Around the Diamond

First Base
Starting out on first base is Allen Iverson. Allen is a guy with speed, and agility and can do whatever you need to be done, except when it comes to showing up to practice. Iverson, notorious for his 2001 press conference, later labeled as the “Practice Conference.” Allen, we understand that we aren’t talking about practice, but should this even come up as an issue, I know four year olds willing to go to basketball practice just to be where you are today. AI, just because you make more money than players like Rodney Stuckey, does not signify that you are a better player than him, and maybe if you went to practice, other players, and definitely yourself, would become better basketball players.

Second Base
Plaxico Burress. The wide out for the New York Giants is just filled with talent but lacks morals and being a good person. As the saying goes “Athletes should not be looked upon as role models,” has ever been brought to your attention, and you stopped an thought, “True,” well this story shouldn’t change your mind one bit. Plax has been benched and fined for insubordination numerous amounts of times, but this takes the cake. Burress was found in a night club, on the floor, with a leg wound, it appeared that someone had shot him. But the question still lingered, who could have done this dastardly deed? OH! That’s right! It was Plaxico, yeah, for some reason he thought it was a good idea to be in public with a loaded handgun. But at the end of the day, you ask yourself “Am I really surprised that this actually happened?” The answer will always remain as “No.”

Third Base
The Tennessee Titans. As Friday, fourth period rolls around and students in their Sports Literature class are giving inspirational speeches, Marc Brocato says the most absurd thing EVER. “Don‘t be surprised if the Lions beat the Titans, its going to be a close one, the Lions are good on Thanksgiving.” Well, Mr. Brocato, the Detroit Lions were actually going into that game with a .500 record and 2 ties on good ole Turkey Day. These Lions will go down as the worst NFL team, and Franchise, in history. After getting steam rolled by the Titans, 47-10, there is no game left on their four game schedule where you say to yourself, “Hey, they could win this game!” And am I the only one who was upset that they had to watch that game on Thanksgiving, Roger Goodell, that was a disgrace. Thanks for nothing NFL, ruining my Thanksgiving spirit, I can say one thing in all honesty and that is that I am not grateful for the Detroit Lions.

Home Plate
UNC. As Roy Williams and all of his returning players get prepared for this mental grind of a basketball season, you can’t help to notice that this team is dominant. It all starts with Tyler Hansborough, the guy is a beast down low and has been one of the top big men in the country since his freshmen year. With Deon Thompson by his side, there is no way this team will lose a single game. These two combined score a total of 36.3 PPG and average 13.1 bounds a game. But that’s not all they have, they have a returning point guard in Ty Lawson who averages 15 points per game and nearly 7 assists, Danny Green with 14 points 6 rebounds and 3 assists, Wayne Ellington with 14 PPG and Tyler Zeller with 10 PPG. There is not one defense in the entire country that can stop all of these weapons. This year the Duke vs. UNC rival is going to be at its best, this year it will be the ultimate shootout.