Sometimes the Best Highlights are After the Game

By Travis Williams
It’s 11:00pm on Saturday night in a nearly empty Conseco Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers just dropped off a drowsy Chicago Bulls team over an hour ago and almost every player has found the exit and made their way home. All that's left is Pacer scoring machine Danny Granger, guard Earl Watson, radio host Estel Walker and Main Event Sports blogger...me.

First you have to understand that my man Walker is a breathing sports almanac. He knows stats, dates and winners, but also knows the real reason behind a player stats, why the game was played on that date and exactly why the team won or lost. Pack that in a 6’4 lanky frame along with enough charisma to make you believe John Stockton would’ve won a dunk contest if he had got in it. 

Now pair him with Watson, a nine year NBA vet, former UCLA hooper, and a guy who is a Bruin to the core. The man actually keeps a UCLA media guide in his locker for the rare moments when he can’t recall the most insignificant Bruin fact. Now add Danny Granger and his love for his former school and surging 12th ranked New Mexico Lobos.

"We'll smack UCLA!” Granger yells across the room after Watson belittles New Mexico’s latest win over 13th ranked BYU. That’s all it takes for Watson to spend the next 45 minutes explaining to anyone (specifically Walker) that UCLA is the best athletic program.
Ever.

The funniest part of the entire night may have been this exchange.

Watson: UCLA is the greatest  program ever. There’s no other athletic program that comes close in total championships.

Walker: Ok, I see they’ve got you to drink the Kool-Aid too huh?

Watson: What? That’s the most racist comment ever. I don’t even like Kool-Aid! You think because I’m black I have to drink Kool-Aid? I’m part Mexican…Na, I’m just %&a*#*ing with you!

Walker: I've got to get you on my show.
Watson:  You don't want me on your show, I'll get it cancelled!  Holla at me when you get on XM.

Tiger Doesn’t Owe You $%&#!!

Tiger Doesn’t Owe you $%&#!!

By Travis Williams

Five minutes into the press conference which grinded the nation to a mindless halt, Tiger Wood’s said the only thing he should have had to say.

“For the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.”

The greatest golfer known to man apologized today to kids, friends and his own employees he let down. Then he apologized again. And again. And again.

Two minutes in I was bored and frankly embarrassed for even watching this 14 minute staged reality show. After all it wasn't the most sincere apology I've ever seen.  Nor was it the worst...Cough, cough Kobe Bryant.

“I let you down.” Woods said. “I’m aware of the pain I’ve caused my friends and those in this room. I’ve let down my fans.”

Well Tiger I am a fan and you in no way let me down. You’re putting game lets me down sometimes. You're decision to be a spokesperson for Buick let me down (I always think of a little gray haired old woman with huge sunglasses peeking over the steering wheel when I think of Buick). You let me down when you left your name on that chick’s voicemail.

But did making a horrible mistake in your marriage really let me down?

Nope. It didn’t.

Because you’re human, and I don’t hold you to some higher personal standard because of what you do on a golf course.  Now if we’re talking about a golf standard, I’d debate who’d win a skins game between you and Jesus. But as far as just being a regular everyday person, I know that’s all you are.  A regular everyday person. Who happens to play golf. And is damn good at it.

As much access as people have to athletes today through, Twitter, Facebook, cell phone pics and various other means of communicating and networking, it should be obvious that our favorite athletes are just regular people.  Thinking for one second these athletes aren't susceptible to the same faults we are is as stupid as riding with that lil old lady in her Buick. 

Society has a habit of labeling atheletes, who most kids will never meet, as role models.  Instead of glorifying the people who could affect their lives more directly.  Such as successful lawyers, brave firefighters or even say umm...their parents maybe.
So if you’re one of these people who genuinely believe the public has the right to know the whole story. Or that Tiger Woods should go on Oprah and shed some tears while giving you the apology you feel you're owed , then let me tell you something.

Tiger doesn’t owe you $%&#!!

Pitino to the Nets?

The reports of Louisville coach Rick Pitino taking over the New Jersey Nets seem to be somewhat inacccurate if not completely false.  The New York Daily News first reported that Pitino's intermediaries informed the Nets that the coach was interested in taking over the coaching reigns next season.  Now there are three reasons that immediately come to mind which makes this

seem as crazy as betting against the Globetrotters.
Let's start with the obvious.  1) These are the 4-48 NETS.  If the Generals were an NBA team they'd only be four games behind New Jersey right now.

On track to be one of the worst teams in NBA history, the Nets are already hoping to land John Wall and we haven't even had the All-Star game yet.  2) At age 58, financially stable and an already established college legend it's highly unlikely Pitino is looking for a challenge of this magnitude on the NBA level.

Calipari's Sloppy Seconds
3) Pitino is likely to never openly admit this, but he would never coach the Nets because John Calipari has already done it. I just couldn't see Pitino taking over Calipari's sloppy seconds no matter how much time has passed. And yes those two have that kind of rivarly.  You ever have a cousin that irritates you but you have to play nice when both of your parents around?  That best explains the Calipari/Pitino relationship.  In public, the two do just enough to look friendly but behind closed doors the two have an individual competitiveness that makes it impossible for the two to be anything more than "asssociates."

Second Half Super Bowl Action

The second half starts with Sean Payton putting his "set" on display for the world with his onside kick call.  Leading to a Pierre Thomas touchdown.  The momentum has shifted, tables have turned and any other corny phrase you can think of.  Right when it seems as if this was the changing point of the game, Payton Manning does what he does best.  Orchestrate a touchdown drive of his own whihch included a flat out beautiful pass to Dallas Clark.
17-13 Colts.
Two things, don't touch my mama and don't count out Manning.