Around the Association

Don't worry football fans, TJB's Sports Universe will have round-the-clock Super Bowl coverage all next week. But now, its' time to travel around the National Basketball Association:



---What a spectacular showdown between two of the game's greats last night in Miami. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade delivered a thrilling game of anything you can do I can do better, as King James' Cavs ultimately prevailed.

---As LeBron showed last night and in the win against Kobe and the Lakers last Thursday, he is the best basketball player on the planet. James has even improved at the free throw line. Once his Achilles Heel, LeBron now is a confident shooter at the charity stripe, draining two clutch free throws in the final seconds of last night's win over the Heat.

---The Chris Bosh-Andrew Bynum trade rumors are gaining steam. Now it goes without saying that Chris Bosh is far superior to Bynum. But ironically enough, I don't like this trade for the Lakers. Bosh may be the better player, but Bynum is the better fit in Phil Jackson's system. Should Bosh arrive in Los Angeles, you would see an ego clash between Bosh and Pau Gasol at the forward position.

---This proposed trade makes perfect sense for the Raptors, however. Giving up Bosh is going to be tough, but his exit from Toronto has always been inevitable. For the rebuilding Raptors, adding the long-term potential of Bynum would be a wise move.

---Tremendous point made by the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Bruce Jenkins, who argued in a recent column that the banning of card games on team flights is a gross overreaction. In the wake of the Gilbert Arenas gun fiasco in Washington, many teams are banning card games on their flights. As Jenkins brilliantly and eloquently stated in his column, such a decision could derail team chemistry. Activities such as card games build camaraderie within a team. It is not smart to take that away.

---I'm all for letting the fans have a say in the All-Star voting process, but the millions of fans who elected Allen Iverson a starter in the Eastern Conference ought to have their heads examined.

---The All-Star reserves are announced on Thursday, and I have a couple of demands: 1)Jamal Crawford must make the All-Star team in the East for his exemplary performance this season with the Hawks, and 2)Aaron Brooks must make the All-Star team in the West for his exemplary performance this season with the Rockets. There are other immensely deserving candidates in both conferences, namely Gerald Wallace, David Lee, Monta Ellis, Zach Randolph, Chris Kaman, and Carl Landry, but Crawford and Brooks are the two players that deserve it most.

---Here's an interesting question: If the Warriors and Blazers suited up to play each other tonight, would there be enough healthy bodies to finish the game? Both Golden State and Portland have been plagued with injuries this season, as crucial players such as Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, Greg Oden, Ronny Turiaf, and Kelenna Azubuike have all missed extended amounts of time.

---I have been resisting this notion all season long, but I now believe it to be true: The 2010 New Jersey Nets are the worst team in NBA history. The Nets' historically bad season was best exemplified by Keyon Dooling's unintentionally hilarious interview following New Jersey's blowout road loss to the Jazz last week. When asked if this was one of the toughest road trips he has ever had to endure as a pro, Dooling shot back: "Man, this is the worst road trip of my life!"

---And finally, if you are an NBA GM and are looking to take a lightning fast point guard in this year's draft, I suggest you take a look at Wake Forest's Ish Smith. Watching last week's Wake Forest-North Carolina game, I was startled by Smith's electrifying speed and athleticism. Very Ty Lawson-esque.

(1/27/2010: After writing this appreciation on Ish Smith, I realized I had omitted another outstanding college basketball point guard: South Carolina's Devan Downey. Downey is an incredible talent with star potential in the NBA, potential that he flashed in South Carolina's stunning upset over top-ranked Kentucky.)

Random observations: Conference Championship Edition

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

---And then there were four. The Saints, Vikings, Colts, and Jets are all just one win away from a trip to South Beach for the Super Bowl. Rather than offering my predictions, I'll simply reveal my allegiances. Go Jets! Go Saints!

---The most fascinating matchup in the NFC Championship Game is at the quarterback position. Drew Brees always seems to get lost in the shuffle in the discussion of who's the best QB in football, and that's a shame. Brees truly is an elite QB whose place in Canton has already been secured. As for Brett Favre, well, I can't stand the guy, but there is no denying the fact that he is playing superb football right now.

---Still, when I watch Favre, I get the same feeling as when I watch Jay Leno. Just go away!

---Remember when the New York sports world was calling for the heads of Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan? Yes, sports fans always have been and always will be prisoners of the moment.

---As much as I want the Jets to win---and I think they have a real shot---it's foolish to point to the Jets' week 16 win at Indy as any kind of legitimate harbinger of things to come. Of course, that was the game in which Colts coach Jim Caldwell stirred controversy by pulling his starters in the second half, a move that helped New York claim the victory. This time around, I think it's safe to assume that we won't be seeing Matt Painter behind center for Indianapolis.

---The San Diego Chargers will probably be on the golf course all day Sunday, because watching these two conference championship games would just be too painful for the Bolts. Sadly, a shockingly early playoff exit has become an all-too-familiar sign for Chargers fans.

---Memo to FOX: Get rid of that annoying, self-conscious, completely unnecessary robot thing that you stupidly put on the screen every time you come back from commercial. I'm here to watch football, not some asinine technical gimmick.

---If the Minnesota Vikings somehow jump out to a huge lead over New Orleans on Sunday, we can surely count on Vikings coach Brad Childress to run up the score. That's the kind of guy he is.

---I'll leave you with one intriguing question: What will Peyton Manning have more of on Sunday, touchdowns or commercials?

An Appreciation of Rex Ryan, and the LeBron Slam Dunk Letdown

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is loud, cocky, and outspoken. He speaks with undeniable swagger when talking about his football team, often bragging about how the Jets should be favored in every game they play. These are the qualities of an obnoxious, abrasive jerk, right? Wrong. As the New York Jets prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, Rex Ryan is the best coach left in the NFL playoffs. That's right, even better than Sean Payton, even better than Jim Caldwell, and far better than Brad Childless, who pulled a classless move by running up the score in Minnesota's sound thumping of the Cowboys. Rex Ryan is the most entertaining coaching figure in football, hands down. While his cockiness may be offensive to opposing teams, there is no doubt that it has won the universal respect and admiration of his players. The Jets are a hell of a fun team to watch. Whether it be Mark Sanchez throwing touchdown passes to Braylon Edwards, or Darrelle Revis finishing off a pick-6, the Jets are never boring. This is due in large part to the leadership of Coach Ryan. In an era in which coaches speak in muted, generic tones (I'm talking to you Mr. Belichick!), Rex Ryan's candid nature is refreshing.

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The participants in the 2010 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest were announced yesterday, and one notable omission has basketball fans seething in disappointment. LeBron James has long vowed that he would participate in the dunk extravaganza, but in recent months he seemed to be changing his tune, a metamorphosis that was confirmed when it was announced yesterday that King James would not be a part of the dunk contest. LeBron's reasoning is understandable and predictable; he doesn't want to risk injury and jeopardize the Cavs' chances of winning a championship. After all, this is the same excuse that Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez gave when declining an invitation to partake in the Home Run Derby. Frankly, I think it's hogwash.

I love LeBron, but he should have realized what his participation in the dunk contest would have meant. King James electrifying the crowd with a 360-tomahawk slam would have been great for the NBA. Now, it lacks a certain luster. As a diehard hoops fan, I will gladly watch when Shannon Brown, Nate Robinson, and Gerald Wallace show off their aerial skills. For the sake of the league, though, the absence of the game's best player is a disheartening blow.

Around the Association

Alright hoops fans, gather round the computer. It's time to go around the Association:

---The start of Blake Griffin's NBA career has been eerily Oden-esque. The Clippers had hoped for months that their number one draft pick would make a full recovery, but Griffin will have season-ending surgery on his left knee cap. Thus, Blake's rookie season has ended without him even stepping on the court during an NBA game. So sad.

---It was a terrible week for the Los Angeles Clippers. In addition to the Blake Griffin news, the Clips were forced to evacuate FedEx Forum in Memphis as the fire alarm went off in the third quarter of Tuesday's Clippers-Grizzlies game. It made for one of the most bizarre scenes in recent sports history.

---There were a couple of breathtaking buzzer-beaters this week in the NBA. On Thursday night in Salt Lake City, Jazz rookie Sundiata Gaines stunned LeBron and the Cavs with a game-winning three as time expired. On Friday night, Hawks' guard Jamal Crawford drained a deep, buzzer-beating three to shock Steve Nash and the Suns.

---The Gaines game-winner may be the moment of the year so far in the NBA. Two weeks ago, Sundiata Gaines was toiling away in the obscurity of the D-League. Gaines entered Thursday's game on the back-end of a 10-day contract with the Jazz, with only one practice under his belt. He received playing time from Jerry Sloan only because Deron Williams was injured. Gaines made the most of his opportunity, taking over in the fourth quarter and becoming the hero for Utah. Call it a hunch, but something tells me Sundiata Gaines is here to stay in the NBA.

---Jamal Crawford, meanwhile, is the most underrated player in the NBA. The most underrated argument is a tricky one, as you could easily make a case for Brandon Roy, Monta Ellis, Tony Parker, Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, David Lee, Joe Johnson, and Chris Kaman, to name a few deserving candidates. But for my money, no player gets overlooked more than Jamal Crawford, one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league. Crawford has a Kobe-like ability to to go on an offensive tear in crunch time, and he is a major reason why the Atlanta Hawks should be taken seriously as title contenders.

---What the heck has happened to the Orlando Magic? Yes, Orlando is a very good team that has the capability to make a deep run into the playoffs. But the defending Eastern Conference champs have looked awfully sluggish this season, a trait that was painfully evident in last night's blowout loss to Portland. Two players deserve the brunt of blame here: Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. When Nelson plays at full health, he is one of the best point guards in the league. Sadly, Jameer has been plagued with injuries for the last two seasons, and that has led to a noticeable decline in play. As much as I like Anthony Johnson and Jason Williams, neither player is able to fill the void left by Nelson, and that has been a big problem for the Magic. However, the biggest concern regards Dwight "Superman" Howard.

---Dwight Howard is the best center in the the game, and he is a double-double lock every time he steps onto the hardwood. Still, Howard has come nowhere close to fulfilling his potential. This is a testament to Howard's greatness, yes, but it is also a sign of complacency. Defensively, there isn't much to criticize. Offensively, though, Dwight needs to become far more assertive. There are moments when Howard appears timid on the offensive end, and that has to change if the Magic want to re-enter the championship conversation.

---It was only a matter of time before the San Antonio Spurs re-gained their championship swagger. An inexplicable loss to the Bobcats notwithstanding, Gregg Popovich's team has looked fantastic in recent games, including a dominating win over the Lakers. A big part of the Spurs success has been rookie DeJuan Blair. Blair belongs in the rookie of the year mix, alongside Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans, Sacramento forward Omri Casspi, Golden State guard Stephen Curry, and Milwaukee guard Brandon Jennings.

---A player who is a member of the "Guys Who Look Like Couch Potatoes But Win Fans Over With Their Inspired Play" team: Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine. Watching Thursday night's Bulls-Celtics game, I was struck by how much Boston fans love this guy. Their adulation for Scalabrine is easy to understand. He looks like a guy who constantly snacks on Lays potato chips, but he dives after every loose ball, and isn't afraid to let it fly from behind the perimeter. You can't help but root for a player who plays with such a winning energy.

---The Lakers and Cavaliers square off in Cleveland this Thursday night, and I am giddy with excitement. Any time LeBron can prove to the sports world that he is the best player in the league, I'm in. That sound you hear? It's the sound of angry Lakers fans screaming at their computers.

---This just in: The New Jersey Nets are 15-point underdogs to the All-NBA Over-60 team. Sure, guys like Jerry West, Julius Erving, and Walt Frazier may be getting up their in age, but does anybody doubt that they would be able to have their way with the historically awful Nets? I didn't think so.

---And finally, if you have a decent jump shot and are tired of your day job, call Don Nelson. The injury-plagued Warriors could surely use your help.

More NFL Playoff Prognostications

In the words of the great David Letterman, my NFL picks have been dumber than Jay "Big Jaw" Leno. Seriously, if my prognostication skills continue to worsen, I could get hired as an NBC executive, right? Alright, enough jokes about the NBC late-night scandal. It's time to focus on some football. With no further ado, here are my predictions for the divisional round of the playoffs (home teams in all caps):

COLTS over Ravens

I am very tempted to pick the upset here. The Ravens' ground attack, led by the always electrifying Ray Rice, could be too much for the Indy defense to handle. The ferocious Ravens defense, led by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, could pose some problems for the Colts offense. And Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, in just his second year, is among the most unflappable QB's in the league. But I just have the feeling that Peyton Manning and company will find a way to win at home. I'm not buying the rumor that Jim Caldwell's team is flustered by the distractions caused by Caldwell's controversial decision to rest the starters in week 15. If anything, Indianapolis will be hungrier than ever, ready to silence the skeptics.

SAINTS over Cardinals

After an incredible win against the Packers last weekend, which resulted from Kurt Warner's stunningly efficient play at quarterback, the Cardinals enter this game with unmistakable swagger. The Saints, meanwhile, may be running a little low on confidence as they have limped their way into the playoffs after an underwhelming regular season finish. But New Orleans will be rejuvenated by the electric energy in the Superdome. Look for Drew Brees to throw more than his fair share of touchdown passes to Marques Colston. New Orleans will advance.

Cowboys over VIKINGS

Okay, okay, I'm tired of being proven wrong by the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo is maturing before our very eyes, and Wade Phillips' squad is as good a bet as any to win the NFC. So I'm picking Dallas. And yes, this is a biased pick, as nothing would make me happier than seeing Brett Favre get pummeled. Typically, I'd root for a team that has a player as classy and extraordinary as Adrian Peterson, but as long as Favre is behind center, I'm hoping for the Vikings' demise.

CHARGERS over Jets

I have been won over by Rex Ryan's passion and bravura, Mark Sanchez's swashbuckling spirit, and Darrelle Revis' explosive athleticism. Thus, I am rooting for the Jets to pull off the upset. And what an upset that would be. Realistically, I don't think they have much of a chance against a Chargers team that appears to be unstoppable. For my money, Philip Rivers, LaDanian Tomlinson, and company are the favorites in the AFC. I hope the Jets win; I expect San Diego to roll to victory.

So there you have it. If I were a betting man, I wouldn't place money on my picks.

Warner, Jamison, McGwire, 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:

---Yesterday in Glendale, Arizona, a new classic was born. The Packers and Cardinals put on one hell of a show in the final game of wild card weekend, a wildly entertaining 51-45 affair won by Arizona, the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history. Instead of celebrating after the game, Ken Whisenhunt's team took a nap.

---It was a truly stellar game that featured Herculean performances from the two quarterbacks. Trailing 31-10 in the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a comeback for the ages, all but destroying memories of Brett Favre in the process. Seriously, if there were still any Green Bay fans pining for the days of Favre prior to yesterday's game, they must have emerged exhilarated by Aaron Rodgers by game's end, even in defeat. Aaron Rodgers should never again have to live in the shadow of Number 4. As great as Rodgers was, however, his Arizona counterpart was even better.

---Retirement rumors have swirled around Kurt Warner for years, but after his stunningly efficient air attack yesterday, in which he threw for 379 yards, 5 touchdowns, and no interceptions, there is no question that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. I know I'm often accused of hyperbole, but can you think of a better playoff performance by a quarterback in recent memory? I didn't think so.

---Thank God for Packers-Cardinals, because the other three games were downright unwatchable. The Cowboys dominated the Eagles (proving me wrong---again), the Ravens crushed the Patriots, and while the Jets only beat the Bengals by 10 points, the outcome of the game was never in doubt. When the Cardinals jumped ahead of the Packers 31-10, this wild card weekend had the potential to be duller than the screen adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice".

---The divisional round of the NFL playoffs brings us Jets-Chargers, Ravens-Colts, Cardinals-Saints, and Cowboys-Vikings. All juicy matchups, and popular belief suggests that Dallas-Minnesota will be the best game. However, I think the most intriguing game is Baltimore-Indianapolis. The Ravens' bruising style of play may be enough for them to pull off the upset. If the Colts are to win, they better find a way to slow down Baltimore running back Ray Rice, one of the most unheralded, exciting players in the league.

---In other NFL news, Pete Carroll has left USC to coach the Seattle Seahawks. If there were ever a time to leave the USC athletic program, the time is now. USC has had so many athletic scandals, even John Calipari thinks the school has gone too far.

---On to the NBA now, where Antawn Jamison deserves praise for his classy speech to Wizards fans before Friday's victory over the Magic. Jamison passionately apologized for the whole Gilbert Arenas firearms debacle, promising that the Wizards will play their hearts out the rest of the way to win back skeptical fans. Jamison's speech served as further proof that the vast majority of NBA players are indeed great guys who can and should be viewed as role models. Skeptics like to point to the Arenas incident as evidence that the NBA is a thuggish league, and that's simply nonsense.

---The Rasheed Wallace experiment has been a major disappointment for the Boston Celtics thus far. Sheed played well in yesterday's road win over the Raptors, but he has come nowhere near to reaching his full potential in a Celtics uniform this season. His declining stats pose some cause for concern, but his seemingly deteriorating physical condition is a more worrisome sign. Doc Rivers better hope Sheed comes around, because I don't think the Celtics can beat the Cavs in the East with an unproductive Rasheed Wallace.

---Clippers? Playoffs? Two weeks ago it seemed unfathomable that the Clips would have a shot at the playoffs, but now it is certainly a possibility. Baron Davis is showing the same high level of play that he exhibited during those glorious seasons in Golden State, Chris Kaman continues to be a legitimate offensive threat, and role players like Rasual Butler are all assuming their roles nicely. With the NBA debut of a healthy Blake Griffin looming for Los Angeles, the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

---As for the other L.A. team, rumor has it that the Lakers are pondering a trade that would send Andrew Bynum to Toronto in exchange for Chris Bosh. Bosh is indeed an elite player, far better than Bynum, whom I still believe is overrated. However, I don't think this trade would improve the Lakers. The Lakers are already set at the power forward position with Pau Gasol, and adding Bosh would simply cause too much unneeded congestion at the forward spot. Thus, Bynum is a better fit in the Lakers system. A far more ideal location for Chris Bosh would be Miami, where he could be the Robin to Dwayne Wade's Batman. If Bosh lands in South Beach, the Heat would be instant championship contenders.

---Kudos to NBA legend Charles Barkley, the greatest personality and analyst in all of sports, for his jovial performance as host of "Saturday Night Live". While Barkley was clearly out of his comfort zone, his engaging charm made the show a lot of fun to watch.

---Big news in baseball today, as Mark McGwire finally admitted steroid use. Should Big Mac have come clean sooner? Of course. Did he make a fool of himself in front of Congress a few years ago? Yes. But here's hoping his admission today will move us past the steroid era and allow us to focus on McGwire's illustrious career on the baseball field. Loyal readers know that I have never been bothered by the steroid era. Steroids or not, Mark McGwire is one of the greatest hitters of all-time, and he deserves a spot in Cooperstown, along with the likes of Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, and any other Hall-of-Fame-caliber player who has been accused of using PED's. This ain't the Hall of Morals, folks.

---Speaking of Cooperstown, congratulations to Andre Dawson for his election to the Hall of Fame. Dawson is one of the most multifaceted, exciting players the game has ever seen.

---I'll finish with an appreciation of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl, whose Volunteers upset the previously undefeated, top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks yesterday on the hardwood. Pearl's energy and passion on the sideline is infectious. Any time you have a chance to watch a Tennessee basketball game, take it, because you will be wowed by Pearl's genuine love for the game. If only more coaches in sports had Pearl's vivacious spirit.

Wild Card Weekend Preview

This is a weekend to sit back, relax, and bring out the tortilla chips and guacamole. The NFL Playoffs have arrived, and wild card weekend brings us four intriguing games. My prognostication skills are about as impressive as Keanu Reeves' acting career, but that won't stop me from offering my predictions for wild card weekend. With no further ado, here are my picks (home teams in all caps):

Jets over BENGALS

No, I don't think Cincinnati will be mentally scarred from the beatdown they received against the Jets in week 17. After all, that game meant practically nothing to the Bengals and meant everything to the Jets. At home in front of a raucous crowd, Cincy will come to play. Right now, however, I just feel that New York is the better football team. Mark Sanchez seems to have found some late-season swagger, and the Jets defense, led by Darrelle Revis, is the best in the NFL. Revis will hold Chad Ocho Cinco in check. Whether you like Rex Ryan's boisterous cockiness or not, his team has responded well to his larger-than-life personality. The late-season Cinderella run of the Jets will continue.

Eagles over COWBOYS

Sure, the Cowboys proved me wrong by making the playoffs, playing brilliant football down the stretch, a stretch that included big wins over the Saints and last week against these same Eagles. Thus, Wade Phillips' team undeniably enters today's game with buckets of confidence. But ladies and gentlemen, the playoffs will continue to haunt Dallas. Call me crazy, but I do not think Tony Romo has what it takes to thrive under playoff pressure. As soon as he throws that first interception, as soon as Roy Williams drops that first pass, Romo will be permanently rattled. Philadelphia, on the other hand, will have no such problems. They've been there, done that. Donovan McNabb is an elite quarterback who won't be the slightest bit bothered by the spotlight in Big D. Jerry Jones, beware: This game will be a major stress test for you.

PATRIOTS over Ravens

Have the Patriots had an underwhelming season? Yes. Does it seem like their dynasty is on life support? Yes. Still, I just cannot pick against Tom Brady in a home playoff game. Even without Wes Welker, I feel that as long as Brady is behind center, the Pats will be fine. Does this mean I want the Patriots to win? Hell to the no! I love Brady, but rooting for a Bill Belichick-coached team is like rooting for the high school bully to win over the hot girl. I believe New England will prevail, but I hope Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and company find a way to pull off the upset.

Packers over CARDINALS

Last year the Cardinals were considered the weakest team in the playoffs. They went on to reach the Super Bowl. Does anybody think Arizona can catch lightning in a bottle twice? I didn't think so. Ken Whisenhunt's Cardinals barely won the weakest division in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, are the dark horse pick in the NFC to reach the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers has blossomed into a top-tier QB for Mike McCarthy's team, and the Packers may well be the hottest team in the league right now. For Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, and the Cards, it could be a long Sunday afternoon in Glendale.

So there you have it. I'm picking the Jets, Eagles, Patriots, and Packers. That means the Bengals, Cowboys, Ravens, and Cardinals will probably win.

Sanchez, Arenas, Leach, 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:

---The NFL Playoffs are set, and Wild Card weekend gives us three week 17 rematches: Packers-Cardinals, Eagles-Cowboys, and Jets-Bengals, in addition to a clash between the Ravens and Patriots. Most intriguing matchup? Dallas and Philadelphia.

---Count me as one of the many who seriously misjudged the Dallas Cowboys. Working under the assumption that Wade Phillips' team would once again fall victim to their annual December swoon, I gave the Cowboys no shot at making the playoffs after their week 14 loss to the Chargers. Boy did they prove me wrong. Tony Romo and company are playing at a very high level right now, and they may even have the psychological edge against Philly after a dominating win over the Eagles on the final Sunday of the regular season. So Dallas is a lock, right? Not so fast, my friends.

---The playoffs are a whole different ballgame, and the 'Boys still have some postseason demons to exercise. Don't count on the Eagles being mentally rattled after yesterday's loss. Philadelphia is the team with the veteran playoff savvy and experience, led by Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, and they are still a viable Super Bowl threat. This game is a total toss-up.

---The New York media has been quick to chastise Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in his rookie season, but they should lay off the criticism in the wake of the Jets' thorough beating of the Bengals in week 17, a win that clinched a playoff birth. Sanchez is indeed a flawed QB, but he deserves heaps of praise right now for staging a late-season comeback and leading the Jets into the playoffs. Those Jets fans that expect Sanchez to be an instant replica of Joe Namath just need to be patient.

---Doesn't it seem like months ago that the Saints and Colts were considered the clear favorites to reach the Super Bowl? Once undefeated, New Orleans and Indianapolis are sputtering into the playoffs after less than stellar regular season finishes. After three consecutive losses, Drew Brees and company have had their confidence shaken. Brees has carried the Saints on his back all season long, but the Saints' lackluster defense may ultimately lead to their downfall in the playoffs. The Colts, meanwhile, are dealing with a fake controversy that has been unfairly stoked by the media.

---Indy coach Jim Caldwell is taking major heat for pulling his starters in the second half of the week 16 loss to the Jets at a time in which the Colts were still eligible for a perfect season. The media responded with fury: How could Caldwell be so ignorant? How could he possibly throw away a chance at history? Cool it, folks. An undefeated season is nice, no question. But that is not the Colts' main objective. If Caldwell felt that his starters needed some rest before the playoffs, then he was right to sit them down, even if that rest sacrificed a chance at history.

---Meanwhile, Brett Favre is back in the playoffs with the Vikings. As you can imagine, Brett's high level of play is earning him some key endorsements. Earlier today, he was endorsed by the AARP. Rimshot, please! Those Brett Favre is old jokes never get old!

---On to the NBA now, where Gilbert Arenas is making a bid to become the next spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

---Arenas is mired in controversy after bringing a gun into the Wizards locker room after getting in a dispute with teammate Jarvaris Crittendon over a gambling debt. The gun was unloaded, but that is beside the point. Agent Zero's actions were insanely stupid and irresponsible, actions that are bound to bring more unwarranted negative attention to the NBA.

---The NBA is far and away my favorite league, so you can imagine my dismay at Gilbert Arenas right now. His actions will give more ammunition to those who wrongly say that the NBA is a league of thugs. This is, of course, a ridiculously ignorant and wholly incorrect perception, but it is a perception that will continue to linger in the wake of the Arenas situation.

---And if you're one of the fools who thinks that the NBA is a thug league, how do explain the gun incidents of Plaxico Burress and Tank Johnson in the NFL, or the numerous legal troubles of the NFL's Pacman Jones? Can't think of a reasonable response? Well that's because your anti-NBA rhetoric is closed-minded crap. Anyway, I'm getting angry. Lets move on before I pop a blood vessel.

---I've long been a Kobe Bryant critic, but even I have been blown away by Kobe's recent play. I was in attendance at the Staples Center last week when Kobe single-handedly willed the Lakers to victory over my beloved Warriors. Three nights later, Kobe hit yet another buzzer-beater to beat the Kings. And he is doing all of this with a broken finger. Unbelievable. Do I still think that Kobe is an absolute jerk? Yes. Do I still think that LeBron is the better, more well-rounded player? Yes. But there is no denying the fact that Kobe is playing at a Jordanesque level right now. And believe me, that is very painful for me to say.

---After a sluggish start, LeBron and the Cavs are playing superb basketball right now, despite a disappointing loss to the Bobcats last night. With the Celtics hampered by injuries to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, and with the Magic yet to fulfill their potential, Cleveland is the best team in the East right now.

---Most of the attention for the Coach of the Year race is going to Paul Westphal in Sacramento, Scott Brooks in Oklahoma City, and Rick Adelman in Houston. They are all deserving candidates, but my vote as of this writing goes to Lionel Hollins in Memphis. After a rough start to the season, during which the Grizzlies were presented with a whirlwind of distractions caused by Allen Iverson, Hollins has guided the Grizz into postseason contention, a remarkable feat. The Grizzlies have some talent---O.J. Mayo (more on Mayo in a moment), Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay---but the fact that they are in playoff contention after the Iverson mess is stunning, a testament to Hollins' exemplary leadership.

---Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel has always been a source of constant annoyance for me, but his Ohio State Buckeyes looked extremely impressive in their Rose Bowl win against Oregon. The man responsible for Ohio State's victory, however, is not Tressel. It's quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor displayed jaw-dropping athleticism and tremendous football intelligence on New Years Day in Pasadena. He is a lock to succeed in the NFL.

---The BCS (Big Crappy System) National Championship game is right around the corner, as Alabama and Texas will battle in Pasadena on Thursday night. My hatred for the BCS aside, this should be an outstanding game to watch. My prediction? Well, I have the utmost respect for Longhorns QB Colt McCoy, but when 'Bama destroyed Florida in the SEC Title game, it convinced me that they cannot be beat. I'll take the Crimson Tide.

---I'm already tired of this Mike Leach story, but I'll offer some quick insight. Leach is an unquestionably brilliant football mind, but his actions regarding Adam James were bullyish and immature and cannot be tolerated. Therefore, his firing at Texas Tech was justified. The way in which the Tech players have been unyielding in their support of James shows that Leach had lost the respect of his team. In this day in age, using bully tactics as a head coach will never lead to success. Bob Knight and Bill Parcells thrived in different eras. This day in age, some of their hard-nosed tactics cannot and should not be replicated.

---College basketball is also experiencing some scandal right now, as USC has put self-imposed sanctions on its basketball program as punishment for NCAA violations committed by former player O.J. Mayo and former coach Tim Floyd. Now the Trojans are ineligible for postseason play this season. This is simply nonsense. This current USC team, led by Kevin O'Neill, is being punished for something that they played no part in. Meanwhile, Mayo and Floyd (an assistant coach with the Hornets) are thriving in the NBA and escape unscathed. Ridiculous.

---The Hot Stove in baseball saw some action this past week, as my Giants signed Mark DeRosa and re-signed Juan Uribe. I'm happy with the DeRosa signing---he's a versatile, talented player who can play third base, shortstop, left field, and even some first base if called upon. But I'm even happier with the Uribe signing. Uribe played a huge role in the Giants success last season. He's a major threat at the plate who gives San Francisco some much-needed offensive spark.

---Now one hot stove question remains: Who is going to sign Matt Holliday?

---I'll finish by giving an enthusiastic recommendation to "The Book of Basketball" by Bill Simmons, a hilarious, wildly entertaining, highly informative book about the past, future, and present of the NBA. It is essential reading for all hoops fans, written by one of the very best sportswriters in the country.