Notes from around the world of sports:

Remember when Charles Barkley used to talk about possibly running for Governor of Alabama.  I've got 5-1 that's not happening.  (I'll even give points).

Great playoffs this year in the NBA.  Will it translate into higher TV ratings and popularity for the game?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  College basketball has universal appeal, but the pro game doesn't.  In theory the NBA should overtake the NFL.  In reality, it's not close.

The question has changed from whether the Patriots cheated to whether it helped them on the field.  If you accept that Bill Belichick is a very smart coach, and he is, why would he have taken such risks if there was no advantage?  We're not talking the 1919 WhiteSox, but what New England did to the intergrity of the game is in that neighborhood.

A Florida player used the gas card of a young woman who died in an accident with her boyfriend who played for the Gators.  Pretty awful, even by college sports standards, and the player was kicked off the team.  But where is the accountability for the coaching staff that recruited him?  College coaches bring bad actors on campus and put up with misconduct,  then act shocked when it crosses a line.  Coaches preach accountability to players.  They should practice it.

The NFL has it's own character problems.  Off season arrests are stuck at the same levels as the past, regardless of Commissioner Goodale's actions against the likes of PacMan Jones.  Sports is like education.  It all starts at home.

When is Tony Stewart going to find a groove?  Arguably the best driver in NASCAR has finished no better than 4th in his last five races.  Stewart's driving style hasn't changed, but he's like a jockey coming down the stretch without enough horse under him.  Is the real problem in the garage at Joe Gibbs racing?

The Saint Louis Cardinals will get Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter back at some point this season.  Already in the hunt, that will be the equivalent of two pretty good in-season trades without giving up a player.  Most observers want to concede the NL Central to the Cubs, but St. Louis and Houston can't be counted out.

Speaking of the Astros, has anyone noticed the numbers Lance Berkman has hung up?  Fifteen home runs, 43 RBI, and a .391 average.  It works out to 57 home runs and 165 RBI.  It could be one of the great seasons of modern baseball, and without even a suggestion of steroids. 

Which makes you think.  What is ARod doing for his $28 million?  Four home runs, 11 RBI, .285.   When you see Rodriquez and Tulowitzski going out with quadriceps injuries you start to believe strength training is a two edged sword.  Today's players have more power than ever, but at the cost of durability.

Quick.  Who is in the Stanley Cup chase?  I don't know and I like to think I'm a hockey fan.  The league took in alot of money in franchise fees and expanded to non-traditional markets to increase interest in the sport.  Now there are no more than two good lines (if that) on teams and the quality of the game has eroded badly.  Soon nobody will care.

Women's sports lost their best tennis player (Henin) and best golfer (Sorenstram) in the same week.  Imagine if baseball lost Jeter and basketball Howard at the same time.  They could sustain the loss, but will women's tennis and golf be able to?  Hard to see how.

Big Brown should win the Triple Crown.  But without a rival there to challenge in each race and build interest it will be the least exciting triple in racing history.  The horse lacks something.  You hate to say it, because it is an animal we're talking about, but there is a personality issue there (or lack of one).

And finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers.