Quick Hits: Barkley, Big Brown, Lottery . . . Oh, And Some Fighting

"Sir Charles" announced on TNT last night that he's through with gambling . . . for now. Barkley wouldn't commit to quitting for life, but said he won't gamble for the next 1-2 years. This came after a controversy surrounding an outstanding casino debt. I've always liked Barkley (especially as a TV personality), but his numerous failed diets have demonstrated his lack of will power, and I don't see how this scenario will end with different results.

Big Brown is one win away from the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. While the tragedy at the Derby put a damper on Big Brown's performance in Kentucky, nothing could detract from his dominating performance at the Preakness.

When Jannero Pargo missed a wide open 3 from the corner with about 1 minute remaining, I could feel the 2008 playoffs losing some if their luster. Sure, the Lakers and Celtics are still alive, and this is seemingly the matchup everyone is pining for. But, on the flip side, there's Detroit and San Antonio. Should the Pistons and Spurs win their series', we will get a rematch of the most boring 7 games in playoff history (also known as the 2005 NBA Finals)

The NBA Draft Lottery takes place tonight (followed by game 1 of the Eastern Finals) @ 7:30 on ESPN. I hear Jay-Z's representing the Nets . . . why should we care?

This Saturday it's a battle pitting Hawaiian Pride vs. 'Roid Rage, as BJ Penn takes on Sean Sherk for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The "Ill Will" card also features Wanderlei Silva squaring off aginst Keith Jardine, and Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida.

Also this Saturday, Ricky Hatton (43-1) returns to action against Juan Lazcano (37-4-1). Lazcano should challenge Hatton, but don't expect any upsets. Lazcano would have to KO Ricky to get a win in the UK, and i don't see that happening. Hatton by TKO Rd. 10.

How The Carousel Turns

Avery Johnson was fired, Pat Riley retired, Larry Brown will coach the Bobcats, Scott Skiles will coach Milwaukee, and it appears Mike D'Antoni may be on his way out of Phoenix. If you haven't already picked up on it, the coaching carousel is in motion. What moves might we see, come this off-season?

New Jersey Nets - Lawrence Frank (OUT), Rick Carlisle (IN)
Carlisle is on the list of candidates in Dallas and Chicago, but with bigger name coaches out there, I think he'll lose out for those two positions. Lawrence Frank has run his course in New Jersey, and Carlisle would be a low risk replacement. For the record, I certainly don't think Carlisle will do any better than Frank in New Jersey.

New York Knicks - Isiah Thomas (OUT), Mark Jackson (IN)
Isiah's already been canned (finally), and Mark Jackson is the front runner for the vacant spot. The availability of Avery Johnson and D'Antoni has the possibility to create some competition in the Big Apple, but in the end Mark Jackson is the best fit in NY.

Toronto - Sam Mitchell
If the Raptors want Avery Johnson, I think he'll be available to go to Toronto. But, Avery wouldn't be a huge upgrade over Sam Mitchell. The Raptors are still building, and should give Mitchell one more year to improve his team's playoff performance.

Chicago - Jim Boylan (OUT), Mike D'Antoni (IN)
Boylan's already been fired, and the coaching search is on. "The Bulls' list of coaching candidates is expected to include Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Carlisle, Terry Porter, Mike Fratello and Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau." (USA Today). Those are all decent prospects, but D'Antoni's fast break style could turn the "Baby Bulls" into the Suns of the East (except, in the East, being the Suns can get you to the NBA Finals).

Detroit - Flip Saunders (OUT), Bill Laimbeer (IN)
This may sound a little bizarre, and maybe it is. If Detroit doesn't make it to the finals this year, I don't see Flip Saunders making it to next season. Bill Laimbeer has accomplished all he can in the WNBA and would be the guy to bring back the defense first attitude that made Detroit such a good team to begin with.

Denver - George Karl (OUT), Del Harris (IN)
Harris was widely regarded as the best assistant coach in the league while with the Mavericks, and would bring a solid defensive philosophy to Denver. There's no question, the Nuggets have character issues. Harris brings a more disciplined approach, and the experience necessary to gain the respect of 'Melo, AI, and K-Mart.

Phoenix Suns - Mike D'Antoni (OUT), Mike Fratello (IN)
I'm not sold on Fratello, but he would make sense in Phoenix. He would improve the Suns defense, without killing their fast break. Fratello should also be able to come up with a better game plan to utilize Shaq and Amare together.

Dallas - Avery Johnson (OUT), Jeff Van Gundy (IN)
Van Gundy is a veteran coach that can teach defense, which Dallas sorely needs. I can see Van Gundy and Cuban hitting it off during the interview process. I don't think Dallas will win a championship until they make some serious personnel changes, but Van Gundy is a solid choice.

If Avery Johnson remains available, teams like Minnesota, Memphis, Portland, and Seattle would be foolish not to pursue him. He's a young coach, with a lot of potential to get even better. He would be just what the doctor ordered for a team trying to rebuild.

Derby Turns Tragic - But, Do We Really Care?

My grandfather took bets at a race track for 30 years. I've been to the big races and to the Thursday matinee, where only the most die hard gamblers make a showing. I am not naive to the goings on at horse tracks around the country. I understand the money, the corruption, and the greed that drives the sport. But, there is undeniably something beautiful, about seeing a pack of thoroughbreds round the stretch. Only in horse racing can this beauty be tarnished by a brutal reality in the blink of an eye.

On Saturday we turned a blind eye to tragedy. This is the only sport where the winners weep with joy, while a competitor's horse lie dying on the track. The viewing audience got very little coverage on Eight Belles' tragic death. Instead we saw the victors celebrating, in a moment that was more fit for mourning.

Could you imagine a professional fighter posturing and preening for the crowd if his opponent had just died in the ring? Do you see NBA players celebrating when an opposing team's star player goes down with a serious injury? When a football player goes down, you often see opposing players kneeling in prayer. But, this is horse racing, where the lives of these animals mean nothing, other than dollar signs.

20 horses in a race is dangerous, but it makes for an exciting stampede when they break the gates. The crowd roars it's approval, while the horse's safety (and for that matter the jockey's) is given very little consideration. In the end, to most Americans, they are just horses. While we (and congress) focus on Roger Clemens' alleged steroid use and his past affair with a 15 year old girl, this Derby tragedy will be swept under the rug. There will be no discussions on the safety of the horses, and there will be no outcry from the public, calling for tighter regulation and smaller race fields (15 max).

There will be no demand for change, because after all, they are only animals.