SI.com - Writers - Don Banks: Clarett's bad 40 hurts draft stock - Saturday February 26, 2005 9:19PM

SI.com - Writers - Don Banks: Clarett's bad 40 hurts draft stock - Saturday February 26, 2005 9:19PM

Mr. Clarett still fails to impress. He was a standout during his freshman year at Ohio State two years ago, but he's done little but "step on it" since. I'm sure he's had other things to distract him from maintaining health and fitness at pro competition levels since then. However, he continues to fail do the things he can do to help himself achieve his goal. He needs to get through this, but it's looking more and more like it's time for him to find some solid employment and eke out an existence like any other young adult.

First Post-Rose Game

I'm in a funk. I still can't believe they traded Malik. Sure, they needed a big man. Sure, they needed salary cap room for this summer. I think I understand that. But did they mess up the team chemistry? I hope not.

No. No. No. They're professionals. They can overcome this. I understand that, but...but...but.

The Spurs Traded Malik!

Say it isn't so! But I should have seen it coming. His minutes have been declining all year. Something didn't click right. I'm not as familiar with Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer as perhaps I should be. As for Malik Rose, this could work out well for him as well--at least I hope so.

She will tell you I've been on the Spurs "groupie tour." Harrumph. In truth, She needs this time to learn and grow as a writer. I spoonfed Her the first draft, but now it's time for Her to do the work. I call it, "Tough Love." Why else would I maintain this travel schedule? Of course, She could authorize me to subscribe to NBA League Pass, and I'd be home more. Will She do that? Noooooo. See yah!

USSR Lomonosov

For those of you who have been wondering since September just why I've claimed a photo of an obviously ceramic polar bear as my own, I'll attempt to answer.

I enjoy that likeness. This particular ceramic bear is known around this house as the "Sitting Lomonosov." There is also a "Walking Lomonosov" and a "Baby Lomonosov." All three were produced in the former Soviet Union and have USSR stamped on the bottom of them. The Lomonosov factory still exists and still produces these bears, but they, of course, no longer stamp USSR on the bottom of them.

She also has a pair of Royal Dux bears of a similar size. She has a plant shelf in the master bedroom, and they reside comfortably up there, watching over Her. She has another, larger bear (but obviously not as large as me) on the plant shelf in the living room, guarding the common areas of the house. Then there are the other bears, of little consequence to me, that litter this house and the one in Texas.

If you want to see the likeness of my twin brother, you may recall the picture from June 5, 2003. So far, nobody has ever taken a picture of me, and I intend for it to stay that way for awhile. But really, the Sitting Lomonosov captures my personality quite well.