Friday links

Friday is finally upon us, and with it, my voice seems to be fully recovered from Monday Night Football.  Thank goodness we didn’t do any Suns podcasts this week, your ears probably wouldn’t have been able to take it.  Stay tuned for more info on the podcasts…

For your listening pleasure this week: Bad Brains - “Big Takeover - Live at CBGB” and Modest Mouse - “Novacain Stain.”

-Steve Aschburner of SI gives Shaq yet another nickname (The Big Compromise) and compares the Suns as currently constructed to a crossover SUV.  This isn’t a compliment, in case you’re wondering.

-Bright Side of the Sun was duped by a Shaq twitter.  And people wonder why I don’t bother with cell phones.  Yup, that’s right, I write a Suns blog but don’t own a cell and never plan too.  Wrap your head around that for a second.

-they’re the same jokes over and over again, and even Matt at With Leather admits it, but the caption to the picture of Manu and Parker made me guffaw.  I’m not ashamed to admit it.

Not that there’s anything wrong with it…

-another non-Suns related link, this time from Slam Online.  Sasha Vujacic falls down and looks dumber than usual doing it.  Need I say more?

-cut Goran Dragic?  The kid has been less than impressive, that much is obvious, but he isn’t going anywhere.  The team knew there would be a learning curve, and with what they gave up for him, Dragic and the Suns are in it for the long haul.

It’s far, far, far too early to give up on him.

-Amare is currently rated at #5 in the MVP race, at least in the eyes of Maurice Brooks of ESPN.  Can’t argue too much with guys rated above him.  One of them is Joe Johnson.

There’s a balcony outside my office.  I might just go jump off it now.

-speaking of what-ifs, has everyone met Al Horford and Rudy Fernandez?  I have nothing nice to say at this point, so I won’t say anything at all.

-lots of good stuff from Paul Coro on Wednesday.  Shaq passed my dad’s favorite player on the all-time scoring list, John “Hondo” Havlicek and had a request for permanent restraining order against him dropped.  Not a bad day for the big man.

More importantly, Coach Porter’s jersey will be retired by the Trail Blazers.  For the full scope, visit Blazer’s Edge.  They couldn’t be happier.  Pretty amazing when you think back, but Coach Porter was a helluva player in his heyday.  Those Blazers teams he was on were stupid good.

-Hey.  If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one.  I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is. Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol?

-:07 or Less author Jack McCallum writes on SI.com that Steve Nash’s struggles will be short-lived.  Yeah, well, they better be, Jack.  Or the Suns goose is cooked.

-Coach D still can’t seem to get the best of Popovich, and he is dismayed.  Good stuff from the Blowtorch.

-I think we often forget just how good Penny Hardaway was all those years ago.  It’s a shame his legacy will be knee injuries and wasted potential, but at least he had Lil’ Penny.

-another one from Dime, Austin Burton wonders if Steve Nash is still a superstar.  You can call him whatever you want, but if he averages 18 and 10, you can call me happy.

-Great Scott w/Scott Williams.  The big, goofy guy reviews tv shows and movies in a rather messy office.  I’d never think him to be a Paltrow fan.  At least not with the red hair.

A guy who likes Weeds though?  Can’t say I’m all that surprised.

-I find it ironic that Raja is the guy most opposed to the new system so far.  He’s a player who made his living playing hard-nosed defense and now he doesn’t want to do it?  I understand he likes chucking and misses having that green light but hard work is what got him into the league.  It will be interesting to see how he adjusts.

Stan at BSotS chimes in and hits the nail on the head.

-Aaron Brooks’ mama didn’t raise no dummy.  I can’t even imagine how far he’d fly if Shaq pushed him.

-all is right in the world, Henry Abbott is back in action at TrueHoop.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend.  Let’s hope the Suns shake off the funk from the Rockets game and get back on track tonight against the Kings (I hope I never see Phoenix on this list) in Sacramento.  And remember, if you’re driving, don’t drink.  And if you’re drinking, don’t drive.

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