Last call for notes. …
OK, so, once again, March Madness has been called off in Our State, where three coaches have been bounced and not a single team qualified for the Tournament. Look at the bright side. At least the Nuggets and Avs are making things interesting. Said George Karl, when asked about the prospect of facing Dallas, Phoenix or San Antonio in the playoffs: “I have a feeling if we start playing 10 percent, 15 percent better, I don’t think any of those are going to want to play us.” …
In case you didn’t notice, you just read Linas Kleiza’s name in the same sentence as Larry Bird. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself after hearing TNT analyst Reggie Miller’s scouting report on L.K.: “The Nuggets and Coach Karl have a diamond in the rough with (Kleiza). He’s their best perimeter defender and that allows Carmelo (Anthony) to roam a little bit. …He’s a fabulous outside shooter, he’s tough, he gets in people’s grills.” …
Not that it was time for a change on both campuses, but it says here that CU and CSU will have better records next season under their new head coaches. Jeff Bzdelik and a Coach To Be Named Later, that is. …
No, it’s not a lock Bzdelik will land in Boulder. I prefer foregone conclusion. Which reminds me. Talk about culture shock. How about going from a military academy to the People’s Republic? Maybe Coach Buzz will get a pair of Birkenstocks as a signing bonus. …
While I’d prefer to wait until, say, mid-September, the time has come for my annual pick to shock the baseball world. That would be the …lose the drumroll, Ringo, I’m trying to type here …Toronto Blue Jays. Unless, of course, it isn’t the Blue Jays. …
UCLA coaching legend John Wooden, when asked by Sports Radio 950 The Fan if anything bothered him about today’s college game: “They’re permitting the game to become too physical. You don’t watch a game now where you don’t see them down on the floor and maybe some blood here and there quite frequently – much more than there used to be. I think they’re letting them do more like they do in the pros.” …
Wooden’s other pet peeve? “They’re carrying the ball. They never call carrying the ball anymore and they carry all the time.” …
This just in. Ken Griffey Jr., struggling to bounce back from a broken hand, is questionable for opening day. Not to mention every other day. …
Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on the Patriots signing free-agent tight end Kyle Brady: “No, he’s not Tom’s son.” …
Bringing new meaning to Man for All Seasons: Ron Artest, the proud owner of four misdemeanor assault charges. …
Cubs free-agent signee Cliff Floyd, coming off a torn Achilles tendon, will be brought along slowly by manager Lou Piniella. Why? Because, as Piniella told reporters at spring training, “We want to make sure he’s ready for the stretch run in August and September.” The stretch run? Or as Cub fans call it, wait ’til next year. …
The Broncos have signed a former Browns defensive lineman as a free agent. In a related development, the government has decided to collect taxes again this year. …
There are late bloomers and later bloomers, and then there’s wideout Kevin Curtis. The Deseret News in Salt Lake City reminds us that Curtis, who just signed a six-year, $32 million deal with the Eagles, was a walk-on at Utah State. …
Free spirit Gilbert Arenas vowed to lay 50 on the Blazers this season, what with Portland coach Nate McMillan having been an assistant on the U.S. national team that cut him. Arenas’ bottom line in two games vs. the Blazers? Try 7-for-31 and 28 points. …
And finally, Cal Poly has a highly touted cornerback named Courtney Brown. You don’t suppose the Broncos …nah. Been there, done that.
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
