TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Rodriguez has called Sports Illustrated's Selena Roberts to apologize for critical comments he made during an ESPN interview.
Roberts was co-author of the Feb. 7 article on SI's Web site that reported he was on a list of 104 players who tested positive for steroids during baseball's anonymous 2003 survey. Rodriguez told ESPN two days later that he had used banned substances from 2001-3 while playing for Texas.
"I know this lady from Sports Illustrated, Selena Roberts, is trying to throw things out there that in high school I tried steroids. I mean, that's the biggest bunch of baloney I've ever heard in my life," he told ESPN, adding that "this lady is coming out with all these allegations, all these lies."
Roberts said Sunday that Rodriguez called her last Wednesday. She didn't want to comment on the call until Rodriguez holds a news conference after arriving at spring training Tuesday.
She is writing a book "A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez," due for publication by HarperCollins on April 14.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sharapova's return to tour still on hold
PARIS — Maria Sharapova's return to the tour is still on hold. Even she is not sure when her injured right shoulder will be ready.
After missing the past two Grand Slam tournaments _ last year's U.S. Open and this year's Australian Open _ Sharapova pulled out of this week's indoor event in Paris, and next week's hard-court event in Dubai.
The earliest she expects to be back is a month from now: Her next scheduled event, according to the WTA Tour's Web site, is the March 11-22 tournament at Indian Wells, Calif.
Sharapova wrote on her Web site last week that she is "aiming" to return at that event or the March 25-April 4 tournament at Key Biscayne, Fla., "depending on how things shape up."
"I cannot wait to get back to playing tournaments," the three-time Grand Slam title winner wrote.
Sharapova has not played competitively since pulling out of a tournament in Montreal in late July after winning a nearly three-hour match in which she double-faulted 17 times. The right-hander was examined by a trainer midway through the three-set victory, and she withdrew from the event before her next match.
Medical tests later found a torn rotator cuff tendon in the Russian's shoulder.
After missing the past two Grand Slam tournaments _ last year's U.S. Open and this year's Australian Open _ Sharapova pulled out of this week's indoor event in Paris, and next week's hard-court event in Dubai.
The earliest she expects to be back is a month from now: Her next scheduled event, according to the WTA Tour's Web site, is the March 11-22 tournament at Indian Wells, Calif.
Sharapova wrote on her Web site last week that she is "aiming" to return at that event or the March 25-April 4 tournament at Key Biscayne, Fla., "depending on how things shape up."
"I cannot wait to get back to playing tournaments," the three-time Grand Slam title winner wrote.
Sharapova has not played competitively since pulling out of a tournament in Montreal in late July after winning a nearly three-hour match in which she double-faulted 17 times. The right-hander was examined by a trainer midway through the three-set victory, and she withdrew from the event before her next match.
Medical tests later found a torn rotator cuff tendon in the Russian's shoulder.
Jimmie Johnson Wins at Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. — Jimmie Johnson has momentum on his side and history in sight.
Nevermind that Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards dominated the regular season, the Chase is Johnson's time of the year and the two-time defending NASCAR champion isn't turning his title over without a fight.
He won Sunday at Richmond International Raceway to grab his second consecutive win, fourth overall this season, to take a big boost into the Chase for the championship. Johnson is trying to become the first driver to win three straight titles since Cale Yarborough (1976-78).
"I do think about it," admitted Johnson, "but the less I think about it, the better I'm going to be. The less I can think about all this stuff the last 10 races, the better I am going to be. I just need to fall back to the confidence I have in my race team and my abilities.
"If you show up and you're swinging for the fences every time, you're going to make mistakes."
Johnson hasn't of late, chasing down Busch and Edwards to arguably claim the role of championship favorite.
Nevermind that Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards dominated the regular season, the Chase is Johnson's time of the year and the two-time defending NASCAR champion isn't turning his title over without a fight.
He won Sunday at Richmond International Raceway to grab his second consecutive win, fourth overall this season, to take a big boost into the Chase for the championship. Johnson is trying to become the first driver to win three straight titles since Cale Yarborough (1976-78).
"I do think about it," admitted Johnson, "but the less I think about it, the better I'm going to be. The less I can think about all this stuff the last 10 races, the better I am going to be. I just need to fall back to the confidence I have in my race team and my abilities.
"If you show up and you're swinging for the fences every time, you're going to make mistakes."
Johnson hasn't of late, chasing down Busch and Edwards to arguably claim the role of championship favorite.
ST.LOUIS Sundin scores 2 in Canucks' comeback against Blues
ST. LOUIS — Mats Sundin scored twice and Jannik Hansen's rebound goal with 4:42 to go capped the Vancouver Canucks' rally from a pair of two-goal deficits in a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.
Andy McDonald had a goal and an assist in his first game back after missing 36 due to a broken left ankle for the Blues, who also got three assists from Patrik Berglund. St. Louis, which had been 6-1-3 in their previous 10 games, missed a chance to escape the Western Conference cellar for the first time since Dec. 13.
The Canucks have won three in a row, outscoring their opponents 17-10, after losing eight straight. Vancouver capitalized on three power plays in a four-goal third period, scoring on one and getting the go-ahead goal six seconds after a tripping call on Barret Jackman expired.
The 37-year-old Sundin has four goals in three games, and has totaled six goals and 10 points in 12 games since signing a free agent deal with Vancouver in December.
The Canucks trailed 2-0 and 3-1 before rallying in the third period to tie it twice. McDonald's seventh goal put the Blues ahead 4-3 at 9:26, before Vancouver finished them off with goals by Alex Burrows, Hansen and Pavol Demitra into an empty net.
The Blues were 2-for-4 on the power play, but had no chances in the third.
Sundin scored both of his goals in the second, tapping in a rebound on a power play after Demitra hit the post, and beating Chris Mason from the left side to cut the deficit to 3-2 at the 8-minute mark. Sundin's second goal came about two minutes after Keith Tkachuk scored on a rebound, hustling to beat a defender to the puck for his 17th of the season.
Steve Wagner and Brad Boyes scored late in the first period to give the Blues an early cushion. McDonald assisted on the first goal, with Wagner stepping up into the left circle before beating Roberto Luongo at 18:27, and Boyes got his 24th with four seconds to go on a power play.
Notes:@ Tuesday marked the 20th anniversary of the death of longtime Blues announcer Dan Kelly, for whom the press box is named. Kelly's son John is the team's TV play-by-play man. ... The Canucks have allowed at least one power-play goal in 13 of 14 games, allowing 20 in that stretch. In the other game, they had to kill only one power play.
Andy McDonald had a goal and an assist in his first game back after missing 36 due to a broken left ankle for the Blues, who also got three assists from Patrik Berglund. St. Louis, which had been 6-1-3 in their previous 10 games, missed a chance to escape the Western Conference cellar for the first time since Dec. 13.
The Canucks have won three in a row, outscoring their opponents 17-10, after losing eight straight. Vancouver capitalized on three power plays in a four-goal third period, scoring on one and getting the go-ahead goal six seconds after a tripping call on Barret Jackman expired.
The 37-year-old Sundin has four goals in three games, and has totaled six goals and 10 points in 12 games since signing a free agent deal with Vancouver in December.
The Canucks trailed 2-0 and 3-1 before rallying in the third period to tie it twice. McDonald's seventh goal put the Blues ahead 4-3 at 9:26, before Vancouver finished them off with goals by Alex Burrows, Hansen and Pavol Demitra into an empty net.
The Blues were 2-for-4 on the power play, but had no chances in the third.
Sundin scored both of his goals in the second, tapping in a rebound on a power play after Demitra hit the post, and beating Chris Mason from the left side to cut the deficit to 3-2 at the 8-minute mark. Sundin's second goal came about two minutes after Keith Tkachuk scored on a rebound, hustling to beat a defender to the puck for his 17th of the season.
Steve Wagner and Brad Boyes scored late in the first period to give the Blues an early cushion. McDonald assisted on the first goal, with Wagner stepping up into the left circle before beating Roberto Luongo at 18:27, and Boyes got his 24th with four seconds to go on a power play.
Notes:@ Tuesday marked the 20th anniversary of the death of longtime Blues announcer Dan Kelly, for whom the press box is named. Kelly's son John is the team's TV play-by-play man. ... The Canucks have allowed at least one power-play goal in 13 of 14 games, allowing 20 in that stretch. In the other game, they had to kill only one power play.
Geary, Wood and Wright qualify for British Open
MELBOURNE, Australia — Peter Senior missed out on making the field for his 18th British Open by one stroke on Tuesday, with the three places in Australasian qualifying going to New Zealander Josh Geary and Australians Timothy Wood and Michael Wright.
After two rounds in one day at the Kingston Heath Golf Club near Melbourne, Geary and Wood finished in a tie for first with a 4-under total of 140.
Wright was a shot back at 3 under, with Senior and Cameron Percy finishing one stroke further back in fourth place. The top three qualified for the Open at Turnberry, Scotland in July.
With devastating wildfires claiming at least 181 lives across Victoria state in recent days, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club checked with local PGA officials before deciding to go ahead with the qualifying tournament at Kingston Heath, one of the province's famous sandbelt courses.
"We have all been deeply saddened by news of the devastating fires in Victoria and our thoughts are with all those touched by this tragedy," R&A chairman Peter Dawson said. "We did consider postponing our IFQ event but, having sought local opinion, we have decided to proceed as planned."
The R&A said it would make a contribution to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
Two of Australia's most experienced players were vying for a place at Turnberry, with Senior and Craig Parry having 35 Open appearances between them. Parry finished in 20th place at 5 over.
Each finished as high as fourth place in the Open. Parry was fourth at Carnoustie in 1999 and Senior was fourth at Sandwich in 1993. Senior hasn't played the Open since 2000. Parry hit the opening shot in last year's tournament.
COUTSEY AP
After two rounds in one day at the Kingston Heath Golf Club near Melbourne, Geary and Wood finished in a tie for first with a 4-under total of 140.
Wright was a shot back at 3 under, with Senior and Cameron Percy finishing one stroke further back in fourth place. The top three qualified for the Open at Turnberry, Scotland in July.
With devastating wildfires claiming at least 181 lives across Victoria state in recent days, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club checked with local PGA officials before deciding to go ahead with the qualifying tournament at Kingston Heath, one of the province's famous sandbelt courses.
"We have all been deeply saddened by news of the devastating fires in Victoria and our thoughts are with all those touched by this tragedy," R&A chairman Peter Dawson said. "We did consider postponing our IFQ event but, having sought local opinion, we have decided to proceed as planned."
The R&A said it would make a contribution to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
Two of Australia's most experienced players were vying for a place at Turnberry, with Senior and Craig Parry having 35 Open appearances between them. Parry finished in 20th place at 5 over.
Each finished as high as fourth place in the Open. Parry was fourth at Carnoustie in 1999 and Senior was fourth at Sandwich in 1993. Senior hasn't played the Open since 2000. Parry hit the opening shot in last year's tournament.
COUTSEY AP
UK Chelsea given all-clear for Hiddink talks
London, England (CNN) -- Chelsea said on Tuesday that they had been given permission to talk with Guus Hiddink about taking charge at the Premier League club until the end of the season.
Guus Hiddink has the chance to take charge at Stamford Bridge until end of the season.
Guus Hiddink has the chance to take charge at Stamford Bridge until end of the season.
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The Dutchman has emerged as the clear favorite to replace the sacked Luis Felipe Scolari, but his involvement with the Russian national team is a stumbling block.
A statement on Chelsea's official Web site www.chelseafc.com said they had been cleared to open negotiations with Hiddink.
"Chelsea can confirm that we have officially approached the Russian Football Union (RFU) to talk with Guus Hiddink to become the club's temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team.
"The permission has been granted and Chelsea would like thank the RFU for their co-operation."
Hiddink made it clear that he is in no hurry to commit himself to the Chelsea cause.
"I want to say officially that there has been absolutely no talk of me leaving the Russian national team," Hiddink told Sport Express. "I will stay and continue working with a team I feel very comfortable and at ease with."
Asked if he could combine both high-profile jobs, Hiddink replied: "You correctly use the word "if".
He added: "I can't rule out that option but it is at the stage of being examined. If everything is organised properly a move to London could happen. I'll be able to give you a final answer in a few days."
Hiddink, however appeared to rule out becoming Chelsea's new boss before Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Watford.
"No, that's not likely to happen," he said. " I don't think things will be decided that quickly."
Hiddink has a strong track record in both club and international football and his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Radio on Tuesday that he would be open to an offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
"I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich he will definitely talk to him and listen to him but I think Mr Abramovich realizes he also he has not finished his job (with Russia)," he said.
"He is focused on his job with Russia, he is with the team on a training camp in Turkey and he is looking forward to qualifying with Russia for the World Cup."
Russia have two World Cup qualifiers between now and the end of the Premier League season -- Azerbaijan at home at the end of March and Liechtenstein away on April 1.
Hiddink has previous experience of managing a club and country at the same time, successfully combining roles at PSV Eindhoven and Australia.
Other names being linked with the job include former boss Avram Grant, ex-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, AC Milan's Carlos Ancelotti, former Chelsea favorites Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo and inevitably Mourinho, who is in charge at Inter Milan.
Scolari went on Monday after a string of indifferent results which have left Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League, but in the last 16 of the Champions League and fifth round of the FA Cup.
You say: Were Chelsea right to dismiss Scolari? Who should replace him?
"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season," said a statement on the club's official Web site.
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"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.
"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.
"While that continues assistant coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis."
The 60-year-old Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil before enjoying success with the Portugal national team, was the fourth manager of the Abramovich era, following Claudio Ranieri, Mourinho and Grant.
Ranieri, now Juventus coach, will take his side to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, a match that takes on added significance with Chelsea all but out of the running in the Premier League.
But Ranieri sees Scolari's sacking as a bad omen for his team.
"We could have done without this change," Ranieri told Press Association.
"Now the players will have an excuse and I, who had studied Scolari's team by memory, will have to start from the beginning.
"It will be another Chelsea and I will only have two weeks to get to know it."
Guus Hiddink has the chance to take charge at Stamford Bridge until end of the season.
Guus Hiddink has the chance to take charge at Stamford Bridge until end of the season.
Click to view previous image
1 of 2
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The Dutchman has emerged as the clear favorite to replace the sacked Luis Felipe Scolari, but his involvement with the Russian national team is a stumbling block.
A statement on Chelsea's official Web site www.chelseafc.com said they had been cleared to open negotiations with Hiddink.
"Chelsea can confirm that we have officially approached the Russian Football Union (RFU) to talk with Guus Hiddink to become the club's temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team.
"The permission has been granted and Chelsea would like thank the RFU for their co-operation."
Hiddink made it clear that he is in no hurry to commit himself to the Chelsea cause.
"I want to say officially that there has been absolutely no talk of me leaving the Russian national team," Hiddink told Sport Express. "I will stay and continue working with a team I feel very comfortable and at ease with."
Asked if he could combine both high-profile jobs, Hiddink replied: "You correctly use the word "if".
He added: "I can't rule out that option but it is at the stage of being examined. If everything is organised properly a move to London could happen. I'll be able to give you a final answer in a few days."
Hiddink, however appeared to rule out becoming Chelsea's new boss before Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Watford.
"No, that's not likely to happen," he said. " I don't think things will be decided that quickly."
Hiddink has a strong track record in both club and international football and his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Radio on Tuesday that he would be open to an offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
"I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich he will definitely talk to him and listen to him but I think Mr Abramovich realizes he also he has not finished his job (with Russia)," he said.
"He is focused on his job with Russia, he is with the team on a training camp in Turkey and he is looking forward to qualifying with Russia for the World Cup."
Russia have two World Cup qualifiers between now and the end of the Premier League season -- Azerbaijan at home at the end of March and Liechtenstein away on April 1.
Hiddink has previous experience of managing a club and country at the same time, successfully combining roles at PSV Eindhoven and Australia.
Other names being linked with the job include former boss Avram Grant, ex-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, AC Milan's Carlos Ancelotti, former Chelsea favorites Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo and inevitably Mourinho, who is in charge at Inter Milan.
Scolari went on Monday after a string of indifferent results which have left Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League, but in the last 16 of the Champions League and fifth round of the FA Cup.
You say: Were Chelsea right to dismiss Scolari? Who should replace him?
"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season," said a statement on the club's official Web site.
Football Fanzone
Football fans, the chance to have YOUR say on CNN is here!
Join in the debates now »
"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.
"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.
"While that continues assistant coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis."
The 60-year-old Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil before enjoying success with the Portugal national team, was the fourth manager of the Abramovich era, following Claudio Ranieri, Mourinho and Grant.
Ranieri, now Juventus coach, will take his side to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, a match that takes on added significance with Chelsea all but out of the running in the Premier League.
But Ranieri sees Scolari's sacking as a bad omen for his team.
"We could have done without this change," Ranieri told Press Association.
"Now the players will have an excuse and I, who had studied Scolari's team by memory, will have to start from the beginning.
"It will be another Chelsea and I will only have two weeks to get to know it."
Time to deal Amaré?
1. Should the Suns deal Amaré Stoudemire?
Ian Thomsen: They should trade him because his value is high, judging from the interest in him leading up to the Feb. 19 trading deadline. The Suns are in decline and they not only can begin rebuilding with the assets from a Stoudemire trade but also improve their floor balance (especially on defense) to salvage something from this season. A trade will be good for Stoudemire. He's been the fall guy in Phoenix, and he'll benefit from a restart with a new team that really wants and needs him.
Jack McCallum: No. I have a rule -- incidentally, it's probably why I'm not a general manager -- that you shouldn't do a deal when you don't get commensurate talent in return, and certainly not when you don't get nearly commensurate talent, which would be the case in nearly any trade involving Stoudemire. Yes, he is headstrong, unhappy in the current system, defensively deficient and will probably opt out of his contract in 2010. But to deal someone with his immense offensive gifts in exchange for expiring contracts and a toe-dip below the luxury-tax line would haunt this franchise.
Chris Mannix: Trade a 26-year-old franchise power forward who may have still not reached his entire potential? Huh? Steve Kerr is intent on taking a bulldozer to the team that Mike D'Antoni and the Colangelo family built; the Phoenix GM traded Shawn Marion, let D'Antoni go, changed the Suns' run-and-gun style by bringing in Terry Porter and dealt Boris Diaw and Raja Bell. So if Kerr does trade Stoudemire, it wouldn't be a surprise. But despite the Suns' roller-coaster season, Stoudemire is one of a handful of true cornerstone players in the league. Kerr should be building around him, not rebuilding without him.
Steve Aschburner: The Suns must trade Stoudemire because the NBA and its fans are owed -- at this point in the dismantling of the decade's most enthralling team -- a full and complete accounting of just what Kerr and owner Robert Sarver are thinking. The only way to get that is to allow -- nay, encourage -- the two architects to realize their master plan for Phoenix. The Suns already aren't the Suns anymore, so why stop now? They have taken a change of direction as jarring and dubious as Bobby Darin ditching pop for folk music (that's for McCallum) or Joaquin Phoenix deciding to rap instead of act. Huh? At this point, though, it's train-wreck watchable.
***
2. In a four-day span, the Lakers won at Boston in overtime, the Spurs edged the Celtics in Boston and the Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss. What did you glean from these showdowns between top contenders?
Ian Thomsen: That the Spurs are still relevant and the Lakers are the team to beat. It's not so much that the Lakers beat Boston and Cleveland in midseason, as those results will be irrelevant four months from now in the NBA Finals; it's how they won. The Lakers showed the stubborn tenacity and fight that defined the Celtics last year. One week after losing Andrew Bynum, they proved their commitment to winning the championship. The Celtics and Cavaliers are a step below L.A. by that standard, which isn't to say they can't make it up over the months ahead.
Jack McCallum: It told me the most about the Spurs. We already knew that the Celtics are very good but not a super team. We already knew that the Lakers are eminently capable of beating anyone, as they showed last year when they made the Finals despite not having Bynum for the last half of the season. We already knew or we should've known -- that the Cavaliers were not going to go through the season undefeated at home. But, as usual, we've forgotten about the Spurs, and they demonstrated that they are still an elite team even with lesser lights such as Roger Mason and Matt Bonner in the starting lineup.
Chris Mannix: It's tough to take too much away from regular-season games in February, but two things stood out. First, Bonner is going to be a tremendous weapon come playoff time. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Bonner isn't the typical Spurs "center," but he can flat-out shoot. The pride of New Hampshire torched the Celtics for 23 points Sunday and he's connecting on 49 percent of his three point attempts this season. If Bonner can avoid becoming a defensive liability, his marksmanship will change the dynamic of games.
Second, the Lakers seem intent on proving that they can beat physical teams even without Bynum. They bullied the bullies in Boston, and against Cleveland, Lamar Odom stood tall against the Cavs' towering front line. I still have my doubts that L.A. can maintain that kind of physicality in the playoffs, but last week was a good sign.
Steve Aschburner: First, it told me that Phil Jackson sure does know how to travel. He had his crew locked in for its six-game trip, which began with Bynum as the X factor for this year's Finals and ended, well, not so much. After the big guy went down in Memphis, the Lakers were a cinch to go one of two ways: unravel over the déjà -vu disappointment or run on pure adrenaline, Jackson's guile and Kobe Bryant's iron will. Odom even got swept up in the excitement, reacquainting himself with big moments.
My views on the others didn't change much: San Antonio can still rise to the occasion, the Cavaliers aren't perfect and Boston is a bit shy of what it was, at its best, last season. Oh, and one last thing: David Stern and his schedule-maker sure know how to pounce once the Super Bowl passes.
Ian Thomsen: They should trade him because his value is high, judging from the interest in him leading up to the Feb. 19 trading deadline. The Suns are in decline and they not only can begin rebuilding with the assets from a Stoudemire trade but also improve their floor balance (especially on defense) to salvage something from this season. A trade will be good for Stoudemire. He's been the fall guy in Phoenix, and he'll benefit from a restart with a new team that really wants and needs him.
Jack McCallum: No. I have a rule -- incidentally, it's probably why I'm not a general manager -- that you shouldn't do a deal when you don't get commensurate talent in return, and certainly not when you don't get nearly commensurate talent, which would be the case in nearly any trade involving Stoudemire. Yes, he is headstrong, unhappy in the current system, defensively deficient and will probably opt out of his contract in 2010. But to deal someone with his immense offensive gifts in exchange for expiring contracts and a toe-dip below the luxury-tax line would haunt this franchise.
Chris Mannix: Trade a 26-year-old franchise power forward who may have still not reached his entire potential? Huh? Steve Kerr is intent on taking a bulldozer to the team that Mike D'Antoni and the Colangelo family built; the Phoenix GM traded Shawn Marion, let D'Antoni go, changed the Suns' run-and-gun style by bringing in Terry Porter and dealt Boris Diaw and Raja Bell. So if Kerr does trade Stoudemire, it wouldn't be a surprise. But despite the Suns' roller-coaster season, Stoudemire is one of a handful of true cornerstone players in the league. Kerr should be building around him, not rebuilding without him.
Steve Aschburner: The Suns must trade Stoudemire because the NBA and its fans are owed -- at this point in the dismantling of the decade's most enthralling team -- a full and complete accounting of just what Kerr and owner Robert Sarver are thinking. The only way to get that is to allow -- nay, encourage -- the two architects to realize their master plan for Phoenix. The Suns already aren't the Suns anymore, so why stop now? They have taken a change of direction as jarring and dubious as Bobby Darin ditching pop for folk music (that's for McCallum) or Joaquin Phoenix deciding to rap instead of act. Huh? At this point, though, it's train-wreck watchable.
***
2. In a four-day span, the Lakers won at Boston in overtime, the Spurs edged the Celtics in Boston and the Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss. What did you glean from these showdowns between top contenders?
Ian Thomsen: That the Spurs are still relevant and the Lakers are the team to beat. It's not so much that the Lakers beat Boston and Cleveland in midseason, as those results will be irrelevant four months from now in the NBA Finals; it's how they won. The Lakers showed the stubborn tenacity and fight that defined the Celtics last year. One week after losing Andrew Bynum, they proved their commitment to winning the championship. The Celtics and Cavaliers are a step below L.A. by that standard, which isn't to say they can't make it up over the months ahead.
Jack McCallum: It told me the most about the Spurs. We already knew that the Celtics are very good but not a super team. We already knew that the Lakers are eminently capable of beating anyone, as they showed last year when they made the Finals despite not having Bynum for the last half of the season. We already knew or we should've known -- that the Cavaliers were not going to go through the season undefeated at home. But, as usual, we've forgotten about the Spurs, and they demonstrated that they are still an elite team even with lesser lights such as Roger Mason and Matt Bonner in the starting lineup.
Chris Mannix: It's tough to take too much away from regular-season games in February, but two things stood out. First, Bonner is going to be a tremendous weapon come playoff time. The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Bonner isn't the typical Spurs "center," but he can flat-out shoot. The pride of New Hampshire torched the Celtics for 23 points Sunday and he's connecting on 49 percent of his three point attempts this season. If Bonner can avoid becoming a defensive liability, his marksmanship will change the dynamic of games.
Second, the Lakers seem intent on proving that they can beat physical teams even without Bynum. They bullied the bullies in Boston, and against Cleveland, Lamar Odom stood tall against the Cavs' towering front line. I still have my doubts that L.A. can maintain that kind of physicality in the playoffs, but last week was a good sign.
Steve Aschburner: First, it told me that Phil Jackson sure does know how to travel. He had his crew locked in for its six-game trip, which began with Bynum as the X factor for this year's Finals and ended, well, not so much. After the big guy went down in Memphis, the Lakers were a cinch to go one of two ways: unravel over the déjà -vu disappointment or run on pure adrenaline, Jackson's guile and Kobe Bryant's iron will. Odom even got swept up in the excitement, reacquainting himself with big moments.
My views on the others didn't change much: San Antonio can still rise to the occasion, the Cavaliers aren't perfect and Boston is a bit shy of what it was, at its best, last season. Oh, and one last thing: David Stern and his schedule-maker sure know how to pounce once the Super Bowl passes.
USA No need to inject more steroid outrage in baseball
When it comes to juicers being squeezed, I'm fresh out of outrage. I think I spent it all on Barry Bonds. Or maybe it was Mark McGwire. Could have been Roger Clemens.
The outrage train stopped somewhere between the congressional hearings and Clemens' 60 Minutes interview. It's in the station, next to Rafael Palmeiro's wagging finger and Clemens' puffed-up chest.
Frankly, who cares?
The only people truly wrapped up in Alex Rodriguez are the news media. Baseball is concerned, in an image-conscious, wish-it-would-go-away sort of way. Nobody else cares.
Do you? As a baseball fan, are you grieving over the, um, loss of innocence? No game loses its innocence more than baseball. Is there a shelf life on baseball innocence? Hasn't baseball purity died an awful death several hundred times? Say it ain't so, Joe, Pete, Jim Bouton.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Oklahoma | Beijing | Barry Bonds | Alex Rodriguez | Roger Clemens | Mark McGwire | Rafael Palmeiro | Red Bull | Rocket | Neverland | SI.com | Pete | Page | Ty Cobb | Big Mac | Pez | Heimlich | Jim Bouton | Steroid Era
This is from SI.com Monday. Feel free to wonder what Neverland writer Ted Keith inhabits:
"It came just as spring training camps are set to open, bringing with them the hope for a new season and the promise, rather than the fear, of the unknown. Instead of wondering what glories lie ahead in the coming year, there are concerns that there is still more dark news ahead, and no one knows when or where it might come from."
That's better than the Heimlich maneuver.
A-Rod's steroid use is news. He is probably the best player in the sport, working in the game's biggest market. It's a headline, not a reason to grieve or burn your card collection.
Rodriguez manned up and apologized. He said he hasn't juiced since 2003. Barring more failed tests, there is no reason not to believe him. And we won't even get into the ethics and legality of how his test results were obtained.
The Steroid Era lives on, we moan. So? When has it not, in some form? When Gaylord Perry was pitching and winning 314 times, it was slippery elm. When Pete Rose was getting 4,256 hits, it was amphetamines.
If performance enhancers were around when Ty Cobb was sharpening his spikes, he'd have knocked back fistfuls, with root beer.
What about the records? Baseball's unbreakable link to its past? Sorry. Doesn't exist. Never has. I'll see you the Steroid Era and raise you a Dead Ball Era. What's the unbroken chain between pre-1947 and post-1947? Well, both eras used a round ball.
Everyone is a suspect now, we shudder. True. But everyone was already a suspect. Every time a hitter takes a quantum power leap (or dive) or a pitcher makes a miraculously quick recovery from a major surgery, we suspect.
Half the other 103 players who failed the 2003 test are likely out of the game now. What are they suspected of in 2009?
Why is baseball different from any other sport? Retired three-time Pro Bowler Dana Stubblefield suggested recently that he suspected 30% of NFL players used performance enhancers while he played. That was Page 6 news.
When Usain Bolt demolished the 100-meter field in Beijing last summer, winning in record time, didn't anyone suspect him, fair or not, of being enhanced pharmaceutically?
Baseball isn't exempt from human nature. The poets need to give it a rest. Ballplayers can and will inject it, rub it and pop it like Pez. Clear it, cream it, down it with Red Bull. If baseball wanted to make cheating hurt, it could amend its rules for Hall of Fame admission.
Now, the Hall cites "character, integrity, sportsmanship and contributions to the game" as points for electors to ponder. That's sufficiently vague that some steroid cheats will be voted in.
If the Hall added a clause saying "users of performance-enhancing drugs shall be placed on baseball's ineligible list and thus not be considered for admission," maybe the next Rocket, Big Mac or A-Rod would think twice before applying a needle to his butt. Actions should have consequences beyond personal embarrassment.
Meantime, I'm numb to it all. Dope or don't dope. Beyond that, play ball, OK?
The outrage train stopped somewhere between the congressional hearings and Clemens' 60 Minutes interview. It's in the station, next to Rafael Palmeiro's wagging finger and Clemens' puffed-up chest.
Frankly, who cares?
The only people truly wrapped up in Alex Rodriguez are the news media. Baseball is concerned, in an image-conscious, wish-it-would-go-away sort of way. Nobody else cares.
Do you? As a baseball fan, are you grieving over the, um, loss of innocence? No game loses its innocence more than baseball. Is there a shelf life on baseball innocence? Hasn't baseball purity died an awful death several hundred times? Say it ain't so, Joe, Pete, Jim Bouton.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Oklahoma | Beijing | Barry Bonds | Alex Rodriguez | Roger Clemens | Mark McGwire | Rafael Palmeiro | Red Bull | Rocket | Neverland | SI.com | Pete | Page | Ty Cobb | Big Mac | Pez | Heimlich | Jim Bouton | Steroid Era
This is from SI.com Monday. Feel free to wonder what Neverland writer Ted Keith inhabits:
"It came just as spring training camps are set to open, bringing with them the hope for a new season and the promise, rather than the fear, of the unknown. Instead of wondering what glories lie ahead in the coming year, there are concerns that there is still more dark news ahead, and no one knows when or where it might come from."
That's better than the Heimlich maneuver.
A-Rod's steroid use is news. He is probably the best player in the sport, working in the game's biggest market. It's a headline, not a reason to grieve or burn your card collection.
Rodriguez manned up and apologized. He said he hasn't juiced since 2003. Barring more failed tests, there is no reason not to believe him. And we won't even get into the ethics and legality of how his test results were obtained.
The Steroid Era lives on, we moan. So? When has it not, in some form? When Gaylord Perry was pitching and winning 314 times, it was slippery elm. When Pete Rose was getting 4,256 hits, it was amphetamines.
If performance enhancers were around when Ty Cobb was sharpening his spikes, he'd have knocked back fistfuls, with root beer.
What about the records? Baseball's unbreakable link to its past? Sorry. Doesn't exist. Never has. I'll see you the Steroid Era and raise you a Dead Ball Era. What's the unbroken chain between pre-1947 and post-1947? Well, both eras used a round ball.
Everyone is a suspect now, we shudder. True. But everyone was already a suspect. Every time a hitter takes a quantum power leap (or dive) or a pitcher makes a miraculously quick recovery from a major surgery, we suspect.
Half the other 103 players who failed the 2003 test are likely out of the game now. What are they suspected of in 2009?
Why is baseball different from any other sport? Retired three-time Pro Bowler Dana Stubblefield suggested recently that he suspected 30% of NFL players used performance enhancers while he played. That was Page 6 news.
When Usain Bolt demolished the 100-meter field in Beijing last summer, winning in record time, didn't anyone suspect him, fair or not, of being enhanced pharmaceutically?
Baseball isn't exempt from human nature. The poets need to give it a rest. Ballplayers can and will inject it, rub it and pop it like Pez. Clear it, cream it, down it with Red Bull. If baseball wanted to make cheating hurt, it could amend its rules for Hall of Fame admission.
Now, the Hall cites "character, integrity, sportsmanship and contributions to the game" as points for electors to ponder. That's sufficiently vague that some steroid cheats will be voted in.
If the Hall added a clause saying "users of performance-enhancing drugs shall be placed on baseball's ineligible list and thus not be considered for admission," maybe the next Rocket, Big Mac or A-Rod would think twice before applying a needle to his butt. Actions should have consequences beyond personal embarrassment.
Meantime, I'm numb to it all. Dope or don't dope. Beyond that, play ball, OK?
United States Vonn slip leaves Zettel to win super-combi
Lindsey Vonn of the United States saw her dream of sweeping the titles at the alpine skiing world championships disappear in a fraction of a second as she missed a slalom gate in the super-combi on Friday.
Zettel celebrates her victory in Friday’s super-combi at Val d’Isere.
Zettel celebrates her victory in Friday’s super-combi at Val d’Isere.
Vonn looked hot favorite for a second gold as she led after the downhill section, but a mistake at the top of a tricky slalom leg saw her disqualified.
Gold went to Austrian Kathrin Vettel, who was fifth after the downhill at Val d’Isere, but produced a storming slalom leg for a combined time of two minutes 20.13 seconds.
Swiss teenager Lara Gut finished second, 0.56 seconds behind, and Vettel’s compatriot Elisabeth Goergl claimed third.
Vonn won the first event of the championships, Tuesday’s super-G, and has strong chances in the downhill, giant slalom and slalom of further medals.
Vonn’s arch-rival in the race for overall honors on the World Cup circuit, Maria Riesch of Germany, again disappointed by finishing fourth and out of the medals.
Reigning world super-combi champion Anja Paerson of Sweden missed a gate on the downhill leg to be eliminated.Meanwhile, Friday’s training for the men’s downhill saw Didier Cuche of Switzerland fastest as he bids to double up on his super-G gold on Wednesday.
Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was second quickest with American Bode Miller third best.
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