Weekend Observations

I hope you all had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. You can never have enough beer and hot dogs, but let us not forget the meaning and the symbolism behind the holiday. Support our troops! As the NBA championship approaches it's clear who the participants will be. The San Antonio Spurs have no weaknesses and the Oklahoma City Thunder have no answers. In game one of the Western Conference finals OKC blew a golden opportunity to steal a game on the Spurs homecourt. Derek Fisher played out of his mind and Kevin Durant did what he was supposed to do, but Russell Westbrook and James Harden were nowhere to be found. If they don't show up soon this series will be over in 5 games.

The Boston Celtics are an old and tired bunch. Ray Allen can barely run and Paul Pierce can't be expected to score 40 points a night. Had it not been for an impressive 2nd quarter performance Boston might have been blown out by 30 in game one of the Eastern Conference finals. Lebron is ready to be a made guy and the Celtics won't stand in his way. It will be the Heat vs. the Spurs for the Larry O'Brien trophy. Here are some observations over the weekend.

I can't decide if Nick Fairley is the re-incarnation of JaMarcus Russell or Pac Man Jones. Either way he's used up all of his nine lives and without a serious intervention he'll be out of the league in two years.

The Seattle Mariners have lost 5 straight games and have the 2nd worst record in the American League. Patience is wearing thin. It's time for manager Eric Wedge to put his real estate agent on speed dial.

Boxer Paul Williams is the latest example of why athletes and motorcycles don't mix. Following a crash in Marietta, GA over the weekend doctors aren't sure if Williams will ever walk again much less step into the ring and resume his career. 4 wheels please.

Dario Franchitti won his 3rd Indianapolis 5oo and dedicated the victory to the late Dan Wheldon. It's always nice to see a champion pay homage to a fallen comrade.

Do Female Sports Reporters Get Smashed?

For the purposes of this blog the term smashed refers to having sexual relations.


I got an interesting text from a friend last night about ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols. It read, "Do you think Rachel Nichols gets smashed after games?" I thought about it for a few seconds and responded with a definitive yes. I don't know Rachel Nichols personally and haven't heard anything on the rumor wire, but her interaction with players seems shall we say overly friendly. Without discrediting her professionalism or journalistic integrity I wouldn't be surprised to find out my suspicions were true. Does this make Rachel Nichols a bad person?

Personally I don't have a problem with it. Consenting adults should be able to see whoever they want. The extra curricular activities of players and reporters is of no concern to me unless there is a conflict of interest. So long as they remain neutral and unbiased in their commentary it really shouldn't matter. Athletes have shown us over the years that their sexual appetite knows no bounds and nothing is off limits. If you're a willing participant they will oblige.

Let us not forget ESPN is probably the most unprofessional work environment on the planet. Employees sleep with interns (Steve Phillips), fondle co-workers (Harold Reynolds), get suspended for harassment and stalking (Mike Tirico), and send inappropriate pictures of their genitalia (Sean Salisbury). Anything goes in Bristol so long as you don't get caught.

I'm sure men and women have differing opinions about my hypothesis. Women probably think I'm objectifying women and sound like a chauvinist pig. Men probably think Rachel's not the only one. To be clear this is not sexist attack on female reporters, merely an observation. I'm pretty perceptive about these things and usually don't second guess my 6th sense. If I can see the vibe Rachel Nichols gives off the players are definitely feeling it. What are your thoughts?

Kobe Bryant Is Just LikeTupac

I had almost forgotten how many Kobe Bryant haters there are out there until the Los Angeles Lakers inexplicably lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Minutes after the loss I received several discouraging phone calls, sarcastic e-mails, and down right rude text messages. I've rubbed the greatness of Kobe in the face of countless sports fans over the years and I know payback is a bitch, but did any of these people even watch the game?

Kobe Bryant went out like a "G". He put the Lakers on his back and carried them as far as they could go shooting fade away jumpers, monstrous jams, and clutch 3 pointers. He left it all on the court. He emptied the chamber. He rode it till the wheels fell off. In short his efforts were heroic and the stuff legends are made of. Is it his fault the Lakers front office has surrounded him with sub par talent? Here's a list of his pathetic supporting cast.

Andrew Bynum: A complete head case and the walking definition of a schizophrenic.

Metta World Peace: A loose cannon that could self implode at any given second.

Pau Gasol: Casper the friendly ghost in clutch situations.

Ramon Sessions: A pretty boy who was completely overwhelmed by the moment.

Matt Barnes: Could care less if his team wins or loses so long as people tune in to watch him on Basketball Wives.

Steve Blake: ??????????

Mike Brown: Could not look more goofy if he went to Disneyland and put on a Goofy costume. Easily out coached.

Jim Buss: A real life version of the Chris Farley character in Tommy Boy. His dad gave him the keys to the Bentley and he's driving it off road Johnny Knoxville style.

Kobe Bryant is in the same position that Tupac was. It's just Kobe against the world when he's on the court. Still his fire, passion, and desire won't let him go out without a fight. Even when he's under maned facing insurmountable odds he's still a threat. No one can question his heart and courage. Kobe and Tupac. Two soldiers that represent to the last breath.

Weekend Observations

The Miami Heat are now officially America's team. Like the Dallas Cowboys in the early 90's and Laker Nation in the early 2000's(The Shaq and Kobe edition) every detail surrounding the team is newsworthy and every game is life and death. If the Heat lose Pat Riley is trading D Wade to Brooklyn, Orlando, or Dallas. If the Heat win fans are deciding what to wear to the championship parade. If Lebron misses a 4th quarter shot he's a heartless scrub that can't deliver when it counts. When he goes off for 40, 18, and 9 he's the greatest player since Michael Jordan. I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Bosh's MRI was broadcast live in Dade County. The Miami Heat are sports melodrama at its finest. You love them or you hate them. There is no in between. As you guys know all too well I always take the talent so guess what side I'm on? Here are some observations over the weekend.

Kevin Durant added cold blooded assassin to his resume on Saturday with a game winning 3 pointer to beat the Lakers. The pain and heartache grows with every accomplishment. Watching this guy is like watching your mother get pistol whipped over Skype.

Once again Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic on clay to win the Italian Open. It appears he has the advantage on this surface. Sometimes minor adjustments make a world of difference.

Just when I was about to bury horse racing for good I'll Have Another makes things interesting with a win at the Preakness. No horse has won the triple crown since Affirmed in 1978. Now I have to watch the Belmont to see if history will be made.

If the Seattle Mariners played in the National league they might make the playoffs. The Mariners continued their dominance in interleague play with a sweep of the Colorado Rockies over the weekend. They should petition MLB to move to the NL West.

Are The Angels Upset With Torii Hunter?

For most parents it is instinctive to put your child's needs before all other things. Their safety and well being is the driving force that dictates how someone will respond in a certain situation. Athletes are no different. Earlier this week Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter took an indefinite leave of absence from the team to handle some legal issues surrounding his son. Hunter reportedly informed the Angels organization that he is a father first and a baseball player second.

In an era of me first athletes it's refreshing to hear a player step up and give support to his family when they need him regardless of his personal circumstances. So many times we hear about fathers (especially African American) being absent from their children's lives and maintaining strained relationships that leave emotional and psychological scars. Torii Hunter is an example of a man handling his responsibilities by making sure his son is okay before concentrating on himself. The question isn't whether Hunter is doing the right thing,the question is how do the Angels respond?

In the real world bereavement and personal issues are a part of life. Some companies have policies in place that account for these situations financially while others simply give time off but offer no monetary compensation. In the sports world players rarely miss extended periods of time for personal reasons. Games missed and the money involved provide incentive to return to action from any tragedy as quickly as possible.

Torii Hunter makes $18,500,000 a year and is an integral part of the Angels success. He is a leader in the clubhouse and popular with his teammates which makes the situation even more delicate. Should the Angels pay him in his absence? Do they demand he comes back to the team in a certain amount of time. Do they harbor animosity if he's gone too long? No one knows for sure what the Angels organization is thinking, but I'm sure they're not happy outside forces are affecting the performance of their investment. Hopefully they tread lightly, but you never know with these things. Stay tuned.

Jimmy Johnson: The Greatest Football Coach Of All Time

This year Miami Hurricane and Dallas Cowboy coach Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the college football hall of fame and if you ask me it's long overdue. Some of you may know him for his commentary on FOX NFL Sunday, his brief stint on Surivor, or his shamelss endorsement of the Extenze product, but make no smitake aboutr it Jimmy Johnson is the most influential coach of the last 25 years.

First and foremost he is the architect of a program that embodied his confident, arrogant, trash talking personality. He fostered a culture built on speed, athleticism, and intimidation. During his tenure at thde UNiversity of Miami (affectionatelty referred to as "The U" in ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary) Johnson won a national championship and flooded the pros with names like Michael Irvin, Vinny Testaverde, Russell Maryland, Brian Blades, Jerome Brown, and Cortez Kennedy. Their impact on the NFL is undeniable and the tradition of recruiting boastful, self expressive, supremely talented players at The U has carried on for two decades.

In addition, Jimmy Johnson is the architect of the Dallas Cowboys of the early 90's. Johnson stocked the Cowboy roster with former Hurricane players and won back to back Super Bowls. Had it not been for a clash of egos with owner Jerry Jones it's safe to say Johnson would have picked up two more Lombarid trophies easy. Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Troy Aikman were unstoppable.

Jimmy Johnson is one of two coaches to win a national championship in college and a Super Bowl in the pros. The other coach on this prestigious list (Barry Switzer) won his Super Bowl with the team Jimmy assembled so I don't give him too much credit. Jimmy Johnson was a pioneer and a maverick who's ability to assess and cultivate talent can't be overstated. I'll leave you with a few of my favorite Johnson quotes.

On recruiting at Miami: You don't come to Miami to be the best player in school history, you come to Miami to be the best player that's ever played your position.

On his life's philosophy: I have two priorities. Number one is football. Number two is raising my sons.

On coaching: Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat him as he could be, and he will become what he should be.

Congrats on the Hall Jimmy. It is well deserved.

Josh Hamilton Is on Steroids

Josh Hamilton is a man on fire. The Texas Rangers slugger is batting .400 with 18 home runs and 44 RBI. He is currently on pace to hit 86 home runs and 210 RBI's for the season. It's not even June and Hamilton has practically put the MVP race out of reach. The Rangers have the 2nd best record in baseball due in large part to their all world center fielder. Some would even argue Josh Hamilton is the best player in baseball. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

If you're a cynic like me that has listened to countless confessions, testimonials, and court cases you're thinking Josh Hamilton is on steroids. When a player starts putting up video game like numbers a red flag instantly goes up because we've seen this before. Every time we try to give a baseball player the benefit of the doubt we get smacked in the face with a harsh dose of reality. The sad and honest truth is baseball players are human, not heroes. They face immense pressure to perform on the field and the better they play the more money they make. Wouldn't you take an extra pill or a shot of something if you could earn hundreds of millions of dollars?

The one thing Josh Hamilton has going in his defense is that he's not your average player. Hamilton won the MVP in 2010 and has led the Rangers to the World Series in consecutive years. His battle with substance abuse has been well chronicled and his path to the majors was long and arduous. Perhaps Josh sees his baseball career as a blessing and won't do anything to jeopardize it.

Then again he is in the last year of his contract and the market for someone with his skill set is 24 to 30 million dollars. Even if money isn't important to you those kind of numbers will catch your attention. By all accounts Josh Hamilton seems like a genuine guy and I have no proof to the contrary, but I'd rather be proven wrong after the fact as opposed to gullible from the start. If it seems too good to be true it usually is.