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The Chat House
With Tony Kornheiser
and Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Columnists
Monday, Feb. 25, 2002; 1:30 p.m. ET
The Chat House is BACK! Join Wilbon and Kornheiser LIVE today to talk about sports, including The Winter Games, life and just about anything else.
If you're a sports junkie and you can't get enough of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon fighting each other in the sports pages of The Washington Post. Then, it's your chance to talk to both gurus LIVE!
The transcript of today's discussion follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
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Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Hi folks and welcome back to The Chat House! It's my fault we are late today. I got on the Metro to come down to PTI's studios, I wasn't paying attention and took the train in the wrong direction. Luckily, it was only for one stop. I realized my mistake and got down here fine. Then we had a bit of a computer problem trying to get logged on. But, we are fine now. So sorry! Let me go and get the guys and we'll get started. --Mary
WDC:
ever start on time?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Actually yes. Mike and I started on time on Friday when he was chatting from The Games. In fact, we were 5 mins. early. I know that only partially/hardly makes up for the multiple times we have been late, but work with me. --Mary
USA Berets...:
Mary --
You may want to re-think the beret -- they were selling them on QVC and the host-guy was actually wearing it. The Ick-O-Meter nearly exploded.
How is the feret?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: No beret from Mike. Alas. Re: QVC dude. Creepy. The ferret is fine. --Mary
Evanston, Ill.:
I saw that "PTI" was on five times in one day last week and that got me wondering if you guys -- newspaper, radio, TV and Internet stars -- would now consider yourselves to be Bigger than Jesus?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: A typical sarcastic question from the home of Northwestern U. John Lennon got in a lot of trouble by making that comparison. I basically consider myself to simply be overexposed and a horrifying, no talent whose success proves that the taste of the American public can NEVER be underestimated. --Tony
Helena, Mont.:
Both of you write so eloquently yet, when you get to the Chat House, you both turn into Joe Pyne types shouting down questioners with just nonsensical insults. Why do you do something that can only damage your reputations as journalists?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I can't speak for Mike, but I no longer have a reputation as a journalist. I am an entertainer now. While that pains me at times, I accept it for what it is. Wilbon tends to shout, scream. I just do it for effect. It's like sometimes I make TV. Sometimes I make radio. Sometimes I actually put my heart and soul into a newspaper column. And once a week, I make Chat. I do like your Joe Pyne reference though. That means you're at least 50 years old. See you at the next AARP meeting pal. --Tony
Florida Redskins:
Here comes the ex-Florida Gators players jumping the chance to play for Spurrier. Who do you think the Redskins should pursue for QB, Shane Matthews or Danny Wuerfel?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: The first year that Spurrier is here will probably be a bad year. I'm thinking four or five wins. Spurrier's whole offense is based on a QB doing precisely what he says. I believe that any of his ex-QBs at Florida would be better than any NFL veteran who insists on having a mind of his own. This is a system thing. Matthews and Wuerffel have done nothing in the NFL. But w/Spurrier coaching them, I believe they would show VAST improvement. They wouldn't be good, but they'd be acceptable I think. --Tony
Washington, DC:
Now that it's all said and done, what do you think the SLC Olympics will be remembered for? Please, please, PLEASE don't say speculative judging...
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Then why are you asking me that question? It's clear that the dominating story of the Olympics was the Canadian pairs getting awarded a 2nd gold medal. The judging scandal was by FAR the biggest story of the Olympics. And it's what these Olympics will be remembered for especially if down the road other people collect medals for slights and wrongs and bad judging. What the hell do you think is the story of the Olympics? The bobsled? --Tony
Curling. --Mary
Herndon, Va.:
Mr. Tony and Mr. Mike: Great to have you actually back together in (I hope) the same city! Is there any chance NHL management will have enough brains to change its rules so "ordinary" hockey games will resemble those in the Olympics, rather than the grind it out semi-slugfests the league now features?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: This Wilbon's issue. Wilbon goes to the Olympics and refuses to watch skating, even though skating is the complete centerpiece of the winter Olympics. So, he goes and watches hockey and makes hockey reform into a big issue. Hockey is watched and cared about by 20,000 people in every major city in this country. That's all. You could put hockey games on TV every night in primetime and nobody would watch. Whether the NHL converts to Olympic rules or not, is a minor issue right now. Hockey is just not mainstream America. --Tony
Fredericksburg, Va.:
Why on Earth did Maryland retire Steve Francis' number before the Duke game last week? The guy played one season at Maryland, and if you remember the Sweet 16 game against St.John's, essentially quit on his team.
Yes, he's a good, soon to be great, pro player, but as a Maryland alum, I'm insulted this guy is up there with Bias, King, and Williams.
Comments?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I actually spoke to Gary Williams about this and Gary believes that Francis did a tremendous amount for MD's basketball program in just one year. My feeling was that he used MD like a trade school and got just enough out of it to pursue his career. I can't fault that, not at all. But I will admit that to some degree that I think a one year guy probably shouldn't get his jersey honored on the rafters at an academic institution. --Tony
Beltsville, MD:
So, the Wizards are falling fast and now MJ is out of action. Why don't they play B. Haywood for an entire game? He is a good scorer but they don't let him shoot. He was a great player with Carolina.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Are you serious? You think he was a great player w/Carolina? He was a FAT, soft dog w/Carolina. The revelation is how good he is now compared to then. I'm fine w/them playing him 40 mins a game. But don't you think if Doug Collins felt that would win games he would? --Tony
Oklahoma City, Okla.:
Do you think that Mike is done? I hate to see him playing in the shape he is in, and he and the Wizards will be extremely lucky to get to the playoffs. I think he needs to go back home, and take care of his family.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I don't think he's done. I don't think he's close to done. I think his knee hurts. What do you mean "he needs to go back home and take care of his family?" His family has 200 million dollars to play with. What are you talking about? Do you think Mike ought to shop for milk and eggs for them b/c they can't do it themselves? Seriously, rethink these questions. --Tony
Alexandria VA:
Ok Tony lets not talk about the Olympics. Let's talk about March Madness. Do you have any predictions for the outcome of the NCAA tournament. Are you backing any dark horses?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I never could bring myself to say this before. But Maryland has a real chance to win the national title. I believe Duke is better and Kansas is better and Cinncinati has the best player in the country, including Jason Williams. There are some SEC teams that could win it, but so can Maryland. Maryland is deep and amazingly experienced for a top 10 team. They have 3 seniors and a junior in the starting line-up. That's really impressive. --Tony
Mike has arrived! Hang on a sec and let him get his coat off. --Mary
maryland:
Hi Mike,
Will Chris Wilcox turn pro after this season?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Hi everyone. I certainly hope not and he is nowhere near ready for the NBA. I recommend strongly that everyone go out and get the SI piece on the Rush brothers, Kareem and JaRon. Kareem is still at Missouri and has a shot to be a real pro. While his brother is now screwing around in the developmental league. Wilcox.... please. All he is is a great prospect. --Mike
Blacksburg, Va.:
Mike, thanks for checking in from Salt Lake multiple times last week -- very cool.
You both seem to have been pretty busy, but have either of you had a chance to talk at length with Spurrier yet? If so what do you think vs. what we've all heard?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: I'm sorry I have not talked to Spurrier yet. Tony has talked to him. But the Redskins are not going to be on my radar until the summer. There is just too much fun stuff w/Maryland and Georgetown and Jordan and the proposed Tyson fight. I'm not one of the hot stove league guys that likes to deal w/out of season stuff. I like everything in its time and it just isn't time for me for football. --MIke
Vienna, Va.:
Do you think Gretzky should clarify his "whole world hates us" and "U.S. propaganda" rants? Or do you think he's now going to use "the whole world hates Arizona" trick to motivate the U.S. team he owns?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: It was just coach's rhetoric, dumb stuff that people in charge use to fire up the troops. It irritated me too at the time b/c Gretzky is so Polyana. But you've got to understand he is the single, nicest guy you have ever met in your life. And he went out of character b/c everyone associated w/hockey in Canada felt so desperate to win this gold medal. Remember, Canada is obsessed w/hockey the way the US is w/baseball, football and basketball. And Gretzky's sense of urgency and that silly us-against-the- world expression was heartfelt, even though it sounds so hokie coming from him. --Mike
Alexandria, Va.:
While I enjoyed the Olympic events that I saw between all the commercials, I must say that Bob Costas was terrible -- it seemed as though he was on drugs, not knowing who he was talking about, fumbling over words, reading others persons scripts -- what gives? He was OK in the past, but he must have had brain freeze or something. Truly dreadful.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: You're talking to the wrong guy. I'm a HUGE fan of Bob's work. I like virtually everything he does, but as far as these games go. I was there so I wasn't actually watching it on TV. I can tell you this: Tony loves Costas as much if not more than I do. --Mike
herndon, va:
The big question of the day is: DID WILBON BRING BACK A BERET FOR MARY? If not, do we need to take up a collection? steve
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: NO. You don't have to bring people souvenirs anymore. --Mike
Uh, hello. You do for ME pal. --Mary
It's a quaint notion, totally passe. They sell the same merchandise everywhere in the world now. All you have to do is go on the Internet wherever you are and buy the same stuff they were selling in SLC. And on the Net you don't have to wait an hour and a half in line which is what I would have done. So, while Mary is still the Queen of The Chat House her gifts will have to be delivered by FedEx. --Mike
Grinch. --Mary
College Park, Md.:
Well, now that the Entertainment Tonight/Coke/Visa/Disney games are finally history, we can talk real sports.
Given the tough games in the past week for the top three in college basketball, who looks to be top dog? Kansas and UMD were almost upset (and maybe should have been), but Duke has to be concerned about facing the Terps in the ACC tournament. Maybe another team we should be watching?
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: How about Wake Forest? How about Oklahoma? How about U-Conn? Marquette? Cinncinati is too good to be a dark horse. There are plenty of teams about there. I think Maryland is the best team in the country..... okay, Maryland and Kansas. And Duke, obviously is right there w/them. I just wonder about Duke's lack of size, lack of depth and lack of free throw shooting. And I never bet against Duke. I can't wait for March. I too am glad that the Winter Games are outta here. --Mike
Annandale, Va.:
Michael --
Based on your experience in Salt Lake City, do you think Baltimore-Washington should continue to pursue the Olympics and that we could pull them off? Sally Jenkins seems negative on at least the first of these questions.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Yes Washington-Baltimore should pursue the Olympics and should feel v. good about its chances to get the nod among American cities from the USOC next year. I know this metropolitan area could do a great job hosting the games. There are a lot of IOC people who want the Games to be held in capital cities. That qualifies DC doesn't it? All the stadiums are here already except an Olympic stadium, which would be built on the site of RFK. Everything else exists: FedEx field and PSI Net for soccer; Camden Yards and University of Maryland for baseball; MCI, the new Comcast at Maryland, Cole Field House, a refurbished Armory, Cap Center, the Smith Center at GW, Burrd Gymnasium at Howard, Bender Arena at AU and George Mason's Patriot Center for things like basketball, boxing, wrestling, gynmastics, fencing, archery..... you get the picture. What DC needs to spend the big dough on is transportation. Trains, trains, trains, trains..... that's what we learned in Sydney. TRAINS. We've got 10 years to build 'em. --Mike
Houston, Tex.:
Hi Tony and Mike,
I loved watching Olympic hockey. It seems a lot of people I know would like to see the NHL adopt international rules and bigger rinks. Who is primarily against this? Are there any valid reasons for not changing? Also, I was wondering if you had a sense of the players' feelings on this issue. Thanks.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: If you can watch PTI tonight at 5:30 ET or on the deuce at 7 and 11:30, you'll get the answer to all those questions b/c we discuss that. --Mike
He is shameless. Just shameless! --Mary
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon: Okay folks, we've got to go. We'll be back here next Monday at 1:30 pm ET. Please join us and thanks for coming. --The Chat House
PS: Submit your questions early so I can read them and pick them for TK and Wilbon to answer! --Mary
washingtonpost.copm:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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