The NBA pre-free agent market continues to move right along, as Patrick Ewing has made his decision about where to play next season. His final two choices were Orlando and Miami. I'm just assuming here, but I think that officially makes Florida the "Strip Club Capitol of the World." Ewing eventually chose Orlando. He'll offer Alonzo Mourning his kidney, but he won't play ball with him? Must be some kind of Georgetown thing.

In Toronto, the Raptors have agreed to terms with Jerome Williams and Antonio Davis. The Raptors signings were the second-best received sports news in Toronto this week, right behind David Wells having year-ending surgery.

In other NBA news, David Robinson will stay with San Antonio, Eddie Robinson will go to the Bulls, and Clarence Weatherspoon will become a Knick. Of course, even though these deals are announced, none of them will become official until Wednesday. Which is more ridiculous, that the NBA won't admit until Wednesday any of the dozen deals that have already gone down, or that the daily top story from the NBA still involves Wizards practice sessions?

New Detroit Red Wing Dominik Hasek has been hospitalized in the Czech Republic with a mysterious illness. Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has sent his own personal physician overseas to help with the diagnosis. Boy, nothing says "I certainly do respect your culture, Dom, but I think your physicians are still using leeches" like sending your own family's Trapper John M.D. on a jet plane, does it?

According to her father, two-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams may quit tennis soon to concentrate on her many endorsement deals. Historically speaking, that's like David Caruso quitting "NYPD Blue" to concentrate on all the movie offers he was getting at the time. Sometimes, it's better to stay busy, kids.

Although NFL training camps won't open for a few weeks, it seems as if the rookies are already starting to learn their lessons. Giants rookie Will Allen was sprayed with gasoline and robbed this past week. Allen was coming home from partying at 4:40 a.m. Sunday when three armed robbers made off with $150,000 of his jewelry. I don't want to shift blame here, but isn't walking around drunk in the middle of the morning with 150 grand of easily pocketed items on your person something the players union should be teaching them not to do? Shouldn't they have a speaker on "Security and Your Bling-Bling: How Not To Get Set On Fire"?

And finally, ignoring China's appalling human rights record, the IOC awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics to Beijing. The announcement was greeted with fireworks, songs, and a celebration capped off by a rousing 21-gun salute into the crowd. No word on whether or not the Summer Games will coincide with the annual "Running of the Tanks." That's covered by ESPN2, I believe.

Labels: NBA, NFL, NHL, Olympics