“The general public seems to be showing Phoenix point guard (Steve Nash) a lack of respect.”
I’m perplexed. B.C.’s Steve Nash clearly is perceived as the consensus favourite within the NBA to garner his third consecutive award as the league’s MVP. And, yet, the general public seems to be showing the Phoenix point guard a lack of respect.
In the fans’ all-star voting, in fact, five players listed on the ballots as guards have drawn more votes than Nash. They are Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter.
And, in jersey sales, Nash’s follows those of Bryant, Wade, LeBron James, Iverson and Carmelo Anthony.
What gives?
• In NHL jersey sales, by the way, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby understandably is tops, followed mysteriously by Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Then come Jaromir Jagr, Joe Sakic and Alexander Ovechkin.
Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is 17th on this list.
• So if you thought Tom Brady looked sluggish during New England’s victory over San Diego on Sunday, you’re not alone. The Patriots’ quarterback irrefutably lacked his usual zip, and here, for your consideration, is a possible reason: Sources say Brady spent Saturday night and Sunday morning with supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who was spotted outside the New England locker room, waiting, after the game.
By the way, did you know the Montreal Expos drafted Brady in the eighth round of the 1995 MLB draft as acatcher?
• In case you’re wondering, Ontario’s Mike Vanderjagt has been ordered by his agent, Gil Scott, to keep his mouth shut and refrain from commenting on either of his former teams — Indianapolis or Dallas — during the post-season. Scott tells me he’s “100 per cent positive” that Vanderjagt will be kicking for another NFL squad next season … Doug Flutie is talking about quitting as an ABC/ESPN college football analyst. He’s complaining about having to travel more than he anticipated in his first year on the job … Sammy Sosa could be back in baseball. Texas is preparing to offer him a contract offer for a low base salary, loaded with incentives … Philadelphia will be signing Antonio Alfonseca to a similar contract. Alfonseca is the veteran reliever with six fingers on both his hands and six toes on both his feet … And scouts are buzzing about the 19-year-old son of 36-year-old Pedro Martinez. The kid’s viewed as a blue-chip pitching prospect.
•And a couple of NBA rumours: Sacramento is willing to trade veteran forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, while the Nets are dangling point guard Jason Kidd. Word is Kidd wouldn’t mind a trade to get further away from his wife. The two are involved in a messy divorce case.
