Mad Dog

Last night sitting across from me at the Twins game was the man, the myth, the Mad Dog. I of course had to talk to him and ask him (Mark Madsen just in case you didn't know who Mad Dog is) who he wanted the Twolves to pick with the 3rd pick. (Side note: Isn't in appropriate for the bad luck Twolves that in a 2 person draft they get the 3rd pick). Anyway, my inside scoop is that Madsen wants Kevin Love to pair with Al Jefferson as the front-court of the future for the Twolves. While Love at the 3rd pick might be a reach, I was glad to hear Madsen's opinion. This is now the 3rd time I have talked to Madsen, which might make him one of my better friends in Minnesota. One of the times I "hung out" with Madsen was back in 2006:

I liked Chris Cooley's post about his upcoming wedding.


The brother-in-law wrote a good post about new media vs. old media. I agree with him that the sports world needs a he better version of espn for the true sports fan. I don't care about who is more now or the Budweiser hot seat with Will Ferrell. What I care about is true analysis (think Jaws with a Qb) of games, players and front office strategy. Why can't tv shows specialize in true analysis of sports without all of the spin? Also, wouldn't it be great if you could watch a show in the same vein as deadspin or www.firejoemorgan.com?


However, I have to disagree on his other the argument that American sports fans are in "love" with European basketball players. I don't think many sports fans like how players like Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili (and I know he was born in Argentina), and Pau Gasol flop when their is slightest bit of contact. I guess I shouldn't blame them too much because they fall under the lineage of the ultimate flopper Vlade Divac. Most basketball fans I know are annoyed about how flopping is ruining some basketball games. Some have even gone to the extent of saying that they should call fouls or technicals on players who flop when they aren't fouled. I think there is lack of appeal to the way that Europeans play basketball specifically because of the excessive flopping. If I want to see athletes flopping then I will check out the MLS and the English Premier league.