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!