Kobe Loses, America Rejoices!
The Magic take Game 3 of the NBA Finals on their home court 108-104. Outside of LA and Orlando the only reason I have any desire to watch the NBA Finals is to watch Kobe lose. All I am hoping for is a slow motion shot of Bryant balling his eyes out pounding his fists on the court asking the heavens why is he came up short of another ring. Kobe is the kid on the playground that would cheat, spit, cry, and lie to win game of one on one. All you want in the world is for that kid to get his ass handed to him. ...

You hear stories of Lakers practices where if Kobe got beat in a drill by someone he wouldn’t let his teammate off the court until he beat them. It’s one thing to want to be the best you can possibly be, but getting furious over a Jerry West quote about how Lebron is the better player or throwing a hissy fit when you lose it’s not ambition, it’s avarice. I don’t care how sweet his fade away is if struts down the court gloating like an idiot as fellow Bomber writer Will Blake alluded to in yesterday’s Morning Stretch.

And so goes the downfall of the modern athlete. Kobe isn’t the only severely flawed sports star, but this week he’s in the spotlight in all his Macbethian splendor. I don’t know if it’s the times or if the basketball stars we grew up with just knew how to hide their flaws better than the players of today. Perhaps the media’s learned that T.O. sells more than Joe Montana and is in part to blame. I don’t know maybe I’m just a 24 year old geezer who needs to be put in a home somewhere. Who knows? But is it me or does Phil Jackson look like he hates his life?

Wings and Penguins Go to 7
Yes, hockey is still going on for those of you not paying attention. Sid “The Kid” Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins forced the NHL Stanley Cup back to Detroit for one more game. I say the Red Wings finish them up at home to win another title for the Motor City. C’mon with GM closing which city could really use something to cheer about? Pittsburg just won the Super Bowl. I have a bunch of family in the D and the city sure has seen better times. I got lost downtown last time I was in Detroit and I felt I was in a post-apocalyptic movie.

Kaka to Real Madrid for Way Too Much Money
Despite there being yearlong rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo going to Real Madrid it looks like the club has invested their future in Brazilian 27-year old Ricardo Kaka for 90+ million. Kaka was the best player in the world three years ago, but that was three years ago. He’s at best third in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo, but he has been plagued by injuries in the past year or so. Another rumor from Real Madrid is that they are after Spanish forward David Villa for a mere $50 million. I’d take Villa over Kaka any day. The Spaniard scores goals in his sleep.

USC Head Coach Tim Floyd Resigns
I think it goes pretty much assumed that if you’re a college basketball coach you’re a dirt bag nowadays. Handing some guy a sweaty wad of cash for O.J. Mayo must’ve been the tip of the iceberg. I just want to see Pete Carroll’s dirty laundry in the light of day.

Favre/Vikings Drama Coming to a Head
The Minnesota Vikings have told Brett Favre to make a decision or get lost. I now have a greater respect for Vikings head coach Brad Childress beyond his mustache.

-Sean Heffernan