Eaves On Sports (And Other Stuff)

1-on-1 With Ron Artest

2009-07-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to spend some time with Ron Artest today. I have met him and interviewed him a few times in the past, but I learned quite a bit more about him today than in previous meetings. From the question and answer session he held with the assembled media at the Lakers practice facility to my 1-on-1 interview with him, I really learned just how funny and insightful he can be.

From the time he agreed to join the Lakers for the mid-level exception (worth about $33 million), I thought it was a great move for the defending champs. I am even more convinced of it now.

Check out my interview and tell me what you think about LA's newest Laker. Enjoy!

http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=8f6e7657-b7a4-4db5-8300-369dee42d7c1

KINGS ANNOUNCE 2009 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

2009-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

TICKETS FOR TWO GAMES AT STAPLES CENTER TO GO ON SALE AUGUST 1

LOS ANGELES--The Los Angeles Kings today announced their preseason schedule for the 2009-10 NHL season. The Kings are currently scheduled to play eight games overall -- including two at STAPLES Center -- September 15 versus the Phoenix Coyotes and September 19 versus the Anaheim Ducks.

In addition to the two home games at STAPLES Center, the Kings will host the San Jose Sharks at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on September 17; the New York Islanders at Sprint Center in Kansas City on September 22; and the Colorado Avalanche at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 26.

The Kings will travel to Phoenix on September 15, to Colorado on September 23 and to Anaheim on September 27.

Before the Kings begin training camp and their 2009 preseason schedule, the club will host LA Kings Hockey Fest '09--the largest event the Kings have hosted since the 2002 NHL All-Star Game -- from August 28-30 at LA Live. View all LA Kings Hockey Fest '09 details, including the latest news and videos, by visiting LAKings.com/hockeyfest.

Tickets for the two Kings preseason games at STAPLES Center will go on sale on Saturday, August 1. Tickets are currently on sale for the games in Ontario, Las Vegas and Kansas City. For all Kings ticket information, call 888-KINGS-LA.

Day Date Opponent City Venue Time (Pacific)

Tue. Sept. 15 Coyotes Phoenix Jobing.com Arena 7 p.m.

Tue. Sept. 15 Coyotes Los Angeles STAPLES Center 7:30 p.m.

Thu. Sept. 17 Sharks Ontario Citizens Business Bank Arena 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 19 Ducks Los Angeles STAPLES Center 7:30 p.m.

Tue. Sept. 22 Islanders Kansas City Sprint Center 5 p.m.

Wed. Sept. 23 Avalanche Denver Pepsi Center 6 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 26 Avalanche Las Vegas MGM Grand 6 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 27 Ducks Anaheim Honda Center 5:05 p.m.

Celebrate Kings hockey and launch the team's most highly anticipated season at LA Kings Hockey Fest '09! Set for Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30 at LA Live, this three-day interactive summertime festival will feature player autograph sessions, an NHL Legend speaker series, historic memorabilia, hockey exhibits and more. Plus, a kick-off concert and pep-rally with the entire Kings team. Perfect for hockey fans and the entire family. Call 1.888.Kings.LA or visit LAKings.com. For more LA Kings Hockey Fest '09 details, visit LAKings.com/hockeyfest. To view the official Hockey Fest '09 poster, visit LAKings.com/hockeyfest09poster.

-- LAKINGS.COM --

Follow the Pac-10 Conference on Twitter & Facebook

2009-07-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

--Fans can receive instant updates from social networking sites--

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-- Pacific-10 Conference fans looking for the latest news and information about the conference and its member schools can follow the Conference on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can follow the Pac-10 via mobile devices using various cell phone applications for Facebook and Twitter, and on Instant Messenger (IM). On Facebook, fans can also receive updates through their email.

Pac-10 fans can receive and check regular updates at www.twitter.com/Pac-10. Fans do not need an account to view the Pac-10 twitter page, but must have an account in order to receive automatic updates.

On Facebook, fans must have an account in order to automatically receive updates from the Pac-10. To "Become a Fan," visit the Pac-10 Conference fan page at www.facebook.com/Pac10. To receive updates by email, users must set the appropriate account settings.

The Pac-10 will share news, links, photos and video throughout the academic year. Fans and followers of the Pac-10 Conference will also the opportunity to win tickets to special events, including the Rose Bowl, the Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament and the State Farm Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament. Twitter and Facebook are free social networking sites.

To sign up for an account, visit www.twitter.com or www.facebook.com.

- www.pac-10.org -

UK's John Wall Projected To Be 2010 #1 NBA Draft Pick

2009-07-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Less than a week after the Clippers made Oklahoma's Blake Griffin the #1 overall pick, there's already a discussion on who should be the favorite to be next year's top NBA Draft pick.

Kentucky fans probably won't be surprised to hear that UK's top recruit John Wall seems to be the leading contender. He's got NBA-ready skills right now and likely would have been a lottery pick this year if he had been eligible for the draft.

Wall's chances of being next summer's top pick also has history on their side. Last year, the Bulls tapped Derrick Rose to be the number one pick, and just last week, the Kings drafted Tyreke Evans #4 overall. The common denominator of those two picks? John Calipari was their coach at Memphis--the same man who will coach Wall at Kentucky.

So enjoy him while you can UK fans. Not only is Wall a definite one-and done player, but he could become Kentucky's first ever #1 overall draft pick.

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=959971

It's Time For The N-Word To Go!

2009-06-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

Through the years, I have been as guilty as anyone when it comes to using the N-word--even after telling myself countless times to stop using it. The difficulty in elimating that word from my vocabulary has re-inforced to me just how engrained that word is into American culture, and especially African-American culture.

However, even though the excuses for why that word continues to be used so freely are numerous, none of them qualify as a legitimate reason to continue its use. An argument better presented, perhaps, by a 10-year old.

NBA Exec: "Calipari Signed My Draft Pick"

2009-05-19T17:19:00.001-07:00

How good is UK commit John Wall? A NBA exec just texted me, "Calipari signed my draft pick today!"

That's right, the NBA believes Wall is a lottery pick waiting to happen. At least for UK's sake, he will spend that one season leading up to the 2010 NBA Draft by guiding what could be the most talented college basketball team in the country.

The only issue facing John Calipari now is which three players currently on the roster will have to find new schools.

Angels Team Up With Jet Blue To Give Away Free Roundtrip Tickets

2009-05-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

-- Airline hosts “FANtastic” Giveaway benefiting the Adopt-A-School Program at12 p.m. PT on Wed., May 20 at Angel Stadium --

-- First 346 customers (the total number of Angels hits to-date) who bring a book donation and dress in Angels gear will receive a free roundtrip certificate (a) --

LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2009) – JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) is proud to announce a partnership with Angels Baseball, Major League Baseball’s defending American League Western Division Champions, to become the Official and Exclusive Airline of the team. To further celebrate the launch of its partnership, JetBlue is hosting a “FANtastic” giveaway on Wednesday, May 20 at 12 p.m. PT at the main entrance to Angel Stadium, where the first 346 fans (the total number of Angels hits through Sunday, May 17) will receive a free roundtrip travel certificate (a).

Fans are required to come dressed in “FANtastic” Angels gear along with a children or teen’s book donation to be provided to the Angels Baseball Foundation’s Adopt-A-School Program. Every year, the Angels work with the Orange County Department of Education to identify five high schools and five elementary schools to adopt. The schools, selected based on need, include two schools from each level in Anaheim, one from each level in Orange, one from each level in Garden Grove and one from each level in Santa Ana.

“As we continue to expand in Southern California, providing more options and more convenience for our customers with the opening of LAX next month, we look to also support the teams and foundations that impact the community,” said Robin Hayes, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for JetBlue Airways. “We look forward to our partnership with The Angels and the fans and families that follow this great team. We are also proud to support and participate in the Angels Baseball Foundation’s fundraisers and community events throughout the season.”

As the Official and Exclusive Airline of the Angels, JetBlue’s partnership will include joint marketing promotions and advertising through 2009 with the option to extend through the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Elements will include videoboard features, contests, giveaways and special game-specific discounts on JetBlue airfare for members of the Angels Fan Club. The airline will also receive signage elements both inside and outside of the stadium.

“We’re very excited to partner up with JetBlue Airways,” said Dennis Kuhl, Angels President. “JetBlue, like Angels Baseball, has always stood for excellence in all they do. We’re especially excited about JetBlue’s commitment to the community and are looking forward to partnering with them on many more projects in the future.”

Yo, Eaves.. Where Have You Been?

2009-05-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's been a while since I've posted anything here. I guess I could list a few excuses--mostly work-related, of course--but what's the point, really? No matter the reason, the fact remains that I have been slipping on the posting front.

And here's the funny thing, there have been several stories/topics that have popped up lately worthy of my reactions and opinions. I just simply never get around to writing anything down. Maybe I will do that later, who knows?

I'm just chiming in to say that I am fully aware that I have been an absent-minded blogger as of late, but hopefully I will get back in a groove real soon.

By the way, before I leave, how about John Calipari's first recruiting class at Kentucky? Talk about making an entrance. Welcome to the UK Nation, John Wall!

Pitino Still Considering The NBA?

2009-05-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

The future of Rick Pitino at Louisville as been called into question since the news first came out that the FBI was investigating an extortion case on his behalf. While the nature of the allegations are a private matter in my mind, how this case affects his ability to coach should be open to public discussion.

There seems to be quite a few people in the Louisville area who were of the belief that Pitino would resign as head coach of the Cards. Such a move would not be that big of a surprise considering the public thirst for information on these allegations.

However, there is also another option for Pitino: the NBA. As I have previously reported, there are those within the Atlanta Hawks organization who would welcome Pitino as its new head coach. And according to Yahoo! Sports, there's another NBA team who is "intrigued" by the possibility of hiring Pitino.

Adrian Wojnarowski writes that Pitino could be in the running to be the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings. The irony there, of couse, is that Pitino would be replacing one of his former assistants--Reggie Theus, whom Kings owners, Joe and Gavin Maloof, hired on the strong recommendation of Pitino.

Here's an excerpt from Wojnarowski's article:
　
"...sources say the Maloofs are weighing the worth of paying what it would take to secure Pitino. The Kings are considering several candidates, including front-runner Eddie Jordan, and had been waiting until later in May to start interviews. The Maloofs hadn’t planned to pay much more than $2.5 million a season for any coach, sources say, but the owners understand they’ll need to significantly raise that figure to get serious with Pitino."

I spoke to several people with ties to Pitino tonight, including two people who have worked for him and one former player. All three said they would be surprised if Pitino took the job. The source closest to Pitino at this point said that he believes Pitino will stay on at Louisville and not resign--a belief backed up by another source within the Cardinals program.

There are several reasons,however, why Pitino might make this particular jump back to the NBA at this particular time, and they are all quite obvious. So let's look at a few of the reasons why the move may not make sense.

As one of Pitino's former players told me, Pitino would not want to go back to the NBA in a rebuilding situation. The Kings ended up being one of the worst teams in the league this year after trading away the likes of Ron Artest, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, John Salmons and Dahntay Jones--all of which played or are still playing solid basketball in the playoffs. However, Theus seemed to get most of the blame for the team's poor showing instead of the man who orchestrated all those trades--GM Geoff Petrie.

And speaking of Petrie, he could be another reason why Pitino would not be a good fit for the Kings. As one former NBA coach told me tonight, "Petrie would not want him because Pitino is too strong."

That point is important because when it comes to NBA GM's having strong influence over ownership, Petrie could be the leader in that category.

One college coach, who has faced Pitino several times, told me that he doesn't think Pitino will leave Louisville either. He believes the move is simply a way of trying to get a raise at Louisville. John Calipari's contract at Kentucky trumped Pitino's deal at UofL by several million dollars.

So even before playing a single game, Calipari is already shaking up Pitino's world. How great will that UK/UofL matchup be next season? That is if Pitino is still around, of course.

Dodgers Release Statement On Manny Ramirez Suspension

2009-05-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT FROM THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt issued the following statement in reaction to today’s statements from Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and Manny Ramirez.

“We share the disappointment felt by our fans, our players, and every member of our organization. We support the policies of Major League Baseball, and we will welcome Manny back upon his return.”

This statement will constitute the comment of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization until Joe Torre meets with the media at approximately 4:30 p.m. today at Dodger Stadium.

Prime Ticket will televise the Dodgers news conference live beginning at 4:30pm.

Manny Ramirez Issues Statement And Apology

2009-05-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Major League Players Association recently released a statement regarding Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.

MLPA says that Ramirez will not appeal his suspenion.

Here's an excerpt from the news release.

"Manny has requested that the Players Association release the following statement on his behalf.”

“Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was okay to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons.

“I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation.” – Manny Ramirez

“The Players Association stands behind Manny and will continue to support him in any way we
can.”

Be sure to check out Dodgers Live beginning at 6:30pm on Prime Ticket for the very latest on this story, including reaction from Dodgers executives, coaches and players.

Eric Bledsoe Signs With UK; John Wall Decision Not Expected Until May 20th

2009-05-06T11:04:00.001-07:00

As UK coaches had hoped and expected, Eric Bledsoe signed his national letter-of-intent Wednesday. He's going to be a Wildcat.

This signing fills a huge void at the point guard position. Considered to be one of the top 3 players at that spot in the 2009 class, Bledsoe can step into a starting role immediately.

The other benefit of this signing is that it makes the possibility of Kentucky not landing John Wall a little easier to swallow. John Calipari definitely wants both, but if he only ends up with Bledsoe, it's definitely not the end of the world.

Now, don't get me wrong. UK is still very hopeful that Wall will sign with the Cats as well, but they fully expect it to be a battle all the way to the end.

Calipari and his staff believe that Wall, his mother, and his AAU coach Brian Clifton all feel comfortable with Kentucky and that the program would be a great place for Wall to expedite his journey to the NBA, but when it comes to recruiting, nothing is a given.

As far as when to expect a decision from Wall goes, the UK coaches are working under the assumption that it won't come until the very end of the signing period: May 20th.

UK Recruiting Update On Bledsoe And Wall

2009-05-04T20:13:00.001-07:00

As I have stated several times, I am not a big fan of reporting on college recruiting. I think it's often way too much about possibly very little. Only a handful of 5-star recruits go on to be top-level talent in the college ranks, and even fewer carry that pedigree to the NBA.

And since it's almost like a crap shoot trying to figure out which kid will be ultimately live up to and eventually exceed his recruiting hype, I don't go out of my way to follow the decision-making process of the nation's top recruits.

Plus, they're kids! They change their minds more often than Lindsay Lohan changes her sexual orientation!!

However, when I first started this blog, I promised to give my readers as much inside information as I could share. Thus, here's what I know about a couple of UK recruits.

Let's start with Eric Bledsoe. As most of you have heard, he is expected to announce his college choice Wednesday. I read somewhere that it's down to either Memphis or Kentucky. I can tell you that the UK coaches are feeling rather confident that Bledsoe will choose UK. Maybe it's because the only reason Bledsoe is even considering Memphis is because John Calipari was recruiting him when he was coaching there, and former Calipari assistant, Josh Pastner, is the new coach of the Tigers.

Adam Zagoria quoted Bledsoe as saying that he will not base his decision on whether John Wall chooses UK or not.

"I’m going to play my position either if he do go or he don’t," said Bledsoe, who is fully aware that Wall is Kentucky's top choice.

Bledsoe thinks he and Wall would be great together on the floor, and believe me, UK would love to find out and happily sign both of them.

The other big UK recruiting news involves Wall being charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering after police found him walking out of a vacant house in his hometown of Raleigh. I have been assured that the incident sounds a lot worse than it really is.

Wall did something he shouldn't have done, but I am told that his intentions going into the house were not malicious, and perhaps more importantly, it will not stop UK from recruiting him. However, that may not be the case for Wall's other pursuers.

There are those within the Kentucky program that are actually hoping this incident will cause Duke to back off its recruitment of Wall. The thought being that Mike Krzyzewski wouldn't want to do anything to call into question his program's squeaky clean image.

As far as North Carolina is concerned, Roy Williams hasn't exactly seemed eager to sign Wall in the first place. He hasn't even offered him a scholarship. Williams and Wall's AAU coach Brian Clifton do not get along at all.

However, it is believed that Wall is not willing to distance himself from Clifton in order to get an offer to UNC. Clifton has filled a void in Wall's life since the passing of his father.

If it were not for Wall having grown up in Raleigh, some UK insiders believe that he would have already signed with Kentucky, calling it "a no-brainer."

As far as their confidence level of signing Wall is concerned, it's about 50/50. If Calipari has a feeling either way, he's not tipping his hand, and considering how his Derby picks turned out, that might be a good idea.

Don't Hate UK's Coach, Hate The NCAA's Game

2009-05-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

From all the e-mails I have been getting lately, I guess some of the readers here at Eaves On Sports are a little upset that I haven't written anything about Kentucky lately--something I hadn't even realized. Maybe it's because this is not a UK blog, but rather a blog where I share my insight and opinions on any and all topics that interest me.

Naturally having grown up in Kentucky, UK Basketball would be one subject I would often address here--just not all the time. However, right now is one of those times.

Since President Lee Todd and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart finally came to their senses and fired Billy Gillispie and then replaced him with John Calipari, I constantly field questions from both non-UK fans as well as UK-haters. They ask me how long will it be before Kentucky ends up on probation. Some in jest. Others sincere.

I understand why some people might ask such questions considering that the NCAA struck Calipari's run with U Mass to the 1996 Final Four from the official records after it was discovered that Marcus Camby received improper benefits while playing for the Minutemen. However, it's very important to note that the NCAA declared that Calipari was never involved or responsible for the infractions.

That statement of fact, however, does not stop some from labeling Calipari a "dirty coach," a topic foxsports.com columnist Jason Whitlock addressed in a March 31st column. Here's an excerpt.

Coach Cal's rep is that he plays loosey-goosey with the NCAA rulebook. He recruits prep-school kids, late-academic qualifiers and he's not above giving a dad (Milt Wagner) a job or an AAU coach a speaking engagement in order to land a program-maker.

Some sports writers I respect consider Coach Cal a "dirty coach."

I consider him a damn good one. And given the NCAA's insistence on holding onto an outdated rulebook and an immoral/hypocritical concept of amateurism, I believe Calipari's ethics are beyond question.

I agree. I know for a fact that Calipari has the best of intentions when dealing with kids. He obviously has a vested interest in getting the best of the best to play for his teams, but he is also sincerely concerned about their ultimate well-being, whether they play professionally or not.

Does he utilize the boundaries of NCAA rules to his advantage? Of course! And he better, if he wants to keep up with the other top coaches in the country--Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun, Ben Howland, etc--who use the same practice.

So rest assured UK fans, Calipari is going to work as hard, if not harder, than any coach in America to make sure Kentucky is always challenging for national championships, but he won't do it at the expense of the program and/or his career.

Coach K On Kobe: A Unique Competitor

2009-05-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I interviewed Kobe on live television following a Lakers game. I had just started at FOX Sports West, and I was reporting from the Lakers locker room following a win.

Kobe was wearing a blue and white Nike sweat suit, which I referenced at the end of the interview. I said something to the effect of "If you had gone to college, those Kentucky colors would have looked great on you." It was, of course, a direct reference to my alma mater.

Without hesitation Kobe responds, "Yeah, these Duke colors are nice."

Even in jest, Kobe hit me with the harshest of stingers on live tv. Welcome to LA, Michael.

I recall that story because I recently read some excerpts from Mike Krzyzewski's new book, "The Gold Standard," which is set to hit stores on May 4th.

If he had not decided to enter the NBA Draft following his senior season at Lower Merion High School, Kobe planned to take his talents to Duke and play for Coach K.

Their paths almost crossed again in 2004, after the Lakers did not renew Phil Jackson's contract. Kobe made it clear to Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak that he favored Krzyzewski to be the Lakers next coach. It turned out, however, that Coach K was not ready to leave Duke.

It wasn't until last year's Olympics that Kobe could finally see what it was like to play for Krzyzewski, but it may have been Coach K who was most looking forward to this union made in basketball.

"In finally getting my opportunity to coach Kobe Bryant, I found that he is who I thought he was," Krzyzewski writes in his new memoir.

"One of the most talented basketball players in the history of the game and the unique kind of competitor that may come around only once in a leader's lifetime."

To read more of Krzyzewski's takes on Kobe before the book comes out, check out Ramona Shelburne's article in the LA Daily News.

Is Jrue Holiday Leaning Towards Leaving UCLA?

2009-05-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

By the time he left high school, Jrue Holiday was well-scouted by just about every NBA team. The 2008 prep player of the year was primed to be a one-and-doner at UCLA. The lottery was waiting on him.

However, life has a funny way of writing out its own script for our lives, and Holiday's one season in Westwood gave life an opportunity for a re-write.

There are several people who viewed Holiday's freshman season as a disappointment. His first year play and stats didn't match his pre-enrollment hype. After scorching the high school ranks for more than 30 points a game at the point guard spot, Holiday only averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists this past season while playing shooting guard in Ben Howland's defense-oriented system.

Despite those underwhelming numbers, Holiday still entered his name into this year's NBA Draft. He has not hired an agent, however, thus giving him the option to come back to UCLA for his sophomore season.

He has has spent the better part of two weeks at a Florida training center, prepping for the individual workouts, and he recently decided to extend his stay.

I have always been of the belief that Holiday would jump straight to the league after only one season at UCLA. I came to that conclusion after talking to various NBA personnel, as well as Holiday himself. He never told me directly that he planned to play only one college season, but when I read between the lines, his intentions were always obvious to me.

Such an example comes in the following quote from David Wharton's article in Saturday's LA Times.

"In college, it's all about defense," Holiday said. The NBA "seems like it's more fun. You can be you."

More fun? You can be you? I'm sorry UCLA Fans, but that sounds like a man who hasn't been very happy lately and is looking for a new start.

Baron Davis Writes An Open Letter To Clipper Fans

2009-05-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

I can't count how many times people have asked me--either during the season or since it's ended--about the Clippers, and the questions are rarely posed in positive terms.

What's wrong with the Clippers? Are they always going to be this bad? Why didn't they fire Dunleavy?

On and on it goes. Sometimes I have answers. Sometimes I don't. Either way, the fans usually go away still feeling frustrated.

If you really think about how the season played out, you can place a portion of the blame on just about everybody. Players. Coaches. Management. They would all tell you they fell well short of their own expectations this past season. However, they all would also tell you that next season should be different.

The latest to voice that sentiment publicly is Baron Davis. He recently posted "A letter to the Fans" on his blog. Here's an excerpt.

"I want to make sure you know that EVERYONE at the Clippers is committed to doing whatever is necessary to make sure that you don’t have to deal with another year like the one that just ended. I’m dedicating myself to that goal, and I know my teammates will do the same."

"There are probably those who will read this and toss it off as just words, but I can only write these words with hope that the feeling and sentiment is conveyed."

Whether you are one of those people who will toss that statement off as just words or you are some of the die-hards who truly believe what Baron wrote, you have to give him credit for recognizing the fans frustration and vowing to do something about it.

Let's just hope he and his teammates actually back up those words next season though, because until they do, it will be just talk.

Eric Gordon Named To NBA All-Rooke Second Team

2009-04-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Despite finishing 3rd among all rookies in scoring, Eric Gordon did not make the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Instead, the Clippers guard had to settle for Second Team honors, as if that is something to be ashamed of.

Gordon averaged 16 points a game for LA, while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. I thought there would be a chance that he would make the first team considering his consistent production, but there was quite a bit of competition this season among a strong rookie class.

Chicago's Derrick Rose and Memphis' OJ Mayo were unanimous selections to the First Team.

NBA Names All-Rookie Teams

Griffin Brothers Out West Working Out To Prep For Draft

2009-04-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

One of the cool things about traveling this great country of ours is bumping into people along the way. I am at SFO right now heading back to LA after covering last night's Dodgers/Giants game.

Just after I finished some breakfast, I ran into Blake and Taylor Griffin. I worked their game last season against USC in LA. Even as a freshman, it was readily apparent to me at the time that Blake Griffin would one day be a dominating figure on the basketball court.

I'm not sure, however, if I expected him to develop into the clear cut #1 pick in this year's NBA Draft, after just two years in college. He is, by far, one of the most athletically-gifted and talented players the college game has seen over the last few years.

I congratulated them on a great season at Oklahoma. They thanked me but said they wish it would have lasted a bit longer. Even several weeks removed from their South Regional Final loss to eventual national champion North Carolina, the guys were still feeling the disappointment of that loss. Such drive to win is what makes a winner, a winner. It's also something every NBA team looks for when drafting lottery picks.

I asked them what brought them to the West Coast. They told me that they were out here working out with the same personal trainer they worked with last summer. I was not immediately familiar with the guy they mentioned, but they told me he definitely knows what he's doing. Considering how well both Blake and Taylor performed this season and their overall body composition, I would have to agree.

As I mentioned earlier, Blake Griffin will definitely be the #1 pick in June, regardless of ends selecting first. Taylor's NBA future is more in doubt. He will definitely get a look from several teams prior to the draft, but he may be better suited not getting drafted. Unless you are a first-round pick, it's oftentimes better to go undrafted so you can decide between various free agent offers from teams. That way, you can pick a situation that gives you the best opportunity to make the team coming out of training camp.

Here's to wishing both of them luck wherever they end up.

Should Pitchers Always Hit 8th?

2009-04-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

For the first time in his managerial career, Joe Torre batted a pitcher in the 8th spot and a position player in the 9th spot for Wednesday's matchup against the Giants. The move was not an indictment of Juan Pierre or a reward for Eric Stults, but rather an attempt to maximize the RBI potential for Manny Ramirez.

With the Dodgers biggest lineup threat batting in his customary 3rd spot, batting Pierre 9th is almost like having two leadoff hitters back-to-back with Furcal at the top of the order. It gives the team a better chance of having multiple runners on base when Manny comes to the plate after his first appearance.

In fact, Torre considered making the move the last time Pierre was in the lineup.

"In a situation with a player like Juan, he'd be more free to steal with Furcal batting behind him instead of the pitcher," Torre said before the game. "It just makes sense with a guy with (Pierre's) speed."

Some might look at the move as some type of demotion for Pierre, and Torre was well aware of that possibility. Before announcing his decision, he spoke to Pierre privately about it.

"The last thing you want to do is embarrass someone," said Torre. "I explained the situation to him, and he was completely fine with it."

The last time a Dodgers' pitcher didn't bat ninth was on Aug. 15, 1965, when Don Drysdale hit seventh in a 4-2 loss against Pittsburgh. Catcher John Roseboro hit eighth that day and shortstop John Kennedy batted ninth.

While Torre is utilizing this lineup shift for the first time, it is not exactly new to the game. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa has batted the pitcher in the 8th spot several times with the likes of Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols hitting 3rd in his lineups.

Last season, LaRussa even considered batting the pitcher 8th for the entire season, although that never completely panned out.

The mere mention of such a move begs the question: Should pitchers always bat 8th?

Arguments have been made both for and against this non-traditional baseball move. I can see both sides of the argument, and sometimes the argument for one side makes the case for the other.

I believe, ultimately, however that over the course of an entire season, it is more beneficial to have your best hitters (ie. position players) get as many plate appearances as possible, and the majority of statistics back up that belief. But I also believe certain situations call for a certain type of thinking--outside the batters box, you could say.

The Great Debate: Kobe or LeBron?

2009-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

One reason the NBA Playoffs are one of my favorite portions of the sports calendar is because of all the new product that comes out. Whether it's a shoe, a soft drink or a line of apparel, you can always expect some new commercials to debut during the postseason.

Here's a sneak peak of one that just hit the airwaves this week. VitaminWater is capitalizing on a question that is starting to polarize the league: Who's the best player in the NBA.. Kobe or LeBron?

NCAA Transfer Rule Lacks Equality And Common Sense

2009-04-27T00:35:00.000-07:00

It seems as though when most people talk about the NCAA, it's always to dog them about something. And for the most part, I don't blame those who call out the all-powerful governing body for collegiate sports. The criticism is oftentimes deserved.

I am not trying to suggest, however, that everything the NCAA does is worthy of scrutiny, but I do believe that its decisions/rules gain so much negative attention sometimes because they often lack common sense or because one decision will seem to contradict another one.

A perfect example is the transfer rule.

According to the NCAA, a transfer from a four-year school to another four-year school is required to sit out a full academic year unless they qualify for an exception. A one-time transfer exception is the most common exception that allows a transfer to play right away. But here's the kicker: the rule DOES NOT apply to Division I football, basketball, baseball or men's ice hockey.

How jacked up is that? So you mean to tell me if Gina the gymnast or Steve the swimmer decide that after a year or two that they had rather compete at a school closer to home or discover that they simply don't get along very well with their coach, that they can compete at another school the very next year just as long as they receive a transfer waiver? Where is the equality in that rule?

The NCAA says the general transfer rule is grounded in the importance of students becoming academically acclimated to their new environment before competing.

Sounds like to me that the education of some student-athletes is more of a concern than others.

The whole idea of the transfer rule popped in my mind recently when I was thinking about all the UK players who will likely leave school now that John Calipari is the new coach. It makes perfect sense and it happens all the time. Calipari did not even recruit most of the kids on Kentucky's current roster. So why force him on them and vice versa? Just like coaches have the ability to leave one program for another, often without penalty, the same should be true for student-athletes.

In his most recent UK Basketball notebook in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton shared an e-mail he received from NCAA Spokesman Erik Christianson.

"The prohibition on men’s basketball using the one-time transfer exception is centered not only on students becoming academically acclimated but also eliminating any potential ‘free-agent’ market in that sport given its intense recruiting and competitive nature," Christianson wrote.

I understand the point Christianson is making, and I can see where such a rule may have merits. Coaches don't want other coaches trying to raid their rosters every year. However, I believe that if a program fires the coach who recruited the current players and replaces him with someone from another program, then those players should have the freedom to transfer to any school they want and play immediately, especially when you consider that some of those kids are being asked to leave the program anyway.

Why should they be punished if they aren't the ones trying to skip town? Isn't it bad enough that they are being told that they are no longer wanted? But on top of that, you want to tell them that not only can they not play at their current school, but they have sit out a year at their new school too?

Another transfer situation made headlines recently, when Duke point guard Greg Paulus announced that he was considering leaving Durham to play quarterback at Michigan or some other school.

Here is the NCAA's statement regarding that specific case.

"Mr. Paulus has expressed an interest in competing in a second sport at another Division I school after earning an undergraduate degree at Duke University and competing on the men’s basketball team. The NCAA encourages and applauds academic achievement and realizes this is an unique situation and opportunity for Mr. Paulus. Student-athletes seldom have the opportunity to transfer late in their college careers and compete in a second sport after four seasons of competition. The NCAA established a "students first" waiver process to address unique situations and extenuating circumstances such as this that are not outlined in our rules.

If a student-athlete wants to transfer and immediately compete as a graduate student, the college or university they are transferring to would need to seek a waiver, because in most cases they would have to sit out a year before competing under NCAA transfer rules and would not have any remaining eligibility. One of the factors our members have determined is appropriate for a graduate student waiver is if the transfer is academically motivated."

I don't know Paulus personally, nor have I ever even met him, but I seriously doubt this move is "academically motivated." The only talk I've heard about his situation is that he wanted to play football, and plus, the last time I checked, Duke was a pretty damn good school.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't care if this kid wants to transfer to another school. Good for him. But don't insult my intelligence by saying this decision is "academically motivated." If it were truly all about his education, he wouldn't be trying to play any sport.

And if the "students first" waiver applies to Paulus, why doesn't it apply to the basketball players at Kentucky, who are being told their services are no longer needed? Paulus decided to leave school to pursue other interests. Some of the UK players did not have a choice.

And while their situation may not be unique, it certainly involves extenuating circumstances. If the NCAA can't recognize that reality, it deserves every bit of criticism it receives.

Xavier Henry Keeps It In The Family By Choosing KU Over UK

2009-04-23T11:46:00.001-07:00

While it may be somewhat disappointing to the UK coaches and fans, it should not come as a huge surprise that Xavier Henry has decided to go to Kansas instead of following John Calipari to Kentucky. Xavier and his brother CJ were always going to be a package deal. Plus, both their parents played at KU.

Kentucky was willing to take both Xavier and CJ, and it would not have cost a scholarship. As I understand it, the Yankees are paying his college tuition. But what I am hearing now is that Xavier's decision basically came down to keeping harmony in the family. His mother really wanted both of her sons to play at Kansas, and the thought of them playing elsewhere was beginning to cause some drama in the Henry household.

Calipari actually told Xavier's father that they shouldn't let this decision break up the family. Calipari thinks so highly of Xavier and CJ as kids, that if the best fit for them and their family was Kansas, then so be it.

As disconcerting, as this may be for the UK staff, it's not a devastating blow to this year's recruiting efforts. The number one target all along has been John Wall. He may be the best point guard talent in this year's class, and Kentucky needs a point in the worst way.

As one UK assistant coach recently told me, "A good point is the difference between an 8-seed and a 1 or 2-seed!"

Jeremy Tyler Skipping HS Senior Year For The Pros

2009-04-23T11:33:00.001-07:00

In an earlier post, I mentioned the widespread belief in NBA circles that Louisville recruit Jeremy Tyler would skip college and go overseas to play professionally while he waits to become eligible for the NBA draft. And that's exactly what's going to happen.

However, I did think he would at least finish high school!

From Yahoo Sports: Jeremy Tyler has decided to forgo his senior year of high school and turn pro.

Yes, high school.

This isn’t some sign of the sporting apocalypse or a teenager with an overvalued sense of worth. It’s a daring, trailblazing yet well-thought-out move that challenges the bizarre way America develops amateur basketball players.

Is Anything Sacred Anymore?

2009-04-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

"We are rapidly entering the age of no privacy, where everyone is open to surveillance at all times"
---William Orville Douglas

I have long been a supporter of a person's right to keep his/her personal life private--a statement that might seem a bit hypocritical considering that part of my job is to find out as much information about athletes and coaches as possible. Believe me, it's an internal struggle I've encountered for years.

I am of the strong belief that unless an athlete or coach does something away from their respective sport that prevents them from performing that such information should not make its way into public discussion.

" One of the great penalties those of us who live our lives in full view of the public must pay is the loss of that most cherished birthright of man's privacy."
--Mary Pickford

If an athlete gets into a domestic dispute with his estranged wife or gets indicted for tax evasion but doesn't miss a game or a practice, why should such information become public knowledge? Is it really news just because someone might recognize that person's name in a headline?

If a similar situation happens to you and it doesn't cause you to miss any time at work, will anyone outside your family and close personal friends even hear about it? Let alone the whole world? Hell, your boss wouldn't even know about it if it were left up to you, and the same goes for me.

Obviously, I am in the minority on that subject when it comes to my colleagues in the media. It seems as though we hear something about some sports figure getting arrested or sued, but just because it's standard operating procedure, doesn't make it right.

"Privacy is not something that I'm merely entitled to, it's an absolute prerequisite."
--Marlon Brando

The reason I even bring up this subject is due to some recent events in Kentucky, involving Rick Pitino and John Calipari. Let's start with Pitino.

Once the news started to break that there was a possible FBI investigation involving Coach Pitino and/or the Louisville basketball program, I started getting hit up with e-mails asking me if I knew anything about the situation. At first, I knew absolutely nothing about it, and the only reason I started looking into it was because the initial belief that it might involve point-shaving--something that directly relates to the team's wins and losses.

However, as I started to talk to more people around the program, I discovered that this particular situation was more of a personal matter between Coach Pitino, his family, a member of his staff and his estranged wife. Basically, I didn't think it was any of my business what was going on, nor do I believe the fans deserve to know either--even if it does involve a high-profile basketball coach.

I know some of you come to my blog specifically for inside information. I'm sorry, but I just don't think it's my place to share what I have learned about this particular situation. With every news outlet in the Commonwealth following this story, I am sure you will have no problems finding out more about this story with each passing day. It just won't come from me.

"I have as much privacy as a goldfish in a bowl."
--Princess Margaret

There was also an event recently concerning John Calipari and the purchase of his new home. As I told you earlier, he asked my advice on good areas of Lexington to live when we ran into each other in Portland. He had his eye on a particular house in a certain area of town. I knew exactly where the house was, and I had a good feeling that he would end up buying it, but the thought of sharing that information never crossed my mind.

Little did I know that only a short time later, Calipari's address and pictures of his home would not only be published on the website of multiple news outlets, but those same pictures and home information made its way to my mailbox--multiple times--as a forward from friends. I thought both acts were outrageous.

Is anything sacred anymore? I realize he's the coach at Kentucky--making him the biggest celebrity in the state--but he's also a husband and a father. He's not the only person living at that house. His wife and children will be living there too.

Now any time some crazed fan gets the scary idea of showing up at Calipari's house to show his displeasure over a lost game, that fan might encounter someone else at the house instead of Calipari. And what if, God forbid, something bad happens because pictures of his house and the address can be found in less than 5 seconds on a Google search? Who will be to blame? The media outlets who published them or an overzealous fan base who demands any and all information about their favorite teams?

"We must protect our citizen's privacy--the bulwark of personal liberty."
--Bill Clinton