by Jessamyn McIntyre

According to a report in the LA Times, a fight broke out backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live.

If that's not surprising enough, perhaps the participants will prove more interesting: Marv Albert and 50 Cent's entourage. Yes, this happened, and according to the report, "There was shouting. There were obscenities. A fist or two flying."

Allegedly, the entourage didn't recognize Albert, the veteran NBA announcer. Even so, would a man of Marv Albert's stature cause concern for someone like 50 Cent?

Who would you take in the smackdown?

by Jessamyn McIntyre

One would think that Larry Johnson would look at his new chance with the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals as a clean slate, a fresh start. One thinking that would be giving too much credit to Larry Johnson:

So much for new beginnings. I suppose we'll see if he backs it up when the Bengals take on the Chiefs on December 16th.

Did you learn nothing from your social networking faux pas, Larry?

It's always a pleasure talking to one of the all-time greats, especially when that all-time great happens to be the one and only, Mike Ditka. After such an eventful weekend in the NFL, I knew we'd have plenty to talk about.

There was much made of Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th and 1 in the fourth quarter last night - a decision which ultimately cost the Patriots the game. Ditka understands why Belichick made the decision, stating, "I think he had a lack of trust in his defense to stop Manning, and I think he had a lack of trust in Peyton Manning to make a mistake. It's not like they never do it - they're a team that takes chances and that's why they're good."

When asked if he would make the same call, however, Coach said, "That's why I'm not coaching - me? I'd never do it. You have to put a little confidence and give your defense a little pat on the back."

Last night's match-up was clearly a battle between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. When comparing the two, Ditka knows where the differences are. "Peyton Manning runs that offense - he's a coach on the field. As good as a quarterback as Tom Brady is, he has an offensive coordinator calling the plays. Peyton Manning does it all himself, so to say that because he doesn't have 3 Super Bowl rings, that's not the criteria you go with."

Dave Wyman was with me today, as he is every Monday - and one problem he has with the NFL these days is the excessive fining of players for hits on quarterbacks and wide receivers. Though Ditka agrees with Wyman that the game has changed since either one of them has played, there's good reason why the rules became what they are today.

The Bengals proved their worth following with their second win over the Steelers this season. Ditka put it simply, "Identity theft. The Bengals stole the Steelers identity yesterday. People underestimate that football team - they are playing with so much more toughness than ever before."

"You got a lot of money tied up in these players, and they're protecting them, but you have to be careful not to legislate football out of football. Lombardi said it best when he said, 'Football's not a contact sport, dancing is a contact sport. Football is a collision sport.' I understand why they're doing it, but you gotta be careful because football is football."

Quite possibly the quote of the day, Coach Ditka responded to Bud Adams' one finger salute after yesterdays game: "God bless him, he's 86 years old - 86 is a good number. If you're 86, you deserve to flip somebody off."

If you missed any of our conversation with the Coach, you can hear it in it's entirety right here.

What do you think about Bud Adams' flip-off? Would you take Tom Brady or Peyton Manning if given the choice? Bill Belichick's decision? I'll take your comments on all of 'em below!

Apparently not satisfied with leaving the Cardinals' win over the Seahawks on the field, Darnell Dockett went on a "tweet-fest" last night and into today. He began with:

"Bird Gang came back today that's what fighters do! And for u unloyal a** fans that boo when things aint right I wish ud stay ya a** HOME!"

Well, he did emphasize the win there. Guess he's not too thrilled with some fan reaction. But the ramblings were just beginning...

"Oh and before I move on. #SHOUTOUT burleson for the guarantee on the win. I guess his a** wrote a check that he couldn't cash->REFUND!"

"I don't normally do this but I got much respect for @MatthewHass008 U 1 tough player good luck and stay healthy,the forarm was by accident!"

I suppose you could say he was reaching out to Matt Hasselbeck in an effort to dispel any thought that his rampant forearm to the neck was actually on purpose. Right. And the final gem on the Hawks:

"Dear coach mora, its football s*** happens if u ever played the game ud understand, really I would try to hurt matt. He's a good guy."

It's things like this that have me constantly uttering the phrase, "Just shut up!"

Your thoughts below.

by Jessamyn McIntyre

Not only does 86 year-old Titans owner, Bud Adams, flip off the crowd after yesterday's win - but he did it after a win over Buffalo. Coached by Dick Jauron. It's not as if he just defeated Bill Belichick and the Patriots, or the undefeated Colts or Saints. Check it out below.

It's bad enough that he did it at all - but couldn't he have saved it for a more worthy adversary?

Your comments on the bird-flip below.

After last night's win over the Miami Heat, LeBron James said he's thinking about switching his jersey number from 23 to 6, as a tribute to his childhood hero, Michael Jordan (who just so happened to be in attendance last night). He's urging other #23's to do the same.

Though it's an extremely respectful gesture, should Michael Jordan's jersey be retired across the league? The jersey #23 is retired in Miami and Chicago. Does he need more than that?

Jalen Rose didn't think so, as he addressed the issue on SportsCenter today. "I think it shows the maturity of LeBron James and it is something for the NBA to think about. But at a time in our country when segregation and racial tension was at its height, Bill Russell, the best champion in professional sports - 11 titles in 13 seasons - two as the first African American NBA Head Coach! When you talk about paving the way for all of us - I look to a guy like that."

We'll be discussing this today on the show - let me know what you think. Should Michael Jordan's number be retired across the NBA? Leave your thoughts below.

Apparently the NFL wasn't as amused as Chad OchoCinco when he pulled out a dollar bill and pretended to bribe a ref to call his catch in bounds.

OchoCinco was fined $20K by the league for his little stunt. His conduct was called "unprofessional and unbecoming of an NFL player," by the leagues executive vice president, Ray Anderson.

Well, if Chad thinks it's worth it to continue playing these little games, at least we know he's sending a lot of cash to the charities of the NFL's choice. Do you think it's worth it?

by Jessamyn McIntyre

I'm sure some out there will say, "It happens to everyone in the NBA at some point in their career." But after watching Dwyane Wade destroy Anderson Varejao on this play, I'm surprised he didn't head straight for the locker-room muttering something that sounds like, "I want my mommy."

Was Wade showing off in front of LeBron in an attempt to lure him to Miami? Well if he was, he gets my vote.

Rate or comment on the dunk below: A) Impressive B) Over The Top C) Varejao is shamed into returning to Brazil

By all indications, they're certainly not doing well - that's for sure. Byron Scott was fired from his head coaching position today, in favor of GM Jeff Bowers, with help from his top assistant, Tim Floyd. Not only was Scott fired after just 9 games, but he won coach of the year in 2008!

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, who joined me today, Scott is the least of their problems. "Nobody wants to get fired, but I think when Byron gets a little time away from this thing, it might come as a little bit of a relief to him. The Hornets still have a lot of problems."

As we all know by now too - in the NBA, you have to keep your stars happy. New Orleans is $3 million over the luxury tax cap. Do you really think George Shinn is concentrating on Chris Paul's discontent with his surrounding cast right now?

So where would the Hornets move? I know what you're all thinking - believe me, it crossed my mind too. But those of you hoping they'll come to Seattle are forgetting one major component - they need a place to play! KeyArena just won't cut it folks.

Marc, however, was less of a 'realist' than me, saying, "Look, the commissioner has said a zillion times that he wants to go back in Seattle." Oh really? Funny, Mr. Stern hasn't been so forthcoming in anything I've read lately.

Personally, I think Vegas is the next big thing for the NBA. Sure, there were off-the-court problems during the All-Star Game, but when it comes down to dollars and cents, that won't stop them. Here's why:

1) Oscar Goldman, the mayor of the city, is pretty much "Mr. Vegas" and will do anything to improve upon what is already a hotspot.

2) Imagine the investors you'd attract with a location like Vegas. Fantastic location, people with money to spend, and the potential to sell out every game by rolling tickets into packages.

3) It's sexy! And sex sells, folks. Sex sells.

Marc thinks there are other cities in line before Vegas, mostly due to the fact that they don't have any NBA Arena. "I don't know if it's ready for a team. In this economy I don't see people shelling out big bucks for an arena."

Look, there's nothing more that I'd like to see than an NBA team heading to Seattle. But it's just not happening as soon as next year, and from the looks of things - New Orleans is on the move soon.

I think Vegas is the perfect place for an NBA team - do you? Leave your thoughts below.

The Mariners signed Ken Griffey Jr. for 2010 and I couldn't be happier about it. Iconic figures have their place in the Seattle sports world - tell me I'm wrong. You're picturing them in your head right now.

The thing is though, that where Griffey stands is beyond just the fans he brings to the ball park. He had a tremendous impact on the clubhouse this year, and I think he'll do the same exact thing in 2010.

Not everyone, however, agreed with me, particularly Keith Law, of ESPN.com. Keith posted the following regarding Griffey's return today:

Griffey not worth it

"He's just about useless as a player now, barely worth his roster spot, let alone the salary he'll be paid. I assume this was forced on GM Jack Zduriencik by ownership; if I was a GM and ownership tried to force an old, injury-prone, hostage-taking player like Griffey on me, I'd quit. You can't build a winning team playing silly sentimental games with players whose suns set eons ago."

Geez, Keith - tell us what you really think. Despite what Mr. Law had to say, though, I couldn't help but think there were those who disagreed. Enter, Mr. Credibility, the one and only Peter Gammons!

Peter was quick to dispel Law's statement. "There is a place in baseball for sentiment. Is this something th fans like? Yes. But on the other hand, he was so great in the clubhouse last year that it's a no-lose situation."

But Griffey is only one piece of the puzzle. I was curious as to what Peter thought the Mariners would continue to do this off-season. Regarding the one guy everyone's talking about, I asked him what the chances of keeping King Felix looked like.

"I think pretty good. It's a great park to pitch in, he's grown up in that organization and the Mariners have money."

He also thinks the Mariners will be in the conversation regarding some big name free agents and trade potentials. "I think they could be a major player for someone like (John) Lackey. Or maybe they take Bronson Arroyo - they could probably get him for nothing, and he'd be a very solid 200 inning guy behind Hernandez."

Sounds good to me! If that's what Jack wants to do, I don't see anything stopping him. He's a man that gets things done.

In addition, Peter and I talked about Franklin Gutierrez, and his glaring omission from the Glove Glove winners. Putting it perfectly, "Franklin Gutierrez, graded better than any outfielder in baseball - that was embarrassing."

Looking ahead

So what will Ken Griffey Jr. look like in 2010? His former teammate, Jay Buhner, spent some time on the airwaves with me today. He claims Griffey's looking to get mean and lean!

"I think he's got one more year in him and I think he's fired up about it. He's going to do everything he can to get ready so when he goes into spring training he's ready to go."

And what will his role be next year? I asked ESPN's Tim Kurkjian that question when he came on the show today, and though he'll be on the 25-man roster, Griffey won't get the same amount of time he saw in 2009.

"His health will have to do with it. I think he'll be a part time player, but a productive one. Certainly one with some power."

While we're looking ahead, I should mention that the man who closed the deal himself, Jack Zduriencik, was kind enough to spend some time with me to talk about Griffey and the Mariners in 2010.

First of all, of course, he had to talk about how happy he is to have Griffey back. "The great thing with him is that he wanted to be a part of this turnaround here, he wanted to contribute back to a club who gave him his start. We're all very happy."

Apparently the feeling is mutual, as Jack explained the voicemail he received from Griffey today. "Call me, I'm very, very happy."

Regarding the rest of the off-season transactions, Jack didn't have much to report...yet. "We're just trying to line up our ducks and see who's interested in Seattle. We're going to leave all of our options on the table."

I don't want to get too optimistic here, Seattle, but Jack Zduriencik makes it hard not to. This man knows what he's doing, and I'm on board! Come on - you know you are too. I suppose for now, we just watch and wait until the rest of the 'ducks' fall in place.

I'll tell you what I didn't expect - to wake up on a Wednesday morning and jump on the phone with Peter Gammons, Tim Kurkjian, Jay Buhner and Jack Zduriencik! If you missed any of their interviews, click on their names to listen!

Thoughts on Griffey with the Mariners in 2010? Leave 'em below!