Taft College defeated Santa Rosa Junior College 2-1 in double overtime on Sunday at Fresno Pacific University to capture the California Community College Men's Soccer Championship. Sophomore forward Carlos Aguilar scored the winning goal with just a few seconds remaining. Despite controlling much of the early action, the Cougars trailed 1-0 at halftime. Aguilar, since dubbed "Hero" by his elated teammates, also scored Taft's first goal in the game's 58th minute to tie the score. Freshmen midfielder Sergio Valle had the assists on both goals. In the second half, the Bear Cubs constantly launched shots in threatening to regain the lead, but Taft goalkeeper and team captain Victor Chinchilla made eight saves to help Taft force overtime. Chinchilla was named tournament MVP for his strong play in leading the Cougars to the title.
Taft entered the postseason with the state's No. 9 ranking and first had to beat undefeated No. 1 Mt. San Antonio College in the semifinals before facing No. 2 Santa Rosa. The Cougars pulled off a dramatic victory over Mt. SAC by winning 5-4 on penalty kicks after regulation ended in a 1-1 tie. Chinchilla made a clutch save on the Mounties' first attempt, providing all the margin Taft would need. Head coach Angelo Cutrona characterized the last two games as the toughest of the season. "There's just a tremendous amount of talent on both of those teams," he said. "We were the underdogs going into the tournament, and we have a feeling a little bit that we stole it this year."
Cutrona's modesty aside, Taft entered the season with high expectations. The Cougars lost a 1-0 heart-breaker to Cerritos in last year's championship game but still ended up ranked No. 4 nationally. Taft got off to a surprisingly slow start this year despite the return of 13 sophomores. The low point of the season came on Oct. 5, when the Cougars lost 4-3 to College of Sequoias, suffering their third defeat in four games. Yet the Cougars kept faith and regrouped to win their final 12 games of the season to claim the championship.
Credit Cutrona, the Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2006, for helping the team rebound. After experimenting with different combinations during the slow start, Cutrona settled on a 4-4-2 alignment: four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. "We eventually got into that formation, and it just worked better for our team," said Cutrona. "I don't necessarily use the same formation every year. I try to look at what the team has to offer with individual talent and build a formation around those individuals, instead of trying to build individuals around my formation."
Cutrona identified Taft's 3-0 victory over Fresno City College on Oct. 19 as the turning point of the season. "We dominated the entire game and stopped two of the best forwards in the state, one of which [Andrew Felt] got [second-team] All-American," he said. "We faced Fresno City three times, and we shut them out three times. That's when, between the coaches, we said, 'You know what? This team is the real deal, we got a great defense, and we can do this.' That was the pivotal point, I think."
With the Cougar's state championship following last season's runner-up finish, Cutrona is building a soccer dynasty on the Westside. Although there is no competition to determine a national champion, Cutrona is hopeful that Taft (19-4-3) will receive a high ranking. Cutrona said, "We’re still waiting on the national pool. We’re looking at No. 2 in the nation or quite possibly No. 1, but I believe it’s going to be a difficult decision for the judges. We have our fingers crossed."
The youthful Cutrona brings solid soccer experience to Taft College. He grew up in Orange County and won a CIF title in high school soccer, then won the 2000 NCAA Division II national championship playing for Cal State Dominguez Hills. After graduation, he became an assistant coach at Fullerton College under Jim Gasso, whom Cutrona still considers to be his mentor. Cutrona became Taft's head coach six years ago and has worked hard to build up a strong program even though Taft regularly competes against much larger schools. "The only way we can win here is through hard work," Cutrona said. "Hard work, dedication, long hours.... Soccer's my passion so I like putting in the hours. I had to look hard and pick up players that were willing to do the same thing."
Yet Cutrona doesn't measure success only in terms of on-field performance. In his six years at Taft College, he has helped many of his former players move on to play soccer and earn degrees at four-year schools like UC Irvine, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Fullerton, and UNLV. Cutrona said, "It's a big part of my job.... It's not just about winning, or winning titles or awards, it's about these guys going on to play and fit in at the next level. Not only to get to the next level but be able to compete at the next level. Getting them prepared, that's my job."
Many of this year's players are being scouted, and this week in particular Cutrona has been talking with coaches about scholarships while telling his players to study. "I asked the guys to get to the LRC [Learning Resource Center] and put in a little work, academically," he said.
Meanwhile, Cutrona is already excited about next year. Nine freshmen will return, including Valle and two other key starters, defenders Osvaldo Lopez and Taylor Rivas. "Those [two] are some tough dudes," Cutrona said.
"If we don't get a national title this year, next year the guys are gonna have to look really hard at getting a great record, right at the beginning," he said. "Zero losses, that would be nice. So that's something to shoot for."
dp got back on track in Week 14 in a big way: He won the Flicksters' NFL picks league with a 14-2 record. (Actually, two other Flicksters went 15-1, but dp only lost four points on his misses: one for the Eagles and three for the Rams (The Cincy curse strikes again.)) dp was the only Flickster to correctly predict the Texans' triumph over the Bucs. dp also correctly predicted the exact total of 48 points for the Monday night Saints-Falcons game.
Of course, dp's two missed also happened to be two of his Flick Picks, meaning that an otherwise magical week only netted a 3-2 record in this column. Oh well.
Tampa (-2.5) at Houston Both teams are battling injuries, but it now appears that the Texans are hurting worse with QB Matt Schaub out, Ahman Green on injured reserve, Ron Dayne nursing a sore ankle, and the offensive line banged up and left with little depth. Meanwhile, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia is a game-time decision. Nonetheless, I'm hoping that Jeff Garcia is rusty and turns the ball over a bunch of times. Against better judgment, I'm sticking with my initial hunch and picking Houston.
St. Louis at Cincy (-4.5) I'm going to stubbornly follow suit here and back the Rams even though QB Marc Bulger suffered a setback in practice Thursday and won't play. With Gus Frerotte also injured, the Rams will start third-stringer Brock Berlin. Cincy's defense is so bad that it won't matter: RB Stephen Jackson should get 25-30 carries, allowing the Rams to control the clock and open up play action for Berlin. Look for St. Louis to win a shootout 34-31.
New York (-2) at Philly Eli Manning's perennial second-half swoon continues and the Eagles win a close one at home.
San Diego (-3) at Tennessee The Chargers will roar past the slumping Titans and win going away, 35-13.
Cleveland (-4) at New York Jets The Browns get back on track, while the Jets crash back to reality after blowing out Miami last week.
dp frantically posted Flick Picks early Sunday morning and then, instead of settling into the sofa for a Sunday football teletrifecta, dp and lady flick fled the coop in pursuit of two (partially) black (and tan) cats. A wild kitty chase led us to the bowels of Central MA, where we rescued these two Himalayan kitties, dp's dynamic Persian duo, Samson (below right) and Delilah : Aren't they adorable? Their only apparent downside is their subversive effect on certain NFL games. Surprise, surprise! Longhaired riddler Samson and queen of nag Delilah hexed dp's picks this day. That's right, flicksters: dp donkey punched his way to a 1-4 record in Week 14. Doh! Hey kitties!
Worse, dp went 0-3 in fantasy football this week, thanks in large part to the double whammy of Brett Favre's injury. (Not only did Favre get knocked out of a game for only the seventh time during his record 249-game (269 counting playoffs) consecutive start streak, he amassed negative fantasy points for all three of dp's X Country Packbacking fantasy squads.) dp had already locked up first place in the Koopa Troopa League, but he could have clinched playoff berths in Vick's K-9 Kennels and the peerless Empyreal Dynasty, respectively. Instead, Tony Romo's four touchdowns eliminated dp from Vick's 6-team playoff dog fight; and dp now faces a must-win Week 14 showdown with GSS's Brady-to-Moss Death Machine, the scary message-board menace and league-leading Empyrealest at 11-1, in order to assure a spot in the semifinals.
Worst, dp went 8-8 and finished second-to-last in this week's FLICK PICKS competition, plummeting him from third to ninth for the season. Another week like this, and dp's postseason fantasy hopes will lie in the (giant corporation-sponsored) Toilet Bowl.
Bonus Old Testament factoid: Sampson was so sweet that honey coated the carcass of the lion he tore apart with his bare hands (Judges 14.5-9)! Bonus Old Testament factoid #2: The Biblical Samson once slew 1000 men with an ass's jawbone (Judges 15.15)! Bonus factoid 3: Did you hear the Good Wuerd? The Suited Connector knows football. Value his comments highly. Meanwhile, dp vows to dig productively for Week 14 Upset Specials.
Week 13: 1-4 (8-8 overall pending Pats (-20.5) over Baltimore Monday night) Season: 32-24 (126-66)
Well, Dallas donkey punched da Packers 37-27 last night, defying dp's prediction of Packer dominance in Big D. dp's analysis depended in part on the strong play of two key Packers defenders, cornerback Charles Woodson and sack-happy defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Both players were listed as questionable with injuries, but unfortunately both were declared inactive just before kickoff. Clearly, Green Bay could not contain T.O. and Tony Romo without them. dp, the good doctor predictor, has been downgraded accordingly to donkey picker.
Worse, the Cowboys added further injury to insult in the second quarter, when cornerback Nathan Jones blitzed and nailed Brett Favre's throwing arm, causing an interception and knocking Favre out of the game with an injured elbow. (Favre also separated his other shoulder at some point in the game, quite possibly on the same play or perhaps during his first interception, when he unleashed a deep pass only to be crushed by Stephen Bowen.)
Thursday's game serves as a perfect example of the increasing degree of difficulty in navigating the NFL crosswinds. As the regular season wears on in December, each game's X factor keeps gettting bigger because of the unpredictability of injuries, worsening weather (witness the Miami at Philly rain-dance debacle last Monday night), and the fluctuating motivations of teams that have either been eliminated from or clinched playoff berths. While dp gambled and lost with the injury bug Thursday night, he is confident that, much like a finely tuned Yogi, he can articulate his toes to derive maximum benefit from exercising NFL Flick Picks. Indeed, the downward-phasing dog dp's Sunday predictions are still in play.
New York Jets at Miami (-1.5) Miami nearly pulled off a huge upset at Philly last week, and the Dolphins realize this game represents their best chance to avoid a winless season. Head coach Cam Cameron feels that desperation just as acutely as his players, so look for Miami to effectively execute his game plan (a heavy dose of Jesse Chatman on the ground to control the clock and limit turnovers) and play with more passion and purpose than we'd expect from an 0-11 team.
Atlanta at St. Louis (-3) Even though QB Marc Bulger has been ruled out with lingering symptoms from last week's concussion, the Rams will get by on the strength of a fully healthy Stephen Jackson.
Cleveland at Arizona (-1) It seems as though the Cardinals should be able to run and shoot with the high-flying Browns, as Cleveland's "defense" couldn't stop a botttle with a cork. Yet karma tips the scales in Cleveland's favor: the Browns have given up more points than any team in the NFL, but QB Derek Anderson, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow keep making enough big plays to help the Browns win. That momentum continues here. Long-suffering Browns fan and original Flickster Eli "FJ" Shibowitz deserves as much. Cards QB Kurt Warner is likely to amass a ton of yards, but he'll find a way to lose the game in the end- even if he has fumble away the winning touchdown in his own endzone in overtime.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3) Bucs QB Jeff Garcia may play, but it won't matter. The Saints continue their playoff push by gaining ground on Tampa in the NFC South.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland Someone has to win, right? The Broncos still have life, while the Raiders can't steal much more than a shred of pride in this lost season.
That's right! Pick the Packers to win and bet the moneyline! Turn your beer-brats-and-cheese change into a Packers Super Bowl Fun fund, payable Feb. 3, 2008 in Phoenix!
Yes, the Cowboys are fully loaded with weapons: Tony Romo has T.O. and Jason Witten through the air, while Marion Barber III and Julius Jones deliver gains on the ground. But Brett Favre is the master of both the slant and the bomb. He's got multiple quick-strike options deployed, including WRs Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and TE Donald Lee. RB Ryan Grant has brought toughness to the Packers' lightly regarded rushing attack, running for over 100 yards in three of the last five games and averaging 120.8 yards/game combined rushing/receiving overall. The difference in this game? Green Bay's tenacious defense. CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson will challenge T.O., Aaron Kampman and KGB will pressure Romo, and Green Bay's outstanding interior line and linebacking corps will contain Barber and Jones. Green Bay wins, 41-31.
Last week: 2-2 (11-5 overall) Season: 31-20 (118-58 overall)
dp killed the $1-$2 no limit hold 'em table at the Venetian Wednesday night, turning a $200 buy-in into an $851 windfall in three hours while he waited for his bro Zeke (the suited connector) to get off work. Zeke got an early out at 10 p.m., giving dp a few more hands until his big blind came up. As so often happens, dp got involved in a monster pot in his last hand, making a full house on the river to beat two flushes and more than double his stack. dp tipped the dealer ten bucks (any less and Zeke, a dealer himself, would have been embarrassed), and the p boys bounced over to the sportsbook.
To celebrate (and as added incentive to wake up before 9:30 a.m. to watch Green Bay beat Detroit, dp made two $20 bets on Turkey Day football games. First, he made a 3-leg 6-point Teaser, taking Green Bay to +3, the Jets to +21, and the Colts to - 5.5 for a potential $28 win ($48 payout). Second, he made a 4-leg parlay, taking Green Bay (-3), the Packers-Lions under (47.5), the Cowboys-Jets over (47.5), and the Colts-Falcons over (41) for a potential $200 win.
If nothing else, the added action may prevent dp from succumbing to a tryptophan coma at halftime of the Cowboys game. Check back Saturday for dp's usual Upset Specials column.
But if you're really anxious to get some action down for the weekend, here's a sneak peek at dp's early picks: Denver at Chicago (-2.5), Seattle (-3) at St. Louis, New Orleans (-1) at Carolina.
Milwaukee Bucks (5-4, 3-game winning streak, 2nd in the Central, 5th in the (L)East) Milwaukee won a big road game at Cleveland tonight, 111-107. Michael Redd and Lebron James posted nearly identical stat lines, as each star scored 34 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Lebron had 7 assists to Redd's 6, but Redd also posted 3 steals and 2 blocks. The Bucks' first victory away from the Bradley Center moved them over .500 for the first time this year. If the season ended today, Milwaukee would be in the playoffs. And Yi Jianlian could very well be the Rookie of the Year. Yi is averaging about 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.75 blocks. Sure, Kevin Durant is averaging 19 points (on 37% shooting), but Yi fills out a fuller stat line and plays for a "good" (allow me the early optimism) team. Both players will contend for most dunks allowed. Durant's other claim to fame? He's the only rookie besides teammate Jeff Green who has already lost 10 games.
Meanwhile, if we continue with the ramifications of extrapolation, Yi and Durant will contend for most times getting dunked on. At season's end the Bucks will finish with an NBA best ever 41-0 at home. (Until beating Cleveland tonight, the Bucks were in contention for a worst ever 0-41 away record.)
Yi won't have to beat out Greg Oden for top rookie honors. The tragic news of Oden's season-ending microfacture surgery was offset somewhat by Portland's unexpectedly strong 4-3 start, but a four-game losing streak has since dampened the Blazers' spirits.
Despite going 4-1 (13-3 overall) in Week 11, dp laments the Saints' 23-10 loss to Houston. Andre Johnson returned after 7 weeks to amass 120 yards receiving and a touchdown to lead the Texans' offensive surge, which also included 89 yards rushing from Ron Dayne. dp wants to hear the music in N'ahleans, but it's all blues as the Saints are marching out of contention. At least everything else in the NFL world according to dp developed predictably. David Garrard played mistake-free football and led Jacksonville to a 24-17 over Chargers. Cleveland beat Baltimore in overtime 33-30 after a wild fourth quarter in which the Ravens stormed back from a 13-point deficit to seemingly win the game 30-27 after Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal attempt as the clock expired was initially ruled no good. Officials then conferred and determined the ball had bounced off the left upright and passed over the crossbar before bouncing back in front. The Ravens had to be summoned from the locker room to return to the field to take a bitter loss. There were no miracles in Detroit, just three Jon Kitna interceptions, and the Lions fell prey to the Giants 16-10.
If you believe Jon Kitna, he, like the mightly Aslan in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, miraculously came back from dead earlier this year. dp is sure it won't happen again.
In weeks past, dp has occasionally come under (friendly) fire for not ranking his upset specials high on the confidence index. dp responded by boldly backing Denver for 12 points this week, enabling him to catch all but cousin (and loyal Bronco fan) Adam on Monday night when Denver exploded for four touchdowns of 40+ yards to streak past the struggling Titans 34-20. This pick leapfrogged dp past many who either picked the Jaguars or backed Denver weakly with a low rank on the confidence index. dp's finishing flourish helped him secure second place for the week in the FLICK Picks League, which moved dp to third (of 22) on the season, trailing FatherFlicker by 18 points.
Bud Selig released an initial statement saying he hadn't bothered to actually read Barry's 10-page indictment, although he does "take the indictment very seriously and will follow its progress closely." The indictment isn't progressing, Bud. You don't have to chase it or catch it. It's posted all over the Internet. Selig went on to pontificate about MLB's strict policy on performance-enhancing drugs, touching on reforms like testing for amphetamines and adding HGH to the banned list while pursuing the development of an efficacious test for HGH.
Selig's response reminds dp of something. Let's see.... Baseball pretends to be ignorant of a patently obvious situation.... Hmmmm... What is this deja vu?
It sounds just like baseball's "reaction" to allegations of steroid use in the 1980's and 90's: Feigned ignorance. Drug problem? What drug problem? Oh, you mean cocaine? We cracked down on that one with a tough testing policy that required Steve Howe to actually apply for reinstatement each of the seven times he returned to the field after testing positive. It's not our fault that Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry were granted multiple chances to resurrect their playing careers but never got the help they needed to kick coke addiction.
Meanwhile, Selig's ploy of pretending to be too busy to read 10-pages while supposedly monitoring Bond's legal situation "closely" reeks of two things: 1) personal contempt for Bonds, similar to Selig "acknowledgement" of Bonds' record-setting home run, when he stood up only to keep his hands in his pockets. 2) official doublespeak that seeks to distance baseball from troubled players and ultimately protect the league against any liability.
NY Giants (-2.5) at Detroit Amazingly, Detroit opened as a 1.5-point favorite. Anyone who watched Arizona run past Detroit last week knows it will take a miracle in Motown for the Lions to devour the Giants. However Detroit has already reached its quota on divine intervention. In Week 2 against Minnesota, quarterback and Christian missionary Jon Kitna got knocked out with a concussion in the second quarter, then returned in overtime to lead the Lions to a 20-17 win. Kitna characterized his return as "a miracle." Doctor of philosphy dp says Jon's sacrifice of body (and mind?) is just medically stupid, not a true miracle like the Siamese Queens pictured here: The miracle is simply the easy money that was out there at the beginning of the week when you could pick the Giants and still be getting points. So many gamblers did so that the line has jumped four points. New York will roar past the Lions, whose remaining schedule includes two games with Green Bay, plus Dallas and at San Diego. If 6-4 Detroit wants to make the playoffs, they better keep praying in Kitna's bible study groups.
Saints at Houston (opened even; Houston -1.5 now): N'ahleans gets back on track in Texas. San Diego at Jacksonville (-3) Jacksonville will win if David Garrard plays; check the starting lineup early Sunday and pick the Chargers if he doesn't.
Cleveland (-2) at Baltimore Cleveland is on the rise and the Ravens are spiraling down. Of their playoff hopes, quoth dp, "Nevermore."
Tennessee at Denver (-2) The line has tightened down a point or so because the Titans are a popular upset pick. Stick with Denver, still tough at home on Monday night. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth missed last week's game and Jacksonville gashed the Titans' D for 166 rushing yards. Haynesworth missed practice this week and is a game-time decision. Meanwhile, Denver looks to have improved its run defense.
How awesome are Sox fans celebrating National Disability Awareness? Check it out for yourself?
This would never happen in New York. The Yankees lack the heart. dp deeply praises Sawx spirit for reminding us how enhancing performance can be a good thing.
Isiah is a for-profit non-prophet prone to shady maneuvers and a cloudy future. If you believe Peter Vecsey ( as dp does), Thomas is now trying to get fired, and he's proving to be completely inept at that, too!
Barry Bonds was indicted Thursday on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that Bonds lied during his 2003 testimony before a federal grand jury which had convened to investigate the BALCO steroid distribution ring. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 30 years in prison. Later Thursday afternoon, a federal judge in San Francisco ordered the release of Greg Anderson, Bonds' childhood friend and personal trainer who has sat in prison for contempt of court for nearly a year because of his refusal to testify about Bonds. The question yet to be answered: was Anderson's release contingent upon cooperation with a grand jury that otherwise lacked sufficient proof to indict Bonds?
Or was Anderson released because the grand jury has enough evidence without his testimony? Article 9 of the background section of the indictment states, "During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for Bonds and other professional athletes." Maybe the presence of this "evidence" means that Anderson is not needed to prove that Bonds perjured himself.
Upon closer examination of the ten-page indictment, three of the four counts of perjury against Bonds pertain to his answers to questions concerning Greg Anderson. Before analyzing what this could mean, let's pause to summarize each count:
* Count One: Bonds denies that Anderson ever gave him anything that he knew to be a steroid, and Bonds continues to profess innocence even when the grand jury proceeded to show him documents with his name and/or initials pertaining to positive test results for two anabolic steroids. * Count Two: Bonds denies that Anderson (or any of his associates) ever injected him with anything, or gave him anything that required Barry to use a syringe to inject himself. * Count Three: Bonds denies that Anderson ever gave or helped Barry obtain human growth hormone (HGH) or testosterone, in January 2002 or at any time. * Count Four: Barry admits to using "the cream" and "the clear," but claims that it didn't happen until 2003, while the grand jury maintains that it happened at least as early as December 2001, according to the date of a calendar with his "BB" initials on it. * Count Five (Obstruction of Justice): The one count of obstruction of justice is the product of Bonds' "evasive, false, and misleading" testimony as noted in the aforementioned four counts of perjury.
At first glance, it seems difficult for the government to prove that Bonds lied about his dealings with Anderson if Anderson himself doesn't refute Bonds' testimony. Then again, Anderson has already chosen to sit in prison indefinitely, so why would he suddenly squeal now? It seems that the calendars and documents that allegedly outline Bonds' drug use are not weighty enough on their own to merit the indictment; if they were, Bonds could have been indicted years ago. If that's the case, then the government would need another witness to verify Bonds' use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Kimberly Bell, Bonds' former mistress, has claimed that Bonds both told her about his steroid use and acknowledged Anderson's role in administering the drugs, so it is possible that she could back up the first three counts of perjury. The fourth count of perjury is a matter of timing: not whether Bonds used the cream and the clear, but rather when he used them. Even Barry admitted he "could be wrong" about this time frame, and it's possible that Gary Sheffield, who trained with Bonds before the start of the 2002 season and admitted he had also used the cream, could verify the time period in question. The Steroid Era All things considered, it seems unlikely that Anderson came clean about Bonds. In any case, the grand jury believes it can prove Bonds was definitively and irrefutably a drug cheat. Yet it's worth remembering that Bonds isn't actually being indicted for illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs; he's being indicted for lying about it. Certainly, lying before a grand jury is no small matter, but in return for his agreement to testify in 2003, he received immunity from criminal prosecution for anything other than perjury. If Bonds can't be punished for using substances that weren't banned by major league baseball at the time (steroids were added to baseball's list of banned substances in 2003; drug testing actually began in 2005, when HGH was added to the list, though no reliable HGH test exists yet), doesn't it seem that he's being unfairly singled out? Other baseball MVPs Jose Canseco, Ken Caminiti, and Jason Giambi have admitted to past steroid use, and since 2005, many minor and major leaguers, including Jason Grimsley, Alex Sanchez, Guillermo Mota, Rafael Betancourt, and Rafael Palmeiro, have all served suspensions after testing positive. Moreover, these players only represent a fraction of those who have been implicated or suspected of PED use. How can Bonds alone be targeted when the evidence indicates that so many other baseball players also benefited from PEDs? Is Bonds really any different than Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Juan Gonzalez, Troy Glaus, or Rick Ankiel? Maybe the only real difference is that Bonds possessed more natural talent than any of these stars. If other guys had to cheat to catch up, why do we focus our scorn on someone who was already the best player in the game? Is it because Bonds didn't need to cheat? Is it because the best player deserves the bulk of the blame? Or is it because Bonds in the biggest jerk in the history of sports interviews, and people are pissed that a lying megalomaniac now possesses not just the single-season home run record (73 in 2001, beating McGwire's 70 in 1998) but also the career home run record previously held by Hank Aaron, a principled man of dignity and honor?
After Bonds hit his 756th homer, fashion designer Marc Ecko, the owner by auction of the historic baseball, put the fate of the ball up for an internet vote. Fans were given three options: one, send it to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hame of Fame; two, permanently brand it with an asterisk and then send it to Cooperstown; or three, blast it into outer space. Sadly, the asterisk option won with 47% of the 10 million votes cast. Worse, the Hall has tentatively agreed to accept the ball with an asterisk affixed. The asterisk is an insult not just to Bonds' personal legacy. More importantly, it's an insult to the integrity of the American pastime. Bonds doesn't "theoretically" hold the home run record; he has physically launched more bombs in major league games than anyone else in history. That's a fact. It's also a fact that he's never been suspended for violating baseball's PED testing program. It's also an indisputable fact that Bonds competed against other players who did test positive, and still more who undoubtedly used PEDs before they were officially banned in 2005. For better or worse, baseball's lack of drug testing spawned the now-infamous Steroid Era. While we can lament the fact that PEDs plagued baseball for about twenty years from sometime in the 1980's until 2005, we can't pick and choose who gets punished and who gets pardoned for their involvement. It's inconsistent to condemn McGwire and Bonds, and then forgive Cardinals pitcher-turned-slugger Rick Ankiel and Indians hurler Paul Byrd for their use of HGH.
The Dope on HGH
Jintropin is a popular strand of HGH synthesized by Chinese chemist Jin Lei, who learned his craft while getting a Ph.D. from UC-San Francisco in the '90s. Jin returned to China and opened a government-sponsored company, GenSci, which manufactures and sells Jintropin. Check out Shawn Assael's full story here. dp says don't be like Sylvester Stallone, who was detained for two days after trying to enter Australia without a prescription for his 48 vials of Jintropin.
Yes, both Ankiel and Byrd were initially prescribed HGH by doctors for medical reasons. Yes, Ankiel was recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery, as was Byrd, who also claimed that he suffered from a pituitary gland disorder that accounted for why he continued to buy nearly $25,000 of HGH over a three-year period. HGH is typically given to children with dwarfism and adults who suffer from AIDs-related "wasting," a degenerative condition. HGH is also FDA-approved for adults with adult growth hormone deficiency. It's possible that Byrd could fall under this last category, but it still wouldn't explain how he twice filled prescriptions for HGH from a dentist who was subsequently suspended for "fraud and incompetence" in 2003. That same dentist prescribed HGH to other baseball players, including Matt Williams, Ismael Valdez and Jose Guillen. All four players obtained the drugs from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center (PBRC), an anti-aging clinic. On Feb. 27, a slew of law-enforcement agencies led by the Albany County (NY) District Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency raided the PBRC as part of "Operation Which Doctor," a major investigation into an Internet-based steroid distribution ring. Meanwhile, agents in Orlando simultaneously raided the investigation's main target, Signature Pharmacy, which manufactured and distributed millions of dollars of drugs to PBRC, other anti-aging clinics, and other pro athletes including Ankiel, Glaus, and Jay Gibbons. All told, more than two dozen doctors, pharmacists, and business owners (including those of PBRC and of Signature Pharmacy) face a multitude of felony charges, including the illegal distribution of steroids and HGH. Some-- including PBRC co-owner Joseph Raich and his brother-in-law, heart surgeon Robert G. Carlson-- have already plead guilty.
Some of these anti-aging clinics have liberally expanded the use of HGH to combat the "disease" of getting older, and trumpet anecdotal evidence that suggests HGH's performance-enhancing effects include more red blood cells, healthier heart function, improved eyesight, higher energy levels and increased sex drive. Yet the larger medical community doesn't consider these claims legitimate, and no reputable doctor would prescribe HGH to a healthy adult. While HGH very well may help athletes recover faster from serious sports injuries by regenerating stronger connective tissue like tendons and ligaments, this use is not approved by the FDA, much less considered standard practice. Accordingly, MLB has never granted Byrd or any player a "Therapeutic Use Exemption" for HGH.
Baseball's Tarnished Legacy* What does this all mean for baseball? The BALCO investigation, "Operation Which Doctor," and “Operation Raw Deal” (a series of raids conducted by more than 100 D.E.A. agents in 27 states from Sept. 20-24 that resulted in 124 arrests and the closing of 56 labs) focused on manufacturers and distributors at the top of the PED food chain, meaning that users would not be targeted for prosecution. But this certainly does not mean that professional athletes are off the hook. Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was suspended for four games by the NFL after he admitted to the Albany County D.A.'s Office that he used HGH prescribed by Carlson and obtained online from PBRC. Barry Bonds is not the only major league baseball player that has to worry. The Mitchell Report on Steroids, an investigation of PED use in baseball conducted by former Senator George Mitchell, is expected to be released sometime in the next month. The player's union has apparently learned that Mitchell's Report will name 11 current free agents. Bonds makes one, as the Giants dropped Bonds like a dirty habit. Paul "Crazy" Byrd no longer makes two, for the Indians exercised their $7.5 million team option. (We await the publication of "The Free Byrd Project," Paul's upcoming autobiography, for his full story.) It's unclear how many additional players already under contract will be named, but Commissioner Bud Selig has said that teams "ought to be prepared for (the) eventuality" of naming names. In a conference call with representatives from all 30 teams, Thomas Carlucci, a lawyer for the firm that represents MLB, said that Mitchell's report would be "salacious" (translation: "obscene"). Clearly, the Steroid Era has tarnished baseball's legacy, but it would be truly obscene to make Bonds the scapegoat for baseball's systemic sins. Bonds may be a lot of things, including a drug user, a jerk, an adulterer, and a liar, but he didn't create the Steroid Era; he just participated in it like so many of his competitors. While the history books should rightfully note the impact of PEDs on professional sport, there need be no asterisk on his record-setting ball. After all, we've got the image of Barry's enlarged head burned in our minds. We don't need punctuation.
New Jersey Nets (4-4, three-game losing streak since Vince Carter's ankle injury) Still without Vinsanity Wednesday night in the Boston Bank Gahden, New York(B) got hosed 91-69 by the new-look Celtics, who moved to 7-0. Bringing irony to their moniker on on off-shooting night, the Nets were hitting anything but, scattering bricks all evening en route to scoring 34 points on 36% shooting in the first half then "exploding" for 35 points on 31% shooting in the second. Amazingly, Boston only led by two at halftime before blowing Joisy away in the third quarter.
Los Angeles Clippers (5-2, zero Shaun Livingstons and Elton Brands) While LA(1) moved to 4-3 with an impressive road victory in Houston Wednesday, the LA(2) Clippers buried NY(A) 84-81 at the Staples Center despite shooting only 36.5%. Luckily for the Clips, the Knicks shot only 34.6% for the game and put up a grand total of nine points in the third quarter.
At this point, New York sports fans should expect A-Rod and Mariano Rivera to sign with the Dodgers.
With the NBA season having reached as many as eight games for some teams, it's time for dp's NBA 10% Season Report. Three cities have dominated the hoops scene thus far: the Big Three of Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. Fittingly, both New York(/New Jersey) and L.A. are two-team cities, a fact that only feeds the unassisted double player's penchant for two-fisted slopping. (In other words, dp, to be geographically judicious, will also mention the Nets and Clippers, thereby supersizing his Tri-City coverage to a Five-Team peek). But in terms of story lines in the fist tenth, only one is actually about on-court performance: the Boston Celtics' resurgence behind their Big Three of KG, Paul Pierce, and Jesus Shuttlesworth. Meanwhile, the ongoing Kobe Byrant trade speculation in Los Angeles and the Knicks' circus in the Big Apple not only don't have happy endings, they don't have much hope of ending at all anytime soon.
Even before the season began, New York was generating most of the off-season NBA news. New York Post headlines have featured, in turn, the fallout from Tim Donagy and the NBA referee betting scandal; the lawsuit brought by Anucha Browne, former senior vice president of marketing for the Knicks, against Isiah Thomas for sexual harassment and against Knicks owner and Madison Square Garden President James Dolan for failing to protect her in a "hostile" work environment; and the latest, StephonMarbury's disappearing act in Phoenix Tuesday, when he went AWOL and failed to show up for morning shootaround. With his customary smile frozen in place, Isiah reacts to Starbury's no-show in the video below.
New York Knicks(2-4; three-game losing streak, two megalomaniacal leaders, one missing person) StephonMarbury, reportedly back in New York as of 4 p.m. Tuesday and telling The Post that he received Isaiah's permission, might be crazy, but Isiah Thomas is definitely crazy. The annual Zeke-Starbury flareup is the inevitable image of two doppelgangers battling to determine who is whose alter ego. Imagine two attention-seeking point guards playing one-on-one for center position in front of an HD fishbowl. Of course, Zeke considers their tiff itself to be a private matter. When Thomas talks about this latest controversy as an "in-house" matter, he's talking about how things are handled inside the crazy house.
Earlier this summer, Thomas seemed to monopolize the spotlight when he was found guilty of sexual harassing former Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders, but as the sordid trial wound down to judgment, Marbury managed to pop up in the testimony of Knicks employee Kathleen Decker, who stated that she had backseat sex with the married Marbury in his SUV while parked outside a night club in 2005. She, unlike Sanders, consented to her superior's advance. Six weeks before the trial began, Decker received a big promotion.
Meanwhile, Sanders' saga goes something like this: First, in executive meetings, she complained of Thomas' unprofessional behavior and then threatened to sue if something wasn't done. The Knicks suspended her pending an internal investigation, then Knicks owner and MSG president James Dolan, concerned that the “overall health of the Garden was in jeopardy,” fired her after he determined that her allegations were unfounded. Amazingly, Dolan was able to do so without even bothering to talk to legal counsel or look at a report on the investigation of Sanders' claims. Now that's great leadership, Jimmy! Sanders subsequently sued Thomas, MSG and Dolan in January 2006, and on Oct. 2 a civil court jury found Thomas guilty and awarded Sanders $11.6 million.
Dolan, the mad doctor in charge of this loony bin, is crazy himself. All told, basketball in the Big Apple is more than a few dashes of cinnamon shy of apple pie. On the other hand, there's nothing more American than a good-old family feud. And that's exactly what the show at the Garden looks like these days.
While Thomas' guilty verdict represents the point of terminal velocity for the Knicks' disaster, who can say when it all began to unravel? It's like trying to identify the first snowflake in an avalanche. Did it begin in September 1999, when Isiah honed his franchise-killing skills by buying the CBA only for it to declare bankruptcy less than two years later? Or maybe October 1999 when Dolan first assumed managing control of the Knicks? Was it in December 2003 when Dolan named Thomas president of basketball operations? Or in the 2005-06 season, when their managerial strategery of accumulating huge contracts of overpaid underachievers resulted in a 23-59 record paired with the league's highest payroll of $130 million? (Head coach Larry Brown, axed after that awful season, is no dummy; perhaps he loathed associating with these guys so much that he purposely tanked in order to be "fired"/bought out of his misery for $18.5 million.) Or was it when the buyouts didn't end there, and Dolan shelled out another $14 million and then $30 million (both amounts including luxury tax penalties) to Maurice Taylor and Jalen Rose, respectively, in order to secure their unconditional releases and allow the Knicks to acquire more players and incur additional luxury taxes? For a full litany of the Knicks's struggles since the volatile Dolan, a recovering addict prone to "treating people like shit," was named CEO of Cablevision by his father in 1995, check out Sean Cunningham's History of the Decline and Fall of the New York Knickerbockers for Esquire.
Back to the present hostile environment, Thomas of course vehemently asserted that he was "extremely disappointed that the jury could not see the facts" and will appeal the decision. Meanwhile, SportsCenter reported early Wednesday morning that the NY Daily News quoted Marbury as saying, "Isiah has to start me. I've got so much (stuff) on Isiah and he knows it. He thinks he can (get) me. But I'll (get) him first. You have no idea what I know."
At least Isiah isn't on the hook for Sanders' $11 million settlement. That bill also goes Dolan, the richest and most entitled daddy-made man in professional sports and sketchy Zeke's staunchest supporter. On the brighter side of things, now Dolan finally has personal inspiration to sing the blues and play rhythm guitar in his band, JD and the Straight Shot.
Nonetheless, Isiah narrowly edges out Martina Hingis on dp's Sick Six List of Over-Emphatic Protestations of Innocence:
6. Martina Hingis: The tennis star retired last week in the wake of a positive test for cocaine on June 29 at Wimbledon. She says, "I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent.... I have no desire to spend the next several years of my life reduced to fighting against the doping officials.... I am frustrated and angry. I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent.
Here's what the PTI guys have to say:
Adding to the sense that she was overdoing her claim of "absolute, 100 percent" innocence, Hingis verbosely rambled on to say, "I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on by talking to the press.... They say that cocaine increases self-confidence and creates a type of euphoria. I don't know. I only know that if I were to try to hit the ball while in any state of euphoria, it simply wouldn't work. I would think that it would be impossible for anyone to maintain the coordination required to play top class tennis while under the influence of drugs," Hingis added, displaying accurate knowledge of the drug's effects. Hingis lost in the third round on the day she tested positive, but she assures us that her lawyers can prove her innocence. Who knows? Perhaps the "Swiss Miss" consumed a tainted packet of instant hot chocolate powder.
5. Original "Bad Boy" Isiah Thomas:
Concerning his sexual harassment conviction, Isiah told a throng of reporters outside the courtroom, "I want to say it as loud as I possibly can. I'm innocent. I'm very innocent." Of course, true innocence need not be qualified with the redundant "very" and would thus only be used by a (very) guilty criminal.
4. Rafael Palmeiro: Just months before being suspended for testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol, Palmeiro wagged his finger before Congress and testified, "I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never." Of course, the second never negates the first, and the resulting double-negative equals a positive steroid test. If only Palmeiro had taken elementary math (or non-juiced Vitamin B-12 shots) instead of simple reverse-psychology.
3. Pete Rose: "I never bet on baseball." Oh, wait, actually he did, and he'll tell you all about it in his best-selling autobiography, My Prison Without Bars. Seriously, go buy a copy. One dollar of every copy sold goes directly to the IRS, and two dollars go toward Rose's "lock" in the daily No. 9 race at Santa Anita. Come 0n, give the old boy something to do while he waits in vain to be reinstated by Bud Selig and consequently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
2. Marion Jones: Perhaps the saddest story of all, fool's golden girl Jones recently came clean about using performance-enhancing drugs during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won five medals, including three golds.
1. O.J. Simpson: Even though he's admitted to "masterminding" a plot to forcibly enter a Las Vegas hotel room with the intent of taking sports memorabilia "stolen" from him by unscrupulous dealers, doesn't everyone believe O.J's claims that there were no guns involved and that all of the junk was rightfully his anyway? In a move familiar to amateur poker players, Simpson practically invented the old "act strong when you're weak, and act weak when you're strong" tactic. (Remember the defense's argument that the battered Juice was too debilitated after his Hall of Fame pro football career to even wield a knife in the manner required to violently murder Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman? "Your honor, I'm only able to powerfully stiff arm, not vengefully stab, defenders to the ground.")
To steer dp's meandering scope back where it started, dp hopes that Zeke and Starbury don't stop at the kissing part of making up; they should continue their love affair indefinitely. This makes sense on multiple levels:
1. Both playmakers have already expressed a desire to pursue sexual relationships in the work place. 2. Both know how to score off a backdoor cut. 3. The ensuing media bonanza celebrating the NBA's first open gay relationship would generate huge interest and expand the Knick's fan base, which would in turn increase revenue that could supplement Dolan's operational costs of poor performance, payroll mismanagement, executive favoritism/nepotism/sexism, and professional lechery. Not to mention the fact that this backcourt combo would transcend even the metrosexual model of modern man and take coolness to a whole new level. Short of the Knicks winning the NBA championship (Vegas has optimistically posted 60-1 odds), this is the best possible news for which fans can hope.
Boston Celtics (6-0, three synergistic superstars, two previously embattled but currently thrilled leaders)
Simply put, KG and the Celtics are killing it. dp was there for The Big Three's home opener versus Washington on Friday, Nov. 2. Check out the energy of the TD Banknorth (bleh!) Garden during introductions:
dp attended the game with three of his college roommates, Boston's original Flickster trio, Ron "Jeremy" Mazza, John "Not Ryan" Flynn, and Zed Fong-Torres. Predictably, Milwaukee native dp was the only one of the bunch to pick Ray Allen as the best-looking member of Boston's Big Three when surveyed by an ESPN Magazine reporter. Presumably, the NBA's last undefeated team will lose at some point, but possibly never to a (L)Eastern Conference team. Boston GM Kevin McHale, er, Danny Ainge, and "coach" Doc Rivers rejoice.
Los Angeles Lakers(3-3, tenth in Western conference, one superstar's impossible trade demand) Paradoxically, Los Angeles has almost no chance of completing a Kobe trade because Bryant holds the NBA's only active no-trade clause and will only approve a deal that he thinks will enable his prospective team to compete for a championship; the Lakers would consider any such deal patently unfair to their own future interests and thus fail to pull the trigger. Despite the unlikelihood of a deal happening, speculation will continue unchecked because the Lakers cannot come out and declare that Kobe won't be traded. They are prevented from doing so by the terms of the pact that Kobe and Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss hashed out this summer in Barcelona. Buss promised Kobe that he would at least listen to trade offers, while in return Kobe promised to play hard and publicly support the Lakers. Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of the Kobe trade drama is watching other teams implode. The Bulls have been intensely scrutinized as having the inside track in the Kobe sweepstakes, and the talented team (49-33 last year) has fallen apart on the court with an atrocious 1-5 start. Meanwhile, Kobe's former companion, ShaquilleO'Neal, isn't even a shade of his former self, and the Heat, desperate for Dwyane Wade's return, are playing so badly in accumulating a 1-6 record that Pat Riley is considering suiting up himself.
That's about the tenth of it. Check back in three weeks for dp's 20% Season Report: Five Surprises a Fifth of the Way, which will include:
-dp's first Double Deuce Slotter, his Top 22 teams (11 each in the East and West)
- First quarter Division Grades for the Atlantic (Boston, Toronto, Jersey, New York, Philly); the Central (Detroit, Cleveland, Indiana, Milwaukee, Chicago); the Southeast (Washington, Orlando, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami); the Northwest (Utah, Denver, Portland, Minny, Seattle); the Texas Blues (San Antonio, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Memphis); and CaliZona (Phoenix, Clippers, Lakers, Sactown, Golden State)
dp's disappointing performance in Week 10 predictions (2-3 record) marked his second losing week of the season (also 2-3 in Week 5).
But sometimes, like the kids say, bad is good.
Overall, dp went 6-8 in Week 10, tied with Week 4 for his worst record of the year. Yet even with this seemingly underwhelming performance, dp finished fourth (of 22) in his weekly picks league. How, you ask? Well, the answer is easy. Even though dp didn't have the gumption to predict any of the rash of upsets in Week 10 (including the Saints' loss to previously winless St. Louis, Tennessee's loss to Jacksonville, Baltimore's loss to Cincy, Indy's loss to San Diego, Kansas City's loss to Denver, Carolina's loss to Atlanta, and Washington's loss to Philly), he also didn't feel all that good in backing these prohibitive "favorites," and therefore devalued the confidence index accordingly. Granted, New Orleans was dp's lock of the week (16 points on the confidence index), which hurt, but no one else pick them to lose either, so it didn't matter too much.
Detroit at Arizona (-1) The early line was even, but Arizona has become a slight favorite. It may seem crazy that the 6-2 Lions are an underdog against the 3-5 Cardinals, but Detroit is only 2-2 on the road while Arizona is 2-1 at home. Additionally, the Cardinals very well may have the edge in overall talent, particularly on offense with RB Edgerrin James and WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Yet Ken Whisenhunt's Cards have folded in big spots all year long, while Rod Marinelli's Lions have overachieved and could earn him Coach of the Year honors. Detroit will find a way to steal a key road win.
Philly at Washington (-3) If you tune into ESPN's Swami, Chris Berman, or SI's Dr. Z, Paul Zimmerman, Philly is both pundits' pick for this week's upset special. Maybe the dharma prince just doesn't want to be in doghouse (Lady FLICK is a born-and-raised Skins fan), but dp doesn't see it happening. Washington may look bad, but winning ugly is the name of the game in D.C. The Redskins will get it done.
Buffalo (-2.5) at Miami Buffalo's sluggish offense doesn't leave much room for error, but the Bills showed last week in their win over Cincy that hey can put some points on the board against a bad defense. Miami may be coming off a bye week, but the Dolphin D is still lacking. Buffalo will grind out another W against the winless Fins.
Cincy at Baltimore (-5.5 opening line, now at -3) Both teams sputter into this one on two-game losing streaks. Last week dp vowed to never again to back the disappointing Bungles, who sure enough gave away another winnable game to Buffalo. That's what 2-6 teams do. Chincy's nonexistent defense couldn't stop a beaker with a rubber cork. Yet Baltimore's offense is so offensive that it couldn't score sympathy from Mother Teresa. Even worse, the Ravens' only real threat, RB Willis McGahee, is questionable after suffering a concussion. So something's gotta give here. Sticking with the never-bet-on-Bengals maxim, dp reluctantly picks the Ravens.
Dallas (-1.5) at New York In the marquee matchup of the week, the Cowboys visit the Giants, who want revenge for their Week 1 45-35 shootout loss in Big D. This one won't be as high-scoring, but the result will be the same. After Tony Romo outplays Eli Manning, look for him to make a splash in the Big Apple's club scene. What forbidden fruit will Tony taste next? He's already been linked to Carrie Underwood, Jessica Simpson, and Britney Spears....
Focus on Hoops The NCAA basketball season tips off this week, and with California's college football teams producing nothing but sour grapes this fall, sports fans (and the diehards at the Taft Chamber of Commerce weekly sit-and-sip) should shift their focus to the hardwood floor. Indeed, hope— and hype— now turn toward hoops. UCLA boasts championship hope with the No. 2 preseason ranking while USC screams hype with the coming of all-world recruit O.J. Mayo. Let's just hope the Sauce doesn't turn out like the Juice, that other O.J. of USC lore.
The Sauce...
The Juice...
USC Preview Widely regarded as the best player to come out of high school since LeBron James, this O.J. is no joke. In all likelihood Mayo will be gone after one year, as he is projected to be a top-three pick in the 2008 NBA draft. In the meantime, the man in the No. 32 jersey (worn in homage to Tinseltown titan Magic Johnson) will bring an all-around game along with star power to a USC hoops squad historically overshadowed by those other Trojans in helmets and shoulder pads. Yet third-year coach Tim Floyd, even more than Mayo, deserves credit for boosting the basketball team’s status both on campus and on the national stage. The Trojans enter the season ranked No. 18, and Floyd will only add sparkle to an impressive resume that includes last season’s school-record 25 wins and second Sweet 16 appearance since Magic faced Bird in the 1979 title game. Additionally, Floyd has done a phenomenal job recruiting, bringing in the nation’s top freshmen class. Mayo, who will play shooting guard, is naturally the crown jewel, but he will be joined in the starting lineup and quite possibly next year’s NBA draft by power forward Davon Jefferson. These talented youngsters will help compensate for the loss of first-round pick Nick Young, second-round pick Gabe Pruitt, and Lodrick Stewart, who were the three leading scorers on last year’s team. Rounding out the starting five are point guard Daniel Hackett, small forward Dwight Lewis, and center Taj Gibson, all of whom logged significant minutes last season. This bunch is young, hungry, and eager to compete for a Pac-10 title. With a solid foundation in place, Floyd ultimately aspires to build a program that can compete with UCLA’s venerable tradition, and the success of this year’s team is crucial to that development.
UCLA Preview: Big Love While USC may feature this year’s top recruiting class, it’s not like their crosstown rivals are bottom feeders; in fact, UCLA coach Ben Howland has already secured a 2008 incoming group (highlighted by Jrue Holiday) that will probably end up as the nation’s finest. More importantly, the Bruins are loaded this year. Fresh off back-to-back Final Four appearances in which they lost to two-time defending champion Florida in the 2006 title game and last year's semifinal game, UCLA is already nipping at the North Carolina Tar Heels’ preseason No. 1 ranking. Granted, top scorer Aaron Afflalo is gone as a first-round NBA draft pick, but his departure is offset by the arrival of freshman center Kevin Love (above left), the best frosh prospect not named O.J. No less an authority than the Wizard of Westwood John Wooden has already likened Love to legendary Pauley Pavilion pivots like Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton. Love’s athleticism, strong rebounding, and nifty passing skills could very well mean that Mayo won’t even be the top freshman in the Pac-10. Meanwhile Howland can rely on four returning starters to surround Love. A first-team All-Pac-10 selection last year, junior point guard Darren Collison could have been a lottery pick, but he has returned in hopes of leading the Bruins to the national championship. Junior Josh Shipp, second in scoring to Afflalo in ‘06/07, joins Collison to form the nation’s best backcourt. The frontcourt looks to be very strong as well. The arrival of Love means that junior Luc Ricard Mbah a Moute can capitalize on his versatility by logging time at both forward spots. Love, on account of his superior passing, may actually play the four at times to allow senior Lorenzo Mata-Real to do the dirty work at center. All told, this team looks to win the Pac-10, earn a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed, and play deep into March.
Rivalry Renewed Then again, if the football season is any indicator, UCLA's current No. 2 ranking is as good as fool's gold. USC and Cal (plus Southern Florida and Boston College) have suffered embarrassing defeats while occupying the deuce slot. Football fans can rest assured that one of these teams will win on Saturday because USC visits Cal to do battle in Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, sometimes dubbed “Tightwad Hill” for the free show it offers thrifty hilltoppers, as former Taft High basketball star and USC superfan Bob Hampton reminded us at this week's Chamber sit-and-sip. At this point, it’s certainly understandable that fans are reluctant to pay to see these two disappointing teams (not to mention Tom Mayo’s 5-4 ugly Bruins) do battle on the gridiron. If Hampton wants to focus on something more hopeful and hype-worthy than the beating of the dead Trojan football horse, then he should stick to college hoops from here on out. If nothing else, Hampton can root for O.J. "The Sauce" Mayo, who is clearly no relation to the Trojan-loathing Tom Mayo. We'll have to wait until Jan. 19 when UCLA hosts USC to discover which Mayo gets to spread bragging rights from Los Angeles to Taft.
Despite notching a second consecutive 4-1 week, dp laments his one loss: Atlanta beat San Francisco 20-16 to prevent dp's prediction perfection.
Unfortunately, dp's defining premise for backing the 49ers was the belief that RB Frank Gore, listed as questionable on the injury report, would actually play, and play well, against the Falcons. Gore suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago against the Giants, but he played last week against the Saints, so dp figured he would be fine on Sunday. Therein lies the danger in making picks on Friday (or even Saturday). dp was dismayed to learn about an hour before kickoff that Gore was in fact inactive for the game. Unfortunately, while dp immediately wanted to flip his pick and back the Falcons, this last-minute switch was impossible because dp was stuck in traffic on his way back to New Haven from Boston, where he had traveled to catch the Celtics home opener against the Wizards on Friday. (Note to self: obtain I-phone to ensure full internet access during future road trips.) Oh well. Detroit blew out Denver 44-7, Cleveland roared back from a 21-6 deficit to eke past Seattle 33-30 in overtime, and both Buffalo (33-21 over Cincy) and Green Bay (33-22 over Kansas City) made exciting fourth-quarter comebacks to pull out victories, which dp enjoyed watching simultaneously with the Bills backers at dp's neighborhood pub, Anna Liffey's. With friends like Gary the bartender, dp could be mistaken for that other Dude....
Green Bay at Kansas City (-1 opening; now at -2.5: moved due to heavy action on Chiefs) This is one of the funny games where the average fan automatically picks the Packers, while the professional gamblers back the Chiefs. Let's take a closer look at what both are thinking. First, the fans look at the Packers and see a 6-1 team that's on a roll with Brett Favre playing like the 3-time MVP of 1995-97. Meanwhile, the bettors look at the Chiefs and see a team that's playing at home, has won four of its last five games, and perhaps most significantly, has never lost to Brett Favre. In fact, KC is the only team in the NFL that Favre has yet to beat (0-3 career). Consequently, oddsmakers are begging for anyone to lay some loot on the Packers to hedge the book. dp says bet the house. This is the rare game where the conventional wisdom of the average fan is correct; simply put, the bookies are overthinking this one. The Pack is on one of those streaks where just enough happens to help them win each week, and it will continue against the Chiefs.
San Francisco at Atlanta (-3) With the Falcon's release of NT Grady Jackson, Frank Gore should find lots of running room this week. The 49ers will look to use Gore often to control the clock and wear down the Atlanta D. Alex Smith can bounce back with some play action passes downfield.
Seattle at Cleveland (-1) Cleveland could score a bunch of points and still lose with their porous defense, but they should have just enough of a cushion to hold on for the win.
Cincy at Buffalo (-3 opening; now it's a coinflip) Well, while dp is finally giving up on the Bungles after getting burned (again) for backing them last week. It seems the rest of America is still seduced by the playmaking trio of QB Carson Palmer and WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (who has scored a touchdown in seven straight games) because heavy early week betting action on Cincy has moved the point spread a full field goal. The layman would figure that because Buffalo has gone from a 3-point favorite to a 1-point underdog in some sportsbooks, the smart money is on the Bengals, but in reality the opposite is true. Vegas oddsmakers are practically begging bettors to put some loot down on Buffalo, and dp agrees with them. Buffalo is the pick.
Denver at Detroit (-3) Denver is still reeling from their heartbreaking home loss in OT to Green Bay on Monday night. With a short week of preparation, they won't have enough in the tank to knock off a tough Lions squad.
The popularity of motor sports all over the world is on the rise. At the highest level, this reality is reflected by the presence of four athletes from the racing domain among Forbes’ list of the top 25 earners in sports in 2007: the current Formula One champion, Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, at No. 4 with $40 million; a retired Formula One legend, Germany’s Michael Schumacher, at No. 5 with $36 million; a Grand Prix motorcycling superstar, Italy’s Valentino Ross,i at No. 11 with $30 million; and the five-time NASCAR champion, America’s Jeff Gordon, at No. 21 with $24.5 million.
NASCAR has never been more popular, as the NEXTEL Cup Series has created a playoff-type atmosphere with its season-ending Chase for the Cup. With three races remaining in this third season of the Chase, Gordon holds a slim nine-point lead over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, who narrowed the gap with his eighth win of the season last Sunday in Atlanta. Even though most elite drivers like Gordon and Johnson are part of multi-car teams, many people assume auto racing to be a completely individual sport featuring drivers who are a bunch of ultra-competitive macho men. This certainly seems to be a valid conclusion, especially in light of the ongoing feud between Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards (currently fourth in the Chase) and Matt Kenseth (eleventh). After the finish of the Oct. 21 Subway 500 at Martinsville, an irate Edwards physically confronted Kenseth in an infamous scene that has been replayed hundreds of thousands of times by YouTube viewers. NASCAR’s culture simply doesn’t allow for backing down on or off the track, but this kind of scary excitement doesn’t say much for sportsmanship or teamwork. Check out hotheaded Edwards despicable display below:
Yet Gordon and Johnson’s relationship offers a much more positive example for young fans. A big part of why these two are running first and second in the standings is that they actually communicate well and share information with one another in order to dominate the rest of the field. It’s refreshing to know that even at the highest level of the ultimate individual sport, there’s still room for cooperation.
Meanwhile, as NASCAR speeds toward Taft with the construction of the new track at Enos Lane and Interstate 5, the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) comes to Taft’s Honolulu Hills Raceway this weekend and next for the final bike and ATV races of the season. While the events will bring a lot of visitors who will boost revenues for local businesses, what’s even better is that they highlight the positive impact that motor sports enthusiasts produce for the community.
Just ask eight-year-old Kenny “Nac-Nac” Owens, currently the “Featured Rider” on taftracing.com. Kenny loves racing because he gets to compete with friends and hang out with his family at the races. Just as the community comes together to rally around more traditional sports entities like the 8-1 Taft Wildcats football team (Good luck against Arvin!), so, too, can this kind of collective spirit be found on the track.
Check out Kenny's favorite Moto superstar, Travis Pastrana completing the first double backflip in competition history at the 2006 X-Games:
Whether our children are singing and dancing on stage, chasing a ball on grass, or racing dirtbikes in mud, shouldn’t we recognize the benefits of any form of performance? As our kids develop their bodies and minds through practice, exercise, competition, and teamwork, our communities are also made stronger as we come together to witness and celebrate our shared values like dedication to a common cause, determination to face challenges and improve, and participation in something bigger than the self.
Brett Favre hit Greg Jennings with an 82-yard bomb on the first play of overtime to defeat the Broncos 19-13 on Monday night. After a rough second half in the loss to Chicago and a poor performance in a win over Washington where a couple of underthrown deep passes had (foolish) critics questioning his arm strength, Favre bounced back against Denver's 6th-ranked pass defense, finishing 21 for 27 with 331 yards and two touchdowns. Even better, Favre torched both of Denver's All-Pro cornerbacks: Jennings burned Dre Bly to win the game, and in the first quarter, rookie James Jones beat Champ Bailey deep with a 79-yard touchdown.
Unlike some of the NFL's other elite teams, the Packers are winning with class, too. Just listen to the humble Jennings in a post-game interview with Suzy Kolber:
Meanwhile, the Pack's win iced dp's best week yet in underdog predictions. Only dp's stubborn refusal to believe that the Bengals actually do completely suck this year prevented a perfect 5-0 mark. While Chincy bungled their way to an seventh-straight home loss against Pittsburgh, dp's road warriors all won: Philly 23-16 at Minnesota, Buffalo 13-3 at NY Jets, and New Orleans 31-10 at San Francisco, and of course Green Bay.
As if capping dp's triumphant week 8 wasn't enough, Favre's dramatic game-winning pass also gave all three of dp's X Country Packbackin fantasy squads improbable come-from-behind victories. That's right: by the end of regulation Monday night, dp trailed his opponents by less than ten points in all three matchups, only to snatch victory at literally the last possible moment.
When it was all over, dp could hardly be happier if he was a member of the Boston Red Sox. Week 8 record: 4-1 (10-3 overall) Season: 19-13 (77-39 overall)
Genarlow Wilson woke up this morning in his own bed to enjoy his third day of freedom since being released from prison. He spent 32 months behind bars for receiving consensual oral sex from a 15-year old sophomore girl (who admittedly instigated the act) when he was a 17-year old senior. He was finally released on Friday when the State Supreme Court ruled that his 10-year mandatory minimum sentence as a sex offender constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
Georgia's State Attorney General Thurbert Baker said he hopes Friday's ruling puts "an end to this issue as a matter of contention in the hearts and minds of concerned Georgians and others across the country who have taken such a strong interest in this case." Back in June, after a judge ruled that Wilson's punishment was cruel and unusual, Baker appealed the decision, and Wilson remained locked up. dp wishes that Friday's ruling put an end to Baker's political and legal career. Hopefully, the good people of Georgia will demand Baker's resignation.
As Wilson was losing nearly three years of his life, the man who prosecuted him, Eddie Barker, had said, "We can set aside his sentence. Legally, it's still possible for us to set aside his sentence and give him a new sentence to a lesser charge. But it's up to us. He has no control over it." In fact, the archaic law under which Wilson was prosecuted was changed in the wake of his trial, but it inexplicably wasn't applied retroactively. dp hopes that Barker's self-righteous megalomania causes his head to explode before he can bark up the wrong tree again.
Barker's boss, Douglas County District Attorney David McDade, said he disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision, but he respects the court "as the final arbiter." dp does not respect McDade, considering him a disgrace to the notion of justice and a menace to Douglas County society.
Meanwhile, Wilson refuses to criticize these madmen who have conspired to make his life a living hell. dp hopes that the former football star, homecoming king, and honor student can reclaim his once-promising potential. Go get 'em, Genarlow. At 5' 9" and 170 pounds, you're a much bigger man than any of the fatcats in Georgia's judicial and legislative branches ever will be.
From professional leagues to personal extremes, FLICKsport's got the scoop. I'm your humble host, the digital producer, the unassisted double play, the deep poet: dp.
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