Good morning, Rick Pitino.
So you're upset with the media because a newly released video of a police interview with the woman accused of trying to extort millions in a sex scandal has made headlines. "Pure hell," for the family, you say.
Let's make a deal. We'll keep ours zipped if you keep yours zipped.
All fired up
Rookie Jonas Gustavsson says he wants to take Vesa Toskala's job as the Maple Leafs' No. 1 goaltender.
Maybe he has not seen the game film from last year.
Considering the team's defensive coverage, asking to be the Leafs' No. 1 goaltender is a bit like volunteering to be the first guy to stand in front of the firing squad.
National hockey lumps
From the "Do as I say, not as I do" case file: For months NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been trying to prevent Jim Balsillie from moving the Phoenix Coyotes. So what happens? Bettman and the NHL make a bid to buy the team -- for less money than Balsillie is offering -- along with a provision that would give it an option to move the franchise.
Not to mention, Bettman is offering less for his own product than any of the other bidders. Talk about making yourself look bad!
Haven't seen leadership like this since George Custer yelled "Charge" in that failed bid for the Little Bighorn franchise.
Spoiled sports
Four fans carrying guns invaded the dressing room of second division club, Portuguesa, this week in Sao Paulo, Brazil and threatened players after a 2-1 loss.
"What kind of world is this? It's unbelievable," coach Rene Simoes said.
Meantime, in Italy, national coach Marcello Lippi told a TV station he never openly would allow homosexual players to play for Italy because it would create scandal.
"Even if from a cultural perspective people would approve and be able to understand and accept such a situation, it would nevertheless be exploited so much," Lippi explained, "that it would end up negatively."
Immediately, a gay rights group, Arcigay, charged Lippi's comments were prejudicial and "fuel ... a climate that is by now poisoned by fear and suspicion." In other words, it has ended up negatively just talking about it. But, that's what you get for being lippy.
Chicago, Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, who signed for $30 million US a couple months ago, now says he faces racism and "hatred" on a daily basis at Wrigley Field.
"All I'm saying is I just pray the game is nine innings," Bradley said, "so I can be out there the least amount of time as possible and go home."
And, all I'm saying is that the more I hear about people, the more I like my dogs.
BILL.LANKHOF@SUNMEDIA.CA
