Maybe Tim Howard can save Bryce Harper from himself
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By DERON SNYDER
Once again, it’s time to check off some items on my “TIDU List” – Things I Don’t Understand:
*Why Bryce Harper thinks he’s entitled to manage.
Full-blown jerkdom is ahead for the Nationals’ wunderkind unless he changes course. Coming off the disabled list (again) and offering unsolicited lineup advice is wrong for established vets, let alone 21-year-olds in their third season. Defending Harper’s excesses will always be easier in Washington – or wherever he plays – but it will be harder to like him if this behavior continues.
Memo to Harper: Matt Williams has a job; focus on your own.
*How goalie Tim Howard didn’t feel all alone.
During Howard’s incredible performance against Belgium, LeBron James had flashbacks to Cleveland. Someone on Twitter wondered if Howard can save their marriage. Another person suggested the GOP should recruit Howard and bring him to Washington to help with blocking. He set a World Cup record with 16 saves, many in spectacularly awesome fashion.
His teammates didn’t leave him on an island; they put him in solitary confinement.
*Why the Milwaukee Bucks trust new coach Jason Kidd.
As a freshman in 1994, Kidd led a successful revolt against Cal coach Lou Campanelli. As a rookie coach last season, Kidd made Lawrence Frank the league’s highest-paid assistant but quickly banished him to a desk job. Now, Kidd just lost a power play in Brooklyn, stabbed Larry Drew in the back and is measuring GM John Hammond’s office.
Milwaukee’s new owners deserve to make their own hire and they’ll get what they deserve.
*How Trevor Ariza can pass on the Wizards.
Playing for six teams over 10 seasons can make you long for stability. That – plus a plethora of open looks thanks to John Wall – is what Washington offers its free agent. The Los Angeles native will receive strong interest from a number of teams, including the Lakers. But he has a good thing going in D.C.
With Martin Gortat re-signed, Ariza is the last piece on a strong starting five he can call his own.
*Why Luis Suarez’s penalty should be reduced.
The Uruguay striker keeps his hands to himself better than his teeth. He has finally apologized to Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, days after chomping his shoulder and receiving a nine-game suspension and four-month ban from FIFA. Previously, he gnawed an opponent’s neck and munched another opponent’s chest, yet Suarez says the sanction is too stiff.
Let’s sign along: “ … For it’s one, two, three bites, you’re out at the old ball match.”
*How Serena Williams lasted even three games.
No one with sense doubts her toughness, but Williams took it to another level Tuesday before succumbing to a viral illness at Wimbledon. She clearly was disoriented during warm-ups, whiffing on practice shots and struggling to collect balls, but didn’t call it quits until committing four double-faults in the third game – with some serves even bouncing before reaching the net.
Most would’ve have stayed curled up in bed feeling that bad, but Williams is a true champion.
*Why it’s wrong for NBA stars to band together.
Charles Barkley says Carmelo Anthony joining the Heat would be a “travesty,” another case of Miami “hijacking” the NBA. But top performers who want the best results usually prefer top co-workers. It happens in sales, the arts, media and sports. TNT wouldn’t turn down a chance to add Jeff Van Gundy. And in his playing days, Barkley wouldn’t turn down Anthony and LeBron.
The NBA is a business, not a pick-up game where lopsided contests are no fun.
*How Maryland fans are supposed to feel about the Big Ten.
Change often is unwelcome and uncomfortable, especially concerning 61-year traditions. But musical chairs is the game today and the ACC is history at College Park. Maryland celebrated its new affliation this week, ushering out Virginia, Duke and North Carolina. Now the Terps must build rivalries with Penn State, Rutgers and … Ohio State?
The Rust Belt will never be Tobacco Row, but college sports will never be the same, either.
*Why Javaris Crittenton opted to be a statistic.
Foxsports.com just published a 6,800-word feature on Crittenton. Unfortuately, it has little to do with the former NBA player’s career. You might remember him as Gilbert Arenas’ nemesis in the Wizards’ 2009 gun-in-the-lockerroom debacle. Authorities know him as a murder suspect in one case and a drug-smuggling suspect in another, making him one more caricatured stereotype.
Sometimes crabs pull you back in the barrel, but sometimes you jump back in yourself.
*How Tiger Woods’ tournament can thrive without its host.
Woods expedited his recovery to prop up the ailing Quicken Loans tournament, causing TV execs to rejoice. Columnist John Feinstein said one salesperson relayed “we were dying on the vine until [Tiger] said he was going to play.” But tickets sales and sponsorships remain shaky whenever Woods isn’t around. And that could happen more often than not in the future.
At this rate, it won’t be long before our PGA Tour stop is Kemper Open-caliber again.
