This is one week where I have no remorse about writing my weekly SportsBubbler column from the confines of my parents basement. Sure, I'd rather have my own place at 25, but it is extremely hot outside, and I'll take comfortable refuge wherever I can. Now that I've got the prerequisite "OMG it's so hot outside" comment out of the way, let's talk a little sports, shall we?

Actually, talking sports has been a little bit of a problem for me lately. Here are we in the middle of summer, at a time where sports are in full swing. The MLB season is approaching it's All-Star break, players are reporting back to NFL training camps, the NBA is about to hold it's annual draft, and there is a significant golf or tennis tournament every other weekend. However, what am I forcing the readers of The Bucky Channel to skim through lately? Articles about soccer and the WWE.

Let this be my formal apology to the readers of not only my personal website but to the SportsBubbler universe as well. Even though I may have developed an untimely interest in World Wrestling Entertainment, I shouldn't have to force you guys through whatever thoughts and opinions I may have about the matter. It's become clear to me that the only people that like when I write about wrestling are the people that I actually watch it with, so I will keep my comments about the "sport" private for now. (Unless you want me to talk about it some more? No? Okay, I understand.)

Thankfully for you guys as well, I did not attend either WWE show that was in Wisconsin this week, with RAW being broadcast from Green Bay on Monday and Smackdown! being taped in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Had I attended either event (or both, gulp), you can bet that would have been the subject matter of this week's column. And I know you're thankful that that didn't happen (especially when Walsh told me that one of the people he saw waiting outside the Bradley Center on Tuesday was a woman with a neckbrace.... and overalls). With that being said, I will not apologize for my recent writings about soccer, either here or on The Bucky Channel.

First of all, realize that the only time I ever write about soccer is when I'm talking about the U.S. Men's National Team. It's not like I try to push the MLS or act pretentious by talking about European soccer, I talk strictly international play. I understand there is a stigma against soccer which lead many of you to find it as boring or uninteresting, and if you are watching your 13-year old daughter's team then that is definitely the case. But I don't see how anybody that considers themselves a sports fan wouldn't be entertained by the game of soccer when played at the highest level in the world.

Take the magnificent game that was the Confederations Cup Semifinal between the United States and Spain on Wednesday. How thrilling was it to watch the Spanish attack continually pepper U.S. keeper Tim Howard with shots, only to have them deflect off of the crossbar, a defender, or Howard himself? How exciting was it to watch the States take advantage of their opportunities and cash in with two goals? To see soccer being played at that level, with the underdog stipulation in play, with all the sights and sounds of a big-time international competition in full effect, with your country being represented on the field, how can you not walk away from watching that match satisfied?

If I can get in to hockey, you can get in to international soccer. Do yourself a favor and watch the winner of the Brazil vs. South Africa match take on the United States in the Confederations Cup Final this Sunday at 1:20pm on ESPN2.

Speaking of hockey, I want to thank everyone for their input on which hockey team I should pick to follow next season. I narrowed things down to eight teams: Chicago, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Buffalo, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Boston. Basically, you guys left me with not a lot of reasons why I should like a team, but more or less a lot of reasons why I shouldn't. To review:

Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues - These are two teams that I could actually attend a game or two of during the season, and I have a buddy who is a big Blackhawks fan, so that could have been fun. But I was foolish to think that I could actually root for a team from either Chicago or St. Louis. I'd like to apologize about that one too, while I'm in the apologetic mood today.

New York Rangers, New York Islanders - I've always had an obsession with wanting to move to New York (even though I've never even been there), so I thought that maybe I could pick one of these teams. No one really gave me a reason as to why I shouldn't root for these teams besides, "Come on, dude". But that reason spoke volumes, and I will comply.

Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers - Cities = Cool. People in these cities = Not cool. Can't be grouped with those people either.

That leaves the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres as the team that I will follow next season, and I can't be a bandwagon fan, so Buffalo is the winner by default! It's not so bad of a pick, I don't think. They've never won a Cup title, so if they do I can enjoy the championship along with Buffalo fans for the first time. Buffalo is only a 11 1/2 hour drive from Fond du Lac, so I guess I could make a weekend out of it. One of their players, Drew Stafford, is from Milwaukee, so that's kind of cool. In the end, Buffalo was the only team out of 30 that I couldn't find a reason as to why I shouldn't root for them, so they are the winner! (The only downfall is that the Buffalo branch of Dunder-Mifflin is closing, but I can let that slide).

Plus, Buffalo Sabres are tough as hell, as evidenced by this guy:

And I know I'm against personalized jerseys and everything, but this is totally happening:

 

I'll probably be buying that jersey with the money I didn't spend on a Richard Jefferson jersey last season, since he's no longer a Buck and all. In: Kurt Thomas, Amir Johnson. Out: Richard Jefferson. In for about an hour, now out: Fabricio Oberto. Likely Out: Bruce Bowen. That's a lot of action for one day, but overall a good cap dumping day by John Hammond. More moves look to be on the horizon as well, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Luke Ridnour traded one of these days either, but we'll see.

The Bucks now have some room to resign one, but likely not both, of the Ramon Sessions / Charlie Villanueva combo. Gut feeling says that Sessions is going to be the guy they hang on to, because there are a lot more Villanueva's in the league than there are Sessions. That's who I would resign anyway. With that said, you'd think maybe they would draft somebody to replace Villanueva. But this draft is all about point guards, and I like I said I think they'll trade Ridnour away, so I'll agree with everyone else and say Jonny Flynn of Syracuse is the pick. I am, however, a big Brandon Jennings fan, so I wouldn't be upset if they took a guy that already has one year of professional experience.

Now, if somehow the Bucks lucked into Ricky Rubio, that would be a dream come true! I love Rubio as much as a man can love another man he barely knows anything about without being gay.

Is Frank Catalanotto's at-bat music really "Your Love" by The Outfield? If so, I just might have a new favorite Brewer.

While watching the U.S. soccer game yesterday, the announcers mentioned that there is a movement within FIFA to ban the horns that you hear constantly during international soccer matches. Apparently the broadcasters of the sport don't like it, but I think that would be a huge mistake. The constant noise from the stands is one thing that makes international soccer (football) what it is, it'd be a crime if that was taken away.

Anyone who said that "Tropic Thunder" was the funniest movie in years needs to be banned from watching movies (seriously, people said this). I mean, it wasn't terrible, but maybe because I was expecting the worst. I loved everything about Robert Downey Jr.'s performance, and he truly did deserve an Oscar nod. The monologue about going "full retard" in the movies was spot on as well. But the rest of the jokes usually fell flat, and it was another clunker in Ben Stiller's rapidly declining career. But hey, give me that movie anyday over Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Tonight on Brewers Live: Bill Schroeder and Bert Blyleven finally tie the knot.

I'd like to extend my condolences to Brian Collins, the man of "Boom Goes the Dynamite" fame. After working sports at his college television station (like me), Collins then moved on to news and reported for a small-market TV station (also like me). Well, Collins time at KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas is over, and it appears he was let go without any legitimate reason (alright, this is starting to sound too familiar). Collins became an internet superhero when he melted on air while delivering Pacers highlights, but has since parlayed that into an experience where he probably worked terrible hours for no more than $24,000 per year. The television news business is an interesting beast, and if it's what Collins really loves to do than I wish the best for him. But hey, if Collins has to move into his parents house for awhile and work at a restaurant for awhile while trying to figure out what he really wants to do, that's fine too. Good luck buddy, I feel for ya.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention a book recently written by my father. After nearly thirty years in coaching, Pops decided to write a book on what it takes to make each season as meaningful as possible. Do me a favor and at least check out "Coaching a Season of Significance" at my dad's new website. Do me a big favor and buy a copy. Do me an even bigger favor and buy a copy of his book and buy me that Sabres personalized jersey.

The obvious choice for a music video this week, "Your Love" (the original version, not the terrible Katy Perry cover). I couldn't find a legitimate video to embed, so here's the song set to a slideshow of pictures from Miami Vice.

See you at.... you know what, I'm not going anywhere this week. Enjoy your weekend.

Oh, and while I'm apologizing, sorry this column sucked!