Kobe'd

Perhaps now is a good time for a positioning statement on Kobe Bryant:

Every time we talk about this guy, we are amazed at all of the Kobe haters out there. Sure he had an issue in Colorado that is not going to get him saint-status, and sure, he is a ball hog who is selfish and got rid of Shaq who was hogging his spotlight, but when it comes to playing basketball at an absurd level of excellence, the NBA has not seen the likes of this since his Royal Airness wore 23 in Chicago . Again, this is not to say he is Jordan, nor is it to say he is as good as Jordan. But, it is to say that ego aside, he can do things on the court that others can only dream of. And for some of you to not even concede he is a Top 5 player, tells me that you are blinded by your agenda.

Dude is amazing. And as far as I am concerned, pound for pound and inch for inch, he is second to the throne. Don’t confuse the argument. For a championship, go get Duncan, I suppose. But for the most amazing player in the sport, there is no other choice.

And by the way, save your Kobe-hating emails. I already know how you feel.

Mavericks get “Kobe’d” …

Bryant broke the Mavericks' hearts. He took 33 shots, but nobody could say he put the ball up too many times. His 43 points, four steals and five rebounds confounded the Mavericks. With his team trailing by a point, Bryant lost control of the ball briefly on the perimeter, ran it down and flipped in the 30-footer over Adrian Griffin for a 104-102 lead.

"We're not amazed, to say the least," said LA coach Phil Jackson. "It's a beautiful thing to see, but it's something we've grown accustomed to over the years."

True, the Mavericks are not the first nor the last team Bryant has flattened with a big shot.

Said Bryant: "For me, it was a good look. You know, I've done it before."

Vincente’ Padilla is now a Texas Rangers pitcher. Jamey Newberg had this today:

Pitcher A is 28 years old, has a lifetime record of 49-50, 3.73 in seven big league seasons, and twice won a career-best 12 games in a season. He was a blue-chip prospect in the late '90s, once keying a trade for a veteran starter.

Pitcher B is 28 years old, has a lifetime record of 51-51, 3.95 in seven big league seasons, and twice won a career-best 14 games in a season. He was a blue-chip prospect in the late '90s, once keying a trade for a veteran starter.

Pitcher A just signed a five-year contract worth a guaranteed $55 million.

Pitcher B, acquired by the Rangers yesterday for a player to be named later, stands to make something in the neighborhood of $4 million in 2006.

Now, this is far from an argument that Vicente Padilla belongs in the same conversation as A.J. Burnett, but it might suggest to you that the line is sometimes pretty fine. Two years ago, when Padilla was coming off 14-win seasons in each of his first two years as a major league starter, he was probably all but untouchable.

Nice comparison, but doesn’t that suggest that the Blue Jays need their heads checked?

The Padilla to the Rangers trade from the Philly perspective …

But the Phillies didn't consider that a good value. Padilla, who went 9-12 with a 4.71 ERA last season, had been maddeningly inconsistent for the last couple of seasons, with on-the-field and off-the-field issues.

Padilla, 28, had been in two automobile accidents in his native Nicaragua in the previous two off-seasons. He had a minor one in January 2005, and was a passenger in a serious one after the 2003 season in which a close friend died. Reports in Nicaragua also surfaced about an alleged drinking problem, which Padilla vehemently denied.

On the field, Padilla was inconsistent. The Phillies, including Padilla's teammates, often said that Padilla had the best stuff of any pitcher on the team. But he didn't pitch the way they thought he should.

Padilla also suffered from injuries in the last two seasons. He opened last season on the disabled list with right-elbow tendinitis, and he missed three more starts with a back strain, neck strain and a strained rib muscle. Padilla missed time in 2004 with triceps and elbow tendinitis.

Another paper said “it might be addition by subtraction”. Needless to say, they are not crying in Philadelphia this morning. They thought he was a frustrating head case. And now he is ours. But, trust me, I am not complaining. Change was needed around here.



In case this hasn’t been emailed to you 200 times, here is Gunther Cunningham after the holding call on 4th and goal Sunday…

Back to the Mavs, I wish Diop could have made a free throw late last night, but there is no doubt his signing has been a huge surprise to me. Diop has really changed this team’s perception defensively, that you are going to be challenged if you try to take it at the rim. Take a look at who leads the league in blocks per minute: Blocks per 48 minutes (minimum, 20 blocks)

Top 5
DeSagana Diop, Dal: 6.44
Alonzo Mourning, Mia: 6.31
Eddie Griffin, Minn: 6.27
Samuel Dalembert, Phi: 6.03
Marcus Camby, Den: 4.41

What is a high ankle sprain, and how does it differ from a regular ankle sprain? …if you care…

Lil Ronnie, another generic white rapper likes the Colts…

Ricky Gervais’ website …I recommend the podcast…

Delbert up for Grammy …

Congratulations to two time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton for his latest Grammy nominations from the album Cost Of Living. Delbert has been nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Cost Of Living) and Best Male Country Vocal ('Midnight Communion').

Is this a bit? Christopher Walken for president? …

Razor focuses on the Flames music video that features Lanny McDonald’s mustache …

Uncle Rico Audio …

Top 10 Knight Quotes …

And lastly, this email:

Hey BAD Radio,
I remember thinking at the time that it was just nitpicking at the time, but now that the playoff race is heating up, and it really could come down to one game, the Giants extra home game with New Orleans this year is looking more and more unfair. Can no complaint be filed with the league? Do you think it will come down to a one game difference or a tie breaker with NYG and Dallas? Are home records ever a factor in a tie breaker?
Thanks,
Jeff Peek

Home records are not a tie-breaker, and no complaints will be filed. But, the Giants do have a ridiculous advantage this year (we shall call it the hurricane advantage) and because of said advantage, they may win the NFC East. The trouble is, if you complain too loudly, you will be thought of as a person who doesn’t have a soul, since you think your football team is more important that New Orleans, so don’t complain too much.

It is unfair, but it is what it is.