Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Hello Free Keon and Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media Readers!

You can tell my leanings when I have today marked with a big red circle on my calendar. OK, not really, but I do love the fact that the NBA Draft has arrived. I’ll try to make sure that does not dominate today’s links.

With disclosure out of the way, I have to start with the point guard at least one expert says could be the best ever, John Wall. Wall is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Washington Wizards tonight.

Moving on to a story about arguably the best point guard right now, Chris Paul. Is it true he’s headed out of New Orleans?

One last basketball story to get out of the way. If John Wall and Evan Turner are already gone, Derrick Favors might be the next best choice.

For those of you who can’t get enough of the World Cup, don’t miss this story.

Before we reach the end, some baseball fans might say I missed the big story of the day. With a tiff between Hanley Ramirez and manager Fredi Gonzalez still hanging over the Marlins, Gonzalez was fired Wednesday.

As always, thanks for spending part of your day at Free Keon!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin Sam's Sweet 16 Links

It’s Thursday, and of course we’re talking Tourney here at Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media and Free Keon. Let’s get right into it with reports from each of the four regions.

Bernie Miklasz extends his best hospitality and good luck to Midwest Regional teams. They’re going to need it.

Gotta plug my friend Kurt Kragthorpe’s story about the Xavier-K-State rematch in Salt Lake City. This game figures to be a gritty battle just like Jazz coach Jerry Sloan appreciates.

In Syracuse we have what is setting up to be a battle of foils – good vs. evil, smart vs. dumb, David vs. Goliath – at least that’s what the hype is about. Dan Shaughnessy represents Cornell and is already caught in crossfire. John Clay speaks for Kentucky.

Baylor needs no welcome in Houston. These Bears are the first Baylor team to score a tournament victory in almost 60 years.

Thanks for reading, and remember, don’t let your bracket get in the way of good basketball.

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

Things are getting dicey here at Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media today!

First, forget being weary. Teams ranked No. 1 in college basketball are not looking so hot atop the hoops’ landscape. Villanova, watch out. Opportunity is at the door, thanks to your fine play. If the Wildcats sit in the prime position next, they better be wary.

Meanwhile, Lexington’s paper on the scene examines the regrouping process for the other Cats and the nation’s prior No. 1 team.

Now that the golf scene starring Tiger Woods is on hold, Phil Mickelson is the sport’s brightest star. What will Lefty do under the beams?

Speaking of golf, blogging hub Technorati bestowed a Top 100 golf badge on Free Keon. Many thanks to FK’s Steve in particular for his faithful posts on this beat. By the way, if you want to see more golf coverage or anything else on the site, let us know.

I digress. Carrying on with golf, LA Times columnist Bill Dwyre wrote a links piece on whom else, but John Wooden? Reading about the “Wizard of Westwood” never gets old.

Finally, our Olympics link update puts IOC President Jacques Rogge on the spot. Wouldn’t want to be in his spot, either.

Thanks for spending part of your Thursday at Free Keon!

Sam Miller/Free Keon

"Bounce Back" with John Calipari

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media

Since we’re talking about basketball and not baseball, I’ll tell you right off the tip I’m not sure if I am convinced by John Calipari’s new book, “Bounce Back.” He’s always struck me as slick. Then again, he has been successful, (Note the two-time college coach of the year distinction among others on his resume) and I don’t know him personally. I just judge the book on its own merits. After all, I was curious to get inside the man’s head a little bit.