Billy King, Floyd Landis: Both Riding Toward a Title?

Some quick observations while hoping Hezbollah gets demolished worse than the Cubs in the 7th inning yesterday…..

• Billy King has been much maligned during his tenure as Sixers GM, and the criticism has been valid at times. However, he is getting way too much heat and not enough credit for things he has done well. First, to the “heat”. Everyone in town complains about the horrible Chris Webber move, but at the time of the move, fans were hailing Billy as a genius for pulling off a move to bring an unselfish superstar to pair with A.I. On paper, this was exactly the type of partnership that could have thrived. It turns out as a bad deal cause Webber actually only has one leg, but I am fairly certain nobody (save maybe the Kings doctor and he wasn’t talking) knew that his career as we knew it was all but over. Next, Billy did a great job on this year’s draft. He got an athletic player he coveted and simultaneously orchestrated parlaying him into an extra pick in the second round for a proven winner in Bobby Jones, who represents exactly the type of blue collar work ethic that this city thrives on (i.e., Rod Brind A’Mour, Aaron Rowand). In addition, Billy made the transformation towards defense with both selections, something this squad has lacked since 2001, which coincidentally is the last time it had any real success. Of course, Billy’s entire future rides on what he gets for Iverson, who is past the point of no return. Here is the problem: you never get full value when you trade a superstar, especially one with as many red flags as A.I. So, I think Billy is fighting an uphill battle (kind of like the salmon does, and look what happens to them at the end of their trip), one that he will probably lose. I think it is too bad because I think he gets it now and is on his way to turning the team around (a process that will take 3-4 years but unfortunately, even with Ed Snider, Billy will not be there to reap the rewards). The masses will be excited when Billy gets fired next year which just goes to show that they sometimes do not get it either. It will serve them right if he gets replaced by Isiah Thomas, who will be looking for a job by then.
• Everybody embraced Lance Armstrong, mainly because he overcame a terrible disease to win the most grueling bike race in the world, seven times in a row. Nobody really cared that Lance is not that good of a guy who always put himself before his wife or kids. And that is OK, his accomplishment was indeed amazing. My question is: How come America could not care less about Floyd Landis. This guy is unbelievable. He has a degenerative hip condition that will require a hip replacement after the tour. His pain is so bad that he can barely walk. Think Bo Jackson. Think Casey Martin. And this guy is in the best position to win the toughest race in the world, one that makes soccer and basketball players look out of shape. So, follow the tour for the next week. And root for Floyd Landis. He deserves it every bit as much as Lance.
• Things I think about when Brett Myers faced Barry Bonds yesterday: imagine how much worse Brett’s wife would have been if her husband had the same trainer as Bonds. I know, I am not right….could the Phillies have blundered this situation any worse? I cannot wait to see what happens between now and July 31st…