Signing Iverson a start to keeping Dwyane (happy); plus Cuba happier than U.S., Michael Jackson excessive-adulation poll & more

     [Twitter.com/gregcote]

     Allen Iverson is The Answer. For now: The NBA free-agency signing period begins today and click here for today's column by me on why the Heat should sign FA guard Allen Iverson, who'd love that to happen. He's a veteran playmaker Miami needs, and it would be a step toward keeping Dwyane Wade happy, which is a prerequisite to keeping Dwyane Wade. [An Iverson-to-Heat blogpoll is still accepting votes one post below this one].

     On the Michael Jackson service: Watched most of it. Thought it was well done. Found much of it quite moving, such as the Maya Angelou poem and the young daughter's brief, emotional words. But I must remark derisively on Al Sharpton telling Michael's three kids, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy..." C'mon, Rev! Love Michael as a performer, as a person, whatever. But don't try to tell me he wasn't strange. Who in public life has ever been stranger?

     People in Cuba much happier than we in U.S.: This may surprise Cuban Miamians who fled Castro's tyranny and poverty, but people who live in Cuba are rated the seventh happiest, most content people of 143 countries surveyed, with the United States ranking a dismal 114th. No wiseguy, the survey was not conducted by Fidel and Raul. It was conducted by an independent British group; click on happyplanetindex.org for more info. The top 10 in order: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guatemala, Vietnam, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Brazil and Honduras. (Hey don't shoot the messenger. It ain't my list!).

     The Josh and Ricky Show: If Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco stay healthy and keep pitching like this, the Marlins will win the  NL East. Period.

     What athlete is most at the top of his game right now?: If you had to pick just one, would it be basketball ace LeBron James, tennis champion Roger Federer, baseball slugger Albert Pujols, golf champ Tiger Woods, or hot dog-eating king Joey Chestnut?

     King of New York slimes King of Pop: New York Congressman Pete King goes on a YouTube diatribe against Michael Jackson (click here for the video), calling him a lowlife, a pervert, a pedophile and saying there was "nothing good about this guy." The invective starts at about the 48-second mark. (Aside to Brett Favre-loving, Sports Illustrated NFL maven Peter King: Change your name immediately). Rep. King says Jackson does not deserve all of the media attention and national mourning he is getting. Agree? Take a dip in our poll.

Online Surveys & Market Research

     On McNair's tragic death: Steve McNair's death is no less sad or no less a tragedy because it was apparently related to an affair he'd been having. By the way, the boyfriend of the woman found dead next to McNair says some pretty self-incriminating stuff on his MySpace page. When are people going to learn that MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and the like are dangerous things in the wrong hands. Or minds.

     Serena. Nice titles!: Serena Williams (right), after winning Wimbledon, was seen wearing a T-shirt that read, "Are You Looking At My Titles?" Short answer? Yes. Absolutely.

     Miami fails to make "stylish cities" list: Oh man, the cultivators and caretakers of the South Beach image and lifestyle are going to be verklempt over this one. Miami is nowhere to be found among the world's 10 most stylish cities based on the 2009 Anholt-GfK-Roper City Brands Index. (Click here for the story). The places more stylish than us, in order: Paris, Milan, New York, London, Rome, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Madrid, San Francisco and Barcelona.

     "Old age" begins at 68: That's according to a new survey of Americans. A bunch of 67-year-olds are running around shouting "Yesss!!" and getting tattoos. 

       Beckham, wife in underwear!: It certainly is not unsual for soccer heartthrob David Beckham and perpetually pouting, sullen-looking wife Victoria to be photographed in undies. What interests me about this latest ad is the streak in Dave's hair. Is that lighting? Or is he going for a look that pays homage to the late, great Yvonne DeCarlo from the Munsters?

     Adler's Marlsox suck: That's my fantasy-league baseball team, which has slipped and slided to seventh place. A fantasy baseball rookie, I have discovered that this is harder than fantasy football, at least for me. I'm not sure why.

     Latest round of thanks...: ...to Las Vegas Review-Journal, Merced (Cal.) Sun-Star, Philadelphia Daily News, Regina (Sask.) Leader-Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Seattle Times, SportingNews.com, and, as always, 790 The Ticket.

      Dear Greg...: ...your blog's OK, but if you're going to post a bunch of non-sports stuff like this can't you at least show a picture of Rihanna partying at Tao in Las Vegas wearing only silver-sequinned stars under her tuxedo jacket? Thank you.

      Geez, you'd think with Rihanna dressing like that we'd rank higher than 114th on the damned happy meter! That'll do it for now.

Comments

[Mike]

Do you even bother to fact check this stuff? See the information at this attached link with regard to your Juval Aviv message - http://www.snopes.com/rumors/soapbox/juvalaviv.asp

[OC Dolphin]

Good read Mike. Thanks.

[OC Dolphin]

As far as the "Happiest Place on Earth?" The results just go to prove the old adage: "Ignorance is bliss."

[Canes1]

Cote: That's a bunch of crap - Cubans make the best out of their situation and they are happy by nature i.e., they will laugh and joke about their plight and still party all day long - but Fidel is hiring if you are interested once the Herald closes and you are left without a job.

[mike1]

I'm weary of surveys like this. All depends on the criteria used. Not too long ago, it was people from Iceland. And then Canada won once. Basically, places where people have less stress, don't have to work 40+ hrs a week and can retire at 55 with a good pension; good enough to travel the world. There is a lot of pressure in the US, simply to survive.

Good point made by Canes1 ..but then why do so many risk their lives to come here?

[mike1]

What athlete is top of his game? Of course, several from the world soccer world have been left out. But I'll let it rest.

Miami not making the top 10 stylish list. I'm sure Miami is a top stylish list, but certainly no match for those cities which are listed. Can't come close to Milan; no way.

McNair. More relationship details are now out..and more about his past. Pretty much scum, like most athletes. That's to be expected. And a young, idealistic, naive girl.

[Doc]

Don't look now Cote, but your Marlins prediction is already going down the tube. The Phillies are running on all cylinders now. Rollins is back. Only a Moron would think that a 30 million dollar team could win a Division title. Do everyone a favor and take off the stupid Homer writing glasses.

[r. duke]

If the following is true as reported by my co-worker that Al Sharpton has called for an MJ national day of mourning then Sharpton is a disgustingly, greasy, opportunistic, pig that could probably teach all the other divisive, morally bankrupt, opportunistic, cocksucking wannabes a thing or two about how to be a true "WORLD CLASS CHAMPION OPPORTUNISTIC COCKSUCKING OINKER!" MJ DAY OF MOURNING?! ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME?! Oh yeah by the way love the hair Al... JL are you still sword swallowing Bubble's love potion #9? Good work! Keep it up! Get it KEEP IT UP? ha ha again at your mutherhumping MJ expense. But seriously you don't want to end up like that nice lady who had her face torn off and her brains beaten in by the "Old Navy Chimp" do you?

[r. duke]

Oh yes if Sharpton didn't actually say that he's still a world class divisive oinker imo...

[r. duke]

Rhianna looks alittle cold in that pic. Nice job Greg. Christ nice inviting mouth. I know blondes supposedly have more fun but brunettes are tops on sultriness list..

[OC Dolphin]

duke-ee baby...Relax! Take a deep breath, assume a lotus position and repeat after me: Aummmmmmm, Aummmmmmm, Aummmmmmm...

[r. duke]

OC did my post come off as pissy? Gosh I hope I didn't offend anyone. You're right though I'm a great believer in meditation. Thanks for the advice particularly with my high blood pressure. I'm sure JL wouldn't want me to have a heart attack or stroke out even if I am white trailerpark type trash...

[OC Dolphin]

btw, I have to drive into LA tomorrow morning on business. Not really looking forward to the MJ memorial traffic. Better get some shut-eye, I suppose.

[r. duke]

Aummmmm could I have some of Rhianna's stiff nipples and wet pussy please?

[r. duke]

and I mean that from the bottom of my groin...

[OC Dolphin]

a giggle and an "I hear ya."

[r. duke]

Mr. King has a valid point. Period.

[r. duke]

Discernment. That's what opportunists like Sharpton either don't have or simply choose not to excercise. Same with political big wig from Texas suggesting Texas succeed from rest of country because Obama was president. And then there's Larry Craig's shoe tapping episode in mensroom but I digress. Point is all these people exhibit IQ of a cinder block.

[the shadow knows]

Mr. Cote,

some of us prefer the leaner look of sister venus. who shows off pretty well in those tennis outfits- i think she warms up for her matches in an icebox; serena is overly muscled and don't appeal to me. you seem to be a little "top-heavy" in today's pictures- have rihanna and serena and the beckhams no shame??

[Steve B]

Cote you are a complete moron. Do you think Cubans are free to criticize their own system ?

[Jimbo]

MJ Day- the media is tearing this up. I took in about 10 mins tv coverage viewing total since he died. I didn't notice until last photo that he had a "butthole chin" installed with his plastic surgery. Not Kurt Douglas or Dudley Doright big chin but smaller. What do you they call the people that get addicted to plastic surgery? That could have killed him. What chemicals are injected to bleach the skin like he did?

Cubans are the Happiest People? What? Did they interview 10 Cuban people with 6 armed guards standing behind them? I can tell how happy they are be the amt of leisure boaters that accidentally get lost and find their way to South Florida's shores. How many US defect to Cuba?

Idea: maybe all the people who want universal one payer health care here can defect to Cuba. From what is broad casted, they have an excellent health care system. And everyone there is happy. Your getting the best of both worlds!!!!!

Idea for blog topic/poll:

Which Athlete is your hero?
Lets go back to fairly modern times, say last 50 yrs?
Not going to share my vote till Cote posts something.

[Kurt]

Jimbo, I gave you a couple of good LPGA names to look up on the other thread.

I can't beleive what Cote is putting out there these days. Cubans are the happiest people? Hogwash!

Cote, you leftist - ever see boatloads of them trying to make it to the US?

Ever read about how the conditions these people live in? With all their resources and the tourism potential, Cuba could be a very wealthy nation-state if they were liberated.

[qam fan]

Big O out at QAM... D. A. Takes his spot!

[r. duke]

Jimbo I gotta go with Zonk 1st because he was mans man, a masculine man, a brutal inside runner man and not an honorary NAMBLA card carrying white woman....

[r. duke]

Warfield is actually photo finish with Zonk. Graceful, fast, acrobatic, selfless, class act of a human being. In my mind there still has not been anyone better at his postion when you put all those characteristics together. Can you actually imagine Jerry Rice or TO not crying like bitches if they played on Dolphins dominating run teams and were often asked to block or serve as decoys in order to WIN?

[ben]

Wow! I'd like to see a larger photo of the Serena Williams pic!

[D2183]

LOL the cubans going to get @ you for this one.

[Jimbo]

My sport hero in this lifetime is Lance Armstrong. Tour De France was his bitch...what 8 times? Beats cancer.
Duke, I could see Zonk being in my top 3 of all time admired sports heros.

Kurt, I'll have to check those names out. Cote likes to stir up controversy with US. Good journalism I guess. Look back at all the blog subject and what got the biggest stir and he repeats them. IE, Michael Vick... this gets beat into the ground.

ben, cut and paste and save to your documents, then edit it. If you want, I got some naked pictures of your wife I could send.

Cuban experience: I was at Gitmo quite a while ago when few knew we have a base there. Kids hanging around the fence begging for scraps, 14 yr girls offering $10 BJ's through the chain link.... I'm thinking that they hold you hostage through that fence for all your money and cut you anyway.

My wife bought me this spider web or trap looking thing for my birthday last yr. got a metal ring covered in yarn, middle has some criss crossed yarn and a couple beads with feathers dangling. WTF? she says "It's a dream catcher" & you hang it on the wall. I showed her my underwear worn all day and told her that is my daily dream catcher. See that stain? I was day dreaming about Catherine Zeta Jones a while ago.

[the shadow knows]

qam fan,

"rock solid" took too many swipes at joe rose; plus he was unlistenable- presidente beer versus red star friday was also a mismatch; we miss neil rogers already- all sports can drive one insane

[Adolf Hitler, Furher]

I very much enjoyed ze Max Schmeling if I do zay zo meinself...

[r. duke, public a**hole]

Hey 'Dolf how'd you enjoy Jesse Owens and Joe Lewis? Particularly Lewis in 2nd fight against Schmeling...

[Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer]

VHAT?! ZIS IS TREASON! I VILL HAVE YOU SHOT AND ZHEN TORTURED TO DEATH ZHEN Ahem TAKEN TO DETROIT FOR ZIS OUTRAGE! AS ZOON AS VE DESTROY ZE RED ARMY UNDT IT IS ZAFE TO COMIN' OUT OF MEIN BUNKER YOU VILL BE EXECUTED!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Haney]

I like this Miley Cyrus even if she is a little on the old side fer me.

[r. duke]

In fairness to Mr. Schmeling history has seen fit to cast him in light of quite the decent chap in no way an actual NAZI or political figure. Word has it he remained friends with Joe Lewis and helped him financially when Joe hit rougher times...

[r. duke]

Forgive me champ. I had a feeling it was Louis not Lewis

[the shadow knows]

cubans happy? i'd be happy too if i had five 57 chevys at my disposal; the cubans have more of general motors net worth than GM has. i liked the 58 impalas also!!!

[david in los angeles]

hey cote, how's this for a poll.. what hair-brained, hannity talking point that comes out of jimbo's mouth is the most idiotic? what's wrong with a single payer health plan, jimmy boy? you wouldn't happen to work for an insurance company now, would you?
as far as MJ is concerned, he was the largest crossover artist in history, and the most successful performer. his music transcended cultures, nations and races. his songs are sung,( and will always be sung), by people all over the world. he was a tortured soul, but an icon, and his passing deserves to be recognized as it has. he opened the door for successful black people in all areas of life, in a country not so eager to recognize black culture.

[Jimbo]

I see david, I offered to chill on the political stuff with U - extended the olive branch and you continue to assault me. no sonny boy, I don't sell insurance. Personally, I don't really care 4 Hannity that much and don't listen to him.

[Jimbo]

Kurt----
I checked out Natalie Gulbis & Sarah Kemp and your right---WOW.

Read where McNair's wife Mechelle didn't know about the girlfriend. What's with the publicized photos of him with the girl on a vacation together? How the guy disappears to go on vacations and occasionally lives at his condo in the party spot of Nashville and the wife doesn't have a clue? Maybe she didn't want to know and accepted life as it is. Still a tragic event.

[r. duke]

Yeah David I respect you. However on MJ thing we'll have to agree to well you know go our own separate ways. That MJ made a third of the impact musically and a quarter of impact in terms of fan adulation that he has is waaayyy beyond me. Some guys/gals-JL for instance-are even willing to repeatedly swallow Bubble's semen to show their undying love for MJ but that's neither here nor there. MJ could not touch Jimi Hendrix's fecal matter in terms of real talent, virtuosity and impact on music for generations. Did he sell as many records or have worldwide appeal of MJ perhaps not but consider this, there are alot of wackjobs in the world, Wacko was still alive at a time when there was far greater access to larger number of concert goers across globe and as someone brought up MTV exploded around that time. This same poster on MSN blog(?)was wrong when he said EVERYONE owned a copy of Thriller as I for one am proud to say I did not and never cared to. Always was way too gay/effeminate for my tastes but in the last analysis it is just that I suppose, a matter of tasting and swallowing eh JL?

[Jimbo]

david, I'll try to be gentle with you. Health care is a problem for about 20% of this country's population. Ok, agreed, something needs to be done. Why trust the government to sort it out? What does the government do well? Provide military and law enforcement unmatched by any one else. Maybe the government can lean (force) on the industry to fix their own problems with the threat of shutting them down. Many good companies will be forced out of business. Good companies that are paying more taxes then U or I ever will. A lot of professional people will be out. It's almost like the government is systematically putting this country's economy out of business. Where is all this need tax $ going to come from to pay for everything? You can pay my share.

Bottom line is this, it is fixable without the government taking control and making taxpayers foot the bill for this. It isn't broken but isn't right either.

I got one legit question 4 U. Do you have health care? Usually people have opinions on matters like this because of their own personal situations.

[r. duke]

In terms of crossovers yeah MJ did alot more crossovers than Jimi would ever cared to have done... Jimi really dug adult women in his bed.

[OC Dolphin]

Hey Jimbo, duke. Greg is on his q&a session next door. Either of you have any entertaining questions to pitch at him?

[r. duke]

Ok I'll try again... Have Cote's testicles in fact descended recently as reported by Dan LeBartard, JL and Bubbles the Chimp?

[ginrai]

Alot of Cubans want to come to the U.S. everyday. It's sad how the Cubans put up with the Castros for so long. No country not even the US gives a damn.

What is even sadder that evil socialism influence is spreading to the rest of latin america. Fascism may be bad but so is Socialism or any other form of communism.

[Jimbo]

r duke, MJ was the biggest child star since Shirley Temple. Musically the guy hadn't done anything in a long time. Never personally bought any Jackson music but had purchased a couple Hendrix items. Still have an album, some 45's, 2 CD's. Hendrix is more in tune to my ears also.

[r. duke]

Hey Jimbo don't forget "Spanky the Meaty" from "Our Gang." Also thankyou for your kind words on my ah "style of writing." LOL

[Jimbo]

There's a Cote Poll:
which is the biggest child star ever?

shirley temple
spanky
bart simpson
michael jackson
howdy doody
danny partridge
greg brady
timmy/lassy show
cartman

[anti christ]

Jimbo, also add stewie from the family guy, also add Wednesday Addams(not the one from the sixties but the one with Christina Ricci)

[anti christ]

lil ginrai, what kind of goverment do they have on your home planet??