The Big 12 Gang


After a disappointing end to the NBA season and not much better luck with all of the free agent stuff happening over the past few weeks (see previous article) I have already begun looking ahead to football season.  Oh, and the Olympics!  I'm pumped about the opening ceremonies on Friday!  But that's just a temporary high.  For now let's stick with football.  


I became a fan of NCAA football my freshman year at UT and was spoiled enough to have my first season with the Longhorns be the one that resulted in a Vince Young National Championship.  Ever since then, anything LESS than a trip to the National Championship I've considered a losing season in my book; stupid, I know but as I said I've been spoiled.


Fans of UT football know that the past two seasons haven't been pleasant ones for Texas.  They would also know that the Big 12 Conference has gone through some changes with a couple of teams leaving for "greener pastures" and a few new ones being added.  For awhile now, I've been meaning to write a short story about the Longhorns and their rivals in the Big 12.  I envisioned a spaghetti western theme since the Longhorns = Texas and serendipitously most of the Big 12 teams' mascots actually work quite nicely as characters in a wild west themed story.  I've scribbled down some plot lines about how in recent years, the city of Austin has been overrun by The Big 12 Gang and the city is in dire need of a new sheriff, the likes of Vince Young, Major Applewhite, etc..., to clean up the town!  Anyway, I never really got much beyond that but I thought that the next best thing would be to draw a picture capturing the climax of the story: Bevo cooly staring down The Big 12 Gang on the dirt paved streets of Austin; the current members of the gang glaring back at him, weapons drawn, and the former Big 12 posse members sitting, permanently benched, along the sides of the street.

(Click on image to enlarge)

My sister, Dana, is a phenomenal artist and I have actually been collaborating with her on this project.  She has purchased a nice canvas and is planning on painting her own version of the above picture, which should end up being a cross between the above and a Frederic Remington painting.  In other words, it's going to blow my picture away!  Until then, I hope the above picture will suffice, at least until football season begins.    

Someone Play With Dirk, Dammit!!!

It's an exciting time in the NBA right now!  There's a plethora (Shout out Three Amigos) of free agents, real talented guys who are available to the highest bidder.  Over the past few weeks, the Mavs have reportedly been very close to securing a number of these players, which would help ensure that next year's team have a real shot at the Finals.  Unfortunately, it would appear that all those rumors were false and NOBODY wants to play with the Mavs, including some of the organization's own!

I feel so sorry for Dirk and as an expression of the pain I'm currently feeling for him I drew up this little representation of the NBA schoolyard:

(Click on image to enlarge)

I'll give you a quick rundown of the playground.  There's Dirk on the right and behind him teammate, Jason Kidd, is tiptoeing away to go play with someone else.  Moving left, Jeremy Lin, briefly rumored to be interested in the Mavs, opted instead to play with the Rockets.  Beside him, Lamar Odom is playing house with Khloe Kardashian back in LA, this time for the Clippers instead of Lakers.  The Heat's Big 3 can be seen jump roping with their recently won NBA Finals trophy to the left.  Heading up, Nash, also briefly rumored to be heading back to the Mavs, has signed on with Kobe and the Lakers.  On the swing set, former Maverick, Jason Terry, AKA The Jet, will now be soaring beside Rondo and the Boston Celtics.  Below them, Deron Williams, who had been see-sawing between the Mavs and few other teams, has finally decided to stay in NJ with the Nets.  And finally, Dwight Howard, who the Mavs have talked about acquiring for a long time, is caught in the middle, currently desired by seemingly EVERY team in the NBA, which probably means he's not coming to Dallas.  

Poor, lonely Dirk...