Empty the Bench

- Differing accounts of this encounter with Scott Skiles at a bar last night (see the comments), but one thing’s for certain: the Chicago Bulls head coach said the word “shit” and we’re deeply offended by his potty mouth.

- Mark Cuban is chillin’ in the Cayman Islands and don’t you forget it. He’s also into coin-flipping.

- “Big” Mike Williams is all keyed up and ready to rock the house for the Oakland Raiders. We had a post written and ready to go about a month ago entitled “Hindsight is 20/20 for Mike Williams,” but I axed it at the last minute because, well, I don’t know why. The gist of it is that now that Williams is out of Detroit, it sounds like he’s blaming his dismal failure there on everyone except himself: the coaches, his teammates, the media, the guy manning the drive-thru at Burger King. Look, he was a bust for the Lions, but I’d like to see the kid do well. Really. But the fact is that he can only blame himself for the less-than-ideal beginning to his professional career. Dropping passes, dogging it in practice, insisting *his* ideal playing weight was the right one–not the coaches’–and not learning the playbook. That’s all on him.

- Middle relief pitchers and how managers use them under the microscope.

- The pride of the New York Yankees’ pitching rotation, Carl Pavano, is probably the most popular guy on the team. As we speak, Yankees fans are furiously typing emails to the publicity department, demanding autographed balls and photos. They never, ever want to forget their $40 million man.

- There’s a shakeup a-brewin’ in Golden State, and the fall guys look to be either Jason Richardson, Patrick O’Bryant, Mickael Pietrus, or 2007 Most Improved Player Monta Ellis. We have issues with anyone who’d consider moving ETB favorite Ellis. Yes, his playoff performance was anything but spectacular, but we’re talking about a 21-year-old kid in his first postseason. He’s electrifying, he’s got a ton of upside, he’s a keeper.

- After firing head coach Brian Hill (the right move), Orlando Magic GM Pat Smith thinks he has “one of the best sports franchises in the country” and “expects [his] team to win a championship.” Maybe so, but right now you have a man-child at center in Dwight Howard who still has a ways to go in developing his offensive game, and then… not much. Jameer Nelson is not the long-term answer at point guard, Darko is still a question mark and wants to get paid, and the jury is still out on Trevor Ariza. Am I missing anyone? J.J. Redick doesn’t count.

- Can anyone blame Vinny Testaverde for trying to earn a cool million while holding a clipboard for another year? He might be old, but the man is smart.

- Right, so, Michael Vick enjoys pitting dogs against each other in a battle to the death. Is it really that big of a deal? Aside from the shoddy morals, poor judgement, and cruelty to animals factors, of course.

- Jayson Stark for ESPN.com lists 10 of the most underrated professional baseball players. Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt tops the list, which is funny because my ETB associate Andrew was just talking the guy up the other day before Oswalt’s duel with Tim Lincecum. Also nice to see the Detroit Tigers’ Placido Polanco clock in at #7; thus far in the season, Polanco is batting .333 with 1 HR, 26 RBIs, and .422 slugging percentage. The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. He’s an extremely tough out, hardly ever strikes out, and is a steadying presence in the infield.

- When Jon Bon Jovi offers his full support in your quest to become the first female president of an Arena Football League franchise, you know you’re golden. That, or he’s just angling for an in to sing somewhere, anywhere, even if it’s just the national anthem.

- Statues outside Wrigley Field? Bugs & Cranks *hates* statues. That and listening to Ron Santo bitch.

- Someone else finally saw Lebron throw the ball at a woman sitting courtside at the Palace during Game 1 Monday night. It’s really not a *huge* deal, but we’re just a little miffed that no one on TNT’s announcing crew even mentioned it.

- Jason Maxiell goodness. (via True Hoop)