The Sports Truth

In a game that will go largely unnoticed by the American public, the United States beat its rival Mexico, 2-0, last Wednesday in front of a sellout, largely pro-Mexican crowd in Glendale, Ariz.

With the win, the United States extended its record at home against the “Tricolores” to 7-0-1, having not allowed the Mexicans to score a single goal in those eight games.

Including games in Mexico and neutral sites, the United States improved to 8-2-1 vs. Mexico since 2000, including the dramatic 2-0 win in the 2002 World Cup.

Last week’s game may have been played in the United States, but placing the game in the very Hispanic southwest was no coincidence. Were the game played in, say New Jersey, the chances of it selling out, unfortunately, would be slim.

The United States may remain undefeated at home, but besides the win-loss record, everything about this rivalry is tailored to the Mexican fans. Of course, this is in an effort to sell more tickets and improve ratings for the broadcast within the U.S., but the clear lack of interest and support for the national team is unfortunate.

Look, I’m not a huge soccer fan, I’ve never watched club soccer in Europe and despite having a thriving franchise in my backyard (the New England Revolution) I can’t get into Major League Soccer. But, there’s something intriguing about the U.S. national team that had me taping the game last night and watching it until 1:00 a.m. (the Duke/UNC game came first, of course).

After watching a very positive response to the U.S. during the 2006 World Cup this past summer, one hoped it would rope more people into following our national team. I haven’t seen the numbers yet, but I’m guessing the ratings for last week’s game were not even close to World Cup numbers.

Part of the problem is an obvious difference in approach to the game. When I told Sports Truth founder Levi Matthews that I wanted to go to Glendale to cover the match for the website, he looked at me with the cocked-head confusion of a dog and asked “isn’t it just a “friendly?” referring to the result-doesn’t-really-matter nature of the match.

Empirically, Levi was correct. But sadly, he missed the point of the match.

It’s no secret that Mexico was out to win the game, calling back almost every player from Europe it could in an effort to bring an “A” team to the United States for a shot at breaking their losing streak. U.S. Coach Bob Bradley was only a shade less aggressive, allowing stars such as Oguchi Onyewu and DeMarcus Beasley to stay in Europe.

Maybe the time I spent in Australia has a lot to do with this. In the summer and fall of 2000 (winter and spring for the Aussies), I got to spend five months in Sydney and immersed myself into their sporting culture. While I enjoyed their club rugby matches, what really got my attention was the energy the entire country invested into its national teams, specifically cricket and rugby.

I know neither of those sports are going to take off in the United States (nor would I really want cricket to) and by the same token, soccer is fighting an uphill battle in the upper 48. But going into a restaurant at 2:00 p.m. on a Wednesday and having the whole bar cheer in unison during an Australia vs. South Korea five-day cricket match was something I hoped the U.S. would embrace one day.

I feel as if the United States soccer team is something the general public can rally around. Maybe the boys won’t get the same support their European counterparts do during “friendly” matches, but it takes wins in matches like these to make the team more important internationally - that means more competitive, and thus, every subsequent match more exciting.

Here’s hoping.

Coach Doc Rivers, whose Boston Celtics are riding a staggering 15-game losing streak, was probably glad to be asked about anything but that during his news conference last night.

But it had to come as a surprise that he was talking about John Amaechi (pictured) being the first NBA player to publicly come out of the closet and admit that he is gay.

The former Magic and Jazz forward, who averaged 6.2 points per game over five NBA seasons, is due out with a book, called “Man in the Middle,” in which he reveals he is homosexual.

John Amaechi played two seasons for Rivers, appearing in 162 of 164 possible games and starting 89 from 1999-2001 with Orlando.

“I was coach of the year [with Orlando in 2000]; John started for me at the power forward spot,” Rivers told the Boston Globe. “He was great for me. He was great for our team.”

Rivers said he did not know of Amaechi’s sexual orientation. Or care.

“So what? Can he rebound? Can he shoot? Can he defend?’John Amaechi was a great kid,” Rivers said. “He did as much charity work as anyone in our city. I wish that is what we focused on. Instead, we’re focusing on sexual orientation, which I could give a flying flip about.”

The Celtics coach was asked if he thought today’s NBA would be accepting of a homosexual. He said he did not think it would matter in the locker room, because no subject is taboo in the locker room.

He said he would encourage a player to come out.

“It was difficult for people to watch Jackie Robinson and they got used to it,” Rivers said. “And they started cheering for him. It would be difficult for the fans [of today] if the guy couldn’t play. Nothing else should be difficult… John’s a fantastic kid. He’s better than a good kid. He’s just a good guy who happens to have a different sexual orientation. And that shouldn’t be an issue. But it is. And I know why it is. When guys do come out, when that day does happen, [this will] make it easier. I hope so. I can’t wait until it’s not an issue. I really can’t.”

Elsewhere, the reaction to Amaechi coming out was primarily positive. The world’s most famous gay athlete, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, was quick to congratulate Amaechi with his decision:

“It’s hugely important for the kids so they don’t feel alone in the world. We’re role models. We’re adults, and we know we’re not alone but kids don’t know that,” she said. “He will definitely help a lot of kids growing up to feel better about themselves.”

Orlando’s Grant Hill, who said he didn’t know Amaechi when he was with the Magic, also applauded the decision to go public.

“The fact that John has done this, maybe it will give others the comfort or confidence to come out as well, whether they are playing or retiring,” Hill said.

NBA commissioner David Stern said a player’s sexuality wasn’t important.

(more…)

Yes, we know. We got up on our high horse last week and decried the crying over Barbaro. Well, in the late Kentucky Derby winner’s defense, he was a pretty good guy. Er, horse.

He may not have been gallant or brave, or worthy of being treated as if he were a relative. Bu there are many good reasons to mourn him, Jeff Neuman of the New York Times writes. For instance…

Barbaro never talked about himself in the third person.

He didn’t trash-talk, taunt or hang on the rim. Down the stretch of the Kentucky Derby, he didn’t turn and point at Bluegrass Cat, and he didn’t somersault over the finish line. After crossing the line, he didn’t pull out a Sharpie and autograph his saddle for his business manager.

He never referred to his handlers as “my supporting cast.”

He never tried to renegotiate his contract. He never turned down an eight-figure offer by saying, “I’ve got to feed my family, man.”

His only tattoo was discreetly hidden.

He did no commercials for cellphone plans, credit cards, fast food chains or time shares.

He never had his agent issue a statement in which he apologized “if anybody took my actions the wrong way.”

He never appeared before a Congressional committee and lied about his steroids use.

He never dated Paris Hilton.

He was never involved in an altercation with a belligerent fan outside a club at 4 in the morning (cough, Stephen Jackson). He was never arrested for drunken driving. He did not own an unregistered handgun.

He never claimed he’d been disrespected. He never left his competitors in the dust and then said, ”I didn’t have my A game.” He did not attribute his victories to the glory of his personal Savior.

Isiah Thomas never tried to trade for him.

He was never a presenter at the ESPYs.

He never claimed, like Terrell Owens, that he was misquoted in his autobiography.

He never confessed to a double murder in the subjunctive tense.

He trained, ate and slept. He ran his races, gave his best effort, accepted plaudits graciously, went back to his stall and prepared to do it again the next time out.

Last but not least, he never fathered multiple offspring out of wedlock. Alas. 

We lost $25 in the first 14 seconds alone.

Hey, it’s the Super Bowl, and that means the greatest exhibition of sports betting since the Fiesta Bowl last month.

We had to start early.

In addition to gambling that there would be no score in the first 6:30 of Super Bowl XLI, the Sports Truth wagered that the first score, whenever it took place, would be an Indianapolis field goal. Devin Hester’s touchdown runback of the opening kickoff blew that all to hell.

Fortunately, in each team’s ensuing possession, we won that money back. A $10 bet to win $17 came to fruition when Peyton Manning’s first pass fell incomplete. An $11.50 wager netted us another $10 when Thomas Jones’ first rushing attempt garnered fewer than 3.5 yards.

Despite Hester’s opening kickoff return and unexpected signs of life from Chicago throughout the first half (we have $100 on Indianapolis to win, -6.5), when the Colts defense rose to the occasion and stuffed Jones on that first carry, we took that as a sign that this would be our night.

Powered by a 52-yard run by Jones and a nice touchdown pass (really) by Rex Grossman, the Bears took a 14-6 lead into the second quarter, where they had a chance to actually make this an interesting Super Bowl (and a stressful one for us), but squandered their momentum via turnovers.

A sequence of punts and fumbles that had to be seen to be believed turned things in the Colts’ favor, with Indianapolis taking a 16-14 lead into the locker room almost by default. On a side note, Marvin Harrison won us $10 when his first catch of the night was for fewer than 12 yards.

At this point, we had some decisions to make. Namely, whether or not to endure Prince’s halftime show and whether to eat that seventh helping of lasagna. There was not the slightest of doubts that our $100 on the game was money in the bank. The only issue was whether to supplement that with a pair of $20 (to win $48) bets on the under (-22.5) and the Colts -4.5 in just the second half.

We did.

With the Dolphin Stadium conditions getting wetter and Grossman losing control of his faculties by the moment, there was no way the Bears were getting in the end zone again. The two supplemental bets were akin to playing safety for the Colts against a Grossman-led offense: sometimes, gifts just fall into your lap.

The only sour note from then on was when the Bears actually gained 14 yards on one possession, setting up a 44-yard field goal to cut the Colts lead to 22-17 - and costing us, albeit barely, the $10.50 we wagered on the game’s longest field goal being longer than 44.5. Fortunately, Kevin Federline’s hilarious self-mocking ad for Nationwide Insurance softened the blow.

With 13:38 left in the game came the proverbial nail in the online offshore sports book coffin. Four plays after a Colts punt, Indianapolis defensive back Kelvin Hayden intercepted a pass (presumably) intended for Muhsin Muhammad and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. It was 29-17.

Another Bears possession after that, and another Grossman INT. Dunzo.

Break out the champagne glasses and the motherf*%king condoms. Following its Fiesta Bowl and Election Night mastery, the Sports Truth has proven itself the compulsive gambling authority once again.

The tally:

Total winnings: $150.

Total entertainment value: Priceless.

1. (1) Dallas (38-9). Two reasons why the Mavs stay ahead of the Suns in my rankings: Number one is defense. They allow just 93.2 points per game, compared to 102.4 allowed by Phoenix. The second reason is their schedule. The Mavs have played 32 of their 47 games against the Western Conference. They’ll get a nice East Coast break in the second half of the season.
2. (2) Phoenix (37-9). Loved how they wore the Spurs down and blitzed them in the second half. The Suns can do this to a lot of teams.
3. (3) San Antonio (32-16). Manu Ginobli stepped up in Phoenix, but the Spurs need to find more balance to run with Phoenix or Dallas.
4. (9) Washington (27-18). Their +1.2 win differential is scary, but they keep winning. Now if someone could just get Gilbert Arenas (pictured below) to shut up, maybe people would care about this team.
5. (10) Houston (29-16). Amazing run without Yao Ming. Mutombo, Howard and Head have all stepped up. By the way, anyone else notice how fat Bonzi Wells is getting? He looks like some of the guys I play pickup ball with.
6. (5) L.A. Lakers (28-18). Kobe’s suspension was a joke and it cost them an easy win in New York, but he didn’t have to punish my Celtics the next night.
7. (4) Utah (30-17). The loss of Carlos Boozer will be hard. Scratch that - impossible to overcome. Just like last season, the Jazz will struggle to win games now.
8. (8) Detroit (26-18). Chris Webber’s impact has been pretty good. He fits into their half-court sets, but he is still a defensive liability.
9. (11) Chicago (26-20). I’m not even going to pretend like I have a clue about the Bulls. They are so inconsistent, it is impossible to predict what this team will do. When Ben Wallace got hurt, I thought we would see Tyrus Thomas, but instead we get P.J. Brown and Malik Allen… I don’t understand this move.
10. (7) Cleveland (26-20). If you saw the Miami game, you saw why the Cavs are not a real threat in the playoffs. Besides the fact Larry Hughes can’t guard anyone anymore, the Cavs can’t make free throws.
11. (6) Denver (22-21). Go ahead, try and tell me Carmelo Anthony is not going to pissed now. He averages 31 points per game and he does not make the All-Star team? It will be interesting to see if David Stern adds him to the team to replace Boozer or Yao. While we’re on the subject, Deron Williams should be on the team as well.
12. (18) L.A. Clippers (23-22). The Clippers are starting to get it together. They’ve won 7 out of 10, but they still need to pick up a few more road victories.
13. (16) Toronto (23-23). I can’t rank them much higher yet, but I told you they would make a run. This could be the beginning of a good run for the Raptors.
14. (15) Indiana (24-21). A very average team with a great center. That will get them in the playoffs.
15. (13) Miami (21-25). Shaq’s back and Dwyane Wade (right) looked like a man possessed against Cleveland.
16. (14) Minnesota (22-23). It’s probably a good thing they are starting to lose games on a more regular basis. Kevin Garnett did his best to carry them, but he can’t carry them too far.
17. (19) Golden State (21-25). Still a strange team with no direction. Until the give the keys to Monta Ellis, they will be stuck in neutral.
18. (12) Orlando (24-22). Plummeting fast. Miami will go by them, can they hold on to the last playoff spot in the East?
19. (17) New Jersey (22-24). They’ll have to hold off New York if they want to make the playoffs.
20. (21) New York (20-28). Got a gift with Kobe missing the game the other night. Crawford and Curry have been great, but this is another team that changes from night to night.
21. (20) Milwaukee (18-28). Struggling to stay above water with all the injuries. At least Williams and Villanueva are back, they still need Michael Redd.
22. (22) Portland (20-27). Brandon Roy is making a strong case for rookie of the year… no surprise.
23. (25) New Orleans/Oklahoma City (19-26). West and Paul are back, but Paul does not have his legs yet. They still need some more talent.
24. (24) Sacramento (18-26). A boring team to say the least. I’d be surprised if Mike Bibby stayed with the Kings after this season.
25. (23) Seattle (17-29). Obviously, the loss of Rashard Lewis has destroyed them. At least Nick Collison (right) is still playing great.
26. (26) Charlotte (17-28). Not much has changed with the Bobcats. They will continue to grow. Gerald Wallace’s 42 points against the Knicks the other night was special.
27. (29) Atlanta (17-27). They really need to make a splash this offseason. There just isn’t enough talent here. If they had a chance to redraft, do you think they would still take Shelden Williams with the fifth pick?
28. (30) Philadelphia (15-32). They can build around Iguodala, Miller and Dalembert, but they will still need to add talent. I expect Kyle Korver will be traded. We’ll see about Miller.
29. (27) Memphis (12-35). Move Pau Gasol while you still can and then hope Joe Durant or Greg Oden falls in your lap.
30. (28) Boston (12-33). Again, they clearly have talent. In some ways, they are letting nature take its course. Jefferson, Rondo, West, Green, Gomes and Perkins will all benefit from this experience.

A series of ailments - laminitis in the left rear hoof, an abscess in the right rear hoof, as well as new laminitis in both front feet - proved too much for the gallant Barbaro, who was euthanized this week eight months after his tragic Preakness breakdown.

According to the Associated Press, “the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner’s fight for survival was their fight, a symbol of strength, courage and comfort — and, more than anything else, a source of inspiration.”

Excuse us while we saddle up on our high horse for a moment.

Where was the outpouring of support for Mummify last year? Or Charismatic in 1999? Or any of the 240 fatalities on California horse tracks from 2003 to 2005? No one seemed to notice these deaths in the brutal sport of horse racing, because they didn’t involve a Triple Crown attempt.

This sport, if you choose to call it that, exists solely as a hobby for the ultra rich. It’s not humane and it never was. Go ahead and slurp down mint juleps and gamble until your heart’s content. God knows we love sports betting here at the Truth.

But cut the crap. Don’t act as if you care about Barbaro or any other horse’s well being unless you actually do. And you know you don’t.

The outpouring of support Barbaro received in his “brave fight” - how the media knows he was brave or even aware of what was happening when he was killed by a veterinarian is beyond me - would only make sense if a person were against horse racing altogether and felt genuine empathy for all injured animals.

This is a 1,000-pound animal being ridden by a jockey, whipped ferociously and being forced to run over 30 miles per hour. Equine experts claim that top thoroughbreds were born to run, which is probably the biggest crock of $h!t since Barry Bonds claimed he thought “The Cream” was flaxseed oil.

No animal was born to this fate. Colts love to gallop, sure. Freely. If you wish to appreciate horses, how about you go observe them in their natural environment? Head over to the farm. Feed them hay. Go for a light cantor through the fields if that makes you happy.

Or not. I’m no animal rights activist - If millionaires wish to breed the animals and show or race them for others to wager on, terrific. But don’t pretend this is anything else.

It’s just a really fast horse. Had he placed fifth, you’d never know who Barbaro was. There would have been no stories of him being put to sleep after “battling gallantly” to live. He’d have been destroyed, like thousands of others before him, with little fanfare. And had his owners not hoped to keep him alive in hopes he’d bring in millions from breeding, it probably would have happened within 24 hours.

The sincerity of the innocent, naive and loving children above is undeniable. They see Barbaro as a friend, like Mr. Ed or Black Beauty. But adults either see riches, or a means of pretending they care about a good cause.

Shame on those who pretend to care about the animals on display, those who treat them as anything more than the money makers they are, and those who hadn’t heard of Barbaro until he won the Kentucky Derby and now act as if one of their own relatives died.

The mother of four of former NBA star Latrell Sprewell’s children sued him for $200 million Monday, alleging he broke their long-term cohabitation deal and roughed her up last month in their Westchester County home.

Candace Cabbil brought the lawsuit in U.S. District Court, saying Sprewell recently ended the arrangement that developed after they met in 1989 when both attended the University of Alabama.

“I certainly have no comment about that at this point,” said Sprewell’s attorney, Jonathan C. Smith, who probably fears being choked any day now if he talks too much.

The lawsuit says that on September 8, Sprewell broke his promise to share his life with Cabbil when he entered their Purchase, N.Y., home and announced they needed “to end this fake relationship.”

Sprewell started giving Cabbil less money than usual for household expenses and for their children, ages 3, 7, 8 and 11, and made himself scarce when she tried to find him. Cabbil is also the guardian for a 16-year-old Sprewell fathered with another woman. Classy.

It alleges that, in December, Sprewell entered their home, chased Cabbil around and smacked her hand to prevent her from trying to use a cellphone to call the police. Then he allegedly grabbed her and dragged her down a flight of stairs by her feet, causing her physical and emotional injury.

According to the suit, the fight brought a violent end to a relationship that belied earlier promises that she had “nothing to worry about” and she “owned everything he owned” despite Spree’s failure to marry or to put her name on the home he bought for $3 million in 2000.

Cabbil, who gave up a $25,000/year job at a hospital to have their first child in 1995, said there was rarely less than $100,000 in the couple’s joint bank account Sprewell also hired a babysitter and a house cleaner, bought Cabbil new cars and registered her as his wife with the NBA so she could receive health insurance.

When Sprewell was traded from the New York Knicks to the Timberwolves in July 2003, the couple agreed that Cabbil and the children would remain in Purchase. Instead of returning to his family in N.Y., Sprewell chose to live on a yacht he purchased in Wisconsin. Really.

How ironic that the four-time all-star has not played in the NBA since turning down a three-year, $21 million extension offered by Minnesota at the end of the 2004-05 season - a contract he indignantly denounced, stating he had to feed his family. Bet he could use some of that money now that the family wants $200M.

1. (1) Dallas (34-8). The Mavericks retain the edge over Phoenix because of their defensive ability (92.6 points allowed per contest). Meanwhile, Dirk and Josh are deadly.
2. (2) Phoenix (27-8). Take away a two-point loss at Dallas and two overtime losses against Utah and Washington and we’d be looking at a 34-game win streak. The Suns next five games are on the road, then they get Utah, San Antonio and Denver.
3. (3) San Antonio (30-13). Even Pop admits his team is not as hungry as Dallas and Phoenix, but does it really matter? They’ll be hungry when the playoffs begin.
4. (4) Utah (28-14). AK-47 needs to tell Jazz owner Larry Miller to shut the F*%k up or Kirilenko could score more than 9.1 points per game. In case you haven’t noticed, Deron Williams is the best point guard from the 2005 draft and Carlos Boozer (22 points and 12 rebounds per game) should be a legitimate MVP candidate.
5. (5) L.A. Lakers (27-15). Lakers are 10-4 against top Western Conference teams, but they lose too many games against bad opponents. Lamar Odom’s return will help the stretch run.
6. (10) Denver (21-17). Call me crazy, but I’m convinced Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony can coexist. Why the high ranking? Do you really think any of the Eastern Conference teams are better than Denver? Neither do I. Do you think Houston or Minnesota is better? Neither do I. Did you catch that Steve Blake trade? He’s been a huge spark a point guard for the Nuggets.
7. (6) Cleveland (24-17). Road trip hangover led to that home loss against Orlando, but a 2-5 stretch was not very impressive. Still, LeBron James is enough for me to keep them at the top of the East… and I’m sure Gilbert Arenas will post this in his locker for motivation.
8. (8) Detroit (23-16). Chauncey Billups is back and the Pistons look much better. Chris Webber might actually be a good addition if he rebounds and hits jump shots after setting the pick.
9. (9) Washington (24-16). I know they are on fire, but I still think the Cavs and Pistons - and eventually the Heat - are better in the East. Wizards need to play defense and learn how to put teams like the Celtics away.
10. (12) Houston (25-16). Tough stretch — lost three straight to Dallas, Phoenix and Denver. Next up: San Antonio. Anyone notice how well Mutombo is playing? Big man can still rebound.
11. (13) Chicago (23-19). This team is riddled with inconsistency. Now they have moved Ben Gordon back into the starting lineup and they are talking to Memphis about trading for Pau Gasol. I can’t figure them out.
12. (7) Orlando (23-19). Go figure… Magic lose five straight and then win at Cleveland.
13. (20) Miami (19-22). The East should be worried. Shaq is ready to return and they are still within striking distance.
14. (11) Minnesota (20-20). Caught the Kevin Garnett foolishness on ESPN the other night. KG needs to be smarter. He can’t take the bait from a bum like Antonio McDyess. I also don’t understand why McDyess was not suspended.
15. (14) Indiana (21-20). It’s a great trade whenever you can get rid of Stephen Jackson.
16. (18) Toronto (20-22). Raps are 18-14 since they’re terrible start. That type of run can win the Atlantic Division going away.
17. (19) New Jersey (20-21). A 9-3 run keeps them alive, but I’m not very confident they can hold off the Raptors.
18. (16) L.A. Clippers (19-21). They’ll be fighting for that 8th playoff spot, but this could be the most disappointing team in the league.
19. (15) Golden State (19-23). Any trade that brings you Stephen Jackson is not a good trade. What the heck is going on in Oakland? Just play Monta Ellis and let him lead this team.
20. (17) Milwaukee (17-23). The return of Redd and Williams will help. Bogut has really stepped up his game. But they need to end this 1-8 run to stay alive in the East.
21. (21) New York (18-25). They won a few at the buzzer, but the back-to-back losses at the buzzer slowed down a pretty good run.
22. (23) Portland (17-25). Brandon Roy’s 28 points against Milwaukee was great to see.
23. (24) Seattle (16-25). Three straight wins led by Ray Allen and Nick Collison.
24. (22) Sacramento (16-23). How about that Ron Artest? He’s been a big help…to Indiana. Maybe Brad Miller’s return will help.
25. (28) New Orleans / Oklahoma City (16-23). How have they won 4 out of 5? David West is back and he’s angry.
26. (26) Charlotte (14-26). Matt Carroll is still on fire and even Adam Morrison is shooting better these days.
27. (29) Memphis (10-32). 4-13 since Gasol’s return…now you know why they want to trade him.
28. (25) Boston (12-28). 2007-2008 starting five: Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson and Greg Oden. Be afraid, be very afraid. If Tony Allen did not get hurt, this would be the best losing season in Celtics history.
29. (30) Atlanta (13-25). Hawks are trying to get in on this Oden/Durant race.
30. (27) Philadelphia (11-30). Still think they might move Andre Miller. If they do, the first pick in the draft will be theirs.

[Current ranking, followed by last week’s ranking in parentheses, followed by team record]

A few weeks ago, in this very column space, I discussed my apathy for the 2006 New England Patriots season based on their inability to secure a first round bye for the playoffs. As I mentioned last weekend, home teams in the divisional round have a near .800 win percentage, exhibiting the importance of the bye.

However, as many of you may remember, my point was about the likelihood of winning the Super Bowl without a bye, which has occurred three out of the 13 years since the NFL expanded to the 12-team playoff format. This means that of the 52 teams who have qualified for the playoffs without a bye, three have won it all, for a killer Super Bowl success percentage of 5.7 percent.

This all came to fruition last weekend when I picked three out of the four home teams to win their games and advance, a winning percentage of .750, about on par with history. This year, the NFL zagged, giving us two home winners culminating with the dramatic Patriots win. As a result of last weekend, the AFC is guaranteed to be sending a non-bye team to the Super Bowl - as a favorite.

Certainly not surprising to think that the AFC is sending a favorite to the Super Bowl, but considering the chances of non-bye team winning the Super Bowl, it becomes all that more interesting. What, if anything, does this all mean in regards to picking Sunday’s games? Not much. What do we have to go on? The Colts beat New England in the regular season while Chicago and New Orleans didn’t play. We know Brady’s, Belichick’s, and Manning’s history in the playoffs and against each other. Nothing interesting there.

As evidence by the small margin of victories in most of the playoff games so far, Vegas has come out with spreads of Chicago -2.5 and Indianapolis -3, indicating they’re not too confident one way or another either. That’s basically your standard home field advantage spread, meaning that on a neutral field, the games would be pick’em.

This is where it gets interesting. In 2006, the Patriots and Saints were both better on the road than at home. Hmm.

On to the picks…

[Playoffs to date: 6-2. Versus spread: 4-4. Over-under: 6-2]

Team Katrina (+2.5) at CHICAGO, Over/Under 43.0

Last week, home field advantage obviously helped out Team Katrina. It’s the only reason why Andy Reid would possibly punt with 1:55 left and two time outs on 4th and 15. He wanted the people of New Orleans to have something to cheer about (no, Mike Lupica did not demand I write that).

As reader Colin Fisher from Pawcatuck, R.I., points out, “why would Reid go for it on 4th and 10 and then not on 4th and 15? Didn’t he realize that the play he ran on 4th and 10 actually gained 18 yards?” A highly overlooked point. Ron Jaworski yammered on and on about how only one 4th and 15+ was converted in the NFL this year.

Certainly accurate, but out of how many attempts? 5? 10? Not to mention, what about how many 3rd and 15+ were converted this year? Is there all that much difference between 3rd and 15 and 4th and 15 in this punt-happy NFL? Signs point to no. By the way, if you want to see something funny, go to ronjaworski.com and look at the picture of him golfing.

Team Katrina can’t rely on such incompetence from the NFL’s most overrated coach this week, but we gamblers can benefit from something else that’s overrated: the Bears defense. This is not the vaunted defense that was talked about all season and there’s no way they’re stopping Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, Marques Colston, et al., this week.

This game also has no chance of being under.

The Pick: Team Katrina 35, Chicago 24

New England (+3.0) at INDIANAPOLIS, Over/Under 47.5

We know the AFC will be the favorite in the Super Bowl against the NFC regardless of the matchup. We know that the spread on Sunday is based on home field advantage alone. However, one thing still perplexes me.

Indianapolis is currently selling at 1-1 to win the Super Bowl, while New England is selling at 12-5. Does that seem like a three-point spread to you? Me either. Other things in the Colts’ favor is that this is probably the worst Patriots team Indianapolis has ever faced, and despite running issues, this is probably the best defense Tony Dungy has ever brought into the playoffs.

Honestly, do you remember those Colts defenses? They were atrocious. And yes, I haven’t forgotten that Ron Dayne ran for 150+ yards vs. the Colts, but assuming the Colts were not getting a bye - and they were not - that was almost a meaningless game. As for the over/under my 4-0 record from the first round took a hit and went to 6-2, but I’m 2-0 on Indianapolis games and will stick with the under as well.

The Pick: Indianapolis 21, New England 17

They’ve given $126 million to Barry Zito, but the coming weeks will really show us what the San Francisco Giants are made of.

They have a chance to make a statement, to stand up for what’s right. To preserve the integrity of Hank Aaron and what little Major League Baseball has left.

What do they need to do? Nothing.

That’s right, cut off negotiations with Barry Bonds. Issue a statement that the club is beginning a youth movement and has decided to go in a new direction. Then watch with delight as no team in the league picks him up and the steroids era meets its bitter (if only symbolic) end.

Okay, that’s wishful thinking. It take serious cojones to bid adieu to any franchise player - much less a man that has spent 14 years with the team, won countless awards, obliterated records and surpassed all but one on the all-time home run list.

It seems insane to walk away from their one-year, $16 million verbal deal with Bonds now, with him needing just 22 home runs to pass Hank Aaron and become baseball’s all-time home run king. But would anyone be upset? Does anyone argue it would be better for San Francisco?

Granted, I live 3,000 miles away from McCovey Cove. Perhaps there are half a dozen Bonds sympathizers lurking somewhere, or casual fans who just want to witness the record being broken. But I speak for the majority of fans when in saying I hope this contemptible prima donna never plays again.

When Bonds missed all but the final weeks of the 2005 season, I prayed that was it. I let myself believed that the game dodged a bullet. But he made his way back, and now it’s up to the Giants to pull the plug on a career that is perhaps the game’s most accomplished - and definitely its most heartbreaking.

Seriously. This is a gift - a chance to bail without shame. The Giants could blame it on Bonds’ failed drug test, after it was revealed last week that during the ‘06 season, the lefty tested positive for amphetamines. Or, they could cite the high injury risk he poses. Or the circus effect. Or the fact that there are far better uses for $16 million, even in this inflated market.

There’s also, you know, the perjury charge he’s being investigated for. In the BALCO case, dating back to the grand jury in 2003. Really, whatever route they want to take, it’s there. Just do it. Please.

Because if the Giants let Bonds go, there’s no way another team signs him. No one will cough up the kind of money he wants, agree to play him in left field, or want to deal with the headaches. He’ll be forced to retire and end his career on the most sour note imaginable - appropriate, given his unquestioned place as one of the most boorish, abrasive and disgraceful figures in sports history.

San Francisco - and any other team contemplating signing Bonds for a box office boost in the event he hits the open market - needs to consider its place in history. Hank Aaron earned his place in history and should hold the sport’s most cherished record until he’s surpassed by someone worthy.

The all-time home-run king can’t be a joke. He just can’t. We’ve already seen the demise of Roger Maris‘ single-season record 61 to Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Legends of the game shouldn’t have their records broken by individuals who changed their bodies with the aid of illegal, performance-enhancing substances. Not any longer.

If the events of last week are any indication, the writers might be able to keep Bonds out of the Baseball Hall of Fame. But records matter, too, and the all-time home-run mark will be his if the Giants don’t walk away. Bonds’ name won’t be expunged from the history books. It all comes down to you, San Francisco. Do what’s right. Do it for all of us.