Knucklehead of the week
I just cannot refer to Ron Artest by his new moniker, Metta World Peace. That is like Brock Lesnar going by Meek Mild Pushover. The Lakers’ Artest celebrated a slam dunk last Sunday with a vicious elbow to the head of Oklahoma City’s James Harden. Luckily for Artest, his elbow didn’t catch Harden in the beard or the Jaws of Life would’ve had to separate the two. Artest received a seven-game suspension, just in time for the NBA playoffs.
Three straight cold, windy, rainy Saturdays. Where’s that February sun when we need it? Because of the ugly weekend weather, I had no choice but to catch a glimpse of the NFL draft. When they get to the fifth round, the Bengals could select my neighbor and I wouldn’t know the difference. Thank goodness for Mel Kiper Jr., who can name Slippery Rock’s starting backfield.
The San Antonio Spurs. Just reading that might send you scrambling to Starbucks or reaching for a shot of 5-hour Energy. The Spurs are not glamorous or sexy (at least not since Eva Longoria ditched Tony Parker).
The Spurs are the anti-Heat. That is why NBA executives will be sticking pins in their Tim Duncan kewpie dolls today when the Spurs take the court.
Somehow, probably using old-man YMCA moves that most young opponents have never seen, the Spurs tied the Bulls for the NBA’s best record this season. That’s why I’m rooting for these underdogs. I doubt they’ll last long in the playoffs, but it’s good to see old-school ball rewarded.
UD is milking the Flyer Faithful for all it’s got. Why? Because that’s how the big boys operate, and the University of Dayton sees itself as a member of the Big Boys Basketball Club that can charge hundreds for the best tickets.
That’s also why Archie Miller might run off a player now and then (Ralph Hill). Miller’s mission is to win and win some more. If his players graduate and stay out of jail, that’s a bonus.
Chris Wright became a Golden State fan favorite last week when the former UD Flyer was called for goaltending in the final seconds of the Warriors’ 83-81 loss to New Orleans. Many Warrior fans cheered because the loss improved their team’s chances in the draft lottery.
Roger Clemens should be rooting against any more mistrials in his judicial system thrill ride. The longer it takes to come to a decision in his perjury trial, the better the chances the Miami Valley native serves some time.
Why? Because as every day passes, Clemens becomes just another guy. People move on. Need proof? Check out the Twitter chatter by the goofs who didn’t think the Titanic was real.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2163 or bkollars@coxohio.com.