King James and his circus..

Greetings to all the HALE’S ANGELS on this Saturday afternoon. Hope all is well..and having a good weekend to this point. I’m finally getting around to the LeBron James circus show that went on this past week. Just had to find the right words to sum it up..

Thursday night, his LeBrontourage and ESPN enablers dressed him in a clown suit, topped it with a black hat and turned him into a buffoonish laughingstock and villain.  It had everything you come to expect from Vince McMahon and the WWE.  In one night..James goes from being the 'baby-face' (good guy in rasstlin' terms) to the 'heel' ( bad guy in rasslin' terms).

Will he recover?

For seven years, James seemed to delight in, court and fuel himself with universal adoration and respect. It’s gone now, and it’s not coming back. He’s a hero in Miami, a coward in New York, a spoiled, narcissistic punk most everywhere else.

Cavs fans burned his jersey in the streets. Police protected his house in Akron and a giant “Witness” banner in downtown Cleveland.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert eviscerated LeBron’s reputation, telling the Associated Press that James quit in the playoffs, wouldn’t return phone calls or text messages for more than a month and described James’ televised reality-show exit self-promotional and cowardly.

“The Decision,” LeBron’s emotion-free, lovemaking session with Jim Gray, Stu Scott, Mike Wilbon, Jon Barry and Chris Broussard, is something sports fans will never forget.

It was America’s first all-male, PG-13 celebrity sex tape.

The problem is, LeBron’s handlers failed to warn him that sex tapes enhance the careers of female celebrities. The men, unless strapped like Tommy Lee and performing opposite Pamela Anderson, don’t get much bounce or they’re ridiculed.

“I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James,” King James told Wilbon. “What LeBron James was going to do to make him happy.”

Yep, his most memorable speaking line from LeDecision was delivered in third person. He’s a joke, and only the insanely dishonest will defend his performance and the decision to host LeBron-apalooza.

LeBron and Maverick Carter, the King’s right-hand man, actually thought a $2.5 million check to the Boys and Girls Club and online scholarships to the University of Phoenix would clean up this mess, would ease the pain in his hometown.

Can LeBron handle the mental abuse he’s about to endure? Will being reviled energize him the way being revered did?

He’s a target now. The preening and dancing and powder-throwing have a stench, a B.O., as in Bron Owens, the NBA’s Terrell Owens.

No one cares about LeBron giving the advertising dollars from “The Decision” to the Boys and Girls Club. James would’ve been better served cutting a personal check to a Cleveland/Akron charity and informing the Cavs he was leaving immediately after the playoffs.

It appears Dan Gilbert is irate because he realizes LeBron made LeDecision long ago. This whole spectacle was a gigantic tease, a charade. The Cavs‘ offseason approach (draft, free agency, Mike Brown, Danny Ferry) might have been dramatically different had the organization known from the get-go James was leaving.

LeBron owed Gilbert and Cavs fans a heads-up.

“I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James,” he said. “What LeBron James was going to do to make him happy.”

When James announced his decision, he didn’t say he was joining Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. LeBron said he was going to South Beach.

There’ll be more new baby-mamas than championships.

I know the WWE is so jealous of LeBron's storyline.  McMahon's rasslin' story writers could not have scripted a better storyline for the last few months of James' life.  Last Thursday was like a Wrestlemania press conference.  A very sad day for the NBA..
As a UK basketball fan..I got caught up in the whole glam show with King James showing up at Rupp and being the "Y" in Kentucky for the day.  However, the glam stops when he comes across as being larger than the sport.  To each their own..but I won't lose sleep if he never puts on the BLUE again. 

Share your thoughts!


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

credit: jwhitlock

World Cup..half full or half empty?

Happy Tuesday to the ANGELS.  Hope all is well in the VILLE.  It is hotter than HELLo here.  The song says..SOME LIKE IT HOT.  Guess I'll take it over the cold and snow.  Stay cool my fellow ANGELS.

I'm taking a break from my spirituality blogs..and chatting about this world event going on known as the FIFA WORLD CUP.  The World Cup is like the Superbowl of soccer.  Its the grand stage for the most popular sport in the world...WORLD, not USA. 

inHALE..

I have to admit..I've never been a soccer guy or fan.  Never have..never will.  However..I did enjoy watching Claire and Mason during their soccer days.  It was fun to watch.  Mason actually looked pretty cool running up and down the field with his hair flopping.  I know the girls dug that.  I digress..

Again..the World Cup event going on has been a main event for ESPN.  Their programming appears to be covering the event pretty good.  As I said earlier..this is theee SUPERBOWL for soccer.  With that said..I just don't get it.

I can't relate to any sport that accepts a tie.  Maybe at the kid level..but surely not at the pro level.  Yeah, there can be ties in football...but not the playoffs or Superbowl.  SO..with soccer commanding the world's stage..why would soccer allow ties to occur within the world cup games.  Makes no sense.  I can accept little to no scoring.  I respect the players for their defensive efforts.  But to let a game end in a tie..i don't "FRICKIN" get it.  Then again..nor do I want too.

If soccer wants to grab to casual to novice fan...give me a "FRICKIN" winner.  Throw me a bone..

exHALE..

I feel better now..


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

From Perfection to Imperfection in a blink of an eye..

Happy Thursday to all my ANGELS.  Hope you are having a good week.  Its been good for me.  Got to see my Kelsey graduate yesterday.  Not to get to emotional..but it was a good day for Kelsey, her mom and dad, siblings and the rest of the family that attended.  Very nice Kels..

One of my daily passions is the world of sports.  One of my faves is baseball.  Last night..in what was to be the 21st ever perfect game thrown by a pitcher..was taken away from him in a split second.  As the pitcher was running to cover first place on a ground ball to the first basement..the pitcher..his foot on the bag..and the ball all arrived before the runner.  The last and 27th straight out of the game appeared to have happen. 

Then again..

CLICK TITLE TO WATCH VIDEO

It's hard to tell where umpire Jim Joyce's career goes after acknowledging he blew a call at first base that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. The longtime umpire will find work, but will he find anything but infamy as the man who robbed Galarraga of his place in baseball's record books?

Tasteful discretion, of course, is the name of the game.

Commissioner Bud Selig must strike the proper balance between getting calls right and slowing down a game that already has a reputation for being slow and boring.

But, hey, the National Football League made replay work with few hitches. And the NFL's process for reviews could help Major League Baseball make the transition.

Review all questionable home run calls, give each manager an additional challenge and leave it to a replay official to review all calls after the eighth inning. If a play is truly crucial to the outcome of a game, it's covered under the umbrella of replay.

On paper, reviews would make the average game longer. But, I would make the argument that replays could actually SAVE time.

Managers are currently free to, within reason, leave the dugout and argue any and all questionable calls. While I'm as big a fan of a good old-fashioned Lou Piniella blowup as the next guy, these are futile wastes of time designed to help a team earn favorable calls later in the game. They're fighting inaccuracy with more inaccuracy.

Imagine a game where inaccuracy was no longer an option. Useless, on-field arguments would no longer be part of the game, and neither would botched calls.

Instead of Leyland leaving the dugout and getting in Joyce's face, he could push a button to review the call from the comfort of his own dugout. Umpires would take a look, get the call right, and everyone involved would move on with their lives.

The history of baseball suggests that 'human error is part of the game,' but baseball's future is one of higher stakes and higher scrutiny. Baseball must adapt to the higher demands for accuracy and use Joyce's blown call to usher in a new era of instant replay.

That's about the instant replay thing..

Should Major League Baseball overturn Jim Joyce's call and award Armando Galarraga a perfect game? ABSOLUTELY.

Did Baseball step up today and do the right thing? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Commissioner Bud Selig won't reverse an umpire's admitted blown call that cost Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

Here's some thoughts from a respected manager..

"I was thinking if the umpire says he made a mistake on replay, I'd call it a no-hitter, perfect game. Just scratch it," St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "If I was Mr. Selig, in the best interest of the game. The guy got it and I'd give him his perfect game. But here again, I should just shut my mouth."

Former Cub Milt Pappas, who lost a perfect game in 1972 when the home plate umpire called a ball on a full count on the 27th batter, ridiculed Selig for his refusal to reverse Joyce's decision.

"What an idiot. How the hell can [Selig] not do that? What is it, the integrity of the game? I can't believe that, after the umpire even admitted what he did," Pappas told ESPNChicago.com's Willie Weinbaum. "[Joyce] ruined the kid's perfect game and said so. Unbelievable. It's too bad."

Its even crossed over into politics..

Michigan lawmakers got into the act on Thursday, lobbying Selig to reverse the call and recognize Galarraga as having thrown a perfect game. Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a proclamation declaring that Galarraga had indeed pitched a perfect game, while U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell said he'd introduce a congressional resolution asking Major League Baseball to overturn the blown call.

And U.S. Rep Thaddeus G. McCotter, in a letter to Selig obtained by ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson, asked him to recognize it as a perfect game, saying...

"only the truth will uphold and honor the integrity of the game; and the truth is that this game was perfect."

Later, McCotter told Nelson...

"When this happened, the feeling here in Detroit was this could only happen to us; this was just one more thing on top of everything else."

McCotter was upset with Selig's decision. McCotter's letter was written before Selig said he would not reverse Joyce's call.

"I'm a conservative. I like the tradition of the game, I like the human dimension of the game," McCotter told Nelson, "but [Selig] cannot divorce imself from the human dimension of the game. What are they, automatons up there? Is it a computer that you just plug into? "Bottom line, I just wish that some of the character and moral courage that the umpire showed in admitting his honest mistake had been replicated by Major League Baseball."

It doesn't sound this call is really over.  We shall see..


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

College Recruits Choosing AID over LOI

Second blog of the day...and its still hot and humid in the VILLE.  Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend..as Sunday is winding down.  My second blog is of the college sports scene.  Here we go..

Two UK basketball recruits, Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones, opted to sign financial aid papers rather than the normal Letter of Intent doc.  Lots of people wondered why Aid instead of LOI?  Its basically comes down to the student athlete doing a CYA.

Prepare for more and more top prospects to go the route of only signing a financial aid agreement and not signing a letter of intent.

Why would a prospect want to restrict himself by signing a letter of intent if he has the option to just sign scholarship papers? If a school values a recruit enough..it will be more than happy to just have that prospect sign scholarship papers.

It is all about leverage..and the high-level prospects have all the leverage. And this will be known now more than ever.

The primary reason a prospect would not want to be bound by a letter of intent is the possibility of the head coach leaving for another job. With so much talk about coach John Calipari potentially leaving UK for the NBA, it only makes sense for Knight and Jones to steer clear of a letter of intent.

I sincerely believe Coach Cal is not leaving UK any time soon.  I think the whole NBA experience humbled him and he's content being on top of the college mountain.  He's rubbing shoulders with LeBron, Ashley and most of the top high school talent in America.  However, if Cal was to get an NBA deal like Rick Pitino did from the Celtics..I'd could not blame him for leaving.  I didn't blame Rick then..and wouldn't blame Cal now. 

I'm like life..I'm day-to-day..and glad we have Coach Cal..and the talent that he is bringing to UK.  But you have to take the good with the bad.  The bad could, for UK fans, Cal getting the right NBA deal.  For that...I have no problem with the kid looking out for himself.  Truth is..top talent goes to a school because of the coach..not the other way around.


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

To TAZE..or not to TAZE

Happy Hump Day to my ANGELS.  Its a warm, sunny day in the VILLE.  Hope all is ALIVE and KICKING.  And for my hispanic friends..HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO.   CERVEZA BABY!!!

This lastest blog takes me back to the "BOYS OF SUMMER"...the MLB.  Actually, its not about the players..its about the ignorance of one fan..and the scrutiny of a police official.  I bring you the story of the teenaged Philadelphia Phillies fan who jumped onto the field in front of a sold-out crowd during the eighth inning of the Phillies game against the Cardinals.

CLICK TITLE TO WATCH VIDEO

Philadelphia police officials have looked into the incident and decided that the police officer acted in an appropriate manner. I have no problem with the use of the taser in this situation being ruled a proper use of force. The department has rules and apparently this officer followed them. What I wonder is was the use of the taser smart. Looking at that video it appeared there were enough officers and other security personnel on the field that the kid wouldn't have been running for long before getting tackled, although he does hit that hole pretty quickly once he changes directions. Either way, it seems like leaving the taser holstered was the smarter move here. It made the situation worse for the kid, and I imagine that sitting in the upper decks it wasn't easy to tell that the kid had been shot by just a taser.

My favorite part of the story, though, is that before running on the field the kid called his dad to ask permission. Dad said it wasn't a good idea.

You know..after watching the video a second time..it is kind of comical.  This might be the first time that I've seen someone tased while running..and falling down like a sack of potatoes.  IT IS FUNNY.  I think the kid may have got more than he deserved..HOWEVER I would recommend IDIOTS who think about running onto a playing field..to take note of the electrifying experience of this DUDE..and high voltage ran through his running body.


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

NFL Rookie Salaries..for unproven players

Greetings to my HALE'S ANGELS.  With each blog I write..I try to talk subject that is appealing to most or all of you.  I think I accomplish that feat 95% of the time.  HOWEVER..this blog may be more appealing to the sport fan.  Just some warning to my faithful.  I promise to be back with something that will appeal to the 95% possee.

With the 75th annual draft in the books..there are going to be a lot of very wealthy rookies out there..some of whom will garner considerably larger contracts than their veteran teammates.

Around the NFL there is strong disapproval about the amount of money rookie players are making. After the 2008 NFL draft..Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner) expressed his wishes to change the current rookie contract structure. Goodell flung an interesting idea of implementing a rookie salary cap..similar to that of the NBA. During a press conference with reporters in February 2008..Goodell stated that he and the NFLPA have met and discussed this issue and the owners are interested in following through with the idea of redistributing the money to veteran players who have already proven themselves and their worth.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about this issue Saturday and had some pretty strong words on the matter.

“I love Sam Bradford, and I hope he’s great, but he probably made somewhere between $40 and $45 million the night before last,” said Goodell, speaking to a group of select fans who won a random lottery to ask the commissioner questions. “He has not even hit the field yet and that’s a guaranteed contract. So if Sam Bradford can’t play, what good does that do any other NFL player? As much as I like these young rookies, and I do think they’re terrific, it’s crazy to give someone who hasn’t proven themselves on the NFL field $45 million.

“I think over these three days, we will give $600 million in guaranteed money to these rookies that you’re hearing their names. $600 million. And if let’s just say half of them don’t make it and the money is equivalent to this, that’s $300 million out the door. It doesn’t go to veterans, it doesn’t go to owners. It goes to somebody who couldn’t play the game. That’s wasting money.”

After looking at recent rookie contracts..it is insanely hard to believe that most are making over proven veterans..well over proven veterans.

Seeing as the attendance of rookies at training camp is so vital to the success of the player, it pained some to see 2007 1st overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell hold out of camp until he was signed to a 6-year, $61 million deal with $29 million guaranteed. Russell..for what he was paid and guaranteed be the biggest flop in the NFL. One cannot help but wonder if the reason why rookies get paid so much up front is to prevent another “JaMarcus Russell hold out.” The NFL owners are not crying poor..so Goodell’s battle is not one of finances but one of fairness. Do not think for one minute that rookies believe that the amount of money being paid to them is sane.

A great point made by the late Gene Upshaw was that the rookie contracts only help those free agent veterans who are up for new contracts. What Mr. Upshaw means is that..for example..lets jump into the shoes of an 18-year-old girl who is negotiating with her parents about buying a car. The teen..so paradoxically calm..says..“But, Mom! Angie got a BMW and she’s only 16!” This is a perfect parallel to the situation in the NFL. Agents of veteran free agents can go to negotiations armed with the contracts of these rookies. Whew..no wonder why teams these days want to stay clear of early first round picks.

Seeing as the attendance of rookies at training camp is so vital to the success of the player..it pained some to see 2007 1st overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell hold out of camp until September 12th when Russell was signed to a 6-year, $61 million deal with $29 million guaranteed. One cannot help but wonder if the reason why rookies get paid so much up front is to prevent another “JaMarcus Russell hold out.” The NFL owners are not crying poor..so Goodell’s battle is not one of finances but one of fairness. Do not think for one minute that rookies believe that the amount of money being paid to them is sane. In an interview with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan..he stated: “I’ll take it. I see both sides of the argument but I’m going to take the (current) argument now.”

Goodell goes on to say..

"It's really had a dramatic impact on the way we pay our players and the way teams are built in the draft. ... It's not that I'm opposed to the rookies getting money, I think that's great. But I think the veterans that have proven themselves on the NFL Level deserve the bulk of the compensation. When a player is drafted and doesn't make it and he takes that money out of the system, that's a disadvantage to the other players in the league. That's what I keep trying to get across. We need to keep the money in the system and it needs to go to the veterans that deserve it. ... It's a relatively simple fix if we sit down and address it."

Roger Goodell is not wasting any time on this matter so look to see some headlines fairly soon.

Bottomline..sports primadonnas are insanely paid. Collectively from all sports..their salaries could solve the national deficit. But..its not to their fault at all. They are simply getting paid for their market allows. Business is business. Would I like to see a change?  Absolutely.  The highest salaries should go to those proven.  Period!

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

BIG BEN gets his..

Like any bad boy who has misbehaved..Ben Roethlisberger..needs a time out..and he got his today..courtesy of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. BIG BEN got served with a six (6) game suspension that I feel was rightly applied.

Listening to the naive and dishonest media discussion about the latest sexual assault allegation leveled at Ben Roethlisberger..you'd think Usher..and maybe Rick Pitino..were the only other Americans who wants to make "love in this club”. No wonder Goodell had such a difficult time ruling on how long to suspend the Pittsburgh quarterback

Now that we know the penalty..let's discuss SICK PRICK BEN in something resembling proper context. There is no doubt Roethlisberger is an idiot worthy of suspension. What I've yet to hear or read is a fair justification for why he deserved punishment.

When the Georgia police released the details of the notes it took during its investigation of Roethlisberger..the media cherry-picked and repeated the alleged "eyewitness" accounts as though they were as unimpeachable as a video replay.

According to the "witnesses"..Roethlisberger's bodyguards dragged the accuser to the bathroom..blocked the entrance into the bathroom and Roethlisberger approached the accuser with his penis exposed.

Once these accounts were introduced as "evidence" into the court of public opinion..broadcasters and pundits had all the ammo they needed to convict JACKASS BEN as "disgusting" and call for Goodell to take swift and hard action.

If you read the police accounts..the accuser's sorority sisters drove this case. If SLIMEBALL BEN's bodyguards dragged the accuser to the bathroom..you could make the argument that her sorority sisters dragged her to the police.

Her initial story to the police was weak at best and made absolutely no sense at worst.

The case was so flimsy that SLUT BEN was never even arrested. Once she sobered up..the accuser didn't even cooperate with the police.

Let me repeat..BIG BEN is a freaking idiot who deserved to be suspended. Off the field..he thinks with the wrong head. In pursuit of a wham-bam..he's twice -- that we know of -- placed himself in a vulnerable position.

But the ugly truth is SNEAKY BEN isn't all that different from a lot of guys and girls who use alcohol as their aphrodisiac of choice. Any woman who has belonged to a prominent sorority has heard the lecture about safety rules to follow when entering a male fraternity house for a mixer/party.

"Don't drink the punch. It might be laced with a roofie."

"Don't go anywhere in the house alone."

The rules are reminders that no matter how nice the guy might sound there's a damn good chance he's looking for one-night-stand sex or trying to set up a train. Some of the women are looking for the exact same thing.

Think about it..CEO BEN basically hired men to hand him KY Jelly and condoms and stand..guard while he had public sex.

IN DENIAL BEN needs to go to a room somewhere..preferably where no alcohol is served..and think about the consequences of his actions.

Let the apologists rant about Roethlisberger has not been charged with any crime. Let them rant that Roethlisberger is getting hosed because of his celebrity status.

That’s exactly the point here..Roethlisberger is the starting quarterback on an NFL team..and a two-time Super Bowl winner. He shouldn’t act like some 18-year-old kid on a pub crawl with his buddies..hoping to hook up with some babes. He looks and acts like Frank the Tank from “Old School.”

As Terry Bradshaw eloquently and appropriately explained..Ben doesn't know who he is and what position he holds. He's a millionaire franchise quarterback..an ambassador for the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.

There are compromises that need to be made if you are a celebrity. And then there’s the basic understanding that you have some sort of moral compass as a human being.

And let’s not forget that this is the second incident where Roethlisberger has been accused of rape..though he hasn’t been charged in either case.

Some people might call him a Super Bowl quarterback.

Others might cast him in a different light..as a predatory pig.

Today..Mr. Goodell gave him the label..SUSPENDED BEN!


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Fool me once Ben..shame on you. Fool me twice..

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct for the second time in a year. The alleged victim was hospitalized following the incident..which occurred in the restroom of a college bar in Georgia.

When an athlete is accused of sexual assault there’s usually no shortage of voices expressing doubt about the allegations. This case..however..is different. Now that Roethlisberger is at the center of his second sexual abuse scandal in nine months..commentators have been forced to revise their typical skeptical responses. As it turns out..the classic approach of discrediting or blaming the victim doesn’t play as well the second time around..instead of maligning the quarterback’s 20-year-old accuser..many in the media have simply ignored her.

Take an article in The Atlantic by Hampton Stevens..who echoes fellow Atlantic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates’ sentiments by calling Roethlisberger immature:

"To keep partying like a frat boy when you’ve got much bigger responsibilities would have been irresponsible…. Ben clearly is."

I’m not one to rush to the defense of fraternity members..but equating alleged sexual abuse that sent a woman to the hospital with “partying like a frat boy”? Stevens goes on to say:

"Ben isn’t the only one Ben’s actions affect… The Steelers have invested millions of dollars in his future. So have the corporations whose products he happily endorses. More importantly, the nation’s army of Steelers fans have invested their time, money, hopes, dreams, and love."

Stevens doesn’t include the alleged victim on the list of “entities” affected. Bleacher Report columnist Todd Kaufmann even more willfully disregards of her:

"If you’re Ben Roethlisberger, how do you put yourself in a situation where this kind of thing might happen to you again?Whether he assaulted the girl is irrelevant in my thinking at this point. What matters is why he put himself in this situation…again."

Yes Ben..why did you put yourself in that situation? How could you leave yourself so vulnerable? Going to a bar..you were asking to be accused of sexual assault!

Kaufmann also asserts that whether or not the allegations are true is irrelevant. Really?? Consider if Roethlisberger had been accused of child molestation for the second time. Would a columnist have said.. “Hey..it doesn’t matter if he really did it..the real question is..‘What was he doing hanging around children..again? Has he learned nothing?’”

No..of course not..because that would be asinine.

These columnists’ responses to Roethlisberger’s newest scandal betray that they don’t take these kind of allegations seriously..even the second time they are made. Rather than dealing with the quarterback’s alleged sexual misconduct..they criticize him for partying..as if that’s what the police investigation will be about. They do not denounce the alleged sexual assaults..because they try not to acknowledge them. And since they can’t as easily get away with vilifying the second accuser..they dismiss her entirely.  I wonder how many allegations have to be made before the media changes its tune.

Big Ben was a guest at at UK basketball game this past season.  If he's at another game..I will simply turn off the game.  Generally..where there is smoke..there is fire.  My advice to my Hale's Angels..hide your daughters.  My opinion of Big Ben???  He's a piece of shit!


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Butler Bulldogs Coach on Dave Letterman..

I pride myself in being a college basketball fan first..then a UK basketball fan.  Meaning..I can be objective about my Cats..yet cheer along the way.  Butler basketball has been a familar name for me..however, I must admit that I was not familar with any of the players or even their coaches name.  That all changed onced I watched their first game in the NCAA tourney this year.  I have to admit..I was one of the millions who immediately feel in love with this team..due to their heart, spirit and youthful, talented coach.  Brad Stevens is a major name in the college ranks now.  Its unheard of for a 33 year-old coach to lead their team to a championship game..one shot was making crazy history.  The more I watched them..and listened to Brad during interviews..whats not to like about the program.  I got to watch Coach Stevens on the Dave Letterman show.  What a great person.  Butler is no longer a secret.  They return enough players that should get them ranked in the top 10 for the 2010-11 season.  This is the new "feel good" thing in college hoops. 

Click on the TITLE to watch the interview.

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Two-Cents on Tebow..

The media create more headaches for Tebow than his awkward throwing motion. This week we've learned: 1. Another player may or may not have told Tebow to "shut the (F-bomb) up" before taking the Wonderlic test; 2. One of Tebow's former Florida receivers is happy the Gators will have a "real quarterback" this season.

Allegedly..Tebow wanted to try to have a group prayer ahead of the Wonderlic test. And Urban Meyer melted down on an Orlando reporter after the Orlando Sentinel took a relatively harmless quote and turned it into a negative headline about Tebow.

Tebow denies the Wonderlic story..and he probably doesn't care about the Orlando story.

But this kid is under an unfair microscope. He's getting a different version of the Tiger Woods treatment. We're fascinated by Tebow's perceived image perfection..and we're intent on closely examining how that perception impacts his interactions with everyone..especially his hedonistic peers.

Tebow has a better chance of succeeding as a reality TV show than as an NFL quarterback. And that's not his fault.




Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

More Tiger Fallout..

The thirst quencher of champions has parted ways with Tiger.  Guess they didn't want the visual of Tiger coming up for air after one of his THANGS and immediately grabbing some Gatorade.  Even Tiger's robotic plea last week didn't keep Gatorade loyal to him.  To me..this is a huge severance to the Tiger Ties. 

I really think Tiger needs to take the entire year off.  It's the right thing to do so he can focus on his family..these actions would speak so much louder than words. 

Remember last week (or so) when the porn star claimed Tiger impregnated her twice. She says she miscarried one of the babies, aborted the other and never told him about either.  A DVD prostitute..with no proof..is still unimpeachable source on Tiger's sex life.

Maybe the answer is to walk away..retire.  Maybe..

This circus is really just getting started.  I don't expect to change any time soon. Tiger could fire Stevie Williams (caddie)..make Elin his caddie and keep her by his side at all times and the tabloid media will still publish the allegations of every moderately attractive woman looking for her 15 minutes.

Maybe..

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

North Carolina Tarheels

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the UNC Tarheels men's basketball team.  They are the defending national champs.  However, this year's team absolutely sucks.  Yes, they lost a lot of talent from last year's championship team.  But, for godsake..they still have seven (7) McDonald AAs on this team.  There is no excuse except they are not a cohesive team.  The talent is obviously there..at least by what the experts rated those kids coming out of high school.  This is the worst team ever by Roy Williams.  When was the last time the defending national champs didn't make the following NCAA tourney?  Inquiring minds want to know..

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Hey man..nice shot

Just wanted to share this with my ANGELS.  This will probably be the shot of the year in college basketball.  Keep in mind..the shot clock is winding down and the Murray State player is forced to shoot it.  CLICK on the TITLE to watch this great moment..

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

When a "SPORT" is truly not a "SPORT"

I have tried to watch the Olympics..really.  Try when I'm channel surfing.  Try when I'm laying in bed.  Even try having it on as a night light for my sleep world.  Just isn't happening.  However, last night I did see either some kind of figure skating highlight or event..and heard the dreaded word..SPORT.  I laughed..laughed again..then figured I had to get online to blog my thoughts.  Figure skating IS NOT a sport.  Gymnastics IS NOT a sport.  Boxing IS NOT a sport..unless someone is knocked out or can't continue.  Have you figured out my reason?  I can't label a competition a sporting event if the out come is determined by subjective JUDGING.  Sport is the ultimate physical competition..generally one on one, team versus team.  Sport usually has a winner and loser(s) based on 'physical success' over your opponent..that is determined by the individual themselves, not a judge.  With that said..the Olympics should be about sport, not exhibition or theatrics.  Hey CURLING stays..SKATING goes!


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Tiger's Presser Today..

Yeah, I watched it.  Could not resist.  I wanted to hear it straight from the source..and I stand corrected.  In what was approx 15 minutes of a statement, I really believed what he had to say.  I thought he was contrite and sincere. He apologized.  He acknowledged his shortcomings.  He does sound a like guy who's been in therapy for the last 45 days. 

He mentioned growing up as a buddhist..and how he strayed away from those beliefs.  He made it clear that this was about his behavior, not passing blame on anyone else.  One thing that stood out was he asked for people to believe in him, rather than forgive him.  That tells me he does realize his role model status.  He directed his need forgiveness to his family and close friends.  Thats where it should be.

I do feel he accomplished something today..the start of the healing process.  It was clear what his priorities are right now..family and not golf.  Good for Tiger.  Now for the real truth.  Will his actions be as sincere and contrite as his words?  Time will tell.. 

Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Tiger Presser..OMG!

For those of you following the Tiger Woods soap opera..I'm sure you're aware of the 11:00a ET press conference scheduled for tomorrow (02/19).  My suggestion to you..IGNORE IT.  Don't watch..don't record it..no Tivo..no DVRing.  It may be five minutes of the most hyped press conference ever.  For starters..it's not a press conference..its going to be a statement from Tiger.  He's hand picked the people attending.  He will not take questions.  Might as well be cardboard cut outs of reporters. So basically its a 5 minute.."I feel so bad for me..coz I got caught.  Coz, the real truth came out about me..and it cost me my family."  You won't get those same words..but if you read between the lines..you'll get them.  I'm betting the same message could be conveyed on his web site.

In no way does this presser allow him to own up and apologize to all involved.  I'm not talking about apologizing to me.  His apologies should be to his family, closest friends, corporate sponsors, die-hard fans who have supported him and the products he endorse.  I could give a rat's ass.  I'm pretty sure I'll miss the presser..if only forgetting about it. 

If anything, Tiger has shown how he has manipulated people along his way to success.  Stabbing his loved ones in the back during the process.  This is malignant narcissism at its finest.

If you have five minutes on your hands tomorrow..call someone who you care about just to say you  care..play with your doggie..load the dishwasher..take out the garbage..fold those clothes that are still in the clothes basket..if you're a male 40 or over, exercise your protaste (refer to previous blog).  Just do something a slight bit productive..

To the Golfing Community regarding your God..

The one you proclaimed as your Golf Messiah..turns out to be a blaspheme liar.  The one who spoke in distorted truths..has made "Doubting Thomas" want some proof.  Tiger Wood's is no God..just a clever man's charade.


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Winter Olympics..bought and paid for

I've never been a fan of the Winter Olympics.  Not to knock the event..I'm just not a fan of the sports/events involved...bobsledding, hockey, luge, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating..you get the idea.  However, I have tuned in to some of the events..if only because of channel surfing.  Nonetheless..some events did keep me watching for a few minutes.  Then it hit me what the Winter Olympics was primarily about.  Its mostly a gathering of high-class caucasians..who are basically big fish swimming in a very small pond.  Be cool..I'll elaborate.  The Winter Olympics is not really about world talent..its about world wealth.

Lets take skiing.  What they do..coordination, strength, speed, courage is absolutely insane.  I mean that in a good way.  It is a unique kind of competion/sport..whatever you want to call it.  But it is truly flawed in its limitation of  talent.  My point..the olympic skier comes from a very small % of people who have access to this sport.  Fault of theirs?  No.  Back in my school days..I remember a kid who bragged about his skiing talent.  Claiming to be the best skier in school or the city.  I remember thinking SO WHAT.  Truth was..he was probably the ONLY skier in school.  He was probably the only kid who had access to slopes or training or the travels that would allow him to succeed at skiing.  Without a doubt..skiing requires intense training..and money.  Its a rich man's sport.  Period.  Think about it..how many "poor countries/continents" do you see competing for a skiing medal..ZERO.  The people and countries with the money..competes in a sport like skiing.  You can apply this principle to most of the Winter Olympic sports.  It applies to a small group of people.  Unlike the Summer Olympics..where most sports are available to individuals with little to no cost (i.e., basketball, soccer, baseball, etc).

If you look at the highest level of skiing talent in the world...for every one high profile skiier..you probably have the equivalent of 100 NBA players..maybe 1000.  I'm not knocking skiing. I'm saying that its simply the product of the finest country clubs around the world.



I'd like your feedback.  Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Danica Patrick

The NASCAR world had some company, of sorts, over this past weekend.  The arrival and presence of Danica Patrick almost became more of a focal point than the race itself.  Truth be told..I have no interest in NASCAR or any of the racing circuits.  That's not a knock on the sport..just doesn't do anything for me.  I definitely believe it takes a unique talent to push those cars at those speeds.  The timing, coordination and reflex of those drivers is insane.  Respect for the drivers..absolutely. HOWEVER, I do have a beef with the way Danica gets played in the "good ole boys" club.  I really feel she doesn't get her due respect.

From a market perspective..she's right up there with Dale Jr, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon..and whoever else is on the race car pedestal.  I admit..I do a double-take when those GoDaddy.com commercials air.  She's not ugly..at all.  Her name and image only help the sport.  Period. 

Now for the respect part..

I listen to the so called experts that bash her for only winning ONE career race.  Comparing her to other sport figures who have/had the image..but did not succeed in their sport (i.e., Anna Kournikova/tennis - yes, Anna is eye candy..period).  I don't think that's a fair comparison.  Anna's sport, tennis, was about going one-on-one, and the better player won.  That's not the case here.  Danica competes against 20 plus other drivers (depending on the type of race) and competes well.  Yes, she's only won one racing event..but to me its more than that one event.  If you Google Danica..and check her career earnings, her average finish..she's beating lots of men every weekend.  She has lots of top 10 finishes..which means she routinely beats more than half the field each race.  And if I'm not mistaken..they are of the male persuasion.  I'm pretty damn sure there are lots of men who can't even touch her racing earnings and/or average finish.

I don't think of racing as an individual sport.  There's too many players involved with each race team.  I feel she continues to prove herself with each race..each interview..each commercial.  She is a hot commodity for the sport..and will be for a long time.  In my eyes..she proves her worthiness to the sport each week.  Go Danica!!


Peace out my HALEYUNNS!

Louisville vs St John's

Louisville ventured into the world's most famous arena tonight for a game against St John's.  They leave with the heads hung low..after a very bad loss. Did the NBA coaching chatter of Pitino get in the heads of his players?  Don't think so.  Pitino seemed to put those rumors to rest very early today.  UL trailed 40-34 with plenty of time left in the game..only to see their defense abandon them..along with getting the ball effectively into Samuels.  Bottomline..it was a bad loss for UL and one of NY's favorite sons.  The Pitino/UL appeal wasn't there either..as the arena was half-full (being optimistic) tonight.  St John's is a Big East cellar team at best.  It was a must-win road game for the Cards..and they couldn't get it done.  After tonight..they are definitely on the outside looking in regarding the Big Dance.  I do have empathy for my friends who are Cards fans.  This reminds me a lot of my Cats of last year..

College Basketball's Greatest Rivalry..

Tonight resumes what most experts claim is the greatest rival in college basketball..Duke vs North Carolina. For those in these parts (state of Kentucky), we may argue that claim. Round here..it doesn't get any better than the Kentucky - Louisville basketball game. The love/hate that Commonwealth share for the other is absolutely crazy. It also makes for major bragging rights for the next 365 days. I am a UK fan..but I'm a calm/realistic fan. I don't go to players Facebook pages to rip them apart when we lose a game. They're kids. Its still a game. However, that's the passion that most have for their beloved teams in the state. With that said..we (UK/UL fans) still take a backseat to UNC/Duke as the greatest rivalry. Simply using the last decade, Duke and UNC have consistently stayed high in the national rankings..one or two in the ACC and have legitimately competed for a national championship. WE (UK/UL) can't say the same. For the last two years..UK has really been on the outside looking in. The Gillispie era was a setback. With Coach Cal and Slick Rick at the throne of the state's top two teams..we're on our way. With UNC having a bad year..and realistically not getting back to the NCAA tourney to defend their title..OUR GAME is catching up to the CAROLINA game. Today..we're still in second place. However..we're gaining ground fast. If UK crashes the final four..getting back to the national prestige..I'll revisit this blog and see where we stand.