Dec 17, 2004 : Sports Mumblings...

Sports Mumbling....

Rick Majerus.....the former University of Utah basketball coach, will be the next coach at USC. Apparently he is going to finish the year at ESPN and then coach the Trojans next year. I cannot pretend to be neutral on this issue. I think its great news and I'm one of those people who thinks college basketball is better with Rick involved. I hope Rick is healthy, as it was his health that led to the decision to leave Utah last season. Knowing how much he loves the game, I understand why he couldn't stay away. Hopefully his body will hold out and allow him to do what he loves. Good luck Rick! And for those of you wondering....Yes Majerus has continued his trend of living in hotels since leaving Salt Lake City. Gotta love never having to make your bed or mow your lawn. Majerus has recently stated an intent to get a house in the coming year and finally unpack that suitcase. We'll see.

The Jazz.... are struggling and Wednesday's loss in Phoenix dropped them to 10-13 with four more road games before Christmas. Being young, injured, and playing in the difficult Western Conference is proving to be a brutal combination. Coach Sloan won't let them quit, and will make them better as they go along. Hopefully they get healthy and begin to gel before they lose sight of the playoff chase.

Sloan still in charge.... In Tuesday nights game, Jazz PG Carlos Arroyo and coach Sloan had a few words. Carlos spoke back just a bit too much. Result? Arroyo spent the rest of the game on the bench and didn't start tonight. Because of injury, the Jazz needed Arroyo and allowed him to start the 2nd half. Sloan doesn't carry grudges and will allow guys to get out of his dog house, but at the same time will leave zero doubt about who is in charge and where respect is warranted. I believe Carlos is getting impatient and isn't personally happy with how he is playing and I think its boiling over. I think everyone, including Arroyo, expected bigger and better things from this season, given the strong showing he had in the Olympics.

How do I say this nicely......Kobe you need to be quiet! Kobe might be playing well, but who really knows. Seriously, I have no idea what he is doing on the court. I do know 'in court' Kobe is just getting over the whole rape charge situation. I do know there are rumors that in the GM's office 'near the court' Kobe made sure his star was the brightest one on the team and ran Phil Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal out of town. Now on Kobe's 'home court' he is creating a big Karl Malone controversy over some alleged comments between Karl and Mrs. Bryant. Did Karl say something to Kobe's wife that he didn't like? Who knows? Who cares? Only Kobe would let this turn into national news. She is only like 19 or 20 years old and is undoubtedly getting more than she bargained for when married the Laker Superstar. This is the same Karl Malone that stood by the accused rapist last year when many people wouldn't. I guess we should be glad that Kobe is actually paying some attention to his wife? More news today was that Kobe wants to apologize to Shaq. Uhh...Kobe, call him. This doesn't belong in the news, so please spare us of the soap opera for once.

Payton Manning might....... be the only player ever to be better in real life than he is on a video game. He is certain to break Marino's record for most TDs in a season in the next week or two. While Marino was known for TDs, Isotoner gloves, and for being the best QB without a Superbowl Ring, heres hoping that Payton gets a shot to wear the ring instead of just the Isotoners.