December 16
Nike chairman Phil Knight said last week that we would someday look at Tiger’s mistress-go-round as a “blip.” Many scoffed, but Knight might be right. Not in a good way, though.
If there is anything that could wipe the stories of Tiger’s philandering off the front page, it would be an allegation involving perofrmance-enhancing drugs. This, however, is where we must tread carefully. The “New York Times” printed a potentially explosive story Monday night, one that bears watching.
The “Times” reported that a Canadian doctor who treated Tiger Woods early this year as he recovered from knee surgery is under investigation by the FBI and suspected of providing athletes with performance-enhancing drugs. Dr. Anthony Galea has treated Woods and Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, among others. Torres competed at the advanced age of 42 in the Beijing Olympics.
Dr. Galea has admitted using Human Growth Hormone, but says he never treated professional athletes with HGH. He did say that as the team doctor for the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, he used Actovegin to treat some players. Actovegin, derived from calf’s blood, is illegal in the United States and not approved for sale in Canada.
The “Times” reported that Woods’ agents were concerned about the slow pace of his recovery from knee surgery in June 2008, and that Woods was referred to Dr. Galea. Woods’ agent at IMG Mark Steinberg flatly denies any such worry, says Tiger is not implicated in any illegal activity and says the “Times” story is reckless. Steinberg says the plasma therapy Woods received from Dr. Galea is “widely accepted.” The PGA Tour says it sees nothing that would indicate a violation of its anti-doping policy.
Nonetheless, Galea is scheduled appear in a Canadian courtroom Friday as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigate allegations of smuggling, advertising and selling unapproved drugs as well as criminal conspiracy — this according to the “Times.” His attorney says he’ll be vindicated.
I don’t need to tell anyone what a powderkeg this story could be. That’s why it’s important to be careful. We’ll wait to see what pans out in the Canadian court, and from the FBI investigation. Unlike Tiger’s wandering eye, this story IS our business. I’m hoping against hope that all the dots aren’t connected, but I’m also fearing where this story will go.
At least Ron Artest has his back.
***
So the Warriors reportedly want to trade Anthony Randolph. This has caused caterwauling among Warrior fans that would puncture the eardrum. After all, who would want to break up a 7-17 team?
Seriously, it sounds like a lousy idea to deal away a 20-year-old 7-footer who has tremendous potential and is still growing physically and emotionally. You could easily see this guy turning into a monster somewhere else. The only way this works is if the Warriors try to get a star to play with Monta Ellis.
Make no mistake, this is a star’s league. The Warriors don’t have anyone of that caliber. Getting a player such as Chris Bosh to team with Monta would be a badly-needed jolt of electricity for this franchise.
A couple of problems with that scenario: Bosh has an expiring contract and probably wouldn’t stay, and Randolph’s trade value is debatable. Some around the league love his potential, others are troubled by his inconsistent play. Randolph is still only 20, so the right team and coach could turn him around.
Personally, I’d keep Randolph, Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow. I think that’s a a core you can build around. I would give Randolph all the time he needs to develop. The rest could be had, some at not even close to the right price ( Corey Maggette ).
However, if one player or a combination of players can bring a star in return, I’m all for it. This is truly a franchise with nothing to lose.
