Who'll Be The Next Option To Dirk?

The exodus of an almost complete squad of former all-stars (Michael Finley, Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker) the past two summers has opened the door wide for Dirk Nowitzki's next sidekick. Josh Howard's versatility gives him the inside track. He's better a succesor to Finley than the aged Adrian Dantley to Mark Aguirre. Jason Terry and Eric Dampier have known days in Atlanta and Oakland when they were often the second offensive option. Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Van Horn may not enjoy that status ever again, but their experience in such lofty roles is well documented. It's safe to say resources are available, even if all-star credentials aren't.

You Only Get One Shot

Saturday the Stars stand to advance to the MLS Western Conference Finals in a winner takes all series finale against the Colorado Rapids. In lieu of a scoreless match last Saturday in Denver, the aggregate goal home and home series has reached an equal opportunity conclusion. For FC Dallas to emerge as winner of this nail biter, it may need more than the one second half shot on goal they made in Denver.

What have you Done For Me Lately?

Kick a 45 yard field goal in overtime to beat division rival New York last week and what thanks does Jose Cortez get when he follows that up Sunday by flubbing a 29 yarder in a three point loss at Seattle? He's fired. Did the drop from first to last in the division, albeit by only half a game, weigh in on this decision? Probably not. But passions do run higher in a tight race than when not in one. It's apparently not the time to become seasoned, Cortez knows now.