The time has come. To all my friends whose paths I have intersected, I thank you. I apologize if I was an unwanted intersecter, if that's even a word. I would love to list those bloggers and friends that I have met and interacted with since I first showed up on this doorstep in May of 2006, but I would inevitably leave someone out. So I'm falling back on my reputation, and my gambling nature, and betting that you know who you are. 

I first showed up here on a rush. The Phoenix Suns were undermanned and underdogs, yet still managed to split the first two games in Dallas in the western conference finals that year. And I was excited, looking for some coverage on the 'little team that could,' or so I hoped,  get to the mountaintop. In fact, I was so pumped I even wrote my first blog that night. Or maybe my second one. Oh what the hell, you can look all of that up, so I won't bother going into it any further.

I have met some extremely great writers and people on this site. Of course when I say "met," I mean via the written word, for the most part. And I am thankful to Fox Sports for giving me the opportunity to express my (sometimes bent) offerings, and for the forum to interact with all.

So thank you Fox. I will be etenally grateful. Thank you to all of you who have read my musings and have given me support and an impetus to write the next one. You may not realize it, but you are what kept me going. And keep this in mind readers--support and appreciate those that spend their time saying something wortwhile. And also keep in mind that criticism is easy, relationships are not. But they're worth it.

There are some writers here that I have gleaned some knowledge from. In some cases, quite a bit. I only hope that I imparted some to them in return.

And now, I bid you all the grandest adieu. Aim high and shoot straight.

And thanks for taking the time to read. 

The Phoenix Suns hosted the Seattle Sonics, or I guess that would be Supersonics under the circumstances, in a 40th anniversary celebration tonight. I turned the game on the local outlet, KUTP, minutes before it started. It was black and white, and they listed the Supersonics’ starting lineup, then the Suns’, complete with numbers and letters which took up nearly the whole screen. As the teams were warming up, I noticed Steve Nash had a headband on. So did Boris Diaw, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire, and a few others. Maybe they all did. Seeing Nash in a headband was quite odd, though with his long, stringy hair by today’s standards, he somehow fit the part. (Diaw would be the lone Sun who kept his headband on the entire game).

Once the game started, it was shown primarily from one camera, about mid-level on the side, which would follow the action back and forth. The only exception would be during a free throw, when the camera angle was the same but slightly lower on the side, with a slightly closer shot. And the score would show only after every two or three baskets, not every possession. The only constant on the screen was the clock near the top, just big enough to see but not in the way of anything. No the shot clock, not a sponsor, not any stats on runs, points in the paint, fast break points—nothing. And they even had the little hair-like lines which meandered across the picture from time to time, like it was in the old days. And whenever they did show a player and his number, it was in big block-like fashion, such as

44 - KURT THOMAS 

Except it was in white, of course, covering the entire bottom of the screen. And wasn’t always very visible if the background was white. (Man, they thought of EVERYTHING!)  Unfortunately, the Suns played like a first year team in the first quarter, trailing by 20 at its conclusion. Strangely enough, as I felt like I was watching a replay of an old game, I wasn’t too concerned. Guess I was lost in time and was enthralled by the broadcast more than the score.

By the way, there were no short-shorts or throwback jerseys involved. And no, the refs didn’t suddenly decide to call traveling or palming the ball, which may have helped snap me back into reality. But at every commercial, appropriate music was played, starting with some Doors and progressing chronologically as the game went on. And a highlight of a past Suns’ great was shown. Connie Hawkins, Alvan Adams, Walter “Sweet D” Davis, Paul Westphal, Kevin Johnson, and on and on. Speaking of being snapped back into reality, an anti-smoking commercial was shown near the end of the first period, when I half-expected to see “I’d walk a mile for a Camel.”

At the start of the second quarter, the game was shown in color. Although it was ‘70s style color. In other words, it was a little sloppy-with bright colors sometimes “following” a player, or the court luminating unexcpectedly when the camera would move. Priceless, I tell you. And still the simple block letters telling the team names and score, although now covering only the bottom third of the screen rather than half. But still only periodically, and briefly.

At different points in the first half, the Suns brought former and current broadcasters on. George Allen was asked to do the last minute of the half; “Nash for threeeeee- - got it,” he said, growling the last two words. Al McCoy, recent hall of fame inductee and longtime Suns radio announcer who did simulcasts for a long time, led off the second quarter with former partner Greg Schulte, who now does play-by-play for the Diamondbacks. Seemed like old times. Gary Bender also sat in for awhile. Former Sun Eddie Johnson, who is the normal cohort of Tom Leander and former partner of Bender, offered the most consistent, high-quality insight. As he usually does.

The Supersonics scored 33 in the first quarter, but only 30 during the second and third combined. And the Suns ended up winning by eight. And to cap of####reat night, my guy Shawn Marion did a post game interview with Leander. Just before the interview concluded, Leander mentioned that they had discussed different ring of honorees and shown highlights of each during the game. And how he said they needed to make room for the Matrix. Marion seemed a little humbled and said he would be honored. As they bid their adieus, Marion sang, “Tooooom Leander,” and mutual respect was obvious. Perhaps that was a “guess you had to be there” moment, since my description doesn’t convey the feeling.

There was more, so much more. Like McCoy recalling a “Ron Lee Floor Score” contest that a station had run one season while Lee was with the team in the late ‘70s and was known for diving for loose balls. Fans were invited to keep track during the season, and the winner at the end won a new waterbed. Or opening of the broadcast with Leander and Johnson looking like Mod Squad wanna-bees, complete with old-style microphones. Or the highlights of past Suns greats leading into commercials. Ah, the memories. And I loved the cheerleaders’ getup during the second (‘70s?) quarter, complete with orange tops and hot pants, oversized white earrings and white calf-high boots. And I didn’t watch a second of the game on TNT, which I imagine didn’t pick it up until the Bulls and Blazers were done overtiming. And I understand that in today’s NBA. But fortunately I didn’t have to deal with that on this evening. For a brief time at least, I got to be in the middle of nostalgia. And it was beautiful. Thanks to KUTP TV, the Phoenix Suns, and all who played a part in the first 39 years.

And thanks for taking the time to read.

The New England Patriots defeated the New York Giants in Giants’ Stadium tonight, 38-35. At least that’s what the box score, the talking heads, and the hype-mongers who can’t think for themselves will tell you. And it’s too bad that most of us will buy into that result. But the fact of the matter is that the Patriots were exposed. But more on that later. The league was also exposed. And frankly, so was I. Like most of you, tonight was the first time I had access to a game on the NFL Network. And silly me for not realizing beforehand that the NFL Network, which is run by the NFL-hence, the name-would not tell it like it is. Nary a discouraging word from Cris Collinsworth, Bryant Gumbel, or anybody else in that rarified air, regarding the officiating. But why would there be? It’s their network. And there’s the disturbing part. Plaxico Burress was held and dragged down before Eli Manning’s pass arrived, with the official five yards away and watching it intently. No call. Shortly thereafter, the Giants linebacker numbered 58, who played a whale o####ame, had the ball hit him while he was covering Randy Moss. Pass interference? I guess, in today’s NFL. Let’s make sure we tell that linebacker not to cover that receiver so close. The nerve of him. {And let’s all wait with baited breath for the league to alter the rules in the off-season, yet again, to favor the offense. I doubt it surprises anyone anymore). I realize that on the next play after the no-call on the Giants receiver being pulled down, they scored. But that doesn’t make the no-call go away. And what happened on the Giants’ kickoff return early in the fourth quarter, when a penalty was called on the sideline? I’m not sure. And I’m not saying it was a bad call. Because, like I said, I don’t know. We weren’t informed. Or shown. And, like I said, I should have seen this coming, but announcers on a network run by the NFL won’t tell you. Don’t know why I was expecting them to. Guess I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes. But that would be like J. Edgar Hoover doing a PSA (Public Service Announcement, for those of you under 30. And J. Edgar Hoover was in charge of the FBI back in - - never mind) telling you to watch out for sneaky ####s with lots of power.

Anyway, the Pats were exposed tonight. Actually, not just tonight. It’s been ongoing, and something the NMHM (National Media Hype Machine) had neglected to tell you, or simply ignored. Why would they get in the way o####ood story? Can’t blame them, I guess. They have a job to do. But a team that has a balanced offense and a defense who will not be fooled by a one-dimensional offense {See Jacksonville Jaguars} will knock the Patriots out of the playoffs. You heard it here first. Okay, maybe you’ve heard it before, and just didn’t believe it. But prepare yourself. The champs of Super Bowl whatever-the-number-is-this-year reside in Florida. Oh, I almost forgot; as long as we don’t have to deal with incompetent officials.

I must say, I darn near laughed out loud when Cris Collinsworth quoted Tiger Woods after the game, saying he (Tiger) expected to win every time out, like the Patriots do. Of course the glaring difference is that Tiger controls his own fate. And once again, I was reminded why golf is the greatest sport on earth. Say what you want about them not being athletes, and it not being a sport. But there is no other place than a golf course where everything about you is there for the world to see. There is no other competition whose outcome rests solely on your performance. The good, the bad, and the ugly. No official’s calls, either in your favor or against. No substitutions when you need one. And anyone who’s played golf has needed one at one time or another. No timeouts. And no other competition has results that are based as much on one’s ability to perform. It’s you, the course, and the competition. No officials’ decisions on whether it was interference or not. A charge, a block, or a no-call. A borderline strike, or ball four. Nope. Just you and your ability. And that, sports fans, is what we’re after. Isn’t it?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

I’m one of those people who just have never liked sequels. Or remakes, for that matter. Once I’ve seen a movie, the sequel(s) usually turn out to be more of the same, and don’t live up to the hype. Sure, there are a few exceptions: Back To The Future II was pretty good, but that was planned from the get-go. Although the third installment, true to form, left something to be desired. All three Final Destination flicks were pretty good, too, if you like that genre. There are a few others-very few. But I stopped after the second Rocky, the first Rambo, and the first Lethal Weapon. I guess I just didn’t see the point. My kids did convince me to watch the remake of When A Stranger Calls about a year ago. Having seen the original, the second offering was a waste of time. Even they thought so, and they hadn’t seen the first one. But want to.

As the Phoenix Suns are once again flying high, though the recent back to back losses have them sitting at 11-4, (yawn), I can’t help but think that we’ve seen this all before. As usual, their big three of Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, and Amare Stoudemire will guarantee that they are one of the more formidable teams in the league, and a joy to watch. And again, their top seven players-add in Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa, and Boris Diaw-are probably as good as anybody’s. Throw in Brian Skinner, who has been a pleasant surprise in the middle with his athleticism, shot blocking, and ability to connect from mid-range AND the free throw line, and you have an eight man squad that I’d put money on against anyone. Just as I would have on last year’s eight. Problem is, NBA teams are allowed to dress 12. Which most nights are wasted wages to those who collect a paycheck for laundering the Suns’ jerseys.

 That wasn’t the case in the preseason or the first couple weeks of the season. As head coach Mike D’Antoni does every year, he gave decent minutes to backup point guard Marcus Banks, frontliner Sean Marks, and sniper Eric Piatkowski. And the team’s two rookies, D.J. Strawberry and Alando Tucker, saw significant time in the preseason, adding an energy on both ends of the court that stuck out like a sore thumb. Tucker was recently sent to the developmental league, and Strawberry may be headed there too in the not-to-distant future. I have a hard time believing that another team as much in need of young, quick guard play as the Suns are wouldn’t be able to find a spot for these guys in the rotation.

It appears that D’Antoni’s main problem with Marcus Banks is that he’s not Steve Nash. But nobody is. And after some steady performances and a solid game against the Kings just over a week ago, in which he was leading the break, throwing some no-look passes, and playing solid defense, Banks hasn’t seen the floor. In the same time, Nash’s average minutes per game have risen slightly, from around 33 prior to just under 36 since. And while Nash is playing at an unbelievable level right now, there are still 60-plus games to go. This is not an indictment of Nash, but everyone knows that, while in excellent condition, he would be best served by scaling back on the playing time a bit. Common sense would say that an average of around 30-32 minutes per game, and 16-18 for Banks, would serve both players much better come May. But unfortunately, I’ve seen this before. It won’t happen.

Grant Hill was immediately anointed a starter upon his inking the contract, and I’m not sure why. Not that he doesn’t have a starter’s ability, but his current average of 35 minutes per game-we’re still in November-doesn’t bode well for the spring. The optimum situation would have been bringing Hill off the bench for 20-25 minutes, to keep him and everyone else relatively fresh throughout the season. But as we have seen, a definite pattern has been established. A prequel, if you will.

Today, D’Antoni lamented in the East Valley Tribune (www.eastvalleytribune.com) that his team doesn’t seem to be enjoying themselves much these days. While they’re still winning, they don’t have the enthusiasm of the team from three years ago. Which is somewhat understandable, since the pressure then was almost non-existent compared to now. But at the same time, a deeper rotation and an infusion from the bench, including the afore-mentioned rookies, could do nothing but help the overall attitude. He went on to say that his team was playing uptight and without the free flowing energy of years past. Hey coach, you think it’s bad now? Wait until the end of the season, when those top seven or eight guys on your roster have the off-season in the back of their mind so they can get some rest. You no longer have to defend yourself when it comes to your style of play. We saw last year you have no qualms about going head to head with Dallas or San Antonio. Nor do you have to explain your team’s lack of consistent defense. It has shown that, in a big game, it can play it when it has to-provided you have all yours weapons at your disposal. More on that to follow. But, as has been written by yours truly in this space in the past, you have yet to answer the shallow bench criticism. And therein lies the problem.

Three years ago, the revamped Suns sprinted to the best record in the league, but lost to the Spurs in the conference finals, even though Stoudemire was a beast, averaging 37 points per game. A healthy Joe Johnson, who broke his face against Dallas in the previous round, may have helped. But not to worry. This was a team on the rise. Two years ago, Stoudemire was on the shelf and two new starters were replacing Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson. But despite all the doom and gloom predictions, and thanks to Nash’s second MVP season and a season for the ages from Shawn Marion, the overachieving Suns once again slipped into the conference finals, where they lost to the Mavericks in six games. We could’ve done without Raja Bell pulling a calf muscle, though. Especially since the rotation was already stretched about as thin as could be. Last season, I was convinced that the Suns were getting over the hump. Their two long winning streaks, their late season erasure of a 15 point fourth quarter deficit at Dallas to win in overtime, and their victory at San Antonio in game four of their series after trailing by 11 midway through the fourth told me the Suns were tough, hungry, and ready. Well, at least eight of them were. But when the eight became six, they came up short yet again. Even in game five, without Stoudemire and Diaw, the Suns led throughout until late in the fourth. Then they ran out of gas. Kind of like a sequel that tries to thrive off the previous edition. It just never seems to work.

Perhaps next off-season, the trade rumors regarding Shawn Marion will be replaced by the search for a new coach. Which would make a lot more sense. Without Marion, the Suns are no better than a five seed. After all, the Suns have won with a ####ed-up-Nash. They’ve won without Stoudemire. But without the ever-durable and supremely consistent Marion, they would be at a loss. And without D’Antoni? Who knows. But his window, if not the Suns', is about to be closed for maintenance.  I know. I've already seen this movie.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

TEMPE, AZ.- Following Arizona State’s 44-20 victory over the Washington Huskies, Sun Devil athletic director Lisa Love made a somber announcement at the post game press conference. The win pushed Arizona State to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Pac-10. And their ranking, 14th coming into the contest and a possible top 10 ranking next week, gives Sun Devil football a lot of momentum. However, the feel-good moment was short lived. Love solemnly disclosed that the Sun Devil football program would be shut down for a week, and would not re-open until two weeks from tonight, on October 27th against the Bears of Cal. Love cited necessary maintenance to the team bandwagon for the decision.

“With all that’s gone on this season, such as several highly-touted teams losing, both in the conference and nationally, we-well, actually I, it was my decision-decided it was time to prepare the Sun Devil bandwagon for the road ahead. These preparations will include an oil change, new tires, replacing the shocks, spark plugs, and just a full maintenance inspection in general. Any areas of concern will be addressed and rectified.” In addition, the seating area on the bus is to be renovated to accommodate approximately 5,000 more fans according to Sparky, who commented on the condition that he not be identified.

“We just felt that the time is now to ensure that there will be no glitches as we head to the home stretch. It’s unfortunate, and it is with great regret that I am announcing that our game against Bye next week will be canceled. Please note that this is being done with the sole intention of ensuring that those who already use the bus and those who will use it the remainder of the season will be able to do so in the utmost comfort. It’s the fans we care about, and we will always keep their best interests at the forefront of what we do here in Tempe.”

Following the Sun Devils 523 yards of total offense against the Huskies, including 296 yards on the ground, the momentum is certainly in their favor. Add to this the fact that they find themselves the lone unbeaten team in the Pac-10 conference, and Love’s decision seems to be a wise one, though unprecedented.

“Our game against the Cal Bears at Sun Devil Stadium on the 27th of this month will be played as scheduled,” Love continued, “and I guarantee you that the bandwagon will be back better than ever at that time. We are simply trying to be proactive in this matter. If it fails to work out, I will take full responsibility. Well, along with my advisor of course, Rick O.” Oddly, Love had a look of satisfaction while answering subsequent questions and upon making her way out of the press conference.

 Head Coach Dennis Erickson, when reached for comment, joked, “She’s the boss. She hired me, so she obviously knows what she’s doing. Seriously though, I think it’s a great decision on her part. We’ve got some guys who could use the rest on both sides of the ball. And let’s face it, the bandwagon could use a little expansion.”

Thanks for taking the time to read.

{Obligatory but probably unnecessary disclaimer: This post was written as fiction. Well, most of it.}

Let's get something straight here, folks. For those who don't remember, Mr. Bud Selig was in command during the '94 strike, the subsuquent home run explosion of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in '98, and everything since. Blame Barry if you must, but the fact of the matter is that Selig and his cronies allowed all of this to go on. And in a fitting display, Selig had his hands in his pockets when Bonds hit #755. No one should be surprised by this. It's the same place his hands were when all of this started. Same s***, different year.

Glad you a-holes ran Faye Vincent out of office.

How does that egg taste, Bud? Get used to it. There's lots more where that came from.

In the past week, we were hit with another perfect example of why Pete Rose has yet to sniff Cooperstown. Depending on our allegiances, we sports fans will put up with just about anything. Michael Vick still has his supporters, as do Pacman Jones and Barry Bonds. But blindside the American public with a revelation that the playing field wasn’t level, and that we were fooled in the process? Different story, indeed. When we learn that we put stock into a competition where the outcome may have been unduly and unnecessarily influenced, we don’t take it too well. Once a shred of credibility is attached to a falsified outcome, conspiracy theories run amok. Whether it’s a fixed game or the JFK assassination, they are there, although most are simply too far-fetched, too over the top, or can be made to sound far too convenient. What fueled the fire of the problem, of course, is that doubt was created in the first place.

 At his recent press conference regarding Tim Donaghy, David Stern appeared as we’d never seen him before; a defendant painted into a corner on the witness stand, rather than the confident-some would say over confident-head of the NBA. Stern has been lauded often for his achievements as commissioner, though one has to wonder how difficult it must have been to take over a league that had already had the kick-start of a lifetime courtesy of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who were entering their prime, and was about to add a soon-to-be-superstar named Michael Jordan in Stern’s first season.

 Critics of Stern would cite things such as a sometimes arrogant and condescending manner, (witness his interview with Dan Patrick on ESPN radio during the Suns-Spurs series, which, in a classic bit of irony, came roughly a week after Donaghy officiated game three), his staunch position that his officials were the most well-trained, best qualified, and most highly monitored in all of sports, and his tendency to sound as though he was lecturing us feeble-minded basketball fans. And those critics wouldn’t be too far off on any of these.

 Without a doubt, NBA basketball is the most difficult to officiate of all the major team sports. Nearly every call, from traveling to three seconds to almost every foul, is a judgment call, and being an NBA referee is an unenviable task indeed. However, Stern’s unconditional defense, or should I say outright praise, of his referees in the past has grated on many. Especially since the product on the floor has not measured up, in the opinion of the vast majority of fans. And when one takes into consideration his decisions regarding the situations of some of his officials in recent history, i.e., the cash-for-first-class-tickets and some bouts with tax evasion, his track record suddenly becomes very ordinary. I’m all for giving folks a second chance, but since Stern tried to convince us ad nauseum that his league’s standards were much higher, one has no choice but to come to the conclusion that Stern did not meet his own verbalized standards. On the credibility scoreboard, he needs a slump-buster.

 Stern said in his press conference, “I feel betrayed by what happened on behalf of the sport, regardless of how protective I’ve been.” Two observations come to mind. First, at least he admitted he’s been protective. We all knew it, and he’s now acknowledging it. That’s a start. Secondly, he is not the only one who feels betrayed. NBA fans do too. And when all is said and done, we are the ones who dictate the success of his league. With the finals ratings spiraling downward, Mr. Stern cannot afford to misstep on this one. Since some cynics will say, for example, that Mr. Stern is more of the problem rather than the solution, since it may come out and be verified that Donaghy had prior gambling issues that the league knew about, Stern is now in a zero tolerance position.

 Stern’s new ball didn’t work out very well. Neither did his own zero tolerance answer to players, coaches and in some cases owners, who complained about the quality of officiating, only to have Stern respond with quicker technical fouls being called and even stiffer fines for the critics. His “best officials in all of sports” never were, and it was downright laughable that he consistently preached otherwise. Mr. Stern is living in our world now, his attention diverted towards trying to figure out how to fix a game that once was great, (and that a great game was only once fixed?), rather than trying to convince us that all is well, and how dare we infer otherwise. And if the trade off is his paying less attention to what his players wear off the court and more to the legitimacy of the game on the court, I will gladly take it. If another trade off is the ceasing of his convoluted view of the quality of officiating for a consistent, unbiased application of the rule book, I’ll take that too. In a heartbeat. It’s what we’ve all been yearning for all along.

 We may learn down the road that the problem runs deeper than “A rogue, isolated criminal,” as Stern said in reference to Donaghy in the press conference. He also said that it was limited to only one, as far as he knew. But a couple months ago he would have STERN-ly admonished us for implying that there was even one doing it. For the sake of you and the league, Mr. Stern, I certainly hope you’re right this time. The ball--the classic leather version hopefully--is in your court. Now tap into those millions of dollars in fines you’ve collected and address an upgrade in officiating. It's unfortunate it's taken this dilemma for you to do so, but at least the funds will be put to good use.  

Thanks for taking the time to read.