| | Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, ESPN Radio AllNight host Todd Wright dropped by to take user questions in chat. Wright joined ESPN in November 1996 as a co-host of GameNight on ESPN Radio which airs seven nights a week. He currently hosts ESPN Radio All Night, 2-6 a.m. ET Monday-Friday. Prior to joining ESPN Radio, Wright served as an anchor for Tampa Bay Lightning radio broadcasts in Tampa, and as host for WFNS-AM in Tampa and WGTO-AM in Orlando. Below is a transcript from Wright's April 24 chat:
 Todd Wright at 3:58pm ET
The Air Jordans are off and I'm ready for any questions you have, including anything on NHL or NBA Playoffs.
Justin In Wausau from min-mn.concentric.net at 3:59pm ET
Todd...You have mentioned that you would like to own a pair of Ric Flair Autographed boots, any luck?
Todd Wright at 4:01pm ET
No luck as of yet, but I may have found my in this weekend. The Nature Boy does a lot of things for the Carolina Hurricanes, including many appearances on their Jumbotron that are pre-recorded for hockey games. I met some good people in Raleigh this past weekend in Game 6 and they might be able to help me next time Flair makes another appearance.
Marc from tnt1.corpus-christi3.tx.da.uu.net at 4:01pm ET
Hello Todd, my name is Marc. Do you think the Lakers can get past the Spurs if they were to meet in the Western Conference Finals? Thanks
Todd Wright at 4:03pm ET
A West final between LA and San Antonio would be THE series in the playoffs this year, much like Lakers-Portland was THE series last year. While I'm confident the Lakers can defend their title, my concern is how the Lakers this year dropped off this year in their field goal percentage defense from a year ago. Let's remember, Tim Duncan was not healthy last year and was a major reason why the Spurs did not challenge the Lakers and the Blazers for West supremacy last year.
Rob in Wisconsin from acronet.net at 4:04pm ET
you've been a big supporter of 1 888 KINGS LA this year, but were you surprised that they beat up the Dead Wings in the last 4 games? And is Deadmarsh a godsend to that team, or what?
Todd Wright at 4:07pm ET
The Kings and to a lesser extent the Blues were the only surprises at least to me in advancing past the first round of the playoffs. When Los Angeles was able to take advantage of those two bad Martin Lapointe penalties in the closing minutes of Game 4, that allowed Los Angeles two power-play opportunities and to make the comeback now known as The Fantasy on Figueroa. There's something to be said for momentum when you win a game like LA won Game 4, just like when Philadelphia won in Game 4 in five overtimes last year against Pittsburgh. I liked that Los Angeles obtained two very good players in Deadmarsh and Miller when they dealt Rob Blake. Miller may be more important than Deadmarsh this next round against Colorado.
Mark in Chicago from proxy.aol.com at 4:07pm ET
There have been rumors here in Chicago that Terry Murray and Robbie Ftorek are the top two candidates to be behind the Hawks Bench next year. Would Murray take a chance and get into an awful situation that is quite possibly worse than that of Florida's?
Todd Wright at 4:12pm ET
The Blackhawks franchise is in as bad a shape as the Ducks and the Islanders, which doesn't make financial sense based on the revenue streams available to Chicago. The Blackhawks are making money while the Ducks and Islanders are losing tens of millions. This is poor management and poor scouting. If the Murray you referred to is not the next head coach, his brother just might be. As far as Ftorek, he can't be picky about his next NHL head coaching job, because when he was replaced in New Jersey, the Devils instantly became Stanley Cup champions.
Kyle from proxy.aol.com at 4:13pm ET
Do u think the Knicks have a chance to go to the finals?Do u think they will get Chris Webber and get rid of Larry Johnson?Who do u think they will give up for Chris Webber
Todd Wright at 4:16pm ET
With Van Gundy on the bench and Sprewell and Houston handling the ball, the Knicks still are as good as any team in the Eastern playoffs. Teams simply can't score 90-95 points against New York, which gives the Knicks a better than average chance of winning any playoff game. The X factor is Marcus Camby, who has developed a better jump-shot and is New York's best interior defender. If Camby plays as well as he did the second half of the season, the Knicks likely will go back to the finals. As far as the future of Chris Webber, you and I both know it's not in Sacramento, and despite all of their cap room, it's not in Detroit either. New York and Houston and maybe the Lakers strike me as the favorites for Webber's services next year.
CanesFan from [170.69.248.21] at 4:16pm ET
Todd, I previously heard you trash the fan support of the Carolina Hurricanes. After your trip here for game six, do you want to amend your prior comments?
Todd Wright at 4:18pm ET
I will amend my criticism of support of the NHL in the Triangle when I see more than 8,000 people at the fifth regular season game next year against an opponent other than Pittsburgh or New Jersey. To the city's credit, they created a good playoff atmosphere for Games 3,4 and 6 of the first round. However, you and I both know the sign of a good fan base is when the fan base comes back when the games don't mean as much.
Joe LaPorte, IN from [12.39.2.196] at 4:19pm ET
Todd, have you ever interviewed Pete Rose? Will he ever soften his stance & make it into the Hall of Fame or will he always be his own worst emeny?
Thanks Joe
Todd Wright at 4:21pm ET
Growing up a fan of the Reds in Cincinnati, it is odd that I have yet to interview any of the members of the Big Red Machine. I agree with your statement that Pete has been and might continue to be his own worst enemy. This is a cold war like we saw exist between the US and Soviet Union twenty years ago that now exists between Rose and Bud Selig. While I will always be a fan of Rose, Bench and even Pat Darcy, I believe that the Dowd Report was correct and Pete knew that he was caught betting on baseball and baseball gave him his out by not releasing that evidence and allowing the argument to go on.
Frank from [12.41.204.3] at 4:22pm ET
What will eventually be more successful, the XFL or the WUSA?
Todd Wright at 4:25pm ET
While I was a big believer initially in what the XFL was trying to do, the level of play did not keep me interested. Needless to say, I wasn't the only one. There's something to be said for the theater of Stone Cold Steve Austin turning heel as he did at X7. It's another thing to try and create that theater between Rusty Hillman and Jesse Ventura. It just didn't work. I haven't watched the WUSA. I probably will not watch the WUSA. But that league strikes me as one that has more modest expectations and is not competing against a league of similar gender and sport, and thus should survive.
Billy from [141.154.91.3] at 4:26pm ET
Is Indiana going to make it 2-0 tonight or is Philly going to bounce back tonight? The Pacers did go to the finals last year and they still have the guys who made possible: Rose, Miller, and Croshere.
Todd Wright at 4:29pm ET
Unfortunately for Indiana, there are as many good players who aren't there from last year's team that are still there. I think Jalen Rose has been hurt more this year by his lack of a defined role, as was the case a year ago. There aren't as many other scoring options to allow Reggie to free himself more for his open shots. To me, Croshere has struggled this year, probably for the same reasons that Reggie has. Also, Isiah Thomas has coached all of one NBA playoff game, and his lack of playoff bench coaching experience and of a defined rotation will cost him either tonight or ultimately when the Pacers are eliminated. I'm told he over-coaches, and in the modern NBA, that's never a good thing.
Jason adamson, TN from edge.net at 4:29pm ET
Will michael vick see action in his first year. Is this Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn last year.
Todd Wright at 4:33pm ET
Assuming Chris Chandler stays healthy, which is a huge assumption anyway, the Falcons will stay with Chandler at least through the month of September. Once we get to October, if the Falcons fall under .500, then we will see Michael Vick. Vick already told Peyton Manning that he expects to be ready to go by the fifth or sixth game. I'm still not convinced Michael Vick will be an NFL superstar. However, he might not have to be if the Falcons continue to rebuild their defensive and offensive line as they should. I think your right that Ripken won't play beyond this year. I would be surprised if Gwynn didn't. Let's face it, Gwynn is Padres baseball and it's not like there are 25 all-stars on the Padres to force Gwynn out. With Ripken, his body is just breaking down.
Geoff from [38.192.131.227] at 4:33pm ET
Is the Red Sox pitching staff for real? With the exception of Lowe, they're pitching fantastic baseball right now... how long will it last? Thanks
Todd Wright at 4:37pm ET
You're right about how there's less of the gap between Pedro and the rest of the staff as we used to know. That gap has now moved west to the South Side of Chicago where the White Sox have David Wells and very little else. Maybe Nomo is flourishing in the American League because a lot of hitters are not used to his delivery even though he lacked success with the Tiger team last year that we're learning now is even worse than we thought. As far as Derek Lowe, he'
s one of the coolest guys in baseball, let alone Boston. The shelf life for relief pitcher is shorter than for boy bands on MTV. Unfortunately for Derek, he looks like O-Town while Mariano Rivera is N*Synch.
Ted in Duluth from cpinternet.com at 4:38pm ET
Todd, I absolutely love what you guys do on the air each night... I can't get enough. One question though... is there a website out there that can provide a glossary of some of your terms? Some of the synonyms you guys have for home runs go way over my head.
Todd Wright at 4:40pm ET
Just look at it this way: Negotiating our terminology is like negotiating a new video game. The more you listen, the more you'll figure out, just like the more you play that video game, the further you go before you get killed. Eventually, new terminology will develop in front of you ears as you listed now that will replace old terminology that you never figured out. And you wouldn't want me telling that next guy the explanation to a term that you learned from listening all the time.
Todd Wright at 4:41pm ET
We're pausing for just a moment for the visual accompanyment of Britney Spears latest video which is No. 4 today on TRL ....
Todd Wright at 4:41pm ET
... anybody else want a Pepsi right now
Rob in Wisconsin from acronet.net at 4:43pm ET
Todd,
The hardest question of all... I get to tix to one concert this summer, who do I go see?
Todd Wright at 4:45pm ET
Excellent question! As I am currently am holding tickets for five different shows this summer with more to come. My recommendation would be Blink 182 based on when I saw them last tour, and not only how good they sounded, but how much fun they had on stage. It wasn't raunchy, it was just good rock. If you've seen Blink 182 and you haven't experienced Aerosmith, then you might want to catch Steve and the boys this tour as their new album is quite good.
Andy in Muncie from ipt.aol.com at 4:45pm ET
Todd with 2 d's. How do you keep your sanity at 4:00 in the morning?
Todd Wright at 4:47pm ET
Four in the morning to you is probably one on the morning to someone out West. Or two in the morning to someone in Phoenix or Denver. Time is purely a state of mind as Bud Grant, the old coach of the Vikings said about cold weather. You can probably guess that I've always stayed out until the sun comes up on my weekends anyway. Now ESPN just pays me to stay up the other five nights.
Joe LaPorte, IN from [12.39.2.196] at 4:48pm ET
What do you think will happen to Bobby Knight this year? Will he last?
Todd Wright at 4:51pm ET
The impact of Bob Knight's hiring on the Texas Tech athletic department and basketball program has already exceeded expectations. Merchandise, tickets, and interest in Texas Tech basketball is at an all-time high and will only continue to grow to the beginning of the 2001-2002 season. Keep in mind that coach Knight had very little to work with in taking over this program in terms of returning talent. As this program was on probation and finished last or next-to-last in the Big XII Conference. To expect coach Knight to win 20 games instantly is not fair to coach Knight or to his players. This is not Indiana, a program that Knight put on automatic pilot for 20 years a year. This is Lubbock, Texas, and a lot of infrastructure has to be built. I expect coach Knight will last and hope that his critics will leave him alone and be satisfied that they already cost him one job.
Hoosier from speedex.net at 4:52pm ET
Do you think a player must attend college(junior or 4 year) at least a year or two before going pro? (in any sport)
Todd Wright at 4:55pm ET
Based on example that have or currenty do exist in all four major sports, I don't see any reason why a 17 or 18 year old needs to fake his way through a semester or two if all he's interested in is playing his sport at the professional level. If that player has no interest in developing his education and would just rather play the sport he's gifted to play, I have no problem with that. If he does not make it at the professional level, he can always choose to pursue his education again. College professors, academic counselors and coaches have it hard enough, why make it harder on them with players who don't want to open a textbook.
marinerfan from [64.40.57.146] at 4:55pm ET
Which kind of talk show format do you prefer-- One where the show consists entirely of audience phone calls or one where the host talks and intervies guests?
Todd Wright at 4:57pm ET
I prefer the latter, which is why I do the latter. Look at it this way -- if you were a listener with little interest in the Phoenix Suns, what are you more likely to listen to, a caller with no background that you know of, talking about how the Suns can't shoot, or, Anfernee Hardaway talking about how the Suns can't shoot. Like it or not, it's a lot more credible when it comes from an identifiable source.
Luis from NJ from nnj.adsl.bellatlantic.net at 4:57pm ET
Ichiro. Is he the real deal?
Todd Wright at 5:00pm ET
Looking around major league baseball, there are a lot of teams, a lot of so-called good teams, with many players who aren't hitting right now. An example would be Tim Salmon in Anaheim or even Jim Edmonds in St. Louis. This is not a problem for Ichiro. He hasn't seen most of these pitchers, so he hasn't seen most of their pitches. Yet he's hitting well over .350 and doing fundamental things, such as hitting the cutoff man. He most certainly will be rookie of the year barring a season-ending injury, and will likely be, along with Edgar Martinez and John Olerud, the three toughest outs in the Mariner lineup all season long.
Tim (Gillette, Wy) from [165.234.131.51] at 5:01pm ET
Minnesota are they for real or not? I love the Twins so you know my awnser
Todd Wright at 5:05pm ET
Winning baseball is about pitching and not giving away outs. Radke is a legitimate 20-game winner. Milton is developing quickly into a 17-18-game winner. Joe Mays has REAL good stuff, and is getting more confident with every good outing. There bullpen is very deep, and doesn't seem to be one that will break down. The defense looks solid, so like the San Francisco Giants, they should be able to win more than they lose if they get hitting from just a few guys. Those few guys just might be there. And Guzman at the top of the lineup is extremely important, because when he gets on base, Koske and Doug have another guy to drive in which may be the difference between winning a game 4-3 and losing that same game 3-2.
John, Denver, CO from [208.242.212.159], at 5:05pm ET
Todd,
Any idea where Mitch Richmond might land? Still any chance the Heat might be interested?? and, Caddyshack...what is your favorite scene?
Todd Wright at 5:12pm ET
You pick two of my favorite things to talk about. Mitch Richmond was always my favorite player in the years he played with Sacramento. You and I both know that he suffered from playing in Sacramento, but also from playing in the Jordan years. Richmond was consistently difficult to guard one-on-one anywhere on the floor, and was good for 20 points a night. Unfortunately, and Mitch has admitted this, age has caught up with him. The last two years, he hasn't shot well, and he hasn't been able to create his shot that well. I don't think Mitch is done, but I think Mitch is best served by playing 15 minutes per game next year on a good team that needs instant offense off the bench. I would also like to see him get back to the Western Conference. Mitch will probably only play in Miami if it's purely about being close to home. I don't think it's the best fit for him. As far as Caddyshack goes, it's very difficult for me to pick one scene, as it is very difficult to pick my favortie one sport. So I'll pick two and you can choose. First, Rodney Dangerfield's first scene in the movie and his romp through the clubhouse including his bowl of soup reference to the judge. Or, the one scene, and there's only one, where Bill Murray and Chevy Chase interact. Keep in mind, that there was a second scene where they interacted that hit the editing room floor. And you can see that scene on the Caddyshack 19th anniversary edition on DVD. It involvs Carl give Ty a ride on an insanely large lawn mower.
Amel from 69.134.71.on.wave.home.com at 5:13pm ET
Hey Todd
How come your picture does not appear anywhere on the net?
You sound like a good looking guy.
What are trying to hide?
from your biggest fan : )
Todd Wright at 5:15pm ET
I have to look in the mirror every day, so I know what I need to hide. Radio allows me to look like whoever you want me to look like. Much like when Mo Vaughn asks a dancer what her name is, she can reply, 'It's whatever you want me to be.' And much like that dancer, I'm here to entertain you. Except we know what she's not wearing, but what you don't know is what I'm wearing. I'll leave TV to good looking people like Linda Cohn, Lisa Salters, Jody Vance, and of course, Bill Pidto.
Johnny C from cpinternet.com at 5:17pm ET
Gina Lee Nolin as Sheena.... good or bad?
Todd Wright at 5:20pm ET
Not just good, very good. As you know, Gina has been in studio with me on the show. And it's always refresing when the people we watch in television or in movies are nice in person. And in her case, they look even better in person. You can expect Gina again on the show soon as her people recently invited me on to the set of Sheena. Now that I've made friends with people at Sheena, now my next goal is to make friends with the people who promote the show Relic Hunter, as I am an even bigger fan of Tia Carrere. Mike Myers told me a few years back that he had no knowledge of Tia. I find that very hard to believe.
Todd Wright at 5:21pm ET
I be back to do this again real soon. I thank you for all the questions, including the ones I didn't have time to answer, but it's time to get in some hoop before the sun goes down. Otherwise, I may shoot as bad next time as the Miami Heat did in games 1 and 2.
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