Thomas Hurt by Magic Book

Miami-- Former Detroit Pistons point guard and NBA legend Isiah Thomas is stunned by new revelations by former Los Angeles Lakers guard and NBA legend Magic Johnson's book that has come to light. The book, titled "When The Game Was Ours," was co-written by former Boston Celtics forward and NBA legend Larry Bird, and author Jackie MacMullen. The book states how Thomas and Johnson were good friends during their playing days. However, after Thomas allegedly spread rumors about Johnson being gay after testing positive for HIV, their friendship was no longer.

Thomas has denied spreading rumors about Johnson being gay and said he is hurt that Johnson would come out with this in public instead of to him. Thomas says his brother contracted HIV before Johnson and his brother died of HIV so he knows how people can get the virus. Also, the book says that Johnson is also responsible for Thomas not being on the 1992 Olympic team, where USA won gold. Before, it was widely reported that former Chicago Bulls guard and NBA legend Michael Jordan didn't want Thomas on the team. Jordan has denied that.

I completely agree with Isiah Thomas' stand on this. Why is this being revealed in a book? Why hasn't Magic Johnson ever confronted Thomas about this? Johnson is interested in only one thing. He is interested in selling this book and making a lot of money, as he always has done. Johnson and Thomas were seen laughing together and having a good time at Madison Square Garden when Thomas was the president of the New York Knicks. So how has their friendship been no longer for 17 years? Johnson is probably fabricating things and has MacMullen going along with this mess. Johnson also cannot be trusted if he does things like that.

Cable Won't Face Charges

Napa-- Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable will not face charges after an investigation led to no credible evidence coming forward. In August, Cable was accused of breaking the jaw of Randy Hanson, one of the Raiders defensive coaches. The incident allegedly took place during a meeting with Cable and the defensive coaches in training camp, according to Hanson. Hanson said Cable blindsided him with a punch and repeatedly punched him, while also making life-threatening comments. Hanson has talked with the Napa County DA a couple of times, and the decision to not file charges came after a meeting with Hanson and the DA earlier this week.

Hanson's claims that Cable assaulted were not corroborated by other coaches from the Raiders' staff who were present when the attack allegedly took place. That made it hard for the DA to file any charges on Cable. The NFL had been monitoring the situation as well, and they have said that they will continue to follow up on the incident and decide whether Cable should be suspended or not. Coaches are subjected to the conduct policy along with the players. A number of players have been suspended under the policy but a coach has yet to face discipline from the policy.

There is no telling what happened in the incident where Hanson's jaw ended up being broken. However, the Raiders are happy this whole mess is behind them now, so they can focus on the New York Jets and every other opponent following them. The Raiders are 2-4 and they have a solid football team in my opinion. However, quarterback Jamarcus Russell has continued to hold them back, which is the reason they're not a playoff team. I am convinced that if quarterback Jeff Garcia was still on the team and their starting quarterback, the Raiders would be a playoff team. The Raiders should look for a quarterback in next year's draft.

Angels Force Game 6

Anaheim-- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the ALCS to force a Game 6 in New York. The Angels struck quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning before Yankees' pitcher A.J. Burnett was able to get an out. However, Burnett settled down and was able to pitch effectively up to the seventh inning. Angels' pitcher John Lackey pitched a great game, pitching 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs. The Yankees scored those three runs because Lackey left them on base when he was taken out. Angels' pitcher Darren Oliver replaced him and gave up a 3 RBI double to Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees ended up tying the game at four from Hideki Matsui's RBI single that drove home Teixeira. The Yankees added two more that inning from Robinson Cano's two RBI triple. The Angels weren't done yet. They proceeded to get three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Vladimir Guerrero hit an RBI single with the game at 6-5 to tie it at six. Kendry Morales followed that with an RBI single of his own, giving the Angels a 7-6 lead. The Yankees loaded the bases in the top of the ninth with two outs, but Nick Swisher popped out to end the game. Game 6 is Saturday night in New York.

This loss by the Yankees probably brings back memories of 2004, when they blew a 3-0 series lead to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. The Red Sox went on to win that World Series. The Yankees have Andy Pettitte going up against Joe Saunders, so that should be a good battle. Saunders pitched well in Game 2 in New York as they lost in extra innings. Pettitte pitched well in Game 3 against the Angels, making one mistake when allowing the two run home run to Vladmir Guerrero to tie the game. I believe the Yankee bats will come alive early in this one, and Pettitte will be solid enough to edge out a victory.

UConn Corner Stabbed To Death

Jasper Howard, defensive back for the Connecticut Huskies has died today after being stabbed at a campus party early Sunday morning. Earlier in the day, Howard, who's a starter, helped the Huskies beat the Louisville Cardinals 38-25 in UConn's homecoming game. Another student was stabbed as well in the incident but there is no update on that student. Police have not found any suspects and are currently looking to interview anyone who witnessed the violence. Howard, from Miami, was also believed to be expecting his first child with his girlfriend. Howard, an NFL prospect, was 20.

This incident has shocked students at this campus, because violence does not occur on a regular basis. Teammates and coaches were saddened by the news, which they learned later in the day. This hurts all of his loved ones, especially his family because Howard was doing many positive things, and his chances of going to the NFL was great. Darius Butler, rookie cornerback for the New England Patriots, played for UConn and was one of the players who helped Howard transition into college football.

Students probably feel unsafe because an incident like this occurred at a school function. On top of that, police haven't found anyone linked to this incident and are trying to get information from people at the event. There hasn't been any details either about Howard having any friction with other groups. However, Howard's death hits his family hard because his child won't have a father in his/her life. Also, Howard was one step away from making NFL millions, something he has worked hard for.

Edwards Traded To Jets

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been traded from the Cleveland Browns to the New York Jets for Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik and two draft picks. Edwards got himself in an altercation Sunday night, hours after the Browns lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. He punched Edward Givens in the face after the two exchanged words. Givens was taken to the hospital with a black eye and other bruises on his face. Givens is very good friends with Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James called Edwards' act "childish" and James also stated that Edwards may be jealous of him. The NFL and police are currently investigating the matter.

While this came as a minor surprise, it is no secret the Jets have been looking for a wide receiver to help out Mark Sanchez. The Jets inquired about getting Brandon Marshall back in August and they were linked to potential tampering charges in relation to Michael Crabtree, who just signed with the San Francisco 49ers today. Edwards gives the Jets that big target that can help Sanchez, but Edwards led the league in dropped passes last season with 16. He's going to have to produce a lot more to win over the fans of the Jets. The Jets can possibly be in contention for the Super Bowl this season.

Edwards goes from an 0-4 team, to a 3-1 team. He has to be very greatful of that but he did not deserve to be traded for two players and two draft picks. Edwards only had one solid season, in 2007. He was definitely on the rise before that and he has regressed quite a bit since his breakout season. A lot of people have been saying Edwards is a trouble maker, but just because he was involved in one incident, that doesn't necessarily make him a trouble maker. Edwards just has to produce on the field, that's all.

Rockies Clinch Playoff Berth

The Colorado Rockies have clinched a playoff berth after beating the Milwaukee Brewers 9-2. The Rockies, who were last in the postseason in 2007 when they were swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox, made a strong push the last two months and climbed to the top of the NL Wild Card race to stay. With the Rockies clinching a playoff spot, the Atlanta Braves have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. It is now clear which four teams in the NL will be in the playoffs. It will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Rockies. The matchups are not yet determined, because the Dodgers and Rockies are still fighting for the NL West crown, and all four teams are still battling for the best record.

The Rockies surprised a lot of people by making it this far. They fired Clint Hurdle earlier this season and everyone thought they were non-contenders. They overtook the Braves, who have a good starting rotation, and the San Francisco Giants, who have arguably the two best pitchers in their rotation in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. The Rockies could possibly play the Phillies in the NLDS. The Rockies swept the Phillies in the 2007 NLDS so that could be revenge for the Phillies or the Rockies can duplicate the feat.

I believe the Rockies are a very good team. However, the Phillies, Cardinals, and the Dodgers are better. Therefore, I don't believe the Rockies will be getting past the NLDS. However, Wild Card winners have been to the World Series every year from 2002 to 2007. Last year, the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays were both division winners. The last time that happened was when the New York Yankees played the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series. So the Rockies have a shot. But they'll have to overcome excellent teams to get to the World Series again.