90 Seconds: May 4, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Remember a few years ago, when Francisco Liriano was getting all kinds of hype as the Twins' future ace? He hasn't delivered on those expectations, but it was nice to see him finish off baseball's first no-hitter of the season Tuesday night. It wasn't the shiniest of gems; Liriano walked six White Sox and only struck out two, and threw 123 pitches. Some even felt he might have been pitching to keep his spot in Minnesota's rotation. He came into last night's game at 1-4 with an ERA above 9. I'm not saying he's finally righted his ship and should now get Hall of Fame consideration, but hopefully this steers him in a better direction.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Tuesday, May 3, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Boise State's athletic department has earned itself the dreaded lack-of-institutional-control tag by the NCAA. An internal investigation launched in 2009 found more than 60 football players received illegal benefits totaling less than $5,000. For those not named Rain Man, that's about $80 per player, which in my opinion is harmless. But the NCAA nudged the school to self-investigate for possible violations in other sports, particularly women's tennis, where a player received "impermissible educational expenses and entertainment," according to a report in USA Today. The school will meet with the NCAA Infractions Committee next month.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Friday, April 29, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ The NFL Draft is a lot like Groundhog Day. Chris Berman comes out of hiding, annoys us briefly, then reminds us there are still four months left of the offseason.

+ Reggie Bush is such a little girl. "It's been fun New Orleans" slipped from his Twitter feed Thursday night after the Saints drafted Mark Ingram. True as it may be that he's no longer in the team's future plans, that's such a weak move to drop a passive-aggressive note like that via social media when you're supposed to be a tough-guy macho pro football player. Of course someone asked him to PR it up an hour later, when came a more professional note: "Congrats to Mark Ingram on being selected to New Orleans. He will be a great addition to the Saints backfield just as he was in Alabama." Wuss.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Thursday, April 28, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ The NFL Draft is the most overhyped event in sports. It's hard to fault ESPN for being so outstanding at promoting it for so many years, and it does end up playing very well on television for the WWL. But all it is is the day (or three days now) that football teams select 21-year-old kids who hope to become key contributors two or three years from now. Draft day is indeed critical for teams as they build for the future, but in terms of newsworthiness, it merits far less than the year-round coverage it gets. Again, credit ESPN for creating and cultivating the agenda, but everyone these days publishes a mock draft that gets updated weekly over 12 months, which is just as good as no one publishing a mock draft. It's hard to get excited for or even trust an event where so much attention is paid to Wonderlic tests, psychological evaluations and character assessments, yet those many players who come up short in these areas still get their names called early and go on to sign huge contracts.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Monday, April 25, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ I've written before about how ESPN and others should show more gestures of sportsmanship during their game broadcasts. The postgame handshake line in college basketball is an easy target, and especially considering the NCAA has a weak ad campaign promoting the importance of sportsmanlike behavior, you'd think there would be a clause drawn into those billion-dollar television contracts. I bring this up because near the end of Jon Gruden's segment with Jake Locker the other day, I watched outstanding video of Locker and his teammates sharing emotional embraces after Washington won its bowl game a few months ago. No one was miked up, but the photographer was close enough to pick up neat bits of audio from Locker's mammoth offensive linemen who told him how much they appreciated that he came back for his senior year, how proud they were of him for reaching his goal of a bowl win. One even wished him luck at the next level. These weren't your typical "nice-game" postgame hugs. These were real, human moments, the kind that need to be shown as often as possible. For Locker, this postgame was a simultaneous culmination and coronation. He led a Washington team back from the dead, a squad that went 0-12 in 2008, won five games with a new coach in 2009, then welcomed the NFL-ready Locker back for one more season. Those hugs, those friendships, that bowl win made it all worth it for Locker. At least that's my guess from the video I watched.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Friday, April 22, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Josh Elliott will be sorely missed from the ESPN "SportsCenter" morning crew for many reasons, but the one serious question I have is who will read the tragedy scripts? If he was on the desk when a dramatic story broke, it was almost always the professional and savvy Elliott who got the read. Hannah and Sage are too concerned with flashing pretty smiles, and just about anyone else working alongside Elliott was inferior in every way. That morning block is going to suffer without Elliott more than people realize. Best of luck to him on "Good Morning America."

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Thursday, April 21, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Those poor New York Rangers. They took a 3-0 lead into the third period at home, looking poised to tie their series with No. 1 seed Washington at two games apiece. But the Capitals scored three goals in the final period and sent Game 4 into overtime at what became a spirited Madison Square Garden. Rangers fans rocked the "Can You Hear Us?" chant in reaction to Washington coach Bruce Boudrea's comments this week downplaying the playoff atmosphere at the world's most famous arena. But midway through the second overtime, Rangers right wing Marion Gaborik and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist couldn't agree on who should play a loose puck in front of their net. Gaborik ultimately poked the puck away, right into the body of Caps left wing Jason Chimera, who banged home the stray biscuit behind Lundqvist, giving the visitors a 4-3 win. Washington can close out the No. 8 seed on its home ice in Saturday's Game 5.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Wednesday, April 20, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Just a day after we riffed on North Carolina and Ohio State possibly giving college basketball a sorely needed elite team or two next year, Kentucky was dealt a serious blow to its candidacy for greatness in 2011-12. Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and DeAndre Liggins all declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday morning. None has hired an agent, so perhaps UK's fortunes could improve on May 8. Michael Gilchrist and another huge recruiting class report to Lexington in the fall, so it's not as if the cupboard is bare for John Calipari. But if Knight, Jones and Liggins do stick with their decisions, that's a significant setback.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Tuesday, April 19, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ As outstanding as the Ohio State basketball team was in 2010-11, Jared Sullinger's decision to return makes the Buckeyes a threat to be even better next season. But don't expect OSU to stand atop one single preseason poll next fall. That honor should go to North Carolina, which will be stacked now that Harrison Barnes has announced he'll also return for his sophomore season. The star forward will join Tyler Zeller and John Henson to form one of college basketball's finest front lines in recent history. Emerging point guard Kendall Marshall also returns, as does fifth starter George Strickland. Roy Williams' Tar Heels won't be as dominant as they were in their 2005 and 2009 title seasons, but UNC and Ohio State should give the sport what it lacked throughout last year — a couple of great teams.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Monday, April 18, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Is it just me, or do the NBA Playoffs feel like the NCAA Tournament? Upsets, huge individual performances, big shots and late drama were the norm for the second straight day. After fighting back to take the lead on a pair of Matt Bonner three-pointers, the Spurs gave the cushion right back to visiting No. 8 seed Memphis, which held on for the nailbiting victory. I was hoping for one more three from the Spurs' ginger-topped sharpshooter so I could use a "Mad Bonner" headline somewhere, but to no avail. New Orleans, a seventh-seeded road underdog, got a huge effort from Chris Paul and stole game one from the Lakers, who continue their half-hearted play even at home. I wouldn't call myself a Knicks fan, but I'm not afraid to root for the home team. Would have been neat to see the fellas get that win at Boston, but if I'm going to root for the Heat to get iced in the second round, it would have to be at the hands of the playoff-savvy Celtics, not the Knicks. Ray Allen is cold-blooded, and I hope he keeps a few bullets in the holster for that semifinal showdown with Miami. I would gladly commit to being an Oklahoma City fan for 10 years if its many talented young players would commit to staying there that long. The Thunder could be fun to watch if Durant, Westbrook and Co. stick together. Those guys were huge in a thrilling defeat of Denver, a series that promises to be among the best in this early round.

Click to read more ...

90 Seconds: Sunday, April 17, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ I read a pretty interesting column by Mel Kiper Jr. on Saturday. He wrote that at some point, NFL teams need to think about drafting the successor to their longtime star quarterback. Obviously, the Colts and Patriots come to mind first, as Peyton Manning is 35 and Tom Brady will turn 34 this summer. The current Manning situation is much like Brett Favre's Green Bay Packers after the 2004 season. Favre was 35 and his team had just come off a decent season that ended in a wild-card loss. Instead of addressing seemingly more pressing needs, new GM Ted Thompson elected to draft a quarterback named Aaron Rodgers. The Packers were terrible in 2005, but Thompson had his sights set on the long-term, and in his third year as the starter, Rodgers delivered a Super Bowl championship just 10 weeks ago. Like Green Bay six years ago, the 2011 Colts have other needs heading into Draft Day, so don't expect them to take a quarterback in the first round. But New England, with its stockpile of draft picks, could very well select one in the early rounds.

+ Kind of a weird opening day in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday. The Pacers were in control for much of their game against the top-seeded Bulls before Chicago outscored them, 16-1, over the final few minutes to steal the win. Next was another feisty underdog, Philadelphia, which led by 16 points in the first half at Miami, blew the lead, but then came back late in an impressive rally that fell just short. The 76ers turned an 88-75 deficit into an 88-87 nailbiter before Dwyane Wade and Co. took over down the stretch. Atlanta, meanwhile, earned a road win at Orlando despite 46 points from Magic star Dwight Howard. The Hawks forced turnovers and got some clutch shooting from Jamal Crawford to take the 1-0 series lead. And pesky Portland turned a 10-point, third-quarter deficit into a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki scored 12 straight points and 97-year-old Jason Kidd made a career postseason best six three-pointers to lead the Mavericks to an 89-81 win at home.

+ Defending American League champion Texas' 10-4 mark isn't terribly surprising, but if someone told you a month ago that two other teams would be tied for the best league in the AL, would you have guessed they'd both come from the Central Division? And would you have guessed they'd be Cleveland and Kansas City? The White Sox, Tigers and Twins were supposed to contend for the division crown, but they're a combined 18-25 and 12.5 games behind the Indians and Royals.

90 Seconds: Friday, April 15, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ From the yawny legal file that inquired yesterday whether you cared about the Barry Bonds trial, are you paying much attention to the NFL talks? Ten years ago, we'd be whining about how greedy NFL players and owners are, but I think our culture has become more accepting of the huge business sports — particularly pro football — has become. Regardless of where you stand on zillion-dollar salaries and ticket prices, the stalemate is significant for reasons beyond the financial.

+ Speaking of money and football, the Fiesta Fiasco could turn into an interesting case. And this one will be entirely about greed. Lawmakers in Arizona might have to re-imburse the Fiesta Bowl for accepting free flights, lodging and dinners. So the next time you judge a broke-ass 18-year-old athlete for accepting dirty money, just know that college sports don't discriminate. Rich old dudes take bribes as well.

+ I've noticed many folks aren't weighing in on the Kobe fine this week. Why? Because no one wants to say this, but "fucking faggot" is as common a frat-house insult as dick jokes and locker-room cracks about your mother. The fine is correct because someone like Kobe Bryant can't say it so openly, publicly and hatefully like that. But if it was just Jim from Accounting, it's a different story. Not quite sure what Bryant expects to come of his appeal, which is about as funny as David Stern's charming combination of paranoia and arrogance.

The Daily Q: Thursday, April 14, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

As you know, OGS enjoyed a four-year love affair with the great city of Louisville. Get us talking about the Kentucky Derby and, well, you might want to pour yourself a (tall) Maker's and Coke because you're going to hear some stories. And that brings us to today's Daily Q: Should OGS hit the Derby again this year?

90 Seconds: Thursday, April 14, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ Did you watch any of the first night of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday? Hockey has the best postseason by far, so if you're not into it, you'd better start following along. Its regular season lacks the excitement of college and pro football and college basketball, but its tournament is outstanding. I say it every year around this time, but I'll say it again: no sport's players try harder in the postseason than hockey's. Sure everyone wants to win a championship, but you won't see NBA guys leave it on the floor the next two months the way NHL's skaters will. If you don't believe me, check any of the three series set to begin tonight ... if you can find them on your television.

+ Speaking of the NBA, its postseason begins with four first-round games on Saturday. Miami's road to the first of their expected seven NBA championships begins at home against Philadelphia. All eyes will be on LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh and every playoff loss or narrow victory will be analyzed and dissected. Watching Miami in the postseason will be almost as interesting as it will be to watch the coverage of Miami in the postseason. Expect the hyperbo-meter and panic-meter to be off the charts throughout April and May.

+ It's been a while since I listened to Jim Rome on the regular, but this time of year is usually when he drops the sarcastic ol' "Wait a minute, we're hearing reports that an NFL expert is going to predict the first round of the draft." There is seldom a larger waste of energy than the one we see from the February combine to what was once called Draft Day. Then, thanks to ESPN's curious NFL Draft boner, it became a two-day event, and last year it became a three-day draftasm. Stupid, though I will give the WWL credit for bringing in many current and former NFL players through its studios to try their hands at on-camera work. Trevor Pryce and another NFL player I wasn't familiar with made appearances on Wednesday.

+ Lastly on the 90 today, did anyone care about the Barry Bonds trial? I sure didn't. Way to be decisive, Bay Area jurors. They returned three deadlock decisions and a mostly harmless guilty verdict on an obstruction charge that yielded no official answer on whether Bonds used steroids. That dude needs to go away.

90 Seconds: Wednesday, April 13, 2011

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

+ In sports we hear so much about a player's or team's "body of work," and that's what I keep coming back to with Jenn Sterger. In Wednesday's second round of her "Good Morning America" interview, she was again smart and honest and composed. There really isn't anything that she's said that I thought was untrue. She says she's not trying to play the victim card and I believe her on that point as well. But if you consider the body of work, how she got noticed, how she got her attention that led to a Playboy spread and a New York television job, she may not be a gold-digger or home-wrecker, but she is an attention-whore who got what she wanted: a place in the spotlight with big, rich macho athletes. She's not to blame for anything having to do with Old Man Favre, but again, folks need to be careful what they wish for. Too, the self-proclaimed "entertainer" who says she's "not the right martyr for this cause" might want to dial down the self-importance. She's not a talented journalist or any kind of sports authority. She's merely a pretty girl with fake boobs and a walk-in closet full of tight shirts who's used those assets to get the few jobs she's had so far in broadcasting. She says she fears this scandal might keep folks from taking her seriously. I'd like to meet anyone who has.

+ Each of the last few years — including the last two that ended in championships for the Los Angeles Lakers — began with experts saying thing like, "If Andrew Bynum can stay healthy ... " And just when it looked like the young center was going to finish strong and finally head into the playoffs at 100 percent, dude hyperextended his knee in a game against San Antonio's backups and suddenly his and the Lakers' postseason forecast has some clouds in it. Bynum is scheduled for an MRI today, so let's hold off on planning the Lakers' funeral for now, but certanly keep the phone handy.

+ If we're to go by W-L records, the Cleveland Indians are one of the best teams in baseball this year, and the Red Sox are thee worst. Betcha didn't expect to hear that two weeks in. Quick, can you name the Indians' manager?