I mentioned in a previous article that I wanted to limit my rants to no more than once a month. I think that might be a little too frequently. Still, when there are a number of interesting topics that aren’t quite article worthy I’ll fit them together megazord1 style to form a worthy article.
The Hilarious Ed Rush
Ed Rush gave us the early leader in the clubhouse for joke of the year when he offered $5,000 or a trip to Cancun to any official willing to T up Arizona coach Sean Miller. Prior to hearing that story, in my Sports Jobs We All Want article I ranked NBA Official as number two on that list citing that fixing games is basically in their contracts. After this whole Ed Rush incident I may have to rethink that. He was caught dead to rights offering up benefits to his subordinates for going after a coach. Then the coach that he mentioned (who remember hadn’t had a tech called on him all year) just happens to get a terrible tech called against him by an official who rarely calls technicals against anyone. What a crazy coincidence heh?
This is the officiating version of bounty gate. The difference being that Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely 2 where as Ed Rush was going to be allowed to go on unpunished, but was kind enough to just resign.
On top of being a “jokester” Rush was said to have a history of bullying other officials. Call me cynical, but I don’t think that is something he just started doing after he got to Pac-12. So it comes as no surprise that he was the director of officiating during the greatest travesty in NBA history (I’d like to personally apologize for the soundtrack even though it isn’t my video). Between Ed Rush and David Stern, I bet the NBA has had plenty of good jokes.
A Defense of Mark Cuban
This week Mark Cuban has been taking some heat for saying that he would potentially take Brittney Griner in the NBA draft. My issue is less about the non-story and more with how certain sections of the media have taken it. Mark Cuban said, “If she is the best on the board, I will take her,” College basketball is certainly down this year, and it isn’t the deepest draft class ever, but with only a two round draft there isn’t going to be a point where Griner is the best player on the board. Cuban just said what any intelligent person would say , that he wants the best available player. If Air Bud was draft eligible and the best player on the board I’m sure he would take him too. It doesn’t matter that Griner is a woman or that Bud is a dog it just comes down to who is the best available player.
Who will win the west (8th seed edition)
Admittedly the only reason that this is even remotely relevant is because the race involves the Los Angeles Lakers. Last week it seemed like it may be a heated race to the end between Utah, Dallas, and LA. Now with the Mavs 3 games out I think things are going to work out in the Lakers favor. I imagine that once the chances of Dallas making the playoffs became bleak I imagine David Stern had a conversation with Jazz ownership that went exactly like this:
Stern: So… About that 8th spot in the west, I’m going to need your boys to lie down.
Jazz Owner: I know that the Lakers are the most important team in the league, but a playoff appearance would really energize our fan base. Those LA fans have the weather, the beach, Hollywood, and tons of championships to look back on. We are all the good people of Utah have.
Owner: OMG! Are you offering us the number one pick!?
Stern: Hell no! He paid $338 million for that pick. I’m saying that if your guys skip the playoffs this year I’ll get you a top 10 pick.
Owner: I don’t know… this is a pretty weak draft class.
Stern: Sigh.. I really do need the Lakers to make the playoffs to further cement my legacy as the greatest commissioner in the history of sports.. How about I guarantee you that it will fall within the first 5 picks. Is that enough for your team to tank the rest of the way so the Lakers can limp in?
Owner: Yeah, that’ll work. We were just going to get swept in the first round anyway.
Baseball Season Has Begun!
If the Phillies keep playing the way they have so far to start the season there is going to be very little coverage of baseball here. I jest, but seriously guys, 13 straight runs to the Kansas City Royals.
I root for two baseball teams, The Phillies; because I was born and raised in the area, and The Yankees; because I grew up with a family of Yankees fans 3. Things look bad for fans of both this year so I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Also while we are on the topic I’d like to have a brief moment of silence for Roy Halladay’s arm. RIP.
An autopsy suggests that it was taken Monstars style while he slept. A brief investigation of the Phillies bullpen showed no indication of who could have taken it leading authorities to believe it had to be an outside job.
/Rant
