The Olympics begin this Friday. The 16 day event is an opportunity to unite the world with the magic of sports. At least that is what was intended when the event first took place. Now there are professionals instead of amateurs, a record number of drug tests and the U.S. men's basketball program that is left to come up with gimmicky team names (Redeem Team) to win the gold that usually was a forgone conclusion. It's like a three ring circus, with a couple extra rings. But don't worry. If you just want a three ring circus, there are plenty of places to look here in the U.S. The NFL, NBA and college football all offer plenty of excitement good, bad or annoying (mostly annoying)this week.
In the Eye of the Storm this week is Georgia football. They have had a list of players suspended this summer. Six of the players serving suspensions will occur in their game against Georgia Southern. Fear not, Georgia Southern is not Appalachian State. The consensus number one will be just fine that week. But the Bulldogs have a brutal schedule. Their preseason number one ranking could be short lived. After a game against Central Michigan, they jump headfirst into a ten game stretch against some of the country's best programs. If they can be successful during that stretch, then they will most certainly be in place to play in Miami next January. But before they can take on the BCS and the SEC, the Bulldogs will have to deal with the CCPD(Clarke County Police Department) and ADA (Athens District Attorney.
The NBA still hasn't made an official statement regarding the recent movement of players accepting money to play overseas instead of the NBA. We are not talking about players who could not make an NBA roster. We are talking about guys who were already in the Association. We are talking about players who are restricted free agents, want more money and the only way to get it is playing ball on the other side of the pond. The most recent acquisition is Earl Boykin who yesterday agreed to become Italy's highest paid player. Carlos Arroyo recently made the jump as well from Orlando to Israel's Maccabi Tel-Aviv for $2.5 million per season for three seasons. Of course the biggest number, so far, belongs to Josh Childress who jumped to Greece to take 3 a year $20 million deal over the 5 year $33 million deal from the Atlanta Hawks. The Sporting News last week reported that the DMV's own Delonte West was considering an offer to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and head to Russia in a deal that would pay him $10 million over two years. The globalization of basketball that the NBA has fostered is no longer under its control. Teams and organizations around the world have the same game, same passionate fans, same money; but no salary cap. That's right. The cap that was put in place to keep small market teams competitive is now making teams overseas competitive. It would seem that the NBA is a bit hypocritical, as much as the applaud parity, the Association over-celebrated last season's Finals between Boston and L.A. Do you think the front office will ever embrace an Oklahoma City vs. Charlotte Finals in the same manner? The trend started when David Stern began picking players from other countries to play in the NBA. Clubs around the world had to adjust. Initially they just continued to beat the U.S. at it's own game in the Olympics. Now, they have begun to beat NBA GM's at their game by signing NBA players to overseas squads. There has been plenty of discussion around the possibility of Lebron James heading to New York for his next contract. The deal could offer blockbuster money when his NBA salary and endorsement money is combined. Maybe, Olympiacos offers King James $50 million a year and the NBA can't compete. I am guessing your local satellite or cable provider had better pick up GSN(Greek Sports Net)
The NFL still offers the same stale non story. But I still have to write about the Brett Favre circus. Quick refresher, guy quits on team, team moves on, guy is mad he isn't news and lets rumors he may come back go unchecked. Team says we have moved on. Guy says he may want to come back. Team says again, we have moved on. Guy decided to force a comeback. Team says we have moved on. Guy says ok, trade me to one of your rivals. Team says no, but as an appreciation for your service, take $20million and let us move on. Guy says no, I am on a plane will be there by 5:30. Team says wow, you really wanna make this difficult. Ok, open tryout. Guy says too much water under the bridge, I wanna play somewhere else. Team says Tampa. Guy says Minnesota. Team says no, Tampa and stay away from practice. Again, we have moved on. I think that about covers the NFL. All this madness has overshadowed the NFL Hall of Fame weekend that included Redskins Art Monk and Darrell Green. There are also 31 other teams in the NFL that have entered training camp. One of which includes the team that one the Super Bowl, not a team that was close. I am siding with management on this one. Brett Favre retired. He should have left it there. To come back now is plain selfish. And you can keep the greatest quarterback ever crap. Before last season, Favre looked washed up. For two seasons he was mediocre. The Packers never once publicly discussed going in a different direction. We are talking about the same NFL that takes great players and cuts them from teams as soon as they appear to have lost a step. Jonny Unitas did not finish his career in a Colts uniform. Need I say more?
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