| The Frank Nevarez Show |
| Drifting In and Out |
| by Frank Nevarez |
| Everyday life means a lot of running around. Sometimes getting your sports fix means getting it in bits and pieces. |
I’m at the drugstore doing a patented, late-night toiletries replacement run. I’m at the register and I looking at bubble gum. LeBron James bubblegum. Are you kidding me? I know I’m not the target demographic, but I pick up a pack anyways. Research purposes.
The flavor is called “Lightning Lemonade.” It’s not bad, it’s not great. How does it compare to the classic Bazooka Joe bubblegum? While there’s a cartoon image of LeBron on the packet and this product doesn't contain a little comic strip in each piece like Bazooka Joe. However, unlike Bazooka, LeBron’s gum doesn’t lose its flavor after three chews.
LeBron and Nike unveiled a new line of TV spots this weekend. It’s basically a take-off on the Nutty Professor movies starring Eddie Murphy. James plays various parts in which through the magic of make-up and computers he’s able to interact with himself. James’ acting gets a C+, but the commercials get a D- for originality. They even plugged-in Rick James’ overused “Superfreak” song. Nike usually comes up with better.
As I was getting rid of some old newspapers I noticed that Reggie Bush has been the featured photo on the front page of the Sunday LA Times for three of the four past weeks. once the Rose Bowl game is done will the Times crumble to dust? Who’s going to sell papers?
It’s not true that the Times ran an editorial begging for a Los Angeles NFL franchise. It’s not true that they’ve been whispering in Paul Tagliabue’s ear to give “special considerations” to the new LA team at draft-time. But I think they think that “eminent domain” and Reggie Bush go hand in hand.
I caught the last part of the Heisman ceremonies on Saturday. You don’t really need to watch the main show with all the fluff. As the big moment drew closer the three finalists sat and waited. Vince Young looked nervous, Matt Leinart looked calm (but he’s won this thing before), and Reggie looked like the kid who couldn’t wait to be given the signal to run to the Christmas tree and unwrap his first gift. If this is a preview of how the Rose Bowl is going to go, I feel for the Texas faithful.
Vince Young also made the Duke/Texas basketball game earlier in the day. Alas, he saw his #2 hoops compadres get blown out by the #1 team. Shape of things to come, Vince? Bevo may refuse to get back in the truck and go home after the January 4 game.
I took a few minutes to skim through the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year issue. Tom Brady, QB for New England Patriots, took the prize. His profile was a basic “he’s a team guy” piece. I’m just thankful SI didn’t use any big words in the article. Sometimes they need to provide a glossary in the back of the magazine.
I’ve marked recent issues that included the words “pedant” and “miasma” in articles. I thought “pedant” was a medallion that people wore around their necks. Nope. It means “a person who stresses the trivial details of learning.” Sort of like this paragraph you’re reading. The other word “miasma” means “a noxious atmosphere or environment.” When successful teams implode and begin to disintegrate before our eyes look for me to try to impress and throw in the m-word.
As mentioned, Duke ran away from Texas in NCAA basketball this weekend. J.J. Redick scored all sorts of points (41) in all sorts of ways, Sheldon Williams scored a “quiet” 23 while also blocking shots and wrestling for loose balls. Duke looked great.
Yes, Coach K’s AMEX commercials played at least three times during the game. Is he snapping his fingers as he walks onto the court in the last shot? Zippity-doo-dah. But the topper is that Krzyzewski had a two-page ad for the credit card in the Tom Brady Sports Illustrated issue. Between the game, the commercials and the print ads we’re talking 24-hour recruitment. The man has mastered using the mass media for the good of Duke basketball. Does the guy have a hip-hop song, a podcast and a Times Square billboard that we don’t know about?
The Colts continue to roll towards a potential perfect season. Their latest victim was the Byron Leftwich-less Jacksonville Jaguars. You knew things were not going well for the Jags when the announcers were using terms like “disheartening,” “stupid” and “no respect” to describe the Jaguar abilities.
With no consistency in the NFC (Chicago loses, Carolina loses, NY Giants need overtime to beat Philly, and I have no faith is Seattle), the Colts will win easily if they make it to the Super Bowl. Their next real challenge will be in the AFC play-offs when we’ll learn if New England, Denver or Cincinnati can put forth a supreme effort, match it with play-off pressure, and upset the Colts.
Alert: the NFL has games scheduled for this upcoming Saturday. Get those chores done. |
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