Dom's Dish - Character edition

Dom's Dish - Thursday, April 26, 2007


So how about them NBA awards, eh? Sam Mitchell of the Raptors won the Coach of the Year Award, Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors won the most improved award and Leandro Barbosa of the Suns won the sixth man award. Even for someone like me, the casual fan, these names don't mean anything to me. Ok, maybe Barbosa - "The Brazilian Blur" - since he's on the Suns and they get a lot of playing time on national TV. It's funny to me that this doesn't even create a buzz - think NFL and MLB - there's speculation for weeks and months about these awards. If baseball is the "National Past time" and football is "America's Game," that definitely leaves basketball as "the sport America exported." Ever since the days of Larry versus Magic and MJ, basketball has been on the decline. I think someone should let David Stern know.

One day to the big Dom's Dish draft preview - however here is a preview of the preview. The word of the year that already is turning my stomach every time I hear it now...over and over...is "character." I have not heard that word so much since English class junior year in high school!!! Damn you Pacman Jones - it's your fault. You and the Cincinnati Bengals! Couldn't you just party at home? Do you have to drink and drive, while transporting baggies and then carry guns around while doing it? Really? Did you have to go to Vegas to party with the NBA stars....with guns? Now we'll be inundated all day Saturday from Mel Kiper, Chris Berman and TJ about the word. Maybe Suzy Kolber will be there to discuss it too? Andrea Kramer? They'll have reporters everywhere discussing character, character, character.

The one thing I don't like is the fact that this new "Conduct Policy" is being enforced and presided over by one man - Roger Goodell. Even with his "players advisory committee" his power is fast approaching David Stern level.

The Phillies have won five straight after Charlie Manuel's pep talk before Saturday's game. Some key factors? The bullpen isn't giving up tons of runs, they're all actually hitting the ball. Nice pep talk - hit the ball! Stop giving up runs! Man I should be a manger! (Of course as I write this, they're down 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning with the bases loaded)

Is that American Idol crap over yet? I can't wait to start watching "Bingo night in America" or whatever....I can't wait for the "Dom Show" where I just sit at the computer and flip through the channels - it'll be real reality TV!


Around the balls:
Giant-orange- The Lebron's are beating up on the Wizards. The kid is still averaging 25 pts, 8.5 boards and 7 assists in the two games. Without Caron Butler and Agent Zero - Gilbert Arenas, the Cavs are gonna sweep them.
White-leather-stitched- Did you hear? Torii Hunter sent some bottles of champagne to the KC Royals as promised for last years season-ending sweep of the Tigers (by the Royals), propelling the Twins into the playoffs? Now he may face a minimum 3-year suspension from the game for gift giving? Maybe even the Royals too. Tradition is tradition, but sounds like a.) he shouldn't have kept his promise and b.) this is a stupid rule.
Rubber-non- Devils win 3 straight. Already in the second round of the NFL playoffs, it'll be interesting to see how this round plays out. It really sucks that you can only watch the games on Channel "772" and pay for it, or 59 - "Versus". Then they wonder why people don't call it a major sport- what came first, no playoffs on national TV or no one watching?
Big-brown-oblong- The Draft is 2 days away. Are you excited yet? With all this talk of trades and what-if scenarios...it's making my head spin. BTW, I hope no one needs me Saturday afternoon from about 11am to 6 or 7pm....
Tiny-white- Everyone is up in arms about this weekend's event - the Byron Nelson Open - and the fact that 11 of the top 15 in the world will not be at the event. I love golf and all, but even for an individual sport, it's too much to keep calling it a sport. It's more like a hobby. "Eh, I'm busy this week with doing nothing, maybe next week?"
Green-fuzzy- Rafael Nadal again beat Roger Federer on clay, this time the Barcelona Open. He has won 69 consecutive matches on clay, one short of the record. "Clay. Bill Clay." Good one Hans - McLean almost had you that time. "No bullets!"


Program Alert:
NFL Draft coverage begins at 11am on Saturday - really the draft starts at 12 noon, but an hour extra of ESPN isn't bad...