Loaded Weekend

This weekend has been somewhat eventful. The NBA is enjoying their All-Star break with all sorts of activities. NASCAR's Daytona 500 begins the second longest season for any sport. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is now delaying the final round until Monday (golf has the longest season if my calculations are correct). I think I mentioned that spring training started yesterday for pitchers and catchers, and shame on any of you that figured baseball had the longest season of sports.

I usually watch the events put together by the Association for their all-star break. They are enjoyable and translate well to television on most accounts. Although Daequan Cook won the 3-Point Shooting Contest, can we get someone to score over 20 points again? As entertaining as most of the Slam Dunk Contest was, we need to fix the scoring. Although he would have been no match in the finals, Rudy Fernandez' first dunk was better than many that received 50's later in the event. Seriously, he threw the ball behind his back...off the backboard to the opposite side of the rim...and threw it down with authority. I have issues with all competitions that are decided by random scores provided by a judge's opinion. We'll talk about gymnastics, diving, cheerleading, and a few other so-called sports another day.

I enjoyed the theatrics provided by both Nate Robinson, the champion, and Dwight Howard. Is there a nicer or more likable guy in the NBA than Dwight Howard? Maybe D-Wade? I am a bit disgruntled with a lot of people that are paid to announce sports, but the crew of Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller were great during their TNT coverage last night. I don't agree with everything they said, but I was informed and entertained. I hope the actual game is not overwhelmed by Craig Sager's traditionally ugly suits. By the way, I miss the dominant throw-downs of Dominique Wilkins.

Rain eliminated the last quarter of the Daytona 500, but a very deserving driver was the beneficiary. Matt Kenseth was pushed to the lead just before the rains came and caused the race to be called after 152 of 200 laps were completed. NASCAR on FOX is an entertaining watch, but keep that Digger Critter off the screen every couple of minutes. Can he be smaller than the cars driving behind him or get out of my way? My kids enjoyed him though, so maybe I should lighten up on Digger. I still wonder about car racing being categorized as a sport, but there is definitely some athletic ability and strategy involved in this competition. I hate to drive for more than an hour with changing scenery and much less to worry about, unless you count state police and what the heck the kids are doing in the backseat. I'll still watch 'em run around in circles for most of their races. I'm hooked on this stuff...