Friday Funhouse: Dec. 2, 2011

Time to wrap-up another crazy week at "The Isle."

Here's the top news, complete with sarcastic and satirical comments from yours truly.

- THE NBA IS BACK!

So, like a lot of fans, I have mixed emotions about this. I kind've want all these spoiled millionaires to lose out on a season and learn their lesson. The problem with that is multi-layered. First, what about the rookies? I'm down with them having to work at Best Buy because "Melo" and "CP3" can't agree how much their brand is worth. Also, the fans lose by not getting to watch the NBA for a year.

Ultimately, I'm happy. I'll get to watch the Lakers on Christmas. I'll get to see if "The Jimmer" is legit or just a bunch of hype. I'll get to see if the Miami Heat can live up to expectations or melt under the pressure again. I love the NBA and I'm happy they worked out their ridiculous multi-million dollar differences. 

Here's what else happened this week:

- BERNIE FINE IS FIRED BY SYRACUSE

In the wake of the awful "Jerry Sandusky PSU" scandal, a new and eerily similar story has emerged. Syracuse University Basketball Assistant Coach Bernie Fine was accused of improper conduct by a former ball-boy. Head Coach Jim Boeheim, a long-time personal friend of Fine, denounced the allegations, inferring that they were lies told by someone looking for a payday.

Turns out, Boeheim may have spoken too quickly.

A few days ago, ESPN broke the story that the original accuser had recorded a phonecall between himself and Fine's wife, in which the two discussed the alleged crimes as in a manner that made it sound as if Fine's wife believes that they did occur.

Damning, to say the least.

This isn't a fun story, so it may be out of place in the funhouse. It's still something that happened and hard for me to ignore.

As someone who has taught and coached for six years, I hold a special level of detest for men who perpetrate acts like these. Preying on the weak is evil. This is pure evil.

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- PENTATONIX WIN SEASON 3 OF NBC'S "THE SING-OFF"

If you never watched this show and you have any kind of musical inkling, this show is something you need to check out.

It's basically "American Idol" for Acapella groups. Sounds nerdy. I know. That's fine. I've been called much worse.

Honestly though, it's way cooler than it sounds.

The winning group, "Pentatonix," were our (my wife's and my) favorite act on the show. Here's why:

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- URBAN MEYER IS THE NEW OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL COACH

About a year ago, then Florida University football coach Urban Meyer announced he'd be stepping away from coaching, citing a need to attend to medical issues of his own, as well as a desire to spend more time with his family.

Last week, over the Thanksgiving holiday, a report surfaced that Meyer had agreed, in principle, to accept the job as the new football coach of Ohio State University.

When asked about the rumors, Meyer said there was "absolutely no truth to the reports." Several days later, a press conference was held to announce his official hiring.

At first, I defended him. If he didn't want to answer questions on Thanksgiving about work, that's his prerogative.

But then I thought a bit more about it. If he didn't want to answer questions, he could have just given the standard line: "No comment."

But he didn't.

He gave fake outrage and acted like the reports were fabricated rumors. I don't know. I just have trouble respecting that.

To go further, the whole thing feels less respectable, the more I digest it all.

When he left Florida, it was right at the time that his prized possession, Tim Tebow (now quarterback for the Denver Broncos) was leaving to pro. He was also losing several other noteworthy players. It was going to be a rebuilding period. A rough patch.

When he left, there were rumblings that he was essentially "running away" from a difficult situation. He objected to that, stating that he had serious health and family problems that he needed to deal with.

There's the rub.

A year later, those serious problems are wrapped up neatly with a bow placed on top? I'm sorry, it just seems fishy.

On top of all of that, the OSU job is one of the more prestigious spots in the country. Albeit, its in the midst of a recovery process after the "Jim Tressel-slash-Tyrelle Pryor scandal," but it's still THE Ohio State University. Meyer will have no problems recruiting there.

I'm all about a guy working hard and making good, but I just don't feel like this was handled professionally.

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- MAGIC JOHNSON IS STILL ALIVE

I remember when I first heard Earvin "Magic" Johnson had HIV. I was crushed. He was favorite player on my favorite team (the Los Angeles Lakers). I was eleven years old and living during a time when the term "HIV" sounded like a death sentence. Thanks to crazy advances to medical science and crazy amounts of loot, "Magic" is still with us and smiling as big and bright as ever.

Recently, he sat down with CNN's Piers Morgan (Yep, the mean judge on "America's Got Talent") to discuss what the past 20 years have been like for the former NBA All-Star.



So that's it. What'd I miss? Anything else happen?

How was your week??