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   Since his rookie season in 1999, Tony Stewart of NASCAR has been a force to be reckoned with. He has captured many fans, not to mention 2 Cup Championships, with his skillfully aggressive driving.

   Recently, Stewart has expressed his desire to leave Joe Gibbs Racing with whom Tony has driven his entire pro career for. Why the sudden change in direction for Stewart? It has seemed like a successful combination so far.

   Some have read into his displeasure with Gibbs stemming from the success of Kyle Bush. Maybe Gibbs has been enjoying his new talents success, but surely Gibbs knows that Stewart has turned Joe Gibbs Racing into an elite Team in NASCAR.

   Could this just be another turbulent moment in Stewarts career? Perhaps, but his outbursts usually come from another drivers mistakes. It seemed like it was just going to be a normal run-of-the-mill statement that was not going to take Stewart anywhere.

   This is a 2-time Cup Champion, who has won consistantly for Gibbs throughout his career. Up until last week, the racing world assumed that Stewart was just voicing his desire to stay and make his checks slightly larger.

   Then, Hendrick Motorsports announced last week that it will release Casey Mears, driver of the Kelloggs Number 5 car, at the end of the season. Wait a minute here, it does not take a genious to put 2 and 2 together.

   With the exception of the beginning of this season, Hendrick Motorsports has been the Elite team in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series. The 2007 and 2006 Champion Jimmie Johnson calls Hendrick Motorsports his home.

   Johnson was involved in a battle last year for the championship with 4-time Champion Jeff Gordon who, you will not believe it, is under contract with Hendrick Motorsports. For years Gordons main rival was NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt Sr. until his passing, then Stewart stepped up as the new threat to Gordon.

   Stewart joining Hendrick would not be as shocking as some think. Let’s remember that last year it was revealed that Gordons former rival Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s son Dale Jr., who is the most popular driver in the sport, left his fathers race team (Dale Earhardt Inc.) to join Hendrick Motorsports.

   This move was one of the biggest in NASCAR history because it involved their biggest driver, and Dale Jr. left the team that has his name. Since then, Dale Jr. has been a solid performer for Hendrick winning one race and he is currently 3rd in the points race.

   Also, Gordon sits in 6th and Johnson in 5th in the points standings, Mears is currently 23rd and not expected to make this years Chase For the Cup. So that means that Hendrick Motorsports has three fourths of its drivers poised to contend for this years championship.

   Tony Stewart is currently in 9th place and has yet to win a race this season. Joe Gibbs Racing made a change to Toyota from Chevy which some have speculated Stewart as not being happy about. Gibbs has said that he intends to keep Stewart for as long as he can, but with the emergence of Kyle Bush, and Nationwide Series Rookie phenom Joey Logano, the odds are Stewart takes his services elsewhere.

   Adding the 2-time Champion would make Hendrick Motorsports the New York Yankees of NASCAR. When/If Stewart leaves Gibbs for Hendrick, 26 Championships seems within reach for Hendrick easily. Or maybe not.

   The month of June has came and went, with tons of note-worthy events during its thirty days. Here is a look at all of the greatest moments, whether good or bad, for June in most professional sports.

   NFL- The best professional league in the U.S. is slowly striding into its regular season by opening mini-camps earlier this month. Sen. Arlen Specter asks congress to investigate “spygate”, then later retracts his request.

   Cowboys DB “Pacman” Jones has asked to be called by his real name Adam. In other troubling news, Raiders WR Javon Walker was found unconscious on a Las Vegas street the victim of a robbery. He was taken to the hospital and released, he is expected to recover.

   MLB- Baseball is heading to the halfway point in the season. In the AL East the suprise is that the Tampa Bay Rays are a half game ahead of the Red Sox, and the Yankees are not playing like a team with an $200 million payroll.

   In both the AL and NL Central the Chicago Cubs and White Sox reign supreme as two of the elite teams in baseball. The Los Angeles Angels are on top of the AL West, and in the NL West the Arizona Diamondbacks are hanging on to two and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

   The NL East is lead by the Philadelphia Phillies hold a one game lead over the Florida Marlins. In more NL East news this month, The New York Mets fired their Manager Willie Randolph.

   NBA- The NBA Playoffs came and went with the Boston Celtics capturing the teams 17th NBA championship in six games over the rival Los Angeles Lakers. PG Derrick Rose was the first overall pick in the NBA draft. The on-again/off-again feud between Shaq and Kobe seems to be on, after Shaq made some comments about Kobe in a free-style rap at a New York city bar.

   NHL- Detroit Red Wings won another Stanley Cup by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. It was a great series for the strugling league that was highlighted by a Game 5 that the Penguins won in 3 exciting overtimes.

   MMA- June 1st was headlined by the WEC Featherweight title bout between Champion Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver, with Faber winning a unanimous decision. UFC 85 was headlined by former Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes v.s. Thiago Alves, with Alves winning with a 2nd round TKO. Also the UFC crowned a new winner of the popular series the Ultimate Fighter, when Amir Sadollah submiting C.B. Dolloway in the 1st round.

       Tomorrow morning is the 2008 UEFA EURO final featuring Spain and Germany. With these two international super powers squaring off, the battle that seems to be waging is, who is the odds on favorite?

   Spain has not only tied once in this tournament, while Germany has one loss under its respected belt. Score: Spain 1-0.

   Germany has the most EURO championships by any European football club. With that strike, Germany ties the score: 1-1.

   To try and break this match up down in the manner tried above, it can simply take you days. The truth is that this should be one of the best displays of international soccer ever.

   Guess what? It is going to be televised in the United States on ABC at 11:30 am PT. How great is that, well given that our soccer league, the MLS, is not credited with being in the same sentence as UEFA.

   Here is your chance to see some of the greatest soccer players right now play for their countries honor of being the best in Europe. Think of it as the day, if it ever comes, we all sit down and watch 32 college football teams fight it out in a playoff system to determine who is the best in our nations favorite sport at the collegiate level.

   Now picture that but you actually are at your favorite college as a student. European soccer is everything our college football system should be. Let the teams play a regular season, then take the top teams from each conference, and let them duke it out in a one loss and you are out tournament.

   UEFA does not let a computer choose who the best team is or is not based on if they played a weaker country. They just simply show up and may the best team win. That is a simple, an practical solution. A computer can never detect the hype built between a potential LSU/USC match up.

   Tomorrows game will be an instant classic, expect a low scoring affair. But also listen and observe the soccer fans that will pack the stadium, and think of our NCAA Mens Basketball tournament.

   A college football tournament could be our “EURO” or perhaps “AMERO”.

   A follow up to yesterdays NBA Draft is always a big topic in sports circles. What teams took who and why they didn’t take that top player, have always been favorite questions that arise.

   The simple truth is that it is difficult to say if a certain drafting of a player will be a good move or bad one. Players rarely have an immediate impact, but given the right situation a player can look stellar.

  So here is the review of yesterdays draft, team-by-team. The way to review is using yesterdays post of team needs, whether the team fulfilled those needs or added a best player available, followed by a “OK”, “GREAT”, or a “POOR” draft grade.

Eastern Conference

1.) Atlanta Hawks- Had no draft picks in this years draft. Have not made a trade up to this date. Until they manage to add a veteran PF or C they will not improve. Grade: OK

2.) Boston Celtics- Drafted G J.R. Giddens (30th) and C Semih Erden (60th), traded for F Bill Walker (47th). Erden might not play in NBA and Giddens will not help with rebounding. The Celtics did not need another G. Grade: OK

3.) Charlotte Bobcats- Drafted G D.J. Augustin (9th), C Alexis Ajinca (20th), and G Kyle Weaver (38th). The Bobcats needed a PG and drafted Augustin. No complaints here. Grade: GREAT

4.) Chicago Bulls- The Bulls filled a big need by drafting G Derrick Rose (1st) and later traded for the draft rights to C Omer Asik (36th). Asik is another player that may not play in the NBA, but drafting the hometown Rose will help the Bulls. Grade: OK

5.) Cleveland Cavaliers- Lebron James needs help and the Cavs need to prove they are willing to get him the help he needs. Drafting F J.J. Hickson (19th) and trading for the draft rights of F Darnell Jackson (52nd) did not help ease Lebron James’ load he has to carry for the Cavs. Grade: POOR

6.) Detroit Pistons- The Pistons made a few moves in this draft trading for the rights to F Walter Sharpe (32nd) and F Trent Plaisted (46th) and drafting F Deron Washington (59th). Maybe the Pistons added one too many Forwards but after their disappointing performance in the Eastern Conference Finals, this might re-invigorate the Bad-Boys. Grade: GREAT

7.) Indiana Pacers- Traded for the rights to G Brandon Rush (13th) and drafted F Nathan Jawai (41st). Picking up Rush was a great move by Larry Bird, Rush should develop into a consistent scorer. Grade: GREAT

8.) Miami Heat- Drafted F Michael Beasley (2nd) and traded for the rights to G Mario Chalmers (34th). Still needs some veteran help, but maybe had a franchise changing draft. Grade: GREAT

9.) Milwaukee Bucks- After trading for  F Richard Jefferson earlier in the day, the Bucks made their team better by drafting F Joe Alexander (8th) and F Luc Richard Mbah A Moute (37th). Grade: GREAT

10.) New Jersey Nets- The Nets traded for F Yi Jianlian and F Bobby Simmons, later drafted C Brook Lopez (10th), F Ryan Anderson (21st) and G Chris Douglas Roberts (40th). Like the Bucks, whom they traded with, the Nets have made a great stride forward. Grade: GREAT

11.) New York Knicks- All the Knicks had to do is grab any of the Centers available for some much needed defense, and what does the worse team in basketball do? Drafts F Danilo Gallinari (6th). Maybe with the Knicks’ lottery pick next year they can fix the train-wreck? My guess, NO! Grade: POOR

12.) Orlando Magic- With just one pick in the draft the Magic picked G Courtney Lee (22nd). Orlando does not feel the need to trade or add any players and hopes to improve on this seasons success. Grade: OK

13.) Philadelphia 76ers- One pick, one shot and it is a bank shot for the 76ers drafting F Marreese Speights (16th). They could have used a PG but Speights is not a bad choice or a good one either. Grade: OK

14.) Toronto Raptors- Still waiting for the Ok from the league on the Jermaine O’Neal trade, which should go through, the Raptors should have drafted a PG but took C Roy Hibbert (17th). Grade: POOR

15.) Washington Wizards- Needed to draft a C or SG, but drafted F JaVale McGee (18th). McGee should give the Wizards some much needed toughness in the paint so it really turned out to be a good pick. Grade: OK

Western Conference

1.) Dallas Mavericks- Only had one pick late in the 2nd Round and drafted G Shan Foster (51st). Not a bad pick for a team who has aged at the guard position. Grade: OK

2.) Denver Nuggets- Had no picks in this draft but traded for the draft rights to G Sonny Weems (39th). A good move for the Nuggets who need a young guard. Grade: OK

3.) Golden State Warriors- Drafted F Anthony Randolph (14th) and F Richard Hendrix (49th) for some needed tough presence in the paint. Randolph might not be the ideal weight for a PF but he will be a force on the boards. Grade: OK

4.) Houston Rockets- The thought process is that the Rockets would draft some help at the center position. Houston drafted F Maarty Leunen (54th) and traded for the draft rights to F Donte Greene (28th) and F Joey Dorsey (33rd). Not a great draft for the Rockets. Grade: POOR

5.) Los Angeles Clippers- Impressive draft by the Clippers by taking G Eric Gordon (7th), C DeAndre Jordan (35th) and trading for the draft rights to G Mike Taylor (55th). The Clippers did not trade any of their picks and drafted the right players to fit their roster. Grade: GREAT

6.) Los Angeles Lakers- The Lakers did not make a big move or a big splash. They just drafted G Joe Crawford (58th). The Lakers could have used a C or PF but settled on Crawford. Grade: OK

7.) Memphis Grizzlies- Traded for G O.J. Mayo (3rd) and F Darrell Arthur (27th). The Grizzlies must not have a need for talented big men, they have now traded away F/C Pau Gasol and F/C Kevin Love. Grade: POOR

8.) Minnesota Timberwolves- Had the young PG they needed in O.J. Mayo, but traded him for F/C Kevin Love (5th) and drafted C Nikola Pekovic (31st). This could be the biggest mistake of the draft. Grade: POOR

9.) New Orleans Hornets- Traded their only pick in this years draft. Still needs to improve its veteran leadership in order to become an elite team. Grade: OK

10.) Phoenix Suns- Drafted C Robin Lopez (15th) and traded for the rights to G Goran Dragic (45th). Not bad for a team who usually picks for offense, Lopez should ease the load on the bad knees of Shaq. Grade: OK

11.) Portland Trail Blazers- Traded for the draft rights to G Jerryd Bayless (11th) and F Nicolas Batum (25th). Not a bad draft from the Blazers, Bayless should be a good player coming off the bench. Grade: OK

12.) Sacramento Kings- Drafted F Jason Thompson (12th), G Sean Singletary (42nd) and F Patrick Ewing Jr. (43rd). The Kings did not draft a good PG with the 12th pick, chosing to go out on a limb for Thompson. Not a good draft for Sacramento. Grade: POOR

13.) San Antonio Spurs- Had a typical Spurs draft, picking G George Hill (26th) and F James Gist (57th). Also trading for the draft rights to G Malik Hairston (48th). The Spurs usually have a good draft, they needed to get younger and did that. Grade: OK

14.) Seattle Supersonics- The Sonics started the night with the most picks, 6 of them. Through some trades here is what they ended up with, G Russell Westbrook (4th), F Serge Ibaka (24th), C DeVon Hardin (50th), and C Sasha Kahn (56th). Also traded for the draft rights to G D.J. White (29th). Thats 5 players added from this draft. The Sonics need veteran leadership so expect them to trade some of these players. Grade: OK

15.) Utah Jazz- Added some much needed big men in C Kosta Koufus (23rd), C Ante Tomic (44th), and F Tadija Dragicevic (53rd). The Jazz did not add a SG which was an obvious need in their play-off series with the Lakers. Grade: OK

   Before the NBA Draft begins in under an hour. This is the opportunity to review each team and reveal what if any moves every team should make.

   Note: this review is without any trades agreed on in principle.

1.) Atlanta Hawks- A young player will not help this team who needs solid leadership. With no picks in this years draft, atlanta should look for a PF or C via a trade or free agency.

2.) Boston Celtics- With the 30th pick in the draft and An NBA championship, what this team needs is some youth. A young Center to help C Kendrick Perkins should be the ticket to a potential return to the Finals.

3.) Charlotte Bobcats- Where to start? With the 9th pick a PG would be a great choice. The team could use depth at the PG position by using the 20th pick for a PG as well.

4.) Chicago Bulls- Kirk Hinrich will not be the future PG for Chicago, But picking hometown PG Derrick Rose with the 1st pick will make the future a lot brighter for the baby Bulls.

5.) Cleveland Cavaliers- Lebron needs help! Taking a SG that can make an open shot with the 19th pick would make King James happier on his thrown.

Detriot Pistons- All potential trades aside, with the 29th pick this team should draft a young PF who can rebound and play defense.

7.) Indiana Pacers- With the potential trade of Jermaine O’Neal looming, a PF or a SG would be a great fit with the 10th pick.

8.) Miami Heat- Trade the 2nd pick. Get some needed veteran help. If not then take the best player available. (A Foward from Kansas State.)

9.) Milwaukee Bucks- Another team with a potential trade looming, with the 8th pick take a Center who can play defense, Andrew Bogut has not played like a 1st overall pick.

10.) New Jersey Nets- Potential trade on the block, this team can build on its acquisition of SG Devin Harris by pick a PG with the 10th pick.

11.) New York Knicks- There is just not enough time to review this the Knicks. Just don’t trade out of the 6th pick for Ron Artest or give up any future 1st rounders.

12.) Orlando Magic-  Not a bad young team, there isn’t much to do with the 22nd pick. A PG who can play back-up to Jameer Nelson would be great.

13.) Philadelphia 76ers- Try to trade up to grab a good PF. Samuel Dalembert could use some help on the boards. Not much to do with the 16th pick.

14.) Toronto Raptors- With the potential of having Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh under the hoop, A PG who can penetrate the lane with the 17th pick.

15.) Washington Wizards- With the early termination clause on SG Gilbert Arenas’ contract available, a SG or a C would be a great choice for this team with the 18th pick.

Western Conference

1.) Dallas Mavericks- Only a trade can help them move up, with only one pick in the 2nd round at number 51. So maybe they will try to trade for a SF like a Lamar Odom.

2.) Denver Nuggets- With no picks in this years draft, it’s hard to see this team improving. A trade for a young PG could hit the spot for this team.

3.) Golden State Warriors- Trading Baron Davis will not turn out good for the Warriors. With the 14th pick Golden State should take a PF for rebounding purposes.

4.) Houston Rockets- Yao-ouch! Its becoming a fact that the talented Yao Ming will get hurt at some point in a season. With the 25th pick this team should trade up to grab one of talented C or PF.

5.) Los Angeles Clippers- My 2nd favorite draft time team. With the 7th pick they should take a PG, but will probably trade that players rights for a Marko Jaric.

6.) Los Angeles Lakers- My favorite Draft time team. Who knows what miracle trade the Lakers will pull off. My guess is none with only the 58th pick, it’s nice to dream though. A C will help Pau Gasol with Anrew Bynum’s knee injury.

7.) Memphis Grizzlies- They gave Pau Gasol away for almost free. So with the 5th pick expect Memphis to draft a C or PF. Kwame Brown is not the future there or anywhere! Darko Milicic too.

8.) Minnesota Timberwolves- With great young talent, a veteran PG would help, A young PG to groom would be nice too with the 3rd pick.

9.) New Orleans Hornets- A great young team who will only get better. A veteran SG would be a nice addition. Expect them to take a SG with the 28th pick.

10.) Phoenix Suns- They traded Shawn Marion for Shaq? With the 15th pick, from Atlanta, expect the Suns to draft an offensive minded PG.

11.) Portland Trail Blazers- A veteran at any position would help this team. With the 13th pick they can add any player available, it doesn’t matter. They are gonna be one of the strongest teams in the league for years to come.

12.) Sacramento Kings- The 12th pick in the draft might be good enough to get this team a young and talented PG, which is a huge need.

13.) San Antonio Spurs- Not much to do with the 26th pick, but learning from history, the Spurs just may turn this pick into gold.

14.) Seattle Supersonics- Another team that needs veteran help. With 6 picks in tonights draft, with the 4th pick being the earliest, expect the Sonics to make a trade or two.

15.) Utah Jazz- With the 23rd pick there is not gonna be much for the Jazz. Expect them to add a SG who can play defense.

   The 2008 Euro has been very captivating and exciting. Todays match between Turkey and Germany was no different. With two early goals in the first half, it was very obvious this match was going to be a shoot out.

   Of course the stakes were high with a win and your into the finals of the UEFA European championship. With the first point scored by Turkey, a team that this tournament has made a habit of last minute goal, scoring in the 22nd minute making this a likely strikers dream.

   Then 4 minutes later the German team struck back with a beautiful goal set up by an amazing pass by Podolski to Schweinsteiger. With a fast moving match like this, no one can complain.

   But just as the match is tied going into the 60th minute, the weather in Basel chose to knock out the international feed. Many watching on ESPN here in the U.S. were left to wonder what was going on.

   All that was on the screen was the thousands of people at the fan stations outside of the stadium. After listening to the reports of many auto-manufatorers in Germany either closing for the day or pushing back shifts so their employee’s can watch the game, it’s hardly imaginable what was going through these German fans heads as the feed was gone.

   Five minutes go by and still no sign of the match, just ESPN’s commentators trying to analyze a game that was starting to hit its stride. Ok, now we are 10 minutes into the black out, the game is close to hitting its 80th minute when Klose scores, but there is still no live feed.

   Well, thats it! Germany locked it up, and finally the live feed is back. Time to watch as Germany coast into the finals, surely Turkey, who is playing like their legs are gone, does not have another comeback left.

   Again we lose the international feed, but really its over right? Wrong. Turkey, the comeback kids, have done it again and scored in the 86th minute on a great pass from Sabri to Semih that inches past the German goalie.

   Incredible, the hope is now for the weather to hold up for the 15 minute extra period that will ensue, but again we lose the feed. ESPN scrambles to try and get their update desk ready, while we watch the fan stations. Then something happened that was obvious from the German fans, the German squad scored in the 90th minute to lead 3-2.

   A valiant effort by Turkey and those who worked hard to get the international feed back up and running. Germany proved too much for Turkey but just by a little. The feed blackout proved to help the games’ excitement, with the exception of the final goal.

   Tomorrows second semifinal is a match between Russia and Spain, here’s hoping that game holds up to the excitement of todays. It should with Spain having the tournaments goal scoring leader David Villa and Russia’s exicting Andrei Arshavin. Kudos Euro!