Smokin' the Green....

What is so wrong with smoking some green now and then?  Why is it against the law again?  Somebody refresh my memory because I'm lost on this one.  Loss of vision while driving or something.  Ricky Williams of the Dolphins, as everybody knows by now, has 'retired' from the NFL at the age of 27.  He told the Miami Herald he had failed another drug test which is just one of 'more than a hundred reasons' why he doesn't want to return to football. 

Good excuse Ricky.  Run away while you still can.  Who would want to work four months a year and earn $10 mil doing so?  I know I wouldnt.  I need at least $20 mil for four months work.   Lord knows the Dolphins are never going to make the playoffs with their quarterback situation the way it is.  Jay Fiedler?  Are you serious?  Doug Pederson, Favre's backup, is better than he is (I best keep my mouth shut because when #4 retires...we are screwed).

Back to the Green though.  Baron Davis of the Charlotte...er...New Orleans Hornets once said that '90% of the NBA' smokes the green.  That is a lot of players.  I'm actually trying to come up with just three players who I think would NOT smoke weed the first chance they got.  Hang with me here...I know I can come up with a couple.  Thinking...I got it.  Nevermind...he would.  Um....then there's...wait...he's not in the NBA anymore...um....Allen Iverson?  He would never do anything like that would he?  He is as clean cut as they come.  I know it.  So it's official.  Straight from my journal...you read it here first...every NBA players smokes the ganja. 

My Top 8 Rappers who smoke the Green.

1. Snoop -- you know when you turn on MTV and see snoop he's high.  Remember the infomercials for the 'Girls Gone Wild' video's he did?  'We here in new orleeeeeeeeeeens...'  Tell me he wasn't completely gone.

 See the smoke in that pic...haha, you figure it out.

2. Dre -- see above.  just completely stoned every single day 24/7.

3. Coolio -- was he actually a rapper?  whatever.  he gets high.  good times.

4. Eminem -- i don't think i really need to explain every single one of these guys.  you see them on the tube and their eyes are all bloodshot and sh1t.  it's not hard to figure out.

5. Ice Cube -- I'm pretty sure the flick 'Friday' is not too far fetched for Cube and Chris Tucker...except for the fact they live in huge ass mansions in Hollywood instead of the ghetto of Compton.

6. House of Pain -- come on..their logo is the symbol for weed.  smoke a lil weed, do a lil X

7. Naughy by Nature -- smokin it.

8. Petey Pablo -- i honestly have no idea what this guy looks like but i've heard Freak-a-Leek enough times to know he is tokin it. 

All for medicinal purposes people...I'm sure of it.  'That's not a cigarette...thats a ciga-weed.'

The British Open

Okay...be honest.  How many of you had heard of Todd Hamilton before the British Open this weekend?  I can honestly say, being an avid golf fan, I had never heard of Mr Hamilton.  Of course, after today's final round of the open we all have.  He won the British Open in a 4 hole playoff over Ernie Els.  Of course Ernie let another major title chance slide by like so many others.  Ernie had a 12 foot putt on the last hole to win the jug. 

 Mr Hamilton and his clarett jug.

Todd Hamilton is this year's Ben Curtis and Rich Beem.  All 3, in my eyes, have come out of no where to win a major title.  Curtis in last years British and Beem a couple years back at the PGA Championship (which is being held in Sheboygan, Wisconsin this year for those that don't know...)  I know Hamilton has won many times over seas.  He has played on the Japanese tour for many years and won 11 times.  We in America do not have a clue who he is.  Unless, of course, you are from Hamilton's hometown in Illinois.  We do now, and for Todd, that is the most important thing.

Another story of the British Open is Tiger coming up short...again.  It is clearly evident why this has happened over and over again the past 2-3 years.  Elin Nordegren is her name.  Maybe you haven't seen her.  This is Tiger's wife.  She is hot.  Plain and simple.  He is putting more time into her than he did before he was with her.  I am not saying he doesn't focus on his golf game.  It is evident he does.  What I'm saying is he doesn't put as much time in as he did before.  For Tiger to be the best golfer ever he is going to have to refocus on golf. 

A good example is Pete Sampras.  He gave up having a life for the good part of a decade to become the best tennis player ever known.  Tiger was well on his way before being introduced to Elin a few years back.  Tiger is set for life either way.  He has more than enough money.  He has a beautiful wife and a strong family background.  If he wants to be remembered as the best golfer to walk the planet however, he is going to have to prioritize. 

My Top 8 Reasons on why the British Open is the best major.

1. At the British you can walk up to the gate the day of the tourney and get tickets.  Try doing that at the Masters.  Just dumb.

2. The British rotates sites to play different courses each year.

3. At the Open, not only are you playing the course you are playing the conditions (wind, rain, etc).  Makes it much more exciting.

4. Fans in Britain actually appreciate the sport.  Not touching this one.

5. I've played St Andrews.  Yessirree.  I rule.

6. Walking up the 18th fairway on the Sunday at St Andrews in 2000 next to Tiger as he wins his first British Open.  Yeah, that was me.  You must remember seeing me next to him...think dammit think.

7. Fish & Chips.  Can't get that next month at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan I'm sure of it.

8. Being able to sit in one place at St Andrews and watch 5-6 holes at the same time.  Can't do that with all the trees on the courses in America.

Don't get me wrong.  The Master's is an amazing tournament.  Do you really need to sell tickets a year in advance which gives most people zero chance of going?  Not really. 

 

Summertime

On Saturday morning, Shaquille O'Neal and his agent met with Pat Riley, General Manager of the Miami Heat, to hash out a trade which would bring the Diesel from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Heat for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and either Caron Butler or a future #1 draft pick.  O'Neal has the right to turn down any trade but hit it off with Riley in the meeting and a trade is on the horizon.  What does this do to the Eastern and the Western Conferences?  Let's break this down a little bit.

 Shaq can just worry about basketball in Miami...

First of all, the Eastern Conference will turn into a four horse race.  With O'Neal in Miami this will bring to at least 4 (Detroit, Miami, Indiana and New Jersey) the teams which have a chance to make the Finals next Spring.  I firmly believe that although the Heat are giving up most of their team, except Dwayne Wade, they may well be the team to beat in the East.  Who can match up with Shaq in the East?  Detroit would have a great shot after just winning the title by beating Shaq, Kobe and the Lakers.

For some reason, I have a feeling the Pistons will not keep everybody who took them to the top this year.  Mehmet Okur is sure to be gone and a few others might follow.  Elsewhere in the East, Kenyon Martin has received a huge deal from the Atlanta Hawks which could keep the Nets from going anywhere in the future.  The Pacers?  Still no point guard.  They aren't going anywhere.

In the West, I'm not sure this is going to shake up everything as much as I first thought it would.  I thought some team in the West would throw out a huge deal for Shaq and change the West dramatically.  Obviously this hasn't and doesn't look like it will happen.  I was waiting for the Kings to pony up some massive deal but this is the way to go for them.  Let Shaq go to the East and let the Lakers do as they will. 

Will the Lakers maintain their dominance in the West without Shaq?  They will have NO shot.  I repeat NO shot of making the Finals next year without the monster in the middle.  Yeah, Brian Grant can stick with Tim Duncan.  Please.  I understand Shaq wants out but this is the best deal the Lakers can get?  They can't get any deal without a power in the middle...not that there are a lot of solid centers in the NBA to begin with. 

 Kobe wants to be MJ and do it on his own...good luck.

I like the San Antonio Spurs to come back strong this next year with all of their pieces back and the addition of Brent Barry from the Sonics.  With Shaq out of the West no team will be able to keep up with twin towers of big Tim and Radoslav Nesterovic.  As much as I love Chris Webber, I have finally come to the conclusion he does not have what it takes to take the Kings over the hump.  I understand he was hurt most of the year and in the playoffs he played on one leg, but I've seen enough mentally and physically from him to know that whether he is 100% or not won't matter. 

So what do I see happening next year in the NBA?  The Spurs roll through the West (as long as they stay healthy) and the Pistons come through the East depending on who they are able to keep this summer.  As much as I dislike the NBA at the moment that matchup (Spurs vs Pistons) would be very appetizing.  Nesterovic/Duncan vs Sheed/Wallace, Parker/Billups, Bowen/Prince, etc.

 Sheed's staying put in Motown.

Does Darko actually get playing time for the Pistons next year?  Can KG do even more for the Timberwolves and who can help him?  Who or what can help the Kings?  Will the Nets keep K-mart?  How much can Carlos Boozer actually help the Jazz if that deal goes through?  Who else is going to walk away from the Lakers?  Boy would I love to see Kobe in a Clippers uniform this winter next to Elton Brand, Shaq in Miami, Karl Malone retired and just Gary Payton left in LA.  If you think GP pouted enough this last year think about what he would be like if the Lakers went .500.  I would personally pay good money to see that. 

My Top 8 NBA Teams in 2004-2005

1. San Antonio Spurs -- spelled out above.

2. Detroit Pistons -- again, spelled out above...Must....Keep...Sheed....

3. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Is KG going to have to do everything?  Didn't he do that this past year?

4. Sacramento Kings -- Good from far...far from good.  I just want to see the overtime Fab Five Michigan game vs Duke with Hurley and Laettner again.  Come on...you remember.  The first game all five freshman started for the Wolverines and they took Duke to the limit.  *sigh*  College basketball is still the best.

5. Miami Heat -- Obviously this is with the trade going through for Shaq. 

6. Indiana Pacers -- Love Jermaine O'Neal but the guard play will always hold them back.

7. New Jersey Nets -- I have a strong feeling K-mart is going to take the money and run.  If this happens, expect the Nets to fall.

8. Dallas Mavericks -- How about some D in Big D?  You think Dirk is working on shuffling his feet, bending his knees and guarding somebody this summer?  I don't think so either.  Keep working on those 25 foot jumpers Dirk...that will get the Mav's to the Finals...

 No pics of Dirk playing D.

Coach K to LA

What would happen to college basketball if Coach K left Duke for the Lakers?  Coach K is Duke.  He isn't just the men's college basketball coach at Duke. When you think of Duke, do you think of their football team?  I didn't think so.  If Coach K leaves for the greener (and I mean that in a cold, hard cash way) pastures of LA, what happens to Duke basketball?

I completely understand both sides of this issue.  First of all, Coach K has done all he can in college hoops.  He has won numerous NCAA titles, been to the Final Four over and over again, named coach of the year a few times, etc etc etc.  He also has dealt with, in recent years, players leaving school early and players not coming at all.  Elton Brand, Corey Magette, Luol Deng, Shaun Livingston and the list goes on.  Duke still wins and always will as long as Coach K is in Durham, but don't you think it gets a little old when all of these players take off early who shouldn't be leaving at all?  I'm not talking about Elton Brand.  I'm talking about the Corey Magette's.  Shaun Livingston promised over and over he'd be a Dookie. 

I know the money is there but it will always be.  Coach K has to deal with this every year now.  A few years ago when players said they were coming it was a given they would stay four years.  All of that has changed.  When he recruits the best players in the country Coach K knows he will have them for one year, maybe two or they wont come at all.  Wouldn't that start to weigh on you after a while?

On the other hand is coaching the Los Angeles Lakers for $8 mil per year.  Hello.  $8 MILLION.  I understand Duke could probably match that without blinking but this is Jack, Kobe and Hollywood.  Who would turn this down?  Coach K would for one.  He does love Kobe.  He recruited him out of high school.  If Kobe would have went to college, it most likely would have been to Duke because he respected Coach K so much.  Coach K could walk into the Laker's locker room and command total respect from every player in there....Shaq or not.  Gary Payton might be another story though.  Remember Gary Payton?  He signed with the Lakers 'just to win a championship,' then halfway through the season when he wasn't getting enough shots he was complaining more than a little girl at Toys 'r' Us.  He's a baby.

I really am looking forward to Coach K's decision.  He will do what is right for him and his family.  I for one would like him to stay in college basketball.  He is this generation's John Wooden.  Coach K is not a 'pro' coach.  He is in the mold of Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino, and Dean Smith.  I don't think in the long run it's a good deal for him.  He'll make the right decision and stay at Duke. 

My Top 8 College Basketball Coaches

1. Coach K, Duke-- He IS college basketball of this generation.

2. Rick Pitino, Louisville -- He is hopefully going to take Louisville to where he took Kentucky.

3. Lute Olsen, Arizona -- Done incredible things for the Wildcats even after the passing of his wife a couple years back.  Lute is a class act.

4. Rick Barnes, Texas -- As all of you know I'm a diehard Sooner fan but Barnes can recruit and coach with the best of them...unlike Mack Brown the slob who coaches UT football.  He couldn't coach his way out of a wet paper bag. 

5. Tubby Smith, Kentucky -- Who else could walk into a lion's den like UK and keep the 'Cats at the same level they have always been?  He has been under constant pressure since he took the job, primarily because he is colored, but he dominated the SEC this past year and he recruits like no other.  Keep it up Tubby.

6. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse -- Keeps the Orange at the top of the Big East year in, year out.  Lost both parents to cancer and finally got his first NCAA title in 2003 with Carmelo.  Can't cheer against the guy.

7. John Calipari, Memphis -- Taking the Tigers to the top.  He took off to the NBA to make some money after UMass, but he was born to be a college coach.  Amare Stoudamire was supposed to be at Memphis.  Think Amare could be helping Memphis right now?

8. Bo Ryan, Wisconsin -- Little biased, but what he did at UW Platteville and what he is doing for the Badgers is remarkable.  Only if Devin Harris would have stayed for his senior year...(by the way, I teach Bo's wife and daughter at the country club; nice family.

P.S. Sorry Bobby Knight fans...choking the lights out of Neil Reed pushed him right out of my list. 

Three and a half months to midnight madness, four and a half months to the preseason NIT.  I like college basketball just a little. 

What's Your Caption?

Saddam was in court in Iraq starting on Thursday.  What is your caption to this picture?  Let me start this...

'NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!  COME BACK...ONE YEAR!!!' -- Soup Nazi on Seinfeld

Comments extremely welcome.  This is going to get interesting.

Top 8 Questions Asked By Saddam Hussein When Captured

1. "Be honest...have you ever seen a nicer spider hole than this?"

2. "Who's got a coat hanger -- this beard itches like a son of a bitch!"

3. "Anyone have a mint?"

4. "Is this about the illegal music downloads?"

5. "Which describes me better right now -- 'haggard' or 'grizzled'?"

6. "How did you get past my impenetrable styrofoam brick?"

7. "Do I get the 25-million-dollar reward?"

8. "How's the war going?"