Since the NBA Draft lottery went down in New Jersey last month, Blake Griffin has to be feeling like a Death Row inmate that knows his fate. You can call it his Execution Date on June 25th, but that would be a little harsh. Its not like he’s going to die—he’s just going to have the unfortunate sentence of playing out his entry level contract for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Since the Lottery, we had our correspondents out in Norman following him around TMZ style. Here is a compilation of some of the things that we’ve overheard over the last month:

Best Player Available? That's not how we do things around here!

God, I hope I don’t become like Darius Miles

I know one thing for sure: I gotta get in tight with Chris Kaman. Do you think that he’ll let me play on the German Olympic team with him in 2012? I’m not German either—so I should fit right in.

I wish Elgin Baylor was still the GM for the Clippers. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about them going with that whole “Best Player Available” thing.

I wonder if I can practice with Kobe and the rest of the Lakers since we share the same arena. Would they be OK with that?

If Donald Sterling asks me to dinner before the Draft, who’s going to pick up the tab? I mean, he knows that I don’t have a steady income until he drafts me, right?

Maybe they’ll trade me for Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

God, I hope I don’t become like Shawn Livingston

Maybe they could move back to San Diego. San Diego seems like a cool city. Pretty laid back, none of those crappy comparisons to the other team in L.A. I should include that in my contract. There’s nothing about that kinda perk in the collective bargaining agreement, is there?

Forget San Diego. Maybe they could move back to Buffalo and let me play out my entry level contract in peace. I just don’t want anyone to notice me until I can become a free agent.

What are the chances of the Clippers screwing up and picking the wrong Griffin brother from the Oklahoma Sooners?

I gotta keep Manny and his fertility drugs away from my girlfriend.

"I look just like my brother. Maybe the Clippers will get confused on June 25th"

I can’t believe I’m going to have to share an arena that has all of these banners. What? The Lakers play here too? I was talking about the Sparks. Damn it, so we’re the THIRD best basketball team at Staples. Great.

Since he’s a season ticket holder, maybe Bill Simmons will put me on his podcast and talk about how much better the Clippers organization is than the Lakers. Maybe he can arrange for me to be a Celtic one day.

God, I hope I don’t become like Danny Ferry. Wait, if I’m going to be like a Clippers draft pick—that’s the guy I DO want to be like? This organization is worse than I thought.

I wonder if I can grow a beard like Baron. Is that just HIS thing or would he be down for me to grown one too? It could be a team thing or something.

I don’t even know who Bob McAdoo is?

I wonder if the Lakers already have bus drivers lined up for next year’s parade. I think I could hook that up.

Can that Ralph Lawler guy say BINGO when I hit free throws? That would be pretty cool.

If I can figure out a way to sign a one-year deal, maybe I can get them to trade my expiring contract at the trade deadline. The Clips are forward thing—they’d be down.

God, I hope I don’t become like Michael Olowakandi

Dear Derek Fisher,

I’m so sorry that I ever doubted you. I know that we’ve been through some rocky times lately, but it still doesn’t give me the excuse to doubt you. After all you’ve done for us; you truly deserve the benefit of the doubt. Even though I lost sight of that—you had trust. You knew that you still had what I wanted and desired. Game winning shots are what I desire… I should have remembered San Antonio.

I remember when you decided to leave us for Golden State a few years ago. I was sorry to see you go, but I knew it was what was best for you. Even though we weren’t together anymore—I still watched from afar to make sure that you were still doing ok. I wanted nothing but the best for you. When you were traded to Utah 2 years later, I wanted nothing but the best for you. When you had to endure the horrible problems with your daughter in the 2007 playoffs, everyone around the country knew what Laker fans had known all long—you’re a pretty good dude.

I won’t lie—I’ve had eyes for other point guards lately. I thought that Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown had what I needed. I think it was just a case that the “grass is always greener on the other side” though. I’ve doubted you plenty this year. I thought your time had come and gone. I thought it was time for us to part ways.

I thought it was time for you to stop shooting the ball (as in, NEVER again). Every time you shot the ball, I was screaming at the television for you to pass. Every time the ball fell unsuccessfully into Dwight Howard’s possession, I yelled for Jordan Farmar. Every time a smaller, younger and quicker point guard beat you off the dribble and took you to the hole, I asked for Shannon Brown.

But in Game 4, you reminded me of all thing things that I had forgotten. At the end of regulation, you reminded me that you were still capable of hitting a CLUTCH shot at the end of the game that would have me jumping with euphoria.

In overtime, you made sure you drove the point home and knocked down the dagger that very well could bring another championship to Los Angeles. You watched Kobe deliver a vicious elbow, calmly stepped into your shot and made the greater LA area’s ground shake like there was a 5.0 at Staples Center.

After Game 4, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Please accept my sincerest of apologies. I promise that it will never happen again.

Xoxo,
Mr. Cheap Seats

After 2 weeks of college baseball playoffs all over the nation, the College World Series is set to kick off in Omaha on June 13th. All 8 teams in the CWS are set to play their first game over the weekend and we’ll find out who will have an easy path to the championship series and who will have to go through the brutal “loser’s bracket.”

The best way to think of the format for the College World Series is two separate brackets. The two winners of the double-elimination brackets face off on Monday for a 3 game series to determine the national champion. Win the series, win a ring. Sounds simple enough, right?

History tells us that it would be in every team’s best interest to win their 1st two games in Omaha. Win your first 2 and you earn the right to sit back and watch all the other teams knock each other off. Once an exhausted winner emerges from the loser’s bracket, they’ll meet a well rested team that already has won their first couple of games. Not only does the loser’s bracket team have to win, but they have to beat then opposition TWICE. Like I said, that’s the road less traveled.

The College World Series is a completely different animal than the rest of the season for all of these teams. Whether the team is a national powerhouse or visiting Omaha for the first time ever, the College World Series is everyone’s 15 minutes of fame. Unlike college football and basketball, the majority of the sports watching public only tune in for about a week and a half in June. If a team performs well here, they have a chance to win a national championship. If they don’t, they’ll be sent home and back to obscurity faster than you can say “Rosenblatt Stadium.”

Take a look at some of the opening round games this weekend and you’ll see how tough it’s going to be to win the World Series this year. Arkansas might be the hottest team in the country after they destroyed national seeds Oklahoma and Florida State on the road. Their first game pits them against #2 National Seed Cal State Fullerton—who has won their 5 postseason games this year by an average score of 13-2.

Another team vying for the “Hottest Team in the Nation” title is the University of Virginia. Over the last few weeks, they have won the ACC Tournament (arguably the best conference in the country), swept through the toughest regional in the nation and went to Oxford and knocked off the Rebels in a hostile environment. But there is no rest for the weary, as the Cavaliers first game is against the best team in the SEC this year—the LSU Tigers. If they thought Ole Miss was tough, just wait until they see the Tigers! Regardless, both teams are capable of winning it all.

The 3rd game over the weekend looks like it should be the National Championship series—NOT Game 3 in Omaha. North Carolina and Arizona State both have the look of teams that could win it all; and both are programs that will be disappointed with anything less. Both the Tar Heels and the Sun Devils have a mix of high-end pitching and an elite offensive attack that has put them on the short list of national contenders since the beginning of the season. Whoever wins on Sunday will be one step closer to their goals. The loser will be taking a huge step backwards.

The 4th and final game of the weekend features #1 overall seed Texas against the surprise story of the tournament: Southern Miss. Texas has looked extremely underwhelming in their Regional and Super-Regional. But the name of the game is survive and advance—and they’re in Omaha. It takes a lot more than luck to earn the #1 overall seed, so its anyone’s guess how the Longhorns perform. Their opponent shocked their Regional host Georgia Tech in Atlanta, then went on to surprise the Super-Regional host Florida in the Super-Regionals. There’s no doubt that they’ve been playing out of their mind for 2 weeks—but if they take a breath now, they’ll be back in Hattiesburg before they even unpack.

We’ll know a lot more by Monday next week. For those of you that want to see the entire College World Series schedule, here you go.

Just like the 1st two rounds, the NCAA has a great interactive bracket for all your College World Series needs.

I completely respect Phil Jackson and everything he’s been able to accomplish in his career. Anyone that can win 9 rings and can put himself in a position to win his 10th knows what he’s doing. Some people can say that he’s had it easy because he’s won with guys like MJ, Shaq and Kobe—but hey, at least he won. How many coaches have had the most talent but weren’t able to win? Sometimes I think Jackson might be the most underrated 9-time champion of all time.

Really, he deserves more credit than he receives. He’s led his teams to 3-peats THREE separate times. Go back and read that again… one coach has lead his team to a 3-peat; on three occasions in his career. Are you kidding me? Even though Pat Riley has the trademark on the term 3-PEAT, its Phil Jackson that really owns it. He knows what he’s doing—we really shouldn’t second guess him.

Watching Game 2, there was a very questionable decision that came to the forefront. Again, I want to emphasize that I respect Jackson and what he’s been able to accomplish. But looking at him on Sunday night, a couple of us have a very important question to ask: What the hell was he thinking by shaving off the mustache/goatee? No single act has made anyone look as old as Jackson’s move away from facial hair. It seems like he went from a cool older guy to just an old guy. It’s a subtle difference—but an significant one. Check it out for yourself. Here’s a before photo:

And the “After” version:

Come on Phil, you’re better than that. Who cares if the facial hair makes you look like the Colonel from KFC? Dude, it got you 9 rings—you don’t screw with that kind of success? Oh, by the way– it got you this too. Again, please don’t mess with success….

This might be as impressive as any of his 9 NBA Championships

Eight Super-Regionals will fill the weekend as the Regional survivors fight for a trip to Omaha and the College World Series. Just about all of the favorites made it through to the 2nd weekend of the tournament, so we should be treated to some high quality baseball. Say what you want about Cinderellas—but I like when really good teams play each other in the playoffs. Yeah, I’m the anti-Christ.

Since there are eight separate series, we’ll give you a quick take on each series. If I wrote everything I thought about every single series, this “preview” wouldn’t be published until after the series are over.

NCAA Super-Regional Previews

June 5th – June 7th
Louisville Cardinals at Cal State Fullerton Titans: The Louisville Cardinals got to host their 1st Regional ever last weekend and parlayed it into a trip to the Super-Regionals. On the other side of the diamond awaits CSUF—who seemingly hosts Regionals and Super-Regionals every year. The Big West took some serious hits last weekend, but the #2 seeded Titans bombed through their Regional. Something that helped was they were the only team in their Regional that has pitchers on scholarship. They’ll need the pitching to come through against the power-hitting line-up of Louisville.

Arkansas Razorbacks at Florida State Seminoles: Alright, so if you want to see runs, this is probably the series for you. Take two teams that have been scoring in double digits all season, add the fact that the Seminoles have been scoring runs like their football team, and then mix in some aluminum bats and tell me what YOU think will happen? With all of the runs that everyone expects—I want to see which team has a little pitching. If either pitching staff can slow the opposition down, they’ll be in Nebraska next weekend. I know that everyone is impressed with Florida State and their SportsCenter worthy 37 runs against Ohio State. But more impressive to me was the way Arkansas completely dominated #8 national seed Oklahoma in Norman. By the end of the Regional, I was wondering if Arkansas was that good or the Sooners were that bad. We’ll probably find out this weekend.

That smile probably comes from his pitching staff...

Virginia Cavaliers at Ole Miss Rebels: Both teams can hit—and I mean really hit. We’re talking about 2 teams that won over 40 games and hit over .315 over the course of the season. Here’s what it boils down to though: both teams can hit, Virginia has a better #1 pitcher and overall pitching staff and they’re probably the hottest team in the nation. They won the nightmare-ish ACC tournament, and then traveled 3000 miles to destroy the #1 UC Irvine Anteaters in the Regional. No disrespect to Ole Miss, but they better hope that the home field advantage in Oxford pays off!

Rice Owls at LSU Tigers: This might be the most evenly matched series of the weekend. When you look at their overall stats from the regular season, both their batting average and their opponents’ batting average are very similar. The two things that LSU has going for them are that they have a little more power than Rice and that they’re playing at home. We’ll see if the NEW Alex Box Stadium has the same ghosts that helped the Tigers to LAST year’s College World Series.

____________________________________________

June 6th – June 8th

TCU Horned Frogs at Texas Longhorns: Two of the three Texas teams will match-up in Austin with all kinds of bragging rights on the line. Just like the ECU vs. UNC Super-Regional, we’re going to see a contrast of styles. If we see high-scoring games, we’ll probably see a couple of TCU victories. If we see low-scoring games, Texas coach Augie Garrido will be smiling once again. Texas doesn’t have the pop in their line-up that you’d expect from a #1 overall seed—but they have the pitching that more than makes up for it. A couple of dominant pitchers with ERAs that hover around 2.00 are always a good way to find success. It’s going to be tough for TCU to put up the same kind of numbers against the Longhorns that they’ve grown accustomed to all season.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Florida Gators: Yes, Florida is a good team. They played well in the SEC all season and earned their #8 national seeding. But this series may very well hinge on which Southern Miss team shows up. In the Regionals, Southern Miss looked like a different team against Georgia Tech en route to pulling off the biggest upset of the first weekend. I’m not smart enough to know if they’ll be able to pull off another upset, but they’re going to have to score some runs if they want to win. Somehow, I don’t think a squad that has an overall team ERA of over 5.00 is going to be able to win any 2-1 games against a team that can hit. The Golden Eagles were able to put runs on the board in every game they won in Atlanta—there’s the recipe for success.

Arizona State is a team that's been here before...

Clemson Tigers at Arizona State Sun Devils: Anything can happen in a Super Regional series—after all, that’s why the play the games. But if I were a betting man (no comment), this is the series that I’d have a field day with. Arizona State looks like they’re better in just about every facet of the game. ASU ace Mike Leake is 15-1 this season with a 1.23 ERA and 7 complete games—AND he has experience in the World Series. Oh, and if that’s not enough, the Clemson Tigers have to travel 3 time zones just to get to Tempe. Waiter, check please.

East Carolina Pirates at North Carolina Tar Heels: If you want to see a contrast of styles class on a baseball field, you might want to direct your attention to Chapel Hill over the weekend. If you like pitching, you’ll like the Tar Heels. If you like hitting, you’ll like the Pirates. The Tar Heels have one of the best pitching staffs in the entire nation with a few guys that can put people down in a hurry. Combined with the strong pitching staff is Dustin Ackley. On a team that can pitch, Ackley provides the pop with a .417 batting average, 21 home runs and 66 RBIs. East Carolina has an entire line-up filled with pop—but they did it against a Conference USA schedule. I’m curious to see if their big bats will be able to continue their hot hitting against a team like North Carolina. I doubt it, but we’ll see.

If you want interactive brackets and updates of all the Super-Regionals, here’s the spot for you.