Monday Links – USA Takes Down Canada in Olympic Hockey, Tigers Sign Johnny Damon, & The Russian Mob Taking Over the NBA

It’s my last week in snowy Michigan before I get to kick it with Mickey for a week in slightly warmer Florida. I’m hoping to make it down to some Spring Training action, but we’ll see how far away from the soda machine I get.

  • USA! USA! USA! This one wasn’t exactly Miracle On Ice 2, but the U.S. shocked Canada in Olympic hockey action yesterday. Brian Rafalski scored two goals, bringing his Olympic total to 4 goals in 3 games. To compare, Rafa has 4 goals in 57 games for the Wings this season. Go figure. Make sure to check out Olympic Hockey Blog for more analysis, free of Sidney Crosby anal-ysis jokes.
USA-Canada hockey
Possibly the greatest picture of all-time
  • It ran over a bit into the start of the hockey game, but the Pistons needed OT to pull out a 109-101 win over San Antonio. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich used the “Hack-a-Ben” philosophy (check out the awesome photoshop in the comments), allowing the Spurs to get back into the game and force OT.
Michelle Damon
Welcome to the D, Mrs. D
  • Keeping with the baseball theme, last year’s #1 pick Stephen Strasburg has been pretty impressive so far at the Nationals’ spring training. Nats manager Jim Riggleman has already said that Strasburg will probably begin the year in AAA, which Strasburg is ok with. Around the Horn Baseball debates whether this is the right move. Regardless of whether he’s ready or not, I think Riggleman may be forced to bring him up at the beginning of the year to create more fan interest.
  • I’m a bit surprised. Gunaxin compiled a list of 10 awful backup quarterbacks, and not one Lions player was featured. Of course, there’s a good reason for this: in Detroit, they were starters.
Charlie Batch
Remember this guy?
  • It’s Just Sports interviewed former MSU basketball star Maurice Ager, currently in the NBA Developmental League. Ager, like most D-leaguers, is trying to get his call-up to the NBA. Maybe he could give his former teammate a few slam dunk pointers in the meantime.
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