Minor Wisdom

Pistol Pete

The Hornets are having a great season. But they have a marketing problem that no one in the NBA wants to talk about: they’re competing with the memory of Pete Maravich and the New Orleans Jazz. And fans with long memories who felt betrayed when the NBA allowed the Jazz to leave have cold feet when it comes to giving their hearts to another NBA team.

Be that as it may, this weekend the NBA All-Star Game tips off in New Orleans. To help you get in the mood — and to help you understand New Orleans’ love of the Jazz in the late 1970s — here’s a video of Pistol Pete versus Walt Frazier and the Knicks, scoring 68 points with no 3-point line. The game was played in the Superdome, which Jazz fans thought was a fine place to watch a basketball game.

In every game that Pistol Pete ever played, there was at least one moment where everyone watching gasped, “I don’t believe it.” In this video, that moment occurs between 3:47 and 3:50.

That was the entree. If you’re in the mood for dessert, watch this video of Pistol Pete versus the NBA in a game of HORSE. The “I don’t believe it” moment occurs between 1:30 and 1:59.

Archie Manning’s gonads elected to Hall of Fame

CANTON, OHIO. Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning’s gonads were selected for enshrinement today in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Manning gonads will join defensive end Fred Dean, cornerback Darrell Green, wide receiver Art Monk, cornerback Emmitt Thomas, linebacker Andre Tippett, and tackle Gary Zimmerman as the Class of 2008 enshrinees.

On hearing the news, Manning said, “I’m just so proud of both of them.”

The news spread quickly through the French Quarter, where joyous crowds celebrating Mardi Gras were already feeling little pain. Up and down Bourbon Street was heard the chant, “Go nads go! Go nads go!”

Real fans

If you think you’re a die-hard fan of your favorite team, you probably don’t hold a candle to the Saints fans who were watching the game last night at Ms. Mae’s bar. According to this Times-Picayune story, these fans would not stop watching their favorite team get pummeled by the Titans — even though the bar was on fire:

A three-alarm fire damaged popular nightspot Miss Mae’s at Napoleon Avenue and Magazine Street on Monday night.

Fire officials believe the fire started next door at Cafe Bayard and jumped the 18-inch gap between the buildings, according to Chief Glenn Trainor of the New Orleans Fire Department....

Fire officials say they had some resistance from bar patrons who were reluctant to evacuate because they were watching the Saints game....

Tip of the cap to Maitri for this one.

Our turn

Last year, the Saints gave hope and joy to people who needed both badly. Now that they’re going through some adversity, it’s our turn to return the favor.

Seriously, anybody can love a team while it’s winning. The real test of love is whether it’s constant during tough times. And after the last two games, boy!, these times are looking kind of tough.

This Monday, my firm is having a dress-down Saints day — we can come to work in jeans and Saints jerseys. I’ll have mine on. If they keep losing, I may have to buy a black-and-gold fleur de lis flag. If they go 0–16, I may have to get inked.

Perspective

Tonight’s football game between the Saints and the Colts is certainly a cause for celebration. After all, the Saints’ run last year was both fun and uplifting, and one of the few things New Orleans could celebrate; so it’s natural for Saints fans to be happy that football is back. As for the Colts, they didn’t do too badly for themselves either. The game itself should be fun to watch, and Peyton Manning’s ties to the city of New Orleans add some intrigue.

But let’s keep this game in perspective. The following games played last year were bigger than this one:

• The re-opening of the Dome.
• The regular-season game against the Eagles.
• The playoff game against the Eagles.
• The NFC Championship game against the Bears.

As for this year, the two divisional games against Carolina and the rematches against the Eagles and Bears will likely be more important than tonight’s game. In fact, for playoff purposes, every divisional game and every game against an NFC opponent will be more important than tonight’s game against the AFC and Super Bowl champs.

So let’s enjoy the game—it should be a dandy—but let’s keep it in perspective. Let’s not get too giddy if the Saints win or too down if they lose. After this one, there will be 15 more, many of which will likely be more important than this one.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a game to watch.

Reuben Friedman's 2007 Tulane football predictions

Are you ready for some Tulane football? If so, you’ll enjoy Reuben Friedman’s 2007 predictions. Reuben is an astute observer of college football generally and Tulane football particularly. If you’re a fan of either, you’ll enjoy his predictions.

The power of smile

I don’t dislike Tiger Woods; in fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing him continue to be the best golf player in the world. I’m glad he won the PGA (his 13th major championship) yesterday. Still, this photo, spotted on Undercover Black Man, made me laugh. Photo credit goes to Brand Buffoonery.

God speed, John Carney

The NFL is a cold business. That coldness was demonstrated today, when the New Orleans Saints released place kicker John Carney. John accepts the NFL’s coldness with dignity, grace, and class. Proof of that is in his farewell to the fans, which you can read on Ashley Morris’s blog or at Nola.com. If you’re cynical about professional athletes, John’s farewell will refresh you.

Fans

How much do Saints fans love their team? So much that, after their team got whipped by the Bears, hundreds of them went to the airport and waited hours in the cold rain, just to welcome their team home and to say "Thanks." (Thanks to ESPN.com for noticing.)

They said that if the Saints had gone to the Super Bowl and won it, it would have been the sports story of all time. Guess what? It's still the sports story of all time.

(Hat tip to Suspect Device.)

Update on Good cause for a continuance

Three days ago, I uploaded here a copy of a motion for a two-day continuance or postponement of a trial that was scheduled to start in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Monday, the day after the Bears–Saints NFC Championship game. The attorneys filing the motion convinced the judge that the lawyers, witnesses, and potential jurors would need two full days following the game to recover before reporting to court. Now Above the Law, the self-described legal tabloid blog, has posted a copy of the order granting the motion. Here's the upshot: the judge ordered that the trial must be completed by Friday, February 2, 2007. That's the Friday before the Super Bowl. That, folks, is what I call good docket management.