular recruiting class. If you lose eight players, replace them. Bring back Prop 48 to give less-fortunate athletes a second chance.
And, you guess it. Playoffs. Playoffs? They could have a 16-team football playoff every single year. A huge national championship game on the first Saturday of January and make a ton of money. No more bowl games. A 32-team basketball tournament every March. Call it March Mayhem.
Copyright that.
It took a cunning coup attempt to overthrow one Communist government in the former Soviet Union. This coup will be less violent and is not as important, but it is without question a necessity.
Help me out with this one. Not even going to pretend like I know anything about horse racing. Not even going to pretend it makes sense to me. To me, horse racing is like a posh NASCAR. The Kentucky Derby, to me, is not a sporting event. It’s a place where women wear funny hats and people bet money on animals. However, I do know a tragedy when I see it.
What happened on Saturday to Eight Belles, the only filly in the entire field and the first in the Derby since 1999, was a tragedy. It didn’t make any sense, just like the whole Kentucky Derby thing. Not sure how both ankles collapsed simultaneously. When a veterinarian says “it is unheard of”, you could call it a freak accident.
Some people love horses, some people love to bet money on them. I am neither. When I see a horse, to me, it’s just a horse. I have no emotional attachment to them, however I claim ignorance. I also don’t see how people can bet good money on them. I don't hate animals. I have a dog and cat and treat them like anybody else.
Here is what I have a problem with. PETA now wants Eight Belles’ jockey suspended, saying Eight Belles clearly was injured before the finish.
My ignorance on the subject is quite evident. But I do know by listening to jockeys that they fall in the horse lover category. Gabriel Saez, the jockey who rode Eight Belles into the place position, would have undoubtedly pulled Eight Belles out had he known there was a threat of injury. No jockey in the entire World would put a Kentucky Derby win over the health of a horse any day of the week.
Saez feels bad enough about the incident without question. Not only does he feel terrible about it, now he has to listen to fellow animal lovers calling him out. That’s just plain wrong, which is why I wish PETA would move themselves to a deserted island far, far away from me so they can go eat vegetables together and complain about whatever they want. I admit strong dislike for PETA.
Back to the race, I also know dominance when I see it. This is the time of year where we all talk about the “next great thing in horse racing”. We all like to talk about the hope, more like a prayer, that a horse will become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
Big Brown had a crappy starting position and rolled to a relatively uncontested victory at the biggest horse racing showcase of them all. That is dominance.
I don’t think we should include Secretariat in any list of Best Athletes of All-Time, much like ESPN did at the turn of the century with every countdown they had on television. But I do believe horse racing has its place in society. I can understand animal lovers seeing the beauty of a thoroughbred galloping on a race track. It’s just not for me all the time.
Maybe Big Brown can get it done so people can stop talking about it. It seems like most of the horses that have a shot usually falter in the Belmont Stakes. Like PETA, I’m tired of hearing about the Triple Crown. Yet for some reason, I watch all three races every year when there is a threat of a horse achieving the unthinkable. You can categorize me as a historian. I want to see it when it happens.
I’m no genius, but I do know tragedy and dominance when they are right before my eyes. And I do know beef tastes good and the west wasn’t won on salad.
My sister and grandma are fixin’ to go down to the city to get tickets. They like to give me sugar. They are the same person, so it’s not all bad.
Seems that this boom from down yonder is coming sooner than we thought. We hope they call this team the Sooners. BOOMER!
That Clay is a good ol’ boy. He made a lot of money in the Texas Tea business. I reckon he likes basketball and bought a team to move it to us.
But these people that are losing this team keep pitchin’ a fit. We ain’t never done nothin’ to them northwestern types. We don’t understand why they don’t like us so much. Gee willikers.
The people in town are paving the street today. Seems they don’t want the new team to have to use the dirt roads that lead to the Ford Center.
Them Seattle types wouldn’t #### on Mr. Bennett if he was on fire. They think he’s as dumb as a sack full of hammers. They get all swole up when his picture is on the radio.
We ain’t got television in Oklahoma yet. They reckon they might get it in a few dad gum years.
I better go now. My Papa wants me to go find food for tonight. I reckon I might shoot myself a squirrel. Those are usually mighty tasty this time of year.
Bricktown buzz blasts boom, bringing Bennett big bank.
Soon (to be) Oklahoma’s Sonics.
Note: Portland will be in Seattle in two years anyway. Don’t understand what the big deal is. Paul Allen’s “no” vote speaks loud and clear. “Seattle will think I’m a hero. Especially when I bring them professional basketball in a few years.” Bet you a cup of Starbucks he steps in to ensure the lease ends sooner than expected. Watch that space.
I had plans to write something about college football today. Instead, politically correct tree huggers, only politically correct until it is convenient for them at least, have gotten in the way. This caused a change of plans, obviously.
Seattle still hates these ####. A lot. The ones that say they have no ill-will towards hillbillies from Oklahoma are lying to themselves and the rest of the nation.
Seems that the suicide cases in the not-so great Northwest are pinning its hopes on keeping the Seattle SuperSonics on email. And a 19th Century attempt to get back what they sold. Get out the blankets infested with chicken pox.
Ironic, since Oklahoma is the one that has more of the Native American history. Oklahoma means “red people”. Hopefully the NCAA doesn’t catch wind of it. They might make Oklahoma change the name in order to be politically correct to Native Americans. So not only are people from Oklahoma hillbillies, they apparently are “red people” as well.
Sonics former, and I stress former, owner Howard Schultz is attempting to undo his purchase because apparently, the Oklahoma based ownership group led by Clay Bennett had some email traffic talking about the potential of a move to Oklahoma City. According to the tree hugging local media, this is in breach of contract because Bennett promised to act in “good faith” to keep the Sonics under the umbrella.
Seattle SuperSonics fans suddenly feel that its franchise has the same history as the Baltimore Colts and the Cleveland Browns. Fine. Lie to yourselves then. Other than one NBA Championship in 1979, what else have they done? Got drilled by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals in the mid-90s? If they want to keep the SuperSonics name and its 25 uniform changes over the past 20 minutes, more power to them.
Key Arena was built in 1995, with a capacity of 17,098. How could the fans of Seattle not see this coming? Why build something and not make it up to NBA standards? Why not build a facility of at least 20,000 fans? Had Seattle had done that; this potential move is a dead-issue.
Oklahoma City rounded up the broken down covered wagons and put together a pot of gold to build the Ford Center in 2002 with a capacity of 18,036. The arena was “almost” NBA ready, because back when it was built, there was no reason to even conceive that the NBA could ever play on its floor other than in exhibition games. Boy, times have changed.
Seattle fans want to point out that they are the 13th or 14th, depending on what you look at, ranked media market in the nation, much larger than Oklahoma City’s 45th ranked media market. So why seven years later, how can Oklahoma City get it right, when Seattle got it so wrong? Man, these undereducated hillbillies got lucky, I guess.
If you are making this point that Oklahoma City is not ready 15 years ago, not many would disagree with you. You would be hard-pressed to find somebody in Oklahoma City that would feel they were ready for a professional sports franchise.
After the Murrah Bombing in 1995 and one of the costliest natural disasters in American history with the 1999 F5 tornado, Oklahoma City has gone through an amazing transformation into the 21st Century. Bricktown is a booming business district in downtown Oklahoma City with tons of restaurants and night clubs and includes, ironically, the Sonic Restaurants World Headquarters.
Oklahoma City has grown up fast. When the New Orleans Hornets needed a home after another natural disaster, Oklahoma City stepped up and gave them a home for two years. The Hornets even gave Oklahoma City fans the nickname of “Loud City.” Sellouts were aplenty. Locals even took a break from hunting for its own food in order to catch a game or two at the Ford Center.
Chris Paul became a local legend. The players loved Oklahoma City, but understood that they would eventually have to return to hurricane ravaged New Orleans.
Not only did these ignorant in breeders prove that they are more than capable of permanently becoming home to an NBA franchise, they were among the upper echelon in NBA attendance. The Hornets were 11th in NBA attendance in 2005-06 with an average of 18,168. Not bad for the 45th ranked media market in the country. That placed them 12 places higher than Seattle, which was 23rd. Last season, Oklahoma City ranked 15th with an average of 17,830, which was 10 places higher than Seattle.
“Loud City” is ready. Season tickets will be snapped up quicker than the Sonics can get here. Hopefully the moving trucks will be able to navigate its way through the Oklahoma prairie. There was a plan to put the first paved street in Oklahoma City by November, which is when the 2008-09 season is going to start.
They might even put in a stop light to fight traffic.
Updated at 5:00 pm CST : Memphis coach John Calipari has shot up to the top of the list in Oklahoma State's search for a new Men's basketball coach.
According to unidentified sources speaking on a condition of anonymity, Calipari will decide by Wednesday whether or not to interview for the position. If he interviews, a $6 million signing bonus similar to what would have been offered to Kansas coach Bill Self might be available.
Should Calipari fall through, the search moves on to Kentucky coach Billy Gillespie. Gillespie has yet to sign a contract at Kentucky and apparently is interested in moving on. Gillespie was rumored to have called Texas A&M to ask for his job back after Kentucky’s November loss to Gardner-Webb.
With the Wildcats losing two players from this past season and missing out on the top recruit in the state in Scotty Hopson, Kentucky will have a rough year in 2008-09. Hopson has signed with Tennessee.
‘Melo Needs to Mellow
Never been a big Carmelo Anthony fan. Saw him in person a few times, never been all that impressed.
Last night at around 4 am, Anthony was arrested on a suspected DUI offense in Denver. The defenseless Nuggets have fought tooth and nail to get into the playoffs, eventually overtaking Golden State for the eighth spot in the Western Conference by a half game.
Last night, the Nuggets posted an impressive victory over Houston, 111-94. Just a few hours later with three games left to play in the regular season, all pivotal towards its playoff aspirations, Anthony greeted his team with a distraction.
The NBA has suspended players for less. Anthony, who admittedly has improved since last seeing him in person, averages 25.8 points and 7.4 rebounds. Both impressive statistics, but he is not the best player on his team. Allen Iverson has been since setting foot in Denver, and always will be until either he retires or moves on.
The Anthony-Iverson pairing has worked extremely well. In any ordinary season, the Nuggets would comfortably be in the playoffs already. But not 2008, where two worthy playoff teams will be golfing early this year. Namely either Denver or Golden State and Portland.
This is another case of a player with all the talent in the World putting himself in front of others. Say what you want about Iverson, but he has never done anything like this, which is why Iverson is one of the top five in our generation. Iverson once injured his elbow diving for a loose ball in a meaningless game with his team up by 25 in the fourth quarter. If that is not the definition of team player, what is?
Anthony could have been a legend in college had he stuck around after leading Syracuse to the title in 2003. Anthony could be a perennial All-Star as he, along with Iverson, is one of the top five scorers in the league.
With Anthony, something has always been missing. Not sure if it’s his deplorable defensive effort, or what it is. Maybe this is it. Maybe we saw this coming.
Could there be worse timing for it? Anthony could have just erased an entire season of effort. And for what?
Tiger Finishes Second
No grand slam this year for the best athlete this century. Tiger Woods finished a lowly second place at the Masters and watched South African Trevor Immelman stepped up to claim his 15 minutes with the victory.
Woods didn’t play his best and finished second. Repeat, second! If Tiger is not the most dominant athlete ever, what is the definition?
We keep hearing about who is the “next” person to challenge Tiger. Nobody. Tiger stunk it up over a four-day period over the weekend according to his standards, and lost a golf tournament. It is amazing when the story becomes somebody not winning rather than focusing on Immelman’s well-deserved green jacket.
Tiger is not only the best athlete of our generation; he is the best of all-time. Michael Jordan, for how great he was, had other players around him. Muhammad Ali talked his way into the equation by proclaiming himself the greatest of all-time. Joe Montana still had the likes Jerry Rice and John Taylor to catch his precision passes.
Tiger dominates an individual sport. It’s literally him against the World. And he does it so easily.
Many say golf is boring because of Tiger and his dominance. I would have to politely disagree with those who say that. Dominance draws neutrals to the sport. We hate dominance, but when it occurring, we have to stop for a second to watch it. Just like the aforementioned Bulls and 49ers, a lot of people hated them, but watched their every move. We tell our children about how great Jordan was, or how much of a beautiful thing it was to watch Montana throw a football, or Ali dance around the boxing ring.
Tiger will win as many majors as he wants to. Tiger is playing against himself. Nobody has been better. Somebody could end up being better down the road, only because it was Woods that drew people to the sport that may have never been in the past.
Joba’s Father Ill
At the Nebraska state basketball tournament this past March, there he was. A man in a New York Yankees cap scooting around the Bob Devaney Sports Center, just hanging out and watching some basketball.
Harlan Chamberlain is a legend in Nebraska. Where there is a ball being bounced, a ball flying over a net, a touchdown being scored, he’s there. And his son is doing quite well for the Yankees coming out of the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain came out of nowhere last season to become a household name and a fan favorite in New York, one of the toughest places in the World to accomplish both, especially so quickly.
Last night, Harlan collapsed in his home. Joba has taken a personal leave of absence to be with his ailing father in Nebraska. Everybody in Nebraska loves him, and you bet they all wish him well for a speedy recovery. Lincoln wouldn’t be the same without him.
I wish him well and hope to see him again at a sporting event near you.
My retirement has been placed on hold due to having more glitches with another website. I will keep it here for the time being and keep everybody posted. Thanks for your support and hope to hear from everybody in the future. -Scott Hansen (www.myspace.com/maxprepsok)
Scott's Live Music Performance of the Day (because I'm here to entertain)
I have nothing but the utmost respect for her talent, writing style, and opinions. Just in this case, she is completely wrong. How can anybody write “It's time for #24 to take home the trophy. Case closed"?
Case closed? Well, looks like the case needs to be reopened. No double jeopardy here. No pardons. When somebody closes the case with making a valid argument for other valid candidates, somebody needs to make the argument for her.
I accept the challenge.
Kobe Bryant- Los Angeles Lakers
2007-08 Averages: 28.4 points (2nd in NBA), 6.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, .461 FG%, .361 3-Pt%. Team Record: 55-25 (Second in the Western Conference)
Bryant deserves to be in the discussion, without question. The Lakers are a half game out of first in the West behind the Hornets, having just defeated them on Friday night, 107-104. Bryant had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a pivotal Western Conference battle. The Lakers are 5-1 in April with their only loss coming to Portland. Bryant had a season-high 52 points on March 2 against Dallas in a 108-104 victory.
LeBron James- Cleveland Cavaliers
2007-08 Averages: 30.3 points (1st in NBA), 7.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists (9th in NBA), .484 FG%, .361 3-Pt%. Team Record: 46-36 (Fourth in the Eastern Conference)
James leads the NBA in scoring by almost two full points over Bryant, averages 1.5 more rebounds, and almost two more assists and shoots at a better clip from the field. Not bad for a 6’8”, 240-pound player who has yet to hit his prime. Last night at Chicago, LeBron scored 24 points in the first quarter, hitting all ten of his shots from the field en route to 34 points. James had a season-high of 51 points on January 15 in a 132-124 victory over Memphis, one of two 50-point outings this season.
Chris Paul- New Orleans Hornets
2007-08 Averages: 21.1 points (19th in NBA), 11.6 assists (1st in NBA), 4.0 rebounds, .487 FG%, .369 3-Pt%. Team Record: 55-24 (First in Western Conference)
Paul has taken the once lowly Hornets to first in the Western Conference. In his third year in the NBA, Paul is leading the league in assists at 11.6 per game and is a top 20 scorer. Paul continues to battle for respect playing in one of the worst television markets in the country. Paul scored a season-high 42 points in a 132-130 victory over Phoenix. Paul’s season-high in the assists category is 21 in a 118-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Final Answer
At last check, this was the award for Most Valuable Player in the National Basketball Association. Not the best player from a team in a large market, which is what this award becomes at times.
A lot of people seem to take a lot of stock in last night’s Lakers victory over the Hornets. The Lakers have split the season series with the Hornets two apiece. Why is everybody suddenly taking stock in a late season three-point victory on its home floor?
Getting tired of the “weak competition” argument in the Eastern Conference for those anti-James. It’s the NBA. These are all professionals. There are weaker teams at the lower end of the Western Conference. Anybody seen the Sonics play lately? The West has been great, no argument there. You need to bring your game every single night whether you are playing Boston or Miami. Doesn’t matter. Boston and Detroit would have equal success in the West.
1) LeBron James
2) Chris Paul
3) Kobe Bryant
4) Kevin Garnett
5) Carlos Boozer
There is an argument. You can just as easily make an argument pro-Kobe. Absolutely not out of the realm of possibility. Just don’t say “case closed” and expect not to get a little stick.
(Finally, Lisa knows how much I respect her work. She also knows that an argument is just that, an argument and nothing is personal.)
