Last week, Ian got it in back to back weeks. Last week's answer:  Larry Bird.  Who will dethrone Ian this week? Here we go:

No, no, this is not what you guys are thinking.  Michael Strahan has not been accused of any illegal performance enhancing drug usage - not yet. 

However, with the fall of Defensive End Osi Umenyiora on Saturday, the retired defensive lineman, the owner of the most sacks in a single season, and by the way, former defensive star lineman on last year's Super Bowl winning team, Michael Strahan may begin to get courted by the Giants like the Rocket!

Strahan, who retired after the Super Bowl win, has not practiced, from what most can speculate, to the degree that it would take to play NFL football.  But that still does not make him an attractive option for the G-Men who are in desperate need of some defensive line help. 

And Michael can demand his price with major incentives for one more season, which is how long Umenyiora will be on the shelf.  Michael can present his price to the Giants provided it's within salary cap restraint and New York may have to bite their lips and grin. 

Could we be looking at a $14 million dollar coax off the couch or cancellation of a European vacation? Maybe!  At that price, I am sure Michael Strahan can motivate himself to get down to business. 

Here's the worse part of the deal - for the Giants at least - New York doesn't even know what they will get from Strahan.  They know what he is capable of doing and that is the extent of their professional assumptions.  But they are in no position to compromise on any demands Strahan and his agent may bring to the table if the DE's phone rings in the middle of the night with a cry for help.

The Superman is back in the building theme may be primed and ready for a rehearsal in New Jersey, and what a better way to steal the New York spotlight back from the Jets after the Brett Favre signing! -hmm, very interesting my friends.  Stay tuned!

Just my thought.  What about you?

Last week it was Ian who got the right answer:  Willie Mays.  This week is a bit easier and will probably not need other helping clues.  But it's still a good one.  After the correct answer has been given, I will reveal all the 10 clues.

1.  I was born in a state that has a town that had the largest spanning dome in the United States until 1965.

2.  I once played for a team that invoked nightmares into my opponents when they thought about us.  

3.  I once squared off one on one with a man who is known best by his patents for using his hands for his craft rather than fighting. 

4.  I bested one of my great rivals and now good friend in one out of the four major match-ups in our careers. 

5.  If you used the FULL name of the university I attended, the institution my chief rival attended, and the 7th letter of the alphabet, you will be able to spell my rival’s SCREEN name.  Do you know me now?

6.  I won and award given annually to athletes since 1959 and is named after one of the greatest sports figures to have ever played.

7.  I am affiliated with the sister of a man who is from the same state that I am from who played professional sports for a pretty good team.  

8.  It can be argued that my career was hampered in my later years by a condition that plagued a great NHL hall of fame player for years.

9.  I have the same number of stops in my storied career that equals the same number of home runs the great Hank Aaron amassed.  

10.  I won an award three consecutive times and was the only man of the three who won it before me to not play the same position.

WHO AM I?

The latest installment of WHO AM I?  Last week, Stevo, was the winner. This one will stump you all for sure: 

1.  I was born in the same state as a man who shares the exact same name as another man who performed in the entertainment business.

2.  I am famous for many things and something that I did years ago in a championship that is still talked about to this day.  

3.  I have the distinction of being one of three people to win something 10 or more times and all three of us did it with the grace and elegance of a ballerina.

4.  I was knocked for a loop the exact number of times as the number of a friend and colleague of mine wore.  

5.  If you were to decipher the following numbers:  0961069, you will know the milestone that I reached and the date which I reached it.  

6.  I once played with a man whose hands needed to crack before he could do the things that he was famous for doing.  Do you know me now?

7.  If you used my full name and reversed the last letter of the city I was born, you could spell the name of the sport I played.  

8.  I was once graced with an award made of Alligator skin.  

9.  I am the first person to be honored annually with an award that spanned more than a decade.

10.  I have an association with something whose origins can loosely be traced back to something affiliated with William Randolph Hearst.  

WHO AM I? 

Ok, folks, looks like this was a good deal last week, so I will try it again.  The latest installment of WHO AM I?  Last week, The Big Lebowski got it correct:  Ray Lewis. 

I will confirm the answer of the one who gets it correct after I receive at least two other strong possible choices.  So here we go:

1.  I was educated and participated in college athletics at a university 30 miles east of where I became well known.

2.  I fought in a major war while at sea and almost missed my calling for which I became famous for. 

3.  I am closely related to a person who presided over a trial of an athlete who went to my institution.

4.  I was part of a program that sends many young men into professional sports.

5.  I had a long standing hate for a team that I never wanted to mention my its name.

6.  I have the great distinction of saying that I beat down OJ Simpson.  Do you know me now?

7.  If you venture out into nature and find a natural substance and transport it on water, you will know my first name.

8.  I had a personal encounter with Charlie Bauman

9.  I was raised in a state closely related to another that applied for statehood back in 1835. 

10.  In the spring, I knew it was time to do my thing, and I could not wait to get started for my showdown.

WHO AM I?

Hope many will want to participate.  The correct guess gets no prize, but a big kudos for getting it right:  

1.  I pound my chest all throughout the week screaming at those who want to be like me and those who look for guidance in the room from me.  

2.  I have played for a number of seasons at the pro level and I have been to many all star games.

3.  I have won an individual award twice in my career and the only man to claim such an honor on a winning team. 

4.  I once had a man speak on my behalf during the championship because I refused to speak for fear of media incrimination.  I sat and watched!

5.  I made the crucial play and danced my way to victory in a city known for its musical prowess.  Do you know me now?

6.  I once told the media having a flashy young man say he could whip me is like my son saying “Dad, I can beat you up.” 

7.  I graduated from a school that shares the same first name as a White House aide who accused the most powerful man in the world of sexual impropriety. 

8.  If you say my FULL NAME, PROFESSION, and turn the THIRD letter in my last name upside down, you would be able to make the following comment: WE ARE A TEAM.

9.  I am a proud father.

10.  I am now known more for my mouth than my actions as Father Time has begun to catch up with me.  

Who am I? 

Will someone please explain why there are people out there who believe that Brett Favre will struggle as a New York Jet? 

I was watching NFL Total Access and heard Adam Scheffler state that Favre was going to have problems adjusting to the system, the players, and because of that, would not have fun. 

Mark Kriegel wrote an article earlier in the day chronicling how Favre just could not handle the nobility of retirement - as if Brett were addicted to the league and could not handle the mortality of his own career. 

I am not understanding the consternation around the sports world right now about Favre.  Has everyone forgotten this man’s ability all of a sudden?

We are not talking about a rookie QB being handed the reins of an NFL team and having him make the transition from college to pro football life.

We are also not talking about a career backup QB who is now finally getting his chance to prove himself. 

We are talking about a man who has played 16 eventful seasons in the National Football League and played very well.  Oh, for those who don’t know claims every NFL passing record as his own personal biography.   

442 touchdown passes, over 61,000 career passing yards, 5,377 completions, 253 consecutive starts (Cal Ripken like numbers when you talk NFL iron man), oh, and 160 wins by a starting QB – 12 more than John Elway. Yeah he’s going to have a hard time – how? Has he all of a sudden forgotten how to do all of these things? What are people smoking?

Having played in the league for as long as he has, Favre has seen every defensive scheme, formation, package, and style there is that I am sure he will not be scratching his head after an interception saying “what kind of defense was that, coach?”

Media frenzy and expectations aside, Jamie Dukes, of the network said it best, Quote: “Favre has always excepted the blame for every mistake he has made.” End quote.  Having the New York media come down on Favre after a Jets’ loss will probably affect the consummate pro about as long as it does for him to take a shower – not much of an affect!

Hey, if Eli Manning could handle it, I’m sure Favre can. 

It seems we have some Favre hater-aide drinkers out there and for what? Because he said in March I don’t want to play anymore and then said in July, I change my mind?  

Whatever the case for the hate, given his history, Favre should have no trouble adjusting to his new teammates or dealing with the New York media or have any regret for coming to the Apple…he just has to adjust to a new system.

Once all the X’s and O’s have been written down, it all comes down to playing the game – handing off the ball and throwing the ball.  And throwing the ball is something we all know Brett Favre can do. 

Just my thought.  What about you?

With Brett Favre now removed from Green Bay's equation, Coach Mike McCarthy can finally exhale after the official announcement that the future hall of fame QB was traded to the New York Jets today. 

I commend and respect the Packers organization for having the gumption to make this difficult, historic decision.  And truly move on as they stated at the outset of Favre's accouchement of his intentions to return to football.

Green Bay has stated since day one after Favre's retirement, that they were committed to giving Aaron Rodgers the chance to be their starting signal caller and they have never wavered from that statement - no flip flopping from GM Ted Thompson or Coach Mike McCarty and that's great to see. 

Mark Schlereth, of ESPN, stated he was not buying what the Packers stated at their press conference and their commitment to Rodgers.  Eluding to the fact that there are no guarantee contracts in the NFL because of the very nature of the sport itself, and that how could the Packers just, "Kick Favre to the curb." in favor of Rodgers?

It can be inferred that these comments imply that Green Bay disrespected Favre and his legacy as a Packer.   

In a sport where allegiance is as tantamount as a two dollar bill, the Packers could have uttered all the rosy niceties to Aaron Rodgers - filling his head with fairy tales and pipe dreams of his day of playing quarterback for one of the most storied franchises in professional sports - only to have Green Bay tap him on the shoulder during film sessions to say that he would have to wait another year as he wiped drool from his mouth.  

But the Packers did not do that.  They did not choose to dive into the bowels of indecency.  They were professional, as organizations should be - up front with everyone, including Brett of their intentions and by all accounts during conversations on Tuesday face to face with Favre what direction the team was going - and Brett said, thank you very much, now I'm going home.  

One team's trash is another team's treasure:

This is not to imply that Brett Favre is washed up by any means - however, if people are of the belief as is Mark Schlereth, that the Packers tossed Favre out onto the street to be picked up by another team, then, Green Bay's trash has become the New York Jets’ fortune. 

Dawning of a new:

Favre’s legacy in Green Bay will never be forgotten, but with his time there now over, Jet fans can sing and dance on the streets of Time Square knowing that a savior has arrived to bestow upon them the opportunity to win and possibly go far in the playoffs.  

Even when Chad Pennington guided the team to a playoff victory in San Diego back in 2004, New York never really believed Pennington was a franchise signal caller – Favre is.  Even at the advanced stage of his career, Brett gives the Jets reason to hope – a chance of that maybe – a shot at a championship (though a pipe dream?) Don’t laugh, folks – because no one picked the New York Giants to win the Super Bowl.  

In the End:

The Green Bay Packers may live to regret the day they let Brett Favre go in favor of an inexperienced QB.  But no one can ever say that they did not give Rodgers the opportunity to succeed and the confidence that they would be loyal to him every step of the way.  

Just my thought.  What about you?

I wrote a post on Wednesday detailing the move just before the deadline of the Yankees acquisition of Pudge Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth.  I then deleted it after hearing that the Yankees made no further significant moves on Thursday.

Dayn Perry, a senior writer for Fox Sports MLB, wrote the annual Winners and Losers of the deadline article this morning and proclaimed the Yankees as winners. What?

How in the H E C K can the Yankees be considered winners at the deadline when they did not address their most critical need?  Starting Pitching?  In my mind that makes them losers at the deadline race. 

The Yankees clearly needed to land a starting pitcher and failed to do so.  It was rumored that they would attempt to acquire Jarrod Washburn from Seattle and the deal fell through. Washburn would have been a nice addition to the rotation and could have complemented Andy Pettitte in the starting five. 

Instead, Brian Cashman once again could not make the deal for a starter.

Yes, I know the Yankees may have an opportunity to pick up someone off the waiver wire at the end of August - but the talent availability during that time will be the equivalent to scraps in the outside dumpster of the local restaurant. 

Given what happened to Pettitte last night who got rocked by the Angels who have suddenly become an offensive force, the Yankees needed to obtain a solid starter to counter the Angels great pitching staff for the weekend set.

Scary to think:

Pettitte gave the Yankees the best chance of winning at least one of the four games with the Angels this weekend - after he got lit up, what can New York expect with Ponson going tonight, Musina and Rasner on Saturday and Sunday?  My goodness.

The Yankees can easily find themselves in fourth place in the AL East by next weekend.  With the three remaining games against the Angels at the stadium, which they could easily lose, the Yankees go to Texas to play the Rangers for four games - remember what the Rangers did to them the last time they were in New York?  I do! 

New York then gets rewarded with a trip to Disneyland and another four game date with the beloved Angels.  Hmmm!  I like their odds there. 

Winners at the Deadline?

Please!

Just my thought.  What about you?

The Brett Favre saga has worn on nerves like the screeching sound of the 7 year old class clown’s nails running across the blackboard in school while everyone else is trying to listen to the teacher.  

Favre’s indecision about retirement or returning to the NFL probably cannot be understood by most people who have never stared down the tunnel of retirement as the light begins to get nearer and brighter – I, however, understand the paradox facing the 38 year old first ballot hall of famer.  After 21 years of active duty in the Navy, I know full well how hard and sometimes scary it is to be faced with the possibility of having to do something new with your life after doing one thing well for so long.  

Favre’s announcement to walk away from the game in March was the end of a long chapter in Green Bay Packer history and one by all accounts, difficult to turn the page.  But the next chapter was supposed to usher in the new era of Packer football with the unveiling of Aaron Rodgers – with all the emotions, tears of joy, and sorrow of having to face the end of # 4’s time, Green Bay fans had to move on. 

On Monday, however, Brett Favre said hold a second, I want to play.    I still have the love of the game within my soul and the cool Wisconsin air north east off Lombardi Avenue rushing through my veins again.  And suddenly, things around Packer town began to get a bit dicey.  Favre had thrown an unexpected curve ball and expected GM, Ted Thompson to cut short his vacation plans and fly to Mississippi just as he did back in 2004 to come get him off his couch to play catch.  This time, Thompson said, I ain’t cutting my vacation short.  I’m having too good a time.  And after getting a text message from Favre, personally, Thompson’s reply was “You have to wait until I get back from vacation.” Favre’s reaction must have been OMG, NHD (NO HE DIDN’T) Ah, yes he did, Brett! 

Understanding both positions: 

It was reported that Favre asked to be released if the Packers did not want him to return, yet, Thompson and the Packers refused to grant Favre an unconditional release to pursue his dream of one more season, at least, in the sun – but have offered to have him return in a role to mentor Rodgers.  To Favre, the decision to have him return to the team in a back-up role at the high price of $12 is disrespectful to what he has meant to the organization and the city.  Those who love Favre must understand the position of the organization for taking this stand and refusing to be backed into a corner and held hostage as one fan put it earlier this week – when we look at the entire situation the Packers made a commitment to Aaron Rodgers by anointing him as the starting signal caller when Favre announced his retirement earlier this year.   And Rodgers, who has patiently waited in the wings while being Favre’s understudy for three years, certainly deserves the chance to prove he can be an NFL quarterback.  To Favre supporters, that sums up an 8 – 8 season and no playoff games on the frozen tundra next year.  That may be the case; however, if not now, when does Rodgers come in to show the fans in Green Bay what he can do?  When may be now! 

Favre, however, believes that he can still play.  Back in March, he said he was not 100% sure that he could dedicate himself to playing the way he needed to perform well enough for the Packers to win - that meant in a very tearful way that he needed to let it go.  It’s now July and Favre says he’s now 100% sure that he is ready to commit – once again has the desire – is able to do it – and with his credentials, deserving of the chance to prove that he can still get-er done!  Whether it is for the Packers or someone else.  

The Nightmare in waiting: 

The Packers say it is inconceivable that they would tarnish Favre’s legacy by allowing him to go to another team.  How considerate of the organization…especially when they know it is a strong possibility that the famed signal caller could end up with a rival team in the Packers' division – that team being the Minnesota Vikings who have a young quarterback in need of some mentoring…Hmmm.  And how unlikely, months ago, could anyone have imagined the thought of Brett Favre running all over Lambeau Field on September 8 when Minnesota visits Green Bay on MNF that Favre could have the ball with 2:00 left on the clock and  3 timeouts in his back pocket playing for the hated Vikings.  That thought scares the yikes out of the state of Wisconsin, Ted Thompson, and Coach Mike McCarthy – and how about the possibility of all this being made possible by Aaron Rodgers, the Steve Carell look-alike, and his inability to run out the clock when he had the chance before handing the ball over to Favre to carve up the Packers? Yeah, imagine that, huh?  That would be Green Bay’s worse nightmare coming to fruition right before their eyes.  I venture to say the Packers would rather remain Favre’s legacy rather than become part of it.       

Pondering the what-ifs: 

What if the Packers don’t relent as training camp nears and Favre still wants to play?  What if Favre threatens to take his case to the union and lame-duck Gene Upshaw?  What will the NFL officials do about it?  Do they push the Packers and force them to release the 9 time pro bowler?  Or what if they keep Favre and allow him to rejoin the team in the same capacity as last season?  What if Brett can no longer play?  What if he does not have it anymore?  What if he turns out to be the same guy who threw a career high 29 interceptions back in 2005?  It would be wise to think with those numbers that the Packers would not make the post season.  

But what if Favre continues to age like fine wine and is the same guy who passed for over 4100 yards and 28 touchdowns last year?  And he leads the Packers to the division crown?  Green Bay would have to be along with Minnesota, the favorite to win the division if Favre returns and plays to the level he did just a season ago.  And with no clear cut NFC juggernaut in the conference, how could you not like Green Bay’s chances of going to the Super Bowl. Most football experts still believe Favre gives the Packers that new catch phrase “the best chance to win.”  They might be right. 

No Easy decisions: 

I would find it hard to believe Brett Lorenzo Favre would intentionally place undue stress on the team and Aaron Rodgers – but he says he would like to come back and come back in a starting role.  And if the Packers are not willing to agree to those conditions, he would like to be released. With his legacy now stamped in the game’s history, and given what he has meant to the team, the Packers would have to let Favre go to pursue his desires.  

To let Favre go, again, means having to concede to the possibility that he ends up coming back to Lambeau and hurting the Packers as these types of situations always seem to turnout.  Thompson stated on Saturday, “This stuff hurts a lot of people.  I mean, it hurts.  I’m not talking about physically hurting, but the sensitivity.  We understand where the fans are coming from.  This is a hot-button issue that surpasses anything I’ve ever gone through.”  I’m sure it is.  

If the Packers do not allow Favre to return in his original role, it will be the main topic of discussion around Packers’ camp and could be a major distraction for the players all season.  And no one will suffer more than Aaron Rodgers who will already have the pressure of having every throw he makes on the mark critiqued as not being as hard or on point as old Brett would have made it – or when he overthrows a seven route he will hear, “Brett would not have missed that one!” Having that and the ghost of Favre whispering bad nothings into Rodgers’ ear will be in the back of his mind – even though he will say it is not.  

Those who have faced this situation with great trepidation know what Brett Favre is going through.  The time to walk away may be now, but Favre should be the one who ultimately decides his own fate - not the people who have never known what it’s like to be hit by a 295 pound Defensive End running with 4.60 speed from the blind side.  I am sure it's hard for Brett to think that there will be no Lambeau Leaps in retirement - no touchdown celebrations, and no post game news conferences either - just memories of a time gone by when he finally does walk away.  I wish him well, because I know it’s hard. 

Just my thought.  What about you?       

The Seattle SuperSonics are no more in the Pacific Northwest.  In a news conference today, the word and the inevitable finally came to reality when owner Clay Bennett and the city came up with an agreement to move the team from the emerald city to the tornado city.

Bennett agreed to pay $75 million to the city of Seattle in a settlement to relocate the team to the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, OK for the start of the 2008-09 season. 

It is a sad day for the people of the state of Washington…the Sonics have been a fixture in Seattle since 1967 and enjoyed a storied rivalry with its other northwest neighbor 3-hours south down I-5 in the Portland Trailblazers. 

Though many people east of Washington and Oregon could give a care about the rivalry and the history of the two teams, those who live in the two cities cherished the contentious match up as much as Yankee vs. Red Sox, Lakers vs. Celtics, Canadiens vs. Bruins, Bears vs. Packers, Ali vs. Frazier.  Laugh all you want sports fans, but the end of this union brings a feel of melancholy and overflow of tears enough to fill the Columbia River.   

With the move to OKC, the Sonics will remain in the western conference.  But the rivalry will never be same as Seattle and Portland.  The long anticipated match up of Kevin Durrant vs. Greg Oden which had to be placed on hold because Oden missed all of what would have been his rookie season due to injury will never be what we’d hoped to experience for many years.

For those born and raised in Seattle, and even transplants such as me, we are left with the memories of Coach Lenny Wilkins, Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma, Lonnie Shelton, and Downtown Freddie Brown, the core and heart of the first and only NBA championship in the 1978-79 season.  And of course there are others with their place in Sonics folklore, Slick Watts, the man who put the cool and style out west with the white headband - Paul Westphal, Xavier McDaniel, Detlef Schrempf, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Tom Chambers, Dale Ellis, Nate McMillan, and so many others.

Part of the blame for the team’s departure falls squarely upon the people who are now sitting and wondering how this all happened.  The refusal by the mayor and other officials to raise money to build a new facility for the city’s first major sports franchise and only team to win a major championship are the main cause for all our tears. 

After building state of the art facilities for both the Seahawks and Mariners directly across the street from each other, you mean big ballers like Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Howard Schultz couldn’t put their collective stadium size brains together to build a place to keep the Sonics in Seattle? All three certainly are not short of some spare change that could have saved the team.  Did they not care?

Those, however, are questions that not even a computer science major sitting in his dorm room at the University of Washington drinking a Venti Latte could answer even if he searched on Google all night trying.

An end of an era has fallen upon Seattle with the lost of the Sonics.  And with it, the reverberation has precipitated a gloom over the city that is reminiscent of a rainy October day in Washington State.  And though Commissioner David Stern left the door open for possible relocation of another NBA team looking to revitalize a struggling franchise, or possible expansion, another team will never replace the Sonics of old.

Will the move of the Sonics be as memorable as the Brooklyn Dodgers’ relocation to Los Angeles in 1957 when we look back years from now?  No? But they are not just another debunked team that couldn't make the cut either.  Their story is real and palpable. Yet even though their move is not as historical as the Boys of Flatbush, it still hurts to know that one night we went to sleep and awoke the next day to find that the team we loved was gone.      

Just my thought.  What about you?

Jaromir Jagr and the New York Rangers appear to be parting ways.  The New York post is reporting that the Rangers during negotiations with the star winger have been unwilling to offer Jagr any deal beyond one year.  Jagr on the other hand wants to play at least two to three more years and is reported to have asked for a long term contract.

I don’t blame the Rangers for taking this stance.  Jagr is older and is no longer the scoring threat he used to be.  It would behoove any team that does sign him, to do a one year deal with incentives.  It does two things:  1.  It would give a team the option to terminate a one year deal as oppose to a long term contract with a player who is not performing well and not have it count against the team salary cap.  2.  The one year deal forces the player to try and compete at a high level because he knows he’s on a timeline and if he wants that incentive, he knows he must play well.

Jagr may find himself out of the league if he becomes a difficult negotiator – he’s grown increasingly moody with age and his skills have declined.  Additionally, he is not a great leader on the ice.  Your captain is supposed to be the leader of your team vocally and by example.  Jagr was never the vocal leader of the Rangers and should thank Brendan Shanahan for assuming that role when (Shanahan) arrived two years ago.  Jagr used to rely on his skills as his example setter during his first few years with New York – those days are now over.   

Although he accumulated 71 points this past season, Jagr has seen his goal scoring drop from 54 in 05-06, to 30 in 06-07, down to 25 in 07-08.  He’s no longer that guy who would scare teams when they faced off against him in years past. 

While I don't believe his playing days in the NHL are over, It is, however, going to be hard for Jagr to justify a long term deal with any team given his age, declining skills, and lack of leadership. 

This is the edited piece which caption talked about the part of the body where the sun does not shine! So please continue: 

Many in the blogging and sports world have been kicking Shaquille O'Neal in an area he ineloquently asks former teammate Kobe Bryant to tell him how it tastes!

Perhaps Mark Kriegel put it best in his article in reference to Shaq's side gig money making venture as a rap artist, when he  says, "Hey Shaq, tell me how my fine taste?" - eluding to the possibility that O'Neal might be fined by NBA Commissioner David Stern for his actions on Sunday. 

Kriegel's suggestion is valid in light of the image and integrity of the game being in somewhat of a tenuous state of affairs despite the Celtics and Lakers appearance in the finals in my opinion.  Tim Donaghy’s allegations of games not being on the up-and-up still have people questioning the game's credibility. 

David must apply a "STERN' hand and fine Shaq as an admonishment to restore good order and discipline.  So Shaq "tell us how your a-z-z aches?"

O'Neal's blatant show of disrespect towards hall of fame players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Patrick Ewing certainly warrants a quick and firm response from Stern to fine Shaq a substantial amount of money for his actions. 

Shaq's racial slur towards white people was cruel, offensive and suggests that THE BIG DUMMY must have forgotten that the man who signs his checks is WHITE! 

It is said with age comes wisdom and experience.  Those traits have inexplicably passed by THE BIG UNEDUCATED.  

I am usually a Shaq supporter - but I cannot support his disrespect towards Kobe Bryant, even though many people dislike Bryant - it still does not give Shaq the right to diss him for no apparent reason, again, his disrespect towards Jabbar and Ewing, and he may fall out of favor with white people who support him as well. 

In the day and age of high tech multimedia one has to ask what the heck was THE BIG DUMBA-Z-Z thinking?  It certainly begs another question – what does Shaq say when he’s behind a camera free styling amongst his homeys? 

So once again I ask THE BIG FORGETTABLE, "tell us how your a-z-z aches?"

Just my thought.  What about you?  

Don Imus has unceremoniously placed his foot into his mouth yet again. What will Jason Whitlock have to say about it?  

Everyone knows by now, Imus’ latest racially charged rhetoric in reference to Adam Jones on his XM radio show has once again sent the black community into another uproar. During a conversation with Warner Wolf, the well known sportscaster was making a comment on Imus’ show about how Jones wanted to swap monikers because of his troubles in the past with the law, Imus serendipitously interrupted, “What color is he?” – WHAT COLOR IS HE?  

Imus’ question to Wolf about what color is Jones is a reference so offensive to black people it is like spitting in someone’s face.  And Imus once again, spat in the black community’s face!  

One catch phrase, arguably, in this election year has been “Let’s move past the race issue.” How can we, and to not be a pessimist, how dare we hope to do so when people like Imus continue to remind us how divided many of us remain?  Sadly, Don Imus does not see it. He cannot see it.  His blinders are so fogged that he will never see it.  Imus commented, in defense of himself, that he was defending Adam Jones and black people because they remain a target by police.  Please, when was the last time Don Imus was stopped by police for DWB, Driving While Black?  

He, Imus, goes on to say that one of the producers of his show is black – so that must mean he wouldn’t dare call one of the people who feeds him a C-O-L-O-R-E-D boy would he?...not face to face.  But behind close doors, anything is fair game I bet.

The bigotry of Don Imus’ image is as blatant as his plastic surgeries.  Yet he attempts to justify himself with words, I am sure, like: I have plenty of friends who are black or I have co-hosts who are black.  Ok, so the next time he makes national news when he calls a black person that old nasty word we all know, I guess we can expect him to say, I was hanging out with my black friends and that’s how we all get down!  

So what will Jason Whitlock have to say of Imus’ newest quandary of words in reference to Adam Jones, a black man and the black community?  I can wait for Al Sharpton who will emerge soon from the shadows of the abyss to show up on a street corner near you – Though, I do not agree with everything Jason Whitlock says, I am eager to hear his latest take on the Imus controversy.       

Just my thought.  What about you?

The Fresno State Bulldogs stand poise to try on the glass slipper and join the list of improbable champions in sports when they face the Georgia Bulldogs in the College World Series tonight.   Fresno State came into the tournament after completing a 33-27 regular season by winning its conference championship to qualify - So what is the best Cinderella story in sports?

I will take the 1983 NCAA Basketball Champion NC State Wolfpack.  The Cardiac Pack, as they came to be known as after their title, began their run after winning the ACC Championship defeating #1 seeded and regular season champion North Carolina 91-84 in overtime in the semi finals, then following with an 81-78 victory over #2 seed Virginia in the championship game. 

Very few people remember that NC State survived a major scare in their first round game of the ACC tournament when they squeaked by Wake Forest 71-70.  But it was that scare that fueled their desires and belief that they could beat anyone. Led by the young motivational fireplug coach Jimmy Valvano, Dereck Whittenburg, Sydney Lowe, and Lorenzo Charles, the Pack became giant killers on their way to the ACC title:  smacking the talent laden Tar Heels that bolstered a roster of stars such as Michael Jordan, Sam (Sleepy) Perkins, Brad Daugherty, and long range shooting specialist Robert "Buzz" Peterson.

In the championship game, the Pack faced the Houston Cougars led by Clyde Drexler, Akeem Olajuwon, and Mr. Mean, Larry Micheaux - the team known as Phi Slama Jama because of their thunderous dunks were shut down by a relentless defense worthy of its name WOLFPACK that ended the Cougars dream season and capped NC State’s Cinderella season when Lorenzo Charles took a Dereck Whittenburg three point attempt out of the air and dunked it home for a 54-52 victory and the NCAA National Championship. 

I remember the moment as if it were yesterday, seeing Charles and the late Jim Valvano, two New York home boys hugging in their celebration. 

That's my Cinderella story, what about you?