There’s been other discussions regarding how this accomplishment has eliminated borders.  There are people all over the world who have been rooting for Phelps to break the record.  There were even Chinese people at the games who began chanting “USA. USA.”  columnists all over have hailed this as an example of how the world can come together and forget about nationalism.  Something is lost though as I don’t feel it’s so much about being part of one world as it is witnessing history.

Tragedy struck the Olympics early on as the in-laws for volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon were attacked with his father-in-law being fatally wounded.  Nations expressed sorrow for what happened and I would imagine some are secretly rooting for the Americans to do well or even win the tournament.  The Chinese organizers were quick to condemn the act and offer condolences to the family and the entire United States Olympic team.  Breaking down borders?  I think not.  This was an act of a hardline, iron fisted regime trying to scrape the egg off their faces in an effort to stage the “perfect” event.  But again, that’s not the example that I’m speaking of.

Portland Oregonian newspaper columnist John Canzano is covering the Olympics from Bejing.  His columns have dealt more on the human element of these games than the actual athletic competition itself.  After Phelps won his 8th gold, Canzano wrote his column outlining what he believed to be shining examples of how people were not rooting for their own country, which shows how we’ve become one as a people.  As I read through the column there was mention of people in a Chinese marketplace who were all tuned to the race in some sort of manner.  Cheers arose as Phelps won the race and conversations carried on about the accomplishment.  One conversation struck me as to how we are still not to the point of doing away with nationalism.

Phelps’ athletic achievements will no doubt go down in history as one of the greatest ever.  Communists, muslims and others rooted for this American.  However, there was a comment by a woman in the Chinese marketplace that should stand out as an example of how far we still have to go.  She spoke of Phelps’ greatness, and how great it was that he was able to make this accomplishment.  However, as she finished her thoughts she made the comment, “It would have been better had he been Chinese.”  Yes, we will root for somebody to accomplish this feat, but it would be better had it been somebody from our own country.  This comment was glossed over by Mr. Canzano and has not been picked up by anybody else that I have noticed.

This line of thinking is what lies at the fundamental difference between people.  It’s what separates Christians from Muslims; Jews from Arabs.  Have your achievments, but it would be so much better if it were one of my own.  If we, as a people, can get past the want (or need in some instances) of thinking things are better if done by our own then we may have a chance.  Peace can not exist until such thoughts are stricken from our minds.  What gets lost in ideology and centuries of hate is the most basic thought of all.  Ultimately we are all of one race…..the Human race.

With a spate of off-season, in-season and pre-season activities several stand out as a testament to the depths taken to establish a heirarchy of idiocy.  Those actions that makes one shake their head and wonder how big of a spectacle professional athletes can make themselves.  There is never a shortage of fodder as these overpaid, spoiled rotten mopes misbehave and prove that the cream doesn’t always rise to the top.  I would like to take a few moments and pass out butthead awards for the more memorable morons.

Just to get it over with, because I’m so sick of hearing about it, I’ll start with the Brett Favre situation.  Both sides deserve butthead designation.  For the last several years Favre has been as commital as a Nevada prostitute with a marriage proposal.  First he wants to retire, then he doesn’t.  Changes his mind again, then decides he wants to give it another shot.  Holy crap!  Make up your mind and stick with it.  Such a scene was made coming down the strech of last season.  Tearing up each time it was thought “this is it” got a little old.  There seemed to be some sincerity at the press conference announcing retirement, going so far as to say you didn’t have the desire.  A few months later the desire magically reappeared?  I know a person has the right to change their mind, but couldn’t you make a decision in the last 3 years?

Packers’ management wasn’t much better.  I mean come on, he’s Brett freakin’ Favre!  Open competition at quaterback?  Who are you kidding.  He’s Brett freakin’ Favre!  The best thing management could have done was to keep their mouths shut.  “No comment” would have been a much better thing to say than to live the illusion that Aaron Rodgers should be competing with Favre for the starting position.  I mean, he’s Brett freakin’ Favre!  Both sides deserve a butthead for this one.

Baseball has long been sprinkled with dugout confrontations.  Who can forget Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent.  Or the legendary squabbles between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson.  Those were really sweet, weren’t they?  However, the recent dispute between Prince (are you kidding me?) Fielder and pitcher Manny Parra not only doesn’t quite measure up to those classic confrontations, but is a little disturbing in how it went down.  To set the stage, Manny Parra was lifted for a pinch hitter.  As with most competitors Parra was a little miffed about being taken out of the game.  Sources indicate that he wanted to retreat to the clubhouse but that Fielder got into his face about it.  First off, I commend Fielder for stepping up and saying something to a teammate who is obviously pouting about being removed from the game.  On the surface one would think he did the right thing.  However, after “discussing” their points of view Fielder attacked Parra in the dugout.  It took 4 players to get Fielder off Parra and keep him away.  Did he just discover Parra was a child murderer of something?  Nothing should set off such rage.  In one fell swoop Fielder went from leader to butthead.  There was no need to jump your pitcher like that.  Parra was obviously not expecting it and the actions were completely unwarranted.  And of course, nobody’s talking except to say it’s an internal matter.  Making a member of your team stay on the bench through a difficult loss does show the makings of a leader.  However, resorting to violence to get your point across is immature and not the sign of somebody who you would want to represent your organization.  There have been rumors as to the attitude of Fielder and this episode illustrates how this talented individual really isn’t that much of a team player.  Have a butthead.  You deserve it.

Staying with baseball, has there been a more bizarre series of events the preceded Manny Ramirez being traded?  As I’ve stated before, Manny being Manny has been a sorry excuse that has gone on for too long.  Finally, the Red Sox agreed.  Somebody who fakes an injury in an effort to make a point shows that indivual has absolutely no integrity whatsoever.  Obviously Manny thinks only of himself and not his teammates.  How can somebody who is supposed to be a professional put their own petty thoughts above the greater need, which is to win.  That’s what professional sports are all about.  You win as a team, you lose as a team.  Except in this case Manny is the loser.  Why?  After the trade reports have surfaced that his agent, the notorious Scott Boras, advised the Red Sox that if they dropped the last year of Manny’s contract, which was a team option, then there would be no more misbehaving from his client.  Are you kidding me?  This is absolute proof that this wasn’t a case of Manny being Manny but a calculated move to be a disruptive presence in order to get your way.  Again, immature and the actions of an individual, not a team player.  Since the trade Manny has been on a tear.  Lack of integrity and character are not values that should be present in somebody many feel is a lock for the Hall of Fame.  Mark McGwire is being blocked from the Hall for speculation.  You can be assured that he would have never exhibited this type of behavior.  What a twisted view those voters must have if they’d disqualify one of the greats because of accusations but seem intent on voting in somebody who has no concern for anything except himself.  For Manny being Manny, here’s your butthead.

Finally, we’re brought to somebody who has been annointed with a special honor only to sully it since.  Previously I wrote about how Ray Allen should be the example that all in the NBA should follow.  That posting was greeted by “Mark” who had a fabulous beginning to a rambling that can be compared to an addict who has discovered his methadone has run out.  Calling me an idiot was a witty and well thought comeback.  I’m still stinging from that one.  By the way “Mark”.  I’ve used some pretty big words this time, with complete sentances and everything.  I sure hope you’ve been able to keep up.  But I digress.  (Sorry “Mark”.  Another fancy word.)  Paul Pierce was crowned NBA Finals MVP.  What has he done since to “represent”?  Plenty.  First there was the comments made about being the best player in the NBA.  Seriously?  It took a couple of major trades to bring you a title.  Kobe Bryant took his team to the finals with a much less talented supporting cast.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I really don’t like Kobe.  I’m not a Lakers’ fan (anymore) and have absolutely no allegiance to LA.  One does not have to be enamored with a player to recognize talent.  Larry Bird used to piss me off.  He would stand in the corner and swish just about everything he put up.  It drove me nuts.  However, I always knew larry Legend was one of the best ever to play the game.  I didn’t like him, but I respected his game.  Same with Kobe.  Before Pierce should start proclaiming his greatness he needs to take a look at the talent well ahead of him.  LeBron James anybody?  By the way, Paul, where will you be spending the next few weeks.  In China?  I didn’t think so.  The latest incident occurred during a traffic stop in Las Vegas.  Pierce’s behavior was such that police felt the need to handcuff him.  No citations were issued and Pierce was released.  However, his actions were not representative of somebody who has received one of the NBA’s highest honors.  does anybody believe that Ray Allen would have acted this way?  I didn’t think so.

This list is by no means all inclusive.  There are examples of buttheadedness that occur on a consistent basis.  It would take a full website and a team of full-time bloggers to document every instance.  There are just instances that have stuck in my mind recently.  Rest assured, with the amount of money thrown around and the lack of character that many professional athletes possess there will continue to be actions added to the list.

The interviewers are none other than the Slump-Buster himself, Mark Grace.  Does everybody remember his discussion about what he did whenever he was in a hitting slump?  Whichever town he was currently in, he would go to a bar, get lit, find the biggest woman he could find, and I quote, “Lay the wood to her.”  How classic is that?  And this guy is interviewing some of baseball’s royalty.  Fox has some bimbo named Charissa Thompson doing the other interviews.  She is quite a hottie, but dumb as a post.  She interviewed Jonathon Papelbon about the possible decision that he, and not Mariano Rivera closing the game, and he made a comment about needing to be in the Popemobile.  Ms. Thompson didn’t quite understand his analogy (that’s a comparison for those who are vocabularly challenged) and laughed it off saying it was some sort of technical thing.  Well, she doesn’t have to be smart.  Just looking at her is good enough.  Great legs.

Interviews have been done with such great players as George Brett, whose infamous Pine-tar incident was in…..New York.  Each new block, George gets the chant of “pine-tar; pine-tar”.  Gotta love those New York fans.  Mike Schmidt looks old next to Chase Utley, but man did that dude have a stick.  And at the hot corner, what a beast.

Heroes of old were so much fun to watch.  They consistently made the difficult look routine, and the impossible look spectacular.  Some of my favorites were Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron and who I still will argue was the best baseball player ever….Willie Mays.  To watch these men play a game with such ease inspired every little boy with a glove to have dreams of becoming a major league player.  Hell, I used to wear #9 in Little League, Reggie Jackson’s number while he was with the A’s.

Players today, without a doubt, are much more the physical speciman than those who played long ago.  I can’t argue that but with technology as it is today, with the grind of the game, this is more of a requirement.  There’s something missing today though.  Something that leaves me somewhat empty.  I can’t relate.  Was it a little boy’s dream of wanting to be as good as his friend?  Wanting to be just like Willie, Henry or Reggie?  It’s hard to say.  Something back in those days seemed so pure.  Maybe a little innocent, or romantic about it?  OH MY GOD!!!!  The bimbo is interviewing the Hammer!  Just seeing him on TV brings chills down my spine.  Having the homerun record and the trials he endured were more than a lot of players now can handle.  He had to put up with death threats all the time.  Kind of makes rumors about banging Madonna seem like a walk in the park.  In fact, I wish somebody would accuse me of having an affair with Madonna.

Yankee Stadium is one of the last, grand cathederals left.  The history that will only be remembered in film and minds is some of what made baseball so great.  Moving to a new “Yankee Stadium” kind of seems hollow to me.  It’s just an example of how far baseball is moving away from the golden times.  As much as I loathe the Red Sox, Fenway should never be recreated or destroyed.  Same with Wrigley field.  Shlink Lincoln and I started to think about stadiums we would want to put on our Bucket List and those two are at the top.  Make things pure again.  I love the gesture of trying to link to the glorious past of baseball, but it may be too little too late.

Okay, enough on that.  I sit here changing channels between 3rd round coverage of the PGA AT&T National and the Yankees/Red Sox game.  First, an opinion on the state of the PGA (of course you knew I have an opinion).  I think Tiger being out is one of the better things for the PGA.  My reasoning is that the occassional viewer can now get to know the games of players they may not have necessarily known had Tiger stayed healthy.  It’s usually “Hey!  Let’s see Tiger’s shot and, oh by the way, the leader just made eagle on 7….which we will replay for you after we watch Tiger.”  Nothing against Tiger.  I’m a big fan of Eldrick’s.  I love watching some of the freaking crazy shots that guy makes.  It totally bakes my noodle watching another human being do the things that he does.  No.  My point is that we will get to see at least a dozen more players who each week do very well.  Kenny Perry is the next big thing.  His redneck, easy-going demeanor is just what the sport needs.  Steve Stricker is a might fine player in his own right.

I could go on and on listing those who I feel deserve some extra attention, but you should check it out for yourself.  I know there will be more than a few names you’ve never heard of but will show up for the FedEx Cup playoffs as well as the Ryder Cup.

Now, I have a question to ask of you….and please comment with your answer and some examples.  Is it possible to hate a particular organization but really like and respect the individuals who play for them?  I mentioned the Yankees and Red Sox.  Two of the most polarizing franchises in all of sports.  You either hate them or love them.  Of course, if you love the Yankees you absolutely hate the Red Sox.  If you love the Red Sox, nothing gets you more fired up than anything having to do with the Yankees.  I can’t stand either.  Oh, it was nice to see Boston finally win a World Series, but enough.  Shut up and go away for another 86 years.

There are more than a few players on each team that I truly enjoy to watch.  Regardless of what anybody thinks personally of the man, Derek Jeter is one of the greatest players ever.  He is always a professional, consistent and you know exactly what you’re going to get from him.  A lot of people continue to pile on A-Rod.  Enough is enough.  Yeah, I loathed him during the “Pay-Rod” era when he initially went to Texas.  However, the guy just keeps producing and, barring injury or a drug scandle, could very well challenge the career home run  record.  Oh, and the dude can run.  (He just stole second)  Mike Mussina, Johnny Damon, Melki Cabrera (A-Rod just took 3rd) and the only guy in all of Major League Baseball that has been honest about their steroid use, Jason Giambi.  The manager, Joe Girardi, is a very good manager.  He got totally jobbed in Florida who didn’t have enough sense to keep the individual who won Manager of the Year.  Wow.  That’s pretty stupid.  Of course this list isn’t all inclusive.

On the Red Sox side you’ve got Tim Wakefield, Oregon native Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youklis, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew.  Power, speed, professionalism.  Very good to great players all.  But I just can’t stand the organization.  Same with the Yankees.  I root for these players individually, but I don’t want to see the team (franchise) have any success.

Notice I didn’t mention Manny Ramirez.  Is there a bigger putz in all of baseball?  The mantra “Manny being Manny” is an old, tired excuse.  Let me refresh some memories on what a jackass this guy is.  A few weeks ago Manny had to be separated from Kevin Youklis in the dugout over what’s being termed a “misunderstanding.”  Then, just this week, a Red Sox travelling secretary (It was a guy, don’t get all freaked out) advised Ramirez he may not be able to come up with the 16 tickets Manny wanted for that night’s game.  Enraged, Ramirez knocked that guy to the floor.  Some reports indicate it was a shove, but as big and strong as Ramirez is….he knocked the guy down.  He’s still on the team and there was no discipline.  Quite ironice that Shawn Chacon of the Astros did pretty much the same thing to his General Manager and he was released.  I know there are differences here.  Chacon shoved his General Manager while Ramirez knocked down a lowly secretary.  Who gives a damn?!  They each had a physical confrontation with a team employee.  The other difference was that Chacon was struggling and Ramirez is one of the best in baseball.  It was just “Manny being Manny”.  Bullcrap!  Somebody needs to send this joker a message that his behavior is no longer quaint.  He should have been at least suspended but since he’s as good as he is it would never happen. 

Come to think of it, maybe that’s why I can’t stand these franchises.  The way they do business is a joke.  Sure, they make millions of dollars but we as fans deserve better.  Oh well.  I’m just one voice.  They don’t care what I think and never will.  You can be sure that the wuss know as Commissioner Selig will keep his craggy head in the sand and continue to let “Manny be Manny.”

1. Chicago - Derrick Rose.  Duuuuhhhhhh!!!!!  This is the absolute can’t-miss individual in the draft.  This kid is a pure point guard.  He penetrates and kicks extremely well, he can jump through the roof and he’s as smart as a whip.  The only knock on Rose is that he doesn’t have a pure shot.  So?  Neither did MJ, but he developed one.

2. Miami - Michael Beasley.  Another no-brainer.  It’s difficult to understand where that talk about Pat Riley not being sure about him, something along the lines of some character issues.  Immature maybe?  Could be all that talk was either a smoke-screen, or something to generate interest in a trade.  Stay tuned as I will make updates as they happen.

3. Minnesota - O.J. Mayo.  Hey, wasn’t there another O.J. from USC?  Something about hacking up his ex-wife and her, ahem, friend.  Mayo is a great player with a 5 cent head.  Talk about your character issues.  He was busted in 2007 for a marijuana charge, which was subsequently dropped.  Marijuana?  He’ll fit in perfect in the NBA.

Update**** - O.J. Mayo being interviewed states he will bring leadership to Minnesota.  Yeah, if somebody needs a bong for a smoke-out.  What a punk-ass biznatch.

4. Seattle - Adrian Peterson?  Oh, they’re not in Oklahoma just yet.  62 losses last year.  They select Russell Westbrook from UCLA.  Stud on defense, can put up some highlight dunks.  With Kevin Durant, can you say ruuuuunnnnn!  Expect Seattle to have an up-tempo game next year.

How much does Stephen A. Smith suck?  Or blow, for that matter.  The guy can’t shut up and he usually doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.  He totally hates on west coast basketball.

5. Memphis - After Pau Gasol’s disappearence in the finals, that deal doesn’t look all that bad.  Fear not kids.  Memphis will find a way to screw this up.  Kevin Love.  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.  Another punk.  He’ll enjoy languishing in the crap-hole of the NBA that is Memphis.  There’s some concern about Love’s weight.  Fantastic.  Put him in a city known for BBQ.  Don’t be surprised ifhe balloons up like Kevin Duckworth.  (That dude’s freakin’ huge!)  Now I’m kind of glad he didn’t go to Oregon.  One and done.  Not a team oriented type of person.

6. New York - Who will the fans boo this year?  The natives are getting restless.  Where does this new Isiah-less era go?  Having Mike D’Antoni as coach is a definite upgrade.  Danilo Gallinari.  OMG!  The fans are freaking out.  The poor kid.  He doesn’t know what he’s in store for.  The kid’s only 19.  It’s going to take a few years for him to develop.  He’s a tough guy, but is he tough enough to handle those NY fans?  We’ll see.

Jay Bilas sure tells it like it is.  Everybody else is rubbing up to Gallinari, but Bilas talks about his weaknesses.  Nice job Jay.

7. LA Clippers - Eric Gordon.  Is that Ben’s little brother?  Big guard (6′3″, over 200 lbs).  The kid has a stroke.  He can put it up from anywhere.  Not a good ball handler, but he sure can score.  Do the Clips have somebody who can get him the rock?  Crap, I don’t know.  I don’t pay much attention to them, except that I see they’re always in the lottery.

Stephen A. Smith really is a moron.  Doesn’t want to knock Gordon?  He’d hammer you little man.

How ugly is the international ball?  What’s with that funky yellow stripe?  Trying to be like the WNBA and differentiate from the Association?

8. Milwaukee - Joe Alexander.  Great pick.  This kid has so much potential.  I hope being in dairy country doesn’t stunt his growth.  This guy is extremely athletic and his work ethic is tremendous.  Much more impressive than last year’s choice )which, by the way, is now in New Jersey).  It would have been nice to see this guy in a Trailblazers’ jersey.  Oh well.  I’ll step out right now.  This guy is my favorite for R.O.Y.

9. Charlotte - Too bad MJ can’t evaluate talent like he could play.  Well, compared to the greatest there is no way to tell.  When you have performed at such a high level  everybody else just plain sucks.  DJ Augustin.  Crap.  I really thought he was going to Portland.  Well, with their GM doing what is now called the “Pritch-slap” on all his trades last year, you never know.  Augustin is quite awesome.  Second best point in the draft, maybe even 1b.  If Charlotte keeps him then they have made an excellent choice.  They’ve ignored their need of going big, but maybe MJ can redeem himself much like Danny Ainge did last year.  Time will tell.

10. New Jersey - Rumor has it that Portland has traded into this spot.  Will their selection tell the story?  The need is for low-post scoring.  Need?  or want?  Brook Lopez.  Well, now we know Portland definitely jump into this spot.  Lopez is the better of the twins.  He’s tough (which folks from New Jersey really like) and can defend the paint with authority.  I hated him playing for Stanford against my beloved Ducks, but he is a force.  Could be the steal of the draft.

11. Indiana - Jerryd Bayless.  Another Pac-10 guy. 5 of the first 11.  Wow!  ACC and SEC can kiss my ass.  Good solid pick.  He can get up and down quick but needs some improvement with his passing.  He’ll get to learn from TJ Ford, which is always a positive.  Smart kid.  Says he’ll play wherever the coach tells him to.

12. Sacramento - Jason Thompson.  High on many draft boards, but maybe not quite this high.  He’s a big guy who can rebound.  He will probably be a bit of a project, but he’s smart.  Another milk-toast player on a milk-toast team.  Is there any other team as boring as the Kings?

13. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS!!!!!!!! - This pick will be intriguing at best.  Will they keep him?  Who would they trade it to?  Brandon Rush.  There’s been talk of sending a few players out.  Rush is a good athlete, but is he really who Portland wants?  He shoots well and can defend exceptionally well.  We’ll see what happens.  If they keep him, say goodbye to Martell Webster.  Damn, I’ve got several of his autographed cards.  Maybe he can blow up somewhere else.  Be prepared for an update.

14. Golden State - They absolutely don’t want to part with Monta Ellis.  Good idea.  The guy is going to be a freak.  Anthony Randolph.  Jay Bilas called this one.  The guy is big and versatile, but he’s young (7th freshman) and skinny.  He will need to get much bigger and stronger to be successful.  He has mad skills but can he withstand the bump and grind of the NBA?  We’ll see, but don’t expect much from his this coming season.

15. Phoenix - Another foil for Shaq?  What a dick he’s really turning out to be even without the whole Kobe thing.  I’m not a Kobe lover, but can’t Shaq just shut the hell up?  What am I saying?  Of course he can’t.  The pick?  Robin Lopez.  Not a horrible pick, but he probably should have gone a little lower.  He’ll have a very good defensive presence, and he shoots free throws much better than Shaq, but that’s not really saying much.  Another Pac-10 guy.  Nice hair dude.  Looks like a cross between Side-show Bob and Justin Guarini (yes, I threw down an American Idol reference.  Sometimes I’m such a pussy).

16. Philadelphia - Marreese Speights.  Nice spelling.  He’s not even at the draft.  That should tell you something.  He has some offensive gifts but he’s not a dominate player.  Wimps out from time to time and doesn’t push himself.  He needs to learn that right away.

17. Toronto - This pick will go to Indiana via trade.  Indiana chooses, I mean, Toronto chooses Roy Hibbert.  This guy is huge.  7′2″ and 278 lbs.  He’s got good offense skills but is a little slow in transition and on defense.  He’s a monster though.  With Jermaine O’Neal gone from Indiana, this makes the most sense.

Don’t you just feel sorry for that poor sap who is the last in the greenroom?  There have been selections made ahead of Darrell Arthur who are not even at the draft.  A little embarrassing.

Hey look!  Terry Porter.  We love you in Portland Terry!  Good luck.

18. Washington - JaVale McGee.  Hmmmm.  His mother was an all-American at USC and played in the WNBA.  The first mother-son combination.  What a nice thing to be known for.  The kid has a wing-span that goes forever.  Maybe a little bit of a project, but this guy can play.

 Update:  Portland acquires Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless from Indiana for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush.  See?  I told you Portland wouldn’t sit tight.  Diogu will be cool to watch heave up shots that will go in a lot.  My thinking is that they still need to get that prototypical point guard.  Could Webster be next out?  I’m not sure that I really like all of this trade.  I understand that you’ve got to give up something to get something, but I’m just not that excited about Bayless.  Pritchard has been a draft-day genius, so I’ll trust him…for now.

19. Cleveland - A year removed from the finals.  Some guy named Labron plays there.  They’re starting to put some parts in around James but really need some offense to take the pressure off him.  J.J. Hickson.  A beast in the post.  Bilas called this as well.  (better than Mel)  Some say he’s undersized as an NBA 4, but the guy can play.  Needs some of the veterans to stay on him to perform all the time, but his post presence on offense certainly will help.

20. Charlotte - Can MJ make another decent pick?  Alexi Ajinca.  A freakin’ Frenchman?  The guy is tall with a wingspan of 7′8″.  Holy crap!  He not really that good of a player and needs a lot of work.  Look for this guy to stay in Europe for at least another year or two.  Wasted pick?  Quite possibly.

Update: Josh McRoberts thrown into deal between Portland and Indiana.  Good young talent, but Portland needed to clear out a few to make some great moves.

21. New Jersey - How to improve on that steal at #10.  Can they do it again?  Ryan Anderson.  Another not in attendance.  Who is going to give Arthur some relief?  Anderson passes well and shoot the lights out.  He’s tall (6′10″) and can step out to the 3.  New Jersey fans will like this guy.  This is shaping up to be a good day for the Nets.  With their picks and their trade they got bigger and tougher without losing quickness.  Nicely done.  Watch for NJ next season.

22. Orlando - Dwight Howard.  What a freak.  I love watching this guy play.  He’ll be great for several years.  Now all he needs is somebody to take some offensive pressure off him, or can get him the ball.  Courtney Lee.  A senior so there’s some maturity there.  Jay Bilas likes him so he must be pretty decent.  Can’t say I’ve heard much about him but I respect that he stayed in for 4 years….but how many freshman from Western Kentucky have declared?

Kiki is one ugly dude.  Portland fans will never forget the 3-for-Kiki trade.  Ouch.

23. Utah - Kosta Koufos, rhymes with dufus.  Big dude.  Really big dude.  He’s gotta be tough for Jerry Sloan to want him.  A bit of a project, but Utah can wait.  Oh yeah, another freshman.

24. Seattle - Serge Ibaka.  Who?  Big, tall guy but who knows much about him.  Well, the experts do.  The prevailing thought is that he’ll stay in Spain for the next several years.  Okay then.  I don’t care about him until talk gets to him coming into the league.  They just said he has 17 siblings.  Holy crap!  Not much to do in the Congo is there?

25. Houston - Nicolas Batum.  Another Frenchman.  Does he know defense?  France certainly doesn’t.  Shoots well but that’s about it.  I don’t think we’re going to see much of this mope.  This late in the first round you see a lot of picks burned.  I think that’s what this was.

Darrell Arthur has a medical concern?  Wow.  How could that stay under wraps until now?  He should have known something like this was going to happen.  If not, he’s got crappy representation.  Somebody should have been in his ear.  It’s quite possible he doesn’t go in the first round.  That would suck, but it’s is own fault.  I don’t feel sorry for this dope any more.

26. San Antonio - George Hill.  IUPUI.  That’s Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.  Huh?  Sounds like an identity crisis.  Are they Indiana University or Purdue University?  Well, the second most boring team in the NBA would make a choice like this.  The guy is a physical speciman, but how will that translate into an NBA career?  Wait and see.  There’s a lot of that this year.

27. New Orleans, or Portland - Portland bought this pick for $3mil.  Hmmm.  I wonder what they’re going to do with this.  Chances are they will package it for a deal, but you never know.  It also could be for a player overseas.  Portland is known for that (Rodriguez, Fernandez).  I hate those choices most of the time.  It’s a waste of a pick.  If you’re going to do that, take a solid guy that’s suffered, I mean spent 4 years at college.  That bunghole David Stern blows about trying to have players go to school with his lame idea of increasing the age-limit.  Stand behind your words or shut the hell up.  Well what do you know.  Portland’s done the decent thing and drafted Darrell Arthur, and he gets a nice ovation from the New York fans.  Don’t expect him to stay in Portland though.  He’s a good player, but I’m betting he’ll be switching hats before all is said and done.  They just interviewed his mom and she had quit her job as….a truckdriver.  Don’t piss her off.

28. Memphis - Donte` Greene.  Another freakin’ freshman.  Mr. Stern, your plan sucks.   A perimeter player with suspect decision maiking.  Needs to really mature, but is that possible in Memphis?  They really needed to get tougher down low and this does nothing for that.

29. Detroit - What can the Pistons do to get over that conference finals hump?  Can the coach?  Done.  What piece is missing.  Does anybody really think they can do that with this pick?  Maybe fans in Detroit can, but they’re the same ones who hailed the arrival of Rasheed Wallace and that final piece for a dynasty.  One and done.  You need somebody to replace that piece of crap.  No heart.  They guy can not take the pressure of being that go-to-guy.  Sheed wants to be the guy, when he wants to be it.  If he doesn’t, forget about it.  D.J. White.  Not the guy, but a good player for the next-to-last pick.  He’ll be a productive player for Detroit, but they’ll need to make a deal for “that guy”.  Joe Dumars is one of the best at evaluating and assembling talent.  We’ll see if he can do it again.

30. Boston - You’ve got your championship, now go away.  Make a stupid, last pick in the round choice, and let’s go back to laughing at you.  Take a knucklehead to irritate KG.  It’s time for Danny Ainge to go back to being sucky.  He got lucky last year.  I don’t expect any dynasty, certainly not even close to the glory days.  Damn, their taking a long, long time in making this pick.  I’m not quite sure why.  Oh, here comes the Hobbit of the league David Stern.  The pick is J.R. Giddens.  Well, relish in your championship.  It won’t last.

 That’s it for the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft.  Some interesting picks, as always.  I fully expect for a lot of this to be old news and many more moves to be made, especially from the Blazers.  I just don’t feel like Pritchard is done.  One thing is for sure.  He may make as many moves as Trader Bob Whitsitt, but he knows what he’s doing.  I know, this was an extremely long entry.  I don’t know if I’ll do something like this again so you’re Diggs and comments will help me with that decision.  Or, I may just say to hell with it and do what I want.  As you know, I’m an asshole…and proud of it.  Peace!