World Cup Thoughts

This has been a great World Cup so far, some close matches that went down to the wire, beautiful goals, and of course, controversy. The referess have been quick on the yellow cards, as Franz Beckenbauer was quick to point out, and in some cases, they have taken the game out of the player's hands [feet]. This was most obvious in the huge match between the USA and Italy, which was an intense, aggressive match until the referee gave a deserved red card to Daniele DeRossi for elbowing Brian McBride, and then got card happy by dishing out two yellow cards to Eddie Pope and a red to Pablo Mastroeni. Zinedine Zidane, one of the best players ever and playing in his last World Cup, was given the hook by the referee in the match against South Korea on calls that did not warrant a yellow. So not only will France be missing a key player in a "live or die" match, but the we may also have seen the last match in Zidane's brilliant international career. On a stage as grand as the World Cup the referees should warn the players on boderline card penalties (unless it is clearly obvious, like in DeRossi's case) and not take the game away from the players, and most of all, the fans. FIFA does not agree with Beckenbauer and most of the world, and I can't quite understand their support.

There haven't been any standout players yet like we had in 2002 with Ronaldo and 1998 with Zidane. We've seen beautiful team play and amazing goals, but one player has yet to step up and purely dominate; however, I'm sure we'll see that when we reach the Elimination Round.

And was there anyone more fired up than Giorgio Chinaglia about the US' impossible chances against Italy? That's what makes this tournament so great, national pride and love of the game that is unmatched in any other sport.

Click here for ESPN 360's live video feed and thank me for now not being able to get any work done.

Old School Song Of The Week

3rd Bass - "Gasface"
"Gas, past tense made facially...." Classic! And it's such a classic because 1) they were the first honkeys that the "real hip hop heads" took seriously and 2) Gilbert Gotfried is in the video. The song dropped in 1990 as the follow up to another classic "Steppin' to the A.M." on the "The Cactus Album" record and is a prime example of hip-hop's "Golden Age," from the sample of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" to the collaboration with KMD to Pete Nice's cane and MC Serch's high top fade and dancing skills.

MC Serch and Pete Nice were solo artists signed by Russell Simmons and the group was essentially created by Def Jam when the Beastie Boys left the label, with Richie Rich on the wheels of steel. It was well known that the group didn't get along, as evident by only a short 4 year career, but they were able to crank out a few classics, which is why they are one of the more memorable hip hop acts.

Little Known Facts: Pete Nice was an All-NYC hoops player and earned a basketball scholarship to Columbia University and his brother is the head coach at St. Francis College. MC Serch became an executive at WildPitch Records after the group broke up and signed a little known rapper by the name of Nas to his first record contract.

It's Here...

Finally, the World Cup is upon us and I am pumped. I love the tournament, the emotion, and the passion, not to mention soccer played by the best of the best and this Cup looks to be as exciting as ever. Luckily I'll be able to sneak down and watch some of the matches at work.

How do I think the ole Stars & Stripes will do? I believe they'll squeak by the firs round and the USA stands a chance to score some major upsets, as they are in "Group of Death" with #2 ranked Czech Republic and traditional power Italy, not to mention a solid team in Ghana. The Czech Republic is a very, very solid team and welcomed the return of star Pavel Nedved; however, yesterday he limped off the field during practice. Italy is always strong and are lucky to get back Francesco Totti after he suffered a late season injury while playing with his club, Roma. The Azzurri are not without problems, as the entire Italian Soccer Federation is in turmoil with investigations into payoffs and corruption involving top teams Juventus and Inter Milan; further, they have a few key guys that are banged up and it may limit their ability to go deep into the bench. The Italian turmoil is why I think the USA will advance; nobody wants to take the USA seriously, even after the USA's performance in 2002 and recent #4 FIFA Ranking. However, the world won't say it, but they are afraid to play the Americans and there are some very talented players on the squad. I don't think they'll go far though, b/c finishing second would mean playing Brazil and a first place would play either Australia, Croatia, or Japan, which the US definitely could win.

My pick: Obviously you have to take the Brasilieros, they are as talented as ever with Ronaldo back for his 95th Cup, the world's best player in Ronaldinho, and a bevy of other guys that no other team can match top to bottom. However, I think they can be beaten if they are slowed down, and teams such as England, France, Italy, and Germany play those styles that can keep the Brazilians from playing their game. But, I just don't see it happening.

Golden Boot: I think it could go back to Ronaldo, but watch out for Thierry Henry of France, Totti, England's Michael Owen, and we could see the emergence of Sweden's golden boy, Zlatan.

Old School Song Of The Week

Whodini - "Freaks Come Out At Night"
I apologize for not updating the OSOTW, so I know I had to come back strong with a classic. I first remember seeing this video on "Friday Night Videos," and it has stuck with me since; the catchy hook, the synthesized voice, and of course, the breakin' and poppin'. Dropped in 1984 on the Escape album, Freaks immediately became one of the most popular songs of the time, pushing Jalil Hutchins, John "Ecstacy" Fletcher, and Grandmaster Dee into star status and the video also had a little cameo by Jermaine Dupri. Whodini were one of the pioneers of hip hop, having the first single published by Jive Records, "Magic's Wand," which also was the first hip hop song to have a promotional video. They were also known for the live performances, featuring the scratch skills of Grandmaster Dee and they were the first group to have their own background dancers (U.T.F.O.), who then went on to their own fame by recording "Roxanne, Roxanne." Other Whodini songs of note: "Magic's Wand," "Friends, "Five Minutes of Funk," & "Haunted House of Rock."

My Top 5 NBA Players

First, let me start off by saying that these NBA Playoffs have been some of the best in recent memory; a lot of close games that have come down to the last possession and more importantly, it looks like the slow-down trend from a few years ago has passed. However, I think the biggest story has been the emergence of players into superstar status; I can't recall when the debate over the best player in the game included so many legitimate candidates. The league is full of very good players and those who have yet to reach their potential, such as Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Paul, and Chris Bosh and it could get very interesting once those guys do ascend into the superstar realm.

And without further ado, here are my top players:

1. Lebron James - He carried the Cavs and played brilliant ball. Wait until he gets a complimentary player.
   
2. Dirk Nowitzki - He has blown up in these playoffs; last night's clutch performance was only the 5th time in NBA Playoff history that a player scored 50 and had over 10 rebounds.
   
3. Kobe Bryant - He has elevated his game and needs help, but the most dominating scorer in the league.
   
4. Dwyane Wade - Like Dirk, he has emerged in the playoffs. Quick and explosive.
   
5. Steve Nash - He simply controls a game and makes everyone better.

See my point about the quality and depth of the league? Picking a top 5 right now is very difficult considering I left off the following: Tim Duncan, Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett, Gilbert Arenas, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Michael Redd, Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neil, Ron Artest, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Mike Dunleavy (ha).

NCAA Coaches Text Messaging Recruits

Text messaging has become the big thing in recruiting, allowing coaches to be in contact with a recruit 24/7 without fear of punishment due to a loophole in the NCAA rulebook. More and more recruits each year acknowledge the amount of texting they do with their recruiters and the potential for tampering and/or violations is just too big to let this loophole last.

DJ Gallo was able to get a copy of some text messages sent by NCAA football and baksetball coaches over the past year. Click here.