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Jackpot Jay Lovinger:
World Series of Poker main event starts today, the culmination of a year of Jackpot Jay's musings and meanderings on Page 2. Quickie Nation roots you on!
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
KNOCK. HOCKEY.
Remember hockey? No?
Maybe you just don't care to.
The NHL is reportedly back, and the collective reply from mainstream
sports fans is...
So what?
The NHL is in purgatory:
The casual fans have never cared less. Who knows if they'll come back
to any degree?
The devoted fans are angry. They can rightfully blame the NHL and
players for marginalizing them among all sports fans.
What a contrast the apathy toward the NHL is compared to fan interest
in, say, the World Series of Poker -- arguably not even a sport.
So what, if anything, can the NHL do to begin to repair things with
either set of fans? Here's a three-part strategy:
Grovel:
It's not about you, Jeremy Roenick. Players and owners need to
apologize. Beg fan forgiveness. Acknowledge the strike was awful for
sport and fans.
Mock itself:
"It's a Whole New Game," the reported new NHL slogan, is earnest when
it really needs to reflect fans' pain. (See last item.)
Gimmicks:
No, a salary cap doesn't count. Neither does a Sidney Crosby lottery
open to all teams (he could still end up in a dud market).
Let me offer a hint: F-R-E-E.
Free tickets. Free stuff. Free access. Owners need to pass on at least
some of the financial gains extracted from the players to the
fans.
After fighting for a year, NHL owners and players better quickly
realize they have a common goal in repairing the damage done with fans.
McMillan Bolts
Yes, it was the money. Someone doesn't leave a city
he's played and coached in his entire NBA career (Seattle) for the
regional rival for any other reason.
That's not an indictment. McMillan should do what's best for himself,
and a reported five-year deal with Portland in the $6-7 million per-year range is so best.
It's just a reminder that sports is a business. Kudos to Blazers owner
Paul Allen, who can afford to overpay; he just matched money and
mouth.
As for the Sonics, they took the biggest free-agent hit of the
offseason. As a replacement, how about Suns assistant Marc
Iavaroni?
"Final Man" Result
Jeter out, Podsednik in! Teen-movie analogy: The
ugly girl beats out the class hottie for prom queen!
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CHECK OUT THE QUICKIE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING! |
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| WHO'S GOT THE MOMENTUM ... |
Mark Teixeira: Will represent U.S. in MLB HR Derby
Florida Marlins: Strike out team-record 22 in 12-inn W
Chris Carpenter: StL P earns 13th W (7K, 1R, 3H, 8IP) |
| ... AND WHO'S GOT NO MO' |
Isiah shopping Marbury: Knicks honcho strongly denies it
Utah Jazz: Hire Knicks washout prez Layden as asst coach
Grady Jackson: Packers DT hires Rosenhaus, talks holds out |
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In your Face! The biggest story of "Final Man" voting wasn't
that Pods earned a spot; it was that Jeter -- the "Face of Baseball"
-- lost.
In a simple up-or-down vote, fans rejected Jeter and everything he
stands for. His minions can't possibly claim "Face" status anymore.
NL: Astros SP Roy Oswalt in. Sealed by two things: Oz's W the day
the ballot came out, plus fan sympathy for his jobbed teammate Morgan Ensberg.
Wie Watch
Usually, PGA golf doesn't get interesting until Sunday,
and even then only if Tiger is in the mix.
But Michelle Wie changes everything. Hello: On the men's tour?
She's even more must-see than Tiger.
Factoring in age, experience and gender, she's the most talented
golfer in the world.
The first two rounds of the John Deere are must-track, as Wie tries to
become the first woman in 60 years to make the cut in a men's event.
Schilling to 'Pen
Perhaps taking their cue from Tuesday's Quickie, the
Red Sox are sending Curt Schilling to the bullpen to continue rehab.
He's gotta be better than Foulke, with his throat
"knee" problems.
K. Rogers: Sorry!
Only a week late, Kenny Rogers' display of contrition
fulfills a key step from the "image rehab playbook," which also
includes "Free Kenny!" T-shirt sales and "Five Good Minutes" on PTI.
Next up: All-Star status. So will he play Tuesday or won't
he? Rogers isn't talking (yet); will he hold out until Monday for full
dramatic effect?
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Matt Clement Watch: Red Sox staff ace wins 10th, poised to
replace Rogers as soon as he says he's not playing?
NBA Summer Hoops
Nate McMillan should like the looks of his new team's
young core, if the tip-off of the NBA's Vegas summer league is any
sign:
The Blazers' prep-to-pro trio led the way in a win over NY: SF Travis Outlaw
(34 pts); rookie SG Martell Webster (21); PG SebastianTelfair (18, 10 ast, 9 reb).
The Knicks were paced by li'l rookie PG Nate Robinson (20 pts, 5 reb,
4 ast). Instant History: Energetic Rob will make fans forget about
Marbury.
New NHL Slogan
"It's a Whole New Game" is lame.
Asked for revisions for a new NHL slogan, Morning Quickie participants
responded with ideas designed to win back fans with gentle
self-mockery:
"Yes, We ARE Still a League"
(Mike, Morgantown, WV)
"Yeah, We Know It Was Stupid"
(Ferg, St. Louis)
"Now With 100% More Action"
(Wally, Washington, D.C.)
"Please Come Back"
(Bryan, Grand Rapids, MI)
Join the Morning Quickie every weekday from 9-10 a.m. ET on
SportsNation.
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Lou Piniella:
He punked us: After tantalizing fans with the idea that he'd start with a reliever last night, he wimps out and starts the usual D-Rays dud starter.
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Today on ESPN.com
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| Quickie live! |
| Jackpot Jay |
| Stein on the NBA |
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| Sports More Relevant Than NHL: |  Poker
| It's the new "World Series"
|  Arena football
| Big, getting bigger
|  Women's softball
| Does better TV ratings
|  LPGA
| Featuring teen sensations
|  Wife-Carrying
| | Just ask Jim Caple... |
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Thoughts today go out to anyone in London (or with
family or friends in London), in the aftermath of the
subway bombing.
Tour de Lance: Officials need to chill out in forcing Lance to wear
the yellow jersey; he's the reason anyone in the U.S. is
watching.
Larry Brown speaks about his intentions: "I just want to get well and
coach the Pistons." (via AP)
Tim Brown will sign a one-day deal to retire as a Raider. Nice move by
both player and team. Next stop for Brown? NFL Hall of Fame. He's a
lock.
"Real Life" meets "Six Feet Under": That Steelers fan who wanted to be
viewed post-mortem in a lounger, dressed in team gear watching them on TV.
"Dancing with Stars" finale: In the biggest upset since London beat Paris
earlier in the day, Kelly Monaco won the title over John O'Hurley.
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