Thought #1

The Major League Baseball All-Star game reminds me of one of those awkward situation where you "hang out" with someone and it's never really clear whether or not it is a date.

You know, you paid for the ticket, but she bought her own Twizzlers. You opened the door for her, but never could pull off the yawning arm move to get your arm around her during the flick. And then of course there was the awkward ending, your mind said kiss at first, then hug, then handshake, all of which resulted in that awful one armed side hug. The whole night left you thinking; what was that?

That's what the MLB All-Star game is. It's an exhibition, but it counts. It's for the best players in the league, but each team, no matter how bad, must be represented. Do the best players make the team, or just the most marketable ones? It's like baseball wants to keep one foot in the traditional the competitive All-Star game and one in the let's sell some tickets and put on a show for the folks. All of which just leaves the fans asking; what is this?

In the Bible God said it's good to be hot and good to be cold, but if you're just lukewarm, he'll spit it out. Baseball needs to decide whether the All Star game is a legit contest or just a fun show before it's fans decide to just spit it out.

Thought #2

Was anyone really surprised that the drug of choice for JaMarcus Russell comes in syrup form? JaMarcus was arrested yesterday for possession of codeine syrup, most commonly used to create what's known as the "Purple Drank." Typically people mix the drug with Sprite and maybe some candy, basically making the Jones Soda of the drug world. While it is unclear whether or not this was JaMarcus's way of using it, you would imagine if so he mixed in more than a few Skittles and would drink it using crazy straws.

For a guy who looked to be getting a shot at cleaning up his act from the Jets, could this be the final nail in the coffin carrying his career? The Jets has reportedly lost interest in signing JaMarcus thanks to the Purple Drank and you have to wonder if anyone else out there would be willing to give him a look. Is there a market for a 300lb underachieving QB, who struggles to understand offensives, and who now has a drug addiction to go along with his buffet addiction?

Thought #3

Amar'e Stoudemire will reportedly sign with the New York Knicks for 5 years and earning him $100 million. This will pair him up with head coach Mike D'Antoni, who he played for in Phoenix.

Now this move does make the Knicks a different team from lat year's Knicks team, but does it really make them a better team?

Amar'e alone seems a lot like when the waiter at the Mexican restaurant brings out the salsa, but never brings the chips. Sure you want the salsa, but you're missing the key ingredients that makes it productive. Amar'e had that ingredient in Phoenix with Steve Nash, he had a guy who could get him the ball in tight spots and in transition. Right now he does not have that in New York. Unless you're telling me Chris Duhon is going to fill that gap, I don't think so.

Amar'e may be a piece to the huge rebuilding project that the Knicks have become, but unless the Knicks get more, he will be about as useless as owning an Xbox with no controller.