Defending Hulk Hogan: I can't

This might be the most somber post I ever write. I am a professional wrestling fan. Note, I have an advanced degree, have never believed wrestling was real and I don't own a pair of jorts. I find it genuinely entertaining and I enjoy how outlandish the WWE can be. Hulk Hogan has never been my personal favorite wrestler but you can't separate the Hulkster persona from wrestling's evolution and rise to popularity. This week, footage leaked that showed Hogan going on a racist rant. The things he says are indefensible, I won't go into them. They are abhorrent...there can be no discussion on whether or not the comments are OK. They aren't.

What do we do with this knowledge now? WWE moved swiftly after the footage's release and severed their ties with Hogan immediately. WWE did what it needed to do. They are a publicly held company that cannot afford to be aligned with such racist ideologies. It would cost them too much money. As much as they would like to stick by Hogan that was never a choice for them. We, as fans, have a different choice. Each of us can make their own decision on how to process this new information.

I suspect most fans will choose to ignore it. I wish I could go this route. He will be banished from WWE TV and he will be out of sight and out of mind for most fans. I can't do this though. Maybe it's just how I am wired, but I must deal with it. 

On the one hand, I am motivated to brand Hogan as a bad person and write him off forever. In the very immediate aftermath that was my plan. How could I ever contemplating cheering for someone who is capable of saying such horrible things? 

Maybe it's childhood nostalgia or my forgiving, liberal political mindset but I want to see good in the Hulkster. With that in mind, I set out to forge a way to forgive. As it happened, it didn't take me nearly the effort to find a crack in the anti Hogan narrative as I thought. Lost in the broad narrative is the fact that the sex tape that contains these racist remarks was filmed eight years ago.

Eight years ago I was an entirely different person. Weren't you? If you are reading this you likely live somewhere different, have become a parent or have had a change in marital status in the last eight years. Who among us didn't say something eight years ago that would be deemed atrocious by you today? 

Even with this knowledge I can't forgive Hogan. I can't look kids in the eye and tell them I'm a good person if I condone this in any way. I haven't written Hogan off forever, but it will be a long road back.

Post Summer League NBA Redraft

This piece is by definition on overreaction. Of course, NBA Summer League basketball should not drastically change our opinion of draftees in comparison to years of prior evidence but let's face it, it does change our opinions some. As such. I'm going to redraft the First Round on the premise that teams were able to watch Summer League before the Draft. The idea is that teams would use Summer League performances as a tool in their evaluation process. So here goes, enjoy the 2015 Redraft!

1-Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl Anthony Towns- While the Kentucky big man didn't blow anyone away over the summer I think he'd still be the pick. He flashed enough offensive skill and athleticism to still be seen as a future cornerstone of the north. I am concerned with his proclivity to foul, but this is infinitely correctable.

2-Los Angeles Lakers- Emmanuel Mudiay- I have gone on record as having serious questions about D'Angelo Russel and his summer league play did nothing to raise his stock. He struggled mightily to score and didn't seem to have the "it" factor everyone saw in college. In contrast, Mudiay exuded confidence and that "it" factor. If you could have either for the next 10 years who would you take? For me, it's Mudiay and I think he would be the pick.

3-Philadelphia 76ers- D'Angelo Russell- While I personally prefer Okafor as a prospect, I think Russell would be the better fit in Philly. I don't think Russell is a star, but he is a safe pick in the backcourt for a team that has no answers there. 

4-New York Knicks- Jahlil Okafor- I think Okafor helped his stock a ton in Vegas. We knew he would be a limited defender but I thought he showed more mobility than I expected on that end of the floor. On the offensive end, he is an absolute star. It would be difficult to imagine him not being a 20 point scorer for a number of years. Not bad for the 4th pick. At that spot, you can live with average (at best) defense.

5-Orlando Magic- Mario Hezonja- Most would slot Kristaps Porzingis here but the Magic would be better served to stick with their original pick. Hezonja displayed a swagger during summer league that will be a huge asset for a young Magic squad. They will have a nice, young core with Oladipo, Payton and Tobias Harris. They need an asshole alpha dog and Hezonja fits the bill.

6-Sacramento Kings- Kristaps Porzingis- Confession time, I think Porzingis has a chance to be a real star. Given the uncertainty in Sacramento they should swing for a star. Of course, in reality, they took the much safer Willie Cauley Stein. I know we are all stunned they'd go the opposite of logical.

7-Denver Nuggets- Willie Cauley Steun- Speaking of teams that need everything, examine the Nuggets. They've jettisoned Ty Lawson and are devoid of talent at most spots aside from Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari. New coach Mike Malone would jump at the chance to pair WCS with Faried to set the front court long term. He showed in summer league that he has the potential to dominate defensively and I think he is better than his reputation offensively. He will find a way to score based on his high activity level even without a classic post game.

8-Detroit Pistons- Myles Turner- Some people strongly criticized the Turner pick at 11 but he shut everyone up with his terrific play in the summer. His corrected running stride proved to be true and he flashed a diverse offensive game coupled with an ability to be a real rim protector. I acknowledge the strange fit with Andre Drummond but I think it would work better than his pairing with Greg Monroe last season. He could stretch the floor for Drummond and the two could absolutely own the paint on the defensive end.

9-Charlotte Hornets- Justise Winslow- Just as it should have been obvious on draft night, the obvious fit here would be for the Hornets to take the wing from Duke. He showed an advanced offensive game in Vegas as well as the potential to be an alpha dog which Charlotte sorely lacks. I also considered Bobby Portis here but the Hornets should gamble for higher upside.

10-Miami Heat- Devin Booker- The Heat get hurt in this mock as much as anyone. I thought long and hard here about Portis and even Justin Anderson, but I think Booker showed the chops to be a big time scorer in Vegas. That ability would be too much to pass up at this spot for Pat Riley as he starts to consider life without D Wade. We all knew Booker had a sweet stroke, but his athleticism and feel for the game both were better than advertised in Vegas. That's enough to move him up my board in today's NBA that values shooting above all.

11-Indiana Pacers- Bobby Portis- The idea that Paul George is going to play big minutes at the 4 this year doesn't feel right to me and it would be erased with the arrival of Portis. The former Razorback probably helped himself as much as anyone did during his Vegas stint. He showed a diverse offensive game to go along with the motor we knew was going to be a plus. He is going to be a rotation guy for a long time and at this spot, that's great value.

12-Utah Jazz- Frank Kaminsky- He fits the Jazz profile almost too perfectly. He would be a great fit playing next to Rudy Gobert or Derrick Favors who would both help makeshift his defensive deficiencies. I don't think he is a star or even a starter on a good team, but he can be a terrific bench weapon for a decade. Utah is really close to a playoff team and adding a unique weapon like Frank the Tank might help them get over the top.

13-Phoenix Suns- Stanley Johnson- Everyone fell in love with his energy and competitive steak in Orlando but I think he benefitted from the sub standard competition more than any other prospect. I still don't see a path where he scores the ball well enough to be an above average starter. I like a lot of things about him, but what does he do well offensively? Can you really see him scoring on top flight wings on a nightly basis? Me neither. Still at 13 a quality bench player is good value and I think he profiles well there.

14-Oklahoma City Thunder- Justin Anderson- This is a team that has the talent to win an NBA title this season and should draft accordingly. Cameron Payne did not get the benefit of showing off his game in summer league while Justin Anderson looked like a guy ready to help a good team as a 3 and D bench asset from day one. Just so happens that spot is very available for the Thunder.

Hope you enjoyed the Lottery redraft. If there is sufficient interest, I'll finish the First Round in a second entry. As always, keep your eyes on your balls...or someone else's.

We Must Never Forget That Tim Sherwood is Awful...10 reasons to help you remember! #THFC #COYS

They say that time heals all wounds and 99 times out of 100 that describes a perfectly healthy process. That 1 in 100 is where the danger lies though and I feel we, as Tottenham fans, are beginning to fall pray to the dangers of the one percent. I've heard too many Spurs fans begin to gloss over the horrors of the Tim Sherwood era as of late. Too many among us have started to say things like, "at least he brought along the youth" or "maybe he could have improved his tactics in time." I fear that soon my compatriots will start saying things like, 'maybe the gilet would like good on me" or "maybe the 4 4 2 will come back into style." As such, I am providing all Tottenham fans with a quick top 10 list to remind us all of how Tim Sherwood is...in fact...a disastrously sad clown.

1. Tim Sherwood actually believes that statistics accurately depict him as Tottenham's best manager in history: Let me remind you of the direct quote: "There has been no one at this Club who has done a better job at the Premier League. My record stands for itself." (Source: Guardian, April 25, 2014). If I ask you to think of the best Spurs managers in history how long before you get to considering Sherwood? If it's anywhere in single digits, shoot yourself or admit that you're 11 years old. His delusion makes him a muppet.

2. He made all of us salute Adebayor in front of our TV's..at least once: I have to shamefully admit that I got caught up in his run of goals and took joy from saluting with he and Sherwood on more than one occasion. Anyone who is capable of inspiring such a terrible thing cannot be remembered with anything other than large amounts of contempt. If you saluted, embrace the shame..not use it to feel your Sherwood hatred.

3. Sherwood can rightfully claim to have given Bentaleb his first opportunity: We all rightfully love Nabil Bentaleb as a "proper Spur." Unfortunately, we all must be reminded that Tim Sherwood gave him his first break into the first team. This slight detail sullies what is otherwise a perfect love affair. We could all love Nabil with even more devotion if AVB or even Harry Redknapp had given him his first taste of first team action. Instead, we must acknowledge that Sherwood is involved. He's like the herpes of our relationship with Bentaleb. He isn't typically visible, but does show up in outbreaks.

4. On December 22nd 2013, he admitted to the Mirror that he grew up an Arsenal fan: He told a major newspaper that he grew up a Woolwich fan when he was the manager of Tottenham. He should have been hung for this immediately. I'm disappointed Levy couldn't have managed this.

5. He stabbed beautiful Andre Villas-Boas in the Back: While this has never been proven per se, don't we all believe it? While we may not have cared for AVB's tactics we can't stand by while Tim Sherwood perpetrates a crime against such a beautiful man right???

6. He wore a gilet and thought it was cool: Some of you might have actually purchased a gilet. Maybe your girlfriend/wife saw it and got you one for Christmas. At any rate, this happened to you or some other Tottenham fan you know. How did we let this happen!?!?!?!? Never forget.....

7. He acts as if he invented 4 4 2: Conventional wisdom has shifted away from the 4 4 2 in favor of a more "refined 4 2 3 1 throughout Europe. Sherwood has the audacity to flaunt his 4 4 2 as some sort of fresh, counterculture formation. It's just old and simple Tim..sort of like you.

8. Tim Sherwood might actually buy Adebayor and/or Townsend: If either of these things happen then Sherwood's reputation instantly gets raised in my eyes. At the moment, all he has done is given our fan base hope in being free of both players. Hell, he has us believing someone will actually pay us money for them both. This could end up as a cruel tease.

9. His interviews: Whether or not you agreed with things that Sherwood said during his interviews you have to admit they were largely inappropriate. His interviews were deemed to be so awful by Spurs management that we made sure our next manager had an interpreter. I am a fan of Pochettino, but it's certainly not for his elaborate public speaking. Sherwood ruined the chances of us having a talkative manager for a long, long time.

10. He just won't go away: No matter how much we want to be rid of the clown he keeps popping up. He remains in the press and always has a comment about Tottenham. He's sort of like an employed Jamie Redknapp that way. Even once he's fired at Villa we can be sure he will pop up at some other annoying squad who will suddenly target Spurs at every opportunity (I'm looking at you West Ham). Tim is the ultimate bad penny, who will always turn up.

I sincerely hope this list has helped all of you refuel your Tim Sherwood hatred. I consider it my mission to make sure that no Tottenham fans minimizes his idiocy as time goes by!

The Tottenham Chase: Has the Champions League ruined our club?

In philosophy I am generally in agreement that sport, and football in particular, has fallen victim to over commercialization in recent years. Even beloved Tottenham now charges forward with plans for a new stadium and a transfer policy designed to profit the ownership group above all else. Yet one criticism of Tottenham by many traditionalists really irritates me. The notion that the pursuit of Champions League football has ruined Spurs is simply the anthem of those bereft of ambition.

I get the basic argument. Finishing top 4 has become an obsession and we have only managed to achieve Champions League qualification once. As such, our other seasons have been failures. What's worse is that many of our seasons are over well before the end of our fixture list because we are too far out of contention. Many even argue that given our financial limitations we will continue to struggle to finish in the top 4 behind our richer peers. I won't even delve into the intricacies of how the cost of Europa League participation drives some people mad. My question to those who feel this way is simple: what in the hell do you want us to strive for?

People who detest our obsession with CL Qualification want you to believe they are staying true to the Club's history. The game is about the glory, to dare is to do, etc line up nicely with going full tilt after trophies but isn't pushing for Champions League really going after the biggest of trophies? I'd like to win a FA Cup (and end our trophy drought) as much as the next guy but that is trying to win an English trophy. By simple logic isn't the quest to win a European honor more daring? What seems more glorious to you: a FA Cup final versus Burnley or a Champions League knockout match versus Roma?

Even worse are you Spurs fans who abhor the CL ideal because of our inability to compete with other Premier League Clubs. Shame on all of you. If we can't finish in the Top 4 then surely we can never challenge for a Premier League title. Why not drop down to the Championship so we can go after a League Title? Do we have an easy road to a League title or even a top 4 finish compared to richer teams? No, but we are Tottenham for God's sakes!!! There is something special about our Club. Whether you think it's the gleaming white on our kit, the magic of White Hart Lane or the spirit of our fans there is something amazing and utterly unique about Tottenham. If you don't believe that unique quality can help us "punch above our weight" and compete at the highest levels of football then I pity you. Your experience as a Spurs fan lacks the best thing about my fandom: the belief that there is magic in Tottenham.

Many of you will read this and laugh at what you perceive to be my naievety. You have my deepest sympathy. I go into every season daring to dream of a magical run to the Title or at least Champions League qualification. You begin the season sadly waiting for failure. Remember why you fell in love with Tottenham in the first place, dare to be special....dare to be Tottenham.

"Boogie Clown," Sacramento Kings to be featured in new reality show!

Breaking news from Sacramento tonight as the makers of HBO's "Hard Knocks" series have struck an agreement with Kings new owner, Vivek Ranadive to carry the groundbreaking new series "Boogie Clown" documenting the NBA's most unpredictable franchise during the upcoming season. See the list below for the top five episode summaries sure to entertain NBA fans during the 2015-16 season.

1. The Emotional Goodbye- Witness the emotional farewell of George Karl after he is fired after the Kings get off to an 0-1 start. Karl actually appears awake for the firing as Vivek cites the brutal win loss record as the reason for the abrupt dismissal. "We signed big time free agents and our expectations were clear. We didn't sign Rajon Rondo to be coached by someone who will finish his career with zero wins," said Vivek. Rondo was particularly upset at Karl's dismissal until Boogie explained to him that the departing coach was not just "Coach Cal after he got old and ragged lookin."

2. The Awkward Reunion- Emotions are running high when the Nuggets, coached by former Kings leader and now Nuggets head man Mike Malone visit Sacramento for the first time. The situation is even more riddled with tension since Vivek has recently appointed himself as the team's head coach. Boogie complicates the situation further by repeatedly walking into Nuggets team huddles to talk to Coach Malone. Vivek mistakenly believes that Cousins is only doing so because he can't see him so he orders Vlade Divac to let him ride on his shoulders for the second half. The episode ends on a high note as the Kings win on a last second Rondo underhanded free throw.

3. Vivek's Waterloo- Vivek's dream of revolutionizing the NBA comes to a screeching halt as his two revolutionary resolutions are voted down at the NBA Owners Meeting. His first resolution, introducing a second basketball to the game at all times is defeated unanimously. His second resolution, an attempt to institute a designated offensive player did garner modest support from the Heat and Lakers. The chance to let DWade and Bryant make max money and just play offense is owerwhelmingly supported by fans of the two teams. Wade causes a minor stir when he is caught on camera mouthing, "wait, I'm supposed to have been playing defense?" at the vote's announcement. The episode closes with an odd revealing of Vivek's Stauskas tramp stamp as he walks away dejected and broken.

4. Kings And Queens- Miffed by their all star snubs, Boogie and Rondo spend the All Star break together in Las Vegas. The trip goes well until Rajon assaults a poker dealer after the dealer suggested he do something other than pass. Boogie has an outstanding trip until he runs into old nemesis Isiah Thomas at a strip club. The two have words but ultimately reconcile after Brad Stevens and Omri Casspi surprisingly arrive at the Club together and help the two truly communicate for the first time. The episode closes with Omri driving Boogie and Rondo out of town on a trike just ahead what they believe to be an angry senior citizen biker gang (which is just a Shriners Parade in actuality).

5. Belinelli Ball- The entire team turns out for teammate Marco Belinelli's charity gala. Unfortunately, the guys don't understand that the event, entitled "3 for Gs" is a benefit for homosexual men in poverty and not, as Rondo originally believed to be "an event for gangstas that can't pimp it no mo." To no one's surprise, Vlade Divac has the best time of the event until he is awkwardly purchased by Vivek in the date auction. An awkward situation turns truly bizarre when Vivek gazes lovingly in Vlade's eyes and utters a heartfelt, "Stauskas" as the final credits roll. 

I hope this whets your appetite for what will be the season's biggest new series, "Boogie Clown" airing concurrently on HBO, NBATV and the Oxygen Network. Keep your eyes on the balls!

Next NBA Extinction: What type of player could vanish from the NBA soon?

The days of the lumbering center dominating the NBA with a myriad of post moves is over. When giant centers like Shaq, Hakeem and Ewing were dominating the League it seemed that would always be the focal point of good teams. Fast forward to this year's Finals where the champs benched their closest thing to an old school big (Andrew Bogut) to fully commit to small ball to run the Cavs out of the Series. Who would have believed that giant, hulking centers would become outdated and even liabilities? The truth is the game always evolves. So who will be the next dinosaur of the NBA? 

Looking into my NBA crystal ball I see a League that will almost fully commit to the pace and space model over the next few seasons. That makes the trick of predicting the next change dependent on anticipating how teams will evolve to combat pace and space. If you are paying attention you see some teams already enacting their own strategies. The Milwaukee Bucks are the best example of a team that have constructed themselves to combat the newest offensive trends. They have committed to finding long athletes at every position who can switch almost every screen without ending up in a terrible mismatch. More and more teams are headed this way. Want more proof? Willie Cauley-Stein was the sixth pick in the Draft with practically no offensive ability. He isn't even a great rebounder. His value is predicated on his ability to guard all five positions. The premium on this ability shows that teams are going all in to defeat pace and space.

This seismic shift will leave some type of NBA player irrelevant. So who will join the hulking post player in extinction? I firmly believe it is the 3 and D player that is consistently banking huge contracts in the most recent free agent period. 

So why them? They will die out because of their limited skill sets. Inherently, those that are classified as 3 and D guys aren't creators off the dribble. I can't see this as an acceptable trade off moving forward. As defenses get longer and more athletic (ie the Bucks) they will become much more adept at closing out to the corner 3 that these players feast on. When those close outs come, the value of being able to put the ball on the floor and make plays will go up immensely. More small guys in lineups mean more shooters. This will make guys who can stretch the floor more common. What will not be common are those who can stretch the floor and attack the rim. 3 and D guys will be a dime a dozen. Being able to space the floor as a wing won't be a luxury it will be a requirement. As such, it will cease to be paid as a premium skill.

So what does it all mean? Sorry teams with cap room who have thrown big money contracts at young 3 and D guys recently. Those contracts are going to age poorly. I'm looking at you Raptors. Everyone is complimentary of the DeMarre Carroll deal today but it's not going to look so good as more and more good shooting wings come in the League. Sure he is a great competitor but that is really his best skill. He is a plus defender which will keep his deal from being a total disaster, but there will be better ways to spend eight figures in the future.

To some degree this distinction already exists. Of course, guys who can shoot AND make plays are better than those who just space the floor. The point is just that the pendulum has swung too far in the favor of players who can really shoot it. The guys who are freak athletes and can defend are the ones who are undervalued right now. Remember, that with less true big men in the NBA there are less rim protectors. This further accentuates the value of guys who can attack the rim off the dribble. The Draymond Greens of the world are going to be worth big bucks moving forward while the DeMarre Carrolls are going to be substantially overpaid.

Goodbye and good riddance to the run of the mill 3 and D guy. Shooting is great and fun, but tomorrow's NBA will value guys who can stretch the floor AND attack those close outs by finishing at the rim or making the right pass.

Thanks everyone for reading this nerd basketball piece. Make sure to keep your eyes on balls. It just means you like sports!