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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!