Kobe: Paul,Rose Have That "Killer Edge"

The Los Angeles Clippers may have upstaged the Lakers last night, but as far as this season and beyond remains to be seen. Chris Paul had a good game against their co-tenants, scoring the 33 on 12-for-22 shooting from the field and six assists. Not bad in his first game against his L.A. counterparts.

You can count Kobe Bryant impressed with his performance.

"He's a dog," Kobe told reporters. "He's going to fight to win, and not too many teams can deal with him.



"Chris Paul is really the only other guy in the league, other than Derrick Rose, who has also that competitive edge," he continued.

A high compliment from someone who has that competitive fire in him at all times. The only player that had that edge like Kobe was Michael Jordan. There are others that like to win (Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Kevin Durant). But Kobe loathes losing.

I really haven't paid attention to Paul in that vain, but you see it in Rose, albeit in a quiet way.

Oregon's Darron Thomas Entering NFL Draft

Ina shcoking development, Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas has entered the NFL Draft. after the Rose Bowl many figured Thomas would be coming back for his senior season. I guess he pulled the wool over everyone's eyes on that one.

“I came to this decision on behalf of myself and my family,” Thomas said in the official release. “I have a dream of playing in the NFL and I’m going to pursue those dreams.



“I would like to thank everyone in Oregon for all their support and I would thank the coaches for all their help, especially Coach (Chip) Kelly. I love my teammates and wish them the best of luck, and am confident they will continue the winning tradition that has been established. Last but not least, I thank all the Oregon fans for their help and support.”

Thomas said that he would be coming back in December, but that won't happen now. It's a blow to a program that lost it's starting running back (LaMichael James) to the draft already. The Ducks would've been a co-favorite to win the Pac-12 with USC. Now it looks like the road for the Trojans just got a bit easier. It's not the end for the Ducks but I don't see them being the force they were over the past three seasons. Coach Chip Kelly seemed luke warm about the jump to the NFL.

“As in all cases, we educate our players with the information we feel will be beneficial to them throughout the process but ultimately, the decision is left up to the players. I will always support Darron in his decision and want to thank him for everything he has done for this program. He obviously has played a major role in elevating Oregon football to new heights and I wish him well in the future.”


As for Thomas, he's not listed in any pre-draft position rankings, so he might have a long climb ahead for him. At 6-3 and 215 pounds he could have a future at quarterback, but there are many who will call him an athlete. Maybe the success of Cam Newton gave him the idea that he may have a shot. Being a run pass threat, I think he could turn into a legit NFL quarterback. If he's given the time and coaching.  

I don't know what his line of thinking was but I'm not one to try and crush anyone's dreams. If he puts together a monster combine (if he's invited) or pro day, who knows what can happen. I would like to see him get a legitimate shot to play quarterback. If he can't hack it, change his position, or he can go to Canada. I wish him the best of luck in chsing his dreams.    

Odom Almost Took A Year Off

Lamar Odom revealed that he came close to taking a year off from basketball to get his mind together. The near trade to the New Orleans Hornets and subsequent trade to the Dallas Mavericks weren't the reasons why he had a thought about leaving.

Left reeling by the July murder of his 24-year-old cousin and a fatal car accident days later that killed a teen pedestrian after the car he was riding in as a passenger collided with a motorcycle, Odom told ESPN.com that he had to be convinced by wife Khloe Kardashian to scrap his plans for a hiatus.



"Real close," Odom said when asked Saturday how close he came to asking the Lakers for a season-long sabbatical.


"My wife talked me out of it.

"Cause I was asking myself: 'Was I mentally prepared to play? If I didn't play well, was I mentally prepared to help the team?' I had thought, 'Maybe I need a year.' Because of the lockout, I thought, 'Maybe somebody's sending me a sign that I needed this time off.'


"(But) when I told some of my friends and my family that I was thinking about steppin' back for a minute, I think the reaction from the closest people to me kind of gave me the energy to get back at it."

With some of the events that have transpired recently in Odom's life I have to take him at his word. Sometimes tragic events stick with someone forever. With what Odom has gone through, you just don't get over it, so being traded is small potaotes in his prism of life.

But Odom, dismissing the notion of a trade hangover, said Saturday that the events of July made him realize "how much I wasn't over some of the things that I went through (in life)," most notably the death of 6-month-old son Jayden in 2006 from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).



"I thought it was good time for me to take a step back," Odom said of his sabbatical idea. Asked if he imagined it as just a one-season break, Odom added: "I don't know. 'Cause who knows where time away is gonna take you? You never know."

Who wouldn't want to take a break after all the drama. However, since he has been in the NBA there has always looked like something was amiss with Odom. He just looked like the classic floater, with the Clippers more than anyone, but he was supposed to be a game changer when he came out of Rhode Island. He gets by on being so talented and athletic he really doesn't work too hard at it, but he's still a damn good player.

Hopefully he can get his head straight and help the Mavericks defend their title. It's been a rough start for Odom and the Mavericks, but I'm sure he'll start to put everything together after he gets a little more comfortable.

Ndamukong Suh Says Players Respect How He Plays

The 2011-2012 NFL season was a disappointing one for Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Well at least for many fans and experts. He might tell you that he had a pretty good season.

After a dominating rookie season, the whispers started that Suh was a dirty player. I always thought he played hard, had an edge, but wasn't dirty. When you're so much stronger than the player across from you,a routine play can look like he's brutalizing someone. There was a poll taken duirng the season amongst NFL players and Suh was voted the dirtiest in the game. Suh also believes he's one of the most respected.

In an interview with NFL magazine, Suh said that many would like to be on his side.

“The players who said I am the dirtiest player in the league, it’s ultimately their opinion, but I would love to hear from many of them on their true opinion on that,” Suh said. “A lot of players have told me they see me as a protector of my teammates, that, side by side, I’m there when something goes down, and I step up beside them and for them when things get nasty. I play the game hard, and I play it physical.”

The dirty tag will stick with him until further notice. The fact that none of his teammates really had his back when he made the stomp on Green Bay's Evan Dietrich-Smith on Thanksgiving didn't help his cause.

Maybe the opinions of two Hall of Famers could help him out. Richard Dent and Bruce Smith both said that they like the way Suh plays.

Hall of Famer Bruce Smith said he showed his son Alston, a high school defensive tackle who recently committed to Virginia Tech, a tape of Suh to demonstrate the right way to play the position. And Hall of Famer Richard Dent said he likes what Suh does — he just thinks Suh needs to learn how to channel his rage.


“Be smarter, get the next play, take your game to the next level,” Dent said. “Suh has to let his work be his message. Control that anger. You embarrass the guy in front of you with your play, you kick his ass that way, that’s the greatest response.”


I won't call him dirty just yet, but if he has more incidents like the Thanksgiving stomp, he'll wear the tag forever.





 




      

Michigan State Thinking Of A Hockey Game On An Aircraft Carrier

Michigan State was the first school to play an outdoor hockey game (versus Michigan). The Spartans were the first to play a basketball game on an aircraft carrier (versus North Carolina). The people at Michigan State arer now thinking of another first. The first to play a hockey game on an aircraft carrier.

Athletic director Mark Hollis mentioned today that he has been approached about the possibility. He made a brief appearance at Munn Ice Arena before hockey coach Tom Anastos held an informal session with reporters. Hollis then traveled to Indianapolis to attend the NCAA convention and did not return calls seeking more details.


Anastos sounds like he's in favor of the idea.

“I just think when you can create good, unique experiences for the student-athletes, it is definitely worth exploring.”


I don't watch college hockey but if a game on an aircraft carrier materializes, I might actually take the time to check it out.  

Tebow Invited To Lead Prayer At Colorado House Of Reps.

All Tebow, all the time. it seems we can't get away from Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. There is always some kind of news involving Tebow. See how many times I've mentioned his name?

The latest news is that Democratic Rep. Sal Pace has invited Tebow to lead them in the morning prayer. Pace said in the letter that Tebow is an excellent choice to "give Colorado's elected officials guidance as we take on the important task of leading Colorado."

"You have inspired Colorado. You have inspired America!" Pace wrote. "Throughout your career you have consistently proven the naysayers wrong."


"By leading the Denver Broncos into the playoffs, and giving us our first playoff victory in six years, you have given all of Colorado something to cheer about, in times that have been filled with all too often negative news," Pace said in the letter.


"Our schedule is flexible, as we do not want to take you away from any practice prior to the AFC Championship game or Super Bowl," Pace wrote while making the assumption that the Broncos will pull off another upset this weekend.

Tebow's not my favorite player, but I do give him scores of credit for putting together the kind of season he has. Not many gave him a chance when he came out of Florida for the NFL Draft. Now he's quickly embarking on legend status, at least in Denver. I just find it comical that he receives all this press and others look to him for inspiration.

I don't think he can pull off the win against the New England Patriots  this weekend, but anything is possible in the world of Tebow.













Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71419.html#ixzz1jRUfb76N

Villanueva Wants To Prove His Worth

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva hasn’t had a bunch of playing time this season stemming from his suspension at the beginning of the season and an injury to his right ankle.


Because of these setbacks, Villanueva has only played a total of six minutes the past ten games and the lack of playing time has really started to frustrate the veteran forward.

“It’s frustrating because you get a new start, new coach, new staff, you kind of want to go out there and show what you can do,” Villanueva told the Detroit Free Press. “Then you start off being suspended the first couple of games, and then my ankle. So I really just haven’t had the opportunity to go out there and play. It’s been frustrating.”

"Of course it's frustrating because I want to be out there and help the team win," he said. "But my health is not allowing me to do this."

Now it’s not only important that Villanueva get on the floor for his own career, but Joe Dumars and new head coach Lawrence Frank need to decide together as to whether or not he is worth keeping around. Villanueva has two-years and $16.64 million remaining on his contract with it being very possible that Dumars waives him come July via amnesty.

A trade more than likely isn’t possible due to Villanueva having zero trade value. He has shown flashes before but as a fan I still want to see what he can do. Maybe he can help the Pistons get better or inflate his trade value where thye can unload him and get some younger, cheaper help.