Michael Hurlbut
Ahh, Valentine’s Day. That fantastic holiday that divides the world into the categories of single or taken. Available or hitched. Those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t. You’ve got girls who are depressed because they have no date and guys who are stoked because they don’t have to shell out any more money on roses or candy. Of course, on a day like this, you can’t help but think about the greatest and the grumpiest relationships in the world of sports.
Gee, where should we start? Kobe and Shaq? John Rocker and New York? Mike Tyson and the lower 48 states? I think congratulations are first in order for Michael and Juanita Jordan for making another attempt at their marriage. Mrs. Jordan withdrew her petition for divorce to the multimillionaire Wizards star last Monday. I guess that blows the whole theory that she was in it for the money. She was about to come away with about $200 million and her own shoe deal. Nice work, Mike. All you need to do now is get your shot back.
What has happened to the lovable Dennis Rodman? Last time I heard, he was being visited by the Newport Beach police department on a nearly nightly basis for wild parties at his beachfront property. And even though Carmen Electra may be gone from his life now, I wouldn’t put it past him if he were running around in her underwear while mowing his lawn.
I’ve recently become a big fan of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. He’s made a name for himself in the league as being a brash, no-holds-barred champion of the players who is aiming for $1 million in fines for the season. He is already well on his way with a $500,000 fine a few weeks ago for criticizing refs. Last week he sent a proposal to the league asking for a third party to review the officiating program.
However, his efforts were quickly shot down by NBA commissioner David Stern, who declared, “I am the independent third party.” True or false. Independent means not attached to a specific group or party. For those of you still in English 101, the answer is true. Stern might be receiving a dictionary from Cuban in the near future.
I have had about enough of these AP Poll airheads. How is it that Gonzaga, who is in second place in the WCC, ranked No. 8 in the country? Wouldn’t that mathematically make us at least No. 7, not 38, where we stand presently? We have the fourth-toughest schedule in the nation, we are riding the longest winning streak in the country at 12 games, and we’re undefeated in our conference. What does it take huh? I just don’t get it.
Oh, and for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of catching the Olympics yet, set your clocks to get up and watch curling. It’s about as exciting as the ninth inning of the seventh game of last years World Series. I haven’t seen a guy push a broom that fast since middle blocker Brad Keenan threw up on UCLA’s court in the middle of the volleyball game last week. Way to leave it on the court …
February 14, 2002