Water Cooler – August 12th, 2010
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
The NBA makes headlines for the first time in a while with some trades to announce in today’s news.
NBA news: Four teams, five players, one trade 
Just when we thought we’d seen everything this summer in the NBA, a wild five-team deal strikes in mid-August.
In yesterday’s four team trade, the Indiana Pacers made out like bandits, acquiring underrated point guard Darren Collison and James Posey from New Orleans. Collison did an exemplary job filling in for injured Chris Paul last year. The Pacers sent Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets.; he quietly averaged 14.6 points per game last season.
Meanwhile, New Jersey shipped Courtney Lee to Houston and, finally, Houston traded Trevor Ariza to New Orleans to complete the four-team trade.
The Toronto Raptors made a minor move of their own yesterday, trading guard Marco Belinelli to New Orleans for forward Julian Wright.
MLB news: Francisco Rodriguez arrested for assaulting father-in-law; Johan Santana sued for rape
What’s with violence in baseball of late? We had Johnny Cueto kicking people like crazy in a brawl on Tuesday; now we have K-Rod kicking his father-in-law’s ass.
After a disastrous loss last night in which the Mets lost 6-2 on a grand slam from Melvin Mora, Francisco Rodriguez (who didn’t pitch in the game) brawled with his father-in-law in a tunnel outside the Mets’ clubhouse. He reportedly punched his father-in-law at least once, leaving him with facial abrasions and sending him to the hospital.
K-Rod was charged with third-degree assault and detained and processed at Citi Field’s police precinct.
The chaos didn’t end there for the Mets. Johan Santana has been sued for rape. His accuser, a Florida woman, couldn’t get authorities to prosecute the case. Instead, she’ll seek damages in excess of $15,000.
On a much lighter note: who’s up for an El Duque comeback? He sure is. Orlando Hernandez has toiled in the Gulf Coast League this season as a Washington Nationals farmhand and got the call up to Class-AA Harrisburg yesterday. He hopes to join his half brother Livan on the big club for the September roster expansion.
In his five appearances in the Gulf Coast rookie league, the 44-year-old El Duque allowed one run and struck out nine over six innings.
Golf news: Pavin denies guaranteeing Tiger a Ryder Cup spot
Who knew the Ryder Cup selection process would ignite a bitter feud between…Corey Pavin and Jim Gray? Hmm?
Announcer Jim Gray said in a Golf Channel report that Pavin, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, said “Of course I’m going to [pick Tiger Woods]. He’s the best player in the world.”
Pavin denies ever saying such a thing. You can’t help but wonder if he’s right, as few people consider Tiger the best in the world at the moment. But Gray maintains the Pavin did guarantee Tiger a spot. He went as far as approaching Pavin at a press conference Wednesday and calling Pavin a liar to his face. He also reportedly said “you’re going down” – whatever that means. Easy, Gray.
Pavin claims he won’t reveal anything until “09/07.”
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