BASKETBALL

In basketball, Team USA was in exhibition action for the World Championships.  Yesterday’s competitor:  None other than Spain, USA’s international rival and close to the same team that gave Team USA headaches in the Olympics.  Spain is of course home to Ricky Rubio, the #5 pick in the 2009 draft to Minnesota.  Rubio is still playing in Spain, and it’s always cool when we get to take a look at him.  Well, Spain looked fantastic, giving our all-star team a handful.  But, thanks to Kevin Durant’s double-double, Team USA was able to hold on for the big win.  Here’s hoping they will be at least a little better when its time for the World Championships in Turkey.  Team USA 86, Spain 85.

FOOTBALL

Elsewhere, in the NFL, Brett Favre was back in action.  But before the game, Favre addressed his entire team telling them that he is FULLY committed to the Minnesota Vikings this year, even though he missed training camp.  As many know, players are always skeptical of the guy who doesn’t want to run laps.  But Favre has stressed his commitment and enthusiasm to his 20th NFL season.  In his first game back, however, Favre was immediately sacked and his Vikings had a poor showing against the 49ers.  Will Minnesota have another fantastic season?  We’ll see.  They might be on the decline.  San Francisco 15, Minnesota 10.

Finally, in the NFL, more drama out of Washington D.C.  And that drama concerns none other than Albert Haynesworth.  Haynesworth has been Public Enemy #1 in DC since Redskins owner Daniel Snyder signed him for $100 Million in 2009.  Once you give someone that kind of money, you would think you would get maximum effort from them.  And the Redskins have received the polar oppositte.  During this year’s training camp, Haynesworth has been out with “injuries”.  Many players and coaches think he just doesn’t want to report to camp, but Haynesworth says he’s injured.  Well, new Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan took a shot at Haynesworth yesterday saying, “One thing for sure that is clear to me is that Albert has gotten away in the past with playing without practicing.  That will not happen under this regime. If he’s going to play, he’s going to practice, and that is the same with every player here. The days of him playing without practicing are over. And that, to me, says it all.”  Clearly, Shanahan means business in Washington.  Can he get his star defensive player to come around?