The #8 wiggle: how to blow a fortune before finishing your career

Apparently, elite NBA players lead lavish lifestyles. And for people like #8, Antoine Walker, it appears possible to blow a max contract before your playing days are technically over. Pretty sad, actually. There are some money quotations in this article, including:

Living at the Bishops Forest condominium complex in Waltham during the Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a virtual luxury car lot - two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches - Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers.

Then, there were the custom-tailored suits - closets full of them, including the set he ordered for his first playoff run in 2002, enough so he wouldn’t wear a suit more than once during the postseason run. When the Celtics officially hired Jim O’Brien as head coach in 2001, Walker had his tailor make three suits and presented them to O’Brien.

The World Series of Hate: Who do you hate less?

So two Cleveland Indian products will go head to head tonight to kick off a world series between the defending champs (hate them) and the evil empire (hate them more). Everything points to this being a great series and one that is extremely tough to call. Popular consensus seems to favor the Yankees since various demons have been exorcised and the October bats and pitches have emerged, but its really not that simple. Both teams have ace pitching, both teams have a solid middle infield, both teams have huge lineups, both teams have reliable bullpens, and let's face it both teams played hard. I will say this about the yanks: Rivera right now is a serious advantage over Lidge. Even though Lidge has been reliable this october his shaky entire year is hard to ignore, and you just have to have feel like Rivera's insider cutter will carve up the lefty heavy meat of the Phillies lineup. So basically if the Yankess have a lead after 7 innings they are winning. But how often will that happen? The Phillies can definitely put some bats on and could easily be playing with some leads...depending on the the pitching. So once again I will ignore everything else and base my prediction only on starting pitching: looks like both teams are going with three man rotations and in that case we have Lee, Martinez, and Hamels against Sabbathia, Burnett, and Pettite (in that order). Again the lefty issue with the Phillies is a weakness against CC, but if Cliff Lee strikes everyone out who cares? Martinez was deadly in his last outing and Burnett was whatever in an 8 hit 6 earned run game in Anaheim. And everyone knows the story with Hamels, there is a slight possibilty that he is dominant or he might be whatever for 5 innings. Pettitte on the other hand has been solid and would eat up a shaky Hamels start. So what does that all mean? I kind of have no idea but in my nightamres something like this happens: CC will win his game one start against Lee (in a classic) but the Angels salvage a split behind Martinez. Yankees then split in Phili with Hamels losing and Lee getting revenge. If all that stuff I completely made up happens then this goes the distance and CC shows arm fatigue in the final game and Lee wins again. Phillies in seven. Side note: can you imagine the heat in the Bronx if Lee shuts em down for the win tonight?

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

The HOF of "unbelievable and precedented"

Get used to this sight

This is the least surprising, yet most depressing news of the sporting season, bar none:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4597949

I hope he will at least take this opportunity to work on his wardrobe.

Flakeshow 2010: Now with a little extra sprinkle of douche

For better or worse the Lakeshow has been one of the most hated on franchises over the last 10 years or so. Multiple championships tends to incur those kinds of feelings...so do petulant entitled stars, trade demands, only playing hard in the fourth quarter, and calling out your team mates. But in the end they have won 4 titles in the Kobe era and that is pretty hella. As an "adopted son" of LA I for one am never too quick to hate on the Flakeshow but I don't mind pointing out some douchebaggery when I see it....and this new Laker bench ritual is the lameness. As you know the NBA has banned the bench from standing during the game so that they don't obstruct the rich people's view. This of course got in the way of the common "stand until our team scores" ritual. The Lakeshow has instead adopted a ritual in which the entire bench sits cross legged, does a double foot stomp, and switches their legs. Something like what they did in that "Major League" movie, and equally as douchey. Additionally, if you will look to the right of the bench, you will notice that Josh Powell is incapable of coordinating this ritual...lol.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Mancrush of the Day: Cedric Benson aka Cedric the Entertainer

Everybody loves a comeback. And that's why the elusive honor of mancrush goes to Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals. Benson the former #4 overall pick was of course run out of Chicago after a boating under the influence arrest (in which he resisted arrest and was pepper sprayed, pictured) and a subsequent DUI. He was then apparently bad mouthed around the league by the Bears, thus delaying him from getting a job until he finally landed on the essentially running back-less Bengals. Now he is the NFL's leading rusher and torched his unforgiving former team for 189 yards and a touchdown this Sunday. Cedric the Entertainer...GET SOME!

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Peja Stojakovic: Once Classy Serb

Peja, everyone's favorite molester beard wearing, hangout on the three point line, and play no defense Serb is apparently quite a hustler. According to a video posted by adult film star (the kind with the sex) Sienna West she was en route to "meet" with Peja in LA presumably as part of an escort service since her companion in the video explicitly states that he hopes Peja "tips" her. In any case that's just some video but afterwards Sienna West's twitter page said this:

"Met Peja, he's 6' 9"!!! Great cock!!! Peace out. My heart belongs to Louisiana! Can't wait for super bowl!! Working on connections...2:53 AM Oct 23rd"

...um...oh hey. Good for Peja I guess, I always said he looks like the kind of guy that would have a great cock. That's pretty weird...and I guess she's a Saints fan? In any case Stojakovic is probably screwed since this is way too random to be fake and he is married. Yes sir he is married, and married to this no less. Who knows man...who knows.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Lebron James: In an Empire State of Mind?

A few of the nerds and I were lucky enough to make it to the Jay-Z concert last night in Cleveland. Obviously it was incredibly sick, but that is not sports related so ask me about it some other time. Of note however was the presence of Lebron James: at choice times during the concert he was up on stage sans microphone and dancing along. He is undoubtedly a horrible horrible dancer and was completely off rythm every moment he was up there. Interestingly Lebron came out for the entire rendition of "Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z's song about New York. Having a keen eye for subtlety the Clevelanders actually started booing and Jay stopped to track to say he wasn't feeling enough love. AWKWARD...but since they brought it up what should we expect of the Cavs and imminent free agent Lebron James? I will go ahead and say that Lebron will keep his leverage and not sign an extension. I will also make the claim that the Cavs will not make the NBA finals, period. If they face the Magic they will lose in six, and a healthy Celtics team will beat them in six too. Without a title in hand its hard to imagine Lebron beeing to happy about being a Cavalier, but since he is such an Ohio man and the Cavaliers can pay him the most $ he would need a really really compelling reason to go anywhere. Why would he take less money to play for the Nicks or New Jersey? There is basically no way that either team would be better than the Cavs. That's why I'm saying, and keep in mind that I'm just saying, that Lebron will take a hard look at joining the Clippers. If the Clipshow does not resign Marcus Camby and Sebastion Telfair does not take is option (or the Clippers buy it out) then they can actually offer King James a decent salary of about 20 million bones a year. Thereby having a lineup of:

PG: Baron Davis
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Lebron James
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Chris Kaman

with Al Thornton in reserve. I mean, I'm just saying...they've got the scrilla and they've got the players. There is also talk about the Cavs having some financial flexibility themselves with the expiration of Ilglauskas and Shaq's contracts. But keep in mind that the Cavs were actually in the Luxury tax last year and several players are getting raises so if they let both players go they will actually only have about 10 million $ cap space (12 mill max if they take no team options). What can you do with 10 million in the 2010 free agent market? Nothing amazing, if they actually let Shaq and Z go they will really really need a center and they are not getting Amare or Bosh for 10 million, Yao and Dirk would never leave home, maybe they could Camby or Brad Miller? LOL, it would actually seem there best option would be to resign Shaq since they can exceed to cap to do resign their own player. But if the Cavs don't win and have the same team (minus Z) why exactly would Lebron stay?

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Raiders to Make Playoffs: Its Gauransheeded

Richard Seymour has guaranteed that the 2 and 4 and categorically horrible at football raiders will make the playoffs. "You can mark it down. The Raiders will be in the playoffs in 2009," Seymour said in a radio interview. Haha playoffs. The Raiders defense is definitely pretty good, and they showed that they can handle a very tough to defend team like the Eagles. But there is so so much left to be desired on offense. Jamarcus has so far been a huge bust and the Raiders essentially can't move the ball at all. Let's assume that the respective division titles go to New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Denver (oh hey!). So two wild-card spots for Mr. Seymour and crew....I'm gonna go ahead and say that the Bengals and the Ravens are better then the Raiders and probably the Dolphins, Jaguars, Texans, and Chargers are too. I dunno, somehow if you squint and look at it from just the right angle you can almost imagine it....but not really. FAIL.




"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

I Guess I Would Be OK With This . . .

. . .for two reasons. First, CC Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee. The 2007 Cy vs. the 2008 Cy. One squandered Cleveland Indians talent vs. Another squandered Cleveland Indians talent. Hefty Lefty vs. Slim Southpaw. And I think that Hamels vs. Burnett would also be a nice bout now that Cole is off of maternity leave. Second, I have a hard time pulling for the Yankees because of the whole monster payroll thing. But I also have a hard time pulling for the defending champs in anything, just because I like to see success spread around. So I'd be good with this, and provided that southern California baseball doesn't stage any Soxish comebacks, I think it'll be a fun classic.

Shockwaves Through the D

The 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champion Detroit Shock are leaving the D for Tulsa, Oklahoma (looked it up, it's a real place). What the hell? The Lions have the worst season ever, the Pistons have their worst season in years, the Tigers slip up and drop a 3 game lead with 4 to play, and the Red Wings lose in game 7 of the cup finals...and now this? The D cannot suffer another blow...I guess now I know what it felt like for Sonics fans when they lost their team to Oklahoma City.







"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Mike Sims-Walker: GET SOME!

If you were one of the many who started either David Garrard or Mike Sims-Walker in your fantasy football league last week, you were no doubt disappointed when Sims-Walker was deactivated right before the game and the Jags potent passing attack was squandered 41-0 in what was supposed to be a juicy match up against Seattle. I for one played Garrard as my carefully selected bye-week QB and when nothing happened I blamed Sims-Walker for his "rule violation" that deactivated him. "What an Idiot" I remember thinking...stupid wide receiver divas. Well I take it back Mr. Sims-Walker, you are excused. As it turns out the Jags receiver was deactivated because he did not make bed check, specifically because he was having "relations" with a ladyfriend and these "relations" went on for longer than anticipated. Sometimes its hard to time that shit...play on my man!




"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

ALCS: Angels and Demons

Let's face it, this is a a gross match up and no one likes either of these teams. Unless one of these teams get extremely hot this will go to the wire, meaning that we will have to see a lot of this series or watch regular season hockey. As usual the Yanks have a devastating line-up, but this year they are also hitting some balls in October (Oh hey A-Rod way to play baseball). But it would be a stretch to say the bats are an advantage for the Yanks as the Angels (of ANAHEIM!) had 10 guys with a 100 hits. 10 dudes! They can obviously swing with anyone including the Yanks. The Angels also have a deeper starting rotation and can rely on five pitchers when they only need four to pitch out the LCS. Girardi is meanwhile talking about keeping Joba in the pen and reducing their staff to three guys: CC, Burnett, and Pettite which I suppose gets around the problem of not having a 4th pitcher...but can you really get 3 dominant starts out of CC in one LCS? I don't know, his problem in the postseasons past has been arm fatigue and that can bite the yanks if this goes the distance. And there is no reason why it shouldn't the Yanks and Angels split the regular season 5/5 and we can only assume the trend will continue. Of course the Yankees could go crazy and just knock everything out of their tiny park and end this thing in 5, but I see it a long series in which the Angels rotation will protect a patient and efficient offense. Texeira went the wrong way, Angels in 7.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

NLCS: Doyers and Philleeez Meng

Phillies and Dodgers open up the NLCS tommorow in Mannywood at 8:00 pm. Phillies are a shade off of their postseason brilliance from last year and the Dodgers have had it together for most of the season. Still this series is hard to call. Dodgers have a better end to end offensive lineup no doubt, but the the Philies' core lineup with Victirino, Utley Howard, and Werth is ridiculous. No offense to the Dodger rotation who seemed to able to handle the Cards offense (admitedly I thought they wouldn't be able to) but the Dodger's lack of a real "Ace" will probably be exposed more than once against that core of their lineup. The Phillies bullpen (spotlight on Brad Lidge) has in no way been its dominant self and the Dodgers should be able to rely on their guys to close games without a problem. Obvious advantage Dodgers, but which version of Manny will show up in the bottom of the 8th and 9th innings and how often will Manny's wild bunch be playing with the lead? Another swing factor here is Cole Hammels, if he pitches like Cole Hammels 2008 then the series is very different. The Philies are strong on the road and a strong game (7 innings and a 3 run lead - type of outing) from Hammels could put a heavy slant on the series, assuming Philadelphia will also win the Cliff Lee start. Dodgers however put the bats on at home and could easily rough up Hamels, especially if he pitches like he did against the Cards. What's going to give? Hamels of course had a child coming into the world against the Cards and went straight to the hospital when he was pulled. Assuming he has calmed down a bit he could easily come out slinging in LA, the same place where he secured a trip to the series for the Philies in 08. Prediction? No revenge for the Doyers this year, a closer series than 08 but Philies in 6.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

The Heir Apparent

24-year old Anthony Kim has been an exciting addition to professional golf, and has given the American Presidents Cup team a fresh new face. While some supporters are crossing their fingers that Kim will be the second coming of Tiger Woods, Aussie golfer Robert Allenby has given Kim another title: the second coming of John "I have no idea what day it is" Daly. According to Allenby, Kim was out partying until 4am during the Presidents Cup, and came home "sideways," only to get up the next morning and shoot a 6 under. "Ask his playing partners," said Allenby, "he is the loosest cannon in that team." Kim has denied Allenby's claim, saying that he hopes it is a joke. It should be noted that Kim beat the tar out of Allenby on the course. If Kim is in fact developing a substance abuse problem, it's sad, and it will be sad if a problem like that sabotages his career as much as substance abuse seems to have hit Daly's career. But Robert Allenby needs to shut his mouth. If Tiger or even Mickelson were to come out and tell Kim that he needs to address this problem--if it is a problem, that would be one thing. This seems more like a sour grapes pissant taking a low blow at a young, popular golfer.

Michael Crabtree: 2 Legit 2 Quit

Michael Crabtree finally signed a 6-year deal last week ending the hullabaloo surrounding his holdout. Rumor has it that Crabtree signed because he realized that Dez Bryant would be drafted ahead of him anyway so he would be unlikely to get the top receiver money he was looking for next year. But in reality Crabtree probably signed because he was following the sage advice of his confidant and mentor: MC HAMMER! That's right Mr. Hammer was present at the signing of the contract, presumably due to his responsible financial perspective and respected status in the media. BAM! In truth Hammer is friend's with Crabtree Mentor Deion Sanders as well as his agent. Way to keep good company. Let's just all admit up front that if Crabtree used Tony Dungy as his mentor he would have had a contract from birth guaranteed for a 1,000 years. DUNGY WILL NOT BE DENIED!!!!



"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Francisco Garcia: The Incident With The Balls

Francisco Garcia, G-F Sacramento Kings, has broken his arm weight lifting while laying on an inflatable exercise ball. The ball obviously burst thereby breaking the arm of the unsuspecting Garcia (ironically pictured here getting Yao'd in the balls). Kings owner Joe Maloof, never one to sleep on the job, has sent an email to the entire NBA to spread the word. He has called this balls tragedy a "wake-up call" and has vowed not to let this happen to other teams and franchises..."...any of these teams that use these balls, I want to make sure they know what happened to us." All balls have been removed from the Sacramento King's locker room.






"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

The Basketball Nerd

Oh hey nerds, so The Basketball Nerd (our inaugural sporting nerd basketball league) has already found 11 managers. Well done! The league will be an auction draft with rotisserie scoring. We will likely keep up to three players. We are still looking for the twelfth manager so post a comment or email me.











"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

October: Famine to Feast

We made it. It was such a painful stretch through July and August. WNBA and the Little League World Series are nothing to live on. Tonight, I will be flipping between MLB playoff games, LSU v. UF, and Iowa v. Mich. It is really an embarrassment of sporting riches in October. Pre-season basketball, post-season baseball, and full-swing football and hockey. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a pork rind shortage to address.

I wouldn't play for that racist ass

Apparently, NFL players who are black (there are a few of them out there), don't like the idea of playing for a team owned (or partially owned) by Rush Limbaugh. Who knew? Apparently, the guy has said a few things over the years that are pretty much unabashedly racist.

A few examples:

– “Look, let me put it to you this way: The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”

– “We need segregated buses. … This is Obama’s America.”

– “President Obama is black. And I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder.”

– Democrats are interested in Darfur to secure black “voting bloc.”

– “Minorities never do anything for which they have to apologize.”

– Obama’s nomination for president “goes back to the fact that nobody had the guts to stand up and say no to a black guy.”

– Obama is a “halfrican-American.”

Anyway, discuss!

The Baskeball Nerd

If there is one thing that sports nerds love its fantasy sporting. That's why I am proud to announce the inaugural Sporting Nerd fantasy basketball league: The Basketball Nerd. The game will be rotisserie scoring, and will likely be a keeper league. We only need 10 managers but could expand if needed. Post a comment if you want an invite.

Vick Reality $how

So apparently BET will start filming a reality TV show based on the controversial 3rd string quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Cool? The show will be entitled "The Michael Vick Project," and will follow him around as he works for respect on the eagles, rebuilds his relationship with his family, and tries to make amends for his killing of dogs.

"I just want people to really get to know me as an individual," Vick told reporters. "What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I've made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it's not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up."

Man that show is going to be some boring shit. It seems to me that Vick is doing an alright job of saying he's sorry, and I actually don't find him annoying. But who could want to watch this show? Mike Vick sitting on the bench, Mike Vick talking to some kids about animal abuse, Mike Vick hanging out with his lady friend. YAWN! What BET needs to do is have Vick and DMX host 106 & Park, now that would be poppin'!

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

The Billion Dollar Man

Tiger Woods has become the first athlete to earn $1 billion. Woods has been absolute sickness on the golf course for over a decade. I thought I had reached a point where every accomplishment and superlative about this guy would roll off my back. Like, yeah, whatever, he's awesome, we get it. This milestone gives me pause, and it isn't even a purely athletic achievement--that billion includes endorsements. One sportswriter said this week that Tiger is a brand, and it stands for success, and success sells. But I prefer Mitch Albom's reaction, which was "A BILLION DOLLARS!!??" Seriously. They say that the first million is the hardest, and now Tiger woods can tell us how easy the next 999 million were. I mean, normally in this country, if you want to earn a billion dollars, don't you have to screw some people out of it? That's what I think is so impressive about this. Woods has his own sportswear, I know, but it isn't like he has created and captured a market like Oprah did. His market already existed, and had for some time. So what is more behind Tiger's billion--is it his freakish ability, or is it his ability to market himself?

Detroit. Fail. Well only partially.

Oh, Detroit.

Apparently, the Detroit/Minnesota playoff was one for the ages. Mr. Miggy-who-went-to-the-bar did have a blast early, but it was the extra inning magic of the twins that took it.

Better luck next year, G.

New York Jets Continue With "Get Extremely Goodlooking as Fast as Possible" Strategy

The Jets have been off to an incredible start entirely because of Sexy Sanchez (aka poise-y mc-poise-erson). His broad muscly shoulders have produced 4 touchdowns 5 picks and a 25th best 71.1 QB rating. Unstoppable. Plus he has so much poise and its impossible to quantify that! Side contributions may also be coming from the Jets excellent defense and reliable running game, but mainly its the poise. But I digress...the sexiness of the Jets is about to double with the advent of Brown's leading heart throb Braylon Edwards! Braylon was traded this AM for Chansi Stuckey some dude and some picks. I suppose now the Jets have the deep threat they have been lacking, though I can't see how the passing game can get any better than it is. Maybe Braylon has poise to!?! And they can combo poise their way up to a QB rating that ranks in the top 20! New York Jets....so hot right now.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbles."

Mark Bulger: The White Guy For the Job?

The owner of the St. Louis Blues, Dave Checkets, and Rush Limbaugh are putting together a bid to buy the Rams. Rush Limbaugh baby! This has to be great news to Rams quarterback Mark Bulger who was previously in jeapordy of losing his job and or retiring. Mr. Limbaugh, of course, has made much publicized comments on his opinion regarding black quarterbacks. Famously questioning whether this young whipper-snapper named "Donovan McNabb" or whatnot is actually good at football or just "black." In any case with the new management wave in place Bulger, the exact opposite of a black quarterback, has to feel like he has a chance to keep his career going. Of course it will be hard to tell if he is less or more white than Kyle Boller....This just in: The Rams to use new ant-Wild-cat type formation known as the Right Wing, featuring the good ol' type conservative play calls that they used to have back in the day rather than all this hip hop football you see nowadays with their guns and their drugs.








"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

And This Little Miggy Went All the Way Home

Miguel Cabrera showed up to Sunday's make or break game with the White Sox with a noticeable bruise and scratch across the left side of face. When Miggy refused to talk about how this happened, Tigers fans were all willing to blame gutiar hero....BUT as usual things were much worse. Miggy apparently was out drinking with his buddies on the Sox and his wife got pissed that he was out late and woke their daughter...a scuffle ensued and Police escorted Cabrera to the station where he blew a .26 . Sweet! There's nothing like your best player getting loaded with the opponent during a must-win series and then having a domestic dispute. Cabrera was 0 for 11 in the series by the way, and if he is still "cold" on Tuesday and the Tigers don't play in October he will never live it down...







"Both teams [drank] hard...goodnight and godbless."

FAIL

Snap! Chicago has been rejected hard. Rio will instead host the 2016 Olympics. I mean that's cool and all, since South America has never hosted the Olympics (evaaarrr) but it is still pretty disappointing from the America F*ck-Yah perspective. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel as strongly as this chick , but is kind of a fail that we sent Obama, Michelle, and Oprah and couldn't convince them to give it us. I mean OPRAH! Who could say no to Oprah? I suppose its our fault really....we should have sent in Tony Dungy. Hell, if Tony Dungy went to the Olympic committee Chicago would be hosting the games forever...for....ev.....errrrrr.










"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Blount Favoritism

It was only a few weeks ago that Lagarrette Blount (great name btw) was suspended for the year after punching Boise State defensive end (and incredible douche bag) Byron Hout after the Duck's opening loss to the Broncos. Now if it was just the punch (malicious as it was) I would have disagreed with the punishment since it effectively kills the kid's career and lets face it scuffles and such happen a lot in sports. But if you recall Blount was fully enraged and was even trying to go after fans; it required several teammates to drag him into the locker. Madness. In any case, despite the "no chance of reinstatement," Oregon is obviously considering reinstating him now since the ability to forgive athletes is endless. Apparently reinstatement of Blount has picked up momentum largely because he has impressed several of the people he talked with as part of his reinstatement plan, including none other than Tony Dungy! How awesome is that? Dungy should go into the "achieve redemption and put my life back together" business professionally. With the coach batting for you it would seem that you can get out of anything, maybe its his calm, wise, and freckled wisdom that makes people feel like forgiving. Hey maybe he can help spring OJ!

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

OH NOZ...TEH SWINE FLUZ!!!!!

In order combat the imminent devastation of H1N1, the NBA has instructed players and coaches not to engage in hand shaking as this may contribute to the spreading of wine flue among NBA players. Players are encouraged to seek more sanitary salutations such as chest bumps and fist pounding. I presume that an old fashioned Detroit groin to groin rub down (pictured) is also acceptable.

"No handshaking," Doc Rivers said. "I think it’s a good thing. A fist pound is just great."

Hell yah baby! I can't wait to see G-pop pound it with Jerry Sloan before the opening tip.





"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

It's already been broughten...

Oh yah, this is happening...BAM! The NHL season starts today!!! Whats that you say? Hockey already? Ohhh no, thought you could delay the season? Well its here and in prime position to take a 4the seat to NFL, college football, and playoff baseball. But since I'm one of the few around these parts that care about this I felt obligated to acknowledge the commencement of the 09-10 season. As for predictions...i dunno this is kind of a crazy year. In the west I think the Ducks are done, San Jose is even crazier now with Heatley but noone will believe they can win in the playoffs (at least until they actually do), the Wings are still good but now have a stable of young forwards to replace the guys that left so they probably take a step back this year, Chicago is the hot pick to overtake the wings and win the west but who knows how far they can get with Marion Curse-a. In the East the Penguins obviously look good but they lost some defense (cup hangover is always a possibility), the capitals are the exciting pick for obvious reasons and I'm sure they look forward to building on last years run, other popular pick is phili but I really don't think they have done enough to make them a conference champ lock. Stanley cup winner? Ignoring all my above reasoning I am morally obligated...LETS-GO-RED-WINGS!!!!!

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."