“Nice column on the nice win by the Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. But, come on. It was the New Orleans Hornets. Believe me, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and the rest of us out here in California are not worried about the Nuggets. Chauncey Billups is a nice addition, but the bottom line is: Denver doesn’t have anyone to stop Kobe. The Nuggets didn’t last year and they don’t this year. It’s going to be Lakers and the Cavaliers in the Finals. Book it.”
Adrian, Los Angeles
Kiz: How much commitment does it take to root for the Lakers? You show up. They win. So what’s the definition of emotional sacrifice by an L.A. fan? Fighting traffic? For all the championships earned by Magic, Kareem, Shaq and Kobe, none of those Hall of Fame players means as much to Los Angeles as Chauncey Billups means to Denver. And that’s the real definition of a winner.
Yay and nay.
“With B.J. Raji and Tyson Jackson off the NFL draft board, I really liked the Broncos’ pick of Knowshon Moreno at No. 12 in the first round. Let’s hope Robert Ayers was not a one-year wonder in college and can produce at defensive end or outside linebacker. Giving up the 2010 first-round pick for Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith was too much. And why not stipulate the pick be the later of Denver’s two choices in the first round? But Smith is a player. The remainder of the team’s draft was a disgrace. Tight end Richard Quinn was the biggest reach by any team on the first day. So basically we’re looking at Jay Cutler for Kyle Orton, Ayers, Smith and Quinn. This is not going to end well for coach Josh McDaniels.”
Mark, Chicago
Kiz: There is a civil war being fought among Broncomaniacs. It seems if you love Cutler, you must loathe McDaniels. And vice versa. Well, count me out of this Orange and Blue spat. The split between coach and quarterback was inevitable because neither Cutler nor McDaniels really wanted to be together. Trading the 2010 first-rounder for Smith is a separate issue. And, if you ask me, it was a mistake by the Broncos.
Get J-Mac out of here.
“I honestly thought the news of the Broncos trading next year’s No. 1 pick for secondary help was from some version of The Onion. This has to be a bad dream. As stupid as it might sound, I think McDaniels needs to go ASAP. Whatever football acumen Kid McD might have is secondary to any type of common sense he has displayed. You have my support for Pat Bowlen to fire this fool and just start over. Yes, even before the NFL season starts. Unprecedented? Yes. Unfair? Perhaps. Becoming obvious? Absolutely.”
Randall, Thornton
Kiz: Even crazy Al Davis gave Mike Shanahan 20 games with the Raiders. Bowlen is not nutty enough to broom McDaniels now.
Bye bye, Bertuzzi.
“While the NHL has ignored former Avalanche player Steve Moore, the hockey gods continue to shine on him with another early-round elimination of Todd Bertuzzi’s team from the NHL playoffs. The hockey gods have not let a silversmith engrave Bertuzzi’s name on Lord Stanley’s Cup since his cowardly attack on Moore. You would think Calgary could learn from Anaheim or Detroit and release Bertuzzi after playoff exits when he played for those teams. The Bertuzzi Curse should prevent any serious contender from signing him, which would allow him to skate off to hockey obscurity or the Ontario civil courts.”
Dave, Westminster
Kiz: If the hockey gods could garnish wages, any NHL team that employs Bertuzzi would be required to send his paychecks directly to Moore. Lawyers will fight over the last dollar and Bertuzzi will be cursed forever by nightmares born of his own memories. For Avalanche fans, maybe it’s time to let forgiveness lighten the load of heavy hearts.
Parting shot
Bowlen didn’t stand pat
And today’s parting shot accuses our local NFL owner of meddling:
“Bad days ahead for Denver. Didn’t Pat Bowlen say he wasn’t going to mess with the offense? He has.”
David, Chappell, Neb.
