Tids & Bits

VEGAS RECAP
-- Morales-Pacquiao II was sensational, full house at Thomas & Mack, both countrymen with their share of screaming flag-waving supporters. Great Atmosphere, strong undercard. By the way the rebroadcast of the fight comes this Sat. nite at 8:45 on HBO, along with the Arturo Gotti tussle.
-- Big props to the four lovely ladies who were at my side at the blackjack table at the Hard Rock til deep into the morning as I piled up a 4-figure haul from the casino.
ON THE SPORTING FRONT
-- Kobe's 81 pts...I can give you my thoughts or you can read one of the 327,000 articles written on the subject
-- T-Mac is just lurking under the NBA radar because the Rox are awful and they are so far back in the standings. But check out his nums from the 3 game roadie...
39.7 pts, 8.7 rebs, 4.7 asts, 50% FG, 44% 3FG, 90% FT
Now I'm not saying MVP, but with apologies to AI, Kobe & Stevie Nash, the Rockets are freakin' winless when he doesn't finish a game (0-16), 14-10 when he does. Quite a difference-maker. Now can he will this team into the playoffs??
-- Not too many experienced, familiar faces on the projected staff for Gary Kubiak and the Texans. Hope that's not an issue. Secondary coach Jon Hoke and special teams coach Joe Marciano are the only confirmed holdovers and they are two very good choices.
-- Bagwell. Look the Astros have no reason not to file the insurance claim. Bagwell has no reason not to rehab and come back and play.....unless he was a total dog and was in it just for the money, which as we all know he is not. He gets paid either way. If he wanted to he could sit on his couch, drink beer and eat bon-bons from now until October and he's still cash checks for $17 million bucks. But it is obvious that the Astros would prefer not to have Bags on the team next year and that is why the acrimony has been building. Unless this situation somehow affects Roger Clemens decision on returning in May then I really don't have a problem with this situation. I think Bags will be playing baseball in 2006. And Roger, too - both with the Astros.
-- And I'll leave you with this for those of you that are interested, there will be plenty of parties in town in conjunction with the NBA All-Star game in February. But you might want to check out the party this weekend and especially the host. D-Wade and the Heat take on the Rockets on Sunday afternoon. His B-day is 1/17 and he's celebrating here in H-Town....apparently in grand style
----- WEX