Thanks, Reggie

I tried to write something last night after Reggie Miller played his final game for the one team he's ever played for in the NBA. But I couldn't do it. Allergy season must be at its peak right now because my eyes sure were watering. And even this morning, the dust has followed me to work.

I've been struggling for words to pay the smallest of tributes to one of my favorite ballers of all time. The column by Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star has a paragraph that truly sums it up the best:

It was a sad night, and at the same time, it was an absolutely unforgettable night. There aren't many lump-in-your-throat moments in sports anymore, not with the growing disconnect between the fans and athletes. With Reggie, though, it was like saying goodbye to a cherished member of the family.

Uncle Reggie was indeed a member of the Hoosier family. He may not be have been born a Hoosier. But he is and will always remain our adopted son.

Reggie was a class act. Always was. And last night's fitting end to his career was classy as well. Even the dreaded Detroit Pistons paid tribute to Reggie by calling a timeout with 16 seconds remaining so the crowd could pay tribute to its adopted Hoosier son.

Larry Brown, thanks for that classy gesture. I will no longer be rooting for a sweep by the Heat. You may win a game or two.


How fitting. Reggie's last shot is a three.

Thanks for everything Reggie. We're all going to miss you.

Now excuse me. I need to take an antihistamine. This damn dust is killing my eyes.

Bud Selig=Kobe Bryant?

This is quite a stretch, but hear me out on this one.

Kobe gets caught with his pants down then buys his wife a $9 billion dollar ring to profess his love and commitment to her. His wife, seemingly, forgives him.

Bud Selig gets caught with his pants down about steroid testing before congress then proposes a two year ban for a first offense days before appearing before another congressional hearing. Congress forgives Bud and promptly kisses his ass.

Can this get any more ridiculous? The only reason he now cares about the integrity of the game is because he got exposed as the buffoon he is. Now, he's licking the boots of congress. What a spineless, clueless, rube. Can't wait to see which way the wind blows on other important issues. Rest assured, Bud will blow which ever way the wind, or in this case congress, blows. I didn't think I could have less respect for Bud when I had zero to begin with. But that's the case.

A Special Tribute to Antoine Walker

Thursday, May 5.

Boston 92. Indiana 89. (OT)
Antoine Walker scores 24 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer early in overtime and the clinching basket with a minute to go to keep the Celtics alive in the series. Giddy and full of himself after his performance, he utters this:

"I think Reggie might have just played his last game in his building."

Saturday, May 7.

Indiana 97. Boston 70. Indiana wins the series 4-3.

Hey 'Toine, Reggie understands something you probably never will: Teams win games.

Enjoy your off season, fucknut. Reggie plays on.

Kentucky Derby: The Picks

Since the collective horse racing knowledge of Harper and Spork Boy can fit on the head of a pin and still have room for an addition and a pool, here are this year's Kentucky Derby picks:

Harper's Picks:

1. Win: Noble Causeway
   
2. Place: Afleet Alex
   
3. Show: Bandini
   

Spork Boy's Picks:

1. Win: Sun King
   
2. Place: Bellamy Road
   
3. Show: Afleet Alex

Stay tuned for post-race analysis.

Well, no. But there will be sufficient gnashing of teeth if George Steinbrenner's horse, Bellamy Road performs well or even wins. Harper will not be pleased.

Post-Race Analysis (posted 5/8/05)
Um....we sucked. But Spork Boy gets the nod by virtue of calling Afleet Alex to finish third and Bellamy Road finishing seventh.

Is Mediocrity on the Rise?

I had a thought the other day stemming from a story about a high school volleyball player suing her school because she could no longer play after not making the varsity team. I think her suit is justified because, unlike football at her school, there is no JV team for the girls. When I was in high school, there were JV and freshmen teams available for the girls. I wonder what's up with this school? But that's not the point.

I think we're starting the to see the by product of the rampant political correctness and fairness that began in the 1980s. Sports teams for kids changed rules to make sure all children got a chance to participate AND not get their feelings hurt. The children and their parents started to get a feeling of entitlement. Soon, there were awards and ceremonies to reward and celebrate every aspect of children's lives.

Where is this going to lead? The signs are pointing to something dark. More and more parents are harassing, threatening, and even attacking coaches for lack of playing time for their kids. Are lawsuits next? What if this girl sued her school because she's determined to get a scholarship based on volleyball? Would she argue that by not playing on the varsity, the school is hindering her rights to a secondary education.

Parents and their children are becoming so wrapped in succeeding that they're forgetting the most important part about success: failure.

Without failure, you don't know how or where to improve. Without failure, there is no success. Without criticism, how will you know your errors? Without the cold, hard truth, how will you know that you suck at something?

To quote from The Incredibles:
Bob Parr: "It's not a graduation. He's moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade."
Helen Parr: "It's a ceremony."
Bob Parr: "It's psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity."

I agree with Mr. Incredible. I fear for the future of sports...among other things.

Unfortunate Events

Here's what I know, or at least I think I know:

1. I've been a baaaaaad blogger. Shame on me.
2. It's a mistake that Oklahoma baseball coach Larry Cochell resigned for using racial slurs when complimenting one of the black players on his team. Using the slurs was wrong, but I don't think he should lose his job over this. His remarks weren't made in hate, unlike so many other instances in this country. Here's what I think happened. This guy is around players who listen to rap music all the time. Rappers use the word n***er in several of their songs. Blacks use the word all the time and I wouldn't be surprise if some of the white kids on the team used the term when amongst themselves. Maybe he just thought his usage was okay. It wasn't and he apologized for it. The families of the two black players on the team have forgiven him. Why can't the university see all this and make a stand not only against racism by punishing Cochell, but keeping him on the staff as an example of the tolerance everybody is crying out for.
3. I'm about to pull my hair out over all this steroids hysteria. I'm already smacking my head against the wall. Now Bud Selig is adding more fuel the fire. Now he's asking players to agree to a 50-game suspension for first-time steroid offenders and a lifetime ban for a third violation under what he called a "three strikes and you are out approach" to doping. I find it interesting that the stricter standards came about after Paul Tagliabue mentioned before congress that the NFL's policy suspends a player for 1/4 of the season. Congress nodded its head in approval. Bud sees this and proposes a change. Congress is now nodding its head in approval. Bud is such a boob.
4. I'm going to miss Reggie Miller so much. But if the basketball gods are true, the Pacers will beat the Celtics and face the Pistons.
5. It's late and I must go to bed.