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Mark Madsen:
Yes, he revs at an unholy rate, but the NBA's worst dancer ably helped sub for Shaq: 9 pts, 5 reb, 4 blk (and 5 fouls) in 28 minutes.
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
KOBE. SICK.
Of Kobe Bryant's 52 points -- leading the
Lakers past the playoff-rival Rockets 106-99 in
double-OT -- most likely to be remembered is the
sickest Dunk of the Year, his posterization of Yao in
the third quarter -- a literal interpretation of how
much Kobe has recently elevated his game.
That's OK, but... Far more critical were his
17 in OT, including all nine of the team's points in
the first OT -- a gritty, Jordan-esque display. Kobe played a career-high 54 minutes, and from
the looks of things, he managed it on one wheel.
The Downside
Wincing every time Kobe came down on his one good leg,
I found my awe tempered by a question that nagged like
a sore knee: How much longer can he keep this up
before ruining himself? It has
got to be cause for concern for the rest of the
season. It was a huge win, sure, but will it come at a
long-term price for the player and the team when Kobe
is hobbled during the playoffs he is carrying them
toward?
Shaq's status: Meanwhile for the Big
Arthro-stotle, talk is that Shaq will return for
Friday's game against Portland, even as L.A. grumbling
continues that he is letting the team down by not
playing through pain. We revisit yesterday's question
about Shaq, particularly in the context of Kobe's own
knee problems: Why the rush? Play now, pay later ...
Tyson Update
Mike Tyson says he's on for his fight
on Saturday. What would change his mind?
Perhaps the big payday, perhaps that mind-altering
half-face tattoo. Now Clifford Etienne insists he's in too. That's a shame. Here's what we'd really like to see:
Find Tyson's "Rocky":
Though fight promoters say they have a few
replacements for Etienne in mind if he sticks to his
claim, the better idea would be to find some complete
unknown from a random gym and give him a chance -- a
la the shot Apollo gave Rocky. Talk about the
ultimate in reality TV.
Top Reality-TV contenders:
Hey, pulling opponents from reality TV isn't such a
bad idea. What about Joe Millionaire? He's a big dude.
Or maybe the runner-up from "Bachelorette." But if the
promoters are looking for ratings, "Tyson vs. Jacko"
would be the draw of the century. It's not like anyone
knows who Etienne is anyway.
NBA Trades?
Aside from the days leading up to the NBA
draft, hoopologists never
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"DUNKING ON SOMEONE/GETTING DUNKED ON" EDITION |
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| CONVERSATION TOPICS THAT ARE IN PLAY: |
1. Sizzling Vancouver: Canucks unbeaten in 10 straight
2. NFL Combine: Rex Grossman not ducking tests
3. Pitt: Brandin Knight makes right in win over G'town |
| CONVERSATION TOPICS THAT ARE SO OVER: |
1. Derrick Coleman: Why is he NBA trade bait again?
2. Mid-majors: Cinderella wannabes struggle
3. Bachelorette: Bring on "Bachelor 3," 25 more women |
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get played more by team executives and agents than during the final hours
before the trading deadline (which is tomorrow at 3
p.m.).
But the fun, of course, is in the baseless teasing,
rumors and innuendo. So here's an update, done in
rhyme -- because if the information is suspect, the
format shouldn't be. I prefer to be judged not on
accuracy, but novelty:
Hawks Theo, Terry and Shareef/Teams search in vain for
cap relief.
Could it be the Supes trade the Glove?/Money is the
issue, so no lost love.
Is there reason for Bulls fans to grouse?/Only at the
inabilities of GM Krause.
On the table, perhaps Jamal Crawford/Only if a lottery
pick is in return offered.
Other Bulls names: Eddie Robinson, Marcus Fizer/To
deal for Eddie Jones, they'd be the wiser.
K-Van Horn, G-Buckner, O-Harrington, L-Spree/More
likely all stand pat, 'til it feels drafty.
No More Halo
The NCAA football rules committee has
eliminated the two-yard "halo" rule on punt returns.
Their reasoning is in part that the halo gave
returners a false sense of security and led to them
taking unnecessary hits.
The result: The near-extinction of the
game-changing, crowd-pleasing punt-return TD in favor
of the ubiquitous "fair catch"; and watch the scary
trend of returners bold (or stupid) enough not to fair
catch getting hurt.
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"Bachelorette"
Trista makes her choice tonight and we know
two things: It won't be Zora, and she won't get a
check for a mil afterward (but maybe a guest-host spot
on "The View").
The Quickie Pick: Winner Charlie, though he's
too slick; let's hope that Rhymin' Ryan doesn't get
sick. (OK, the rhyming moratorium
begins ... now.)
"Idol"
What a lackluster third group! Could have used
Clifford Etienne, or maybe trading one of the kids to
the Knicks for Spree.
The Quickie Pick: Send feisty redhead Vanessa
and goofy "Hercules! Hercules!" Rickey to the final
10.
Get Me Outta Here
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here:
Heard about this one? It's "Survivor" meets "The
Biggest Non-Celeb Celebs You've Ever Heard Of,"
including: Cris "But I was once married to J-Lo" Judd,
Robin "Rich 'n Famous" Leach, Melissa "My Mom is a
Celebrity" Rivers, Downtown Julie "Can't Say No" Brown
and -- from the sports world -- Bruce Jenner, which is
just sad. I mean, the guy was once on a Wheaties
box.
The Quickie Pick: Model/"actor" Tyson Beckford
will outlast them all.
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Jose Canseco:
Packed off to jail for a probation violation. He'd make a great cameo on "Oz."
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Kobe, Tyson, ephedrine
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Vote at SportsNation
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Today on ESPN.com
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| P2: Hoosiers II |
| IN: NBA rumors |
| NCAA: Bubble Watch |
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What does it say that the most exciting thing about
the Bulls-Cavs game was LeBron sitting
courtside?...
Best rivalry in college hoops -- Maryland/Duke --
resumes tonight. Duke will win (ugh) ...
Tell me again: Why hasn't MLB banned ephedrine
yet? ...
Best Shaq-related rumor: Reinstated ex-LSU teammate
Stanley Roberts is interested in joining the
Lakers ...
Nebraska is inching closer to paying football players;
if I played a non-rev sport, I'd have that lawsuit
ready and waiting ...
Barry Bonds' minor elbow surgery today will only keep
him out of spring training for a few days. But watch
that joint in August ...
Have you told your friends and co-workers about the
Quickie? ...
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