Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The ultimate Texan turned 80 today.
Smoked a joint on the roof of the White House, and lost at chess to Ray Charles.

If you wanna hear a great take on standard classics, check out Willie's Stardust album.
If you wanna hear the genesis of true outlaw country, check out The Red Headed Stranger and The Willie Way.

A great life lived on his terms.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Shawn Bradley is tall.
Jerry Seinfeld is Jewish.
Karen Borta is female.
Ruben Sierra is Puerto Rican.
Travis Roy is paralyzed.
Usain Bolt is fast.
Bill Clinton is liberal.
Condoleeza Rice is black.
Jason Collins is gay.
James Garner is old.
Prince is short.
Jamaal Wilkes is Muslim.
Brad Pitt is white.
Stanley Tucci is bald.
Kate Moss is skinny.
Tim Tebow is Christian.
Mitt Romney is conservative.
Ron Washington is male.
Bill Gates is rich.
Richard Gere is Buddhist.
Michelle Wie is Asian.
Jennifer Aniston is straight.
Elvis Andrus is handsome.
CJ Wilson is straight edge.
KRS-One is Hindu.
Shakira is hot.....

This shit ain't that difficult, yo.



Friday, April 26, 2013


OTs make for a boring first round. Lets be honest, none of us really know what we're talking about when it comes to grading offensive linemen. Yeah, I've seen Luke Joekel plenty but I didn't concentrate on him. Eric Fisher? Ain't nobody knows nothin' 'bout him. He's big, quick, and athletic. At least that's what the numbers say. I can't really blame the Chiefs or Jags, as there were no impact skill position players or absolute defensive studs in the top of this draft...This leads me to the Cowboys. Of course, I wanna laugh at their pick and I'd probably be justified in doing it. I can't tell you anything about Travis Frederick outside of his measurables. The two glaring negatives with this pick are the questionable return Dallas got from SF to move down, and the fact they likely coulda got Frederick with their second pick. Otherwise, at least they addressed the OL. The guy comes from a quality program, is big, and intelligent. It doesn't address the outer edges, the places that cause Tony Romo to turn into the Tasmanian Devil, but it does potentially provide a smart anchor that can make the correct reads and form a cohesive unit.

Seems like a lot of Dallas fans were upset they didn't stay at 18 and select DT Sharrif Floyd from Florida. I've seen most all of his games, and I dunno why he was so highly touted. I wouldn't sweat it...Bjoern Werner, DE from FSU, was a guy I was afraid the Pokes might take. Dude brings it, I think the Colts made out just fine...Sylvester Williams, DT from UNC, is the guy I think most Dallas fans will look back on with regret. Probably coulda got him at 18, and still got Frederick in the 2nd. Instead he'll team up with Von Miller in Denver.

My favorite picks of the first round were Tyler Eifert, ND TE to Cincy, Jarvis Jones, UGA OLB to Pittsburgh, and for personal reasons, Eric Reid LSU S to SF...I think Eifert will be the best player in this draft at his position. Guy is a solid blocker with great hands. If opponents have to engage a safety on him, Andy Dalton could have a field day throwing to AJ Green. And of course the inverse is true, Green could open up Eifert to be a star...Jones was probably the best defensive player I saw a lot of from this draft. He's a havoc-maker in the backfield, and he did it in the best conference in the country. I don't get why he wasn't considered a top 10 player. I guess there's questions about his work ethic, but you don't naturally-gifted fall into 14.5 sacks. I bet Tomlin turns him into a star...Reid was really the guy I wanted for the Niners. After losing Dashon Goldson to free agency(TB), safety became a position of need. Reid first really caught my eye in the Alabama game last year. That interception at the goal line was the difference maker, and it was all about desire. A defensive version of Steve Smith, i.e. want the ball more than the other guy.

Tonite should be more interesting, the second and third rounds will bring more skill position players and we'll see which teams are filling needs, which ones are loading up on athletes, and which ones are accumulating more draft picks for the future. There's still plenty of names out there, where will Geno Smith go? The league seems to think he's a product of Tavon Austin. I tend to agree. Who will finally grab Manti T'eo? He was overhyped all year, probably wasn't ever really a first round talent, and Alabama exposed him. Add in the girlfriend hoax, and I don't know why you'd even bother. I guess eventually he becomes a value pick, but I wouldn't wanna deal with it.

Frank Gore is probably my favorite current Niner. But Father Time has gotta be right around the corner, and it seems like a good time to groom a replacement. Kendall Hunter is recovering from an Achille's injury and LeMichael James doesn't have the size to be an every down back. I'd love to see SF take Alabama RB Eddie Lacy with its second round pick. Lacy is a stout 5'11", 230 pounder with 4.45 speed. He possesses a wonderful twirl move and is coming off a 1,300 yard 19 TD season with the Tide. If they decide to go another direction I wouldn't mind seeing them take a flyer on South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore, late. Coming off a terrible knee injury, he'd be a good guy to stash as Gore surely has a few more solid years left.

The Cowboys really need to look for bigs and nastys. When your best defensive player is such a sweet guy like DeMarcus Ware it's time to bring in some attitude. Ware is a future HOFer that can still get to the QB with frequency, but he doesn't really seem to inspire. Spencer and Lee seem like real swell fellas, as well. The nastiest guy is probably Ratliff, but he really ain't shit, has a bitch attitude, and made a really dumb decision following the Jerry Brown tragedy...OL/DL is obviously what Dallas should be looking at. I'd be looking at Barrett Jones from Alabama and Johnathan Jenkins from Georgia. I'm partial to SEC players in the high rounds, and wouldn't look to get cute with smaller school 'sleepers'. Really, if they went OL with their first 3 picks and revamped the line, it would make the Frederick pick more palatable. You invested in Romo, now give him a young, massive unit to operate behind. Then maybe we'll see if Romo is an antsy gun-slinger or a guy who can pick apart defenses with time. Personally, I hope they go S, RB and continue doing what they do...makes for great radio.


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Mavs Report Card. Frustrating season from close/OT losses to Dirk missing a third of the season to Delonte being dismissed before the season started to a .500 season...

Dirk Nowitzki(B): Fewest games played and lowest PPG since rookie season. It took a while for the big guy to fit into this hodgepodge of teammates. Towards the end of the season he started showing some of the brilliance that has him sitting at 17th on the all-time scoring list. Health permitting, he should move into the top 10 next year, passing Jerry West, Reggie Miller, Alex English, John Havlicek, Dominique Wilkins, Oscar Robertson, and Hakeem Olajuwon. He's on pace to finish in the top 5. Simply the greatest athlete in DFW history. Dirk sounds upbeat about the future and what Cuban is gonna do to bring the team back to prominence. He wants to stay in Dallas forever, is about to be a father, and is ready to recruit for the team. He turns 35 in two months, but still is one of the most impossible guys to guard in the league and with the right mix can be a cog on a championship contender.

Shawn Marion(B): Along with Dirk, the last of the major players of the greatest team ever. He missed 15 games this year, but was otherwise typical Marion. 12 points, 8 rebounds, and glue defense. The defense didn't seem as stifling as in years past, but it's still there. Could be because there weren't as many important moments this year. He keeps himself in tremendous shape, and I feel more than comfortable having him back. He is currently 90th all-time in points, 47th in rebounds, 57th in blocks, and 24th in steals. Quite a career he's carved out.

Vince Carter(B+): I think Vinsanity was the team's best player this year. It's kinda faint praise considering the year the Mavs had, but Carter only missed one game and was a consistent scorer off the bench. He shot 40% from 3 and showed solid defense. He was really the only guy that could create his own shot, and seems to have fit into the veteran leadership mold. Vince is 32nd all-time in points scored, and is under contract with the team for next year. Considering the team wasn't really going anywhere this season, I'm glad we didn't do the proposed trade for Jose Calderon.

OJ Mayo(C-): I dunno, I almost gave him a D because by the end of the year he was so frustrating. But he was second on the team in PPG, shot 40% from 3, and 82% from the free throw line. He showed flashes early with a 40 point outing in Houston and a big late 3 v. OKC. He made a clutch, creative basket to send the Clipper game into OT that seemed to give the team hope. But he was generally poor against the top teams in the West, and showed awful ball control for most of the season. Really bad late in games. He pissed Rick off in the next to last game, and opted out with his player option. I doubt he returns.

Darren Collison(C): I had high hopes, but after a full season of viewing it's pretty obvious he's a backup PG in this league. His decision making, especially late in games, really makes you appreciate Jason Kidd. He's extremely quick, can hit the open jumper, a tremendous free throw shooter, and seems to be a dedicated worker. He never developed a solid pick and roll with Dirk, but I'd like to keep him around in a backup role.

Chris Kaman(D+): The guy really has a decent post game and can consistently hit the 10-12 foot jumper. But he's oft injured, doesn't provide defense, and never seemed to gain Rick's trust. Seems destined to be an NBA vagabond from this point forward, he won't be back next year. Can't even blame the BaD Radio Curse, it just wasn't meant to be. That was a hard show to listen to, props to Sturm for always having to keep it somewhat structured. I don't think Chris is a bad guy, but he was all over the place talking over questions.

Elton Brand(C-): I liked his work ethic, and at times he was productive. But he's just a shell of the player he once was. Too often the elbow jumper wasn't falling, and many times I don't even remember him being on the court. But he played in 72 games? He was just filler on a team trying to fill out a roster, and won't be back next year. It's been a solid career, 64th all-time in rebounds and 26th in blocks.

Brandan Wright(B): The most productive season for the 25 year old, former lottery pick. He's long, has quick hops, and a nice touch. Shot 60% from the field this year. Had a difficult time gaining Rick's trust, as his frame and strength doesn't fit against the stronger players in the league. I really like his potential, and hope the Mavs have him in future plans.

Mike James(C): Brought in because of Collison's late game futility. The 37 year old has carved out a long career with hard work, decent 3 point shooting, and the willingness to drive to the basket. He won't be back, but I like the guy and he gave us solid effort.

Jae Crowder(C+): The rookie 2nd round draft pick is a keeper as a solid role guy off the bench. He showed nice potential, but seemed to wear down as the season progressed. He's not afraid to take a shot, and seems like a jack-of-all-trades type. He's expressed a desire to trim down some so he can be a better and quicker defender.. Cutting the hair would help.

Bernard James(D): I love the Air Force, ergo I love James. But he's just not much more than an end of the bench type that could provide some blocks and rebounds. His service time makes him already a ripe 28 years old. I hope he can bounce around long enough to make enough money for a comfortable life, and no doubt he'll be a hard worker, but he's not a future building block.

Dahntay Jones(D): Came over in the Collison trade, giving up lifetime passer Ian Mahini. He didn't do much and was traded to Atlanta for Anthony Morrow at the trade deadline. His biggest contribution to Dallas was in Atlanta, with Kobe landing on his foot and giving the Mavs a glimmer of hope late in the season.

Rodrigue Beaubois(D): Oh Roddy, such an inconsistent, disappointing talent. Rick never has trusted him. Flashes of brilliance are outweighed by a beguiling lack of game smarts and injuries. When he finally started showing something this year, he got hurt. Roddy's a free agent this year, and it's probably time to move on. Au revoir, Roddy...we'll always have the Golden State game.

Jared Cunningham(F): 1st round pick looks like he has nothing. A supposed defensive stalwart who played 8 games in the NBA, spending most of the season in Frisco. He's under contract for next year, so lets see what an offseason brings.

Derek Fisher(D-): I was always ambivalent with my feelings toward Fisher. Never hated him or anything, despite being a Laker. But his stunt with the Mavs was ridiculous. I'll give him a little benefit of the doubt, as I know he's had some tough times with his daughter. But the 'family issues' kinda ring hollow this time, as he went to OKC shortly after. As the prez of the player's union, I expect a little more accountability.

Eddy Curry(F): Made 56K for 2 games. Dude has no want.

Chris Douglas-Roberts(D): 6 games, 17 points. We hardly knew you. Guys shouldn't have hyphenated last names.

Anthony Morrow(D): Came over in the deadline deal for Dahntay Jones. A 3 point specialist that hardly played. He did tweet about Dirk's greatness after the Chicago game. Cool...He made one 3 as a Mav.

Troy Murphy(D): Ha, yeah he was here...for a bit. His career has gotta be over. Props for carving out a nice living as a solid rebounder with a nice touch.

Dominique Jones(D+): Got to start a few games, I think one was decent. He scored 42 total points in 2010-11, so he gets a lifetime pass...Released.

Josh Akognon, Justin Dentmon, Chris Wright(I): PGs brought in on 10 day contracts. Garbage time, no future with the Mavs. Props to Wright, becoming the first NBA player ever with multiple sclerosis. Rooting for the kid in life.

So that's it. A tough season for the Mavs, really weird not being in the playoffs. I still have high hopes for the future, as I think Dirk can be really good for the next 2-3 years. Gonna be an interesting offseason with guys like Al Jefferson, Nikola Pekovic, and Monta Ellis being on the market. Of course there's also Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Paul is a pipe dream, and I just don't want Howard. I get it, he's potentially a dominating force in the middle, but I just don't like him. I question his desire, his flakiness, and his back...Who knows what the trade market will bring? I'm dreaming of Pek, Dirk, Marion, Monta, Vince, BWright...







Sunday, April 14, 2013

Takin' a look at the start of the year...Joe Ortiz is the man, he really looks like one of those cartoon bulldogs. In 8 2/3 IPs he's sporting a 0.692 WHIP, the only walk being intentional. A stable, consistent bullpen is really looking like the key to the season. It's a pitching/defense team, last nite they won without an extra base hit, something they did twice all of last season...The A's are legit, but the great Yo Enis! is on the 15 day DL after an awkward slide messed up his fingers. Seth Smith is just a professional hitter...Angels have been awful. Josh has been pressing and swingin' at everything, but he did park one last nite. Him and Trout have yet to get going, but that pitching is so mediocre at best that it might not matter. If they can't hold on 'til Weaver gets back, they'll be buried.

The AL Central has been so blah. Detroit will win it because they have Miggy, Prince, and JV. They have no idea how they're gonna close games at this point, but hey there's only 150 games left...KC is playing decent with a combined ZERO HRs from Hosmer, Moustakas, Gordon, and Perez. Perez is one of the handful of guys I'd consider trading Profar for, and I'd hate it but then love it. He's like a Pudge/Charles Johnson combo...Everyone's favorite announcer, Terry Francona, has the Tribe a half game back. They're getting nothing from Asdrubal, but Mark Reynolds is pounding it and Masterson has been pitching like an ace. Bourn and Swisher have been as advertised, and Stubbs has been K'ing at an alarming rate.

The East is kinda playing in reverse, so far, with Tampa and Toronto sitting on the bottom. But it's all so close and so early that nothing is really standing out. Chris Davis has started the year with a bang, carrying Baltimore along with Adam Jones. The thing with CD is that pitch recognition, so far he's got 7 BBs. If he can stay selective, he can be a star. That Oriole rotation, though looks like shit...Yanks'll probably stick around all year despite injuries to Teixeira, Granderson, and A-Rod. The division is that meh...Boston sits atop the division, getting 2 bombs from Napoli but not much else. Koji has been near perfect in 4 1/3 IPs, and Lester and Bucholz are carrying the staff...Toronto was a heavy preseason pick, but Jose Reyes gonna be out for a while messin' up his ankle.

The NL has been fun. The Braves are rollin', off to a 10-1 start behind the bop of  Justin Upton and the NL's version of Josh Hamilton, Evan Gattis. Gattis is a local guy, growing up in Forney and playing ball there, Carrollton R.L. Turner, and Dallas Bishop Lynch. He was supposed to play at A&M, but got anxiety and self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. From there he went all over the place, working at a pizza joint in Colorado, janitorial work in Dallas, and Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. Got back into ball in 2010 at UT-Permian Basin, managed to get selected in the 23rd round, and with Brian McCann being injured made the big club outta Spring Training this year. In his second big league AB, he homered off of Roy Halladay...Bryce Harper been carrying Washington with 5 HRs and a 1.157 OPS, dude is a beast. Such a violent swing...The Mets are hanging tough behind phenom Matt Harvey, 3-0 0.82 ERA 10.2 K/9 0.545 WHIP. John Buch has 6 HRs, carrying the offense...Phillies being led by Ranger legend Michael Young's .368/.442/.553...Stupid, fuckin' Cardinals are, shocker here, leading the Central. Hate them. Wainwright's good...The West is jam-packed with the Giants holding a half game lead over 3 teams.

Yoga pants.
Norah Jones.
Spring dresses.




Thursday, April 4, 2013

On December 21, 2007 Rangers G.M. Jon Daniels made the most important move in the history of the Texas Rangers. He traded the promising, if inconsistent, Edinson Volquez and little reliever Danny Herrera to the Reds for one Josh Hamilton. Hamilton was the #1 overall pick of the 1999 amateur draft by Tampa Bay, as a rare, true 5-tool player. After a few years in the Tampa system, he was involved in an automobile accident that injured his back. During his down time he started hanging out at tattoo parlors, and in his boredom took up with drugs and alcohol. He was suspended by baseball and hit rock bottom, blowing all his bonus money and ending up on his grandmother's porch looking for help.

After his suspension and rehab from drugs, that lasted 3 years, Hamilton was left unprotected by Tampa in the Rule 5 draft. The Cubs selected him and sold him to the Reds on the same day. Per Rule 5 rules, Hamilton had to be on the Reds major league roster. In 90 games that year he slugged 19 homers along with an OPS of .922. He received rousing ovations as fans applauded his comeback story.

I can't explain why the Reds traded him that offseason, but whatever the reason it changed Rangers history. The long-suffering franchise had a grand total of one playoff win in its 35 year history. Not a series, one game. The new nucleus of the Rangers was starting to take form. Ian Kinsler was establishing himself as a top second baseman. Longtime IF Michael Young was still cranking out 200 hits a year. Ron Washington was brought on as manager, and soon they would be joined by the haul from the Mark Teixeira trade- notably SS Elvis Andrus and P's Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison.

Hamilton's first year in Texas didn't disappoint, as he put up an OPS of .901 and led the league in RBIs. At the All-Star game he was the talk of the sports world as he put on an exhibition at Yankee Stadium, hitting 28 homers in Round 2 alone. The New York fans were abuzz, as was every player in attendance. With teammates Young, Kinsler, and mercurial DH Milton Bradley cheereing him on, Hamilton and the Rangers were on the map. He finished the year 7th in the MVP voting.

2009 was a disappointment, as Josh got injured and only played in 89 games, still making the All-Star team due to his popularity. The Rangers started showing they were a team on the horizon, finishing 87-75.

2010 was a magical year for Hamilton, the Rangers, and fans of the team. Building off the momentum of the previous year, the Rangers won the division. Hamilton led the league in hitting at .359, slugging at .633, and OPS at 1.044. He captured the MVP, his third straight All-Star start, and second Silver Slugger award. In a midseason game v. Boston he did everything a baseball player can do with his bat, spectacular fielding, and scoring the winning run from 2nd base...on an infield single. The Rangers, bolstered by the acquisition of ace pitcher Cliff Lee, won their first playoff series ever, knocking out Tampa. In the ALCS they faced the Evil Empire New York Yankees. Hamilton put up a line of .350/.536/1.536, slugging 4 homers with 5 intentional walks from the frightened Bombers. Josh won the ALCS MVP as the Rangers knocked out the Yanks in 6 games, bringing Texas its first ever pennant. The Rangers would go on to lose the World Series to the Giants, but it was a new era in Texas as the Rangers went into the next season as a favorite.

2011 saw Hamilton miss time due to injury again, yet he still hit 25 homers and OPS'd .882 in 121 games. Once again, Hamilton made the All-Star team, the Rangers won the division, and won the ALCS to advance to the World Series...One strike...The Rangers were one strike away from being world champions in the bottom of the 9th inning v. St. Louis...One strike...David Fuckin' Freese tied the game before that last strike or out would come. Never had elation become depression so quickly, it was a bad dream. The Rangers had blown their chance...One fuckin' strike...But in extra innings Josh Hamilton turned into the Natural. Playing on one leg, he deposited a pitch into the rightfield bleachers to recapture the lead for the Rangers. As he nonchalantly circled the bases, the dugout went crazy. The DFW Metroplex went crazy. I scared my dog. It was the happiest I've ever been....and then sports ended.

Josh returns to Arlington tomorrow as a member of the rival Angels. His last year with the Rangers brought back-to-back Player of the Month awards to start the year. One nite in Baltimore he tied the major league record with 4 homers. He also hit a double that nite for a record 18 total bases. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated where the accompanying article had less than cryptic words from his wife about where free agency would take them. He gave up Copenhagen and looked lost and unresponsive at the plate. His body language was frustrating, and on the last day of the regular season he dropped a routine pop-up that would repel the A's to the title. He'd finish the year 5th in MVP voting with a 3rd Silver Slugger award, and a large contingent of fans that were ready to see him leave.

No doubt Josh will get booed tomorrow. Many will remember that drop, the poor second half of 2012, the continuous God cards, the 2 relapses, the parting words, etc...My lasting memory of Josh will be that wondrous clout he hit right before sports ended.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mavs sit one game back in the loss column taking on the Lakers tonite. It's pretty much a must-win to even up with LA, and we'll probably need some help to overtake Utah. The Jazz have been really tough lately, led by NBA Player of the Week, Al Jefferson, and Randy Foye's crazy 8-9 3 point shooting the other nite. Utah has the tiebreaker over both the Mavs and LA...LA will be without Steve Nash and Metta. The game will be on TNT @ 9:30PM.

Elvis Andrus and the Rangers have reportedly agreed on a contract extension of 8 years/$120M with a player opt-out option after 2018. This is great news, but leaves top prospect Jurickson Profar in limbo. With Andrus and Ian Kinsler occupying the middle infield, it's gonna take Kinsler either being traded or switching positions for Profar to crack the major league lineup. The other alternative is for Profar to be dealt. Unless it's a deal that's just too good to be true, I really hate the thought of losing Profar. This kid has it- the skill, make-up, and confidence to be a star.

Yoga pants.