Sonics head coach P.J. Carlesimo said flagpole Kevin Durant will likely start at shooting guard. The 6-10 Durant will be a matchup quandary no matter what position he plays, but I wonder if making him guard smaller, quicker players coupled with his rookie status is a mix that will lead to constant foul trouble.
Ted Lilly's glove slam on the mound Thursday makes it appear he may not have the mental toughness to execute when the stakes are high for the Chicago Cubs.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel must share speech writers with George W. Bush.
There's something to be said for the Yankees mental strength. Yes, the payroll is enormous, as is the talent level. But the sometimes annoying fact that they play four-hour games almost every time out is a testament to their approach and focus. Making pitchers work and subsequently skewing the odds of baseball success into your favor is a difficult process. No matter the salary, keeping focus and forcing other players to bend to your will is unmeasurable variable that has been at the core of the Yankees ongoing success. That's why they're never out of it in May or June, no matter how disjointed they appear. Their ability to wear down and grind opponents over a month, series or single inning is a result of calm acuity obtained from their leaders, Derek Jeter and Joe Torre. If the Yankees don't win the World Series this year, other teams can only hope Torre is removed.
It's becoming clear that steroids were not just for home run hitters. Mets reliever Scott Schoeneweis is the latest middle-of-the-road pitcher to be accused of receiving steroids. The regenerative abilities of human growth hormone appear to be as important as the power increasing benefits. Everyone's skill set reaches a cap, and desperation to physically maintain that level boosts steroids appeal.
In other steroid news, former track star Marion Jones will admit to using steroids in 1999, prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympic games at which she won a track and field record five medals, three of which were gold. Washingtonpost.com first broke the news. Curious what the second-place finishers in the 100- and 200-meter races, both won by Jones, think now. Maybe they're celebrating. Maybe they're just shaking their heads and wondering if this is ever going to stop in their sport.
Poker. Still not a sport. Get it off the supposed sports channels.
Hockey season has started. Really, it has. Once again the NHL has done an outstanding job of keeping that fact under wraps.
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