The men in my family went to the Indians-Blue Jays game on Tuesday. Thanks to the good people at StubHub, we got some late tickets in the 3rd row of Section 158. It had been a while since I had sat that close, but it gives you a really good view.

The good? We got to see Matt LaPorta drill a homer that was gone the instant he hit it. Fausto Carmona looked pretty good for the win. Carlos Santana looks like the real deal.

The bad? Shin-Soo Choo dropped a popup. Santana had a passed ball with a runner on third. Kerry Wood hit a guy with an 0-2 count, but still got the save. We heard Shelley Duncan yell "Dammit!" and "Fuck!" on successive late strikeouts.

The Tribe won their 4th straight tonight.

Meal of Links

Bittman brings out more grilling recipes. And, of course, it looks like a great weekend to grill.

Amazon buys Woot! No changes.

From The World Moves Fast Department. A $500 video card today (with 1.5 teraflops) is faster than the world's fastest supercomputer in 1998 or the 500 fastest supercomputers combined in 1993.

An interview with Gerald Casale. Yes, Devo is back.

More Rolling Stone discussion. Matt Taibbi doesn't like Lara Logan very much.

Cat Lassie Doesn't Give A Shit



I guess I was wrong. Ghana may have indeed had a home continent advantage.

Exercise Yard

What happens at 12:01 tonight? As Chuck Galeti said on his Bottom 9 tonight: "A guy in a vampire suit shows up 24 hours late to the Midnight showing of "Twilight".

Besides that, NBA free agency starts. As I've said all along, I think LeBron stays. What the team looks like beyond that, I have no idea. Now it appears Byron Scott is the new Cavs coach, after all. What kills me about this is how the media seems to place so much importance on who will be the new Cavs coach, but the untested Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls new coach, apparently is no factor if Lebron chooses Chicago. Can't have it both ways.

Visitor

22 Across: "Bad Moon Rising" band, familiarly (3 letters) Answer: CCR

"Bad Moon Rising"/CCR

Thought I'd pull this one from the archives.

Germany vs. Greece (Monty Python Style)



Meal of Links

Looks like Kabayashi will not be eating hot dogs at Nathan's this year. Complete with Man Vs. Beast video. And speaking of that long lost show.

Man Vs. Beast (Little People Vs. Elephant Pulling Planes)



BTW, YouTube has added a vuvuzela button to some of its clips. Just click on the soccer ball.

Dennis Kucinich on War



Cinema's most laughable bad guys. Vigo made it.

American democracy on film. My favorite line from "All The President's Men": "Nothing's riding on this except the, uh, first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys fuck up again, I'm going to get mad. Goodnight."

"Big Brother" returns next week. With a fantasy league.

Senator Byrd died today. Too early to look at his negative side?

Craig Kilborn is back.

Exercise Yard

Chris Henry had severe brain trauma when he died. The youngest ever diagnosed with CTE. He was 26 and without a history of concussions.

Visitor

26 Across: Orange Free State settler (4 letters) Answer: Boer

Today's England-Germany match had us back at the Rusty Barrel in Westlake. Check this out. You pick a team at the start of the match and get 50% off your bill if they win. I was the only one of our group to pick "the Germans". Danke schoen.

Best Fraulein Today





























The English basically crapped the bed in this one. Yes, history will show that Frank Lampard got hosed, when his obvious goal, was not called correctly in the first half. It would have tied the score at 2. Coach Capello is now able to say his tactics would have been different if it had been called a goal. Perhaps.

Ball Over Line = Goal



But it doesn't excuse their absolutely horrid giveaway on Germany's first goal. And it doesn't excuse their second half effort as the Germans took it to them and beat them into submission, 4-1. One of England's worst World Cup losses, and maybe one of their worst World Cups period. In a very clean game with few fouls and yellow cards, the Germans exposed every one of England's weaknesses. It completely destroyed the pre-game template of Germany's youth vs. England's experience.

As Thomas Muller, who scored twice, said after the match, "We are Germany. We are a tournament team." Take that, you oil spillers.

In the second game. Argentina used another incorrect goal call, to start a romp of Mexico. The Mexicans had barely deciphered that bad call when another giveaway led to another Argentine goal. They made it 3-0 on a cracker from Carlos Tevez (reported by Baghdad Dave on Channel 3 as "Carlo Tavis"). Hernandez scored on a beauty late for Mexico, and it was a 3-1 final.

The "Good" Tevez Goal



So, even though there was lots of good soccer played today, the question remains. When will FIFA embrace technology to correct bad refereeing decisions? They should have had it already. If we are sitting in a bar and know within seconds there was a bad offside call or a goal that should have been allowed, why doesn't FIFA go along with it. Jeezy creezy, while a guy is dancing around with his teammates, a quick replay won't affect game action.

Blind Refs



























It's beyond dumb they don't have it.

The next two afternoons offers some cool matchups. Brazil and Chile have a go tomorrow, while Spain and Portugal meet on Tuesday.

Meal of Links

Dave Weigel, who had been making many appearances on MSNBC the last few months, had to resign from The Washington Post. Seems some of his past anti-conservative online comments became an issue.

"Airplane" is now 30.

"Oh, stewardess. I speak jive..."



77 Unforgettable Movie Songs. I wish I could forget some of these.

Exercise Yard

The good news? Russell Branyan is now a former Indian. The not-so-good news? Arthur Rhodes, yes, that former Indian Arthur Rhodes, has now gone 33 appearances without giving up a run.

We last had him 5 years ago. He left the team for a month late that year under some odd circumstances labelled a "family issue". Then he left in mid-September for good.

Visitor

None, on a tropical Sunday.

Well, it was back to the Old Angle for today's USA-Ghana match in the World Cup. Love that Jameson's Highball with Gosling's Ginger Beer. Anyway, the day started like this:

"House Party"/J. Geils Band



And it ended like this...

"Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me"/Hee-Haw



Going in, there was talk about the Home-Continent advantage for Ghana. I'm not really sure what that means. Are North Americans going to root Mexico now that the USA is eliminated, regardless of where the World Cup is played? I don't know about that.

But there was even more talk about how the US keeps allowing early goals. Well, they obliged Ghana by letting in a goal in the 5th minute. Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has a brother playing for Germany, BTW, knocked a shot past Tim Howard, that quite frankly, he should have stopped. Immediately after the game, I hear Radio Sports Guy talk about a lack of passion, etc, at the start of these games as a reason for early goals.

Another Early Goal



No, it's about possession, execution and tactics that keeps putting the US behind. The problem in the first half was possession. Mainly the USA's lack of such. Also, Coach Bradley's yanking of Clark after only 30 minutes is sure to buoy his detractors. Seems that he can't find a lineup he's comfortable with and appears to be reaching at times. Edson Buddle in the lineup? Anyone?

In the second half, the boys really dominated possession for the first 20 minutes or so. Clint Dempsey got knocked about for a penalty and Landon Donovan made the Penalty Kick for a 1-1 tie. That was in the 62nd minute.

Landycakes Penalty



I thought as early as the 70-minute mark that Ghana was ready to play for a Shoot-Out. But in the 4th minute of Extra Time, Gyan hit one in for the gamewinner. It was a beauty. Howard had no chance on that one. One of the problems with the US team is its strength up the middle and it burned them on both goals today.

The Gamewinner for Ghana



Very disappointing result. Certainly it was a winnable match.

In the earlier match today, Uruguay finally gave up a goal, but still beat Korea, 2-1. Uruguay scored early, not really a lack of passion by the Koreans, just a terrible play by their keeper. But they tied it in the second half, then this beautiful goal from Suarez was the late gamewinner for Uruguay.

Suarez Goal #2 for Uruguay



Friday afternoon's matchup is Uruguay-Ghana. Until then, I'll be having nightmares about this guy.




















Meal of Links

Iceland comic runs for mayor of Reykjavik as a joke. Then he wins.

These cities should know this will happen each time you host the G20. The riots have begun. Uh-oh. Pizza Pizza got it. Please do not wreck any Tim Horton's. Oh no, they didn't make it.

I happen to like Olivia Munn. But some women think she's too hot.

Exercise Yard

Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs had an epic meltdown yesterday. You can't really yell at your teammates in the dugout, but he did. So, the Cubs suspended him. Now they are stuck with an out-of control pitcher and his fat contract.

Visitor

20 Across: Einstein and Planck, e.g. (7 letters) Answer: Germans

I Couldn't Resist

I hustled after work to get over to Cinemark to fit in a screening of "Knight and Day" before the NBA Draft. This is the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz flick that opened yesterday. I thought the trailer was hideous, but since I won't be in line for "Twilight" next week, I'd thought I'd see this.

Actually, it wasn't bad. I can't really put my finger on why this is doomed to fail, but I can get close. The scenes that were meant to be funny, should have delivered more laughs than they did. And some of them were actually funny. But I don't know if the humor just sailed over everyone's heads or why it seemed to not consistently connect with the audience.

This was really a Cruise/Diaz vehicle, who probably shared 96% of the screen time. Paul Dano had a nice, small support role. Viola Davis and Peter Sarsgaard were basically wasted. Saw some new trailers today. Of course, "Inception" is getting a big push and I've seen this one for a while. But I saw the "Salt" trailer with Jolie. That looks promising. Those two are July releases.

Also saw the "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" sequel. And a first time for "The Adjustment Bureau" with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. And "Secretariat", as well. The first two are due in September, while the latter is an October release. There was one for the kiddies, "Rio", which said it is an Easter release. I'm assuming Easter 2011.

Meal of Links

Is it too hot to cook? Read this.

The Polaroid auction set some records. Including the Warhols.

Venezuela seized some US-owned oil rigs. The state-owned oil company wasn't paying the bills.

Will the Oscars move to January? Probably not. But, one argument, the Oscar bump, is a fallacy.

Sarah Palin is toxic. 52% react negatively if she endorses a candidate.

If you trust BP, listen up. Kevin Costner's water cleaning machine works.

Exercise Yard
































The World Cup lost another major soccer power as Italy failed to make the round of 16. It's setting up as a weird Quarterfinal as the matchups are dictating a couple of more will be gone by then.

The shift in power seems to be favoring South America, Asia and even CONCACAF (the US region) this time around.

BTW, here come the Mexicans.

Visitor

37 Across: "Annie" classic (15 letters) Answer: It's the hard knock

"Hard Knock Life"/Jay-Z

Real Americans Had No Doubt























The USA sure took a long time to put Algeria away, eh? I caught the last 15 minutes on a renegade Univision feed, and it didn't sound any more encouraging in Spanish. I was pleased they added 4 minutes at the end of the second half though.

And, sure enough, with about a minute gone, they hit paydirt. Jozy Altidore actually setting up the goal (that's 2 now in this World Cup) with a pass to Clint Dempsey, who missed again in this match, and then Landon Donovan slammed in the loose ball for the 1-0 win. Then the dogpile appeared. USA wins a Group for the first time in forever, as England beat Slovenia, 1-0.

Donovan's Goal



Of course, another awful decision by a ref nullified a goal earlier in the match.

Offside? What Offside?



But we are the home of the NBA, so we should be used to bad calls by now.

Next up for the USA are the Black Stars of Ghana on Saturday. Ghana was beaten by Germany, 1-0. But they still advanced because Serbia spit the bit against the Socceroos, 2-1. On paper, this is a much better matchup than Germany. However, Ghana eliminated the USA in 2006. BTW, Germany plays England on Sunday, which should be a good one.

I do not know much about Ghana except their official language is English and they have gold there. So, my early prediction is that I will have many adult beverages on Saturday. And if you take a peek at the bracket, it is shaping up as a "weak" one, so who knows what may happen?

Meal of Links

They actually let Gen. McChrystal go today. Here is the Rolling Stone article that prompted his removal.

25 things you didn't know about Blondie. Well, I knew some of them.

Tea party protester or soccer fan? You decide!

What a car costs. Ohio is sorta middle-of-the-pack.

Landon Donovan's goal earlier today may also have set a record. A record for Internet traffic. Up 190% more than usual.

Exercise Yard

Major leaguers and their relationships with their bats. Love 'em or hate 'em.

Visitor

5 Down: Partner of Seals (6 letters) Answer: Crofts

"Summer Breeze"/Seals and Crofts (plus guy in back)

Alan Sepinwall remains the de facto source for anything David Simon-related. An interview here. The final episode of "Treme" is reviewed here.

I thought Season One went really well. There is a tendency to compare it to "The Wire", but if you shake that notion from your head, it results in a very good ride. I absolutely loved the season-ending episode. David Simon doesn't necessarily bookend the season, but definitely there are at least some brackets, fore and aft. Like a long chapter of a book.

The flashbacks to pre-Katrina were especially poignant, I thought. It took me several seconds to figure out what the hell was going on. But those highlights:

Antoine looked like he had a nice house, even though he didn't have a trombone case back then either. But he had a car! An example of how some people lost a lot, others not so much.

Davis getting on his neighbors for leaving, but realizing that he needed to bug out when he saw how big the storm was.

Creighton joking about how the levees were constructed.

Daymo getting arrested in an almost innocent manner (as the policeman said) without knowing what was about to happen.

LaDonna sensing trouble with Daymo, while the rest of her family was heading out of town.

Sonny and Annie seemingly having a joyous moment or two before the storm.

What I enjoyed about the final episode was:

The season started with a funeral procession, then ended with a second line in the last episode.

Antoine with a definite shoutout to his character in "The Wire". When he described himself as a "cooked fish eatin' motherfucker." Plus, his argument with the cabbie from Episode One made me laugh. I love that guy.

I liked that Janette and Delmond sat near each other in the airport, only to have some random sit in between them. Further evidence this show is not on network TV. Also, Janette's look as she awoke from her nap looking at the city was something. Sometimes you have to relax and drink it all in, wherever you are.

The look on Davis after Annie walked into his apartment was choice. Steve Zahn played that perfectly.

Melissa Leo (Toni) and Khandi Alexander (LaDonna) keep knocking it out of the park every week. LaDonna with her ear to the family vault: "Sounds like every motherfucker up in there's spinning." when she had to write the check for the repairs. And Toni vows there will be no second line at her husband's funeral, because he committed suicide saying "Can't dance for 'em when they quit". Powerful stuff.

I liked the Big Chief struttin' his stuff on Saint Joseph's Day. I understand within his own ranks he lost some people, but I thought there would be more spectators.

Steve Earle had the closing theme and he's as good here, as a musician, as he was on "The Wire". "This machine floats", a shoutout to Woody Guthrie, was on his guitar.

Now I know what comes in a "$40 High Life".

John Boutte, who sings the "Treme" theme had a great line. Davis convinced him to sing a Sam Cooke tune, "Bring It On Home To Me", to Janette, in hopes that she may stay. Davis: "He sounds just like Sam Cooke." Boutte: "I fucking sound like John Boutté!" Hah!

So, we'll see what happens next season. "The Wire" had an evolving cast, so I think we'll see some new people and I would not be surprised if we see more from the police (David Morse's character, especially) and New Orleans newest roof contractor.

Meal of Links

How to take extraordinary photographs. Exposure.

One radio show I thought was off the air was Dr. Demento. Now it is off the air.

Game show hosts who have appeared in movies. Alex Trebek:Superstar.

Gen. McChrystal has got to go. He will fall on that sword some time tomorrow.

Amsterdam now uses "decoy Jews" to stop crime. Hope it works.

Another "Bachelor" or "Bachelorette"couple fails. Why is this show still on?

19 TV episodes largely confined to one location. "Cartwright?"

The rise of the kid flick. You know what that means..."Marmaduke 2"!

Did Manute Bol invent "My Bad"? He may have.

Exercise Yard

Big game for the USA in the World Cup tomorrow morning. Hirsh has the preview.

Final games of the group stage have started. Cameroon and North Korea were the first two teams eliminated.

In: Uruguay, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina

Out: South Africa (first time a host has not advanced), Greece, Nigeria, France





























Well, if you hate the French, this tournament was for you. One player sent home. the captain was forbidden to apologize to the French people by the coach. The team walked out of a training session on Sunday. The Team Director resigned. The coach refused to shake hands with the South African coach after today's match.

A strange trip.

Visitor

61 Across: Wordsmith Webster (4 letters) Answer: Noah

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there.




















A World Cup is never complete without that photo. And since Italy played today and dove for a penalty, well, there you go.

Meal of Links

Did Billo get a vuvuzela blown into his brain? Now he criticizes Michelle Bachman.

Bon Jovi fires his manager. But wishes him well in his future endeavors. In other music news, Live Nation introduced their new tiered pricing at a show at Chicago's Soldier Field. Eagles, Keith Urban and the Dixie Chicks. $895 up close plus $46 parking. Joe Barton has already apologized to Live Nation for the hate.

BP bails on the North Sea. Must maintain profitability.

Exercise Yard

The Florida Marlins had a giveaway last night. Not vuvuzelas, but air horns. 15,000 of 'em. Joe Maddon: "There are cool things and non-cool things. That's non-cool."

Visitor

None, on a gorgeous Father's Day.

My Dad and I saw "The A-Team" today. I figured out a key plot point fairly quickly and he figured out a late one, so there you have it. Mindless entertainment. They showed how they originally met and 80 missions later we're in present day Iraq.

How can you have Jessica Biel in your movie and not give me anything? Bradley Cooper had his shirt off way too much. Liam Neeson smoked cigars and made a good Hannibal, I never liked the TV Murdock (and this new guy didn't help matters) and Rampage Jackson was a decent B.A. He never "pitied the fool", but he uttered this line, "Why we in a fallin' tank?" For some reason, that made me laugh. Neeson went for the Oscar with this gem, "Give me a minute, I'm good. Give me an hour, I'm great. Give me six months, I'm unbeatable."

I said an "A-Team" movie would not be complete without the line, "I love it when a plan comes together..." and they essentially beat it into the ground. And they violated the "A-Team" television policy of killing people.

Jon Hamm had a cameo near the end, just in case there is a sequel. And the gay Puerto Rican guy from "Seinfeld" was a Mexican general.

It was a decent two hours out of the heat. Nothing more.

Meal of Links

Manute Bol passed away today. One of the strangest sights you'll ever see on a basketball court. But, boy, he loved his native Sudan, always trying to raise money and awareness.

The 10 most famous addresses in the world. Not exactly "Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills" but you get the picture.

Speaking of old TV shows made into movies. I give you "The Equalizer" with Russell Crowe. At least, the opening to the TV show is attached.

Biden on Joe Barton



Exercise Yard

The Indians are playing the Pirates this weekend. The big news is that the Pirates fired a pierogi.

Visitor

32 Across: "thirtysomething" actor (4 letters) Answer: Olin

As the World Cup matches have developed, today was the best stay-away-from work day on the schedule, thus far. Serbia-Germany, USA-Slovenia, England-Algeria. So, Miles, Ken, Juan and I met at the Rusty Barrel in Westlake. I mainly heard about this place from my brother, it's on his mail route, and they do a bangup job. Can't beat the all-you-can-eat-and-drink for $10 during the USA matches.

Miles was the first to arrive this morning. As the token Serbian, he had to get there for the first match between Serbia and Germany at 7:30. I think he may have opened up the place. Whenever the Germans are involved, I think of this:

The Germans



Hell, I had a Bloody Mary in my hand by 7:45. "America, what a country!" Ken was next to arrive and Juan showed up for the US second half, with the luxury of staying for the afternoon England-Algeria match.

The first match ended up Serbia 1, Germany 0. The result was not a stunner, but the guy reffing this match was handing out yellow cards as if he was bribing Cuyahoga County officials. That resulted in the Germans losing their big scorer, Klose, to a red card in the first half. Kudos to ESPN announcer, Robbie Mustoe, who was all over the ref for the calls. It seemed the ref had pre-determined all fouls were bookable offenses, treating any tackle from behind as a yellow card. WTF?

Anyhow, about 2 minutes after Klose leaves, the Germans were still reeling a bit, and the Serbs put in a goal. Oh, they almost tied before the half and played a strong start in the second half. Then Lukas Podolski got to shoot a penalty.

Podolski Misses



That spelled the end for the Germans...oo-o-o-o-oh, the Germans.

BTW, Joe Barton's friend, Hitler, is none too happy about the defeat.

Next up, USA-Slovenia, Slovenia with their Charlie Brownish unis. Remember, Slovaks are not Slovenians. This was a match the US needed to win, because the Slovenia win over Algeria put their group in a hole. Slovenia always has a stout defense, so it was going to be a tough, but winnable match.

Typically, the USA gave up an early goal in the 13th minute. Wow, the Slovenians really need to work on that celebration dance.

Slovenia Scores First...Uh-Oh



Well, they had another first half goal to go up by 2. More bad dancing.

Then the fun started in the second half. Landon Donovan sends an "America, Fuck Yeah!" goal right at the keeper's melon to make it 2-1.

"America, Fuck Yeah!"



Michael Bradley, the coach's son, hustles his ass off for a terrific match-tying goal. Everyone gets fired up after this one went in. Note "Drunken Tears of Joy Guy" on the replay.

"See, Dad, I Can Play."



Then, Maurice Edu appears to have the match-winner late. Everyone goes nuts. Then reality sets in that the goal was disallowed. At first, offsides was mentioned, but then incredulity arises as it was determined a foul was committed.

USA...Hosed



I've looked at these replays a million times, and all I see are Slovenians bearhugging Americans.

"We're Bearhuggin'....We're Bearhuggin'..."


























As you can plainly see, the only American not being held is the goal-scorer, Edu. At least the ref was horribly consistent, as he called a foul on virtually every set piece of the match. Sure, it's a bad call, but the US is just gonna have to suck on it and like it. Of course, Robbie Findley was yellow-carded for a handball that actually hit him in the head. Yeah, the ref was kinda bad. However, the tie didn't kill them, because...

England crapped the bed against Algeria, a 1000-1 shot to win the World Cup.

England Beats Truman




















It's like LeBron's Game 5 over there. No one can believe it. Some comic had a description of English football before the World Cup that goes like this: "When a player puts on an England shirt, it's like when you are driving and you see a police car in the rear-view mirror. All the natural things are things you have to start thinking about and it all goes staccato and difficult." After their first two matches, how true that is.

After that crazy day today, it all comes down to Wednesday's games. If the USA wins, they advance.

Meal of Links

Kids are fickle. Justin Bieber in, Jonas Brothers out.

"Diaperman" died. Interviewer: "Why would a grown man wear a diaper?". Shider: "God loves babies and fools. I'm both." Beautiful.

The reality of living in southernmost Louisiana. "I see this as the beginning of another depression if the rigs and waters don't reopen. We'll lose everything that goes with it: the money, the culture, the traditions that weren't even mine yet."

Exercise Yard

It looks like the ref in today's USA-Slovenia match may not be getting any more assignments this year. For FIFA to act that quickly means he was really bad.

Visitor

37 Across: Three-time Clooney title role (5 letters) Answer: Ocean

Joe Barton thought that the $20 billion deal the government cut with BP was a "shakedown" and apologizes to BP. Which, these days, is akin to rooting for Hitler.

So, the GOP leadership pulls him aside, and I guess, in their version of an actual "shakedown", give him the option of resigning his ranking committee position or retract his apology.

He opts to retract his apology in the lamest way. Is there an apology in this statement: "If anything I said this morning has been misconstrued to the opposite effect, I want to apologize for that misconstrued misconstruction."

What he is actually saying is, "Obviously you, the littles, misconstrued what I said and for that misconstruction, I apologize."

Speaking for all the small people, we didn't misconstrue a thing and heard you loud and clear. How someone can be so out of touch speaks volumes about the people we elect.

Meal of Links

Five plants that can almost survive dark. Begonias are one.

Here is the saddest IMDB page ever. Something to be proud of, I guess.

Paste picks the 10 best Ramones songs. Good to see some love for "Cretin Hop" and "Judy Is A Punk", they don't get played as much as the others.

Danny Boyle gets the call to direct the London Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies. I sense dancing.

Crap. More evidence that you can't retire at 65. Hello, lottery.

Remember that Joaquin Phoenix doc? Or is it a mock-doc? Anyhow, it's release is getting closer.

The "Blues Brothers" movie is 30 years old. Great movie. Hate the "Blues Brothers" impostor acts these days, but a great movie nonetheless.

The technology of "Minority Report". An absolutely underrated movie, but even ESPN has adopted gesture-based computing. They used it in the NFL draft, I've seen it during horse racing's Triple Crown and I even saw it used the other day for NCAA conference realignment.

Exercise Yard

Erin Andrews figures to leave ESPN. Her contract is up at the end of the month. But what exactly can she do going forward? Outside of late-night Olympics hosting, where does she go?

Apparently to find her luggage.

Visitor

68 Across: "Gymnopedies" composer (5 letters) Answer: Satie

"Gymnopedia No. 1"

There are only a handful of mascots I like. Most of them, well, they aren't worth the distraction they cause. During the heyday of Jacobs Field, I recall missing an Albert Belle homer because myself and a bunch of other idiots were too busy clapping along with Slider. I vowed never again.

The Wall Street Journal reminds us of a long-forgotten mascot. Yes, even the Yankees, a team still without names on their jerseys, employed a mascot for a few years. The name was Dandy. And he failed miserably.

Meal of Links

A pin-up calendar from Eizo. Why, you can almost see right through them.

If you like to click a lot, here are the 100 Best Films of World Cinema. "Godzilla" is in. Lots of Kurosawa. Some Fellini, "Das Boot", "The Vanishing", "Wings of Desire", some Chow Yun-Fat epics, and "Run Lola Run" all made it. Of course, the oldies like "M", "Metropolis", "Nosferatu" and "Battleship Potemkin" are in, as well. "Battle for Algiers" made the Top 10. I recommend that one.

Australia may soon join China and Iran. In what? Internet censorship.

One word. Leon!

Even Billo is stunned by Palin. Norwegians and dikes!



Exercise Yard

Hirsh finally checks in with a World Cup update. Today saw the biggest upset, the Swiss over Spain, and the most cohesive team, Chile. Yes, Chile. And their coach, El Loco.

Oh, and Maradona told Pele to "go back to the museum". Snap.

Visitor

57 Across: Haggard of country music (5 letters) Answer: Merle

"Cherokee Maiden"/Merle Haggard

On Sunday night, S. and I jointly celebrated our birthdays and headed over to the Rock and Roll of Fame for Chef Jam. This is the event that started last year at the Beachland Ballroom and mushroomed into this get together at the Rock Hall. Uh, I think it's stayin' there. They sold 1,000 tickets and they disappeared with about a week to go.

It was $50 per ticket. This got you all the food you wanted and beer, wine, pop and water were included. Mixed drinks were available at, I think, $7 or $8 each. 25 local restaurants were there. They were set up in the lower level and 3rd floor of the Rock Hall. There were two local bands plus Todd Rundgren played with the band assembled by the Crop as the headliner. Besides Todd, the other two celebrity-spottings were: Mayor Frank Jackson and Anthony Bourdain's nemesis, Michael Ruhlman.

Todd looks pretty good for 62, I must say. They played mainly the songs from last year, the Doobies "Long Train Runnin'", Hendrix "Fire", the Allmans "Whipping Post", Todd actually got to let loose on the old Nazz song, "Open My Eyes". For some reason, they played a lengthy version of Neil Young's "Ohio", which seemed odd for that sort of event. I don't mind that tune. S.? Well, she can't stand it. Then, of course, they played "Bang the Drum".

Here is what I ate:

Smoked pork butt with collard greens and black pepper cornbread. This was from Zach Bruell and was outstanding. Probably the best thing there.

Momocho had wild boar tacos. Terrific.

Bistro on Lincoln Park had an Allman theme with a grilled peach, cracked black pepper ice cream with a balsamic reduction. Yummy!

Johnny's ceviche was great. They called it yellow snow.

Sushi Rock had a sushi surf and turf.

Prosperity Social Club had an awesome jambalaya (with Frank's hot sauce available). That was a repeat visit and they easily had the largest portions.

Lago had some meatballs that were good.

Crop had some rollups that were good, as well.

Melange went all out, as usual. Their "Bad to the Bone" ribs had an unusually tasty ingredient...Watermelon in that sauce! Dill pickle popcorn this year.

Amp 150 had beef tongue with cabbage salad that was wonderful.

Dante had LSD (Lemon-Scented Doughnuts). I would have preferred BLFD (Bigass Lemon-Filled Doughnuts), but it was OK. This won the Maker's Mark prize for best use of the bourbon in a recipe.

We passed on some others and Bar Symon and Moxie ran out of their stuff earlier than most.

My impressions. Overall, it's a lot of fun and definitely for a good cause. But they could make better use of that big plaza they have. They should have some things outside. It certainly would ease the crowds inside. It was awfully tight moving about, although most of the crowd was gone by time Todd started. But that's mostly nitpicking. I'm sure the event grows in stature from here.

Meal of Links

In case you haven't noticed, it's Cheer Up Keanu Day. I think there is another one on July 1st.

GQ has an in-depth look at Deepwater Horizon before and after the explosion. So many topics are addressed, just an excellent piece. And here is some info on the chemical dispersants that BP continues to use. Even after directives have been issued.

The New York Times reveals its 50 most challenging words. Hey, "canard" is in there. I actually use that one a lot. I use it because it's in "The Natural". And we've all heard Jim Rome's phrase "wooden and laconic". Another good one, used in the crosswords, is "ersatz".

Where Americans are moving. It ain't here, folks.

Comedy showrunners talk shop. Seth MacFarlane references that "Family Guy" can't get Disney songs cleared and talks about who has sued them.

Tim Goodman recaps the past TV season. Probably time to take a look at some of these shows I've ignored.

"Psycho" is 50 this week. PopMatters has a daily celebration of Alfred Hitchcock going on.

Speaking of Bourdain, he has a new book out. "Don't blame Guy Fieri on me. That's not my fault. That's a radiation accident."

Exercise Yard

It's winter in South Africa and at some of the sites it's been pretty damn cold (at night, in the 20's this week), so I apologize for the lack of female fan photos. But I've caught up with a few.

She Has A Lovely Paraguays





























Hey, Nice Dutch Boys



























Don't Cry For Me, Argentina





























The World Cup is going pretty true to form with Japan over Cameroon a true upset. I actually have Japan in my pool. Huh? Shocking that North Korea scored a goal off Brazil today. Paraguay tied Italy, but this is not the Italy of 2006. New Zealand scored very late for a tie with Slovakia today.

I wanted to mention the Dutch. It's very seldom you hear the roar of the crowd over those damn vuvuzelas this week, but the most impressive guy so far (outside of Messi, of course) has been Eljero Elia, who is getting a loud response. He played the last 25 minutes or so in their win over the Danes and virtually each time he touched the ball, he made things happen. Look for him. Hard to miss, he has some sort of dreadlocked mohawk thing going on.

Visitor

31 Down: Celtic great Larry (4 letters) Answer: Bird

The one thing you can count on, oh, every 4 years or so at this time, is when many individuals dust off their old arguments about why they hate the World Cup. It's actually quite laughable. I don't know if it's because, heaven forbid, foreigners are involved. Lack of scoring seems to be another issue. They are "forcing it down our throats" is another belabored point.

Personally, I think that stuff is a bunch of hooey. Think about it. There really aren't many sporting events where people gather in rather large groups to have a few drinks and watch the game. The Super Bowl is king, but that's a one-off. Another one-off might be something like the USA-Canada Olympic hockey final. If you happen to be lucky and your team makes a playoff run, sure, some games are targeted, but many choose to watch the games at home. The World Cup is one event where that camaraderie lasts for a month. But let's be honest, for every USA-England game that draws people out, you have an Algeria-Slovenia that won't draw flies. I always say at tournament time, it's better if England participates.

But they don't score, who wants to watch that? Think about that the next time you are watching the Indians losing, 11-3 in the sixth inning. I dare you to watch that game in its entirety. Seriously, try it. That game may last another hour, it may go longer. Over the years, I've found myself going from watching every pitch in a ballgame, to most times, just checking the games out. Sure, I may watch an entire game, but it's rare. Lord Football, again, a different story. I'll watch those games to the bitter end. But, how can you argue with the World Cup? The early-round games are always within a two-hour window. "Idol" lasts that long every week.

They are cramming it down our throats. Pump your breaks there, Sparky. Really, at 7 a.m. on a Sunday, you are being forced to watch the World Cup? Instead of, what, the Mass for the shut-ins? Yeah, but each time I turn on ESPN, it's the World Cup! Who can blame them, if they invested the cash. Of course, ESPN overpromotes everything they cover. Or have you forgotten about poker? But there are matches on the weekends during the afternoon, isn't that overboard? Huh, the Indians are on every Sunday and there's always golf and NASCAR. Have you ever seen a Channel 5 schedule on a Sunday? How many paid programming specials or "Matlocks" can you watch? Five Sundays of soccer every four years is not "cramming it down our throats".

Geez, you'd think the Olympics or the WNBA would catch more heat.

Glenn Beck hates soccer. Conveniently forgetting his parent company has a cable network known as "Fox Soccer Channel".

And, seriously, what other event brings out funny shit like this?












































































Meal of Links

The Dead Weather absolutely tore it up at Bonnaroo last night. NPR has the audio.

BP. You have 48 hours. Are you in or out?

They may ban vuvuzelas at the World Cup. Just last week they were charming, now they are a nuisance.

Some of the inner turmoil at Activision. They only make Call of Duty, the Tony Hawk games and Guitar Hero.

Ford finally killed Mercury. I guess no one put Mercury on their list.

"Mercury Blues"/David Lindley and El-Rayo X



Exercise Yard

Case in point about watching the Tribe. Big time hype because Stephen Strasburg was in town. Additionally, it was another chance to see the Indians catching prospect, Carlos Santana. So, there were butts in the chairs and it was a decent game.

But after Strasburg left the game, and the Indians had Tony Sipp throw gas on the fire, what was the point in watching that dreck. MLB Network has it right. On, their "MLB Tonight" show, they just have every pitch Strasburg throws and you don't have to wait through the other crap. Saves a bunch of time.

Visitor

None, on a humid Sunday.

"Hey, England. Suck It!"





















"U-S-A...U-S-A..." well, kind of, sort of. England 1, United States 1 in the first match for the USA in this World Cup. Our soccer friends met at the Old Angle. Omigod, it was asses to elbows in there. Probably as crowded as a St. Pat's Day. I got there around 12:45 for a 2:30 game and seating was already at a premium. I'm assuming the novelty wears off as the tournament progresses, because everyone had this game circled when the draw was announced. But try the Beef Sliders, very tasty. Oddly enough, they also have beer!

Uncle Sam and Becks


























And what a raucous crowd it was! Shouted "U-S-A" a lot, groaned each time the TV transmission was lost and we booed Beckham every time they showed him. Poor Becks! Not even playing and he draws the wrath of the viewers. Well, he did spill oil in our Gulf, the bloody bastard! Or something like that.

Gerrard Gets A Yellow Card




















As far as the match was concerned, I had us losing at 50% and had a draw at 30%, but only a 20% chance of winning. But England scored in the 4th minute. The English skipper, Stephen Gerrard, had that goal. I like him as Captain. That guy would take his Mother out on a tackle, if it would help him win.

Rob Green's Goalkeeping Mitts
























The USA scored on an incredibly bad goalkeeping effort by the English keeper, Rob Green. Jeezy creezy, high schoolers don't give up slop like that and this was on a world stage. Clint Dempsey had that goal to even it up in the 40th minute. I've already heard Green referred to as the "Bill Buckner of soccer". Yikes.

Strange Sight: Wayne Rooney Complaining!
















And that sign explains why I am not in South Africa. Stay Alert, Stay Alive. Good grief.

Both teams had chances in the second half. Most notably, Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Shaun Wright-Phillips for England and Jozy Altidore for the US. Tim Howard, the Man of the Match for the US, made all the saves and none went in.

For my taste, the USA gave the ball away much too easily on unforced errors in the match. Too many throw-ins and a real lack of ball control have me a touch disappointed in today's result, but I'm very glad they got the draw.

Our Lads


















The English perspective.

Next up: Algeria.

Meal of Links

Saudi Arabia has a conversation with Israel. "If you need to, like, blow up Iran's nuclear sites, we can, um, clear our airspace for you." Yikes.

Alfred Hitchcock was the first person to be recorded saying, "That's what she said.". (With more from "The Office".)

Folks watching England-USA on ITV HD in England, missed the goal scored by England. Oops.

Exercise Yard

It's tough being an American soccer fan. Money quote: "Talking with my neighbors about Lionel Messi would be like trying to engage a group of Amish farmers in a discussion about the merits of the 2011 Porsche Carrera."

Now that 5 matches have been played in the World Cup, what have we learned? The pitches are fast tracks and that ball is jumpy. They complain about the ball every year, but, man, it takes some huge hops this year.

What Else?

Argentina looked good beating Nigeria. I can't tell if they are a really good team that does just enough to win or if they toy with their opponents. Diego Maradona looked good in his suit, though.

South Korea looked OK against Greece. But, my God, it looked like Greece was asleep for the first 70 minutes of the match. As if they were in the Eastern Time Zone at 7:30 a.m.

Mexico-South Africa? South Africa needed a win. I think the host is done.

Uruguay and France. The French were awfully selfish in this one. Too much individualism. Don't sleep on Uruguay, that was a good result for them.

Worst Goalkeeping



Best Dance



Visitor

20 Across: Van Halen's "Somebody Get ___ Doctor" (3 letters) Answer: Me A

"Somebody Get Me A Doctor"/Van Halen

Well, it's like Christmas Eve in June. For the World Cup starts tomorrow. I wonder of Desmond Tutu pays for his tickets.

Anyhow, Shakira is shakin' her assets in South Africa. She has the official World Cup song. Or is it R. Kelly? Anyhow, she has a song she's singing.

















































As usual, the host country kicks things off tomorrow. South Africa takes on Mexico at 10 a.m.

ESPN has interviews with most of the players who have scored a goal in a World Cup Final. It is incredible. They got everyone except the dead, the infirmed and Zidane. I have particular interest in the 1986 final, which I attended. Lucky for me, there were 5 goals. Excellent interview with Rudi Voeller. Never count the Germans out on the pitch.

Get used to the vuvuzelas. They only sold a million of 'em.

The Likability Rankings of the 2010 World Cup. We're Number One! North Korea is just the worst, man.

Start the excuses! Messi is tired.

Knowing Canada as we do, I hesitate to use the headline. Anyhow, a company from Manitoba is supplying grass for the World Cup.

Africa has come a long way from when Zaire didn't know the rules in 1974.



The Bluffer's Guide to the 2010 World Cup.

One day to go.

Meal of Links

53% of all viewers watch TV alone. It doesn't stop me from talking to the TV.

The real names of 22 fictional characters. Shaggy is Norville Rogers.

That Google background honked me off today. I didn't ask for it, I didn't want it and I absolutely hated the default image. After 14 hours of a 24-hour deal, Google bagged it, conveniently sticking to the story that a bug prevented people from removing it.

BP Spills Coffee



Exercise Yard

If you thought a strong coach would help LeBron James leave Cleveland, think again. Of all the teams that could afford him, several were looking for new coaches. Avery Johnson went to the Nets, after he interviewed THREE times with Atlanta. Chicago has hired Boston assistant, Tom Thibodeau.

The Clippers haven't named a coach. Mike D'Antoni is still with the Knicks. I guess the shadow of Pat Riley still looms in Miami.

But the sweepstakes between Tom Izzo and Byron Scott for the Cavs job certianly doesn't hurt the chances of LeBron staying.

Visitor

52 Across: Skater Babilonia (3 letters) Answer: Tai

As I'm watching the live feed of the pipe in the BP oil spill, is that fire I see?

It looks like the shit will be hitting the fan shortly for the NCAA and its major conferences. Nebraska is joining the Big Ten. They hate how Texas rules the Big 12, so no surprise there.

That means the Big 12 implodes immediately, with six teams running to the Pac-10. Those six: Colorado, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech (Guns up!). The Big East probably loses some schools or implodes themselves. As the Big 10 undoubtedly prowls for more schools.

This excellent piece by Dan Wetzel from Yahoo! Sports is a must-read to find out how we ended up here.

Meal of Links

iPhone vs. Android. I still have neither.

You can catch Bonnaroo live this weekend on YouTube and also on NPR.com, of all places. Much more accessible than last year.

Daniel Lanois recently had a motorcycle accident. Mainly famous for his production work, the guy has had some terrific albums of his own.

"Glee" is the new "Twin Peaks". Huh?

Jimmy Fallon imitates Glenn Beck. His ratings have dropped 20 percent.

More ugly photos from the oil spill. They have collected 874 dead animals and another well-oiled 466. We'll never know how many will go unaccounted.

Exercise Yard

Rick Pitino has a message for Tom Izzo. Forget the NBA.

Visitor

52 Across: Soccer star Mia (4 letters) Answer: Hamm

As the Cavs go after Tom Izzo,

David Geffen tries to mess us up.

And the Indians DFA'ed Mark Grudzielanik.

What's the bigger news?

Meal of Links

How did Bonnaroo get its name? It comes from a Dr. John album. Bonnaroo is loosely translated from Creole meaning "good stuff".

Yeah. Those lines at BK can be tiring.

Looking at new candy and snacks. Hey, there's Perky Jerky.

BP kinda sucks.

Exercise Yard

Even The New Republic covers the World Cup. Today's subject: The coach of Chile, El Loco.

Visitor

36 Across: 1971 Sutherland title role (5 letters) Answer: Klute

An interview with the guy who created the girl, you know, with the tattoo. Looking back at the only public chat with Stieg Larsson. Good news on the American movie version. Obviously, in Fincher's hands, that's great in itself, but he's looking at Daniel Craig as the male lead. I see him working here, and I'm actually buying it.

Now, the casting of the girl is what's going to make or break the U.S. film version.

Meal of Links

The fake BP PR Twitter account. Complete with "tar ball" and Marmaduke references.

HBO has started up a Monday doc series. Tonight's, "Smash His Camera", on Ron Galella, Jackie O's "favorite" photographer, was terrific.

HBO giveth and they taketh away. "The Life & Times of Tim" got cancelled. Very underrated and underpublicized show.

That casino jackpot you thought you won? Why, that was just a computer glitch.

"Seinfeld" has made $2.7 billion since leaving network TV. that's a lot of fusilli, Jerry.

Exercise Yard

The 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. The dark ages for US Soccer.

Visitor

14 Across: Contemporary of Ella and Sarah (4 letters) Answer: Lena

I took my niece (who absolutely loved it) to see "Marmaduke" yesterday. I could reference Nolan Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell", but it wasn't that bad. The NY Daily News said "Marmaduke" makes "Furry Vengeance" look like a masterpiece. They also reference Son of Sam in regard to talking dogs. Ouch. Although, I find it hard to believe that the comic strip is still going strong. But, in this movie, Marmaduke is voiced by Owen Wilson. I thought I knew this plot before I walked in, but there was some strange stuff going on.

First of all, Marmaduke's family lives in Kansas. I think mainly to set up a "you're not in Kansas anymore" line. I think a dog said that. Yes, all of the dogs (and cat) talk. Anyhow, the family moves to "The O.C.". Again, solely so they can reference the TV show, "The O.C.". Refresh my memory, how long ago was that cancelled?

Well, Marmaduke's owner gets a marketing job with William H. Macy's organic food company, Bark Organics. He's run through several Marketing people in the last year. Apparently, the phrase "due diligence" never entered the brain of Marmaduke's owner. Of course, we find out Macy's employees have no time for their families and over the protestations of Marmaduke (they can't hear him, only other animals and the poor audience can), the family unit grows distant.

But Marmaduke is already off, finding new friends. He meets up with some mutts at the dog park, the lead female voiced by Emma Stone. She falls for our big lug of a dog immediately, but Marm has other ideas. Yep, he wants to hang out with pedigrees at the dog park, a place where not many owners go apparently. Anyhow, he falls for a collie named Jezebel, voiced by Fergie, who just happens to be the girlfriend of Bosco, the alpha dog, voiced by Kiefer Sutherland. Seriously, Kiefer narrating is bad because I can only think of Jack Bauer, his BOA commercials, "Phone Booth" and can't take seriously anything Bosco says. Then again, I'm not 9.

Eventually, Marmaduke is exposed as a fraud, loses his new friends (the mutts) and his newer friends (the pedigrees) after a party in which they have pretty much destroyed Marmaduke's home. So, when the owners come back, he is banished outside and decides to run away. Then the movie turns weird. Not weird in the sense that animals talk and I actually saw Marmaduke surfing. Weird in the sense they expose Marmaduke to actual danger.

As he's strolling through town, a storefront has a TV on, showing "Old Yeller". Disturbing on all counts, a storefront with a TV running? That ain't "The O.C." I know. But as every adult simultaneously thinks "Old Yeller", yeah, that's a great reference, Marmaduke goes further away. Somehow, he ends up on some railroad tracks, and then off into the woods where he meets Chupadogra, voiced by Sam Elliott. I'll say this, Sam earned his paycheck. His character was the former alpha dog, but in his own words, admitted these days he just avoids trains and the dog catcher. And he had some sort of dog cancer, because he coughed all the time. Anyhow, too old to terrorize Marmaduke or not really giving a shit, he instead offers advice. Marmaduke noticed his dog bowl and said, "Thanks, Buster." Then Sam goes for the Oscar with this line, "No one's called me that name for a long, long time...". My God, when Sam Elliott says that, I'm not thinking "The Big Lebowski" or "Beef, it's what's for dinner" or Coors commercials, I'm thinking Chupadogra just told me that! Sam Elliott, a true pro.

But wait, there's more. As Marmaduke's mutt girlfriend tries to find him and his family is out scouring "The O.C." for him, they locate him, of course, at the site of a water main break. While a crack security force has not secured the area, the girl dog falls into the sewer, Marmaduke (who complained about water and baths earlier) dives in after her, and immediately both get carried through the main. A fireman says they can get them two blocks from there, and they save the girl, but not Marmaduke. Why? He's too big. Wait a minute, isn't that a punchline? Anyhow, Marm's owner says where does that lead and the guy says there's a nearby aqueduct. OK, a bit dicey, but the owner dives in and saves Marmaduke.

So, the family unit is saved. The owner's job is saved because YouTube video of the rescue lands that big Petco account. And Marmaduke says the dog park should be a place where any dog can sit anywhere. Then Bosco loses the respect of everyone by being afraid of a bee. Marmaduke then tells his girl she has pretty eyes and everyone leaves the theater as all of the dogs are dancing to The Romantics and "What I Like About You".

Some random thoughts. Marmaduke has no doghouse, he didn't harass the postman, but he farts. See, I have a thing for Judy Greer, and I hope she got paid well, but after the farting, she gets to say stuff like "O-o-o-oh, Mar-ma-duke!". Wasted talent.

Dog jokes. They said "Cowabarka!" at the surf contest for dogs. Marmaduke tells someone that, "I'm all ears.", then he looks up and says "Yeah, I am." George Lopez voiced the cat in a very Cheech Marin way, so when they got shipped to "The O.C.", he grabs the cage and says, "I am not an animal...Oh, I guess I am."

I laughed out loud one time. Marmaduke's mutt friend described her perfect romantic date. Go to the junkyard, lay on a blanket, turn on some lights and have a radio playing some old music. Well, Marmaduke uses that info to take Jezebel there! Oh, you bastard. Anyhow, I hear the first notes of the song selection and start laughing..."Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye. Typically, no one else in "The C.O." got it.

Meal of Links

John Wooden died the other day at 99. Here are some of the great Coach's "Woodenisms".

Remember when the White House roof had solar panels? It's now a movie.

Edmonton gets special permission. For what, you ask? To allow bars to open early for the World Cup. O, Canada!

How you can get more plants for your garden. For free! With directions.

Exercise Yard

Danny Ferry's resignation as Cavs GM shouldn't really come as that much of a surprise. The main issue was his contract was up and I think the idea of signing up for more of this, with so many unknowns, is at the heart of the matter.

It's obvious he didn't want to fire Mike Brown, although I was on board with it. You had to do something. But if you fire someone of his caliber, you probably have to be prepared to find an equal out there. As he and Dan Gilbert are sifting through the list and backgrounds being developed, a couple of things stand out. Ferry is either not pleased with the direction the search is going or the candidates are not measuring up to Mike Brown. That's a problem, especially if the ultimate decision is Dan Gilbert's and not Ferry's.

It's obvious Gilbert will spend the cash and that's what you want from an owner. However, the ever-growing cap space issues will eventually catch up with the Cavs. They have had success wriggling out from it in the past, but eventually it will come back and bite them. Plus, the signing of Shaq and re-signing of Z didn't exactly help the team in the playoffs. So, whose decisions were these?

Finally, there has to be the issue of LeBron. Ferry has to be thinking in terms of how his GM position operates. If LBJ signs here for only three years (which I think ultimately will happen), the treadmill starts all over again. The very next day, speculation begins on where LeBron will wind up for the 2013-14 season. So, as GM, Ferry has the pressure to get these pieces/parts for an NBA title within a prescribed timeframe, with no luxury of any sort of internal player development. Maybe there's another place he will have ultimate authority.

I don't know anything about Chris Grant, Ferry's replacement. It's a good thing the Cavs had a succession plan in place. So maybe Grant is ready, as he seems to have added responsibilities each year since he's been here. It bothers me though that he seems to be responsible for the drafting of Christian Eyenga last year. We have compared him to the movie "Airplane!", where Robert Hays joins the Peace Corps and teaches the African natives basketball. Within seconds, they are doing Globetrotter antics and performing reverse dunks, etc.

It doesn't matter if you're good or not, you have to get something out of the draft and the Cavs just aren't getting it done. Either move up and buy a pick, trade it, do something. Maybe Eyenga stars someday, but how long do we wait?

Now, if Grant comes out of the box swinging with some sort of player trade before the draft, we can form an early opinion on his tenure.

Visitor

None, on a cloudy Sunday.