Two cent quickies

Thought that on a periodic basis I would just toss up some quick thoughts on the world of sports without focusing on one thing in particular. Hence...some quickies:

-Trevor Linden resigns with the Canucks for 1 year. Good to hear. Linden was just as good as any other 3rd or 4th liner that Nucks had last year so why not one more shot. But this is it...I hope Linden does the right thing after the season and retires on his own terms instead of being forced out by the team. 20 years is enough. Would it ever be nice to watch him lift the Stanley Cup in the new Nucks jerseys at the end of the season. If that happens I might cry.

-Speaking of the new Nucks jerseys they come out on August 29th. Excited to see them. Reports suggest that it should look something like the current jersey except with the vintage colours and a newly coloured orca. If you have never dreamed of a newly coloured orca...well then you haven't lived.

-Flames also getting new jerseys at the start of September. Should look like piss.

-Canada begins the FIBA Americas basketball tournament tonight in Vegas against Brazil. With the likes of Nene, Barbosa and friends on the opposition you can expect us to lose. Unless Samuel Dalembert gets a quadruple double of 70, 20, 15, 10. Won't happen. I love Steve Nash to death but it sucks that the likes of him and Jamaal Magloire aren't out there this week. Good news...we get to play the US Virgin Islands. This should be a "guaranteed win or we all jump off a bridge into a river of thumbtacks" night.

-The Americas tournament is the first big test for new Canadian coach Leo Rautins. For those who don't know, Rautins is an arseweasel. Look for him to play his son Andy until his feet bleed and try out Chuck Swirsky at shooting guard at some point during the tourney.

-Garrett Anderson of the LA Angels had 10 rbi's last night! I had that once in a Grade 10 gym class. It was slo-pitch and it took me the whole week not just one night. Still glorious though.

-The women's world cup of soccer is next month in China. Predictions include a Germany win, some US complaining, and Canada's Christine Sinclair reminding me constantly of a less attractice Hunchback of Notre Dame.

-A couple excellent youtube videos to check out this week. 1. Adrian Peterson of the Vikings ripping up the Jets in a preseason game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2_VaO43f4Y) and 2. the funny meeting between the New Orleans Saint's Reggie Bush and the LA Galaxy's David Beckham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtwKa55aFuE). Both worth a look.

Also this one, not sports related but a commercial from Thailand that I saw on tv while vacationing in Australia this summer. All I have to say is...wow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrixhUg1SCg

-Finally, it is sad to hear of the death of former NBA player Eddie Griffin who died last week when his SUV tried to race a train...and lost. Took a week and dental records to identify him. Only 25, he had a very nice bball game (not too many guys can hit 7 threes one night and block 7 shots the next) and a horribly bad lifestyle. Arrests ranged from DUI's to assault and Griffin battled alcoholism throughout his short career. Reminds you again that all the talent and money in the world does not buy you contentment.