Weekly Sporties

-Leading up to Thursday's NBA Draft, there were a ton of rumors floating around concerning potential trades. Some of the biggest names in the NBA were said to be available, including reports that every single member of the Celtics could be had for the right offer. Not surprisingly, nothing happened and no one of consequence was moved. That's the main thing I don't like about hot stove talk - 95% of it turns out to nothing more than guessing. I would much rather the big trades happen and then we find out about it, versus all the names being out there and nothing coming of it. I'm not going to be bummed that Tony Parker wasn't traded to Toronto if I never knew it was a possibility to begin with.

-The NBA Draft itself was a big snore-fest anyway. Because everyone knows there is going to be a prolonged NBA lockout and a good chance that games won't be played until January, most of the top-level NBA talent decided to stay in college. As such the draft was full of International players no one knew, juniors who would normally have no business being drafted and freshman who no one knows enough about to say for sure if they are really very good. If you ever wanted to create a poster for why there needs to be a higher age-limit for the NBA Draft, look no further than the picture of all the guys invited to be in the green room. My guess is over half won't be playing in the league in 4 years.

-Yesterday Andy Roddick was knocked out of Wimbledon in the third round. SportsCenter broke in and had a special ticker on the screen, saying it was "breaking news". Alright, I'll be the one who says it: Andy Roddick isn't that good. It's only news because he is the best American tennis player, which in today's society is a little like being the best American jockey. Roddick hasn't been relevant for years and isn't even ranked in Top Ten anymore. I would hardly call him being eliminated 'breaking news' or an upset.

-The NHL gave out it's league awards the other night. As a man who loves awkward moments when they are happening to someone else, I was really pulling for Roberto Luongo to win the Vezina Trophy (League's best Goalie) instead of Tim Thomas. It would have been great to see Luongo have to go up on stage and accept this award despite being thoroughly outplayed by Thomas just a week earlier in the Stanley Cup Finals. But, Thomas won. So, I was robbed of my awkward moment, but at least the voters got it right.

-Earlier in the week, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt made a last-second deal with Fox to get an influx of cash to his team so he would be able to make payroll. This lump of money also helped him finalise his bitter divorce case. However, Commissioner Bud Selig came in and vetoed the deal, saying it violated some rule about borrowing money from a TV partner. Not only does Selig's decision mean McCourt won't make payroll and the league is going to take control of the Dodgers (most likely so they can sell them to someone else), but it nullifies his divorce settlement and he has to go back to court. I have to say when one guy can take another man's sports team and screw up his divorce settlement, he may have a little too much power. I thought Commissioners worked for the owners, not the other way around.

-After their manager quit during a 1-17 June, the Florida Marlins turned back the clock and hired 80 year-old Jack McKeon to manager the team for the rest of the season. McKeon previously won a World Series managing the team in 2003. While I love McKeon's spunk and he clearly has more energy than most men his age, it doesn't change the fact that he's 18 years older than my dad, who can barely stay awake during an entire baseball game. I bet we have a shot of McKeon asleep in the dugout before the All-Star Break.

-Speaking of changing managers, Washington National's manager Jim Riggleman abruptly quit the team in the middle of the week, despite being one of the hottest teams in baseball and finally getting the Nationals over .500. Riggleman was working on a year-to-year basis and said he asked for a long-term contract, which was not given to him, so he quit. On the one hand, I admire Riggleman for sticking to his principles. However, it's not like there are a ton of major league managerial jobs on the market. It's one thing to take the moral high ground when you work in finance, it's another when you hold one of only 30 positions like it in the world. Also, he'll have a very hard time finding another one, as he's now seen in baseball circles as a guy who puts himself ahead of the team. But, you know, at least he has his principles.