"Jiggly Bits" - Danielle de Graauw

It's all about the ladies today. Marion Jones SHOCKing the WNBA, the 2010 NCAA Women's Tournament looking for a shocking upset of the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies to shake things up and the McMaster Maruauders failing to upset the Simon Fraser Clan in the CIS Championships over the weekend. But we will also have a little discussion on "athletic character" bringing in some comments made by Gilbert Arenas this week - lots to sink our teeth into, so let's dive in.

Marion Jones Returning to Basketball

I'll bet most of you forgot Marion Jones played basketball. When she began her basketball career at North Carolina back in 1994, Marion was the starting point guard for the Tar Heels' national championship team. About three years later during the 1996-1997 season, she is playing her final season of competitive basketball just shy of the WNBA's debut. I think it was always in the back of her mind to play and the break from her track and field woes allowed her to do some soul searching. Now we get to watch her write a new chapter in her life as the newest member of the Tulsa Shock. Now that's the positive side of me talking.

Now for the realistic side. I really hope she doesn't screw up this time. I know this chapter is supposed to be a new start for her but she can't possibly think she is going slip back into our sports pages without any mention of the fact that she lied, took steroids and served 6 months in prison for it. If we just rolled out the red carpet and let her back into the sporting world on a get-out-of-jail-free pass, we would be doing a disservice to those athletes who were true to their word and earned our trust. She should be held accountable and I hope she makes a new name for herself in Tulsa. I really do. Think about it. What if Michael Vick decided to take a break from football and work out with the Detroit Pistons or (god forbid) the Los Angeles Lakers? or if Tiger Woods said "to hell with golf - I'm playing a new ball game now"? I am all for the art of redemption and I don't think any of us can really say what it is like to have camera crews and other media documenting our every move and mistake. I believe in second chances but I don't think a simple "I'm sorry" and "let's move on" kind of attitude can cut it in a world where professional athletes should be held to a higher standard when so many people look up to them. I think this season will be a real eye opener for her since she will be one of the older players in the league as a rookie and she's not the star anymore. She's going to have to earn that badge again. I hope for her sake and for the little girls out there watching, she does.

Lady Huskies and Lady's Hockey - Lots in common

So going into the 2010 Winter Olympic games we knew it would be a stick show-down between Canada and the USA on the ice - all the games before it, a mere formality. Some have been saying the same about the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies' path towards basketball greatness. They are currently unbeaten and not just for this season either. They are on a massive win streak of 70 games and if they steam roll through the March Madness tournament, which many are saying is pretty much a done deal, their record may climb to 78-0. But in a field of 64 teams competing, anything can happen and we won't really see the front runners until the third round in my opinion. A lot of people make the mistake of hanging onto the pre-season records of these teams when making picks for their office March Madness pool. You also need to look at how they won those games: Were they close? Did they have to battle back from a third quarter deficit to win? A lot of factors come into play. I bet you the UCONN Lady Huskies are looking past #16 seeded Southern University in round one. But a lot can be said for the experience of playing under pressure and playing close games and having the emotional intensity of playing cool given the cards are stacked against you. I'm just saying you can't win every game and the Lady Huskies can't take anything for granted.

No Bronze Baby staying in Hamilton

Wow, did Hamilton ever put on a show this weekend. As I mentioned lask week, McMaster University hosted the CIS Women's Basketball Championship tournament and as you know, I was cheering for my MAC ladies. (Carleton University wasn't in it, my alma mater). They didn't get steam-rolled like some people tried to tell me before the game - the Marauders really held their own even though they lost 94-76 to Simon Fraser University. Considering the SFU Clan are leaving the Canadian University athletics system for NCAA Division II ball, that's huge. I am not just saying this as a fan but as someone looking at this critically.

This was their third opening round match-up in five years and Simon Fraser won all three. So with SFU going on to win this year's tournament, claiming their 5th bronze baby in 9 years, that's a little hard to compete with. But you should have seen Emily Ledger hit the jumper to cut Simon Fraser's lead to three points with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. I was on the verge of dialing Spike Lee to re-write Hoosiers to take place in the Hammer and insert the Lady Marauders. But alas, there was no upsetting the SFU Clan who eventually stole the show. Don't worry MAC - there's always next year. And if Carleton isn't in it, you'll have my support 100%.

Gilbert "I deserved to be punished" Arenas

Gilbert Arenas was suspended from the Washington Wizards for taking out four guns in what he says was an attempt to play a prank on teammate Javaris Crittenton in December. As if we could forget that little Christmas present. The latest is he plead guilty to a felony charge in January and will be sentenced next week. Also, he is still suspended from the NBA until the end of the season. But wait it gets better. He plays on the heart strings of Wizards fans by saying he "messed up" the legacy of Wizards owner Abe Poulin, who died in November. Nothing like being caught doing something stupid, on the verge of facing the judicial music and calling on ghosts from NBA past to help your image. Seriously? Not even the Scrooge could look this foolish. He put all but 4 of his 500-gun collection in storage when he had kids. So this is a guy that is clearly comfortable around guns but also de-sensitized by them. I hope the judge hearing his case next week is a fan of the Christmas Carol and makes Gilbert see the errors of his ways.

The Saturday Raptor Hangover.

This has nothing to do with drinking. For that I could drink some gatorade and feel better in a hour or two. Last night's game versus New Jersey was costly on so many levels. The top of that list is J.O going down and out at the start of the 4th quarter. That was a dirty play by Sean Williams. He grabbed Jermaine's jersey and yanked him to the ground. That is my take on it, that is and was a dirty play and there is nothing I will read that will change my mind. I saw it and likely you saw it so we can all make the decision for ourselves. No matter how it happened and what you think about it, the fact remains is it happened.

On the broadcast they said it was a strained left knee. I have heard some speculation about it but until and MRI is done on that knee nobody is going to know for sure. This is the knee that has been the one talked about that has caused Jermaine all the problems over the last few years. He does wear a big brace on that knee and that could have helped a bit in this case. Let's hope it did. But it goes with out saying this is a major blow for the Raptors. It is just a case of how big a blow it will be.

As for the Game

Even if there was not the J.O injury to be upset about there was the game itself. Vince Carter showed people just why they once loved him. He was the guy making the two most important plays of the game. He can be one of the best players in the NBA when he wants to be. On this night it was very clear that he wanted to be. From his prospective it must feel good to get a win in Toronto. I mean after all the fans of the Raptors have never treated him with anything but hostility in his returns to the city when he is on that A.C.C floor. It is not to say that he has earned some if not all of that from the fans. They felt he gave up on them and some will never get past it. This was one of the more painful chapters in the long story of Vince Carter and his post Raptor career as public enemy number one in Toronto. He missed on clutch shot that could have sent the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals but on this night he made two truly great plays to beat the Raptors.

Chris Bosh had another unreal night all for not. He out scored Carter by 3 points tying his career high of 42 points. Andrea Bargnani had a career high 29 points and yet despite all of that the Raptors still lost. I mean you lose a player to injury, you lose an 18 point lead and you did everything possible to get a win and it was not enough. That is the definition of frustration with no dictionary required. How the Raptors can put all of this behind them and get ready for the Boston Celtics is really hard to say. This has not been the start that they wanted and it is not the start that fans wanted. This is the type of situation that will define a team. This is exactly why I am glad Chris Bosh is the franchise player and not Vince Carter despite his heroics. Chris Bosh no matter the situation that is in front of him never gives up and never gives in. The same can not be said for Vince Carter on a night to night basis. Last night he did but over the long haul day in and day out, Chris Bosh gives all he has. That defines another word and that word is character.

Hey Jalen...Shut Up

Jalen Rose made it no secret near the end of his career that he wanted to be in the media. If there was a microphone and a camera Jalen Rose would find it. I like Jalen mainly because I was and still am a fan of the Michigan Wolverines. Just like former Raptor broadcaster Chuck Swirsky, I am happy to cheer GO BLUE. So this comes from someone that really has been a fan of Jalen and I am happy for him in getting a good living for himself after his NBA Career. But that being said he is going off shooting off his mouth and saying things that I have no confidence he knows anything about.

At several points last night on ESPN he was proclaiming that he knew for a fact that Chris Bosh and Lebron James were coming to New York in 2010. He was saying that Nate Robinson would have to give up his number for Chris Bosh. Same for Q-Rich with LBJ. Jalen does not know anything when all is said and done. To say that any player is going to another team is a lock is stupid. I took some heat for suggesting Dwyane Wade may be considering Toronto as an option for 2010. But I never said it was a lock and there was no doubt that it would happen. That would be silly to do and Jalen for a guy that has wanted a career in the media for as long as he has, you would think he would know better.

Not to mention the fact that Rose played here and spent time in Toronto and was treated very well by the media and fans here. What did we do to you Jalen? I mean why are you out there saying that our star player is a lock to go to the Knicks? Please as a Michigan fan and a Raptor fan, Please SHUT UP.

But if only it was that simple. Jalen is not the only one at ESPN that is talking about the Knicks and Bosh. All this speculation is sparked by the two trades the Knicks made on Friday. Sending Zach Randolph and Marty Collins to the Clippers and Jamal Crawford to the Warriors. It is part of the Knicks Salary dump plan for 2010. James, Bosh and Wade are all mentioned in this ESPN article. Is it just me or does ESPN talk more about 2010 than they talk about the actual season being played.

ESPN TALKING KNICKS AND 2010

Sam Mitchell Haters For Once I Agree

I don't think you will find a blog that has been more supportive of Sam Mitchell. He may not know but the Dino Nation Blog has had his back a lot. But last night there was no defense for what happened at the end of regulation play. The Raptors had two chances to inbound the basketball and were unsuccessful both times. That just can't happen. It is Sam's responsibility as he had two chances to draw up something to get the ball in play. Sure the players have to make it happen but come on. I had written despite my support of Sam that this season would define him one way or the other as relates to his future with the Raptors. At this point Sam is truly on the edge as far as keeping his job. I don't think injuries or excuses can save him. I really feel bad about this because if Sam Mitchell and his time with Raptors is coming to an end I will miss him a ton. But he really isn't giving his supporters a lot to work with. Add in the fact that with J.O getting hurt he has less to work with it may just be to much to over come. When you look across the way last night at Lawerence Frank I don't think anyone can say that he did not out coach Sam Mitchell in this basketball game. He was able to give Vince Carter the chances to kill Raptor fans hopes for a win. Vince did just that.

Some CIS and Score Love

I like to try to support other forms of basketball beyond the Raptors and the NBA. I think it is important to do so. But being honest about it during the Raptors season those chances are rare to be able to do it. Thankfully one of the sites that is part of the Score.Com Sports Federation makes their focus the CIS. So if you are looking to read about coverage of basketball on that level go check them out. They do football as well and I am sure will have a lot about the Vanier Cup which is right in my backyard here in Hamilton. The Score is broadcasting the game as well with pre-game at 1pm and kickoff set for just after 2pm. But for here we are all about basketball and they had an article with the early season rankings in the CIS in both Men's and Women's basketball. So if you want to follow the CIS basketball season check them out:

CIS Rankings in Men's And Women's Basketball


So that is about it for me. I am praying and hoping for a birthday miracle for the Raptors to get me a win tomorrow. It may take just that given the state of things for the Raptors and the task of facing Boston was not easy at full strength let alone at something less than that.