Game 4: Mavs 123, Spurs 118 (OT), Mavs 3-1

It’s the first team to FOUR.
It doesn’t matter how you get to FOUR
Just get there before the other team
And you win the series. - A Wise Man


We are witnessing basketball at its highest form. Whoever calls 74-72 games “playoff basketball” can keep it. I prefer this. Both teams trying to kill eachother. Both teams with the inability to even slow down their opponents' offense. And both teams exausted when the game ends.

It is almost too good to be true: The Mavericks have taken the Spurs best efforts and have still figured out how to win both times in Games 3 and 4. Now, it is time to end them. That can happen Wednesday night in San Antonio, and I strongly suggest you finish them now. Give the defending world champions a chance to taste victory on Wednesday, and you will find that this series is far from over.

It is not the first team to three.

Bob’s Blog Exclusive Game 4 Notes:

• The beauty of this run is that it is all about the team. We constantly hear how it is a star’s league, and your star has to beat their star. The Mavericks in this series are demonstrating how depth determines this series. Game 2, it is Harris and Howard. Game 3 it is Harris and Terry. Game 4 it is Terry and Stackhouse. Two different players join the battle each game and help Dirk with the heavy lifting that he is probably not capable of doing himself. But, credit to the personnel people in this organization. The bottom line is that the Spurs top 3 may be better than the Mavs top 3. But what about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9? No question. The Mavericks are killing them.

• Speaking of that, what a different night for the former Mavericks. While Michael Finley stood tall and made several huge shots, Nick Van Exel demonstrated he cannot even be on the court without being exposed and looking painfully old. He entered the game in the late 3rd Quarter, and quickly allowed Devin blow by him for the basket and the foul and then the next trip, Marquis did the same thing. 2 possessions, 2 three point plays because Nick cannot guard anyone anymore.

• I realize that we will wonder why Dirk did not get more clutch hoops at the end (as he watched Jason Terry do it) but we cannot forget the incredible shots he was hitting early to keep the Mavericks around. This has been a pretty solid series for the big German against huge adversity.

• I love the idea that the Mavericks lineup is really a bunch of DB’s. Terry, Daniels, Howard, Harris, and Stackhouse could likely make a pretty solid nickel. Very solid comparison.

• Here is an email I received moments after the game:

Congratulate Mark Cuban for all his incessant whining about the referees. He finally got all the calls he wanted, especially down the stretch. The referees obviously blew two calls down the stretch:

1. The blocking foul on Duncan with the Spurs up by 5 103-98. Duncan was clearly outside the inner circle and clearly had position before Nowitzki got to the area. As a result, the Spurs got a technical, Nowitzki made 2 free throws, and Spurs up by two instead of 5 with the ball.

2. The invisible foul by Bowen on Nowitki when Nowitzki was backing Bowen down at the end of the 4th quarter. Where was the foul? A tap on the wrist? Are the players supposed to decide the game?

You can say that the Spurs got some calls like Parker's shot that didn't hit the rim and they gave the ball back to the Spurs. But all the critical calls went to the Mavs. Congrats Cuban, you have molded the officials so that they can win some games for the Mavs.

Cesar Termulo

Poor guys. I feel for the Spurs fans. They just can’t buy a call. Or complete an inbounds pass.

• Ginobili was amazing. That sequence where he hit back-to-back 3’s was sick. I was very impressed with his games in Dallas. Of course, fouling out did not help matters for the Champs.

• Jason Terry loves the big shot. He did it last year in the playoffs and he did it last night. Jason Terry does not miss when it counts, it seems. The ability to hit a big shot is not something that every star player can hit. In fact, many big shot makers are not superstars. But Jason Terry is someone who calms the fans when he has the rock in clutch time.

• Here is another email from Hektor: Two words to describe the Mavericks: NO MERCY Amen, Hektor.

• Charles Barkley is a big, fat idiot.

• Let’s not forget the play of Jerry Stackhouse. His basketball IQ may be inconsistent, but he can beat anyone off the dribble. He is borderline unstoppable when he wants to score. Money.

• Do you think Tony Parker was tired of hearing about Devin Harris? Geez. What a clinic from Parker in that 1st Quarter. See, that is the odd thing about this whole series. The best players on each team have been really good. It isn’t like the Spurs have played like crap. They could have won both games in Dallas. But, history doesn’t show who “could have” won. Scoreboard.

• Booing Michael Finley is idiotic. There. I said it. I am not saying love him, but to treat him as public enemy #1 around here is stupid.

• Let me get this straight: It is the refs fault? Whatever.

• If the Mavericks are able to win anything that shines a lot this summer, it will be a miracle that you can win with someone like Diop playing big minutes at center. Let me explain: I love the guy. I really do. And his blocked shots are wonderful. But, I cannot express how clueless he appears at times. He has no judgment with foul trouble as he hacks even if he has 5 fouls and Dampier is already fouled out. Also, what is more humorous than Diop ending up with the ball in a scoring position? It borders on painful.

• I really enjoy seeing the Spurs fans unhappy. I think that has been stated time and time again here. But, most of the players are not guys I like to see fail. Except Bruce Bowen. I think I enjoy watching him fail.

• Something tells me that whoever wins this series will be pretty tired. And keep in mind, the winner will still require 8 more wins to win the NBA Title.

• Beat SA, Beat SA, Beat SA, Beat SA

I Cannot Freaking Believe This! Jet! Jet! Jet!

I am so happy I cannot see straight. See you in the morning.

Monday Links

Remember how I said that no matter where you are in a 7 game series, people will still insist that this is the “do or die” game? I swear, everyone spent all week saying whoever wins Game 3 will win the series. Now, Game 4 is far more important than Game 3. Watch, regardless of whoever wins tonight, Game 5 will be far more important than Game 4 by Wednesday. This is the playoffs, people. They are all important. Win them.

Mavs talk on Sunday …

The Mavs are counting on it. The series lead would become a stranglehold with a third consecutive win, even if the Mavs aren't willing to say so.

"We don't focus in on going up 3-1, 1-0, 2-0," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "We only focus in on getting a [good] defensive rating, and having ball and player movement on offense, and playing unselfish. Now if we do that, then we'll have a chance to win."

So what does that 2-1 lead mean?

"Not much because we can mess around and lose it the next game or we can go up by two," Josh Howard said. "You never know. We just have to prepare and limit our mistakes."

Another win means the Mavs will have the defending champs staring at a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. A loss shifts the home-court advantage back to the Spurs, heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in San Antonio.

If ever the Mavs wanted, or needed, one game, this would seem to be it.
"We won the third game," said Nowitzki, averaging 22.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in the series. "That's about it. Now we've got to concentrate on the fourth game. I feel like the fourth game is even bigger than the third.

"Once you have the momentum on your side in the series, you don't even want it to change."

Meanwhile, Spurs ready their defense for gimpy Dirk, and how to stop Devin …

"No defense is perfect," Manu Ginobili said. "Sometimes you are going to make their star have less points, but you risk the others."

Devin Harris is among the "others" that concern the Spurs. He's totaled 44 points the past two games after moving into the starting lineup. Normally Dallas' backup point guard, Harris has used his quickness to break down the Spurs off middle pick-and-rolls.

"He's kind of a Tony Parker look-alike in a lot of ways," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.

With one difference: In this series, Harris has looked faster than Parker. On one possession Saturday, he blew by Parker with a behind-the-back dribble.

Parker has been playing with a pair of bruised thighs but insisted Sunday he is "OK." He said the Spurs have tried to pressure Harris too much instead of backing off and forcing him to shoot jumpers or drive into them.

"Back in the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys days, we would probably have nailed him a long time ago," Horry said. "But we just play basketball. He's just getting to the rack. Hopefully, we can do something to deter him from getting there so easy."
Sending Harris to the free-throw line probably isn't the answer. The Spurs did enough of that Saturday. The 33 fouls they collected matched their season high and were about 12 more than they average.

Do you want to see the goal that won my beloved Liverpool the FA Cup? Here it is …If you do not watch soccer, just realize that the goal Steven Gerrard scored on that video is about the greatest goal scored this season. That should not happen.

Oh dear, Ramonce Taylor in trouble … Bam Morris is impressed ….

Texas running back Ramonce Taylor, who scored a touchdown in the Longhorns' Rose Bowl win over Southern California, was arrested early Sunday by Bell County sheriff's deputies who said they found marijuana in a backpack in his car.

According to a news release from Sheriff Dan Smith, deputies also found a live 40-caliber round of ammunition in the console of the vehicle.

The sheriff first reported that deputies who were responding to calls about a fight involving as many as 100 people found more than five pounds of marijuana in Taylor's backpack, which would be a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in jail and $10,000 in fines.

But Bell County prosecutors instead charged Taylor with state jail felony drug posession of marijuana, pending lab results to determine the total weight of the drug, Smith's office said.

If it weighs more than five pounds, the charge will be upgraded.

A state jail felony carries up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Brett Hull decides single life isn’t that great …

Bruce and Shirley Schollmeyer of Colleyville, announce the engagement of their daughter, Darcie Schollmeyer, to Brett Hull, both of Dallas. He is the son of Harry and Joanne Robinson of Blaine, Wash. and Bobby and Debbie Hull Sr. of University Park, Fla.

They plan to marry July 21, 2006, in Cabo San Lucas.

Reggie McNeal – Wideout …

McNeal flashed his 4.32-second, 40-yard-dash speed. He ran right past cornerback DeMarcus Rideaux on a fly pattern. McNeal showed excellent cutting ability, turning the corner on routes across the middle and on out patterns.

"I think I did pretty (well) for my first go-round at receiver," he said. "I want to continue to get better. It's a big challenge, but I'm up for it. You do a lot more competing than just sitting back and throwing. You get to go against some of the best (defensive backs) one-on-one and see what you've got."

"I think it's going to work out for the best," McNeal added.

Landon Donovan (aka: Landon Prima-donovan) has got it going on …

A mere 24-years old, Donovan is not only a terrific player, but he also qualifies as an athlete who knows how to get his mack daddy vibe on: The Post tells us that he’s engaged to actress Bianca Kajlich, who we kind of drooled over back in the day on Dawson’s Creek.

Ultimate Fighter 3 recap …

Lazer gets some love …

This link won’t make sense if you didn’t watch the Sopranos last night: I guess it is true - Neil Young does own (partly) Lionel Trains …

Lionel changed hands again in 1995, when Kughn sold controlling interest in the company to an investment group that included rock and roller Neil Young and holding company Wellspring Associates, which was headed by former Paramount Communications chairman Martin Davis. The new company became known as Lionel LLC. The company continued marketing reproductions of its vintage equipment, and the trend towards producing new equipment that was ever-more-detailed (with a correspondingly higher price) continued.

Additionally, Young, who has a 20% stake in the company[1], helped finance the development of Trainmaster Command Control, a technology similar to Digital Command Control which permits, among other things, the operation of Lionel trains by remote control. In order to proliferate this standard, Lionel has licensed it to several of its competitors, including K-Line.

Game 3: Dallas 104, San Antonio 103

"And A Child Shall Lead Them"...

I cannot think of any more electric feeling as a sports fan as what I experienced at Game 3. The American Airline Center was bonkers, and it was one of those rare sports nights where you are just happy you were an eye witness.

In the end, the Mavericks stole it. That isn’t to say they weren’t the better team in Game 3 or in the series, because honestly, through 12 quarters of basketball I think anyone in their right minds would admit that it is Tim Duncan playing the role of William Barret Travis (edited after Sam Houston debacle) as he and his merry band try to stay alive and protect their Alamo, despite odds that suggest it is a matter of “when” and not “if” the Alamo falls.

But, despite the Mavericks demonstrating their superiority through 3 games, in the 4th Quarter of Game 3, I believe most of us who like to see the Dallas boys do well would have likely reveal that we felt an ill wind blowing through the city. It appeared the Spurs were throwing every thing they had left, and finding a new level of excellence that their opponent could not match. They had weathered the Mavericks best punch, and now would take a hard fought battle like they had so many times before.

So when the Mavericks proved victorious, to win one of the biggest games in the history of the franchise, and will play on Monday for a chance to grab the series by the proverbial throat, you can understand why coaches through the years ask us all to “enjoy the journey”. Playoff runs that require 16 wins for the ultimate champion are about unforgettable nights along the way. There is certainly no reason to suggest that we should prepare for a championship parade around here yet, but Saturday night in Dallas was part of the 2006 playoff journey that I will never forget.

Bob’s Blog exclusive Sports Quick Hits from Game 3:

• Clearly, the biggest play of the game seemed to be the 6th foul on Tim Duncan when Dirk stepped on his foot, sprained his ankle (for the 86th time of his career), drew a foul, and in doing so disqualified the most unstoppable player in this series. There is much complaining about the call, but I must mention that this is pretty normal protocol for referees all season long. If you trip a player, you committed a foul. There is not question of intent, or what part of your body. Is it fair that Duncan was banished from the game for a play in which he did not commit any level of physical contact aside from being stepped on? No. But welcome to basketball. Now, Tony Parker should have likely been given a call when he was tripped on the other end moments earlier, but the Dirk call seemed correct based on precedents set hundreds of times.

• Devin Harris is amazing. Still wonder about his judgment, and I still wonder about his perimeter shot, but I do not wonder about his cajones and his talent. What a player. This was in the post game notes: “Devin Harris scored a career-high (regular season or playoffs) 24 points tonight after scoring 20 points in Game 2. Harris has now scored 20+ points five times in his career (regular season and playoffs). Three of those games have come against the Spurs.”. Nice!

• Jerry Stackhouse, on the other hand, seems to be a meltdown waiting to happen in the most crucial moments of a key game. Let’s consider the evidence: Game 1 of this series and his multi-faceted meltdown in San Antonio (or the Mavericks could have a 3-0 lead in this series), the end of Game 6 in the Phoenix game last year (I was reminded by P1 Jared) when he ignored pleas for a timeout and took a shot at the end of regulation, and of course last night, when he took a very ill-advised shot with 13 seconds left, then botched the free throw in a way that would have been embarrassing for a high school kid, let alone a 10 year NBA veteran. For a guy who is supposed to be “nails”, I am not feeling it right now.

• There is no question that the Spurs enter Game 4 with confidence. They scored 23 points in the final 7 minutes of the Game 3, when Dallas was doing everything they could to get stops. Ginobili proved unguardable on his way to the basket, and the Mavs have not come close to limiting Duncan at all. The Spurs know that if they get Monday, then it is a best-of-3 series with the first and last contest at their barn. If anyone thinks for a second that this series is close to in the bag, please seek professional help.

• Wherever this run takes us, let’s not forget the key moments from Erick Dampier. His follow-up dunk in the 4th quarter is another case of the big fella showing up at the key moments in this series. Keep it up. Diop, too.

• And now, my review of Dirk’s game: Very solid, and very patient. I need to see more offense run through him down the stretch of the 4th quarter, but let’s not lose sight of 27 points and 15 rebounds. Also, let’s not lose sight of that great assist to Stackhouse with 30 seconds to play. Nice pass by a guy who can’t pass. I still think he is going to have to take over a game on offense at crunch time (like Duncan does) before this series is over, but they are up 2-1 without that happening, so what do I know?

• Tim Duncan whines.

• Joey Crawford thinks people pay to watch him.

• Marquis Daniels should call timeout every time he has the urge to jack up a jump shot from over 10 feet.

• Jason Terry was very good for most of the time. When his shot is falling, nobody can guard him. I think we are all starting to see how Harris and Terry will both have a future with this team for a long, long time. Harris will never go back to the bench, but most nights, you can win with both of them in your backcourt.

• Michael Finley drives the basket now? And he guards Dirk? I guess you can do more when they cut your minutes.

• Beat SA…Beat SA…Beat SA…



"Foul? You must be joking!"

There is only one Steven Gerrard!

After 3 hours, and a miraculous comeback, Liverpool Wins the FA CUP! ...Liverpool 3, West Ham 3 (Liverpool 3-1 on penalties)

FA Cup #7!

The AAC Is the Alamo Saturday

Myopia is all around a playoff series. Before every game we talk about how THIS is the most important game in the series, and how THIS game is a must-win. We then play the game, and regardless of what we said about the previous game, before the next game we usually say all of the same stuff.

But, in this case, myopia may be good. Saturday Night is crucial. The Mavericks have the Spurs on the run, and they also have them doubting for the first time ever against Dallas. So, if ever there was a time to assert dominance and be as ruthless as an assassin, 7pm Saturday night will be a fine time to do so.

Expect the Spurs to throw everything in the world at them tomorrow night. And if the little Mavericks can stand up to that and protect the house, then Dallas fans have nothing to concern themselves with.

Mavericks circle the wagons and prepare for the assault …

"We're at home," Johnson said. "We know that doesn't guarantee a win. So I'm going to really look at our players' body language. It was OK in practice. It's going to have to be better tomorrow. We know we're probably going to get a better game from them. But we got to be better."

The same sort of determined effort the Mavericks had in their Game 2 win in San Antonio is exactly what Johnson expects from the Spurs on Saturday. The Mavericks must be ready for it or the same sort of blowout that San Antonio suffered could befall Dallas.

"With the Spurs, you can never relax," Dirk Nowitzki said. "They won 63 games. Good teams win on the road. We showed it in Game 2.

"To me, home court doesn't mean that much if you play great teams because if you have a great defense and are tough, you can win on the road. We have to keep attacking."

Therein lies the key. Thursday was spent not worrying so much about what San Antonio will do differently after losing at home for the first time in the playoffs, but addressing the still-plentiful problems the Mavericks had in Game 2.

The Mavericks weren't flawless, Johnson said. But if the scale of their worst game of the season to their best game ranges from 1 to 100, Tuesday's was 100.

"That was pretty sharp on both ends," Nowitzki said. "But we've been battling consistency all season long."

Nick the Quick vows to impact Game 3 …

"I just need to take the shots that are good shots," he said. "I'm not being aggressive enough. I'm passing first and attacking second. I've got to get my mind frame right going into the game, and that (shooting) will take care of itself.

"Four for 23? I'm not concerned about that. I haven't had good looks, so I'm not really concerned about that at all."

Van Exel says it has been difficult adjusting to sporadic playing time with the Spurs. Too often, he said, he has played "like a robot."

"I'm going out there and being aggressive when I'm out there, no matter how much time it is," he said. "I say that very easily, but most nights, I don't do that. I just go out there and play like a robot.

"On Saturday I'm going to go out there and just play."

It will be easier knowing he won't have to look over his shoulder for Javie, whom Van Exel contends once called him a "miserable person" while ejecting him from a game in 2001.

Meanwhile, in pucks The Ducks complete the sweep of the Avs …

The Mighty Ducks are a team that exemplifies what it takes to be successful in the New NHL. Speed, and lots of it, is Anaheim's strength. The Avs were not a slow team, but were made to look it by the Ducks, who never gave Avs skaters any time or space to make decisions with the puck.

The Avs put 41 shots on Anaheim goalie Ilya Bryzgalov in Game 4, many of them high quality. But only one puck went in, and the Avs' 0-for-5 showing on the power play was a final act of futility. Colorado's power play was 0-for-24 in the series.

0-24 on the power play? Sure fooled Stars fans.

Was it Theodore’s fault? …Sieve.

He wasn't good enough to carry an overmatched team, which is what the Avalanche was in this series. That was obvious long before the Avalanche season-ending loss Thursday night - so obvious that much of the discussion over the past few days already (and justifiably) had taken on post-mortem tones.

"I felt better every game," Theodore said. "In the playoffs, there are a lot of details. As a team, you have to play well on the (power play and penalty kill) and defensively and offensively."

Did his teammates, including his defensemen, let him down?

"No, no, not at all," Theodore said. "You have to give credit sometimes to the other team. Look at the way Anaheim beat Calgary. I knew it was going to be hard. I thought our guys did everything we could, and we left everything on the ice."

After the Avalanche acquired the then-injured Theodore in March, some players interpreted the move as a sign that Pierre Lacroix was making a bold move to bolster Colorado's chances of making a run deep into the playoffs this season.

I'm not sure it was that at all. There were no 100 percent guarantees that Theodore would recover from his fractured heel in time to play, and even if he did, how could anyone know that he could shake off the rust and the mental baggage his terrible play at Montreal this season added to his already extensive collection of potential distractions.

Sure, Lacroix wasn't giving up on this year. He hoped that Peter Budaj would hold down the fort and that the Avalanche indeed would make the playoffs and perhaps even a run, but the Theodore deal was made for the next two seasons. Theodore will take up $5.3 million of the Avalanche's available salary cap figure in each year, and that's significant now because risks no longer are just about budgets but about percentages of the cap.

The Boys blog looks at Tuna’s regrets …



Cole Ford’s incredible journey …including the attempted shooting of Siegfried and Roy's house….

Former Raiders kicker Cole Ford, who has been hospitalized for mental illness, pleaded guilty Thursday to shooting at the home of entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn in 2004.

Ford, who last kicked for Oakland in 1997, agreed to a felony plea that could result in a suspended sentence of one to six years in a Nevada prison if he continues mental-health treatment at a center near his family's home in Tucson, Ariz.

"We've come a long way with Mr. Ford, and he's doing terrific," Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass said as she addressed Ford's mother, Amy Ford, in the courtroom gallery. The judge, who last year sent Ford to a state mental-health facility in Sparks, also signed an order allowing a mother-son jail visit.

The latest on the $7500 baseball card …

But Gordon's card, which was mistakenly released in limited numbers by Topps, sold last week for $7,500 on Internet auction site eBay. Pretty impressive considering Gordon, a top Kansas City Royals prospect, is playing Double-A ball in Wichita, Kan.
"It's crazy," Gordon said Thursday. "I'm in shock at the price and still don't believe it.

"I think sometime soon I should give Topps a call and see if I can get one, just to put it in a frame."

Rick Sutcliffe vs. Beer …

But for possibly chemically enhanced and definitely slurred rambling, as reported by the Associated Press, Rick Sutcliffe's surprise appearance in the San Diego Padres' booth during a local telecast Wednesday night will stand the test of time.
At one point, talk turned to Sutcliffe's daughter.

Sutcliffe: ``She's on her way to Africa tomorrow. How about that? Over there on one of those missions, man. George Clooney -- you been reading about all that, you been seeing that?''

Announcer Matt Vasgersian: ``George Clooney?''

Sutcliffe: ``Yeah, he's up there with the Congress, he's trying to get everybody to go over there and solve that thing.''

Later, to analyst Mark ``Mud'' Grant: ``Mud, you're the best, man. Anybody on Earth that doesn't like Mark Grant, they've got problems.''

And to Vasgersian: ``Matty, what are you still doing here in San Diego?''

And to Vasgersian, who had tried to change the subject: ``No, no, no, Matty -- everybody on Earth has been trying to steal you -- the Dodgers, the Cubs, ESPN. What are you still doing here?''

Voice in the background, as Sutcliffe goes silent: ``They turned it off.''

Liverpool fights for The FA CUP Saturday Morning…

The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is the main "knockout" cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association.

The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world, commencing in 1872 (the Scottish Cup beginning a year later in 1873). As such, its reputation as the sport's premier domestic cup competition extends around the world. Because it involves clubs of all standards playing against each other, there is great scope for "giant-killers" from the lower divisions to eliminate top clubs from the tournament. A record 674 teams have entered the FA Cup in 2005-2006. In comparison, the League Cup, a lower prestige English football knockout tournament, can involve only the 92 respective members of the Football League (which organises the competition) and the FA Premier League.

Many nations also have similar competitions, inspired by this legendary tournament.

Arsenal are the current holders of the trophy, although they were eliminated from the 2005-2006 Cup by Bolton Wanderers. The 2006 final will be between Liverpool and West Ham United.

The Game is 8am Central Saturday Morning on PPV. And yes, Bob and Brett Sturm will both be in our jerseys.

Incidentally, this is one of only two games of significance before the World Cup next month. The other game is the Champions League Final Wednesday, the 17th, when Arsenal tries to take down mighty Barcelona and the best player in the world, Ronaldinho . And that game, unlike this one is on free tv (ESPN2HD)…

$200,000 of Comedy

Cuban fined again …Are we all desensitized to it?

The Mavericks owner was docked $100,000 for going onto the court late in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio at AT&T Center. During a timeout, he was in between the Mavericks' bench and midcourt while yelling at officials.

Another $100,000 fine was assessed for the blog item, in which Cuban criticized the league for using too many officials in the playoffs rather than just selecting the 12 most experienced refs and going with them exclusively.

It's not the first time Cuban has been fined for something he wrote on his blog. He said he was fined last year for writing about the season starting on election day.
In the blog on officials, Cuban said: "Giving less qualified officials an opportunity to officiate playoff games as a reward gives the official a nice attaboy, but it risks the quality of our product. It makes absolutely no sense to do it the way it is currently done. If the league wants the best officiating in every game, only use the best officials. Anything less cheats us all."

And then here is his blog that cost him $100,000 …

…the NBA has a huge problem. It doesnt view the playoffs as a place where the very best of the best of officials go to work. It views the playoffs as part of a reward system for officials. YOu get promoted to the playoffs. Its not unusual to see an official work a single playoff game in the first round . In fact, if the info i have is correct, there are officials who havent even been promoted to full time crew cheif who get playoff assignments. How crazy is that ?

Thats also a huge, huge, huge business mistake. The playoffs are our most important, most visible product. They should never be used as a stepping stone for promotion.
Instead, the NBA should rank its officials, seed them if you will. Top 12 get playoff assignments. Thats it. If an official does a great job and rises to the top 12, he or she gets the reward. If not, not.

Giving less qualified officials an opportunity to officiate playoff games as a reward gives the official a nice attaboy, but it risks the quality of our product.
It makes absolutely no sense to do it the way it is currently done. If the league wants the best officiating in every game, only use the best officials. Anything less cheats us all.

The San Antonio paper assesses the situation …

The loss was the Spurs' second-worst at home in the playoffs. Only a 23-point defeat to Philadelphia in Game 5 of the 1979 Eastern Conference semifinals was more decisive.

The Mavericks used the same defense as the Spurs, even calling some of the same switches, with one difference: They played it better. Of the Spurs' 66 shots, only 21 were uncontested — that's about a third less than they usually average.

The length and athleticism of Dallas' players, whether it was Howard and Harris or Jerry Stackhouse and Marquis Daniels, frustrated the Spurs. Even when Parker and Ginobili did get into the lane, they lacked the lift to shoot over the Mavericks' centers.

Parker and Ginobili finished with a combined 28 points on 10-of-25 shooting.
"Dallas' defense was excellent," Popovich said. "We have to figure out, offensively, how we're going to score against them."

That probably means relying even more on Duncan, who has 59 points in the two games. In both games, Dallas seemed to let one of its big men take Duncan alone in the first half before doubling him in the final two quarters. On Tuesday, he made 8 of 10 shots and 12 of 14 free throws.

Duncan went to the bench with 6:21 left in the first half after picking up his third foul on a charge call.

Popovich called Duncan's exit "monstrous": The Spurs didn't make another shot the rest of the quarter and went into halftime trailing 58-38.

"This is the most active and most dynamic he's been in a long time," Popovich said. "'Playoff Timmy' is certainly there. Now we need to get more help from more people."

A good p1 found this story of greatest busts in basketball And our friend Shawn appears …

Pro scouts fell in love with Bradley, a fairly athletic 7-foot-6 stickman who put up 14 points, seven boards and five blocks a game in his only season at BYU. When he became the talk of the 1993 draft, Bradley hadn't actually played competitive basketball for more than two years, spending that time overseas on a Mormon mission.

Still, the Sixers, in love with his potential and athleticism for a guy that big (he supposedly batted close to .400 on his high school baseball team), took Bradley with the second overall pick — ahead of Penny Hardaway, Jamal Mashburn, Vin Baker and Allan Houston. (Gheorghe Muresan was a high second-round pick in that same draft.)

Bradley had a 12-year run in the league before retiring with the Mavericks last year. But he never lived up to the hype that followed him out of college, peaking as an off-the-bench player who averaged eight points, six rebounds and 2.5 blocks in his career. Bradley was best known for getting posterized by some of the NBA's best (as well as just average) dunkers, including the famous one where T-Mac rode him like a horse in the 2005 playoffs.

How was George Lucas inspired for Star Wars? …



I know this may be a commercial that wasn’t seen here in America, but, only in Europe can we see The great Thierry Henry and the great Dirk Nowitzki in the same commercial …even if the commercial has huge gay overtones…

Hated to see this news, but my official fish store, Dallas North Aquarium had a horrendous fire last week…Hang in there, boys…

Dan Pompei says the Saints have Bush and Deuce to dominate together …

I was asked via email the other day to occasionally update the status of the DVD boys. So, here you go through Tuesday:

John Danks – AA Frisco …

6 starts 2-4, 5.97 ERA, 42 hits allowed in 28 innings

Thomas Diamond - AA Frisco …

6 starts, 2-1, 4.70 ERA, 22 hits and 20 walks in 23 innings. Also, 30 Strikeouts.

Edinson Volquez – AAA Oklahoma City …

6 starts, 2-2, 5.23 ERA, 32 hits in 32 innings and 29 K’s.

As you can see, there is no such thing as a sure thing pitching prospect.

How to Kill my NHL Playoff Buzz in 2 steps:

1) Eliminate as many relevant teams as possible in Round 1 (Dallas, Detroit, Calgary, Philadelphia).
2) The 2nd round should have almost 0 drama; In fact, were it not for Edmonton’s triple overtime goal last night, ALL 4 SERIES WOULD BE 3-0!!! Yuck! How about a little intrigue, boys?

Here is this week’s version of “if this happened over here, this is all we would be talking about” story: the situation. Top 4 teams in England go to the Champions League next season. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool are already in. Tottenham (Steve Nash’s team) is in 4th and Arsenal is in 5th with 1 game to play. If Tottenham wins or ties, they get the final spot. Well, they did neither, losing to West Ham 2-1, and costing their organization $14 million pounds (at least). Here is the rub: At least 10 Tottenham players were affected with food poisoning the morning of the game, and now everyone is wondering if they were poisoned!

The details of lasagna gate …

The defeat meant that Arsenal, their arch rivals, qualified for the Champions League. One fans' website hinted at conspiracy, showing a mock-up of Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger dressed as a chef.

Spurs' failure to make the Champions League will cost at least £14m, according to Nigel Currie, director of the sports sponsorship firm brand Rapport. He estimated lost TV revenue alone would be at least £2.5m and a forthcoming shirt sponsorship deal could fall from £6m to £4m, with another £1.5m lost in merchandising sales.
The Premier League last night effectively ruled out a replay. A spokesman said: "Tottenham Hotspur fulfilled their fixture and the result stands."

The Spurs players became ill after dining in a private room at the five-star London Marriott West India Quay Hotel on Saturday. They sat down to a buffet of steak, chicken and pasta prepared by the hotel chef on the advice of the club's nutritionist. By 5am many were ill with diarrhoea and vomiting and club officials asked for the police to be called.

TV Squad looks at the Lost Hanso Commercial …



Deadspin prepares for Madden 2007 …

Game 2: Mavericks 113, Spurs 91 (1-1)

See? Win 1 game in San Antoino, and you will feel fine returning home, right? Now, let’s not get carried away, but I saw tonight what I expect to see throughout this series. A deeper, more athletic team in Dallas taking on Tim Duncan. He is great. But, the Mavericks are able to bring more. Now, we shall see if they can protect the home court. Crucial to not give it right back on Saturday.

Exclusive Game 2 Notes from the laptop:

• So you want to be a coach? Well, try something radical after 1 game in a series and if it works (Avery Johnson) you are a genius. If it blows up in your face (Dave Tippett) you need your head examined. That was pretty ballsy to go to Devin Harris for 34 minutes. But, it was perfect. Harris had quickness equal to Parker, and played with the aggressiveness that has evidently been well hidden for most of his 2 years here. Now that looked like a #5 pick in the draft.

• We now know for certain that Cheryl Miller in not really Reggie Miller in a wig. They were in the same place at the same time last night, and it is obviously two different human beings. Also, Cheryl seems considerably smarter.

• I am not buying Tony Parker is hurt. I am hearing everyone tell me he is, but I still see him getting to the hoop at will. Come to think of it, I am not buying Duncan is hurt either. Now if you want to tell me Manu is hurt, at least that would explain his disappearing act in these two games. I still laugh when I recall certain geniuses claiming Ginobili was a top 10 player in the league last summer. Trust me, it happened.

• Why, when watching Ginobili play, do I think of cigarettes made in Great Britain?

• Somehow, Dirk really did very little offensively. Any idea that he was going to dominate Bowen after the disappointing Game 1 was obviously not true. He still looks bothered, and he still commits turnovers because he feels pestered all of the time. Mark my words: He needs to break Bowen if the Mavericks are going to win 3 more games. Bowen is getting more and more confidence against Dirk, regardless of the final score of Game 2.

• Duncan is a Top 10 player of my lifetime. That being said, he whines more than anyone this side of Mark Cuban. For him to act like he has never fouled anyone, anywhere is amazing. It is really beginning to change my perception of a guy I have never had anything negative to say about. I saw him play up close all through college at Wake Forest, and then early in his NBA career, I promise Tim Duncan never carried on like this after every whistle (and many non-whistles).

• During the NBA-TV postgame show, they showed that Shaq has scored 2,014 more playoff points than Duncan. That seems amazingly high. I realize Shaq has been around several more years, but 2,000 more points?

• Wow, Nick the Quick really did have an impact on a game in this series. I stand corrected. His ejection actually did seem to factor in somewhat.

• I must admit I did agree with the TNT dynamic duo of Reggie and Dick Stockton on one thought: How is it that it seems that they are “letting them play” and yet everyone was in foul trouble. Were they calling everything or not? I am still not sure.

• Steve Javie seems pretty popular in San Antonio.

• Diop sure played a long time with 5 fouls. I just like his game. He is the Anti-Bradley. I really cannot explain it very well, but if you have watched the Mavericks for the last several years, I think you know what I mean.

• I am not positive about this, but I might be willing to bet that San Antonio plays a heck of a lot more music during the game. My head hurt from all of the sound.

• That pre-interview hug between Stackhouse and Cheryl Miller sure helped Cheryl’s professional integrity score. After a warm embrace, I was expecting some chin music, but her questions for Stack were actually quite nice.

• I am still waiting for Reggie Miller to say something remotely thought provoking or interesting. He was a fine player (although vastly over-rated due to his one shining moment being in front of Knicks media and Spike Lee) but I feel dumber after watching him explain any aspect of a game. Since talking basketball doesn’t mean you can play it, why is it that we all assume that those that play the sport can talk about it?

• Very sad to see the Spurs fans so disappointed. But it was funny to see Eva Longoria mouthing “Ref You Suck” when they showed her. She seems like a true fan.

• Josh Howard is so freaking good it is scary. I stand by my claim of 8 months ago about him being the 2nd best Maverick. Discuss.

For Devin Harris: Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger,

Get Up, Avery!

The Mavericks make plans to change Game 2 …

While the world must decide what to believe, the only sure thing is that the locker room was not a disaster area after Game 1, a two-point loss to the Spurs. No need to call FEMA, which probably wouldn't make it to the scene until Game 6 anyway.
Instead, Johnson and his troops are entrenched, engaged and ready to see this thing through.

"More psychological wreckage would be if we'd have lost by 22," Johnson said. "We made a ton of mistakes. Don't get me wrong. But [if Game 1 had been a blowout] then you would feel probably this mountain is really, really hard to climb.

"But I think with the way we played – and didn't execute in a lot of situations – on the road in one of the most hostile environments in all of the NBA, I think we feel that we can get something done."

That was about the only certainty that came from the Mavericks between Games 1 and 2. As for the rest, it was hard to tell whether Johnson was being serious about anything or merely skirting the truth, yanking a few chains and giving no clues about what San Antonio can expect tonight.

But rest assured, adjustments of some sort are certainly forthcoming, such as guarding Duncan differently.

"I told our team: Never double-team Tim," Johnson joked. "We didn't want to ever double-team Tim Duncan. So again, I'll have to try to change some of my coaching mistakes."

Clearly, Johnson was taking a hit for his players. There were specific times when they were supposed to double-team Duncan. It just rarely got executed the right way.
And about that last-ditch play? Johnson swore it was a play – or at least a wrinkle – that his team had not run all season.

"That's a rookie coach," he said, again blurring the line between fact and fiction. "It wasn't the players' fault. I messed that one up. Pin that one on me. That's the first time we ran that play all year. So that was my fault. I'm not facetious. We have a way we want to attack. We'll just keep spelling it out."

I can’t believe it, but I am almost getting tired of Avery taking blame for everything. What a 100% adjustment from the Nellie era where nothing was ever anyone’s fault…

Bowen v. Dirk …

Bowen's defense is built on being a natural pest, staying chest-to-chest with an opponent. The tactics often rub other players the wrong way.

Spurs guard Michael Finley rushed to Bowen's defense after Monday's practice.
"I don't know what the 'bear hug defense' is," Finley said. "I played football and I never heard that term, and I definitely haven't heard it in basketball, so [Johnson] has to clarify what he means by bear hug.

"I'm from Chicago, and the only bears we had were the Chicago Bears -- the football team."

Asked if Bowen ever got into his head, Finley said: "Just the one cheap shot he did last year. We put that all under the rug. Bruce is a good defender, and you have to give him his props on that. You just can't let him get into your mind-set, and I don't think, mentally, he's gotten into Dirk's head. He's going to continue to make Dirk have a long night, and hopefully that's good enough for us to win."

In the San Antonio papers this morning, Buck Harvey ponders how Josh Howard slipped past the Spurs in 2003 …

Howard seemingly did everything well. Pro scouts liked the 6-foot-7 package, though most saw Howard falling toward the bottom of the LeBron-Carmelo-Wade first round. Several mock drafts, coincidentally, predicted the Spurs would take him.
"Howard is a versatile scorer at small forward," a West Coast newspaper wrote then, "who could complement defensive specialist Bruce Bowen."

The Spurs understood as much. But the two prospects who intrigued them more were Boris Diaw, Tony Parker's buddy who stars now for Phoenix, and Ndudi Ebi, a high-school project out of Houston who has since failed.

Howard? The Spurs were less fixated on him than they were creating cap room to sign Jason Kidd. Howard still earns less than a million dollars, making him the kind of bargain that Parker and Manu Ginobili once were. But unsure what the salary cap would be that summer, the Spurs wanted to free every dollar for Kidd.

In hindsight, the Kidd plan was as erroneous as the Spurs' analysis of Howard. They saw Howard as a slasher, and they already had one in Ginobili. Didn't they really need shooters to spread the floor for Duncan?

Even after coming up with a find with the 28th selection just two years before (Parker), they still didn't like the odds with another No.28. When Diaw and Ebi went off the board, the Spurs traded that first-round choice to the Suns for one in the future.

Gregg Popovich signed off on it with only one reservation. He knew Duncan liked Howard.

Then Dallas, drafting next, took Howard, and Popovich quickly second-guessed everything. Having just edged the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals, had the Spurs helped their rivals?

They have. But a lot of other teams missed then, too. If the 2003 draft were held again, Howard would go as high as fifth.

Death, Taxes, and Ben Wallace wins the Defensive player of the year award ….

"This guy is the anchor to what we do here," Dumars said Monday when it was announced Wallace had been named the defensive player of the year for the fourth time in five seasons. "The success we've had the last five or six years started when he showed up here. It's been a hell of a ride, and it's not done yet.

"Make no mistake, this guy is the cornerstone of everything we do. I am proud of everything he has done so far, and I look forward to many more years of him continuing to do those things for us."

Wallace, who will be a free agent this summer, has said repeatedly his goal and preference is to end his career with the Pistons. Dumars, in his own way, confirmed the feeling was mutual.

"(Signing Wallace) is our No. 1 priority," Dumars said. "Like I said, we look forward to many more years watching him here. I'll say this; he has earned whatever he's due to get. It's not pretend or made up. He's earned it on the floor. That all will take care of itself when the time comes."

The Pistons, almost certainly, will offer Wallace, 31, a contract that would make him the highest-paid player on the team -- if not in its history -- whether it is a maximum contract or not. It likely will be a four-year deal starting anywhere between $12 million and $15 million.

But the particulars of his next contract aren't that important to Wallace right now.

"It's there, and you think about it from time to time," Wallace said. "But I am not going to let that distract me from doing what I do to help my team win. My ultimate goal coming into this season wasn't to re-sign or talk about free agency.

"My ultimate goal was to win a championship. Last year, I felt like I left part of me down there in San Antonio. This year was about trying to reclaim what I lost. Like Joe said, everything will take care of itself."

Wallace, who still hasn't hired an agent and will most likely handle the bulk of his own negotiations, was asked if being named defensive player of the year would help drive up his asking price.

"Winning this award is something that's sort of expected out of me," he said, with a smile. "When we get that big gold trophy with the little ball on top (Larry O'Brien championship trophy), then we can talk about price tags."

That’s right. He represents himself. 5% is a ton of money for a no-brainer contract, right?

And yes, baseball is still being played, with Koronka stopping another losing skid ….

He has four quality starts – three or fewer earned runs allowed in six or more innings – in his first seven outings. Only he and Kevin Millwood, who will try and match Koronka's win total tonight, have gone at least five innings in every start this season.

Koronka (4-1) won without his best stuff Monday. He gave up seven hits, walked two and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings. But he showed some grit, avoiding the big inning that Rangers starters couldn't against the Yankees.

Koronka loaded the bases in the third inning, but he got two groundouts and a fly ball to hold the Twins to two runs. Then his offense sent him back to the mound with the lead.

Texas scored four runs in its half of the third, three coming with two outs from the two guys – Phil Nevin and Hank Blalock – who seem to thrive on two-out RBIs. Nevin and Blalock have driven in 34 of their 51 runs with two outs. The Rangers didn't hit a homer for the fourth consecutive home game. The last time that happened was July 18-21, 1999.

"Singles can help you score runs too," Mark Teixeira said.

Koronka's steadiness – he credits pitching coach Mark Connor with helping him shift to the middle of the rubber to throw better inside pitches – allowed the Rangers to win in spite of numerous base-running blunders.

Naughty Language Warning The Bob Knight Golf tapes …Guaranteed to make you laugh or your money back…



Javon Walker gets his money …provided his 2006 is good enough to justify the bonuses in 2007 and 2008…

According to a league source, Walker, acquired April 29 for a second-round draft pick, will get the $1.15 million base salary he had remaining from the contract he originally signed with the Green Bay Packers, then a five-year, $42 million extension from the Broncos. Included in the extension is a $1 million roster bonus the Broncos inherited from the Packers.

The key to the deal is the bonus payout, which according to the source is between $15 million and $16 million. Multiple websites have reported Monday the bonuses would be paid out as club options - most in 2007, the rest in 2008.

More evidence that the black man is not down with baseball anymore …

There were 69 African-Americans on opening-day rosters in the majors last month, which represented 9.2 percent of all 750 players. That is down sharply from 17 percent three years ago and 27 percent 30 years ago.

According to Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, MLB's percentage is dwarfed by the NBA's 80 percent and the NFL's 67 percent. Of the four major sports, only the NHL, with 1 percent, is lower than baseball.

Finally, we can go on with our lives: Aggie and Seahawk have settled! …

Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks released the following joint statement Monday afternoon regarding the 12th Man trademark settlement:

"Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks announced that they have agreed on the scope of Seattle's future use of the 12th Man trademark.

"The agreement resolves all of the issues presented in the pending lawsuit, which has been dismissed. "

"Neither side admitted any fault or liability. The Seahawks acknowledge Texas A&M's ownership rights in the mark and will continue to use the mark under license in connection with the Seahawks' operations, promotions and fan activities throughout the Pacific Northwest."

In an e-mail to university faculty, staff and students, A&M Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President for Communications Steven B. Moore stated:

"I'm pleased to inform you that, after months of negotiations, the university has reached an amicable agreement with the Seattle Seahawks resolving the controversy regarding the use of Texas A&M's 12th Man trademark. Under the agreement, the university has granted the NFL team a license to use the 12th Man trademark in a seven-state area in the northwest that encompasses the current primary broadcast area of the Seahawks. As is the case of all licensees, the Seattle Seahawks will pay the university a licensing fee and will state publicly that Texas A&M owns the 12th Man trademark each time it is used."

The Boys Blog tackles the Cowboys base defense; alternatives ….



Peter King’s MMQB on Reggie Bush, and Christopher ….

Monday Notes

For my exclusive Mavs Game Notes, Click Here

Intensity has everyone impressed …

The Spurs and Mavericks brought a collective 131 victories, as well as the league's second- and third-best records into Sunday, and the finish did nothing to dispel the hype surrounding the long-anticipated series. Dallas led by six at halftime and by as many as eight in the third quarter, before the Spurs steadied themselves.

"I think," Bowen said, "this has the feel of the NBA Finals."

If nothing else, Duncan looked as strong as he did in last season's playoffs. With the Mavericks electing to stay on the Spurs' 3-point shooters in the first half, Duncan took advantage of the single coverage, scoring 20 points while single-handedly putting all three of Dallas' centers in foul trouble.

Duncan admittedly has performed poorly in early starts. But after rising at 6a.m. on Sunday, he appeared to have found his rhythm by the time he stepped onto the court. Late in the third quarter, he dribbled between his legs, then drove through the lane to bank in a left-handed layup.

"It was like when I was a rookie," Tony Parker said, "and we were just going to him all the time."

In San Antonio, Buck Harvey notices Spurs always figure out a way against the Mavericks …

Still, something has stayed around for years between these two teams, and the opener reinforced it. The same Spurs who always seem to be a game ahead in the standings are the same Spurs who always seem to find a way.

After the Mavericks botched the final play and were unable to score a basket in the final four minutes Sunday, do they believe the same?

Avery Johnson will do everything to reverse that thinking, and he started Sunday afternoon. After saying, "We make no excuses," he made some.

Asked about Bowen's defense on Nowitzki, AJ said: "It's what you call 'bearhug defense.' That's the new NBA rule: Bearhug Defense. That's pretty much what's going on. I've got to formulate, or simulate, a drill to help (Nowitzki)."

Someone began to ask, "By bearhug, do you mean ..."

Johnson jumped back in.

"You know what a bearhug is?" he asked. "If a bear comes up to you and hugs you, what is he going to do? It's a bearhug defense. I don't even have to use my New Orleans slang for that description."

Blackistone points out the missed opportunity …

"It is [a missed opportunity]," admitted Dirk Nowitzki, who once again struggled against the half-a-foot shorter but pesky Bruce Bowen, missing eight of 11 shots in the second half and being unable to get off a game-tying attempt on the last possession. (And Dirk had led us to believe that this season, he had finally mastered the art of rendering smaller defenders defenseless.)

Unfortunately for the Mavericks, it was more of the same cooking against the Spurs, especially in the Spurs' house. It was their seventh loss in the teams' last 10 meetings. It was their fifth loss in San Antonio in their last six visits.

"We ain't the only ones," said Jason Terry, who made just a third of his 18 shots and suffered a critical unforced turnover midway through the fourth quarter.

But there are few teams for whom having the door slammed in their faces by the Spurs may be so painful at this time of year.

After all, the Mavericks arrived here Saturday well rested after sweeping the Grizzlies in four games that didn't appear taxing. And the Spurs were just returning to town from California after a surprisingly grueling series with Ron Artest's Kings, who battled San Antonio for six games.

It made for a perfect chance for the Mavericks to get a jump on the defending champions, to put the pressure squarely on their opponent's shoulders rather than have to bear the weight of expectations again themselves.

No, it didn't get any better than this.

"We had some advantages coming in where rest was concerned," admitted Jerry Stackhouse, who paced the Mavericks all game with 10-of-21 shooting for 24 points off the bench. "But this is playoff basketball, and they are a championship team."

Meanwhile, Baseball still exists; The Rangers take the broom at the hands of the Yankees …Ouch.

The Rangers had rattled off six straight wins -- against the Indians, Devil Rays and Orioles -- before dropping three in a row to the Yankees. Their starters were out of whack, giving up five or more runs each night. The only good news for the Rangers is they remained in first place in the American League West, thanks to the Athletics' 3-2 loss to the Devil Rays.

Yankees starters Mike Mussina, Shawn Chacon and Chien-Ming Wang were much more effective, allowing six runs among them in the series.

"Their starting pitchers pitched real well all three games," said Rangers manager Buck Showalter. "We had some real deep holes to dig out of."

The Rangers did not score more than one run in the first five innings in any game of the series. They had few chances Sunday. Wang went three-up, three-down in the first two innings, then allowed Brad Wilkerson to score after a leadoff double in the third.

On Friday, I guess I took the controversial stance that I was beaten down by the looming Parcells press conference. Perhaps I wasn’t clear as to why. I love hearing Parcells talk X’s and O’s. I love football theory explained by a guy who knows more football than most. And I got a little of that in the 49 minute press conference. But, mostly, here is what we did get from the media; the tired, baseless claims that Jerry and Bill hate each other, and that surely, Parcells does not support the signing of Terrell Owens. The Media was going to prove that on Friday, and to do so, they would be more than happy to ignore actual football issues. So be it. Here are the questions that were asked on Friday until Brad Sham stepped in 30 minutes into it and asked his media brethren if it was ok if they talked about the draft. I took the opportunity to put the “Non-Owens” questions in bold.

What did you see in TO?
Did the other issues bother you?
How big of a gamble is bringing this guy into your lockerroom?
What makes you think you can control him?
Who did you talk to about Terrell?
Bill you said you don't like to deal with problem children, what made you change your mind?
Drew didn't scare you off?
You don't take what has happened into his career into consideration?
Was this your decision?
Did you seek input from Drew Bledsoe on this?
What makes you think you won't have problems?
What will you do if there is a problem?
What have your initial conversations been with TO?
Are you OK with him not being here for workouts?
Did you talk to him before you signed him?
What were you trying to feel him out for there?
Did you approach this idea first or did Jerry?
Did you tell him what you expect of him?
What about with teammates?
From your research, is he not as bad as he is made out to be?
Is there any reason you did not do this in the last 6 weeks?
Someone joked it was groundhog day?
You know, if you saw your shadow, you might talk to the media?
Back to Terrell, did you know about the book deal and the tv show?
Would that change your opinion about him?
Does that concern you that the book will be hitting as camp starts?
The way the contract is structured, does that work in your favor?
Bill, Normally you address the media after the draft, any reason you didn't?
You disappointed in it?
What does TO bring to the offense that Keyshawn doesn't?
Will he be here before June minicamp?
Are you giving him special leeway?
does he have to get his 40 in like everyone else?
how did you get comfortable with the decision to bring him here?
From a football perspective, how does he improve this team?
Do you think he has learned from his mistakes in the past?
If he has learned, why is he writing a book about last year?
Did you call Andy Reid at all?
What did he say?
You didn't discuss TO?
Is this the biggest risk of your career on a player?
How concerned are you that you will be spending an inordinate amount of time on him?
You mention he has been in a different offense, are you changing things for him?**
Do you see yourself as a year to year thing?
Why the mystery, why not tell Jerry you will be here for 2 years?
At the end of last year, it wasn't a mystery to you that you were coming back?
Sham: Is it ok if we talk about the draft yet?
Is talking about TO that hard?

Surely, the media accomplished his mission as Parcells confessed he was suicidal about his current lot in life. Oh wait. He didn’t say anything that was slightly enlightening about Owens, but we all got to hear great questions. Thanks.

Deadspin’s Kentucky Derby Diary …

• Before the race started, I think I heard someone say something about horses “retiring with dignity.”
• Bell rings; horses run fast.
• Horses continue to run fast. Man, look at those horses go.
• For some reason, I’m really craving Chinese food.
• Horses all make NASCAR-esque left turn.
• Horses appear to be picking up speed. These are some fast freakin’ horses.
• You know, none of these horses are talking. Therefore, none of these horses have a damn thing on Mr. Ed.
• Some horses running faster than others.
• Man, the little guys in silk are whipping the horses awfully hard. That looks like it hurts.
• Hey, if I had a horse, you know what I’d name him? Steve. Everyone else’s horse would be named something weird like “The Firm Calves On Betsy Sue,” or, “Anti-Microbial Goat Shampoo,” and my horse would just be named Steve. And he would make fun of the other horses for their dumb names.
• Some horse finished first. And rich white people rejoice.

CBS’s The Unit is doing well …Not a bad show…

Nine episodes into its debut 12-episode season, it is the most-watched new drama on television, pulling in nearly 14 million viewers a week, according to Nielsen Media Research.

"The Unit" has developed a following of its own and the sparks are flying even more as it heads into May sweeps, including a two-hour season finale May 16.

Less refined than "24" and less technical than any of the forensics dramas, "The Unit" is the kind of TV show that makes you want to scratch yourself and spit on the sidewalk.

It's a tribute to men.

Or the male fantasy.

This show is so testosterone-driven that you start to wonder which "unit" the title is actually talking about.

Get your Billy Bats Shirt here …

Here is an email:

Hey Bob!
I agree totally with what you said on the program on Thursday. Who cares what Bill has to say? As a fan, I don't care if the Coach of the Cowboys speaks one bit about the T.O. situation. Bottom-line, he is here. If Bill didn't want him here, he would not be here. As for your friends on the other station, "Not the Norm", Dennis was ragging on you guys this morning. He sat on his Journalism high horse saying that you aren't a true journalists unless you truly cover the Cowboys. He kept going on about how it is the responsibility of a journalist to acquire information from Bill Parcells for the fans of the Cowboys. I chalk this up to petty jealousy and I hope that you guys try to do a radio prank on their show in the near future!!!! Next time say hi to Dennis and Engel during the 1pm hour, because they obviously listen to BaD Radio! On another note, I appreciate the Cowbell video. That still makes for many laughs around the office. (Isn't it fun to laugh a little bit)

Hit the Theme Expo,
Scott

Well, if Steve Dennis is calling me out, I guess my life is complete. Too bad very few people heard it , evidently...