Great Article - John Wooden

Finally catching up on the pile of reading...

And just finished off the John Wooden article written by Alexander Wolff in the 3/19/07 issue. (The one with the photo collage.)

Great article...Check it out.

I was intrigued by these points on Wooden's first title run.

- I didn't realize that Wooden didn't win his first title until the age of 53.
- Wooden took a psychology class during his first title year.
- Wooden asked other coaches to scout his team and share critiques.
- He re-molded his staff, and he surrounded himself with 'non-yes' men.
- Stated later that he had blundered early in his career by associating too much with 'yes' men. Confided that "Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you."
- He believed that his new press would create such chaos that 'disharmony and disunity' would infiltrate the opposing team.
- Wooden courted conflict because he believed a worthwhile lesson might emerge from the clash.
- How I will never not list Goodrich/Hazzard as one of the best college backcourts of all-time.
- How speed beats size...(Even better that they ran Duke's Hack Tison and Jay Buckley out of the gym.)

Wooden said that all points came from a sign that he hung in his office that said. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."



I have all the respect in the world for Wooden, and I still need to read more about this guy. Does anyone have their suggestion for the best 'real' Wooden read? I would like to get a non-propaganda book...;)

Wizard of Westwood,
IronDog

Gameday: UNC vs. Georgetown

Gameday, baby!...UNC vs. Georgetown. Let's roll...

Here are my thoughts:

** Press Conference - Kudos to News14 yesterday afternoon.

They televised the UNC press conference in entirety, which was very cool. The press devoured the subject of the UNC/Georgetown 25th anniversary. Every daily newspaper should have some article on that game today. They asked enough questions about it...Hell, do a Nexus-Lexis search, and you'll find the same stuff ten and twenty-five years ago...Christ.

Roy gave some solid stories, and to his credit, he stated his wish to focus on today's game. After all, all of the kids involved in today's game weren't even born. When you think back to '82, it's similar to asking questions to a young James Worthy, Jimmy Black, and a MJ about what their thoughts are on the '57 team....I agree...Huh?

** "Why not us?" - Damn, while watching the press conference, I counted Tywon Lawson, Marcus Ginyard, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, and Brandan Wright. Then, I thought to myself. 'We have four top five overall recruits in our main line-up."

To put more perspective on that one, we have the best point guard over the past two years running the show. We have the top two big men of the last two classes, one of which is a first-team All-American, and the top two guard and #3 player in the country last year.

When you think about it...Gawd damn, they're loaded! Why not the Heels today?

** More Packer - I forgot to post this Bill Simmons article on Billy Packer.

Good points, but I disagree.

Yes, I was upset at his stubbornness and arrogance at the UNC/Gerald Henderson call. And, the guy can hard-wall on a subject. Yet, that's what makes him good.

He knows the nuances of the game. He played and coached the game in the foundation years of college basketball when basketball was an emerging and tough-@$$ sport. Bottom line: He knows and respects the game.

With that said, I still believe that he is the best color commentator not only in college basketball...maybe in sports.

The guy is not 'yes' guy or a 'hooray' guy. If you want that type of feeling with watching your sports, switch over to FoxSports. (Has anyone realized how bad coverage has become with the World Series?)

My thoughts are when the guy is gone, you'll be unimpressed with how little depth calls, games, and viewpoints are investigated.

Just my call...

** Great call - One of my boys brought up the mention of the out-of-bounds play called by Roy Williams at the end of the first half of the UNC/USC game. Did anyone watching the UNC/USC game watch the out-of-bounds lob thrown by Marcus Ginyard at the end of the first half. The lob play out of the time out VS the 2-3 zone was astounding.

Great call.

** UNC/Georgetown Prediction - After the USC game, I actually like our chances a lot more than when the tournament started. I think the last two games have showed a major shift in maturity for the young Heels, and I'm surprised at how they're working after falling behind in games.

Vanderbilt coaches, Kevin Stallings and King Rice, had to be in touch with Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heel staff this weekend. Undoubtedly, their strategies and lessons could be an advantage.

I believe that the speed could break down Georgetown's size. However, I love the cerebral Georgetown's cerebral play.

Let's do this. My call: UNC 65 Georgetown 59

ATL, ATL, C'mon now...Get Dirty,
IronDog

Impressive 'W'...One More for the ATL

Great 'W' for the Heels against USC in the Sweet 16 last night...

On my end, that ending took me a long time to wind down. Hell, I ended up dancing at Taloulla's on West Franklin until close. What'evs, we're on for Sunday. Here are my thoughts:

* Impressive and solid 'W' - What a comeback! The Carolina 'D' was on in the end. North Carolina's depth is just a killer for teams that neither have the energy nor the depth at the end of games. For the Heels, the 'W' from this type of game that would have been dropped earlier in the year. UNC was dead in the water.

The game was tense, close, and the Heels came back. Very impressive.

* Nice Switch - Great switch by Coach Williams when he took Brandan Wright off Nick Young. He switched Marcus Ginyard and Danny Green over to him, and the game flipped. There are times that I'm wondering how stubborness can play a role in many coaching decisions. And, man...great switch for match-up purposes.

Then again, Young was smoking them. What the hell are you going to do? Let him keep running?

I was wondering when that move was going to happen. If anyone is replaying the game this AM, let me know the exact time in the second half that he made the switch. I would be interested to see Young's stats from that moment on.

* Danny Green - Green's pass aside, that block was incredible. I love that guy's defensive potential. He has been making some incredible blocks all season, and very few people give the guy credit for his athleticism. Hell, he may be our best shot-blocker. Undoubtedly, if he was a beach kid from the West Coast, he would be a great volleyball player.

Wait until this kid gets more seasoning. My belief is that North Carolina's Danny Green will be a helluva player by the end of next February.

** Calls - I'm not one to bang on refs. Yet, that game was a badly called game both ways.

Some of the calls were bewildering. Danny Green's foul after his block and bad pass was a terrible call. There was a terrible call on Bobby Frasor on a breakaway. Nick Young was whistled for a charge that was bewildering. Tyler's second call was puzzling. Four fouls on Taj Gibson changed the outcome of the game. The fifth foul call for Taj Gibson, who has four fouls, on a pick at the end of the game...Game over.

C'mon the game is not centered upon you. Brutal.

** Gone Bonzo - What was Tim Floyd thinking? He must have had a flashback to his days of coaching Dragan Tarlac in Chicago. His stunt of throwing his play cards on the floor after Gibson's fifth foul was a move that you do when you're ten games out of the playoffs in the NBA...Not in the closing moments of a game in the Sweet 16.

Tough foul on Gibson, but...damn. C'mon.

** Tyler's Game - He's a great hustler, workhorse, has a lionheart, and plays with pain. Yet, his strength is that he's a banger. For some reason, when he plays someone his size as he shown throughout the season with Heyvelt, Morris, and a guy like Taj Gibson, he's in trouble.

Why? You may ask. He needs an aresnal of McHale moves.

Says here that if he works on his inside post moves as hard as he does with his body, he could develop his game to a incredible level. His work ethic is unparalleled. If he develops skills in terms of low-post moves, watch the hell out.

Here's a wish...Call ex-Carolina player, ex-former head coach and current asssistant coach, Doug Moe, of the Denver Nuggets for skill development.

He developed Kiki Vandeweghe, Calvin Natt, and Alex English into scoring machines. Hell, he even developed Bill Hanzlik into a solid NBA front-court player.

Bring him into Chapel Hill for two weeks after the Nuggets are done in the playoffs. Put him up at the Hampton Inn, and all it an alumni visit. Believe me, Tyler Hansbrough will be a changed player, and better known to '07-'08 ACC opponents as..."Dr. Doom."

** Reyshawn...huh? - For a guy who was sick all week, Reyshawn Terry was a like a six-year old on the bench last night. Every time that I looked at the bench, the guy was bouncing up and down and yelling. Are we sure that the kid was sick?

What'evs...Go with Ginyard and Green. Man, those guys stepped up the 'D.' Run, youngins' run!

** Coming up...Georgetown - I hate this game and match-up.

They have a quality big man in Roy Hibbert that Hansbrough won't be able to push around. They have wings and stellar ball movement...Yeech.

Yet, the Heels can run, and they have a lot of experience with teams that have tried to slow the tempo down through a controlled half-court offense. The problem is that may not have played a team with a more cerebral half-court offense like John Thompson Jr.'s 'O' this season.

The Heels need to run the Hoyas out of the Meadowlands early. Put them down, keep them down, and not let any room to wiggle. Tywon Lawson is the key to the game, and he needs to penetrate and score.

On the wing front, the Heels should be good.

(I'm telling you...Give Ginyard and Green the chances to lockdown Georgetown's, Jeff Green. Ginyard and Green deserve the chance.)

More importantly, I'm glad to see that Vanderbilt did a good job on Georgetown. Vanderbilt's head coach, Kevin Stallings, has sped up his offense, and the 'O' did extremely well against the Hoyas. In fact, if that travel call on Green is called at the end of the game, the Hoyas are back in D.C. right now...

By the way, travel anyone, on that last shot...anyone? Email me with your thoughts, please.

I'm sure that Coach Stallings and Coach Williams will share good phone. After watching the final seven minutes or so between Vandy and Georgetown, the Heels should be OK.

To the ATL...Cadillacs and grills.

Get Dirty
IronDog

UNC/USC Pre-Game Thoughts

UNC vs. USC (a.k.a. "Duke West"...How's that for public university fans?) Here are my pre-game thoughts.

** I've said all year that a team that even has a guy that's over 6'8", solid wings, and a decent point guard could snatch UNC by the throat.

Now, I've watched SC a few times this season, and I just can't imagine an outcome where Tyler Hansbrough does not have a huge game tonight. The Heels have to ride him all the way home.

** Reyshawn Terry with strep throat....Of all the times. Damn, bruddah.

Well, Reyshawn...You have Nick Young, then, a possible match-up with Georgetown's Jeff Green. You can either play yourself into a mid-late first-round slot to the Seattle Supersonics, or you can grab a nice spot in Beijing for the next couple of years.

It's yours, big man. Water down...This is it!

(I wonder if Nick Young will rock the mohawk...Man, that guy is loose.)

** 'Whatever happened to the Stewart twins?' - One of my best stories upon how kids can be blown up by message boards and hype has to revolve around the recruitment of the Stewart twins. The amount of hype that was thrown around high school sophomores, Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart of Seattle, Washington, has to be the biggest underground internet bust rumors in the state of North Carolina of all-time.

Everyone thought they were the next Michael and Vince...And, if we didn't land them, all was lost.

Does anyone remember this? Quick hands...How many people went bonzo over those guys?

Where Rodrick is? I do not know.

Yet, Lodrick careered on us last year. The kid is built and he can shoot. With Reyshawn sick and one of our wings chasing Nick Young. Marcus Ginyard and Wayne Ellington have a big assignments covering these wings. My call is that Marcus Ginyard continues to step into his own as one of the best defensive players in the country. He's destined for that accolade. This game could prove my call.

To continue my call, if we stop the wings tonight, North Carolina is playing Sunday.

** Tim Floyd Factor - Coach Tim "Pink" Floyd handed the Heels their @$$ in a bag last season in the Los Angeles Coliseum. That was a weird game. And as a UNC alum, who almost broke a tea cup by crushing it at the West End in frustration, I would love to get some payback tonight. More payback is warranted when you consider their crowd took the floor like they beat Alcindor in '68.

My call, and I don't think the statement is a bold one...is that pound-for-pound, Tim Floyd, is one of the best in-game coaches in college basketball. I've watched his development his teams at Iowa State and the Bulls over the past decade. Getting worked over night-in and night-out with the Bulls helped his coaching style a lot, and he has an offense that can put points up either with speed or in half-court.

His teams bust ass, and he can also motivate teams to do great things...Especially, for one game.

I hate for Carolina to be playing him in this type of game. I would also hate to play Lon Krueger right now. Those guys have nice end-of-the game plans.

Watch out...

** My final call is that if Tyler Hansbrough goes to work, the Heels win. I just hope that if they do collapse down on him, Brandan Wright can have a big game. We need those guys to really put the wood down on SC tonight.

I've seen SC play UCLA straight-up, tank woefully against Stanford, play wild, yet solid at Oregon (Then again, everyone plays wild vs. Oregon), and embarass themselves again versus Oregon in the Pac-10 final.

Who will show tonight?...I don't know.

How's this for a prediction?

UNC 81
USC 73

Beat USC a.k.a. "Duke West",
IronDog

Happy St. Patrick's Day

To everyone in Chicago, San Francisco, Charleston, South Carolina, New York City, Chapel Hill, NC, Hong Kong, County Donegal and County Mayo...Happy St. Patrick's Day.



Erin Go Bragh,
IronDog

Pre-Dance Thoughts

A whole four weekends shot on hoops, and great stuff on the list. Here are my thoughts before the start...

** There were four teams that I didn't want UNC to play in the tournament:

1.) Wisconsin
2.) Georgetown
3.) Marquette - (Actually, any heavy guard experienced team with only an average big man)
4.) Texas

We get three of the four...Damn.

** Tywon Lawson - If there is a guy on the floor, who has improved game-by-game over the last two months, Tywon is the guy. He's penetrating well, and he's has put a somewhat lid on the asanine pull-up jumpers that he was launching in January.

I agree with the points that he would be delusional to leave early. Then again, would he learn just as much about the game resting on an NBA bench earning 400-600K? Yes, and probably more...I've been burned by the hope before. I'm going to appreciate him as much as I can during the tournament.

** Tyler's Mask - Good report on TV14 on Hansbrough's new mask. If you can, catch it.

I'm waiting for the ultimate "Larry Bird" hustle moment that will have throwing the mask to the bench and proceeding to gather 15 boards and drop 25 on someone, which would preferably be Texas.

He has entered my all-time Top 5 North Carolina players. Simply said...What a beast.

** Brandan Wright - Regardless of his size or how much he'll get thrown around in the league. He's still a Top 4 pick. And, I don't know if I would pick Spencer Hawes over his potential in the long-term.

I think a year of school would help him. Yet, be honest with yourself.

Would you rather go to class, have only a limited number of hours that you can work with coaches, and be broke? Or would you want $4M by the end of next season, be able to work all day and night on your game with the best coaches, former NBA veterans, in the best of training facilities, and watch your game soar...Tough call.

To my main man, Deon Thompson...Get a MySpace page. Your fan club is ready.

** Half-Court Slow Down - I've said for the past four years that our achilles heel is when we have to get a half-court bucket. Unfortunately, we don't have Sean May to bail us out with his frontcourt passing this season. I'm hoping that the slow down play from Michigan State or Marquette will not have us breathing the ether.

** Jerel McNeal - I loved Marquette early in the season, and I loved them through January until Jarel McNeal went down with his thumb. Even if he comes back, I like our chances because of a lack of chemistry that happens when a major player returns. I think we'll be OK, but damn...Tom Crean and Tom Izzo are great coaches.

** Texas - I didn't want to play these two teams because of their offensive firepower...

I still will take Tywon Lawson, but D.J. Augustin is a major player. I'm nervous with him matching up on Tywon. Tywon needs to man his @$$ up. Also, who on our team can stop Kevin Durant?

Yes, I believe that Reyshawn Terry could stop him...Yet, would Reyshawn look at the shiny lights on the scoreboard, or would he look at the middle of Durant's chest?

** Georgetown - I'm not heading to that match-up yet. I love Thompson Jr.'s playing style...Breaking Princeton ball movement with speed. Wait until he starts adding consistent elite level talent to the mix...Wow. As for now, we'll have our hands full with them.

** Announcers - I'm waiting for someone to step up to be a 'top shelf' announcer. Yet, who is the top guy? I know everyone wants to lynch Billy Packer right now. And, yes, his call during the Duke game showed his arrogance and stubborness. However, I still can't list anyone who is better than him right now in terms of color commentating.

As I've stated numerous times before, I love the Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery, Dan Schulman trio. However, ESPN has that trio on the lock-down...At least for now.

Please name a better tandem than Packer/Nantz, and I'll go with them. By the way, I'll agree that proclaiming that duo as the best combo should show how much of a dire need there is for an announcing tandem in college basketball right now.

By the way, has anyone noticed that Jim Nantz is so focused on the NFL Today show that he is way behind in calling a late-season NCAA game.

CBS needs to step up on the trio from ESPN.

With that said, I'm prepping for Verne Lundquist this weekend...Yeech.

My Final Four: Wisconsin, UCLA, North Carolina (Yes, Homer, Alumni and Student Pick), Ohio State.

Sleepers: Louisville, Creighton, Maryland, Xavier (Great guard play...If I'm the Michigan AD, Sean Miller is my guy. Yet, I have them out to Ohio State.)

** If you're in the Hill, I'll be at the West End Wine Bar watching the game. Drop a line. I'm going with a silver needle tea concoction that will purify you for three days...;)

Go Heels, Beat Eastern Kentucky...Let's get to the Meadowlands!

Off the Glass,
IronDog

Sunday SXSW, Austin, TX

What a night in Austin...I like this town.

With an ACC crown to add, what a weekend.

Here are the panels that I hit up today:

Using RSS for Marketing - The adoption rate for RSS marketing is gaining ground. If you're marketing your own blog, keep in mind that the appearance of your RSS feed should be easy to find and prominent. Also, how many people of the mainstream even know what RSS is? People, people, get up on that tool.

Living in a Spatial Reality - The accomplishments of Keyhole/Google is astounding. I'm doubly impressed by John Hanke, who is the Director of Google Earth. The concerns that I see for accessing GPS models globally is access. How we develop broadband access for people to utilize this 3D modeling in developing countries. Here's another thought...Who is going to push Google Earth on this project? If you're going to compete with them on Google Earth or develop another model around satellite imaging, you better have manpower and bandwith.

Building an Online Fan Base - The resources that filmakers and independent publishers are utilizing for low costs are astouding. If you're an filmaker or video producer, the time is now for you to utilize screenings and online promotion in secondary markets.

People Powered Products - Community users provide better support than others. The question is how do you get users to buy into your concept? Use easy navigation and listen to the feedback from your users and community. Great discussion from Jeremy Hogan of Lulu and Flickr founder, Heather Champ.

Looking for Earl Campbell,
IronDog

Saturday SXSW, Austin, Texas

In Austin, Texas this weekend for South by Southwest Interactive...

This event is a stellar performer. Surprisingly, this is my first visit to Austin, Texas and I have to admit that this is one helluva town. I'm also impressed with the fervor around Kevin Durant...Then again, how can you not be?

Here are the events that I attended yesterday.

Emerging Social and Technology Trends - Great discussion on where we're heading in terms of online communication, business models, and education.
Under 18: Blogs and Wikis - What are the issues surrounding youth and social networking. I would like to see the discussion expand to explore the similarities between public space and the online world.
Games & Entertainment Brands, Top 5 Trends - Great insights on how deep marketing partnerships will be developed within casual online gaming and hard-core gaming products.
Wiki Commercialization - How businesses can utilize wikis as a competitive advantage. And, how to keep communication open.
Arts Entreprneurship - How to intertwine your passions and work.
High Class and Low Class Web Design - Great insights on how sites are developing in terms of the user experience and should designers be focused upon simplicity for users and customers.

Solid stuff...Hit the town afterwards. I like this town.

I'll keep you posted on how the Austin sites through pics and an interview or two.

Peace,
IronDog

Where's the Class?

Here's one of my last takes on the 'chop'...

A classy move would have been to get one the Duke assistants preferably Steve Wojciechowski, Chris Collins, or Johnny Dawkins, (all of whom recruited and are familiar with most of our players), grab 2 yellow shirted Security Pros, and walk over to the locker room in an effort to calm down emotions that are bound to last for a long, long time.

Would that act have been too much to ask for a coach to do?

Now, everywhere Duke freshman, Gerald Henderson Jr. goes outside of Durham, North Carolina, he's bound to be harassed over the next three to four years.

Personally, I'm envisioning some chucklehead throwing ice at him either uptown in Chapel Hill or at the Beach and a melee breaking out.

I'm still amazed by the dumb choice of how to handle the incident by the Duke staff. Way to teach...

I'm telling you. I lost a lot of respect for Duke Basketball with how that incident was handled.



Peace,
IronDog

Man-Up

I've always thought hard fouls were part of the game...

Perhaps, I'm a little too old-school on that one...And, I've always thought that there is a very fine line for trying to tone kids from playing hard. Unfortunately, do believe that hard play has always been a part of the game, and you can't whine.

Yet, why shouldn't Coach "K" not be held to the mat for this one?

John Chaney was crucified for his "goon" type of culture and play. Unfortunately, he had the guts to say what type of hard-@$$ culture he had founded within his program. When he admitted to doing so and to ordering a "hit", he was burned.

Two weeks before that incident, Coach Krzyzewski started his "goon", Patrick Johnson, to establish the tempo in a hard played game against Georgia Tech. All was let to pass...(By the way, I'm still a firm believer that move and game influenced John Chaney's decision at Temple.)

Not that he ordered a pre-meditated hit, but I do believe that Krzyzewski should have to answer for that type of play. Over the past five or six years, his players have been taking on 'thug' roles that are slipping into the old Georgetown of the '80s days. If that was one of John Thompson's or John Chaney's kids, people would be screaming for heads.

I lost a lot of respect around Coach "K"'s response. You're right...Mike Copeland was at the scorer's table. Dewey Burke was in. So were Danny Green and Bobby Frasor. For Coach "K" to blame both sides for having their starters in was absolutely ridiculous. Now, with these two cases, if there was no blood or a broken bone in Chaney's case, would anyone have gone 'bonkers'? Probably not.

Also, do I think that Gerald Henderson Jr. meant to hit him with an elbow?...No. I do believe that he missed with an open hand and hit him with his elbow on the follow-through. However, you want to look at the play. The move was a hard-@$$ foul with a open-handed swing.

Krzyzewski should have to answer for that one in the same way that Chaney did. Someone should ask him if he's ever ordered a 'hit.' Whatever his response is he should be held to the same standards placed upon Thompson and Chaney had during their tenures.

I've always let him slip because of his belief in the 'Chicago' way. He could have even said. "Let me review the tapes, and I'll talk to you on ACC media day"...I would have let him slide.

However, with his answers for the Henderson foul and the Georgia Tech game, I just can't buy them.

3 In a Row,
BD

Competing on Skill

One of the main reasons that I love public television is due to the Charlie Rose Show...

Last night, he not only provided an aveune for more access to insights of Governors, but he also introduced the nation to Governor Mike Easley and how the state of North Carolina is creating a the university system as a laboratory for the future.

Check out the full interview at Charlie Rose's site, or through GoogleVideo.

My belief is that the Charlie Rose Show is the best show on television. Rose is a stellar interviewer, and I dare anyone to name a journalist who is better interviewer than Rose.

With that said, Rose pulled no punches last night. He asked Easley to touch upon topics ranging from higher education, RTP, the death penalty, his appointment of Duke Lacrosse prosecutor, Mike Nifong, and the issues that are under current neglect at the federal level.

Easley responded with a call for higher education in order to compete with foreign influences on skill development, and he stressed the importance of a state's university system as a tool to combat the flight of manufacturing and outsourcing within the state's economy.

Retaining talent within the state of North Carolina is of extreme importance for the state of North Carolina. With towns such as Robersonville, Mebane, Kinston, and Thomasville taking major hits from the loss of textile and agricultural production, the call is for finding new ways of attracting new industries to support the population boom of the state. Easley did a solid job of explaining how North Carolina is addressing re-training our workforce and supplying our economy with an high-skilled employment in order to compete with overseas talent and production.

Easley referred to Thomas Friedman's philosophies in order to stress the importance of promoting innovation and creating competitive skills through education. That's a line-drive double to left-field in my book...

Easley also touched upon the lack of federal government funding to support North Carolinians, who are serving in the Gulf. We need to find ways for families to sustain themselves while the main income earners of their homes are overseas. With men and women serving over a year's time in the Persian Gulf, their lives have been put on hold back in the states, especially in North Carolina. There has to be more funding in order to sustain their lives back home. Easley is on point addressing this issue.

Easley also hung tough when Rose addressed the issue of his appointment of Nifong as the District Attorney of Durham. I gained a lot of respect for Easley when he met the issue head-on. He mentioned that he initially thought Nifong wouldn't run for office, and he emphasized that he wouldn't have appointed Nifong if he had known that Nifong was going to run for office...Way to man-up.

What I respect most about Easley is that he is paying attention to the people and the education of the state. This state has been heavily affected by outsourcing for textiles, agriculture, and furniture, and the slow-down in tobacco growth. I feel comfortable about Easley taking steps to meet these issues.

Rose ended the conversation with an invite to all governors to talk on his show. The invitations are to from governors with views not only shared by Easley, but also Governors Mitt Romney to Jeb Bush. Why are they not showing up on Charlie Rose? Hell, the show is on public television...How much of a public forum do you want?

Here's to hoping that governors will share their views upon how their states can be laboratories for the future.

Also, kudos to CRose for promoting the North Carolina Ballet.

HomeTown,
Irondog

Let it Ride

I've always been a sucker for a solid 'MJ' story...

Major kudos to blogs, 'True Hoop' and 'Foul Balls' for passing along this story about the bets between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Check it out here at 'Foul Balls.'

After spending a lot of time in Chicago throughout the '90s, I always knew that Scottie was one of the most 'country' guys in the NBA. That story only takes my belief to another level...Classic.

By the way, here's a pic of MJ's candy-apple red Rolls-Royce Bentley that he pulled up in during his return to the Smith Center. What a beast...



Winnin',
Irondog