Hit by a Pitch

I knew it wouldn’t be long before the world started noticing Linas Kleiza — here’s an article about him from today’s Rocky Mountain News.

In Broncos news, wide receiver Brandon Marshall was arrested on false imprisonment and domestic violence charges and spent the night in jail before being released yesterday afternoon. Marshall had no comment on the incident.

I’ll be honest. I kind of love Rasheed Wallace. I still have the Nuggets/Pistons game from earlier this month on my DVR, so I can watch the awesomeness of Rasheed missing a layup and screaming “GOD DAMN WHAT THE F*CK!!!” followed by some excellent commentary from the local announcers. What’s not to love about a guy who has 18 technical fouls so far this year?

But this madness?

Okay, it was a great shot. I ain’t no player hater. Still, it sucks because the Nuggets should’ve won that game. At least J.R. Smith played some kick-ass defense and had four steals.

In Broncos news, Al Wilson failed his physical for the Giants. He may be able to stay with Denver, likely with a pay cut.

In Bears news, Lance Briggs is mad as hell and not going to play for the Chi any more. A trade to the Redskins may be in the works. Failing to keep Briggs happy is a stupid, stupid move, guys.

A trade of Pro Bowl linebacker Al Wilson may be in the works.

I’ll go on the record now as saying this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Trade Al Wilson? Are you freaking kidding me?

Unfortunately, my favorite team in the NCAA tournament will not be making the trip to the Elite 8 this year. This is fortunate for my brackets, which have Kansas beating Georgetown in the championship game. It’s still a bummer, though. The refs sucked. Those Salukis really grew on me, and it was nice to have a team representin’ for the ILL.

It’s also a bummer because I just realized that Jamaal Tatum is the new Gilbert Arenas.

He recently rigged a trashcan filled with water to fall on an “unsuspecting teammate”; he performed a rap song he wrote when he was in high school over the SIU Arena intercom; he plays “Name that Tune” with Pink Floyd songs; he makes teammates roll their eyes with his antics but also makes everyone laugh; he runs fast as hell, has an incredible work ethic, and kicks some serious ass on the basketball court.

That’s just the kind of awesome that makes me love an athlete. It’s one thing to be good at what you do. It’s another thing to be good at what you do and be such an amazing, funny, cool person who has fun with everything and really just gets it. Oh and also, he’s hot.

You know what would kick ass? If he got drafted and played for the Nuggets next year. I could just see Tatum hanging out with Reggie Evans and playing tricks on teammates and Rocky the mascot. He also would bring something magical to the Nuggets — the ability to play defense consistently and well.

Links:
St Louis Post-Dispatch profile

Chicago Tribune article

Jamaal Tatum Saluki profile

ESPN player card.

In other news, Iowa hoops coach Steve Alford is leaving the Hawkeyes and heading for New Mexico. Have fun, dude. I hope they can round up a coach who doesn’t suck and win some games next year.

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl’s 23-year-old son Coby will have surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes on April 2. Coby, who was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma (a treatable form of cancer), previously had his thyroid removed and underwent chemotherapy. Coby Karl is a senior at Boise State University, where he played guard for the Western Athletic Conference Broncos. He lead the team in points per game, minutes per game, and assists, and is scheduled to play in the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star game on March 31.

Word on the street in Denver is that Coby Karl should go in the second round of the NBA draft.

The Nuggets beat the New Jersey Nets tonight, 94-90.