TJB's Sports Universe Holiday Vacation

Greetings sports fans. TJB's Sports Universe will be shutting down for the next two weeks as I embark on a holiday vacation through Lake Tahoe and Southern California. This blog will make its return on Monday, January 4th, 2010. By that time I will have plenty of thoughts on the start of the NFL Playoffs, the NBA, BCS bowl games in college football, and college basketball. So I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. See you in 2010!

Halladay, Moss, Ingram, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

---Today was a day of seismic shift in Major League Baseball, as Roy Halladay appears headed to Philadelphia in a three-team deal that would send Cliff Lee to Seattle. The deal is not yet finalized, but if it does go through, it would make the Mariners instant contenders in the American League.



---Don't get me wrong: I love Doc Halladay, one of the best pitchers in the game. But this move won't really have a big impact on the Phillies. The Phillies traded an ace (Lee) for an ace (Halladay), so the deal is a wash from their standpoint. Charlie Manuel's team remains the team to beat in the National League. The Mariners, on the other hand, have just made drastic strides of improvement, assuming the trade does indeed occur. Cliff Lee is every bit as good as Halladay, a dominant lefty who will shift the balance of power in the AL West if he goes to Seattle. With the acquisitions of Cliff Lee and speedy third baseman Chone Figgins, I give the Mariners the edge over the Angels in the AL West.



---As if the Cliff Lee news wasn't bad enough for the Angels, they have just lost ace John Lackey, who signed an 5-year, $85 million contract with the Red Sox. Huge pickup for the Sox, more depression for the Halos.



---That sound you hear, that's the sound of the Dallas Cowboys drowning.



---As the Cowboys continue to suffer their December curse, they NFC playoff picture has become fascinating. There are now three teams vying for two spots: the Cowboys, Packers, and Giants. Forget Dallas---they are toast. Green Bay and New York will be playing football in January.

---Is there a more electrifying player in the NFL than Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson? In yesterday's big win over the Giants, the Eagles wide receiver looked like Jerry Rice. In addition to being a prolific wide receiver, Jackson is one of the most dangerous special teams threats in the league. He is a joy to watch.

---The Patriots picked up a much-needed victory Sunday against the Panthers, but the team is now hounded with questions over the suspicious behavior of Randy Moss. Moss, an elite wide receiver with a moody past, appeared to have quit on a handful of plays on Sunday. Moss has been on his best behavior throughout his tenure in New England. Let's hope his recent antics don't foreshadow a return to his petulant ways.

---It is only a matter of time before Bears QB Jay Cutler winds up working at the local 7-Eleven. Cutler has been so bad in Chicago, that Bears fans are actually pining for the glory days of Rex Grossman.

---Just when we're about to declare the Utah Jazz a contender, they come up with an inexplicable loss. Jerry Sloan's team followed impressive wins over the Magic and Lakers with a home defeat to the terrible Minnesota Timberwolves. The inconsistency of the Jazz will be their ultimate downfall in the Western Conference, and sadly, Carlos Boozer will likely depart at season's end.

---As the Dallas Mavericks continue to play winning basketball, it is worth noting the superb play of Jose Barea. Barea gets overshadowed by Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, and Josh Howard, but he is a vital part of the Mavs' success.

---As Brook Lopez continues to blossom into an elite NBA center with the Nets, his twin brother Robin seems to be having an emotional breakdown in Phoenix. Robin Lopez has been a disappointment in the pros, and he apparently has a serious temper problem, a problem that was recently addressed by Suns coach Alvin Gentry. Forgive me for going all Dr. Phil for a moment, but being suffocated in the shadow of your twin brother's greatness has to be difficult for Robin. Sadly, I don't see any potential for him in the NBA.

---I can't wait for Christmas Day, the best day of the year for basketball fans everywhere. After unwrapping the presents in the morning, families can gather around the television sets to watch the Celtics and Magic, followed by Lebron's Cavs taking on Kobe's Lakers. It is going to be awesome!

---Congratulations to your 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram. The Alabama running back, who barely edged out Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, is a deserving winner, and his acceptance speech was genuinely heartfelt and profoundly moving.

---As great as Ingram is, however, the Heisman candidate with the most promising NFL career is Nebraska's defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, a dominant defensive force who will be a star in the NFL.

---Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is headed to Notre Dame. Kelly is a fantastic coach, and I don't blame him one bit for accepting the prestigious Notre Dame job. However, he should have handled the situation better. Kelly continually preached the importance of maintaining focus on his Bearcats when his name was brought up in Notre Dame rumors. But Kelly ended up fleeing Cincinnati without proper notification of his players, who are preparing to take on Florida in a major bowl game. After guiding Cincinnati to their best season ever, Kelly won't even be able to coach his team in the Sugar Bowl. Kelly seems like a class act, but he left Cincinnati in classless fashion.

---And finally, the college basketball season is off to a spectacular start, thanks in large part to the extraordinary play of Kentucky's John Wall, the surefire number one pick in next year's NBA Draft. Wall is one of the most exciting college players in recent memory, and he will lead the undefeated Wildcats to a Final Four appearance.

Around the Association

Hoops fans gather round the computer. It's time to travel around the association:

---Wow. The Lakers only played with effort for one quarter against the Jazz on Wednesday night, and they still got a blowout victory. As much as it pains me, there is no denying it: Phil Jackson's team is unstoppable right now.

---Still, isn't it about time the Lakers start playing on the road? Kobe and company have only played four road games thus far.

---I will be in attendance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 29th when my Warriors take on the Lakers, and I will be all decked out in my Warriors gear. I fear a blowout loss, but I desperately hope that we can stun the Purple and Gold. Go Warriors! Beat L.A.!

---Remember when Brandon Jennings was the runaway favorite for rookie of the year? That seems like ancient history now, as the Bucks guard has cooled off recently. Now the favorite for rookie of the year is Sacramento point guard Tyreke Evans. Evans' inspired play and steady leadership have made the Kings a pleasant early-season surprise in the West.

---Another rookie to watch: Utah's Wesley Matthews. The Jazz signed Matthews as an undrafted free agent, and he has proven to be a key contributor for Jerry Sloan's team.

---Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is denying the rumors that there is any tension between he and Rashard Lewis. While the rumors may very well be entirely false, they do pose some cause for concern for Magic fans. As evidenced by his clash with Marcin Gortat last season, Stan Van Gundy's boisterous, outspoken coaching style doesn't sit well with some players.

---My goodness, the Cavs looked awful this week. They rebounded with a home win over Portland on Friday night, but LeBron and company looked inexcusably sluggish in losses to the Grizzlies and Rockets. Maybe they were too busy taking dance lessons from LeBron.

---I don't mean to spoil Allen Iverson's honeymoon return to the Sixers, but the recent play of the Memphis Grizzlies show why A.I. can be poison to a locker room. With all the distractions that The Answer brought to Memphis, the Grizzlies were one of the worst teams in the league. Now that A.I. has departed, Lionel Hollins' team is playing with a newfound sense of freedom, and they are showing significant signs of improvement.

---A sign of the weakness of the Eastern Conference: If the season ended today, the Charlotte Bobcats would be in the playoffs. That's right, the same Bobcats team who struggles to put up 80 points, the same Bobcats team that relies entirely on Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson-----those same Bobcats would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. They would meet the Celtics in what would be the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history.

---Speaking of the Celtics, congratulations to Ray Allen for becoming a part of an exclusive list of players that have scored 2,000 career points. Allen, one of the best shooters the league has ever seen, is a consummate professional and a class act, and he deserves the respect and admiration of every basketball fan.

---Blazers G.M. Kevin Pritchard continues to publicly voice support, confidence, and optimism regarding Greg Oden, but that is simply a disguise. Deep down, Pritchard has to harbor deep-seated disappointment regarding Oden's failure in the NBA.

---I'll end with some words of advice for Dirk Nowitzki, who sported a headband in Tuesday's game against the Suns: Never repeat that look. Spare our eyes of that fashion faux pas.

Romo, Oden, Gerhart, and 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:

---As if on cue, the Dallas Cowboys commenced December with a loss yesterday at the Giants. This disturbing trend of December futility for the Cowboys is no coincidence. Who deserves most of the blame? With T.O. now out of the picture, the criticism should be directed at quarterback Tony Romo and head coach Wade Phillips.

---Romo is a good QB, no more, no less. Those who are waiting for Romo to achieve greatness are wasting their time. He lacks the superior talent and leadership abilities of Manning, Brady, Brees, and Roethlisberger, and I don't think he has what it takes to take the Cowboys to the next level.

---As for Coach Phillips, lets just say that he lacks a certain passion and fire on the sideline. It is hard for players to get motivated from a guy who is more cuddly than a teddy bear. Wade Phillips seems like an awfully nice guy, but he is not a good NFL coach.

---As the Bengals and Ravens continue to improve, do you get the sense that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the third-best team in the AFC North? After suffering their fourth straight loss at the hands of the lowly Raiders, the defending Super Bowl champs are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. Things are getting so bad for the Steelers that the players are starting to make silly excuses. Yesterday, Troy Polamalu said that his hair caused a distraction.

---Here come the Chargers! Norv Turner's team, buoyed by the consistent QB play of Philip Rivers, are hitting their stride at the right time. The Colts better take notice, because San Diego poses the biggest threat to Indy in the AFC.

---The Saints came from behind, with some help from the Redskins, to beat Washington in overtime, while the Colts knocked off Tennessee. Something tells me we're headed for a Super Bowl for the ages between the two undefeateds.

---The sad scene of seeing Greg Oden wheeled off the court on Saturday night was an awfully familiar sight for Blazers fans. I hate to be the heartless curmudgeon here, but this is the harsh reality: In the wake of another season-ending injury, it is more clear than ever that the NBA career of Greg Oden has been a total flop. Oden's fragile body will prevent him from ever achieving success in the NBA. G.M. Kevin Pritchard will go down on the wrong side of history for selecting Oden over Kevin Durant in the 2007 NBA Draft.

---With all due respect to Ravens-Packers, the most intriguing sports event tonight takes place in Philadelphia, where Allen Iverson makes his Sixers return against his former team, the Denver Nuggets. For this one night only, there will be no drama. A.I. will receive a rousing ovation, and he will ride that emotion en route to a terrific game.

---Okay Kobe, I have to give you props for that incredible game-winning three-pointer against the Heat on Friday night. I've long been a critic of yours, but that was one amazing shot.

---Now the real hard work begins for the New Jersey Nets. Now that the euphoria of their first win has died down, Devin Harris and company will realize that they are in for one long season. With the move to Brooklyn on the horizon, the Nets are an organization in flux, and it may be tough for the team to find motivation this season. At 0-18, the Nets played with heart and passion, desperate to capture that elusive first victory. Now, at 1-19, Kiki Vandeweghe's team is in a hopeless situation.

---Memo to LeBron: I love 'ya, but stop it with the ridiculous, showboating dance moves on the sideline. The Bulls' Joakim Noah had every right to call you out the other night.

---The inexplicable disgrace that is the BCS announced its bowl games yesterday, and the national championship will be a battle between the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide. TCU, Boise State, and Cincinnati, meanwhile, got royally screwed.

---Don't get me wrong, Texas-Alabama is a tremendously exciting matchup, but who's to say that those two teams are better than TCU, Cincinnati, or Boise State?

---My disdain for the BCS notwithstanding, I am extraordinarily excited about the opportunity to attend the Rose Bowl. If all goes as planned, I will be in attendance on New Year's Day in Pasadena for the grandaddy of them all between Oregon and Ohio State. If this happens, it will be one of the highlights of my life.

---The finalists for the Heisman were announced today, and the favorites are Florida's Tim Tebow, Texas' Colt McCoy, and Alabama's Mark Ingram. But for my money, the most deserving candidate is Stanford's Toby Gerhart. Most of the nation doesn't pay attention to Stanford football, but there was no more dynamic offensive force in college football this year than Gerhart.

---Charlie Weis, just shut up about Pete Carroll. You just come across as bitter and angry.

---And finally, baseball's winter meetings are heating up this week in Indianapolis. With all due respect to the great Roy Halladay, the most coveted free agent should be Matt Holliday. Right now, I'm sure that Giants G.M. Brian Sabean is about to make Holliday an offer he can't refuse. Hey, a man's gotta dream, right?

Around the Association

Hoops fans gather round the computer. Lets go around the association:

---After a stellar start to the season, the Phoenix Suns looked like a junior varsity high school team this week, enduring two embarrassing blowout defeats at the hands of the Knicks and Cavaliers. The loss to an awful New York team was especially discouraging, as the Suns made Mike D'Antoni's Knicks look like the Mike D'Antoni Suns teams of old. the loss at Cleveland was slightly less disheartening, simply because the Cavs are a formidable opponent. Still, Phoenix was under the thirty-point mark at halftime, and they looked overmatched against an elite team, something that does not bode will for a team that hopes to make some noise in the playoffs.

---Big win for the Boston Celtics last night in San Antonio. The Celtics have lacked that championship swagger in recent weeks, but they were a team on a mission last night. The Spurs, meanwhile, failed in a crucial barometer game, and their sluggish start to the season continues.

---The one bright spot last night for San Antonio was rookie DeJuan Blair. Blair had a monster game, and he is turning out to be the unquestionable steal of the draft. Last year, Hasheem Thabeet was touted as a much better NBA investment than Blair. Now, Blair is the player who has had the bigger impact. While the rookie of the year race is likely to center around Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings, Golden State's Stephen Curry, and Sacramento's Tyreke Evans, Blair belongs in the conversation.

---I hate the Lakers, but my goodness do they look good. The Lakers had such a dominant week, with laughers against the Warriors and Hornets, that Adam Morrison received a lot of playing time. When Phil Jackson is willing to let Morrison take the court, you know the game is out of hand.

---Just when we were willing to count the Rockets out, they flexed their muscles and exhibited their incredible resiliency. Last night's win at the Warriors, a crushing game for this Warriors fan, showed the grit that defines Rick Adelman's team. Trailing by 10 in the final minutes of regulation, Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola willed their team to a comeback win. The injuries may eventually bury the Rockets, but if their season somehow derails, it will not be because of lack of effort.

---LeBron James says that the odds of him participating in this year's Slam Dunk contest at All-Star weekend in Dallas are 50-50. Here's hoping that King James brings his incredible athleticism to the dunk spectacle.

---Allen Iverson was teary-eyed in his press conference the other day, expressing gratitude to the Sixers organization for bringing him back. I don't deny the fact that Iverson's emotions were genuine, but I wouldn't be surprised if in three months, A.I. once again returns to his unhappy, whiny ways.

---Regardless of my feelings for A.I., one thing is clear: He is a first-ballot Hall-of Famer. There is no question about that.

---All is not well in Portland. The Blazers have looked lethargic in three straight losses to the Grizzlies, Jazz, and Heat. One of the problems in Portland right now is the point guard dilemma between Andre Miller and Steve Blake. For my money, Miller is the much better player and a much better fit in Nate McMillan's system. But for some reasons beyond my comprehension, the Blazers are fond of Blake. This uncertainty at the point guard position will cause immense friction and could possibly wreck the Blazers' hopes of making a run in the playoffs. It's time for McMillan and GM Kevin Pritchard to make a decision.

---TNT unveiled the nominees for best playoff dunk of the decade last night. With all due respect to LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Shaquille O'Neal, the playoff dunk of the decade came from Baron Davis. B.D's emphatic slam over a helpless Andrei Kirilenko in Game 3 of the Warriors-Jazz series in 2007 was one for the ages. As a diehard Warriors fan, Davis' dunk remains one of my all-time favorite sports moments.

---And finally, if you are looking for some basketball literature this Christmas, you can't go wrong with Bill Simmons' "The Book of Basketball" or Jackie MacMullan's "When the Game was Ours", which chronicles the dominance of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Simmons and MacMullan are two of the most brilliant NBA voices of all-time, and I can't wait to read both books.

Memo to Parnevik: Shut the Hell Up

The dominant headline in sports remains the Tiger Woods saga, which reached a fever pitch yesterday as Tiger Woods issued an apology for his "transgressions", an apology that seemed to confirm the rumors that Tiger was having an extramarital affair. Tiger then proceeded to lecture the watchdog media, chastising the part of American culture that pervades the privacy of celebrity life. He made some undeniably valid points about privacy, points with which I wholeheartedly agree. Whether or not Tiger had an affair is none of our business. However, Tiger's apology statement came across as more of a free swing at the press than a sincere apology. The apology seemed to lack complete candor. Thus, from a PR perspective, Tiger continues to handle the situation poorly.

But that is beside the point. Tiger deserves credit for at least coming forward and admitting his "transgressions", and we should all now move on. The real sin in this whole mess was not committed by Tiger Woods, but by Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik. Parnevik was the man who introduced Woods to his wife Elin, who was Jesper's former nanny. When asked about the Tiger situation yesterday, Parnevik unleashed a vicious diatribe against Woods, apologizing to Elin and saying that he thought he had introduced her to a "better man". Parnevik also tried to inject humor into this verbal attack, saying that he hopes Elin "uses a driver next time instead of a three wood". Parnevik came across as a thoroughly classless, ignorant moron. His assertion that he thought Tiger was a "better man" is especially condescending. Unless Parnevik is a model of saintly perfection, he should just shut up. Tiger made a mistake, a mistake that should be dealt with behind closed doors. Parnevik is an idiot for taking an unwarranted swing at Tiger's character. As for the joke about Elin using a driver instead of a three-wood, lets just say if that dreadfully unfunny joke is the best that Parnevik can come up with, he has no chance at starting a career in comedy.

I have had enough of this Tiger Woods story. Has he handled the situation poorly? Yes, but it is time to forgive and forget. What goes on behind closed doors is none of our business. That is something that Jesper Parnevik needs to realize.

The Lovable Lunacy of Ron Artest, and Brees for MVP

Ron Artest is one crazy dude. In a recent interview with Sporting News magazine, the Los Angeles Lakers forward admitted that he used to get drunk at halftime when he was an up-and-coming player with the Chicago Bulls. Artest's beverage of choice? Hennessy, a form of cognac. Artest revealed this information with glee, showing no remorse whatsoever. Also in that same interview, Artest had harsh words for veteran NBA referee Joey Crawford, and said he is "always in the mood" to fight Ben Wallace, whom he clashed with in the infamous 2005 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills. For the Ron Artest haters, of which there are many, the Sporting News interview will simply add more fuel for their disdain toward Artest. I, however, remain a huge fan of Artest, consistently shocked and dazzled by his lovably insane behavior.

Now before people denounce me as irresponsible, let me say that I don't condone drinking at halftime. Nor do I support Artest's wild antics on that memorable night in Detroit, when he charged into the stands ready to pick a fight. However, Artest is one of the most refreshingly honest athletes in all of sports. In an era where most high-profile professional athletes are so concerned with their image, Artest's candor is a thing of beauty. As for his overall wackiness, I love every moment of it. I loved it when he played with reckless abandon as a member of the Houston Rockets in the playoffs against his current team, the Lakers, while wearing that outrageous haircut with the Rockets logo carved into his head. I loved it when he said that the greatest player he's ever seen is not Jordan, Bird, Johnson, or Russell, but some guy whom he used to play with in the hood. And I loved it when Artest recently showed up on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" wearing nothing but his boxers. This stuff is priceless. Sure, he may have lost his cool during the Palace brawl, but Artest means no harm with his wild antics. He is simply having fun.

Speaking on strictly basketball terms, Ron Artest is also worth admiring. He is one of the fiercest competitors the league has ever seen, a spectacular defender and a legitimate offensive threat. As a Warriors fan and Laker hater, I hate the fact that one of my favorite players is suiting up for my least favorite team because I know the quality of player that he is. As a member of the Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets, and Lakers, Artest has played hard on every possession, a perfect example of how the game of basketball should be played.

So is Artest crazy? Oh absolutely yes, and I hope he always stays true to his wonderful craziness.

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There is a heated race for MVP in the National Football League between three star quarterbacks: The Saints' Drew Brees, the Colts' Peyton Manning, and the Vikings' Brett Favre. All three candidates are deserving of MVP consideration. Brees and Manning have guided their respective teams to an undefeated season, and while loyal readers know my feelings for Brett Favre the person, there is no denying the success this season of Brett Favre the quarterback. But if I had a vote, I would cast my MVP ballot for Drew Brees.

With Monday night's thorough beating of the New England Patriots, Brees destroyed the notion that the Saints are overrated. At 11-0, New Orleans has the best offense of any team I have ever seen, thanks to the masterful leadership and performance of Brees. Brees often gets lost in the shadow of Manning, Brady, and Roethlisberger, but he is playing at the highest level of any quarterback right now. On any given Sunday, the Saints are a threat to score well over 40 points, and Brees is always capable of throwing for 370 yards. With all due respect to the other aforementioned candidates, it would be a mistake if Drew Brees isn't honored with the MVP award.

Tiger, Roethlisberger, Frank, and 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:


---It wasn't a very happy Thanksgiving for the world's most famous, most dominant athlete, Tiger Woods. Woods is now at the center of an intense media storm after he mysteriously crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree while pulling out of his driveway at 2:30 in the morning. Alcohol was not a factor, which raises the question: How the hell could Tiger crash into a fire hydrant and tree when he was just pulling out of his driveway? Also, where was he going at such a bizarre hour?


---This incident has led to the swirling of several rumors. Rumor has it that the car crash came immediately after a heated altercation with Tiger and his wife Ellin, who was confronting Tiger about a possible affair. Now this rumor could very well be entirely false. Tiger could have just made a wholly innocent driving error. However, Tiger has to understand that these rumors will linger until he comes forward and answers questions about the incident. The fact that he refuses to be open about the incident only adds fuel to the fire. His cryptic, vague statement following the incident only made him look more suspicious.


---Still, I am reserving judgment until the facts are revealed. Right now all we know is this: One of the world's most intensely private athletes has put his private life in the center of the public eye.


---On to the NFL now, where there is division in the Steelers locker room in the aftermath of a tough overtime loss in Baltimore, the third consecutive defeat for Pittsburgh. Many high-profile Steelers players, including wide receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, have voiced disappointment over the lack of communication regarding Ben Roethlisberger's injury. Hines Ward's comments were especially odd, as he inferred that Roethlisberger was to blame for missing the game. Uh, earth to Hines: Ben Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champ and a fearless competitor. Nobody felt worse about missing a crucial division game than Big Ben himself.

---Mike Tomlin is an outstanding coach, but he has his work cut out for him now. The defending Super Bowl champs are riding a three-game losing streak, and a playoff birth is no longer a certainty. Making matters worse, there is now some tension in the locker room. I trust that Tomlin will steer this ship back in the right direction, but it will not be easy.

---Peyton Manning once again rallied the Colts back from a seventeen-point deficit yesterday at Houston to keep Indy undefeated. It's almost as if the Colts are toying with their opponents, spotting them seventeen points only to charge back in the second half to grab a stunning victory.

---How can you not like Vince Young? The guy has so many critics, but I am his biggest fan. Vince Young displayed yesterday the same incredible athleticism and poise that he has consistently displayed this season, orchestrating an incredible game-winning drive in the final seconds to stun the Cardinals.

---Thanks to Young and star running back Chris Johnson, the Titans continue their remarkable run. After an 0-6 start, Jeff Fisher's team has won five straight, and you heard it here first: This team will make the playoffs.

---A 20-3 thrashing of the visiting Jaguars, paired with an Arizona loss, keeps playoff hopes alive for my Niners. Yesterday's win was especially sweet because of the terrific performance out of Alex Smith, who finally put four good quarters together.

---December has arrived, which means the Dallas Cowboys are bound to collapse.

---On to the NBA (a.k.a the best sport) now, where Lawrence Frank was relieved of his duties as captain of theTitanic, also known as coach of the New Jersey Nets. With Sunday's blowout loss to the seemingly unstoppable Lakers, the Nets are now 0-17, tying the NBA record for most consecutive losses to start a season. This historically bad start was by no means all Lawrence Frank's fault, as everybody-----from Devin Harris to Chris Douglas-Roberts to the Nets waterboy-----deserves blame. But when a team starts 0-17, a change has got to be made, and Frank deserved to be fired.

---Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe will take over as coach. He will receive guidance and counseling from FEMA.

---What a terrible loss last night for the Denver Nuggets. Two days after barely surviving against the Knicks, George Karl's team fell at home to the awful Minnesota Timberwolves. After the Denver loss, President Obama declared a state of emergency in Colorado.

---The crazy Allen Iverson saga continues. A.I. announced his retirement last week, but every knowledgeable basketball fan knew that it would be the shortest retirement in the history of sports. Now the Philadelphia 76ers have expressed interest in bringing the Answer back to the place where he launched his Hall of Fame career. Big mistake for Philly. I understand the nostalgic temptation in re-signing one of the best players in Sixers history, but the Sixers have to realize that A.I. would only turn the struggling Sixers into a total sideshow.

---The nominees for the 2010 class of the Basketball Hall of Fame were announced today, headlined by Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Don Nelson, Bernard King, Chris Mullin, Dennis Johnson, Tex Winter, Dick Bavetta, Rudy Tomjanovich, Al Attles, Muggsy Bogues, and Ralph Sampson. Karl "The Mailman" Malone and Scottie Pippen are absolute locks. As for the rest of the nominees, I am of course biased toward Nelson and Mullin. But let me make a case for Muggsy Bogues. Bogues' numbers may not jump off the page, but like Spud Webb, Bogues had a significant impact on the game of basketball, proving to the sports world that little guys can indeed thrive in the NBA.

---Charlie Weis has been fired from his job as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who fell to 6-6 after losing at Stanford on Saturday thanks to another brilliant rushing performance from Stanford's Toby Gerhart. Weis' firing comes as a big surprise. In other shocking news, the sun set.

---What a depressing year for the USC Trojans and the Oklahoma Sooners. Two teams with national championship aspirations at the start of the season could very well face each other in the granddaddy of them all, the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

---And finally, today marked the end of a spectacular coaching career, as Bobby Bowden retired. The longtime coach of the Florida State Seminoles will go down as one of the greatest, most personable coaches in college football history.

NBA Power Rankings

Alright hoops fans, gather round the computer. It is time for another edition of my NBA Power Rankings.



1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-3)/Previous Rank: 2



I can't stand the Lakers, but I'm not stupid. The defending champs have looked frighteningly good in recent weeks. Now that Pau Gasol is back, Phil Jackson's team is without a weakness. Kobe continues to do his thing, and Ron Artest has finally established himself as a key contributor in Phil Jackson's triangle offense.



2. Orlando Magic (12-4)/PR: 9



That's a big jump for Stan Van Gundy's team, who have come up with two impressive road victories at the Celtics and Hawks. A home loss to the Heat notwithstanding, the Magic are playing the best basketball of any Eastern Conference team right now. The outstanding play of veteran Anthony Johnson in the win over Atlanta is a good sign for a team that is once again without Jameer Nelson.



3. Phoenix Suns (13-3)/PR: 3



After a one-year hiatus, the Suns have returned to their tremendously exciting brand of fast-paced basketball. Steve Nash belongs in the early MVP discussion, and he isn't the only player who has been rejuvenated this season. Amare Stoudamire and Grant Hill also look more healthy and motivated than they have in years. It remains to be seen if the Suns will be able to finally achieve success in the playoffs with this run-and-gun style. But for now, let's just sit back and enjoy the show.



4. Atlanta Hawks (12-4)/PR: 5



That was a putrid second-half performance by the Hawks on Thanksgiving night against Orlando, but I still believe that this is one of the league's best teams. No team has had a louder statement win than the Hawks had last Friday night in Boston. I continue to be amazed by the offensive efficiency of Jamal Crawford, who continues to make me pine for the days when he was a Golden State Warrior.

5. Denver Nuggets (12-4)/PR: 6

As long as Carmelo Anthony continues to play insanely good basketball, the Nuggets will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Melo put up 50 points in yesterday's win over the Knicks. The one cause for concern? Despite Melo's brilliant 50-point performance, the Nuggets had to scratch and claw their way to victory at home against the lowly Knicks.

6. Dallas Mavericks (12-4)/PR: 7

Rick Carlisle's team suffered a tough home loss to the Warriors last week, but rebounded nicely with consecutive road thrashings of Houston and Indiana. And while all of the MVP talk is centered around LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, and D-Wade, Dirk Nowitzki continues to make a strong case that he belongs in the conversation.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (12-6)/PR: 10

The Blazers had a horrendous home loss to the Grizzlies last night at the Rose Garden, but prior to last night's debacle they had been playing terrific basketball. The Brandon Roy-Rudy Fernandez duo has been thriving, and Greg Oden continues to play very well. That's surely a sign of the apocalypse.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-5)/PR: 4

I love the Big Diesel, but let's face the facts. Without Shaq, the Cavs played beautifully, and their offense moved in a more free-flowing fashion. When Shaq returned from injury last night in Charlotte, the Cavs looked thoroughly flustered on the offensive end, as LeBron and company made awkward attempts to involve Shaq. The result was an embarrassing loss to the Bobcats. LeBron James continues to show why he is the best player on the planet, and J.J. Hickson has been a nice surprise off the bench. But 16 games into the season, the Shaquille O'Neal experiment has not worked out as planned.

9. Boston Celtics (12-4)/PR: 1

An eight-point drop for the Celtics? Look, I still think Boston has a great shot at winning the championship, but they have to be penalized for their lazy play as of late. The Celtics were beaten soundly at home against the Hawks and Magic, struggled in an eventual home win against the Sixers, and needed overtime to defeat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The C's have won three straight, but for a team as good as Boston, style points count. Things are looking up for Doc Rivers' team, however, thanks to an impressive second half performance against Toronto last night, a game that featured a spectacular dunk by Paul Pierce over Chris Bosh, a dunk that wins the title of posterization of the year so far.

10. Miami Heat (9-6)/PR: 8

This Heat team is a total enigma to me. Erik Spoelstra's team showed tremendous grit and spirit in a road win at Orlando on Wednesday, only to look lethargic in a home loss to the Wizards last night. Thus, I remain unconvinced that Miami is a legitimate contender in the East. Jermaine O'Neal has had some nice games recently, but for the most part the great Dwayne Wade remains stranded without much help.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-7)/PR: 18

I love watching this team play. We all know about the outstanding young trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook, but the Thunder have another superb young player in James Harden. The rookie from Arizona State is having a terrific season, and Scott Brooks' team looks like they have what it takes to make the playoffs. Last week's road win at Utah, one of the toughest places to play in the NBA, was particularly impressive.

12. San Antonio Spurs (8-6)/PR: 12

That's four straight wins for the Spurs. Does this mean that they have finally become the championship-caliber team that we all expect them to be? Perhaps. I still need to see more before I say that the Spurs have arrived, but I don't think Spurs fans should be too worried. By January, San Antonio should be firmly back on the championship path.

13. Utah Jazz (8-7)/PR: 21

On Thanksgiving night against the Bulls, the Jazz demonstrated why they are still an immensely dangerous team. When Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and company are firing on all cylinders, they are awfully tough to beat.

14. Milwaukee Bucks (8-6)/PR: 13

Rookie sensation Brandon Jennings has cooled off recently, but he is simply experiencing some growing pains. Jennings will be just fine. The bigger worry for Scott Skiles' team is the play of Michael Redd, who has been plagued with injuries this season. Redd looks completely out of sync on the court. Once an elite player in this league, Redd is no longer a factor on the Bucks.

15. Houston Rockets (8-8)/PR: 11

The fairy tale may be coming to an end for the injury-depleted Rockets. After all, it was only a matter of time before this team started to feel the effects of being without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest. Still, it's foolish to count a Rick Adelman-coached team out. This team still may have some more gas left in the tank.

16. Sacramento Kings (7-8)/PR: 16

When the Kings lost Kevin Martin to injury,I declared them officially dead. I couldn't have been more wrong. Tyreke Evans is playing beautiful basketball in his rookie year, as is Donte Greene, the supremely athletic second-year player out of Syracuse. It's too early to start thinking about playoffs for the Kings, but Paul Westphal's team deserves a great deal of credit for their surprising start to the season.

17. Toronto Raptors (7-10)/PR: 14

Jay Triano's team is slowly sliding down the path toward irrelevance. They have talent (Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani), but lack chemistry. You might as well start the Chris Bosh free agency countdown.

18. Indiana Pacers (6-8)/PR: 20

Danny Granger is a star, and Dahntay Jones continues to surprise me with his productive play on both ends of the floor. However, I'd like to see Jim O'Brien give Tyler Hansbrough more playing time. Hansbrough is considered by many to be a laughingstock in the NBA, but I haven't given up on him just yet. He has more talent than people realize, and he plays with a tenacity that might translate to success in the pros. The Pacers aren't going anywhere, so they have nothing to lose by playing Hansbrough more minutes.

19. New Orleans Hornets (7-9)/PR: 22

The Hornets have stayed above water in the absence of Chris Paul thanks to the inspired play of Darren Collison. The rookie out of UCLA has done a nice job filling in for CP3. However, I expect New Orleans to eventually fade from relevance this season. There is simply too much dysfunction.

20. Chicago Bulls (6-8)/PR: 17

The long circus road trip has been a total disaster for the Bulls, who have looked especially lifeless in losses to the Lakers and Jazz. Making matters worse, Derrick Rose has yet to blossom into the dominant star that we all expect him to be. Right now, there isn't much to be happy about in Chicago.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (6-9)/PR: 24

The Bobcats have finally started to show some progress on offense, thanks in large part to the spectacular play of Gerald Wallace. Wallace led the Bobcats to a stunning, dominating win over the Cavaliers last night. In an otherwise dismal season, Gerald Wallace provides a glimmer of hope for a struggling franchise.

22. Washington Wizards (5-9)/PR: 25

The return of Antawn Jamison and the addition of Earl Boykins have rejuvenated Flip Saunders' team, who just convincingly defeated the Heat in Miami. However, the loss of Mike Miller to injury is a big blow for the Wizards. Miller was playing great basketball before he suffered a strained calf injury.

23. Golden State Warriors (5-9)/PR: 26

My beloved Warriors showed signs of progress this past week. With assistant coach Keth Smart at the helm, the Warriors beat the Mavs in Dallas and hung with the Spurs for three quarters in San Antonio. Monta Ellis has been amazing, and the return of Ronny Turiaf from injury should give the W's some much-needed energy.

24. Los Angeles Clippers (7-10)/PR: 23

7-10 isn't awful, but let's get real here: Does anybody expect the Clips to be competitive this season. At this point I think we would all understand if Blake Griffin decides to stay injured.

25. Philadelphia 76ers (5-11)/PR: 15

With talented guys like Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, and Thaddeus Young, the Sixers should be better than 5-11. They have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season.

26. Detroit Pistons (5-11)/PR: 19

With all of the Allen Iverson talk this past week, Joe Dumars had to be reminded of that ill-advised Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups trade last year. If Dumars could take a mulligan, and if Detroit still had Billups, they would be in much greater shape than they are now.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (6-10)/PR: 29

Now that Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo have been given larger roles in the absence of Iverson, the Grizzlies have been improving. I'm most fascinated to see the development of Hashhem Thabeet. The jury is still out on how Thabeet will fare in the NBA.

28. New York Knicks (3-13)/PR: 28

Mike D'Antoni's team put up strong efforts against the Celtics and Nuggets, but let's face it: This is one seriously bad basketball team. The good news? At least they beat the Nets.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-15)/PR: 27

All of the focus has been on the futility of the Nets, but the T'Wolves have been just as bad, losing fourteen straight games. I feel horrible for first-year head coach Kurt Rambis. After spending years as an assistant to Phil Jackson, losing on such a consistent basis has to be mightily difficult for Rambis.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-16)/PR: 30

Wow. That's all that needs to be said.

The Nellie Dilemma, and a Tired Thanksgiving Tradition

In today's San Francisco Chronicle, the great Bruce Jenkins wrote a superb column urging the Golden State Warriors to replace Don Nelson with current assistant coach Keith Smart. This comes after the Warriors stunned the Mavericks in Dallas last night with only six players under the guidance of Smart, who is assuming head coaching duties on the two-game road swing through Texas as Don Nelson recovers from pneumonia. In last night's 111-103 victory, the shorthanded Warriors looked about as rejuvenated and energetic as they have looked in quite some time, even conjuring memories of the "We Believe" team in 2007 that upset the Mavs in the playoffs. Monta Ellis was brilliant, and Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph both had their most complete games of the season. Even Vladimir Radmonovic was a key contributor. Simply put, it was the most satisfying win of the year.



As great as the win was, however, it puts the Warriors in a difficult position. I completely agree with Jenkins-----it is time to reward Keith Smart with the head coaching position. Nellie has looked tired all season. He doesn't appear to be motivated, and he has lost the respect and admiration of his players, as evidenced by a recent quarrel with Monta Ellis. Keith Smart, meanwhile, has the potential to be an excellent head coach in the NBA. He has been learning under the tutelage of Nelson for many years now, and the time has come for him to take that next step. However, the W's do not want to simply shove Don Nelson out the door. Nellie has done so many wonderful things for the franchise that Golden State owes him a respectful exit. Making matters worse, Nellie now has pneumonia. With the holidays approaching, wouldn't it seem a little bit cruel to give Nellie the ax as he is horribly sick? The best case scenario would be for Nellie to gracefully resign and turn over coaching duties to Smart. This would be best for the team, and Nellie would be able to exit on his own terms. But due to Nellie's trademark stubbornness, something tells me that such a development is unlikely.



As a diehard Warriors fan, I am ready for Keith Smart to usher in a new era of Warriors basketball. I'm just not sure if we can have that happen without alienating one of our all-time great coaches.



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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means a healthy serving of turkey, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and the Lions and Cowboys. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have become an annual tradition on Turkey Day, and tomorrow will be no different, as the Lions suit up against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers while the Cowboys meet the Raiders. Many people would argue that Thanksgiving just would not be the same without the Lions and Cowboys playing on our television sets. I beg to differ.

I love watching football on Thanksgiving, and I will be watching tomorrow. But this is a tradition that needs to be changed. The NFL has a golden opportunity on Thanksgiving Day to showcase its product, but year after year, we are forced to endure the awfulness of the Lions and the predictability of the Cowboys. Granted, the Giants and Broncos play tomorrow night, and that should be an interesting game. Sadly, though, that game airs on NFL Network, so a significant portion of the country won't be able to watch the game. But during the daytime, when families gather round the television to watch some football, all that we will be able to see is Dante Culpepper throwing incomplete passes to Calvin Johnson, and Tony Romo destroying the lousy Raiders secondary. A football-loving nation deserves better than that.

Musings on the World of Football

Here are my thoughts after a big football weekend:

---The Colts and Saints remain perfect after road victories yesterday over the Ravens and Bucs, respectively. So, which team is better? I say the Colts. For my money, Indy is the best team in the NFL. Peyton Manning may have been a little shaky yesterday, but he is still one of the best QB's ever. The Colts also have a stellar defense, led by Dwight Freeney, to match that prolific offense. The Saints, on the other hand, may not even be the best team in the NFC. New Orleans has looked a little too sluggish against mediocre teams this season, something that may come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

---What a terrible week for the Bengals and Steelers. The two AFC North powers struggled mightily against two AFC West laughingstocks. Cincinnati followed last week's big win at Pittsburgh with an inexplicable loss to the Oakland Raiders, and the Steelers were stunned in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs. Yikes!

---I think the Bengals need not worry. The Steelers, meanwhile, have some cause for concern. Not only did they lose a crucial game to a lesser opponent, but they also lost Ben Roethlisberger in the process. The prognosis of Roethlisberger's injury is unknown, but Mike Tomlin and company better be hoping and praying that it is not serious. Making matters worse, backup QB Charlie Batch is also injured and will be sidelined for the next six weeks. If Roethlisberger can't go on Sunday, third-string QB Dennis Dixon will take the snaps, and that will not bode well for Pittsburgh.

---Huge win for the New York Giants yesterday against the Falcons. The G-Men won for the first time in well over a month, and it was a win that keeps their playoff hopes alive. However, Tom Coughlin has to be slightly worried about the way in which the Giants blew yet another 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. There are simply too many savvy veterans (Eli Manning, Osi Umenyiora, Brandon Jacobs) on this team to continuously allow teams to come back late in games.

---The rookie of the year award is all but locked up by the Vikings' Percy Harvin. Harvin is an electrifying playmaker on offense and special teams, and he is a big reason why the Minnesota Vikings are Super Bowl contenders.

---So you're telling me that these Dallas Cowboys, a team that had one of the ugliest wins in recent memory yesterday against the lowly Washington Redskins, have a shot at going to the Super Bowl? I don't think so.

---Yesterday was a painful day to be a Niners fan. Most importantly, the 49ers lost at Lambeau Field against the Packers, falling to 4-6 and essentially destroying any realistic hopes at making the playoffs. But there was another reason why yesterday's loss was especially hard to swallow, and that was the quarterback battle between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. San Francisco selected Smith with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, passing on Rodgers even though Rodgers was a Bay Area guy who had a terrific collegiate career at Cal. Four years later, Smith is mired in mediocrity, while Rodgers is thriving on a winning team.

---Yesterday's 32-3 shellacking of the floundering Denver Broncos was big for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are the clear favorite to win the AFC West, and I expect them to do some damage in the playoffs. Phillip Rivers may be a whiny diva, but there is no denying that he is a first-rate quarterback. And LaDanian Tomlinson is quietly having a nice season while accepting a lesser role in the Chargers offense. All eyes are on Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and New England in the AFC, but it would be foolish to discount Norv Turner's Chargers.

---On to college football now, where Charlie Weis' job at Notre Dame is very much in jeopardy. I believe Weis has poured his heart and soul into his job as head coach of the Fighting Irish, but I also believe it is time to make a change. Notre Dame is a program rich in football tradition, and Weis' 35-26 record at Notre Dame is undoubtedly disappointing.

---The big names that are likely to surface for the Notre Dame coaching vacancy if Weis does indeed get fired are likely to be Florida's Urban Meyer, Alabama's Nick Saban, and Cincinnati's Brian Kelly. Those are all formidable candidates, but if I were the A.D., I would strongly consider Fresno State's Pat Hill. Hill is a splendid coach with great football instinct, and I don't think he would be at all flummoxed by the high pressure and expectations of Notre Dame football.

---What a great Big Game between Cal and Stanford, as Shane Vereen carried the Golden Bears to victory. As a Cal fan and Bay Area native, I am of coursed biased, but I honestly feel that this is the most underrated rivalry in college football. Cal-Stanford is every bit as intense, every bit as entertaining as Ohio State-Michigan and USC-Notre Dame.

---Oregon and Oregon State will meet one week from Thanksgiving for a Civil War for the ages, a game that will determine who is going to the Rose Bowl. My gut call: Oregon State pulls off the slight upset.

---And finally, the holiday season is a time for joy, so why does the horrible BCS have to come and dampen the mood?

Around the Association

My NBA power rankings are taking a week off, and will return next week. Right now, though, lets go around the association:

---What more do the Atlanta Hawks need to do to be considered an elite team? Last Friday's convincing defeat of the Boston Celtics in Boston served as proof that the Hawks have emerged as a legitimate power in the East. Josh Smith is having far and away the best season of his career, Joe Johnson is proving himself to be one of the most underrated players in the league, and Jamal Crawford continues to dazzle with his scoring ability. And I haven't even mentioned Marvin Williams, Al Horford, Mike Bibby, or Zaza Pechulia, all of whom are key contributors. Mike Woodson's team is the most athletic in the league, and they will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

---That was an ugly loss for LeBron and the Cavs in Washington on Wednesday night. Granted, it came on the back end of a back-to-back, but Cleveland looked disturbingly lifeless in the second half, getting run out of the building by Flip Saunder's Wizards. If the Cavs want to be taken seriously as a championship contender, then they must show more energy and consistency on a nightly basis.

---On the flipside, it was a big win for the struggling Wizards. Gilbert Arenas played well, and Antawn Jamison looked sharp in his first game back from injury. However, the MVP of that game was Earl Boykins. Boykins is proof that small guys can indeed thrive in the NBA. He has so much talent, and he plays with so much heart. To this day, Boykins remains one of my all-time favorite Golden State Warriors. I'm happy to see him thriving in Washington.

---I hate the Lakers, but there is no denying it: They looked scary-good last night against the Bulls. Pau Gasol looked spectacular in his season debut, Kobe Bryant was lights-out, and Ron Artest had perhaps his best game as a member of the Purple and Gold.

---The Spurs, meanwhile, are floundering. I know they always get off to slow starts, and I realize that they have been bombarded with injuries to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. Still, their 4-6 start has been extremely disappointing. I picked Gregg Popovich's team to win the West, but I become less confident in that prediction with each passing game. Get it together, San Antonio!

---The Jazz benefited from the Spurs' woes last night in San Antonio, making history in the process. Last night's victory in San Antonio was the first time in ten years that the Jazz have beaten the Spurs in the Alamo City. The Jazz were buoyed by the superb play of Deron Williams and Paul Millsap, and perhaps last night's win will be the win that will finally get Utah out of its' road funk.

---Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith both gave a fascinating dissection of Bulls G Derrick Rose's game last night on "Inside the NBA". Barkley and Smith noted Rose's obvious talent and athleticism, but they remarked on his below-average shooting skills. If Rose wants to permanently establish himself as an elite point guard in the NBA, he needs to become a better jump-shooter.

---Nice to see J.R. Smith back with the Nuggets. In his return last Friday against the Lakers, a game Denver dominated, Smith showed his outstanding scoring ability, but he also showed his maturation at the defensive end. While Smith should not yet be classified as a lockdown defender, George Karl has to be thrilled with the progress that Smith has made on defense.

---Okay New Jersey Nets, the time is now. If you don't beat the lowly Knicks on Saturday to capture your first win of the season, you may not win a game this season.

---Encouraging win for my Warriors last night. We are severely shorthanded, but we still found a way to dismantle a very good Portland Blazers team. Monta Ellis had his best game of the year, Stephen Curry showed why he deserves more playing time, and Anthony Morrow delivered another lights-out, brilliant shooting performance.

---Coach Doc Rivers has expressed disappointment in the recent play of his Boston Celtics, and I don't blame him. For my money, the C's still remain the favorite in the East, but they suffered their second sluggish home loss in the span of one week last night against the Orlando Magic.

---LeBron James says that he plans on changing his number from 23 to 6 next season as a nod of respect to Michael Jordan. King James says that M.J.'s number 23 should be retired by the NBA out of deference to the greatest player of all-time. This is an admirable, genuine gesture by LeBron, but it is not a good idea. While Michael Jordan is indeed the best player to have ever stepped on the basketball court, he is not the player who had the most culturally significant impact on the game. If David Stern were to retire Jordan's number, he would also have to retire the numbers of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, players who arguably left an even bigger mark on the game of basketball than His Airness.

---There is also something fundamentally misguided about LeBron's idea. If LeBron really wants to honor M.J., shouldn't he play the rest of his career with the number 23? That way he would be honoring Jordan with his greatness on the court. As Larry Bird recently said on "The Dan Patrick Show", he loves to see today's players wearing his number and has no interest in seeing it be retired.

---I was saddened by the news of Kareem Abdul-Jabaar's leukemia diagnosis, but I am also hopeful. Kareem is a champion in all aspects of life, and here's hoping he will be able to overcome this latest battle.

Iverson to the Knicks? L.J. to the Bengals? It's time to play Smart or Dumb.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Smart or Dumb, a game in which I measure the intelligence of several recent sports developments. With no further ado, let's get started.

1. The New York Knicks' rumored pursuit of Allen Iverson: DUMB

Yes, the Knicks are absolutely awful. Yes, they are in dire need of some offense. However, it is dumb of Donnie Walsh to express interest in the petulant Allen Iverson. The fact that A.I. is a Hall-of-Fame-caliber player is beyond dispute. The fact that he is poison to a team's morale and chemistry is also beyond dispute. It took The Answer only one game to whine his way out of Memphis, complaining about how he will never be willing to come off the bench. This came immediately after Iverson left the Detroit Pistons in ruins. Mike D'Antoni's team is already a distracted bunch, thanks in large part to the incessant LeBron James rumors. If the Knicks end up signing Iverson, they will be an even bigger trainwreck than they are now, and Iverson would surely end up voicing his discontent to a hungry New York media.

2. The Bengals signing of controversial running back Larry Johnson: SMART

Larry Johnson, like Iverson, has a tendency to tear a team apart, and he talked his way out of Kansas City. However, unlike Iverson, Johnson seems willing to start anew with Cincinnati. L.J. should finally be happy and motivated playing on a winning team, and the Bengals wisely added more depth at the running back position. Cedric Benson has been stellar for Marvin Lewis' team, but now the Bengals have a player in Larry Johnson who will be able to give Benson some much-needed rest when he needs it.

3. Baseball writers reward Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke with the Cy Young: SMART

Baseball columnists got it right. With all due respect to Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, CC Sabathia, and Justin Verlander, Lincecum and Greinke are deserving champs. As a diehard Giants fan, I am biased when it comes to Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, but I truly believe that he was the best candidate in the National League. With the exception of Pablo Sandoval and Juan Uribe, the Giants had no offense last season, yet Lincecum dominated in the face of such frustrating adversity. He followed up his 2008 Cy Young campaign with an even greater 2009. Greinke, meanwhile, was lights out for the otherwise dismal Kansas City Royals. Because pitchers take the mound only once every five games, Greinke should not be penalized for the Royals' ineptitude. CC Sabathia has A-Rod, Jeter, and Teixeira, Justin Verlander has Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Zack Greinke, on the other hand, has Mark Teahen and not much else, yet he was every bit as dominant as Sabathia and Verlander.

4. Steve Kerr saying he would trade careers with Steve Nash in a heartbeat: DUMB

Has Steve Kerr lost his mind? The Suns GM won three championships with the great Bulls dynasty of the 1990's, and he got to play alongside the greatest player ever in Michael Jordan. Kerr added two more championships as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, where he got to play with Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Kerr is the only player in the last thirty years to have won four consecutive championships, and he is known as one of the most prolific three-point shooters in league history. And he wants to trade places with Nash, a player who has not once won a championship? I love Nash, one of the best point guards ever, but I think Kerr is nuts for wanting to trade away an illustrious career full of championship glory.

5. Jim Harbaugh going for two in the fourth quarter of a blowout win over USC: DUMB

For the record, I am a big fan of Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has brought some much-needed energy and swagger to a long-suffering Stanford football program, and his players are responding with win after win, as Stanford has a shot at reaching the Rose Bowl this season. But he stepped over the line on Saturday against USC, when he went for a two-point conversion as his Cardinal were destroying the Trojans. This was a relatively classless move, and Pete Carroll had every right to be annoyed after the game.

Belichick, Gerhart, Jennings, and 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:


---Right now, Bill Belichick should be hiding inside his ugly gray hoodie. Sorry to be so harsh, but that was an awful call by Belichick to go for it on fourth down in the final minutes of last night's thrilling game between the Patriots and Colts.


---If Belichick were a classy guy, I would be a little less judgmental. But the fact of the matter is that he is a pompous jerk, and I'm happy to see him get bombarded with criticism.


---Still, as bad as that call was, the Colts deserve all the credit in the world for orchestrating yet another incredible comeback. Down by 17 in the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning worked his magic once more, and Reggie Wayne's game-winning touchdown reception is far and away the catch of the year so far.


---When all was said and done, it was another instant classic from the Pats and the Colts.


---In other NFL news, how about those Cincinnati Bengals. With their 18-12 win at Pittsburgh yesterday, Marvin Lewis' team completed a season sweep of the archrival Steelers. The Bengals remain undefeated against the AFC North, and have now established themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.


---The difference between Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco and Bills WR Terrell Owens? Ochocinco's outrageous antics are fun and translate into wins on the football field, while T.O's selfish behavior tears a team apart, as evidenced by his whining on the sideline during yesterday's Buffalo loss to the Titans.


---Rumor has it that President Obama is thinking about bailing out the Jets. After a 3-0 start, Rex Ryan's Jets have fallen back to earth.


---On to the NBA now, where Brandon Jennings continues to amaze. The Bucks rookie guard torched my Warriors for 55 points in Saturday's 129-125 win over Golden State. Jennings fell just three points short of Wilt Chamberlain's rookie record. Jennings is going to run away with the rookie of the year award this season, and his brilliant play may buoy the Bucks into the playoffs.

---Could it get any more heartbreaking for the winless New Jersey Nets? The Nets were a few seconds away from getting their first victory of the year in Miami on Saturday night, only to see Dwayne Wade work some more of his magic with a game-winning buzzer-beater to give the Heat the win. Now, the Nets are 0-10. There is hope, however, in the form of rookie Terrence Williams. Williams is an amazing athlete who holds the keys to New Jersey's future.

---The Pistons have been doing a good job of delaying their inevitable downslide this season thanks to the inspired play of Will Bynum. In a lineup that includes the likes of Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Rodney Stuckey, Bynum does not seem like a likely contributor, but he has carried the Pistons in recent games.

---Big trade today in the NBA, as the Stephen Jackson era has ended in Oakland. As a diehard Warriors fan, I am relieved that we finally shipped Jackson away. He was a great Warrior, but in recent months he became a major distraction with his incessant trade demands. Jackson heads to Charlotte in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmonovic, and I'm thrilled with the Raja Bell acquisition. Bell is a spectacular defender and a solid all-around player who is more than capable of filling the void left by Jackson.

---Stanford in the Rose Bowl? At the start of the college football season that very thought would be utterly preposterous and laughable. Eleven weeks later and Stanford has a chance to play in Pasadena. This is due in large part to star running back Toby Gerhart, who rushed for 178 yards in Saturday's 55-21 thrashing of USC. Gerhart belongs in the Heisman conversation along with Florida QB Tim Tebow and Alabama RB Mark Ingram.

---Was Ohio State's overtime win over Iowa on Saturday impressive? Yes, and it was a win that will likely put the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. However, I still think that Ohio State is an overrated football team. Until Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel leads his team to a big victory over a non-Big Ten opponent, I will remain unconvinced that Ohio State is a legitimate national power in college football.

---College basketball is back and better than ever, and I can already hear the passionate chants of "It's awesome baby!!!" from the great Dick Vitale. My national championship pick? Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans. A year removed from an appearance in the national championship game, the Spartans will build from that experience and go on to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.

NBA Power Rankings

Hoops fans gather round the computer. It's time for the second edition of my NBA Power Rankings:

1. Boston Celtics (Last Week's Rank: 1)/Record: 8-1

Despite a lackluster home performance against the Suns, Boston remains dominant. I don't think this team will live up to 'Sheed's 72-win prediction, but there is no doubt that the Celtics are the best team in the league right now.


2. Los Angeles Lakers (LWR: 5)/Record: 7-1

Yup, that's a big jump for the defending champs. Much to my dismay, the Lakers have picked up their energy in recent weeks, and the fact that they are playing so well without Pau Gasol is scary. Last night's blowout victory over the hot Suns was particularly impressive.


3. Phoenix Suns (LWR: 4)/Record: 8-2

Last night's clunker against the Lakers notwithstanding, the Suns are off to a stellar, thoroughly unexpected start. Steve Nash is completely rejuvenated, and the Suns have a chance to be a top five team in the West this season. Last week's road win over the then-undefeated Boston Celtics showed that the Suns, pardon the overused cliche, have still not set.


4. Cleveland Cavaliers (LWR: 10)/Record: 6-3

That is a huge jump for the Cavs, who are finally starting to flex their championship-caliber muscles. No team made a louder statement this week, as the Cavs convincingly completed the Florida sweep on the road at Orlando and Miami. King James continues to play at a superhuman level, but as evidenced by the strong contributions of Mo Williams and J.J. Hickson in yesterday's win over the Heat, he is finally starting to get some help.


5. Atlanta Hawks (LWR: 6)/Record: 6-2

Last week's 25-point dismantling over the Nuggets served as a statement to the rest of the league: Stop dismissing the Hawks. Everyone agrees that the Hawks are not quite at the level of the Big 3 in the East, but this is a fantastic basketball team with some of the best athletes the league has to offer. The addition of Jamal Crawford off the bench has made the Hawks one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Continue to dismiss them if you like, but Atlanta is for real.


6. Denver Nuggets (LWR: 2)/Record: 6-3

That's a four-point drop in the power rankings for George Karl's Nuggets, who looked sloppy in losses to the Heat, Hawks, and Bucks. After a 5-0 start, the Nuggets are 1-3. Still, Carmelo Anthony continues to establish himself as a serious MVP candidate, and the return of J.R. Smith should help the Nuggets right the ship. They have a chance to make a statement tonight at home against the Lakers in the national television spotlight.


7. Dallas Mavericks (LWR: 8)/Record: 5-3

While this team remains somewhat of a mystery, Tuesday's home blowout over the Rockets showed that they are starting to hit their stride. Their recent success is due to Dirk Nowitzki. I've been hard on Dirk in the past, but he is a man on a mission this season.


8. Miami Heat (LWR: 7)/Record: 6-2

Sorry Heat fans, but I am just not sold on this team. Dwayne Wade is, for my money, the second best player in the world, but he can't lead the Heat to the promise land all by his lonesome. Miami's win over the Nuggets was indeed impressive, but watching the Heat lose to the Cavs last night it became evident that this Miami team is a ways away from competing with the elite teams in the East. Still, they are 6-2, so they retain a top ten slot in my power rankings.


9. Orlando Magic (LWR: 3)/Record: 6-3

Okay, maybe I'm being a little harsh. In fact, I'm definitely being too harsh. Are there eight teams in the NBA better than the Magic? Of course not. When all is said and done, Stan Van Gundy's team will be in the championship hunt. But I just want to prove a point. The Magic are coming off a completely lethargic week. Even in their 83-71 win at Charlotte, a game that marked the return of Vince Carter, the Magic played uninspired basketball. This is one of the league's best teams, but here in TJB's Sports Universe, lethargy is not tolerated.


10. Portland Trail Blazers (LWR: 15)/Record: 6-3

Big jump for the Blazers, who have won five of their last six. Right now, everything is going right for Nate McMillan's bunch. Heck, even Greg Oden is playing well, and that is surely a sign of the apocalypse. Okay I'm sorry, I should be focusing on the superb play of the Blazers, but I just couldn't resist taking a Greg Oden cheap shot.


11. Houston Rockets (LWR: 9)/Record: 5-3

They were blown out by the Mavs, perhaps an indication that reality is starting to set in for the depleted Rockets. But Houston is still giving great effort every night, and their game on Sunday against the Lakers will serve as a telling test. Who would have thought that a Rockets team without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest would get off to a 5-3 start?


12. San Antonio Spurs (LWR: 12)/Record: 4-3

I still believe that this is a championship-level team, and Wednesday's convincing win over the Mavericks will hopefully get these Spurs going. But I'm still not satisfied with the energy of the Spurs. San Antonio is far better than 4-3. Perhaps Manu Ginobli is still suffering the side effects from swiping that bat on Halloween night. In all seriousness, I am still waiting for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and company to hit their stride.


13. Milwaukee Bucks (LWR: 22)/Record: 4-2

That's a nine-point leap in the rankings for the Bucks, who continue to be buoyed by the stellar play of rookie sensation Brandon Jennings. Can Jennings and Michael Redd lead the Bucks to the playoffs? One week ago, I would have said hell no, but a playoff birth in the Eastern Conference is now a fathomable possisbility for Scott Skiles' team.


14. Toronto Raptors (LWR: 17)/Record: 4-4

In wins against the Hornets and Bulls, the Raptors showed signs of progress. Andrea Bargnani is finally starting to live up to the hype, and Jay Triano's team is starting to play inspired basketball. Still, a tough week lies ahead for the Raptors, as they have road games against the Suns, Nuggets, and Jazz.


15. Philadelphia 76ers (LWR: 13)/Record: 4-4

The Sixers have talent, but they aren't looking too golden. Their only two wins in the last week have come against the winless Nets, and rumor has it that the Sixers are looking to trade Samuel Dalembert. The Dalembert talks are likely to cause a major distraction, and I expect the Sixers to fade from relevance in the coming weeks.


16. Sacramento Kings (LWR: 28)/Record: 4-4

A 12-spot leap in the rankings for Sacramento? Absolutely. Last week at this time Paul Westphal's Kings were 1-4, looking very much like the cellar-dwelling bunch we all expected them to be. Three wins later, the Kings are playing fantastic basketball. The fact that they are thriving in the absence of their best player (Kevin Martin) is especially surprising, a testament to the leadership that rookie point guard Tyreke Evans is bringing to the table.


17. Chicago Bulls (LWR: 11)/Record: 4-4

The Bulls' 6-spot drop in the rankings is simply a result of the strong streaks of the competition rather than any sort of collapse on the part of Chicago. Still, Vinny Del Negro's team is reeling from the aftermath of Tuesday's heartbreaking loss to the Nuggets. Brad Miller's incredible shot with four-tenths of a second seemed to be a game-winning buzzer-beater, a shot that would have given the Bulls a nice jolt of momentum. But after further review, it was ruled no good, as the ball was still at the tip of Miller's fingers when the buzzer sounded. The Bulls should be fine, but right now the nasty taste of that loss lingers.


18. Oklahoma City Thunder (LWR: 14)/Record: 4-4

Man, is this team fun to watch. The excitement that the Thunder bring to the table has not and probably will not translate into winning consistency this season, but as I said last week, the young nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green will eventually bring winning basketball to Oklahoma City. It's just a matter of time.


19. Detroit Pistons (LWR: 23)/Record: 4-4

Without the injured Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester's Pistons have won three of their last five games. Ben Gordon is a reliable contributor off the bench, and it was a nice week for Detroit. But it's only a matter of time before this team's lack of chemistry comes back to haunt them. I would be shocked if the Pistons fare well on their upcoming road trip, a trip that includes stops in Los Angeles, Portland, Utah, and Phoenix.


20. Indiana Pacers (LWR: 24)/Record: 3-3

I must give credit where credit is due. I have been a frequent critic of Dahntay Jones, a player whom I believe has always been overrated as a defensive stopper. With this being said, however, Jones has been a surprising offensive contributor for the Pacers thus far. Add that to the continued brilliance of Danny Granger, and the Pacers have rebounded nicley after a rocky beginning.


21. Utah Jazz (LWR: 16)/Record: 3-5

The road incompetence of the Jazz continues. Even in a 95-93 win the Jazz looked bad at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, nearly blowing a twenty-point lead en route to what would have been another embarassing collapse away from home for Jerry Sloan's team. But the performance against the Knicks wasn't nearly as bad as the home loss to the Kings, a game in which the Jazz looked utterly defenseless. If I'm Deron Williams right now, I am not a happy camper.


22. New Orleans Hornets (LWR: 18)/Record: 3-6

As I wrote yesterday, this team's struggles will not be cured by the unfair firing of Byron Scott. The Hornets have major problems that are not likely to be resolved this season. Thus, right now, Chris Paul is in the same boat as Deron Williams. It's unfortunate that the league's two best point guards, and two of the league's best players period, are currently in floundering situations.


23. Los Angeles Clipers (LWR: 26)/Record: 3-6

The Blake Griffin injury has cast a pall over the Clippers 2009 NBA campaign, but there is one positive: the stunning productivity of Chris Kaman. I plead guilty to being a Chris Kaman critic, but their is no denying Kaman's brilliant start to the season. Now if the rest of the Clippers could follow Kaman's lead, maybe they would have something. Maybe.


24. Charlotte Bobcats (LWR: 20)/Record: 3-5

The Bobcats have perhaps one of the worst offenses in NBA history. Four times this year they have scored less than eighty points. Right now, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown has to be wondering how the hell he landed this job.


25. Washington Wizards (LWR: 21)/Record: 2-6

I thought the Wizards were going to be a very good team this year. I thought the return of Gilbert Arenas was going to make the Wizards a top five team in the East. It is still very early, but these Wizards have made all of my predictions look entirely foolish. I know Antawn Jamison is injured, but my goodness, this team looks a lot like the 19-win team from a year ago. Get it together, Washington!


26. Golden State Warriors (LWR: 19)/Record: 2-5

I am a diehard Warriors fan who lives and dies with every dribble, so you can imagine my dismay at the disturbing amount of dysfunction surrouding this team. As if the Stephen Jackson trade rumors weren't enough of a distraction, Monta Ellis and Don Nelson got into a verbal spat yesterday after practice. More fun in Warriorland.


27. Minnesota Timberwolves (LWR: 25)/Record: 1-8

The one bright spot in the Warriors week? Their 41-point shellacking of the T'Wolves. Kurt Rambis' T'Wolves are high on talent, but woefully short on savvy and experience. Expect this team to go through immense growing pains this season.


28. New York Knicks (LWR: 27)/Record: 1-8

Wow. That's all I have to say. I know the idea of playing in New York is incredibly tempting, but you're telling me that LeBron is going to want to play on a team like this? I really do hope the Knicks start playing better. But right now, there is no denying it: This team is god-awful.


29. Memphis Grizzlies (LWR: 29)/Record: 1-8

The Grizzlies are just the latest team to be scarred by the selfish antics of Allen Iverson. In my opinion, Lionel Hollins' team would be better off if A.I. does not return. It's time to let Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo continue to learn the ropes.


30. New Jersey Nets (LWR: 30)/Record: 0-8

Actually, the Nets are playing with inspired effort, as evidenced by their admirable effort against the Celtics last week. But 0-8 is 0-8. Until they win a game, the Nets will reside in last place in these power rankings.