Carlos Boozer Out 4-6 Weeks

When Carlos Boozer went down last Saturday against the Hornets after banging knees with Tyson Chandler, it just seemed like a bone bruise. Boozer had an MRI on Sunday that came back negative and sat out the Jazz's heart breaking loss to the Nets. In a revaluation today, a hairline fracture was found is Boozer's left fibula, sidelining the likely All-Star selection for 4-6 weeks. Was anybody really surprised by this? Boozer has missed at least 30 games in each of his first two seasons with the Jazz. His first season in Utah he missed 31 games and last season he missed 59. Boozer was the key to the Jazz's resurgence this year, leading the team with 22 points a game and almost 12 rebounds. This latest injury puts the Jazz in quite a pickle. Right now they are sitting on top of their division, but they are going to have to find some scoring and rebounding to make up for Boozer's loss or they are going to lose their division and quite possibly be reeling towards another lottery selection in next year's draft. Rumors have been circulating about a possible trade of Andrei Kirilenko. If the Jazz can get someone that scores over 15 a game, I would consider it an even swap for Kirilenko. Kirilenko has a massive contract and getting rid of him would free up cap space for the Jazz to sign a free agent this summer. Rookie Paul Milsap filled in for Boozer last game and did well (16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists), so now that I think about it, maybe Boozer is the one that needs to worry about his roster spot when he returns. Milsap is going to participate in the Rookie Challenge, which is pretty amazing considering he was a late second round pick in the draft. Let's all just relax, the Jazz just might be alright, another rookie from La. Tech is going to save us. Are there any guards from Gonzaga coming out next year?

Joe Namath - Most Overrated Quarterback Ever

Here we are, the week leading up to the Super Bowl. There has been no trash talking yet, thanks goodness, I believe the Bears and Colts are a lot classier than last year's participants. Did anybody else want to put a muzzle around Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens last year? Boy, Jerramy Stevens sure backed up what he said dropping that wide open touchdown in the game, solidifying him as a "all talk and no walk" football player. As I sat down to read the newspaper I came across an article in the Deseret News about Peyton Manning in comparison to one of the alleged great quarterbacks, Joe Namath. The statistics in this article were astounding. Although Peyton Manning has not actually competed in a Super Bowl yet, he is still one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, if not, the best. Although playing in the Super Bowl is a crowning achievement, how come it is always the quarterback that gets downplayed if they never play in one? Barry Sanders never played in a Super Bowl and he has NEVER been labeled as a great running back that never played in the Super Bowl. However; with quarterbacks, it just seems to be a little different. When you hear the name "Dan Marino," you probably think, "oh yeah, one of the best quarterbacks to never play in a Super Bowl." What about Trent Dilfer? He's an extremely mediocre quarterback that won a Super Bowl, but will he go to the Hall of Fame? I doubt it, but after looking Joe Namath's career numbers, anything is possible. Besides Joe's victory in Super Bowl III, he did very little in his career. Just read these numbers; Joe Namath threw 173 touchdown passes in his 13 seasons. In that time, he also threw 220 interceptions and only completed 50% of his passes. Namath's record as a starting quarterback was 77-108-3. Peyton Manning on the other hand is 94-53 and has passed for more yards, more completions, and more touchdowns his first nine years than any quarterback in football history. If Joe Namath can be crowned a Hall of Famer in one game, then not winning Super Bowl XLI should take NOTHING away from Peyton Manning. (Although it will be great to see him hoist that Vince Lombardi trophy. Think of the good commercials that will come from it...)

Flopping Might Become Illegal in the NBA

Stu Jackson, VP of Operations for the NBA, announced this week that the NBA is looking into allowing referees to assess players technical fouls for flopping in games. FIBA, which is over international basketball, already allows its referees to hit players with technicals for flopping. As of now, the NBA is just looking into the possibilities of giving referees this added measure of power. I have played basketball both recreationally and competitively for many years, and I have never really understood how players flop. It's borderline cheating in my views. It's like traveling; taking anymore than 2 steps just feels unorthodox. While it could be an honest assessment that mostly everybody who has ever played basketball has flopped before, there are some that are worse than others. Without any further ado, I give you my 2006-07 NBA All-Flop Team:
(1) Sam Cassell, LA Clippers - He has been "poked in the eye" so much I'm surprised he isn't blind yet.
(2) Gilbert Arenas, Washingtion Wizards - How come he never yells "Hibachi!" at the foul line? He's there enough.
(3) Manu Ginobli, San Antonio Spurs - He is a high-flying, free-falling type of player. He's going to hurt himself before anybody hurts him.
(4) Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks - He screams and flails his arms and legs around like an unhappy baby.
(5) Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs - He's always trying to draw a foul, and always acts surprised when the ref calls nothing.
(Yeah, that's right, Tim Duncan is taking the 5 spot on my team because he is a center. Some would argue that he isn't a center, but he is. The biggest outrage is that he was voted on the West's All-Star team this year as a forward, when he should be a center to make room for another more deserving forward from a conference that has so many that any of them being left out of the All-Star game is considered a 'snub.')
Although I highly despise flopping and those who do it, I don't think that allowing referees to hand out technicals for doing it will change a thing. For one, referees already miss SO MANY calls. Adding one more thing for them to look for will only complicate their already difficult job. And secondly, if the referees understand what's a flop and what's not, then why do they call fouls on flops? You would think that if they could tell the difference then they wouldn't call the foul. That is one of the things being researched by the NBA, if in real time the referees can really tell the difference. If they call fouls now, they won't call technical fouls later.

NBA is Turning Into the NHL

What Ben Wallace and Ron Artest started last year in the "Palace Brawl" has forever changed that face of the National Basketball Association. That is exactly what NBA commissioner David Stern did not want, but you don't always get what you want. Now David Stern must find a way to deal with it. Last year Stern implemented a new dress code for players arriving to the arenas on game day and sitting on the bench to try and increase the professionalism of the players. This year Stern amended the actual uniform attire, outlawing tights and the wearing elbow and knee pads on anything but the elbows and knees. Yeah, some people actually had a problem with that. Kobe at one time wore knee pads down around his ankles. Was it a fashion statement, or did curious little Kobe get into the equipment closet and start playing dress-up? I guess we'll never know, but at least we won't have to witness such stupidity again. Stern also implemented a "Zero-tolerance Policy" in regards to players reacting to referees. Stern's zero-tolerance policy was effective the first few weeks. There were technical fouls being thrown out faster than steroid suspensions in MLB. However; none of these new stipulations and guidelines have succeeded in increasing the sportsmanship of players. This year there have been three more brawls in the NBA. The first of the year was in New York, dubbed by me as the "Midget Melee in Madison Square Garden." Just like Ben Wallace was the initial perpetrator in the Palace Brawl, Nate Robinson was the initial perpetrator at the Midget Melee in MSG. Had nobody else got involved, J.R. Smith would have knocked Robinson back to the Shire. That brawl became even more embarrassing after Carmelo Anthony slapped, not punched, Jared Jeffries and then ran away like there was a fire. The scene at MSG was like the scene between the rival gangs in West Side Story, it was that cheesy. There were some rather heavy suspensions dealt by Stern to "send a message," but apparently not many players got the message.
Last week Kevin Garnett and Antonio McDyess got into a fight that looked eerily similar to a playground fight between two fourth grade boys. Garnett throws the ball at McDyess, McDyess pushes Garnett, Garnett throws a sissy little punch that doesn't connect and then backpedals almost all the way back to Minnesota. I hope Garnett sat in the corner of his room and thought about what he did during the whole one game he was suspended. Yeah, one game. Some message Stern, if anything you are saying that the type of behavior displayed by Garnett is not only acceptable but actually mildly inviting because it might boost ratings.
The third instance simply involved Baron Davis of the Warriors throwing a punch at Clipper Quintin Ross, for which Davis is also receiving a one game suspension.
All of these displays of unsportsmanlike conduct are a black eye to the NBA and sports players everywhere. I personally don't like to watch crybaby millionaires fighting like little kids, and quite frankly I'm sure there are not a lot of people that like to either. Why else would NHL ratings be so low?

Jazz Need to Trade Andrei Kirilenko Now!

Ever since Carlos Boozer arrived in Utah there have been trade rumors involving him. This year has been the first of his three years in Utah that Boozer is 100% healthy and he is turning heads. Boozer is having an All-Star season along with sophomore Deron Williams. In the same amount of time there has been one player that is not turning heads and has not had an All-Star year. Andrei Kirilenko was a NBA All-Star in 2003, since then his shooting is down, his points are down, his rebounds are down, and the only heads that are turning are the ones looking around saying, "Who is this? Who took away Andrei and replaced him with that Russian ogre from Rocky IV?" Andrei still has the ability to block shots, but he is not a center, and the Jazz have needed his scoring, rebounding, and passing desperately. Coach Jerry Sloan has been upset with Kirilenko as recent as a couple of weeks ago when he sat down with Andrei and told him to "stop acting and start playing," referring to Andrei trying to draw fouls instead of just shooting the ball. Last week Jazz owner Larry Miller gave Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor permission to do whatever it takes to make the team better before the NBA trade deadline in February.
Psss.....Kevin.....trade Kirilenko.....

Super Bowl XLI Projections

The road to the Super Bowl will be dramatically different for any two of the four teams that are in the NFC and AFC conference championships this upcoming Sunday. First let's take a look at the NFC, and then AFC.

Chicago Bears-
The Chicago Bears were a team that started off strong and faltered down the stretch. Towards the end of the season, and even into the divisional round of the playoffs, the only part of Chicago's game that has been exceptional has been special teams. The offense, behind a much maligned Rex Grossman, has been adequate, but has committed far too many turnovers. The defense is simply not as ferocious as it has been in year's past. As one sports analysts pointed out, the Bears are not particularly good at anything right now, but have found ways to win. Yesterday against the Seahawks, they won by virtue of the Seahawks not taking advantage of three opportunities to score in Bears territory within the last 4 minutes of the game and into the overtime. The question still remains why Mike Holmgren would punt with 1:59 left in the game on a 4th and 15. Sometimes I wonder why head coaches get paid so much. They are pretty much millionaire motivational speakers.

New Orleans Saints-
The quietest and best free agent signing of the off-season was the Saints' signing of quarterback Drew Brees. Drew Brees had a career year, passing for close to 4,500 yards and elevating the Saints offense to the best in the NFL. Drew Brees had plenty of help along the way with highly touted Heisman winner Reggie Bush and not so highly touted Marques Colston. The two rookies were the Saints leading receivers this year, and with Deuce McAllister healthy again in the backfield, the Saints had a bruising and versatile offense. What's interesting is to look at how the experts thought the Saints would do this year. In ESPN.com's pre-season power rankings, the Saints were 27/31 in the NFL. While on the subject, the projected Final Four were the Seahawks, Panthers, Steelers, and Colts. In the words of Chris Berman, "And that's why they play the game."

New England Patriots-
Tom Brady had a great season, though not as good as season's past. Some might credit it to a depleted wide receiver core, but I'm not going to buy that. Jabar Gaffney, Troy Brown, and Reche Caldwell may not be the biggest names, but they can run routes and are consistent. The Patriots were able to add rookie running back Laurence Maroney, giving them a duel threat in the backfield similar to teams like the Saints and Broncos. With all that in consideration, no matter how mediocre the Patriots season was, they are a different team in the playoffs. Post-season Tom Brady is the Michael Jordan of the NFL. How sad was their divisional game with the Chargers though? After the game, a few Patriots went to the Charger emblem on the field and mocked the San Diego players. As Ladainian Tomlinson said after the game, "They showed no class at all, and maybe it comes from the head coach." Amen LT, there's no reason for things like that in a hard-fought football game. As a matter of fact, there's no reason for things like that EVER. Shame on the Patriots, and I don't like Bill Belichick, so shame on him too.

Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts started 9-0 for the second straight year and finished with 10 or more wins for the fifth straight year. The Colts consistently win, and their defense is consistently bad. This year, Peyton Manning still worked his magic, but when he was a little off, the defense was never there to save him. Well, that was until the playoffs. The defense has stepped up the last 2 games after Peyton's 2 straight lackluster games (which isn't new to Peyton in the playoffs, who is still trying to shake the "choker" title that has followed him). After all the years of the Colts being the best team in the NFL and never making the Super Bowl, it only makes sense that this year they will make it to the Super Bowl. They have been the underdog in both of their playoff games thus far, and look to be the underdog this week as well. Maybe going under the radar is what Tony Dungy has been trying to do all these years and finally has his team where he wants them.

This year has definitely lived up to the hype, the playoffs so far have been competitive, and this week's games look to be no different. Here is my Super Bowl prediction, take it or leave it: COLTS vs. SAINTS!

Michelle Wie, You Need to Find Your Place!

Is anybody else sick and tired of hearing about Michelle Wie? I certainly am. Never has such mediocrity ever been tolerated so much in golf. It's like the golf world is trying to find another Tiger Woods, thinking they have found it in the form of a teenage girl. Please...it's also like the NBA trying to find another Michael Jordan. I've got a message for all the people in the basketball and golf worlds: THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER TIGER WOODS, AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER MICHAEL JORDAN! LeBron James is really good, but will he win 6 championships? I highly doubt it. Michelle Wie will do good things on the LPGA, and at Stanford (where she plans to attend college), but will she ever win a PGA tour event? Simply put, no! In her few years of participating in PGA tour events, Wie has never made a cut! Yesterday Ms. Wie posted a +8 on her first 9 holes at the Sony Open, so playing this weekend isn't looking too bright for her either. It seems as though Michelle is a lost cub, just like Simba in the Lion King. "You need to find your place in the circle of life." And Michelle, just to get the thought process started, your place is not on the PGA tour.

All Hail the San Diego SUPER CHARGERS!

There are a million reasons to root for a sports franchise. You may live in the city the team plays, there may be players on the team that you like to watch, they may have players that suck but share the same alma mater as you, so you feel inclined to cheer for them. While watching The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (which might I add is much better than Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien) Craig gave his reason to cheer for the San Diego Chargers. It was because of their theme song. That's right, the Chargers have a theme song! It's catchy, original, and when I listen to it I want to think it's cheesy, but my hips don't lie. I have always liked the Chargers, what's not to like about LaDainian Tomlinson? He's so un-TO-like, and what's not to like about that? Listen to the song by clicking HERE and you will be a believer in the Super Chargers too. I have a feeling there is going to be a great influx in the Charger Nation when this song gets out.