Each week I'll talk about the world of sports…

• They are jumping with joy out in Portland and Seattle. They have ever right to be happy. Remember back in 1979 when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson entered the NBA in the same season? They were fierce competitors and it was great for the NBA. My friends, these guys coming in to the league together will be a positive that David Stern has to be thrilled about. It is great news for the Northwest as well as Mr. Stern!

• Frank Thomas got ejected on the same day he hit his 500th home run. Let me tell you, for all the critics screaming that 500 is not the same Hall of Fame criteria that it once was, forget about it. To average 25 home runs over 20 years is durability, and definite Hall of Fame credentials. Thomas also won the AL MVP award twice and has been an All-Star numerous times. He would get my vote on the first ballot for a trip to Cooperstown for enshrinement.

• Craig Biggio also enjoyed his milestone on the same day Thomas got to 500 home runs. Biggio joined the 3,000 hit club, the 27th player to accomplish that feat. That's great since he is a fellow Seton Hall Pirate. Talk about testing time, in the day and age when only several guys get 200 hits in a season. Quick math tells me you have to do that for 15 seasons to join the 3,000 hit club! Congratulations to Biggio, who has also shown his loyalty to the Houston Astros.

• The Florida Gators basketball program reached a special level when it won back-to-back national titles. Now it has climbed to the elite of the elite as three players were taken in the top 10 in the NBA draft, the first time that ever happened. The trio of Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah accomplished that feat. Then Chris Richard and Taurean Green went in the second round to give the Gators five players in the NBA draft. Billy Donovan and Jeremy Foley had to be proud. Meanwhile, Lee Humphrey went undrafted and I can tell you he is capable of knocking down the trifecta. Humphrey could surprise and make somebody's roster as a specialist. Remember that nobody drafted Matt Carroll out of Notre Dame and now the Charlotte Bobcats are happy he's on their team.

• One player off to an impressive start at Wimbledon is Maria Sharapova. She won her first three matches in straight sets and is doing a nice job with her first serve percentage. She is capable of walking away with the championship, but it will not come easily due to a tough draw.

• White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle looked like he was going to agree to a deal with the club for a long-term extension. Now that looks like it has fallen through, so GM Ken Williams could deal the southpaw. I was impressed by Buehrle when I saw him against the Devil Rays last week.

• The Yankees entered play Monday four games below .500. The New Yorkers were 2-9 in the last 11 games and they seem to lack a serious spark. It is looking more and more like the team will miss the playoffs, hard to believe.

• I felt that when Vince Carter opted out of his contract, he would still eventually end up with the Nets. It didn't take very long and Carter is back with his running mates Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd. If they stay healthy, they will be a contender in the Eastern Conference next season.

• Ryan Howard has been hot for the Phillies. In his first 31 games of the season, he was batting .200 with six home runs. In his last 33 contests, he has hit 13 homers and raised his average almost 50 points.

• Rick Pitino brought in one of his former stars to join his Louisville staff. Former Kentucky standout Walter McCarty will be a positive factor for the big men on the Cardinals' roster. Pitino needed to replace Marvin Menzies, who went to New Mexico State as Reggie Theus' replacement as head coach.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.