La Bronze (maybe) James

As I sat watching the demise of the our mens basketball team this afternoon, with one spectacular 'SPORTCSENTER MOMENT', I understood the problem.

In the second half, with points at a premium and the USA team --- Yes, USA team, not USA Dream Team. Please stop calling these guys by that moniker. That title is reserved for the first group of super (pro) stars we sent to beat up on the rest of the world --- Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, that SPORTSCENTER MOMENT executed by La Bronze James.

It was a break away and an easy two-points, ahead of the pack and now plenty of time to set up the defense. A chance to get back in this thing and make a run for that elusive GOLD, and some damn respect back home.

It must be instinctive. We are the ones who lost this game. We instill this type of play from our youth, why should we be surprised when they display it on the big stage?

Sorry, once again I wander. Here we go --- La Bronze, eyes bright and an extra step in his giddy-up, went flying to the basket for that TV SLAM we all love to watch on the highlight reels.

Oooooooops ! What was that? A whistle? Traveling? Moi?

A simple (non-flying) lay-up would have done the job, but who the hell would ever show that 'crap' on the highlight reels at 11pm?

I wrote earlier that I hoped these guys would realize the magnitude of the difference between gold and tin, now I just hope (actually I don't really care anymore) that La Bronze can live up to his name and they can all come home with that elusive brown colored medal.

Yea, right. Bronze this !!

BLOOMIN' FREAKIN' IDIOTS or JUST (don't) DO IT !!

Most of you probably guessed who this article is going to be about, just by reading the word IDIOTS.

You are correct ... The amazing brain trust at the NCAA.

This group appears to exist for one reason and one reason only ... To exercise their complete control over college athletes.

These are the people that once put a team/school on suspension, because the school officials arranged transportation for a student athlete, so the young man could attend the funeral of his MOTHER. His mother, for crying out loud.

We know there are rules and the rules are in place for a reason. However, it is true more often than not, that there are indeed -- exceptions to all rules.

Based upon that premise, these GODS show us what is even more amazing about their group. Obviously void of common sense, they stand by these absurd rules, even upon appeal. In other words, when given the opportunity that most of us never have available to us in our worlds, that of correcting an obvious error we have committed, these self righteous individuals say, "JUST (don't) DO IT!", yet a second time.

Their latest example (they show us this as frequently as possible) of their lack of common sense and good judgment, was exhibited when they first denied the request, and later denied the appeal, of one JEREMY BLOOM.

Bloom is a 2002 Olympian and the reigning world champion in freestyle moguls (downhill, X-Treme racer). He is (make that WAS) also a wide receiver / kick returner for the Univ of Colorado, who was on the verge of entering his junior year of participation.

Bloom started accepting endorsement money last winter (2003 & 2004) to help support his training and preparation for the upcoming (2006) Torino Olympics.

ENTER GOD --

The NCAA has no problem with Bloom or any other athlete accepting salaries as a professional (what?) in other sports, however, they have major issues with any of THEIR subordinates accepting money from sponsors.

UNBELIEVABLE !!

Put this in perspective .... This decree is coming down from an organization that allows, no, let me correct that, encourages college coaches to accept endorsement money from such big boys as NIKE. This group also allows brewing companies to pay them money for the privilege to advertise their product during the presentation of the games in which these broke ass athletes compete. They are quick to point out that these 'beer drinking' commercials are suitable, because the brew crews encourage something called responsible drinking.

What the hell does that mean ... Paying for your own booze? Does this group (NCAA) that makes the rules these kids have to live by, understand that the majority of these kids are UNDER FREAKIN' AGE?

Sorry, I digress. Back to the endorsement issue. You didn't actually think these coaches, that are storming up and down the sidelines of the games, swearing at the refs like the proverbial 'drunken sailor', are wearing those little Nike swishes on their shirts/shoes/hats for free, did you? How about the 'swish' on the players jerseys? They cannot accept endorsement/sposor money, but they can advertise for them? These people are completely devoid of logic and common sense. They understand one thing .... Money in their pockets.

Within the next 10 years, Nike will be endorsing the world, but the GODS of the NCAA will still be saying to THEIR kids ---- JUST (don't) DO IT !!

We will still be saying, "BLOOMIN' FREAKIN' IDIOTS"

HO -- HUM(mer)

Well, after weeks of trash talking on all the cable news networks (morning, noon and especially at night), I have learned a few things about a few people.

George Bush learned how to pilot a fighter jet, 35-years ago. John Kerry learned how to pilot a gun boat, 35-years ago. Gloria Allred (attorney for Amber Frey) has learned how to appear LIVE on three, count 'em, T-H-R-E-E talk shows at the same time ... CNN, MSNBC & FOX.

This lady has turned into a talk show HO and to make matters even worse, she could have been one of the court ordered GAGEES <--- That's where the HUM(mer) comes from, if you get my drift.

HAMM --- RIGHT vs RONG (without the W it is still ... wrong)

One Olympic official has equated it to an NFL official making a 'bad call' during a game. Another says the Korean delegation didn't file a protest in time. Still another says that we shouldn't blame the judges, because they are only human.

To those three officials I say ... Here's a quarter, buy your collective self's a clue.

First of all, it is not the same as an NFL official making a bad call during a game.
There are a few reasons why making that analogy is ludicrous, but let's go with the most obvious --- The error in Hamm's case did NOT occur during the event. Geeez!

Secondly, the Korean delegation disputes the official and Jae Soon-yoo, an official with the South Korean delegation, says they did question the scoring as soon as the routine was over and were told by the judges to file a protest letter after the meet.

Furthermore, to the Olympic committee --- Stop acting as if you are as void of common sense as the NCAA. The contestants were still in the building .... Don't tell us that it was too late to make changes. After all, the rules say that they have a limited time to protest what they perceive to be errors in judging. This was not an error in judging, it was an error of omission which led to an error in the math. =======================================

If you are not familiar with the exact nature of the omission error, please take a moment and read the following article.

From AOL news:
"It's unfortunate the judges didn't have the right start value."
A start value is based on the difficulty of the routine. Yang received a start value of 9.9 on parallel bars, a tenth lower than he got for the same routine in team qualifying and finals.

After reviewing a tape of the all-around, federation officials determined Yang should have been awarded a start value of 10. With the extra 0.10, he would have finished with 57.874 points and defeated Hamm by 0.051.
======================================

Finally, the 'blame' issue. Who cares who gets saddled with the blame, or for that matter, who cares if anyone gets blamed? The outcome of all this is not to crown the guilty party it's to crown the winner.

Let's try this: Instead of the 'NFL official making a bad call' analogy ---
Sticking with the NFL theme, it is Team A 24, Team B 19, and Team B scores a last second TD and the scoreboard keeper puts up a 3 spot for them instead of a 6, making the final score: Team A 24, Team B 22.

Oh wait a second. Team B should have received six points for that TD and therfore, Team B won the game 25-24. JUST FIX THE DAMN SCORE !!
=========================
The larger question regarding this matter is --- Where is Hamm's publicist/agent?
As things stand, Hamm walks away with an ill gotten gold medal and two weeks from now the non gymnast world completely forgets about him and his performance in Athens. However, if Hamm were to make a formal presentation of his gold medal to the South Korean, he would be remembered for --- well, probably forever.

Do the right thing, Paul. Hand over the hardware. As it now stands, that gold medal you are wearing has lost its luster.

A JERK IN THE WORKS or YOU WONDER WHY THEY TURN OUT TO BE DOPES?

Ocean City, Maryland, noted for its fun in the sun, also has some night life.

Bookmark this youngsters name, so when he ----

A. Runs down a traffic cop at an intersection
B. Slaps around his sexual partner of choice
C. Gets pulled over for DUI and has unregistered weapons
D. Wonders why the media and coach are upset because he is late for practices
E. Scores a TD and rips off helmet as he races to stick his mug in the camera
F. ALL THE ABOVE

Gregory Powell, wide receiver at the Univ of Maryland, was arrested recently for disorderly conduct and assault.

This may have been a non story, except for the fact that the person he assaulted was not some fellow drunken student/athlete, that he was out having a few beers with.
His assault was on a ----- police officer. You know, police, as in authority figure.

Powell's defense attorney told the judge (R.Patrick Hayman) that a conviction or even simple probation, could possibly end the unfortunate youths playing career as a wide receiver at U of MD.

The iron fisted judge, the molder of youth and beacon of wisdom that he is, stated the following, "Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have. And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty.''

No Judge Roy Bean, that's for sure. Hell, poor little Gregory wasn't even asked to reimburse the city fot the pepper spray that had to be used to subdue his drunk ass.

No problem Judge Pat, someday down the road, when poor, innocent Gregory wonders why society gets all upset when he smacks around someone as insignificant as a parking lot attendant or his girl friend/wife, maybe some 'wise' judge will sentence him to house arrest -- at YOUR house.

Who the hell is judging the judges?

OLYMPIC TIN ???

The US men hoopsters are getting trashed and bashed by the media and the folks back home. Deservedly so, in the opinion of the so called experts. We, however, are not jumping ship for one main reason .... The price of GOLD.

On the open market, the celebrated metal goes for approximately $404.oo/ounce.

These are the men that created the term, 'bling - bling'. Do you really think they are going to 'come marchin' home' with TIN?

If you hesitated to answer that question, consider this .... TIN is going for .20 cents/ounce.

'Nuff said.
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In those immortal words .... "Feets (Nike) don't fail me now"

REVENGE x 2 = CASH

I hope all you gamblers (I choose to call myself an investor) out there remembered the last game of the 2003 season, when Arizona completed a game winning, desperation pass as time ran out and knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Couple that revenge setting with the fact that the Vikes get to play at home, indoors and against their old coach, Dennis Greene.

Worried about the spread of Minn -5 ? It's the NFL, screw the spread!

Bottom line: This is a 90% investment situation for us 'investors'.

A COURAGEOUS GOVERNOR -- I THINK NOT

Republican or Democrat, it matters not. Governor McGreevey is being hailed as a courageous man for coming out about his sexuality.

If he were so courageous he would not have waited for a lawsuit to be filed against him for his sexual misconduct before 'outing' himself.

McGreevey did nothing courageous !

Clinton was courageous --- After he found out Monica had a sperm covered dress.
McGreevey was courageous --- After his boyfriend filed a lawsuit.

To stop lying, because someone else is going to tell the truth and expose you, is NOT being courageous. That is being CAUGHT !

If McGreevey, who placed this boyfriend in six figure income positions that he had no qualifications for, was as sincere as he would like us all to believe, he would step down NOW, not in November.

The citizens of NJ have the right to elect their own governor. By delaying his removal from office, the Democratic machine will deny the citizens from having their vote.

Why can't politicians just do the RIGHT thing, not what is right for their party?
Those two things are not always one in the same and these people know that.

THE POINTSPREAD FALLACY

Please, please, please stop all the nonsense about why you think the oddsmakers did such a great job setting the line on a football game, because the game in question had a line of two or three and the final outcome was a differential of two or three points.

Please read the following ---

The job of the oddsmaker is NOT to predict the outcome of a sporting event. Their job is to set a line on a game that will attract equal wagering on both teams. Once the game begins the oddsmaker has already made his/her money. The outcome of the game is irrelevant to them.

Doing a good job, is setting a line that, when offered up to the public, sees little if any movement.

The game in question can show Team 'A' open as a favorite of -4 and never move from that number and have a final outcome of Team 'A' winning by 34. The oddsmaker in THAT game did a great job.

Conversely, if Team 'A' opened as a favorite of -4 and the line steadily moved to -1, before kickoff, and Team 'A' won the game by one, two, three or four points .... The oddsmaker did NOT do a good job on that game.

The job of the oddsmaker is to predict the actions of the bettors, not the outcome of the games. The more the line is moved by public wagering, the worse the job done by the oddsmaker.

Granted, big time booking operations do not necessarily have to balance their books, because they have the bankroll to support their business and therefore they can actually afford to gamble as well as book. The main reason they can afford to do this is because, unlike you and I, they do not have to lay $110.00 to win $100.00.

For example: The book can take in $22,000.00, on the favorite (vigorish included) and then take in $11,000.00 on the dog (vig included). If the favorite wins the game, the book pays out $20.000.00, to the winning bettors, so he would lose $9,000.00. However, if the dog wins the wager, the book will pay out %10,000.00, to those winning bettors and take in $22,000.00, from the losing bettors, thereby realizing a profit of $12,000.00.

As you can see, the book can afford to not only be a book maker, but also a gambler, because he only has to risk $9,000.00 to win $12,000.00. You and I would have to risk $13,200.00 ($1,200.00 vigorish) to win $12,000.00.

Bottom line: We, as players, have to win approximately 53% of our wagers just to break even. The bookmaker only has to win approximately 43% to break even. It is rather obvious for all to see, that the bookmakers are working with a tremendous advantage when they take their so called --- gamble.

Despite all those numbers, the oddsmakers still have no interest in attempting to predict the final point differential of the games, when posting lines for sporting events. With the books winning the 'juice', if the wagers on each team are equal and having to only win more than 43% of YOUR wagers to show a profit, when they hold more money on one team than they do the other, they do not have to predict final score differentials in order to do their job.

For those that still believe the oddsmakers are uncanny in their so called, 'final outcome' predictions, we shall further destroy that myth as well.

Consider the following:
During the 2003 season, Carolina, Dallas, GB, Indy, KC, Miami, Minn, NYG, Philly, TB & the Titans, all combined for 66 total losses. In those 66 S/U (straight-up) losses they managed to cover exactly ZERO games. In other words the spread did not come in to play in any of those 66 losses.

As a matter of fact, in nearly five of every six NFL games the team that wins the game on the field covers the spread.

Bottom line: The spread plays no role in 83% of all NFL games. Therefore, using the popular belief that the oddsmakers are nearly always correct, because so many games end up on the magic number .... They are only 'close' in 17% of the NFL games.

This is in no way an indictment of the oddsmakers. They do a tremendous job, especially when you consider the fact that they have to hang a number on every game.
The problem, however, seems to be that most people apparently don't know what the job actually is or even how to tell if the oddsmaker did indeed do a good job or not.

We are reminded of a story about the late Sonny Reizner, bookmaker extraordinaire. Sonny was asked if he had blown the JETS vs COLTS Super Bowl, because he posted the Colts as 19 point favorites, and they lost the game straight-up. Sonny had the following reply: "Quite the contrary. That number was the exact magic number needed to get the bettors to back the underdog as well as the favorite. It turned out to be a great number (line) for Vegas."

The moral of the story is twofold:
1. If you want to win the majority of your NFL wagers, forget the spread.
2. The line makers are NOT trying to predict the winners of the game nor the final score differential.

Just imagine if you could correctly pick the S/U (straight-up) winner of all the NFL games, you would win 83% of all your wagers. Now THAT would be R-E-M-A-R-K-A-B-L-E !

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY WAGERING

TYSON TAKES CARE OF KID

When he does something bad, which seems to happen more often than not, Mike's escapades receive front page treatment. However, when he does something good, which seems to happen less often than the bad, his deeds are relegated to the back page.

Kid Gavilan, a former boxing champion from Cuba, died penniless a couple of years ago and was buried in a paupers grave in Miami. Mike Tyson, despite being broke, millions of dollars in debt, and coming off a recent embarrassing defeat in the ring, managed to come up with $5,000.oo, to have The Kid's body exhumed and given a proper burial with a personalized headstone.

One has to wonder how other, more financially secure current and former boxers would have let this 'pauper burial' take place in the first place. Extending them all the benefit of the doubt for whatever excuses they had at the time of The Kid's death, one still has to wonder where they are NOW .... Now that the opportunity to take care of a 'boxing brethern' has given them all a second chance.

From one of Kid Gavilan's fans, I say, "Thanks, Mike."

We will put you on our front page for your, 'above and beyond', actions.