Today on "SportsNation," Colin and Michelle will discuss Tiger Woods' latest Nike commercial. Tune in to find out whether they loved it or hated it.
Then, on Number Crunch, we'll find out a lot about SN's hygiene when we ask what percentage of SN would wear an unwashed baseball cap for four straight years. All that, plus you rank the best Dunkfacers in the NBA, we call out the biggest liars in sports this week and we show a video of an awesome prank that got Red Sox Nation all fired up.
WE AIR AT 4 P.M. ET ON ESPN2 TODAY!
Note: Broadcast voting results are as of this afternoon (ET).
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What did you think of Tiger's new Nike commercial?
Tiger's new black-and-white Nike commercial features the voice of his deceased father, Earl, and shows a silent Tiger staring into the camera.
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Do you have any hope for JaMarcus Russell as an NFL quarterback?
Don't count Joe Theismann among those who still believe in Russell: "JaMarcus Russell never will be able to play QB in the National Football League," he said.
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Is the slow pace of Yankees-Red Sox games a disgrace to baseball?
Speaking to The Record (Bergen, N.J.), umpire Joe West called the teams' tendency to slow down games embarrassing, adding it's "a disgrace to baseball."
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
- Vote: Would Jason Taylor help the Jets?
- Chat: KC Joyner of Football Outsiders talks NFL offseason, 4 ET
- ESPN New York: Jane McManus' Jets blog | Complete New York coverage
Joe Namath's predictions aren't quite as bold as they used to be, but when Broadway Joe talks Jets, we listen.
As Tim Graham noted in his AFC East blog, Namath stopped by SportsNation to chat as part of the launch of ESPN New York (three plugs in one sentence, a rarely seen trifecta shill). And while Namath guaranteed a win over the Colts in Super Bowl III, he didn't sound ready to guarantee the division to the Jets next season without a few more tweaks of the roster.
Reverend Bill (Lot 5A East ruthrford, NJ)
Joe, How do you feel about the Jets chances of making a deep run into the playoffs now that Sanchez is in his 2nd season with the backfield of LT and Greene? Are we still missing an edge rusher at DE and could that hurt us?
Joe Namath
I think we need to improve to be a serious contender. Last season was a wonderful growth for the team. I believe the best thing we got out of last season as fans was optimism going into this coming season. The fact of the matter is the Patriots will be a challenge as well as the Dolphins. We haven't proved by any stretch that we are the best team in the eastern division. Full transcript
And Namath isn't the only person with ties to the Jets who has some concerns about the team's roster, or at least its potential roster. A regular SportsNation blogger, Goldbrick4, can't stomach the idea of bringing in Jason Taylor from the rival Dolphins.
- Rank 'Em: How do you size up the coaches with the most wins? | Power Rankings
- TrueHoop: Henry Abbott notes Nelson almost coached Tim Duncan and Larry Bird.
You play to win the game (thanks, Herm). And no coach in NBA history has accomplished that goal more times than Don Nelson, but does that make him an all-time great?
Wednesday night, the Warriors coach got the victory he needed to pass Lenny Wilkens for the all-time lead in NBA history. But unlike Wilkens, and definitely unlike Pat Riley in fourth place, Nelson doesn't have an NBA title to his credit. Then again, neither does Jerry Sloan, who seems to get plenty of credit for coaching greatness. So does a coach need a championship to matter historically?
ESPN.com's Marc Stein looked at Nelson's legacy and unique style.
“get a ring you bum
” -- jbloom1223
“i'm a warriors fan and the only reason i'm happy for him getting the record is because now he can retire and the warriors can begin to guard people and develop some kind of defensive gameplan.
” -- Felipe702
Sometimes we all need a little extra space to vent. ESPN profiles give fans space to post their own blog entries and go toe-to-toe with commenters.
- badbadboy_33: Connecticut's Maya Moore will go for three straight championships next season, but those days are long gone for stars in men's basketball, and Joe Alexander is proof of why that's a bad thing.
- Goldbrick4: LaDainian Tomlinson is one thing, but if the Jets are going to be in the business of signing people over the hill, at least stay away from ex-Dolphins with histories of dancing.
- AgentZero1210: Breaking down the myths that Donovan McNabb is an elite quarterback and will have the same kind of impact in Washington that Brett Favre had in Minnesota.
- 3rdStoneFromTheSun: Where have all the true centers gone in the NBA, and is there any chance Greg Monroe or Cole Aldrich can fill the void?
Read more fan posts. Or respond by signing in or creating a profile, and start blogging.
- Vote on NBA side: Would you take John Wall or Evan Turner No. 1?
- Vote on college side: Was it worth it for Kentucky?
- Chat: College basketball with Dana O'Neil, 2 ET
A little more than two weeks remains until the deadline for declaring for the NBA draft (we're considering our options but won't hire an agent), but David Stern can probably already begin working on the first couple of pronunciations. Not that "Turner" and "Wall" are exactly Olowokandi-esque challenges.
Of course, whichever teams wins the draft lottery and claims the right to pick first will hope Wall or Turner, seemingly the two consensus choices to compete for the first spot, doesn't play like former No. 1 pick Olowokandi. But that's the debate now that both of them, along with four other Kentucky underclassmen, Xavier's Jordan Crawford, Kansas' Xavier Henry and others have submitted their names.
The flip side of the story comes with the college basketball fans waking up in Kentucky today and wondering what their team will look like next season. As ESPN's College Basketball Nation blogs, John Calipari shouldn't have much trouble reloading, but would you rather have good players for four years or great players for one year?
Keene Rosenthal (Lexington KY)
Hey, Chad. Can a team with a solid, young point guard (say NJ with Devin Harris for example) REALLY consider passing over John Wall if they land the #1 overall pick in the draft?
Chad Ford
No. And no one would. I've spoken with someone from every front office in the lottery. All of them would take Wall. The only two possible exceptions are the Jazz and Hornets because of Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Wall is a better prospect than some other solid point guards like Harris, Jonny Flynn, Steph Curry and Brandon Jennings. Remember when the Blazers decided to pass on Chris Paul because Sebastian Telfair looked so promising. Exactly. Full transcript
- Vote: Will Tiger make a commercial comeback? | Vote: How many fist pumps will we see?
- More from ESPN.com: Wright Thompson on Tiger's return | Jason Sobel's Masters blog
Welll, that was ... creepy? Moving? Distasteful? Confusing? Can we just get back to juggling golf balls with a club?
As Tiger Woods prepares to make his return to competitive golf Thursday afternoon at the Masters, he's already back in the swing of things in terms of commercials, courtesy of a new spot from Nike. Shot in black and white, as seen above, the ad focuses on Tiger's face but uses words spoken by his late father, Earl Woods, that seem to address his personal issues.
A lot has been made of all the endorsements Tiger lost as a result of his interesting winter, but is this commercial a sign of a comeback? Let's face it, once we get beyond Augusta and the majors, commercials were where most of us who don't make a habit of watching the second round from the Buick something-or-other most often saw him.
“Anyone who buys Nike because Tigers sells it is an idiot. Anyone who doesnt buy Nike because Tiger sells it is an even bigger idiot.
” -- vectoreman
“Are people really this blind? A manipulative ad to sell Nike's TW line. I always was under the impression that we the public shouldn't have knowledge of athlete's private lives, that they don't owe us an apology for things done personally, but that gets thrown out the window with this commercial. I mean Nike/TW are acknowledging his personal transgressions during the biggest/most watched golfing event. I guess nothing is sacred.
” -- nilbog57
Lee, an avid New York sports fan, has made over 50 films.
Welcome to SportsNation! On Thursday, we're going to help launch ESPNNewYork.com with the style befitting the Big Apple when legendary filmmaker Spike Lee stops by to chat.
Lee has either directed, produced, written or acted in over 50 movies in his career that has spanned over 30 years. His movies routinely examine race relations, the role of media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty and other political issues.
One of his films he produced for ESPN - "Kobe Doin' Work" which debuted last spring.
Send your questions now and join Lee Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET!
More Special Guests: Previous chats | SportsNation
We ask, and you deliver. Each day on "SportsNation" (4 p.m. ET and midnight ET, ESPN2), Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd run down the weirdest Web stories submitted by viewers.
Wednesday's web stories include more antics from the "Dude Perfect" guys, an optical illusion and a resourceful black bear! Watch below!
Today on "SportsNation," Colin and Michelle will discuss whether Yankees president Randy Levine was correct in telling Brewers owner Mark Attanasio to stop complaining about payroll issues.
Then, on Walk the Plank, Michelle will dress up like a pirate (which she hates to do), deliver bad jokes and reveal what percentage of SportsNation is more interested in soccer because of Lionel Messi. All that, plus you rank the best pure scorers in the NBA and video of what happens when trick-shot masters Dude Perfect join forces with the Sacramento Kings and Tyreke Evans.
WE AIR AT 4 P.M. ET ON ESPN2 TODAY!
Note: Broadcast voting results are as of this afternoon (ET).
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Would playing with less passion hurt Tiger's game?
On Monday, Tiger Woods surprised many when he addressed the media and vowed to tone down both his positive and negative outbursts on the golf course.
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Do you agree with the Yanks -- should the Brewers stop complaining?
On Tuesday, Yankees president Randy Levine shot back at Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, saying he should stop whining about payroll, after Attanasio made a comment about how the Yankees' infield was making more than his entire team.
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If you're a Jets fan, would you want to sign Jason Taylor?
Taylor is being heavily courted by the New York Jets, even though the free-agent sack artist has a history of dissing both the Jets' organization and their fans.
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
After all the scandals, conferences, rehab sessions, and questions, Tiger Woods will finally be in an arena where he has the advantage: the Masters. Kicking off on Thursday, the annual tournament at Augusta has usually been good news for Tiger. This year, Jason Sobel has him ranked fifth out of 96 competitors, likely owing to rustiness and his time away from the game. SportsNation predicts a strong showing from Woods, but what do fans want to see from the disgraced megastar?
Frank (Dallas)
Many people are saying that playing with Tiger will be a distraction, but isn't it conceivable to think that the groups before and after Tiger's will have to handle a wide array of distractions as well?
Andy North
Of all the tournaments that a player can play in, this is the easier one, as far as the distractions, people running around between shots. People find a spot and watch groups go through. In front or behind, the group in front is the horrible spot to be. Everyone's running to see the next shot. But I don't think that happens as much as a normal event. Full transcript
Ryan (Reynoldsburg, OH)
Tiger or the rest and why
Andy North
I think this year, you have to take the rest of the field. I think there's a really good chance he could play well. And I think there's a chance he could not function well. We don't know where his game is. You can watch him take shots, but you don't really know until he tees it up on Thursday. Full transcript
CHAT IN PROGRESS
Inside College Hockey
- Joe Gladziszewski
- Mark D. (Denver)
- Joe Gladziszewski
- Nick (Brighton, MA)