Article:Sunday Smoker - June 15, 2008



''Since we already have a Friday Fryer for the biggest idiots in sports, I figured we could use a recap of some of the smokin' hottest people in sports. They can be on a hot streak, a big-game winner, being lusted after by other teams, whatever. They just gotta be SMOKIN' HOT!''

First off, a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there. Second, I totally wanted to put Tiger on here if he won the US Open, but then decided he didn't play well enough overall (those three shots on Saturday were unconscionable, don't get me wrong) to warrant a spot on this week's Smoker. Without further ado, on to this week's smokin' ones...

David Villa, Forward, Spain
Villa has been arguably the best player in Euro 2008. He netted a hat trick in Spain's 4-1 opening win over Russia, and scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time against Sweden for a 2-1 Spanish victory. Villa plays for Valencia in La Liga, the top club league in Spain, but his performance in these European Championships will certainly garner the attention of the big teams in the English Premier League. Particularly Liverpool, who would have perhaps the best strikers in the EPL by pairing Villa with his Spanish teammate Fernando Torres.

Netherlands
The Flying Dutchmen have been soaring through Euro's "group of death", drubbing the world champion Italians 3-0 on Monday, and soundly defeating the World Cup runner-up French 4-1 on Friday (yielding THE line of the tournament, possibly the year, from analyst Adrian Healey…"It's a Dutch oven! And the French…ARE TOAST!"). The spectacular fashion in which Holland has taken out its formidable opponents is unique in that they have not been carried by one player…seven goals scored by six players.

J.D. Drew, Outfielder, Boston Red Sox
No longer Nancy, D.J. has done a phenomenal job taking  the three spot in the lineup after David Ortiz went down with a wrist injury. Through Saturday, Drew is hitting .444 in June, with six homers, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a .544 OBP. This is the guy the Red Sox thought they were getting when they signed him to a four-year deal. He has never made an All-Star team; this year may be his first. The Red Sox have a big series coming up with the Phillies, the best team in the National League, in my opinion. Just a hunch, the fans in Philly will have plenty to say to J.D. when he takes the field…

Rich Harden, Pitcher, Oakland A's
Harden has some of the best stuff in the American League, but has been hampered by injuries for the past two years. This week, Harden won two games for the A's, striking out 18 batters in 12 innings of work, allowing a total of three runs. Despite the fact Harden has only four wins, the A's have won seven of his nine starts this season. He has solidified himself as the ace Oakland has been waiting for him to become.

As for last week's smokin' ones…

Rafael Nadal: Just won his first career tournament on grass at the Queen's Club in London, beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

Paul Pierce: Will look to win his first NBA title tonight in Game 5 against the Lakers; defended Kobe Bryant as good as anyone could in the Game 4 comeback.

Michael Johnson:  Nothing new to report.

Hockey players: Red Wings held the parade in Detroit, I'm assuming they're all on vacation by now...