A bus full of streakers
Published 10:36 am Thursday, February 4, 2010
TODAY’S LINEUP
A daily look at the top sports stories in today’s edition of The Herald:
1. Cover the kids’ eyes: streakers on the bus
The red-hot Everett Silvertips, winners of 14 in a row, boarded the team bus and headed to Spokane on Tuesday. Upon hearing this, the Spokane Chiefs boarded a bus and headed for the hills of Montana. The only team that wants to face the Silvertips right now is the New Jersey Nets, who would do anything to better their chances of getting John Wall with the No. 1 pick in the June NBA draft.
2. Agoraphobia taking over at the University of Washington
The University of Washington men’s basketball team is even more dominant than the mighty ’Tips … until the Huskies leave the comforts of home. The Huskies have won each of their past four home games by at least 17 points and are offering to trade the rest of their regular-season home dates for a chance at hosting the Pac-10 tournament. In this year’s so-so Pac-10, winning the tourney is the only way to secure an NCAA bid.
3. At this rate, he’ll soon be demanding a trade to Meadowdale
Edmonds-Woodway basketball player Zach Berg has been doing his best Clark Kent impersonation this season. The junior forward has gone from the bench to the focus of the Warriors’ offense, with 25 points in a big win over Kamiak on Tuesday. Don’t expect Berg to end up at UW, though; the Huskies like their big men to stay under four points, thank you.
THE WARMUP PITCH
Let’s just hope he doesn’t get confused in shotgun formation
Former Pro Bowl receiver Plaxico Burress is vowing to return to the NFL when he gets out of jail. Interviewed by former Steelers coach Bill Cowher at the Oneida Correctional Facility, Burress said he’s hoping to play football again. And if that doesn’t work out, the Washington Wizards are looking for a Gilbert Arenas replacement.
Could we get back to talking about Tiger Woods, already?
As if you’re not already sick of hearing about Peyton Manning, now comes word that the Colts would like to sign him to an extension. And in New Orleans, they’re protesting because six full seconds passed without Drew Brees’ face being broadcast on ESPN. Oh, the hype. But if you really have a Super Bowl Jones, check out this list of 44 story lines for the Big Game.
And Jerramy Stevens is still soft … and a punk
Sounds like Joey Porter hasn’t stopped running his mouth since his infamous week leading into Super Bowl XL. The linebacker who called out Jerramy Stevens took aim at a different NFL player this week: Joey Porter. He says the Miami Dolphins aren’t using him the right way, and he wants out of town. We wouldn’t suggest Detroit. Last time he played a game there, Walter Jones shut his mouth, his pass rush, and every other part of his game.
Today, everyone is a five-star recruit
It’s signing day for college football, and the Pac-10 might have a new sheriff in town. UW’s Steve Sarkisian has a class that includes a Montana and a Kearse, two names that have had success on the gridiron. Too bad it doesn’t have a couple of brothers named Rodgers, and maybe another Locker or two.
First A-Rod is postseason MVP, and now this?
Don’t look now, NBA fans, but the Stolen Thunder is one of the league’s hottest teams. The artists formerly known as The Sonics eked out a win against Eastern Conference power Atlanta for their third win in a row. While Kevin Durant has evolved into one of the NBA’s top players, Robert Swift is still available should Seattle ever get an NBA expansion team.
CURVE BALLS
The wild and wacky news from the world of sports …
Tim Ruskell would’ve signed him as a cornerback
UW basketball player Isaiah Thomas said on his Twitter page that he wants to play football for the Huskies next season. Coach Lorenzo Romar’s response? “I wanted to play football, too,” he said with a smirk. As for UW football coach Steve Sarkisian? He said the UW football team isn’t that desperate … anymore.
More painful than losing 46 of 50 games
Desperate to put together a winning streak, the New Jersey Nets recently turned to a motivational speaker. The dude started by putting a needle through the skin on his face, trying to prove that winning is about mind over matter. When that didn’t inspire the Nets, he turned to a more painful tactic: He showed them a picture of Tyrone Willingham.
Nice shot, but …
Everyone loves a shot from beyond half court. Just not when there are still eight seconds left on the clock. Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay made that mistake earlier this week, and it resulted in Kobe Bryant’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the other end. Somewhere, Chris Webber was watching on television and screaming for Gay to call timeout.
At least someone on this soccer team was scoring
A former coach of the U.S. men’s soccer team offered this gem earlier this week, admitting that he cut player John Harkes from the national team because Harkes was having an affair with teammate Eric Wynalda’s wife. We’re guessing Harkes was relieved to have free time, especially while Wynalda was at practice.
THE RUNDOWN
It’s Signing Day in college football, and The Closer would like to commemorate the highly overrated annual event with five reasons why no one should make much of the rankings of those self-appointed recruiting gurus:
5. Nathan Rhodes: A five-star recruit of the Huskies in 2002, he was ranked No. 18 in the country. Never heard of him? Neither have we. Turns out he had five-star back problems.
4. Kellen Moore: Current Boise State star quarterback was ranked behind Huskies-to-be Quinton Richardson and Chris Izbicki, among others. Bet UW would’ve rather had the lower-rated QB-turned-Heisman candidate than some of the guys it got.
3. J.R. Hasty: The state’s No. 5 recruit in 2005, this former Bellevue star couldn’t even make it at Central Washington.
2. Andy Roof: One of WSU’s top recruits in recent memory had it all … including a rap sheet.
1. Craig Chambers: In 2003, this former Jackson star was supposed to be the Huskies’ playmaker of the future. His future was at Montana, where his stardom floated off into the Big Sky.
Contact The Closer at inthebullpen@heraldnet.com.
