 |
||||||||||||||
Snooze
Patrol I hate to say it, but the sports world feels like it's coming to a complete stop. I should be pumped about the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference Finals... I like that OKC is playing Dallas. No Lakers; no problem. Mark Cuban sitting courtside will make for an interesting series, and it's cool to see an upstart team like the Thunder with a chance to make it to the NBA Finals. I like that the Bulls are going up against the Heat in the East. The existence of LeBron, Wade and Bosh gives you reason to watch and root against them. Plus....no Celtics; no problem. Like in the West, it's good to see some new blood. I'm looking forward to being entertained in these series....I just hope they both deliver. It would also be nice if David Stern could rig the NBA Draft Lottery (wink, wink) for the Bobcats and give Michael Jordan a chance to get the number one pick and a point guard. I don't know many people that believe MJ will write a check for the services of Chris Paul, so acquiring Duke's Kyrie Irving is Charlotte's best chance. The NASCAR season continues to sputter along with Dale, Jr.'s winless streak now in triple digits. I know he's in the hunt for making the Chase (which is good news), but would it hurt the sport for the NASCAR suits to throw some advantages (wink, wink) his way? The sport desperately needs the 88-car in Victory Lane. The almost-fight between Harvick and Kyle Busch two weeks ago was good fodder while it lasted, but Dover was a complete bore.....and in case you didn't know, Matt Kenseth was your winner. Now that Bruton Smith has unveiled his super-duper TV screen on the backstretch, it's time to rock 'n' roll at Charlotte Motor Speedway. What are the odds that Junior ends his streak in his backyard? Tiger Woods is in trouble. Not that kind of trouble.....he's in golf trouble. After playing just nine holes before withdrawing last week at the Players Championship, the World's former #1 player needs to get away from the game. I mentioned countless times last year on radio, TV and this blog that I thought Woods made a terrible move by coming back too early last year. His game wasn't ready, and more importantly he allowed every pro golfer on the planet the ability to see him in a position of weakness. He should have taken the entire year off and gotten mentally and physically ready. Until the divorce was final, he was a basket case. That's not 20/20 hindsight....I remember getting in a debate with Jim Nantz about this subject, and I reminded him of it when we got together in the 18th tower at Quail Hollow last week. The intimidation factor is gone. Now Woods is a physical wreck....and he's nowhere close to being mentally ready to win. Don't get me wrong; I still think Woods will eventually get his act together and win again on the PGA Tour. But to think that he's going to easily cruise by Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors is a far-reach at this point in time. The US Open next month will mark three years since Tiger's last major victory. Some folks have claimed that Woods' relationship with the Canadian doctor and his physical development should be in question (wink, wink)....but I'm not buying that story. I do know how difficult the game is when you are not mentally-sharp....when you throw in some physical issues, too.....it spells trouble. I'm betting that Tiger figures it out....but it could take some time. And right now, he should disappear and not return until he's really ready to compete at the ultimate level. I know there is a new book coming out about ESPN, and I'm sure there are some folks that are feeling a little uneasy about the findings. You never know what you're going to get when you interview hundreds of former employees that are not concerned about their former employer. I am looking forward to reading the new book when it is released later this year.....but the Worldwide Leader has not helped the situation of late with some of their talent. Matthew Barnaby and Jalen Rose are just two high profile ESPN guys that have found themselves in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It will be interesting to see how ESPN handles the news and release of the new book. I have a number of friends that work for the company and they have great things to say about the place...but like most big companies, there are some strange happenings in corner offices....(wink, wink). I think we can all relate to that story. |
|
|||||||||||||
