5. Aging Stars - Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training, as have position players. Home run kings, on the other hand, are still sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. Barry Bonds has been staying in game condition according to his agent, and it still waiting for an offer from a major league team. To prove that the desire to play beyond one’s prime is not specific to baseball, Keyshawn Johnson has also expressed a desire to play next year. After taking a year off from NFL action, it is very questionable whether or not Key can contribute. Perhaps he and Bonds should instead focus on buying high-waist pants, keeping whippersnappers off their lawns, and eating dinner at 4 in the afternoon.
4. The N.I.T. - The NCAA Tournament' reign of terror is over. While most consider the 64-participant event the most exciting in sports, the Accenture Match Play bracket has taken upsets to a whole new level. Ernie Els, one of the number one seeds, was defeated by Cinderella story Jonathan Byrd. Also falling were three of the four number 2 seeds and two number 4 seeds. Even Tiger Woods was forced to rally from three back with five holes remaining to salvage a victory. If these matches are any indication of what's to come, now might be the right time to bet the house on Belmont and Austin Peay.
3. Chris Douglas-Roberts - The Memphis Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers will face off Saturday night in a 1 vs. 2 matchup. Last time this happened was OSU-Wisconsin last year; a game the Buckeyes won 49-48. If Chris Douglas-Roberts scores another 1.32 points per minute, expect that to be topped by halftime. The junior guard scored 29 to lead the Tigers past Tulane, in what was a despicable display of caring for the Gulf Coast. Did you learn nothing from the All-Star game, CDR? Memphis’ head coach’s 400th win came at a price, as it is now evident that John Calipari doesn’t care about black people. Unless they’re good at basketball.
2. Knicks opponents outside of D.C. - The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly been playing well enough to be the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Last night they made some noise against a Knicks squad that faced overtime the night before. The result was leading by 20 at the end of the first, doubling up their opponent at half, and winning by a Chris Bosh. Philly has won 6 of 7 and at the heart of their surge is the youth movement. Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams have provided great minutes off the bench, while Andre Igoudala been a steadying force. In their effort to tank this season, it appears the Sixers stumbled into some success.
1. Kobe Bryant - In Shaq-Kobe Part Six Million, Bryant’s 41 points led the Lakers to a hard-fought 130-124 victory against the new-look Suns. This gives the Lakers the season series against their rivals and vaults LA past Phoenix in the standings. I caught an old interview with Kobe Bryant at the gym today and in response to his role in the Shaq trade, Kobe said, “They wanted me to level off as a player. I wasn’t going to do that.” Kudos to Kobe for understanding that he had a chance to be an all-time great and taking that risk. Personally, I agree with him and I’d take three rings and an 81-point game over four or five rings. You can call me a glory hog if you want. What do I care? I’ve got a freaking 81-point game!
update - 2.21 7:54 am
just heard an interview with ric bucher in which he basically reiterates my thoughts on kobe: "all he did was devote himself to being the best basketball player he possibly could. how can you fault him for that?" it appears the only thing stopping me from being the gm of the celebrity all-star game is a friendship with dog the bountry hunter.
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