Chuck Hayes, Sammy Yeager, Ron Agostini, Gregg Popovich, David Stern, Paul Brogan, Brian Wilson, CA, Marvin Wilson, Mike McIntyre -- Reading time, two minutes:
• It's a routine first-round game at Cosumnes River, and the Modesto Junior College Pirates are coasting through a routine night — until they receive a visit from the Kings' Chuck Hayes (Modesto Christian).
• Coach Paul Brogan's first question: Any eligibility left, Chuck?
• The Amgen Tour of California has detoured Modesto for the second straight year. This time it has company — the entire valley.
• A feel-good comeback story: Sammy Yeager (ex-Modesto High) averaging 15 points per game for Cal State Fullerton.
• NBA Commissioner David Stern was right to fine the Spurs $250,000. NBA fans paid at least as much to watch Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
• I get it — Coach Gregg Popovich's priority is his team, Stern's is the NBA. But have you heard of sending healthy players, potential Hall-of-Fame players, home?
• I mean, the game in question was just a schedule-filler, some obscure nationally- televised affair with the defending champion Miami Heat and LeBron James. Who would watch, anyway?
• Methinks Popovich's success has zoomed his hubris needle off the dial.
• Some would say there is a reason for Coach Pop's hubris: His backups almost beat the champs.
• Giants fans will miss Brian Wilson's 99 mph fastball more than they'll miss his beard.
• Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in two years: Your silver-and-blacked-out Oakland Raiders.
• Some free advice for Mark Davis and Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie: Don't fire Dennis Allen. The throw-'em-all-out-every-year cycle must end.
• The keys to the kingdom for anyone who predicted that Stanford would go to the Rose Bowl the year after Andrew Luck leaves, or two years after Jim Harbaugh leaves.
• Harbaugh's not-so-subliminal message during his press conferences: I'd rather be stampeded by 1,000 elephants than be here.
• San Jose State's buzzard luck: Its best season in 25 years and the Spartans are assigned to a bowl 3,000 miles from home.
• A moment to savor: SJS coach Mike McIntyre turned to the crowd at game's end last week and held up both hands with fingers outstretched — one finger for each victory.
• Sad but probably true: We'll gauge McIntyre's chances of returning to the Spartans at about 10 percent.
• The Rubik's Cube is easier to solve than college football realignment.
• Colin Kaepernick (Turlock's Pitman High) has been critiqued for his tattoos. This proves two things: 1. He's arrived on the big stage, and 2. His critics need new material.
• Alex Smith is finished as a 49er until Kaepernick limps off and then Smith is THE INDISPENSABLE 49ER.
• The late Marvin Miller changed sports forever, but he needed a brave and thankless warrior to wipe out the reserve clause forever — Curt Flood.
• Pundits predicted trouble for Scott Brooks (Lathrop) and the Oklahoma City Thunder without James Harden. Yes, they're struggling along at 13-4.
• The Oakdale High Mustangs (13-1) advance to the NorCal final. And nemesis Del Oro is nowhere in sight.
• Escalon beat Central Catholic twice (the last two years in the playoffs) but not thrice.
• The Pirates posed with Hayes for a team photo — and a season highlight.
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