5-at-10: Who won the weekend, who lost the weekend, Dean Smith and the Rushmore of sports owners

Weekend winners

Pop music. We have forever been a country music fan. We mixed in an eclectic variety that dabbled in all genres from rap to rock. (We politely decline the techno stuff, but have become familiar with Disney music in the last five-to-seven years, so there’s that.) That said, after last night’s Grammy’s it’s clear that pop music is in a far better place than the junk that passes as country music today. Other than Eric Church, there’s little to be excited about.

The NBA. Now that football has faded and we have re-introduced ourselves to the family and started looking around at the other sports, this question dawned on us this weekend: “How great are the NBA playoffs going to be?” Seriously, there are a lot of fun angles and avenues ahead of us. Good times.

San Diego Padres fans. Yes, the loyal Padres supporters (and to be a Padres supporter is the definition of loyalty) got another nice addition to a team that has the look it’s intending to contending. James Shields gives the Padres a top-of-the-line starter and continues an offseason acquisition of pieces that also included Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers. The Padres overhaul is not without symmetry, too. The highest the Padres ever paid its roster for a season was $74 million – or the reported price the club gave Shields over the next four years. You stay classy San Diego.

Kentucky hoops. The Wildcats are 23-0 and survived their mist difficult test remaining of the regular season with Saturday night’s 68-61 win at Florida. Consider the following: Florida brought its A-game, at home in front of a supercharged crowd. The Gators shot 49 percent – and against UK, that’s like shooting 69 against anyone else – and held the Wildcats to less than 22 percent from 3. Yet, UK prevailed by making 21 of 22 free throws. Here we come 40-0.

Advocates for men’s track at UTC. Our TFP all-around ace Mark Wiedmer shared this tidbit in Monday’s paper. That said, and after talking with UTC AD David Blackburn, unless those who rallied to save the program which was cut for Title IX reasons, unless the supporters are going to put their signature on checks as well as petitions, well good luck with that.

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Weekend losers

State of sports, part I. We agree with UTC coach Bill Gautier in the above mentioned Weeds’ story that this is the first salvo in the battle of college sports and economy and Title IX. The ceiling, as Jomo frequently refers to, is closer than we may know for the college athletic programs outside the power five. Seriously. And we need to examine Title IX sooner rather than later because, while the greatness of its genesis and the wonderful chances it has afforded females, it has become less about creating women’s opportunities and eliminating men’s. There’s no way that’s the spirit or intent of the law.

State of sports, part II. Talk all you want about player safety and concussions, but what does the NFL do to prevent scenarios like Jamal Lewis’. Lewis, who filed for bankruptcy in 2012, sold the 2013 Ravens Super Bowl ring he was given by the organization for a touch more than $50,000 over the weekend. And this is not to dismiss the questionable associates, the puzzling decisions or the actions – “Uh, Mr. Running Back, do you really need a third Rolls Royce?” – of the players. It is a question about the state of sports, though. Especially considering if you polled the NFL players and asked them if you could 100 percent prevent concussions or post-career bankruptcy, we’d assume they’d vote 80-20 for the latter. The colleges also could help, offering curriculum in some of the aspects that come with dealing with that much coin.

Virginia basketball. James Anderson will miss four-to-six weeks, meaning his status for the postseason is severely in question. The Cavaliers, one of the elite teams in the country, do not have the same appearance without Anderson, who averaged more than 13 points a game and shot 48 percent from 3.

James Dolan. The Knicks owner answered a letter from a “60-year” Knicks fan with a hateful and nuclear overreaction that is so over the top that the league will likely discipline him. Here’s the story, and know this, we have a little history dealing with hate mail, and this is Michael Jordan of worst responses we have ever read. Shame on you James Dolan.

Golf. Sure we watched and pulled for Harris English on Sunday at Torrey Pines. And with no Tiger or Mickelson or monster name (and we think Jason Day is going to have a monster year, but if Jason Day is your monster name, then you are proving our point rather than refuting it) the drama was lacking despite the presence of a great course and a four-man playoff. Rory, come back to the States please. And know this: Tiger’s much-publicized struggles is providing shade for the fact that Lefty couldn’t play dead in a Western right now. Side golf note: Man Lucas Glover’s got the yips.

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Dean Smith

Sometimes, the unknown man is better than the celebrity we know.

That is the case with Dean Smith, who died Saturday.

Here’s Weeds’ excellent column on the man.

And know this, dude was aces.

More on this to come – we’re late for a meeting.

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This and that

– UT lost a tough one at Georgia on Saturday. The Vols have overachieved for sure, but man when things get tough – for the Vols and the rest of the conference not in Lexington – SEC basketball can be hard to watch.

– Congrats to the multitude of area wrestling programs and wrestlers who advanced through regions and into the state tournament this week. Keep an eye on the TFP for complete coverage from prep aces Ward “Mr. Wrestling II” Gossett and Lindsey “Forever” Young. We think Ward will likely wear the old-school Mr. Wrestling II mask this weekend. No word on whether Lindsey will don the singlet at the Georgia tournament.

– Signing Day has come and gone and CeCe Jefferson still has not signed. CeCe’s dad – could be George or Thomas or the football player from Fast Times at Ridgemont High – says he will be signed with Florida soon.

– The Cavs stayed hot and have won 13 of their last 14. Kevin Love was the man they hoped he would be Sunday. If Love starts finding his role, the Cavs will be an especially tough out.

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Today’s question

Please share your weekend winners or losers.

If you need a little something more, well, here’s this: Bill Veeck, one of the more storied owners in sports history would have been 101 today.

Let’s do a Rushmore of sports owners – and we feel James Dolan likely will not make the list.

Go and enjoy the day.