The Drubbing

Hank Gathers

20 years ago today, Hank Gathers took his last dunk, his last shot, and collapsed on the court against Portland.  There have been many articles written about Hank, and even a movie.  I was only 10 years old at the time, and it didn’t quite sit in what had happened.  Why such a great athlete in great shape passed out and died right there on the court.  One of the most memorable scenes for me was when LMU made the NCAA tournament and Bo Kimble, with a heavy heart, shot every one of his first free throws left handed as tribute.  To this day that image sticks with me.

Hank’s death gives us one of the ultimate “what if’s”.  Think for a second the ramifications of his passing and let’s play “what if Hank did not die”:

• Would the LMU vs UNLV game be one of the most exciting, highest scoring games ever?!
• Would LMU win the NCAA tournament, knock off eventual Champ UNLV and then take care of Duke? (or would Duke win and carry a dynasty forward with 3 straight wins -they already won in ‘91 and ‘92)
• Does Hank go first overall and change the destiny of the NJ Nets? (no more Derrick Coleman)
• Was Hank a product of Westphal’s system, or was he really that dominant?  Personally i think he was that dominant.  In ‘88-’89 he averaged 32.7 pts and 13.7 rebs a game, leading the nation.  In 1990 before he passed away he put up 48pts and 13rebs against LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal.
• Does Len Bias and then Hank Gather’s death (only 4 years apart) change the NBA landscape? Does Jordan win all those rings?  Do we have 2 torches to carry us through the 90’s to the Kobe, LBJ, Wade era?

I did not know Hank Gathers, but from all accounts he sounded like a great kid.  Anytime someone is taken away from us too early it is tragic.  For anyone under the age of 25 that probably doesn’t remember, this is a good article to read and realize how special Hank really was and how the game of basketball lost a great, special player.

NCAA Tournament- Long Beach, CA. Bo Kimble in action, shooting a free throw with his left hand in honor of Hank Gathers, 3/16/90.

In my previous post I blasted every athlete as being a cheater on some level. I was an athelte and still try to be, so I can do that. I could do that regardless but I like pats on the back for my previous athletic prowess.

I always tried played the sport fairly clean but at times even found myself using the “tricks of the trade” to dominate an opponent. Yes me. Mr. Congeniality. Sorry Mom and Dad, I wasn’t as good as you thought I was without a tug to the shorts or some trash talking mind games. Actually most people hated it because I just laughed and smiled at them while beating them mercifully. But it brings up the age old question, well probably not, but a question none the less… in one sec.
Continue reading “Cheater or Cheetah” →

Who Dat? no really...who Dat?!

Chuck is allowing his Super Bowl date to take his place in the photo this week:

Who knew Drew Brees was this sick of an athlete.

Carl Nicks, you just won the Super Bowl, where you going?

Nothing like a lil Tecmo Bowl recap of the pick-6.

Norleans police are cracking down on what makes the city great….such a shame.

Your Weekly Chuck Norris Fact:

Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse…horse’s are hung like Chuck Norris.

* Please note that Chuck Norris is in no way affiliated with The Drubbing or its writers. If he did find out we were using his name in a gimmick he would roundhouse kick all of us to death.

A few links this week before the Big game:

Who knew bobsledders wore thongs?

Your friend, his favorite, Mark Titus has a sweet retro video.

Now we know how Greg Oden spends his free time…breaking it down house party style.

Your Weekly Chuck Norris Fact:

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

* Please note that Chuck Norris is in no way affiliated with The Drubbing or its writers. If he did find out we were using his name in a gimmick he would roundhouse kick all of us to death.

Last week i was a little better, going 2-2 in my picks.  These playoffs are a joke.  Sure the “ratings” are the highest i 16 years, but all but 1 game has been a blow out and decided before the 2nd half.  I can’t remember a more boring set of playoff games in the NFL.  Also, did you know that all underdogs who have covered the spread, have won outright?  Thats unreal.  Off to the games:

Jets at Colts (-8.5)

That is an absurdly high line for, once again, a Colts team that does not blow teams out (thanks Ravens for laying a turd burger on me last week).  I think the Colts will win, but it will be close so i am taking the Jets and the points.  I hope this game ends in a tie and neither team can advance to the Super Bowl.

Vikings at Saints (-3.5)

Lets see, we have a defense that lives off big play turnovers, and a QB with the history of throwing it to the wrong colored team multiple times in big situations.  I am taking the Saints.  And i am hoping they continue on to win the SB, for the city’s first NFL Championship.

Alrighty,  whelp last week i proclaimed myself the Drubbing God of the week…this week i am the Goat of the week after going 0-4.  Those games were absurd.  3 blowouts and one overthrow in OT followed by a face mask fumble recovery for winning TD play.  Lets see if i can redeem myself this week.

Cards at Saints (-7)

The cards are an enigma.  They can beat anyone in the league or they can lose to anyone in the league.  It just depends on what Cards team shows up.  I think this will be a close game, or an Arizona win.  With that said, i am taking the points and the Cards.

Ravens at Colts (-6.5)

The Ravens absolutely destroyed my Patriots.  I can’t remember purposely not watching the 4th Quarter of a Patriots playoff game ever in my lifetime.  Well last weekend was the first time.  Now, will the Ravens suffer a let down after a huge win? Possibly.  But, the Colts do not blow teams out this year, they just don’t.  Because of that, i don’t think the Colts, if they win, will cover the spread.  Let’s go Ravens.

‘Boys at Vikings (-3)

God i wish neither team can win.  Romo or Favre, that is as close to my personal hell in choosing teams as it can get.  Outside of choosing Manning vs Manning in the Super Bowl.  If that happens my eyes may start bleeding.  Anywho, i think the Vikings can stuff the run with the wall of Williams and force the Cowboys to be one dimensional.  I got the Vikes covering the spread and winning fairly easily.  Yup, i am taking Favre to hopefully hand off the ball to the running backs 30-40 times.

Jets at Chargers (-7)

This is a tough one.  I think the Chargers will win, and god i hope they win, but its a bad, bad, match-up for them.  I am going to take the Jets (wincing) and the points as i believe it will be a low scoring affair.

The Tally is in on the 60yd race….. and its a tie with 33% of the voters saying Chris Johnson and also 33% of the voters saying Usain Bolt.  I personally think Trinidad Holliday would smoke both in 60yds (4.2 40yd).

Check out the top 10 dunks from the NBA so far this season.  My personal fav is Wade doing the Iverson, to Sideshow Bob.

The Bird man, gives his endorsement for….mattresses?

Check out this article on the quiet Marvin Harrison.  So bizzarre.

Your Weekly Chuck Norris Fact:

Chuck Norris has good reason to believe that Mary was, in fact, not a virgin.

* Please note that Chuck Norris is in no way affiliated with The Drubbing or its writers. If he did find out we were using his name in a gimmick he would roundhouse kick all of us to death.

From the summer of ‘61, to the spring of ‘98. From androstene to HGH. 61. 70. 73. 715. 755. 762.
It comes down to 3 single words.

I don’t care.

Keep in mind these words are coming from a person that has never done drugs, drank or smoke and was a really good athlete in his heyday. I take sports seriously, ask my wife. She once was winning in a game of horse and I kicked the ball to the playground side of the park and hit some kid with it. I also take cheating seriously shown by my straight C’s in high school. I don’t care though, I really don’t and you shouldn’t either. I’ll tell you why with a question.

Where do we draw the line?
Continue reading “All their balls are dirty” →

Life on the road for NBA players is hard. You spend days or weeks away from your home and your families. You spend night after night in hotel beds. Each day is spent mostly in transit from plane to bus to hotel to bus to stadium to bus to plane and so on. But every team has to do it. Some teams even have notoriously tough annual pilgrimages like the Chicago Bulls and their “Circus Road Trip” that they endure each year while The Ringling Brothers Circus takes over the United Center.We know it’s not all rainbows and unicorns, so most teams just play through it. But the New York Knicks aren’t most teams.
Continue reading “A weak excuse from the New York Knicks” →

American Needle is a small sports hat manufacturing company that you may have never heard of unless you’re a hat aficionado. But they are at the center of a Supreme Court case, pitted against the NFL, that has been building during 2009 and is set to kick off tomorrow. At the core of the argument is whether or not the NFL, a collection of individual teams, can act as a single entity. That is how the NFL signed their exclusive equipment and apparel deal with Reebok and that is how the NFL and Reebok have attempted to edge out American Needle from the lucrative apparel market.
Continue reading “The biggest sports story of 2009 that no one is talking about” →