I like to get together with some internet pals over at Fark to discuss ESPN’s rankings every week. We were always complaining about how erratic they seemed, so I decided to start graphing the new rankings every week. This is the final product for this regular season. Teams are sorted on the left by their Week 1 rank. Sorry if it makes everyone go cross-eyed. That’s kind of the point. :)
Last Straw of the Day: In a joint statement released several minutes ago, CBS and Warner Bros. announced that, “[b]ased on the totality of Charlie Sheen’s statements, conduct and condition,” they have decided to shut down production of Two and a Half Men “for the remainer of the season.”
Earlier today, Charlie Sheen made a bizarre, potentially influenced appearance on the radio program of noted conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, where he made derogatory remarks about Two and a Half Men showrunner Chuck Lorre, calling him, among other things, “a stupid, stupid little man and a pu**y punk that I never want to be like.”
Looking back now, that may not have been the best idea.
“First, the Cavs choke in the 2009 playoffs. Second, the best two starters on the 2008 Indians start Game 1 of the 2009 World Series for two teams not named “Cleveland.” Third, the Browns clean house and hire Eric Mangini, who takes that same house and sets it on fire with a flame thrower. Fourth, what could end up being LeBron’s final Cavs season is distinguished early by Shaq looking like a bald Aretha Franklin and LeBron’s body language occasionally lapsing into “I can’t wait to find a new team; I am tired of playing with crap teammates” mode. And fifth, there are two nights of star-studded concerts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — located in Cleveland, as you know — and those concerts happen at Madison Square Garden. Here’s my question, God: What did Cleveland do to you?”
But first, as he prepared to head back to a hero’s welcome in Pittsburgh, there was time for just a little bit of crowing.
When a reporter from Cleveland introduced himself as being from the city of one of the Steelers’ most bitter rivals, one that has never even been to a Super Bowl, Tomlin paused.
“From Cleveland?” Tomlin said with a smirk, letting the Steelers’ superiority linger in the air as the reporter playfully asked that he not rub it in. “Huh.”
Seriously? Not a single analyst put a bet on Cleveland? Really? I know everyone has the hots for the Celtics in the East but not a single person picked Team LeBron?
I hate you LA. Your entire time zone is dead to me.