Random notes:
It's to the point now where every time Nedim Karakas speaks publicly, he hurts his case.
This isn't to say the general manager of Fenerbahce Ulker is wrong about his insistence that University of Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter was paid big bucks to play for the Turkish basketball team.
Who knows who's right or wrong at this point? Kanter's father says his son was not paid anything more than expenses. As you would expect, UK Coach John Calipari sides with Kanter's father.
It's up to the NCAA to decide.
But in his latest e-mails to Pete Thamel of The New York Times, Karakas makes a rather questionable claim that his club would turn down a transfer fee — "Three or 4 million USD (U.S. dollars) would not mean that much," wrote Karakas — and then proceeded to attack Kanter's academic skills.
"Enes has a good basketball potential yet academically, he is not gifted as much," Karakas said.
Now come on, was that necessary? If, as Karakas claims, he has turned over the necessary documentation to the NCAA to support his claim, why is he staging a public battle with the Kanters?
If he is correct, Karakas will get what he wants. The NCAA will rule Kanter ineligible. What's the point in attacking Kanter publicly, other than to put pressure on the NCAA to rule the potential star ineligible?
There's been a lot of fan talk about The New York Times having some sort of agenda, and no doubt Calipari's agenda is to see Kanter in a Kentucky uniform this season.
But clearly the person with the most destructive agenda is Karakas.
■ Come on, admit it, it's fun to see Steve Spurrier feisty again.
■ Here is why the Patriots go to Super Bowls and the Bengals stay home: The Patriots decided they were not going to put up with Randy Moss's foolishness, and sent him packing. The Bengals continue to placate Chad Ochocinco, and now Terrell Owens. Yes, there looks to be something wrong with Carson Palmer. But the Bengals' problems run deeper than Palmer's arm.
■ Dusty Baker did a great job this year managing the Reds. He fosters a player-friendly atmosphere of confidence in the clubhouse. But sometimes you have to scratch your head at Dusty's moves.
Sunday night, Paul Janish was listed in the original lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS with the Phillies. But after the injured Orlando Cabrera told Baker that he felt good in warm-ups, Baker scratched Janish for Cabrera. Never mind that Janish was 3-for-7 lifetime against Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels.
Cabrera proceeded to go 0-for-3, and commit a throwing error that allowed an unearned Philadelphia run.
It reminded me of what now-retired Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox once said about injured players. When they say they are ready, give them two more days.
■ Speaking of the Reds, the name to watch next year is catcher Devin Mesoraco.
■ After LSU got a first down from a botched fake field-goal attempt, then went on to beat Florida, Gators Coach Urban Meyer was asked if Les Miles is indeed blessed. "Next question," answered Meyer.
■ And what a surprise to find that after back-to-back losses, Chris Rainey is now practicing with the Gators. But then every back needs great timing, even the ones accused of texting "Time to Die" to their former girlfriends.
■ Did you know that Texas Tech has allowed onside kickoffs returned for touchdowns each of the last two weeks?
■ Through six games, Tennessee has allowed 23 sacks, most in the nation. Poor Matt Simms. His father surely had a better offensive line at Morehead State.
