Quick Hits: The Weekend Version

Busy, busy, busy times. Here are ten random ramblings that only scratch the surface on a busy sport’s week.

…in no particular order…
1. Calling the Diesel.
Shaq is back…for now. Averaging 22.5 ppg since D-Wade’s injury, the big fella has seemed more energetic, much more physical, and incredibly motivated to carry the Heat. Question is: can he really keep this up? Yes and no. While the injury bug can’t bite him as hard when he’s this focused and working so hard, the Heat’s best hope, sans-Wade, is to actually meet the Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Yes, you read that correctly. Only by knocking them out early could they sustain enough momentum to ride the big fellow deeper into the playoffs.

2. Carmelo v. Coach.
Don’t let management fool you, George Karl can only win this argument for so long. Karl might be making a huge mistake calling out his star when the majority of the blame is due to a poorly constructed team (thanks Kiki). It’s one thing to address the consistently bad shots of a shooter, but another to pretend his lack of defense is the only major reason for an underachieving squad.

3. Mavs drive for 70.
From 0-4 to 51-9, Big D has become a team about D. Yes, Dirk flops a lot. But he is also the MVP this season (barely, over Nash) and Josh Howard is the closest thing to Scottie Pippen-in-the-mid-90s we’re gonna see these days (sorry Lamar). While I seriously doubt they can hit 70 (which entails, despite a current 16-game streak, winning 19 of 22 to close out the season in which they may clinch #1 in 2-3 weeks), Avery Johnson has his team as ready as they possibly could be to take home the NBA Title finally.

4. Running Backs on the Move.
Thomas Jones is now a Jet. Willis McGahee a Raven. Jamal Lewis a Brown. Dominic Rhodes a Raider. Reuben Droughns a Giant. Travis Henry a Bronco. Ahman Green a Texan. Tatum Bell a Lion. All of these moves should aid their respective new teams. However, the Jets and Ravens clearly made the top moves in this grouping…by quite a margin, in fact, for what they had to pay.

5. Big Money for the Big Boys.
Wanna see overspending at its best? Escape a place like Express or Abercrombie and venture over to the NFL. Only there could Leonard Davis get $50 million. Seriously. Derrick Dockery is worth $49 million? Not a chance. Eric Steinbach worth $49.5 million? Maybe $29.5, at best. I just hope guys like Wade Smith, Luke Petitgout, and Anthony Clement won’t see $10-million plus in guarantees anytime soon. Hutchinson’s contract last year with the Vikes broke the bank to say the very least.

6. Bubble’s bursting.
As of Saturday…VCU held suit in the CAA. Winthrop did as well in the Big South. Butler did not in the Horizon. Neither did Xavier in the A-10 or Nevada in the WAC. The Zags took home the WCC title to escape the bubble. Creighton more then solidified its standing from the MVC. And we still have plenty of tournaments to go. Big eyes focused on NC State, Illinois, Kansas State, Arkansas, and Mississippi State (among others) in the next two days.

7. One Seeds.
Let’s be foolish and assume a few things: Ohio State matches up with Wisconsin in the Big Ten final. Kansas wins the Big XII title. UCLA is done in the Pac-10 tourney (okay, we do know that). Florida wins the SEC. UNC wins the ACC. Wow. How do you choose those four #1s now? Here’s how: East-UNC, South-Florida, Midwest-Ohio State, West-Kansas. This is assuming Ohio State defeats Wisconsin again, moving the Badgers to the East regional as a #2. If the Badgers win, can you flip-flop Ohio State to a 2 or do you push out someone? Don’t get me started on a new scenario please. UCLA fans are already starting their hate-mail against me...

8. Last Four In, Last Four Out.
Heartbreaking words for a lot of teams this year. My major prediction of predictions? Everyone is sleeping on the one big-name school who will get in as a joke (much like Air Force last year, which was much more conference-affiliated than big name). The CAA will see either Drexel OR Old Dominion sadly be sent to the NIT. It's a cold, hard truth I'm staring to realize. Probably due to a school like Stanford, Illinois, or Arkansas. That's just wrong.

9. Simon says Suspension.
Once a year or so, some hockey player does something downright horrific and senseless. It’s talked about for a few days, shunned by everyone involved, the player acts remorseful, and ghastly reviewed highlights are shown over and over and over. Finally, a big suspension is handed out. Problem solved? Not a chance. It happens again a year later. My advice? Suspend Simon for two seasons without pay. And if he ever commits a similar offense, under ANY circumstances, enforce a lifetime ban and blackout his name from every history book the NHL has to offer. It’s time for zero tolerance in hockey. And more italics.

10. Dice-K’s Arrival.
Looks promising thus far. But just like any of the Cubans that the Yankees sign (surprising the BoSox spent more this off-season than the Evil Empire, or is it?)…wait until a primetime outing against a fierce lineup (such as against New York, Detroit, Anaheim, or Chicago) before we immortalize him Cy Young: Part Deux. Also wait until the pitching motion catches up with hitters, ala Hideo Nomo and Jose Contreras over the next two or three seasons.

Sounds like a good rant to me…except for this.

Fox Sports Radio is the worst thing going today.
I'll take the 4-Letter Network any day for my sports radio.