Lance Make Us Believe!

Now that Mannywood has thrown his name in with other juicers like Bonds, ARoid, Big Mac and Slammin' Sammy, there's only a few more names that would really touch us deeply should a positive test ever arise. The Captain of the Yankees, Cal "The Iron Man" Ripken Jr. and Junior himself are three that come to mind immediately, but there's yet one more name out there, one name that has arose suspicion for years, one name that should he prove to be dirty would not only break the hearts of the sporting world, I'd dare say he'd break the hearts of the entire globe.

Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, hero, philanthropist and seven-time Tour De France winner, though only a few stages in, has himself primed and ready to cycle his way to an unprecedented eighth Tour De Lance title in 2009. Unlike his sports counterparts, Lance's fame isn't built solely on his athletic prowess, I'd argue it's built more on his courage, perseverance and the light at the end of the tunnel feeling he has given anyone and everyone who has ever been touched by cancer. Those yellow Live Strong bands signify hope when there appears to be nothing of the sort. His message has inspired millions not to give up on their dreams.

I fret to imagine the devastating affect a positive Lance test would have on the mind and soul of a person fighting the deadliest disease this world knows.

Lance you've taught us all to Live Strong, I just hope to God that you're Living Strong legally.

Quick Hits

- That eruption of excitement you just heard in Cleveland, Miami and Toronto was due to the announcement yesterday that the NBA salary cap is estimated to drop to somewhere between $50.4 million and $53.6 million for the 2010-11 season. What does this mean? It means that Bron, D-Wade and the Bosh Boy are even more likely to stay put. Sorry Knick fans, King James ain't going to The Big Apple by himself to play alongside Nate and David Lee, he's going to want a sidekick...this new salary cap makes that impossible.

- Speaking of the King, he was in an unfamiliar role yesterday at his Nike Skills Academy. James was matched-up against Xavier-transfer Jordan Crawford. The former Indiana Hoosier has been alleged to have thrown down a monster slam on #23. The story of the dunk does not end there however. After the dunk, LeBron and Nike executives in attendance decided they'd rather not have video evidence of the dunk get on the Internet. Nike officials approached videographers in attendance and confiscated their tapes. Sorry guys, no You Tube video!!!

- R.I.P. Steve "Air" McNair...very sad news about the former Titans QB, but he likely won't get the admiration he deserves as it appears he was in the midst of an affair....thoughts of course, still go out to his friends and family.