Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The NFL Playoffs are set, and wild card action begins on Saturday. Best matchup? Colts-Chargers.

---What a game that will be, a clash between two streaking teams with loads of momentum. Indy and San Diego were once left for dead, but with outstanding play from quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, both squads appear to be unstoppable.

---The second best game is Ravens-Dolphins. Miami is the feel-good story of the year in the NFL, catapulting from one win in 2007 to eleven in 2008. Bill Parcells did an unbelievable job building a winning team. Say what you want about the Tuna, but you can't deny his success. And Tony Sporano, no disrespect to Mike Smith or John Harbaugh, should be the unanimous pick for Coach of the year honors.

---However, Baltimore is a serious threat to send the Fish home early, with that suffocating defense, led by Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, and a solid offense, led by rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. The Dolphins have little room for error if they plan on advancing to the next round of the playoffs.

---Speaking of the Dolphins, kudos to Chad Pennington for a fantastic season. It had to be sweet for Pennington to clinch the AFC East title on his old stomping grounds, seeking revenge against a Jets organization that passed on him in favor of Brett Favre.

---The collapses of the Broncos and Bucs were more embarrassing, but Favre and the Jets still turned in one hell of a choke job, leading to today's dismissal of coach Eric Mangini. Now it is time for Brett Favre to hang it up after a remarkable career. Please, Brett, please, do not put us through another summer guessing game.

---The Cowboys were the trendy Super Bowl pick back in August and September, as they are every year, for some inexplicable reason. I don't like to brag, but indulge me for a moment, as I was one of the few who never thought Dallas would make the playoffs. Now, I didn't expect them to fold like a pop warner team on ice skates against the Eagles, but I am not the slightest bit surprised by their absence in January.

---Jerry Jones has said repeatedly that Wade Philips will not be fired. Sure, Jerry, that's about as believable as Pete Rose saying he didn't bet on baseball. Something tells me that Mr. Philips will receive the pink slip.

---A quick thought: It looks like Ben Roethlisberger will be ready for the playoffs, but what in the world was Mike Tomlin thinking playing Big Ben in a meaningless game against the Browns.

--You can't help but feel for Rod Marinelli. After Detroit finished their historically awful year at 0-16, the Lions fired Marinelli this morning. I am not going to say that the firing was unwarranted, because it was obviously warranted, but I will say that Marinelli is a classy guy who should get another shot in the NFL in some coaching capacity.

---Falcons-Cardinals, Eagles-Vikings round out wild card weekend. I'll post a full preview of every game later this week.

---Congratulations Mike Singletary! You are absolutely deserving of the head coach position. Also, keep up the good work on Letterman!

---Okay, okay, Laker fans, I'll begrudgingly admit that I was impressed by your victory over the Celtics on Christmas Day, followed by a rout against my Warriors last night. But let's get one thing straight: Phil Jackson's team has no shot at beating Boston in a seven game series, if the two teams should meet in the Finals again. Let the angry emails flow!

---Poor Sacramento. You couldn't ask for a more unfortunate piece of scheduling than last night's game against the Celtics. Boston destroyed the Kings, 108-63. After losing back to back games at Los Angeles and at Golden State (yeah!), there was no way the Green Machine was going to drop three straight.


---I was skeptical about the Houston Rockets at season's start, but I am beginning to see why so many experts, including Jeff Van Gundy, are picking the Rockets to win the West. I won't go that far, not yet at least, but with the dynamic trio of Yao Ming, Ron Artest, and Tracy McGrady, one thing I'm fairly certain about: Houston will make it out of the first round of the playoffs, taking that huge monkey off T-Mac's back.

---Watching Roger Mason nail a three-pointer at the buzzer in a wildly entertaining Christmas Day showdown at Phoenix, I began to wonder: Can the Suns ever beat the Spurs?

---My pick for the final slot in the Slam Dunk Contest: Rudy Fernandez. The first year sensation from Spain is having an excellent year with Portland, and I want to see what he can do above the rim.

---So far, the contest is scheduled to feature Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, and Nate Robinson. I'd say the favorite remains Dwight Howard, who wowed us with his Superman dunk last year in New Orleans. But I'm pulling for former champion Nate Robinson. He's only five-foot-nine, but I was at Madison Square Garden a couple of years ago when Robinson rejected a Yao Ming dunk attempt. This guy can jump with the likes of Dikembe Mutombo.

---This past weekend saw some great bowl action. It was great to see Pat White shine in his final game with West Virginia, and Cal running back Jahvid Best put on a magnificent show in Cal's victory at the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco. But overall, it is hard to get excited about these meaningless, non-BCS bowl games. Wait a second, aren't all bowl games meaningless? Rimshot, please.

---In all seriousness, the BCS games this year are worthy of all sports fans' attention, beginning with Thursday's Rose Bowl with Penn State and USC. I think Mark Sanchez and the Trojans will roll in what is essentially a home game in Pasadena, but I would love to see the Nittany Lions pull off the shocker. You can't help but love Joe Paterno's youthful enthusiasm and love for the game of college football. What a story it would be if Joe Pa wins the Rose Bowl over the mighty USC Trojans.

---I wouldn't want to be the Rutgers college basketball team right now. Yesterday, they lost to top-ranked North Carolina. This week, they play the second and third ranked teams in the nation, Pittsburgh and UConn. Unless Tim Donaghy is officiating, the Scarlet Knights are doomed.

---I'll leave you with my thoughts on Randy Johnson signing with my beloved San Francisco Giants. For only eight million dollars over one year, it is a relatively low-risk move. Hopefully, Johnson still has some juice left in that fastball. If he does, the Big Unit will be a key asset in a strong rotation alongside Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez, and the Giants will win the NL West.

Previewing Christmas Day Action in the NBA

Santa was good to NBA fans this year, as he has blessed us with five games on Christmas Day. Here are my previews of tomorrow's matchups:

• New Orleans Hornets @ Orlando Magic

The day tips off with this stellar game featuring two of the best young talents the NBA has ever seen: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Paul has eclipsed Steve Nash as the best point guard in the league, and he looks to keep his remarkable streak of consecutive games with a steal alive (the streak now stands at 108). Dwight Howard is the best center in the league, an incredibly intimidating specimen and a freakish athlete who is also one of the most charismatic players in the NBA. Chris Paul and Dwight Howard both make for exciting must-see viewing, but they are going to need the help of their teammates if they want to walk away with a Christmas victory.

At point guard for Orlando, Jameer Nelson does not need a Chris Paul-like performance, but he needs to have a productive game if the Magic are to win. Byron Scott's Hornets are likely to pour the vast majority of their defensive attention to Howard, so it's up to Nelson to feed guys like Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Reddick, and Mickael Pietrus. If the three is falling for Turkoglu and Reddick, Stan Van Gundy's Magic have the upper hand. For New Orleans, it's key for David West and Tyson Chandler to have big games, especially if Chris Paul is constantly being double-teamed. The x-factor off the bench is James Posey. He is that rare bench player who has the ability to take over a game.

Both New Orleans and Orlando have championship aspirations. The Magic have looked like true contenders this season, while the Hornets have not yet reached their full potential. Both teams will be eager to prove something tomorrow. The Hornets want to prove that they belong in the title conversation. With the Celtics playing later in the afternoon, the Magic want to send a message that they should be considered a serious threat in dethroning the defending champs. It should be a fun one at Amway Arena.

• San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

This is the best rivalry in the NBA. These two teams hate each other, and that hate has produced phenomenal playoff series in recent years. Whether it be Robert Horry body-checking Steve Nash into the scorers table, Nash getting his nose bloodied in a collision with Tony Parker, or Amare Stoudamire talking trash, there is always something to talk about when these two meet, and the games are almost always hotly contested. However, the Spurs have experienced the most success. Walking into this game, Tim Duncan and the Spurs have the psychological advantage. It is important for Phoenix to get a win on its home court to provide them with much-needed swagger.

The 2008 Spurs are just like the championship Spurs of the past-----going about their business and winning, all while being completely overlooked. They have battled through injuries (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli), but San Antonio sits comfortably with a record of 18-10. This is a testament to the brilliance of Gregg Popovich, the best coach in the NBA. No other team in the league is better prepared. Another reason why the Spurs remain one of the NBA's great teams is the strong play of Matt "the red rocket" Bonner and Roger Mason. Their productivity was hugely important when Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli were injured. And of course, there is always Tim Duncan, who is a double-double waiting to happen every time he steps onto the court.

The Suns have hit some bumps in the road this season under new coach Terry Porter, and at times they still look like they are having an identity crisis. But Phoenix has played well of late, and newly acquired Jason Richardson has bolstered the team with increased energy. When Richardson came aboard, the Suns started to play with great spirit, and they now look more like the high-octane Suns teams under Mike D'Antoni. Steve Nash may have declined slightly, but he is still a terrific point guard who effectively involves his teammates with effortless ease. And Amare Stoudamire, one of the best big men in the league, is having a superb season. When all is said and done, Phoenix will have a shot at another playoff run.

• Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers

This is the main event, one of the most highly anticipated regular season games ever. When David Stern scheduled this Finals rematch for Christmas Day, he knew that this was going to be a fantastic game, but even the commissioner couldn't have seen things working out this beautifully. Kobe and company, much to my dismay as a Laker hater, are 21-5, are clearly playing better than any other Western conference team. Their defense, though, has been inconsistent, and this game is an opportunity for Phil Jackson's team to prove to their skeptics that they have what it takes to win a championship. A win against the Celtics would be extremely impressive.

But it will not happen. The defending champion Celtics (27-2) are playing at an unprecedented level, and they will secure their 20th consecutive win at the Staples Center. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce continue to perform marvelously, but the supporting cast has been the most delightfully surprising part of Boston's success. When James Posey departed for New Orleans, many believed that the Celtics' supporting cast would take a step back. Yet Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, Tony Allen, and Glen Davis have exceeded all expectations. If the Celtics repeat as champs, Doc Rivers' team will be in the discussion for greatest single-season team of all time.

I cannot wait to tune in to what should be a wildly entertaining affair.

• Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Here we have two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum. It has been a season to forget for the lowly Wizards. Without Gilbert Arenas, Washington has looked lifeless, leading to the firing of coach Eddie Jordan. Interim head coach Ed Tapscott initially injected Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and company with some life, but that was short-lived. They will be a lottery flop.

Cleveland, on the other hand, has been playing sensational basketball, second only to the Celtics in the East. LeBron James finally has a great team around him, and offseason acquisition Mo Williams has been a perfect fit in Mike Brown's system. The Cavs have even shown resiliency, as when they continued to win during the distractions caused by the LeBron to the Knicks rumors. Like Orlando, the Cavs are determined to send a message to the league that they have every intention of challenging the Celtics for Eastern Conference supremacy.

So on paper, this game looks like a blowout, but don't be shocked if the Wizards keep it tight. Like the Suns and Spurs, these two teams have a heated history in the playoffs. That bad blood could provide for a dramatic, down-to-the-wire nail biter. But it will be extremely difficult for the Wizards to walk out of Quicken Loans Arena with a W.

• Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers

The final game of the night is an intriguing clash between a group of veterans and a group of youngsters. Rick Carlisle's Mavs have missed Devin Harris this season, but Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki are still hoping to play deep into May. Portland has been the surprise of the year, with Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez catapulting Nate McMillan's Blazers to the top of the Western conference standings.

But the jury is still out on both teams. Will the Mavericks make a move in the West, or will they be fighting for their playoff lives in April? Will Greg Oden consistently look like a number one draft pick, or will Oden be the second coming of Derrick Coleman? Can Jason Kidd play like the Jason Kidd of old? Can the Blazers sustain their winning pace? It will take some time before the answers to these questions are revealed, but tomorrow night will provide us with a glimpse of what to expect.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy the basketball that tomorrow has to offer!

Thoughts on the Yankees signing Mark Teixeira

---I absolutely love New York City-------it's my second favorite place in the world, second to my hometown of San Francisco-------but I can't stand the Yankees. They spend money like Paris Hilton goes through boyfriends.

---It is great for sports when New York teams thrive, but the Bronx Bombers have such a criminally unfair advantage when it comes to their gargantuan payroll.

---161 million dollars for CC Sabathia, 82.5 million for A.J. Burnett, and now 180 million for Teixeira. People say that one of the main causes of America's economic decline has been the loss of jobs overseas, but I think it is because the Yankees have all the money.

---In all seriousness, the way in which Brian Cashman is spending is completely disrespectful to the millions of struggling families in this current economic climate.

---The most egregious thing is that New York still has incredible amounts of dough left over. Who knows, maybe they'll throw twenty trillion at Manny Ramirez next.

---I have the highest respect for the PTI duo of Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser----they are two of the smartest, most entertaining sports minds around. But I respectfully disagree with their belief that fans shouldn't be outraged by the Yankees big money antics. Spending as much as the Pinstripes do is totally unnecessary. Couldn't they have spent 150 million for Sabathia instead of 161 million, 70 million for Burnett instead of 82.5 million, 170 million for Teixeira instead of 180 million? Surely, that would have been more than enough to lure the three prized acquisitions to the Bronx.

---Ultimately, the Yankees bloated payroll is detrimental to Major League Baseball.

---Okay, enough negativity. The Yankees may have overspent, but their acquisitions of Sabathia and Teixeira (Burnett won't have much of an impact) make New York instant title contenders.

---Just as long as the players don't become too distracted by Madonna, I think the Yankees will win the AL East.

---But I would not be the slightest bit surprised if the Rays or Red Sox win the division. Tampa's pitching can overpower even the most intimidating offense, while Boston remains a perennial championship contender.

---It's understandable why many Red Sox fans are upset. It is never fun to see a great player slip out of your grasp and land with your rival. But Boston will be fine. Contrary to popular belief, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell are not done. They will revert back into clutch form.

---SportsCenter's Jay Harris made a great point today. Don't worry angry Red Sox fans, you still have the Celtics.

---I hope to catch a game at the new Yankee Stadium next summer. I just hope they don't charge me 200 bucks for a seat in the nosebleed section.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Brett Favre says that he might retire. Whatever you say, Brett.

---Looks like we're in store for yet another summer of will he or won't he nausea.

---Favre will have a lot of time to ponder his future, because it does not look like the Jets will be playing in January.

---The AFC East is now essentially a two team race between the Dolphins and Patriots. As great as Matt Cassel and the Pats have been playing, I think Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins will be division champs.

---What a turnaround season in Miami, from one win to potentially eleven. Bill Parcells deserves praise for his work in the front office, but the head coach receives the most credit. Tony Sporano undoubtedly deserves Coach of the Year honors.

---Meanwhile, the never ending saga in Dallas continues. Their playoff hopes are in doubt following Saturday's loss to the Ravens in the final game at Texas Stadium.

---The Cowboys still have a shot at the playoffs, but does anyone seriously consider Dallas a legitimate threat?

---The AFC West comes down to the final week of play, with the winner of the Broncos-Chargers game taking the prize. Denver may have already lost the game. They look like one defeated team right now.

---After Sunday's NFL action, one thing is clear: The four teams to beat are the Giants, Panthers, Titans, and Steelers.

---I don't think I've ever seen a team limp into the playoffs quite as noticeably as the Arizona Cardinals. I know they've already clinched, but their last two efforts against Minnesota and New England were embarrassing. Ken Whisenhunt better get his team in line.

---Sapp'o'Claus handed out gifts during the NFL Network pregame show Sunday morning. Warren Sapp's greatest gift? A gun holster for Plaxico Burress.

---The Detroit Lions. Oh, my. They are headed for the history books, one loss from record awfulness. I wonder if Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow will deliberately throw five interceptions in the national championship game, just to ensure that they don't go number one in the NFL Draft to the Lions.

---I like Rob Parker, but the Detroit News columnist went a little too far in his hard line of questioning to Lions coach Rod Marinelli regarding Detroit's defensive coordinator, Marinelli's son-in-law.

---The Lions are the annual punching bag in the NFL, but Marinelli is a good guy, and it was almost painful to see his reaction to Parker's comments. He was clearly hurt.

---A great comeback win for the Niners yesterday. Granted, it was against the Rams, but Mike Singletary's team displayed impressive grit and resiliency in the fourth quarter. As a Niner fan, I think that Shaun Hill has earned the starting job next season.

---Congratulations to 49er wide receiver Isaac Bruce. Bruce reached a couple of career milestones against his former team on Sunday. He is now second on the all time receiving yards list, and fifth on the all time receptions list.

---I cannot wait until Christmas Day. The very special holiday is heaven for NBA fans everywhere. Celtics-Lakers is obviously the must-see attraction, but there are four other games that are also worth your attention. I'll preview all five Christmas Day games on Wednesday.

---Boston's eighteen game winning streak and 26-2 record has sparked some debate: Is this Celtics team going to win 70 games? I say yes. Doc Rivers' team shows no sign of slowing down, and the Big 3 are being aided by the superb play of Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis. This Celtics team is remarkably deep, conjuring memories of the Bulls teams of the nineties.

---With Michael Jordan and a phenomenal supporting cast of Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, John Paxson, and many others, the Chicago teams of the nineties were unstoppable, with the '95-'96 Bulls winning seventy-two games.

---With all due respect to the Celtics, there are two teams that could very well pose a serious threat to Boston in the playoffs: Cleveland and Orlando. LeBron James, for the first time in his career, is playing with an outstanding team around him, featuring the likes of Mo Williams, Sasha Pavlovic, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and a steadily improving Delonte West at the point guard position. The Magic could also make a run for Boston's money. They have the best center in basketball (Dwight Howard), a solid point guard (Jameer Nelson), and two of the best pure shooters in the league (Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Reddick).

---Also, overlook the Atlanta Hawks at your own peril. They are for real.

---Mike Woodson's team may have lost to the Celtics two times this season, but in both losses they proved that they are completely removed from the futility of the past decade.

---I love Don Nelson, but as a Warriors fan, I was disheartened by what I read in the San Francisco Chronicle regarding tension between Nellie and rookie Anthony Randolph. Randolph has star potential, but he needs the confidence of his coach if he is to reach that potential.

---I don't blame the Angels for withdrawing their eight year offer to free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. Teixeira is a magnificent player who would shore up problems at the plate and in the field for any team. But eight years is way too big of a commitment.

---It's good to see the Orioles and Nationals in the bidding war for Teixeira. Whether they land Teixeira or not, it is clear that both teams desperately want to win, and that should be enough to rekindle fan interest.

---My Giants are looking to sign Randy Johnson. Not sure how I feel about that. Johnson was an incredibly intimidating flamethrower in his prime, but he is well removed from his prime. If Brian Sabean does sign Johnson, I hope we get the Big Unit who dominated in Arizona, not the Big Unit who languished with the Yankees.

---What an exciting weekend of college basketball. I was especially impressed by three teams: UConn, Duke, and Michigan State. The Huskies win against Gonzaga in Seattle proved that Jim Calhoun's team can win in a hostile environment against a high-caliber opponent. Duke's convincing defeat of Purdue served notice that they have every intention of challenging North Carolina for the ACC crown. And Michigan State's win at Texas was a resounding wake-up call to all of college basketball that the Spartans are a force to be reckoned with, despite their recent struggles.

---Stephen Curry may have had a tough weekend, but he is only human. He remains the best player in college hoops, and he plays on a Davidson team that could very well make another deep NCAA tourney run. He is going to be a star in the NBA.

---I don't give the NHL much love, but the outdoor game at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day should be fun to watch. I will be tuning in.

---Last year's outdoor game in Buffalo was fun. Commissioner Gary Bettman is very smart for scheduling games outdoors. It's an effective way of building interest for the NHL, which has never recovered from that devastating strike a few years ago.

---I'll leave with a new award, which will make recurring appearances in the confines of TJB's Sports Universe. The award is analyst of the week, and the winner goes to...................Trent Dilfer. The former NFL quarterback is doing a thorough job of breaking down the action on ESPN.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:




---So the Yankees spend 161 million for Sabathia, 82 million for A.J. Burnett, and they still have loads of money left over, all in a time of recession. Absolutely ridiculous.



---But I've already vented enough anger on the situation. Read my most recent entry if you want to read more of my frustration.



---Your 2008 Heisman Trophy winner will be.................Tim Tebow. Tough competition from Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy, but Tebow deserves to be in the company of Archie Manning as the only two athletes to twice win the Heisman.



---By the way, Graham Harrell, you got screwed. Don't get too upset, though. College Football screws people year in and year out.



---For those of you who think my constant attacks on the BCS reflect a dislike toward the sport of college football, think again. I love college football, which is precisely why I would like to see it improve.



---The Bears stayed alive in the playoff picture, sticking a dagger into the postseason hopes of the Saints with their 27-24 overtime win last night in Chicago. I still don't think Brian Urlacher and Da Bears have enough firepower to make the playoffs, but I hear that Governor Blagojevich is trying to buy a playoff spot.



---Here are my Week 15 winners: 49ers, Giants, Falcons, Vikings, Patriots, Ravens, Titans, Redskins, Jaguars, Seahawks, Jets, Chargers, Colts, Panthers, Eagles.


---Game of the week: Steelers-Ravens. Talk about a clash between two dominant defenses. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis vs. Troy Polamalu and James Harrison------what a battle.



---Memo to T.O.: Just shut up. Your act has been tired for a long time. Tony Romo and Jason Witten having secret meetings? Sure, T.O. Keep drinking.



---My Niners are playing great, and Mike Singletary deserves to have the permanent coaching job. Also, I love the hilarious impersonations of the intense coach on Letterman.



---To the NBA now, where the Suns made a brilliant deal for Jason Richardson.



---As a Warriors fan, I hold J-Rich in very high regard. Sure, the Suns are losing two talented players in Raja Bell and Boris Diaw, but Richardson adds a much needed spark to the sluggish Phoenix offense. With J-Rich, look for Terry Porter's team to look more like the run-and-gun Suns of Mike D'Antoni.



---Christmas Day will feature a classic clash between the Celtics and Lakers. If L.A. wins, then I'll be willing to put up with their obnoxious fans bragging about how a Lakers championship is a forgone conclusion. But the Lakers won't win. Forgone conclusion that they'll win the West? I think Tim Duncan and the Spurs, Chris Paul and the Hornets, and Deron Williams and the Jazz might have something to say about that.



---Yes, I still consider Utah a legitimate threat in the West. They have been underachieving due to key injuries to Williams and Carlos Boozer. If Boozer comes back healthy, look out.



---This looks to be a rebuilding year for my Warriors. However, our future is very bright. Anthony Randolph, Anthony Morrow, and Brandan Wright all have star potential.


---There are no excuses----our 7-16 record reflects a young team that has played poorly----but another reason for Golden State's struggles has been the countless injuries. When we get Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, and Ronny Turiaf back healthy, we will probably not be a playoff team in the loaded West, but we will be much better.



---Cuttino Mobley is going to retire, sadly, because of heart problems. Mobley had a terrific career. He was not a superstar, but he was enormously productive throughout his eleven-year career, with his best years coming alongside Steve Francis in Houston.


---Tonight, during the Warriors-Rockets broadcast, the always entertaining Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson counted down their respective lists for the league's five best centers. My list is as follows, in order of preference. And to be as unbiased as possible, I do not have Andris Biedrins on the list, even though he is one of the most criminally underrated players in the NBA. Here's the list (mostly in agreement with Jackson): 1) Dwight Howard. 2) Yao Ming. 3) Zydrunas Ilgauskas. 4) Kendrick Perkins. 5) Shaq



---Last night on "Inside the NBA", Sir Charles and company joked about Barkley's ghastly golf swing. In all fairness, however, with the help of Tiger Woods' personal coach Hank Haney, Barkley's swing looks much smoother.


---Speaking of Barkley, there was a fascinating debate between he and Kenny Smith during halftime of last night's Jazz-Blazers game. Smith argued that the NBA has gotten better in terms of talent. Barkley countered by saying that there are an increasing number of bad teams, citing such teams as the Thunder, T'Wolves, and Wizards as support for his argument.


---I completely agree with Kenny the Jet Smith. The NBA is in a spectacular place right now, with a tremendous array of young superstars, players high on talent as well as character.


---Kudos to LeBron James. Last week I criticized him for his talk about a possible move to the Knicks, but King James has appeared to have toned down the rhetoric, and his Cavs are tugging at Boston's cape in the East.


---This is the best Gonzaga team Mark Few has ever had, even better than the teams that featured Adam Morrison. The Bulldogs have elevated themselves themselves from perennial bracket-buster to legitimate Final Four threat.


---Seth Davis offered a great suggestion in the most recent edition of Sports Illustrated, saying that the ACC-Big Ten Challenge should be replaced by the return of the ACC-Big East Challenge. I like the idea, because watching teams like North Carolina and Duke continually pummel the likes of Michigan and Purdue is like watching Manny Pacquiao fight Oscar De La Hoya. In other words, it's a mismatch of epic proportions.


---So Manny Ramirez says that he'll ponder retirement if an "acceptable offer" doesn't come his way soon. I have no joke. Sometimes, Manny serves as his own punchline.

CC in the Bronx: Sabathia may be worth it, but do the Yankees have any tact?

What recession? Apparently the Yankees are blissfully unaware of the economic crisis that has hit this country with devastating force. Because to the Bronx Bombers, 160 million dollars is chump change. I can just picture Brian Cashman going into a Waffle House and tipping the waitress a thousand bucks for a ten dollar meal of pancakes and hash browns. Heck, when you have that much dough, why not just flaunt it?



The Fighting Pinstripes netted the most coveted free agent in baseball, signing ace CC Sabathia to a seven-year, 161 million dollar deal, tearing the lid off what was an oddly uneventful Hot Stove season. This marks the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. Yes, even larger than the 7-year, 127 million my beloved Giants stupidly threw at Barry Zito two years ago. Sabathia had been actively engaged with many teams, including the Giants, and he repeatedly expressed his desire to return to his California roots. Money talked, however, and the man who led Milwaukee to last year's postseason is headed to the Big Apple in what will be the first year at the new Yankee Stadium.



Even if an athlete had the combined talents of Michael Jordan, Willie Mays, and Jerry Rice, I still wouldn't spend 161 million on him. That's just way too much cash for anybody. With that being said, there's no denying the fact that Sabathia is worth big money. The Yankees will be in a three-way tussle for the AL East division crown next season along with the defending American League champion Rays and the archrival Red Sox, who still hope to sign Mark Teixiera. But with the addition of Sabathia, Joe Girardi's club has separated themselves, albeit slightly, from the division pack. Much has been made of CC's recent October struggles with the Indians and Brewers, but as ESPN's Jayson Stark astutely pointed out today on "ESPN First Take", the Yankees have to get to October first. And no one can deny the fact that CC Sabathia has been stunning in the regular season. As far as character is concerned, the Yankees are getting a classy individual. New York City is a magnificent place, but the tough media can agitate even the most saintly human being. But my guess is that CC will maintain his poise, stay calm, cool, and collected under the scrutiny of the press. Judging by all of the above, it is clear that Sabathia deserved a huge contract.



But 161 million dollars, to one player.....................seriously??? Was 155 million not enough? The "Evil Empire" has never been particularly neighborly, as the Steinbrenners make Ebenezer Scrooge look like an angel. Never, though, have they slapped America in the face this hard. Couldn't they have shown a little restraint, some recognition of America's fiscal struggles? Even a statement reading, "We have money. You don't. Take that America", would be better than nothing. Certainly, ridiculous contracts are very common in professional sports, and if any other team had Yankee money, they'd surely spend it in an occasionally egregious fashion. Yet am I the only one who is a little turned off by Brian Cashman's latest display of riches? Call me naive, old fashioned, jealous (partially true, as my Giants were one of the bidders for CC, only to see a top free agent slip through our fingers----again)-----call me whatever you like. I just do not find it acceptable to spend so freely during a time of significant economic turmoil. Also, something must be done to level the playing field in Major League Baseball. I love MLB, but more so than any other pro sport, it features an unacceptable discrepancy in payroll. Parity is a good thing. There is a reason why the Royals always stink and the Yankees and Red Sox always contend, and a big part of that reason is payroll.

Commissioner Selig, please act. One of your teams has enough money to start another government bailout, and this is not good for your sport.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Huge sports weekend, especially for college football. Pardon me for being redundant, but it can never be said enough: The BCS stinks!!!!!!!!!

---Let me try and follow the logic of the BCS. Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns beat Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma Sooners with relative ease in the annual Red River Shootout earlier this year. Yet it's Oklahoma who gets the nod over Texas to play in the Big 12 Championship Game. So tell me, what exactly is the criteria under which these geniuses make decisions?

---Oh yeah, I forgot: There is none! As Erik Kuselias said on ESPN Radio this week, no criteria exists.

---With this being said, there will be some phenomenal games tomorrow with national championship implications.

---Alabama-Florida will be the game of the day. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide will upend Tim Tebow and the Gators in a thriller. The status of Percy Harvin will be key for Florida. As for Oklahoma-Missouri, I'll take the Sooners, but Chase Daniel and the Tigers will keep it close.

---And then on Sunday, the BCS selections are announced, and sports fans across the land will be screaming at their television sets.

---College football's regular season is filled with awesome excitement, and it's about time for college football to give us a decent conclusion.

---On to the NFL, where the Chargers beat up on the Raiders last night 37-7. Uhhhh, San Diego, where has that offense been all season long?

---On second thought, the Raiders defense can make anybody look good.

---I've had enough of the Plaxico Burress saga, so I won't spend too much time on this tired story. All I'll say is that it is sad to see a guy with so much talent fall so far so fast.

---The Burress drama would be a distraction for most teams, but not for the New York Giants. The Giants are the best team in football, and they will just brush this off their shoulders and continue to dominate.

---Best game of Week 14: Steelers-Cowboys. Pittsburgh. Big.

---Here are the rest of my Week 14 winners: Bears, Niners, Vikings, Colts, Giants, Titans, Falcons, Texans, Dolphins, Patriots, Broncos, Cardinals, Ravens, Bucs.

---That's right, I picked the Niners. What a shocker.

---Usually I would have talked some NBA already, but I'm stalling because I'm reluctant to discuss my Warriors.

---Eight straight losses for my beloved W's. Ouch. I take one loss like a stab to the stomach, so imagine what eight in a row feels like. I know a lot of people expected us to struggle until the return of Monta Ellis, but I don't think anybody expected it to be this bad. We stink right now.

---Two weeks ago, I was beaming with joy over the Al Harrington-Jamal Crawford trade. I still think we got the better end of the deal, and I'm thrilled to have Crawford on my team, but it's hard to be optimistic about anything with Golden State right now. It has gotten so bad, even Nellie has openly admitted that he does not think we are a playoff team.

---However, I am keeping the faith. But in order for us to turn it around, we need a collective effort on behalf of everyone. GO WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!

---Okay, LeBron. You are the best player in the game and a great guy, but I am siding with Charles Barkley. Stop speculating about your possible future with the Knicks. Like Barkley said, it is completely disrespectful to Danny Ferry, Mike Brown, your teammates, and everybody in the organization.

---And by the way, calling Barkley stupid just made you look like a whiny toddler. Like Kobe. Hey-ohhhhhhhhhh!

---Sam Mitchell did a fantastic job with the Toronto Raptors, and he did not deserve to be fired. The Raptors are definitely underachieving, especially when they have the likes of Jermaine O'Neal and Jose Calderon. But the blame should not have fallen on the lap of Mitchell.

---In fact, the Raptors aren't even the most disappointing team in the league. That would be the Philadelphia 76ers. With Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, and Samuel Dalembert, I thought Mo Cheeks' team would be much better.

---In fact, none of the firings in the NBA so far this season have made much sense. No offense to Scott Brooks, Ed Tapscott, and Jay Triano, but P.J. Carlisimo, Eddie Jordan, and Sam Mitchell should all still have their jobs with the Thunder, Wizards, and Raptors.

---Speaking of the Thunder, I think North Carolina would beat Oklahoma City by thirty.

---UNC is destroying everyone right now, including Tom Izzo's very talented Michigan State Spartans. They are the clear-cut favorite to cut down the nets at season's end.

---Don't panic yet, UCLA faithful, but Ben Howland's Bruins are 4-2. Granted, one of those losses came to an excellent Texas team, but the record is nonetheless unimpressive.

---Blake Griffin is going to be a star in the NBA. No doubt about it.

---The Hot Stove is heating up in Major League Baseball, as the league still awaits the destination of stars Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixiera, and CC Sabathia.

---I'm happy with Brian Sabean's moves so far. Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt will be of significant help to the Giants' bullpen, and though we slightly overpaid for him, I still like the Edgar Renteria signing. Here's hoping the veteran shortstop plays like the St. Louis Renteria, not the Detroit Renteria.

---And finally, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to a maximum of thirty-three years in prison today. Does anybody feel sorry for him? I didn't think so.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Today is a glorious day, and I am a very happy man. Why? Jamal Crawford is a member of the Golden State Warriors.

---What a spectacular trade for my Warriors. I'm biased, yes, but allow me to explain my reasoning. Al Harrington was a key part of our team the last couple of seasons, but this year, for whatever reason, he demanded to be traded. Harrington became a distraction for our team, and Nellie had no choice but to keep Al on the bench.

---So in essence, it's like we got a free player. And Jamal Crawford is not just any other player. Crawford is an All-Star caliber player and a terrific scorer who will mesh very well with Monta Ellis when he returns. In the meantime, Crawford will be a great asset along with Captain Jack, Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins, Kelenna Azubuike, and rookie sensation Anthony Morrow.

---As for the Knicks, I'm not sure what Donnie Walsh was thinking. I know they wanted to clear cap space, but by trading away Crawford in addition to shipping Zach Randolph to the Clippers, Mike D'Antoni's team has lost their two best players. The Knicks have been playing fantastic basketball, but with these trades, their playoff chances just took a hit.

---Maybe they're just counting the days until LeBron becomes a free agent. As I've said before, there is a great chance of LeBron making his way to the Big Apple in 2010.

---Okay, I'll admit the Lakers look great, much to my dismay. However, I find it ridiculous that many analysts, including Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, say LA is better than Boston. Huh? If my memory is correct, I think the Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals last year. And call me crazy, but it doesn't look like the Celtics plan on slowing down any time soon, especially following last night's impressive dismantling of A.I. and the Pistons.

---Great football weekend starts tomorrow, in college and in the pros.

---Memo to Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson: Falling asleep in meetings, really? Being deactivated for a big rivalry game at Pittsburgh? This must be some kind of joke, right?

---Actually, I don't blame the Bengals' wide receiver for his disruptive antics. After all, who in their right mind would want to escape from the disaster that is the Cincinnati Bengals?

---Sorry Cincy fans, I couldn't resist. Even though, as a Niners fan, I really do not have the authority to be talking trash.

---Speaking of the Niners, we travel to Big D to take on the Cowboys this Sunday. America's (most overrated) team has been dominating the headlines this week, with the reinstatement of Adam "Pacman" Jones.

---Yuck. C'mon, Commissioner Goodell, have you lost your toughness?

--- Here are my Week 12 NFL picks, every one of which I feel confident about, with the exception of my weekly homer pick: 49ers, Eagles, Browns, Bucs, Bills, Bears, Titans, Dolphins, Jaguars, Broncos, Panthers, Giants, Redskins, Colts, Saints.

---Exciting day of college action tomorrow as well. Texas Tech-Oklahoma has instant classic written all over it, with the marquee matchup at quarterback between Heisman candidates Graham Harrell and Sam Bradford. I give the edge to Bradford and the Sooners.

---I honestly believe Bob Stoops' team will win, but I am also picking Oklahoma for selfish reasons. Because if Oklahoma wins, there will be a logjam of deserving one loss teams. And you know what that means: messy BCS controversy!

---Anytime the BCS looks bad, I am a happy camper. But I will not be fully satisfied until action is taken. I'm with President-elect Barack Obama: We need a playoff system, ahora mismo!!!

---The Big Game is also this weekend. I'm a fan of both Stanford and Cal, but I am pulling for Jahvid Best and the Golden Bears.

---College hoops is back and better than ever, and the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in Madison Square Garden experienced this season's first major upset, as Darren Collison and the fourth-ranked UCLA Bruins fell to John Beilein's Michigan Wolverines. The Bruins will be fine, but this loss does pose some concern for a team with championship aspirations.

---We will know more about many of the top teams during the upcoming Maui tournament, which always makes for great drama.

---TJB's Sports Universe makes it's way to the Sunshine State for Thanksgiving Week, and I will be at the Bucks-Magic game on Monday. My report from Amway Arena in Orlando is coming your way next week.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The New York Bretts, as Skip Bayless likes to say, picked up a huge division win in the hostile environment of Foxboro last night. The beat the rival Patriots in overtime, 34-31. Yet even in a loss, Matt Cassel had a monster game, throwing for 400 yards and proving that he might have the talent to carry New England to the playoffs.

---But the Pats did lose. I guess the cameras didn't work for cranky Bill Bellicheat this time.

---As for the Jets, that was a very impressive road victory. However, I anticipate with great disdain all the drool that the analysts will slobber all over Brett Favre.

---Who knows, if Brett can continue the Jets' success, maybe we will be in for a few more years of will-he-or-won't-he retire talk. And boy, am I excited for that.

---Here are my Week 11 picks: Falcons, Panthers, Eagles, Saints, Giants, Bucs, Dolphins, Packers, Colts, 49ers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers, Redskins, Bills.

---Memo to the Niners: Please, I beg you, if we are again faced with a chance to win the game in the final seconds, as we were on Monday in Arizona, we need much better clock management. And the ball should go to Frank Gore on the last play, not Michael Robinson.

---Tough, tough loss for my Warriors last night at home against Allen Iverson and the new-look Pistons. We made some costly mistakes down the stretch, as when C.J. Watson stepped inbounds prematurely on an inbounds play. However, the third quarter was our undoing, as it has been all season.

---Hopefully, Nellie's crew will start winning A.S.A.P. It would be wonderfully satisfying if we could beat Baron Davis' new team when we play the Clippers in L.A. tomorrow. GO WARRIORS!

---Sorry Baron, but Warriors fans would love to make you regret your decision to bolt for Los Angeles, especially when you lied your way out of town.

---I'll say this about the Pistons: Watching A.I. finish spectacular drive after spectacular drive last night, it became evident to me that this was a great trade for Joe Dumars' organization. I still think the Celtics have a leg up in the East, but Detroit is a dangerous team that, with A.I. in the lineup, has a serious shot at a title.

---All is not well, however, for two perennial Texas-sized powers. The Spurs and Mavs are both struggling. San Antonio always starts slow, so there is no need to panic in the Alamo City. But Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and the Mavericks could be in for a disappointing year. In other words, Mark Cuban will have more anger than ever to release on the refs. Look out!

---Another quick note on the Mavs: I have nothing but respect for Rick Carlisle, a great coach. However, Avery Johnson should be the coach, not Carlisle. Johnson's firing was an egregious move by the Mavs.

---Say hello to your 6-1 Atlanta Hawks. I wouldn't stamp their ticket to the playoffs just yet, but Mike Woodson's team proved Wednesday against the Celtics that they can hang with the big boys. Maybe last year wasn't a fluke after all.

---I owe an apology to Mike Leach's Texas Tech Red Raiders. I picked Oklahoma State to upset Graham Harrell and Tech last weekend. Little did I know that the Red Raiders were about to open up a can of whoop-ass on the Cowboys. Could a trip to the National Championship game be in Tech's future?

---However, I am very confident about this upset pick: Navy will beat Notre Dame tomorrow. But don't worry, Fighting Irish fans, I'm sure Lou Holtz will find a way to preposterously put a positive spin on things.

---I know, I know, I'm a bit of a homer myself, but then again, I'm not a paid analyst for ESPN. Holtz's insistence that Notre Dame is the greatest team on earth is getting a little ridiculous. I can't wait to see what he comes up with tomorrow.

---I don't mean to be rude-----I actually like Mr. Holtz-----but it's time he wakes up to reality.

---I'm starting a new campaign here in the confines of TJB's Sports Universe: Impeach the BCS! Impeach the BCS! Impeach the BCS!

---College Basketball is underway, and here is my Final Four prediction: North Carolina, UCONN, Gonzaga, and Louisville. And remember, I reserve the right to change my mind at least twenty times before March Madness begins.

---Back to Notre Dame for a second. They may be struggling on the football field, but Mike Brey's team will be a legitimate contender on the basketball court.

---This is one of the most exciting baseball offseasons the game has ever seen. Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira..... the list of big free agent names goes on and on. And judging by today's historic offer by the Yankees, it looks like Sabathia could very well be sporting pinstripes next season.

---I only have one wish, and that is for Manny Ramirez to be somewhere other than L.A. next season.

---A hearty congratulations to Tim Lincecum. As a big Giants fan, I feel blessed to have such a dominating pitcher. Lincecum is more than deserving of his Cy Young Award.

---I'll leave you on a somber note. On "Pardon the Interruption" today, a must-see for any sports fan, Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser expressed their beliefs that Mixed Martial Arts has permanently replaced boxing in terms of relevance in the United States. What a shame. I will never understand how such a mindlessly bloody sport that, unlike boxing, features very little athleticism or excitement, can be so popular. Heck, MMA is even dumber than NASCAR, and that's saying something.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The Cubs will always dominate the headlines in Chicago, but now that Barack Obama has been elected the next President of the United States of America, Obama's White Sox will capture more attention in the Windy City.

---Former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn was good but not great in his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos. The Browns lost, but Quinn is clearly the quarterback of the future for the Browns.

---With very little shot at reaching the playoffs, if I were Romeo Crennel, I would make Quinn the permanent starter from hear on out. With all due respect to Derek Anderson, he is not in the long-term interest of the franchise.

---Games of the week in the NFL: Giants-Eagles and Colts-Steelers. New York and Pittsburgh will win. After this loss, the Eagles and Colts will be faced with an uphill climb the rest of the season.

---This is also the week where the Titans lose their first game. Tennessee is much better than the Bears, but this is one of those trap games for Kerry Collins and the Titans.

---My other Week 10 picks: Patriots, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Jets, Jaguars, Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers, Niners.

---That's right, I picked the Niners. Did you expect me to do anything different?

---My bold prediction of the week: Mike Singletary will keep his pants on during Monday night's game against the Cardinals.

---I'm hoping that the defeat of Arizona Senator John McCain in Tuesday's election will somehow affect the Arizona Cardinals, but I'm not sure the two are related.

---Thoughts on the Iverson-Billups trade: The deal is a win-win for both sides. The Nuggets get a former Finals MVP and proven leader who runs the show brilliantly well at the point. Chauncey Billups will work well with Carmelo Anthony, and he's an instant asset in George Karl's system. The Pistons, on the other hand, get one of the most prolific scorers in recent NBA history. Ultimately, I give the slight edge to Detroit in this trade.

---Time will tell whether The Answer is the answer for the Pistons, but I applaud Joe Dumars for making this risky move. Billups was no doubt the most important player on Detroit, but by aquiring Allen Iverson, Joe Dumars is sending a clear message to Michael Curry's team that he expects nothing less than a championship.

---This fascinating experiment in Detroit may fail, and the Celtics remain the best team in the East. But it will be exciting to see A.I. play in a Piston uniform.

---But just so you know, A.I., you're in for a loss when you visit Oracle Arena next Thurdsay.

---My Golden State Warriors are off to a 2-3 start, with a home game tonight against O.J. Mayo and the Memphis Grizzlies. Judging by Wednesday's excellent win against Denver, which featured a fantastic performance from Brandan Wright, we appear to be hitting our stride.

---Memo to Al Harrington: You are an important part of this team when you play with motivation, and we would love to have you remain in a Warrior uniform. But if you continue to show little effort amidst your demands to be traded, we have no use for you. If you want more minutes from Don Nelson, play like the talented, energetic player that you are.

---Last night on "Inside the NBA", Charles Barkley joked that he didn't know there was still basketball at Golden State. Not surprising, since the Warriors serve as the annual punching bag for the Chuckster. I love Charles Barkley----he's my favorite analyst in all of sports----but I look forward to proving him wrong once again.

---Spectacular game in Portland last night between the Rockets and Blazers, a game that featured a dizzying finish in the final seconds of overtime. I remain a skeptic on the Blazers, but there is nothing trivial about the talents of Brandon Roy.

---The University of Washington alum is one of the most exciting players in the league. He was money down the stretch in last night's Blazer victory. Sorry Greg Oden, but Roy is the face of the Portland sports scene.

---After seeing Tony Parker, one of the most underrated point guards in the league, put up explosive numbers Wednesday against the Timberwolves, I envied the life of Mr. Parker. Think about it: After every game, he gets to go home to the jaw-droppingly sexy Eva Longoria. Guys across the nation, including myself, are hopelessly jealous.

---Huge college football matchups tomorrow. Oklahoma State-Texas Tech. Alabama-LSU. Cal-USC. Ohhh, baby, what a lineup.

---I'm pulling for Cal, and I think Nick Saban and top-ranked Alabama will be victorious in Saban's return to Baton Rouge.

---As for Oklahoma State-Texas Tech, look for Mike Gundy's Cowboys to pull off the upset in a superb, hotly contested battle. This will throw another wrench into the disastrous BCS system.

---College Basketball is around the corner, and I can already hear the sound of the great Dick Vitale hootin' and hollerin' "It's awesome, baby". Lots of things to look for this year in the world of college hoops, including the two new coaches at Cal and Stanford.

---Mike Montgomery spent many successful years roaming the sidelines at Stanford, but he is now calling the shots at Stanford arch rival Cal. Former Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins has learned a lot over the years from Coach K, and he takes over the reigns at Stanford. This marks the beginning of what will surely be a coaching rivalry that will continue for many years.

---In Hot Stove news, the Dodgers offered Manny Ramirez a two-year, $45 million deal. Please, Manny, I beg you. Either come to the Giants, or get the heck out of the NL West. For all your carefree, laughable, occasionally irritating antics, you truly are one of the most remarkable hitters the game has ever seen. So please, leave the Dodger blue behind.

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The Philadelphia Phillies are your 2008 World Series Champions. Congratulations to the City of Brotherly Love. The city of Philadelphia has been waiting to celebrate a major sports title for a long, long time.

---And who better to record the final out than Brad Lidge, the best closer in baseball.

--- Lidge's perfect season is a flabbergasting accomplishment.

---Special kudos to World Series MVP Cole Hamels for his excellent delivery of the Top Ten list on "The Late Show with David Letterman".

---As for the Rays, they turned in an unbelievable season. If Joe Maddon does not win Manager of the Year in the American League, it will be the biggest injustice since the O.J. verdict.

---Some observations on the first week of NBA action: Look out for the Hornets, they are dangerous. This Phoenix team has adapted a completely different style of play, a style with much less fast breaks. The Clippers will flop this season. Boston has every intention of repeating. Derrick Rose clearly has star potential.

---Let's hope Greg Oden makes a quick recovery. He has great potential in this league, and he seems to be a great guy. But my goodness, he looked like an arthritic ninety-year-old in his NBA debut against the Lakers.

---Okay, okay, I get it. The Lakers are good. However, listening to all these analysts drool over LA is nauseating. Also, call me crazy, but both Lamar Odom and Luke Walton are overrated. On the flip side, Doc Rivers' Celtics are not receiving nearly enough recognition.

---My Warriors are 0-2. In both losses, at home against New Orleans and on the road against Toronto, we had a lead with twenty seconds remaining in regulation. Ouch, those losses are painful. However, Golden State can hang with anybody. It's just a matter of executing down the stretch. If we can find a way to do this, we'll be fine. GO WARRIORS!

---A great football weekend kicks off tonight with Texas at Texas Tech, a game with huge national championship implications. Tomorrow's slate of NFL games is headlined by a huge NFC East clash between the Giants and Cowboys at the Meadowlands. I like Tech to upset the Longhorns. And I like the Giants---big.

---At some point during the New York-Dallas game, I would not be surprised if Wade Phillips has that deer-caught-in-headlights look. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Cowboys are overhyped every single year.

---Who would have thought Mike Singletary would stir up this much emotion in his first two weeks as head coach of the Niners. First it was his post game tirade against Vernon Davis. Now it has been revealed that he dropped his pants at halftime in the Seahawks game. Hmmmm, certainly a unique strategy.

--- Many respected football minds, including ESPN's Mark Schlereth, view Singletary negatively as a result of his recent antics. Not me. He is the type of fiery coach the Niners have desperately needed for many years.

---I've alraedy picked the Giants; here are the rest of my Week Nine NFL picks: Bills, Bears, Jaguars, Browns, Bucs, Vikings, Rams, Titans, Broncos, Falcons, Eagles, Colts, Steelers.

---College basketball experienced its first major injury this past week, as Tyler Hansbrough will be out two weeks. There is no need to worry Tar Heel fans. Hansbrough is an incredibly tough competitor. He'll be back at full strength in no time.

---And finally, I know this is not a political blog, but with the election a mere three days away, I thought I'd make an endorsement: GO OBAMA-BIDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The Phillies are one win away from winning the World Series. And judging by the weather forecasts, the next President might be inaugurated before we crown a champion.

---Honestly, through all that rain and wind, I expected Anderson Cooper to be at the scene.

---Still, as bad as the weather has been, it hasn't been as bad as the umpiring.

---I'm not the biggest admirer of Bud Selig, but he deserves credit for the way in which he handled the tricky situation last night. It was only fair to give the Rays a chance to tie the game before a suspension was ordered.

---There is a lot of moaning and groaning about the suspension, and many believe this is bad for baseball. If you ask me, it's just the opposite. This only adds to the excitement, which was already at a fever pitch.

---With that being said, the Rays are a lot happier than the Phillies right now. After all, the bats of Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria appear to be getting hotter, while ace Cole Hamels is unlikely to return to the mound in this series.

---The NBA season kicks off tonight with three games, as LeBron and the Cavs travel to Boston to face the defending champs, Greg Oden and the Blazers head to Tinseltown to meet Kobe and the Lakers, and Derrick Rose makes his NBA debut as the Bulls face their former coach Scott Skiles and the Milwaukee Bucks. I'll take the Celtics, Blazers, and Bulls.

---What color shades will Jack Nicholson be wearing tonight?

---GO WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---How about those Titans. Following an impressive win over Peyton Manning and the struggling Colts, Jeff Fisher's team is the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. And with the likes of Lendale White, Chris Johnson, Keith Bullock, Albert Haynesworth, and with an efficient Kerry Collins taking the snaps, Tennessee is here to stay.

---But I still give the slight edge to the Giants when it comes to the best team in the league.

---Alright folks, my Niner optimism has run dry. After an embarrassing butt-kicking at the hands of the Seahawks, my 49ers are looking pretty, pretty terrible. However, if there is one guy that can turn this mess around, it's Mike Singletary.

---Singletary is the one and only reason that I still hold out hope that brighter days are in the near future. He brings great passion and devotion to the sidelines, and his tossing of Vernon Davis during the game was awesome. Singletary demands respect, and he is unquestionably the coach of the future for San Francisco.

---Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham is stepping down at the end of the year. What a sad fall from grace. The former Stanford and Notre Dame coach seems to be a great guy, so here's hoping he finds success as a Division 1 head coach very soon.

---I take back what I said about Penn State. Upon further review, Joe Paterno's team is more than deserving of national championship consideration.

---What a magnificent time of year to be a sports fan. The World Series, the NBA, the NFL, college football, college basketball........................................all spectacular.

2008-2009 NBA PREVIEW

Hoops is back, and I'm giddy with excitement. In order of predicted finish, here are my conference previews:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. New Orleans Hornets/ Coach: Byron Scott/ Key Player: Chris Paul

Look out, here come the Hornets. As great as they were last year, New Orleans will be even better this season, finishing with the best record in the NBA. Chris Paul will be the league's MVP, and the addition of proven winner James Posey means that the Hornets are the team to beat in the West.

2. Utah Jazz/ Coach: Jerry Sloan/ Key Player: Deron Williams

All the credit goes to the aforementioned Chris Paul, and deservedly so, but teams overlook Deron Williams at their own peril. D-Will is one of the game's most spectacular players. The Jazz are a brutally physical team, thanks to the effective post presence of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. Say what you want about Jerry Sloan's style, but there is no denying the fact that all Sloan does is win.

3. Phoenix Suns/ Coach: Terry Porter/ Key Player: Shaquille O'Neal

With Mike D'Antoni no longer roaming the sidelines, the Suns probably won't run-and-gun as much as they used to. However, Terry Porter's team will follow a similar recipe. With Steve Nash running the show, and if a healthy Shaq dominates the paint, Phoenix will once again enjoy great regular season success. As for the playoffs, well, as Suns fans can attest, that usually is a different story.

4. Los Angeles Lakers/ Coach: Phil Jackson/ Key Player: Kobe Bryant

What do I want to happen? I want the Lakers to fall flat on their faces and have a disastrous season. What do I think will happen? I think they'll be very good, but not as great as advertised. Too much is being expected of Andrew Bynum. After all, how do we know he won't be rusty?

5. San Antonio Spurs/ Coach: Gregg Popovich/ Key Player: Tim Duncan

San Antonio remains the best team in Texas, and Popovich is one of the best coaches the game has ever seen. But these Spurs are aging. The starting five of Parker, Duncan, Finley, Bowen, and Oberto is too disciplined and talented for the Spurs to miss the playoffs. However, I see an early playoff exit in San Antonio's future.

6. Golden State Warriors/ Coach: Don Nelson/ Key Player: Al Harrington

Yes, I am a biased homer, but allow me to explain my reasoning. Sure, the absence of Monta Ellis until January is a big blow, but it's a blow we can overcome. Andris Biedrins will continue to be a rebounding machine, Ronny Turiaf will contribute big numbers off the bench, Stephen Jackson will continue to be deserving of the term "captain", Corey Maggette will be a welcome surprise, and Al Harrington will turn in his best season as a Warrior. Let's not also forget that outstanding Oracle Arena crowd. DeMarcus Nelson and C.J. Watson will do a great job of running the show until Monta returns in January. No Baron, no problem. GO WARRIORS!

7. Houston Rockets/ Coach:Rick Adleman/ Key Player: Ron Artest

Artest seems confident that his new team will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in June. Not so fast. However, the Artest-McGrady duo will carry Houston to the playoffs. And if the Rockets once again are defeated in the opening round, the blame should not fall in T-Mac's lap.


8. Dallas Mavericks/ Coach: Rick Carlisle/ Key Player: Jason Kidd

Dallas made a big mistake when they fired Avery Johnson. Rick Carlisle, though, will do a commendable job. Contrary to popular belief, Jason Kidd is still a terrific player. And although I'm not the biggest fan of Dirk Nowitzki, the guy is productive. The big question mark hanging over Mark Cuban's team is Josh Howard. Can he stay away from controversy?

9. Portland Trail Blazers/ Coach: Nate McMillan/ Key Player: Greg Oden

Count me amongst those who are not convinced that Greg Oden will turn the Blazers into instant contenders. Oden was fantastic in his lone year under Thad Matta at Ohio State, but how do we know that Oden can bounce back from last year's injury and be successful in the NBA. With this being said, however, Portland will be a decent team. Brandon Roy is one of the game's most exciting young talents, and the Blazers will contend for that final playoff spot, only to fall just a little short.

10. Denver Nuggets/ Coach: George Karl/ Key Player: Carmelo Anthony

I have the highest respect for Nene. To battle back from cancer and earn a spot in the starting lineup is an amazing feat. For this, Nene deserves every one's admiration. But Nene will not be able to replace Marcus Camby, who is now sporting Clipper red. As great as Iverson and Anthony are, George Karl's Nuggets will suffer in the absence of Camby, who for the last few years has been Denver's only defensive master.

11. Sacramento Kings/ Coach: Reggie Theus/ Key Player: Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and Reggie Theus is one of the most underrated coaches. The Kings will be entertaining, especially when they feed off the Arco Arena energy. But as the season wears on, Sacramento will really begin to miss Ron Artest.

12. Los Angeles Clippers/ Coach: Mike Dunleavy/ Key Player: Baron Davis

In the East, the Clips would have a chance. But outside of Baron and Marcus Camby, the Clippers are ill-equipped in the West. Al Thornton has great promise, but he is a year or two a way from reaching his full potential. Oh yeah, and Baron, you will regret your decision to leave Oakland.

13. Memphis Grizzlies/ Coach: Marc Iavoroni/ Key Player: O.J. Mayo

Mayo's flashy style worked wonders at USC, but will it work in the NBA? Will Marc Gasol be half as good as his brother? Will Darko Millicic ever stop being a punchline? The Grizzlies surely hope the answers to these three questions are yes, yes, and yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if the answers are no, no, and no.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves/ Coach: Randy Wittman/ Key Player: Al Jefferson

Jefferson is superb, but the T'Wolves are still suffering from Kevin Garnett withdrawal symptoms. At this point, Kevin McHale is wishing and hoping that he too was back in Boston.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder/ Coach: P.J. Carlesimo/ Key Player: Kevin Durant

Outside of Oklahoma City, where the fan support will be tremendous, the Thunder will go completely unnoticed. They will still be referred to as the Sonics. Bottom line: it will be a rough first year for this young team.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Boston Celtics/ Coach: Doc Rivers/ Key Player: Kevin Garnett

The East will be far more more competitive this year, but the defending champs still have a great chance at a repeat. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen show no signs of slowing down. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have matured a year, and they will be evn better than they were last season. The loss of James Posey to New Orleans hurts Boston's bench, but it won't make too much of a difference. The Celtics will be back in the Finals.

2. Orlando Magic/ Coach: Stan Van Gundy/ Key Player: Dwight Howard

At first glance, the Magic lineup is not that intimidating. However, Orlando epitomizes teamwork. Together, they are a legitimate contender in the East. Jameer Nelson is a solid point guard, Hedo Turkoglu is lights out from downtown, Mickael Pietrus is the kind of scrappy player that all teams would love to have, and Rashard Lewis, although overpaid, is a scoring threat every time he steps onto the floor. There's also this guy by the name of Dwight Howard. I'm not sure if you've heard of him. He's only the best center in basketball.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers/ Coach: Mike Brown/ Key Player: Mo Williams

What??? Have I lost my mind??? How can I not have LeBron as Cleveland's key player??? Calm down, folks. LeBron is the best player in the world. He is the leader of the Cavs. There is no doubt about that. In order for Cleveland to have any shot at a championship, however, King James is going to need some help. That help comes from newly acquired Mo Williams. The former Milwaukee Buck must have an all-star caliber year alongside LeBron if the Cavs want to be playing in June.

4. Detroit Pistons/ Coach: Michael Curry/ Key Player: Chauncey Billups

Chauncey, Rip, Tayshaun, Rasheed, and company have their sights on winning another championship. You can't help but wonder, though, if their window has already closed. One thing is for sure: Rodney Stuckey will emerge as the Pistons' secret weapon.

5. Philadelphia 76ers/ Coach: Mo Cheeks/ Key Player: Elton Brand

Philly will be much improved, thanks in large part to the offseason acquisition of Elton Brand. Brand joins an already dangerous lineup that features the explosive likes of Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert. If Brand can stay healthy, the Sixers will contend.

6. Miami Heat/ Coach: Erik Spoelstra/ Key Player: Dwayne Wade

Basketball in South Beach will be awfully fun to watch this season. With a new duo (D-Wade and Michael Beasley), and a new coach calling the shots (Erik Spoelstra), the Heat will add to the party atmosphere in Miami. But the fun will likely end in the first round of the playoffs, when the Heat will struggle without an effective big man.

7. Toronto Raptors/ Coach: Sam Mitchell/ Key Player: Jermaine O'Neal

The biggest question regarding this promising team is the health of Jermaine O'Neal. After being sidelined for most of last season, can he return to his old self? I say yes. Add Chris Bosh to the mix, and Toronto is a trendy dark horse pick in the Eastern conference.

8. Atlanta Hawks/ Coach: Mike Woodson/ Key Player: Josh Smith

These Hawks are still on a high after their impressive showing against the Celtics this past April. When the euphoria dies down, Mike Woodson's team will realize that they will be in a fight for that eighth and final spot in the East. Chances are they win that fight, thanks to young stars Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford.

9. Washington Wizards/ Coach: Eddie Jordan/ Key Player: Antawn Jamison

Gilbert Arenas is plagued with a serious knee injury for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Wizards managed to win in the absence of Agent Zero. This year will be different. The East is no longer Junior Varsity, and the Wizards will be on the outside looking in at season's end.

10. Chicago Bulls/ Coach: Vinny Del Negro/ Key Player: Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose will be a star in this league for many years to come, and he will quickly find his way into Vinny Del Negro's starting lineup. Unfortunately for the Bulls, Rose will be one of few bright spots during what will be a frustrating season. New coach, same disappointment for the Bulls.

11. New York Knicks/ Coach: Mike D'Antoni/ Key Player: Zach Randolph

If nothing else, Mike D'Antoni will at least make the Knicks relevant again. New York will have some trouble adapting to D'Antoni's fast pace system, but D'Antoni is the right guy at the right time for the Knicks. They won't be good, but they will be improved.

12. Milwaukee Bucks/ Coach: Scott Skiles/ Key Player: Michael Redd

The Bucks may have lost Mo Williams, but the addition of Richard Jefferson will suffice. Michael Redd one of the most overlooked players in the game, and he will continue to be overlooked if the Bucks continue to lose. And unless Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva show drastic improvement, losing for Scott Skiles' team seems very probable.

13. Indiana Pacers/ Coach: Jim O'Brien/ Key Player: T.J. Ford

The Jermaine O'Neal-T.J. Ford trade was a win-win deal for the Pacers and Raptors, but only Toronto will see instant results. The Pacers are still stuck in the world of mediocrity. Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy are very good, but they strike no fear in anybody. Like Kevin McHale, Larry Bird wishes he was back in Boston.

Charlotte Bobcats/ Coach: Larry Brown/ Key Player: Emeka Okafor

Why, oh why, did Hall of Famer Larry Brown take this job? I know the Bobcats have talent in the likes of Ray Felton, Emeka Okafor, and Jason Richardson, and I know that Larry Brown shares the North Carolina connection with Michael Jordan, now a member of the Bobcats front office. But honestly, this season will be sadly similar to Larry Brown's lone season as coach of the Knicks three years ago.

15. New Jersey Nets/ Coach: Lawrence Frank/ Key Player: Vince Carter

Yi Jinlian is a star in China, but he was unimpressive in his first NBA season with Milwaukee. He'll be better this year, but the Nets will be the worst team in the East. As a result of the Nets' poor season, Vince Carter will be traded.

So there are my predictions. Let the games begin!