Why???????

Talk about taking 2 steps forward, and 20 steps backwards!

As if it wasn't bad enough to trade away a guy like Mark DeRosa, who played SIX POSITIONS for us last year and was arguably our MVP..... then, Jim Hendry brings in Aaron Miles to not only start at 2B, but lead off???

But now, you add the league's biggest temper tantrum thrower to what was previously a peaceful clubhouse (once we got rid of that cannuck Michael Barret)!?!

Ugggggh. Not happy. Not pleased. Not optimistic.

Here's to another 100 years of agony.

Kill me now.

W.W.L.H.D.?

W.W.L.H.D. -- What Would Lin Hao Do?

I’m officially adopting that as my new life motto.

For those of us who watched the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games, and sat through long enough to watch China enter the Bird’s Nest stadium, you likely know the story of 9-year-old Lin Hao, who is my newfound hero.

As Yao Ming carried the Chinese flag, towering over his fellow countrymen, and frankly the entire stadium, he was accompanied by a young man (and after hearing Lin Hao’s story, he most definitely can be called a man) carrying a mini version of the Chinese flag, along with a mini Olympic flag.

Then, Bob Costas explained why Lin Hao (who barely came up to Yao’s knee cap) was leading his country.

The 9-year-old was a survivor of the recent earthquakes in China, which claimed the lives of over 70,000. But Lin Hao is more than a survivor – he is a hero.

Lin Hao was at school when the quakes struck. Out of his 30 classmates, only 10 survived, including Lin Hao, who freed himself from the rubble of his fallen school.

But once free, Lin Hao didn’t run for safety.

Instead, he returned to the rubble and freed two of his classmates who were trapped.

Following the tragedy, when asked why he risked his life and went back for his friends, Lin Hao’s answer was simple and matter of fact – not because they asked for his help; not because he wanted to be a hero.

Because he was one of his “classroom leaders.”

That’s it – plain and simple.

“I was the hall monitor, it was my job to look after my classmates,” Lin Hao said aftewards.

It’s been awhile since I was inspired to blog about something – a humble thanks to Lin Hao for providing an inspiration that extends far beyond my words on this page.

That's Gotta Sting!

Down 0-2.

No home court advantage.

No problem.

I hadn’t been this nervous going into a basketball game in a long time, not even a finals game. The Hornets were a tough matchup for the Spurs. We played them 7 times and would probably need 70 more to figure out a way to cover David West.

Sadly for the Hornets, we showed the league the best way to play them – let Chris Paul and West get theirs – stop everybody else.

Now it’s a date with the Lakers. It’s another tough matchup no doubt and we don’t get much time to rest.

But excuses are like a’holes – everyone has one and most of them stink.

But no matter what happens, I can smile knowing I’ve heard my new least favorite sound in the world for the last time this season….. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Honestly, when you need a shtick to get your fans fired up, you haven’t been winning very long. Take a lesson New Orleans – act like you’ve been there.

TIMMMMMMMMMMM-MMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYY D!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Get ready Jack... the defending champs are coming to town.

Go Spurs Go.

Rub Some Dirt On It!

I have no clue what this is, where it came from or why it was made, but it's sheer genius.

Thanks to Rubes from Johnny Wishbone for pointing it out.

Fantastico!



GO CUBS GO!

Jayhawk: A Meal Fit For A Tiger

There’s something about being eliminated from all your brackets (even though I had Memphis winning in one) and your blind draws (I had UNC, grrrrrr) that can really sink your enthusiasm for college hoops.

I have to admit, I can’t remember the last time I was so disinterested in an NCAA hoops championship game. It’s partly because I have no feelings either way towards either team. And it’s partly because I just can’t see Kansas hanging with Memphis. At all.

Admittedly, however, there is a bit of pride on the line as I’ve been picking Memphis to win it all for quite some time now (read the archives folks). So the “I told you so” factor is always nice. But we all know, that and 35 cents might get you a phone call.

Alas, I do have my four squares still in play -- we did random number squares for the entire NCAA tourney, a la Super Bowl squares. You get one set of numbers (or in my case, four sets) for all 65 games. Really a great way to make every game count down to the final buzzer. So while I will certainly be rooting for that, I just don’t think…

Oh who am I kidding. It’s the championship game. I’ll be watching.

Plus, I can’t miss arguably the best 30 seconds in sports all year – “One Shining Moment.” Regardless of the winning team, it gives me goosebumps every time. Never fails. Possibly Luther Vandross’ greatest song ever. Seriously.

Memphis 77, Kansas 59

Behold the power of Derrick Rose.

...

On another freshman point guard related note...

While Rose will declare and deservedly so, because he's actually ready (and should be the #1 pick, even over Michael Beasley), another freshman PG has already beat him to the draft sign in sheet.

Arizona PG Jerryd Bayless has declared himself eligible for the draft.

Laughable. No other word for it.

A guy with a ton of talent, and no idea whatsoever how and when to use it.

Lute could've worked his magic on Bayless and turned him into the next great UA point guard. The next Damon Stoudamire, Khalid Reeves, Mike Bibby, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Terry, etc.

Instead, world get ready to meet the next... Shaun Livingston.

Enjoy your pay day, dumbass.

Can Someone Tell The Cubbies We've Started Without Them?

Two games. Two equally painful losses.

Enough already.

100 years dammit. I don’t have enough fingers or toes to count to 101.

Clearly whatever we’re doing right now, just ain’t working.

For the record, I’m not worried (yet) about Kerry Wood as closer. It was the guy’s first try EVER as our full-time closer and he came in a non-save situation…. We all know what happens in games like that, regardless of who is on the hill.

Anyhoo, F the Brewers. Enough is enough.

I offer up a little GO CUBS GO to get the troops fired up!

Enjoy… and get on the bandwagon now while a seat is cheap. This team wins the division – and then some.

GO CUBS GO!!!!

The Rebirth Of Wildcat Basketball Begins

Ladies and gentlemen, the Silver Fox is back in the desert – and he’s not messing around.

Lute Olson held a press conference on Tuesday, addressing reporters for the first time since announcing he would be making his triumphant return to the UofA sidelines next season.

And while he skirted around many of the questions as to what exactly caused his temporary absence, there was one issue Lute had no problem speaking candidly about – Kevin O’Neill, who held down the fort (or at least tried to) in Lute’s absence.

Prior to the press conference, it was revealed the O’Neill (who earlier this year had been dubbed Lute’s eventual successor) would not be with the team next year.

Here’s what Lute had to say about letting O’Neill run the team (into the ground) and the players that were unexpectedly stuck with him for the season…

"I apologize for what they had to go through this year in terms of the change," Olson said. "They came here to play a wide-open game, and they didn't. That's no one's fault, because that's not coach O'Neill's belief on the offensive end. It was his team once I left. But I said we're going to play Arizona basketball and we're going to have fun doing it."

In other words, Coach O’Neill, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Welcome back Lute!