Thanks 4 the Memories

Brett Favre is finally hanging it up. I'd say "it's about time," but in his last season he proved he can definitely still play the game, and play it well. In a tearful and very emotional press conference speech the other day Favre thanked Green Bay for the opportunity to play and prove himself. He said he had no regrets, and that it isn't about the money. Obviously it never was for Brett, who played the game with more energy and raw emotion than anyone I've ever seen. He said he can still play, but he has nothing left to give and that he just doesn't want to play anymore. The typical team player, he also mentioned how his accomplishments weren't his, but the teams and that in leaving such a great team, he could be like Tiki Barber next season, watching the team he just retired with win the Super Bowl. After 10 postseasons, two Super Bowls, and one ring, Brett, thanks for the memories.

I have two favorite Favre memories. The first was in his first Super Bowl against New England when he threw that first touchdown pass and ran around with his arms up in exaltation with his helmet in one hand. He reminded me of a child on the playground, an apt description for such a gritty player. My other would have to be that Monday Night game against Oakland right after his father passed away. Wow! What a performance. Probably the best by a quarterback on MNF. While not a Packers fan, I loved watching Brett Favre play, and I always rooted for him. What a guy.

Oh, and Warren Sapp retired too.

In other sports news, specifically the NBA, the Houston Rockets are hot, and they're doing it without Yao. So, while they're on a 17-game tear and doing it quietly, could Houston be the best in the West? Probably not. The Spurs have rattled off 11 straight wins, and the Lakers have been playing phenomenal with Pao Gasol. Then ya got New Orleans, who will likely stop Houston's win streak, Utah, and Phoenix. I failed to mention Dallas because Houston just beat them, but they were without Dirk. That said, I think the West is a little too much to handle for Houston at this point. But don't sleep on T-Mac's squad. With a healthy Yao, who knows?

As for the East, it's LeBron James. Seriously. After a near halfcourt halftime buzzer-beater and a 50-point performance against the hapless Knicks, LeBron followed it up with two buzzer-beaters against the Bulls in Chicago. Unfortunately for him the Cavs fell to Chicago. Meanwhile the Celtics have their playoff spot locked up with roughly 20 games to play. It's gotta be either Boston or Detroit for the East, but with the way LeBron carried Cleveland last season in the playoffs, you can't sleep on them. As for the rest of the East? Go ahead and get comfortable. I'm already yawning.

But how about the college hardwood? Wednesday's Patriot League Tourney game between Navy and Bucknell saw a wild, triple-overtime buzzer-beater end the game, with the Bison celebrating. St. Joe's stunned No. 11 Xavier in Philly, and Providence kept its Big East Tourney hopes alive by upsetting No. 14 UConn for the second time this season. As far as the NCAA goes, don't sleep on anyone except Oregon State, Rice, and Colorado State, who are all currently winless in their conferences.

Finally, this Saturday is huge as No. 5 Duke hosts No. 1 North Carolina. This is the rematch of the Tobacco Road Rivalry, with Duke taking the first match up at Chapel Hill. A lot is on the line with this one, including but not limited to the regular season ACC Title, the No. 1 seed for the ACC Tourney, a potential No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tourney, and a whole lot of bragging rights. Unfortunately, North Carolina will be playing for a little more than just beating Duke, as it lost one of its own recently. Student body president Eve Carson, a promising young lady, was shot dead. She was a senior aspiring to attend medical school. Tar Heel President said she had never met anyone with more potential. My heart goes out to the Carson and Tar Heel family. RIP.