Daily News Update

Outside of my individual posts, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a "Daily News Update" with other interesting stories to which I'm not necessarily going to devote a full post.

* Update: Noah's punishment? Six months probation and a $200 fine.

* SI.com's Tom Verducci realizes he's a week behind on the MLB instant replay argument.

* China has stopped airing NBA playoff games because they are too entertaining. Obviously they didn't watch the Pistons/Magic series.

* Our own Brian McBride returns home from Fulham after five years in the EPL. He cited the desire to play against better competition as his reasoning.

* Former Memphis forward Joey Dorsey "knows" the Chicago Bulls are NOT picking Derrick Rose.

* Former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing is upset new GM Donnie Walsh did not interview him for the open head coaching position.

Noah Ticketed in Gainesville, Again

A day after receiving an order to appear in Gainesville, FL court for possession of under 20 grams of marijuana and an open container violation, Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah had a second run-in with police officers.

This time, Noah was traveling 32 mph through the University of Florida campus in his Hummer with a posted speed limit 20 mph. The UF Police issued two tickets to Noah--the first for not wearing a seatbelt and the second for unknowingly driving with a suspended license. To knowingly drive with a suspended license is a criminal offense, something which Noah was not charged.

None of these four violations are really that much of a big deal in the long run, and I have to agree with his father Yannick who doesn't understand "all that fuss" about the situation.

I certainly disagree with Noah being detained for an open container violation in the first place that is disregarded in the town on a daily basis. As far as being pulled over on campus, I suppose that is fair as he was going 50% over the speed limit (which is ridiculously low to begin with) and was not wearing a seatbelt. Having your license suspended and not knowing about it is even more ridiculous.

Say what you will about the rest, but Jo, put your seatbelt on.

Noah Faces Charges in Gainesville

Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and an open container violation early Sunday morning in Gainesville, FL.

Noah, the 2006 Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and part of the Florida Gators back-to-back national championship teams in 2006 and 2007, was found carrying an amber-colored liquid in a cup with ice while walking in the city's downtown area. After being brought to the police annex to be charged and served a notice to appear in court, the Gainesville Police Department also found a marijuana cigarette in his pocket.

It is tough to argue the marijuana charge, but the original stop for the open container violation is quite ridiculous. As a former University of Florida student, I have seen dozens (if not hundreds) of students stopped for open container violations both downtown and on campus. When those stops occurred, as long as the student cooperated, the usual punishment was for the drink to be discarded and to expect a stern warning from the officer.

I'm not suggesting Noah receive any special treatment, simply fair treatment that a normal student (Noah is in town taking classes toward his degree) would receive. But, let's be honest, this happened in Gainesville. Give the guy a free pass and move on. He was on foot, by himself, not causing any problems. Then again, it is the end of the month and there are few students in town...perhaps it was a quota situation?