NBA Summer League Overview

There have been many impressive rookies so far in the NBA summer league that have been dazzling their coaches. Here are the top 5 rookies of the summer thus far:

1. Anthony Randolph (Warriors): Shut up, I know Randolph isn't a rookie, but he played only about 18 mpg last year (a stat which should double this year) and his summer league thus far is too good not to mention. Although the Don (Nelson (look at this belly)) didn't play him nearly enough (which led to Randolph occasionally crying on the bench), Randolph will most likely be the starting PF for the squad next season. He is averaging 26.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg in the summer league, and also had a very legit 42 point effort last week. He only averaged 8 ppg and 6 rpg last year, but considering he was only allowed to play 18 minutes a game, and that he is more experienced, I expect that his success in the summer league is not a fluke.
2. Blake Griffin (Clippers): Ok Blake, chill out, we know you're fresh. Clearly, he wasn't sure we knew, posting an aggressive 22 ppg and 11 rpg in summer league. It's always a concern that summer league numbers are inflated, but considering that the Clippers don't have many intimidating guys on their roster, it seems as though Blake will be getting a lot of touches. With Eric Gordon also being a promising young star, the Clippers look like they might have a nice future. But the re-singing of Coach Dunleavy may be bad for Blake/anyone on the Clippers. We'll see.
3. Stephen Curry (Warriors): Am I biased towards Curry and is putting him at number 3 a little high? Yes. Do I love Curry and would I take a bullet for him? Yes. Seriously, my hands shake just when I type his name. If he presented, I would s-.....you catch my drift. Anyway, Curry is putting up a fresh 20, 5, and 5. Not to mention close to 3 steals per game. I mean, he had 27 second half points against Sacramento, as well as the game winning shot (or layup) . Although Curry, Donnie Walsh, and I were all quite saddened when he did not drop to the Knicks, it seems as though Curry has already gotten quite used to the idea of playing for Golden State. With the promising potential of his teammate who is mentioned earlier in this post, it seems as though Curry may have a very nice rookie season stat-wise.
4. Jonny Flynn (T-Wolves): Flynn was probably pissed to go to Minnesota after the GM Kahn drafted standout point-guard Ricky Rubio, but Flynn has not let whatever feelings he might have effect him on the court. Jonny is posting a very nice 12 ppg, but a summer league 2nd 10.5 assists per game. Aside from Rubio, Flynn was the most skilled point guard in the draft, and may be an all-star in a year or two, despite his height. His quickness, passing, and handling are all way above average and I'm sure his teammates Jefferson and Love will be appreciative.
5. Tyreke Evans (Kings): Tyreke has had some very nice stats thus far (20, 7, and 4) which is a good sign for the Kings that he will be confident running the point. However, his lack of sharing the ball is definitely a bad sign. In his first game, he had only 2 assists (with more turnovers), and though he had much ease at attacking the basket, some inside the organization must be worried about his lack of selflessness, though they say he is just growing. Tyreke has very nice numbers, especially his surprisingly high amount of rebounds, but he will only be a triple-double threat if he learns to pass the ball.

Fred Couples on Round 1 of the Open Championship

The first round at the 2009 Open Championship, so we thought we'd call in senior analyst and PGA Tour Pro Fred Couples for some insight. Fred is not competing in this year's Open and will be able to add a lot to our coverage from the outside looking in.

Q: Fred, thanks for joining us, its truly an honor. To be honest I didn’t know you weren’t playing this tournament until midway through the afternoon tee times. I was borderline enraged when I “searched” couples to no avail.
A: Yeah I mean in the interest of full disclosure I have to admit I prepared for this tournament pretty hard and showed up on Tuesday only to be told by Turnberry officials that I didn’t “qualify.” I guess not mis-hitting a golf ball for nearly 800 days doesn’t get you what it used to. I didn't realize hitting consistently perfect irons and being the nicest man since Mr. Rogers doesn't get you any exemptions. My mistake I guess.

Q: Fred you are a mans man through and through.
A: (Nods)

Q: I mean you are a first class guy. No one does it better Fred and I mean no one. Seriously.
A: (Grins and tips his visor)

Q: I gotta ask, what does it feel like to know you are one of the great ball strikers in the history of the human body but to only have one major championship to show for it?
A: In short, not good. I’ll tell you this though I left it all out there every single time. While I may not be known as a champion, not a human being on this earth dislikes me. I am good looking. Golf Digest has given me the Steve Elkington memorial “greatest thighs award” two years in a row. I have a shit load of money. I get to wear a visor to work…you get my drift I think.

Q: Not a lot of visors at this years Open Championship.

A: I heard some rumors that it was a demonstration of respect for someone absent from the field who's probably the best ball striker to ever play, but those are just rumors.

Q: Nothing but class, Fred, first f'ing class.
A: Uh huh.

Q: Lets talk about this wacky leaderboard at Turnberry. Go
A: We got a guy who wears a thong on the golf course in Jimenez at 64 and a 59 year old has-been at 65. Tom Watson couldn’t beat me in mini-golf. Jimenez is a soul-less she-devil, but hey the guy grinds and contends. I played nine with him once, he doesn’t speak a lick of English. Not a lick. After the round he asked me if I wanted to shave his back. I did it. That’s how I am, that's what I do. I would take a bullet for a complete stranger.

Q: What do you think about Ben Curtis's chances? I mean, the guy has proven he can do it in Open Championship golf.

A: Who?

Q: Talk to us a little bit about John Daly
A: No.

A: Your golf game is really flawed around the green, isn't it?
Q: No doubt about it. At the end of the day I liken myself to a greek god. My fatal flaw is my flat stick and my incredible propensity to choke it down in huge moments. These flaws are that of the common man. Fred Couples is the common man. Put two and two together.

Q: If you could make putts, and were not a perennial choke artist what would be different today?
A: A lot. The problem is being able to strike the ball the way I can from the fairway, practicing putting is just boring. Seriously the sensation I feel every time I pure a golf shot with a wedgey or long iron rivals the kind of buzz most people get on their first hit of meth. I wouldn’t trade my style of play for anything. But to answer your question a little more directly, if I could putt as well as well as I hit the white ball tee to green, I'd win every tournament by five strokes or more.

Q: (Laughs)

A: What's funny?

A: Some have called you the perfect man.
Q: More than some.

Top 10 Most Eligible Bachelors in Sports - #7 - Joe Mauer

Sliding in at #7 on our list is All-Star catcher, All-American boy, and all around stud, Joe Mauer. Mauer, 26, who as far as the Sports Bros can gather is single, or single enough, is the catcher for the Minnesota Twins. In 2001 the Twins selected Mauer out of high school with the #1 overall pick in the draft. Since then, Mauer has 2 batting titles, 3 All-Star appearances, and a gold glove to his name. In high school, Mauer might have actually been more of a pussy magnet then he is now. He was named "National High School Quarterback Of The Year" in 2000 by The National Quarterback Club (lead his football team to a state championship in '99), and was an All-State basketball player, as well. He's currently in the midst of a 4-year, 33 million dollar contract with the Twins. If this were a "best sideburns in sports" list, he would undoubtably be at the top. Joe Mauer: Modest, wholesome, dreamy, athletic, single. Sports Bros' #7 most eligible bachelor in sports.

Very Superstitious

One of our readers, SportsBro Alex Kaskel, has recently pointed out a great top 10 of the most bizarre athlete superstitions. We've all heard of athletes doing weird stuff to get them ready for games (Wade Boggs ate a bucket of fried chicken, Clemens used to get a trainer to rub Icy Hot on his balls to get him "pumped up" to pitch...) but this list provides a diverse array of strange rituals. I'm not sure you can count peeing as your hands (Moises Alou) as superstitious (I think it actually hardens your hands so you don't need batting gloves), but it did result on one of my favorite Sports Illustrated "They Said It"'s of all time...

When asked about Moises Alou peeing on his hands while playing for the cubs, Dusty Baker said, "I have noticed a lot of guys avoid giving him high fives, they usually just give him the fist."