AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > March > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStallone, injured Braves and BowserGate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
THE TUESDAY COUNTDOWN ….
10: Paul Hewitt is playing it right. Georgia Tech is in no position to complain about being a 10th seed. But after watching the ACC tournament, my question is: Who does Mike Krzyzewski have pictures of? Because that’s the only explanation for Duke getting a sixth seed.
9: One starting pitcher (Mike Hampton) is out two months after getting hurt swinging a bat. Another potential starter (Kyle Davies) is so wild that he must be throwing to a plate in Richmond. Chipper Jones already has a sprained ankle. When does Bobby Cox announce, “You know, I was going to wait two years to retire. But I just got this really cool deal on cruise tickets, and since I’m already down there in Florida - whoa, look at that time …”
8: Sylvester Stallone has been charged with importing “performance and image enhancing drugs” (48 vials of HGH) in Australia (from one of the best sites on the web: Deadspin.com). So far, there has been no uproar from Hollywood on bad actors compromising the integrity of B movies. But it makes you wonder how many more movies John Wayne could’ve made.
7: So in the latest chapter of BowserGate, police say that Johnathan Babineaux’s story about how his girlfriend’s bowser ended up dead is “inconsistent” with the evidence. I hate this legal details. Unfortunately, this is what happens when a dog is found in Gwinnett County and not Dade County.
6: The dog’s name, and I’m not making this up, was “Kilo.” What was second choice? Dime Bag? Quick Fix? Cheech? Chong? Particulates?
5: I understand from a business standpoint why the Thrashers will start selling playoff tickets Friday. But given the backdrop of the first six seasons, isn’t this a little like being the first developer to build condos near a fault line?
4: That said, OK: The Thrashers will make the playoffs. They have a good chance to win the division. The trades Don Waddell made at the deadline were just what this team needed and confirmed his existence — which, of course, differentiates Waddell from the rumor that is Billy Knight.
3: Viagra announced it has pulled its sponsorship of Major League Baseball. But commissioner Bud Selig downplayed the significance, saying it’s nothing a little vitamin E and five minutes on the Internet can’t fix.
2: I have thought long and hard about this and I can’t come up with one single reason why the Atlanta Spirit (Belkin or non-Belkin) would keep Knight. So I need your help bloggers. For just one moment, try to channel a deluded Knight-backer and provide me with one. The best answer wins a Speedy Claxton jersey (seldom used).
1: Florida, UCLA, North Carolina, Long Beach State (former campus home to Jerry Tarkanian, and me).
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz
Comments
By braves fan
March 13, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
I know somebody I wish would retire early and it aint Bobby Cox.
By Mike
March 13, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
I don’t ever condone using drugs but I loved Rocky Balboa. If Stallone had to take human growth hormone in order to make the movie then I am going to be the first person in line to thank him for the sacrifices that he had to make
By Bob in SF
March 13, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Schultzie, when BK is hoisting the NBA championship trophy in 2027 with the first all small forward/shooting guard roster, he will have have the last laugh. Just 13 more lottery picks and we will be in the playoffs!
By ben
March 13, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Hewitt complain? He probably sent a box of cigars to every committee member.
By RAMON
March 13, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
A good reason to keep Knight is because he has the Hawks in a decent position going into the offseason. true enough they may lose their draft pick, but as deep as this draft is said to be, theres not one player in that draft after the top 3 pick who would be able to do more than JJ every night. The Hawks gave up a draft pick and a rarely ever used Diaw for a GOTO GUY, sorry to say but that was a good deal. A GM can never know what player will do in another system. In that case Paxson should be criticized for giving up Chandler. Did BK miss on Paul, yea he did, but think about how many GMs missed on Josh Smith. Not to mention when he drafted MWilliams he knew he wasnt going to sign Harrington. I dont truly understand SWilliams pick, but he truly valued that low post presence more. He was one of the best characters in the draft. Remember, people questioned Jerry West for trading Divac for Kobe when he was first drafted.
By Matt
March 13, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
My inner Knight-loving Atlanta Spirit Voice tells me we can’t get rid of Knight because he has such a great “NBA body”. He has a tremendous wingspan, which is equal to his length. Furthermore, we like he does in practice. And by practice we mean his golden touch with the ESPN trade machine and lottery simulator. Did you know Billy ran that lottery simulator and 6 times out of 10 the Hawks ended up with one of the top three picks - which means we’d get to keep it. Besides, even if we wanted to get rid of him, we pigeon-holed ourselves by foolishly promising him “5” years. And as Sheldon Williams can attest, the Hawks as an organization don’t go back on foolish promises, even if Brandon Roy or Randy Foye are on the board. That’s the Hawks way of doing business.
Rutherford Seydell, III
By Brian
March 13, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Duke is a sixth seed because of several reasons. RPI, strength of schedule and some impressive out of conference wins (i.e Georgetown, Indiana, Air Force, Gonzaga). It’s just hard to be objective because their Duke.
By War Eagle
March 13, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I support Billy Knight because the longer he stays, the worse the Hswks will get until no one shows up, the ticket holders will stop buying tickets and supporting sponsors the sponsors will withdraw their ad dollars and the team will be sold and moved to Alabama or Mississippi. Then, Atlanta will be spared the embarrassment of a team, the NBA THUG Star game and the Thrashers will get better weekend dates and times. And imagine fewer traffic problems going home on those days!
By gdg73
March 13, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
What if Michael Vick was the one that was constantly injured and collecting $15 million a year while sitting on the DL? You would be spitting out articles left and right. For some reason, Hampton and Chipper get a pass from the local media. I wonder why. These two suckas are robbing this franchise blind. The organization instead trades away Chipper’s replacement Wilson Betemit. I guess he doesn’t fit the well crafted image of this current Braves team. I’d be surprised to see the teams real star, Andruw Jones stay. The team would rather pay two lame ducks than a currently productive and durable superstar.
By StingerSplash
March 13, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
sly used human growth hormone? then why is he still so short?
By tom johnson
March 13, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
I would love to see the NBA leave the state of Georgia.
By tim
March 13, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Wait a minute. There’s an NBA team in this town??
By Really
March 13, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Mike Krazyjewski deserves a 6 seed because he can make you grow as a student, make you grow as a leader, and make you grow as a human being.
By Mr HAHA
March 13, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz has made such a big splash in life that I’m sure people will remember him long after the likes of Bobby Cox & Sylvester Stallone.
By big tone
March 13, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
gdg you hit the nail right on the head!
By Tyger
March 13, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
Sgt. Shultz:
I try to avoid this cyber-trash of yours but since you “called out” for BK supporters, I had to return.
The Hawks are on schedule to win 37 games this season. Probably short of the playoffs but how many teams under the salary cap will?
Once this ownership mess is squared away, you’ll hang your head. Oh’ I forgot, no shame, no repurcussions, just spew venom and see how much sticks. Thats the ticket…
Why do I waste my time…the Hawks are in great shape. A good off-season and we are a lock for the playoffs next year and a championship run in the next 2 years.
No NBA has more young talent than the Hawks. If we stay the course, in 5 years, we’ll have at least 3 All-stars acquired by BK and be in the NBA Finals!
By Ryder
March 13, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
gdg is right, I do find it surprising that not more is being said about Hampton’s injury. Since he suckered Colorado into that deal years ago he has done nothing but waste salary cap space. Although the whole image thing is a bit suspect, I’m sure if Vick went through the same thing they would ask for his head.
As for Billy Knight, all I can say is that we’re looking to axe the wrong person. Three game winning streak notwithstanding, someone needs to realize this team won’t win big as long as Mike Woodson is coach. This mismanaged roster will only get wins by surprising teams and will never be a threat when you have a coach who is in over his head.
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 13, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Gdg73, your post is right on the money. I appreciate everything Chipper’s done for this franchise, but if the Braves can trade his $15 million salary to keep the younger, more durable Andruw for $15 million, it makes sense to do it. And Hampton’s never going to live up to his contract, even if he does return from Tommy John surgery successfully.
Notre Dame, Kansas, Texas, and Texas A&M.
By Chris
March 13, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight is around because Atlanta Spirit needs to present a distraction from the current ownership situation.
If the Hawks keep playing like the Hawks, people won’t be concerned with the ownership situation. They’ll be calling for Knight’s head on a stick, rather than demanding that these idiots get their stuff together and figure out who owns this mess.
Without Knight’s folleys, eyes would turn directly to ownership. And that ain’t a good place to look.
By hawks are cursed for trading Nique.
March 13, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
WHAT were u thinking when u wrote this?? i want some of what your smoking!!!! (Why do I waste my time…the Hawks are in great shape. A good off-season and we are a lock for the playoffs next year and a championship run in the next 2 years.) Man if u think this team is your CLOSE to
the pistons, mavs, rockets, jazz, or spurs….you have NO idea what your talking about!!
By TIM
March 13, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Actually, Chipper took a paycut (last year) so they could go after a closer - which they didn’t do.
even if they trade him, they would pick up the majority of his salary most likely.
By Terrible Truth
March 14, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
Careful Jeffy, even in his present state, John Wayne could still kick a hole in you, you humorless wuss.