The most shocking news of the week. Even more shocking than federal indictments in Philadelphia. Yes, I talking about the possibility of Coach K leaving Duke to go to the L.A. Lakers. There’s tons of articles about this, but I think you should start at ESPN or GoDuke. And this coming at a time when Duke gets ready to celebrate 100 years of basketball. As a Duke grad (class of 1992), I am firmly against Coach K leaving. But I understand the temptation, with players leaving after one year (Luol Deng) and some not even showing up on campus at all (Shaun Livingston). A decision is supposed to be made after the holiday weekend. So try not to choke on your hot dog.
Second sports item, which will occupy most of my July, is the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong goes for a record 6th (and consecutive, no less) victory in what has to be the world’s toughest sporting event. Over 2100 miles in three weeks. The day to watch will be July 21, which is an individual time trial (each rider against the clock, one at a time) up the infamous L’Alpe d’Huez. It’s a 15.5 km (about 9.6 mile) climb up a 7.9% grade, with a total elevation gain of just under 3600 feet, and 21 switchbacks. Don’t be surprised if there are a million people out there on the mountainside watching. Should be something amazing! And if you watch it on TV (OLN carries it), you get to see/hear Bob Roll butcher the French language and likely come close to causing an international incident. But the guy is fun to listen to! And on top of it, you also get the pleasure of listening to two of the most knowledgeable commentators in any sport, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen. (There’s also something soothing about their British accents…)
