99th Edition - 2/16/07

I can't decide if I should party like it is the year 1999, in honor of my 99th post, or instead blow up 99 red balloons. After all, those balloons auf ihrem weg zum horizont, would be beautiful.

• Cubs: Getting my Cubbie sigh on ...

Lou Pinella has talked about a "Cubbie swagger" that he hopes to impart on the team. Pinella, meet the drama known as Kerry Wood. Wood is out four to six days because he slipped getting out of the hot tub and bruised his ribs. THIS is the reason letting Wood go in the offseason would have been a good idea. He is a distraction. Now, I like the contract, and I like that we don't expect anything out of him, but it is hard hearing anything about "Wood" and "injury." The man should be in bubble wrap 24/7.

• Bulls: Well, he used to be ...

Scottie Pippen will be at the All-Star game with one thing on his mind ... Call it a comeback, he's been gone for three years ... He used to be rocking his peers and putting suckas in fears.

Pippen, at the age of 41, says he is in great health and wants to be a point forward for some playoff team. I hope he makes a squad. You see, I loved Pippen. Him guarding Magic Johnson for the first Bulls championship, and the year he should have been MVP of the league (Michael Jordan's first retired year) were highlights of NBA watching life. Yes, I know he has had his moments, and is supposed to be the worst tipper in the world, but on the court he was something to marvel at.

• NBA: Hardaway, Gay

Tim Hardaway actually said, "I hate gay people."

ESPN has the full story on why this is a story. click here to read

I am always amazed by the stupidity of individuals. Hardaway, on a radio show, didn't think his comments would be a problem.

It is good that this happens, because even though the majority of discussion will be pointless media blather, but there is a chance some quality dialogue will be had because of it. I feel sorry for Hardaway and his ignorance, and every person that had to listen to his comments.

• NBA: All-Star: Vegas and VD have never been so close before.

While thousands of ladies go to Las Vegas to find a baby's daddy, the NBA All-Star game will also be happening...

*The Rookie Challenge: Look for the Rookies to upset the Sophomores. And as always, take the over.

*Celebrity Game: Carrot Top is on one of the teams, so this is a no-brainer. Not Carrot Top's team, so I have to go with Jamie Foxx and Jonathan Silverman (the West).

*Dunk Competition: Nate Robinson will win. Tyrus Thomas will have the best single dunk.

*3-Point Shoot-out: Dirk Nowitzki will successfully repeat as the champ. If only Steve Kerr would come out of retirement ... and Craig Hodges.

*Skills Challenge: The only one who thinks he has something to prove is Chris Paul. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant will barely show up.

*Shooting Stars: Now that Pippen is looking to unretire, he's going to take this game WAY too seriously. Team Chicago wins.

*All-Star Game: Since the West is clearly better, I will use reverse logic and go with the East.

• Stuff

*Rotten Tomatoes has a "Best of All-Time List" -- I have a problem with most of the top ten choices. click here to review

*The Arcade Fire will be joining Rainn Wilson on SNL ... Feb 24. Best SNL ever? Perhaps, but more likely is me actually breaking social plans to sit home and watch it "live" instead of on tivo, and then being insanely disappointed.

*Here's a little kid singing Akon's "Lonely" - It really gets good around the 2:10 mark. click here

*"The Dark Knight" - the sequel to "Batman Begins" is going to be top-notch. Aaron Eckhart is now set to play Two Face. Heath Ledger is already playing The Joker.

*Mr. Belding gets on stage and sings. His beer gut is along for the ride. click here