Dog Bites Vick

Unfortunately, this is probably not what Michael Vick's sentence will be:

Indians Game

My company had it's annual picnic at an Indianapolis Indians game this past weekend. The weather was perfect, the food was good (and free!), unfortunately the Indians have one of the worst fielding teams I've ever seen. That combined with a horrendous outing from the pitcher (he had a 47.25 ERA for the game. Seriously!) combined for a 12-0 lead by the Durham Bulls in the second inning. We left shortly thereafter not needing to see any more of the beatdown. I almost forgot: we did get free hats as one of the first 4,000 fans. Always nice to get free stuff!

Brees goes to jail

I have to admit, when I saw a link to an article title "Brees goes to jail" it scared me for a second. Fortunately it's just another case of NFL Co-Man of the Year helping out those less fortunate.

From http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NO/10220570.

Saints QB Brees gives Utah inmates pep talk
NFL.com wire reports

BEAVER, Utah (June 9, 2007) -- Some inmates at the Beaver County correctional facility had a surprise guest speaker when New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees showed up at the southern Utah jail on June 8.

County officials had heard he was coming, but even they were skeptical.

"I was pretty blown away by the idea that somebody like him would come to a small town like Beaver, Utah," Sgt. Curt Heslington of the Beaver County sheriff's department said. "But, lo and behold, Drew Brees showed up today."

Brees spoke to 124 inmates in the Beaver County residential treatment program. In a pair of one-hour sessions, Brees encouraged the inmates with reflections on the trials and tribulations of his life and career.

"What Drew Brees did for us was incredible," Heslington said. "He just basically focused on the highs and lows of life. It was highly motivating, not only for our residents but for me and for the staff."

In his first season with New Orleans, Brees passed for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the Saints to the NFC title game.

Heslington said Brees signed autographs and posed for pictures after his speeches, then left town as quietly as he had arrived.

"I think he made a big impact and had a big influence on everybody," said Wes McMullin, supervisor of the treatment program. "It was a big shocker to see somebody like that in Beaver, and I think that meant a lot to our inmates."

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2007, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Fixed Game in the NBA?

The NBA is caught in a crisis as word comes out that one of their referees, Tim Donaghy, has bet on games and may have shaved points on games. He was involvement with members of the mob and it looks like NBA games that we long thought seemed "fishy" from a refereeing stand point now may have been fixed. Check out this video from Game 3 of this year's Suns-Spurs series. There sure are some questionable calls made during this game that, yes, Mr. Donaghy refereed. See for yourself:



It's a long video. If you want to skip to the "good part," jump ahead to the 5:20 mark.

Stephon's Family Matters

Check out the 7:30 minute mark and listen until 8 minutes in. And extremely creepy Stephon Marbury, referring to his SISTER, says, and I quote, "“When I kissed her, I felt her body and I felt her soul.”. He was either high or he and his family are extremely close. I'm hoping for the former, but let's just never talk about all this again.

Oden vs. Durant

ESPN is already reporting that the Portland Trailblazers will select Greg Oden from Ohio State in the NBA Draft tonight. However, I haven't weighed in with my thoughts, so let me tell you who I would pick.

Greg Oden is the clear choice for the number pick. Now Kevin Durant from Texas is a great scorer and athlete. Durant may indeed, as Bill Simmons puts it, be a player we have never seen before. That's just a guess though. Durant seems like a deer in headlights in front of the media and has shown the tendency to not be able to carry his team in big games (see this year's NCAA tournament). Durant didn't play in a big-time league like the Big Ten or even the ACC. His quality of opponents just wasn't NBA caliber. He's flashy and definitely can score, but I'm not sure why you'd want to build a franchise around him. At least not a franchise that hopes to win the NBA title. Durant reminds me of Tracy McGrady: a good scorer who's dunks will end up on a lot of posters and sell and lot of jerseys, but will never win. Durant is immaturity physically as well as mentally is going to lead to a lot of problems in trying to carrying his team, especially at the defensive end.

Greg Oden is ready to come in and play TODAY. He has what analyst call an "NBA body." Oden may not be the most polished offensive player at the beginning of his career, but he can come in and play defense and rebound. Those are two key elements that any championship team needs. Oden seems mature (I won't make a joke about his age) and comfortable with the media. He's played in the best college basketball conference in America and helped his team go all the way to the championship game of the NCAA tournament.

There's no way of knowing how good either of these guys can be. People in the media like to call the NBA draft a crap shoot, but I prefer to think of it as poker. Greg Oden is like having a pair of queens suited. Sure, it's not the best hand, but you've already got a high pair and a chance at a flush. Durant is like having ace-jack off suit. Sure you've got a high card and chances at a straight, but if the right cards don't come up, you've got nothing. That's the way I see Oden and Durant. Durant has a bigger, as Hubie Brown would say, upside, but also the bigger chance at a flop. Take the sure thing. If you're Portland or Seattle you're already a bad team in a tough Western Conference, so take Oden and help yourself immediately.

This post will self-destruct like Sam Bowie's legs if Oden turns out to be a total flop and Durant wins six titles.

Split Personality

Up until now, my blog has been a hodgepodge of sports, ramblings, and family events. Starting today, I'm splitting them up. My old blog, Troy's Cube, will remain to contain family pictures, vacation stories, and random thoughts on life. My new blog, tentatively title Stiffler's Sports Cube, will contain thoughts on sports including AAFL fantasy football details. So for those who only want to see pictures of Brian and Grant, keep your web brower tuned to Troy's Cube, but for those of you who want to know what I think of Purdue basketball and football, the Colts, other sports teams, and, yes, perhaps even the Pacers, as well as complete AAFL details, stay here on Stiffler's Sports Cube.