1. Consecrating Albert Pujols, Joe Paterno and Other Sports Figures: Why to Wait

    Prior to hearing Brutus' rousing speech about the validity of Julius Caesar's murder in the Roman Capitol, a plebeian suggests that Rome should "Give him [Brutus] a statue with his ...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about over 1 year ago 287 reads 0 comments

  2. Dear Life: I Give Up. Sincerely, Apathetic Sports Fan

    The 21st century remains one of those ambivalent time periods where some have perhaps moved on too quickly, leaving history and physical labor in the dust, while others seem determined to stay stubborn and be the anchor to everyone else's sail...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about over 2 years ago 85 reads 0 comments

  3. FIBA 2010 World Championship: USA Remains Its Own Biggest Challenger

    I know it's already been said, but... Team USA's toughest opponent in winning the 2010 FIBA World Championship will be itself...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about over 2 years ago 2,969 reads 1 comments

  4. Will 18 NFL Games Be Positive Or Negative For Injury Management?

    The NFL expanding its regular season to eighteen games seems unjustifiable outside of money. Essentially, there is no expansion of the schedule at all. The plan is this: take the last two preseason games (there are four total) and make them count...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 3 years ago 197 reads 3 comments

  5. Expanding NBA's 50 Greatest Players To 65

    At the 1997 NBA All-Star weekend, the league introduced its 50 greatest players in commemoration of its 50th anniversary...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 3 years ago 1,853 reads 15 comments

  6. Duct Tape Can Fix It: Indians Learn From I-Phone Debacle

    The Setting: A Cleveland Indians publicist welcomes the sparsely scattered media to an Indians press conference. The club's owner, Larry Dolan, walks out and addresses them. "Good afternoon, everybody...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 3 years ago 284 reads 4 comments

  7. 2010 FIFA World Cup: Didier Drogba's Injury a Lesson in Sports Logistics

    A championship run can be the result of many factors effectively employed by coach and players. Some coaches are key motivators. Others, tactical savants whose genius becomes more apparent during a golden run...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 3 years ago 2,680 reads 17 comments

  8. 2010 FIFA World Cup Tale of the Tape: England-USA

    Setting: On June 11, South Africa will become the first host country from the African continent. The fifth match of this 2010 edition of the World Cup will be played the following day ...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 3 years ago 504 reads 15 comments

  9. Deron Williams, The Internet, and Our Sports Priorities

    Some have said that the Internet is one of the greatest contributions to society in the past century. Sometimes I worry that the Internet, for all the advantages it has given us, does more to reveal our skewed priorities rather than advance us...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about 3 years ago 179 reads 0 comments

  10. Sarah Palin and The Palm Readers of Sports

    Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate, has caught some criticism at a recent convention for apparently writing notes on her left hand. Who knows what she really recorded on the all-natural notepad...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about over 3 years ago 92 reads 5 comments

  11. Tebow Injury Yet Another Reason For College Football Playoff

    To play or not to play? Not quite the same philosophical ponderings of Hamlet, but a question many players, coaches, and doctors face on a weekly basis...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about over 3 years ago 408 reads 0 comments

  12. Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Sand Nor Marsh, Soccer Plays On

    This article can be viewed with YouTube clips at Pickin' Splinters The often misquoted and unofficial creed of the U.S...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 95 reads 0 comments

  13. When Will the Ivy League Produce Another NBA Talent?

    I recently attended a high school state all-star basketball game. There were two guards from a state championship team that I looked forward to seeing play. Behind me, a discussion began about one of the players, a point guard that will attend Yale...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 2,905 reads 6 comments

  14. Money Or Legacy? Lamar Odom Must Decide

    In some ancient folklore, the quest for immortality came by way of courage, loyalty, and successful battle. No currency existed; no riches, so to speak, upon a warrior's return. The quest was more about valor and honor in one's people and purpose...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 3,242 reads 33 comments

  15. Temple Owl Guards in the NBA: How Will Dionte Christmas Fare?

    Quite a few Temple University guards continued their careers at the highest level of professional basketball these last two decades. Some became first round draft picks while others signed after going undrafted...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 1,366 reads 11 comments

  16. LA Lakers' Luke Walton: Role Model for the Aspiring Non-Superstar

    Charles Barkley famously expressed the phrase, "I am not a role model," in a Nike Air commercial. Many have lost the message from that commercial where Barkley also said, "Parents should be role models...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 972 reads 28 comments

  17. The Undaunted Task of the Orlando Magic's Mickael Pietrus

    Somebody has to do it. If you plan on winning an NBA title in this era, you’re going to have to go through two of the most prolific scorers of all time. Of course I’m talking about former league MVP Kobe Bryant and reigning MVP LeBron James...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 355 reads 9 comments

  18. 2009 NBA Draft: Players Who Should Return to College

    All NBA draft prospects have the month of June to make their final decision of whether to stay or return to their collegiate programs. Some have already forgone their college eligibility by hiring an agent...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 631 reads 7 comments

  19. 2009 NBA Draft: Players Who Should Go All In and Get an Agent

    All NBA draft prospects have the month of June to make their final decision of whether to stay or return to their collegiate programs. Some have already forgone their college eligibility by hiring an agent...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 1,681 reads 13 comments

  20. NBA Playoffs: Where Amazing Happens (and so Should Morality and Humility)

    The 2009 NBA playoffs is certainly living up to its slogan. Amazing has happened in most of the series. The conference finals continue the trend of final second suspense and Herculean efforts late in the games...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 342 reads 5 comments

  21. The 2009 FA Cup: The Battle of the Blues

    The 2009 FA Cup Final, to be played on Saturday May 30 at Wembley Stadium in London, will be a battle of the Blues, Chelsea and Everton. Chelsea will be making their first appearance in the final since their 2007 win over Manchester United...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about almost 4 years ago 368 reads 4 comments

  22. Orlando Magic's J.J. Redick: Intangibles Still Have Value in NBA

    I probably need to clarify that I have no invested interest in what I am about to write, which concerns one of the most celebrated and equivocally detested college basketball players of all time...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about 4 years ago 1,461 reads 18 comments

  23. Udinese 2-1 AC Milan, Secures Inter Milan Serie A Title

    It was a long shot, but AC Milan remained in the 2009 Serie A title hunt going into Saturday's contest at Udinese. Those hopes were quickly dashed by a more aggressive and offensive-minded home side...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about 4 years ago 98 reads 0 comments

  24. The EPL in May: My Favorite Time of Year

    The question arises every sports season. When is the best time of year in the sports world? Football fans, January and February probably seems like heaven. The BCS bowls and National Championship followed by the pinnacle of the pigskin: The Super Bowl...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about 4 years ago 125 reads 11 comments

  25. Lakers-Rockets Series: The Semantics of Flagrant Fouls One and Two

    Much has been said concerning the flagrant fouls in the Lakers-Rockets series. The fouls have been viewed, reviewed, and the jurisdiction has gone beyond just the call on the court in every game...

    Patrick Laird Written by Patrick Laird about 4 years ago 577 reads 21 comments