COOLER TALK - Just What Hockey Needed (I mean it)

Jennifer vs. Angelina. Shaq vs. Kobe. Brady vs. Manning. Every one has a rival, regardless of your job. It's that one person that really gets under your skin. The rivalry usually gets going, because both of you are constantly being compared. You are both great. But more importantly, to the best you have to face the best. Ultimately building the foundation of the rivalry. 

It has finally become real. For the casual fan of the National Hockey League, a buzz has been created around the sport. A league desperately in need of some attention. For hockey, the best possible scenario happened, on February 22nd, in a game, which the Capitals beat the Penguins 5-2, Ovechkin and Crosby finally showed their dislike for one another. 

With the game well in hand for the Caps, the Ovechkin-Crosby boiling point was finally reached. The rivalry is ON! Ovechkin cut off Crosby on his way to the bench, Crosby grabbed him, and the Ovechkin grabbed Crosby. It wasn't much, but the public feud has begun. 

It was something that both players seemed to ignore for so long. Maybe not ignore, but not mention. Neither side opened up about the dislike for the other. But after the game, it was clear. Ovechkin and Crosby don't like each other. It is great for the sport. A rivalry, which rivals those of other sports. The only two true household names don't like each other. You know NHL Officials can't stop smiling about the rivalry. Ovechkin and Crosby have always been rivals, but that was based on the fact that they are both rising superstars. Now with the public trash-talking, this has escalated to become a full on bitter, angry rivalry. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Are you smarter than an NFL Superstar?

Ever wonder what the NFL's pre-draft WONDERLIC Test looks like? I have always wanted to know what the test looked like - mainly because this is such a big deal to NFL teams. Take a look at this link, I am certain some middle school kids would pass this with flying colors. I mean come on. College students unable to get a good score on this test. WOW! 

NFL prospects are given 8-minutes to finish these questions. Can you do it? 

**http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=wonderlic/090218

WELCOME BACK

The day every golf fan has been waiting for has finally arrived. TIGER WOODS will be returning to the fairways next week in Arizona. Last June, following his third U.S. Open victory - his 14th major - Tiger was forced to undergo reconstructive ACL surgery. The road back from recovery has been long, and many wondered when he would make his return. His return was made official earlier today, when he posted the announcement on his website, tigerwoods.com. 

Tiger's debut will come next Wednesday at the WCG-Accenture Match Play Championship, at the Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain. 

Tiger's return could quite possibly be one of the most anticipated returns of a major sports star. I can't remember when the return [from an injury] of a major athlete meant more to a sport. I know others shined this past season while Tiger was in the clubhouse recovering. But come on. Its Tiger Woods. He is golf's face. And with just over 7 weeks until the season's first major. It is the perfect time for Tiger's return to golf. If he feels comfortable walking, swinging, and putting. You know the rest of the PGA Tour are feeling uncomfortable knowing he is back. I know I am glad to see Tiger coming back. No one does the fist pump like he does. 

BS of the wEEk*

I came across this while searching for a new pair of shoes. And to be honest I was shocked. I mean for someone to have taken the time to: 1. take the picture, 2. take the time to create the posting, and 3. come up with the idea... wow. Just blows my mind. This was found under the shoes pictures, in the customer feedback section. 

This is by far one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. It did provide me with a much needed good laugh... especially when I realized the price - $700 plus - and then the amount of bids this has actually received. I mean come on, really? I am beginning to lose hope for all of mankind. Check it out - <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270342492231>

THE BIG SHAQ-TUS

The 2009 NBA All-Star game went on last night from the Valley of the Sun, in Phoenix. The big story lines heading into the weekend, centered around what Dwight Howard might do to repeat as Dunk Contest Champion and the reunion of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson (together again on the West's roster). 

Howard was unable to repeat as champion, as he came up short getting out bounced by the 5'8" Nate "Kryptonite" Robinson. And before we would get to see Shaq and Kobe back together on the court. The BIG SHAQ-TUS stole the show, before the game even got going. I didn't see this until a buddy of mine called and told me to "youtube" Shaq's All-Star introduction. I am sure glad I did. You know the big man needs no introduction, but he sure does love to make an entrance - as if his seven-foot frame walking into a building wasn't enough. O'Neal dances his way on to the floor with the help of the now infamous JABBAWOCKEEZ... Just check it out. For a big man, Shaq shows off his dance moves as he keeps up with masked men. 

COLLER TALK - DAYTONA 500

KENSETH WINS NASCAR's SUPER BOWL.

The Florida rains shortened Sunday's Daytona 500. However, the opening of the skies didn't stop Matt Kenseth and the number-17 Dewalt team from celebrating one of the biggest wins of his career. 

For the Wisconsin native, the realization of winning the Daytona 500 was too much to handle as his dream came true. After starting the race at the back of the field - he was one of seven cars forced to use back-up cars after wrecking earlier in the week - Kenseth was just one of a few top-5 unlikely finishers. 

For Matt Kenseth and his team, the rain gods rewarded the 17-car with a gracious gift. For the former champion, the win at Daytona was the perfect start to a 2009 Sprint Cup season. Following last season, Kenseth and his team are trying to rebound from one of the worst seasons in his series career. The win for Kenseth snapped a 36-race winless streak that dated back to the end of the 2007 season. 

Maybe next year NASCAR will institute headlights, rain tires, and windshield wipers for the 2010 Daytona 500 - so the race cane be finished. Considering they - NASCAR - immediately changed the rules after Kenseth's lackluster 2003 Championship campaign. Regardless, Matt Kenseth made a move when it was necessary, and was rewarded by the skies as heavy rains drenched the track, giving the victory to the number-17 Dewalt Ford Fusion. 

UNLIKELY SUSPECTS. 

The number-17 car wasn't the only shocker of the 2009 Daytona 500, as other unlikely drivers found their way into the top-5. The four other cars within the top five were composed of just two racing teams, two from Richard Childress Racing and two from Richard Petty Motorsports. Kevin Harvick (RCR), was last seasons Daytona 500 winner. He started in the race in the 38-hole and managed to finish second. For A.J. Allmendinger (RPM), the young star made his mark on the 2009 season, by showing just how good he is behind the wheel with a third place finish. Rounding out the unlikely top-5 finishers is Clint Bowyer (RCR) who finished fourth and in fifth was Elliott Sadler (RPM). 

JUNIOR'S TANTRUM. 

Dale Jr. struggled all week to park his race car in its pit stall. The inability to park his race care were the least of his worries on Sunday, as Junior battled an average race car. His frustrations finally erupted on the track as Junior - one lap down following a pit road penalty - dipped down to the double yellow lines in an attempt to pass Brian Vickers. Vickers went to block, and Junior clipped his rear sending him sideways at the front of the pack. In the carnage that ensued, was race leader Kyle Busch, who to that point had the most dominant car for 124 laps. Among the other strong competitors wrecked in the crash were Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Carl Edwards. Take a look for yourself... and listen to what Darrell Waltrip says about the crash.

However, following all the drama created by Junior's stupid driving, NO penalty was issued. Because Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver in the sport they yet again let it slide. It seems to happen all the time that NASCAR's biggest stars get off easy. If it were Tony Stewart or Kyle Busch behind the crash you know a penalty or fine would have been issued. Junior committed a flagrant foul and should have been punished. He was frustrated that his car was slow and that he couldn't park his car. So he wrecks everyone else and is aloud to finish the race. What NASCAR seems to be is telling everyone is: become a star on and off the track, and we will let you get away with anything you want.

COOLER TALK - Alex Rodriguez Sound-off

Steroids and baseball. The first word in the previous sentence haunts the other. This was a period in Major League Baseball's history when the long ball ruled the sport, and the players were fueled by performance enhancing drugs (PED's). It involved every person of the game, from the league's biggest and brightest stars, all the way up to the League Commissioner. Which has left everyone involved asking for there mulligan. 

Alex Rodriguez, a three-time American League MVP, is guilty. Rodriguez admitted it to Peter Gammons in an exclusive interview. He admitted to taking steroids, from 2001-03, while playing for the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez is the Major League Baseball's first superstar - he is the youngest player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs - to own up to his use of steroids. He stated that he was "young and naive" at the time when he used the performance enhancing drugs. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when we are young. This, however, was a mistake that was made on a larger than life scale. 

Now, I am not trying to give Alex Rodriguez a pass, or say he is forgiven. But he did own up to his mistake. Something nobody else has done. He admitted to what he did, he TOLD THE TRUTH, and he apologized for what he did. This doesn't make up for the years of cheating and steroid use, but I believe it makes him look better than the rest of players who have resorted to hiding and lying. He has not pointed the finger at anyone else. He has just shined the spotlight on a mistake he made while playing for the Texas Rangers organization.

Most of the people reading this are well aware of the dilemma Barry Bonds is facing - perjury charges about his use of steroids. I believe many have witnessed the replays of Mark McGwire and Raphael Palmeiro's testimony about their use of steroids as they shed their tears. And I am willing to bet that you have heard a little about Roger Clemens and his supposed steroid use - which involves steroid syringes in a beer can. Rodriguez has done none of this. The results of a past drug test were revealed - he had failed the test - and so he decided to tell the truth. I commend Alex Rodriguez for telling the truth, when so many others have decided to hide and lie. He is still a cheater, but at least he didn't run and hide like the rest. 

 

It was a time in baseball when people turned a blind eye to what was going on. That or they simply ignored the epidemic-like problem. Regardless, it is great for the sport that the public is finding out some truth. By getting this out in the open, for all to see and know, it helps the healing process. 

This isn't baseball's first dark time. They have made it through the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, in which players intentionally lost games. And then MLB had to make it through Pete Rose's betting on baseball games and gave him a lifetime ban. This isn't just another scandal that MLB must be dealt with. MLB has more players involved with one incident then ever before. MLB must uncover the truth and then make sure, to the best of their ability, that this doesn't happen again. The uncovering of all those involved with steroids in baseball will lead to a tough time for the sport. But, I hope as a fan people will continue to support the Major League Baseball, despite the dark cloud cast by the steroids era. 

The road back to the top is often a rough and bumpy one. For President Obama, the road back from depression-like depths is even more challenging. Yesterday at a House Democrat retreat, in Williamsburg, VA, President Obama ditched the teleprompter and told the public what was truly on his mind. I know this was an attack directed at those who are opposing his economic stimulus, but in the bigger picture Barack is looking to make changes. Get 'em Mr. President.  

The BEST of the BEST of the BEST

1000*

To her players, PAT SUMMITT is known for her soul piercing stare. To the rest of the world, Pat Summitt is known as the best coach in her profession. Tonight in Knoxville,TN, Coach Summitt reached the summit, against the Georgia Bulldogs in a 73-43 victory. A place no one in basketball history has been before, becoming the first coach in either Men's or Women's college basketball to reach the 1,000 win plateau.

Plain and simple, Pat Summitt is among the greatest names in sports and rightfully so. She ranks up there with all of the greatest names in coaching history. Red Auerbach, great NBA coach with the Boston Celtics, finished his career with 938 wins - the most in NBA history. John Gagliardi has the most ever wins in college football, regardless of division, with 461 career wins. Augie Garrido, the long time Texas Longhorns baseball coach, has amassed 1,629 wins in his long and still active career. And then there is the infamous Bob Knight, who finished his Men's college basketball coaching career with 890 wins. For Pat Summitt, her name won't just be a permanent fixture on the Tennessee basketball court. Her name will be permanently fixed among best all-time. Congratulations Coach Summitt. 

NBA Savior? I am not sure how I came across this video, but it is a must watch. This 11-year-old is a beast! I am sure he already has the Washington Wizards organization drooling over the prospect of signing him in 8 years or so. Maybe a little soon to think about that, but with this season done it is only 7 more before he is available. Take a look...

I don't think the next Lebron James is the right title, because the 11-year-old has a better and more consistent shot from beyond the arc. King James take notes. 

*SeVeN JaM$ of tHe wEEk*

1. "When the Money Goes" - Jay-Z - This songs sounds the Jay-Z of old. Don't think anyone will be taking the crown from S. Carter anytime soon. Can't wait for the Blueprint 3. 

2. "Pleasant Overthinking" - Charles Hamilton - He's just got a cool sound and vibe. Hard not to like what Hamilton is doing. Great for hip-hop. 

3. "Small Town USA" - Justin Moore - Country is being dominated by a youth movement. Just like in hip-hop, the young artists are helping to make the music strong and worth listening to again. 

4. "Sideways" - Dierks Bentley - Good ole, plain and simple drinking song. 

5. "Chillin" - Wale - The sample by Cool and Dre is crazy cool. Wale with every verse is getting more and more attention. I am just waiting for an album.  

6. "Careless Whisper" - Seether - A good twist on a classic. 

7. "Never Say Never" - The Fray - Not a huge pop rock/alternative fan, but there new album is consistent with their first. And this song is one that shines to me. 

**Others receiving votes - "Absolute" - The Fray   -   "M.B.A.M." - Lloyd Banks   -   "If Rap Gets Jealous" - K'naan ft. Kirk Hammett

COOLER TALK

SUPER BOWL 43. First of all. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers were able to win the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, and for the Steel City it was their sixth Super Bowl victory - which is the most Super Bowls, NOT the most NFL Championships.

What blew me away about all of the Super Bowl aftermath - post game celebration and interviews - was the notion (by many) that Super Bowl XLIII was one of the greatest ever?!?! Really?!? That is ridiculous. Up until the fourth quarter I was borderline bored. I was looking forward to every commercial break, hoping they would bring me back from my Super Bowl food comma. But just like the game, the commercials lacked excitement. Through the first three quarters the Steelers dominated -- Larry Fitzgerald had maybe two catches. Mike Gandy couldn't do anything but HOLD on for dear life. James Harrison altered the game with his 100-yard interception. And Ben Roethlisberger was up to his usual antics, bull dancing in the backfield avoiding Cardinal defenders.

Not to try and take anything away from the Steelers Super Bowl victory, but the game's officiating was far less than average. The Steelers had a few questionable calls go their way (roughing the QB call - the NFL should just put a red jersey on all its quarterbacks), but the yellow hankies didn't determine the game. I tell you what, every time I watched a Steelers game this year, they won it the same way. Winning on their final drive of each game. Once they scored to take the lead, their NFL best defense sealed the deal. Further proving that DEFENSE DOES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. 

BEST SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL. To me there were not too many to choose from, but *Etrade was the best. 

BS of the week. Yes indeed, Michael "the Dolphin" Phelps is the centerpiece of the BS of the week. And if you haven't already heard well you will know why now. Phelps, while partying at the University of South Carolina, was photographed in the act of smoking some Mary Jane - marijuana, God's grass, the herb, etc. While Phelps is still living in the spotlight after his record setting Olympic performance of 8 Gold medals, he may now actually face some criminal charges. Like I read on - ddisbored.wordpress.com - we now know why he eats so many calories each day. Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, right? Good thing Michael Phelps smoked first, because now he can down an extra bowl or four before his morning workouts.