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:

---With all due respect to Glen Davis, are you sure the nickname Big Baby doesn't belong to Shaq?

---Don't get me wrong: I absolutely love the Big Diesel. I love his game, his hilarious antics, and his larger-than-life personality. However, to call his response to Stan Van Gundy's comments an overreaction would be a monstrous understatement. Van Gundy's comments were indeed accurate----O'Neal did flop----but they were also harmless. Yet the Diesel responded as if his former coach issued a death threat. Take a deep breath and relax Shaq, you have bigger things to worry about, like trying to get the struggling Suns into the playoffs.

---Eleven straight W's for the Utah Jazz. My Utah wins the West prediction is looking better by the day.

---King James is the best player in the NBA, but he is disappointingly mediocre at the free throw line, as evidenced by his lousy performance at the stripe during the Cavs recent loss at Boston. James' game is otherwise spectacular, but he needs to improve at the line, or teams are just going to start hacking him as he drives into the lane.

---Here come the Rockets. They are once again without Tracy McGrady, but a Ron Artest-Yao Ming duo might be able to carry the Rockets past the first round. For a franchise that has been doomed in the first round in recent years, that's saying something.

---March Madness is around the corner, and championship week is underway in college basketball. You gotta love championship week. For mid-majors like Chattanooga, Niagara, and Siena, this is their moment in the spotlight.

---It's also a big week for two power-conference schools, Florida and Providence. Billy Donovan's Gators need a win in the SEC tourney if they are to secure a place in the Big Dance. Same goes for Providence. Keno Davis' Friars may have beaten Pittsburgh, but they need to play well this week at Madison Square Garden to get an NCAA invite.

---While the sports world continues to vigorously debate the NBA potential of Tyler Hansbrough, why don't we take a step back and recognize his remarkable accomplishments at the college level. Whether or not the North Carolina star thrives in the NBA is yet to be seen, but Hansbrough has already solidified his place as one of the greatest collegiate athletes of all-time.

---Attention to all who continue to drink the Dodger Kool-Aid. The San Francisco Giants have the best pitching staff in baseball, and we lead all teams this Spring Training in home runs. Just something to think about. Go Giants!

---Judging by Team USA's dominant dismantling of Team Venezuela on Sunday night, Davey Johnson's club looks poised to win the World Baseball Classic. With a game that has become increasingly international, an American victory in the WBC would be especially impressive.

---A-Rod is having hip surgery, and he will be out 6-9 weeks. When asked what caused the hip injury, A-Rod responded, "Well, I knew we weren't having tic-tacs."

---Terrell Owens is a Buffalo Bill. The Bills have magnificent fans, but something tells me that playing for the Bills was not atop T.O's priority list.

---Nonetheless, this is a risk-free move that will likely benefit the Bills. Say what you want about T.O's nauseating selfishness, but the guy can still play, and he makes the Bills relevant in the AFC East.

---I'll leave with a question. What is the over/under on the number of times Dicky V shouts "Yeah, baby!" during March Madness. I'll set the over/under at 397.