Today is the start of the 2012 U.S. Open, and it should be an exciting tournament with the likes of Tiger Woods trying to make a comeback, and newly-crowned Master's champion Bubba Watson and his colorful game getting attention.
Whenever US Open time comes, I always remember one of my favorite golfers, Payne Stewart, who died in a bizarre private aviation tragedy when the Learjet he was traveling in to go to the 1999 Tour Championship depressurized, killing all aboard and flying on autopilot until it ran out of fuel an crashed near Mina, North Dakota. He won his last US Open in 1999 on Father's Day.
Today's Tweet of the Morning comes from King Rex himself:
Not the 4-sentence run-on "dumb athlete"-tweet w subject/verb squabble? #PotToKettle #WhatUpBlack "@_KingKhan: @rexchapman @jimrome "
— Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) June 14, 2012
Word, Rex. Your quickies follow the jump.
Terrence Jones talks about his workout for the Portland Trail Blazers. Via John Clay.
Good riddance to slippery court stickers // College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Per the NCAA's confusing bureaucratic protocol, the recommendation was just that -- a recommendation. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, the body responsible for actually changing rules, still needed to approve and enact the measure. Good news: That's exactly what happened Tuesday.
A lower potential for injury due to stupid commercialism is always a good thing.
A look at the Kentucky-Georgia game this year. No surprises, really. Or will there be?
Summer talk with John Calipari Part 5: What transfer Julius Mays brings to the Cats // vaughtsviews
Question: What attracted you to Julius Mays, a guard who spent two years at North Carolina State and one year at Wright State before transferring to Kentucky for his final season?
Calipari: "He’s a veteran guard who started at N.C. State. You understand that he is a major college player. He went to Wright State and was their leading scorer. He knows how to play, a great flow to the game, he can play the one or two. That’s exactly what we needed.
Check out the video at the link, also.
Nerlens Noel: The Next Great Big Man? // HOOPSWORLD - Basketball News & NBA Rumors
Nobody can score on Nerlens Noel. The 18-year-old is swatting away jump shots, pinning lay-ups against the backboard and sending dunk attempts into the stands. The offense tries to adjust, but Noel continues to turn away shot after shot. The opposition feels helpless, realizing they’re unable to compete with this man among boys. Noel finishes the game with 22 blocks, a personal record.
Read the rest. Pretty engrossing stuff. 22 blocks? Seriously?
Darius Miller, Championship-Caliber Sixth Man // HOOPSWORLD - Basketball News & NBA Rumors
As the sixth man on a deep NCAA championship team, Miller’s minutes and personal statistics dropped from his junior season, but during the Wildcats tournament run, the senior provided the leadership needed for success. Coach Calipari played Miller 30 minutes per game off the bench and Miller provided the big shots and big plays to average 11.7 points on 56 percent shooting for the tournament. Miller is a player who can contribute in the big moments.
Indeed he is. Whoever drafts him will have themselves a rare jewel. In the right system, Miller can really help any NBA team.
NBA Draft 2012 Prospect Profile: Marquis Teague // Orlando Pinstriped Post
With the Orlando Magic needing to draft and develop a point guard, they would do well in considering Teague because of his physical tools and ability to run the pick-and-roll offense along with his defensive potential. He may not fit the Magic though, because Orlando ranked second-to-last in pace in the NBA last season, while Teague's strengths would suit him better in a more up-tempo offense. The team that drafts him will also have to be patient waiting for him to improve on his shooting.
Florida OG Ramsey Meyers Visit Update // Bleed Blue Kentucky
Footbaaawww!