Murray's view on sports

TOP 20 Football movies of all time

2006-06-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

I generally hate football movies so I went with my top 20 of all time. I think there a couple of things going into movies. I can allow a certain amount of BS but don't get crazy with it. Certain films are suppose to be crazy and it's allowed while others are just for "drama".

1) Brain's Song- It's a true freaking story. No one wrote this. Lando Calressian is a bad ass running back in this movie who isn't fond of James Caan. The line that I remember most "I love Brian Piccolo..." Um, do I have to explain how it ends?

2) Jerry Maguire- Okay, it's a love story that has football in it. Cuba, Renee, Tom...it's full of stars. "Help me, help you", "You had me at hello" "Show me the money"...do I have to go on? I like the movie because they don't have to win the title(they only make the playoffs), it focuses on getting what the player wanted the most, the money.

3) The Waterboy- Adam Sandler is funny. this movie isn't meant to be serious. Bobby Boucher goes from waterboy to star player. "You can dooooooooo it". Big shock, they win the Bourbon Bowl. Boucher on the flea flicker.

4) Varsity Blues- Dawson and Paul Walker in the same movie? For some reason this is how I imagine small town football being. It's part FNL's meets All the Right moves IMO. Mox telling his coach "I don't want your life". Big shock, they win the final game on a pass.

5) The Longest Yard- Okay, if I have to say the original, stop reading the list now. Burt was a bad ass. The Mean Machine are bad ass. Favorite quote "The most important thing to remember is: to protect your quarterback - ME!". Who didn't know they would score the winning touchdown? At least they ran for it.

6) The Replacements- Gene Hackman's 2nd best job of being a coach with Keanu at QB. No matrix type plays in this game. Very loosely based off the stike in the NFL. "Pain heals, Chicks dig scars... Glory lasts for ever". And again, team scores the winning TD to make the playoffs on the last play. Where's the Cover 3 defense? One of the best scenes in a football movie is when you see the flag on the Charlie Brown Field Goal attempt. I knew it was coming back just like real football.

7) Remember the Titans- I hate Disney movies. The original script had a ton of cursing in it. 2 schools combine for a magical season. "According to Greek mythology, the Titans were greater even than the gods. They ruled their universe with absolute power! Well that football field out there tonight, that's our universe. Let's rule it like Titans!" Lose star player and still win the title.

8) Heaven Can Wait- A story about fate that has football in it. I think 78 is the year the Rams played the Steelers in the Super Bowl so I assume it's footage from the game. Angel takes a body too soon is BS factor of 10 but I still like it for some reason.

9) The Best of Times- Mork plays a WR who has to relive the game he lost. I should hate this movie but I like the line "You better watch it, Dr. Death! I'm pretty damn fast for a Caucasian." so much it sneaks it into the top 10. That proves how bad football movies are.

10) Friday Night Lights- I don't know why, I just can't get into this movie. That being said I can't rank any movie below here higher than it. Movie seems dark to me. I like the movie because it's not surrounded by star power.

11) The Program
12) All the Right Moves
13) North Dallas Forty
14) Everybody's All-American
15) Sesond String
16) Wildcats
17) Rudy
18) Necessary Roughness
19) Lucas
20) Any Given Sunday

My favorite sports movie quotes

2006-06-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

I love sports movie quotes. Read a list an took some of my own and added a few. Here's the list in no order.

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory...last forever"
The Replacements
Keanu at his finest...yes that's an oxymoron.

"I believe in the soul. The cock. The pussy. The small of a woman's back. The hanging curveball. High fiber. Good scotch. That the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing AstroTurf and the designated hitter. I believe in opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas eve. I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days."
Bull Durham
I once saw it on a poster, I think Bonnie Boardman owns it. Who doesn't love long quotes.

"I must break you."
Rocky IV
So you kill my buddy and then you have this golden nugget for me, nice. Ivan Drago at his best.

"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball."
Dodgeball
If lessons in life were only this easy.

"You better watch it, Dr. Death. I'm pretty damn fast for a Caucasian."
The Best of Times
I can't help it, but I laugh everytime I think of this line. It's like Rudy mixed in with Lucas talking shit. Maybe I think it's funny because I'm white.

"It's in the hole!"
Caddyshack
The most quotable movie...EVER. I don't care if you hate golf, everyone knows a line from this movie. Everyone messes up the first part of this so I didn't bother to put it up.

"520? You get 400 for just spelling your name correctly."
Blue Chips
Sadly I say the same thing about the application I must read through daily.

"He didn't slam into you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you. He rubbed you. And rubbin', son, is racin'."
Days of Thunder
Who hasn't said this on before, especially playing a video game where you just decide to turn your car into your buddies just to make him lose.

"The most important thing to remember is to protect your quarterback — me!"
The Longest Yard
Why must the line always be so stupid in movie. They are generally the smart ones.

"Wax on. Wax off."
The Karate Kid
Usually Danielson is thrown in somewhere.

"This is a simple game: You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball."
Bull Durham
See, basics people. I'm all about the fundamentals here. Also wasy to paraphrase to any situation. You check in the merchandise, you put out the merchandise, you sell the merchandise.

"You can do it!"
The Waterboy
Best line Rob Schnieder has ever had.

"Well you're better than any player I ever had. And you're the best God damn hitter I ever saw. Suit up."
The Natural
Baseball movies rule, just live with it.

"Look, mister, there's two kinds of dumb. Uh, guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and, uh, guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don't matter, the second one you're kinda forced to deal with."
Hoosiers
There's more knds of dumb, but I don't have time to explain.

"Sex and golf are the two things you can enjoy even if you're not good at them."
Tin Cup
And both can be done by yourself. Probably want to be good at them so that doesn't happen.

"Hey, Yankees, you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!"
The Bad News Bears
Who doesn't want to say this after losign in the finals of any sport?

"Put it in the face!"
Coming to America
Okay, it's not fun to make fun of F ups but it's the only part of the movie I like.

"So we finish the 18th and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, 'Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know?' And he says, 'Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.' So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."
Caddyshack
Every story has a bright side.

"The price is wrong, bitch!"
Happy Gilmore
Who wouldn't want to do this to Bob Barker?

"I'm gonna make Gretzky's head bleed for SuperFan99 over here."
Swingers
For anyone who played NHL 91-94 on Genesis with me in college.

"Pick me out a winner, Bobby."
The Natural
Can you set up the biggest home run in movie history?

"Noonan!"
Caddyshack
Have you ever played putt-putt without some jackass yelling this?

"If you build it, he will come."
Field of Dreams
Yes, even in Iowa.

"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder!"
Rocky
Tasty...

"You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!"
Bull Durham
Lollygaggers?!?! Also has the great line about how the hell did we ever win 8 games?

"There's no crying in baseball!"
A League of Their Own
Yea, crying is for sissy sports like Football.

"I'm out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes."
Airplane!
Roger Roger. Kareem, the thesbian!

"Juuuust a bit outside!"
Major League
Admit it, every time you see a wild pitch, you think it.

"Show me the money!"
Jerry Maguire
First the price is wrong now I show you money, sheesh

"Yo, Adrian!"
Rocky
Have you ever tried to say it in a voice other than Balboa's? I think not.

Can the Mavs take the title?

2006-06-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Some may think the NBA is boring, but the playoff have been great. The number of overtime games is amazing. Teams are scoring over 100 pts and still losing. The most boring team has been eliminated(Pistons). You have Shaq going for a title (without #8...I mean # 24). He's got Dwayne Wade, yes the guy taken after James and Anthony, which just happens to be the # 1 selling jersey in the NBA this year. The Mavericks made the finals after giving up the 2 time back-2-back MVP of the league Steve Nash. Time to look at the tale of the tape and see who wins this one.

Point Guard:

4 assists and 18 pts a game in the playoffs is double what "white chocolate" give the Heat. Look for Terry to post up and score a lot of points in this series.

Shooting Guard:

Advantage Heat. Stackhouse can't hold Wade and I don't think Stack can make Wade tired, only the flu can do that.

Small Forward:

Howard scores 17 a game and gives more effort than Walker. I think youth wins out here.

Power Forward:

Dirk, Dirk, Dirk...plus you get Hasselhoff as a bonus? Freedoooooooooommmmmmmm....

Center:

20 pts a game and 10 boards for the Shaq. Diop 3 pts and 5 boards. Forget being a math major, this one is going to the man who promised Miami a title when he first came there. Shaq doesn't have # 8...24 anymore and he made it back.

Cheerleaders:
No team photo for the Heat, so the edge goes to the Mavericks.

Photos from games past...

2006-05-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, 3 good looking lads in the picture. What a trip it was. I left Las Vegas at 11 in the morning just to fly to Dallas and Texas Stadium for the monday night football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. Aikman, Irvin, and Smith all got retired into the ring of fame. This picture is the only time you will probably ever see me wearing Cowboys stuff. The food, the clubs, the game, the hike. Oh the stories...

Washington won the game 14-13 because Roy Willaims couldn't play zone defense.

Bonds gets closer? or does he....

2006-05-22T18:39:00.000-07:00
I'm gald the whole thing is over. Everyone knows what he has done or can read about it. I hate that ESPN kisses his ass by playing the SF score first every time. Even if the game isn't going on, it's first. if the game was a day game, it's put first instead of the current games. Here's an interesting article trying to figure out how many Bonds would have if not on the juice.

616*

By Patrick Hruby
Page 2

Heads turned. The ball bid the park adieu. With a single, violent swing of his bat, Barry Bonds made baseball history Saturday in Oakland, climbing one home run closer to the immortal Willie Mays. Six hundred sixteen home runs. It's a mind-numbing number, a body of work to rival Tupac's posthumous releases. Congratulations are in order.

Wait. Hold up.

You say Bonds actually has 714 career home runs?

Er, no. Good one. But no. Sure, if you want to get all technical, there's no arguing that Bonds has forcefully redirected 714 pitches into home run territory over his 21 major-league seasons. Yet according to the ziggurat of evidence compiled in the book "Game of Shadows," Bonds also ingested a Mexican farmacia's worth of performance-enhancing drugs during his peak slugging period, making some of those dingers less authentic than country crooner Kenny Rogers' reconstructed face.

Question is, how many? How many of Bonds' home runs are honest? And how many came courtesy of his reported juicing?

Start with a caveat: There's no way to know. At least not for sure. The homers themselves can't be replicated in a lab, let alone studied. The variables involved in each at-bat are too numerous and complex to tease out completely. The specific physical effects of taking bovine bulk builders and female sex hormones -- Bonds reportedly took both; did he end up lactating buttermilk? -- are poorly understood.

Truth be told, we can only manage a crude approximation. An educated guess, but a guess nonetheless.

On the other hand, that sure beats an unsightly asterisk.

So, how did Page 2 place Bonds' "legitimate" total at 616 homers? In taking away 98 home runs since 1999 -- when Bonds' allegedly began using steroids -- we sought to quantify the performance-enhancing effects of steroids in four hitting-related categories: strength, stamina, longevity and confidence. To do so, we spoke to a swing guru, a major league scout, training and biomechanics specialists, and an expert on the physics of baseball. We looked over hit charts and home run distances, tabulating every Bonds blast from '99 to now. We even got help from a nuclear scientist (albeit a nuclear scientist who really likes baseball).

We then did the math. Follow along ...

1. Strength

"I don't know if steroids are going to help you in baseball. I just don't believe it. I don't believe steroids can help eye-hand coordination [and] technically hit a baseball."
-- Barry Bonds, Jan. 22, 2005

Bonds is correct. Steroids alone won't help you hit a curveball. But coupled with skill and training, they will help you hit that same curveball farther. Here's how:

Steroids build size and strength. They allow longer, harder workouts and promote better physical gains than would otherwise be possible.

According to "Game of Shadows," Bonds began using performance-enhancing drugs and training with Greg Anderson following the 1998 season. The results were astounding. In 1997, a team media guide listed Bonds at 206 pounds. By spring training of 1999, he weighed 225, with authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams claiming:

"...almost all of the gain was rock-hard muscle ... the change in Bonds' physique was startling. Around the Giants, they took to referring to Bonds as The Incredible Hulk. When Bonds took batting practice, he was driving the ball farther than he ever had before."

In 2003, Muscle and Fitness magazine reported that Bonds, then about to turn 39, weighed 230 pounds and was in "the best shape of his life." Bonds himself told the magazine that his improvement as a player was due to "training and nutrition," making him "a better athlete than before."

An accompanying photo shows Bonds and Anderson sitting in front of BALCO ringleader Victor Conte, who has a hand on each man's meaty shoulders. All three are smiling. And why not? At an age when most top athletes have a hard time simply maintaining their chiseled physiques, Bonds had packed on 20-plus pounds of added bulk.

Extra size and strength equals extra bat speed. Robert Adair wrote the book on baseball physics. Literally. His "The Physics of Baseball" has enjoyed multiple editions and is considered the classic text in its field.

BARRY'S HOME RUNS
Here is the complete list of Barry Bonds' home runs since 1999 -- including the 83 we took away from his career total after our analysis.

On page 139, Adair provides an equation relating bat speed (that is, the speed of the bat's sweet spot at the moment it makes contact with the ball) to player weight:

V = k sqrt(M/(m+M/81))

(Note: V is the velocity of the bat in miles per hour, m is the bat weight in pounds, M is the player's weight in pounds, sqrt means square root and k is a constant, 10, in mph. Phew!)

According to Adair's formula -- and don't worry, we asked him to double-check the calculations, since our last math class came in high school -- the 206-pound Bonds generates a bat speed of 67.34 mph, while the 228-pound Bonds swings the same 32-ounce bat at 68.81 mph, an increase of 1.48 mph.

Trust us: That's more impressive than it sounds.

Bat speed is the key to power hitting. Jack Mankin is an electrical engineer. He also is a youth baseball coach and something of a baseball swing junkie.

Way back in 1986, Mankin bought a VCR that featured frame-by-frame replay, a rare and exotic luxury at the time. He taped about 100 major league games, then set out to chart the swing mechanics that separated great hitters from average ones.

Mankin taped plastic strips to his television screen. He used a grease pencil to trace body movement. He plugged his findings into computer spreadsheets. He's still at it today.

Recently, Mankin looked over clips of Bonds, from 1988 and the present. Conclusion?

"There's absolutely no change," said Mankin, who runs a Web site devoted to bat speed. "The only difference is that back then, most of his home runs were just enough to clear a 360-foot fence. Now, he's up to 400-some with the same dang swing."

The same dang swing. Only faster. In an excellent 2005 San Diego Union-Tribune article detailing the effects of steroid use on power hitting, major league scouts claim Bonds' bat speed not only stopped declining but also increased during the time he worked with Anderson -- an observation consistent with Adair's weight-to-bat speed formula.

"I've seen [Bonds'] bat speed improve," a longtime major league scout told Page 2. "But I can't say it's because of steroids."

How does extra bat speed help a hitter? Simple. While many factors influence the height and distance of a flyball, the most important variable is the speed of the bat at the instant it connects with a pitch.

Mont Hubbard, a mechanical and aeronautical engineering professor at the University of California-Davis, co-authored a 2003 American Journal of Physics article examining home run ball flight. An accompanying graph plots bat speed against flyball distance -- and like a rising homer, the curve sloped upward, almost in a straight line.

The faster the swing, the longer the long ball.

"We work with bat speed a lot, especially with a lot of the [major league] guys who come down here before spring training," said David Donatucci, director of the International Performance Institute at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. "If you're working [at] the skill [of hitting] and increasing in strength at the same time, you'll become a more powerful hitter."

Alan Nathan, a baseball physics buff and nuclear physics professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, estimates every one mph of extra bat speed translates into roughly six feet of added flyball flight distance. Back to Bonds. By bulking up and increasing his bat speed, he added about nine feet to his average flyball distance -- the difference between the warning track out and reaching the outfield seats.

ANGRY BLOGGER FAQ
Q: I'd like to pick apart this article. Where should I start?

A: Pretty much anywhere. Everything in the article -- especially the number 616 -- is rooted in educated guesswork.

Q: Such as?

A: The player mass to bat speed formula. Physically modeling a big-league swing -- what physicist Robert Adair calls "a rather complex energy transfer system" -- isn't easy. Adair's formula is a logical approximation rooted in the assumption that the total energy a batter can generate is linearly proportional to his muscle mass. The root assumption is pretty sound; the bat speeds it produces are estimates.

Q: Let's talk distance. Are Bonds' home run lengths totally accurate?

A: No. Home run distances are historically -- and notoriously -- inaccurate, calculated via mathematical formulas, specialized cameras, inexact eyeballing and old fashioned walking out the distance by foot. Some teams, like Boston, don't even bother. Check out this excellent Wall Street Journal article for more information.

Q: OK, so the home run distances are approximations. How about your estimates of where they cleared the park?

A: Also guesses. And fairly crude ones at that. Along with date, opponent and distance, each Bonds home run came tagged with a letter code marking the general area it left the stadium. Stats, Inc. provided Page 2 with a radial chart (click to see popup) matching each letter to a portion of the field. Page 2 then matched groups of letters to the outfield distances available for each stadium: center, right, left, down both foul lines, and sometimes a few additional (often quirky) markers. In general, we broke things up as follows: C-E, left-field line; F-K, left; L-O, center: P-U, right; T-X, right-field line.

Could these estimates be more accurate? Definitely. Watching videotape of each Bonds home run, for instance, would be a good place to start. Unfortunately, Page 2 has neither the time nor the access. (If anyone out there wants to take up the gauntlet, drop us a line. We'd love to know what you find out).

Q: How about all those extra walks the supposedly juiced-up Bonds started receiving? Even if a non-juiced Bonds hit home runs less often, he would have seen more pitches. Shouldn't Barry get a few home runs back?

A: We struggled with this, but ultimately decided to leave it out, mostly because walks are highly dependent on: a) game situation; b) the pitcher on the mound; c) manager discretion.

Still, for the sake of argument, suppose that a non-juiced Bonds walks in 1999-2005 at the same rate he did in 1996-98, once every 4.84 plate appearances. He gets 223 extra at-bats, and at his 1996-98 home run rate (one per 13.45 at-bats), hits another 17 home runs.

Now for the fun part. Using statistics and a chart provided by STATS, Inc., Page 2 examined every home run hit by Bonds from 1999 to May 2 of this year, 301 in all.

The entry for each home run lists the ballpark where it was hit, the estimated distance it traveled and the approximate area where the ball cleared the field of play. Comparing each homer to the ballpark dimension diagrams found at andrewclem.com, we sought to answer a single question:

If you take away the extra nine feet of flyball distance Bonds generated by putting on 20 pounds of muscle, how many of his home runs fall short?

Here's how the answer breaks down:

• 1999: four home runs out of 34.
• 2000: nine out of 49.
• 2001: 18 out of 73.
• 2002: 11 out of 46.
• 2003: 10 out of 45.
• 2004: 13 out of 45.
• 2005: one out of five.
• 2006: zero out of five.

In total, Page 2 estimates that 66 Bonds home runs would have landed inside the fence sans his alleged steroids use. Again, this is an approximation. But is our guess wholly unreasonable?

According to Adair, a 1 percent change in flyball distance translates into a roughly 7 percent change in the probability of hitting a home run. Since Bonds enjoyed a 2.4 percent increase in flyball distance, he should have seen a 16 percent increase in home run production.

Our number -- 66 home runs -- represents about 22 percent of Bonds' home runs since 1999. The numbers are in the same ballpark. Emphasis on in.

2. Stamina

"Before, I would train really hard in the offseason and work out just a little bit during the season, trying mostly to keep my flexibility. Then I'd hit a wall in August. But the last few years I've been training all year, and that has changed my whole career, because I don't get weaker during the year. I don't suffer a down spell or hit bottom. I stay strong all year."
-- Bonds, in Muscle and Fitness magazine, 2003

Perhaps you've heard the term: The dog days of summer. Temperatures rise. Injuries nag. Fatigue sets in, mental and physical. The season seems endless. Older players feel the grind most acutely.

Some switch to lighter bats. Others skip batting practice. Anything to conserve precious energy.

Enter steroids. In "Juiced," Jose Canseco writes that performance-enhancing drugs kept him feeling fresh, as if the last day of the season was the first day of spring training. "Game of Shadows" reports that using human growth hormone helped Bonds retain his buffed-up body without rigorous training.

That August wall? Knocked down like the one in Berlin. Get pumped, stay pumped, with more pep to boot.

Without steroids, how much would Bonds have sagged in the stretch? We don't really know. But we can make another reasonable guess. Assume that instead of gaining 1.8 mph in bat speed, an aging Bonds would have lost that amount by the end of July.

Subtract nine more feet from Bonds' charted home runs from August through October, and here's how many die on the warning track:

Otto Gruele Jr./Getty Images
In 1998, Bonds hit 37 home runs -- 33 fewer than Mark McGwire.
• 1999: six home runs.
• 2000: three home runs.
• 2001: five home runs.
• 2002: zero home runs.
• 2003: one home run.
• 2004: one home run.
• 2005: one home run.

Add it up, and that's 17 more homers we're taking away from Bonds, bringing our running total to 83. Time to check our work.

3. Longevity
"I don't have to [use steroids]. I mean, I'm a good enough ballplayer as it is. I don't need to be any better. I can't get any better at this age."
-- Bonds, in an interview with Bob Costas, 2002

No kidding. At age 39 in 2004, Bonds hit a home run every 8.3 at bats -- the second-best rate of his career, and far superior to Babe Ruth (16.6), Willie Mays (17.1) and Ted Williams (15.8) at the same age.

Is Bonds simply a marvelous athlete, benefiting from advances in training and nutrition unavailable to the sluggers of yore? Perhaps. Or perhaps Bonds has access to better chemicals.

Testosterone levels decline with age. Typically, so does athletic performance. Recent research suggests that both testosterone and human growth hormone may have significant anti-aging effects.

Now consider: At ages 31-33, the top 10 home run hitters not named Barry Bonds (and not including contemporaries Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Ken Griffey Jr.) collectively averaged a dinger every 13.8 at-bats. From age 34 through 39, however, that average fell to one home run per 15.6 at bats, a drop-off of 1.8.

Similarly, Bonds at ages 31-33 averaged a home run every 13.5 at bats. But from age 34 onward -- when he allegedly started using performance-enhancing drugs -- Bonds has averaged one home run per 8.5 at bats, an unprecedented surge.

Dingers!
In an excerpt from "Dingers: A Short History of the Long Ball", Peter Keating explains that Bonds dominated his league like no player in history.

If "Game of Shadows" is correct, steroids helped Bonds throttle Father Time, becoming more powerful at an age when most players slip significantly. How many fewer home runs would he have hit had his production declined at the rate of his non-juiced peers?

Let's crunch the numbers:

• At 31-33, Bonds' home run rate is 13.5. He suffers a drop of 1.8, making his 34-39 rate 15.3;
• At 34-39, Bonds had 2,477 at-bats;
• Divide 2,477 by 15.3, and you get 162.

By the standards of his historic peers, Bonds should have have hit about 162 homers from age 34 through 39; in reality, he smacked 292. The difference: 130 home runs.

Are all of those bogus? Hard to say. Give Bonds the benefit of the doubt. Suppose, for argument's sake, he's as ageless as the man he's chasing, Hank Aaron.

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Bonds cracks his record 71st home run in 2001.
At ages 34-39, Aaron enjoyed a rare rise in his home run rate, from 15.4 to 13.0 (explained, in part, by a move from Milwaukee's County Stadium to more homer-friendly Atlanta Fulton County Stadium). Assign the same moderate 2.4 boost to Bonds. Then divide his at-bats accordingly.

Bonds ends up with 223 homers, much closer to his real-life total of 292. And the difference between the two -- 69 fewer home runs -- is pretty close to the 83 we've already taken away.

Confidence

"There are some things I don't understand right now. The balls I used to line off the wall are lining out [of the park]. I can't tell you why. Call God. Ask Him."
-- Bonds, to the San Francisco Chronicle, 2001

So Bonds is stronger. More energetic. In goes the needle. Out go the long balls. His confidence surges.

Out go more long balls.

Feel good. Play better. Self-assurance is the great sports intangible, nearly as important as raw talent. Think you can do it? You're halfway there.

"Look, steroids make you better," says the major league scout, a former player himself. "But the other factor is confidence. You can't measure that. But there is a value there, and athletes all thrive on it. They need to know that they can perform."

Call God. Spoken like a man who knows he can perform. Bolstered by steroids, would a supremely self-assured Bonds swing for the fences more often? Seems likely. From 1987 to 1998, Bonds' average ground ball to flyball ratio was 0.81; between 1999 and last season, it was 0.62 -- an increase of about 19 extra flyballs for every 300 balls put into play. Maybe a pumped-up Bonds was trying harder to go deep. Maybe he belted additional home runs as a result.

More on confidence: "Game of Shadows" reports that performance enhancers improved Bonds' eyesight, helping him track pitches. Coincidence? Not necessarily. Extra bat speed means extra time to differentiate between a fastball and a slider.

Moreover, a 2002 University of California San Francisco study found that older men with higher testosterone levels performed better on cognition tests than men with lower levels. Two years later, Harvard researchers discovered that men with higher testosterone levels are quicker to solve spatial-relationship problems.

Really, what is spotting and crushing a major league fastball if not a spatial-relationship problem ... played out at warp speed?

"People talk about bat speed, but nobody talks about [Bonds'] eyesight," said the major league scout. "He sees a pitch so quick, so early. He can see it and relay that information to his muscles faster than anyone else. That's what all good hitters do. They know what the ball is when it has been out of the pitcher's hand for just 10, 15 feet. Only special people do this."

How many home runs are quicker reactions and a juice-boosted feeling of invincibility worth? Could be five. Could be 25. Could be more, if fearful opposing pitchers lack confidence and fail to summon their best stuff.

What seems clear is this: Confidence helps, same as muscle. Let's say increased self-assurance allowed Bonds to belt 15 more home runs -- about three per season. That brings our grand total of tainted dingers to 98, a number that corresponds nicely with 1998 -- Bonds' last clean year, if "Game of Shadows" has it right. And even if the book is wrong, the photographs don't lie: Bonds today is a swollen sponge, a hulking parody of his lithe former self. Of course he bashed like never before. The laws of physics demand nothing less.

In his book, Adair states that if 140-pound Paul Waner uses a 32-ounce bat to hit a 90 mph fastball 338 feet, 225-pound Mark McGwire can use the same swing and same bat to drive the same pitch nearly 50 feet farther. Hello, andro!

"Bigger is better," Adair said in an e-mail interview. "But Waner was a damn good player."

Six hundred sixteen home runs. Our best guess. A long way from 715, but still an incredible number. Such is the shame in having to wonder: Without steroids, Bonds was a damn good player. With steroids, he's a good player damned.

Jacob Skinner sighting...

2006-03-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's the offseason for Razorback players. What do they do to practice their craft in the offseason? Jacob Skinner shows his favorite way to practice.

Momma, don't let your babies grow up to sign Cowboys...

2006-03-18T21:47:00.000-08:00
Glad to see that Dallas Cowboys will tarnish their image and bring any piece of crap into their organization.

Will all the Cowboy fans will become Texans fans now?

Does this mean that the Cowboys will go back to the 6-10 record that people are use to?

Can Drew Bledsoe get TO the ball enough to satisfy TO?

Will the Tuna coach this team or retire before the draft?

Dick Vital's dreams....

2006-03-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

I really don't care about player of the year but thought this was funny.

Maybe "Juiced" wasn't so bad.

2006-03-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

God do I love this time of the year. People start defending the worst thing that has and will happen to baseball. Article pulled from ESPN.com.

Do you believe Barry Bonds, or the book?

If you believe Bonds, then you believe the third-leading home run hitter in the history of Major League Baseball is the victim of an unrelenting federal and media conspiracy designed to frame him for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

If you believe the excerpts of "Game of Shadows," then you believe that Bonds and his mind-boggling, bloated numbers of 1998-2004 (he missed most of last season with an injury) are a fraud.

I believe the book. I think Bonds is -- or was -- a human Walgreens, a grotesque and insulting example of better baseball through chemistry. And I think he should slither away, joining Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro in forced baseball exile.

Bonds is finished. He might play again, but there is only a chalk outline left around his integrity and home run totals. And the only way he gets into Cooperstown is if he spends the $14.50 for a Hall of Fame admission ticket.

Winstrol. Deca-Durabolin. Insulin. Testosterone decanoate. Human growth hormones. Norbolethone. Trenbolone. Clomid. These are the substances and steroids Bonds is alleged to have injected or ingested. They are the medicine cabinet of a cheater.

This sign was up in September of last season. Expect more of the same.
Clomid is prescribed to women for infertility. Trenbolone enhances the muscle tone of cattle. Deca-Durabolin is a medication used in the treatment of kidney failure-related amnesia. And yet, write "Game of Shadows" co-authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, Bonds did so with regularity and without remorse.

Bonds always has been a drama king. He was insufferable in high school, insufferable at Arizona State, and insufferable now. But his statistics didn't come with a personality rating. Love him or loathe him, you simply couldn't argue with his talent. He arrived at the big leagues as a prodigy, a lithe, five-tool player. He will leave as a cautionary tale, an asterisk wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform.

How can you not read the work of the two San Francisco Chronicle writers and not at least wonder if Bonds knew about the working end of a syringe. Either you're naïve or a member of the Bonds family.

When asked Tuesday at the Giants' Scottsdale facility if he was aware of the contents of "Game of Shadows," Bonds told reporters, "Nope. I won't even look at it. For what? I won't even look at it. There's no need to."

Here's guessing the Feds will. So will the IRS. So will his ex-wife's divorce attorney. So will MLB commissioner Bud Selig, though he was conveniently in Milwaukee on Tuesday, despite Team USA making its World Baseball Classic debut here at Chase Field. An MLB spokesperson said Selig hadn't seen the book and had no comment regarding the book's allegations.

Then again, what can Selig do other than secretly root that Fainaru-Wada and Williams got it right? In so many ways MLB, the owners and the Players Association share part of the blame for creating this situation. For years they were helpless -- or clueless -- when it came to addressing the issue of performance-enhancing drugs.

Faced with a choice of remaining true to the game, or becoming what he once despised, Bonds allegedly chose home runs over ethics. But even as his numbers increased almost exponentially, as kayak-gridlock became commonplace at McCovey's Cove, as the countdown to baseball immortality became more pronounced, there was always an uneasiness about Bonds' accomplishments. They didn't seem, for the lack of a better word, natural.

Bonds has his defenders -- lot's of them, including Derrek Lee, the Chicago Cubs All-Star first baseman who is everything Bonds isn't: a player who handles himself with grace and dignity. Lee hadn't heard of the book excerpt until he was asked about it after Team USA's 2-0 victory against Mexico.

"What's the story?" he said. "I don't know the story."

It was explained: detailed allegations of performance-enhancing drug use by Bonds.

Lee dismissed the latest revelations. It wasn't a story, he said. Bonds has never been caught using steroids. Leave him alone.

"People have been alleging him forever," Lee said.

Lee believes Bonds. I don't, and never will. I don't believe in coincidences, or physical transformations so stark that you do a double-take. I don't believe the numbers of 2001.

The tragedy of it all is that Bonds didn't need the alleged chemical boost. His legacy was secure. His Hall of Fame plaque was a done deal. It didn't matter if we thought he was a jerk because his statistics were so overpowering. No longer.

In recent years, perception was reality when it came to Bonds and the subject of steroid use. But this latest excerpt, complete with his smarmy grand jury testimony, convinces me reality is reality when applied to Bonds.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, about an hour or so before Team USA's game, Alex Rodriguez was asked about the death of Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, who died a day earlier from complications stemming from a major stroke.

"One of the saddest days in baseball for me," said A-Rod.

I felt the same way Tuesday. This time it was the death of a reputation.

Barry Bonds, rest in peace.

Can I retake the test?

2006-03-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've been gone for a while but I'm back. I've been hot on the trail of Vince Young's Wonderlic test and I've found it. I would question if it's real but looking at the answers, it seems to make sense.

10 things I hate about ESPN(yes, only 10 for now)

2006-02-12T22:52:00.000-08:00
1) Cold Pizza - Woody, Skip, some idiot and a chick. I can't tell you how much sleep I lose over knowing this show is on. I was glad when it was on at 5 AM here so you East Coast people could see it live. Now they moved it back for the West Coast. Thanks...

2) Around the Horn - Nice concept except I don't know any of the writers. If they did it with major sports announcers, it would be great. Alas it isn't. Then some dude named Statboy takes points away unless you kiss his ass. Brilliant!

3) ESPNU - Does anyone have this? They have great games on all the time but it's not offered on my cable package with expanded sports even. I have it at work. So I think I'm one of 30 people who has it.

4) Stuart Scott - Booyah! I wish someone could hit him in his other eye so they would be even. Can't catch a football. Can't show a highlight. Also the host of any Sportstainment show they've made: Dream Job, the Bowling night, Ask a Lardass, ect.

5) The World Series of Poker - We don't talk about point spreads because gambling is bad. Poker is good. What exactly is poker? I know it's cheap to film and I can't blame them for it but making Doyle Brunson a household name is wrong on so many levels. Bring back Aussie Football or CFL.

6) ESPN Hollywood - Never seen it, it just has to be bad. I was wondering what Slater had been doing lately. Telling me who CoCo Crisp is sleeping with evidentally. I'd rather see ping pong or trick shot billiards. Why can't they show games from the day before like NBA TV does?

7) Espys - Man, we aren't getting enough awards. What should we do about it? Make our own awards? Brilliant! The only thing I've ever remembered about this show is the "Can I be your tennis ball?" song by Jamie Foxx. What do people do with these things?

8) The Bottom Line - On ESPNNEWS, it is on all the time through commercials. On ESPN 2, it is on during the show/game but disappears during commercials. On ESPN, it is never on. Make up your freaking mind. Am I the only one who gets pissed because I wait for a score and it disappears?

9) ESPN Movies - 3, Code of Honor, The Bear Bryant story, ect. What do these things have in common? They sucked. Not sure I can name another movie they made. I can't wait for the next ground breaking genre they invade. Maybe fishing or NHRA!

10) Dream Job - What happened to those great potential talents? I figure it's how Stuart got his job. So the show sucked. How can we make it suckier? How about we do it with former jocks who can't read? Brilliant!

Is anyone watching Turin?

2006-02-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

I can't even being to describe how hard it is to get into winter olympics when it's 72 degrees every day. Plus I don't know any of the sports. If the half pipe snowboarding is a sport, is ice fishing, is riding cardboard or tire tube down a hill, is snowball fights? If not, then I can't help you. But it does give you interesting stories like this one.

'Grandma Luge' Injured in Practice Crash
Fan Favorite From Virgin Islands Breaks Wrist
CESANA, Italy (Feb. 12) - Anne Abernathy, the 52-year-old slider known as "Grandma Luge," broke her right wrist during a crash in practice Sunday and may not compete in the Turin Games.

Abernathy was injured during a morning training session when she wrecked between turns 16 and 17 and was taken to a hospital. Melita Glanville, the trainer who has worked with Abernathy for six years, said she will be evaluated on Monday before the first two runs of women's luge.

"Even if you have a little doubt, if someone is not on top of their game and they are going to fly down the track at 90 mph, you have to be pretty sure they are OK," Glanville said.

The runners on Abernathy's sled also sustained serious damage in the wreck on the speedy 19-curve track at Cesana, which has thwarted several sliders in recent days.

Abernathy made her Olympic debut for the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1988 at Calgary. Although she has never been a serious medal threat, Abernathy, a cancer survivor, is popular with the sport's fans and her fellow athletes.

At these games, Abernathy is wearing a green racing suit and a red helmet.

"I kind of look like a Christmas tree," she said following a practice run on Friday. "The red helmet is in honor of women over 50 ... that we can go out and do what we want to do. It's a big deal for a lot of women that someone over 50 is going out there and doing it."

Is that Texas ATM?

2006-02-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

Can a player really be this stupid?

Feb. 4, 2006, 12:09AM
Ags try to clarify remarks
Recruit told paper A&M keeps 'your pockets full'
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Midland Lee receiver Terrence McCoy has yet to step on campus, but he's causing a stir in Aggieland.

After signing with Texas A&M on Wednesday, McCoy told the Midland Reporter-Telegram, "They take care of you down there. I know from my brother they keep your pockets full, give you plenty of money, keep feeding you meals."

McCoy's older brother, Jamie, is a freshman quarterback for the Aggies.

Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione issued a statement Friday in an attempt to clear up McCoy's comments.

"We follow NCAA rules here at Texas A&M," Franchione said. "I believe Terrence did not explain himself well. We will do all that we can, within the rules of the NCAA, to help our players be successful on the field, in the classrooms and in life."

An A&M official said McCoy was referring to the $30 per day schools are allowed to provide players hosting prospects for entertainment purposes on official visits. Franchione also said on his Web site that players can receive meal stipends under certain conditions.

The school's compliance office, which reports directly to the university president, is likely to review the matter.

Franchione said on his Web site Friday that Charley North, the school's director of football operations, works closely with the school's compliance and business office to manage what players receive.

"It is monitored and audited to the dime," Franchione wrote. "There are all kinds of checks and balances and procedures to make sure there is no abuse of the system."

Efforts to reach McCoy and Midland Lee head coach Randy Quisenberry were unsuccessful Friday.

Talk about Super Bowl XL...

2006-02-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

Books see some relief with record Super Bowl handle

It didn’t reach $100 million. But Nevada’s 176 sportsbooks did take in a record $94.5 million on Super Bowl XL, according to figures released by the state Gaming Control Board.

If Nevada took in that amount, it’s scary to think how much was wagered on the game via the Internet and through other sources. My guess is at least 97 percent of the action came outside Nevada. That figure could be high, though.

There are some gaming analysts and bookmakers who believe Nevada sportsbooks take less than one percent of what is bet offshore and online.

“The potential for offshore being 100 times what Nevada is easily exists,” said Rich Baccellieri, a former offshore sportsbook manager who is now the race and sportsbook director at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas.

It doesn’t matter if public, big-city teams are involved. The Super Bowl is going to draw no matter who plays. That was proven with the Seahawks.

Paul Tagliabue probably would enjoy hearing that. What he wouldn’t like finding out is that Super Bowl handle was up for the fifth year in a row in Nevada.

If Super Bowl betting is up each year in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, you can imagine how huge wagering online must be with more and more gamblers tapping into the convenience and many different offerings.

“It’s scary to think of the tax dollars the U.S. government could be accruing,” Baccellieri said, “one hundred times $100 million. My calculator doesn’t go that high. That would be a lot of tax dollars for our government.”

Maybe the U.S. government will figure that out sometime during our lifetime. Then, again, maybe their will be a big NFL game that’s not screwed up by the officiating.

Last year’s Super Bowl drew $90.7 million in Nevada wagers. In 2004, Nevada’s hotels accepted $81.2 million. Nevada books handled $71.6 and $71.5 million, respectively, in 2003 and 2002.

Nevada bookmakers won $8.8 million, holding 9.3 percent on this year’s game. This is down from last year’s amazing 17 percent hold and from the 15.3 percent hold of 2004. Many Las Vegas bookmakers said they had a record write, and turned a small profit on the Seahawks-Steelers game.

Some bookmakers like to have a major decision going for them on the outcome. Others are comfortable not taking many chances, just letting the vigorish work in their favor.

“I’m a guy who likes to write a lot of volume. Have two-way (action) and let the bettors play,” Baccellieri said. “You have the 11-10 edge going for you.”

The Steelers were bet up to 4 ½ at many places, but the number came down to 4 by kickoff as late Seattle money did show up. Bettors did well on the total, with the over/under going from 48 to 47.

The house held their own on props, knocked down a lot of parlays and won on the moneyline with most of the wagers coming on Seattle to win straight-up. The books won again on futures wagering, which also is factored into the house’s overall winning margin.

Bookmakers really haven’t been hurt on futures betting since the Ravens won in 2000 and Rams in 1999. The Bears were the most dangerous team for some bookmakers on the future book this past season.

This marks the 11th consecutive year Nevada sportsbooks have won on Super Bowl wagering. The last time they didn’t post a profit on the game was the 1995 Super Bowl when the 49ers covered as a lopsided 18-point favorite against the Chargers.

Still, 2005 will not go down as a fun NFL season for bookies. Favorites covered at an unprecedented 58 percent, with November and December being particularly difficult for the house.

But, in the end, the books were able to rebound somewhat with their ace in the hole – the Super Bowl.

Operation Slap Shot

2006-02-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad gambling is legal here. I just don't understand how the rest of the country doesn't understand it. Here's further proof IMO. I think 90% of the US adults have made a sports bet in their life. If it's a million dollars or a hundred dollars, loser buys the beers, March Madness brackets: it's all relative the amount you bet. Should we be shocked that people who have more money bet more money?

Coyotes Assistant Tocchet Cited in Gambling Bust
Gretzky's Wife, NHL Players Allegedly Placed Wagers With Former Player

Authorities say Wayne Gretzky's wife and several others bet on sports in a gambling ring financed by Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 8) - Rick Tocchet, Wayne Gretzky's close friend and top assistant coach, headed to New York to face NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after he was implicated as the financier of a nationwide sports betting ring.

In an investigation they called "Operation Slapshot," New Jersey authorities said several NHL players - and Gretzy's wife - were among those placing bets, although not on hockey.

Gretzky, revered as hockey's greatest player and now in his first season as Phoenix Coyotes coach, said he was unaware of any gambling accusations until Tocchet called him Monday night.

"The sad thing about this whole scenario is that Rick is a wonderful person and a great guy, so I hope everything works out in his favor," Gretzky said after his team's 3-1 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night. "It's hard because I love the guy. He's a great guy, you know. I just hope it all works out for him."

He said his wife, actress Janet Jones, would at some point discuss the allegations against her.

"First of all, my wife is my best friend," Gretzky said. "My love for her is deeper than anything. The reality is, I'm not involved, I wasn't involved and I'm not going to be involved. Am I concerned for both of them? Sure there's concern from me. I'm more worried about them than me. ... I'm trying to figure it all out."

Two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because no bettors have been publicly identified, told The Associated Press that Gretzky's wife was among those implicated. Gretzky said his wife was in California and they talked, but she did not speak about her involvement.

"We didn't get into it other than she was concerned about Rick and she felt it was a tough situation with him," Gretzky said.

When asked if she had placed bets for him, Gretzky said "absolutely not." Except for trips to Las Vegas, Gretzky said he does not gamble.

State police Col. Rick Fuentes said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball.

The developments came at a sensitive time for the NHL, which is trying to win back fans after a season-long lockout and just days before many of its best players will showcase their talents at the Turin Olympics.

Authorities implicated Janet Jones, wife of NHL great Wayne Gretzky, as one of the wagerers in Tocchet's nationwide gambling ring.

Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel to New Jersey to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, Fuentes said.

A criminal complaint informs Tocchet of authorities' intention to formally charge him and the need for him to arrange to travel to New Jersey for charging, or face arrest.

"It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time, I can't comment any further," Tocchet said after the Coyotes practiced Tuesday.

Tocchet acknowledged that a New Jersey state trooper arrested in connection with the gambling ring case is his friend. Tocchet said he would cooperate with the investigation, but didn't answer when asked if he'd surrender to authorities.

"We understand that Mr. Tocchet's conduct in no way involved betting on hockey," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "And, while betting on football or other sports may be the pervasive issue, it in no way justifies poor judgment or otherwise alleged inappropriate conduct."

Daly said the NHL was conducting its own investigation.

Authorities said Tocchet and state police Trooper James Harney were partners in the operation, with the former Philadelphia Flyers star providing the financing.

"Tocchet received illegal sports bets from wagers and funneled money back to New Jersey," Fuentes said.

Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes' staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Gretzky was with his dying mother.

The 41-year-old Tocchet played 18 years with six teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997-00. He's one of only four players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. Tocchet was a fan favorite wherever he played, including two stints with the Flyers (1984-92, 2000-02).

"It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further."
-Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet

"I think everybody is surprised," Flyers center Peter Forsberg said. "It's definitely not good for the sport to hear something like that."

Harney, 40, was arrested Monday and has been suspended from the force. The eight-year police veteran was charged in an arrest warrant with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Another man accused of taking bets is James Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

Both men were free after posting 10 percent of their bail. Harney had $100,000 bail, Ulmer $50,000. The two were expected to be arraigned within two weeks.

The gambling ring had a connection with organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, Fuentes said. Starting Monday night, authorities seized property from Harney and Ulmer. State police seized $27,000 in currency, "voluminous" amounts of sports betting information and bank accounts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Fuentes said.

My Super Bowl MVP

2006-02-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

Not sure how the voting will go. Heins had the best stats. Guess Pittsburgh is glad they signed him.

More NFL players, drinking and guns

2006-02-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

Alcohol Banned From FBI Shooting Range

(AP) NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. The FBI is banning alcohol from its North Chicago shooting range.

Spokesman Ross Rice says the move comes in response to a fight at the range in November between two Chicago Bears players.

Bears tackle Fred Miller suffered a broken jaw when he and center Olin Kreutz got into altercation during a barbecue at the facility.

They were among a group of Bears players who were invited to tour the facility and shoot weapons.

An investigation conducted out of Washington D.C. concluded on Friday.

Rice says the two players refused to press charges against each other.

NFL player with a gun? WTF?

2006-01-31T19:12:00.000-08:00
Bengals Receiver Chris Henry Whips It Out in Front of Crowd - His 9mm German Lugar pistol, that is. Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Henry was arrested by Orlando police over the weekend and charged with possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. Not bad for a rookie. If his name sounds familiar to BadJocks readers it's because he was arrested back in December in Kentucky and charged with marijuana possession. According to police, a group Henry was riding with in a limo got into an altercation with another group on a sidewalk and he decided the settle things the old fashioned way. The GERMAN old fashioned way by pulling a 9mm Lugar from his pants and pointing it at someone on the sidewalk. Unfortunately for Henry, a cop witnessed the incident, whipped his weapon out and told him to drop the gun, which he sort of did . . . by throwing it back into the limo. For that failure to follow orders, officers wrestled him to the ground and arrested the NFL star at 2:15 a.m.

Back from break...

2006-01-30T20:16:00.000-08:00
Took a vacation from life and went to a memphis Grizzlies games vs the Oklahoma Chocolate City Hornets. The atmosphere was okay for being my first NBA game in the deep south. It's almost like going to a Clippers game.

New Orl/OKC 95, Memphis 86

January 29, 2006 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- After all of the offcourt distractions of the last two days, the New Orleans Hornets needed something positive.

They got it Saturday night.

David West scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half and grabbed 12 rebounds to help the Hornets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 95-86. The win came against a backdrop of Chris Andersen's dismissal from the team Friday and lingering questions about where the Hornets will play next year and in the future.

"With all the adversity we've faced, I told them before the game that you guys have always done a good job of coming together in the face of adversity," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "That is something we're going to have to do, not just tonight, but the rest of the season."

Andersen was dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for violating the league's drug policy. Several Hornets wore Andersen's trademark headband. Also before the game, Hornets owner George Shinn said the team should play in Oklahoma City next season because New Orleans may not be ready to support the franchise.

West led a fourth-quarter charge as the Hornets connected on 11 of 16 shots in the period to hold off the Grizzlies.

"We knew we had to get aggressive in the second half," West said. "We didn't want to come out in the third quarter and have a letdown.

"... I knew I was going to get the ball in my hands, and I wanted to be the one to get us going by knocking down a few shots."

Speedy Claxton scored 20 points for the Hornets, who placed six players in double figures. P.J. Brown had 18 points and Kirk Snyder and Desmond Mason finished with 10 apiece. Chris Paul scored 13 points despite going 1-for-13 from the field.

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Bobby Jackson scored 22 points. Mike Miller added 11 points, but was only 1-of-6 from outside the 3-point arc. Memphis, one of the league's top 3-point shooting teams, hit only 6-of-28 for 21 percent from long range.

"We got happy just taking the threes," Memphis guard Eddie Jones said. "After a tough game (a 95-89 loss at Detroit on Friday), you may not have the leg strength. That was key. We were trying to penetrate and kick. The shots didn't go down. Just don't blame it on shooting. You can never blame a loss on shooting. It's what you do defensively."

The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last nine, and while Gasol was passive during the early part of the streak, his offensive output has improved the last three games. Against the Hornets, it was the Grizzlies' inability to hit from outside and take pressure off the leading scorer.

"We're not playing our offense fluently," Gasol said. "We're getting into our plays a little late, and we're just not getting it done right now."

The Hornets built the lead to 10 early in the fourth. West and Snyder led the way, as New Orleans scored nine straight points as part of a 15-5 run spanning the third and fourth quarters.

New Orleans eventually extended the lead to 11, and Memphis never got closer than seven points down the stretch.

"Some nights we shoot well; some nights we don't," Memphis coach Mike Fratello said. "We have to come out and play hard and play consistently. ... We have to concentrate on stopping people, doing what it takes to keep us in games, and, hopefully, hit shots down the stretch."

The teams were tied at 45 at the half.

Claxton got untracked in the second quarter, scoring 17 of his 18 first-half points in the period as New Orleans erased an early 10-point lead for the Grizzlies.

In the second half, New Orleans resorted to double-teaming Gasol in the post. With the Grizzlies having trouble from the outside, the strategy was effective. Gasol was left with few shots, some of which came when he resorted to 15- to 18-footers.

Meanwhile, West was successfully working against Gasol for nine straight points late in the stanza.

West's fadeaway 6-footer as the horn sounded to end the third period gave New Orleans a 67-65 lead entering the final quarter.

Notes

Hornets F/C Jackson Vroman took Andersen's spot in the rotation, playing 16 minutes. He did not score, but had four rebounds. Brandon Bass, who could also benefit from Andersen's departure, did not play. ... Gasol entered the game connecting on 25 straight free throws. After making all four in the first half, he had tied the second-longest streak in franchise history with 29. He missed his first one of the second half. ... West recorded his 10th double-double of the season. ... Claxton's 17 points in the second quarter was the most by a Memphis opponent in a period this season.

Super Bowl XL is set.

2006-01-22T21:13:00.000-08:00
Steelers open up as a 4 point favorite minutes after Seattle puts away Carolina. Seems strange that a 6 seed is favored over the # 1 seed from the NFC with the MVP in the backfield. Guess I have some work to do.

What would a heart attack get?

2006-01-22T16:54:00.000-08:00
Houston Coach Penders Passes Out on Sidelines
Penders Blames Dehydration, Given Technical for Collapse

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Jan. 21) - Houston coach Tom Penders collapsed on the sideline late in the first half of the Cougars' 82-79 loss to UAB on Saturday night.

Penders, 60, was carried off the floor on a stretcher and given oxygen, but he returned to coach in the second half. He later attributed his fall to a heart condition and said he felt fine after taking the oxygen.

Penders fell to his knees as UAB's Wen Mukubu drove to the basket and drew a foul with 52 seconds left in the half and UAB leading 46-44. Officials called a technical foul on Penders, apparently thinking he was reacting to the foul call. But the game stopped and the crowd hushed when Penders didn't get up.

Assistant coach Melvin Haralson directed the Houston team in Penders' absence. Penders returned to the sideline at the beginning of the second half and led the Cougars the rest of the way.

"I have a heart condition and I've had several episodes where I stand up too fast and get light headed. I did a three-mile fast walk this morning and probably didn't get enough fluids before the game," Penders said.

The coach said he had no idea until later that he was called for a technical foul.

"I don't remember anything to be upset about. To get called for a technical foul for collapsing to the floor is extremely poor judgment on the officials part," he said.

Penders is in his second season at Houston and previously coached at George Washington, Texas and Rhode Island.

Maybe steroids aren't so bad for a body...

2006-01-20T21:24:00.000-08:00
Finally a reason to hate tennis. Could a face like this be evil?

Leave it to the Bulgarians to make something as simple as steroid abuse complicated! Just this week, rising female tennis star Sesil Karatantcheva, 16, (Pictured right in what can only be described as a "glamour shot" from her website. Below left is her regular face) was banned from playing for two years after twice testing positive for high levels of nandrolone in her blood. In her defense, Karatantcheva has maintained that the positive tests in May and July of 2005 were the result of her being pregnant. If that was the case, you would think a baby would have popped out by now, but the tennis star claims she miscarried. How sad, and convenient! The International Tennis Federation didn't believe her story either and banned her Eastern European ass from the game for two years. Now comes the fun part: in a TV interview this week, Karatantcheva hinted at her pregnancy . . . or possibly her abuse of 'roids . . . saying "I just decided that I wanted to do it, and I did it, and then things got out of control," later adding that when she took the decision to "do it" she was not aware of certain "protection issues" and then it just happened. Yeah, that cleared things up. To top things off she told the male interviewer, "You are a man and I do not expect you to understand. I just wanted to do it, took the decision and did it." Well she did it, got caught, and now she has two years to work on her game and make a return to tennis at the ripe old age of 18. Karatantcheva's best effort came when she reached the quarterfinals of the 2005 French Open after beating Venus Williams in the third round. Unfortunately, she tested positive after losing to Russia's Elena Likhovtseva in the quarterfinals. (Sofia News Agency)

Who gets replaced at USC first?

2006-01-19T20:54:00.000-08:00
Tough choices at USC this year. Who will be the new QB? Who will replace Bush or White? Will how about starting with the blonde cheerleader? Look at her... This is evidence that cheerleaders have no function at a game besides eye candy.

This picture is in the lead for funniest photo of the year.

Heisman 2006...my early pick

2006-01-17T20:44:00.000-08:00
Just one year ago, Quinn was a mediocre quarterback in a downtrodden program. Oh, what a difference a Weis makes. Under the tutelidge of Charlie Weis, Quinn finished third in the nation in passing yards (3,919) and threw 32 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. While Quinn will be without two valuable ball-catchers next year in WR Maurice Stovall and TE Anthony Fasano, he’ll still have his favorite target, All-America WR Jeff Samardzija, and gets back WR Rhema McKnight, who took a medical redshirt after injuring his knee early last year.

Hog of note, Darren McFadden was listed at # 18 in SI's top 20 for 2006.

More Vick, make me sick...

2006-01-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Not sure which one is funnier. The one that shows Michael Vick defending his woman or the one of him hiding in the kids toy bin. For those that need an update...Update: Teen Says Vick Threatened Them With Gun Believing Someone Had Called His Girlfriend a Bitch - Well, now that makes more sense! Marcus Vick coming to the rescue of a defenseless woman . . . or maybe not. One of the teenagers who say the former Va. Tech QB flashed a gun at him and several friends thinks the incident was over a woman. The young man claims he was inside the Suffolk, Virginia McDonalds when she came in and all he said was "How you doing?" She apparently left and had told her boyfriend in the parking lot that someone inside had called her a bitch. When the teens exited the restaurant, there was a man standing in the parking lot asking, "Which one of ya’ll called my girl a bitch?" It was at that point that one of them realized it was Marcus Vick and when they called out to him by named he hopped back into the car and ran off like a little girl. (Okay, we embellished that last part a little.)

Ain't life a Mitch...

2006-01-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

I'm so sick of hearing about how the U of Arkansas can't live without Mitch Mustaine. He wanted to goto Notre Dame. He wanted to goto Tennessee. Can he play in an offense that doesn't involve WR screens? I'd rather see it than the shotgun-option play that we've seen for 5 years. Part of me think that letting Stegall from Greenwod not play baseball at the U of A ran him to Ark St when lots of people says he has a better arm than Mitch. Just when I thought the Indians couldn't get any better...

Anger from this face?

2006-01-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how much press it gets on the east coast but you have to wonder about if it happened or not.

The story that's been floating around the blogosphere all week has been confirmed: Chad Johnson got into a fight with Cincy's WR coach during halftime of their loss to the Steelers. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Boomer Esiason said the following on the WDVE-FM Pittsburgh talk radio morning show:

"They had a huge fight in that locker room at halftime. It's the truth, flat out. (Wide receiver) Chad Johnson got into it with their wide receivers coach, Hue Jackson. (Wide receiver) T. J. Houshmandzadeh and Marvin came over to break it up and Chad was uncontrollable...

He wanted the ball more, screaming and yelling. Guys are trying to tell him calm down; we're all in this together; your quarterback's hurt. I mean, show a little professionalism, for crying out loud...

He's a knucklehead. He's a wide receiver in the NFL."

You're up at halftime and all you can worry is about yourself. You've lost your QB. You're getting double teamed. Just when you think TO has disappeared. I'm just wondering why Johnson gets a free pass from the press and TO gets hammered every time.

March Madness Brackets are out!

2006-01-11T16:59:00.000-08:00
You'll never guess who is # 65. Go Hogs! They need to win tonight like a fat girl needs Jenny Craig.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

Momma, don't let you babies grow up the be QBs

2006-01-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

What a year for the Vick house hold. Mom must be so proud. Take your pick of which son you'd rather have.

Marcus Vick...
May 14, 2004...Sentenced to 30 days in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor; fined $2,250. Found innocent of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

July 3, 2004...Charged with reckless driving and possession of marijuana. Police clocked him at 86 mph, 21 mph above the speed limit, and said the vehicle stunk of marijuana.

Aug. 3, 2004...Suspended from Virginia Tech for the 2004 season. Is fined $300; has driver's license suspended for 60 days; is placed in a first offender program; gets 24 hours of community service, drug counseling and random drug tests; loses his license for six months.

Sept. 13, 2004...Pleads no contest to one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Receives 30-day suspended jail sentence, $100 fine, 24 hours of community service and must stay away from two teenage girls.

Oct. 1, 2005...Makes obscene gesture to fans who have been calling him names related to past problems throughout a win at West Virginia.

Dec 16, 2005...He also received a speeding ticket and a ticket for driving on a suspended license in Hampton.

Jan. 2, 2006...Stomps on the left calf of Louisville's Elvis Dumervil during Gator Bowl win. Claims the incident was accidental and that he apologized to Dumervil, who denies ever receiving an apology.

Jan. 9, 2006...Arrested and charged with three misdemeanor counts of brandishing a firearm.

Michael Vick...becomes the joke of the league by fans asking why Peerless Price would be scared to catch anything from Michael Vick...ask Ron Mexico...

10 Commandments of Wagering for Front Row

2006-01-09T21:15:00.000-08:00
I-THOU SHALT WATCH FOR KEY NUMBERS AND HOOKS
When handicapping football, understand the importance of "key" numbers, primarily 7 and 3. To understand the importance of the 'key' numbers of 3 and 7 in football betting, it is important to know a few facts. Roughly either 3 or 7 points decide 20% of all football games. Furthermore, 3 points EXACTLY decides 14% of all football games. It is important to keep this fact in mind when handicapping football. As a result, it easier to lay 2 1/2 points than 3 1/2 points, and a line move from 1 to 2 1/2 may have less significance than one from 3 to 3 1/2. The Key numbers to keep an eye on are 3, 7, 4, 6, 10, 13, and 14.
II-THOU SHALT RESPECT THE LINE
Bad oddsmakers don't last very long so the ones that are still around must be very proficient. A good spread should give you pause, make you wonder whether to lay or take the points. If something looks to good to be true, look again. The oddsmaker isn't a fool; but maybe you are.
III-HONOR THY BANKROLL
Learn to manage your money. This means not stepping out on a game just because it's on television. Don't try to "get even" on the last game of the day. Be mature enough to realize that you're going to lose some days and win others. You can't make every day a winner but you can make every day a loser.
IV-THOU SHALT NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR FAVORITE TEAM
Some teams are just popular with the general population of sports fans, as well as the recreational bettor. The LA Lakers in basketball, the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves in baseball, Notre Dame in College Football, and the St. Louis Rams in Pro Football. These are examples of teams that in recent years have been among the most 'popular'. This popularity is often translated into inflated prices on these teams when involved in wagering propositions. In other words, due to the teams' popularity--and not because of any sort of qualitative difference--you're paying a 'premium' to play them.
V-THOU SHALT NOT ASSIGN PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Odds are, if one team is up for a game, so is its opponent. Besides, an excess of adrenaline is not always helpful, especially in sports where finesse plays as big a role as brute force. Since an athlete only can give everything he has, a "110% effort" is impossible. So is "taking it to another level." If athletes or teams could play better just by trying harder, wouldn't they do that all the time? Talent, cohesiveness (team play) and coaching still are the most important factors in winning. New coaches can make an impact on games in a positive or negative manner.
VI-THOU SHALT NOT LAST GAME HANDICAP
No team is as good as it looks after a victory nor as woeful as it seems after a defeat. While recent form is important, the spectrum needs to be widened to evaluate each team as a whole. In fact, the week after a football team is embarrassed, it's not only likely to practice harder, but also to encounter an overconfident opponent. On the other cleat, a team that wins in a blowout may develop a false sense of worth. Remember, the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots lost their season opener to the Buffalo Bills by a 30-0 score last year, a result that was anything but a harbinger of things to come that season.
VII-THOU SHALT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF INJURIES
A good general rule is this: The more starters on a team, the less important an injury. Thus, football, with it nearly 30 regulars (don't forget kickers, punters, kick returners, punt returners, long snappers, holders and other special team personnel in addition to the 22 offensive and defensive starters) is least affected by an injury, although one to a quarterback can be significant. Hockey, where perhaps a dozen players see significant time, comes next in line, followed by baseball. Since only five players start and most teams rarely offer significant playing time to more than eight, basketball is the sport most impacted by injury.
VIII-THOU SHALT LEARN THE SIGNIFIGANCE OF THE HOME FIELD/COURT
Like Commandment VII, this varies from sport to sport. For example, a key ingredient in the NBA is not the home court, per se, but the travel associated with getting to that court. The home field can be a telling advantage in the NFL when weather is a factor. In hockey, the home team coach gets to make the last line change, creating the player personnel matchups he desires. The home field is less of an advantage in baseball where good pitching conquers everything.
IX-THOU SHALT WORSHIP AT THE SHRINE OF DEFENSE
Offense is flashier but the teams that played good defense (Patriots, Marlins, Spurs and Devils) all won championships last year. There will be exceptions, of course, but over the long haul, defense prevails.
X-THOU SHALT BE GRACIOUS AND HUMBLE IN VICTORY
It's never a good idea to risk angering Lady Luck. Don?t celebrate home run line teams in the 9th inning. Don?t celebrate a 1st quarter lead in the NBA. Don?t think about the game that you almost bet. Don?t think because you hit a 7 team parlay the day before, you?ll hit again today. Take your money and shut up.

NFL Draft previews

2006-01-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

Coming to a store near you? Maybe. Many people are starting to debate on the NFL draft and who their team will take. Well I found a mock draft that took it one step further. He went on NFL.com I assume and made the jerseys in the slickest first round mock draft I've seen. I really hope he's on target with the Titan's pick because I think Vince Young is not a NFL type QB. I want AJ. Here's the link to preview the jersey of your teams future first round pick.
http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36582
Note to those on 56K, it takes a bit but well worth it.

2006-01-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well when on a losing streak like I am, you break it by betting your school. Bet on the Hogs -4 and the under total of 135. I know Miss St likes to run but their point guard/leading scorer has a pulled hammy. Hopefully he doesn't play but if he does I think it will go under. Time to break the 0-4 NCAA bets from the other night.

TOP 5 NCAA GAMES OF '05

2006-01-05T18:07:00.000-08:00
1. USC 34 ... Notre Dame 31

Matt Leinart twisted and turned his way in for a one-yard touchdown run with three seconds to play in a wild finish. Notre Dame's Brady Quinn stretched out his arm for a five-yard touchdown with just over two minutes to play for a 31-28 Notre Dame lead. USC's final drive was bogging down, but Leinart called an audible on 4th and nine and connected with Dwayne Jarrett for a 61-yard pass. Three plays later, USC got to the two and was able to stop the clock on a Reggie Bush run for a first down, but didn't have any timeouts left. Leinart scrambled and dove to the end zone, and was stopped just short. Fans and players rushed the field as time ran out, but few saw the ball get knocked out of bounds giving USC second and goal from the one with seven seconds left. With USC head coach Pete Carroll and the coaches signaling to spike the ball, Leinart took the snap and got in for the score. Bush scored three touchdowns on runs of 36, 45 and nine yards, and LenDale Whte ran for a three-yard touchdown. Notre Dame's biggest highlight came on a bruising 60-yard punt return for a touchdown from Tom Zbikowski.

2. Texas 41 ... USC 38

Texas came back from down 12 in the final 6:42 as Vince Young ran for a 17-yard score with 4:03 to play, the defense held USC's LenDale White on fourth down, and then Young led the offense on a ten-play, 56-yard drive culminating in an eight-yard touchdown run on fourth down for the win. Young ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns, but the Trojan rushing attack was equal to the task with 209 yards led by White's 124 yards and three scores. The Trojans appeared to have it won after Reggie Bush dove for a 26-yard touchdown and Dwayne Jarrett caught a 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but Young proved to be too much to stop. USC cranked out 574 yards of total offense, Texas 556.

3. Auburn 31 ... Georgia 30

Auburn's John Vaughn connected on a 20-yard field goal with six seconds to play to end a thrilling seesaw battle that saw eight lead changes. Brandon Coutu hit a 41-yad field goal right down the middle to give Georgia a two point lead with 3:25 to play, but Auburn was able to come back with one final drive highlighted by a fourth and ten completion to Devin Aromashodu, who took it down to the three before fumbling in the end zone. Auburn recovered, but by rule, it was spotted at the three leading to the final field goal. Kenny Irons ran for two first half touchdowns for the Tigers, but Georgia always had an answer led by D.J. Shockley, who threw for 304 yards and two touchdown passes in his first game back from a knee injury.

4. UCLA 30 ... Stanford 27 OT

UCLA was all but dead after Stanford's Nick Frank rumbled for a seven-yard touchdown with 8:26 to play for a 24-3 lead. But the Bruins roared back with a crisp, 65-yard drive in 1:22 capped off by a six-yard Maurice Drew touchdown run. A 31-yard touchdown pass to Joe Cowan got UCLA within seven, and then Drew sent the game to overtime on a one-yard Drew touchdown run. In OT, Stanford got a 42-yard Michael Sgroi field goal, but UCLA answered with a 23-yard Brandon Breasell touchdown catch for the win.

5. Florida 49 ... Vanderbilt 42 2OT

Jemalle Cornelius barely got his foot in on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second overtime to give Florida a 49-42 lead, and then Reggie Lewis ended the game with an interception of Jay Cutler. Vandy scored first in the overtime on a Cassen Jackson-Garrison eight-yard run, but Florida responded with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Chad Jackson. The Gators appeared to have the game well in hand up 35-21 with four minutes to play, but Cutler led the Commodores back with two of his four touchdown passes in the final 2:17 connecting with Jeff Jennings for an eight-yard score with :54 to play. Chris Leak ran for two touchdowns and threw for three scores for the Gators.

2006-01-05T17:21:00.000-08:00
3-0 in NBA
0-0 in NCAA

I hate betting on Thursdays because TNT has 2 games so I bet on some NCAA today. Took Bradley -1(50), Nevada +1(30), and a parlay of Louisville +2.5, Mich St +7.5(12.85). I'm up over $100 in profits this week and I found $50 on the ground yesterday so it's a free bet basically. I let the 42.85 ride on 2 bets today with Navada @ Hawaii and 2 dogs in Lou and MSU. Nova is killing the Cardinals so I think this one is dead. Dean has 0 pts and 4 fouls with 16 min left. Go Braves!

2006-01-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Joe Smith and TJ Ford are hurt tonight for hte Bucks so I bet on the Cavs at -2.5 on the road. not a smart bet but it paid off as I bet 22.45 from last nights ticket to win 20.40. Cleveland played like crap until the 4th quarter when Bron went off for 17 in the quarter. Not a smart bet when I look at the info. Evidentally Larry Hughes broke his finger the other day and is out of 6-8 weeks. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart.
Note to anyone who reads this. That missed extra point could be HUGE in the mind of Vegas(I'm writing this while it's 17-16 USC in the 3rd). If USC wins by 8 then anyone who got it at 7.5 in the last week squeaks out a win. I think it will end on 8 just because of all the Texas money that has been bet this week. Who say Vegas doesn't control sports? LOL

2006-01-03T18:57:00.000-08:00
Took Raptors tonight on money line(+140). Won 24.75 off my bet. Makes me 2-0 in NBA with 79.35 in profits. My goal of $100 a week on straight bets is in sight. Want to pocket that each week and have $1200 to start off the MLB season.

2006-01-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

My leans today are Ohio St if I can get it at 4 or cheaper vs. Notre Dame and Georgia at 6.5 or under against West Virginia. I love the fact that everyone talks about Charlie Weiss as this great mastermind. I wasn't aware that Jim Tressell had a bad record in the post season also. Ohio St. has a better defense and 2 WR weapons. Notre Dame struggled with BYU.

I guess I could ask Maurice Clarrett for help in case this one gets ugly quickly.

As for the Bulldogs, this is based on schedules. A Big East champ can't beat a Mountain West champ. The SEC will thump them. Georgia's losses are because Shockley was hurt. This is the last game of the night and will look like the Chick-fil-a Bowl game the other night. Dogs win 40-3.

2006-01-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Another reason I made this site is to keep track of my picks this season. Tonight I picked an NBA game. I took the LA Clippers over the Portland Trailblazers at -2 on the road. All the trands say to take Portland. The Clippers are playing like crap. Portland just won 3 straight before the loss to Memphis the other night. The LA Clippers ahven't won in Portland in their last 11 trips I think. The main reason I like the Clips is because any Blazer who I think is worth a crap is injured. Darius Miles, Joel Przybilla, and Sebastian Telfair are out. That means I can't name 5 starters on this team. Clippers snap the streak tonight.

Maybe the worst jersey to appear in 2005.

2005-12-31T20:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know the NBA is all about marketing. How do you goto Wade and Shaq and tell them that you think they would look good in pink and orange with a neon twist? I almost threw up when I saw this jersey the first time. Then I got on the phone and told my buyer if he sent me these, I'd kill him. Plus how does Miami have a "hardwood classic" jersey? When I think of classic Miami Heat I think of Harold Minor. You know, "Baby Jordan". The Heat already had 3 jerseys this year and the 4th was so not needed. I know it is cool to see some jerseys in the retro style but this takes South Beach to a whole new level. There is another team who had the same kind of jersey this year(Indiana I believe). I'm sure I'll post about it at another time but there are others that need special attention. I can't wait to see those Memphis throwbacks! (Memo to the NBA. There is no throwback for them so don't make one up.)

2005-12-31T19:26:00.000-08:00

I've been asked the same question every day for the past 2 months. Who would win in a game between USC-Texas. I can't wait for the day to finally come. You have Trojan fans who declare Texas has never seen an offense like the Trojans before. You have the Longhorn fans declaring that the PAC-10 doesn't know how to play defense. It makes for really long days dealing in a sports retail business. It's bad enough living in Eastern California(for those that don't know, Vegas is basically California), but it brings up one of the commandments of betting. I'll post them eventually. We formed them at work and they tend to be true, too bad the true test is following them.

The basic part I'm referencing is that you will never find good odds on certain teams in this town(LA Lakers, USC, Notre Dame, NY Yankees, Oakland Raiders, ect.) There is no way to explain this but by watching the odds. A good way to figure out if these teams will lose is the point spread when these teams are involved. All these pretty lights are on because of losers, not because they attract winners. But I know enough to understand that if the Lakers are +5 tonight, they are going to get hammered.

Take the USC-Texas game for example. I've heard of the odds in casinos during week 7 of the season. Everyone declared USC vs Texas or even a team of mini Ditka's would be -10 points. The more Texas pounded Big12 teams and USC struggled in the first half vs Pac10 teams, the number came down each week. I believe it started at 6.5 when the "offical" bowl odds were announced. I've seen it pop up to 8 but it's 7.5 at most places in town and 7 at a few for USC. I've debated on which way I will go with this game if I even bet it. I tend to bet games where I see a clear side. This game has the dangerous hook on it which makes me lean towards Texas. Most games land between 3-7 points.

Guess I'll have a few more days to ponder over this one before I'll stick my neck out.