5-at-10: Draymond's comments, Chargers' ill-fated ticket decision, high school coach takes hard stance against Alabama, and Rushmore of ice


              Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, scores over Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, scores over Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Friends, to put it bluntly, there is very little in the sports world to dissect at this juncture.

With that in mind, we're going to spin a few different directions today. Enjoy, and remember, pitchers and catchers are in camp and throwing. This is a good thing. From the "Talks too much" studios, are you going to eat your fat?

Dray said what

We enjoy the fact that Draymond Green is willing to give a thoughtful answer to a thoughtful question.

There are too few in sports today that approach interviews or microphones with that notion.

In fact, people who are willing to answer questions with insight rather than cliches almost always get a pass because when you saying things from the heart in becomes easy to misspeak. It's almost impossible to misspeak when you talk about playing like you practice and giving 110 percent and winning individual matches of individuals in individual games.

With that caveat out there, Green's accusations Wednesday of Knicks owner James Dolan using a "slave master mentality' is ludicrous.

Here's Green's quote: "You doing it for me, it's all good," Green said on his "Dray Day" podcast on Uninterrupted. "You doing it against me -- you speaking out against my organization -- it's not good anymore? That's a slave mentality. A slave master mentality.

"It was all fine and dandy when he was laying people out, taking fines and all this stuff for your organization. But now, all of a sudden, when he says something that he feels, it's a problem."

That's ridiculous.

First, and we say this as someone who has violated this rule before and it was not pretty. There are a few things that should almost never be referenced or compared to things in today's society. The big one in that group is Hitler and the Nazi. In that group next on the list is slavery.

Second, and this is the farthest thing from a backing of Dolan, who appears to be on the shortlist of the worst owners in sports, but Oakley never played for Dolan's Knicks.

Finally, any reference to slavery in the world of professional sports in which everyone is cashing checks with multiple commas. Thus, the comparison on its face is absurd - as is this entire mock-drama that seems to always surround the Knicks.

photo Madison Square Garden Executive Chairman James Dolan reacts to an altercation between the Charles Oakley and security guards during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the LA Clippers, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Tickets cost what?

Yes, James Dolan is likely the worst owners in sports. But do you get the feeling that the folks running the San Diego, err, Los Angeles Chargers should star adopting the George Constanza opposite-reaction theory?

You remember that Seinfeld, right? The one that had George deciding that since he was making so many bad decisions, he would just go with the exact opposite of his instinct and let the chips fall where they may.

Good times.

Any who, after another blah-tactic season the Chargers announced they are moving up the road to L.A. Since the new fancy-pants stadium will not be ready until 2019, the team will play the next two seasons in the Stub Hub Center, which only sits about 30,000.

So, the Chargers, who are new in town, have a chance to make a nice connection to a strong core of new fans, right? I mean, what could be better than selling out season tickets, getting that core of 25-30K enjoying the atmosphere in a cozy facility.

"Playing at StubHub Center is going to offer fans a rare opportunity to see NFL action in a uniquely intimate setting," Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. "Every seat at StubHub Center will feel close to the action and fans will be right there with us on every play. Not many venues can make this claim and we expect to sell out quickly."

Yes, that would be a hit to the pocket book for the Chargers brass because 30,000 seats is way below league average. But hey, the NFL TV money covers all the expenses for every team and then some, and this would be a nice commitment of looking out for fans rather than profits in your new home would be a nice message.

Well, the Chargers said forget that.

The Chargers, who finished a dreadful 5-11 last year and have made the playoffs once in the last seven seasons, have jacked up ticket prices to unbelievably crazy levels. Check the numbers:

Last year, the average price of a Chargers season ticket was $84.55 per game; This year, the average price of a Chargers season ticket will be $192 per game, more than a 125 percent increase; Last year, the most expensive season ticket in the NFL was for the Bears, and it was an average of $131.90 per game; Last year, the average price for a season ticket was $92.68, so the Chargers will be more than twice that.

And if you're wondering, the average price for a Rams season ticket was $72.71, and that L.A. franchise has already announced it will not raise ticket prices for the 2017 season.

Egad.

Clothes quandary

Maybe it's career choice or circumstance, but we were thinking this morning (yes, a dangerous precedent Spy, we know) about clothes. Men's clothes, specifically.

Stay with me, gang.

We walked into work in a collared shirt we got from a golf tournament (with an undershirt from a college party), a jacket we got from our dad's workplace, socks and undies that Santa left in the stocking in recent years and a belt we got for Father's Day.

That means of today's attire we have the shoes (bought off the sale rack) and our pants which I purchased.

Here's my question: What percentage of a grown man's wardrobe is given to him, be it either events, gifts or what have you? We'd bet at least half of the clothes in our closet we did not purchase. Thoughts?

This and that

- Wow, Vince Young is making a comeback. Here's betting he'll be in that new spring football league if anything. Thoughts?

- Very interesting story here, as a Louisiana high school football coach has said he will no longer allow Alabama coaches on school grounds to recruit players on his team. This stems from how Alabama recruited former LSU quarterback Brandon Harris, who, according to the coach was offered a scholarship, but that offer was not fully commutable until the Tide staff heard from other QBs higher on their board. This is not an uncommon practice, but it's still part of the stickiness that can be recruiting. It will be interesting to see if this takes hold or fades away or if it has any effects whatsoever.

- OK, man, everything that even comes into close proximity to President Trump becomes some sort of deal. Here's the story that the Kushner family, which was looking to buy the Marlins from Jeffrey Loria now will continue with the transaction if Loria is named an ambassador to France. Buckets.

- Tiger Woods pulled out of another event this week. But this time, his balky back caused him to WD from a news conference. There are really only two explanations here, right? Either his back is so wrecked that he can't sit through an hour. Or, his mind is so wrecked that he doesn't want to discuss his struggles and be asked the big 'R' questions, as in retirement. Neither is a good thing for anyone wanting to see Woods compete any time soon.

- Thought this was a cool story. Remember former NBA all-star Brandon Roy? Well, he is back in basketball, coaching a high school team in Seattle. Last year, said team finished 3-18; this year with Roy and several transfers, including the nation's top prep player, that team is unbeaten and No. 1 in the country.

Today's question

OK, fair amount to chime in on today.

If you need a Rushmore, it's a strange group who was born on this day, which was the day that in 1959, Fidel Castro took power in Cuba.

On that exact day, John McEnroe was born. On this day in 1935 Sonny Bono was born and in 1941, Kim Jong-il was born. Current rapper and pop star The Weeknd is 27 today. As for the Rushmore, let's do a Rushmore of ice - in normal or proper noun usage - in honor of Ice T, who turns 59.

Go, and remember the mailbag (and let us know if your comments are still being erased.)

Upcoming Events