Almunia forgot something...

While it's great to see Arsenal back in training - I mean it's gotta be the shortest off-season ever - I'm having a few problems with the above picture.

• Manuel Almunia - Why isn't he wearing shorts? Did he lose a bet? Does he think it makes him run faster? What the hell is going on there???

• Tomas Rosicky - I think it's great that he's out the training with the team in the pre-season but the conditions make me a little nervous. I mean this is a guy that hasn't played in 18 months because of a groin pull. I'm not sure training in the rain is the safe bet. I think Wenger should have him on a treadmill or taking Body Combat on rainy days.

• Jack Wilshere - Do his parents know he is hanging out with all of these strange men? Especailly the one that isn't wearing pants? He seriously looks 12 years old. Well no matter how young he is, he better get up to speed ASAP because Cesc isn't sticking around too much longer.

still waiting

Of all the freaking Summers (not DaJuan) for the Kenner League to be postponed, this was probably the worst possible timing ever.

We need some actual basketball to be played to get that nasty 08-09 taste out of our mouth.

We need to get a look at the freshman.

We need to get see how Vaughn, Sims, and Clark have improved.

Under normal circumstances, we would have had the chance to full fill all those needs this past Sunday.

Well the bad beat from last season continues. News was leaked on a GW message about around June 30th that the Kenner League would be postponed until the end of July. What a total NIGHTMARE. Did John Thompson III walk under a ladder or something?


As far as summer leagues that are actually going on, the KG Vets bumped their record up to 4-1 last night. It's a bit of a different setup this season. Different gym, smaller gym, 12 games in 14 game nights, currently unknown playoff structure. We are really shooting from the hip this summer.

NBA summer league action got underway yesterday. Mike Sweetney was seen in a Boston Celtics #56 jersey down in Orlando. A first round draft pick in 2003, Big Mike basically ate himself out of the league once his father unfortunately passed away just after entering the NBA. I would love to see him catch on with a team this season. He's got great hands for a big man to compliment his great post moves.

Can you hear me now?

I went about 3 weeks without a phone after my LG Chocolate systematically decided to retire at an early age.

I must say that it was a pretty sweet ride. The stops along the way included: randomly turning off, shutting down after being closed quickly, only working while charging, and then finally not even turning on while being plugged into a power outlet.

After realizing that I did need a phone from time to time, I went looking for help from my local Verizon store. After standing in line for about 20 minutes, I got some sketchy customer service advice by some kid dressed up in Goth. For whatever reason I decided to put a fair amount of stock for what he suggested. He said the buy a generic battery from RadioShack and I obliged.

So the battery showed up and my hopes were high. That didn't last long. I thought that I had beat the system by not extending my contract and only spending $23 on a battery. Upon putting the battery in my phone I was given a rather interesting screen that invoked confusion followed up closely by laughter:

USE GENUINE BATTERY. POWER OFF IN 10 - 9 - 8, etc, etc.

Major bummer for somebody that places a lot of emphasis on not being tied down to a 2 year contract.

I got a huge assist by a co-worker that gave me an older Verizon phone for free. All I had to do was get it activated for $15. Of course the full court press by the Verizon salesmen at the Clocktower store was pretty intense. Luckily I've got a special talent for ignoring people that suck.

The best part about this whole saga is that my old phone, that LG Chocolate I mentioned up at the top, is now working again. It's been on since Friday Night.

My best guess: The people at Verizon sent out a message for my phone to fail, forcing me into getting a new 2 year contract. Since I threw them for a loop, they panicked and just turned pumped a soul back into my old phone.

Thanks for nothing losers.

Draft Night 2009

Well we finally made it.

Tonight is Draft Night in the NBA.

Here are the top players on my Draft Board:

1. Blake Griffin - duh.

2. Tyreke Evans - Big guard that can do it all.

3. Stephen Curry - I still hold a grudge from the 2008 Tournament but this guy can help a team right away.

4. Gerald Henderson - Like Curry, there's a chance that hes undersized for the NBA, but I still rate him way up there.

5. Johnny Flynn - I'm not willing to say anything nice about an Orange.

6. Ty Lawson - The engine to the UNC machine from the last few years.

7. James Harden - I'd have him ranked higher if I felt he went 100% more often. Seems to float in and out of games far too often for a player with his ability.

8. Earl Clark - Same problems as Harden but possibly an even bigger upside.

9. Terrence Williams - I bet he steps right in and contributes from Day 1.

10. Jordan Hill - Big man that has all of the potential in the world. A good pick anytime after #6.

Disclaimer: These will not be the top 10 picks in the draft. Thabeet and Rubio will be in the top 5. I don't know enough about Rubio to give a fair assessment. I'm not in love with Thabeet at all.

I'd love for Summers to go to Utah at 20 but that's probably about 4 or 5 picks too early. I'd like to see him land on Cleveland.

i dare them to win the final

So the best part about having today's other semi-final on in the background has nothing to do with the actual game.

Nope.

The best part is when the announcers say, "Today's winner faces the US in Sunday's Final."

How cool is that? It's still pretty hard to believe.

So I've been rooting for South Africa because you would figure that they are the weaker possible opponent. Well that theory is starting to show some holes since they have been going toe-to-toe with Brazil for about 80 minutes now. At some point you have to realize that when are playing in a final of anything, I don't care what it is, you are going to be playing a really good team.

Fair Play: I don't think the US is going to win the Fair Play award at this tournament. After going an entire game with 11 all players on the field, the Yanks were back up to their old tricks with that late red to Michael Bradley. To be fair, it didn't seem like a straight red to me but they have become a team known for horrible challenges. The refs are looking for it all the time from the Red, White, and Blue.

I mean 3 reds in 4 games? Wow.

Not having Bradley will really hurt on Sunday. I don't want to see Sasha in that role. Are you listening Bob?

I think they should also try and play with 11 men for all 90 minutes in the Final.

But that's just me.

it's almost next season

We have come so far since the nightmare that was last February and March. In about 36 hours it will be next season. Two things had to happen, and one just did.

Georgetown has officially replaced Robert Burke with Michael Brennan. I like the hire mainly because the Hoyas needed another pair of eyes breaking down the Princeton offense. His experience as an extremely successful player for the Tigers should go a long way towards more back door cuts this season. I know I'm over simplifying things here but give me a break. I have thoughts of Brad Guzan making save after spectacular save running through my head.

Seriously though, is there anything sexier than a well run back door bounce pass for a layup? Yeah. I didn't think so.

Ok so the staff is complete. What's next?

Tomorrow's night draft is the final chapter to each College Basketball season. It's one last time to see DaJuan Summers talked about as a Hoya. And, thanfully, we won't be able to argue about who was to blame for last season anymore. It's seriously been so much fun. I'll hate to have to turn my internet message board attention to something else. What a shame really.

I also can't wait to see Flynn, Blair, Williams, and Clark walk across that stage and out of my life FOREVER.

Everybody needs to relax....sorta

The US looked horrible on Wednesday night at Costa Rica.

I get it. It was pretty bad.

I can handle it if their coach, Bob Bradley, was simply tinkering around with their lineup, with the thought that they could possible get a tie and see some players in different spots. I mean let's be honest, getting a win down at Saprissa was never going to be easy or, by any means, a sure thing.

Here are my problems:

Wynne wasn't ready for that kind of game in that kind of atmosphere.

Beasley can't play leftback.

Donovan needs to be on the wing or just behind the forwards - aka NOT A FORWARD.

Mastroeni is done.

Dempsey has been mia for awhile now.

I know that lots of fan likes to dump on Donovan but what do you expect when the team isn't that skilled and they put their most skilled player up top to receive the ball? It makes no sense. It's like when Shawn plays up top in some of my games. I know he's the best at scoring goals but what difference does that make if the rest of the team can't get him the ball??? I'd argue that Adebayor, Van Persie, or Eduardo wouldn't have done much left up top for the US last game.

One thing I did really like from the other night was the insertion of Adu. I don't care if he doesn't play for his club team - Monaco, Benfeica - WHATEVER. The kid should be playing for the US. He's got some of the best touch, composure, and just flat out feel for the game offensively on the team.

I'd like to see Adu up top with Jozy tonight. I'd like to see Donovan behind the forwards. I'd like for Clark to play for Mastroeni. Hopefully Frankie and Spector can play.

It's a big 3 points tonight in what will most likely be a pro Honduran crowd.

Now if Bradley thought his lineup and formation was straight money last week....We have some major league problems and either he goes or the team DOESN'T to South Africa 2010.

Gametime fellas.