The Bengals looked awful on Sunday night in Canton and the Reds got clobbered last night by the Cards. The Reds retain a one game lead in the N.L. Central over St. Louis with Johnny Cuetto on the hill tonight. Cuetto is 11-2 and has been a solid starter for the club this year. If he can keep his pitch count down in the early innings and go 7 the Reds should be in a good position to win. Gotta love second half baseball that means something.

The "football game" that kicked off the 2010 NFL season Sunday night was hyped for the fact that Ochocinco and T.O. would be teaming up together. As a Bengals fan I was more looking forward to how the defense would play, although they did not allow a touchdown the Dallas cowboys marched down the field with relative ease. the Bengals offensive line looked dismal as usual. Carson Palmer has very little time to survey the field so even with all of the weapons on the outside they are irrelevant if the line cant keep the QB of his feet. It's only the first pre-season game so over-reactors should calm down, we have plenty of time.

The British Open will return to the home of golf this week, legendary St. Andrews Golf Links. It marks the 150th anniversary of the Open being played and the 28th at the Old Course. Tiger Woods thrives at St. Andrews and has a chance to be the first player to win three British Opens at the Old Course. Tiger loves this course but in his past two Open Championship victories (2000, 2005) the weather has been fair, this week he may have to deal with the gusting the 20 mph winds the links are so well known for. Andy North has reported that in practice rounds Woods has hit some great shots and his driver is back on track after a few years of instability off the tee. Tiger says he feels good about his game and thinks he has a good enough chance to win as any.

Many believe that a European could take home the Claret Jug such as white hot Justin Rose whom has won 2 of his last three starts. It has been a long road for Rose who was thrust on to the scene at age 17 and hadn't quite lived up to the expectations but maybe this year is the year for the 30-year-old. Last years spectacular performance from Tom Watson will go down as one of the greatest Open Championships of all time. Coming down to the last hole all Watson needed was an up and down but it seemed age got the better of him as he let a 5 footer get away. With out a doubt it was one of the most inspiring performances of any lifetime.

This week will be special, as it always is when the Open returns to St. Andrews. The players love to play here and and after a tough test from the US Open it will be nice to see some birdies and eagles. Tiger Woods has finished T-4 in the first two majors of the year, look for a good performance from him. Woods once said if he could choose he would play all four majors at St. Andrews, that will never happen but when he does get an opportunity to play there watch for him to make himself right at home.

How 'Bout Them Redlegs!

For the first time since 2004 the Cincinnati Reds have more than one representative in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anahiem California. Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen, Arthur Rhodes, and Joey Votto. Votto has been placed on every one's radar after seeming to get snubbed from the mid-summer classic after leading the Majors in HR and OBP. After a lot of team support and out cry around the country Votto won the fans final vote and will be in California for his first ASG of his career. Brandon Phillips has been campaigning for a gold glove at second base all year with spectacular play after spectacular play while rocking an above .300 average for most of the season. Arthur Rhodes is a 40 year old who after 20 years in the League still has nasty stuff and continues to help the Reds out of jams in late innings. Scott Rolen has revamped his career in Cincinnati and is a consemant professional day in and day out. He is a solid third baseman with a knack for getting clutch hits.

The Reds have rejouvinated a baseball thirsty city with a rich history by playing hustling young talents. In my entire life I have never watched a more fulfilling baseball team. The Reds approach the AS break with a 3 game lead for first place in the National League Central over the ever-present St. Louis Cardinals. It is actually joyful and entertaining to watch Cincinnati this season after many seasons of disappointment.

The Reds still have 3 games left in Philadelphia where they dropped the first game of the series. If Cincy can win the next 3 or at least 2 of three consider the first half a great success. I will be anxious to see how the team reacts and plays as injured players come back and the pitching continues to change.

Congratulations to the All-Stars, lets go NL!

Peace easy, B. Hunt

Is This Real Life?

"Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight; As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier. This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment. Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us. The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you. There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you. You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal. You have given so much and deserve so much more. In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank. If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels. Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that's simply not how it works. This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio. The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma. Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...."

Dan Gilbert...Majority Owner - Cleveland Cavalier

...

So apparently Dan Gilbert is upset and taking this quite personally as is seemingly the rest of Cleveland/Ohio. I'm born and raised in Cincinnati and could not care less that LeBron is heading to Miami. People keep saying Gilbert did everything he could to bring pieces in to help LeBron, so lets recap.

Mo Williams to be your #2 scorer....um no. Dude couldn't play that role in Milwaukee behind Michael Redd.

Shaquille O'Neal came too...7 years too late.

AND when Amar'e Stoudemire was seemingly available for the right price they went out and got Antwan Jamison because they couldn't part with J.J. freaking Hickson!

You did this to yourself Dan, don't be so emotional. You made foolish decisions, not to mention it was a gift that Cleveland even was in a position to draft LeBron in 2003. You got to see seven years of dominant regular season basketball because that is exactly what your owner designed. He'll learn..maybe.

As for that horrible guarantee of getting the hardware before LeBron, Apparently he didn't get the memo LeBron left because Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were already there. I don't think Cleveland has a chance of winning next year and if they don't then his guarantee is shot to hell because Miami will be having a parade next summer with the big three who are sure to make people forget about that other"big" three in Boston.

One question...Hey Kobe, how do you feel?

Thy Kingdom Come

The potential new "Big 3" in Miami seems to be getting more and more realistic, so what will this move do to the league? Having two of the top five players along with one of the best PFs will be sure to create the most buzz since Jumpman graced us with his presence on the hardwood. The question becomes what other role players will come in to compliment the three giants. Obviously they aren't gonna be touching the ball very often so their ego better be nonexistent. No matter what, this team will be must watch TV every time they play. Many believe this trio wont be able to co-exist together but if you really analyze it you may come to the conclusion that they might just be the best trio of all time when it is all said and done.

LeBron has been praised for his passing ability and vision along with his willingness to distribute. Dwyane Wade's ability to move without the ball and then create off the dribble is unmatched, he goes to the hole with a reckless abandone and finishes in Jordan-like fashion. D-Wade also has an uncanny ability to find the open man. Picture this, as he attacks and draws the defense a 6'8" lion comes streaming down the middle like a train and leaps 14 feet in the air to catch the lob Wade just tossed over his shoulder and throws it down with so much authority the hardwood floor becomes unhinged and the lights flicker in the nose-bleeds as his roar echos throughout the arena. It will be a sight to behold. finally LeBron will have a teammate who wants to take the last shot and is cold-blooded enough to make those shots in Wade. The lefty 7 footer that is Chris Bosh has gone largly unnoticed being in Toronto but, with the other two, is good for 17 and 9 every night. It's true all three will have sacrafices to make but I predict D-Wade to still average around 25 with leBron setting the Assist record averaging around 12 pg.

Is this team good for the league?

The Miami Heat would be considered the most dominant team, on paper, in recent memory. The NBA would probably be better served if the King chose New York to team up with Amar'e or Chicago with D-Rose but the fact is these guys want championships. James was expected to win championships early and has not been able to get over the hump so it seems times have called for drastic measures. Will he be considered weak for having to team with two other stars or will he be commended for choosing championships over the $30 million more he could make if he stayed in northern Ohio. There will be haters as there always are in sports, those people can find a better way to waste their energy. The idea of sports is to compete and to win, it has also become entertainment and what better entertainment than to watch Wade and James together for the next 6 years and possibly a 6-peat!

If you're upset about the way LeBron is treating this whole situation get over it! We as a society have created this monster. We dubbed him the chosen one when he was 17 and he has exceeded all of the hype. If the King wants to have an hour special, because he can, then damnit he should. It is raising money for a charity and everyone is obviously interested in what hes going to do. tune in and enjoy (except Cleveland fan, it'll be like watching your own funeral). There will be the person who thinks James has no class for choosing another team over his "hometown" but the truth is even when he was growing up in Akron his favorite team was Chicago, his loyalty didn't lie in Cleveland just because he happened to be born in Ohio. LeBron has a talent we all can only dream of and that talent is his, his life is his, and his future is his. Why do we get so emotionally involved in this stuff? It's entertainment and we get mad when these guys don't do what we want them to do. We need to have a come-to-Jesus and understand where we rate in the world. We are spectators, the audience and these guys are trying to give us the greatest show on earth, for goodness sake ENJOY IT!

Peace Easy, B.Hunt

With all of the Lebron talk each day on the radio and TV it is hard to think of anything else in reference to the NBA. However, there is much to be said about what this "old" Celtics team is doing to the Orlando Magic. Rajon Rondo is on everyone's radar now, his performances have been legendary and he summed up his personality versus Jason Williams in one dive. If I was coach Van Gundy I wouldnt play Williams for the rest of the series and would tell the owner hes gotta go this summer. If you're not going to dive on the floor for a loose ball in the Playoffs! then you dont deserve to call yourself a pro. Rondo however has been doing this for a few years now, he is definitely more of a team leader now but his playoff performances in his career have been nothing less than stellar. the Boston team is poised for another Finals appearance against the Lakeshow. If Andrew Bynum can't get his big ass off the doctors table then it could be a very interesting finals. I'm not necisarily counting out the suns because they played great last night but lets be honest, Kobe isn't going to let this team not get to the Finals. L.A. needs Bynum to be in the lineup or they are going to get pushed around just like it's 2008. All in all I predict a sweep in Boston which will make Paul Pierce's wink an image we will see forever. I also think the Lakers win in 6 and we will have yet another L.A. v Boston NBA Finals. isn't it funny how it all works out? All year we were on a collision course to finally see Lebron v Kobe and it turns out we are gonna have to settle for the greatest rivalry in basketball, bummer...or is it?

And the hoopla begins...

LeBron James just dropped yet another triple double last night with 27 points 19 boards and 10 dimes but the unusual 9 turnovers were what made the otherwise great game, tainted. many may believe that LeBron wasn't the player we have seen all season, that's true. The grind to go through an 82 game season and be "THE MAN" every single game has to be grueling. His teammates are a cast of players that do not fill the void for him, he needs to play with athletic talents that can excite him and get him motivated. Seeing Mo Williams and Delonte West dribble around the key and shoot fade-away jumpers that clang off the rim is not motivating. Sure Mo dropped 20 in the first half but where was he in the second? 2 freaking points, be a pro Mo! When LeBron needed a supporting cast he got nothing, Cleveland might think they have done all they could, but it wasn't enough. They should have got Amare, instead they got Jamison, a solid player but he should be a fourth or fifth option where as on this team he was the second or third. After a very disappointing end to the season I would not be surprised to see LeBron leave. A fresh start might be exactly what he needs and the feeling I get is he is reluctant to go back to Cleveland. If he wasn't he would declare that he would stay, Lebron is a loyal guy but that doesnt mean he is going to stay in Cleveland. In my opinion Chicago is the perfect fit. The Bulls have a young star in Derrick Rose who runs the point, plays fast, and as a two man fast break Lebron and D.Rose would be the best in the league. With Noah, Gibson, Deng, and James Johnson as hard nosed roll players this could be exactly what Lebron needs. Many believed that because he filed to switch his number in the middle of the year to 6 in honor of Michael Jordan that he was doing so to stay in Cleveland. Perhaps Lebron was setting a precursor that he was contemplating the move to Chicago and wanted to assure those fans that there is and will always be only one 23. So get ready for all the speculation and rumors, it begins today and will go everyday until July 1. HERE WE GO!