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He did tell LDN correspondent Greg
Taylor that the whole Gary Peyton thing, along with all the other
shenanigans, has made for a three-ring circus in LA. He appeared to
us as one who was glad to be out of that madhouse for at least a few
days.
He told me that he was really looking
forward to working with new Laker coach Rudy Tomjanovich. Cook
reported that Rudy T has been a welcome addition to the Lakers and
seemed to indicate to us that he might be a coach much more inclined
to use Cook's gifts and skills than Phil Jackson was. Cook explained
that Rudy likes to use a lot of pick-and-rolls and pop-outs, which
allow a post player to get open for 12-20-foot shots. Cook has
always been money in the bank for offenses running that kind of
stuff. Since the Lakers have drastically transformed their roster
heading into the 2004-5 season, that should also play into Cook's
hands. He says that he expects to see his playing time go up to
about 20 minutes a game. If he could have a solid year playing that
many minutes, I think the nation could learn what we all already
know. And that is that this kid is pretty darn good.
Brian was set to leave today and report
back to Lakers camp later this week.
Did you happen to catch the U.S.
women's volleyball game with Cuba? Vintage stuff. Now we'll see if
that kind of performance can inspire the ladies to capture the gold.
Lots of mumbling and grumbling coming
out of the gymnastics pit. Why not just let the fans in either the
arena or the TV audience score the events? It works for Major League
Baseball (fan voting for the All-Star teams); it works for reality
TV. Why not for gymnastics?
Yet another reason that I could only
handle sports that had a clear winner. Any time there is a LOT of
subjectivity in determining the outcome is way too uncomfortable for
me. I didn't like my chances to persuade judges to like me for
anything or for any reason.
The U.S. women's softball team won the
gold, and the soccer ladies get a chance at revenge versus Germany
in semifinal soccer action. The U.S. men's hoopsters got back on
track beating Angola earlier today, and that should send them to the
medal round.
Vic Wuderle, local superstar archer,
shot another great match but came up a point short in his quest to
medal again in Athens.
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Thank you, Walt Jocketty. Know what I
mean?
The Cardinals' 82-42 record is their
best since 1944. That team was a mind-boggling 91-32 at this point
in the season! The last time a Redbirds team was 40 games over .500
was in 1985. That Cardinal team -- which also overachieved, as it
was picked for last -- finished the regular season at 101-61. The
Cards now have a commanding 14½ game lead in the Central Division.
The last time St. Louis enjoyed a lead this big was in 1968.
Rick Ankiel continues to impress, now
in Tennessee instead of in Florida. I sure hope to see him get
called back up to the show on Sept. 1!
The Chicago Cubs have been ordered to
fix Wrigley Field if they plan to play baseball there in 2005. Three
times this year, chunks of concrete have fallen off the stadium in
what may have been shoddy repair work. On a happier note for Cub
fans, Chicago STILL appears to be the odds-on choice to take the
wild card flag. It is doubtful that the SF Giants can continue their
hot play.
The Chicago Bears won again, this time
by a score of 20-13 over San Francisco. However, I watched some of
the game, and it is really hard to assess either team. It made me
realize that scouts are underrated; I don't know how they do it.
The Lincoln Railers football schedule
has been released. The Railers, under the inspiring command of John
Oaks, open the season at home against the always tough Mount Zion
squad. Five of Lincoln's nine games will be played at home, where
they will have to make hay in order to even dream of making the
playoffs. Other home tilts will be against Lanphier, Jacksonville,
Southeast (homecoming on Oct. 8) and East Peoria. Lincoln will take
the road versus Springfield, Sacred Heart-Griffin, Taylorville and
Chatham-Glenwood.
The Lady Railer volleyball squad will
open the 2004 season at home versus Peoria Richwoods on Tuesday,
Aug. 31, at 6 p.m.
There's lots
of other stuff happening, but that's it for me. Have a great week,
everybody!
[Jeff Mayfield]
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