Playing the Field: Rondo bashes Heat, Amar’e gets engaged
There are very few things in sports I hate more than sideline interviews during games. They are a total waste of time and no one ever says anything remotely worthwhile.
That is, until last night. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo dropped a bomb on the Heat during his halftime interview with ESPN sideline reporter Doris Burke. She asked a typical, learn-nothing question about how they were beating the defense. His response was among the best in interview history.
Burke: “What holes are you guys exploiting in this defense?”
Rondo: “Them complaining and crying to referees in transition.”
After the game, Burke asked about the comments.
“What I said was true,” Rondo told Burke. “I don’t take back what I said. That’s what it is.”
Rondo didn’t exactly look happy about the question and whispered something to Burke after the interview. Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if the only interesting sideline interview in history resulted in a fine. You wouldn’t want any interesting answers.
Meanwhile in Paris …
While the good teams in the NBA were playing in the conference finals, Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire was hanging out in Paris and proposing to his longtime girlfriend (and mother of his three children), Alexis Welch.
Unfortunately, she said “no,” and he punched the table and cut his hand on a champagne glass. I kid, I kid. Too easy. Of course she said “yes.”
Paris, the food, & lights were very romantic. When she said yes, it was surreal. I’m still floating. #engaged #blessed twitter.com/Amareisreal/st…
— Amar’e Stoudemire (@Amareisreal) June 3, 2012
That ring Mrs. Stoudemire is being blinded by is reportedly worth $1 million. That is approximately 1/100 of the contract the Knicks regret paying to someone with chronic back and knee injuries. Seriously though, congrats to the happy couple.
Mets go decidedly un-P.C.
I am generally liberal (it’s a law, I live in Brooklyn), but Bill Maher is one of the most annoying people on the face of the Earth. There’s nothing worse than a know-it-all on either side of the aisle.
Why did this sports gossip column suddenly turn into Politico? Well, Maher announced yesterday he had purchased a share of the New York Mets. You know the Wilpons are really desperate for money if a privileged rich guy is taking money from a raving Democrat. Actually, Fred Wilpon is fairly independent with a Democratic lean. Up to 2010, he had donated $46,715 to Democratic candidates, including Anthony Weiner and Barney Frank, and $22,010 to Republicans, including George W. Bush and Rudy Giuliani.
So the newest Mets minority owner went on a tour of the Mets clubhouse yesterday, posing for photos with players and watching batting practice from on-the-field. He also filmed and posted a video on Twitter:
New #Mets partner @billmaher has a message for fans: twitvid.com/3TOYJ
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 3, 2012
At least Maher picked a good time to join the Mets’ party. They are coming off one of the best weekends in their team’s history. And just look how happy Jeff Wilpon is to be with his new co-owner!
With Jeff Wilpon before the Mets game at the batting cage – as Yakov used to say “What a country!” yfrog.com/mmw3aqlj
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) June 4, 2012
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports. He’s never donated money to a political campaign. Presumably you need to have money to do that.
