Running 'Fore the Weekend

I've seen PTI numerous times but today is the first time I ever noticed that they call their countdown the "rundown" - that's what I get for always trying to multi-task. Rest assured that I thought I was the only one running it down on a daily basis. I see I have company. Good company. Without further ado:

1. They're calling this a blockbuster trade, but I think that's just because it involved so many players. The main points of the trade is that LeBron the Cleveland Cavaliers get Ben Wallace from the Chicago Bulls and supermodelWally Szczerbiak (that's a lot of consonants) from the Seattle Supersonics, and the Cavs sent Drew Gooden and two other players with whom I'm not all that familiar. The Supersonics get Donyell Marshall and two other players whose names you probably wouldn't recognize. Interesting. So I guess this means that the Cavs have finally decided that LeBron will score all the points, since this trade means that the Cavs will be playing 4 on 5 in every game. Not their best work.

2. Some people don't like to eat at other people's houses if they think the house is dirty. Usually this is not a problem, and you can politely decline a meal or two. But when you are there for nearly three weeks, and you bring your own food in the house, at some point the host is bound to get upset. Which brings me to #2: I am thoroughly amused by the fact that China is upset at the U.S. for deciding to bring its own food to the Olympics this summer. Recently, China has had some issues with food quality. Not "oh this meat may have not been refrigerated" issues. More like "oh **** how did that poison get in there" problems. I'd bring my own food, too.

3. The New England Patriots decided not to hit Randy Moss with the franchise tag. This whole concept is funny to me, but I guess this means that he will have some bargaining chips now. You have to wonder about the power of the NFLPA (players association) when "getting slapped with the franchise tag" is a concept that made its way into the collective bargaining agreement. Something seems fundamentally unfair about this given how short their careers can be.

4. The New Jersey Nets' Richard Jefferson is in trouble for allegedly choking a man to unconsciousness who wanted him to leave a private party. Um. I'll just wait for the entire story to emerge.

5. University of Tennessee All-American baller Candace Parker has decided to forego her senior year of college and enter the WNBA draft. Hmm. She would likely be the top pick of the draft, going to the Los Angeles Spark. L.A. = one of top markets = endorsement deals. And Hollywood. Can't forget that. Yeah, this is probably a good move. And she's going to graduate before the draft. I'd call this a good move.

And one for the road: The Boston Celtics dropped another one to Golden State. Just a few hours ago, ESPN said that the Phoenix Suns/Celtics game might be a preview for the NBA Finals. Slow down, boys.

Have a great weekend!

Best Team in Atlanta Doesn't Have Any Players Yet

So Atlanta has a new team in town.

The WNBA has decided to expand their brand with a new franchise in the "New York of the South." This blogger was quite modest about his feelings on this decision:

The NBA has a hard time expanding, and their game is actually interesting to watch, and we certainly can't make that distinction for the WNBA. It's amazing that this story even exists. They bring a game that no one cares about to a town that doesn't care about basketball. Should be a happy marriage.

I'm sure a lot of people agree with this sentiment, including the one comment to that post:

"Awards"? [In reference to title of this ESPN.com article] That's not really the first word that came to mind when I read that. I was thinking something closer to "forces upon".

I think that's a little bit harsh. I just read an article about how buying boxes for WNBA games are great marketing tools for companies and small businesses alike. It's taking some time, but the league is fairly new, and it's growing. Heck, I even watched the WNBA Finals, and as I reported, they were surprisingly exciting - much more so than the championships of their male counterparts.

Considering the state of sports teams in Atlanta, this can only be an improvement. The Falcons (no comments necessary), the Braves (ok, but just ok), the Thrashers (the who?), and the Hawks. Right now, Atlanta sports writers are saying the Hawks are going to be the best team in town, right after admitting that the city's been conditioned to laugh hard when the Hawks are mentioned. (Just keep in mind that one decent draft does not a great season make.) If you don't believe me, check these comments from the new franchise owner, J. Ronald Terwilliger, that the team does not have to be affiliated with an NBA team, as previously mandated by the WNBA:

Terwilliger said not having to be affiliated with an NBA team was one of the main reasons he pursued a franchise. That means, Terwilliger said, he won't have to "be distracted by going off and selling Hawks tickets."

Perhaps it's just me, but I read this to mean that trying to sell Hawks tickets is a bit like trying to get that piece of toilet paper off the bottom of your shoe: not going anywhere.

So maybe this WNBA team will be the best thing to happen to Atlanta sports in a long time. There should be a lot of support for them, especially if they start winning. One thing's for sure: they're coming in with one of the best winning percentages in town, and they haven't even played a game. Now that's impressive.