Rooney Rude

I'm a white guy and I have a large number of different colored friends. Do I make an effort to have friends of different ethnicities? No. Does the color of their skin give them any more or any less merit in my eyes? No. Does their skin color make me more or less inclined to befriend them? No. Being black, or brown, any other shade for that matter doesn't make someone who they are. When it comes to my friends, I want to be able to talk about sports and joke around. Ethnicity plays zero role in those abilities.

Then why can't the NFL understand that? I'm referring to the Rooney Rule, a mandate in the National Football League that requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate when a coaching job is vacant. Established in 2003, the rule is named after Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the chairman of the league's diversity committee. The Steelers have had a long and successful history of giving African Americans high-ordered positions. In 2007 they gave the head coaching job to Mike Tomlin, an African American, and that turned out to be a stellar choice.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like my argument is "NFL teams shouldn't hire black coaches!" Not by a long shot. What I'm trying to say is, "Why should skin color matter?" If someone knows their football and has a great coaching mind, then that's that. Point finale. The rule was created in order to combat racism and give minority candidates a fair chance, but by segregating them as different and literally forcing teams to consider them, it actually accomplishes the exact opposite. Teams should hire their coaches based on their knowledge and their previous success. Throwing skin color into the decision is unnecessary, insulting, and works against its own purpose.

In 2003, the Detroit Lions were fined $200,000 for immediately hiring Steve Mariucci after they fired Marty Mornhinweg. The team had their successor lined up and their decision was made, but because they didn't do the necessary "let's entertain the media and the league by bringing in a black guy to chat about the job" song and dance, they were charged a hefty fee.

This offseason, reports broke that the Seattle Seahawks had reached an agreement to hire Pete Carroll as the team's new head coach. Before they could announce the acquisition, they had to set up an interview with a minority candidate in order to avoid being penalized. Their decision was made, they just needed a 'loophole black guy'. They reached out the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and offered him an interview. Frazier knew he was being brought in with little actual interest and he was simply a bystander of the Rooney Rule, so he abruptly turned down the offer. Frazier knew the Seahawks were going to hire Carroll one way or another, and he didn't feel like being a pond in their game. Of course, Seattle eventually found someone else to come in for a meeting and then announced their hiring of Carroll within days.

If a quarterback has a great arm, does it matter what skin color he is? Does it make him any better or any worse? What about a phenomenal writer? What about a politician running for president (umm...)? By separating candidates into 'minority' groups, the NFL is simply making matters worse. If a guy knows his football, he should succeed no matter what. Let everyone earn their positions on an equal playing field.

NBA Mock Draft

June comes around faster that you'd think. It's March already, and with the NCAA tournament about to begin and NBA teams gearing up for their playoff pushes, now is the time people start hypothesizing their upcoming NBA Mock Drafts. Look on the web and you'll find thousands of people's opinions on the potential order of this year's draft. I decided to take it one step further.

What I did was do a mock draft, using the actual draft order if the season were to end today, consisting entirely of fictional basketball movie character. Real people don't count (ie: no Glory Road, no Coach Carter, no Mike from Space Jam). This is how I think the draft would turn out.

Pick- Team- Player- School- Position- Height- Weight- Age- NBA Comparison- Movie

1- Nets- Neon Bordeaux- Western University- C- 7'4- 330- 22- Wilt Chamberlain- Blue Chips

Even though New Jersey already has a solid young center in Brook Lopez, it just doesn't matter. You can't pass up on Bordeaux; he's too dominant and too valuable to pass up. His size, strength and athleticism is un-matched.

2- T'Wolves- Jesus Shuttlesworth- Big State- SG- 6'5- 200- 20- Kobe Bryant- He Got Game

Minnesota drafted two point guard last year and they already have two solid big men, so they fill a major void here by draft Shuttleworth as a franchise player who can control the perimeter.

3- Warriors- Scott Howard- Beacon Town H.S.- PG/C- 5'7- 150- 17- Connie Hawkins- Teen Wolf

The Warriors take a wild-card pick here, which is not really out of their nature. Howard is the epitome of an all-around player who can help out in many facets. He's not your prototypical player, but he can truly do it all.

4- Kings- Ricky Roe- Western Universtiy- PF/SF- 6'10- 240- 20- Troy Murphy- Blue Chips

Roe has a rare combination of size, strength and a dead-eye shot that should revitalize a depleted Kings frontcourt. He won't blow anyone away, but he's a safe pick that shouldn't disappoint.

5- Pacers- Jimmy Chitwood- Hickory High- SG/SF- 6'3- 175- 18- Chris Mullin- Hoosiers

This is probably the most obvious pick in the draft. Right team, right player, right number pick. It all works perfectly. (Although Jimmy Chitwood is based on a real person, Bobby Blump, he is still technically fiction)

6- Jazz- Sidney Deane- Los Angeles, California- SG- 5'11- 200- 32- Ben Gordon- White Men Can't Jump

Utah needs a SG who can put the ball in the hoops. Sidney Deane does just that, with style and flair. It'll be interesting to see if Sidney can survive in Utah, though.

7- Pistons- Calvin Cambridge- LA Knights- PG- 4'8- 95- 12- Isiah Thomas- Like Mike

Cambridge slips a bit to Detroit at 7th. His size and maturity are major issues, but the things he can do on the court are unbelievable. It's gotta be the shoes.

8- Wizards- Kyle Lee Watson- Georgetown- PG- 6'1- 170- 20- Allen Iverson- Above The Rim

With Gilber Arenas wrapped up in some legal issues, in steps a fine replacement in Kyle Lee Watson. Washington fans won't even notice the difference.

9- 76ers- Kenny Tyler- Washington University- PG/SG- 6'2- 180- Mo Williams- The 6th Man

Philadelphia gets a solid player who can play both guard positions and who is a proven leader. Hopefully Tyler can turn the 76ers luck around.

10- Clippers- Butch McCrae- Western University- PG- 6'7- 210- 20- Young Magic Johnson- Blue Chips

McCrae has the size, skill and potential to be the best player in this draft. He is still slightly unproven and needs to develop. His commitment and dedication has been questioned. Barring any injuries or setbacks, he should become a perennial superstar.

11- T'Wolves- Desmond Rhodes- St.John's University- SF/PF- 6'9- 220- 22- Josh Smith- The Perfect Score

After drafting a SG with the 2nd pick, the T'Wolves fill their only other major void by drafting this ulta-athletic SF. Rhodes was involved in some scandal several years ago, but that is behind him now.

12- Grizzlies- Billy Hoyle- Los Angeles, California- PG- 6'1- 175- 29- Pete Maravich- White Men Can't Jump

Hoyle could come in and produce right away. He's not as young as some others in the draft, but I see him sharing time with Mike Conley and contributing off the bat.

13- Hornets- Saleh- Africa- PF- 6'9- 235- N/A- Emeka Okafor- The Air Up There

The Hornets take a project at #13 with Saleh. There are many question marks surrounding this prospect, but he has shown some impressive potential. His shot-blocking skills are incredible.

14- Rockets- Lewis Scott- Utah Jazz- PG/SG- 6'2- 205- 25- Gilbert Arenas- Celtic Pride

When focused and motivated, Scott can be one of the best players in the league. He has a tendency to hog the ball, though, and has been labelled a coaches worst nightmare. It all depends on which version of Scott shows up.

15- Heat- Clarence "Coffee Black"- Flint Tropics- PG/SG- 6'2- 175- 22- Shannon Brown- Semi-Pro

Clarence will bring his patented "Alley Oop" with him to South Beach. Between him and Dwyane Wade, this could be the most entertaining backcourt in the league.

16- Bucks- Stacy Patton- NY Knicks- SG/SF- 6'7- 220- 25- Corey Maggette- Eddie

Patton, a bit of a head-case who has been labelled selfish, might just fit in in Milwaukee. The Bucks have no real wing threats with Michael Redd likely done, so there are shots fo opportunities for him there.

17- Bulls- Tracy Reynolds- LA Knights- SG- 6'4- 210- 28- Brandon Roy- Like Mike

The Bulls get a veteran SG who knows how to play the game. "T-Time" is used to being the superstar, though. It'll be interesting to see how he fits in with the Bulls team dynamics.

18- Heat- Quincy McCall- USC- PG- 6'0- 180- 24- Deron Williams- Love & Basketball

Quincy's passion for the game is clear as day. He is a phenomenal team-leader and has impressive point guard skills. The Heat can use a legitimate distributor in the backcourt.

19- Trailblazers- Shortie Doowop- Sunset Park- PG- 5'10- 160- 18- Stephon Marbury- Sunset Park

Doowop is the perfect contrast to Portlant PG Andre Miller. He can back up Miller and bring a serious spark off the bench by being a tempo-changer.

20- Spurs- Tommy Sheppard- New York City- PF- 6'7- 245- Kevin Garnett- Above The Rim

Shep plays the game with a mixture of respect and intensity. He possesses some low post moves and some a knack for blocking shots.

21- Thunder- Nate Wilson- NY Knicks- PF/C- 6'11- 220- 36- Pau Gasol- Eddie

The young Thunder get a much-needed talented veteran big man. Wilson's impact will probably be most valuable in the locker room, where he should become the vocal leader of the team. He is also a phenominal passer from the post.

22- Thunder- Moses Guthrie- Pittsburgh Pythons- SF- 6'7- 215- 27- Andre Iguadala- The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

"The Fish" possesses out-of-this-world athletic ability, but his attitude has been brought into question. Although his skills are somewhat limited, a team could definitely be built around this guy.

23- Celtics- Juwanna Mann- L.A. Banshees- SG- 6'4- 210- 25- O.J. Mayo- Juwanna Mann

Legal issues aside, Mann is a talented player who can contribute in many different ways for the Celtics.

24- T'Wolves- Butter- Sunset Park- PF- 6'9- 245- 19- Zach Randolph- Sunset Park

Minnesota adds another big body who can bang inside and score at will. It'll be interesting to see how Butter's game translates into the pros. He's been labelled a selfish player.

25- Hawks- Jamal Wallace- South Bronx High School- SG/PG- 6'3- 190- 18- Joe Johnson- Finding Forrester

Jamal possesses an impressively high basketball IQ. The Hawks will be able to use his intelligence off the bench as a spark.

26- Grizzlies- Jake Shuttlesworth- State Pen- SG/PF- 6'0- 200- 38- Charles Oakley- He Got Game

Shuttlesworth brings some much needed physical and mental toughness to the Grizzlies. His skills are limited, but he can still provide solid minutes.

27- Nets- Buddy "Air Bud"- Washington Middle School- PG/SG- 2'6- 65- 3- Nate Robinson- Air Bud

Labelled under-sized and un-orthodox, Air Bud continues to defy the odds. Some scouts say he will be hard to coach, but with a shot like he possesses, it's worth the late-round pick.

28- Magic- Spaceman- Sunset Park- PF- 6'2- 185- 19- Dennis Rodman- Sunset Park

Spaceman doesn't really possess any real basketball skills, but his hustle makes him a valuable player. The NBA's anti-drug policy could cause some headlines.

29- Grizzlies- Ivan Radovadovitch- N.Y. Knicks- C- 7'1- 270- 26- Darko Milicic- Eddie

Memphis could have gone with Zigi Hrbacek from 6th Man, Vakidis from Semi-Pro, or Lurch from Celtic Pride here. It's all basically the same big stiff center.

30- Wizards- Jackie Moon- Flint Tropics- PF- 6'5- 240- 35- Brian Scalabrine- Semi-Pro

Washington probably didn't draft Moon for his basketball abilities, but more for his ability to fill up the arena. Washington could use a boost in ticket sales, and Moon can get that done.