Note:  My World Cup column will come after the semifinals.  I'm predicting Spain and The Netherlands.  Spain is too skilled in the midfield and solid on defense.  Uruguay is spent and missing Suarez.  Plus, as my sister Lauren puts it:  Germany still has bad karma forever.

Here's what I think about LeBron . . . just kidding.  Is there a more annoying daily sports topic.  It was fine, once, not every five minutes.  The only thing that could make it worse would be if they made Floyd Landis an NBA free agent.  He's annoying topic #2.

Tiger Woods shot a 79 today.  Why do I feel like I could do that when I'm playing consistent golf?

Oh my gosh!  The #1 NHL pick signed with the Oilers.  Quick, tell me his name.

I'm glad I got one NBA free agent prediction right.  Amare to the Knicks.  Too bad for Knicks fans.  They just paid $100 million for a guy with no competitive edge and zero defensive ability.  On the bright side, Joe Johnson's off the market, so at least they didn't waste $200 million.

Let me go over my complaints about the MLB All-Star selections.  Um, I don't have any.  It's an exhibition game that determines who has home field in the World Series because Bud Selig's nuts.  Unless a future Hall of Famer gets snubbed and therefore hurts his resume when put on the ballot, it makes zero difference.  Joey Votto will make plenty of All Star games.  Good for Omar Infante.  He's on my NL only fantasy team and he's only good enough to crack the utility spot.  Maybe I'll move him into his natural position now.

Quick note to anyone who likes soccer celebrations:  Don't re-enact them on dancefloors.  I've wanted to do the two-knee slide ever since I saw it the first time.  I figured, hey, I'm in a rented tux, the floor's slippery, it's my friends' wedding.  What a perfect way to celebrate their becoming man and wife, right?  So I cleared a path, executed the slide, then left some of my knee on the dance floor.  It hurts 8 days later anytime anything remotely touches it.  It could be worse though.  I could be the Ghana player who missed the PK in the 120th minute.  My knee will heal, he will not.  Moral of the story, don't do soccer celebrations on dancefloors.

I'm still happy about the USC sanctions enacted by the hypocritical NCAA.  Couldn't be happier actually.  Now if only that clean as a whistle Rick Neuheisel can take advantage and make UCLA a football contender once again.

I caught the MMA fight over the weekend at a sports bar.  If you're looking for an example as to why our society is going down the moral ladder, look no further than an MMA crowd.  I heard, "BREAK HIS FACE!", "KILL HIM!", and "MAKE HIM BLEED!  YES!!!"  Let's just say I won't be partaking in that again, ever.  We're one step away from the Roman Gladiator days with the ground and pound MMA and its posse.  And yes, I still like boxing.  Sue me.

Anybody noticing how dominant the pitchers have been this year?  Two perfect games, even more no hitters, and an almost perfect game.  Not to mention all of the low scoring games that permeate the game right now.  NBA eliminated defense by not allowing defenders to touch anyone, will MLB re-instate steroids?  Bring back baseball players who look like The Ultimate Warrior!

I love L.A., but nothing says class like celebrating an NBA Championship like defacing other people's property.

My boy Bryce Taylor is playing Summer League for the Pacers.  Good luck sir.

My people signed Dwight Howard and had John Wall selected first within a week's time.  Congrats to two great guys, and to Misters Wall and Howard, you will not be disappointed.  If I had a week like that, I think I'd need to hire bodyguards to keep me away from Vegas.

If the U.S. invaded Mali after that ref screwed us in the Slovenia game, would anybody have minded?  Did I mention I love the World Cup?  I know, I know, I said the World Cup column will be separate, but I can't get it out of my brain.  I just watched the Landon Donovan goal against Algeria, then watched it announced in Spanish, then watched the 5 minute 38 second video of reactions from different bars and scenes as Donovan scored.  The best part comes when you know Dempsey just failed to put it in because a ton of people look like they just saw five puppies die, but then you know euphoria is a split second away when Donovan pounds it home.  GOL!!!!!!! 

When is Matt Kemp going to be the 5-tool, first round fantasy player we all thought he would be this year?  Is it okay to blame Rihanna at this point?

JaMarcus Russell got arrested with syzurp, otherwise known as codeine and soda.  Is he trying to top Todd Marinovich?

I just saw Gordon Hayward.  It should have been mandatory that he end up on the Jazz.  How many times does an opposing player this season, when asked who he's guarding say, "I got Opie."

The MLB All-Star game may not get me all that excited, but the Home Run Derby sure does. 

Do these TV companies really think 3D television will catch on?  You have to put on glasses to watch.  Do they not know how lazy we all are?  We watch sports because we want to sit on a couch and pretend we're playing.  We watch television because we have nothing better to do.  There's no way I'm dealing with getting up and down to put 3D glasses on, let alone the upkeep.  Can I bet against 3D television catching on?  I think the WNBA and professional curling have a better shot at success.  What's that?  The WNBA has been around for over a decade?  Oh, nevermind.  Still, curling has a shot. 

To conclude this 4th of July Weekend edition of RW Random Thoughts, I recommend Restrepo, the documentary shot with a unit in the Korengal Valley, one of the deadliest places in our fight.  It will further your appreciation for what these kids go through and make you more aware, not only of their sacrifice, but of what little business we have in Afghanistan.  I don't usually put my political sentiments into RW, but this film just hammers home the point.  Go see it and tell me otherwise.

Happy 4th of July everybody.