It’s 3 AM…

And I just got home from one of the craziest nights in Grizzlies history.  The massive 8 player trade that sent O.J. Mayo to Memphis wasn’t officially consummated until roughly 1:30 am, meaning that Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace wasn’t available to talk about the deal until (and I checked my watch) 1:48 am.  There can’t have been a later press conference in Memphis sports history (note to self: ask George about this later).  And Wallace was rightfully a bit giddy about the whole thing.  But how did we get to this point?

Wallace said that the T-Wolves and the Grizzlies had been informally discussing things here and there beginning last Saturday at Mayo’s workout in Chicago.At that time, he couldn’t imagine anything would happen with Minnesota.  But things change, and situations can dictate actions.  Such was the case with this trade.  After the Grizzlies acquired the rights to Kansas PF Darrell Arthur, it gave them a degree of flexibility to go out and make a trade involving Kevin Love, the player whom they had originally drafted at 5.

After discussions involving Kevin McHale, Chris Wallace, Michael Heisley, and many others, this was the deal completed only hours ago:

O.J. Mayo, Greg Buckner, Marko Jaric, and Antoine Walker for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal.

I’ve criticized the Grizzlies and Chris Wallace in the past for either passivity or stupidity in making moves, but this is simply amazing.  I would have never imagined the Grizzlies would have a chance to grab a potentially franchise-changing player like Mayo without giving up a serious part of their core, and yet they did exactly that.  Now, you’ve got Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo, and Rudy Gay as a young, athletic backcourt that can grow together in Memphis.  And you manage to throw in Darrell Arthur, a player who no one expected would last past the 18th spot?  The Grizzlies NEVER do things like this…totally unexpected, out of the blue, shrewd trades on draft night are reserved for other teams…not the Griz.  But tonight was different.  Just like it’s sure as hell different to be writing this blog entry at 3 am.

What a night.  Er…morning.

Will’s Mock Draft, Final Version

From what I’m hearing trade talks are definitely heating up between the Grizzlies and a number of teams (Charlotte, Miami, etc.) about trades. Hopefully, at least one of these will come to fruition and hopefully it will be one in which Michael Beasley ends up in Memphis. So here goes.

1. Chicago: Derrick Rose. The Bulls could screw everything by taking Michael Beasley, but they will go for Rose.

2. Miami: Michael Beasley. I strongly doubt that Miami will keep the pick, as I think they will find a trade partner somewhere, be it Memphis, Minnesota, or Seattle. If they pick Mayo, Riley is a moron.

3. Minnesota: OJ Mayo. If Kevin McHale picks anyone other than Mayo, he’s a moron.

4. Seattle: Brook Lopez. Lots of speculation about Russell Westbrook and Jerryd Bayless here, but I think they go with Lopez.

5. Memphis: Eric Gordon. For a long time, I have thought they would take Kevin Love, but I think they’ll go Gordon here, because they can address power forward later in the first round. Barring a trade, of course (crossing fingers).

6. NY Knicks: Russell Westbrook. The Knicks need someone to lead their revival, and I think they go with Westbrook.

7. LA Clippers: Jerryd Bayless. If Westbrook falls, they’ll take him, but I don’t think Bayless falls any farther.

8. Milwaukee: Joe Alexander. I love Joe Alexander. I think he’ll be awesome.

9. Charlotte: Kevin Love. Don’t think Love can slip any farther than this, but don’t rule out a deal involving the Grizz and Bobcats involving this pick.

10. NJ Nets: Danilo Gallinari. I would love to say something insightful here, but I have only seen highlight reels of the guy.

11. Indiana: Anthony Randolph. A huge risk…he has lots of Stro-tential. Now that they have TJ Ford, they need to replace Jermaine O’Neal.

12. Sacramento: Brandon Rush. In all likelihood, Ron Artest is gone, so they need a swing defender who can also hit shots. Rush fits the bill.

13. Portland: DJ Augustin. They need a point guard, and I think Augustin would be a great fit in Portland.

14. Golden State: Kosta Koufos. A big man who can run…sounds like a Don Nelson kind of guy. Don’t rule out Jason Thompson.

15. Phoenix: Darrell Arthur. Are trying to trade Boris Diaw…Arthur would be a nice replacement.

16. Philadelphia: Mareese Speights. Lots of Stro-tential here also. Philly is targeting a big man with their pick.

17. Indiana: Robin Lopez. I think they go even bigger with their second pick.

18. Washington: Mario Chalmers. Gives them a true point guard to put beside Gilbert Arenas (assuming they re-sign him).

19. Cleveland: DeAndre Jordan. Should have gone back to school, but can work with Zydrunas for a couple of years until he’s ready.

20. Charlotte: Donte Green. I have no idea from here on out.

21. NJ Nets: JaVale McGee. Very raw, but has great upside.

22. Orlando: Courtney Lee. Great workout with the Grizzlies…don’t be surprised if they try and trade up from 28 to get him.

23. Utah: Roy Hibbert. Big and slow, like Greg Ostertag. Jerry Sloan will love him.

24. Seattle: Nicolas Batum. Sure.

25. Houston: Alexis Ajinca. Jeff Weinberger’s favorite player goes to a place where he can learn to play under Yao and Dikembe.

26. San Antonio: Serge Ibaka. Mark my words…San Antonio will draft at least one player in this draft you have never heard of. He won’t play for a couple of years, and then he will come over and be awesome.

27. Portland: Chris Douglas-Roberts. He was this close to coming to Memphis.

28. Memphis: JJ Hickson. I would love this pick here…he would have been a lottery pick next year.

29. Detroit: Jason Thompson. Don’t know. Just guessing.

30. Boston: Nathan Jawai. Don’t need any immediate help, so they’ll store this guy abroad for a couple of years.

I hope tonight will be exciting. I’m guaranteeing that this will be at least 10% accurate.

Gaston Mock Draft (Tope 10 Selections)

The NBA Draft takes place Thursday, and for what it’s worth, here are my predictions for the Top 10………

1) Chicago-Derrick Rose (They can’t pass on him despite Kirk Hinrich inked for 5 more years)

2) Miami-Michael Beasley (Rumors are swirling that Pat Riley would like to trade the pick for the right package. I’ll believe it when I see it)

3) Minnesota-O.J. Mayo (Early indication had the T-Wolves taking Brook Lopez, but there’s no way they pass up on the athletic Mayo)

4) Seattle-Jerryd Bayless (this one is tough. Russell Westbrook is the hot name but I think the Sonics can use a scoring guard

5) Memphis-Kevin Love (The Grizzlies could surprise cand trade, but I think when push comes to shove, they’ll go with the safe choice. Eric Gordon is rumored to be in the picture, but unless Mike Miller is dealt, I don’t see it.

6) New York-Russell Westbrook (The Knicks are known for doing some weird things…Renaldo Balkman? Look for them to pass up on Gordon and Danillo Gallinari and select the talented Mr. Westbrook)

7) L.A. Clippers-Eric Gordon (I think the Clips end up making a deal, however if they keep the pick, they’ll take sharpshooter Eric Gordon) Milwaukee-Joe Alexander (The Bucks love this kid and his work ethic. He’s the pick as they will go American after a couple of foreign choices the past few years)

9) Charlotte-Brook Lopez (Michael Jordan and the Cats take the big guy from Stanford to play alongside the often injured but very talented Emeka Okafor)

10) New Jersey-Danilo Gallinari (The Nets will go Italian and take the best foreign player available in Gallinari. This kid will either be the next Nowitzki or an absolute bust)

There’s my thoughts, now tell me how you feel……Greg

Tuesday Ramblings

Thoughts I’ve had while counting down the minutes till the first episode of “Celebrity Family Feud.”

The NBA Draft is just a couple days away and unlike the last couple of years, I really don’t have a very good idea of what the Grizzlies are going to do. If I had to make a prediction right now I’d say they stay at #5 and take Kevin Love, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade up or down or if they stay at #5 and take someone other than Love. I am glad to see they are giving more consideration to Eric Gordon. I think Gordon will be the best of the group of shooting guards at the top of this draft.

If Miami holds on to the second pick in the draft and takes Michael Beasley, you’d have to believe it would make Shawn Marion very available. He’s 30-years-old and only has one year left on his contract, but if the Grizzlies think they have any chance at resigning him, I think they have to do whatever they can to get him.I think he has at least five or six good years left and he, Rudy Gay, and Michael Conley would make a nice three-headed monster. It would probably take Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry, but I think you might also be able to include Brian Cardinal in the deal which would be great. The Grizzlies could then go after Monta Ellis or Ben Gordon to play the two and have a nice little lineup. The problem with this though, is the that it probably would be tough to resign Marion so that would probably have to be pretty much done before the deal is made.

The quote of the week comes from draft hopeful Marreese Speights from Florida. Speights apparently was a bit surprised upon arrival in Salt Lake City. “Oh, when I came here (Saturday), I expected way different than this,” he said. “This is kind of like, city. I expected, like, cows and stuff.”

Then Speights looked up and was in for another shock. “I seen that snow on top of the mountains,” the 20-year-old Floridian said. “That was crazy.”

Seriously? Can a college student really be that clueless?

Watching the Cubs sweep the White Sox is one of my great pleasures in life. The Cubs are simply unbelievable at home right now, they haven’t lost at Wrigley Field since May 17. Have I mentioned before that I’m heading to Wrigley in August? I cannot wait to get back to the greatest sports stadium in the world.

While watching the Cubs finish the sweep of the Sox on Sunday night, Joe Morgan, doing the broadcast on ESPN, talked about the basket om the outfield wall at Wrigley and how it was called Banks’ Alley because of how many home runs Ernie Banks used to hit into it. Well apparently, Joe is full of sh%# and had no idea what he was talking about. I didn’t think anything of it when he brought it up, but other Cub fans have done the research to show how dumb the comments were. The funny thing is, it doesn’t really offend me that much as a Cubs fan because who really cares, but as a broadcaster it makes me mad that he would just spout off stupid stories that are completely made up.

Have you noticed the current crop of movies in theaters? “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Love Guru,” “Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” “Kong Fu Panda,” “Hancock,” etc. What has happened to the movie industry? Have you seen the trailers for these movies? They are ridiculous! At least there’s still television. What’s that? There are now shows called “The Baby Borrowers,” “Celebrity Circus,” and “Wipeout”? What the hell is going on?

Speaking of Hollywood, I’ll be making my first visit to LA this weekend. I’m headed out there to visit friends for a few days. I’m not sure what to expect out of LA, but I am looking forward to seeing it for the first time.

I’ve never felt like I have had to battle any sort of real addiction and I am thankful for that, but having had my TiVo go out last week, I now realize how dependent I was on it. If my new receiver doesn’t get here soon, I may have to go to rehab. Detox is hard on a man.

Anyway, have a great rest of the week and weekend, I’m off to LA.

Sunday (and Monday) on the Couch (and Driving)!

I had a weekend trip to see the family in St. Louis.  I have a few travel trips:

• Gas is expensive! It really is amazing. I try not to even think about it, but it really is shocking. Unbelievable! Remember the days when………. I’m really starting to want a moped. I believe that they have become socially acceptable for everyone! The moped has come a long way.
• The Mississippi River flooding is unbelievable. There is water everywhere from St. Louis through Arkansas.
• 2 great things about St. Louis- White Castle’s and Slurpees on every corner. White Castle’s and Krystals don’t even compare. It’s a shame that I have to drive 3 hours (Nashville, TN, or Cape Girardeau, MO) to get a great midnight slider. The only thing that compares is a Dyer Burger. I don’t mean any disrespect to Alex’s Tavern, who has arguably the best burger in town, but sometimes you just want it to go down like soup. My favorite burgers:
• 1. Alex’s Tavern
• 2. Dyer Burger
• 3. Tug’s
• 4. Soul Burger
• 5. Huey’s
• That’s right! Krystals wouldn’t be top ten! White Castle’s- TOP 3! Can you imagine a White Castle’s around Beale Street, Mid-Town, Germantown Parkway, Mud Island? Wherever you want one, let’s get one.
• I also love getting Slurpees in St. Louis. 7-11 is the best. Plus, the stale re-glazed doughnuts at midnight are amazing. These imitation icee’s in the Mid South don’t compare. HOWEVER, you can’t go wrong when you find a Slush Puppy Machine!  I was so excited when the Grizzlies stayed in a city that had 7-11’s, especially near the hotel!

         

• Lambert’s Café in Sikeston is worth the drive on a weekend afternoon. It’s the home of the Throwed Roll and is advertised on billboards up and down highway 55. Despite its proximity to both St. Louis and Memphis, I had never gone until World Renowned Executive Chef at FedExForum, Mark the Chef, said I needed to try it last year. Now, it’s a must stop between the Loo and Memphis.

  

• Truck Drivers are like NBA referees. No one likes them on the road! No one likes them despite the fact that they have the hardest job on the floor (or road). They can never win.

It’s great to hear that Eric McMahon is doing well and training for the upcoming season.  Fans of the Grizzlies and mascots around the NBA missed Grizz this past season.  Mascots around the league visited FedExForum throughout the season, and most shaved their heads in honor of Eric.  It was pretty neat to see while traveling around the league this year.  Most arenas ran spots during the game promoting buying a Friends of Grizz Wristband with proceeds benefiting St. Jude.  You can show your support for Grizz and patients in the fight against cancer by becoming a “Friend of Grizz” and supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Purchase a Friends of Grizz Awareness bracelet for only $3 and the proceeds will go to St. Jude.

 

It figures Dry Ribs liked Jeff Van Gundy during the NBA Playoffs.

When does the WNBA start?

How about that World Renowned Executive Chef at FedExForum, Mark The Chef, and his picks this year?  Chef went 13-2, including the final three series.  Will Askew was 12-3, with four series going the exact distance.  Coach Dave Joerger lost the picks with his last three series (0-3).  He finished 11-4.  Weinberger was 10-5 and I was the worst at 9-6.  This follows Mark The Chef’s NFL picks, in which he beat Wolo, Will, and Weinberger.  I got him by one game.  I think he has deserved a spot with our college picks this fall.  I smell Mark The Chef’s Tailgating Tips and Picks!

Is it just me, or is signing Marc Gasol just a little weird.  We have Gasol, but it’s a different Gasol.  This one is the Gasol who went to high school in Memphis.  Why shouldn’t we cheer him?  He played high school ball in Memphis!  It’s just another Memphis product in the NBA!  Heck, Cal might even take credit for him!  Plus, he’s on OUR team!  That should be exciting, right?  I hope he wears #61.  That would mean that he’s the opposite of Pau!  Wouldn’t that be a great player?  What if he’s a skilled big man that is everything we have wanted Pau to be?   What if he becomes more popular than Pau ever was in Memphis?  What if he’s clutch in the 4^th quarter?  What if he’s tough?  What if he gets in a fight with Darko in camp?  He’d be amazing!  But what if he’s like Pau, but not as skilled offensively?  I guess that’s why it’s a little weird.  Won’t he always be compared to Pau?  

Anti Gasol-  Very Similar Gasol-

He sure looks like him.  It’s certainly going to be interesting.

Ryan Ludwick should be an All Star.  What an amazing season the former Redbird is having.  He’s 30 years old next month and is having a break out major league season.  He’s hitting .297 with 16 homeruns and 56rbi’s.  However, in the last seven games, he’s 4-23, with 2rbi’s.  Pujols has been out of the lineup.

Tony LaRussa should definitely be the leader for the National League Manager of the Year.  What LaRussa has done with this team is remarkable.  Many considered the Cardinals to be in a rebuilding mode.  Look at the success of the starting pitchers, the starting outfield (Seriously, Rick Ankiel?), and young guys coming through the system (Ryan, Molina, Schumaker).  I hope it lasts throughout the season, although they have to figure out what to do with the closer role before the all star break.  They MUST make a deal.  A playoff spot could be on the line!

Swingtown!  Wow!  Holy CBS!  I finally got caught up on my Swingtown fix.  They have the best storylines since Melrose Place. 

I watched Road Trip tonight.  I can’t believe I liked it.  Here are the two best references to sex in a movie, but using a third grade word for it.

            - Kyle (Road Trip)- “I boinked her!”

            - Cookie Fleck (Best in Show)- “How long has it been since he poked me?”

Courtesy of (Bodog, www.BodogLife.com<http://www.BodogLife.com), here are some interesting odds regarding Thursday’s NBA Draft:

Lottery Pick Odds
Who will be the #1 Pick in the Draft?
Derrick Rose                           -500
Michael Beasley                      +300

What will Miami do with the #2 pick in the NBA Draft?
Draft Michael Beasley and Keep him                                      1/3
Trade Pick or Draft Michael Beasley and Trade him                4/1
Draft O.J. Mayo                                                                       9/2
Draft Any Other Player                                                            3/1

Who will be the #3 pick in the NBA Draft?
O.J Mayo                   2/5
Brook Lopez              3/1
Kevin Love                 9/2
Jerryd Bayless            7/1
Other                         8/1

Who will be the #4 pick in the NBA Draft?
Jerryd Bayless             Even
Russell Westbrook       6/5
Brook Lopez                 3/1
Eric Gordon                  5/1
Other                            8/1

Who will be the #5 pick in the NBA Draft?
Kevin Love                  5/9
Eric Gordon                 3/2
Brook Lopez                5/1
Other                           4/1

First Round Bubble Odds
Will Bill Walker be drafted in the 1st Round?
Yes      -225
No       +150
DJ White?
Yes      +150
No       -200

NBA Offseason Trade Odds
Will Josh Howard be Traded?
Yes      +500
No       -1000
Jermaine O’Neal?
Yes      +600
No       -1200
Zach Randolph?
Yes      +400
No       -800
Kirk Hinrich?
Yes      -350
No       +275
Ben Gordon?
Yes      +150
No      -225
Richard Jefferson?
Yes      +500
No      -1000
T.J. Ford?
Yes      -350
No       +275

Weekly Dish

Sara Evans and Jay Barker!  BOOOO!! (ExtraTV)- Country singer Sara Evans got hitched to former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker on a farm in Franklin, Tenn., says People magazine. Barker met Evans through their minister, Joe Beam, who had counseled them after each was divorced last year.

PGA to miss Tiger? DUH! (Bloomberg)- In 2007, tournaments with Tiger Woods in the field averaged a 3.4 rating; tournaments without, a 1.7 rating.

Anchorman 2?- (MSN.com)- Speaking to the press, Will Ferrell confirmed San Diego’s leading news anchor is making a comeback. “Yeah, [there is] definite interest.” Ferrell says he has no idea whether the new movie will take place in the 1970s, but he reveals that although they have discussed several premises, it will probably be at least a year before they have the time to write it.

Borat 2?- (MSNBC.com)- Sacha Baron Cohen’s second film, which is again based on his Borat character, has a release date. Look for it in theaters May 15, 2009.

Hasselhoff buying a Castle? (MSNBC.com)- A simple Hollywood home just isn’t enough to contain the star power of The Hoff. In an interview with AOL, the “America’s Got Talent” judge spoke of his house hunting plans. “I’m looking to buy a castle,” David revealed. “I’ll call it the Hassel Castle …”

Moranis, Thomas revive ‘Bob & Doug’  (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)- Bob and Doug McKenzie, the beer-loving Canadian brothers created by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas back in 1980, are about to do again. The Fox network has joined Canada’s Global Television in developing a cartoon pilot, The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie, in which Moranis and Thomas will return to voice the characters.

Birthdays this past week: Roberto Duran (57), Phil Mickelson (38), Tupac Shakur (37- I was there!), Venus Williams (28), Joe Piscopo (57), Lou Brock (69), Moe Howard (111), John Goodman (56), Nicole Kidman (41), Jim Breuer (41), Pistol Pete (60), Clyde Drexler (46), Kurt Warner (37- the nicest professional athlete I have ever met), Cydi Lauper (55)

There’s plenty happening this week in Tunica.  For a complete list of events and attractions in Tunica, Mississippi, click on the link below.  Get easy access to the casino’s, golf courses, and all other entertainment.

http://www.tunicamiss.com/

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming up in the next few weeks in Tunica:

June 27	The Temptations	Sam’s Town	800-456-0711
June 27 - 28	Ricky Lynn Gregg	Bally’s	800-382-2559
July 3	Independence Day Parade	Downtown Tunica	662-363-2865
July 5	Al Green	Grand Casino	901-525-1515
July 5	Gladys Knight	Grand Casino	901-525-1515
July 5	Collin Ray	Gold Strike	888-245-7829
July 5	Tunica Trade Days	Downtown Tunica	662-363-2865

Don’t forget Mid-South Golfer the Radio show live in Tuinca this week at Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club from 3-4pm.  The Sports Bar follows from Tunica National from 4-6pm. 

 

Join us for the 3 Person Scramble Thursday at 5:15pm.  Just call 866-TEE-OFF1 for more information or go online at www.tunicanational.com.  See you there.  Plus, Tunica National is having a hole in one contest Thursday afternoon.  The rules are simple.  Sign up at Tunica National this week and they will conduct a drawing for a hole in one.  If anyone who is drawn hits an ace, they’ll win a condo on the property adjacent to the National.  Sign up now.  Call or go online for more details.

Talk to y’all this week.

5th and 1

Okay. So you may or may not know that currently I am interning for a newspaper outside of my element. While it is good experience and great for a resume, this place offers almost no social scene for someone who does not yet qualify for social security.

In order to counter this unbearable experience, I made a venture up to exciting Memphis this weekend. (It was all one could expect from a city such as Memphis.)
The reason I’m telling you all this is to write to all of those left lane abusers out there. HOLY CRAP! I don’t know what it is with people below the Mason-Dixon, but you guys feel as though anywhere from 40-80 is adaquete for the left lane when the speed limit is 70. No, no, no, no.

In order to educate some of you abusers out there, please allow me to run some things by you when the speed limit is, for argument’s sake, 70 m.ph.

- Anything below 70 is ridiculous. Move your vehicle over. I don’t care if you think you’re a bad mofo driving your Escalade, Porsche, or what-have-you. No. 65, stay right. 40, stay right.

- If you have someone right on your bumper and you’re one of those people who, much like my father, will just utter an obscenity, utter it while drifting out of the way. You’re not proving a point by staying in the left hand lane. In fact, all you’re really doing is increasing the probability of an accident. Okay, so some jerk is right on your butt and wants to go fast. Let them pass you and, if they get in an accident, at least you’ll know it’ll be way past your car and you won’t be involved.

On a related note to point 2 (let’s call this 2b) if someone passes you in the right hand lane, it’s probably for this reason. Get over it. Looking at you here, Dad.

- If it’s a crystal clear, gorgeous day, and you feel like cruising in your convertible at a nice 75, and scenerio 2 occurs, same situation. Odds are, no matter who you are, someone will want to drive faster. Cope.

- And finally, if it is not a gorgeous day, and you feel uncomfortable driving fast, still move left! There’s no reason why I should be in a 65 going 40 only because it’s raining. I’d like to cite my numerous times which I’ve done this in Memphis. People, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Or, in this case, the left hand lane.

This being said, it’s all I have. But, on a few final points, let’s look towards the sports related future:

- In the near future, training camp starts for the NFL in July. Freaking sweet. I know I can’t wait for this year to get started and my Eagles to play Dallas early on.

- The NHL draft came and went without anyone paying attention except for the few devotees in the US of A. I didn’t watch, but did get a recap. With 5 picks, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired 3 defensemen and 2 goalies. Let’s hope something positive comes out of this.

- Russia upset the Netherlands in the Euro Cup quarter finals yesterday. It was one of the few, okay, it was the only game I watched of the whole process. Very dull, boring. Please tell me what is so exciting about soccer? A notable quote came from Dmitri Torbinski, the Russian player who put the Commies up one in extra time after the game. When asked what advice his coach gave at the end of regulation, Torbinski relayed, “kick the ball, run, and kick the ball again.” Good stuff.

- And for the grand finale, Tiger Woods is done for this year. I’d like to make reference to Mr. Robert Fisher’s blog a few days ago when he noted that Tiger might show up in Memphis next year if he was injured for this season. Let’s see how intelligent Roberto is. Results pending.

That’s all I got for you. Something to ponder for this week: Numerous professional athletes have been complaining about their $3 million dollar a year contracts. Boo hoo. I want to know who you all think is more responsible: the players and their agents for believing they are immortal, or the fans for paying so much for tickets, merchandise, etc., and inflating the players’ egos?

Random Thoughts

–Jeff Weinberger and I got into an argument yesterday about the Tigers’ basketball schedule (shocking, I know). All of this was in response to John Calipari’s quote in the paper last week that the Tigers may be overscheduling. That comment was ridiculous. When you’re guaranteed about 25 wins, you’re not overscheduling. But I will say this–Jeff is of the opinion that the Tigers should schedule 4 or 5 more top notch teams every year and knock off the Sienas and Lamars of the world.

What possible reason would John Calipari have for doing this? Think about it…if you play a handful of quality games every year–i.e. Gonzaga, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Georgetown–and then your conference schedule, there’s no reason to do anything differently. You are dominating your conference and playing a good enough out of conference schedule to make it look like you’re battle-tested so the tournament committee will give you a high seed at the end of the year. There’s no reason for Calipari to change the schedule at this juncture…none at all. If he did, he would be making a mistake.

–Very interesting rumors abound for the Grizzlies as we approach next week’s NBA Draft…The Grizzlies could trade up to get Beasley…the Grizz may take Kevin Love…the Grizz may trade Kyle Lowry and the #28 pick to Denver for Linas Kleiza and the #20 pick. I have to be honest…the simple fact that I’m hearing rumors is a welcome change from The Ego’s tenure in Memphis. I hope that “you people,” as Jerry would say, are not disappointed with the results come draft night next Thursday.

–If you haven’t been keeping an eye on the NFL police blotter, Javon Walker of the Raiders was found unconscious outside of the Bellagio last Sunday. Walker’s story was that men robbed him at 5:30 am, beat him up, knocked him unconscious, and dragged him out of the hotel and left him in the street.

There is no possible way that could have happened. For many reasons. First of all, the Bellagio has 3,933 rooms, and to access them, you have to have a room key to get by security. Secondly, since he is a millionaire NFL player, he would probably be staying in the suites, which adds another level of security. Thirdly, by some miracle chance if the alleged thugs were to get up to his room, rob him, and beat him up, there’s no way on God’s green earth that they could drag him out of the Bellagio of all places and put him in a car. That place is enormous, and one of the nicer hotels in Vegas, so there are probably in the neighborhood of 5000 cameras stationed throughout the place for security. So an unconscious NFL player being dragged out of there would attract some attention, I would presume. Sounds to me like Javon is worried about Roger Goodell and his personal conduct policy.

Currently listening to: The Raconteurs–Consolers of the Lonely
Currently watching: Friday Night Lights, Burn Notice
Currently playing: Grand Theft Auto IV

5th and 1

So this is my first post. I feel I owe you all a brief history on to why you should, or should not, listen to me.

I started working at Sports56 at the beginning of last school year. I’m about 99% sure that i’m the youngest one there, though if you look at Ed, it’s debatable.

Anywho, I’m from philadelphia and a die hard fan of everyone there: Flyers, Eagles, Sixers, Phillies, Villanova, etc., etc.

I chose the title of 5th and 1 for this particular blog because it reminds me of the Eagles 4th and 26 play against Green Bay all those years back. What if they didn’t convert? It’s just one of many what if’s in Philadelphia sports. What if Joe Carter didn’t hit that home run? What if Kimmo Timonen didn’t get a blood clot in his ankle? What if Ronde Barber didn’t pick off McNabb? These are just a few examples.

Anyway, I’ll post something once a week, though it may not particularly about sports. My goal is hopefully to get you guys to think. Just…try. Please. To start this week, I’ll give you one basic question.

Recently, Tiger Woods boasted that golf was more entertaining to watch than play-off hockey. Personally, I think the comparison is not even close. However, this weekend, Mr. Woods completed an amazing comeback, despite a sore knee. Bearing this in mind, which do you think is a bigger feat: Tiger Woods and his comeback, or a hockey player going day in and out through the NHL play-offs with two (not a typo) separated shoulders?

If you care to answer, just leave a comment. Assume I’m not biased, though I do respect most athletes for their abilities ON THE FIELD, not so much what they do off.

Hot Sports Opinions

–Nice effort from the Lakers last night. Their will to win was just palpable. I hope the comparisons between Jordan and Kobe can stop now. There’s no way Jordan plays as badly as Kobe did in this series, and there’s no way he lets his team quit in the 2nd quarter of an elimination game. There’s only one guy that’s playing now that you can compare to Jordan, and that’s Tiger Woods.

–Speaking of Tiger, the news broke this morning that Tiger will miss the rest of the season because of ACL surgery. A collective expletive just came emanating from the networks carrying the British Open and the PGA Championship, because, quite frankly, the average sports fan doesn’t give a damn about any tournament Tiger is not in.

–Someone explain to me why Will Hudgens is playing football. The guy was just drafted into baseball, and will spend the rest of the summer in the minors. Why would he continue to play a sport that he has absolutely no future in? Clearly, his future is on the diamond and not on the football field, and with his injury history, I think he’s making a terrible mistake.

–North Carolina returned all three of the water-testers on Monday, and looks to be an overwhelming favorite to win the National Championship next year in college basketball. The Tar Heels lost almost nothing, graduating third-string point guard Quentin Thomas and backup center Alex Stepheson, who transferred to USC…and they bring in a top 10 recruiting class. Here is what their lineup looks like now:
PG–Ty Lawson, Bobby Frasor, Larry Drew (will likely redshirt)
SG–Wayne Ellington, William Graves
SF–Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green
PF–Deon Thompson, Ed Davis
C–Tyler Hansbrough, Tyler Zeller

That’s a pretty tough lineup any way you slice it, barring injury. A couple of interesting things, though: 1) will UNC be favored in every game they play? and 2) will the overwhelming expectations that they are sure to have–I can’t imagine anyone else as a preseason #1–be too much to handle? This is a team that went 36-3 last year and went to the Final Four. Anything short of at the very least a Championship game appearance will be extremely disappointing. If you asked me now, they are the heavy favorites to win it all next year–but I would be surprised if they do. Weird things happen.

–Next week is the NBA Draft, one of my favorite nights of the year. A lot of questions surround the Grizzlies right now–will they draft Kevin Love, who by all accounts has had the most impressive workout to date with Memphis? Will they somehow swing a long-rumored trade and get Michael Beasley? How much impact should fan reaction to the pick have? If you asked me to say right now who the Grizzlies would take, I would answer one of two guys (assuming OJ Mayo is not there): Kevin Love and Danilo Gallinari. Tony Barone Sr. sounded extremely impressed with the Detlef Schrempf-ish Gallinari in a weekend workout when he talked about it on Monday.
I don’t foresee the Grizzlies making a trade to get Beasley, although that would inject some much-needed excitement into a franchise that has none. As far as fan reaction goes, short of the Grizzlies getting one of Rose, Beasley, or Mayo, I can’t see Grizz fans getting overly excited about a pick, regardless of who it is. I don’t think it is all that important to take immediate fan reaction into account when drafting–if you think that Love or Gallinari is the best player at 5, then take him, and if the team improves, the fans’ attitudes will improve as well. Winning will cure what ails the Grizzlies, and nothing else.

The Real Champion

After the Celtics won their NBA championship in resounding fashion, most people would interview Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, James Posey, Sam Cassell, Tony Allen, Leon Powe, P.J. Brown, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Doc Rovers, Tom Thibodeaux, the Grousbeck family, Tommy Heinsohn, Matt Damon, or anyone else with even a passing interest in the Celtics. But some people wanted to talk with Brian Scalabrine…and it was awesome. Check out the world’s most awesomely useless press conference below…and be sure to stick around for the last question, asked by a Dutch reporter, which is a beauty.

(h/t: NBA Fanhouse)