A LEGACY TARNISHED

‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’

A Painful Reflection

The outrage is far reaching.  The accusations are beyond shocking on a number of fronts.

Joe Paterno, a legendary coach who for decades has stood as a symbol of leadership for all things right in collegiate athletics, will see his career come to an end because he stood by and didn't do enough.

After Paterno reported a heinous act against a child up the chain of command, Penn State officials engaged in a cover up so despicable that it may haunt the university for years to come.

The winningest coach in college football history says he will resign at the end of the season.  With a huge home game looming on the Saturday schedule against No. 17 Nebraska, making that call should no longer be in Paterno's hands.  The University Board of Trustees needs to call an audible and tell Paterno, even at age 84, there is a lesson to be learned here.

In 2002, Paterno made the mistake of putting the football program and friendship first.  He should have immediately been concerned about a then 10-year old boy labeled by a Pennsylvania grand jury as "Boy known as Victim 6."  Subsequently, it has come to light that former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky would be linked with "Boy known as Victim... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8...".

If Paterno is allowed to coach this Saturday, what should be the fate of Mike McQueary, the Nittany Lions' wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator?  He was the once unnamed graduate assistant who witnessed Sandusky having anal sex with a pre-teen boy at the school's Lasch Football Building in 2002.  McQueary, 28 years old at the time, 6-5, over 230 pounds, didn't rush to the young boy's defense.  When he found a phone, he didn't dial 9-1-1.  He dialed his dad.  The next day, he told Paterno.  Eight years later, McQueary testified in front of a grand jury.  Eight years!

Why so long?  For that answer, the moral and ethical barometer falls squarely on the shoulders of former Athletic Director Tim Curley, former Senior Vice President for Fiance and Business Gary Schultz, and current (as of this writing) President Graham Spanier.  Their 'handling' of the matter was banning Sandusky from bringing children to campus.  In other words, not on our campus.  He was still allowed, however, to maintain an office on campus.  The incident was never reported to police.

And why was Sandusky bringing kids to campus?  In 1977 he founded The Second Mile organization.  It started as a group foster home dedicated to assisting troubled boys.  It grew into a charity that helped kids with absent or dysfunctional families.  

Long before McQueary saw the unthinkable, there was trouble with children.  In 1998 it was reported Sandusky was taking showers with boys from the foster home.  The cases were brought to the attention of university police and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.  When questioned, Sandusky   admitted he had done wrong.  The cases were never brought to justice.

In 1999 Sandusky retired from Penn State but held emeritus status.  The alleged incidents didn't stop though.

In what should be the celebratory closing to an amazing career, Paterno has been hounded by the news media and surrounded by a student body, many of whom shout his name with unabashed support.

In speaking the other day, Paterno was correct in saying that at this time, all thoughts and prayers should be directed to the victims.  They are the one's that matter and finding ways to prevent something like this from ever happening again should be examined everywhere in which young people are the focus.

When I worked in Washington, DC, I had to cover my first pedophile case.  The year was 1994.  I will never forget it.  A six-year old Maryland boy was taken from his home while he slept at night.  He was eventually dropped off and found wandering around a cemetery, naked and alone.  Somehow, that six-year old kid found the courage to take the witness stand, describe the horrible things done to him and point out his attacker.  By the time he was done testifying, there wasn't a dry eye in the jury, which was made up of grandfathers and grandmothers.

I often wonder how that boy is doing as a young man today.  

I hope as fans cheer on Penn State Saturday, they take the time to wonder how Victim... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8 and so forth are doing.

THE MASTERS, THE APPLE OF MY EYE

Heaven on Earth

It's day one of the famed Masters tournament and I'm up early - waiting!

Augusta National is America's version of royalty and we can't seem to get enough - only in my humble opinion - we aren't getting enough.  In this respect, the Masters has a lot in common with another pet peeve, Apple.  The makers of things we crave - iPhone, iPad, iMac, iPod.  Marketing geniuses, Apple reigns supreme in creating buzz about its products.  Make it exclusive, give 'em a taste, create an industry.

I'm watching the Golf Channel, which is reporting live from Augusta, but I'm left with lots of chatter and shots from the putting green.  Hey, I'm starving so anything is satisfying.  I had to wait until 10:45 AM to start seeing live coverage, not on television, but on the web!  The TV coverage doesn't begin until 3 PM Eastern!  If you have DirecTV, you then have the opportunity to watch the action unfold on several screens, covering multiple holes.  Sure would have been nice, however, to see Retief Goosen eagle No.1 live!

The demand is certainly there so why make the lovers of this event wait?  Sure, I could have leveraged my assets and bought a ticket, get a hotel room and flown to be there in person, but I figure if it's already a packed house, why not feed the masses?  Having covered a Ryder Cup & U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club, I personally prefer watching golf on television more.  I get more out if that way.  I can follow the action better, not be restricted to a pairing or two, and the bathroom is reserved for my use.  Plus, when I hear "YOU DA MAN" shouted, chances are it's my wife.  Okay, granted, that's an exaggeration.

Ian Poulter tweeting from Augusta

In this technological, social networking age, it's nice to get Twitter updates from the likes of Ian Poulter.  He just tweeted: "In my Masters Thursday outfit just on my way. buzzing"  (10:11 AM).  Here's the accompanying picture he posted.

I suppose I should be thankful for what I get because it wasn't that long ago that Augusta National eased coverage restrictions.  We didn't used to see live action from the front nine at all.  Still, forgive me for wanting wall-to-wall coverage.  There's just something about Augusta that makes a grown man salivate.  My golfing friends admit we'd pay a grand just to play a round there.  When you consider that my wife would gladly fork over the same amount to get a pair of  Christian Louboutin shoes, I don't feel bad at all.

Oh, well, let me go check the leaderboard online.

TOOTHLESS TIGER

BUILDING A BETTER TIGER?

Over 400 days and counting.

Tiger Woods' winless streak has become a black hole of futility, sucking in more greatness at each tour stop.  Instead of laser accurate iron shots into the green, we're now left with "average".  For all the body of work we've witnessed of this golfing legend, "average" was a label that didn't fit.  It's now become part of his tournament experience.

RICKIE "ORANGE CRUSH" FOWLER

Even at courses he's dominated in the past, Woods now struggles for consistency.  You'd like to believe him when he extols that his game is coming around.  But, the leaderboard don't lie.  Much like Austin Powers, Tiger has lost his "Mojo".  He desperately needs a win to get his swagger back and no better stage to accomplish that than at Augusta National next week.

I know golf has somewhat lost it's luster when my wife pauses at the television and asks, "Oh, my, who is that wearing an orange outfit?"  For the record, it's Rickie Fowler, one of golf's young, free swinging talents.

The PGA doesn't like to admit it, but it's a better golfing world when Tiger Woods is on top of his game.  Tiger in the hunt on a Sunday is TV ratings gold.  Parity is a wonderful thing and there are a number of young talented golfers making an ascent, but a rotating champion structure week after week isn't a ratings bonanza.  Baddeley, Laird, Barnes, Mahan, Johnson - all nice pieces - just not show stopping material yet.  The NBA needs the Lakers & Celtics, MLB the Yankees & Red Sox, the NFL the Patriots & Colts.  Teams with marquee talent or storied pasts.

Though he was not in contention during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Woods played host to the largest gallery.  Tiger at your event translates into bigger profits.  Quietly, a number of Tour professionals are rooting for Tiger to exorcise his demons.  For the good of the sport, he needs to start winning again.  Lately, though, it looks like Tiger needs to re-fit his bag with game improvement clubs.  And he's experimenting.  NBC golf analyst Johnnie Miller let the cat out of the bag at Bay Hill by revealing Woods was playing with new irons.  Add that to the lack of confidence he's exhibited in his Scotty Cameron putter, in rotation, out of rotation.

Who is this guy?

Tiger's swing wasn't broke once before when he tinkered with it and came out shooting dart golf.  He was younger then, seemingly untouchable, his world intact.  He's in his 30's now, totally exposed, a divorced father of two, and much like Humpty Dumpty, trying to put the pieces back together again.

It's as if Woods is trying to remake himself.  Determined to prove to the world he's a born again golfer.  What he has to come to terms with is, what's done is done.  He's absorbed all the punches and shots naysayers have thrown his way.  Yes, it was embarrassing and incredibly stupid.  It's now time to stand up and be counted again.  If the golfing public loved Woods before, they'll love him again, perhaps even more so because he's proven to be human.

You can't be all things to all people.  Granted on numerous levels, Tiger has to evolve, but he should also look in the rear view mirror to remember what made him a dominating force on the golf course.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Go out and play with all the freedom and confidence
of a champion many times over.

SEARCHING FOR GREATNESS AGAIN

TWO AND A HALF MEN...

READY FOR PRIMETIME

"Men men men men manly men..."

Yes, CBS can salvage Two And A Half Men from the scrap heap by casting LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the title roles.

Figuring out the half should be child's play.  In the muck of a five-game losing streak, unable to close out games against any team with a winning record, the Show horse decided to make it known he's not happy with the number of looks he's getting.

"I need to get it where big guys get it," Bosh said after losing to Portland 105-96.  "I'm effective in the low-post area.  That's where I need to start getting the ball."

Upon hearing that post-game assessment, King James offered his own at practice the next day, essentially saying if Bosh wants the ball, all he has to do is "ask for it."

Help Me, Help You

And then there's the curious case of Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, who was given a vote of confidence from Team President Pat Riley.  So many questions and apparently few solutions.  "We don't have a lot of answers on how to get over the hump."  This isn't Jeopardy.  Those words were spoken by Spoelstra after a recent loss.

Not one, Not two, Not Three...

Somebody better figure out something quick or this situation could implode.  In 1974, Riley wrote a book called:  The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players.  It may be time to pass out a few copies.

It's also time for Spoelstra to put on the big boy pants and assert some authority.  I'll give James and Wade some credit.  So far, they haven't gone Egypt on Spoelstra and demanded a regime change.  But the coach needs to start implementing a plan and in my humble opinion the ball should be in Wade's hands.  He needs to be the main distributor.  I'd like to see James work off the ball, running his defender through picks and slashing to the basket with the vigor exhibited by Reggie Miller or Rip Hamilton.  When Wade needs a breather, James can assume his role.

Due to salary cap room, there's no question the Heat bench is thin on wins, but it's certainly serviceable.  Mike Miller still seems to be bothered by his thumb injury and he's a far cry (couldn't resist) from Bulls' sharpshooter Kyle Korver.  The Heat do have James Jones, who just happened to win the 3-pt shootout at the All-Star Game, and Mario Chalmers who has exhibited some moxie.  Their minutes, however are sporadic and their contributions seem to be more of an afterthought.  And please, please, explain the Mike Bibby signing to me. He had a nice career but can't guard the league's elite point guards and really isn't effective running an offense anymore.

At the end of tight games, it's become the stand around and watch the King James show.  Even James acknowledged that he had to stop letting his teammates down.  What has to happen is trust.  Part of what made Michael Jordan great was he had confidence in John Paxson, Craig Hodges or Steve Kerr knocking down big shots.  The Heat need to develop the same mentality.

During certain match ups let Bosh put his money where his mouth is.  Isolate him on the blocks and dump the ball down.  If help arrives, there should be enough perimeter shooters available for Bosh to kick it back out or  maybe a drop off to a cutting James or Wade!  Games can be won at the free throw line and not the three point line as referees have been known to call fouls in the paint.

So many questions and actually some solutions.  Apply some and you too can be a winner.

CAN THE LAKERS MAKE ONE OF THESE MOVES???

WOULD YOU MOVE BYNUM?

For the team with the highest payroll in the NBA, spending money to capture another title shouldn't be a problem.  There are several intriguing options for the Lakers to take a look at as the February 24th trade deadline looms.

Hamilton Still Has Game Left

The most attractive scoring option is available because shooting guard Richard Hamilton is in the dog house with Detroit Head Coach John Kuester.  Plus, the organization would like nothing better than to get rid of the 25 million dollars owed the 6-7 veteran guard over next two years. With a new owner about to take over, General Manager Joe Dumars is in a save his job situation.  The beauty of Hamilton to the Lakers is that he is a consistent scorer and since he hasn't played much this season, there should be a lot of life in those 33-year old legs.  Hamilton is also a cagey veteran with an NBA title under his belt.

There's no secret the Lakers have been extremely disappointed with the production - or lack there of - by reserve point guard Steve Blake (37 percent FG shooting, 4.3 ppg, 2.1 asp).  He'll be collecting 4 million a year through the 2013-2014 season - ouch!  Perhaps he can be moved for Hamilton's salary or Luke Walton (due nearly 12 million over the next two years) offers a reduction as well to the Pistons.

Center Andrew Bynum was the object of conversation when the longshot possibility of trading for Carmelo Anthony was being tossed around Hollywood like a bad script.  There are some in the Laker organization who are reluctant to move the 7-foot, youthful center and that's understandable considering the Lakers can't win a championship without his presence in the middle.  However, Bynum reminds you of that Ferris wheel at a small county fair in town for just a couple of weeks.  Yeah, it's inviting, but you wonder why the hairs on the back of your neck rise when you think about riding it.  You know deep down it's not going to hold up at full capacity.

Gasol x2?

Fortunately for the Lakers, there might be a family solution for the taking.  Why not trade one seven-footer for another?  The beauty of the idea is that Los Angeles has robbed this team once before so maybe lightning can strike twice.  Bynum is locked up for the next two years while Marc Gasol (11.8 ppg/7 rbp) of the Memphis Grizzlies has an expiring contract.  Yes, Pau would welcome his baby brother with open arms.  The younger Gasol is a more conventional type center which would give the Lakers a nice option in a half court setup.

Battier Nice Complimentary Piece

If the Lakers want to get a little more athletic, they could consider the do-everything-without-question attitude of Houston's Shane Battier who becomes an unrestricted free-agent next season.  A solid defender, Battier understands the game and can keep defenses honest by knocking down three pointers when needed.  Think Robert Horry back in a Laker uniform. 

Get Me Out Of Sacramento?

Someone to consider is 6-9 Sacramento forward Carl Landry.  His play of late has been inconsistent and his minutes are being reduced as a result, but when motivated, Landry (11.9 ppg/4.8 rbg) can be a beast.  He's a career 54 percent shooter from the floor.  His contract too comes off the books at the end of this season.  

So the Lakers have options and moving Bynum might be a necessity, especially if Marc Gasol is in the picture.  It might also be necessary to throw in another piece or some draft picks.  But if those pieces involve Blake or Walton, no one in LA is going to shed a tear.

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE ... JERRY SLOAN STEPS DOWN

Enough Is Enough

"Hello darkness my old friend, I've to come talk with you again."

Jerry Sloan is old enough to appreciate the finer things in life.  For a man who never backed down from a basketball court challenge in his life, not from Rick Barry, not from Pete Maravich, not from Oscar Robertson, Sloan was smart enough to recognize when it's time to leave with your dignity in tact.  After 23 years of coaching and more than 1,200 wins, Sloan walked away from the Utah Jazz, escaping an avalanche of discontent.

A Hall of Famer, it's ironic that Sloan reached his boiling point while coaching against the Chicago Bulls, the team he earned his hard-nosed reputation with as a backcourt bookend alongside Norm Van Lier.  At halftime of Wednesday's game, Sloan and point guard Deron Williams' rocky relationship reportedly hit the point of no return.  Sloan, upset that Williams ran a different play than he called for from the bench, blew a gasket in the lockeroom.  The old Jerry Sloan would have probably opted to settle the matter with his fists, but this is the kinder, gentler NBA.  The Williams-Sloan relationship has been percolating for quite some time.

    "Fools" said I, "You do not know, Silence like a cancer grows. 

Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words like silent raindrops fell,

And echoed, In the wells of silence ."

There's no question Williams has got serious game.  He's certainly in the discussion of the top five point guards in the league, but has he earned the status to force a legend like Sloan out the door,  three days after Sloan signed a one-year extension?  Williams becomes a free agent in 2012 and sources indicated he was leaning toward bolting if Sloan wasn't gone.  Seems the Jazz players banded together and decided Sloan didn't know who they were anymore, the familiar chant of  "lost the team" being thrown around better than his "flex" offense was being run.

Despite losing some key components from last year's squad, the Jazz, as of this writing, are 31-23 and second in the Northwest.  When Sloan realized ownership was listening more to the inmates than the warden, it was time to take his last charging call.

Replacing Sloan, for at least the remainder of the season, will be assistant Tyrone Corbin.  I hope Williams is pleased because if memory serves me right, Sloan achieved a measure of success with a little point guard named John Stockton.  Oh, yeah, he's in the Hall of Fame too.

"And the people bowed and prayed, To the neon god they made.

And the sign flashed out its warning, In the words that it was forming.

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls." and whisper'd in the sounds of silence."

AREA CODE 650 ... HARBAUGH NOW OR NEVER

IS IT TIME TO MAKE THE CALL?

The University of Michigan football program was never this suspect under Lloyd Carr and yet, he was forced out the door like an aging sheriff who could no longer protect the townsfolk.

At least under Carr the Wolverines were competitive.  This current product on the field every Saturday for the maize and blue is at times head shaking.  Let's face facts, this isn't Purdue we're talking about where every blue moon you get good.  This is about a storied program that used to be part of the conversation when talk centered about a national title run.


SHOULD HE BE WORRIED?

 This is not column calling for Rich Rodriguez's dismissal.  It's more about being in place when opportunity knocks and whether someone gets up to answer the door.  In order to be fair, a coach should get a full recruiting class to prove his value, to implement his style of play, with his kind of players.  Rodriguez has been at the helm for three years.  His record is unimpressive at 15-21.  He's 0-3 against both Ohio State and Michigan State -- huge measuring sticks for survival.  Earle Bruce lost his job at Ohio State because he couldn't win that last game of the regular season.  Jim Tressel has beat Michigan in seven straight games and is 9-1 all-time.

The Wolverines were 7-5 this season, but they came up short in big games to Iowa, MSU, Wisconsin and Ohio State, all ranked teams within the conference.  The offense has at times been exciting for Michigan, but the defense, once built upon immense pride, now has more holes than Swiss cheese.  And then there is the embarrassment of NCAA investigations and probation -- not the way Michigan does business.

So what's a program to do?  Stay the course, hoping as Rich Rod said after today's 37-7 loss that "I think the worst is behind us. I know it is."

Or is it time to roll the dice and look elsewhere?  Is it time to get a Michigan man in Schembechler Hall?  If that's the case, former Wolverine quarterback Jim Harbaugh should be on speed dial.  After blanking Oregon State 38-0, the coach of the Stanford Cardinal guided his team to an 11-1 regular season record.  Caution though.  Remember I mentioned a coach often needs a full four years.  In his first three seasons at Stanford, Harbaugh was 4-2, 5-7 and 8-5.  But, it's Harbaugh's resume that also merits attention.  His brother has achieved success coaching the Baltimore Ravens and Jim was a starter for several teams in the NFL.  Harbaugh is a solid recruiter and his players seem willing to run through a wall for him.  If the call isn't made this year, he might not be available and even now, it could be a long shot because he is a hot commodity.

I'm just happy I don't have to make the decision or make the call.  I went to Purdue and last I checked, this isn't a blue moon year.

A FRONT ROW SEAT



LORD OF THE RINGS


The curtain rises tonight for the debut of The Three Basketeers!

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, together for the first time, ready to conquer the world for "Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five... "





Whew... not even Richard Pryor could have pulled that joke off.  Ease off the hype throttle a little big fella. The fact that James and Bosh have to date won "Not one, not one, not one..." championship, makes me hold off on getting the popcorn ready.  They're used to the heat in Miami, but fans have been drinking SPF 70 ever since James and Bosh decided to join Wade.

Tonight's game at Boston needs no introduction.  The Celtics have added the Big Leprechaun in Shaquille O'Neal to fill a void in the middle that clearly cost them a championship last season.  That's the same O'Neal who won three championships with Kobe Bryant, one with Wade and zero with James.  The Celtics are long in the tooth with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but they are all battle tested veterans who've tasted the ultimate prize as a unit.  You don't have to convince James that experience matters down the stretch.

One of 82.  That's really all tonight's matchup means.  The outcome won't give either squad an edge over the other for later matchups.  Only a number of games will reveal if the Heat's bench is adequate enough to give The Three Basketeers a lift.  Injuries have to be avoided for both the Heat and Celtics.  The same can be said for other contenders.  The Lakers can't lose Paul Gasol and the Bulls can't have Carlos Boozer or Joakim Noah sidelined for any measurable length of time.

It should be an interesting race to the finish and if the Heat manage to pull of a championship, they will have done so before packed arenas and the best even the lowly Timberwolves can muster night in and night out.

So I have a front row seat for tonight.  The beer is perfectly chilled, not six dollars a bottle and there is no line to the men's room.  Bring on the 2010-11 season!

IS IT TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN? A TIGER WOODS INTERVENTION

Woods at British Open

Muhammad Ali was toward the end of his career when you just couldn't stomach to look anymore.  He should have shocked the world and walked away after the 1975 'Thrilla in Manila.' 

For Tiger Woods,  there has been no Joe Frazier.  Sergio gave it a run and Phil continues to chase.  Unfortunately, Woods has proven to be his own Trojan Horse, imploding from within.  No one was allowed into his private sanctuary until he C4'd his own fortress, leaving a gaping wound for the entire world to see.

2010 has been brutal.  Seven tournaments.  Zero wins.  His wife and children moved out, sponsors moved out, his swing coach exited and Woods' golf game is better on EA Sports.

Prior to the start of the British Open at St. Andrews, a course Tiger has tamed twice (2000 & 2005), he switched from long-time ally Scotty Cameron to a Nike Method putter.  His reason?  The greens were too slow.  On the course for the final round, guess who was back in the bag.  So now we have a Tiger Woods that is second guessing himself.  Who is this guy that is not remotely in contention on red shirt Sundays?

I made a $30 bet with a co-worker before the British Open.  Not to win the Open per se, but for Tiger to win any tournament for the rest of the year.  I was dancing like Mr. Bojangles when he accepted the conditions.  Tiger not win at all in 2010!  Get real! I jumped all over that wager.  I'm a little less confident now, but there's still plenty of time.

However, Tiger Woods and Eldrick Woods need to have a sit down.  When you've lived on top of the mountain known as Tiger for so long, Eldrick tends to get lost.  Eldrick can't get a word in.  Magic Johnson experienced the same thing during the heyday of Showtime in L-A.  He said Magic was a whole different person than Ervin.

Happy Days

For Woods, I can relate to one of the most difficult times in his life.  I'm not talking about right now-- I'm talking about losing his father Earl.  When you're that close, when you lose the one person in the world whose opinion carried a great deal of weight, you wake up a little broken.  Tiger went on to handle the golf part easily enough.  It was the one place he could find peace, the one place he could continue to make his dad proud.  It was the off the course stuff that Tiger handled badly.  For that, perhaps he needed to be more like Eldrick, the man few of us know.  With Earl gone, there was no one to keep Tiger grounded, no one to remind him how hard the journey to now was, and what it still could become. 

To some degree, I imagine Tiger thought marriage would help keep him grounded, but by then, it was probably too late.  As Woods admitted himself, it seemed as if Tiger could do whatever he wanted without there being any consequences.  It's a hard to lesson to learn that we all put our pants on the same way.  Some pockets are lined with more stuff, but the process is the same.

So how can Woods recover?  Clearly there is a ton of stuff on his mind.  Reports and details of his marital status, true or fabricated, make the headlines.  He has to sit and at least listen to questions never before asked by the media at golf tournaments, knowing full well the deck is stacked against him.  How he answers is scrutinized just as much as club selection on a tricky hole.  Woods has to get his personal life in order and decide what kind of man he's going to be.  He should know all too well the importance of being a father.  Doing it right can enrich one's life beyond words.  It makes all the superficial stuff seem ridiculous and mundane. 

In other sports, when a great player is in a slump, they manage to work it out.  A shooter in basketball is told to keep shooting, it will come back.  A baseball player in a hitting slump has to keep swinging, take extra batting practice in fact, and maybe even take a day off to analyze.

For Tiger, with no swing coach, he's trying to figure it out all by himself.  Eventually, he'll get there.  His DNA will see to that.  It's just painful to watch at times now.  On some level, maybe he feels this is part of his penance, to painfully fail before the masses.

When the pain finally subsides, Tiger will be back.  I'll bet you $30 on that.

YOU CALL THIS A SUMMIT!

James

It was like Breaking News of a summit!  I felt compelled to at least listen.  Was there some development between Israel and the PLO?  Wait a minute.  I wasn't watching CNN, FOX or MSNBC.

Wade

Bosh

It was Breaking News on ESPN!  Lately, that could mean anything from Brett Favre being spotted at Starbucks tossing sugar packs to high schoolers or LeBron James seen at the World Cup wearing a Real Madrid cap - obviously dissing Ghana in its own backyard.  Oh, and Jerry Jones was there too, thus speculating that James was contemplating jumping from the NBA to the NFL to become a member of the Cowboys.

So when ESPN reported that James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade were all reportedly in Miami for their New World Order "Summit" prior to the start of free agency courting, I nearly fell for it.

If I invite some of my news anchor counterparts over to my house, can I label it a "Summit"?  Please tell me there are some tax implications involved.  I need a sizable write off!  The IRS somehow has me mixed up with Larry Brown.

A summit!  Doesn't anybody call them BBQ's anymore?  House Party anyone?

The last time a mega trio like James, Wade and Bosh got together, they made a movie out of it.  If you haven't seen Three The Hard Way my brother, well, you don't know your Blaxploitation films like you thought you did.  You better ask somebody Super Fly!

Of course, now comes the rumor that James, Wade and Bosh are trying to work salary cap magic so they can all wear Miami Heat jerseys, spend the afternoons at Wet Willie's in South Beach and win NBA titles until they get bored of beating the mere mortals of the hardwood.

Do we really need all this chatter?  The free agent period is just days away but the hours leading up to it will be dominated by the "experts" -  The friend of a friend, who is close to a friend of James says... This girl I used to date was at a party where Wade was at and he told the dude bringing him a drink that... And yo, check this out, Bosh was at Best Buy sizing up big screens 'cause he says he needs to trick out his new condo in Miami Beach. 

Enough already!

Give it a rest.

This isn't Christmas Eve... wait to open the damn presents!

Besides.  We all know LeBron and Bosh are signing with Chicago!