Before I get to your questions, there is one important story I need to discuss.

ESPN had a column where the writer went to a rap concert put on by Ron Artest and traveled with Artest and his crew on a 3 hour limo drive. There is so much to like about this column including Artest’s revelation that he would be so much better if he actually worked out and tried, and the mention of the wacky cigarettes Artest’s boys were smoking which I am sure caused David Stern to roll over in his grave. The best part of the column though was Artest calling out Matt Lauer in his rap song. That’s right, we have a new rap feud to go with Biggie-Tupac, LL Cool J-Kool Moe Dee, 50 Cent-the Game, and Vanilla Ice-3rd Bass. Artest calling out Matt Lauer is just so brilliant, I am at a loss for words. I just hope Meredith Vieira checks herself because Artest is spitting fire. I hear Ron Ron’s next target is either Tom Brokaw, Don Knotts (and pour some out for Mr. Ferlie), or Soupy Sales. In other words, I can not wait to buy the album.

Now on to the questions:

If the Oakland A's make it to the world series, how will the Raiders scheduled NFL games be moved?

Sydney by the Bay

Sydney,

Weird question, I didn’t realize the Raiders were still in the NFL. First of all, I assume you are telling me the truth and that Oakland was not relegated to the CFL or the PAC 10 based on their horrific performance this year and is thus still a viable member of the NF of L. If so, there are really only 2 dates that could come in conflict and those are 10/22 and 10/29 (which I believe is when game 7 of the World Series is scheduled).

Secondly, for there to be a conflict, the As would have to advance well into the playoffs and make the World Series. I am not saying it is impossible, but they have neither the best hitting, the best pitching, nor the best defensive. In fact, other than some hot wives, they don’t have much going for them other than an aging Frank Thomas who is so large I think he ingested Babe Ruth, and a great GM (unfortunately, you can’t make moves in the middle of the playoffs).

Anyway, if you assume the As will make the world series and you assume the Raiders are still in the NFL (a very big assumption), then I am told the NFL would have to move the football game. From what I understand, the As have the first rights on the lease they signed with the Coliseum so in the event of a double booking because of the playoffs, they get the field. Plus, Mlb and the networks are not going to change the dates of the World Series just to accommodate the Raiders unless maybe Al Davis threatens to drop his jumpsuit and walk around in the buff.

In short, the NFL will likely move any conflicting Raiders games to a Monday night doubleheader.

Toodles,

AC Titticock IIIi Esquire

Head NBA writer Wagercom.com

AC,

Where do you come out on the Scoop Jackson-Jason Whitlock war of words?

Jerry K

Long time readers can probably guess my opinion on this matter but I will spell it out for everyone. First of all, if you are not familiar with the story, Jason Whitlock left ESPN Page 2 and fired some parting shots at alleged writer Scoop Jackson which included this wonderful passage:

“Scoop Jackson is no Ralph Wiley. Ralph was a grown-ass man who didn’t bojangle for anybody. Scoop is a clown. And the publishing of his fake ghetto posturing is an insult to black intelligence, and it interferes with intelligent discussion of important racial issues.”

In response, Scoop answered Whitlock in this column where Scoop successfully defended his own poor writing style in a sentence he ends with a preposition (This is truly the highest of high comedy and just comic gold, I am guessing Scoop thinks Strunk and White is a 1970’s soul group, but I digress).

“But somehow in my column on the topic, that point got lost -- at least to one reader, and probably more. I simply think the words were read wrong, maybe because of the way I presented them, which is something I'll take responsibility for.”

Anyway, as you can tell I am very much in the Jason Whitlock camp. Regardless of the politics, I think Whitlock was ESPN Page 2’s only decent writer other than Bill Simmons. I had actually become a pretty big fan of Whitlock’s and enjoyed reading his weekly NFL column, much as I am sure he enjoys AC’s weekly NBA column (and my season preview will be coming out soon and certainly involve many references to the great Taylor Rain). Whitlock doesn’t have to put race at the top of every column and when he does address the issue, I find him to present well thought out arguments.

Scoop on the other hand is just a dope. With the additions of Scoop, Chuck “the worst writer in the history of the world including Jane Austen” Klosterman, and Gregggggg “the second worst writer in the history of the world after Chuck “the worst writer in the history of the world including Jane Austen” Klosterman” Easterbrook, ESPN Page 2 is now just unreadable (except for Simmons and the excellent column on Ron Artest I referred to earlier. That Sam Alipour is a bit of a sleeper, though not really a sportswriter). Anyway, Scoop is to writing as Rosie O’Donnell is to porn, you’d probably watch it, but when it is over, you will feel sick to your stomach.

Scoop’s arguments are often poorly defended, his style of writing is just unreadable and almost impossible to decipher, and were he not black, he really would have nothing about which to write. I mean Scoop, I get it, you’re from the ghetto, congratulations, you want a cookie or something? I understood that after the first time I read your column. Now can we move on and write a sports column, jeesh?

Toodles,

AC Titticock IIIi Esquire

PS Visit AC's NBA Basketball Picks Page new content coming in November.

contact AC at ac@wagercom.com or post your questions/comments on the Wagercom Message Board


To sign up to receive the Wagercom.com Free Newsletter click here.