Kobe Ain't A Kidder

"He's Old."

Jason Kidd is 35 years old. This age is honestly older and in comparison to the rest of the Olympic Team, he is the elder statesman, accentuated by the grizzly beard he sports. His skills have been on the decline, and though no one doubts what he's done in the past, he honestly just isn't what he used to be.

Last year Kidd shot a horrible 38.5% from the field and has a career percentage of 40.1. The Russians were playing zone and against this defense Kidd can't compare to CP3 or D-Will. Kidd is the leader of this group and is perfect in their running up tempo game, but it just wasn't working in Shanghai.

Now this doesn't justify Kobe's rudeness, even though he was completely joking. If his statement honestly offended Jason Kidd, I'm sure Mr. Bryant apologized.

Kobe sees himself as a jokester, but his image just isn't blithe enough yet to be accepted in the same light as the more accomplished pranksters like Shaq and or even Lebron. But its improving and this light jest will just be forgotten about, just as Shaq's ridiculous Kobe rap was. So if Shaq isn't seen as an a**hole now, this shouldn't cause any tension within the Redeem Team nor should it mean anything whatsoever to the rest of the world. Thanks sports media for spinning a ridiculous statement into something much bigger than it actually is.

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Kobe Bryant Can't Count

When asked why Jason Kidd was benched for the second half of the game against Russia, Coach Mike Krzyewski was about to wax poetic on how Russia's use of zone defense was better handled by young athletes with nicknames resembling robots from Star Wars. However, Kobe Bryant, ever the model of modesty and class jumped in with a definitive two word explanation.

"He's old."

Never mind the fact that Kidd is only four years senior to Bryant in age, and only has two years on him in the league.

Never mind the fact that Kidd is the third leading scorer in the league for triple-doubles, while Bryant is still struggling with the mastery of basic ball passing.

But it's no surprise that counting isn't Bryan't strong point - after all, can you really compare Kidd's Berkeley education to Bryant's Lower Merion training? Sorry Kobe.

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Random Ramblings: USA vs. Russia Basketball

I'm watching the USA vs. Russia basketball tuneup in Shanghai, and honestly, what is wrong with the USA producers? These commentators are horrible. Biased, corny, incompetent, annoying in personality and in sound... who are these guys? Where the hell are the normal commentators? Even Bill Walton mispronouncing the hell out of foreign names would be more fun. Anyway, here's a run through my train of thought following the game, a live blog if you will.

• Why are the US players taking so many fadeaways? As the strongest and most athletic team, force your way in or at least get open shots.
  

• It always amazes me how much fiercer and really better ballers play when representing their country. Kirilenko looks crazy right now, complaining after every call and playing hard at both ends of the court. Where was this while in the NBA? Jerry Sloan must be pissed, seeing this...

• The US looks tired. Why doesn't the bench play? The two best teams in the Olympics are USA first team and USA second team... Honestly, there is a fall off, but nothing even close to what comes after these top two.
  

• The Americans have been horrible at the line. I understand misses that rattle or roll out, but off the FRONT OF THE RIM? What happened to the accurate shooting?

• The Russians sure do complain a lot. Just saying.

• Kobe has been launching some really far three's for this Olympic court. If it were the NBA, they'd be normal but they looks like NBA Jam three's from here.

• I love how Kobe gets MVP chants ALL OVER THE WORLD. SUCK ON THAT PAUL PIERCE. SUCK IT HARD.
  

• The USA jerseys are pretty sweet, but I still think the original Dream Team jerseys were the best.

• Ok not related to basketball or the Olympics, but there was a ESPN sports report. Why do NFL players keep getting into fights with each other? Is it the steroids?

• Michael Redd is straight nasty. He needs to play at least 20 minutes a game.
  

• Ok, one more. The hyper dunk commercial by Nike is pretty awesome.

• You know what would be really fun? Against a particulary short team, play Kidd, Paul, D-Will, Kobe, and Lebron. That would be like the old Phoenix Suns offense on crack.
  

• Coach K better know how to help his team peak at the right time. He better not treat this like Duke, because they haven't gotten anywhere recently.

• Where do these FIBA referees come from? If they're from foreign leagues, I don't understand how that makes them any better than NBA refs. Other than all the gambling and politics involved behind the scenes. Stupid Donaghy.

• The US is getting demolished on backdoor cuts and offensive rebounds. This isn't as much laziness and stupidity as cockiness. Play right. Please.

• Lebron fouled out. I'm starting to wonder if too many happy-ending massages went around before this game...

• Well, the USA won. It was one of the ugliest 21-point victories I've seen, but you've got to take it and roll. If the Americans play like they're supposed to and how I believe they will after this disappointment, Australia is going to get massacred.

Next Random Ramblings: The Olympics

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In LA, no one cares about your past

Its a beautiful sight, to see someone who has had such a troubled past-- filled with bickering with the boss, loneliness at the workplace, built up frustration letting itself be realized in a shoving match--be welcomed in his new home. It's great to see people able to let go of who they were, and develop in a loving environment who they will become.

If this is any preview of what is to come, then Manny Ramirez will love L.A. It already loves him, that's for sure.

In his latest outing as the Dodgers beat the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks 9-3, Manny went 4-5 with 3 RBIs and a solo HR. Since the trade, Manny has hit 8-13 with 5 RBIs. Outrageous numbers.

Put those numbers together with the fact that the Dodgers only have to pay the $1 million trade bonus, and you've got yourself the luckiest team this side of the Mississippi. (Don't ask me what the luckiest team east of the Mississippi is, I just wanted to use that phrase for once.)

More love for Dodger's fans. Brad Penny is rehabbing and has been throwing 96mph fastballs.

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All Brett, All The Time

Just to make sure that you have your daily face stuffing of Brett Favre, there's been an update.

Today NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell officially reinstated Brett Favre back into the team, abiding by his effort to "force the issue."

I figured this was the commish forcing the issue and the Packers having to swallow it. But, the Packers team president has issued a statement today also:

“Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back,” said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. “We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.”

I must say, the Packers are acting very respectably in this situation. We still don't know what the team is going to do with him. Interestingly enough Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal is reporting from a team insider that Favre will be allowed to compete for the starting job with Aaron Rodgers.

I'll believe it when I see Brett Favre spiralling Aaron Rodgers down the field. I still think Brett, baby, should take that $20 mil. Especially if it's an upfront deal.

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Favre offered $20 million, to go away--please!

Not only do the Packers want to get rid of the whole Favre hoopla, but NFL commission Roger Goodell wants the dispute settled by Monday.

Goodell made it clear he thinks the situation has lingered long enough.

“I think we have to force it,” Goodell said. “I think it’s come to the point where there need to be some decisions made on behalf of the Packers, on behalf of Brett, on behalf of all the fans.”

The Packers have reportedly offered Favre $20 million over 10 years to basically go away. That compares to $12 million he would receive next year if he were to play for the Packers.

If Favre comes out of retirement, he might have 2 maybe 3 years left before he gets dangerously close to permanent brain damage. Next year he'll be paid $12 million, but thats from a lingering contract. I don't see him making much more than $20 million for the rest of his NFL career.

Favre needs to accept the "marketing contract" the Packers offered that might even go higher than $20 million, because he's not only saving himself from having to practice every day, he's saving his health, and his family from unnecessary stress.

There's no question about it, Brett Favre wants to return so that he can play in the playoffs again. The little Brett inside of him is not aching to rejoin his teammates on the practice field, he just wants to shove it to the new quarterbacks du jour like Tom Brady and Eli Manning.

I'm starting to think that the only reason Brett Favre wants to come back is because he saw Eli Manning win a Super Bowl. It wasn't even that Eli got carried to the Super Bowl, he suddenly magically turned into a clutch player and drove the Giants to the championship. The same guy who had a 32.2 QB Rating against the Buffalo Bills in the second to last game of the season.

I couldn't believe my eyes, so I can't imagine what Brett Favre was thinking.

$%!@#%$%$%$#@!!!!!
I'm a billion times better than that mothe#@$#@$%$#@!!!

I feel for you Brett, but let it gooooo. Think of it this way. Eli will only make $8.5 mil next year and $9 mil in 2008. You can pocket that amount for doing nothing! You have officially become $20 million worth of annoyingness. Janice from Friends bows to you.

I don't know if these pictures are real. But these are supposedly Eli at his finest:

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Redeem Team Rolling, For Now

After three preliminary games, The King, Black Mamba, Melo, and the gang seem to be firing on all cylinders; the defense is tough, smothering, and active while the offense is creative, accurate, and athletic. With All-Stars at every position, the Americans are the odds on favorites to win it all...

Sounds oddly familiar though, and oddly familiar has seen the Americans lacking the Midas touch for almost a decade. So though everyone is flying high early, Team USA basketball just needs to be sure that they continue on their path, and slight turbulence doesn't suddenly turn harsh and cause catastrophe. Fortunately, this group's personality is much different than the USA teams of the past. They have one thing that USA Basketball has never needed before...hunger and desire for redemption.

Hunger and desire are two of the most powerful feelings in sports, as proven by the recent Celtics. Combined with talent and good coaching, a champion is made.This group has the most star power since the Sydney and the coaching staff is dedicated and versatile. Composed of the top three scorers in the NBA while at the same time harboring All-NBA Defensive first teamers, there's not much room for things to go wrong for the Redeem Team. Hopefully the hunger for Olympic gold and the desire to put America back on top keeps the fire burning in these young men. Honestly though, I don't think I've ever seen the fire leave Kobe Bryant or Lebron James so Team USA is in great shape.

So to the Great Hopes of American Basketball, stay hungry, stay healthy, and kick the sh*t out of people like you used to.

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Olympics opening ceromony preview

Beijing is still filled with pollution. Luckily, the opening ceremonies for the Olympics take place at night. Therefore we can see some amazing images like above.

It seems like nothing can derail the Olympics for China. Human rights protesters have thus far done zilch. Overbearing pollution has not altered a thing. Even French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who at first thought about boycotting, has decided to attend.

The only thing that has really put a damper on the opening ceremonies? A sex scandal.

It figures. Right? Originally Gillan Chung, was supposed to perform along with Celine Dion and Jay Chou. However, in light of her naked pictures showing up on the internet, she has been replaced by a Chinese Pop group, A-one.

If you've been looking for the leaked video of the Opening Ceremonies, here it is. Just don't ask me what the reporters are saying. Watch it before it gets taken down, China is quite upset at the Korean reporters who did this.

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Taking Shots at Manny

It's no secret that Boston has been growing ever more uncomfortable with Manny Ramirez. But most of them had been keeping quiet because either

1. they didn't want to run into him, and get shoved to the floor like Jack McCormick did
2. they were trying to be nice because he still had a .400 on base percentage

Now, that Manny has left Boston, and the AL, it seems like Boston just can't stop ragging on him.
Curt Schilling and Boston Herald writer Gerry Callahan take turns giving blows.

Curt on Manny:

"At the end of the day you're taking the field with a guy who doesn't want to play with you, doesn't want to be there, doesn't want to ... obviously effort-wise is just not there and that's disheartening and disappointing," Schilling said during his weekly appearance on Boston sports radio WEEI's Dennis and Callahan program.

(Hit the link for more)

Callahan:

Well, you can say goodbye to the bad guy now. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Maybe Jason Bay will not be quite the cleanup hitter that Ramirez was (then again, maybe he will be), but we know this much before he even takes the field for the Red Sox: He is a better fielder, a better baserunner, a better teammate, a better person.

He probably won’t fake a knee injury, or slap a teammate, or throw a 64-year-old man to the ground because he couldn’t make tickets magically appear. He won’t give the manager ulcers or spit in the owners’ eye or treat the paying customers like suckers.

In a way, Ramirez represents the worst of professional sports - a man who is idolized because he has one, God-given physical skill. Some fans who would boo a player for popping up with the bases loaded had no problem cheering Ramirez days after he assaulted Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick, a terrific gentleman who is almost 30 years older than the slugger.

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Headlinin': Sawker

• After tearin' up their hearts all summer, Adebayoor finally puts pen to paper, sticking with Arsenal until 2013 (or until he wants to leave again...next summer). FC Barcelona misses out on its target to replace Samuel Eto'o, who has yet to agree to personal terms with any of the big clubs after his signature.
  

• The on again off again Cristiano Ronaldo/Real Madrid/Manchester United love triangle is BACK BABY! To the dismay of Mancs worldwide, Ronaldo has made his opinion awfully clear.
  

• Chelsea boringly continues to pursue Robinho while denying any rumors of Drogba leaving the North London outfit.

• Liverpool, despite Aston Villa claiming the deadline for a renewed Gareth Barry offer had passed, continue to pursue the England international.
  

• Real Madrid's pursuit of Holland starlet Rafael Van der Vaart (possibly a substitute for their stalling progress on the C. Ronaldo front) gains steam, against the wishes of Hamburg (and ex-Tottenham) manager Martin Jol.
  

• Valencia hope to keep Spanish stars of Euro 2008 David Silva and David Villa, as rumors of their imminent departure swirl.

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