Folks, the Olympics are underway (I know, I know, you're part of the entire earth's population that isn't watching) and already these games are more about who's gone (Apolo Anton Ohno, Michelle Kwan and Bode Miller) rather than who's there (a flying tomato, another Sarah Hughes and a hot ice dancer).
This week's column talks about a big trade, America's biggest sport and which team will take home gold.
Truth: If his trade to the Orlando Magic goes through, Darko Milicic will become an all-star.
You may be calling me crazy, wondering how I could call one of the biggest busts in draft history a future all-star. But let's consider the facts. Here is a young player who was surrounded by consummate veterans the last three years and couldn't break into the rotation because it was a more methodic, slower offense than he was used to in Europe.
Now, going to the Magic, he will be playing next to Dwight Howard, one of the most athletic, exciting young players to come through in the last decade. Combine this with sparkplug Jameer Nelson and Fran Vazquez (who will be coming over from Spain next year) while he's playing under a coach (Brian Hill) who likes youngsters and has time to let them grow.
Lastly, look at who drafted this guy: Joe Dumars. The guy's a genius. He hasn't made a bad call ever. There's a reason he was chosen over Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. I'm not saying he'll be better, but he's got talent and will flourish in Mickey Mouse Land.
Truth: Connecticut is still the best team in the country.
I said it two weeks ago and I still maintain my position, even after Monday's loss to Villanova on the road. The Wildcats are a young, up-and-coming, exciting team, and losing to them in their place is no shame. In Storrs, Conn., or on a neutral court, the Huskies would dominate.
Rudy Gay, Rashad Anderson and Josh Boone are nasty, and the one thing the Huskies will have over every competitor is Jim Calhoun, who is the best in-game manager in the NCAAs.
They will come out of a stacked Big East (yes, it's better than the Atlantic Coast Conference or Big Ten) having been tested by Louisville, West Virginia, Pittburgh, Georgetown, Syracuse and, oh yeah, Villanova. They will be battle-tested, win the Big East Tournament and enter the NCAA Tournament on a high.
I'm not guaranteeing that they'll win the tournament, just that they're the best team in the country.
Lie: Canada is the clear favorite to win the gold medal in men's ice hockey.
I've looked at the teams, and I really don't think Wayne Gretzky's crew is the preeminent favorite. The Czechs are loaded, Team USA is excellent and the Swedes and Russians will also be competitive.
While Canada has the biggest names, I'm unconvinced this won't be a repeat of the Athens Dream Team, where the names meant a lot more than their chemistry, their performance and the end result they produced.
If any goalie (the Czech Republic's Dominik Hasek come to mind) gets hot and holds the Canadians to two or fewer goals, I don't see them winning a gold medal.
