The Starting Five: Week of June 18, 2007
Posted by Jason Goodman on 06.18.2007
The Culpepper/Dolphins saga continues, Kobe wants out of the City of Angels, a very old record is broken, and more, in the FIRST EVER edition of The Starting 5!
Hi Everybody,
I'm Jason Goodman, and welcome to my little section of the 411 Universe, The Starting Five. When I was first approached about writing a column for 411, my first question was as follows:
"What in the WORLD makes you think I could write that much EVERY WEEK???"
The response, from George Sirois – of 411 Movies fame – was simple:
"Only one way to find out, isn't there?"
I have to thank him, and Dan Owen for giving me a shot at writing here, as it has been a most interesting experience, one I can't wait to repeat. So I humbly present to you: The Starting 5, a look at the stories which may impact the coming week in Sports…
1. Kobe Bryant wants out... ... NOW:
He has waffled in phone interviews on both radio and television. He has posted extremely non-cryptic messages on his website. He FLEW TO BARCELONA to restate his demands to Los Angeles Lakers team owner Jerry Buss. The Artist Formerly Known As No. 8 says he feels that he has sat on the sidelines for the last 3 years, watching LA continually miss opportunities to sign or trade for players who would help the team win. He feels this is the reason the Lakers have yet to win a playoff series. If Buss gives in to the trade demand, the balance of power between the Eastern and Western Conferences may shift somewhat for the second time in less than a month. There is no way Buss will allow Bryant to become an visiting player to the Staples Center more than once a season, and that means he's coming East.
There aren't many teams right now who could pull something off, but the names mentioned include the Bulls and the Knicks. While Chicago might actually have the ability to pull off a direct transaction, New York would possibly have to arrange a multi-team deal, which would create quite the interesting scenario in the East. Along with the top two picks going to Portland and Seattle, the possibility of the Nets' core splitting up, the ever-looming Garnett question(will he stay?), a healthy resurgent Golden State Warriors, a bitter Dallas Mavericks team, and King James with a much-needed playoff chip on his shoulder, the 2007/08 season looks to be one of the most exciting in a while.
Formula One-in-a-Million:
Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton, the first black Formula One racer. No, not for being the "first black Formula One racer." Actually, that's a moniker I hope people will drop much sooner than later, as it completely pigeon-holes an athlete by identifying them by race first as opposed to accomplishments. But, I digress… Congratulations for winning the U.S. Grand Prix, only one week after earning his first victory in the Canadian Grand Prix. He is positioning himself to be known as one of the greatest rookies in F1 racing ever, finishing in the top 3 in seven straight starts , with a 10 point lead in the standings. His own peers have lauded his skill and discipline on the track, while he has just tried to wrap his own brain around the success. Right, did I forget to mention that Hamilton is only 22? Look for him to do great things for the rest of the F1 season, continuing with the French Grand Prix in a couple of weeks.
Judgment Day for Daunte is set:
June 29th, an arbitrator will hear the case of Daunte Culpepper v. Miami Dolphins in New York City. The grievance was filed on the quarterback's behalf by the NFLPA last Tuesday, after neither side was able to agree on a way to end his tenure in Miami. John Feerick, the man who ruled in favor of Steve McNair against the Tennessee Titans last summer, will be hearing the case. At the core of the dispute is Culpepper's desire to be released by the team, while they would prefer to make a trade. Culpepper became unnecessary when Miami acquired veteran Trent Green last week, and has refused to restructure his own contract to make him trade-worthy.
There are two sides to this argument which are both understandable, but I am wont to side with Culpepper in this case. I just think that Miami is trying to have their cake and eat it too, by trading for Green, and not owning up to the deal made with Culpepper before his injury-plagued season. Releasing the player will just put an end to the headache. Regardless of whoever's side you choose everything is put in perspective when you consider that only a week ago, Curtis Martin restructured his own contract to help the Jets clear some salary cap room. Amazing what happens when teams and players can put ego aside to work together.
New Minor League Mark set:
When people think "baseball records," they tend to think Nolan Ryan's strikeout record, or Barry Bonds' chase of Hank Aaron's historic MLB homerun record. Often lost in the mix is something like Brandon Watson's surpassing of the 95-year-old International League hitting streak. Watson, of the Triple-A Columbus Clippers – one of the Washington Nationals' Minor League affiliates – hit safely in his 43rd straight game during a 9-8 Sunday loss to the Ottawa Lynx. The hit came as the 25-year-old center fielder ripped a leadoff single up the middle in the sixth inning, finishing 1-5 in the 11-inning loss. During the streak Watson has been hitting .360(63-for-175), with 6 doubles, a triple, 19 runs scored and 10 RBI. Seeing as the Nats could use all the help they can get, don't be surprised to see Watson called up sometime around the All-Star break. The previous record of 42 was set by Jack Lelivelt, of the Rochester Hustlers, in 1912. The International League streak isn't exactly the high-mark in Minor League history, it actually ties for 7th place all-time. The overall record belongs to Joe Wilhoit, of Witchita in the Western League, who hit in 69 consecutive games while batting a blistering .509(155-for-299).
Attorney Disassembled:
I was hesitant to put this in, as it's not ‘technically' sports, but it brings closure to 3 members of the Duke Lacrosse community. I still have serious problems with the way this entire fiasco was handled, from the college's reaction all the way to the "they must be guilty" attitude of the press(which I too was very guilty of, initially). District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred on Saturday for aggressively prosecuting the three players for pure political gain. He admitted things were done wrong, but never admitted doing any of them intentionally. This entire fiasco started the moment Nifong stood in front of the cameras and said that Durham County would not be known for "a bunch of lacrosse players from Duke raping a black girl." It became about race and posturing, rather than justice and truth, and people's lives were ruined for it. A total lack of evidence was ignored in favor of grandstanding and hyperbole, which is something the former D.A. pretty much admitted to. I still maintain anger at Duke for never getting behind their players. If it were the basketball team, it would've been a different story altogether. But, again, this is about bringing closure to the situation. One of the original defendant's parents said it best when he stated "..there are no winners in this scenario." That is most definitely the truth.
Final Shot:
Before I go, I'd like to share something with you. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing a baseball manager blow his top, and get thrown out of a game. Sometimes, the show is better than anything the players on the field could possibly hope to give. With that, I present to you, the Manager's Rant of the Week:
I'll concentrate more on this season starting next week, but this happens to be a personal favorite of mine. Last Season, during the Detroit Tigers' incredible run, Jim Leyland went off on umpire James Hoye. But he found himself with a good reason to pause. (I only WISH I could've embedded this)
Walkin' off...
Thanks for taking the time to read my psychobabble, I'll continue to try and improve next week. Make sure to check out the rest of the great columns here in 411 sports, while you're here, and make sure to check out the rest of 411 while you're at it!
