Spectrum sports challenge: 'Fro finesse

For this installment of the Spectrum Sportswriters' challenge, Jackie O'Brien and her sidekick Daniel Gvertz were going to debate the reasonableness of the claims by Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow and which one of them is to blame for the National Hockey League canceling the season for good.

Then we realized, nearly 50 percent of this country does not care. Jackie and Daniel certainly don't care. So they decided to settle another debate once and for all, which was started by staff writer Jennifer Gillan, and determine who really does have the better hair: Roderick Middleton or Mario Jordan?

Gvertz: Longer isn't always better

Come on now, Mario Jordan says that his hair is better because it's longer? Length isn't everything, 'Rio. Roderick Middleton has more volume, better hold, and by far has the better hair.

When both players have their 'fros out, my little heart celebrates. And just because Jordan's is bigger, doesn't make it better. Middleton's afro bounces more, and you can see how much he hustles by how quickly his hair bounces.

Additionally, Middleton has the more prominent mustache: a must for anyone who is looking to be recognized on the basis of hair. Jordan may attempt at times to break out the mustache look, like in his photo on buffalobulls.com, but to no avail. Middleton's mustache compliments his hair perfectly and allows for instant recognition around campus.

Middleton also said he reads The Spectrum in his interview, instant winner right there.

So while he's out on the court, mesmerizing his opponents with his retro Afro look and huge mustache, Roderick Middleton's hair contributes more to the team than his counterpart's, and that is just something that Mario Jordan will have to recognize and accept.

O'Brien: Go big or go home

More volume and better hold? OK, Vidal Sassoon.

Both Rod and 'Rio sport sweet 'fros, and while I prefer both Bulls with their hair in braids opposed to the 'fro, I'm definitely going with Jordan on this one. When we're talking about the 'fro, bigger is always better. That said, the fact that Jordan's got the length provides him with the versatility to tease his 'fro, like in the movie "B*A*P*S" when Halle Barry forms her hair into the word "BOOYOW." And that was in 1997 ... imagine what Rio could concoct now in 2005!

I have also noticed this season that Middleton's 'fro has often looked flat, with his curls relaxed and well conditioned (i.e. not at all intimidating, essentially negating the effect of the monster moustache). Essentially, Rod's lovely locks highlight everything that depicts the complete opposite of the round, tightly curled hairstyle that characterized the late 1960's. Daniel's claim that Middleton's in-transition bouncing hair mimics his hustle is bogus. This is basketball, not double-dutch jump rope.

Pierce: Final Judgment

I really want to give Rod points for his huge ESPN block, but I have to look at the arguments. While I love Dan's point on the moustache/afro double team Hot Rod rocks, I have to go with Jackie's argument that bigger is better in everything. This game goes to the old hand, Jackie O.