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.