Being a sports fan means that I have opinions on happenings in the sports world. Sports fans will find ways to unite and share ideas - whether using the Internet, sports talk radio, or in the local bar over a beer or two or even 10.
These are some of the musings and opinions I've formed through conversations with my own group of sports-crazed misfits and miscreants:
In my humble opinion, as much as college basketball is exciting to watch, give me the NBA. I'd much rather watch a Steve Nash-led fast break than a collegiate-level 2-3 defensive zone scheme. Give me those 111-110 nail-biters - defense is for the playoffs.
In my humble opinion, the Suns won't even need defense to win in the playoffs - their offense is just that good.
In my humble opinion, Yankee fans have nothing to worry about. Mariano Rivera is still the best closer in baseball history and will get his 35-40 saves.
IMHO, the Pats have serious problems - not because of Tedy Bruschi, or the losses of Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis. No, the problem is that Tom Brady is getting married. There goes the dynasty. If I were a politician in Boston, I'd draft a law banning marriage for local professional athletes - a welcome change for the liberal city. I'd get reelected, too.
IMHO, Drew Barrymore looks even better in a Red Sox jersey.
IMHO, Terry Francona's recent chest pains were probably a result of seeing Drew Barrymore in a Red Sox jersey.
IMHO, next year's UB men's basketball team has nothing to worry about. Calvin Cage, Roderick Middleton and Mario Jordan are perfectly capable of leading the Bulls into and through the Mid-American Conference tourney.
IMHO, as much as I hate to admit it, Roger Clemens is the best pitcher of the modern-era, bar none.
IMHO, a 51-year old Hollywood 'Hulk' Hogan is better than half of the actors in Hollywood these days. Just remember Thunderlips from 'Rocky III,' one of the most riveting and deep characters in 20th century cinema. It was a triumph of the sports movie genre.
IMHO, the Buffalo Bisons have the best team in Buffalo. Ten Governors Cups in the last 104 years is almost Yankee-esque for the reigning International League Champions. For a town without a playoff team since 2001, one would think that more people would attend Bisons games - I mean they averaged 8,276 fans per game in 2004, top in the league. But Dunn Tire Park can hold 21,050 people. Go figure.
IMHO, Billy Casper shooting for triple digits in the Masters is like me placing first in a spitting contest: who cares? Let the old man play - the television viewers have spoken.
IMHO, I'd like to know why there's so much food terminology in baseball lingo: mustard, cheese, grand salami, can o' corn, crackerjack, goose eggs, rhubarb, lollipops, meatballs, cups of coffee, pickles and dead fish. Baseball players also make the most bread of professional athletes.
IMHO, none of this is possible without the hot stove or the table setters.
IMHO, Sammy Sosa juiced.
IMHO, so did Rafael Palmeiro.
IMHO, Bud Selig didn't. I mean, come on - look at those guns. He doesn't have to; he's already more built than the Ultimate Warrior.
IMHO, Roger Maris' 61 home runs in 1961 is the last legitimate home run record. Everything after that is a farce.
IMHO, LeBron James will not be the next Michael Jordan. He's having the best all-around NBA season since Magic Johnson in his '79-'80 rookie campaign, when he averaged 18.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 10.5 rebounds per game. He's the first LeBron James.
IMHO, Titans' QB Steve McNair deserves to go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's one of only five NFL quarterbacks with at least 20,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing. That's pretty good for a guy who probably has more career injuries than Jackie Chan.
IMHO, Dirk Nowitzki is the MVP of the NBA this year: Most Vacant Player. Did you see him get Punk'd last month? It was lamer than Steve McNair's legs. Grow a personality.
IMHO, Hunter S. Thompson is the greatest sportswriter who ever lived. And boy, did he live some life.
IMHO, if the hard-hitting Riddick Bowe is seriously going to consider a boxing comeback, he needs to take a few pages out of the book of George Foreman - however many happen to be the instruction booklet for his lean, mean, fat-burning grill. Bowe looked like a falling avalanche in his fight last week against Billy Zumbrun. Lose some weight and maybe you won't need the judges to bail you out next time.
IMHO, I'm glad that it's finally baseball season. This winter was just too boring.
