Like Joey Chestnut to Kobayashi, I upped the ante on Pulpo Paul with my correct score, winner and goal scorer of yesterday's final.  I like my octopus grilled, thank you.

• The World Cup Final was not a beautiful game, but beauty won the game.  The Dutch lured Howard Webb, who did not want to give a red card in a Final, and Spain into a street fight.  Nigel De Jong's judo kick to the chest was a straight red anytime, anywhere.  Once Webb let it go with a cautionary yellow, he had chaos on his hands.
• In the end, Spain were deserved winners.  While Iker Casillas was not always sure handed in South Africa, he came up with the telling stops on two Arjen Robben breakaways.  With all the missed chances, the loser was always going to be full of regret.  Thankfully, Spain's classy passing style will be studied over the next four years not the Netherlands bully tactics. 
• Speaking of passing ability, Xavi completed 599 passes in the tournament, which is the most by one player in a Cup since 1966.
• While most of the media I followed leaned toward Xavi, Diego Forlan was a rightful Golden Ball winner.  As you all know by now, putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest thing to do in soccer.  To go along with five goals, Forlan came back deep to receive the ball and help create for strike partner Luis Suarez.  While Uruguay has a talented side, he carried far more responsibility that any one Spanish player.
• While it's always easy to crticize ESPN, they did a phenomenal job covering this World Cup.  They responded to the criticism of four years ago by replacing elementary American broadcasters with the best Great Britain has to offer.  They brought in analysts from every major country, which helped raise the level of soccer dialogue instead of dumbing it down for us Yanks.  All games live, all games in HD, thank you for a great month.
• The Phoenix Suns stumbled upon a new formula last year.  They found strength in numbers.  While the Lakers starting five was significantly better than Steve Nash's crew, Phoenix's bench kept them in the series.  So, instead of replacing Amar'e Stoudemire with a like-for-like power forward (David Lee), they are adding to their numbers and mobility with Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu.  Hedo was a disaster in Toronto last year, but he seems like a great fit to run and shoot alongside Nash. 
• Derek Fisher is just negotiating.  The Lakers won't budge on a severe salary decrease after a great stretch run, so he's flirting with Miami to get some movement.  Kobe's clutch caddy will be signed by the end of the week.
• Jordan Farmar should be better than he is.  Maybe Avery Johnson can do something about that.
• The Knicks are talking about bringing Isiah Thomas back into the organization in a full-time capacity as the GM.  At this point, what else can I say?  As Ian Darke or Martin Tyler would put it, they are shambolic.
• The basketball summer is in a weird spot now.  We have too many chairs and not enough contestants.  The Clippers, Knicks and Nets have plenty of cap space, but no desirable free agents to sign.  The Cavs, Suns and Raptors have huge trade exceptions that they must use before the season.  The trade market should continue to be active until tip-off.
• The U.S. beat the World 9-1 in the Futures game yesterday, which means the World has no future.
• Ok Paul, who ya got in the Homerun Derby?  I'll take Miguel Cabrera.  Did you say David Ortiz???  Now you're just antagonizing me.
• Bob Sheppard was a piece of Yankees Stadium.  He was a signature part of the experience.  As we said goodbye to the old girl in 2008, we say goodbye to Sheppard now.  God has his voice back.

After two depressing days without soccer, the sweet hum of vuvuzelas brought me back to life.

• You don't need me to tell you that diving and rolling around on the ground is terrible sportsmanship and pathetic to watch.  So, allow me to paint the other side of the picture.  Arjen Robben was too good for Michel Bastos.  He dribbled circles around him every time they were locked up one-on-one.  Bastos fouled him four times in the first 35 minutes of the game clearing sending a message as instructed by his coach that we'll hack you down before we let you play exciting football.  That is equally despicable.  Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and the like are the magicians of this sport.  They should be protected by the referee.  We don't watch to see cynical tackles.  Bastos should've been booked for a second yellow and the resulting red and Felipe Melo obviously earned his straight red for taking out his frustrations on Robben, who was just too good for Brazil.
• Can you imagine if the Yankees decided to build their team around small ball talent and not homerun hitters?  What if the Lakers played four corners offense?  That's 2010 Brazil.  I picked Dunga and his men knowing that they were not playing the flashy brand of soccer for which they are famous, but I'm glad it bit them.  We NEED Brazil to be Brazil.  We want imagination not two holding midfielders.  We want creativity not route one football.  This squad didn't have an attacking dribbler like Robben or a creative passer like Wesley Sneijder.  Hopefully, they'll put on a show for us as the 2014 hosts.
• If the Netherlands win the World Cup, Wesley Sneijder should win the FIFA Player of the Year award.  He was the maestro for Inter Milan during their Champions League winning campaign and now he's lifted the Dutch to rarified air.  While they were certainly lucky on the first goal, it was nice to see a player that can hit a dangerous cross with his off foot.  What a concept!
• Dirk Kuyt was the "Man of the Match" though.  He deserved a goal at the end after putting in another energetic and understated shift.  He beat Fabiano to the near post to flick on the game-winning assist.  And, he kept Maicon pinned back in his own end until Brazil was behind and desperate. 
• Kaka, Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi have combined to score zero goals in this tournament.  Landon Donovan netted three.  As he said, "I wish I had their paychecks."  Honestly, the World Cup is a small sample size with often mismatched talent, which is another reason why you should also watch club football.
• The national team landscape has changed though.  Brazil and Holland used to be known for "total football" and their neighbors Argentina and Germany were characterized by toughness.  In this tournament, they have been complete opposites.
• I hammer Serena Williams whenever I get the chance, but I will give her credit for righting her career when it looked like she was over it a few years ago.  She was distracted by modeling, acting and fashion and let her game and body fall apart.  While she only cares about major tournaments, she is about to win her 13th and she's outlasted the rest of her golden generation (Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, Venus, etc.).
• NBA GMs have lost their collective minds.  A max contract for Rudy Gay?!?  He's a 20 point, 5 rebound guy, who cannot create offense for anyone but himself.  $32 million for Drew Gooden?!?  He is about to play for his 9th team in eight years.  I would say that qualifies as a journeyman.  Darko Milicic gets a four-year, $20 million deal from David Kahn and the T'Wolves.  Was Chris Mihm not available?  Somebody take Kahn's keys away from him, he's clearly drunk.
• The Knicks are going to get blanked.  They might be able to re-sign David Lee and keep together last year's championship team.  Maybe Donnie Walsh will re-acquire Nate Robinson.  I've honestly hit the point where I'd be thrilled if they got Joe Johnson for a max contract.  I call that rock bottom.
• Phil Jackson could not resist the symmetry of completing four trilogies.  I can't blame him.  He's never missed out on a three-peat bid.
• Richard Jefferson must've HATED playing in San Antonio.  He'll never sniff $15 million per year again.
• I would've paid good money to be in the board room for Mikhail Prokhorov's pitch to LeBron James.  Between the accent, the outlandish promises (which he can deliver on) and the subtle Russian mafia undertones, it had to be better than Godfather III.
• The Red Sox are giving the '09 Mets a run for the money.  Last weekend, they lost Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz and Victor Martinez in consecutive games.  Yesterday, Jason Varitek went down.  This list of names is actually on the Red Sox active roster: Scott Atchison, Dustin Richardson, Gustavo Molina, Eric Patterson, Darnell McDonald and Daniel Nava.  Have I mentioned that they are also the hottest team in baseball?  They were terrible in April when they were healthy.  Bizarre.
• Party Down was cancelled, which proves Americans continue to hate comedy and originality, but they f***in' love vampires.

Wesley Sneijder and the Dutch crashed the "South American" World Cup.

On the eve of July 1 (NBA free agent D-Day), we take a look at how the NBA deck is about to be reshuffled.

Alpha Dogs

LeBron James, Cavs, SF

Stephen Colbert: "On July 1st, LeBron James becomes a free agent and I'm using free in the most expensive sense of the word." 

James has a choice between loyalty (Cavs), winning (Bulls or Heat) and glory (Knicks).  While he'll spend the week, weeks or month entertaining offers and pitches, he probably has his mind already made up.  Winning championships is the best thing that he could do for his career and legacy, so rule out the Cavs and the Knicks.  If he goes to Miami in the Dan Le Batard package with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he'll guarantee passage to the NBA Finals plus he'll get a legitimate championship coach in Pat Riley (sorry Erik Spoelstra, your days are numbered), but he'll have to share his legacy and salary.

Instead, he'll choose Chicago.  He's comfortable in the Midwest.  He gets a max deal.  He'll get championship caliber teammates, but he won't have to share the spotlight.  From an ego standpoint, he's more comfortable being compared to Michael Jordan than a player from his own generation like Wade.

Prediction: Bulls

Dwyane Wade, Heat, SG

He's more of a recruiter than a free agent in this process as no one believes he'll change addresses.  He's the only who would consider sharing salary with Bosh and James to create a South Beach dream team.  More likely, he'll get his Pau Gasol in Chris Bosh with whom he shares an agent.  With Riles on the bench and a veteran supporting cast, they could beat Bron's Bulls.

Prediction: Heat

#2 Max Men

Chris Bosh, Raptors, PF

He would be voted least likely to return to his old team.  The Raptors are interested in a sign-and-trade, which means Bosh can get a max contract in Miami if they swap Michael Beasley.  He could potentially go to Chicago for Luol Deng or Cleveland for Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson, but Bryan Colangelo is not dumb enough to take on wasted salary. 

I don't see anyone taking less money to go anywhere in this convoluted dance.  Bosh has been seen as James's caddy in this whole process, but Miami, max money and Wade is better than anything Bron can offer.

Prediction: Heat

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs, PF

He's only worth talking about because he should be a #2.  However, he's too loyal to Mark Cuban and Dallas, so he'll stay on as the reluctant alpha dog on a soulless team.

Prediction: Mavericks

Amar'e Stoudemire, Suns, PF

If Bosh goes with James somewhere besides Miami, Stoudemire will fill that Heat hole.  However, under my scenario, there's no room for him on South Beach.  Instead, he could take less money to be the scoring big man in Chicago next to Joakim Noah or take the money and run with New York.  Just a gut feeling, the Knicks don't want him.  He's a known quantity to Mike D'Antoni and he's not that interested.  So, James will have his choice between Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer in Chicago.  

Defensive-minded new coach Tom Thibodeau won't want Stoudemire, who will suddenly be left without a chair.  He'll return to the desert with his tail between his legs.

Prediction: Suns

Cheaper Deuce

Carlos Boozer, Jazz, PF

He is not wanted in Utah, where they've already paid his replacement Paul Millsap, so we know Booze is on the market.  He is not nearly as explosive as Stoudemire and he's a tad undersized for the four spot.  However, he seems like a much better teammate for the brightest star in the league. 

Boozer's defensive deficiencies will be covered by Thibodeau's system and Noah's activity.  Unlike Stoudemire, he's a volume rebounder.  James needs a complementary #2 man not a fake #1.  Without Bosh, Boozer is his best bet.

Prediction: Bulls

Joe Johnson, Hawks, SG

In the best case scenario, he is really a #3 guy, but I'll continue to act under the assumption that no one is leaving money on the table.  In that case, Johnson will be offered max deals by the Hawks and the Knicks. 

Donnie "The King of Wishful Thinking" Walsh completely overplayed his hand.  He wasted draft picks and potentially valuable expiring contracts to sell MSG on this free agent class.  He's about to settle for a haui of Joe Johnson and David Lee.  Sell that Donnie...

Prediction: Knicks

Paul Pierce, Celtics, SF

He opted out, so he has to be on this list because he would be a huge addition to any team.  But honestly, he's not leaving Boston.  He's the greatest Celtic since Larry Bird.

Prediction: Celtics

#3 as #2

Rudy Gay, Grizzlies, SF

He's a restricted free agent, but the Memphis cheapies won't match any decent offer.  Gay is a scorer, but he was a disappointment in college and a complementary piece in Memphis.  He needs to go to a good fit.  If he's asked to do something outside of his comfort zone, he'll fail miserably. 

The Clippers are a small forward away from a young, but complete starting five.  Alongside, Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman, Gay could be a wing scorer who defers in crunch time.

Prediction: Clippers

David Lee, Knicks, PF

As a restricted free agent last year, he had no suitors.  He'll get attention this time around, but he has been branded as a system guy.  Plus, he's stated that he wants to go to a big city.  If the Suns lose Stoudemire, he'd be a solid pick-and-roll power forward in Phoenix.  He could also replace Bosh in Toronto.  Are those big cities?

The Knicks are swapping first round picks with Houston next season thanks to the idiotic Jared Jeffries trade, so Walsh has pressure to put out a competitive team immediately.  He cannot do that with Joe Johnson, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler alone.  If you add Lee to that mix, maybe they steal one of the last two playoff spots.

Prediction: Knicks

Role Players on a Championship Team

J.J. Redick, Magic, SG

While he's a restricted free agent, he should be coveted by whichever team gets LeBron and/or Wade.  He understands his shooter role and plays it to perfection.  He's much tougher than he looks, so he could be this generation's Steve Kerr or Derek Fisher.  Orlando knows this too, so they'll match any offer. 

Prediction: Magic

Ray Allen, Celtics, SG

If he's smart, he'll leave Boston.  They need him to do too much.  At 34 and counting, he no longer has the legs to hound Kobe Bryant and knock down clutch threes.  Instead, he should jump on board the James or Wade train to provide leadership and shooting. 

Prediction: Heat

Recap

A dozen free agents that represent the perfect summer storm for the NBA.  We've been talking about this seismic shift for two years.  Now, we get to see what motivates the greatest players in the world.

Priority #1: Money 

I would be shocked to see any player leave annual cash on the table.  The Cavs can offer James an extra year, so technically, he'd be passing on $30 million, but he'll make that on his next contract.  James, Wade and Bosh are not getting anything other than max deals.  If Johnson, Stoudemire and Boozer have the chance, they'll take max deals as well.  

Priority #2: Winning 

Do you know what comes with winning?  More money.  Bigger sponsorship deals.  Bigger playoff bonuses.  Bigger legacy, which means more money after you retire.  They want to win championships because they are competitors, but the spoils of winning are just as important.

Priority #3: Lifestyle

What cities are in play?  Miami, Chicago, New York, Phoenix, Los Angles and Dallas.  What franchises are getting left behind?  Toronto, Cleveland, Utah and Atlanta. 

Joe Johnson is the perfect example.  He's been a good player in Atlanta for years now and 95% of American sports fans could not pick him out of a lineup.  He can be a good player on a bad Knicks team and he'll triple his popularity and quadruple his visibility. 

The NBA is about stars not parity. 

We're potentially headed for five years of Eastern Conference Finals between the Bulls (LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah) against the Heat (Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen and Pat Riley).

While that is a savory matchup, we could've had a third player if Donnie Walsh understood the terms foresight and patience.  If the Knicks had used their bloated contracts to help other teams get out from under the cap this offseason, they could have ended up with a Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Danilo Gallinari and Mike D'Antoni quartet that would've topped the Bulls and Heat.

Bygones...

I'm shocked Donnie Walsh knows how to use photoshop.

On the heels of one of the great weeks in recent sports memory, we have a lot to talk about.

• The reaction video below says it all, but here's one more take on the Landon Donovan goal from the inimitable and yet always imitated Andres Cantor.
• The U.S. needs to come down from their euphoria without suffering a letdown against a speedy and stout Ghana side.  The Black Stars outplayed Germany despite the 1-0 scoreline going against them.  Ghana will have a continent of vuvuzelas blowing them to victory, so the Americans will need to finish their chances with all the momentum against them.
• Jozy Altidore does not score as many goals as you'd like, but you have to remember that he is only 20.  If he stays healthy, this is the first of four World Cups in his career.  In the last two games, he has done well to present a physical target to spring the U.S. attack.  If he can continue to develop that part of his game, he'll be a hot commodity in Europe because the poaching instinct will inevitably come.
• The American squad does not have the possession or flare of the elite countries, but they are one of the fittest sides on the planet.  After 90+ minutes of desperate running, they managed to get five players forward for the winning run to goal. 
• Bob Bradley has been tactically superb in this tournament with the one exception of the first half against Slovenia.  Against Ghana, he'll likely stick with the back four from the last game because the African nation's speed is not a good match-up for Oguchi Onyewu.  While Carlos Bocanegra was a huge improvement over Gooch, Jonathan Bornstein is a ticking time bomb.  If they don't pull the green wire, he'll eventually cost the Americans a goal or worse.  I would try Jonathan Spector at left back and give DaMarcus Beasley a start up front. (Prediction: 2-1 United States)
• This is a wide open World Cup.  Brazil are still favorites, but they lack the creativity to break down a negative side.  Spain could find their mojo, but they have no wing play.  Argentina and Holland have looked the best, but they are never to be trusted at this stage.  I'll stick with Brazil, but they need more from Robinho and Kaka.
• England have been awful in this tournament, which could be a blessing in disguise.  They have lowered expectations, which could free their minds enough to find form against Germany.  I'll take the Brits 2-1 Sunday.
• SI.com's Ben Reiter captured Cristiano Ronaldo in this short article.  It's a funny and accurate portrayal of a player who acts more like royalty than a common footballer.
• With two games to go, I correctly predicted 10 of the 14 teams to escape from group play.  Not bad for a yank...
• I though HD would help captivate our country in this World Cup, but I underestimated the power of a British accent.  Martin Tyler and Ian Darke have made all the difference in terms of how this tournament has engaged Americans. 
• The John Isner and Nicolas Mahut epic can be described in so many ways: absurd, incredible, unbelievable, ridiculous, amazing, etc..  I only ask one thing.  Please don't use the word great.  It was not the greatest tennis match ever or in Wimbledon history.  It won't even be the greatest match of this tournament.  It was just the perfect storm of great serving and awful returning combined with a fast surface.  Both players put out great efforts (an understatement), but they have a long way to go before they play great tennis.
• Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof had a fantastic tweet after the match finally ended, "I found the ending of Isner/Mahut satisfying, but wish they had answered more questions."
• We could easily see another Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer Wimbledon final.  You'd certainly get no complaints from me.  However, both players look as susceptible to an upset as you'll ever see them in the first week of a major.  We may end up with Robin Soderling and Andy Roddick.
• The NBA Draft was as cagey as a nil-nil World Cup group game when both sides advance with a draw.  The Wizards were the big winner of the night, although they did their damage with lottery balls not war room strategy.  As for the less fortunate teams, here are my winners and losers...
• Winner: Los Angeles Clippers (Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and Willie Warren).  They'll find a way to screw it up, but they have compiled the best young roster in the league outside of Oklahoma City with plenty of room to add a top veteran under the cap.  Aminu can start right away on the wing and Bledsoe can learn behind Baron Davis.  Warren had an awful Sophomore season, but he has lottery talent.
• Winner: New Jersey Nets (Derrick Favors and Damion James).  They are building around Brook Lopez, who is a talented finesse center, so they drafted two bruising bodyguards to protect him and make up for his deficiencies. 
  
• Winner: Sacramento Kings (DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside).  They capitalized on two talented sliders.  Cousins could legitimately be the best player in this draft and Whiteside was a first rounder in all of the mocks.  Considering their other options, they made good calculated risks.
• Loser: Memphis Grizzlies (Xavier Henry and Greivis Vazquez).  Henry is soft and he won't get pushed by a leaderless Memphis team.  I like Vazquez, but remember the Grizz got this pick as part of the Pau Gasol trade, which continues to be ridiculous.  Zach Randolph had a nice season, but how will he react to an offseason where he was accused of financing a drug ring?  I would have gone for his replacement Ed Davis.
• Loser: Minnesota Timberwolves (Wes Johnson and Lazar Hayward).  GM David Kahn is always trying to prove that he's the smartest person in the room.  After last year's debacle, where he drafted two guys who play the same position, Kahn drafted two small forwards and traded for another one, Martell Webster.  I'm not a huge fan of any of them. 
  

 From Game 7 to Donovan to Isner to Wall, it was quite a week.

Beantown made quite a move around 8:30 pac time last night, so I will say nothing but nice things about Boston today.

• "It's More Than a Feeling" is one catchy ass song.
• Rajon Rondo continues to raise his own ceiling.  Last night, he checked the only box left on the list by canning clutch jumpers as part of a 10/16 shooting display to go along with his typical 8 assists, 5 boards and stifling defense.  He has quickly developed into one of the games best players.
• I cannot help but admire this Celtics team.  They remind me of the Yankees dynasty from the late 90's.  They play hard.  They play smart.  They make up for their advancing age with grit and guile.  Only two games into the Conference Finals, they have pushed Orlando to the brink physically and mentally. 
• The Magic players are too one-dimensional.  Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick are shooters.  Dwight Howard is an athlete.  Jameer Nelson is a scoring point guard.  Vince Carter is a whiner.  Marcin Gortat is bald.  In the other locker room, Doc Rivers has so much more versatility because his core of Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are all-around players.  Allen is the perfect example.  He used to be known as just a pure shooter, but he's greatly improved his defense and driving ability.
• What happened to Rashard Lewis?  I guess steroids do help basketball players.  If you recall, he was suspended for the first 10 games this season because he took performance-enhancers last spring.  Well, last spring, he was a cold-blooded assassin.  Now, he's invisible.  He took six shots and scored five points in Game 2, which was an improvement on his 0/6 from three-point Game 1. 
• We're headed for a Boston-Los Angeles Finals, which is bizarre and awesome at the same time.  If the Lakers had been smart and cleaned up Bynum's knee after the Utah series (he would've had three weeks to recover), they'd be the favorites.  As it stands now, the Celtics will get the same Lakers team that they bullied for six games two years ago.  Kendrick Perkins can pound Pau Gasol without Bynum to occupy him and Garnett is too intense for Lamar Odom.  The Celtics are the favorites.
• According to my Wizards buddy, Washington getting the #1 pick is a cathartic experience for a fan base that has been tortured by the Kwame Brown pick.  I have no feel for the D.C. sports fan, but I do know John Wall is headed for the NBA abyss.  The Wiz have an awful roster.  They'll need three or four more cathartic experiences to put a winning product on the court.
• The Wizards should take Harvard-product Jeremy Lin with the first choice.
• Philadelphia was the big winner last night.  They are a good franchise in need of some life and Evan Turner will provide it.  He is similar to Dwyane Wade.  Good character and good all-around talent.
• The Nets have the toughest decision.  They need to fill the gaping power forward hole next to center Brook Lopez.  They'll face a choice between Derrick Favors (athletic, but raw) and DeMarcus Cousins (polished, but crazy). 
• Speaking of the Lopez twins, Robin Lopez has to be the best worst twin in basketball history.  In sports history, I'd go with Tiki Barber or Ozzie Canseco.
• Amar'e Stoudemire called Odom's 19 and 19 performance "lucky."  Yes, he was lucky.  He was lucky that you were "guarding" him.
• Boston College's Jared Dudley will get the Suns back in the series. 
• Kevin Youkilis is a handsome man. 
• My Red Sox buddy came up with a great idea.  The Yankees should trade Mariano Rivera to the Red Sox, so he can set-up for Daniel Bard.
• How about those Bruins?!?  They took a 3-0 lead on the Flyers and I stopped watching.  I'm just waiting for the Eastern Conference Finals to start because we're going all the way this year.  Bobby Orr!!!
• Poll question of the day: Which Real World cast member is more awesome, Danny or C.T.?  You cannot vote for both.
• Tom Brady!  Yeah!!
• When does Jacob sit with me around a campfire and answer my questions about Lost?
• I have a pretty good feel for what's going to happen to the "core four" on the Island, but I have no idea what sideways world is up to.  Are the Island folks going to save them or the other way around?  Or, are they merging? 
• In case you missed this clip on my Twitter (MooreSports, follow me, now), here is the Mayor of Boston recounting Beantown sports history.  Jason Varitek was one hell of a field goal kicker.

2009 USC Basketball: The little team that could (or couldn't), but tried hard nonetheless.

• The Pac-10 is even worse than I thought.  Arizona St. was a two-man team the last two seasons with James Harden doing all the scoring and creating, while Jeff Pendergraph protected the paint and controlled the glass.  This season, Herb Sendek's big plan appears to be stay with the exact same guys, but no Harden and Pendergraph.  Dynamic stuff!
• To continue with UCLA's problems, my sources tell me (Peter Vescey voice) that no one wants to play for Ben Howland anymore because he stifles players' creativity.  He calls every play from the sidelines and his offense is always built around a dribble-happy point guard.
• Mark Few can coach, but he seems sincere in his stance against leaving Gonzaga.
• It's too early to draw any conclusions from sloppy games by talented teams (Kansas, Michigan St. and Georgetown).
• Zack Greinke was the right and obvious choice for AL Cy Young.  A 2.16 ERA in the American League is ridiculous.  Forget the 16 wins, the Cy is not a team award.  Greinke had to win it despite his team.
• Speaking of bad teams, the Yankees have won more games this November than the Giants, Jets, Nets and Knicks combined (thank you Bootsy for that stat).  COMBINED!!!  The Nets (0-11) and the Knicks (1-9) are the worst two teams in the NBA.  The Jets have lost 5 of 6 and the Giants are losers in 4 straight. 
• Oh local talk radio.  In LA, it's Lakers, Lakers, Lakers and a wee bit of USC this time of year.  So, we get panicked takes on the defending champs with hosts claiming "apathy" because they had lost back-to-back games going into last night.  This Lakers team did not start winning big until Pau Gasol showed up.  Since he's been out this season, the bench has struggled because Lamar Odom is forced to start and the offensive paint is clogged because Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum use their post-ups to score not create.  Gasol solves both these problems and more. 
• The Lakers do have one mild concern.  It's possible Ron Artest was not as good a fit for this team as Trevor Ariza was.  Artest is a better player and he'll improve as he learns the triangle offense, but Ariza was comfortable being a stand-still three-point shooter, while Ron-Ron loves to dribble.  Ariza (38%) has become a better 3-point shooter than Artest (35%).
• Houston (6-5) and Sacramento (5-5) are minor miracles.  Rockets GM Daryl Morey really is the Billy Beane of the NBA.  They are the NBA's version of Butler.  Meanwhile, the Kings have decent talent as long as Kevin Martin (30.6 PPG) keeps playing like Michael Jordan.
• Bootsy's happy with Brian Kelly (Cincinnati) as Notre Dame's next coach, so I'll go along for the ride.  If Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate come back, the next coach will look like a genius because the cupboard was left stocked (that's the first cupboard Charlie Weis has not pillaged in his life).  If Kelly or whomever can go 10-2 without buying into their own hype, they'll have a leg up on the previous regime.
• Dick Jauron could be the first of many NFL coaches to get the boot.  Jim Zorn is a sure thing, but Lovie Smith, Eric Mangini and Wade Phillips could follow closely behind.  Jauron and Zorn have earned their pink slips, but Smith and Mangini could get replaced because there are so many strong free-agent coaches.  Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden (he'll be back eventually) and Bill Cowher would all be nationally lauded hires.
• Did ESPN compute how many fantasy games were decided by Maurice Jones-Drew taking a knee instead of running it in?  I loved when MoJo pretended like his personal fantasy game was decided by that, but then admitted actually he got blown out. 
• No more bye weeks.  Injuries are starting to pile up (Ronnie Brown, Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamalu, Brain Westbrook, Michael Turner, Kyle Orton, Marc Colombo, etc.).  Health is the single greatest factor in separating the NFL's elite year-after-year.

0-11 isn't pretty and neither is Rafer Alston

Sorry, I'm late.  The puppy had to have a thermometer shoved up her....hellooooooo!

• The MLB GM's gave instant replay about ten seconds thought and passed.  "For the most part they're getting calls right and not afraid to use instant replay," said Angels GM Tony Reagins.  I think I figured out why the Angels lost the ALCS, their GM wasn't watching.  Baseball deserves what they get.  The #3 sport in this country and sliding...
• I still love the idea of Bob Costas as the commish of baseball, but it will never happen.
• Ken Griffey Jr. (.214 BA with 19 HR in 2009) signed on for one more year with the Mariners.  It's just so hard for some people to let go.
• Scott Boras compared Johnny Damon to Derek Jeter yesterday when talking about his free agent's next contract.  Bye Johnny!
• Baseball needs a payroll minimum more than they need a cap.  The luxury tax paid by the Yankees keeps all the bottom feeders flush with cash, but they should be forced to spend it.  Roy Halladay wants $160 million like CC Sabathia.  The Yankees and Red Sox don't need to do that.  They might anyway, but they don't need to.  So who will?  It just seems like there is no market for any top free agent if they don't fit with the plans of the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets.
• Ben Roethlisberger is the Tim Tebow of the NFL.  I can't figure out what makes him so good, but he is damn good.
• How valuable is Troy Polamalu?  The Steelers did not make a play for an entire month without the fair-haired warrior and now they are back in business.  With only one game left against a winning team, Pittsburgh is headed for the #1 seed in the AFC.  If they stay healthy, they should be favored to repeat.
• Since 2007, Charlie Weis has led Notre Dame to just three wins over teams with winning records.  He is 1-13 in his Irish career against teams that finish in the Top 25.  Interesting facts that can be found at chuckweis.com.  Creative name!
• The Knicks lost to the Jazz Monday night to move to 1-7.  New York's real problem is that they have never been bad enough to get a franchise changing draft pick.  Finaly, this year, they seem to have sorted that out.  Sadly, Isiah Thomas still haunts the franchise.  The Utah Jazz get the Knicks unprotected first round pick this year.  I haven't even gotten to the saddest part.  The Knicks sent this pick along with another first rounder and Antonio McDyess to Phoenix for Stephon Marbury, which we can all agree was a smashing success.  Amazingly enough, Thomas is not the dumbest executive in this scenario.  Cheapo Suns owner Robert Sarver traded both Knicks first rounders to Utah for...wait for it...Keon Clark and Ben Handlogten.  Clark never played in the league again and Handlogten was immediately waived and re-signed with the Jazz.  Robert Sarver folks...the man who makes Isiah Thomas look smart! 
• How good could the Suns have been if they did not trade every top pick during Steve Nash's prime?
• And the winner is...Deron Williams.  The Jazz will shed Carlos Boozer after this season and move forward with Williams, Paul Millsap and a top pick (Derrick Favors?).
• Meanwhile, the New Jersey Nets or Brooklyn Nyets, if Jay-Z and the mad Russian can compromise, are 0-7.  How does John Wall, Devin Harris and Robin Lopez sound as a supporting cast for LeBron James?  Beats the hell out of midget guards, two fat centers and a clueless coach.  Plus, Lawrence Frank will get fired, so the "King" will hand pick his coach.
• Televised poker was a fad.  Time to move on.
• As Kimo from Forgetting Sarah Marshall said, "You gotta stop talking about it.  It's like The Sopranos.  It's OVER.  Find a new show."  We finally have replaced The Sopranos Kimo.  Thank you Mad Men.  Great season, great finale, great show. 

"Are those happy tissues or sad tissues?"

It's already Wednesday, we're making it through this week pretty quick.  Good job everybody!

• Zack Greinke is your American League Cy Young winner.  The numbers don't lie.
• And, Joe Mauer is your AL MVP.  Those numbers don't lie either, but he has defied physics, anatomy or one of those other science classes that I did not pay attention in to put up numbers that catchers just don't reach.
• The Yankees will fill out the rest of the ballot.  CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera will place in the Cy top five.  Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Rivera will get plenty of MVP love.  But sometimes we need to give individual awards to the best individuals and not the best individuals on the best team.
• As for the Yanks, they proved they can win in Anaheim...sort of.  They blew a 5-0 lead, but Brett Gardner stole a run in the 9th to make the difference.  Gardner is so good at stealing clutch bases, he actually will cost himself playing time in the postseason.  If Gardner starts, he cannot strategically pinch-run in a late, tight game.  If Melky Cabrera starts, the Yankees have a long list of candidates to run for headed by Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada. 
• Alex Rodriguez always has to be different.  While the rest of his teammates play their worst ball against Anaheim, A-Rod is a .329 hitter with 67 HR and 151 RBI in 171 games against the Angels.  Obviously, he played them a bunch during his Texas years, but he has five homers in the five games the Yankees have played at Disneyland this season.  Of course, the Yankees are 1-4 in those games, so the fans don't give him any credit.
• Dear panicking Yankee fans, take a breath and flip the Joba problem on its side.  No, he has not pitched worth a damn recently, but he's now your 6th or 7th inning guy in the ALDS and possibly the ALCS.  If he finds his swagger in that role, it would be a huge boost to the bullpen and maybe help Chamberlain in a potential ALCS or World Series start.
• Mike Scioscia called failed hit-and-run plays in both the 8th and 9th innings last night.  Repeat after me: The Angels kill the Yankees because they rake not because they go first-to-third better than blah blah blah...bull$h!t.
• The American judge and jury thinks they proved a point to Plaxico Burress this week that he was an idiot for bringing a gun into a club.  Sorry.  When Burress looks into the mirror, he is filled with regret, but not for bringing the unlicensed gun.  His regret is shooting himself in the leg.  And there's no great lesson there, although we now understand where that cliche comes from.
• Yesterday, I tried to squash the notion that Cal is a BCS Title contender.  Today, let's put an end to the idea that Miami is ready for primetime.  The Hurricanes goal should be to win the ACC, but they will lose at least twice on the way.  Remember, they still have Oklahoma on the non-conference schedule.
• The English Premier League has had a hard time adjusting to American billionaires buying their biggest clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool.  Now, American fans may have to deal with that adjustment.  Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov has put in an exorbitant bid to buy the New Jersey Nets.  Nets fans will get their new arena and a blank check from ownership, but beware, foreigners don't have the nostalgia for American franchises like we do.  It's a business property or even a toy.
• Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian are getting married after six weeks of dating.  Why wouldn't that work out?  Sounds like a foolproof plan to me.

I want to thank you all for...(pause) (think genuine emotion) (pause) (where's my water?) (pause) (what was I thinking about?) (oh right) (pause) (I think they are buying this) (pause) (maybe not that dude) (pause) (look there's Jeter) (this must mean he likes me) (or does he like me?) (he doesn't like me) (pause) (ooh real tears) (I LOVE YOU DEREK!!!) (concentrate) (stupid...naive...culture) (pause)...ok now we'll take some questions:

• Speaking of phonies, David Beckham had no interest in the MLS whatsoever and thought we would fawn over his mere presence.  When that did not happen, he booked the first ride to Italy where they play football and now he's staying.  That, in a nutshell, was the MLS's great plan to save the league.
• There only 30 games left in the NBA season.  I bet you did not know that.
• Last night, Nets rookie C Brook Lopez squared off againt Yao Ming.  Comparing their rookie stats through the first 52 games, their numbers are identical.  I am a big fan of Yao Ming, but Brook Lopez has a better upside defensively.  He's more fluid and athletic.  He may not become the offensive force that Yao has developed into, but when it's all said and done, Lopez's career will be better.
• Of course, injuries tend to tell the real story with these giants.  Greg Oden is out again with a minor knee problem and Andrew Bynum continues to recover from his second knee injury.  Comparing Oden and Bynum was an interesting basketball debate at the start of the season, but it will play out as a war of attrition.
• Just another reason to acknowledge Shaq's greatness and longevity, he's been carrying around 7' and nearly 400 lbs. for an awfully long time.
• On the other end of the spectrum, we have Nate Robinson.  "Krypto-nate" has made his fame by displaying his genetic super-powers in the dunk contest, but he has quietly turned into a pretty good basketball player.  Check out his stat line from a recent game against the Clippers: 33 points, 15 assists, 9 rebounds and 5 steals.  Statistically, it's the best game from a Knicks point guard since Walt "Clyde" Frazier.  Also, Robinson has become the Knicks go-to scorer in close games, albeit for a 22-31 team.  But he did finish off the mighty Spurs in overtime last night with a 32 point, 10 rebound effort.
• Another NBA trade yesterday as we near Thursday's deadline: Hornets acquire Joe Smith and others for Tyson Chandler from the Thunder.  Trade analysis: salary dump.  The sad part is that the Hornets are currently in the #6 spot in the West yet they are shedding an important piece solely for financial reasons.  In other words, Chris Paul will not be playing his entire career in New Orleans, so expect those who miss out on Lebron to swoop in on CP3.
• The "big" college game last night featured two teams that will be unpredictable come March.  Not due to youth or coaching, but thanks to injuries to their best players.  Purdue needs a healthy Robbie Hummel to reach the second weekend and Michigan St. could be a Final Four team with a healthy Raymar Morgan.  As of now, neither team or player is ready for March.  But it's coming in 11 days that I can assure you.
  
• The RPI says the conferences are ranked as follows: 1) ACC 2) Big Ten 3) Big East 4) Big 12 5) Pac 10 6) SEC.  The obvious area that most experts would disagree on would be flip-flopping the Big East and Big Ten.  Comparing the top four teams in each league, the Big East is far superior to the Big Ten and probably the ACC, but there's something to be said for the free wins that exist in the Big East with the likes of South Florida, St. John's, Depaul and Rutgers.  Meanwhile, the only real dogs in the Big Ten are Iowa and Indiana. 
  
• This is my real problem with unbalanced schedules (the one thing the Pac 10 does better than everyone else), not all schedules are created equal.  Big East teams play everybody once and three teams twice.  If your three doubles are Rutgers, Depaul and Seton Hall, you play in a pretty easy conference.  If they are Marquette, UConn and Pitt, you're looking at an NIT berth. 
  
• By the way, the argument is even more valid in college football (again the Pac 10 is the only conference that gets it right).  Sure, the SEC may be the best conference, but a given team's schedule is not necessarily tough if they don't have to play all the elite teams.    

Sorry I'm a little late this morning, I'm still removing my heart from my throat after USC's in-and-out win over Stanford last night.

• Josh Childress was at the game.  He still looks the same.  He's a lanky dude with a giant afro that makes you think he'd fall over if he leaned forwards or backwards.  For those that don't remember, Childress plays in Greece now voluntarily.  He's been conspicuously quiet throughout the process unlike Brandon Jennings who railed against his experience in Italy the other day. 
  
• Johnny Dawkins was rewarded for his patience by going from the Duke bench to a great post at Stanford.  I have to imagine Chris Collins is just waiting for the perfect opportunity as well.  It seems like these longtime Duke assistants are afraid to be head coaches, but they get so much notoriety sitting next to Coach K that there's no reason to go to a mid-major and build up a resume.
• I would love to see a dunk contest between DeMar DeRozan, who won the McDonald's All-American dunk contest, and USC's UConn transfer Marcus Johnson.  They each had breakaway dunks last night and Johnson mimicked DeRozan's dunk, but I actually think he got higher.
• I feel good about pushing Clemson into my Sweet 16 after watching them battle back from a 15-point second half deficit on the road yesterday.  Virginia Tech had the Tigers dead and buried, but they refused to bleed the shot clock.  The more possessions there are in a game, the more it favors the team that likes to play at a frenetic pace.  (Note: Clemson still cannot shoot free throws, which will burn them at some point.)
• Reggie Miller was going off about Mo Williams not making the Eastern Conference All-Star team on TNT last night because he thinks the Cavs should have two representatives.  There is a distinction that needs to be made between value and excellence.  Williams has provided great value to Cleveland, but the Nets' Devin Harris bears twice the load and played at a higher level. 
  
• Magic PG Jameer Nelson seems like a similar pick to Williams, but they have completely different crunch-time responsibilities.  Nelson has the ball in his hands with the game on the line and runs pick-and-roll with Dwight Howard.  Williams defers to Lebron and stands outside the three-point line to space the floor and wait for an open shot.
• Rashard Lewis was an excessive pick from the Magic roster becaues he only does one thing at an All Star caliber level, shoot.  He spreads the floor, which is great for their offense, but he's not an integral part of the Magic like David Lee is to the Knicks or even his own teammate Hedo Turkoglu.
• As for the West, people are crying foul about Carmelo Anthony's omission.  I don't think I need to profess my love for Melo (I already named my dog after him), but he was hurt for the last 10 games.  He has not been at his best all season, which is too bad because he might finally have the teammates to get him out of the first round.
• Shaq can thank Terry Porter and his improved free-throw shooting (career high percentage if he keeps it up) for making a return trip to the game.  Porter has rested him smartly and exploited the mismatch when he's in the game.  Unfortunately for the Suns, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire look like half the players they were under Mike D'Antoni.
• If you tivoed the Andy Roddick/Roger Federer semifinal like me, it was "deja vu all over again."  Just last year, everyone was ready to bury the great Fed, but he's his dominant self again and primed for a 14th major title.  #14 would tie him with his buddy and friendly-rival Tiger Woods.
• FYI: There is a one hour brand new The Office after the Super Bowl on NBC Sunday! 

We are half way through the NBA and college basketball seasons, so let's take a look back at my Season Previews for both sports and decide what is good, what looks good and what I'd like to have back.

NBA Preview

Lookin' Good

The Lakers are in Championship position in the West and I had them winning it all.  We nailed Dwyane Wade's comeback season and T-Mac's inevitable injury problems.  Mike D'Antoni has turned David Lee into an All-Star despite the Knicks constant struggles.  Putting the spotlight on O.J. Mayo was a good call and Danny Granger has enjoyed a breakout campaign.

Feelin' Good

The Heat going from worst to the playoffs looks like a solid bet.  I had the Blazers for 48 wins as my sleeper in the West.  I still see the Mavs and Suns trending downward, but at least one will sneak into the playoffs.  And, I remain convinced that Lamar Odom is the key to the Lakers season.  I would trade him for a defensive stopper like Shane Battier, but my Lakers source tells me they need the frontcourt depth more.  15 of my 16 projected playoff teams are very much alive.

Lost That Lovin' Feeling

Ok, I completely whiffed on the Raptors.  I don't even know what I was thinking.  I have not even taken the time to figure out why they are so terrible, but they are definitely not good...not good at all.  Everyone else was right, Jermaine O'Neal got hurt...again.  Devin Harris has kept the Nets from being the abject disaster that I predicted.  The Spurs continue to piece it together even when they do look old in some spots, but Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill have kept them in position.  Instead of breaking out, Rudy Gay has deferred to his rookie teammate Mayo.  

Bring Back That Lovin' Feeling

Lebron will walk away with the MVP and he will overwhelm the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.  The Cavs-Lakers or Lebron-Kobe Finals will go to Cleveland unless the Lakers do something soon to shore up their defense.  

Derrick Rose will win Rookie of the Year because he effects winning more than O.J. Mayo, who does not have the necessary help.  

College Hoops Preview

Lookin' Good

Let's start at the top where I have no regrets about a North Carolina-Pitt final.  Oklahoma looks solid for the Final Four and Blake Griffin should dominate the Player of the Year voting.  I was all over Steph Curry and James Harden, who remain the best two scoring guards in the country.  I think I'm the only one that had Michigan as tournament team and Syracuse and Wake Forest as Sweet 16 teams.

Feelin' Good

I love all four of my bust candidates.  We have talked plenty about Duke, but I see major weaknesses in Texas, Gonzaga and Purdue as well.  Indiana will definitely not get to 10 wins and I'm still holding out hope that Mike Brey will rock an Irish green suit.

Lost That Lovin' Feeling

I don't love Louisville's Final Four chances despite their big win yesterday.  It looks like Kansas, all due credit to Bill Self, will make the tourney yet again.  I'd take Johnny Flynn over A.J. Price as my All-American point guard, but Price remains the key to UConn's season.  There is no chance that I would put Tennessee in my Sweet 16 if I could do it again.  I got my own team wrong as it seems the Trojans lack the concentration to be a consistent winner this year.

Bring Back That Lovin' Feeling

I'll stick with my Title game, but I'm tempted to flip Pitt into the winner's circle.  I would add Arizona St., Clemson and Kentucky to my Sweet 16.  I'd remove Tennessee, Wiconsin and USC.  

I'd also like to flip-flop Louisville and Syracuse, so the Orange make a return trip to the Final Four.