Book Review: Power Players: Sports, Politics and the American Presidency by Chris Cillizza

When you think of the times and places throughout history where sports and politics have intertwined, the first images that come to mind are probably presidents throwing out ceremonial first pitches at baseball season openers, or commanders-in-chiefs quipping one-liners while Continue reading Book Review: Power Players: Sports, Politics and the American Presidency by Chris Cillizza

Gaps narrowed, coaches embittered and efforts not worth their weight in gold: The Currently Troubling Case of Team USA Basketball

I’m in a pissed off mood and about to blaspheme a legend so fasten up.  Riddle me this, Batman.  Why is Gregg Popovich coaching this Olympic USA Basketball team? To be perfectly clear from the outset, Coach Pop is an Continue reading Gaps narrowed, coaches embittered and efforts not worth their weight in gold: The Currently Troubling Case of Team USA Basketball

FIBA’s happy ending

When we last left our not-so-merry band of American underachievers, they were finishing seventh overall in a basketball tournament held around the globe. Hosting these games in China did all red-blooded American basketball fans a favor by sparing us the Continue reading FIBA’s happy ending

Upset!

When sports commentary blowhards (present company excluded, of course) play the reactionary, “biggest or best ever” card, they’re generally doing so strictly for ratings.  This week when you hear them talk about a little school in Maryland, however, they might Continue reading Upset!

What the 2018 Olympics really need

I’ll admit it.  I’ve barely watched a single moment of this year’s Winter Olympics.  Sure, I glanced at the opening ceremonies, always an eye-catcher.  I’ve oohed and aah-ed at the occasional luge wipeout and yes, Shaun White winning again is Continue reading What the 2018 Olympics really need

And you thought Ryan Lochte had a bad week…

Ryan Lochte is home and safe from his now swimmingly, infamous excursions in Rio de Janeiro.  Sure he lost half his endorsers (worth about a million or so in change) for lying about his buddies taking a gas station men’s Continue reading And you thought Ryan Lochte had a bad week…

Sports, lies and videotape

“Overprivileged white guy goes to a foreign country, destroys property, blames it on brown people, lies about it all, flees the country, and gets hailed as a hero. Ryan Lochte is Peak American.” Dr. Milhouse, Facebook post circa 2016   Continue reading Sports, lies and videotape

Book Review: You Can’t Make This Up by Al Michaels and L. Jon Wertheim

Dominique Wilkins recently told of his early days in the NBA and the first time he had to play against Larry Bird.  Laughing as he reminisced, ‘Nique said the trash-talking that came out of Bird was like nothing he had Continue reading Book Review: You Can’t Make This Up by Al Michaels and L. Jon Wertheim

Infographics ‘R’ Us, Vol. 2: Sochi Olympics Edition

The 2014 Winter Olympics are finally among us yet all anyone can talk about is Shaun White’s withdrawal, the inconvenience of having to share lavatories and the lack of unsafe drinking water in the Olympic Village. And oh yeah, then Continue reading Infographics ‘R’ Us, Vol. 2: Sochi Olympics Edition