Who’s your daddy?
“After watching these young men, such as Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall and Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who refuse to grow up, I think what we have here are kids who have been spoiled rotten from the day someone recognized they had athletic talent. Who spoils them? Coaches, parents, surrogates, agents, fans and sportswriters. Folks like good old Mike Shanahan and George Karl pretend not to stand for such behavior, but are in truth unable to do anything about it. My solution: Every athlete should wear an ankle bracelet and have folks tracking their every move 2 4/7. Good idea, eh?”
David, Centennial
Kiz: Embed a GPS chip in every pro player? And here I thought newspaper curmudgeons were supposed to have a monopoly on cynicism. My take: It’s far easier to instruct a gifted athlete how to dunk a basketball or catch a football than teach him how to walk like a man. Makes you wonder how good the coaching Melo or Marshall really got while growing up.
Karl’s IQ tested.
“I’m very angry the Nuggets traded our first-round draft choice to Charlotte. Why did we do that? What were Karl and team executives thinking? Does Karl like the team we have right now? Clearly, he’s a moron if he thinks we’re going to win in the playoffs with the team we have.”
Matt, Littleton
Kiz: The Nuggets coveted North Carolina State forward J.J. Hickson, and once they correctly predetermined he would be off the board at No. 20, Denver unloaded the pick. But I understand your frustration. I tried selling the Nuggets on Kansas guard Mario Chalmers, who’s tough on defense and fearless in the clutch. Miami got him in trade, after Chalmers was picked 34th. Now that was a draft-day steal.
Coach, I want a divorce.
“The fundamental problem with the Nuggets is Karl. The Nuggets need a coach who wants and is willing to actively coach this team. Anyone who has taught or coached knows a big part of the job is imposing one’s will and selling one’s vision. Karl has clearly failed on this count. If Karl has lost his motivation and willpower to coach this team, he needs to step down and allow someone knowledgeable and energetic to take over.”
Kirk, Aspen
Kiz: If Allen Iverson makes $19 million per year and Melo’s salary is $13 million, they don’t have to listen to a coach. So how does Karl persuade A.I. to give up the rock and Anthony to rebound so the Nuggets win more often? If a coach can’t find the answers, why is Denver paying him?
Thou love Budaj.
“Adios, Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore. I wish we never knew ye. I do have to question everyone’s quick judgment on Peter Budaj. Why is he not the answer? He’s young, solid and, to be honest, the only time we got to really see him, Budaj almost led the Avs to the playoffs when we were plainly a terrible team.”
Michael, Arlington, Va.
Kiz: Budaj won’t make anyone forget Patrick Roy but could make everyone forget Theodore.
Gambling with emotions.
“What do you think about former Broncos receiver Javon Walker skipping out on a Darrent Williams fundraiser to go to Las Vegas, where he was assaulted?”
J.S., Littleton
Kiz: Since the tragic moment D-Will died in his arms, Walker seems to be trying to outrun the pain of an awful night. Nobody, not even an NFL receiver, is that fast.
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot insists that your tender-hearted correspondent has been softer in his criticism of Rockies first baseman Todd Helton than one of the slumping slugger’s weak flyballs to left field.
“It’s about time you and other members of the Denver media woke up and started taking a close look at the performance of Helton and how much he’s hurting the Rockies. The last few years, he’s turned into Wally Joyner, with weak production and soft stats. A far cry from his power days during the steroids era.”
Robert, Los Angeles
