Barry's Shadow

Barry Bonds has decided to not play in the WBC. He states that he doesn't want to risk injury before the regular season begins. But how valid is that point if he was only scheduled to be a DH and not play the outfield at all? Interestingly enough, there's a tougher, Olympic-style steroids test that's administered in the WBC. Bonds, just returning from a golf tournament in the Dominican Republic avoided the subject with reporters there, then conveniently posted his decision on his web site where he wouldn't have to field questions from hungry reporters. It's too bad that every decision he makes, every potential news article and even every record he may break in the future will always be in the shadow of his suspected steroid use. As much as I dislike the guy, I almost feel sorry for him.

Who is Kobe Bryant?

On Sunday night, Kobe Bryant scored a phenomenal 81 points over the Raptors to bring the Lakers to a 122 -104 victory. It beat the franchise’s Elgin Baylor’s 71 points set in 1962 and is only second to the all-time Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points record also set in 1962. The crowd was electric with the MVP chants and I’m sure that Chick Hearn (legendary former Lakers’ game announcer who was fond of Bryant and really thought him to be special) would have love to have seen this game.

I’ve been at a lost for words when it comes to Kobe Bryant ever since his alleged rape accusation and trial. On one hand he is the hardest working player I’ve witnessed in the NBA. He would often be the first and the last to leave practices, going over and over again his shots, his free throws, his moves. His intense, determined focus to be the best basketball player is admirable, no, even awe-inspiring. I mean this guy works his butt off. In front of the media, he’s also eloquent, smart, thoughtful and gracious. You can almost see his maturity from year to year, from boyhood to manhood.

Then there’s this other side of him: the alleged, numerous, extra-marital affairs, the rumors about how difficult it is to work with him, and his aloofness around other players, being cold and distant. Is the Kobe Bryant we see just a façade? Is the public image just a product of great PR? Is there a dark side to Kobe that only the closest people know about?

He’s a mystery to me. Can’t really tell what kind of guy he is and that’s what makes it harder to like him. You can respect him as one of the greatest players in history, but you don’t know whether you can trust him or whether he’s just putting up a great front. And it bothers me that I can’t see who he really is. I want to like him but there’s always that slice of doubt that enters my mind and casts a dark shadow on the person of Kobe Bryant. This is when I know that one really bad mistake can forever alter your reputation.

Eddie Murray & Bruin Basketball

Just when you thought the Dodgers were through, they announce yesterday that they've hired Eddie Murray as their new batting coach.

It's a great move. Who wouldn't want a Hall 0f Famer, ex-Dodger, switch-hitting, one of four players in history with 500 home runs (504) and 3,000 hits (3,255), an eight-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner as part of the coaching staff? This just may appease all the angry, disgruntled fans that have been complaining about McCourt hiring all the wrong people. Incidentally, McCourt will be interviewed on "Mason and Ireland" on ESPN 710 (Los Angeles) today at 3 PM.

There are still a lot of questions with Furcal's recovery from knee surgery, Gagne's recovery from elbow surgery, Drew's recovery from shoulder surgery, Lofton's durability, Garciaparra's consistency, and just how strong our pitching really is. But I must admit, the Dodgers look a lot better than they did 3 months ago. I still don't trust McCourt, but at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Tonight the #11 (AP) UCLA Bruins play Washington State who is 4th in the PAC-10. The Bruins, even with the critical loss of Shipp, have been playing with passion this year and hopefully on their way to a winning season and and good show in March.

USC vs. Texas

Hype vs. Reality
There’s nothing worse than hearing the hype about a game for 4-5 weeks and then when the big game happens, it doesn’t live up to the hype. On the other hand, when a matchup does live up to the hype and keeps you at the edge of your seat, you find yourself giddy, anxious and enthralled all at the same time. Last night was one of those times.

A Tape-worthy Game
I had scheduled a birthday dinner with a friend, forgetting that it was on the same night as the Rose Bowl game. I was, at first, disappointed to miss it live, but decided that I would record the game since I had already rescheduled this dinner once.

We got back from our time with our friend at almost 11 PM. We rewinded our tape and started watching it and by the time it ended it was 1:30 and it was worth every minute of it. Every now and then there's a "tape-worthy game" that you want to keep forever. A "Lakers Win a Three-Peat Championship" game or Sampras vs. Agassi in a Grueling 5-hour Tennis match or "Angels Winning the World Series for the First Time" game. You may never watch it again, but you just want to have it in case you want to watch it. Well yesterday's Rose Bowl game between the USC Trojans vs. the Texas Longhorns was that kind of a game and I was glad to have it on tape.


Critical Moments for the Trojans
There were a few controversial mishaps for the Trojans, like
1) Vince Young's knee that went down but the lateral that ended with a touch down, or
2) the time on the clock that wasn't stopped when a play was out of bounds which could have added 20-30 seconds to the game, or
3) Bush's lateral throw in the first half that ended in a fumble, or

more than the 4th down/2 yards incompleted rush that gave the ball to Texas in the fourth quarter,

4) the crucial face mask penalty that gave Texas a first down after two fantastic defensive plays by the Trojans that could have stopped the Longhorns mid field.

Would You Rather have Leinart or Young?
Another interesting thought I had was how everyone was in love with Vince Young after the game. It's interesting how media people so quickly change their minds about players. Just a week ago, everyone was raving about how Reggie Bush is the best collegiate player ever and now this week it's Vince Young. No doubt that Young played the game of his life and was absolutely brilliant, but Joe Theisman on Collin Cowherd's show had made an interesting comment about Vince Young-type of players. He said that most NFL teams, would be a bit weary to sign Vince Young on one factor: durability. If a team is going to pay $20-25 million for a player, they want to make sure that he's around for as long as possible and if a quarterback is running wild, you just don't know how long he'll be able to be durable. There's no doubt that Young will be drafted in the top 5 but Theismand does have a point.


Sometimes It's Better Left Unsaid
Throughout the whole game, Vince Young was as poised and focused as a top NFL quarterback playing in his 5th Superbowl game. He threw for 267 yards and rushed for another 200 yards. He was efficient, rugged, smart and cool. Then when they handed him the Offensive MVP award, he opened his mouth and his net worth dropped. He wasn't very classy or humble or the kind of player that commanded your respect. He was just a very talented college kid.

As a UCLA Grad, Props to USC.
As a graduate of UCLA, I will always root for the Bruins over the obnoxious Trojans. But there's something about Pete Carroll's classy, un-stuffy nature that makes you just want to like the guy. Then there's Matt Leinart: dedicated, sincere, another likable guy. And finally there's Reggie Bush, humble, hard-working and knows how to say things with grace--These factors made it impossible to HATE Hate the Trojans, so I'm mature and big enough to give them the props for being a great team with a great coach and having a great run.