8.31.2006

Web Watch: Kevan Barlow

Athlete web pages. A trend that's starting to pick up, but probably not the way those superstars (and even superstar hopefuls) envisioned. They see dollar signs and sponsorships; we see over-inflated egos and perfect heckling material. Is it possible to have one of these without coming off as a pompous, self-involved tool? Every Thursday, until I can't find any more, we'll look at a (sometimes ex-) Bay Area athlete's site to find out...

Athlete: Kevan Barlow
Website: www.kb32.com

The Skinny: Apparently Kevan goes by KB or "Showtime," an unquestionably appropriate nickname if the show he's referring to is The View. Probably needs to put a call in to his Web guy because the site doesn't reflect his move to New York, even though the news section does. If he weren't so disappointing as a running back the site, which features a fairly comprehensive bio and statistics, might actually be interesting. KB decided to add a calendar even though it's nothing more than the Jets schedule. I wonder where "alienate star FB" and "call coach dictator" go?

Best Quote: "Kevan enjoys touching the lives of people around him in a positive way."

Bay Area YouTube Top 30


It is a site that has revolutionized procrastination. You watch it at work, you peruse it at home. It has changed the world of blogging as we now know it. And you have undoubtedly typed "porn" into the search field and come away disappointed. Yes, I am talking about YouTube, one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century. A couple of month's ago, Bill Simmons created a YouTube Hall of Fame (insider) for his readers to divulge. While a novel idea, Simmons' list left something to be desired, namely being unable to fulfill every sports fans' desire to see his own team's triumphs and memorable moments. This isn't his fault; it is impossible to placate everyone. And that's what we're here for, anyway.

Starting September 1, HMB will be counting down the YouTube Top 30 Bay Area sports moments. Each day we will post one video until we get to #1 on September 30. We are ranking the clips on a few criteria:
  • Coolness of the clip. Was it a big play in a big game? Is it an indelible historical image? Was it done by a Bay Area sports legend? Do you get goosebumps? Does it get a little dusty when the clip is shown? That kind of stuff.
  • Does the clip possess YouTube qualities? Montages with cool music make great YouTube clips; we love them.
  • Is it good quality? No one likes watching grainy old sports tapes taken off of someone's VCR.
There are other factors, but those are the main ones. Hope you all enjoy and we invite any type of responses. Looking forward to a good month! Here is a sample of what didn't make the cut.


And...

8.24.2006

Hottest Team in Baseball

Oh yeah, I went there. Having gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, the Giants join the Phillies as the hottest team in baseball. That sentence seems weird without an asterisk though, because the title comes in the weakest division of the weaker league. A lot was weird on Wednesday though, adding to the oddity that is the 2006 season:
  • The Giants performed their second sweep in three series
  • Pedro Feliz broke an 0-for-15 slump to tie the game in the seventh, exactly the kind of hit that will make most people forget about his hitting woes.
  • Eliezer Alfonzo hit a triple, a game-winning triple, and followed the three-bag sprint with an awkward and hilarious stomp on the bag. Alfonozo has been huge in this recent stretch and remains one of the feel-good stories of the season, even when he flails helplessly at a slider in the dirt.
  • Our-Mando, despite being yanked on Tuesday night and causing some ruckus in the clubhouse, recorded a save in a one-run game while converting a few boo-birds with a mid-90s fastball that surprised everyone. More shocking was the convincing manner in which Benitez retired the Diamondbacks in his 1-2-3 ninth. Given all the recent ineffectiveness, the bullpen maintains solidarity, maybe because the entire unit is equally inept at times.

The Inflatable Dibs Gimmick in action

Warriors Ramblings

The good news: Jason Richardson's surgery was a success.

The bad news: Oh yeah, the Warriors have done very little this offseason to get us excited about anything. In case you need more reasons to feel frustrated over your Oakland-based franchise, check out this solid article from Warriorsworld.net on owner Chris Cohan. It's a great time out!

8.23.2006

"You Don't Trade Me"

If you read this blog or any 49ers news outlet, you know that RB Kevan Barlow was traded this past Sunday. What you may not have known, however, was his reaction to the trade. Barlow had some pretty pointed remarks about Coach Mike Nolan and the direction of the Niners. Here are some highlights:

[The trade] was dirty. He had no respect for me or the organization. He doesn't know about the 49ers way, and that's too bad because even his Dad [Dick] was coach of the 49ers. Bill Walsh set the standard here, and he ain't living up to it.

That's not even the best one. Check this out:


He walks around with a chip on his shoulder, like he's a dictator, like he's Hitler. People are scared of him. If it ain't Nolan's way, it's the highway.

OK, so Kevan's gripe was that Nolan was too tough, too authoritarian. Ignoring the fact that iron-fist regimes such as Bill Belichick's in New England and Bill Cowher's in Pittsburgh have become the class of the NFL, let's take a look at how the most recent non-demanding Niner coach fared, the player-friendly Dennis Erickson.

  • 2003: 7-9. Niners lost numerous winnable games and missed the playoffs. I maintain that Mariucci easily would have guided them there.
  • 2004: The 2-14 season that netted Alex Smith.

I tend to try to forget these two seasons because they were two of the worst and most disappointing in the history of the 49ers. The Niners had little sense of an identity, one of the worst characteristics for a football team. They made countless mental errors (paging Cedrick Wilson) and lacked discipline. Basically, they did not reflect any of the previous Niner playoff squads. How do you fix a team with attitude and disciplinary problems? Hire a hard-ass for a coach. He comes in, weeds out the problem childs and tries to impose his image on the team. Bill Parcells has done this. So have Belichick and Cowher. What do those three men have in common? Super Bowl rings and a place in Canton, Ohio when they retire. Nolan has started to do this to right the Niners ship. He won four games last season with far and away the least talented roster in the NFL. Things are getting better, albeit slowly.

Bye-bye baby


But Barlow isn't done, by a long shot. Here is my favorite quote, by far:

He calls all the shots. He needs somebody above his head. He doesn't know what he's doing. I respect [team owner John York] and everything he's done for me. He's made me successful. I'm still in my prime. You don't trade a guy like me.

Kevan, you're really making it too easy for us here at HMB. Everyone attributes John York with the downfall of the 49er dynasty. He fired Steve Mariucci for no reason, hired the incompetent Dennis Erickson, and severed ties with the Niner past. He is reviled by most Niner fans and many rue the day that Eddie DeBartolo lost control of the team. Barlow, by all estimation, has been an enormous disappointment since he became the feature back. Not only did he fail to produce on the field, but his attitude and commitment have always been issues. His clashes with FB Fred Beasley were part of the reason the resident Pro Bowler left the team. Maybe Kevan is right--why would the Niners want to trade a guy who rushed for 581 yards with a 3.3 yards/carry average?


Of course, Barlow has since apologized for his remarks. Big deal. TO did the same thing after Drew Rosenhaus' live rant to try to get back on the field and a year later he published a biography slamming the Eagles organization. Simply put, many NFL players are out of control. The Cincinnatti Bengals have run amok of the law; last year, it was the Vikings' sex boat scandal. These types of distractions can ruin a team's chances and the best bet is to limit them altogether. I hate to keep bringing him up, but Belichick and the Patriots have the best system in place for the present day NFL. As they like to say, the NFL is a copycat league--when one team has success, others will follow their blueprint. Nolan wants to win, and do it his way with his players. Frankly, I'm for it. The Niners play hard under Nolan and it seems like they all care. This team appears to be going in the right direction. And if takes getting rid of players like Barlow who are "still in [their] prime", well good riddance.

Gore in '06

We've all heard the story before--an athelete with enormous potential constantly marred by injuries, finally overcomes all the physical setbacks to succeed on the field--yet we can't seem to get enough of it. Fellow 49er fans, we have the opportunity this year to witness another comeback of sorts. Five years ago San Francisco witnessed the remarkable return of Garrison Hearst from a broken ankle and the bone degeneration that followed.

This season's spotlight shines on Frank Gore, who suffered a torn ACL in 2001 at the University of Miami, causing him to miss the entire 2002 season, and again on his other knee five games into the 2003 season. True, Gore has been healthy for a while now, but a breakout season with the 49ers would firmly establish his place in the NFL and quiet all the doubters over his injury history.

Kevan Barlow (personal site), having passed the Jets physical, which at first glance seems like maybe it's harder than your average "cup-and-cough", has been traded to the Jets, leaving the starting job in the hands of Gore. Barlow failed to impress the 49ers in his six years with the team, never putting together a solid season and drawing doubts and criticism about his commitment and presence in the locker room. Gore's intensity and work ethic bring a welcome change to a position whose excitement has been dulled somewhat by inconsistency and injuries.

While most other teams have question marks at certain positions, the entire 49ers team can be characterized as one enormous unknown. Throughout the off-season we've found that some question marks tend toward pessimism (the entire defense), one or two tend towards optimism (Antonio Bryant), and a couple oscillate frustratingly in between (Alex Smith). Regardless, you can officially start getting excited for Gore, running in 2006, where the campaign is "Return to Glory (at some point)."



Running Back: the one position the Niners feel pretty confident about

8.22.2006

Can't blame Mullin for this one...

Jason Richardson will be undergoing surgery to clean up his left knee, which has been bothering him since the beginning of last season. Here's hoping the problem doesn't turn out to be as chronic as Baron Davis's . Richardson is expected to return for training camp, which is good news, because if the Warriors hope to get anywhere this season they need their star backcourt to anchor the ship.

Brief Chronicle article here.

A Night for the Lefties

A couple of days after the Giants paid tribute to Kirk Rueter, Noah Lowry honored his southpaw mentor in his own way. Yesterday began typically with internet browsing and lunch out at Marina Sub (best sandwich in San Francisco) but ended very atypically. Who else do I see at Subs but Lowry himself, the soon-to-be star of one of the best pitching performances of the year. I wished him good luck and blindly insist that my words of encouragement contributed to his performance in some way or other.

Like many other fans at the game, we knew he pitched very, very well, but this well? (Thanks to El Lefty Malo for bringing this up).

Frankly it feels good to finally get a win off Livo, who by the way looks like he inhaled about 300 Twinkies on the flight between Washington and Phoenix. Along with the extra padding around the face and the huge gut came his 65 MPH Eephus-like pitch, at times effective but very difficult to respect as a reliable weapon. When Juan Cruz entered the game it looked like he was throwing about 110.

Of course the game also featured an absolute bomb by Barry, who, despite his struggles at the plate, still oozes confidence and garners respect from his peers. Great to see him finally get one wet, his first of the season and since Sept. 18. This feat came at the heels of Barry's expressing a desire to return to San Francisco next year, but questions about his fielding, popularity outside the Bay Area, among others, loom.

Last night's game was missing the fragile Moises Alou, who is taking a "quick break" to heal up a bothersome hamstring. Can't say we didn't expect this with Alou, but having him day-to-day for the rest of the season won't help the team establish any sort of consistency down the stretch. The lesson, as always, is stay tuned.

8.21.2006

"It's just the Pre-season"

Here's the formula for reacting pre-season football games, especially for the 49ers who have had a Jekyll and Hyde performance last week against the Bears and this week against the Raiders: when the Niners win in convincing form, as they did against the Bears, walk around town claiming "Super Bowl contenders!", and when they lose, "Well, it was just an exhibition game anyway." The lesson: exercise caution.

It was a game with few San Francisco highlights: one possibly marking an on-coming apocalypse, as Warren Sapp hinted when his former teammate (Bucs) and current Niner backup QB Trent Dilfer was flagged with two personal fouls for taunting. Starting QB Alex Smith hardly impressed, but in the name of the scripted reaction, we just won't pay any attention because he can throw all the picks he wants in games that don't matter. Come September 10th in Arizona though, all those interceptions better be out of Smith's system.

Notes from the weekend:


Solid Rice Montage, despite the Varsity Blues theme

Editor's Note: The draft pick has been confirmed as a straight up 4th pick

8.20.2006

Too Much Reminiscing

Rough one last night. Not only was it painful to watch the Dodgers sprint out to a 10-0 lead in the second inning, but the way Hennessey served 'em up was very unsettling. He still looks like a serviceable starter that can help the Giants next year, but he has to figure out his problems at AT&T Park.

Great move by the Giants brass celebrating Kirk Reuter's career. Not only was Woody a great pitcher and teammate, he was the essence of a gamer. His competitveness is legendary among former teammates, and so is his luck. My lasting memory of Woody will always be the unfortunate Game 7 of the 2002 World Series when Reuter came in for Livan Hernandez and threw four shutout innings to give the Giants a chance. I still will never know why Dusty started Livan, the unquestioned goat of the game and series. What would have happened had Reuter started, we'll never know. Looking back, I forgot how depressing the whole situation was. Actually, I didn't; I need you all to feel my pain.

I was in attendance last night and in a justifiably annoyed mood. I had just watched the Dodgers send nine men to the plate and not register an out. They were winning 10-0 in the second inning. 10-0! We were between innings and someone in the Giants PA booth had the gall to show the Delta Dental Smile Cam. Look, I'm all for fans having a good time at a game--I'll be pimping the Kiss Cam during every half-inning at sometime on this site--but when your team is down by 10 to your hated rivals, there shouldn't be anyone smiling. At that point, the only cam I wanted on me was the Middle Finger Cam. Unfortunately, that's not family friendly. Still, there were people yukking it up everywhere, and I was a little incensed. I love everything about AT&T (except the name) and would never want to return the Giants to the 'Stick, but there are some things that I miss about Candlestick. No one would have the testicular fortitude to show the Smile Cam at the 'Stick if the Giants trailed the Dodgers by 10. There also wouldn't be any hacks not wearing Giants gear at the stadium. Seriously, it's the biggest rivalry in California and you're not going to wear a Giants hat or shirt? This, also, would never happen at the 'Stick. I also miss the bleacher fights that were a nightly occurrence during Giant-Dodger games. I guess that the point here is that as good as the new park is, Candlestick was unique. The diehards were there, and they knew the Ballpark Etiquette. You would never see the wave at Candlestick. Now it is almost expected. And it is sickening.

You'll always have a place in my heart

Sorry for the rant. Ray Ratto is actually reporting something. I didn't know that this was in his job description. Must be somewhere under "write bad jokes". Love the pic by the way.

Hoping the Giants aren't down by 10 after two...

8.18.2006

Let This be the Last Streak

After starting this recent road trip at 1-5, including a sweep by the Dodgers in three one-run games, the Giants have turned it around and salvaged a .500 road trip with a sweep of the San Diego Padres. Rookies Matt Cain and Kevin Frandsen, taking Ray Durham's usual spot at second base due to sore legs, led the charge in the final game, which featured an odd lineup due to some aches and creaks. Emerging victorious, manager Felipe Alou jokingly dubbed this starting group his "12:35 pm combination."

Frandsen showed a rare flash of power with three extra base hits, including his first big league round tripper. The rookie downplayed the milestone, despite some power struggles in his younger years.

Meanwhile the Giants' offensive outburst meant we didn't have to see Armando Benitez for the fourth straight game. He will return to San Francisco tonight the same way he left, with a blown save under the belt. Nevertheless, for the moment it seems the Giants' season has regained much-needed life; although that phrase has been uttered (and followed by a swift losing streak) that it carries less weight.

Some closing thoughts:
  • With two shutout innings in Wednesday's contest, relief pitcher Steve Kline believes he has established himself to right handed batters with a more aggressive approach.
  • Contra Costa Times columnist Gary Peterson wonders if Greg Anderson's loyalty might emerge as the bright spot of this steroid scandal.
  • If you're going to the game on Saturday be sure to get there early because the Giants are holding a retirement ceremony in honor of Woody himself.

8.17.2006

Too Good to be True


The setting was too perfect. In struts a giddy Armando Benitez in the bottom of the 10th from the PETCO bullpen (or should we just call it the cage?) with a chance to save his third straight one-run game against the team that started the Giants' epic plummet. It was a great game; the Giants' bats bailed out Noah Lowry, sent the game to extra innings and took the lead on two-out hit by Ray Durham in the top of the 10th. The stage was set. Enter Benitez and his renewed confidence. Heck, he even looked like he was having fun the last couple of nights. I could practically see West Coast Big Papi shaking his behind in the clubhouse. Unfortunately, reality set in, and with Benitez it is almost always the first batter. Ben Johnson homered on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the inning, and the game was tied at 5. I'm glad I was listening to the game instead of watching it, because my right fist would have probably been lodged somewhere deep into the screen, middle finger fully extended. Anticipating another heart-wrenching loss, I went to sleep. So many disappointments cannot be good for one's health.

Then the Giants did something they haven't done all year: they played like the Giants of 1997-2004. Relievers came in and shut the door. The team rallied for two in the top of the 13th and Mike Stanton saved the victory. It was shades of the good old never say die Giants. I felt like I was seeing Kenny Lofton or Marquis Grissom's (or, gasp, Ruben Rivera's?--highly recommended link) agressiveness behind Moises Alou's steal in the eighth; the clutch hitting of Rich Aurilia, David Bell or Jeff Kent in Durham and Eliezar Alfonzo's go-ahead singles. Even Barry knocked one out. I'm not sure if this three-game winning streak is a sign that the G-Men are going to climb back into things, but it sure is a relief that they are finally beating some of their NL West rivals. The wild-card isn't too far off, but Felipe isn't concerned. I guess that the NL West crown is still a possibility.

In more somber Giant-related news, here is an update on Greg Anderson, Bonds' infamous trainer. He looks like a porn star. Bonds' homer tied him with Willie Mays on the all-time RBI list.

The next Peter North?


Today's game will be crucial if the Giants want to bring momentum into a season-defining series against the hated Dodgers. Come out in full "Duck the Fodgers" force.

(Unfortunately, there is no more Lima Time.)

Truly Slim Pickings?

In yesterday's Chronicle Kevin Lynch criticized 49er management, specifically formal general manager Terry Donahue, for making poor first round draft selections. Lynch points out that in terms of job security, it's actually better to be a late round pick, evidenced by the lengthy stays of Eric Heitmann (seventh round, '02) and Eric Johnson (seventh, '01), among others.

Rashaun Woods (first round pick in '04) didn't last long in San Francisco. (It's unknown whether his jersey had any karma left over from its previous owner.)

Some points of contention:
  • Lynch takes for granted the ability to draft star-caliber talent in the first round. Ask the Detroit Lions how they feel about quarterback Joey Harrington, or check in with the Baltimore Ravens about their recently drafted signal caller, Kyle Boller. The list continues: Ron Dayne failed to stick with the New York Giants, and Peter Warrick hardly made a lasting impression on the Cincinati Bengals. The NFL Draft is a gamble; some players pan out and stick, others don't and still stick because they represent such a large investment of money and pride (read: David Carr and hopefully not Alex Smith). The 49ers hardly seem cursed on the first draft day any more than other teams.
  • Comparing the tenures of first round and late round draft picks presents a number of complications. We pay more attention to the former and less to the latter, so when a seventh round pick stays, it's a story. Likewise for a first round bust. For every Heitmann there's a Julian Peterson, a shrewd first round pick that lived up to his lofty status. For every Arnaz Battle (personal site, beware you are entering the Battle Zone), a Bryant Young. Yes, I realize I'm delving into the history books a bit. There is also only one first round pick, while a slew of "later" round picks can fill potential holes, so the odds of either staying with the team even out somewhat. Nevertheless, human bias and natural interest skew the perception in favor of the news surrounding the early pick.
One problem in evaluating the current situation is that the typical 49er fan has been spoiled by a winning tradition. Those swagger teams were partly built on shrewd early-round drafting--Jerry Rice (personal site), Ronnie Lott, Dana Stubblefield, Harris Barton--but who can discount the contributions of Merton Hanks (fifth round, '91), Jesse Sapolu (eleventh, '83) and Eric Davis (second, '90) in bringing five rings to the franchise?

Highlights from the '94 NFC Championship Game (note: Davis and Sapolu are huge in this game)

Surprise. Success on the football field boils down to smart personnel decisions, whether in the draft or in the free agent / trade market. Recent 49er management has been poor, but the failure of the team can hardly be attributed solely to draft day; ineptitude bleeds to all facets of the team, from ownership down to coaching. Looking ahead, let's hope the Niners can count Smith and Vernon Davis (college profile) among their first round prizes. But don't forget about other late round draft "surprises" in Heitmann and Johnson and (hopefully) Frank Gore, also.

8.16.2006

The Warriors "Dutch Boy" Team


A number of years back Dutch Boy Paint used to sponsor some NBA games, resulting in my favorite 4th quarter award, the "Dutch Boy in the Paint," given to the outstanding post player of the night. Rik Smits received this award so often (bonus points because he is actually Dutch) that in my mind it became synonymous with the Pacer big man, and therefore synonymous with the whitest of white NBA players. Because making fun of, or at least pointing out, professional white athletes is always good for a laugh, and it seems like the Warriors always have one of those Todd Fuller-types (big, awkward) or Vinny Del Negro-types (small, shooter, but not always hairy like Vincent "Of The Black") on the team, I thought I'd present to you the Dutch Boy Warriors.

Contestants are evaluated on skills and an arbitrary comedy scale.

G - Bob Sura ('01-'03). Statistics aside, how can you pass on the fake tan and bleached, glue-sprayed hair? Nothing more reliable than a frozen 'do on Sura.

G - Sarunas Marciulionis ('90-'93). Runner-up for sixth man award in '91 and '92. Averaged right around 18 ppg and 3.5 apg after settling into NBA life. Plus he has one of the greatest names ever in NBA history.

SF - Chris Mullin ('86-'97, '01). Just can't leave him off, even an off-color roster like this one. The defining Warrior of the 90's; now the GM. Averaged over 25 ppg from '89-'93 and member of the Dream Team. Reputation among Bay Area fans took a hit in the last few years due to some questionable roster decisions. Also, his trade to the Pacers in '97 began the Dampier era.

PF - Andrew DeClercq ('96, '97). Bonus points for the funky name, but more importantly, this description, courtesy of HoopsHype.com, says it perfectly:
A banger... Strong upper body... Can't do much with the ball in his hands.
C - Todd Fuller ('97, '98). Rounding out the frontcourt, which was neither impressive nor long-lived but for some reason sticks out in my mind. Classic white guy fade complicated by some early balding. Perfect softy face for the Dutch Boy team. A random note: Fuller almost averaged a double double his senior season at NC State.

8.15.2006

It's That Time of Year...

It is the middle of August and as every hack of a sportswriter or sportscaster would say: "We're in the middle of the dog days of summer!" Of course this has nothing to do with man's best friend; everyone knows that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is roughly six months away. No, these creative pundits are talking about the time of every summer when the sports scene drags: baseball is the only relevant professional game being played (sorry, WNBA), the NFL is in training camp and preseason, basketball--other than this year's World Championships--sits in the back seat, and golf is golf. Let's translate that into the current Bay Area sports world (we'll eschew Oakland): the Giants are closing out a dreadful season, the Niners are coming off a good preseason start but are still far from serious contention, and the Golden State Warriors and Chris Mullin are likely thinking of new ways to sign unproven and underachieving players to hideous contract extensions. Not exactly the greatest state of sporting affairs. So where do you turn when your MLB team sucks, your NFL team doesn't have a realistic chance, your NBA team is run by a recovering alcoholic, and you--like any other heterosexual American--don't like hockey? That's easy: Fantasy Football, another staple of the Dog Days.

The fantasy football movement has gained serious momentum in the past decade, and has rightfully assumed its place atop the male-bonding pyramid next to sporting events, Las Vegas/gambling expeditions, fraternities, beer, Minnesota Viking boat trips (ok, maybe not for all of us), and anything else that makes you and your guy friends feel closer without getting closer, if you catch my drift. Much like I can't imagine my life without sports or television, I can't imagine it without fantasy football (although this girl certainly can). First off, it is easily the best fantasy sport, infinitely better than baseball or basketball (check team once a week, one game a week, etc.). Secondly, as mentioned before, it is a great way to get a (mostly) friendly competition going amongst friends. Finally, it let's what many sports fans dream of but can never experience: managing your own team, much like an actual general manager. For all those reasons--and many others--the draft and subsequent season are always one of the year's sports highlights; no matter how bad your hometown teams are, at least you have fantasy to fall back on. That is unless you suck at fantasy sports. If that's the case, you have come to the right blog.

If by now you haven't realized that my draft is tonight and I am really just writing this out of pure excitement and anticipation, then you may as well stop reading now, because no amount of advice I could possibly give you could help. But for those who would like to venture on, here are my top five tips for the upcoming fantasy season:

1. Larry Johnson is not all he is hyped up to be. Before you hurl feces at the computer, let's get this out of the way: I am not disputing his talents. He is a good running back. But how much of Larry's success this past season was due to the Chiefs' offensive line? If I do recall, Priest Holmes set an NFL touchdown record behind that line, and I know from personal experience that a nobody like Derrick Blaylock was a decent fantasy player while filling in for an injured Holmes. All this is fine--Emmitt Smith (personal site) would have been nothing without those great lines in Dallas--except that KC lost two of its starting lineman in Willie Roaf and John Welbourn. The replacements? Kyle Turley, who has been out of the NFL for two years, and a bunch of journeymen. If LJ is going to trump last year, he won't do it behind one of the NFL's best offensive lines anymore.

2. Be wary of the returning from injury player. It is always said that players recovering from torn knee ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL) take a full year of playing before they finally regain a comfort level, and will play like they did before the injury. Of course this is not always true; just ask Boobie Miles. This is especially true for a player who needs lateral movement and change direction (i.e. running back, wide receiver, defensive secondary). In fantasy verbatim, it takes a runner or receiver longer to regain their pre-injury form than, say, a quarterback. This year's list of players coming back from injury includes some big fantasy names: Daunte Culpepper, Carson Palmer, Javon Walker, Ahman Green, Kellen Winslow and Deuce McAllister, to name a few. I tend to stay away from any position player recovering from injury, and I would definitely hesitate taking Culpepper (who hasn't shown anything yet without Moss) and Palmer (tension surrounding Bengals). The safest bet of the aforementioned five? Probably Walker.

3. Rookie receivers never pan out--running backs do. No rookie receiver made a consistent fantasy impact last year. Save your Braylon Edwards sob stories. It has proven difficult for college wideouts (like Reggie Williams, right) to transition to the pro game in their rookie years, while runners have little difficulty. I do not see a single receiver from this year's class making any type of impact that would warrant a draft pick, but Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, and LenDale White could all be worth a pick. I'm not on the Joseph Addai bandwagon, however.

4. Get yourself a good tight end. The NFL has fallen in love with tight ends; Vernon "The Truth" Davis was the highest ever selected at that position in this past draft. In most offenses, the tight end is a focus in the red zone, always imperative. But more and more the tight end is being used between the 20s. Tony Gonzalez started the revolution, and many others have followed. While there are plenty of capable receivers in the NFL, tight ends are not as bountiful. Keep an eye on Chris Cooley, who will be playing the role of Gonzalez in Washington's new offense under former Chief's offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

5. The TO Situation. Now, I hate TO. Let's get that out of the way. I still have his damn jersey, as you might already know. Everyone has their eyes on Dallas to see how this whole situation will go down. Normally, I would say take a flier on Terrell Owens in this situation. Normally, he doesn't wear-out his welcome with his quarterback until after one and a half productive seasons, and then either sulks the rest of the way or gets himself booted from the team. However, he has never had to deal with a quarterback as maddening as Drew Bledsoe. While Bledsoe has as good an arm of anyone in the league, his decision-making can be sketchy, and we know that TO likes the ball all the time. However, Bledsoe has spent a good portion of his career pleasing prima-donna receivers (Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson). So how will this work out? I can't say. I'm not going to touch this situation (and probably regret it), but I am hoping that TO does something to completely ruin the Cowboys' season.

(no links)
Potential Busts
- Owens
- Daunte Culpepper
- Philip Rivers
- Jake Plummer
- Steve McNair
- The Cincinnatti Bengals
- Joey Galloway
- Chris Simms

Sleepers
- Owens
- Mike Bell, Broncos (or anyone who starts in their backfield)
- Lamont Jordan
- Chris Cooley
- Ladell Betts
- Koren Robinson
- Greg Jennings (I know, rookie receiver)
- Drew Brees
- Brandon Lloyd
- Koren Robinson
- Reggie Brown
- LJ Smith
- DeAngelo Williams
- Kurt Warner

Could this be your big fantasy sleeper?

Stay Away From
- Aaron Brooks
- Edgerrin James
- Randy Moss
- Jacksonville WRs
- David Carr
- 49ers (unfortunately)

This advice is all that it seems to be: one humble man's take on the current fantasy season. Granted I have made the playoffs every year I've played, but who's keeping track, right? So if you're depressed because the most exciting thing in your sports life last night was Armando Benitez not blowing a save, well you should try out a fantasy team. It will help you get through those doggone dog days.

Dripping Faucet of Youth

Nothing about the Giants' current funk said they would pull this win off. But then again, this was a different team, fueled by the energy of youth and not the pills and aches of a retirement community.

Last night's 1-0 shutout of the Padres was enjoyed by some fresh, if not battle-worn, faces. The Giants recalled Kevin Frandsen to replace the Jose Vizcaino, whom the team cut yesterday in an almost joyous split. Brad Hennessey started the game, putting up 5 (and two-thirds) zeroes on a night where the Giants could only score off a Todd Walker error. His strong performance unquestionably solidifies his place in the future of the Giants rotation. Regardless Eliezer Alfonzo's RBI single and Todd Linden's game-saving catch in the bottom of the 8th was enough to secure the victory.

And who else to secure it but Armando Benitez, an oft-mentioned member of this 2006 Giants team here on HMB. Once again lacking control but toying with a nice splitter at times, Benitez flirted with disaster and finally struck out Geoff Blum with two men on and after running the count to 3-2.

Some veterans may be on their way out, either through the waiver wire or merely proving to upper management they probably don't belong (read: Barry). The Giants hope with this youth movement they can pull a Dodger-like turnaround and find themselves back atop the division. But increasingly the attractive consolation is maintaining a solid core of players for 2007.

Either way, nobody's getting any younger.

8.14.2006

All Quiet on the Niner Front

Not much new on the 49er front after Friday's impressive performance. The team did have a light practice on Sunday, but nothing significant. View Saturday's entry for all important info.

In other rather unfortunate news, the Niners lost center Jeremy Newberry for the year and possibly his career. The offensive line hopes to keep its mean streak without its fallen leader.

Scott Ostler has an interesting take on the Alex Smith situation, but his jokes remain, as usual, impotent.

Continuing with our Heath Shuler-politics theme from over the weekend: former Stanford Cardinal and NFL/MLB washout Chad Hutchinson has announced his political aspirations. You may remember Hutchinson as a successful pitcher and promising quarterback, but his pro career never panned out as expected. Hopefully Hutchinson's red hair and toothy-smile endear him to potential voters.

Expecting another Giants one-run loss, but holding out hope that the Raiders get blown out...



Updated (4:32 PM): John Clayton visited 49er camp for ESPN.com and examined the current regime, as well as observing (insider) the ongoings of camp.

Updated (4:43 PM): It appears that the Niners have struck another deal with the Redskins. This time San Francisco sends DB Mike Rumph to Washington for former University of Florida wide receiver Taylor Jacobs.

8.12.2006

Ignorance is Bliss; Preseason Opens Well


Maybe it only was the preseason, but these days the 49ers are looking for anything to provide a restless fan base with some optimism. Last night's victory over the Chicago Bears gave Niners fans plenty to be cheer about. Alex Smith finally resembled my Madden version of him; he commanded the offense with poise, confidence, and effiency. The defense looked sharp and swarming, forcing two early turnovers that led to 10 points. But it was the young guys, particularly Delanie Walker and Michael Robinson, who really showed something.

The 49ers most hyped rookies--Vernon "The Truth" (a nickname we are coining here on HMB) Davis and Manny Lawson--were relatively outshined by the other young players. Antonio Bryant looked good as well, but let's hope his interesting relationship with Mike Nolan doesn't bring back the glory days of Owens-Mariucci.

We can't get too excited because it is only the preseason. But you have to start somewhere. And at least the Bachelor played!

In other news, the 49ers are set to retire Jerry Rice's number, even if he does think that Alex Smith is going to blow.


Bryant making one of his five catches--five more than the number of words he has said to Nolan

8.11.2006

Zooming Out

At first the change is subtle, but in the end the shift in thinking from next series to next spring training is undeniable. Same with the use of "we" to "I". The Giants had plenty to think about in their off day travelling from Phoenix to Los Angeles, where they will face a white hot Dodger team that has won 11 of its last 12. Los Angeles (of Los Angeles) GM Ned Colletti, credits a portion of his recent success to his experience with the Giants, having worked for 11 years under GM Brian Sabean.

But the Giants and the media surrounding them don't seem to be talking about the intra-state rivalry (warning: spoilers), or, more importantly, how to address the team's many holes. Barry Bonds (personal site), unsigned next year, contemplates a future in coaching, perhaps at Arizona State University, his alma mater. This coming as he closes in on godfather Willie Mays' mark of 1,903 career RBIs (8th all-time). Bonds has 1,901. Meanwhile talk about future starting roles for either Kevin Correia or Brad Hennessey floats through the clubhouse, perhaps all but dooming Jamey Wright's future with the team.

Everyone looks forward because the present is so damn depressing, and with every additional loss the dizzying fall continues, even if the standings still read 4.5 GB. Steve Finley voiced his distaste for platooning in the outfield, although he should probably appreciate the playing time given his unimpressive statistics and inability to move runners over, let alone drive them in. But the distant future does not soothe our present frustration, instead presents an enormous question mark.

8.10.2006

Bad Playing and Bad Behavior

The false sense of hope created by the Giants' homerun barrage on Monday has been thoroughly kicked to the curb with the last two nights' hitting displays. On Tuesday, Giant hitters were able to make Juan Cruz look like the ace peope believed him to be, and yesterday choked so egregiously that not only did Matt Morris basically call out the offense, but Moises Alou questioned his own abilities. The bright side? My-Mando didn't play a part in any of the losses!

With the Giants frustrated and walking into a possible buzzsaw this weekend, it's hard to remain positive. Let me do the work for you: at least we have never had to deal with Maurice Clarett. We all know what has happened, and it is truly sad, if not pathetic. This whole Clarett thing made my head spin, but brought up the compelling question: where are all the bad-boy Bay Area athletes? For every team there are players that get suspended for one reason or another, or cause consternation among the fan base, but are ultimately harmless. For instance, beloved (at least by me) former 49er defensive end Tim Harris not only loved to celebrate sacks by holstering imaginary pistols, but also liked to drink heavily and smoke weed. Kevin Mitchell was fat and a loudmouth, but was an MVP and never dragged the team or fans down. But there were always those unique guys who managed to blow their chances (often into a breathalizer) and be vilified either by the media, the fans, or the team, and at times all three. Let's skip the foreplay and see what we can find:


- Armando Benitez: We have given Blow-neitez plenty of grief on this site (and a lot from yours truly), and he pretty much deserves it all. Benitez's ability to mix back-breaking blown saves and completely irrational and indefensible behavior is uncanny. A true class-act.

- Julian Tavarez: What is it with the Giants and loudmouth relievers? Though never a major dissenter on the Giants, Tavarez was always abrasive and famously voiced his criticisms of the San Francisco fan base once he left. I think Ellen DeGeneres would have an aneurysm if she had to sit in on a dinner conversation between Tavarez and Ozzie Guillen.

- Chris Porter: The former Auburn star never played his senior season, but the Warriors took a flier on him. He rewared their faith with an arrest on marijuana and cocaine charges. And he still can't stay out of trouble.

- Vinny Sutherland: Not only did he suck at playing football, but he also sucked down alcohol. While driving.

- Terrell Owens (personal site): I am not even going to go into what he did to our team and fan base, or even link to it, and if you don't know the details you are not a legitimate 49ers fan. The only thing I have to say is that I bought his jersey and now I am stuck with it. I hate him.

- Lawrence Phillips: Phillips was probably the worst character acquisition in 49er history. Fortunately, we missed his series of domestic abuse charges, but he was suspended for mocking Steve Mariucci, but more importantly missed the block that ended Steve Young's career.

- The Oakland Raiders: Fortunately, we do not cover the Raiders. Otherwise Darrell Russell and Sebastian Janikowski would headline this list.

Unfortunately, we missed the glory years of Darryl Strawberry.



We never saw this side of Strawberry


As you can see, this list is not that extensive. We should feel pretty lucky that we as fans have not had to deal with many bad boy athletes. Heck, this year's Bengals put all the aforementioned to shame. If you have any suggestions, feel free to write them in.

In a completely unrelated note: A judge ruled that fantasy baseball statistics should be free to the public. This ruling may have the most widespread effect on the male population since Roe v. Wade.

Ballpark Nuances

Earlier in the summer Felipe Torcato and I attended the tail end of a weekend interleague series between the Giants and the Mariners. It was an unusually warm weekend, adding excitement to our anticipation of experiencing Safeco Field. I don't know if you remember, but the Giants were swept in that series, scoring a total of two runs in the games we saw. Hardly a great baseball story in terms of Your (Our? My?) Giants' performance, but our visit to Safeco was hardly short of memorable events. Suprisingly many of them are comparatively small bits that make up the baseball experience.

Allow me to elaborate:
  • No Water Bottles. Yes, the gate crew does not let you bring any drinks in, forcing you to shell out $5 for a bottle of Aquafina or stew and rapidly feel your buzz turn into a hangover.
  • No Hard Alcohol at the Terrace Club (Club Level). Safeco is a "family place", so they don't want any crazies here. Oh wait, that guy behind us constantly screaming "JAMIE!" and sexually harassing his own wife was clearly drunk on Smirnoff and not tall boys of Bud.
  • Dancing Grounds Crew. Priceless because the woman next to us asked if the Giants had a dancing grounds crew, as if it were standard across baseball. Although they do this at Yankee Stadium also.



The point is that a lot of times the small things can make up a baseball experience, even if you don't notice it at the time.

This got me thinking though. What are the small nuances at Pac Bell/SBC/AT&T Park that might strike a visitor? McCovey Cove? Nah, too murky and besides, nobody hits home runs in there anymore anyway. The Giant Coke Bottle? Maybe, but the paint is fading and after a while you see it for what it really is: another monstrosity to keep fans from having to look at Oakland.

Here's what I was able to come up with:

  • Lou Seal's pelvic thrust. How does this fly in a family park? Do I just have an incredibly sick mind? This move creeps me out.
  • The Car(s) in left field. It began as one oddity and multiplied soon after. Seems destined to doom a late-inning Giants rally, but it has a clean record so far.
  • Kiss Cam. "Strangers in the night..." Felix Vanlandingham lives by this as a rally starter.
  • The inflatable Dreyer's Dibs gimmick. A sleeper; this thing is revolutionary. At one game we heard a vendor talking about how they couldn't manage to sell any Dibs until they brought out the inflatable thing. Everybody hates shelling out $5 for a tiny cup of new age Bon Bons, but apparently if they make it ten times bigger and fill it with air fans can't get enough.

Warning: irresistible when inflated.

Honorable Mention: the rubber chickens and the mysterious FusionStorm ads.

In an ideal world your mind would never wander to these distractions because the product on the field would be far superior, but let's face it: when the last place Nationals are up 9-2, a good pelvic thrust and an ice cream can relieve some stress.

Until the car in left field takes away a would-be walk-off home run.

8.09.2006

Restoring the Swagger

The twenty-one season run of glory for the San Francisco 49ers was characterized by individual stars, team accomplishments, and a franchise-wide commitment to winning with class. But underneath all of the collective achievements, the driving force behind the 49ers success was their swagger; every time they stepped on the field, they knew they were the better team and expected to win every game. All great teams have this quality; the Niners oozed it. Of course, the successful string has been personified by the great offenses of that era and deservedly so. Joe Montana; Jerry Rice; Steve Young; Roger Craig; John Taylor; Terrell Owens; the list goes on. The Niners perfected the West Coast offense, created and mastered by Bill Walsh. Those units set the bar for 49er pride and intimidation.

But for all the years the Niners were led by great offenses, they always had a tough defense backing them up. In the 1980s, Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott served as the defense's enforcer, gaining the respect of teammates and opponents for his recklessly fearless play. Charles Haley and Bill Romanowski came along later in the decade, but exhibited the same qualities as Lott. Though Super Joe stole the spotlight, the teams of the '80s always had a prideful defense. (One of the greatest sequence of plays from any Niner Super Bowl is the goal line stand against the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.) The players from '80s gave way to a new breed of defenders, all flashing the same confident swagger. Whether it was through Tim Harris' pistol-holstering, Deion Sanders' flamboyance, or Merton Hanks' neck celebration (see below), the message was simple: we are not the black sheep sibling to the offense.

Merton's Chicken Dance

Over the coming years, players like Tim McDonald, Eric Davis, Ken Norton Jr., Lee Woodall, Gary Plummer, Hanks, Dana Stubblefield, and Bryant Young, though not all spectacular, epitomized the 49er aura. Two indelible memories of the '90s came in the 1995-96 season--the year after the Super Bowl--when Norton Jr. used the goalpost as a punching bag against the Rams, and Plummer changed the tide of a Sunday night game against the Bills with a goal line fumble-forcing hit. These were moments that forged the Niner mystique as much as any Montana/Young to Rice connection. The words of Hanks say it best:
There's no disrespect to the Rams. They were just on our schedule. Count it as a loss. That's how we look at it. If San Francisco's on your schedule, you count it as a loss. Point blank. That's how we approach games from here on out.
That is swagger.

But sometime during 1998, Young's last as full-time quarterback, the Niners defense lost its passion. Stalwarts like Norton Jr., Plummer, Woodall, Davis, McDonald, Stubblefield, Toi Cook, and Marquez Pope were gone shortly thereafter and the defense was in shambles. Though the Niners experienced an offense resurgence under Jeff Garcia and Owens, the defense, though talented, never brought it like their predecessors, and San Francisco has not been a legitimate Super Bowl contender since.

The past two seasons, the Niners defense has not only failed to display its once-trademark tenacity, but statiscally ranked among the NFL's worst. To that end, the Niners made a slew of changes through the draft and free agency in an attempt to change the recent persona of the 49er defense.

The 49er coaching staff hopes two former North Carolina State defenders play an integral role in determining the successes or failures of this year's defense. The most prominent, of course, is first-round pick Manny Lawson (insider required). Lawson is being groomed as a starter at outside linebacker despite playing defensive end for the Wolfpack. He teamed up with #1 overall pick Mario Williams to form one of the country's most devastating pass-rushing duos. Though scouts often overlooked Manny in favor of Mario, he could be the more gifted athlete and football player. Aside from his obvious athletic talents, the coaches have been impressed with Lawson's agressive play and willingness to take on challenges, especially from the team's other highly-regarded first-round choice. The long-term hope is that Lawson will become a fearsome edge rusher in the 3-4 defense like a Haley or a Greg Lloyd, and a leader in the clubhouse.

Defensive back Marcus Hudson arrived at 49er camp as the unknown teammate of the three first-round Wolfpack defensive lineman (the other being John McCargo). It did not take the sixth-round pick long to impress coaches with his versatility as a safety or cornerback. He has also displayed a knack for making plays (intercepting Alex Smith multiple times in red-zone drills during mini-camp), and has made enough of an early impression for the coaches to cut loose some of last year's secondary.

Restoring the swagger of the old 49ers' defenses is not something that will happen overnight. But the defense is finding a direction, and has two young talents that should help restore some of the edge that San Francisco defenses always exuded. The old adage that "defense wins championships" has only been reinforced the past few seasons with the success of New England and Pittsburgh. Even in the 1980s-90s, when Montana and Young were rewriting the record books, they always knew that they had a defense with an attitude at their side. Often, it was a Sanders or Hanks interception, or a big play from Norton, Stubblefield or Bryant Young that energized the offense and crowd; this was by no means a solo act. So while the development of Alex Smith and the offense is crucial, the efforts of Lawson, Hudson and Co. in restoring the pride to the Niner D is just as vital--if not more--to bringing back the golden days.

Mull It Over

Chris Mullin is the answer. He will lead the Golden State Warriors to a winning record and a playoff berth while drawing league-wide recognition for his accomplishments.

The catch? It's 1992.

Mullin dons a bright blue and yellow jersey sewn with the number 17 and a small C on his right breast. The Warriors finish 55-27 in the 91-92 season and Mullin makes the All-NBA First Team having averaged 25.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Fast forward fourteen years to 2006. The team from Golden State holds the league's longest playoff drought and Mullin still attends Warriors games, only the view is from a luxury box, not courtside, and he sports a nice polo shirt and slacks, not thigh-hugging shorts. His track record thus far as a general manager has been shaky, but Mullin's imprint on the franchise is far from finalized.

While many teams take four or five years to rehaul and rebuild, the Warriors have embraced mediocrity and disappointment for 13 seasons, forcing fans to dig deep into their memory banks for brighter days. Ironically the past features the same protagonist as the present and maybe, just maybe, recalling Mullin's playing days will generate some optimism for the upcoming and future seasons.

Flash back to 1992.

Mullin now wears a new color: red, white and blue. He is a member of the original Dream Team, playing alongside the greatest basketball players in the world as a peer, not a student. He plays in all 8 blowouts, starting two games and leading all scorers with 21 points against Puerto Rico. In retrospect his statistics are somewhat shocking, especially given the level of talent on the team.


Check out this sweet Dream Team montage:




Says Magic Johnson of the St. John's graduate,
You can't not like Chris Mullin. He's everything you want in a basketball player and in a teammate.
Not to say Mullin hadn't seen his fair share of adversity. Battling alcoholism and scores of doubters about his speed and athleticism, the Brooklyn native had to tackle every day with a regimented plan, and more importantly, he had to stick with it.

The present-day Golden State Warriors represent another project in need of a plan. Here's hoping Mullin has a blueprint stored away in his office somewhere, occasionally checking it to make sure the team is moving forward.

That is, assuming Mullin's organizational skills (whether personal or business-related) have refined (and not withered) with age.

8.08.2006

A New Streak

Something had to change in Phoenix. There were too many factors that insisted a swing towards the win column. Jason Schmidt was on the mound, normally dominant at Chase Field, combined with hitter friendly confines in Arizona. Schmidt, perhaps in a tryout for his next team, did not have his best stuff but emerged with the victory anyway, thanks to a home run barrage by the Giants, and even Schmidt himself.

As the Dodgers' streak continues and sees the return of Jeff Kent, the Giants would like to gain some momentum before heading into Los Angeles to face their southern California rivals. The Giants will take whatever offensive momentum they can establish, especially on the road, where this victory in Arizona represented their first away from AT&T Park since July 8th.

None of that offense matters without established late-game pitching, something the Giants can only dance around for so long. Felipe Alou insists he'll have the bullpen issues sorted out by the end of the week, and the time away from the boo-birds in San Francisco might allow Armando Benitez to re-establish himself.

In other news Andrew Morbitzer admitted the sale of Barry Bonds' record-breaking HR ball, which placed him second on the all-time list, was a tough sale because "My wife is a huge sports fan." San Diegan Marc Chase purchased the ball for $220,100 and plans to put it on tour for a bit before returning to La Jolla.

8.07.2006

Niners Odds 'n' Ends


For the 49ers to make strides in their second season under head coach Mike Nolan, the offense must be able to move the ball and keep a young and inexperienced defense off the field. Most of the onus, of course, will fall on the right shoulder of QB Alex Smith, the highly scrutinized top pick of only a year ago. Aiding Smith's development has been the addition of WR Antonio Bryant, a game-breaking threat that the Niners were sorely missing last season. Early in training camp, Smith and Bryant have demonstrated a good rapport by connecting on multiple long touchdown passes over the past few days. The hope is that with the presence of tight end Vernon Davis and Bryant in opposing secondaries, Smith will be able to find more holes and turn into a quarterback worthy of the top overall selection. One 49er legend, however, is not nearly as optimistic, even saying that Smith is "not going to be that good" and calling for the man who drafted Smith to be fired. That, of course, would be Nolan.

The only way Smith can become the quarterback that we all dream of is if he has enough time to throw. As Kevin Lynch writes, this team will only go as far as the offensive line takes it, but may soon be without one of the line's mainstays.

How are the some of the prominent ex-49ers doing this off-season, you might wonder? My Redskin mole has reported to me that Brandon Lloyd, the spectacular (highlights) yet maligned wide receiver, has progressed well in camp and may challenge for the starting spot opposite Pro Bowler Santana Moss. It seems that he has been able to take time away from his burgeoning hip-hop career. Andre Carter, another former Niner turned 'Skin, is trying to impress the coaches in the nation's capital. Carter's outside pass-rushing partner from last year, Julian Peterson, has made a splash with his new employers. Replacing Carter and Peterson will be difficult, but two rookies hope to fill the void.

The Niners open their preseason against the Chicago Bears on August 11. Let's hope that they have a better debut than their rivals from across the Bay.

Planning Ahead

If you're a Warriors fan it's never too early to start thinking about lottery picks, especially during such a loaded year.

Our friends over at Golden State of Mind have followed suit, lobbying for a selection of Chinese 7 footer Yi Jianlian--sure to be a fan favorite in the Bay Area, while actually displaying a foundation of solid mechanics (read: not Andris Biedrins and his 31% from the charity stripe).

For all the fans who actually know which city the Golden State Warriors call home, Yi represents another great reason to watch tonight's exhibition game (6:30pm PST, ESPN2) between the US and China.

Seeing US basketball re-establish dominance is all in good fun, too.


UPDATE (10:54 AM): SPOILER ALERT!


USA 119
China 73

Yi scores 14.