Friday, March 30, 2012

SMU interviews Bruce Weber

The Final Four has been known as a place where coaches try to land their next job. SMU is trying to land their next coach, but they were rebuffed by Marquette's Buzz Williams.

The Mustangs reportedly have interviewed former Illinois coach Bruce Weber.

According to the Dallas Morning News' Kate Hairopoulos, Weber fits the profile of the kind of coach athletic director Steve Orsini is seeking.

 But Weber certainly fits the pattern Orsini has used in previous coaching hires: a name coach, ties to a big-time program, program-building experience, looking for a new start. (See football coach George O'Leary at Central Florida and Doherty and football coach June Jones, a NFL coach before building up Hawaii, at SMU.)


Weber could be a good fit at SMU, but I see him as more of a midwestern guy than a Dallas city slicker. I'm sure the Mustangs will do what they can to ensure they find the right coach, but I don't think they'll land the big name they want.

Jason Terry says he could be an asset to the Heat

Going to Miami seems to be the popular thing to do for many nowdays. Ever since the Heat landed the big three, many prospective veteran free agents have put the Heat on their personal radar.

Earlier this week it was reported that Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash said he wouldn't mind joining the Heat next season if the Suns can't make him a suitable offer. Add Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry to the ever growing list of veterans trying to latch on with the Heat.


"Miami is definitely a title contender. For sure," Terry told FOX Sports Florida before Dallas' 106-85 loss at AmericanAirlines Arena about his interest. "(Team president) Pat Riley is a great guy and what he's done with the organization is tremendous.

"No question, they need a veteran shooter, a guy who can score besides LeBron (James) and (Dwyane Wade), and they know they can count on. I'm a guy that's been in this league 13 years, (averaging) 15 points a night, easy. Off the bench or the starting lineup, it doesn't matter. So I think I'd be an asset to them."


Terry's words ring true. He could definitely be a help off the bench and he's a winning player. He doesn't care how much he plays, if he starts or comes off the bench, or how many shots he gets. He'd be perfect for the second unit.

My question is how many more veterans who want a crack at a ring are willing to gravy train their way to a championship. Because that's what it's amounting to right now.

Florida's Erving Walker charged with stealing taco

In a pretty strange crime to hit the blotter, Florida guard Erving Walker has been charged with stealing a taco and running from police.

Walker, a senior who ranks first in school history in assists, was arrested and given a notice to appear in court early Friday. He was charged with petty theft and resisting an officer without violence, both misdemeanors. He was not taken to jail.



Gainesville Police say Walker ordered a $3 taco from a street vendor, got the food and ran away without paying. When a police officer caught up with him and told him stop, Walker kept going, according to the police report.


When officers finally caught Walker with help from “several marked patrol cars,” he told them he was “just playing around,” the report said.


Walker is scheduled to appear in court April 19.


You steal a taco and elude police and you were just playing? I don't think so. I do think it's funny that Walker couldn't afford to pay for $3 taco. I know that he has to be getting hooked up by some boosters down in Gainesville. So you know he could've paid for it. He must've really been hungry to evade the cops over it.

Maybe if Walker would've spent more time "playing" against Louisville in the Gators Elite Eight loss, they'd be in New Orleans playing in the Final Four.

Chicago shooting victim is Wade's nephew

In a violent six hour stretch in Chicago, two people were killed and 11 were left wounded. One of the victims injured is reported to be Dwayne Wade's nephew.


One of the people wounded in a Gresham convenience store shooting that left one man dead and five others hurt is the nephew of Miami Heat basketball star Dwyane Wade, according to a statement by the Chicago native.


The shooting happened at about 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bishop Golden store on the 1400 block of West 79th Street when two men jumped out of an SUV, walked into the small store and opened fire, according to police. One of the people used a TEC-9 type gun.


“I don’t have all of the details at this time,” Wade said in a written statement released early Friday evening. “My thoughts and prayers are with all involved, including my nephew and sister. Having grown up in the inner-city, I am aware of the difficult realities that exist on the streets. One of the goals of my foundation, the Wade’s World Foundation, is to continue to spread the message that the violence needs to stop.”


This comes one week after Wade and his Miami Heat teammates spoke out on the highly publicized Trayvon Martin case.

Personally my prayers not only go out to his nephew, but to all victims of senseless violent crimes that have been plaguing the inner city youth for decades. Hopefully Wade can use his celebrity to make a difference.





Is Ricky Williams unretiring for the Chargers?

After finishing his final NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens, Ricky Williams decided to retire and call it a career.

After an interview on 103.1 FM, a radio station in Austin, Texas, Williams indicated that he would be willing to come back to play for the San Diego Chargers.

Williams ran for 444 yards on 108 carries last season and will be turning 35 in a few months. You know what that means by NFL standards. He's done.

Even though Williams hasn't had the normal wear and tear of the average NFL running back, I really don't think he would be able to carry the load if Ryan Mathews were to be hurt for an extended period of time.

It would be kind of heartwarming to see Williams come home to San Diego, but it probably won't happen. The Chargers are better off looking for younger, cheaper options.